Hello everyone! After a long time, huh? Safe and sound?

Thanks so much to Seafoam Green under Twilight, Sohana Sarkar, Cutetyhil, Scarlet Witch of Terra, LadyPeach7, ILoveMyIndia, kaihilnator, Rock the Road, Sakura, IshuRock8, Emerald Vivienne Ramira, Jyotsna, Stark02 and Justafan for reviewng :D

ILoveMyIndia: Aww...no problem sweetie, I can understand why so much hatred for China is there in your heart. But back at that time, China wasn't known as China. It was known as "Qing". Only for the convenience of writing, I've put the name China. Besides, if a patriot girl like you doesn't read about another patriot like Ray, how will it be? If it's possible for you, give the China chapter a read.

Yes, I've watched Titanic. But in this site, there're a lot of fanfictions based on the movie. Yet, I'll give it a try. Thank you so much for reviewing :D

Sakura: So sorry for making you wait, dear. Here's the next chapter. Thank you so much for reviewing :D

IshuRock8: Yes, it's kinda right. Bengali people cannot tolerate any objection against their language because it's the sweetest language in the world. Cannot believe? Google it (Proudly raises my nose). But no worries, your Bengali is pretty smooth.

Woah, your marks were badass. Congrats! About Ray's marriages, hmm...you'll get that eventually. Thank you so much for reviewing :D

Jyotsna: Yeah, Mariah is always helpful and supportive to Ray. And what to do about Boris and Zagart, they were born for that. Thank you so much for reviewing :D

Justafan: Hey, what happened? So few words? Is everything okay with you? *Gulps* Thank you so much for reviewing :)

Okay, this chapter has the mixture of some seriousness and fun. Before reading it, let me inform you, I've reuploaded the third chapter of this story with some new contents. Those who haven't read it yet, please, check it out. It's important :P

-Dedicated to Cutetyhil for being the 800th reviewer :'D-

The half-illuminated room was shining with the laughter and chatters of the Russian princes. Lolling against the velvet couches and fluffy pillows on the soft beds, they were gossiping with one another. Sometimes, the tallest of them was viewing the Greek and Latin books, taking them from the roof-touching dark ligneous shelves. The shortest was enjoying the sips of traditional cold and pink Sakura tea from a black wooden cup. The ogles of the falcon-prince were stuck at the Katana swords in bamboo sheaths attached to the decorated walls. They all were listening to the redhead who was describing their days in Japan. Only, their dual-haired cousin wasn't there in the room. The time couldn't be righter and the opportunity couldn't be greater to the boys. That's why, the phoenix-prince became the center of their talks.

"Hahaha..." Bryan cackled, "Then?"

"Then?" Tala rolled his eyes, "Bry, you will not believe! After having the first glimpse of sister-in-law, Kai was just smitten. All his vigor and valor from his eyes disappeared nowhere. Let alone talking to me, he didn't even stare at me for a single time since he'd met her in the temple yard. At night, when I kept asking him questions about Japan, he delivered his usual 'Hn's."

"Oh my God!" Spencer frowned, "He was in love but he couldn't come out of his nature?"

"Relax, Spence, let me finish," The redhead calmed him down, "But when I asked him whether sister-in-law was awesome or not, he jolted and blurted 'Undoubtedly'!"

"Oooooo!" All the boys squealed in unison, "Then then?"

"He stood up just like that," The wolf-prince left his bed, mimicking his dual-haired cousin, "Going to the railings of the roof, he started reciting poems."

"Poems?"

"Yes, yes," Tala gladly waggled, "He was saying...ahem ahem..."

Clearing his throat, he stretched one of his arms forward as if he'd been about to offer his love to a maiden. Then, he announced the same lines delivered by his cousin at that night with utmost emotions in his voice, not forgetting to add some extra colors to entertain his other brothers:

"As if...as if intoxicated waves appeared in the calm ocean of my mind. The waves are playing the roles of circular mirrors. They're bearing the reflection of princess Hilary. When I look at the moon, I feel as if princess Hilary were looking at me with her gorgeous garnet orbs."

"Hallelujah!" Ian clapped, "Sister-in-law's glimpse made him a poet! I cannot believe my ears, bro!"

"Yes, he was literally acting like a drunkard then," Tala acknowledged, "His cheeks were red, he was incoherently blabbering. When he was walking, I felt as if he'd been sleepwalking. Believe me, guys, never did I see any man smitten so much with someone in my life!"

