Shitza: I really lacked inspiration for a while in this fic. I had no idea how to start it. So where do you think it all began? Well, Thursday afternoon the Religion Class was going to visit a Jew synagogue, as it's the recent subject we are studying. Well, bad for my friends and me our day ended 1:30pm and we were supposed to be there 3pm. Most of my friends, with a long way home, decided to do the Latin homework for Friday, some like me had been sent to go shopping. (Thank my mum for that.) Some went to the computer room, literally we split up.

It's been an awful lunch, so being starved and happy to be in town I went to McDonalds. I had a paper and pen with me. While eating I took all things up and started to scribble a little thinking about the fic. Naturally the words suddenly came, and for that the chapter has not been terribly delayed. The story goes on, and I'm not going to ramble much more except for basic facts and such.

Thinking of everything that really is happening, the beginning of this chapter may seem a bit weird. Indeed, don't think this will be one of my favourite chapters.

The only really interesting part I could come up with would be the flash back to Tokyo and the BBA office. And ray's memory flashes. Oh, it inspired to write some real cuteness. As well as I like romance, I like action. But I can't stand too much fluff… with that meant to girlish girls. Sorry everyone, but this author had read too much beyblade for the year she is getting slightly tired of reading in that section. No worries, she still reads but not as much as she usually did.

Shitza

Chapter 16 A Secret Shared

"As soon as this war has ended, the sooner we can get home. I can't wait! Hilary said. It was unusually quiet being the Valley of the Elements. The demons were quiet; there had been no attacks or raids for over a day. The brown-haired girl sat with everyone else on rocks, taking a break from the boulder-breaking practise Kai had put them through. Indeed, even if their strength had improved he still made them work. Hilary was by their side, coaching as always, cheering them on.

Yet, they weren't the only ones getting some decent practise. The Valley was calm and peaceful, the demons had returned to their home in the hell that you even could return down to the Village of Fire. You could even hear your own voice whisper, and what more that was heard, as their break ended was the sound of beyblades crashing into each other. The sound called a number of people from the caves, all pale and thin but yet alive. Girls and boys crawled down from the caves to join in as well. They were all young, none older then ten, yet the team soon learnt not to underestimate them through their age. Max was the first to find out, that they all had advanced techniques that easily could defeat average bladers in the normal tours in the old world they normally had been used to. He didn't loose, but it had been a close call for a while. A very close call indeed.

Ray, with his good heart, decided after some matches against the kids to give them a few pointers and teach them some tricks. The raven-haired blader enjoyed teaching as well as blading and he had always enjoyed seeing new skills. The kids were very good, some would probably become better then himself. Beyblade improved every year, which you could see. The blades crashed with such ferocity that if these kids had been a little more experienced and a little older then they would have caused more havoc then Tyson had ever managed during his matches.

Kai was easily beating his opponents, except for one. Normally he was the best at focusing on his targets, best in balance as well as the best in the team on scaring away the fan girls without having to pretend to be some kind of maniac. Many of the teammates envied him for his cold glares. They for one had a super hard time to get away as the girls were literally drooling over them. Perhaps Kai had the biggest fan club so far, Ray had a close to as big as that. Tyson's was slightly smaller, yet big as well. Max was the hot shot in America and even Kenny had his own, by all nerds.

Kai growled. Of all people having been so close to beating him, except for Tyson (countless times), Johnny (one time as he had underestimated him), Spencer (one time, just because his bit beast had been given a boost of power), Zeo, King and Queen (because they were cheating). He stopped the list rolling in his list. Someone else had been close upon getting into that list.

He was almost beaten by his own girlfriend.

Raya did seem to be able to nudge into the ice-captain's concentration, but if Kai was loosing willingly or if she was really that strong, who knew? The red haired girl started to giggle furiously as Dranzer started to wobble slightly. Kai managed to make it a draw and afterwards he refused a rematch at all costs. He didn't dare loose his reputation. Even so, Raya wasn't one to give up so their conversation continued for minutes.

Tyson was not as violent in his matches. He enjoyed that for once he could have a match without having to risk either blade or bit beast. Dragoon was beautifully flying around in the air dodging attacks from various kinds of bit beasts. He had some slight problems with a cheetah for a while, but they made it in the end. Nothing could beat the World Champion.

