Anim3-anj3l: Might be Kai… Might not be. I would vote for the last one though
Surfergurl16: Glad you found my update quick enough :) Too bad this one isn't…
Lil Tanuki: Lol, yeah, I've been wondering where you'd gone. Of course I remember you! I'm sorry I haven't reviewed steadily but I hardly find time to read other fics nowadays… Tyson's last name is Kinomiya in Japanese. In Sweden it's Granger too but I prefer Kinomiya. I thought of rename him as Takao Kinomiya but Tyson goes so much better than Takao… right? I guess I've some kinda pride myself too but since I don't have much of a love life it doesn't' matter.
Jen: Thanks! I'll try to update a.s.a.p
Cyberlink42: Thanks!
Nise-anjel: Yeah, love IS complicated. By the way, happy late b-day!
Endlessdeviltry: Next chapter's coming along here! Sorry to keep you waiting!
Ruby Moon: Aww, thanks! :D
Bs3ssi0n: Yay! Finally I can spell your name! :D Yeah, I know who she bumped into (of course). But how many people have turquoise eyes? ;)
Kinau: Wow, I feel honored! But I can assure you that there are a lot of authors out here who are way better than me. But I don't mind at all being on your Author Alert!
Tru-Lone-Wolf: No problems with the review at all! But, I'm not some kinda expert at all so everything I write in my reviews is from my own point of view! But, if someone wants me to read and review a fic, tell me your penname and I'll do it!
Lil baby phoenix: Thanks a lot.
Kelly (Beddy): 1. Sorry for the name confusion --;… 2. No problems 3. What kinda flute do you play? I play two types
Starbugkenny: Yeah, of course I've missed you! :D
Sacred Phoenix: What's wrong with author's alerts? You mean it's annoying? New challenges and teams are coming soon!
chikaitou-411: Thanks a lot! Nice to see a new face! :D
Disclaimer: I don't own any of Beyblade's characters and I do not own Toni who belongs to Bed 'N' Breakfast. I do own Laynie and her bitbeast, Josephine and probably all of the people you don't recognize…
Chapter Two: Deep As The Ocean
Mariah smirked as she watched her friend turn on her heel and race back to their cabin. Laynie seemed to be a little happier now when she had more things upon her mind, things that could keep her from concentrating on Hiwatari too much…
When Laynie had come over to China, she had been very moody and hadn't talked much at all. But after a while, she had opened up a little and she smiled more often. Mariah was glad she had. It was no fun when one of her best friends was unhappy and she couldn't help.
Mariah was a caring person, she just was. It wasn't something she had to force herself to. It was in her heart.
[Maybe a new boyfriend could her Laynie stop thinking of Kai and move on?] She wondered and smiled. [I guess we're on the right place then. It must be loads of good-looking bladers here!]
Mariah blushed as she realized what she just had thought. It wasn't like she was tired of Ray or something! No, she was more in love with Ray than ever and nothing in the world could change that!
Suddenly, a loud crash, followed by an "Ouch!" could be heard around the corner Laynie had turned and Mariah hurried over.
In a mess on the floor, Laynie lay in a heap with a red-haired boy with turquoise eyes. Mariah's eyes widened. Was this boy handsome or what?!
- "Get off me!" Laynie muttered and tried to shove the boy away. But he was too heavy.
- "What an attitude! You were the one who bumped into me after all!" The boy replied and started to get up from the floor.
- "Yeah, but why didn't you look out? You must have heard me coming!" Laynie continued as she got up on her feet again.
The redhead gazed at her in disbelief. "Do I look like someone who has an X-ray vision or what?" He said and Laynie could see a little smile play in the corner of his mouth.
- "Maybe." She said and crossed her arms.
- "Yeah right…," the boy said and snorted. "Hey, aren't you from the Bladebreakers?"
But Laynie didn't reply and Mariah did it instead.
- "She's Laynie Kim and I'm Mariah Lan. I'm from the White Tigers."
(A/N: Hm, I believe I've heard that Mariah's last name is Lan… But I'm not sure, ok?)
- "Nice to meet you. You're Ray Kon's girl huh?" the redhead replied. "I'm Tala Valkov but the way."
Mariah nodded proudly and blushed slightly. She glanced over to Laynie and was surprised to find her with an almost happy expression over her face.
- "Tala Valkov?" Laynie said and started smiling. "From Russia?"
- "Um, yeah? How did you know that?" Tala frowned and gazed at Laynie.
- "Don't you remember me? We used to play when we were younger." Laynie smiled and her green eyes started to sparkle.
Tala stared at her for a moment and Laynie could almost see how hard he was thinking to remember her. After some seconds, a smile lit up the redhead's face.
- "Wow, sorry I didn't recognize you but it has been a while you know." He said and Laynie shook her head, smiling.
- "Don't worry. Must be seven years ago now, right? For you at least." Laynie said and Tala nodded.
Mariah was confused. Who was this Tala? How did he know Laynie? And why was Laynie so happy to see him? WHAT WAS HAPPENING?
- "Ahem," she cleared her throat to get Laynie's attention again. "Can anyone explain to me what's going on here?"
