Anyway, I got some questions for you if someone's planning on review but I saved them til after the fic. I thought that you'd get so excited about this chapter that you'd forget the questions here… (hehe, so NOT true…) Bla, bla… Please R&R!
Disclaimer: I don't own beyblade or its characters. I do own Laynie, her bitbeast Drizzler and the Black Cats. Chapter Eight: Under the Moonlight
Ray stared at the ceiling. For once, his mind wasn't focused on beyblading or the Bladebreakers. No, this time, his thoughts wandered to a certain pink-haired girl with golden eyes. He sighed. They hadn't seen each other since the Asian Championships but it hadn't affected their relationship. Their bonds were stronger than ever and Ray suspected that he felt more than friendship towards Mariah.
[I've missed her more than I ever could've imagined.] Thought Ray and swung his legs over the bed.
Suddenly, it knocked on the door. Ray shouted a "hold on!" before opening the door. Outside, the same pink-haired girl as in hid mind stood. Mariah.
- "Hi Ray." She said and smiled, making Ray all fuzzy.
- "Mariah, why are you out this late?" Ray opened the door as a sign for her to come in. The rest of his team was out in different errands and he was the only one there.
But Mariah hesitated. "Can't we take a walk instead?" She asked and nodded towards the window.
Ray shrugged. "Yeah, sure. I'm just gonna get my card key."
He closed the door and it clicked locked. Ray looked down at Mariah as they walked through the corridor.
- "Was it something particular you wanted?" He asked.
Mariah shook her head. "Actually no, I just wanted to hang out with you alone for a while. I've missed you so much." She smiled shyly and Ray noticed two small roses on her cheeks.
He smiled warmly at her. "I've missed you too, Mariah. It's great to see you again!"
- "Yeah, it's kinda hard to see you as much as I would like." Mariah took a deep breath and let the air fill her lungs with refreshing night air. The surroundings around the hotel were dark and quite.
- "You're right. But we got teams that needs us and we know it." Stated Ray.
Mariah nodded. "Shall we go into the park? I would like to see the swans there."
~*~ In the park, Laynie… ~*~
- "Yes, that's right Drizzler!" Laynie watched her blade rip off some branches from a tree and was very satisfied with the result. She had been training alone in the park for an hour now. She was more determined than ever to beat Nicholas.
[And with some more training, Drizzler will be unbeatable!] Laynie caught the diamond blade in her palm to relaunch it. She put the blade onto the launcher.
- "Go Drizzler!" Laynie launched her blade onto the grass. Laynie smirked. She could see that she had improved her speed a lot but it wasn't perfect yet.
[But it'll be! Sooner of later.]
Suddenly, the moon shone all over the place where Laynie was training. And the moon's rays were caught in the diamond blade, and were spread out in a beautiful prism.
(A/N: For all U you guy's who dun knows what a prism is… uh, I can't explain… (^^") Look it up in a reference book. Sorry.)
- "Wow!" Whispered Laynie. Her eyes widened as she watched the different colors dance around on the treas.
~*~ At another place in the park… ~*~
- "Great work Dranzer. Come back." Kai caught his blade in the air.
[Dranzer's stronger than ever. But we need that if we're gonna beat the Black Cats.] After the All-Starz battle against the Black Cats was Kai more surely than ever. They mustn't be overseen and a little voice back in his head whispered something other.
That he wanted to do it for Laynie. To make her feel better. It was a new feeling for Kai, to care for someone else. Well, he wasn't so rude and ignorant towards his teammates nowadays, but their relationship stayed on a simple plan. But it was different with Laynie. He wanted to get to know her, comfort her and help her. It was just hard for him to admit it.
Come on Kai, admit it! You're starting to fall for her!
[What, you again? Leave me alone!]
I'll leave, IF you promise to talk to Laynie.
[Fine. GO NOW!]
Kai sank down, leaning on a tree. He sighed. Life was so much easier before Laynie came…
Suddenly, a bright light shone from a glade several meters away. Kai jerked his head up and stared out in the park.
[Better check it out…] Kai rose and started to run towards the glade where the light had come from.
He stopped a few meters away when he saw a black, short girl stand in the middle of the glade with a diamond blade next to her. It was Laynie.
She stared at the now colored blade spinning around with incredible speed. It was the moon that shone onto the blade that was causing the bright light.
- "New attack?"
Laynie turned around towards the voice and smirked. "Yeah, sure. No, it just happened."
- "You've been training?" Kai came closer, now standing next to Laynie. His auburn eyes were also watching the blade spinning around.
