Chidsengan: Welcome everyone once again to a new chappie of-
Ryuga: THIS TERRIBLE FANFIC WHERE YOU MAKE ME OUT TO BE THE BIGGEST CREEP TO HAVE EVER BEEN CREEPY! I'M SO GLAD YOU DON'T OWN THESE CHARACTERS, BECAUSE IF YOU DID, I'D BE DOOMED!
Chidsengan: Ummm... I guess that could qualify as the disclaimer, so I'd just like to go ahead and say I'm sorry-
Ryuga:THAT SHE'S THE WORST AUTHOR EVER!
Chidsengan: *Huge sigh* Yeah... and also that I could only get one chappie updated this weekened because my back was bothering me so much I could hardly move my left arm to write and such... *cries hysterically* Please, Forgive me, if you can!
Ryuga: I DETEST YOU!
Chidsengan: Umm, he's just a little grumpier than usual because I make him out to be a really sinister-like guy in this chappie... but that's only because he's one of my favorites!
Ryuga: THAT MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE!
Chidsengan: Well, before anything else, I'd just like to thank you all so very much for all the sweet, wonderful reviews you said and how kind you were to my Mommy! I appreciate it more than you could probably ever imagine (or maybe you all could because you're all so terrific ^U^ !) and my Mommy does, too! I'd like to give the biggest 'thank yous' yet to:
FutureCharacterDesigner4Pixa r
dreamlily
DragonFang2011
Allycat
Darknessrules
RoxasOtaku
Bes9200
The-Silver-Butterfly1500
SkylarkOfTheMoon
MoonBlazer
The Thunderstruck Tiger
Fangtooth
Tiger
Guest (Starless Skyline)
And the new guest reviewers Jordy, Marai, KikiForbid, and theforgotten! I'm so touched that you took time out of your days to take a chance on this-
Ryuga: PATHETIC-
Chidsengan: Fanfic... *mutters* Why is he always so on-target with his insults...? Anyway, Jordy, Marai, KikiForbid, and the forgotten, welcome to the family!
Ryuga: And one thing I can say about her, even though Chidsengan gets on beyond my last nerve, is that she really does cherish those who are way too nice to her and considers them family!
Chidsengan: That's for sure!
Ryuga: Now, all you new reviewers, feel free to run away... no one would blame you if you did. Chidsengan's a terrible aithor who apparently doesn't know HOW TO PORTRAY UNBELIEVABLY PERFECT CHARACTERS!
Chidsengan: Ummm... I'm sorry, Ryuga... I thought you liked being portrayed as a bad guy...
Ryuga: As a TOUGH GUY! THERE'S A DIFFERENCE, YOU KNOW!
Chidsengan: I'm really, so very sorry, Ryuga. But, in any event, I'd like to take this time to answer a few questions [but not spoilers!] for someone I really hope will be my friend because I'm so crazy about them, Starless Skyline!
Ryuga: Again, no one would blame you if you said no, Starless Skyline...
Chidsengan: Anyway, Starless Skyline wrote [at least part of the far-too nice review]:
At first I thought(first couple of chapters) that Tsubasa was either the prince of Thántos(either overthroned or related to the curent king). I thought this because of his mestirious arrival and life story, I think there mst be meny secrets there...
Also, THIS IS YOUR STORY and I feel selfish to ask this but: Can there PLEASE be NO RyugaxHikaru. I prefer TsubasaxHikaru(and it goes with my first idea!)
And maybe Tsubasa's the son of some general, or maybe he and Hikaru are related!
Anyway it would make more sense for Masamune to be ralated to some of the Thántos, maybe even their prince!
Chidsengan: I'll try to answer this to the best of my abilities, but my abilities often fall short, so...
Ryuga: Forgive her for being so pathetic...
Chidsengan: Yes, please. Anyway, first of all, Tsubasa has some sort of ties to the bad guys in the army... or rather, DARK TSUBASA does... but if I said what kind, that would kind of be a spoiler, so... anyway, secondly, there'll be no RyugaxHikaru...
Ryuga: There won't ?
