Ok I really seem to be out of sync with the whole update thing. My minds been totally blank recently on what's gonna happen next. Personally I blame my exams for taking up my memory and time… but anyway here's the next chapter. I wasn't originally going to have this chapter, but I thought it would lighten up the story because it's been quite sad recently, so here's something a bit more spirit lifting. Now to my reviewers!

Bloody-Shadows: Lol yeah it was worth a try, I guess I'm just cruel to you all!

Puppalupp2008: I haven't decided for definite whether they will get back together yet… you'll have to wait and see.

Plushie Ray: I hope this next chapter will cheer you up then!

Azn-V-Kai: Glad you enjoyed it!

Kathleen: Ooo don't cry, I hope it wasn't that upsetting Oo This chapter won't be as sad hopefully, I'll be expecting your next review though lol

Beyblade-gal: Aww that's very sweet that you think that highly of me… err... I'm not very good at taking compliments so err… thank you. I'm glad you like the story that much!

Curiousgeorge: First thing, you have a very cool penname (I just had to say that lol). Second thing, thank you for reviewing it made me smile, keep those huge grins coming!

Ms.SoUrPuSs: Hope you enjoy this chapter, please update your story soon too, you're keeping me in suspense!

Ilovecake2: hmm I hope my story is not to cliché then, well if you and others like it then who am I to complain eh? Grr you're really good at guessing what's going to happen next; I was gonna go straight to the tournament but I thought 'hey, you know what… I'm gonna put a surprise chapter in to fool all those psychic people who seem to know my every move.' Lol that sounds weird I know oh well!!

lilstartwin93: Ooo a new reviewer!! Yay! Now about the name…Well I didn't invent if off the top of me head if that's what you mean lol. Actually I found the name Jelena as I was searching through lists and lists of baby names online. I simply went onto a baby names website that had what each name meant, and looked for all the names that meant moon or star and up came Jelena… I thought it was the prettiest of all the names the search came up with, so that's why I picked it. So you want to use it in your fanfic eh? Hmm well sure you can, I mean my characters sort of staying with Cassie as her name now, so by all means use Jelena. Plus I don't on the name so I can't really say no can I? I would have sent you an email saying yes, but I don't think your address came up fully on the review so yer…Thank you for reviewing!

Krage: Thank you for reviewing, I appreciate it :)

This chapter is probably going to be long because there a lot to fit in, and I don't want to use another chapter for it to split in two… so yer that's why.

Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade, I only own my OC's and their Bitbeasts.

Chapter 28: Wake up Little man

Birds chirped happily in the early hours of the morning as Cassie walked along the dusty path that would lead her to her village. Ideally she would have taken a taxi considering all the bags she was carrying, however no vehicle could travel along the only broken path that reached her village. Walking was the only form of transport the girl had available at that point in time. Unfortunately for her, there was still a distance before she'd reach her home.

'Oh well, it will be good training for me,' panted the girl.

Eventually after struggling for the last mile, she entered the homely village that she'd missed so much. People were busying themselves with their daily chores. It was a primitive place; full of tradition. Many of the elders had spent all their lives within the same village. Only a few, mainly Cassie's family and Team Twilight had seen the rest of the world. Even trading between the nearest villages was a rarity.

"Cassie!" called a masculine voice.

The girl put her bags down and turned to see a friendly face rushing towards her.

"I've missed you so much" he said as they hugged

"I've… missed… you too… err… Daren you're…hugging too tight… I… I… can't… breath!"

"Oh gosh! Sorry," replied the boy sheepishly as he let go.

"It's ok," replied Cassie as she gasped for air.

"Hey look its Cassie!" called Tino as he ran up to her. She was shortly joined by Mika, Tariq and Samir. All greeted her with enthusiasm.

"Wow you came," shouted Tino

"Yeah, now Team Twilight's sure to win," cheered Mika

"Always thinking about winning aren't you?" jeered Samir

"Of course," smirked the boy

"Anyway, its greet to see you Jel- Cassie… heh still can't get used to your name, it might take me a while…"

"Its ok Tariq, I understand – it must be strange… It's so great to see you all again. You ready for some hard training?"

