AN: Hello again!  Gomen about the wait.. biiiggg essay to write .  But then.. It's been just under two weeks… and truth be known I am kinda getting bored… does anyone else think its moving too slow?  Anyway, starting this chapter there will be trivia questions and polls XD  This weeks trivia will be easy cause I'm too lazy to think of a harder question lol  Oh- answer it write and you're name will go into a draw for a prize chez-moi.. heh..

Question:  What was Rei's reponse to Bryan's taunt "I would say farewell, but that would be lying… I really hope you fare badly!"?

This chapters poll is: Which of the following do you readers think Liika should end up with:

a) Robert

b) Bryan

c) Kai

d) Enrique

e) No one! She's a loner! Wahaha!

Before I forget a href=";  here/a is Galux Kitty's prize for being the 150th reviewer! Enjoy the chappy =)

"I need *hic* to be excused *sniffle* for the rest of the day."

The secretary looked up, eyes glazing with concern.  "Oh my… what ever is the matter dear?  Would you like me to get your councilor?"  She said standing, reaching out a hand to comfort the distraught girl.

Liika shook her head adamantly and furiously scrubbed at her eyes with her hands. "N-no.  I," She took a big breath, "Just need to be excused… there's been an accident."

Nodding in understanding, the secretary sat back down, turning to her computer.

Bakuten was a small school and normally all the secretaries knew most of the Junior and Seniors names, however, Ms. Snider was new and had never dealt with a hysterical student who could barely formulate a sentence. "Um… name?"

Liika's mind had wandered, used to all the secretaries knowing her name she assumed it would be done for her; consequently she did not hear the secretary's question.  She was, however, startled when a hand settled on her hip and a low voice spoke from behind her.

"Liika Tomoda.  Also Robert Jagen and Emily Parker."

Liika sighed and relaxed, leaning her head against a solid chest.

"Are you ok?"  Robert asked quietly, lowering his head to her ear level.

She nodded, sniffling a bit, the tears finally slowing.  "Where's Em?"

"Just outside."

"I'm sorry," the secretary interrupted, "but I need a teachers note in order to sign any of you out."

Robert fished in his pocket, producing a pink slip of paper and handed it to the older woman.  "Miss Giesinger said she would notify Mr. Dickenson."

The woman scanned the note and nodded.  "And reason for signing out?"

Liika spoke finally, dabbing at her drying tears.  "Our friend was in a car accident yesterday, we're going to see him at the hospital."  She said.

"I'm sorry… but I can't sign you out unless it's a family emergency…" The secretary replied, a guilty grimace crossing her face.

Liika's face fell.  "But he…"

"That's quite alright Shannon, they may leave."  A new voice interrupted.

The three turned their attention to the aging man that had just stepped out of the back office.  The man smiled kindly and motioned the two teens out.  "Go on, I will excuse the rest of your team at lunch so they may meet you at the hospital.  They are, Mariah, Enrique, Jade and Lee correct?"

"That is correct, and thank you Mr. Dickenson."  Robert said, shifting the two packs on his back and directing Liika to the exit.

Mr. Dickenson smiled and waved saying finally, "Give my best to Judy, Max and John."

The three teenagers stepped through the front doors to Bakuten County Hospital and were immediately assaulted with the sterile, bleachy hospital smell.  It was decorated in typical hospital style, very lightly colored walls, and white linoleum floors.  Nurses and doctors scurried every which way on their rounds.  Robert led the two girls, who were clutching to each other, sniffling in fear for their friend, to the administration desk; while he was worried it was not his style to show it.

The receptionist looked up as they approached and smiled.  "Can I help you?"

"We're looking for Max and John Tate, could you tell us where they are?" Robert asked politely, an arm around each girl at Liika's waist, and Emily's shoulders.

"One moment please."  The woman replied, and began typing on her computer.  After a moment she scribbled something on a paper and handed it to Robert.  "They're on the third floor in room 313.  The younger one just came out of the ICU."

Liika and Emily gasped, fresh tears wetting their eyes.  ICU??  Something had to be wrong!  The girl's sent each other looks then took off at a run towards the elevator, uniform skirts flipping as they went.  Robert sighed, thanking the receptionist before following the girl's to the elevator.

Liika and Emily burst into room 313, Emily just ahead of Liika, and stopped dead in the doorway, chest heaving, eyes glazed with worry.  The occupants of the room looked startled at the entrance, Judy blinked owlishly a few moments and smiled,  "Hello girls."  She greeted after a moment.

The girl's barely heard her before they screeched simultaneously, "Maxy!" and ran over to the blond boy's bedside.

Robert came in then, greeting Judy as well as John, who lay smiling on the bed next to his sons.  "Hello, how are you feeling today Mr. Tate?"

