Chapter Four: Unexpected / Day Two

"Don't worry, everything will be just fine," he said as he put a tired hand on the teens head. He ruffled his hair affectionately. The near middle age man knew his nephew was afraid. Crimson gazed up at deep amber.

It was barely dawn. The two were beneath the tall trees around the tennis courts behind the apartment complex.

"I'll update you, with this, and this is for the other me," He handed him an embroidered cloth and a folded-up piece of paper. He looked down at the items confused, though he didn't show it.

The brisk winter wind tossed navy and two-tone strands to and fro with the leaves. The shorter one jumped at the sensation of hands brushing against him. He looked down to see a new buckle being placed on his red belt and something being put into one of the pockets of his black cargo pants. The boy carefully put the cloth and paper in his other pocket.

"There, all set. Be careful, and we'll be monitoring your movements from a laboratory in New York," The kid nodded, and as his uncle stood up, he met his gaze once more.

Out of nowhere, the gorgeous sunrise disappeared and black clouds engulfed the sky. They swirled and the wind picked up. He shielded himself with his arms while he went to his knees.

I can't stand up, he thought.

Eyes going wide he looked around, frantic.

"Uncle," he called. "Uncle!" He was nowhere to be seen.

He forced himself to his feet and began to walk forward. Every step was a struggle. He stopped when he felt something warm hit his arms. He looked to see a splash of red on his wristbands.

"Bl-blood," he mouthed. More liquid swiftly fell, saturating him. He looked up at the menacing sky, terrified.

Suddenly, a light consumed him.

"Aahh!"

The boy breathed heavily as his body jolted upright. He was coated in sweat and he could hardly move. He was shaking uncontrollably and his heart was pounding so hard it hurt.

A bad dream, but it felt so real, he thought. He breathed deeply to steady himself.

Once he felt a little better he looked down and realized he'd been undressed and placed in an ordinary white t-shirt that was huge on him. It looked like a sheet, but he didn't care, as long as it covered what he needed it to.

Looking around he realized he was in a part of the dojo he'd never seen before.

A guest room? he thought. In this room, there was nothing but a futon and him, which he didn't like.

"Dangit," he said.

Tossing the covers off he got up and dashed for the door. Upon twisting the knob on the door he found a steaming bowl of Egg Drop Soup in front of him, along with a cup of green tea and someone he'd never met before. Whoever he was sure looked happy to see him up and awake.

"Yo, my Lil' Twin Chicken, are ya able to make the stride?" he said proudly smiling. The teen just took a step back. Honestly, he wanted to jump out the window and head for the hills but that was a no-go.

Twin Chicken? he thought. He cringed at the nickname given to him by this crazy geezer.

"Stride? To where?" he asked, folding his arms over his chest and taking on a Kai-like composure. Grandpa let out a loud laugh and put an arm around his shoulders, catching the kid off-guard. The teen just kept his eyes on the soup and cup, hoping to God it wouldn't spill on him.

"To the kitchen. Around here we eat as a family," he said, laughing.

How drunk is this man? he thought, getting annoyed. Next thing he knew, he was being pulled by his arm.

"Uh, hey," he said becoming irritated.

Down in the kitchen, everyone was taking their place and settling in.

"Yo, T-man," Tyson looked at Gramps, who was standing in the entryway. The old man let go of younger's arm. "wanna run that story of yours by me again." The double-ganger scowled.

So that's why he made me come down here, to make sure everyone was telling the truth, he thought. Tyson put his bowl and chopsticks down.

"Grandpa, don't tell me you drug him out of bed for this. You could've just asked him while you were up there," Tyson sighed, irritated that Gramps would do such a thing.

"I was already up, and heading out of the room,"

"Oh, well, that's great," spoke Hilary, who was hanging up the apron.

"Sir," Gramps looked at him. "I'm here because I got sick. Yesterday afternoon I got too hot and blacked out. I don't know who carried me here but I'm grateful they did,"

"I was also told you'd be staying for awhile because of some trouble at home," The kid looked at Kai who looked to be ignoring the situation and eating. He looked at Gramps again.

"Yeah, it's not safe. I can't go home yet,"

"That's all I needed to know. You're welcome to stay," Grandpa handed the kid his tray as he walked away. He looked over and noticed the champ rolling his eyes. He smirked at that. Tyson looked at him causing it to fade.

"Sorry about that. Grandpa just wanted to get the facts straight and he knew if you were in front of us no one would lie," That was understandable. Staying a few hours over or a night was one thing, but weeks or more was another thing entirely. "And before you ask, no, he's not drunk. Though most people think he is. But, he's always been like that and he still tries to be hip. Even though he's not." Tyson added, and the boy nodded.