"Ooo!" The lilac-haired blurted, "Was he really red?"

"Yes," Tala shook his head, "Redder than my hair!"

"If you don't shut up now, wolf," Someone threatened him standing by the doorway, crossing his arms on his chest, "I swear I'll beat you bluer than my sharkfin tattoos!"

The laughter in the room stopped right then since the boys turned their stares to the corridor where there was the soon-to-be groom. His face was still reddened in equal embarrassment and annoyance. Under his closed eyes, hot colorless smokes were coming out from his nostrils. Even not opening his eyes, he could murder them with his facial expressions. That made everyone gulp and stand up immediately.

"Oh, you're here, Kai..." The redhead sheepishly itched his hair, "We were talking about the first meeting between you and sister-in-law, nothing else."

"Hn, heard that." His look didn't change a bit.

"By the way," Spencer asked, "Where did you go, Kai? We were searching for you."

"To the exam hall." He replied.

"Huh?" Everyone glowered together, "What does it mean?"

The phoenix-prince didn't answer, just recalled a few things.

Flashback:

He was on the cliff of a random hillock of Nippon, viewing the natural beauty of his in-laws' kingdom from the top. The white and crystal streams of the ever-flowing cataracts sounded mellifluous to his ears. The curvy lines of the higher mountains were two-dimensional portraits in his eyes, in blues and greens. The white and golden flags wavering from the pinnacles of the holy shrines grew the reverence for them in his heart. Pigeons were flying by them. Subconsciously, he put off his shoes and let his feet feel the velvety touch of verdant grassland. Soon, he'd be leaving for Russia. He didn't know when he would be able to visit the heavenly kingdom again. So, he sighed, sadly smiling.

"If I'm not wrong," The pitch of a girl was heard, "You're prince Kai Alexander Hiwatari, right?"

Disturbed a bit, the dual-haired turned back. A girl around 18-19 was there; having back-length, straight, orange hair and ivory skin tone. Knowledge and intelligence were splattering from her deep bluish-gray pools. Though she was shorter, she didn't have to throw her gazes up for having his glimpse. In her screwed eyebrows, there was the lightning of education which was in the corner of her slim tangerine lips too. However, her appearance couldn't impress the committed prince much. That's why, he replied, "Hn."

"Heard a lot about your prowess and knowledge," She remarked, "You're quite skilled at both operating your bow and brain."

"True."

"You're boasting of your wisdom?" The American cocked an eyebrow, "Don't you know that the men of letters never feel proud?"

"Feeling proud and expressing pride are two different things, my lady," Kai replied, "Feeling proud isn't a sin but expressing it in a hurtful way surely is. Besides, wise people should never be afraid of confessing the truth, no matter how much harsh it is."

Emily clenched her teeth as she felt that the phoenix-prince was pricking her. Yet, not losing her cool, she smirked, "Your words surely do work. But do you have any logic to support yourself at the crime of murdering Katherine?"

"Obvious," He shrugged, "She was a demoness who was tormenting the people of Japan."

"She was a woman, prince Hiwatari," Emily protested, "As a warrior, you should always protect women, children, old and ailing people, helpless animals, birds and plants. Didn't you fail in performing your responsibility properly?"

"A warrior's first and foremost duty is to destroy the enemies for the protection of common people," The Russian retorted, "Besides, when a woman lifts a weapon, she doesn't think herself as a woman anymore. She acts like a warrior."

"Really?"

"Hm," He nodded, "If I didn't consider womenfolk to be the inseparable part of the human beings, I would never raise my weapon on her. If I didn't hurt her, it would be an insult to her because she would think that I'd left her considering her as well as the whole womenfolk weak."

Emily's brows remained creased for a while as she deeply thought over the words of the prince. Then, little by little, a contented smile became stretched in her lips.

"I'm impressed, prince Hiwatari," She commented, "I was just testing you to figure it out whether you're worthy enough to save the world or not."

He frowned at her last sentence. Saving the world? From whom?

"You may have passed this test, prince Hiwatari," Emily sighed, "But our knowledge and wisdom don't support us at every stage of our life. Before you, in future, there may be more tests. Good luck for them."

"The life of a warrior is a flimsy bridge beneath which fire always keeps burning, my lady," Kai grinned, "I'll always be prepared for them."

"Well, I have to go to the castle now," The orange-haired girl huffed, "My palanquin is waiting for me. See you later, prince Hiwatari. Take care."

