Hi guys! How're you?

Thanks a lot to TwilightUniverse018, Cutetyhil, Emerald Rami, Sohana Sarkar, Guests, TLP, Rock the Road, Scarlet Witch of Terra, Justafan, Bahubali, Sehun is hottttt and KaiHil for reviewing.

Justafan: Glad you liked the chapter. Well as for the questions, suspense/horror is my most favorite genre. I also love angst, romance, mystery and friendship. William Shakespeare is my most favorite fictional author. "This fatal game" written by Moonlight Serenity is my most favorite beyblade fanfic. And yeah, I'm a fan of Nobel *Squeals*

Here's the next chapter! Welcome to the groom-choosing ceremony of princess Hilary Tachibana! :D

Still, the sun was peacefully sleeping in the west. His beams didn't begin to disperse throughout the ether. Ripped pieces of clouds were lazily trudging across the shapeless roof of the spherical planet. On the peak of the knoll, some trees were watching them, standing motionlessly and barely holding the dry leaves. Sitting on the bald and bruised twigs, owls were snoozing. Above them, bats were flying, cutting the air with their wings. Little twinkling stars were quarrelling with the vapors in order to show themselves up once but seeming defeated intermittently. As a result, there was only darkness and darkness.

So was it in front of the eyes of the archer. Why not? After all, his eyes were tied with a piece of cloth as black as that night. His fingers were grabbing a bow and an arrow. Facing him, a short redhead was standing. On his head, there was a ripe apple. Closing his eyes, he gulped and drifted to prayers.

The archer inhaled, trying to sniff something's fragrance in the air. His nose twitched. Gritting his teeth, he joined the dart to the bow-cord and discharged it, aiming at the source of the scent.

"Sleesh!"

The apple on the head of the redhead got gouged. Not stopping, the arrow speared the tree behind him with the apple. The kid screamed in fear, covering his face with his palms. Hearing the sudden loudness in the silence, the warrior uncovered his eyes. Squinting, he looked at the horrified redhead who was still convulsing.

"Tyson!" The cherry-haired boy exclaimed, "You almost killed me!"

"Shut up, Daichi!" The dragoon-wielder snapped, putting the bow down, "Why are you being such a chicken? Don't you know what big brother has taught us? He has told us to have faith on our partners, hasn't he? Then how can you be a coward?"

"Perhaps, my master's partner wasn't a jackass like you," Daichi yawned, "If you were there in the shoes of his coworker, he would never say that in his life."

"What?" Tyson frowned, almost rushing to him and grabbing his shoulders, "What did you say? I'm a jackass? What're you then, monkey? I have been successful to stab my arrow at the target. What would you do if you were in my place and I were in yours? You would surely behead me, wouldn't you?"

"I'm far better than you, Tyson," Daichi showed him a grin of his flashy teeth, "Instead of you, if I were in front of the Russian, I would teach him so a lesson that he could never claim himself as an archer, let alone a skilled one!"

"Sumeragi!"

Having heard the bold tone, both the boys turned back and gasped. The elder blunette was standing there, placing his palms on his waist. His brown eyes were fixed on the quarrelling duo. He wasn't looking satisfied with them at all. Gulping, they both dropped their heads.

"I must have told you not to fight with your own partner, mustn't I?" The metal-drigger wielder approached the monkey-boy, "But you both have started again. How many times do I have to tell you these things?"

"But Master..." Daichi tried to object, "Your brother was about to kill me. What if I died?"

"You wouldn't," Hiro slapped on the shoulder of his long-time disciple, "Because my brother knows far well about his duties and responsibilities. To him, the life of a person is the first and foremost priority. He won't be so careless that his actions can result in someone's death or damage. Got it?"

"Yes..." Sighing, the redhead nodded.

"Then, go and bring a pair of swords for us," Jin of the Gale commanded, "I wanna give a finishing touch to the training of my brother before the end of the night."

"Sure." Bowing, the monkey-boy quickly disappeared into bushes. Heading towards the younger blunette, the elder one kept a hand on his shoulder. In return, rotating his face to his elder brother, the dragoon-wielder smiled a bit.

"Thank you so much, Ni-san," He mumbled, "You understood my feelings and became ready to teach me so that I could be a better archer. I'll be grateful to you forever."

"It's my duty, little bro," Hiro patted Tyson's head, "Ever since I lost the battle to you, my only goal is to protect Dragoon and his owner's honor at any cost. That's why, I'm helping you. Go ahead, Tyson. I have full faith upon your skills. Defeat the Russian and show him what an actual archer is!"

"If your blessings are always with me, I can gain victory over the whole Russia, big brother!" Tyson confidently blurted, "Don't worry at all. But...why do you want me to engage myself in a sword duel with you right now? I mean...I'm an archer, right?"

"Before being an archer, you're a warrior, Tyson," The elder blunette retorted, "And a warrior should be excelled equally in the operations of all kinds of weapons. You don't know what your fate has planned for you. That's why, you must be prepared always."

Meanwhile, the monkey-boy appeared with a platter on which there was a pair of straight katana swords. Taking one of them, Hiro tossed another to his younger brother who caught it effortlessly.

"We don't have much time, Tyson," Hiro cleared his throat, "Soon, the new sun of the new day will rise. So...are you ready?"

"Why not?" The dragoon-wielder upstretched his rapier. The monkey-boy started counting down:

"Three...two...one...zero!"

Both the brothers' weapons clashed against each other, creating sparkles and breaking the reticence of that night.

