As they looked on, a tall teen, silhouetted against the orange-gold river that reflected the sunset, approached. His eyes were closed nonchalantly beneath his dishevelled silver fringe; the muscles in his arms, which were covered in a multitude of cuts, rippled as he walked toward them. His steps were effortless, purposeful, his physical presence overwhelming. Everything about him, from the imposing dark blue battle insignia on his face to his athletically built figure, radiated resolution and power.

Sakura and Alexis were in awe of him. They had not seen anyone, except Sasuke and Zane, with this kind of aura.

He stopped a metre from them. His outline was softened at the edges by the gentle rays of the setting sun. The wind whispered through his silver and dark hair, making the tails of his long white scarf undulate on the breeze. He slowly opened his eyes, fixing them with an intense amethyst gaze.

"You're late," Tyson addressed him, breaking the silence.

"No." Hilary shook her head, smiling, her eyes sparkling with joyful tears. "You're right on time."

"Hn." Kai grunted. She thought she saw the corners of his mouth curve upward slightly.

"So this is the guy," Alexis commented.

"Yes," the brunette confirmed proudly, turning back to the two girls. "He's the one."

"Kai's a stunner," whispered Sakura, nudging her and winking playfully.

"I…I guess," Hilary admitted, blushing.

"Let's do this, Kai!" declared Tyson, holding out his launcher at the ready.

"Hn." Kai smirked. "Yeah." He did likewise.

As Max and Ray counted down from three to one, Alexis and Sakura waited in anticipation. They were finally going to see a Beybattle and how Beyblades held the high level of power Hilary had spoken of.

Hilary watched them release their blades, her eyes remaining on Kai as he urged Dranzer to attack Dragoon. He had left many questions unanswered in his absence but she would get to the bottom of those later. For now, she was just content to have him back with them, battling Tyson like he had always done back when they had been the Bladebreakers. He had made her and the team whole again.

By the time they left their training spot, the sky had become a deep blue with stars scattered across the endless expanse, sparkling like millions of tiny diamonds.

"That was a great battle," remarked Sakura to Alexis. "Who knew that such small spinning could have so much power!"

"Yeah," the Obelisk Blue concurred. "It was really exciting to watch Tyson and Kai fight. No wonder they're the best Bladers around!"

Hilary chuckled. "You haven't seen anything yet. Just wait until they get serious."

"What?" Alexis gasped. "You mean all those blasts, cracks in the ground, minor injuries and small craters were them just getting started?"

"Yes," the brunette answered knowingly. "Trust me - when they go all-out you'll know about it."

"Kind of reminds me of Naruto and Sasuke," Sakura mused. "Like Tyson and Kai, there's a strong rivalry between them. It got even more intense when Sasuke left although at the moment, all Naruto wants is to get him back. I hope they get along better when he returns…"

The other girls glanced at her in concern as she trailed off.

She laughed sheepishly. "There I go rambling on again. Don't worry about it."

Alexis looked unconvinced. "Okay," she conceded reluctantly.

They entered the small courtyard outside the Granger dojo.

"Kai's going to win for us tomorrow - I believe in him." Hilary changed the subject. "I can't wait to see the looks on the BEGA bladers' faces! They wouldn't have expected him to return to us. They think he'll have given up." She chuckled. "They clearly don't him very well. Kai's determination is such that he'll never let a loss bring him down. We've got the best team ever now that he's back!"

Kai obviously overheard this because he gave her a tiny, faint smile over his shoulder. "Hn."

Hilary stopped walked abruptly, staring after him as he disappeared inside with the rest of the team. Kai…he smiled at me.

It had made him look even more handsome. A red flush spread across her cheeks.

"Hilary…Earth to Hilary." Alexis waved a hand in front of her face.

"Huh?" The brunette jerked out of her daze.

"You were staring into space with this dreamy look on your face," Sakura grinned. "It's Kai, isn't it? What did he do?"

"Nothing," lied Hilary, her blush deepening.

"Yeah right," Alexis pouted. "Spill it."

She looked at the ground. "He…he smiled at me."

"I see." Sakura's grin broadened. "Good for you."

"Guys like him look so cool when they smile," Alexis sighed. "It's a shame they don't it often enough."

Now that she thought about it, she could not remember when Zane had last done that. It had definitely been before he became the Hell Kaiser. He had smiled around her when they were alone together beside the lighthouse in Duel Academy's harbour. Those had been the best times; it was just him and her, content to share their thoughts and relish each other's presences. She hoped someday she would be able to do that again with him.

As they headed inside, Alexis heard Max remark to Ray, "Hilary hasn't been this happy since before the World Championships when the Bladebreakers were still together."

"I know," replied the Chinese, his golden eyes gazing at the brunette kindly. "The team is now complete…but I think it might also have something to do with Kai's return."

Alexis smiled. It was good that Hilary was happy. She hoped that she and Sakura would find happiness when their crushes returned too.