A/N: Heyyyyyyyy! Welcome back my lovely beautiful readers! My exams got over today and I'm over the moon, now that I can publish more regularly *winks* Sooooo are y'all ready? Excited for this chapter? I should really just stop speaking/typing at this point, and let y'all just read TT... Anyways enjoyyyyy ;)

Where We Always End Up — Chapter 3

The sun streamed through the half-drawn blinds in the classroom, making Makoto Granger's snot bubble shimmer like a tragic, glistening balloon of shame. His head rested on his crossed arms on the desk, the bubble inflating and deflating with each light snore as he dozed off mid-lecture. Gou Hiwatari sat beside him, arms folded and eyes trained on the blackboard. Though he looked calm and disinterested, he was far from oblivious.

Lin's absence hadn't gone unnoticed.

Makoto had challenged her that morning in the most stupid way possible—"Bet you can't bey battle 15 kids today and still make it to last period." And Lin, being Lin, had just grinned and said, "Watch me."

Gou didn't even try to stop her. She was like a tornado with her beyblade launcher. She would never say no to a challenge, even if it was to climb a mountain in an hour. She may lose, but she'd never back down.

He glanced sideways at Makoto just as the snot bubble popped. With a sigh, Gou jabbed his elbow lightly into Makoto's side.

"Ugh," Makoto groaned, lifting his head slowly and blinking around the room with the sluggish confusion of someone dropped into a battlefield mid-war. "Huh? Where am I?"

Gou didn't even look at him. "In history class, you dumbass."

Makoto blinked twice more, then slowly nodded like it all made sense now. "Right. History. Totally awake for all of it."

"Sure you were," Gou muttered, rubbing his temple.

"Where's Lin?" Makoto asked, stretching his arms.

Gou turned his head toward him, one brow raised. "Didn't you give her a stupid challenge of beybattling 15 kids today? She's skipping classes again, today because of you."

Makoto grinned proudly. "Oh yeah I forgot. Well, let's see if she actually pulls it off."

Gou rolled his eyes and looked forward again, choosing silence over engaging with that logic.

Unfortunately, Makoto's stupid grin didn't go unnoticed.

"Makoto Granger," the teacher's voice sliced through the classroom. "You look like you're having a wonderful time. Why don't you share the joke with the rest of us so we can all enjoy it?"

Makoto blinked. "Uhhh... it wasn't a joke. Just thinking happy thoughts."

"Great. Stand outside and think them there."

Makoto shrugged and stood up, grabbing his bag. "No problem."

Gou just sighed harder.

—

The school bell rang, echoing through the hallways like the sound of sweet, sweet liberation. Gou and Makoto stepped out into the hallway together, only to see Lin leaning against her locker like she'd just fought off a dozen dragons.

Her hair was a mess. Her sleeves were rolled up. And her energy? Practically evaporated.

Makoto approached her with the smuggest smirk imaginable. "What's up, grandma? Aced the challenge?"

Lin turned her tired eyes to him and, without a word, raised her arm to show him a thin cut across her forearm. "I battled fourteen. One more left. And you're getting me lunch for the next week."

Makoto gave a long, low whistle. "Okay, you weren't kidding when you asked us to watch."

Then Lin turned to Gou, pointing at him with the ferocity of a general commanding her troops. "And you. You're beybattling me. Now."

"Wait, what?" Gou blinked.

"You're number fifteen," she said simply.

"You're exhausted," Gou deadpanned.

"I don't care. You think I'm letting a stupid, almost done dare go unfinished? At the cost of free lunch for an entire week? He said today, that means today. I'm not backing down. And Neither are you."

Before he could reply, she grabbed him by the collar and started dragging him toward the schoolyard.

Makoto followed, his grin growing wider. "Shit's about to go down."

Half-blushing, half-defeated, Gou finally stopped her and made her look at him. "Let's battle tomorrow. You look like you just ploughed three fields in an hour."

Lin looked at him and crossed her arms. "He said today, Gou. I'm determined to win the challenge and get free lunch for a week. I'll not back down from that. So let's do this."

