Hello everyone! How're you?

Thanks to TwilightUniverse018, Guest, Sohana Sarkar, Scarlet Witch of Terra, Emerald Rami, TLP, LadyPeach7, CuteTyHil, Guest, IshuRock8 and Sehun is hottttt for reviewing :D

TLP: Don't worry, Ray and Kai will meet soon. Thank you so much for your reviewing :D

IshuRock8: What? Your voice could go to "Dha" or Taar Saptak? *Screams* My voice barely reaches the "Paa"...*Sniffs* Now I'm jealous of you. How could you do that? Please share the secrets...pretty please! Anyways, thank you so much for reviewing and being my 500th reviewer. Love you 3

Sehun is hottttt: Yeah, I know it hurts when Kai is cursed. But, seeing the miserable and unfortunate events with him in original Beyblade series hurt me more. That's why, I decided to give those events some reasons. Anyways, thank you so much for reviewing.

I dedicate this chapter to IshuRock8 who was my 500th reviewer. Thank you thank you so much, dear *Hugs*

Here's the half-century chapter. Enjoy!

P.S: The fourth song is a bollywood song. Guess it!

The circular room was the heart of the healing compound. From the center of its parasol-like roof, an antler chandelier was hanging down. On the apexes of the deer horns, sitting in quartz bowls, candles were burning. Lanterns were swinging from the walls. On metal stands, ignited hurricane lamps were kept, surrounding the chamber. From the eastern portholes, the gusts of the spring wind were entering the cubicle. From bronze pots and kettles, herbal steams were being emitted. Basils and flower petals could be seen bubbling on stoves, releasing therapeutic aroma. On a table, a tray was kept with the bottles of essences and pots of different sticky stuffs with a water jug and some clean pieces of cloths.

Beside the table, on the feathery white coverlet of the canopy bed, the unconscious phoenix-prince was lying straightly, furling his legs and laying them on the bedsheet. The cuts and scrapes on his face were smeared with turmeric paste. His chest was gently rising and dropping, indicating his stable breaths. One of his hands was kept on his stomach. Another was captured in the finger-locks of the chocolate-haired princess of Japan. Already she had wrapped a bandage around the wound on that arm. Firmly seizing the hand of the slate-haired Russian, she was endlessly gazing at his sleeping face. That expression had no pain, no sign of distress. His lips had already lost a lot of color, embodying the tints of his own kingdom; concealed in the frosts. He had always been pale but this time, the paleness of his skin started proudly and victoriously smirking at the bedsheets.

Taking a dagger and a clay-lamp, the royal physician headed to the bed of the patient. Seeing it, the eyes of the brunette trembled a bit. Not bothering, the doctor placed the blade on the rising flame of the taper. Soon, the Japanese princess understood what the motive of the doctor was.

"Sir, do you really need to do it?" Gulping, she asked, "Didn't you get antiseptic liquids extracted from herbs?"

"Sorry princess," He shook his head, "But they may have side-effects on the body of prince Hiwatari. That's why, it's the safest way."

Though Hilary had agreed with the doctor on this fact, her heart didn't want to accept it. Had any other patient been there in front of her, she might have given her consent. But on that day, before the lying Russian, she was feeling stranded. Had she been like this? No, never. She was a strong princess who had lifted her unconscious best friend alone in a valley to bring him to the palace. Despite a lot of lurking dangers, she had stayed in the refugee camp of sage Dickenson and served the dwellers of the place. Only for her willpower, her prince charming had won the duel. Then why should she feel nervous in this case? Was it love? Was it the amorous feeling which was leading her to her weakness?

'I need to be his strength, not his feebleness,' She cogitated, closing her eyes and holding the hand of the prince, 'Maybe, it will cause slight pain to him. But it will be alright.'

Turning to the bearded physician and breathing deeply, she nodded, "You were right, Sir. Continue."

Waggling his head, the doctor gently placed the heated blade on the wound on the chest of the Russian. His hand which was on the bed tightly clutched the quilt as he flinched, gritting his teeth. The fingers of another palm applied much force on the hand which was holding him. Hilary squeezed his left shoulder, not leaving him. Leaning forward, she whispered, "Prince, everything will be alright. Just don't lose patience and tolerance. I'm with you, don't worry."

Even in his comatose state, he seemed nodding a bit, still gnashing his jaw in pain. Though his face was dry, tears of inflammation were glittering beneath his eyelids. Maybe, the brunette was about to understand it. That's why, he didn't shed a single droplet of waterworks but narrow streams flowed down on the cheekbones of the princess of Japan. The sweltered knife was being pressed on his chest but the pangs were being intuited by her.

"It's been complete, princess," The healer applied some pasted sandalwood on the deep cut, "Soon, prince Hiwatari will gain his consciousness."

