Chapter 2: New Battles, New Feelings

My bright blue eyes fluttered open slowly to see long white curtains that were swaying in a light breeze. I looked down to see soft blue bedspread covers drawn over my body; my head lightly rested on a fluffy white pillow. I raised my head and sat up in the bed and looked myself over. I was still wearing the same clothes from last night, but it looked like my wounds had been tended to. I swung my now bare feet around to the edge of the bed, letting them lightly brush the lavender carpet spread across the room. I moved the soft curtains to see the rest of the room before me.

The wall was a soft lilac color with a small whicker desk and chair in the corner. A window was across from the bed, which a ray of morning sun flowed through. Pictures of elegant flowers hung throughout the room. I stood on my feet and walked to the edge of the room where a white door was. I grabbed the brass doorknob and turned it lightly, pushing it open. A long hallway stood before me. It was decked in red carpet with orange and brown paint on the walls. Small torches lit the way to the end of the hallway where it seemed to open into a bigger room. Adding to the light were two crystal chandeliers made of hanging crystals that glimmered in the light. I walked down the hallway, taking in the sight of it. I walked into the larger room and gasped in awe.

The room before me was enormous. It had the same design as the hallway, but rows of metal armor lined the walls. Huge portraits hung on the walls. The ceiling was just as amazing. The ceiling itself was a mural. Beautiful designs were scattered along the ceiling with a huge chandelier in the center. Next to one of the murals was a small chestnut chair. Oliver was sitting in it, admiring the painting. He was now wearing his usual uniform of a blue jacket and red pants. Perched gracefully on his head was a blue beret with a pair of goggles attached to it.

"Um, Hello." I said, slightly tiptoeing nearer.

Oliver whipped around in his chair to face me.

"Oh Bonjour!" He said, a French accent lining his voice, "We didn't get off very well on the introductions last night, now did we?"

"I guess not." I said as he got out of the chair and walked over to me.

"My name's Oliver," He said shaking my hand, "The French Champion of Beyblading."

"M-my name's Ariana." I said, "Just call my Ayia."

"That's a beautiful name," He said with a smile, "Oh! Enrique will want to meet you. But first, take a shower and get changed into something a little more suitable, your clothes are in the Shower Room waiting for you; it's the room at the end of that hallway."

He pointed his finger down the next hallway, "Then meet up with me here, and then, we'll go to breakfast."

"But what about my blade?" I asked.

"Oh all that is waiting for you in the Shower Room too." He said.

"Okay." I said as I turned around, "Thank you Oliver."

"Your very welcome." He said as I walked down the next hallway and it led me to another white door. I opened it to reveal a small shower room. The walls were a tinge of gray with white tile on the floor. There was a marble double sink in one corner and a shower in the other. The shower was lined with silver and the front of it was clear glass. I quickly turned around and locked the door. I turned my attention to the sink to see a mound of clothes neatly folded with Orelin and my launcher lying on top of it.

I shed my clothes and walked into the shower and turned the silver switch to run the water on and turned it to 'hot'. Hot water cascaded over me, making me feel clean, something I hadn't felt in a long time. I grabbed the bottle of shampoo and rubbed it into my hair and let the water rinse it out. I did the same with conditioner. I turned the water off and stepped out of the shower. I grabbed a nearby white towel and rubbed it over my skin and hair, drying it. I picked up the 'new' clothes that were set out for me. It consisted of a white and blue tinted marble dress. The colors swirled together, creating a complex pattern. It stretched about to my knees and fit rather tightly. Under it was a pair of tall blue leather boots that stretched about to my thighs and a small dark blue hat that was shaped like a small oval near the top and it had a small bill that stuck out a little over my bangs.

I laughed a bit as I put it on. 'either they're giving me a treat.' I thought zipping the dress up, 'or vice versa.'

I slid on the boots, placed the hat on my head, and picked up Orelin and my launcher. I walked over to the door, opened it and walked back out into the main hallway where Oliver was waiting for me. His eyes widened a bit when he saw me.

"No wonder Enrique picked out that outfit." I heard him mumble under his breath.

"I heard that." I said as he smiled.

"Well, anyway," He said, "We should be going; Enrique is probably training while the others are already ready, we'll go get him and go to breakfast."

