.: Sweet tragedy :.
by cherry fantasy
Chapter six : An eventful day
At the hotel, 8h23 a.m.
The second day of their stay was supposed to be the one when the real action would begin. The bladers were free to chose whatever activity they wanted, and there was indeed a lot of choice ;
One of the hotel's rooms was apparently reserved only for beyblading : it was very large and contained several beydishes and all sorts of beyblading equipments. There also was some beydishes outdoors in the hotel's yard, and since today was a bright sunny day, most bladers would probably go there. Small matches would be organized just for fun, although there was some prizes you could win.
For those who didn't feel like beyblading, there was many other things to do : an arcade was situated just beside the hotel, and a there was a huge shopping mall just a couple of roads farther, close enough so that you could go on foot if desired. In fact, since the hotel was practically in the city centre, there was a lot of places to go, like the aquarium, the movie theater or the Zoo. And like if all that wasn't enough, a rather impressive amusement park had settled in town for the month, full of colorful attractions and games for everyone to enjoy.
To make a long story short, it would be very hard for the bladers to get bored during the BBA reunion.
Kai, though, was sceptical. All those activities weren't really is style, and he wasn't sure if he was in the mood for such things. But then again, he wasn't here for that, was he ?
Those were his thoughts as he walked into the dinner room to get some breakfast. It wasn't long before he spotted Ray, Max, Kenny and Hilary, all seated around the same table they had been at yesterday evening. Kai rolled his eyes when he saw Max pick his fork into a little strawberry and hand it out to Ray with a sly smile. Ray blushed but ate the juicy fruit, making sure to lick his lips very slowly in the process...
"Is it just me or is it suddenly becoming very hot in here ?" Kai heard Max say as he neared the table.
"It's just you" the duel-haired boy answered with a grin.
They all turned to him and Max said happily :
"Oh, hi Kai ! Hey, did you overslept or something ? I would've thought you'd be the first in here !"
"I don't oversleep" Kai answered while taking a seat between Ray and Hilary. "I just wasn't very hungry"
"Oh, ok then" Max just said before diving in his breakfast once again.
"So, what are we doing today ?" asked Hilary when they were all done eating.
"I don't know..." answered Kenny. "Maybe we could go in the backyard, I've heard there will be some beyblade matches"
"I don't really feel like beyblading today, Kenny" said Max while glancing at Ray and Kai.
"Me neither" added Ray.
Kai just stayed silent.
"Well... we could go take a walk in town, then !" proposed Hilary. "We're in Kyoto city for God's sake ! I'm sure we'll find something interesting to do !"
"Yeah, good idea Hilary" approved Ray.
"Ok then let's do that !" added Max cheerfully.
He grabbed Ray's hand and dashed for the exit. The others sweat-dropped and followed more calmly.
"Is he really a scientist ?" asked Kai.
"You know Kai, sometimes I wonder..." answered Kenny with a dejected sigh.
o0o
In Kyoto's city centre, 10h43 a.m.
"Oh my god Ray, look at that one ! And that one ! And this one too ! Oh and look over there...!"
Max continued to babble excitedly as he dragged Ray along the busy streets of Kyoto. Since a good thirty minutes now the blond boy was fawning over every shop windows that could come within his range of vison, all the while clinging onto Ray's left arm and not noticing the growing exasperation on the neko-jin's face. Kai and Kenny were following behind, since Hilary had abandoned them when she had caught sight of a beautiful store full of girl's clothing... Anyway, right now Kenny was giggling at Max's antics and Kai was trying very hard not to do the same ; his two friends were really something to be around !
Finally Ray decided he had suffered enough and he exclamed :
"Max, slow down ! We can't keep up with you !"
Max stopped and turned to them with a sheepish smile.
"Oups, sorry guys !" he said while releasing Ray's arm. "I guess I got a bit carried away..."
"No kidding !" retorted Ray with a sigh, but there was a smile on his lips.
"So, what are we doing now ?" asked Kenny.
"You could start by saying hello to some old friends" came a voice from behind them.
They turned around to see who had spoken ; right there were standing Tala, Bryan, Spencer, the White Tiger X, the PPB All Starz, Julia and Raul from F Dynasty and each one of the BEGA bladers.
"Long time no see, huh ?" pursued Lee, who was the one who had spoken before.
"I'm glad to see you again, Lee" Ray answered respectfully with a gentle smile to him and the other White Tigers.
Max however wasn't that tactful :
"Guys !" he exclamed with a huge happy grin. "Wow it's so cool to see you all ! It's been so long ! Well except for the PPB All Starz and Tala because we took the plane together ! But anyway, how has everyone else been ? I've missed you so much ! What are you all doing here ?"
Everybody sweat-dropped at Max's enthusiasm.
"How much sugar did you give him ?" Micheal asked them.
"He had maple syrup on his pancakes this morning" answered Ray. "And he ate two chocolate bars an hour ago"
"We're doomed" Tala stated.
Everyone nodded their heads in agreement. Then Ray turned to his boyfriend who was practically assaulting Raul and Julia with questions. He walked to him and clapped his hand over the blond's mouth.
