~ CHAPTER 2 ~

New things, old things

It was a warm and sunny day on May. The riverbank was filled with loud noise of children as they were laughing and whooping while clash of metal beyblades echoed in the area. The Beyblade School for Kids was open at this weekend again. Actually, it was more like a small training camp than a real school. After the last battle between Tyson and Brooklyn the devastation was so colossal that it gave a lot of work and not less headache for the engineers to rebuild the completely destroyed beystadium. It'd been two years now and the new stadium was still not finished.

The lack of financial support was no issue because after Kai had turned eighteen, he officially inherited the great wealth the Hiwatari name brought for him, and his grandfather's company, which he didn't bother to take under lead. Kai didn't think twice before he'd given out a big amount of money from his account for the BBA to help. Mr. Dickenson was never so grateful and when he thanked the young man, Kai had only one request in exchange; the new beystadium must represent a symbol of Dranzer and Dragoon. There was no more question left, Mr. Dickenson gladly promised him that.

However, the stadium was still under the process of construction. It seemed whenever one problem was solved there came another one. The engineers came up always with new design plans because due to the wild battles among the bladers and their bitbeasts, the spectators' safety was their main point. It seemed nothing was good enough for them. So, when Tyson and Kenny walked into Mr. Dickenson's office with a new project of a Beyblade School for Kids, the old BBA Director was more than willing to agree to it. Soon, lot of old and new friends of Tyson joined in, being eager to volunteer in the project so to keep up the enthusiasm of this sport, till the new stadium was done.

There was a large tent built up beside the riverbank with several bey-dishes placed around. Small and big children were playing and cheering. At this weekend the former G-revolution team lead the classes. Hilary was working behind a long buffet table, preparing lunch. Beside her in a corner Kenny was analysing and re-fixing beyblades at a desk. Also giving advices for kids how to develop their moves with a new blade. Tyson, Max, Rei and Daichi wore the shoe of being teachers as they showed right stances, holding, new maneuvers and how to take control of balance.

One member was missing, though. Not far aside from the bustle a young man was lying under a tree, his arms folded under his head. The small breeze played gently with his slate bangs as his crimson eyes were peering absently at the slowly passing clouds. He loved the peace of nature and that nobody disturbed him. Well, until now…

Suddenly, a pair of mahogany eyes with a smiling face appeared in his view. "Hey Kai, don't you wanna join us? You haven't got your turn yet to train the kids. They are missing you." the blue haired teen leaned over him from behind.

"Thanks Kinomiya, but no. Go ahead and play with them." the dual haired said bored. He closed his eyes in attempt to take a nap, though he doubt he would get some. Tyson was not easy to get rid of.

"Aw come on now Kai, don't get antisocial on me again." the younger teen shook his shoulder softly. "You have changed so much under the months. You don't scare people to death… well, not so often. Of course, it all thanks to my personal charm that I have good influence on you and because I'd put lot of work to pull you out of that cold gloominess of yours, but I did it gladly. You're my friend. Now I want you to have fun with us."

The seventeen years teen's cheeky, self-confidence sometimes was really outrageous but Kai had come to realise that whenever Tyson was overly chirpy and annoyingly insolent was because he needed attention, like a little puppy. "First, I was never gloomy. I simply like being alone whenever I want." he said with no real annoyance. "And I do have fun here. I was enjoying the peaceful silence until a nasty brat covered the sun from my face." he reached up and pulled the twisted cap over Tyson's face as a payback.

The boy laughed and adjusted his favourite cap. "Hey, no fair! I didn't pick on you."

"But you would try it." Kai opened his eyes and there was a playful gleam.

"Is that a challenge?" There was that cocky grin Kai knew so well. The Phoenix holder smirked in return.

It was noon and the bladers' growling stomach drew them to the buffet table to put some extra energy into their worn out body. The tutorslet the kids have their first way at the table and waited patiently for their turn.

"So what's your plans for the next tournament?" Rei asked his blonde friend as they stood in the line.

