Chapter Three: The Conditions of Return
Before I begin I am just going to say that until I hear otherwise from FFnet I am going to continue writing reviews and songfics. I have written to them and have yet to receive a reply. As soon as I do I will post it and change what is necessary.
Oh…and for my entire story – DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN. (Duh…if I did Max would be the main character and Kai would have a twin sister)
Kaie bit her lip to keep from screaming. She had never been in so much pain. To her left Max was sitting being attacked by liberal amounts of gel, a grimace on his face. To her right were the other members of the team all with peaceful smiles on their face. Why was it always her who got stuck with evil hairdresser?
Kaie thought back to when this had all started.
They broke apart when they heard Judy's voice uncomfortably close yelling, "I need all of you in the kitchen to schedule appointments for the closing ceremonies. Bring your clothing for the night with you. Including shoes!"
That was when it had begun. They had appeared downstairs with the said items in hand only to be told there were only four days till the Closing Ceremonies and as a result they had to 'prepare'. Max and Kaie pretty much ignored her comments the days leading up to the ceremonies, but the day of was more or less when all Hell broke loose.
It was six am and Max, as well as Kaie, were sleeping peacefully when over their intercoms came Judy's happy-perky voice – the one that caused Kaie to feel like killing all the All-Starz (except Max)- to come down immediately. They all groggily stumbled down the stairs to the kitchen, only to be re-directed to the main hall.
Of all of them Kaie was the only one who was dressed in clothing that could pass as 'normal'. Max was in his stripped blue flannel PJs and bunny slippers, Michael in PJs with baseballs all over them and wearing catcher-mitt slippers, Emily was in a long nun-like white nightgown, white slippers barely visible, Joel was wearing the official Beyblade PJs with no slippers, and Kaie was standing among the mess of them all in a pair of sweat pants and a thick strapped tank top wearing socks on her feet.
And there in the main hall stood Judy fully dressed in a pink suit looking very perky and happy. "Come on…time to go everyone" and she herded them all out. Their groggy minds did not register their walking outside in PJs and as a consequence they were halfway down the driveway before Michael came to his senses and pointed that out.
Judy, in her perkiness, said it didn't matter as they wouldn't be wearing them long for long. That is when Max and Kaie woke up and looked at each other…a sense of fore-boding filling them.
They had arrived at the first stop (of many Kaie later recalled) and stepped out into the cool morning in their bizarre semblance of dress. They were quickly ushered inside and Kaie realized it was a hair salon. By this time it was about ten o'clock (the drive had been four nice hours long filled mostly with sleeping) and there were actually people out.
As soon as they entered the shop the sign was switched to 'Closed' and they were taken to the back room and handed what looked to be hospital gowns – with the thankful change that they covered all of your body.
"Change." The 'lead' hairdresser said and shut the door leaving the five of them stunned.
Michael immediately took control of the situation. "Everyone face the wall."
They all did so.
"Now, no looking, change."
They all did.
Kaie put on her 'gown' over top of her clothing. It had short sleeves and the way it was constructed was bizarre. The gown crossed at the back and the strings crossed through holes in the fabric. Kaie then tied them to another string which hung loosely there. She then took off her shirt and pants and said she was done.
Kaie was the first finished, then Michael, then Joel, then Emily, and finally Max. They all turned and looked at each other and it was all Kaie could do to keep from laughing. With the sole exception of Joel no one other than her had put the gown on correctly.
Emily had hers just tied at the back and as a result was keeping to the wall so she didn't show off her exposed back, Michael had tied the strings across his chest and then tied them together (he looked a bit like a mis-wrapped parcel), and Max…Kaie had no idea what he had done but whatever it was it was not correct. Kaie fixed Emily's gown first…as although they didn't really like each other there was now a cool respect for the other and they were the only girls. Joel explained to Michael how to re-tie his, then the three of them left Kaie trying to fix Max's gown.
"Max, I have no idea what you did but you are going to have to start over. Take it all off, I'll turn around and tell you what to do, Okay?"
Kaie was answered with an 'okay' and with her blind instruction Max managed to finally get it on correctly. The two of them left the back room, after Max said a quiet 'thank you', and emerged into the main room where Joel, Emily and Michael were all having their hair washed over a trough which had water running from taps above it.
The pair were descended on by two remaining hair dressers and placed on special chairs and had their heads dunked in the trough. Michael and Joel were finished first and their hair was dried and they were taken to have it cut. Emily and Max finished next and were taken away as well until it was just Kaie and her hairdresser.
