Thanks for the reviews!

James Birdsong: I'm glad you liked the chapters! Thanks! :) I can assure you, more interesting stuff coming up!

Tokyo

Akira looked at herself in the mirror one last time. She had finally settled for a white three fourth trousers coupled with a baby pink T shirt. She grabbed her long white scarf and wrapped it loosely around her neck. I have to do some shopping I guess, she thought looking at her barely existent wardrobe.

Kai was waiting for her outside the dojo with the rest of the team. Hillary had gone home to prepare for her date, while Tyson, Rei, Max and Kenny decided get some fresh air.

"Ouch," Akira said as she tried put on the straps of her sandals. This attracted the boys' attention. "Here she comes, Kai. Didn't keep you waiting for long," Tyson teased him expecting a death glare from Kai.

However, Kai was too busy, his eyes fixed the soft curls of her waist length hair bouncing around her shoulders as she hopped, trying to set her footwear right. His eyes then drifted from the curls to her fingers that flicked her hair back, while she walked towards him.

"See! He's not even glaring at me anymore…" Tyson complained in a whisper. "Are you jealous Tyson?" Rei nudged Tyson. "Are you? I didn't know you had a thing for him!" Max joined in with Rei and began to tease Tyson.

"What? OF COURSE I DON'T!" Tyson's blurted it out at the top of his voice, which made Kai realize that he had been staring at Akira for too long. Akira was startled, "Did something happen?"

"Oh… nothing. Tyson just keeps getting these fits once in a while. Right, buddy?" Max said giving Tyson a pat on the back.

"Yeah… yes… I do sometimes…" Tyson said glaring at Max.

"So we'll split now. You guys have fun," Rei said winking at Kai, which made Kai roll his eyes.

"I'll make sure we have fun," Akira said, giving Rei a sarcastic smile and added, "While you guys make sure you make it home in one piece," and she waved them goodbye.

Three hours later…

Max, Kenny and Rei were now staring at a rare sight in front of them. Yes, a very rare sight of Tyson picking at his food. A smug smile appeared on their faces, "You said you wanted to have some fun?" Max poked Tyson.

"I am neither in a mood for it nor am I interested," Tyson said and continued playing with his food.

"Looks like somebody here is way too jealous," Rei said taking a sip of Coke.

"Why the heck would I be jealous of Ryan? I wasn't even thinking about Hillary!" Tyson snapped.

"Really, Tyson? You should tell her you know…" Kenny lifted his head up, which was previously buried in the screen of his laptop.

"Aha… the love guru is giving out tips!" Dizzi said, "How about you try it first Kenny?"

"Dizzi! This is not about me!" Kenny tried to subdue the topic.

"Why not? Tyson, let Kenny test it. Then you can treat your love sickness," Dizzi was being stubborn.

"No Dizzi, I'm not trying anything. Because there is nothing to try for…" Tyson said sounding serious.

This was some serious crap now. Since when did Tyson start acting all grown up and well… serious?

Max frowned, "Tyson what's going on? Did something happen between you and Hillary?"

Before Tyson could answer his question, Kenny muttered a, "Shit!" which diverted their attention.

Coming in through the diner's door were Ryan and Hillary who looked like they've been having a lot of fun.

They only thought so, until their vision became clear. Ryan had his hand wrapped around her shoulder, while Hillary gently brushed it away her smile still intact.

Hillary's smile became a sigh of relief when she spotted the boys sitting close by. She fervently waved her hand at them and pulled Ryan towards them, "Ryan, I want you to meet someone. But, I'm sure you already know them."

"Oh… yeah of course. I'm not a beyblader though. It's nice to meet you guys… But…" Ryan was about to say something when Hillary cut him short, "Do you guys mind if we joined you?"

Ryan frowned, which meant he got the message. Hillary had been acting really strange the whole evening.

"Actually… Hillary why don't you join your friends for the rest of the evening huh? While I attend to some important matters," Ryan decided to let go off her, before she dumped him, which would be quite a humiliation.

"But Ryan… Are you sure?" Hillary asked innocently.

"Yeah… bye." With a peck on Hillary's cheek Ryan left, muttering a list of curses.

Hillary slid into the seat beside Tyson and Tyson leaned forward saying, "I warned you."

"What was that?" Max said looking at Hillary, laughing as Ryan slammed the door of the diner before leaving

"I never signed up for a date. The gang was going to come. They set us up," Hillary said as she ordered a diet coke.

"You were pretending? That was lame…" Tyson said smirking.

"It was a date though… the plan was that!" Hillary's voice began to rise. "Yeah… whatever," Tyson said and the next moment he was back to normal, irritating Hillary with his not so decent food habits and table manners. "Arghhhh! Tyson! Stop eating like a pig! Why did I even sit beside you?"

Max, Rei and Kenny looked at them helpless, shook their heads and sighed.

Kai walked with Akira at a little distance from her, an awkward silence filled the air around.

For the first time silence was irritating Kai and hence he decided to put an end to it. But before he could say anything, Akira surprised him with an unexpected question, "You didn't like it, did you?"

"What?"

"When I asked you in front of the others… to walk me to the BBA office…"

"I certainly didn't," Kai said, moving closer to her.

He saw her smirk. She is so weird, he decided.

"Why did you do that?" he couldn't resist.

"You already answered your question."

"Because I didn't like it?"

"Don't try to boss me around. I don't like it," she made her point clear.

"Neither do I," Kai wasn't going to keep quiet either.

Neither of them spoke another word until they reached the office. They entered Mr. Dickenson's office to be greeted by him and the presence of Detective Akiyama Toshi and his partner, Detective Himura Aiko from the Crime Branch.

Meanwhile in Moscow…

"What happened?" Raul said as he woke up that evening his head heavy.

"They spiked your drink," Julia said, her face devoid of any expression.

"Oh… did anything happen?"

"Oh yes, something did happen. You broke a vase and I don't have the slightest idea why you did that? To break your head? Or Ian's?" Julia burst out, irritated by her brother's casual response.

"Jules! Calm down… calm down. I always tell you," Raul said running his fingers through his hair, "You have a bad temper and a very bad habit of overreacting."

"But, it could've been dangerous! What if you got hurt?"

"How old are you?"

Julia gave him a puzzled look, "Nineteen…"

"So, how old am I?"

"…" she realized it was their usual exercise.

"Jules, how old am I?"

"Nineteen…"

"See, I'm an adult. Just like you. I can take care of myself," Raul said pulling the bed covers over his head. Silence prevailed for a few moments.

Raul peeked through the sheets to see Julia leaning against the bed post, sitting on the floor.

"I don't like it here Raul. And this is just the first day," Julia sighed.

"Jules, I think you should sort it out with Tala. You're not kids to fight over silly issues."

"I know. I apologized to him twice. It is he who is overreacting now. I don't even know what his problem with me is…!"

"You know what sis? Just forget it… and get me something for this head ache if you can."

Finally done with the chapter. I hope it's not too long and not too boring!

I really have to know now, from my readers, how the story is progressing.

So, my dear silent readers, please do leave your review if you can! :)

Anyways... gonna be back with another chapter soon! See ya..!