Chidsengan: Nope. Just RyugaxMariana (an OC based on the always talented and amazing DragonFang2011). And also, KikiForbid, I assure you, there won't even be any KISSING between Kyoya and Madoka... and no 'schmoogly-woogly' talk or anything like that, either. It'll be barely noticable... and it'll probably result in a sister-brother thing in the end, anyway-
Ryuga: Stay focused, Chidsengan...
Chidsengan: Oh, right! And back to Starless Skyline, Masamune does have royalty in his blood... but it's that of traitors...
Ryuga: LIKE YOU MADE ME ?!
Chidsengan: I said sorry...
Ryuga: DOESN'T MATTER!
Chidsengan: Anyway, thank you all so much for the love you've shown me and the happiness you've brought to me and to the whole sight of fanfiction! You could all brighten the darkest day just by being in the world! *cries hysterically again* I'm unworthy of your amazingness!
Ryuga: Ughh... not more sappiness. Just what I needed, right ? Anyway, before Chidsengan gets even sappier, the name of this chapter translates to 'The Traitor's Return'...
Chidsengan: Please... I do hope you enjoy some of it, all those who I hold so very dear to my heart!
Ryuga: I really do despise her...
Chidsengan: And please read the ending notes after for a special announcement!
Ryuga: Again, no one would blame you if you didn't...
Everyone's widened eyes fell on Kyoya after what Ryuga had said, but Kyoya just stood frozen where he was; his breaths quickening and one of his sharp eyeteeth biting into his lower lip while he supressed a low growl.
"Kyoya... what's he talking about ?"Masamune quivered fearfully.
"You... killed someone...?"Kenta gulped.
"A friend...?"Yu queried .
No reply met them- and for a moment only stillness could be heard... until Ryuga's snickering broke through the stagnant silence.
"Of course he's not going to answer you..."Ryuga sneered, referring to Kyoya."He probably spun some convincing lie to you about it... didn't he ? Who admits to murder, after all ?"
"He didn't say anything about it..."Sophie said quietly.
"STOP IT!"Madoka ordered Ryuga suddenly, causing everyone to divert their attention to her.
Madoka's eyes were ablaze in an unabashed rage and her fists were clenched as she growled under her breath... shocking everybody with her sudden display of fury.
"Stop it right now!"she yelled at Ryuga."You're the one who's lying, you creep! Kyoya would NEVER kill someone! Never! And definitely not someone he thought of as a friend! What stunt are you trying to pull ?!"
Ryuga only smirked.
"I'm not the one trying to pull any stunt..."he said calmly."The only one who's is trying is your
so-called leader here... trying to act like he's all noble and self-righteous when in reality he's a thief and a killer..."
Madoka was still steaming as everyone else looked back at Kyoya, who had lowered his head and was trembling slightly.
"Kyoya..."Zeo started."Is what this Ryuga guy's saying-?"
"It's not... what you think..."their unofficial leader answered tensely."I didn't... I didn't kill anyone..."
"Oh, yes you did..."Ryuga persisted."Why don't you just tell them already ? Why don't you tell them all what you did ? Why hide it from them and torture yourself any longer with guilt ?..."
"I'm not guilty of anything!"Kyoya snapped furiously, making everyone jump slightly.
His blue eyes were flashing in anger and his jaw was set firmly with rage.
"The only one who's guilty of anything here... is you!"Kyoya growled, pointing at Ryuga angrily."You betrayed everyone you ever claimed to care about! You left Gingka and I for dead! It's your fault why the person you accused me of killing is dead... not mine!"
Everyone's attention turned from Kyoya to Gingka at the mention of the redhead's name.
"Gingky... what's going on ?"Yu queried his other friend, knowing he wasn't going to get an answer from Kyoya at the moment.
Gingka opened his mouth and stammered to answer, but to no avail...
Ryuga began speaking again, his golden eyes flashing in an inscrutable snakelike emotion .
Was it Mischief ?
Malice ?
"I'll tell you what's going on..."he began."Your dear LEADER isn't all you think he is! He's a con... a mercenary... a killer! He let his best friend die in his arms! He alone is responsible for that death!"
"I'M NOT!"Kyoya snarled, glaring at Ryuga threateningly.
Ryuga only sneered while everyone else watched fearlessly
not sure what they should do or
Say.
"I tried to save his life!"Kyoya growled."I tried! But he..."
