An: I do not own BeyBlades or any of its characters, but Sam Hanara, The Love Seekers, The Wildfires and The Dark Hunters are mine just as Tenebrae belongs to Drago-Kai. If you wish to use or borrow any of these characters or teams I suggest you ask first because we are each fond of our own creations and do not want them stolen. Thank you

Chapter 9:- Unknown past and present combine

Sam didn't know what Rick wanted but she did know that it wasn't going to be pleasantries.

"Well, well Rick. What is it that you want now?" Sam asked in a loud voice startling those nearest to her.

"Who is Rick?" Max asked softly not wanting to get hit like Tyson had the last time someone had distracted her. Sam looked at him briefly before turning her eyes back to Rick's.

"Let us just say that he is an old friend of mine shall we?" she said as the bushes rustled slightly and Rick came forward almost laughing in amusement.

"I wouldn't go as far as that sham." Rick sneered.

"Neither would I Sirob." Sam said eyes flashing with hatred at his use of the nickname he had given her. "Leader of the Dark Hunters go back to your master, and crawl into your little hole." Rick grabbed her upper arms roughly and pulled her so that they were face to face

"Now you listen to me destroyer. I will not go back to my 'hole' as you so kindly put it until you are safely back where you belong and I have my reward." Rick hissed, moving his eyebrow up suggestively.

"Maybe you should be talking to the jealous betrayer of mine. The one that first called me Destroyer. And while you are at it, you and your team can go to hell." Sam hissed wrenching out of his grasp and trying to storm off only to be captured by Kai, who held her wrists behind her back making sure her arms were straight.

"I'll meet you there sham and in the mean time I hope Kai has more luck with you here. You will return to us Hanara. You just have to see the truth of the matter. We are patient people but even our patience runs out eventually. We will be keeping an eye on you" Rick said waving over his shoulder as he walked into an alleyway and merged with the shadows. Sam let out a pent up breath and imagined the wonderfully cruel things she'd like to do to Rick, but was quickly shaken back to reality by Kai.

"Who is Rick and what does he want?" Kai demanded. Sam looked up and blushed slightly noticing how close he was. She struggled slightly trying to move away but stopped when he drew her even closer so that their noses almost touched. Sam's eyes widened

"Rick is the leader of the dark hunters but that does not matter. As the French say Ce La Vie such is life as to what he wants I think that was made clear enough." Sam said in a cocky manner trying to hide how much his being so close actually flustered her. She tried again to pull away and Kai gave her very little slack. Rachelle giggled hysterically and was joined in by Raelie. Jason just hoped that Blaise wasn't anywhere close by. Kai pulled Sam close again so that this time their noses did touch.

"Tell me about Rick." Kai demanded, anger burning in his eyes. This time he got the required response.

"Rick is almost eighteen, and was a boy I knew while in Biovolt. He was always a little behind the others and so I helped him get stronger where others wouldn't. His blading skills got better and his rank gradually got higher. In return for helping him I had a friend that I thought I could trust. He gained other friends his own age such as Delilah and… others but he never forgot me. It was Delilah that told my trainer that I had a BitBeast. It was also Delilah that told him that I had escaped to Hong Kong. She was my betrayer and I was hers. As to what Rick wants as I said it is obvious. He wants me to go back. Back to Biovolt. Back to my roots. That is why he will keep two eyes on me at all times. Now since our match isn't until tomorrow at a quarter past one I would like to go and practise with the others. Does anyone object?" Sam asked the final question turning her head away from Kai.

"I don't. It will give me some more time to catch up with the white tigers." Ray said

"Yeah and I am sure that I saw the All Stars earlier. I want to say hi to my mom." Max laughed

"I don't care what you do I'm going to check out the competition and look for Shamrock." Tyson declared only Kenny had something to say.

"Are you sure you are ready for this Sam? I mean it is doubles and you have trained more by yourself than you have with us."

"Have you forgotten that I train more than most of you anyway? And that I have two Blades and not just the one? Trust me when I say I am ready." Sam said confidently

"Are you sure you don't want to spend more time with your boyfriend?" Keelee asked innocently batting her eyelashes. Sam looked from Keelee to Rachelle, who was making the two plushies pretend to kiss, to Kai. His expression was priceless. Sam burst out laughing as did the rest of the Love Seekers. She was laughing so hard tears sprang to her eyes.

"Oh Keelee, I don't have a boyfriend remember. But I am sure that you could find me one if you wanted to. But you would have to discuss it with Kai." Sam said with a wide smile. Finally exhausted, Sam lent her head against Kai's shoulder unthinkingly as she had done as a child.

