So here we are posting our first ficlet. This story was an RP that we did together and then re worked so it could be a better story. I hope you all enjoy our little story.
There will be Yaoi and possible Yuri. If you take offence to this then do not read.
We do not own Beyblade or any of the characters. We do own the plot of this story, so no stealing.
- Chapter 2 - The Arrival
One Turn Around
Japan
Johnny looked over at prince Takao smiling fondly. "My prince, all the rulers have agreed to come or send representatives."
"...I see." Tyson said continuing to stare out the window. "And will my brother be present?"
"Yes, he comes back tomorrow in time for the ball." Johnny said knowing the news would please the prince.
"That is good..." Tyson said never once looking from his window.
Johnny sighed. "The tailors should be here in an hour to fit you with your outfit for the ball."
"I see..." Takao finally looked to Johnny. "Johnny...can you hear it?"
"Hear what my prince?" Johnny asked.
"The wind... it seems sad..." Takao said looking back out the window.
Johnny blinked not sure what to say. "If that is what you hear my lord."
Takao sighed. "I'm sorry Johnny; I have been silly these last few days...I am happy that we can have this celebration in a time of war." He said smiling.
"That is good my prince." Johnny said with a bow. "Now I must be attending to my duties. The tailor will be in shortly."
Takao nodded, watching Johnny leave as the tailor woman entered. Looking over at Johnny's retreating form he sighed. The tailor entered his room and began to take his measurements. Upon finishing she bowed, and then left quietly. He left the window he had been gazing out, heading towards the royal throne, to await his brother.
Not a moment had passed when a young servant ran in to the throne room panting. "M-my Prince, the embraceries from China have arrived."
Takao nodded, "Allow them to the audience chamber, I will be there shortly"
The boy bowed, and went to escort the embraceries to the audience chamber.
Takao entered the audience chamber and sat upon the throne that was placed there to show ones authority.
The group from China was escorted into the chamber. They all bowed respectfully. "Greetings Prince Takao of the Dragons. I am Prince Rei of the Tigers; it is an honour to be in your presence." Rei said bowing traditional Chinese style and then standing to face Takao as an equal.
Takao bowed also, within his own traditions. "Hello, it is an honour to meet you as well." He looked down at Rei's company assessing them all. "Your lord …did not attend?" He asked at length.
"Forgive his absence, but my brother is very busy currently. I have been sent in his place." Rei looked into Takao's eyes knowingly. "I pray you are not disappointed?"
"No, I am glad you were able to attend." Takao replied, smiling faintly.
Rei nodded in acknowledgment. "Then we shall see you at the ball tomorrow your highness, and perhaps around the palace. May good fortune bless your family and friends."
"And too you as well." Takao said bowing his head.
With a final bow they left. The boy who had shown them in led them to their rooms and left them.
Rei turned to Mao, Kiki and Gary. "I will be touring the palace shortly, please stay within you rooms until my return." He said in what he hoped to be unquestioned tone.
However that did not follow through "Awww! No fair!" Kiki whined.
Chuckling Rei smiled down at Kiki, he should have known he would not get off that easily, especially not with his young cousin. "Don't worry I promise that I will bring you around the palace, perhaps even a tour of the island if it is permitted."
Kiki pouted, looking up at Rei beaming. "You promise?"
Rei smiled down at him. "Of course I promise, have I ever broken one?"
"No..." Kiki paused thinking it over. "Okay I trust you then!" He said smiling brightly.
Nodding at Mao and Gary, Rei left the room and wandered down the halls aimlessly, looking around. He rounded a corner, his eyes becoming slits for a moment, till he relaxed, knowing that the one who was following him was not a cause for alarm. "What is it that is going on your highness?"
"I see there are no lies about the people Tiger country's senses." Takao said laughing lightly.
"We try to keep any lies away." Rei said turning to Takao and gazing at him with narrowed gold eyes. "What is going on? Why have we been invited here? The Dragon country is neutral; they will not side with anyone . . . not in war."
"Prince Rei, the answers you seek I cannot give you as I neither have them nor know where you can find them..." Takao said seriously.
