Hiya Guys. Sorry its been a while! Been tied up with work but back on the case now:) Thank you for reading. Much love to all my reviewers!
Chapter 36.
Day 2 of the Granger Dojo Lockdown.
Part 1. The morning.
*KAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWRRRRRRR KAAWWWWRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR*
Kai's weepy lilac eyes snapped open, his torso bent forward sharply and his lungs gasped and strained wheezy. His breathing was rapid and laboured. Immediately he fought to scuffle a loud groan, then a grimace screwed his face...he had forgot for the split second since waking that he was badly wounded at his flank. He paid for the transgression dearly with a hot bolt of agony through abdominal muscle and tissue surrounding his left. His uncovered areas of skin shimmered in the low dawn light with salty moisture. Flashbacks of his traumatic experience at the hands of Blake of the Shadow Vale clan and screams of Dranzer haunted him round the clock, at night though they doubled in intensity when all was quiet and the wounded blader lay alone in the dark.
The early waker settled himself in seconds so as not to arouse the others sleeping around him. The last thing he wished was to wake them and their subsequent quizzing of his disturbed state. He ran a pale hand through the roots of a dark grey bang hanging down the right side of his face as if to comb it back, running his fingers against his skull slowly in an act of self comfort before letting his hair fall back to place. He wiped his watery eyes clear with the bony edges of his palms, and took a calm breath before glancing around the room at congregated figures in a line of futons either side of his body. To his right was Max, then Mariah, then Ray, then Kenny and Emily by the far wall. All tucked up neatly and dead to the world. To his left lay Hilary with her hair curlers in sweet smelling auburn locks. Next lay pig-like Tyson snorting in and out air noisily, and last in the sequence of sleeping beybladers was Daichi, snoring with legs splayed, a shorter, red-head, carbon copy of his G-Revolution team mate.
The phoenix blader's keen glossy eyes scanned around the rest of the room to see two empty futon beds at the far side of the dojo training area. Tala and Bryan's beds he assumed. One had the duvet completely kicked off into an unceremonious heap and the other in a neat pile at the bed's foot. He knew the Russian duos housekeeping habits from past dorm sharing to know whose bed was whose.
The grey-haired stab victim, much to his annoyance needed to pee, and so began the arduous task of baby giraffing himself to his feet with wobbly knees and a sore spine from planking flat on his back all night. His wound would not allow him to sleep comfortably in any other position which only made him stiff, achy and downright grumpy. He side stepped his unmade futon with the intention of returning to it for another couple hours of sleep...that's if the nightmares would give him some peace.
He shuffled in short steps whilst holding a hand over his wounds' bandaging, the low early morning glow from the peeping sun streamed through dojo windows gave him adequate light to make it to the sliding door. Very slowly and to make as little noise possible, he dragged the dojo door open enough for him to slip out and then shut it again with the same consideration. The action however caused his face to silently wince and turn as red as the flesh of his wound site from each pull and push of the heavy dojo door.
The sun was just about to rise and painted the sky a watercolour of blue, pink and orange. The first of the morning's birds were pecking the ground for any unfortunate little insects and juicy worms. Sparrows chirped to each other in anticipation and pigeons cooed in excitement for Grandpa Granger's routine buffet of seed and any crusty old bread from the pantry...once he was up that is.
Kai stopped briefly as he heavily breathed the nagging pain of his throbbing injury away, before making his way, shuffling and tender like an old man across the bridge between the dojo and the main house. The wounded beyblader finally reached the house at a snail's pace, and quietly continued his journey through the wooden floorboard hallway to his destination. He stopped briefly to glance at the time displayed on a phone hooked on the wall in the hallway, the digital clock displayed 5:05am.
Once inside the main bathroom, Kai shut the sliding door gently so as not to wake Tyson's grandfather snoring in his bedroom mere meters away. Grandpa Granger wasn't due up for a couple of hours yet and Kai would rather not be one to wake the energetic elder prematurely. The former Bladebreaker liked and respected Ryu Granger but the thought of having to decipher tales of his youth and lifetime's experience with the ladies in slang were not something Kai could tolerate on a good day, let alone in his fragile, pained and half-awake state.
Dranzer's master, with semi-open eyes and a sullen disposition responded to the call of nature with the seat up, then returned it to the down position and flushed. He washed his hands with soap before filling cupped hands with cold water. He dunked his face then rubbed away the sweat and sleepiness of the night. Once the water had drained he breathed in heavily once, and then twice, before lifting his head to make eye contact with his reflection in the mirror. He stared at a version of himself who was nothing like the picture of health, pride and confidence he used to know. A phantom riddled with fatigue, pain, trauma and grief greeted him instead. He turned his head from side to side, and up and down to analyse the changes to his features resulting from terrific blood loss, physical stress and the affects thereafter. One hand held onto the rim of the washbasin to hold him steady, while his other fingered away the hem of his t-shirt to reveal a prominent collar bone, and then, the faint line of his high cheek bones. He lightly dabbed the shadowed areas under his eyes.
"My face, I've never looked so... gaunt...How could I let this happen? How could I let Blake get away with this." Kai's pale face crinkled with disgust in himself as if on the edge of crying. To stop himself he took a deep breath through his nose and released it slowly through his mouth. He rubbed his face again to tease out all progression of tear making, before turning away from the mirror. His spine straightened with a prickle of fight. "No, he hasn't got away with this. I won't let them win. I'll find you Dranzer, wherever you are right now. I have a plan...don't you worry...my friend."
*Kaaaaaaaaaarrrrrwwwwwrrrrrrrrrrr* A faint whisper of Dranzer's bird-like cry slipped through the back of Kai's skull and rattled his sense of fight.
Kai twisted his body's angle to the perceived origin of the sound. His face lit alert with surprise and uncertainty and his lilac orbs wide. "Dranzer? Is that really you? Or are your cries just another hallucination?... I have to be sure."
