Ack! Sorry it took so long to update, but I took a week off from everything! I didn't even check my emails! I hope that you all had happy holidays and please forgive me! Here's you responses from me:

Kai-Dranzer: thanks, glad u liked it. Sorry the update took so long.

Kyuubi no Tai: omg! I'm so sorry! I didn't know that you wrote that in your fic. I haven't had a chance to read that one yet. I had no idea. Hehe, just update UAOT when you can I can wait. Oh, and I got that CD for Xmas (actually I had to buy it myself, but anyway…) and its awesome! It's too bad that its only got 6 songs though, I think they shoulda done more. Thanks for your review!

Princess Ami: I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry! The update took longer than I expected. Thanks for reviewing though, I hope this update was worth it.

Emi-Chan and her 3 spirits: oow, thank you!

Shezel: I'm glad that you thought so. Well, I think it sets the stage a little, I never thought about it that way. You mighta just given me some more ideas…thanks for reviewing!

Armith-Greenleaf: I hope so. Oh, and action will be soon. Ya just have to wait a few chapters then it'll get more interesting. Thanks for reviewing!

Kristy Himura: wow, thanks! Sorry you had to wait so long. Thanks for your review!

Princess Fey: Thanks. Sorry about the wait. Don't worry, just please review when u can and I'll be happy with that!

Kazumi Kairi: well, nothings really good about her past. Read to find out more! Thanks for reviewing!

XxCrimsonShadowsxX: that's okay. I'll wait for it. And I'm sorry I forgot to thank you for letting me use it.

Roni: thanks. that's a big compliment for me!

CatDemon-Milala: oh, I like ur name! Thanks for reviewing.

MidNightMare: hehe, sorry it took so long! Oh, it looks like u changed ur name…BlazingShadows. Cool.

Oh, and I owe a big thank you to xXCrimsonShadowsXx for letting me use her quote: "Those you fear darkness have not seen the light." I changed it a little though. :) I meant to thank you in the last chapter! Sorry.

OMG! I got more reviews than I expected. Maybe I'll hit 300 sooner than I expected…


Ch. 47- Interrogation

"I'm going to let you ask me what you want to know," Marina stated coldly. "But I will decide whether or not I want to answer your question." She crossed her arms over her chest. "I only stand here still because I was persuaded to. I want to make that clear. Otherwise I would be long gone."

She shrugged her bag off her shoulder and leaned it against the wall.

"Firstly, I want to warn you that my past is less than honorable. And I strongly suggest that you don't dissuade me from leaving."

"Why do you push everyone away?" Ray asked bluntly. "We just want to help you. And now you're being as stubborn as the first time we met you."

She turned her unblinking gaze on him and answered, "Those who get too close, usually get hurt. I'm saving you a world of pain. It's best if I avoid contact."

Ray didn't like her answer. It did nothing to help him get a better understanding of who she was.

"Who would want to hurt us?" Hilary asked. "Or you?"

Marina shook her head. "Lots of people. And I can't protect you from myself."

"Okay…then who were those people in the black speedboat?" Max asked. "Why did you go with them? And what happened?"

"The people on the boat are dangerous," she stated calmly. "And they want something I have. I only went with them willingly because I didn't have a choice. Would you have preferred that I dragged you guys into it?"

They were silent.

"It was for your own protection," she stated stonily. "I can take care of myself."

"What did they do to you?" Tyson asked curiously. "Cause you were in pretty bad shape."

"It was nothing new. Just torture," she shrugged. "They wanted information, but I didn't give it to them."

"You said you were going to answer our questions," Ray began, "but what you're giving us is less than exact."

"I also said that I would choose which questions I would answer. You know," she added icily, "this is taking way too long, and at the rate you're asking questions, I won't be getting anywhere. So I'll give you a timeline, and you can go from there."

"How generous of you," Tyson remarked sarcastically.

Marina ignored him. They were lucky to get anything at all from her, let alone a timeline.

She leaned against the wall casually; as if she was talking about a complete stranger's past. "I was at Balkov Abbey since I could remember, until I was eleven."

