Dark: Here's next chap. Ack, u'r lucky, I wasn't gonna post this today. From the middle of the afternoon onwards, my day was just wasted & Maths eating my sanity in the slowest way possible.

Disclaimer/Summary: Check the Prologue.

"..." speaking

Italics' thoughts

: … : bit beast talking

Chapter 1... Twisted Fate

Iris was mad.

Nah, that's an understatement. She was beyond being mad. A mixture of being enraged, humiliated, angered beyond words, sad, woeful... The list went on and on.

Her foot connected with the door in front of her, making it open wide and slam into the wall beside it. At the moment, she didn't notice it. She couldn't. She didn't hear, she didn't see anything beyond red.

First, he says it's over... Why? Then, calls me a... a... the b-word. Fucking bastard! How dare he? He bloody knows what happened! He knows everything! Why! The softly sniffing girl made her way to the railings of the ship, looking at the sea.

The calm sea. The blue sky. The white fluffy clouds. Her eyes turned away from the beautiful scene, disgust in her features. As she looked to the side, a familiar blonde head entered her field of vision, much to her surprise. Tiffany. And she was a bit shocked to see her place something on her lips from its resting place in between her fingers. Not again...

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Tif watched in amazement as the smoke floated from her slightly parted lips, the nicotine calming her ranging mind. She was just as mad as her best friend, if not more. That asshole didn't have the right. He fucking knows it! And yet, he did it. She sighed, "He doesn't deserve you, Iris... He's not worth the trouble."

"You're right."

"YEOW!" The cigarette flew from her fingers, landing back on her palm, where it'd burned her tender skin. Tif looked back in surprise as she rubbed the sore spot. "Iris.. I-I didn't knew you were there..."

"I bet you didn't. Otherwise, you wouldn't be smoking, right?" an amused eyebrow rose, "I thought I told you to stop doing that..."

"Meh, I like it. What's with you?"

"You. You're my friend, and that's bad for ya. You know that."

"Ah.. Leave me be, Cathy..."

"Don't call me that."

"Then, don't tell me what to do." Both girls smiled conspiratorially, two small grins only understood by two females who just reached a truce. "You ok?"

"I'll live." Iris shrugged. But the sadness in her eyes was noticed by the other girl already.

"You surely don't seem like it. It's not like you to be this upset over a boy; let alone one that just did what he did."

"Look, I just dunno why he did it. That's the thing. But I don't care anymore, I guess. It's over. No big deal."

Tif sat on the railings, her feet curling over them, keeping her secure. "Don't blame yourself, that's what he wants..." She patted the place beside her, winking, "He doesn't realise what he just lost, huh? Perhaps if you told me some more about him, about your time together, would it make you feel better?"

Her friend sighed heavily, "Fine..."

The rest of the morning and a bit of the afternoon was passed like this, both of them having forgotten all about having lunch.

"...not to mention that he's a great blader. I still don't know why he did this. He never seemed... forced, or unhappy. I think."

"Hey... Don't blame yourself, remember? That's what he wants you to think. Maybe he thinks he's not worthy of you."

A forced laugh escaped the hurting girl, "Kai would never think like that. Ever. His pride wouldn't let him, believe me. Anyways, you're right. It's time to move on." A pair of arms wrapped loosely around her waist and she was startled for a minute, before she recognized who it was, "Don't do that, Axel!"

The older boy placed his chin on her shoulder gently, "Is my favourite gal feeling better?"

"I'm not your gal! I'm nobody's gal!" her lips curved into a real smile for the first time since the encounter with the BladeBreakers, "Yeah.. Slightly. Thanks to Tif here. She's being a sweetheart."

The mentioned girl looked shocked, "Sweetheart? Moi? Hey, I resent that!" The three friends laughed wholeheartedly.

"Come, let's go over to the pool. The blue boy may be there. You can show him."

Iris looked at him over her shoulder, an eyebrow rising, "Blue boy? Who the- Oh... Kai.." her hues saddened once more and the other immediately regretted having said that. "Show him what, big fella?"

"That what he did isn't affecting you in the least. Have fun with us, swim, sunbathe, battle, anything to make him believe you're perfectly fine. I'm sure that even Rui won't mind to let you have your way with him."

