DISCLAIMER: Bakuten Shoot Beyblade belongs to its manga author, Aoki Takao.

Fanfiction . net won't allow question marks together with exclamation points. Sheesh.

Hope you enjoy!

WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW CAN'T HURT YOU

ChApTeR 2

I have to get out of here!

Footsteps. Dangerously approaching footsteps.

Max cringed. His eyes might have been temporarily blinded but his ears were still perfectly in good condition. They could recognize those sounds but he didn't want to hear them at all. Because that could only mean one thing.

"Max!"

Rei? It couldn't be. Maybe his ears must have decided to abandon his side and instead play tricks on him. I'll get stoned again anytime now. Three, two, one—

"Are you all right? Max, can you hear me?" The voice was louder, clearer, nearer.

But very welcoming. Max was one hundred percent sure this time. "Rei!" Suddenly the Chinese boy's worried voice was the best sound the injured lad had ever heard. Automatically he tried to get up on his feet but instead started to collapse.

"Hey."

Max felt one arm catching his upper body before he could completely fall down, the other one circled around his shoulders to support him. He let Rei help him sit properly but winced as the latter's hand accidentally grazed a wound near his shoulder.

"Sorry."

He tried to smile in reassurance. "Forgiven. Thanks, Rei."

Then like lightning, a thought struck him. "Where—where's that kid? Rei, be careful, he might hurt you too along with me!"

"Kid?" There was a pause. "There's no one else here but us."

"What? No, he must be around somewhere!" From where could he be attacking me again?

"Max, there's no kid or anyone else."

"Are you sure?"

"Very. What's going on?" Rei's voice sounded with confusion.

He left, Max realized, eyes still shut. Maybe he saw Rei coming so he escaped already. The possible explanation made him sigh in relief. "Good. But what are you doing here?" His hand groped for Rei's arm.

"Looking for you. Kai's already there with the others and we were just waiting for you to return. The question is, what happened to you? Why don't you open your eyes?"

"I got sand on them. Someone's been stoning me just now," he replied weakly. "He was the kid I'm talking about."

"What? But why would someone want to stone you?" Rei's tone was in disbelief.

"I don't know. I haven't even seen him before." As soon as the fear subside inside him, he felt the stinging of his wounds again and tried not to cry out.

"We'd better go back to Chairman Daitenji and have your wounds treated immediately. Plus you have to wash the sand away from your eyes. It would be impossible to do them here when all we have is saltwater. I take it you can't walk?"

"Yeah."

"Come on. I'm going to carry you on my back. Don't worry, my hair's tied."

Max nodded wearily while letting Rei guide him. As he let his chest rest on Rei's back, his mind raced back to the events that had previously happened. The furious expression of the boy's face, the stones in his hands… Max shuddered.

"Hey, are you cold?"

"No, I'm fine." Max's answer was now just an exhausted whisper.

I hope I never see him again.

Ever.

By the time Max finished his story, Takao was already angry, body heating up. "Where's that jerk? Show me where he is!"

"Takao, calm down." Kyouju was trying to appease him. "Getting worked up will not help at all."

"I don't care," he snapped. "How can you even think of being calm after what happened to Max?"

Kai uncrossed his arms. "Do you even know where that guy is?"

"No, but still—"

"Takao."

All stopped to turn to Max who was trying to shift to a more comfortable position. "Takao, thank you for your support and I really appreciate it. But I'm feeling better now. Besides, I just want to forget the whole thing."

"Forget?" Takao couldn't believe he was hearing this from Max, of all people. "Max, are you telling me that you'd let someone physically hurt you and get away from it?"

Max sighed tiredly. "Tracking him down would be a waste of time. For all we know, he could've left the beach already. Besides, after the early exhibition match this morning and what happened today, I'm exhausted."

"Max…" Takao wasn't used to seeing Max injured and looking lost. It didn't fit the blond.

Chairman Daitenji got on his feet. "Max-kun is right. And I also think we should all go back to the hotel. You boys need to rest."

"Rest? What do we need to rest for, Chairman?"

"I have something to say to all of you at this very minute, but as I could see it, this won't be the best time to explain the details. I'll come back before evening."

Takao turned to Kyouju, who just gave a shrug in response.

"Now that we're all here, I guess we can start."

The sun was starting to set. Kyouju seated himself on the couch inside the hotel Chairman Daitenji had provided them in their stay. Takao sat next to him while Max and Rei took their places on the chairs ninety degrees away from them. Kai, as always, leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

Chairman Daitenji settled down on the nearest chair. "I know you boys may want to go home. But before you do, I want to see whether or not you'd be interested to join this journey that I arranged."