"Hn." He nodded as smiling again, the American left the place. Though the Russian had acted calm and cool, deep inside, he was feeling suspicious after listening to her. He felt that her words weren't fully trivial. They had some deep meanings. Some tests would surely be there for him in future. Was he prepared for them?

Flash forward:

"Kai!" Spencer waved a hand in front of his face, "What happened?"

"Hey, don't listen to him, Spencer," Bryan blinked, "His words are always puzzling. Moreover, now, he's lost in the thoughts of sister-in-law Hilary, isn't he?"

"Bryan!" That worked, successfully bringing the dual-haired to the reality, angering him perfectly as well, "Say that once again and you'll have to live only on liquid foods for the rest of your life!"

"Ouch!" The lilac-haired pretended to wince, "That hurt, your Majesty!"

"Anyways, your sisters-in-law were wishing to meet you," Still Kai's voice was cold, "Go there and...don't tarnish my dignity."

"You have dignity?" Ian narrowed his eyes, "Sorry, didn't know before."

"He had, once upon a time," The redhead shot him with sarcasm, "Then, you came in his life and..."

"For God's sake, zip your uncontrollable mouths!" Kai spat, "In case you don't want me to sew them with my own hands!"

"Okay okay..." Tala swallowed, "Bryan, Spence, Ian, let's go and let him be alone for a few moments."

"Hm," Spencer agreed, "Let's meet sister-in-law...hey, Tala, will you meet sister-in-law Julia with us too? I mean...just before the day of marriage?"

"Let him go, Spence," Bryan tittered, "Sis-in-law won't mind. After all, no barrier of norms and customs can stop the torrent of love, can it?"

"Stop predicting stupid things, Bry," Tala screwed his nose, "I'm just going to have some fresh air outside."

"And the fresh air's name is Julia Fernandez," Ian nudged him, "Who is soon going to be Julia Fernandez Valkov."

"Ian, the outcomes won't be in your favor! Let me warn you!"

Chuckling and continuing their banter, the brothers emptied the room. Only the slate-haired Russian remained there, alone and restless. The sudden but ambiguous prophecies by the mysterious orange-haired lady were snatching his mental peace from him. Moreover, there was the nervousness of getting married tomorrow with the absence of his fiancée in front of his eyes. If she'd been there, he might have shared a few things with her. He couldn't even trust Tala or Tyson in that case more than her. The latter might make fun of him, the former would become tensed more than the necessities. The vice-versa might happen too.

But his craving for meeting her superseded all the extra tensions. The mighty prince of Russia whose greatest strength was his patience was losing his perseverance to have a single glimpse of her. His norms were hindering him to meet her secretly but his heart was battling against his brain. No strict restriction was put there, yet, he was feeling embarrassed. Nope, he didn't want his cousins to make his fun once again. But...his fiancée...

Ah, what a honeyed hesitation it was!

"You're prince Bryan Kuznetsov, right?" The brunette tried to guess, shifting her index finger to her cousins-in-law, "And you're prince Spencer Petrov. You're prince Ian Papov and you're obviously princess Natasha Valkov. Hope I am not wrong."

"Wow, you've recognized everyone correctly, sister-in-law!" The carrot-nosed clapped, "How have you identified us so flawlessly?"

"Tala told me about all of you," Hilary chortled, "I have heard a lot from him about you and Russia."

"That's why, you've prepared all our favorite foods, I see," Spencer took a bite from the Phirozki meatbun, "Tala was right. Your cooking skills are excellent."

"Hey," The dual-haired Spaniard handed him the bowl of Blini pancakes, "Don't forget to taste them. I myself have prepared them."

"They've also been very sweet just like you, sister-in-law Julia," Natasha flattered, making her face look like a ripe tomato by her next compliment, "No wonder why brother Tala is so besotted with you."

"But I cannot understand one thing, sis-in-law Hilary," The whale-prince was curious, "Did you know all the things about us only from Tala? Didn't Kai tell you anything?"

"Let alone telling me about your favorite things," The princess of Japan sighed, hanging her head, "He didn't even tell me about his own choices and preferences. Whenever I asked him, he just smirked."

"Don't worry about it, sister-in-law," The lavender-haired guy flashed, "Even we also don't know fully about his choices and preferences. They're really very fluctuating, exceptional and unique."

"Actually not like it." Hilary calmly conversed, raising her head.

