Alright, so I'm a posting whore, and I really didn't really change my story, but I figure if someone new reads it, then yay for me. And I promise to actually update this time. PROMISE. If you've read this before, I'm really really sorry. I will have something to satisfy your taste soon.
Disclaimer: Beyblade, its characters, and storyline do not belong to me. This is simply a fanwork.
When the Tide Comes, I'll Take You Away
Chapter One- Marching out of Time
A twenty-year old Kai Hiwatari stood before his mirror, his long scarf trailing elegantly behind him. He sighed inwardly, still wondering why he accepted Tyson's offer to stay at the dojo until he was able to find a place of his own. It's not that I don't appreciate the fact that Tyson offered me his own home, he thought, sighing. I was not born to grovel and accept handouts. I was not born to live a life of dependency. His dark eyes became hard with a sudden realization. I was born to be alone. But alone I am not, so does that nullify all the other assumptions I made?
The Bladebreaker's first training session was due to start in a few minutes, but Kai was determined to look good, even if it was only to maintain his "unattainable" reputation as captain of the Bladebreakers. It was a fairly unnecessary effort, for when anyone saw Kai Hiwatari, one never bothered to ask if he was attractive, but instead asked what god had blessed him with such perfection. He owned a finely chiseled body, long legs, beautiful midnight blue hair and well-sculpted arms. His face was a perfect blend of well-bred features, two of which stood out when he looked at anyone. First, one noticed the dark, perceptive crimson eyes, eyes which never missed any detail, beyblading or otherwise. Then, less obvious, was the proud firm mouth. Kai rarely smiled, and hardly spoke but the mouth relayed a feeling of pride in his own being, regardless when he used it.
Running a hand through his hair, he wondered why he was feeling unusually nervous on such a gorgeous day. It was beautifully sunny outside, perfect for a beyblade training session. Kai was not one who believed in premonitions. Then why does it feel like the calm before the storm? Slightly against his will, Kai dismissed his uneasy feelings. There's no reason on Earth that says that today will not be anything but an ordinary day. Don't take things out of context. Just because your intuition turned out to be correct most of the time while you were at the abbey doesn't mean it is applicable in this world. When he had assured himself that he was presentable and that nothing was wrong, Kai slipped downstairs to find his team.
Once he was downstairs, Kai found himself before a lovely, willowy brunette who was busy putting the daily groceries away. "Hello Hilary," he said, glancing at the box of cereal she was placing into a cabinet. She had just gone shopping, as the household was usually short on supplies and food with Kenny, Kai, Tyson, and herself living under one roof. Not to mention that Grandpa Granger still looked after them after all these years.
Hilary Tatibana glanced up and smiled at him. At eighteen years of age, she planned to be an elementary school teacher, and she did have the sunny, enthusiastic disposition for the job. "Hello Kai," she responded.
Her eyes quickly took inventory of the remaining food they had. "Just went shopping. This should last us a few days. Hey, do you remember if Kenny said he liked this sugar," she asked holding up a box, "or other type? This one was on sale so I bought it. I hope he won't get too picky about it. He doesn't eat enough when he's home as it is."
Kai shrugged. "I'm not sure. Don't worry about it too much. I doubt Kenny will notice. He's always too absorbed in his work to notice anything around him. We've got to watch his back for him," he said distastefully. "You know that better than anyone Hilary."
Hilary sighed, "Yes, I know. Still, you must give him credit. He is certainly not as weak as he seems. If he were," she threw a sharp glance at him, "you would never have permitted to stay on this team."
The corners of Kai's lips turned upward. "Ah, so you did pick up on that little fact did you? What if I only allowed him to stay due to this team's great affection for him?"
Hilary groaned, "No, Kai, that's an even worse lie. We like him for the same reasons you do. He's an asset to this team." She gave him a scowl as he just grunted in reply.
They both looked up when an enthusiastic Tyson Granger ran into the room. He was tall and lanky, with dark blue hair and dark brown eyes to match. Just as old as Hilary, he attended the same college as she with the intent to major in human services. Tyson's grandfather still ran the dojo, but slowly Tyson was shouldering more and more responsibility for the place.
He grinned when he saw Hilary, and looked at her appreciatively, as she was his girlfriend, counselor, basically everything. I never would have imagined that the rather plain fourteen-year old would look this pretty, he thought, which was an understatement.
Hilary had blossomed in her teens into an indisputable beauty: long legs, thin body, large bright eyes, and light chestnut brown hair that haloed her face. She smiled and nodded a greeting at him, and gestured at the groceries that still needed to be put away.
"Go ahead and help her Tyson, I have to see if the others have arrived yet," Kai answered Tyson's questioning glance. Kai turned from them and walked toward the courtyard, where practice was to be held.
