AAAWW! THANKIES TO ALL OF YOU WHO REVIEWED! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE IT! AND IN THIS CHAPTER, I CAN PROUDLY ANNOUNCE THAT I'VE RECEIVED 100 REVIEWS! AND, TO CELEBRATE A LITTLE, I'LL MAKE THIS CHAPTER LONGER THAN USUAL! ^^ GIVES OUT COOKIES
She Devil 2004: I luv all of my reviewers! And you're one of them! :) Toni mustn't keep away from Tyson but it'll not be a pairing between them! They'll be best of friends probably and let it be there. I've something else planned for Tyson in the sequel… *evil grin*
Bs3ssi0n: As I always say, I'm a bad updater so you can be lazy reviewers if you want to (but I like fast reviewers too ^^) Why did the people ignore you? Anyway, volunteer work is a great thing I think. O.O Ray? Leaving? The Bladebreakers? NOOOO!? Can't be? *kicking Ray's sorry ass* Why, why, why?!
Sacred Phoenix: Thank you thank you THANK YOU! I love reviews like this! Tips and suggestions! I'll see what I can do with this, but I don't think I'll use all of them. And for the rest of you; follow sacred phoenix's review and make me happy! ^^ And thankies for telling me Robert's last name!
Suicide-greeting: I hope Althena is under better discipline now! You really give her a hard time with all that exercise ;)
Surfergurl16: *sigh* Yup, it was short. But I blame it on my stupid writers block and give it new try!
Hikage Kitsune: I'll never stop! Try to stop me! Lol, ok, maybe I'll stop. But it's not in a soon future at least!
Mystique Rain and Cherry Rain: Lol, no, the kitty duo has been good kittens! They've updated! YAY!
Nise-anjel: LOL, maybe I should forgive Tyson this time… I mean, I've such a good paring for him in the sequel…
Bread 'N' Butter: Her dream was not sad was it? Maybe it was…? *thinks* Anyway, thanks for telling Robert's last name. And, you've to tell me if I don't keep Toni in character!
Fiver: Hm, who knows? Maybe I should kill Laynie? ^^ No, that would be too cruel doing something like that to Kai. But I like angst stuff!
Tifa May Tari: I'll update a.s.a.p but school is still first priority now when I've the most important grades waiting!
Starbugkenny: Lol, I'm glad that someone more than me like the cocked eyebrow thing cuz I think I overdo it sometimes… But it suit Laynie and Kai so good :)
Death_morals:
Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Beyblade or any of its characters. I also DO NOT own Toni, who belongs to her owner Bread 'N' Butter. I DO own Laynie, her bitbeast, Josephine and David.
Chapter Sixteen: Royal Showdown
The sun shone strongly, sending its rays into the big window and waking the sleeping teenagers.
Laynie opened her eyes slowly and sighed. She smiled. For once, she had slept the whole night and felt better than ever.
- "Morning!" She said when Kai sat up in his bed, stretching his arms into the air. His hair was a mess and he looked adorable. Laynie smiled even bigger.
Kai gave her an odd gaze. "What is it?" He frowned and watched Laynie shake her head so the strands of hair danced around her head.
- "Nothing. It's just a perfect day, that's all." Laynie swung her legs over the bed and started to search her bag for clothes. "And it will be even better when I've knocked Johnny's blade out of the bowl!"
- "I thought you were supposed to rest?" Kai couldn't hold the question.
Laynie snorted. "Trust me, I'll rest after I've had some beyblade practice."
- "Whatever." Replied Kai and sounded as he didn't cared what she did. But Laynie knew better than to believe the tone in his voice. If it was something you learned being with Kai Hiwatari, it was knowing what he REALLY meant when he said something.
- "Can I have the bathroom first?" asked Laynie and turned her head to Kai. He shrugged and Laynie took it as a "yes". She smirked and gave him a quick kiss.
- "Thanks." She whispered before disappearing into the bathroom, closing and locking the door.
[I wonder how my life would have been if Laynie hadn't joined the team?] Thought Kai as he gathered his clothes. [Probably different. Much different.]
A little smile played in the corners of his lips. It was a lot of things he wasn't so sure of anymore, but he knew something, which was for sure at least. Laynie made him feel comfortable and he loved her. Yes, loved her. He really didn't think of love as a weakness anymore and accepted it. He was human after all.
~*~ Breakfast… ~*~
- "Can you pass the salt, Ray?"
Ray gave Tyson a tired gaze before passing the salt to the hungry teenager next to him. Tyson was now on his sixth plait with pancakes and anyone stared at him with gazes between disgust and awe. How could he eat so much?