Kyoya's voice trailed off and he squeezed his eyes shut... clenching his fists and trembling slightly as memories of that terrible night played in painful succession through his mind.
"If I... if I had only been earlier... I could have stopped them..."Kyoya said, gritting his teeth hard."If I had only..."
"But you WEREN'T..."Ryuga cut him off."And it's because of you that he's dead..."-Ryuga smirked-"And NILE was so young, too..."
Kyoya's shoulders jerked back in anger and he turned on Ryuga furiously... grabbing Ryuga by his collar as everyone else shrieked a tad at his behavior.
"Don't you ever... EVER mention that name around me again!"Kyoya growled, staring Ryuga down."It's forbidden, you hear me ?! I don't ever want to hear you-"
"Who's Nile ?"Kenta asked.
Kyoya grit his teeth even harder and Ryuga sniggered... prying Kyoya's hands from his white tunic while everyone else looked at Kenta like he had gone crazy.
He actually DARED to ask Kyoya ANYTHING at that moment... let alone about the person who's name Kyoya had just forbidden to be uttered ?
Kyoya turned to Kenta slightly, his blue eyes dark with emotion.
"No one you should worry about..."he answered lowly, and Ryuga sneered once again.
"Why not ?"he snickered."It's not like YOU were very worried about him that night..."
Kyoya turned from Kenta to Ryuga furiously and glared at him threateningly.
"Go..."he ordered, his words sharp."Go. Get out of here! I never want to see you again, you got that ?!"
Kyoya turned on his heel and prepared to stalk away, but before he could, Ryuga stopped him .
"I'm afraid I can't do that..." Ryuga sneered with a short chuckle.
Kyoya halted in an instant and whirled back around to face Ryuga, the expression on his face saying everything.
"What ?!"he shouted.
Ryuga's arrogant smirk only grew and he scoffed at Kyoya's question.
"I can't leave you all be..."he said cunningly."Because, as you'll soon see, I happen to have business in Íroes. , Merchant-wise. The reason I was even "passing through" the forest you all were at the same time the fire was was because I was headed to Íroes myself."
"You... were...?...you ARE ? Gingka squeaked, his voice filled with uncertainty.
"But why ?"Kyoya questioned sharply, his eyes narrowing on Ryuga.
The white-haired teen only replied with a shrug, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"I ALREADY TOLD you.
I have merchant business there. You're not the ONLY ones trying to make a tasteful living, you know. Although, judging by how your group is half-dead land was almost enveloped in flame a few hours ago, I can barely say you're MAKING A LIVING for them, Kyoya..."he stated glibly, adding a small snort of disdain.
A chillingly cold breeze blew through the area they were all standing in as they waited for the worst.
Ryuga was pushing more than ever with that statement... almost as if he wanted Kyoya to attack him !
To everyone's surprise, however, Kyoya didn't try to strangle Ryuga.
Instead, Kyoya just rolled his eyes and turned on his heel once again, to leave.
"Whatever. Because as long as you don't explain why you won't leave US alone and go on your own MERRY LITTLE WAY, everything you say to us all is pretty much pointless..."Kyoya returned sarcastically.
"YEAH! Get him KYOYA!"Benkei cheered like a crazed fan at a joust.
"GIVE THAT CREEP HECK -give him HECK!"madoca cheered - her tomboy side showing.
Ryuga ignored the derogatory shoutings about him and sniffed smugly, his eyes narrowing in on Kyoya with a sly smirk.
"To answer YOUR question, my DEAREST BROTHER..."Ryuga began arrogantly."I can't let you alone... because of the kindness of my heart. It just so happens that I just can't take seeing anyone sink so low..."
Kyoya's hands clenched into fists as Ryuga snickered, obviously still baiting Kyoya to make the first move.
Then Julian stepped between the two and stared Ryuga down... just before Kyoya could turn around and knock Ryuga to the ground!
Julianaddressed Ryuga directly:
"I've had just about enough of your worthless back-and-forth nonsense that doesn't amount to anything...!"Just tell us what you have to, or you may as well just get out of all our ways..."
Ryuga crossed his arms over his chest at Julian's statement all the while maintaining the same eternal smirk.
"I think it's rather OBVIOUS as to why I've decided to stay..."Ryuga started.
