Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade in any way. Anything I use in this FanFiction is purely coincedental
Chapter 11: Data Collecting and Doubts
The Bladebreakers sat round Kiri's bed as she explained what had happened.
"I can't believe he did that. I haven't seen Kai hit someone since we first met him." said Kenny.
"Oh, you mean Carlos. That was so long ago, I thought he had changed since then." said Kiri.
"He hit me a year ago. After the match with Michael when he smashed Michael's beyblade, remember." added Tyson.
"Should one of us have a word with Kai?" asked Max.
"I don't think he would want to see us. It's possible he regrets his actions." said Kenny.
"Possible, but is it likely?" asked Tyson. "What did you do after Kai left?"
"I sat thinking for a while then decided to train my beyblade." said Kiri weakly.
"Train your beyblade? How did you keep that up for two hours? Didn't your beyblade run out of energy?" asked Max.
"I kept giving it my own energy every time Drazier slowed down. That is why I'm weaker than I should be. I used up nearly everything I had." she said.
"That would explain it. I thought you seemed a little too weak, no offence." said Tyson.
They heard a knock on the door. It was Tala.
"What do you want? To kick us when we're down." said Tyson, but Ray blocked him from attacking.
"Yeah right, Tyson. I was sent to get you ready for the data collection." said Tala.
"Fine, let's go guys. Kenny, stay with Kiri. She needs more rest." said Tyson.
Tyson, Max and Ray left with Tala while Kenny sat with Kiri.
"As much as I hate the idea of data collection, I would rather be there than here." said Kiri.
"Kiri, you're still weak, at least, you're too weak to do battle." said Kenny.
"Does Dizzi have any games to play?" asked Kiri and they both laughed.
"Not exactly, but I can improve your beyblade, I got an idea after you said you put all your energy into it. I can make your beyblade last longer so you don't have to use as much energy." said Kenny.
At the arena, all the teams were there waiting for who would be going first in their data collection matches.
"Where's Kiri?" asked Mariah.
"We'll explain later." said Ray.
"Kai, who goes first in your plan?" asked Tala.
"I haven't thought about it, Tala. I've been distracted, as you know because you were sneaking around." said Kai.
"Whatever. Why don't I start this and you go to make your apologies?" asked Tala.
"You're being too nice, what are you planning, Tala?" asked Kai.
"Must I always be planning something?" asked Tala annoyed.
"While they're arguing, tell us what happened." said Lee to Tyson.
Tyson explained the main details and the others were shocked as well.
"No way. You could have said something. I'm her brother." said Jordan.
"Sorry, Jordan. At the moment, she's with Kenny in our room; you can visit when we're done here. You know you can." said Tyson.
Tala and Kai had stopped discussing their plans and Tala announced the first match.
"Michael and Mariah to the dish first."
"Both of you take it easy. Try to hold back anything you can." advised Ray.
"Agreed." said Michael.
They both entered the arena and stood opposite ends of the dish.
"Good luck, Mariah." said Michael.
"Let it rip." said Tala and the beyblades were released.
The computers and screens lining the walls had turned on now and were recording all the movements being made.
"Michael used his left hand. He's holding back the extra strength and speed he gets when he uses his right hand." noticed Max.
"Smart move." said Emily.
"Michael isn't using his right hand." said Kai annoyed watching the match.
The beyblades were an even match, unlike they normally would, they didn't release their bit-beasts until it came down to the final charge.
"Galux. Go for it." and the mountain cat came out, but it was gone almost as soon as it appeared and Michael was defeated.
"Mariah is the winner." said Tala, clearly bored at watching the matches.
"What data did you get from Galux?" Kai asked one of the computer workers.
"I hate to say it, but the computers weren't fast enough. All they got was the power level and a picture to go with it. I'm sorry, sir."
Kai left the room.
"Kai, wait, what are you going to do about the next few matches?" asked Tala.
"Cancel them." said Kai.
"Kai, you can't do that. We need this data. Kai!" shouted Tala, but Kai ignored him.
"Yo, Tala. What's going on?" asked Tyson.
"You can stay here and talk if you wish. We're having an intermission." said Tala.
"Kai's cancelling the matches, isn't he?" asked Tyson, almost smiling.
"Yes he is, but I won't let you return to your rooms, at least not for an hour." said Tala and as he left he locked the doors.
"Tala! Come back here and open them. Tala!" shouted Tyson banging the door.
"If Kai is doubting his position, it means he's not worthy for it. That means I am and I will get it." said Tala to himself.
Tyson was about to release his beyblade to smash the door, but Emily stopped him.
"No, Tyson. They are prepared for this. The doors are very strong in BBA facilities."
"I thought so, but I still have to try, Emily." and he released his beyblade, it hit the door and bounced away not leaving a mark.
"I bet Kai has gone to see Kiri and doesn't want us to interfere." said Max.
Kai had entered the room. Kenny was researching and Kiri was just looking at her beyblade, still in the bed, but sitting up more.
"Kenny?"
"Kai, what are you doing here? If you're in charge of the BBA, why aren't you watching the data be collected? You were happy enough before." said Kenny angrily.
"No, Kenny. Let him stay. If he has anything to say."
"Did I really do enough to put you in this situation?" asked Kai as he got a chair next to the bed.
"This wasn't your fault. I trained my beyblade, but I kept putting energy into it. I used up all my energy and only just made it back here." said Kiri.
Kai was finding it hard to look at her face. The side of her face had now bruised and it made him feel bad to look at it.
"Feeling guilty?" asked Kiri as she noticed that Kai's gaze kept dropping away from her.
"Yes, I am actually. I shouldn't have done that and I've thought about it all day and night. What did Tala say after I left?" he asked.
"He mocked me and laughed." said Kiri and her fists clenched as she remembered the look on his face as she was crying. She had looked so vulnerable then.
"At least you're okay." and he left just as Tyson entered.
"Kai?"
"Out of my way, Tyson. Hope you get fully better soon, Kiri." and he walked away.
"What did he want?" asked Tyson.
"He said he regretted what he did and had been thinking about it all the time." said Kiri.
"Yeah right, he doesn't care." said Jordan who was with them.
"He did seem a bit distracted though. Tala was the one giving most orders while we were there." said Eddy.
"When Kai left, we knew he was coming here, then Tala left and locked the doors on us. It took ages, but we used a combined attack which broke the doors. That'll cost money." said Tyson laughing at the last sentence.
"Are you okay, sis?" asked Jordan and he gave her a hug.
"Yes, I'm fine. I'm almost recovered and ready to train again." said Kiri.
"Well, we'll leave you then." said Mariah.
The White Tigers and All-Starz left the room and went back to their own rooms. Tyson sat down and began passing out cards.
"You want to join in, Kiri? Or do you need more rest?"
"Why not?" she asked. She got out the bed and sat with them.
In the main office, Kai was thinking about what he should do next.
"Kai, what is with you lately? I know you're distracted because of your girlfriend, but cancelling the matches was too far." said Tala.
"Tala, it wasn't a good idea to start data collecting today. We should have waited until Kiri had recovered, then we'd have them all ready." said Kai.
"Kai, we don't need to rush. They're staying in for the rest of their lives anyway." said Tala.
Tala left annoyed that Kai wasn't listening to his point.
"He will leave us soon, then I'll take over the BBA." he said to himself.