Hey Peeps! Well I'm shocked, I thought it would take a few days to get 3 reviews but it only took one night!
So I'll keep my promise, and update straight away. This chapter is gonna be very long, probably the longest so far.
Hope you like it.

Chapter 9: Spirit Unleashed

"But how is that possible? There's no way a blader can be completely joined with a bitbeast!" exclaimed Kenny

"Oh there's a way... But maybe Cassie here, should be the one to explain it... don't you think?"

All attention fixed upon the black haired girl who continued to stare at the floor, it looked as if she was deep in thought.

"It wasn't my fault," she mumbled "I didn't ask them to do it."

"Do what Cassie?" asked Max

The girl sighed sadly "Let me explain....When I was little, I lived in a village near a forest with my parents."

Kai and Hilary, who knew about Cassie's past, knew she referred to her adoptive parents.

"Our village used to be terrorised by a black panther. At night it would always come to our village and kill some of our livestock, but sometimes it would also attack people who ventured into the forest. When we were little we were warned never to go in there alone. One day a group of us decided to go into the forest to pick some berries, I must have been about six years old, but it was my first time in the forest."

- Flashback -

A young woman handed a basket to a small girl with long black hair. They were standing outside a straw hut.

"Now be sure to stay with the group, I don't want you wondering off on your own."

"Don't worry Mama, Daren said he'd look after me. He said he'd protect me."

A boy of around eight years of age walked up to the hut. He had spikey, creamy-blonde hair and eyes that could only be described as a dark, pine-tree green. He wore a cream traditional rap around top, with dark grey trousers.

"Heya squirt, you ready?"

"Oh yes Daren. I am, I am!"

The boy chuckled softly and took the younger girl by the hand. He led her to a group of people who were about to enter the forest. The lush forest had rich greenery which seemed to loom over the group. As they walked onward, the little girl's grip tightened.

"Scared?" asked the boy

"A little."

"Don't worry, stay close to me and you'll be fine."

- End Flashback -

"We didn't have to go very far to reach the berries and I began to enjoy myself once Daren had taught me how to pick them. The joy soon faded when the black panther attacked.

- Flashback -

"The Black Panther!" screamed someone.

Panic struck the group, people began running in all directions.

"This way!" ordered the boy grabbing his friend's hand.

The girl tried her best to keep up but as she was the youngest she was also the slowest.

"Daren I can't keep up!"

"You have to! Please, just keep running as fast as you can!"

The girls screamed as she tripped on a protruding tree root.

"Daren!"

But the boy had gone, the girl began to sob to herself. As she scrambled to her feet, she could feel something watching her. Slowly, the girl turned around. Fear filled her eyes, as she saw the panther pounce.

- End Flashback -

"It attacked me several times. I screamed and screamed at the pain, praying for someone to help me. Daren heard my screams and came back with a few other older boys. They managed to scare the panther away by throwing stones at it. But they were too late, I was already badly hurt; bleeding heavily and unconcious. I was brought back to the village, but it was only a primitive place. It had no no hospital or modern medicines, only a medicine man. He tried his best and bandaged my wounds."

- Flashback -

The young woman was sitting on a wicker chair, she was being comforted by a young man. Both looked very pale, their eyes red from when they'd been crying.

A door to their right opened, a tall gentleman dressed in a pale green robe aproached the couple.

"We've managed to stop the bleeding Mr. and Mrs. Greendale."

The couple sighed in relief.

"However your daughter is still unconcious. She's lost a lot of blood... I'm afraid her chance of surviving is very slim."

At these last words the woman burst into tears. Her husband tried his best to comfort her.

"Please there must be something you can do," he pleaded as tears fell from his eyes.

"I'm sorry, but there's no medicine that can help her now... Only..."

"Only what?"

"Only magic can save her."

"Magic?"

The medicine man took a deep breath before continuing.

"I know of a magic ritual that may be able to save your daughter."

"What is it? Please tell us." said the mother in a desperate voice.

"An old tale tells of how a person attacked by an animal can be revived. It requires the blood of the beast that attacked your daughter; the mixing of their blood conjoins the mixing of their spirits. Its death will result in her survival. I can perform the ritual, but we must hurry, it can not take place if your daughter has passed away."

- End Flashback -

"That night all the men in the village went hunting for the black panther that had attacked me. The creature was slain and brought back to the village. As promised the medicine man performed the ancient ritual, combining mine and Patiere's spirits. Her spirit was set into stone." Cassie pointed to the chip in her blade.

