Disclaimer: Don't own it.

Hello everyone! I'm back, as promised! I'm so glad you all like the first chapter! Thanks for reviewing! It looks like the TysonxMax pairing won out in the end by one vote! But I'm taking up a suggestion from a reviewer (I forgot who you were, I'm sorry .;;;; ), and making them take things slllooowwww. They won't officially be hooked up in the end, but they will be together. I might write a side-story on how they get together after I post the last chapter of the last story. Oh and yay for longer chapters! I'm not such a lazy bum anymore. XD.

Anyway, on with the fic!

Thoughts: /blah blah blah/

Flashbacks:

---------------

Blah blah blah

---------------

------------------

The ride to the airport was silent. They were all crowded into one of the many compartments of the jet-black limo that Kai had called to pick them up. Unfortunately, they were nearly an hour and a half late.

Kai rubbed his temples.

/Great…we're extremely late. I wonder how many of the teams are already there and waiting on us to arrive. /

The limo came to a stop and Kai looked out the window, realizing they had just arrived.

"Come on. We're here."

The others nodded silently and one by one stepped out of the limo.

Rei turned to Kai and grabbed his arm.

"They're all going to know that something's not right. What are we going to do?"

"There's nothing we can do, Rei. If they ask, we'll just have to tell them the truth."

Frowning, Rei nodded silently.

/Why did this have to happen/

------------------

Unbeknownst to the solemn group making their way through the airport, most of the teams had already arrived.

The All Starz, the former team BEGA, and the Mejestics and already arrived and were chatting happily amongst themselves, though Johnny, Rick and Michael kept leering suspiciously at the former members of team BEGA.

Mystel was the first to notice the unusually quiet group coming towards them.

"They're here!"

The others stopped their chatting and looked in the direction Mystel was pointing, hearing no loud mouths or hyperactive blonds.

Robert and Michael exchanged looks.

Brooklyn was the first to voice his opinion, surprisingly.

"Something's….off."

Rick snorted.

"Nah, ya think?"

Kai and Rei were leading the group, Rei gripping Kai's arm tightly. Tyson and Max were both silent and obviously avoiding each other, Tyson walking on the other side of Kai and Max walking near Rei, though besides the space, Bryan was between him and Tyson. Tala was lagging behind the rest of them, glaring at the floor.

"HEY GUYS!"

Both Bryan, Tala and Tyson winced at Mystel's loud greeting, all three of them still having headaches.

Rei smiled slightly at Mystel.

"Hey yourself. How've you been?"

"Good! Hey Max, maybe we have a rematch later, right?"

Ocean blue eyes shifted to the other blond and he nodded slightly.

Mystel frowned, but said nothing more, brightening up when Rei started talking to him once more.

Robert and Kai were having a civilized conversation, with Johnny listing in, so Emily though it best not to disturb them. Walking up to Tyson she frowned at him appearance. She didn't particularly like him, but she still respected him.

"Tyson? What's wrong?"

Giving her a fake smile and thumbs up, he shook his head.

"Nothing. Why?"

She shrugged.

"You just seemed down."

"Oh…"

Looking around her frown deepened.

"Where are Kenny, Daichi and Hilary? Are they not coming?"

"Kenny's got a bad case of the flu, Daichi went back home for awhile and Hilary's on vacation with her parents."

Emily nodded.

"I see…"

They continued talking until Ming Ming rudely interrupted them.

------------------

Michael and Rick walked up to Max and Bryan, looking over the former curiously.

"Hey Max. How've you been?"

Reaching to pull the younger into a hug, Michael was shocked when Max backed away. Rick frowned, giving Michael a confused look.

"You look pale Max? Are you feeling okay?"

Biting his lip, he shook his head, clinging to Bryan's shirt.

Now Rick was starting to become worried. He had never seen Max act this way. He hadn't spoken a single word, when usually you couldn't get him to shut up.

Nevertheless, Michael was persistent. He wanted to know what was wrong with his former teammate.

"Max, what's wrong?"

When Max didn't answer, he cast Bryan a pleading glance, knowing he knew what exactly was wrong.

Placing a hand on Max's shoulder, Bryan gave it a comforting squeeze.

"Let's…go to the limo."

Frowning, Michael and Rick followed Bryan and Max back to the limo.

------------------

Seeing them leave, Robert fixed Kai with an accusing gaze.

"What's going on with him? Something's not right and everyone knows it."

Johnny shifted closer to Robert to hear what was being said, since they were talking in hushed tones. Oblivious to what was going on, Garland, Oliver, Brooklyn and Enrique were talking about God knows what, Emily and Ming Ming were talking about Kenny, Tyson had joined Rei and Mystel's Beyblading conversation and Tala stood off to the side ignoring everyone in a very Kai like manner.

