AN: wahaha! Here is chapter 28… sorry about the delay… I ran into a beyblade drought where I couldn't write anything beyblade.. but oh well Its here now.. and you'll be happy to know that I have already started 29…
This chapter starts a three chapter climax that will end the first story arch…I hope you guys like it!
My last little note here is two plugs… yeah ok I'm shameless lol…
Please go read my fic 'Never Sleep, Never Die' and my co-written fic 'Die Another Day' Both are beyblade fics, and Die is co-written with Jade-55 and Xanthippe, two awesome authoresses.. ^^ oh and our pen name is Lapsus Linguae hehe
"In my meager defense I have tried to make sense
Of the chaos that clutters my mind
You could nail to my soul every reason to go
But the reason to stay I would find"Robert sighed, his right eyebrow twitching over his eye. Stupid radio, it always played the songs he wanted to hear the least. But that was how life was. Cruel.
He was doing some last minute packing. Tomorrow both teams from Bakuten would take the two hour bus/van ride to Denver to participate in the Colorado State Championships. Bakuten A had, of course, finished the top of their county's North division, which Bakuten B achieved second in their division, falling behind the great Abbey Private school by one lousy point. It wasn't even fair, Abbey got to blade one more match than them. Damn returning champions.
The tournament itself sent the top two teams in every division in every county (most county's only had one division, some had two) to a four-day state tournament where they would battle for the top two spots. Those top two teams would then be sent to the Nationals in New York. And this year, because the World Championships were being held in December, the top two teams at Nationals were sent to the Worlds. Everything was riding on winning.
"'Cause there's no resolution or clear cut conclusion
As I'm caught between the ebb and flow
But for you I'll discover the will to recover
For you I'll be first to let go"He grit his teeth, he really should change the damn station.
But, the stress from the upcoming tournament was not what was bothering Robert. No, it was something entirely different. Something –or rather someone- named Liika.
Nothing was really wrong with their relationship per say, not anything visible anyway. However, to the trained eye, Robert's eye, something was very wrong. And that something's name Hiwatari.
"When I see on your face one day I've been replaced
I'll smile as I watch you fly
And say one grateful prayer for the angel who's there
And cry for the one left behind"
That was it! Robert growled and stormed across the room and slammed his fist into the stereo, effectively cutting off the flow of music instantly. His breath was ragged, a sharp pain passing through his chest. Why was life so cruel?
"Robert?"
Robert swung around to see his best friend leaning against the door, a worried look on his face. He sighed, running a hand over his eyes. "It has to end Lee. It has to end for good."
"Ooooohhh yeah! States here we come!" Enrique cheered, bouncing up and down in his seat between Riley and Max. Robert, Liika, and Mariah sat behind them, while Lee, Jade and Bryan sat in the very back. Emily sat in the passenger seat beside Judy up front.
Bryan grumbled under his breath and leaned forward over Liika's head and smacked the blond upside the head. "Stop bouncing moron."
Enrique stopped bouncing instantly and slunk down in his seat. Normally he would have just made some smart ass comment back at the burly boy, trusting that his best friend would stop the pale demon from laying a beating on him, however, now that he was dating Bryan's twin he had to tread lightly when in his presence. He really didn't want Bryan to be against their relationship! Riley loved her brother almost more than anything, and if Bryan truly were against the relationship…well there wouldn't be a relationship. "So-orry Bryan." He muttered.
Riley raised a pale eyebrow and shot an evil glare over her shoulder at her brother. "Bryan, don't be a dolt."
"Hn."
"Bah! Enrique's right! We should be excited, but nooo what are we? Half dead!" Liika exclaimed, her turquoise eyes roaming over her team. What was wrong with everyone?
Mariah perked up a bit, yawning as she did so. "Can we help it if it's early? But you're right. The State tourney is after all, our first big challenge."
"Yes!" Liika bounced up, slapping her hands on the seat in front of her, causing Max to turn fully around. "And finally we can beat Hiwatari! Oh it's going to be sweet justice…" She trailed off, the wheels in her brain turning. A sort of light shone in her eyes, a competitive, yet adoring light that she often got when Hiwatari was brought up.