The former phoenix guardian turned sharply back to the mirror which doubled as a bathroom cabinet above the basin. He opened the door and produced his Morphine pill bottle prescribed from the hospital from a shelf inside. He popped off the cap, took three short but sure steps to the toilet and tipped all contents of the bottle into the toilet's watery bowl. He took a quiet moment to watch as several small round blue tablets sunk beneath the water line, before pressing a button on the tank behind to flush. The painkilling medicine whirled around in the choppy current until they were sucked away forever into the pipes.
"There, no more phantom visions of my Grandfather, or anything else. I need a clear mind from now on, and if that means more pain then that's the price I'll gladly pay. I have to know if that's really Dranzer calling me or... it's all in my head."
*Beep* *Beep* Beep* *Beep* *Beep* *Beep* Beep* *Beep*
The digital radio-alarm clock was slammed silent with a sharp snap from an elder's fingers.
"Ohhhh it's time to start another day! Cried a chipper Grandpa Granger at 7am.
Dressed in just his tidy whiteys, the nimble senior leapt out of his single western bed and stretched in preparation for his usual morning exercises. His knees popped as he energetically performed up and down squats and then produced a set of push ups until his spine cracked...marking an abrupt end to his workout. He threw on a pair of breezy yellow beach shorts and a white Hawaiian shirt with green palm tree motifs spotted all over it. A hearty breakfast was first up on the day's menu and then a procession of chores in the form of bird and fish feeding, kendo drills, yard sweeping, and clipping his beloved bonsai...and that was just the morning's duties.
"What the?" He jovially exclaimed and stopped abruptly at the kitchen border to the hallway. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Much to the elder's surprise, the Blitzkrieg Boys were asleep on the kitchen floor. Bryan lay flat on his front with his tan-less plush arms and legs sprawled out. His white-skinned left cheek pressed hard against the floorboards and from his squished awry lips dribbled a line of saliva. Tala snoozed in a seated position with his arms folded, his back slouched against a cupboard with his neck cricked at an uncomfortable angle. His thin pale lips slightly parted and at risk of catching flies as he softly breathed.
"Why are Tyson's ruskie pals kippin' out here in the kitchen?! Maybe they got up for a midnight snack and lost their way back? They're catching some serious ZZZZZs now though. Jet lag can be a fiend on the circadian rhythm. They haven't even heard me walk in. I'll give em a tad longer a'snoozin and have ma brekkie later. They've been good to T-Dawg, comin' all this way from the mothaland to give him a helpin hand. I hope ma boy appreciates it! I guess I'll go busy maself and give the B.B Boys another hour or so." Thought the considerate man as he gazed down at the uncomfortable crashers in his kitchen.
An hour ticked by and 8am arrives.
"Well I'm starvin marvin now! I hope those boys are awake cus it's ma breakfast time. Ready orrrrrr not." Ryu Granger's stomach growled as he packed a half empty fish pellet packet away into a little compartment in the wood shed.
*RING* RING* RING*...*RING* *RING* RING*
Grandpa Granger's ears pricked up. "Oh man. Who's a'callin the house phone this early?"
The nifty senior's bare feet skidded on the smooth hardwood as he scooped the cordless white phone off the plastic hub just in time before its final ring.
*RING* RING* RING*...*RING* *RING...*
"Hellloooooo Granger residence!" He chimed in a warm tone with the phone tight against his ear.
"*THUD *THUD* SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Beep. . ."
"Huh? What an odd call." He took the phone away from his ear. "I wonder who the caller was." The hip geezer pressed a couple of squishy plastic buttons to reveal the caller ID. "Wha? Mr Dickenson's office? Why would he be callin' this early in the mornin? And what was that thuddin' noise? Oh well, I'm sure it was nuttin'. Now, breakfast tiiiiimmmmmme for mmeeeeeeeee!"
The too cool for school senior's belly deserved a large helping of whatever the doting grandfather and super-host fancied. After feeding half the birdlife of Tokyo it was time to feed himself. Jam on toast, full cooked breakfast, pancakes, maybe rice and fish he thought with a rumbling tummy. He took 6 strides heading for his kitchen when...
*RING* RING* RING*...*RING* *RING* RING*
"Who could that be now?! I'm wastin' away here. Don't people know how famished I am." Ryu grumbled as he picked up the house phone for the second time in 2 minutes.
"Hello. Granger Residence." The hipster's answer was not so chipper this time.
"Hey Ryu. It's Kenji, Kenny's Dad. Sorry to call so early and out of the blue like this but is Kenny there? I need to speak to him. I've tried his phone but he's not picking up."
The senior Granger was instantly taken aback with both speaking to Kenny's Dad after years and the fret in his caller's voice. "Yeah, sure. Kenny's snoozin' with his pals. Want me to wake him?"
The parental voice down the phone replied sharply. "Yes please Ryu. It's urgent."
The wise grandfather pressed for answers as he hurried with fast marching legs along the veranda. "I'm on ma way to the Chief now. Won't be a minute...Anythin' I can help with?"
Kenji Manabu, Kenny's father had a chilled personality, an overall friendly man and was quite a joker at times. Ryu and Kenji would go for drinks sometimes back in the day. His character right now was very off and the kendo master knew for certain something serious was up.
Kenji's words contained no bounce. "It's my wife...she went to the wholesalers this morning at 7am and she's not back yet. Chizue cycles everywhere and our supplier is 10 minutes away. She never deviates or stops for anything. She's usually back by 7:30am sharp and it's 8:05 now. The cashier said she arrived around 7:10 and was on her way home less than 5 minutes later. I drove the route to the shop and back and there's no sign of her. We have a hefty delivery every morning around 7:30am and we always take it in together. Ever since Kenny was in nappies, this has been our routine so for her to miss it and not even call in is very strange. I've called the local hospitals in case she was hurt in an accident or fell off her bike but she's not checked into anywhere. I'm hoping maybe she called Kenny for help fixing her bike or something. It's a long shot. If she's not back soon I'll have no choice but to call the police."
"Don't chyou worry Kenji. I'm sure there's nuttin' to fret about. Gimme a mo to getcha boy up." Grandpa Granger urged as he flung the sliding door to the dojo wide open with all the power of his martial artists arms.
