I do not own Beyblade but Demon-Death-Claws (Ressa a

I do not own Beyblade but tragic-hellion (Ressa a.k.a Demika and formally know as Demon-Death-Claws) and I own Marissa (Ressa) her father, Brian and any other characters/bit-beasts that you don't recognize.

Droopy: :stares slightly at Ressa: Uhh huh, so, why haven't we updated?

Ressa: :looks up from her ice cream sundae: Well let's see, I've had this never ending writer's block and you're excuse?

Droopy: Lack of ideas :sweatdrops: But…I think we've made up some ideas for a chapter so without further adue…

Key: "Talking" Thoughts/Talking to Bit-Beasts :Bit-Beast Talking: :Different scene:

Love at the End of the River Chapter 6: The Journey Continues

Ressa opened her eyes with a fight as the call of comfortable sleep still echoed in her head but the impending sunlight was more powerful as it woke her from her dreams. She gave a quick start as she looked around at her surroundings. She had expected to see her room but instead, she was resting besides a burned out fire pit and on top of some patch of leaves in which she used as a pillow. The grass was soaked with the morning due and Ressa just blinked in confusion for a few seconds. There was a rustling in the trees from beside her and she only stared more as Kai emerged from them. Kai had just shot her a quick glance, not paying much attention to Ressa's stare.

Ohh yea…Ressa thought as reality came back to her remembering all the events that had occurred in the last few days. She stood up from her make shift bed and stretched out the cramps that came from the painful ground. Ressa did the best she could, having no mirror or shower and cleaned herself up with some water that had been collected earlier and a cloth from Kai's torn clothes. Feeling as she was cleaned as much as she could possibly be, she sat down on the log that was next to the fire pit and watched Kai half-wobble, half-walk around the campsite. Being aware of Ressa's eyes on him, he turned at her.

"What do you want?" He asked sharply in his 'I'm-not-exactly-happy-to-see-you' voice. Ressa blinked for a second and gave a 'humph'.

"So Mr. Asshole, what do you plan to do now since we've still haven't had any contact with anyone in the outside world and you're wound is probably infected by now"

"We follow the river. Where's there's water, there's people living near it" Kai said, ignoring the rest of the question. Kai tossed her something from his pocket and Ressa caught it as it came soaring at her face. Blinking a few times she noticed it was an apple and began to munch on it greedily, savoring the sweet taste of the fruit.

Well, I would have thought of that by myself Ressa thought to herself. She felt her pocket grow warm where her blade had resided.

:Would you have?: Arisal chuckled into her mind. Ressa rolled her eyes while she ate her apple all the way down to the core and then tossed it into the fire pit.

I don't need comments from the bird-brain gallery Ressa then commented, ignoring the majestic bird's howl in anger. Kai had been walking around the camp while Ressa talked to her bitbeast, looking through piles of branches for something. Ressa looked at him, confused for the moment until he brought out a large, sturdy stick. Kai tested it on his weight and Ressa knew what he was looking for; a walking stick. Despite only knowing Kai for so long, Ressa could tell that he was in pain even though he wouldn't show it. Kai, once again noticing that Ressa was staring at him he looked over.

"What do you want this time? Do you enjoy staring at people all day?" Kai asked, with his typical grumpy attitude. Ressa cheeks flushed a light pink and gave a growl.

"No I don't! How about you shut up and let's go!" Ressa got up from her sitting place and began traveling downriver in a hurried pace. Kai followed behind with his walking stick, limping every time he stepped, cautiously walking over fallen branches and other wilderness debris. For a long time, that was how it stayed, Ressa in front, leading the way with the river as her guide and Kai staggering behind.

:BladeBreakers:

The helicopter had just landed in a small helicopter base, surrounded by trees. When the door to the cockpit had opened, three teenage boys and an elderly man jumped out and rushed over to a jeep that lied waiting for them. The driver had explained that the only way to get to the Leone residence was by jeep or by any other off road vehicle since they lived in a remote area. Excitement ran through each of the people in the jeep for their reunion with their captain, despite being called a 'happiness-sucking-moron' by Tyson. The pathway through the forest was bumpy and bounced the members of the jeep around. Max had begun looking green in the face from the rocking when the jeep had stopped. The passengers looked out of the jeep and saw a small house in the clearing.

