Chapter 4 - Discoveries Anew
Beginning the second half of its daily journey the midday sun blazed fierily in the pale sky above, while its exact twin was reflected in the vast mirror of blue below. An on rush of miniature waves racing across its surface shattered the mirror like surface, causing the mirrored scene to waver rapidly as the towering bow of the Aurora glided through.
At midday the Aurora's decks were at their peak, crawling with life where ever you went, from those who enjoyed walking along the liner's decks, to those either bathing by the pool or sheltering in the shade of the cafe's overhang. It was under the white overhang that two such individuals sort shelter from the sun's warming rays. Sitting at one of the cafe's tables overlooking the pool area below, a glass of ice topped soda before each of them, the two could be heard laughing. Other couples situated around the area or those which walked past, could only smile at the sight of the young couple before them, each remembering what it was like when they had first begun to date.
"....before any of us could warn him Tyson had gone running into the chair, ending up in a heap of the floor. I've never seen anyone so shocked in all my life."
Finishing his tale about Tyson's earlier mishap Rei flicked back a stray piece of hair with the back of his hand, giving him a better view of his companion. Sitting across the table from him, their chin resting on the back of their raised hands, Sazuka sat with a look of amusement on her face. Once finished with his tale Sazuka gave her head a little shake before meeting Rei's amber gaze with her own greyish one.
"You really do have some unusual friends Rei, but at least things never get boring for you."
"I'd have to admit the guys do make things pretty interesting, but then again there's no one else I'd rather have watching my back."
Taking a drink of his soda Rei watched as Sazuka pondered his words for a moment before giving him a smile. A smile which for reasons unknown to him at the time he enjoyed seeing, especially when he put it there.
"What about you Sazuka? I've been boring you all day with my tales, why don't you tell me something about yourself?"
"Your tales have been far from boring Rei, amusing perhaps but not boring, as for myself there isn't really much to tell."
Glancing back at her companion Sazuka gave a light laugh at the disbelieving look he sent her, not excepting the idea that she had nothing to tell.
"Don't give me that look Kon Rei, I've told you I don't have much to tell, but if you really want to know something then just ask away."
"Well, um....I don't really know where to start....What about friends? Where are you from? Who you travelling with? Little things like that."
Lifting her hand from where it rested on her joined hands Sazuka silently regarded the one in front of her, her greyish eyes dancing from their greyish shade to their more silvery counterpart. Tearing her eyes away from Rei's questioning ones as she looked out on the people below, Rei only by chance noted the glimmer of sadness which entered her eyes.
"There aren't really that many people my age where I live, besides from myself there's only Rika, Seba and Josh. Though don't get me wrong I couldn't ask for better friends, we've known each other all our lives and we're always getting into something."
"Still it must get a little lonely if there's only a few of you."
Touched by the note of concern present in Rei's voice Sazuka returned her gaze to her companion, forgetting the world around her. Noting her friends downward gaze Sazuka was truly moved by the sympathy he was feeling on her account, giving a smile she went about telling him that his concern was unwarranted. Wanting to get his attention Sazuka leaned over taking both of Rei's hands gently in her own, only loosing her grip when he looked up at her.
"Just because there's hardly anyone my own age where I live, it doesn't mean I don't have friends. To be honest with you most of the friends I have are scattered around the world, so I don't really get a chance to see them as often as I'd like. Though when I do it only makes me treasure the time we do spend together even more. That's where I'm going right now I'm meeting up with one of my friends from Russia. So you see I'm never really lonely and besides I've just gained myself a new friend in you Rei."
Brightening greatly at her words Rei returned the beaming smile sent his way, yet silently wondering just how Sazuka could know so many people around the world. However, that thought quickly left his mind as a certain Tiger suddenly went red, a blush quickly overcoming him as he noticed that Sazuka still held his hands in her own. Taking a nervous gulp Rei found himself in a sticky situation, he didn't want to offended Sazuka by just removing his hands from her hold, but if he left things as they were what impression was he giving her. However, luckily enough for Rei he was given an alternative solution and wouldn't have to deal with the butterflies in his stomach right now.
"Hey Rei!"
Startled by the sudden calling of his name both companions quickly righted themselves, Rei silently thankful yet disappointed as Sazuka released her gentle hold on his hands. Hearing his name again Rei looked over to the staircase leading up from the lower deck to see an energetic blond wavering at him.
"Hey Max! Where's Kenny and Tyson?"
