Another chapter's out! Sorry for the delay! I had my midterm exams! :p

Anyways, now about the chapter: I put in the plot twist in a very subtle manner( I think so) without direct references. I tried my best to give you guys a long chapter! I hope you enjoy this one too...!

And Thanks a lot for all those reviews! Love you guys! :D

Another important announcement: I'll be updating the story once a week from now on. So the next update would be on 07-09-2013 that is next Saturday. It will allow me to give longer chapters and also improve the quality of my work!

Well, there can be an exception as well this time, for the next chapter is almost ready and I might post it next Wednesday! Check out my Profile for the updates!

Thank You! :D

Tokyo

"She is resisting," the man in the white coat said. One hand in his coat pocket and the other clutching a stack of brown sheets, he looked wearily at the stubborn man standing in front of him, "We must destroy her beast first! How many times do I have to tell you this?" He slammed the sheets on the table beside and him. He lit his cigarette, frustrated with his friend, his "boss". He let out a puff of smoke, as his anger subdued a little, "Look Mark, I know we need her on their team as of now, so at least until this championship reaches Russia, stop with these futile attempts."

"Do you think I don't know, Yuri? I was only making sure. She still fears that vicious creature. Reacts to its very presence," Mark said, his accent distinctly Russian, "It only makes me wonder; how can she be the one?"

"Well, the successful possession eleven years ago proves it. All the goddamn tests we performed on her in the asylum prove it!" he sighed, "We've waited a long time, we must wait a bit more if we have to. A grave mistake has already been made. Karl's murder was an unexpected screw up. There was no need to kill him, to begin with. Now, that has diverted unnecessary attention towards the girl."

"I don't entertain traitors and you know that very well," Mark, a man in his late forties, put an end to the tiresome doctor's incessant complaints, "You are worrying too much. After knowing me and working with me for all these years, you still haven't grasped my methods, have you?"

"Quite the contrary, my friend. I'm warning you for I know your methods. First you messed up with her mother and now again you've chosen to give her freedom, a chance to live a normal life outside the asylum, away from you," Yuri said, as he stubbed out the cigarette, "Not away from your shadows though."

"I had no reason to bind her, nor any affection to take her in," he said, and he meant it, "She is out there to draw that one person out of hiding, the reason we cannot control her anymore. The one who entrusted her to the holy serpent, Serpa. We have been quite successful in that. She was spotted in India, but seems to have escaped again. She has found her allies, which is for sure. She is desperately trying to protect the diary but that won't be for long. She has made a mistake by trying to protect Akira once and she is going to pay for it."

"You sound too confident about that. All I'd say is don't underestimate her. Anyways, we have some information about the third rock. Not the exact location, that would be expecting too much," Yuri said spreading out the sheets on the table. The two men bent over them, Yuri's finger tracing a thick black line on what seemed like a map. A hand drawn map, belonging to an era long gone.

"Recognise this place?" Yuri pointed at symbols, mountains.

"Wait a minute," Mark frowned, "The Himalayas!?" Surprise, evident in his voice, he pulled out a report from a few days back.

He turned a few pages, "Granger had been there, about a month ago, with a group of students, a guide and a few other tourists."

"Definitely not a harmless trek," the doctor smirked, "That archaeologist's visit to the mountains, that woman being spotted in India... might not be a mere coincidence after all. I have got to get back to the lab. We've just managed to decode the inscriptions that were copied and saved by us before the second rock was taken. A small part mentioned the Himalayas. Not quite sure if it was the location of the third rock or a way to locate the third rock. Lesath has definitely made our work real easy. You sure found the right man for the job, all the way from the sands of the middle east!" Yuri snickered, "His ways are funny, however."

"That is how he likes to keep it," Mark smirked, "You wouldn't wanna see the other side of him."

"No intentions of that sort," Yuri shook his head, "Too busy to mess with anyone. And… what about the other girl… What was her name? Yeah, Mariam. What do you want to do about her?"

"Like you said, there's no point in doing anything now," Mark said, "Let her be. Yuri, I'll be leaving for Russia tomorrow," Mark informed his friend as he turned to leave.