Kai sighed.

"It's…complicated."

"What do you mean by complicated? He looks like a bloody emotional wreck!"

Both pairs of crimson eyes shifted to the Scottish blader.

Johnny merely glared.

"What?"

Robert rolled his eyes.

"It's impolite to listen in on other people's conversations, Jonathan."

Johnny huffed.

"Whatever."

Kai smirked, but it soon turned into a frown.

"If you won't shout in reaction I'll tell you what's been going on."

Kai gave Johnny a pointed look.

Johnny rolled his eyes.

"Fine."

Kai looked at the floor, then back at Johnny and Robert.

"This does -not- leave this circle."

Sharing a look, they nodded. This sounded serious.

Taking a deep breath, Kai continued.

"Max was raped last night."

------------------

Garland walked calmly up to the currently antisocial redhead, clearing his throat to let Tala know he was there. Looking up, Tala immediately glared at the silver haired blader.

"Garland."

"Tala. You've…changed a bit since I saw you last."

Tala scoffed.

"Yes, I'm not lying in a coma."

Garland winced.

"That's what I wanted to talk about. Listen, I'm sorry okay? I didn't mean to hurt you. I just…wanted to be a champion."

Tala's gaze softened at the sincerity behind Garland's words.

"You could have been a champion without that old bastard."

Garland smiled slightly.

"I know that now. Forgive me?"

Holding out his hand, Garland looked at the redhead expectantly.

Tala smiled slightly and took his hand.

"Yes, I forgive you."

Garland's smile widened.

"Perhaps I can make it up to you sometime?"

Tala smirked and looked up at him.

"Are you hitting on me?"

"No, I'm taken"

He glanced over to Brooklyn and then back at Tala.

"I just have a thing for redheads."

Tala laughed and rolled his eyes, letting Garland drag him over to where Brooklyn was currently standing, talking with 3 members from the newly arrived Barthez Battalion.

------------------

"RRRRRREEEEEIIIIIII!"

Ray's eyes widened.

/Oh God no. Not her. /

Ray winced and gripped Kai's arm tighter. As Mariah bounded up to them, Tyson swore he heard Emily say, "I hate that bitch".

Pouncing on Rei she caused him to let go oh Kai's arm.

"I missed you Rei-Rei!"

Tala rolled his eyes.

"By the look on his face he sure as hell didn't miss you."

Releasing Rei, Mariah turned and glared at Tala. Taking in his appearance, she smirked.

"At least I don't look like a whore."

Tala's eyes narrowed.

"No, we can't quite figure out WHAT you look like, but considering your weight gain and your clothing color, I would say a pig."

Mariah bristled at the comment but said nothing more, going back to harassing Rei.

Lee glared at Tala. Kevin snicker at the comment, making Lee give him a Look.

"Don't talk to my sister like that."

Tala merely turned his back to Lee, ignoring him. Unconsciously, Tala reached down and rubbed his knees.

Brooklyn blinked curiously at the action.

"What's wrong?"

Tala smiled embarrassedly.

"My knees hurt."

He started to say something else but Mariah beat him to it, scoffing.

"That's because you're on them all the time!"

Kai sent a murderous glare her way and she coughed, hiding behind Lee. Had Bryan been there, he would have probably tired to kill the girl.

Tala's eyes widened and he looked down at the floor memories of his past flooding his mind

---------------

Boris towered over him, smirking softly.

"On your knees, boy."

Biting his lip, a naked and shivering 11-year-old Tala sank to his knees.

The director's smirk widened and he grabbed a fistful of Tala's red hair, forcefully shoving his head into his crotch. Tears poured from the boy's eyes and he choked back a sob.

"Do what you do best, Tala."

---------------

"Tala? Are you okay…?"

Brooklyn, who Tala didn't even know, that well, looked genuinely concerned.

Saying nothing Tala turned on his heal and started to walk towards the exit, purposely hitting Mariah with his shoulder, knocking her to the ground.

Mariah glared daggers at his back.

"I was just stating the truth! It's what you do best, Tala!"

Placing a hand over his mouth, Tala fought the urge no to throw up, and walked faster.

Nearly stepping on the pink haired girl, Kai went after him, catching up to him and placing an arm around the now shaking shoulders.

Rei cleared his throat and everyone's eyes left the two Russian and shifted towards him.

"Since we're all here now, we should all head back to the dojo."

Nodding, the large group of bladers started to walk, following Rei towards the exit.

Sighing softly the neko-jin looked toward the rapidly approaching doors of the airport.

/This is going to be a long weekend… /

------------------

Poor, poor Tala. I might write a side story about Boris being a bastard to Tala. Anyway, please review! It makes me happy and update faster:D!