Chapter Seven: Pressure Mounting

Tyson woke up, awakened by the vigorous shaking of Rei.

"Tyson! Wake up! We fell asleep! The ceremony starts in ten minutes!"

Tyson opened his eyes sleepily, and slowly what Rei had hissed sunk into place. "WHAT???"

He jumped up, splashing water everywhere. His skin had wrinkled and his fingers looked like peachy prunes. He felt too hot. The girls had gone and he, Rei, Max and the Chief were alone.

"Oh no! Let's fly, guys!"

He scrambled out of the water gracelessly, and, without even grabbing a towel to cover himself, he dashed up the hallway and flung himself down the stairs, hurtling at top speed to his room. Rei, Max and the Chief weren't far behind.

People stared at them as they flew down the hallway, leaving wet footprints behind them. Tyson, Max and the Chief ran into their room and slammed the door quickly. Rei bolted into his room rapidly and began to rummage about by his bed, rooting through a pile of folded clothes and flinging them about in exasperation.

"Man, we are late!"

"Hurry it up. We've got five minutes left."

Rei growled, watching as Kai just sat there on his bed. "A little help?"

"You'll be fine if you hurry up."

Rei sighed, frustrated, as he pulled on his trousers over his still wet legs. He almost fell over in his rush, and then the door swung open. It was Tyson, Max and Kenny. Tyson's cap was hanging off and his shoes were on the wrong feet, Max wasn't buttoned up properly in the dungaree area and Kenny was missing his laptop and his tie.

"Hurry Rei!" cried Tyson as Rei fell onto his bed, attempting valiantly to squeeze on his shoe. Then Tyson saw Kai.

"How long have you been here, Kai?"

Kai didn't reply. Tyson bristled.

"So you've been out and you didn't even bother to come and get us?"

Again, no reply. Tyson lost it.

"Ok, Kai, if we miss the ceremony, it's your fault."

Kai stood up. "Calm down Tyson. It's not my fault you guys fell asleep. And it's not my responsibility to do everything for you guys - including telling the time. Thirdly, I have other things on my mind and I really don't have time to care for you."

Tyson growled. "Would it kill you to be nice for once?"

Kenny pulled at his sleeve. "We don't have time for this . . . "

But Tyson was on a roll. "Where do you think you get off, acting like you aren't even part of this team? Like it or not, Kai, and believe me, it's definitely the not part - we're stuck together. You could have just told us when to get out! It wouldn't have harmed you!"

"Since when is it my responsibility to do everything for you, Tyson? You're old enough, and, believe it or not, smart enough, to do that yourself. So can it."

Tyson practically detonated, even though Rei was ready and waiting to go.

"You jerk, Kai! You think you're so tough! I can't stand you! You'd think being nice was a crime in your book! The only crime is that you're on this trip with us! Maybe you should just go back home! It's not like we want you here! Then again, I doubt you're even wanted at home! What mother could stand having you around to remind her of the mistake she made when she gave birth to you? I'm sick of you, Kai! I think we all are!"

There was a hush. Max, Kenny and Rei stared open mouthed at Tyson, who was slightly redder in the face and was fuming. They had the feeling he had crossed way over the line. Then they looked at Kai, feeling tense. The air was heavy between them.

For a moment his eyes narrowed, his pupils like slits boring down on Tyson. His hands shook, the clenched fists shaking by his sides. The muscles in his arms tensed, and he grit his teeth. His eyebrows lowered and he looked as though he was ready to knock Tyson through the roof. Then suddenly, the anger seemed to drain down an unknown source, away from him. His eyes sank to the floor. His muscles relaxed a little, yet his fists remained clenched. He closed his eyes for a moment, and Tyson wondered what was going on, and then Kai turned sharply on his heel and walked into the nearby en suite bathroom, his scarf trailing stiffly behind him, and he slammed the door.

Tyson stared. "Ok, guys, I was expecting a good pummeling - or at least for Kai to say something back. I can't believe that just happened."

But the group looked at Tyson a little irately.

"You stepped over the line, Tyson, you really did."

"I have to say there was no call for all that."

"And Kai did have a point - it's not his job to look after us."

Tyson gawped at them, appalled that they were taking his enemy's side. Then, his better nature swept over him. He was generous, Tyson, and always ready to admit when he was wrong.