Layne nodded. "And to clear my mind. I just can't get Nicholas out of my head…" She sighed and her shoulders dropped, making her to look even smaller and more fragile than ever. Laynie had such a strong appearance that it was hard to imagine her as weak and vulnerable.
Kai threw away all his pride and touched Laynie's shoulder. "Wanna talk about it?" He asked and frowned.
[What am I doing? This is not me!] Kai was surprised over his own actions.
And Laynie seemed to be thinking the same. "Is this really the same Kai I know?" She asked teasingly but still watching him suspiciously.
- "Hmph."
Laynie laughed. "Okay it is you. I only know one who can "Hmph" in that way!" She gave Kai a push with her hip and smiled.
Kai watched her and smirked. Laynie had such a warm laugh. It was filled with life the few times she laughed and made her face light up.
- "You wanna hear the whole story? Then you might need to sit down, cause it's a looong story…" Laynie caught her blade again. The moon was gone behind a big cloud and the colors were also gone.
Kai shrugged. "Whatever." And sat down onto the ground. Laynie sighed and placed herself next to him. So close that their elbows slightly touched.
(A/N: I'm writing this in a "memory-way" cause it feels like she's talking for ages other ways…)
~*~ Laynie's little story… ~*~
I'm born in Hong Kong, China but we moved to Russia when the same year I turned three. I don't know why and frankly, I don't care either.
I got my first beyblade when I was five and I was already set in hard training.
My family demands perfection and winning in beyblade. And if you loose a battle, it's a shame for the whole family.
In every fifty year, the bitbeast of Kim will be passed over to the oldest heir. In this case, it would be Nicholas.
But, as I've said, Drizzler refused and chose me instead.
I know that my parents were disappointed. Nicholas was their firstborn and the SON. But they got over it several years.
After all, the bitbeast stayed in the closest family, even if it belonged to me now.
They said that it was okay with them that Drizzler chose me, but when I told them that I wasn't joining the Black Cats they gave me the whole truth. I was a shame for the whole family and unworthy Drizzler's power.
The only one in my family who ever had loved me is my grandma. But she had a major fight with my mum, her daughter and left when I was nine.
My mum was never strong and proud like grandma. I remember that time I found her crying a week after grandma's disappearance.
I asked her why she was crying, and she told me that grandma was right. Jack, my father, was turning us into himself. I asked why she didn't leave him. And the only thing she could say was that she loved him, and that was the reason.
~*~
- "Now you know why I think of love as a weakness. It makes you dependent and bounded." Laynie gazed up on the sky above them. The moon was shining bright and the stars twinkled towards her.
Kai didn't reply. He was also watching the moon and the stars, thinking of what Laynie just told him. [She has been through a lot…] He thought and turned his gaze onto Laynie.
- "I don't believe in love either." He heard himself say. Laynie met his gaze and smirked.
- "I think I've figured it out." She said teasingly. She was glad to have Kai beside her, even if she couldn't tell why. His appearance made her feel calmer and more relaxed than ever.
~*~ Ray and Mariah… ~*~
Ray and Mariah walked under silence. They had watched the swans as Mariah had asked for and was now returning to the hotel. The moon was gone and it started to get chilly.
- "We heard that you got to the semi-finals. Congratulations!" said Ray and smirked.
- "Yeah, but Bruce was close to ruin it a while… I wished that Lee had let Kevin battle instead…" Mariah shook her head. "But you guys are in the semi-finals too right?"
Ray nodded and his gaze fell on Mariah's left hand. It was so close to his own right hand, that the only thing he had to do was to seize it if he wanted. And it was tempting. But he was unsure of Mariah's feelings… A thing like this could ruin their friendship or…
[Make us a perfect couple…] thought Ray and made up his mind. He took Mariah's hand and squeezed it slightly.
Mariah first looked down on their hands and after that, upon Ray's face. She could feel a big smile grow and she blushed. She had dreamed of this for so long now, that it felt like a fantasy. All thoughts in her head disappeared and the only thing remaining was Ray. His amber eyes gazing into hers, showing his trust and love.
~*~ The All-Starz hotel-room… ~*~
- "Too bad that you guys is out of the Championships…"
- "I can see that you're VERY sorry, Tyson." Muttered Emily and hang her head down. She couldn't believe that the Championships were already over. For them at least.
- "I mean it! Really!" Tyson was actually serious for once.
A blonde girl, dressed in something that looked like a cheerleader outfit stepped into the room. She frowned when her gaze landed on Max and Tyson.