"That's the house boys," Mr. Dickenson said, coming out of the jeep, catching himself with his cane as he stepped down, remembering how to walk on flat land one again. Each of the boys launched themselves out of the jeep and ran to the front door of the house. "Hold on boys!" Mr. Dickenson called after them but they didn't hear him. Tyson got to the door first and began knocking like a mad man on the solid wood. It was only a few seconds later when the door was opened and Tyson stared at the man, frozen in the knocking position.

"Can I help you young lads?" He asked, looking at each one of them, confused as why they were knocking on the door so furiously.

"Brian!" Mr. Dickenson said, finally catching up to the boys, breathing heavily. "My name is Mr. Stanley Dickenson. I talked to you on the phone a little awhile ago". Brian shifted his gaze from the teens to Mr. Dickenson and nodded in acknowledgement.

"Welcome Stanley, my name is Brian, Brian Leone. Will you please come in?" Brian said, showing the way into the house to them and reaching out a hand to clasp and shake the outstretched one from Mr. Dickenson as he passed. They were lead into the living room where Brian offered them seats around a small coffee table.

"I understand that you're here to pick up your Beyblading captain Kai bu…" Brian began but stopped as Tyson jumped off of the couch.

"Yea! Where is that party pooper! When I find him I'm going to give him the biggest noogie possible on this Earth! KAI! HEY KAI! WHERE ARE YOU?!" Tyson began shouting.

"Tyson my boy, relax and let Mr. Leone finish what he was about to say!" Mr. Dickenson pushed Tyson back into his seat and nodded to Brian to finish what he was saying.

"Well, as I was saying that you all came here to take back your captain but", he started, his face getting glum, "I can't say anymore that I know where his whereabouts are anymore." The room got quiet until once again, Tyson got up and began shouting once again.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN!? MR. DICKENSON SAID THAT YOU FOUND KAI AND HAD HIM HERE!" Brian lowered his head, not looking at Tyson directly.

"Tyson, chill man. Don't blow a blood vessel on us" Max said, tugging on Tyson's shirt from where he sat on the couch.

"NO MAXY! I WANT AN EXPLINATION!" Tyson continued to stare at Brian who had placed his head in his hand.

"Tyson please! If you would hold your tongue I'm sure Mr. Leone will tell us what's going on but for the mean time relax because I have a feeling that something must have gone seriously wrong." Mr. Dickenson gave a harsh glare that he could muster for being such a kind old man and Tyson sat back, the couch making a whooshing noise as he hit it. Mr. Leone rose his face from his hands and gave a small sigh before continuing.

"A couple days ago both my daughter Ressa and your friend Kai disappeared suddenly. According to detectives, they found two sets of footpaths that match both Ressa and Kai's from deep in the forest to the edge of the river near a cliff. However, what was the most frightening thing happened to be pairs of wolf tracks following the footprints all the way to the river's edge. No one can find anything as to the lead to where they are or…even where their bodies are".

It became deadly silent, as the harsh reality that their captain might actually be dead sunk into each of the teammates.

"Kai can't be gone…he can't" Ray spoke, barely above a whisper. Mr. Dickenson had removed his glasses from his nose and began rubbing his eyes tentatively before returning them.

"This is an unfortunate predicament that we have come across but we mustn't give up hope." Mr. Dickenson said, breaking the silence. "There is no official report on their deaths as their bodies have not been found so there is still a chance of them being alive. I'll contact my office and have them send over as many possible people to help with the search. I won't stop until I find both Kai and Ressa alive!" Inspired by his words, Tyson, Ray and Max got up and put on small smiles and nodded with him. Brain, taking in a deep breath also nodded and stood up with renewed strength. A small tear ran down his cheek from his eye but whipped it away. Ressa was his only one left and he wasn't going to stop until he found her.

