Lady obsessed: I edited a little of the dialogue in Chapter 3. There
should be some romance appearing in this chappie. Enjoy the fourth
instalment of Opposites Attract.
Disclaimer: I don't own beyblade. Although Appolene belongs to me
I Think I Know Why...
Early next morning, everyone was woken abruptly by the loud voice that blasted over the speakers which ran through the entire site.
"REGISTRATION IS OPEN! REGISTRATION IS OPEN!"
"Wha?" Max yawned, rubbing his eyes.
"REGISTRATION IS OPEN!"
"Huh?" Ray groaned, sitting up and pushing his hair out of his face.
"REGISTRATION IS OPEN!"
"Great!" Tyson shouted, surprising Kenny by actually being awake.
"Tyson! What are you shouting about?!" Hilary yelled, banging on the wall with her fist. "I wanted to get some beauty sleep but all that racket is keeping me awake!"
"REGISTRATION IS OPEN!"
"No amount of beauty sleep could help you!" Tyson shouted back, pulling on his trainers and running down the hall. He banged on Max's and Ray's door.
"Come on you guys! Registration-"
"REGISTRATION IS OPEN!"
"We know Tyson."
"Hurry up then!" He then ran along to Kai's door. "You too Kai or there'll be a huge crowd."
There was no reply. Tyson opened the door and peered inside. Kai wasn't there.
"He hasn't gone out again has he?" He shrugged. "Get a move on you guys!"
Max and Ray stumbled out of their room looking very tired. Ray was still tying his hair into its usual braid and Max was struggling to pull his t- shirt over his head. He was trying to get it through the arm hole. Tyson straightened it and then hurried down the stairs, two at a time. About halfway down, the doorbell rang.
"Who'd be calling this early?" Max said as he started to descend the stairs.
At this point, Kai appeared from the kitchen, a piece of toast in his mouth. He crossed the living room to the door and opened it. Then he went straight back to the kitchen without even bothering to see who it was.
"Mr Dickenson?!"
"Hello boys," the elderly head of the BBA smiled. "It's good to see you up bright and early."
"We didn't exactly have a choice," said Ray. "Tyson demanded that we get up and then there's the-"
"REGISTRATION IS OPEN!"
"-announcement," he finished.
"Ah yes. It's been blaring ever since I got here," Mr Dickenson chuckled. He paused and the announcement sounded for the last time before it finally faded out. "That's better." He beamed at them. "So, are you enjoying yourselves so far?"
"Well, we've only been here one day," replied Max, "but it is a very nice place and the tournament sounds like it is going to be fun."
"Speaking of the tournament, we have to go register. We'll catch you later Mr. D," Tyson said, pushing Ray and Max out the door. Before closing it, he shouted through to the kitchen, "Kai! We're going! You sure you're not coming?"
There was silence from the kitchen. Tyson frowned.
"Fine then!" And he shut the door.
"Deary me," Mr Dickenson chortled, "they were in a hurry."
He walked across the living room to the kitchen, hoping to catch Kai but when he entered, he was nowhere to be seen. A cup of tea had been left on the table though. It was full and still hot so Mr Dickenson sat down to drink it.
"I wonder where that boy has gone off to," he murmured, sipping it slowly.
Tyson, Ray and Max reached the registry office in good time. However, there was still a huge queue waiting outside.
"See!" Tyson said irritably, "I told you that there'd be loads of people here!"
Ray and Max didn't say anything because they had collapsed beside Tyson, puffing and panting. Tyson frowned and told them to get up.
"Hey! Over here!"
They looked up and saw the brightly coloured figure waving at them from quite near the front. Tyson grinned and dragged the other two over to Appolene.
"Hey thanks! You don't mind us jumping in with you?" Max said when they reached her.
"Not at all. I was wondering when you'd get here," remarked Appolene, moving forward with the rest of the queue. "If you didn't turn up now, I'd hate to see what the queue will be like for the rest of the day."
