Anime: *proud grin, pointing wand at Chibi Kai* Your turn!
Chibi Kai: WAIT! I thought you said you would change me back to my older self!
Anime: *Nods* Of course! Worked with Anya, right?
Chibi Kai: *looks at unconscious Anya, then at Chibi Anya next to her.* Yeah, but I don't plan to remember the Chibi era anytime soon!
Anime: C'mon what's the worse that can happen!?
Chibi Kai: *points to reviewers* You'll disappoint them for not getting the next chapter up.
Anime: *sits at computer and starts typing, zapping Chibi Kai with her wand over her shoulder*
========================================================
"The Dark Ninjas!?"
Kathy stood up and growled. From somewhere, more torch lights where found and were focused on the shadowy figures. The recognisable team stood above the crowd, launchers at the ready.
"We want a beybattle!" The smallest, Ark, shouted to the crowd.
"And if we win, we take your blades!" Bark, the tallest added.
"And if you don't agree, we'll take all your blades!" Hark bellowed.
The crowd whispered amongst themselves. With a frown, Kai stood up.
"Can't you think of anything better to do on Valentines' night!?"
Anya stood up next to Kai. "Yeah! And such underhand methods won't get you anywhere!"
Soon, all the Bladebreakers stood up. The Dark Ninja leader, Mark, nodded. "Fine, since you've voiced your opinions, you will be our opponents!"
******
The two teams walked round to the back, where the dish was. The Dark Ninjas stood on one end, whilst the Bladebreakers were at the other. Both were trying to out glare each other. Ark stepped forward.
"I challenge her!" he shouted, pointing to Anya.
Anya smirked. "You never learn, do you?" she said.
"Don't underestimate me! I've trained harder and I'm better!"
Anya simply yawned and readied her launcher. "Let's do this!"
Lee stood nearby and brought his hand down. "This will be a best out of three matches. Ready!? Three... Two.... One... LET IT RIPP!!!!!"
The two beyblades landed right in the centre of the dish and proceeded smashing into each other. Anya smiled. "You have improved slightly, I'll give you that. but I'm no slacker in training either! Draphiel!"
The red and white harpy spirit emerged with her impressive screech and looked down at the opposing blade expectantly. Only.
"Where'd it go!?" Anya said, looking for Ark's black and aqua blade, but it was nowhere to be seen.
"Heh. what do you say to THAT girly? Bark's given me a couple of pointers during training!"
Anya grinded her teeth together and kept her eyes peeled for the blade. Kai made a stand against the move.
"Hey! That's cheating. If your opponent can't see the blade, then the blade is technically out of the dish!"
Ark simply grinned under his mask. "Fine, you want to see the blade? Then you'll see the blade! VILEARK!!!!"
Suddenly, Anya's blade went flying. "DRAPHIEL!"
The purple and white blade just managed to stay in the dish, teetering precariously on the edge. Ark pumped his fist into the air. "You're going down, sweet thing! Vileark, take that blade out!"
The black and aqua blade reared up the edge of the other side of the dish, before ricocheting towards Anya's blade, which was still trying to regain its balance. Anya raised her arms in the air.
"Draphiel! Use your Harpies' Ice Hurricane!!!"
The bit beast screeched and spun. The ice crystals flew like bullets to the ninja's blade. Dust was kicked up in the dish, restricting the view from the two bladers. Lee frowned and looked into the dust to determine the victor. He raised his arm up.
"Both blades have ceased to spin! This match is a tie!"
Anya picked up her blade and frowned. It wasn't a win, but at least it wasn't a loss. She hated losing. She'd hated it even more if she'd let the squirt win. She climbed out of the dish before Ark could get close to her to retrieve his own blade.
"Losing your touch, aren't you?" Tyson said with a snigger. "Don't worry, I'll get this one back for us!"
Tyson ran up to the dish, launcher at the ready. Bark, the tallest ninja, walked up to the dish.
"THREE, TWO, ONE! LET IT RRIIIIPPPPPP!!!!!!"
