Lady obsessed: Wow. I actually got some reviews and they were good too. YAY!!! Thanks. Also, V-Force has started over so I can watch it from the beginning, which is great. One last thing. I dunno why but my text got a messed up halfway through and the speech didn't get put on a new line. I'll try to make sure that doesn't happen again. Okay, I'll get on with it now.

Disclaimer - I don't own Beyblade but I DO own Appolene.

Appolene?

"No! Go away!"

The slate-haired boy turned in the direction of the cry. It had come from the other side of the road. He immediately headed in that direction, curious to know what it was.

"Stop it! Leave me alone!" The girl wept, backing into the wall.

"Don't be such a little cry-baby," a boy with black hair jeered. "Give us the money!"

"No! It's mine!"

The little girl's big blue eyes were brimming with tears and the gang of boys advanced on her. The slate-haired boy saw them. The terror in the little girl's face made him angry though he wasn't sure why. He raised his beyblade launcher.

"Let it rip!" He yelled and sent his blue blade spinning across the road.

It shot straight at the black-haired boy, who seemed to be the gang's leader, and tripped him up. It then turned and charged at the others and knocked them down too. The slate-haired boy had crossed the road and caught his beyblade. He stood in front of the girl.

"Get lost!" He growled.

The leader glared up at him.

What if we don't wanna? What you gonna do about it?"

The boy raised his launcher again and aimed it at the leader's head.

"If you don't get out of here, I'll fire this again."

The leader simply laughed and stood up. He was quite a bit bigger than the slate-haired boy. He folded his arms and raised one eyebrow, grinning.

"Come on then. Give it your best shot."

Around him, the other boys were laughing as well. The boy gritted his teeth and launched his blade for a second time. It hit the laughing boy square between the eyes, dazing him. He fell backwards. The blade spun to face the rest of the gang who quickly scarpered at the sight of it. When they were gone, the blade returned to the boy's hand. He turned to go but felt something tug on his jacket. Turning, he saw the little girl. Her hand had hold of him and her eyes were full of what looked like adoration.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

The boy shrugged.

"Don't worry about it."

He made to walk off again but the girl still had hold of him. He frowned at her.

"Let go," he said severely.

She didn't seem fazed by his tone. She didn't let go either. Instead she pointed to the beyblade.

"What's that?" She asked him.

"It's a beyblade. What's it look like?" He said, his tone irritable. He tried to tug himself free but her grip was unusually strong.

She looked up at him, puzzled.

"You don't know what a beyblade is? Are you stupid?" He demanded, turning to face her.

Her face creased up. She looked like she was going to cry again. Her hand released his jacket and fell limply at her side. The boy knew he could get away from her now but for some reason, his feet wouldn't move. Instead he put his arm around her.

"I'm sorry," he heard himself saying in a tone that was too comforting for his liking. "I didn't mean that."

The girl sniffed and blinked up at him. Her face was wet from the tears she had cried earlier. He brushed them away with his hand and tugged at one her little brown braids. She giggled and wiped her eyes. He smiled. That was better. She looked a lot prettier when she laughed. Hang on! What was he thinking? He recoiled slightly from the girl. Her face fell once more. He instantly felt guilty. What was wrong with him? Why did this girl's feelings matter to him?

"Sorry," he said.

The girl smiled and then reached for his beyblade. He instinctively held it out of reach but she leant across him and grabbed his arm so he couldn't move it. He frowned at her as she took it from his hand and turned it over in hers.

"A beyblade?" She said quietly.

"That's what I said it was," he replied.

"How does it work?"

The boy shook his head but proceeded to show her the weight disc, the attack ring, the blade base and the spin gear. She listened intently and ran her fingers over each piece as he described how it worked. He glanced at her. Her eyes were wide as though they were studying every inch of his blade. He was impressed. She seemed really interested.

Why do you care, he heard someone hiss abruptly. She's just a silly little girl.

He frowned slightly but pushed the phoenix's comment aside. Be quiet, he commanded.

She's a silly little girl. Why did you help her in the first place?

She was in trouble.

So?

So, I wanted to help her. She was outnumbered. If it had been one on one between her and someone her size then sure, I'd have left her alone.

Would you?

Yes...

The phoenix's smirk appeared across his mind. You're going soft.