With a weary glance, Rei sighed and turned to look out a nearby window at the Japanese countryside. "You have a beautiful country, I would hate for this useless war to destroy it."
"As would I..." Takao answered truthfully, a tint of sadness in his voice. "Maybe then we will be able to make this war stop here..."
"It is not for us to decide. Our brothers are those who are in charge of running our countries." Rei said sadly. "We are powerless…to our Emperors"
"Indeed... I had hoped your brother would attend." Takao said sighing.
"He believes events such as these silly." Rei said mournfully. "Absolute power corrupts absolutely. There is no peace to be made now. . Not between the rulers. That is what I am told."
"...Yes that is true..." Takao said dejectedly, looking away. "Please Wind…if ever there was a time in which we needed your divine help…it would be now…" He prayed silently.
The winds began to blow about the castle, making the grounds people nervous, hurricanes had been plaguing their lands for some time. However this wind was gentle, and could be felt through the halls. Takao found it odd that he could feel the wind even beyond the fact that all the doors around them were closed.
"The wind..." Takao said feeling it blow through his hair, almost seeming to caress it.
Rei closed his eyes and enjoyed the wind. "The earth greets the wind." He said softly to himself, to Takao, to someone who was not there; he did not know whom, he only knew the words were right.
"It is happy you are here, but it also warns you...there will be blood..." Takao said his eyes distant.
"And death, the earth fears it but knows it will happen." Rei said as tears gathered in his eyes. "Thank you my friend, I am happy to have known you."
Takao turned to him his eyes refocusing. "I see, then you are that oracle...they say oracles can instantly recognize each other..." He smiled.
Eyes refocusing as well, Rei looked over at Takao in confusion. "Oracle? I do not understand what it is you speak of."
Takao chuckled, "You will someday." He turned "And I think that day will be very interesting indeed. Now if you excuse me." He said leaving.
Rei stood there for moments after Takao had left, before shaking his head returning to his own rooms, slightly confused as to what had happened.
- - -
At the same time Takao and Rei were parting the people from the sea arrived and were quickly ushered into the waiting hall, where they could relax until the lord could see them.
Takao was informed of their arrival and of the coming Phoenixes immediately. He nodded and entered the audience chamber.
Queen Judy and Prince Max entered the room with their entourage after being informed of the Prince's arrival. "Greetings Prince Takao." Judy greeted softly, bowing in respect.
Takao bowed as well. "It is good that our allies could attend." He greeted with a warm smile.
Max peaked out from behind his mother shyly. "Hullo." He greeted Takao softly. Even though he'd been incredibly excited on the way here, being faced with their allies was slightly frightening.
Takao, who was older than Max by at least two years, looked to the younger prince. "Hello Prince Maxwell."
Smiling at him shyly, Max waved. "Hello Prince Takao."
Takao smiled warmly at him returning his eyes to Queen Judy. "My Queen, I wish to personally escort you and your entourage to your chambers."
"You must not go through so much trouble for us my dear prince." Judy said with a warm smile.
"But I insist it has been sometime since you and I have seen each other." He said laughing slightly.
Judy nodded joining in the laugh. "Very well your Highness, we will be honoured to have you escort us."
Takao smiled down at Max. "It has been a while since I have seen you as well, and you have grown considerably." He said as they walked to them their rooms.
Blushing Max looked away. "I'm sorry; I don't remember ever having met you."
"You were very young, so it would make sense that you do not know me." He said.
"How old was I?" Max asked looking up at his mother.
Judy smiled. "When the treaty was signed you just reached four, and prince Takao was six."
Takao smiled warmly, "That was indeed a long time ago, yet I remember it so clearly."
"It makes a woman such as I feel so much older." Judy said jokingly. "I am just some ancient creature now compared to you young ones."
Takao laughed. "There is no better beauty then the queen of the ocean." He said smiling at her. "Ah here is your chamber, please enjoy yourself while you are here."
Judy bowed to him, the rest of her people bowing with her. "My thanks to you young prince. Shall we be seeing you at dinner this night?"
"Yes, you shall." Takao said bowing to Judy and her son.
