I hadn't actually meant to start writing this until after the new year since I was taking a break from writing altogether but I got up this morning and decided that I'd better get something written down before it leaves me altogether and, to my surprise, an entire chapter had come out before I'd even known it. Oh well. I'm quite excited about this story as it will be my last before I retire from writing altogether. I'm finding that I just don't have the time I used to anymore and as such its time I gave it up. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade

Chapter 1

It had rained that day. Out of everything else that had happened, Kai Hiwatari held that memory most prominent over all else. It had rained. Perhaps after two years it seemed ridiculous to treasure a memory so unimportant but to Kai, it was. It symbolised many things. It was the last childish thought he'd ever had – and it was true that after that day he had been a child no longer, at only fifteen years old he had found it necessary to grow up in the space of twenty four hours – and he would cling to it like some sort of security blanket that told him what he was doing was right because (haha) the only day in summer to have rained was the day you took over. Up your but with a real big nut!

The rain had been an omen. To some (those who were asked by subordinates and knew that any other answer could lead to their death) say it was a good one. It had shown change was coming, a fresh start. To most, it had signified change too. It was the start of mourning over a much loved leader and the grieving of the lives they all once knew.

There were other things that, should people ask what he remembered most, he would say instead. For example, he had been thrust from a life of luxury into a simple existence where he relied on the kindness of people who wanted changes and knew it was Kai and his men to bring them. He had been cast from the high society where his father had been the commanding officer of the most senior regiment in the Kingston army, below only Brooklyn Kingston himself, into the lowest of the low, having to live like he didn't exist, though his notoriety made it known. More often than not, however, he would say it was that his parents had died. No. They had been murdered. By Kingston. Then their bodies cast aside like garbage with the only justification being that they had been traitors and, Kingston being Kingston, no one had said anything contrary to rejoicing that he was a hero for having sniffed them out. They had been traitors to Kingston, of course. Kai knew that. But betraying Kingston meant being loyal to the royal family who had been overthrown by a meticulously planned plot carried out by the tyrant Brooklyn Kingston himself. Living under his rule – were he never actually was able to claim the throne without some sort of union between himself and a member of the living royal family and so now had the country living under a cruel dictatorship – was worse than anything else Kai could imagine. This was mainly due to frustration. Frustration that if only one person within Kingston's army and council would rise up and fight alongside Kai and his resistance group they could have Kingston overthrown in a matter of weeks. This problem would never be easily over come, however, and Kai knew it.

The problem with those who were close to Kingston was that they were able to see first hand just how cruel and tyrannical he could be. They all had seen how his parents had met their end after speaking out about their knowledge of Kingston's involvement in their king's untimely death. There had been no trial. They had been dragged from their bed's in the middle of the night and taken to the royal palace where Kingston had made his permanent home. Then, in an act of total humiliation and one which boiled Kai's blood in anger to this day, they had been stripped naked and made to stand in a public square until Kingston arrived to announce the punishment to be carried out. It had been a cruel one. He had ordered for them to die by 'bleeding', a concept that wasn't new but which hadn't been carried out for many years. It was one of Kingston's favourite executions. Their upper and lower limbs would be pulled out – not cut off, but pulled out – and exchanged positions so that the legs were where the arms should be and vice versa. The bodies were then left to die from blood loss, if the pain hadn't been enough. It hadn't been for his father. His father had lived for a further hour. Kai had been made to watch the whole ordeal and the picture of Kingston's cruel smile had been branded into his memory.

