Here's the next chapter for ya! My friends are killing me for even letting you guys pick Chris/Tek. But for me to solve this problem I need to know this: Who works better with Ai? Ulrich or Chris?
"You……?" Kai wasn't sure what to say, what she just said had a huge impact on him.
"You're the only one for me," said Kaida and turned around,
"That's all I have to say, be careful on your way to Tyson's place," she said and Kaida walks in the opposite direction in which they were going.
Kai stood there, confused and wasn't sure what to do or think.
Kaida continues waking until Max bumped into her from turning a corner,
"Kaida! There you are! Hey, are you okay?" he asked,
"Not really, I'm leaving here and-"
"Hey, Tek told us about you leaving tomorrow; we're all going to miss you guys. I don't want to make you feel worse or anything, but did you tell Kai?" Max asked in the most comforting voice he could do.
"You know?" Kaida asked,
"Tek can't keep her mouth shut forever, and it was getting kind of obvious," said Max.
"I told him how I felt, but I didn't tell him that I was leaving," said Kaida.
"Oh, that's going to cause a problem…come on Kaida, Hilary Ai, and myself wants to take you out for a treat," said Max and took her to the ice cream store where Ai and Hilary were waiting.
After a while, Max had to leave to meet with someone.
Meanwhile, Hiro, Ray and his team along with the All Starz excluding Emily and Max were shopping around small gifts for Ulrich, Chris, Tek, and Kaida.
"Oh, this is so cute! Ray, don't you think this is cute?" Mariah asked showing Ray a small chibi cat doll,
"Oh, yeah, I guess it is," said Ray as he took and looked at it,
"I think Kaida would like it," he said.
"Yeah…I was going to say that," said Mariah shyly.
"Hey Ray, you know Tek the best, what should we get her?" Michael asked.
"Yeah, we all got Chris and Ulrich a gift," said Lee.
"And Mariah just found a gift for Kaida," said Ray.
"Why should we be doing this?" Rick asked,
"Because the others don't have time to do this," said Judy who was pretty much playing babysitter.
"I think Tek would appreciate this," said Hiro showing them a Unicorn picture decorated with flowers on the frame.
"She does love unicorns and other horses that's for sure," said Kevin.
After they were done, they head back to Chris, Tek, Ulrich, and Kaida's house.
On the way, they bumped into Kai. Ray told them to go ahead so he can talk to Kai.
"She told you didn't she?" Ray guessed right off the bat. Kai turned red,
"I didn't even say anything!" said Kai (anime angry).
Ray shook his head,
"Did you reply to her?" Ray asked.
"…no," Kai answered.
"Why?"
"Because I don't know how I feel. It's not everyday someone tells me something as powerful as love," said Kai turning away.
"You'll know Kai. I'm not an expert at these things, but you'll definitely know, I just hope you find out how you feel about her soon though," said Ray.
"Huh? Why?" Kai asked a bit confused.
"Well…" Ray told Kai to follow him to Kaida's house.
"I'll be at Tyson's house, but Kai, if you need help, you can talk to Max and Tyson too you know," said Ray and walked off.
Kai looked over at the house, he spotted Ulrich and Kaida (back from the ice cream store) talking to a couple of people moving the stuff from their house.
Kai went closer until Kaida spotted him.
"Ulrich, can you handle this for me for a moment?" Kaida asked,
"Sure," he said and Kaida went over to Kai.
"Is…someone leaving?" Kai asked with his usual no emotional face.
"Yeah, it's my team going back home including me…" said Kaida sadly.
"What?" Kai asked surprised.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I didn't want to drop two big info on you at the same time," said Kaida.
"I see…" said Kai as his fist gripped tighter.
"There's something that we have to do back home," said Kaida.
"….When, when are you leaving?" Kai asked trying not to look at her.
"…tomorrow,"
"TOMORROW?"
"That's why Ray said I had to find the answer soon," thought Kai.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you again! I wanted you to take this information slower that's all!" said Kaida.
"…so, you have no choice to whether you're going back or not?" Kai asked while looking down.
"No, we don't. Kai, I just want you to know that I'm glad I came to Japan, I'm glad that I met everyone here, and I'm glad I met you," said Kaida.
Kai looked up at her, and she meant what she said.