"Until that time young prince." Judy said as she waited until Takao left then shut the door. "We are all tired from our journey let us rest before the evening meal."
"Yes your majesty." Everyone agreed.
-
As Takao returned to the audience room there were four people waiting for him there; two women and two men. The smallest of them, a young woman simply dressed stepped forward. "I greet you, he who is the Dragon's sword."
"...Hello?" Takao said blinking. "I am sorry...but who are you?"
"I am she who is the keeper of time." The girl replied gesturing to a necklace, which hung around her neck, the necklace being that oh a half empty/half full hourglass.
"Ah! My lady, I was not aware of your arrival!" Takao said bowing his head in her direction.
She watched him calmly, her eyes never leaving his face. "That is because we have just recently arrived."
Takao flushed. "I wished I had been warned..." He smiled, shaking off his unease. "I will have my servants escort you."
"There is no need. We already know which rooms have been assigned to us and we shall escort ourselves there." With a small wave of her hand the group disappeared before Takao's very eyes.
Takao eyes widened. He looked around, but at not seeing them he sighed. "That woman is as creepy as ever..."
Giancarlo entered the room, glancing at his prince. "My lord, we need your signature in order to complete the final decoration preparations…is there something the matter?" He asked as he saw the look upon Takao's face.
Takao sighed and turned to Giancarlo, "No Giancarlo, I am fine. Come let us go sign those papers…"
"This way my lord." Giancarlo said, leading Takao towards the ballroom. He opened the grand doors to reveal a lavishly decorated room, which could only be described as beautiful. The style was Japanese but it had mixings of other cultures, most likely for their guests. Fire, Water, Earth, and Wind were the themes decorating the room, all twisting about each other in a show of colour.
Takao looked about the room. "You have done wonders here. I will sign the final papers then."
Giancarlo bowed and had Daichi bring the papers forward. "Of course my lord."
Takao signed the papers after reading them briefly. "Everything is in order then."
"Yes, my lord." Daichi said as he took the papers back. "We need only make the last preparations and then tomorrow have the chefs do the cooking and the musicIvans rehearse and we are ready."
"That is good, and then I shall retire to my chambers till the Phoenix's arrive." Takao said and excused himself.
The two bowed until Takao had left then shared a worried glance. "The Chinese emperor did not show." Daichi whispered to Giancarlo. "What are we going to do?"
"We will go on with our plan, though if we can not get Takao-sama to become friends with him, we will have to poison the prince, and offer the cure at the price of their surrender. I have heard that the prince Rei and Emperor Rai have a strong bond." Giancarlo said rubbing his chin.
Daichi nodded gravely. "It seems wrong though, getting someone innocent involved."
"It is necessity in war." Giancarlo answered deadpan.
"I know." Daichi said before giving the signed papers to Giancarlo. "That still doesn't make it right." He said bowing his head sadly.
Giancarlo looked around then asked Daichi. "Have you got the…you know what?"
Daichi nodded gravely and handed it to him. "It only needs to be placed in the food, two drops and it's done." Daichi said, "The antidote is in the blue vial." He said not verbalizing what was in the other in case anyone was listening in on their conversation. He handed Giancarlo the other vial.
Giancarlo nodded. "Then until that time…" He replied turning and walking away.
"Hai," Daichi said, and watched Giancarlo walk away. Looking towards the heavens Daichi sent up a brief prayer. "Please let it not come to what we may need to do."
-
Yuriyy looked ahead. "I think we're almost there..." He called to Kai
"Good, I do no think I could stand another moment in the air." Kai said stretching. "It is cramped with so many on the Phoenix."
The Phoenix, which they rode on, Kai's Phoenix, cawed loudly.
Kai smiled affectionately. "I know, you're wings must ache beyond imagine my sweet." He said lovingly stroking her feathers.
She cawed loudly and swooped down to the ground to where the Dragon's kingdom rested.
When she was landed everyone disembarked stretching from the long journey. Kai turned to her and stroked her crest. "You have done your duty for now; go rest my sweet I will call when we need you."
The Phoenix stretched her wings then took flight to find somewhere to rest.
