Bittersweet Melody
Second Arc: Act Seven
Egypt. The heat was enormous, the humidity was so different. He for one wasn't used to it. He stepped off the plane to see Daichi in the corner, sick to his stomach. Hiromi on the other hand was enjoying the local fashions and lastly, Kyoujyu was working away at his laptop. Hm, what to do?
Takao sighed; he needed someone to talk to. Perhaps some other teams had shown up? He looked to see a private plane releasing its passengers into the lobby. Who would it be? He leaned in to see The Saint Shields and company walk into the lobby. Great. His hand found itself on his forehead. The last thing he needed was to get Cat railed up. The last time…proved fatal to her career.
The news stations, magazines, newspapers were littered with news of Cat Greco attacking a photographer at the Roman hotel cafeteria. Since that incident, Cat had received poor applause from her fans. He could only wonder: how was she dealing with this? He had refused to speak to her, due to the last incident. He didn't want to upset her any further. It was apparent that she wanted to do with him either way. Best to leave her alone.
But…the fight with the PPB All-starz was coming and soon. How would The Saint Shields match up with them? They would fight tomorrow…could Takao even watch this match?
An image of Max flashed in his mind. He flinched as the words repeated in his head. It still sounded so clear, was it really a year ago? No, it must have been years and years ago. And yet…it was still so clear.
"I care a lot about her. I love her, Takao."
How would things ever work out? Takao inhaled through his nostrils and crossed his arms over his chest. How he wanted to just ask Cat. Just ask her if it would all end happily, ask her why she was so uptight. This wasn't the Cat Greco he grew up with; this was someone else but why? Why did it have to be this way? Why were the last two years spent arguing and not enjoying one another? Couldn't they just be friends again?
XoXoX
The music channel never sounded so sour. She couldn't get enough of watching herself being slandered. Report after report of showing footage of her 'attack' on a photographer. It was downright embarrassing and yet, she couldn't help but watch.
Cat sat on the locker room bleacher with her chin resting in her hands, her eyes large and glassy. She was embarrassed and yet she couldn't stop watching. Rumi and Yumi stood beside the seated female with their hands to their hips. So even they were getting tired of this? Rumi proceeded to rip the remote from Cat's lap and lift it toward the TV. With a single press of her finger, she shut off the television and turned to her singing partner.
"When are you going to get over this?" Rumi snarled at her. "That incident is done and over with. Get over it."
"Yes Cat," Yumi agreed with a nod of her head. "You should think about your performance today." She then lifted one finger into the air and said in a sweet tone, "You don't want to choke again!"
Cat slammed her hands on her face. "Thanks Yumi."
"Like it or not it's the truth."
She turned to the sound of her captain. She removed her hands from her face and stared into Ozuma's eyes. He gave her a longing, deep look. He stood strong, his shoulders hooked back and his chest pushed out. He was confident. Cat tilted her head to the side and sighed. It was true, she had choked. She let out a loud groan and again covered her face with her hands. She had to hide the deep rose-red cheeks on her face. Why did he have to bring that up at any chance? Now he had the whole team saying it!
"You need to do better today." Ozuma said in his still voice.
"But first you need to perform," Mariam added, causing the singer to move her hands from her face and look the blue-haired beauty in the face. "This is what you're best at. You can do it."
"Yeah, it'll be easy!" Yusuf was quick to agree with his sister.
"Just don't trip or anything, okay?" Dunga gave the girl a sarcastic laugh.
"HEY!"
The group turned to Yuki. The white-haired boy was standing in the corner of the room with both hands clenched and at chest-level. He had an angry look on his face, causing the other teens in the room to look at him strangely.
"Don't be so rough on Cat!" He demanded in an out-of-character tone. "You all don't know how tough it is to be her!"
Cat closed her eyes and began to laugh in a nervous tone. Her brow began to quiver and she sweated. A sudden burst of confidence? She couldn't be sure. Yuki wasn't one to be bold or brash. Instead the four-eyed male usually kept to himself and was silent. But now? She was sure that Yuki had gotten into something to cause him to be so loud.
