CHARACTERS

Hiro -26

Kai -20

Ray -19

Tyson -18

Kenny -18

Max -18

Hilary -17

Daichi -15

OC'S

Arelam Granger - 24 - Hiro's wife

Robin Granger - 11 months - Hiro's son

There will be more OC's sorry if they're a bit 2d

......... DOJO.......

Hiro stood watching as Tyson struggled with the wailing baby, he was beginning to regret asking his little brother to baby-sit his son.

Tyson had very little experience with babies but there was no one else to ask. Grandpa was out of the country and his wife's family all lived too far away to baby-sit while he and his wife went out to dinner.

"Hiro, maybe we shouldn't go" Arelam slipped her arm through his, she was watching Tyson as well, she didn't feel too happy about this!

"Arelam it's very important I go to this dinner" Hiro explained "Mr Dickenson needs me to be there to meet people"

"But I could stay" Arelam wasn't sure what to do, this was the first time in ages that she and Hiro had the chance to go out since Robin had been born.

She was dressed in her favourite dress and had just had her hair newly cut and styled. She was wearing jewellery that she wouldn't normally wear because her son would pull on it, this was the most dressed up she had been in ages.

Next to her Hiro sighed he wanted her to come, she looked stunning and the dinner was a very dull work affair and without her he would be bored to tears!

"Leave him with us" Tyson yelled over the baby's noise "we can handle it, right guys?" Ray, Max, Kenny, Daichi and Kai didn't look too sure about this statement.

"I don't know" Ray whispered to Max and Kai "I think I'd rather be up against Crusher than do this"

"Besides" Tyson continued "I already called for re-enforcements!"

"Called for re-enforcements? This is looking after a child, your nephew not going into battle" Arelam looked angry

"I'm not so sure about that" Max whispered to the others who nodded in agreement

Hiro stood indecisively torn between wanting to protect his firstborn from Tyson's ministrations and protecting Tyson from his very angry wife. If it hadn't been for the voice behind him things could have gotten ugly.

"Well whatever this is army training or babysitting, the cavalry is here" Hilary stood in the doorway smiling at Tyson's apparent inability to hold a baby correctly.

She was dressed in a low cut black top, short white skirt and black stilettos her uniform for the restaurant where she was currently working.

"Hilary" Tyson sighed "just in time. Help!" Hilary laughed at this and walked over to Tyson and expertly took Robin into her arms.

"Oh poor boy, was he being mean to you?"

"Yes!"

"I was talking to the baby Tyson,"

"I knew that" Tyson shrugged, ignoring the laughter coming from his team mates. He pulled off his cap and scratched his head glaring at his nephew,

"I was just answering for him!"

"Right" Hilary smiled and holding Robin close comforted the crying child, she rocked him gently crooning over him and soon the cries became intermittent hiccups as the exhausted boy lay comfortably in Hilary's arms.

"You can go now Hiro" Hilary looked over at the couple who stood still hovering uncertainly by the door "We can manage."

"Right" Hiro smiled at the young girl in front of him "well nappies are in the bag, there's a couple of bottles ready in the kitchen they just need hea…"

"Hiro" Hilary interrupted him "don't worry, I got this. I know what I'm doing"

"Right!"

Arelam continued to watch her son closely, she rifled through her bag and pulled out a peice of paper "Here's the phone number of the restaurant, our mobiles will be off so if anything happens call this number. His nightclothes are with his nappies, he needs to be in bed by at least 9 and if…"

"Arelam?" Hilary interrupted the concerned mother

"Yeah"

"Like I said, I can do this, I have loads of nieces and nephews and I baby-sit for them all the time."

"Right, well…. I guess we can go" Arelam smiled and bidding everyone else goodbye the two parents finally left.

Hilary sat on the couch with little Robin and began to play with him, she had his favourite teddy in her free hand and was making the bear dance around.

Ray and Max began to pull out various DVDs arguing quietly over which one to watch. Tyson allowed Daichi to pull him outside for practice, Kenny sat as usual staring at his computer screen oblivious to the world around him.

Kai stood leaning up against the wall silent and with his eyes half closed.