Her hair was washed very thoroughly and for one of the first times in her life she wished her hair didn't go down to her waist…though now it went slightly past it so she could sit on it.
Kaie's long blue hair was finally taken from the trough and dried off, and then she was led to a seat next to Max. Her hairdresser then started aggressively brushing her hair, and to her left Max was beginning to have his styled. Kaie bit her lip hard to keep from yelling out.
Bringing us to where this began
Then the torture stopped. Kaie looked behind her and saw that her original hairdresser was being talked to by the manager and a new hairdresser took her place. Her new one was of oriental decent and had hair cut in a fashionable shoulder length cut with light orangey highlights.
She continued to brush her hair, but more softly and with great care. To her left what Kaie had taken to be gel was actually conditioner and Max was having it washed out. To her right the other members of the team were being set up to have their hair dyed, and she heard the question being posed to Max on her right.
Moments later she was asked the same question and Kaie had no idea how to answer. Her hair had already been subject to much dying and she really like her hair being naturally blue. "Could I just have some light blue highlights please?" The hairdresser nodded and went to fetch blue highlight material.
"What kind of blue?" she asked
Kaie shrugged. "Any blue that is lighter than my hair."
"You don't really care what kind of blue?"
"Nope."
Kaie was handed a magazine and parts of her hair were wrapped in tinfoil to be bleached and the others left alone. It was a short while later that the tinfoil was taken out and the actual dye colour was applied. All around her the other members of the team were having their hair dyed…but Kaie ignored it and read her horribly in-to-fashion magazine.
The colour was fully applied then Kaie was asked how much she wanted cut. "Just so the ends are even" she said.
"Do you want layering or bangs?" She asked in a soft voice
"No thank you." she said being polite to the nice hairdresser not wanting the other one back.
Kaie's hair was evened out then brushed and dried and had some conditioner applied, and then that part of the ordeal was finished.
Kaie was the last one finished, and she nearly fell off her chair when she looked at her finished hair.
Her hair now fell to her belly button – much shorter than she was used to – and there were blue highlights in her hair. But not just any highlights.
Her once dark blue hair was laces with blue and sparkling silver highlights. And to her amazement it actually looked good. They were reasonably naturally looking and they added a bit of shine to her hair.
"Do you like it?"
Kaie nodded a smile on her face.
Then she looked at the others…and she nearly fainted again.
Michael had sandy brownish blonde hair and bangs that covered his right eye and his hair had a general shaggy cut. Kaie knew that with his baseball cap on it would look just like what he wanted…the roguish baseball look that was so popular now.
Emily had very orange hair and had three bags – one on her right side that ended just below her ear, one in the middle, and on that mirrored the one on her right on her left. The rest of her hair ended in an above shoulder cut and on the top of her head were the trademark two strands of orange hair.
Joel had dyed his brown hair jet black and it was cut into a jagged bang, and a short jagged cut for the rest of his hair. With his black glasses on he looked just like Harry Potter.
Max's hair had gone a bright blonde, and it matched his eyes perfectly. He had three main bangs – one in the middle of his head and one on either side all ending just at the bottom of his eyes. The rest had been cut apparently randomly. He had a large tuft on the right of his head, and in the middle he had a small double tuft that was just as much his signature as Emily's.
They all scrutinized each other, and then Judy walked back in and closed her cell phone, which she had just finished talking on. "Food is on the way." She said.
True to her word ten minutes later a van pulled up delivering three giant boxes to the door. They were filled with salad, pasta and rolls. They all ate quickly…and it was one-thirty. They talked until two and then another van pulled up and out jumped two women and three men all carrying huge suitcases. They made their way to the door of the hair dressers and they were greeted by Judy.
Before they knew it they had been moved back to their chairs and were being descended upon with make up. Everyone.
Kaie's beautician was middle aged and as she pulled out her 'equipment' Kaie looked at the others. Emily had a slightly younger beautician; Max had a younger man, while Michael had an older one while Joel's was in the middle.
They were then picked at, plucked at, poked at and all put up with it, saying nothing. After that stage was over the foundation was applied to all of them. And then there was… lipstick, the lip liner (for the girls only that time), mascara, eye-lid colour (girls only), brow pencil, blush, and anything else that they thought should be applied.
Kaie felt a bit like a plastic doll by the end of it…but due to the smile on the face of her beautician it couldn't have been that bad...or it may have been worse.
