Wow, three stories at once! I'm so proud.
Okay guys, review either here or any of my other stories, if in the next chapter you want a teaser into the next posted chapter. If you do, you've got to tell me! Okay?
Disclaimer: Beyblade, it's characters, and it's storyline do not belong to me. This purely a fanwork.
Max Tate shot out of the classroom as soon as the professor grimly excused the class. He didn't particularly enjoy chemistry, and he knew the professor didn't enjoy his company. Max knew he didn't fit into the class; he only had taken it to cover a core credit necessary for graduation. It certainly wasn't his fault that this happy-go-lucky attitude clashed with his dour professor's. Needless to say in his second week of school, Max was glad to escape the class when he could.
As he raced down the halls past startled students, the blond haired boy glanced down at his green digital watch. Damn, I'm going to be late! Tyson's going to kill me! His bright blue eyes sparkled with anticipation and anxiety as he vaulted over a fire hydrant. His group of friends rarely had any breaks in between classes together. Hell, it was lucky that they attended the same college! This was the one time during the day that they could see each other, and he was late!
Tyson Granger was Max's best friend out of high school, and as he fled down the street, Max smiled at the bluenette's excitable personality and exuberant energy. Tyson had managed to tone his attitude down, which relieved Max. Bailing Tyson out of uncomfortable situations due to his smart mouth was starting to fray Max's nerves.
Luckily, Hilary Tachibana, Tyson's girlfriend was also there to help. She also had mellowed quite nicely into a blossoming young lady. She was an elementary education major, and quite enthusiastic about her future profession. She had grown tall and willowy with large brown eyes and long brown hair. She got quite a bit of attention when she walked into a hall full of males, but Tyson made sure they knew never to touch her. And no one did, especially when they saw Tyson's group of friends.
Kenny, or Chief as he was better known as was planning to major in the computer sciences, and there was nothing in hell that was going to stop him. He had already gotten an internship at the BBA and he was already planning his ascent to power at the top. He loved his laptop with a passion still. Max shook his head in amusement. One of these days, we're going to diagnose Kenny with obsessive/compulsive disorder… Kenny could hardly be pried away from work for fear of being left out of the latest development. He lived with Hilary and Tyson at the dojo, and more than once did Hilary threaten to send his belongings to his BBA office if he didn't come home for dinner at least three times a week.
Ray Kon had grown taller with vibrant yellow eyes that sparkled with delight whenever he saw his girlfriend, Mariah. He was lean and muscular, with long black hair that he tied out of the way. He was easily the best martial arts expert any of them had ever met. He had become even more quiet and reserved in the last few years, but he was still the spine of the team, providing whatever comfort and support that was necessary. He lived with Mariah in a nearby apartment and seemed to be living college life contently.
Max grimly smiled as the thought about the last two of the group. Kai and Tala. Still the undeniably cold Russians we met all those years ago. Kai Hiwatari was still the leader of the group, still in charge of their decisions, still the expert blader he was when they first met. His best friend, Tala Volkov rarely spoke in their presence at all, but preferred to be left in the shadows when they discussed beyblading. Kai's dark slate hair, handsome features, and imposing scarf made him a favorite among the college ladies, but he preferred to be left alone to finish his studies. Tala was much of the same, not finding college girls much to his taste. They were both studying to be engineers. Max knew for a fact that Tala kept an eye on girls quite often, but never found anything he wanted. There was always something that was missing. Max didn't know what Tala was looking for, but he knew that when he found the girl, she would be something special. Until then, Tala would avoid the girls who tried to seek him out. They lived in separate dorms on the outskirts of the city.
And who was Max seeing at the time? The blond broke out into an undisguised grin as the object of his affection came into view.
"Max!" A girl with delighted green eyes ran into his arms. "You're late! What is this? Are you and Tyson switching roles on me all of a sudden?"
Max picked her up and swung her around. "No, Miriam," he responded, messing up her dark violet hair, "I just got caught up in Chemistry, that's all."
