Hey everyone. How's everything? I won't chat long, simply because I don't feel very well and don't feel like rambling everyone's ears off. So, with much ado, I present Chapter 28!

Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade.

Enjoy and Review

Eye of the Storm

Chapter Twenty Eight: We're In This Together

"Holly?"

My twin sister lifted her head and looked almost lifelessly at me. Her once bright chocolate brown eyes had dulled to a muddy brown and her once rosy cheeks were pale.

"Oh. Hey, Willow. Where were you?" she asked, turning back to the thick book in her hands. I noticed that last night she has been on the same page—she wasn't reading.

"I broke my hand," I told her, waving the glaringly obvious sling in her face. She blinked.

"Uh huh."

I stared at her in disbelief.

"I punched Johnny," I declared, "This morning. We had another argument,"

"Hmm."

What the HELL! Last night she was all in tears and couldn't stop crying, but now…now she's just totally emotionless! If I had told her a week ago that I had broken my hand, she would've gasped and fussed over me for a while. If I had elaborated and told her I had punched Johnny, she would've burst into giggles and told me that I never change.

I DON'T LIKE THIS!

"Holly!" I snapped, and she jumped, the book slipping from her grip and falling to the floor. She looked at me in shock, as I crouched down so that we were eye level, grabbing her wrists as she reached for her book.

"This is ridiculous, Hols. I know you're upset, and I know this is an emotional time for you, but if you shut everyone out, I swear to God, Holly, you are going to lose all the people who are on you're side. You hear me, sis?"

She blinked, then sighed.

"I don't know, Will. Ray hates me, I mean, really hates me. And now Destiny, Mariah and Mariam hate me, and they hate you too, and Eny's gone too, and he's your friend too and I haven't seen him talk to you since…and don't get me started on Nick!" she blurted.

It was my turn to blink.

"But that isn't your fault!" I exclaimed. "That's their choice- they're idiots, all of them!"

"But…Willow, I saw your face when Nick left," Holly said softly, "You looked like he had ripped your heart from your chest and stomped on it several times. And Sky looked even worse- just totally shattered. I'm the cause of all that, I cheated on Ray with one of his friends, I fell for Tala and I strung Ray along, and everyone else seems to be paying for it,"

I was silent, staring at my twin.

"I repeat," I started, "They're all idiots. Nick is, and Ray, and Tala, and so am I. We're all humans, we're all idiots, we all make mistakes. You made a mistake. That's all there is to it,"

She lowered her gaze and I slowly let go of her wrists. I stood up, watching as she slowly picked up her book and flipped it open to the page she was at, her eyes moving back and forth as she read.

And I knew there as nothing more that I could say. She's like me in that sense- stubborn. And so I walked out of the school library, leaving my twin sister to read a book and feel sorry for herself.

"Owww!"

Apparently I can't walk out of a room without walking straight into someone.

"Oops, you okay there Cass?" came the very familiar faint Irish accent.

"Oh, hey Fred. Yeah, I'm fine, sorry about that," I said, looking up at ocean blue eyes and messy red hair.

"No worries. You sure you're okay? You seem a little depressed," Fred said, looking worried.

"I'm fine," I insisted, "Its not me you should be worried about anyway--"

"Yes, it damn right is!" he suddenly interrupted angrily, "What happened to your hand!"

I laughed, looking down at the sling and the bandaged hand that was peaking out.

"I broke it," I said with a laugh, "Silly, really,"

"Silly?" Fred repeated incredulously. "Okaaaaay. Me thinks you a little crazy."

"Me thinks this is a stupid way to talk," I retorted with a grin. It's amazing how being in Fred's company for less than five minutes always brought a smile to my face, no matter how bad I felt.

"How did you break it?" Fred suddenly asked seriously.

"Me thinks me should not tell you cos me thinks you may get a little angry," I replied, my eyes dancing as he pouted at me, "But me love you and me thinks that I should tell you anyway cos me thinks you will listen to everything I have to say and not run off in anger like you did last time." I said sternly, my own way of telling him not to blow a casket.

"Okay!" he agreed happily.

I looked at him suspiciously, but told him how I broke my hand anyway. True to his word, he listened and although he got a bit angry, allowed me to placate him.

