Wind Fangs

Chapter 1: Losing One Friend but Gaining Another

   "Well, at the very least, we have to be there for him," Kenta decided. "Maybe we can't do anything, but at least we can show him that we care. If it's all I can do..."
   It was the morning after Gingka's sudden departure, and Kenta had burst into Madoka's shop to find her and Benkei. He had brought Gingka's farewell letter and read it out to them. 
   "I agree," Madoka said, looking off in thought. "Gingka was so messed up after that battle... We just have to help him!"
   Benkei nodded and offered, "I bet Kyoya could help; he always knows just what to do!"
   "The more help the better," Kenta agreed. 
   "But where could he be?" Madoka sighed. "He's not exactly the friendliest guy in the world."
   "Oh, don't worry about that," Benkei told her. "Just leave it to me!"
   Madoka nodded and addressed them both, saying, "You guys can go get Kyoya, then. I'll stay back here and pack."
   "Alright. Try to be ready by noon," Kenta told her. 
   "Right back at ya'," Madoka smiled. "See you then."
  She waved them off then went downstairs, and Kenta and Benkei left the store. 
   "Where do you think Kyoya is?" Kenta asked Benkei.
   "Probably at the old Face Hunter hideout," Benkei admitted. "We might be disbanded, but it was still his home for a while there."
   "Home? You mean he's not from around here?" questioned Kenta. 
   Benkei shook his head and told him, "He just came out of nowhere one day, kinda like Gingka did. I tried to take him on and steal his points, but he was too strong. I had a lot of fun battling him though, and no matter how much I lost, I just wanted more and more of that rush, and we became friends. But I honestly have no idea where he's from. He never said. I never asked."
   "Oh," went Kenta as he followed Benkei through the city. 
   They came upon the Face Hunter hideout. It felt incredibly odd to be back here. Kenta could feel his body tense instinctively thanks to all of the bad times that had been had here. 
   "Hey, chin up," Benkei called to him, seeing the signs of distress.
   Kenta looked up at him and nodded. Nothing was going to happen. And if something did, Kenta knew that Benkei would help him, and he'd help Benkei. 
   "Oh, I hear Kyoya," Benkei suddenly said. 
   "What did you want me to do?" they heard Kyoya growl from around the bend. "You could see it in his eyes how desperate he was to battle."
   Kenta and Benkei peered around and found that he was chatting with a girl they had never seen before. She was a bit shorter than Kyoya by a couple of inches, but nothing too noteworthy. She had long, messy, silver hair that reached almost to her hips. It was kept somewhat tame with a cat ear shaped headband that featured the moon and stars. Her eyes were blue - the same shade as Kyoya's, even. She wore a black vest over a violet tank top, black shorts, black boots, and violet gloves with black accents. Her violet belt had bey gear hanging from it. 
   "I dunno, stop him?" she snapped at Kyoya. "You're feeding right into- We're not alone."
   Kyoya narrowed his eyes and glared out, spotting Benkei and Kenta despite their quick attempt to hide. He just sighed. 
   "You're caught," he told them. "Better come out now before I make you."
   They, smartly, obeyed.
   "Who are they?" asked the girl. "Friends?"
   Kyoya nodded and said, "Meet Benkei and Kenta." To them, he said, "This is Aya."
   "Pleasure to make your acquaintance," Aya smiled at the two. "If you're friends of Kyoya's, why don't you come on over? I'll ask you the same things I have to ask Kyoya."
   "It's about Gingka," Kyoya informed them. 
   "We're actually here about Gingka, too," Kenta said. 
   "Oh? You first, then," Aya told him. 
   "Well, he suddenly left!" Kenta told them. "He left a note and everything. That battle really hurt him. He thinks he shouldn't be here."
   "Well? Let him go," Kyoya said. 
   "Huh?"
   "Kyoya, how could you say that!" Benkei yelled at him. "Gingka's our friend, isn't he?"
   "Look, I don't think it's any of our business," Kyoya grunted. "If he wants to be alone, maybe just let him. Besides, do you have any idea where he could be?"
   "Well..." Kenta glanced away. 
   "I do," Aya said. 
   "I know you do," Kyoya growled. 
   "Then don't ask such stupid questions," Aya muttered, poking him in the ribs. She stepped away from him, closer to Kenta and told him, "I'll help you. I have some questions for Gingka, anyway."
   "Eh, fine, I'll go, too," Kyoya snapped. 
   "Oh! You do care!" Aya teased. 
   "Shut up," Kyoya grumbled. 
   Aya just flashed a silly smile then closed her eyes. A moment passed, and she looked to Kenta and Benkei. 
   "Get ready. It's a journey," she told them. "Kyoya!"
   "I heard, I heard," Kyoya told her. 
   "We're all going to meet up at Madoka's shop before we head off," Kenta told the two. "We're shooting to be ready by noon. See you then!"
   And then he ran off to go pack his own bag. Benkei waved him off and then looked to see Aya slinging a worn out backpack over her shoulder. 
   "Back on the road," she sighed. "Doesn't surprise me, but I was hoping to rest."
   "You have time before noon," Kyoya reminded her. 
   "An object in motion, Kyoya," she muttered to him as if it were a thing that she had said time and time again. "Y'know, your friends are really interesting, Kyoya. The one who stands over there not knowing what to do really looks like his bey. The one that ran off is working towards that."
   "What do you know about our beys?" Benkei asked her. 
   "Dark Bull and Flame Sagittario, am I correct?" Aya asked him. "I won't go into it, but I do know a lot. But, don't be afraid. Kyoya told me that you all just fought the Dark Nebula and how much of a menace they were. After all that, trust might be hard to come by... But, I know Kyoya, and have for years, so don't worry about a thing! What I know, I'll only use for good."
   And she reached up and clapped Benkei on the shoulder before passing through.
   "Do you really know her?" asked Benkei.
   Kyoya nodded. 
   "She'll help us," he promised.