Now holding his forearm rather than his collar, she continued dragging him until they reached the beyblade arena painted near the back of the playground.

"Lin you're being unreasonable." Gou protested, knowing she was actually exhausted and wouldn't be able to give her best.

Lin sharply side eyed him. "You're not chickening out are you?" Gou's pupils contracted. No way was she testing his patience like that.

"Alright, fine. But I'm gonna go easy on you." He accepted the challenge.

"Oh, shut up and fight, Hiwatari." Lin smirked noticing his eye twitch. She exactly knew his trigger points. That included her calling him by his last name.

It didn't take long for word to spread. A crowd gathered within minutes.

Gou and Lin were two of the top bladers in the school. Every time any of those bladers battled, it was a spectacle.

The Tate twins arrived just as Lin and Gou were taking their positions.

Leo, already hyped, raised both hands. "Yo, DJ Leo on the mic! Ready to watch some sparks fly? This is the showdown we've all been waiting for!"

Lin rolled her shoulders. Gou tightened his grip on his launcher.

"Three!"

The crowd hushed.

"Two!"

The beyblades clicked into place.

"One! Let it rip!"

Driger and Dranzer burst into the dish with wild energy, sparks flying on contact. Lin attacked first, launching Driger forward in a spiraling assault that forced Dranzer back.

"Driger, go attack!" she shouted.

Gou narrowed his eyes, analyzing the angle. Dranzer spun with calm defiance, using a defensive pattern to absorb the initial blows.

"You're too aggressive," Gou called, pushing Dranzer into a counter-spin. "Dranzer, go! Counterattack!"

Dranzer dipped and swerved, crashing into Driger with a precise hit that almost knocked it off balance.

Lin grit her teeth. "No way. Driger! Go wide, don't let him corner you!"

The battle became a whirlwind. Lin's blade zipped around with erratic bursts of speed, but Gou's blade followed with steady control, waiting for the right opening. Lin launched another furious charge, but Gou sidestepped her strategy with a smart feint.

"Dranzer, now! Blazing Spin!"

Dranzer exploded into a fiery flame, striking Driger head-on. The impact flung Driger upward, spiraling out of the dish and clattering to the ground.

The crowd burst into cheers.

"And Gou Hiwatari wins!" Leo shouted.

Lin groaned and picked up Driger, sweat dripping down her brow. She looked at the blade, then just let herself fall onto the ground with a tired thud, legs splayed.

Everyone started leaving, buzzing about the match. Only the core group stayed.

"You okay?" Gou asked, stepping closer.

"I'm good," Lin said, still panting. Then she grinned lazily up at Makoto, flashing her fangs. "Done with the challenge. Now you owe me lunch for the next week."

Makoto threw his hands in the air. "Fine, fine, whatever you say. I'll bring sushi."

"Alright!" Lin's eyes lit up.

Gou silently held out a hand to Lin.

She looked at it for a second, then at Gou, a faint pink dusting her cheeks. Then she took it.

He pulled her up slowly, and the second her hand touched his, the red hit his ears.

Makoto and Leo side-eyed each other instantly.

Luna, oblivious to the blush-fest happening behind her, clasped her hands. "That was amazing! Both of you were so good! Lin, I thought you had it after the third clash, but then Gou's move totally turned the tables!"

Lin chuckled, leaning a bit on Luna as they began walking. "Thanks. I think I'm gonna sleep for a week."

Luna grinned and held her hand. "You earned it."

Behind them, Gou walked silently, his hands in his pockets, eyes occasionally drifting to the pair ahead. He was carrying Lin's school bag (A/N: he's already a gentleman guys). Makoto and Leo walked beside him, whispering like shady side characters.

"Did you see that blush?" Makoto muttered.

"It was like fire in broad daylight," Leo whispered back. "The boy's got it bad. He's even carrying her bag for her."

"I know right. How sweet! You think Lin knows?"

"She's Lin, bro. She knows everything. She probably knows how tall we were at birth."

