Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade or anything involved in its creation.

Chapter 2: Merry Go Round

"No Beyblade?! Isn't this a training camp?!" Tyson's ready to explode. Okay, so he IS exploding.

"Tyson calm down…" My attempt to balance him out, bitterly, but hey, I still know my duty.

"Calm down?! You calm down!" He's not convinced. I leave, having given my two cents on the matter and taken all of Tyson that I could for the moment. Max takes over the responsibility as two councilors start to get ready to defend if he attacks. What he'd attack, I'm not sure…maybe the sign he had just discovered as we all were getting off the bus.

"It's just a precaution to preserve the safety of the campers," one of the councilors tries to explain. Tyson seems to be ignoring them though as he continues his outburst and Max continues to restrain him verbally.

"Just forget about it Tyson, we are already here."

"We have designated areas…"

"Designated?!" he processes. "…oh." Tyson's tone drops from yelling. "Well why didn't you say so?!" He laughs. Max laughs. Everyone relaxes. All is well. Haha, great.

Excuse my sarcasm for a moment.

I plop down on a bench and cross my arms as they all rejoice and continue to yammer on in a more joyful tone and enthusiasm. Tyson then starts his usual bragging session of introducing himself to the other campers while Max follows with his own greetings. I, however, am a little too miffed to join in all the excitement.

Kai leans up against the back of the bench, behind me, looking indifferent and unfazed by the outburst and its unsatisfying conclusion. I swear Tyson is right about him, he is a sorcerer. Well okay, so that goes against the principles of reality, but anyone immune to Tyson's drama has some sort of magical powers.

Anyway, I'm ticked. Not because Kai is hovering around me so I can't think straight, but because…well…Tyson.

On the bus ride over, Tyson had gotten excited as food was being passed around to everyone. In the scuffle of trying to obtain everyone else's share he had accidentally thrown my bag out the window. Not my whole bag, just my hiking shoes, my brush, and a few other odds and ends that would make living in the woods for a month less stressful. They wouldn't stop the bus either, telling me that it was probably just my imagination. Tyson had also fallen for that line, not realizing what he had done, or bothering to apologize for it. Not that an apology would help at this point, but it would have been nice.

"Just get used to it," Kai breaks my thoughts. He might be the only one on the bus who knew or actually believed that I had in fact suffered a loss due to Tyson. I dig the heels of my slippers into the dirt and growl but he continues to try and comfort me, for whatever reason. "At least you have something to wear." Then he walks away before I can question his response. There had been something in it that was somehow cryptic. I could just tell.

"Hey wait! What does that…?" Grr, he's already gone. At least my anger had temporarily distracted me from my other thoughts involving Kai. I nearly forgot about the bottle of soda I had dropped on the bus that had gotten me several angry stares from the bus driver and a warning that I would be cleaning it up before it got hot and made everything sticky, all because Kai said I looked good in ordinary clothes.

I had opted not to wear my traditional Chinese dress and had packed things that were more modern so I would fit in better. All of us had in fact. We didn't want to be noticed too excessively considering that we weren't the only ones there. The only one who couldn't really pull off "blending in" was Max. You can get the boy to change his clothes but you can't get him to stop dressing like a fluorescent safety cone.

Of course Tyson took discretion right out of meeting new people by announcing to everyone EXACTLY who he was. I had a feeling I would spend a lot of time angry this summer. It seemed somewhat helpful though. Maybe if I stayed angry all the time I wouldn't have any more issues. That just seems unfair though. To me AND to my friends.

I'm left pondering what I am going to do when a cry breaks out catching everyone's attention. Well, more of a shriek really, but not from any of us. Unless Max suddenly turned into a girl without me knowing. Wait, a girl?

I look up and to my surprise it's not Max but is, in fact, a girl. Who invited them? The brochure was very specific about it being all boys. Did they change the rules?

As for why she was shrieking, well I'll give you two guesses. Yeah. So you won't need two. Tyson.

While jumping around in his greetings he had discovered a mud hole that had suctioned off his shoe (ah Karma). As he was flailing to catch his balance he had grabbed onto whatever was nearest to him, the girl. Now they were both tangled together and covered in mud. Several gasps were released and a few other girls who were standing a bit further ahead, back away in horror, clinging to each other as if Tyson is some sort of monster. Confusing…this is normal Tyson behavior. Nothing out of the *SMACK*…ow, that had to hurt…

"Hey! What was that for?!" I can't help but wince as Tyson (still in the mud) nurses his face, which has just been slapped, hard, by the girl, right before she scrambled away and the two councilors who were monitoring us had rushed in to separate them.

