A/n - Dedicating each chapter for my readers from now on cuz i appreciate ya'll sm

Ethan moved quietly through the hallways, his eyes open in the darkness, making outlines of the silhouettes in each corner. He stopped in front of a grey door. Behind this was the private quarters of Theodore Glass, the man he was supposed to investigate. He remained silent for the next few moments, ears open, intent on catching any sound. When the silence was the hallway gave him no threat as he slipped off his hood, his hand raising to knock on the door.

Footsteps.

Ethan stopped, slipping his hood back on. He retreated to the nearest hallway decor and slipped behind it, merging himself to the shadows of dawn. The figure clad in black crouched in front of the lock and started going through quick motions in the darkness. Ethan squinted, trying to make out any familiar features but failed. The darkness was too thick to penetrate. He watched as the figure opened the door and slipped in. Ethan imagined Theodore Glass, sleeping on his bed, oblivious to the stranger inside the room, going through his paperwork.

Ethan stepped out of the shadows and made his way to the door, slightly ajar. The hallway was now a dull grey, the first sun rays of dawn seeping in. The room remained in the thick, tangible darkness. The thick curtains in his long windows refused to let any light in. The figure already inside froze as he stepped in, the flash of a steel blade catching his eyes.

Ethan raised his hand, making a quick motion in the air; the secret hand motion of the Snake Pit. The figure relaxed, nodding.

So he was not the only one asked to investigate Theodore Glass.

Ethan closed off on the stranger, his fingers on the hilt of his knife. His azure eyes flicked between the stranger to the files resting on top of his desk. This effort was futile, he knew. Theodore Glass is a man of genius. If he was going against the Snakepit, he wouldn't have all that information lying about in his desk for the world to see. Ethan's eyes brushed across the stranger's. His fringe shadowed his eyes, a mask covering the lower part of his face. The hood casted a heavy shadow over his pale skin making it impossible to recognize the person.

"There's nothing," The person growled, "He must have hidden everything somewhere else." His words were a quick whisper.

Ethan risked a glance at the sleeping man on the bed, "How are you so sure he is betraying us?"

The figure swatted at Ethan as the latter pushed out of his way in one swift motion. He watched in growing agitation as he walked out. Ethan slipped one last glance at him before following him back to the hallway, the door closing swiftly behind them. "Who are you?" Ehtan asked.

The stranger looked over his shoulder, an enigma wrapped in dark clothes. "I thought in the Snakepit we didn't ask questions about identity."

Ethan frowned, unable to recognise the voice; a low growl, was he using something. He decided to let it go, "So, what's your next plan?"

The guy raised his shoulders in a shrug, "I wouldn't tell you that. Kind of knew coming here would be of no use, but I can't take chances."

Ethan frowned as the figure continued speaking. "I'll bring Theodore Glass down to his knees," He clenched his fists, "I'll put that lying son of a bitch to his place."

Ethan didn't question him, "Do what you want. I'm doing the investigation my own way. Next time, don't barge into my plans."

He made a mock bow, "Same here, Ethan Carter. Stay out of my way."

Ethan flinched as his voice spoke his name, carefully rolling out each syllable on his tongue. He watched as he disappeared from the corner. Ethan clicked his tongue, annoyed. He stormed his way towards the empty open balcony. The horizon was flushed crimson; an indication of the arriving sunrise. He clicked his tongue, pulling out his phone as he hurried towards the doors, leaving the chilly dawn behind him. His fingers working through a message; the set of events of the day heightening his nerves. He had to take action before his plans shattered.

---

The lights flickered in the underground training area. Shu sat in the corner, a water bottle in his hands, a layer of sweat shining on his pale skin. He screwed the lid shut, pushing himself to his feet. He had overworked himself. After tossing and turning on his bed, Shu had finally decided to come clear his mind inside this place. His knife work had improved greatly since he started, close combat came to his muscles naturally. He didn't bother looking at the glitter of the gun resting against its place on the wall.

He tossed the knife to the small safe, grabbing his hoodie. His sleeveless top was sticking to his back, Shu winced, placing a hand on his arm, messaging the sore muscles. He had to get out before Norman found him and gave him an earful about overworking... again.

He stalked through the hallway like a criminal, eager to be everyone's sight. The corner of his eyes flickered to the shadows in the darkened hallway. Dawn broke through the sky doing little to help to lighten the darkness. He didn't wait to stare at the magnificent sunrise, the sphere of a sun rising through the horizons in its crimson glory. His fastened footsteps were the only sound in the quiet hallway unless- Shu stopped on his tracks, frowning.

Did he imagine it?

Or was someone following him?

He strained his ears. Nothing. He looked over his shoulders, squinting at the shadows to see nothing but the hallway decorations and the isolated metal benches. Turning on his heel, Shu hurried down the stairs reaching to the main lobby where the receptionist briefly looked up from her phone to glance at him.

He slid on his hoodie, sinking in its shadow as he walked out. She disregarded him just easily, having got used to his comings and goings. Shu kept glancing over his shoulder, paranoia taking the best of him. The crawling feeling on his skin of being watched clawed at his gut when he slammed onto someone in front of him. Shu winced, stumbling back.

"Oh."

"Free," Shu said, glancing around. The blonde took the signal, beckoning him to the deserted garden by the end of the hotel. His dark eyes searched through the windows, all closed.