"Well we would have been here sooner but these two wouldn't get a move on," Tyson grumbled.
"You can't just blame us Tyson," Ray frowned. "Mr Dickenson's arrival slowed us up as well."
"That's right!" agreed Max. "So stop having a go at us."
Tyson frowned then shrugged. "Whatever."
Whilst they argued, Appolene looked about. Her face fell and she sighed. She felt someone put their hand on her shoulder and glancing around she saw Ray. She smiled.
"I'm afraid he didn't want to come," he said.
"Well, I was half expecting this." She blinked and frowned. "How did you know that's what I was thinking?"
Ray grinned, showing his fangs.
"I have my ways."
Hilary arrived downstairs having just finished her bath. Her room had no en suite, just her luck, so she had claimed the bathroom as her own. It was a lovely room, with a huge blue bath sunk into the tiled floor. She had spent a good hour in there. She entered the kitchen to find Kenny talking to Mr. Dickenson and Julia. The Bladebreakers were not there and by the looks of it, they hadn't made breakfast. The three at the table looked around when she came in.
"Ah, good morning Hilary," Mr. Dickenson beamed.
"Hello Mr Dickenson," she said, taking a seat beside Kenny who had just pushed a cup of tea into her space. "Thank you Kenny."
She raised it to her lips, took a sip and grimaced.
"THIS IS COLD!" She yelled.
Kenny laughed nervously, saying something like if she'd been down earlier it'd be hot and then jumped up quickly to get a fresh one as she was giving him a menacing look. Mr Dickenson chuckled to himself and Julia did likewise.
"I think Tyson was right when he said you were like Appolene," she smiled. "You always know how to get your way."
Hilary smiled, wondering whether or not that was a compliment whilst Mr Dickenson turned to Julia.
"Appolene? Is that your daughter? The one you were telling me about?"
"Yes, that's right."
Kenny slid back into his chair, shoving the mug of tea to Hilary as he did so.
"You said she had quite a talent for blading," he said.
"Absolutely. She won the tournament for her region which is why she is here with me. She qualifies for the national tournament. She is determined to win and ever since she found out the Bladebreakers were coming she's been training especially hard."
"Yes, the boys said they were entering," Mr Dickenson nodded. "I'm not sure that she'll come out on top with them as opponents."
Julia shook her head. "I know but she said she is going to give them a run for their money, even if she can't beat them."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. She mentioned it before leaving this morning." Julia raised her cup of coffee to her lips, frowning. "Mmm. She also said something about one of them not entering. Apparently he'd be her biggest competitor and she was really disappointed that he wasn't taking part."
As the day wore on, Kai pulled out a slice of bread and bit into it. Chewing it slowly, he leant back against the tree and stared up through the foliage. It was very quiet and Tyson and the others didn't know he was here. Nobody did. He took another bite and closed his eyes.
Appolene wandered through the trees. She had managed to get herself registered and was now looking for Kai. The other Bladebreakers had told her he was at the lodge but when she arrived back with them, she found he'd disappeared again. She did meet someone else though. Mr Dickenson, her mother had told her. He seemed a nice enough person. He was the one who brought together the Bladebreakers and was head of the BBA. He had had a long chat with her about beyblading. Her mother had told him about her and he had said he looked forward to watching her in the tournament. She smiled. That was nice to know although also a little intimidating.
"Imagine, the head of the BBA," she laughed, turning a corner.
She wasn't sure what it was but she felt she should come here to look for Kai. It was strange how you can always find someone close to you, no matter where they are. She shook her head. That sounded like a cheesy cliché.
Her friends said she was being silly when she said she knew Kai and she half believed them. After all, they had only met once and they'd both been six at the time. It had only been a short meeting as well. Just a few days yet for some reason she still felt very close to Kai. She had never forgotten him in those nine years, partly because he was the one who had given her her first beyblade. She'd watched all his televised matches and cheered him on but everyone just thought she was another fan girl who followed the crowd. She stopped for a moment. Maybe she was. Maybe they weren't that close after all. Even Kai didn't seem to think so. He'd given her the cold shoulder ever since she'd found him.