"I don't know what you see in him anymore Will," Fred said as we made our way outside, since it was lunchtime and that was where everyone was bound to be, "I mean, you were so much better as friends. He didn't hurt you when you were friends,"

I just smiled up at him, and said, "I can't help who I love,"

"I guess you can't," he conceded, grinning at me. "Just like I can't help love you even though you snore, eat too fast and have too many witty answers for your own good,"

"I do NOT snore!" I protested indignantly.

"Yes you do!" he smirked.

I gave him a look of disbelief before running to Tala.

"Do I snore!" I asked the redhead, who gave me a weird look.

"I don't know, Will, I haven't been in the same bed as you since…" he trailed off, and I knew he was talking about that night when we had both been drunk and I had consequently lost my virginity.

"Right," I grumbled, looking around. I spotted Kai and immediately went for him, after all, the amount of times I fall asleep in his lap when we stayed up late watching scary movies is incredible.

"Kai!"

"Willow, hey, listen I need to talk to you--"

"Do I snore?" I said, interrupting whatever it was he was saying. I got another weird look –it's just a question for God's sake!- before receiving an answer.

"Erm, I guess so--"

I gave him a stony glare as Fred cracked up in laughter behind me.

"—but their only light ones, you know, deep breaths!" Kai quickly amended, as Mirror joined Fred in laughter.

"You're hopeless. Where's Johnny? He'd tell me!" and I was off again, searching for my boyfriend, as Kai called after me but I just responded with a 'Talk to you later!'.

"Maybe I shouldn't've mentioned it," Fred mused as he followed me around the school building, me intent on finding my boyfriend.

"Maybe you should just shut up!" I threw at him over my shoulder. All I received was a cheeky grin and a flash of his humour filled ocean blue eyes.

"Maybe you're a little cranky!" Fred retorted, laughing as I whirled on the spot and glared at him, realising I couldn't use my hand and therefore couldn't hit him.

"Maybe you're just taking the piss!"

"Maybe your PMSing," Fred stated with a very serious look.

I gave him an annoyed look before walking again, trying to catch a flash of red hair and violet eyes.

"I'm right, aren't I?" Fred asked as he fell into step with me, smiling his prankster's smile.

That prankster's smile is absolutely amazing, not only does it look great but it makes you either look innocent or nobody wants to say no to you, which is damn right awful if you're on the receiving end.

"Hn." I said in response, quickly turning away.

"You sound like Kai," he remarked.

"Yeah, yeah," I said flippantly.

"Yup, like Kai. Only Kai doesn't PMS. He just gets cranky for no reason,"

"OKAY ALREADY!" I yelled, as Fred burst out laughing. "I ADMIT IT! PMSING HERE!"

I huffed and walked off, only to lifted off my feet.

"Fred!"

"Uh huh?"

"PUT ME DOWN!"

"Er…nope."

"Fred!"

"That's my name."

"If you wanna get technical about it, your name is actually Frederick Lewis,"

"Don't call me that."

"Frederick! Frederick! Frederick!"

"FINE!"

Finally, two feet firmly on the ground.

"I hate that name." Fred grumbled, glaring at me.

"I know," I grinned, spotting my boyfriend with Michael and smoking a cigarette. I grabbed Fred's arm and dragged him over there, Fred protesting all the way. Fred and Johnny haven't said a single syllable to each other since they had that fight where Johnny nearly strangled Fred to death, which I'm telling you, is one thing I'll never forgive Johnny for.

"Johnny! Hey, Mike!" I greeted happily.

"Mood swing." Fred mumbled under his breath. I whacked him over the head with my good hand. "Owww!"

"Serves you right," I muttered, before turning to my boyfriend who was watching us with raised eyebrows.

"Fred says I snore." I stated, getting straight to the point.

Johnny sighed and dropped his cigarette stub to the floor, black boots crushing it easily. "You don't snore," he reassured me, "You just breath deeply, that's all."

"SEE!" I yelled as Fred, who winced and clapped his hands over his ears.

"You yell loud," he mumbled.

"Get used to it buddy!"

"By the way, Will," Fred started, smirking, "I only said you snore cos it would wind you up,"

"THAT'S IT! YOU'RE DEAD FREDERICK LEWIS!"

"DON'T CALL ME THAT!"

