Hi my dear people! What's up? ;D
Thanks to Cutetyhil, Magicalphoenix12, Scarlet witch of Terra, LadyPeach7, KaneXSally, TLP and Rock the Road for reviewing :D
Justafan: Hi, thanks for reading, reviewing and liking this story. Yes, I know that Kai is a bit OOC here but it has some reasons. Unlike the beyblade original series, he's got a good parenting and tutelage here. So, it's obvious, right? Besides, this story will deal with the reasons of Kai's nature in Bakuten Shoot Beyblade, not the outcomes. Thanks once again :D
So, meet my new OC here: Natasha Valkov, the younger sister of Tala Valkov. Guess with whom she'll be paired? xD
I dedicate this chapter to Rock the Road who has come here after a long period. Welcome back, Rumu! *Throws confetti*
Enjoy! :D
The last sign of the nightfall had disappeared from the blue before a while. The sun had risen in the east with his utmost glow and glory. His golden beams were occupying the ether. Waking up, birds became busy in singing and roaming around the camp, flittering their wings of different sizes, shapes and colors. Flowers were smilingly gazing at the scorching star of daylight like thirsty crows staring at any jade lake. On the cliff of the knoll, some large-sized rocks were littered here and there. There were a few leafless trees which were on the verge of death. Under their skeleton-like branches, piles of dry leaves were dumbly looking at their origins. The heat and light of the helio could be felt the most by standing on that surface.
However, the bogaturs weren't feeling the ruthlessness of the sun while performing their usual duties. On two slabs, backing each other, they were standing with their bows and quivers attached to their waists. The vigil eyes of the slate-haired Russian were set upon the dwellers of the secret zone. Whereas, the redhead was scrutinizing the horizon, rotating his ocean blue eyes here and there. Though they were watching the area, they didn't know that they were being observed by someone. Obviously, the stalker wasn't their fan at all. He was hiding behind a tree which had only a few leaves.
He stepped once, not noticing the heaps of arid leaves beneath his feet. Thanks to their getting crunched, the redhead looked behind. Automatically, his hand reached the arrow basket. Popping out a dart, he adjusted with the bow and drew the cord. The weapon dashed through the tree, piercing the leg of the lurker. Within no moment, the slate-haired Russian turned to his cousin, removing the perplexities from his face.
But the scarlet-head didn't have much time to exchange his stares with his cousin because the intruder had already started running for his dear life. Tightly clutching the semicircle, he also leaped from the rock and dragged his legs forward, only for being followed by the shark-fin-cheeked prince.
Across the ash-colored boulders and dead twigs, trampling the lifeless greeneries in the shades of burning coals, the demon was sprinting like a wild stag. He could easily be identified as a monster because of his tar-smeared complexion and tangled strands. But catching him wasn't as easy as recognizing him was, due to his magical ability of being invisible. Yet, the wolf-prince wasn't the one to give up that easily. His lithe feet were penetrating the trashes and obstructions of nature. The same was applicable for his cousin but he was slower than the redhead, liking to prefer his thoughts and intelligence to his body as usual.
The redhead pulled out the sword from its scabbard. Then, he started running again, keeping his eyes absorbed in searching for the mugger.
"Tala!" The slate-haired boy called his name, then again, forwarded his ankles.
Tala didn't seem to listen to his brother at all. All that he wanted was to catch the intruder. He could go to any extent for that.
"Carefully!" Kai yelled, trying to notify Tala.
Not bothering to nod or affirm something, the wolf-prince got allured to reach his goal. Unfortunately, he had to stop under a leafless tree as the demon couldn't be seen anymore. Baffled, for the first time at that period, Tala stared at the dual-haired Russian. Kai's eyes went up, consciously viewing his surroundings.
The attacker's vague figure couldn't escape those amethyst orbs as their owner's jaw became stiff. The demon was about to jump on the perplexed wolf-prince but his cousin didn't let it happen. Attaching an arrow against his own bow, the phoenix-prince shot it towards the foe. The ghostly being fell down from the tree, somewhat drawing the attention of Tala. Again, rage caught the brain of the wolborg-wielder. Gnashing his teeth, he started chasing him for the second time, determining that he wouldn't leave his body in a single piece if he got to catch the creepy creature.