"Yeah." A mischievous glint in her eyes told them she really wouldn't give a choice to the blond playboy, "I'm sure he will."

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After finally eating and training, the Dominatrix Team made its way towards the pool area. Quite a few teams were there, mostly girls sunbathing. She didn't saw the BladeBreakers, but Iris was determinate in having a good time. No way I'll mourn even a second over him. As he said, it's over.

Shauna squealed in delight, "Aww that's why I just love the Atlantic! The air gets warmer as we travel south!" Finding five chairs, she draped her things in one and immediately dived for the sun-warmed water of the pool.

And Tif and Iris, for a change, were discussing.

"No, explicative."

"Nah, restrictive."

"Explicative."

"Restrictive."

"Explicative! Bloody hell girl, the expression has two virgules! It can be removed and still make sense."

"Restrictive! It doesn't, that's just a smudge on the fucking book! It's as old as your house! Besides, it complements the previous sentence!"

"Shut up already! I don't wanna hear about the bloody Portuguese test! Man, I got 19." Rui sweatdropped, as he sat on the chair beside Shauna's.

The two remaining girls snickered, "What! You got the lowest note!"

"Yup."

"You're-"

"A handsome, great, drop-dead gorgeous, blond playboy?"

"-An idiot." Iris smacked him upside the head.

"Oh." His grin came back almost instantly, "But you still love me!"

"Bah, you wish!" Iris pulled him to his feet after taking out her shirt, now only on some black shorts and a black bikini top, trying to drag him over to the pool. He seemed aware of it a few moments later, as he started to struggle out of her grasp. She didn't let him though, and soon, they were both trying to trip up one another. Not noticing Shauna, they both splashed onto the pool as she pulled on both their ankles.

"Oww... Man, I fell on my back..." the poor boy hissed as he rubbed his now tender and reddening back with a slight grimace.

"Awww, poor Rui!" the girls wrapped their arms around him, giggling softly, as he held them.

"If I knew this would happen, I'd have hurt myself long ago!" that earned a strong pat on the back from both females, "OUCH!"

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Kai saw the exchange with resentful eyes, Damn her... He stopped as the rest of his team headed for the pool. He leaned against the wall of the bar. He didn't want to admit it, but he felt the stabbing of jealousy gnawing at his mind.

The slate-haired teen kept telling himself that this was for their own good. If his Grandfather found out, there was no way they would be safe. Not like last time. And she... she didn't need him anymore. Iris had found her friends. No.

His eyes never left her form through the next two hours, as he sipped some water. As she talked among her friends, laughed, swam, sunbathed... But something on her mesmerizing silver blue hues was amiss. Something he just couldn't figure out from the slight distance between them.

And after those two hours, he finally saw his chance. She finally separated from the group, spoke a bit to Tyson and the others and started to walk towards him. Or better saying, the bar. She passed the wall where he was leaning on. She didn't saw him. A few minutes later, she came back, holding a cup of Negus, sipping it calmly, much to his surprise.

He stretched his hand, taking the drink from her loose grip, startling her momentarily. In the few seconds he took to place the cup on the nearest table, their eyes locked, and those seconds stretched for an eternity. Everyone around them seemed to slip away and all there was left was each other's eyes.

It seemed just like everything had returned to the way it was before their encounter.

And then, the feeling was gone once more as her gaze turned away. "What do you want, Phoenix."

Yes, what did he want? He didn't possibly know. He just felt the need to look at her, right in front of him. "Nothing." He replied, quite honestly.

"Then, why did you take my drink? Are you going to start telling me what I should or shouldn't drink too?" her voice was mostly annoyed and angered, but if he wasn't mistaken, slightly hurt too.

"I'm not your babysitter."

"Good. Keep that in mind, Hiwatari." With that, she took a step forwards to grab her drink. His hand shot up but, instead of catching her arm as he initially wanted, it lingered over the soft skin of her neck. Instantly, he felt the muscles there tense up.

"Let me go." her voice had lowered to a whisper, determination and... Fear in it. Slight fear. The only time he heard it directed at him was on the last few days he saw her. After destroying the Abbey. But it wasn't fear for what he could do to her, like now, it had been the fear of almost losing him.