Tyson released his blade into the dish. Bark followed suit. Both blades crashed and sparked. They separated, then crashed into each other again.
"Vilefox!!! Fox Illusionist!!!!"
The blade started to multiply and circled Dragoon. Tyson faltered slightly but grinned regardless.
"No problem. Dragoon, PHANTOM HURRICANE!!!"
The blue dragon begun circling, creating the tornado. However, the dragon couldn't get much momentum. In fact, the hurricane stopped completely and Dragoon roared angrily. The fox bitbeast had headed straight for the dragon and interrupted his attack.
"What the?" Tyson said shakily.
"Vilefox! Do it!!!"
The fox grabbed Dragoon around the neck in its mouth and rammed him down. Tyson gaped in horror as his blade wobbled then stopped completely. Bark's own black and orange blade flew back into his hand. Tyson walked back to the Bladebreakers with a sheepish smile. Anya glared at Tyson, arms folded.
"I'M the one who's losing their touch, eh Tyson? At least I tied." she muttered.
"Hey! That was uncalled for!" Tyson retaliated.
Anya simply shook her head and looked back to the rest of the team. "Who's going next?"
"I want to beybattle Kai!"
Mark had stepped up to the dish. He held his own black and green blade in his launcher confidently, pointing at the blunette. Kai accepted and walked to the dish.
"Go, Kai!" Max cheered.
"Show that guy why you're our captain!" Kenny added.
"Hey! Not everyone was happy with the choice!" Dizzi piped up.
Kai smirked at Mark as they readied their blades. Lee raised his arm to begin the countdown, but Mark stopped him.
"Wait. Before we start, how about we up the stakes a little?" he said clearly.
Kai frowned. "What do you suggest?"
Mark looked at Anya deliberately, then at Kai. "I realise that if you win, this match will end with a draw. I don't want that, so how about we make this a winner takes all round?"
Kai nodded in approval. "Why not? I don't really want to spend another round wiping this dish clean with your blade."
"I didn't finish" Mark interrupted again. "When I win, your girlfriend comes with us. In fact, she'll be my girl."
The crowd whispered at this. Anya's eyes widened. "What!? I'm not some pretty prize for you to win!"
Kai scowled at Mark. "No can do. Anya is a Bladebreaker. She's staying with us."
Mark smirked. "Then do you forfeit? Those are my conditions for the match. If you don't accept, then you forfeit and hand her over to me anyway."
Kai's fists tightened. With a light snarl, he accepted. "But, when I win, you leave us alone and stop coming after us! I don't want to see you Dark Ninjas ever again!"
Mark shrugged and grinned. "Alright. Have it that way. Makes the match all the more interesting."
Anya frowned and ran up behind Kai. "Kai! You better win this! No way am I going with those creeps!"
Kai nodded. "Don't worry. I'm not going to lose."
"THREE. TWO, ONE. LET IT RRRRRIIIIIIIIPPPPPPPPP!"
Both captains grunted as they released their blades. Mark raised his hand in the air.
"VILEBRA!!!! COBRA VENOM!"
"DRANZER! SPIRAL DEFENDER!"
The phoenix rose and its blade spun rapidly, developing a tornado around the bird, defending it against the venom the cobra spat. Mark snarled.
"Vilebra, get in closer!!!"
The snake and blade slithered closer to Dranzer, who batted her wings angrily at the snake. Kai shouted.
"Dranzer, fly up high!"
The bird flew up and out of the cobra's reach. Mark simply sneered.
"You think that'll stop me!? Vilebra! Use your Fang Shooter!!!"
The cobra opened its mouth, baring its fangs. The teeth glowed and suddenly shot out sharp, realistic copies at Dranzer. The phoenix screech in pain on impact, flapping her wings angrily. The force of the wind blew both bladers down into sitting positions. Kai winced and got up slowly, the wind knocked out of him.
"Hey, Kai!!! Don't take that sitting down!" Tyson shouted.
"Kai! Don't give up!" Max cried.
"Stay strong!" Ray added.