"Tala!" The phoenix-prince was also running behind his cousin, "Be careful!"
The wolf-prince didn't have much time to be careful. Even had he had, he wouldn't have cared. At that moment, his only goal was to capture the demon. He kept shooting the arrows at the intruder but unexpectedly, all his shots were missing the target again and again. They almost reached the edge of the cliff. Stopping on the verge, the monster disappeared like smokes. The red-haired Russian wasn't ready for that. His feet slipped, unable to maintain the balance of his body. He fell down, there was the absence of the ground under his feet. He futilely attempted to grasp the air, but it went in vain.
The slate-haired Russian's eyes got widened in shock. In utter horror, he screamed, brokenly kneeling down on the ground:
"TALA!"
"NO!"
From her feather bed, the red-haired royal lady stormed up from her slumber. She was panting. Even in the arctic weather of Russia, she was drenched in her own sweat. Her throat was craving for a droplet of water like an isolated desert of a random Arabian kingdom. Her lungs were yearning for fresh air. Though there was plenty of the substance in the compartment, without any reason, the mother was wheezing, grasping her velvety bed-sheet with her fingers.
"Mother!" From somewhere, a red-haired girl rushed to her. Sitting by her, she kept a hand on her shoulder, "You alright?"
"Nata...Natasha!" Natalia blankly looked at her daughter. Then suddenly, she burst into tears, her head slumped on the shoulder of the younger.
"Calm down, mother," Natasha stroked her head gently, "Tell me what is bothering you. You were asleep, right? Then what happened all of a sudden?"
"Natasha, I dreamed a very bad dream..." The mother sobbed, "I saw... your brother lying on the ground, covered with white bed-sheet up to his chin..."
The female Valkovian kept staring at her mother for a few moments. Then, bit by bit, a soothing smile rose in her face.
"Mother, you were sleeping in daylight," She comforted, "You were tensed regarding brother Tala too. That's why, you had the bad dream. Trust me, nothing will happen to him and brother Kai. Why're you worrying?"
"What happened, Natasha?" A certain violet-haired lady peeped inside the room. She'd been passing by the chamber. Suddenly, hearing the outburst of her sister-in-law, she'd become both curious and worried at the same time.
"Aunt," Natasha stood up from her seat, "Come in."
Nodding, the queen entered the chamber. Seeing her sister-in-law shedding tears, her jaw dropped. Hurrying to her, she sat on her bed.
"Natalia!" She cupped her chin, "What happened, my dear? Why're you crying in this way? Is everything okay?"
"Mother had a bad dream about brother Tala, aunt," Natasha replied on behalf of her mother, "Mother, how many times do I have to request you not to sleep in daylight? It's not good for our physical and mental health, you know. Aunt, now calm her down. I have something to do."
"Don't worry, Natalia," Apraxia squeezed the shoulders of the lady who was still sniffing, "Sage Dickenson is with them, isn't he? He'll keep our children safe and sound. Here, have some water."
Pouring some water into a chalice from a jug kept on the side-table, the empress of Russia handed it to the worrying lady. Taking it, Natalia had a few sips. Her throat got appeased, so did her lungs as she heaved a sigh in relief.
"Our children are very brave and strong, Natalia," Apraxia started, "Don't you know how dauntlessly they fought against the demons here? They became victorious at that time, didn't they? Then why won't they be successful in killing the monsters in Japan? Mark my words, they'll return to us, putting on the crowns of victors."
"I hope your words become fruitful, sister-in-law," Natalia had stopped crying though the stains of tears were still clinging to her cheeks, "I just want the well-being of our sons."
"I want it too, my dear," The queen spoke, "Remember the childhood of them?"
"Why not?" The redhead sniggered, floating back to memories, "They were so mischievous, specially Bryan."