*BAAANNNNNNNNNNGG* The door crashed loudly as it hit the end of the runner and the wall adjacent.
Granger senior stormed into the dojo regardless of who was still asleep. He stomped to the foot of the beyblade googlebox's futon tucked between Ray's empty with folded bed sheets at its feet, and Emily who was rapidly stirring from the noise of the elders' entrance.
"RIIIIISSSEEEEEE'N'SHINE KENNY OL' DUDE! GOT AN IMPORTANT PHONECALL FOR YA!" His bellow woke all sleepy head beybladers without apology; all except the early rising White Tigers who were already up and enjoying a stretch in the new daylight on the veranda outside. Kai was nowhere to be seen, leaving the discomforted Russians the only souls on the whole property still in slumber-land in the quiet of the Granger kitchen.
Kenny awoke immediately with a high pitched scream, his heartbeat thud fast and his hair was messy as if he'd been electrocuted. He sat up in his futon holding his pillow protectively. "GAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! MR GRANGER! WHAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTSSSSSSS THE MATTER?"
"Here it's your DaddyO. It's important!" The dojo master thrust his home phone into the younger male's quivering hands.
Kenny placed the phone to his plush headed brunette mop and with the other hand pushed his glasses squarely onto his face. He listened intently as his Dad delivered the news about his missing mother. Rapid questions were fired back and forth privately.
Meanwhile, grumpy and tired bodies around him had words of their own.
Tyson had a bad case of bed hair and grouched without any knowledge of the Manabu family's dire situation. "What's the big idea Grandpa! It's too early! And besides you said you were gunna give us a few days off kendo drills. I told you we've got some serious sleep to catch up on."
"Why the rude awakening Gramps?" Emily murmured with a face half buried in her pillow as she rolled over and folded into a cross-legged seated position. She rubbed her eyes before retrieving her glasses from a hard plastic case nearby and snugly hooked them onto her face.
Daichi hopped to his feet and swung his gaze back and forth with disorientation. "Whaa? Did I miss Karate class?! I thought it wasn't till the afternoon. I'm Sorry Grandpa! Please forgive me! Don't punish me! I promise I won't be late again!" He begged comically.
Hilary sat up and yawned whilst covering her mouth like the lady she was. She rubbed one eye open with a curled feminine fist. "Calm down Daichi it's still the morning! You haven't missed anything. Ohh and good morning Grandpa." She beamed sweetly.
Max was the last to re-join the living as he sleepily rolled onto his stomach and reached for his phone nearby to check the time. His blue orbs were half open and his mind groggy as his home screen lit up and voice messages flooded in a succession of pop-ups.
Mr Granger was far from cool as he gave them all a lippy reply. "Shhhhhhhhush ya face-flaps kiddos. Somethin' serious is goin' down, ya dig? Kenny's Dad called...by the sounds of it somethin' mighta happened to Kenny's Mom...She's missin'!"
Before he could react to the news of Kenny's Mom, Max jumped to his feet with pin-point blue pupils and a petrified look as his phone screen flashed up with a barrage of notifications.
Hilary tried to sound optimistic. She had met Kenny's parents at their noodle shop many times over back in the day when she, Tyson and the Chief would go to their house after school to tinker with beyblades and homework. "What? No, not Kenny's Mom. Chisue maybe short in stature but she's built like an ox that woman. I bet she's stopped off at a friend's house for some tea."
Tyson stood up immediately with the idea of throwing himself on Ray's empty futon at the Chief's side in order to eavesdrop close at Kenny's ear...when Max's expression stopped his journey in his tracks.
Daichi exclaimed with a pointed finger at his blue eyed pal. "Max? Is somethin' the matter? You look pale as a ghost."
Tyson confronted his blonde bestie. "Maxie? You okay bud?"
Max was too busy to reply as he flicked through his extensive call log and digital pile of voicemails with a cold skinned feeling. Words finally found him when Tyson shook his shoulders. "It...it's my Dad. I've got 21 missed calls and 6 voicemails from him since an hour ago. My phone has been on silent all night. I've...I've gotta call him back!"
Tyson called out to all. "Everyone! Max needs some quiet!"
A thick cloud of worry choked the room as all buttoned their lips and waited for the outcome of Kenny and Max's phone calls. A coincidence that Max's Dad and Kenny's Mom were in peril at the same time?
Max played his voicemails on loud speaker. The voice on the other end was unmistakeably Mr Tate. His tone grew in urgency as the calls went on.
1st Voicemail. 7:10am "Maxie! Call me when you get this."
2nd Voicemail. 7:22am "Max. Call me right away!"
3rd Voicemail. 7:31am "Max. It's important. You have to call me back!"
4th Voicemail. 7:40am "Max. Call me. It's urgent."
5th Voicemail. 7:51am "MAX! Call me back right now!"
6th Voicemail. 8:01am "Shchchhchchchhchchhchchchchchchchchchchchchchchchchchchchchchcch"
Max quivered as his pulse raced and his heart beat like a drum. "He tried calling me just 8 minutes ago." He hit the re-call button on his Smartphone interface and hit the loud speaker icon.
A recorded voice message announced. "I'm sorry but it has not been possible to connect your call. Please try again later. .Beep."
The frantic halfu cried out. "NOOOOOOOO! Dad! Why won't you answer your phone! I've gotta try the shop!" With hurried and sweaty fingers Max dialled his Dads' beyblade shop. The phone was again put on speaker.
"Ring. Ring. Ring. .Ring... Ring. Ring. Ring. .Ring... Ring. Ring. Ring. .Ring."
Max was clearly becoming upset and hysteria was taking hold as he scolded the phone. "Come on Dad! PICK UP ALREADY!"
"Ring. Ring. Ring. .Ring... Ring. Ring. Ring. .Ring... Ring. Ring. Ring. .Ring."
The worried son looked to buddy Tyson for support. His eyes were becoming glassy. "My Dad always answers the shop phone. Always! What if Shadow Vale have gotten to him?!"
To add to the growing tension in the room. A bleep of the old style home phone ended the call between Kenny and his worried stricken father. The beyblade brainiac gripped the phone tightly in his small hands and dropped his head with worry.