Seeing he had gained Rei's attention Max gave a last wave before looking behind him and saying something to whoever was there. A few minutes later the familiar figures of the two people in question appeared, reaching the top Max gave Tyson a friendly slap on the back before running ahead to where Rei sat watching.
"Hi Max, how did things go with the nurse this morning? Tyson going to be ok?" Catching his breath Max returned Rei's question with one of his well known smiles, of all the people you could know, Max was someone who could make light of any situation and always had a smile on his face.
"Nothing to life threatening, a few days rest and Tyson will be back to his old self. You know Tyson always able to come back from anything."
"He's lucky that the worse he got was just some mild bruising."
Looking behind him Max couldn't help a small chuckle at Kenny's statement as the two missing members joined them. Noticing that all of his team's gaze was on himself Tyson could only give a slight grin, sending two of his team mates into fits of laughter. Shaking his head in amusement at his friends antics Kenny, on replacing his glasses, noticed Rei's companion who was sitting shyly yet amused before them.
"Aren't you going to induce us to your new friend Rei?"
Having recovered from their laughing fit rei looked back at Kenny before looking over to where Sazuka sat, smiling at the sudden shyness that had overcome her. Along with Rei, Max, Tyson and Kenny looked on at Rei's companion curious about the grey eyed girl before them.
"Guys this is Sazuka. Sazuka these are my friends Max, Tyson and Kenny, but he's also known as the Chief."
Shyly lifting her head for the first time since the rest of the Bladebreakers arrival Sazuka gave them a quick glance before lifting her head the rest of the way. Looking from one to the other Sazuka's eyes suddenly widened in recognition, as she not only realised why Rei seemed so familiar, but also realised just who it was that was standing before her.
"I don't believe it, you, you're the Bladebreakers aren't you. I thought that I'd recognised you from some where Rei, I just couldn't figure out where."
"Yeah that's us, at least most of us, can't believe Rei didn't tell you about us."
Throwing an arm around his Chinese team mate Tyson gave a laugh at the grin Rei sent his way before giving Sazuka a smile at her statement.
"Rei might have failed to mention that you were the Bladebreakers but he didn't fail to mention you. In fact Rei's been telling me all about you guys and some of the things you've been through, especially about someone's reactant incident with a chair."
"What!"
"Sorry Tyson I couldn't resist, even you have to admit it was pretty funny."
Pretending to be hurt at Rei's words Tyson stood back from his friend staring back shocked before gasping one hand over his heart and falling back into the chair behind him. Looking on in silently amusement at Tyson's act everyone broke out in laughter not quite believing Tyson's playful act.
Reigning in their laughter the two standing members where asked if they would care to join them, nodding their thanks Max and the Chief happily joined their friends.
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Taking it in turns to talk about their various experiences since becoming a team, the Bladebreakers had been so caught up in reliving their past to their grey eyes companion that they failed to realise they had been talking for the last two hours. Readily answering any of Sazuka's questions the team was equally curious about their new friend, each taking an immediate liking to her. So caught up with their talk the five youths didn't notice the newcomer till they spoke.
"So here's where you've been hiding Sazuka, I've been looking for you everywhere."
Looking up at the intrusion the boys could only watch as Sazuka gave a beaming smile to the brown haired man before them. Wearing a pair of faded jeans and a white T-shirt, the man before them no older than his early twenties returned her smile.
"Hi Matt, what brings you out here? I thought you'd be busy in the kitchen at this time."
"I should be and if Rick finds out he'll have my head, but I managed to convince Leon to cover for. I thought that you'd might like this back, you left in the kitchen this morning."
Revealing a sky blue shoulder bag from behind him, Matt handed over the simple item to its excited owner. Gracefully accepting the bag from him Sazuka looked in wonder at the item she held before giving Matt an extremely happy smile at its return.
"Thanks Matt! I thought I'd lost this for sure. I can't thank you enough for finding it."
"Don't worry about it, well I'd love to stay and chat but I've got to get going before Leon makes me do his shift tomorrow as well as my own. I'll see you tomorrow Sazuka."
Waving goodbye to the young chef Sazuka watched him disappear back into the ship before turning her attention to the bag she held.
From where they sat each of the Bladebreakers could only watch in curiosity as she opened the draw string bag and emptied everything on the table. Searching for something amongst the bags contents Sazuka failed to notice the glance that passed between the boys around her, as they each took sight if the silvery-lilac beyblade which rolled to a halt before them.