Finally, yawning and rolling a bit on his bed, the sun rose in the east, illuminating all the four directions. From the glinting sky, the soft cotton-balls of clouds moved away so that the star of daylight could flash gorgeously. With his arrival, all the dwellers of Nippon opened their eyes, squinting. Gaining an entry through the windows, the morning breeze smothered all the clay and metal lamps that had been burning through the whole night. New flowers bloomed and birds started practicing the musical lessons of dawns. Rubbing their eyes, the Japanese came out of their houses. Immediately, they recalled something.

"Today's the groom-choosing ceremony of our princess!" A little kid cheered, "I cannot wait to see whom she will welcome as her groom!"

"Nor can I!" Another girl shook her head, "Let's go to the main amphitheater of Japan. There, the competition will take place."

"Yes!"

Just like the subjects of Japan from all walks of life, the members of the royal clan were also equally excited. They were running through the marble passages, crossing the columns, flag-poles, canvas-stands and all other objects that were in front of them. The maids were wrapping garlands around the composite pillars. Butlers were rolling out red carpets with golden linings for the invited guests. Some were lighting the lamps carefully. Some were hanging different origami craftworks from the walls painted lurid. Seizing the plates of jewelries, older ladies were gossiping and going to the chamber of the princess. From the regal kitchen, the mouth-watering aroma of different delicious dishes could be smelt.

The purple-haired girl was hastily strolling amid the lobby, looking here and there and checking whether everything was going perfectly or not. Though the servants were working hard, she wasn't feeling satisfied with them at all.

"Uh!" She slapped on her forehead, "Why are they working like a turtle? The guests are about to arrive here anytime. What will they think of us?"

"Hey, Dew-chan!"

Hearing a masculine voice, the purplette looked at its owner. A hyperactive American was huffing, carrying a rectangular tray on which there were a lot of arrows. Following him, a dual-haired male Spaniard came with another tray having longbows. Both the salvers were seeming very heavy. That's why, the young men were panting.

"What happened?" The young princess asked, "Do you need something?"

"Dew..." Raul puffed, "Can you send someone to help us? These weapons are really weighty. It's sucking my soul out of my body!"

"Wait," The violet-head stopped her brothers and called a servant. Soon, two men in green and white kimonos appeared there. Indicating the princes, the princess spoke, "Help the princes carry these weapons."

"Sure, princess," The butlers held the trays and started approaching with the noblemen. Before leaving, the hyperactive American commented, "Wish Tyson could be here."

"If he were here, he would do anything!" Raul agreed, "After all, it's the groom-choosing ceremony of his best friend."

Those words didn't forget their ways to enter the ears of the young princess of Japan. Her heart whimpered a bit. Tears were about to leak from her lacrimal glands. She heaved a sigh, trying to eliminate all the pains of estrangement from her core.

'Why, Tyson?' She whispered, 'Why did you leave us in this way? Look, how happy the environment is! All the people of Japan, your friends... even mother nature is brightening with ecstasy today. Why not? It's the groom-choosing ceremony of Oni-chan. At this auspicious moment, you aren't here. How will I console my mind, Tyson? How will I convince my heart?'

"Princess!"

Quickly wiping her tears, the royal girl looked back. Seeing the maids gathering in front of her, she tried to be stern a bit, "What are you doing here? Don't you know that the function can begin anytime? Be fast!"

"Princess, we have come here with a new girl," One of the servants spoke, "While buying oil from the market, we got to meet her. She was dancing at the center of the fair. When we asked her, she said that she was a poor girl having nobody on the earth. For earning her livelihood, she dances in the market. We felt bad for her. So...we have brought her here thinking that she may help us and make our tasks easy."

"Really?" Dew frowned, "Let me see her once."

"She's behind us," Turning back, another maid spoke, "Girl, you can come forward."

Behind the group of the damsels, a young maiden plodded in the direction of the purplette. Her skin texture was resembling the clouds of the early autumn floating in the rainless sky. So was her hair, as blue as the roof of the earth. Her orbs were gleaming like the ice crystals of Siberia. Her lips were smeared with the juice of fresh pomegranate. She was wearing a sleeveless, full-length scarlet top and a long black skirt made of cotton, with red trimmings. Her nose was upstretched and keen like an arrow. Slowly taking her footsteps, she bowed before the princess.

"Greetings, princess..." Her voice was so soothing, "Pardon me for my step. I needed a job very badly. Working in the market, I was suffering from insecurities. If you reject me, no problem."

The helpless expressions on her face, the quivering of her voice, her blameless eyes and wobbling lips-everything melted the heart of the purple-haired girl. Tears started almost brimming in her eyes. Sniffing, Dew squeezed the shoulders of the girl, "No problem, girl. Nobody will thrust you out of this palace. You may stay here and work with our maids as long as you want."

"Thank you so much, princess," The maiden sobbed, "For this kind gesture, I'll be indebted to you forever."

"No no...no need to do that," Dew palmed her head, "It's my responsibility. Oni-chan will also be very happy knowing that. By the way, what's your name?"

The poor maid didn't answer immediately. She took a sharp intake of breath. Exhaling, she replied, "Zina."

"Only Zina?" The princess cocked an eyebrow, "Don't you have any surname?"

"No..." Disconsolately, Zina shook her head, "I neither have a family, nor friends. How will I have a surname?"

"Oww..." Dew almost drew the girl in her embrace, "Don't be sad at all, Zina. A surname isn't important at all for a person to live in this world. You'll stay here with us, being our friend. Maids!"

"Yes, princess!"

"Take Zina to the quarter," The princess ordered, "Let her have a bath and wear something good. Then, groom her about her chores."

"As your wish, princess Dew," A maid held the hand of the sky-blue haired girl, "Girl, come with us."