"Awwwwwww." Everyone said.

"What are you doing?" Kai asked officially embarrassed. Sam raised her head slowly and smiled at the slight blush gracing his features.

"I am relaxing like I used to do. Why what does it look like?" Sam looked over his shoulder and saw a dark figure that she recognised. "Voltaire." She breathed and tried to pull away sharply, her face drained of colour. "Kai please let me go." Sam said softly looking at him pleadingly. Not used to her using manners or looking helpless, Kai complied with her demand and she immediately jumped back several paces. The shadow disappeared again and some of Sam's colour returned to her face. "I… I'll see you in two hours." She tried to say cheerily but the sight of the shadow still haunted her mind.

"You know where to find us if you need her." Keelee spoke as she was dragged off by Sam. Tenebrae and the rest of the Love Seekers quickly followed wondering what was wrong with their friend.

"And what is wrong with you Jase?" Brittany asked. Jason continued looking around trying to keep an eye out for his old friend Blaise and his team.

"Nothing Brit. Just worried about Sam." Jason said smiling at his younger sister. Raelie, Keelee and Rachelle were trying to explain the play and how it would work. Tenebrae also told her of the songs that she would sing before the play to get them into the main mood and the main songs she would sing in the background as the play was underway.

"The main idea is this. You will be seen as a village wench even though you are actually high born. Anyway she was loved by this prince who was originally going to be played by Jason but we didn't want Ten here to get jealous seeing as they have both just started going out…" Raelie stated smirking.

"Finally." Sam said and smiled at her childhood friend.

"Anyway, Blaise is going to play that part and the rest of his troupe are going to be extras such as dancers at the Ball, fellow slaves and villagers. How ever they will not be enough so we are going to get some others from the ballet school. But they will only be here if rehearsals don't cut in on their training sessions…or ours for that matter." Rachelle said with a slight smirk

"And we wouldn't want to keep you from your lover boy too long either." Keelee laughed

"Who ever are you referring to?" Sam asked hands on hips

"Why Kai of course." The girls yelled and had a giggle fit.

"You've had sugar today haven't you?" Sam sighed.

"Do Fruit Loops Count?" Raelie asked sheepishly

"I had Fairy floss at the opening." Keelee said smugly

"I must have grabbed coke." Rachelle laughed

"Natural high." Tenebrae smirked. With that they reached their little theatre in the middle of the forest.

"Wow you have been busy." Sam said.

"Jason put up the walls and we helped install the seating. We didn't want our fans to think that we didn't care about their welfare." Brittany said in a matter of fact tone. The girls promptly went into their changing room and handed Sam a copy of the script. Sam hesitantly opened the manila folder and began to read. Different handwriting stood in the margins of the script. It would seem as though they had been waiting for an excuse for Sam to take part in this particular play. Writing on the last page caught Sam's attention. It looked like: . Sam squinted at it trying to make sense of it. She worked out that the words all ended in ay so it had to be pig latin so that would make one of the words Kai and another ever but the rest still looked like strange symbols to her.

"Legend of the lost lovers huh? Well it looks interesting to say the least."

"Well we always knew you were a legend so now others can see it too." Keelee said laughingly

"Yeah the legend of the girl who could make Kai love." Rachelle said with a smirk

"Will you two get over it?" Sam snapped, "Kai does not I repeat not love me and nor I him. Maybe once but no longer."

"What ever you say Sam… but we know better." Raelie said softly. 'Past present and future be united' rang a voice through the room. Pictures of a past world blazed into Sam's mind with vivid clarity as if she had been there before. But one picture in particular made her uneasy. Walking through darkness, a thick fog dragging at her feet, a warm hand clinging to her own. Then a bright light a whispered farewell and endless light before endless darkness. His hand slipped from hers as she let out a cry…

"Go away. I am Adonia's listener. No more and no less. Please Dyane… Black I don't care any more get rid of them!" Sam whispered horrified the five girls had similar flashes but it was all cloudy for them. Just as Blaise and the rest of the Wildfires burst into their room the girls let out a gasp. "Of all the things you possessed we were the best… NO… don't leave me!" One of Blaise's eyebrows rose in mild amusement as he walked up to Sam and placed his hands on her shoulders

"As much as I may wish I did, unfortunately I do not possess you." Blaise said moving closer

"Save it Blaise," Jason said firmly as Sam shook her head, "She was simply speaking one of your lines."

"Jealous Jase?" Blaise mocked

"No, I am not. I have my girl." Jason said with a smirk and moved over to Tenebrae who blushed a light shade of red.