Kai looked back and cast an approving glance over his team, eyes landing on Anya. She was pale, as if she was considering what it would be like going off with the Dark Bladers. Kai clenched and unclenched his fists, determined not to give Anya up so easily. She met his eyes and her hard resolve returned, as if scolding herself for letting doubt in.
"I know you can do it Kai! The others know it, and you know it! So get it over with and make that Mark know it!!!"
Kai allowed the warmth in his chest to grow and he turned to face Mark and the dish. Dranzer was flapping her wings agitatedly at a snapping Vilebra. Both blades were in a deadlock. Sparks flew between them. Kai frowned, determining the right course of action. Just then, the cobra's tail wrapped around Dranzer's claws, pulling the phoenix closer.
"Dranzer!" Kai shouted.
"Use your Cobra Venom now, Vilebra!"
The cobra opened its mouth and launched itself at the phoenix. Kai frowned as the teeth were sunk into the first bit of flesh over Dranzer's leg. An idea occurred to Kai.
"Take flight, Dranzer!"
Dranzer's eyes shone and with a screech, she lifted off the ground and into the air. Vilebra was still coiled around Dranzer, but it wasn't long before gravity took hold of the cobra. With a hiss from both the bitbeast and blader, the snake had lost its grip and crashed back into the dish and onto its blade.
"VILEBRA!!!" Mark shouted uselessly. Dranzer screeched a victory cry as the Dark Ninja's blade stopped spinning.
"And Kai's the victor!!" Lee announced to a cheering crowd.
Anya and the Bladebreakers ran up to Kai and congratulated him. Anya smiled at Kai thankfully.
"Thanks Kai. Knew you wouldn't let me down."
Kai smiled and turned to look back at the Dark Ninjas. Mark was shaking a little, from what didn't look like shock, but against the urge to jump out and hit someone. Anya smirked and faced Mark.
"Well, you heard! Kai won, so you have to leave us, and me, alone!"
Mark looked up and growled but gathered himself, standing proud. "As the Dark Ninjas, we will disappear from your sights for now. But I promise you, this isn't the last you heard from us!"
With that, all four ninjas threw down spherical objects and the crowd coughed from the smoke. Mark's voice clearly rang out.
"Catch you later, sweet Anya!"
When the smoke cleared, the ninjas were gone. Tyson glanced at Anya.
"Looks like you have an admirer."
Before Anya could say anything, Rosa walked up to the dish and turned to everyone.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe we have a dance to get to!"
******
"See! I told you it would work, il cutie."
"Your right... We're pretty good aren't we? We should go into business."
Rosa and Enrique were dancing, not too far off from Anya and Kai. The latter were basically uncomfortable, for different reasons, although they kept up appearances. Kai held Anya carefully, not wanting to seem too obvious to her. Unfortunately, that ended up being a bad idea.
"Ow!" Anya cried for the thirteenth time in two songs. She rubbed the toe of her foot where Kai had just stood.
Kai cringed at his lax dance skills; something the Abbey kindly left out of his training and his grandfather never bothered teaching him. "Sorry." Kai muttered to Anya.
"S'ok" Anya said, waving a hand. She straightened up and looked up at Kai. "Look, this dancing isn't getting us anywhere. How about we figure out how we're going to get back at Cassanova and his girlfriend?"
Kai nodded and thought, looking around the room to avoid looking at Anya. There were buffet tables around the ballroom, too. Obviously, Tyson had retreated to one with Kenny and other danceless wonders. Tyson was surprised when Kai took Anya's hand for dancing; he hadn't thought of a remark to shoot at Anya when she left for the dance floor.
Kai's sharp eyes caught sight of the ice buckets. He couldn't help but allow a smirk form on his face. Anya noticed and followed his eyes. She nodded and smiled, understanding.
"Since they're getting all hot and bothered trying to get us together, how about we cool them down?" Anya voiced what they were both thinking.
******
"I can't believe you did that!!!" Rosa screeched for the third time.
