Darkness clawed at him, smothering him like musty, woll blanket. Choking and sputtering, he attempted to call out for help but discovered he was mute.
What was going on?
He reached in his pocket for his bey but resulted with a fistful of smoldering ash. He couldnt see well, whatever was approaching his line of vision was merely a dark gray blob, its crimson eyes leering at him trough a mass of black fabric.
Ginga wasnt afraid, though nervous. His bey lay in ruins, he had lost his voice and he was trapped in an unknown sea of obscurity. Ginga knew from previous experience that it was never a positive thing to be caught off your guard. He lifted a hand to his forehead, an overwhelming sharp pain stabbing his temples like a swift knife. His mouth flew open in a cry of pain. Though not a sound erupted. Something stirred deep within his heart. There was only one explanation for this. It had to be them . . .
They had taken so many lives already, he had to do something about it, for the benefit of the beyblade world, for his friends and mankind. And of course, there was her to worry about. He had been prepared for situations like this, using his power without a bey. The spirit of pegasus had always been there, deep down in his heart. He prayed that his skills wouldnt falter, his teeth clenched together in determination.
He was in the middle of focussing on his powers, when out of nowhere, a glorious, dazzling light exploded right in front of him...and before he could protest, Ginkga was shoved back into the greedy clutches of darkness, as a vision of hazel brown dancing in a summer´s breeze and the warmth of her teasing smile sent his heart a flutter.
Ginga? ...Ginga! Ginga, please wake up!
The voice was oddly familiar and caring. He was sure, he had heard it many times before... somewhere.
Ginga, are you all right?
He slowly fluttered his eyes open and found them gazing into the worried blue eyes of Madoka. So it had all been just a dream. Ginga was speechless at first and could only throw her a lazy smile in response.
She just looked the way, he remembered her. No, in fact she had grown into a gorgeous young woman. He hair had grown a little longer and had gotten a little fuller. She was no longer a teen girl, as she used to be...she had fully matured into a graceful woman. She was even more beautiful, that he had ever imagined. It was all good to be true. After years of wandering around in Korea without a memory and nearly a year trying to get his life back together, he had started to give up hope. But now, he was here. Back to the person, he loved the most in this entire world.
Madoka? Is it really you? He whispered with a low pitched voice.
Her cheeks were flushed with a light hue of pink and her eyes were like two oversized pearls...he had never seen anyone more beautiful. She nodded, tears hiding in the corners of her eyes. When she reached out and gently placed her hand on his arm, Ginga knew he was awake.
Yes, its me. You had me scared for a moment there, she quietly confessed.
Ginga struggled to sit up and realized he was in a bedroom. It was her bedroom.
Why? What happened? He asked, wondering how he got here.
She sighed, looked down at her hand and pulled it away, as though she felt guilty for leaving it there.
Well, I came up here to check on you and you were shaking and mumbling something. I felt your forehead and it was all clammy. I tried waking you up, but nothing worked...
Ginga was a little alarmed at this revelation but for the most part, couldnt care less.
He was at the B-pit, talking to Madoka. That was enough for him.
How long have I been out? He questioned, while adjusting himself against the headboard.
About a day. ..You arrived yesterday evening and just collapsed at the doorstep. I was so worried. I didnt know what to do...I thought about calling a doctor, but remembering how you act towards them, I wasnt sure anymore...
Ginga couldnt help, but inwardly chuckle.
Thanks! I really am grateful that you didnt call a doctor. Im sorry that I caused you so much trouble. I should have rested more, but I wasnt able to sleep since a week. Thats why exhaustion kind of overwhelmed me back there...
You didnt sleep for a hole week? Madoka asked startled. Why?
Ginga only smiled in response. Wasnt it obvious?
Because the mere thought of seeing you again, made me restless..., he whispered. Then he leaned towars her.
He took both of her hands in his and gently pressed them against his lips. His hands felt cold aginst hers. Madoka was so surprised, that she couldnt even react to this. Did he really gave her a hand kiss now? She felt her face getting hot. What the hell was he doing? Was this really Ginga? The guy with zero sense for romance?
