Chapter Nineteen

I looked at Dricen.

The sun reflected off of the metallic blue parts on my blade as if winking at me. Mariah bent down to pick up Galux who had easily been knocked out of the dish.

Then I sighed.

"C'mon, you have to do better than that!" I scolded her. I put Dricen back on my launcher and then crossed my arms over my chest. Right after Ray's battle we had come back to the park so Max and I could get more practice in. Max had finished about a half hour ago and then it was my turn. I went against Raul, Gary, Kevin, Miguel, and Michael and beat them (it wasn't easy, it was very close most of the time, those guys don't mess around).

Then Mariah, I guess wanting to prove something to herself, went against me a few times but each time Dricen knocked her out faster than the last. It was easy to see that she was getting frustrated but it was frustrating me more that she was giving up so easily.

She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. "Galux and I are doing the best we can."

"You have to do better than this! Hell, I've seen you better than this." I kicked at a rock that was by my foot and pushed my bangs out of my eyes. "Garland and Brooklyn are a helluva lot tougher than this. I need a challenge if I'm going to stand even a slight chance against them."

Mariah's cheeks puffed up.

"Now, now, there's no need to get angry at each other, children," Ray commented where he was sitting.

"Put your blade where your mouth is then." I growled.

He lifted an eyebrow. "I'm not blading you."

"Why? You chicken?"

"No, but you're not thinking rationally and you'd lose."

Oh no he did not.

"Why you—"

"He has a point," Kenny interrupted me before I began my tirade. Smart man, that Chief. "With your stress levels and anxiety you wouldn't be able to control your blade the way you'd need to to beat Garland and Brooklyn, let alone one of them."

"In short: relax," Max added.

"I am relaxed!" I snapped, crossing my arms over my chest.

"I'm the one blading next, I should be nervous."

"Why aren't you?" Tyson asked him, sitting up on the hill he had just been lying down on.

Max shrugged. "I have faith in Draciel and I know we can do it. As long as we do our best we'll be fine."

"Yeah, but Mystel's pretty tough," Lee spoke up. "He can jump really high and he has the best agility I've ever seen. I've never seen anyone move so fast."

"Draciel and I can handle it."

"But can your defenses hold up for so long?" Kevin asked.

"Yeah. Mystel attacks with everything he has at every angle. Who's to say that your defensive style will hold up long enough?"

Max let out a sharp breath. Surely they could see that it bugged him that they didn't have any faith in him. And they were supposed to be his friends too.

"Are any of you going to fight me?" I demanded, tapping my foot. "I can't get better without competition."

"Maybe you should rest," Hilary suggested. I shot her a look. "I mean, why don't we have some dinner first? Can't blade on an empty stomach, right?"

"She has a point," Tyson agreed, smiling and licking his lips.

I rolled my eyes. "Julia? Mathilda? Any of you want to blade?" I asked, losing my patience.

"Not when you're so uptight, chica," Julia laugh.

"Yeah, why don't you relax a little?" Mathilda chimed in.

"I don't think you understand the severity of these upcoming matches," I muttered as I rubbed my right temple with my free hand.

"We understand perfectly, we're just saying you need to relax and clear your mind before you make a stupid mistake. You wouldn't want to do the same thing in the ring when it really counts," Raul jumped in. Always the peacemaker, that one. Wonder how he lives with Julia as his twin. "So why don't we all go back to the dojo and eat a bit and then you can do it again."

"You guys can go, I'm staying," I replied.

"Tally," Tyson started.

"Ty, I know what I'm doing. I'll be back within in the hour."

"But—"

"Unless you would rather fight me than eat."

"See ya."

"That's what I thought."

"I'll stay," Max offered.

I cut my eyes at him. "You don't have to."

"Aww, isn't that sweet? Lover Boy wants to make sure you're ok," Julia teased me, pinching my cheek.

