cough- reloading stories sucks -cough-

Disclaimer- I disclaim that I do not own beyblade

-Begin Chapter Five-

A River Rescue

Rei stared at Mariah. "You couldn't save the child without telling me?

"No, it isn't that, Rei." Mariah seemed to be at a loss of words, Rei would have commented on that fact had he not been so worried, "Its just that the current carried him into the Death Peaks. You know none of us have ever even attempted that."

Rei nodded his head. He knew this was true, but it didn't make him any happier. He started to run down to the river, hoping he be able to help the kid before it was too late. As he came to the bank nearest the Cropping of rocky peaks lovingly nicknamed the Death Peaks he spotted the rest of the White Tigers, a team he had quit after the past world championship. He spotted the child clutching onto a peak in the middle of the grouping.

Rei ran back about twenty feet away from the first peak. He kicked his shoes off behind him and dived into the water. In the water it was crystal clear why it had been called the Death Peaks. The cluster was so close in the middle it was hard to navigate properly in there. Partly because of the density of the peaks but also because of the current. It pulled anyone and anything that happened to be in right towards the Death Peaks that spanned the river at nearly twenty-mph! Not only that but few yards afterwards was a 100-ft high waterfall. Falling down its whole length would most likely cause instant paralysis if not death.

Though generally nothing lived through the peaks to find out. The current was so strong that grabbing a hold of the peaks was difficult at best. Also, it would bash anything in the peaks to death. Not only that but only for three feet underwater could one grab a hold safely. From the bottom till that point was sheer jagged edges. It was no wonder why Rei had been the only one to swim that peaks, and only because of a dare.

Rei watched as a peak neared him. He moved sideways to avoid it, and the saw another one coming up. Dodging that one he spotted two more. He moved in between all of them until he started to see two feet dangling in the water. Rei moved upwards and grabbed a peak next to the child, he surfaced and took a few deep breaths before turning his attention to the one he was supposed to be rescuing.

"Are you okay?"

"Not really. Can you really help me?"

Rei nodded his head, "Yes I can, but I need you do something for me." Rei talked as calmly as if he wasn't in the middle of a raging current in the middle of a bunch of rocks that could kill him.

"What's that?"

Rei turned around so his back was facing the child. "Get on. Piggyback style. And hold on tight." He nearly choked when the child clambered on. "Not that tight. Let me breath." After he took a few deep breaths of air he brought his feet into a position so that they crouched and facing towards the waterfall. It would have been impossible to try swimming up stream. "Okay. Here we go."

Rei lowered himself so that he was under water. The neko-jin shoved off against the rock, adding to his speed forced upon him by the current. He swam around each and every single peak, only scraping against one. He surfaced for air once he was clear of the Death Peaks. "Kid, you alright?"

"I think so."

"Good. Now I need to completely relax, it will spare you a lot of pain."

"Are we gonna die?"

"Not if I can help it."

Rei swam over to the right side of the river. The banks were way to high or steep for him to grab a hold of and the small amounts of plants on it didn't exactly lend themselves to being grabbed and staying in place. He saw the White Tigers running along side of the river, he saw their mouths move but he couldn't her what they were saying over the rush of the water. Rei concentrated on the falls, which he would fall over in a manner of minutes. He looked on the banks, hoping for something to grab onto. He occasionally turned his head in the direction of the ever-nearing waterfalls.

Rei felt a falling feeling and knew instantly he was falling over the edge. His clothes rippled up behind him. The teen felt the kid cling onto him even more. He noticed a branch within grabbing distance coming up. He reached an arm out he held onto the branch, his arm felt like it was going to rip off. He swung onto the out hanging branch and started to crawl over to the trunk of the tree it self.

He reached the top of the cliff where he saw the White Tigers had stopped and looked over the edge in horror. Mariah had her hands clamped over her mouth; she was kneeling at the cliff's edge. Kevin looked like he had stopped breathing all together. Lee just stared down with wide eyes and had placed a comforting hand on Kevin's and Mariah's shoulders. Gary had clenched his fists and stared down with an expression similar to Lee's.

Rei would have laughed had he not just barely escaped death and the kid was choking him, he did manage to crack a grin, his eye's shimmering with semi-amusement. He landed on the ground, making more noise than he liked, but still the roar of the waterfall over shadowed it. He pulled the child off his back and set him on the ground. He snuck as silently as he could behind the group.