"Really?" Hilary felt as if someone had sprinkled cold water on her burns, "Are you speaking the truth, Sir? Prince Hiwatari doesn't have any risk of life anymore, does he?"

"No, he doesn't," Smilingly, he shook his head, "He's really strong, princess. Never in my life have I seen so much power in the body of a human being. If the attacks of lord Granger fell on someone else, he would surely be no more right now. But, the prince of Russia is certainly unparalleled. You're very fortunate, princess."

After a long time, shyness appeared on the face of Hilary Tachibana, displaying its usual sunshine of embarrassed dawns. Many times. Many times she had heard this. Yet, she couldn't help herself being excited. That sentence, those words, those honest confessions didn't tire her a bit. Unknowingly, she slowly heaved the hand of the phoenix-prince to her chest just like a treasure.

After a long time of penance, I have got your heart,

Rummaging all the three worlds, I've found you,

As my nearest one. Please, pull me to your chest,

Because I love, I love, I love only you.

"Done," The physician tied the last knot of the dressing around his chest, "Within no moment, he'll regain his sense, princess. Till then, take care of him. Talk to him. It will help him get back his consciousness soon."

"Thank you so much, Sir," Standing up, the brunette bowed, "I'm grateful to you."

"Mention not, princess," The bearded man smiled a bit before leaving the room, "See you soon."

"See you too, Sir..." She mumbled. Then, she again sat on her tool which was beside the bed. Her round ruby orbs were fondling the reposed figure of the prince of Russia fulfilling her heart's content. Those ogles weren't moving from him, or, she might not be moving them. She felt that he would be gone if she blinked once or turned away from him. Her hands found their way to his fingers and forehead respectively. Holding his wrist, she kept stroking his temple. Her fingers gently brushed through his breezy slate bangs. A lot of lamps were burning in the room but she shivered as her carpals sensed the coldness of the skin of the Hiwatarian. He purred a bit in comfort on the other hand, detecting some tepidness in the arctic ambiences.

"Prince, you know..." She muttered softly, placing her hand on his cheek affectionately, "The moment when I got to know about you, I immediately fell in love with you. I didn't know whether it was love or not. How would I? I was only eight years old then.

But believe me, I never knew that I would dream of you again. In that forest, you were my savior. Holding that flinging spear, you proved that you would always be there for me and my surroundings. Then, you came to my country. Just following your footsteps that you had taken in my dream, you killed the demoness and protected the dwellers of Nippon. I cannot describe how much worried I was when the battle between you and Katherine was going on. Yes, I didn't admit it before you because my heart was scared. It was scared of your reaction.

Always. I always wanted a person as my life-partner, as my soulmate who will believe in having only one wife. The one who'll be a one-woman man. On the next day, in the very dawn, keeping the sun before us, when you vowed that you'll always have only one wife throughout your entire life, my heart danced. It really danced in the rhythm of your words and the tunes that you sent to me through your lotus orbs. For finding Tyson, when I was roaming in the jungle like a lost person, you helped me find the way. Just like a protective soulmate, you left me to my palace. I was in love with you. You could take it as an opportunity. But you didn't. More than your interests, my honor was important to you. You wanted to protect it at any cost. Not only that, you taught me how a true warrior should be.

I've got the proof on the following day. Not caring of my opinion or choice, when the bastard emperor of China was dragging me to his chariot in front of the entire Japan, you, being a Russian, stood by me. Japan wasn't your motherland. Yet, you considered her to be that. You know, my prince, when you told that you didn't have much possibility to attend my groom-choosing ceremony, I felt I lost a piece of my heart forever. That's why, I started performing Okuninushi ritual.

Lord Okuninushi didn't become much angry with me, I guess. He himself gave me the letter which had been sent from Russia to us. I felt as if He had placed another chance in front of me to get you. How could I let it go, prince? How?

Then...our love took another birth. Your archery skills were just like the flames. Though they were fighting against the gusts of wind, still I admire them. Prince, you can easily understand when I'm in danger, cannot you? Otherwise, why would you enter my room at that night for saving me from the witch, the good-for-nothing daughter of Boris Balkov? Hiwatarian, did she do something wrong with you? I don't know, I don't even want to know because I've full faith upon you. I believe that you were absolutely right. You can never be immoral. Never even in my weirdest imaginations or creepiest nightmares.

But...no no...I don't want to remember this day. On this day, my own best friend...nah, I'm not willing to call him that, he doesn't deserve it now...pardon me, your worst enemy tried to snatch my precious gem, my Hiwatarian from me. Though I don't want to believe the fact, still, I have to. I have to accept the reality.

Despite not wanting, I've to thank him. I've to be grateful to him because only for his relentless attacks, your Dranzer has returned to you. The vermillion phoenix which...no, who was yearning for having your glimpse now finally belongs to you. You've achieved what you wanted.

