Eternally Bound

Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade; I only own this plot, Arnia, and any other characters you may not recognise.

Author's Note: My first attempt at a Beyblade fanfic, so I hope you enjoy!

Prologue

The small hand that held mine tightly and gently pulled me along the corridor only slightly outsized my own just as the boy in which it belonged to was only just my superior in height. The grip on my hand tightened as he yanked me after him around a corner and we began to pick up speed. The corridor we ran was narrow and bare with the only light coming from the long, thin windows close to the ceiling casting us in a gloomy darkness.

"Wolf, stop I'm too tired, we should go back we're not allowed down here, we'll get in trouble," I managed to gasp between breaths, only keeping up with the boy due to the sheer force he was dragging me with.

"Come on Nia, you can do it. We've got to get your blade back, no-one steals from us." He replied.

At the mention of my blade my feet spurred into action and I was soon running alongside the boy as we hurtled through the corridor faster than expected from two so young. In seemingly no time at all we slowed as we turned the corner into what appeared to be a dead end, unless of course you knew what you was looking for. Silently, with a nod from Wolf, I clambered onto his shoulders and as he leant into the corner where the two walls met, I bent forward and pushed at the very top just below the ceiling. Soundlessly and smoothly the other side of the wall popped open leaving a considerable gap that Wolf and I could get through with ease.

Once in the room I couldn't help but gasp at what I saw. The room itself was just an average study with a desk and computer equipment but the decoration was beyond anything I'd ever seen. There was a heavy, exquisitely carved mahogany door standing on the far wall leading onto the courtyard beyond and was the only other exit from the room. The windows were hung with deep red velvet drapes and the floor was covered in a plush cream carpet, so soft I felt my feet sink into it. The light in the room was much brighter than in the corridor thanks to two crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The matching settee and chair in the room were gold gilt and aged red leather and a glass decanter stood on a table between the two holding a rich plum coloured wine. All in all the room stank of money, but I wasn't here to stare at the décor, I had a mission and I knew what I had to do.

"Come on, lets get looking," I said to Wolf who like me was mesmerised by the room, but unlike me had a look of disgust on his face.

Shaking his head he snapped out of his reverie and started to yank the drawers' open of the desk whilst I pulled the ones open on the cabinet close to the door. Rummaging amongst the papers and the odd bit of stationary I caught no sight of my precious blade. After ten minutes of fruitless searching I was beginning to feel frustrated and angry tears began to prick at the back of my eyes.

"What's the use we're never going to find it, it might not even be here," I sighed as I flopped my small frame onto the settee.

"Come on Nia don't give up, this can be the only place that he would ever think of putting it. And there's one place we still haven't looked." Wolf replied.

I snapped my head up as his words filled me with a renewed hope. "Where?" I asked.

Without saying a word he just pointed, high up, right in the corner of the room which I'd completely disregarded at first. There stood a large bookshelf over twice my height. It almost touched the ceiling apart from a small gap, perfect for storing anything not wanted found. I took a step towards it ready to start climbing the book shelf only to find Wolf fling out an arm to stop me. Turning to face him with a look of confusion on my face he still said nothing but put his arms behind his back and pulled out his blade and launcher.

"3, 2, 1 let it rip," he cried, sending his blade flying in the air.

The blade soared smoothly until it came into contact with the wall where it sped lightly up without leaving so much as a mark. As it came to a level with the bookshelf it zigzagged across the top and with a thunk it came falling back down into Wolfs out stretched hand and behind it another fell right at my feet. Looking down I could barely contain my excitement as I saw the familiar blue and silver blade. Snatching it up, I checked over it for any damage.

"She's good," I sighed, sliding onto the settee.

"Come on we better get going before we get caught," Wolf said, pulling me up and dragging me towards the wall.

Before we even got half way there the door started to swing inwards and voices could be heard clearly on the other side.

With a quick glance at each other we did the only thing that seemed possible and dived behind the settee just as the owners of the voices walked into the room. In the cramped space we just about had enough room to slide under the settee and watch what was going on without risk of being seen. I could only see the shoes of the people but it was enough to identify them as two men and a woman. One of them strode into the room and directed the other two to sit on the settee we were under. However unclear the voices were his was easily recognisable. Turning my head to face Wolf I mouthed one word "Boris." If he was entertaining visitors in his private study which very few knew about they must be important.

"Can I offer either of you a glass of wine," Boris asked, in a simpering voice.

"Let's cut to the chase, we all know why we're here and this place is not one I wish to spend more time then necessary. It's about the girl," the man said.

At this my ears pricked up, I knew I was the only girl in the whole place so I could be the only one they was talking about. Looking once again at Wolf the look on his face established he realised what they was talking about too.

"Ah, Arnia, yes" Boris said, confirming what I already knew.

"Yes, that's the one," the man replied, "It's come to our attention that it would be much more profitable to take her away from the organisation. She's just not quite right for our plans."

