My third fic up and running! Yay! Anyways, just a slight warning, Kai will be slightly OOC, but not to the extreme. His more playful side and ability to get on poor Ray's nerves will be shown. enjoy!
Harvest Ball
To and fro, up and down, back and forth, I paced impatiently, feet denting the slightly damp grass. I glanced up at the place I call home. It was huge; then again what else did I expect? My parents were the king and queen of all of the beautiful and vast land called China.
The palace stood a stunning 80 feet, spiraling towards the sky and seemingly touching the clouds. When I was young I remember walking up those tiring flight of stairs with my older brother Lee just to get up to the observatory room. There we'd spend hours gaping at the sky's beauty above us. So close, yet so far.
Right now I was lounging in the rosette garden with a couple of my closest friends gathered around me, my brother was resting in his chamber. I turned my head to closely examine the contents of this place.
It was enormous in land area. Mostly covered by thick carpets of freshly cut grass, the rest littered with statues and carvings of ancient soldiers and of course family sculptures towering over them all. In the corners or under large tress or just plain anywhere were prized flowers growing in bunches. There were roses, lilies, snap dragons, petunias, marigolds and sunflowers expertly placed in areas of high attraction.
How such different breeds of flowers managed to grow so wonderfully in the humid summer heat will always remain a mystery to me.
"Come on Ray, how bad could it be?" It was Max, the ever optimistic one.
I eyed him closely, "How bad? Weren't you there when last times harvest ball turned into a complete flop?"
"Oh. But this one may be different." Max looked down at his hands and thought of no more to say.
"There'll be plenty girls there." Enrique added. and then put in with a mischievous smirk, "And plenty guys."
I groaned and slumped down next to Max, "I don't care. I'm still not going. And no one can make me."
"Oh suck it up! You're going to have to go whether you like it or not." Johnny casually strode up to us.
Usually I'd be shocked at a comment such as that, but Johnny was my childhood friend and he's been speaking that way ever since he learned to string together complete sentences.
"Yes but I can still put up a fight. Mother just has to understand." I persisted.
I really didn't understand the point of going to a ball were you end up being ushered out by security guards because a couple of drunk teenagers decided to pick a fight with every person they came into contact with.
All in all, this ball was nothing more than another tedious social gathering to meet your future fiancé. Something I, at the young age of 19 am not looking forward to yet.
"Your mother?" Max perked up suddenly, "What about your father? Won't he too, push you to attend."
"I've said this the minute we first got the invitation last week." I sighed in irritation, "This is mere event for parents to marry of their children. You know how highly they think of marriage nowadays."
"Then what's the point of naming it 'the harvest ball.'?" Enrique asked, coming to sit on the bench.
"Every year there's a large harvest. People also like to go there to purchase the latest; fruits, vegetables and hybrid crops. Not to mention the dance opportunities that come right after you have a look at the baskets of harvest crop in the other room." Kenny, the intellectual, yet terribly shy one said.
"Other room? Wasn't everything done in one room? And what's a hybrid?" I questioned the small brunette sitting on the grass.
"Used to Ray, but they have really improved from last year." Kenny answered, pushing his glasses further up the bridge of his nose, "And hybrids are a fusion of two unique fruits or vegetables that turn out to have a delicious combination of both flavors. I hear they're also selling hybrid seeds."
"See, now you have to come." Max smiled triumphantly when I sighed in defeat. But I would still have a talk with my mother.
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I loudly knocked on the solid oak doors that lead into the study room occupied by my mother.
"Come in." Here soft voice called.
I turned the handle and stepped inside. My mother was standing by one of the many bookshelves waiting for me to proceed talking.
My mother had long raven hair cascading down the length of her back and falling just short of her knees. Her slightly paler complexion greatly highlighted her glowing amber eyes and softly curved mouth. She was wearing a long, flowing kimono of the purest silk that swept the floor with every turn she made, and the sky blue and white colour it had only added to her sheer elegance.
"Darling, you're so stiff. You know you can talk to me if you have a problem."
"I do have a problem. Mother why must I attend this ball?" I asked, pleading with the woman to say that my presence wasn't needed.
"Because dear, everyone who's everyone will be there. It's a great social event that you are expected to attend." My mother's voice was soft as it's ever been, but I saw right through it. Just by the way she said it I knew I was going to attend whether I liked it or not.
I had other plans, I would fight for my freedom, "But mother, I don't wish to attend this nonsense."
"Now, I'm sure you don't mean that. Plus it's a great opportunity to meet new people." My mother persisted, her tone not changing.
"People as in; rich, pompous fools who don't give two hoots about my very existence?" I questioned defiantly.