"Huh?" The young Russian people along with the dual-haired Spaniard wrinkled their brows, not understanding.

"He loves love, he loves to be loved," The soon-to-be crown-princess of Russia clarified, "If you present the most precious jewels of the world before him with pride, he'll reject them with hatred. But..."

Her ruby orbs went dreamy, she stopped for a while. The curiosity of the listeners increased at her sudden silence. She didn't look at them, just threw her stares at the pieces of the limitless blue outside captured in the arched windows of the chamber.

"But...if you give him even the wild flowers lovingly, he'll accept them with love," She continued nonchalantly, "Only the sense of love, the feeling of amity and friendship can satisfy him. They can bring him back even from the dark paws of hatred and evil..." She shuddered a bit, biting her tongue, "Let God forbid it. He will never confess it before us but it's true, people. That's why, I pray for him so that he can get love and admiration from most of the people of the world till the end of his life. In births and rebirths, let him win at every phase or not, he should get love. When the water of love will be showered on his plant, flowers will bloom from it."

"Wow, sister-in-law!" Natasha's violet eyes sparkled, "You have easily understood what we couldn't get since the years. In childhood, aunt Apraxia had to struggle a lot to make brother Kai eat the foods prepared by the cooks of our kitchen. But when brothers were in the learning center, he...he enjoyed the foods made by lady Vetrova a lot though they were much simpler than the royal staples. We always kept wondering, we always thought that he was weird but we never tried to explore him."

"So...what should we do now, sis-in-law?" Ian scratched his head, "Should we go to him and tell him that we love him?"

Everyone burst out laughing after hearing him. The poor boy confusedly stared at his cousins and cousins-in-law. Gulping, he spoke, "What happened? Why're you laughing? Have I said something funny?"

"No, Ian, you didn't say anything funny," Hilary somehow resisted her laughter, "But instead of expressing it straightly, we should convey it through other words and deeds. Hiwatarian also follows the same path, I believe."

"Yes, your belief is true," Spencer acknowledged, "In general, he always keeps chiding us. He's so strict. But when one of us gets hurt, the pain becomes visible in his eyes before the screams or gasps of the injured. He cares for us a lot."

"But one quality of him must be praised," Natasha added, "He never breaks his promise. In our childhood, one day, I lost my favorite doll in a jungle. I was crying but nobody was ready to bring it. Brother Kai promised that he would bring it for me. In the next morning, he went alone there and brought it back. Though he got so many bruises walking across the thorny bushes on his arms and knees, he didn't stop."

"Incredible he is," The blonde shrugged, "If you try to understand him, in the end, you'll become more confused. If you give him his own space, you'll get clear conceptions about him."

"Princess Hilary!"

The Japanese girl stood up from her seat as she saw a maid there at the corridor of the room, bowing her head and carrying a folded thick paper. As Hilary allowed, she entered the chamber.

"Prince Hiwatari has sent this letter to you," The servant handed her the scroll, "He's waiting for your reply."

Everyone in the room wickedly narrowed their eyes since the brunette flushed pink. Removing her eyes from them, she sheepishly spoke, "People, I'll back within no moment. Wait for me."

"Don't worry, sis-in-law, we can wait for you till the doomsday," Natasha nudged her, "But our brother cannot. Hahaha..."

"My naughty sister-in-law..." Pinching her cheeks and smiling a bit, the brunette left the room. Going to her private chamber, she opened it.

"Nipponista,

A few weeks ago, when our eyes got locked at one another, I never realized what an incredible journey we were embarking upon together. I still cannot believe that the little bubbly girl who used to step in my impatient dreams is going to be mine, forever.

You're the rain because of which my stony heart gave birth to flowers on it. Maybe, it's still a stone, but much beautiful now. For my exceptional thoughts and concepts, often, my own relatives considered me weird but you accepted the feelings wholeheartedly. Not only that, our thoughts have many similarities though we belong to different natures: The sun and the rain.

Is it the reality? Sometimes, I think that I'm still dreaming of you. I'm afraid to open my eyes...what if this dream shatters?

Hey, bad joke it was. What to do, each moment is seeming as long as a day now. Even the rising and setting sun, the stars in the night sky, the full moon are failing to indicate that time is passing.

I never realized that I wouldn't love anyone as much as I love you, princess.

Yours ever,

Kai Hiwatari."

