I don't own Beyblade, or any of its characters, please do not sue me.

Fate

Chapter 4

""Talking

''Thoughts

I just like you, so I'm not afraid how tough this road would be.

I just like you, so I can eagerly accept everything you offer.

I just like you, so I can't wait for the future we shall share together.

I just like you, so sercurity flies out of the window.

I just like you, so I want your love back.

If you don't like me, please tell me.

You don't need to apologize, because I know I will forgive you.

Just because I like you.

Flashback

Monday Morning

"Um... Kai, I don't think this is a good idea." Celestia protested quietly as Kai dragged her down to the cafeteria. "Kai."

Unfortunately, Kai just walked forwards, ignoring the stares that they're receiving from everyone around them. Celestia hastily covered her head and proceeded after Kai quickly, trying to catch up to him with her long dress, it isn't exactly helping.

Finally, inside the cafeteria Celestia dropped into a chair beside Aeris and leaned onto the table, Kai slipped into a chair beside her.

"You guys are late." Jamice said with a goofy smile. "Ray was here long before you, considering he has the same class as both of you."

Kai didn't say anything, Celestia glanced at him then turned to the others with a smile. "It's my fault, my art supplies kept on dropping on the floor." She said quietly, a faint blush covering her face. She's not used to talking to so many people.

"Celestia, when are you coming to the art room? You promised to show us some new techniques." A few girls stood over their table, their mouths talking to Celestia, their eyes totally on the guys. "When are you coming?" Seemingly, the question was directed towards the others.

Celestia gasped and stood up quickly. "I'm sorry. I'll go with you right now."

Kai's hand shot out and grabbed her wrist, she turned to look at him. "You haven't eaten yet, go later."

"But..."

"Sit!"

"Kai..."

Without a response, he pulled her down again. She looked up at the girls helplessly, and shrugged. Ray looked at her, then turned to the girls still by their table, not looking so happy. "She'll go later; you can sit with us right now if you want to." Celestia looked up and their eyes connected, she smiled gratefully and nodded to him. Ray returned her smile and began eating again.

Later

"So, what's up with you and Kai?" Aeris asked as Celestia set up her utensils for her sketch. Jamice and Lianna sat around the art room as well, it's a spare for them, so they decided to spend the period in Celestia's favorite art room.

"What do you mean?" Celestia mumbled and fondled with her equipments, not wanting to admit anything.

"Oh come on! I've never seen anyone he... looks after so much." Jamice commented. "It's a shame, I wanted to fish him up first, but... a fish called Max was too quick." She sighed dramatically, earning a round of laughter from everyone.

Lianna sat near a stack of arts and flipped through them. She saw every kind of people, laughing, frowning, dancing, crying and more. She saw every one of her friends, including the guys, she turned toward Celestia. "Celestia, how come you don't have any portraits of Kai?"

Celestia blushed, and stopped her work. "I... don't know how to ask him."

"You just go up to him and ask." Jamice said easily, chewing her gum.

Celestia just bowed her head, a faint blush crept upon her cheeks again. Even though they're going out, but asking him to pose for her wouldn't be... shaking her head, she sighed. Yeah, she'll ask him someday.

End of Flashback

Ray's Apartment

"What are you doing here?" Aeris asked with her eyes wide open, her mind racing with thoughts. It's late at night; she's standing in Ray's apartment with his T-shirt and nothing else.

"Ray's taking a shower." Celle said shortly and pushed the door open wider. Then turning she walked inside the room slowly.

Aeris followed in after her and closed the door behind her quietly. She's been in Ray's apartment countless times before, but never had she felt so awkward and out of place in his living room. Celle stood on the other side of the table and looked at her calmly.

"Make yourself comfortable." She said matter-of-factly.

Aeris's head shot up, what did Celle just say? Why did she sound like the mistress of this place when she hasn't even been here for over 2 weeks? Looking up, the two pairs of eyes locked and they looked at each other. Aeris saw the challenge in Celle's eyes, suddenly, looking at this woman that looks so much like her best friend, she began to wonder. She wondered if her decision about trying to be friends with her was a good idea or a destructive factor in her life.