After that point, Kai couldn't remember anything else. His next recollection didn't happen until the next day when he woke up, dressed in rags and told he must take on the persona of a street urchin if he was to survive and indeed he had for a few months. But then after his sixteenth birthday, things changed. He had ran once too many times and he'd had enough of running away and doing nothing. The realisation had hit him when he'd walked down a lonely street and heard a girl's screams. Sensing the fear in her voice, Kai's instinct had kicked in and he'd ran to her aid, only to find her attackers – attacking in a way no man should ever hurt a woman – were soldiers. Something had hatched open that day. Perhaps it was his inheritance to become a great solider like his father or maybe it was a need for justice. But whatever it was unleashed a man Kai had never known had been within him. The girl's attackers had been thrown off – God knows how he had done it for he had been outmatched three to one – and she had been his first resistance member. Her name had been Garnet Granger: his best friend and most trusted companion. In turn, she had introduced him to her own group of friends, reuniting him with some faces of his past which had been forgotten. One of which had been Tala Valkov, a boy who's situation had been much like his own. His parents too had been killed for their knowledge about Kingston's coup and had been friends of Kai's own. As such, he had been given the training that Kai had as a boy in hope that one day their own children would become great soldiers. And they had, just not for an official army.

Bit by bit, through friends and friends of friends, Kai had been able to build up a resistance of about fifty people whose ages ranged from around early teens to early twenties that actually had a chance of resisting. On top of that, his only living relative, Mariah (it had been her parents, he'd since discovered, that had protected him that day by rendering him unconscious and hiding him away where Kingston wouldn't find him) had been able to secure a job as the lady in waiting to Kingston's bride to be, a girl who no one knew much about but who everyone knew had ties to the throne in some way. Mariah couldn't tell them too much since her lady couldn't tell her too much, but it was enough. It was a foot in the door and that was what Kai needed. Fraction by fraction, inch by inch they would open that door.

The general public betraying him wasn't much of a worry either. Sure, some of their stunts had built up their notoriety and made Kai Hiwatari top on Kingston's most wanted list, but to the people of his country he was a hero. Even the bounty on his head wasn't enough to sway their minds. Kai had discovered that people are not fickle. They're opportunists who can see the bigger picture. Kai and his group were the people who would free them from Kingston's rule and only by protecting them and helping them evade the law would their dreams of freedom come true.

It was a dream, yes, but dreams were made to come true.

"Kai?" Garnet Granger asked, studying her friend and leader carefully for signs of life. "You've been sitting like a statue for ages now and I'm pretty sure you've not even blinked." Kai turned his gaze to her and allowed them to narrow in annoyance. His concentration had been broken once again.

"I'm thinking."

She shook her head. "I gathered that. You looked serious. Well, even more serious than usual. You always have that look about you when you're doing some serious consideration about something." He looked at her again, wondering what her point was going to be and, more importantly, when she was going to make it. "So what were you thinking about?"

There is was. "Nothing." It was his usual answer. What importance of it to anyone what he was thinking about if he didn't share it? If it mattered he would tell if not there was not point.

"You don't sit there for hours thinking about nothing. There must have been something."

He sighed. It was the same old routine. Living in close quarters to so many people meant that he never had time to himself to do anything without having to play twenty questions afterwards. "The past."

"What about the past?"

"Garnet..." He growled in a low voice. The girl took her cue from the annoyance he was clearly showing and stopped asking him. It was clear to her she wasn't going to get anywhere with him anyway.

With next to no tact, she changed the subject, feeling it necessary to have some sort of conversation with her leader that didn't involve him grunting one word answers. She knew anyway that the past was always a touchy subject with Kai, especially since anything to do with the past always revolved around that day to present. It never lingered before that. In fact, Kai may as well have been born on the day Kingston took over since he never let his mind roam to the days before it.

"What are our plans for today then?" She asked.

For the first time in days, Kai looked like he was about to smile. "Kingston's holding a little parade in his honour tonight. I thought its only right we turn up to pay our homage to a worthy leader." This time he did smile. "I'm sure our presence will be sorely missed if we don't. Tell everyone there's a briefing at seven."

Garnet saluted him with a cheeky grin that lit up her beautiful face and made her ocean blue eyes sparkle. "I'll get right on it. God knows staying holed up in here all the time's making us all antsy. Its about time we got out and stretched our legs a bit."

"Hmmm...It seems everytime we stretch our legs there's an uproar at Kingston Palace."