"I used to carry it as a pendant but when I started blading I realised she could be used as a bitbeast, making us a stronger competator. However, there are downsides to our connection. We feel each other's pain, which is particularly dangerous when I'm blading. I'd never had a strong enough opponant to feel this negative effect before; then you guys showed up. Under usual circumstances I probably would have beaten all four of you, but my twisted ankle affected Patiere's performance too."

Mariah smiled. "We realised that when we battled you, your bitbeast kept limping."

"The other bad point to our connection is that if Patiere gets taken away from me, I die. At least that's what I've been told, I wouldn't like to risk it though."

"So if they'd captured your bitbeast, you would have died?" asked Kai

"Probably."

"You realise you could have killed her?! Its a good job I came along when I did!" he said angrily.

"We wouldn't have gone that far. I only used the Tiger Claw to see if the rumours were true," explained Lee. "I'm sorry for hurting your arm Cassie, really I am. I shouldn't have let my curiosity get the better of me."

"Its ok Lee..." Cassie opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something else but stopped.

Lee looked at her.

"You were gonna say something?"

The pretty girl bit her lip.

"Um, yes... How did you know about me and Patiere? I mean, I thought it was only my village that knew."

"Your tale is famous in our village," replied Gary

"It is?"

"Yes. You see our village worships all cats. We were told the tale of the Black Panther when we were very young." said Mariah

"How come you didn't say anything Rei? Afterall you came from their village. Have you heard of the tale before?" asked Tyson

His raven haired friend fidgeted slightly.

"I remembered the name Patiere Noir, but I thought that tale was just a story made up to tell little children. I didnt think it was true."

"You never were one to believe in old tales Rei." smiled Lee

"So you knew of the story, but how'd you know it was me?" asked a still puzzled Cassie.

"Kevin saw you at the BBA training centre. He recognised your blade and bit piece, and told us."

"Still the little sneak as ever." muttered Tyson causing Max and Kenny to giggle.

"Still as stupid as ever," retorted Kevin making Gary smirk.

Max and Kenny had to restrain Tyson from going up to the little green haired dude and puching him in the face, much to Kevin's amusment. The atmosphere began to relax once again, although Kai was still suspicious of the White Tigers' motives. Later on when he and Lee were alone outside the dojo, Kai decided to interigate the White Tigers' leader.

"Did you organise the attack on Cassie?" he asked Lee

"Oh no. Kevin followed those two boys from the BBA. The one immeadiately went to his older brother. It was him that arranged the whole thing. Kevin told me the details and I decided we should go and watch. I knew she'd beat those amateurs easily if the rumours were true."

"And if they weren't?"

"We were prepared to help her should those goons get out of hand."

"How noble," muttered the blue haired teen, the other boy ignored this comment.

"So why all the questions Kai? Cassie's not exactly one of yours, so to speak. Why so eager to help her? It doesn't seem your style."

"I don't approve of attacking innocent people. I was merely helping a friend of a friend."

"Don't kid yourself Kai, you rushed to her aid like a knight in shining armour! She's a pretty thing mind, can't say I blame you if you do fancy her."

Kai scoffed and turned away from Lee whilst crossing his arms.

"As if!"

"Whatever you say Kai." smirked Lee as he turned to leave. "But I don't think you can rap iron bars around your heart forever. Soon you'll realise that everyone, even you, need to feel emotions."

The White Tiger returned inside, leaving the Bladebreaker captain outside in his usual stance; leaning against a wall, arms folded, eyes closed - deep in thought.

Tonight the air was cool and crisp, relaxing almost. No sounds of the nocturnal wildlife disturbed Kai's thought, for he was too troubled to be concerned with them.
What Lee said had triggered something in Kai's mind.

It was true, when Cassie had been atacked, Kai had felt a strange sensation that he had to help her. He cared about what could have happened to her, and so had rushed to save her. Never before had he felt so positively about a stranger. Kai was usually cautious of new people and never bothered to try and get close to them.

He was now intrigued by Cassie and wanted to know her better.

Was it because they both had broken childhoods? Or was it because she was staggeringly beautiful? Or was it that she was a powerful blader? He didn't really know.
All he did know, was that of all the people he had ever known, she was different.

Hmmmm so theres chapter 9 for you. Its kinda long aint it? Oh well! The next chapter will be up soon.
Please read and review

Wreckless Spirit