Kaie finally looked at her self in the mirror and smiled. Unlike what she thought might happen the beautician was obviously understood Kaie's face well. Everything looked natural…but at the same time glamorous and elegant. It wasn't a feeling she was used to.
Once again she saw everyone and was surprised once again. Emily's pale skin was darker, her eyes accented and her blue eyes even more blue due to the contacts and therefore lack of glasses. Michael had tanned skin and through some weird application…he actually looked dateable. Not that Michael had ever been ugly…just Kaie had never really found him 'visually' appealing.
Joel's skin too had been darkened and to Kaie amusement his eyes had been brought out using quite a bit of mascara. Joel had kept his glasses and it was all Kaie could do to keep herself from rushing over to him with a $ .50 Harry Potter scar tattoo.
And Max…unlike everyone else his skin tone had not changed…though it had become more even. A darkish mascara brought out his beautiful blue eyes, and the edges of his eyes had black 'fish tail' marks drawing attention to them. His lips had little...if any lipstick on them, and his cheeks had no visible blush. Kaie gave him an approving smile and he returned it with a larger smile.
But it was not over yet. It was now three fifteen and everything started at five. Luckily it was only a ten minute drive to where the Closing Ceremonies were held, so they still had lots of time. The beauticians left and it was time for everyone's hair to be styled.
The boys all had their hair gelled – Joel in a crazy spiky fashion, Michael in a way that accented his haircut, and Max in his normal fashion…he wasn't really feeling up to too much more change.
Emily had hers done more or less as usual, except her hair was crimped, while Kaie's hairdresser went overboard. Kaie's hair was parted, and then pulled into a braid at the top of her head at the back. From there her hair went down in curls, with the occasional piece being pulled back up so there were loops. All the hair that hung down had been curled and flowed over her shoulders and her back.
Kaie couldn't believe the transformation. She looked…completely different.
Max was gawking at her… she didn't really know how to interpret that…Emily was ignoring her…as usual…Michael was staring at her hair as was Joel…so Kaie really had no immediate feedback.
Judy re-appeared and told them all to change quickly. All of them were sent into the back room and took off their gowns and changed into the dresses and suits that they had bought at the very beginning. (Chapter 13 of 'The Other World")
Max was done first, then Michael, then Emily then Joel, and finally Kaie…who had a hard time getting the dress on.
Michael was wearing a light blue suit…making him look 'playful' as well as a matching tie and a white shirt.
Joel had a silver suit on and a black tie and white shirt.
Emily had a reddish orange dress that even Kaie had to admit looked very good on her.
Max had on a navy blue suit with a white shirt as well as a silver and light blue tie.
Kaie had on her greenish blue dress…but somehow she was having a hard time with the strap. She turned around holding the top of her dress up, leaning against the wall because she had also had a hard time doing up the back. She hadn't had a problem in the store because the wall in the change room had pictures of how to do up the dress.
Unfortunately she hadn't paid much attention to how to do it up and she had been 'sick' when it was the formal school dance…so this was her first attempt. Max grinned and came over to do it up, and so everyone else left.
Max then came over and did up the rest and did up the top, which was a halter-top combined with diagonal straps.
Max's warm hands fastened all of the ties together (the top was a halter-top combined with diagonal straps) then he touched a metal band on her shoulder…the very same one that he had given Kaie in the memory box seemingly years ago. Kaie felt his touch and smiled. Max took her hand in his and stepped out of the room together.
There was a mirror directly there as they left the room and as they looked it was an amazing effect. Max looked very handsome and Kaie beautiful.
Michael, Emily and Joel all looked amazing as well.
From the doorway Judy was smiling, and flashing pictures. The hairdressers were oh-ing and aw-ing, and only Judy's franticness at the time – 4:50 – got them out of there.
They all followed Judy outside to their awaiting car…only to find that a limo had taken its place. After a hurried gesture from Judy they all piled in and drove to the closing ceremonies.
The limo arrived amidst many television cameras and crew. Judy stepped out of the front passenger side in her blue suit, looking both professional and good-looking. The chauffeur opened the door and all the All-Starz elegantly piled out. During the ride they had discussed all the etiquette that they had learned in CAPP and remembered ladies first and the arm things…
Emily stepped out followed by Michael. He offered her his hand and she graciously accepted it and together they ascended the red carpeted stairs. Next went Joel all alone up the stairs, his laptop under his arm. Surprisingly he didn't seam to mind going alone.
