Thirty-Four

My mouth fell open at that question and I'm rarely ever at a loss for words but this… I couldn't believe that someone had the gall…the fucking audacity to ask a question such as that in a public forum. Murmurs swept through the crowd as I felt my face flame. I needed to get out of here and away from the stares but my body wouldn't let me move. I was stuck. Please, God, let this be a dream and I'll wake up soon. Please.

A slap on the table caused all of us to jump and a silence to fall across the room. Like falling dominos, our heads turned to see that it was Kai who had slapped the table and was now glaring at the interviewer as if his life depended on it. "Hey! Didn't Mr. Dickenson specifically say not to ask questions pertaining to anything about her life besides beyblading?" Kai practically barked at the man who asked the question, who was now trembling like a Chihuahua.

"Kai. Kai! It's okay," I said over the noise, fearful that he'd rip the guy's head off. "It's okay!" I repeated those words mainly to get him to calm down and partially to convince myself that it still didn't hurt to remember that my parents were indeed gone.

"Security, would you kindly see this gentleman out?" Mr. Dickenson asked the buff men that were standing on either side of the table. "And that'll be the end of this press conference. Thank you for your time."

"Don't even ask!" I deflected the question that rose to my friends' eyes before they could even ask it. I walked away from the table and moved towards the doors toward the ballroom. I paused by the door and let out a little huff when I realized that they hadn't followed me. "I'm fine, really," I said to them despite looking at my feet. "It still hurts, yeah, but I can handle it. I don't need you guys protecting me from it all the time. I appreciate it, but I don't need it. I can take care of myself."

"Just remember we're here for you," Tyson spoke up. I looked up at him and noticed that familiar fire was in his eyes. "We're a team now, we have your back. We always will."

"Us too!" Kevin said as he and the rest of the White Tigers walked over to us. "We're not just a team, we're friends. Family, even. We'll always be there for you."

As much as I appreciated their sentiments my brain wouldn't allow them all to settle themselves inside. I gave a small smile and forced a change of subject. "Let's just forget about it, okay? And have the time of our lives? Or, the best night in a while, if anything, Besides, there's a chocolate fountain in there calling my name!"

I know I don't do this enough but I want to thank you for bringing these people into my life and shaping it for the better. Thank you for bring the White Tigers back into my life and giving them, and me, the patience to open up again. Thank you for finally giving me a place to feel accepted and welcomed, the Bladebreakers team. Without them I would be nothing. Thank you, thank you, a million times, thank you.

The ballroom that was chosen had many round tables by the front door. Past that was a large dance floor and a few feet away was a small stage with a podium and a microphone. Behind the stage was a large poster of the newly-formed Bladebreaker team picture, taken right after our victory over the BEGA League. Needless to say Tyson loved seeing his face on the large poster. A table of assorted snacks and drinks sat on two opposite sides of the table, one holding the healthy foods of choice and the other held the "junk food" of the chocolate variety that most of the guests flocked around.

The ballroom was covered in elegant curtains that transformed the room into a certain circus tent feeling. The bright strobe lights and disco ball that hung from the ceiling and spun different colored lights around the room added to the ambience. At each seat sat a disposable camera so people were running around taking pictures with their friends and of beybattles that were going on around the venue.

Kevin and Joseph from the Saint Shields were currently battling out. I did a double take when I saw them, they kind of look alike it's creepy. Tyson and Ozuma were battling as well and Michael was facing off against Gary, a bet of treats was on the line in their case and Gary was never one to turn down food no matter which way he obtained it.

I stood by and watched all of the bladers interact with others of the blading world, mainly other bladers, some were colleagues of Mr. Dickenson, and even a few fans were allowed in as the night went on. It was amusing to see how big their eyes got when they saw their biggest idols. Tyson was definitely eating up the attention. He has been since we all performed our Entrance Dance. He only tripped over his feet five times, a vast improvement from the lessons that I've given. Hilary noticed the difference as well for she hadn't stopped talking about him and his behavior for the past few minutes.

"Can you believe that?" I zeroed in on what she was saying and hoped that I looked like that I had been paying attention to her. She was slowly shaking her head, a small smile sat on her lips. She briefly brought her glass filled with sparkling cider up to her lips and took a sip. "He's been acting so…normal. I hardly recognize him." She laughed a little and added, "Part of me wishes he would say something Tyson-like so I know he was replaced with a robot."

