Hello everyone! Sorry, but this chapter has taken me ages to write; I just haven't had the time to settle down to it, even though I knew exactly what I wanted to happen! Thank you to everyone who reviewed!

Night Angel Of Rain: Aww thank you, though don't put yourself down! I'm sure you're a brilliant writer yourself. By the way I looked at your profile and noticed that you seem to mainly read/write Dragonball stories, so how did you come to mine? Just wondering, you don't have to answer me lol (I'm nosey see)

Mika: Yeah I know it's taken me ages to update recently, I blame school! They think we have no lives so give us masses of homework to keep us 'busy'! Hope you can forgive me! Oh and I've only just realised this but your penname is the same as one of my OC's, cool!

Luna-chan - A MaSk Of LiEs: Ehehe random review as ever Luna! Yeah Tala is pretty evil in this story… and he will get worse I'm afraid! I feel awful because I've taken so long to update, you've managed to update about 3 times in the time its taken me! I hope you can forgive me!

Silent Storm 2000: Glad you liked that chapter, I hope you'll like this one just as much! You'll have to see whether your right….

SpiritualEnergy: Really? So because of my story you got into fanfiction, aww that's so cool! I'm glad you like it that much. Oh by the way I noticed you've added me onto your C2 thingy, that's cool, I've never been on one of those before – cheers me dears!

CrimsonSkye06: Yup Kai must battle Daren, oo the tension!

Kimkizna: Thank you for reviewing!

Ilovecake2: Heya, yay I've finally updated. Thanks for the two reviews! I really appreciate them, I'll reply to your questions in an email though ok? Its easier for me see. Hope you like this chapter!

Soullesswinds: Cool now spelling or grammar mistakes huh? I can't take the credit for that though, spell check on word help me, because if I'm honest I'm not a brilliant speller but hey ho!

lil' angelgrl: Here's your update, sorry it's a bit late though!

zangoose9229: First off, cool name – I like it a lot! Secondly you check every night? Oh that makes me feels bad cause I haven't update in ages! I'm so sorry. Hope you like this chapter! And no, I'm not gonna tell ya what happens cause that'll spoil it, and then you wouldn't need to read the rest lol:P

bladebreakers: I'm afraid Tala is quite evil in this particular story… and he will get worse…

Diamond Core: Oh so many questions! And you know what? I'm not gonna answer any:P You'll have to wait and see (I know I'm cruel). Thanks for the many reviews!

grounded angel: Glad you like my story so much! Thank you for reviewing! By the way, your review was my 500th congratulations!

XxKaexX: Thank you for reviewing. Hope you like this next chapter just as much!

AnimeGirl329: Here's the update, hope you enjoy it!

HeartlessDevil: I know, I know Tala is rather evil in this story. So I'll warn you in advance that he will get worse, sorry!

supershark1: Oh new reviewer, cool! Glad you like my story.

Now then before I go onto the next chapter, I'd like to say that the other day I found my story had been added onto C2 thingy. That was kinda unexpected but nice all the same. So if anyone else wants to use my story for their own one then feel free to, I don't mind!

Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade, but I do own my OC's and their bitbeast.

Chapter 43: Deja Vu

Kai's POV

Daren was already preparing his launcher by the time I reached the stadium platform. I swear the Korean's eyes darkened considerably as he glanced in my direction; to tell the truth, it sent a shiver down my spine – not that I let him know that of course.

Within a few seconds I had prepared Dranzer ready for launch, now all I had to do was wait… Jazzman was still busy blabbering to the crowd. I know that's his job and all but honestly, I just want this whole battle to be over and done with as soon as possible.

I could still feel Daren's deadly glare as I stared solely on Dranzer. One stare was bad enough, but sadly I could also feel Tala's icy orbs piercing my back, along with Boris' evil smirk – and I'm sure my dear grandfather is watching too, but I don't know where from. I don't like attention at the best of times, but this sort of negative focus is well… off-putting, even for an experienced blader like me.

Nevertheless I can't let them get to me, no matter what, I have to win this match – for Cassie's sake. If anything should happen to her because of me I'd… well, I don't know what I do! She's everything to me…

Finally Jazzman stopped talking; now the real battle begins. I gaze down as the stadium floor opens up. Hmm this dish looks interesting… 'Volcano Spectacular' - basically a big volcano in the middle of some trees, shouldn't be too hard to navigate round…

"3…2…1… Let It Rip!"