"Journey?" Takao echoed. "Journey for what?"

"This journey," he paused, "to find the Twelve Signs."

"Come again? The Twelve what?"

"The Twelve Signs. Have any of you ever heard of them?" The older man's eyes rested from one beyblader to another, only to receive shaking of heads. "Rei?"

The brunet shook his head too. "I've traveled to many countries before but this is the first time I've heard of such a thing. Chairman Daitenji, can you tell us what the Twelve Signs are all about?"

"Very well, I'll explain all that I know. The Twelve Signs are twelve pieces that would form a bit when put together. You could say it's like a jigsaw puzzle, only the difference is that each piece, or a Sign, seems to possess great power."

"Wait a minute. Each piece contains great power? Makes me wonder how strong the power of the bit would be as a whole." Max leaned forward from his seat, apparently interested about the current subject.

"That's right, Max-kun. But unfortunately, there isn't much information about them; it seems like there are literally few people who had even heard of such a thing."

A frown crossed Takao's features. "Just a sec. Did those twelve pieces come from a shattered bit or were they created individually to form it? And what do those 'Signs' stand for? Do they really have to be that many?"

"I cannot answer your first question, Takao-kun, because like I said earlier, information about the Twelve Signs is very rare. But regarding your other questions, I'll ask you all something. Is the term 'zodiac' familiar to you?"

"Zodiac…" Max repeated. "As in the thing related to daily horoscopes and other astrology stuff?"

"Exactly, Max-kun."

Signs… Suddenly it was all clear to Kyouju. "I think I'm beginning to understand what Chairman Daitenji is trying to point out."

All turned to face him, waiting for him to continue.

Kyouju cleared his throat. "The Twelve Signs are representations of the twelve zodiac signs. Each piece stands for one sign, and maybe each is different in its own way. Let's see, if I recall it right, the majority of the zodiac signs are represented by animals, so—" He stopped, realizing something else. Animals? But that could only mean one thing. "That's right! Holy beasts!"

Rei's amber eyes widened slightly. "So you mean to tell us that if someone owns the Signs, he has at least four or more holy beasts under his command?"

Kyouju nodded. "Looks like it."

"What! At least four or more holy beasts?" Takao exclaimed in disbelief.

Rei turned his attention to the chairman. "I have to ask though, are we talking about the zodiac signs named after the constellations here or the Chinese one?"

"You mean there's another one?" Takao scratched his head. "Well, what difference does it make? They're both the same, right?"

"Not exactly, Takao. If it's named after the constellations, the zodiac signs are composed of seven animals, three types of people, a half-man half-animal, and one inanimate object. Meanwhile, the Chinese zodiac has twelve animals."

"Twelve?" Takao's jaw dropped. "But then that would mean you get to control twelve different holy beasts!"

If it can be done all at once, then it is indeed powerful! Kyouju looked around to see how the others were taking this. Max's blue eyes were wider than saucers. Rei was staring at the floor, seeming to be contemplating. Chairman Daitenji didn't seem surprised, just nodding in response to Takao's exclamation. It sounds as powerful as the Black Dranzer. Maybe—maybe even more!

Speaking of which… Kyouju's glance finally rested on Kai. The taller boy's face still bore the steely impression but Kyouju could have sworn he just saw a spark of interest in Kai's reddish-brown eyes. Well, why shouldn't he be? I can't blame him.

Max found his voice at last while turning to Chairman Daitenji. "There's something I can't understand. If it turns out to be the first one Rei just mentioned, what's in it for those signs that aren't represented by animals? I don't see how they could be holy beasts."

"I'm sorry Max-kun, but even I don't know the answer." Chairman Daitenji got up on his feet and headed toward the window. "That's what we are about to find out as well."

"Sounds like a real mystery to me." The kid with double heritage seemed to be lost in deep thought for a moment before facing the others. "What do you guys think?"

He was met by silence. Everyone else seemed to be thinking about the same thing too.

"The Twelve Signs." Rei finally looked up. "They sound a little too ideal."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Takao queried.

"From the way Chairman Daitenji and Kyouju describe it, it seems perfect. A little too perfect. I mean, if the bit chip is formed, then it can utilize all the pieces. But being able to use twelve powers at the same time isn't exactly an easy thing on the user's part. Aren't there any consequences? Shouldn't there be some catch or limitation? The Twelve Signs sound too good to be true."