00000

"Ew something smells!" Tyson and Daichi had finished their practice and had come back inside to watch the chosen DVD. Hilary grinned and lifting Robin sniffed gingerly,

"It's just Robin Ty, he needs his diaper changed, where's that bag?" Hilary got no response and looking up she noticed that Tyson and Daichi were sitting with Ray and Max totally absorbed in the film. Sighing heavily Hilary stood,

"Here!" Hilary turned and was surprised to see Kai standing at her side holding out the changing bag.

"Thanks Kai um…" Hilary tried to shift robin so that she could take the bag but he had taken a chunk of her hair to play with and moving him was tricky.

Kai watched her struggling and not saying a word he turned and walked away from her still carrying the bag, confused Hilary could only follow. Kai led Hilary into Tyson's bedroom and taking the mat from the bag laid it out on Tyson floor.

"Thanks Kai" Hilary said gratefully Kai said nothing but stood in the room waiting to see if she needed any more help, it annoyed him that Tyson had just shifted all the responsibility onto Hilary.

Kai knew that she would have gone straight to work after school and the last thing she had probably wanted to do was come here and look after some baby.

"Ugh" Hilary made a noise of disgust as she opened up the messy nappy, Kai wrinkled up his nose as the unpleasant odour reached him. He continued to stand eyes half closed after a little while he heard Hilary say "there all done" Looking down he was surprised at how quickly Hilary had cleaned up the boy and put him in his nightclothes ready for bed.

"Right lets get you settled" Hilary stood clutching the baby to her, "um Kai?"

Kai looked at Hilary saying nothing, Hilary knew that this was his way of responding so she continued "Could you hold him? Just for a second while I tidy up."

"what? or do you wanna do the cleaning?'

Hilary didn't bother to wait for an answer walking forward she placed the child into Kai's arms and turned away before he could say anything.

Kai stood awkwardly trying to mimic Hilary's stance when she was holding the baby for some reason that wasn't working. In the end he settled for holding the baby so that it's head was in his hand and its body lay along his arm. The child seemed comfortable with this and Kai actually found himself smiling as he gently rocked the baby from side to side.

Hilary stood she had finished folding up the mat, all she had to do now was clean her hands and she could release Kai, using a wipe to clean herself up Hilary turned and was surprised to see Kai actually looking comfortable, she smiled as she watched his face, his eyes had taken on a soft look.

Kai looked up and saw that she was watching him, he smiled at her a little embarrassed, she smiled back at him.

If it hadn't been for the shrill ring of the telephone goodness knows how long they would have stood there just smiling at each other.

As the phone rang Kai felt as though he was being snapped back into reality, he walked forward and wordlessly handed Robin back. Taking the changing bag from Hilary he turned and led her back to where the others were.

"Hiro? Yes everything fine….." Tyson sighed into the phone "No I mean it…..Hilary is right here…..Ok" holding out the phone Tyson said "it's for you Hils"

"Hello Hiro" Hilary spoke chirpily into the mouth piece "No everything's fine….I promise…Ok let me talk to her… Arelam? Everything's fine…. No I am about to put him down for the night…. He's already in his night things…. Alright goodbye!" Hilary hung up grinning "I'm actually impressed, they waited a full 35 minutes before they called"

0000000

"Well I better get going" Hilary stood and stretched it was 11:30, Hiro and Arelam had walked through the door 15 minutes ago and after a lot of arguing Hilary had agreed to let them pay her for the babysitting. She didn't mind doing it for free but she was trying to save up for her university fees so she wasn't going to turn it down completely.

"Who's picking you up?" Hiro looked at her concerned

"No one… I'll be fine!" Hilary knew what was coming next, an argument over whether or not it was safe for a young 17 year old to be walking the streets this late.

"Are your parents home?" Hiro knew that Hilary was often home alone and he didn't like the idea of her going home to an empty house

"I honestly don't know, Dad's in Canberra for some lecture thingy, not sure about mum though… don't worry Hiro, I'll be fine"

"I'd feel better if I took you home" Hilary rolled her eyes, she already had five older brothers and a multitude of older male cousins who were always checking up on her she didn't need Hiro to doing it as well.

