AN: I want to apologize to you guys for the delay in this chapter… I had the semester from hell and I honestly forgot about it. I'm trying to work on this fic, but you know, my beyblade days are somewhat behind me. I am determined to finish it however!
Huzzah to those who figured out what is going to happen lol
"You know, being a captain, you could at least try to look as if you gave a damn about this competition."
"That would pointless, since I don't really give a fuck about this event. I'll win it anyway."
Liika threw up her hands, gesturing in disgust and recalling her blade. "Well you're making the rest of us – namingly me – look bad!"
It was a good thing they hadn't taken the option to scrimmage with any of the other pairs. The other pair would have gotten just as little practice as they were currently getting.
Secluded off in their own little corner, they had done more arguing and sniping at each other than actual blading. In fact, it would be a miracle if either one of them even launched their blade more than three or four times in the hour they had been practicing.
"You don't need me to make you look bad, you do that on your own."
Her teeth ground together, and she physically resisted the urge to bitch slap him into oblivion. "Jesus Christ, what are you like, five?!"
Before Marik could reply with a jab of his own, someone cleared their throat in attempt to gain the two's attention. "Miss Hiwatari?"
"What?!" She snapped, whirling on the ridged looking BBA official.
To his credit, even in the face of her ire, he didn't take a step back, though he did look extremely uncomfortable. He threw a glance at Marik, who just smirked with quirked eyebrows and mouthed "Bitchy." Coughing, the man shifted in place, trying to straighten himself. "May I have a word with you?"
Liika took in the BBA insignia on his blazer, as well as the grim expression on his face and immediately knew something was very wrong. Her irritation fled in an instant, replaced with concern and worry. "Of course, what's the matter?"
The official looked once more at Marik who got the hint with the rolling of his eyes. He took off, shouting over his shoulder something about taking a break as he went. Liika, too focused on the official, didn't even notice his baiting tone.
Once the other captain was gone, the official wasted no time in starting his speech. "As you know, the independence of captains, and their responsibility for their team is stressed by the BBA. As such, the BBA felt that you should be the first told about the situation, since it involves your team."
Liika felt dread build in the pit of her stomach. They were going to disqualify her team… or penalize, or something equally as drastic. Was it because her and Marik had done nothing but fight? Was it something she did? Or said?
"It has come to our attention that one of your team members is in a peculiar position."
"Peculiar position?" Liika echoed, her face screwing up. "What kind of position?"
The official coughed again, straightening his tie. "To be honest, we've never had anything like this happen in the history of this tournament. Because of this we're not sure how to handle the situation. It is currently under review by the BBA Worlds committee."
"I don't understand," she interjected, one of her hands coming up to rest on her hip. "What are you saying?"
He sighed, eyes turning downward to avoid her own. "You see, some years ago when girls started appearing in the World Junior Beyblading Championship, the BBA made a pregnancy test part of the mandatory tests beybladers have to take to compete. One of your bladers, is, unfortunately, pregnant."
Her hand flew to her mouth even as her eyes widened and tears filled them. "Oh God, Mariah."
He nodded. "Yes, Mariah Low is the blader in question. You knew of her situation?"
Liika shook her head rapidly, fighting the sadness, the panic and the sympathy that went out for her friend. The thought of what it meant for their team at Worlds didn't even run through her mind. "I didn't know… I had no clue. I just know of an incident…"
He nodded again. "Very well then. As I said before, this has never come up before, and so we are unsure how to deal with it."
"You're not going to kick her out of the tournament are you? I didn't know there were rules against pregnancy!" Liika was getting more and more hysterical as the seconds passed, and her voice kept getting louder and louder.
"There are none, as of yet, especially not any saying that pregnancy equals disqualification. You will be notified before the end of the day as to what the committee has decided."
"Oh God!" This was said at almost a screech and drew the attention of almost every one of the other pairs. Liika swallowed, looking dazed, terrified, and like she was going to puke. "Oh my God."
The BBA official took his leave then, leaving her alone with her dread and her thoughts. With another exclamation, Liika fled the room, unaware of the eyes that followed her as tears trailed down her cheeks, and bile surged in her throat.
