Chapter 7

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It's been a while since I updated this story. I am so very sorry for being late as usual.

I've decided to start updating on the first/last days of the month, so you can start expecting when these will come in. But school...is expected to become very difficult...in the next few months...but I'm in grade nine and my grades are in good shape, so I'm not going to worry. Much. Don't be surprised if you hear of my world-famous spazz-out on the news because of school.

Thank you to:

Bristleclaw

Chidsengan

GoldenAngel999

Lethal-Circle

Penpal678910

Never fear; the new chapter is here! I won't bore you any longer in this AN.

Madouka paused the video she was watching and minimized all the tabs on her computer when she felt Ginga peering over her shoulder. A cross look flitted over her face. "Go away, Ginga," she ordered loudly.

After sighing and scratching the back of his head, Ginga hopped over the couch to land on the cushions beside her. "What have you been doing on the computer this whole time?" He queried. "I mean..." He gave a curious shrug. "You can't be doing research or work, can you?"

Madouka gave an irritated huff. "None of your business," she snapped, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Truth to be told, it wasn't a bad thing, and Madouka herself wasn't sure why she was hiding it...but the notion of her activity, for whatever reason, simply felt...childish. Ginga couldn't be the worst person in the world to share it with, though, she told herself. After all, he himself was half a child. And besides, something told her that he would very much like to see what she had hidden on her computer. It was something of nostalgia for them both, anyways. Even then, however, her stubborn self persisted.

"I just need some quiet and privacy." Madouka fingered the cord of her earphones with a painted nail. "Honestly, Ginga...it's nothing."

When she looked up, however, she did not expect his brown eyes to look so pleading and sad. "C'mon, Madouka," he whimpered. "Whyyy? Pretty please? I won't laugh or anything. I just want to see."

Giving in at last, Madouka opened her laptop, typed in the password, and showed him what she'd been watching.

Ginga blinked in disbelief, a shocked utter stopping halfway in his lips. "The World... Championships..."

"Yeah. Of our time."

Ginga's hand brushed the screen as if he were touching a holy relic. "This is..." A confused expression appeared on his face, like he wasn't sure of the flurry of emotions that had just entered his mind.

Madouka unplugged the earphones from the audio jack so they could both listen as the announcers raged on.

"I don't believe this! What a battle is just raging over here! Kyoya Tategami and Ginga Hagane...they are sure to be a part of the most epic rivalry in history..."

"It's a shame, though, isn't it? These two would have made a great pairing for the finals...but life doesn't always follow the textbook, huh?"

"It sure doesn't," Ginga murmured sadly. Madouka didn't have to ask to understand what he meant. His eyes had misted over sadly at the mention of his former rival's name, and the words that followed. "Oh, Ginga." Madouka pressed against her friend comfortingly. "We'll find him someday. He'll come back, you'll see." But her voice cracked and her confidence faltered, both already damaged by doubt.

Ginga couldn't seem to blink the tears away. "But...if he does..." He sniffled. "Well... When he does come back, to challenge the champion, Ginga Hagane..." He almost burst into tears, giving a choked sob. "He'll hate me, Madouka. I'm not the same person that I was."

Madouka wrapped him in a hug, her eyes lowered. "Neither will he."

"Huh?"

Ginga looked up at her questioningly, and Madouka met his gaze with a bright smile. "Knowing Kyoya, the very instant you dropped blading, I bet he left it alone, too. You were his career, Ginga. I wouldn't be surprised of he'd gone to college and become a doctor or something," she scoffed. "He was always so strong-willed. Who knows, maybe he's hanging out in America, with a new family, and waiting for you to find him."

At the words "new family" Ginga's eyes dropped and the spark glimmered sadly, but he still smiled. "Yeah. Thanks Madouka." Seeming somewhat ashamed, he wiped hurriedly at his tears, and she did her best to help, fussing.

She knew it was an obvious trick, but it was one that worked, anyways. Stretching back, she gave a despondent sigh. "Oh, no... I completely forgot about those cupcakes! There's way too many of those leftovers for MeiMei and I to eat...

Like always, Ginga's eyes lit up brighter than a lighthouse. His brain was already going into hyperdrive, Madouka could tell. He always got that same crazy gleam in those wide brown orbs. "I'LL finish them, Madouka! Don't you worry!" Still in hyperdrive, he catapulted from his seat towards the kitchen.

Shaking her head, Madouka got up to follow him, but stopped when she saw someone creeping by. "MeiMei? Is that you?"

