Disclaimer: Nope, Bladebreakers not mine, Sirens belong to my friends and AN is at the bottom of this chapter.
Snow Secrets
Rematches and Decisions
What the hell had just happened?
Davi's gaze moved from Kai, to Paine, studying each of them for a second before moving to the other. Both looked exhausted, and surprised, and neither seemed to want to move. Kai had scratches on his cheek from where he had fallen to the floor, and Paine was just staring across the dish at the other boy.
"Is it a draw?" someone called out.
"Can't be, there are no draws," Rena replied. She frowned across at Davi. "Are there?"
Davi sighed and leaned back. There was no clear winner, that was for sure, this had been a draw. Neither Paine nor Kai were more powerful than the other. She would leave that for them to decide.
"Who won?" Tyson yelled out.
"Good question," Lea said, standing. "Looked like Paine to me. His attack is the one that got them into this."
"No, Kai won," Raine growled back, slumping in her chair. "If he hadn't broken out of Paine's illusion, then Paine would have won."
"But both beyblades left the stadium at the same time," Rena joined in.
Below them, Kai struggled to stand up. He knew it would only be a matter of time before his legs gave out. There was also blood on his face from some kind of cut but he ignored it and picked up Dranzer. With his beyblade in his hand, he moved round the dish to Paine and offered him a hand up.
"That was a good match, I hope we can play again sometime," he managed to say. His breath was coming in short, painful pants, and Paine only stared at the offered hand. Kai hoped that he would take it, his arm was gonna kill him. Paine looked away and reached to his own blade. Kai's legs finally decided to give out and he collapsed beside Paine.
"What's going on?" Max asked quietly.
"No clue," Ray replied, equally as quiet.
Davi remained silent, as did the Sirens, as they watched the two fallen bladers.
"Thank you," Paine muttered finally. He struggled to stand and finally succeeded, almost smiling down at Kai. "For what you did."
Kai nodded and watched as Paine started to walk off. The other boy disappeared through a door that was hidden underneath the box where the Sirens were. Turning back to Davi, he smirked up at her, "So… who won?"
"No one," Davi declared. "It was a draw."
"WHAT!" Tamara shouted. "But you flipped a coin for my match!"
"Both Kai and Paine have almost equal power, it would be pointless to decide who is stronger by chance." Davi stood there, and began to leave. She paused and looked over her shoulder down at Kai. "You learn quickly," she said, and then left.
"Huh?" Tamara looked from where Davi had disappeared, to Kai, to the wall and back to Kai again. "What the hell was that all about?"
"Dunno, don't care," Lea muttered and began heading down the steps to Kai. "But if he doesn't get medical attention soon, he's going to faint."
Once again, Davi found Paine in the library, staring at the ceiling. He seemed to be sleeping, but the slight jerking of his hand gave him away. Shaking her head, she turned and headed over to one of the shelves. She had spent a lot of time in the library since she was a little kid and knew almost every inch of it. Swiftly finding the book she was looking for, she pulled it off the shelf, walked over to Paine and dropped it in his lap. He jumped, startled, and picked it up.
"Give it a read," she suggested, "You might find you like it."
"Yeah, right…" Paine replied, and set it aside. He would've thrown it away, but last time he threw one of Davi's books, he wasn't able to walk for a week.
"I'll have Ellie send something to eat later," Davi told him as she headed to the door and left, leaving Paine to his thoughts again.
It took Lea only a few minutes to persuade Kai to let her have a look at his injuries. And for that, it meant she would need to take him to the medical ward, the rest were all sent to the kitchen. Tamara immediately disappeared into her sweets store and emerged with bags and bags of sweets that were dispersed between the others in seconds.
Rena and Ray sat next to each other at the table facing the fireplace. Kenny and Tyson were opposite them while Max and Tamara sat at one end watching them. Raine was standing in front of the fire.
"Was that really a draw?" Kenny asked quietly, glancing around at the others. "I mean, it looked like one, but…"
The door opened and Davi appeared. Rena picked out a sweet and ate it. She left the wrapper on the table.
"What do you want?" Ray asked, eyes narrowed at the other teen.
Davi smirked and moved aside. Ellie entered with a tray laden with food. She placed it on the table, bowed and left. Davi closed the door and sat at the head of the table between Kenny and Ray. "I figured you guys would need something solid to eat."
"Thanks," Rena muttered, turning away. "But I'm not hungry."
"I am!" Tyson declared, and began wolfing down all the food he could. Kenny whacked him on the back of his head. "What?"
Rena had to laugh at that and reached for a roll. Ray did the same. Max and Tamara kept munching on their sweets.
"It's rare for you to join us," Raine said from the couch. She had a packet of crisps in her hands and was crunching away.
Davi shrugged, "Got bored in the library."
"That where Paine is?"
"As always," came the reply. "He's staring at the ceiling, probably watching the snow again."
"No surprises there," Rena joined in.
" 'E's probably sleepin'," Tamara said round a mouthful of chocolate.
