IMPORTANT: Because there will be a lot of going back and forth between various persons' POV and timeframes I will give (where necessary) 'Time after incident' headings for each scene change. They will usually appear after a statement of time and place. Bear in mind that date and time before the semi-colon will be in the respective countries/locations' time NOT Japanese time unless that is the country...understand?
Warnings: Implied relationships (possibly hetero&homo)…major crap-ness (see end notes).
Disclaimer: Worry not I do not own Beyblade. Heaven forbid and all that...
Thank you to the my one only reviewer – you'll probably stop reading this after this chapter...oh well (sighs)
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"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength."
By Corrie Ten Boom.
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Russia, Wednesday 1:25am; 11 and a half hours after 'incident'.
This was undeniably insane. He had just finished off the phone with the BBA headman, Mr. Stanley Dickenson who despite being exceptionally busy was able to answer his call over in Japan. Kai absentmindedly thought it a bit strange that the Pacific island could be enjoying fine weather – as pictured by that shameful report – with all that was going on, before reasoning to himself that one person's troubles does not play a part on the natural weather systems. Only...this situation – for lack of a better word – affected far more than one person, one lad. It would affect many people...including him. The Russian simply had no idea how much of an affect it would eventually have.
But back to the point; Kai had phoned as soon as the media broadcast had ended and his own thoughts had re-organised into telling him what he needed to do. Upon speaking to Mr. Dickenson he was informed that Tyson had not taken his mobile, his older brother and Father were unreachable and his immediate friends in Japan at least, were either not present or had not seen him. Due to this, the fact that he has not been found in the surrounding area and the evidence that points to the lad actually being present on scene at the time, has concluded the boy's missing state. The respected BBA elder was loathe explaining such evidence over the phone and refused all questions that skimmed more than the surface of the situation, despite the repeated insistence. Kai; determined to discover the truth, agreed to the old man's request to meet to discuss things, no doubt realising that the sooner Tyson was found the better and who better than the people who knew him best. Besides with all the media coverage this was getting, keeping those that had a right to know in the metaphorical dark was going to be more difficult than keeping the journalistic world (and any unneeded gossipers), from taking this active bomb and turning it into a mushroom cloud. That would undoubtedly shred the boy's and simultaneously anyone remotely involved's reputation quicker than the judge could sue. People like Kai Hiwatari had a level of access to him that the media would fail to surpass, and people like Kai Hiwatari; Tyson's team mates...his friends...would go to any measures to unravel the truth behind these accusations. In all honesty keeping these people in the dark would most likely hinder any progress revolving Tyson than help it. For this reason he informed Kai of his free schedule to which the phoenix agreed to meet and ultimately help out.
With that then done, suitable plans had been made and the next phone call was direct to Moscow airport to book tickets back to Japan. The blue/grey haired young man was a little pissed that the flight would not land, Japanese time until five o'clock this evening, leaving no time before the meeting to analyse things on his own, but he figured it was better than nothing.
Despite his outer appearances half the time, he did care...somewhat...for the blunette teen, albeit he probably would never directly admit it and certainly not out loud, but after all they had been through...well lets just say Kai was well aware that he owed the boy, even if the lad had never asked for anything in return because of that.
Perhaps not the best of times to go soul-searching yet nonetheless he found himself doing just that.
They were friends; it seemed like a lifetime ago when they had first met as enemies: him with the BladeSharks and the blunette simply being himself. Yet it was actually only three years ago, maybe slightly more. A couple of months later Kai had betrayed him...and the team...for what he had thought was perfection. Only that little escapade couldn't have fallen more short of the mark. Through it all though they were rivals, had always been and would probably always be, despite the younger other having crucially beaten him on more than one occasion and specifically for the World Championship title late last year. Although in particular and as corny as it sounded even in his own head, the Japanese was his saviour and had stopped him from drowning – literally and metaphorically speaking – in the most vital of times throughout the years. To not do something in return was shameful to even consider, to not help out when his rival...no his friend...needed that help the way he had needed similar aid was simply not an option.
Not to him.
If Kai was one hundred percent truthful with himself, this debt to repay that had incidentally never been consciously voiced, was not the only reason he had to go. He wanted to go for a start, he wanted to know whether these accusations had any founding and if so if that meant that actually proved his friend's guilt. More significantly he wanted to prove to those idiots on the television that what they were suggesting was absurd, for he did not believe there was even a chance of Tyson being the guilty party, quite the opposite. This was his grandfather they were talking about! The man who had practically raised him for most of his life. To Kai, the other guy was not important right now, only the kind if eccentric elderly man was enough. There was simply no motive, no reason for Tyson to do this and the idea itself made no sense whatsoever.