The Chinese girl froze when her name was called. She spun around, a strangely casual expression on her face, like she was hiding something. "Yes?" She responded in a shaky, nervous voice. "I-I'm just going out. For a walk. Or a drive." She fingered a silver ring on her finger nervously, rocking back and forth on her heels. Madouka's smile widened.

"Oooh, I see."

"See what?" Poor MeiMei sounded quite genuinely worried.

"Are you going on a date!?" Madouka half-shrieked, half-whispered. The Chinese girl flailed her hands, a finger on her lips. "Shhhh! It's not tha-"

"It's fine," Madouka declared haughtily, waving her friend away. "Go. Go, girl! Tell me aaaall the details later." MeiMei still looked fidgety, and maybe even a bit cross, but Madouka still ran off squealing -

- until she saw the kitchen.

Ginga was sitting in a small circle of a mess of cupcake crumbs and icing littering the ground, licking his fingers greedily and happily. He looked up at Madouka, with a cheerful and satisfied smile on his face, until it faltered when he saw her expression swelling up, and turning very, very red.

"GIIIIIIINNNGAAAAA!"

Masamune's hands fiddled nervously, his fingernails scratching the hard metal surface of his handcuffs. His wrists ached from the hundred futile attempts he'd made at breaking them in the police car.

He didn't like sitting here, in the police station. There were all sorts of nasty-looking people in here, and he happened to be right next to two of them. On either side of him was a pair of ragged, dirty homeless creeps; one stank, the other smelled bad, and they both looked in pretty rough shape. In other words, they looked like they were about to mug him any second now, though both their hands and their feet had been cuffed together - which wasn't much comfort on his part.

An officer walked over and fixed him with a beady stare. Masamune tried not to squirm - because he really had to pee, not because policemen made him squeamish. The only two people on earth that could really scare him were Madouka and Coach Steels.

"You can use the phone, now," the officer told him gruffly.

A million thank-yous running through his brain, Masamune leaped to his feet and shuffled to the phone as fast as one holding in a bad bathroom break could.

Once there, however, he paused.

If he called the Konzern Household, anyone could pick up. He needed someone mature but trustworthy, like Tsubasa, to bail him out ( though he knew the older man to be busy at work) ...but who? Klaus, he thought numbly. If he called the European man's cell phone...

After several attempts, though, that wound up with nothing but voicemail, Masamune gave up. It was clear that Klaus wasn't responding to his cell, and he didn't dare disturb anyone at the office...it already looked like he was out of options. With a dejected sigh, he dialled the number for Konzern Mansion and waited for Madouka to chew him out.

"Hello?"

At first, he didn't recognize the chirp that met his call, until the Chinese accent hit him. "MeiMei!" He gasped, almost collapsing to the floor in relief. "I-is that you?"

The Chinese girl paused. Masamune wondered if she was bothered at all by his exuberance. "Um, yeah. Why?"

"Thank goodness," he sighed, throwing himself against the wall and standing there, unmoving. His heart was still racing from the anticipation of having to explain and hear from Madouka. "Look, I need you to do me a huge favour - and you can't tell Madouka or Ginga about it. Not a word! Got it?"

MeiMei giggled, but seemed willing enough to comply. "Sure. What do you need, Masamune?" Her chuckle passed through the phone lines with a crackle. "What kind of trouble did you get yourself into this time?"

Masamune sheepishly grinned, though he knew that the Chinese martial artist could 't see it. Scratching his head he told her, though somewhat hesitantly. "Um, a lot of trouble, actually... I got in a fi-you know what? It's a long story. I'll explain later, MeiMei, but right now I just really need you to bail me out?"

There was a moment of silence on the other line. Then, "what?" and a shuffle of static. "Masamune, how the hell do you fucking get yourself in these messes? Oh my goodness; I'm coming over there right now! How in the god dammed world did you - yeah, actually, I won't ask; I'm coming. Right now!"

Masamune breathed a sigh of relief. "Like I said," he warned her, "don't tell Madouka. Or Ginga. In fact - if you can - just get away without them even noticing, got it?"

MeiMei's voice dropped to a whisper. "Um, I don't know. Both of them are chatting in the living room..."

A young, red-haired police officer was starting to make scary glances in Masamune's direction; he licked his lips, his explanation starting to grow hurried.

"Look, MeiMei, just do what I told you to - please? I really have to go soon.." He ignored her protests as another timely warning glare was thrown in his direction. "C'mon, MeiMei, just do this one favour for me, okay? Klaus will help pay you back, got it? I-I really have to go now, I promise I'll explain!"