"Kaida! I can't answer all these questions!" Ulrich called.
"Coming! Excuse me Kai," said Kaida and went back to help with the move. Kaida turned around only to see Kai gone.
"Kai…"
Kai found himself walk back to the park. He has never felt so much emotion at once.
"Kai!" he looked up and saw Max waving from a picnic table with Emily.
Kai went over to them.
"Is something wrong? You look worried," said Emily.
"Give me reason to be worried and I will be," said Kai and crossed his arms.
"Hey Emily, can you go get some drinks from the vending machine for all of us while I talk to Kai?" Max asked,
"Sure, any requests?" Emily asked getting up.
"Anything," said Kai,
"Choose anything you want for us!" said Max and Emily goes to get something for them.
"So Kai, what's wrong? You are hardly disturbed by anything," Max asked,
"…"
"Emily won't be back for a while, don't worry," said Max in his cheerful attitude. Kai sat down,
"Are you and Emily…together?" Kai asked with an eyebrow raised,
"Uh…I'm talking about you and Kaida not me and Emily!" said Max moving his hands around blushing.
"Hn…Max, what would you do if you got Emily upset?" Kai asked feeling uncomfortable since he's asking advice from Max.
"… Oh my gosh, Kai, what did you do?" Max asked.
"I didn't do anything bad! I was just asking!"
"Okay, sorry, well…I would apologize of course!" said Max with his usual smile.
"Apologize?"
"Yeah, even friends say something wrong once in a while on accident, and the first thing I would do is apologize. Everyone will feel much better and happier," said Max.
"Hm……uh, thanks Max," said Kai.
"Always there to help a friend, Kai," said Max. Emily came back with 3 sodas. Kai took his soda and left.
"How'd it go?" Emily asked,
"Kai's finding the answer. He's getting there, he just needs a little more push," Max answered.
"Max, you owe me some money since I paid for yours and Kai's drink," said Emily (Max anime falls off picnic table).
Kai continues walking; after he finishes half his soda he threw it away. Then he passes the beach and sees Tyson leaning against a tree with his eyes closed and arms crossed.
Kai went up to him,
"Are you trying to imitate me?" he asked,
"Huh? Oh hi Kai, and no I'm not trying to imitate you," said Tyson looking up at him.
"What are you doing here?" Kai asked,
"I'm waiting for someone," Tyson answered and Kai raised an eyebrow.
"Of course, you wouldn't care about this kind of stuff, you are most likely working out rather than wait until the sunset arrives!" said Tyson and Kai hits him on the head.
"Ow…oh! So you DO spend some of your free time enjoying nature!"
"Hmph! Of course I do," said Kai coolly. Tyson did his big grin,
"I knew you had a soft spot in there somewhere! And I thought Kaida ate something bad because she likes you so much! I should've told the Majestics or something!"
Kai blushed and smacks Tyson hard.
"Don't even dare," said Kai.
"Ow…I was just kidding," Tyson groaned.
A few minutes later, the two just stood there leaning against the trees. Until finally, Tyson spoke up,
"Kai, I know you think I'm not this kind of person, but I can see that you're really upset about something that you seem to be crying inside," he said and Kai gave him a look.
"Okay, I heard from the others that you were upset, yet I can sort of see it too. It's like you're going to miss someone," said Tyson.
"…hmph! I can't see this person much later anyway, nothing should even matter anymore," said Kai looking out towards the beach.
"Kai, it doesn't matter where Kaida is, and before you kill me we all know about you and Kaida alright? So anyway, it doesn't matter where Kaida is, whatever kind of bond you and Kaida have, it won't change no matter where you two are. And if you want to be together, you'll find a way back to each other," said Tyson and Kai gave him a wired look,
"And you know this how?" Kai asked,
"From experience," Tyson answered.
"…Really?'
"Yeah, trust me, if you want to meet up with Kaida again, you'll meet up again," said Tyson.
"You're not the best at giving me advice because I find it hard to believe you…….but thanks anyway," said Kai and took off.
"WOW! Kai just said thanks! I think there is hope!" said Tyson surprised and excited. Hilary stepped out from behind a tree,
"I don't know, Kai seems to be avoiding his own feelings," said Hilary and folded her arms.
"Kai's a tough nut to crack, he'll come to realization once Kaida actually leaves," said Tyson and Hilary hits him on the head.
