Yeah! This one is back to it's normal, long-ish length: )

Thank so much to Apple Senorita for giving such a nice review! I love your name!

Also thanks to Tomb Mistresses! Are there more than one of you? With the plural name and all...Anyway, sorry again for the short chapter. I thought it would be better to end it there. : )

I don't own Beyblade. Enjoy!

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" What? I don't know you very well but you do seem like the teasing type. Now, end the joke and eat your soup." Aya firmly set down a steaming bowl of aromatic soup.

" I am sorry that I do not remember you, but I assure you, I am not joking. My name is Yuri Ivanov and I would like to return home soon." The young man in the doorway spoke politely.

Aya carefully searched the boy's face for any signs of deceit. After a long moment of silence, Aya sat down in a kitchen chair. " You're really serious, huh? Well, why don't you eat up before we figure out what to do. I'll get your clothes from the dryer. By the way, my name's Aya Karishnikov." Aya called back as she got up and walked down the basement steps. 'Yuri' blinked and awkwardly sat in front of his bowl, wincing from the stabs of pain at his temples.

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" Are you ready?" Aya called from the front door, pulling her own shoes on. Yuri appeared at the top of the stairs, dressed in a very un-Tala fashion. His jeans were faded and he had carefully buttoned all the buttons on his red plaid shirt.

" Yes." Yuri smiled as he walked down the stairs and slipped his feet into old sneakers.

Despite herself, Aya raised her eyebrows at the complete change in personality.

" What?" Yuri smiled lopsidedly in confusion at Aya's expression.

" Nothing. Now, I think it's a bit late to catch the bus. Could you drive?" Aya requested timidly.

" Sure. I'm sorry if I made you late." Yuri's tentative smile grew into an apologetic grin.

" That's okay. Come on, your doctor's waiting!" Aya winked.

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" It appears that your friend has amnesia." The elderly doctor sighed, pushing his glasses up his nose. " It's probably from the head injury. Now, your friend can remember certain things, but he seems to have created an alternate personality for himself."

Aya nodded fervently. " And how can you fix it?"

" Well, I'm afraid you're just going to have to ride it out. He might recover his memory by himself and he might not."

" Okay, thank you." Aya smiled and walked over to where Yuri sat in a plastic chair. He stood up when he saw her.

" So, what's the verdict?" Yuri grinned nervously, running a hand through his hair.

" You've got amnesia." Aya sighed.
" Figures." Yuri walked over and opened the door for Aya as they left the hospital.

" Before I send you home, can I go to my house first? I want to see my mother." Yuri asked as he and Aya got into the car. " By the way, if you don't mind me asking, where are your-uh…parents?"

" My dad's an ambassador and my mum travels with him. They're in a war zone now so they put me here." Aya shrugged carelessly, positive her parents were alright.

They pulled up in front of a huge, sprawling mansion, the kind you find in magazines. The building was surrounded by fresh green space farther than the eye could see and had flowers growing in an artfully casual design.

" Wow…you live here?" Aya's eyes widened to their limit as she took it all in. She'd heard that 'Yuri' was rich but geez! Rich was an understatement! It wasn't just the grounds that were beautiful. The house was made of large, smooth white stones and the roof was shingled with dark grey. There were many large windows and Aya could spy at least three balconies.

" Yep. At least, I think so." Yuri furrowed his brow in doubt as he walked up the paved driveway. He stopped in front of the pale aspen doors, contemplating if he should try to go in.

" Come on. What have you got to lose?" Aya caught up to Yuri and smiled reassuringly.

" You're right." Yuri grinned and pulled a key on a chain out of his pant pocket.

" The moment of truth!" He carefully eased the key into the keyhole. It fit. Yuri and Aya looked at each other in barely suppressed excitement. Yuri carefully turned the key, feeling his heart speed up at the soft click. He turned the doorknob and entered the lobby. The lights flickered on as Aya found a switch.

" Hello?" Yuri called out. His heart sank when he spotted a piece of paper pinned to the stairs. It read:

Dear Yuri, I hope you enjoy your time at Kai's house. Unfortunately, I have left to be with my parents. It is too dangerous here. I know you'll be safe.

Love,
Mother

Yuri sighed, putting down the note. He had really wanted to meet his mom.

" Is this your family?" Yuri turned around at the sound of Aya's voice. The silvery-haired girl held up an elegant silver picture frame with a photo of a smiling family inside. The boy was clearly a younger 'Yuri'. The woman had a gentle look on her face, azure eyes sparkling. The man in the photo was handsome, but his smile was more like a sneer than anything else.

Yuri walked over and took the photo. He ran his fingers across the woman's face and her blond hair. " Yes, this is my mother."

Aya looked at the redheaded boy in wonder. She'd never seen 'Yuri' so…tender. His eyes shone with unshed tears. She was so wrapped up in the difference in 'Yuri's' expression that it shocked her extremely when his eyes hardened like diamonds and his pupils contracted into mere slits. Yuri had set his eyes upon the 'smiling' man next to his mother. His lips curled into a silent snarl. Even in the photo the man seemed to taunt him. His hands clenched into fists. The one holding the frame clutched it so tightly that the glass cracked.

" Y-Yuri?" Aya came closer and tentatively touched the redhead's arm.

" What?" Yuri growled in an almost beast-like rumble.

" Um…ah…Are…are you alright?" Aya backed up, just in case.

Yuri sighed and appeared to return to normal. " I'm sorry…I-I can't describe it, but I…just get so angry when I see my…my father." Yuri whispered the last word, setting down the photo. " And I can't even remember why!" He collapsed on the first step of the stairs, his head in his hands.

" Hey, it's okay. You'll remember." Aya sat down next to Yuri, awkwardly putting her hand on his shoulder.

Yuri raised his head, tears no longer unshed. " I suppose you're right. Well, thank you for all your help. Goodnight. Oh! Wait! I'll drive you home! I have your car after all." He jumped up, putting on a smile.

Aya laughed, standing as well.

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