"Actually, I haven't decided yet. I was talking to Mom last week on phone. She said they're developing with Emily a new defence ring that can withstand even the most intense power and combined with an ultra-special attack ring it can diffuse supersonic waves that would fit with Draciel's ability perfectly. She would be glad if I could test it, once its finished. Michael said if I decide to join All Starz again he would give me the captain rank."

"Wow, that's great Maxie! Congratulations!" Rei was awed. He knew Max would get his chance for a raise once he is ready for it. He was proud of his friend.

The blonde laughed meekly. "Don't congratulate for me because I haven't made up my mind yet. It's kind of hard when you have to choose between two places you love." he sighed. "One part of me wants to grab the chance and go, so I can see how much more I can push myself, while my other part wants to stay here and train the kids with Tyson and you guys. This last two years have been the best time I spent with you all. But I would love to battle with Tyson or Kai again, though."

"I know what you mean, I have the same feeling, too." a flash of previous battle came up in Rei's memory when he and Kai battled on the last tournament. It was a very wicked and rough one, where for the first time in his life he gave everything he got. He pushed himself beyond limits where he almost devastated himself. He still remembered of the reassuring feeling when Lee's strong hands caught him from behind when he fell back in total exhaustion. But he never regretted it; he felt so alive and vivid then. He was excited to do it all over again.

"I would like to go for the Champion title again." a spark of confidence emerged on Max's dreamy face. They both went lost in their fantasies.

"Hey not so fast you guys because the one who is gonna seize the title next is me!" and just like always Daichi busted up to them in his annoyingly meddler manner.

"Daichi!" the two looked at him reproachful.

"Just wait for it, I'm gonna beat Tyson for big and then I'll be World Champion." the red haired dwarf grinned pompously.

"I wouldn't rush so much." interjected Kenny as he was typing rapidly away on his laptop. "I'm sure Kai has more to say to that because we all know that he was the closest one to win the title from Tyson. And last time I checked, you lost." his round glasses flashed at him ominously.

Daichi's face flushed the same colour as his hair. "Ah, that was only one time! I can beat Mr. Iceman whenever I want. With my new Strata Dragoon we can blow him off easily!"

"The only thing you can blow is a big smoke from your butt." Hilary chided him. "You're an obnoxious loud-mouth just like Tyson."

"Oh yeah? What do you know about it old Hag?"

Her left eyebrow twitched at the mocking nickname. "Well, at least Kai has more self-control and doesn't blast off his opponents in a show-off way like you." she crossed her arms, then her eyes went wide. "Oh my god, here he comes!"

As if something pinched him, Daichi leapt onto Max's neck in cold fear. "Where? Where is he?" he looked around frantically for the dreadful Phoenix Master.

"Daichi let go of my hair!" Max attempted to tear off somehow the clinging monkey boy from himself. Rei sweat-dropped.

Hilary went almost double in laugh. "You should have seen your face!"

"Hey that's not funny!" Daichi fumed when he discovered that he was pranked for good. "It's not healthy to get scared like that, I'm still growing 'ya know. At least I hope you cooked something good old Hag because I'm starving!"

Covering her smug smile she graciously handed him a plate. "Here you go." she said sweetly.

Daichi goggled with disgust at his plate. "Hey what's this? Where is the food?"

"Carrot, potato, fresh salad with tomato is very healthy for growing body." an evil smirk stretched over Hilary's lips. "Bon appetite."

"Yuck. I'm no rabbit. Give me some real food! Like bacon for example." Daichi stomped.

"Too bad. I put that aside for Tyson."

"Now that you mention it, where are they?" Kenny's fingers suddenly froze in typing. The others looked around.

"Oh no, please tell me they're not battling with each other again." Rei's face was starting to lose colour as worry took over him. They still remembered vividly what happened last time. It started as a friendly match in the park but it ended with them blasting off the whole place. If it hadn't been for Kai's wealth it would have taken for ages to rebuild the whole park with trees, grass and playground. The two rivals were now catastrophic when it came about blading.

