Hello everybody! Look I've managed to update within a week! Go me! Lol… Ah the summer holidays are great, I've had plenty of time to write this chapter. Now then I would have uploaded this instalment yesterday but for some reason the internet wasn't working. Tut, I dunno! Technology these days!

Thank you to everyone who reviewed last time, now for my custom replies:

lil' angelgrl: Heya, look I updated sooner this time lol.

Luna-chan - A MaSk Of LiEs: Happy anniversary to you too then! Ehehe I agree with you on Aki-chan; tell you what, after this story's over by all means send her to Boris – its about time he should suffer!

BloodyShadows: I'm glad you liked the way Rei was in the last vchapter. He's sweet isn't he? Thanks for reviewing!

silent-lucidity: Aww, thank you. You may have a wait a while for any Kai and Cassie scenes… but hey you never know what could happen there!

Ilovecake2: Right then, you may have a surprise in this chapter – that's all I'm gonna say :P

Junko: Heya, I hope you got my email answering your question. If you haven't then my email thingy is mucked up again! Well the answer will be no concerning the machine, but something else will happen – but that's a secret lol.

Silent Storm 2000: Yeah it was Rei, or Driger to be precise, who caused the wound. However I must stress that he didn't mean to do it, it only happened because Cassie feels exactly the same amount of pain as Patiere. (chapter 9 explains why)

SpiritualEnergy: Yup I'm back and here to stay!

CrimsonSkye06: You won't find out what Boris said in this chapter, however it is defiantly in the following chapter – I know that for sure because I've already written that part of the story lol. Hope you enjoy it.

Bladebreakers: You shall find out in this chapter… though you too may be surprised by the end.

I.love.Goku.and.chester: Ooo a name change lol. Of course I forgive you! Silly Billy, at least you do review – unlike some people (I know you're out there!) I'm glad you still like the story!

Diamond Core: Wow its an essay! Lol that is sure one long review there, I really don't deserve all that praise lol; you're too kind! Now then all the questions concerning Cassie and Daren will be answered in this chapter, however all the Kai, Boris and Tala questions will be in the next chapter. I hope you like this chapter, I personally don't think it's as well written as the last one, but hey ho!

Soullesswinds: That's alright, take as long as you want, I'll wait

Kimkizna: Well you'll find out about Cassie in this chapter, as for Kai though, I'm afraid you'll have to wait until the next chapter!

HeartlessDevil: All will be revealed very soon…

AnimeGirl329: Wow you read it all in a day? Good on you! Well I suppose this must be a quick update to you lol. Hope you enjoy this chapter. Thanks for reviewing!

Plushie Ray: Yeah I feel bad for poor Rei, he didn't mean it to happen after all.

Now that's everyone who reviewed, a big thanks to you all. I hope you all like this chapter, I'm kinda scared that you won't lol. Ah well I shall see.

Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade, I only own my OC's and their Bitbeats!

Chapter 41: Happy?

When Cassie finally awoke, she found herself looking up at the ceiling in her hotel room. Hastily, she tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot up her spine. It was painful, but bearable; so she grit her teeth as she continued the manoeuvre she'd already began. When satisfied she was now comfortable, Cassie inspected her room.

Her curtains were drawn, but the small lamp at the far left of the room prevented her being surrounded in darkness. From this she deducted in must be at least late evening, if not the middle of the night. A bunch of flowers, in a vase, sat neatly upon her bedside table. Their sweet aroma filled with room with a strong floral scent.

'Must be from Daren' she thought

It was then that she noticed that among the purple bouquet lay a pure white lily – her favourite flower. Attached to it, a note read: for my shining light, get better soon.

'Definitely from Daren'

She rolled her eyes and continued to scan the room. Everything else seemed normal.

'The others must be training… ah well better make the most the peace – I'm sure they'll come back soon,'

With a sigh she closed her eyes, enjoying the silence. She was on the verge of sleep when a loud childish voice suddenly asked.

"Feeling better?"

Cassie's eyes shot open to see a pair of brown eyes directly in front of her. The shock made her jump nearly five feet in the air.