- "Mmmm, yummy!" Tyson smiled happily.
- "I agree! I've never tasted anything better!" said Toni and reached for the syrup. "May I have some more please?"
Laynie served herself a glass of juice before leaning her chin in the hand. She gazed around the room the blond boy with baby blue eyes locked her gaze with his. Enrique.
~*~ Last night… ~*~
Laynie and Kai left their room and started to get downstairs when they suddenly heard voices from the hall.
- "Enrique! Oliver! Wow, it's great to see you!" They heard Max, probably sugar high, welcome the newest guests to Johnny's castle.
- "Max! No time no see!"
Laynie sighed and gave Kai a quick smile. New people. It didn't matter what circumstances and time it was, she still thought it was terribly hard to meet new people. With some hesitation, she started to walk down the stairs.
The Bladebreakers, (not Laynie and Kai of course…) Oliver and Enrique stood gathered in a group, everyone trying to speak at the same time.
- "Hi, and who can this beauty be then?" Enrique gave Laynie his brightest smile and took her hand and kissed it.
Laynie first stared at her hand in disgust and after that, with even more disgust, on Enrique.
- "I'm Enrique -------. And it's VERY nice to meet you!"
(A/N: AAAARRRGH! I can't remember this guy's last name either O.o! Please, can someone tell me their last names?)
- "Yeah. Very…" replied Laynie and hurried to take her hand back. She glanced at Kai and found, to her surprise, that he seemed to be very… jealous… She couldn't find a better word for it and it chocked her.
- "You're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen!" continued Enrique and kept praising Laynie's appearance.
Oliver snickered. "Last time I heard that one was in France, yesterday." He whispered to Ray and Mariah who smiled in amusement.
- "If I can interrupt." Said Laynie with loud voice. "I'm NOT interested."
Enrique stopped praising Laynie and stared at her with wide eyes. "You're not… interested?" He said with shaking voice. His eyes grew bigger and he blinked twice.
- "Nice try, puppy boy." Replied Laynie and crossed her arms. "Look, I'm not interested of anything including you except beating you in a BEYBATTLE!" She gave him a challenging look.
- "Bring it on, honey. But if you loose, I'm gonna take you out on a date!" smirked Enrique.
Laynie snorted and cocked one eyebrow. "First of all, don't 'honey' me. Second, I won't date you and third, you're NOT gonna win."
- "But if you're so sure of winning, why don't you accept his condition?" Oliver spoke up and Laynie gazed on him.
- "Don't interrupt! Go and find yourself a boyfriend instead, huh!?" growled Laynie and Oliver gasped slightly.
- "What? I'm not GAY!?" He shouted, making, Robert and Johnny stare at him.
(A/N: Hehe, here you go, Sacred Phoenix!)
Laynie snorted again and placed a hand on her hip. "Well, you act and look like one?" She sighed and continued. "Anyway, I don't have time for this. Enrique, get ready to meet me in a beybattle tomorrow, straight after breakfast. Understood?"
Without waiting for an answer, she walked out of the room and upstairs again.
- "And that, was Laynie Kim."
~ Present time… ~*~
[Stupid Enrique! I can't wait to bring him off his high horses… Wish I were in a better shape though… But I'm still strong enough to win over this jerk.] Laynie was in deep thoughts and didn't register that someone was talking to her.
- "Can someone hit her or something?" complained Mariah and sighed.
- "As you wish!" agreed Tyson and punched Laynie with all his power.
Laynie almost fell of her chair and juice landed all over the table. She got up with incredible force, grasping Tyson's collar and shaking him.
- "What the hell are you doing!?" She shouted and finished her little "show" with kicking Tyson's butt, sending him across the floor. "And never do that again, ok?"
- "Pah, talk about OVER-REACTING!" replied Tyson and examined his elbow, which had taken the hardest hit…
- "Go to hell!" snarled Laynie and sat down at the table again. She took the juice can and started to pour herself another glass of juice, ignoring everyone's gazes. [Stupid Tyson… I hate him!]
Mariah gazed at the angry girl. "Seriously Laynie, if you wanna tell us something go ahead! It's better than keeping everything inside."
Laynie crossed her arms and stared out through the window. [Yeah, what IS wrong with me? Kinda hard to explain when you don't even know yourself…] She thought and sighed quietly without even noticing. But Kai did. He took her hand under the table and just held it. Tried to comfort her and telling her that he was there for her. Maybe they pretended like they didn't care at all, but they both knew that they loved each other deep and honest. And even if they built hundreds of walls for protection, they couldn't hide it for each other. Maybe that is what people call TRUE LOVE…
Laynie took a deep breath and calmed down. She turned to Kai and smiled quickly. "I'm fine. And ready for the battle!"