Max smiled relieved. "No need to worry guys, there they are." he pointed across the field to a big tree where under the two legendary champions were spending their precious time. The others almost gushed at the sight.

Tyson was now lying beside Kai and started playing with the end of his scarf absently. The dual haired didn't seem to mind the closeness and was relaxing peacefully. Soon, Tyson got bored and flicked the soft fabric over Kai's nose teasingly. He repeated it a few times and snickered before Kai took his revenge. A calloused hand sneaked around the Japanese teen's waist and started a merciless tickle. Instantly, Tyson rolled over in uncontrollable giggling – "H-Hey, cut it out Kai! That's cheating!" he gasped between laugh.

"You started it." the older smirked.

Far off, the others watched them amused. At this point, no one would tell they were those intimidating bladers who possessed the power of two ancient, wild bitbeasts.

"Just look at them, like two peas in a pod." Max mused jovially.

Rei agreed. "Yeah. Who would have guessed these two would become inseparable. A few years before they couldn't stand each other so much that we feared to leave them alone in a room, and now…"

"They can't stand a day without each other." Max shook his head. Some things had really changed, but how much? "Do you think they have figured it out?"

"Nah, Tyson is way too clueless to realise the hints. Besides, Kai would never tell a word openly in a billion year, even if you hung him up. I can't blame Tyson, though. A guy who barks only a few words in a week no wonder if he hasn't noticed it yet." Rei crossed his arms as he thought hard. "Maybe they would confess if we gave them a little push?"

"Like how?"

A wicked idea occurred in the nekojin's mind and smiled naughtily. "We could kidnap Tyson and let Kai rescue him."

Max was uneasy about the risky idea. "I don't know Rei. How could that work?"

"If Kai believes Tyson is in danger he would do anything to save him – and that would reveal their feelings for each other. These things always work in best novels."

Max sweat-dropped. He didn'twant to know what kind of things Rei was reading recently.

"I wouldn't try it in your place." pipped in the small genius as he began typing very quickly behind his laptop. "Kai can be unpredictable sometimes. He's become very over-protective for Tyson recently. I wouldn't try anything to tear Tyson away from him because that would turn him into a horrible beast. Remember what happened at last Christmas?"

They all shuddered at the memory, even now. It happened that a Christmas Party was organized where all top bladers from the last tournament had been invited to celebrate together. The Blitzkrieg Boyz were there too, and of course they were the cause of the little incident. They tried to make a prank on Tyson (again) which Kai didn't take so humorously and if it hadn't been for Tyson's intervention the fiery dual haired would have tossed a flaming Christmas tree at them.

Max gulped. Despite he possessed the most innocent, puppy eyes in the group but he knew if Kai was pissedeven his cute look wouldn't save him from the angry Phoenix. "I guess we better let them figure out their feelings on their own." he advised.

"Well, if Tyson doesn't come soon his lunch sure gets cold." Hilary put her hands on hips reproachful.

"Can't let that happen." Daichi's fingers sneaked towards the deliciously filled plate but Hilary slapped at him with the ladle. "Ouch!"

"Tyson! Kai! Lunch is ready, hurry up before it gets cold!" she shouted over them.

"Too late. If Tyson is slow I'm gonna eat it all up."

As if he had some radar that sensed when his 'food-was-in-danger', Tyson sprung to his feet. "Daichi, you better keep your hands from my plate!"

Kai raised an eyebrow as he watched with astonishment as the seventeen years old dashed across the field madly towards the tent. He shook his head. Tyson and his stomach. He felt a little put off that the bluenette left him like that. It couldn't be helped; some things would never change. It was lucky that the blue haired teen had such athletic body because with Tyson's appetite they could feed a horde of horses.

After bringing down a heavy argument, Tyson successfully managed to snatch back his towered plate from Daichi, who turned his cow eyes now at the last filled one, drooling.

"Doesn't Kai join us?" Hilary asked in a disappointed face. She had put so much work and heart to cook the lot of meal since she couldn't do anything useful that had anything to do with beyblade.