Kai found himself grinning again as he thought back to their last venture. It had been another public appearance by Kingston and the opportunity had been to great to pass up. Their goal hadn't been so much to fight, as they sometimes did. It had been just to stir up the masses with some light hearted comedy on Kingston's behalf. Getting away from them that time had been quite a feat, resulting in a few of them having to stay away from the hideout for a few days while the trail was still hot. It had all been worth it just to see the outrage and anger on Kingston's face as doctored pictures of him had been given out to the crowd, featuring him in a compromising position with another male which had been found in an adult website. The head of their technology unit – Kenny aka, the Chief – had found it quite simple to graft Kingston's head onto the body of an male adult film star as he performed position number eight on another male.

"Is it another prank or are we actually going to do some fighting this time?" Garnet's raised eyebrows and the way she tossed her raven hair told Kai that this was a dig, if only a little one.

This wasn't an unfamiliar complaint. His group often grumbled about this. Most didn't see the tactical side of fighting this war. Every time Kingston was humiliated, the people grew more riled. The more riled they grew, the more likely it was that they would be willing to revolt and that was what his main goal was. The people would revolt and overthrow Kingston. The problem with this, however, was who would take over once they'd done it. Kai could have killed Kingston by now if it was so simple but they couldn't risk another person taking over that would be just as bad as Kingston. It had to be some one from the royal family who was still living. They would be the only reliable person and their rule would be absolute. Until they found them, there was no point in fighting a battle that they would probably get themselves killed in. Where would the hope be then?

"You know my reasons," Kai said dismissively. "Alert the troupes and tell them..." He paused. "Tell them to arm themselves. I have a feeling that we'll have to fight our way to safety this time."

Garnet smirked and left, leaving a faint aroma of her perfume and Kai wondered if he hadn't just set himself up for a fall.

There wasn't much for her to do these days except wander around her house like a lost soul. Appearances in public were so rare these days. Brooklyn said it was for her own protection and that with Kai Hiwatari still on the loose it would be foolish of him to allow her to wander the streets incase Hiwatari exacted his revenge upon her. Hilary had inwardly scoffed at this. Brooklyn was no more worried about her welfare than he was about global warming. Brooklyn was worried about her title and she knew it. If she didn't marry Brooklyn then any chance he had of taking the thrown would be destroyed. She was, after all, the only living relative of the late King Stanley, her uncle. It was Brooklyn's own fault anyway. He'd killed off her family left right and centre until he realised that he needed them for his power to remain unconquerable. After this little epiphany, he had turned his hungry eyes onto her and before long they'd become engaged. Fortunately for her, they wouldn't be allowed to marry until she came of age ie seventeen. She would be soon. Her seventeeth birthday was less than three months away and after that Brooklyn would have even more power. It was a scary thought to picture. She wondered if she would be kept around long after the marriage but she imagine she would be. Brooklyn would need heirs afterall who were true descendants.

Suicide had occurred to her. She could almost put an end to Brooklyn's rule if she did but then he would find some other way. He was smart. Besides, she had hopes that once they were united in marriage she would have some sort of influence over him. It was a long shot, but better than nothing. She could maybe convince him to rule with fairness and justice, like her late uncle had. There were feelings, she knew. He maybe didn't love her but she knew he at least liked her. Well, liked her enough to consider spending the rest of his life with her. She supposed the word she should use was attracted. He was attracted to her like she was nothing more than a piece of meat he could have his way with. Not before the wedding, of course, but after. They'd have to consummate the marriage and it was the moment she was dreading over everything. It wasn't that Brooklyn wasn't physically attractive because he was. He was dashing, handsome and charming with a physique that was as well sculptured as a piece of art work. It was his mind that revolted her. His cruel, twisted, evil mind. Spending her life with that sent shivers down her spine, though she was sure that she would be well cared for. Mrs. Hilary Kingston, Queen of Delmasta. The Queen part she wasn't so bothered about, but being Mrs. Brooklyn Kingston and being forever linked to him in history books made her skin crawl.