Kai wanted to protest but knew better than to argue with her.
- "He he. Get ready for a date with Enrique then!" smirked the blonde boy and ran his hand through his hair with a secure gesture.
- "Time to wake up maybe…" muttered Kai and glared at Enrique.
Tyson chuckled teasingly. "Look who's jealous!"
- "Get lost or, even better, why not to hell?" replied Kai with bored voice.
Tyson stuck out his tongue in another childish behavior, making Toni laugh at him.
- "I hate to say it, Tyson, but Kai's right! You really act like you're five sometimes!" She laughed and poked him in his side.
Tyson sweatdropped. "Yeah, and you're really the one telling ME that." He said and heard Toni snort.
- "Actually, I'm way for mature than you'll ever be and don't try to come here and say something different! I am and I'll always be." She paused to catch her breath again. "And for your information. You've placed cream on your toast instead of butter."
Everyone held their breath when they saw that Tyson already had taken a bite. First, he looked down at the toast and up at them again. Second, his eyes widened to the size as two plaits. Third, he spat the bite out.
- "Oh my God! Didn't anyone take a picture?" Mariah's cheerful laugh was heard all over the room and Max patted Tyson's back.
- "He, sorry dude but that expression of yours was too much!"
Tyson finished his glass of water and sent a glare to Toni who still laughed. "Gee, thanks. Why didn't you say anything earlier?"
- "Because I didn't see it! But, after all, it was your own fault." Toni replied and smiled even bigger. Laynie sighed.
- "Ok, I've had enough of this insanity. Enrique, be in the battle room in twenty minutes. Not five seconds later. Is that understood?"
Enrique smiled and made a little wave. "Anytime baby, anytime."
Laynie clenched her hands but didn't say anything. She left the room, followed by Kai.
- "I can't stand that guy!" She hissed when they came back to their room. "He annoys the hell out of me!"
Kai smiled. "You gotta be careful. Enrique is quite skilled. And you haven't seen him blade before right?"
Laynie frowned and reached for Drizzler in her left pocket. "No, but he hasn't seen my technique either?"
- "Trust me, he watched the Europeans. If he wasn't there at place, he watched you at TV…" answered Kai and fiddled thoughtfully with his Dranzer.
- "Got any tips for me then? Or maybe it's enough with a "Good luck"?" said Laynie as she tilted her head to one side.
Kai smirked and embraced her. "I think you should play mostly on attack and endurance. Do you know his bitbeast?"
Laynie hesitated. "I've heard it's a tough one with two alternative ways of attacking. But how can that be?"
- "Enrique's Amphilyon is two-headed. That's the two choices of attacking. When Tyson won, he made the two head fight AGAINST each other… I was kinda impressed."
- "I bet." Muttered Laynie and rose on her toes to give Kai a kiss. He met her soft lips and locked them in a gentle kiss.
Laynie closed her eyes and let the wave of comfortableness carry her away. This was when she really, really lived. And she loved Kai. But it was not a chance that she was gonna say it out loud yet. Nope, there was still some kinda wall to climb before she could say those three words.
- "Kai." Started Laynie and bent her neck so she could look Kai in the eyes. "I want you to promise something…"
- "It depends… What do I've to promise?"
- "Stay out of the battle. No matter what." Laynie gave him a serious gaze and waited for his reply. He sighed.
- "Whatever." Said Kai and looked away. "Try to stay out of trouble then."
Laynie smirked. "Watch me."
~*~ In the battle room… ~*~
- "Regular rules. The one spinning in the end wins." Laynie put Drizzler onto the launcher and gazed at Enrique. "Cute outfit by the way."
- "Thanks!" replied Enrique and held his launcher ready. Layne sighed. This guy just COULDN'T take an ironic comment…
Laynie's eyes narrowed as she waited for the countdown to begin. [Focus Laynie. It's all about focus… Stay calm and wait for him to reveal his lacks and technique.]
- "Three… Two… One… LEEET IIT RIIP!"
Laynie launched her diamond blade into the bowl with all the power she possessed. "Come on Drizzler! Show them how REAL beyblading looks like!"
- "Ha! My mighty Amphilyon and I will show YOU how it feels like loosing. Amphilyon, come on out and play with the kitten!"
- "Looks like Enrique won't waste any time…" established Robert and watched Amphilyon attack with both heads at the same time. "Laynie better bring her bitbeast out."