I gave a one shoulder shrug and smiled as well. "Maybe he's changing, growing up even," I suggested while lightly elbowing her in the side. "Didn't think you'd ever hear those words with Tyson's name, huh?"

"Well, he does have a refreshing take on life, I'll give him that," Hilary admitted, her cheeks tinting red ever so slightly. "I can honestly say I'm enjoying myself." She paused and then added, "Until something possesses Tyson to say and/or do something stupid."

I nodded. "It's inevitable." I let out a slow breath and looked around the room again. I tried to stop the muscles in my face from pulling it into a grotesque look but it was if they had a mind of their own. Hilary caught the look on my face and gave a little laugh.

"What's that look for?" She asked over the loud horns that signaled in the intro of YMCA. The night was filled with tacky, pop songs for some reason.

Caught, I let out a little sigh and jerked my chin up, subtly pointing it in the direction of where Mariah was trying to drag Ray onto the dance floor for the song. He had a smile on his face and was trying to tell her no but she kept insisting, tugging at his hand and batting her eyelashes at him. "She's had her claws dug into his arm since she got here. The girl should retract them every once in a while," I replied, bringing my glass up to my mouth.

Hilary made a noise and tapped a finger on her chin. "Which part of that is bothering you? That it's Ray or that it's not you?"

I slid my eyes in her direction and lifted an eyebrow while swallowing the rest of my sparkling cider and then lowered my glass, taking my time to swallow and shake my head. "Neither. I'm just saying she's laying it on thick." Hilary's eyebrows rose. "I'm worried." They rose higher. "I am!"

"Uh-huh," she muttered, clearly not believing a word I was saying. Hell, I hardly believed what I was saying recently. Especially when it concerned going back to China to stay or just for an extended visit. Honestly, I missed being able to call it home but I didn't miss the looks that were shot in my direction or the whispers that went around whenever I walked by. I was accepted back into the village but that didn't mean peoples' minds were going to clear and change and that sucked. She studied my face for a couple of seconds before finally speaking up. "Can I ask you something?"

Just then the song changed to a slower paced one, For the Longest Time by Billy Joel. Yes, I know most of these songs. Just 'cause I traveled the world for a good chunk of my life doesn't mean I didn't pay attention to what was going on around me. Billy Joel is actually one of my favorite artists. Max and Mariam were the first to the dance floor; he took her hand in his and gently spun her around the room. Both were talking animatedly. Mathilda and Miguel were swaying slightly on the dance floor, Mathilda's face was bright red but she had the biggest smile on her face as she talked to Miguel about something or other. Either way it was a giant step in the right direction for the shy fairy. Mariah had now successfully gotten Ray onto the dance floor. Her long pink hair swayed with every movement as she held Ray close to her and beamed, never taking her eyes off of him.

"Please," I mumbled in response, turning to look at her. Anything to stop me from having to watch Mariah's perfect life get better. Anything to keep the sick feeling in my stomach from coming back.

"Your name…" she said slowly.

I blinked. What was she getting at? "What about it?" I asked.

"Whenever you blade your name is announced as 'Manning', but tonight it was announced as 'Ming'," she pointed out.

"Oh, that." I waved my hand, motioning for her to follow me to an empty table that we had occupied during dinner. Now it just held the boys' coats and the girls' purses. I sat down and let out a little sigh while taking off my heels. I don't know why we girls wear these things. They're not comfortable at all! Hilary sat down as well and turned her ruby eyes to me, waiting in curiosity. "It's nothing, really. You know how Mariah's birth name is Mao but we refer to her by her English name Mariah? Well, I was born Cai, which means full of color, but got called Crystal for my eyes. While I was traveling, right after I left home, I didn't want any ties to it. The village. My friends. My past. My home. I hated how much pain I felt just thinking about the place. So I just took on an English name I overheard one day in hopes to shed my past from myself." I slowly shook my head. "I should've known it wouldn't work. Our village is prideful of the idea that our present is shaped by our past and our ancestors. I learned, the hard way, that no matter how much I run I can't escape it. I learned that when I went back to the village for the World Championships.

