Title: Untold Truths
Authoress: Ladya C. Maxine
Rating: PG-13
Summary: see chapter one.
Warnings; see chapter one.
Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade or any of its characters. All unrecognizable characters belong solely to me and are not to be touched. I am making no money off of this and I write with the sole intention to entertain.

He wasn't exactly sure what woke him up but his eyes opened on their own accord, albeit sleepily. What time was it? Who cared? He wasn't about to leave the warm cozy bed anytime soon. He buried his head back in the soft feather pillows and was about to fall back asleep when he felt a tiny tug on his hair.

'What the...?'

Now that he focused he realized that his hair was loose and spilled all over the place, which was strange since he had tied everything back last night before going to sleep.

Again a small tug came and he realized that there was someone else on the bed behind him playing with his hair, their breathing was a bit heavy but even.

Turning over, he was about to demand an explanation but was surprised when he got a good look at his would-be assailant.

A small girl looked back at him with child-like curiosity. She couldn't have been any older than seven and was very small with a lithe frame and small hands and feet. Ray believed that if he had rolled over on her he would have crushed her.

Despite her size she was terribly cute. Her hair, a shade of pastel blue, was long and loose and flowed till her small waist. The front bangs were light purple and long, covering her forehead and sweeping before her eyes. Two side tails swept over her cheeks. Her lips were rosy colored and above them was a cute little nose. And then there were her eyes' light shade of baby pink. Long, curved lashes swayed with every blink.

She was dressed in a long baby-blue nightgown that was a bit too big for her though Ray wouldn't have been surprised if it had been a size extra, extra petite.

They studied each other for a long time. Her pink stare swept over him before she smiled shyly and continued with her self-appointed task, namely brushing his hair which she had loosened while he had been sleeping. On the bed around her were several brushes and combs and clips. She handled them easily for someone her age and with steady concentration she parted his long hair into sections and tied them, allowing her better manageability of the black mass.

Perplexed by the unusual wake-up call, Ray sat up and watched her work. She made sure not to pull too hard and carefully brushed away any knots she encountered.

"Um...hi," Ray said after getting over his initial surprise.

The little girl didn't react and continued combing the hair in her hand.

"What's your name?"

Again she showed no sign of having heard him. Was she ignoring him?

"Hello?" He waved his hand and she looked up at him questionably.

"I'm Ray. What's your name?"

She seemed to have studied his mouth when he spoke and she smiled. Leaning forward, she placed a small hand on his chest. Bright pink eyes shone dazzling as she studied his face.

"Ray," she spoke, her voice sounding even younger than she appeared.

"Yeah, that's right." He couldn't help smiling back at her. Yawning, he said, "I'm Ray. And you are?"

Her little nose wrinkled slightly in confusion and she frowned, eyes trained on his mouth once more as if waiting for his lips to move again. H tried another approach. Placing a hand on his chest, he said, "Ray."

At that she nodded. He then pointed to her.

"You?"

Her pink eyes lit up in understanding. She placed a hand on her own chest, mimicking him.

"Saskia." Her fingers did stray, however, to the bandage around his arm and she cocked her head to one side. "Does it hurt?"

"A bit," he half lied, though it did feel better than yesterday.

"I'm sorry." Her eyes lingered on the bandaged arm for a while, an almost haunted look causing the pink irises to fade. Snapping out of it, she shook her head and sighed.

"It wasn't your fault," Ray comforted her, puzzled at her behavior. "Besides, the doctors said that the bandage can come of in a week."

"That's nice." With that she turned back to his hair, marveling at its length as she ran her fingers through it.

'Okay. I'm in a palace on top of a five-star hotel with a six year old who is obsessed with my hair. If it weren't for all the weird things I went through with the guys from the Bladebreakers I would be surprised.'

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Master Ray? Are you awake?" the person asked from the other side.

"Um, yes." he answered; trying to identify the voice before concluding that he had never heard it in his life.

