Hi friends! I'm back! Thanks a lot to Cutetyhil, Rock the road, Subha-Chan, Devi, Neha and Aradhna for reviewing :D
Neha: Don't worry, it's alright. I haven't read it but whenever I'll get time, I'll try to give it a read. Thank you so much for reviewing.
Aradhna: I'm so sorry for updating late. However, my updates will be late. Also I'm sorry because I've planned about this story from top to the bottom. That's why I can't make it a RayXMariah. However, Mariah will play a great and significant role in Ray's life. Continue reading the story, eventually you'll get it. According to your request, I've written on Russia and China. Thank you so much for reviewing :D
"Wow!"
His crimson eyes sparkled in enthusiasm as the whispering exclamation escaped from his vocal cord. Really, it was something that was outstanding enough to bewitch a worldly creature. Tiny straw huts could be seen in the distances of two or three meters. Earthen flower pots were set in their balconies. The hallowed soil of the whole area was covered with the carpet of soft velvet green grass. When someone walked on it, the blades of the grasses tickled softly on his skin which used to nearly lull him to a profound ceasefire. Surrounded by them, tussocks of purple, elfin and nameless flowers were growing in gentle the touch of sunlight. Beneath long dappled trees, great masters were sitting on stony podium and lecturing. In front of them, students were listening to their treasured words attentively. Black and white cows were grazing, closing their eyes in comfort. There was an oval-sized inlet. In it, plum-colored lotuses were spreading their ceaseless beauty sitting on rounded green leaves. On it, there was a wooden bridge. A bright lime vine inclosing shining allamandas draped the railings. Sometimes some flowers were falling in the water, creating placid exuberance in the stagnant and clear fluid. When the sunlight touched them, they looked like the flakes of gold. A white goose was swimming in the loch with its yellow goslings, moving their tails once here, once there. Seeing the new boys, they came up and approached them. With their black marble-eyes, they stared at the newbies for a while.
"Hey, won't you let us go?" The eldest of the boys gawked.
The leader of the group nodded as though she had understood everything. Then, they slowly went towards their crypt.
Breathing once deeply, the dual-haired Russian glimpsed over the place. It wasn't any place of earth. It had been gifted by the deities of heaven. A unique serenity, an unparalleled sanctity was adjoining the ether. Birds were chorusing on the leafy branches of trees. They were welcoming them in the holy territory of knowledge. Unexpectedly, his heart leaped up with joy.
"Boys, you wait here," The principal called, "Lady Vetrova!"
"I'm coming, Sir Alexandrov." A feminine voice was heard in return. Within some seconds, a young lady appeared before them. She was tall holding a slim figure. Her skin was gleaming like sandalwood. Her hair was like the blueness of the firmament. Pink zinnia-eyes fell on them as she smiled a sweet smile, expressing the hidden mother in her.
"My lady, they're the princes of Russia," Alexandrov introduced the boys, "From tomorrow, their education will start. Till then, take care of them."
"As you want, Sir," The lady bowed, "Come with me, children."
The Russian boys looked at each other. They couldn't understand what they should do then. After hesitating a bit, the slate-haired one stepped forward. Seeing him, everyone followed him. The revered mother couldn't help smiling at that. Then, she walked across, trailed by the new students.
"My lady, where are we going?" Being curious, the youngest of them enquired the teacher.
"Firstly I'll show you your rooms," Vetrova replied, "You can make it ready as your wish. Then, you'll bath in the nearest lake. I'll also show you the lakes of bathing and drinking water. Don't mix up the differences, okay?"
"Okay, my lady." The boys responded.
They stopped in front of a straw hut. It was larger than any hut of the faculty. Two bougenvillia trees were set by the sides of the cabin. The mass of the purple enclosed its roof. Flabbergasted, they entered inside. It wasn't only the largest, but also the warmest of all houses. Wooden windows remained open and the daylight peeped in the room through them.
"Wow!" The redhead yelled, "Now we can prepare the room as our wish. Let's go guys, I can't wait anymore!"
"Calm down, Tala," The falcon smirked, "Don't be so restless."
"I'm not being restless, Bryan." He gaped, "I just want to prepare my bed. I'll take the place by the nearest window."
"No, I'll sleep beside the window."
"No, I!"
"No! You won't!"
"Who're you to stop me?!"
"Shut up!"
"You shut up!"
"You both shut up!" The phoniex-prince glared at them, "Don't forget that it's a learning center, not our home."
"But Kai…I wanna sleep beside the window," Tala pleaded, "Please tell this stupid Bryan not to hinder me."
"What've you said just now, filthy wolf?"
"Enough this is!" Kai gritted his teeth, "Tala, Bryan, are you both blind? Can't you see that there are windows in both sides? Just prepare your beds by both of the opposite gaps. But not understanding it, you're fighting like kids. Shame on you!"
'They're still kids, Kai.' Spencer deliberated, 'So it's normal that kids will behave like kids, isn't it?'
Putting his bag down, he went out of the room.