"Thanks a lot again, princess." Bowing, Zina started walking with the maids. Gradually, an evil grin rose in her lips as the purple-haired girl went somewhere else for doing her jobs.

'Never did I know that the Japanese people could be so stupid,' She mentally chortled, 'Thank you so much for decreasing a step for me, princess Dew. Now, I have to just wait for the perfect time. Soon, my body will be over that of the sexy prince of Russia. Within no moment, his sanctity will be snatched and he'll be rejected by the princess of Japan.

Then, I'll be only his and he'll be only mine!'

Eventually, towards the battle arena, the feet of the invited guests started falling one by one on the red-carpeted hallway between the floret-festooned Tuscan pillars. Standing by both sides, the green and white kimono-worn maids were sprinkling Sakura flowers on them with traditional paper fans. Drummers were crazily beating drums with wooden sticks in both of their hands. Other musicians were playing flutes to welcome the candidates. Placing lamps on both of their palms, gorgeous dancers were swirling. Thwacking the ground with their spears, the soldiers were showing honor to the guests. For seeing the invitees, the princesses mustered on the balcony of the first floor.

"Oh my goodness!" The eyes of the youngest princess were about to touch her eyebrows, "So many princes and kings!"

"Why not?" The female Spaniard retorted, "Charlotte, you're forgetting that it's the groom-choosing ceremony of Hilary, the elegant and beautiful princess of Japan. How could they stop themselves from coming here?"

"Look at him once!" The blunette aimed at an old man who was repeatedly coughing, "Why did he come here with his broken health? He won't be able to lift a bow, let alone stab the arrow at the target!"

"What about him, Mariam?" The Latina marked a barrel-chested man who was marching almost shaking both the palace and his dome-like belly, "He'll break the bow while launching arrows."

"And him?" Charlotte peeped at another skeleton-like prince.

"He himself will be broken," The purple-haired princess chortled behind her friends and sisters, "Really, can men be so skinny?"

"Dew?" Julia turned behind, "What are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to take care of the chores?"

"Oh really?" Dew pouted, holding her waist, "Why? I'll work there and you'll have fun here? That's not fair at all, Juli ni-chan!"

"Hmm...it's unfair, sister Dew..." The short brunette scratched her chin thoughtfully, "But who's working there then?"

"Don't worry about that, Charlotte!" The purplette punched in the air, "A new maid has come today. She's fierce, active and skilled."

"What?" All the girls questioned in unison.

"Yes, my dear ladies," The mauve-haired girl furiously nodded in agreement, "Ever since she stepped in our palace, the tasks are being completed in the speed of wind!"

"Really?" The leaf eyes of the blunette sparkled in excitement, "What's her name?"

"Zina."

"Surname?"

"She doesn't have any surname, Mari ni-chan," Dew whiffed, "She's said that she has no relative and friend in the world. I felt so sorry for the poor girl. That's why, I've let her stay here."

"But Dew..." Julia screwed her eyebrows, "Has your action been right? I mean... a lot of princes and kings have come here. The castle area is being more crowded gradually. What if any occurrence..."

"Don't be so suspicious, Julie!" Mariam gently punched on her left shoulder, "Learn to believe people. It will make your life more beautiful."

"Maybe you're right, Mari," The dual-haired girl sighed, "But don't know why I am feeling so restless since yesterday."

"I know the reason," The royal blue-haired girl winked, "Because prince Valkov tried to make love with you, didn't he?"

"Shut up!" Julia's face turned red within no moment, "Don't say all the things that reach your tongue."

"You're denying?" Mariam grimaced, "Then why did you get your skirt torn then?"

"Why should I tell you it?"

"If you are hesitating to tell me," The blunette rolled her eyes, "It means surely you both were engaged in something romantic."

"No, I wasn't!"

"Yes, you were!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"Stop quarrelling!" Charlotte blurted, "Look there!"

Really, the little brunette had noticed someone special. Down the floor, the phoenix-prince was marching across the lobby. His slate bangs were seeming breezy, boogying in the air. So was his backside evening blue hair, nicely tied into a ponytail and propping on his white scarf. The petals of baby-pink cheery flowers were softly touching his moonlight skin and falling down instantly at the next moment, feeling shy and deepening their color. Amethyst orbs were holding a serene expression; the mien before the rising storm. Hanging from his left shoulder, there was the recurve bow which had been gifted to him by his deep-down admirer. Diagonally attached to his back with a strap around his torso, there was his quiver with a bunch of arrows. Beneath his bangs, the black diamond of his metal headgear could be seen. Slowly, his footsteps were falling on the velvety runners. The beats of the drums became louder, the tunes of the flutes did too.

"Prince Hiwatari has arrived!" Dew leaped, "Let's inform Oni-chan."

"Sure!" All the girls ran to the room of the coco-haired princess of Japan. She was sitting in front of the elliptical mirror of her dressing table. A maid was brushing her silky hair with a round black wooden comb. Meanwhile, her sisters bumped on her, almost making the Japanese princess receive a heart-attack.

"What happened, girls?" Confused, the brunette asked, "Why did you all jumped on me in this way? Any problem?"

"No problem, my dear cousin," Julia caressed her chin, "Just look through the eastern window once."

Curious, the soon-to-be bride got up from her seat and strode towards the window. As she peeped through it, her heart jolted. In front of her ruby orbs, the dual-haired Russian was marching towards the battle arena, getting showered with Sakura sepals. She captured him through the alley of her eyes in the dungeon of her heart, closing the gates named eyelids. Covering her flushed face with her palms, she ran back to her chair. Almost snatching the comb from the hands of the maid, she herself started grooming her hair. Her friends only laughed at her actions.