And so did Laynie. Drizzler rose from the blade in a red blast, letting out a roar before attacking the bigger bitbeast.
- "Blizzard! Freeze them to ice!" shouted Laynie and Drizzler let out a blast of ice, aiming straight at the two-headed bitbeast.
Enrique laughed. "Nice try, Laynie. Amphilyon, block it!"
[Damn] Cursed Laynie and bit her bottom lip. "Wait for his next move Drizzler!"
The two blades both waited for their opponent to move and circled around the bowl. Suddenly, Amphilyon attacked and locked Drizzler in a strong grip.
- "Try to get out of there!" Laynie tried to find an opening.
- "Kai! Help her!" yelled Mariah and grasped Kai's arm.
Kai didn't reply but frowned. Mariah shook his arm again. "Kai! Are you even listening!?"
- "Mariah, leave it. I don't think Laynie wants out help either. Look." Said Ray and nodded to the bowl. Mariah let go off Kai's arm and gazed into the bowl. Drizzler was now free and had started an attack. And this time, he was luckier.
With all the strength he possessed, Drizzler ran into Amphilyon blade and made it wobble slightly. Immediately, he followed it by another 'Blizzard' and this time, the bitbeast was trapped inside.
- "Great job Drizzler! Now finish him off!" Laynie crossed her arms and locked Enrique's gaze. She smirked.
- "Don't think it's over yet, Laynie! We still have more to give!" replied Enrique but it was already too late. Drizzler sent his opponent flying through the air, out of the bowl.
No one said a word. Laynie called back her Drizzler and caught it in her hand.
- "She… won…" whispered Oliver. "She knocked Amphilyon out… it's unbelievable."
- "You better start believing then, Oliver." Replied Kai and smirked.
- "Looks like you'll have to find yourself another date tonight, Enrique." Laynie tossed Amphilyon back to Enrique, who caught it with his hands.
Enrique made a grimace and turned to Toni with a confident smile all over his face. "What about you then? Look at those eyes!"
Toni giggled. "You're unbelievable! Don't you ever know when to give up?"
- "What about you then?" Enrique turned again, but this time to Mariah. "Why don't you dump your boyfriend and take me instead?"
- "Ahem." Said Ray loud and Enrique backed away. "She's with me and I think she'll continue with that too."
Mariah smiled and gave him a kiss as an answer. Ray blushed slightly and Laynie rolled her eyes.
- "Come on. Let's do something else now…" Tyson moaned. "We can play tennis!"
- "Tennis!?" Toni's face lit up. "I love tennis!"
- "Let's play some tennis then. If someone else doesn't have anything else to suggest…" Johnny looked around in the room.
Laynie sighed. "Why not. Maybe I can beat Enrique again…" She said and smiled.
Enrique snorted. "You can always try."
~*~ Outside, tennis court… ~*~
Laynie picked up her sketch-block and started a new picture of Ray and Mariah playing tennis. Both of them had their cat-like speed and balance so they won an easy win against Max and Kenny. Let's say that Kenny wasn't that good either…
- "Wow, you're good!" said Oliver after taking a glance on the picture.
Laynie smirked. "I'm glad to hear that you've a better taste in art than clothes."
- "Thanks, I'm flattered." Replied Oliver with ironic.
- "Anytime." Laynie frowned in concentration. Her art skills had improved a lot lately and she had a several pictures of her team now.
Kai turned his head from the sun and opened his eyes again. "Are you ready for a round at the court?" He said and Laynie nodded.
- "Give me a sec… I've to finish this, ok?" She looked up from the picture.
- "Take your time." Replied Kai and returned to the sunrays again.
(A/N: I know that this is SO NOT like Kai but what the h*ll!?)
Mariah served another ball. It was a hard, low ball just over the net and impossible for Max to return. Mariah smiled.
- "Looks like we won huh?" She said and held her hand out for Max to grab it.
- "Yup, fair and square." Replied Max and smiled he too. They turned to Kenny, who lay onto the ground, trying to catch his breath. "Or what do you say, Chief?"
Kenny sighed. "Let's say that I'll keep to play tennis at my computer in the future, ok?"
- "So, who's next then? Toni and Tyson against Kai and Laynie maybe?" Ray looked at Kai who shrugged.
- "Whatever."
Ray sighed. [Isn't that a typical answer for Kai?] He thought.
- "Hehe, Toni and I are so gonna win this!" smirked Tyson in a confident way.
- "Why don't you make that a promise then?" muttered Laynie under her breath.