"Honey, I promise you, everything will be fine." My mother smiled as she brushed stray raven locks away from my eyes.
I knew, with years of experience that it was now time for me to agree to whatever I was being told to do.
"Alright, I'll go, but only if so much as to uphold the family name." I managed to smile and bowed slightly before exiting the large study room.
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Thankfully my friends had retired to their own rooms, allowing me to think clearly.
Grumbling and cursing madly I stomped around the palace grounds hoping to burn of some steam. It did help, but only to a certain extent.
Servants stopped short to stare with worried glances traded among each other, since swearing and temper tantrums were not known of. I settled on an antique cherry wood bench, reminiscing last years pathetic excuse for a ball.
It was a complete and utter flop. The food was cold, the fruits were over ripe, the music was terrible and fights broke out everywhere. I didn't understand why mother still makes such a big deal of it. Oh yeah, because we're royalty.
It was such a pain coming from a family who ruled over the whole of China. But wow, were the lands ever beautiful! Lush, green grass as far as the eye could see, flowers, birds and bugs all seemed to chirp in morning greeting! What a wonderful place to live.
But back on topic, in the presence of another we forced to eat, sleep and drink sensible. There was absolutely no time for outside affairs.
My sensitive ears picked up distant footsteps coming my way; straightening up so I looked presentable I patiently waited to be disturbed.
"Son, I hear you've agreed to attend the ball this evening."
"Yes, father. I didn't have much of a choice." Inside I was screaming in revolt, but my senses told me I better watch my tongue, or of with it, it will be.
"Come now, don't look so sour, and don't slump, it isn't good for your posture." Father warned, like he always has.
"Father, last years ball, in all due respect of the creator, was an entire flop."
"That I am painfully aware of, but one learns from his mistakes does he not?" My father beamed happily, "And the wonderful Hiwitari family will also be attending."
"Who?" I have to admit, this did perk my interest the slightest, father never talks highly of anyone unless they're very important.
"Oh yes, you were too young to remember. They are the charming little family who rules over Russia."
"Russia? But the ball is in China." I must have sounded shocked, because my father rushed out the next few sentences.
"My dear boy! Don't be absurd, they are on a vacation, they are staying in a mansion not to far from our place, and they so graciously asked us to join them for a grand feast the day after the ball." My father was excited, though he wasn't exactly jumping up and down.
"Father you seem to talk very highly of them, but you don't seem very excited right now."
My father looked grave all of a sudden, "I have just heard of the recent death in the family, the boy's grandfather passed away recently, although the family explained to me as to why they weren't nearly as upset as they should be."
"What was the reason?" I asked, inquisitive as to why this situation was so.
"Ray, this man, he goes by the name of Voltaire Hiwitari, was a terrible man."
The loathe in my fathers voice towards this man was enough to keep me from prying deeper into the situation.
Changing the subject I said instead, "Does this family have a child?"
"As a matter of fact, they do." My father was back to normal now, "A boy about your age, slightly older I presume. Oh what manners he has! That boy has obliviously been brought up in a splendid way!"
"Does this boy have a name?"
"Yes, it was Kai, if I remember correctly. You'll quite like this one."
The tone father spoke in caused me to blush feverishly, "Oh." Was all I managed to say. My parents knew very well that I preferred the male race over females, and surprisingly they were alright with the situation.
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Evening came quickly, a bit too quickly for my liking. But I was excited to meet this Hiwitari kid. I already started developing images in my mind of what he may look like, what he would be like, would he be a good dancer, a good kisser...
I shook the last thought away, it was a tad too early to be thinking these things. I hummed along to whatever came to mind as I rummaged through drawers looking for the perfect outfit, like they say, first impressions are always the most important ones.
There was a soft knock on my chamber door that brought me out of my thoughts.
"Come in." I called out, not really caring who it was.
"Master Kon, your mother was so kind as to have new clothes tailored especially for tonight." Said the polite butler as he bowed and placed the outfit carefully on my large bed.
"Send my deepest appreciation to mother." I added before he was out of the room.
Walking over to my bed I was pleased to see that the clothes my mother ordered for me were perfect in every way and just the way I liked them.
A high collared, gold rimmed white sleeveless silk shirt along with the finest flat front dress pants I'd ever seen, and to add to my liking, the pants were slightly baggy, allowing more room for comfort.
Putting on the clothes I closely examined myself in the mirror, frowning slightly I reached for my thin, chain bracelet and linked it around my arm. Finally satisfied with my looks for this evening. My mind began to wander; would Kai like this? And what would he be wearing?
"Ray, dear. Are you almost done in there?" My, mother asked from downstairs.
"Yes mother!" I chirped racing down the stairs.
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From the moment we arrived I could tell this year's ball would be different from the last.