Reticence flamed in her face when she read the first para. The second made her proud of herself and grateful to her fiancé. Never had he confessed her importance to her before it in such a direct way. She couldn't imagine that she could be so significant in his life. Not through his voice, yet, at least, he'd admitted it. The third almost made her gasp and shiver as she felt worried a bit regarding his insecurities. However, she facepalmed at the next, smiling at his impatience. Finally, the last line brought tears to her eyes.

Quickly reaching her table, she tore a sheet from the paper gathered and dipped the white quill pen into the silver ink pot. With its nib, she manifested her heart on the paper, the heart which had the beats of the phoenix-prince. The outer flurries came in and nudged her coffee strands at sides. She felt as if they'd been teasing her just like her cousins. Tucking them behind her ear, she again started writing.

Completing, she folded it and went to the balcony. A few white pigeons were striding there, nibbling the grains. Picking one of them, she tied it to its claw with a thread. Showing it the crest of the guesthouse, she left it as it flew away, mixing its white with the clear rainless clouds of the sunny sky. Watching it glide and spreading her arms, she churned on her ankles as the fringe of her kimono skirt swirled.

Nah, the ever-patient princess of Japan was also losing her patience.

The palanquin gently descended on the ground with the help of the bearers as the stallions stopped there. From their carriages, the tall blonde American and the orangette landed on the plane of Japan. In front of the limestone arcade engraved with autumnal patterns, Samurais were standing with their erected lances. From the flying-carpet roofs of the castles, tassels and silver bells were wavering in the air, hitting one another and clinking together sometimes. The tussocks of hydrangea and white dogwood were bouncing in the airstream. Sometimes, they were taking their beds on the lap of the earth. In the wind of Japan, there was the scent of festivals, the vibes of unions. That color touched every heart. Seeing the beauty of beautiful Nippon after a long time, the heart of the American girl got pacified. Nonetheless, her eyes searched for her childhood friend who couldn't be seen there.

"Michael, didn't the soldiers inform Max that we were on our way?" She frowned, "Max should have come here to receive us."

"I'm also thinking the same thing, Mily," The beefy American was confused too, "Where's he?"

"Excuse me," They twitched at a strange girly voice, "Are you searching for someone?"

The duo found a girl there, taller than Emily but shorter than Michael. Her hair was brown, waist-length, wavy but quite unnatural. Bangs were falling on her forehead, baby-blue eyes were embodying shyness and excitement, the Americans didn't know whether they were false or true. Wearing an orange-green kimono having yellow abstract patterns, she had a straw Kasa hat on her head. On the higher cheekbones, Sakura tattoos were painted.

"Yeah, my lady," Michael replied, "We're searching for our friend, Max Tate. He should've been here for receiving us."

"Pardon me, warrior," Her voice was sickeningly sugary, "I don't know where he is but...I surely know who you are. You're Michael Summers, the chief-commander of America, right?"

"Huh?" The soldier glowered, "How do you know me, my lady?"

"Aah!" She breathed, "How bold and attractive your voice is! So are your physique and appearance, my man. Come on, utter more words."

The orangette growled silently at the shamelessness of the unknown woman. She clutched the shoulder of her lover in possessiveness as he just bit his lower lips, finding himself at a beautiful loss.

"You're my husband," The anonymous brunette continued, "Astrologers said that I would meet my future life-partner who would be the owner of the sacred golden eagle of light as well as the chief-commander of America. They also predicted that we would meet each other in an eastern kingdom which would be joyful because of two royal marriages. Aaha, what an auspicious and blooming time it is!"

The irritation of the female American multiplied, she tweaked her forehead. Her lover gulped as red marks became visible on the area under his eyes.

"Oh, my dear hubby!" Emily felt to puke at the extreme amount of honey in her tone, "My dear lord! Where were you? I had been waiting for you since a long time. Now be mine, my lord."

The trygle-wielder narrowed his eyes and examined the appearance of the girl taking some time. Then, a vicious smirk rose on his face as he proceeded to her.

"Michael!" Emily snapped, puffing, "What...what are you doing?"

Not paying any heed to his girlfriend, the eagle-boy mischievously tangled the hair of the brunette with his finger, making the jaw of the orangette drop and reddening her in jealousy. Then, while flirting with the Japanese, he pulled her tresses down as all the hair from her...no, his head fell back, revealing the golden of his actual hair.

Now, the dropped jaw of the orangette almost touched her throat as she gasped. Victoriously, Michael winked at her. The disguised turtle-boy flinched, turning back and looking at the fallen wig.