"Aeris, what are you doing here?"

Aeris and Celle both snapped their heads toward the bathroom. Ray stood there with his boxer, a towel around his neck, and damp hair. He wore a look of surprise in his eyes, one hand on his towel.

Aeris just looked at him and her mouth went dry, no sound came out. Celle glanced at her and then turned to Ray with a suggestive smile. "I'll be in the shower if you need me." With that, she brushed past Ray and walked into the bedroom with her hip swaying lightly. Aeris starred after her, she hasn't failed to notice the suggestion that was in between her words. And she's sure that Ray picked it up as well.

"Aeris, why are you here so late?"

Aeris turned towards Ray numbly, her mind still on Celle.

"Aeris, what's wrong?" Ray asked with a smile.

Aeris looked at him, suddenly she feels as though the smile is not for her anymore. Suddenly, she feels as if the smile is a reflection of what Celle said. Blinking rapidly, she reached into her purse and took out the pages of paper.

"Your recipe." Putting the papers on his table, she grabbed her purse and brushed past him quickly with her head bowed. She headed straight for the door, not wanting to stay here a second longer.

"Aeris! What is wrong with you?" Ray grabbed her arm and pulled her back from the door. His eyebrows furrowed as he looked at her with concern.

Aeris stopped her movements and just stood there, letting Ray hold onto her arm. Taking in a deep breath, she slowly lifted up her head and looked at Ray. "How can you keep on doing this?"

"Keep on doing what?" Ray asked with confusion written all over his face.

"How can you keep pretending that she's one of our closest friends when she clearly is just an outsider?" Aeris demanded as she turned to face Ray directly, reminding her of the grasp he still has on her arm.

"Aeris, how can you behave like everyone else? True, she might be a little different, but doesn't she remind you anything like Celestia? Why can't you just accept her for the fact that she looks like Celestia? You're her best friend, why are you being so selfish?" Ray demanded harshly.

"So what if I don't like you walking close with her? You got a problem with that?"

This argument heated up as the fact that Celle is still in Ray's bathroom rolled around in Aeris's mind. On the heat of the moment, no one really knows what they're saying.

"What is it to you that I walk too close with her or not? Why should it bother you?"

"Because I like you and I hate it when you get too close to any other girl!"

Suddenly, everything went silent, Ray dropped his hand slowly, shocked at what she just said. Aeris starred at him numbly, not believing that she spilt out her feelings in front of him. Wonderful, their friendship just got more complicated... if there's still any friendship left between them.

"Aeris..." Ray started off, but didn't quite know how to finish it. His voice dropped several tones.

Taking in a deep breath, Aeris recollected herself, calming down. "Good-night, Ray." With that, she turned and walked out of his apartment, closing the door behind her softly. Ray stood in his living room, still thinking about what Aeris just said. A pair of hands wrapped around his waist as he felt a face pressed up against his shoulder.

"She hates me that much?" Celle asked softly.

"She... doesn't hate you." Ray said softly, he doesn't even know what Aeris feels anymore.

"Why? Because I'm not an accurate presentation of her best friend? Or..." Celle dropped her arms and went around facing Ray directly. "Or." She put a hand up to his cheek and fingered his flesh gently. "Or is it because I stole the one she loves?"

Ray's mouth went dry, looking at her is just like looking at Celestia. "You... heard us?"

"What's wrong with me wanting to find comfort in a friend?" She asked and dropped her hand from his face.

Instead of her warm fingers, cool air brushed against his face, reminding him of the word 'friend'. Celestia used to smile and call him that as well, a very good friend...

Aeris's Apartment

Slamming the door behind her, she let herself be surrounded by darkness. The event momentarily passed flashed through her mind. Closing her eyes, she slowly dropped down onto the floor with her back against the door.

She does not know how long she sat in the dark, or stayed in that position. Her cell phone went off at a particular time, jolting Aeris. She reached into her purse, and pulled out her cell phone.

