Attention: This story will be renamed into FOUL PLAY: Kill me if you can in the middle of February. I've rewritten the previous chapters, but don't worry I haven't changed anything in the story except of some minor things that aren't important. I mostly corrected spelling mistakes etc. So you won't need to read it again. I will upload the rewritten chapters when I upload the next chapter. Then I will also change the name. In the new version the prologue will be chapter 1, so this is now already chapter 11 instead of chapter 10.

Chapter 11

The last sign of life of Kai arrived around one month ago. Now it was late March and throughout the night fresh snow had fallen. The snowing had just stopped minutes ago. Outside, the world was covered under a white sheet, sparkling even in the poor light, but the man sitting in his favorite armchair near the heater and in front of the television didn't see any of this beauty. His eyes were fixed on the screen in front of him. During snowfall it was always difficult to get proper reception, although he had highly likely the most advanced technology in this little town called Valay (Валай). Now that the snow had stopped falling, he could watch TV again, but he couldn't believe what he saw on the screen right now: crimson eyes and black hair that was shorter than the last time he saw him, but he refused to believe that it was really Kai, although the name stood clearly at the bottom of the screen. If he only read Kai there, he wouldn't have had any problems, but he read Kai Hiwatari.

"This can't be true," the man muttered mantra-like, but when the boy on the screen opened his mouth to say a few words, all his doubts were swept away. Stopping his muttering he just stared in disbelieve for some seconds. After he came round the picture on the television screen had already changed to a beautiful woman in a news studio. It was only then that he realized the exact words Kai had said and he repeated them to himself, "My father never spoke much of his father, my grandfather." At this point Voltaire Hiwatari took over and continued, "I didn't even know I had a grandson until two months ago. I more or less stumbled over this fact. As you all know, my relationship with my son Susumu isn't the best, still I considered that Kai had the right to form his own opinion about me. I arranged a meeting and the outcome you can see now. Hiwatari Enterprises will continue to be a family business even after my retirement."

While the old man still pondered on the news he had just heard, somebody knocked on his door. He stood up and walked to the back door mechanically. The sound grew louder. He opened the door and was met by a dozen men of the village chattering animatedly. After the men realized that he was watching them, they stopped their chatter immediately and only one man started to speak again, "Hey, have ya watched the news?"

The man didn't need to explain what news he meant, it was clear to everybody. To indicate that he heard the question, he nodded while he thought, 'Damn Kai, when I find out that you planned this from the start, I'll lynch you. You could have, at least, provided me with a suitable story! How should I explain the fact that you are in reality a Hiwatari to the people in Valay (Валай) … What should I tell them? The people don't know that he's a killer; to them he's just a kid jobbing in my café from time to time.' The thoughts rushed through his head within seconds and after a moment of silence he answered, "I didn't know. He always made kind of a mystery out of his past."

"So ya not Susumu Hiwatari?" the same man asked again. "Ya know, we always thought ya Kai's father."

"I'm not, neither Susumu Hiwatari nor Kai's father. Do you really think that I would let my son run around in the kind of clothes he wears most of the time?" A look at the men's faces showed him that they mentally summoned a picture of Kai walking around in the tiny café, clothes showing more skin than covering it, flirting with almost every acceptable man.

"No." Now one of the other men spoke. "But how did you two meet? You never told us."

"And I won't tell you. You can ask Kai, if he comes back." He said it with conviction, but in reality he wasn't sure if Kai would come back, now that he had the prospect of being one of the richest men in today's world.

Before the men could say anymore he closed his door. He needed time to think about everything properly and he was freezing anyway. Even at the end of March, degrees were still below zero in Valay (Валай).

When Jackson entered his office this morning, everything indicated that it would be just a boring day like yesterday, the day before yesterday and the day before … Since his chase after Kai had stopped with Kai's imprisonment, he was bound to his little office, but his new daily routine was suddenly interrupted, when one of his colleagues stomped into his office without knocking.

"Jackson. The TV! Turn it on!" The man shouted breathlessly.

"Hey, hey. Calm down. What's so important?" Jackson asked a bit annoyed. It was already past 6 p.m. and in less than an hour he would be in his apartment that he had rented after his wife had thrown him out. Nonetheless, he switched the little television in his office on. The questioned man didn't need to answer his question; it was already answered by the TV. Jackson turned the volume up and stared at the screen in disbelieve. He didn't say anything until the news broadcast had ended and even then he was still too lost in his thoughts, he had totally forgotten his colleague. Minutes passed in silence until the man decided to leave Jackson alone. Whatever the man was thinking, he wasn't sharing it with his comrade and didn't seem to want to change that anytime soon.