Almost at the same time, the laughter of the purplette stopped as her eyes noticed another candidate. He was seeming strange. His hair, neck, forehead and lower face couldn't be seen at all because of his black cowl. He was wearing the outfits of a ninja. Instead of the sword, his back was carrying an arrow basket with a bow. Through the gap of his hood and mask, his brown eyes were visible. Those ogles were filled with utter determination that could break the highest mountain of the world. Though his lips couldn't be seen, it could clearly be understood that his teeth were clenched. Dew's heart started beating fast as she gazed at those eyes.

'Has he come to the groom-choosing ceremony of Oni-chan?' She gulped, 'Or has he come to win a war against someone? But...these eyes are seeming familiar. Have I seen them somewhere?'

"Dew!" Julia yelled, "What are you doing here? Started liking anyone?"

Flushing, the purplette moved back. Shaking her head, she spoke, "No Juli ni-chan, I was just..."

"Come here and help Hilary dress!" Mariam called, "She has to look the best today, cannot you remember?"

"Of course!" Rushing to the dressing table, Dew took some flowers, "Today, I'll adorn my sister in such a way that the whole world will forget to blink seeing her once!"

Everybody burst out laughter hearing her including the coco-haired princess. Though the purplette managed to lighten the situation, she couldn't lessen the effect of her mind which had been caused by the masked participant. She kept wondering about his identity but failed to unearth that...

The amphitheater was rectangular and gigantic; having six levels and twelve gates. Each line had three entrances. From the left and right openings, the candidates and adjudicators were entering in the battle arena. Through the central ones, the royal members and spectators were coming. The first two levels were arranged for the princess and her family members. Rest of the stages of the gallery were for the general mass. The seats of first two rows were made of gold and velvet. On the most adorned and largest chair, the emperor of Japan was sitting along with his queen. At the center of the arena, there were fifty boards supported by three-legged stands. Each board had a square with nine circles painted blue. In the blue circles, there were smaller red rounds. The centers of the rings were dotted golden. In front of each board, every two candidates were standing.

The dual-haired Russian took a deep breath, trying to pacify his body, mind and soul. His eyes fell on a participant wearing the costume of a ninja. Shocked, he discovered that the ninja was gawking at him as if he had been preparing to crush the Russian prince anytime with his brown eyes. Unknowingly, his heart skipped a beat even though it wasn't his nature at all.

"He's Sabanto-No-Doragon-No-Kaze," One of the nominees spoke, noticing the curiosity in the eyes of the phoenix-prince, "We have heard that he's the best archer of the world."

Smirking a bit, the Russian turned his face away from the ninja. Discerning it, the fire inside the heart of the masked warrior got more fueled. Clenching his teeth, he exhaled the hot substances from his lungs, clasping the bow firmly with his fingers.

"Attention!" One of the soldiers announced, "Princess Hilary Tachibana is entering the battleground!"

Sticks vigorously thumped the drums, air passed across the holes of the flutes, vibrating the wires. All the spectators stood up for showing honor to the princess. Pondering, the participants also turned in the direction of the arrival of the bride. Through the passages, the chocolate-haired princess of Japan entered the arena with sluggish, yet, elegant footsteps. Her friends were holding a violet, oil-paper umbrella over her head. She was wearing a sea-green kimono on which blue peacock feathers were painted. The broad waist-belt was silver in color, having azure linings with jade mandala patterns. Her hair was untied, yet having two thin braids tucked behind her ears and ended up joining on her neck with the support of a hairpin. Folded cloth-flowers were embellishing her hair from both sides in blue and green, with the tussocks of silver thread frills. Two peacock-feather earrings were swinging from her ears. With lowered gazes, she was trudging on the lobby.

Forgetting the ninja, the dual-haired Russian kept staring at the Japanese princess. The blue and green all over body appeased his eyes. He felt as if he had been watching a vast ocean, flowing enthusiastically in her own direction. She had no limit, she was boundless. She was free, she wasn't reserved for anyone. Not even for himself. His heart pounded, he shrilled, holding his breath. He was ardently willing to dive in that ocean and immerse himself completely. He wasn't wishing to know whether the sea would kill him by choking him or make him float. He only wanted to get himself plunged there.

Looking at nobody, the princess stood in front of her chair, climbing the stairs. Then, glancing all over the environment, she respectfully bowed to her parents, guardians, teachers, spectators and the candidates. As the king gestured, smiling, she made herself comfortable on the velvety divan with her friends and cousins. Soon, her gazes fell on the phoenix-prince who hadn't removed his ones from her yet. Shyness again captured her appearance, making itself visible proudly all over her face.

The emperor stood up from his throne. Clearing his throat, he started:

"Honorable guests, I, Hayashi Tachibana, the emperor of Japan, wholeheartedly welcome you to the groom-choosing ceremony of my daughter, princess Hilary Tachibana. For every father, the day when the future of his daughter is going to be decided is an important day. Honorable candidates, you must know the conditions of this event. An archery competition will be held here. It will have four or five rounds. The one who will be the victor will be able to hold the hand of my daughter for marriage. I hope everyone here will be fair enough, abide by the rules and regulations of the contest and be respectful to all other participants. I, therefore, leave the responsibilities of directing the ceremony to the commentator. Best of luck!"

Giving his speech, he sat down. Getting his approval, the brown-haired commentator stood up and started:

"Honorable princes and kings of different kingdoms across the world, welcome to the groom-choosing ceremony of princess Hilary Tachibana. You must have seen the boards having nine rings before you, right? The golden dots are the targets where you have to attack. Every two competitors will share one board. The competitors who have blue feathered-arrows have to attack from the lower-left ring and the red-feathered arrow-holders will attack from the upper-right ring. Going vertically up or down and ending stabbing all the targets, you have to turn left or right. In a zigzagging way, you have to stab all the centers of the circles. The one who will be the first to complete the challenge will be qualified for the next round."