"So you're finally gonna meet him and decide what to do with his grandson? He seems like a potential threat," Yuri said, "And while you are at it, I want you to warn that fool, Werner! Ask him to keep that drug of his, out of the streets for now. The three kids who were sent for the tournament are still suffering from its side effects. And that girl, among them, whom Werner drugged, is dead! I want a sample of that thing tested. He is going to get us into trouble for sure, just the way he messed up with Karl!" Yuri sounded quite furious. They had carefully covered their tracks up until now and he didn't want any trouble because of a dimwit.

"I already did. He won't be using his will or that drug for a while now," Mark assured him.

Hong Kong

"What!?" Mariam jumped, when she heard Emily tell her about Ozuma and the Elder's visit.

She hurried out, in an attempt to stop them from meeting Max. She hadn't told Max about the rock or the experiments she was a part of. The real reason behind joining Judy's team. She was planning on telling him a little later, that is, when she could finally gather her courage to tell him that she had indeed betrayed her clan, and also him.

Well, it wasn't betrayal exactly. She wasn't allowed to talk about it. In short she had to blame Ozuma and the Elders for her escape. But, now? They would accuse Max, for trapping her, using her as a tool to get the rock and her. She had the ability to read those ancient scriptures, like Akira, unlock keys others couldn't. She did what was needed at the moment, protecting the rock, her people. She didn't mind being called a traitor, if it was for a greater good. She came across Judy on her way there, her forehead creased in worry.

As they approached the Bladerbreakers' locker room, they heard a loud thud and the door shook. Mariam paled at the mere thought of a fight between Max and Ozuma. Her steps quickened and she banged at their door.

The few seconds she had waited for felt like ages. She barged in to find Ozuma wiping blood off his mouth. A split lip, she observed.

"Another word about my mother," Max glowered at the guy kneeling in front of him, "You're dead."

"Max!" Judy gasped in horror, "Elder Seijo?"

There was no sign of the Bladebreakers, who decided to give them privacy. Elder Seijo closed the door and sighed, "You must have control on your senses Ozuma," he turned towards Max, "I apologise on his behalf, young man. Your mother would not be spoken ill of. I'll see to it. Ozuma regrets his outburst, that he does!"

Ozuma got to his feet and turned towards the traitor and Mariam flinched, "You turned out be real smart. Warned him to play innocent! How come I never saw these shades of yours? Or was it their company that made you this double crossing…"

"Ozuma!" Elder Seijo's voice thundered and he froze, "Do not speak another word!"

"I…" Ozuma's tongue ceased to function, when he heard his Chief repeat his command.

"As you wish," Ozuma's respect for their Chief made him bow his head, while his blood still boiled.

"Max I can explain…" was all Mariam could manage.

"Max, it's not her fault," Judy intervened, shielding Mariam.

"No Mom, let her speak."

"Explain," he said to Mariam, his eyes boring into hers, looking for answers.

He wasn't angry. No, he was not. He was only disappointed. He directed his gaze towards the old man standing in front of them, his recent anger forgotten.

"Please sit down," Max said to him, "Mom, you too."

Judy looked at her son, anxiously, for he seemed too calm. It was like the silence before the storm.

Elder Seijo sat on the bench further away from them. Max remained standing.

Mariam addressed her Chief first, "All I'm trying to do is protect the rock. I want you to understand that."

Max knew it wasn't his turn yet and let Mariam continue, despite failing to understand what she had meant.

"It was always protected," Elder Seijo said.

"No! Not anymore. There are people hunting for it; dangerous people, who can destroy our village to get a hold of it. Trust me. I left the village with the scriptures, only to protect my people from an impending danger!" Mariam was pleading now. Her eyes were wet, as tears welled up in them. She fell to her knees, and looked into the Elder's eyes, "You gave this orphan a life. Brought me up, trained me and gave me a reason to live. Everyone in that village is family to me. Ozuma, he has been my friend, a close friend all my life," saying so, she cast an apologetic glance at her childhood mate, who didn't bother to look at her, her eyes betraying all the pain she was trying to hide, "Just because I love somebody else, it would never be a reason for me to betray someone who is more than precious to me. Do you think I am that shallow?"

The Elder put a caring hand on her head, "I never said that, my dear. But your method was wrong. We had the right to be informed about this. There was no need for you to take it up as your sole responsibility. Do you consider us unreliable? Weak?"

