DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN BEYBLADE OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS. THIS IS JUST A FAN-MADE STORY!

That night, Tsubasa couldn't sleep for even a minute. He just kept thinking about Kendra and her friends. Wait a minute, since when was it 'Kendra' and her friends instead of 'Gingka' and his friends?

The answer was as clear as crystal: he had taken a strong liking to the girl. He adored the way she smiled so shyly, the way her beautiful dark eyes sparkled with genuine warmth, the way she spoke so timidly and so kindly. He realised that all he could think about was, in fact, her and her alone. Her face was so sweet and charming, her personality so gentle. His soul felt so at peace when he thought about her, the innocent girl who had stolen his heart.

But Doji...Doji wanted him to stay away from her, or he would be punished...

Yu...Yu had betrayed him. He had foolishly perceived him as a friend, when all the time he was his worst enemy...

He shuddered to think how this scenario would unfold.

"Today, you two will be attending a tournament downtown where Gingka will be participating. Some of his friends may be there as well so it will be a perfect opportunity for you to observe them at their best. Don't forget that they oppose us," Doji explained.

It was the following morning, and Tsubasa and Yu were standing in their master's office, listening to their mission's objectives. Yu appeared all fired up as usual, but Tsubasa remained silent throughout. He hadn't slept a wink, and now he felt as exhausted as if he had run for miles on end. He kept fighting the temptation to close his eyes, even if for a few seconds, so that Doji wouldn't notice anything. But Doji was paying special attention to his every move, and he could easily tell that something was a little off.

"What's the matter Tsubasa? Are you not feeling well?" he asked in his sly, nasal voice.

"I'm fine. I'm just a bit, tired...that's all," Tsubasa answered quietly.

"Hmm, I see," said Doji: "Well then you'd better shake it off because I require you to be at your best today. You have plenty of spying to do."

"Don't worry Doji, he'll be okay. I'll wake him up if he falls asleep," Yu swung his arms from side to side playfully, unaware of Tsubasa's utter disappointment in him.

"I know I can count on you, Yu," Doji stressed out each syllable with particular emphasis, in an effort to send Tsubasa the silent message that he wasn't being trusted.

"Hm," Tsubasa grunted, smoothing back his hair.

"Well, that is all. Off with you now, and report by tonight," said Doji.

"Sayonara! Lalalala," Yu sang as he spun around and skipped off.

"Good luck...Tsubasa," Doji drawled with a knowing glance at the boy, who glared back before making his way out of the room.

The two boys left the Dark Nebula building and began making their way towards the battle arena downtown, where the tournament that Gingka was to participate in was taking place. The sky was rather cloudy this morning, with each slate grey cloud threatening the fall of rain. A sharp breeze had whipped up overnight, and now it tugged at their clothes and stung their skin. Occasionally, the sun would manage to break out for a couple of minutes to illuminate the ground in a dull light before being obscured once more.

"Tell me..." Tsubasa spoke suddenly: "Why did you do that to me?"

"Huh?" Yu glanced up confusedly at Tsubasa, a light frown contorting his young face.

"You betrayed me...you told Doji that I liked Kendra. You got me into serious trouble and now he doesn't trust me," Tsubasa stopped in his tracks and sucked in a deep breath: "I considered you as my friend, you know that? How could you do that to me?"

"W-wha'? I didn't betray you! I was only teasing that's all!" Yu gazed up at Tsubasa, and on his small face was a look of genuine surprise, even concern. Were his actions really the innocent playfulness of a child?

"You got me into trouble...Doji was so mad at me. He told me that he sent you with me so that you could tell him if I did anything suspicious," Tsubasa realised that his lip was beginning to quiver.

"B-but I didn't do it on purpose! I just thought it was funny! I didn't do it to hurt you, I swear!" Yu's face was overcome by sadness when he saw a solitary tear trickling down Tsubasa's cheek.

"All my life, everyone always betrayed me...I had hoped you would be different," Tsubasa tried his best to steady his voice.

"I-I'm sorry...I'm sorry Tsubasa," Yu walked over to him and gently grasped his hand.

Tsubasa gazed down at him and his heart softened. Yu wasn't evil, he was just a kid. He was innocent, he had never really sensed any spite coming from the boy. Gently, he squeezed the child's hand and gave him a shaky smile.

"It's-it's okay...I forgive you. Just please, don't do it again," he sniffed before wiping the tears from his face.

"I won't. I promise," Yu said quietly.

As the two continued on their journey, Tsubasa realised that he might have found a good friend in Yu after all.