Xxxxxx
He pushed his way past Julian and over to Kyoya; pulling the latter's tunic sleeve which was hanging off his far-too-thin shoulder back to where it belonged.
"As I said before... you're all half-dead..."Ryuga sneered."You're headed towards Íroes... and in order to get there, you have to head through some, umm... QUESTIONABLE places..."
Masamune took a step forward, his hands clenching into fists and his teeth grit furiously.
"Yeah ? So what of it ?"he demanded an answer."We happen to be stronger than you think! And even if the OTHERS weren't strong, they have ME, Masamune, to lead them on their way and protect them!"
Everyone else, even Ryuga, glanced at Masamune emotionlessly and anime sweatdropped at Masamune's bragging.
"He'll take any opportunity to flex his muscles, won't he ?"Sophie sighed helplessly.
"More like to work his ego..."Yu muttered emotionlessly.
"Has he always been like this...?"Teru queried worriedly.
"Some days are better than others."Kenta mumbled in reply.
Seeing everybody's unamused faces, Masamune quickly stammered to get back on track and recover from his far-from well-received bragging.
"A-anyway... that's not all!"Masamune tried to recover, his words tumbling over one another."My point is... what I was trying to say was... even if this team DIDN'T have me on it, they still wouldn't need your help! And you know why ?! Because, I've seen them help eachother... they fight for one another... and that's what makes them strong! And I'm proud to say that they're my friends! We don't need someone like you on our team! Whatever you're selling... we're not buying, you goofy merchant-dude! And don't even think about asking again to hang out with us, because one bad apple spoils the bunch... and you are so BEYOND a BAD APPLE!"
Everyone now stared at Masamune in awe and new respect after his speech was completed, but Ryuga was still unfazed.
"You talk a big game..."he said coldly to Masamune."But face facts and be realistic, here... the way it stands now, you all lack both the needs AND the means to get to Íroes. Where do you plan on getting food ? Finding water ? Surely you don't plan on making your own shelter and traveling the whole length of the journey on foot. One of your friends is unconscious and the rest of you look as if you're going to collapse any second..."
Everybody flinched at Ryuga's words.
They knew what he was saying was, as much as they hated it, it was all true.
Water was a necessity they didn't have.
Food was something they were sorely lacking.
Shelter was another big question mark.
Their feet were already aching from walking the length they had... and they hadn't even begun their journey, really...
They really were all ready to collapse at any moment.
Ryuga was right.
They had neither the needs...
... or the means to get to Íroes.
Silence fell over the group and Ryuga, seeing the distraught expressions on everyone's faces, sneered once again at Kyoya.
"You can't deny it..."he said."You don't have anything working in your favor. Not the needs... not the means..."
"And you do ?"Kyoya snapped back.
As soon as he had, he realized just how foolish his words were... as Ryuga did, also.
"Why, yes... as it actually just happens to be, I do..."he said glibly, his smirk growing even snarkier."I'm a merchant, after all. And just think about it... my wagon, my supplies... they can all come in handy for you and your group..."
"I don't care!"Kyoya snarled at the other teen."We don't need your help! I'll get everyone to Íroes on my own! Nothing... NOTHING you say will persuade me... you got that ?! Nothing will alter my decision!"
"Not even Tsubasa's current condition ?"Ryuga interjected knowingly almost before Kyoya could finish his sentence.
Kyoya's face paled and he took a step back.
"Wha-what ?"he managed to stammer.
Ryuga motioned towards his merchant's wagon, a cunning glint in his eyes as he spoke.
"Right now, you're friend's in there fast asleep..."Ryuga said."But he's far from a picture of health. The amount of smoke and ash that he breathed in because of the fire hit his lungs in a bad way. And the results aren't just a matter of a few coughing fits, either. Tsubasa's case isn't a trivial one. His lungs are in the state they would be if he had worked in coal mines his whole life. If he doesn't rest for a few days, it'll only worsen. He can't be walking around with one foot in the grave in the state he's in... and you know it, Kyoya."
Kyoya shrunk back slightly and lowered his head at what Ryuga had pointed out.
"Tsubasa..."Kyoya murmured softly, closing his eyes as memories of the fire, still fresh from the night before, played in his mind.