Kai opened his eyes and looked about. He was sure he had heard the crunching of leaves under foot. Listening he heard nothing but silence. He frowned, settled himself against the tree again and closed his eyes for a second time. They snapped open almost immediately. There it was again, getting louder as they drew closer. Appolene appeared from amongst the trees. She hadn't seen him as she seemed lost in thought. He remained where he was.
She didn't spot Kai straight away. In fact, it wasn't until she almost tripped over him that she realised he was there.
"Oh! Kai!" she said, a little flustered.
He raised his eyebrows and said nothing. She forced a cheery smile onto her face.
"I've been looking all over for you," she told him.
"Why? What was it you wanted?"
She sighed inwardly. There was the cold shoulder again. However, she continued to put on a happy face.
"Well you weren't at the registration office and if you don't sign up soon you won't be able to enter."
"I told you I wasn't entering."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't need to prove myself to a bunch of amateurs!" He snapped.
It was getting harder and harder to keep on that cheery expression.
"You don't need to prove anything. We all know you and Tyson and the others are the World Champions, the best. It's just for a bit of fun Kai," she continued.
He glared at her.
"I don't blade for fun. I have never bladed for fun," he snarled and stood up.
Appolene watched as he walked away and her happy disposition vanished.
"Haven't you learnt to control that bit-beast of yours yet?!" She blurted out.
Kai stopped in his tracks. What was that? He turned to face her and saw she looked quite shocked with her sudden outburst. She took a deep breath.
"Well? Haven't you?"
He glowered at her and spun back around again, about to head off but she continued.
"I know about Dranzer, Kai. I mean, who doesn't but I know that's what made you act so strange when we met nine years ago."
"I don't know what you're talking about," he growled.
"Yes you do! It's the only explanation that makes sense for you spending time with me one minute and running off the next. Unless, you never actually liked me at all and were just playing with my feelings," she added quietly.
He frowned. Appolene was staring at her feet and absentmindedly turning Dalcyn over in her hands. For a brief moment, the image of her sitting alone in the park crossed his mind. In front of him, Appolene had sunk down against one of the trees and, to his surprise, he found himself walking over and sitting beside her.
"That's the only other explanation," she said, still staring at her feet. Then she smiled. "But then again, you gave me my first beyblade so maybe you did."
There was silence between them for a few minutes. Kai was considering what Appolene had just said and knew she was spot on. He scowled.
"What makes you think Dranzer made me act the way I did?" He asked, not wanting her to know she was right.
She looked up at him and blinked and then stared back down at Dalcyn.
"You didn't study my blade very carefully when I let you look at it yesterday, did you?" She said.
"What that got to do with anything?" He snapped back.
"A good deal!" She retorted, thrusting the blade forwards.
He took it, glanced at it and returned to look at her, eyebrows raised.
"You don't notice anything different?"
He didn't bother to answer.
"I think you've seen so many now that you're overlooking it," she remarked, taking it back. "Look!"
She held it a short distance from his face so that it was blatantly obvious what she was showing him. Now he could see it he couldn't understand how he had missed it.
"When did you get that?"
"A few years back," she smiled. "See this is how I developed the idea of Dranzer affecting your attitude. Dalcyn was exactly the same." She tucked the beyblade away again. "So? Am I right?"
His face set back into its normal scowl.
"So what if you are? That was nine years ago. I've changed a lot since then and now I'm the one in charge!"
Appolene was startled by his tone and a little hurt.
"So it was Dranzer. Back then. Now it's just you! You've closed yourself off from everyone including me and you don't care! You're right Kai! You have changed. But it wasn't for the best!" She jumped to her feet. Hot tears were welling in her eyes so she had to turn away. "I really want you to enter the tournament Kai but I guess I am too far beneath you to have my opinion matter!" And with that she ran off into the trees.
