4: Family Values

The answer to your guesses is… well, just read on. Oh, and case you are wondering where Mr Granger – Tyson's Grandpa – is, that's because I haven't included him in this story. He never came to America.

Sarcasmcat: Thank you. I hope it keeps it up for you.

TigerTerror: What's wrong with Lee's plan? ^_^;; And like I said above, the meeting is in this chapter so read on.

Chain Gun: Have you been pinching the jellybeans? I can't seem to find mine... :P

Neko Youkai aka Luna Malfoy: You mean Ray and Lee being together? Yeah, that the way it should be. Meeting is below.

sakura9566: Naughty naughty. Too lazy to log in. Hope you like the next chapter. :P

Rel: You have no idea just how close to the truth you are...

Disclaimer: Yes, I know, I'm dreaming. But hey! I'm entitled to it!

"You know, I really didn't mind Kai locking himself in his room all day - pass the corn please Max - cause it's been nice and relaxing not listening to him drone on about needing to train every waking minute."

Kenny looked up from his meal. "Like it or not, Tyson, Kai is right about needing to train. Practice makes perfect you know."

"Lee's the same," Kevin piped up, pushing himself up as he reached for the butter. "Train, train, train. That's all he ever goes on about."

Tyson sniggered. "Want me to get you a phone book to sit on, Kev?"

Max looked up, frowning. "Hey look. Who's that guy?"

Mr Dickenson followed Max's gaze, frowning. "That's Voltaire of the Biovolt Corporation. I wonder what he's doing here."

Tyson slid from his seat, following the group of men entering the hotel, Voltaire in the lead. The others followed, keeping to the shadows, watching as Voltaire stopped in a quiet part of the foyer, his companions spreading out to make sure no one approached.

Kenny whimpered. "We're going to get in trouble-"

Kevin shushed him. "Someone's coming."

They watched as the newcomer approached, walk deliberately slow, obviously trying Voltaire's patience. They stepped into the light, causing Tyson's eyes to widen: Kai.

Stopping before Voltaire, Kai bowed his head. "Grandfather."

Tyson turned to Mr Dickenson. "You didn't tell us Kai was Voltaire's grandson."

Mr Dickenson shook his head. "I did not think it important for you to know."

Mariah smiled faintly. "Wow. Kai's a millionaire."

Voltaire turned toward Kai, hard eyes boring into him. "I must commend you on your handling of the Winton situation. The time spent training you to shoot appears to have been worth it."

Kai closed his eyes. "Yes sir."

"But that is not the reason I am here." Voltaire's grip tightened on his steel knobbed walking stick. "How goes your mission?"

Kai opened his eyes. "I know the location of several bit beasts."

"But you do not have them in your possession."

"No sir."

"You have not tried to take them."

Kai paused before he answered. "No sir."

Quicker then the eye could see, Voltaire brought a closed fist backhanded across Kai's face, snapping his head around, causing the group in hiding to gape in shock. "You were given an order, Kai, and I expect it to be followed. You know the price of failure."

Kai brought his head back around slowly, a small trickle of blood falling from a split lip. "Yes sir, I do."

Voltaire narrowed his eyes. "I would hate to have to remind you again, Kai. But if I must-"

"The BBA has discovered a way to create artificial bit beasts."

Voltaire turned slowly. "Are you certain?"

Kai nodded. "I've seen them. The All Starz team all battle with them."

"Interesting." Voltaire smiled faintly. "Do you know more about them?"

"Its called Project Power Beyblade. Its base is one of the BBA research centres not far from here. To an outsider it might seem like simply a research centre to create the ultimate blade and blader, but they also have a hidden division, one dedicated solely to the creation of the ultimate beast."

Voltaire nodded, eyes hard. "Very good, grandson. You have saved yourself this time. This is information that I can use."

Kai remained silent.

Voltaire looked at him, eyes narrowed. "However, Kai, should you fail me again you will be given no second chances." He paused. "One other thing. There is a rumour that your team is sharing an apartment with the Chinese team, these… White Tigers. Is this true?"

Kai's jaw tightened. "Yes grandfather, it is."

"Are not three of these White Tigers neko-jin? And one of your team as well? Raymond Kon, I do believe his name was."

Kai nodded. "Yes sir."

Voltaire looked at him, grip tightening on his cane. "And what of these rumours that you are sharing a room with two of these neko-jin?"

Kai narrowed his eyes. "They are good bladers-"

The steel knob of the cane caught him in the jaw, sending him stumbling to the side. Before he could recover, the cane caught him across the chest, causing him to gasp as he heard bones crack under the blow. He double over, bringing his arms up to protect his head as the cane came down again, catching him on the arm. He bit back a yelp, another blow catching him in the head with such force that he was thrown backward, hitting the ground hard.

"That's enough!"

Voltaire turned, lowering his cane from where he was about to bring down another blow, noting for the first time the group standing there. Max and Kenny had Tyson by the arms, holding him back as the fuming blader tried to lunge toward the Biovolt director. At the head of the group, the one who had spoken stood strong.

Voltaire straightened. "This has nothing to do with you, Dickenson."

"It has everything to do with me, Voltaire." Mr Dickenson narrowed his eyes. "You've attacked one of my bladers."

"Discipline, Dickenson, can go a long way. Surely you must know that." Hearing a sound, Voltaire turned to see two neko-jin land easily on their feet to hover over Kai, who was curled up in a fetal position. Voltaire narrowed his eyes, recognising one of the two as Kai's teammate, and the other to be the White Tiger team leader. They snarled, catlike eyes flashing as they showed their fangs, silently challenging him to attack Kai again. Voltaire turned his back on them. "But then, you always were soft."

Mr Dickenson didn't move. "It would be best if you were to leave, Voltaire. Before I am forced to call the authorities."

Voltaire's grip tightened on his cane as he closed his eyes and began to move from the room, his companions falling into step behind him. Stopping, he frowned. "I'm very disappointed in you, Kai. The next time we see each other, I expect you to have completed you mission, understand Grandson?"

Kai drew a shuddering breath. "Yes Grandfather, I understand."

Voltaire didn't bother to look back as he moved from the room.

Tyson strained against Max and Kenny's grip, eyes flashing as he growled. "What kind of grandfather are you! Grandfathers aren't supposed to do that! You're not supposed to do that! He's your grandson!"

Ray knelt down beside Kai as he heard Mr Dickenson order Kevin to find the hotel doctor. Kai's crimson eyes looked weakly up at him before they fluttered closed as Kai allowed the darkness to claim him.

Well, this story is an angst. It was bound to happen sooner or later, after all.