She had to tell Kakashi…. But more importantly, she had to tell Mariah.
Just how was she going to tell Mariah?
xxxxxx
Her first stop was a room on the first floor of the complex that had been reserved for coaches and adult trainers. She knocked, knowing Kakashi was taking his lunch in the kids-free zone, and was rewarded when he appeared several minutes after she asked for him.
His normal jovial expression fell at the sight of the tears on her cheeks and the panic in her eyes. He took the news better than she did, as was to be expected, but he looked concerned and immediately took control of the situation. Abandoning his lunch, he agreed to take her back to the guesthouse where Mariah was most likely to be, and to help her break the news to the seventeen-year-old girl.
On the way, he, of course, asked the dreaded question: who was the father? Liika quietly admitted that Tala was, and that it was a big secret, and begged him not to tell anyone. He swore he wouldn't, and said he only asked because he feared it was someone on one of the teams, and that he felt the father should know as well.
Liika's anxiety grew exponentially upon arriving at the guesthouse, especially when they walked in and were faced with the questions about what she was doing back so early. Only those competing in the Singles Sync the following day had practice, and with the exception of the few that thought to get in a few extra hours of drills, most of the occupants of their house were resting.
Brooklyn was among those milling in the common room of the first floor, as was Robert, Athrun, Cagalli, Kai, Bryan and his cousin Garland. It was crowded and her appearance stirred up more trouble than she wanted to deal with. The fact that she was crying was obvious to everyone, even as she tried to wave off their concern. Questions flew at her until Kakashi stepped in and put a stop to them.
"Go upstairs. You can use my room on the third floor, it's at the end of the hall to the left."
Liika nodded, swiping at her eyes and ignoring the worried looks from most of those in the room. She just hoped she looked half presentable.
Just as she figured, Mariah was in their dorm room, lying on her bed reading a book. An, Anzu and Sakura were all in the room as well, but Anzu and Sakura were sleeping and An was listening to her mp3 player so she didn't even realize Liika had come in the room. "Mariah," Liika called softly, unable to look at her friend. "Can I talk to you please?"
Mariah blinked, looked up from her book. She set it down immediately as she took in Liika's bedraggled appearance. "Liika what's the matter?"
The blue haired girl shook her head and turned. "Not here, upstairs." Was all she said before departing from the room.
Mariah followed her without further question. Both girls ignored anyone they passed in the hall, and the open doors they passed as they trod up the stairs and down the hall towards Kakashi's tiny room. When they made it, Liika opened it and waited for Mariah to pass her into the room before she shut the door and heaved a large sigh.
"Liika, what's going on? What's the matter? Are you all right?"
"No." It was a long moment before she turned from the door, and when she did, Liika had tears in her eye once more. "I got the test results back from the BBA today…" she started, clearly unsure as to what to do.
Mariah frowned, stepping forward. "Was there something wryong with someone's tests? Drugs?"
"Yes, no… oh damn it." Liika's hand flew to her forehead and tried to ease out the tight pain that had begun to develop between her eyes.
"Liika, what-"
"Mariah, you're pregnant."
Okay so that wasn't the smoothest delivery. Actually, it was rather callous and insensitive. But, being who she was, Liika didn't really know how to deliver the devastating news other than bluntly and honestly. So, she plowed on with the explanation, hoping that her friend would forgive her for the horrible way of breaking the news. "The BBA orders a mandatory pregnancy test for all female bladers, God knows why. Yours came back positive… I… I'm sorry. And I'm sorry it came out like this."
Mariah stood shell shocked, her face frozen. She didn't move, and she didn't cry. She just stood there, eyes wide and mouth open.
Liika moved forward then, embracing her friend's stiff body, hoping that she could give her some sense of comfort, even if it was only mediocre. Gently, she pulled away, wincing at Mariah's lack of response as she took her by the arm and led her to the narrow bed to sit down.
When the pink haired girl remained silent, Liika's worry tripled. Her hands twisted in her lap and she gnawed on her bottom lip. If anyone were to stumble on them they would probably think it was her that had just been told she was pregnant at seventeen.
When the silence grew too much for her, Liika broke it with stumbling words. "Ma-Mari? I know this is a stupid question… but are you all right?"