"Jesus!" she screamed

The small boy shot back to his seat beside her bed immediately, a frown plastered all over his face.

"Mamma says it's bad to swear," mumbled the boy

Cassie inwardly groaned as she placed her head on her right hand, for support. She gripped the bed sheet with her left hand as she tried to calm her breathing.

"I'm sorry Ion… just – just don't do that again please, you scared me half to death,"

"Sorry,"

"Its ok," smiled the girl. "How long have you been here?"

"Long enough, I was getting bored. You sleep for a long time."

"Ha! That's rich coming from you."

The two playfully stuck their tongues at one another.

"Are you feeling better now Cassie?"

"A little… my back still hurts."

"I'm not surprised, it should do after what you pulled," answered a deep masculine voice.

All heads turned to the taller blond boy as he stood in the doorway.

"Daren!" cheered the young boy

"Heya squirt," smiled Daren

He picked Ion off the chair and sat on it himself, before letting Ion scramble back onto his lap.

"I'm not that little now. I am seven you know!"

"Yeah, yeah, anyway your mum's been asking for you. She wants you back at your room for tea or something."

"But I wanna stay with Cassie!" protested the small boy

"Ion if your mum wants you back then you have to go. It's getting late. Don't worry you can see me tomorrow."

"Promise?"

"Promise. Now go before I get in trouble too."

With that, the small boy scurried out of the room. The two remaining teens sat in silence. Daren smiled warmly at the girl who wordlessly watched him.

"How you feeling?"

"I've felt better" admitted the girl. "But then again, I've felt worse too."

"Hmm, well everyone's been worried about you. You scared us back there."

The girl shuffled on the bed awkwardly.

"What happened? I don't remember much."

"Well, basically after your battle you collapsed… the doctors blame those wounds on your back. They said you'd lost a lot of blood and because you had exhausted yourself in that battle, then… well your body just shut down…"

"I see… is Rei ok?"

"He was distressed more than anything. He kinda blamed himself for letting Driger attack like that. He's been in everyday to see how you were doing… all of that lot have in fact."

"Every day? How long have I been unconscious?"

"Three days."

"What! It seemed like only three hours to me."

"Well it wasn't" sighed the boy. "You really worried us."

"I'm sorry,"

Then a worrying thought struck the girl.

"What about the finals?" gasped Cassie. "They should have been… yesterday? Did you play without me?"

Daren shook his head solemnly.

"No. Mr Dickenson has postponed the match until you're able to play. I'm not sure it that's a good thing or not though."

"What do you mean?"

Daren drew in a deep breath before continuing, unsure of exactly how to word his next speech.

"Cassie, you overwhelmed yourself last time. Your match with Rei put you endanger… I'm worried about you. Rei wasn't exactly pushing you to your extreme, yet you still got hurt."

"But that was only because of my link with Patiere. You know I feel exactly what she does." Insisted Cassie

"Yes I do, which is why I'm concerned. Cassie I've seen Kai battle… he's merciless, he won't hold back even against you. You could get seriously hurt if you play against him. I think it would be best if you just let…"

"What? Let you battle him?" snapped the girl

"Well yes."

A dark expression formed on Cassie's face. The girl sat back shaking her head not quite believing what she'd just heard. A menacing chuckle escaped from her lips. She turned to face her friend, her lilac eyes burning into his; they held a deadly message in them.

"Don't make me laugh Daren." She hissed. "You wouldn't stand a chance against Kai. You forget that Kai's practically unbeatable."

"I think you underestimate me…"

"No, I think it's you that underestimates me!" barked the girl. "Do you know how long I've waited for this match! Do have any idea how much I've prayed this day to come? Did you really think I'd stand down and let you battle him?"

"Cassie there's no need to shout."

"Oh so you want to take that privilege away from me too!"

"Cassie, please I'm trying to do what's best."

"Well this isn't it! As captain, I decide who battles who; I'm facing Kai and that's final!"

"Ok, ok – you battle him. I was just trying to look after my shining light."

"I don't need looking after! And for the last time I'm not your shining light!"