Kim was slowly getting to her feet, yet she still couldn't walk. So it came as a surprise for them all to see Zeo and her turn up in the later afternoon. The Priestess of Fire was riding on a huge grey wolf, with Zeo walking beside them. The wolf was none other then the Priestess of Ice, and why she was carrying her was another story.

Kim was bored. The medications made her throw up, the energy had returned and yet her legs wouldn't obey and carry her. Daichi had her restrained to the bed in order to keep her from doing something stupid. Still it didn't stop her from wining and of pure coincidence the Priestess of Ice sat outside listening to all the nice. Growing frustrated she decided to do something to shut her up, yet after many attempts she learnt the only way to do it properly was to take her outside somewhere. Therefore, of a rare agreement, the Priestess had to carry Kim out. It was lucky that they had heard about the little actions taking place further down, outside the Village. Seeing it would be the best way of getting rid of her they went to find them.

They had crossed Zeo on the way, who had offered the carry his girlfriend, letting the Priestess return to the village. Unfortunately for the priestess, Kim had told him she didn't need the extra ride, as getting on and off was tiresome enough. The agreement came however to take her on the way back, as the Ice Priestess had work to do.

Zeo soon joined in as well, showing off as you could call it. He and Tyson soon developed a competition of stupidity. Normally he wasn't like this, but still normally he didn't get all the glamorous attention for being a hero. Their adventures had become legends and being both darkness and as nice as he was people thought of him as the hero. Fame could get to your head, it was a good thing Raya showed up a few times to pull him back to the ground.

The blades zigzagged, flew, looped, cart wheeled, spun and wobbled making the ground around them smoke of ashes. The worst however came as the last match, the final between Tyson and Kai too place. The air grew tenser between Tyson and Kai, whom had reached the end of this unnamed blading tour. The two friends, yet still enemies, only had to look into the others eyes as their determination burned. Kai smirked and Tyson grinned as they fired their blades. The two beyblades landed on the ground, circulated before rushing in to meet in the middle of the ring of cheering kids that had formed. This brought back memories of great times, for example the endless amount of battles they had won, the number of friends they had gained and the tournaments they would make history in. Fire clashed into wind, a typhoon of burning fire rose as they called out their attacks: "Titanic Inferno" and "Cyclone Whisper". Unfortunately for Kai Dragoon didn't only have a great strong attack, he stole the fires away from Dranzer and defeated him with a mix of fire and wind.

Dranzer flew and landed by Kai's feet. Tyson grinned even wider making him look like some mix of a madman and a clown. Kai walked off, with Raya by his tail. Kim had been sitting on a rock all the time; relaxing and she admired him for having such a tolerance with that girl. Not that Raya was a loudmouth, indeed when she didn't have anything to say she kept quiet and let others do the talk. The thing about Raya however was that she had a fiery temperament and just like herself she had been able to keep the lovesick boys away. Raya had decided long ago she didn't need to get married and thus so, no one and she meant it. No one had managed to get near the girl without having been marked for it at least once. Raya was a master when it came to the art of knives. It is easy to figure out the rest.

Kim shook her head. The sun was shining brightly over them. The kids had stopped beyblading to enjoy some game of tag. Tyson and the others lay on the grass as the kids had lost the interest of blading, clearly having fun in other ways.

"I really miss being a kid!" Ray said after minutes. "At least you could make everything funny, you didn't need much to laugh."

They all sighed, lying heads to heads in a circle with their feet pointing out. Kim was sun bathing from where she sat, with Zeo's head in her lap. It was suddenly so quiet yet again.

"It's almost like you wish another demon would come over for a visit." Tyson said yawning. Hilary yawned as well, her hand reaching for his. Tyson looked over at her and smiled. Hilary smiled back. She made a sign for him to follow. The two of them walked away, saying they would be back soon.

Ray sighed seeing them go, both having this mysterious grin upon their faces. Ray and Max sighed in unison. Somehow they really envied the pairs in this place. Ray wondered what Mariah was thinking and if she still remembered him. It felt like years since they had been home. In truth to speak they hadn't been home for almost two months now. He wondered what was happening at home.