Kaie stepped out…nearly face planting into the ground due to tripping on her dress…but Max grabbed the back of her dress, then once she was stable he got out and offered her his hand. She saw his eyes glimmering with laughter due to her near tripping, and with a small smile of thanks took his arm.
They ascended together…well aware of all the attention. A flash went off in Kaie's head - nearly causing her to trip. Max caught her with his arm, and took some of her weight. Kaie composed herself, gave Max and the cameras a fake smile and continues up the stairs. At the top they were ushered inside by Mr. Dickenson and other officials.
As soon as they were pointed down the hall to the dining room and out of the view of the cameras Max turned to Kaie and asked her what had happened.
"No idea." She said. "Something flashed in the back of my eye…but I'm fine now." Max nodded and together – hand in hand – they continued on to the dining hall.
Dinner was an extravagant meal with many courses. There was much conversation between mouthfuls of food…conversations which to Kaie's surprise she actually knew something about and wasn't Beyblade.
All around the hall were the bladers she had met at the tournament and their dates and coaches…and parents. A small knot formed in her stomach so she looked around for her only blood relation.
She saw him sitting with the Blade Breakers. He felt her eyes on his head and he turned around to face her.
To her amusement he looked as posh as everyone else in the room. His hair hadn't changed but his tattoos were absent as was his scarf. He had on a dark blue suit with a white and red tie. It was a look only Kai could pull off.
Kaie tilted her head to him, he did the same, and she continued glancing around the hall.
In the corner were the infamous Blood-Raiders looking very surly. Mr. Dickenson was sitting with them and it looked as though the conversation was rather forced between them all. Not to her surprise no coach was present.
Kaie was about to go over there when dinner was brought out.
The first course was dinner rolls, then calamari (which Kaie tried), then salad, then linguini with Alfredo sauce, then beef and vegetables including potatoes, then finally desert which was chocolate mousse.
After the food, there were a few speeches congratulating everyone, and then came the dance. All the adults left for coffee in a different room and the dining room was converted into a ball room. A DJ's equipment was revealed from behind a curtain and the tables were quickly whisked away. The DJ entered the scene and announced that the champion of the tournament and their partner had to step forward and begin the dance.
Kaie took Max's hand gently, then after a small squeeze they stepped through the crowd. "Now you all know the rules." The DJ said, "They get the first dance and after that it is anyone's game."
Kaie and Max nodded. "So then what song will it be for this lovely couple?" he asked. Many songs were shouted out, but then one was decided. It was a remix of 'Something More' sung by Ryan Malcolm.
I don't think that I can tell you what this means to me
But here I am, it's so hard to believe
That I'm standing here, that I've come this far
But you always said, have faith in who you are
I wanna take this time to thank you for the love you gave
from this moment, you've got to know
Chorus:
I never wanted something more, and never felt so sure,
'Cause now I've got this chance to be, everything you saw in me
And even more than I ever dreamed before,
As long as you are here with me, I know that I can be something more
Looking back now it's so clear to me,
That you were sent to shape my destiny
'Cause there were times when I was ready to walk away,
But you gave me strength to face another day
I wanna take this time to thank you for the love you gave
And from this moment, you've got to know
Chorus
I reaching for the sky, won't let this chance go by
I've waited all my life for something more,
And now's the time you're gonna see,
From this moment you've got to know
Chorus
You make me want to be something more
You make me want to be something more
The entire dance felt so natural, just resting on each others shoulders, it was over quickly…nothing like the never ending song that Kaie had envisioned.
At the end they pulled apart amongst cheering and clapping. "Well that was quite a dance." said the DJ.
"Now why doesn't the young lady right there suggest a song." He was pointing directly at Kaie.
"Um…" was all Kaie could say.
Max whispered discreetly in her ear and she smiled. "Somebody Told Me by the Killers." Everyone scrambled to get partners as the song began. Max and Kaie danced to the quick paced song about rumours.
After that there was "I just died in your arms tonight", which a surprising amount of people knew the lyrics to. And then "Ghost Busters" and "YMCA" were played – the classics that just won't die. Kaie knew if anyone had walked into that room with all of these bladers in formal dress dancing to Ghostbusters they would probably have a heart attack.
It was halfway through the next song when Kaie was hit with a flash of blinding light in her mind – this time it was longer than last time. "Max…I'm going to the bathroom." Kaie said.