"When they were all mad at me, when they were hostile towards me and made me work to get back on the team that I always thought I belonged on." I gave a little laugh. "It's funny, I absolutely hated them when I went back but, as time went on and we went through the Tag-Team Tournament I slowly let it go. I was holding onto misplaced anger. I was angry that they didn't do anything when I was banished. That they, as my friends, didn't stick up for me but I realize that they really couldn't. We were eight. What could they have done?" I tilted my head back and finished my glass and shrugged again. "Once I let that go I realized, slowly yet surely, that running was stupid. Being someone I wasn't was stupid so…I dropped my fake name and took mine back."

Hilary nodded and looked deep in thought. "I've wondered about you and the White Tigers." I lifted my eyebrows, silently asking what she meant. She paused and moved some of her hair behind her ear. "You say you're friends and all but…it feels weird," she finally replied. "Like…you're still guarded around Lee, Mariah, and Ray but you're fine with Kevin and Gary."

"Kevin…I wasn't angry with him at first. I figured he just went along with it because he was scared of Lee or something. I used to babysit Kevin when we were younger. I loved the kid to death, he was like the little brother I never had. I always took care of him and grew very fond of him. Gary I could tell him things and knew he wouldn't say anything about it. He's a very sweet and quiet guy and he was always there to taste test my cooking experiments." I laughed a little at a memory of him trying my apple pie for the first time. He ate it all and didn't say anything about it, despite mixing up cinnamon and cumin.

I cleared my throat a little and continued. "But with the Wongs and Ray…it's different. We're the closest in age so we did a lot of things together but there was always this silent competition between us. Lee wanted to be better than Ray, Mariah wanted to be better than me, stuff like that. It only got worse as we got older and took up the sport of beyblading and Ray and I were given two different tigers of the village, the only two tigers of the entire village and since then there's always been rivalries between us, despite us being friends. Jealousy is a part of it too, I think. Not that they'd ever admit it, but it's obvious. While Mariah is right, the White Tiger team prides itself on our unity and friendships I feel like…I won't ever fully be accepted back until I prove myself to them and it's…very frustrating."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked," Hilary said while partially covering her mouth.

I shook my head and smiled at her. "No, it's okay. I needed to get that off my chest to someone. I couldn't tell Kai or Tyson or Max, they wouldn't understand."

"Oh. So why me?"

"Well, you gotta have one friend you can trust with this stuff, right? Bonus points if it's a girl." I hesitated. "I, uh, I never really had a best friend. I mean, I consider Max and Tyson my best friends but never one that was a girl. Despite how close Mariah and I have become there's something in the way and, so, you were the best choice to be a best friend…if that's okay!" I mumbled and then mentally groaned. I wasn't good at this…sharing emotions stuff. I just hoped she didn't think I was a huge moron.

Hilary beamed. "No, no it's okay. I consider you my best friend too!" She lightly scratched her forehead as if hiding under her hand. "That's why, uh, I wanted to ask you for something."

I tilted my head slightly. "Yeah?"

"For your help, I mean," she replied. Now she seemed nervous, which was out of place for her. She was such a confident person that it was actally awkward to watch her. "Um, I wanted to ask if you could teach me…how to 'blade like the rest of you." My eyes widened and she rushed on. "I was, um, kind of jealous of you at first," she admitted with a little laugh. "I mean, you fit into their 'club' so fast it kind of bugged me and I thought if I ever wanted to learn I could get you to teach me. I don't want to be like Tyson or anything, but it would be nice to spin every once in a while and get what the others are talking about. Kenny even blades every once in a while so—"

I lifted my hand to stop her from talking. "Say no more. I'd be honored to teach you."

"Really? You will?"

"Yeah." I nodded. "You have the enthusiasm, and that's a perfect place to start. Tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay! Great! Thanks!"

I lean back in my seat and cross one leg over the other. It's amazing how one night of fun beyblading could bring everyone together. Kenny and Emily were talking to Ming-Ming about something or other and Kenny didn't even seem nervous to be in her presence anymore. When we found out that she was his date we were all shocked (albeit Hilary was a little annoyed) but she turned out to be a sweet kid although a little too obsessed with the idea of fame (apparently that's how she became a 'singer' and a BEGA blader). All teams that used to be rivals put it aside for one night of fun and the feeling could be felt all around the room. Even Tala and Bryan were a bit more social than they usually are, talking to Julia and Raul as Romero stood by trying to put the moves on Max's mom.