"What do you mean? She is excessively powerful and could be put to good use in the future with just a bit more training, she's-"

"That is exactly our point," interrupted the women, "she is a she, it does not bode well for the company if others realise we are using little girls. It's just not promoting the right image. We've spoken to Voltaire on this already and he agrees on the matter, Arnia did you say, will be leaving the company with us today. We can't risk leaving her here any longer. If the government find out it could spell disaster for the whole corporation."

"What of the other, the boy is he to stay." Boris asked.

"There's no point in loosing two such powerful children," was the man's answer.

I almost cried out at this except for the hand Wolf had clamped across my mouth sensing my inevitable outburst. As his grip on my face slackened I leant in to his hand needing to feel the closeness of him as the silent tears trickled down my face onto his hand. Looking up at his face I noticed that his eyes were also glistening and were filled with more hurt then I'd seen from him in a long time and he in turn saw mine. We stayed like this for a long while until the slam of a door brought us out of our trance. Noticing the room was now empty, Wolf wriggled out from under the settee and took hold of my hand pulling me upright beside him. Rushing over to the window we saw Boris leading the way and the two unfamiliar backs of the man and woman that were to take me away heading to the main building.

"What am I gonna do, I don't want to go anywhere!" I cried out, as the tears started to flow again or maybe they hadn't stopped. "Please Wolf; please don't let them take me away."

Wolf was silent for a moment with a look of intense concentration on his face running his hands through his hair like he always did when he was thinking.

"I've got it, we'll have to run away, just us two and no-one will ever find us," he shouted.

"You promise we'll always be together?" I asked

"I promise, I'm here to look after you, that's what brothers do."

And with that he grabbed my hand, opened the secret door and pulled me at a run through the secret passages. This time knowing speed was a necessity, because although these passages ensured a much quicker route to the dormitories Boris had a head start, I didn't complain once about being exhausted.

At great speed we barrelled into the door to our room which was empty expect for mine and Wolf's closet friend. As always his keen sense of perception meant we didn't have to explain the situation to him he instantly knew the seriousness of it. With that the three of us set to work, quickly starting to pack our most necessary possessions and plenty of warm clothes.

"I'll go check if it's safe for you" the boy said and with that he left the room.

"Nia, before we go I think we should swap pendants to keep us safe," Wolf said, bringing out his silver and crystal wolf pendant from around his neck. As usual it was glowing pale blue.

"Oh okay," I said, pulling my own pendant out from under my shirt. The craftsmanship of both was exactly the same except my own was an eagle and glowed faintly pink at my touch. Pulling it over my head I handed it over to Wolf and he gave me mine. As soon as we relinquished our holds on our own amulets the glow died away and looked like an ordinary pendant. I looked at this confused, unable to comprehend what it meant.

"Remember what mum told us, no-one can ever pretend to be me and no-one can ever pretend to be you because only in the right hands will the pendants glow. So if we swap and we ever loose each other I'll be able to find you again."

I put the wolf pendant over my head and tucked it safely in my shirt. Throwing my arms around Wolf I hugged him tightly not wanting to let go.

A long low whistle sounded breaking our embrace. That was the signal and I knew it was time to go.

Quickly and quietly, we skirted the corridors keeping tightly to the walls where the shadows where, for once thankful for the poor lighting that was helping us escape. We turned each corner with baited breath, desperately hoping for each corridor to be empty and each time getting our wish. Our luck hung out and soon we were at the doors to the courtyards. Fifty metres beyond was safety, greater than that freedom.

"Quick, you better go now, the coast's clear," said our friend.

"Why don't you come with us, you know how bad it is here anywhere's got to be better, come with me and Wolf," I asked, desperately wanting him to come too.

"I can't, I've got something I must do before I leave here, but I will find you."

"Promise?" I asked uncertainly

"Promise," he answered and disappeared into the shadows. At that I felt content; I knew he could be trusted to keep his promise.

"Come on now, it's our turn to move."

Wolf grabbed my hand and pushed open the door which slid with little resistance and no noise. As we stepped out the icy wind bit into my face and I pulled my hood tighter round my face. The harsh temperature suddenly brought the realism of the situation to me and for the first time I began to panic at the difficulties we would face. As always sensing my fear, Wolf gripped my hand tighter, his warmth flooding through me, soothing me a little. Taking a deep breath, I was able to concentrate once more.

"We can do this," he said.

"We can do this" I repeated.

We stepped out into the courtyard, embracing the wall as to reduce our chances of being seen by someone staring out the window. We walked in single file, Wolf in front, me behind, hand in hand, both drawing strength from the other. We carried on walking and before we knew it the gate was there, the gate to the real world, the gate where we could live together without the fear of being separated. Once we were out there we wouldn't need anyone else, just the two of us, which is all we require. We reached out together with the hands that were still adjoined; thanking whatever god was up there that our luck had held out this long.

And that's when the lights went on.

Great yellow beams hit us, sending our surroundings into total blackness. A smaller light was moving slowly, trailed on an outline of a man approaching us. As he got nearer, I could see the look on his face. That look explained everything, just one glance at him and I knew. I knew right from the start, ever since we'd left his study, he'd been watching us. Every movement we'd made, he'd seen. He knew our intentions and how much it meant to us. Yet, he just let us go. He knew that what was worse then stopping us before we began, was giving us that hope, the belief we were finally getting out of here and then taking it all away from us. A sardonic smile etched onto his lips, which only grew wider the closer he got to us.