Enrique simply shivered, the last sliver of ice crawling out of his shirt as he held a small chain in his hand, trying to fix it. Kai and Anya were standing outside with the Spanish and Italian Majestics who were attempting to recover from their bout of freezing. Kai and Anya had dumped a handful of ice each down the backs of the couple when they had swapped partners.
"That'll teach you for trying to meddle in other people's love lives." Anya said with a smile.
Kai nodded and glanced over to Enrique, who held up the chain he was fixing with a grin. "See! Told ya I could fix it!" Anya took back the chain and inspected it.
"Not bad. You're lucky it didn't break completely, or your neck would've followed suit."
"The way you surprised me, I might of anyway."
She clipped the chain around her neck, letting the little white rose trinket fall naturally. Kai inwardly sighed, glad that the necklace had been salvageable. When Anya put her arm around Enrique's neck and dropped the ice down his back, the Italian was caught off guard and nearly fell. To break his fall, he accidentally grabbed hold of Anya's scarf. Anya grabbed the fabric before he removed it completely. Her necklace wasn't so lucky. The chain was snapped clean off. Under the watchful and angry eyes of Anya and Kai, Enrique promised to redeem himself by fixing the chain. Luckily, only one link had to be bent back into shape.
Enrique sighed and grinned. "Where'd you get that necklace anyway?"
"It was left at the door of our hotel room, addressed to me."
Rosa pouted and lightly punched Enrique on the shoulder. "Why don't you do anything like that for me?"
"Hey! We don't even know who left that necklace to her. For all we know, Anya's admirer could be that Mark Ninja guy! He could have left the necklace!"
"He doesn't have the taste." Anya muttered, toying with the rose.
"He could have fluked out."
Kai had his arms folded. Soon, the two 'couples' came to a point where they had to part ways; Rosa and Anya to the hotel and Enrique and Kai to Oliver's manor. Kai turned to Anya. "Our plane leaves for America at seven in the morning. Myself and the others will be at the airport at five."
Anya nodded. "Thanks. See you tomorrow morning."
Anya and Rosa took their leave, heading to the hotel. Kai watched after Anya before turning back to walk to the French manor. Enrique folded his arms behind his head and followed behind Kai.
"Looks like you have some competition. You versus Mark, the prize being Anya."
Kai glared at Enrique. "Anya is NOT some prize."
Enrique held his hands up in defence. "Hey! Don't bite my head off because your up against someone else for her heart! Why don't you try leaving her a secret gift? She seemed pretty happy with that necklace of hers. Wouldn't want that Mark to win, do you?"
Enrique walked faster to avoid Kai. His task was made easier as Kai had stopped dead, thinking. Enrique said she seemed happy with the necklace... Kai thought, making him smile. She was happy with it... The phoenix stuffed his hands in his pockets and started walking, feeling a little warmer and better with that thought.
=============================================================
Anime: *stretches and sighs* Ahhh.... to play matchmaker is so fun!
Anya: *comes round and notices Chibi-self next to her, Looks up to see unconscious Kai + Chibi Kai and a happy looking authoress* ANIME!!! What's going on!?"
Anime: *hits send button to put up chapter before Anya reads it* Nothing!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LiL MisS ME - *blinks* Okay, I guess you did chase those ninjas away... effective attack! Fangirl insanity always wins!
Mizu_Tenshi - Ah well, that's baddies for ya; they always interrupt the most beautiful moments.
ssykes4000 - You're just gonna have to wait and see, both for the Anya/Kai situation and for whether this fic gets any better. I trust you guys will tell me how good I'm doing...? (Chibi Anya: *comes round and sees ssykes sharpening sword* What did I miss? Where's my sugar!? Oh lookie... *sees Anya* I've turned into a Mini-me... ^____^)
DragonMasterEmerald - Oh dear... well, some people would describe Kai that way.... BUT NOT ME!!! *glomps unconscious bishies* (Kai and Chibi Kai: *both come round when they realise they were suffocating* AUTHORESS GLOMP!!!)
ShadowYami - *grins* Oh yes, the Curse of The Smelly Lunchbox... a rabid Alloran... __' Oh dear Lord... please have mercy on all the poor bishonen present.... (Kai and Chibi Kai: *does a runner*)
Chibi Kai: WAIT! I thought you said you would change me back to my older self!
