This chapter has been revised, 16-11-2004.
Thanks to all of you for your reveiws, I am hopefully improving the quality of my work because of it!
Enjoy.
Chapter 4
"Hey dudes! Where'd the K-boys go?" Tysons Grandpa entered the dojo with snacks for the boys.
The three remaining boys looked up at him, guilt written on Max and Rei's faces, but Tyson forced a smile at him.
"They just went out to, er, talk".
Rei glanced at Max, who returned the unsure look. Neither boy liked lying, and they didn't like the way Tyson tried to cover up the situation.
Putting his free hand on his hips he looked pointedly at Tyson and gently encouraged his grandson, "Ok me homies, what happened?" Grandpa caught the looks that Rei and Max gave each other and was wise enough to listen instead of shouting at them. He'd heard what had gone on, but wasnt going to let the boys know that he always eavesdropped on them.
Tyson sighed in defeat, "It was just a misunderstanding Grandpa. Kenny wanted us to get something for him, but we cant. He kinda took it the wrong way."
"So Kai has gone to get him back" Max finished for him.
Grandpa looked at each of the boys in the eye, straightened up, then announced "Ill go help him then. Cant have me two main men running off now can we?" Putting the tray full of food and drinks down next to Tyson, he waved good-bye to them and leapt out the dojo to look for the other boys.
Rei watched Tyson carefully; once upon a time Tyson would have devoured the edible contents of the tray within seconds.
He just sat there on the cushions, staring at the door that his Grandfather had just exited. Suddenly he looked so alone and helpless, Rei saw him just as a small boy. Not a world class Beyblade champion at all.
"So..... Who wants Sushi?" Rei asked both the younger boys, trying to lighten the mood. He walked over to the cushions, pulling Max with him and they both sat down with Tyson.
Rei dished out the food. Tyson took his meekly, still watching the door as if he expected Kai to walk in any second. He didnt like it when Kai left him, it was like a part of him was missing. He felt eyes upon him and glanced at his friends, he put a piece of sushi into his mouth and ate it, just to stop Rei looking at him.
Max and Rei both ate enthusiastically, Rei keeping his vigilance on his young teammate.
As they ate, Tyson knew he needed to distract Rei from watching him so closely, he was feeling really drained now and it was getting harder to keep his mask in place.
As he thought of ways to escape Tysons hand absently drifted down to his pocket. He closed his fingers around his beyblade. An idea began to form in his head.
A sudden grin came over his face and he startled the others by yelling "Lets battle!" He took Dragoon out of his pocket and holding him up for the other to see, he forced himself to stand up in launching position.
Rei and Max just started at him, mouth gaping open like goldfish.
"Argh, come on guys. When did you last battle?" They both flinched. Max shut his mouth and opened it, but no words came out. Neither of them had bladed since the Russian experience. For Tyson to be the one to bring it up so suddenly was unexpected.
"Um, uh......well Ty..." Max started when he was finally able to talk, knowing the horror Rei felt at the pain he had caused with his blade. Whilst Tyson was in hospital Rei had told Max that he would never blade again, he didn't want to hurt anyone he cared for. The cruel game between Tyson and Rei had scarred Rei more than anyone but Max knew.
Maybe his lover wasnt ready yet.
"Max. Its ok." Rei took a deep breath putting a hand on Max's arm and calmly gave him a reassuring squeeze, knowing that if they didnt start to blade again soon, none of them ever would. And it was a good excuse to take Tysons mind off Kenny and Kai.
"Yay, cool!" Tyson shouted punching his fist into the air, acting like his old self. Max and Rei both smiled in amusement and relief.
"Right, Max versus Rei." Tyson declared, relief flowing through his body, he sat back down on the padded cushions to watch the game.
Adrenaline pumped around both boys' bodies as they prepared to launch their blades. They had forgotten the feeling that Beyblading gave them.
"Right, on the count of three." Tyson yelled "3, 2, 1, .....Let it Rip!"
Drigger and Draciel were released shooting out on to the floor. They spun around each other, whizzing across the floor, Drigger chased Draciel around Max's legs and then they hurtled across the room and up the wall. Both blades glowed; the bitbeasts were pleased to be finally doing what they do best.
Soon all three boys were grinning like Cheshire cats.
B
Kenny raced towards the river, his feet pounding on the concrete path. The wind drying the tears on his cheeks as he ran.
He couldnt really blame his friends for reacting the way they had. He knew in his heart of hearts that they were right, but he still couldnt shake the feeling of being let down by both his parents and his friends.
Sobbing, he felt the world was against him.