Max thought alongside the same, wondering how his girlfriend had it.

Both teens sighed again, blinking hearing a third sigh coming from Kenny. What was he so sad about; he didn't have any known girlfriend, did he?

(The BBA Main Office, Tokyo, Japan)

Old and rather bendy, Mr Samuel Dickinson sat on his chair, hat on his head, eyes red from endless amount of nights being awake and worried. His coat hung over his chair, a stack of paper lay under his nose. Various reports from all around the world lay on his desk, saying the same. "We haven't seen them!" "They are not here!"

"Mr Dickinson!" a female voice said opening the door to his office. A pink haired girl dressed in Chinese style stood by the door looking tired from crying. "Any news?"

Dickinson sighed. "I am afraid not Mariah. There hasn't been any sighting of either Ray, Max, Tyson, Kai, Hilary, Kenny or Zeo since they left the plane. The airport said they could track the signal over Russia, but it disappeared as they reached Siberia. No country has been able to find them, or at least the countries we have been able to contact. I surely hope not the landed in North Korea or something, even though they too have told us no sights there. It's just that the place makes me a bit unnerving. You know, my fought in the Korean War.

"So, there is nothing at all?" she asked clasping her hands together.

"I'm afraid not. And they aren't the only ones who disappeared. The Elementals completely vanished as well after the Elite tournament and no one has seen them as well. The Saint Shields have appointed a meeting saying they have some news to share, all though I wonder if it really can help."

"Do you think they could have been kidnapped?"

"I have no idea, and I don't want to believe in anything until we can find any clues of where they could be. I know you care a lot of Ray, especially since your family has agreed for a marriage. Now, I know I am not your father or that I really should invade in your Village's laws but you too are still very young."

Mariah snorted. "My mother married when she was fifteen." She said. "Good day Mr Dickinson!" she said closing the door. Dickinson sighed. Once Ray got back, with everyone else he would be up for a real surprise. The door opened yet again to reveal one of the workers, name Harold Blitzkovich. (Shitza: Just made up something sounding Russian here.)

"Sir, it is time to go!" he said. Dickinson took his coat and stood up. Indeed, they would have to go.

Ray coughed. Was someone talking about him? Nah, it could only be superstition but still. He brushed his bangs from his face, gazing up into the sky, the kids laughing voices rang in his ears as he closed his eyes, bringing back memories of his childhood.

(Memory)

A young girl was laughing. She wore a blue top with small blue pants and played like any other kid, a real tomboy. Her name was Mariah, daughter of the Village leader. Some metres behind her hurried her brother, Lee. The oldest son in the same family. The girl was laughing and Lee had a hard time to catch up. She couldn't be more then 4 and yet her eyes were sparkling.

Ray was the son of the Combat Master in Different Material Arts. Still, unusually enough it wasn't Ray who was born to protect the title of the family, that part had been given to his sister. Still, this did not mean ray had to train a lot with his father. Ray learnt kicks, punches and throws and when he wasn't training with his family he enjoyed blading with other kids.

There were a lot of different people living in that place, some being bullies and some being nice and sugar sweet. As Mariah was the daughter of the Leader of the Village she was treated as a lady, even though she never wanted to be one. She wanted to be strong as her father. She was unfortunate enough to be born as one of few girls making her an easy target for a lot of elder people, of various good men who still hadn't found a wife. Mariah was really afraid of these people and she never left the house if her brother didn't follow as well.

Ray was blading with some other kids, winning his matches with pride. Mariah always came to watch these matches, together with some of her brother's closest friends, Kevin (a spoiled brat whose parents had been thieves, yet now were farmers.) and Gary (son of a hunter). Ray was also in the group of friends, yet right now he had other things in mind.

"Attack" he chanted sending his opponent away. The other blade flew and once more he had won. Mariah jumped down from the wall they all sat on to congratulate him. The pink haired girl tried to fight her way through, but half way someone grabbed her. He put his hand over his mouth and took her into a near house.

