Hibisha: Wow, progress without updating.

TOBF: And you plan on posting this up when?

Hibisha: When I've written more of the other story.

TOBF: You mean Suzuno's?

Hibisha: You got it! Don't own Beyblade! over and out!

"Chapter 4"

Tala made his way towards the shooting range, the only way outside. As quick as a cat, he found himself staring at the white expanse of the snowy grounds. Taking a deep breath, he fingered his beyblade which was in his pocket and made a run for it. Not quite sure where to go, he paused in the middle of the field, thinking desperately for a way out.

Think Tala, he told himself mentally, They kill kids here...which means they need to dump the bodies somewhere...but where do they take them? Tala had never seen dead bodies being dragged back so it was obvious that the way was not through the Abbey. Racking his brains, he saw an opening in the surrounding trees. And Bingo was his name oh! Tala cheered as he swiftly made his way into the forest.

His body, albeit sleep deprived and hungry, craved freedom. Tala knew had one shot at this. If he failed, then he would be out for good. Running through a bunch of trees, he found himself in a clearing. Walking forward, he frowned. The path ended in a cliff! Growling, he nearly cried out in frustration. Walking over to the edge, he stiffened. His breath came out rapidly, forming a small fog in front of his face. His heartbeat increased tenfold as he stared down at what was most probably considered to be the Abbey graveyard.

Millions of bodies were piled over one another, being thrown off the cliff and being preyed upon by scavengers and wolves. Tala watched in growing horror and a pack of wolves attacked the body of the kid he had recently seen being dragged away. Is this our fate? he thought, tears threatening to fall, Is this what we live for? To die in such a manner and be forgotten? To be nothing more that food for the surrounding predators? He wanted to go down there and dig a grave for each one of them. He was still debating what to do when he heard the Abbey alarms ring out. Oh shit, they've found out I've gone! Forcing himself to look away, Tala tore through another thick barricade of trees before he found another path-one which looked like it was used quite often. Running down the path, he realized it had suddenly taken a steeper turn. Forcing himself to steady his body, he quickly, but cautiously made his way down, hoping no one saw him.

That would be last thing he needed. For someone to recognize the 'evil' blader. The villain of the story. Scoffing slightly, Tala kept going. The path was getting steeper and steeper so it was hard to make his way down without falling. Finally deciding he could take any more of the shit, he slid the rest of the way down. Getting up, he dusted his clothes, removing the dirt and snow and made his way past some trees. Finding himself in a clearing, he paused. Where to go now? Deciding to keep going straight, he suddenly remembered something important. Looking back, he wryly noted his footprints. Fuck, he might as well install a homing device on himself.

Sighing, he made a mental note to wipe away any further prints. Making his way backward, he carefully hid his prints and slowly made his way through the clearing. Spotting another pathway, he thanked God that it was already covered with boot prints, stepping into the already created steps, he followed the way to where ever it was leading him. He found himself at a recently used campsite. Walking over to the fire-which was still blazing, and then they wondered where forest fires originate from-he crouched down and felt the heat warm up his face. His eyelids suddenly weighed a ton and his body began to weigh ten times its actual weight. He fought valiantly but felt his body slip into complete blackness, hoping the wolves found his body before Boris did.

"You're not strong enough to be on this team." Tala told Kai coldly, hoping the dual haired kid would take the bait and go back to his old team. No dice. It was an hour before the match against the All Starz and he and Kai were in the locker room. Kai gave him a superior look.

"Tell you what Tala. I'll prove I'm worth it by taking on the entire team by myself." Tala watched as the boy flexed his arm, holding Black Dranzer in it. Looking away, he began to get up, aiming to walk towards the door, hoping Spencer or Bryan would join them in the room seeing that Ian was already standing ready near the entrance of the beystadium. So it was just him and Kai in the room. Oh joy.

"Be that way then." As much as Tala hated Kai, he wanted the boy to stay free. He didn't want him cooped up in the horrendous place with him. It was cold and Tala didn't wish it upon anyone. Kai, however, didn't seem to want to stay alone. Grabbing Tala by the arm, he forced the taller blader to sit down.

"You're scared of being alone in the room with me." Kai said, observing him out of the corner of his eye. Tala shrugged. He wasn't scared of Kai specifically-the other boy just disturbed him. He didn't like it when people just stared at him and Kai didn't like to talk. Kai was an enigma he had yet to solve so he didn't like staying with him. Plus, the boy had nearly gotten him killed. You have to give him credit for that. Inside, Tala didn't know why he cared about the other blader. But in some weird twisted way, he had come to watch out for him. So Tala was a sort of unwilling guardian angel to the demon lord himself. Perhaps it was just that Kai was the youngest kid he had ever come to know. Sure there were other younger bladers but Tala hadn't had anyone of them threaten his existence so the bond he had with them certainly lacked there.

"I am sorry." If Tala hadn't seen Kai's lips move, he wouldn't have believed it. Hell, he had seen them move and he still didn't believe it.

"Excuse me?" he said, feeling incredulous. Kai gave him piercing look.

"Don't make me repeat myself. I said I'm sorry-for everything." Tala felt his head reeling. Kai Hiwatari was fucking apologizing to him! "I didn't mean to get you into all that trouble years ago. To be honest, I just wanted to be friends." There are more ways to make friends, Tala wanted to point out, ones which do not get the other nearly killed. He opened his mouth to tell Kai to fuck off-there was no way he'd be the jerk's friend. But something stopped him. Kai looked up at him, his eyes reflecting such vulnerability that Tala felt his heart break. Kai was as much a victim as he was! Aw fuck it! Reaching out, he extended a hand to the other blader.

"Fine, we're friends."

Tala sat up, gasping for air. His first thoughts were that he was back in the Abbey but dismissed the thought after calming down. He was alive which wouldn't be the case had Boris caught him and he was also warm. The bed he was in wasn't that of his cell but much softer. Thick woolen blankets covered him and he felt comfortable-definitely not the Abbey.

"Oh lookie," a sarcastic drawl forced his attention to the other people in the room, "Sleeping Beauty is up!" Tala stared at the other three boys in absolute shock. Who the fuck were these people? The raven haired kid who had spoken stepped forward.

"The name is Seth-Seth Millers." he all but sneered, "Pleasure to finally meet you."

TOBF: And Kai nearly wanted Tala gone after that. His, "I can handle everything on my own" attitude.

Hibisha: Poor Tala-baby! Kai is a meanie! Anyways, review for the sake of Tala. *raises fist* FOR TALA!

TOBF: Oh put a sock in it.