Title: Untold Truths
Authoress: Ladya C. Maxine
Rating: PG-13
Summary: see chapter one.
Warnings: see chapter one.
Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade or any of its characters. All unrecognizable characters belong solely to me and are not to be touched. I am not making any money off of this and I write with the sole intention to entertain.

Sighing, he stared his now partially empty closet. All that remained were the clothes given to him for protection against Russia's cold climate. In China they would do him no good and there was no need for extra luggage.

Looking around for anything else he might have missed, his eyes came to rest on his dresser. A couple of things still lay there and he wordlessly walked over and picked them up one by one. As he regarded them he felt a tug on his heart.

A small pouch that held a few personal items, a large sketchpad whose pages were wrinkled and torn at the edges and a jeweled eyed stuffed dolphin. All had been recovered from the wreckage almost unscathed. It was ironic that trivial things like these had not been harmed while people had died in the attack.

'Well, these are not really trivial. They meant a lot to her.'

He turned Mica around in his hands, allowing the light to play out in rainbows in its bejeweled eyes though they seemed were even more blank than usual. Like the marine toy was mourning. He hugged it to his chest, remembering the times the little dolphin would sit loyally beside him on his bed while Saskia played in his hair, wrapping it in the most bizarre styles that would take him a good hour to remove it and the knots it had made. She would always asked the dolphin for its opinion though it always kept them to itself. A single tear trickled down and he wiped it away as he stared at a newly discovered stain; a small, red spot of dry blood that stuck stubbornly to its tail. All that remained of Saskia.

"Ray?" Natasia called out softly as she knocked on the closed door.

"It's open."

Light poured in as the door opened allowing the woman entrance. Her jade eyes came to rest on him and she was gripped with the maternal instinct to gather him in her arms like a mother would a child. Though she had kept it to herself, she had had suspicions of what had happened between the two boys. Call it psychic or whatever but she had sensed a connection between Kai and Ray. One thing was certain to them all: Ray was returning to China.

"Jeremei will be here within five minutes. Should I get Ivan to bring your luggage down?"

"I can manage it myself."

Natasia nodded with disappointed eyes. She had lost them all. Unable to stay any longer she turned and disappeared down the hall.

He had seen the look of hurt in her eyes. He felt like the biggest jerk in the world to be doing this to a lady who had welcomed him with open arms and bright smiles. She had taken him in like one of her own and this was how he thanked her. This was how he thanked them all.

'I have to leave. As long as I stay here I will only hurt them even more.'

Picking up his travel bag and Saskia's belongings he stood and gave his room a final look. He remembered his reaction when he had first seen it not many days ago. The huge bed and the tall drape, the thick carpet and the extensive sound system, the beautiful patio and the breathtaking view; it was all so grand and luxurious but it was not these things that he valued.

It was the memories.

Saskia lying on the bed as she plaited his hair, dimpled smile and careful hands...

Tala smiling as he toyed with Tyson over the speaker phone...That had been just this morning yet it seemed like years ago that he last heard the red-head's almost musical laugher and seen those sparkling eyes.

Him and Kai playing pool that early morning…

'I would give anything to have you back here where you belong, my friends. I will miss you both and I will never forgive myself for letting you down.'

He closed the door behind him, closing a part of his past he would never be able to escape.

Instead of going downstairs though he climbed the secluded stairway further down the hall. Coming into the long hallway he halted before the dolphin emblem door. He looked down at Mica in his hand and with a shuddering breath he pushed open the door and stepped in.

The once bright, cheery room seemed so much dimmer with the absence of the little blue haired child. He placed the small pouch and sketchpad on a low table where the puzzle he had first seen when she had shown him her room laid completed: a large, white tiger sleeping on a rock. As always the strong smell of English gardens came to him as he walked over to the high bed, which stood awaiting its mistress who should have been sleeping in it many hours ago, but she had never came. With the utmost care he placed Mica on top of the mountain of pillows.

Stepping down from the pedestal he started for the door but something called out to him. Turning he felt drawn to the door near the bed. He dropped his bag on the floor and opening the door he followed. His shoes made soft skidding sounds as he walked through the large dance studio that seemed to close in on him despite its great size. A door on the other side of the wooden floors beckoned him.

He opened it and stepped into the art workshop. It was here where Saskia's presence was more sorely missed than anywhere else. She had spent hours each day in here. Drawing. Sketching. Painting. Her artwork once beautiful to him now tainted with her loss. All eyes looked sad and pleaded him to bring her back. He didn't even dare to look into the unblinking crimson gaze on the wall.