Ray looked up to see that the daughter of the Leader was gone and knowing lee would never let her out of sight, indeed Lee was shouting after her, he panicked. He collected his blade and luckily saw a huge guy pull the young frightened girl into a house. He followed. The guy had locked the door making him panic. Luckily there was a window open, which he climbed through.

Mariah lay on a bed, bleeding from a deep wound. The guy stood over her and even if he hadn't known exactly back then what was going on he did what he thought was for the best. His father had trained him very well for a few moments later a five-year-old boy had managed to defeat the guy. The guy was drunk so his aim had been poor and luckily ray managed it with some bruises and a broken collarbone.

It was that event that had made him the Leader of the White Tiger team, perhaps also the event that Lee's grandfather looked to when he had let him receive Driger. Surely enough it had earned him some strong respect from his village. His mother had been really proud of him; his dad had given him some well-earned gifts.

Now it felt rather embarrassing, but he still was the same guy. He still thought of what was best for the village and the people close to him. He rarely thought about himself unless his darker feelings, like a year ago when he had been really jealous of Tyson for all his titles, took over. You really didn't want to mess with him.

(End memories)

Ray smiled at the memories in his head. Indeed it was one of his favourites. Not because Mariah had been close to being raped, it was the thing afterwards.

(Memory)

Ray sat on the wall to his house, looking at the sundown. His mind was racing with the events for the day and he was smiling. He had bandages around his chest, over the broken collarbone. He would probably not be able to either train or blade for a while, but it was worth it. Suddenly he saw something pink hurry towards him. Mariah stood underneath and he jumped down to her, wincing at the pain he felt.

"Are you okay?" he asked concerned. Ray smiled in return. He didn't want to worry her. He was the brave warrior in this tale, like his ancestors had been. Mariah smiled back. They sat down, by the wall enjoying the last rays of sun.

"Ray" she said looking at a pair of older teens huddled together. "When we get older, can you promise me something? You know, when we get older, like them. Our parents will probably find a husband/wife for us. Can you promise me we could try to marry each other, for I don't want to marry someone like that!"

Ray looked at her, and then smiled. "Sure!" he said.

Mariah smiled and hugged him. Ray winced again feeling the pain. But he didn't want to let go. It was a comfortable feeling and he liked being hugged.

000

Ray chuckled. In those days neither he nor Mariah had known what the words married really meant. They simply thought it had something to do with playing with each other, something they did every day. He smiled thinking he would be able to keep that promise. He loved her and she loved him back. All he needed to do was to ask her. Yet how did you do that?

'To bad you're not here anymore dad. I could have used your advices now.'

Max looked over at his friend and smiled back. The sun was setting down and the teens got up to go back. Zeo and Kim had already disappeared returning since it was getting late. Hilary and Tyson returned, looking rather flushed and hot as they both had this mysterious grin on their faces telling everyone what they had been up to. Kai and Raya were gone as well, not able to take things anymore from the giggly team. Max got up and summoned Draciel from the blade, getting on to his back. The two of them disappeared. Ray grinned fusing with Driger, his features becoming more and more tiger alike. Kenny flew off as well, not being able to stand watching the sick lovebirds. He himself fused with Dizzi and disappeared into the horizon.

Tyson smirked giving Hilary "just one more kiss." The moon hung for hours before the two of them finally got back, because the Village had a search party after them.

(The BBA Office, Tokyo, Japan)

The Saint Shields were assembled in a huge room with represents from all the teams close to the Bladebreakers. Judy from the AllStarz, Mariah from the White Tigers, Tala from the Demolition Boys/Neo Borg, most relatives and girlfriends. It was a questioning and right now the Saint Shields told them the story about the Valley. No one knew exactly where it was.

"That is the tale Mr Dickinson." Mariam finished. She and the rest of the Saint Shields sat in couches in pairs. Mariam and her little brother Josef in one, Dunga laying in another and Ozuma sitting by himself, yawning.

"Let me get this straight, you mean there is a whole community out there working with bit beasts and hunting them down just like you are. Why has no one ever known about this before?" Judy asked. The young professor sat on chair.

