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

Fate

Chapter 10

""Talking

''Thoughts

Flashback

"What? Your grand-father?" Celestia turned to look at Kai, somewhat surprised.

"Why is he back? What does he want now?" Tyson asked, slamming down his cup, everyone in the cafe turned to look at him with soft murmurs.

"Tyson, sit down!" Lianna said and pulled at his sleeve, glancing around the place with a pair of nervous eyes. "Besides, don't you have a job interview tomorrow? Are you even prepared for that?" Lianna asked him, her face still expressionless.

"Job?" That one simple word caught everyone's attention, Max and Jamice laughed out together before Max put down his drink and looked at an annoyed Tyson.

"Job? I thought you hated working for anybody."

"He does, but he still needs the money for his everyday expenses." AKA, tons of food. Lianna stated as she flipped through her book looking for a quote that she found interesting and very controversial.

Tyson glanced up at his friends, each and every one of them wearing an amused face, even Kai is looking at him funnily through his smirking eyes.

"So, Tyson, what kind of job is it?" Kenny asked as he leaned forwards to grab a napkin.

"I'm supposed to apply for a CEO's personal assistant." Tyson said with a monotone.

"CEO's personal assistant?" Everyone's mouth dropped open, Tyson, CEO's personal assistant? How on Earth did he even get an interview?

As if reading their minds, Tyson shrugged then smiled at Lianna fondly. "Lianna wants me to get a job, so I just went out and looked for a job. Seriously, I didn't think I'd get this interview either, but it was worth a try."

Lianna's idea. That'd make more sense; after all, Tyson is not someone that'd take the initiative on things like this. "Talk about the interview, we should go so Tyson can prepare for it." Lianna said, her voice showing no wave of emotion.

"Well, see you guys later." Tyson nodded and stood up. Perhaps in this world, Lianna is the only person that he's willing to listen to. Everyone at the table was silent as they left together, Tyson holding onto Lianna's hand.

Then, almost simultaneously, Jamice and Max laughed loudly while rolling their eyes unbelievably. "Looks like someone's in love!"

"Agreed, normally Tyson would just brush it off like it's nothing." Ray commented with a soft smile. "I just hope Tyson doesn't mess up like the other times."

Recalling Tyson's past experiences with job interviews, they all turned out horribly because of his large mouth, and an even larger ego. Lianna was greeted with much disappointing news ever since they started going out. One wonder how long Lianna and Tyson will stay together, even though it's obvious that Tyson is very much in love with her.

As for Lianna, well... let's just say that she doesn't dislike him.

"I envy Lianna." Celestia suddenly said very quietly. "Tyson is willing to do whatever she says, not every single guy in the world can do that."

"I'm sure if you ask, Kai'll go get a job as well." Aeris teased her playfully, watching as her friend turned red and pretended to be interested in her drink.

"Yeah, but the thing is… why is Voltaire back?" Ray asked, bringing everyone back to the original topic of their gathering, attracting everyone's attention.

Celestia turned to look at a quiet Kai, contrasting the music playing in the pub. "Kai?" Celestia called out softly while turning towards him to get a better look at him. "Is your grand-father very scary?" She asked carefully, everyone's expression is either a solemn one, or a lost look.

"His grand-father tried taking over the world once... using Kai. He was sent to jail, but somehow he didn't even step into the police station and just got released." Kenny stated slowly, recalling the time that Voltaire nearly took over the world with Tala and the others. "That was when the Blade Breakers were still competing professionally."

No one said anything; Max frowned and put his arms onto the table. "Is he back with another plan of taking over the world?"

"Who..." Ray was cut off by the rings of Kenny's cell phone.

Kenny grabbed his cell phone and walked away from the table saying something about Malarin calling. After he left, Kai turned towards Celestia seriously. "My grand-father will want to see you, you have to be prepared."

"But… I don't have anything that I can wear for that." Celestia bit her bottom lip, her eyebrows furrowed together.

"I'll go shopping with you tomorrow." Ray offered, gaining everyone's surprised and confused look, Aeris glanced at Celestia then turned to look at Ray, a slight frown appearing on her face.

"Ray, I'll go with you guys, Celestia is a girl after all."

"It's okay Aeris." Ray turned towards Aeris with a smile. "I'm pretty confident in my taste, I'm sure I'll do just fine."

Aeris looked at his smiling face then nodded slowly, still uncertain of something.

Kai nodded his thanks and went back to drinking from his cup, Celestia and Ray looked at each other and smiled. Aeris took in a deep breath and finished the entire bottle of beer in one swig, her eyes narrowed. Kai glanced up at her, then looked down and stood up. "Aeris, I'll drive you home."