Max nodded "I'll come with you…I have to go myself."
In the bathroom Kaie stared into her glamorous reflection. She looked okay…all of a sudden she felt an electric zap in the folds of her dress. She pulled her blade out of its hiding spot and Dranzer appeared looking frazzled…as frazzled as a bit beast could be.
"Kaie." he said immediately. "Have you been having white flashes in your mind?"
Kaie nodded.
Dranzer looked very upset and worried. "How many?"
"Two" Kaie answered.
"Kaie…you have to leave now."
Kaie looked startled. "Leave where? The dance?"
Dranzer shook his head and sighed. "No…leave this country."
"What?" exclaimed Kaie
Dranzer looked at Kaie with a very sad look in his eyes. "Kaie those white flashes in your head are memories of your old world. The one you were brought up in."
"Memories?" Kaie questioned "But I have all of mine. I haven't lost any…"
"No you don't understand." Dranzer said "The memories are of the future of this world. They will activate once you are asleep."
Kaie looked confused.
"In the world you grew up in you watched a TV show about our world."
Kaie nodded
"Your future self – the girl that took your place – has the same habits and also watches the show."
Kaie nodded, that was understandable
"And when the portal shut it was because the world you were brought up in was speeding up to it's proper time in space sucking up the portal. It sped up one of the years here before it shut."
Kaie nodded
"And as a result copies of all the memories went through the portal to here. They are currently floating in a void trying to find you and your soul."
Kaie nodded…still not understanding his point.
"Those memories contain the future of the world here. They contain one years worth of the future here because of the television show."
Kaie's face went white. "So when I wake up I'll know the future here?"
Dranzer nodded. "One year's worth."
"But what if I mess up the future? Am I in the future?"
Dranzer avoided her eyes.
"Dranzer tell me what is going on!"
"Kaie…the year that you know the memories of you are not part of…this coming year. It is as if you do not exist. If you become a part of them it will change the outcome of the future."
Kaie nodded, still a pale colour.
"As a result you can not be a part of the future for one year. You must leave this country and go to Russia where little of the next year is playing out. During that year you must not have any contact with anyone in the blading world."
"What!" Kaie said
"You know the future of the blading world! If you interfere the outcome will change. It is necessary for the year to proceed without you in it. This year of blading there is no Kaie Logan! For one year you can not blade or have any contact with any bladers unless we tell you other wise."
Kaie looked at her bit-beast stunned
"I'm sorry it has to be this way Kaie." Dranzer said in a softer voice. "But there are others who get the spotlight this time."
In a shaky voice Kaie asked, "Then where do I go? What do I do? I …"
Dranzer nodded. "A taxi will pick you up at midnight. It will then take you to the airport and you will fly to Russia where you will be attending a boarding school. On the second of June next year you may resume contact with everyone. If you go against this you will change the future and you will lose me as your bit beast."
Kaie knelt into a heap on the ground; her dress spread her on the white ceramic floor. "Tell me you are lying."
Dranzer said nothing…then broke the silence. "Kaie don't forget the taxi comes at midnight. Everything else will be taken care of by Mr. Dickenson."
Kaie's head jerked up. "He has been in on this plan?"
Dranzer shook his head. "We told him only after you confirmed to be that the white flashes…memories… had found you. He is setting up a school…according to his bit-beast-"
"He has a bit beast?" Kaie asked
Dranzer nodded and continued. "Mr. Dickenson has enrolled you in a school for a school year, ending on June 16. Your first day of school will be August 17th. You will be flying on a BBA jet to America and the All-Star butler is packing up all your clothing for you and sending it to the airport. You can claim it at the check-in desk for private flights."
Kaie didn't look at her bit beast.
"Kaie…again I wish it didn't have to be this way. Everything has been written down for you and on a piece of paper Mr. Dickenson will give you at midnight. Any questions?"
He was answered by a shocked silence.
"If you need anything you can ask me." Then her bit beast was gone.
Kaie sat like a stack on the floor…not really thinking…but trying to comprehend the fact that she was not allowed to talk to anyone she knew for 365 days. Or 52 weeks. No one. For One Year.
Kaie almost cried. But then the fighting spirit in her took over and told her what to do. 'Enjoy yourself till the last moment and only then tell them you must leave.'
Kaie got up and left the bathroom, determined to go just that.
Max stood there waiting for her in the hallway. "You all right? I almost came in after you." He said with a grin
Kaie looked at him, her eyebrows raised. "Did you really?"