So that was Great Grandpa Granger, huh? He's more of a wack-job than Uncle let on, he thought, watching as Tyson put another bite in his mouth.

He observed everyone around him, eating and holding casual conversations. He preferred watching over interacting any day, but hearing the familiar sound of slow, long, wide steps the boy looked to see the Captain approaching him.

"Your clothes are in Tyson's room. Come on," He followed the older man silently.

He opened the door to Tyson's room and the boy walked in. Kai shut the door behind them, which made the shorter one's guard rise a bit. He sat the tray down on the champ's bedside table as Kai leaned against the door in his usual fashion. The two looked at each other.

"It's not locked, you can relax," he told him.

Realizing Kai wasn't going to leave any time soon he decided to get dressed and while removing the t-shirt he noticed bright blue smear marks on the inside of it. That was embarrassing but like the man adjacent to him he did a fantastic job at masking it.

"I'll wash it," he said as he looked at him.

"No need. Those shirts are cheap. I've lost count of how many I've ruined over the years because I wore paint like that to bed. Not to mention it broke both my face and body out. That's why when I was sixteen I took it off before going to bed. I should've done it sooner but I didn't,"

"Who undressed me," he said as he put on his shirt. Now all he had left to put on was his wristbands. He dressed quickly.

"I did, and don't fret, no one went through your pockets. Tyson and I made sure of that,"

"Thank you,"

There was a pause between them, a silence that was comfortable, it eased his nerves. After he'd gotten dressed and was done eating Kai took his tray and headed for the door.

"Hold on,"

"Okay,"

Kai closed the door behind him, and when the youth heard the footsteps fade, he opened the window and immediately plopped down on the bed. He knew fresh air would do him some good.

This feels wonderful, he thought, a blast of cool air hitting him. He hated the storms that came with cold fronts but loved the aftereffects.

While he reapplied his face paint the teen made himself comfortable and decided to watch the birds in the shrubs outside. The two birds, Cardinals, were building a nest together. He found the quiet and their sporadic chirps rather soothing. He put the round container back in the back pocket of his pants.

The slight squeak of the doorknob knocked him back into reality, making him turn around. He looked to see Kai coming in and closing the door. Kai's gaze met his.

"I thought I was the only one who did that, however, I'd be on the roof by now," He smirked at that.

"I'll pass. I don't want Dragon Breath looking all over the city for me. I couldn't bear another close encounter with that mouth," Kai's shoulders moved slightly. Tyson could have some smelly breath if he didn't use mouthwash. Kai smirked. Honestly, he was stifling a laugh.

"I thought I was the only one who knew how to insult Granger," he said, walking forward. Kai sat down on the bed next to him.

"What are your questions,"

"What makes you think I have any questions," Kai said.

"Because anyone born with even an ounce of intelligence has questions when they first meet somebody,"

"Nice comeback,"

"Thanks,"

"I was being sarcastic. Nice try though,"

There was another pause, an even longer one this time.

"In all seriousness though, you came back. That's how I knew you wanted to talk," Kai nodded.

"Since you're going to be here awhile I need to know your name. It'll be a real pain if we have to hear 'Twiny' or something along those lines all the time,"

"Yeah, you're right. I don't know if I could handle that,"

"But why you? No offense,"

"It's quicker if I get the information myself,"

Why doesn't he just say it, he thought, starting to become annoyed. He could see it in his eyes. He could tell that Kai was the most curious out of all of them about who he was.

The teen got up and grabbed the notepad by the lamp and the pen. Kai watched as he wrote something on the paper. He tore it out and placed the items back where they were. He looked at Kai. He placed the note in his hands and sat back down. He studied the older one carefully.

Did I just mess up? I pray not, he thought. Kai looked at him.

"My name is, Gou. I sometimes spell it as Goh,"

"Go-oo," Kai said, sounding it out. "It's an odd name, that's for sure. Why do you change the way you spell it sometimes," he added, putting the note on the bed.

"I have two birth certificates,"

"How the hell is that possible?" Yes, Kai was surprised.

"The first one was made by the nurses at the hospital. They'd spelled my name wrong and of course, my parents were not happy. Dad especially. So, about two weeks later another one was made. Everything was correct on this one. I like the way both are spelled, so to have a bit of fun I use both,"

"So, what's the correct way to spell it," he said through chuckles. Yeah, you could say he found the story amusing.

"Neither way is wrong, but for me, it's, G-O-U,"

"I see," Kai said, hopefully, ending the conversation.