"Tsubasa... go with them!"he had ordered his friend.
Tsubasa hadn't followed after Julian through the exit, though... he had stayed behind... right in the midst of all the danger...
Because of Kyoya.
"No! We're a team! Even if I get burnt to a crisp... I'm not leaving here... without you!"the silver-haired team had defied him.
It was the first time Kyoya had ever seen Tsubasa defy ANYONE'S orders... especially Kyoya's... and though Kyoya had been more shocked at the time and frightened for Tsubasa's life, now that he thought back on it, he could see just why Tsubasa had refused the orders.
If it had been Tsubasa instead of Kyoya who had been ordering everyone else to go on and leave him behind, Kyoya would have, without a doubt, stayed with Tsubasa rather than follow the others.
"Are you crazy ?! If you don't go with them... you might die!"
No amount of shaking Tsubasa's shoulders had led to a difference in the silver-haired boy's logic...
A friend was a friend... and you stuck by them no matter what happened...
"I'm not leaving! If we go... we're going together!"he had said... putting everything on the line with such simple words.
Now, as he thought about it, Kyoya couldn't help but feel all the emotions he had felt the night before all over again.
Terror...
Worry...
Guilt...
Grief...
Most of all, however, the fear for Tsubasa's safety.
Tsubasa had saved them all the night before...
It was he who was the one who led them to the exit... who sacrificed his burlap satchel and tore it into cloths for the others to cover their mouths with... even if it meant he didn't have any left for himself...
It was thanks to him they were alive... thanks to him that they weren't all suffering the same fate as he was at that exact moment... suffering on a cot with lungs more tormented than a lifelong mine worker's...
Something that could have been avoided, maybe, had Tsubasa not stayed behind with Kyoya to make sure that his best friend escaped safely from the fire's savage rule like the rest of them...
Tsubasa...
Tsubasa...
Tsubasa...
Tsubasa...
"Tsubasa..."Kyoya repeated quietly, then raised his head to glance at Ryuga.
Ryuga.
The sneer on his lips.
The glint in his eyes.
Even the way he stood... a way that challenged anyone and everyone to pick a fight with them... and confidence within it that by the same turn threatened that anyone who did would walk away in defeat.
All of it... everything about Ryuga... were things Kyoya had wished he would never have to see again... things that reminded him of his past and the darkness that followed him everywhere he went...
Even being in Ryuga's presence seemed to turn the key in opening the proverbial door to the closet where Kyoya's 'skeletons' were waiting to reappear by the hundreds if not thousands.
But then... there was Tsubasa... and not just him... but everyone else in Kyoya's group...
Gingka...
Masamune...
Yu...
Kenta...
Julian...
Zeo...
Benkei...
Sophie...
Wales...
Madoka...
Teru...
Klaus...
They wouldn't last much longer, either...
Even though they had been holding up relatively well thus far, there was no telling just how long they could continue on in such straights... especially those who had been raised in wealthier societies and weren't used to that type of lifestyle whatsoever.
As much as he didn't want to form an alliance with Ryuga, Kyoya had to put the others first and look at what was best for everyone...
And much to his dismay, that was allowing Ryuga to travel with them...
... and vica versa.
"Fine."Kyoya finally conceded, prompting looks of shock and several surprised 'what's ?!' and 'huhs ?!' from Kyoya's companions."You win..."
In an instant, Zeo was holding Kyoya by the shoulders and looking at him like he had lost his marbles.
"Kyoya... are you INSANE ?!"he queried the unofficial leader."This is the guy that you called a traitor... the guy that called YOU a murderer! And now you're just going to let him come along with us no questions asked ?!"
"Zeo presents a good point..."Teru agreed."Kyoya, Ryuga can't be trusted..."
Kyoya glanced away from them as Ryuga snickered all the more, amused by everything that was going on.
"Look, I know you're worried about Tsubasa and that's why you're agreeing to do this, Kyoya..."Gingka started, reaching a worried hand out towards his scar-faced friend."But-"
"You don't understand, Gingka..."Kyoya interrupted the redhead, shaking his head hard."The reason I'm doing this... it's not just for Tsubasa... it's..."-Kyoya clenched his fists and bit his lower lip hard, well-aware of how weak his next statement was going to sound-"I'm doing this... for all of you... not just Tsubasa."