Kai watched her disappear.
"Huh! Like I care what she thinks. She's too emotional!"
But even so, he couldn't help feeling a little guilty. In the back of his mind, Dranzer's voice spoke faintly.
Why does this girl have such an affect on you, Master?
"What affect? What the heck are you talking about?!" Kai barked.
She seems to be the only one capable of breaking your barrier of solitude. She brings out strange emotions in you, Master. I can sense them. No one else seems to be able to do it to you. And she did it in such a small amount of time.
Kai gritted his teeth and a low growl rumbled in his throat.
Master? Could it be that you like this girl?
"Shut up!" he yelled and the phoenix fell silent.
Kai lurched to his feet and stalked angrily back to the lodge.
Everyone jumped when the door slammed and Kai stormed in. Heading straight for the far wall, he slumped against it glaring at the floor. Ray got up and went to close the door.
"Hey Kai. Where ya been?" Tyson asked, tilting his head upside down to look over the sofa.
"Hn."
"We didn't see you at the registration office. Did you go?"
Silence.
"Appolene was looking for you. Did she find you?"
Kai shot Tyson such a look that Max whistled and said, "If looks could kill," to which Tyson responded by pretending he'd been shot in the chest and the two of them collapsed in laughter.
"Cut it out Tyson," Ray said.
"Come on Ray," Tyson said, sitting up again, "liven up. It's just for a laugh."
Ray frowned and sat down again, watching Kai. The captain was scowling angrily at the floor, his arms folded tightly across his chest. Ray could tell he was in a very bad mood.
"I just wouldn't talk to him now," he said.
I get the feeling Appolene found him, he thought as Kai shifted his position so that he was facing away from the rest of the team.
Kai couldn't sleep. He had been staring at the ceiling for a least an hour now. Irritably, he rolled over and tried again. After a few minutes he growled and threw his pillow at the wall. It was useless. He kicked his covers off and went out through the doors to the balcony. It was a full moon tonight and the silvery glow illuminated most of the site. But it didn't use its own light. It just reflected the sun. The sun. He gritted his teeth and leant his arms on the railing.
~Flashback~
"What's your name?" He asked.
She blinked at him and considered for a minute. Then she smiled at him.
"Appolene."
"What a funny name," he said.
"It's not. It's a good name," she said. "It means 'Sun'."
"Does it really?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.
She nodded and once more he nearly smiled. "Well, it suits you," he said.
She beamed at him and her face seemed to shine. Just like the sun, he thought.
~End Flashback~
Just like the sun. He shook his head crossly. There was a knock on his bedroom door. He remained silent, thinking they'd go away.
"Kai?"
It was Ray. Kai said nothing.
"Kai? I know you're awake. I heard your pillow hitting the wall."
Of course, Ray had very sensitive hearing. The door opened and Ray entered. He spotted Kai on the balcony.
"Thought you were up."
Kai turned away and looked back over the site. Ray came and leant beside him. After a few minutes, he spoke.
"I take it she found you then?"
Kai grunted.
"I'll assume that's a yes. What happened?"
"None of your business."
Ray looked at him, a little concerned.
"Did you have a fight?"
Kai's eyes narrowed and he looked away.
"What about?"
"What does it matter?"
"Well, it seems to be bothering you."
"It's not. Just go away Ray."
Ray frowned but shrugged.
"Fine but I think you should talk to someone. You shouldn't keep all your feelings bottled up." As he headed towards the door, he paused. "It's okay to like someone Kai and be upset when you hurt them. It just proves that you're human."
Kai heard the door shut and scowled. What was that supposed to mean? It just proves you're human? He thought about it for a while, staring vacantly at the sky. Then he sighed and went back to bed. He wasn't sure why but tomorrow, he'd do it. He'd sign up for that stupid tournament.