"We're trying to get Kai to tell her BEFORE she leaves!"
"Okay I'm sorry! But one thing that I should've done is knock some sense into him at least! Seriously! Somebody has got to literally knock some sense into him before its too late!" said Tyson gesturing with his arms and hands.
Kai continued walking; it seemed that the more he talked it out, the more confusing it gets! Kai turned a corner and Tek bumped right into him making them both fall (she was running).
"Ah! Love Dove! I was looking for you!" she said getting up. Kai just got up and dusted himself off.
"What do you want?" he asked,
"…PLEASE say you have a response to Kaida!" Tek almost begged.
"Is that what this is all about? Can't anybody just leave me alone?"
"Sorry Love Dove, but you know we're leaving, I bet you're all happy that I'm going…but Kaida can't leave here without an answer from you!" Tek said in a serious tone.
"Hn…why should it matter? We're not going to see each other again. Not for a long time…or maybe not ev-" SMACK!
Kai was shocked at what just happened. Tek had her hand in the air with an angry expression on her face.
"You're a fool Kai! You know that? I've slapped people before, but not as hard as what I just did to you! I hope you felt my anger Kai, if you've given up hope for ever seeing Kaida again THEN SHE DOESN'T EVEN DESERVE YOU! Kaida always has hope, but if you don't, she's better off with Ray. Pheh! One of the best bladers in the world, is that all you care about?" Tek looked at him straight in the eye and Kai could see that she wasn't kidding, she was serious. He could see that she's desperate to help a friend. And shocked that she dared to slap him and she called him Kai instead of Love Dove or by his last name.
"Kai…We know Ray is going far away too. Think about what you're feeling when Ray leaves and what you're feeling when Kaida leaves or what you're feeling when you say good-bye. It's going to be different," said Tek. Kai was too surprised at Tek to do or say anything. Tek looked at her watch,
"AH! I'm going to be late!" and she dashed off but made a quick brake,
"If you want to catch a mini concert, you better follow me," said Tek and zoomed off again.
Kai arrived at the park to see a small stage with Kaida and her friends on it.
Chris the drummer, Ulrich the bass guitarist and vocalist, Tek the keyboarder and vocalist, and Kaida the electric guitar player and vocalist. She's the one currently singing a rock song that's coming to an end (Note that Tek ran there, and Kai walked there).
"Can't hold on much longer
But I will never let go
I know it's a one way track
Tell me now how long this'll last
I'm not gonna think this way
Nor will I count on others
Close my eyes and feel the burn
Now I see what I've got to do
Open your heart, it's gonna be alright!
Yeah!"
The crowd (it's not an actually concert so there aren't mobs, but there's still a lot of people) applauded and cheered. Tek went up to the mike,
"Okay, that was "Open Your Heart" now, here's "My Sweet Passion!"
Kai noticed that his friends were here too, watching from the back and enjoying this. Tek was main vocalist while Kaida sang the backup. This song was more pop.
"Sweet, sweet, you're so sweet
There's no where to hide
Sweet, sweet, you're so sweet
Come on, let's settle our lives
Sweet, sweet, you're so sweet
I'll always be there for you!
Sweet, sweet, you're so sweet
In the best and worst time
You can be, my sweetest honey for eternity!"
Kai stopped listening and walked up to his friends.
"Hey Kai," said Max and every turned to greet him.
"Hi…" Kai just stood around and listened to the words of the song. Then the song that Ulrich started to sing seemed to remind him a lot like Ulrich himself and Tyson. Its rock just like the song Kaida sang. His song started to close to an end…
"You can take another life-long try
You can take another try!
Yeaaah!
Try to reach inside of me!
Try to take my energy
Let me show you just what I'm made of!
Simple curiosity, trying to take a bite of me
Let me show you just WHAT I'M MADE OF!"
"Not bad, but I liked Kaida's song better," said Max,
"I don't know, I like both Ulrich's and Kaida's," said Ray.
"I liked Tek's!" said Hilary.
"Give me a break, Ulrich's song was the best!" said Tyson.
Kai thought about it, then thought about the song Kaida was singing.
"Open…you heart?" he asked in a whisper.
Kaida and her friends got some tips and they packed their instruments. Chris said to meet them back at Tyson's place and that they don't need help.