"Are you two done bickering? Can we go and practise?" Rachelle demanded

"I want to get into character." Sam said pulling away from Blaise and running behind one of the screens with two different costumes. She heard the rest of the group go outside and watched them before getting changed. She put on the red uniform first and looked in the mirror. 'Why does this look so familiar?' Sam thought before donning a peasant dress over the top and running out to the others. Brittany was about to stand in for Sam when Sam read her line and strode out to greet them. They smiled and decided to start again from the beginning. About an hour in, the dancers from the ballet studio arrived and they worked on their dances. They lost track of the time but soon realised it was getting dark. The Wildfires agreed to come back and practise with them tomorrow at three. After that they quickly left and Sam got changed into her previous outfit consisting of a red top with black pants that sat low on her hips and flared out at the ankle.

"I think we did fairly well today considering that was out first practise. We remembered the lines well." Sam said striding back into the room and slinging an arm around Rachelle's shoulders.

"Yeah you only had to read it properly once and then you pretty much knew it." Tenebrae said energetically.

"It did seem strangely familiar. It feels like it has happened before." Sam murmured

"Maybe you really are the lost wench from the legend" Brittany said optimistically

"I doubt it but I suppose anything is possible." Sam said non-chantilly and shrugged

"Hey Sam just one thing though no glowing on the night ok?" Raelie said with a grin. Sam blinked not understanding what she meant until they pulled out a mirror and Sam saw that she was pulsing with a strange light blue energy.

"Wow…" Was all Sam could manage. Suddenly there was loud mocking applauding ringing throughout the newly built theatre.

"Thank you, Thank you. No need for applause, just throw money at the stage." Rachelle laughed bowing towards the sound.

"I think not Blondie. Your performance wasn't that brilliant." Sneered a familiar male voice

"The name is Rachelle not Blondie." Shell yelled before pouting

"I am sure he didn't mean it that way Shell." Keelee said soothingly

"Hey Romeo, why don't you come in… out of hiding? I am sure Juliet here would appreciate it." Tenebrae said casting a side ward glance at Sam. The shadowed guest sneered and walked in until the shadows gave way and they could clearly see Kai. Sam's eyes widened as she saw that he too was glowing but his seemed darker… more masculine. Sam frowned in confusion and anger. Did this mean they had a deeper past then even she realised? And if she was sharing in these memories did that mean that he would too? No. She would not allow that to happen. The past was dead and it was going to stay that way unless he made a move. She was not going to lay her heart on the line again and have it all thrown back at her because he was unable to commit.

"Your two hours were up long ago and so the BladeBreakers and the White Tigers decided to look for you. I told them you weren't to be trusted."

"I told you where I would be. We lost track of the time alright? You found me though I was not lost." Sam said with a shrug and turned away. She had time… "Hey Shell could you keep Blue Boy busy?" she asked softly

"Sure, No problemo." Shell said grinning. She linked her arm through Kai's and grabbed Raelie's wrist in a firm grip. "since it is a Thursday It's late night shopping so lets go." Raelie groaned as if in physical pain as she and Kai were dragged off quickly followed by the rest of the Love Seekers. Kai looked over his shoulder at Sam with a closed expression.

"Later Hiwatari. I've business to attend to." Sam said raising her chin in an act of defiance. Sam heard other voices and saw the rest of the BladeBreakers being ushered towards the near by shopping centre. Sam smiled and waited until they were out of sight before pulling on her own cloak and running as fast as she could to a near by florist. She had avoided this moment long enough. She bought a dozen red roses, a bunch of babies' breath and a single white rose, before making her way some what more slowly to the cemetery where her mothers' plaque lay. She lowly made her way thorough the markers and plaques of adults and children alike. Her eyes misted as she saw the marker overlooking the cliff with a tree nearby. The tree's were in bloom and her father had asked for a sakura tree to be imported. Seeing as he had just lost his wife, the request was granted and that tree was the one next to her mothers' grave. The stone itself was clean and the grounds well looked after. Someone had done a brilliant job. Sam stood in front of it for a minute, looking down before whispering. "Though the pain suppressed has subsided, You are still on my mind. For as long as I can remember, you and I were of the same kind. Even now, when your body has gone and hope has gone away. I feel your presence in my heart and heed the words you used to say. At times I wonder why it was that nothing made you fear, my father left me you well know but you still hold me dear." Sam fell to her knees and gently placed the flowers in a vase filled with water. She remembered how happy they had been before the accident, before her fathers' estrangement, before hate, pain, and sorrow had ruled her world. She had known that it would happen. Had been told on many occasions by her mother that that was the way but it didn't have to happen so soon and her father would hear no word of it. Until it happened, and the he blamed poor Sam. A tear slowly made it's way down her cheek. And she didn't try hard to suppress the others it would seem that her father was right after all. Because she was born her mother became the watcher., and because of the fact Sam became the listener her mother had been forced to save her. 'If only I was the son my father wanted…' Sam thought bitterly as she blindly traced her mothers' name followed by the words 'loving daughter, loving wife…'