Lady obsessed: I'll update soon. Please review.
Disclaimer: I don't own beyblade. Although Appolene belongs to me
I Think I Know Why...
Early next morning, everyone was woken abruptly by the loud voice that blasted over the speakers which ran through the entire site.
"REGISTRATION IS OPEN! REGISTRATION IS OPEN!"
"Wha?" Max yawned, rubbing his eyes.
"REGISTRATION IS OPEN!"
"Huh?" Ray groaned, sitting up and pushing his hair out of his face.
"REGISTRATION IS OPEN!"
"Great!" Tyson shouted, surprising Kenny by actually being awake.
"Tyson! What are you shouting about?!" Hilary yelled, banging on the wall with her fist. "I wanted to get some beauty sleep but all that racket is keeping me awake!"
"REGISTRATION IS OPEN!"
"No amount of beauty sleep could help you!" Tyson shouted back, pulling on his trainers and running down the hall. He banged on Max's and Ray's door.
"Come on you guys! Registration-"
"REGISTRATION IS OPEN!"
"We know Tyson."
"Hurry up then!" He then ran along to Kai's door. "You too Kai or there'll be a huge crowd."
There was no reply. Tyson opened the door and peered inside. Kai wasn't there.
"He hasn't gone out again has he?" He shrugged. "Get a move on you guys!"
Max and Ray stumbled out of their room looking very tired. Ray was still tying his hair into its usual braid and Max was struggling to pull his t- shirt over his head. He was trying to get it through the arm hole. Tyson straightened it and then hurried down the stairs, two at a time. About halfway down, the doorbell rang.
"Who'd be calling this early?" Max said as he started to descend the stairs.
At this point, Kai appeared from the kitchen, a piece of toast in his mouth. He crossed the living room to the door and opened it. Then he went straight back to the kitchen without even bothering to see who it was.
"Mr Dickenson?!"
"Hello boys," the elderly head of the BBA smiled. "It's good to see you up bright and early."
"We didn't exactly have a choice," said Ray. "Tyson demanded that we get up and then there's the-"
"REGISTRATION IS OPEN!"
"-announcement," he finished.
"Ah yes. It's been blaring ever since I got here," Mr Dickenson chuckled. He paused and the announcement sounded for the last time before it finally faded out. "That's better." He beamed at them. "So, are you enjoying yourselves so far?"
"Well, we've only been here one day," replied Max, "but it is a very nice place and the tournament sounds like it is going to be fun."
"Speaking of the tournament, we have to go register. We'll catch you later Mr. D," Tyson said, pushing Ray and Max out the door. Before closing it, he shouted through to the kitchen, "Kai! We're going! You sure you're not coming?"
There was silence from the kitchen. Tyson frowned.
"Fine then!" And he shut the door.
"Deary me," Mr Dickenson chortled, "they were in a hurry."
He walked across the living room to the kitchen, hoping to catch Kai but when he entered, he was nowhere to be seen. A cup of tea had been left on the table though. It was full and still hot so Mr Dickenson sat down to drink it.
"I wonder where that boy has gone off to," he murmured, sipping it slowly.
Tyson, Ray and Max reached the registry office in good time. However, there was still a huge queue waiting outside.
"See!" Tyson said irritably, "I told you that there'd be loads of people here!"
Ray and Max didn't say anything because they had collapsed beside Tyson, puffing and panting. Tyson frowned and told them to get up.
"Hey! Over here!"
They looked up and saw the brightly coloured figure waving at them from quite near the front. Tyson grinned and dragged the other two over to Appolene.
"Hey thanks! You don't mind us jumping in with you?" Max said when they reached her.
"Not at all. I was wondering when you'd get here," remarked Appolene, moving forward with the rest of the queue. "If you didn't turn up now, I'd hate to see what the queue will be like for the rest of the day."
"Well we would have been here sooner but these two wouldn't get a move on," Tyson grumbled.
