Hello everyone! How are you all? Misty is back here! *_* *_*

Here remains a one-shot. I was basically inspired to write this one watching a dance video where the dancers were depicted as chessmen on a chessboard. I loved the whole concept so much that I couldn't resist myself from trying it in a fic too. So here it goes! (Oh lord, story no. 120? Cannot believe! T_T)

Zapping on the chessboard

Rating: K+ for safety

Genre: Adventure, suspense, friendship, romance

Pairing: KaiXHilary, my signature one!

So are you ready? Let it...riiiip!


"What the hell do you want this time, you bloody eggplant?"

The brunette hissed at the purple-haired old man, with her feet chained with the mosaic ground so firmly that she couldn't even lift a leg and take a step anywhere. For the second time in her life, she found herself confined within four walls where one of them was made of translucent, yet, rock-solid glass through which everything could be seen. Since the past four hours, she had been restrained in the eight by five feet, blank white cubicle. Except the hidden ventilation system for which she was still alive and a circular tube-light attached to the roof whose rays were nearly blinding her ruby orbs, not a single piece of furniture or non-living object was present in the chamber. But about living beings…ah well…

They were in the same condition as her, shackled to the floor. Total seven in number, they all belonged to Bladebreakers or say, the G-revolution team. The teeth of the raven-haired neko-jin, the blunette world-champion, the hyperactive American, the even more hyper redhead were as clenched as hers. The spectacled brunette somewhere was shivering uncontrollably, anytime his glasses could fall down on the floor and crack. Not to mention, as usual, the phoenix-prince was leaning his back against the white background wall and folding his arms on his chest. But his amethyst eyes weren't closed. They were firmly set on the evil owner of Balkov Abbey who was silently holding the malicious smirk around the corners of his lips and giving them amusing looks. Kai's vision was taciturn but Hilary could say that it was trying to eat the eggplant alive.

"Lower your gazes, Hiwatari," Balkov remarked, "It will give you nothing but a pair of paining eyes with a headache as a cherry on the top."

"Answer to my question first!" The chocolate-haired girl snapped again, "Why have you kidnapped and brought us here? What's your motive?"

"Uh oh…that's why I hate talking to the girls," Boris didn't hesitate to let his misogynist side out, "Will you guys tell her to shut up?"

"You hate talking to girls because you don't have sufficient knowledge and manners about how to talk or behave with them." Kai was in Hilary's defense, as usual, earning a look filled with admiration from the chocolate-haired girl in return.

"Besides, why should we tell her to shut up?" Tyson was with her too, "We also want to know what makes you cling to us like glue despite losing to us so many times?"

"Relax, world-champ, relax," Boris didn't lose his temper although he was insulted by the dragoon-wielder, "Who has ever been successful to destroy or remove evilness completely from this world? I want all your bit-beasts and through them, I want to be the sole ruler of the earth. That's it!"

"That's why you captured us here?" Daichi screamed, "You think you will be able to snatch the bit-beasts from us so easily?"

"It is as easy as snatching a candy from the mouth of a twerp like you, little chimpanzee," Boris replied, looking above, "Thanks to me, you all are still alive, breathing and speaking. Once I turn off the ventilation systems which are, of course, in my full control, you guys will pant to death because of the lack of oxygen. Then, neither your eyes will be able to scare me, nor will your throats produce so much noise. And yes, in the same way, I am going to snatch the bit-beasts from you."

Now, everyone shuddered a bit, knowing the vile plans of the vile man. More or less, they all had an idea about the evilness of Boris Balkov and what he could do. But none of them could imagine that he could go to such an extent to choke them to death and snatch their bit-beasts from them. Only Kai managed to keep his cool, not removing his stabbing stares from his old mentor aka tormentor. He was the only one who had had experiences with the purple-haired guy. Though they had never been pleasant at all, along with giving him traumas, they used to give him lessons too. He wasn't surprised at the words of the owner of Balkov abbey. In fact, choking to death was the most comfortable method of murder in comparison to the others used by Balkov.

"You think you will kill a bunch of bladers who conquered the world more than once and be successful to escape the authorities?" Hilary smirked, "Looks like the foods of prison are attracting your taste buds a little more. Unusual, isn't it?"