"Yuki," Cat lifted her hands in defense. "It's all right. Calm down."
"Sorry!" A bright red blush came over Yuki's face and he turned away from the group.
"I think it's time for us to go out there, Greco." Rumi looked at her two partners with a cocky smile.
"Yeah!" Yumi exclaimed in a happy voice. "Let's give 'em a show they'll never forget!"
She turned to her team with a worried stare. Mariam and Yusuf walked over to the newest Saint Shield member with two bright smiles. They then patted the girl on her shoulder for luck. Dunga groaned before turning his back to the group, refusing to 'jinx' her luck.
She looked to her captain for support. Ozuma closed his eyes, inhaled and stepped toward her. He reached out with his right hand and placed it on her shoulder. He gripped down on the female's shoulder, causing her to react with a jump. His eyes pried open and he cracked a smirk.
"Good luck."
"Thank you." Cat nodded at her captain. "Let's go." She turned her back her team and she gave her band mates a positive thumbs-up. "We can do this!"
XoXoX
"Wow! Look at that, Takao! All the teams are here!"
Takao felt the warm day's breeze hit his cheeks. It was amazing that he had come this far. Seeing Max and Cat fight like this? It was nothing short of amazing. He looked down at his partner Daichi. The young redhead was pointing at the audience below. He and the rest of Team BBA Revolution were seated in the crowd awaiting the next Beyblade match but first came the performance. He was surprised, all the teams showed up for the battle? He could only wonder why. He lifted his hand to his temple and began to scratch with his index finger.
"Don't see why." He said in a frank manner.
"Takao!" Kyoujyu and Hiromi turned to the world champ with a snap.
"What?" Takao removed his hand from his face and looked at the couple with a cocked eyebrow.
"Why are you putting down Cat so much?" Kyoujyu asked.
"Well, she's being so rude to me!" He answered throwing his arms over his chest. "So why should I be nice to her?"
"Because it's polite." Hiromi answered with a grunt.
"SHH!" Daichi popped his redhead in between the teammates. "It's starting!" He said with boyish excitement.
The stage curtains parted. Takao focused his vision on the center stage. Three figures dressed to a T stood on stage each with a microphone in hand. The background music hushed the audience and caused the whole arena to fall into a dead silence. The music continued until a key beat caused Cat and the other two girls to lift their microphones to their lips.
A beautiful melody entered the air and was soon accompanied by three voices. Rumi's deep voice vibrated from the stage; Yumi's high pitched voice held the beat at the highest; and Cat's strong vocals tied the whole song together. The words flowed through their mouths and caused the stadium to become one with its rhythm. He was surprised, the trio actually sounded good together. No, not good, they sounded great together! His mouth opened as he watched the three individuals on stage dance and sing to the melody being played. Maybe…the three should be together. He felt his hand grip his pants, why was he suddenly feeling sick again?
XoXoX
"It's time for the PPB All-starz and The Saint Shields to finally battle! Who will win this war? Let's find out!"
"Nervous?"
Cat twitched at Ozuma's voice. Without looking his way, she nodded her head and blushed. She groaned, again with the red cheeks? Cat lifted her hands to her warm face and sighed. She gripped down on her precious blade, this would have to work; she had to win this fight.
She straightened out her back as much as she could before turning to face her team. They all gave her a positive nod, it was time. She smiled at her captain and took him by the hand. The two partners then walked out on stage. The crowd gave mixed signals, some applause and some boos. She flinched at the sound of her former fans booing her. Ozuma tightened his grip on her hand while she jumped a bit and looked his way. Ozuma gave her a firm head nod before returning his glance forward.
They approached the stairs leading up to the Beydish quicker than she would have liked. Cat took in a deep breath of fresh air before ascending the stairs. She stood in front of the blue Beydish with a nervous grin. It was now time for the PPB All-starz to make their appearance.
Rick was first to walk out into the light. The crowd continued with their mixed applause. Mixed boos and cheers, it didn't matter to the muscle man of the All-starz. He came out with his usual cocky smile and tall stand. His chest was pressed outward like a quail; it looked like nothing could get him down! Max followed shortly after, running after his teammate. It was obvious that Rick had little or no respect for the blond. The bigger of the two hopped up the small flight of stairs with easy and confidence. He stood feet away from Cat, ready for a fight.