"Bryan's common prank was to push others into water," Apraxia giggled, "One day, he went to Kai for drenching him. But Kai wasn't less clever than he. He jumped up and held the branch of a nearby tree. Getting misbalanced, Bryan fell in the lake."
"Hahaha...thank goodness, he knew to swim," Natalia added, "But the cat fights between Tala and Bryan were epic!"
"Often they used to quarrel about foods," Apraxia recalled, "None but Kai could pacify them easily."
"Hmm...look, how time does fly!" The mother of the wolf-prince reluctantly said, looking at the sky through the open windows of the castle, "Our children have grown up. Soon, they'll get married and have their own families, won't they?"
"Sure, they'll." Apraxia lost in the ways of her own thoughts. Inside her ears, the particular words of her late husband rang.
"You're fond of Japan, aren't you?"
"Of course I am! I have even decided that I'll get my child married in Japan."
The empress closed her eyes.
Flashback:
"Kai!"
The slate-haired Russian was getting ready. He was in front of his mirror, knotting the straps of his left shoulder-guard carefully. Suddenly, hearing his mother's call, he turned behind.
"I've to say something important to you," The Russian lady entered the room. One of her hands was seizing a rectangular silver box. Looking at it, her son spoke, "Hn."
"Kai, it's my engagement ring," She handed the container to her son who emotionlessly took it, "Your father gave me it as a sign of our love. Today, I'm giving it to you."
The phoenix-prince confoundedly looked at his mother, not understanding the reason.
"It was your father's wish to get you married in Japan..." Apraxia's eyes were almost brimmed with tears. Somehow, she forced them back. Sniffing, she restarted, "Son, I know that you won't ever gaze at the eyes of a girl. But...the thing is, our heart is very restless. It cannot easily be understood. Sometimes, it is harder than a stone. Sometimes, it is softer than water. So complicated it is, my child."
"So what, mother?" Kai responded barely, adjusting his headgear.
"You may never know when and how you've fallen in love..." Apraxia spoke, "Kai, today, I give you the independence of choosing your own life-partner."
"Huh?" The phoenix-prince's eyes went wide open. He looked at his mother with a puzzled face.
"Just remember, she should be righteous, truthful and brave," The queen continued, "She doesn't need to be very talented but should have the ability of understanding the thoughts of people and her surroundings. Be her a princess or any other ordinary girl, be her beautiful or not, she should have the inner daintiness. Her heart should be fair, not her skin. If you fall in love with such a girl, don't hesitate to present the ring before her. You've my blessings with you, my son."
"What if she rejects?" Kai questioned, examining his sword.
"Who'll reject the mighty prince of Russia?" His mother laughed, "Just kidding, son. Before offering the ring, you'll offer her your love, okay?"
"Hn," He gave his signature reply. However, the lady could clearly understand that her son had already been lost in the unknown chronicles of the future.
'After all, I'm his mother, his guardian,' She mused, 'How cannot I read his mind? Well, among women, has God given this quality to only me? Or...will any other girl be there for him in future?'
Flash forward:
"Apraxia?!"
Gasping, the royal lady backed to the natural realm, "Yes?"
"I was thinking that..." Natalia spoke, "When Kai and Tala will return to Russia, we'll get them married. I've already started searching for suitable princesses, especially for Kai. A few kingdoms have really impressed me. They're very powerful and their daughters are also very pretty. Having alliances with them is a thing of luck, Apraxia."
"Natalia, you've already started thinking about their marriage, hahaha..." The queen chortled, "Let them return to Russia at first. Then, we'll cool-headedly talk to them in this regard. Okay?"
"Alright, sister-in-law!" The redhead cheerfully nodded. There were no more tears in her jade green orbs. She was pleased. The clouds of tensions had already taken farewell from her mien. Rather, there was the glory of the sun of happiness abiding in her face.
"Okay, I've to go now," The Russian queen cleared her throat, "See you later, Natalia."
"See you too, sister-in-law!"
Smiling, the queen of Russia came out of the room. Her expression became slightly gloomy as she recalled the words of the mother of the wolf-prince.