"Max, for Heaven's sake, let them place a word !" he ordered.
"Fowy..." mumbled Max behind Ray's hand.
Everybody laughed except Spencer and Bryan who were shaking their heads in despair. Kai and Tala looked at each other and smirked.
"So, how's it going today ?" the red-head asked Kai with a serious tone.
"Fine" Kai answered truthfully with a tiny but sincere smile.
Tala seemed satisfied by his answer and turned his attention back to the others who were now chatting happily...
"So, why have you all come in town today ?" Kenny was asking.
"We wanted to see the amusement park" answered Mystel.
"Yeah, from what we've heard it looks pretty cool" added Garland. "Wanna come with us ?"
"Oh yes yes, let's go Ray !" immediately exclamed Max.
"Fine, let's go" said Ray, ignoring Max's squeal of delight. "If we're lucky you'll burn down all that sugar you ate"
Max didn't even acknowledge him and scrambled ahead. Ray chuckled and followed him, the others on his heels.
o0o
Later, 2h52 p.m.
After four hours at the amusement park (Max had already gotten into 36 attractions and tried almost every games, and thankfully he was back to his more calm self since Ray had made sure not to let him eat any more sugar), everybody decided to go back in town and search for a restaurant to have a late dinner together. They finally found one where you could eat outside on a large terrace. They reserved the largest table and settled down. After everyone had ordered, they started conversing on different topics and eventually one of them came to be Kai's brief disappearance...
"Where were you anyway ?" asked Rick a bit rudely. "Were you sick or something ?"
"No I wasn't" Kai answered coldly.
He really didn't like where the conversation was going. Every gazes were locked on him and he was starting to feel very uncomfortable. Tala, who was seated on his left two seats from him, glared at Rick and said :
"Would you leave it alone Rick ? It's not of your business where he was or what he did"
"Why ?" the other insisted. "Was it something bad ? Have you done something illegal Kai ?"
Max answered for him :
"Of course not, Rick !"
"Then what's the problem ?"
"The problem is that he doesn't want to tell you" answered Mariah.
"I still don't see the reason. I just wanna know why he didn't contact anyone during all that time" retorted Rick more calmly.
"I must admit that I am kind of curious too" said Brooklyn with his usual soft tone. "I wonder, what could've happened to make you want to hide from the world ?"
"Like you didn't know..." Kai started icily, but suddenly something caught his sight on the other side of the road.
The glass of water Kai was holding dropped to the ground and shattered with a crystal breaking noise. An unreadable expression appeared on his face while his eyes stayed fixed on some point before him.
"Kai...?" Max asked worriedly.
But Kai didn't answer and just continued to stare. Confused, everyone turned around to follow his gaze... before freezing on the spot too.
How could they have missed it, it was a wonder. It was hovering over them like a ghost from the past, pouring some icy substance in their veins as their eyes slowly took it in sight.
On the other side of the road was standing a tall building that seemed to be a store of some sort. On the wall that was facing them was stuck a very large and colourful poster. It was a promotional poster for the BBA, the Logo was clearly visible at the base, imprinted on the left corner and just before the picture. A picture of none other than Tyson in all of his Beyblade World Champion's glory, smiling like he hadn't a care in the world.
Without a word or an explanation, Kai stood up and left. Nobody tried to stop him.
After a couple of minutes, when they were finally able to tear their gazes away from the poster, Tala shot his best glare at Rick and Brooklyn before saying :
"I hope you're happy. You got your answer now"
No need to mention the rest of the meal wasn't very cheerful.
o0o
Later on, 5h21 p.m.
After separating from the others and wishing good night just in case, Max, Ray and Kenny decided to go search for Kai. They knew him well and they were sure he hadn't gone back to the hotel. More probably he was wandering the city streets with no destination in particular. He couldn't have gone that far...
Finally, they found him just before a small baker shop, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and his eyes closed. Hesitantly they approached him, not uttering a word. He didn't seem to notice them. They glanced at each other, and then Max decided to try his luck :
"You know Kai, we understand how you feel... We miss him too, and we know it's hard...Of course it must be different for you, since you two were... Well, since he was your..."
Max stopped, unable to finish his sentence, unable to find the right words. Kai just stayed still, not even bothering to open his eyes.
"If you want to talk, maybe..." Ray started.
"No thanks" Kai said, his eyes still closed.
They looked at each other helplessly, not knowing what to add. At the end, Kenny just said with a sigh :
"Well, we should go back at the hotel now. Supper will be served soon"
"Yeah OK" agreed Max. "You commin', Kai ?"
This one just opened his eyes and nodded before walking pass them. They sighed dejectedly and followed him.
Suddenly, coming out of nowhere, a little boy bumped into Kai and then took off running without so much as an apology. But he wasn't even two meters away when Kai exclamed :
"Oh shit ! My beyblade !"
Then he whirled around and raced after the kid. With bewildered looks, the other three turned around too and quickly followed Kai.