"I guess he had a point. It isn't his job. But he didn't have to be so darned smug about it."

"Why d'ya think he didn't say anything?" asked the Chief. Rei shrugged.

"Maybe we should find out?"

"But the ceremony . . . "

"Which is more important?" asked Max hotly. He had felt particularly sorry for Kai during the argument - even though this was unusual. He tended to agree with Tyson on most issues.

"We can't miss the ceremony!" insisted the Chief pleadingly. Max gave in.

"Fine. You three go to the ceremony and I'll find out what's going on with Kai. I don't mind."

"You sure are taking his side, Max," said Tyson, if not a little sullenly. Max looked apologetic but then clarified himself.

"Yeah, well, I think I'm starting to understand him."

"Good luck, Max," said Rei, with his proverbial thumbs up. "I wouldn't wanna be in your shoes now."

Max grinned resolutely. "Leave it to me!"

The Chief grinned. "I'll record the whole thing with Dizzi when I get her from my room in a second. Then you two can watch it later - if you want to."

"Thanks Chief!"

Rei and Kenny left, and Tyson followed, looking remorseful. "Sorry Max,"

Max beamed cheekily. "That's ok. I don't mind. Besides, you didn't mean it! You're just a hot head!"

Tyson would have retorted fierily but he checked himself just in time and waved to Max as he pulled the door shut behind him.

********

Max turned towards the en suite bathroom, with its white door with a gold plated shiny handle. He realized he was shaking.

"Why am I doing this?" he thought as he reached for the handle. But courage got the better of him - and besides, he was worried about Kai, and trusted that Kai wouldn't hurt him. Max had a way of communicating with people. He was confident he would be fine.

His shakes disappearing a little, he slowly opened the door. The en suite bathroom was big, with a white bath, a white shower, and gleaming white toilet and sink. Kai was gripping the sink angrily, his arms straightened as he was leaning forwards against it, his knuckles ebony with the pressure he was clenching the sink with. As Max entered he looked up sharply.

"Um, hey Kai, " said Max tentatively as he approached the sink, feeling as though he were approaching some sort of untamed, wild beast.

"Why d'you walk out?"

"I had to. I almost hit him."

Kai looked away again, and then spoke softly, sadly.

"You should go to the ceremony, Max. Don't bother staying here."

Max gave Kai a thumbs up. "That's alright, Kai. To be honest, I can watch it later off Dizzi."

He got no response, and Max sat down on the edge of the bath. He noticed how Kai's arms were now tense, even though they hadn't been when he had left the room.

"Kai, d'you wanna tell me what happened in there? Are you alright?"

He heard Kai sigh, and then watched as he turned around so he was facing Max but still leaning on the sink, backwards this time.

"Why are you here, Max?"

Max was surprised. "To . . . well, to see if you're ok and to talk to you."

"I'm not a nutcase, Max."

"Sorry. But something's wrong. What is it? You can trust me!"

Kai sighed again, a deep, troubled sigh. "I doubt you'd be interested. Like Tyson said, maybe I should just go back home. I seem to be of no use on this stupid trip. No . . . no use anywhere."

He slowly walked past Max, who sat stunned on the edge of the bathtub. Kai exited the en suite and went into the bedroom, and sat on his bed. Max followed.

"Kai, you know not to listen to Tyson. He doesn't mean the things he said."

Kai still didn't say anything - he just pressed his knuckles together and stared at the floor. Max sat down on the other bed.

"If you hadn't noticed, Kai, you saved Rei and Tyson. I wouldn't say you've been of no use, not at all!"

Still nothing, but Max thought he knew what was wrong. His mind whirred as he tried to think of ways to say what he knew without endangering his life - or his front teeth, at least.

"I know how I'd feel if Tyson said those things to me when my parents were dead," he said bluntly, feeling it was best not to prolong the inevitable.

Kai looked up, immensely startled. "How . . . "

"My dad used to know your dad. Weird, huh?"

Kai was silent. Suddenly a great pressure, a great weight, seemed to disappear from his mind, be lifted off his heavy shoulders. He had never discussed this before with anyone but his grandfather. It was a worry he'd born alone.

"Kai? I just wanna say that Tyson's wrong."

"Wrong?"

