Hey guys, I'm updating another story I haven't updated in practically two years. Sad, I know, but I'm planning to stay up as late as possible tonight to bang out as many chapters as I can for this. I haven't touched this in literally forever, and there was never a set plot, so I still don't know where it's going, so that's fun. To anyone wondering about Pretty Little Liars MFB Style, as of right now there will not be a sequel. It took me long enough to get that story out to begin with, and I periodically lost interest, so starting up a new story for that probably isn't the best idea. Anyway, my goal is to finish this story next, and hopefully finish up a new one I have in the works.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed/read this fic during its long hiatus.

I don't own Metal Fight Beyblade.

The door slammed shut. Hikaru looked up and saw Sophie come into the living room.

"Where were you? You missed the sunset."

"No, I saw it," Sophie paused. "I was with Wales."

"You were with Wales?" Mei Mei came flying down the stairs faster than anyone thought possible. Madoka was right on her heels as well. "What happened?"

"Nothing."

"Oh, c'mon, tell us!" Madoka pushed.

"No, that's it. Nothing happened," Sophie said in a monotone voice. She sighed. "I really thought he was going to kiss me."

"What? Wait, back up, what did we miss?" Hikaru asked.

"He brought me to this cliff with an amazing view. Then- I don't know- the sun was setting and I thought he was going to kiss me, but he didn't!"

"But-" Mei Mei was aghast. "How-"

"I don't know," Sophie interrupted. "But I'm really tired and I'm going to take a shower."

As she walked up the stairs, Hikaru whispered to the others, "I knew she liked him."

The other girls nodded their agreement.

"They'll get together," Madoka said with certainty. "Maybe not right away, but they will."

Sophie let the water drown out her thoughts as best she could. She'd honestly thought Wales was going to kiss her- what had changed?

He'd been so close to her, the moment had been absolutely perfect as the sun set in front of them. It was like something out of a romance novel, for crying out loud! It would've been the perfect setting for a first kiss.

But for some reason, it hadn't worked out that way.

She stared up at the showerhead, allowing the water to trickle down her face. She felt dangerously close to tears, although she couldn't possibly understand why. It was ridiculous for her to let herself get so wrapped up in a boy. A stupid, teenage infatuation that she'd probably forget all about in a few months.

Except she didn't want to forget.

Wales meant a lot to her. He was exactly what she wanted in a boyfriend. Sophie pushed her hair back. The past few days with him had been so much fun.

Sophie let the tears fall. It was useless to try and stop them. Besides, this was the only time to herself she would get. It was best to let it all out now while she had the chance.

Wales probably didn't even feel the same way about her. She'd imagined the whole thing, that had to be it. Her mind was playing tricks on her, manipulating the situation to one that fit with what she wanted.

But he'd touched her hand, hadn't he? That couldn't have been an accident, no way. It was entirely purposeful, it had to be. Sophie groaned. She was looking way too deeply into it.

She glanced out the small window in the shower. The world outside was dark, the stars barely visible from where she stood. She tried to smile, but couldn't quite manage it.

Even if things didn't work out the way she wanted them to with Wales, she still had her three best friends. They were with her to the end, that was for sure. They'd support her no matter what happened. If things didn't go right with Wales, she would still have them. She wasn't alone. This summer would be one to remember, regardless of what happened. They were in the tropics, having the time of their lives. So far, everything had been going great.

She shut off the shower.

Just because things hadn't gone the way she had hoped tonight didn't mean it would always be that way. She needed to remember that. There was always more to consider. She couldn't let one little detail ruin her whole summer.

Toweling her hair off as she stepped out of the shower, she hardened her resolve. The summer wasn't over yet, and she still had time.

She'd figure out how Wales really felt about her, even if she didn't like the truth.

XxxxxxxxX

Mei Mei stared at the figure on the beach.

He was always, always, surrounded by girls.

She hated it.

Mei Mei had been nursing her crush on Chao Xin for months now. When she'd initially found out he was staying in the other half of the duplex, her heart had soared with excitement. None of the other girls from school were around, and her friends certainly weren't going to move in to poach her crush.

She should have known better.

No matter where he went, females were always going to instinctively flock toward him. It was a constant, like gravity. Impossible to deny, and impossible to forget about. Well, at least on this planet.

Maybe if she got him on a different planet she'd actually have a chance.

Mei Mei laughed out loud at the thought from where she stood on the balcony. She was being utterly ridiculous. As if that would ever happen!

The water looked nice, inviting and moving at a slow ripple. She ran back inside to change back into her bathing suit for the second time that day. How could she resist?

Madoka and Hikaru had gone to some of the touristy shops earlier and Sophie had been absent. Mei Mei had no idea where she could have gone, but the other girl had been slightly distant since she'd come back after the sunset that night. Mei Mei didn't want to bother her.

Sophie would bounce back sooner or later. She always did.

Besides, Mei Mei couldn't possibly give up this chance. The atmosphere was gorgeous, something she couldn't say after the past few days. An unwelcome storm had rolled in, and the water had been uncomfortably cold for such a sunny area. She needed to take advantage of the opportunity.

And, though she hated to admit it, she wouldn't be distracted by Chao Xin if she was out in the ocean. She wouldn't have to face the beach, to see the upsetting scene of him flirting with girl after girl.

Being attracted to a player was such a pain.

Leaving her towel behind, she left a note for her friends on the whiteboard on the back of the door. She'd doubted they would get back before her, but they had made a habit of trying to keep up with where everyone was going. Sophie had left a note, but it just said "out", wherever that meant. Mei Mei hoped she would get out of her slump soon and properly enjoy the summer.