"Hey, Davi," Tyson said. She frowned at him. "Mind if we have a match later? I wanna see how strong you are."
Tamara and Rena choked on their food. Raine fell off the couch with tears rolling down her face. She was trying not to laugh out loud. And failing, badly.
"You…hahahaha… wanna…fight….hehehehehe… Davi?"
"Bad idea," Tamara said, shaking her head vigorously. "Very bad idea, believe me."
Tyson leaned across Kenny. "Are you really that strong?"
Davi simply smirked.
Five minutes later, everyone was standing outside wrapped in coats and scarves as Davi and Tyson faced off against each other. Tyson was already in position, waiting for Tamara to signal when to start. Davi was simply standing opposite him. The fountain wasn't exactly her favourite place to battle but she could make do with what she had.
"Ready… Go!" Tamara yelled, and stepped back.
Tyson launched immediately, and Davi watched as Dragoon sped round the makeshift stadium. He frowned across at her.
"Where's your beyblade?" he called.
"You do not wanna know," Tamara muttered under her breath. Rena elbowed her.
Davi smirked when Tyson sent Dragoon closer to her and yelled, "Shadow Bind!"
"Dragoon!" Tyson called out his bit beast when he saw the dog appear in front of Davi. She smirked at him. The dog rose onto its hind legs as Dragoon appeared, and growled as its shadow stretched forward. Tyson watched in amazement as the shadow bound his bit beast in place and found that he couldn't move a muscle. When he looked down, he saw why.
Tamara winced at the memory of being under a similar grasp.
Both Davi and her bit beast could manipulate their shadows and cast it around any object. It was their best and most powerful skill. It was also rare for a blader to 'inherit' their bit beast's abilities, but Davi was close enough to hers for that to happen.
"So, this match is over," Rena said, and began to head inside. "I need something to eat."
"True," Tamara agreed, already following her friend. Davi released her shadow and took a step back.
"You lose," she said, folding her arms. The dog fell back down on all fours and walked back over to her. Dragoon also went back into its blade, which stopped spinning immediately. The attack and defence rings had been bent out of shape.
Tyson's jaw dropped. "How did you do that?"
"Not telling," Davi replied, and went inside with the others.
The medical ward was silent as Paine entered it. There was no one around, he knew that, they were all down in the kitchen, all except the one person he had come to see. Even Lea had left Kai and gone off to join the others.
Carefully, he opened the door and prayed it wouldn't squeak. Kai was lying on his side with his back to the door. Paine stepped inside and swung the door shut. Once the lock clicked, he made his way over to the bed and sat in the seat next to it.
"Why are you here?" Kai asked suddenly. Paine looked out the window.
"I'm here to… No, forget it," he stood and started to leave. His hand was on the doorknob when Kai rolled over and watched him.
"Why?" the Russian repeated, sitting up.
"Because…" Paine sighed and turned around. "Fine, I'm sorry. Happy now?"
"No," Kai answered, "Because you're not sorry."
Paine let out another sigh and sat in the chair again. "I was thinking… Maybe you're right. Maybe I should take part in the World Championships, maybe that will give me a chance… at least."
Kai managed a smile. "I look forward to facing you again."
"You should rest," Paine said, standing up. "Lea chased the others off today, but they'll be here tomorrow."
"Night then," Kai said, lying back down. He was asleep within seconds. Paine left without a word and closed the door quietly behind him.
"This storm's gonna last a while." Davi commented as she stared out the window of the kitchen.
"And you would know this how?" Tyson asked sceptically from the table. He had his arms folded and chin rested on them, glaring under his hair at Davi.
"Because," she replied.
"That's not an answer!"
Ever since their match two days before, both had been trying their best to outsmart the other, well, mostly it was Tyson who was trying to grow smarter, and Davi who would just look down at him and spin circles around him with tongue twisters, among other things.
"She's right, though," Raine said, also staring out the window. She turned and looked at the others. "Looks like we're gonna be stuck here longer than usual."
"Hey, Max, wanna rematch?" Tamara asked the blond.
"Er… sure," he said after a moment, "But where… The rule's no beyblading in the house, right?"
"Only in the arena," Davi said, folding her arms. She could see where this was gonna go.
"Good! Come on, Maxie," Tamara said, already dragging Max out into the corridor.
"Hey, Tammy, wait! I have to go get Draciel!"
"We can get it on the way."
Davi shook her head and looked around the rest of the group. "So, anyone else want any rematches?"
"Yeah," Tyson muttered, looking at Kenny. "But I still have to get my beyblade fixed."
"Your own fault for getting it messed up in the first place," Davi replied.
Tyson went back to glaring at her. Ray rolled his eyes and took Rena's hand.
"We're gonna go watch them two," he said, and led her away. It was clear from the look in his eye that he had no intention at all of watching the match.
"And maybe have our own rematch," Rena suggested once they were out in the corridor. The door was still open so most of their conversation was heard by the others.
"Which rematch? The arena? Or the bed?"
"Pick one…"
"How 'bout the bed?"
"I'm game."