"It does but it is true." Chairman Daitenji turned away from the window and directed the next words at Max. "The Twelve Signs are your mother's current research project. She's searching for information that she can apply in the PPB Institute."

"My mom's research?" the blond echoed. "So that's what it's all about. But how come she never breathe to me a clue about it?"

"I told Judy that I'll take care of breaking the news to you." The older man turned to the others. "How about it, boys? If you have your own plans already or if you don't want to join, then it is all right. If you're interested, prepare yourselves for we'll be meeting tomorrow afternoon the person who holds one of the twelve pieces already."

"Wait." Takao stared at Chairman Daitenji. "How the hell did this person get to possess a piece already? Is he the one who wants to collect all the pieces of the bit?"

"You could put it that way. Are there any other questions?"

Max raised his right hand. "Chairman, if we were to help this person you're talking about, where do we search for the Twelve Signs?"

"You raised a good question, Max-kun. According to the holder, the rest of the Signs are scattered all over the world."

"All over the world?" Takao exclaimed, nearly falling from his seat. "So we're going to travel to all the countries during the trip?"

"I wouldn't say all of them. I know it sounds exhausting, boys, and I understand if you don't want to join us. The trip does consume a lot of time." He looked at his watch on his left wrist. "It's time for me to go now and attend other matters. I'll come back tomorrow morning for your answer. I want you all to think about the whole thing first before arriving at your final decision." He tipped his hat back to his head. "Good day to you boys." And with that, he started to head toward the door.

"Wait. I have decided already." Takao slammed his right fist and his left palm together, a look of determination on his face. "I'm going to join the trip."

Kyouju turned to him. "Takao?"

Takao nodded eagerly. "You and Rei said it yourselves. One piece equals great power. Whether it turns out to be the constellation zodiac or the Chinese one, I don't care. I want to meet the future owner of the Twelve Signs and challenge him to a beybattle after we collect the remaining pieces."

"Takao, did you even think about it?"

"Come on, Kyouju. Don't act like you don't know me." He had that familiar grin on while rubbing the lower section of his nose with his index finger. "The more powerful the opponent is, the more exciting the battle becomes and the stronger my determination is!"

Oh, so that was Takao's real intention. He wants to ensure that all of the pieces are collected so that he can pursue the challenge a beybattle with the future owner would bring. Sometimes people don't change.

"And besides," Takao continued, "crossing countries is not new to us, of all people. And especially not to Rei. But we all know you tend to get seasick, so I couldn't blame you if you don't want to come in case we have to cross seas."

"No, that's not it, Takao!"

"I'm going as well."

Kyouju watched as the Chinese beyblader stood up. "Rei?"

"I still think that the Twelve Signs must have some weakness that nobody knows yet," Rei stated firmly. "Some kind of a limitation. I want to find out if my hunch is correct and see the pieces for myself. Of course, I'd be helping Takao in the process."

"All right! Way to go, Rei!" Takao happily clasped hands with the black-haired boy.

It didn't even take twenty seconds for them to decide. Kyouju's gaze shifted to the rest of the beybladers inside the room. Based from their past experiences, chances were Max and Kai most likely joining them.

"Hey, don't forget to include me in the fun!"

See?

"You too, Max?" The excitement lacing Takao's voice couldn't be mistaken.

"Sure!" The recovered beyblader was practically beaming. "Researching about the Twelve Signs is my mom's recent research project and I want to help her. If I join you guys, this trip will give me first-hand knowledge and information that I could hand to my mom. Am I correct, Chairman?"

"That is right." Chairman Daitenji smiled while approaching Max to pat his hair. "Judy is so lucky to have a good son like you."

Max grinned. "Thanks. Plus, like Rei, I'd get to help Takao too."

"Great!" Takao slapped Max a high five and the blond laughed. "I knew I could count on you, Max!"

"Of course!"

Takao turned his head to the last member, whose eyes were closed. "How about you, Kai? Are you in or what?"

Kyouju watched Kai's response, the latter opening his mahogany eyes.

"Well?"

One corner of Kai's mouth pulled upward slightly. "Did you really think for a minute that you could handle this trip all by yourselves?"

"So you're coming with us?" Max's freckled face was a picture of hope.

A nod.

"Yes! Thank you, Kai!"

"Wait a minute," Takao cut in. "You couldn't possibly be doing this without your other reasons just like us, Kai. So tell us. What's in it for you?"