"What already?!" cried Mika somewhat alarmed

"Well you said you wanted to win…" smirked the girl

"Yeah but… but you've only just arrived – surely you need to unpack first…"

"True. But that doesn't stop you doing training, does it?"

The lavender haired boy paled slightly, which the others found hilarious. Tariq put him hand on Mika's shoulder.

"She messing with you mate… that's right isn't it Cass? You're not gonna make us train now, are you?"

The girl shook her head and laughed as she picked up her bags.

"I'm going to unpack and see Dad now… I'll let you boys decide on training,"

With that she walked off, chuckling to herself.

There was an emotional reunion for Cassie and her father. Although they had written frequently to one another they hadn't actually seen each over in several months.

Her father was a slender man, with tanned skin and long dark ebony hair tied into a pony tail. He wore a cream silk kimono lined with gold thread. His posture was very good and stood tall constantly. On first impressions, you would imagine him to be extremely well bred, with strict manners; but Cassie's father was one of the kindest, most gentle men in the village.

"It's good to see you my dear," welcomed the man as his daughter entered the hut.

"Daddy!" cried the girl as she rushed to her father's arms.

"Welcome home, how was you're flight? Did you enjoy Japan? I hear you joined a new team briefly… and that you got yourself a boyfriend, heh my little girl's growing up," chuckled her dad as he patted her on the head.

"Dad," replied the girl bashfully

"Sorry, sorry… So tell me everything there is to tell about Japan. I want to hear it all."

After the long talk about the happenings of Japan, their conversation turned to village life.

"… I can't believe they did that! Haha, I bet their mum wasn't pleased. Trust Tariq and Tino to do something like that!"

"Yes their mother wasn't very impressed… Speaking of parents, have you err…seen Ion's yet?"

Immediately the girl ceased laughing and fell into a deathly silence. She shook her head.

"No. I don't think they'd want to see me…"

"Oh but they do… Cassie they don't blame you for what happened,"

"Well they should," snapped Cassie. "It was my fault Ion's the way he is now… Has there been any improvement?"

"Not that I know off… but we are still hopeful he'll recover… His friends visit him everyday to talk to him – the doctor said he can still hear us, and it should stimulate his brain to function again… maybe you should visit him, I know his parents would like that very much… Ion always thought the world of you…"

"Yeah and look where it got him," replied the girl glumly.

"Cassie! You have to forget what happened, you have to stop all of this feeling sorry for yourself and concentrate on helping Ion! I think you visiting him will help. Please consider it - even if you only stay for a bit."

The girl sighed; her dad was always the one to make her see sense. His powers of persuasion were… outstanding.

"Ok, ok! I'll go… I'd do anything to make him recover."

"Good girl, it's getting late now, off to bed with you. You can go see him first thing tomorrow morning."

The next morning, Cassie felt exceptionally queasy as she walked towards Ion's family hut. Luckily for her, she had the support of the rest of her team with her. She paused briefly at the front door.

"You ok?" asked Daren as he lay a hand on her shoulder.

Cassie took in a deep breath and nodded.

"Yeah, just a little nervous…"

The boys gave her a reassuring smile before entering the bamboo hut. Cassie was led into a small bedroom, where the young ice-blue haired boy lay peacefully in his bed. Her heart began to ache at the sight of her young friend in such a state.

Beside the bed sat a woman dressed in a pale blue, traditional dress. Her face lit up as she saw the girl enter. She got up and embraced the girl.

"Cassie it's so good to see you again my dear."

"You too M'arme."

"I'm glad you came, my dear, if anyone can wake my son, it will be you."

Cassie's smile wavered as she looked down at the boy.

"Has there been any change in Ion's condition?"

The mother shook her head sadly.

"No dear, but doctors are still hopeful… I'll leave you all now."

