Chapter 19
The moment the plane touched ground, Tyson couldn't keep in his seat a longer. He could catch glimpses of his fans flocking on the airport grounds awaiting his presence. As the plane pulled to a stop, he was already at the door, waiting impatiently for it to open while the others were taking their time gathering their things.
"Can this door open any faster?" he grumbled jogging on the spot.
"Thank you for flying with us. I hope you enjoyed your..." the flight attendant's sentence drifted off when Tyson bolted from the plane.
"Japan, here I come!" Tyson yelled.
"That Tyson." Kenny mumbled irritated. "One of these days..."
Max laughed as he gathered his stuffs. "That's Tyson alright. Don't worry about him."
Ray was peering through the window, watching Tyson greet the fans that gathered to welcome them back. "I can only say one thing. Tyson sure knows how to entertain the fans."
"You can say that again." Kai muttered warily. "Someone better stop him before he makes a fool of himself."
"I'm on it." Max said leaving the plane with Kenny.
Jade left the plane last, her mind still troubled. I have to be careful. Be on my guard now no matter what. That's the only way. Then when the tournament ends, I'll just...leave. Simple as that.
Yet deep in her heart she knew it wasn't that simple. It didn't get any easier when she stepped from the plane to be greeted by the roars and cheers of the fan crowd. Cameras flashed in her face and she flinched. Lowering her head so that her hair covered one side of her face, she hid the other with her hand and walked fast towards the limo that was waiting for them. Even when she entered the vehicle, she found herself unable to relax. She just no idea how tensed she was until someone laid a hand on her shoulder and she jumped slightly.
"Hey, are you okay?" Ray asked gently.
Not trusting her voice, she nodded.
"You'll get use to this eventually." he told her.
She forced a smile and turned back to stare out the window, watching as all those flashing lights disappeared in a distance as the limo pulled out of the airport.
"Cheers to the World Champions, the Bladebreakers." Tyson said lifting his glass of orange juice in a toast.
Everyone in the room lifted their glasses too, laughing happily.
"My grandson a champion." Grandpa Granger gloated proudly. "Just like I raised him to be."
"Tyson sure is lucky to have a grandfather like you." Max said, picking up a piece of pizza from the table of food in the middle of Tyson's living room.
"Hah!" Grandpa Granger puffed out his chest. "See, Tyson? What did I tell you?"
"Don't start, Grandpa." Tyson moaned.
"I'm not starting anything, peeps." Grandpa Granger said taking a healthy swing of his drink.
"Hey, go slow on the stuff, gramps." Ray said easily. "The night is still young."
The old guy laughed. "Young it is, just like me." he laughed again when Tyson groaned. Then he looked around the room. "Speaking of young, where's Kai and Jade?"
"Yeah." Kenny realized that moment too. "Where are those two?"
"Just like Kai to run off but what's Jade's excuse?" Max wondered.
"Don't worry about those two." Tyson said as he attacked a box of chocolate. "They're probably somewhere-gulp-." he swallowed a piece of almond chocolate given by a fan. The others waited for him to complete his sentence. "Training."
"Someone better look for them then. Before Tyson here finishes all the food." Grandpa Granger suggested.
"I'll go." Ray offered, standing up.
"I'll go too." Max said. "I need the fresh air."
"Great. More food for me!" Tyson shouted as both of his teammates went off.
"Max, you look for Kai." Ray said as they walked through the gates. "I'll look for Jade."
Max gave him a thumb up. "No prob."
Nodding they went their separated ways.
This seems like a good place, Jade thought scanning the lookout point above the sea. She took a deep breath, enjoying the smell of salted air from the sea. With a pang, she allowed the memory of her mother playing with her on a beach surface. She closed her eyes, making sure she was alone first before she took out her launcher and Draizer. Silently she let her blade ripped. Draizer streaked across the ground, zoomed up a bench and back onto the ground, doing zigzag moves. She watched her blade deep in concentration.
Suddenly her senses tensed and she glanced up right before a white Beyblade flew from the shadows and knocked into Draizer. Her blade circled the other blade which now she recognized and doubled back slamming into it. The blade flew back into its owner's hand as he emerged form the shadows with a grin.
"There you are." Ray said. "I've been looking all over for you."
She bent to retrieve her blade as it spun back into her hand.
"Don't you and Kai have a lot in common." he stated.
She stiffened. "I don't think so."
"How would you know? You don't know Kai like I do." he countered.
Wanna bet? , she thought grimly.
"For one thing he likes training at this hour too. Which by the way, have you seen him?" Ray asked.
"No. Kai didn't join you guys too did he?" she asked knowingly.
Ray sighed. "Nope. Big crowds aren't his style. He likes being alone most of the time."
"Yeah." she replied dryly. "I can tell."
"Kai may seem like that to most people but once you get to know him, he's really cool." Ray said. "He's our captain and he just doing his job. Deep down I know he's a caring affectionate guy." When she just stared at him, he added. "Deep deep down. Way down. Marianas Trench deep."
She lifted an eyebrow. "Great."
"But seriously, Jade, I think you should get to know him." the tiger continued pleasantly.
But I already do know him... Instead, she cocked her head to a side and smiled. "Thanks, Ray for what you're trying to do."
"What am I trying to do?" he asked.
"Getting me to know Kai as a person but..." she hesitated. "But I think Kai and I are getting along fine. Minus all the fighting and arguing."
"And all the competing and trying-to-outdo each other." he offered.
"And that too."
"So...do you like Kai?" he asked suddenly.
"What?"
Ray shrugged casually. "Do you have feelings for him?"
"If you consider annoyed and irritated..." she began.
"You know what I mean." he said patiently.