"Not again, you foolish woman!" Boris sneered, "Why will I even try to capture the four sacred spirits if they don't help me at the time of need? Combined together, their power is enough to destroy the world, let alone the police forces. Don't you even have the brain to understand this simple fact?"

"The fact isn't as simple as you are thinking it to be, Boris," Kai gave quite a winning smirk, noticing the lack of knowledge in the brain of the eggplant, "You thought that our bit-beasts would obey you when you would command them. But no, they are not objects or mere animals that can be stolen and tamed later on. For imposing your rights on them, you have to win them through completing a challenge or winning a battle at first. You cannot simply make them yours by stealing them. Otherwise, your plan will always backfire. I thought you would know it before, but guess you didn't."

Boris paused right there. Yeah, he had known it before but he had been so obsessed to get them in his hands that he'd gone blind. That's why he had kidnapped the members of Bladebreakers and thought to snatch their bit-beasts from them but no, things were not so easy. Moreover, he didn't have any preparation for a challenge or a battle. On the other hand, smiles of hope rose on the faces of the bladers. Particularly, the brunette again gave a praising look at the phoenix-prince as she couldn't help commending his sharp brain and instant presence of mind. He had always been there, right by their side. By hook or crook, he had always saved them. This time, it was no exception.

"Okay okay…" Boris cleared his throat, "So, you guys want a more painful death, don't you? Fine, I'll make an arrangement for it. I am freeing you for today but tomorrow morning, you all will meet me here, exactly at 10.00 am. My bus will be waiting in front of the dojo at 9.00 am. There will be a battle between us."

"Me and Dragoon will always be ready!" Tyson enthusiastically blurted. If his feet hadn't been chained to the floor, he would have jumped too.

"You don't understand anything except Beyblading, sleeping and eating, do you, Mr. world champion?" Boris snickered, "Who said that the battle will be about Beyblading?"

"Then?" Kenny frowned, as well as others.

"It will be a battle of chess!" Boris declared, eyeing everyone, "If I win, you all have to give your bit-beasts to me by surrendering yourselves. If you win, not only will you get your bit-beasts back, but also I will never come after them."

It was, again, the turn of the bladers to be surprised. Except Kai, Hilary and Kenny-nobody had played chess ever. Kai had been taught to play chess when he'd been in the abbey. Ray only knew the moves of chess-pieces but Tyson, Max and Daichi even didn't know how to play it. The only knowledge that they had about the game was to identify the chessmen correctly and their arrangement on the board. How would they?

"If you want our bit-beasts," Ray protested, "You have to win them through bit-beasts or beybattles. This is the rule."

"And who the hell are you to teach me the rules?" Boris didn't care a bit, "I am Boris Balkov, I make my own rules here. Besides, I don't think that your bit-beasts will have any problem with that. Am I right, Hiwatari?"

Everyone looked at the slate-haired Russian who gnashed his jaw, turning his face away from Boris as he knew that Boris was right. The battle or challenge could be about anything. Feeling the tables turned, the purple-haired guy added, "For making the battle interesting, we will not use any chess-piece. Rather, we ourselves will act like them on a chessboard."

"What?" Max yelled, "Have you gone nuts?"

"Not a peanut like you at least." Boris was feeling amused, on the other hand.

"Look, Mr. Eggplant," Tyson wasn't less than his American friend, "You have always been infamous for making the children of the world your pawns but it doesn't mean that you will be able to turn us into chess pieces too!"

"Are the pawns the only chess pieces on a chessboard?" The violet-head raised an eyebrow, "Besides, in this world, everyone is a piece of chess. I, you, he, she-everyone! Our roles keep changing with the passage of time, according to the demand of the situation but we keep playing them too. Why not on a chessboard then?"

"These philosophical words don't suit your voice, unfortunately," Hilary taunted him, "Keep them to yourself."

"Okay, I will," Boris shrugged, "But think once with that little useless brain of yours, young lady. Your beloved leader aka babysitter has finally found a way out to save his bunches of little, precious babies. Won't you dumbheads utilize this chance? Or do you want to get yourself choked to death in this cubicle within a few hours?"