"All right!" Blader DJ announced as the crowd cheered, it was apparent they too were ready for a fight. "Cat versus Rick!" The DJ then lifted his arm into the air, ready to signal the start of the match. "3," The two stared at each other for a moment. "2," Both launchers lifted into the air. "1, GO SHOOT!"
Both blades hit the ground hard. They spun at a fast rate and circled each other. Each blader was testing the other out before attacking. Neither wanted to make a premature move that would hurt them later. Growing tired from delay in attack, Rick swung his arm forward and shouted.
"GO! ROCK BISON!"
The yellow blade spun directly at her white blade. The yellow top smashed into her blade, causing the white blade to topple backward. Cat looked up and gave the male a strange look. Rick grumbled under his breath and went on the attack for the second time. This time, as his Rock Bison spun toward her Dwarf Spitz, Cat's white blade shot left and evaded the attack.
"You're strong," She said. "But not so fast, are you? You're gonna have to do better than that to get me!"
Rick spat, good, that meant that there was no way he was going to let her talk to him that way. To mock a guy like him in front of an audience? It was sealing her fate, but it was something she couldn't help but do. It was her nature!
This time she could feel Rick put more energy into his attack. Surely if he hit her blade this time, it would do some serious damage.
"HYPER EVADE!"
Dwarf Spitz made a swift right and again avoided his heavy attack. Rick shook his balled fist in frustration. She was quick, and she used it to her advantage. But her speed would only get her so far. Eventually she would have to attack and she was sure that her attack power was significantly less than her speed. But she had an ace up her sleeve.
XoXoX
As if on cue, her white blade vanished from sight. Rick jerked his head back and forth, his eyes scanning the Beydish for her blade.
"Rick look out!" Max called from the stands, "She's can attack you from anywhere now!"
"Shut up back there!" Rick yelled with his eyes still glued on the Beydish. "I don't need your help Max!"
He glanced up for a moment to see his opponent staring at him. Wait, no she wasn't staring at him, she was staring at Max. He had to do a double take, what was with that stare? Rick stood up straight and peered over his shoulder. He saw the blond staring, not at the blades smashing against one another, but at the female on stage.
What? Why were they staring at each other like that? Rick blinked a few times, feeling confused. Wait, did that mean? Rick's mouth dropped open. No, Max couldn't… After a few moments of deep thought a strange, sly smirk came over Rick's face. Oh so that's how they wanted to play it, eh? So be it.
"HYPER ICE SUBMERGE!"
A valley of ice shot up from the Beydish floor. The sharp shards pierced up in random areas of the dish, causing Rick's blade to fly back and forth in an effort to avoid them. He watched as a single shard of ice shot up from the bottom of the dish and hit his yellow blade. His Rock Bison went flying into the air.
That was it; he had his blade right where he wanted it. Now it was a matter of time before he was knocked out of the dish. And that's just what he wanted. If these two lovebirds were going to flirt from across the ring, then he might as well throw in his own trump card.
"Come on!" Max muttered just loud enough for him to hear, "Counter!"
The yellow blade soared without so much of an ounce of stopping. Rick watched as his yellow blade tumbled to the floor. Without a word or movement from him, the yellow blade rolled to his feet. The crowd went into an uproar; The Saint Shields had won the match. Blader DJ swung his arm forward and shouted into his microphone,
"And the win goes to The Saint Shields! Cat wins!"
"W-what happened?" Max replied, nearly speechless.
Rick stepped down from the dish and passed by his partner. Max stood with his eyes and mouth open. So the stupid blond was shocked to say the least? Good, that's just the way he wanted it. The taller male felt his partner's blue eyes following him as he moved back toward the benches. Now this would be entertaining.
Rick paused for a moment and spoke to his teammate in a low tone, "I lost." He then began to walk again still whispering, "It's that simple."
Max whirled around to face his partner. "That was no accident! Why did you do that?!"