"Oh. How pleasant. A science class." Miriam made a face. She despised the sciences with all her heart.
He laughed, and as he did so, he glanced at the group coming up to meet him. "Tyson's not angry is he?"
"I seriously doubt it. The kid's probably too distracted wondering where the hell Hilary is. Come sit with Ray, Mariah and me and have a soda. We were just discussing the language requirement in this school." She scowled. "It's just not fair that they already speak Chinese…"
Max was distracted as he was being pulled toward some tables. "Hilary's not here yet? Why not?"
She shrugged. "She just had psychology. God knows what happened."
Max looked at the stricken look on his best friend's face. "I think I should keep Tyson company, at least until Hilary gets here."
Ray quietly murmured, "Here come Kai and Tala."
Kai quickly walked towards the group. He took a look at Tyson dejectedly sitting with Kenny. "Where's Hilary?" he asked, his crimson eyes filling with concern.
Mariah answered steadily. "Not here yet."
Kai nodded and sat down. "Have you guys noticed anything strange recently?"
Max groaned. "Yeah. My chemistry professor hates me. And here I was thinking I was the most lovable guy in the world."
Tala's aquamarine eyes looked faintly amused. "Always the dreamer, aren't we, Tate?"
Miriam stuck her tongue out at him. "He is the most loveable person on Earth. Don't be hating, just because you're jealous Valkov."
"Whatever you say."
Kai's eyes were serious. "I wish Hilary would hurry and get here. I have an important announcement to make.
Ray finished his soda. "Well, if you start the announcement now, Tyson is not going to hear a single word of it."
"I was well aware of that, Ray."
Ray grinned inwardly. He should have known better than to have stated the obvious. Especially when talking to Kai. "Point taken, Captain."
Kai glanced at the amusement glinting in Ray's eyes. Kai's lips turned slightly upwards in a small smile. "At ease, solider."
Max choked on some soda he had been drinking. Miriam had quickly cut off her giggles to disguise them as a minor coughing fit. Kai scowled. And they wonder why I don't joke around with them more often, he thought impatiently. The more jokes I make the more the surprised they get. Let them wonder. Where is Hilary?
Kai glanced over at Kenny and Tyson again. The dark-eyed Tyson was frighteningly tense. Kai knew Hilary would never stop to flirt with any college guy while she was with Tyson, but that wouldn't stop any guy from trying to take advantage of her. The college campus wasn't exactly safe.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kenny shoot to his feet. "I see Hilary!" His voice conveyed an enormous amount of relief. Tyson had gotten up as well, and had taken a few steps before being thrown backwards by a brunette blur.
"I'm sorry Tyson! I just got so involved with psychology! I totally forgot that I had break! We're working with a partner in class, and I was so glad I had made a friend majoring in elementary education too! Oh, gosh, I didn't mean to make you worry!" Hilary's large brown eyes were pleading. "Tyson?"
Tyson sat up in his chair again, his eyes softening at the sight of his girlfriend. "It's okay Hil. We weren't too worried."
Ray smothered a laugh. Easy for you to say, Tyson. If she hadn't shown up at that precise minute, you probably would have murdered one of us. Preferably, Kai.
"What's this about a partner?" Tyson demanded gruffly.
Hilary jumped up with excitement. "Oh, it's wonderful. I dragged her all the way out here just so she could meet all of you. She doesn't have too many friends, so I hope you'll adopt her in our family right away!" She turned towards the direction she came from.
"Lynn! Come on, you slowpoke! I want you to meet some people." They all turned expectantly towards the direction Hilary was looking in.
Tala's eyes widened considerably, and he drew in his breath sharply. Hilary was a lovely young lady, and clearly the apple of Tyson's eye, but this young lady she brought with her was absolutely stunning. Even Mariah and Miriam, who were beautiful in their own rights couldn't compare.