"Go Kamaria!"

"Fly Dranzer!"

Our two blades collided with such an impact that the whole stadium shook. Several members of the audience screamed in shock whereas the rest cheered with excitement - some people are easily amused.

We attacked each other again this time about half way up the volcano. As our two blades hit, a huge tremor sent several pieces of rock tumbling from the top of the volcano, luckily for me Dranzer avoided them all with ease – but then again so did Daren.

Kamaria seems stronger than I remember. He's much more aggressive too. It seems as if each attack is powered by Daren's anger towards me. But there's something else… it seems strange, but whenever his black and white blade touches Dranzer I feel a surge of betrayal and sadness. Could those emotions be his? I know Daren's deeply protective of Cassie, and I can't seem like the best person to be with her at the moment, but why these emotions?

I summoned Dranzer from her blade, hoping this would quicken my victory.

"Kamaria Twilight Assault!" screamed the blond boy.

The Tasmanian devil emerged from its bitbeast and immediately began nipping at Dranzer's talons. My phoenix screamed in agony, its beautiful legs slowly getting stained with its own blood.

There it is again, that feeling – the hurt and betrayal. It only ever happens when Daren attacks…

"Why are you sad?" I asked

My sudden question must have startled him, as he gasped in surprise.

"W- what?" he stuttered

"Your blade echoes your emotions, why do you feel betrayed?"

"I don't!" answered the boy defiantly

"Your eyes say different," I stated.

"You know nothing of what I feel…" replied the boy darkly.

I watched silently as he glanced to the side, his eyes narrowing as he spotted Cassie.

"I've done everything for her," continued Daren. "I've looked out for her all her life. I took care of her when you deserted her, when she cried for you, when you hurt her… But no matter what I do she still thinks of me as a friend, but with you it's different. You treat her badly, break her heart, leave her alone, confuse her with this whole tournament – but she still stays loyally by your side – she still loves you, no matter how many times you hurt her, she won't give up on you… And you… you act as if she means nothing – but she's the only one that can't see that. Do have any idea how that feels?"

As heart breaking as that speech may be, it only angered me… how could he think I didn't care for Cassie?

"Cassie means everything to me!" I replied sternly

"Well you don't act as if she is!"

"You have no idea how much I've had to go through to keep her and the others safe…"

"Kai you always say this, but tell me… what exactly have you done? You never seem to explain this 'fact'…"

A low growl escaped my throat. Was he implying I was lying?

"You want to know what I've had to endure! FINE! I'll tell you!" I shouted

Just then a cough in the form of 'ahem' sounded from behind me. I span around and saw Tala sitting with his arms crossed. A devilish smile spread across his features as he shook his head.

"Nah ah ah, Kai… If you squeal then my deals off, understand?" Smirked the Russian

I glared at my new captain.

"Deal? What deal?" demanded Daren

I clenched my fists and shut my eyes before turning back to my competitor.

"I can't say…" I hissed angrily

"Oh really? Now there's a surprise…"

I turned my head away in frustration. This wasn't fair! As much as I wanted to tell Daren, I couldn't – who knows what Tala would do if I did… but by not telling him, Daren would still think me as the bad guy… though I doubt I could change his view on that.

"Just battle ok?" I snapped

I could sense Daren glare at me, but I didn't care. Growing up in the Abbey made me learn not to care what people think of you, so I never do…

"Fine we'll battle Kai… and this time I won't let up on you. Go Kamaria!"

People always say that to me "This time I won't let up on you." Sometimes I wonder why they just don't try harder first time; I mean, telling me what they're going to do is only gonna make me put up a stronger defence.

'So predicable' I thought, but just then I gasped in shock

Kamaria had unexpectedly jumped onto Dranzer's back and was now busy gauging out her beautiful feathers. Sharp prickles erupted up my spine as my phoenix screamed out in pain.

"Shake him off Dranzer!" I called desperately

My bitbeast's efforts were in vain, the Tasmanian devil simply dug its claws further into her elegant back. The pain increased but I didn't let him know that. My whole body tensed up.

"What's the matter Kai? Can't you shake off little o' me?"

Right, I've had enough of him mocking me.

"Dranzer Spiral Flight!"

