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"Friends are angels that lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly" 

-  Anonymous  -

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The conversation ghosted his mind for several days. He didn't make any contact with Theodore and hardly visited Lucas. He went quiet, practicing all the time even in lunch hours that his coach had to drag him out of the training room for lunch. Shu had always been a quiet person, but the last few days he learnt the meaning of loneliness and exhaustion. He did not want to talk to anyone but at the same time he wanted to open up for someone. Ethan's coming and going in the night grew more constant. Whenever he saw Lucas, his bright eyes were covered with a layer of tired problems that he didn't dare to disturb. He hardly met Theodore with all the practice. Their team hardly got along, especially with the disheartened feeling between him and Dylan. The only good thing that happened to him in the last week was that Dylan stopped bullying him. He was surely intimidated after Shu scared the hell out of him in the sleepover. The National Team Games were just around the corner, and almost everyone in the Raging Bulls had high hopes for their team. Shu felt the pressure building up inside him when Joshua constantly reminded them that the whole world is waiting for their performance, to see the power of the team Theodore has gotten together.

When he woke up that day feeling already tired before he got out from the bed, the albino just stared at the translucent white curtain hanging from the window. It was finally the day national tournaments will start, and there he was exhausted before the day even fully started. He stretched his arms above his head cutting off a yawn. Ethan was already out of the room, and his bed was well made, with the bed sheet perfectly tucked inside from the corner with the pillows neatly arranged near the headboard. His white earbuds dangled from the foot of his bed with his phone buzzing, displaying the screen with a shock of white, but Shu was not interested, he just wanted to lay down and rest for the whole day.

He forcefully dragged himself to the bathroom and brushed his teeth. He splashed water against his white skin and let the coldness sink into his bones. Wiping his face from a towel, the albino stepped out and got dressed. As they were informed, they were to wear the official T shirt printed by the club. Shu was not sure whether he preferred his normal attire or the new one, he had never been a person who cared about fashion anyway. He pulled on a black pair of pants and put on the white T with red stripes covering the edges. The Raging Bulls emblem embroidered on the left side of his chest. He looked at his reflection at the mirror one last time before heading out of the door. He instantly bumped into Ethan who was looking at him in a hurry. "I was looking for you." He said apathetically. "Quick"

Shu nodded, closing the door behind him. He jogged to catch up with Ethan Carter who was already halfway down the hall. There was the familiar silence until they reached the lobby which was buzzing with excitement. Everyone was passing good luck with the official members of the team while Shu just ignored them, simply, because there was none for him. He reached from Free and Joshua talking beside the gigantic windows located near the entrance of the Raging Bulls. In front of it was a white minivan with the Raging Bulls emblem shining on it. Theodore waved at all of them and beckoned them to get in. Shu shivered seeing him. The memories coming back to him, Theodore was not a man to trust and at this point he was having doubts about Lucas. Shu sighed, following the other four to the minivan trying to feel an non-existing happiness and excitement. The ride was mostly about the tactics and the player formation. Shu didn't really pay attention, he was used to having others lead him. If he was told to go, he would. That's how everything had been from the start. Others said, he followed. Shu glanced at Theodore from the corner of his eyes wandering about his mysteries when he felt a sharp pain at the left side of his torso which made him yelp silently. He looked to see a crossed looking Dylan. "Pay attention when our captain is speaking!" He yelled at Shu's ear making the other flinch.

Shu looked around to see everyone looking at him. Free and Joshua had slightly concerned faces while Ethan held his mask of neutrality. "Dylan, cool down," Joshua said, turning to Shu. "You okay, kid?"

Shu nodded, "Sorry, I was just thinking"

The dark skinned blader grinned, "You don't have to be nervous! We're all here!"

"I'm not-" Shu started before Joshua rudely cut him off.