While at Tyson's place, Kai thought about today's turn of events. Kaida loves him, she and her friends are leaving, and he has to give her a response. Well, for not being able to give an answer to Kaida right away and for being a fool like Tek said and just give up ever finding his answer, he'll have to apologize to Kaida. Ray's leaving pretty far away too, and Tek's wants him to see how his feelings are different between Ray and Kaida.
"Ray's a great friend, I know we can see each other again. If we want to communicate, I can always give him a call or write to him or something. Except it's not my thing. Sure I'll miss him, but if he has to go home then there's nothing me or any of us can do about it. But what about Kaida? She's leaving too. But... (Kai right hand reached up to his heart where it's starting to hurt)…I don't want that. My heart is hurting… because I don't want her to go. I don't want it, I don't want her to leave…I don't want that!" and Kai pounds the floor with his fist. His friends looked at him.
"…excuse me," he said and went into the room where he stays in when he sleeps over here. He started rummaging through his stuff, which weren't much but still had to dig through some stuff to find what he's looking for.
"Where did I put it?" Kai asked himself. He kept searching until he looked over to a picture frame that he always kept in flat down so his friends wouldn't bother looking when he's not in there. He puts the picture back up to see him and all his friends. He remembered that day. It was taken a little after Kaida's incidence with Black Dranzer. Back then, those two weren't exactly buddies yet, they were still like rivals even after Kai had helped saved her. Kai looked at the expressions his friends had. Going right to left: Tyson had his usual confident look and a peace sign. Max had that cheery smile of his and was giving two thumbs up. Hilary and Kenny were sitting on the grass with happy smiles on. Behind them, was Ray and Kaida back to back with their usual smiles. Ray had one hand on waist and the other just down while Kaida had her arms crossed. Next to Kaida was Kai with his arms crossed also but eyes closed as well. He just had a smirk on. Then Ulrich who was sitting with his arms crossed, opened eyes with a smirk. Tek and Chris gave Ulrich bunny ears and had huge grins. And then Ai who was standing there with a smile next to Chris.
Kai looked where his picture was covering, and just where he left it. He picked up his white half of the yin-yang necklace and then the one Ray gave him. He looked the one that belonged to Ray,
"Why didn't I realize it before?"
"Kai!" Ray called outside the door,
"I got something for ya," said Ray.
Kai slid opened his door and stepped out.
"Here, can you make it bloom by tomorrow?" Ray asked holding a small pot with a rose in it.
"By tomorrow?" Kai asked,
"Yeah, you know how much Kaida loves flowers…especially roses," Ray explained.
Kai understood, he knew how he felt for Kaida and he knows that only he can make this rose bloom by the next day. He took the pot,
"Where did you get it?" Kai asked,
"We all got it," Ray answered.
"…Hey Ray, um, tell the others, that I said thank you," said Kai.
"Sure,"
Kai spent the rest of the day watching the rose and taking care of it, but he didn't come out of his room. He didn't want to see Kaida, at least not yet.
Everyone was sitting around talking, except Kaida and Tyson who wanted to do a small rematch in Tyson's backyard. Daichi went to see the battle.
"So what got Kai to snap into his thoughts?" Ray asked,
"I slapped him," Tek answered.
"YOU WHAT?" everyone else exclaimed.
"Did he kill you?" Chris asked,
"Well, she is alive right now," said Ai.
"No, he was too surprised to do anything!" said Tek
"Well, tomorrow's the day," said Max.
"We'll be back," said Ulrich,
"What should I do while you're gone?" Ai asked,
"Well, what do you want to do? Hilary asked,
"I don't know…" Ai answered.
"Hm…go couch my team," said Ulrich and everyone turned to him,
"Couch my team. You're a good beybatttler, why not?" said Ulrich with a face saying he's serious and of course, his arms are crossed.
"Really?" Ai asked,
"Yeah," Ulrich answered.
"You know, I'm actually going to miss watching Kai beat up Tek, I don't know how Tek actually survives!" said Kenny,
"Yeah, I'll miss it too! Some of it is actually funny!" said Max.
"Yeah! I loved the time when I tied Hiwatari's scarf to Kon's hair together unexpectedly!" laughed Tek.
"That wasn't funny," said Ray who remembered that day.
