Lirin: Finally back :) Sorry about last weekend. Didn't have the computer at AB. *looks around* seems my helpers aren't coming out of the woodwork. Oh well. Let's see...I don't own Beyblade or series characters...Most OCs are mine Tom and Torus are borrowed from Beywriter...I make no profit...and what else is there?...oh right. Ariao I have got to come up with something spectacular to thank you for all the reviews and support :)

Chapter 14: Down But Not Out

When I came to I was propped up on some pillows with something cool and wet covering my eyes and fingers brushing through my hair. I sigh enjoying the sensation of these feelings.

"Princess, are you awake?"

"I think," I whisper.

The fingers that were playing in my hair stop and I feel the cool cloth removed. "If you are can I see your pretty blue eyes?"

Slowly my eyes open to see Johnny's relieved face. "Better?" I ask groggily.

"So much better Princess." He leans down to kiss me. "What happened out there?"

"Shaken I guess. Never expected Tom to be so...so heartless."

"He was acting different then what you told me he was like."

"I'll be ready for next time. He wont rattle me like that again."

"Damn right he wont. Next time he won't be facing you. He's got to answer to me for what he did. No one can hurt my Princess in front of me without having to pay for it."

I reach out taking Johnny's hand. My intention is to try and discourage him, but I've never seen this level of determination from him before. "Promise if it does come down to that you'll be careful. You saw that he has no boundaries of right and wrong. I don't want you to get hurt. Especially not by him."

Are you trying to tell me to remain level headed the next time I see the creep? I can't really promise that after seeing what he did."

"He's not acting like himself. Boris's talons are dug deep into him. Knowing that I can't be angry at Tom. Not when some of this is my fault...the fault of what was caused back at the Abbey."

"I can easily blame him. The orders given to his attacks came from his mouth. No one else was here controlling it."

"He only did that because of Boris's orders." I raise my right hand to rub my head. This back and forth arguing was giving me a headache and a bit of dizziness. "Look Johnny, I think here we have to agree that we disagree. After what happened I'm not feeling my best and this back and forth isn't helping any."

For a moment Johnny us utterly confused. Guess he forgot that all magic has a cost. Usually it's physically and mentally draining. And the rate I was having to heal easily burned through my reserves.

"Shit." His anger transformed into worry and guilt. "I'm sorry Princess. I wasn't thinking as I should have been. It's just when I think about what happened I get so angry and don't see anything else."

I squeeze his hand. "I know. I've seen this before from you. It's this attitude that makes me glade I can butt heads with you. But right now it doesn't matter. What I need isn't an apology but a nice cold chocolate milkshake."

"Alright. I'll go find someone to make it. Wait here." Johnny starts to leave but I don't let his hand go. He looks at me puzzled.

I roll my eyes. "Just help me get to the kitchen. It's easier for me to make it up to standard then hope someone else can."

He opens his mouth to reply with some reason I shouldn't but stops when I glare. He simply sighs. "Fine Princess." Johnny proceeds to escort me from our room to the kitchen."

XxXxXx

Tom sat in the back of the jeep on his way back to the base. Although he had failed to capture Kisa, Boris had still deemed the mission a success with the collection of Tsubasa and ordered Tom's return.

At first Tom had not been bothered by what had transpired. The heat of battle had claimed him and he was enjoying himself battling someone that was not a teammate.

Now he had this nagging feeling growing in the back of his mind. The travel had given him time to think. The more he thought the more his doubts grew. He admitted the Kisa had acted just how Boris anticipated her to. Tom just felt that the reason behind her actions were different. Looking back on it she seemed more like she was trying to help a friend or someone close and not wanting to destroy someone's plans. Unless that was an act to fool him which he didn't fall for back that. Even thinking that he didn't seem to be right.

He shook his head dispelling the thoughts. He could not learn anything from looking back at one encounter. He would have to witness her in action again to get a better feel for her motivation. A chance he would not receive until she came her to reclaim her Beyblade.

Until then there is not much to do. Tom and Demkov would be returned to a normal training schedule. Skyla would be under going some new experiment. A fact her brother does not like but can't prevent. Yeah normal boring times ahead for Tom as he awaits his next chance to bump into Kisa to end this nagging feeling he has.