Beginning the second half of its daily journey the midday sun blazed fierily in the pale sky above, while its exact twin was reflected in the vast mirror of blue below. An on rush of miniature waves racing across its surface shattered the mirror like surface, causing the mirrored scene to waver rapidly as the towering bow of the Aurora glided through.
At midday the Aurora's decks were at their peak, crawling with life where ever you went, from those who enjoyed walking along the liner's decks, to those either bathing by the pool or sheltering in the shade of the cafe's overhang. It was under the white overhang that two such individuals sort shelter from the sun's warming rays. Sitting at one of the cafe's tables overlooking the pool area below, a glass of ice topped soda before each of them, the two could be heard laughing. Other couples situated around the area or those which walked past, could only smile at the sight of the young couple before them, each remembering what it was like when they had first begun to date.
"....before any of us could warn him Tyson had gone running into the chair, ending up in a heap of the floor. I've never seen anyone so shocked in all my life."
Finishing his tale about Tyson's earlier mishap Rei flicked back a stray piece of hair with the back of his hand, giving him a better view of his companion. Sitting across the table from him, their chin resting on the back of their raised hands, Sazuka sat with a look of amusement on her face. Once finished with his tale Sazuka gave her head a little shake before meeting Rei's amber gaze with her own greyish one.
"You really do have some unusual friends Rei, but at least things never get boring for you."
"I'd have to admit the guys do make things pretty interesting, but then again there's no one else I'd rather have watching my back."
Taking a drink of his soda Rei watched as Sazuka pondered his words for a moment before giving him a smile. A smile which for reasons unknown to him at the time he enjoyed seeing, especially when he put it there.
"What about you Sazuka? I've been boring you all day with my tales, why don't you tell me something about yourself?"
"Your tales have been far from boring Rei, amusing perhaps but not boring, as for myself there isn't really much to tell."
Glancing back at her companion Sazuka gave a light laugh at the disbelieving look he sent her, not excepting the idea that she had nothing to tell.
"Don't give me that look Kon Rei, I've told you I don't have much to tell, but if you really want to know something then just ask away."
"Well, um....I don't really know where to start....What about friends? Where are you from? Who you travelling with? Little things like that."
Lifting her hand from where it rested on her joined hands Sazuka silently regarded the one in front of her, her greyish eyes dancing from their greyish shade to their more silvery counterpart. Tearing her eyes away from Rei's questioning ones as she looked out on the people below, Rei only by chance noted the glimmer of sadness which entered her eyes.
"There aren't really that many people my age where I live, besides from myself there's only Rika, Seba and Josh. Though don't get me wrong I couldn't ask for better friends, we've known each other all our lives and we're always getting into something."
"Still it must get a little lonely if there's only a few of you."
Touched by the note of concern present in Rei's voice Sazuka returned her gaze to her companion, forgetting the world around her. Noting her friends downward gaze Sazuka was truly moved by the sympathy he was feeling on her account, giving a smile she went about telling him that his concern was unwarranted. Wanting to get his attention Sazuka leaned over taking both of Rei's hands gently in her own, only loosing her grip when he looked up at her.
"Just because there's hardly anyone my own age where I live, it doesn't mean I don't have friends. To be honest with you most of the friends I have are scattered around the world, so I don't really get a chance to see them as often as I'd like. Though when I do it only makes me treasure the time we do spend together even more. That's where I'm going right now I'm meeting up with one of my friends from Russia. So you see I'm never really lonely and besides I've just gained myself a new friend in you Rei."
Brightening greatly at her words Rei returned the beaming smile sent his way, yet silently wondering just how Sazuka could know so many people around the world. However, that thought quickly left his mind as a certain Tiger suddenly went red, a blush quickly overcoming him as he noticed that Sazuka still held his hands in her own. Taking a nervous gulp Rei found himself in a sticky situation, he didn't want to offended Sazuka by just removing his hands from her hold, but if he left things as they were what impression was he giving her. However, luckily enough for Rei he was given an alternative solution and wouldn't have to deal with the butterflies in his stomach right now.
"Hey Rei!"
Startled by the sudden calling of his name both companions quickly righted themselves, Rei silently thankful yet disappointed as Sazuka released her gentle hold on his hands. Hearing his name again Rei looked over to the staircase leading up from the lower deck to see an energetic blond wavering at him.
"Hey Max! Where's Kenny and Tyson?"