She took one final glance at her son before leaving the room.

The boys all began to crowd around the bed, however Cassie stayed somewhat behind the rest. She just stood at the end of the bed looking at the sleeping boy.

'He looks so peaceful,' she thought.

"Hey Ion you'll never guess what me and Tariq did last week" began Mika "… well we dressed up as monsters and waited under Tino's bed. Then in the middle of the night we started making noises, and shaking his bed."

"You should have heard him Ion! Tino was screaming like a little baby!" added Tariq. "Oh, and when we came out from the bed, Tino looked as if he'd wet his pants!"

"I DID NOT!" protested the little boy

"Oh yes you did little brother," remarked Tariq.

The conversation went on like that for the next two hours. During that time all had spoken to Ion, except for Cassie. She had remained silent, just watching her friends, they didn't comment on her quietness.

When the four boys got up to leave Cassie remained where she was.

"You staying here Cass?" asked Daren

"Yeah, just for a little while."

"Do you want us to stay?" asked Samir

"No, it's ok guys. Go on without me."

They nodded understandingly before leaving her alone with the boy. Cassie moved to the seat beside Ion's bed. Carefully she took hold of hid left hand and stroked it in a comforting manner.

"Oh Ion," she whispered. Tears began to well up in her eyes.

"I shouldn't have pushed you so hard… You only ever did your best, and that's what matters. If only I hadn't been so intent on winning, then you wouldn't be like this. It's all my fault… I'm so sorry Ion, please forgive me."

She stroked his cheek.

"Wake up little man… please wake up… you've got to…"

Cassie looked at the boy's face. He didn't react at all. A tear fell down her cheek.

"You always looked up to me as a big sister Ion. And I always treated you as my little brother. I always tried to protect you… I wish I could make you better right now, I wish I could make you wake up… I suppose I can only help in what way I can…"

She reached inside her pocket to produce a large moonstone. She gazed into its smooth, silvery texture.

"My grandma gave me this when I was ill, many years ago. Moonstones are supposed to have healing properties you see, they clear our minds… I'm going to leave it with you Ion… It made me get better; I hope it will with you too…"

Placing the gem on his bed, she wrapped Ion's fingers around the cold stone. She kissed him gently on the forehead before turning to leave.

"Please get better Ion. Please… for me."

Cassie was awoken early the next morning by a pounding on her front door.

"Cassie, wake up! WAKE UP!"

Sleepily she opened to door to be met by Daren.

"What is it Daren?" she asked with a sleepy yawn.

"It's Ion, you have to come quickly!" His voice sounded like it was very urgent.

After a very speedy change of clothing, the two ran to Ion's house. Daren wouldn't tell her what was wrong. Cassie feared the worst had happened to her young friend. When they arrived they went straight to the room, where Ion had previously been.

This time the room was far more crowded. The rest of Team Twilight were already there, Mika was still in his pyjamas. Ion's family were also present. People were blocking Cassie's view of the bed, but one thing that she could see was Ion's mum… crying.

The girl felt her heart sink.

All sense of reality became lost. Cassie suddenly felt dizzy and nauseous. But a reassuring hand on her shoulder brought her out of her trance. She looked up at her friend Darren. He was smiling.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

"Ion…" she trailed off

"He wants to see you,"

"What?"

Hope rekindled in her heart.

"See for yourself,"

Daren gestured to the bed, all the other visitors parted so that Cassie could see an ice-blue haired boy sitting up chatting readily to his mother. Joy filled the girl. Ion looked up as Cassie gasped in surprise.

"Jelena!" he cried happily as he out spread his arms.

The girl ran and embraced him with all her might.

"Ion," she sniffed. "I thought you were…"

"Dead?"

She nodded sadly

"I saw your mother crying and thought the worst."

"Oh no, you should know I'm tougher than that Jelena," jeered the little boy

She laughed at her friend; he was certainly back to his usual self. His mother stepped forward; she still had tears in her eyes from happiness.

