Kath, resting on the soft chair in the corner of the room, laughed at Rei, but they both jumped as Rei's teammates entered the room in chaotic noise.

"Hey Rei, who's the girl?" Tyson teased.

"She's my twin sister," Rei spoke simply, the grin that had been present for hours growing even wider.

"Way cool!" Max was bouncing out of his seat with excitement. "Stand next to her, Rei, so we can see you together!"

As Rei obeyed the instruction, Max and Tyson's eyes opened wide. "Rei, she, she looks just like you!" Max stuttered. It was true. Rei and Kath were almost mirror images, aside from a slightly feminine look about Kath's figure and face and the hint of makeup on her features.

"Rei, how come you never told us you had a sister?" Tyson asked.

"I only knew today."

Kath glared at Max and Tyson. "I am here, you know. You can talk to me, not just Rei."

Rei started to laugh, the excitement overcoming him once again. "Kath, I missed you all my life!" He clutched her shoulders again, and embraced her.

"Rei!" Kath hissed, trying to keep from laughing. "You're embarrassing me!"

"Isn't that what brothers are for?"

Tyson whispered to Max, "I've never seen Rei so happy!"

"Me neither!"

Kai said nothing. He may have a brotherly affection for Rei being his team-mate, but Kath, well! He would definitely like to get to know her better.

That evening-

"Hey, Rei, you want to go for a walk? Kath asked him.

"Sure. See ya later, guys." They had spent all day with the Bladebreakers, and wanted some time on their own.

Kai came up to them. For once, he seemed to be embarrassed. "Before you go, could I have a word with Kath, please?"

"See you by the reception, then, Kath." Rei left, giving Kath a wink.

"Kath, would you, maybe…" Kai had trouble getting the words out. "Would you like to go out with me tomorrow?" He rushed the sentence, and then his face turned red, clashing horribly with the blue shark fins on his cheeks.

"Sure, Kai, if you want." She smiled at him, and left Kai with an idiotic grin on his face.

Tyson whistled. "Got yourself a girlfriend, Kai? Aw…" he snickered.

Kai launched himself at Tyson and twisted his arm behind his back. "You say that again, Tyson Granger, and I'll personally make sure you can't ever eat another bite. Got that?"

He released Tyson's arm, and the younger boy rubbed it, grumbling, "touchy!"

Reception-

"So, where're we going to go?"

"Wherever our feet lead us!" Rei jumped, and nimbly landed on a roof. "Bet ya can't catch me!"

"Bet I can!" Kath followed him, grinning.

By the time they had run out of rooftops, they were both laughing. Jumping down from the last building, they found themselves in a park. It was nearly dark, but they could both make out the shapes of several teenagers plus the glowing tips of cigarettes in a far corner.

Racing to a tree with stout branches, they started competing over who could reach the top first.

While they were playing, the teenagers, unnoticed, surrounded the tree. Kath jumped down, saying, "We'd better get back." Suddenly, she yelled, "Rei, watch out! There's-" Her voice was cut off as a man clapped his hand over her mouth and pulled out a flick knife, holding it against her throat.

Another man called up the tree, "Come down or we'll hurt her!"

A disembodied voice floated down to them. "I don't think so." There was a rustle of branches, and a very quiet thump was heard outside of the circle.

Rei's voice came out of the shadows, calm and bold. "You hurt her and you will have lost your only hostage. I don't think you will hurt her." The men heard the sound of a beyblade being rigged. "Now let her go."

One of the men jeered, "Oh, yeah, like that little toy is gonna hurt us."

"You asked for it!" Rei launched his beyblade. "Driger!" The white tiger rose swiftly out of the blade and attacked the man holding Kath.

The blade cut two clean slashes across the teenager's face, one on either cheek. He let go of Kath and clutched the wounds. "Stupid kids! Prob'ly got nuthin anyway."

The gang ran off, back into their shadowy corner. As the last of them left, Kath saw a flicker of steel flying towards Rei.

With a yell, she flung herself at him. "Rei!"

Rei was thrown to the ground, and Kath landed heavily on his chest.

He tried to get up, but Kath was a dead weight. He pushed her off him, and stood up. Rei looked at her, but she just lay where he had left her. Suddenly scared, he fell to his knees beside her and rolled her over.

The girl heard a voice, calling her out of the misty black darkness. She opened her eyes.

Rei had hold of the knife embedded in her side, and was trying to pull it out without hurting her. Finally, the tip emerged. Along with it, blood started rushing out. Kath gasped in pain, screwing her eyes up tight.

Rei ripped the bottom of his tunic off, and folded it into a pad, pressing it against the wound.

Kath smiled faintly. "Rei, don't. I'm dying. I'm so sorry that-" another wave of pain shook her body, and she had to gasp for breath.

Desperately, Rei pleaded with her. "Kath, you're not going to die, I won't let you!"

Deathly white now, Kath continued. "You can't stop it, Rei. I'm sorry I couldn't spend more time with you. Please, tell my adoptive family I'll miss them. And… tell Kai that I loved him at first sight. And, Rei,"

Rei leaned in closer to hear the whispered words, "I love you, Rei."

He whispered back, "I love you too. I'll miss you." Not taking his hand from the already blood-soaked cloth, he gave her gentle hug, and kissed her cheek.

"Goodbye, Rei." And with those last two words, she closed her eyes and sighed, the breathed no more. They were so close that Rei could feel the life leave her body.

"No! Kath!" Still holding her tight, tears began to trickle down his face. "Please… no…"