Robert was silent, choosing to ignore the conversation and stare out the window at the bleak, snow covered mid-February Colorado landscape. Lee glanced at his best friend worriedly. After what the tall vice-captain said the night before, Lee wasn't sure what to make of the situation. Robert hadn't explained what he meant, merely shrugged and went about finishing packing. The two met up with the rest of the group shortly after. But something was wrong. Robert was acting differently, most specifically towards his petit girlfriend. Liika, being Liika, hadn't really noticed her boyfriend's half-hearted smiles or lack of affectionate gestures, but Lee did. Mariah too, but she hadn't said anything, but just frowned in concern.
Actually, thinking about it Robert had been acting strange since Christmas, but it had only gotten really bad in the last few weeks. Lee had never really thought about it, but now was starting too. What could be so wrong between the two? They seemed like the perfect couple, almost rivaling Rei and Mariah who were considered to be the dream couple. Lee's dark eyebrow's furrowed, what could it…A thought occurred to him, causing his eye's to widen dramatically. That was it! He suddenly felt very, very sorry for his best friend.
Liika had, as of late, been talking an awful lot about the Bakuten A captain. True, none of it was very good, but she still talked about him. Mostly they just ignored it, writing it off as the competitive spirit between the two, but what if there was more? What if there was something the two weren't telling them and Robert found out?
What if Liika was cheating on Robert with Hiwatari?
Lee shook his head abruptly at that thought. It was impossible. Liika wasn't the type, besides it wasn't her that was changing, it was Robert. She was the same tomboyish, excitable, violent girl she had always been. She showered Robert with affection and barely glanced at other guys…except Hiwatari. Often, if their groups crossed paths, Liika would completely forget about everyone else and start –or reply to- a verbal battle with the tall blue haired boy. He knew it annoyed Robert, but why was he making such a big deal of it? It's not like she liked Hiwatari or anything…
…did she?
Lee didn't really know. Sure he hung out with Liika a lot, but he didn't know her well enough to read the signs. However, Robert did. Mariah and Enrique too, but Enrique was just dense, and Mariah hadn't said anything to him. Hmm…he'd have to ask her later.
At that moment Robert turned his head, catching Lee's dark brown eyes with his own crimson ones. Lee was startled at what he saw in the garnet depths. A sort of solemn resignation reflected in sad eyes. Lee's eyes widened. Robert wasn't really going to-
"Hey Liika, I need to discuss something with you, and now is as good a time as any." Emily spoke out, twisting around in the passenger seat.
"Ne?" Liika replied, tilting her head to the side. She yawned a bit, damn six am Thursday was insanely early. Of course that fact that she was normally up at that time on Thursdays helped some.
"Well," Emily started, frowning. "I was talking to Judy and if you don't object, I think it would be best if Spencer took my place for this tournament"
The van fell dead silent. Liika stared at the orange haired girl, blinking rapidly every few seconds. However, it was Jade who was the first to speak.
"What?! Why??" She demanded, leaning forward.
"Yeah why?" Liika echoed, obviously confused.
Emily took a big breath and expelled, struggling not to roll her eyes. "It's quite simple really. Not only is Spencer a superior blader to me, but also if I'm free I can analyze the competitions styles and techniques. Not to mention, since our plan is to meet A in the finals, watch them and get data on them. Max will be watching you all picking up weaknesses so that we can fix them." She explained.
"But-but, we've been training as a double's pair! If you don't blade then I don't!" Jade shot back, frowning.
Liika held up her hand, signaling Jade to stop. "Don't worry Jade, you will blade. But my question is, why did you waist so damn long to tell me? Don't you realize that it's too late to submit any roster changes, not to mention the royal squall the devil is going to make over this?" She said.
"Don't worry about that. The paper work I sent to the BBA two weeks ago had Spencer's name as the eighth member." Judy supplied, not turning around.
"And I spoke Kai a few days ago. He agreed." Emily cut in.
Liika snorted, crossing her arms over her chest. "How much did you have to pay him? Oh wait, he's rich enough… what did you have to promise him? Your soul?"
Emily shot a flat look at her captain, and rolled her eyes. "Hardly. His only condition was that I gave a copy of all my notes on the other teams to Kenny."
"Still doesn't explain why I wasn't told. But whatever, that's fine. You do realize that I'm going to have to restructure my whole first match structure right?"
"You'll be fine."
The blue haired turned her head and blinked at her tall boyfriend. He wasn't looking at her, instead was leaning his head on the window, staring silently out at the snowy landscape. "I know, I was just kidding. Is something wrong Robert?" Her voice was laced with concern, concern that flashed in her eyes as well.