"No." he spoke just as softly, as he leaned in. The girl tried to pull away, but the hand securing her kept her in place almost painfully. A soft whimper escaped her as his lips brushed against hers in a feather-light kiss. He didn't know if the whimper was from the pain in her neck or relief of finally being kissed again. Like him. Her lips...

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His lips...

Iris wouldn't call it a kiss, no. She stood as still as a statue, as he satisfied himself with brushing his full soft lips over her cold bow-shaped ones. The hand on her neck was hurting her, but slowly, it eased her pain, opting for caressing the side of her neck and grazing her throat. It was then that she finally gave in.

She felt, rather than saw his surprise as she nipped at his lower lip, drawing blood, licking her lips clean of it. Fisting his top, she crushed her lips to his, closing her eyes at his groan of approval. And suddenly...

««Flashback»»
"Kai-"

"Don't you dare saying another word, bitch. I told you, we're through. I won't say it again. I don't want you."

And that was it. He said it; the forbidden word.

"The only thing that you definitely don't want is to admit your own feelings! And just because you're too fucking stubborn to even realise that-"

The back of a strong hand hit her hard across the cheek, make her stagger momentarily. Kai's.
««End Flashback»»

As soon as she remembered, her hands pressed onto his chest and pushed him away, breaking the kiss hastily, hurt clear in her now red-rimmed eyes. "Bastard." She hissed, her eyes narrowing.

"It was you who kissed me like a sex-neglected slut, not me."

Again, a biting remark, squeezing her heart, destroying every last bit of respect and affection she ever felt for this boy. And yet, he was quite right. "You didn't had the right."

"To do what? Kiss you? You didn't seem to object much now, did you?"

"Fuck you! You were bloody restraining and hurting me!" to emphasis what she meant, she slapped his hand away, which hadn't left her neck yet.

This time, it was those mahogany depths of his which narrowed. Without another word, he turned his back on her, "This is over..." he paused, as he walked away, "For now, at least."

She nodded silently, even if he couldn't see it, "I don't doubt it," as he resumed to walk away.

Through the rest of the day, Fire and Thunder didn't meet again.

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The door of one balcony opened as girl of fifteen years old exited the inside of the cruise, letting out a sigh of relief as the fresh, cold air hit her hot face.

Her soft, brown hair had grown extremely long over the year and had been kept in a high ponytail held by a pink scrunch; her violet eyes were still the same as ever. She changed her style from her pink top and black skirt to a black crop top, with a pink top over it and blue jeans, held by a pink belt and trainers.

Tenebrae Rosa placed her hand beside her right eye, stopping some of her strands from covering her face. She walked towards the railings of the cruise's balcony and rested her arms against it, leaning slightly forward. Eyes seemingly tired, she gazed at the reflection of the starry sky.

Her past wasn't perfect, nor was it horrible, just complicated. Her mother died at childbirth, her father soon after, and she was stranded on the cold street of Russia, frozen to death if a purple-haired man hadn't come and took her in. He raised her, and once she was old enough to walk and talk, he trained her to become one of the top blader's.

Soon after, she joined the other beybladers of the Abbey and was trained to be an emotionless and ruthless beyblader, but her sanity kept her from being a puppet.

Working in a group helped her a lot and sometimes it didn't; she got into many fights yet she made some friends. And she missed them all everyday.

There was her black-haired friend, feisty yet friendly; her lilac haired friend, quiet yet helpful; a giant friend who acts like a body-guard, always protective of the brunette; a shrimp, always humorous, never letting her down, always making her laugh when she's upset; and a certain red-haired boy, whom she slowly got a crush with. She still did have it, but as time went by, they were farther apart, and to her, the feeling was just another memory.

A lone tear rolled down her cheek and she made no move to brush it off. She let out another sigh and slowly closed her eyes, enjoying the peace and quiet.

The door opened again and a surprised look fell upon icy blue hues as the boy set his orbs on the back of the girl. His mouth became dry at the sight of her, as he stayed rooted to the spot. I thought she had died... Slowly, as if his legs had their own mind, he walked towards the girl, wanting to reach her, to feel her. Just once. He saw her shiver, from the cold. Or from feeling; he did not know, and extending his hand, he lightly touched her shoulder.