"Okay." I said as he led me over to a small bookshelf.

"I thought you said we were going to a training room." I said, a little annoyed.

"We are." He said with a chuckle as he pulled a small blue book near the center. The bookshelf suddenly started to move to the side, revealing a small hallway.

The hallway was dark and lit with only small torches. The walls were made of some kind of slate gray stone. We walked to the end where a large door stood. Oliver walked up to the door. Next to the door was some sort of small box. Oliver took out a small pink Beyblade and placed it into the box. A small red laser scanned over the blade. The door suddenly opened, revealing a large room. The walls were a slate gray and in the center of the room was a large chrome Beyblade dish with two platforms leading to each side of the dish. A young boy was on one side.

He had short blond hair that came in slick waves around his face except for two bangs near the front that lightly curved and hung over his face that made the shape of a heart. He also had bright sapphire eyes that were trained upon a small blade that was light blue with small dragon heads engraved into it. That must be Amphilyon, and the blader must be Enrique. I walked up to the other side of the dish with Oliver. Enrique finally looked up and saw Oliver and me.

"Is this her?" He asked.

"Yes." Oliver said.

He jumped into the dish, making his short red vest blow back, revealing part of his yellow turtleneck. He knelt down on one knee that was covered by his dark green pants. He picked up his Beyblade and climbed out of the dish and stood in front of me.

"I thank you for rescuing Amphilyon for me." He said.

"I couldn't let some one use what wasn't theirs." I said, "Amphilyon rightfully belongs to you."

"My name's Enrique," He said, "The Italian Beyblading Champion."

"I'm Ariana." I said, "But, just call me Ayia."

"Pleased to make your acquaintance." He said as he grabbed my hand and lightly pressed his lips against it. I felt something very strange come through me. A blush stained my face before I slowly withdrew my hand. I had heard of this feeling somewhere, but I couldn't place my finger on it.

"Lady's man." I heard Oliver mumble.

"For saving Amphilyon," He said, "I ask that you stay with us for awhile."

"I guess I could," She said, "You wouldn't mind Orelin and me training with you guys, right?"

"Sure!" He said, "Any Blader is welcome in our dish."

"Thank you." I said shaking his hand. I looked up into his eyes. Those blue Casanova eyes pierced right through me. I felt flush come over my face as I felt something-strange flow through me again. I only felt his hand on mine, his soft velvet skin slightly rubbing against mine as it barley shook up and down now, coming to a sudden stop as I was still feeling something, now more than ever. He flashed a smile at me. I was almost thrown off my feet; it was absolutely gorgeous. I suddenly saw a small trace of red stain its way across his face. I guessed I was doing something wrong so I stared down at the gray floor and twiddled my boots together.

"Are you nervous?" He asked. Yes, that was it, nervousness, but, why?

"I guess." I said, looking back up, I suddenly looked back down. I couldn't look at his eyes again, but I couldn't help it.

I looked up and saw them again, the two orbs that made a shiver hit my spine and a blush hit my face.

"I-I" I started, "I'm sorry, but I- um- Oh Oliver, didn't you say something about breakfast?"

"Oh, how silly of me, of course!" He said as I let go of his hand and turned towards Oliver, my excuse, "Enrique, all of us are waiting for you."

"Then let's get going!" Enrique said as he latched his arms around Oliver and me and we walked out of the room. We walked and back into the larger room and down the hallway leading to my room. He turned and walked into a separate hallway until we came to another room.

The room was longer than the other rooms that I had seen. It had a long chestnut table that covered most of the room except for a large grandfather clock at the other end. One boy and one older boy sat at the table. The younger boy was wearing a pair of dark tan pants and a blue shirt with a torn tan jacket; he had dark brown eyes and brown hair, Johnny. The older boy who was about eighteen had purple hair and dark purple eyes and was wearing a purple vest and white pants and a white shirt under the jacket, Robert.

"That's a nice Grandfather Clock." I said, commenting on the wooden timekeeper.

"You mean the actual clock," Enrique whispered to me, "Or Robert?"

We both lightly laughed.

"Stop laughing!" Robert said, his proud booming voice cut through our laughing like tissue paper, "I will not tolerate such uncouth behavior!"

Enrique and I laughed even more.