Without waiting for a reply, he dragged her up and walked away with Aeris protesting silently. Celestia looked up at their back views in surprise, Kai didn't even bother saying anything to her, she pouted slightly. As Kai and Aeris neared the door, Kai suddenly stopped and turned to look at Celestia. "Wait for me; I'm coming back for you." With that, he turned and dragged Aeris behind him.

Jamice and Max looked at each other with alert, just... what kind of a play is performing in front of them?

End of Flashback

"Oh, so Aeris knows about this?" Malarin asked lightly and sat down on the sofa opposite to her two friends.

"Malarin, where did you take Celle today?" Aeris asked immediately. Worry and anxiety was evident in her voice.

"Don't worry; I just took her back to Celestia's old house before she moved in with Kai." Malarin said with a gentle smile.

Aeris quieted down, and just looked at her. Malarin's a good actress, way too good. In all these years, she never thought Malarin would be the type to take an initiative on anything. She always remembered Malarin as being the antique doll, beautiful, but quite lifeless. Though, this whole ordeal just proved to her that perhaps beneath that facade of hers, there're many things still hidden.

"Malarin, how did it turn out?" Lianna asked and changed the topic.

Malarin looked back at Lianna and smiled again. "I think my words had some effect on her, how much, I don't know. However, I did manage to get something even more valuable."

"What is it?" Both girls asked at the same time.

"Her blood."

Lianna and Aeris looked at her strangely. Blood? How did she get her blood? Suddenly, an image popped into Aeris's over imaginative mind. She had this image of Malarin holding up a knife to Celle and ordering her to slit her throat to give her some blood. Aeris shuddered at that mental image and silently thanked God that she's not Celle.

Malarin glanced at Aeris and saw the grimace on her face. Malarin closed her eyes calmly and picked up her cup of tea. "Aeris, stop imagining things. She gave me her blood willingly."

Aeris opened her mouth, a quiet gasp went through her mind. Celle gave Malarin her blood willingly? Then, just as quickly another mental image popped into her head. And the grimace was engraved once again onto Aeris's face. Malarin put down her tea cup and looked at her friend with disbelief in her eyes.

"So, where is Celle now?" Lianna asked, and drew Malarin away from Aeris's grimacing.

"Celle? I think she's probably talking to Voltaire right now." Malarin smiled and leaned back onto the sofa comfortably.


Hiwatari Mansion

When Celle arrived, there was already someone outside the door waiting for her. Her eyes never left his face as she stepped out of the car and closed the door behind her. The old man neared her and bowed courteously. "Miss Ran, the master has been waiting for you." He then held out an arm and indicated for her to go ahead.

Celle took one last look at the butler before picking up her feet and walked on. The little cut from before is still vivid in her memory, and with the moist wind brushing over it, the little tinge of pain reminded her of the reality again and again.

They walked into the grand mansion and this time Celle waited for the butler to show her the way. The main hall is impressive, the floor is marble, the walls are elegant but dark, everything's up to a certain level, and everything's so very refined. Soon, they stood in front of a pair of closed door. The butler turned to her and bowed yet again. "Here we are, Miss. The master is waiting for you."

He then pushed the doors open and stood off to the side. Celle glanced at him and turned her eyes toward inside the room. Yet again, the size is too impossible to imagine, but it's right in front of her eyes. After what seemed like hours, she took a couple of steps inside and immediately, the doors closed shut behind her.

The room was filled with silence.

Slowly, the large chair at the other side of the room turned slowly and an old man was revealed to her. She looked at him unwaveringly but didn't take another step forward. The two of them just studied each other as if war lords before a battle. Finally, the chair creaked and squeaked as Voltaire pushed himself out of it and walked around the large desk.

"Miss Ran."

"Mr. Hiwatari."

"Please, join me for tea." Voltaire looked towards the sofa at the right side of the room and Celle followed his gaze with her own. On the table, various tea pieces have been set up, waiting to be enjoyed.

Celle didn't hesitate a bit and walked over to where Voltaire is already sitting down on the sofa. Brushing past him, she sat down across from him and looked up immediately. Perhaps it was the light, or perhaps it was something else. For a split second there, Celle thought she saw gentleness and kindness in Voltaire's eyes. Something that surprised Celle.

And that's when she took the initiative and picked up the tea pot. "Allow me the honours to serve you." She stood up and bent over to pour the tea elegantly into his cup and then filled her own as well. She set the half full tea pot on the table with shaky hands and then sat down. Voltaire was already tasting the tea in small sips. He's truly someone that knows how to enjoy life.

