Disclaimer: Don't own Beyblade etc.

A/N: Ok this can get confusing because I changed the names for they're past lives. Sorry I cut Max, Tyson and Kenny out but I couldn't really fit them in but they'll be there in the next part of the story. It's taken me a while to start writing this fic with school work and stuff. I really should stop procrastinating, then I would have uploaded this fic sooner. As they say procrastination is a longer word for being lazy, lol. ^_^"

Name Key:

Cong=Gary

Kioshi=Kai

Fu=Kevin

Lei=Lee

Ming= Mariah

Chen=Rei

Plus some characters that I've made up for this part of the story.

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Chapter 1- The White Season

Wintertime for the village meant that everything slowed down. Snow covered everything including the crops where nothing would grow until summer time. The people relied on trading with other villages for vegetables, fruit and other supplies. The rivers, lakes and ponds were snap frozen and the well was too. It may seem bad for most but for the children it was a white wonderland where they would play and be happy. The Ambassador from Japan was coming to stay had have relation and other talks with the Chinese Emperor. Why the Emperor chose to have the meetings in the village was secret but maybe because the village had a good reputation and was surrounded by beautiful lush forest.

They would be arriving on the Winter Festival Day to mark the coming of the season. The town official had a big job in hands but was confident that everything would be ready and run smoothly. So the village people made sure that it was extra clean and tidy. They wanted to make a good impression on their Emperor and the visitors. This would strengthen ties with the Emperor and get on his good side. The day before the arrival everyone was busy preparing for the celebration. Streets needed to be sweep free of snow luckily the fall had been light. Brightly coloured decorations were hanged off all the houses, banners and signs were strewn and hung up. A group of friends played in the snow covered fields taking a break from the preparations and cleaning.

A pink haired girl threw a snowball at her short friend. "Gottcha" she laughed.

"That's not fair!" he shouted and threw one back at her but missed.

"Ming, Fu we have to go back and help now." Lei informed them.

"Do we have to?" the two whined still throwing snowballs back and forth.

"Yes now hurry up. Where's Chen?" he looked round but didn't see him.

"I'll go get him we'll catch up to you later," Ming shouted waving a hand up in the air as she ran.

Behind the trees was a now a small frozen lake it was too hard and too thick to break. It was quite a peaceful part of scenery in any season. A boy skated on the surface gracefully twirling and gliding along. His clothes were white to suit the surroundings, a headband wrapped around his forehead with long ebony hair braided into queue. Seeing him Ming skidded onto the ice but before taking another step she slipped and fell onto her bottom.

"Are you ok?" he asked, giving her a hand up.

"Yes of course," she replied and stood still. "Wow Chen you can certainly skate you should teach me one day"

"Sure why not? You'll need a pair of skates then and then a lot of practice." Chen took a hold of her arm and together they walked back to the snowy ground.

"Then again maybe I'm not a born skater unlike you," Ming said and stepped onto the snow.

Taking off the skates Chen put on his normal shoes and then they walked back to the village. Everything was ready for tomorrow's arrival and it had to be kept that way. Meeting up with Yeh and Lei the four went inside a house. They all lived together in Lei's grandfathers house. He was a master cook making all types of dishes his specialty was a chicken and vegetable soup with a few mixed spices. Grandpa Bao used to own an eatery but retired in old age but never lost his touch in the kitchen. The three all had their different reasons residing there though it didn't really trouble them as much now.

Fu never knew who his father was and his mother died during childbirth. From a young age he had to learn to defend himself until Lei's grandfather brought him in off the street. His hair was an emerald and he had amethyst eyes, being short for his age other children sometimes picked on him but he was agile and often got away. He tended to be a troublemaker often playing pranks on people but no harm was intended. People say he's like a monkey swinging and climbing not to mention the noises.

Cong came from a family of eight children who lived in a big portside town. His parents could not support all of them so he was sold off as a slave. Luckily Grandpa Zhenyu was there at the auction and bought him because he felt sorry for the young boy. Being the kind, generous man he gave the boy a new home and gained an apprentice in cooking.

The two siblings Ming and Chen lost their parents in an accident. Lei's grandfather being a close family friend adopted them. At first they didn't accept their new home but eventually settled down. Chen always wore a mysterious amulet passed down from his father. It had a picture of a tiger on the piece with a green circle where the heart was. The two were opposites Ming was a boisterous, outgoing person while Chen was quiet with a good temperament.

Together they were all one big happy family through thick and thin they would be there for each other.

After eating dinner they all had to take turns for a bath. Chen always bathed last he liked having a nice long warm bath and he also wanted to wash his hair. After scrubbing clean he sat outside in the cool air to let his damp hair dry. The stars shined brightly and so did the moon as the centrepiece. Ming walked down the hallway but stopped when she saw her brother sitting on the bench in the courtyard.

She quietly crept down behind him. "Boo!" she said loudly hoping to give him a little scare.

"Aren't you supposed to be asleep?" Chen asked not looking startled at all.

"I'm not that tired" Ming replied and sat next to him. "Why can't I have long beautiful hair like you?" she took a hold of a piece of hair feeling how soft and smooth it was before letting go.

"You wouldn't have time to manage it and you like to play with mine" Chen chuckled.

Ming picked up the comb and motioned for him to turn slightly and she began combing the black sea gently for a minute or so.

"Same old plait for tomorrow then well I'll have my hair up in a bun this time" Ming said and got up. "I'm getting tired now good night"

"Goodnight" he said, looking down at his amulet Chen saw the green circle glow for just a second.

He blinked his eyes and saw nothing but just the same old tiger. "I must be seeing things," he thought and went back inside.

Tomorrow was a big day full of celebration and lots of energy was needed. Ming and Lei had separate bedrooms while Chen and Fu shared one. His roommate was already fast asleep; being a restless sleeper Fu had kicked the blanket to the floor. Chen picked it up and covered his friend making sure he was warm. Then he flopped down onto his own bed making himself comfortable before drifting off into slumber.

All was quiet in the town before two strangers on horses came to a halt outside an inn. Dismounting one of them looked around taking in the surroundings.

"Perfect" the person said and held a hand over their amulet, which glowed a dark colour.

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If you've read the note then you'd know why I put the different names. The first kinda seems shorter than expected like introducing it in a nutshell. Any questions, suggestions or comments please write in review. Flames not tolerated but try another approach with constructive criticism.