"Knock it off, Jules," I muttered, slapping her hands away. Seriously, this whole Max thing was getting waaaay outta hand. I shoulda never said yes.

"You two love birds need a night alone, that's all right, we all understand."

"I'm warning you!"

"Oooh, getting a little touchy, eh?"

"Just go, please!" If she talked to me like that one more time she'd be eating her own teeth. I waited until I was sure they were all gone and looked Dricen over. Letting out a sigh, I ran my free hand through my hair. "What in the world have we gotten ourselves into, Drice'?" I muttered. I put my blade back on my launcher and held it out, ready to launch it into the dish.

"What's up, Kitten?"

I faltered slightly and tensed as Kaoru landed on the ground in front of me, a smirk playing on his lips. "Kaoru," I hissed.

"Glad you still know my name," he muttered with an eye roll and then reached behind his back. "It's been a while. Gotta see if you've gotten any better."

"Leave me alone."

He lowered his arms a little bit and lifted his eyebrows. "Right, because telling me to leave you alone is actually going to make me."

"I don't have time for this." I lowered my launcher and turned to walk away. I jumped back when Kaoru landed in front of me and grabbed my shoulder, his nails biting into my shoulders.

"If you want to stand a chance against Brooklyn or Garland you'll make time!" He hissed, his dark eyes burning into mine.

"Get out of my face!" I swung my arm at him but he easily jumped back and out of the way.

"I'm trying to help you."

"Yeah, right!" I angrily launched Dricen at him. He quickly put his ripcord into his blade and launched his own.

The two blades smashed against each other in midair before falling to the ground. Dricen easily caught his ground and went after Kaoru's blade. "That's it, Drice', don't hold back," I ordered. This match would be over in a few seconds and I could get his guy out of my hair. I crossed my arms over my chest and waited for Dricen to knock Kaoru's blade into the water so I could focus again. "Huh," I muttered. Dricen seemed to be slowing down, not by much but it was noticeable. I crinkled my eyebrows and looked up at Kaoru who was staring intently at me. "Dude, stop looking at me and blade!" I snarled. This guy was really workin' on my last nerve.

He merely smiles and I turned my attention back to Dricen. I could feel my blood pumping and hear Dricen's faint yowls of determination as he reared back and charged again. I clenched my teeth when Kaoru got away. Why's he going so slow? He can do better than this! I clenched my hands into fists. "C'mon Dricen, use your Mecca Claw."

Dricen backed off and spun faster as a bright blue light shot out of my blade and he appeared in front of me. Letting out a yowl, he ran forward, the claws extending slightly on his right front paw. Once he was close enough to Kaoru's blade he leapt high into the air and came down, his claws extended.

"Yes! Nice job!" I cheered once Dricen landed a hit on Kaoru's blade.

Kaoru clenched his teeth as his blade bounced backwards. The attack ring touched the ground slightly as his blade got back up and charged towards Dricen. "You're going to have to better than that if you want to beat BEGA."

"Are you against me or on my side?" I demanded.

"I'm helping you."

"That wasn't one of the choices."

"I don't play by the rules."

I scoffed. "No, really? You practically broke my arm getting that point across."

"Didn't think a little battle would deter you."

"It didn't! It made me stronger."

"So put your blade where your mouth is."

"Gladly! Dricen, Ice Blades!" Snow white wings appeared on Dricen's back and each feather turned into a shard of ice. With a flap of his wings the ice shards were sent flying at Kaoru's blade. My grin got wider with each strike of ice on his blade. When Kaoru managed to dodge them, Dricen flapped his wings again and a wall of ice blocked him. "Dricen, send that blade flying!" I ordered. This battle is over. Dricen backed up and slapped into the wall, sending the shards flying everywhere. They struck Kaoru's blade repeatedly, not giving him time to get out of the way. I could feel Dricen's happiness and smiled. Then Kaoru started laughing. "That the hell's so funny?" I demanded.

"You," he replied simply.

"What's so funny about me?"