It's Jamice.

Shaking her head to clear her mind, she flipped her phone open. "Yeah?"

"Is Max with you?" Came through Jamice's tired voice.

"Max?" Aeris sat up and cleared her throat. "No, why?"

"He told me to wait for him in his apartment, it's already 12:30, and he's still not back."

12:30, that late?

"No, he's not with me. Try calling Tyson, maybe he knows."

"Yeah, bye."

Aeris turned off her cell phone and just starred in front of her with nothing on her mind. Then slowly, she leaned back onto the door again.

What is she going to do about Ray from now on?

Tyson's Apartment

"No, he's not with me." Tyson said with a frown and tried loosening his tie.

Lianna walked out of the kitchen with a cup of tea in her hand. Setting it on the table in front of Tyson, she looked at him as he talked on the phone.

"Jamice, don't worry, I'm sure he's perfectly fine." Tyson said while rubbing his temple with one finger. Lianna has already taken over his tie for him.

"Yeah, bye." Flipping his phone shut, his headache is getting worse. He hates going to charity balls, they annoy the hell out of him and give him a headache.

Opening his eyes, he focused on Lianna as she slowly undid his tie and pulled it off for him. "Drink some tea." She offered.

"Lianna, let's get married." Tyson said suddenly.

Lianna looked at him calmly on the front, her heart is beating at an abnormal speed. She then blinked and broke off their eye contact to stand up and step away from him. "Rest well, I'm going home."

Tyson just sat on the sofa numbly as he listened to Lianna get ready and walk out of the door. The moment the door closed behind her, he punched the arm of his sofa.

Just what is he suppose to do to satisfy her?

Gritting his teeth, he dialed a familiar number and waited. "Kenny, come to a bar with me."

Max's Apartment

"Jamice?"

Her eyes snapped open immediately and sat up to meet Max's apologetically face in front of hers. "Max! Where have you been?" Her voice is filled with her concern for him as she looked at him carefully.

"Sorry, a new line of Beyblade caught my attention." Max said as he pushed a few strand of hair back from Jamice's face.

"Then... why didn't you pick up your cell phone?" Jamice's mind wrapped around his every word. The fact that he's safe and sound gave her the time to follow up on everything.

"You know how our labs don't have any signals." Max shook his head and shrugged.

"So, you were just down in the lab?" Jamice echoed after him, her mind wrapping around his word slowly.

"Yeah."

"And you made me wait? Why didn't you call me?" Jamice shouted, her mind whirling, her heart dropping back down to its original place. Instead, her rage rose up.

"Sorry, but the new Beyblade really caught my attention, it's like a new species that has never been seen or created before. You would not believe it!" Max said excitedly, his eyes twinkling.

"You're right! I wouldn't believe it. And, I don't even want to know it!" Jamice stood up abruptly, her anger flaring. "Have fun with your high-tech, newly advanced Beyblade!" Pushing past him, she headed straight for the door and eventually the elevator.

"Jamice! Wait!" Max called after her, grabbed the elevator door before it closed. "Jamice, what's wrong?"

"Oh, just about everything!" Jamice shouted and pressed the 'close door' button furiously.

"Jamice, wait!" Max called out, but the door closed in front of his face. He watched as the elevator went down the levels quickly.

Inside the elevator, Jamice kicked a wall angrily, what the hell! Ever since they began dating, it's always been like this. He's always fawning over his work; she sometimes wonders who really is his girlfriend. It's evident that he chose Beyblade...

Next Night-Club

The atmosphere is awkwardly tense; everyone seems to be trying to avoid everyone else. Malarin put down her glass and looked around. "So, why is everyone so quiet tonight?"

No one said anything, the entire environment was tense. Malarin sighed and opened her mouth, wanting to say something. Kai put down his glass and cut her off. "Celle."

Celle looked up at him, a smile on her face. "Yes Kai?" Her voice is as sweet as honey.

"You have time this weekend?"