"I'll take her home" silence filled the room, all eyes turned to Kai

"You'll take her home?" Ray was the first to speak, Kai didn't often put himself out for people everyone was astonished including Hilary

"That's what I said,"

"You don't need too" Hilary said softly

"I'm going home myself now, my hotels not far from where you live." Kai deemed this to be enough of an explanation and with a swish of white scarf he walked out of the door. Hilary shrugged and grabbing her bag followed him

"Bye Guys, see you tomorrow." after they had left the room was silent again

"Wow!" Kenny said, "I know his hotel is in that direction but…."

"I know!" Hiro agreed knowing what Kenny was thinking "Kai doing something considerate when it's not a life or death situation that's gotta be a first."

000000

Kai and Hilary walked along in comfortable silence, Kai was walking fast as usual and he was surprised that Hilary was not only keeping up with him but she didn't seem to be getting to tired as she did so.

They continued walking the dark but familiar streets until they had stopped outside her garden gate. The house was dark obviously there was no one at home, Kai saw this but said nothing, he nodded to Hilary and then started to walk away

"Kai!" he turned back to face her "Thanks….for your help earlier!" Hilary then turned went through her gate and walked up her path.

Kai stood watching her as she made her way up to the house unlocked the door and went inside. Kai was still, strange how a simple thank you can make you want to stand and think, Kai shook his head and then turned to walk away.

00000

Hilary dumped her bag in the hallway, she didn't bother to put on the light knowing that the bulb had gone that morning and she hadn't bothered to replace it.

She walked into the front room and was about to put on the light when she realised that something was wrong, the TV in the front room had been moved, in the half-light she could see that the bookshelf that normally had a stereo on it was empty. Worried Hilary turned to run out of the room but ran straight into a broad shouldered man blocking her way. Hilary only had time to let out a small scream before a hand went over her mouth and the man pulled her into a tight grip.

"Now, now, we don't want to wake the neighbours do we?"

She struggled but the man was strong and with her oxygen supply cut off she soon felt her head getting clouded.

Kai was only a few steps away when he heard a small shriek, he turned to look at the house where he had left Hilary. It seemed odd to him that she hadn't put any lights on, maybe the power went and that's why she screamed? He stood thinking for a second then he saw something he really didn't like, there was a man in the front garden he looked like he was carrying a radio or something. Kai watched as the stranger walked to a van parked near the front of the house and placed what he was carrying into it. The man then ran back to the house and inside the front door. Kai turned back and stealthily jumped over the fence into Hilary's garden, keeping low he crept up to the front window and looked in.

Hilary was still standing held tightly from behind, her mouth was covered and she stared at the man in front of her, she could hear the other one returning, the one that had taken her mothers stereo out of the house. There were three of them all big, rough looking, and smelt really bad.

Hilary oddly had gotten over her first panic and was now waiting calmly for the ordeal to end. This actually seemed to amuse the man in front of her he watched as she glanced over at the clock wondering how long this was going to be carrying on for.

"Bored are we?" the man asked Hilary nodded slightly her head was still held pretty tightly by the man behind her. "well we don't want that, if you promise not to scream my friend here will let go of your mouth…. Would you like that?" again Hilary nodded. Slowly, cautiously the man holding her removed his hand.

"Thanks!" Hilary said sarcastically "so how did you get in? Back window the basement one, on the left?"

"Yeah!" the man stared at her smiling grimly "you ought to get that fixed"

"I know, ironically enough we're having someone come to look at it tomorrow." The man laughed at this, Hilary smiled and looked up curiously as the third man returned, he walked in and gave her a threatening glare.

"What are we doing about her?"

"Don't know yet," the man Hilary had been talking to got serious "she's seen our faces, it may be dark but she's probably seen enough to give an ID"

"She's just a kid" the man holding Hilary reasoned "how about we just leave her?" the two men in front of Hilary whispered together for a few minutes.

"Alright G let the girl go, and get that TV in the van" Hilary felt herself being released and the man behind her walked around her and picking up the flat screen left the room.