- "Who are you? Oh, wait. You're from the Bladebreakers right?" She clapped her hands together and giggled.
- "And here we go again…" Emily rolled her eyes. "This is Jennifer, she's our fifth blader."
- "Hi, Jennifer. Nice to meet you." Said Max and waved.
- "So, you're a uh…cheerleader?" Tyson nodded at the pompoms in her left hand.
Jennifer nodded. "Yes, usually I'm the captain. But I left the cheerleading team to help the love of my life, Michael." She smiled flirtatious and sat down in Michaels knee.
Tyson and Max's jaws dropped.
- "What? What were you doing yesterday when you hit on Laynie!!!?" shouted Tyson and Michael seemed a little embarrassed.
- "You did what!?" Jennifer's eyes were wide opened and stared at Michael.
- "Ahem… Hmmm… I…" He stuttered and his face went red.
Jennifer rose from Michael's knee. "I thought that you loved me!" She shouted and her under lip started to tremble.
- "I do!" Protested Michael. "This Laynie… I didn't do a thing!"
- "Pah." Murmured Tyson under his breath. [I wonder if I should tell Jennifer about Laynie's little punch…]
But before he could say something, Jennifer ran out from the room crying. Michael glared at Tyson.
- "Was that really necessary?" He said and followed Jennifer.
Now Emily seemed to be a little more alert. "Michael hit on Laynie?" She asked and curiosity shone from her eyes.
Max nodded. "But that's not the funniest part. Laynie punched him right in the face. You should've seen his expression!" He smiled when he remembered Michael's reaction.
- "I always miss all the fun! I was doing some researching." Said a disappointed Emily. She had been waiting for someone to put Michael back on earth and when that finally happened, she wasn't there!
~*~ Back at the glade, Laynie and Kai… ~*~
Laynie felt undressed and naked. She didn't have her usual cold attitude to hide behind now when she had exposed her deepest feelings and secrets. Kai was the first one she had opened up to completely, besides her grandma.
[I wonder what's gonna happen now between us… Will he accept me though or will he hate me for who I am?] Laynie leant back slowly, til her back touched the grass. She relaxed on the damp ground and took a deep breath.
[What am I suppose to do now? Give her my background or what?] Thought Kai and lay back on the grass, close to Laynie. He slightly touched her body, making a warm and fuzzy feeling fill him.
- "Hey," Whispered Laynie suddenly. "A falling star. Make a wish, Kai."
Kai lifted his gaze upon the sky again. And Laynie was right; a shining spot fell from the sky.
[A wish? I've never thought of making any… Maybe to be free from my grandfather… To live my own life?] Kai smirked. This wasn't his style, lying flat on his back, watching the stars. And absolutely not so close with a girl…
[Actually, I don't believe in this falling star thing… But it can't hurt… I wish that I'll be free from Nicholas and my family.] Laynie turned her gaze to the moon instead. It was strangely big this evening and twinkled sometimes, like it held thousands of secrets in it.
The falling star disappeared and Laynie started to watch her hands instead. She could feel the heat from Kai's bare arm and tried to ignore the tingling feeling inside her body.
- "Can I ask what you wished?" Kai turned his head and watched Laynie's face. Her high cheekbones were very marketed for someone their age and her long eyelashes were naturally black.
Laynie met Kai's auburn eyes and drown into them once again. "Don't you know that the wish don't counts then?" She answered, still gazing into Kai's eyes.
[Laynie, what's wrong with you!?] Laynie snapped out of her little trance and got back on the planet called earth.
Kai gave up a little laugh. "I don't believe in that kinda stuff. No one but yourself can control the turns your life takes."
- "Know what you're talking about… But it would be nice to know that someones watching over you…" smirked Laynie.
None of them said something more and a comfortable peace appeared between them. They returned to watch the sky again when a lightning struck through the heaven. Rain clouds grow and the air was suddenly filled with raindrops.
- "Shit." Cursed Kai and got up on his feet again. To his own surprise, and to Laynie, he stretched out his hand to help her up.
Layne took his hand, frowning, and got up on her feet too. They started to run as heavy raindrops splashed on their heads.
~*~ Back on the hotel… ~*~
- "Damn. Stupid. Weather!" muttered Laynie and squeezed the water out of her hair. She looked on Kai and covered her mouth with her hand to muffle the laugh. Kai's normally spiky hair was now all wet and hung down. But it was only making him look cute.