"I know. I know. We've all been there" He said, starting to talk about his career and about all his life achievements. The rest of the ride they went through the torture of listening to Joshua's whole life story that half of them let out sighs of relief when the van stopped letting them out in front of the majestic building of the WBBA. Shu felt the sunlight on his skin, the breeze cooling his body as he got down from the van. The sky was clear blue, frighteningly beautiful to his eyes. He felt someone's eyes on him. He turned on his heel to see people, no one paying attention as they passed by the street busy with their own works. He put aside his paranoia. He had been jumpy lately, he almost shrieked when Ethan opened the door suddenly coming in the other day but before he did he caught himself and just stared at Ethan in shock.

"This way" Their coach set leading them to the registration table. The receptionist smiled at them and handed their IDs to enter the tournaments. She showed them the way to the private training rooms of the participants. They all followed along a bunch of corridors when the familiar whips and the clashing caught their ears. Their hearts skipped a beat in excitement. They were bladers, and their excitement always spiked up when they saw a battle. That's what Shu loved about beyblade, it was simply amazing and it hits different to him.

They entered a training room with dozens of bey dishes lying around. Dozens of bladers standing on either sides battling and pointing out flaws smoothing their skills. Shu spotted the familiar faces of his friends in several different places. Valt and Cuza were battling with each other, all of their attention purely focused on the battle going on. The World League carried a huge meaning for everyone and participating was one of a lifetime choice for some of them. "Aren't you going to talk to your friends?" Free asked, looking at the same directions. He must've been feeling guilty, Shu thought silently, looking at his placid face.

"I'd rather not-" He started when a voice interrupted him.

"SHU!" A yell echoed through the stadium silencing everyone and quite surely grabbing all of their attention. Some of them followed Shu as they pressed their palms on his ears trying to block the deafening call of the certain wonder boy of BC Sol.

"He sure is loud" Free muttered under his breath walking away to where Ethan, Joshua and Dylan had gathered. Valt and Honcho came running to him. Valt threw his arms open welcoming him into a warm yet born crushing hug. Honcho slapped his back in a friendly manner, grinning from ear to ear.

"Long time no see pal" Honcho said.

"Yeah," Shu answered, freeing himself from Valt's death grip. The weight in his heart lifted a bit when he realized how much he missed his friends. He smiled softly looking at his two friends. "I missed you guys" He said just before his mouth could stop the words. Shu bit his lips realizing how weird it sounded coming from him. The cool and cold spin emperor, someone who never expressed his feelings.

Valt and Honcho blinked, looking at Shu with astonished faces. "Come again?" Honcho said.

Shu clicked his tongue, averting his gaze slightly as pink dusted his cheeks. "I didn't mean to make it awkward" he trailed off, clearing his throat.

Valt grinned brightly poking Shu's forearm. "We missed you too dude! Man I miss those days when we chilled with the beyclub"

"Yeah" Honcho rubbed his finger under his nose. "Good old days. But the BC Sol is nice too. You gotta come and introduce yourself to our team members dude"

Shu smiled, nodding slightly when he heard someone behind him. The pace of his heartbeat picked up rapidly as a chill ran down his spine. He flinched, visibly turning on his heel to meet Daigo with a questioning gaze. "Whoa" He exclaimed, "You okay Shu?"

Shu gulped, "I-I yeah.. You just startled me"

"You look like you saw the grim reaper" Honcho said grinning, obviously proud he came up with that clever line.

"That's a horrible pun" Another blonde exclaimed walking to them. Wakiya was not in the World League but as everyone knew the Komurasaki holders were the sponsors of this year's tournaments.

Everyone gathered into a circle, quietly looking at each other realizing that only Ken was missing. If he was there, the beyclub is complete. Shu felt Daigo's observant gaze on his skin as he talked to the others, he knew that Daigo felt something was wrong with him and Shu wasn't sure how to confront a question such as: are you okay? At the moment. For his relief Joshua looked over his shoulder and called him to join telling they needed to train. Shu gave his friends one last smile and departed from the group to reach his own team just when Valt said, "Say good luck to Free for me!"