"It would seem I am nothing but a weak girl after all. Not worthy of loving or being loved." Sam said clenching her fists in the grass either side of her knees. "Nothing but a weak, stupid, good for nothing daughter." She leant forward and hung her head in shame. Somehow the BladeBreakers had managed to get away from Rachelle and her shopping spree and they had just caught up to Sam when they heard her words. Naturally Happy Max hated it when others were upset and so tried to comfort her in any way he could.

"You know Sam, nothing could be further from the truth. Who ever told you these lies obviously didn't see how strong you really are. And I don't just mean as a Beyblader but also as a person. It is your strength that draws others to you. Don't let them beat you." Max said dropping down beside her and slowly giving her a hug. Sam stiffened before allowing herself to relax knowing that he wouldn't use her. Ray smiled and spoke next.

"You are not stupid either. Your very quick witted and usually know who to trust and when. Your tactics are always very complex and that in itself proves how very clever you are. Neither Voltaire or Philippe would be able to contradict that Sam and you should know better than to listen to anyone who puts you down." He too knelt down by Sam and rubbed her back gently. Tyson was never one to be left out and so he had to have his say too.

"You aren't good-for-nothing either Sam. Look at how you helped us by pointing out our strengths and conquering our own weaknesses. Your advice is always helpful even if some of us don't take it to heart. You are our team mate but also you are more than that. You are our friend." Tyson sat down in front of Sam and smiled

"Did that really come from Tyson?" Dizzi asked bewildered

"It is true you are a female Sam but in my experience females are not weak and should not be treated as if they are. And you are very much worthy of being loved. There are many different types of love such as the love of your friends… you have an abundance of that. But as for anything else, that will come with time. You just need to be patient and open minded about it." Kenny said clearing his throat, and putting his hand on Sam's shoulder.

"Awwww." Dizzi sighed. Tyson looked up at Kai, who had his arms crossed and a slight frown on his face. Tyson narrowed his eyes at the older boy and made a head movement towards Sam. Kai sighed and took a step closer.

"Listen to me for a change Sam. These people truly are your friends. It took a damn long time for me to realize this so take my advice and don't make the same mistake. Don't try to push them away. Though you can be annoying, stubborn and at times arrogant it was your family and more importantly it was your mother who loved you for who you were. Don't try and be someone you are not. Remember it was you who once taught me that no matter what it is important to be true to yourself and to others." He said firmly. Sam looked up at the group of friends around her. She swiped at her tears and gave a small smile. She stood up, looked out at the sun set and a shutter fell over her expression.

"You know I was trained as a lone blader, to be ruthless to the core. I will not be able to forget that easily. My father shunned me from his family, and thanks to Francisca it is that family that I now can not eascape. All I ever seem to be doing is waiting my time on something that was lost to me all along. If after a time I find that I am still doing just that I will return to my former Master as he so longs for me to do and I shall take the punishment as is required. However if I am helping you as much as you seem to let on then just you try to get rid of me." Sam said solemnly but smiled slightly again. "Thank you all. Oh and Kai please promise me this. If Voltaire by any chance manages to bring out the dark child in me please do anything you can to break his control even if that means destroying the Blade I am using at the time and it's bit piece. I would prefer to be dead than not in control of my actions." Kai simply nodded Sam turned to face them all and smiled openly at them for the first time in what seemed like ages. The each smiled back.

"So where to from here?" Max asked standing up and dusting himself off. Sam took a last look at the tombstone and mouthed 'loving mother' She made up her mind. There was no use in them wasting the BBA's money on a hotel when Sam had a perfectly good house.