"But hey, she's also Lin. She's so oblivious sometimes. Maybe she doesn't know."

"Atleast we know."

They both snorted quietly.

As they reached the school gate, Leo and Luna waved and turned their heels to head in the opposite direction. "See you tomorrow!"

"Wait!" Lin said as the twins looked over at her. She pulled out her blade, which was... You know what happens to a blade after 15 continuous matches right?

"Umm Leo could you ask uncle Max to fix it? My blade has been through a lot today and you can see how bad it's condition is from how it looks." Lin asked as Leo took the blade and examined it.

"Ofcourse! I'll give it to dad and return it to you tomorrow." He grinned, so did Luna. Lin smiled back.

"Thanks Tates!" She beamed.

"No problem!" The two said in unison as they walked off.

"Bye!" Lin called, her voice tired but happy.

The remaining three kept walking.

"Well Lin I mever thought you'd take the challenge so seriously. Who'd you battle with anyways?" Makoto asked her casually.

"Some random kids. And Aria before Gou." Lin replied.

(A/N: Aria is another blader, from their school too. She's a random character with no significant role. Lin only mentioned Aria separately because she had a bitbeast.)

"Woah now I see where all that damage came from. Good job Lin Xiao." Makoto patted her back lightly.

"Thanks." She smiled at him. Gou looked at both of them too and smiled at his friends.

Lin's house came into view soon after.

"Catch you guys tomorrow," she said, as Gou handed her her school bag, dragging herself toward the gate. Her hot pink hair was falling from its tie, her bag swinging on one shoulder, looking like it'd fall down on the ground anytime.

Makoto and Gou walked in silence for a few moments before Makoto looked over.

"So... you gonna confess or what?" Makoto grinned at Gou.

"Huh?" Gou looked at him and blinked.

"To the older Kon." Makoto smirked.

"Shut up, Granger." Gou muttered as he blushed but looked away in an attempt to hide his heated up cheeks.

Makoto laughed. "You know, you guys look good tog—" He was cut off by a sharp glare coming from Gou. He snorted while raising his arms up in defeat.

"Alright. Alright." Makoto stopped as Gou nodded, however his neck, ears and cheek already heated up, from Makoto's incomplete comment.

Then, they parted ways, to their respective penthouse or dojo.

And the late spring sun watched them all, golden and warm, like it was rooting for something to bloom.

—

The Tates' apartment was unusually quiet for once. Although, it usually was that way when the twins were at school or simply not home.

Except today, Max was neither cleaning the bathroom nor was he tidying up the house. Max sat comfortably on the couch, sipping juice from his can, eyes half-lidded and focused on the television. It was one of those rare serene afternoons where he could enjoy a few moments of peace—until the calm was shattered by the sudden thud of the front door flying open.

Max didn't even flinch as the twins, Luna and Leo, barged in. His gaze lazily shifted toward them, expecting chaos, yelling, or a complaint about someone cheating during a Beyblade battle.

Instead, the twins gave him matching mischievous grins before snuggling up to him on either side.

Max blinked. "Okay... what's going on?"

"Nothing," Luna said sweetly, batting her lashes. "We just wanna spend time with you, Dad." She said kicking off her shoes to the ground.

Max stared at her like she had grown three heads. "Wait. What?" He narrowed his eyes at her like she might explode. "Are you guys okay? What did you eat? You really want to spend time with me?"

Luna simply giggled and snuggled closer. Leo gave him a casual grin before reaching into his bag.

"Dad, Lin's blade got damaged. She asked if you could replace some parts," Leo said, pulling out the worn-down beyblade.

Max took the blade and examined it, a small nostalgic smile forming. "Sure, I'll fix it. You'll have it by tomorrow." He patted Leo's head fondly.

"Thanks, Dad!" Leo beamed before hopping off the couch. "I got some important business to do in my room."

"Business?" Max echoed.

Leo just waved at him, disappearing down the hallway.

On the other side, Luna was now completely absorbed by the show playing on the TV.

"Dad what's that?" Luna pointed at a random animal that was on the TV.