As he stood there he felt the call once more and was redirected to a small door hidden in the shadow of the large art supply closet. The simple door called him to open it and see what was inside. He turned the knob and was about to step in when a small voice spoke up in his head as he remembered those rose colored eyes.

"No go there. Promise?"

His hand wavered and fell away from the door handle as he recalled his promise to her. This room was a sacred sanctuary to her and he couldn't find it in him to violate it nor his promise.

"Kai will get you back. And when he does you can return here without fearing that your secret had been discovered. Good bye, Saskia."

The room fell into darkness as he left, closing the door behind him. A soft giggle of a child haunted the interior before falling silent.

Probably forever.

Stepping out of the room he closed the pastel doors with the softest click. His attention fell on the large phoenix that guarded the tall wooden doors not too far away.

Nothing would have made him happier than to run in and cry out his forgiveness. All he wanted was to be swept back into those strong arms and look into those soulful scarlet eyes. His one wish would be to taste his love's lips on his, if only for this last time.

His feet came into motion and with each slow step the doors grew closer and his self-control lesser. By the time he could touch the polished wood his eyes were too wet to even find the winged handle.

"I know that you can't hear me but I couldn't leave without saying good bye."

With a barely contained sob he laid his forehead on the door, feeling the cold through his bandana. Tears fell onto the wooden surface and left a wet trail as they made their way down.

"I guess I have some explaining to do to the guys when I get back. Don't worry, I won't tell them everything, just enough to stop them from wanting to come find you, though I doubt that Tyson will let you get away that easily. I hope that this won't ruin your relationship with the guys. I don't think you still want to be on the team but they're still your friends. We will miss you in future tournaments. Who's gonna make sure we train for seven hours a day?"

He smiled and looking at his watch he saw that it was time.

"I guess I should go now. My plane leaves in an hour. Looks like I am back in square one. I would have really appreciated it if you came along. You know, incase that blond bimbo and security guard is still there."

His attempt to cheer himself up failed as more tears came. He was trying to delay the inevitable but time had other things in mind.

"I am really sorry, Kai. You will never begin to imagine what I am feeling. I wish you all the strength in coping with Tala's death and all the heart with getting Saskia back. I will miss you. I love you."

Laying his hand on the metal phoenix's cool surface he closed his eyes, trying to imagine Kai telling him that he loved him too.

"Good bye, Kai."

His hand slid down until it hung at his side. Golden eyes glistened in the dark hallway. With a defeated sob he turned away and picking up his bag he disappeared down the winding stairwell.

Before he was completely out of view the tall door slid open but an inch and a tear filled eyes reflected in the hall lights as it watched the tip of the ponytail glide down the stairs and out of sight. The footsteps faded.

"I love you too, Ray. More than you will ever know."

The door slid back shut and the hall lights dimmed.

As he passed the kitchen he looked inside, expecting to see Tala sitting at the bar, laptop before him as he ticked away while joking with Natasia. But there was no one and the room that had always been so lively with the sound of cooking food and laughing voices was dead.

The thought brought new tears to his eyes and furiously he wiped them away and turned away. Coming into the living room he stopped as the three workers turned to him. Jeremei was solemnly putting on his leather gloves but forced a sad smile when he saw him.

"Your plane leaves within an hour. Should I bring your bag downstairs?"

"Yes, please." He handed the duffle bag to Jeremei who nodded and walked ahead down the hall.

'How am I going to do this? I never wished we'd say goodbye this way.'

He chose Ivan first since the butler seemed to have more control than Natasia.

For the few days that he had been here he had always marveled at how young the butler looked for one well over seventy but now the white-haired man was looking every year, month and day his age. Wrinkles that were normally invisible stood out and his strong shoulders were slumped somewhat.

"It looks like it's time to say farewell, Master Ray."

"I'm afraid things have fared badly."

"Things happen for a reason, Master Ray." He placed both hands on the boy's shoulder. "Miss Saskia will come back and when she does I will personally make sure that she calls you in China."

"I would like that." He hugged the man and stepped away.

His eyes met Natasia's jaded ones and he felt his resolve break away completely. She clutched her handkerchief in her hands, dabbing her eyes every second but it didn't help. Still, she smiled the best she could.

"Make sure you write us once in a while. Maybe one day...maybe you can come visit us again."

He shook his head lightly.

