Requested by: kim_mateajennie,

Sorry for the wait, I'm not sure if this is what you had in mind exactly, but I hope you like it. 😁

Enjoy!!

--xx Avanni Cinders

"Hang on, say that again." Shu said, holding up a hand to pause Valt's rambling.

His blue haired friend stopped and sighed, looking vaguely annoyed. "You've said that three times already!"

"I still don't think I get it." He shook his head.

"How can't you?"

"You're saying a H/C just came up to you?"

"Yes!" Valt nodded rapidly. "And she had these super scary eyes as well!"

"Scary how?"

"They were E/C."

"What's so scary about that?" Shu wondered, smiling faintly, thinking that maybe Valt was overreacting a little. "It's just a colour."

"You don't get it," Valt denied vehemently, his face white like he had seen a ghost. "They were so alert, but like this oblivion that looked right through me."

"That does sound kind of creepy," Shu admitted with a small frown, wondering what this mysterious girl could want with him. "Did she say anything else?"

"Just that she wanted to battle you."

That troubled Shu, although he couldn't quite figure out why. Admittedly, since finding himself, he had been taking a short break from Blading while he figured out what to do next, and since his arm had healed up, he had only actually taken on one person, a kid called Fubuki Sumiye, in a battle. It wasn't much of a secret by any means, so why this unknown person was looking for him was beyond him.

"Wait, you're not going to actually go through with this, are you?" Valt asked him, his face filled with concern for his friend.

"It depends." Shu shrugged nonchalantly.

"Just, don't go looking for her okay?" Valt implored, looking at him beseechingly. "Don't go looking for trouble Shu."

"I won't Valt," Shu promised him. "But if she finds me, I won't turn her down."

"Well, I guess..."

"What's her name anyway?"

"She said it was Y/N. Y/N L/N."

"Shit!" A voice swore loudly, and Shu looked down and realised that the lamppost he thought he had turned around and ran into was not in fact a lamppost, but a teenaged girl sitting on the pavement, eyes screwed shut in pain.

"I'm so sorry," he apologized profusely, extending a hand to her.

Her eyes fluttered open, revealing a pair of bright E/C orbs that looked surprised and then wary upon seeing him.

"Don't sweat it," she told him, taking his hand after a slight pause and letting him pull her to her feet. "I should have moved when I saw you coming."

"I should have watched where I was going," Shu insisted, his lips parting when he realised just how pretty the girl was. "What did you say your name was?"

"I didn't," the girl smirked for a brief second. "You seriously don't know who I am?"

"I thought the confused look would have told you that," he bowed his awkwardly. "Should I?"

"Well, I know who you are." She smirked again, and this time it didn't give him a sudden burst of butterflies. "Shu Kurenai. I figured your friend would have mentioned me by now."

His eyes looked her up and down, drinking in her appearance, noting the worn leather jacket she wore and the pair of aviators she had perched in her H/C hair, instead of covering her eyes, her calculating E/C eyes that reminded him of a deep, endless void.

"So you've figured it out then?" She asked him, already knowing his answer, and when he tried to pull his hand away, she tightened her grip on him and pulled him in closer to her. "Name's Y/N, and you are a tricky man to pin down Shu Kurenai. I've been looking for you for a while now."

"What do you want?" Shu asked quietly, not wanting to cause a scene if he didn't need to. He tried pulling his hand out of her grip for a second time, but instead she curled her fingers around him and tightened her grasp almost painfully so. Her strength was almost frightening, but Shu got the feeling that she was barely even trying.

"To battle you Shu Kurenai," Y/N smiled easily.

"A battle?"

"That's all."

"Why?"

"Why does anyone do anything?"

"Either your crazy, or you're a little too into Beyblade."

"I'm a bit of both, really."

"I can't battle you if you don't let go of me." Shu pointed out, and a genuine grin spread itself across Y/N's features.

"You'll do it then?"

"I said I would, didn't I?"

"That you did," Y/N nodded, and gave his hand a tight squeeze, her grin turning dark. "But if you try anything, I will hunt you down again."

A shiver ran down Shu's spine at her choice of words. Not find, or track or even chase. Hunt. Like he was some sort of animal, and she was the hungry predator intent on having her evening meal.

"I'll battle with you Y/N," Shu promised. "But you have to leave me alone afterwards."

Y/N's expression turned back to a pleasant one, and she released her death grip on his hand.

"I agree to your terms Shu Kurenai, but after I win, you might just change your mind about wanting me to leave you alone."

Despite the mysterious aura that hung off her like some sort of heady perfume, Shu couldn't help but feel a much different shiver all together to his one from before, a reaction that Y/N seemed to notice and find amusing.

"Come on." He ordered, starting to walk back down the street from the direction he had came from before running into Y/N. "I know where there's a stadium that we can use."

The two Bladers ended up taking the bus, as per Shu's guidance, and got off at a small bus stop maybe a street away from Beigoma Academy.

"The school's closed, but the roof should still be open for anyone who wants to train."

"Why here, hoping your friends will be up there?" Y/N challenged, stopping abruptly and glaring at him.