- "Great. Absolutely great!" Kai said annoyed and stroke strands of wet hair out of his forehead.
He opened the door and found the room empty and dark. He took a step into the room and switched on the lamp in the roof.
- "Where is everyone?" Laynie frowned when she looked around in the room.
- "I don't know. And I don't complain either." Replied Kai and shrugged.
Suddenly, Laynie remembered that she had sent all of her clothes (not underwear) to laundry earlier. She slapped her forehead and groaned.
- "What?" Kai turned his head towards Laynie. She smiled sheepishly and bit her under lip.
- "I sent all my clothes to laundry this morning and I've not got it back yet… So…?" Laynie gave Kai a meaning look.
- "So what? You're like a head shorter than me!" Kai snorted and Laynie got a injured look in her eyes.
- "Kai? Please?" She tilted her head to one side and tried to look pleadingly.
Kai sighed and found a pair of black baggy trousers, the smallest shirt he had and a belt. He tossed it to Laynie.
- "Thanks Kai." She smiled and disappeared into the bathroom. Kai shook his head and pulled his wet shirt over his head. What was this girl doing with him? He didn't want to get soft but something about Laynie just made him.
Laynie pulled on Kai's black trousers just before catching them again. She smiled and wrapped the belt tight around her waist. She had a thin and petite figure and Kai was pretty well built… And he WAS taller. Luckily enough, the trousers had cores down so she could make them a little shorter. Kai's light blue shirt hung loose around her slim waist.
[Wow, am I hot or what?] Thought Laynie ironically, watching her reflection in the mirror.
She unlocked the door and stepped out in the room. Kai was lying on his bed, dressed in gray baggy trousers and a black shirt, fiddling around with his Dranzer. When Laynie came out from the bathroom, he raised his head and watched her.
He snorted. "You're seriously short." He said but the words didn't come out as he had expected them to. Instead of sounding mockingly and harsh, the words was soft and teasingly. He was slightly shocked. Had his body started to betray him?
- "I know!" replied Laynie and pretended to glare at him. She was a little shocked too. Kai was definitely not his usual I. And she definitely didn't like the feeling he gave her everytime they touched or looked at each other.
[I need to get out of his sight. Now!] Laynie fled out in the kitchen. [Tea, I need tea.] She thought and started a desperate searching for tea. She was mad on herself for freaking out like this and loose control. She was known for being cold and controlled for god's sake!
[I must getting insane or something…] Pondered Laynie. She knew it, somewhere back in her head, but refused to admit it. The only word for her strange behavior and feelings was the word she hated, but also feared. Love.
- "Do we have any tea?" shouted Laynie so Kai would hear her.
- "I don't think so. We got coffee." Answered Kai.
[Great. I'm not so into coffee. But I need something hot to warm me.] Laynie sighed and measured the coffee powder into the percolator. [Strange hotel, having coffee but not tea.]
- "You want some?" Laynie shouted, standing on her toes to reach the cups.
- "Yeah. Do you need some help?" Kai was leaning on the doorway and watched Laynie having trouble with the height of the shelf.
She stepped aside. "Not really, but if you insist." She said and smirked.
Kai grabbed two cups without any problems at all and gave Laynie an amused gaze.
- "Can't see the problem?" He said teasingly.
Laynie placed her hands on her hips. "Well, maybe it because…" She took a step forward so she could measure herself with Kai. "…I'm like a head shorter than you?"
And Kai was just about to say something when he realized how close they stood. [Just like the time when she was checking my eye color…] He thought and the only thing he could think of now, was how green her eyes were and how she slightly smelled of lavender.
- "I…I think the coffee is ready…" said Laynie and took a step backwards. Why was it so easy to get caught in those auburn eyes of him?
She poured the coffee into the two cups and took a zip of it. She made a face when she swallowed the bitter liquid.
- "Sugar." She muttered and dropped four bits in her coffee. Then she took a new zip, and dropped another three bits.
Kai watched her little procedure. "You don't like coffee don't you?" He said.
- "It's okay with some sugar… But I prefer tea." Laynie smiled and sat down at the table.
Kai sat down at the other side and finished his cup. Suddenly, the door opened and someone came in.
- "Hello? Is someone here?" It was Ray's voice.
- "Yeah, in the kitchen!" answered Laynie and finished her cup of coffee too. The sugar had created a thick membrane on the bottom.
- "Hi Ray! What have you been up to all the evening?" Laynie washed the cup and tried to put it back onto the shelf. This time Ray helped her out.