'Bastard…' Hilary cursed their abductor under her breaths and casted her ruby eyes at the phoenix-prince was. He looked a little guilty for not coming up with a suggestion but it was coated under the expressions of abhorrence for the vile criminal mastermind as well as sheer rage smeared on his face. Tyson, Ray, Kenny, Max, Daichi-they all were looking baffled, not having any idea what to do. Taking a sharp breath, she kept a hand on the broad left shoulder of the Russian. When he stared back at her, she gave an assuring nod to him. His lips wore a small smile at this interaction, he really needed this support from her.

Revolving to Balkov, Hilary let their decision be known with a bold voice, "Mr. Balkov, we are ready to accept your challenge."

All the bladers except Kai, at this sentence of hers, gulped a little more or less. Though they had no other choice except agreeing with the brunette and the slate-haired Russian, they were still feeling insecure. But the smile on the lips of the purple-haired guy became broader. He remarked, "Nah, you have a little intelligence inside your brain, girl, I must admit. So, let's know a few rules of the game. The kings of both parties will be chosen by me as well as the colors. I will be the king from the white side and Kai will be the king from the black side."

'Taking all the advantages…' Kai mumbled angrily.

"Because till now, this stupid dranzer-wielder has successfully made my every plan fail although he himself could never succeed in anything in his life," Boris pointed at the enraged phoenix-prince with his index finger, "That's why, I have decided to limit his movements in this game so that he gets the least of the chances to cross my way."

'Has he ever known the true meaning of success?' The brunette murmured which Kai eavesdropped, thus, smirked a little. This girl would be there for him, he knew. He didn't need to feel upset or down.

"But don't worry little Kai," Boris's throat wore fake sympathy, "The kings will have the power to decide the moves of other pieces. Your movements will be limited but giving suggestions to others, you will be able to assist them in their movements."

The phoenix-prince let a breath out as everyone behind him was relieved, having faith in the decision-making ability of their captain. Boris continued, "Before starting the battle, you all will have to be dressed like the traditional chess-pieces and keep your respective beyblades at a particular storage basket, with your bit-chips. You will be allowed to bring others as other chess-pieces but make sure that nobody among them should be a professional chess player or should have a very high IQ. As in, this spectacled twerp won't be permitted to act as a chessman. They won't even be approved to give you suggestions. Only the pieces will decide the strategies of the battle."

"Why won't I be allowed?" Kenny pouted, "I am their technician, I have been there with this team ever since Bladebreakers formed."

"My world, my rules," Again, Boris uttered the ironical truth, "But the king himself can distribute the roles of the queen, bishops, knights, rooks and pawns among the participants although everyone present here except Kenny has to be in the squad for tomorrow. It will be his right and he is free to exercise it. Now cheer up a little, Kai!"

'This mongrel has totally forgotten the difference between rights and responsibilities….' Kai narrowed his eyes.

"Now, my assistants will bind some explosive bands around your arms where secret cameras, microphones and recorders have been plugged-in," The kidnapper announced the final rule, "If any of the rules is broken, I will get to know it and be able to blast them with the help of remote-controllers. Before the explosion, not a single signal will be sent to you. So, be careful. See you tomorrow."

The podium on which Boris was standing got down like an elevator to the underground as the glass door in front of them slid open. They sighed-whether they belonged to relief or the upcoming challenges, it couldn't be guessed. A few scientists wearing white aprons and black goggles arrived there with seven metallic strips and started tying them around the arms of the bladers. Hilary glanced at Kai who returned it to her too. Both of them were mixed with assurance, faith and respect for the decisions and choices of each other. The brunette smiled a little, remembering how she had confessed her feelings to the phoenix-prince a few weeks ago. At first, he wasn't ready.

"You don't know everything about me, Hilary," His eyes weren't at her at all, "My life and your life-they are completely different from each other. You are a princess, growing up amidst love, affection and care. Whereas, I didn't even know what these things were when I was a child."

"Then I will teach you." The brunette coerced.

"Not so easy," Kai grimaced, crossing his arms on his chest, "My whole life has been a trial by fire. Don't try to step inside it, Hilary, you will get your feet burnt."

"When a restless cascade flows through a burning pyre, it never gets burnt, Kai," Hilary's voice softened, "Since you have always kept confined in the flames, you have never got to know the power of streams. Just test me once, I promise, I will never disappoint you."