"You can't just blame us Tyson," Ray frowned. "Mr Dickenson's arrival slowed us up as well."
"That's right!" agreed Max. "So stop having a go at us."
Tyson frowned then shrugged. "Whatever."
Whilst they argued, Appolene looked about. Her face fell and she sighed. She felt someone put their hand on her shoulder and glancing around she saw Ray. She smiled.
"I'm afraid he didn't want to come," he said.
"Well, I was half expecting this." She blinked and frowned. "How did you know that's what I was thinking?"
Ray grinned, showing his fangs.
"I have my ways."
Hilary arrived downstairs having just finished her bath. Her room had no en suite, just her luck, so she had claimed the bathroom as her own. It was a lovely room, with a huge blue bath sunk into the tiled floor. She had spent a good hour in there. She entered the kitchen to find Kenny talking to Mr. Dickenson and Julia. The Bladebreakers were not there and by the looks of it, they hadn't made breakfast. The three at the table looked around when she came in.
"Ah, good morning Hilary," Mr. Dickenson beamed.
"Hello Mr Dickenson," she said, taking a seat beside Kenny who had just pushed a cup of tea into her space. "Thank you Kenny."
She raised it to her lips, took a sip and grimaced.
"THIS IS COLD!" She yelled.
Kenny laughed nervously, saying something like if she'd been down earlier it'd be hot and then jumped up quickly to get a fresh one as she was giving him a menacing look. Mr Dickenson chuckled to himself and Julia did likewise.
"I think Tyson was right when he said you were like Appolene," she smiled. "You always know how to get your way."
Hilary smiled, wondering whether or not that was a compliment whilst Mr Dickenson turned to Julia.
"Appolene? Is that your daughter? The one you were telling me about?"
"Yes, that's right."
Kenny slid back into his chair, shoving the mug of tea to Hilary as he did so.
"You said she had quite a talent for blading," he said.
"Absolutely. She won the tournament for her region which is why she is here with me. She qualifies for the national tournament. She is determined to win and ever since she found out the Bladebreakers were coming she's been training especially hard."
"Yes, the boys said they were entering," Mr Dickenson nodded. "I'm not sure that she'll come out on top with them as opponents."
Julia shook her head. "I know but she said she is going to give them a run for their money, even if she can't beat them."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. She mentioned it before leaving this morning." Julia raised her cup of coffee to her lips, frowning. "Mmm. She also said something about one of them not entering. Apparently he'd be her biggest competitor and she was really disappointed that he wasn't taking part."
As the day wore on, Kai pulled out a slice of bread and bit into it. Chewing it slowly, he leant back against the tree and stared up through the foliage. It was very quiet and Tyson and the others didn't know he was here. Nobody did. He took another bite and closed his eyes.
Appolene wandered through the trees. She had managed to get herself registered and was now looking for Kai. The other Bladebreakers had told her he was at the lodge but when she arrived back with them, she found he'd disappeared again. She did meet someone else though. Mr Dickenson, her mother had told her. He seemed a nice enough person. He was the one who brought together the Bladebreakers and was head of the BBA. He had had a long chat with her about beyblading. Her mother had told him about her and he had said he looked forward to watching her in the tournament. She smiled. That was nice to know although also a little intimidating.
"Imagine, the head of the BBA," she laughed, turning a corner.
She wasn't sure what it was but she felt she should come here to look for Kai. It was strange how you can always find someone close to you, no matter where they are. She shook her head. That sounded like a cheesy cliché.
Her friends said she was being silly when she said she knew Kai and she half believed them. After all, they had only met once and they'd both been six at the time. It had only been a short meeting as well. Just a few days yet for some reason she still felt very close to Kai. She had never forgotten him in those nine years, partly because he was the one who had given her her first beyblade. She'd watched all his televised matches and cheered him on but everyone just thought she was another fan girl who followed the crowd. She stopped for a moment. Maybe she was. Maybe they weren't that close after all. Even Kai didn't seem to think so. He'd given her the cold shoulder ever since she'd found him.