Ten snapped her eyes open and quickly turned around, surprising the redhead. She gasped inwardly, also surprised. With a lump in her throat, it took a full two minutes before she was able to speak. "Yuriy?"

Said boy slowly nodded, still speechless. He gulped, whispering her name. Silence ensued their words. Ten noticed, as they continued to stare at each other that Tala was wearing jogging bottoms, a red t-shirt and jacket; Tala was also doing the same, taking in every bit of detail of her. He noticed how taller and slimmer she got, and when he took in the detail of her face, he noticed how more beautiful she had become.

Her eyes were brighter than last time he saw; her nose, small as ever and her bow-shaped, red lips... how he wanted to place his own on top of them, how he wanted to taste them, to taste her once again. Without realising, the ice-wolf owner was leaning forward, closer and closer towards the girl.

Ten couldn't do anything except stay rooted to the spot; she wanted to move but she couldn't. Tala's face was just about an inch apart from hers, and his lips were getting closer and closer towards hers. Her breathing became rapid as did the beating of her heart and she slowly closed her eyes, as if she was in a trance, until her mind was pulled to a certain scene, a scene she most wanted to forget.

««Flashback»»
"No, I would've told you, if you had asked me. But the truth is, I don't like her, Rosemary. I did, once, I won't deny that. But for quite some time, my mind is thinking on somebody else. And that somebody happens to be you." At the sincere tone his words had, she looked at him once more, into those electric blue hues.

Right then, she knew she couldn't say no to him. He couldn't be lying about this, he just couldn't. Or maybe it was just her optimist nature. Whatever it was, it made her eyes soften, as she pressed her lips against his in a small peck, pulling back afterwards, before everyone else noticed.

Except a pair of violet eyes...
««End Flashback»»

"NO!" Ten whispered, snapping her eyes open. She placed her hands on his chest firmly, pushing him backwards. Tala's eyes also opened immediately, and looked at her quizzically. Ten shook her head at him, tears brimming her eyes.

"Ten?" his voice was questioning.

"No," she repeated over and over again. Then without another word, Ten swiftly walked pass the redhead, running up the steps, opening the door, entering the cruise once again.

She half-jogged, half-ran down a corridor and came face-to-face with a door. Placing a hand on the handle, she opened it, and entered. Blared up music met her ears and continuing pumping inside her head as she made her way through the crowd and up the stage, where the crowd suddenly made a loud cheering. The door to the dinner-and-dance party room opened again and the captain of the Demolition Boys entered, eyes fixed on the brunette on the stage.

"We used to swim
The same moonlight waters...
Oceans away
From the wakeful day"

At the sound of her singing voice, Iris looked up from chatting to her team to the stage and smiled softly at the sight of her long-time female friend, safe and sound. She grinned, ignoring the rest of the conversation.

"I play Russian roulette with a bullet called life, oh yeah!" Rui suddenly interrupted the calm, sad song, as everyone else sent him questioning looks. "What? Don't like 'Sugar', from 'System of a Down'? It's quite good!"

Tiffany quickly took the rest of his drink, drinking it all in one big gulp herself, "'k, Blondie, no more alcohol for you!"

"Alcohol? But that's just a milkshake with a bit of fruit!"

"Yes, well, alcohol for you is called glucose, normally known as sugar!"

Ignoring the younger one's talk, dark brown eyes widened at the sight of the singer. For once, Axel didn't care about shutting them up.

"My fall will be for you
My love will be in you
If you be the one to
Cut me, I'll bleed forever"

The words of that verse clenched Tala's heart as he listened to the words, listening to the truth between the lines.

"Scent of the sea before
The waking of the world
Brings me to thee
Into the blue memory

My fall will be for you
My love will be in you
If you be the one to
Cut me I'll bleed forever

Into the blue memory..."

"Wow!" breathed Rui, looking up at the stage. "Sings pretty good. Wicked! Who's she?"

"That's Tenebrae Rosa. My friend from the Abbey," Iris replied .

"I think I'm in love!" Rui cooed .