I'm not! He thought angrily. He stood up so unexpectedly and snatched the blade away from the girl that she was taken quite by surprise. He hurried off, leaving her sitting there. He could feel her watching him yet she didn't follow. Turning the corner, he slumped against the wall.

"See. I'm not soft," he growled.

So you say, the phoenix replied.

The boy stared at the pavement and then without thinking, peered around the wall. She had gone.

Softie, the phoenix hissed and then said no more.

He saw her again but it wasn't until a few days later. She was sitting on the grass in the park. He hesitated and considered walking the other way. The phoenix was encouraging him to but in the end he ignored it. Again, he wasn't sure what made him do it. She saw him coming and stared at him. He raised his hand to wave but stopped himself. He wasn't going to be too friendly.

"Hello," he said softly.

She said nothing. She only stared at him. He felt his insides twisting under her gaze.

Again he heard himself saying something he never would have said in a tone that he wasn't used to. "I'm sorry I left you yesterday."

She continued to stare at him. He moved closer to her and her eyes followed him. What was she looking at? Why didn't she say anything?

"I-I had to go somewhere," he continued.

Liar, the phoenix called but he pretended not to hear it.

He waited for her to reply. She said nothing but he saw her eyes relaxing their stare a little. He made an attempt to smile but then didn't. She stood up.

"Show me the beyblade," she said quietly.

No! The phoenix said defiantly. You are not to show it to her again.

"You've seen it," he protested.

"Please."

"No."

"I want to watch you," she said. "Please?"

He felt himself weakening again.

Softie! The phoenix jeered at him.

"Why do you want to watch me?" He asked her.

"I don't have one. So I want to watch you. It's almost the same."

"Well..."

His hand was reaching for his pocket.

Best blader around has gone soft!

No I haven't!

He shook his head.

"No."

He turned away from her. He was letting his defences down again. He wasn't going to allow himself to. He quickly changed the subject.

"What's your name?" He asked.

She blinked at him and considered for a minute. Then she smiled at him.

"Appolene."

"What a funny name," he said.

"It's not. It's a good name," she said. "It means 'Sun'."

"Does it really?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.

She nodded and once more he nearly smiled. "Well, it suits you," he said.

She beamed at him and her face seemed to shine. Just like the sun, he thought.

He heard the phoenix tutting in his head. Shut up feather brain, he added coldly before blocking the phoenix from his mind.

He was only supposed to be staying here for a few days. Today was the last one before he went back to Russia. He waited anxiously on a bench, a package clasped in his hands.

What are you doing? The phoenix's voice crept into his mind.

You know what I'm doing, he thought angrily.

Yes I do. You're making a gesture that only softies make. You are really letting me down.

He frowned. I'm not going soft I'm- It's just- He couldn't think of an excuse.

The phoenix was smirking again. Here she comes.

He looked up to see Appolene coming towards him, her little brown braids bouncing and tied in two brightly coloured ribbons. He stood up, feeling a little embarrassed.

Softie, the phoenix cooed unsympathetically as she reached him.

He shook his head and held the package out awkwardly out to her. She stared at it.

"It's for you," he said hurriedly. "It's a present."

"It's not my birthday," she replied, taking it in her hands.

He scratched the back of his head nervously.

"Yeah but-but I'm leaving today," he explained.

He saw her eyes fill with sadness.

"Why?"

"I have to go home. To Russia. Open it."

She sat down on the bench and gently pulled the wrappings off. Her eyes widened as a blue beyblade fell out into her lap. She gazed up at him.

"For me?"

"Yeah. You said you wanted one. Don't you like it?"

She picked it up and held it to her. Her face had become flushed.

"It's wonderful," she whispered.

She then threw her arms around him before he could make any objections.

"Thank you!" She cried, hugging him.

He tensed up as she did so.

Don't let her do that! The phoenix objected. But he ignored it and instead put his arms around her to hug her back. Ah well. He could be a softie, just this once.

Then he heard Appolene say something.

"What?"

"I said, 'You never told me your name.'"

Don't- the phoenix began but he cut him off.

"It's Kai. Kai Hiwatari," he replied.

She buried her face into his shoulder.

"I'm gonna miss you Kai Hiwatari," she murmured.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Kai stared at the peculiar girl that was standing before him and Tyson. She had just said her name was Appolene. It couldn't be the same person...could it? He narrowed his eyes. She smiled.