Dranzer spiralled high into the air, there was no way Kamaria could have stayed on. The heavy bitbeast fell roughly sliding slowly down the volcano. Now was my chance.

"Flame Sabre!"

Scorching red feathers struck an already dazed Kamaria with heavy blows. The blade tumbled into the forest at the foot of the volcano. A dust cloud engulfed where Kamaria had landed. Taking no chances I directed Dranzer to where Daren's blade had fallen.

The dust cloud dispersed to reveal an empty crater.

"What?" I gasped

"Surprised?"

My eyes darted up to meet my opponents. A light emitting from his left hand caught my gaze.

"Do you like my magic trick Kai? Moonstones can be very handy things… I call this move 'Unseen Shadow'. It allows me to move faster than the human eye can see – I might as well be invisible."

The panic must have been visible in my eyes because Daren's lips curled into an impish smile. He knew I now realised I was vulnerable to his attacks, hmm Deja vu….

- Flashback -

"Dranzer attack!"

The blue blade went in for the kill, but then something unplanned happened. The moon that had lit up the battle went behind a cloud. Darkness fell over everyone. It only lasted a few seconds, but when the moonlight returned, Kamaria was no where to be seen.

"What the?" said Kai as he looked around for his enemy's blade.

"Awww can't you find my blade?" taunted the hooded figure.

Kai grit his teeth and clenched his fists. If he didn't where Kamaria was, Dranzer was vulnerable to a surprise attack.

"Kamaria! Ambush Assault!"

- End Flashback -

Daren was preparing to attack, I could sense it. My eyes darted desperately around the stadium. Trees and more trees, no blade, nothing – he had to be some where. A twig snapping caught my attention though I didn't turn my head. In stead I listened, focusing all my attention on the sounds that would hint of Kamaria's whereabouts.

Then I saw it, out of the corner of my eye, a tree branch moved.

"I knew you couldn't learn from your mistakes Kai. Ambush Assault!"

With a quick turn to the left Dranzer blocked his attack.

"Oh but I do learn," I replied. "Sadly you don't though. Dranzer finish him off."

My obedient phoenix rose to the command and knocked the Tasmanian devil to the ground in one swift hit.

"Blazing Arrow!"

Two fire beams hit the black and white blade with such force that the blade flew out of the stadium, narrowly missing Daren as it headed towards his team bench, straight towards Cassie…

Normal POV

Kai gasped in horror as the burning blade shot towards the girl he loved. Not wanting to see what happened next he turned away.

The silence that filled the stadium filled Kai with a foreboding feeling, but no scream came. Slowly, he dared to open his eyes. They opened wide as his gaze fell upon her.

She sat tall, her right arm bent across her, protecting her face. In this gloved hand she held a smouldering Kamaria; soft whips of steam were still escaping from the warm blade.

"Wow that was close," whispered Mika

Cassie herself looked relieved at her luck. Before she knew it Daren was by her side.

"Are you ok?" he asked

She looked blankly at him before smiling.

"Fine… I believe this is yours," she answered handing back his blade.

An astonished Kai stood still briefly before calling back Dranzer and returning to his team. He wasn't the only one still in shock; the spectators were speechless – so was Jazzman until he was prodded by another attendant to speak.

"Wha- Err – So Kai wins!"

One by one the audience came to their sense and soon the stadium was filled with an enormous applause. However, one person in particular was not clapping…

Kai observed how Tala showed no emotion at all as the blue haired Russian sat down.

"I did as you asked Tala," stated Kai

"Yes and now we're in the final match. But don't worry I'll make sure we win, by whatever means necessary."

"But you said…"

"I said the consequences would be bad if lost your match."

"You promised you wouldn't hurt Cassie…"

Tala rose from his seat and smirked evily.

"I lied."

Ooo well there's a sort of cliffie for you, aren't I mean? I hope you liked that chapter, though I wonder whether it was a bit dull or not… what do you lot think?

Now then, there's likely to be two more chapters left, possibly one – it depends if I split up the next battle into two parts or not… again, what do you guys what?

Oh and I've thought of a sequel idea, if you want me to write one that is! However I'd still appreciate any suggestion you guys make, so please don't hesitate to say your ideas!

Well that's all from me till next time, I'll try my best and update soonish!

Wreckless Spirit