All he wanted was Dizzy back, so he could continue with his research to protect his friends. And he needed her company.
Upon reaching the bank of the waters edge, he sat down heavily, with his legs dangling over the side. Staring across the rushing river and letting the noise fill his senses, Kenny was oblivious that he was very highly regarded, and at this very moment in time, he was the soul target for a number of individuals, each with a different intent.
B
The brightly clad old man jogged along the path that circled the park.
Grandpa Granger came nearer to the river where Kenny was sitting calling out the kids name "Kenny dude! Yo homie, what's diggin?"
A tall red eyed teenager quickly covered Kennys mouth with his hand to stop him calling for help as he grabbed him from behind. He started to drag the struggling boy away from the river, so they were hidden under the bridge.
Then Kenny bit Talas hand. Hard. Letting out a small scream, or what sounded more like an 'eep', he managed to alert the old man to his whereabouts.
"OUCH!" Tala swore "Why you little vermin, you better not do that again, else Ill have to shut you down."
Kenny quickly nodded his head; he was shaking with fear and quickly agreed to behave, remembering what Tala was capable of.
The old man made his way towards the muffled sound he had heard, his pace quickening when the yell was shouted out.
"Dont you worry, Kenny me man! Im on me way!" Grandpa called as he ran down the steps that lead to the bridge.
Unaware that he had been heard, Tala began to explain to Kenny what he wanted from him. He was almost done when.....
"HAI YAH" Tysons Grandpa did a back flip from the last step into the tunnel, then twisted on landing and kicking his legs up in a high kick and coming down gracefully in front of Tala.
"Whoa! What you doing here dude?" He was shocked at seeing Tala; he had seen his picture many times. He had to admit; he was impressed seeing him in the flesh, and was thinking what an asset he would be to the dojo. Then he noticed Kenny and remembered why he was here.
"What you doing with Kenny dude?" He growled.
Tala heaved a sigh; looking to Kenny with his piercing red eyes, he answered, "Talking, we were just having a chat." Narrowing his eyes and almost squinting at the smaller brown haired boy, Tala almost threatened "Think about our 'discussion' kid. When your ready, I'll find you, okay?"
Kennys eyes widened, confusion and worry written on his face, "I...I....um.....ur....ok" he stuttered.
"Leave him alone Tala. You wont get me Ty-man, or any of his friends. You wanna do whats best and turn yourself in dude, come along kid" Grandpa tried to reason with Tala, but Tala suddenly jumped backwards away from them, smiling slightly as the old man tried to grab him, he leaped up onto the bridge and disappeared.
"Hey lil dude, you ok?" Grandpa turned his attention back to Kenny, who was staring with wide eyes up to where Tala had just vanished.
Receiving no answer, Grandpa waved his hand in front of his eyes, "Hey K-man, how's it coming?"
Kenny blinked twice then shook his head, "What? Oh, um ok I guess Grandpa"
"Great! You come back to the Dojo with me, you left the other homies in quite a fix, ya know!"
Taking Kennys arm, the old man steered Kenny back towards the Grangers Dojo.
B
Kai walked swiftly towards Kennys house, thinking that the child genius would head straight home; he never got to know the younger boy very well, he liked to keep his distance form everyone, but Tyson.
Kai knew that Kenny was an assert to the team, and it was of great importance to Kai that he carried on with his research of the Dark Blader. Kai decided he would buy Kenny a new laptop, the kid could use that instead, and maybe they could convince Kennys parents to give Kenny back Dizzy, once they had calmed down a bit.
He was almost there when a fleeting shadow caught his eye.
He was being followed.
Kai deliberately turned a corner, away from Kennys house, and then made a few more, just to be sure.
A dark flash vanished as quickly as it came. Yes, he was being followed.
Kai smirked, great, a chance to get a bit of a work out. He needed to let off steam anyway.
Heading towards the park, Kai glimpsed the shadow that was tailing him a couple more times. This person was good, but Kai had been trained well and could handle himself.
Whilst making his way through some trees, Kai lifted his arms hoisted himself up into a tree and waited. Now he was the predator, not the prey.
He pursed his lips in readiness for action. Holding his breath he waited to see who was following him.
The shadowy figure was treading silently across the ground, it seemed as if he was floating, if Kai believed in fiction, he would swear it was the grim-reaper.
Long black cloak flowed over the body of Kais stalker, even the hands were covered; there must have been a face because the figure had a hood. Not that you could see who it was. Only two pale lights gleamed from within.
The cloaked figure stopped right underneath the tree that Kai was in. Kai held his breath. Did this person know he was here?