"Well, what have we got here?" he coldly sniggered.

At his words Wolf took a protective step forward shielding me from view.

"You're not going to take Nia, I won't let you."

At this my heart filled with pride at how brave Wolf was, even though Boris towered over his small frame.

"Tut, tut, how noble of you," Boris sneered. "No matter though, even if you had the slightest chance of getting past me you don't think I'd be alone."

With a slight nod of his head, the whole courtyard was suddenly flooded with light so bright my eyes scrunched up against it after the darkness that had engulfed us. Once my eyes could once more tolerate the beams, I opened them slightly only to wish I hadn't. Wolf and I where surrounded by at least ten huge men, twice the size of us, clothed in camouflage gear and wearing sunglasses as protection from the harsh lightening. Just one look at these men and my heart sank, there was no way Wolf and I could get passed these, no matter how hard we tried.

Feeling a slight pressure on my hand, I gazed up into my brother's face and that's when I knew that the illusion was over, it was time to give in. Looking into his orbs, I was startled to see the regret residing in them. Abruptly, I knew he would believe himself responsible for this and this was something he could never forgive. I knew how hard he was on himself and without me there, there would be no-one to stop the punishment he would make his body endure. It was this more than anything that hurt, the fact that I would never be there to help my brother, however seldom he would need it.

Once again for the countless time that night, I threw myself into his arms and hugged him tight. The pain in my heart was too much to warrant tears, I just stood there clinging, hoping never to let go.

"Never forget me, promise, no matter what happens, you'll never forget me," I whispered.

"How could I ever, I promise, I promise, I'll come get you, Nia, I don't know when but I will come for you."

I felt Wolf start to shudder and my face soon became damp with his tears. For the first time since I could remember, Wolf was breaking down whilst I stayed strong.

Stalwart arms grabbed around my waist and I was slowly wrenched from my brother's embrace. Stretching out my arms, I tried to maintain contact with him for as long as possible until my finger tips slipped out of his grasp. When I was about five foot away from my brother, I locked eyes with him and whispered 'always remember.'

It was to these words he snapped. With a yell he ran towards me, deftly avoiding the two men who where moving in to grab him. Using the element of surprise, he managed to jump at the man holding me, causing his grip to slacken. Seeing my chance, I kicked out with all my strength, catching the man square in the groin. Instinctively, the man doubled over in pain, completely letting me go.

Looking around I hesitated unsure of what to do, until I felt a hard push on my back and a shouted 'Go!' in my ears. Without looking back, I made a dash towards the gate, only to run smack into Boris, causing me to fall directly to the ground.

"I don't think so, do you?" he said and with a yank he pulled me up by my collar. "Restrain him, sedate her."

I was roughly grabbed by two of the men and held tight. My heart was beating painfully in my throat at the thought of what his words could mean.

I felt a sharp pain in my arms and my legs buckled beneath me.

The abbey around me, started spinning and I heard my name shouted from far away.

Then the world went black.

With a gasp I awoke. Wriggling, I pulled the covers from around my body where they had twisted and sat up, leaning against the head board. Placing my hands up to my face and I'm shocked to find it wet with tears. Taking a few deep breaths I try to ease the pounding of my heart and quell the uneasiness flooding through my body. Finding this method futile I hop out of bed and pad over to the balcony doors in my room stopping only to pull on my dressing gown and slippers. Flinging open the doors the icy wind hit me and bit through my clothes but I ignored it, instead looked over the city of Moscow

Not for the first time had this dream visited me in my sleep, but that was by far the furthest it had ever gone. It started when I came to this city and has been getting longer and more vivid with each passing day. No longer was it unpredictable but every night when I closed my eyes I knew where my subconscious mind would take me. Yet I came no closer to figuring out where they came from. Where they memories from another life, or a wish that I was from somewhere else, part of a different family? Try as I may to understand them I knew where the missing link came from, that boy, Wolf, the one I called my brother, the one who looked so like me. Was he real or was he another part of my imagination. Like that place we where, the place that sent shivers down my back even know, why was it so darn familiar?

Taking another look at the city, a city I'd never been to before, so why then did it bring up such feelings from within me? Pangs of familiarity where becoming so often I no longer seemed to notice them. Be it people or places, buildings or faces, everything seemed so familiar. I couldn't answer these questions and I didn't know why, but all I knew was I was sure as hell going to find out.

Authors Note (2): Thanks for reading and I hoped you all enjoyed it so far. I'd like to thank by beta, my cousin Laura (Faith forever in Harry) for checking this over for me. You did a great job, thanks huni!

I wasn't going to post this until I'd gotten a few more chapters written but I really wanted to know what you all think, since it took me so long to write. Because of my A levels, updates will be between 2 weeks and a month apart, sorry, but I'll try my best to update sooner.

With this being my first Beyblade fic I really want to know what you think and any points for improvement. So press the little blue button and make my day, it only takes a second, lol!

Thanks for reading,

Lots of Love,

Kirsty

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