- "Well…" He started but stopped when he saw what Laynie was wearing. "Why are you wearing Kai's clothes?"
- "It was raining outside, and all my clothes are on laundry." Explained Laynie. "But what were you doing?"
- "Nothing." Ray said quickly, but blushed slightly.
But Laynie noticed. "Aha. You were with Mariah so then." She established and Ray blushed even deeper.
- "So, you guys are going out now or what?" Kai raised one eyebrow.
- "What? No, we aren't!" Protested Ray, though it was the truth.
Laynie and Kai exchanged a meaning gaze. "Yeah. Suuuuure." And left a frustrated Ray in the kitchen.
Kai switched on the TV and Laynie made him company.
- "And we'll come back to that when we've more information. Now, we're going to show some shots from the European Championships in Beyblading." An attractive woman in the middle ages read on the TV.
Laynie turned her head to the kitchen. "Hey Ray! It's from the Eiffel tower now!" She shouted and Ray hurried out from the kitchen and took a seat next to Kai.
- "The first battle against the famous Bladebreakers and the challengers the Shamans ended with a total victory for the Bladebreakers. Unfortunately, the next battle between the American All-Starz and the mysterious Black Cats ended with a victory for the Black Cats."
A picture of Emily's blade being knocked out of the bowl showed.
- "The two other teams who makes it to the semi-finals is the White Tigers and the Beydreamers. That was everything from me, and I'll leave it to Susan in the studio."
- "Thank you Steve…"
Kai switched off the TV again at the same moment that Max and Tyson came in through the door.
- "I don't think you should've said that to Jennifer." Max closed the door and started to untie his shoes.
Tyson snorted. "How could I've known that she was his girlfriend? It didn't look like it yesterday did it?"
- "What have Tyson done now then?" said Ray and frowned. It was just like Tyson to get into trouble.
Tyson kicked off his shoes and pushed up his baseball cap. "I happened to tell that Jennifer that Michael kinda hit on Laynie yesterday."
- "You kinda?" laughed Max and patted Tyson on his shoulder.
- "Michael is a pathetic freak. But who's' Jennifer?" replied Laynie.
- "Jennifer is a cheerleader and the All-Starz fifth blader." Explained Max.
Laynie snorted. "Air head!" She muttered, making everyone look at her.
- "Air head?" Max and Tyson said with one mouth, then looking at each other.
- "Cheerleader. That's the same thing." Said Laynie and shrugged. For her, cheerleader was a bunch of giggling, annoying girls who's biggest problem in life were if green matched their eyes or not.
- "Note to everyone! Laynie don't like cheerleaders!" established Tyson and pretended to write it in his palm.
- "Please!" Laynie rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over the chest.
Ray suspected that a fight was close and hurried to interrupt them. "I think we all should go and get some sleep now. I know that the semi-finals are in the evening, but I think we need the rest. Okay?"
No one seemed to argue with that and a moment later, they lay in their beds sleeping. Well, almost everyone…
[I hope we don't have to face the Black Cats tomorrow… I'm so not ready fort that yet… And why can't I get Kai out of my head?] Thoughts whirled around inside Laynie's head. Ray in the bed next to her was already asleep and she could catch a glimpse of a smile on his face.
[Probably dreaming of Mariah…] smirked Laynie and couldn't avoid feeling curios to know how it was to be in love… Was it really a weakness or a source to joy and happiness?
Kai was awake. He could discern Laynie's relaxed breathing and her green eyes danced in front of his closed eyes. He couldn't help but wonder… Was love really the weakness he thought of it or was it something that made you stronger?
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I'm so haaaappyyyy! This was the longest chapter this far and I think it turned out pretty well. I know that you probably wonders what Laynie sleeps in now when all her clothes were on laundry… So do I… *sweatdrops*… We can say that her clothes arrived just before they got to bed okay?
Okay, remember that I mentioned some questions earlier? I need some more constructive criticism… You can even flame me if as long as it doesn't include my spelling or grammar…
1. Should I put up some more Ray/Mariah stuff?
2. How does the All-Starz spell? Is it with s in the end or is it a z????
3. Does anyone want a sequel? I can tell that I got an interesting storyline, but I want your opinion.
Please, review and answer. If you do, maybe I'll put up the next chappie faster? *hint hint*
And if u feel for it; add me at MSN (emlan22@hotmail.com) I'm a lonely person without any friends… *sob sob*
Maybe not, but I like talking to people… (^^)
See u around!
/ Emma a.k.a dragon-eyes22