Congratulations, my prince. I'm really proud of you."

Her heart cringed as she recalled how badly the Russian had been beaten and almost forced to jump in the jaw of death.

Not wasting much time, Tyson tucked his sword beneath the cross-linkage of the straps of the armor of his opponent. Sliding it a bit, he hauled it up, ripping the strips. As a result, the chestplate of the phoenix-prince fell on the ground, making his chest be uncovered. Startled, he turned to his opponent. Utilizing his shock, the dragoon-wielder drew his sword diagonally on his chest.

"Slatch!"

A cut, having a tiny amount of depth, appeared on the pale chest of the Russian. In pain, he screamed, yet not dropping his sword and knees. Further, the Japanese hit on his arm. Blood gushed out from that wound.

"Aaaaah!"

For another time, in horror, all the audiences stood up. The brunette clasped her fingers. She wished she could have slapped the opponent of the phoenix-prince twice; forgetting the fact that he was her best friend. Her sisters held her wrists firmly in order to control her.

Again, slim creeks of pain and blues sprinted through her cheeks. The bond between their hands went stronger.

"I'm sorry, my prince," Hilary inaudibly sobbed, "Only because of me, these things have happened to you. If you didn't meet me coming in Japan, you wouldn't decide to participate in the contest. If you weren't a candidate of my groom-choosing ceremony, you would...you would..."

Not able to finish, she burst into tears. Her whole body convulsed, the blushing red of her cheeks grasped her eyes. Almost sinking her teeth in her inner lips, she was shedding the waterworks of soreness. Discreetly, the salty rheum of pain was stabbing her heart in a ruthless way. At that time, she was willing to end herself. True it was to her, she was a reason of destruction. She was the criminal of the Hiwatarian. She had done very wrong with the guy who was resting before her. She deserved him no more.

She didn't know how long she'd been weeping. The last droplet of the lamenting secretion stopped right on its way to her jaw since she felt the cold touch of a hand. Pondering, she looked at the phoenix-prince. His eyes were half-open, glittering. Slowly, he wiped her tears off. Her heart felt relieved at that. Taking a deep breath, she clutched his hand which had already savored the touch of her cheeks.

"Prince..." Quickly, she rubbed her eyes, "Are you feeling alright? Any pain? Any problem? Just tell me!"

Even in that state, hearing her, the Russian couldn't help silently chortling a bit. Then, he shook his head left and right. The smile of assurance soon vanished from his face as his amethysts noticed the bird-shaped locket which was still dwindling from the neck of the brunette. It wasn't scarlet anymore, nor sparkling. It had lost the garnet speck of light. It was colorless and broken as if its life had escaped from it. Nonetheless, he widened his eyes recognizing the pendant easily. Clasping it, the phoenix-prince pulled the princess almost on him which made her blush and gasp for another time.

"What happened, prince?" She felt shocked, "Are the wounds bothering you?"

"No..." He indifferently replied, eyeing the jewelry carefully. It wasn't exotic to him at all. He knew it. A picture of it had been engraved in his neuron cells for 20 years. It was the first gift which he had received after stepping on the surface of the lively and lovely planet. His petite fingers had grasped it and his bubbly, lotus eyes had glowed up while capturing its view.

Four years later, he had asked his grandfather about the importance of the locket. Dranzer, the sacred vermilion bird of the south, had resided inside it. Hearing the elder Hiwatari, his grandson had taken the vow of preserving it very carefully. But fate again had had to interrupt, making him break that promise and forcing him to prefer saving the life of his little cousin to conservation of the precious pendant. Then...12 years had passed.

"Why are you looking at it in this way, prince?" The princess swallowed, "Do you know it?"

"Hn..." He slowly nodded, "It's a prized part of my life that I lost before twelve springs."

"What?"

"Yes," Kai sighed, "But...how could you get it?"

"Also before 12 springs, prince," Hilary snickered, "With my friends and cousins, I was fishing. It rose, stuck at the fishing rod of my best...I mean, Tyson. He gave me that."

"Oh..." Rotating his face, the slate-haired Russian looked at the sword which was near his head, on the wooden headboard of the bed. At the junction between its blade and handle, there was a circular fleapit, sheathed under a sparkling ruby. The garnet-like speck was there, roaming like a firefly. By both sides of the gemstone, two gold wings had emerged. The sight of the weapon soothed the restless heart of the phoenix-prince, telling him that his precious phoenix was with him at that period.

"You don't need to bother about the locket anymore, prince Kai," Hilary placed a hand on his shoulder, "Your prized possession is with you now. She will never leave you."

"Huh?"

"I have known about Dranzer ever since I received this necklace, prince," The brunette tried to clarify, "She always used to show herself in my dreams. She used to lament and tell me to return her to her original master. I felt baffled listening to her. Yesterday, she again came after a long time. But then, she wasn't weeping. She was cheerful though her happiness increased my perplexities. Now, I can understand why she was so happy."