Celle looked down and picked up her tea cup as well. Following his lead, she took in small sips. And the two of them just held the tea within themselves and neither said anything. Voltaire looked at her and put down his tea cup. "You remind me of Celestia very much."

Celle looked up at him with confusion in her eyes. Celestia? Even he knew about Celestia? Just as she was about to voice out her question, Voltaire leaned into the sofa and continued on hastily. "However, that is not the case we're discussing today."

Celle's heart raced and everything ran from her mind, she just starred at the elderly man in front of her.

"I heard that you've been going out with Kai." He was straight to the point.

"Yes." Celle agreed.

"I'm sure you're a nice young lady, but I would never approve." Voltaire waved his hand and lit a cigar.

Celle looked at him through a mist of tobacco smoke. She never expected him to be this direct, even though she has been prepared for whatever he has in store. "May I ask why?"

"I could give you reasons day after day, night after night. The most important one is that you're not suitable for him."

"How would you know if I'm suitable for him or not?" Celle raised her voice. Her hand tightened around the fine china, threatening to destroy it with another squeeze.

Voltaire looked down at her white-knuckled hand and closed his eyes calmly. The cigar is slowly smoking away in his hand. "I don't think someone with such a temper and character would be suitable for Kai."

Celle gritted her teeth, wanting to say more, but refrained. She glanced down at her hand, and slowly loosened the death grip on the china and drew her hand to her lap. "Mr. Hiwatari, I don't believe that you have the right to say whether I'm suitable for Kai or not. After all, it is to my knowledge that you're the one that hasn't contacted him in over 3 years. What would you know about suitability with Kai?"

"Miss Ran, I called you here today merely to tell you that I would never approve of you and Kai."

"Don't ever say never, haven't anyone taught you that?"

"Oh trust me, Miss Ran. I never regret what I say."

What a cocky man.

"As I was saying, Miss Ran. You could be a friend with Kai, a little sister, but nothing beyond the line. That is my end of the bargain with you. If you want money, I can give you money. Whatever you want, I can give to you."

"I only want Kai." Celle declared and starred at Voltaire calmly.

Voltaire starred back at her, and closed his eyes. When he spoke again, his voice was tired. "Little girl, why don't you understand?" He mumbled to himself and then opened his eyes again. "Celle... how have your life been?"

Celle blinked at the sudden change of topic and frowned slightly, careful as to how to answer that question. "I'm fine, thanks."

"Good, good." Voltaire just nodded and kept his eyes on her.

After a while, Celle tried to pick up the topic again. "Mr. Hiwatari, we have not known each other long. So, why don't you just give me a chance with Kai? I'll show you that we can be very compatible with each other."

Voltaire shook his head and waved his hand. "No, I'm done talking for today. You can show yourself out." He then fully leaned back into the sofa and closed his eyes tightly, signalling the end of the conversation.

Celle starred at him incredulously and looked away with disbelief written all over her face.

Apartment

"Tyson, you're back." Lianna commented as soon as she entered the door.

Tyson turned around from unpacking and smiled at her. He stood up and walked over to hug her tightly. "It's so good to be back home!"

Lianna smiled thinly and nodded against his shoulder. Then she remembered the reason for her visit and she lost the smile immediately. "Tyson, Voltaire is back."

Tyson moved back in surprise and broke the embrace, his hands fell down to his sides and he looked at her surprised. "Are you serious?"

Lianna nodded. "Yes, and he has already called Celle, wanting to talk to her."

Tyson ceased his eyebrows and put his fingers to his lips and looked down at the ground deep in thought. "I'm not sure... whether that's a good thing or not."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, the bad part is that no one should face Voltaire, after all, he is crazy. The good thing is, maybe Voltaire will convince Celle to stay out of Kai's life."

Lianna looked down and thought about it. "True, but... somehow, I get the impression that Kai might actually like Celle."

"Are you serious?" Tyson asked in a dead tone and gave her an unconvinced look. "I highly doubt it."

"Tyson, think about it. Why would Kai let her stay with him for this long if he didn't like her?"

"Because she looks like Celestia."

"Do you really think that's the reason?" Lianna asked immediately. She has doubts about that so-called official reasoning.

Tyson smiled and walked closer to her again, this time he spoke in a low voice. "Lianna, seriously, why would I care? As long as Celle doesn't kill Kai or hurt him, then everything's fine. Kai's an adult, he'll be able to take care of this." He paused and grew serious. "Lianna, I think you should consider my proposal seriously."

"Tyson, we're not even going out, why would there be any marriage proposal coming from you?"