"Don't TOUCH me!" she cries as she returns to her friends. The looks on their faces went from horror to disgust rather quickly and Tyson just rubs his face in confusion.

"Geez, it's not like I wanted to…" he blurts out bitterly. She freezes and whips around to go back for another hit but her friends and the councilors stop her before she gets too far.

"Calm down, Sarah. He's not worth getting sent to isolation." Sound advice. I think? She huffs and spins around again, complaining about the mud on her clothes as they continue down the path. Max moves in to help Tyson up and to retrieve Tyson's lost shoe, which is still somewhere in the mud. Whoever said that vengeance wasn't the answer, obviously didn't know how it feels. Hahaha *cough*

"Hn." I catch a smirk from Kai who is now on the other side of the walkway, starting to head in the direction the others are all going. The way he catches my eye makes me think he read my thoughts and I advert my eyes.

We have always seemed to have this silent communication between us. It was something that the other guys didn't seem to share with him, or me, if I think about. It was something special we had together. Maybe it was a part of the reason why I felt such a connection to him. That and he seemed to share a lot of my feelings and sentiments.

Like now.

As Tyson and Max are tumbling back down into the mud, instead of helping, he tosses me another look that says 'now you are even' before grabbing his bag and continuing on. I actually wouldn't be surprised if he had enjoyed that spectacle (or created it) but too many people would notice such malice, especially after the incident with that girl having happened. Which, quite frankly, I am still confused about. A girl?

From the looks of it, the shoe wasn't coming up that easily either. If it did, he would have quite a time cleaning it out so maybe it was justice for me. I'm still mad though…

The head councilor arrives at the scene and rolls his eyes, throwing his head back in a 'why me?' manner before going to dig the two boys out.

"What's wrong with those girls? I didn't do anything weird. Why are they here anyway?" Tyson is still muttering as the mess is sorted out.

"We have rules here. Breaking boundary rules is one of our most highly disciplined. Girls are not permitted to interact with boys on a physical level. That's why we separate them for activities. But it will all be explained at the welcome meeting. We have to get you cleaned up quickly so we don't miss it," the head councilor instructs the other two on what to do next and they usher the rest of us ahead so that Tyson and Max can get cleaned up without interrupting the flow of things.

"I didn't do it on purpose…" I hear Tyson go on as I stand to follow their instructions.

"Rules are rules."

And we learned just how many "rules" there really were. A lot more than any of us could ever have anticipated. No fighting. No swimming in the lake. No hanging out behind the recreation building. No travelling alone. No skipping activities. No skipping meals. Clean the cabins every morning for inspection. Dress inspection. No eating outside. No going out after dark. No interacting physically with girls. No phones. No reading unless it's during Mass or pertaining to it…and a bunch more that I stopped listening to.

It was like if there was an action you could think of, there was a rule for it. There was free time in the afternoons for us to relax and do whatever we wanted within their limits, but everything else was a strict regime of activities. It was kind of scary actually. This wasn't what I had expected at all and not exactly what I had considered the "fun" Max had described to us. If they could force us to fake happiness during activities I am sure they would have tried.

Punishment for disobeying rules was like an exaggerated "time out". First offense was returning to your own cabin until called upon. Second offense was sitting with the chief councilor for a lecture and some type of detention or therapy. Third offense, isolation.

Isolation was a scary word for a cabin out alone in the woods that was locked from the outside with no way out. It was also the first offense punishment for anything involving any of the rules pertaining to the physical interactions (of boys) with girls or fighting. They had separate ones for boys and girls but it seemed like the girls were never held at fault for anything. It was almost like being born a guy was against the rules which put me on edge a little just being here…

Did I mention Mass? I think I did. Yeah… We had to attend Mass every morning after breakfast and every night before bed. This, of course, threw all of us for a loop.

"What?! What kind of joke is this?" Tyson finally joining us. Not that any of us had anything against religion, we just weren't expecting it here. And even though Tyson had returned to the group a while ago (one shoe less) he had been yammering on about planes to one of the other campers he had met while cleaning up. He finally seemed to tune in to what else was going on around him and he seemed to be at his best for outbursts today. "You've got to be kidding me…" He exchanges looks with Max who just shrugs as Tyson goes about digging through his bag for the brochure.