"I don't think so."

The hopeful light in her eyes went out and she nodded in resignation. She handed him a wrapped package, her hands shaking badly. Opening it he found fresh baked chocolate cookies.

"Something to eat on the plane. I had made it for when you all were to come back from the zoo but..." She let out a small sob and didn't finish that sentence. "You take care of yourself, Ray. It was a pleasure having you here."

He took her trembling hands in his.

"I'm so sorry, Natasia. I never meant for any of this to happen."

"We don't blame you, Ray. You have brought much laugher and joy to us in the short time you've been here. I truly enjoyed your company."

She held out her arms and he stepped into the embrace. He rubbed her back as he felt her finally break down, whispering reassurance to her.

"It's just...I am unable to bear any children. You were all my children. And now... I can't stand to lose anymore. Ata is gone forever. Saskia is missing. Kai is disappearing in his grief. And now you are going. I feel as if I have failed as a mother."

Ray's eyes watered at the confession.

'I'm a coward! I am leaving them when they need me the most! How can I be so heartless?'

"You have better get going or you'll miss your plane." Natasia tried to sound brave but her voice trembled badly. She gave in. "I'm sorry. This is too much for me. Have a good flight, dear, and may God always be with you."

With a sad smile she turned and left the room. Ray held out his hand as if to stop her but she rounded the corner and was gone.

"She will be alright. She just need some time," Ivan tried to reassure when he saw the dismayed look in the golden eyes.

"Look after her for me, Ivan?"

"I will. Here, you have best wear you coat for it is several degrees below zero outside." He handed him a heavy coat.

Parting it Ray felt his heart clench as he recognized the thick tiger fur that lined the inner coat. A gift from one he had loved without knowing that the feeling had been mutual.

"I can't take it..."

"Master Kai bought it for you to protect your injuries. Please."

Ray gave in and hung the heavy coat over his arm. Unable to resist, he gave the penthouse a final look over. Each and every place held a special memory and he had hoped that he would have left with many more. All the promises that had been abruptly broken by the recent events haunted him.

He turned back to Ivan with teary eyes.

"Good bye, Ivan."

"Good bye, Master Ray."

Gathering all his strength and resolve, Ray turned and walked down the hall to where Jeremei waited by the elevator for him.

He never looked back once. He was afraid to even try. All he could do was walk away, though he could never out run his grief. He flinched when Ivan closed the door with a soft click; locking him out of the home he had brought so much sorrow.

The room shrouded lightless darkness with the exception of a red glow near the window seat. Warm flames flickered over Dranzer's feathers as she sat watching her blader before her strum his guitar. His thoughts were elsewhere but his fingers knew their strings and the music came naturally, stringing together a soft but dark tune.

Golden eyes kept appearing before him but every time he tried to reach them they would fade away into the distance only to reappear again a few seconds later. His own eyes watered in frustrations.

The room fell silent and Dranzer chirped worriedly as she observed him. Looking down he watched half-caringly as thin cuts in the soft finger pads where he had struck the cords too hard bled. Crimson tears ran down onto his palm, tainting a red path on his pale skin.

Curling his hand into a fist, he closed his eyes and rested his head against the wooden frame behind him. A soft coo and Dranzer hopped closer to sit next to him. Her flames licked his skin yet did not leave so much as a red spot. He looked down at her for a few moments before he stroked her flaming crown with his clean hand.

"Alone again."

She cocked a head in question at his words but he did not elaborate.

The silence that followed was broken when the phone on his desk rang but he didn't get up. He didn't want to talk to anyone. The ringing persisted and Dranzer hopped off the ledge and flew to it, picked it up in her beak and flew back, dropping it on his lap.

"I'm not going to answer it." He placed it on the seat next to him and went back to his musing.

The phone went on ringing until the answering machine clicked on. A deep voice spoke in amused mockery.

/I know you are there, Kai. Pick up the phone./

Kai grabbed the phone.

"You bastard! Where is she!" he snarled, eyes blazing brighter than Dranzer's feathers.

/You don't sound so thrilled the hear from your dear grandfather./

"Screw your pleasantries. Where the hell is Saskia? What are you doing to her?"

/You would do well not to push me, Kai. I hold the cards and right now I have all the aces. Unless you wish to be the joker in this game you will watch your step as well as your tongue./

He knew his grandfather to be a man who did not goad; if he said he would do something then he did, at all expense. He took a deep breath but his fingers remained in a death lock around the phone, wishing that it were the old man's neck in his grasp.

