Edit: Changed Takao to Tyson, since I started out with the dub names. Ignore my mixture of dubbed first names and original last names its 'cos of my own stupidity. Pairings are finally decided, you can see my bio for them. I write them next chapter. Oh yes, MingMing is very OCC. Yeah, I know Mariah real name is Mao Chou but when I wrote this I didn't know her last name so I'll just use the name I gave her at the start.

Warning: Dark fic, deals with many issues, rating shall go up in later chapters but for now its PG-13 I mean eh, T.

Extra Note: (Only this chapter I promise) I really wasn't going to keep on posting on here but eh, I got some emails asking me too and since my beyblade fics are actually my favourite ones I've written I thought I may update this fic and also post the sequel to Rescue Me.

Rating: PG-13 (for now) eh, T

Summary: Five girls, Mariah, Julia, Emily, Matilda and MingMing, brought together by five different dark secretes, try to help the other overcome their past, forming an inseparable bond. Now given the okay to no longer attend the 'freak house' as they named it, they try to live their lives, but life has its own way of throwing it back in their faces. Dark fic natured fic. This fiction deals with issues of Anorexia, OCD, Bullying, Epilepsy, Abuse, and Depression.

Pairings: Various, all het

Disclaimer: Do not own BeyBlades, I own the plot of this fic.

Life Goes On

Chapter 3

By Kaz

From last chapter

"So what are we going to do?" Emily asked, when to their ultimate horror it began to rain, and the sky darkened immensely.

"You have got to be kidding me," Ming mumbled.

"Great this is all we need."

Suddenly there was a knock on driver's window, and the girls screamed before MingMing lowered her window, and asked, "Yes?"

"You girl's in trouble?"

Ming looked at Mariah, who glanced back and then turned to look at the others in the back. What should they do?

'Don't panic,' thought MingMing, as the tension in the air increased dramatically. Looking at the other girl's, she tried to ask them for their thoughts but found that they were staring back at their 'leader' fear etched in their eyes. Sighing, and letting her authoritative nature take over, she turned back to the window and said, "Yes, it appears we ran out of gas, however, we are fine so … thank you." She finished off quickly and began to roll up the window again, when they heard, "Hmmm yes, five girls alone in a non working car, with the weather being dismal, and claming to be fine. Oh well, I was only asking 'cos I work at a gas station but I guess since you are fine…." The voice trailed off, indicating that the person had left them, as did the heavy footsteps on the wet ground.

The girls glanced at each other, deciding what to do.

"What should we do?" Emily asked, "I mean we are really stuck, the weather is horrendous, and we don't know how far it is to the next station."

"I know Emmy, but we don't know anything about this person, he could be a rapist or even try and kill us." Mariah said, after a while. "As much as I want to get out of this rain, I don't want to be too hasty and do something stupid."

"Yeah I agree with Riah, but on the other hand Emily makes a good point as well," Julia said, ignoring the amused look on Emily's face to the fact she agreed with something she said. "But as much as I hate to admit to this, I think Emily right, it can be even more dangerous to stay here. I mean it's dark and raining and this is a typical horror movie setting."

"… Thanks for that Julia, let's scare ourselves even more." MingMing said, sighing. "Well guys?"

"You make the choice MingMing; we'll go with whatever you decide." Mariah said, letting their fate rest on the decision of their leader.

"You sure about that?" she asked, slightly surprised.

"Yeah, we trust you," Emily said smiling as Julia nodded.

"Always Ming nee-san" Matilda whispered and gave MingMing her big smile, causing the older girl to let go of her doubt.

It was times like this, which made MingMing realise how close she was to the girls, true she didn't joke around as much, somewhere deep inside, he was still there not letting her live how she wanted, closed up and non trusting but he couldn't interfere with the relationship she held with these five. They were her life and trusted her more than she trusted herself; she would die before anything happened to them, they meant the world to her.

"Well then I guess we can ask him for help, I mean it's better than staying her but if anytime you feel scared let me know okay? I have my cell and we can call for help."

"Okay!" agreed each girl, slightly happy to be getting out this weather and not to mention the overly stuffy car.