The door opened and in walked a man who was about sixty years old though his posture was tall and proud. His gray hair was just past his shoulders but held back neatly in a short ponytail. He wore a smart uniform and it didn't take Ray long to guess that this was Ivan...something-or-the-other...; the butler. In his arms was a bundle of folded towels and sheets which he put away in the closet. Turning, he took in the scene and when his eyes settled on Saskia he smiled and shook his head apologetically.

"Good morning, master Ray. Please forgive miss Saskia. She seems to have taken quite a fascination with your hair."

He started to open all drapes and curtains in the room. The sun was still low in the sky and the snowstorm had calmed down during the night; the strong winds were gone but Ray could still see that the snow was falling heavily.

"How are your injuries, master Ray? Would you like some painkillers?"

"No thanks. But...um..."

Ray looked back at the girl who had noticed Ivan presence. She smiled brightly and held up a long lock of hair that she had just plaited. Ivan smiled back and swiftly hand-gestured to her. It was then that Ray realized why she hadn't reacted to his questions so easily earlier.

"Um...Ivan, is she...?"

"Miss Saskia is indeed deaf. However, she is fluent in sign language and lip-reading," Ivan said.

"That's why she was looking at me so closely when I spoke," Ray said. "But when I asked her her name she didn't seem to understand me."

"You must speak a bit slower and clearer when you talk to her in your language. She speaks it herself but has just recently learned the English language so she sometimes had difficulties following it. She learns extremely fast and is always up for a challenge. Like your hair," the elder man chuckled as Saskia now started to plait another section. Ivan went into the bathroom and Ray heard him drawing his bath.

"So...was she here yesterday? I didn't see her and Kai didn't mention her either."

"No, she wasn't here. She arrived late last night. With master Kai gone for so long we normally stay here but Natasia decided that staying so long in the city is not good for one so young so she brought Saskia with her back to her home in the country. The fresh air and open fields truly do appeal to her," Ivan said, emerging from the bathroom.

"Who's Natasia?" Ray asked as he took hold of a part of his hair that Saskia handed to him to hold out of the way while she combed the section beneath it.

"Oh bother, I forgot to inform you, didn't I? Let's see now. First of all there are three staff members working in the Hiwatari penthouse; Myself, I am the butler and it is I who handles master Kai's duties when he is away. Then there is Natasia Petrowna. She is the cook and also helps me with the cleaning. She also is the one who teaches Saskia her school work, doesn't she?" He turned to the petite female who had been watching the exchange. He signed to her what he had just said and she nodded enthusiastically. "And then there is Jeremei Rostow. He is the chauffeur who picked you up yesterday at the airport. Very nice fellow who is always more than happy to drive you to your desired destination."

"Okay. And Saskia is..."

"I'm not surprise that you do not know her; master Kai is very overprotective when it comes to his little sister," Ivan replied while checking the room's heater.

"Sister!" He turned to the little girl who had started when he had jumped in shock. She looked at him with worried eyes and laid her hand on his arm as if to calm him.

"Ray okay?" she asked, blinking those pink eyes.

"You are Kai's sister?"

Her eyes followed the movement of his lips and she smiled.

"Kai came back!" she exclaimed, bouncing slightly in excitement.

"I must say that I am amazed. Saskia is normally very shy around strangers but she seems to have developed a quick liking towards you." Looking around the room to make sure everything was in order he turned to Ray. "Well, you probably want to get ready now. Natasia will have breakfast ready in about twenty minutes. Don't worry about the room or bathroom; they will be taken care of. We will leave you now to your time."

He pulled out a small round object with a single button and pushed it. Saskia reacted at once and looked at him. He signed to her and she nodded and began to pick up all her accessories from Ray's bed and put them in a little bag. Hopping off, she barely reached higher than the tall the mattress but smiled at Ray and waved.

"Bye-bye." She then lifted the nightgown to prevent herself from stepping on it and followed Ivan out of the room. The door closed with a small click.