Mei Mei raced down the beach, pushing through the waves. The water felt wonderful against her, taking away the heat of the day. Chao Xin and his girls had moved further down the beach, allowing her to be on her own and relax.

The waves slapped against her lightly, carrying her out away from the shore, but not far enough for her to be alarmed. The beach house was still well in her range of view. She'd drifted to the left a little, but again not far enough for concern. A few other random people had been in the water and along the beach, but they'd become fewer and fewer in number. Mei Mei frowned. That was strange. It was practically perfect outside- she couldn't imagine why people would be leaving.

A whitish figure near the shore caught her attention. It was a distance away, far enough that Mei Mei couldn't tell what it was, but she was still intrigued by it. She started to move closer, keeping track of where she was going.

It wavered near some of the rocks, then vanished.

Mei Mei blinked. That was strange. Had it been some sort of bird? Maybe it just flew away. She couldn't ignore the feeling that the figure had been much too large to be a bird.

Moving back toward the shore, she approached the rocks. They were empty, save a few soda cans someone had been too lazy to dispose of. She checked out the area, even moving several rocks aside.

It didn't look as though anyone had been there, not even a bird. The only footprints belonged to her. The tide was still low, so there was no chance for any trace of any animal to have been washed away.

If that was the case, then what had she seen?

Shaking her head, Mei Mei took one last look around the area, surveying what she could. There was a small cliff above her, with a rocky wall. Someone could have climbed up that, but it would've taken some time. Whatever she had seen had vanished.

Mei Mei walked back into the sea, unsure of what to think. She didn't pay attention to the dark storm clouds rolling back in, nor did she look back at the cliff. Above her, something watched as she slipped beneath the waves.

The beach house came back into view within minutes. She peered up at the beach, peeved when she saw the harem had returned. They were right next to the house, near the girls' half. She sighed. There was no going back in now.

"Hey, Mei Mei!" A voice called. She stiffened.

Mei Mei recognized the voice, having wished time and time again it would call her name as it had just done. Only its owner had chosen the most inopportune time to do so.

"What do you want?" She called from the water, annoyed.

"What's with the attitude?"

"I'm trying to enjoy myself," Mei Mei rolled her eyes. She did enjoy having his attention, she had to admit.

"Mind if we join?"

Not bothering to answer, she swam away, back toward the rocks where she had seen the mysterious figure.

XxxxxxX

Hikaru opened the door of the condo. "Hello?" She called. Madoka followed her inside, and shut the door, noting the changes to the whiteboard.

"Mei Mei went down to the beach. It says she'll be back soon," Madoka read. "And Sophie's out, too."

Hikaru placed her shopping bags on the couch. She hadn't bought much, only a few small souvenirs to bring back with her. She wanted to ration her money as long as she could. Spending it all at once on the trip would be foolish.

"What do you want to do until then?" Hikaru asked.

Madoka shrugged. "I'm going to relax for now. I'm exhausted. What do you think we should make for dinner?"

Hikaru glanced at the connecting door. "First, I think we should try to get back our hamburgers." She tested the door, finding it locked as always, then headed toward the back deck.

As she'd expected, the door to the boy's half of the condo was unlocked. She opened it tentatively, then looked inside. Fortunately, the condo looked to be empty. She stepped inside, hoping her luck would hold.

Making her way to the kitchen, she opened up the freezer. Much to her chagrin, the hamburgers had already been opened, but there were still several left. That would have to do. Taking them in her hands, she stood up and shut the door, then froze.

"Are you sure you should be doing that?"

Hikaru turned, only to see Ryuga looking directly at her. His arms were folded, but he didn't seem angry.

"They were ours to begin with," she countered.

Ryuga waved her off, heading upstairs. "Do what you want."

Hikaru watched him go, confused. Deciding not to question it any further at the moment, she ran out to the deck, and back to the safety of her own half of the duplex.

Madoka grinned at the sight of the hamburgers. "Perfect. Did anyone catch you?"

"Not exactly," Hikaru glanced sideways. Madoka had already started up the stove, so she didn't elaborate any further. There would be time for that later.

Hikaru started making a salad while Madoka worked on the hamburgers. Half an hour later, they'd set the table, and were waiting for their friends to return.

The front door opened, revealing Sophie. The girl's hair was soaking wet, covering her eyes. She shook her head, sending water droplets everywhere. She joined Madoka and Hikaru at the table.

"There's a storm out there."

"Again?" Madoka frowned. "That's not exactly normal for this time of year."

"Tell that to the rain," Sophie smiled slightly. "Where's Mei Mei?" She looked around the room.

"She went down to the beach," Hikaru responded, then frowned. "Actually, she should be back by now, especially if it's raining out there."

"Maybe she's with the guys or something," Madoka suggested doubtfully. She stood up, heading for the balcony. The other girls followed.

They knocked on the door, it having been locked since Hikaru's earlier visit. It opened, revealing a scowling Kyoya. Sophie peeked inside, noticing Masamune, Gingka, and Ryuga on the couch, but no sign of Wales. He must have been upstairs, she assumed.

"What do you want?" Kyoya asked. "In case you haven't noticed, it's raining."

"We know," Hikaru matched his tone. "We want to know if Mei Mei's over here. She went to the beach earlier, and she hasn't come back.

"Well she's not here. Sorry."

Chao Xin appeared in the doorway. "I saw her down there about an hour ago. She was swimming."

"Was it raining then?"

He shook his head. "No, the weather was fine." His face paled. "You mean she hasn't come back yet?"

Thunder rolled across the beach, followed by a sharp flash of lightning. It lit up the sky, illuminating the seriousness of the situation they'd suddenly found themselves in.