Still though, finally, there was one more reason that was persistently making itself known in the pit of his stomach and the back of his mind...concern. If the evidence was correct and the young lad was on scene at the time of the crime, for whatever reason, there was no way the lad was alright, wherever he was and whatever he was doing right now. Even if the boy wasn't present, the news broadcast alone would do enough emotional damage to the teen who always seemed so energetic, uplifting, happy and above all emotion-filled every time he set eyes on him...even if it was just some picture, the boy was always so warm...so alivelooking. Just imagining the kind of reaction his Japanese team mate would have was causing his gut to clench and his mind to reel...and the outwardly solemn lad now knew one thing for sure, he had not felt as bad as like this before and would appreciate not having to feel the uncomfortable sensation ever again.
Therefore Kai Hiwatari and Tala Ivanov (who had simply refused to be left out) got packed and ready to board their flight.
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(1) Somewhere in China, Wednesday 6:30am; 12 hours after 'incident'
Ray Kon had travelled alone on this venture while Mariah had complained back at the village that although he had been home longer than most times it still was not very long. That, if the BBA or Tyson needed his assistance they would call and then, and only then could he be excused to leave The White Tigers once again, and subsequently her, to go half way around the world.
Ray bluntly pointed out that Japan was not 'half way around the world', that despite her less than liking of his friend he was going and if a similar thing happened to someone who she did get along with well - say Emily of the All-starz - she would have been long gone by now.
Needless to say that shut the pink-haired kitten up. Mariah was obviously not happy about her long-time crush leaping into the midst of a homicide scene; trouble caused once again by the impulsive, confidant blue haired Champ, who also happened to be one of Ray's closest friends. That was not to say she thought the lad guilty as sin, just that if her – cross fingers – boyfriend wasn't careful he would get dragged into this mess, get into some sort of trouble because of that Japanese...again and be off for long periods of time to help Tyson out of the corner he had backed himself into…again.
So sighing to herself she joined the others in wishing Ray 'luck' and good-bye, unconsciously delaying him by getting the ying-yang decked teen to promise to keep in better touch this time. Not remotely satisfied by his "I'll try, I promise." Mariah reluctantly let it go, and the lad in question, so that he could finally leave.
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Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Wednesday 12:00pm; 17 and a half hours since 'incident'.
One Kon Ray was still sitting in the departure lounge of PEK waiting patiently for his large engine troubled plane to start working properly once more. The problem was nothing major, just something the engineers wanted to rectify before allowing the transport machine to disappear into the cloudy horizon.
Many of his fellow passengers, mostly the overworked business people and the scant few youngsters present, were mumbling their complaints either to themselves, to their friends, or generally to anyone who would listen, that they didn't exactly enjoy sitting around in an enclosed space doing absolutely nothing for ages on end.
Personally, after the fourth person (this time a teenager obviously on route home and not able to wait to get back) loudly voiced their whining opinion, Ray felt like pointing out he would rather wait here than have something go wrong mid-flight. Resulting, he didn't doubt, in them all having an emergency landing in the middle of the ocean. The composed neko-jin thought the prospect of having water and only water in his sights on all sides was more than reason enough to stress over, especially if by some chance that meant he would have to get wet to get to his final destination. The idea alone made him shiver…though the liquid present in the Sea of Japan would definitely give him something to shiver about…for after all, nearly everyone knew he was not that keen on the cold, wet, translucent, practically intangible substance that was ultimately needed for everyone's survival…including his own.
So here he was waiting and thinking, and more thinking. He hadn't tried to contact anyone figuring he would do that once he arrived, starting with BBA's own man in charge before attempting to contact the Chief, maybe Hilary or anyone else. Little did Ray know he would be saved the money of such calls by the time he arrived there.
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Japan 14:00 hours Wednesday; 18 and a half hours since 'incident'.
'Man the jet-lag's always heavy when I come here, course it's like I'm travelling forward in time…' Blonde haired Max had just recently arrived into the city like a wayward packhorse, with his oversized backpack and ruffled appearance, to stand in front of the impressive structure of concrete, steel, plastic and glass that was the Beyblade's World; main organisation's headquarters.
Not quite sure what he would find but determined to anyway, he stepped inside and strolled towards the main desk.