Gingka stared at Kyoya in shock while Ryuga almost keeled over in laughter at what Kyoya had said.
"I'm doing this for all of you!"Ryuga imitated the prior statement in an extremely high, falsetto voice, then resorted back to his normal one before continuing."Oh, this is just too rich! Kyoya... admitting he needs help in so many words and playing mommy to all his friends! Could this get any better ?!"
Gingka looked at Kyoya with worried eyes and his lower lip quivered slightly.
"Kyoya..."he faltered.
"Face it, Gingka... you all need what I have and your PRECIOUS LEADER knows it!"Ryuga sneered at Gingka, who just kept staring at Kyoya with a look that read 'this can't be happening'.
Shamefully, Kyoya turned away from those in his group and began to walk away from them...
"What else can we do, Gingka ?"he asked, defeated."This is the only decision we have..."
Everyone else silenced despairingly as Kyoya brushed past Ryuga, but as he did, the snickering, white-haired teen nudged Kyoya roughly in the ribs with his right elbow.
"What a noble act..."he said in a derogatory tone of voice."Your friends survive because you've pushed your past aside... do I sense the seeds of brotherhood blossoming for us again ?"
"It's not like I WANT to be traveling with you..."Kyoya sharled at Ryuga."I'm only doing this because those 'friends' of mine are a good group. A group that I promised to look after. And I'm not about to do to them what you did to me, Gingka, and-"
"Nile ?"Ryuga interjected coolly, prompting a low growl from Kyoya.
"Just stay out of my way, traitor..."Kyoya spat, pushing past Ryuga in barely controlled fury.
Ryuga smirked in a supreme manner as he watched his former 'brother' stalk away, the traitor's gold eyes flashing in a perpetually sardonic manner.
"Oh, it seems you're still a bit angry with me..."Ryuga said in mock innocence... well-aware that Kyoya couldn't hear him.
Then, with a sinister chuckle, Ryuga strode towards his merchant's cart and mounted it in a smooth motion.
"Maybe next time you'll listen to me when I tell you not to try and play the hero, my BROTHER..."he said in an inaudible whisper just as the group set off.
Only this time, they were setting off on a journey that seemed infinitely harder than before...
A journey... with Ryuga...
* Y * Y * Y *
The group traveled in absolute silence the first few hours after Ryuga had joined them...
Even with the silence, however, more was spoken through the terrible quiet than there would have been with words.
For one, everybody refused to travel anywhere near Ryuga and instead opted to follow behind their newest 'member'.
Only Kyoya traveled in front of the rest of them, partly because he wanted to make sure that Ryuga wouldn't lead them purposely off onto a wrong trail that went to anywhere but Íroes... paritly because he wanted to make sure that Ryuga wouldn't try to pull any possible shenanigans.
Everyone else kept their eyes on Ryuga, also... but in different ways.
Madoka and Benkei looked about ready to pulverize the white-haired boy while Zeo scowled suspiciously at Ryuga.
Kenta, Wales, and Teru glared, and the usually lady-like Sophie had her hands clenched into tight fists at her sides.
Klaus seemed poised to rush in and defend everyone if Ryuga tried to pull anything, and Masamune growled beneath his breath at the newcomer as he ate his rations that he'd received from Mei-Mei and her brothers subconsciously.
Even Julian had to admit that he wouldn't hesitate to use Black Excalibur on Ryuga if need be... in all honesty, he was actually itching to after what Ryuga had said about Kyoya.
Every second they traveled seemed like a day.
Every minute they traveled seemed like a week.
Every hour they traveled seemed like a month.
With each mountain they conquered it felt as if there was another one just ahead...
With each stream they crossed it felt as if they were still drowning within their own emotions...
With each valley they passed through it felt as if the seemingly endless journey became even longer...
Never before had any of them been faced with such an enemy... an enemy by the name of Ryuga.
And what made everything worse about Ryuga than it already was was that none of them knew just who they were fighting...
"I don't get it..."Masamune began after nearly nine hours of traveling in silence.
His companions turned to him as Masamune stuffed his face with a slice of bread and nodded towards Ryuga.
"I mean... we know Kyoya doesn't like this guy..."Masamune said.
