"Hey guys!" Lee cried as he ran into the alley the White Tigers now practiced in, "Guess what?"
"What?" Mariah asked.
"You know the Asian Tournament that comes up every year?"
"Yeah" Ray said, getting excited.
"Well, it's gonna be in a week!"
"Really?" Mariah asked, her golden eyes growing wide.
"Do you think we could enter?" Gary asked.
"Duh" Lee said, crossing his arms, "That's why I told you"
"Yeah" Gary said, and then looked to the right, "It's just, I mean, can we qualify? With Kevin being only seven and everything…"
"Yeah" Lee said, "I checked the age limits. Kevin just barely passes"
"Whuh?" Kevin asked, yawning as he woke up from his nap, "Whus' goin' on?"
The team shook their heads and Lee began to explain again.
-xxxxxxxxxx-
"What is your team name?"
"The White Tigers"
The team was in the registration office of the Asian Tournament, and the secretary was eyeing Kevin.
"Team captain?"
"Ray Kon"
"Three main Bladers?"
Ray did a quick scan of the room.
"Ray Kon" he said, "Lee Sevela"
Lee whooped, and everyone crossed their fingers.
"And Mariah Sevela"
"Yes!" Mariah hopped out of her seat, and Kevin pouted.
"And substitute?"
"Gary Gai and Kevin Lee"
"One substitute"
"What?" Kevin hopped out of his seat.
"Calm down, Kevin" Lee hissed, and the former took his seat, angrily.
"Can't we have two?" Ray pleaded, but the woman shook her head.
"One sub only"
"Then it's…" Ray looked back and forth between Gary and Kevin, and finally sighed, "Gary"
"WHAT!" Kevin screeched, and Ray looked down.
"Sorry, Kev" he said, "But Gary is the better Blader"
"But-"
"Shut it, Kevin" Lee said, looking angry, "We'll discuss it later"
"Technically, he can't even be allowed on your team if he isn't seven" the woman said, "How old is he?"
"Exactly seven" Ray said, and the woman nodded.
"Well, the tournament begin Saturday, here are your passes"
Ray handed the five slips of paper to Mariah, who put them into her jacket pocket.
"You can bring five people to watch for free, the rest have to pay"
Ray nodded, and the White Tigers headed out of the office.
-xxxxxxxxxx-
"How could you!" Kevin banged his fist against the wall of the alley.
Lee looked as if he were about to say something, but Ray spoke up before him.
"Listen, Kevin, you're a good Blader, but Gary is better" Ray was fuming now.
"No he's not!"
"Yes he is!" everyone turned around to see Mariah staring Kevin down.
"Fine!" Kevin yelled, grabbing his coat and taking off, "I don't need any of you!"
"Do you think he meant that?" Ray asked worriedly, looking at Gary, who was staring at his shoes.
"I dunno" Lee answered nervously, but Mariah hopped off the crate she was sitting off.
"He'll be back" she said, and all three males looked up to the area where Kevin had stormed off.
"I hope so"
Author's Notes: Ooh, we're getting into inter-team problems! Though I must admit it, it killed me not to let Kevin Blade. (sniffles) But I think this is what I needed, it can't just have been a happy-go-lucky (where did that phrase come from? It's so stupid) story. There have to be problems, and Kevin is just perfect for playing that role. Well, just so you know, the kids are maturing more, and Lee is losing his troublemaker self a little. But, oh well, it has to be realistic, and Kevin is the real troublemaker. So, Sayonara Bye Bye, and until next chapter!