The music was clear and smoothly played; viola's, drums, saxophones and pianos decorated the enormous stage, each instrument emitting such a unique sound, the rich aroma of the tenderly cooked food reached my nose causing my stomach to rumble softly, the crowd, though large was well tamed and the noise level pleasant.
Instantly a boy possibly older that me caught my attention; with unruly slate bangs going every direction, fine muscular build and the most dashing crimson eyes one has ever seen, how he not? Not to mention the pair of asymmetrical shark fins decorating his pale complexion, that only added to the exciting being that was him. I must seize this opportunity while I can, I will befriend him.
"I'm going with you're father to look at the harvest vegetables. Would you like to come?" My mother asked.
"That's alright, maybe later." I replied politely, keeping a close eye on the interesting being.
"Tyson's hungry, we're going to feed him." Max announced, bouncing on the spot.
"Sure, go ahead, just make sure he leaves some for the rest of the 550 people in here." I said laughing as I watched my line of friends disappear into the crowds.
I decided it was time I confronted the blue-haired boy. Bowing politely to the ones that helloed in greeting I hastily made my way over to the boy.
Keeping my eyes glued to the ground, I collided right into a hard body. Hearing a disgruntled groan from the other I looked up and gasped in surprise.
It was the exciting being I had just described before, so much for my positive first impression.
"Sorry, it was my fault, I wasn't looking where I was going." I blubbered, hoping he would forgive me, he was undoubtedly cross.
"Whatever." He grunted briskly before whisking of again.
I sighed, so much for him, now all I'm left is with plain boring people who I have nothing in common with, not that I ever had anything in common with Mr. Sunshine over there in the first place.
"Ray, I want you to meet someone." It was my mother's voice, guess she decided not to look at the harvest bins this time.
I sighed and turned around, my eyes flew open in shock and I swore my heart had stopped for that split second. It was the very guy I had involuntarily crashed into a few minutes ago.
"This is Kai Hiwitari, the boy you're father was talking about. I ran into him on the way to the harvest bins." Seeing the shocked look on my face she added, "Do you two know each other already?"
"We met. But we had no time for a proper introduction, I'm sad to say." Came Kai's amazingly polite reply.
He had that smug smirk on his face that caused me to fume with anger, how can someone change so quickly over such a short period of time?
"Oh perfect then! The music just started and this song is just wonderful!" My mother cooed, "Ray darling, wouldn't a nice way to get to know each other better if you shared the first dance?"
"I-uh-well..." My mother hadn't let me finish since she turned back around to talk with that Hiwitari brat.
I almost regretted what I had said about him earlier, he was a jerk, plain and simple. And I refuse to associate with people such as those.
I caught the ending of what my mother had just said, "What a lovely boy you are!"
I growled and hissed when my mother turned back around to me with a disapproving look on her face.
"You should learn from Kai. Such manners he has! He has so openly agreed to dance with you, while you stand stuttering and glaring like you posses no manners what so ever! Now do me a favor not to embarrass me further." Mother scolded and kept a beady eye on me until I complied.
With some grumbling I inched closer to Kai and slid my hands around his neck as his arms encircled my waist. I hated to admit that I loved his touch, and the fact that my silk shirt was incredibly thin wasn't helping my case earlier. I allowed my eyes to drop and I lay my head on his shoulder as we moved in rhythm with the music. We danced for quite a while before Kai decided to ruin my moment.
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"You know Ray, your mother was right. You do need some more manners." Kai spoke with slight amusement.
I could feel him smirk from where his head was lying on top of my head, and as soon as I registered what he had said I snapped.
Pushing myself away, half reluctantly, I glared up at the slightly taller male.
"Never in my life have I come across someone as foul as you." I hissed, and angrily stomped his foot before walking of in a storm.
As I disappeared into the thick crowd I could still hear his crude laugher echoing far behind.
NOTE: Woot! I'm done I know I said this before. But I'll say it again; I know Kai is out of character and he will continue to be throughout this fic. Only because it falls into place for this story line.
I'm just tired of writing stories that Kai's always the cold hearted ice cube to every person that crosses his path; more-over I like the side of Kai that reveals some emotion, but at the same time not a lot. Get what I mean? I'm hoping you'll like this idea of mine.
I guess I just want to experiment with the different aspects of Kai's mysterious personality. And you may be able to say in future chapters that Kai's a bit of a flirt. oh what a naughty boy he is!
PLEASE REVIEW I really need to know what you guys think, the more reviews I get the faster I'll be inspired to write and post the next chapter. I will thank you individually.
Buh bye!
K.B.
Can someone tell me how to properly spell Kai's last name, I have a horrible feeling I spelt it wrong.