I should be better about updating (I think). Hope you guys enjoy.

Chapter Four- Everything is All Right

Nessie smiled gently. "So you do remember. I was worried."

She turned and called over her shoulder, "Follow me. We can talk in a much warmer setting."

Kai followed her. I was almost like a dream. How she could be so very alive, so much older, and still be the same girl he knew in the abbey so many years ago?

They reached her room. She opened the door, threw on the lights. He followed her into her living room, his mind numb with the possibilities. She contemptuously threw her large hat on an empty desk. The need for disguise was no more. She turned to face him.

"You look like you've seen a ghost. Sit down, before you keel over."

Kai gaped at her, and started hoarsely, "No… no, I'm fine… it's just that you… eight years ago… you died…"

Her face became grim, and she said, without amusement, "Oh, yes. So I did. Or so they thought." She sat next to him. "All right. Truthfully? I didn't die. I wanted to, after all BioVolt did to try to kill me. Have I shattered all your illusions about reality yet?" She looked at him causally.

Kai was just beginning to comprehend that the image before him was not a ghost. "But Nessie… if you didn't die… why did it take you eight years to come into contact with any of us again? Unless," he added, "You've already talked to Tala, Bryan, Ian, or Spencer?" He saw a twitch cross her face when he mentioned "Bryan."

"No. I haven't spoken to any of them. I suppose I would have not spoken to you either, if I did not need your help." She sighed. "I suppose the reason I bought you and your team dinner tonight was because I need an enormous favor."

Kai sat back at studied her. "This is rather sudden. Did you really expect me to help you on such short notice?"

Nessie nodded. "I know. My apologies. Like I said, I wouldn't have asked if I didn't desperately need the help. Not that I don't like you, of course," she added lightly, "but things were pretty busy after I left the abbey."
"You didn't just leave it, did you? You nearly blew up the entire complex. And probably broke Bryan's heart."

Another small wince. "It was no less than it deserved," she murmured, and he knew she wasn't talking about Bryan.

He shrugged. "Remember that my grandfather did build it, Nessie."

She snorted. "Remember that you absolutely hated training, Kai. You of all people were especially stubborn."

He stiffened. "I'll have you know that I work my team very hard, and it has paid off, if you weren't too busy to look into the newspapers."

"Ah, still as humble as ever. You and Tala have the biggest egos I've ever come across." She was unperturbed by his stinging comment. "And yes, I've seen the newspapers. You've done yourself proud, young man." She smiled sweetly.

"Dear, God, and you're just as annoying as ever!" He threw her an exasperated scowl.

She laughed. It was softer and lower than he remembered, but at least she wasn't as serious or traumatized as he thought she would be. Not that he would think anyone that he thought dead would ever be either of the two. Or have any emotions.

"That scowl looks mighty practiced, does your team wheedle you as a daily ritual, or something?" She teased, smiling.

"Not as much as you and Tala would. God, you two were freakin' on my back every other hour!"

"Ah, you liar! It was mostly Tala!"

"That's only because you were with Bryan! You knew if you had the opportunity, you'd go for it!"

"Oh yes, that's true. Thank god for Ian. I don't know what I'd do without him. I trained him you know. That's how he got so good at insults."

He groaned. "I knew it! He absolutely sucked at one liners when we first met!"

They sat together for a few minutes in silence, the euphoria of seeing each other again slowly wearing off.

She spoke first. "It's been a long time." She looked down at her hands and at the arms of the sofa. "I missed you guys. I missed taunting you," she smirked, "I missed talking to Spence, plotting with Tala, and training Ian to annoy you all. And I missed Bry the most."

He looked away from her. "Why did you leave?" The question came out hesitantly. "You, why did you leave us? Just when we thought we could make it out together."

"I hated it there. I loved you guys. I just… couldn't bear it. I couldn't bear seeing… me. I was beginning to hate myself, and every time I thought about it, I hated myself more because you guys were right beside me, taking it all as well. And I couldn't take seeing you guys suffer. You know it, Kai. You left as well."

"And it wasn't even like you left. You faked your death. We really thought you were dead. They never found your body. How could they? The place was completely incinerated."

"Would you have forgiven me if I just walked out of your lives?"

"You lied to us for nine years." He was quiet.

"Would you believe me if I said there was no other way?" She looked at his face. Completely erased of emotion, save his eyes. She knew he knew she was right. His gaze dropped to the floor.

"You could have taken us." She couldn't tell if his voice was angry.

"You know I couldn't have. You wouldn't have left."

"We would if you said so."
"No, you wouldn't have."

"Why wouldn't we?" He glared hard at her face, demanding an answer.