"Kai," Jackson mumbled after nearly five minutes. "Kai, what … how … when? … I don't get it." The Interpol agent dropped down into his chair. "Hiwatari … Kai Hiwatari? Is this a bad joke? No, it's still one week until April Fools' Day. But how … still in prison?" He jumped to his feet in a flash. "Investigate! I must investigate this! Hope the boss is still in his office. I have to tell him! I need to fly to Japan as soon as possible." Jackson stomped out of his office just like his colleague had stomped in a little earlier.

"Fucking little bastard," Lien said out loud while turning his flat-screen television off. "Damn crazy brat. Hiwatari, really Kai, that's huge." Lien dropped down on his black leather sofa and fell silent for a moment. He had known that Kai had something in his mind when they last met around two months ago, but he never imagined anything like this. But why did he do it?

Eight years had passed since they first met and Lien persuaded himself of knowing Kai very well. At least as good as someone can be informed of this kid. That's why he could strike several things from the list 'Why did Kai do something like this?'

First: Kai suddenly feels the need of having living family relatives around him, even when they aren't connected by blood. Bullshit. Kai never craved for a family.

Second: Kai has financial problems, but this was pure nonsense. Lien knew that his young friend has piles of money on various bank accounts and who knows where else Kai stores his money.

The only reason that made sense to Lien was Kai's mission. It must have something to do with it. But was an adoption really needed to accomplish his mission? Lien shook his head in disbelief and sighed audibly. He knew from personal experience that Kai's actions were not always based on rational motives.

It was the last day in April when Kai got a surprise visit from his grandfather. About one month ago, Voltaire Hiwatari's son Susumu had adopted Kai, but to the world Kai was introduced as a born Hiwatari. The media had spread the news around the world and it took two weeks until the sensation about his person had died down. They had asked for personal interviews and so on, but the only time Kai stood in front of the cameras was on the day of the media conference where Voltaire Hiwatari introduced him not only as his grandson but also as his successor. However, the reporters had besieged the Hiwatari mansion in Iwakuni day after day two weeks long.

Another three weeks had passed since then and Voltaire Hiwatari wasn't at home much. His work kept him busy and he had several business trips. Kai had kept his promise regarding the Beyblade training and trained every day, even more than two hours. He also changed back into his disguise and most of the time he wore the clothes Voltaire had given to him back in Balkov Abbey. The scarf he had ordered after arriving in Iwakuni was delivered exactly after one week and since it was totally to Kai's liking he ordered two more.

Not only the Beyblade training kept Kai busy, also the planning of his current mission. He knew Voltaire's plan to use him in the Beyblade World Championship which would be held in Moscow this summer, because they had talked about it. Kai would be part of the Demolition Boys and they would face the strongest Beyblade teams of the world.

This event was Kai's chance. Voltaire has the Japanese citizenship and the Russian, so the arrest has to take place in Russia; this was the only country in which Kai could be sure Voltaire would be sent to a Russian prison. Ivanov's friend, the Interior Minister, would take care of the rest.

When Kai had asked Voltaire about his plan, the man was surprisingly open. He not only talked about the world championship, but also about using the Beybladers and the Biovolt Corporation to rule over the world. Kai remembered the scene clearly: Voltaire had laughed after telling him this and after he had stopped laughing he had added, "World dominance, Kai, is what I am after. And with your help and the power of the holy Bit Beasts I will get it." This was the first and, until now, only time Kai heard Voltaire laugh.

After that, Kai had gathered information about the holy Bit Beasts. He didn't know that they were so important, so he had never thought about them much. Dranzer was one of them and as time went by the Phoenix and he formed a friendship. Unfortunately, Kai couldn't find much information about Bit Beasts on the internet, but one name was mentioned on each site he accessed. Stanley A. Dickenson, mostly referred to as Mr. Dickenson, was now the president of the BBA, but before that he was a scientist, whose work involved the Bit Beasts.

One call and he had an appointment with this man in his office in Osaka on Tuesday. This implies that Kai had three days left to map out a strategy. Mr. Dickenson seemed to be a nice old guy, but Kai knew that the physical appearance can be treacherous.