Ivan seemed to be a great guy, but it was Saskia who had already secured a place in his heart. She was so small and fragile and he understood why Kai would be so protective. However, he couldn't picture Kai as her brother. They were complete opposites. Okay, obviously the gender and age factor had something to do with it. But even with that aside he couldn't see any resemblance. Kai was confident, cold and anti-social while Saskia was shy, sweet and open. She was the light to Kai's dark.

'However, Kai has changed a lot and maybe when we first met him we were introduced to an altered ego of him. He has changed since we defeated Black Dranzer and he came back to us. Maybe he only puts up a front because of what he went through at the Abbey.'

Ray stood from the bed and stretched like a cat. Walking over to the tall patio doors, he looked out the tall glass doors. Outside the snow had lessened to a mere sprinkle. Taking this opportunity to see the city of Moscow from a 50 stories view, he unlocked the doors and stepped out.

The design of the patio had been wisely built and only a little bit of snow covered the tiled floor. The Jacuzzi was bigger then he had first thought and he stood looking over it for several minutes. The falling snowflakes landed on his hair and he shook his head to get them off. Walking to the railing, he looked out over the waking city.

The view was amazing. He was looking out over all other buildings. To his left he could see the Beyblade stadium in the near distance, its domed top white with snow and shining in the rising sun. Below him the shop owners were opening their stores while the traffic gradually built up. People walked on the sidewalks though they resembled little dots to him. Slowly the city noises grew and drifted up to him but it didn't get any louder then a mere whisper from where he stood at great height.

Taking in a deep breath of cool, fresh air Ray closed his eyes and simply allowed the peaceful moment to surround him. It was funny; here he was thousands of miles away from home in a country he knew practically nothing of and whose events were not all too pleasant but he felt…comfortable. Something about this place attracted him and it was not the riches behind him in the penthouse.

A loud growl from his stomach alerted him that it had enough viewing and needed breakfast.

"I've been around Tyson way too long," he said with a smile. Kai had given him the go ahead to tell them and he would, after breakfast that is. But first he needed that warm bath that Ivan had drawn. The snow may have been mild but he was unused to it anyways and needed some heating up.

Giving the wakening city a final glance, he went back into his room.

The smell of frying bacon and eggs made his mouth water and he picked up the pace. He felt refreshed from his bath and after putting on his usual Chinese outfit and wrapping his hair, which went easier thanks to Saskia's treatment earlier, he headed downstairs, following the delicious smell. Luckily the kitchen was situated near the stairs so there was no risk in getting lost. Passing the study, whose doors were still closed, he stepped into the kitchen. The homely feeling he had gotten last night was much more noticeable with the streaming sunlight and activity.

A chubby lady with fiery red hair pulled into a bun high on her head stood with her back to him as she worked over the stove, humming merrily while expertly flipping pancakes, scrambling eggs and adding bacon slices to several frying pans all at once with practiced ease.

The counter next to her had two plates with toast, bowls of fruits and tall pitchers with milk and juices. Other plates and bowls held French toast, ham, waffles, yogurt, cereal and some other things that he could not name. Probably Russian dishes.

Saskia sat on a barstool, still in her nightgown, her little feet dangling a couple of feet above the ground, with her breakfast before her and a sketchpad next to her. She was eating porridge while watching the TV mounted on the wall next to the entrance where he stood. Her pink eyes fell on him and she smiled.

"Ray!"

The lady looked up from her cooking and followed the girl's stare. When she saw Ray she smiled also. Her eyed were almond shaped and jade green and she was a very beautiful lady despite her size. Wiping her hands on her apron she walked over to him and extended a hand.

"Good morning. You are Ray, yes?" Her English was perfect but her voice was accented.

"Yes, ma'am. Are you Natasia?"

"Ya. Come in, come in. You look very hungry. Healing bodies need nutrients, you know. What will you have?" She gestured to the large assortment of platters.

"Gosh, there so much." Ray didn't know where to start.

"Would you like to try my special chocolate chip pancakes with home made syrup and blue berry topping with a side dish of my fruit yogurt and whip cream?" She pointed her spatula to a tall stack of steaming pancakes and a large bowl of yogurt.