His actions are ignored as the director goes on about cafeteria rules. Girls go first, proper dinner etiquette, blah, blah, blah… Maybe they shoulda just made it an all-girls camp.

"Hn, I'm sure they've tried," Kai, on my right. I turn to him and blink. Had I said that out loud?

Actually I am surprised he's so calm. All these rules have everyone pretty upset, but he seems completely unmoved by them. Did he know something we didn't?

"This doesn't bother you?" I ask casually.

It is then that Tyson finds the brochure and lets out a startled gasp as the brochure falls open and becomes two. He pales. I'm taken aback. I have never seen Tyson…pale…before. He's usually pretty tough.

It's then that I catch the dilemma and I drop my arms (which had been crossed as I had been relaxing while zoning out) and sit up straighter.

One brochure, the one we had all been looking at for the past few weeks, had been folded over another. This one was labelled "Rise Again Christian Fellowship Camp" with a picture on it that looked quite a lot like the building we were in right now. Huh. Fancy that…

"Oh…my…God…" This gets several glares and angry looks from the people around us within earshot of Tyson's low realization. "Max!" He pushes the blonde to get his attention. "When your mom made the reservation do you think she…?" Max takes the brochures and thinks this over carefully.

"Hmm, they must have been stuck together. My mom has brochures from everywhere." He shrugs as if it is no big deal, not really affirming anything but not denying it either.

"But Max, do you know what this means?" Tyson tries to get a stronger reaction from him. Max's face twists into thinking but he still seems as nonchalant as ever.

But I'm not. Not only are we stuck in the middle of nowhere at the wrong camp, with no way to return for almost two months, with rules so numerous and strict that even a saint couldn't remember them all, but…no, that's about it. We're totally at the wrong summer camp!

"They even split us up!" Tyson's still exploding twenty minutes after the meeting has been let out and for about the 50th time since discovering our location. He flops down on a bunk anyway, tossing his bag underneath it and claiming it as his. I silently sigh in relief as I take the last vacant bunk across from him. It's a top bunk so I won't be noticed as easily by other and Tyson in PJ's was a lot less troublesome than Kai. Although I had been sleeping next to Kai for many years now. Not so much recently because of my dreams. I still wasn't sure how to deal with THAT quite yet either.

Being in a church camp would make things a bit more complicated. Since well, if anyone noticed, it could end quite badly for me. Since Kai was off in a completely different cabin, there was a bigger chance that we wouldn't run into each other as much. So, my plan to separate my feelings was coming along nicely without his shadowing interference. I now had the option of approaching him when I was ready to confront everything and was not being forced into it by our close proximity to each other all the time.

Only problem with this new development was that I would be inclined to be Tyson's entertainment, since Max was also in that other cabin. This task could be easy or hard, depending mainly on Tyson's mood. I think my summer just somehow got longer. Long and angry, this was all going great so far.

"It's not that bad Tyson. Rules aside, it is still summer camp. The activities they have planned DO help with training and skill. There are plenty of things to do to pass the time and enjoy yourself. And the people seem really nice," my second attempt to cheer him up today. I tried harder this time. Although I am having trouble believing myself right now.

DO they seem nice?

The few we had met had seemed somewhat traumatized by Tyson's frolics so far.

It doesn't really matter as long as Tyson believes it. I was hoping to get lucky and pawn him off on some other poor defenseless person (victim) who didn't know him the way I do. When did I start hating Tyson so much? I feel like everything about me is messed up these days…

"Speak for yourself Ray, this bites! I can't believe someone like Max's mom could make such a mistake! She seems so much smarter than that." He buries his face in his pillow.

I sigh.

The first day was a meet and greet kind of day. The whole day was open to do as we liked (within the limits) and to get to know our fellow bunkmates. Two of the said bunkmates had already left the cabin to find the game room and meet their other friends, leaving the other two to settle in and watch Tyson's frustration grow.

Since Tyson seemed determined to be miserable and I was still a bit off from the shoe incident, I thought it might be a good time to try out my new camera. Kenny had shown me how to use it properly and we had purchased a charger so it was all ready to record our happy misadventures.

I open my bag in anticipation and find…clothes. Well of course those are in there. But where is my camera? Tyson regains interest in me as I dump my bag out and shuffle through the contents on the bed.

"Lose something?" he asks, sitting up.