Tuesday came fast and Kai decided to rely on his knowledge of human nature and his gut instinct. He took the Shinkansen to Osaka, since the ride only takes around two hours. The BBA building was near the sea and he found it without any problems. It was a fifteen floor high skyscraper and Mr. Dickenson's office was, of course, located on floor fifteen. When Kai walked towards the area of the elevators he saw a bunch of people waiting already for the next one to arrive, so he took the stairs instead.

Reaching Mr. Dickenson's office, Kai wasn't even a bit out of breath. The man's secretary was typing something on her laptop when she noticed him approaching.

"Mister …" she began, while opening an appointment book, looking up the name of the young visitor, "eh … Kai?" She looked at Kai questioningly, who hadn't mentioned his last name during the phone call.

"Can I go in?" he asked, ignoring her look of inquiry.

"Yes, Mr. Dickenson is in his office."

Kai entered the room without knocking. The man sitting in the chair behind a desk looked exactly like the one he saw on the internet: a chubby man, with a white beard and a hat on his head that he wore even in his office.

The elderly man stood up to greet Kai, pointed to the chair opposite his and both sat down. "How can I help you, Kai?"

"What do you know about Bit Beasts?" the bluenette asked outright.

"Bit Beasts. This is a complex theme. What exactly do you want to know?"

Somehow this man ray out confidence and Kai decided to be honest. "Is it possible to obtain world dominance with the help of the Bit Beasts' power?"

Mr. Dickenson thought about it for a while, before he answered, "I think it is possible. But why do you want to know?" And then Kai told Mr. Dickenson everything he knew about Voltaire's plan. After he finished, the president of the BBA was chalk-white and disgusted. "How can he?" he managed to say after a moment. "I know Voltaire Hiwatari personally and I also knew that he is planning something involving Beyblades, but I never imagined anything like this. Is the information you just gave me valid? How did you get it?" Minutes ago Mr. Dickenson had started to pace his office and now he stopped abruptly to watch Kai.

"He's my grandfather," the younger said hesitantly, "and I'm one of the Bladers he wants to use."

"I see. It is good that you came to me, but right now we can do nothing against your grandfather. Even your testimony wouldn't be enough. We need evidence."

"I have an idea how we can force him to react," Kai responded in a low voice.

"I am grateful for every suggestion, so what do you have in mind, Kai?"

"Voltaire will start his move with the world championship in Moscow and this is our chance to stop him. My grandfather chose Beyblades and their Bit Beasts as his weapons and we will fight with the same against him. As president of the BBA it should be easy for you to create a team of the best Beybladers with their Bit Beasts. I bet you have already some people in mind."

The old man nodded approvingly. "This could work. And yes, I know two very promising Beybladers. One is from China, his name is Ray Kon, and the other is the son of a good friend of me. His name is Max, Max Tate."

"Where can I find them? I want to check them myself."

"Ray is training somewhere in China, I think it was in the mountains of Greater Khingan, but I don't know the exact place. And Max lives with his father Taro Tate, a good friend, in Niigata, but they prepare to move to Osaka. Taro bought a little shop here. At the end of May they should be living here." During his speech Mr. Dickenson went back to his chair and sat down again.

"Do they have Bit Beasts?" Kai asked.

"Ray definitely has one. Its name is Driger, a white tiger. Max is a good Beyblader, but I don't think he has a Bit Beast. Taro never mentioned it, though."

"Sounds not very promising," Kai responded pessimistically.

"Don't underestimate them. They have potential. Believe me, I have an unerring eye for something like that."

"I respect your good eye for talents, but when establishing the team you should not only rely on that. There might be a good Blader in some secluded little village you never heard of. We need something to draw every Bladers' attention and there's only one way to achieve this." Kai looked at Mr. Dickenson, who nodded approvingly.

"A national Beyblade tournament," the old man concluded.

"That's what I had in mind. You should think about it, Mr. Dickenson," Kai recommended.

"If it would be my own decision, I would say yes right away, but I'm only the president of the BBA. Decisions like that have to be made by the BBA council. But I am positive that they endorse the idea."

"Will you tell them about Voltaire's plan?" Kai asked warily.

Mr. Dickenson thought about it for a moment before he said, "No, I think this won't be necessary. To tell the truth, it's possible that your grandfather has a mole in our council."

"That would suit him." Kai stood up, ready to leave, but before he exited the office Mr. Dickenson asked him one more question.

"How do I get in contact with you, Kai?"