Tyson opened his mouth to speak and was shot a glare.

"Don't interrupt me until I'm finished. You want to know why I am the way I am? Then pay attention and listen. You can leave, you know, then that would be one less person to get sympathy from."

She crossed her arms, and continued. "After I escaped from the abbey I spent some time on the streets. And you haven't had a hard life until you've lived on Russian streets by yourself." She paused, and Kai saw a flicker of despair in her eyes as she remembered her past.

"I left Russia when I first came to realize that Biovolt had sent people after me. I got to Canada and spent a year there, training at a-a special base. I went to Britain when I was about 14. Didn't spend much time there, it was too open for me."

Only Kai noticed her hand straying to one of the pockets in her cargo pants. She was getting support from her bitbeast.

"When I heard that the World Championships were being held in Russia, I traveled back there. I saw you guys win the title."

"Whoa!" Tyson blurted out. "You were at the World Championships? Why didn't you come see us then, if it was so important?"

Hilary promptly elbowed him in the ribs, but Marina sent him a trademark glare nonetheless.

"I didn't come to you because you were surrounded by the media and your own inflated egos. I wasn't ready, and I couldn't risk exposure. Russia is a dangerous place for me."

Marina's brows knit together briefly, as if she realized that she had let something slip, but continued her short monologue.

"I stayed in Russia as long as I could then eventually came to Japan. And that's where you come in."

Marina rested one foot on the wall behind her as they stared at her, eyes full of questions. Her story was less than satisfying, but by leaving out the details she hoped that they would get the point that she didn't want to discuss her dark past.

/You barely gave them anything/ Saphira snorted.

'You told me to tell them, and I have,' Marina replied quickly. 'We're doing this my way, so we can leave sooner.'

/I still say that you should give them a chance/

'Perhaps. The door is not yet closed,' she retorted mystically. 'But I'd prefer if they shut it in my face.'

/Are you sure that's what you really want?/ Saphira asked kindly. /You are beginning to trust them, I know you are./

'That's the problem.'

/They are not bad people. They will not shun you./

Her mind filled with a muted silence. 'They shall never know the darkest parts,' she finally replied. 'I've scared them enough already.'

Saphira glowered at the way Marina avoided admitting what she truly wanted. But her dragon knew anyway. Fitting in had never been high in her list of priorities, as they had always been forced to flee before she could put a little faith in mankind. And now when she had found a spot where she could be happy, she was wanting to leave again. Her bitbeast knew that she doubted she was capable of any kind emotions at all. Who would trust someone that didn't trust themselves?

"You can ask me one question each, whatever you want," Marina stated finally. "I grow tiresome of waiting. Then I will leave. I only owe you this much, I am not obligated to stay. Unless you can give me an honest reason for me to hang around." She glanced at their confused faces. "Well? Who's first?"

"You've lived on your own for so long…" Hilary mumbled quietly. "No wonder you don't trust us. It's a miracle that you survived."

"Your pity is wasted on me," Marina interrupted coldly. "There are others who deserve it more."

"How many languages do you know?" the brunette asked, out of the blue.

Marina was stunned by her question momentarily. She had expected a question about her past, not anything personal. But she answered nonetheless. It was less hassle for her.

"I am fluent in Japanese and Latin, asides from English and Russian," she replied calmly. "But Latin is a dead language, so it is not of much use."

"And you've never been to school," Hilary asked, mesmerized. "It would be impossible to do so when you're on the run, I suppose. And that's not a question," she added hurriedly, "just thinking out loud."

"You're lucky," Tyson stated, surprised. "No school…that would be paradise."

Marina raised an eyebrow. "You should be thankful for what you have," Marina shook her head. "If your freedom was taken away, you would know that it is you that is lucky. There are so many things that I will never know."

"But you-"

"I'm a survivor," she interrupted boldly. "I only know what I need to survive, and live on my own. Do you think it's easy being me? Trying to survive in a world where you are always on the run? Where death and betrayal could stalk every corner, hide in every person, and is just waiting for you to slip up so you will slide into darkness?"