"Don't you dare hurt her."

/I would never dream to. She is doing just fine... though she will be dead within an hour./

"NO!"

He jumped up from where he had been seated. Dranzer startled and flapped her wings but calmed down and moved to the edge as she watched the young man pace the carpet.

/Stop denying the facts, Kai. You should be thanking me actually. She can hear now. It's too bad that she won't live to hear anything else except her own dying gasps, but it's better than nothing. Wouldn't you agree/

Kai leaned against the bookshelf, tears stinging his eyes, anger burning his heart. He hated this man. With every fiber in his body he hated his mere existence and couldn't understand how God could have allowed such a foul being to ever come to being, much less live this long.

"You have the chip. I know you didn't waste time ripping it out of her. You have what you want. Now let her go."

/I'm afraid I can't do that. It would seem that a certain key is missing and without it the chip is useless./

"It's in the pendant, you fool."

/I'm not going to warn you again about your tongue. And no, Kai, it is not. The necklace is not around her scrawny neck and I know you have it./

"You know nothing because I don't. It has never been removed from her neck ever since the damn thing was placed there when she left the abbey."

/Well it has been removed and I know that you have it./

"Check the batteries in your hearing aid, old man. I. Don't. Have. It!"

/That bastard Ata removed it and gave it to you./

"I wasn't..."

He trailed off.

Ray! Indeed, Ata was the only one, other than him, who knew about the necklace but the Chinese blader was the last person who saw Ata alive. The wolf must have given it to Ray and in all the commotion and mourning the neko-jin still carried it.

Praying that his prediction was right, he played along. This was the only way he could still have a chance to save Saskia. And Ray. If Voltaire was to find out he'd have his men hunt the tiger down and skin him alive.

"Alright, you bastard, you win. I have it. But I won't give it to you until Saskia is back with me."

/You in a pretty low position to be the one negotiating./

"She is of no more use to you. You need the codes and I need her. What's to negotiate?"

Silence on the other end as the man though it over but Kai knew his grandfather would not agree to anything unless it was in one hundred percent of his favor.

/Perhaps you are right. However, there is more./

Kai sat down in the chair behind his desk and rested his head on his hand while he held the phone with his other. His eyes fell shut.

"And what would that be?"

/You know not my mind--/

"You used your money to have us removed from our parents' care for no good reason when Saskia was not even one year old. When your dream of having the world's strongest bladers was threatened by Saskia's bad turn in health, which was caused by your experiments to make her stronger, you had your scientists create that chip but when it was completed you had not the right grade of technology to use it so you had to find a place to hide it until the time was right. Since Saskia was already weak you had it implanted in her. In doing so you jeopardized her already weak health. That cursed thing tampered with her, making her deaf for the most part. You left it in there in hopes to take it back when she became four but you had not counted on our parents bringing you back to court and winning us back. You murdered them and for the past four years we've been battling back and forth in court cases. When the Bladebreakers defeated the Demolition Boys for the world championships Plan A went out the window and you turned to plan B. You set up that fake court case to throw me off guard and had your men spy on us for the past few months. Then you did what you've always done and went ahead with your sick scheme, not caring who got killed in the process!"

Dranzer tried to calm him by nibbling on his pants' leg but he ignored her.

/Oh, that's right. Ata is dead, isn't he/ The voice held amusement. / I had invested a lot in the making of his chip. But you must understand that we could not have him come around and ruin things. His anti-virus chip had been created only as a precaution incase the chip would fall into someone else's hand before we could get it back. Now that it is safe and sound, there is no need for Ata. Though I believe that you must be feeling really sad./

"Go to hell." He rose and started to pace again.

The old man simply cackled at his threatening tone.

/Say what you wish but he is dead. Get that through your thick skull. As for you, yes, I do want those codes. But don't think that you were never a part of the plan./

"What do you mean?" He narrowed his eyes.

Ata's words from the day before came back to him:

"You are the only person who can wield Black Dranzer and he plans to use you as a weapon once the chip has been activated."

Voltaire must have read his mind and confirmed his thoughts.

/Yes, Kai. It is you who will lead my army against the world. Your chip has the power needed to call upon Dranzer Demon. We created that chip especially for this cause and hid it in you like we did Saskia and Ata. All three off you are, or were, our key parts. Saskia carries the chip. Ata carried the anti-virus. And you, my grandson, you carry the chip that will bring forth the most awesome and terrifying force the world has ever seen./

His hand involuntarily touched the thin scar at the back of his neck that his scarf always hid. He had known the chip was there and had known what its purpose was but had never thought that things would have reached so far. He regretted his stupid underestimation of his grandfather's sanity.