Hilary stared nervously at the two men in front of her, they were looking grim as though they were about to do something they found repellent. Hilary unconsciously took a step back biting her lip nervously, seeing the movement both men came at her with speed, Hilary put her hands up to defend herself and cried out in pain as she felt something sharp graze her hand, it wasn't a bad cut but Hilary was expecting it to be worse, she continued to move away then tripped over something on the floor. Suddenly she was pinned down by one of the men and he covered her mouth with both hands. The other man advanced with his knife ready when suddenly something or should I say someone shot across the room and tackled him to the ground. Hilary took advantage of the surprise and with a quick movement managed to bring her knee up into the groin of the man holding her down.

Kai was on the floor with the man holding the knife, the two of them were wrestling each trying to get the knife pointing at their opponent. Kai was on his back on the floor and the man above him was slowly pressing the knife nearer and nearer, Kai closed his eyes as he made one last ditch effort to push the man off him. There was a grunt and suddenly the man went limp and fell to the side, Kai opened his eyes and saw Hilary standing over him with a heavy lamp in her hand. Kai smiled as he pushed himself up off the floor, Hilary stood frozen looking at the man she had just hit. Kai looked down at the man who had been holding Hilary he was impressed she was obviously a lot stronger than he thought.

"Is he dead?" her voice trembled as she said this, Kai shook his head,

"I doubt it" he leant down and felt the mans pulse it was beating strongly, in the distance he could hear sirens heading their way "he's alive, are you OK?" Hilary was still standing lamp in hand unable to move. "Hilary?" Kai took the lamp from her and sliding an arm around her waist he firmly guided her out of the house.

"Where's the other guy?" Hilary looked around afraid, Kai smiled and pointed to where the man lay out cold on the grass,

"I sorted him out before I came in" Kai walked with Hilary out onto the pavement and soon bright lights and sirens surrounded them. Kai kept his arms around Hilary as the paramedics bound her hand, he was surprised that she made no fuss not even commenting on the pain she must obviously feeling. It was when she laughed that he asked if she was OK wondering if she might be in shock or something.

"Yeah I'm fine, it's just…."

"Just what?"

"Hiro will never let me forget this." Kai laughed as he slipped his arms from her waist, she grinned up at him "I guess I owe you again"

"Owe me?" Kai asked confused

"For saving my life, you always do."

"I will always help you Hilary" Kai looked at her a small smile in his face "but I gotta say, you get into trouble more than anyone I've ever known"

"I know, you just keep on rescuing me." she smiled at him

"Sir we want to take your girlfriend to get a statement now" a female police officer smiled down at the two of them, immediately confusion covered them and they both made stuttering protests

"I'm not...I'm... we're not" Hilary tried to say in a flustered voice

"Yeah we're just...we aren't" Kai continued stuttering

The officer smiled and nodded "I see"

"Thank you for coming!" Hilary smiled as she watched the last customers leaving the restaurant, this was one of her first genuine smiles of the day. She was exhausted, she had come here straight from school as usual only to find that they were going to be severely short staffed. Two of the waitresses were off with the flu and one of the chefs had managed to burn his arm in the fryer. Hilary pulled a chair out from a nearby table and sat down for a moment, she had been on her feet all day and the heels that she was supposed to wear were incredibly painful.

"Hey Hils" next to her the head waitress collapsed onto a chair groaning "I swear once I get the chance I am out of here, I quit"

"Bess doesn't your husband kinda own the place?" Hilary grinned as the woman pretended to suddenly remember that this was true

"Oh yeah! Only one thing for it then, tomorrow morning I'm running off with the milkman."

"Are you indeed?" Hilary turned to find the restaurants owner and head chef standing behind them, he dropped down onto a chair with them looking just as tired as they were. Bess sighed and leant against her husband smiling,

"Yep! He's been asking me to run away with him for years, tomorrow I'm taking him up on it" Hilary watched as Andrew slipped his arms around his wife and hugged her tight.