'Natalia is really being very possessive, isn't she?' Apraxia wondered, 'But...I know my son very well. He'll marry the one whom he'll truly love. Oh dear lord, please help my son get the love of his life, please...'
Forcefully clinching the rope made of wild vines and roots, the redhead put his last step on the surface of the cliff. His cousin was still looking at him worriedly. Fear of losing a comrade could clearly be observed by carefully gazing at his amethyst orbs. Though he was silent, his eyes were verbalizing how nervous he had been before a while. Beside him, there was the bald sage, holding one of the edges of the twine. Standing on his own feet, the redhead breathed deeply, tasting the first gush of air inside his lungs in his newly gotten life. He looked at Kai, trying to find out how much worried he was. Feeling watched by his cousin, the slate-haired Russian just turned his eyes away from him, yet sighing in relief.
"Enemies cannot be attacked in this way," After a heavy silence, Dickenson spoke up, "Yes, it's a forest. Nature doesn't abide by the rules of regular battles and wars. But for achieving something great, you must obey some rules and regulations. Boys, you both have come here with a view to performing a great job. Whereas, the responsibilities of your safety and security are on my shoulders."
"We're sorry, great sage."
With his wide-open eyes, Tala gawked at his cousin whose head was bent down. The jaw of the wolf-prince dropped in horror as he shivered a bit. Was he daydreaming?
No no, he couldn't see his cousin bending his head down in front of someone, be him or her a sage or any other person. That head was always meant to be upstretched, not lowered. What had happened to the phoenix-prince all of a sudden?
"No, Kai!" Tala remonstrated, "You're totally blameless! Sir, Kai warned me again and again not to chase the demon. But I became so excited that I didn't listen to his words."
"But we both committed the mistake," Kai conversed, "Tala, when I was coming from Russia, aunt Natalia gave me your responsibilities. Today, I've failed to fulfill those. Sir, we're ready for punishment."
"Not punishment," Stanley strode before them, "It's high time you both received training. For battling against the monsters, you need to enhance your skills and learn some new and special moves."
Both the Russian exchanged stares. Then, they nodded in agreement. Smiling, the great sage started walking to another direction, trailed by the Tatars.
"Ugh...no more..."
The girls were climbing the glacis of the hill, keeping only bushes and greeneries by their both sides. Most of them were wheezing. They all got sodden in perspiration. For sweat, their cloths were clinging to their bodies in such a way as if pythons or anacondas had clasped their torsos. Though breezy flurries were blowing around them, making the leaves dance, they couldn't move those strands sticking to the temples and cheeks of the lasses.
"I cannot climb anymore, sisters!" Charlotte cried, "My back has started aching like hell!"
"How long, Hil?" The Spanish asked, panting, "How...how more long do we have to climb to reach them?"
"I told you all earlier, girls," Only in the face of the brunette, the signs of fatigue couldn't be noticed, "If you feel tired, you may return."
"Are you mad, Oni-chan?" The purplette screwed her eyebrows, "How could you think that you'd go there alone?"
"Then come with me." Hilary smirked.
"We came here to serve the refugees," Mariam sighed, "Now, they have to serve us."
"How to serve you, your Highness?" A masculine, yet cheery voice could be heard, "Should I massage your feet?"
"Max?!" The blunette opened her mouth, "How come..."
"Shush!" The blonde put a finger on her lips, causing her to blush a bit, "I told Tyson that I was going for having some fresh air nearby. If he gets to know that I'm here and we all are going to meet those warriors, he'll literally eat us!"
"Why?" Hilary raised an eyebrow, "Doesn't he want to meet the Russian princes?"
"Nah," Max shook his head, "Don't know why but since yesterday, he's behaving unnatural."
'Strange...' Hilary muttered, 'Tyson is always friendly and warm-hearted. Why would he do that?'
The purple-haired girl grimaced, recalling something.
Flashback:
The eyes of the dragoon-wielder were covered with a piece of black cloth. He was in his stance, expanding one of his arms with a bow. Another hand of him was seizing an arrow. In front of him, there was a large tree from whose branch an anklet was hanging. When the airstream was touching it, it was jingling.