"Hmm..." Kai closed his eyes after a deep intake of oxygen through his nostrils. He was calm but his heart wasn't. It started jubilating in glee and relief.

I wonder who is dancing in my heart,

The eternal dance with rhythm,

I wonder, with the dance, which tabor is beating

The eternal song of rhythm.

Laughter and cries, diamonds and emeralds,

Swing in our temple,

In rhythm, there symphonizes the good and bad,

In tempo which is ample.

Following them, life and death keep dancing,

The eternal dance with rhythm.

O, what a glee! What a fascination!

Through all the days and nights,

Freedom and captivity keep dancing,

Washing away all the frights,

In flying colors, we chase that wave,

Which dances the eternal dance in rhythm….

"You know, prince," Hilary incoherently chatted, "You're very fortunate. No no...it is I. It is I who am lucky enough that Dranzer has chosen me to be the bridge of your reconciliation with her."

'No princess, you're wrong,' The vermilion speck illuminated a bit though nobody could hear her, 'I, the Dranzer, am much blessed because of being the reason of the tryst of both you. Since the birth of the first human being on the earth, I had been waiting for this auspicious moment. I could return to my master on that day when he was struggling to defeat the demoness. But I delayed for the perfect time which came today. My existence has been fruitful, princess, my patience has been successful today.'

Removing his hand from his stomach, the slate-haired prince tucked it inside his pocket. It rose with a rectangular silver box. By opening it, a diamond ring could be discovered, studded with four quartzes and three sapphires. Hilary's eyes sparkled in enthusiasm. She had seen a lot of rings before it but her heart was telling her that this jewelry wasn't like them. It was special, it was something to do with her.

"Prince, what's it?" Curiously, Hilary queried.

"The engagement ring of my mother," He replied, "Before my departure, she gave me it and told me to give it to the girl whom I..."

He stopped, so did his banging heart. Unlike his nature, he felt himself flushing hardly. Before a while, his face had been cold because of his physical weakness. Suddenly, it started getting heated just like the flames of Dranzer, like the dagger which had been placed on his wound. He had been able to break the sword in which the azure dragon of the east had used to reside. Why couldn't he break the barrier of embarrassment then? Maybe, the brunette also got the hint. She lowered her gazes. Her gentle, jaded face was hiding the extreme speed of her heartbeats.

'O my master...' Dranzer sneered, 'Don't be so shy. Please, offer her to be my mistress. I myself have chosen her for you. Don't make me wait. Kindly let me witness the decorous moment.'

"...Whom I love." Finally, the prince was able to overcome his discomfiture, "Princess, this is for you."

A bell of a holy temple rang somewhere. Stormy winds whispered, rain crooned. Someone played an elated harp near her ears as nightingales voiced. She felt as if she'd been dancing in the water; her feet splashing some droplets. The brunette raised her mellowed eyes. Rubies faced amethysts. His eyes were impatiently looming as unknowingly, his bold tone quivered.

"I love you."

She shrilled hearing those eight magical letters. No no, they were very simple symbols, creating a lot of meaningless words through countless permutations and combinations. Therefore, when mathematicians found them creating an enchanting sentence, they smiled. So did the brunette. Liquid of ecstasy filled her garnet lochs. Forgetting all the qualms, embarrassments and questions, she placed her nose and temple against the backside of the hand of her lover, silently kissing it.

Many a time, I reckoned to unlock myself,

To unwrap my heart at your feet.

To hold your feet and declare openly,

Always loved you in my heart, being discreet.

Thought, you were a deity descending from the paradise,

How to express my love to you? Would you realize?

Thought, let me stay afar in seclusion,

All my life, I'll worship you, staying in isolation,

When you now seek my acquiescence,

How much do I love? How can I express?

"Will you go with me to Russia, Hilary?" Kai entwined his fingers firmly around hers, "Being the crown princess of the icy land?"

That was enough. The chocolate-haired girl furiously nodded like a starving person who was asked whether she would like to have meal or not. Hearing her name from his mouth without any formal accosting also left a jolt in her heart. She had been craving since a long time for it to sound in her ears. Getting the confirmation from her, he imprisoned the ring finger of her right hand in the dungeon of that ring. She didn't protest a bit. Her lips wobbled, maybe pronouncing those three...no, those four words. Despite the bizarre muteness, he heard them. That's why, his lips molded another divine smile of winning the sky, the earth and the netherworld. They kept pouring mauve and cherry wine in each other's goblets named eyes. Subconsciously, she gently placed her head on the chest of the lying prince, like a hypnotized lass. He kept a hand on her, brushing through her coco locks politely and watched her listening to the best music of the world.

