Chapter Sixteen

The night went by faster than I had hoped and the next thing I knew it was morning. I shifted and rubbed my eye as I yawned only to lightly hit Max's arm, which was lightly hung around my waist. I smiled at the warmth radiating from him and yawned again. Last night was a perfect way for me to take my mind off of today's battle.

Max and I ended up ordering a pizza and watching a movie (The Notebook, of all movies he picks that one!). The others left us alone but Tyson continually barged in a couple of times begging for some pizza. I didn't mind but could tell that Max was getting even more annoyed each time Tyson came in. Ray managed to divert Tyson's attention by promising to make him whatever he asked for.

Once the movie was over we just stayed up talking. We talked about how he dealt with his parents' divorce, what made him start blading, and what he wanted to accomplish with his skills. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with what Max had to say. People kept telling me that Max, being the youngest of the group (besides me), usually didn't look past the 'now' and into the future but he had a good head on his shoulders.

And then we kissed. Thank god he wasn't my first or else that would have been embarrassing. We just kissed and kissed and kissed. Max is a good kisser but…I didn't really feel anything. I guess I should have said something to him but...kissing is what teenagers do, right? This was normal and I didn't want to hrt his feelings… I guess we just fell asleep after kissing for so long and here we are now, lying down on the couch.

I lifted his arm and slid off of the couch, careful not to wake him up. Running my fingers through my hair I shuffled into the kitchen to get something to eat before Tyson stormed in on one of his many pre-battle rampages.

"Sleep well?" I jumped and practically clawed my way to the top of the refrigerator in shock. I looked around and then noticed that Ray was sitting at the kitchen table, drinking some tea, a mischievous look was in his amber eyes.

"Jesus, Kon, you're going to give me a heart attack," I mumbled, jumping down from the stool I landed on.

"The lack of oxygen you received last night probably did that for me," he commented airily.

"I…you…you spied," I spluttered. I growled under my breath when I felt my cheeks turning red.

"I didn't have to," he replied, picking up his little mug. I lifted an eyebrow as he took a sip of his tea and carefully put it down. "With Tyson's big mouth and having to know everything that goes around this place it was only a matter of time until news spread."

"Huh." I went to the refrigerator and mumbled under my breath when I saw that there weren't really good choices left. Leave it to Tyson to have a midnight snack every night. Sighing, I grabbed the loaf of bread and decided to make toast with cinnamon sugar on top. "You might as well ask me the burning question that's on your mind," I told him, hating the burning feeling I was getting on my forehead.

"How was your night?" He asked. I stopped and looked at him. That's it? How was your night? He didn't want to know anything else? But then again I should've known, Ray wasn't open to barge into someone else's business unless he was invited in.

"Fun," I replied, putting butter on the bread and then dumping cinnamon sugar on top. I then put it into the toaster which worked like a normal oven. "I needed fun considering…" I didn't have to finish my sentence; Ray knew what I was talking about.

He nodded and then a teasing smile graced his lips. "Which part was more fun: the movie or the kissing?"

I really wanted to throw the knife that was in my hand at him but I stopped myself. He was just teasing, that's all. Nothing to get all jumpy about… "That I'm not going to tell you," I replied, putting the bread back into the 'fridge. "Besides, it's not like this is going to last long. I just needed something to take my attention away for a bit."

Ray raised his eyebrows. "Does Maxie know that?" It almost sounded funny the way Ray called Max 'Maxie'. He was the only one he gave a nickname to. Tyson was hard to find one and if you gave Kai a nickname he'd probably kill you before you could even utter it.

"Sure." I nodded. Then paused. "I think." Then I sighed. "I hope." I noticed his questioning gaze. "I like Max, I really do, it's just…" What? What was the problem?

"Not as much as he likes you, though," he summed up.

"Do you live in my brain?" I joked, turning back to my breakfast as soon as the bell dinged.

"No, you're just easy to figure out." He paused and his eyes squinted slightly in that way that he was carefully choosing his words before speaking. "I think you need to figure out what's going on between you two and make sure it's clear. The last thing you want is for this to be serious when you're not totally into it."

I waved off his comment. "It's not serious," I said firmly and then took a bite of my breakfast, smiling at the sweet taste that filled my mouth.

"Does he know that?"

"Ray, you're worrying about nothing," I sighed. "Nothing's going on between us and nothing will go on between us. It was just a night of harmless fun." Then I added for good measure, "Besides, I'm engaged, remember?"

Ray laughed a little. "Like you actually listen to that rule."

"In this case, I just might."

"Tyson." Max grabbed his arm and stopped him from pacing the hallway. He stopped and looked up at Max, his mahogany eyes were filled with determination but worry as well. I felt for him. The whole Beyblading game rested on our shoulders. If we didn't win...we were finished, our lives were practically over. "It'll be OK," Max told him. "We'll get through this. Just concentrate on one battle at a time."

