An Eighteen Candle Reunion

"Hey Kira, if you want to take my place again, your welcome to," Kai told his sister as they were getting on the BBA bus to go to the finals.

"Thanks, but no thanks. You can fill your own spot."

"Do you think they know?" Li whispered to Megumi.

"I doubt it. Wait, what are we doing again?"

"You'll find out with them."

in stadium seats

"I hope Megumi didn't slip," The woman with light brown hair said.

"Don't worry. She probably forgot," Celeste reassured her. "When I told Li and Meg, she was half asleep and going on about something like 'It was a date, Kira'. Other than that, Li didn't seem like it was big news that I was actually calling him. Maybe that Chinese boy told him about me."

"I'm glad Megumi wasn't really awake, you shouldn't have told her in the first place. I thought you wanted to surprise her as much as Kai," The man said. "Hey wait, what do you mean 'It was a date Kira'?"

"That's what she was saying. Li told me that Kira had been gone last night for around an hour and twenty minutes. And when Meg pushed Li and Kai out to find her, she was in front of the door with the Chinese boy, Rei." She didn't tell them about the kissing because they would of gotten mad at Kira for going out with a
guy and not telling them.

"The same Chinese boy that you said was sitting next to you in the first match?" the man asked.

"Yes."

"Well, is he nice?" the woman now asked.

"See for yourself, he's standing right behind you."

"You guys wouldn't mind not competing in the American Tournament?" Kira asked her teammates as they approached the team bench.

"Why wouldn't we? We didn't even need to participate in this tournament to get into the world tournament," Li told her.

"Plus, aren't you forgetting something? Grandfather would kill us if we didn't go."

"What if we gave the place we win here to someone else, but we still go?"

"I guess. Another team gets to go and we try not to get killed. Works."

The man and woman turned around to find a group of boys, the Bladebreakers. "Hey! You're the girl from before!" Max said.

"Is that him?" the woman pointed at the raven-haired teen.

"Yup, that's him."

"That's who?" Rei asked.

"You're the one who went out on a date with my daughter, aren't you?" the woman inquired him.

"Your daughter? What are you talking about?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. We haven't introduced ourselves. I'm Dr. Karena Kaido and this is my husband Dr. Alex Kaido. You are the one who went out last night with Kira weren't you?"

Rei felt his face turn bright red. 'So that must be why Kira was in a bad mood this morning. They must have kept bugging her last night about it.' "Yeah, but it wasn't exactly a date."

"So that's where you went off to last night!" Tyson exclaimed.

"It's the time you've all been waiting for, THE FINALS OF THE ASIAN TOURNAMENT!" DJ Jazzman yelled into his microphone and headset. "Please give a warm welcome to THE WHITE TIGERS AND THE ELEMENT CATS!" In response, the crowd roared with applause.

Brad: Hello again everybody, Brad Best here with AJ Topper in the China Tower in.…

AJ: We're in China

Brad: Oh, right, of course we are. It's for the finals here and it's the White Tiger Team against the defending champs the Element Cats.

AJ: Yeah, and we're in for a wild ride. These battles will be best out of three. The White Tigers send out Gary and his bitbeast Gazzly to start them off.

Brad: And the Element Cats send out Li and his fiery partner Solaris to the dish.

"3… 2… 1… LET IT RIP!"

The two blades hit the dish, and bit beasts were called. "Gazzly attack!"

"Solaris, Solar Flare!" The two blades came at each other, Solaris in flames. Solaris returned into the blade and Gazzly had stopped spinning.

"And the winner of the round is… LI!"

"Gee Rei, why didn't you tell us you were going on a date?" Tyson asked.

"Maybe because it wasn't-"

"Suppose to be, but turned out to be," Celeste interrupted.

"No. Wait, how did you find out that we even went out?"

"I called Li last night, and he told me. Plus Meg kept saying 'It was a date, Kira'."

Then it struck him why that girl and Megumi looked so alike: because they were sisters. "You are Celeste, aren't you?" Rei asked her.

"How… how do you know that? I'm positive Kai and Meg wouldn't tell you about me."

"Kira told me about you last night. You and Megumi are sisters. That's why you look so alike. Plus, Megumi doesn't let many people call her 'Meg', only friends and family."

"You got me. But don't tell Kai or Meg. It's a surprise for the end of the match. You do know what day today is, don't you?"

"Now for the second round of a best of three. 3… 2…1… LET IT RIP!"

Again, the blades hit the dish. "Solaris, slash attack!" Solaris made its way to Gazzly and sliced it to pieces.

"And the winner of the match is… LI! Next up is Mariah from the White Tigers, and Kai from the Element Cats!"

Brad: Okay, up next for the White Tigers is Mariah. She and her bitbeast Galux have a tendency to shred their opponents.

AJ: The Element Cats send team leader Kai and his bitbeast Chetorah to the dish.

"3… 2… 1… LET IT RIP!"