They ran like that for a good ten minutes, then the kid took a sudden turn and entered the darker lanes of Kyoto, in what seemed to be the low-districts. That didn't stop Kai who simply followed, Ray, Max and Kenny still behind him. After a moment Kai stopped abruptly and Max almost bumped into him, but luckily he was able to stop in time. Ray and Kenny came to stand beside him, panting like crazy. Max was just as out of breath as them, but not Kai apparently. Still panting, Max asked him :
"Kai...? hah... Why... hah... why have you stopped...?"
"I've lost him" Kai simply answered emotionlessly.
"What...?" Ray exclamed.
"I've lost him" Kai repeated.
Then suddenly he punched the wall beside him and said louder :
"I've lost him ! That runt took Dranzer and I've lost him ! Damn it all to hell !"
"Calm down Kai" Kenny said.
But Kai didn't seem to hear. Meanwhile, Max was observing their surroundings, which weren't very welcoming : they were in a dark alley between two huge buildings. They were so tall it was even blocking the sunlight, making the alley even more frightening than it already was. Here and there you could see some dustbins and some old abandoned boxes.
Max shivered. He really didn't want to stay here longer than necessary. He was about to voice his thoughts when something else caught his eye.
"Huh guys..." he said with a trembling voice.
But the others were trying to reason with Kai and didn't hear him right away...
"Come on Kai, he couldn't have gone that far !" Ray was saying.
"Well where is he, then !" Kai ranted.
"Guys..."
"Panicking won't help anything Kai" Kenny started.
"I don't care ! And I'm not panicking !"
"Guys..."
"Yes you are. Now calm down and try to figure out what happened..."
"I know what happened ! That little pest stole my beyblade !"
"Guys !"
"You didn't let me finish. Try to figure out what happened and what we could do about it"
"If I knew that we wouldn't be here arguing !"
"Well maybe it's because we're here arguing that we can't think of any solutions !"
"GUYS !" Max finally shouted.
Startled, they turned to him with annoyed and questioning looks. Max didn't pay attention to it and just said, pointing something behind them :
"I think we have company..."
Slowly, they turned around and gasped, except Kai who just stared in surprise ; there, partially hidden in the shadows, was standing the hooded figure Kai was seeing everywhere lately. He started to wonder if it was stalking him or something...
His stolen beyblade forgotten for a moment, Kai observed their new visitor. The stranger was still wearing the black cape and hood, like every other times, and there wasn't much you could see. However, now that he could look closer, Kai could say that the person was definitely male. Not that it helped that much.
Glancing at his friends, Kai noticed that they looked quite terrified. He started to wonder why but then he remembered that unlike him, it was the first time they were seeing this personage. And he had to admit, meeting a black caped stranger in a dark alley wasn't what you could call reassuring. Calmly he told them :
"Don't worry, this person doesn't mean any harm"
They threw him surprised looks.
"How do you know ?" Ray asked, visibly sceptical.
"I just do"
In fact, Kai himself wasn't sure how he knew it. He just had this strong intuition that whoever that guy was, he woudn't hurt him or his friends. And Kai had learned to trust his intuitions.
The others didn't seem that convinced, but they trusted his word and they relaxed a bit. But when the stranger took a couple of steps toward them, they tensed again. Seeing that, the figure stopped immediately. Whatever passed through its head at that moment, it seemed to come to the conclusion that it had to prove itself trustworthy before it could do anything else. A side of the cape was pushed aside and a hand appeared, holding something securely in its palm. Kai and the others eyed it curiously. The hand opened and a beyblade was revealed.
"Dranzer !" Kai exclamed, recognizing it immediately.
"You think the kid brought it to him ?" asked Max suspiciously.
The hand closed on the beyblade and the figure shook its head negatively. And Kai understood.
"No" he said aloud. "He took it back for me..."
Stunned, the others turned to the stranger to see his reaction. And to their surprise, the person nodded.
"But why ?" asked Kenny.
The figure just turned to Kai and brought Dranzer close to its heart, placing its other hand over it protectively. Then it just handed the beyblade back to the duel-haired boy. Ray and the other two were very confused but Kai, once again, understood...
"Yes" he said while taking his beyblade from the other's hand. "I'll take great care of it. Thank you"
The figure just bowed its head and turned to leave.
"Wait !" Max said. "Who are you ?"
"And why don't you talk to us ?" Kenny asked.
The stranger hesitated. For a moment, it looked like he was about to speak. But finally, he just waved them goodbye and whirled around before dashing off so fast that all they caught was a glimpse of dark cape. Then they were alone in the alley.
They stood frozen for a moment before Ray suddenly exclamed :
"Who the hell was that !"
And inwardly, Kai was torturing himself with the same question.
A/N : So ? Good, bad, stop writing or I'll rip your head off ? Please review !
Ok, now for those who just can't wait anymore, know that Tyson will make his grand appearance in the next chapter ! I know, I know, I took so long to make him reappear... Sorry ! I wanted to make him come in this chapter but I realized that maybe it was better to show some of the other characters before. I kinda neglected them... Oh well, now it's done. Please Ty/Ka lovers don't kill me yet ! It's coming, it's coming...
See you in the next chappie !