Laynie turned to her pink-haired friend and gave her an apologizing gaze. "Sorry, Mariah. You see, Tala and I used to play together when we were around nine, when our families had important meetings."
- "Play?" Tala interrupted. "You mean beyblading?"
- "Come on, Tala. We did more than just beyblade?" Laynie tried as she gave him an amused gaze.
She knew that Beyblade had been the only thing they had talked about when they met, but it wasn't really their fault. Growing up in a family which entire life existing for beyblading had some certain effects. Laynie and Tala had breath beyblading and every free minute had been spent on improving their skills. Just to become the greatest beyblader ever.
- "Do you still live at home, Tala?" Laynie suddenly said and her features darkened.
Tala gave her a painful look before lowering his gaze to the ground. Since the World Championships in the Biovolt Stadium, his father Boris Valkov was now in prison and Tala was all on his own.
- "No." He simply said and Laynie knew better than to push him further when he sounded like he did.
- "Ok." She said and smiled weakly.
- "What about you?" Tala said and cocked one eyebrow. "You still live in the huge mansion of yours?"
Laynie shook her head. "Kicked out…" She mumbled without meeting his gaze.
An uncomfortable silence settled between the three of them and Laynie shifted foot over and over. Tala cleared his throat and stared at the ceiling.
- "So…," Mariah started. "Where were we going, Laynie?"
- "Oh, yes. Sorry, Mariah." Laynie replied, happy that someone had broken the silence. She turned to Tala. "I'm sorry Tala, but we've to go now. But I'll see you around, ok?"
Tala smiled and nodded. "Yeah, probably have some classes together too. By the way, say hi to Kai when you see him. If I remember it right, you guys are a couple?"
Laynie smiled faded away. "Not really…" She said as she turned on her heel and disappeared down the corridor again to get Ray's CD.
Mariah smiled apologizing at him before following her friend. "Bye Tala, see you later!"
---------------
Tala followed Mariah and Laynie with his gaze and smirked. It had been long since he had seen his friend and to see her again made him happier than ever. He had missed her. Even though Laynie could be a little cold and closed sometimes when you first meet her, there was a warm and caring person hidden behind all those walls she had put up to hide. But Tala knew he was just the same. Growing up in families like they had put a lot of pressure on them. They needed to success. To win every beybattle and always be the best. It could be too much for a child.
- "Valkov, what's up with the smirking?"
A voice snapped Tala out of his thoughts and he turned around to face the speaker.
It was Kai. First, Tala's eyes widened in surprised but soon, an amused smile settled onto his lips. When Tala had been placed in the Abbey, Kai Hiwatari, grandson to the important man Voltaire Hiwatari, had become his friend and no one else understood him better than this blue-haired guy.
- "Nothing. Met an old friend, that's all." Tala replied.
- "Wow, Valkov. You actually have friends?" Kai said and pretended to be surprised. All of this teasing and joking was part of his and Tala's friendship and both of them were used to it.
- "Well, well…," Tala continued. "What is it I'm hearing about you and Laynie Kim?"
Kai winced as he heard Laynie's name. It was sad to see what they had become. Friends. And maybe not even that.
- "I guess I heard wrong, or what?" Tala said and frowned.
- "No, you didn't." Kai said slowly and shook his head. "We were a couple, but I screwed up big time and I broke up with her accidently."
- "You broke up with her accidently?" Tala replied in disbelief. "How the hell do you break up with someone accidently? Did you say it in your sleep or what?"
- "I don't wanna talk about it." Kai looked away and refused to meet Tala's gaze.
Tala shrugged. He knew better than to push Kai when he acted like he did now. After all, he wasn't gonna start a fight with him the very first time he met him in six years…
- "Fine with me. But Laynie seemed pretty low." Tala couldn't keep the accusing tone out of his voice and Kai winced again.
- "Thanks Valkov. That really cheered me up…"
Tala smirked. "You're welcome." He said and winked at his friend. "So, what have you been up to lately? Except for winning the European I mean."
Kai started walking down the corridor and Tala followed.
- "Nothing… Since I don't live home at the mansion anymore, there's not much to do when there's no tournaments…" Kai said with a bored voice.
- "You're not staying with Voltaire any longer?" Tala's voice was surprised. "How come?"
Kai gave him an odd look. "Where have you been the whole summer?" He said with a sarcastic tone.
(A/N: Hm, was it IRONIC or SARCASTIC? Can't remember… Correct me if I'm wrong…)
- "Haha. Very funny." Tala said. "But tell me then."
- "Voltaire's trying to take over the world once again and Jack Kim is helping him. But it surprises me that Boris hasn't announced his part yet…" Kai explained and this time, it was Tala's turn to wince. His father's presence still was a sensitive chapter and to be honest, Tala avoided it as much as he could. But he couldn't run from the past forever. Soon, it would come back and Tala would have to face his fears once again. But this time, he was on the right side at least.
- "Boris is still in prison." Tala mumbled and Kai nodded.
A silence settled between them and no one felt any desire to break it. Kai studied his left hand while Tala stared at a spot on the wall in front of them.