The one with captivating eyes has caused a tremble

In the cup of my heart,

As a result, the whole tavern spills

He's taken away all my peace, nights and sleeps...

Now, I'm swaying with every step that I take,

I'm dancing with every step, I'm stumbling even I plod,

I'm burning like a shiny flame,

Which alcohol do your eyes hold?

I'm shivering profusely,

Swooping upon the arrow of your gazes,

Like a snake wrapping around a sandalwood tree,

I'm clinging onto you,

I'm unconscious, you're the intoxication,

I've lost myself in this state of desires,

He's taken away all my peace, nights and sleeps...

"Heyyyy!" Someone blurted, destroying the honeyed ticks, "I haven't seen anything!"

Startled, both the lovebirds peered at the entrance from where the sound had come. A red-haired Russian was standing there, backing them and covering his eyes with his left elbow. Jolted, the brunette stood up, leaving the phoenix-prince. The dual-haired Russian also widened his eyes, getting up. Though the stalker had told that he hadn't seen anything, they hardly believed him.

"Tala!" His cousin cocked an eyebrow, "What are you doing there?"

"Ahem..." He didn't turn to the couple, "I came to visit you, Kai. But..."

"Then, come inside, prince Valkov," Rushing to the redhead, the brunette bowed, "Why're you standing outside?"

"Sure, sister-in...I mean, princess Hilary," Opening his eyes, the wolf-prince entered the chamber. Plodding, he headed to the bed where his brother was resting. Sitting on the tool, he looked at him worriedly. Though the phoenix-prince was fully conscious, the heart of the wolf wasn't ready to accept the event which had happened with cousin. Firmly clutching his wrist, the redhead asked, "How're you now, Kai?"

"Fine."

"Shut up!" Tala ejaculated, almost making the duo gasp, "Don't need to tell lies to give me fake assurances! I was there watching your battle. I know...I know what happened to you there. Kai, are you mad? How could you decide to continue the war when princess Hilary herself willed to stop the battle and disqualify your useless, bloody, scoundrel opponent..."

"Language!" The dual-haired Russian blurted, concernedly looking at the princess whose gazes had already stooped. She was gaping at him no more. Though she was silent, Kai easily understood that she was sobbing as her body was quivering a bit. Neither she could digest the bad words against her friend, nor could she retort. She was on the horns of a dilemma.

"Still?" The redhead cocked an eyebrow, "Do you still want him to be addressed respectfully? How, Kai, how? How can you be so forgiving? You know? You know what could have happened to you? That maniac could have murdered you in front of entire Japan, Kai!"

His ocean blue eyes started glittering with tears. Sniffing, he restarted, "Kai, you're the future of Russia. You're the crown prince and soon-to-be king of our kingdom. Can you ever imagine what would happen to her if something happened to you? How could I show my face to aunt Apraxia? How could I tell her that I failed to protect her son? You thought I would leave that fiend easily? No, Kai, no! I'll chop his head off with bare hands into thousands of pieces..."

"Enough!" Kai roared, "Tala, don't believe your eyes always. Tyson is completely innocent!"

"What?" Both the redhead and the brunette frowned.

"Yes," The phoenix-prince coughed, "Don't start blabbering unnecessarily about what you don't know fully. I was there before him. Tyson has no fault at what has happened to me. Rather, I should be grateful to him because...ah!"

In inflammation, he clutched the dressed wound of his chest, screwing his eyebrows. Clenching his teeth, he struggled to breathe. Losing the color, his lips started turning blue. The brunette quickly ran to the table on which water was kept. The wolf-prince gently squeezed the shoulders of his cousin to calm him down. Rushing to him with a chalice filled with water, the chocolate-haired girl raised his head a bit and slowly poured it inside his mouth. The Russian guzzled it gradually. It spread all over his inner body, appeasing his veins and arteries. He felt fresh essence of mints clearing his breaths. It cooled his physique, mind and soul.

"I'm extremely sorry, prince Kai," She mumbled, "I was so tensed and lost that I forgot to give you the potion which I made from Pavoria's water. It will make you feel better."

She was right. The fluid really had an energizing effect. It chilled his boiling blood. He felt easy to breathe again. All the weight from his body diminished. In coziness, he let out a yawn which made the brunette smile a bit.

"You really need rest, prince Kai," She spoke, laying a blanket over his body, "We'll meet tomorrow. Good night."

"Hn..." He mumbled, drifting into the universe of siesta. Turning to his cousin, Hilary spoke, "You too need to rest, prince Valkov. Go to your chamber. I'm here to take care of him."

"I know you'll take care of him well," Tala beamed, "But you're exhausted as well, princess. Leave my cousin to me. I'll look after him."

"But..."