"Sure."

"Just take a seat. Anywhere is alright." She started to prepare his plate.

He took the chair next to Saskia who smiled and pushed her sketchpad, which looked way too heavy for her, towards him. She looked expectantly as he opened it.

"Whoa!" Ray stared disbelievingly at the child's work. Oliver would have loved to have these in his collection.

Flipping through the pages he came across amazing designs of buildings, parks and original arts that looked like they had come from a museum. Landmarks like the Eiffel tower in Paris and the Taj Mahal in India were colored in great detail. Animals ranging from household pets to wild horses and lions were caught in great poses and looked about ready to jump off the page.

One particular page stood out. This one had been drawn with grueling care and detailed lines and the right shading. It was a pencil painting of Kai who was in his usual meditative pose; eyes closed, arms crossed and leaning against a wall.

Turning the page he was surprised to see himself. The sketch was in its final stage of shading and it showed him sleeping, hair loose and all over his pillow while he lay on his back with his head to one side and an arm flung above his head. Scribbled beneath the sketch in a child's handwriting was 'Ray'. Saskia must have just added that after discovering his name.

"Impressive, is it not?" Natasia placed a large plate and a syrup dispenser before him.

"Saskia drew these? They're amazing."

"Miss Saskia had a photographic memory. This one here," she pointed with a chubby finger to a horse and chariot, "was drawn just last week but she had seen it when we had traveled to Rome four years ago."

"Cool."

"He loves it," Natasia said to the blue haired girl who beamed. "Now then, eat up. Your body needs the energy."

She placed two tall glasses, one with cold milk and one with apple juice beside his plate and a bowl of fruit and yogurt. Signing something to Saskia she waited as the girl thought it over before signing back. Picking up the child's empty plate she placed it in the dishwasher and handed her a bowl of warm pudding.

"This is very good." Ray said as he took another bite of the fluffy pancakes, relishing as the chocolate chips and warm, sweet syrup attacked over his taste buds. He had never tasted anything like it.

"It's Saskia's favorite." Natasia took a pause from her cooking and sipped at her coffee while watching the newsperson on TV. "Hmm, I knew it."

"Knew what?" Ray asked.

"The blizzard is very unstable. It could last all winter, or just a couple more days. The storm cloud is scattered and momentarily there is a open space in it which allows some clear days but also heavy snowfalls."

"Is it always like this?"

"No. It is actually very rare," Ivan said as he entered the room with something wrapped in paper that he placed on the bar near Ray. "Which is why you will find this rather useful."

Looking at the three Russians curiously, Ray opened the wrapping and gasped. A beautiful black coat lay folded within it. It was lined with real tiger fur! The elegant black patterns ran over the white fur and it was unbelievably soft. It was exactly his size and reached his ankles.

"Where did you...?" He was speechless.

"Master Kai ordered it for you. The cold can be very bad for healing wounds, you know. He had it made last night by the hotel's seamstresses," Ivan said while accepting his mug of coffee from Natasia.

"I can't...I can't accept this. It must have cost a lot."

"I told you yesterday; don't worry about the costs. You're going to need a new wardrobe while your here and that includes a coat," Kai said as he emerged from the corridor wearing sweat- pants and a simple shirt. A towel was slung over one shoulder and his hair was a bit damp so he must have just taken a bath. Surprisingly, he didn't have any face paint on, which made him look...different.

Saskia gave a small squeal of delight and jump off her chair, dragging her large sketchpad along. Standing on her toes, she held up the pad to Kai who studied it and smiled warmly at her.

'Looks like Ray had an interesting morning,' Kai thought to himself. He had felt it when Saskia had left his bed that morning and knew that her curiosity had gotten the best of her. The fact that they had a new guest staying with them had really intrigued her.

Ray had to blink. Kai? Smiling? Someone cue the X-files theme.