Masamune didn't have time to hear her, let alone hang up properly before he was roughly yanked away. "I'd like to ask you some follow-up questions," the officer informed him politely, much unlike the rude interruption he'd made before. He nodded in the direction of the office rooms, maroon curls bobbing. "Your...friend has decided not to press charges."

Down the hall, Masamune saw Zeo, still rubbing his face as he was directed by a bulky, taller policeman with spiky brown hair. But as they passed one another, they exchanged a glare of mutual hatred.

The police officer gestured to a seat across from a desk, and Masqmune sat down. "Do you have someone to pick you up?" He asked gently. This was definitely unlike the treatment he received just now at the phone, Masamune thought.

"Yah." He slouched in his seat, but was surprised when the officer removed his handcuffs.

"They're not needed anymore," the officer informed him at his confused glance. "Besides," he added with a smirk, tossing them aside, "we don't need you to scuff them up more than you already have. Not like this'll be going on your criminal record, anyways."

"Thanks." Masamune rubbed his wrists, resisting the urge to groan.

The officer crossed his arms and sat down on the desk with a frown. "Now, normally I wouldn't really get myself involved in these personal affairs, but... I find this curious. The eyewitnesses saw you corner Mr. ...um... Abyss, there, then attack him as he was riding away on his bike. Not to mention..." The officer gave a chuckle. "In front of a hospital, out of all places. Can I ask what's going on?"

Masamune stared at the ground. It felt like he was talking to a psychologist or something. Not in a bad way, though. It was nice, for a change, that someone was asking and sounded concerned, rather than butting in his business.

Masamune shrugged. Why not? This trip was already screwed up enough as it was.

"Sure. Why not?" The officer smiled, but it slowly dissolved as Masamune began speaking. "I lived in America seven years ago, and I had two best friends. One of them got really sick when I went back to Japan, and now I can't see him, because the other won't let me."

There was a moment of awkward silence. The police officer fidgeted nervously, then spoke, though his words came out somewhat forced. "So this friend...who won't let you see the sick friend... Is that Mr. Abyss?"

"Yup," came Masamune's flat reply.

"Wow." The officer scratched the back of his head awkwardly, brushing his long red locks aside. "That...sounds complicated." His professional tone was gone.

Masamune stared at the floor. "You bet it is." Personally, though, he didn't think a police officer could really understand the confusion of not seeing a friend for seven years, and then suddenly wanting to see him after an eternity of forgetting, then... Ugh. This really was a long and complicated mess.

"You know," the policeman sighed, "I was in a situation pretty similar to yours, not too long ago."

Masamune looked back up at him, baffled. After what he'd been through, it didn't seem very likely that anyone in America, let alone the world understood what kind of wringer he was being pulled through.

The red-haired officer nodded to one with spiky brown hair, across the hall. "See that guy there? He's my partner."

"Okay..." Masamune followed his gaze, recognizing them as the officer who had escorted Zeo from the station. "What about him?"

The redhead smirked. Or was that colour closer to maroon? Pinning down this guy's hair colour made Masamune's head hurt. "Well, we were best buddies in high school, twelve or something years ago. We separated ways, and then got back together after high school reunion." He gave a shrug. "My parents were never big fans of our friendship. And when my dad died, I found out why."

Masamune leaned forward. "What was it?"

The officer smirked again. "His will wasn't addressed by name, for some reason. All it said was, "to my beloved son". However... Aguma over there came out, trying to grab the inheritance for himself. Apparently, my father had a thing for his mom a while back in their high school years..."

As he finally understood, Masamune's mouth went dry. "...he's your half-brother."

Closing his eyes, the officer nodded. "I don't know how, or how long it took, but...things smoothened out. Later, we realized, our families just wanted to be enemies from the start. They were the ones just egging us on, to fight for what was right, to get what we deserved. And...in the end..." Scratching his shaved chin, he chuckled. "We just realized...the fight wasn't even about the inheritance. I still don't know what it could have been about; I think it was just the jealousy, or maybe bitter feelings about how we cut off such a good friendship. All we wanted was to be brothers again. Not just because we happened to be biologically connected, but...it made sense to rekindle the old friendship. We've been working together on the police force ever since."

After that speech, Masamune was quiet. Two friends and brothers, fighting over an inheritance that didn't even matter... Was that him and Zeo? Did they have an underlying motive, that would reveal their true upset? Masamune's eyes narrowed. But there was one difference that separated their stories.

Toby.