"No you won't"

"No, lucky for you I hate packing" This couple always made Hilary feel happy and slightly jealous they had known each other since they were children and had gotten married when they were 17 and 19. Twenty five years later they had two sons a restaurant and were still as in love as the day they had got married. Hilary stood to give them some privacy and went to get the mop from the supply cupboard,

"Don't do that!" Hilary turned to find Joe her boss's youngest son standing behind her "I'll clean up you get off home!"

"Are you sure" Hilary said hopefully

"Yeah! You've worked really hard today, here!" Hilary took her tip envelope from Joe and was amazed by the amount in it.

"Are you sure this is right?" Hilary counted carefully there was over 300 in there

"It's been a busy night and people have been generous" Joe smiled "see you tomorrow?"

"Sure, thanks Joe I owe you one" Hilary got her stuff from her locker and left the restaurant.

Once outside she breathed in heavily letting the cold air give her the energy she was going to need to get home.

"Tired?" Hilary gasped and turned, though she couldn't see the speaker the voice was somehow familiar

"Wh….who's there?" she was a little more jumpy today the attack from last night still fresh in her mind. "If you don't tell me I swear I'll kick your ***"

"Now is that anyway to talk to your favourite cousin?" A familiar smiling male walked out of the shadows and opened his arms to her.

"Mac" Hilary ran forward and hugged him close "what are you doing here?"

"The family heard about the burglary, a few of us are here"

"A few?" Hilary sighed "I'm not even gonna ask how many you consider a few, I guess it'll be safe to go home tonight then"

"Well we're all at your friend Tyson's that's where your mother said you'd be. I guess she thought you might take the day off work after what happened"

"I never call in sick" Hilary said proudly "I never have and I probably never will"

"Well when you drop dead at work I'll make sure I mention that in your eulogy" Hilary laughed and slipping her arm around her cousins waist the two of them began to walk home.

Inside the dojo Tyson's front room was beginning to redefine the meaning of the word crowded, over fifteen young men stood or sat talking noisily. Hiro and Tyson were exchanging worried looks it was a good thing that their grandfather wasn't around. The other Blade Breakers had escaped to the safety of the kitchen and were sitting eating dinner with Arelam.

"I had no idea Hilary had such a huge family" Kenny shuddered a little as he said this

"Well I've met her brothers before but the rest of these guys are something else" Max agreed.

"They're being very noisy, if Hilary doesn't get back soon I'm gonna have to ask them to be quiet or Robin will never get any sleep" Arelam carefully removed her chopsticks from Robin's grasp as she said this. She was a little nervous of the men in the other room but she was always brave when her sons welfare was at stake

"Hilary!" In the kitchen they could hear the cry of welcome that announced Hilary's return. Suddenly the noise next door got louder and Tyson and Hiro ran into the kitchen to get away from the family reunion.

"Hilary's back" Tyson announced redundantly, he like the others was incredibly relieved that Hilary had got back, soon the front room would be cleared of the intimidating bunch.

"Alright! Everybody out!" Hilary's commanding voice could be heard clearly over the noise, there was a rumble of footsteps and noisy voices as everyone filed out of the dojo. The kitchen door opened and Hilary stood in the doorway smiling apologetically "sorry, about them!"

"No problem" Hiro lied "what are they all doing here though?"

"They know about last nights events!" Hilary smiled "when there's trouble the 'family' are like a wagon train, they circle round protectively. Especially when it's me."

"Why especially when its you?" Daichi asked curious

"I'm the youngest of the cousins and I'm the only girl!" Hilary shrugged "I think they all get kind of protective. Look I better go I'm working again tomorrow but isn't Saturday the beginning of the next championships?"

"Yeah," Tyson punched the air triumphantly "I am going to kick ***!"

"Tyson!" Ray exclaimed as the boy accidentally knocked his drink across the table causing a mini tidal wave that engulfed Kenny's plate and came dangerously close to damaging the boy's precious lap top. Max swooped down and picked up the computer moving it to safety.

"Whoops sorry!"

"Whoops? SORRY! Tyson why can't you act your age for Gods sake your eighteen now" Kenny stood angrily "Look what you almost did!"

"Well why do you even have that computer at the table? Can't you be without it while your eating?" Tyson snapped

"TYSON!" Hilary yelled "you know that Kenny has been working really hard getting your Dragoon ready for Saturday, apologise now!"

