…Chapter 2:

Explanations. (A/N: Oooh…)

The others looked back and forth between the two of them. Rei's eyes flashed with anger, but from what they had no idea. Alexis' eyes registered surprise and in the pale green depths a light trace of fear was visible.

"Alexis?" Mr. Dickenson called but she didn't seem to hear him. Her gaze was fixed on the Neko-Jin glaring at her.

"Rei. What are you doing here? I thought you went to England…" Her voice held nothing of the annoyance she had showed Tyson and Max earlier. Kai watched the exchange with mild amusement. He'd known she was trouble.

"I don't need your permission to be here, Lexi. But I would like to know why you're here."

She swallowed and after a moment seemed to collect herself. She sat upright and lifted her chin in defiance.

"Like you I also don't need permission! Stanley is my uncle so that gives me the right."

Rei stood up and clenched his fists.

"After what you did to me you don't even deserve to be here!" She stood up as well, her eyes flashing dangerously.

"What I did to you? What are you talking about? I didn't do anything!"

Digging in his pocket Rei pulled out his blade. He threw it at Alexis' feet and she lifted her one foot to prevent it from being hit. Driger stared up at her. "I think this is yours!" Rei bit out. "Take it! That is why you're here isn't it?"

She bent down and picked the silver blade up.

"What…? Why are you giving me Driger?"

Rei snorted.

"Don't play dumb Lexi. Two years ago you came back. And you've returned yet again! Stay away from me and Clair!" He turned on his heal and left the office. The others all watched in surprise. They had never seen Rei like that!

Kai stood up and took Driger out of her hand. She glared at him.

"Hey! That doesn't belong to you! Give it back!" She made to grab it but Kai moved away just in time.

"He isn't yours either. What the hell is going on?"

She simply glared harder and then turned to Mr. Dickenson. "I'm sorry uncle Stan. I didn't mean for this to happen."

"It's okay Alexis. But what is going on between you two? And how do you know each other?"

"And who is Clair?" Tyson asked with great interest. "Is it his girl friend?" Max's eyes shone with that news. Rei and a girl? Cool! (A/N: Notice the naïveness – I know that's not a word :P)

"No you idiot!" Alexis yelled. "Clair is his sister. Jeez…"

The room suddenly went quiet. Then Kai asked the question that they all wanted to ask.

"Rei has a sister?"

Alexis gave him a look. "Of course he has a sister." She frowned. "He didn't tell you?"

"No," Kai answered coldly. Alexis' frown deepened.

"Why not?" She looked at the door Rei had left through. 'Why has he kept her from his friends? It's not like him at all. And Driger…?' She glared at Kai again. "Fine! Keep Driger! I have other things to do anyway!" She ran out the room with Kai hot of her heals. He wasn't going to let her get away without an explanation.

"I guess…" Mr. Dickenson began, "that your adventures are never quite over are they? If I'd known Alexis would cause this I would have left her at the hotel."

"Hey Mr. D?" Tyson asked. "What happened two years ago? Where was Alexis?"

"Two years ago? Well…let me think about that. It was quite a long time ago. She went to China I think. Yes! She was invited to beyblade in a small tournament. Uh…"

"You think she met Rei there then?" Max asked and Tyson nodded slowly.

"She must've. But Rei has a sister! I didn't know that. Why didn't he tell us?"

"He told me."

Both boys looked at the old man with wide eyes. Tyson scratched his head in confusion.

"He did? What did he say?"

"Well he asked me if I could help him with something. I said I would try and so he explained everything about his sister. I'm not sure how old she is but she's young – much younger than any of you."

"What did he want your help for?" Max was quite curious.

"He asked if I would help him fund her needs. Like food and rent for the apartment she's staying at."

"OK!" Tyson said holding up his hand to silence him. "Rei said that he knew Alexis before two years ago."

Mr. Dickenson shook his head.

"I'm sorry. I don't know anything about that. All I know is that she went to China two years ago to battle. When she came back she didn't mention anything. She only said it was fun!"

"Weird…" Max murmured. They all nodded in agreement.

Kai was walking beside Alexis. Her expression was serious and she appeared to be on a mission. He rolled his eyes and pocketed Rei's blade.

"So tell me. What did you do two years ago? Why does your presence anger Rei so much?"