"Fine," Kai gave up, "You win, I lose. I love you too, Hilary."

Neither was winning the heart of the phoenix-prince an easy task at all, nor had it been the first attempt of the brunette to coax him. Yet, she was satisfied that Kai had been honest with her about his feelings. He could have rejected her but he hadn't. Although his behavior with her didn't change that much even after the confession, Hilary didn't mind. At least, he wasn't playing with her. They could trust each other with their eyes closed. She knew it far too well that connecting her heart with Kai's would bring a lot of challenges and thorns on their way but she cared the least. She had full faith in herself as well as her new beloved.

Together, they would overcome all of them, she knew it.


Evening collapsed like a black umbrella being unfolded, darkening the roof named the sky above everyone's head with the streets of Bakuten. Still, a little orangish glow was peeping in the west, slowly dissolving into the blinding twilight. The silhouettes of the birds could be seen by both sides of the sparkles, returning to their nests located in the branches of the dense trees, hidden behind the thick leaves. There was hardly any certain periodic pulsation in the appeased water of the river, except a few, disorganized ones whose harmony couldn't be detected. It was mirroring the sky, perfectly catching the black-tangerine radiance on its surface. Sometimes, one or two people could be seen passing through the bridge and having a glance of the transparent beauty, halting there for a while.

In the arena of the martial club, the young bladers from BBA were there. In front of them, there were Kai, Hilary, Tyson, Max, Ray, Kenny and Daichi-standing by both sides of a rectangular whiteboard where a chessboard was drawn with a black marker. Tala, Bryan, Spencer and Ian were with them too. Thankfully, despite not being professional chess players, they knew how to play it. They were in Japan also, so Kai didn't waste a moment to call them to the dojo. Beside the chessboard, the chess-pieces with their names were painted and written too. The Bladebreakers had decided to choose the pawns amidst the rookie bladers of BBA whose movements were simple and straight. The more important roles would be given to the veterans.

"So…" Kai glanced at everyone before announcing, "Tyson and Ray-they both will be knights. Max and Daichi will be rooks, Tala and Spencer will be bishops. Hilary will be the queen, okay?"

"Imagine…" One of the female young bladers whispered into the ears of another, "How good and perfect will Hilary look on the chessboard beside Kai, as the queen?"

"Hot!" The other one heaved a fake sigh, "Alas, as we are the pawns, we won't be allowed to move our heads back to have their glimpse once!"

"Children!" Hilary clapped to draw the attention of the rookies, "Although your tasks may look very simple, they are greatly significant at the same time. If needs be, you will eliminate their pawns diagonally as well as be ready to be eliminated too for the well-being of the game. Without your help, we cannot win. Got it?"

"Yes!" All of them fervently spoke, "We will give our best tomorrow, count on us!"

All the bladers beamed, hearing the words of hope from the junior bladers. The members of Bladebreakers were like idols to those children who chose beyblading as their passion and profession; they could even lay their lives down at the orders from the world champions and saviors although they had very little knowledge regarding its significance. They listened attentively to the words of Hilary and some tips from Kai. They weren't so acquainted with Kai since the phoenix-prince was always an introvert and a little antisocial but nonetheless, they enjoyed his teachings, the tactics of the game explained by him. When the Russian was delivering his lectures, Hilary was gaping at him without winking once. She herself was an amateur chess player and couldn't help falling in love with him again, experiencing the depth of his knowledge.

After sending the young bladers back to their homes and telling them to be present the next day by 9 am, the experienced ones who were supposed to play the main roles in the game threw a discussion session, reviewing the movements of the pieces again and watching a few video clips on some rounds of chess. They also had two or three mini practice sessions with one another through normal boards and pieces. Ray already had the knowledge about the moves, he quickly improved. Max also learnt it quite fast, being cool-headed although he was taking much time to make a move. Tyson and Daichi were quite opposite to him, they were eager for their turns all the time.

