Chapter 13

The night of the BBA Gala Nite.

It was past seven and the bus taking them to the exclusive hotel where the grand function was being held, had already arrived.

"Kids, hurry up!" Grandpa Granger bellowed from outside.

Tyson came outside and stopped, staring at his grandfather. "Whoa. Who are you? And what did you do to my grandfather?"

Grandpa Granger whacked him on the head with the kendo stick. "Watch your tongue, little dude. This outfit has been passed down by our ancestors from generation to generation. Someday it might be yours."

Tyson stared at the blue polyester suit his grandfather wore. "I think I'll pass." he muttered.

"Hey, cool outfit." Max said as he came out of the chalet with Ray, Kenny and Kai.

Grandpa Granger posed. "Ya think so?"

"Don't encourage him, Max." Tyson said warily.

Tyson, Max and Kenny wore blue suits that gave them an out of place look. Tyson for one hated the dark blue bowtie.

"This stupid thing is so tight, I can't breath." he grumbled, pulling at it.

"Hold your horses, Tyson. It's only for tonight." Ray said.

Unlike the other three, Ray and Kai were wearing black blazers that were specially hand-made to suit their liking. The suits fitted them like gloves, nice and comfortable and unknowingly, Kai and Ray looked quite dashing in them.

"Oh, lookie here." Dizzi wept. "My boys all grown up and off to the ball."

Kenny sighed at his laptop opened on his lap. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Can't a girl have some fun?" Dizzi said playfully.

"Do you have to bring her along?" Tyson asked Kenny.

"Of course." Dizzi answered before Kenny could. "I'm his date. Since I'm the only girl for him."

"Speaking of girl, where's Jade?" Max asked.

"Right here."

They turned and stopped, staring at her in awe.

Jade smirked at their expressions. "So when do we leave?"

They could only stare at her even Kai. He has never seen anyone so beautiful....

Her hair was tied up in an up-swept style. Strands too short to be tied up curled around her nape. She wore little make-up; truth be told she didn't need make-up. The dress she wore was incredibly stunning on her. It was off-shouldered. Her shoulders and throat were bare and the tight bodice of the black dress showed off her body curves. The long full sleeves were slashed so that the white silk of the chemise underneath showed through and the skirt designed with a long slit that ran up her left leg just barely brushed the floor. She looked like she just stepped out of the Renaissance century with slight modern alterations. A pair of black high, open-toed stiletto heels completed the outfit.

"Jade, is that you?" Tyson was the first to speak, forcing himself to swallow as he did.

She smiled sweetly at him, her lips shimmering with the shiny lip-gloss that coated them. "No. It's Jade from the Looney Bin." she told him nicely as if he were a child from kindergarten.

"Yup, that's her alright." Dizzi confirmed.

"Oh, man, Jade." Max said in awe. "Cool dress."

"Totally." Ray agreed.

"It's a new you." Kenny quipped.

Almost unconsciously, they waited for Kai to say something. He looked at her suddenly feeling awkward.

"You look...nice." he muttered. Nice? Of all things you could have said, nice? Hello, what happened to 'gorgeous', 'beautiful', 'stunning'? Huh? How 'bout all three?

Jade didn't seem to mind. Suddenly self-conscious, she blushed slightly. "Thanks."

"Like who destroyed you?" Tyson mumbled.

"Tyson!" his grandfather hit him on the head again.

"OW! Cut that out!" Tyson wailed rubbing his swelling head.

"That ain't any way to treat a lady." Grandpa Granger snapped waving his kendo stick at his grandson. "What have I been teaching you all these while?"

"How to become a stick-whacking wacko hippy grandfather." Tyson retorted.

"Tyson!" Grandpa Granger bellowed, giving chase after Dragoon's bearer and both disappeared into the bus.

Even as the bus pulled out the chalet grounds, Tyson and his grandfather's voices could still be heard, rocking the bus.


"Ray!"

The moment the Bladebreakers walked in through the wide door of the ballroom where the function was being held in, a familiar pink mop ambushed Driger's master catching him off-guard momentarily. He blinked in surprise and a slow smile slidded onto his face.

"Hey, Mariah." he said, ignoring his team's teasing snickers. He looked at the pink-haired girl –as in really look at her- and nodded in awe. "Wow."

Mariah looked sweet in her red cheongsam that went in contrast with her long hair tied in its usual style. She smiled. "Do you like it?" she asked anxiously.

