Chapter 2:

It was…

Gingka!

Everyone was startled to see the redhead after such a long time. He was a grown up man now. About 21 years old. He had a slightly muscular figure with spiky, long, red hair with two strands running down his cheeks. His usual bandanna with a Pegasus on it surrounded his forehead and the bandage on his nose was still there. He looked quite handsome. His golden brown orbs were viewing the interior of the room. He seemed to be quite impressed by the large room and all the advanced equipment in it.

Tsubasa, Madoka, Zero, Maru and Shinobu, everyone was deeply shocked to see him. Before they could say something, Gingka himself spoke up. "So did you guys miss me?" He winked.

"Gingka, y-you're back!" Tsubasa claimed.

"I sure am, buddy." Gingka smiled.

"I don't believe that we are actually standing in front of the Legendary Gingka Hagane." Zero whispered to Shinobu, who nodded.

Gingka shook hands with Tsubasa. His eyes then locked with Madoka's making her heart skip a beat. In mere seconds she rushed towards Gingka enveloping him in a big hug. He had to admit that he missed her too. He hugged her back. Madoka then tightened the hug, saying, "I missed you so much, Gingka! Don't ever leave us again. You never even informed me where you were. I was worried sick about you." Madoka cried. "Don't worry Madoka. This won't happen again. Because this time… I'm back for good." Gingka assured. They then broke away from the hug. Gingka blinked his eyes and made a confused expression looking at the two bladers standing on one side. Zero's heart started beating furiously when he realized that his ideal was looking straight at him.

"I think I know you." Gingka spoke up.

"Uhh… I'm Zero. Zero Karugane, the one you gave Samurai Ifraid to." Zero exclaimed.

"Ohh. It's nice to see you again Zero. You're all grown up." Gingka smiled.

"Hmm… Thanks!" Zero blushed, rubbing the back of his head. He felt honored to be in front of the one and only, Gingka Hagane.

"It's an honor to meet you, Gingka." Shinobu went on. "I'm a big fan of yours and I follow all your techniques."

"Hehe. Thanks!" Gingka thanked. He warmly shook hands with Zero and Shinobu.

There was a bit of a silence in the room when Gingka spoke up. "Sooo, where's everyone else now a days?" He asked.

"Kyoya owns a different beyblade company, where he researches about different kinds of beyblades. He's currently working with his younger brother, Kakeru." Tsubasa answered. "Kenta, Hikaru and your Dad work at a different headquarter handling all sorts of beyblade matches."

"What about Benkei?" Gingka asked.

"He owns a hamburger shop." Madoka explained.

"What!? Hamburgers? But I'm sure no one can make better hamburgers than Madoka!" Gingka said dreamily.

This made Madoka blush. "You know what, Gingka? I haven't made hamburgers since you left. I mean there was no one to ask me for hamburgers."

"Awww…" Zero, Maru and Shinobu awed and Tsubasa smirked, once again.

Gingka and Madoka tried to hide their blush.

Trying to get off topic, Gingka asked, "What about Masamune, Yuki and everybody else?"

"Well, Masamune's in the US with Toby and Zeo. Yuki is doing his research on stars. Team Wang Hu Zhong is training in China. Team Excalibur is in Europe…" Tsubasa went on, telling Gingka about their past friends. But Gingka's mind was roaming around somewhere else. He didn't hear what Tsubasa was saying; in fact his eyes were locked at the brunette, which nobody seemed to notice. Not even Madoka. When Tsubasa was done talking, Gingka made no response. That is when Tsubasa realized that Gingka wasn't listening to him. "Gingka!?" Tsubasa snapped. "Earth to Gingka!" "Hmm?" Gingka moaned as he was snapped out from his thoughts and was brought back to reality. Nobody knew what was going on at the back of his mind. Madoka thought that he might be thinking about beyblading, as to her, he was the same old Gingka. The three kids were confused too, because of his lack of attention. Even Tsubasa, at this point was confused. It seemed like something was bothering him.

"Are you okay, Gingka?" Madoka asked, worriedly. This voice, it was like music to his ears. "Oh I'm alright, Madoka! You don't have to worry about me." Gingka answered quickly. Madoka sighed.

"It's getting late, we should get going now." Shinobu exclaimed.

"Yeah. Bye Gingka, Tsubasa, Madoka." Zero wished them goodbye. "Oh and Gingka, I want to have a bey battle with you."

"Yeah, sure. But not today. I'm quite tired out." Gingka suggested.

"Oh, sure. So, tomorrow it is, then?" Zero asked.

"Yeah. Tomorrow!" Gingka exclaimed.

"I want to battle you too, Gingka." Shinobu barged in.

"I'll battle everyone." Gingka chuckled.

Zero, Shinobu and Maru left. They waved everyone goodbye. Madoka went to see them off.

"Do you want to stay at the WBBA headquarters, Gingka?" Tsubasa offered. "I think I'll rest at the Bey Pit." Gingka retorted. "But thanks for the offer." "It's your choice Gingka. But we have extra rooms here in which you could take refuge." Tsubasa said. "Thanks again. But I would love to pay a visit to the Bey Pit again. Plus, my Pegasus is quite damaged. I need to get that fixed too. It's not that I don't trust Madoka with this, I trust her with all my heart, and it's just that I need some time to settle in again and I'm sure Madoka will help me in doing so." Gingka blushed when he realized what he had said about Madoka. Tsubasa smirked, once again. Gingka was afraid that Tsubasa might say something awkward. As Tsubasa opened his mouth to say something someone walked into the room. It was Madoka. The two men stood there staring at her, as if some celebrity has walked in.

"Ahh, those boys, they are so pumped up for the battle with you, Gingka!" Madoka sighed. "Anyways, it's getting pretty late. I think I should head back to the B-Pit now. Gingka, do you have a place to crash?" Madoka asked, eyeing Gingka. "Well, not really. Tsubasa offered me to stay here for the night, but nothing's more comfortable than the couch at B-Pit." Gingka gestured. "Oh, the couch, eh? It always reminds me of you Gingka. It is still at the same place." Madoka exclaimed. "Haha. And you have to fix Pegasus as well. It's not that I don't trust you with this but it's just that I miss that couch so much." Gingka said. "Alright then, come on." Madoka commanded. "Suits you well. Good night, you two." Tsubasa wished them good night and left. "Good night!" Gingka and Madoka said in unison.