"Duh. Way to point out the obvious, Masamune..."Yu muttered flatly.
Masamune rolled his eyes at Yu's comeback before poking the younger boy in the nose haughtily.
"I KNOW it's obvious that Kyoya doesn't like this Ryuga dude..."he said."But my question is... does anyone know WHY, exactly ?"
More silence.
"Well, maybe he just doesn't..."Kenta supplied after a few moments.
"Hmph! I know I don't!"Madoka grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest and flipping her hair proudly.
"Kyoya said Ryuga was a traitor..."Benkei said in an awed whisper."What do you think he did to betray Kyoya...?"
"Whatever it was, it must have been pretty terrible..."Sophie said, sighing.
"Yes. For all he is, Kyoya doesn't seem like the type to hold a grudge very easily..."Teru agreed.
"Aww! Now it's going to drive me nuts wondering what happened!"Wales moaned, pulling on his hair despairingly.
Klaus frowned as he glanced at Wales.
"You can't allow it to..."he said matter-of-factly."We have far too much to be worrying about without trying to unscramble those two's pasts..."
"I know..."Wales muttered bitterly."But I wish we had someone who could just tell us what happened, you know ?"
At that moment, Yu snapped his fingers in realization.
"You know... we just might!"he said in a sing-song voice.
Everyone blinked in bewilderment before Yu pointed to Gingka with a confident smirk.
"Enter, Gingky!"he exclaimed.
Gingka cocked his head towards his shoulders, perplexed, before shrugging, completely unsure of where Yu was going with suddenly dragging him into their conversation.
"Ummm... what about me ?"he asked.
Yu eased in on Gingka and looked at him seriously, causing Gingka to take a step back in uncertainty.
"Yu ?"he queried.
"GINGKA!"Yu started, pumping his fists in the air and prompting Gingka to jump in surprise."You're the person who can answer our question!"
Gingka was still confused.
"Your... question...? What... question...? See, I was sort of lost in my own world and-"
"Come to think of it, Ryuga DID mention you, Gingka..."Kenta stated, cutting the redhead short and turning to him."Do you know what happened ?
Gingka flinched uncomfortably.
"Ummm... about... what...?"he asked nervously as everyone but Julian and Klaus eased towards him in curiosity.
"About what happened between Kyoya and Gingka in the past!"Wales exclaimed."You know... why Kyoya pretty much hates Ryuga and calls him a trailer and all...?"
Gingka blanched at the clarification and chuckled nervously... waving his hands dismissively at everyone in a shooing way.
"What ?! What makes you think I know anything about it ?! You guys are too funny, you know that ?! I'm innocent, I tell you! Innocent!"he chuckled hastily, his words tumbling over eachother.
Most everyone blinked blankly at Gingka's uncharacteristic anxiety but Yu tugged at Gingka's blue tunic sleeve innocently.
"Umm, Gingky... from what I can gather, you've known Kyoya a lot longer than the rest of us have, right ?"he queried.
Not waiting for Gingka's reply, Yu continued.
"So... doesn't that mean that you would have been, like... around when this whole 'whatever-it-is' thing happened ?"he asked.
Gingka gulped anxiously.
"Ummm..."
"Gingka, we have to know..."Julian added."We can't be of any assistance if we don't know what happened between Kyoya and Ryuga in the past..."
"YEAH! TELL US, GINGKA! TELL US!"Benkei prodded as everybody else nodded in agreement.
Gingka gulped nervously, then frowned.
"But... that's just it!"he explained."I CAN'T tell you!"
Everyone looked at him with a new sense of confusion for a second before Kenta tried again.
"You mean... you're sworn to secrecy...?"Kenta attempted to clarify.
"No... What I mean is that I'M not even sure exactly what happened between the two of them!"Gingka said.
Silence fell between them all before Gingka sighed heavily and let his eyes wander to Kyoya in front of them.
"All I know is that Kyoya... well... he just hasn't been the same ever since then... you know ?"Gingka said quietly, a frown settling upon his lips.
"What do you mean... 'hasn't been the same' ?"Masamune inquired, scratching the back of his head in perplexion.
"I can't explain it, Masamune. All I know is that the Kyoya I knew... was just different..."Gingka replied in almost a whisper.