"Not once. I knew I would have you by my side. It was the others. They would never agree, right? So, I just fled from there. I had no choice," Mariam said, her eyes cast down.

"She is telling the truth Elder Seijo. With all due respect, we never meant any harm. I hope you have received the letter…?" Judy waited for his response.

"Yes, we have received it. And we are grateful for the assistance you are offering."

Ozuma frowned, he hadn't heard of any letter. Elder Seijo continued, "It has been accepted. In fact that is the reason I'm here today. Despite accepting your proposal, we strongly feel that experimenting on the rock is certainly not a way to protect it. Do you realize that by exposing Mariam's ability to the world, you are putting her in grave danger?"

Max's eyes widened in shock. Ability? Danger?

"Mom what's going on? The truth!" Max has had enough and now he needed direct answers.

"You haven't told your son too?" Elder Seijo asked, surprised.

"I haven't. Mariam is safe. That is what I'm trying to explain. There are only a handful of people who know about this whole experiment and they can be trusted!" Judy stressed on the last part, "Max, we are going to talk about this later. Please."

Though he received no explanation, Max was beginning to understand now. The sacred rock was being pursued again, hunted, like Mariam said. The word "dangerous" echoed in his ears. Who is it now?

If they were powerful enough to destroy a village, then wasn't his mother, the head scientist in this project, he was quite sure she was, in danger too? And Mariam? What kind of ability are they talking about?

"I apologize for not approaching you directly, but… the other Elders seem to despise my efforts…" Judy was interrupted. "There is no place for despise," the Elder shook his head, "You wouldn't understand. You have your mind set upon this strange 'experiment'. But, if there are more dangerous people looking for the three rocks, then we will cooperate. To protect the sacred rock is our duty, passed onto us by our ancestors. And we will protect it until death."

Ozuma couldn't believe his ears. He felt betrayed by the ones he trusted the most, "Nothing good is going to come out of it!" He gritted his teeth in fury and slammed the door behind him, as he left the suffocating presence of those he considered traitors.

"Young blood. He knows nothing of the present situation," Elder Seijo said, "Forgive him."

"I understand," Judy stood up and bowed, "I hope to discuss more about the issue, but not here."

"Sure. Mariam, go fetch Ozuma," Elder Seijo said.

"And meet us at Mr. Dickenson's office on the second floor," Judy instructed a visibly shaken Mariam, "Max, come with us."

The arrival of Elder Seijo was interpreted in different ways by different members of the team. Those ignorant of BBA's experiment assumed that the reason was probably Mariam leaving the Saint Shields and joining the All Stars. Kai and Rei were unsure of what the situation might turn out to be, what extent of the "secret" would be revealed to Max. Kai made sure Judy was informed about the unexpected visit.

Akira, who didn't have complete knowledge of what ensued between the tribesmen and the couple, chose to ignore it. Why worry about something that doesn't pertain to her? She already had enough things to worry about and someone had to answer all her questions. She had been warned of this day once before, when those words didn't make sense. But now that they started to make sense, her quest had found yet another reason. She looked at him from the corner of her eye, her head bent down, resting on the cafeteria table. Kai sat with his eyes closed, appeared to be brooding over a critical issue, she didn't have the slightest idea of.

The silence at the table was beginning to get irksome.

"Hey guys, look," Hillary broke the silence, pointing out at the cause of all the tension around them. Ozuma walked into cafeteria looking pissed off, which was evident by the way he kicked a chair out of his way. He sat a few tables away, his split lip now visible to them.

"Max did that?" Hillary's eyes widened, "Wonder what he did for Max to punch him!"

"A well deserved one though. Makes me wanna give him a taste of it too," Tyson said, "Some obsessive psycho he turned out to be."

"You don't know for sure, do you?" Rei blurted out, "I mean we don't know the two sides of the story."

Tyson eyed him with disapproval, "Taking sides?"

"I'm not taking sides...I.." Rei spoke only to be interrupted by Kai, "None of your business," he sounded pretty serious, "Max can take care of himself. Don't go around poking your nose where it doesn't belong." Though it appeared to be meant for Tyson alone, Rei got the message too. He better keep his mouth shut.