Shu stopped on his track and turned around to give Valt a smile and a reassuring smile. "Sure"

The teams went to their own work, training among themselves, determined to reach to the top beating back all the others. After a while, all the leaders were asked to come to the stage for the opening ceremony as the rest walked to join in with the audience. They all watched with anticipated hearts as the screen flashes different emblems choosing the first competitors. Shu inhaled sharply when the Raging Bulls emblem flashed with another sign. They are to go first.

The crowd cheered wildly, throwing up their hands as the two teams greeted and wished each other luck. Joshua looked through each of them, "I'll go first!"

Shu sighed, that was almost familiar he thought, remembering Valt's declaration to play first almost all the time. Free was sitting on the bench, his head resting on the folded arms behind his head, his brown eyes closed. Ethan was leaning against the pillar while Dylan stood beside Joshua agreeing to any word he said. Ethan hummed boredly. "Not a good idea. Free is our best choice against their leader's bey"

Joshua huffed, "But I-"

Ethan raised his dark blue eyes to meet Joshua and stared hardly and under that threatening gaze he faltered. "Okay..."

Shu walked to the bench and sat down watching Free walk toward the bay dish as a deafening cheer echoed, many fans chanting Free's name with smiles. The other team was obviously faltering under the major support Raging Bulls had that Shu almost sympathized their position reminding himself about his own battles with Lui where he had zero support. He knew that the reaction of the audience dealt a lot with the bladers mindset and he knew how lonely a person can feel even among crowds. The match didn't take much time, it was almost instantly over. Ethan and Free were the only ones who got the chance to battle against the other team and Shu didn't mind. He had the chance to keep and eye on the rest of the groups and around the stadium and he was sure because out of the corner of his eyes he several times spotted hooded figures. His breath hitched as he whipped his head to the right to gaze at the shadowy edges of the stadium. It was following him, Shu thought, shaking or it's back here to meet Theodore. Confusion clouded his mind as curiosity spiked up. He needed to find out, he needed to ask Theodore because keeping away from it was just eating his mind.

The five of them walked out of the stadium to come face to face with the BC Sol standing in the hallways with Christina. Free stopped dead on his tracks as his former team turned to the Raging Bulls team. Sasha had a scowl on her face, obviously annoyed by their presence while the rest showed almost identical expressions except for Valt, Honcho and Christina. The magenta haired female smiled at Free. "Congratulations on your win" She said, looking at the whole team.

Joshua grinned, "Why there thank you Princess"

Christina visibly blushed, embarrassed by the statement. "E-Excuse me?"

Free clicked his tongue and walked passed them without looking back. Shu saw Christina's expression falter a second before she regained her composure and looked at the passing blonde fondly as if they had a shared secret, something only both of them knew.

"Can we borrow Shu for the rest of the day?" Valt asked, looking at the rest of his teams with hopeful eyes.

Shu just looked at the brunette who was gripping to his arm tightly as Joshua spoke. "Sure thing! But make sure to come back when the training starts"

Shu just nodded and watched his team go by. There was no loneliness about the departure because he felt more home with Valt and his friends rather than the team mates he found recently. "So" Shu said hesitantly looking among the rest of the group who were staring at him.

Honcho grinned, "Guess you are itching for a battle, aren't ya?"

Not specifically, Shu thought absent-mindedly. He didn't have the mind to battle nor he had the clear mindset to focus. He had already made up my mind to ask Theodore, ask him about all the suspicions he had in his mind. "Kind of," Shu answered, snapping off from his momentary distraction.

"Excuse me" Wakiya suddenly said, taking Shu's wrist. "I need to talk with you, privately"

"Ha?" Honcho exclaimed, "What the heck do you want with Shu?"