She blinked. Her dragon was influencing her thoughts again.

"You have had everything handed to you on a silver plate," she expressed vehemently. "You have no idea of a life outside these walls." She took a deep breath, to calm her state of mind. "Now what question do you really want to ask Tyson?"

"Uh, come back to me," he shrugged, "I'm thinking."

"Well, that's a first," Hilary muttered under her breath.

"I have a question," Kenny entered timidly. "How is it that I can't get any data or states on your blade? It doesn't make sense for the signal to be blocked."

"You have asked me that already, you know," Marina commented, studying the familiar blue design in her palm.

"But you never gave me a definite answer," he replied logically. "All you said was that you had a bitbeast."

'And you thought they wouldn't remember,' Marina commented to her dragon dryly.

/Well you didn't exactly let them see me/ Saphira retorted.

'And for good reason.'

/You let Kai see/ the winged beauty teased.

Marina didn't dignify her taunting with a response, and answered Kenny's question instead.

"The information you seek won't transmit to your laptop because my bitbeast blocks the signal," she replied. "If a computer is able to read your blade in battle then you are a definite disadvantage. My bitbeast is powerful enough to keep the true nature of my beyblade a secret, as well fight in battle at the same time."

"So there is no way to get the states on your beyblade?"

"You will only get them if I give them to you," she added, "or if I let the signal blocker down."

/See, this isn't so bad/ her dragon soothed.

'That's only because they aren't asking painful questions,' she shot a glare towards Kai. "But he will…'

"Where did you learn to fight," the blonde boy asked. "Cause your style is so organized, there's no way that it can be street fighting. You have to be taught that kind of discipline."

Marina studied the American teen. She wouldn't have thought that he would be the one to ask about her fighting technique. She hadn't known that he had been studying her moves. She was also surprised that he could remember; the last time that he had seen her fight they were trapped on that island.

"I was taught at a lot of places," she began slowly. "I learned some skills at Balkov Abbey. Since I was to be a perfect weapon, I was taught more than most. In Canada I learned a combination of martial arts, which I use most now. But I do know how to fight like a street kid. I was one. The erratic movements come in handy sometimes."

Her blue eyes moved to the golden-eyed neko-jin. Ray seemed to be the one to ask her more difficult, personal questions that she was disinclined to answer. He always seemed to think of what to say, before he said it.

The Chinese teen thought long and hard about what he wanted to ask the distrustful Russian girl. He thought back to what Mr. Dickinson had said about wanted proof and finding the children of the abbey. If Marina was to leave then they might never know what happened to the others. He decided to put his own questions aside, in order to find out the answer to a more important question.

"There are no records of you being at Balkov Abbey," Ray began slowly, "and there are no records of the others as well. How can you prove that you were there?"

Marina narrowed her eyes, suspicious.

"Why are you asking?" she inquired, brow raised.

"Because Mr. Dickinson is trying to find the other children that went there, and there is no proof that such a program even existed," Ray explained. "He wants to contact their families."

"Then he won't have much luck with that," Marina remarked, shaking her head. "Biovolt only took kids off the street who showed promise, with few exceptions. Even if you could find an ex-abbey soldier, they have no parents, and aren't listed. Most were abandoned. Balkov Abbey was a place to live, it was a home to many of us. Even with a conscience, nobody will give up their place of refuge. They won't even believe that what Biovolt did was wrong. I've tried talking to some of them in the past."

Kai was surprised at her tone of voice when she spoke of that abbey as being a home. It seemed that she was sincere when she thought of it like that. He knew that she didn't think that now, but apparently, she had when she was younger. 'Having her place of refuge turn into a hell hole like that must've been hard on her,' he thought.

"Then you know how to contact some of them?" Ray asked.

Marina shook her head. "I do, but I won't tell you. They are still loyal to Biovolt. They don't want your help, or anyone else's. And they definitely won't tell you where the head operators are."