Kai carefully took out a blue-feathered arrow. Trailing, the ninja guy also pulled out a dart having a red feather. Unhooking the bows, they started preparing for the challenge.

"So competitors, take your positions," The referee announced, "Are you ready? Three...two...one...let it be released!"

All the archers started shooting the arrows in the directions of the golden dots. The phoenix-prince didn't waste much time to stab the first eight spots. Taking another dart, he placed it against the cord and aimed it at the last point. Whereas, his opponent was still stuck at the fourth mark. However, Kai didn't bother a bit to notice him. The Russian was about to release the arrow...

"Wow!" The arbiter rolled his eyes, "So fast! Sabanto-No-Doragon-No-Kaze, the prince of the kingdom of Gale, has finished stabbing all the dots!"

All the spectators burst out wild applauses. Little children started yelling in joy. However, the princess of Japan gulped, concernedly looking at the phoenix-prince. He took another arrow. Adjusting it, he shot it...

Miss.

'It maybe an accident,' Kai pondered, 'Let's check once...'

Taking another barb and focusing at the bull's eye, he launched.

Miss, once again.

"Shit!" Julia held the hand of her cousin, "What's happened to prince Hiwatari? Why's he failing in this way? He had been doing outstanding before the announcement of the first qualifier. What's wrong with him suddenly?"

Hilary bit her lower lip in tension, clasping the wrist of the dual-haired Spaniard. Her worried ruby orbs were set on the competitor who had blue-feathered arrows with him. He was shooting the darts but failing again and again. On the other hand, his opponent reached the eighth circle in an easy way. They both respectively had one circle left. Seeing it, the ninja smirked in amusement.

'Poor prince of Russia,' He rolled his eyes, 'With these skills, you claim yourself to be the best archer of the world? Fie!'

Perhaps, the phoenix-prince had been able to listen to the masked archer. He looked at the bow. It had been given to him by the princess of Japan, the queen who was ruling the kingdom of his heart.

'It...it should be a sign of good luck and optimisms,' He mused, 'Instead of that... I'm turning it into my bad luck? How, Hiwatari, how? How'll princess Hilary feel if she gets to see you defeated? No no, you cannot lose in this way. This is the final chance. Now or never!'

Both the red and blue-signed warriors picked up the arrows and placed them against their respective bow-strings. Then, directing at the last golden point, he took a deep breath and discharged it.

"Shoot!"

In shock, the brunette stood up. Her eyes went widened. She couldn't believe herself at that moment. Was it a nightmare? Was it a dream? Or was the reality itself mocking her?

"Prince Kai Alexander Hiwatari!" The commentator burst out, "He has been successful to stab all the nine points before his opponent. He has qualified for the next round! Let's have a big hand for him!"

"Hilary!" All the girls hugged her, "You were worrying without any reason. Look, he's been successful!"

Tears of joy found its way on the cheeks of the brunette from her garnet pools. Wiping them, she smiled in happiness. Seeing her smile-curved lips, the Hiwatarian outstretched his bow. That left her blushing more.

Within a few moments, the first round ended. The second round contained a challenge of launching a single arrow that could pass through all the holes of twelve axes. From fifty candidates, only five could make it. The third round seemed more difficult, daring the archers stab five golden leaves in a row with a sole shot of a barb. The leaves were swaying in the air randomly and so it wasn't easy to gouge them all at a time. Yet, two warriors passed it. One of them was the mighty prince of Russia and another, of course, was the masked archer.

"Alright!" The director of the ceremony blurted, "Now, only two competitors have remained here. Let's start the hardest rounds!"

The jazzman wasn't lying at all. The fourth round was tough enough. Blindfolding, the archers had to pierce a conch-shell hanging before them only by listening to it. Yet, they qualified in that round too. The brunette's jaw dropped seeing the excellence of the candidates, so did everyone's mouth.

The fifth round was almost the same. Only in this case, several conch-shells were hanging from the stands instead of one. Erratically, they were swinging in the air, left and right, right and left. Tying black cloths around their eyes, the competitors picked up their bows. They kept waiting for a long time for the perfect moment. Their ears twitched as they sensed the highest amount of loudness at a certain side. Their arrows found their ways at the same tick.

"Creek!"

"Crook!"

In front of the horrified eyes of the beholders, both impaled the shells at the same time. Untying their eyes, both the archers looked at each other in such a way as if they'd been about to jump on their preys. Their teeth were clenched and eyebrows were wrinkled. Both were panting from fatigue. People might think that they hadn't struggled much but they didn't know anything about archery. It was the combination of body, mind and soul. In this case, nobody was willing to accept defeat. To both of them, winning was equally important and the amount of the importance was too much.

The emperor of Japan looked at the western sky. The sun had already set down. Only his crimson glows were reflecting in the blue. He stood up from his chair. Clearing his throat, he started:

"Wonderful. Both the archers have displayed outstanding skills. If it were any ordinary competition, I would declare both of you as the winners. But the contest is involved with the future of my daughter. So, only one can be the victor of it. Then again, the sun has set. It is forbidden to operate weapons after the sunset. So, tomorrow, we'll meet these archers again so that they can give an end to the battle between them. For removing the monotony of the spectators, only one of the players will be free to choose any kind of weapons, not only bow and arrows. Another has to battle with same weapon which will be chosen by his opponent. It will be decided by tossing a coin. Till then, I'd like to request you all to go home and rest. We'll meet in the next day again. I, therefore, the emperor of Japan, announce the end of the ceremony for today."

