"Do I even know you, or do I not?"

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Kai

She looked like she was pushing herself.

Not physically, she was not doing anything physical to push herself like that–though the white cloth wrapped around her knuckles and the calloused scratches on the palm of her hand did signify that she probably did that too– but more like emotionally, mentally perhaps.

It was the moment since Max beyblade had lost its trajectory, it was a rookie mistake, something Kai had told him countless times– his enthusiasm often led to him overlooking important points. For a moment, when it spinned toward her he felt his heart skip a beat– an unusual feeling he was not used to.

It must have been the fact that if she would have gotten hit, it would have needed medical attention and that would have led to a scene from the media.

Yes that must be it.

But she had caught it, her hand catching it just before it could make contact. Alright, at least he knew she had good reflexes. Many people had them, nothing peculiar there.

It was the faintest tremble in her arms after that caught his attention. How after that she had moved back a bit, her composure that was so rigid yesterday though not cracking but a bit moved now.

How her fingers would brush away the invisible lint from her clothes, twirl the pen, fists clenching and pupils darting at the sound of the slightest sound, gaze going unfocused for a second before returning again.

She was being overcautious, anxious and probably trying to block out things she didn't want to remember.

All that because she got a cut from the beyblade.

"Aww, come on Kai, go easy on me here!" Tyson pouted, snapping his thoughts back to the blue head in front of him.

Exhaling a breath, he extended his hand. The familiar warmth of his beyblade reached his hand as it retracted in his palm, "Enough for today," he said, his voice rough. Before his gaze briefly glanced back at her, who was now on her feets shutting down the notebook.

He had a feeling why her behavior was like that, and he was not sure he liked it or wanted it to be true.

No, he would pray it was not true. Because if it was– well it would definitely explain why her eyes seemed engraved in his heart, but would complicate everything much much more.

So he took the easy way out, shoving those thoughts aside and thinking about more plausible theories.

"Hey," Ray approached Ahana, his voice friendly and smiling calmly, "we are going to a restaurant to get dinner, wanna join?"

"Oh," she looked up at him, her ocean eyes meeting his golden orbs for a second before she shook her head, "Thanks for asking but I am alright, I have to get back to my hotel anyway,"

"Oh I see, want a ride back?"

Why the hell was he this insistent on talking to her? Yes, Ray was friendly and approachable, but not to this extent that bordered on persistence. Kai rolled his eyes, taking his bag off the grass, feeling a twinge of annoyance.

"Oh uhh," she looked taken aback by his words, as her gaze darted to her watch before back at him, "Actually no, they have car services,"

True to her words, just then a black lamborghini stopped by the road, the metal beauty glinting in the rays of the setting sun. The prestigious logo of 'Althea group' prescribed in silver shone, glinting off the sunlight. While a chauffeur opened the door with a bow.

Okay... so she was rich.

No one stayed at Althea, the five star luxurious and most protected resort, until they had money to spare. He, of course, knew he had stayed there for a few weeks when he was still new to Japan– before he moved in with Tyson and others.

"Well, my ride's here," she said, and he caught the undertone of relief in her voice, "I will see you all tomorrow, and captain," she turned toward him, their eyes clashing, "I would send you some stuff I think we should implement for better training, check it out and share your opinions, 'kay,"

"Hn,"

***

The night was young by the time he was walking on the familiar streets.

The street light overhead sparkled in the dark night, their orange glow lighting up the gravel road as his boots crunched against the rock, his leather jacket caught the light while he pushed his hands in his pockets, relishing the solitude.

Finally, he could have a moment of peace now.

A moment to sort out his thoughts.

Today's sky was cloudy, the clouds blanketing the light from the stars and making the moon a blurred spot on the sky. The distant sound of traffic made up the perfect backdrop for his thoughts.

He had really come a long way, hadn't he?

To think it was some years ago, when he was in these streets– bullying people, trying to prove he was the strongest– all in the hope to impress his grandfather, to prove that he should be accepted too.

But now, everything is different... in a good way, perhaps. The abbey was his nightmare from start but if it had meant receiving some sort of validation or affection from the only family he knew, he had endured it. He would have endured it again, had it not for Tyson and other's who pulled him out of that dark space.

Voltaire was behind bars now, so was Boris.

Everything was okay.

Safe.

He was safe.

And yet, sometimes it felt like on every corner there was someone who looked for him, planning a new elaborate plan to take him back there again.

Sometimes he felt like they all would come here any moment.

He was safe now, that's what his brain said, but it was difficult for his heart to believe that– not after the numerous scars that lined his chest or the one's... that were hidden but his heart knew all well.

He didn't even notice the soft pitter patter of paws till a light weight nudged his legs. Looking down, his carmine eyes met with the shining green of the small cat. She had ash coloured fur, white linings near her ears and such shining green eyes that put the moon in shame, "You again?" Kai muttered, kneeling down to scratch behind her ears– all while a rare smile, barely noticeable set on his lips– while she nuzzled in his hand

After a moment, the cat trotted forward, its tail wagging in the air, before it stopped after taking a few steps looking back at him and nudging her head toward the alley.

"What? You want me to follow?"

The cat meowed with a shake of her head and moved forward, looking back occasionally to see if he was with her. Kai didn't had anything better to do, and if anything the company of the small fur ball helped him forget his thoughts- so he followed her.

Right.

That was it.

Why was he even thinking about all this? He was safe, and he was again in Bladebreakers to build a new future where all the choices would be his.

He followed her through the alley, before it opened to another road and just nearby a dimly lit park. And under the lampshade, he spotted her.

Ahana's back was leaned against a tree, her legs crossed, and hairs that he had always seen tied up in a bun were held loose, the black strands spilling down her back till they touched the dew lidded grass. His gaze flickered to her outfit, a simple tee and jacket with leggings.

Then, her gaze shifted to her lap, where some small kittens were cuddled up, one leaning on her palm while the other played with the metal piece– a Beyblade– in her hand.

Kai didn't think there was anything that could ever make him pause and just stare, but when the third kitten that was sitting on her shoulder tried to climb up her face, her giggle made him pause. A soft, quiet sound– but God, did that smile suited her face.

She looked... beautiful at that moment.

Her ocean eyes shone brighter in the lampshade, as she tickled the kitten before putting it back on her lap. The cat brushed against her hand, and she looked down with a small smile, "Look like your mama is back, honeybuns,"

Before her gaze snapped to his, when she heard the soft sound of footsteps. "Oh, captain,"