Mariah was silent a few seconds more before she heaved a heavy sob and cradled her face in her hands, leaning into Liika. "I had a feeling… I haven't been feeling well, and I've been skipping periods, though that's not totally unusual." She sniffled, her voice muffled. "I should have known… should have thought this through better. Oh my God…"
"Did you two not use protection?" Liika grimaced even as she asked the question.
Mariah shook her head, her hands releasing their grip on her face as she scrubbed at her red, damp eyes. "I didn't even think about it. It was the heat of the moment… a mistake. A stupid mistake. How could I have been so dumb?"
Liika sighed. "It took two of you Mari, Tala is just as much to blame for not thinking. Accidents happen."
"This is a pretty big accident," Mariah muttered bitterly. "My mother is going to kill me… disown me. Oh my God, she's so damn religious…"
That was true. Saleda Low was among the most religious people in their town, and her husband, Brett, a fourth generation, half-Chinese, was almost as bad as she was. Both were model members of the biggest protestant church in Bakuten. Sex before marriage was a sin, so was bearing bastard children.
"We'll worry about that when the time comes. At least you won't have to worry about breaking the news to them for two weeks." Liika replied, stroking Mariah's bright hair. "And you know, if they are stupid enough to disown you for this, my house is always open. I'm always here for you Mari. Always."
Mariah sniffled again, lifting her head from Liika's shoulder before hugging her properly. "I don't know what to do… I'm scared Liika."
"So am I, but you're not alone Mari. I hope you realize that."
Mariah nodded, pulling away to sit demurely. "I know, but in the end it's me that has to face it. Who else knows?"
"The BBA Worlds committee is deciding what to do about it as we speak. They came and told me at the complex first, and I only told Kakashi. I'm assuming that no one else knows."
"We could be disqualified and it will be my fault…" Mariah's eyes closed in effort to hold back the tears that threatened to break loose. "Everything's so fucked up now. Tala… doesn't know?"
To hear Mariah swear was a bit unnerving considering the pink haired beauty rarely did. "No, he doesn't. And they won't disqualify us, or you. There's no rule against it, I don't even know why they test."
Mariah paid no attention to Liika's comments on BBA rules. Instead, her mind centered on the idea of Tala finding out. "I can't tell him. I can't! Holy God, what have we done?"
Liika was silent for a moment, letting Mariah grieve and worry away at her mouth. What did you say to that? Was there anything she could say? "You have to tell him Mari… he deserves to know." Not the most sensitive, but it was true.
"You're right, I know that. I just can't do it… How am I going to look him in the eye and tell him that I've ruined his life? Twice."
"You realize, of course, that it could be said that he ruined your life," Liika put in dryly. Why was life such a bloody soap opera? "As ridiculous and stupid as the cliché 'it takes two to tango' is, it's regrettably true. Tala was a part of what happened and you both did the ruining." As she said the words she realized what she said and quickly back peddled. "Oh damn, I'm sorry. That was horrible."
However, as horrible as it was, it cracked a smile on Mariah's red face. In place of anything else, she dabbed at her eyes and nose with her shirt sleeve, drying as much as she could. "I've royally screwed us, haven't I?"
"You shouldn't worry about that now," Liika replied, taking her friend's hand. "You're more important than a tournament."
"I can't let everyone down like I've let my parents, Tala… and myself down." Mariah was staring at the floor, but there was a resolve in her voice. "If I'm not at my best the whole team suffers."
"Mari-"
"Let me finish." She was testy, angry with herself and the situation. "I can't let this destroy me or our dream, our team's dream will die. This is our last shot Liika, and we have to show the rest of the world that we're the best there is, that you are the best captain there is."
She wanted to refute that statement, but wisely stayed silent.
"I can't tell Tala, I can't. I can't face that, but I'm going to make myself face this tournament and my role in it. Pregnancy doesn't take away skill, and though it may make people look at me differently, I don't want to let that get in the way. Please, say you'll let me blade."
How could she say no to that? Even if she thought Mariah was bottling up the fears and the emotions that were more than likely throttling her at that moment, she couldn't not letting her blade. The captain in her told that USA 2 needed Mariah Low to win. The best friend in her told her that Mariah shouldn't be under so much pressure… but also suggested that perhaps getting her mind off the trials ahead would be good for her.