Long ebony locks cascaded down small shoulders and framed a delicate face with high cheekbones, graceful lips, and vibrant green eyes that looked at them with curiosity. Thin arms hung at her side, and her small figure was accented in a short black dress that had small flowers embroidered in silver. A small necklace graced her neck, with a single black pearl sitting at the base of her collarbone. Fragile legs stood still when they realized they were at the center of attention. Lynn's long lashes blinked at the sight of many strangers and the dark green eyes quickly and pointedly looked down at her small feet, covered in black sandals.
Tala had taken one look in those forest green eyes. He felt attracted to the girl, and his eyes roamed up and down her figure. She refused to look up. He smiled, for she reminded him of a shy child afraid to play on the swings with the other children. But she was a woman, a female with ethereal beauty. Innocent, mature, childish, beautiful. He could think of so many ways to describe her, and he had not said a word to her.
Hilary walked to Lynn. "Dear," she scolded gently, "You absolutely cannot be shy around these people. I told you, it's impossible. Especially around Tyson. If you don't speak up, he's not going to hear you. At eighteen he's losing his hearing quite quickly."
Lynn quietly let Hilary lead her to the group. "Guys, this is Lynn Fukumoto. She's my partner in psychology, and she's also a elementary ed major. She's very new to the area, so we need to help her out."
Lynn smiled, "I don't want to be a bother Hilary."
Hilary laughed. "You won't be, trust me. Let me finish the introductions. This guy who refuses to let me go is Tyson Granger, my boyfriend. The one with the laptop is Kenny. Let's see. Ray Kon is the one with black hair, and his girlfriend waving at you is Mariah. Oh, hi Maxie! Max Tate, the blond boy who can't stop smiling. On his right is his girl Miriam. The one with the two toned hair is our team captain, Kai Hiwatari. Try to at least look happy, Kai. And next to him, with the red hair is Tala Valkov."
Lynn had looked and nodded to each person in turn, but when she looked at Tala, he gave her a radiant smile that she couldn't resist smiling back at. She was normally reserved with strangers, but this guy captivated her. With only a glance.
Hilary, thankfully, hadn't noticed. "Why don't you sit with that larger group over there while I try to pry Tyson off of me?"
Kai stood up. "No need to, Hilary. I need to talk to all of you about your blades, and now that I have Tyson's attention, I can do that." He turned to the newcomer. "Do you beyblade?"
Lynn shook her head. Kai nodded and turned his attention away from her. She saw an empty seat nearby and walked towards it. To her surprise, Tala had gotten there first. The boy showed amazing speed and versatility when the occasion called for it. He gestured that she should sit, and like a gentleman, helped her into her seat. Then he pulled up a chair near her and focused all his attention on Kai.
Kai took out his Dranzer the rest of the group saw that the blade was emitting sounds and lights. It seemed that Dranzer was restless and wanted to be released from the blade. Ray frowned and reached in his pocket for Driger. The same was true for him. Tyson and Max took out their blades and were amazed that their bitbeasts were acting restless as well. Finally all the bladers took out their blades. Something was making them act out of character.
Mariah looked at Kai. "Okay. I'll bite. What's making them act this way?"
Kai shrugged. I was hoping you'd be able to tell me. Tala and I noticed this about three days ago. At first I thought it was only an individual problem, but now I'm beginning to have my doubts."
Ray's frown got deeper. "Do you have any clue what's making them act this way?"
Kai began to pace. "They don't constantly act this way. Whenever I am at home with my blade, it acts perfectly normal. It never goes out of character. And sometimes when I'm in school, it looks like a normal blade. But then there are times when Dranzer goes completely haywire. And I can't explain why. Any suggestions?" He looked around the group.
Hilary tentatively joked, "Maybe you guys don't train with as much anymore and they're itching for a battle."
Max looked at her. "Knowing Kai, he's probably doubled his training since we hit college. That can't be it. It has to be some outside force… Something physical? Magnetic force field maybe?"
Kai frowned. "That's a definite possibility." He glanced at his watch. "Damn. Time to start heading to calculus. Fun." He looked at the others. "I want you to observe your bitbeasts and what could be affecting them. Can we meet somewhere afterward?"