"You can't underestimate everyone," he said calmly. And then his eyes seemed to dilate. "Raging Darkness!"

"Wha-?" Suddenly the temperature dropped. I could see my breath in front of my face. I looked around as everything around me slowly turned black and then we were standing in darkness, our blades still attacking each other. "What'd you do?" I demanded. My voice echoed in the vast place. My knees knocked at the cold. I looked over at Kaoru who didn't seem affected by it at all. "Kaoru! What'd you do?" I repeated.

He grinned. "I'm helping you, like I said." His blade smashed against Dricen and I grabbed my arm in pain. It felt like someone had jabbed a hot needle in my arm. "What? That hurt? Aw, poor baby," he teased as his blade smashed Dricen again. I grabbed my arm tighter when I felt another jab.

And another.

And another.

I dropped to a knee and squeeze my eyes shut. Dricen was roaring in pain, the haunting sound echoed around me. I opened my eyes a bit and saw that Kaoru's blade was moving fast. Too fast. There were many copies of him, I could barely keep my eyes on his blade as Dricen was hit from all sides.

"N-no!" I gasped. "Stop!"

"You can't beg for forgiveness in the stadium. They won't care. They'll hack you to pieces," Kaoru called to me. "Come on. Get up and fight!"

I managed to get back onto my feet, swaying slightly and panting a little. With every hit my energy drained. I gritted my teeth as Dricen started to wobble. "Hang in there, Drice'. We can do it. Go, Frozen Tundra, now!"

Dricen shook his head and charged forward, the glow on my blade getting a bit brighter. I watched as Dricen seemed to melt into a puddle and then move underneath Kaoru's blade. The puddle reached up and froze around his blade as Dricen jumped up from the ground and smashed into Kaoru's blade.

"No way!" I gasped once I finally noticed the large looming creature above Dricen. It looked like a gryphon with black, cloud like wings and sharp talons on its paws. "What is that thing?"

Kaoru smirked. "Your worst nightmare."

I managed an eyeroll. "That's cheesy."

"I'm not joking. Raging Darkness!"

But he can't—

"Mommy, can I come too?"

I gasped and took a step back at the voice that reached my ears. All of a sudden Kaoru and his blade were engulfed in the darkness and two figures wrapped in bright white light appeared in front of me. "No!" I yelled as the scene unraveled in front of me.

"Please, mommy, please?" a little girl begged, tugging at the end of her mother's apron.

"Wha…what is this? Kaoru, knock it off!" I yelled but my words fell into empty space.

The woman chuckled and shook her head. "Sorry, sweetie. Your father and I have to leave the village for the night. But you can stay with Mariah."

The little girl stuck out her tongue. "I hate her. All she likes to do is follow Lee and Ray around and pick flowers. She doesn't want to do anything fun."

"Now, Cai, Mariah is a sweet little girl. We won't be gone for long, we'll return a few hours after you go to sleep." She knelt and pressed a kiss to her daughter's forehead. "Now, run along. I'll see you later, my xiaomao."

"STOP!" I yelled. The two figures in front of me shattered and seemed to dissolve in thin air. I could feel the tears slipping down my cheeks and then it was a whirlwind. The laughter, the sound of the rushing river, fighting with Mariah, beyblades grinding together, and the crickets chirping at night. And then the burning smell hit me. And I was young again, staring down at the dead bodies of my mother and father, wondering why they had to protect me. They could've spared their lives.

Then the scene changed. A little girl was kneeling on a floor, biting her lip and crying. A loud crack filled the air and she winced, the tears falling faster. I let out a cry of pain, the feeling of fire spread across my back and I dropped to my knees.

"I'm sorry. I won't do it again."

CRACK!

"I promise! Please, stop!"

CRACK!

"I'll do better."

"See to it that you do."

