Tyson was feeling a lot better the next day. The hot bath really helped. The news of Adam and him battling spread through the school like wildfire. Everywhere he went, he was congratulated for his latest victory. And given that he had no bruises on his face, acting normal at school was almost easy.

Lunch was a normal affair that day. Ray and Max were still talking about the match yesterday, talking about strategy and what not with Kenny and Dizzy.

"Come on guys. That was new territory for me. I did the best I could." Tyson pointed out. "Of course Tyson. We know that. But it is important to learn where things could have gone wrong and how one could play it better the next time." Ray replied, looking surprised. "You were wonderful yesterday!" Max added.

Tyson let the topic slide after that, focussing on his food instead. He could feel Kai's eyes on him from time to time, just checking on him, but it made him slightly nervous. He sat beside Cassie, both of them talking softly, in their own sweet world.

They skipped practice that day, going out for shopping instead. Their Halloween themed victory party was tomorrow. They'd invited everyone close to them, be it the beybladers he'd met in all these years, his old friends, or the new friends at school now.

After buying the usual decorations for the house, the four of them split up to buy their own costumes before meeting up for dinner again. Max had brought himself a typical Cowboy costume with the fake gun and rope. Ray had decided to become a Ninja, which was not very far from his usual attire.

 Tyson himself had bought a pirate costume, much to the amusement of his teammates. "Why am I not surprised." Said Kenny, shaking his head. As though he was one to talk, having bought a cardboard robot costume for himself.

Kai, on the other hand, refused to reveal what he was wearing, much to all of their dismay. He didn't even bring back a bag, so that they couldn't try peeking at it.

Later, all five of them came to the dojo to drop the bags that night. He invited them to stay the night over, but they refused, citing that they were planning on staying there tomorrow night anyway before waving goodbye.

Tyson sighed on entering the quiet house. His grandpa was already asleep. He quietly went up to his room and fell on his bed.

"I thought you said you were fine." A voice called out from behind him, making him sit up. Kai was at the window, drawing the curtains away as he climbed in. "Can't you use the door?" Tyson asked annoyed, falling back on his bed again.

"How's the back healing?" Kai asked instead, pulling the chair out of his study table, and sitting down facing him. "It's fine, I think. A bit sore from all the walking, but fine." He grumbled.

"I told you yesterday that we'll find a solution for this together. I intend to start today." He said, looking serious.

Tyson groaned, sitting up. "I really don't have the energy for that now. Maybe we could start tomorrow, or better yet, after the party?" He pleaded.

"Not possible. We start today. But before we start with actual training, we need to clear some things." Kai added. Tyson leaned forward, curiosity quipped.

"I talked with Hillary today. She had one... interesting theory about why you reacted strongly against me during our match at the hospital and not the other boys." He said, his gaze steady on him.

Tyson froze at this, not meeting Kai's eyes. He definitely wasn't ready for this conversation, especially when he'd been forced to come clean about one of his secrets to the same person less than twenty four hours ago. "It's not like that," he started worried, but Kai stopped him. "I'm not mad at you Tyson. I realise I haven't been very clear about what really happened in Russia, why I did what I did. I still can't tell you everything." Kai said.

Tyson could see how much this discussion was affecting his friend. "Kai really, it's fine! You don't have to justify anything. We're just happy you're back." Tyson tried placating him.

In truth, this conversation was affecting Tyson just as much. He generally tried not to think about the bad times, and his time in Russia was definitely on the worse side. Seeing his father's video, recorded just a few days before he died, knowing he was contributing to the same cause his father had started, was overwhelming to say the least.

Then, losing Kai to the enemy, watching his friend's entire personality change before his very eyes with no explanation... it was damn scary. He was glad to quickly put it in their past without any explanation after the lake incident at Russia, but if he was being honest, Dragoon never trusted Kai completely then on.

"Not when you're struggling due to this. If I'm going to try helping you with this, I'll need both you and dragoon to trust me. So, I have something for you." He said, removing his fingerless gloves, pulling out something from underneath it.

Tyson had never thought he'd see Black Dranzer ever again. It's obsidian chip gleamed in the darkness, it's red eyes predatory. The room suddenly grew quieter, the air in it colder. "I thought it was lost in the lake." Tyson whispered, shocked.