Not long after that exchange between the bladers, Mariam strode into cafeteria, alone. There was no sight of Max and clearly, Mariam was wiping tears off her face. Bewildered, Hillary got up from her seat, only to be pulled back down by Tyson. He shook his head, taking Kai's suggestion seriously.

Mariam walked over to Ozuma, "Elder Seijo is waiting for you. On the second floor."

Ozuma paid her no heed, stood up and walked away. Mariam could do nothing but let him leave... He'll come around... He'll understand me when the time comes. I have a responsibility to fulfil, her will was unfaltering, I wouldn't back down, not now.

"Looks like things are fucked up big time," Akira said, sarcasm creeping in. Kai gave her a sharp look and Hillary added, "Seems like it. Where's Max? You guys won't even look for him?" Hillary looked at the team with disbelief, displeased with their apparent reluctance in the matter. "I'm going to go find him," Tyson stood up, "Kenny, you coming?"

Hillary approached Mariam, mentally considering different ways to inquire her of Max's whereabouts. She tried to choose her words carefully but all that came out was, "Where's Max?" Damn!

"He's with Elder Seijo and Judy," came her reply. Hillary looked for any hint of despair, strangely there wasn't any. She placed a gentle hand on Mariam's shoulder, "Is everything alright?" Mariam smiled, an empty smile, "Yes. Everything's fine."

With that Mariam walked out of the cafeteria, her heart heavy with grief that she was going to bury, deep within herself, as she began to fear Max's reaction. Max could easily put two and two together, figure out that there was potential danger in what she was involved with.

"I better get going now," the brunette turned towards Akira, "Coming? We have dinner plans remember?"

The "dinner plans" completely slipped out of Akira's mind. Shit! I've got to talk to Kai! She couldn't bail out of it either. She sighed, "I'll be there in a minute. Go ahead." Hillary nodded, Tyson and Kenny followed her out.

Once the coast was clear, "What is happening?" Akira asked.

"Mariam's people want to return the rock to where it belongs and it is to their village," Rei explained, "The people who are searching for the rocks are far too dangerous to let the rock remain in the village. Mariam had to lie and flee to bring the scriptures of the rock to us. She is being accused of betrayal."

"Does that mean Max is in on this little secret?"

"We don't know that yet," Rei told her, "And we better not interfere."

"I have no intentions as such," Akira folded her hands and shrugged. Rei sighed and stood up, "See you guys later. It's just the first day and there's already some serious shit going on." Some shit, Kai smirked as he joined his friend, "Let's go." "Sure," Rei said.

Akira had nothing more to do and chose to leave. The questions have got to wait, she decided, perhaps later tonight. They didn't have a match the next day and she was keen on making him answer. She knew very well that Kai was the one to be approached. He was a no-nonsense kind of guy after all.

As Rei's words rolled over in her mind, a thought struck her like lightning, "Rei!" she cried out.

Rei stopped, to look back at her, startled. "Your village," she said, a slight tremble in her voice, "They have the scriptures with them too. Aren't they in danger?" Rei smiled, "That has been taken care of. And so has been Mariam's village." His smile had a quaint confidence about it. Like his people couldn't be touched, protected by an invincible force. He was unaffected, not even a slightest hint of panic. This made her feel unsettled, if not anything else but unsettled.

All is not what it seems, she heard a voice, Serpa's voice, you will know in time. Until then pay heed to my words. There had been instances when they exchanged thoughts. But, today, it was no triviality. Stay by my side, Akira urged, guide me. I only feel closer to what I'm in search of. Rei's words, these circumstances, they remind me of her, the words she had said to me that day. We are getting closer to the one you belong to, Serpa. I know it.

An hour later

"Wow... The food... It's really good! However did you find this place?" Hillary said, sipping the last of her noodles.

"Complete it first," Julia said, "You can thank me later. Bryan suggested it anyway. He's been here before."

"Looks like you're getting along quite well," Hillary pointed out.

"Well enough. Except for..." Julia pursed her lips, "Forget it; let's not spoil the mood."

Mood? Akira was irritated, yeah, awkward is some mood. Why did she even invite me over if they were just gonna go on blabbering? I'd rather spend the evening with Kai. What!? She was surprised by her own thoughts. Spend the evening with Kai? What am I even thinking? I only have some questions...