"He was wrong to say those things. They were down right mean. And we do need you on this trip. We're all part of a team, and we all contribute - where would we be without your advice?"

Max was elated, as he seemed to be getting through to Kai. This was probably the most that had ever been heard from Kai about himself, and the most anyone had ever spoken to him without receiving a shielding offense.

"Well, Kai?"

"It really isn't any of your business, Max,"

Max's smiled drooped. He had thought he was getting through. "But Kai . . . I'm trying to help you! Can't you see that?"

Kai still stared at the floor. Max suddenly realized that he felt a great pity for Kai. He was surprised. Max had always felt admiration of Kai from the start - now he almost felt as if Kai were relying on him for a strange type of change.

"I can see that. But it doesn't change a thing. You don't understand."

"I would if you told me what's going on in your head!"

"I don't think even I understand that."

There was a short silence. Max didn't know what to say. This wasn't as bad as he'd expected. But he still hadn't broken though anything - he still hadn't sorted anything out. There was a confused sort of aura in the air. Neither knew where they stood.

Max stood up and stretched. "Well, Kai, you've got a choice. Go home and leave the Blade-Breakers, or . . . well, you can stay, where you're wanted, no matter what. That's the truth and I swear it. Do what you want. But . . . " he glanced at Kai out of the corner of his eye, "I always thought, Kai, that you were a fighter."

Kai glanced up, half amused. "Are you trying to get me riled up, Max?" he asked with a slightly surprised grin playing across his features mischievously. Max's sudden wisdom took him by surprise. Max put his hand behind his head, grinning himself.

"Um . . . maybe?"

Kai smiled rather reluctantly. "Alright, you win, Max. I'll stay. But don't start thinking you've got me figured out. There's a lot you don't know."

He looked a little sad, remorseful, almost like he wanted to pour out his secrets to the innocent, unsuspecting Max. Max, always trying to help. What a kid.

Max nodded. "Sure. And hey, I won't tell anyone about . . . you know, your parents, 'cause it's obvious that you don't wanna tell anybody."

Kai nodded, showing gratitude. "Yeah."

"Um . . . do you think we should go to the ceremony? I don't think we'll have missed much."

********

They arrived about ten minutes later in the colossal, spacious hall. It was grand, decorated, again, with the theme of blue and white. Placed at random intervals along the walls were large, wide windows, letting in the sunshine from the unusually bright weather outside.

The hall was circular. In the centre, where one would usually find an arena, was just a small white stand on which the one and only DJ Jazzman was standing and bellowing through a black microphone. He was dressed, playing along with the theme, as a skier. Around this there were at least a thousand seats - probably much more. Every one was filled with happy, smiling faces - everyone was excited and stoked for the big tournament. It only took place every three years so it was an exceptional occasion. Loud music blared through huge speakers; there were about five placed around the hall. Near the bottom there were also little side rooms, which could be seen through glass panels, for the teams to discuss and devise strategies and wait for their next match. It was warm and smelled like a cinema - popcorn, sweets, crisps and so on.

Max spotted the rest of the Blade-Breakers. They were sitting with the Comets - Leanne, again, taking a seat next to Rei and this time she had actually linked arms with him. Rei couldn't look more uncomfortable. He was craning his neck just to avoid a whiff of her overdone perfume - which was rich and fruity and making him feel like he was in a sweet shop.

She really is trying too hard . . . thought Rei dully, noticing that she was staring at him yet again. He turned his attentions to the match.

Tyson and the Chief were hidden behind two huge tubs of popcorn, which was buttery and sticky and smelled pleasant. Max called out to them

"Hey, guys!"

Tyson and the Chief turned, and Rei attempted to but Leanne pulled him towards her. Tyson blushed, awkward, and looked away when he saw Kai. Max and Kai made their way down a couple of sets of blue steps before finding two seats had been saved for them. Tyson stood up. What followed showed off Tyson's better personality traits - he was generous, kind- hearted, and willing to accept he was wrong and ask for forgiveness - which is why he was so popular among the people he knew.

"Kai, I wanna say that I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said those things,"

"Don't sweat it, Tyson. I won't hold it against you," was Kai's unusually warm reply, and then he sat down, leaving Tyson a little stunned but happy he was forgiven. Max took the popcorn off the Chief.