Delivering, he got down from his seat. Bit by bit, people started leaving the stadium. Glancing at their opponents, the archers sent mental messages to each other, "Let the sun of the next day rise once, then I'll show you who the best on the earth is!"

Rumbling silently, the contestants left the battle arena. Seeing them, the brunette heaved a sigh. The dual-haired girl kept a hand on her shoulder. Looking at her, the Japanese princess weakly leered.

"Don't worry at all, Hil," Mariam showed her a thumb, "Prince Hiwatari has played in such a splendid way today. Tomorrow, none but he'll win, just wait and watch!"

"May your words be true, Mari," Hilary murmured, "Well, I have to go now. Sitting on this all the day, my back has started aching."

"Of course, sister Hilary," Charlotte jumped in her arms, "Before the decision of your marriage, what about a last round of dice?"

"Why not?" The brunette snickered, "Let's go!"

All the young ladies were leaving the stadium save the purple-haired one. She was thinking deeply about something. Her mind was being attracted to the sight of the ninja. She was trying her best but couldn't remove his image from her memories. Whenever she had been looking at him, her heart had started banging hard. Biting her lips, she pondered, 'Don't know why but I think...I met him before this. Do I know him? His eyes were looking so familiar...any reason? No matter what happens, I have to find it out. At any cost, I have to know the truth of this Sabanto-No-Doragon-No-Kaze!'

The sky-blue haired girl was aimlessly roaming in the servant quarter. Peering here and there, she was trying to figure out the current circumstances of the castle. In fact, the sorceress was searching for a way to the phoenix-prince. Too discreet her footsteps were. Frozen, she stood motionlessly as somebody placed a hand on her shoulder. Turning back, she sighed. It was none but the purple-haired princess of Japan.

"Princess Dew!" She bowed, "Do you need something from me? Any service?"

"No no, don't need to serve me at all," Dew shook her head, "Just help me in one case."

"Sure, princess," Zina nodded, "How can I help you?"

Looking here and there carefully, the purplette coughed. Then, she started, almost whispering, "Zina, I want to test the character of these two finalists. That's why, I'm planning to stealthily enter the chambers of them at night when everyone drifts to peaceful sleep. I want you to go inside the chamber of one of them."

Hearing her, the eyes of the servant started gleaming in lust. Quickly hiding her feelings, she spoke, "What do you think, princess? To whose chamber do I have to enter?"

"I personally want to go to the compartment of Sabanto-No-Doragon-No-Kaze," Dew replied, "So, I think you should go to prince Kai Hiwatari."

Zina couldn't help herself showing the glitzy smile of her sharp teeth. Yet, trying to conceal her excitements, she bowed, "As your wish, princess. But...there will be guards, won't there?"

"Don't worry about them," The violet-head blinked, "I've already removed them from those places giving them a large number of gold coins. Relax and go to him."

"If it's your wish," The sky-blue haired girl nodded, "Then I'm ready to fulfill it at any cost. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to help you, princess."

"You're most welcome, Zina," The young lady held her hand, "We have to hurry up. If anyone sees us, we'll be doomed."

"I can assure you, princess, nobody will be able to sense our presence, let alone seeing us..." The sorceress substantiated but something else was going on in her brain, 'Thank you so much, princess Dew. I'm not helping you at all. Rather, it's you who are helping me. You're really a great assistant. Now, I will easily achieve my goal with your help. Hahahaha!'

The net curtains of the room fluctuated a bit with the arrival of the nocturnal gust. It entered the room and passed across the breezy alice bangs of the warrior. He was lying on his quadrangular bed peacefully. His head was on one of his hands. Another arm of him was resting on his bare chest. He didn't bother to cover himself with the blanket because he wasn't habituated much to the environment of the tropical kingdom. His chest was slowly rising up and going down in a natural rhythm. The eyelids of him were concealing the pupils under them.

Following the breeze, another girl around 19-20 stepped inside the room. Her jaw dropped seeing his body. She couldn't be blamed a lot; only his sight was blamable at that time. His shoulders were round with his shapely pectoral girdle and visible collar bones. His neck was slender but well-formed. The blue veins of his twisted muscular arms reminded her about the narrow rivers passing curvedly through the planes. His brawny chest removed all the slumber from the eyes of the stalker. The abdomen of the phoenix-prince was also fatless. The joints of his fingers seemed stony. She was struggling hard not to get her head thumped on his chest at that moment. Slowly approaching him, she knelt down beside his figure. With her index finger, she caressed the wide forehead of the phoenix-prince. Her finger started brushing his nose, lips, chin...

Gasping, he opened his eyes. Seeing the hesitating girl in front of him, his mouth dropped. Gulping, he sat up.

"Pri...princess Hilary?!" His eyes were amplified, "You...you're here? At...at this moment?"

He wasn't dreaming at all. Before his amethyst orbs, the brunette was standing. Her soft, chocolate tresses were rhythmically wafting with the tempo of the airstream. Those ruby eyes glimmered like a hungry tiger as if they had been watching a plump doe. With her pink tongue, she licked her rosy lips. No, they weren't rosy anymore. They turned darker. She was wearing a short kimono up to her thighs, divulging her slender and fair legs. The dark red dress was hugging her figure as tightly as it could. The V-shaped neckline of the outfit let the phoenix-prince see her cleavage. Her globular breasts were trying to rip the cloth and come out. Breathing seductively, she sat beside him, keeping a hand on his shoulder. Quickly, he lowered his gazes and stood up. His face snatched both the heat and the color of the flames that were burning from the wall-clinging tapers. A droplet of perspiration also became visible on his temple, rolling down touching his cheek.