"My camera…it's gone…?" Had it been in the bag with my other things? I had been pretty sure that it was in THIS bag. The other bag was my last minute things I had packed for emergency and convenience. I was sure my camera was in here. I swear, if Tyson threw my camera out the window with my bag, I may never forgi…

"They take anything electronic," a boy interrupts my thoughts from his position below me. I look down at him confused.

"Where? And when? My bag was with me the whole time…" Especially since after Tyson lost my first one I wasn't losing the rest. No way would he fool me twice!

The boy shrugs.

"It's a stupid rule but they want everyone to be faithful. Besides, there is nowhere to plug it in." The other boy left in the room with us nods.

Now that he mentions it, there really wasn't anything electronic around except the lights. Not even a vacuum. We had to use brooms and dustpans. I wonder how the girls dealt with that little inconvenience. Hair dryers had become something I was familiar with because of Hilary always hanging around. Well, kind of embarrassing, but after being introduced, I kinda started to use one too. With hair as thick as mine it was quite a blessing. I would never tell anyone though.

Oh great, I lost my brush AND I can't use a hair dryer? What is happening to my life right now?

"They take them during the bus ride. You'll get it back when you go home," he says.

"Faithful? To what? And how would a camera make me…stray?" I look between them in confusion. The first boy just shrugs again.

"Like I said, it's a stupid rule." He gets up from the bunk and turns to Tyson. "So you guys came here as a mistake?" he asks and Tyson just nods. The other boy follows him as they move across the room and closer to Tyson. "I'm Daniel. This is my brother Shawn." Tyson shakes their hands as they are offered.

"Tyson, and this is Ray." I just nod as they extend their greetings towards me.

"We only come here because our parents force us to. They think it will help save our souls or something," Daniel rolls his eyes and Shawn laughs a little. Tyson sighs and drops back to the mattress. "I heard you say you Beyblade?" All three of them brighten at this and Tyson is instantly rejuvenated, jumping back up.

"Yeah, you bet!" He's already grabbing out his blade to show them.

They join him in awe and excitement as they return the gesture. I smile as challenges are exchanged and Tyson is happily carried away by his new 'friends'.

"Wanna see if you can beat me?" Oh you poor child. When do they ever learn…?

"You can try but nobody beats my Dragoon! Come on Ray!" He jumps up and they all clamber for the door to find the 'designated area' for beyblading. Score! Operation 'lose Tyson' has worked out much easier than I had anticipated. Next, operation 'meditation' can begin!

"I'll…catch up later. I'm kinda tired after the long ride and I have to clean up the mess I just made."

"Okay! See ya later!" Their excited chatter leaves the cabin and I am finally wrapped up in the silence I had been wanting from the beginning. I begin folding up my clothes and replacing them in my bag when I come upon my own blade.

Driger…

I hadn't played publically since the last time I had embarrassed myself, faltering all over like an amateur during the last tournament just because Kai had met my eyes. I'd started leaving for private practices after that, always having some sort of excuse appropriate for missing them. The tournament was over and we weren't preparing for the new one just yet, but I still wanted to keep myself sharp. It was because the tournament was over that nobody really questioned me. I can't keep doing THAT forever. Things had to change.

"I've got to get myself under control," I ordered myself.

"The others go out?" a voice interrupted my pep talk to myself.

"Uh, yeah. I guess so." I guess so? Since when was that a guess? Come on Ray…

"I'm Chris. I'll be in charge of this cabin." He holds out his hand. Greetings seemed so formal here…

I slip Driger back into the safety of my bag and take it.

"Ray."

"Well Ray, why don't we go and find where the others went off to? No fun just sitting here alone all day. I'll show you around."

Not wanting to create any problems, I take him up on his offer. It is always nice to know your surrounding when dealing with unfamiliar territory anyway. And this was definitely high on the list of 'unfamiliar'. Tyson's complaints aside, this was going to be one interesting summer.

A/N: I apologize if anyone religious happens to read this and gets offended. I purposely exaggerated the religion factor because it (to me) can seem over the top sometimes. I grew up in a religious house and actually based this camp after a camp I had attended myself so anything pertaining to practices, with the exception or the isolation cabin (Parent Trap-yeah I don't own that either) was just exaggerated truth. I didn't mean anything derogatory and hope it is taken all in good fun. I had an awesome time at camp and hope that I could share some of the experiences, exaggerated or not. It was important to my plot to set it up this way.

Also, any characters that aren't from beyblade are completely fictitious. They aren't based off of anyone and don't particularly have any true meaning except to fill holes. Thanks for reading!