Davi rolled her eyes and looked over her shoulder out the window. "You worried?" she asked Raine. "You seem a little quiet."
"No, but if this storm doesn't let up soon, they're gonna be stuck here," Raine answered, watching something intently through the glass.
"You have a problem with that?"
"Oh yeah!" Tamara's yell caused both to turn and look at the doors.
"No problem at all."
Davi shook her head, a smirk slowly spreading across her face. "You just wanna fight Kai again, don't you."
It was not a question.
"Yep," Raine answered and headed towards the door. "I'm gonna go see how he's doing."
Kayite, Davi's bit beast, materialized at her side as she watched Raine disappear. She sighed and rubbed her temple with one hand, "Guess it's gonna be a while until we get this place to ourselves."
Kayite shook his head and barked.
"Me too," Davi answered, "Me too."
"Is she talking to that dog?" Tyson muttered to Kenny.
"You should see her out in the kennel."
Paine's voice caused both boys to jump. Tyson spun round so fast, Paine was sure his head would fall off.
"When did you get here?" Kenny asked.
"And why aren't you brooding?" Tyson wandered aloud.
"I don't brood," Paine growled, sitting down opposite Tyson. "And technically he's not a dog, he's Davi's bit beast."
Kayite growled and the boys looked up as the dog literally pounced on them. Davi watched with a grin as all three were chased out of the room.
"That's what you get for calling him a bit beast!" she called after them.
The boys ran to the only place that they knew to be safe: the arena. Once they got there, they found Kai and Raine watching Tamara and Max with something that could be called interest on their faces. Out of breath, they collapsed in the box that the Sirens had used.
"God, remind me… never… to insult that dog again," Tyson said in-between long breaths of air.
"It's worse when you insult Davi herself," Paine told him.
"You two seem to be getting along," Kai said, smirking at them.
So caught up in trying to catch his breath, Paine hadn't noticed he had sat down on Tyson's lap. He swiftly jumped up before anyone could get a camera and photograph that Kodak moment.
"Too late," Raine said, holding up a camera-phone. She had got it not two months ago, who knew that the camera would come in so handy?
"And I win again!" Tamara whooped, grinning across at Max. Raine pocketed her phone and headed down into the arena.
"You coming, Kai?" she called back to him and turned to look at Tamara. "Come on, our turn now. I want to kick his ass this time, like I would have last time if you didn't distract me."
"Well, there'll be plenty of time for that, Raine," Davi called out from her seat. "Just contacted the weather station, seems this storm's gonna be here for a while. And you guys are not going outside in this weather, no pilot's gonna fly in it either."
"Meaning…?" Tyson asked.
"Meaning you guys are stuck here," Davi replied. "For the rest of the winter."
"But what about the World Championships!" Tyson yelled at her.
"They're not for another six months," Davi said, dropping into her chair. "And besides, we could always hold them here."
"She has a point," Paine muttered, earning strange looks from the others. "What? I was just saying…"
"I need the practise," Raine said, "And besides, it doesn't look like we're gonna be able to split Rena and Ray up anytime soon."
"You sure?" Tamara asked, feigning innocence. "I can always get the crowbar."
"Didn't someone want a rematch?" Kai asked Raine, hoping to get as far away from this very weird person as possible. "Weirdo," he muttered under his breath.
"Hey! I'm not weird, just misunderstood!" Tamara called after him.
"This is gonna be murder," Davi said, rubbing her temple. She could already feel a headache coming on, and knew that with the coming snow, it was probably only going to get worse.
She looked over at Paine, at least now he had some peace. No more hate, no more anger. Whatever Kai had said to him when Paine had attacked him had worked better than she could have imagined. She hadn't seen Paine smile in a long time, and neither had the others, and they were taking every advantage of it. She would have to thank Kai later, even though she would probably never hear the end of it if she did.
"So, the secret's out," she muttered, low so that no one would hear even if they were close by. Kayite appeared at her side and she reached out a hand to ruffle his fur. He scowled in dislike but quickly settled down. Her gaze moved to Kai and Raine in the stadium below. They had already launched and were trying to glare each other down. The others were urging them on.
"You can do it, Raine!"
"I promise I won't mention your Ma again!"
"You just did!"
"Oh, sorry, Raine!"
"Kai, come on, you beat her before, you can do it again!"
"Guess we find something else to do for now…" Davi muttered, and looked down at Kayite. "How does training for the World Championship sound to you?"
Kayite barked and she laughed.
"Yeah, getting the others to participate might not be so easy," she agreed with him. "But it might be worth it after all."
The End
AN- I'd just like you to know that I HATE endings! I absolutely cannot stand them and hate having to end my stories (which is most likely the reason none of them are complete, except for this one and one or two others) and this ending was murder to try and figure out. Will there be a sequel? Maybe… I know my friends will probably bug me for one, especially since I've left them with this as an ending. Anyways, I hope whoever reads this has enjoyed the story and pretty please review and tell me what you think, this is my first Beyblade fanfic and I'm already in the process of writing a couple more. And to think I already have seven other WIPs that desperately need my attention…