"How are we going to ask him though? He may have gone?" Emily stated, slightly worried, their only hope could have gone.

However, before anyone could say anything, a door was flung open and a loud cry of "WAIT! Please mister you have to help us!" was heard.

The reaming four girls, looked at each other baffled, before MingMing, gritted her teeth and shouted, "Julia!" and exited the car, the other following, ignore the heavy rain.

The site that met them was rather amusing; Julia was just about to throw herself at the feet of the hooded figure, while pleading for him to help them.

"Alright, alright, just get up, you're making a scene." The person replied to her pleads. "Here I have a rope, tie it to the end of your car and I will tow you to gas station I work at. It will take us about an hour, you people have no idea how far you are from a town.

"Where do you live?" MingMing asked as they all went back to the car to get out of the rain, but the answer was lost in the heavy wind, as the figure went back to his car, ready to pull them away.


Mariah sighed as the lights began to brighten, indicating that they were nearing a town, the one hour had been pure hell, everyone was annoyed, not to mention it was very stuffy as the air conditioning refused to work, and the rain had a bad effect on them. Finally, the car in front of them turned into what she assumed was the gas station, not that she could really see since the water was splashed all across the window screen, despite the wipers working their fastest.

"Finally!" breathed Julia as the car came to a complete stop, reaching over; she shook Emily to wake up, only for the girl to turn over and mumble something inaudible, "Emily!" she said, while gritting her teeth, "Wake up stupid girl, we are here!"

Sighing, Emily reluctantly opened her eyes and gave Julia a death glare, opening her mouth to retaliate when the door was opened and Julia fell out onto the ground.

"Hey watch it!" she cried, as she glared up at the man from her position on the floor.

"Sorry, didn't have time to stand around and listen to you going on and on."

"Why you little…."

"Julia, give it a rest." MingMing sighed as she stretched her legs while exiting the car, leaving Mariah to deal with the task of to look after Julia and Emily. She followed the still hooded figure into the gas station, just before she entered the shop; she looked up and read the sign… "Saint Shield Gas Station… hmm"

"Where the hell have you been? Your two hours late!"

MingMing blinked as she regarded the scene in front of her, a woman, she guessed about 18 years, with dark blue hair and stunning green eyes, was practically hovering over their rescuer, steam blazing from her ears. Unsure what to do, she merely crossed her arms and watched with an interesting eye, as the woman continued to give her lecture. Slowly her eyes began to wonder around the room, from the run down peeling paint to the stacks of books left astray on the desk, she could tell the place was well used. They were probably in a small town, and this was probably the only gas station in the entire place. The whole place looked like it could do with a clean though, she though, slightly scrunching her nose at the dust on the window ledge, and not to mention the cobwebs on the walls. Then again, if she was, busy 24/7 who would want to clean a place, which could just get dirty again.

"I can't believe you; I've had Mister Dickinson on the phone again asking about his car, you are so damn lucky that he is a decent gentleman and patient, I would have kicked you ass long before now! I am so annoyed at you and... Oh! Who's that?" The girl said, finally noticing someone at the doorway.

MingMing immediately jerked out of her state when she felt several eyes on her, feeling slightly conscious she clenched her arms tighter and moved the top of her foot from side to side, slightly.

"I found them just off the turning, they had broken down and so…" The hooded figured said, rather uninterested, as if he had been sleeping all this time.

"You idiot, you could have said we had company," The girl walked up to MingMing and smiled before saying, "Hello and welcome to the fabulous interesting village of Saint Shield, guaranteed to give you adventure in every corner."

MingMing smiled at the girl's sarcasm and immediately felt herself liking this girl.

"Anyway with the lovely publicity of out village aside, let me welcome you to Saint Shield Gas Station, the only station in the village and the best. I am Mariam, you humble host, and over there," she pointed the left, "Is my joyful and cheery husband, Ozuma." MingMing looked towards the outstretched hand and nearly fell over from the cold gaze her eyes locked onto. From his two toned hair colour of red and black to his steel greeny/ grey eyes, this person just spelt out; do not talk to me.