"What? But you've always…"

"I'm not yours; if I'm anyone's then I'm Kai's!"

"Oh yes. Cause he cares" replied Daren sourly. "I don't remember seeing him here when the others visited you,"

"Boris probably wouldn't let him!"

"If it had been me, no one would stop me from seeing my injured girlfriend."

"Well he's not you and I'm not your girlfriend – end of issue!"

"It must be, cause we wouldn't want Kai to seem in the wrong now would we? Look Cassie I've tried my best to like the guy, but he treats you like dirt! You know what? If I was to battle him in the finals, then I'd make him pay for all he's put you through."

"Luckily for him, that's not gonna happen."

Daren shook his head and got up from his chair.

"If only you could hear yourself Cass… I've nothing left to say. I'll see you tomorrow."

Cassie scowled at her friend as he left without saying another word. How dare he even suggest she was unfit to battle Kai! That night she fell asleep, full of anger and hate.

The next morning Cassie felt slightly better - both mentally and physically. The doctors had finally agreed she was strong enough to leave her room. Upon hearing this she decided to meet all of the bladebeakers for a celebratory cup of tea at the BBA café.

They all seemed ecstatic that she was now on the mend. One by one, she greeted them all; Max, Tyson, Hilary, Kenny and finally Rei.

"I'm so sorry," he said in a low voice

"Rei, don't worry about it. It wasn't your fault."

"But it was me that caused it."

"I said don't worry about it – now do as I say," she warned

They both laughed light heartedly, and soon all the others were too.

Most of the morning was spent catching up on gossip and just generally chatting as friends do. Then the conversation turned to the finals.

"Its going to be in two days time," explained Cassie. "I should be ready by then."

"You looking forward to it?" asked Max

"Yeah, facing Kai will certainly be… interesting,"

"Ya I bet," replied Hilary.

Suddenly the group was greeted by a familiar voice.

"Hello boys and girls."

The group looked up and smiled at the elderly man.

"Hey Mr. D" beamed Tyson. "We were just talking about the finals."

"Were you now?" chuckled the man. "Are you all set Cassie?"

"Should be. I'm just psyching myself up to face Kai now."

The elder's face faltered, immediately his brow went into a crease.

"Has no one told you?" he asked

Cassie eyed the man suspiciously

"Told me what?" she asked slowly

"Oh my, they obviously haven't!" replied the man as he wiped his brow nervously. "Cassie my dear, I'm afraid there's been a change of plan as far as your battle's concerned."

"In what way?" demanded an emotionless Cassie

"The Demolition Boys have changed their line up. Tala has replaced Kai as captain… Therefore it won't be Kai you're facing in the finals."

"WHAT!"

Tariq, Mika and Daren were busy training, when their training room door slammed open.

"Did you know!" shouted their female captain who was obviously fuming with anger.

"What?" asked an honest Daren

"DID YOU KNOW!" asked the girl again as she stormed up to him. "Did you know that Kai's no longer captain of his team?"

The girl was practically shaking with rage.

"He's not?" asked a surprised Mika

"No! Apparently Boris got tired of Kai disobeying him, so took away his right as captain. Tala's taken his place. So that means I'll be facing him instead!"

She turned back to Daren and gave him a deadly glare that could almost match Kai's.

"Looks like you get your battle after all," spat Cassie. "I hope you happy!"

The furious girl stormed out of the room, not forgetting the slam the door shut on her way out. The boys flinched as the boom echoed around the training room. After a short silence, Mika decided to ask the question he'd been dying to ask.

"Daren? Did you know about this?"

The blond boy turned to face his friend. His pine green eyes were full of surprise.

"No. No I didn't…"

Muahaha I'm sooo evil lol. Did anyone expect that to happen? Bet ya didn't! Well that's another chapter down, only… err 3 possibly 4 more to go. Then it's the end of the story. I don't know if I should do a sequel or not to this, what do you think? Yay or Nay?

Please review as it does encourage me to write faster! It would also cheer me up as I'm kind of down today – I got my exam results back this morning, they're not bad but they aren't great either lol. I look forward to any comments you may have.

Wreckless Spirit