"Yes it was!" said Tek.
"To you! You know I can easily toss you into a garbage can head first!" Ray threatened standing up.
"Or throw you out of a window," Max added.
"Or lock her in the attic," Ai added.
"Or dump her into a garbage disposal," said Chris.
"Or getting pranks pulled on her," said Ulrich.
"Or pushed off of a diving board," Hilary added.
"Or knocked out for a few hours," said Kenny.
"Or purposely lost you in the mall," Hiro added walking by.
"Okay, why are you all against me?" Tek asked,
"We're not, we're just trying to remember the good old times of watching you get pummeled but still come back almost A-Okay!" said Max.
"Yeah, tomorrow, we're going home," said Chris.
"Come on, bloom…" thought Kai who was getting tired of staring at a plant all day. A beautiful plant, but a plant. So, he ended up falling asleep around 8:00.
The next mooring, Kai woke up and got ready for the morning and continued caring for the rose. It still wouldn't bloom and Kaida was leaving today.
"Come on…why won't you bloom yet?" Kai was in Tyson's living room. It was so empty without the entire gang there. Then, the rose started to bloom! Slowly, but it's definitely blooming!
The telephone rang and since Tyson was passing by the phone, he answered it.
"Hello?"
"Tyson! It's Ray! Get Kai on the phone now!" Ray shouted on the other line.
"Hey, hold on, where's the fire Ray?" Tyson asked.
"(frustrated sigh) Just get him!"
"Okay, KAI! PHONE! IT'S RAY! And he wants you to hurry up!" Tyson called.
Tyson handed the phone over to Kai. Before Kai could say anything, Ray went right in to explain.
"Kai! Do you have any idea what time Kaida's flight is?"
"No,"
"Well that explains it…That's not my point! Kaida's plane leaves 15 minutes before mine. She and her friends leave on a 10:00 flight at Gate 35!" Ray exclaimed.
Kai looked over at the nearest clock sowing 9:35. For once in his life time, Kai didn't know what to do.
"I'm not going to make it…"
Ray knew what was going on,
"Kai, pull yourself together! You'll make it! You always find a way in these situations! And you can start by heading for the airport now!"
"…Right," and Kai hung up, grabbed the small flower pot and puts it in his pocket (the flower sticks out, but the pot fits), and rushed out the door.
Ray hangs up the phone.
"Is he coming?" Mariah asked worriedly,
"He's heading here, but let's hope that he can find a faster transportation to get here on time," said Ray looking over at Kaida and her friends talking with the other members of the White Tigers.
"Ten minutes before out flight is ready to take off," said Ulrich looking at his watch.
"Where are you, Kai?" Ray thought.
"Should we start boarding?" Chris asked,
"We got ten minutes, we can wait," said Tek putting her arms behind her head.
Kaida looked around,
"I guess I'll never get a response from him…"
"Okay, lets go guys, we have to beat the traffic," said Ulrich,
"We got 10 minutes!" said Chris and Ulrich gave him a look,
"Okay, let's board," said Chris picking up his backpack; Ulrich and Tek doing the same.
Kaida looked around again, but didn't see Kai yet.
"We hope to see you around," said Lee.
"Same here," said Chris,
"We should beybattle some time!" said Kevin,
"Look forward to it!" said Tek,
"Come visit us in White Tiger Village," said Gary.
"Will do," said Ulrich.
"Maybe we can spend some girl time together," said Mariah,
"Sure, love to," said Kaida.
"Plan on coming back to Japan?" Ray asked,
"Of course!" the four answered at the same time.
The White Tigers left for their gate while the Mystical Bladebreakers got ready to board their plane.
"That idiot Kai! Where is he?" Tek was getting anxious too.
Kaida took one last look, but after seeing no one, she turned to catch up with her friends.
"KAIDA!"
She stopped, but was afraid her mind was playing tricks on her. But her friends stopped too and when they turned around, they were shocked. Kaida turned to see Kai just a few feet away and was completely out of breath. He was panting hard and had his hands on his knees. But she did notice one thing; he was wearing both the light blue and white halves of the yin-yang necklaces around his neck.
"..Kai?" Kaida couldn't believe it.
Chris leaned over to Ulrich and whispered,
"Did he run all the way here?"