Kai gave him his mobile phone number. At least the number of his 'Kai Hiwatari mission' mobile phone. For reasons of safety he used new mobile phones for every mission, this one wasn't an exception. He passed the secretary without even looking at her, which is why she gazed after the youngster angrily and Kai could hear a low, "What an impolite young man. And yet such a good looking one."

When Kai got home from his trip to Osaka, he was surprised to find Voltaire waiting for him in his home office. "What's up?" he greeted the old man.

"I don't like it when you speak in this manner, Kai. You are not a street kid anymore." Voltaire sounded stressed.

"What do you want?" Kai repeated his question in other words.

"What did you want in Osaka?" his grandfather asked back.

Kai's next words were well calculated and he said them with a mischievous grin on his face. "I visited a man named Mr. Dickenson." Seconds passed in complete silence. Kai was waiting for Voltaire's reaction and Voltaire was pondering over Kai's words. When the old Hiwatari said nothing, Kai continued, "I'm looking for an apartment in Osaka. I intend to move there as soon as possible."

Now, Voltaire was totally confused. Kai could see it in his eyes, so the next question wasn't a surprise. "What do you have in mind, Kai? It won't be long until the world championship starts. You should train instead of travelling through Japan."

Grin still on his face Kai responded, "It's always good to know your enemies, don't you agree, grandfather?" With that Kai left Voltaire's office, leaving behind a puzzled man.

Twelve days later Kai moved into his new apartment in Osaka. It was furnished to his liking, so he didn't need to deal with the purchase of furnishings. The apartment was located near Osaka Castle and he could use the Osaka Castle Park to train. When he inspected it the first time, he noticed many kids beyblading in the near park.

Now that he lived in Osaka, he had spotted some other places where the local Bladers frequently met and he went out every day to battle them. Within a week his name was well known in the Osaka Beyblade scene. This was all according to his plan, but something went definitely wrong. He had hoped that after fighting against all these Bladers and making a name on being a very good Beyblader, stronger opponents would appear, but apparently there weren't any in this city. Two weeks later he was known as the strongest Blader in Osaka.

Mr. Dickenson contacted him once at the end of May to tell him that Max Tate will move to Osaka the next day. He gave Kai the address and congratulated him to his new reputation being the best Beyblader in Osaka. Kai ended the call without thanking the man.

Voltaire hadn't contacted him since his move, but Kai hadn't expected anything else from his grandfather. The man was most likely on a business trip and not in his mansion in Iwakuni.

After Mr. Dickenson's call Kai went to the address the man had given him, although this Max wouldn't be there until tomorrow. He had nothing else to do and checking out the area might be not a bad idea. On is way he saw some kids beyblading near a river. He knew only one of the group: Carlos, a bad Blader with a bad attitude. He battled him several times and always won without any difficulties. Carlos was fighting against a child with blue hair and a baseball cap on his head. Kai watched their battle without being noticed by the group. He was curious about Carlos' opponent and about the outcome, of course. It didn't take long and the Beyblade of this new kid kicked Carlos' Blade out of the bey stadium.

Kai decided to change his plan unceremoniously and walked up to the group. He wanted to battle this kid with the blue hair. Before he could introduce himself, Carlos undertook it by calling out, "Kai! What are you doing here?"

Ignoring Carlos completely, Kai pointed his Beyblade Dranzer to the winner of the match and said, "Let's fight."

"Hey you, who do you think you are?!" the boy retorted angrily, but he fetched his Beyblade nonetheless.

"My name is Kai Hiwatari."

Now a small kid with big glasses and brown hair covering his eyes intervened, "Tyson, this is the new Blader everyone speaks of. You should be careful!"

"Tyson, is it then," Kai concluded still focusing on the blue-haired kid.

"I'm Tyson Granger and I will become the best Blader in the world. I accept your challenge, but don't start crying if you lose. "

They took their start positions and the battle began with the usual, "3 … 2 … 1 … GO SHOOT!" Tyson didn't stand a chance against Kai and after a minute the battle was over. Kai was the winner. Unintended he used a bit too much power and crushed the boy's Blade, although he didn't use Dranzer at all. Actually he never used Dranzer since his battle against Tala. 'Tala, I should not think about him, at least not in a place like this', Kai thought while watching Tyson, who prostrated in disbelief. The people around them were so shocked that nobody said anything or moved. Kai left the scene without interrupting the silence.

A/N: I will now roughly follow the first Beyblade season with this story. The appearance of the Beyblade characters is the one of the third season, since I like their look in this one the most.