"A wound might be physical,but it always leaves scratches on your heart," 

.

.

.

.

.

.

Ahana

"Try not to move too much for the next few days, the open wound alongside the joint trauma will make the healing period slower than usual. Apply ice twice before sleeping for the next seven days," the woman said as she finished tying up her ankle.

"Thank you, Ms. Nakajima," Ahana attempted a polite smile that she was not sure looked polite.

The older woman nodded, handing her some medicines and ointments before leaving her room, the door shutting behind her.

Ahana sighed, as soon as the door clicked shut before limping her way to it and locking it twice. On her way back to bed, she grabbed an ice pack from the mini fridge on the side of the table and collapsed on the mattress.

Her ankle throbbed rhythmically with a sharp ache– that had now been dulled by the pain medicines and the coldness of the ice.

And now, almost an hour after she has almost greeted death, she allowed herself to think about it.

All of it.

She had almost died.

Died.

It wasn't exactly a new experience but one she prefers not to experience again.
The problem here precisely was the fact that it had happened on a place that was supposed to be safe.

A few years back, she might have thought that this was a security breach. But now she knew better, Mr. Dickenson connections were strong, very strong, there hadn't been a single security breach since she had set foot in Japan. And moreover, the exact mountain they were going to was very confidential. Hell, even two groups of proxy's have gone to other mountains just for this reason.

And still somehow, the attackers didn't only knew which mountain Bladebreakers were, but also knew that no one was carrying their beyblades with them.

If she had been carrying Dazzalion all of this could have been avoided. She could have intercepted the bey's before they crushed the portion of cliff and left her falling.

Dazzalion would have alerted her of another big beast's presence.

A spy was among them.

Someone from an internal circle.

Someone close.

And they need, she need to find this bastard as soon as possible if she still wants to carry on her plan and be successful in it.

Fuck it.

If the identity of this person is not revealed before the start of the American championship then everything would be ruined.

Her plans.

Her goals.

The past eight years of her life.

The sleepless nights.

And terrifying days.

Everything.

***

The sun was surrounded by clouds today, their gray embrace letting a few stray rays slip through them. The leaves rustled again and Ahana tucked some strands of her hair back, closing her eyes and savouring the feel of the wind.

Leaning on her elbows she looked toward the gushing river ahead before her gaze flickered to her ankle as she tugged the pants down over the bandages. She had abandoned her signature outfit today and replaced it with a shirt and pants– that considering today are the unofficial matches, was not much of a good idea– but sue her, her ankle was wrapped in several layers of bandages and warm compress there was no way she could have wore her white skirt without stocking.

And well if she would not wear her stockings then... there would be a hell lot more questions that she was willing to answer.

She checked her phone again, the familiar wallpaper of her with Mihir, Maya and Rehan glancing back at her. Her eyes softened immediately, thumb lightly tracing the faces one by one.

God, she missed them.

Even if they talked almost every day on the phone.

Still, she missed them. Especially when she was scared or hurt or drowning in her own thoughts.

She misses the way their presence made everything hurt less, she miss the way she could sit beside them and forget every past scar and all the future tension to only exist in the bubble of their warmth.

With a sigh, she dropped the phone on her lap, leaning back on her hands to squint at the sky, the familiar warmth of Dazallion teased her skin from where it rested in her waist.

No, she was here for a reason. Because just as much she loved her friends, she loved her parents more, she loved the kid she was once more.

And she couldn't live with herself if she had let go of the chance to avenge all of them.

She wouldn't give up that chance. Never.

She had messaged Ryan and Mr. Dickinson separately last night briefing about the cliff incident, right now as she sits here and the bladebreakers probably get ready to go to the stadium they were working on finding the traitor.

It wouldn't be long before they would be found.

Last night won't repeat itself.

She won't let it repeat itself.

"Didn't expected you to be the waiting type," the familiar voice snapped her out of her thoughts as she glanced back at Kai, who was dressed in his signature jacket alongside a black well fitted tee and trackpants looking handsome as always. He covered the distance down to the grass in a few strides leaning on the tree beside her.

For a second, she let her gaze linger on how the wind ruffled his hair or how the few rays of sunlight framed the planes of his face before she looked in front at the river heaving a sigh, "I am not but I assumed it would be better to wait here than limp from the hotel to here in front of the whole team,"

"Hn," she caught him looking at her ankle before his carmine gaze met her, "What did the doctor say?"

She shrugged hooking a thumb toward the crutch that was folded beside her, "The open wound would make it difficult to heal fast, some ligaments are torn," she hid a grimace as she shifted her feet, "Pain meds, Ice, less pressure the usual you know,"

Kai shook his head huffing a breath, "We are the players here, you know, we are the ones who are supposed to get injured and suffer injuries while our manager look after us, not the other way around,"

"Why, forgive me, your royal captainship," she rolled her eyes, "I should have used my foresight to predict some beyblades would cut my leg and break the cliff, totally should have seen it, right?"

"Tsk,"

For some moments, the silence enveloped them broken only by the sound of the water rushing in the river and the occasional rustle of the trees.

"How bad does it hurt?"

He tried to ask that casually, but Ahana could detect the concern in it. She pressed her lips in a straight line glancing back at him, "Well, it do hurts, but don't worry about me, I have gone through much worse, it will heal in a few days,"

He scoffed, "I do worry when the only tolerable presence in the group in injured,"

She blinked before keeping a hand on her mouth though a few careless giggles did pass through, and if she had looked to her left she would have seen his face snapping toward her at the sound, eyes softening, "So you enjoy my presence, cap? I remember someone being sassy last night about how I was attempting to prove my presence was good. I don't need to do that it seems, you already enjoy my presence it seems,"

"What is funny in that, pray tell, Sidorov,"

"The 'Ice King' is confessing his feelings," she pointed at him with a smile, "He is accepting a friendship, it's an amusing scenario, I am pretty sure Tyson would celebrate it with a trip to a restaurant,"

"I never said I see you as a friend,"

"So... you don't?"

Silence.

"Oh my god, you totally do," she gasped dramatically.

"Shut up," he glared at her but said nothing to deny her claim.

"Oh my god, oh my god, The great Kai Hiwatari sees me not only as someone tolerable but actually as a friend, oh my god. I think this was the reason for my birth, God, do you see it your child is successful now," she sniffled playfully, wiping her eyes dramatically, "The best day of my life, I should note it down on a calendar,"

"Sidorov one word more and I will throw you in that river," she raised her hand in mock surrender looking at the icy look in his eyes.

"Just stating facts, Cap," she smiled, though this time it was sincere, "and for the record you are a great friend too. Saving my life and all,"

"Whatever,"

Some hours later, when she looked out of the window from the car after returning from the first round of matches, when she replayed the conversation it left even her in surprise at how easy words and feelings come when he is near.

And it also left her clenching her fists when she realised how truthful it was.

A friend.

Isn't that what he became?

Her friend. 

*** 

a/n; one more chapter left before the ending of act I <3
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