"Geez, paranoid much?" Shu sweat dropped, turning back to look at the H/C girl who had her arms crossed. "No one should be there by now."

"What about the blue haired kid?" She demanded, and Shu realised she was talking about Valt.

"It's getting late, he'll be back home otherwise he'd be in trouble with his mum."

"What about your mum and dad?" Y/N arched a brow, not missing the way Shu stiffened momentarily.

"Working late," he explained, trying to seem indifferent, continuing to walk up to the school, giving Y/N no other choice but to follow him. He had been hoping she'd let it drop, but Y/N didn't seem like she was ready to.

"Let me guess, shitting parents that are always at work and never seem to be home?" She guessed, not taking a hint.

"Yeah. You could say that." A funny look blossomed on her face, and Shu quickly backtracked. "Don't pity me."

"Pity's overrated anyway." Y/N snorted derisively, taking Shu aback slightly. "Always feels so damn fake."

"Crappy parents?" He asked her wryly.

"Parents were never together. Mum split after I was born and I'll I have is  her maiden name to show for it, then my dad took off when I was two and left me with my uncle Chris." She shrugged as if it were no big deal, before narrowing her eyes playfully. "Don't pity me."

Shu rolled his eyes, lightly nudging her with his shoulder when she began to snicker.

They fell into an easy silence, and nothing more was said while Shu led her up the short stairway that would take them up to the rooftop.

"Not bad," Y/N gave a low whistle of appreciation, scanning her new surroundings. "This where your club trains?"

"We used to," a small smile curved the corners of Shu's lips as he recalled all of the fun times and memories he and the BeyClub shared with an absentminded fondness.

"Used to? What, you guys aren't a thing anymore?"

"No, we all moved on to the World Legues."

"Really, what team did you sign on with?" Y/N asked him, actually seeming interested in his response.

"The Raging Bull," he supplied, faint traces of bitterness seeping into his tone.

"Oh?"

"Let's just say things didn't end up too well with our owner."

"Hmm..." Y/N mused. "I'll take a wild guess here and say he ended up being some sort of evil mastermind hellbent on 'the perfect Bey?'"

"How did you...?"

"My uncle Chris is a pretty cool guy," was all Y/N said before changing the topic. "You ever going back to them?"

"Maybe," Shu replied, not wanting to linger too much on the subject.

"So anyway," Y/N started, stretching her arms out above her. "Are we going to do this thing or what?"

"You're so eager to lose?" Shu teased her.

"Yeah nah," Y/N smirked, an expression Shu was rapidly growing accustomed to seeing on her face. "You're going down mate."

"You didn't answer me earlier," Shu reminded her, following Y/N as she went over to the stadium. "Why do you want to battle me so badly?"

"It's my job," Y/N grinned wickedly, taking out her launcher and spinning it in her grip. "Gotta make the cash somehow, don't I?"

Shu inhaled sharply, everything clicking into place and suddenly making sense to him. "You're a Blader for hire, aren't you?"

"No duh, it runs in the family. Like I said, my uncle Chris is a cool guy, he taught me everything I know." She explained, clicking the BeyCapsule on her hip and catching the small item that was released from it. Y/N held it out for him to see, and Shu's eyes widened at the black and gold Bey that he stared at.

"Meet Wraith Ladon," Y/N announced her partner, and Shu took notice of the golden dragon head on the facebolt. "We'll burn you down until only ashes remain."

"Spryzen Requiem," he replied, taking out and showing her his newly reformed Bey. "I'll let my Bey do the talking."

"Not bad." Y/N complimented, determination shining from her E/C eyes. "I've heard alot about it."

Shu cringed minutely at her words, and was surprised for the umpteenth time that day, when Y/N scoffed at him.

"Dude, chill out yeah? You guys fucked up, so what? Do still run around acting like Red Eye?"

"Of course not!" He snapped.

"Exactly," Y/N rolled her eyes, unfazed by his sudden change in temperament. "So why don't you quit with the winces and that already? It doesn't matter what I might've heard, we're here to battle and you better give it all you've got, or I'm going to annihilate you."

"And what makes you so sure?"

"Because," Y/N said matter-of-factly, attaching her Ladon to her launcher. "Ladon and I are an unstoppable team. I might be in this for the very large sum of money on your head, but I like a good battle and if you don't take me seriously Shu Kurenai, then mark my words I will tear you to pieces."

She spoke with such a strong conviction in her words, that Shu couldn't do anything but believe her, and for that he was extremely grateful. Ever since he had come back to Japan, everyone had been treading carefully around him and walking on eggshells, even after he had recovered. It was a nice change, he decided, to finally have someone act normally around him, even if that person was a Blader for hire who was dead set on beating him.

"Then get ready," Shu said firmly, a smirk of his own prominent as he attached Spryzen to his Bey and went with a basic launching stance. "Because we aren't going to hold anything back."

"3!"

"2!"

"1!"

"Let it, rip!"

Ladon and Spryzen launched into the stadium, both of the Bey's ignoring the centre and choosing to circle the edges.

"Attack!" Shu commanded, keeping his eyes locked onto the Beys, watching Spryzen hurtle toward Ladon.

"Dodge." Y/N said plainly, observing Spryzen's movements.