Saskia put the sketchpad on one of the chairs and held up her slender arms in a silent plea. Kai obliged and lifted her lithe figure to balance her on his hip. Content to be held in the strong arms, she laid her head on his shoulder, playing with a lock of damp hair.

'Kodak moment of the year,' Ray smiled to himself as he watched Kai exchange some words with Natasia before taking his seat opposite Ray, switching Saskia to his lap so she now laid against his chest. Natasia was preparing his breakfast while Ivan had disappeared to start with their rooms.

"Your sister is very cute Kai," Ray said as he picked up his bowl of fruits and yogurt.

"All little kids are," Kai replied neutrally though his eyes told that he agreed wholeheartedly.

"How old is she?"

"She turned eight a few months ago."

"Eight? I thought she was six. She so..." Ray held his tongue, not wanting to offend Kai.

"Small?" Kai offered while taking a sip of his coffee that Natasia had just placed before him.

"Well, yeah. No disrespect or anything like that though."

"None taken. It is true."

"It is the heart that counts," Natasia said as she came with Kai's breakfast, which was simply some eggs and toast and fruits. "And this little one has plenty of that to go around. If you will excuse me I will start with the chores. Leave the dishes on the counter and I will clean up."

With a cheery smile she bustled off to the living room.

Saskia gave Kai a hug and then moved over to the chair beside him to her sketchpad. Removing a pencil from a small pouch on the bar, she continued working on the Ray drawing she had made, swiftly and professionally shading his hair.

"That's amazing," Ray said as he watched the speed in which she finished off his bangs before going onto the rest of his hair. "When did you realize that she had such talent?"

Kai hesitated in answering for a few seconds, quickly thinking up a suitable but none-detailed answer. "She just started drawing one day. Guess she always had it."

They fell silent as they ate, the only sound was the soft scratching of Saskia's pencil and the metal clink of silverware. Kai read the newspaper while Ray watched his sister intently work on her latest project. Sometimes she would look up at him before looking back down and continuing.

A dark thought came to Ray and he shuddered.

"Hey Kai," he said softly though Saskia couldn't hear him anyway, "has she ever been in the Abbey?"

Kai's grip on the mug faltered and it landed with a loud clank on the bar. It didn't break or spill but the tension wasn't lost to Saskia who looked up worriedly at the two males.

"I'm sorry Kai, I didn't mean--"

"Don't mention that place here," Kai said through clenched teeth.

"Sorry." Ray lowered his eyes to his bowl.

'It's not his fault. He was just curious,' Kai's mind scolded him. He sighed.

"Just don't ask that again, okay? That's all behind in the past now." 'Liar,' his mind accused but he shook it away.

"Okay." However, he didn't think he could keep himself to that.

Kai looked at the clock that hung on the wall. Something after 9 a.m. Folding the newspaper to a certain page he handed it to Saskia who smiled when she saw the word puzzle he had given her. Biting the end of her pencil, she started to search out the words in the jumble of letters. Kai stood from his chair.

"I have some things to do. Here are the keys and cards that you'll need to get around the hotel and its attractions." He handed Ray a ring of keys and a wallet that held around twenty different cards. Pool, massage, game rooms, restaurants, Beyblade rooms. Ray picked up the last card. It had his picture and name on it along with his birthday and place of birth. An I.D.

"The hotel staff has already been informed that you are here so you will be able to access these places without having to pay."

"Thanks. Where are you going?"

"I have some things to do in town and want to do it before the snow hits again. Ivan brought some clothes for you to wear outside, sweaters and stuff like that. I'll be back at around 5. And don't leave the hotel," he warned as an afterthought.

"Why not?" Ray asked at the slightly cautioning tone in the teen's voice.

"The snow is unreliable. Saskia is not allowed outside without my permission or an adult accompanying her. And I don't want you risking your health. There are a lot of things to do here in the hotel, alright?" He had more serious reasons, but Ray didn't need to know them.

"If you say so," Ray responded, voice bordering between confusion and suspicion.

Kai leaned over and kissed Saskia on her hair before heading to his room to change.