When everything was completed and everyone went to sleep except Kai and Hilary, wishing good night and good luck to one another, the brunette and the dual-haired Russian stood at the wooden porch. The sky had already been obscured with the profuse black elephants of steam. So thick their layers were that a single beam of the moon couldn't be seen. Was it a moonlit night according to the calendar? They didn't know but they both were feeling a little upset. Maybe not having the face of the moon in front of their eyes? Or maybe…a little insecurity? Kai's face wasn't that straight so reading him, nothing could be understood. Hilary's expressions, whereas, had more candor about her inner sensations and thoughts.

"Worried?"

Hilary got startled at the sudden pronunciation of the word from the mouth of the Russian-the same word which had been eating her mind, her brain up ever since she'd returned from the captivity of Boris Balkov with her friends. When they had been in front of the children and running the sessions, they had sounded very confident and in reality, they had been. But now, in privacy, the matter was something else. What if that eggplant made the game so difficult for them that they could never win it? What if they won but Balkov had another set of evil plans in his sleeves?

"Here…" Kai put out a royal blue Beyblade from the pocket of his baggy trousers and presented it in front of Hilary. From the chip, a faint crimson glow was being radiated. It was very serene which calmed the brunette down for a while. Yet, it didn't lack energy a bit. Unknowingly, the brunette kept a hand on it and closed her eyes, trying to feel the appeasing waves of vigor inside her. Someone, in a very gentle feminine voice, was telling her, "Don't worry, victory will be ours."

"I am sure…" Kai faced the sky, "Dragoon, Draciel, Strata Dragoon and Driger also feel the same."

"You're right."

Opening her eyes, Hilary nodded with a beam in her lips. Getting the response from her like an approval, the clouds moved away, making the space for the moon princess as she appeared on the black canvas like a portrait of ethereal beauty of the world, letting her rays flow in the four directions down the earth. Peeping through the ripped curtains of the vapors, the little stars also twinkled like the jewelries of the belle. In her subconscious mind, the brunette rested her head gently on the well-built shoulder of the phoenix-prince and let out a heavy breath. He, in return, wrapped an arm around her petite shoulder and leaned his cheek against hers. The flickers of the nocturnal asteroid flirted with their faces and teased them endlessly, but they didn't mind.

'I wish this night would never end…' The brunette thought, 'Oh Kami, why does every beautiful thing, moment and memory in this world cease so soon?'


Yes, Hilary's sorrow was legit. When that night ended, the morning unfolded and the Bladebreakers along with Blitzkrieg boys and young bladers of BBA found themselves in the particular venue of the battle, they themselves didn't know. Currently, they were standing on a vast, yet, usual wooden chessboard of 64 squares. By both of its sides, there were guards standing with handcuffs and two rows of metal chairs. They would hold the eliminated pieces captive there. They all were dressed like the respective piece which would be represented by them and standing on their particular square. Hilary was standing to the left of Kai, followed by Tyson, Tala and Daichi at the leftmost. By his right side, there were Ray, Spencer and Max. They were guarded by a row of young bladers as pawns in front of them.

Kai eyed Boris once, amidst the flashes of white lights from four corners of the roof in the utter dark chamber. He was looking very confident, maybe more than someone should be in such a game. Most of the members in his team were unfamiliar to Kai, he'd watched a few of them on the screen of television, they were very famous chess players. Hilary wanted to puke right there when the violet-head eyed her with a malicious and suggestive smirk. Though he was wearing white which always symbolizes purity, it unleashed his adulterated sides more clearly. Smirks were evident on the faces of the white chessmen. On the other hand, the expressions of the black pieces were stoic and serious. Of course, it should be, the white side had more opportunities and few risks whereas it was totally the opposite for the black ones.

"Let the game begin!" The referee announced.

The moves were pre-planned for Boris. At his gesture, the pawn in front of him crossed two squares. The young blader guarding Kai also imitated the same move, blocking the way for the white soldier who had initiated the game. Boris chuckled, thinking that Kai and his teammates were only trying to copy their moves. That's why, he sent the knight on his side next, successfully stepping on square F3. Well, Boris's anticipation wasn't totally wrong at all. He got the proof when Tyson completed his L-shaped turn and took his position at C6. The fervor was playing through his mien like the rays of sunshine. His eyes restlessly searched for his first prey; he couldn't wait to make it.