"Prince Kai..." Her voice showered intoxication, "I have come here to consummate our love. You too wanted to do it, didn't you?"

The crazy heart of the phoenix-prince started skipping over the fire of urges. Swallowing, he looked at the feet of the princess. Those nails were polished black, glinting like onyxes.

"Why're you feeling so shy, prince?" Drugs leaked from her tone, "You also love me, don't you?"

'Yes...yes I admit that I love you,' The Russian pondered, 'But it is...it is not fair at all. I have come here to win your love by proving my worth. If I do this wrong thing with you now, where will be your honor? Where will be mine?'

"Hurry up, prince!" Placing her palms on the naked chest of the prince, the princess pushed him back and landed on him. Leaning her nose against his, she hissed, "What're you waiting for? Burn me with the fire of your love and lust. This alcoholic night mayn't come ever in our lives!"

Not responding to her call, he rolled back. Tumbling, he stood up on his own feet. Untucking the dagger from his belt, he flung it towards her. Like a skilled warrior, she grabbed it. Not so useful the try was; creating a cut in her palm from which dark blobs of blood started oozing as she winced. Seeing it, the amplified eyes of the phoenix-prince got more enlarged.

'I... I knew it!' He mentally cheered, 'Princess Hilary will never do this in her life. Really, how can the girl who hesitates to ride the horse of an unknown man behind his back do this?'

"You threw a knife to me?" The brunette grouched, "I thought you would be nice to your lover."

"Enough!" Kai bellowed, making the girl flinch, "You're not princess Hilary. Stop disguising and destroying her image!"

"But...but I'm...I'm your Hilary, Kai!" Her eyes glittered with fake tears, "Why aren't you pulling me closer to your chest? I... I love you. Believe me, I love you a lot! Please, don't be so cruel to me. I'll end my life!"

"You better do that, intruder!" The phoenix-prince raised his index finger at her, "Princess Hilary is a human being. The blood of a human being is never black. Besides, you forgot to change the structure of your nails while camouflaging, girl! Nails cannot grow overnight, nor can they get curved!"

The brown-haired girl seethed in frustration. Dropping the knife, she closed her eyes. Within no moment, she returned to her original form. Seeing her, the Russian prince cringed a bit, turning his eyes away from her face.

"You're very intelligent, prince Hiwatari!" The witch grimaced, "Why are you wasting your valuable time behind a mere human being then? Be my husband, handsome! This Zina Balkov will make you the king of her kingdom."

"Zina...Balkov?" Kai guessed, "Then...you must be related to Boris Balkov. Huh...I should have known it earlier. Only snakes can come out from the eggs of snakes, not butterflies!"

"Right you are, once again!" Zina clapped, "I'm the daughter of Boris Balkov, the princess of underground. If you marry me, you'll get the golden chance of being the ruler of the netherworld. You'll bathe in melted silver and dress in golds. Treasures and powers of all the three worlds will kiss your toes. Then, why're you letting this chance go?"

"Because I'm loyal enough to my love!" The Russian retorted, "I have promised her that I'll have only one life-partner throughout my entire life. And she will be none but the person whom I love more than my own heartbeats. So, just leave the place!"

"Fine!" Zina kicked on the ground, "Then I'm making proper arrangements so that you can start loving me!"

Gritting her fists, she stormed off, leaving the room. Picking up the stiletto, the phoenix-prince wrapped his shawl around his torso. His eyes chased the footprints of the sorceress.

'Something must be fishy...' He pondered, 'I've to follow her.'

On her round-shaped velvet bed, the chocolate-haired girl was peacefully sleeping. The hovering wind of the night was tickling her nostrils and whispering against her cheeks. Smiling a bit, she turned right, hugging the pillow closer to her chest. Her ears twitched a bit as they could sense the sound of someone's weeping. Fluttering, her eyes got opened. Rubbing them, she stood up. In front of her, the sky-blue haired girl was standing against a pillar. Miserably, she was lamenting. Her chin was wobbling; tears were falling from her eyes like shredded diamonds. The heart of the generous brunette ached at this. Rushing to her, she squeezed her shoulders and asked, "What happened? Why are you crying? Are you alright?"

The girl didn't respond to her. Concerned, Hilary continued, "Missing someone? Don't worry, I'll inform Dew tomorrow about it. Just talk to me, Zina. Ever since you came here, you haven't spoken to me properly yet."

With her bloodshot eyes, the witch looked at the confused face of the brunette. Within no moment, she grabbed her brown hair and shoved her on the marble floor. The chocolate-haired princess somehow saved her head, maintaining her balance. Baffled, she looked at the sky-blue haired maid.

"You!" Zina pointed at her, "You're the reason behind my tears! When you will be gone, my tears will also be gone."

"Hey!" The brunette stood up, "Mind your language, Zina! What the hell are you speaking? We have let you stay here but it doesn't mean that you'll do whatever you will want."

"Yes, I can do whatever I want!" The daughter of Boris Balkov jeered, "You're saying it because you don't know my actual identity. I'm Zina Balkov, the daughter of Boris Balkov and the princess of underground!"

Hilary flinched, stepping back. Her heart started beating fast in fear. Suddenly, she started feeling cold. Her feet kept shaking. Seeing her condition, the sorceress burst out laughing.

"Feeling scared?" She rolled her eyes, "Everyone does the same hearing the name of my father. You're not an exception at all, princess!"

"I'm not afraid of you!" Hilary retorted, "What do you want from me? With which motive has your nasty father sent you in Japan this time?"

"Relax, princess," Zina chuckled, "He hasn't sent me here. Rather, I came here with a view to seducing your soon-to-be groom and making him mine forever."