Toni glared at her. "Did I ever tell you guys that I was the best tennis player in junior high?" She asked and smiled proudly.
- "No, you didn't! Then you must be good right?" Mariah tilted her head and looked curiously at the shorthaired girl. Toni shrugged.
- "I play for fun." She replied but with a very playful twinkle in her eye. "And to win of course!"
- "First one to reach thirty points ok?" Laynie took a better hold of her racket before serving the ball over the net.
Toni returned the ball with easiness and sent it away in a hard smash. "Get that one if you can!"
- "Why wouldn't I?" Kai returned the ball again and that was how they continued for like an hour more…
The sun shone even more now and both of the couples were tired.
- "Can someone win, please?" Moaned Max and took another zip of his lemonade. "You guys have been doing the same thing forever now… Can't we make it a tie?"
Kenny looked up from his laptop to start his lecture. "If this tennis tournament is supposed to work, someone has to win. If no one win, no one can move on to the next level. That's why…"
He was cut short by a… tennis ball? Yes, a green ball landed right at Kenny's cheek, making him fall off the chair and land onto the hard ground.
- "Oh, my God. What happened? Where did that one come from?"
Everyone immediately started looking at Tyson, who's jaw dropped.
- "Why do you guys always think it was me?" He shouted and crossed his arms.
- "Because it always is you Tyson!" replied Kai.
Laynie covered her mouth with her hand to hide her big smile. "Yeah, but this time it wasn't Tyson actually."
- "Who was it then?"
They moved their gazes to Toni instead, who smiled weakly and waved at them trying to look innocent. "Hi there…" She said and blushed.
- "Toni! And I thought you were good at tennis!?" Oliver gave Toni a gaze showing confusedness and amusement.
Toni pretended to be hurt. "I am! But it was Tyson's fault!"
- "Yeah, blame it at me. As always!"
- "Ah, who cares? You did lost so you're out of the tournament." Said Robert and gave them a stern look.
- "Actually, they can have our place… The two of us have some things to do." Said Kai and gave Laynie a gaze telling her that he would explain later. Laynie nodded.
- "Yeah, good luck. You'll need it." Laynie smiled and handed her racket to Johnny.
She took Kai's hand and they wandered off to some more private place…
Enrique's jaw dropped, making Ray smile, Mariah giggle and Tyson drop onto his knees laughing like a maniac.
- "Are they a COUPLE?"
- "Yes, your dumb ass! Why did you think Kai was acting like he was when you hit on Laynie like that?" Toni crossed her arms and shook her head at the blonde boy.
- "Hey, don't ask for me to understand that guy! He's a complete mystery…" replied Enrique and sighed. "I can't believe Mr. Moody found himself a girlfriend that pretty…"
Mariah laughed. "Aw, come on! You gotta see that those are practically made for each other?!"
- "Why can't I find someone like that?" Complained Enrique and sighed again.
~*~ In the park belonging to the castle… ~*~
- "So, why did you bring me out here?" asked Laynie and looked up on Kai's face.
He sighed and started searching his pockets for something. He pulled out an envelope and handed it to Laynie. "Read."
- "I don't read other people's mail…" protested Laynie and frowned.
- "Come on Laynie, just read it. But it won't be happy news…" scowled Kai and Laynie opened the white envelope, pulling out a white paper.
Kai,
I've heard that you and the girl Laynie Kim have something going on. And I want it to stop immediately. You don't need her and I want you to focus. Get rid of her NOW and no consequences must be done. Remember, Dranzer still belongs to the Hiwatari family.
Voltaire Hiwatari
- "What!?" Laynie spat out and furiously put the paper back in the envelope. "What's wrong with him?"
But suddenly, it hit her. What if Kai was gonna do as his grandfather had said?
- "Are you gonna obey him, Kai?" She asked quietly and waited for a reply. But Kai didn't answer. His gaze was drifting away in deep thoughts…
- "Kai!?" Laynie pulled his arm and brought him back into reality. "Are you gonna obey him?"
Kai looked at her. "Of course not!" He said and embraced her. "Why would I? You're the only one I really care about in this stupid world."
[Exactly what I wanted to hear Kai…] Laynie thought and smiled. "You got me worried a while there…" She said out loud.
Kai took a hold on her shoulders and looked at her. "You don't have to worry. Ever."
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Ok, it didn't turn out as long as I wanted it to be but I really wanted to update before I go to my friend. I won't be able to update this week… But, please, continue with all of your lovely reviews and I'll update as fast as I can!
*hugs*
/ Emma