A casual smart brunette no older than thirty looked up with old enthusiasm wondering if this day would ever end, after being harassed by various BBA members and just about everyone else that took some interest in the 'big news' of today, the woman had surprised even herself at how much patience she actually had. Nevertheless she continued dutifully on with her good-paying job and continued smiling and sparkling like some Barbie girl doll that has not yet been ripped to shreds by her owner, who just could not stand to see that fake visage any longer…
"Hello, can I help you with something?"
"Yeah hi (waving a hand slightly) I'm err looking for Mr Dickenson because I need to see him over my friends involvement in that report last…I mean this morning…" Max answered slightly embarrassed.
"You're a member of the Bladebreakers?"
"Uh-huh. I'm Max Tate(2)"
Quickly checking the name upon her computer she suddenly smiled with true renewed vigour as she apologised that currently Mr. D. was unavailable, however, he had called a meeting between certain individuals for this evening with a hope that perhaps others – such as himself – would turn up unannounced. Informing Max of the location and time but also of his required lodgings, which were within this newly built building, he thanked her before stepping away to settle in preparation for tonight.
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Japan 15:30 hours Wednesday; 20 hours since 'incident'.
Finally he had arrived, immensely relived that no such incidents, like their engine falling off or bad weather or the pilot dying mid-flight or a giant sea monster rising up to drag its new toy down to the watery abyss…
…had occurred…
Okay maybe that was a little extreme…but fundamentally it was clear the little kitty had not had to get wet to get here. Though he had never specifically complained, Ray liked to keep at least one limb firmly on Terra Firma and not floating in mid-air nor slicing through liquid water (though the prospect of thin ice did not appease him at all) nor being totally weightless in space far far away from any hard surface.
Pretty much following the same path his blond friend had crossed over an hour previous, Ray found himself with the same free I-don't-know-what-to-do time and that his lodgings were right next door to Max's. A fact they discovered quite by chance as Max walked out of his room, just as Ray was about to trudge into his.
Both friends uncharacteristically perhaps, stood silently staring at the other who had not been seen since the Justice Five battles, a fair while ago. All surprise quickly disappeared; it was not like either had particularly changed appearance wise and before Ray could even move Max had bounced him into a tight hug.
"Ray you're here!" still not letting go as the black haired teen allowed his bag to slip from shoulder to floor and use hands to steady himself against Max's heavy frontal assault. "I've been sitting around not knowing what the heck to do with myself! This is terrible don't ya think!"
Smiling, partially due to his ever bouncy team mate finally moving away 'Just like another energetic guy I know…except if that one is as any where near as bouncy as this one right now, it would be nothing short of a surprise…' quickly suppressing such thoughts Ray answered back truly glad to see him again, and due to not finding him in some fit of depression or something.
"Hey Maxie, thought I might find you here. Were you here already or…?"
"Nah I was in America just got here like not too long ago. You're here because of…you know…right? And how come, if you've only just arrived, I got here before you, when I live over half a day away!"
Laughing slightly Ray replied "Plane delays. Though I could say I came this great distance just to see you, I'm afraid that would be a blatant lie and simply not the case. But it is good to see your not going crazy over the news."
By now they were inside Ray's room, sitting upon the couch; Ray still smiling and Max ever so slightly blushing and bristling from Ray's comments.
"Who says I'm not going crazy? He's missing for one thing, no mobile so no answering that, Chief doesn't know where he is while refusing to really see anyone, grandpa's dead along with some other dude, its all over the news, he's being blamed and I can't fathom why and to top it off I don't know what to do about any of this!"
"Max its okay. I get the feeling but right now there is not much we can do. Your going to that meeting later right…we'll get things explained and some questions answered and then work out some plan of action, ok? It will be alright."
"(sigh) sorry I've been panicking a lot pretty much since I saw that report and all this waiting around not knowing where Ty might be is making it worse."
Idly chatting, swapping home life stories and generally lifting each others spirits, both lads had become quite solemn yet were determined to do what they could, and in the meantime enjoy what little relax time they had before the real chaos began.
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Japan 17:55 Wednesday, 23 hours since 'incident'.
They were almost impatiently waiting in the smart yet casually decorated head office; comfortably lounging on the couch which stood parallel to the large windows behind them. Albeit the two lads were early and had therefore no reason to be stressing, both were eager to hear all about the current and very real reason they had travelled here for in the first place. Max, for the past five minutes had been sitting straight up before slumping and sliding back down to a more relaxed position on the beige-brown sofa, whereas Ray was leaned back against the very same cushions almost sighing from the smaller's restless antics.
