If at first you don't succeed, try Kai again!

Chapter 3

After a few good long seconds of the G-Rev's gaping at their miniature captain, Tyson finally stopped staring and broke into a big grin.

"Kai...you're a baby! Seriously! That's so badass! But...you're a CUTE baby! You're not cute! That's just wrong! I mean, everybody knows that Max is the cute one! And Rei when he does the sad kitten eyes!"

Rei placed a hand over Tyson's mouth. "Shut up." The tiger ordered, flatly. Kai gazed up at them timidly, half bewildered half curious. "R...Rei san?" Everybody turned toward the little boy, who had just stuttered the words. Rei's gaze softened and he removed his hand from the dragoon keeper's gargantuan mouth.

Kai began to take tiny steps toward the Chinese blader, wobbling a little with each step. Seeing this, Rei swiftly picked up his now little friend. "Hey. Are you OK, Kai?" he questioned. Receiving a nod from the chibi phoenix, Rei continued.

"Do you remember us?" Kai looked around at the other bladers, very confused. "Wh...Who are they, Rei san?" Kenny frowned. "Why does he only remember you?" the technician asked, confused.

Tyson pouted "No fair! Kai should remember me! His great rival!" Ranted on until Max elbowed him in the ribs. "Mmmm...Ribs..." Tyson thought then shook his head. "Focus!" he berated himself. Rei turned to Kai in his arms and smiled kindly. "The blonde boy here is Max." he introduced.

Max stepped toward Kai, gently patting his head. "Hi there Kai!" The Draciel keeper greeted and was met with a polite but shy nod from the toddler. Rei turned again, "The kid there with the computer is Kenny!" Kenny smiled and nodded his head in a friendly gesture. Once again, Kai nodded back shyly.

"The short one is Daichi." Rei gestured clearly. Daichi pouted, hated being called short. Ignoring him, Rei finished "And that loud boy is Tyson!" Tyson grinned happily at his chibi captain "Oh yeah! Best for last! Great to see you Kai!" Kai nodded a third time but shrank back a little, perturbed by the guy's over enthusiasm.

Suddenly, the phone rang.

"I'll get it." Rei offered. Gently, he set Kai down on his bed. Kai looked a little sad at being left but said nothing and gazed at Rei and the...other four. Rei picked up the phone after three rings "Hello?" the tiger politely addressed.

"Hiya Rei! It's me Mariah!"

Rei froze; bit his lip with sharp fangs "Shit fuck!" his mind screamed frantically "I forgot they were coming over for a practise match!" Kai began to see Rei's distress and his naïve four year old mind told him that someone had said something bad to Uncle Rei. The toddler began to whimper and a few tears rolled down his blue cheeks. As he sobbed quietly, Mariah was puzzled.

"Rei, are you still there? Who's crying?" Panic crossed the G-Rev's faces as Max and Tyson's attempts to calm Kai proved futile. "Er...just a sec!" Rei exclaimed, covering up the phone without waiting for the affirmative.

"Guys that was Mariah! Help me explain!" Daichi stomped over, "Just tell the bitch to get lost!" Rei smacked Daichi over the head "I can't do that, she's my girlfriend! I forgot the White Tigers are coming over for a practise match! And she heard Kai cry!" Rei finished, finally catching his breath.

"He's still crying, you guys!" Max replied. Rei passed the phone to an alarmed Kenny and began to shush Kai. Kai felt confused, he just wasn't sure of anything right now. But he eventually fell silent, clutching at his pillow. Rei snatched the phone "Sorry about that, sweetie!" Rei decided to go for the complimenting strategy in hopes that she would forget the four year old's cries.

"Oh, that's OK love! Anyway, Lee said we'll be over in about an hour! I'll be counting the minutes, my sexy tiger!" Mariah purred. Rei stuttered, a little nervous, he knew that whenever Mariah said something like that, she wanted a compliment in return. Sadly, compliments didn't come to him as naturally as usual in this most manic of times. Quickly he turned to his teammates.

"Quick, help me think of a compliment for Mariah!" He snapped. Tyson, whom was trying to get Kai's attention asked "Um, why?" Rei frowned, "Just do it!" He bit back, fingers clicking rapidly. "Er...you have an awesome rack?" Daichi offered. Rei frowned "NO!"

"Ummm...tell her you like how she's done her hair!" Tyson suggested. Dizzi replied "Rei can't see Mariah through the phone, genius." Marian was growing a little concerned "Rei, are you OK?" Rei clenched his fist and answered in a panic "Y-yes darling! I'm perfectly alright! I uh...can't wait to see your gorgeous eyes! Y-yeah!" Mariah was too dazzled about Rei complimenting her eyes to notice his frantic tone and stuttering in his speech.

"See you in an hour!" She said, happily and hung up. Rei put down the phone and went to sit next to Kai. The experience just about caused Rei to have something very close to a heart attack. Kai blinked at the tiger, confused "Who were you talking, Rei? And why did they seem to scare you?"

Rei glanced at the little phoenix. "In an hour Kai...you'll understand."

000

Dranzer strongly flapped her red wings. She felt satisfied that she'd done what she had to. But now Dranzer would have to report back to the other three sacred spirits. Swiftly, she entered the portal to the bit beast realm.

Instantly, she clucked with disapproval.

Dragoon and Draciel were arguing. Again. Dranzer shook her head. "Welcome back." Came the booming voice of Driger. Dranzer nodded, "So...what's happened here then?" She asked, already a little irritated. Dragoon turned to face the phoenix "What happened was that I tried to get Draciel to apologise for shoving me in a practise match!" The dragon argued. Draciel responded "It was a battle! That's what happens in battle, you retard!" Dranzer sighed mentally; Dragoon's keeper was beginning to rub off on him.

Driger interrupted "You guys! That was three weeks ago! Get over it!" Dragon and Turtle glared at the tiger furiously. Strange how these two instantly join forces if a third party were to enter one of their fights. "Oh, I'm sorry, Mister I-still-rage-at-falborg-and-his-master!" Draciel snarled.

Driger growled "That's different! They tried to kill me and my master! And I'm not the only one, either." He then glared at Dranzer who just wanted the childish argument to end. "Fine, whatever. Can we please move on?" Grudgingly, the three complied.

"OK! I have a question. Why is Galux's mistress so suggestive toward my master?" Driger pondered. Dragoon gave a toothy grin "Riiight. Like you've never hit on Galux at all!" He answered sarcastically.

"And the banter begins again." Dranzer thought. She thought wistfully of her master. Hoping he was safe, Dranzer silently prayed for him. "But then again...I suppose it is good to be home." She murmured, casting irritated yet fond glances at the three sacred spirits arguing in front of her.

...

Hi again guys! First of all thankies very much to Silverclaw the destined, Kat-Koshkova, Neko-Akira-Chan and Suzanne (anonymous) for reviewing chapter 2! Your reviews really encouraged me to write more : )

And also a note about future updates:

The reason that I've been updating fast is because I've had a week off school but sadly all good things must come to an end. : (

So from now on I'll probably only be able to update on weekends (maybe not this weekend, but next weekend for sure!)

I hope u all liked and please, please, please review even if its super short like Daichi! Reviews make me happy and a happy me updates swiftly and gets better and better!

xxrubyredrosesxx