I finally updated!!! So sorry for the long delay...with crucial chemistry, having a major writer's block, and having your younger sister who is also writing a story bug you 24/7...it took me a while to update...so very sorry for those who waited for weeks for this chapter...but not to worry cause it's finally here...well, enough of me already...enjoy the fic!!!!

Oh yeah...I don't own BeyBlade...sucks I know...

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Chapter 7: Secret Admirers?!

The next morning was uneventful since both captains avoided each other at all possible costs. However, every once in a while they would glare at each other. This went unnoticed by both teams except for one person's ever watching eye. The amazement of the morning was when Karen actually woke Tyson up on time. The others thought she was crazy in volunteering to room with Tyson, but they thought if she could put up with him then they wouldn't object. Julie and Max also roomed together and Ray got his own room until Mr. Dickinson came.

The rest of the day was spent sight seeing and such. Obviously Kai went off by himself, most likely to go train. They guessed that Celia wanted to be by herself when she walked off. The rest of the group all actually had fun and pretty soon it was time to get ready for the banquet. All the girls invaded Karen and Tyson's room to get ready while Tyson went into Max's room.

About two hours later all the boys were waiting in the lobby of the hotel for the girls. They were all dressed nicely yet casually and comfortably. Kenny was wearing a white button down shirt with long-sleeves, tucked into a pair of smoke gray pants. He was also wearing black shoes and a black belt to finish the look. Max was wearing a white polo shirt with slightly baggy khaki's and light brown shoes. Tyson was wearing almost the same thing except he wore a navy blue polo shirt. Ray went with a dress-up look. He wore a pair of black slacks with a white long-sleeve, button-up shirt tucked in neatly with a black belt with a silver buckle. To finish the look, he wore black dress shoes. Kai was dressed the most casual but still very nicely. He too wore slightly baggy black slacks with a platinum buckle black belt. He wore a smoke gray short-sleeve t-shirt tucked in that fitted nicely on him. Finally he wore black shoes to finish the look.

They were all sitting ever so patiently when three figures suddenly made their way down the right staircase. All the guys looked up to have their jaws drop and eyes almost literally popping out of their sockets, for the exception of Ray and of course Kai. He only had a very surprised look on his face while Ray had a surprised smile on his face. Kenny, Max, and Tyson had dazed looks on their faces as Sophie, Julie, and Karen walk casually over to the guys.

"You girls look great!" Ray complimented to the girls.

"Thanks! But all the praise should go to Celia. She's the one who helped us mostly with everything," Karen replied with a smile and a wink.

All three girls were wearing traditional Chinese outfits but each had their own styles. Karen had on a regular Chinese dress that was so light a pink that it was almost white with silver white designs. It went down past her knee with slits on each side that went up to the mid-thigh. She wore white high-heeled, strap sandals. The top half of her hair was pulled up into two buns with two strands framing her face. She had on silver white eye shadow with clear lip gloss that had a hint of pink in it. She also had on silver teardrop earrings, a silver star pendant, and a simple chain anklet. Her nails and toe nails were French-tipped with some kind of Victorian style design on the bottom left corner on the left hand and on the bottom right corner on the right hand.

Sophie had a some what same style except that hers was baby blue and stopped above her knees with slits on both sides stopping at mid-thigh. She had on the same shoes and color as Karen. Her hair was pulled up into a single tight bun with small fake white flowers all around the base of the bun with two strands framing her face. Her eye shadow was silver in color and the same lip gloss as Karen. Her ears bore silver studded earrings and a silver chain anklet with a single dangling star charm. Her nails were also French-tipped with small flower designs in the same places as Karen.

Julie wore a lavender Chinese shirt with silver white designs and linings. The front had a v-shaped opening with a white tank showing. She wore a matching skirt that went to her ankles with a mid-thigh slit on the right side. She also had on the same shoes as the others. Her hair was pulled into two buns. The base had her hair sticking out all around (kind of looks like a sun) and two strands framing her face with some loose strands here and there. She had on silver purple eye shadow and lip gloss. Silver loop earrings with a star charm dangled her ears along with a simple silver anklet adorning her right ankle. She had French-tipped nails with small star designs in the same corners as Karen and Sophie. All in all the girls looked fantastic.

"Where's Celia?" Tyson asked looking around for her.

"Umm...uhh..." Karen muttered with a questioning look toward her fellow teammates.