"No need, Max," Michael snickered, "We have already caught you."

"Maxie!" Gnashing her jaw, Emily smacked at his head, "You almost gave me a heart-attack!"

"Ouch!" Max rubbed the place, pouting, "That hurt, Mily!"

"It should hurt," She grouched angrily, "Why did you scare me?"

"C'mon," The draciel-wielder giggled, "Cannot I kid with my childhood friend whom I am meeting after such a long time?"

"Hmph!" The orangette replied but giggled a bit after seeing his makeup-worn face since it lightened her mood, "By the way, you're looking quite adorable in your new outfits."

"Hehe...I know that my sense of fashion is so reach," The shorter blonde pretended to blush, "No need to praise me for it. But how could you be so late?"

"Don't ask me anything, Max," Michael sighed, "At first, we clashed with your girlfriend in a random market and a banter took place there."

"My girlfriend...means Mariam?" The hyperactive American questioned disconcertedly.

"Yes, Mariam," Emily nodded, "Then, a friend of her interfered. A fight was about to take place between him and Michael but thank goodness, we stopped it right then. Thus, everything became alright between us."

"A friend?"

"Yes," Michael answered, "He had two-toned hair: Gray and red in the middle. He had also a leopard tattoo under his left eye."

'It means...Ozuma,' Max pondered, 'I wonder why Mariam didn't tell me about it. Maybe...she didn't want to make me anxious.'

"Then, your friend wished to view the natural beauty of Japan," The full-American soldier continued, breaking the thoughts of his friend, "Stopping by a hill, she decided that she would climb it because she saw someone's scarf fluttering in the air. I told her that they might be clouds but she didn't listen to me. Keeping me alone, she climbed the hill like a monkey."

"Hey!" Emily objected, "Don't call me that. Besides, it wasn't cloud. It was the prince of Russia, Kai Hiwatari. I also saw his stallion under the cliff which had the emblem of a red phoenix on its forehead. If you don't believe me, go and ask him."

"What?" Max widened his eyes, "You...you got to meet brother-in-law? Did you like him?"

"Of course!" The orangette wickedly poked at the arm of the eagle-wielder, "Maxie, the Russian prince is so charming and has an attractive personality. His gazes lured me and intelligence won my heart. If I weren't with Michael, I would propose him to marry me!"

"What the hell?!" Michael felt to fall from the sky, "Are you crazy, Emily?"

"Now what, Michey?" Emily blinked, "Didn't you feel me when you were about to flirt with disguised Max?"

"Hmph!" The grouchy soldier rotated his face, making the tangerine-haired girl snigger in victory.

"Anyways, you have come here after a long journey," Max tried to sort it out, "Be fresh and take rest. We'll talk later."

"Yeah, let's go." The American girl agreed as the trio walked to the guesthouse.

"Hiwatarian,

Reminding me of that auspicious moment, you have snatched all the peace of my heart. Even I couldn't imagine that we would be together in future. When I saw you in my dream first, I felt as if someone had entangled me in the nets of unknown but mellowing riddles. But in reality, you came and solved them for the eternity. Now, I don't need to worry anymore.

If I'm the rain, you're the sun who taught me to shine brightly just like you. Your heat protected me from the ruthless frost of the nature, your light showed me the right path in the clouds of puzzles and ambiguities always. Our natures may be different from each other but our hearts aren't. I know, you'll always keep supporting me, I'll always keep inspiring you and being inspired from you till the end of the world. This tryst is beyond births.

O, the epitome of perseverance, don't lose your patience. Soon, we'll be together, beside each other, holding the hands of each other in our palms.

I love you not only for who you are but also for who you inspire me to be.

Your future wife,

The (Almost) Hilary Tachibana Hiwatari."

Once, twice, thrice. The more he was reading it, the more his heart was feeling the soothing satisfaction. The beautiful curvy letters on the paper were reminding him of her slender hands. Each time he was touching it, he was feeling as if he'd been holding her palms in his. The perfume coming from the piece of paper was like her scent. Even the innocent pigeon roaming in his balcony was looking like her avatar to him, belonging to peace and love. He smiled, stroking the sheet tenderly. His surname put after her name made him beam the most. How easily she'd joined his name with hers!

You're my love,

You're my amour,

You're my Dranzer's,

Indescribable splendor,

You're my love,

You're my amour,

You're my honor,

Oh Hilary, you're my honor.

"Kai!"