"Mmm, butter . . . "

The Chief opened Dizzi up. "Ok, Dizzi, take a look. What do you think?"

Dizzi bleeped as she scanned the arena. "Big. It's very big."

The Chief nodded. "Yeah, I know. Isn't it great?"

"How come I don't get popcorn?"

"How would you eat it?"

"Good point. Ok . . . we have a show, then an introduction from the head of the tournament, and then we have a 'meet the other bladers' session to finish. Sounds like fun, Chief!"

Rei pulled away from Leanne with a jerk of his slim arm, rubbed it where she had been gripping it like a vice, and turned to the Blade- Breakers.

"Apparently they're a little late starting. But it's supposed to be a really great show - lights and streamers, and floats and stuff. Sure will be cool!"

Tyson nodded. "Yeah, cool. Wonder what the hold up is?"

Next followed about five minutes of waiting for the ceremony to start. DJ Jazzman still filled the arena with his loud, brash voice, which echoed against the walls.

The Blade-Breakers occupied themselves - well, Rei tried to converse with his own teammates but got pulled back again by Leanne, who seemed obsessed. He told himself to be patient, and he listened to her inane babble, reminding himself to stifle his yawns and looked as interested as he could.

"So then Bob said to Mike . . . and then you'd never guess what Shelly said . . . so then I said . . . and I told her my cat would look better in that lipstick . . . -"

"You have a cat?" Rei interrupted, startled from his daydream. Leanne nodded.

"Yep. Called Hairball. She's the cutest little thing!"

Rei was finally interested. "I love cats. I don't have one, but my Bit-Beast is a giant white tiger . . . "

The two of them engaged in conversation, at long last Rei becoming genuinely interested. Meanwhile, Tyson and Max chatted about Max's dad's repair shop, Kenny played on his laptop, and Kai sat silent, watching an amusing couple arguing four rows in front.

DJ Jazzman interrupted them all. "Hey, the show's about to start! Get ready, people!"

The crowd hushed and the lights went off except for some spotlights beaming onto the centre area and lighting it up. The curtains, which hung across the large windows, were drawn so it went dark. Tyson watched over the rim of his popcorn tub. Some music struck up, coming from a secluded area at the bottom of the dome, and a character walked onto the stage, holding a microphone. It was a male, dressed in a glittering silver outfit that sparkled flamboyantly.

"This will be great!" whispered Max to Kenny, who nodded eagerly. "Yeah!"

The man took his place in the centre of the stage, and began to speak.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Beybladers from around the world, the people of Hotel Arctic proudly present the -"

Another character ran onto the stage.

"Stop the show, stop the show!" she cried, a young, tall girl dressed in a purple glittery dress, "Stop, stop!"

He turned, scanning her through his dark eyes. "What, Michelle?"

The girl panted, and the Blade-Breakers watched intently, feeling sure this was part of the act.

"The Beyblades, the Beyblades are gone!"

They heard her voice through the microphone the man was carrying. There was a silence for a moment, when the audience took in what the girl, presumably named Michelle, was saying. Tyson looked at Max, not knowing whether it was an act.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is not part of the act. The show will have to be cancelled," said the glittering man worriedly, "Please stay calm and remain in your seats. I'm sorry."

He hurried off stage, speaking in low tones to the frantic looking Michelle. Rei looked at the rest of his team.

"Is this serious?"

Tyson looked anxious. "I dunno. He said it wasn't part of the act. Which means our Beyblades are gone."

Max started. "No way!"

"Must be!" exclaimed Tyson, standing up. "Come on, we need to find out what's going on. Hold on, Dragoon . . . "

"Sit down!" said Kai quickly, "The guy told us to stay put. About every Beyblader in here is gonna rush out to try and see what's going on. You won't have a chance. Just stay where you are, and someone will come back and tell us what's going on."

"Kai's right," said Rei, even though he was angst-ridden and gripping the sides of his chair to keep himself in place, "We have to stay put."

"Well, I'm not waiting around for someone to make off with my blade!" cried Tyson vehemently, "I'm gonna find Dragoon!"

He marched out of his seat and began hurriedly making his way out of the stadium. Max stood to follow but Rei rebuked him.

"Let Tyson do what he needs to. We've got to stay here."