Anime: *Nods* Of course! Worked with Anya, right?
Chibi Kai: *looks at unconscious Anya, then at Chibi Anya next to her.* Yeah, but I don't plan to remember the Chibi era anytime soon!
Anime: C'mon what's the worse that can happen!?
Chibi Kai: *points to reviewers* You'll disappoint them for not getting the next chapter up.
Anime: *sits at computer and starts typing, zapping Chibi Kai with her wand over her shoulder*
========================================================
"The Dark Ninjas!?"
Kathy stood up and growled. From somewhere, more torch lights where found and were focused on the shadowy figures. The recognisable team stood above the crowd, launchers at the ready.
"We want a beybattle!" The smallest, Ark, shouted to the crowd.
"And if we win, we take your blades!" Bark, the tallest added.
"And if you don't agree, we'll take all your blades!" Hark bellowed.
The crowd whispered amongst themselves. With a frown, Kai stood up.
"Can't you think of anything better to do on Valentines' night!?"
Anya stood up next to Kai. "Yeah! And such underhand methods won't get you anywhere!"
Soon, all the Bladebreakers stood up. The Dark Ninja leader, Mark, nodded. "Fine, since you've voiced your opinions, you will be our opponents!"
******
The two teams walked round to the back, where the dish was. The Dark Ninjas stood on one end, whilst the Bladebreakers were at the other. Both were trying to out glare each other. Ark stepped forward.
"I challenge her!" he shouted, pointing to Anya.
Anya smirked. "You never learn, do you?" she said.
"Don't underestimate me! I've trained harder and I'm better!"
Anya simply yawned and readied her launcher. "Let's do this!"
Lee stood nearby and brought his hand down. "This will be a best out of three matches. Ready!? Three... Two.... One... LET IT RIPP!!!!!"
The two beyblades landed right in the centre of the dish and proceeded smashing into each other. Anya smiled. "You have improved slightly, I'll give you that. but I'm no slacker in training either! Draphiel!"
The red and white harpy spirit emerged with her impressive screech and looked down at the opposing blade expectantly. Only.
"Where'd it go!?" Anya said, looking for Ark's black and aqua blade, but it was nowhere to be seen.
"Heh. what do you say to THAT girly? Bark's given me a couple of pointers during training!"
Anya grinded her teeth together and kept her eyes peeled for the blade. Kai made a stand against the move.
"Hey! That's cheating. If your opponent can't see the blade, then the blade is technically out of the dish!"
Ark simply grinned under his mask. "Fine, you want to see the blade? Then you'll see the blade! VILEARK!!!!"
Suddenly, Anya's blade went flying. "DRAPHIEL!"
The purple and white blade just managed to stay in the dish, teetering precariously on the edge. Ark pumped his fist into the air. "You're going down, sweet thing! Vileark, take that blade out!"
The black and aqua blade reared up the edge of the other side of the dish, before ricocheting towards Anya's blade, which was still trying to regain its balance. Anya raised her arms in the air.
"Draphiel! Use your Harpies' Ice Hurricane!!!"
The bit beast screeched and spun. The ice crystals flew like bullets to the ninja's blade. Dust was kicked up in the dish, restricting the view from the two bladers. Lee frowned and looked into the dust to determine the victor. He raised his arm up.
"Both blades have ceased to spin! This match is a tie!"
Anya picked up her blade and frowned. It wasn't a win, but at least it wasn't a loss. She hated losing. She'd hated it even more if she'd let the squirt win. She climbed out of the dish before Ark could get close to her to retrieve his own blade.
"Losing your touch, aren't you?" Tyson said with a snigger. "Don't worry, I'll get this one back for us!"
Tyson ran up to the dish, launcher at the ready. Bark, the tallest ninja, walked up to the dish.
"THREE, TWO, ONE! LET IT RRIIIIPPPPPP!!!!!!"
Tyson released his blade into the dish. Bark followed suit. Both blades crashed and sparked. They separated, then crashed into each other again.