As the navy-haired Japanese entered his compartment, quickly, the phoenix-prince stood up, hiding the letter thought it didn't avoid the eyes of the comer. Furrowing them, he curiously asked, "Hey, what's that?"

"None of your business." He replied, backing to his usual form. Tyson was about to nag him again but recognizing the pigeon of his best friend trudging in his balcony, he said nothing, just grinned.

"Anyways," He coughed, "I just came here to call you for the auspicious bath. Every groom in Japan has to bathe in river Fuji before the wedding day. Tala has already reached there, now, it's your turn. Let's go."

"Hn." Nodding, he strode past him only for hearing his words, "By the way, my best friend is quite good in expressing her feelings, isn't she?"

'Arrghh!' Kai was pissed off, again, 'He's not less good than Tala. Gosh, why did I offer him my friendship back on that day?'

"Hehe...no matter how much irritated you are now with me, Kai," Tyson gently yet naughtily slapped on his shoulder, "At the end of the day, you have to come back to me. Always."

The phoenix-prince gaped at him, not understanding what he was telling him. The sentence was simpler, yet, it might have some deep meanings. It might have some prophecies regarding their future. Damn, why was he thinking so much about the future that day? What did it mean?

"I meant..." He added, "Only I know the choices of Hilary far well. If you want to know them, of course, you have to take my help."

"Tyson!" A hyperactive boy squealed from outside, "How more time will you take to bring brother-in-law?"

"Coming!" The dragoon-wielder voiced, "Kai, let's go. We're getting late."

"Hm." Not bothering much, he accompanied the Japanese. Before leaving the room, he looked back at the lonely letter again. Remembering her words cleaned the tiring dirt of worries clotting in his brain. Smiling once again, he went out with the navy-haired guy.

"Hey!" An indigo-haired young man objected, "It's not fair. I also want to attend their wedding!"

"Do it when the wedding time for lord Tyson and princess Dew comes, Dragoon!" The redhead winked, "Serve them as much as you want but I'm saying, I have most of the rights to attend the wedding of my master and mistress!"

"Same for me, Dranzer!" The silver-haired woman supported her friend, "It's the marriage of my master and mistress too. After all, I myself have knotted the bond between them."

"Uh...these talkative ladies..." A violet-head muttered under his breaths.

"Okay," The phoenix approved, "We all will go there and bless the new couples. But Dragoon and Draciel, you aren't permitted to be mischievous."

"As lady Dranzer's order," The turtle bowed, "We'll be careful."

"Stop flattering that chicken, Draciel," Dragoon poked him, "She's not worthy of it."

"What?" Dranzer seethed, "I'm chicken? I look like a chicken to you? At least thousand times better than a blue lizard like you!"

"Arrgh!" The flying stallion of thunder snapped, "Will you both shut up for a while? My head is aching like hell at your stinging words!"

"No no, Thunder Pegasus, let them continue," A peacock tittered, "I enjoy when they fight like an old couple."

"We? As a couple?" The dragon and the phoenix narrowed their eyes at each other, "Never! Hmph!"

"Okay, that'll be seen eventually," Draciel smirked but sighed, "Wish Driger could be here..."

"Yes, I really feel so sorry for him, you know," The scarlet bird sadly mumbled, "Poor tiger had to get captured by that filthy garbage Balkov and we couldn't do anything for him."

"Don't worry, Dranzie," The dragon patted her shoulders, "Soon, he'll be back to us. Not only that, but also he'll have a strong, brave, patient and intelligent master like yours."

"Then," Draciel punched in the air with his paws, "We'll crush that backstabbing bastard!"

"Of course!" Dragoon assured, "But before it, let's enjoy the weddings, shall we?"

"Sure!" Everyone squealed in unison, cheering.

Heyy...how's that?

First of all, don't think that Emily has got a crush or something on Kai. She just examined him because she's quite skilled at astrology. In future, we'll know more of this skill of her. But...which tests do Kai yet have to pass? What has his future held for him? Will it affect Hilary, B-boys and the bladebreakers?

Dear Simy, hope you've liked it. :P

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

-Misty ^_^

P.S: Next update may come within the next Saturday. So, read my new one-shots "Predestined", "A glass wall" and "Patter-patter raindrops". "Predestined" and "A glass wall" were written on Kai's birthday and "Patter-patter raindrops" was written on the birthday of Nainika (Seafoam Green under Twilight). If you read it, she'll feel happy. Am I right, Nain? :P