"You still don't recognise me. Well, how about this then?"

She reached into her pocket and pulled out the blue beyblade he had watched her battle with only moments ago. She held it out to him.

"Go on. Have a look."

He snatched it from her. She stood with her hands on her hips as he looked it over. There was no doubt about it. This was the blade he had given that little girl nine years ago. So that meant...

The girl looked triumphant as he raised his gaze to hers.

"What are you doing here?" He asked.

"I'm here for the tournament of course. Just like you. I'm number one in my region so I get to participate in the Nationals and I've been training exceptionally hard ever since I found out you were coming."

"You knew?" Tyson said. "But I thought Julia told us nobody knew that we were coming."

"Nobody else does. But that's not something she could hide from me. I can be a very persuasive person y'know," Appolene replied. "And it's such useful information. I've seen you guys battle so I reckon it's gonna be a tough competition but then again, who doesn't love a challenge?"

"We haven't said we'd enter yet," Kai stated. "We're just the special guests."

"Oh. I know you will," Appolene said. "Or at least he will." She pointed at Tyson. "He never passes up a beybattle."

Tyson nodded.

"You got that right. I'm World Champion and I'm gonna win this whole tournament."

Appolene rolled her eyes and ignored him. She glanced at her watch.

"You guys should be heading back to your lodge. Mum said she'd be going there about now to give you a tour of the site."

"Here they are," Max said as Tyson and Kai came through the door.

"What took you so long Tyson?" Hilary demanded, scowling. "We've been waiting here ages."

"Oh. I am so sorry your Royal Highness," Tyson said, giving a mocking bow. "Only it took quite a while to find Kai and when I did he was with this girl. How will I ever make up for what I have done oh Mighty Queen?"

Hilary's face went red and she raised an arm to hit Tyson but Ray caught it in time. Tyson grinned and stuck his tongue out at Hilary. He then spotted Julia sitting on the sofa, a cup of coffee in her hands.

"Sorry," he apologised to her, "but like I said, it took a long time to find Kai."

"That's quite all right Tyson," Julia smiled.

"Did you say he was with a girl?" Max asked.

"Yeah. She was really weird and she kicked me." Tyson grinned. "She's just like Hilary. Maybe they're twins."

"TYSON!"

"Heh heh heh."

"Please calm down, Hilary," Julia said pleadingly.

"It's Tyson's fault Mrs Waters," Kenny explained. "It's his provocation that sets her off. She's not always like this."

"Thank you Kenny," Hilary smiled.

"She's nice," Kenny continued, "on rare occasions."

"GRR! LEMME AT HIM!" Hilary bellowed.

Ray held her tightly as she tried to get at Kenny who was now laughing hysterically.

"What's going on in here?" A voice asked.

They all looked round to see Appolene who had just appeared in the room.

"Oh. Look, it's Hilary's twin," Tyson remarked.

"This is that girl you mentioned earlier?" Kenny enquired.

"Yep, the weird one."

"What did you say?" Appolene growled, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

"Nothing. I didn't say a thing," Tyson said hurriedly, shaking his head and ducking behind Julia.

"You sure you didn't say I was weird?"

"Nuh uh. No way. Why would I say that? Not if it means you're gonna hurt me again."

Julia was frowning as Tyson cowered behind her.

"I see you found them then?" She said.

Appolene grinned.

"Well, they found me. Or Kai did. I was training with some kid and he heard us. I think that's why he was there anyway," she replied, glancing at Kai who simply shrugged. "But even if he hadn't, I'd have headed here after the battle was over."

Julia shook her head and smiled. Kenny looked at her quizzically and then turned to Julia.

"You said no one knew about us being here."

"Well, they don't but it's not exactly an easy thing to keep from her. She's a big fan of yours and got it out of me. She's very persuasive."

Appolene shot Tyson a glance. See. Julia stood up.

"All right. Now that we're all here, we can go on our tour of the site and the stadium where the tournament is held. Okay."

"Sounds great," everyone agreed.

Lady obsessed: And so ends chapter 2. What do you think? I felt that it sorta deteriorated near the end. I liked my flashback though. It was a flashback in case that wasn't clear. A flashback from told from Kai's point of view in the third person. He's friendlier then because he's about six or seven and is slightly easier for Dranzer to manipulate. Now he's older, it's different as it will show in later chapters. Anyway, please review.