The figure stood still, then in a husky voice, called "You cant hide from me. Where you go, I will follow. Come down here, we need to talk".
Damn.
If Kai was not so in control of his emotions, he would have almost fallen out of the tree from shock. This creepy guy wanted to talk? Yeah, like hell he did.
Kai was not afraid, he was curious.
Hopping lightly off the branch hed been crouching on, Kai landed lightly in front of the hooded man, in defensive mode.
"What do you want to talk about?" Kai demanded, his face a mask. Anger flying beneath it as he recognised the Dark blader.
"You waste no time do you?" The man smiled within the folds of his cloak, though Kai could not see this. "I need to warn you, your young blue haired friend is in danger..."
Kai narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms defiantly. "Why would he be in any danger? And what the hell are you doing here?"
The Blader chucked quietly "Yes, you are to the point arent you!" His voice changed pitch, and he harshly sneered, "The boy is too young to hold so much power! It's not his, it's mine!" Then he calmed it back down again, finishing with "His body sustained much damage in that battle, so did his Dragoon. If they are not separated to heal, then they will drain each other and die!"
Kai clenched his fists, "Your just after his Dragoon. You wont even get near him! Im going to take you down for what you did, you nearly killed him you bastard!"
He took a step forward and raised his fists, threatening the hooded man.
"Dont try my patience boy!" The Dark Blader suddenly hissed, standing taller somehow than before. "The only reason you are still standing is so you can convince Tyson to set his bit beast free!"
"Liar" Kai said simply. He flew into action, his aim was perfect. His foot connected with the mans chest. The cloak slowed the mans movements. He retaliated instantly, returning the kick, sending Kai back onto a tree.
Kai had the breath knocked out of him, but didn't stop; he pushed himself away from the tree and through a punch at his head. He missed, gasping out "Who are you?"
The Dark Blader swung around and brought his leg up, catching Kai on the back as he whizzed past from the momentum of his missed punch.
"I'm your worst nightmare! Dont fight me boy." The Dark Blader sneered, "I'm the best!" his black robes swirling, making him look twice a big.
Kai was now face down in the dirt; he pushed himself up off the ground and was actually seething with anger. His eyes flashing dangerously. Gritting his teeth, he retorted "The best! Tyson's grandfather is better than you, and I'm better than him." Brave words, but unfortunately for Kai, untrue.
All Kai could think about was that this was the one responsible for Tysons present condition. Regardless of Tala and Brian's involvement. This was the one who had been happy for Tyson to die in that battle.
He was going to pay.
Kai was being reckless. He knew he was. He was never reckless. But with this man in front of him, taunting him, and threatening his lover had struck a cord inside him.
Kai rushed the man again, and once more found himself on the floor. Crawling to his knees, Kai lifted his head to look coolly into the dark hood.
"Boy, you are foolish." The cloaked figure hissed, "I know you are the right one to help me! I saw it! I am never wrong." The man smoothly walked up to Kai, "I will get what I want and there's nothing you can do to stop me!" Lifting his foot, he brought the heel down on Kais temple, knocking him out.
"Stop right there!" Came a shout from nearby as Kai slumped to the dirt once again.
"Damn, now what?" muttered the Dark Blader, turning to meet his new opponent.
"Hey, dude, whats going on here? What ya done to me K-man?"
The old man took up his fighting stance, Kenny hiding a short distance behind him.
"Dont waste my time baka Sen..old man." The Dark Blader dismissed him, swishing his cloak dramatically around him, he made to leave.
After having avoided a fight with Tala, Grandpa was not going to miss out on this one, and the familiar tone of his voice upset him, especially when Kai's body was laying crumpled in the mud.
With speed and power that an old man should not process, he suddenly leaped through the air and knocked the hooded man to the ground knocking the breath from his body. Landing on his feet, Grandpa knelt on the Dark Bladers back and twisted his arms so he couldnt move.
"Kenny" called Grandpa "Take a look at Kai will ya!"
Kenny rushed over to his fallen comrade, ignoring the other two on the floor.
Grandpa hollered "Got ya dude. Im the best!" Leaning forward, Grandpa brought his face closer to the Dark Bladers hood.
"You like your identity a secret dont you?" Moving a hand up, Tysons Grandpa slowly unveiled the man beneath him.
The remains of a once handsome mans was revealed, two pale, bright blue eyes pierced his very soul.
For once, Grandpa was speechless. He felt he should know the man, but couldn't place him.
Shoving the mans face into the mud, Grandpa left him with a warning to stay away from his grandson and his friends.
B
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