"Vilefox!!! Fox Illusionist!!!!"
The blade started to multiply and circled Dragoon. Tyson faltered slightly but grinned regardless.
"No problem. Dragoon, PHANTOM HURRICANE!!!"
The blue dragon begun circling, creating the tornado. However, the dragon couldn't get much momentum. In fact, the hurricane stopped completely and Dragoon roared angrily. The fox bitbeast had headed straight for the dragon and interrupted his attack.
"What the?" Tyson said shakily.
"Vilefox! Do it!!!"
The fox grabbed Dragoon around the neck in its mouth and rammed him down. Tyson gaped in horror as his blade wobbled then stopped completely. Bark's own black and orange blade flew back into his hand. Tyson walked back to the Bladebreakers with a sheepish smile. Anya glared at Tyson, arms folded.
"I'M the one who's losing their touch, eh Tyson? At least I tied." she muttered.
"Hey! That was uncalled for!" Tyson retaliated.
Anya simply shook her head and looked back to the rest of the team. "Who's going next?"
"I want to beybattle Kai!"
Mark had stepped up to the dish. He held his own black and green blade in his launcher confidently, pointing at the blunette. Kai accepted and walked to the dish.
"Go, Kai!" Max cheered.
"Show that guy why you're our captain!" Kenny added.
"Hey! Not everyone was happy with the choice!" Dizzi piped up.
Kai smirked at Mark as they readied their blades. Lee raised his arm to begin the countdown, but Mark stopped him.
"Wait. Before we start, how about we up the stakes a little?" he said clearly.
Kai frowned. "What do you suggest?"
Mark looked at Anya deliberately, then at Kai. "I realise that if you win, this match will end with a draw. I don't want that, so how about we make this a winner takes all round?"
Kai nodded in approval. "Why not? I don't really want to spend another round wiping this dish clean with your blade."
"I didn't finish" Mark interrupted again. "When I win, your girlfriend comes with us. In fact, she'll be my girl."
The crowd whispered at this. Anya's eyes widened. "What!? I'm not some pretty prize for you to win!"
Kai scowled at Mark. "No can do. Anya is a Bladebreaker. She's staying with us."
Mark smirked. "Then do you forfeit? Those are my conditions for the match. If you don't accept, then you forfeit and hand her over to me anyway."
Kai's fists tightened. With a light snarl, he accepted. "But, when I win, you leave us alone and stop coming after us! I don't want to see you Dark Ninjas ever again!"
Mark shrugged and grinned. "Alright. Have it that way. Makes the match all the more interesting."
Anya frowned and ran up behind Kai. "Kai! You better win this! No way am I going with those creeps!"
Kai nodded. "Don't worry. I'm not going to lose."
"THREE. TWO, ONE. LET IT RRRRRIIIIIIIIPPPPPPPPP!"
Both captains grunted as they released their blades. Mark raised his hand in the air.
"VILEBRA!!!! COBRA VENOM!"
"DRANZER! SPIRAL DEFENDER!"
The phoenix rose and its blade spun rapidly, developing a tornado around the bird, defending it against the venom the cobra spat. Mark snarled.
"Vilebra, get in closer!!!"
The snake and blade slithered closer to Dranzer, who batted her wings angrily at the snake. Kai shouted.
"Dranzer, fly up high!"
The bird flew up and out of the cobra's reach. Mark simply sneered.
"You think that'll stop me!? Vilebra! Use your Fang Shooter!!!"
The cobra opened its mouth, baring its fangs. The teeth glowed and suddenly shot out sharp, realistic copies at Dranzer. The phoenix screech in pain on impact, flapping her wings angrily. The force of the wind blew both bladers down into sitting positions. Kai winced and got up slowly, the wind knocked out of him.
"Hey, Kai!!! Don't take that sitting down!" Tyson shouted.
"Kai! Don't give up!" Max cried.
"Stay strong!" Ray added.