She shook her head. "You couldn't. You didn't see it. I did. Your ignorance was all that kept you safe." She closed her eyes. "And it still keeps them safe now," she whispered, but to herself. "But not for long."

"Nessie."

"Yes sir?" She sat up with a smile. Kai chose to ignore what she had said to herself, feeling that the time wasn't right to ask.

"The favor? What is it? Not to say I won't grant it, but it has been nine years."

She put a hand to her temple. "I understand fully. And I ask for the same understanding from you. Listen to a story, won't you, Kai?

She stood and began to pace. "I hate asking for help from other people, the smaller the group of people who know what's going on, the better it is for me. However, I need to ask you to take me to BioVolt's invitational." She saw his startled glance and continued, "All I ask is that you take me. I'll cover whatever business that needs to be done from there."

Kai sat back and thought about her proposal. "Nessie, I don't like to depend on people either. But if you're going to involve me, I'm going to need at least a hint about your purpose. I cannot allow you to come with me, no matter how well intended you are, unless I know what you're after."

She sat on the carpeted floor, and stared at the soft fibers for a minute. "Fine," she whispered softly. "You want to know? The destruction of BioVolt."

She looked at him. "If you don't take me Kai, I will find another way there. But it's much easier to complete my mission if I work undercover."

Kai sighed. This was starting to give him a migraine.

"I'll cover my own expenses."

He sighed again. Expenses weren't the problem. How was he going to explain this to his team? Oh, by the way, this is Nessie, she'll be accompanying us to the tournament because she wants to destroy BioVolt. Just have fun! Yes, he imagined that would go over well.

"I swear you won't have to get any more involved that you have to."

He scowled. "Oh, very convincing."

Nessie grinned cattily. "I'm gifted with the art of science, not of persuasion, idiot."

"I will be hearing more of this plan right?"

She paused, debating.

"Nessie?" his voice was gentle. "How long have you been working alone?

Her voice was at its softest. "Nine years."

"You've held that all in for nine years. I think it's time that you start unloading and letting me help you. Once it's over, you won't be alone."

I hope.

She stared into space for a long while. "I… I guess I could use someone who wants to hear a very interesting story…" she started hesitantly.

"It doesn't have to be now. But I can help you better this way." His voice was gentle. "And you know I want to help Bryan and the rest of them. Just as much as you do."

She nodded. "I do have conditions, though. And it's only you who will know, right?"

"All right. Deal."

She laughed at his expression. "I promise I won't make too much trouble for you."

He grunted, "Just being there will be enough trouble for me."

"True enough. Now let's talk about my conditions." She grinned.

"Let's hear them."

"You are not to call me Nessie at any time or place from this moment on. My name is Aya Miyamoto. That's how you're going to introduce me to your team, and that's how its going to stay. You're going to tell them that I'm going undercover for a purpose that I cannot disclose. Which is true."

"Have you done your research on my team? They're a very nosy bunch, you know. Extremely annoying at times. And sadly, they're not all stupid, so it's hard to keep secrets from them." He smirked.

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, Kai, I've heard. Don't speak in your team in such a manner, you're going to make me lose faith in you guys. I thought you guys were the best."

"Well, I know I am." He grinned as she rolled her eyes again. "Very endearing, it makes me wonder how you survived all those press conferences without shameless plugging of yourself every time."

"I try not to encourage rabid fangirls."

She sighed tragically, but followed it with a smirk. "As I said, you are so shameless."

"Let's continue, shall we?"

"Fine." She stood up. "Wait here, and I'll show you another condition."

She left him on her couch and ducked into the bathroom. He looked around the room as he waited.

There was no sign of her past life anywhere. A square, rather small suitcase was on the bed, next to the desk, but nothing else. That didn't bother him too much. While at the abbey, they learned to survive on nothing but the basics. Everything else was frivolous.

Except that one picture.

Oh, he recognized it all right. It came from the same newspaper Kenny had given him bearing the news of his grandfather's death. The Demolition Boys stood, posing for a camera they probably wished would vaporize after taking their picture, with Boris sneering in the background. Kai studied it, and realized why it was so important to Nessie.

Bryan stood in the middle, glaring down at his invisible audience.

"Not one of Tala's most flattering pictures, you must admit, but they look imposing enough. If Ian were a little taller, you'd probably say intimidating." He turned to the light voice that had reentered the room.

Kai stared.

Aya now had light lavender locks held in place by a ponytail, with a few tendrils framing her face. Her hazel eyes were now a dark violet, sparkling dangerously with excitement.

"Are you even the same person?" he asked dumbfoundedly.