John grinned at the tall boy.  "Tired and sore, but other wise I'm ok.  It was Maxy that got the worst of it."

"Oh Max are you alright?  How do you feel?  I was so worried!"  Emily cried, hovering over him, wanting desperately to hug him, but didn't dare for fear of hurting him.

Liika stayed silent, choosing to stand at the end of Max's bed, while Emily flitted along the right side.  Her eyes ran over him, he looked very worse for the wear.

His face was mottled with black and purple bruises, his eyes a bit swollen, but never the less cracked open, staring at Emily with something akin to love.  His cracked lips were stretched as far as they could go into a grin.  His right arm was in a sling, his forearm in a cast and she could just barely make out bandages underneath his white and blue poke dotted hospital gown. 

The room itself was nothing special, floral wallpapered walls, white linoleum floors, large white hospital beds.  There was a bathroom on the other side of Max's father's bed and a couple of chairs throughout the room.  One of which was occupied by Judy, who sat in between her husband and son.

"Hey Emily," Max croaked, trying his best to grin at the worried orange haired girl.  At the sound of his voice Emily's tears began anew.  "Hey now, don't cry!  See I'm alright!" Max soothed, lifting his good hand weakly, and covering Emily's.

"No offense Maxy, but you look like crap."  Liika said sniffling, a small grin tugging at her lips.

Max laughed, wincing slightly.  "I bet I do!"  But seriously, I'm fine."  He replied, squeezing Emily's hand.

"What happened exactly, and what's the extent of your injuries?  They told us you just came out of intensive care."  Robert asked, stepping behind Liika and putting supportive hands on her shoulders.

While Max was not one of Liika's best friends, they were still pretty close, but then Max was everyone's friend.  They had met back when Liika was in kindergarden and max in preschool –he was in the same class as Tyson- but they didn't really start to hang out until the year before when Max had matured a bit beyond his freshman friends antics –example her loud mouth cousin.  Max and Rei developed a rather close friendship, some would say they were best friends, and through Mariah and Rei had become closer to Liika and the rest.

"I think I'll let mom handle those questions."  Max smiled.  "Emmy, why don't you grab a chair?"

Emily blushed at the nickname and reluctantly let go of his hand to go fetch the chair.  She made her way over to the other side of Mr. Tate's bed and on a thought grabbed both cushioned chairs and dragged them over, leaving one beside Robert and bringing the other to the Max's left side.  Robert sat down, thanking Emily quietly, and pulled Liika down onto his lap, resting his elbows on the arm rests and locking his forearms around her abdomen as she slid down so she could lean her head back against his shoulder.

Judy shifted in her chair and prepared for the explanation as the teens settled themselves.  When everyone was ready she started.  "The accident occurred yesterday evening when John and Max were on their way back from Enrique's house.  They were turning right at the corner by our house when the person behind them tried to pass them on the right side as they were turning.  The car hit just behind Maxy and pushed the car further into the intersection.  A car coming from the opposite direction swerved to miss and caught John's side with its tail end.  It was a good thing they were in my Volvo and not John's Sprint or Maxy probably would have been killed.  As it is he is extremely lucky to escape with as few injuries as he sustained. His right collarbone snapped, and his wrist, as well as, two ribs were fractured.  He was in the ICU last night because the impact damaged his appendix and it had to be removed.  The rest is just topical. John only suffered a minor concussion when his head hit the side panel, he'll be released today."  She finished with a big breath.

"You were in surgery?"  Liika squeaked, the thought of blood disturbing her.

Max nodded.  "The doctor said I was lucky it was only my appendix and not something vital.  Sorry Ika, it looks like I'm out of commission for the foreseeable future." He pouted apologetically.

Emily squeezed his hand gently and scolded, "Don't you think about that now Maxwell Tate!  You concentrate on getting better and leave the worrying about he team to Liika ok?"

Max grinned and looked abashed, "Yes'm"  His bright blue eyes sparkled with warmth and affection for the girl who held his hand. 

Who knew he would be lucky enough to date Emily Parker?  She was smart, brave, kind and pretty… no beautiful was a better word.  Although they had only been going out for 44 hours –he counted the very minutes, he had had a crush on her ever since he lay eyes on her back in first grade when she scolded his childhood friend Tyson for trying to eat glue.  Over the years his crush grew into something more, and he dared to say he might even love her, but then what would he know about love?  He was only 16!  However, something deep in his heart told him it was something more.  Like he was sure his best friend found his soul mate in Mariah.  Maybe Emily was his?  Hey, a guy could hope!  Of course if his mother knew his thoughts she would fly off the handle, she wasn't dealing well with the fact that her 'little' Maxy was growing up.

"Emily's  right Max, don't worry about it, I'll take care of it.  But you know, even if you can't blade, we could always use a technician."  Liika smiled, "And no one beats your knowledge of Beyblades!"