All in all, she was conflicted.
So, she found herself offering to do what she didn't really want to do: tell Tala. "I'll tell Tala… if you can't. I can't and won't stop you from blading Mari, not unless you become a detriment. You are a part of this team. Decisions regarding your pregnancy can be made later, after, whenever you want. It's your body and your life, and if you feel it's best for you to blade, then it's best for you to blade."
Mariah just looked at her for a few moments, stared with her large, watery gold eyes, before launching herself at the smaller girl once more. "And that's why you are the best captain, and best friend in the world," she murmured, squeezing Liika hard.
"Yeah, well…" Liika hugged back, sighing. "For the record, I think you should come with me when I tell him."
Mariah nodded, not letting go. "I think I can do that… if you are there… and maybe Kai… to keep him from going crazy."
Life seemed to have horrible timing where they were concerned. Everything in their life seemed to happen at the worst possible moments, and it either made them stronger, or destroyed them all together.
Thankfully, the teenagers of Bakuten seemed to be made of stronger stuff than most, and often were able to take things in stride. Liika had great doubts about Mariah's performance in the up coming tournament events, but she had to let her make her own choices.
The media would have a field day when it came out, and it would come out. Someone would leak it, or over hear it. It was only a matter of time.
xxxxxxx
Eventually the two came out of Kakashi's room, only to be confronted by Kakashi, Judy (who apparently had been informed) as well as Robert, Kai, Enrique and Lee. Several others milled down the hall, including Bryan, but they only watched as the two girls came out of the room, only to be ushered back in by the two adults.
"The committee ruling came back, they called me ten minutes ago." Kakashi started, sitting both girls back on the bed. "They decided as there is no precedent, it is out of their hands. They are leaving it up to the discretion of the coach and the captain."
"Your parents should be called Mariah," Judy added after Kakashi stopped, her expression filled with sympathy.
"No!" Mariah replied instantly with an adamant shake of her head. "No. Not until the tournament t is done. If you call them now they will just pull me out and the team needs me."
"Mari and I have discussed it. We have decided that it would be best if the personal situation was dealt with after Worlds where we will be in a better position to deal with it."
The two coaches looked at the girls and it was clear that neither agreed with the decision made. "They are your parents Mariah," Judy said gently, "They need to know."
The expression that overcame Mariah's face was so classically teenage girl that Kakashi couldn't help but smile. It was also classically stubborn Mariah. Her jaw set, her lips thinned and her eyes narrowed in such a way that it was clear that she wasn't budging from her position. "Is there any rule about having to tell my parents?"
Judy shifted uncomfortably. "No… the only time we have to call home is if there has been an accident, you're hurt or sick… and since technically you aren't any of the above there is no rule that we have to call home."
"Then I would appreciate it if you would let me do this my way."
The blond woman sighed, nodding her head. "Very well. Will you be telling the father at least?"
This time Liika answered. "I'm going to tell Tala, Mari will be with me."
"Tala?!" Judy blinked, face incredulous. She rolled her eyes skyward, praying to the heavens for the patience to deal with teenagers. "I had assumed the father was Rei."
Mariah's eyes fell sad again, and her hands clutched at the material of her sweat pants. "No, Rei and I were never… intimate. It was an accident with Tala."
"Kakashi," Judy turned to the gray haired man, her face serious and mouth unsmiling. "Do you know what this is going to do to my team?" she hissed in a low voice. "Not only will Tala be reeling, but Rei as well."
"What do you suggest she do then Judy?" Kakashi replied calmly, tucking his hands in his pants' pockets. "Not tell him? That's not fair to either of them. He's part of this mess."
Judy nodded, but still frowned. "Fine. Tell him tomorrow night, after the Singles Sync competition. It's one thing to screw up the teams involved in the mess, it's quite another to have an uninvolved party suffer as well."
Both girls nodded and then left the room, returning to their dorm. They both agreed that no one else should know until after Tala was told. After that, they would gather the USA 2 team and tell them all at once, after that it would be open season.
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