Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade.

Author's note: Okay, you know what I'm about to say! I'M SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING! I've been swamped with tests and midterms... Anyways I know you don't care just as long as the story gets out so, here it is! Don't forget to read and review!

Chapter 8 - Destiny's POV

Iris stood from her seat and kept her grin on, "Sorry, Des..." she came up and whispered in my ear so that no one else would hear, "Looks like he's mine now.."

I tried to struggle out of Lee's grasp, but he was a lot stronger than Rei. I was held there, unable to move. I gave up as Iris walked out of the room.

Lee finally unlinked our arms. Unprepared for it, I fell onto the ground on my knees and hands, "Thanks..." I spat sarcastically.

"Des..." Rei began, "I know you don't like Iris but..."

"If you're just going to argue with me, Kon," I began harshly, "you'd be better off following her."

Rei looked at me for a moment before turning and starting to walk out.

"Don't let the door hit you on the way out." I retorted. He slammed the door.

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For a few seconds, I closed my eyes and just breathed in and out. Regaining what little composure I had, I walked out of the room, Lee behind me. I didn't stop in the waiting room where I knew everyone was eagerly anticipating and waiting to see who my partner was. I just walked out of the building, ignoring the calls of the Bladebreakers and Jacquie completely.

Surprisingly, Lee followed me out and walked beside me calmly.

"I don't get it. You and Rei seemed like the best of friends... Why are you letting that girl come between you guys?" he asked. I knew his intentions were good, but it only stirred up anger that I had tried to supress.

"That, Lee, is my business and not yours." I stated coldly, not bothering to look at him.

"You're right, it's not."

I stopped dead in my tracks. Wait... He agrees? I asked myself, "What?"

"It isn't my business." he began, "It's Rei, Iris, and your business. But seeing as neither one of them is here to confront of comfort you, I'm about to fill in."

"Hmm.." was all I said, "I never thought you'd say that." I smirked, and continued to walk.

He, of course, followed, "Oh really..." he mused, "And why?"

"You seem like the type who's... Hard to convince, and doesn't show a lot of his emotions. You know, like Kai." he raised an eyebrow and I continued to talk, "But I guess there's a lot more to you than what I can see."

Lee nodded, "And I bet there's a lot more to learn about you." he paused, then added, "A LOT more."

"Shut up..."

Seemingly hard to get out, he muttered, "Make me."

I groaned. This was going to be a long tournament.

When Jacquie and Rei arrived at our hotel, Lee and I were busy practicing at the beystadium, trying to figure out the other's style and sense their next moves. It was a particularily hard experience, me not having done anything like this before.

"Hey, Des..." Jacquie called, "Why'd you leave all of a sudden?"

Rei sighed and walked into our room, closing the door behind him softly.

"I was in a hurry to... go practice..." I lied smoothly.

Jacquie just cocked her head to the side, "Oh okay." she grinned and went up to her room.

"Your friend is so... naive." Lee scratched his head.

"She's just trying to set me up. Not bad way setting me up, it's just a revenge thing she has. I bet you she's trying to figure out the real reason I left right now..." I nodded, thinking aloud and speaking very fast.

"Oh..." I could tell he didn't understand a word I said, "Of course.."

I laughed, "Of course..."

When Lee and I finally stopped beyblading, Tyson cut in and whined, "Hey are you done yet? I wanna practice already!"

"Fine..." I grinned, "A champion needs his daily ounce of beyblading!"

"You're right I do!" he pumped his fist in the air and launched his blade into the dish.

I shook my head in amusement, "I'm gonna go up now... See you later, Lee!"

Lee waved and went to his hotel room.

I walked up the stairs slowly, my beyblade, launcher, and ripchord in hand. I finally reached my room. I reached fr the doorknob, gave it a turn and entered to find Rei on the couch, staring blankly at the wall.

"Hey." he greeted, still looking at the wall. When I didn't reply, he tried to bring in some convorsation.

"Hey, there's this thing-"

"Just... don't talk to me, Rei." I sighed, interrupting him and plopping down on a chair, relaxing for the very first time that day, "I'm not in the mood to have small-talk right now."

"Oh..." he began, "Okay. I guess I'll be in my room then." he said, starting to lift his body from the couch.

"No, don't bother." I told him, "I'm going over to Jacquie's."

With that, I left, not even with a goodbye.