"I'm here!!"

Everyone turned toward the staircase to see Celia rushing down the stairs as fast as she could with what she was wearing. She had a shirt similar to Julie's except hers was blue and wore a black tank underneath. She had on a black skirt that reached to her feet with slits on her sides that reached to mid-thigh. She had on the same shoes as the others for the exception that they were black. Her hair was pulled back into a messy bun with chopsticks, two strands framing her face with loose strands. She had on silver blue eye shadow and same lip gloss as the others. Her ears adorned silver loop earrings and another silver stud earring on her left ear and a silver bracelet with star charms and a silver anklet. Her nails were French-tipped but with no special designs.

"Sorry I took so long. I couldn't find one of my shoes," Celia said with a sheepish look.

"Since we're all here, let's get going!" Max said excitedly. Everyone began to walk towards the doors when Celia suddenly gasped. Everyone turned toward her with questioning faces.

"I almost forgot!" Celia exclaimed. She turned toward Ray. "There was a person delivering something to your room Ray. He asked me where you were because he said it was important. I told him to place it in our room and I would get you."

"Oh! Well, I wouldn't want to keep you guys waiting on me," Ray began to protest.

"Well, we could go on ahead and you could catch up to us when your done," Karen said happily.

"All right, I'll see you all later," Ray said taking off toward his room.

"All right everybody, let's go!" Karen exclaimed happily. Karen and Tyson led the way, followed by Kenny and Sophie, Max and Julie, and bringing the rear was Celia and Kai.

***

'Hmm...I wonder what could be so important,' Ray thought making his way to his room. When he got to his room, he noticed it was still slightly opened. What struck him odd was that the light was on. 'Hmm...that's weird. Wonder why the lights are still on? Shouldn't they be off?' He cautiously opened the door, getting ready for whatever that was in his room. When he fully opened the door, he saw nothing was out of the ordinary. He glanced around and noticed an envelop at the end of the bed. He walked over to his bed and picked up the envelop and opened it. The note inside struck him confused. It read:

Turn around.

Suddenly he heard a slight noise behind him and quickly turned around. What he saw added shock to his confusion. He just stared at the person before him, not knowing what to say.

"Hi Ray. Good to see you again."

" *gasp* Uh...Mariah! What are you doing here?" Ray asked shocked beyond words.

"Well actually it was weird. Mr. Dickinson asked me if I wanted to accompany you guys for the tournament. Since I didn't have anything better to do and I missed you so much...I agreed," Mariah explained briefly.

Ray came out of his shocked state and a big smile came on his face. "That's great! Are you coming with us to the banquet right now?"

"Why do you think I'm dressed up?" Mariah asked with a playful glare.

At that, Ray took full notice of what she was wearing. She was wearing a white sleeveless silk like shirt with the upper front draped but not revealing too much. Her skirt was white and silk like as well with the left end ending at her knees and the right side going down in a diagonal just above her ankles. She seemed to have on the same shoes as Celia and were white as well. Her hair was done up in its original hairstyle except the ribbon was white. Her eye shadow was white with clear lip gloss. To Ray, she looked like an angel.

"So Ray, how about we get going?" Mariah asked shyly.

"Yeah! Let's go!" Ray exclaimed taking Mariah's hand and leading her out the door and heading toward the banquet.

***

"Whoa!! Check this place out you guys!" Tyson exclaimed when they got to the banquet hall. The banquet hall was elegantly decorated with many separate tables enough to fit the partnered teams. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, luminating the room. There was a stage at the far end of the room with a microphone stand on it by itself. Each of the round tables had a floral centerpiece, beautifully done with a sign indicating the teams' seats. The Bladebreakers and Sacred Stars found their table but continued to be mesmerized by the beautifully decorated hall.

Kai on the other hand was uninterested by everything around him and his thoughts were centered around one thing...or rather a certain person. He couldn't believe that this girl was starting to have an effect on him. When he first saw her coming down the staircase back at the hotel, he was left breathless. He couldn't believe that is was the same girl that got on his nerves. Now he couldn't help himself think about her and steal secret glances at her. 'Ugh...what's the matter with me? I shouldn't be bothered with her annoying presence. I should be focusing on the task at hand.'

Celia was looking around the room with wary eyes. She was scoping out the competition, seeing if she knew any of the competing teams. All of the teams weren't present, yet she could recognize some of the teams. She would have to wait until later for all the teams to be here. 'So far we have nothing to worry about,' Celia thought to herself.