"Yes." At least she still had the same soft, lilting voice. "This is how I am going to look to your team. They don't know who Nessie is, and for the time being, they won't know. If you can, forget that a person named Nessie ever existed."

"Like how I thought for years?"

"Exactly."

She sat down next to him again. "And above all, do not tell anyone from BioVolt about me, do not get close to me, pretend I am just some stupid girl you are not familiar with. I want you to list me as Hilary Tachibana's friend. As far as BioVolt will know, I know nothing about beyblading, I am just an innocent spectator. I'll get to know Hilary in the days preceding the tournament, so at least the first part will be true."

Kai nodded mutely, grasping the importance of secrecy when dealing with BioVolt.

"Kai?"

He glanced at her.

"Don't tell Bryan I'm alive. No hints either. I'll tell him eventually."

He nodded again, his eyes telling her what difficult task lay ahead for her when that time were to come.

"You're not afraid, are you?" He sat back to study her more carefully. Actually, he had never known her to show the slightest amount of fear, even when she was little. But then again, she was a scientist, so what did she know of the nightmares they saw at the Abbey. But on the other hand, what did he know about her life as a scientist?

Her slim legs were propped up against the table, stretching out muscles that had been a little tight. "In this line of work, do you really think I can afford to be?" she asked wryly.

"This is BioVolt we're talking about, not some ordinary beyblading faction. They always have something up their sleeve, and you should know that this time, they have nothing to lose."

"Oh, I'm well aware. But I wouldn't worry, Kai. You and your team are more than capable of handling the Demolition Boys. That is a big help to me, even if you don't know it yet. So thank you in advance."

Would she ever stop talking in riddles?

"Capable? Of course, but I thought it was going to be you, who was going to save them." Aya was getting him agitated about the whole idea of facing the Demolition Boys. It would have been plenty of pressure to fight them even without her plan. Whatever the hell that was.

She shrugged. "I still intend to. You're going to help me."

"Well," she stood up indicating all her explanations were over for the time being. "Let's go meet your team, Mr. Hiwatari. And get some food for you. You look famished."

"That I am," he said. "But wait. You said you had stories to tell me right?"

She eyed him suspiciously. "Yes. But you said it didn't have to be told right away."

"I know, but I'd like to tell you a story. Just to fill you in on how it was like after you left BioVolt."

She sat down on the floor. "But what if it's a story I've heard before?"

"I doubt it. You see, a few days after you left, Boris and Grandfather set up and emergency lab at the Abbey. Tala, Bry, and Spence got to tour it first—Ian was considered too young. Anyway, there was this lab technician. Typical Russian. He seemed old to us at the time, but he couldn't have been older than twenty five, looking back on it now. Probably fresh out of college."

Aya's eyes were on him, and seemed a shade too large, for someone hearing this for the first time, as if she didn't expect him to pick this particular story. But she didn't interrupt him, so he threw caution to the winds and proceeded.

"It was really peculiar. That's when I first got to see Black Dranzer. You've heard of him, I suppose?"

She nodded. "I read everything BioVolt related." Even what wasn't in the papers, she added silently.

"That's when I started to become obsessed with its power. It wasn't an instant, all-encompassing evil. Well, not at first. It was like being touched with a dark ink… and then the darkness spread. Well, anyway, when first saw Black Dranzer, I remember what the lab tech said, because it always felt so strange. Especially later."

He saw her mouth curve into a slight smile. "What did he say?"

"He took me to the side, away from Boris. He was a tall guy, maybe 6'9"? He had to kneel down to get to my height. He looked straight at me and said: 'Whatever you do, don't forget that you have to leave this place alive. Live, kid. There are places you gotta go, you know?' Then he smiled the biggest smile I've ever seen anyone smile at BioVolt. He then said, 'She told me that too, a little tyke she is, but it makes sense. See that bitbeast there? That's not the ticket, but you'll find it. She said so.' Then he shooed me off."

"I thought he was insane for the longest time and ignored the whole thing, until I came back to my senses. I never saw him after that. Grandfather said later that a whole bunch of lab techs left us within the week. That did bother me for a while. Up until I left." He looked at her. "Why was that?"

He hadn't really expected to tell her all of that, and he definitely wasn't planning on asking her any opinion. However, something about her presence made it seem right, and made it seem natural that he should ask her these questions. He hadn't thought about these memories in years. Aya knew it, and he wanted to know why. He looked her fully in the face to get a complete answer.

Her face was empty of expression, except for her eyes. They gleamed with wistfulness, eagerness, and a tinge of sadness. "Because you found your ticket."