"WILLOW!"

I groaned, stopped walking and waited patiently for Kai to catch up with me.

"Yeah, you needed to talk to me, right?" I sighed as soon as the auburn eyed hottie had fallen into step with me.

"Come with me to Oliver's?" he asked as we walked into the car park.

"Erm…" I hesitated, thinking that I should probably go to Master Takashi and tell him I couldn't train cos of my hand, and possibly find Jamie and hug him to death. Well, that or make sure Holly gets home, no wait, she's going to Tala's place.

"Its really important Willow," he said, noting my hesitation, "Its about Kara and Max,"

THAT got my attention.

"Oh," I said, "Lead the way then,"

We arrived at Oliver's seaside café five minutes later, and we settled ourselves in one of the two seater tables hidden in a corner.

"One strawberry milkshake and chocolate ice cream for the Mademoiselle," Oliver smiled, placing my two favourite edible things in front of me, "And Tiramisu for the Monsieur." He placed some yummy looking cake in front of Kai, who licked his lips in anticipation. "I'll see you two later, it's been a busy day and it doesn't look like it's going to settle down all too soon,"

"Thanks Ollie," I smiled gratefully, "We'll see you later,"

"I don't know exactly how to tell you this so I'll be blunt," Kai sighed, "Voltaire's thrown Kara in arranged marriage to James Hearn,"

"I know," I said flatly, shivering at the coldness of my chocolate ice cream, "Kara let it slip this morning," I elaborated.

He rolled his eyes and took a bite of his Tiramisu, which I totally plan on stealing some once I've demolished my ice cream, which happens to be disappearing very quickly.

"We have to do something Willow. I don't want to see Kara depressed, it gets me depressed,"

This happens to be his way of saying: "I'll be damned if my little sister gets hurt cos of this."

"Kara's already told me the loophole--"

Kai looked at me excitedly.

"—but it happens to be one we can't really work with." I finished, as Kai's look of excitement was wiped away faster than you could say "Damnit."

"So what is the loophole?"

"If she gets pregnant by another guy," I sighed, thinking that was ONE loophole that wouldn't be exploited any time soon. Well, not soon enough anyway. It was a total of nine days away from Christmas, the day that the wedding takes place.

"Bullocks," Kai snarled under his breath, "Well that's it, isn't it?"

"What?" I cried out, "You can't seriously be thinking of giving up on them ALREADY?"

"No," he said simply, finishing off his tiramisu before I could get my hands on it, the evil smart ass… "We just need some help. And I know just where to find it,"

I blinked, taking in his "I'm planning something great" grin. That's when the image of two redheaded pranksters came floating into my mind.

"So," I said casually, leaning back in my chair and eyeing the blue haired teen sitting opposite me, "Will this plan of yours include total chaos?"

To: Dessy, Mariah, Mariam

From: Willow

Subject: IMPORTANT!

Okay. I know we've got differences at moment revolving around my sister and two certain boys, but we've got something bigger happening that will demand EVERYONE'S help.

This has nothing to do Holly, Ray or Tala, so even though I know you feel very motivated at the moment to hate my sister and Tala, you needn't worry about having to change your views. While it hurts my own friends have turned their backs on us, I really don't want it to come in the way of helping friends that have nothing to do with it.

I can't tell right now what the hell is going on, I promised Kai and Kara that. I will, however, plead you to come to the Twins' Basement tonight at eight p.m. If you're not there by quarter past, we'll proceed without you. But we really need all the help we can get.

This is no joke. As someone who would like to still consider you a friend, I'm asking for your help on behalf of those involved.

I hope to see you tonight,

Willow Cass Tate

--

The hardest battle you'll ever fight is the battle to just be you.

To: Holly , Blue, Mattie, Danny , Jamie

From: Sandy

Subject: IMPORTANT!

Hey guys. Okay, not beating around the bush and saying it straight. We need help, big time. It's to do with my bro, Kara and Jamie. Yes, you, Jamie. I finally get why you deemed it necessary to confess on this day of all days.

Meet me at the Twin's Basement at eight p.m. tonight. All will be explained there. Another thing- the Holly, Tala, Ray thing has to be dropped for a while during the time we're working on this. We need all the help we can get. So that means no depressive look tonight Hols. We need you in top form and cogs whirring in your head.