"Ah don't worry about him, his barks worse than his bite, isn't that right sweetie?"

Both girls laughed when the addressed male simple rolled his eyes and went back to writing something down. "Anyway, now you've seen the two who own this place, let me introduce you to my kid brother, Joseph, and big ape of a mechanic Dunga. MingMing smiled as the smaller green boy rolled his eyes and went back to watching TV, while the taller boy, who Mariam had introduced as Dunga, glared back at the female and crossed his hands.

"And well you've already met Rick so…" MingMing turned and saw that their 'hero' had finally removed his clock and was looking over a box trying to locate something. Feeling the stares of both females, he turned and winked at MingMing, who laughed silently, immediately liking this cheeky, white haired male.

"I'm MingMing," she replied to the unsaid question, "We were on the way to our new home, when my lovely sister Julia forgot to fill up the car and well it kind of broke down and then we meet um, Rick? And well here we are."

"Sisters… how I wished I had one instead of that," Mariam cried dramatically, while pointing to her brother, "Ohh so there is more of you? Where are they? Don't tell me you left them outside in this weather?"

"Um..."

"Ming?" Everyone turned to look at the new voice, in the doorway. MingMing smiled as Mariah came into view with Julia behind her.

"Hey Riah, this is…"

"Oh my, we have a problem." Everyone turned to look at the blue haired female, blinking in confusion. "She's a pretty one, which means not doubt I am going to have to control Joseph and Rick around her no doubt, damn those hormone driven boys."

MingMing and Julia giggled, while the boys just rolled their eyes as Mariah blushed and went as pink as her hair.

"Hello there darlings, Mariam here, do come on in, is this the lot of you?"

"No, there is two more, Riah where's Em and Matty?"

"Matilda's still asleep so we thought we would leave her in the car, she's really tired."

"So, what's the status on the car?" Julia asked, eying a lurking spider fearfully.

"Dunga and Rick have gone out to check it."

Mariah and Julia both took a step back as Ozuma spoke.

"Oh right," Mariah mumbled, eyeing the male in slight fear, while Julia took one look at him and said under her breath, "Typical male."

Before anyone could say anything, the two males walked in, Rick smiling the girls, while both Mariah and Julia blushed.

"Cutie," whispered Julia, while Mariah elbowed her to keep her voice down, though secretly agreeing.

"The car's fine, I've filled her up but you managed to overheat the engine as well so I wouldn't recommend driving tonight, besides it's still raining like anything."

"Yes, you can stay here," Mariam, said, while clapping her hands and eyeing her husband glare in an amused manner. "Really though," her voice taking on a slight serious tone, "Your new and there are many turns and its dangerous driving in the dark."

"Oh we couldn't," both MingMing and Mariah began one hand of Mariah's on Julia's mouth to stop her from shouting yes.

"Oh it's no problem and besides, I've been deprived of female company, I'm dying here, you're the only female company I'm bound to get... that is until we have a baby… right sweetie?" Mariam added, all girls laughing as Ozuma nearly chocked and fell.

"Are you sure? We don't want to put you out and plus we don't have enough…"

"It's okay," Mariam interrupted, whiling waving a hand. "Go get the other two, I am afraid I can't offer you the Plaza but I do have two rooms free."

Julia laughed as she went out to get the other two, while Mariah and MingMing smiled at each other.


Mariah sighed as she fell back on the bed; she was exhausted both mentally and physically. It had been a tiring day, what with the journey and also leaving the institute, it was hard, not to mention frightening. 'All I wanna do is go to sleep,' she mumbled, while closing her eyes.

She didn't even bother to open them when she heard the door open. "Riah," she heard Julia say, "Mariam's put some food out for us, you coming?"

"Nah," Mariah mumbled sleepily, "I'm not hungry." She could tell from the way the entire atmosphere changed in the room that something had happened. Moving her arm, which was thrown back against her eyes and opening her eyes, she blinked a few times before her gaze set on Emily and Julia who where both looking at her rather uncomfortably.