The beychamp abandoned Max momentarily to place a caring hand on the brunettes' shoulder. "Chief?! Come on spill. What did your Dad have to say?"
Kenny was clearly shaken and climbed to his restless feet. "This isn't like her. My Mom is so punctual. She wouldn't just go off on her own without telling anyone. My Dad's gunna call the police now. I'm sorry guys... I...need to go home. My Dad...he's worried sick!"
Before anyone could react further...Grandpa Granger had something to divulge as he wrapped his chin in his fingers like a detective. "Yahhhh I weren't gunna mention it but it's too outta the norm not ta mention. Before Kenny's Pops called, the home phone got another caller a few ticks before...It was from Mr D's office at the BBA. I heard a strange noise, static and then the line just cut out. Somethin' stinky is afoot I can feel it in these old bones."
Tyson briskly snatched the phone out of Kenny's clammy hand. "We gotta try Mr Dickenson to be sure." He rapidly found the pre-saved number in the phone's digital inventory and pressed the call button hard. All lungs in the room are held as Tyson pressed the phone to his ear. They watched Tyson's' facial expression for any reaction.
*Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring...Beep.* was all Tyson's ears were afforded from the speaker piece. No soul picked up the phone to answer him. It rang and rang and rang.
"I've had enough." The worried son began charging for the dojo door. "I'm sorry guys I know it's not safe but I have to get to my Dad's shop! I can't just sit here and wait for a call that my Dad is missing too!"
Tyson urged with a lunged hand trying to grab his shirt but missed. "Wait Maxie! You don't know that anything has happened to your Dad yet. You're just being paranoid."
Emily jumped to her feet and pleaded after him. "Max stop! You can't go outside! What about those Shadow Vale maniacs? This could be their plan to draw you outside. Do you really want to play right into their trap?"
Kenny shuffled on the spot; torn between his safety and running to his father's side too. He shrieked. "Ohhhhhh this is too much! I don't know what to do! What if my Mom needs me! My Dad is going out of his mind and frankly... so am I."
Hilary climbed to her feet and pleaded. "Everyone just calm down for a second. Why don't you take a moment to think things through? Let's give Kenny's Dad time to call the police and see if they know where Mrs Manabu is. I bet she's just running a little late and will show up perfectly fine. She probably had a flat tyre right? She cycles everywhere so that's a perfectly reasonable explanation. And Max's Dad...why don't we keep trying the shop phone and his mobile. Maybe he's run out of battery and he's too busy with a customer to answer the shop phone right now? Hmmm?"
Max stabbed back with a scowling face to match." Nice try Hilary but my Dad always charges his phone and his shop doesn't open until 9am. He doesn't have deliveries on Friday either so I know he's not busy out back. I know when something is wrong and his voice messages are all the proof I need. I'm going to my Dad's shop and nothing you can say is going to stop me."
The determined Allstarz blader propelled for the dojo entrance. His Zap-Arachnid drained body was still weak, and he was mega hungry from not eating much since the previous day. Pure love for his Dad and adrenaline drove him on regardless as his newly awakened knees fought not to buckle, and his frazzled blonde head spun dizzy with worry.
Mere steps away from the dojos' sliding door exit... Max's escape was suddenly blocked by the bodies of two Saint Shields bladers.
"And where do you think you're going Max?" Ordered Ozuma with a scowl and his arms crossed like a school principle.
"Max, you know you have to stay inside the dojo walls where you are safe. Do we really need to go over this?" Mariams' voice was softer and her stance more open.
Max argued with a feisty leer. Drops of frightened sweat cascaded down his cheeks. "And what am I supposed to do Mariam? Wait for my Dad to get kidnapped, or worse? He's in trouble. I can feel it! Let me through! I need to know my Dad is okay."
Tyson jumped to his feet. "Max. I know this is difficult but you need to think about this buddy. Shadow Vale is out there and this is what they want. You to go out on your own and then they will attack you for Draciel. Think about it buddy!"
Ozuma stormed forward to look Max closer in the eyes. "One of the smartest things I've ever heard you say Tyson. I'm sorry but I did warn you all of Shadow Vale growing ever more desperate. I was concerned they would turn to taking hostages to get to you and I'm afraid that day has come. Kenny's mother, Max's father and Mr Dickenson may be being used as leverage to get to you and ultimately take your sacred spirits from you. I warned you that the day might come that you will have to choose between saving someone you love and protecting your Bitbeast. And I'm sorry Max...that day is here and you have to choose. Who is it? Your father? Or Draciel because you can't protect both.
And Kenny...if your mother has been taken by Shadow Vale, she will be held hostage and demands will asked of Ray, Kai and Tyson in exchange for their lives or sacred spirits. Do you think any of them will trade their lives and safety of humanity for her? It must be hard for you as you have no bargaining chip of your own. You are just valuable leverage...as is Mr Dickenson. They couldn't get to you so they have targeted your mother as the next best thing."
Max stammered as he fought to give an answer. "I...I...will never give Draciel to them. But you can't just expect me to stand by as my Dad could be in danger."
Mariam humoured him and softly argued back. "Okay Max. What's your plan here? Walk out of those gates; take a stroll to your fathers shop and then what? Ask Shadow Vale nicely to give your Dad back unharmed and for nothing in exchange. And then Shadow Vale are just gunna let you waltz back in here whilst they shrug their shoulders and go "Oh well, we'll try again another day!"
Max stabbed back sharply, then stammered when he realised he had no real plan. "NO!...I...I...was gunna borrow Kai's security guys. They could escort me to my Dads' beyblade shop and then deal with anything when we get there. Kai's guards are highly skilled and they got Kai out of a hostage situation once before and at knifepoint. They can do it again for my Dad! That's a plan that would work for you right? And if it's Draciel you're worried about then I'll leave him right here where nobody can get to him. I'll give him to Kenny or Emily to keep him safe until I get back." He looked to the Chief and then his fellow American, orbitally begging them to agree with dewy lower eyelids. The extreme high stress situation was too much pressure for the soft youngster to take.