"No, I don't. Does it have to do with Kai and Kira?" Kenny asked.

"You'll find out with them."

Dr. Karena slid over to Rei and whispered something in his ear. Rei gave an 'o' of understanding. "You know Alex, this boy is pretty nice. I wouldn't worry about her."

The blades hit the dish and bit beasts were called. "Galux, scratch attack!"

"Chetorah, Solar Flare!" The blades came charging toward each other, Galux sharpening her claws and Chetorah in flames. They collided, the bit beasts returned to their blades, and the pink blade was smoking.

"And the winner of this round is… KAI!"

"Why would I worry about her? If she can stand up to that bastard of dad of mine, I don't have to worry about her."

"You shouldn't talk about your father like that sir," Max said.

"Listen, I'm a historian. I tell things the way they are. And the way it is, my dad is a heartless bastard."

"Mariah, you can still give up before I trash your blade."

"Give me a break. Why would I do that? And what makes you think you can beat me?"

"Oh well, I'll go easy on you."

"3… 2..1..LET IT RIP!"

"Chetorah, Fire Arrow!" Chetorah came down in flames at Mariah's blade. The pink blade had stopped spinning and was smoking, again.

"And the winner of the second match is… KAI!"

"Hey, I got an idea," Rei told the two doctors and Celeste. "Why don't me and the guys go down, congratulate them, and bring them to the hotel room where you can surprise him there?"

"That's a pretty good idea… Okay then, we'll stick around till the end of the match and then meet you at the room," Dr. Alex agreed.

"Come on guys," Rei took the confused Bladebreakers down the stairs toward the dish.

AJ: Finishing for the White Tigers will be team captain Lee and by his side his bitbeast Galleon.

Brad: Megumi and Thundera will be putting a wrap on this whole tournament for the Element Cats.

"Bladers are you ready? 3… 2… 1… LET IT RIP!"

The two bit beasts were immediately called on as the blades hit the dish. "Galleon, Tiger Claw!"

"Thundera," Thundera moved out the way and disappeared to reappear behind Galleon. "Lightning Scratch attack!" Thundera made her move toward Galleon and that oh so familiar flash of light.

"The winner of the round is… MEGUMI!"

"I guess we lost, huh Lee?" Mariah asked her teammate.

"Second isn't so bad," Megumi tried cheering them up.

"For the second round, bladers ready. 3… 2… 1… LET IT RIP!"

"Thundera, Thunder Crash!" Thundera gave a growl and charged for Galleon. Galleon was sent flying, and Thundera returned into her master's blade.

"And the winner of the Asian Tournament is… THE ELEMENT CATS!" On cue, the audience erupted in applause and the two doctors and Celeste left the stadium. Rei and the Bladebreakers ran toward the Element Cats.

"Congrats you guys! You're going to the American Tournament!" Rei exclaimed as he got to Kira, unconsciously giving her a big hug.

"You guys wouldn't mind if we tagged along, would ya?" Tyson asked.

"Wait a sec guys, I have an announcement to make. HEY DJ! MIND HANDING ME THE MIC?" Kira caught it as Jazzman threw it over to her. "Hello everybody! I have an announcement about the team going to the American Tournament. We didn't have to participate in this tournament to get into the World Tournament, like most other teams. We will be watching the American tournament, but not competing. We would like to give that pleasure to another team: The Bladebreakers!"

The Bladebreakers stood there, dumbfounded. "Uhhh… Kira why did you do that?" Rei asked, remembering that he had to take them to the hotel room.

"Just because."

"Why don't we head back to the hotel to celebrate?" Rei suggested.

"Yeah, why not? Let's go!"

Celeste looked out the window of the hotel room. "They're here! Get ready!"

"Wow! So we'll be going after all! Yippee!" Tyson said excitedly as they got into hotel.

Li walked ahead to Rei. "How did you know about it?" He asked in a hushed whisper.

"I talked to them in the stands." They reached the door of the hotel room. "Come on guys!"

"Umm… Rei…" Kira started as she found her way next to him. "Our room is on the other side of the building."

"Just open the door," Kai said as he came and opened the door.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" came from the three in the room, Li, and Rei.

"What?" Kira said as she entered the room, which was heavily decorated.

"MOM? DAD? What are you doing here?" both Kira and Kai exclaimed.

"Really. Has beyblading made you forget what day it is?" Their father asked. He got nods. "It's June 7." Still no clue. "Your 18th birthday!" Then they realized they had forgotten their birthday, but then there are more important things...

"CELESTE!" Kai exclaimed as Celeste moved from her position behind Dr. Alex, grabbing Megumi's attention. "My god... you're...you're..."

Tears formed in their eyes. Kira walked toward a cd player, and Rei walked toward her. She smiled and put on one of her favorite songs: Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls.

"'And I'd give up forever to touch you

'Cause I know that you feel me somehow

You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be

And I don't want to go home right now'"

Celeste ran into Kai's arms, into an embrace that neither of them wanted to end.

