Beyblade Burst Oneshots

Lui and Shu

Shu and Lui's relationship is... complicated, to say the least. However, over the years they have come to an understanding.

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The first time Lui met Kurenai Shu, Lui was ten.

He'd been the champion for three years in a row, nobody ever came close to beating him. He was the undisputed champion of Japan, and – as most ten-year-olds thought – he thought he'd never lose. Then, Kurenai Shu arrived.

He was a dark horse that year, rising through the ranks with an ease that made others want to disappear. People praised him as a genius, a master strategist. Lui wasn't impressed. So what if he'd won all the way through his regional tournament? It only meant that the others were all incompetent if they were beaten by a newbie. Lui didn't pay Shu much attention then.

However, Shu continued to be an unexpected unstoppable force. The nationals started, and once more, Shu rose through the ranks. Won battle after battle, match after match. He rarely let anyone get a point off of him, he only started showing some more trouble in the quarterfinals. The semi-finals were also more difficult, but nevertheless, Shu won once more. Making him Lui's opponent in the finals.

Lui started to feel ... threatened by Shu's unexpected appearance. Would someone come and steal his title? No, this was impossible. Right?

(What would happen to Lui if he lost his title, his power? No one ever respected a kid, no one ever listened. Would Lui go back to being invisible?)

Lui decided he couldn't let that happen. Not only was Shu not allowed to win – though he probably wouldn't anyway – but he needed to be taught a lesson. He needed to know that no one, challenged Shirasagijo Lui and won. No one.

He needed to fear Lui. He needed to get down on his knees and given Lui the respect he deserved. That was all that mattered.

(If Shu had no fear, he wouldn't stop coming. He'd take all what Lui had worked for, he'd destroy Lui's life. It was only natural for Lui to fight back.)

Standing in front of Shu in the stadium, Lui for the first time really saw him. He was taller than Lui, but also smaller, he still had a softness in his eyes when Lui's were hard with determination. He would learn that there was no 'friendly' competition as the adults put it. This was only pure merciless battle.

Lui had a plan in mind. A plan that would stop Shu from ever trying again. That would humiliate him, destroy him. That would assure that Lui would forever stay on top of the Blading ladder.

He sent Spriggan flying right into Shu's eye. Shu fell to his knees, bleeding all over the floor. Lui laughed.

Shu stood back up, though, fire in his eyes and in his entire being. His eye was bandaged, and he tried again, but Lui shut that down as well. Burst finish. With a score of 3 to 0, Lui was the winner.

(Lui didn't care for the pain Shu was in. He didn't care that Shu was escorted off the stage, finally letting choked sobs escape him. He didn't care that Shu had to be brought to the hospital. He didn't want to care.

Afterall, Lui was safe. So, it was okay.)

Lui watched as Shu got stronger and stronger. How he wore the scar as a trophy, a reminder. How he flashed it to Lui as a threat.

(Lui had underestimated Shu's tenacity. He knew that now. Sometimes, Lui looked at the scar and wondered if it had been worth it. Shu would carry it for the rest of his life, wouldn't he?)