"Would you be willing to make a trade? The codes and myself in return for Saskia?"

He could practically hear his grandfather smirk.

/Now you are sounding a lot more reasonable. There are still a few rough edges but they can be smoothed out once you arrive./

"Where are you?"

/Still in the underground labs, of course. The authorities shut down the abbey but the fools never even bothered to do an extensive search. Use the hidden entrance in the main training building. Be here by 12 o'clock sharp or the deal is off and Saskia dies./

He shot a look at the wall clock. 11.30.

"I'll be there. Just don't touch her until then."

/Like I would want to have any contact with that disgusting thing./

He hated Voltaire. With his entire mind, body and soul plus that of everyone the man had killed. So why did it hurt to hear his grandfather talk about Saskia like that? It was a small twinge of pain but it was there nonetheless.

"She is your own granddaughter. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

/My dear boy, I personally pulled the trigger that fired a bullet through my son's, your father's, head. Do you really think that I would care of some second lineage brat after having killed my own offspring/

"No. That would be expecting you to be humane."

/A rather foolish expectation indeed. Oh, I have a little treat for you. She has just been dragged in. Since you are being so cooperative I will put Saskia on the line. I believe she has to tell you something./

There was a silence but soon he could hear extremely labored breaths blowing into the phone. A painful cough came followed by a small whimper.

"Sassy? Can you hear me?" He gripped the phone tighter.

/...K...K-Kai?.../ Her voice was raspy and sounded alien but he could never mistake it.

"It's me, Sassy. I'm coming for you."

/..help me.../

"I am."

/...I'm scared.../

"Hold on, Sassy. I am coming to bring you home, all right? Natasia made you those cookies you love so much. Dolsea misses you also."

/I...I miss...them too...Ata.../

Her voice told him that she expected the worse but needed to know for sure.

"Ata's gone, Sassy. They destroyed his chip."

Her breath hitched and he could detect the telltale signs that she was going to cry.

/...g-g-gone?.../

"He will always love you, Sassy. He would want you to be strong and not to cry." He himself was shedding tears and prayed that she couldn't hear the strain in his voice as he spoke.

/...Kai...Ray--Agh/

"Sassy!"

/Stop bitching, Kai. She will live. If you want her you will bring the codes and yourself to the abbey by 12 o'clock sharp. And Kai, watch yourself./

The line went dead.

For minutes he simply sat there. Then in a sudden motion he gripped the phone and threw it with all his force. It smashed against the wall into several pieces that fell to land soundlessly on the carpeted floor. Dranzer detected a sudden drop in temperature as all the warmth in the room seemed to absorb into Kai's eyes, which were literally glowing a blood red. His voice was cold though as he spoke.

"1119...Activate."

: Activated :

"Activate BMW automatic system."

: BMW automatic system activated and awaiting directions :

"Take position on northern perimeter of hotel and await my arrival."

: Affirmative :

"Dranzer," he turned to the phoenix, "are you with me?"

She let out a loud cry of affirmation and spread her wings, making the flames blaze to prove that she was ready to follow her master to the pits of hell if he were to ask her.

He held out his blue beyblade and she shrunk down into a beam of light and was absorbed into the metal containing device. He shoved it into his pocket and walked over to his desk. Pulling open the lowest drawer he removed the papers and the panel that hid a secret compartment. The desk light reflected on the smooth surface of the revolver.

'You killed my parents. You killed Ata. Because of you Ray is dead to me too. I will not let you take Saskia away from me. Not this time.'

He loaded the gun and dropped the extra ammo in his jeans pocket.

'I was a coward to run from you once when I should have stood my ground. Now it's your turn to run, dear grandfather, and I suggest that you watch your own step.'

Grabbing his coat, he threw it on as he left the study, slamming the door behind him.

'You forget, Voltaire, that when you implanted the chip in me, you planted your own demise. I do posses the ultimate power. But I will be damned if I will ever use it in your favor.'

If possible his eyes lit up even more. The entire hallway was basked in their crimson light. He clicked the gun once, loving the metallic sound as it echoed through the hall.

'You fucked with the heart and spirit of the phoenix for the last time, grandfather. Now feel the burn.'

Tbc...

Read & Review, please.