G-Ginga? She asked weakly. What? What are you doing?
He grinned in response. His smile made her feel even more confused. What was going on? Was this some kind of joke? She took her hands away.
What happened to you? She asked with a frown, her heart still poundering about his behavior.
Where have you been all this time? You didnt contact anyone...nobody heard a word from you! And now you appear here- suddenly- just as if nothing happened! Madoka hadnt meant to burst all this things out at him, at once, but she couldnt stop herself anymore.
Do you know what you did to me? Do you know how long Ive waited for you to return? She asked, her voice trembling. Tears of anger and depression were building up in her eyes.
Madoka...I, he began as he reached out for her hand again.
She shook her head, not willing to let him take her hand. Her voice came out strangled.
I missed you, you know? I thought that we were meant to be...but then you were gone.
Ginga only returned her look. He seemed so sad. Suddenly his face appeard very old. Not old as in aging wrinkles, per say, but old as in matured. Weathered. It was the face of someone who had seen too much desctruction to simply forget. The expression of someone who had their heart stomped on many times. It was the type of expression, he used to have, before he returned, when he sat up at night, gazing up into the depths of the stars, wondering when he´d ever get his memory back.
Ginga...when you vanished...I couldnt think. I didnt know what to do. It was all so outrageous, like I was having a nightmare or something..., she sighed.
Ginga wanted to take her in his arms so badly, but he wasnt sure if that was okay with her. It didnt seem that way. He had to explain himself first.
Madoka, it was horrible for me, too. I was stricken with a case of amnesia, you know?
It wasnt as if this had been my choice. I wouldnt never had left you like that! I kept seeing you face though... it was driving me crazy. I wasnt sure who or what I was running to but I couldnt stay in Korea any longer.
Madoka peered at him intently.
That is where you were this entire time? Korea?
Ginga nodded.
Everyone thinks, that when the explosion happened, it was over for me, that I died. But that wasnt what happened back there. I was kidnapped by them and they made me leave Japan. In fact I had no clue what was going on...since I lost all my memories due to the injuries at that accident.
Madoka was completely startled at this new piece of information.
What? Which explosion? What are you talking about...and who took you to Korea?
Ginga looked surprised as well. They never told you? He asked with a frown in disbelief.
No one told me anything! She exclaimed, feeling angry. I asked your father, but he refused to tell me anything about you, saying that you went on a journey! Later on there were rumors that you passed away in an accident...
Hmm, I guess that is what it looked like. My father probably wanted to keep you out, since it was still too dangerous to state out other information. He must have thought that the rumors are right...
Eh?
Madoka got the feeling, that she had been excluded. And she didnt like that.
Would you mind telling me the hole story then? She begged. No one told me anything at all!
Ginga took a deep breath.
Sure, he said.
Its the least, I can do... As you know after the Legendary bladers and me were able to defeat Nemesis, we had some peaceful days.
But then there was this organization, called Z. They were a thousand times more dangerous than Dark Nebula, or anyone we had to deal with before. They planned on taking the world, using the power of the Legendary beys. Of course, they knew, that we blader wouldnt cooperate that easily with them. Their first target was me. Since, they hoped, that this way, they would be able to win the other bladers over too. So I was invited over to their headquarters. My father had already warned me, that they could be on the wrong side. But back then, we had been way to careless, since we underestimated them.
You never told me a single word about this. . .
Ginga sighed. I know. Please believe me, I wanted to...but I wasnt allowed to. I never would have thought that my first encounter would turn out this way.
Madoka felt her stomach twist into a huge knot. Dont tell me, that explosion . . .?