He was about to pierce the jewelry. Suddenly, his ears trembled a bit as he could hear someone's footsteps. Turning about 90 degrees, he adjoined the barb against the bow and launched it viciously.
"Aah!" The purplette stepped back as the missile gouged the rose tucked inside her hair. It got tossed on the ground. The water goblet fell from her hand and got shattered into pieces, spilling the liquid all over the space.
Untying his eyes, Tyson rushed to her. With horrified expression, he asked, "Dew, are you okay? Has the arrow done something to you?"
Her eyes went broad, her jaw dropped. For the first time in her life, he was addressing her only by her name. Her heart chimed, she could hear that. The fallen rose left its color on her cheeks.
"Yes, don't worry..." She nodded, "But what were you doing?"
"I was trying to prove my worth," Lowering his head, Tyson retorted.
"To whom?" Dew frowned, "Tyson, we all know that you're a worthy warrior. In fact, you're one of the greatest archers of the world. Then why to trouble?"
"Oh really?" The dragoon-wielder cocked an eyebrow, "Really you all believe that? If your words are true, why has sage Dickenson brought those Russians here to protect my motherland? Dew, I'm a Japanese and it is my country. I've the right to guard here, no matter what happens. Then why has he cheated me?"
"Calm down, Tyson," Gently, the Japanese princess placed a hand on his shoulder, "He hasn't cheated you. Who said that you aren't guarding the place? You are doing your best, Tyson. You didn't enjoy a single wink of sleep last night only for the sake of these people and you're complaining that you're being cheated?"
"But it's also true that sage Dickenson has chosen only them for fighting against demons," Tyson outburst, "Why not me? You know, Dew...today morning, launching only a pair of arrows in the camp of the demons. I killed ten of the guards. Then how am not I perfect for battling them?"
Dew's jaw dropped and orbs became dilated. Somehow, she stuttered, "What? You...you went to the camp of those?"
"Yeah," In pride, he chuckled, "Thanks to dragoon." He pointed at a cobalt-colored, circular gemstone which was gleaming, attached to his arc, "At that time, eleven of them were guarding the bastion. Mixing with the arrows, dragoon's phantom hurricane knocked ten of them down, one was to go. Don't know where he fled..."
"What the hell have you done, Tyson?!" Dew snapped, "Sage Dickenson forbade us to leave the camp without informing him."
"Huh...who listens to him?" Tyson rolled his eyes, "I just wanted to display my skills, I wanted to express that I'm not less capable than those Russians."
"Tyson..." Dew sheepishly spoke, lowering her gazes, "I don't know what you will get by doing this. But let me inform you one thing. Let the world turn against us, for me, you were the best, you are the best and you will be the best forever. Got it?"
"Dew..."
His voice lost the fierceness. Pondering, Dew looked at him. His gazes were soft, his tone was too.
"Thanks..." He softly expressed his gratitude, "Only you're the one who can understand my feelings. I...I thought my best friend would be able to realize what I was undergoing, but no...those Russians...no, one of them infatuated her completely."
Dew grinned. This grin wasn't innocent. It was evil. She had never smiled in this way in her lifetime.
I can feel you, Tyson-Kun.
Flash forward:
"Look, we've reached!"
Her attention broke as she found themselves on the cliff. They glanced all over the area. Bald and barely-leafy trees were encompassing the region, not many in number. Their eyes fell down, at the pebble-littered shore of the creek. Two young men and an old, bald man were sitting there in lotus position. The old one was lecturing while the young people were attentively listening to him.
"Sage Dickenson must be teaching them something," Max assumed.
"What?" Mariam let her mouth drop, "We...we've come here for seeing them from this distance? Seriously?"
"Oni-chan, let's go to the abbey," Dew pleaded with her puppy-dog eyes, "I'm feeling hungry."
"Dew's right, Hil," Julia agreed, "Let's return."