"Don't stop!"

"Switch rotation!"

Much to Shu's astonishment, Ladon skidden to a sudden halt, and there was a small click as it bobbed down and did a U-Turn, now charging Spryzen head on. All of this done in the time space of a few short seconds.

"Agony of the Hesperides!" At Y/N's call, a dull, sweet melody seemed to reach Shu's ears. It was senseless, without lyrics and it felt like he was trying to listen to it while his head was submerged under water. Something told him that it was Ladon's doing, and that Spryzen could clearly hear the tune. A glance to his Bey, revealed that Spryzen had slowed down, almost like it was in a trance, moving sluggishly when minutes ago it was fine.

"Now devour it Ladon! Serpent's Scream!"

"Requiem Whip!" Shu tried desperately, but was forced to watch as Wraith Ladon, still bursting g with power hurtled towards his own Bey. Y/N and Ladon lit up with twin golden aura's and in a last ditch attempt at victory, Spryzen's own aura flared to life and his creature emerged from the red haze to counter with the snake like dragon that was Wraith Ladon.

Sound waves emerged from the Bey, dominating the peaceful singing with a god awful sounding pitch that Shu was certain would torture him if he were a dog.

"GO LADON!"

"DON'T GIVE UP SPRYZEN!"

The shouts were met with a large burst of energy that blew up from the stadium, and Shu was forced to shield his eyes. The sound of a bursting was faint, and all he could do at this point was pray that his Bey was alright.

The brilliant light subsided, leaving behind the faint smell of smoke to tinge the air. Shu looked back to the stadium, and his heart sank upon seeing a burst Spryzen, while Ladon slowly spun to a stop.

"Nice," Y/N laughed, and Shu realised she had her phone out and had been recording part of the battle. "Not bad at all, you had me worried there."

"You were worried?" Shu asked disbelievingly, watching Y/N retrieve her Bey and snatch up Spryzen while she was at it.

"I never use a special move of mine that early on," Y/N admitted, rounding the stadium and dropping his Bey which she had pieced back together for him in his hand. "Hope you don't mind me recording that last part, I need some form of proof or I don't get paid."

"Why do you do all this any way?" He wondered, refering to her being a Blader for hire.

"I can't explain it exactly," Y/N smiled, shrugging lightly. "The pay's good, it's what I'm good at, it's fun, I get to Blade and travel."

"You could do all of that on a team," Shu pointed out.

"Yeah, but I wouldn't get paid for it though, would I?" She countered.

"You're my age, we're sixteen. What's with the need to grow up so fast?"

"Teams mean you get put under the same spotlight as everyone else, and if you don't have a good one, you can get pulled down with everyone else." Y/N informed him bluntly, pocketing her phone and looking down at Ladon. "Working the job I do, my wins and shortcomings are all my own, and all I need to rely on are myself and Ladon."

"Doesn't that get lonely?"

"Sometimes," Y/N admitted. "But I'm never alone, not really."

"You're an interesting person Y/N L/N."

"You too, Shu Kurenai." She smiled, reaching out and shaking his hand. "And thank you for our battle."

"It was fun, we should do it again sometime." Shu offered hesitantly.

"I might just have to take you up on that."

Unable to help himself, Shu gave her a goofy sort of grin. "What will you do now?"

"Get paid and take it easy until the next job comes along." She said simply, letting go of his hand, much to Shu's displeasure, and putting Ladon back in its capsule until she would need it again.

"Sounds fun."

"It's pretty cool," Y/N agreed, and graced him with a friendly closed eye smile. "I should get going."

Shu blinked, not anticipating her sudden need for departure. As such, he didn't find his tongue until her hand was on the door handle.

"Wait!"

"You okay?" Y/N frowned, turning to face him as he jogged over to her, taking her hand away from the door.

"Will I..."

"Will you...?" Y/N prompted, and Shu threaded his gloved fingers through his hair.

"Will I get to see you again?"

There was a momentary look of surprise on the E/C eyed girl's face, that quickly evolved into something smug.

"Told you you wouldn't want me to leave," she smirked.

"S-Shut up," Shu stuttered involuntarily, feeling his face burning.

"You're adorable when you're embarrassed," Y/N cooed, and Shu glared at her, they effect ruined by his red skin that now could rival his eyes in colour.

"Well?"

"Hmph," she ducked her head, and when she looked up again seconds later, she had that wicked grin of her's from earlier back on her face. "I'll see you around Shu Kurenai."

She leaned in, and brushed her lips against his own, so lightly he would have been left wondering if there had actually been any form of contact if not for the burning tingles that she left behind.

"Bye," he muttered, needing to use vast amounts of brain power and coherence to even utter that single word.

Y/N gave him a final smirk, and left the rooftop, leaving him standing there by himself. Several minutes passed by, before Shu could fully register what had happened, and it was another short while before he realised that Y/N had left him clutching something in the palm of his hand. Curiously, he looked down at it, and found a small, sleek business card with her name and phone number printed on it. He flipped the card over, and saw a message scrawled on the back:

'A pleasure doing business with you, Shu Kurenai.'

"I've never been happier that trouble ran into me."