"Sorry Kenny" you could tell Tyson didn't mean it but he knew Hilary was in the right. Kenny merely nodded accepting the apology, Max handed the computer back to his friend with a cheerful grin.

"Right, now I have to go I'll see you all on Saturday. Tyson behave yourself! And Kai can I have a word?" Kai looked up surprised but he stood and followed Hilary out into the front room, she turned to face him blushing slightly "look my cousins and brother want to thank you for last night, and that got me thinking about how I hadn't thanked you myself. So before I take you outside to meet them I just wanted to say thank you for saving my life...again!" without expecting or waiting for a response Hilary turned and led Kai outside, Kai paused as he went through the door in front of him were the fifteen men almost all older than him stood in what looked like a battle formation. He didn't show it but he felt a little nervous.

"Is this him?" Hilary laughed at the look of distaste on her brothers face

"Martin behave, yes this is the one that helped me out. Kai these are my cousins and brothers they wanted to meet you." Kai said nothing as usual but nodded politely acknowledging the introduction.

"Whats with the triangles?" Mac looked at the boys face a little confused.

"Leave it Mac"

"Hi Kai, look we just wanted to thank you for helping Hilary." the others nodded in agreement as Mac came forward, Kai smiled you could definitely tell that these two were related, Mac may have blue eyes but, they had the same hair, face shape and they smiled in almost the exact same way. Mac held out his hand and after a moment Kai took it, they shook hands

"No problem" Kai sounded cold as ever, but he was amused at how Hilary acted the same way with her family as she did with the Blade Breakers.

Suddenly MC Hammers 'U can't touch this' erupted from someone's phone, Hilary laughed as her cousins all began to slide side to side in sync to the music. Kai's eyes widened as the boys all jumped together each move perfectly timed.

"Just in case you were wondering, yes they are crazy, it's hereditary" Hilary told Kai who merely grunted and then curious asked

"How come they all dance so well?"

"Mac and Dante are professional dancers, before they made it properly they used to use us to practice choreography"

"Oh," Kai looked at Mac he had a strong handshake and was quite well built, not exactly how he had ever pictured a professional male dancer. He had always thought of dancing as a sort of girly pastime.

Hilary watched her family and for the first time ever felt a slight sense of embaressment, she shrugged it off "aren't you going to answer the phone?" she called out unsure who the question was aimed at.

"Nah, its just Denzil" one of Hilary cousins came forward and pulled her into the dance, Hilary grinned and fell in beside the boys, all the cousins knew this dance, they had learnt it as a joke to embarrass their eldest cousin at his 21st. Hilary had been six but had learnt it with ease, since then it had become a long standing tradition that as soon as they heard the words 'Can't touch this' they all started up.

"Bye Kai!" laughing harder than ever Hilary and family all danced out of the gate.

Kai watched them go an amused smile on his face, he had always known that Hilary didn't care what the world thought of her, having a family like that he could see why. They were all so free and confident so without cares or trouble, yeah Hilary and her family were definitely crazy.

It was very early on Saturday morning when Hilary arrived at Tyson's, she looked around it was quiet she had known that most of the guys would be asleep but she was pretty sure that Kai would be around here somewhere.

Today the blade breakers would all go their separate ways returning to their various teams ready for the next world championship.

Walking around the side of the house Hilary found him, "Hello Kai" he looked up and gave a light grunt of welcome, "good to see you too" Hilary laughed as she said this.

Kai didn't show it but he was surprised, how had she known he was thinking that?

he shook his head assuming that she was being sarcastic. He made no move to walk away he just remained where he was leaning against the wall holding his beyblade in front of him and staring at it.

Hilary smiled at Kai's confusion, she had begun to notice that Kai had different grunts with different meanings, it was like trying to understand a baby when they first started talking and thanks to her nieces and nephews she had plenty of experience with that!

"So I guess Tala, Ian, Bryan and Spencer will be there today?"

"Hn"

"You must have missed them." Kai snorted but Hilary could tell that he didn't mean it, his eyes were still concentrating on his beyblade.