The heart of the brunette ached a bit. Tears almost gained their position inside her ruby orbs. Heaving a sigh, she nodded. After glancing at the trainer and trainees once, she turned back.
"This is a special rock." The mentor commented, "Both the offensive and defensive moves of different ancient beasts and birds are conserved in it in the forms of arrows, bows, shields, swords, lances and knives. You've to possess these actions. Got it?"
"Hn." Both the phoenix-prince and the redhead nodded.
"Then...close your eyes and drown to darkness." Dickenson ordered. Their pupils got covered beneath their eyelids. They let all the worries and tensions of the material world escape from their minds. A nonchalant breeze blew around them, soothing their hearts. The anger, sadness, pain-all turned to vapors and got mixed with the airstream.
Taking some water, the great sage sprinkled it on the slab after pronouncing some holy chants. The sky got overcast with clouds, abducting the sun and hiding it completely. The ancient blocked fulfilled the absence of light in the nature. It beamed up. Bit by bit, different types of weapons started rising and entering the bodies of the Russian warriors. They held their breaths and increased their concentration, focusing only on their goal. They could feel the atypical strength of those arms. Their hearts leapt, all of a sudden, they assumed that they were growing powerful. They had had no idea regarding the power of nature. According to their views, nature was the doting mother of her children, be them animals, birds, plants or human beings. But no, nature was...nature is...mighty...her mightiness should never be underestimated...
"Tell me, messenger, what's the hotcake?"
The demoness was sitting on her throne, wearing the ornaments made of spikes and black roses. She loved to get dressed in that color, she loved to get mixed in that color.
"We've got to know the address of the secret hermitage of sage Stanley Dickenson, my lady," The runner informed the evil queen after bowing, "Thanks to a navy-haired munchkin. Though he killed ten of us, sensing his secret power, we found out the location. My lady, you won't believe what we've sensed. It is dragoon, the sacred azure dragon of the east!"
"What?!"
Katherine's eyes started shimmering in greed and excitement. She stood up, leaving her seat. Gradually, a sly grin rose in the corners of her lips.
"We'd come here only for revenging, people!" She blurted, "But never thought that we would find such a treasure here."
"Pardon me, my lady," The envoi lowered his head, "Sage Dickenson has brought two warriors from Russia. They're deadly. One of them nearly killed me when I was stalking them."
"What?" A tall demon stood up, "Two? Only two?"
The whole crowd burst out frantic laughter, causing irritation to the demoness. She snapped, "Shut up!"
The exultation stopped right then. Glancing all over the murky environs, she carried on, "Don't forget that these two almost pinned a whole battalion of us down in Russia before a couple of days. So, don't underestimate your enemies. We'll attack there, tonight!"
She got down from the dias. In ravenousness, she licked her tobacco-smeared lips with her snake-like tongue, "Soon, the sacred azure dragon of the east...will belong to us..."
"What?" The jaw of the brunette dropped in awe. She couldn't believe her own ears after hearing the words of the great sage.
"Yes, my girl," Gloomily, Stanley spoke, "One of the demons could be sensed here in the morning. At present, it's not safe for you all to stay here. You have to leave the hermitage as soon as possible."
"But we have soldiers!" Tyson squabbled, "Besides, I have dragoon with myself. Why to get worried, Sir?"
From the coco-haired princess, his sharp eyes stopped on the navy-haired fighter. Clenching his fists, he retorted, "Because dragoon is the spirit which they want. They are many in number. Besides, they know magic. Your soldiers cannot battle them. So, it's your responsibility to take the princesses to palace safely."
"Do you want to mean that your two warriors are stronger than our soldiers?" The dragoon-wielder cocked an eyebrow, "Cannot believe!"
"Believe it or not, they're way more powerful than the soldiers of Japan," Dickenson nodded, "They have the experience of battling against supernatural creatures in their kingdom. So, you better return to the castle with your friends."
In embarrassment and resentment, the tanned cheeks of the navy-haired guy turned enflamed. He felt the temperature of his face rising up. Rasping his fangs and fingers and not letting anyone see his eyes, he left the place.