"I can understand that you're being excited to perform your responsibilities as a wife," The redhead chuckled, "But you'll get enough chances once you reach Russia with us. Till then, let me perform my duties as a brother, sister-in...sorry, princess Hilary."

"Okay," Hilary nodded, "If needs be, don't hesitate to inform the maids to call me."

"Sure, sister-in...I mean, princess Hilary," Tala affirmed, "Good night."

"Good night." Wishing back, the brunette glanced at the sleeping figure of her fiancé. With his closed eyes and steady breaths, he was looking like a seraphic warrior. She couldn't help sneering a bit. Covering her mouth, she hastily left the room.

Before the cubicle, the hyperactive American and the dual-haired prince of Spain were aimlessly strolling, holding two burning torches in their hands. Soon, they stopped as they saw someone was coming to them. The person was wearing white kimono jacket and a pair of white trousers, swathing a red belt around her waist. The edges of her slacks were tucked inside fabric boots. Shuriken stars were attached to her shoulder girdle that diagonally fell on her chest. One of her hands was holding a scabbard of a longsword. She was wearing a white, turban-like headgear that was covering her face. Only her glimmering ruby eyes were mystically gawking at the guarding duo.

"Halt!" The American stopped the kunoichi, "You cannot go inside."

The warrior revealed her face a bit, shocking the princes. Gasping, they frowned.

"His Majesty himself has allowed me to do this," She sternly spoke, "Who are you to stop me? Just go away from here!"

"But sis..." Raul tried to speak.

"Are you deaf?" She snarled, "Just leave the place!"

Both the young noblemen exchanged puzzled stares. Nodding, they heaved sighs and went out of the vision of the ninja woman. Breathing once, she opened the door of the room and entered the chamber. It was quite dark. Some clay lamps were burning, surrounding the rectangular territory. Three earthen uplighters were illuminating the room slightly, sitting in the nook of the western window. Beneath it, the kunoichi saw the dragoon-wielder lying flatly on his bed, spreading his legs and arms. Unlike his habits, he wasn't snoring at all. His lips were somewhat parted. He was exhausted too from the duel.

But the female warrior didn't care. Seeing him in that comfort, her jaw became rasped. Unleashing her sword, she trudged to him quickly and pointed it at his chin. Getting the sharp touch, the navy-haired guy fluttered, puckering his brows. Unlocking his auburn orbs from the eyelids, he gasped, feeling startled.

"What are you seeing opening your mouth?" Stoic her pitch was, "Raise your weapon. This warrior doesn't like to hurt the unarmed."

Though Tyson was baffled, he was always prepared for what his fate used to plan for him. Not being nervous a bit, he looked at the wall where a pair of swords was attached. Taking one of them, he jumped out of his bed and landed on the ground. Then, he flounced his sword.

"Tung!"

The kunoichi blocked the hit, stooping her weapon a bit. The navy-haired guy raised his one up, slightly diagonally with the horizon. She too followed his way.

"Ting!"

"Tang!"

"Ting!"

Sometimes, he was progressing and she was retreating. Sometimes, it was becoming the vice versa. At a time, he grasped her against the wall holding her wrists as both the rapiers created an "X" in front of their faces. His grips on her were becoming strong. She seethed, her eyes said that. With her knee, she struck the abdomen of the guardian of the blue dragon. Screaming in pain, he flung his opponent. She stumbled back a bit but didn't fall down.

Using the chance, the navy-haired guy swooped his weapon, horizontally creating an ellipse. Ready, she kowtowed. The blade passed across her white headgear and pulled it out of her head, divulging her identity. Her chocolate hair covered one of her eyes as she winnowed the locks a bit. Seeing her, once again, the jaw of the dragoon-wielder dropped. His eyes went widened. In front of him, his best friend was standing with a sword, aiming to attack him. She was rumbling like a hungry lioness looking at a flock of deer. Hot gaseous substances were coming out through her nostrils. To him, she was breathing fire. Never had he seen her so enraged in his life. What happened to her? Why was she fuming at him? What had he done? Had he committed any mistake that was unforgivable?

Utilizing the opportunity, twirling, the brunette hit on his arm, leaving a shallow but long cut there. He flinched, screwing his nose. Something was recalled by him right then.

Not wasting much time, Tyson tucked his sword beneath the cross-linkage of the straps of the armor of his opponent. Sliding it a bit, he hauled it up, ripping the strips. As a result, the chestplate of the phoenix-prince fell on the ground, making his chest be uncovered. Startled, he turned to his opponent. Utilizing his shock, the dragoon-wielder drew his sword diagonally on his chest.

"Slatch!"

A cut, having a tiny amount of depth, appeared on the pale chest of the Russian. In pain, he screamed, yet not dropping his sword and knees. Further, the Japanese hit on his arm. Blood gushed out from that wound.

"Aaaaah!"