   "It's noon," they heard a whine from upstairs call. "Are we going or what?"
   "Who's that?" asked Madoka. 
   "Sounds like Aya," Benkei said. 
   "Aya?"
   "Someone we met when we found Kyoya," Kenta explained before leading the way upstairs. 
   Benkei helped take Madoka's luggage up and they all ascended to find Aya and Kyoya waiting for them. 
   "We've gotta get moving if we want to be there before dark," Kyoya hissed at them. "Come on." 
   He then led the way out, directing the group down to the train station. Madoka took her things from Benkei, thanking him for the help up the stairs. Aya stepped back from her position beside Kyoya and found Madoka. 
   "I don't believe we've met yet," she said. "I'm Aya."
   "I'm Madoka," she greeted her with a smile.
   "Kyoya mentioned that you were a bey mechanic," Aya told her.
   "Yeah," Madoka was glad to inform her. "Sometimes bladers forget to take care of their bey, but I know the best ways to keep your bey in tip top shape! I noticed that you're a blader. Maybe you'll let me take a look?"
   "When we get back," Aya promised her. "I'd love for my precious partner to get some needed maintenance. Like a bey massage." She laughed.

   "What is your bey, anyway?" Kenta asked curiously. 
   "Whirlwind Cheetah," Aya smiled, pulling out her bey and showing it off.
   It had a violet fusion wheel which matched her outfit, and its face bolt displayed a blue cat's eye over crossed claws. She gave them a quick look then put the bey away again.
   "That's such a cool looking bey," Kenta breathed. 
   "A balance type?" questioned Benkei.
   Aya nodded. 
   "Cheetah is my absolute best friend in the whole wide world," Aya gushed. "It's the best bey ever. Even stronger than Kyoya's Leone." 
   She smirked teasingly at Kyoya, to which Kyoya looked back at her and said, "Do you really want to test that?"
   "Kinda," she admitted. "I don't think we've ever battled."
   "Doesn't surprise me," Kyoya admitted. "You're just too weak."
   "Try me right now!" Aya snapped at him. "I can hold my own in a fight."
   "Gosh you two, why don't you get a room?" Madoka sighed with a shake of her head. 
   Kyoya and Aya instantly stopped their argument, color burning at their faces. 
   "Oh, that's so disgusting!" Aya declared first. "Kyoya's my brother!"