"It has absolutely nothing to do with you! And why are you following me?"

"Because I don't trust you and Rei is my friend." He paused. "Tell me a bit about Clair."

She stopped, as did he, and stared at him. "You're sure he didn't tell you about her? I mean she means the world to him!"

"Well he failed to mention her to us. Some brother he is too. He spends most of his time with us. Who's looking after her?"

Alexis shook her head and continued walking. Kai followed her yet again. They walked for a few blocks before she suddenly stopped. He nearly collided with her and was about to yell at her for not warning him. But he stopped when he saw her staring ahead at something. He followed her gaze, his eyes widening at what he saw.

"Rei…" He heard Alexis whisper and began to wonder about her real feelings for the Neko-Jin.

Rei was kneeling down on the ground before a bench, tying a little girl's shoelaces. She was cute and resembled Rei in some way. Her hair was dark and long, pulled into two pigtails with two small pieces hanging in front of her eyes. She was dressed in long black pants and a dark green sweater. She was smiling, as was Rei.

"She's grown so much since I last saw her," Alexis whispered and smiled. "She must be around five now. She looks just like her brother."

Kai raised a brow. She was right. They were obviously related. Clair. Clair Kon. How sweet.

"Rei!" Alexis yelled and Kai winced. Rei looked over at them and sighed. Clair squealed and jumped off the bench.

"Lexi!" she cried as she ran straight for the young girl. Alexis knelt down and embraced the small child, who hugged back just as eagerly. Rei stood up and watched. A small smile ghosted its way onto his face as he watched his sister.

"You remember me?" Alexis asked. Clair nodded. Kai noticed she had blue eyes, more piercing than Tala's! They were sharp and clear and held a hint of mischief.

"Yes! Rei said you'd come back!" Her young voice was laced with happiness and excitement. "You take forever!"

Alexis laughed.

"I'm sorry shrimp. I was busy. But I'm here now!"

"And you're not leaving! Ever!" Clair declared before running back to Rei who scooped her up into his arms and held her close against his chest. Kai watched this with admiration. Rei was many things (good things o\/o). But the trait that stood out most was his protectiveness of the things that belonged to him. Kai knew Clair would always be safe as long as her big brother was around.

Rei started towards them.

"Lexi. You're following me now?" His voice was kind but it was obvious he was feeling anything but kindness. He was faking his feelings for Clair's sake, who remained oblivious to the real friction between the two.

"No. I was walking this way when I saw you."

Rei forced a smile and looked at Clair who was staring at Kai. He laughed softly.

"Clair. This is Kai. Remember? I told you about him?"

She nodded and bit her lip.

"He looks nicer than the pictures," she voiced sweetly and smiled. She then whispered to Rei, "I like him."

Kai smiled. Rei did as well. "Looks like you have another fan, Kai."

Clair blushed lightly and Rei laughed, hugging her small body tightly. (A/N: Hey! I'm a poet now.) He sent a soft glare Alexis' way before closing his eyes. 'Why have you returned? Why do you want to hurt me?'

Lunartigergurl: Hey! It's just me today. Thank you for reviewing. It meant a lot ((sniff sniff)).

What did you think of Alexis? I'm trying to make her weird. Is it working? She's got like a split personality thing going on. One minute she's cold and glaring away at anything. Then she's calm and confused or smiling like there's no tomorrow! And Clair? I love her to death! She's mine! As is Alexis! Rei giving Driger to Alexis will explain itself in the next chapter. Don't worry…

Info: Alexis Kournikova – I know she's Mr. Dickenson's niece but think about it. Mr. Dickenson's sister married a Russian man and therefore changed her name. Duh! ((Besides. Alexis Dickenson sounds stupid!)) She's like seventeen, the same age as Rei ♥ and Kai. ((The two sexiest men in the world are the same age! Though Rei ♥ is a few months younger than Kai.)) Alexis is weird which I'm sure you've gathered. And she's not too fond of Rei ♥. But she loves Clair! I mean who wouldn't? She's five and like a miniature version of Rei ♥ only more feminine. And her eyes are blue. Think of Tala's eyes in season 1 but more intense! Even for her age Clair has the power to glare at people. But she doesn't glare much because Rei ♥ says it's rude. And Clair always listens to her big brother!