Kai uncrossed his arms. "You don't need to know."

Max smiled. "Whatever his reason is, the point is that we have Kai."

"Okay!" Takao jumped while pumping his fist in the air. "I can't wait for this trip to start! Hey Kyouju, are you coming with us?"

Kyouju stared at his laptop. He had to admit, he found the subject very mysterious, with so many questions yet to be answered. Where did the Twelve Signs come from? Why wasn't there much information about them? How did the person Chairman Daitenji was talking about get one of the pieces? How did he even know that the other Signs were scattered all over the world? What were the possible powers of the other zodiac signs that weren't represented by animals? I have to find out about all these and more. If no one else can gather information about this superb bit, then this trip is the chance of a lifetime for me. But… He tried to push all thoughts of seasickness starting to crowd in his mind.

"You'll be all right, Kyouju. If you're worrying about getting seasick, rest assured. We're going to take care of you. Right, Max?"

"That's right!"

The brown-haired boy sighed. "Okay. Count me in."

"Yeah! Thanks, Kyouju!" Takao's right arm grabbed Kyouju's neck. "You too just couldn't resist, could you?"

"Takao—let me—go—" he gasped, trying to free himself from Takao's grip. Once Takao had started talking, his excitement would rub off on the people around him. Kyouju had to admit, his friend's high-spirited disposition was contagious.

Besides, it wasn't like he had an opinion left for him to take now, was it?

"It's a good thing we'll be meeting this guy—or girl—just a few minutes from now instead of this morning," Takao declared the next day. The sunny afternoon had already begun, and the BBA Team was walking on the sidewalk. "Otherwise I'd have to wake up so early."

"Well, thank Chairman Daitenji for the later time." Rei twisted his head for a moment to acknowledge him. "Knowing your sleeping habits, he probably rescheduled the whole thing. Maybe you should start practicing how to wake up early, Takao."

"No way!" Takao accompanied the words with an exaggerated shaking of the head. "I mean, eight o'clock in the morning is way too early for a wake-up call. How much more if I have to do it everyday?" He actually shuddered.

"You know, Rei is right," Kyouju replied. "Especially now that we're going to keep on traveling from country to country. You can't afford to be always the last one to get up, Takao. We would be wasting a lot of time otherwise."

"Sheesh, Kyouju. You don't have to be a worrywart." He rested his hands behind his head.

While his teammates continued exchanging words, Max tuned them out, continuing to walk silently. Chairman Daitenji had said yesterday that he would meet them at the park to introduce the person he claimed holding one of the Twelve Signs. I wonder what kind of a person he, or she, is? A good beyblader maybe?

His blue eyes glanced to the right. Kai still kept on walking with his eyes still looking ahead of them. Maybe he's wondering about the same thing too.

Suddenly Rei stopped walking. So did Takao and Kyouju.

Max nearly bumped into Rei. "What's wrong?"

"What's happening here?" Rei asked, his eyes staring at the large crowd just a few meters ahead of them.

Takao turned to his friends. "Let's find out."

Max nodded. They approached the pack of people, attempting to see what the commotion was all about. As Max tried to push his way to get a better view, he saw two figures: a girl who seemed to be frightened, and a taller guy, probably near his twenties, looking nearly pissed off.

"What's going on?" Max queried the kid standing next to him.

"I don't exactly know," he replied. "They've been going on like this for minutes but we couldn't get a clue what they're talking about. When we try to go past them, that guy would yell at us that he wouldn't let anyone unless he finished his business. Well, whatever it is, the crowd doesn't like it one bit."

The blond looked around him. Sure enough, most of the young people were starting to look anything but pleased. That guy is just unreasonable.

"All right, now just what's going on here?"

Max turned his head at the source of the voice touched with slight impatience. Somewhere on the right side of the crowd someone had stepped into the beyblader craned his head to see the figure wearing a black cap on his head approach the two people.

"I told you no one's allowed to pass until I'm done here!" the tall guy roared. "This is none of your business, kid; get lost!"

The boy ignored his words. "Normally I wouldn't interfere with other people's problems but do you mind taking this elsewhere? I happen to have an important appointment right now and I have no intention of being late just because of this. I think the people behind me don't want to be either."

His words earned him a glare from the taller guy. "What do you know about anything?"

"Nothing at the moment. Well, at least nothing unless you tell us what's going on with you and this girl."

The girl cowered behind him as the tall guy began to talk. "This idiot spilled her drink all over my new shirt! I didn't buy something so expensive just to be ruined by some ditzy blonde!"