Suddenly an arm shot into my view and picked up my glass. I looked up to see that Kai was the one who had taken it from me. "Do you want some more?" He asked, tilting the glass at the table filled with different assortment of drinks.

"Yes, please," I said with a nod. "Thank you." He nodded as well and walked off.

"Wow, I knew he was polite but he's even shocking me," Hilary commented as she watched Kai walk away.

"I know," I agreed. "The attention is starting to freak me out. He's been by my side practically all night. He finally went away when I told him he could talk to Tala and the others."

Hilary giggled. "He's just being a gentleman. Even more so than Ray, and that's saying something."

"Isn't it?" I laughed as well. "You know what I noticed, though? He seems more talkative when he's not wearing his scarf!"

Hilary let out a little gasp. "Hey, yeah! That makes sense! When I met him last year he was actually very talkative. Before hand I was told from Kenny and Tyson that he wasn't a talker. He actually opened up a lot last year—and he wasn't wearing his scarf! It must be a security blanket of sorts."

"Must be—thanks Kai," I said while accepting the glass from him. Instead of walking off like I expected he pulled up a chair and sat down. Through half lidded eyes he glanced around the room and silently brought his glass to his lips. "So, Hilary here wants me to teach her how to beyblade."

"Crys!" Hilary hissed while smacking my knee, her cheeks burning.

Kai turned his violet eyes to her and lifted an eyebrow. "Why?" He asked.

Hilary shrugged and pressed the tips of her two pointer fingers together. "You guys make it look like fun and, I don't know, I don't want to be left out."

"Well, if anyone can teach you she can," Kai stated.

I crossed my arms over my chest and smiled a little. Well, I'll be. Kai can give out compliments. Did the planetary alignment shift in the atmosphere? A comfortable silence fell over us as we, once again, looked around the room. Julia and Raul now had a little crowd around them as they demonstrated some tricks they learned in their circus troop. I looked up when I felt a tap on my shoulder and saw Kevin and Joseph, aka Twin 1 and Twin 2, standing by my side.

"Yes?"

"Joseph said Mariam wants to battle you now," Kevin told me.

"Really?" I uncrossed my legs and stretched. "Why not? Dricen needs to stretch his legs. But how about you two battle with us? Make it more interesting?"

"Sure!" Joseph said with a nod. "I'll go tell her."

"You're going to take 'em both on?" Hilary asked in astonishment.

"Sure. Only way to get better, right? Besides, I haven't had Kevin as a partner yet and I want to see how Dricen and Galman match up. Who knows? They could end up being a better pairing than Driger and Galeon," I replied while standing. She and Kai stood as well and walked with me over to one of the free dishes where Max, Mariam, Joseph, and Kevin were waiting.

"This should be a really interesting battle," Max said as I turned to Hilary and held out my hands. She dug into her purse and retrieved my beyblade and my launcher from her purse. It was a lot easier than carrying one myself.

"You ready?" I asked Kevin as I loaded my launcher.

He nodded. "Born ready."

"Ooh! Can I count it down?" Hilary asked excitedly. We nodded and got into our launching stances. "Three! Two! One!"

"Let it rip!"

Mariam's and Joseph's beyblades landed simultaneously while there was a slight delay between Kevin's and my blades landing in the dish. His launch wasn't as powerful as mine was so his blade had a little less spin but it was still holding its own against Joseph's beyblade which started to attack Galman right off the bat. Mariam's blade and mine spun around the dish, waiting for the best time to attack.

"C'mon, Sharkrash! Take her down!" Mariam called out.

I grinned. That's just what I was waiting for, for her to make the first move. "Dig your claws in the ground and hold on, Dricen," I ordered. Dricen stopped where he was and spun on the spot as Sharkrash raced towards him. Dricen bent towards the ground a bit, as if he were lowering his head, and as soon as Sharkrash got close enough Dricen launched him up into the air. "Nice one!"

"Ah! Sharkrash!" Mariam gasped.

"Vanishing Moot, c'mon!" Joseph called out. Vanishing Moot stopped attacked Galman and launched himself into the air, successfully hitting Sharkrash and letting the two fall back into the dish, still spinning. They then charged forward and smashed into Galman and Dricen, sparks flew at the contact and the sound of grinding metal filled the air.