"I thought I emphasized in the word 'private'" Wakiya shot back with narrowed eyes. He did not wait for another counter attack from Honcho. He just took the other's hand and dragged him toward a corner hallway with no one else but them. Shu initially thought Wakiya wanted to battle with him, but when he dragged him away from the training rooms he wandered about his own thoughts and about the blonde's.

"What's wrong, Wakiya?"

Wakiya finally released his hand and pressed his palm against the wall. "What's wrong with you, Kurenai?"

Shu furrowed his brows, "What do you mean?"

"Do you think I would not recognize the difference in you? You have changed. No. You're just acting... I mean acting weird somehow. You look like you're going to be attacked at any moment. You're not the Kurenai Shu we know. What's wrong?"

Shu gulped, "I.. I don't know what you're talking about. You're imagining things Wakiya"

Wakiya snorted, "It's not only me, Daigo told me about that too"

Shu sighed, he knew out of all the others Daigo would notice his difference. "I'm just not fitting well in the club" He confessed, telling half of the truth. "That's all"

"What do you mean you do not fit well? Aren't you like one of their best bladers?"

Shu shrugged, "Talent comes with a price"

Wakiya's frown deepened. "Shu, are they.. You know hurting you or something?"

Shu knew the hidden implication of the question, he was asking whether he was getting bullied. Wakiya wore a surprised expression on his face and Shu knew the reason. They all believed him to be the strongest. The one who doesn't give a shit and the one who's more intimidating than the rest. "No" Shu lied. "It's just you know, the usual differences and all. I'm alright"

Wakiya hummed, barely convinced by his lame excuse. "I think that's the case. Not like I'm worried or anything. I don't give a damn, I'm just-" Wakiya scratched the back of his head blushing, "I just want to battle you again and I don't want a weakling as my rival"

"Sure" Shu said, half smiling to himself. He felt happy to know that they actually cared. "Thanks anyway"

"W-Whatever" He muttered, walking away from the albino and suddenly stopped. "Oh and" He said, looking over his shoulder. "You better not go around doing stupid things alone, remember you have friends and you can contact us anytime, idiot"

Shu smiled, "Says the person who doesn't care"

Wakiya huffed, "Of course I don't! I'm talking about the others" He said, stomping away from the albino who stood there with a soft smile covering his features. 

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They all hung out the whole day. Quite frantically Shu blended in with the BC Sol members better than his own team at Raging Bulls. Everyone seemed friendly and easygoing and a small part of him wished to be with them. It felt almost like family. When they said their goodbyes for the day, half of their faces were crestfallen. Kitt and Honey took promises from him to visit again and Shu was sure he was going to visit again. After bidding farewell one last time he jogged to the lobby where the others were, waiting for their van to arrive. Since the world league was in America, they did not have to leave their club or stay in hotels like the other teams had to do. Shu was quite glad of it and at the same time the agitation inside his mind grew and grew with each step. It was as if he was walking straight toward a Shark's mouth and he was not liking it. "How's your day?" Joshua asked as he reached them.

"Amazing!" Shu answered, an unfamiliar cheerfulness catching his tone.

"You do seem happy" Free commented boredly looking out the large glass panels in the front exposing the streets in front of them. Shu just hummed clasping his hands behind his back not sensing the dark eyed blader's gaze on him. Free inspected Shu's subtle changes, his colorless pale cheeks were tinted with a hint of pink. The dullness of his eyes were slightly lifted from the vague cheerfulness he saw in him after a long time. Free turned his gaze back to the busy streets of New York. Friends are magical, he had known that for a long time. Even though he was cold in most situations, he also had a past with a friend he would never forget for the rest of his life. His thoughts were driven away by the vehicle which honked at them signaling it's arrival. The five members of the Raging Bulls team walked outside of the WBBA building and got on the van. Everyone was at ease after a long driven day and a battle and wanted to go to bed except for a one certain blader who had loads inside his mind and a clear aim to unveil to truth which haunted him for the past few weeks.