"Kai?" The whale-wielder asked, "Where are you going?"
"To breathe in the fresh air," Reply came, "Staying among you guys, my breaths are being chocked."
Everyone sighed. The phoenix-wielder hadn't been such a hermit before. He'd been a happy and friendly boy who had loved to stay and play with his cousins. But when Voltaire Hiwatari, his grandfather had left the earth forever, he'd become cold. Now he didn't talk properly with anyone. Still he stayed with his cousins but they couldn't feel him now. The child inside him….had been killed by the departure of his grandfather. Still he was as pure as the river water, still he wanted to achieve something great. He wanted to fulfill his grandfather's dream. He wished ardently….to be the greatest ruler of Russia, to be the most devoted servant of his motherland. That's why, he had stopped all the childish acts.
He came out. Walking, he stopped in front of an estuary. Its water was as clear as the mirror. He sat on its edge. The taciturn wind of Russia blew once, touching his bare skin. He lay down on the grass and gazed at the sky. The white clouds were passing across the blue just like the ships in the ocean. He sighed. Among those vapors, he tried to find his grandfather.
"I knew that lotuses grow in pond." A voice commented, "But today a lotus has grown beside the pond. Outstanding, isn't it?"
The phoenix-prince sat up and looked at the man. He was wearing a dark violet cloak. His white beard touched the buttons on his chest. Twisting his moustaches, he asked, "If I'm not wrong, then you're the prince of Russia, aren't you?"
"Hn." Standing up, Kai bowed.
"I'm Kotaro," He introduced himself, "I teach here the rules and regulations of archery. I know that you're a skilled archer. Is it true?"
"Test me once." The prince replied.
"You're already being tested, my son," The master simpered, "And this test is endless."
"What do you mean?" Kai raised an eyebrow.
"Nothing, boy," He showed the amicable flash of his teeth, "One day you youreslf will understand the meaning of my words."
"Understanding the meaning of your words?" Kai softly threw a pebble in the water, "I can't understand the rules of the world even. How'll I understand your words?"
No reply came. Moving back, the slate-haired Russian discovered no one. He frowned and thought something. Shrugging once, he left the place. He had to bathe and wash away all the dirts in his heart, soul, brain and body.
After all, he was the prince of Russia. And a prince shouldn't waste time for little things.
Three stallions and one mare were going forward. The mare was the leading the battalion. On her, the scarlet-haired princess was sitting, holding its rein gently. Behind her, three well-armed soldiers were following her. She had forbidden her father to send them with her. But the father's heart hadn't accepted the fact that his daughter could roam alone in a rural area. So, he couldn't have helped letting the troopers accompany the princess. The team was passing across the woods. The tweeting wild birds flying from one tree to another and insects hiding beneath the grass was overwhelming the royal girl. She inhaled in the vernal airstream and satisfied her lungs. However, she couldn't enjoy the pleasure of nature as she heard a soldier screaming. Frowning, she turned back.
"My sword!" One of the combatant cried, "Someone has taken my sword!"
"Who has two hearts in his chest?" Another one threatened, "I'll finish whoever has done this!"
"Calm down, soldiers." The princess smiled. Getting down from her mare, she glanced over the calm atmosphere. None was there. Only some birds were flying above their heads.
"Only the cowards attack secretly." She acknowledged.
"I'm not a coward, princess." Someone voiced.
Smirking, she stared at the owner of the voice. It was a raven-haired boy, around her age. He was holding the sword of the leader of the royal soldiers. His amber orbs were gleaming mystically in the murk of the greeneries.
"Manerless boy!" The guardsman whose weapon had been snatched raged, "How dare you?! I'll finish you today!"
Taking a sword, he was about to attack him but it clattered with another sword which was held by the neko-jin. His face was wearing a determined expression. He was struggling hard against a man who was greater than he-both in age and strength. But he didn't give up. Since he was standing on slushy muddy soil, his feet weren't supporting him. But he, grasping the rapier firmly, was trying to hold on. Finally, applying all the strength in his body, he pushed his opponent back.
"What the hell!" The combatants were surprised. Their jaws remained open and eyes were widened. All fell silent for a few moments. None thought to attack the boy twice. None considered to imprison or punish the rural boy. They all were thinking about the same thing.
How could a rural boy be so strong to defeat a royal soldier?
"I'm impressed," The princess opened her mouth at first, "You're enough strong. But it doesn't mean that you can escape from the law. You've committed a crime by stealing the weapon of a soldier. Why have you done it?"
"I'm sorry, princess," He respectfully bowed, "My friends dared me to do something challenging. That's why I'd to do this."
Handing the sword to its owner, he conversed, "Mister, here's your weapon. Don't worry, I won't harm you or anyone of the palace."
"But I'll punish you!" Salima kept her hands on her waist, "And your punishment is to show me the way to the nearest temple."
"What?"
"Yes, you've heard right," She ordered, "Now take me there! Move!"