She sighed softly, glancing at the crashing waters below her. "I don't know." she answered truthfully. At least she tried to convince herself that was the truth. I haven't felt anything since...and now with things like this...
"Hey." Ray said sensing her uncertainty. "You don't have to tell me now if you don't want to. Just that I'm a little worried about you. The others are too, including Kai. So if you need anything, you can tell us."
She looked at him as if surprised by the sincerity and concern in his voice. "Thank you, Ray." she said sincerely.
"Just don't forget to invite us to your wedding with Kai in future."
Her sarcasm kicked in without missing a beat. "In your dreams, Kon."
After half an hour searching for Kai, Max finally found the bluenette by the beach, training just as he expected him to be. Dranzer was kicking up sand as it made its way back to its master and leapt into Kai's open hand. Max put on a brightest grin as he ran up to him. Kai heard him and turned, his face expressionless.
"Hey, Kai." Max said. "Where have you been? I've been looking for you."
Kai spared him the barest of glances before he turned back to launch Dranzer again. With a yank of his rip coil, he sent his blade across the sand.
Max rubbed the back of his head. "Hey, there's food back at the house. If you want some, you better hurry before Tyson finishes it."
Kai grunted. "No thanks, Max."
Max sighed. Obviously this was going to be harder than he thought. "So...how have you and Jade been doing?"
That broke Kai's concentration. The phoenix shot a glare at Max. "What did you say?"
Max shrugged off-handedly. "I asked how have you and Jade been doing."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning what's up with the both of you?" Max said. "By the looks of things, your... how should I say...relationship with her isn't getting anywhere."
Kai groaned inwardly. Outwardly, he glared at the blonde kid. "Did Ray put you up for this?"
"Doesn't matter." Max said. "What I'm trying to say is that the chemistry between you and Jade is so obvious that a blind man could see it."
"If there's chemistry between me and that girl, the outcome will be just chemical explosions." Kai snorted. He held out his hand and Dranzer returned to him.
"So you're admitting there is chemistry between you and Jade." Max concluded.
"No." Can't this kid get a clue?
"I wouldn't say that." Max said thoughtfully.
"You asked." Kai reminded him dryly.
"All I'm saying is you should try and get to know Jade better." Max went on. "I mean compared to the rest of us, you're the closest to her."
"Why don't you try and get to know her better?" the bluenette retorted.
Max grinned. "Cause I seriously doubt she'll open up to someone as super hyper and playful as me or someone like Tyson."
"What about Ray?"
"Ray has Mariah to worry about. I'm sure you don't want Ray's happiness to go down the drain just because you wouldn't get to know a fellow team member." Max said before he could stop himself. Hm...That was a little over-dramatic.
Kai raised an eyebrow to Max's sudden ability to feel other people's worries. "And why would I care?"
Max could feel his patience wearing thin. Damn, he's so stubborn. "Look, Kai. Do us all a favor and just get to know Jade a little. And could you tone down on the arguments a little? Not that I don't find it entertaining, but some people are going to think the both of you're really married."
Heat flushed Kai's cheeks and thankfully in the dim light offered by the moon, Max couldn't see it. "Really, Max, you shouldn't worry about me or Jade. The finals for the World Championships are coming up and you should worry more about that."
Max shook his head ruefully. "When it comes to it, I'll worry about the tournament. Right now I'm not worried about you or Jade. I'm worried about you and Jade."
"I think you had too many sweets for tonight." Kai said tiredly.
"Maybe." Max shrugged. "But Kai, just think about what I said. Now let's get back to the house before Tyson eats up all the food."
Kai shook his head. "You go ahead."
"Okay." Max shrugged and turned to leave.
Kai stared after the blonde kid, mentally making a note to strangle Ray and wondered since when was Max so wise. Maybe he isn't the little boy he was once was anymore...but then again..., he thought bitterly. With a sigh, he looked at his blade, at its Bit.
Neither was I...
Jade leaned on the railing of the lookout point sometime after Ray left. He had offered to accompany her but she had turned down the offer. She needed to be alone to think. Been doing the all my life...being alone...
The wind played with her hair, toying with it like lover's hand. She absently brushed back her bangs from her eyes, gazing at the sea. She inhaled the smell of the sea and let it out. Her conversation with Ray drifted through her mind.
So do you like Kai?
Her answer should have been an immediate 'no' so why did she hesitate?
What's wrong with me? Has being with a team... with other people changed me? At what price? More importantly can I pay that price?
It is risk you have to take, Jade, a voice that sounded vaguely like her mother's said in a whisper to her mind.
I...don't know if I can...
You can't go on alone forever...No man is an island..., the soft voice said gently.
Jade closed her eyes. Then I'll be a continent.
The voice said, You can't hide forever...you've been alone for too long...
Have I? Numbly, she accepted the cold hard fact that was nothing but the truth. If the Bladebreakers got hurt because of her, she'll never forgive herself.
Maybe...you should tell him...tell...Kai...
Her eyes snapped opened. No! He won't understand! I can't...I...just can't..., she finished miserably. She turned her eyes to the moon shining brightly above her and made a silent vow. I won't let anything happen to them...no matter what.
Making that promise, she fully intended to keep it as she headed back to Tyson's house. Everyone was in bed by the time she returned. Without much effort, she stepped into the dojo where they were sleeping without arousing any of them. Her bed was already laid out in a corner next to Ray. Her green eyes drifted over the sleeping figures of her teammates with something one would call fondness. Her gaze rested last on the bluenette sleeping across her, watching him longer than she did the others. Then silently, she slipped into the covers and closed her eyes. In the darkness, two blades glowed softly, casting blue and red blankets of warm pale light over their masters.