Hilary looked at the centre where Dranzer's picture had once been located. "Kai you can be of use to the team, bitbeast or no bitbeast, you guys almost won last year and you didn't have Dranzer then. Anyway I know you've got something up your sleeve"

Kai looked up into the girls ruby eyes, what the hell was this? Had Hilary taken some sort of mind reading course that he wasn't aware of?

"Besides Tala and the others would have said something if they didn't want you back they aren't the kind of people to just have someone tag along out of pity, not like you guys" Hilary knew that she was often thought of as just a tag along, it was because of this that she had decided not to be part of the team this year, she was going to miss travelling around with the guys but she needed to make some serious money this summer "they're just not like that and you know it."

"How did you….?"

"Know what you were thinking?"

"OK stop it," Kai was even more freaked out by the fact that she was now finishing his sentences for him. Hilary laughed it wasn't often that Kai had any emotion showing on his face and the look he had now was almost priceless (literally, she could have taken a photo and sold it to the papers).

"Don't worry Kai, I haven't got the gift of telepathy. I just know you better than you think I do. For example the fact that you haven't already left to join your team tells me that you're a little worried they won't want you back after last years loss. I also know that the reason you have refused to battle Tyson over the last few weeks is because you're working on something new and are afraid that you'd get angry battling Tyson and let it slip. I also know you really value Tala's opinion and need his acceptance."

"How do you know that?"

"Because you don't acknowledge me when he's around." This was said without a trace of reproach it was just stated as fact. Kai looked at Hilary she was staring at the beyblade in his hand. "As that's the case I know you won't be in touch with me over the next few months and as I'm not coming along this year I'll say it now. Good luck Kai, I actually have this feeling that this year, you'll do it" And with that Hilary turned and walked away.

Kai watched her go, she had changed a lot over the years and Kai was finding it hard to get along with her. Once upon a time he had spoken to her instead of just grunting but recently he found himself withdrawing from their easy friendship, was it because he was ashamed of getting close to a girl? Was Hilary right about him ignoring her when Tala was around? He had never thought about it consciously before, but he knew that she was right when Tala was around he never spoke directly to her. Whatever it was he was losing her, he was losing her friendship and he didn't know what to do about it.

"Oh yeah" Tyson four times world champ grinned and waved at photographers as he Daichi, Hiro and Kenny made their way into the building "The boys are back in town!"

There were crowds of paparazzi lining up by the entrance to the BBA, Tyson was as usual enjoying the perks of being famous.

"We never left town?" Daichi looked up a little confused

"Figure of speech dude!" Tyson signed a few autographs and posed for a few pictures but despite his cheerful façade he wasn't feeling right this year. Something was wrong it wasn't until he looked around at the other teams all laughing and joking that he realised what it was. Daichi was a good kid but very like Tyson in disposition, Hiro was his elder brother so he was very bossy, and Kenny was usually buried in his laptop. This year there was no one to have a decent joke with. This year there was no one to talk to about things other than beyblade. This year there was no one to instinctively know what he was feeling and try to help. This year there was no Hilary, stangely enough he almost felt as though he needed her there.

"Hi guys" Tyson turned to see the White Tiger X team making their way over to them.

"Hi everyone" Tyson smiled at them all especially Mariah who noticing his troubled eyes put an arm around his shoulders,

"What's up Ty?"

"Nothing Mariah I'm just thinking about the tournament"

"Tyson thinking? Someone alert the media," the familiar female voice caused Tyson's face to light up

"Hilary!" Mariah and Hilary both ran forward and threw their arms around each other jumping up and down, "Damn girl you look great" Mariah gave Hilary an appraising look it had been over a year since they had seen each other and Hilary had filled out giving her an air of sophistication. Her hair was longer and was now (thanks to curling tongs) shaped in loose curls around her shoulders.

"So do you" Hilary grinned Mariah had had an image change she was no longer the sweet but minxlike girl she had been when the two had first met. She looked more mature but she still had that spark of mischief in her eyes, Mariah's hair was shorter and more layered, Mariah had also taken to wearing skirts that showed off her long and shapely legs.