"Don't ask us how they manage to hide their identities. Really, they are just a bunch of losers, well strong losers that captures bit beast and plans their own schemes. Well, we don't know exactly what they are doing, no one knows. Our village has tried in the past to stop them, but one village against ten; you can only imagine what happens. Well, we still have some few trades up. Trades for information mostly. But they are weak losers, yet I think I said that already." Josef said. His sister shot him an angry glare.

"So, they could have kidnapped them?" Mariah asked in fear.

"Kidnapped, you sure have a wide imagination. They don't kidnap people. If they want a bit beast they round you up, catches you in their trap and summons it like nothing. Their style is a bit more advanced then ours, they have more heads to think with. No, if the guys are there then they came there by accident and by bad luck. They train from birth to become warriors."

"You would probably know her by a different name of Kin Dama Thon. Our village calls her Amphri; it means Cursed Feather in the old language spoken in the Valley. Indeed she is a cursed bird, we've met countless times before and every time we do that thing kicks us back to the exit. You would find her sugar sweet, but I'm telling you she's not. She is one of the worst." Ozuma said angrily. Mariah looked and shrugged.

"They keep records of bit beasts and their movements, their books and information reaches back thousands of years into the past. They know what has happened. Our Village was once a part of the Valley, yet we got free years and years ago. I am so happy for that." Josef said. The other three in Saint Shields nodded.

"I still don't understand!" Mr Dickinson said sadly. Mariam smiled knowingly.

"I know, guess why we are going back to get some information."

The whole room went quiet and eyes stared at them. Mariam and Josef nodded towards each other before taking out two packages, one containing a bow with arrow that belonged to Mariam and one containing two knives that belonged to Josef. The Saint shields got up and left. Next time they would return things would be different.

The day had been very relaxing and quiet. The night however was filled with all different kinds of sounds. The Bladebreakers and Zeo had decided to enjoy their eve in a hot spring to heal their aching and sour backs. Would you believe you would be able to stand after having been fighting for days? I don't think so. They were all tired and since the Villagers took care of most of the situation by now, after all they couldn't take all the fame could they? It would seem unfair to take away the fun before it had started. They all sat in quiet, simply enjoying the sight of the brilliant stars and the misty glow from the moon. The suddenly…

"GERONIMO!" someone shouted throwing himself into the pool. The team washed up back again as something red and hyper appeared in the water. Daichi was hyper and you could see that as his eyes sparkled. He simply had popped up his head when a mass of attacks came. As the six boys had no idea what had hit them at first they had sent their attacks towards the water. Fire mixed with water, wind with lightning and darkness shrouded the whole thing until Daichi appeared unhurt? The others stared as the red haired teen still smiled, brushing the dust from his hair. The Priest had raised his shield in time before the attacks, and it was probably the happiness in his heart that had boasted his strength for normally a combined attack like that would have crushed the opponent into ash. They all stared at Daichi in awe as the red haired teen jumped into the air, from the water, doing victory signs. The other six teens sweatdropped.

(Shitza: Try to imagine the scenario. Pretty amusing, right?)

Ray pulled himself together, even if though the scenario before him was shocking. "What's up Daichi?" he managed to ask.

Daichi stopped in his tracks. "Oh, everything is up Ray! Me and Shi-Ma are getting married!"

Tyson looked at Max, who looked back equally confused. "Earth to Daichi!" Max said. "Didn't you despise that girl quite recently?" he asked.

Daichi smiled back. "Not anymore. We kind of made things right, besides it's not like we could have gotten away no matter how much we tried. And she is really nice and so, I mean things could have gotten worse for me."

Tyson, Zeo and Max laughed. Ray simply shook his head and Kai remained as he always was. Ignored the whole thing. Kenny blushed slightly.

"So, when will the wedding be held then, seems like you have big plans already, huh?" Zeo asked trying to calm his own laughter. Daichi looked proud, for it was as soon as the war was over, if he could choose it, very soon.

The days always started the same finding the seven friends asleep. And yet they didn't continue the same as different people decided to volunteer waking them up. This day it was someone who finally had gotten back to her feet and could walk short distances. She stood in the doorway looking at them. In her left hand was a cage of some sort, with odd spikes on it.

"Okay little fellow, time to give them a wake up call."