His team looked at him as if he had grown another head, especially their captain, yet they had gotten used to his stupidity. Ignoring the blond haired boy, sighing, they turned their attention back to the stage.

"A siren from the deep
Came to me
Sang my name, my longing
Still I write my songs...
About that dream of mine...
Worth everything I may ever be.

The child will be born again,
That siren carried him to me
First of them, true loves..
Singing on the shoulders
Of an angel without care
For love and loss..."

Two girls from Ten's team grinned as she sang her part of their song. Forest Romano and Kironi Ngo, along with Tenebrae Rosa made another beyblading team for the Brazilian tournament but they were also a music band in their free time, entertaining fans of the beyblading sport. They have finally managed to make the release of their latest album, with the current song part of it.

Everyone was quiet and stared at the empty stage with one person on filled with many other people; all dancers as they took their positions on the stage and at the top part of the dance floor.

The music was simple and in a sad/quiet mood, letting the dancers get mentally prepared for their part to start. Once the music blared up again, the dancers started the dancing routine they had practiced, courtesy of Ten.

"Bring me home or leave me be
My love in the dark
Heart of the night
I have lost the path before me
The one behind will lead me!

Bring me home or leave me be
My love in the dark
Heart of the night
I have lost the path before me
The one behind will lead me!"

As Ten sang, she looked around the crowd until she locked her eyes onto the eyes she didn't want to see.

"Take me
Cure me
Kill me
Bring me home
Everyway
Everyday
Just another loop
In the hangman's noose!

Take me, cure me,
Kill me, bring me home
Everyway, everyday
I keep on watching us sleep

Relieve the old sin
Of Adam and Eve
Of you and me
Forgive the adoring beast"

The captain of the Demolition Boys gaped at the brunette, mouth slightly parted and slowly made his way to his team who was standing on the dance floor, eyes kept lock with the pair of violet eyes, as she danced with the dancers.

"Redeem me into childhood,
Show me myself without the shell.
Like the advent of May,
I'll be there
When you say
Time to never hold our love"

As she sang this small part, her team-mates came onto the stage, microphone in hand, and they sang that last part of the song together: the chorus.

"My fall will be for you
My love will be in you
You were the one to cut me
So I'll bleed forever..."

Iris frowned slightly at the glimmer in Ten's eyes. Is she trying to hold back tears? Taking a better look, she followed her eyes. Yuriy... The happy thought of seeing him was switched to the one that he was behind Ten's sadness. Hn...

"Something's wrong, Iris?"

"Ah, no, Tif. I'm fine. I'll be right back." She replied over her shoulder as she walked away.

"Hey! You're gonna meet up with Ten, aren't ya? C'mon, take me with you!" Rui grinned, as Axel and Tif smacked him, while Shauna giggled.

The black haired girl continued on her way, shaking her head, avoiding the Demolition Boys the best as she could. She wanted to talk with Ten first. After singing, she and her team had walked away. To their dorms, I'm almost sure. And so, she followed that theory, stopping beside the door which said the brunette's team name, 'Viscera Nigror'. She knocked.

From inside, she could hear Kironi complaining in Russian, "If it's someone asking for an autograph, I'll strangle you for having the idea of singing, Ten! And I'm not joking!" the door opened, the slightly taller girl frowning at the Lusitanian girl, "Yes, what is it?"

"I wanted to talk to Ten, if that's ok with her." Right after her sentence, a chair being knocked to the hard wood of the ship was heard.

Ten pushed Kironi out of her way, standing face to face with Iris. Both girls hugged. "Long time no see, huh?"

Iris slapped her playfully, "You talk like it was nothing! For god's sake, I thought you had died! Do you know for how long I cried and thought of you this past year? Well, a lot!"

Violet eyes lit in amusement, "Sorry. We still had to run away and find a place where neither Boris nor Voltaire could find us. Which was hard itself. But the thing is, I'm just fine. Couldn't be better, after that song." Those same eyes saddened after that.

"Don't lie to me, Ten."

"Eh?"

The other girl's expression became serious once more, "What did Tala do to you? What happened?"