"What a cute couple." Said the brown-haired boy sarcastically, "Your newest girl, Enrique?"

We both stopped laughing and looked at him and then each other.

"Why would you say such a thing Johnny?" Enrique asked in a false voice of innocence.

"Because it's every girl." Johnny said.

I looked at him with almost empty eyes, every girl, every girl? I didn't know why, but I felt before like I had expected something from him, but was he just playing with me? Is that what he meant when he said, 'every blader', 'or every 'girl' blader?' Was that the only reason I was here, because he wanted me here as an honorable blader, or as a potential date? He looked back as a look of 'sorry' and 'forgive me' or 'don't pay attention to him.' But his eyes were not enough. I needed to find out if he wanted me here as a blader or not.

"Enrique?" I asked.

"Yes?" He replied.

"Could I speak with you in the hallway for a moment?" I asked.

"Sure." He said as we walked out into the hallway. I turned around and shut the door, I wanted this confidential and between us only. I turned around and looked him in the eyes again. If he only wanted me here as a date, I would have to…leave. But, how could I? I was standing face to face with maybe the best blader and best looking boy in Europe. How could I stand to just turn around and leave him? But, I didn't even know him. He could be, and probably was, like all the others. But, what if he wasn't? What if he and I could be---no, it couldn't happen. Not between him, a famous blader, and me, a street rat off the streets of Paris. Still, when I looked at him, I felt anything was possible. Something just made me feel that way, I didn't know what it was, but it was there, and it wasn't about to leave anytime soon.

"Enrique," I said, setting one of my hands on his shoulder, the soft woven red fabric lightly brushing across my fingers, "Why do you want me here?"

"What?" He asked.

"Do you want me here because I'm a blader," I said, "or because I'm a girl?"

"It may be a little bit of both." He said, "I owe you my life for rescuing Amphilyon for me, and you must have been a very skilled blader to do so, and I think that no one could disagree, you're cute."

"I guess I'll take that as a compliment," I said with a red face, "I want you to see me as a little more than just a blader, but not a girl either, you see where I'm kinda going?"

"Yeah, I think I do." He said as he leaned in towards me as I backed up against the door, "want to join the team?"

I thought it over for a second, but, hating to admit it, all I could think about was the distance between us. I could join the team, make it to the World Championships, and maybe even win and get the money needed to become the artist I wanted to be. But, I would have to deal with them, and their personalities. But what if they found out what I was, would they want me anymore? But of course…I didn't have to tell them, it could just be my own little secret.

"Sure." I said.

"Now about seeing you as more than a blader," he said, "Did you mean as a team member?"

"No?" I said in a questioning way.

"Well I guess I could answer that for you." He said as he moved in closer and put his arms around my waist. I looked at him questioningly, how much more than just a blader? But, how could I resist him? I felt something weird happening to me. I-I wasn't sure what, but whatever it was, I couldn't control it. It was like a bit beast, if you couldn't handle it, it took over, so I just closed my eyes and went with what happened, but I needed to see. I barley squinted my eyes open to see what happened.

He came closer to me until our noses slightly touched. I saw his lips move closer to mine. He was---going to kiss me. I had never been kissed, ever. But for some reason, I had always wanted it to happen. People had said it felt like magic, which was something I had lost hope in a long time ago, and buried it in my heart. But now it was resurfacing, like it was brought back to life. This truly felt like magic. It felt like a fantasy coming true, something that turned out not exactly the way you wanted, but in the center, it was true bliss and simplicity.

Suddenly, I felt myself loosing balance as I saw the door was lightly cracked open, and now it had opened and we had started to fall through. I hit the floor with Enrique falling onto me. I supported my self up with my elbows to come face to face with Enrique. For a minute, we were in our own world. My hand rose up and I laced my fingers through his golden bangs for a minute. It was like no one else was there but us. My hand traced down the side of his face, his milky white skin felt like silk under my hand. I was caught in his eyes again and we just stayed there, not even thinking about the others. I was just thinking about how close we were.

"Are you guys alright?" We heard a voice from the table, "The food's already on the table."

I quickly got onto my knees. "Yeah fine." I said, "the door cracked open while I was leaning on it and it opened all the way and I fell on the floor."

"Oh, glad you're alright." Oliver said as I poked my head from underneath the table to see the most food I had ever seen in my entire life.