Ozuma wasn't warming to his idea. "Assuming Kai lends you his guards in the first place. They are here to protect their pampered boss...not you. And even if Kai lets you...you could still be walking into a trap. One I fear you won't be walking out of. And if you don't make it back...whoever you entrusted Draciel to will become a brand new target. Do you really want to do that to your friends? Kenny has enough to worry about right now and he can't go anywhere either. I'm sorry Kenny but your mother is not worth risking the safety of all mankind. You have to just grin and bear it until we hear any demands. Try the police if you must... but you are all going to stay put. Understand?!"
Before Ozuma could receive any backlash for practically making the Ex-Bladebreakers and friends hostages of his own...another phone rang.
*DINGALING DINGALING*...*DINGALING DINGALING*...*DINGALING DINGALING*
A daisy sticker decorated flip-phone jingled and vibrated on Hilary's bedding as it rang. The polymer clay flower charms on pink string jiggled too. Like a haunted object in a ghost movie, all heads looked at the noisy device like it was a bad omen. Their features displayed as much curiosity as anxiety.
The brunette snatched her mobile, snapped the flip cover open and read the caller ID... She immediately pressed the accept call icon and then the loud speaker for all to hear.
The female G-Revolution member answered nervously. "Mom?"
Hana Tachibana snappily replied with urgency in her feminine middle-aged voice. "Hilary. Where are you right now?"
Hilary drew instantly apprehensive. "I'm at Tyson's Mom. Remember, I said I'm going to stay here a while until those creepy knife wielding beybladers are caught."
Hana Tachibana - "Good. Stay there Hilary. Don't come home until I say it's safe."
Hilary ordered as suspicion peaked in her voice. "Okaaaayyyyy but...Mom? What's going on?"
Hana Tachibana - "Those creepy knife wielding beybladers you're talking about?... I think one of them is standing at the end of our drive way."
Panic ripped throughout the room.
Tyson - *GASP!* "Noooooo! Mrs Tachibana!"
Daichi - *GASP!* "Noooooo!"
Ozuma – "This is bad. Really really bad!"
Max grasped his hair in panic. *GASP!* "No. This can't be happening! This can't be happening!"
Grandpa Granger - *GASP!* Ahhhh man! Not cool! This is messed up! Seriously too much to take in the noggin."
Emily clasped a hand over her mouth. *GASP!*
Kenny began ripping at his hair too.*GASP!* "I think I'm gunna faint. I can't take this!*
*GASP!* Hilary felt instantly dizzy with adrenaline as she belted instructions at her mother. "Okay Mom you need to hang up right away and call the police! Do it right now!"
Hana Tachibana – "I already have honey. I called them before calling you. I had to know you were somewhere safe. I think he may have been watching the house. Your Dad left for work 10 minutes ago. I think he was waiting for your father to leave and he's been standing there ever since. He's tall, really tall and big built with short light hair."
Tyson growled with bitter breath and tight fists. He began pacing on the spot. "It's HARKAN. I know it! That monster! What do we do?! GAHHHHHHH! I feel so helpless!" He threw his arms in the air then began tugging at tufts of dark blue hair in gripped palms and fingers.
*Rustle* Rustle* The sound of blinds being tampered with on the callers end of the phone.*
The hurried tone of Hana Tachibanas' voice dripped in horror. "He's walking up the driveway!"
Hilary begged frantically. "MOM! Mom! GO UPSTAIRS! HIDE! HIDE!"
Tyson took Hilarys' shaking hand that held the phone out in mid-air to support her. His chunky bare hand held her up in more ways than one. He yelled with demand. "MRS TACHIBANA! IT'S TYSON! QUICK! TAKE SOMETHING TO DEFEND YOURSELF WITH AND RUN UPSTAIRS! GO! HIDE UNDER THE BED! I'M SURE THE POLICE WILL BE THERE ANY MINUTE! That...or we will!"
Grandpa Granger ordered as he dialled the Japanese emergency number for the police, 110. "I'm gunna call the cops again and let em know they'd better get there on the triple. Then I'm drivin' over there toot sweet!"
Hana Tachibana words were edgy and rushed in a loud whisper as the man outside drew closer to her porch. "Ohhhhh ohhhh no...He's got something in his hand! I can't see what it is! The garage floodlight isn't working. He's nearly at the door!"
The clanking sound of metal could be heard through the phone like rustling metal in a cutlery drawer.
Hilary was hysterical and close to tears. "MOM! RUN! PLEASE RUN AND HIDE! PLEASE! I CANT HEAR SIRENS! WHERE ARE THOSE POLICE OFFICERS ALREADY?!"
Hana Tachibana readied to defend herself. "I've got a knife from the drawer honey."
*DING DONG* *DING DONG*
Hilary instantly recognised the sound of her own doorbell. She felt her heart stop dead in her chest as her entire body froze in terror. Her soft lips were parted as she barely breathed. Harkan from the Shadow Vale clan...a member of a team who sought to bleed Kai to death for their sick ends. The same man who sought to take Tysons' life with a dagger mere days before. That very same man was hunting her home alone mother at that very second.
Hilary screamed with tears running down each cheek. "MOM DONT OPEN THE DOOR WHATEVER YOU DO! GO AND HIDE ALREADY!"
Grandpa Granger was hammering it home to the police call responder. "IF YOU DON'T MOVE YOUR ASSES, YOU'RE GUNNA HAVE A DEAD WOMAN OR AT THE VERY LEAST A KIDNAPPIN' IF YOU DONT GET TO HER PRONTO. YOU DIG ME!"
*DING DONG* *DING DONG* The Tachibana door bell rung again.
Hana Tachibana barked at her visitor from behind her front door. She wasn't going to run, or hide. She was going to stand and fight. It was clear who gave Hilary her feisty personality and lioness's bravery. "Go away! I have a knife and I'm not afraid to use it! Police will be here any minute so I'd leave right now if I were you!"
Hilary was frantic but inspired by the courage of her begged hysterically. "MOM! What's happeninggggggggggg! Is he leaving? Are the police there yet?!"