"Hello! Anybody home...?" Hillary waved her hand and snapped her fingers, bringing Akira back to her senses, "You're spacing out, what's wrong?"

Oh nothing. I was ignored for like half an hour! "I was thinking," Akira said instead, chiding herself, learn to engage in a conversation and don't blame others for it!

"About?" Julia asked.

"Things... People... Pretty interesting people out there," Akira started playing with her straw, making mini whirlpools in her glass of Coke. Finally bored of it, she pushed the glass away, diverting her attention towards Julia.

"So are you," Julia said, "That was one sweet battle. You sure kicked that jerk's butt. It was high time somebody taught him a lesson," her disdain for the Gladiator of Glasgow clear as a crystal.

"I taught him no lesson," Akira brushed it off, "I only settled my score."

A smug smile appeared on Hillary's face, "Kai did the same you know... Settle the score…" Kai... Again... Akira raised her eyebrows and squirmed in her seat, ignoring the quickening of her heart beat.

"When was it Julia..?" Hillary said, studying Akira's reaction, "Ah yes, their first championship. The Majestics challenged their place in the Russian finals. Kai was first beaten by Johnny, but he settled the score too, you know."

"Oh... Johnny actually beat Kai?" Akira didn't want to sound disinterested. "And got defeated later," Hillary said.

"Wasn't it the first time Kai jumped sides?" Julia asked, meaning no ill will. It came out in the spur of the moment. Hillary shot Julia a warning look, "Don't," she mouthed.

"Are you talking about Biovolt Corp?" Akira rolled her eyes, "That isn't much of a secret. Only, I don't know the details."

"They're not really necessary. Why brood over the past? Right?" Hillary flashed a smile at her.

"Kai doesn't like to speak about it... Right?" Akira asked, a tender feeling of understanding filling her, "I understand. Everybody has things they don't wanna talk about."

Julia noticed the quiver in her voice, the melancholy in her eyes. She tries so hard to hide it. Hillary was right about her. "So how do the championships feel? Exciting?" Julia felt it necessary to change the topic. The whole point of the evening was bringing Akira out.

"Why are you doing this?" Julia asked, when Hillary requested her to invite Akira. "I don't know... I just want to. Get to know her..." Giving her a weird look, Julia nudged at Hillary, "Are you sure you have your priorities right?"

"Huh?"

Hillary gasped as the meaning dawned upon her. She punched her friend back, "Of course idiot! I just like that girl... And I don't like the fact that she chooses spend her time alone when she should be out there having fun!"

"You are right. No one did anything about Kai and look how he turned out to be," Julia said.

"Surprisingly, he turned out just fine. He has all the fun he wants to," Hillary said, grinning. "And how exactly do you know that?" Julia said, simpering.

Hillary narrowed her eyes at her, "That's pathetic Jules."

"I was kidding," she raised her hands in a defensive gesture, "Just what do you see in that cocky idiot anyway?" Julia was clearly talking about Tyson.

"Julia..." Hillary was getting angry by the minute.

Julia laughed, "You can't take a joke, can you? I'll ask her then."

She didn't regret asking Akira. They lost track of time talking about almost everything: Clothes, music, sports, except for, perhaps world politics. By the end of the chatter, Julia and Hillary were giving her tips on dating, and Akira did find them to be useful, though she felt thoroughly embarrassed and awkward.

Akira had to agree, she enjoyed the evening. She had never gone out like this, with people of her own age. It wasn't that Isabel and Shiro didn't let her. (Of course, they never sent her to a normal school. She was tutored privately.) She had taken a lot of time to adjust to her new world, an awful lot of time. It was her rebirth, when she finally stepped out of the asylum. Even the bright sun light stung her. So technically, she was a four year old child, learning the ways of the world. Slow and steady…

So how was the chapter? Good... Bad?

Do tell me by leaving your reviews!

Umm... So what's up with Akira? What happened at the hotel...? It would be revealed in the next chapter! I would only say don't get your hopes too high. But, this officially marks the beginning of Akira-Kai love story. Though, it would progress slowly for now.

Last but not the least, please REVIEW! :D I'll be looking forward to them!