"I should have known earlier that you could be born in the house of only Boris Balkov!" Hilary spat, "Your intentions aren't less nasty than his. How could you think of stretching your lustful arm towards the blameless and chaste body of prince Hiwatari? Didn't your hands tremble a bit?"

"Wow!" Zina exclaimed, "So...you've already considered the Russian handsome to be your future groom? So confident, huh? What if he loses tomorrow? Will you elope with him then?"

"You don't need to think about it, witch!" The brunette turned away, "My belief tells me that he'll win tomorrow. It's nothing but my faith on him. My faith is the root of my love. Whatever, how'll you understand it? After all, to you, body matters the most in the cases of love."

"So...you're challenging my feelings, huh?" Zina stretched her arm to the princess which lengthened itself to the throat of the brunette. Grasping her neck, the witch lifted the princess up. The coco-haired maiden started tossing her hands and legs in order to free herself. Failing miserably, she was going to untuck the knife from her belt but suddenly, she felt that she couldn't move her organs. As she looked at the witch, the witch again burst out laughing.

"Old tricks again?" Zina cocked an eyebrow, "That time, you fought against a human being. This time, you're against a supernatural creature. How are you supposed to win this, huh?"

The coco-haired girl felt her vision being blurry. In front of her eyes, the whole world started spinning. She was huffing and puffing but couldn't receive enough oxygen in her lungs. The strong grasps of the witch were choking her slowly to unconsciousness. Her eyes got closed...

"Sleech!"

"Ouch!"

Dropping the princess on the marble floor, the witch placed a hand on her nose as she felt a sharp and sudden pain there. Putting her palm before her eyes, she got dumbfounded. Blood was clinging to her fingers. Its color was darker than the ink. It was her own blood!

Pondering, she noticed a fallen dagger on the ground which was bearing the stains of the ink-blood. Quickly realizing what had happened to her, she turned to the doorway. The slate-haired guy was standing there. His teeth were clenched and fingers were gnashed. He was rumbling like a lion. His eyes fell on the collapsed brunette as his heart almost stopped beating. Hurriedly rushing inside the room, he faced the sky-blue haired girl.

"Witch!" He roared, "How dare you attack princess Hilary in this way? She was innocent!"

"Maybe she was for you!" Zina countered, "For me, she's the worst sinner of the world at present."

"Maybe, because a dog cannot digest butter."

"What?"

"Shut up, Zina!" Kai snarled, "Just leave the place. Otherwise, I have to commit a sin of raising my weapon on a woman!"

"Fine then!" Zina gawked at the phoenix-prince, aiming at him with her finger, "I'm leaving. Just remember that today, I came to you for offering my love to you. But you've rejected me. In the same way, you'll keep rejecting everyone in your next life. Be it love, friendship, affection, respect-any kind of feeling! People will think that you are cold-hearted, sour-tongued, bitter-expressioned and what not? You'll never be able to be close to any person on the earth, let him be your brother or comrade, let him be your mentor or relative! Don't forget!"

Expanding her arms, she disappeared, leaving some ashes on the floor. Sighing, the phoenix-prince looked at the fallen princess. His heart throbbed at the scene. Quickly reaching her, he sat down. Placing her head on his lap, he shook her face, "Princess Hilary! Are you alright?"

No response. Seeing her condition, the blood of the phoenix-prince started boiling. Fuming, he lifted her up in a bridal style and placed her body gently on her bed. Taking some water from the jug kept on the nearest side-table, he sprinkled it on her face. The chocolate-haired girl fluttered a bit. Assured, the prince placed his fingers on her left wrist in order to check her pulse. The girl breathed heavily, seeing the Russian in front of her eyes. She was about to speak something but before it, he shushed her, putting his fingers on her lips which made her blush a bit despite her state.

"Don't be afraid, princess," He nodded, entwining his fingers with hers, "Everything is alright now. How're you feeling?"

"F...fine..." Exhaustedly, she mumbled, "Thank you so...much once again, prince..."

"Mention not," Kai affectionately placed his hand on her right cheek, "You rest here. I'm guarding outside. If needs be, don't hesitate to call me."

Not waiting there for a single moment, the phoenix-prince left the room. Watching his way, the brunette sighed in relief. Seizing her bedsheets, the fatigued brunette drowned into the ocean of peaceful siesta. She wasn't having troubles to breathe properly anymore. Within a few ticks, someone had removed all her tensions and fears. She had full faith on him. Why should she be afraid then?

The purple-haired girl was weeping, tucking her face in her pillow and clutching it firmly. The cottony being was getting drenched from the waterworks seeping down from her turquoise eyes. She was feeling as if countless knives had been stabbing her heart again and again. Her whole body was convulsing. So that nobody could hear her crying, she covered her mouth forcefully. That increased the inflammation of her heart rapidly.

'Why are rejections so painful? Have they been permanently written on my fate? At first, I kept getting rebuffed by my cousins and friends. The person whom I love the most has also rejected me. I always kept wondering and asking questions to myself about it. But no...no wonder now...how will the girl who was rejected right after her birth be lucky enough to get accepted? Just now, today, I've got to know it. Oh God, why did I enter that room? Why did I want to check his identity? Take me from this material world, Kami, take me...I don't want to live anymore...'

The sleep that came was made of glass,

And it brought dreams of stone.

God knows when

The eyes met wounds,

My eyes were scratched.

Uuhh! What a long chapter *Sighs with bloodshot eyes*

By the way, why's Dew feeling so sad? Who's the masked ninja by the way?

Do read and review. Pardon the grammatical and the spelling errors. Take care :D

-Misty ^_^

P.S: Ramadan Mubarak to all my Muslim friends. :D