"What?" She asked, slightly snappish. Get even more aggravated when they didn't reply, she searched her brain for what could be wrong, when suddenly the penny dropped. "Oh for goodness sakes you guys, just 'cos I say I'm not hungry once doesn't mean I am falling back into my old ways. I am really tired, and I just want to go to sleep. Just because I am not eating now doesn't mean I am immediately anorexic again!"

"Sorry," mumbled Emily, while Julia looked rather sheepish.

"You guys need to chill, if we jump at every single thing there is no way we can live outside the home." And with that, she turned over and closed her eyes again, hearing the door open and close once again as both girls left and another one enter.

"They only do it because they care." Mariah turned over again and regarded the light blue haired girl.

"I know Ming, I do. I was just so tired and I just feel so... so...ah, it doesn't matter."

"No, no," MingMing prodded, "Carry on, what's wrong…. Is it 'cos of the break down?" MingMing asked. Seeing there was no reply, she tried again, "Is it 'cos we've left Dr Judy behind?"

There was a slight nod but not the break through MingMing was hoping for, sighing, she tried her last resort, the one she was hoping it wasn't… "Is it Ray?"

The sharp intake of breath and sniff was enough to let MingMing know she had hit the nail on the head.

"Oh Riah," she cooed, climbing on the bed, as Riah lifted herself up and sat opposite her.

"I didn't know how hard it would be to see him again," she whispered, her voice wavering slightly due to her sobs. "It's just so hard Ming; I thought I was going to be with him forever. I loved him, I really did! I did everything for him, I know I went about it the wrong way, I know that, but it's just so hard. I thought it was my destiny to be with him forever but then I go and screw it all up and now he's with someone else."

"Mariah Wong! I will not hear this, yes you made a mistake, one for which you paid for, you really did. People make so many mistakes in their lives; we all do, but what's more important is what we learn from them. Everything we do in life teaches us something. I know you love him Riah; I know you do. I wish I could be in love with someone the way you are with Ray, but sweetie, life is always changing, fate is always moving around. I mean who would have thought we would have ever gotten out. None of us did, but look at us. If you are Ray are really meant to be then fate will have a way of brining you together again but for now Riah, you have to live for you. I'm not saying to forget him, I don't think you could ever but you have to live your life Riah, you really do. I know you don't want me to say this but maybe you are Ray weren't meant to be, maybe there is someone else out there for you, maybe you and Ray will get married and have lots and lots of children, the point is we don't know but that's no reason to not go out a live life. There is an entire future out there for you Riah, but you have to try and live it or else it will be out of reach forever. You have to move on Riah, no matter how much it hurts now, you have to, and we are always going to be here for you." MingMing smiled through her tears as she rested her hands on either side of the sobbing girls face. "Me, Mattie, Juju, and Emmy are always going to be here for you, none of us are going anywhere."

Mariah could hear no more as she hugged MingMing tight, her sobbing fading slightly. MingMing, laughed tearfully as she held her best friend, her sister closer, hearing a noise she looked over and saw the faces of her other sisters, the tears visible on each of their faces. She smiled as each one came into the room and joined in the hug.

"Your never alone Riah nee-chan, I love you," Matilda said, while resting in MingMing's lap and Riah shifted slightly so she could get in.

"Never ever, stupid." Julia said, hugging her tightly, not even bothering to hide her tears.

"Sisters forever," Emily whispered, resting her head on Mariah's shoulder.

"Forever," MingMing whispered as the girls hugged each other tightly, vowing never, ever to leave the other or ever break the close bond they shared, never ever.


"Are you sure you won't stay another day?" Mariam asked, while shaking her head at the money MingMing was offering her.

"No, we've out stayed our welcome enough and you have been very kind, we have to get going as well, I phone the removal van yesterday, we were lucky they decided to stay at a hotel as well since the weather was so bad., but anyway, we should get there before them." MingMing said, while finally placing the money in the girls hand and opening her car door.

"But, but," Mariam carried on, sighing when she finally realised it was useless. "Well if you ever need any help or anything give me a call okay?" The girl compromised, handing a small paper to Emily, while smiling at Matilda.

"Of course, I will ring you once we get there and you can always come and visit us." Ming said, while hugging the girl, before whispering, "I know you'll need to get away from this lot so you can always escape to ours."