Kai opened his eyes and looked about. He was sure he had heard the crunching of leaves under foot. Listening he heard nothing but silence. He frowned, settled himself against the tree again and closed his eyes for a second time. They snapped open almost immediately. There it was again, getting louder as they drew closer. Appolene appeared from amongst the trees. She hadn't seen him as she seemed lost in thought. He remained where he was.
She didn't spot Kai straight away. In fact, it wasn't until she almost tripped over him that she realised he was there.
"Oh! Kai!" she said, a little flustered.
He raised his eyebrows and said nothing. She forced a cheery smile onto her face.
"I've been looking all over for you," she told him.
"Why? What was it you wanted?"
She sighed inwardly. There was the cold shoulder again. However, she continued to put on a happy face.
"Well you weren't at the registration office and if you don't sign up soon you won't be able to enter."
"I told you I wasn't entering."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't need to prove myself to a bunch of amateurs!" He snapped.
It was getting harder and harder to keep on that cheery expression.
"You don't need to prove anything. We all know you and Tyson and the others are the World Champions, the best. It's just for a bit of fun Kai," she continued.
He glared at her.
"I don't blade for fun. I have never bladed for fun," he snarled and stood up.
Appolene watched as he walked away and her happy disposition vanished.
"Haven't you learnt to control that bit-beast of yours yet?!" She blurted out.
Kai stopped in his tracks. What was that? He turned to face her and saw she looked quite shocked with her sudden outburst. She took a deep breath.
"Well? Haven't you?"
He glowered at her and spun back around again, about to head off but she continued.
"I know about Dranzer, Kai. I mean, who doesn't but I know that's what made you act so strange when we met nine years ago."
"I don't know what you're talking about," he growled.
"Yes you do! It's the only explanation that makes sense for you spending time with me one minute and running off the next. Unless, you never actually liked me at all and were just playing with my feelings," she added quietly.
He frowned. Appolene was staring at her feet and absentmindedly turning Dalcyn over in her hands. For a brief moment, the image of her sitting alone in the park crossed his mind. In front of him, Appolene had sunk down against one of the trees and, to his surprise, he found himself walking over and sitting beside her.
"That's the only other explanation," she said, still staring at her feet. Then she smiled. "But then again, you gave me my first beyblade so maybe you did."
There was silence between them for a few minutes. Kai was considering what Appolene had just said and knew she was spot on. He scowled.
"What makes you think Dranzer made me act the way I did?" He asked, not wanting her to know she was right.
She looked up at him and blinked and then stared back down at Dalcyn.
"You didn't study my blade very carefully when I let you look at it yesterday, did you?" She said.
"What that got to do with anything?" He snapped back.
"A good deal!" She retorted, thrusting the blade forwards.
He took it, glanced at it and returned to look at her, eyebrows raised.
"You don't notice anything different?"
He didn't bother to answer.
"I think you've seen so many now that you're overlooking it," she remarked, taking it back. "Look!"
She held it a short distance from his face so that it was blatantly obvious what she was showing him. Now he could see it he couldn't understand how he had missed it.
"When did you get that?"
"A few years back," she smiled. "See this is how I developed the idea of Dranzer affecting your attitude. Dalcyn was exactly the same." She tucked the beyblade away again. "So? Am I right?"
His face set back into its normal scowl.
"So what if you are? That was nine years ago. I've changed a lot since then and now I'm the one in charge!"
Appolene was startled by his tone and a little hurt.
"So it was Dranzer. Back then. Now it's just you! You've closed yourself off from everyone including me and you don't care! You're right Kai! You have changed. But it wasn't for the best!" She jumped to her feet. Hot tears were welling in her eyes so she had to turn away. "I really want you to enter the tournament Kai but I guess I am too far beneath you to have my opinion matter!" And with that she ran off into the trees.