The two girls had gotten close over the last few years, Ray had been travelling backwards and forwards from China a lot, once Mariah had come with him and had persuaded Hilary to travel back with them. Hilary had spent three weeks in China and the two girls had become firm friends. They spoke on the phone almost constantly when Hilary got the bill she occasionally got confused as to which of the figures on the page was her phone number and which one was the amount she owed.

"So is that the famous uniform?" Mariah grinned as Hilary gave a quick turn, Hilary hated her work clothes but truth be told she looked pretty good in that low cut top, "shows off the cleavage!" Mariah complimented

"I know but I swear I feel so on show," Hilary adjusted the neckline so that it hung like it was supposed to, it showed a lot more Mariah moved forward and took hold of the neckline folding it back up.

"Yeah I can see why you fold it like yo…" Mariah cut herself off, both she and Hilary had forgotten their audience. Mariah turned and watched as the boys around them all looked in different directions or pretended to intently read the forms in their hands. Mariah laughed 'God guys were so predictable' "We'll finish this another time" Hilary who had also found it amusing that the boys all pretended they hadn't been watching laughed with her.

"I wish we did have more time!" Mariah raised an eyebrow questioningly, so Hilary explained "I'm not coming at all this year, the restaurant has offered me more work and you know why I really need the money"

"Your not coming?" Mariah looked upset "But who am I gonna talk to about…stuff" Mariah said winking. The two girls laughed they each knew what 'stuff' meant.

"It's called a phone Mariah, we've managed this last year just using the phone."

"Bye!" Hilary stood at the airport waving to her friends as team by team they all presented their tickets and passports and made their way onto the plane. One of the last teams to go were the blitzkrieg boys, there was no particular reason for this, it was probably just that they wanted to spend as little time on the plane with the others as possible.

Kai kept his eyes on Hilary as he made his way towards the gate, she had her back to him as she waved goodbye to Max and his fellow PPB All Starz. As the team got closer Kai began to feel something in the pit of his stomach, it took a while for him to register it but eventually he worked out what it was, he was already missing Hilary.

Hilary turned and saw the Blitzkrieg boys coming towards her, she smiled and bowed "Good bye" she then continued walking past them and not looking back she made her way out of the airport.

Ian watched as Hilary walked away, "nice ***" he remarked causing Kai to give him a glare, if looks could kill this one certainly would. To Kais disappointment looks don't kill and Ian continued to watch Hilary as she slowly went out of sight.

"Are you OK Kai?" Tala looked at his team mate who had his fists clenched

"Fine!" Kai muttered and giving himself a shake he turned and followed the rest of the teams onto the plane.

Hilary felt like crying as she walked out of the airport and away from her friends,

"Hey Hil" Mac was standing by the taxi rank waiting for her "you OK?"

"Of course" she didn't even attempt to look cheerful as she answered her cousin they walked together heading for the car park

"You don't look OK, you look unhappy"

"Maybe because I am" she leant against Mac as they got to the floor they needed.

"Well I have something to cheer you up" Mac smiled and pointed over to where their convertable was parked. A attractive tall brunette was leaning casually against the car, he removed his sunglasses and gave her a grin. It was a devastatingly attractive smile that had made many a girls heart flutter. Hilarys heart jumped as she saw the smile, she was in no attracted to the thirty three year old male leaning back oh so casually but he had aways been her hero.

"Shane" Hilary ran forward and was hugged close by her cousin

"Hey little girl" they stood squeezing each other tight "hey, hey come on" Shane pulled away from her and found that she was crying "things can't be that bad, what happened to the optimistic never say die Hilary I know and love?"

"Her friends are all about to travel the globe and see interesting sites while she has to spend her summer working as a waitress with long hours, high heels, and customers who think that waitresses are to blame for all the worlds problems" she began to sound croaky as she said all this, her tears falling fast,

"Aren't they?" Shane laughed as the young girl hit him on the arm. "Let's go home and talk this through OK little girl?"

Hilary nodded and sniffing sadly she climbed into the back seat. Shane and Mac exchanged worried looks as they got into the car, the engine started and music blasted from the stereo and they pulled away from the airport.