He was not disappointed, nor surprised to see the remaining Bladebreakers already preparing and stretching for the practice ahead. He expected a level of achievement for his team, and an even higher level of expectation for himself. He glanced at his remaining teammates.
Ray Kon, nineteen years old and fairly built, very agile, and at that moment, very much engaged in various stretches, was Kai's best friend on the team. Ray lived nearby with his girlfriend, Mariah, who like Ray, had just completed several martial arts courses, and were now certified to teach them. With soft yellow eyes, and black hair, Ray was the spine of the team, shouldering whatever burdens that were asked of him. He glanced at Kai as he entered the courtyard, and nodded in greeting. Reserved and thoughtful, Kai found that Rei's advice about blading most helpful, even if he did not like to accept much help.
Rei looked up as Kai approached him. "You never cease to amaze me." He grinned at Kai.
Kai cocked an eyebrow. "And why is that?"
"The fact that you're captain and as captain, you can show up to practice at any time you please, just as long you're here on time to run this training session."
Kai sighed. "And this displeases you how?"
Ray laughed. "Knowing that you know it."
His captain wrinkled his nose. "I'll let you know, Ray, I do mind you knowing this."
The neko-jin smiled. "Of course. But you won't mind if I never bring it up again."
"Thank you." Kai walked toward the other blader in the courtyard.
Max Tate, who was Tyson's best friend, was adjusting his launcher, his blond hair fluttering against the blue sky, which happened to be the same color as his eyes. Sweet, sympathetic, and full of energy, Max was the unofficial team cheerleader, not afraid to tell give his team support and advice. He had grown thinner and lankier than he was in his teens, but he had also grown in experience and maturity. When Max was not training, he could often be found at the BBA laboratories, studying the different mechanisms of a beyblade. He was capable of giving excellent advice to younger novices and willing did so.
"I hear you, Kai, I know we're going to start practice soon, but I need to fix this bug here. Kenny's not around, is he?" Max asked his captain without taking his eyes off his launcher."
Kai shook his head. "He left for the BBA labs early this morning."
Max snorted. "That's hardly unusual for Kenny."
Crimson eyes darkened. "True, but this time, his departure was initiated by a phone call. Apparently, things got chaotic around there. Some kind of late-breaking news. Kenny wasn't very specific."
The blond shook his head. "I can hardly imagine him being specific as he's trying to rush out the door to get to work. Still," he said, frowning at his launcher, "I wish he were here to help me with this. I can't seem to get the angle right."
"Maybe it's just you." Tyson smirked at his best friend as he carried his girlfriend out of the house.
Ray's eyes showed some surprise. "Hilary, have you sprained an ankle or something?"
Hilary scowled and smacked her boyfriend on the shoulder lightly. "He's being difficult. I told him I wanted to stay inside to start dinner and he insists that I come out and watch you guys practice. I don't remember the last time he was so eager to have me watch. It's not like you guys do anything different."
Max opened his eyes in mock horror. "We don't do anything different? Hilary, perfection is a slow and tedious process! You cannot possibly grasp the slight nuances of this sport!"
Hilary gave a small squeal as Tyson tossed her onto a grassy area. She turned back to Max. "Even if I have been with you guys for practically forever?"
Max looked thoughtful for a moment. "Well, now that you bring up that point… I suppose you would be more attentive to the important aspects of the game than some other spectatiors," he conceded. "Hey! Ow, Hilary, you could have damaged my already dysfunctional launcher!"
Hilary smiled in satisfaction as she tossed another rock in the air. "No harm done then, Maxie. Besides, just because I don't beyblade doesn't mean my aim isn't that much worse than any of you. In fact, I think I just proved that I have a hell of an eye for targets."
Tyson took out Dragoon and placed him in his launcher. "Now, you see why I told her she had to stay for our practices? She helps us." His best friend rolled his eyes while his girlfriend sent him a dazzling, adoring smile.
"If you say so, Tyson. I mean, you are a former world champion after all." Ray flipped onto his feet. He picked up Driger. "So Kai, now that we're all here, I suppose that means that training officially begins now?"
His captain looked balefully at him, before cracking a small smile and nodding.
Kai looked around him with an air of an emperor. This is where he belonged, among those who could beyblade best. As he gave one last glance at his teammates, he reached in his pocket for Dranzer. His faithful phoenix. He had a hard time analyzing people, but he knew that bitbeasts were pure in their intent, feelings, and desires. He put his blade in his launcher.
In the distance, he could make out Kenny's voice yelling, "Kai! Kai! News for you!"
Thanks! And I promise to have something up. Something more interesting, this weekend!