To lilshadowangel: thanks for your review! Of course I'll keep going…!

Disclaimer: I do not own any Beyblade characters (much as I'd like to) but I do own Chris Mikasuke, so NO ONE take her without my permission!

CHAPTER 2

Chris wandered leisurely along the corridor, glancing at the numbers above the classroom doors. 45…46…47…48. She stopped in front of the wooden door, glanced at her watch, and waited. Stifling a yawn, she heard the teacher calming the class down inside.

"Class, as you know, today we have a new student."

There was a murmur of assent. Tala sat at the very edge of his seat, looking around.

"Where is she?" he hissed.

"Shut up, Valkov." Bryan muttered, shooting the redhead a glare.

"Please try and be friendly, as it's her first time here, obviously." Mrs Kindle crossed the classroom and opened the door, beckoning someone inside. The class fell silent, surveying the newcomer.

"She's not half bad…" Tala whispered in approval to Kai. Kai rolled his eyes and snorted, but looked up all the same.

She was small; even from the back of the class he could see that. Not too small, about a head and a bit shorter than him. She had tanned skin and midnight blue hair that was currently falling long and loose over her back. Kai ignored her slight, athletic frame for the moment and concentrated on her face. It interested him. It was delicately shaped and nicely coloured, but the expression on it was defiant, curious, amused and bored all at the same time. He smiled slightly to himself. It was the face of a beyblader.

"Well, I'm sure you'll all welcome Chris here," Mrs Kindle said, laying a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Is there a spare seat next to anyone?"

Several boys' hands had risen hopefully in the air, but someone else beat them to it.

"Here, Mrs Kindle!"

Kai made a mental note to kill Tala again after registration. Trust him to secure the only seat free.

"Very well, thank you Tala." Mrs Kindle beamed at the innocent-looking redhead. "Chris, if you'd like to take a seat next to Tala."

The girl nodded and walked down the aisle. She sat down in the seat and from then on proceeded to bluntly snub the redhead sitting next to her.

"Hey, I'm Tala." He said, treating her to his best smile. Chris looked at him.

"I guessed." She replied dryly.

Tala blinked. Obviously there were girls oblivious to his charm.

"Do you blade?" he asked, switching the subject. Kai listened in. Finally that doofus had the brain cells to ask an interesting question.

"Of course." At last, a smile appeared on her face. "Best in my hometown."

"Really?" another voice drifted into their conversation. "I'll have to check that out sometime."

Even Kai's head turned. A ginger-haired boy was standing just in front of Chris's desk, smiling coolly. His bright blue eyes, not unlike Tala's, were fixed interestedly on Chris's face.

"Get lost, Brooklyn." Tala snapped, glaring at him.

"Now, now, cousin," Brooklyn smirked. "I was only saying hello to your pretty friend over here."

Chris stole a glance around the class. There was a particular group of girls by the window, wearing short skirts and make-up, who were all glaring at her. She frowned slightly. Who did she hate more, the class bimbo or that playboy in front of her? Unable to decide, Chris decided to get rid of the immediate annoyance.

"Whatever." She cut Brooklyn off. "Now go away." The boy was still smiling, but only Kai and Tala could see the angry glint in his aqua eyes.

"Careful where you step, Mikasuke." He said, deceptively calm.

"Ditto." She snapped. She tilted her chin up, staring at him squarely in the eyes. "Don't mess with me, Kingston."

"I seem to recall saying something along those lines to you." He said coolly. "Last year, in a certain tournament…" his smirk widened. "And look what happened." He brushed a finger swiftly down the side of the girl's neck.

Chris flinched, but caught Brooklyn's wrist as he pulled it back, twisting it forcefully. She stood up.

"Don't – touch – me." She snarled, crimson eyes blazing with fury. Brooklyn's jaw went rigid, but other than that, he gave no other indication that it hurt. They stood, eye-to-eye for a while longer, until suddenly, the bell rang for the beginning of school. Reluctantly, Chris let go.

"You'll pay for that one, Kingston." She said, smiling humourlessly. "You will pay." Brooklyn stalked off. A silence fell upon Kai, Tala and Chris as they walked out of the door.

"You're going to have to be careful." Tala said at last, as they headed to their next lesson.

"About what?" she said abruptly.

"My…cousin." He replied, a disgusted edge to his voice.

"I'm not worried." She smiled wryly. She turned her head to speak to Tala, and as she did so, Kai took his chance to see why Brooklyn had touched her neck.

Her dark blue hair swept back a little, and revealed a long, diagonal scar that started below her ear and disappeared underneath her collar. Chris caught him staring.

"I owe him one." She said, a little stiffly. Her crimson eyes hardened, and she didn't say anymore; and neither did Kai push her to. He understood.

Wasn't that long, was it? Come on people, R&R! It's getting more interesting as the chapters go on – I don't have the knack of writing brilliant beginnings. I promise you, FLUFFINESS IS COMING. Hey, I'm a Deranged Cat Girl. Who knows what else is coming!