Another minute past with just Max's continual movements before Ray halted and calmed him in one touch; right hand stretched to land firmly on the lad's thigh mid sit-up. Glancing over Max breathfully replied "Sorry" and sat back trying not to fidget.
…
"Blast what is taking so long…?"
"It's only just turned six…look (pointing) six o'clock…Mr. D. will be here soon, please just relax."
Before Ray could even finish speaking the door swung gracefully open as two boys walked in. Both pairs of participants stared at each other, Max was effectively gaping at the Russian boys hardly believing they were there…yet strangely glad his former team captain was going to be present for this little scene, and promptly shook off the last residues of surprise before leaping determinedly (and rather excitedly) at them both…
…only to land flat on his face…since the pair had seen his movement coming a mile away and had effectively side-stepped out of range.
"Well nice to see you too guys…" voice wafting up from the floor while the three now-standing friends started chuckling.
"You need to work on your timing more, Tyson would have jumped…" red-head Tala took a moment to work out what he had said to cause the whole room to turn silent, realising in seconds that he had accidentally let slip the 'forbidden word' or name rather. 'Crap. Two syllables and it turns into a graveyard.'
Trying to silence the silence Ray hesitantly starts up with a lame "Well…I-its good to see you both…how are things in…over there?"
"Quiet. Nothing much." Nothing was right, Ray's ex-captain did not even grunt in response preferring to keep his silence "And you two?" now that the blonde glomper had gotten off the dark beige carpeted floor.
"Usual in the village really, Mariah wasn't too keen on me coming though."
Smirking "Now why is that Kon?" even Kai looked vaguely amused, although Max didn't – a slightly unexpected fact that Tala easily noticed whereas the other two lads failed to.
Blushing Ray ignored the suggestion and Tala turned to Max - thinking of possible reasons why the blonde did not look very happy at Ray's last comment over the pink-haired Galux owner - and awaiting his reply.
"Me? Oh you know…helping mum out, catching up with friends at home…stuff like that. Things have been ok."
A knock came on the door distracting four pairs of eyes towards its hard sleek surface; each occupant wondering who would be behind it. A moment later said door opened and in walked their distressed fifth and sixth members (despite the fact you could not tell if the sixth was really distressed or not); Kenny Dion with his ever present laptop.
"Kenny!"
"You look terrible."
Ghostly smiling the genius thanked Tala for pointing out the obvious, not remotely surprised by any of their presences and slumped down into the visitors chair opposite Mr. Dickenson's oak desk.
Before another strained conversation could begin, the door swung inwards once more revealing a smartly clad elderly man who seemed to be exhausted; the slight rumple in his clothes certainly expressed that it had been a long day – and one that was not quite over. His face…maybe it was the light?…but it appeared dull, down and with a hint of seriousness that rarely showed in its muscles, instead of his usually bright clear, dignified without too much grandeur look. All in all the man seemed far older than his years.
Greeting each teenager by his name and thanking them for coming he walked around to his desk and sat down, determined to get comfortable before another chore, like the endless amount he had faced this day, began. The others had gathered chairs; Tala and Kai moved the edge of one of the couches closer forward so that either could lean at its side or back or sit on the regular position or upon the arm, while Max had taken the second seat adjacent to Kenny and Ray opted for dragging the only other single chair in the room, less comfy but just as professional to his friends seats, from the back of the room where an overhead projector and small table sat.
Folding his aged hands, now comfortable behind his desk, the elderly BBA headman began to enlighten his gathered youngsters…….
TBC…
1.Working on the basis for 'White Tiger Village' that it is in a part of China (Since Ray is referred to as Chinese half the time) that has an hour earlier difference with Japan.
2.I'm not entirely certain, but his dad is Japanese and his mum American right? While given that then his father's surname would probably sound better I'm not 100percent what it is nor how to spell it…anybody care to assist cause I'll change it or should I maybe just not bother?
A/N I had real difficulty with this chapter, I don't think it's very good, scratch that it isn't but it will have to do! Its one of those interlude chapters that ultimately helps with the progression of the rest of the story but doesn't really do much else - which is probably why I don't like it too much. There are perhaps a few things that will pop up from here next time or later but otherwise nothing essentially you need to know….so sorry it took so long! (Picks up imaginary mallet and whacks head)
Oh and silly me I had anonymous disabled…now how did that happen (scratches head) so anyway Please Review!
By CosE