With a loud shout, I released my Beyblade into battle. The force I had used to launch it had been so strong, I hadn't even realized how much strength I had thrown into it until I fell backwards onto the floor from doing so, Artesia running to my side instantly. Helping me to my feet, we watched as mine and my opponent's Beyblades sped around the Beystadium, occassionally running into each other and sending off many colorful sparks. My opponent gasped as he watched how fast my Beyblade was speeding around his, knocking off his concentration and leaving him straining for a way to defeat me. "Lagathador, Poisonstrike attack!" he shouts. This had been the same attack he had used to finish Artesia off, I thought. I watched helplessly as my Beyblade attempted to speed out of harm's way, taking only a small fraction of the spirit's attack. Weaving a little under the effect of the poison, both Artesia and I gasped as my Beyblade began to pick up speed again, crashing into the other Beyblade with such force I hadn't even known it had. "No! My Beyblade!" my opponent shouted as his weapon of choice landed at his feet. "The winner has been decided. Our new regional contender is Kai!" the announcer shouts. I smiled happily as the crowd roared and Artesia threw herself into my arms. "Congratulations, Kai. I knew you could doit!" she told me. "I did it for both of us, Artesia. The victory was for you too." I told her. That made her embrace me even tighter, as I returned her affection. "Oh Kai, you are so wonderful! You're going to the regionals. That is so exciting!" she said. Mr. Dickenson came over to me to shake my hand. "Congratulations. I am looking forward to seeing you compete in the regionals, Kai. You are obviously as talented a Beyblader as your grandfather is." he told me. "Yes, but if I am to compete, I want to compete under my own terms, for myself and those I care about. I do not wish to compete int he shadow of another." I told him. "Trust me, if a fourteen year old with your talent can enter the regionals, that's the last thing you have to worry about. I will see you again soon, Kai." he said. As he walked away, I barely heard the applause of the crowd around me. Just having Artesia close by and on my side was good enough for me...

"You're kidding me; that new kid Kai made it to the regionals?! I can't believe this!" Carlos exclaimed. "It's true, I was there. He and I decided to try out just for fun and he was really amazing! I've never seen an opponent fall so quickly. Of course I tried out too, but I didn't do nearly as well as he did. He was like a completely different person out there." Artesia said. "It's probably because he was trying to impress you. His desire to do so was probably what drove him into performing so well, that's all." Carlos told her. "Kai? Oh no, you must be mistaken. He's just a nice guy who happens to be a great Beyblader. He is very cute, but it's you I'm with, Carlos, you know that." she told him. "I'm not worried about that. I know I'm twice the Beyblader he is. He couldn't even begin to compete with me." he said. "He did make it to the regionals, Carlos. Next thing you know, he'll be trying to take over as the leader of the Street Sharks." one boy teased. "Oh no, that's not going to happen, not as long as I have something to say about it. I don't care how good a Beyblader he is, I am not impressed." Carlos said. The rest of the members of his gang knew from his tone of voice that he meant business and he was not spoken of again the rest of the day. Carlos took advantage of their silence by taking Artesia by the hand and leading her back to class as the schoolbell rang.



I think one of the few times I'm grateful for my dad's many absenses is when I have a weekend day to myself to spend as I please. I decided to run myself a hot bath and turn on some jazz in the background to listen while I bathed. I've never thought of hot baths as a feminine indulgence, I enjoy a hot bath as much as anyone. I washed my hair with some heavily scented balsam shampoo and sighed as I leaned back to relax in the tub. I had to open my eyes unexpectantly when I heard a knock on the bathroom door. "Hello Kai. I'm home." my dad called. "I'm taking a bath, Dad. I'll be out in a few minutes if you need me to." I told him. "That's okay. I just wanted to talk to you for a minute." he told me. "Okay. Hold on." I told him. I got out of the water and threw on my robe, opening the door for him. "What's up, Dad?" I asked him. "I just wanted to let you know that I was going to visit your grandfather today and I was wondering if you wanted to go with me. I know you've never actually met him, so this would be a very good opportunity for both of you. Do you want to go?" he asked. I thought about it for a moment, listening to the peaceful strains of saxophone and piano on the jazz CD I was listening to in the background. I knew that no matter what I decided, my dad would be okay with my decision. He very rarely pressured me into things, knowing how restless pressuring me made me. I had to admit, there was a part of me that was curious to meet the person we had to Japan for, the one that was allowing us to stay in one place for awhile. "Sure Dad, I'll go with you." I told him. "Great! No hurry; I have some paperwork I have to finish before we leave. Just let me know when you're ready to go." he said.