Then...another voice, faint and muffled from behind the door but clear enough for all on both sides of the phone line to hear.
The voice was manly and distinctly upper-class...British? "Maam. Mrs Tachibana. I'm here on behalf of Hiwatari Enterprises to provide protective services to you and your husband. I need you to sign a contract consenting to surveillance of your property. Personal protection details have been assigned to both you and your husband as of immediately. The contract is for 24 hours a day until further notice. My credentials have been vetted and all expenses are covered on behalf of Hiwatari Enterprises. Could I possibly come in and we can discuss your protection plan further?"
Tyson almost collapsed as he screeched. "WHAAAAAAAA?! That's not Harkans' voice!"
Daichi exclaimed with confusion. "Harkan works for Kai now?! I don't get it!"
Hana Tachibana flatly quipped. "I'll call you back honey."
*Beep. Beep. * The line went dead.
Seconds of silence passed as the situation sunk in.
Hilary cackled with a hint of crazy as she flicked away terror-born tears from her cheeks. "Hii...hiii...watari...Enterprises...hah...hah...hahaha..." She regained herself whilst sporting a twitchy smile. "All that...*twitch*and it..*twitch*. was Kai's security guy the whole time!" *twitch*
The whole room was flabbergast. Multicoloured eyes twitched. Kenny, Hilary and Tyson fell to their futons beneath their feet as others took in several lungs full of relief. The tension was all too much and the days' events were not over yet.
Max crashed to the dark hardwood flooring in the centre of the dojo and immediately set to work on calling his Dad back. The room went silent as they watched the desperate-faced Draciel blader press the tabs necessary to call his father and thumb the loudspeaker button. He subtly rocked back and forth on the bony part of his buttocks and heels of his feet with stress.
Tyson and Co sucked in lips and hoped for a safe outcome for the Tate family too.
The phone rang and after two rings, a voice picked up.
Mr Tate – "Maxie! I've been trying to get a hold of you son!"
Max exclaimed aloud. "DAD! It's so good to hear your voice! Are you okay?! I got all your messages and I was really worried! What happened Dad?!" The blonde sniffled and wiped away a stray tear from each eye.
Mr Tate – "Oh yeah, this odd young man was loitering outside my shop. He was wearing a purple cloak and was trying to break through the shutters. He had red eyes and silver hair. He matched the description the police were giving out after your friend was attacked, although this guy wasn't as tall as they said. I warned him I was calling the police but he seemed possessed and frantic to break in. He damaged one of the locks but that's all he managed to do. I guess they don't have electric shop shutters wherever he's from. Before I could actually call the police he was spooked off. I was desperate to get in touch with you to warn to you to stay somewhere safe."
Max was unusually peeved and struggled to settle from all the worry. "I've been trying to call you back and on the shop phone! Why didn't you answer? I was so worried something bad happened to you Dad!"
Mr Tate – "Ohhh I am sorry Maxie. My phone is old and the battery suddenly ran dry after trying to call you so many times. I need a new one that's for sure. I'm sorry I was so busy talking to my new bodyguard that I didn't hear the phone."
Max exclaimed. "Whaaaaaa! Say again Dad! Your new bodyguard?!"
Mr Tate – "HAHA yeah, one minute this mad man with screwdrivers is trying to break through my shutter, and then the next minute I see a team of men in black suits and bullet proof vests chase him down the street. These men were wearing the same uniforms as the guards watching your friend at the hospital. Hiwatari Enterprises...the guys who look like they've just stepped out of an action movie? They returned empty handed but I don't think my would-be intruder will be coming back anytime soon. One of them got me to sign a bunch of papers and now I have my own body guard. Isn't that great? I feel like a celebrity!"
Max finally emitted a smiled and sighed a great breath. The drained blader was exhausted before his day had begun. "That's great Dad. I'm so relieved you are ok. Enjoy your new buddy I guess."
Mr Tate – "I've gotta go Maxie. The shutter repair man is here but I'll call you later okay Son. I love you."
Max allowed his head to fall in exhaustion and gratitude. "I love you too Dad." *Beep*
Before anyone could say anything to congratulate Max on the welcome news of his Dad's safety, Kenny's phone begins to ring a tune from his clutched hand.
*Riiinnngggaaa ringgggggg Riiinnngggaaa ringgggggg Riiinnngggaaa ringgggggg*
The Chief almost dropped his mobile phone in surprise as his hair stood on end. His whole body shook as he snapped his smart phone to his face to see the caller ID. He cried aloud. "It's the noodle shop! It must be my Dad!"
"KENNY! WHAT DO WE NEED BODYGUARDS FOR?HUH?!" Chizue Manabu barked angrily down the phone so loud that all could hear despite not being on loudspeaker. Her son had no choice but to protect his eardrums by pulling the phone sharply away from his skull.
Kenny's Dad Kenji could be heard in the background. "I don't see why you're so upset my love. It's not like we're paying for the body guard. And besides you did say you were followed this morning by a strange girl. I think we should be grateful. Another set of hands to help with deliveries annnnnnd we don't have to pay them a penny."
Kenny – "Let me guess, these bodyguards have something to do with Hiwatari Enterprises by any chance?"
Chizue – "Yes and they're getting in the way already. We are already late making orders because we had to sign all sortsa contracts!"
Kenny – "You were followed by a strange girl? Did she have silver hair and a cloak?"
Chizue – "Yeah I think so. A swat team showed up before I could get a good look at her. You know her?!"
Kenny – "Oh yeah Mom, we know of her alright. All I can say if that I'm eternally grateful Kai's guards turned up when they did. I'm going to go now Mom. I'm glad to hear your voice and try not to be too rude to the security staff. They're there for your protection and I have somebody I need to thank for it. Talk later Mom. Bye."
*Bleep bleep* Kenny ended the call with his parents and exhaled the stress away. His Mother was safe all thanks to one person.
"That's great ! Kenny's Mom, Hilarys' Mom and Max's Dad are safe as houses. Just Mr D to go!" Cried Tyson as he took the phone from his Grandpa's hands and set to make a call of his own.