"Well I was going to but Draciel said that you were all right…after all you didn't scream or anything." He said
A stormy look passed over Kaie's face. Max saw it and asked her again if she was alright.
Kaie nodded. "A bit tired…"
Max nodded not pressing any harder, though he knew she wasn't telling him the whole truth, and they walked together down the hall back to the dance.
She and Max danced the night away dancing to songs such as 'Never had a dream come true' by S Club 7 and 'Happy ending' by Avril Lavine. Kaie looked at the clock on the wall and nearly fainted.
It was 11:45.
Max felt her go limp in his arms and held her up. "Kaie? Are you all right?"
There was a pained look on her face. "Yes. I'm fine."
Her stomach fell to the floor. She had only 15 minutes left…then…Kaie didn't even want to think about that. She clenched her teeth together and put on a false face.
Kaie smiled as a new song came on and led Max onto the dance floor. Together they danced thoroughly enjoying each other's presence. Everyone in the room now knew how they felt about each other…but Kaie and Max didn't care.
At four minutes to midnight Kaie nearly fainted. There was nothing she could do to avoid her fate now. She felt the corners of her eyes well up with tears. Why did she have to leave this?
Kaie looked through blurred eyes at the congregation of people who had become friends to her. How could she leave this?
A strong hand was placed on her shoulder and she instinctively turned around flipping the offending hand into a position where one movement from her or the offender would have their fingers broken.
But the hand simply twisted out of her strong hold and said with a bemused smile, "Good to see you take after me sis."
Kaie then fully saw the person in the darkened room and realised it was Kai, though he somehow looked different all dressed up.
"Sorry." Kaie said "Instinct."
To Kai that was perfectly understandable. "So…you are leaving." It was more of a statement than a question.
Kaie's eyes shadowed and she looked at the ground. Kai correctly interpreted her silence as a yes.
"Kaie…"Kai said "I know that for twins we are not as close as some but we do have that link that is unique to twins. So no matter what I will be close."
Kaie looked at her brother's crimson eyes and saw only honesty.
Kai leaned closer and whispered in her ear, "If you need anything just 'call' me. Okay. Regardless what Dranzer says."
Kaie looked at his eyes again and saw some mischief sparkling in their depths. Kaie was about to reply when Tyson came bounding up and said, "Hey Kai I have a dance for you! Come on!" Kai looked at him and Tyson paled and fidgeted nervously.
"How about I come back in five minutes..." Tyson said.
Kaie saw Kai's eyes take on a deeper colour as Tyson bounded off. Kaie put a gentle arm on Kai's shoulder. "He is just trying to help."
Kai looked at his sister. "Huh."
They stood there awkwardly for a moment then Kai said, "Good luck."
Kaie nodded back to him, "Good luck to you as well" the repeated it in Russian.
Kai repeated it in Russian as well then without warning he pulled her into a small hug.
Kaie could feel her eyes bug out. Kai was hugging her? The 'cold-hearted' captain was hugging her? Regardless Kaie hugged him back.
When they separated Kai looked at her one last time for an entire year then after a quiet Russian good luck phrase he went off to a different shadowed corner.
Max arrived at that time and Kai had two minutes. It was time to tell Max.
Inside her stomach Kaie had many emotions tumbling around. She didn't want to tell Max…but if she just disappeared that would leave Kai to explain (if he would which Kaie doubted) and Max thinking he had done something wrong. Kaie knew that she had to talk to him.
"Max…" Kaie said in a hesitant voice.
"Yes" said Max immediately recognising the tone
"Can I talk to you about something…?"
Max nodded, "Of course."
Kaie led the way to a side exit that had a view of the main road that the taxi was coming on, but was secluded enough to not draw attention to their presence.
The two of them sat on two large rocks and Max looked at Kaie, waiting for her to speak.
Kaie fiddled with her skirt then talked. "Max…something has come up…so I have to leave."
Max looked at her then after a moment he said, "What do you mean?"
"I have to leave."
Max looked at her suspiciously. "Leave where? Are you leaving the team?"
Kaie nodded.
"I don't understand. What is wrong with the team? Or would you rather be with the Blade Breakers. I will probably go to Tyson's for the summer so if that is what you want-"
"No." Kaie said
"No what?" Max said. He was getting slightly angry now. She said she was leaving, but wouldn't explain why or where or when.