"It's a kind of cat sweetie." Max said as he watched the show with her while wrapping an arm around his daughter protectively, and smiled down at her.

"Can we have a pet cat?" Luna looked at him with big happy eyes and a big smile.

Max thought. Was having both of the siblings under the same roof not enough that she wanted a cat now to create more chaos?

"We'll see about that. Let mom come home and you can ask her." Max replied, knowing Mariam would never agree to that. Luna nodded as she turned her attention back to the TV and continued watching.

Max looked at her again, waiting for the second wave of madness. But when none came, he sighed in relief, slumping further into the couch. "Finally," he muttered. "A few hours of peace. The universe finally gave me a break."

"Can we visit Gran and Pop-pop next week dad?"

"... They live in the United States honey... We'll visit them during your breaks."

"Okay dad..."

(A/N: In case anyone is confused, Judy/Max's mom is Gran and Mr. Tate/Max's dad is Pop-pop... You're welcome)

—

Makoto stepped inside the dojo, only to be greeted by a sudden blur of energy.

"Oniichan!" Mashiro squealed, launching herself onto him.

"Ahh! Get off me!" Makoto groaned, trying to shake her off without actually hurting the pint-sized tornado now clinging to him.

"I missed you!" she shouted, tugging on his shirt. "Play with me, play with me, play with me—"

"Can I breathe first?! I just got home!" Makoto snapped, trying to dodge her tiny fists.

Mashiro pouted and gave him a light punch to the arm. "You never play with me anymore!"

"Because you're a menace! You threw my hot wheels last time I played with you!" he argued, raising his hands defensively.

Before the situation escalated, Tyson appeared in the doorway, rubbing his temple.

"What now, both of you?" he asked.

"She punched me!" Makoto exclaimed, pointing accusingly at Mashiro.

"Well she kept asking when you were gonna be back the entire day. So she's just excited cuz she missed you." Tyson reasoned with a smile, grabbing Mashiro by the back of her shirt and pulling her away. "But Shiro-chan, no punching your oniichan."

"He's annoying!" Mashiro said scowling at Makoto.

"You don't talk like that to your Oniichan, Mashiro." He looked at Mashiro who looked back at him with a pout.

"You know what, Dad? I might just stay over at Uncle Kai's place. Gou doesn't whine every five seconds and is good to be around," Makoto scoffed, brushing past.

Tyson chuckled, patting his son on the head. "As much as I get your point, she's still your sister, Mako'."

Makoto rolled his eyes, heading for the stairs.

Just as he reached the first step, he felt something soft wrap around his waist.

He turned and looked down.

Mashiro was hugging him tightly, her small arms clinging to him. She looked up, glaring. "Oniichan. Play. With. Me."

Makoto crossed his arms, smirking. "Apologize first."

Mashiro groaned dramatically. "You're so mean!"

"No, I'm not... Apologize~" he sing-songed.

She turned to Tyson, with puppy eyes, for help, who raised his hands in surrender. "Don't look at me with those eyes. Say you're sorry to your brother."

With the most exaggerated pout, Mashiro muttered, "I'm sowwy."

Makoto laughed and ruffled her short navy hair. "Good. Stay humble. I'll play with you after five minutes."

He darted upstairs, leaving Mashiro bouncing in the hallway out of pure excitement.

Tyson shook his head, but there was a proud smile on his face. "Kids..."

—

The Hiwatari Penthouse, was, as usual, spotless. Clean lines, elegant decor—and right now, Kai was standing in the kitchen, pouring tea into a pot while carefully watching the stove.

Gou entered and blinked. He walked around the house to find any trace of Hilary but got nothing. He finally entered the kitchen and saw his dad. Which was odd.

"Dad? What are you doing here?" Gou asked, amused at the sight of his father right infront of him, at that hour of the day.

Kai didn't even turn. "Nice way to greet your father, son. And last time I remembered I own this penthouse."

Gou shrugged. "No I mean, I know you own the house, but shouldn't you be at work?"