Both girls shared a laugh before MingMing got in the car and began to pull away and the others waved by to there host.

"I'm going to miss them," Mariam said, while resting her head on her husbands shoulder.

"They'll be fine, they have each other."

"I know but I can't help but worry," she finished before giving a final wave as the car disappeared from sight.

"So hubby," she said after a while, "Shall we get started on that baby then?"

Laughing, Mariam walked away from her shocked husband.

"… Mariam…"


"Julia and Emily will you please stop fighting, I need to make sure I don't miss the turn," Mariah scolded as she held the map in her lap.

"Sorry mother," both girls said with a smile, laughing as Mariah tried to bop them from her place in the front but settled for pulling her tongue out.

"I really liked Mariam-san, didn't you Julia?"

Julia smiled, while stroking the younger girls head.

"Yeah, she was really cool but I dunno there was something about her. She was always smiling and joking but…"

"I think she was lonely." The small girl said, "I think she and Ozuma-san are happy but there is something missing."

"Yeah, it's called getting married too young." Ming mumbled, ignoring the disapproving look from Mariah.

Before anyone else could say anything, Mariah suddenly noticed where they were and cried out, "Ming you need to turn here!"

"Where?" Ming cried, slightly out of it due to the talk.

"Here!" Mariah cried.

"Where all I can see is trees?"

"There!"

Ming scrunched her eyes and finally saw a small turning…

"Gah, could they have made it any smaller?" She mumbled as the car turned into the small street.

"Which number is our house again Riah?" Emily asked, each girl looking out for it.

"Its number 42," the address girl answered, trying to locate the house as well.

"Oh look there is it!" Cried Matilda, as each of the girls looked to the left hand side of the car and saw it.

A medium sized house, not fantastically decorated but not falling apart either, the garden desperately needed a cut but before all that each girl had one thought, 'Their house, theirs and theirs alone.'

MingMing pulled the car into the driveway, and shut of the engine as each girl got out, their gaze never straying from the house. Their place, where new memories and new lives would be formed for each of them.

"I can't believe it." Mariah whispered a hand over her mouth and she looked over the house. Matilda smiled at the girl and hugged her waist as each girl came to stand in front of the house.

"We did it Ming we really did it, we're out from that place and in the real world, we really did it." Emily said, awestruck.

"Aye, we did Emily, but hey are we just going to stand out here or are we going to get the stuff inside?"

The girls snapped out of their reverie and Julia and Emily went to help MingMing get the stuff out of the car, while Mariah and Matilda went to open the house.

"I can't believe it," Julia said, grabbing a box out of the trunk.

"I know; we are finally here." Emil said the joy clear on her face.

"And trust there to be no sign of the removal van," MingMing sighed.

"Hey are you girls new here?"

The three girls turned around and saw two males one with blue hair and the other with black/blue hair, a cap on top of his head.

MingMing frowned slightly before saying, "Yes, we just moved here."

"Ah right, thought I hasn't seen you, the names Hiro and this is my younger brother Tyson, we're your neighbours."

"Hi!" Said the smaller boy.

"Hi," replied Emily, "I'm Emily, this is Julia and MingMing."

MingMing smiled, while Julia mumbled a small hi and gave a small laugh, ignoring the baffled looks of Emily and MingMing.

"So would you like any help taking anything in?" Hiro smiled, while taking the box out of Julia's grip, casing the girl to go slightly red.

"Oh! Um! Sure…" Julia trailed off, turning around to look into the trunk.

"If you wouldn't mind," MingMing said, as Hiro smiled and ordered Tyson to get a box, ignoring his whining.

The girls stared at the retreating boys before grabbing some other stuff and following.

"You know," Julia said, before turning to the others and giving a devilish wink, "I think I am going to like it here very much."

"A-huh," the other two agreed, staring at the older male.

Laughing and smiling, they started towards the house, hearing the van pull up behind them.

'Welcome home,' thought MingMing as she turned and looked to the sky before entering the house, 'Welcome home Bakuten Ville.'

TBC

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