Author's Note: Damn this blasted thing! (Swears at the diskette and the com.) I had to re-type part of my masterpiece 'cause there was either something wrong with the diskette or the computer. So I apologise it the story sounds a little different, although you guys probably wouldn't know either 'cause you guys haven't read it yet! Gosh, I sound so lame.sorry.(looks ashamed) I hope you guys will like my second chapter just as much as the first one. In these two chapters, you will get to know Ray better, in the third chapter onwards though, I'll focus more on Ray and the BladeBreakers and on Ray's love life. So read AND REVIEW ok? More involving beyblade in later chapters.

Disclaimer's Note: I thereby confess that I do not own Beyblade. And I swear by thee.

Once bitten, twice shy

Chapter Two:
In denial

***Five years later ***

It was 2 a.m. in the morning. Ray had been awakened by the same nightmare that had haunted him for the last five years after the death of Sakura. Night after night, the unfortunate event, which had happened, forced itself into Ray's mind. He was unable to forget Sakura covered in blood and being tortured by that bastard- the demented and deranged Professor Nagashi. Heck, he didn't even deserve to have the title Professor. ~That's such an insult to all the other professors. ~

He would never ever that creep. Nor could he ever forgive his father for being such a coward, refusing to settle old scores with Nagashi when he could've easily won. Ever since then, Ray had severed all ties with his dad and had moved into an apartment of his own. Now, he worked as a waiter to support himself. He would much less give a damn about his father's life.

It still irked him to think that Nagashi was only bidding his time in jail while an innocent girl such as Sakura was no longer around. ~The world is really cruel and cold~ Not only did Nagashi not receive a death sentence; he didn't even get life imprisonment! He only got a heavy fine and six years in jail. Now that was really a case of injustice.

~Who wants to live in this cold-blooded world anyway? ~

Ray was now nineteen. Sakura would be eighteen if she hadn't been.

It was all too much for Ray to take; hot tears flowed rapidly down his cheeks, making his vision blurry. Ray leaned back against the wall and thought about all the 'what ifs'.

He casually scanned his room and his eyes fell upon the sealed dusty box half hidden under his clutter underneath his desk. He quickly turned his head away. No, it would be too painful to open the box and go through its contents. Ray already knew what was in the box. The box consisted of all his medals won with the BladeBreakers and his beyblade; Driger.

Ah, the famous BladeBreakers. He too was once part of the team. He turned all his thoughts away from Sakura and thought of the days when he was a part of the team. Those sweet memories slowly invaded Ray's mind. He remembered the Bladebreakers every winning moment, their every sweet comeback and their every heavy defeats too. In those days, they were inseparable. They weathered every storm and shared every success together.

But sadly, after Sakura's death, Ray had shunned away from the outside world. He abandoned Tyson, Kai, Kenny and Max. And he abandoned his beyblade; Driger.

Driger; his prized and pride.

~How Driger must hate staying in the beyblade for five whole years! ~ ~ How he must hate not being able to battle for so long~ ~ How he must hate me for abandoning him~ Ray often wondered why Driger didn't just leave after all that. ~Maybe I should just release him? ~ No! A voice inside of him told Ray not to do so.

Ray turned his thoughts to his miserable life. He only did three things everyday; just eat, sleep and go to school. Sometimes, Ray wondered why he even bothered to go to school. After all, there was nothing in his life to live for, let alone go to school.

Although a little part of him still believed that Sakura would magically reappear. Maybe that was why he still went to school.

School; what a boring place.nothing but study, study and study. Ray barely got enough marks to scrap through, but he just about did it.

He was a lone man most of the time, although occasionally, there were girls chasing him all over the school. After all, Ray was generally good- looking and stuff. But those kinda things like dating didn't interest him like it used to anymore, not after that unfortunate incident anyway-

Ray thought back about his recent outburst with the BladeBreakers;

***Flashback***

*It was recess time; *Ray was at his locker when someone brushed against his shoulders;

"Oops, sorry, Pal." said an all too familiar voice.

Ray turned his body to find himself face to face with the BladeBreakers.

" Well, well, well, look who we have here" said the loud-mouthed Tyson, " A traitor, guys!"

" I am not a traitor!" replied Ray.

" Yes you are!" shot back Tyson.

" You are the worst kind! A traitor and a coward!" "I wonder how Sakura could have taken a liking to you!"

" Shut up!" spat Ray, " Don't you dare talk about Sakura with me!"

" See here, folks, this coward refuses to face up to reality!" " Typical!"

*Ray could not stand it any longer; he walked right up to Tyson and gave him a black eye.

"Hey! Oww!" yelped Tyson.

*His face registered shock and awe for a few seconds before he too, walked right up to Ray and gave him a punch in the face. *Blood came spewing out of Ray's bloody nose. *After that, the duo hurled verbal abuse at each other , swear words coming out of their mouths by the dozen.

" You are a ******* *******!" shouted Tyson.

" You are a *** ** * *****!" retorted Ray.

*Neither of them looked to give in and the battle looked to continue when the head master Mr. Hieshi came marching up to them.

" YOU! And YOU! Both of YOU! Go to the principal's office right now!" cried the enrage Mr. Hieshi

*Both Ray and Tyson went to the principal's office and knocked at the door.

*The principal gave them a sound lecture and detention then dismissed them. *Ray and the BladeBreakers became greater enemies after that incident, particularly with Tyson.