"You don't lose the most powerful beyblade known to the world, just like that." He answered dryly, before growing serious again. "And... I have a moral obligation to make sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands, again." He added quietly.

"Why are you showing it now?" Tyson asked, looking uneasy. Kai didn't answer it immediately. Hid eyes were trained on the bit-beast, lost in thought, or perhaps a memory. He started slowly. "I want you to safeguard it for me." Tyson's eyes widened. It wasn't what he had expected Kai to say.

"That way Dragoon will know that he'll never have to face Black Dranzer again. That I'm not a threat to you. Only then can we actually make progress in this training." He completed.

Tyson hesitated, staring at the beyblade in Kai's hand. The memories of Black Dranzer's destructive power were still vivid in his mind. He didn't think he was the right person for the job. What if he messed up and they lost Kai again?

But Kai's expression was sincere. This was his mostly reserve friend reaching out to help him. He 

surely must have thought thoroughly of it, it was Kai they were speaking about. If he trusted him to do the job right, then maybe he did have a chance to do it right.

"You're serious about this?" Tyson asked tentatively.

"Dead serious," Kai replied firmly. "This is about trust. Between you and me, and between Dragoon and me. I would never hurt either of you, or anyone on the team for that matter. If I'm going to help you, there can't be any doubts."

Tyson nodded slowly, his fingers brushing the surface of Black Dranzer as he took it from Kai. It felt heavier than it looked, almost as though it carried the weight of its past.

"Alright," Tyson said, his grip tightening around the bit-chip. Kai stood abruptly then. "That's all for today. Let whatever we talked about sink in. Dragoon needs to start trusting me for this to work out. We'll start your training on Monday." He said, walking to the window again.

"You know we have a door, don't you?" Tyson asked dryly, pointing at the door. Kai just smirked, before climbing over and disappearing into the night.

*****

The party had already started when Hillary and her date, Chris Royson made it to the dojo. They went directly to the large training room, which had been cleared for the night. Music blasted through the loudspeakers in each corner of the room, and a sparkling disco ball hung in the middle. The room was completely packed with people.

They found Luke and Aubrey first. They were lounging an a couch, eating snacks with Noah and Ahanaa. "What did we miss?" Hillary asked. "Oh, nothing much. They just made a small speech, thanking everyone for supporting them during the last world championship before telling us to enjoy ourselves for the night. They just went their separate ways after that." she screamed to be heard over the music.

"How the hell did we not guess your outfit?" Luke asked, sounding aghast. Hillary was dressed as a pop-star. She'd paired a short purple shimmer dress with silver knee-high boots and gloves. She'd also brought a fake microphone as a prop.

She'd worried that Chris may find it cringe, given that he was a pop-star already, but he didn't mind. He was also dressed as a vampire for a Halloween party, one couldn't get cringer than that. "So much for being Sherlock!" She sympathized before breaking into giggles on looking at her friends' faces.

Hillary turning to Chris then. "My friends couldn't guess my outfit, no matter how many times they tried. It's kind of embarrassing given that my date is a pop-star." She explained. He shook his head laughing before pointing to the dance floor. "Would you join me?" He asked loudly. Hillary nodded in approval, smiling widely.

Chris was by far the best dancer on the floor. She was good, but not that good. Mostly, it was just him guiding her as they danced. They frequently found familiar faces on the dance floor, with whom they chatted for a few minutes each.

Their friends from Amity club, their classmates, her old friends from school, his friends, they chatted with nearly everyone who passed by them.

Aarushi, whom Hillary hadn't seen since the party started, finally found enough courage to approach the two of them, Chris in particular. Hillary introduced the two of them to each other. Chris's interest was piqued when he realised she was an aspiring singer too.

Hillary quietly excused herself to get some fresh air, when the two of them started talking comfortably with each other. Her role as a match-maker was done.

She went outside with a soft-drink in hand. The front yard as blissfully empty. She checked her watch, it was nearly ten. She'd been in the party since seven. Hillary had caught a few glimpses of the Blade-breakers throughout the night, mingling with their guests and having fun. If they noticed her, they didn't bother coming over. to greet.