"Of course." he beamed. "You look great."

"She should after the amount of money we spent to order it all the way from China." Kevin said, coming up with the rest of his team.

"Hey, guys!" Ray grinned as he turned to greet his former team.

"How you been doing?" Lee asked sharing Ray's grin. "Seen the countryside yet?"

"Italy is awesome." Max said. "We met up with Enrique and he showed us the whole town."

"Did someone mention my name?" Enrique announced as he approached them with two pretty girls at his arms. He nodded to them and with a shy giggle, the girls broke away.

"Hi, Enrique. Preying on innocent girls again?" Tyson smirked.

"Robert. Johnny." Kenny nodded as he acknowledged the other two members of the European team standing behind the Italian boy minus one.

They wore extremely classy tuxes and in comparison to the Bladebreakers and most people the Majestics looked comfortable in their suits.

"Where's Oliver?" Max asked peering at the usual foursome.

Johnny shrugged. "In the kitchen, helping out."

"Figures." Ray murmured.

"That's great news!" Tyson said excitedly. "I can't wait to try out his French cuisine! His cuisines are the best. You should try it, Jade."

"Ah, Jade." Lee broke into a smile as his gaze turned to her. It was a smile Ray recognized instantly. The smile was supposedly one of Lee's trademark charms when it came to girls and so far not one girl had been able to resist it. Right now with his smile in place, Lee gave Jade's outfit a look-over. "You look...lovely."

Ray groaned inwardly. Great. Trouble.

Lee offered her his arm. "May I be your escort for today?"

Johnny scoffed aloud. "Why would she want you to escort her when I'm here?" He went to Jade's side offering her his arm. "I'll show you how to live the high-class style."

More trouble, Ray thought, mentally slapping his forehead. He looked at Kai, sending mental messages to his captain. Come on, Kai. Do something. Say something.

The ESP wasn't working. Kai just stood there acting as if he didn't care yet Ray was sure he had not missed the disturb look that passed the bluenette's face.

Meanwhile Enrique shook his head in amazement. "Johnny taken by her? Who would have thought?"

"Life is full of surprises." Mariah agreed.

"Well, speaking of surprises, look whose here too." a familiar girl's voice said.

They turned. "Emily!"

The female member of the All Starz smiled. "Hi, guys."

"Hi, Emily." Max beamed. "Haven't seen you in a while."

"Same to you too, Max." Emily said.

"It's nice to see you out of those tennis clothes you always wear." Tyson snickered.

She glared at him. "At least I have fashion sense unlike you."

"What is that suppose to mean?" he demanded.

Max quickly intervened. "Hey, knock it off, you two. Let's act civilized just this once."

"Hey, Emily, where's the rest of your team?" Kenny asked.

Emily shrugged. "Around. They are probably goofing around after we won the Block C."

"You're the Block C champs?" Tyson asked. "Sweet!"

"Um...Emily? Is my mom here too?" Max asked.

"Yeah. She's here somewhere with the guys." Emily answered. "She said she was afraid the guys will make a fool of themselves. Can't leave them alone without a babysitter."

"I think this two need a babysitter too." Enrique pointed at the two still fighting over Jade.

"Now who would want to go out with a rich snob like you?" Lee fired back at Johnny. "It's the etiquette that counts."

"Well, you're outta luck, Lee, cause I have both." Johnny replied.

This was getting out of hand. Jade broke in before Lee could reply. "Excuse me. While you guys can keep fighting all night, I think I'm gonna take a seat." she said sweetly. "Bye bye."

She found an unoccupied table and took a seat. The others followed. To her dismay Johnny and Lee took the seats next to her and were still at it.

"I took ballroom dancing as a child." Johnny was saying.

Eyeing the buffet table hungrily, Tyson and Gary hurried off in that direction and Max and Emily went off to look for his mom.

While the others watched Johnny and Lee bickered, Ray leaned over to Kai. "Looks like she needs saving."

Kai pretended he didn't hear him.

Ray refused to give up. "Come on, Kai. Ask her to dance."

"Why?"

Ray was a little taken back by the question. "Why? Because she needs saving and I seriously doubt Tyson or Max fits the part."

"And I do?" Kai raised an eyebrow.

"Come on, Kai. What harm could it do?" Ray urged. "Just ask her to dance with you."