That was all he could think of to say.
He couldn't explain it, really...
Kyoya had always been quiet... had always hidden his emotions... never complained about pain or the like... always tried to seem tougher than he really was...
But something was just different about Kyoya.
It it had been ever since that day...
The day Ryuga had betrayed Kyoya and his friends had seemed, to Gingka's eyes, the day Kyoya had stopped living.
The days where Kyoya used to smile and laugh ceased; the nights when he would talk in optimism about the future and how he would make better lives for orphans everywhere had just stopped...
The hopeful light faded from Kyoya's eyes and the innocence in his heart vanished.
In the instant Ryuga had betrayed Kyoya, the hope and innocence were replaced with despair and cynicism...
All that had once kept Kyoya wishing for a better life had disappeared after Ryuga's betrayal.
And Gingka had been the only one left to witness it.
Gingka had seen the broken boy become even more broken... he had felt sorry for him...
But he had also developed a strong loyalty for Kyoya through it all...
that was one of the reasons why Gingka would follow Kyoya anywhere...
Seeing him change after Ryuga's betrayal had defined their friendship with one another.
Through what had happened, Gingka knew better than anyone else that Kyoya needed someone who wouldn't depart from his side... Someone who would stay with him through thick and thin.
In other words... he needed a friend...
And Gingka was, out of everyone, Kyoya's oldest friend and one of the ones the most devoted to him...
... and Gingka planned to stay that way.
Which was exactly why, even if Gingka didn't know all of what had happened, a fiery hatred swelled in his chest whenever he was near Ryuga.
"Whatever happened between those two is none of our business..."Gingka finally said sternly."End of story."
Everyone hushed in agreement, except Masamune who tugged firmly at Gingka's blue tunic.
"Alright, I get where you're going with that and all... but I just have one more question..."he began."Who's this 'Nile' guy that everyone keeps talking about ? What does he have to do with anything ?"
Gingka frowned.
"Nile... was one of Kyoya's and Ryuga's best friends... and mine, "he said quietly."We were all like brothers... but no one was closer to Nile than Kyoya. They weren't just brothers or the best of friends... it was as if they thought with one mind...like a "unit".
Gingka looked up at the cloudy skies and began to explain.
"I'll never forget... the first time I met them all..."he said sadly, a faraway look in his eyes."It was only a couple months after my father's disspearance... and I had been traveling the world looking for him..."
Chidsengan: Well, there it was... and I'm so sorry-
Ryuga: That it was the worst thing ever written!
Chidsengan: Yeah... *cries hysterically*
Ryuga: Oh, whatever, kid. You know I only stick around for the virtual buffet, anyway... and on the special menu today is... *picks up note* cupacakes for dreamlily who requested it... Meh... could've been worse... *munches cupcakes contentedly* Anyways, the so-called 'big announcement' that dummy writer, Chidsengan, was talking about was that, come chapter twenty, she's going to have a Beyblade Superstar Chappie, in which she'll interview every character in this pathetic fanfic thus far. There'll be excerpts, songs... including one by me... and all the questions she asks won't just be determined by her, but also by all of you. All you have to do is submit your queries under the review columns before chappter twenty's posted and she'll make sure that we answer them... *mutters* I can't stand that little brat... *not muttering* And if you don't enter your questions by chapter twenty, no big deal... Chidsengan will answer your queries in the intros and endings of other chapters, too! It's her way of saying thank you to all of you for everything... and she plans on having a 'thank you' chapter every ten chapters... so please, try your best to enjoy... even though it's pretty much impossible to enjoy anything that idiotic weirdo does. *turns to me* There, I told everyone. Happy ?
Chidsengan: *Snuffles after crying* Mhhhmmm... thank you, Ryuga...
Ryuga: Ah, shut it... I just did it to keep my free pass to the virtual buffet...
Chidsengan: Umm, Ryuga... the buffet's free to everyone...
Ryuga: What ? O.O But, Benkei said that- *furious death glare* BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN NKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIII!
Chidsengan: Again, everyone, thank you so, so, so, so, so, so, so-
(nine hundred hours later)
Chidsengan: So, so, SO INFINITELY VERY MUCH! I can't wait to hear all your question! I love you all (in a sibling-like way!)!