Her looked at her then, a small, almost sad smile tilting his lips. With out a word her reached over her shoulder and pulled her against him, placing a small kiss on the top of her head. "No…nothing's wrong…Liika." He said softly finally, leaning his head on top of hers.
Liika looked immensely confused, as did everyone else in the van. "Ri-ight. Then stop acting weird k? You're freakin' me out!" She muttered, cuddling against him.
Robert didn't answer.
Kai looked up at the massive chart that showed the first round match ups. His hands were shoved in the pockets of his black blading uniform pants. His jacket was zipped up fully so that the red collar and zipper rested just under his chin, the green letters embroidered on the back, shimmering under the heavy fluorescent lights that lit the giant stadium hallways. Bakuten A's uniforms consisted of black cloth tracksuits, with red strips down the sleeves and legs, the collars and zippers red. The lettering on the back, and the names on the sleeve were embroidered in green.
Kai's eyes skimmed over the board looking for his team's name. He found it soon enough and smirked as he read the team they were facing. Emmingfield High, simple. He battled them last year in the first round and was mildly surprised that they were back this year. That must be one extremely weak county. His eyes then roamed the board looking for another team's name –the only other team that interested him, the only team he knew had any chance of defeating them.
He was startled to find that the team he was looking for had been placed in the South Division with teams from southern Colorado. True, their county was directly in the middle, so he shouldn't be too surprised. His smirk grew. Good. If luck had it they wouldn't meet until the finals, which was just how he wanted it. No sense in beating her early. The higher stakes just made it all that much better. However, his smirk turned into a frown upon seeing their first round opponents.
Abbey.
Damn. He cursed mentally. Of all the first round opponents for a rookie team to face… He knew that B hadn't battled Abbey in the regular season, and knew that once again this year the private school was unbeaten. But then so was Bakuten B. He knew B was strong, but he wasn't so sure about Abbey. Because they weren't in his division he hadn't bothered to check on their status or members. Damn. She better not lose.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here? If it isn't the traitor." A mocking voice sneered from Kai's right.
Kai turned his head slowly and pivoted on one foot to look at the person that so obviously was talking to him. The rest of Bakuten A was by their captain's side in second, having been standing only feet away anyway. "Akito." Kai greeted, sneering also.
A pale blond teenager stood at the head of a group of boys all dressed in matching tracksuits, the jackets being black, the pants crimson. A crimson C was embroidered on the lead boy's chest. Ian, who stood just behind Tala off to Kai's left screwed up his face then looked between the opposite team's captain and Tala. "Dude, is it just me or does blondy look exactly like Tala?" He asked, pointing at the blond.
It was true. The blond was tall and lanky as Tala was, and had the same crystal turquoise eyes. Their hair was styled the same, except for the boy's bangs were shorter and fell in multiple strands over his forehead.
"Yeah and that guy kinda looks like a skinny Bryan." Johnny interrupted, motioning to an extremely tall boy with pale hair that was standing just behind the blond captain. "Guy, that's creepy."
The blond merely smirked, chuckling a bit, his turquoise eyes running over Tala in interest. "I suppose I see a resemblance. If you missed me so bad Kai, you should have come back to Abbey." He said, flicking his eyes back to Kai.
Kai snorted, crossing his arms over his chest. Tala scowled. "This is Abbey I presume."
"Perceptive too." The blond tilted his head then snapped his fingers. "Oh how rude of me, I suppose I should introduce myself. My name is Akito Imoraz, the captain of the Abbey Shadows." He said, stepping towards Tala, hand extended.
"Tala Valkov, vice-captain, Bakuten Phoenixes." Tala replied, shaking Akito's hand.