"Home." Sam said

"You mean the hotel?" Tyson asked

"No. Come home with me. There is plenty of room for you and we don't have to share rooms." Sam said firmly with a smirk. "I'll race ya!" and with out any further ado Sam took off like the wind towards the Hanara estate. The others took a moment to reflect upon Sam and her strange moods. 'Why did Rick call her sham? Why do I get the feeling that although she has told us so much, that there is so much more we don't know that is troubling her? Who or what is the dark child? Why do I care?' Kai asked himself. Kai shook himself out of his reverie with the knowledge that in time they would fully understand what had happened to the sixteen year old, and ran after her. The rest of the team quickly followed but never really caught up with their mysterious team captain or their female team-mate. As soon as Sam reached the house she talked to the motherboard and told it of the others that were coming so that they too could get in but to be safe she left the door slightly ajar and ran upstairs. She went to her mothers' room first to borrow some of her outfits and their accessories. She smiled and went to her own old room that hadn't changed other than the white sheets that had been placed over the furniture to stop it getting musty and dirty. She was hanging up the new clothes when she heard the fount door slam and the boys voices. Sam walked to the banister and yelled down to them "Oy this is a house not a bleeding truck so the doors don't need to be slammed thank you very much." The boys mumbled their apologies as Sam pulled a face at them and then spoke as an after thought "Oh if you were wondering your rooms are the guest rooms on the landing to the right. And I mean RIGHT Tyson. Make yourselves at home!" Sam winked at them before going back to her room. She finished putting things away before heading to the outside hot tub that kind of resembled a hot-spring with natural rocks around the edges and a brilliant view of the moon. Her Father had travelled much in his time but always missed the comfort of the Japanese Hot-springs so he had something like this installed at all of their lodgings. She grabbed a towel from the rack, undressed in one of the changing rooms and dashed into the hot water. She kept her underwear on and a towel around her as she relaxed in the water and kept a dry one at hand keeping an ear out for uninvited visitors. Sam looked up at the stars that had come out and thought of the times that she had spent here happily with her mother, father and even Kai. "I miss him." Sam whispered and rested her head on her hands

------------------------------

Kai looked around his room and smiled slightly. This room he remembered. It was opposite Sam's just an the other landing. Kai and the others had called for their luggage to be delivered at the Hanara Mansionette and it had taken almost half an hour before it had been. Kai quickly and methodically unpacked as did Ray and Kenny in their respective rooms.

"So where did Sam end up?" Max asked as he walked into Kai's room.

"Did you check her room?" Kai asked looking up from what he was doing.

"Yeah. She's not there but the computer said she hasn't left the house."

"Hn. Well either way I am going to the hot-spring." Kai said with a shrug

"This house has a hot spring?" Tyson asked coming in uninvited

"You have some exploring to do Tyson. Yes it has a hot-spring at least a human made one." Kai said sarcastically

"If this house has a Hot spring you can bet I'll be in it." Tyson said following Kai to where it was. The rest of the team smiled and followed too. Kai got changed into board shorts and grabbed a towel before wading in and enjoying the momentary peace… until the others finished changing and jumped in too. Kai heard a gasp and a splash down towards the end that was blocked off slightly by a part of the rocky wall. He waded around to investigate and saw Sam's back, and a birthmark on her shoulder blade.

"So here is where you are at." Kai said calmly studying how she had altered it slightly.

"So it would seem." Sam said blushing and trying to look anywhere but at him or his chest. Sam clenched the towel in her fist.

"You know it is considered rude not to look at someone when they are talking to you." Kai said his voice had a slightly teasing note to it. 'Is she nervous? Oh look she is blushing she is nervous. laugh she used to see me like this all the time. Why the sudden change?' Kai though amused as he studied her agitated hand movements that never strayed far from the top of her towel. Slowly Sam turned and looked up at him. She locked her eyes onto his face and refused to look anywhere else. "What are you so nervous about? You have seen me like this before." Kai said his voice distinctly teasing.

"Umm you were a kid then. You weren't… umm…errr… well I was a kid too and we were in love…not that it mattered…" Sam decided her best move would be to shut up and so she looked at the moon and stars again trying to dull the bright flush on her cheeks. "Yes we were I suppose but look at us now. Well you don't exactly hate me but you don't love me any more either. My fault mind you… what are these thoughts? This isn't like me at all.'

"Tell us where you are going next time." Kai said with a smirk. Sam nodded and he moved away. Sam sighed and hauled herself out of the water before grabbing the second towel. 'Oh god I can't believe… I am such an idiot…' Sam thought. She ran to the changing rooms and dried off before getting changed into her normal gear. 'Well at least I didn't make too much of a fool of myself… did I?' She was in such deep thought that she didn't notice more of the boys stuff lying around and so tripped over it and flew into someone taking them by surprise and they both crashed to the floor with Sam on top of her poor victim and a watcher laughing at their every move. 'Soon…' he vowed 'soon.'