Twenty-Five

As soon as the battle was over we went back to our meeting room to debrief and go over Kai's battle again. While Tyson basically recapped the entire battle for anyone within earshot, as well as Daichi jumping in to add something Tyson missed, I sat in my chair quietly watching everyone. I didn't know what t say, which was very odd for me, even I'll admit that. I just couldn't get over what Kai did.

He basically risked himself and Dranzer just to win, to keep the innocence of Beyblading intact. I knew he was a strong blader but I didn't know he was this strong. It's obvious that beyblading meant more to him than anyone else, no matter what they said.

Everyone in the room was talking quietly about the match that had just unfolded in front of them. Tyson was energized about what he witnessed and couldn't wait to fight him later, like promised. It was odd to see them get all worked up over that one battle. Before they always said to pay more attention to the next battle and not dwell on the one that was just fought but they couldn't stop talking about Kai. It was starting to make me uncomfortable. Did they expect me to fight like that? I don't even know if I'm capable to going that far in a battle.

"Crys, you OK?" Hilary asked from beside me. She was sitting on the arm of the chair I was sitting in and looking down at me with her big ruby red eyes.

"Yeah," I replied. "Just thinking about Kai's match, that's all." Which I was doing, but now it was giving me a headache as well as amping up the pressure I was feeling from those around me. It was stifling and made me want to jump out of my seat and hightail it out of here.

My fingers twitched against the armrest. I couldn't stay in here anymore. I felt everyone's eyes on me as I stood up. "I'm going to take a walk," I told them and then instantly regretted it. I could tell by the way Ray was looking at me that he was against the idea. I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I wasn't six, for crying out loud. "No I don't want company," I added when I saw Mariah open her mouth. "And yes I'm sure," I added, stopping Max from saying anything. "I'll be fine."

I left the building as quickly as possible and let out the breath that I had been holding. The pressure from the others was getting worse. They didn't say anything to me but I could tell what they were all thinking and what they wanted to say to me but were smart enough to keep their mouths shut.

I needed to be alone for a while.

I just kept walking wherever my feet would take me. I looked around at the random faces around me but didn't pay too much attention to them. Most of the people on the streets were wearing business suits and had their cell phones held up to their ears. They didn't even realize that the world around them was changing because of these battles. To them blading was probably just a game. But it's not a game.

It's a way of life.

I looked up and found my destination. The hospital. I twisted my mouth to the side. Kai should've been in there by now. No one would be able to walk by him at that last match and just let him suffer. He has to be in here.

I went up to the front desk and asked about him. It took the receptionist a few minutes to actually get back to me on his condition. Of course, she wouldn't say anything about it because I wasn't family. I explained his situation, hoping that it'd get me into his room but she still held fast onto the rules and regulations of the place.

Finally Mr. Dickenson showed up and got clearance. I wasn't prepared to see Kai in the state that he was in. He was lying down on the bed with a mask over his face, like Tala. I almost didn't recognize him except for the tuft of slate gray hair that stuck out of the bandages that wrapped around him. Most of his face was wrapped up; his left eye, his nose, and his mouth were clear so he was able to breathe. Everything else was bandaged.

"Oh, Kai," I muttered, looking him over. "You went too far."

"Kai's always been a passionate blader," Mr. Dickenson commented. He took off his hat and wiped sweat off of his large forehead. "We knew that he would do anything for the sport. We never thought he would take it this far, though."

I knew. It was all because of his father leaving. It was only game or a hobby to the rest of us but Kai lived and breathed it. It's why he formed the Blade Sharks in the first place, I finally learned from his father. It was because he wanted to destroy the things that took his dad away. He didn't understand that his father left to keep the spirit of Beyblading alive but Kai took it the wrong was. Was it his idea to turn his back on his father his own? I don't know, but I know for sure that he still wasn't truly over it and that battle basically proved it.

"Will he be OK?" I asked Mr. Dickenson, finally turning to look at him.

"He should be fine," he replied. "The doctors said that he'll be weak for the next couple of days and it will take a bit for him to get back onto his feet but, overall, he'll go back to the way he was in a matter of days, if not weeks. Two weeks at the most."

I could feel rage bubbling in my chest and I clenched my hands into fists. Boris was ruining everything. That low piece of dirt shouldn't even be allowed to walk on the face of the Earth, let alone go along with life as if he didn't care that he, inadvertently, put Kai and Tala in the hospital.

I'll blade for you two. I'll blade and I'll win to avenge your situations. Boris will wish that he had killed me that night with my parents. I swear it. I briefly looked up at the ceiling, as if looking past it at something else. I'll win for you too, Mom and Dad. I won't let you two down? Are you proud of me? Do you see how far I've come?

I sighed and sat down in one of the chairs, looking out the window while Mr. Dickenson moved around, placing flowers and balloons in different places to try and light up the room. I knew, for the most part, that it was from the girls. The guys were the type that attacked first and took down names later; they'd want to get Boris back as soon as possible.

And now they had to put their faith in me to do it.

"Where are you off to?" Mr. Dickenson when I stood after it felt like hours that I was sitting down.

"I'll be back later, Mr. D," I replied. "It's best that I get some food and sleep. I'll visit tomorrow morning before the match."

He nodded. "Yes, that'll be best."

I nodded in response. "Do me a favor. When he wakes up, give this to him." I reached into my pocket and pulled out the letter that I had been carrying around with me for the past couple of years. Mr. Dickenson looked at it before taking the letter out of my head.

"I promise, I'll give it to him."

"Thank you."

At least I'll be able to sleep a little bit better tonight.

A filler. Things will pick back up again in the next one. Thanks for the reviews, everyone!

~C.M.