Celle's eyes brightened immediately, everyone looked at him with shocked eyes. Aeris looked at him; grateful cannot even describe her feelings right now. She glanced at Ray, whom is still looking down at the table. "Why? Are you asking me out on a date?" She batted her eyes playfully.

Kai glanced at everyone around him and nodded slowly, Celle chuckled and flipped some of her hair back, trying to play it cool. "I knew you'd finally understand that I'm much better than that other girl." She then literally bounced right next to Kai and linked her arm through his tightly. Her head fell onto Kai's shoulder and she breathed out contently.

Ray finally looked up from the table at Kai and Celle, forcing a smile on his face, he raised up his glass of alcohol. "Congratulations." With that, he tilted his head back, proceeding to down the entire glass. Celle smiled widely as she looked on.

"Ray." Kai started, frowning as Ray gulped down everything and set the glass on the table again.

"Thank you Ray." Celle said sweetly as she snuggled up to Kai even more.

Ray nodded and stood up, shrugging a bit. "I don't feel that well, you guys have fun." With that, he turned and walked away quickly. Aeris pulled at her purse and stood up after him.

"I'll go with him." Aeris said quietly. Pausing, she turned to face Kai, looking at him carefully, with a smile on her face. "And thank you Kai." With that, she turned and followed after Ray.

"Isn't it sweet that they're always chasing after each other?" Celle stated innocently, leaning into Kai even more. Everyone looked towards her with disbelief in their eyes, how can she say something at a time like this?

Retrieving his gaze from her face, Kai poured himself more drink into his glass, hoping that the alcohol would help to dull down his headache. Looking at the girl right next to him, he's beginning to doubt the decision of asking her out.

Ocean Side

"You know..." Aeris started as she and Ray stood on a large boulder. Ray turned to her slowly, watching her through the dark veil of night and the wind that has picked up.

"You know the first time I saw Kai up close and actually saw the side of Kai that Celestia saw was right here." Aeris said, standing strong up-against the howling wind. "And then I started wondering how other people saw each and every individual beside them."

Aeris turned to spare a look at Ray, with a some what sheepish smile. "And then I realized that people will look at things and people differently, and that you cannot change one's way of looking at things." Aeris concluded, with a nod of her head.

Ray turned to look at her, finally understanding the true words hidden within her context. She is right, there is no way he can change Celle's perspective about him or Kai. Everything was already planned out by fate, and no one can interfere with fate's plans.

Stepping up onto the boulder beside Aeris, he faced the howling wind and looked out at the blackened sea. They stood in silence; Ray glanced at her out of the corner of his eyes.

This girl, this woman, and how many times has she come through to him like this? From when they became friends and her finding out about the fact that he loves Celestia, she has always been there for him. Even when he doesn't even mention a word about what he's feeling, somehow, she can still manage to see right through him.

He remembers clearly all those times where she would wrap her arms around him and tell him that everything will be okay tomorrow, where no one will be hurt anymore. Yet...

Ray's eyes dimmed as he looked at Aeris's calm profile. Last night... his reaction wounded her. He knows it did, no matter how much she smiled today, the pain cannot have been washed away that quickly. Sighing, she looked down at his feet; someone's got to start his conversation... it needs to be clarified. "Aeris..."

"Ray!" Aeris called out suddenly, Ray blinked and stopped his own sentence. They looked at each other and Aeris raised a care-fee smile. "About lat night, about what I said. I'm not going to deny that fact. However, I hope that won't disturb our friendship either, I'd much rather have you as a friend than not have you at all."

Aeris paused and scratched her head, as if thinking about what she's going to say next.

"I still like you, and I doubt that it'll change any time soon, but I won't interfere with your life. You look at me as a friend, I like secretively; let's just go on like this, okay?"

Ray just starred at her, stunned by her words, not knowing what to say. Here he is, a moment ago, trying to find something to say to her. Yet, she has stunned him with her words and attitude. Finally, Ray grinned and shook his head funnily. "Why are you not a salesperson?"