He nodded. It happened, when I was there... I have no idea, if they planned it that way, or if it really had been some sort of accident. However, that was how I lost my memories...I had been kept captive at a warehouse for many days. I didnt know what to do, not knowing where I am or who I was...after some days, they sailed to Korea, taking me with them. Even though I had lost everything, I still wasnt willing to work for them, so they got pissed at me..., well, you know, they tried to force me, but it didnt work out. Eventually the other Legendary bladers learnt about what happened to me and tried to help me. But since no one knew, where I was kept captivated there was no chance for them.
Madoka was totally captured by his words. She remembered that the other legendary bladers vanished a few weeks after Ginga did, but she always thought, they went on travel journeys. Never did she think, that they were searching for Ginga.
How did you manage to escape? She asked curious.
Well, it wasnt easy by any means, but within the past few years, my memory started to improve. It kind of returned in flashes...I would always have dreams...about talking with Kenta and Benkei...about blading at tournaments...most of them, were about you, though... When I finally understood, how to use my powers again, I battled them. Im not sure if I was able to fully destroy their organization. I was finally free, but still felt lost. That is why I went on my own journey, trying to figure out my way back home.
His gaze traveled towards the window, his mind now far away from the B-Pit. It was odd sitting there with Madoka, discussing his journey like some kind of childhood legend or myth. Something gave way in his heart and he felt a pang of sadness.
He had spent many years of his life, trapped in a strange place, without any contact from the people he cared for. He could have been doing something else during that time... but instead he had been wandering like a lost puppy, searching for the place and people he called home.
My memory came back. But I was a bit naive. I wasnt aware anyone had thought I´d gone missing...or dead. I dont think I realized how much time actually had passed. Its acutally when I look at myself in the mirror...that makes me realize that in fact already seven years have passed...
Because you look so old? Madoka asked. She meant it in a joking way, not bearing to see him look like that.
Ginga was a little surprised first. Did he really look that old? Then he realized she was teasing him.
He couldnt help, but chuckle. She had to giggle too.
Madoka felt relieved to see him like that. She was so happy, that he seemed to be still the guy, who had been always positive and strong . What if time had transformed him into a total stranger? But it was becoming more and more evident that he was the same.
The fact that she was sitting here, with Ginga suddenly overwhelmed her. It seemed so unreal and for some reasons she started to feel insecure. Madoka´s smile instantly dropped off her face. She gazed down at the sheets and stayed silent. She had to tell him...that she moved on.
She still couldnt believe that Ginga went through all these things.
Madoka . . . Ive missed you. More than you know, he told her.
Madoka´s eyes watered, her lips trembling. All the hurt and anguish she had experienced during his disappearance bubbled to the surface like boiling water. She had missed him so much... and sooner or later, she would have to break his heart.
Oh Ginga! I missed you too! Maybe too much in fact... You just dont know...you dont know how hard this is for me...she mumbled.
Ginga gave her a concerned look of worry, swung his legs over the wrinkled sheets and securely wrapped his arms around her. He didnt exactly know what she meant with that statement, but brushed it aside. Madoka felt herself melt into his embrace, her face burying into his neck.
Ginga savored the moment and stroked her hair, resting his chin on top of her head. He was grateful that he finally finished explaining his long journey back home. He was just about to go crazy not being able to hold her.
Something inside of him let out a sigh of relief as he enjoyed the close contact. Her smell, her warmth, her soft skin. He closed his eyes and inhaled her intoxicating scent. Ginga was never a bold or extremly sentimental guy when it came to the subject of girls, but around Madoka...he felt at ease.
How much did he miss her? He could not even describe his longing for her with simple words. His hole body was craving for her. For Madoka...The feeling of finally having her back, was incredible.
Little did he know, about what was going on inside her heart. He just assumed that she felt the same about him, as he did for her.
As always! Thank you for reading! :-) Please keep following me! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please dont forget to review!
Special thanks to: resplandorrosa626(for always being so quick), Midnight Mayonaka :-*, ShinyBlackwolf :-*, GinMado123 (Im really glad, that you kept interested in my stories!), Pegasus Girl(I read your story and its really cute!), my dear guests ruka and anna! ;) I love you guys! :* :* :*