"Max is right," Ray agreed. "You shouldn't psyche yourself out, dude. We've got your back."

Tyson sighed and let out a smile. "Thanks guys, I really appreciate it."

I tilted my head as the sound of cheering got louder. "Sounds like it's time," I said, pushing myself off of the wall I had been leaning against. "Kenny, is your computer up and ready?"

He nodded. "Gave it a good charge last night."

"Good luck, guys," Hilary said with a smile.

"Thanks Hil," Tyson said with a grin. "Come on guys."

I watched them walk off down the hall before turning and running to catch up with Mariah and the others. We made it out to the top portion of our seating section right as the G Revolutions entered the stadium.

"Please give it up for the World Champion Tyson and his G Revolutions!" DJ Jazzman announced while they walked in. "OK, let's see who's on your team."

"Oh, like you don't already know them," Mariah muttered under her breath.

"Don't shoot the announcer, it's his job," I scolded her.

Her cheeks puffed up. "Yeah, well, he could do a better job of it!"

I laughed. "I agree with you there.

"There's, uh, there's Ray! And I see Max and little Daichi," DJ Jazzman announced. "And team captain Tyson of course and, hey! Wait a second...So, what're you guys trying to pull here?" He demanded. I looked around as the crowd started to boo and jeer. I clenched my teeth. DJ Jazzman was putting them in such a bad light! They didn't deserve it! "Ok, Tyson, your little stunt' over. You mind telling everyone who your fifth blader is? And hurry up, we're waiting!"

"I knew Tyson should've chosen someone else," Lee grumbled. "Now no one will take us seriously."

"We...call him Mr. X," Tyson announced.

"He's gotta be joking," I mumbled.

"Excuse me?" DJ Jazzman uttered.

"Hey! I said his name is Mr. X! And he's sitting over there!" Tyson announced, pointing at the person sitting next to Hilary and Kenny. I leaned forward and got a closer look. Oh for the love of...Please tell me that's not....I covered my face and groaned. Grandpa Granger was sitting on the bench with some sort of wrestling mask over his face. This is what happens when we try to get Tyson to come up with a plan!

"Grrr, how dare they laugh at our team?" Rick bellowed and tried to jump over the edge of the rows in front of him.

"Take it easy Rick, don't pop a vein," Michael said while grabbing onto the bigger, older man to keep him from jumping.

"Would you just please sit down?" Mariah huffed in Rick's direction.

I tensed when Boris started to speak. My fingers gripped the edge of the row while he laughed at Tyson. That son of a bitch. How dare he think that we couldn't take them on with one blader down? We were a force to be recognized. How dare he belittle us. I looked around at the crowd that started to praise Boris. They didn't even know what kind of monster he was.

I jumped on top of the section and Mariah grabbed my wrist. "What're you doing?" Mariah demanded. "Get down!"

"No! I can't sit by and let Boris use some lame propaganda against them! I have to do something," I replied, wrenching my wrist out of her grasp. "Hey Tyson!" I yelled, cupping my hand over my mouth. He looked in our direction and locked eyes with me. I raced down the section of seating, using any free space i could squeeze into, jumping over people's heads before i jumped onto the stadium floor and rushed over to him.

"Uh? What's up?" He asked.

"I'll be your fifth blader," I replied, surprised that the words even came out of my mouth. It shocked the others as well because they were looking at me with wide eyes. Ray especially.

"I can't ask you to do that," he said, shaking his head.

"Good thing you didn't ask then," I replied with a chuckle. "You're still waiting for Kai, right?" I asked. A hurt look flitted across his eyes before it disappeared altogether. "I don't even have to launch my blade, I'll hold his place until he comes, OK? Besides, it's not like I actually can blade with this arm so I can sit out until my time comes up. Just as long as the team has five members."

He nodded slowly and put a hand on my shoulder. "Thanks."

I grinned. "Anytime."

"Whoa, looks like the G Revolutions have come up with their fifth member," DJ Jazzman announced. "Everyone, give it up for newcomer Crystal Manning." I scoffed at the boos that spread through the crowd. They didn't matter, the only one that did was standing in the presidential box. "Now it's time to introduce the starting blader for today!"

"Alright guys, it looks like this is it," Tyson said over the noise of the crowd as the BEGA bladers got ready for the battle. "I want you all to give everything you've got in there."

"We wouldn't give anything less," I pointed out as I sat down on the bench and stretched my good arm above my head. Having my other arm in a sling was really starting to take a toll on my nerves, but as long as I didn't have to stop balding all together, I was fine.

"And starting out for the BEGA bladers is," DJ Jazzman said before he turned to the big screen. Some pictures flashed on it before they stopped and rested on the blue haired, Pop Sensation, Ming-Ming.

"Oh come on!" I groaned as I rolled my eyes.