Immediately, he gasped, brokenly kneeling down on the ground and dropping the sword. Victoriously, the chocolate-haired princess steered hers at him but he didn't pay any heed to his second loss on that day. Everything was evoked in his brain.

'Shit!' He clutched his head, 'What the hell have I done?! How did it happen? How could I be so feral at that time?'

"It hurt, didn't it?" She hissed, "Thank goodness! For a moment, you've got to realize how prince Hiwatari felt then. Do you know what you deserve now?"

"Hil!" He stood up, "But I..."

"Shut up!" Hilary elbowed his lips which bled a bit, "Don't call me by that name! Your best friend is dead to you now. This Hilary Tachibana is the princess of Japan and the future queen of Russia. She has no relation with you at present."

"Please..." Tyson's auburn eyes started sparkling with tears, "Listen to me once. Don't say these things. You know...you know I cannot bear them."

"Oh really?" Hilary cocked an eyebrow, "What can you bear then? My sorrows? The grief of my heart? If no, why did you do this, Tyson? At first, you entered my groom-choosing ceremony without any identity. Secondly, you broke the rules of the duel and almost killed prince Hiwatari. What do you think? Didn't I get to know about the curses which you uttered with your filthy mouth?"

"No, Hilary," He sobbed, joining his trembling hands, "Believe me, I never intended to break the rules and physically hurt prince Hiwatari. Yes, I admit that I wanted to defeat him so that I could be the best archer of the world along with being the most skilled warrior. But hurting him was never my plan."

"Then why did you do that?" The brunette bellowed, "Don't say that you didn't have any control on yourself because you were blind due to your limitless wrath and vengeance!"

"Yes, I didn't have any control on myself," Tyson nodded gloomily, "But...but I know how to manage my anger. When I was fighting, I was feeling that my body wasn't belonging to anymore."

"What?" The sword from Hilary's hand fell down on the ground.

"Hm," Tyson sniffed, "I felt as if...as if...someone had been directing me, grasping my brain. I was helplessly trying to be free from the outer control but I was failing."

The princess of Japan became astonished. Though she didn't want to believe the person who was before her for a single moment, she couldn't neglect his words too. Something same had been told by the phoenix-prince as well.

"Enough!" Kai roared, "Tala, don't believe your eyes always. Tyson is completely innocent!"

"So what?" She spoke, "You cannot cover your faults by giving these excuses. Our friendship is over! When you hit prince Kai, you didn't hurt him. Rather, you hurt the blameless bond between us."

"No, Hilary, please!" The navy-haired boy knelt down, "Don't give me so hard punishment. Please, forgive me. Okay, if you don't want to, punish me according to your wishes. Beat me, burn me, kill me, kick me out of Japan, do whatever...but please! Swearing by Dragoon, I didn't do those things willingly to prince Hiwatari. I've already lost my precious sacred spirit whom I adored the most...only, only for my carelessness. I cannot bear the pain of losing my best friend now, Hilary. I'll die, Hilary, I'll not be able to live anymore!"

Hilary's heart ached. She closed her eyes and let her tears fall as they cascaded from the brown eyes of the dragoon-wielder too. Wiping them, the princess took a deep breath. Then, she spoke, "Tyson, are you really feeling guilty?"

"Yes," He furiously nodded, "I can do anything for the atonement."

"Okay, I'll give you another chance," Hilary gritted her jaw, "You've to do two tasks."

"Two?" Tyson jumped, "I can do countless tasks to win back our friendship."

"Nope, only two," The brunette spoke, "One of them is to retrieve Dragoon at any cost."

"Even if you didn't tell me, still I would do that, Hil," The dragoon-wielder beamed, "And the second?"

"To marry Dew."

"Huh?!" The dargoon-wielder felt baffled, amplifying his orbs. He couldn't believe his own ears. He felt as if the ground had been crumbling underneath his feet.

"Yes, you've heard right," Hilary didn't show a bit of emotion, "You've to marry my sister and spend the rest of your life with her."

"She's not your biological sister!" Tyson blurted, "You know it well and I also know it. Even Dew isn't also unaware of it."

"What?" Hilary felt as if she'd fallen from the sky, "Who informed Dew about this?"

"I myself," Tyson bent his head down, "Yesterday night, she came to my room being curious to know my identity. I tried to drive her out but she wasn't agreeing to go back. That's why, I had to tell her the truth."

"If your mental state were something else, I swear," Hilary gripped her ex-best friend against the wall by his collars, "I would burn you alive."

"Do that!" The navy-haired boy equally countered, "But don't tell me to marry the abandoned daughter of a soldier!"

"Another word against my sister and she'll be widowed even before her marriage!" The princess shot him with death glares, "Cannot you understand how much...how deeply she loves you? She's even ready to sacrifice everything only for getting love from you. How can you so blind, Tyson?"