Kai watched her disappear.
"Huh! Like I care what she thinks. She's too emotional!"
But even so, he couldn't help feeling a little guilty. In the back of his mind, Dranzer's voice spoke faintly.
Why does this girl have such an affect on you, Master?
"What affect? What the heck are you talking about?!" Kai barked.
She seems to be the only one capable of breaking your barrier of solitude. She brings out strange emotions in you, Master. I can sense them. No one else seems to be able to do it to you. And she did it in such a small amount of time.
Kai gritted his teeth and a low growl rumbled in his throat.
Master? Could it be that you like this girl?
"Shut up!" he yelled and the phoenix fell silent.
Kai lurched to his feet and stalked angrily back to the lodge.
Everyone jumped when the door slammed and Kai stormed in. Heading straight for the far wall, he slumped against it glaring at the floor. Ray got up and went to close the door.
"Hey Kai. Where ya been?" Tyson asked, tilting his head upside down to look over the sofa.
"Hn."
"We didn't see you at the registration office. Did you go?"
Silence.
"Appolene was looking for you. Did she find you?"
Kai shot Tyson such a look that Max whistled and said, "If looks could kill," to which Tyson responded by pretending he'd been shot in the chest and the two of them collapsed in laughter.
"Cut it out Tyson," Ray said.
"Come on Ray," Tyson said, sitting up again, "liven up. It's just for a laugh."
Ray frowned and sat down again, watching Kai. The captain was scowling angrily at the floor, his arms folded tightly across his chest. Ray could tell he was in a very bad mood.
"I just wouldn't talk to him now," he said.
I get the feeling Appolene found him, he thought as Kai shifted his position so that he was facing away from the rest of the team.
Kai couldn't sleep. He had been staring at the ceiling for a least an hour now. Irritably, he rolled over and tried again. After a few minutes he growled and threw his pillow at the wall. It was useless. He kicked his covers off and went out through the doors to the balcony. It was a full moon tonight and the silvery glow illuminated most of the site. But it didn't use its own light. It just reflected the sun. The sun. He gritted his teeth and leant his arms on the railing.
~Flashback~
"What's your name?" He asked.
She blinked at him and considered for a minute. Then she smiled at him.
"Appolene."
"What a funny name," he said.
"It's not. It's a good name," she said. "It means 'Sun'."
"Does it really?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.
She nodded and once more he nearly smiled. "Well, it suits you," he said.
She beamed at him and her face seemed to shine. Just like the sun, he thought.
~End Flashback~
Just like the sun. He shook his head crossly. There was a knock on his bedroom door. He remained silent, thinking they'd go away.
"Kai?"
It was Ray. Kai said nothing.
"Kai? I know you're awake. I heard your pillow hitting the wall."
Of course, Ray had very sensitive hearing. The door opened and Ray entered. He spotted Kai on the balcony.
"Thought you were up."
Kai turned away and looked back over the site. Ray came and leant beside him. After a few minutes, he spoke.
"I take it she found you then?"
Kai grunted.
"I'll assume that's a yes. What happened?"
"None of your business."
Ray looked at him, a little concerned.
"Did you have a fight?"
Kai's eyes narrowed and he looked away.
"What about?"
"What does it matter?"
"Well, it seems to be bothering you."
"It's not. Just go away Ray."
Ray frowned but shrugged.
"Fine but I think you should talk to someone. You shouldn't keep all your feelings bottled up." As he headed towards the door, he paused. "It's okay to like someone Kai and be upset when you hurt them. It just proves that you're human."
Kai heard the door shut and scowled. What was that supposed to mean? It just proves you're human? He thought about it for a while, staring vacantly at the sky. Then he sighed and went back to bed. He wasn't sure why but tomorrow, he'd do it. He'd sign up for that stupid tournament.
Lady obsessed: I'll update soon. Please review.