Mr. Dickenson got on the phone that was in the jeep and contacted his BBA office and alerting them on what had become of the two. In less than an hour, more helicopters arrived over the area and the search was on.

:Ressa and Kai:

The sun had begun to set over the horizon, glowing reds and oranges over the large forest. Ressa, still frustrated from Kai's attitude kept the pace in front. They had only stopped for a few water breaks and for snacking on local fruit and vegetation. Ressa noted that Kai's condition kept decreasing for as time continued to tick, Kai leaned more and more against his walking stick. Despite the pain he was in, Kai continued to shoo away any help that Ressa offered him and once again, Ressa growled in anger at his protest and walked away at a hurried pace and continued their journey. Ressa had begun to search the area for a suitable place to rest for the night when her bit beast entered her mind.

:Mistress, I was speaking to Dranzer and she pleads for you to help Kai. She said he's in great pain and you must help him despite him being so arrogant: Arisal had said smoothly, flowing warmth to her mistress's mind.

I'm working on finding a place to sleep for tonight right now Arisal. I can only do one thing at a time. If that bastard behind me would actually not be so uptight on himself I would have gladly helped him but noooo! He has to continue with this 'I'm-the-best' attitude. Ressa kept her attention on her search, looking for the best place.

:Mistress! Kai! He needs…: Arisal began before Ressa had interrupted her.

"AH HA! What a perfect camp right here!" Ressa exclaimed, skipping over to an area that had a hard ground, not covered in leaves and plenty of coverage from the elements. "Now Mr. Asshole how do you like this?" She planned to ask Kai but when she turned around to scream it into his face he wasn't there. "Kai?" she asked questionably, stepping a few paces from where she was and looked around. She couldn't see Kai for as far as she could see and a flicker of worry began to creep into her heart.

:Mistress, as I was saying, Dranzer said Kai has collapsed a while back:

WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THIS EARLIER! Ressa snapped at her bitbeast and began running back the way she came looking for the blue haired teen.

:I tried but you were enjoying your findings: Arisal said softly with a small hint of anger in her voice.

I don't need to add guilt to my worry Arisal! Ressa said, looking around frantically with her eyes until she spotted some blue peeking through the wilderness colors. She crouched down next to Kai and rolled him over and placed his head onto her lap. He was awfully pale, breathing in short gasps and eyebrows tightened in pain. Ressa placed a hand on his forehead, intending on moving his bangs from his face when she pulled back her hand and gasped.

"He's burning up!" Ressa scanned her eyes around the area for anything that might help her treat Kai's fever when she heard a groan coming from her lap. She looked back down as Kai opened his eyes. Kai looked up at her and began to sit up but fell back down onto her lap with a gasp of air.

"Kai you idiot! Why didn't you tell me sooner that your leg was getting worse? It would have been better if you didn't move and rested the day instead of hiking all this way just for you to catch a fever," Ressa began shouting but then her voice died down, ending with a soft voice full of worry.

"I don't need the help…most of the time," Kai admitted giving off a small smile which Ressa blinked at, unfamiliar with the facial expression on Kai.

"Well…can you walk a bit further? I found a place where we can camp up ahead" Ressa asked. Kai nodded and stiffly, with Ressa's help managed to sit up and up to his feet. The walk was rather slow and Kai had leaned most of his weight onto Ressa who, was smaller in size had a tough time keeping Kai and herself balanced. When they got to the camping site Ressa had found they were both exhausted; breathing heavily and sweating. Kai lied down lifelessly on the ground, eyes shut as if he was sleeping which Ressa didn't doubt that he wasn't since the fever had taken all of his strength. When Ressa was able to breath steadily again, she quickly collected firewood from around the area and assembled in into a pile. Ressa stared at it.

"How do I start a fire with out a match or a lighter?" She asked herself, biting her lip in concentration as she thought. "Friction causes fire…" She grabbed two sticks and began rubbing them together. Despite the determination that Ressa had, after several minutes of trying to start a flame, she threw the sticks down with a groan. "How the hell am I going to start a flame?!" She asked.