"Doubt it, he must've gotten a ride," Ulrich whispered back. Tek went up to Kaida and took her backpack,
"We'll meet you on the plane," said Tek.
"Okay, thanks Tek," said Kaida with a smile.
"No prob!" said Tek with a wink.
Kai jogged up to Kaida and pulled her into an embrace. He hugged her tight not wanting to let go.
"Kaida, I'm sorry…I didn't mean to make you wait and get my answerat the last minute," said Kai.
"..No, it's okay," said Kaida who could barely move.
"Kaida, I don't want you to go…I don't want you to leave…" said Kai softly almost a whisper but then, he had a tear fell. He was crying.
"I don't want you to leave me, you can't,"
"Kai…I don't have a choice in the matter, I can't stay no matter how much you and I want to," said Kaida.
"…I should come with you then," said Kai who hasn't let her out of his arms by the way.
"You know you can't do that," said Kaida.
"Then don't leave!"
"…Kai, I'll come back, I promise," said Kaida trying to get Kai to look at her and lighten his grip a little.
"When will that be?" Kai asked with a few tears still falling.
"I don't know, it could take a while, but I promise I'll come back as soon as I can. I have something to do back home," said Kaida sadly.
"Kaida, I want to be with you. I don't want you to leave! I LOVE YOU!" Kai said it, and he meant it. His grip has lightened but he kept her close to him, he doesn't want to let go, afraid to lose her because he had been so slow.
"……I love you too, Kai," Kaida replied. She reached her hand out to Kai's face and made him look at her.
"When I leave, will you wait for me?" Kaida asked.
"Yes…" he leaned his face in to hers and slowly they shared their most passionate kiss ever.They held it there for a while, knowing they won't even be able to see each other for a while, they wanted at least a good memory to think of when they think of each other. But finally, Kaida broke the kiss leaving Kai wanting for more.
"You promise you'll wait?" Kaida asked with hope in her eyes. Kai took off his scarf and puts it around Kaida,
"Bring it back," said Kai. Kaida took off her trench jacket from her waist and gives it to Kai to hold,
"This is my favorite, you better have it when I come back," said Kaida. Kai nodded. The intercom is telling Kaida that it's time to leave. Kai still had one arm around her,
"I'll be backing Kai, I promise you," said Kaida taking a few steps back and Kai resisting to let her go.
"Wait for me…?" She asked again.
"Yes, I will," Kai answered and reached for the rose and handed it to her.
"Bring this rose back, I know you can keep it alive when you come back," said Kai and Kaida nodded.
Kaida turned around and ran, not looking back, afraid she'll change her mind.
Kai walked up to the windows,
"I'll wait, I'll wait forever if I have to…after all, you're the only for me,"
Kaida immediately went to a window seat to see Japan as she leaves.
The White Tigers were watching nearby, happy that there might be hope for those two after all.
But the entire time, Kaida's friends didn't board the plane right away.
"I can't look," said Chris when they were about to kiss,
"Then don't look," said Ulrich.
"It's too romantic for me," said Chris holding his hand in front of his eyes,
"That's why I'm getting this all on tape!" said Tek with a camcorder.
"Where did you get that?" Ulrich asked with a surprised look,
"Backpack," Tek answered.
When Kai gave Kaida his scarf, Chris asked,
"Isn't that scarf weighted?" Ulrich and Tek shrugged.
Then when Kaida gave Kai her trench jacket and said it was her favorite, Chris asked,
"Isn't that her only one?"
"That's why it's her favorite," said Ulrich,
"Oh this is getting good," said Tek still recording,
"You know you're gong to die later on, right?" Chris asked,
"Yeah, but they have to catch me first!"
"Come on, Kaida expects us to be aboard already," said Ulrich and pulled the two onto the plane.
As Kaida left, Kai stood there a bit longer, waiting for the plane to be out of sight. Ray walked up next to him.
"You know, I hope you two the best," said Ray.
"Thanks…" said Kai.
Oh no, it's not over yet! You expect me to leave them like this? Not a chance! Last chapter: Kaida comes back, and a little of something else. "Epilogue: The Future"
Yeah, now that I think about it, it's more of a trench jacket than a coat. And I know some of you are more emotional than others; but just curious, who had their eyes hurting and was holding back tears and who actually cried? R and R!