"Nice try but we're not finished yet!" Mariam said with a grin.

"Neither are we!" Kevin replied. "Crazy Monkey Attack, Galman!"

Kevin's purple 'blade started wobbling in the signature way that made it seem like it was going to fall over but it didn't. instead it seemed to create many different copies of the original. I smirked at the expressions on Joseph's and Mariam's face only to have my focus torn away by Kai suddenly glancing towards the window with his jaw clenched. "Kai? What's wrong?"

Before the words could even finish coming from my mouth the windows started to blow out one by one. Screams filled the air as people ran around trying to get away from the falling glass. I held out my hand and Dricen flew back into my palm. I barely had time to move when a beyblade flew past my face. More screams of panic filled the room.

"Watch out!"

"Get out of the way!"

"What's going on?"

"Mr. Dickenson, move!" Tyson yelled over the noise. I turned around to see where the president of the BBA was. Mr. Dickenson was standing by the podium, a beyblade flying right at him. As quick as a whip Tyson launched Dragoon at it and smashed the beyblade out of the way. "Who did that?" He demanded.

"This party seemed dull so I decided to liven up the place." A growl rolled in my throat when Kaoru jumped down from the rafters and snatched his beyblade up from the ground. He gave a little laugh.

"What're you doing here?" Tyson demanded.

"What do you think?" Kaoru replied with a lift of his eyebrow. "I knew you were slow but your mind is going as slow as molasses in Antarctica." He shook his head. "I'm here for her of course," he replied, pointing in my direction. "I would've gotten her too but gramps over here…I figured he'd be a better tool to convince her to battle me. The old man is actually good for something, I guess."

"That's enough!" I snarled, my voice echoing in the large room. Kaoru stopped mid-laugh and se his eyes on me. "I do not condone anyone disrespecting their elders, especially Mr. Dickenson who worked hard to keep the sport of beyblading clean and fun for everyone. This night was to symbolize that and you're ruining it. I will not stand for it! You want a battle? You got one!"

"Crys, no! You've already taken a beating from Mariam and Joseph. You're not strong enough," Max protest, his blue eyes wide with fear.

"Yeah. Let us handle this creep," Tyson agreed.

"No," Kai said firmly before I even opened my mouth to protest them. He had his arms crossed tight over his chest and he was glaring at Kaoru. "Let her battle."

"I always knew I liked him," I quipped while tying my hair back into a ponytail with a ribbon that Hilary had brought in her purse.

"You can't be serious," Ray stated.

"Yeah! Let me fight!" Daichi added. "I'm itching and ready to tear his blade apart.

Kai shook his head. "This is her fight. He always shows up to battle her, not you. You wanted her on the team, let her prove to you that you didn't make a mistake."

Tyson held Kai's gaze for a long while. He even looked as if he was starting to shake by suppressing his anger but Kai didn't even flinch, didn't blink. I swear I saw sparks shoot off between their eyes for a couple of seconds. Tyson let out a frustrated sound and ran his hands through his hair. "As much as I hate to admit it, he's right," Tyson sighed in defeat after a few moments of silence. He turned to me with a fiery look in his eyes. "Take him down! You can do it!"

"Yes!" I nodded and made sure Dricen was loaded and ready on my launcher. I let out a slow breath through my nose and forced myself to calm down. My heart was racing and we haven't even started yet. I could feel the familiar tensing of muscles in my legs. My mind was telling me to run, to get away from this and let everyone else handle it but I forced myself to stay. I was done running. Finished. I was done escaping my problems instead of facing them head on. Enough was enough.

I walked over to the dish that Kaoru was now standing by. My feet grazed the cool floor with every step that I took. "You just pissed off a crouching tiger," I warned him while getting into position. "I hope, for your sake, that you're prepared for when I pounce."

Kaoru grinned. "We'll see."

A/N: And here's the next chapter. We get a bit more into Crystal's head and her relationships with the White Tiger team and those around her. And Kaoru's back! Honestly, I almost forgot about him until I remembered how important he is to the story as a whole and we hadn't seen him in a bit so I knew it was time to bring him back in. What does he have up his sleeve this time? Please read and review! Thanks for sticking with me.

~C.M.

P.S. Cai isn't pronounced 'Kai' but like 'Kay'.