Ten frowned, "I don't wanna talk about it. He's just another guy who likes to play with other people's feelings. My feelings..." Stepping back from her friend, she added, "Excuse me, but my team and I have training to do." With that, she started to close the door, but Iris entered the room before that, using her lithe body to her advantage.

"I know how that feels, Ten. Believe me I do." Her eyes fell from Ten's questioning gaze, "They both changed. And not for the best, I see."

"Who do you mean?" Surely she didn't mean...?

"The ones you are thinking at the moment, my friend. Exactly those same ones." Opening the door again, she stepped out of the room, walking away.

Ten looked at her figure, her eyes narrowing, Something happened with her... and Kai. And I intent on figuring out what... "Hang on." She stepped forwards, placing a hand on her friend's arm. She had known her for a long time now. She knew Iris needed to talk about it, even if she didn't ask for it, "Come in, please."

The other sighed silently, nodding, "Thank you."

"So, tell me. What the hell did he do?"

The portuguese smiled, "You know me too well, huh? He broke up with me."

"He what! Just like that!"

She nodded, "Yeah. I dunno what came over him. He just said we were through and acted as if he had all the reason! I don't understand."

For the first time, Ten noticed the sight colour of her cheek. Her eyes widened, "He didn't...? Did he?"

Lowering her silvery stare, Iris slowly nodded, "Slapped me? Yeah. He did. And he actually called me... that word."

"What word? Bit-" Forest quickly placed her hand over Kironi's mouth, before she said too much.

"Yes."

Violet eyes which had been sad just a few minutes before hardened, "Fool..." Guess I'll have a little talk with Mr. Hiwatari, first thing in the morning...

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"C'mon, Terry! Hurry up with the drinks!" Christine, one member of one of the many teams that were aboard, called to her team-mate. He had gone for over ten minutes and hadn't come back yet. She entered the room he was supposed to be in.

Where her foot landed, it wasn't on dry floor, as it made a soft splashing sound, Huh? Her eyes turned down, only to open wide, Blood? "Terry? You alright? What happened? Are you hurt?"

No answer. But she could hear a soft crunching sound.

"'k, if this is some kind of joke, it isn't funny..." the crunching stopped. "Terry?" something moved a bit ahead of her. As she advanced, the door slammed shut suddenly. Looking behind her, she saw no one there, nothing. Not even noticing the lock turn into place.

She resumed walking towards the movement she noticed before. Turning on the lights, her stomach churned at what she saw. No... Terry... He was there alright. Dead. Two small holes on his neck and a large gash on his shin were everything she found for that conclusion. "Oh, Terry..." tears streaked down her face, as she tried to calm down her breathing.

The young girl turned to ran back to her team, but as she swept over the small puddle of blood from before, she tripped. Noticing the blood that was now coating part of her arms, legs and probably face, she tried to wipe it off.

"Christine..." her breath hitched in her throat.

"Wh-Who's there?" No answer. "This is getting way too freaky!" she turned the door knob in front of her, only to find that it was locked. Her eyes widened. "No... NO! Let me out!" her fists banged on the door, but to no avail.

Cold fingers around her neck and an ivory glint was everything she saw before the emotionless blanket of Death surrounded her.

"Poor humans..." Marishka sneered at the two teens, which she had just killed. Her wrist came up to her lips, cleaning them off of any blood, and licking it afterwards, "So defenceless... So naïve... Soon, your race will fall..." Her cold lips curled into a grin, "And ours shall rein in your place."

...TBC...

Thanks 2:
IcePhoenixLove: thnx 4 liking it ;) that's y I liked the suddenness of it myself, hehe. & another story like this, u say? Meh, mayb. I'm sure I'm not the only one w/ such ideas, I guess xP

Tenebrae Rosa: heh, yeah, I guess. But he did have his reasons 2 break up w/ Iris: he wanted 2 protect her & his own ideals. So, he took the easiest way. xD Boys…

hiwatarisaori: wow, I really got u mad back there, didn't I? Gomen na.. xP hehe, just wanted 2 start w/ all the drama rite from the beginning, u kno. But I kinda liked how it came out. Though yeah, Kai was a jerk. But he has his reasons, the ideals Voltaire made him adopt, so it's not just his fault!

Dark: Plz review & let me kno if u have ideas. Ja ne