A servant came up to them. "You are Lord Kai?" He asked.
Kai nodded. "Yes, we have come on behalf of my grandfather the Tsar of Russia."
"Good then, if your highness would follow me." he said with a bow.
Sergei looked at the servant they were following, "I see the legend of 'eternal youth and good looks' wasn't a lie..." He said licking his lips.
Yuriy scowled at him. "Keep your mind out of the gutter and keep your eyes open. We are here to guard prince Kai." The as an after thought he added. "And it's eternal youth and beauty."
Sergei sighed, "Ya ya..."
Rolling his eyes Kai chose to ignore them. "Could you send someone to show my escorts to our rooms?" He asked the servant.
"Ah, yes my lord, but the lord here wishes to meet you all first." The servant said.
Kai shrugged. "If that is what he wishes. We are foreigners in this country and at the whims of our host."
The servant bowed then spoke, "Please follow me."
Nodding Kai and his group followed the servant. As they walked down the halls they examined the palace closely; some because it was pretty, others looking for possible danger areas and exits.
"My lords, we are here, if you will wait a moment, I will ensure that Prince Takao is ready for you."
Yuriy raised an eyebrow. "Takao...I've heard of him, he's supposed to be an incredible fighter, but I wonder why it is not his brother that is meeting us."
"That is strange indeed." Kai said, glancing about.
They waited patiently as the servant went to confirm if Takao was ready to see them, returning moments later, "He will see you now."
Kai nodded and they entered the audience room. "Greetings Prince Takao, the Tsar of Russia sends his apologies for not being able to attend your ball."
"I am just glad that you are able to attend, though your lord will be missed." Takao replied.
"We are honoured to have been invited to your country, especially during these times of war." Kai said bowing low.
Takao bowed his head in respect. "I'm glad; I will have my servants see you to your rooms."
Kai nodded. "Thank you." He turned and elegantly walked out of the room. "Something's going on; I want you to keep your eyes sharp." He whispered to Yuriy in their native language.
"Yes my lord…" Yuriy replied.
"We can only keep our eyes and ears open." Kai looked over at the servant leading them to their rooms. "Who else has been invited to this ball?" He asked the servant casually, switching to Japanese.
"Those from the kingdom of the tigers, the sea, and time..." The servant who led them answered.
Kai frowned. "So all the empires, as well as minor kings and queens I suppose?"
"Yes my lord." The servant answered.
Ivan laughed loudly. "Maybe we can pick up some chicks eh, Sergei?"
"Ya, that'd be great!" Sergei replied chuckling
Boris smirked and put an around the servant that was currently leading them. "Ya, we already a have a cute one here."
The servant squeaked and ducked her head.
Yuriy gave them all a warning look. "We're here as guests, don't do anything to insult our hosts, or anything that will reflect badly on Prince Kai."
Kai himself didn't seem to care much about any of this; he was more concerned with looking around the palace and what he could see of the outside.
The servant, worming out of Boris's grasp, bowed to Kai and his entourage. "I wish you all a pleasant sleep, if you need anything, there will be a servant at your call."
"Yes, thank you." Kai said waving the servant away. When they were alone Kai turned to the group. "I want you all to find out where each of the diplomats from the other empires rooms are. Be quiet about it and don't get caught." He said in their native language warningly.
They all bowed and disappeared to do their master's biding.
Kai looked out the window that showed the courtyard. "We will find out what's going on Dragon. Mark my words we will."
-
Takao walked towards his chambers, exhausted. "I will be thankful for a bed..." He mumbled as he traveled. He heard a slight wind whisper. "My Lord Wind…?" He asked following the winds to the royal chambers of the Tigers' assigned chambers. "...Is anyone here?"
Rei looked up from where he'd been brushing his hair out. "Good evening prince Takao, what brings you to me so late into the night?"
"Ah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt anything...the wind just...Never mind. I'll leave you to your peace, I am terrible sorry." He said bowing slightly flustered.
Blinking Rei watched Takao calmly with slit gold eyes. "Why have you invited us here?" He asked suddenly.
"I have already given you the answer to this question." Takao replied.