"Thank you Cassie for bringing back my little boy… I saw you give him the moonstone…"

Ion pulled a confused face.

"Cassie? This is Jelena mama."

"Yes dear, but we call her Cassie now."

"You do?" he looked questioningly at his friend.

"Don't worry Ion, I'll explain everything to you later. It's err… complicated you see. You've missed quite a lot during that lazy kip of yours"

The boy giggled as she began to tickle him, Daren shook his head with a chuckle.

'Back to usual already,' he thought

Later on that evening, Cassie sat alone on the hill that overlooked her village. She sat leaning against a tree stump, looking up at the millions of stars in the sky. The half-moon shone down on her.

Cassie smiled as she listened to all the crickets singing their night time chorus. She hadn't stopped smiling since Ion had woken up. A twig snapped behind her.

"Hello Daren," she said smugly.

"How could you tell it was me?" groaned the blonde boy.

"I know you too well,"

"Oh… mind if I join you?"

"Knock yourself out,"

He sat down beside her, and joined her at looking to the midnight sky, lit up by millions of tiny stars.

"I'm glad you came back Cassie." He mumbled softy after a while.

"Me too. It's good to be home."

"You're happier here?"

Cassie thought carefully about how to answer that question.

"…It's helping me forget about Kai… but I do miss the rest of the gang, I miss him too if I'm honest."

"You liked him a lot didn't you?"

"I did, and I thought he liked me…"

"Personally I thought there was something suspicious about him."

Cassie chuckled.

"Yeah I remember."

- Flashback -

"…Cassie um…" stuttered Daren

"Yeah…"

"…Well I guess you know that I'll always care about you, yeah?"

"I hope so, you are my best friend…"

"I mean I'll always care about you in a deeper way than that… Do you know what I'm getting at?"

"I think I do… listen Daren,"

"No don't worry, I'm not gonna say anything like 'leave Kai for me' I just wanted you to know that's all… Do you love him?"

"… yes," whispered the girl. "And Kai loves me…"

"… well… then that's good… I'm happy for you, just be careful of him… I don't want you to get hurt…"

"Kai would never hurt me…"

"I believe you, it's just - there's something about him that makes me doubtful…"

"Well you needn't be. Daren don't be such a worry wart, I'm a big girl I can look after myself…"

- End Flashback -

"You were right about him," whispered Cassie

"Well I wish I wasn't… I hate to see you upset about him… If you ever need to talk I'll be more than willing to listen…"

"Thanks Daren. You've been so great to me."

"Hey what are friends for? Now I'm gonna get some sleep, we're starting training for the tournament tomorrow aren't we?"

"Yup, at seven."

"Right." He said as he stood up. "You coming back now?"

"I'll go back in a minute. I want to look at the stars for a bit longer."

"Ok well I'll see you tomorrow," he bent down and kissed her on the forehead. "Sweet dreams my Shining light.

Once Cassie was alone again she began to think about everything that had happened recently.

Now, life seemed to be getting better… She no longer mourned for Kai as she did previously… Ion was recovering well… and her team were ready to support her when she needed them.

- Cassie's POV -

'Maybe things will get better after all. Now that Ion's better, I can totally focus on the tournament. I'm sure we can win, we just need some training… one thing's for sure, I won't push them like last time…

Watch out Kai, by the time the tournament's here I will be ready to face you, and I certainly won't be lenient on you… I don't know the reasons for your actions, but I intend on finding out why you decided to hurt me.

You promised to love me forever… but you didn't. For now I'll concentrate on the tournament, but I will get to the bottom of this. I promise you that, and I never break a promise…'

Wow, that's considerably more than I thought I'd write for this chapter. So you get a long one to read after all! I hope it wasn't too boring…

Now the next chapter will be the beginning of the tournament. I'm not sure how long it will be before I update, it all depends on how much free time I have.

Please review, to keep my creative inspiration flowing! Hope you enjoyed it!

- Wreckless Spirit -