The bishop at Boris's left side leapt through the squares on the longer diagonal and stopped on the second last compartment of his limit, being a threat to the dragoon-wielder. Though Kai noticed it, he didn't warn Tyson to go back to his place. Instead, gestured by him, the pawn standing in front of Daichi trod on the next white square, aiming himself at the bishop of Boris. But it couldn't save Tyson from getting eliminated as the bishop took his next step at his right and claiming that spot himself. Tyson hung his head down; understanding that his own excitement had become his enemy.

Leaving the chess court, he had to sit on one of the chairs where the guard put the manacles around his wrists. He gave an annoyed and hurt look at the king of his squad who blinked once to make him feel a little relieved, uttering, "Trust the process." Tyson heaved a sigh at that and made himself easy on the chair. Though he didn't know what was being cooked inside the big brain of the phoenix-prince, he knew that Kai wouldn't let anything happen to him. He would somehow make it till the end. So, trying to calm his head down, he set himself to watch the rest of the match.

The abolition of Tyson wasn't free of cost at all, not at least for the bishop. The soldier at D7 already made her move, cutting the intruding white piece out of the court. A smirk lit slowly all over the mien of the phoenix-prince as it lost a little of its glow from the face of the white king. He glared at the only piece present at the leftmost side of him, the rook. Nodding, they both castled between each other, Boris taking the first black square from the left and the latter piece settling himself just at the next position. It was Kai's turn now, but since he gave Hilary a chance and freedom to take her decision, she wholeheartedly accepted it, making Tala sweep across the diagonals and letting him stop at G4.

The white knight at the next right square of the wolf-wielder across the diagonal shot him with a murderous glance, yet, failing to save himself from his sharp icy blue eyes which were looking hungry like those of a starving wolf roaming through a dense forest and smelling a prey. Boris Balkov, who had been silently laughing at Kai because the phoenix-prince had been copying him, now himself imitated a move of the blader and let the queen of his team take a decision from her side. She sent the leftmost soldier to extend his position for a step, threatening the redhead from his left corner. The rightmost pawn from the black side also took two steps, standing right behind the wolf-prince.

Nonetheless, it couldn't save Tala from being knocked out of the board and to be shackled beside Tyson, by the firm claim of the soldier who had followed the order of the white queen. He wasn't feeling frustrated yet, having full faith on Kai, remembering how the phoenix-prince had fought for him when he'd been admitted in the hospital, in a coma. At the next move, the white pawn also got himself disregarded from the board by the black soldier who had reached there for Tala's aid earlier. The hunter pawn was little aware of the presence of the knight at F3. She had to pay for her ignorance with her banishment from the court as the same knight received E5 successfully.

Things were getting quite tough for the black team as they lost a knight, a bishop and a couple of pawns. Nevertheless, Kai kept his cool. Exhaling carbon-di-oxide deeply, he eyed the situation of the court very carefully and gave it a quick, yet, full read, not making any instant move. Rotating his head to the brunette standing by him, he whispered, "Ready?"

"Yes." She firmly nodded, taking a sharp breath.

"All the best." Kai patted her shoulder encouragingly. She confidently smiled, mumbling thanks to him and making her way through the black diagonal. There was no torpor in her movement. Rather, it was looking like she was flying in the air, swirling a little and landing on her desired square as well as the last one of her trajectories with a jump, on her knees. Then, raising her face, she gave a swift check for the atmosphere of the game around her. Kai felt amazed at both of her speed and her endurance although he didn't convey that by any means. Not noticing him, Hilary gestured at the black soldier beside her who nodded, understanding her hint completely. That's why, instead of cutting the opponent pawn out of the court, he made his way forward when another white soldier from C2 progressed for a step.

Boris didn't hesitate to let the rook beside him walk parallel to the row of the pawns and halt at E1 which had been the previous position of the white king. Smirking, Hilary turned back once and dropped a hint for Max who understood it easily, giving a positive nod. Then, crossing straight three squares forward with a tumble, she landed on H1 and pointed her index finger at the purple-haired guy, raising her right hand. Her garnet pools started shimmering already, bearing a lot of confidence and the joy of winning, lips wearing the smirk of pride and victory.

"Checkmate, Balkov!" She blurted, placing her stern ruby orbs at him.