*Riiiiinnngggg**Riiiiinnngggg**Riiiiinnngggg**Riiiiinnngggg*
Hilary interjected as the phone was ringing "But Tyson, Mr D won't be in his office until after 9am!"
Tyson smirked with sly eyes. "I'm not calling his office."
The phone picked up and an old Englishman's voice coughed his throat clear and mumbled half asleep. "Yeesss who is calling me at this hour?"
Tyson exclaimed. "Mr D! Are you okay?!"
Mr Dickenson was not best pleased about his rude awakening so early, however, decided to maintain his friendly disposition for his favourite beyblader. "Why I'm at home Tyson, the number you called is my home phone. I'm in bed with my wife. Now, Tyson we need to talk about boundaries my boy. It's too early for calls of this nature."
Tyson rubbed the back of his head and beamed cheekily. "I'm sorry Mr D but it was an emergency. We thought Shadow Vale had gotten to you. We had a strange phone call from your office this morning and we feared the worst. Not to worry now! Go back to whatever you were doing with your Mrs and I'll fill you in later okay."
*Beep* Before Mr Dickenson could say a syllable more; Tyson put the phone down on him.
Emily summarised. "So there we have it guys. Everyone is safe...for now. And that's all thanks to mister King of the Universe."
The whole morning had left Hilary shaken and not ready to find her feet yet as she hugged her knees. She threw her messy haired head back and exclaimed. "I'm so relieved. I don't know what I would have done if anything happened to my Mom."
Kenny warned from a nearby futon. "It sounds like my Mom too had a really close call. That had to be Garnetta stalking her. Thank goodness Kai's security staff picked her up when they did."
Max was rocked and barely able to string a sentence together with fatigue and stress. He remained quiet and subdued whilst he mulled over the earlier conundrum. "What was I to do? Just ignore my Dad who may have needed my help? Or put Draciel first? I don't ever want to be in that position ever again. Maybe giving Draciel to the Saint Shield's isn't such a bad call after all; at least until Shadow Vale are no longer a threat. Tyson would never forgive me if I did, I couldn't forgive myself either. I guess I have some time to think it over. First things first, I have someone to thank for what he did for my Dad today."
Tyson gazed around the room rapidly looking for someone. "Say! Where is Kai anyway?!"
Kenny placed a hand on his hip as he gazed at the closed shoji door. "Well guys I think it's safe to say we found him."
Tyson, Max, Hilary, Kenny, Daichi and Emily stood in a small crowd before the closed Japanese style sliding doors to Hiro's empty bedroom. The bedroom turned storage dumping ground had been human vacant for years...but that morning someone had moved in. The gang of friends saw silhouettes of figures through the brown papered shoji doors moving around inside. Voices of different ages and accents were muffled behind the screen and Kai's was one of them.
Hilary stood straight and brimming with curiosity as she placed a fingertip to her bottom lip. "Do you think we should knock first?"
Daichi scolded with his arms up in the air. "Why should Tyson knock in his own house! Just do it already!"
The young Granger took the edge of the door from the wall, his fingers hooked in a groove. "I'm going in." He cried as he rapidly parted the sliding door to the right and open wide for all to see in and out. New guests who neither he, nor his Grandfather had invited in were exposed.
Eyes ogled from both sides of the door frame.
The boxes that had littered the floor of Hiros' bedroom for years were neatly tucked into the wardrobe and any that wouldn't fit were piled tidily in a corner. The room had been dusted by whom they would never find out. And for the first time in years the little sliding window so crusted with age and rust was open all the way allowing a fresh breeze into the usually stale aired room.
Kai was less than impressed with the intrusion with a low level scowl on his pale dark-eyed face. The CEO was leant back on the hard surface of the dark brown wardrobe with one hand guarding his left flank; he fought not to grimace with each movement and breath. Surrounding the pained man were his new underlings, 3 men and a woman with another yet to arrive. A Japanese man around 50 years of age in a long dark coat with long black hair in a pony tail sat on Hiros' bare mattress-less single bed with an open beige folder in his hands, the type of guy you would find drinking at a bar listening and watching everyone else in silence like a spy. A green eyed man, assumedly a foreigner from the West, around 40-50 years of age wore casual jeans and a baseball shirt with blonde hair slicked back by his sunglasses, held an identical folder lodged in his hands too as he leant back on a computer chair they had acquired from Tysons' bedroom without asking. The other, an asian man in his 30s, sporting a tracksuit with short brown hair who looked like gym teacher leant on a back wall with an identical beige folder crooked under one arm. He had a youthful and normal looking disposition. The only woman was young, Indian, had flown in the night before from Delhi, she wore a classy slim fit suit with a red tie and had her hair braided which hung long down to her stomach, also yielded a beige folder of her own in slim henna stained fingers.
Kai's hired people and their appearances raised many questions but even more astonishing and impressive was what Kai had done, or had paid others to do to the rest of the room. On the bare walls and affixed to all visible wall surface were black felted pin boards with red string joining and looping around the handles of pins like in a CSI series on TV. Four of the pin boards featured each of the individual Shadow Vale members. Garnetta, Blake, Harkan and Darcel had their own personal wanted boards like how the FBI hunted criminals. Pinned on each were photos in the form of enhanced CCTV stills of their faces, clothing, distinguishing features, blown up photos of their tattoos and even swatches of the colour of their capes. As well as bullet-point information of height, approximate weight, gender, Bitbeast names and notes on their personality and behaviour. Where they were last seen was pinned onto a map of Tokyo and exact times of the sightings were recorded onto white boards complete with red and black marker pens. Max, Hilary and Kenny were met with grainy CCTV images of Darcel, Harkan and Garnetta, each taken within minutes of their parents' places of work and homes. The realisation that their families were so close to being kidnapped, harmed and possibly killed left them feeling sick and gulped hard with unease.
Another pin board featured solely around their target...precious Dranzer with glossy photos of the marvellous fire bird taken by paparazzi during past tournaments. Included too were photos of Dranzers' bitchip so that if any of Kai's bounty hunters managed to get close they could accurately affirm the Phoenix's' whereabouts, and ensure they confiscated the right bitchip should they succeed in their hunt.