Are you sure, young Mistress? I sense that all the teams so far have bit beasts. Esdraloon said some what worriedly in Celia's mind.

'I know, but they're nothing compared to our power, right Esdraloon?' Celia spoke back to her bit beast with a knowing smile.

Of course Mistress. No doubt about it! Esdraloon exclaimed proudly.

Celia smiled proudly at her bit beast's enthusiasm when something some what familiar caught her eye. She turned to take another look when she was interrupted by Karen's cheery voice.

"Come on Celia! All of the teams are here. We need to get to our table," Karen said excitedly while tugging on Celia's arm.

"All right all right! Let's go!" Celia said with a happy smile. She allowed Karen to lead her to their table where the guys and the rest of her team sat. Somehow the seating was arranged that she was sitting next to the arrogant, ice-cold king himself. She was reluctant to sit next to him but all the others were already seated and seemed very comfortable at where they were. She was surprised to see Ray and Mariah already there and chatting away to catch up on the only few days they've been apart from each other.

All the teams were settling down, all talking excitedly to each other. As soon as everyone was settled, a representative from the BBA office walked onto the stage to the microphone. All competitors turned their attention to the representative and listened to what he had to say.

"Welcome all teams to the world's first ever BeyDoubleBlade Tournament sponsored by the BBA. As you all know, the actual tournament doesn't begin until a couple of weeks from now, but that should give you all plenty of time to prepare. All rules still apply in this tournament and all captains were informed of the new rules and should have told their teams," the officer stated to the teams with an excited look on his face. Nods and murmurs rang throughout the hall. The officer raised his hand and the hall became silent once again. "Before the banquet begins, I would like to introduce the captains of all the teams. I ask that when I call your name you stand to show yourself to everyone. Now, first team we have Patrick of Lightning Storm." At that a boy with brown hair and green eyes stood. "Patrice of Divine Winds, their beyblade partners. Next we have Travis of Fire Blazers and Tara of the Gaia Girls as a partnered team. Then we have Kegan from the CircuitBreakers and Samara from the Tsunami Sisters. Now we have Evan from the Heartbreakers and Riley from the Wisterias. Next is Justin from Seraphim and Angela from Cherubim. Now here is a real shocker to you all. We have Tala from the Demolition Boys and Sidra from the Trinity. Here are Europe's own champions the Majestics with Robert and Alexis from the Mystics. And now let me introduce to you the teams that will give this tournament real hardcore competition. We have the actual World Champions the Bladebreakers with their captain Kai and their partnered team, the undefeatable champions of the all girls team championships, Celia of the Sacred Stars!"

A buzz rang throughout the whole hall at hearing that the Bladebreakers and Sacred Stars were a partnered team. Although there was talk about them throughout the hall, Kai and Celia were oblivious to all noise. A grim look were on both of their faces at hearing that the Demolition Boys and the Trinity were competing in this very tournament. Thoughts and questions were running through their heads but one stuck out the most...'This tournament will be harder than I thought...'

The representative got their attention once again to say a final word. "Well, there you have it. I along with everybody else from the BBA wish everyone good luck and train hard cause everyone expects great battles from everyone. Well, enough of me, enjoy the banquet!" the officer exclaimed and at that moment waiters and waitresses were filing out to get everyone's orders. Each table had at least two waiters or waitresses getting everyone's orders and rushing away to the chefs.

Everyone began chatting away while waiting for their food, for the exception of two oddly quiet captains. Kai and Celia were unusually silent, each lost in their own thoughts. Unknown to each other, they were both thinking the along the same lines. They were knocked out of their thoughts with loud clapping and cheering, signaling that their meals were ready. Waiters and waitresses were balancing plates of food with expertise while weaving their way the correct tables.

"Finally! I am so hungry!" Tyson exclaimed when a waitress placed his meal in front of him.

"Tyson! Show some manners!" Kenny exclaimed to the navy haired teen.

"Yes Tyson, please. Show some respect to the rest of the patrons and owners of the hall," Karen asked sweetly to Tyson. Tyson nervously backed away a little from Karen with blush evident on his face. He gulped and nodded to her indicating that he would try. Karen just smiled and went back to her meal. Everyone gave a smile for the exception of Kai.