Kai smirked in pure satisfaction, closing his eyes and crossing his arms on his chest. Boris was baffled, trying to find out a way to continue his movement but no, the entire first lane was blocked by the brunette, the hyperactive American was guarding street H without any soldier in front of him. A white soldier was blocking the way of the purple-haired guy standing at G2. Boris had no place to go. Clenching his teeth, he turned his eyes to see the white crowd where there were only the jubilating sounds and cheers to the brunette could be heard. The violet-head bent his head down in frustration and disbelief, unable to accept the defeat.

Right then and there, sirens could be heard outside. Everyone was shocked except the dual-haired Russian. His inner contentment increased more when he got to know that the police finally arrived.

Now, Balkov wouldn't return to turn their lives into hell so soon.


"You surely know how to give Tyson pain, don't you?" Hilary nudged her boyfriend lightly, "Goodness, you know how upset he was even after winning the game? I had to calm him down by giving all my mochi to him at tonight's dinner."

"He'll be fine." Kai replied, "Don't worry about him.

"Of course, he will be," Hilary agreed with him, "But by God, Kai…for a moment in the game, I myself became so worried and confused, thinking whether we would be able to win it or not. Luckily, according to your strategy, the Rui Lopez opening worked successfully. Thank you so much for saving the day, Kai."

"Hn." His usual reply came. The brunette facepalmed and sighed. After delivering so many words, she also deserved one or two short sentences of admiration, didn't she? But why on the earth would Kai Hiwatari let her hear them? If he'd done, why would he have been called Mr. Sourpuss then? Shrugging it off, she made her way to leave for the bedroom. It was already 11 pm, others were drowning in slumber. At least Tyson's loud snoring was saying so.

"I had to tell you something."

Hilary's feet stopped right there as the deep masculine pitch tapped on her tympanic membranes gently, like knocking at the door of the home of a very dear person. She revolved back on her ankles; her ruby orbs were bearing eagerness to know what Kai wanted to tell her.

"Today, you were literally zapping on the chessboard, like a true warrior queen," Kai complimented his girlfriend finally, "Although you were anxious, you didn't let anybody understand it. I quite liked it, Hilary."

"Oh…" The girl felt her cheeks going crimson. Scratching her head and pressing her lips, she maintained a pregnant pause which, despite being a little awkward, suited the situation. After sixty-ish seconds, she opened her mouth, "Thank you so much for your kind words, Kai. I was really waiting to hear from you, to be honest. Besides, hiding weakness, insecurities, lack of confidence, fears and focusing on the strong sides more and more-these are some things which I have learnt only from you."

"I see…." Kai dramatically raised a brow, "Wanna learn something else?"

"Something else?" Hilary pretended to be dumb, blinking, "What's it, Kai?"

"Let me show you…"

Grabbing her wrist, the phoenix-prince pulled her gently towards himself and pinned her against the ligneous wall of the dojo. Before she could utter a word, she found the exit of that word taken in captivity by the icy lips of the phoenix-prince. She was startled a little but expecting something like this. That's why, she responded quite fast to the kiss, locking her soft coral lips into his mint-flavored ones, tying his brawny torso between her petite arms. Continuing to relish the strawberry flavor in his taste buds, Kai removed a few tresses from her forehead with his fingers. He was cold, but somehow, the chocolate-haired girl was melting in his embrace. Removing the curtains of the cloud, the moon peered sneakily at them and sneered, sending a few rays of her to their path as they continued…


Hehehe...pardon me, I think I quite messed up while writing the chess battle *Scratches head* But I swear, I enjoyed writing it very much (Oh dear, after how long I wrote a KaiHil kiss! T_T T_T)

On another note, I wanted to let you know that I am, once again, coming to India for the second time of my life in the next month for six days. The flight from Bangladesh will take-off at 10.30 am on November 6 and I'll depart from Pune airport at night maybe, on November 11. Yes, this time I am coming to Pune to attend an activity from World's Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Hihihiii...I'm excited! *_* *_*

(So dear friends from India, help me giving me some tips and suggestions, specially those who live in Pune :P)

Anyways, do read and review, pardon the grammatical and spelling errors. Take care :D

-Misty ^_^ ^_^