"Just when you think you know someone." Ray finished his breakfast and placed all his and Saskia's plates and silverware neatly next to the sink.

Standing there he looked out the window.

"Now what?" he asked himself. He could explore the hotel but he didn't want to get lost...

A light tap on his hand made him look down at Saskia who held up her hands to him. Picking her up, he was surprised at how little she weighed.

"What do you do when you are alone?" he asked. She cocked her head to one side and he remembered to speak slower. He repeated his question slowly and she smiled.

"Go to park," she answered in English.

"Kai said your not allowed outside," he reminded her though she didn't need it.

"Park inside. Lots of birds and flowers. Want to see?" She was clearly eager to show him this little sanctuary she spoke of.

"Okay," he said with a toothy grin.

"I be ready in ten minutes." She wriggled out of his arms and ran out of the kitchen in the same direction Kai had gone a few minutes ago.

Being already dressed Ray walked out of the kitchen to where he heard Natasia humming as she cleaned the windows in the main lounge he had been in upon their arrival.

"Enjoyed your breakfast?" she asked as he sat down in a chair near to where she worked.

"Yes. It was the best. I really was hungry."

"Good, good. Never deny your stomach of something. Lunch is served at around 12 o'clock but you can always just take something from the fridge or go to one of the restaurants or cafes belonging to the hotel. Speaking of which, what are your plans for today?" she asked as she wrung out the water of the cloth before wiping it across the already speckles surface.

"Oh. Saskia wants to show me this indoor garden."

"The Utopian garden on the 38th floor? It's her own private paradise."

"Her private paradise?"

Natasia nodded.

"Mrs. Hiwatari planted every tree, bush and plant you will see there. She loved gardening. Everyday she would spend at least 3 hours in it, pruning and watering while she sang. She was such a lovely lady."

"What happened to her?" Ray was intrigued. All he knew about Kai's past was the fact that he had lived in the Abbey for several years and that his only other relative was his grandfather, the lord Voltaire.

"That's not for me to say. Master Kai will tell you when he feels ready." Natasia's eyes saddened a bit as she remembered the Hiwataris. "All I can say is that they were the perfect parents."

"They must have been. Their kids are really great," Ray offered and she smiled through her frown.

"They are, aren't they? They're perfect...Very perfect..." The last piece was said to herself but Ray's feline hearing picked it up easily. Still, he didn't say anything and she continued. "Since you are going to explore the hotel I think it is best if you go to the doctor. His closest office is located on the 40th floor. Just ask Saskia, she's knows the way."

"I'll do that." He would. A check-up, even one so soon, was welcomed.

A voice speaking in Russian came towards them and Kai and Saskia rounded the corner.

Kai wore once again his baggy pants and black top, now with a dark blue coat over it. His white scarf was tucked inside the coat. His blue face paint was back as was his 'annoy-me-and-die' aura and he was speaking in Russian to someone on his cell phone. In his other hand he held Saskia's tiny one as she skipped beside him.

Saskia had her hair combed neatly and held up in two long pigtails. Her pastel bangs and side tails bounced with each step she took. Her outfit consisted of a long-sleeved green turtleneck with a flower on the chest and a denim skirt that came just above her knees. On her feet she wore spotless white boots that reached just below her knees and had a small heel and platform beneath it. As always she carried her sketchpad and that mysterious little pouch.

When she saw Ray she hugged Kai's waist before taking hold of Ray's hand and leading him towards the door. Ray shot Kai an amused smile and he could see that despite his phone conversation, Kai was paying full attention to the two and a smile was tugging at the corner of his mouth. Natasia was chuckling as she went to empty the bucket outside.

Ray turned back and allowed his little guide to lead him to the elevators.

Tbc…

A/N: For those of you who think that Kai is a bit out of character (with how he acts around Saskia), I think so too. But I have just seen today's episode (Russian tournament; Ray vs. Bryan) and you can see that Kai is loosening up to the others a bit more with every episode so I not that off course. Besides, she is his little sister.

Read & Review, please.