Masamune was fighting his friend for another one - someone he needed to see. Zeo could stagger around and act wounded or betrayed, but the only apology Masamune had was for Toby. After all, how had Zeo suffered? Masamune had done his research, and listened as Zeo begged the officers not to press charges.

He had a girlfriend. He had a scholarship to HD Academy, the finest school in New York. Also meaning he had good grades. And his family had moved out of their rickety apartment into a nice home that Toby's family couldn't afford to even rent for a day.

The friendly officer extended a hand. "I'm Bao, by the way."

Masamune accepted it with a grateful smile. "I told you this already, but - Masamune Kadoya."

"Someone say Masamune?"

MeiMei appeared out of nowhere, and slammed into him. "Oh my gosh! Masamune!" She fixed him with an evil glare. "WHAT the hell happened to you?"

Bao raised his hands, while his disgruntled partner jogged over to catch up with the wild visitor. "Don't worry, ma'am. There haven't been any charges placed. There was just a disturbance. We just wanted to make sure he could get home safely, is all."

MeiMei crossed her arms and glared at Bao's partner, Aguma. "Better not be any trouble. You'd rather I didn't deal with it."

Now embarrassed, Masamune stood and dragged MeiMei away. "Uh, thanks for everything officer. Including the tea." As MeiMei shot him a perplexed glance, he smiled weakly and hissed in her ear. "Let's just get out of here. Please. I promise I'll explain."

With an angry huff, MeiMei stormed to the entrance. Masamune was about to follow her, when he paused, looking at Bao. "Um...thanks. I might take you up on that call sometime."

The long-haired policeman smiled, though Aguma looked at them both in confusion.

"No problem."

At MeiMei's scream of "Masamune!" he gave one last weak smile and dashed out the station.

MeiMei was mad. Really mad. Fuming enough to convince Masamune that he'd have to add her to the list of people who scared him.

"Masamune." Unlike Madouka, her voice was dangerously quiet. "Why the hell were you at the police station?"

He shrank back in his seat. MeiMei must have borrowed one of Konzern's cars; it was too luxurious to be a rental, or one of her own. "It's...um..."

MeiMei slammed on the brakes, and the car went fish-tailing down the crowded street, causing car horns to beep. "A long story," she growled, pulling over. "And we have plenty of time."

Masamune swallowed, blinking back tears. MeiMei didn't scare him enough to distract him from his overwhelming sadness. "I can't see Toby."

MeiMei's expression slackened with grief instantly. "He's not dead, is he?"

"No, no." Masamune shook his head. "Nothing like that. At least I hope not." His voice cracked.

MeiMei stared at him quizzically. "What do you mean? Didn't you see him?"

Masamune pounded the headrest in frustration. "No! I didn't. I..." When her look turned disapproving, he glared at her. "Zeo won't let me see him!" He burst out. "Toby's in some fancy-ass hospital and I'm not on the guest list; I don't know if Toby even knows that I'm here, but if he does, he's sure as hell not letting me walk upstairs and apologize for not visiting in seven goddamn years!"

They were both silent, just watching the cars race by. Masamune stared out the window, tears streaming down his face.

"I'm sorry Masamune." MeiMei's sorrowful tone was almost worse than her anger. "I wish you told us. We could have done something."

Masamune shook his head bitterly. "I don't know what you could do."

MeiMei sighed. "We all run out of time, eventually."

There was something about the wistful way she said it that made him turn in suspicion. It was like...it sounded like... Toby. When he'd been sick, and telling them he'd be fine. Masamune had fallen for it the first time; watching beyblade, going to school, battling with others, and finally flying off to Japan and not returning for seven years; pretending nothing was wrong.

He looked at MeiMei. The Chinese girl's expression was hard. She wasn't even crying; there was just stone-hard determination on her face. He grabbed her by the shoulders and stared into her eyes, searching her face for a clue. "What aren't you telling me?"

"What?" She feigned surprise, but there was something else. "What do you mean?"

"Spit! It! Out, MeiMei! Who the hell travels the world for a year and stays in Japan with her girlfriends for six months? Especially after they've been dedicated to someplace for life, and when they supposedly have a boyfriend back home?" When she turned pale, he rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I heard about your Wang Hu Zhong romance. But you've been living it out quite a lot. And I should have realized that Sophie's been a little generous about taking you places. So - what is it?"

MeiMei twisted his arms and tore them off her shoulders, making him wince. He knew she hadn't actually tried to hurt him, though.