Marina recalled her memory of meeting some of the others that had fled from the abbey when the corporation was disassembled. She had beaten some of them up pretty bad when she was on a rampage for revenge. But they had been trained by the best. Same as she. They were adamant about refusing to give up Voltaire or Boris.

She looked up. Ray had said he wanted proof, and she would give it to him.

"You want proof that I spent most of my life in Balkov Abbey? Fine." She turned her back on them and slid one arm out of her shirt, pulling back the fabric to expose her shoulder. "Everyone who went to the abbey was branded, marked for life."

On her right shoulder blade the initials 'B.C' were carved into her flesh, sticking out as thin white scars.

Hilary gasped in shock as she saw part of the pattern of white lines that adorned Marina's back.

The Russian teen shrugged her shirt back onto her shoulder and faced them once again. "'B.C'. Biovolt Corporation. We were marked so that we could never hide. We were basically their property. Your team captain should have one as well."

She glanced at Kai, who hadn't moved an inch since questioning had begun. HE just listened as she answered his teammate's questions.

"Unless being the grandson of the head of operations allowed you certain privileges?"

Kai shook his head once, stiffly. He knew Marina was just toying with him. She knew very well that he was scarred as well.

"Alright Tyson, last question," Marina commented. "Now what's it gonna be?"

"Have you ever kissed Kai?" he blurted out suddenly.

Had Marina been drinking, she probably would've choked. Kai stiffened.

"Leave it to you to ask the stupidest question around," Marina shook her head slowly at his stupidity. "You should really think before you ask."

The holder of Dragoon stared at her blankly. "Well?"

"I was at the abbey until I was eleven, and haven't seen him since I came to Japan." Marina rolled her eyes. "I was a child. So no, I haven't kissed Kai."

She rubbed her temple tiredly. She could feel a headache coming on. She hefted her messenger bag onto her shoulder.

"What are you doing?" Max asked, curious. "Kai hasn't asked a question yet."

"He doesn't get to ask," she shot him a glare. All she wanted was her dagger, then she would be on her way.

"You said we would get a chance to convince you to stay with us," Ray reminded her convictingly. "And you haven't said anything that would make us want you to leave."

Her bad slid off her shoulder slowly and dropped it to the floor. Even after her ridiculous demands and icy attitude they still wanted her around? Marina didn't believe it. She refused to. Didn't they understand?

"Don't you get it?" she asked, her voice breaking a little. "I'm being hunted by damn archaeologists, who would not hesitate to hurt you, to get to me!"

They were silent. Hilary had a pleading look in her eyes as she stroked the kitten she had dubbed 'Sahara.'

"I'm mean," she added convincingly. "I'm not nice to you at all. I've beaten people up for information. I'm just as bad as them."

Still they said nothing. It was as if she was trying to convince herself of her sins.

"I've stolen. Jacked cars. Assaulted a police officer. Been in a gang. Destroyed li--kids beyblades. Doesn't that matter?" She gave a silent sigh of relief. She had almost let the worst thing slip. She didn't care that Kai already knew, he probably didn't believe her anyway. "Don't you care that I could knock you all out and steal your bitbeasts?"

"No," Hilary answered. "We know you won't do that."

"What happened, what you've done, it's in the past," Ray added.

"But I don't understand," she admitted, close to breaking. "My presence here could harm you. I would want me gone."

"Well, we're not you," Tyson said, resisting the urge to make a snide comment. "And we want you here. We don't care if people are after you, it just makes life more interesting."

"You can trust us not to hurt you," Max said, agreeing, "and we can help protect you."

Marina doubted his words but felt his sincerity and let them continue.

"We've improved a lot since you've been here," Ray added, "there's so much we can learn from you."

"Their strengths in beybattle have increased substantially," Kenny remarked.

"Please stay," Hilary encouraged, crossing her fingers behind her back.