XxXxXx

The sun was shining high above the Granger Dojo. The sound of wizzing Beyblades filled the air along with various birds chirping. Kenny sat on the deck recording Tyson and Max's battle. For the three of them life was normal.

That was not the case for the fourth member of their team. Since the day Tom disappeared in front of him, Ray withdrew in on himself. These days his behavior is more like Kai's than his own self. He's taken to hiding on the roof out of sight of the others yet still able to observe them. Any time the team goes out Ray desires to stay behind for his own training. It saddened his friends to leave him behind but they understood why he prefers to be left alone.

"Okay guys, Dizzi collected enough data for now. Come close and we can review," Kenny called to the ones battling.

Tyson and Max collected their blades and went to sit on the deck next to Chief and his computer. The trio were joined by an over head shadow.

"Alright Chief, tell us how completely awesome I am."

The young genius rolled his hidden eyes as their blond friend punched Tyson's arm.

"Keep dreaming Tyson," the female voice from the computer said. "I've seen awesome before and this isn't even close."

"What are you saying Dizzi? My results have to be awesome. I'm me after all."

"Well in that case they are awesome. Just in a disappointing way,"Kenny said. He typed in a few commands on the keyboard to bring up a split screen. On the top were today's scores and the bottom showed some from last month. "Look here Tyson, your spin rate is way down from just one month. With that decreasing your attack and defense has also dropped."

"That's got to be wrong Chief. I'm completely on top of my game. Dizzi messed up."

"Don't go there Tyson," Kenny warned before his computer could comment back. "Dizzi knows what she's doing and wouldn't fudge results to make you look bad." He typed in more commands. This time the screen was showing Max's results. "Look here. Max is off too. Right here shows that his balance is weak after moves and his defense has also gone way down."

There was movement on the roof before the shadow descended among them. "What about me?" Ray asked. "Have my scores been on the decline as of late?"

Kenny sighed as he pulled up the third set of comparative data to show. "I'm afraid so Ray. You've fallen further then the other two have."

"Do you know why this is happening?" Max inquired.

"I can only speculate on possibilities. Right now I think the three of you have been trying too hard. We should take a few days off to relax and recover. During this time I also want to run check up on your blades to make sure everything is fine with them.

"We can really have a few days free of practice?" Tyson asked excitedly.

"If Ray agrees to it. I really think it will do some good."

"Yeah. I suppose that's fine."

Max and Tyson exchanged huge grins. "Movie time!" the two shouted together.

"What does everyone want to see?" Max asked.

"I've got plenty of work ahead of me to solve this problem out. You three have fun," Kenny said.

"I'm not in a movie mood. I think I'll stay and help Chief."

"Aw." Max was genuinely sad.

"Don't worry about the busy bodies Maxie. You and I can still have plenty of fun. How about after the movies we hit the all you can eat buffet?"

The brief sadness was gone. "Sure. And a candy store before the movie too. Buying at the theater is highway robbery."

"Deal. Let's go buddy."

"I need your Dragoon and Draciel," Kenny called before the two got far.

Max doubled back and handed the blades over. "Here you go Chief. Bye."

Ray turned to Kenny after the other two were gone. He had one question on his mind. "Chief be honest with me. When did these declines start happening?"

The younger boy pushed his glasses up. "By the way it sounds you've figured it out already. But I'll tell you if you want the confirmation."

"Tell me."

Kenny sighed. "Your stats started dropping shortly after Tom was kidnapped. Tyson and Max must have been subconsciously dropping their skills to match yours."

"I see."

"Ray, I think this time off will help. But it wont solve much of the cause. You've got to do something to bring yourself out of this funk your in. I know Tom is gone. You two were close so you miss him. We all miss him on the team. The thing is we can't allow his absents to deteriorate what we've trained so hard to obtain."

"I know. I'm going out for a bit."

"May I have Driger to examine?"

Ray covered the lump in his pocket. "I'd rather keep him with me for now."

"Oh okay. Well go enjoy whatever you plan on doing. Think about what I said too."

Ray nodded as he walked off. He had to think and clear his head.

Ray: What should I do?

Lirin: Alright that's the question everyone should be pondering for their reviews. Ray needs ideas so its up to you people. And Johnny is still after ways to get revenge. Help this bishie boys out :)