With one shrug of his broad shoulders, he left the area, no doubt leaving Max to feel at odds. Now it was just time to sit back and watch the fireworks. Rick knew exactly what was going to happen, he was no fool. And if he could do anything to make tournament any juicer then he was going to do it without hesitation. Just as long as he came out the winner in the end.
XoXoX
"It's time for our second match!" Blader DJ's voice caught Max off guard. "Ozuma versus Max!"
The crowd roared. Max turned to see that Ozuma had already climbed the stairs and was ready to face him. He took in a deep breath of air before walking toward the Beydish. He would have to face Ozuma? It had been awhile since the two last seen or spoken to one another and now they were facing each other in battle? Strange how things worked out.
Max then ascended the stairs without word. He stood feet away from Ozuma and yet, he felt so far away from him. Why? Why did everything associated with Cat seem so far away? His eyes glanced from Ozuma to his partner waiting in the wings.
There she was, Cat Greco. She had both hands up to her collarbone, with a look of worry on her face. He was nervous. Not because of the fight, because he knew that he would defeat Ozuma. That meant…they both would be fighting one another.
Wait! Max's eyebrows arched and his mouth opened wide. He whirled around to see Rick sitting on the team's bench with a satisfied look on his face. Was this his plan the whole time? Did Rick mean for this to happen? Did Rick want him and Cat to fight one another? No…his cheek began to twitch. How could he?
Max turned back around to face Ozuma. Now or never, the sooner he defeated Ozuma the sooner he could fight Cat. Get it over with; finish it as quick as he could. He knew the fight with Cat would be a long one not because she was a good blader but because he loved her.
XoXoX
"He…" Takao spoke to himself, "He did that on purpose…"
"What's that?" Kyoujyu turned to his best friend and spoke in a confused tone.
"Rick," He answered. "Rick forfeited the match on purpose!"
Kyoujyu, Hiromi and Daichi looked at Takao with shocked faces. The team still sat in the crowd, the audience cheering around them. He looked down to his feet and gritted his teeth. Why was this making him so angry? Why was this affecting him so much? Why…why couldn't he let it go? He gripped his pants and grunted to himself.
"But why?!" Kyoujyu leaned over to him and began to tug at his jacket.
"Because," Takao replied in a low tone, "He wanted Max and Cat to fight in the final round."
"Huh?" Daichi looked at his partner, his finger half way up his nose. "But why? What does that matter?"
Hiromi reached over and slapped Daichi's finger out of his nose then looked to Takao. "Why would it matter if Max and Cat fought anyway?"
He grunted again. He refused to answer. He couldn't, he couldn't just reveal Max's secret love for Cat to the world. Not to Hiromi and Daichi after all, the two were blabbermouths. He gripped tighter on his pants; the pain in his stomach was enormous. There was no way this was just a simple cramp…he had to be something else. Before he could say a word, Kyoujyu let out a small sigh.
"Because Max loves Cat."
"What?!" Hiromi and Daichi shouted at once.
"It's true." Kyoujyu confirmed his previous statement.
Takao felt his hand release his pant leg. He was shocked at the words he just heard but for some odd reason he could process it. Did Kyoujyu just spill? He looked up to see Kyoujyu with his head tilted to the ground. Hiromi and Daichi sat shocked in their seats. He bit down on his lower lip before turning away. It was true. He could deny it and yet…why did he feel the need to hide it? Was it for Max's sake…or his own?
"He's had feelings for her since the first year we were a team." Kyoujyu continued. "I don't know if you guys ever noticed but it's true." A loud sigh passed through his lips. "And now that Cat's got herself a boyfriend…he's been kinda lost."
"I-I never knew." Hiromi stuttered, before looking downward. "But it makes sense now that I know."
"Oh!" Daichi closed his eyes and began to laugh. "That's gross!"
"STADIUM OUT!"
The four teens jumped at the sound of Blader DJ's voice. They all turned their attention to the Beydish in the center of the arena. A single black Beyblade had been tossed from the Beydish and onto the floor. Ozuma stood shocked at what had happened. Max sighed, before retreating from the stage. He knew this was coming. Rick had set this up since the beginning and still…
Act End.