Partly too tired to argue, Kai sighed, giving in. As he made his way to Jade, a band on stage started to warm-up the dance floor with a slow song. In his mind, Kai ran through different way of asking her to dance with him. Strange. He never had this sort of problem before.

"Jade." the words tumbled out of his mouth, to his relief, in a smooth flow as he held out a hand to her and she turned her beautiful green eyes to him. "May I have this dance?"

Her lovely face lit up with relief. "Of course." she said taking his hand.

For that moment, Kai felt glad he let Ray talk him into asking her as he led her onto the dance floor when a small group of couples were dancing slowly to the music.

Johnny and Lee could only watch sourly from their seats. Ray laughed at their glum expressions.

"Sorry, guys. You were too slow." he laughed.

Once away from the crowd, only did Jade relaxed. It has been a long time she had been in a crowd like this and drawn that much attention to her self. It was strangely frightening. Kai seemed unsure now that they were away from the group. She settled his uneasiness, letting him hold her in his arms with one of her hand rested on his shoulder and the other in his hand. Kai placed his remaining hand on her hip reluctantly but when she didn't seem to mind, he allowed himself to relax.

"Hey, thanks for the save." she said sincerely grateful.

"No problem." he said. "You looked like you needed it."

She smiled. "You have no idea."

Kai found himself liking her smile. He liked the fresh scent of her. He liked the way her body fitted against his, the way she seemed to trust him that moment, the way she buried her face into his shoulder with a soft sigh.

"Oh, Kai..." she whispered.

He heard the tiredness and the frustration in her voice and he felt the surface of the ice around his heart chipped away for her. "What's wrong?"

She shook her head without looking up. "Nothing. It's...nothing." It's just that...I wish things didn't have to be this way....but they are and there is nothing I can do about it...

Sensing her reluctance to speak, he didn't press the matter. Instead he just held her. She was warm...soft...Despite all her sarcasm and charms, he still found her...innocent...

Something broke through then as the word crossed his mind, forcing its way through the rare serene, peaceful he felt. The sense of dread filled him as the haunting memory of his dream invaded his mind.

In his mind he kept seeing that girl, that young little girl. The memory of the day she came to the abbey and into his life flashed through his mind

Her innocent green eyes...

No...

"Kai?"

Blinking back to reality, the memory faded and Kai found himself staring into similar green eyes to that of the girl of his past only now filled with puzzlement. Jade had pulled back slightly, staring at him.

Her eyes searched his face as she asked. "Are you alright?"

"I...I'm fine." he said, mentally shaking his head clear.

She gazed at him longer than she intended to, recognizing a glimpse of torment in his crimson eyes. All of the sudden, he seemed distant.

Does he...?

Kai looked down at her and misread the worried look on her. "Really, I'm fine."

Forcing on a smile, she nodded and rested her head against his shoulder, trying to put her mind to ease.

No...He doesn't remember...

Ray and Mariah sat alone at the table. Johnny and Lee gave up waiting for Jade and went off to look for someone else. Kevin, Bruce and Kenny went to look for Tyson and Gary who have yet to return with the food. Enrique was flirting with a couple of girls whom some Ray recognized as members of the Cheerleader team while Robert was talking with men from his high society class. All this while, he and Mariah watched the dance floor, Kai and Jade to be precise.

No bad. My plan worked, Ray thought impressed with him self. I might consider matchmaking...Those two look so good together...

"Wow." Mariah said. "Look at those two. I thought I'll never say this but Kai and Jade are perfect for each other."

"Yeah, they are." Ray agreed. He looked at her hesitating. "Hey, Mariah...you wanna dance with me?"

Her heart leapt into her throat that moment. "Sure, Ray."

He took her hand and guided her to the dance floor, moving into a slow dance. Mariah placed her arms around him.

Hey, I could get use to this, Ray thought.

"I didn't know you knew how to dance, Ray." Mariah said after a moment of silence.

"Ja-." he caught himself quickly. Better not spoil the moment. "Mr. Dickenson taught me."

"Yeah." Max piped in. "You should have seem him and Tyson. It was hilarious!"

One way or another the moment was spoiled. Ray broke away from Mariah and glared at Max and Tyson. At the table where they sat minutes ago, now sat Kenny, Kevin, Bruce, Gary and Oliver along with the All Starz team minus their captain. Max's mom, Judy was with them talking with Tyson's grandfather. And on the table was a whole mountain of food.