Kai looked back and cast an approving glance over his team, eyes landing on Anya. She was pale, as if she was considering what it would be like going off with the Dark Bladers. Kai clenched and unclenched his fists, determined not to give Anya up so easily. She met his eyes and her hard resolve returned, as if scolding herself for letting doubt in.
"I know you can do it Kai! The others know it, and you know it! So get it over with and make that Mark know it!!!"
Kai allowed the warmth in his chest to grow and he turned to face Mark and the dish. Dranzer was flapping her wings agitatedly at a snapping Vilebra. Both blades were in a deadlock. Sparks flew between them. Kai frowned, determining the right course of action. Just then, the cobra's tail wrapped around Dranzer's claws, pulling the phoenix closer.
"Dranzer!" Kai shouted.
"Use your Cobra Venom now, Vilebra!"
The cobra opened its mouth and launched itself at the phoenix. Kai frowned as the teeth were sunk into the first bit of flesh over Dranzer's leg. An idea occurred to Kai.
"Take flight, Dranzer!"
Dranzer's eyes shone and with a screech, she lifted off the ground and into the air. Vilebra was still coiled around Dranzer, but it wasn't long before gravity took hold of the cobra. With a hiss from both the bitbeast and blader, the snake had lost its grip and crashed back into the dish and onto its blade.
"VILEBRA!!!" Mark shouted uselessly. Dranzer screeched a victory cry as the Dark Ninja's blade stopped spinning.
"And Kai's the victor!!" Lee announced to a cheering crowd.
Anya and the Bladebreakers ran up to Kai and congratulated him. Anya smiled at Kai thankfully.
"Thanks Kai. Knew you wouldn't let me down."
Kai smiled and turned to look back at the Dark Ninjas. Mark was shaking a little, from what didn't look like shock, but against the urge to jump out and hit someone. Anya smirked and faced Mark.
"Well, you heard! Kai won, so you have to leave us, and me, alone!"
Mark looked up and growled but gathered himself, standing proud. "As the Dark Ninjas, we will disappear from your sights for now. But I promise you, this isn't the last you heard from us!"
With that, all four ninjas threw down spherical objects and the crowd coughed from the smoke. Mark's voice clearly rang out.
"Catch you later, sweet Anya!"
When the smoke cleared, the ninjas were gone. Tyson glanced at Anya.
"Looks like you have an admirer."
Before Anya could say anything, Rosa walked up to the dish and turned to everyone.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe we have a dance to get to!"
******
"See! I told you it would work, il cutie."
"Your right... We're pretty good aren't we? We should go into business."
Rosa and Enrique were dancing, not too far off from Anya and Kai. The latter were basically uncomfortable, for different reasons, although they kept up appearances. Kai held Anya carefully, not wanting to seem too obvious to her. Unfortunately, that ended up being a bad idea.
"Ow!" Anya cried for the thirteenth time in two songs. She rubbed the toe of her foot where Kai had just stood.
Kai cringed at his lax dance skills; something the Abbey kindly left out of his training and his grandfather never bothered teaching him. "Sorry." Kai muttered to Anya.
"S'ok" Anya said, waving a hand. She straightened up and looked up at Kai. "Look, this dancing isn't getting us anywhere. How about we figure out how we're going to get back at Cassanova and his girlfriend?"
Kai nodded and thought, looking around the room to avoid looking at Anya. There were buffet tables around the ballroom, too. Obviously, Tyson had retreated to one with Kenny and other danceless wonders. Tyson was surprised when Kai took Anya's hand for dancing; he hadn't thought of a remark to shoot at Anya when she left for the dance floor.
Kai's sharp eyes caught sight of the ice buckets. He couldn't help but allow a smirk form on his face. Anya noticed and followed his eyes. She nodded and smiled, understanding.
"Since they're getting all hot and bothered trying to get us together, how about we cool them down?" Anya voiced what they were both thinking.
******
"I can't believe you did that!!!" Rosa screeched for the third time.
Enrique simply shivered, the last sliver of ice crawling out of his shirt as he held a small chain in his hand, trying to fix it. Kai and Anya were standing outside with the Spanish and Italian Majestics who were attempting to recover from their bout of freezing. Kai and Anya had dumped a handful of ice each down the backs of the couple when they had swapped partners.