"I just remembered, I have something to give Tyson- "

"It can wait. It's cool enough now that no one should have any trouble and we have to train for the championships in the coming days," Kai said, cutting him off.

"Let's go," He told him. He followed him outside.

Outside, near the pond, stood the Bladebreakers ready to go. When Kai and Gou arrived everyone was standing around the dish.

"Today is just drills, no exercise," Kai stated.

"And I'm just fine with that," Tyson, who was still tender from yesterday's workout, added with a big smile. Everyone shook their heads at that, except for Kai and Gou. Kai looked at him and Gou knew what he was wanting him to do.

"My name is, Gou," he said.

"Are you going to Blade today?" Tyson asked.

If we participate, I can't call you out. Understand? I'll do what I can though, He told Dranzer. He could tell by the warmth on his right leg that the phoenix was disappointed but understood nonetheless and he was thankful.

"It's pretty chilly today, so I'll be fine," Gou said, a light smile on his face. It was barely visible, but it was there.

"We'll give a workout you won't forget," Tyson confidently said while he extended his hand.

"I look forward to it," Gou said, accepting the handshake. He smirked.

In the end you were right; a good test, practice, is just what I need, Gou thought. Excited was an understatement.

Gou walked up to the dish and took his place. Max approached and took his stance.

"Ready," Chief bellowed, his laptop ready to record. Ray followed,

"3… 2… 1…"

"Let it rip!" Max and Gou said in unison as they launched their Beyblades.

Draciel and Gou's blades landed in the dish. Almost immediately Max cornered him and started circling Gou's blade. With every round, Draciel's speed increased.

Because of Draciel's momentum I'm unable to move, Gou thought, his eyes following the dark green blade like a hawk. But, that doesn't mean there isn't an opening. I just have to keep looking, he added in thought.

"Let's do this Draciel," Max shouted. "Aqua Shield!"

"Just so you know, no matter how tall a wall stands there's always a way to knock it down," Gou's dark blue blade glowed in a red aura and rings of fire surrounded it. They spread along the floor of the dish as it spun, sucking away Draciel's defense. The blade got faster and faster with each turn. "And, that's exactly what I'm about to do to you, Max." The blonde watched in shock as Draciel was not only slammed against the wall of the dish but slowed down to a mere wobble in a matter of seconds.

He's so fast, Max thought.

"Oh no, Draciel," he yelled. He looked at Gou.

"You're stealing my energy," Gou nodded.

"Yes. In this place I am both the waves and the shore. I dominate," With one last slam Draciel flew through the air.

"NO!" The blade burst into pieces as it landed at Max's feet.

Speechless. Everyone was stunned, even Kai. He looked at Gou who summoned his blade back. He caught it in his hand and put it back in his pocket, eyes closed.

It's like he's used that blade a thousand times but Tyson said he damaged a store, that he had zero control of it. Just who is this kid, Kai thought.

Gou looked at Max who was on his knees picking up the pieces to give to Chief so his friend could be repaired.

From what Dad told me that was only 10% of Dranzer's power. I don't know if I can do this, he thought. He could feel his legs shaking. They felt like jelly and they were on the verge of buckling.

"Max," Gou said. The man looked up at him.

"That was one sweet match," Max said. Gou blinked confused.

"Huh?" Max was grinning from ear to ear and holding out a hand.

"You're a lot stronger than any of us initially thought. It's clear we can't go easy on you," Max said joyfully.

Gou looked down at the hand and took it. Upon gripping it he fell into Max's chest. His legs wobbled again.

"Sorry," he said, looking at him tiredly.

"Overdid it by a bit, huh? You've got talent, no doubt about that. Who says you can't control that blade?"

"I usually can't,"

"What?"

"I've only ever launched it twice, and I can't control what's inside it quite yet,"

"So that's what it was. I thought so. We'll teach you how,"

"Sounds good. I need to learn, and fast," Gou told him. Max didn't understand why he could feel it, but there was a sense of urgency in those words.

Several minutes later, after Kai and Tyson battled, Gou found himself at the dish again. This time he was battling Ray. Both assumed their positions.

Dranzer, I know you meant well by knocking me out yesterday and I'm thankful that you reminded me of her, but please go easy on me. I'm not my father. I'll end up in the hospital or in a shrinks' office if you do that stuff too much. No more visions to keep me from beyblading. I'm in too deep now. I have to do what's needed. Don't worry, I'll take care of you and fulfill my mission too. Trust and believe in me, he told the bit beast in thought.

"Let it Rip!" Both Ray and Gou said in unison as they launched their blades.

I can do this, Gou thought.

To be continued…

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