The little boy thoughtfully scratched his head. He was in a dilemma. He had promised his best friend to meet her in the afternoon and the sun was above his head nearly. If he broke his promise, she wouldn't talk with him anymore. What a problem, man!
"What happened?" The fierce redhead grasped his hair, "If you don't obey my order, I'll cut your hair."
"What?" He cried, "Please princess, don't cut my hair. I'm begging to you."
"Then take me there soon!" She softly slapped on his head. In return, he went red like a tomato.
"Okay," He sighed, "Follow me."
The soldiers were about to come but the princess stopped them, "You don't need to come with me. Stay here and wait for me."
"But princess…" One of them demurred, "His Majesty has ordered us to stay with you."
"Don't worry, I'll come back soon," She brightly smiled, "Wait here. If I need you, I'll send this boy to you. Okay?"
"Alright, but don't be late." The eldest of them softly advised.
Smiling again, she rode on her horse. Holding the rein, the boy started walking beside it.
The temple was well-appointed with floral garlands, flower petals, lotuses, perfumed holy water, ignited oil lamps, colorful leaves and origami artworks. In the main hall, the golden idol of a Chinese goddess was set on a gigantic aquatic flower. Joining her hands together, the princess of the country was praying with her full concentration.
"Oh God!" She wished, "Please keep me and my family happy forever. I wanna be a good daughter of my parents and a good princess of my kingdom. Please fulfill my wish."
"You shouldn't speak so loudly in temple, princess," The boy grinned, "Otherwise everyone will know about your wishes."
"So what?" Turning behind, she asked, "What will happen if everyone hears me?"
"Nothing, but my mother says that the deities dwell in our hearts," He intelligently answered, "If you believe them truly, you shouldn't speak so loudly before them. Quietly pray to the Gods because they can hear you easily."
"You know many things," She came out of the temple. For helping her, he monitored her.
"Mind if I wanna know your name?" While walking, she looked at him.
"My name is Ray." The answer came.
"Surname?"
"I don't have any," Ray looked at the sky.
"Why?" Salima cocked an eyebrow, "Don't you know your father's surname? It is your surname."
"I know," He spoke, "Once I used this surname after my name. Then father chided me and said that I shouldn't use it."
"Why?" Salima couldn't resist her curiosity.
"I don't know," The boy heaved a sigh. The truth was so harsh for him. After gaining sense, the guy whom he was calling father wasn't a human being. He was a ferocious beast who used to beat his own wife on small excuses. When the little boy used to protest, the beast didn't spare him even. Helping the rich farmers of the village, the boy supported his family. Yet his so-called father snatched all his income from him for one thing. Yeah, it was alcohol which attracted the day laborer like magnet. Only the mother was affectionate to him. Whenever he got beaten badly by the man, it was the woman who applied ointment on his wounds. Whenever he couldn't sleep, she sang lullabies for tranquilizing him.
"Hey, what's it on your cheek?" The girl kept a finger on a red stain of fingers on his cheek which had been gifted to him by his father in the previous night.
"Hehehe…actually I fell from a tree once," He scratched his head again.
"So naughty you're, aren't you?"
Ray was about to say something but before that, they both were obstructed by an old woman.
"Hello Grandma," Both of the children bowed their heads, "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you, kids," The old lady greeted, "Have you seen my pebbles?"
"Pebbles?" They stared at each other.
"Yes, pebbles." She stated, "One of them is as white as yang, representing the light. Another of them is as black as yin, representing the shadow. When they collide against each other, sparks fly in the air. Thus they can create fires."
"Creating fires?" Ray shrugged, "I'm sorry, Grandma, but we haven't seen your pebbles."
"Oh no….where to find them…" Yammering incoherently, the lady left the place.
"Is she mad or what?" The redhead whispered in the ear of the neko-jin.
"Don't know," The neko-jin shook his head, "This village is a weird one. Different people live here. Oh look, we've reached."
"Thanks a lot!" Salima beamed, "You've helped me a lot today. If you want, you can come to palace tomorrow. Tomorrow is my birthday. If you come, I'll be very happy."
"Will the guards allow me to enter into the palace?" He asked.
"Don't worry about it." Salima put off her necklace and handed it to him, "If you show it to them, they can't help letting you enter. Okay, see you."
"See you too." Ray bowed as the princess left him.
Putting the royal necklace into his pocket, he revolved behind. Soon he realized that he'd done the wrong. The furious pinkette was standing there pouting her lips. Flames rose in her honey-colored orbs.
"Oh….hi Mariah, how're you?" He gulped. He felt the ground crumbling underneath his feet.
"Stupid boy!" The female neko-jin pulled out a branch of a tree, "Don't you have any idea how long I was waiting for you? Today I'll smash you with this!"
"No please, don't…." Ray pleaded but he was too late. Already the log hit him, showing golden stars in front of his eyes.
"Ouch!"
His screams spread in the air but none paid any attention. It often happened in the village. Who had the time to care after all?
Hmm...that's it!
Pardon the grammatical and spelling errors. Do read and review :D
-Misty ^_^