"I think he still prefers loneliness." Tyson smiled softly. "I'll take it for him." he was about to grab the last plate when it suddenly moved on its own. It slid swiftly to the edge of the table then jumped down. They all stared wide-eyed when they spotted the dark blue blade that was spinning under the plate, holding it in perfect balance so the delicious meal wouldn't fall off. Dranzer's blade made a few circle with the plate then it spun off rapidly towards the hill where her dear master was still lying.

"Now that's what I call service." Max said amused. The others sent him a strange look. "What?"

Rei was gaping. "Did you guys see that? Kai managed to train Dranzer to do things without giving her orders or a blink of eye. It's like she knew exactly what Kai wanted and granted him a gesture. That's amazing."

"It's probably because they're spending lot of time together and he developed a new bond with his bitbeast." Kenny rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I would like to analyse them more precisely."

That of course ticked off Tyson's ego. "Pfft. Just a show-off." he huffed enviously. "What Dranzer can do, Dragoon makes it a thousand better. I show it." he grabbed a chicken wing from Daichi's plate, which was the only meat among the lot of vegetables Hilary towered on them.

"Hey that's mine!"

"Chill out, I'm just making a test. You'll get it back just watch closely." Tyson grinned cockily then leant down and dangled the wing at his spinning blade. "Ok Dragoon, take a good look at this yummy chicken. I'm gonna toss it and you have to bring it back for Daichi, ok buddy?"

"Ack! What?!" pure panic rushed Daichi's face at the crazy idea.

"Um… Tyson? I don't think that's a very good idea." Rei rubbed his neck awkwardly as he took a glance at their surroundings. Everyone at the table was staring at the supposed-to-be mature World Champion with an incredulous look. Only Tyson could be such a moron.

"No worries. I'm just gonna prove that Dragoon can do anything easily." with a glorious swing the bluenette tossed the chicken wing far and high in the air. "Come on boy, fetch it!"

Everyone stared with awe as they waited for something to happen. Daichi was chewing his nails agitatedly. Seconds ticked by but Dragoon's blade didn't swift an inch from its circling spot. Then a low 'plup' sound could be heard when the chicken wing plopped in the river. The silence was broken by many resounding chuckling.

"That's what I was afraid of." the nekojin rubbed his temple in weariness. He was thanking for fortune that there was no reporter around who had seen this or else their team's reputation would die into comic.

"It seems Dragoon doesn't like to be treated as a dog." Max snickered.

Tyson's face was in flames as he scratched his neck uncomprehendingly. "I don't get it. Why didn't it work?" Dragon's blade was spinning now rapidly around with irritation, but he wasn't the only one who was angry.

"Agh! Tyson! This is all your fault! You better get my chicken back!" Daichi rampaged.

Tyson sweat-drooped. "How I supposed to do that? It's already in the deep water?"

"I don't care! Get me another one or I take yours!"

"No way!"

"It was your crazy idea and it's your stupid blade fault!" Daichi pointed at him accusingly.

Tyson growled. "Dragoon is not stupid!"

"Yes it is because he is temperamental and you can't keep him on tight hold."

At this point Dragoon got very pissed and started whirling up dust to a heavy current. Then it jumped up on the table and swished along in a zigzag line, pushing off whatever it came into its way. Hilary was quick to grab her plate and the glass of juice before it got knocked down onto her lap. "Tyson if you can't tame your blade don't let it rush around here!" she glared at him annoyed.

"Ops, sorry Hilary." Tyson said then quickly ran after his rebel friend. "Dragoon come back!"

The white blade tore itself right into the bushes with Tyson hot after it. The others watched the funny situation as the champion chased after his blade which seemingly was enjoying to tease its owner, jumping away every time Tyson got close enough to fetch it. It was almost like Dragoon was purposely mocking with Tyson.

"Hmm. Don't you guys think that Dragoon is acting kind of strange recently?" Kenny wondered as they stared at the pair. They had to agree with him.

I hope you enjoyed this nice, funny chapter.

Would you like to see my own created book cover in bigger size? You can find it on my Deviantart site. :)