"Don't you guys have other stuff to do?" Ray asked heatedly.

"Eventually." Max grinned. "But we'll get to that later."

"Oh, Ray...." Tyson had the same devilish grin as the blonde kid as they both pointed above Ray's and Mariah's heads.

Ray and Mariah glanced up and regretted doing so. Eddy being the tallest among them was holding a mistletoe above them, grinning.

Ray turned deep red. "Hey, cut that out! It isn't Christmas, ya know!"

Eddy shrugged. "So what? No big deal."

"Ray...now you have to kiss her." Tyson told him.

"Get real, guys. It isn't Christmas yet." Ray retorted, heat invading his cheeks.

"Ooh, Ray is shy." Tyson teased.

Mariah glared at him although she was as pink as her hair. "Knock it off, Tyson before I'll knock you senseless."

"I'll like to see you try." Tyson challenged.

"Later, Tyson. First she has to kiss Ray then you two can have you little fight." Max said laughing.

"Yeah. Go on, Ray." Tyson urged, pushing Ray nearer to Mariah until they were nearly nose to nose. "Kiss her."

"Give her one nice smoothie she'll never forget." Eddy egged.

Oh, man..., Ray glanced at Mariah nervously

Jade and Kai pulled apart as long 'ooh's and 'aww's could be heard from their table. They could see Ray and Mariah as they quickly broke apart from a nice kiss on he lips. Both of them were blushing red from head to toe.

"That's so sweet." Dizzi cooed. "Good thing I got a picture."

"What?" Ray cried. "Dizzi!"

"Got to watch out for those people." Jade said with a wary smile.

"Yeah." Kai muttered.

Jade looked at him, feeling heat creep up her cheeks. "Looks like those two are gone. Thanks, Kai. I think I'll...go mingle in the shadows." she started to pull away but he held her arm, gentle but firm.

"Jade, wait." he said before he could stop himself.

She gave him an assuring smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I'll be fine." she slipped away before he could protest.

Kai closed his hand on empty air as he watched her go. Emotions swirled within him, causing him to tremble slightly.

What the hell's wrong with me?

"That was wicked sweet!" Tyson exclaimed. "Let's see it again."

"No way!" Mariah said.

"Come on, Mariah." Kevin pleaded in the mist of laughing tears. "Once more please. For old time sakes."

"Cut it out." Ray warned Kevin.

"But you guys look so sweet together." Max said. "Ray, red is so your color."

"Alright, guys." the tiger said. "You had your fun. Now quit it."

"Only after you kiss Mariah one more time." Tyson said.

Shaking his head, Ray sighed. "I'm going to get some air." he announced and headed out marching to the big doors that led to the hotel garden.

Once outside in the open air, Ray took in deep breaths. He gazed up the full moon shining down on him, its reflection bouncing off the calm surface of the hotel lake.

Then he realized he wasn't the only one there.


Jade felt like slamming her head repeatedly against a wall right now as she maneuvered her way to the bar at the other end of the ballroom. Stupid, stupid....

"One White Russian." she told the bartender before the man could say a thing. "No ice, hold the Vodka."

The man nodded and hurried off to fill her order.

Stupid. How could I be so stupid? So careless? I thought I could control my feelings but...I guess I was wrong. I can't afford to loose control over my emotions. There's too much at stake here.

The bartender reappeared, bearing a shot glass filled with white liquid. "White Russian." he announced, setting it before her. "Straight up."

She nodded and sipped the drink. She licked a stray droplet of cream from her lip.

But why can't I stop thinking about him? He isn't supposed to mean nothing to me! He isn't supposed to have any thing to do with this.

Yet...why can't I stop these feelings?

"Hey there, kitty." someone said as he slidded up to her side.

She barely acknowledged him, glancing at him from the side of her eye for a moment and chose to ignore him. She knew who he was, of course. Messy brown hair under a baseball cape and a knack for lame pick-up lines. Michael the All Starz's 'dependable' leader.

Michael chuckled when she didn't reply. "I'm buying." he said.

"Suit yourself." she said without looking at him.

"So...what's a hot doll like you doing all alone?" he asked.

She shot him another glance. "Trying to ignore guys like you."

Michael wasn't intimated. He met plenty of girls like her but in the end they still fall for the old Michael charm. "A pretty girl like you and all alone? What's wrong with this picture?"

"You." she sipped her drink again, wishing he would go away.