A shiver rolled down my spine. It was hard to breathe. Dricen's cries were getting weaker and weaker. Dricen… "Dricen!" I yelled. Everything shattered. The darkness disappeared and I was at the park again. Kaoru was staring at me; a shadow of a smile was on his face. Dricen was wobbling badly, any longer and he would've fallen over.

I couldn't let that happen.

"How…how dare you!" I hissed, glaring at the ground. "How dare…you bring up my memories. How dare you try and use them against me!" I put a hand on my knee and used the rest of my energy to get to my feet. I swayed so badly I was surprised I didn't fall over. "Going through that…only made me stronger. Strong enough to defeat you, and BEGA, and Boris, and anyone who tries to jeopardize the name of beyblading."

I could feel new energy coursing through my veins. Blood rushed in my ears and Dricen let out an energized roar as he stopped wobbling and spun on the stop. Yeah, the white tiger is back! "Arctic Strike!" Everything around us turned black again and Dricen disappeared into the darkness.

"What?" Kaoru gasped.

I smirked as a barrage of ice shards attacked his blade and then Dricen appeared, attacking his bitbeast with all four paws, the claws digging into the body of his bitbeast. Both bitbeasts returned to the blades as they retreated and smashed into each other.

I covered my face with my arms to protect my eyes from the flying dust. Once it cleared I squinted and grinned at the light that bounced off of Dricen's metallic blade as Kaoru's lay still on its side. Kaoru reached down and picked up his blade.

"You're ready," was all he said before he disappeared.

I stumbled forward a bit and picked Dricen up, smiling at his image that was frozen on the bitchip.

"Thank you…my friend," I mumbled.

Then everything tilted and faded to black. I don't know how long I was out but the next thing I knew I felt something continually tap my cheek. Without opening my eyes I reached up and swatted at whatever it was. "Leave me alone," I grumbled. The thing hit my cheek again and I finally opened my eyes, only to have dark red (or were they purple?) eyes staring back at me.

"Are you ok?" Kai asked and he leaned back.

I nodded and tried to sit up but I couldn't put any weight on my arms. Kai gently pushed on my back until I was sitting up. Then I looked around and noticed that I was in a very large and well decorated room. A giant chandelier hung from the ceiling and illuminated the rounded room that overlooked the beach.

"Where am I?" I asked and rubbed my forehead, grimacing at the throbbing pain. Kai didn't answer. He turned to the table that was behind him and picked up two pills and a glass of water. He silently held them out to me and I thanked him with a nod, popping the pills into my mouth and swallowed them with a big gulp of water. "This is your place, isn't it?" I asked, handing the glass back. He nodded. "It's beautiful."

"Thanks." He stood and walked over to the small table that held a phone and picked it up while pressing a button. He tapped his fingers on the small table as he waited for someone on the other end to pick up. "I need you to bring a car around," he stated as soon as someone picked up the phone. "Thanks." He hung up and let out a little sigh.

"Did you get those from Brooklyn?" I asked, nodding towards the scrapes and cuts on his arms as well as his slightly tattered clothes.

He nodded again. "That's why you can't fight him."

"Excuse me?" I lifted my eyebrows. "I can fight anyone I want."

"Hn. Brooklyn's fight is my fight and I won't let you fight for me."

I crossed my arms over my chest. "How do you plan on stopping me?" A grim look formed on his face. "You're coming back to the team?" I asked.

"I need my revenge. I will not be defeated."

"Master Kai, your car is ready," a man with graying hair and a monocle said as he appeared in the door way.

"Hn. Let's go."

I jumped up and followed him as best as I could through the large rooms to the big foyer and out the door. I paused and looked up at the large house as the engine ran on the car. I turned around and got in as the driver closed the door. Kai leaned in through the window and handed a piece of paper to the driver.

"I better see you at the stadium," I said in my best warning tone.

And then I swore I saw Kai smile.

"Where have you been, Cat Girl? The homies were staring to form a search party, dawg," Grandpa Granger commented as soon as I slid open the door of the dojo, which was a task in its own. My arms were killing me. Kaoru really packed a number on me.