Hillary tried not to dwell on it for long. They did technically invite her, so they did want her there. They couldn't have talked with all their guests, they were just too many.

She was having fun with her own friends and date. Yet, why was it bothering her so much that they hadn't come over and said 'hello'?

She was jerked out of her thoughts when a sleek black car stopped in front of the gate. A chauffeur walked around the car and opened the back door. An old man stepped out, dressed in a black suit, slightly leaning on his walking stick as he came towards the house with purpose. 

One glance at him, and Hillary knew he was a foreigner, with blonde hair streaked with grey and pale blue eyes.

Hillary didn't know why, but the old man kept staring at her intently from the moment he noticed her, as though he couldn't believe his eyes. Hillary pulled at the hem of her dress, feeling uncomfortable. Did the guy think her dress was inappropriate or something? Or did the guy just have some old-age staring condition?

He stopped a few steps short of her, still staring. "Can I help you with something sir?" She asked politely, breaking him out of his thoughts.

The old man cleared his throat. "I beg your pardon my dear, but is this the residence of Master Granger?" He asked, looking warily at all the commotion inside. He definitely had an accent, but she couldn't guess his nationality.

It took her a moment to place Tyson as Master Granger. "It is. He's hosting a party today. Since his team won the World Championship the second time." She explained.

"Then I presume the Young Master is present as well?" On seeing her confusion, he further clarified, "Is Master Kai Hiwatari in attendance? If you would be so kind and fetch him for me?"He requested.

"And who might you be, sir?" She asked, trying to mask her wary. Kai was a lone-wolf. He barely tolerated people outside of his friends. His patience with his friends was also not much to boast about.

Despite his reserve attitude, anyone who'd been close to him would pick on the fact that he barely had a relation with his grandfather, despite being each other's only family. And given how much his grandfather was 'allegedly' involved in all sorts of shady businesses, any contact from his grandfather usually caused him more harm than good.

If he picked up on her uneasiness, he didn't show. Instead, he seemed pleasantly surprised to hear her speak in a formal and refined manner. "Ah, of course. My sincerest apologies for not introducing myself sooner," he said, his voice smooth. "I am Mr. Ivanov, Master Hiwatari's grandfather's personal butler." He added, "May I inquire as to your name?""

"I'm Hillary Tachinbana sir. I attend school with Kai." She replied. She though of adding a Master infront of Kai's name, but the felt it was awkward and left it out. She didn't see how this information was going to be of any use to Mr Ivanov, but she indulged him anyway.

"How delightful to make your acquaintance, Miss Tachinbana." He nodded respectfully. "As for my presence here, it's somewhat confidential, I'm afraid. However, rest assured, Master Hiwatari has been expecting me for quite some time. Would you kindly escort me to him?"

Hillary was about to do as she was told, but hesitated for a minute. The guy seemed like a good guy, a bit sophisticated than what one would expect at a party.

Except for the stare at the beginning, he'd been nothing but polite.Looking at his walking stick, it was clear that he had difficulty in standing or walking around for long."Of course, sir. However, would you care to wait inside? The kitchen is presently vacant." She added helpfully.

Mr Ivanov agreed gratefully. "That would be quite agreeable, young lady. Lead the way, please."

*****

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*****

A/N: Hey there guys! Hope you guys are enjoying the story. What do you think of Tyson and Kai's interaction? What do you think Mr Ivanov wants from Kai? Share your thoughts!

It nearly takes me 5-6 hours to come up with each update, so the least you could do as readers is appreciate the story by voting and leaving comments (both cost you nothing). This story alone has sixty plus publicly declared engaged readers (I won't know of the number of people who've bookmark this story in their private library alone), yet each chapter barely recieves any votes? Its kind of disappointing, to be honest. Kind of kills the vibe of wanting to post as regularly as possible.

I don't want to force you guys into anything, but if you truly like the story, vote it, mention it in the comments! If something is not sitting right with you, mention it in the comments! If you like a some line, dialogue, situation in the story, mention it in the comments! I would love to know what you're all thinking, really. 

Just so you know,  I hope to deliver two more chapters before new year, but let's see how this goes. Anyway, happy reading!