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it! Please! Forgive me!" The girl was starting to cry by now.

The boy glanced at her before turning to the teenager. "She said she didn't mean it." He bent down to pick the plastic cup and examined the remaining content. "Looks like apple juice. It shouldn't be much of a big deal."

He's right, Max thought, eying the tall guy's orange shirt. The spill didn't even look like a real stain. In fact, anyone could easily mistake the liquid on the garment as plain water.

"Not a big deal! I don't care if she spilled apple juice or cider or whether or not it was an accident. The point is, she ruined my shirt!"

"So make her replace it or something. Or if she can't do it, let her pay the worth of your shirt. If you're going to make a big deal out of it, just do it anywhere but here, please? We just want to walk freely."

The other kids murmured in agreement, nodding their heads.

"Just what's with that guy?" Max heard Takao mutter. "Why did he have to make a big deal out of juice?"

"You've got guts for a kid who seems to be just twelve or thirteen." Before Max knew it, the tall guy grasped the boy's arm hard. "Don't tell me what to do or else."

Max turned to Rei. "I think it's about time we get involved."

But before Rei could even reply, Takao pushed his way to the front. "Hey, you're going too far!" Clearly he was angry.

The jerk in the orange shirt ignored him and gripped the arm tighter but then suddenly dropped it like a hot mug of coffee and backed a few steps, causing the boy to fall to the ground. He seemed to be… afraid? "Freaky, man." And without hesitation, he turned around and rushed away.

The others looked at each other in complete surprise, asking one another why. Max wondered about the same thing too.

Takao, on the other hand, stared at the guy's disappearing form, jaw dropped and all. "What the—That jerk ran away when he saw me! Hey, I'm not done with you! Come back here, you coward!"

"Forget about him," Kai said. "We have more important things to do than minding that guy."

Takao exhaled sharply. "Fine." As the people walked past them, he reached a hand to the boy with the black cap. "Are you all right?"

The boy took his hand, and Takao pulled him up. "Yeah, I think. Thanks."

"Maybe you shouldn't have jumped in." Rei looked in the direction where the guy with the orange shirt ran off. "He could have broken your arm in two."

"Hm… Maybe you're right. But what he's doing is so way off. As they say, sometimes you have to say something if no one else will."

The blonde looked at her savior gratefully. "Thank you so much for what you did! How can I ever make up for it?"

"Don't." He held up one hand. "I hadn't intended on helping anyone. I just want him off the sidewalk."

"Okay. Anyway, thanks again." She smiled before walking away.

"Well, I better get going too." As the guy's eyes turned to Max, he had the picture of knives—cool and piercing. Maybe the tall guy felt it too but got scared.

Right?

"All right." Takao turned to Max and the others. "Come on, guys. Let's go to the park now."

"You're going to the park too?" the guy asked. "We can go there together then. That is, if you don't mind."

Takao shrugged. "Why not?"

They all continued to walk silently.

"You guys," the guy spoke after a few minutes. "You don't seem to be from here."

"You're right. Well, most of us aren't." Takao jerked his thumb at Max. "He's half-American."

He twisted his head to look at Max. Was it Max's imagination, or did those pale blue eyes seem to glare at him?

But as he looked at the boy's face, it seemed to be completely relaxed. Maybe that was just the way his eyes were. There was nothing to worry about.

The boy turned to Takao. "Well, wherever you guys come from, I hope you like America."

"I sure do. The foods here are so delicious! From hamburgers to pizza to French fries, they're all great!" Takao was practically drooling.

"Takao, every food for you is great," Rei noted.

Suddenly the boy stopped in his tracks. "Takao? As in… Takao Kinomiya of the BBA Team?"

Takao blinked before nodding in pride. "Yeah, that's me." His hand gestured to his companions. "And these are my teammates." He seemed to be expecting the boy to pull out a pen and a pad to beg them for autographs.

But the boy didn't. Instead he just smiled. "Cool. So, you're the winners of the Beyblade World Championship Chairman Daitenji was talking about."

"Chairman Daitenji?" Kyouju echoed. "Then you must be…"

He nodded before removing his cap. "My name's Elijah, and I'm the one searching for the Twelve Signs."

Realization hit Max like lightning as he stared at Elijah. The disheveled sandy brown hair, those ice blue eyes… There was no mistake about it.

He's the one who stoned me yesterday!

Please leave a review, people, I'd really appreciate it! Thank you!