"Sorry about that," I apologized with a small smile. "I got held up."

"Man, you've look like you've been through the wringer, dudette."

I laughed a little. "Something like that." I managed to pull off my shoes and drop them by the door. "Is there any dinner left?"

He nodded. "But you'll want to get there fast before Tyson eats it all first."

"Thanks." I moved my tired legs in the direction of the kitchen where raised voices were coming from. Max and Tyson were arguing about something, which was odd. Max and Tyson were best friends; they hardly raised their voices at each other. The pressure must be getting to them. Poor boys. "What're you guys fighting about?" I asked as I pushed my way into the kitchen.

"You're back!" Hilary cheered before rushing over and crushing me in a hug.

"Ow, ow, ow! Hilary—let go!" I cried out, managing to push her away.

"What happened to you? Here—sit down," she said, grabbing my arm and leading me over to the table where she pushed me into a chair and then moved around the kitchen, looking for something.

"I ran into Kaoru," I replied.

"I knew you shouldn't have gone off by yourself," Ray commented.

"I'm fine." I rolled my eyes. "Anyway, Kaoru didn't attack me if that's what you're thinking. He kinda…helped me." Now that the words came out of my mouth it was weird. Kaoru actually helping me didn't sit right, but that's what he said he was doing and it was the first genuine sounding thing that ever came out of his mouth.

"What do you mean, 'helped' you?" Tyson asked with finger quotes. "He could've been spying for Boris, seeing your battle strategies to use against you to make us lose!" He jabbed a finger in my face.

I grabbed his finger and twisted it a bit as he cried out in pain. "Are you going to listen to me now?" I demanded.

"Yes, just let go of my hand!"

"Hahaha! Wow, Tyson, getting hurt by a girl," Daichi laughed. "It couldn't have hurt that much, you wuss."

"Oh yeah, waddyou know?" Tyson yelled at him.

"I know I'm not some sort of baby who gets pushed around by a girl."

"You take that back you little monkey boy!"

"Tyson got beat by a girl! Tyson got beat by a girl!"

"Ignore them," Max said with a wave of his hand. "What do you mean by he helped you?"

I jumped at the sting when Hilary pressed a wet washcloth against my cheek. She laughed a little and continued to wipe the blood from my scrapes. "I never felt power like I did today when Dricen and I fought him. Dricen was almost out but…I don't know, something triggered in him and he was able to beat Kaoru with one last attack. I've never seen Dricen as fierce as that before."

"So…what does that mean?" Ray asked.

"That means I'm sure we stand a chance against them now," I replied. "Max either has to win or tie them so we can move on, which I'm confident he'll do. If I can find a way to tap into that power again Garland or Brooklyn will be easier to stand against. It doesn't mean the whole match will be easy but it'll make it easier on me and maybe give me a chance." I then noticed the doubtful look on Ray's face. "It's the only chance I have."

"Assuming Max wins."

"Thanks for that vote of confidence," Max said sarcastically.

Ray cracked a grin and punched Max on the arm. "You know what I mean."

"Yeah, I do. But don't worry, Draciel and I will take care of everything."

"Now that that's settled," I mumbled, rubbing my grumbling stomach. "Have you eaten all ready?"

"No, not yet. Tyson and Daichi practically killed each other while waiting. I think they want to kill you for making them wait," Ray commented dryly.

"Considering I wanted to practice more I think Tyson'll understand." I got to my feet and stretched. "I'll be right back, I have to go to the bathroom." I said the last part more in Hilary's direction. It took her a second to get it but she did and followed me out of the kitchen and back into our room.

"What's up?" She asked.

"I saw Kai," I replied.

She gasped and quickly covered her mouth. "You saw Kai?" She repeated. "Where? How is he?"

"I guess I passed out after the battle with Kaoru and he found me. I woke up at his house and—"

"You were at his house? He helped you?"