There were pancakes and waffles stacked mountaintop high, plates and plates of French Toast, bacon, eggs, sausage, hash browns, buttered toast, crapes, scones, croissants, and much more.

"Are we supposed to," I started, staring a bit wide-eyed at the food, "eat all of this?"

"You can try." Oliver said with a laugh, "But I don't think it's possible."

"But you have to admit," Enrique said, "Oliver's a pretty good cook."

"You made all of this?" I said in amazement, "that's amazing!"

"I guess," Oliver said, "But it's your job to tell me whether it's good or not."

"So grab me a plate and stand back!" Johnny said grabbing a plate and loading it with everything he could get to.

"Okay." I said as I grabbed a plate and placed two pancakes, two strips of bacon, one sausage, and a sunny-side up egg.

I grabbed a small silver fork and started to eat. The meal was absolutely delicious and I savored every bite; I had never had a meal this large before. I always got by with the usual bread and meat. But this was a smorgasbord. I finally finished and set down with the others.

"Want any more?" Oliver asked as he handed me a plate.

"No I'm as stuffed as a tick." I said, "I may never eat again!"

"Oh well," Johnny said as he grabbed another piece of bacon off a plate, "Your loss."

"Um guys?" Enrique said sitting down, "I have decided to add a new member to our team."

"Who is he?" Robert asked, "he better not be uncouth!"

"It's not a he." He said as he pushed me forward, "it's a she."

"What?" Johnny said, "A girl?"

"I don't mind," Oliver said, "besides it's good to have someone around who enjoys my cooking so much."

"Only because you act like a girl!" Johnny yelled.

"I will not stand for an uncouth girl on our team!" Robert said.

I started to get angry, "Well, if you think you're such a good blader, why don't you prove it?" I said.

"I won't fight someone as uncouth as you!" He said.

"Why?" I asked, "You scared?"

"The captain of the Majestics is never afraid!" He said.

"Then battle me!" I said, "If I win, I'm on the team."

"And if I win?" He asked.

I thought for a minute, "I'll work here as a cook or servant, your choice."

I still wanted to stay here.

"Good," He said, "You'll be back in the kitchen, where you belong."

"Enough talk!" I said, "Let's battle!"

We walked back into the Training Room and we each walked up to our sides of the dish. I grabbed Orelin and attached him to my launcher.

"Ready?" Oliver said as he stepped on the side of the dish, "3,2,1, Let it Rip!"

We both launched our blades. I saw that Robert's was a dark purple with eagle heads engraved into it. Our blades clashed together, creating sparks as they pushed each other around the dish. I went into my strategy. I went to the middle of the dish and waited.

"Grifflyon attack!" He yelled as the blade rushed towards mine. I gave a bit of a grin.

"Now!" I yelled. My blade suddenly disappeared.

"Where'd it go?" Johnny asked.

I lightly tilted my head upward. My blade was in midair. It fell onto Robert's blade and started destroying the attack ring. My blade hopped off his and still spun around his. I decided not to release Orelin until I needed to.

"Grifflyon!" Robert yelled as his Beyblade began to glow. His Bit Beast was released into the stadium. It was a huge purple Griffin with long talons that proved a threat to my blade. Its long beak shone in the lights of the stadium.

It was time.

"Orelin!' I yelled as Orelin came out of my blade. The Majestics took one sight of the powerful wolf and they all gasped in awe.

"Grifflyon Attack!" Robert yelled as his Bit Beast's talons dug into Orelin's side.

"Never give up Orelin!" I yelled as he wriggled free and still stood against the large beast.

"Extreme Speed!" I yelled as my blade started to lunge towards Robert's, but it suddenly disappeared. It then appeared at another end of the battlefield, then another, and another, just like in the last battle I had with the strange boy.

"Now!" I yelled as my blade buzzed past the Robert's, clashing it. The boys gasped as they saw how Orelin would knock Grifflyon off balance by to their eyes an unknown source of sparks, which was Orelin. Robert's blade flew out of the dish and landed by his feet.

"Who's where they belong now?" I yelled looking at Robert, who was in a state of shock.

"I guess I owe you your side of the deal." He said, "that was an honorable battle, and welcome to the Majestics."