"'And all I can taste is this moment

And all I can breathe is your life

And sooner or later it's over

I just don't wanna miss you tonight

And I don't want the world to see me

'Cause I don't think that they'd understand

When everything is made to be broken

I just want you to know who I am'"

"I'm glad for them." Kira said to herself and to Rei.

"Yeah, maybe they can both have peace now." He replied looking into Kira's crimson eyes.

"You have no idea how much I've missed you, Kai." Celeste told him quietly.

"I've missed you easily equally or more." He whispered to her and placed his lips over hers.

The gap between Rei and Kira got smaller and smaller until their lips met.

"'And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming

Or the moment of truth in your lies

When everything feels like the movies

And you bleed just to know you're alive

And I don't want the world to see me

'Cause I don't think that they'd understand

When everything's made to be broken

I just want you to know who I am

And I don't want the world to see me

'Cause I don't think that they'd understand

When everything's made to be broken

I just want you to know who I am

And I don't want the world to see me

'Cause I don't think that they'd understand

When everything's made to be broken

I just want you to know who I am

I just want you to know who I am

I just want you to know who I am...'"

"You think we should…" Dr. Alex started, knowing that his wife could understand what he was saying.

"No. Give them a break. They haven't seen each other for almost 6 years."

"I meant Kira."

She looked over to the cd player and smiled. "I thought you weren't worried about her. I'm not."

"Awe… What a happy reunion!" Max chirped as they watched Kai and Celeste. "Don't you agree, Rei?" No answer. "Umm… guys, where's Rei?"

"Look over at the cd player and you'll find him." Dizzi chuckled.

"I guess he's having a good time."

Kira and Rei broke apart and looked over to Kai and Celeste. Megumi was just standing there with her hand over her mouth.

Unwillingly, Kai and Celeste ended their kiss and smiled at each other. Celeste then pushed Kai on to the bed and yelled "GROUP HUG!" And the whole bunch jumped on top of Kai and Celeste.

Once they were all relaxed on the bed, Dr. Karena announced that it was time to open the gifts. Li tossed a small box to Kira and a medium sized box to Kai. "Don't tell me you're playing favorites by giving him a bigger box."

"No… Just open them." Kira opened her box to find a pair of loop earrings with a aquamarine stone and a necklace with a diamond and aquamarine pendant in the shape of a cat.

"Ohh wow! Thank you so much! They're beautiful!" Next Kai opened his to find a pair of black and red roller blades.

"Thanks Li. Now I know what to get you." Dr. Karena tossed them two keys. "What's this?"

"Well, you two got your drivers licenses last year, I figured you would want something to drive. They are back in the house."

"Thanks mom! What kind of car is it?" Kira asked.

"You'll just have to wait and see."

"Now for me." Dr. Alex walked over to the table and picked up a big box. "This, is for when you're traveling." Out of the box, they took out a beyblade dish.

"That's perfect for training. Thanks dad."

"All we need to do is test it."

"Hey Tyson, did you get me anything?" Kai asked.

"I only found out it was your birthday 10 minutes ago."

"Good. You know what would be a great present Tyson?"

"What?"

"You wouldn't mind blading against Celeste to try out the dish, would you?"

"Okay! A beybattle would be great right about now!"

"I wouldn't be too cocky if I were you."

"Hey guys!" Kenny called to his friends. "Listen to what me and Dizzi found out about Celeste and her bitbeast. Most people haven't seen her bitbeast more than a few seconds, so they don't know what it looks like. But, it does say that they've heard it howl. I guessing it's dog or wolf."

"I see you guys have done your homework, but I wouldn't think it would say that Meg and me were identical twins, would it? It's funny how pairs of twins get attracted together."

"Is that all you have chief?"

"I'm afraid so… Good luck!"

"You'll need it Tyson," Kai commented.

"All right, get ready," said Max as Celeste brought out her launcher and a black and white blade with marks of purple, and Tyson took out his as well. "3… 2…1… LET IT RIP!"

As the blades hit the dish, Tyson called his Dragoon. "Dragoon, end this quick, Phantom Hurricane!" The storm started to brew.

"Lake Reflection." Dragoon's storm continued while a reflection of Celeste's blade stayed in the storm, and the actual blade went to the rim.

Dragoon's storm subsided, and the reflection blade disappeared. "How'd she do that?"

"Lunaris," with that, a beautiful white arctic wolf came from her blade, "Lunar Eclipse!" Lunaris gave a howl and a crescent moon appeared in front of Dragoon. Lunaris came full force at that spot and sent Dragoon flying.

"And the winner is Celeste!"

"Wow! That was an awesome match!" Tyson exclaimed as he picked up his blade.

"Well it was nice battling you, I guess."

"Is it okay if we eat now? I'm starving!"

"I guess we could. Come on over!" Dr. Alex said.

"A happy eighteenth birthday to Kai and Kira, and good luck to us in the American Tournament!"