I squinted. "Is that tone of surprise or jealousy?"

She glared. "Surprise. Kai…Kai doesn't help people. I don't even think the word's in his vocabulary." She paused. "What's his house like."

"Huge," I replied, shaking my head "Big bay windows and a large chandelier. And that was just the sitting room."

"Doesn't surprise me, being the heir to Hiwatari Enterprises and all. But how was he doing?"

I sighed. "He's really broken. It was like he was dead inside. It was really creepy and he tried to convince me to get out of blading against Garland or Brooklyn so he could do it."

"He's coming back?" She asked happily, her eyes shining.

I shrugged. "No clue, it could just be all talk but that's not like Kai. But I don't want to keep my hopes up."

"I know what you mean." She paused. "So Kai was actually concerned about you?"

I laughed. "You know, green really doesn't suit you."

She slapped my arm and rolled her eyes.

We went through dinner which was pretty tense as the night continued on. Everyone was tense about the idea of the next day's battle. It was water vs water so it wasn't like Mystel had the upper hand and we could tell Max everything we knew about Mystel which, admittedly, wasn't much.

Afterwards I took a very much needed bath and let my mind wander. What's Kaoru's purpose of following me around? He says he's not working for Boris but he's not on our side either. I can feel it in my bones. So what does he want from me? If he wanted Dricen he could've easily taken him a while ago instead of help me get stronger. So why did he…?

I let out a groan of annoyance. This wasn't getting me anywhere. The only way I'd actually get answers would be from Kaoru himself and I knew he wouldn't tell me anything. I pulled the plug in the top, dried off, and changed into my pajamas. My muscles were still aching and I could feel my eyelids dropping in drowsiness.

Boy, what a day.

"Hey."

I looked up and forced a smile. "Hey Max, I figured you'd be asleep by now."

"It's hard to fall asleep when Tyson sleeps before you," he said with a small laugh."He snores like a bulldozer."

I chuckled. "Yup, he's practically out like a light once he's eaten." I tilted my head. "What'd you want to talk about?" He blinked. "I can tell you have a question."

"I just wanted to know how you're feeling? About the matches I mean."

"I'm surprised you're not more worried about yourself. The pressure would surely get to me."

"I'm trying not to think about it. I'm more worried about you, having to face Garland or Brooklyn."

"They'll be the toughest I've gone against but Dricen and I will do the best I can and the rest is up to skill," I admitted. Better get this over with… "Hey. Has Tyson been ridding you lately?"

Max blinked. "Well, he's been on a little rampage about the whole tournament but I guess it's just the pressure talking."

"No I meant…about us."

Max looked thoughtful. "Well, he has been harping on me a bit but I'm guessing that's only because he's jealous that he hasn't kissed a girl yet."

"Whoa, Tyson hasn't kissed a girl yet?" I laughed.

He smiled. "Are you really that surprised?"

"No one would be able to get near him with that huge head."

He suddenly stopped in mid laugh. "Wait, that's why you've been acting weird lately? 'Cause of that one date we had? Let me guess, the girls are bugging you about it, right?" I didn't even get a chance to say anything when he started laughing.

"I fail to see the humor," I grumbled.

"It's just…you don't strike me as the type of person to care what others think."

"I don't!" I quickly denied.

"Right." He nodded and, even though he had a smile on his face I could see sadness in his eyes. I dropped my head. Great. Way to go, Crys, you screwed up a great friendship. "Hey." I slowly lifted my head to look at him. "You should have your mind on the matches, not on us. And if they really want to know, just 'cause we went on one date doesn't mean we're dating." He offered up a smile but it didn't light up his whole face like it usually did.

But at least he was trying. Now I'd just have to find a way to make this guilt go away.

"Yeah." I turned to walk down the hall to go back to my room but stopped. "Early practice tomorrow?" I asked.

He nodded, smiled, and added jokingly, "It's a date."