"That'll teach you for trying to meddle in other people's love lives." Anya said with a smile.
Kai nodded and glanced over to Enrique, who held up the chain he was fixing with a grin. "See! Told ya I could fix it!" Anya took back the chain and inspected it.
"Not bad. You're lucky it didn't break completely, or your neck would've followed suit."
"The way you surprised me, I might of anyway."
She clipped the chain around her neck, letting the little white rose trinket fall naturally. Kai inwardly sighed, glad that the necklace had been salvageable. When Anya put her arm around Enrique's neck and dropped the ice down his back, the Italian was caught off guard and nearly fell. To break his fall, he accidentally grabbed hold of Anya's scarf. Anya grabbed the fabric before he removed it completely. Her necklace wasn't so lucky. The chain was snapped clean off. Under the watchful and angry eyes of Anya and Kai, Enrique promised to redeem himself by fixing the chain. Luckily, only one link had to be bent back into shape.
Enrique sighed and grinned. "Where'd you get that necklace anyway?"
"It was left at the door of our hotel room, addressed to me."
Rosa pouted and lightly punched Enrique on the shoulder. "Why don't you do anything like that for me?"
"Hey! We don't even know who left that necklace to her. For all we know, Anya's admirer could be that Mark Ninja guy! He could have left the necklace!"
"He doesn't have the taste." Anya muttered, toying with the rose.
"He could have fluked out."
Kai had his arms folded. Soon, the two 'couples' came to a point where they had to part ways; Rosa and Anya to the hotel and Enrique and Kai to Oliver's manor. Kai turned to Anya. "Our plane leaves for America at seven in the morning. Myself and the others will be at the airport at five."
Anya nodded. "Thanks. See you tomorrow morning."
Anya and Rosa took their leave, heading to the hotel. Kai watched after Anya before turning back to walk to the French manor. Enrique folded his arms behind his head and followed behind Kai.
"Looks like you have some competition. You versus Mark, the prize being Anya."
Kai glared at Enrique. "Anya is NOT some prize."
Enrique held his hands up in defence. "Hey! Don't bite my head off because your up against someone else for her heart! Why don't you try leaving her a secret gift? She seemed pretty happy with that necklace of hers. Wouldn't want that Mark to win, do you?"
Enrique walked faster to avoid Kai. His task was made easier as Kai had stopped dead, thinking. Enrique said she seemed happy with the necklace... Kai thought, making him smile. She was happy with it... The phoenix stuffed his hands in his pockets and started walking, feeling a little warmer and better with that thought.
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Anime: *stretches and sighs* Ahhh.... to play matchmaker is so fun!
Anya: *comes round and notices Chibi-self next to her, Looks up to see unconscious Kai + Chibi Kai and a happy looking authoress* ANIME!!! What's going on!?"
Anime: *hits send button to put up chapter before Anya reads it* Nothing!
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LiL MisS ME - *blinks* Okay, I guess you did chase those ninjas away... effective attack! Fangirl insanity always wins!
Mizu_Tenshi - Ah well, that's baddies for ya; they always interrupt the most beautiful moments.
ssykes4000 - You're just gonna have to wait and see, both for the Anya/Kai situation and for whether this fic gets any better. I trust you guys will tell me how good I'm doing...? (Chibi Anya: *comes round and sees ssykes sharpening sword* What did I miss? Where's my sugar!? Oh lookie... *sees Anya* I've turned into a Mini-me... ^____^)
DragonMasterEmerald - Oh dear... well, some people would describe Kai that way.... BUT NOT ME!!! *glomps unconscious bishies* (Kai and Chibi Kai: *both come round when they realise they were suffocating* AUTHORESS GLOMP!!!)
ShadowYami - *grins* Oh yes, the Curse of The Smelly Lunchbox... a rabid Alloran... __' Oh dear Lord... please have mercy on all the poor bishonen present.... (Kai and Chibi Kai: *does a runner*)