Something white, something misty looking like a small comet of mist looked out and then shot out like a comet. It went down to the floor and then sent out some weird gas. The seven teens all wrinkled their noses before sneezing. The little comet like thing, or whatever it was, disappeared in a nick of time.

Six of them got up. Tyson lazily still went back to sleep. Max yawned before taking cold water from a barrel to pour on to him. Tyson was always last one up as long as he could keep the record.

Ray went to get their breakfast, asking Kim on the way if she had any. She snorted as her brother had disappeared this morning, completely forgetting to do his duties. Zeo laughed helping her to sit down. Kai was putting on his armour, with some help from Kenny. Hilary yawned, trying to not fall asleep again. Tyson was wrinkling water from his hair.

Ray returned with a tray, eight bowls of rice and some soy sauce dipped bread. He gave them a bowl each, with some chop sticks. They all ate in silence.

New reports had arrived during the night that the demons had started moving again, this time they were a lot fewer in amount yet angrier then ever. Kim told them quietly about the morning report she had overheard and she begged them to be careful. Indeed she was not joining the battle for herself. Her strength hadn't returned yet and after what had happened, never in her life she would join this battle again. She sat by Zeo's right side holding his hand trying to calm herself. The turquoise haired teen smiled back at her.

After their meal a bell rang through the Village signalling for their fight. Or so they thought. It was indeed something else. The Villagers were up to some weird events.

"The Saint Shields!" Ray said questioning.

"Correct!" Josef said. "And we are here to take you back!"

TBC

Fire Falcon: No worries, you don't have to apologise, I more feel sorry for you. Oh well, not going to try and make you feel better, except this happens. I lost my grandfather when I was five, will probably loose the rest of them soon; they are all over eighty now. Anyway, yeah, last chapter was very fluffy. However, the series aren't completely in the romantic category since I almost never write romantic ones. But still, there is one where love has a huge part in it, which also will cause the problem.

Z Star The Hidden Dragon: Well, "mother". Seems my dizziness has completely left now and I'm up and running like normal. I probably had an obstinate cold in the wrong place. Thanks for worrying though; it was really nice to know. So you liked the fluffiness, well I almost thing I overdid things. Sleeping Beauty! Okay, I really did overdo it there. No worries, I'm too tired to change that chapter anyway. Sorry to announce there won't be that much fluffiness in the series, well, think nr: 5 will have some and perhaps in four as well. We'll see, haven't made up my mind entirely.

Yeah, here in Sweden everyone gets max 2 exams a week. We don't have finals here; we have divided those exams into around three-four smaller. Yet that means you have around three in every subject you take, which can be though once the assignments and such drop down on top of you. Guess why I'm always overworked every spring; I seem to break down in the middle of May. (School ends in the beginning of June).

storm-of-insanity: Well, light can survive without darkness and darkness can't survive without light. I may not be the best researcher in these matters though, but I know what you mean. And… (giggles) took you a while. Nah, it didn't… sometimes I like to put up riddles into things as well. That's the Me part in this, making up riddles.

Kendo Baby: Thanks, my typing skills have improved so the chapters normally take some few hours to write. And if I'm a good girl, do my homework and so I still get time to write a little. Won't as soon as the exams pop up.

Storms-winter: (Looks up details again.) Nah, can't see too much about Hilary in this. Okay, she will have a bigger role in the future, sorry to say, not here. There was for a while I wondered if I would even add Hilary into this fic, until I thought about (by that time unnamed) dragon she would receive. So she got to stick along. I'm thinking about sending her back though, think her part in this fic is done and someone would have to calm Mariah before she throws herself out from a cliff or something.

Teaser

So, the saint Shields want them to return. How will they get out of this mess now that the battle has officially started? And what is Raya planning?

End Notes: Yes, yes, yes… mistake removed. Now I'm happy, and better. It's a PF night. (Parents Free). Going to cause havoc in here… no, only joking. But feels so much more relaxing when they are out from the house.

People, review, please! I'll try to update this fic soon, still I'm going to Stockholm for three days on Wednesday, won't be home till late on Friday. I will try to update this before I go, don't want you all to miss me too much.

Shitza