Hm...She's cold..., Michael thought wondering how to approach this new challenge. He tried a different tactic. "I haven't seen you before. Are you new in the game?"

"No." her answer was simple.

"Which team do you blade for?" he pressed.

"None of your business." she said. She was getting tired of him. Usually she would put more energy into her rejection but not today. Today her patience was wearing thin

Michael frowned. This was harder than he had anticipated. "Well, if you're not into talking, that's okay. We can always dance. I prefer dancing myself. Wanna dance?"

Jade drank up her drink and smoothly left the bar with Michael gapping after her stupidly. He moved to go after her but the bartender cleared his throat catching the American blader's attention.

Michael groaned as he lost track of her. "Damn."


Ray stared at the shadowed figure leaning against a tree facing the lake. His eyes adjusted to the lack of light and he recognized the figure.

"Kai? What are you doing her?" he asked in surprise. "Where's Jade?"

"Inside." Kai answered without opening his eyes.

Did something happen between those two? , Ray wondered. "What happened?"

Kai sighed heavily. "Nothing happened."

Ray blinked. "Nothing happened? What do you mean?" They looked so fine... A though occurred. "Did you guys have a fight again?"

"No." Kai opened his eyes and looked at the amber-eyed boy mildly annoyed. "Why would you care?"

"Because." Ray crossed his arms, watching his captain's face carefully. "It's pretty obvious to me how you feel for her."

Kai's face exposed no expressions. He smirked. "Obviously you don't know me well enough. I have no feelings for Jade." at least that was what he was trying to convince Ray as much as himself.

"That mask of your may fool the others but it sure doesn't fool me." Ray said. "You like Jade, don't you? Come on, Kai. Admit it. I understand."

"You think you do but you don't. Things between Jade and I are complicated." Kai said quietly almost to himself. "It isn't as easy as you and Mariah. Both of you like each other."

Ray blushed slightly. "Are you saying she doesn't like you?"

"I..." Kai's words drifted as he thought back to the moment he held her in his arms inside. She had seemed so...opened...vulnerable...

"Kai?" Ray called, wanting to hear his answer.

Kai broke out of his thoughts. "We don't know her, Ray. We don't know anything about her. Her past, who she really is..."

"Never been a problem in our team before. "Ray countered. "We all have our secrets, Kai. Some of us more than others. You know what I mean."

Kai did know what he meant. He too had kept his dark secrets.

Ray went on. "We just have to accept Jade for who she is now and trust her. And when she's ready..."he shrugged. "She'll tell us."

It's not just that, Ray. I know her. Or I think I should know her from...somewhere, Kai wanted to say. But instead he grunted. "Fine. Just be careful."

"Kai, do me a favor." Ray said in an almost pleading tone. "Just trust Jade, okay?"

With all his heart, there was nothing more Kai wanted to do than to place his trust in Jade. His team had done just that for him, hadn't they? He owed them that much. He sighed. "Okay." he said softly, meaning to keep his word.

"Good." Ray smiled. "Now why don't you go back in there and talk to her? Maybe get to know her a little more?"

Kai instantly knew what Ray was trying to do. "I appreciate you playing matchmaker, Ray." he paused and corrected himself. "Actually, I don't. But I would appreciate it if you mind you own business and focus more on your relationship with Mariah."

This time Ray turned bright red before he realized that Kai was just teasing him. "Fine." he said. "I promise I won't butt in anymore into your relationship with Jade."

The phoenix allowed a small smile as he walked past Ray. The tiger watched his captain as Kai headed back into the ballroom. Behind him, he had his fingers crossed.

I'm going to get those two together even if Kai kills me!


By the time the entire occasion ended, it was almost midnight and everybody was exhausted. The Bladebreakers said their good byes to their friends and rode back to their chalet in silence. The moment they arrived, they staggered their way to the bedroom and fell asleep almost immediately. Mr. Dickenson and Grandpa Granger stole a peep at the sleeping teens from the doorway, glowing with a parental fondness.

"Well, they really had fun, didn't they?" Mr. Dickenson commented softly.

"Yeah. Especially Jade. She looked like she was having the time of her life in a long time." Tyson's grandfather agreed quietly.

Mr. Dickenson nodded, looking at the girl sleeping in her bed flipped on her side, facing the wall.

The door closed with a soft click and slowly green eyes opened to darkness. Jade held Draizer close to her for assurance.

Oh, Draizer...