"Fine." She was blinking back tears. With a huff, she crossed her arms and glared out the front window. "I'm dying. But you've probably figured that out." Masamune nodded, as expected, and she gave a bitter laugh. "Okay. But you have to promise not to tell anyone else. Only Sophie knows. Maybe Wales, too. And Klaus, if Wales already knows about it."

Masamune closed his eyes, fists tight. "Which is it?"

"It's a genetic thing. My family's had a bad history for cancer and heart diseases. I won't say which it is. I'm on medication to stop it, but..." She trailed off, her voice dying off. Masamune shuddered at that thought. Any vocabulary portraying death would now haunt him forever.

"No one in my family's ever survived..." His shoulders sagged at the defeat in MeiMei's voice. "Even with the best treatment. They never make it for more than a few years, and then..."

"How long?" His voice was almost unrecognizable; dull and deprived of emotion.

"Three years. Maybe five, if I'm lucky."

"But how much time do you have left now?" He gave her a pointed look, and MeiMei laughed shakily. It only made Masamune feel worse, though. "A year and a half. If you go by the three-year estimate."

"MeiMei..." Masamune dropped his gaze. "Why? How? How could you give up so easily? You should be brave. Healthy. Fighting this. Don't waste your time or your life any more, just...doing...this."

The Chinese girl pounded the dashboard angrily. "I've watched everyone in my family go through with this!" She yelled. "They just suffered, and watched their hair fall out, and rolled around without sleep, and cried and took medicine until they were sick..." Her face slackened back into grief. "I don't know," she whimpered. "I just got so scared, I had to leave and...now... I just don't know which decision was right or better any more."

Masamune let her cry into his arms. He needed the hug anyways, because he was crying, too.

He thought of his earlier thoughts. Of Zeo. And Toby.

Especially what he thought, when thinking about how little Zeo had suffered. How few his losses were. How wrong he was in thinking like that.

This was Zeo's suffrage. Watching a friend slowly die in the hospital, and despairing every day at the slim chance of survival. Feeling hollow and empty at every success: academically, romantically, financially - but having no power over the health of that one friend.

Masamune's depression sank like a brick. How could he have been so selfish? Around Zeo, Toby, MeiMei; everything? He felt ashamed for punching Zeo. He probably didn't have to, though. That strike was nothing compared to watching Toby slowly die.

He patted MeiMei's head. He hoped she was in well enough condition to keep driving. He had a bad habit for speeding, and didn't want to he stopped on the road. "Hey. We should...go back. To Konzern's."

"Yeah." Sniffing, MeiMei turned the keys, starting the ignition. "Sorry."

"No, I'm sorry." The funny thing about his apology was that it was genuine. Something about it felt funny on his tongue. "Look, I can't explain it, but...we have to get back to Konzern's mansion. Right now. I... I have to explain this..."

The determination from earlier flashed over MeiMei's face. "Yeah," she growled, pulling out from her parking spot. "Me too."

Masamune gulped. "MeiMei, it's a...pretty serious matter. I mean, life and death; come on. Are you sure you want to tell them - Tsubasa, and Ginga, and Madouka; god, she'll be really-"

"I'm not telling any of them," MeiMei growled. "I...have to tell them. At the temple."

Seeing Masamune's shock, she smiled. "Yeah. The other two promised not to tell him. Now... I have to. I should." She shook her head. "I told him at first that it was over, for now, but then that it wasn't and I'll be back, but...if I'm not... I want to be the one he heard it from."

The car ride was silent once more, until Masamune spoke up with an encouraging smile. "That's...a good thing. It's brave of you to do that, MeiMei." She smiled back.

"Thanks. Your idea's not bad, either."

He took a deep breath, knowing this last request wouldn't be easy. "Can I ask you to do one more brave thing?"

"Yeah?" MeiMei's eyes were focused on the road.

Masamune swallowed. "If I can convince Zeo not to hate me...talk to Toby...get my friendships back, and live in New York by the end of the month...you have to promise me you'll get treatment."

There was a stunned silence. Then a blank, "wait, what?"

"Please, MeiMei." Masamune held her gaze. "For him. For everyone."

She didn't respond. All that could be heard was the babble of traffic.

"Whether you do it or not..." She cast him a look of pity. "Even if you do pull through with your bet..."

Masamune held his breath.

"I wouldn't want you to lose another friend."

He sighed with relief. "Thank you, MeiMei."

"No. Thank you, Masamune."

Oh no! MeiMei is dying...! : ( I kinda added in that part last-minute, but whatever.

Thank you for reading and reviewing, peeps...your dedication is much appreciated, don't worry.