"Hey guys, miss me?"

Rei watched them all nearly jump out of their skins at his voice and turn around as fast as they could. Gary looked ready to punch him, same going for Lee and Kevin. Mariah was the only one that actually did something though. She slapped Rei, and hard too. Rei rubbed his cheek, which now had a red hand print on it.

"Don't you ever scare us like that again."

"What? I caught onto that branch and climbed back up to the top, not my fault you guys didn't see it."

"Not that, moron, sneaking behind us and scaring us out of our wits. We could have fallen over the edge of the cliff."

Rei grinned, his fangs showing. "Couldn't help myself. Sorry guys."

This time he did have to dodge more than a slap. A punch was aimed at him, and he made it miss by inches. Jumping up he dodged another fist and landed on a cliff far above them.

"I think I'll stay up here until you guys calm down a bit." Another fanged grin was tossed at them as he climbed up the face of the rock wall.

-In Russia, a few weeks later-

Kai walked over to the principal's office, as slowly as he could manage without actually dragging his feet. It was the middle of the day, so why had he been called over? He sighed, not knowing the answer to that question.

As the bluenette reached the oaken door he heard Mr. Tyrant speaking.

"Your parents have requested that you be sent to America. You'll be leaving tomorrow and be dropped off at the airport. Now go pack your stuff."

Kai backed away from the door as it swung open. A red haired kid walked out, holding an unopened envelope in his hand. The older teen blinked at him and walked into the office.

"You wanted me to report here, sir?" Kai still despised using "Sir" to address the principal.

"Yes, like the boy that just left my office, we've been asked to let you leave school tomorrow. I have to listen to the request, for its my job. You are to pack up and be ready to leave at 7:00 in the morning. I've been asked to give you this letter."

Mr. Tyrant handed Kai a letter like the other one. "Leave now boy. You'll be dropped off at the airport tomorrow and do what you like, there was no request for where you are to go."

Kai pocketed the letter and nodded before leaving. When he reached his dorm he opened the letter and read it.

Kai,

I have been asked to have you taken out of the school where you are currently attending. The reasons for this are simple. I think you are well aware that Voltaire is planning world domination and wishes to use you. You would be in danger at your school. If I ever get around to it, I might explain why I know this. Also, Do not ask who wants you out of the school, this might also be explained why.

You are free to go where ever you wish after leaving your school except for going to the Abbey or returning to school. Enclosed is a plane ticket that can take you anywhere in the world. It is for a one-time use.

A friend

Kai had to re read the letter four times before it sunk into him. Voltaire wanted to rule the world. What else was new? But the fact that someone got that info and lived was amazing, not to mention that they warned him about it as well. Who wanted him safe? He shook his head, it might be explained to him. Kai figured it would be wise not to go around asking people about it though. He smiled, He could go anywhere in the world except back to the Abbey or to this school again. No worries there. He hated both places enough that there was no chance of him going to either.

Kai searched the envelope and found a small white packet with a plane ticket. It said he could go anywhere he wanted. A look of contemplation crossed his face. Where would he go? America? No, he didn't like it there. Italy? And have a possible encounter with Enrique? No chance. China? No the white Tigers still hated him. Japan? Yes, he could torture...train, he meant to train Tyson there.

Kai set about packing his belongings into a black duffel. As he packed he wondered about the closing. A friend? He didn't have any friends, besides, he probably didn't even know the person. Why sign a friend if you didn't even know the person you were writing to? Kai couldn't possibly figure out the answer to that.

-In America-

"Yeah, mom?"

Max was talking to Judy. She had called Max to her office. The blonde boy wondered why, still, he came.

"Maxie, I need you to go to Japan, with Tyson and the others."

"Okay, but I have a question."

"Yes?"

"Why, mom?"

Both blondes looked at each other. One with concern the other with confusion.

"I'd feel better if you went, Maxie. I'm not really sure myself, but you'll be safer there."

Max was still confused but he felt that it would be best if he didn't ask anymore questions.

"Okay, Mom, if you say so. When should I leave?"

"I'd like you to leave early next week if possible."

-In Japan-

Lily stepped of the airport steps. Next to her was an eight year old boy, it was the same one that had been in Russia two days earlier.

"Hey, sis?"

"What Leo?"

"Why are we here?"

"You know why. Come on, let's find our hotel."

-End Chapter Five-