"We're not going out? Oh please, I have not had a girlfriend since you broke up with me, and you've never had a boyfriend either. And besides, everyone thinks that we're a couple still, so what's the harm in marrying me?"

Lianna looked away and was quiet; she doesn't know how to answer anymore. Tyson has been pestering her about this for quite a while now. "Tyson... I just don't think... you're right for me."

"Why not?" Finally, his voice rose as well. His hands gripped onto her shoulder tightly and forced her to look at him. "I don't understand why you're being this way after everything I've done! You're the one that told me I should get serious and be successful, and run a business and all those crap. And here I am, serious about my work; running a successful business; everything's going well and still you won't even bother giving it a second thought! The reason from years ago cannot work anymore, so what's your reason now? Huh?" He bellowed out.

Lianna looked into his mad eyes, she knows that this hurts him more than she can ever understand. However, now... it's not just the matter of marrying him anymore. He's done so much for her, and he's gotten so successful. On the other hand, it's her that's not suitable anymore. Lianna placed her hands on his and slowly moved them away from her shoulder and turned around calmly.

"Get some rest Tyson."

Night- Kai's Apartment

"I swear your grandfather is the rudest man I've ever met in my entire life!" Celle said with a hiss and punched the pillow in her hand.

Kai's back view didn't even flinch. He's sitting on the other side of the bed, undressing after a long day of work. Celle has waited outside his apartment ever since she got back from Voltaire, and it's near midnight, he's finally back. Though, he's just as quiet as usual. Celle looked at his back view and remained silent as well.

Soon, he sat up straighter and shrugged off his suit and threw it onto a chair nearby. Celle put down the pillow in her hand and crawled over the bed towards where he's sitting and wrapped her arms around his neck. To her surprise, he didn't react.

He must be really tired today. That's what Celle concluded. She then carefully loosened his tie slowly while speaking quietly at the same time. "Your grandfather told me that we are not suitable for each other and that you'll never marry someone like me." She pulled the neck away from his collar and dropped it onto the ground. "Kai, does he say this to every one of your girlfriends? Or is it just me?" She sighed and let her arms drape down his shoulder to dangle in front of his chest.

No one said anything for a while. Celle laid her head onto Kai's shoulder and enjoyed the rare kindness that Kai is showing her. Then, she felt his hand on her arm. So, she cracked open her eyes and looked at his profile. His hand is tracing something on her forearm and his face showed an unknown emotion.

"What happened here?" He asked at length.

Celle peered at her left forearm and shrugged carelessly. "When I joined the entertainment business, they didn't want any scar on my body, so they had to cover that up."

"But what was there before?"

Celle gave him a strange look and shrugged again. "I don't remember, I think it's some sort of a birth mark."

She received no answer from Kai. He's still tracing circles around the mark, but this time his face is hidden from her. She blinked at him, wondering why he's taking such an interest in her scar. If she knew he liked scars, she should have shown this to him a long time ago.

Then, Kai kissed her scar. And Celle gasped loudly. Not from fear or disgust, but from shock and surprise. Ever since she's appeared, he has not shown her a thread of kindness, and yet... he's kissing her scar. Tears filled her eyes and her mind went blank, she just starred at him numbly. Soon, he turned his body a bit so they could face each other directly. She watched as his mouth opened and words flew out, but she can't hear. She can't hear at all, she caught nothing that he said.

On an impulse, she leaned forward and kissed him full on the lips. Kai stiffened, and just as quickly, he let loose and their mouths tangled with each other. Celle moved in closer and wrapped her arms around him tightly, never wanting this moment to end.

It's a surprise just how much something could remind you of someone else. Kai's hand is still on Celle's scar, even as he felt himself being pushed back into the bed and her weight collapsed on top of him. The scar is small and unnoticeable. That's precisely why he only noticed until now. He never knew that two people can be so alike in this world. Not only do they look alike, they even have the same scar at the same place. He's just curious as to what was the birth mark. Somehow, he feels as if he needs to find out.

The kiss continued and Celle's hands travelled downwards, the buttons of his shirt came loose.

Kai's thumb encircled the scar on her left arm softly and her face appeared in his mind. He frowned immediately, wanting to capture her, wanting to feel her once more. Slowly, the image faded away and the color was faint. Scared and worried, Kai opened his eyes, hoping that he'd still be able to see her.

And he did. He saw her brown hair, he saw her blue eyes, and he saw her curious eyes looking down at him. He felt her. He felt her heat near him, he felt her hand on his chest, and he felt the closeness of their body. Then he reached out a hand and lightly touched her face.

"Celestia."

TBC...

Thanks for reading, please R&R.