"Is it necessary?" Tyson asked, "Is it necessary to love back the person who loves me?"

"It wasn't but it has been now!" Hilary spoke, "If you want me to be your best friend once again, you've to marry her."

"Okay..." He gloomily leered, "If friendship costs the independence of opinions, I'll happily pay it, Hilary. I'll marry Dew...but remember one thing. In our relation, there will be respect, friendship, trust, everything-except one. It's nothing but love."

"If rivalry can cost friendship, the bond between two best friends also can cost the freedom of one's choices, Tyson," Hilary rolled her eyes, "About love...well, only the time will say that. Oh, another thing!"

"Yes?"

"Don't try to show me your face before getting Dragoon!" Kicking on the ground, the princess of Japan moved back and trudged to the open door, keeping a flustered friend, an agonized warrior and a frustrated guardian of one of the best sacred spirits of the world behind.

Waterfalls, rains and tears. They are considered to be the purest sources of water in the world. Drenching her face with the third one, the turquoise-eyed princess was standing in front of the river which was flowing by the territory of the castle. She was feeling empty. All parts of her had already been snatched and crushed by the person whom she loved the most. The waterworks of pain seeped on the slender creek as they raised pulsations there. The river felt confused because it was not her way to meet the sea. Yet, she was getting the feeling of reconciling with the ocean. Under the silver moon, the silver-colored liquid ribbon swayed. That hurt the purple-haired girl more.

'What should I do being alive?' She thought, 'I have nobody on the earth. I have no house of my own. I have no family, no parents, no sister, no friend...no lover...I'm alone. I'm lonelier than the sun. Solitude has another kind of happiness but my one has already been shredded by the pains of rejections. No no, I'm nothing but a burden to mother earth. If I quit, she'll feel lighter. Goodbye, dear world, farewell...'

Closing her eyes, she was about to jump in the river but before that, two arms caught her by the waist. Rotating, she saw the chocolate-haired princess of Japan before her. Those eyes were looking her concernedly. Her chin wobbled a bit, her lips quivered. Not waiting, she leapt in the arms of her sister, bursting into tears.

"Shush..." The elder princess patted her head affectionately, "It's alright, Dew-chan. Don't cry, I'm here."

"Oni-chan..." She whispered, "Why is God so cruel to me? Firstly, He severed my bond with my real parents. Everybody started seeing me with the eyes of mercy, not affection. The person beneath whose feet I can lay everything also has ditched me and got himself involved with an immoral task. How'll I bear these pains, Oni-chan, how?"

"Dew..." Hilary bit her lips to hold her tears, "Have patience. You're my sister. My sister isn't a weakling."

"I'm not your sister," Dew gritted her teeth, "Father only adopted me to save my life."

"Our relation doesn't need to be biological, Dew-chan," Hilary kissed on her top, "Even if you were brought up in the house of a soldier, you would have the same importance in my life, sweetheart. For me, you will always be my sister, no matter what happens."

"I love you, Oni-chan," She sobbed, hugging the brunette tightly, "I wish Tyson could understand..."

"He'll understand eventually, my dear," Hilary wrapped her arms around the slim body of her foster sister, ruminating, 'He has to. He has to realize how much you love him. Otherwise, he'll face his demise in my own hands...'

"It's the last knot," The monkey-boy spoke, descending from the tool, "The ritual will be painful."

"I don't care!" The navy-haired guy whose eyes were tied with a piece of black cloth, "For bringing Dragoon, I can even tolerate the pain of death, Daichi!"

"And Master Hiro was used to tell me only I'm the stubborn one!" Daichi sighed, "Should I remove the tool?"

"Hm."

"Okay." The redhead pulled the long chair from under the feet of the dragoon-wielder. He shrilled as his muscled felt tension upwards. He was literally hanging from the ceiling with the support of a pair of ropes. Their edges were tied to the hooks of the roof and around his arms. On his palms, two earthen pots were placed from where steams were being emitted with rising flames. He gnawed his fangs because of aching muscles. His breaths were being clogged. Droplets of sweats trickled down from his forehead and drenched his tanned skin. Yet, he didn't give up.

He was never the one to give up, be in this life, or in the next life.

"Daichi, you may go now." He huffed.

"Tyson," The kid spoke, "Please, nobody should know that I came here."

"You can believe me," Even in that state, he snickered, "Nobody will get a single hint. Not even Ni-san."

"Good," The teenager pondered, before leaving the old temple of the dragon deity, 'Tyson...I know that I annoy you a lot. But deep inside, I respect you. You're alone now, with nobody...no, it is your thought. I'm with you, Tyson. I'll be with you when the whole world will abandon you. I promise, Tyson.

Be in this life, or the next life!'

So...another prophecy by Daichi :P

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

Dear IshuRock8, I hope you like this :D

-Misty ^_^