"Why does it matter? Did you bring someone?" Kai asked and Gou scoffed.

"I wouldn't need you to be away to bring someone in here, Father. Where's mom?"

"She's shopping. With Tyson's wife."

"Ah," Gou said, looking around the pristine kitchen. "That's great. Do we have any food?"

Kai finally looked at him. "Be specific."

"Something that's... edible?"

Kai blinked.

Gou blinked back.

They sighed simultaneously.

Kai reached into the cabinet and handed him a packet. "Do you want fishbread?"

"Sure," Gou said, sticking a piece in his mouth. "See ya at dinner."

He walked off.

Kai watched him go before sighing, wondering how he and Gou were so much alike. Ofcourse he was his father but sometimes the similarities were just hard to believe.

He returned to the stove, only to yelp when the tea suddenly bubbled over. He quickly turned off the heat, muttering a couple of curses in Russian.

"Damn it, not the pot."

—

The door of the Kon house creaked open.

Lin entered, said absolutely nothing, and just face-planted directly onto the living room couch. She was out cold in seconds.

Mariah, walking by, did a double-take. Her cheerful expression turned into one of horror. "Lin?"

She poked her. No response.

Shook her. Still nothing.

Now Mariah was almost panicking. "LIN?!"

Finally, Lin stirred and groaned. "What do you want, mom?"

Mariah let out a huge sigh of relief and glared. "You skipped class again, didn't you?"

"Mmmm...," Lin mumbled, barely awake.

Just then, Ray entered with Lian on his back. She had declared herself queen and demanded a royal piggyback ride.

"What's going on here?" he asked, setting Lian down.

"Is she alive?" Lian asked, peering over Lin's head.

"Barely," Lin muttered, shoving her sister's face away.

Mariah sighed realising Lin was too tired to argue. "We'll talk later."

Two hours passed.

Lin finally woke up, stretched, and went to her room to change into something comfortable. She padded into the kitchen looking for food and found Mariah waiting.

Mariah smiled sweetly. Too sweetly.

"Sit."

Lin sat down, already knowing she was screwed.

"So," Mariah said, "why'd you skip class this time?"

Lin yawned. "Makoto dared me to battle fifteen kids. So I did."

Mariah choked. "FIFTEEN?!"

Lin nodded, completely unbothered.

Before Mariah could respond, Lian popped in. "Is your blade okay? I wanted to battle!"

They looked at her, standing at the door, holding her blade as if she was showing off something very special.

"Nope it's not okay. It's with Uncle Max, and will be back by tomorrow. Guess you have to suck it up this time, princess." Lin replied smugly.

"Not fair! I wanted to battle!" Lian whined.

"I said next time!"

"Noooo I wanted to do that today!"

"Oh my god, you're such a brat!" Lin scoffed at Lian as Lian approached her.

"Excuse you, you absolute drama queen!" Lian fired back.

"You're the queen of annoying."

"You're the princess of skipping school!"

Mariah groaned, clutching her head.

Ray entered, saw the chaos, and sighed. "This... this is our life." He said as he opened the fridge to get something.

Mariah just nodded, her head hitting the table. "Yup."

Ray patted her head as comfort before the couple sighed in unison, accepting their life for the next five years, atleast.

—

With that, each household, wrapped in its unique blend of chaos, quiet, and questions, wound down as evening settled in. Little did they all know, what was coming next was gonna be even more dramatic.

Because when Beyblade legacies collide... the next generation doesn't just carry the name. They carry the mayhem too.

—

A/N: Soooooo how was this chapter guys??? Enjoyed the battle? Sorry for the shortness of the battle but as y'know Lin was tired so it had to end short. But don't you worry! There's more battles, banters, love and chaos coming up in the upcoming chapters ;) And I hope y'all enjoyed the rest of the ffn too hehehe... Anddddddd after lots of back and forth (with my brain) I've decided something... *whispers* And it's a secret *side eye* Anywayssss guys I'll see y'all in the next chapter ;) don't forget to reviewwww sweeties *heart heart* Byeeeee