On the other hand, another pair of cheeks also got reddened, but not in anger. The owner of that blushed face gazed down, literally compressing herself in shyness. With slow and inaudible footsteps, she approached the teacher.
"Do you want to say something, my child?" Affectionately, Dickenson asked.
"Yes," She nodded, "Sir, I'm thankful to you not for encountering Tyson for his deed. On behalf of him, I'm apologizing to you. Just for him...one of those Russian princes was about to lose his life...he shouldn't have done this thing."
"No need to apologize, princess," His voice was soft, "His intention wasn't bad at all, you know. He just wanted to help us. That's why, he attacked those fiends."
"But his method was surely wrong, great sage," Hilary voiced, "He should have cared for his dragoon at least."
"Hilary, Tyson loves dragoon a lot," Dickenson laughed, "Just forget about the previous incidents. Anything else?"
"Yes," Hilary affirmed, "Sir, when I was coming here with my friends, I got to see a crying tree."
"You must be talking about lady Kincaid, right?"
"Yes," The brunette concurred, "There, a mysterious person told me that lady Kincaid can be freed from the curse by the possessor of the power of the sacred vermillion bird of the south."
"So?"
"When I was a child, my father used to tell me stories about Russia," She explained, "He told me that the royal clan of Russia possesses dranzer, my previously mentioned sacred spirit. So...if..."
"My child, as far as I know," Stanley coughed, "Due to an accident, dranzer left Russia before twelve years."
Hilary gasped as all her hopes got shattered by the single statement of the educator. Her heart started weeping. Tears mustered in her garnet pools too. Though it was still day, she discovered herself standing alone in an obscure atmosphere of night. No ray of optimism could penetrate that sheet of frustrations.
"But I'll try," Dickenson tried to show her a flicker, "Let's see what fate has stored for us."
"Thank you so much, Sir," The brunette smiled, "Another request is here. If you don't mind, may we take the women and children to the castle with us?"
"Sure." The bald man permitted, "I'm going to announce it to them. Have a safe journey, dear."
"I'll be grateful to you, great sage." Hilary bowed. Smiling back, Stanley Dickenson left the place.
Contracting their eyes, a few horses were attentively grazing, tied to the deep-rooted trees. The redhead was examining their ankles, sitting down on the ground. Seeing the coco-haired princess approaching him, he stood up and smiled. In return, her lips got curved into a smile too. Her hands were holding a pair of earthen pans, covered with pieces of cloths.
"We're leaving the place now," Bowing, she greeted, "Prince Valkov, please accept my tiny gifts for you both."
"Thank you so much, princess," Tala took the pots from her hands, "You've taken care of the hermitage very nicely. If you weren't here, our tasks wouldn't be so easy."
"Mention not," She chuckled.
"Have a safe journey, princess." The redhead wished, placing the containers on the ground.
"Sure," Hilary didn't repress her wish, "Though I was willing a lot to meet your cousin, I don't think it's possible now. We're getting late. Maybe...maybe I'll get to meet him some day."
"I'll surely tell Kai about you, princess," Tala assured her, "Don't worry."
"Good luck for the battle, prince Valkov," She showed a thumb, "I am fully confident of you both."
"And we need this confidence to be poised, princess." Tala spoke, "Well, I've to return. Farewell, princess."
"Farewell, prince." Bowing once again, the brunette disappeared behind bushes. No sooner had her last footstep been beyond his vision than the dual-haired Russian appeared there, crossing his arms on his chest.
"What a timing!" Tala cocked an eyebrow, forwarding him a pot, "Couldn't you draw your legs a bit faster?"
"What happened?" Kai removed the cloth from the pot. The aroma of hot sushi rolls tapped the door of his nostrils.
"You wanted to know who maintained peace and confidence among the refugees, didn't you?" The wolf-prince also opened the container, "Well, it's the princess of Japan, Hilary Tachibana."