Hopefully, see y'all tonight.

Sandy Lily

--

The hardest battle you'll ever have to fight is the battle to just be you.

To: Mi

From: Sandy

Subject: Meeting tonight

Heya Mi. Do us a favour? Come to my place at seven tonight? I know the meetings at eight, and Kai's taking us in his car, but I don't trust him enough to help me break it to Kara and Max that we're telling everyone and we're gonna get them out of this mess, since it looks like they've both given up already. So, help me break it to them, please?

Sandy

--

The hardest battle you'll ever have to fight is the battle to just be you.

To: Sandy

From: Mi

Subject: Re: Meeting Tonight

Are you insane? They'll kill us!

Can't we just plot behind their backs and hope for the best, and, y'know, when they find out, it'll be too late cos we'll have the good news that Kara doesn't have to marry James and that the couple of the year can go on being the couple of the year, and maybe even get married themselves in a few short years.

Please?

Or, wait, on the other hand, dying at the hand of Kara's wrath is a pretty dignified way to go, right? Cos, hey, lets face it, no one else is gonna survive her wrath, save maybe Max. But he's got an unfair advantage; she's in love with him!

Anyway, yes, I'll be there. Anything for my bestest best buddy, female wise.

Another thing. I think you should know that when Kai told me about the arranged marriage an hour ago, I punched him and told him not to joke like that. So now your neighbour is sporting a black eye.

Really, I didn't mean to. Honest.

Mi

--

Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.

To: Nick, Fred, Kai

From: Willow

Subject: Meeting tonight

Okay, I've sent out emails to my lot. Kai, you done the guys? Twins…PLEASE TELL ME THERE'S NO DIRTY UNDERWEAR LYING AROUND THE BASEMENT!

Another thing. I hope you have drinks that involve the non-alcohol variety. Surprisingly, I think we may need clear minds for this one. Also, we might be there a while so make sure you topped up with coffee or anything with caffeine.

Oh, and Kai? How's the eye?

Willow – sniggering like mad.

--

The hardest battle you'll ever have to fight is the battle to just be you.

To: Johnny

From: Willow

Subject: Tonight

Hiya babe, just checking we're all okay for tonight. I know you're not exactly the fondest person of the twins, but looks like my bro and best buddies are relying on us for on this one, even of they don't know it yet.

Love,

Willow.

--

The hardest battle you'll ever have to fight is the battle to just be you.

To: Willow

From: Johnny

Subject: Re: Tonight

Of course I'll be there. Anything for you. And hey, Max is a good guy. He definitely deserves better than this, and so does Kara.

I can imagine you waiting patiently right now with an evil look in your eye.

Alright! James deserves better too!

Oh, and don't worry, I'll be on my best behaviour tonight with the twins. Its not as if I hate them either; Fred was doing a good thing, sticking up for you. Even if it was to me.

I'm gonna shut up now incase you start wondering what the hell I've been taking.

Love,

Johnny.

To: Johnny

From: Willow

Subject: Re: Re: Tonight

What HAVE you been taking!

--

The hardest battle you'll ever have to fight is the battle to just be you.

"It may be a possibility that you'll have to leave the country," Kai frowned.

"No," Max said sharply, "I refuse to allow Voltaire drive us apart,"

Kara smiled up at my brother, grasping his hand and resting her head against his shoulder.

I sighed, running a hand through my jet black hair.

"Couldn't we just say 'I object!' when the time comes?" I asked the teens gathered around in the twin's basement.

"If Voltaire is how you say he is, it won't work," Destiny said from her place in between Nick and Mariah. Luckily, everyone we had asked had shown up and agreed to set aside differences for the moment.

"What we need," Holly said slowly, who was sitting next to me, "Is a plan…" she sat up straight, her eyes wide, "And I think I have one,"

I grinned at my sister.

"I like plans," I declared.

"I think you'll like this one too," Holly continued with a look in her eyes that was a tad feral.

"Why am I worried?" Jamie wondered aloud.

"Cos you have the feeling something very explosive is going to happen?" Mirror offered.

"Yeah, that'll be it."

Just wanted to say thanks to the few people who reviewed.

Ciao everyone,

Chiya