:Mistress, I could help you there if you were to launch me: Arisal said into Ressa's mind. Ressa, confused for a second brought out her launcher and her blade and placed Arisal onto the launcher.

"LET IT RIP!" Ressa shouted, launching Arisal towards the fire pit. Arisal moved a little around until she found a spot on top of some wood and just spun there. Ressa blinked, becoming more confused then before.

What are you doing just sitting there; I thought you said you could start a fire! Ressa said, flopping down onto the ground staring at her blade.

:Patience young one: Arisal said softly. Ressa huffed and watched. Within a minute, smoke erupted from where Arisal had begun to spin on the wood and Ressa gave a smile.

I see now, very smart Arisal With a few more moments of watching a small orange flame emerge from the spot and Arisal jumped away from the spot quickly before the whole fire began to take over the rest of the wood in the pit.

:I thought so. If you don't mind, I'd like my blade polished and shinning in that fire like a piece of glass: The bird beast teased and no doubt grinning.

Of course Arisal, thank you for your help Ressa said, placing her blading things away back into her pocket and went back to Kai. His breathing continued to come out in harsh gasps and Ressa frowned. Grabbing some ripped cloth from Kai's shirt, she ran towards the river and dipped it in there, soaking it and rushed back. She drizzled some of the water into Kai's mouth and then placed the cloth onto his forehead. Ressa took many trips back to the river to replenish the cold cloth to Kai's head. By the time she had notice Kai no longer breathing heavily but rather in a normal rhythm, she sat down by the fire and sighed. It was already dark, the full moon shining over head with the billions of stars from the galaxy.

"What am I going to do?" Ressa said out to no one in particular, giving off another sigh. She sat there for awhile, staring up at the beautiful sky that she loved. Being in the forest rather than a city, she could see all the stars brightly, forming the Milky Way, The Big Dipper and others that her father had taught her to recognize. Ressa stared at the brightest star of all, the North Star that started back at her, sparkling as if answering her question. There was a noise coming from behind her, making her whip her head around. Ressa expected it to be Kai but Kai still lied there, sleeping peacefully next to the fire. Alarmed, Ressa got up and reached into her pocket to her blade and prepared it for launch.

"Who's out there?" Ressa said shakily, hoping for a response. However, when she got her response she froze, realizing that it was not a human voice. A large howl came across her ears from the dark woods all around her. Ressa gripped her blade launcher tighter, her knees shaking in fright. Then, more sounds came from the forest, mimicking the first howl with many more and the glow of golden eyes came through the darkness. Ressa was surrounded, no where to run and Kai was in no condition to try to run or even battle what ever the creatures were that lurked in the forest.

"Oh, no…not again" Ressa said, eyes wide opened as wolves emerged from the tree cover, stalking their pray slowly. Large white fangs reflected in the light of the fire as they came closer. There had to be twenty wolves in the pack, all looking hungrily. However, Ressa noted that they weren't looking at her as much as they were looking at Kai's lying form on the ground behind her.

"They smelled his blood from his wound on his leg…" Ressa stepped back closer to Kai and the wolves followed her, moving in closer to their prey. Ressa swallowed. Her brain was thinking into overdrive on how to distract the wolves away from Kai and at the same time away from her.

:Any ideas coming to your mind Mistress?: Arisal said, feeling the fright coming from her Mistress.

Only one Arisal…and I hope it works. Ressa stood ready as the wolves prepared to pounce. When they began to make her move, Ressa pulled hard on her ripcord and shouted

"LET IT RIP!!"

--

Droopy: So Ressa, how do you like facing twenty, meat hungry wolves surrounding you with Kai to protect and no one to help you?

Ressa: :grins: Bring it on!! :bounces around with excitement: I'll show those wolves who's boss!!

Droopy: Well, while Ressa get's pumped for her challenged, read and review everyone! Thanks and I hope you enjoyed the chapter.