Hilary beamed. "Dinner at Tyson's! I'll cook!"
Tyson choked, "What! Hilary, Grandpa's gonna have a fit!"
"Nonsense. He'll enjoy the company. He hasn't seen everyone in so long."
"Well, that's true. What about Hiro? My anti-social brother probably won't like guests!"
"He knows everyone here, except for Lynn. He'll want to know how everyone is. Hiro likes company every once in a while."
Miriam glanced at Mariah. "Mariah and I will help cook too. Meet you at three thirty at the parking lot, Hilary?"
"Sure! Dinner's at seven then!"
"We'll be there."
Kai nodded and made to leave. "Let's go. Tala, I think you're in my class?"
The red-head smiled. "We're only majoring in the same subject."
"That was no fault of mine."
Lynn had been looking at her hands in her lap during the whole meeting. She looked up as Tala walked away from her.
Without warning he turned back to her and gently tilted her chin upward and gazed into her dark depths.
His ice-blue gaze was mesmerizing. She still wasn't able to look away from him.
He smiled. "I want to remember your stunning eyes. I think we'll be seeing more of each other, Lynn."
Her blush was slight. "I think so too, Tala."
He released her. "Hilary," he said calmly without breaking his gaze with Lynn, "Lynn is invited as well? She is, after all, a new friend."
Hilary looked surprised. "Oh, I'm sorry, Lynn, I forgot to invite you! Of course you're welcome to stay with us as well."
Lynn broke the gaze first to look at Hilary shyly. "I think I'd like that."
"Great! Want to meet the rest of the girls at the parking lot too?"
"Yes."
"See you there then!" Hilary walked away with Tyson and Kenny. Lynn still had an hour left in her break. She looked up, then realized Tala hadn't walked away.
Tala looked into her eyes again. "Keep safe, before then Lynn. I want to see you and your green eyes again."
She couldn't speak. She only nodded.
In a sweeping movement, he walked over to a waiting Kai.
The rest of the group dispersed.
Kai walked briskly to their next class. He looked over at his best friend and casually remarked, "I see you made an impression on Lynn."
"I'm very good at making impressions."
"You've found what you've been looking for."
"I didn't realize I was looking for anything." Tala's voice had gotten sharper.
"Well, you must have been the only one who didn't know that. Unless," Kai smiled, "Lynn's still up for grabs."
"If you even think of making a move on her, I'm going to make sure you don't have any thoughts like that for a very, very long time."
"That's what I thought."
"Speaking of thoughts, you didn't reveal all we discussed at the little meeting earlier."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "There was hardly enough time."
"Right. You just don't like to admit to gut intuition unless you have evidence to back it up."
"I'll mention it at tonight's meeting."
"I'm relieved." Tala easily climbed the stairs two at a time, after Kai.
"Your sarcasm needs work." Kai glanced back at his friend before they entered the classroom.
Lynn walked to the edge of campus. She was still feeling the effects of Tala's gaze, but something else was bothering her. The meeting that she had been listening to…
"Child, you have nothing to fear…"
She stopped dead in her tracks.
"It is nothing, pure coincidence. The others had to be destroyed. Do you understand? This is different. I don't wish to destroy."
She crouched down, her head spinning. But you said last time it was an accident…
"Don't be a fool. They had to go. They were hurting you. Child, I did it all for you."
Leave me alone!
"Darling, I'm the only one you've got now. Well, I suppose you do have that idiot of a girl as your friend…"
Shut up and leave me alone!
"You won't always feel this way. You'll understand someday."
Go away!
Lynn felt the presence smirk. "Oh yes, Child. You'll understand someday. I'm the only one who cares."
Lynn raced to her car. Her head throbbed and ached, and so did her heart. She sunk into the driver's seat, breathing heavily. She needed to get home. She would take the bus back to school to meet Hilary. Lynn looked into her rearview mirror, and into the forest-green eyes Tala found fascinating.
I am not crazy.