"A neutral country does not choose allies in war price Takao, please do not insult my intelligence by trying to convince me that was true." Rei said sadly, almost mournfully.
"... I meant no offence...but I truly do not know any more than you...perhaps my brother can clear things up when he arrives." Takao said. "You seem troubled by more than that however…"
Rei allowed himself a small smile. "The Earth is weeping, I do not know why but it knows something terrible will happen soon. My sadness is a reflection of the Earth's."
"I thought as much, but that is not all that plagues you..." He smiled. "May I enter?
"Need you ask?" Rei said amused. "This is your home not mine."
"I have respect for all people, and as such while you are here your assigned chambers are your own, and not mine to enter without permission." Takao said entering.
"I thank you for that honour your highness." Rei said bowing his head in respect.
"What else is on your mind? Besides the Earth..." Takao asked
Setting his hairbrush down on the table, Rei turned to look at himself in the mirror. "I do not agree with this war Prince Takao, most of my people do not. Yet there is nothing I can do to stop it, even if the emperor is my brother."
"You are in the same position as me then..." Takao said looking at Rei.
"Count yourself lucky that you are not at war, and that you have allies to defend you." Rei said smiling as he noticed Takao's slight shock. "Yes, everyone knows of the treaty between the Dragons and those who dwell in water."
"It has been as such since I was a child." Takao said off-handily
Rei sighed. "I wish we Tigers could be so lucky."
Takao looked to the window. "I wish that I could solve your wars, and that of our own…perhaps then the wind would speak to me once more…"
"The wind my lord?" Rei asked.
Takao shut his eyes and sighed, almost painfully. "It is…nothing; sorry I should have not mentioned it…" Takao said with a forced smile.
Rei smiled back, though his own smile was one that was equally as forced.
Kiki entered the room suddenly, bouncing and upon seeing Takao he stopped in mid bounce. "M-My lords!" He quickly dropped to his knees.
Takao looked to Rei, "This is your servant? He seems a bit young…"
"He is my cousin." Rei replied.
"I see, well I will bother you no longer." He turned and gracefully started to the door. "I wish you a peaceful rest…"
Rei looked to Kiki and smiled. "You may rise now."
Kiki looked up, and upon seeing that the Prince Takao was no longer there, stood. "He's kind of scary…"
Rei smiled and placed a hand on his head. "We are no longer in our home country; there are many odd things here."
"Ya…I guess." Kiki answered.
Rei shuffled the young boy's hair, to which he complained loudly. "Rei! No fair!"
Laughing at Kiki's putting face, Rei gave his young cousin a quick hug.
Mao laughed from the doorway. "Kiki, why aren't you in bed?" She asked.
"But we just got here!" Kiki complained.
Mao and Rei chuckled. "It is late and you are still but a child." Rei said.
"Nooooo, not you as well Rei!" Kiki whined.
"Off to bed with you, and Mao will tell you a story." Rei said smiling at the boy's antics.
"Will you really Mao?" Kiki asked, his large eyes shinning with eagerness.
"Yes, but only if you go to bed right now." Mao replied smiling.
Kiki whooped in joy and scurried off to his bed in an adjoining room.
"You too my lord." Mao said to Rei, in a mock sterness.
Rei yawned, "I suppose…but will you read me a story as well?" He asked with a cheeky grin.
She just hit him upside the head with a pillow, and he ran, cat like, to his bed chuckling all the way.
-
"My Lord…" Yuriy said quietly.
Kai turned to him, "Yuriy? What have you to report?"
"Nothing much out of the ordinary. Prince Takao and Prince Rei were having a conversation of war…there was something odd however, when it was ending Prince Takao mentioned the wind…oddly…" Yuriy reported.
"Do you think there is anything to it?" Kai asked.
"There could be…or there could be nothing." Yuriy answered.
"Continue to observe him." Kai ordered.
Yuriy bowed and left as silently as he entered…
TBC
A/N: There's another chapter! We hope you guys enjoyed it and we'll have the next chappy posted ASAP. Don't forget to review
We'd really like to thank everyone for their reviews! Thank you.