However, complain as much as she liked, there was nothing she could do about it.

She tried to smile as her lady in waiting waltzed into her room, grinning like a loon as she normally did when something was going to happen. "What are you so cheery about?"

"Oh...nothing," Mariah replied and fetched Hilary's dressing gown. "Just excited about the parade, that's all."

Hilary knew that expression all to well. She and Mariah had been together for months - since her engagement to Brooklyn, incidently. They knew each other like the back of their hands. "Why? What's going to happen?"

Mariah shrugged. "Whispers around town just say that it's not going to all go according to plan. Some uninvited guests might be turning up to cause havoc."

"Oh! I'll need to tell Brooklyn!" She said with a devilish grin and made to leave the room.

Mariah grabbed her arm playfully. "You'll do nothing of the sort and we both know it. You love these spectacles just as much as the next person. I saw you last time trying to contain a grin and failing miserably." Her tone changed to a more serious one. "You need to be more careful. People are watching you, Hilary. Brooklyn's people are watching you. If they see even the slightest sign that you oppose him they'll most likely never let you see the light of day again."

"I may as well never see the light of day again being in here," She said and sighed. Mariah put her arms around her shoulders in a comforting way. "I just feel like something's got to happen. Something exciting, or dangerous. Maybe even both. It's making me feel like a caged animal. I've got too much life in me, Mariah. It's tearing me apart letting it go to waste while I wait until I'm old enough to marry and then what after that? An entire life of being little miss wife to him?"

Frowning, Mariah moved to the window and looked out at the busy street outside of the courtyard. There was a market on in the central square which was where Hilary had been stationed, stationed being the right word since it hadn't been her choice to leave home and be made to live in almost complete isolation. Then she had an idea. If she wanted to watch her cousin ruin Brooklyn's parade first hand she would need to go with Hilary. If she knew her like she though she did, Hilary was already thinking about going anyway. She would just need a push in the right direction. "Will you be going tonight?" Her Lady shook her head. "Do you want to go tonight?"

"I don't know. I guess I do. It would beat staying in here, wouldn't it? That and I would love to just catch a glimpse of the Resistance doing their stuff again."

"So go!"

Hilary looked at her friend and maid as if she'd just suggested going deep see diving with sharks. "Are you insane? Brooklyn would never allow it."

"Who says he needs to know? You go in disguise. It would take an hour tops or something. You leave, you come straight back in again. Where could be the harm?"

"Getting caught would be the harm. Not just for me but for you too. You could get fired or worse."

Mariah shook her head at a loss. "Fine. You want to stay in and be an obedient little wife all your life then that's your business. But just so you know, that thing you think's coming won't happen on its own."

The two girls started at each other for a few moments. Finally, Hilary rolled her eyes. "You're right. You're absolutely right. You and I will go. We'll wear cloaks so no one will know its us. In a huge crowd, who'll be able to tell anyway?" She stopped and looked at Mariah. "I know it hardly counts, but just thinking about defying Brooklyn makes me feel like I'm doing something worthwhile."

"And I'm sure its not just because you're hoping to see Kai Hiwatari again in the flesh?" Mariah asked, with slightly raised eyebrows and her tone teasing. "I suppose he is courageous, brave, strong, handsome..." She laughed as Hilary squirmed.

She flushed red but shrugged anyway like she had nothing to be embarrassed about. "Well, who would say no?"

"Brooklyn Kingston, apparently."

"Brooklyn," Hilary repeated in disgust. "That's it. I'm definitely going. And I hope Brooklyn sees me."

"Don't be reckless, Hils. You don't know what the consequences will be if you're caught."

Hilary regarded her friend with a sly sideways glance. "The keyword being 'if''. He won't see me. After all, what are the chances of finding something you're not even looking for?"

Watching her Lady, Mariah hoped they were very small. There was a knock on the door to Hilary's room and she shot Mariah a withering look. It was quite clear that they would have no further time to discuss their plan for the evenings escapades.