- "But, if I've got it right, you're living on your own you too?" Kai suddenly said and broke the silence.
Tala nodded. "Yeah," he said and looked back at Kai. "Can be damn lonely sometimes…" He added and smirked.
- "Talk about it… Haven't met anyone since July…" Kai replied. "Not that I needed it. I've been beyblading a lot, because of… You know what."
- "Yeah…" Tala confirmed that he knew what Kai meant. With Biovolt's threat hanging above them, everyone's skills needed to be almost perfection.
-----------------
- "Man, this is crazy!" Tyson exclaimed as he received the following year's scheme with all of the classes they were gonna have.
- "I suggest we make a demonstration! No way I'm gonna take this!" Toni shook her head and her eyes shimmered in defiance.
- "Come on guys, how tough can it be?" Max tried to cheer them up. "And look! We've at least two hours of beyblade practice every day."
Tyson snorted. "Wow, two hours? Very generous. Last year I could beyblade ALL THE DAY!" He shouted out the last part of the sentence.
- "Shut up, Tyson!" Kai demanded and sent one of his best death-glares at him.
Tyson stuck out his tongue and made a face.
Laynie gazed at her teammates and sighed. [Some thins never changes…] She thought as she bit her bottom lip. She glanced over at Kai. [But I guess some does…]
The two classes had been arranged so three teams had formed one class each. The Bladebreakers had been placed together with the White Tigers and the Demolition Boys. It was a great class, and Laynie was happy with being in the same class as Tala.
- "Tala!" She whispered and poked her red-haired friend in his back to get his attention. He turned around and gave her a smile.
- "What's up, "Pixie"?" He said and smirked as he saw Laynie wince when she heard her nickname. Tala had given her the nickname "Pixie" long time ago, from her short length and Laynie had hated as much as he loved it.
- "Don't call me that." She said and crossed her arms. "You know I hate it."
Tala chuckled. "Sorry, but some things NEVER changes you know. Besides, I like it."
- "Whatever you say, red-head…" Laynie mumbled and shook her head. She knew it was worthless arguing with Tala. First of all, he was one year older and second, Laynie secretly enjoyed that someone cared for her so much to give her a nickname.
Mariah who sat next to Ray smiled inwardly as she saw the red-haired boy talk to her friend. Tala seemed to be a good friend and she knew it would be good for Laynie to have her mind on different things than Kai all the time. Sure, the best of everything would of course be if Kai apologized to Laynie and got together with her again. But, Mariah doubted that would ever happen…
- "Silence, please!"
The teacher had stepped into the room and waited for the class to settle down and be quiet. And soon, everyone was. Well, except for two people…
- "Miss. LaVelle and Mr. Kinomiya, would you please be quiet?"
Toni looked up as she heard someone say her name and elbowed Tyson to shut up. She smiled innocently at the woman in front of them.
- "Thank you…," the teacher said. "I'm Joanna McKenzie for everyone who didn't know. I'm gonna be responsible for this class, so if you have any questions or if you're in trouble, all you have to do is come to me and I'll help you out as much as I can. Now, I'll do a roll-call to check so everyone is here and not somewhere else…"
As Miss. McKenzie begun the roll-call, Laynie let her gaze rest at Kai's handsome features. He sat alone, like Laynie, and had his eyes closed and arms crossed. Laynie felt a big squeeze around her heart. Not being able to touch him, not being able to kiss him… Laynie knew she had told herself that it was hate she felt, nothing but hate, but it seemed to be easier said and done. Even though she tried so hard, everything melted away and the only thing she could feel was sorrow. She felt so cold and lonely that it almost made her cry sometimes and she missed having him to comfort her.
But did she want him back?
One part of her still held her strong pride but another part wanted him back so badly it almost hurt. Mixed emotions and Laynie had no idea which one she preferred.
----------------
Kai opened his eyes as he felt someone's gaze upon him. And he was surprised when he Laynie's green eyes locked with him. And he couldn't tear his eyes away. But he wanted to do it. He could see right into Laynie's very deep soul and he didn't like what he saw at all… It pained him to see her so sad and hurt.
[It's… It's almost like she's… HEARTBROKEN?] Kai thought. [And it's all my fault…]
§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§
sigh I know it's short. Again. But you can't even imagine how much trouble I had writing this chapter… Wow… I'm in desperate need of some inspiration…
Thanks to all of you who told me Tyson's dad's name. Even though you weren't sure, I'm gonna use it…
So, next chapter then… The problem is that I know what to write in future chapters but to get there is another history… So, if anyone of you guys has any suggestion of a smaller thing that could happen in the next chapter, please tell me in a review! It could be everything from Tyson falling into the water to Max practicing cancan. (Silly I know but anyway… --,) Basically, it can be everything. EXCEPT, Laynie and Kai get together. Hehe, I already have things planned out for them
And now, school is over for me so I've around 2½ months of FREEDOM! And freedom means more time to write! :D
Hugs, Emma (dragon-eyes22)
(By the way, if anyone has any questions about the fic or just wanna talk to me, catch me on MSN and I'll be happy to chat with you! emlan22hotmail.com