"I'm not going to be a part of the Blade Breakers…or the All-Starz."
"Then what team are you going to?" Max said. He was almost shouting now. Kaie was leaving to a team that he had no loyalties to. He couldn't believe she was betraying him like this especially after dancing with him this evening.
Kaie's head shot up at his tone and the few tears that had gathered in her eyes trickled down her cheeks. "I'm leaving Beyblading."
Max looked at her shocked, not only because she was leaving Beyblading but also because he had made a Hiwarti cry.
Kaie continued, more tears coming from her eyes and down her cheeks. "I'm not only leaving blading, but I'm leaving New York, North America, and this entire Hemisphere. And the best part is" she said a slightly hysterical tone entering her voice, "I can't tell you anything. I am leaving for a year and I can't talk to anyone during that time. And…guess what? I am leaving in about a minute."
There was a silence where all that could be heard was the wind in the trees.
Max looked at the girl and saw that her body was quivering slightly.
"You leave in a minute?" he asked in a soft voice, his anger completely under control.
Kaie nodded, though her face was covered by her hair. "The taxi comes at midnight." She said her voice quivering
"For a far away country for one year during which you can not talk to anyone?" Max asked
Kaie's answer was mumbled. "I can't talk to anyone I know now. Anyone that I know anything about is off limits for a year.
Max knelt next to her and put his arms gently around her. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I couldn't." she said her voice still muffled as her head was down. "I only found out when I went to the bathroom…the time you threatened to come in after me."
"Who told you all this?" Max asked.
"Dranzer. He says that the white flashes in my mind are the memories finding me."
Max was confused. "Back up Kaie…what memories?"
So in a soft voice Kaie explained what Dranzer had told her. "And that is why Draciel didn't want you coming in."
Max nodded.
At that moment a yellow taxi pulled up and Mr. Dickenson emerged from the main entrance.
Max looked at Kaie who had also spotted Mr. Dickenson. She spotted him and after discreetly wiping away the leftover tears she walked toward him, head held high. No evidence remained from her meltdown moments earlier.
Max felt a smile creep onto his face. This was why he had fallen for Kaie.
Kaie reached him and nodded to him.
"Hello Kaie. You all ready to go?" He said
Kaie shrugged.
"Well here are instructions of what to do…but I'm sure you can figure it out. Contact numbers are here and your tickets are here. Any questions?"
Kaie shook her head, and then Max emerged from around the side of the building. Mr. Dickenson, seeing Max, said, "Well I'll let you see your good-byes in peace, but make sure you get into that taxi." Then he whispered to her quietly, "That will be the most challenging part."
Mr. Dickenson said good-bye to her then left Max and Kaie alone.
Kaie looked at the ground a faint blush on her cheeks. "Sorry for breaking down back there. I was just overwhelmed…"
Max pulled her into his arms and held her there. Kaie relished these moments when she felt safe and warm. Kaie leaned her face up to Max and they kissed.
Kaie's arms migrated up to the back of Max's hair and she intertwined her fingers in his blond hair. Max's hands slid to the small of her back and held her close.
The kiss was one of a final good-bye. Not passionate or passive but a final loving gesture…the last one of this kind for a long time. They broke apart and Kaie knew she needed to go, as did Max.
Max held Kaie's hand as they made their way down to the taxi. He opened the back door for her and helped her in. The taxi driver pointed to the bag on the seat next to her and explained it was her only bag…after all she didn't really need a bigger suitcase for her stuff.
Max took one last look at the girl who had his heart, then squeezed the hand he was holding then let go.
Kaie's last life line was gone.
Max shut the door and stepped away from the cab as it sped off.
Through the glass window Kaie blew Max a kiss and he did the same then they turned the corner and all she was left with was a memory.
At that moment Kaie felt her heart break. Into thousands of fragments which were splintering her alive consuming her soul. She bowed her head and let the tears fall shamelessly down her face onto her fancy dress.
And that was the beginning of The Year.
Reviewers – Which until FFnet replies to me I will continue to do. Thank you to my two reviewers…I feel unloved by the rest of you…oh well I'll get over it…eventually. Please R&R
Forfirith The dark angel – How did you like this? And now you know more about the dream thing as well as the dance. I tried for soon…but that kinda failed. Let me know what you thought!
Princess Fey – Thanks for your review. Actually to be honest I couldn't believe that I killed Kaie off…but I think it really helped them grow as characters…as will this story. Please review!
Please R&R!