"Except maybe me.  This old man taught him everything he knows!  I'd be happy to help out the team where ever you need it Liika."  John said lauging, his grin stretching from eat to eat.

Liika smiled back, her eyes sparkling with gratitude.  "Thank you Mr. Tate!  Your support means a lot."

A light pink tinge crossed Mr. Tate's face and he laughed again.  "It would be my pleasure!  And by the way, please call me John, that goes for all of you –especially the little miss my Maxy has finally attached himself to."  He winked; causing blushed to rise on Max and Emily's faces.

Judy smiled a small smile of her own.  Her son may not think she knew of the depth of his feelings for the violet eyed girl, but she did.  Mother's knew these things.  She was happy her little boy had found someone to love, though in her opinion he was still too young to know what love actually meant.

"Speaking of my husband helping, I wanted to discuss something with you Liika, and now seems as good a time as any.  I trust you were properly excused from school?"  Judy said, slipping into teacher mode for a moment.  She was satisfied when the blue haired girl gave an affirming nod.  "Good, well as I was saying.  I found out some disturbing news on Friday.  It seems Bakuten A has found a sponsor, outside of school.  I got a memo from Mr. Dickenson stating that BD Pharmaceuticals has decided to sponsor Bakuten A fully.  This means that all of their gear, uniforms, buses, hotels will be financed.  All they have to do is win."

The four teenagers gasped and Liika jerked to an upright position.  "Your kidding right? I mean why would the second larges pharmaceutical company in America sponsor a no-name town's beyblade team?"  She asked incredulously, her eyebrows furrowing over her eyes.

Judy sighed, bringing her hand over her eyes.  "It's quite simple really, considering the president of the company is none other than Kevin Hiwatari."  She replied.

This news brought a stunned silence to the room, as they all took in the news.  Liika ground her teeth, so he played like that did he?  "So in other words, the snobby brat went crying to daddy for money.  I should have known."  Liika spat bitterly.

The blond woman nodded.  "I'm afraid so."

"And that leaves us at a serious disadvantage."  Robert spoke solemnly.

"That's right, they have nothing but money and we have… nothing!"  Emily added, huffing.

"Actually that's not true."  John said, his grin once more splitting his face.

Emily, Max, Liika and Robert gaped at the large burly man in confusion.  What could he be talking about? 

Judy smiled.  "John's right, that's not true.  In fact that's where I was going when I said "speaking of my husband helping".  You all remember that Maxy's dad's family owns not just one hobby store but a chain right?"  She was answered with all around nods.  "Well, upon hearing that our 'rival' so to speak has a heavy financial backer, I got on the phone and started talking to my in laws about the prospects of the chain sponsoring Bakuten B.  They were thrilled with the idea of course, they always wanted to be a part of a championship beyblade team, and once I told them all your guy's great talent they were more than willing to jump at the opportunity.  Now I know it wont be as much as Bakuten A will obviously be getting, but I think it will be more than enough.  What do you think?"

The four teens stared in shock, not quite believing the words that Judy had just spoken.  Someone was willing to sponsor them?  It was like a dream come true!

Every good team needed community sponsors to go any great distance in their chosen sport.  They needed to fund the bus, hotel stays, uniforms, equipment, and with out the necessary funds they just couldn't compete.  For years Mr. Dickenson had been sponsoring Bakuten's beyblade team out of his very own pocket, which didn't cost that much as they never made it past states.  But this year, being two teams, no one was sure who he would sponsor, but most of them guessed it would be A, after all he chose Kai, and Liika and her friends left on their own… or so he says.  But now it all didn't matter!  They were going to get a sponsor of their own!  Liika was bursting with happiness.

"You mean it!  Your family will really sponsor us?  That's sooo cool!  Please thank them for us!"  Liika exclaimed jumping up and down.

Judy smiled at the girl's enthusiasm.  "You will have a chance to thank them yourself.  Maxy's grandfather and two of his uncles are flying in at the end of October for your first match."

"Really mom??  Grandpa's flying down for our first match??  It's too bad I wont be able to blade…"  The happy atmosphere fell a bit and the sad statement.

Emily frowned in thought.  "That's right, registration is on Wednesday.  With Max unable to blade, we only have seven on our team… and the rules state a team must have eight to compete."

Judy frowned as well, shaking her head.  "That is a problem Emily.  There is no sense in getting a sponsor if we do not have a team."

Liika drew back in thought.  She had an idea… she wasn't sure if it was the greatest idea on the planet, but it was their last shot.  There was only one person left in Bakuten High that was a good enough beyblader to compete at their level and did not have an affiliation with the devil.  Or at least she hoped he didn't.  She flinched, not quite sure how her teammates would take her suggestion.  But they had to, after they realized that it was their only option.

"Chill guys… I think I have an idea."