Marina looked down as they watched her, waiting once again for her decision. She was torn. It was the second time that they had asked her to stay and she had to make up her mind. The last time she'd said yes, they had all gotten captured. And even though it wasn't because of her, she wasn't sure if she wanted to put them in danger. But she had to admit that she was a little happier in their company, even if she didn't show it. She thought that it was a bit odd. She had only felt this comfortable around a few people. She didn't think that the Bladebreakers would betray her either, but she would never know. She gave in.

"Fine. I'll stay," she announced quietly. "But if they come looking for me, then I will leave. Without warning."

'I don't want you to get hurt because of me,' she added in her mind. She felt Saphira's encouragement at her decision. Marina could swear that her dragon bitbeast liked it at the dojo more than she did. That was one of the reasons she had decided to stay.

"Alright!" Hilary said happily. "There's so much we can do now! You won't regret staying."

'I hope not too,' she agreed. 'As long as I don't have to talk so much.' Her throat was sore. She hadn't talked this long ever, that she could recall.

Max and Ray beamed.

"Uh, Kenny," Tyson asked suddenly, "what time is it?"

"Time for you to get a watch," Max joked.

"No, guys, I'm serious," he blurted out. "What time is the demonstration at the BBA Research Facility?"

Kenny's eyes widened. "Oh my gosh! We're going to be late!" He leapt up.

They had gotten so involved with Marina that they had completely lost track of time.

"We're never going to make it!" Kenny said panicky. "It's half-way across town!"

Marina rolled her eyes. "You guys shoulda said something," she spoke coldly, "I would have gladly missed out on all of this."

"It's not funny! Punctuality is important," Kenny added, "and we have to make a good impression."

"Do you have a car?" the Russian girl asked.

They stared at her like she was speaking her home tongue.

"What?" she retorted icily. "You're not gonna make it running to the other side of town."

"We do," Tyson began slowly, suspicious, "but Grandpa got his license taken away last week for road rage. He's on probation. We're still screwed."

She rolled her eyes tiredly. "If it's so important I'll drive."

"Do you have your license?" Max asked.

She sighed and reached into her pant's pocket. She pulled out a driver's license and Tyson grabbed it.

"Is this real?" he asked, studying it.

"Does it matter? It's your choice whether or not you want to be late."

"Fine, let's go," Tyson sighed. "I'll get the keys. But if you crash…"

"I won't." Marina walked outside, rubbing her head tiredly. The stupid things she got involved in…


"What do I do to ignore them behind me?

Do I follow my instincts blindly?

Do I hide my pride, from these bad dreams

And give in to sad thoughts that are maddening?

Do I sit here, and try to stand it?

Or do I, try to catch them red-handed?

Do I trust some and get fooled by phoniness

Or do I trust none and live in lonliness?

Because I can't hold on when I'm stretched so thin

I make the right moves but I'm lost within

I put on my daily façade but then

I just end up getting hurt again

By myself

I ask why, but in my mind

I find I can't rely on myself

I can't hold on, to what I want when I'm stretched so thin

It's all too much to take in

I can't hold on, to anything watching everything spin

With thoughts of failure sinking in

If I turn my back I'm defenseless

And to go blindly seems senseless

If I hide my pride and let it all go on, then they'll

Take from me till everything is gone

If I let them go I'll be outdone

But if I try to catch them I'll be outrun

If I'm killed by they questions like a cancer

Then I'll be buried in the silence of the answer

How do you think I've lost so much

I'm so afraid, I'm out of touch

How do expect, I will know what to do

When all I know is what you tell me to

Don't you know

I can't tell you how to make it go

No matter what I do, how hard I try

I can't seem to convince myself why

I'm stuck on the outside."


Well, this chapters finally done. I hope it was worth the wait. Sorry it took so long. I'll try to update again soon but it probably won't be until after next week. The writing process is getting a little slower as the chapters keep getting longer.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Linkin Park. The song at the end is called 'By Myself.'

Oh, and sorry, but Marina won't be back to normal again until she gets her emotions under control again. Plus, she'll never really be the same after having anmesia and knowing what's its like to have a relatively normal life. And I'm sorry that I kept it kinda wide when she was talking about her past, but I can't just spill everything in one chapter!