Akito smiled, inclining his head again in greeting to the rest of the A team. "A pleasure. This is the rest of my team, I suppose it's only polite to introduce you to the team that will be your downfall." He laughed, stepping back and gesturing to the rest of the boys behind him. "That's my vice-captain Broderick." He pointed to the Bryan look alike, who nodded his head in reply. "Ozuma," a short teen with spiky black and red hair and flashing blue eyes. "Shikamaru," the medium height boy motioned to looked at them, sighing lazily. His black hair was held in a tight ponytail on the top of his head and stuck straight up in the air. The next boy wore round, black sunglasses and had his jacket zipped up to the very top so the collar covered the bottom half of his face. "Shino. Neji," this teen looked a little bit older than the last one. His hair was a very dark brown, almost black and hung down to his waist, captured in the middle of his back by a loose ponytail. He wore a strange headband around his forehead that hand two dangling straps on either side of his face. His eyes were a pale gray color. The teen beside the one called Neji was a lanky boy with an extremely bad bowl cut and large black eyes. He fidgeted lots and exuded an almost nervous energy. "Lee." The last one hung farther back from his team. He had short, messy reddish brown hair, and pale aqua eyes that were framed with dark lashes that gave them a creepy mean look. He also had a tattoo on his left temple, some kind of Asian character. "And last but," Akito laughed, "certainly not least. Gaara."
He then brought his attention back to a scowling Kai. Kai narrowed his eyes. The team was almost completely different than it was the year before, minus Neji. The others, if he remembered correctly, were sophomores last year –talented ones- but in the final cut the older talent went rather than the younger. With exception of Kai himself, and Akito.
"I'll admit I was disappointed when I heard that your mother was putting you in…public school." Akito practically spat the word public. It was apparent he was disgusted with the thought. "I personally can't imagine why you wouldn't fight it. I mean, why degrade yourself to hanging out with washed out hicks, when you could hang with elites? But," he sighed, "You never did make the best of choices Kai."
"Hn. While I was at Abbey I didn't have choices." Kai replied, glaring. "What is it that you want Akito?"
Akito shrugged, shoving one hand in a side pocket. "Oh nothing, just wanted to say hi for old times sake. But as I came over here I noticed that we face your puny school's other team. It amazes me that a nothing town has not one, but two teams and that they both made it to states. We never faced your B team, but considering the rest of our division is pathetic and weak it's not really surprising they came in second to us."
Kai snorted. "You had one more match than they did, and only beat them for top spot by one point so don't act so proud."
"Oh?" Akito chuckled, eyes flashing. "It is true that they were unbeaten, but that's not too much of an accomplishment considering they never had to blade us. Come on Kai, you and I both know they are no match for Abbey. I mean, how good could a team be that is comprised of half girls?" He out and out laughed then. "Not to mention is captained by one! Beyblading has no place for women."
Bakuten A stared at the blond, scowls marring their faces. What the hell kind of attitude was that? Kai winced inwardly. He remembered when he thought like that too. That thought pattern caused the breakup of the Bakuten club. "Your wrong Akito." Kai stated, shaking his head.
"Am I really?" Akito sobered, eyes narrowing. "I've done my research. That little pixy bitch and her team of girls are weak. They have so many holes in their technique it's not even funny. I know who's going to win and I think you do too. You were smart to start a team of your own, a team with out women." He said lowly.
"Yo man, if you think like then dude you'll never win!" Tyson burst out, jumping forward, glowering at the older boy.
"Tyson." Kai warned, holding his arm out to block the boy's path. Anger rushed through his blood, pure rage clouding his vision. How dare the bastard talk about his witch like that. With out taking his darkening eyes away from his former friend he spoke, in a quiet, deathly calm voice. "Spencer. B should be here, go find them."
The older blond nodded and strode off to find his team, ignoring the eyes that followed his white uniformed form.
Akito's eyes narrowed further, watching the tall blond disappear into the crowd. The boy was wearing a white tracksuit with purple stripes circling his elbows and knees. It had 'BAKUTEN B' printed in large letters on the back. Who was he? He wasn't suppose to be on that team…
"Akito."
The blond captain's attention snapped back to Kai, as the blue haired teen growled his name. He looked slightly startled when Kai stepped toward him, eyes narrowed and menacing.
"Make no mistake Imoraz. Our Liika will mop the floor with you and Abbey, and you know where I'll be? In the stands laughing. Then I'm going to laugh all the way to Nationals when me and her lead our 'washed out hicks' to a National championship." Kai was bristling. He was beyond pissed off, and he didn't even really know why. Akito hadn't said anything about the B team that he hadn't, but for some reason it just rubbed him the wrong way to hear someone else say it.
With the snarled warning Kai spun on his heel and stalked through the group behind him, motioning them to follow him. They complied, all having confused looks on their faces. Did Kai just stand up for Liika…? Tala was the only one who didn't look confused. No, he was smirking. Smirking like he knew something no one else did.
"See ya!" He called over his shoulder with a small wave.