The room was tense and silent with focus, only a small fan made a humming noise. Tyson and Co were met with no friendliness or smiles from the new inhabitants. For these freelance detectives a life changing sum of money was up for grabs if they found their assigned targets, apprehended them, and return the bitchip containing Dranzer to his rightful master.
Tysons' jaw dropped with awe at the sight of three complete strangers in Hiros' usually barren room, and how Kai had re-decorated it. "Kai...Just who are these people? They aren't security. And just what have you done to my brothers' room?"
Before Tyson could receive an answer, another young man, clean shaved, Japanese, carrying a black briefcase, wearing a standard office suit charged from the empty hallway behind Tyson and friends. He exclaimed whilst striding at speed with no intention of slowing. "Excuse me coming through. Part ways please!"
Emily stubbornly refused to make way for him and he clipped the end of her shoe with his. "Urghhhh ouuchh excuse me! You trod on my foot!"
Tyson and Kenny too were to slow to move and were barged aside the doorway as the newcomer made his forceful entrance regardless of who was in his way.
The beychamp huffed and was about to give the man a raised fist and yell curses but the scene of something out of a CIA movie was too intriguing to linger on it. He and the others watched as the late man entered the room and immediately greeted his employer with a long respectful bow. Kai, careful not to move his torso, afforded him a small nod in return and then it was down to business.
Kenny straightened his tie after his run in with Kai's late guest. "Okay Kai, time to spill the coffee beans. Just what are you doing in here?"
Emily interjected as she pushed her glasses squarely up the bridge of her nose. "You're tracking Shadow Vale aren't you? I know a task force when I see one."
Tyson exclaimed with his hand gesturing with palms out. "Yeah Kai. What gives? How about inviting us in on this? This is one cool set up by the way. It's just like the movies when the hot detectives hunt serial killers and stuff."
Kai's handsomely thick grey eyebrows furrowed and successfully hid a full-faced wince as he pressed himself off the wardrobe wall. He addressed the quad of professional people hunters as he gently and gingerly strode to the door frame. He tried and mostly succeeded to mask a hissy tone as the pain rippled from his healing wound. "Re-read the briefing over and over until you memorise it word for word. Dawson, run Mr Takamichi through what we've just discussed."
The team of five beybladers plus Hilary backed up in the hallway to allow Kai space to leave the room. The tall blader turned with his back to his friends to forcefully slide shut the door behind him, the action of which caused him a nasty tearing and throbbing sensation with the use of abdominal muscles he shouldn't have worked. He hid a silent gasp and fought to straighten his face before turning to face them again.
Pissed, pained and tired Kai glared directly at the former beyblade champion and rival. Lilac eyes met with cinnamon and a short-lived stare-off began.
Tyson wasn't having any evasiveness from Kai. "So who are those guys Kai?! I have a right to know. They are in my house after all."
Kai's teeth were gritted from discomfort and annoyance both. "Tyson...I'm too busy right now to play 1000 questions but if you must know they are a team I have assembled to track and arrest Shadow Vale. I'm going to put a stop to them once and for all. And soon, Dranzer will be returned to me."
Tyson became animated like a fan boy. "Wow Kai. That's so cool! I take it they are they the best of the best of the best? I bet they have backgrounds working in the CIA, FBI, INTERPOL?"
Emily picked with a tad of jealousy. "Very impressive Kai. Amazing what you can achieve with money and power. I'm sure you'll have Dranzer back in no time."
Hilary put her arms around Max's and Kennys' shoulders and hugged their head in close. They each had something to say.
"Kai..." She paused to address him in order to make eye contact with his cold purple irises. "Max, Kenny and I have something to say. We want to say Thank you for what you did for our parents today. We know they would have been in big trouble if you hadn't sent your body guards when you did. So thank you with all our hearts Kai. We owe you big time!" She bowed shortly and sweetly.
Kenny briefly bowed in succession. "Yes thankyou Kai. On behalf of my Mom, Dad and myself. I owe you a serious tune up for Dranzer that's for sure."
Max was dark eyed and barely awake at this point from the fatigue of days Zap Arachnids' attack, his recovery still had long to go. He muttered with everything he and his empty stomach had. "Thank you...Kai." And bowed as long as his quivering body would, which bless his heart...wasn't long.
The gratitude expressed by his friends made Kai feel nothing but embarrassed and hated being put on the spot regardless of whether he earned it. His wound was throwing a tantrum and his temper was dangerously short. As a result, he stormed back into his war room and slammed the door shut with a loud *SLAM* after growling. "I don't have time for this. I have work to do."
Faced with the shut doors and sudden banishment from Hiro's bedroom, the gang of 6 had the rest of their morning to play with.
Emily remarked with sarcasm and a playful smirk. "Ohhh Kai's so fluffy and sensitive sometimes."
Kenny rubbed the back of his head and hoped his gratitude didn't offend his former team captain. "That's our Kai alright. He's just feeling the pressure to find Dranzer. And he doesn't look too healthy for it. He needs more rest that's for sure."
Hilary chirped. "Maybe we can bake him a cake to say a proper Thank-you later. His security staff aren't cheap to hire out I bet, and it's the least we can do."
Tyson chortled. "You're on your own with that idea Hilary. If Kai wants a cake I'm sure he'll buy one. A really expensive one made of gold leaf and blessed by the Emperor himself. Don't worry about Kai, Hilary. Kai's just focused on getting his Dranzer back; I know I'd be the same if Dragoon was stolen from me."
Ozuma called from the hallway behind. His arrival was always silent and creepy like a ninja with no manners. "So Kai's doing what he said he would huh? He's hoping to track down Dranzer and Shadow Vale. They're notoriously difficult to track, my clan has been trying to do it for years. They are masters at staying hidden. Well all I can say is good luck to him. He's gunna need it."
Tyson's stomach *Squuelchhhh*
Daichi's stomach *Sqqquuuuulllcchhh*
Tyson grinned with a heavy sweat drop. "Heheh breakfast anyone? Say guys... has anyone seen the Blitzkrieg Boys?"