"Oh no! You can't be serious! Anyone but her!" Daichi cried out in shock when he realized that she was going to compete against him. I looked around in shock when Ming-Ming's fans started to giver her encouragement. Max, Tyson, and Daichi all had annoyed looks on their faces and Ray's face was void of any emotion. Hilary was seething with anger and Kenny seemed to be head over heels. I cringed when her face appeared on the big screen.

"Hi!" Ming-Ming said in a bubbly voice. "Thanks everybody! I'm going to do my very best for each one of you!" She waved to the cheering crowd as she giggled.

"Just watch yourself," Garland told her in a serious tone. "Don't get too confident. This could be a tough match to win. Daichi might not look like much but he's actually quite powerful."

"So am I!" Ming-Ming protested. "Don't let this pretty face fool you. I mean, my blading record speaks for itself, doesn't it?"

"Oh please," I muttered under my breath as I shook my head and rolled my eyes. DJ Jazzman revealed the dish as the Hestia Stadium and Kenny confirmed that there were no booby traps, which was good in our case because we knew there was no way Boris could cheat.

"All right! I'll be back in a minute, after I knock that girl's blade right out of there!" Daichi declared as he started to move towards the dish.

"Hey Daichi, watch it!" Tyson called after him. "Don't be fooled by her looks. Boris hand picked her, remember? She's a BEGA blader so she'll probably play dirty."

"Ming-Ming wouldn't do that!" Kenny suddenly cried out as we turned to look at him. "You don't know her!"

"And you do?" Ray questioned as he lifted an eyebrow.

"Listen, I know Ming-Ming. She would never fight dirty. I know her! She's pure of heart. The kindest, gentlest creature of all. Ming-Ming doesn't have a sneaky bone in her entire body."

"Are you sure?" Hilary asked. "She works for Boris."

"Yeah, what makes you think she's so pure anyway?" I added as I glanced over at him.

"Because I have evidence." He then proceeded to pull out a copy of Ming-Ming's CD and went into a speech about how her lyrics proved that she wasn't sneaky and that she would never use tricks.

"Well, maybe she is on the level," Ray spoke up. "But there's always a chance that Boris is up to something."

"Yeah, that's right," Tyson agreed. "We still have to watch ourselves. This is a competition."

"I guess so," Kenny admitted. "But be nice to Ming-Ming," he quickly added.

"Sure, whatever you say," Ray said with a laugh.

"At least this battle would give us a good idea of what the BEGA strategy is going to be," I pointed out.

"Kenny, we need you to analyze all the battle data," Tyson said as he turned to him.

"I'm all ready on it," he responded as he positioned his camera on the dish. The battle started off in an interesting way. I hate to admit it but Ming-Ming was a good blader, in her own way although she was very annoying. Daichi seemed pretty confident about going against her but, like the rest of us, we underestimated her. She actually had Daichi matched until she showed more power than I thought she actually had. Daichi seemed to get really aggravated by her attacks and he seemed to stop thinking and just tried to attack her as much as he could.

"He's digging his own grave," I muttered under my breath.

"What's…going on?" Tyson asked in shock a few more minutes into the battle. Ming-Ming had started singing a song about beyblading. I clenched my teeth to keep from crying out in annoyance. "This is supposed to be a beyblade battle, not a rock concert."

"Her eyes," Kenny muttered.

"What're you blabbering about now?" I asked as I turned to him.

"Her big beautiful eyes," he responded. "They show no nervousness or doubt. She's in total control. When she's singing you can see that he concentration is at its peak and I'm sure she controls her beyblade with her voice."

"No way!"

"That must be it!" Tyson gasped.

"So she's not trying to distract Daichi. She's singing because that's how she makes all those amazing moves with her blade! That's her secret!"

"Daichi!" Tyson yelled. "She's singing that song because that's her way of building up her concentration so she can make her blade do those tricky moves. It's all strategy."

"If there's any chance that she's singing it to annoy him I'm pretty sure that' s working, because it's annoying me," I muttered as Daichi commanded Strata Dragoon to attack. I glanced up at the box where Boris was standing and shuddered once his eyes locked with mine. I looked back at the battle but I could feel his eyes boring holes into the back of my head.

For two little kids Ming-Ming and Daichi put up a great fight. I admit that Ming-Ming deserved to win that battle, she put everything into it and fought with confidence that I have never seen on someone so young before. I actually look forward to meeting up with her again to take her on myself.

"I lost," Daichi said as he closed his eyes, as if he expected us to yell at him.

"Don't worry about it, Daichi," Max said with a small smile. "You did your best. And this way we know that BEGA will play fair and square and we know what their strategy is."

"We also know that Boris doesn't have any way of cheating," Ray agreed.

"We don't know that necessarily," I corrected him. "How do we know that he's not just waiting for Tyson to battle to use something to cheat?"

"We're just going to have to wait and see then," Tyson said as he turned to glare up at the box where Boris was still standing.