"How are you doing?"

Shu shrugged, "Good, I guess?"

The blonde raised his brow sceptically. "Really? Are you taking care of yourself?"

Shu nodded in earnest, "I am, sir!"

A small chuckle. "Fine." Then he frowned, blonde locks catching the chilly morning breeze. "I wanted to tell you-" He started, "Be careful."

Shu frowned, "Did something happen?"

"It's just the word of Kristina. I heard there have been weird things happening since last night. So you should be careful."

Shu waited for a beat. But when he realised he was not going to get any context from the blonde he nodded. "Sure, I'll do that." Anxiety started squeezing his stomach. Was the paranoia of being stalked not paranoia after all? Was something happening? His phone burned against his thigh, still in his pocket. Should he try calling Lucas? "I'll get going now," Shu said instead, turning back to the building, dazzling crimson catching the morning sunlight.

Free nodded in reply as Shu half ran to the building. Bursting through the double doors, he hurried his way to the stairs, taking two at a time, he climbed two storeys reaching for his door when he saw the massacre of his privacy.

He stood, stunned.

The room was a disaster. His bedding ripped out from his bed, pillows and clothes littering his once pristine tiled floor. Shu stepped through them, looking over to his nightstand where the picture of the bey club stood untouched. His tablet was missing, he noticed. He rounded to the closet where it lay open, clothes strewn around it, his suitcase ripped out of its place on top of it.

He felt light-headed, head choking with numerous thoughts. Calm down, he thought, crimson eyes searching for anything else that was missing. The tablet was okay, he had formatted everything except for the beyblade strategizing videos and videos of his opponents he downloaded. His hand reached for the necklace Liam gave him. It's coldness against his fingertips was comforting.

What were the things he had that the enemies would want?

Nothing.

He had nothing that would make him painted a traitor.

He let out a relieved sigh, walking to his bed. Should he report this to Ethan? The boss? Just to make sure they believe he's reporting everything out of the ordinary. Shu knew he had to tell Theodore Glass the first thing. If his room was turned upside down, there was a big chance that someone's been sniffing around their plans and might've even found a way to penetrate through their secrets.

Shu turned back and walked down the stairs again, ignoring the elevator. The lobby was now crowding, bladers slipping out of their rooms for early practice sessions. He ignored their looks as he made a beeline to the front doors. The smell of food drafted from the cafeteria. Shu placed a hand on his stomach, acknowledging the stabbing pains of hunger. But he had priorities. He can eat after he reported this incident.

He ignored Valt and his friends standing in front of a training room, their gazes burning his skin as he hurried past. He rushed past Xander and Ruway who was entering another training room when someone's hand clamped over his mouth. Shu tensed, driving his elbow back on instinct. The stranger grabbed his hand, twisting it behind him, manhandling him to an empty hallway.

"Shu," A voice whispered against his ear, "It's me, Leo."

Shu allowed himself to calm down as the grip slackened. The albino spun on his heel, incredulous. "You scared the shit out of me," He breathed, running a flustered hand through his hair.

Leo didn't tease him, the blonde looked agitated. "I'm sorry, but I wanted your attention, and fast." His eyes searched through the empty corridor for any shadows lurking, eavesdropping on their conversation. "We have to get out of here."

Shu raised his brow, puzzled, "What do you-"

"I know you work for the UUC," Leo cut him off. "And we've been exposed, Shu. Theodore Glass and Norman Tarver are waiting for us. The two of us have to get out before the Boss and his Snakepit gang crowd-" Leo's eyes focused on the spot behind his shoulder as footsteps filled the empty corridor. The colour drained off of his face as a voice called.

"That's them."

Leo sidestepped and shielded Shu from the oncoming men, holding guns in front of them. Black clad, their boots shining against the translucent lights. Shu watched their masked faces, only a thin strip of line where their eyes were free to see. "Raise your hands."

Leo did as he was asked. Shu hesitantly followed Leo's actions watching the latter's eyes dart across the corridor. He smiled at the men, "Now now, don't be feisty. Can we know why you all are pointing your guns at us?" His hand slipped to the back of his pocket, it was then Shu saw the silver glint on his pocket knife.

The next minute, Leo turned. Grabbing Shu's arm he pushed the albino forward, one of his hands hooked around Shu's neck while the other holding the knife hovered dangerously close to his neck. "Another step and this one will die. I know you have orders to bring this kid alive."

The energy shifted. The men glanced at each other, contemplating their choices when Leo released Shu in one quick motion, lunging at the closest man. His knee meeting his groin. A pained howl ripped across the corridor as Leo pressed his foot down on the fallen man's hand, the gun clattering to the floor.

Leo didn't waste any second picking it up, "Shu, run!" He warned, taking off towards the hallway behind them. Shu didn't need to be told, he dashed behind Leo across the corridor towards the training room. The men waited a painful second, processing the situation, flabbergasted before giving them chase. Leo fell a step back as they reached the doors of training rooms. He took Shu's arm and dragged them both into the room on their right, the automatic doors hissing open as they stumbled in.

Leo reached for the remote control resting on the single bench and shielded all the windows as the doors kissed close behind them. Shu inhaled deeply, finally allowing his eyes to rest upon the bladers who were inside the training room.

Valt's hazel eyes stared back at him in confused wonder. His brows knitted together in concern.

Shu pressed his lips together; well... shit.