Seeing he had gained Rei's attention Max gave a last wave before looking behind him and saying something to whoever was there. A few minutes later the familiar figures of the two people in question appeared, reaching the top Max gave Tyson a friendly slap on the back before running ahead to where Rei sat watching.
"Hi Max, how did things go with the nurse this morning? Tyson going to be ok?" Catching his breath Max returned Rei's question with one of his well known smiles, of all the people you could know, Max was someone who could make light of any situation and always had a smile on his face.
"Nothing to life threatening, a few days rest and Tyson will be back to his old self. You know Tyson always able to come back from anything."
"He's lucky that the worse he got was just some mild bruising."
Looking behind him Max couldn't help a small chuckle at Kenny's statement as the two missing members joined them. Noticing that all of his team's gaze was on himself Tyson could only give a slight grin, sending two of his team mates into fits of laughter. Shaking his head in amusement at his friends antics Kenny, on replacing his glasses, noticed Rei's companion who was sitting shyly yet amused before them.
"Aren't you going to induce us to your new friend Rei?"
Having recovered from their laughing fit rei looked back at Kenny before looking over to where Sazuka sat, smiling at the sudden shyness that had overcome her. Along with Rei, Max, Tyson and Kenny looked on at Rei's companion curious about the grey eyed girl before them.
"Guys this is Sazuka. Sazuka these are my friends Max, Tyson and Kenny, but he's also known as the Chief."
Shyly lifting her head for the first time since the rest of the Bladebreakers arrival Sazuka gave them a quick glance before lifting her head the rest of the way. Looking from one to the other Sazuka's eyes suddenly widened in recognition, as she not only realised why Rei seemed so familiar, but also realised just who it was that was standing before her.
"I don't believe it, you, you're the Bladebreakers aren't you. I thought that I'd recognised you from some where Rei, I just couldn't figure out where."
"Yeah that's us, at least most of us, can't believe Rei didn't tell you about us."
Throwing an arm around his Chinese team mate Tyson gave a laugh at the grin Rei sent his way before giving Sazuka a smile at her statement.
"Rei might have failed to mention that you were the Bladebreakers but he didn't fail to mention you. In fact Rei's been telling me all about you guys and some of the things you've been through, especially about someone's reactant incident with a chair."
"What!"
"Sorry Tyson I couldn't resist, even you have to admit it was pretty funny."
Pretending to be hurt at Rei's words Tyson stood back from his friend staring back shocked before gasping one hand over his heart and falling back into the chair behind him. Looking on in silently amusement at Tyson's act everyone broke out in laughter not quite believing Tyson's playful act.
Reigning in their laughter the two standing members where asked if they would care to join them, nodding their thanks Max and the Chief happily joined their friends.
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Taking it in turns to talk about their various experiences since becoming a team, the Bladebreakers had been so caught up in reliving their past to their grey eyes companion that they failed to realise they had been talking for the last two hours. Readily answering any of Sazuka's questions the team was equally curious about their new friend, each taking an immediate liking to her. So caught up with their talk the five youths didn't notice the newcomer till they spoke.
"So here's where you've been hiding Sazuka, I've been looking for you everywhere."
Looking up at the intrusion the boys could only watch as Sazuka gave a beaming smile to the brown haired man before them. Wearing a pair of faded jeans and a white T-shirt, the man before them no older than his early twenties returned her smile.
"Hi Matt, what brings you out here? I thought you'd be busy in the kitchen at this time."
"I should be and if Rick finds out he'll have my head, but I managed to convince Leon to cover for. I thought that you'd might like this back, you left in the kitchen this morning."
Revealing a sky blue shoulder bag from behind him, Matt handed over the simple item to its excited owner. Gracefully accepting the bag from him Sazuka looked in wonder at the item she held before giving Matt an extremely happy smile at its return.
"Thanks Matt! I thought I'd lost this for sure. I can't thank you enough for finding it."
"Don't worry about it, well I'd love to stay and chat but I've got to get going before Leon makes me do his shift tomorrow as well as my own. I'll see you tomorrow Sazuka."
Waving goodbye to the young chef Sazuka watched him disappear back into the ship before turning her attention to the bag she held.
From where they sat each of the Bladebreakers could only watch in curiosity as she opened the draw string bag and emptied everything on the table. Searching for something amongst the bags contents Sazuka failed to notice the glance that passed between the boys around her, as they each took sight if the silvery-lilac beyblade which rolled to a halt before them.