The slate-haired prince of Russia gently put the dish on a nearby wooden bench. His vision started chasing the white vapors swimming in the ocean named sky. Unknowingly, he grasped the piece of the cloth which had been used to covering the carrousel. He frowned as his restless eyes found something written on its surface. Curious, he started reading it. Written in the ink made of coal, the alphabets were clear and artistic, curvier than the natural ones. But they didn't peeve his eyes.
"Honorable prince Hiwatari,
Accept my humblest greetings. I hope you're doing well. You may be wondering, thinking why I've written this letter to you. Pardon me, my hands couldn't help composing this message to such a person whose heart is filled with utter kindness and respect for women. I've got to know that you're the one who banned the culture of sacrificing childless widows in Russia. Congratulations on that. May you be victorious forever. May your paths be bedecked with flower petals.
My eyes were craving for capturing a glimpse of a great man like you. But...all wishes shouldn't be fulfilled, should they?
Best of luck for the battle. I know you'll be able to outshine the adversaries and protect the weak.
Sincerely yours,
Nipponista."
The letter fell down on the ground from the hands of phoenix-prince. In the speed of thunderbolt, he stood up.
"Kai?!" Tala puckered his brows while chewing one of the sushi rolls.
Not looking at him, leaving his food behind, the slate-haired Russian started sprinting forward. The dish from Tala's hand was about to drop, somehow at the last moment, he saved it from falling. Carefully keeping it on the tool, he trailed his cousin.
Across the dense forest, he was running. Behind him, there were the huddling trees, protecting the airstream and watching everything, perpendicularly positioned with the horizon. His feet pierced the velvet of grass. While routing through the gradient, he was losing his balance but he didn't stop. Maintaining the perfect acceleration to manage the gravitational force, he was steering. His cousin was calling him shouting but his words couldn't enter his ears. All he wanted to have the glimpse of Nipponista, the sender of the letter.
When the phoenix-prince climbed down the mountain, the camp was almost empty. Still, the mouth-watering scent from the kitchen could be smelt. Still, the white and pink cherry flowers were blowing in the airstream. The birds didn't stop tweeting. He looked here and there in search of her. Through the bushes, a queue of women and children was passing. Almost all were wearing the same type of cloths, she couldn't be differentiated...no, not right...she could be distinguished...her chocolate-colored tresses were boogying in the gull... they weren't unfamiliar but she was... he could recognize them...but not her...
Like a beggar of love, the dual-haired Russian stood there without moving. Birds flew around him, trees showered flowers on him. Nothing impressed him. Mesmerized, he didn't remove his stares from her. He thought she would vanish if he removed them.
But...
But why wasn't she looking at him once? Did she despise him? Didn't she want to see his face? Was she dissatisfied with him? Why?
Bending his head down, he turned back, only to get her eyes on him. She put her ruby orbs on his blowing scarf. Déjà vu once again attacked her, enrapturing her heart. Yes, the hair of her dream prince had been like that...like the vapors of rain. But why wasn't he turning behind? Had he taken a vow not to face her?
Sighing, the girl trudged again, thinking that it was nothing but her luck. Slowly, the queue disappeared. He closed his eyes. Someone's anklets clattered inside his ears. He felt himself drumming the strings of an elated harp. The tunes sprang from its heart, spreading all over the aura. Those feet-cuffs again rang with its tempo. He ordered the dancer to harmonize her rhythms with his. She winked, not caring his demand, she fled away.
I agree that you're a stranger for me,
I agree that I'm a stranger for you,
Let me understand you,
You try to understand me,
Come closer to my heart,
From the path that leads to my heart.
"Kai!"
As his cousin called him, he gasped for air. Sighing, he strode back towards the hill, looking once again at the line. His vision only met blinding void.
"Oh unfamiliar!" He tried to sniff her fragrance in the air, "Maybe...maybe your identity will remain as a mystery to me. But fortunate I am... I've got the place... I've got it..."
What your condition is,
The same condition is mine.
Match your state with my one.
Harmonize your rhythm with my rhythm.
Guess which song it is ;D
Do read and review. Pardon the grammatical mistakes and spelling errors. Take care :D
Dear Rumu, I hope you'll like it :D
-Misty ^_^