While they were eating, a waiter came to the Bladebreaker and Sacred Stars' table with a single red rose and a note attached. "Excuse me," the waiter said to the two teams. Everyone turned their attention to the waiter.

"Yes? What is it?" Karen asked nicely with a smile.

"Um...I have a special delivery for a Miss Celia of the Sacred Stars. A young man asked me to give this rose and this note to her," the waiter stated rather nervously, somewhat fidgeting in place.

"Uhh...that would be me," Celia said with a shocked expression on her face. If anybody was looking, they would see Kai seethe with anger at the person who sent her the rose. 'Arg! What's the matter with me?!' Kai thought to himself angrily.

"Here you are Miss," the waiter said politely, handing her the note attached rose. Taking the rose shyly, she nodded and mumbled a "Thank you" to the waiter. He smiled and walked back to the kitchen area.

Celia was just idly fingering the rose and note when she suddenly had the feeling that she was being watched. And indeed she was. The whole table was looking at her expectantly, waiting to hear who gave her the simple but romantic gift. She was taken slightly a back but countered with "What?!" in an annoyed tone.

"Well?! Aren't you gonna read the note?!" Mariah asked anxiously. The other girls had anxious and excited looks as well. The boys were just interested in who would give her a rose. Kai just sat there with his arms crossed and eyes closed, looking not interested, but in reality very interested in who had an interest in her.

Celia just sighed in defeat. "All right all right! Gosh! I was gonna open it later but..." she trailed off while taking the note off the rose and opening it. The note was written in a neat cursive handwriting, very elegant for a boy's handwriting. She scanned over the note and gave a small gasp while a slight blush rose on her cheeks. The girls gave a surprised gasp at seeing Celia's reaction to the note. Not wanting to wait any longer, Karen snatched the note from Celia's hand and quickly read the note. When she finished, she gave a slight squeal of excitement.

"Well? What's it say?!" Mariah asked with anticipation. Julie and Sophie nodded in agreement, urging Karen to read the note out loud.

Karen calmed down a bit and cleared her throat to proceed to read the note. "Ahem...

'To the beautiful star maiden,

I can only wish that I could always be within your presence to feel the warmth that radiates from your very soul. You are a very beautiful sight to behold, but you are so close and yet so far that this rose is as close as I can get to such a beautiful creature as you. You shall forever be my shining star that I will follow.'

Karen concluded with a wide smile on her face. The other girls squealed with excitement and the boys were just surprised but had smiles on their faces as well.

Celia on the other hand was wondering who this "secret admirer" could be. She began to look around the room but could see no one of the obvious. The weird thing was that she had the feeling that the person was watching her. She gave a slight shudder and shook away the feeling.

Kai was still keeping to himself and keeping his comments to himself but couldn't help but let on slip. "Hmph! Who would want to be your secret admirer. Whoever wrote that must be a senseless dolt," Kai sneered with a smirk.

At hearing the comment, Celia turned to him with a slight growl on her face. She was about to argue back when a waitress came up to them. Celia turned her attention to the waitress who was holding a small wrapped gift in her hands.

"Excuse me," the waitress politely intervened.

The others stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to the waitress as well.

"Yes? What is it?" Celia asked with a hint of curiosity.

"I have a gift for Kai of the Bladebreakers. A young lady asked me to give this to him," she stated calmly with a smile on her face. At hearing this everyone looked at Kai with surprise on their faces. To further their shock, Kai had a surprised look on his face as well. He looked up to the waitress and she handed him the small gift. He took it with some hesitation and the waitress left. He just placed it on the table while everyone else looked on with anxiety. He looked up to see everyone staring at him. He answered their unasked question. "There's no note."

Everyone sighed in disappointment, the guys especially since it would have given them the chance to tease Kai a little. Everyone went back to talking excitedly at who Celia and Kai's secret admirers could be. Celia had something else in mind.

"Now look who has a secret admirer," Celia teased to the blue haired boy. Kai just ignored her and went back to his dinner. Celia smirked and went back to her meal as well. They were tied.

***

Unknown to Kai and Celia, two figures were watching them very closely. They were both thinking the very same thing. 'He'll/She'll soon be mine...'

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Yay! This chapter is finally done! Too bad it's a little cliffhanger...but where's the fun without them? hehe...Anyway please review and I shall update as soon as I can! But I won't guarantee that it will be very soon I'm afraid...so so sorry! Until next time!

later

lonelistar05