Brooklyn Kingston walked into Hilary's room with all the nobility of a lion and kissed her cheek lightly. He looked at Mariah for a fleeting moment. "Leave us." Without a further word, Mariah left the room, making sure her face was kept like a pallid mask of indifference. "How are you today?"

Hilary forced a smile onto her face. "I'm well, as usual. Thanks for asking. Are you prepared for the parade?"

Brooklyn smiled. "That's what I'm here about. I was hoping you would join me. It's time we made our relationship public. I've organised this parade for you, Hilary." He took her hand and Hilary almost believed his smile was genuine. Of course, it was more than celebrating the union that was to come. It was about parading the fact he was to marry royalty to his enemies. She could see through his agenda like it was a book. He knew it too. "Don't look at me like that, Hilary. I've been good to you and don't you forget it. I'm not ashamed to be marrying you and I want to world to know it."

"I don't see where there would be shame in the first place, my Lord," Hilary said tersely.

He chuckled at her indignation. He loved it when she answered back. To him it felt like a game. In it Hilary was some sort of wild woman and he was the tamer. Of course taming would be made much easier after they were married. "I didn't mean it like that. All I'm trying to say is that its about time the world should know who it is that I deem worthy enough to marry me and I'm proud to say its you." He put his arm around her waste and kissed her, a kiss which was only returned reluctantly. "So you will accompany me, yes?"

"Actually, I've not been feeling too well," she replied, knowing that he didn't quite believe her, not had his question even been a question. The invitation hadn't meant to be declined. "I was hoping just to go to bed tonight."

With a steady gaze, Brooklyn observed her. "You don't look ill."

"Don't I?"

"If its Hiwatari you're worried about, don't be. I have soldiers that will be stationed within the crowd. Any suspicious signs and the culprit will be taken out before they can even blink."

"But what if its an innocent person?"

Brooklyn shook his head as if she being just a child couldn't understand the adult world to which he belonged. "Its for the greater good, Hilary."

"I see," Hilary said nodding. "You're scared he'll get one up on you."

Brooklyn's expression changed to one of anger and before Hilary could blink, he had her against the wall of her room, not hurting her but making sure his point was made. "That there in your eyes Hilary is fear. Look in mine. Do you see the same?" She shook her head. "Doesn't that tell you I'm not afraid?"

"Yes," she whispered. "I was just careless with my words. I didn't mean to accuse you."

He released his grip on her and relaxed again. Hilary was used to seeing these mood swings. Brooklyn's unpredictability made him dangerous, some one she should not mess with. "As it were, I'm not looking to kill him. I want him alive so I can make an example of him. I'm looking to render him helpless and then taken in for questioning. Or any of his allies. Anyone that we can find out the whereabouts of their little hideout from and take them all out one by one."

"And by take out you mean...?"

"For the rest of them execution but for Hiwatari...I'll see. I think death may be too easy on what he's put me through."

Hilary swallowed hard. It was when he was like she was most scared. When his mind was cold and calculating. She could never predict what he was thinking and it worried her. "Will there be bloodshed tonight?"

"There may very well be."

"I'm not very good with blood. It makes me feel faint."

His eyes flickered down to hers with almost real concern. "Then maybe its best that you stay indoors tonight. Especially if a little bit of blood turns you into a gibbering wreck." She was well aware of his mocking tone but chose to ignore it. He was like a tiger ready to pounce today and she would be a fool to make herself the prey.

"I'm sorry. Perhaps you could arrange something else another day?"

"Perhaps I can." He kissed her again. "I'll be sure to check in on you tomorrow."

His clean black shoes clicked on her marble floor as he let her alone and as soon as she was sure it was safe, she wiped her cheek where it had been kissed. It was a silly thing to do, but it made her feel a whole lot better. Even more so now that her fiancé wouldn't be expecting her to be outside tonight. It seemed she'd learned a thing or two about misconceptions from Brooklyn that he hadn't even been aware he was teaching her.

Please review!

jellybean-kitty