But don't go yet! I have one more surprise...to make up for my pathetic excuse of a timely update, I made this chapter LONGER than the rest! Over five thousand words! *applause*

So...what are you waiting for? Keep...reading!

Aside from Ginga and Madouka, another person was bored out of his mind (somewhat) similarly, and also had been for a very long while.

Surrounded by nothing more than walls, nurses, and air, there wasn't much for Toby to do. The sunshine looked so pleasant outside, but the doctors had insisted he stay indoors today.

Zeo couldn't come today, since he had school, but it was almost three o'clock, meaning his school day had just ended. Toby wasn't sure if he'd drop by on his way back; sometimes he visited, but most times he couldn't - probably because of schoolwork.

Toby didn't mind - if anything, he'd rather that Zeo excelled. He understood how serious it was for his friend to succeed academically, if he wanted to get into a university at all, since he would need a scholarship to pay for his tuition. Mostly out of guilt, though, Toby swallowed this down. If it hadn't been for his illness, after all, Zeo could have been working half the amount of time he did to simply pay for his college tuition, and Toby could have gladly helped him.

And so, here he sat. Bored out of his mind, as he had been for the last seven years.

Seven years was a long time, he reflected. Seven years had taken him all the way past high school. The treatment hadn't even taken half that time, though; the doctors said it was surprising he'd held on for so long, and almost equally shocking that he'd been cured so quickly. They called it a miracle, but Toby called it a bond.

It was the will to live. He wanted so badly to see Masamune at the fight of his life - the fight of their lives, and see his hand raised as he basked in the glory of victory at the World Championships. Toby wanted to cheer for him, and wanted to cheer with Zeo. He wanted them to celebrate together that their friend had done it, he'd won, that he'd won the World Championships and made their dreams come true, even with Zeo struggling between school and Toby's health, and Toby stranded in the hospital. Toby wanted to see that. He wanted to witness it through his own eyes, and so, he was determined not to die.

But now, seven years later, all he wanted was out of this hospital. He'd had enough of the nurses, the walls, the grassy endless lawn, and wanted out. He wanted to go back home, maybe stay with his parents a while, go back to school, and maybe, just maybe...he could visit Masamune in Japan. Toby hadn't been given any letters or such, but strangely enough, perhaps because of his determination to battle his illness, Masamune had become lodged in his mind. That was where he'd left off, with him, Zeo and Masamune, and that was where he wanted to pick up again.

Someone was hovering by his door awkwardly, their fist raised hesitantly as if ready to knock on the wide-open door. "Yes?" Toby called out, turning to see who it was.

A tall, tanned young man with green eyes and chocolate-brown hair scratched the back if his neck awkwardly. "Um, hi. Can I just...use you TV for a sec?" He jabbed his thumb in one direction of the hallway. "Ours is stuck. We need the nurse to grab the remote, but I just wanted to see the weather report."

"Sure thing." Reaching over to his nightstand, Toby picked up the remote, turned on the TV with the simple press of a button, and switched the channel to the news.

"... Tropical storm expected to come. Officials and volunteers are already gathering sandbags in the coastal city, preparing for the worst. Next, an update on our celebrity news." The reporter gave a chuckle, red lips thinning as she smiled. "The arrival of the newest president of the World BeyBlading Association caused a bit of a ruckus today, when he arrived in a private jet, only to be surrounded by hundreds of paparazzi and media, including our own set of interviewers and camera crew. Even more shocking were the guests he brought along, who have finally been identified..."

"Ah, nuts," the stranger muttered, stuffing his hands in his pockets with a good-natured shrug. "Guess I missed it. Thanks anyway," he called over his shoulder as he hurriedly left.

"No problem," Toby called back dreamily, but his attention was turned to the screen. The tape caught by the camera crew was being shown on the screen, and amongst the chaotic crowd of cameras and bodies, he could see a familiar face that had just disembarked from the plane, and was staring around wildly. "...Including his fellow former members from Team Japan's GanGan Galaxy, from the World Championships almost seven years ago, Ginga Hagane, Madouka Amano..."

Toby whispered the last name himself, the words almost dying at his lips. "... And Masamune Kadoya," he whispered, as the realization suddenly dawned on him.

Masamune had returned.

Please let me know if there were any serious errors with this chapter, because I had some trouble with uploading it, and there where these repetitions and awful mistakes and...

*Whips out cookies* Review, please!

(Only if you can. I'm not in any way forcing you to. Well, mostly because I can't and...yeah. Never mind.)