Aeris giggled to that as well, knowing that Ray had accepted her request, so right now, they're still the best of friends. Looking at Ray's smiling face; she turned to the endless black ocean and smiled to herself.

Perhaps, being friends is the best thing for them.

Celle's Hotel

"Are you going to come up?" Celle asked, looking at Kai intently. He had agreed to drive her back to her hotel... maybe he'll go up to her room as well.

"No." Kai said shortly and took out a pack of cigarette. Taking out one, he placed it in his mouth.

Surprise flickered through Celle's eyes as she watched this motion. "You smoke?"

"Why? You don't like it?" Kai asked immediately, a flicker of hope rising from within.

"No, you look very hot when smoking." Celle shook her head, he finally agreed to go out with her, she has to let him do whatever he wishes... but why can't she stand the sight of him smoking? If feels as if she's been asked this before, and unconsciously, she just wants to grab the cigarette and throw it out. "Kai, remember to watch my interview tomorrow. I promise you'll like what you see. Good night." She leaned over and left a kiss on the corner of his lips. Then, with a wink, she got out of the car and walked up the stairs of her hotel.

Kai watched her enter her hotel lobby, then turned back to look at his steering wheel. Reaching into his pocket, he took out his wallet. Flipping open the wallet, a picture of Celestia smiled at him.

She never liked him smoking.

Looking at her picture, he brushed his thumb over her face gently. Then, rolling down the window, he threw out the pack of cigarettes along with the one he just put into his mouth. Watching them fly away with the wind, how he wishes that his worry for Celestia would fly away...

Next Day

Casino Heaven

Celle's Dressing Room

"Why did you purchase outfits like these? Your fans will be shocked." Celle's agent said as he walked into the room, holding a couple bags of cloths.

"You don't like them?" Celle stopped brushing her hair and looked at his reflection in the mirror.

"I don't really care how you dress, but your fans..."

"So you're saying that my fans won't like it?" Celle spun around her make-up chair and faced him.

"I... don't know how they'll react." Her agent admitted tiredly.

"Then, why don't we find out later?" Celle asked with a smile. Her agent frowned and nodded slowly, she is the star after all. "Thanks for picking them up, you can put it beside my bag." Celle motioned towards her bag on the ground then turned toward her mirror again.

He put down the handful of bags besides her purse and straightened to look at her back. Feeling his eyes on her back, she turned her head to give him a strange look.

"What is wrong with you today?" Celle asked with a funny tone.

"Celle." He started, and then stopped again, frustration written all over his face.

"What? Seriously, what is wrong with you today?" Celle asked with a light laugh.

"About your relationship with Mr. Hiwatari... I think it'd be the best if you don't say anything about it." He said with a pleading look.

The smile on her face dropped slowly, she glanced down at the ground before turning toward the mirror again, this time just starring at the mirror. "Why is that?"

"Celle, you've only been in Japan for some time, your popularity cannot compare to that in Italy. You need to build a reputation that'll attract more people. If you say anything about your relationship, then..." Her agent trailed off and looked at her face carefully.

"So you're saying that revealing my relationship with Kai will disturb my career?"

"Well..."

"What's wrong with me being together with Kai?" Celle demanded and turned around to face him. "What is Kai? A disease that everyone's afraid of?"

"It's not that! I'm just saying that to risk your career for a guy is not worth it."

"Be quiet! I love Kai, and I'll do whatever I want during the interview!" Celle clutched fists by her ides. The room is like a war zone, Celle's practically shooting daggers at her agent.

"Sorry, are we interrupting anything?" A voice cut in at the right time.

Celle and her agent blinked and turned to the door way. There stood Malarin and Kenny behind her. Celle blinked in surprise. "Malarin. Kenny."

Malarin smiled and bowed gracefully. "Do you have a minute? We'd like to talk with you, if it's okay with your agent." Looking up, she smiled at Celle and her manager.

Yet, her eyes were filled with calculations. Celle looked at her carefully, suddenly eager to find out what they want to talk about.

TBC...

Thanks for reading, please R&R.