ADVOCATUS DIABOLI

Summary: A new case piques curiosity of Kai Hiwatari, a famous lawyer. He's going to defend Tala Ivanov, a rock star accused of murder. But two strong personalities may have problems working together… .

Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade nor the characters.

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Chapter one: Ab origine

28 years old could be treated like a huge amount of time, or like a short period. Consequently, a 28-year-old person could be treated as young or as elder person: it all depends on the subject. Everything is relative. Someone's salary for some peolple is like a dream, for the others it is barely enough to live on. Even the building, which Kai Hiwatari has just passed, is high and small at the same time. It all depends how you look at it or what are you comparing it with. But if even such simple question couldn't be answered with certainity, then how can people think about solving problems like morality? Is there a line that indicates good and evil? And what if there is no such line or we're unable to discover it? How are we going to chose what to do? How are we going to know what is forbidden? Should we judge by religious standards? But then how are we going to chose the right religion? Then maybe there is no such thing as "forbidden"? Maybe we, humans, the highest level of evolution, are perfrct beings and everything we do is right? Maybe everything we are able to do is good, because there is no purpose in being able to do evil? Maybe there is no one there to pass righteous judgement on us? Maybe we're the only ones to judge and in the same time to be judged? Or maybe we shouldn't judge at all?

On the 16th floor of the building that Kai has been passing, was situated his office. He was a lawyer, a damn good one. He would admit it personally, since modesty has never been his strong point. Having a well-known judge as a grandfather, he couldn't complain abut hard begginings. Yes, his name sure helped him, but he worked hard to live up to expectations. After many won cases, cases that often were so difficult that most of other lawyers didn't dare to take them, he earned deserved fame. Of course he didn't win every case, but nobody is perfect. Or, as used to say: complete perfection is boring; it needs a little imperfection to be perfect. What he lacked definitely wasn't self-confidence.

Since he had more than hour to the scheduled meeting with a new client, he headed to the café. This day he was served by a new waiter, a young, shy boy with brown hair and big glasses. Apparently, his boss has already told him who the client was, since his hands were trembling rather uncontrollably. Not very good trait for the waiter, Kai thought. Waiting for his black coffee, he opened the newspaper. One headline particularly caught his eye:

ROCK STAR ACCUSED OF MURDER.

Kai smirked and closed the newspaper; he'll have time to read it later in the office. By that time the waiter has already brought his order. Putting the cup on the table, he slipped and poured the hot liquid on Kai, who cursed under his breath.

"What do you think you're doing?!" he yelled at the boy. The café manager immediately appeared on the scene and started to apologize. He knew letting the new employee serve Hiwatari wasn't the best idea… .

"I deeply apologize for the incident, Mr. Hiwatari. Kenny is new here, inexperienced. We'll do whatever it takes-"

"It's enough." Kai spoke. "Just make sure you employ competent waiters. I don't want this to happen again."

The manager sighed in relief. If Hiwatari sued them, it would be over for his business. "Of course, sir. Once again I sincerely apologize."

Kai took out his cell phone and dialed his assistant's number.

"Julia, it's me. I need a new shirt."

…

"Yeah, Armani is ok. They know my size."

…

"I want it in half an hour." He ended the call, while watching as the manager fired that boy, Kenny. Kai shrugged. The boy wasn't fit for waiter anyway and he got what he deserved.

As her boss entered the office, Julia stood up and greeted him. She was fond of her job and didn't want to lose it recklessly. Not that she was afraid of Kai; previous assistants told her many stories about him, but having worked with him for a year now (which was a record in Kai's office), she knew most of those stories were bullshit. Sure, he had his habits and wasn't particularly friendly, but she respected him. She knew when to keep quiet and when she could let herself loosen up. Putting up with Hiwatari for such a long time? Well, working for him definitely wasn't boring, at least she could gossip about his clients with her friends. And about today's client… she was already prepared to ask for an autograph. Or maybe she could even get a photo with him?

Kai walked into the room and sighed deeply. This morning could have been better. Besides, he didn't get to drink his coffee, and that was enough to affect his mood. He looked at the clock. It was half past nine. His client was to be at ten and Kai could bet he'll come late anyway. Having nothing urgent to do, he sat behind the huge, antic desk and opened the newspaper on the same page as before. He smirked again, something in this article must have been particularly amusing for him. It read: 'A popular rock star, Tala Ivanov (27) has been accused of murdering Boris Balcov (49), a drug dealer. The police doesn't comment this fact. Ivanov claims to be innocent.'

A gentle knock on the door disturbed Kai's lecture. It was Julia, she brought a new shirt along with a matching tie.

"Good you thought about the tie. And bring me coffee." He said. She nodded and closed the door behind her. Kai changed and returned to the lecture. After some time the phone rang.

"Mr. Hiwatari, your client is here."

"Let him in." The door opened and revealed the visitors figure. He looked a bit different in comparison to the photo, Kai thought.

"Good morning, Mr. Ivanov. Please have a sit."

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AN: So, what do you say? Review and tell me if you would like this story to be yaoi or should they stay straight (but then there won't be any romance).