Secrets
Key:
Flashbacks
present time
'thoughts'
"Speech"
*****: change of scene.
*****
Secrets Fic:
Chapter 2: Deception and Lies: Part 1
In Bryony's house, Kai was the main topic of conversation. "You are certain it's him?" Aunt Molly asked. "Absolutely Auntie. It has to be him, or a very good look-alike. He looks like Kai, talks like Kai, when you can get him to talk that is, he behaves like Kai and blades like Kai. Down to every detail of technique. He has the same method of hitting hard and fast before his opponent has a chance to attack. No opponent of his stands a chance." "Except you Bryony. You have to beat him, and will, when the time comes." Uncle Judas corrected. "But I failed. I can't match up to him!"
"You can" Molly chided "You might have to play a little dirty on him, but as they say, all's fair in love and war." Uncle Judas chipped in. "But BeyBlading is his field of expertise. Can't I work within my area of expertise? I'd be more likely to succeed that way." "I don't suppose it will hurt to try. Do you have any information on him?" Uncle Judas enquired
"Not much, I don't want to make him suspicious." "I always said she was a bright girl!" Molly said, clapping her hands joyfully. "Devious more likely!" He muttered. "Now, now, where is she going to get without exercising a little cunning?" Molly chided gently. "What exactly have you got on him?" "Well, his parents are dead, he blames himself for it. I had to try and act comforting!" She added in disgust. "any way. He lives with his Grandfather. They loathe each other with a passion. He's here because his grandfather wants him to learn something like Karate, Judo, Kendo, you know what I mean? Well, I'm already at teaching level in Kendo, so I could offer to help him practice and then - " "Oh, you are a good girl!"
"It means making him trust me though" She continued doubtfully "It's not going to be easy," "No one said it would precious, but you give it your best shot. You are our only hope you know sweetheart." Uncle Judas didn't say anything. Finally he stirred. "You do what it takes. Talk first, but if you have to, use your, er, feminine allure."
"Oh, he won't know what's hit him! I almost feel sorry for the poor lad." Molly chuckled. Uncle Judas didn't say anything. He just sat thinking what might be the best way of tackling Kai. Bryony didn't say anything either. She just sat, eating silently, a cruel, grim, smile on her face. 'Kai, you are in for one hell of a shock.' she thought with a smile. As it happened, Kai wasn't the only one who was in for a shock, and Bryony wasn't the only one out to fool someone. Trouble for Bryony was waiting quietly, just around the corner. ***** "So then, you met the girl again?"
"Yes. She wanted to know about my past. I told her. You don't mind do you? I exaggerated a bit, to make her sympathetic. She seemed so easy to fool, almost too easy. I wouldn't be surprised if she was playing along, or up to something herself." Kai finished with a frown. "Nonsense Kai. She's female. She can't have seen through the front. Now, she trusts you right?"
"I'm working on it, but pretty much, yeah. I still think that there's more to her then meets the eye."
"Kai! For the last time, she is genuinely as stupid as she seems. She female. Females don't have many brains. That's why we were put over them instead of them being equal. Now, you know what you are to do?" "Yes. By the way, I think she might have a BitBeast."
"Well, well," Kai's Grandfather said, rubbing his hands together "it just gets better and better. You must get hold of it." Kai got up, bowed slightly and walked out of the room. "Don't forget about Mr. Li coming later. You must be around when he comes. I will send a maid to fetch you, but you must come promptly." Kai was in his room when he found in his pocket a scrap of paper. Scribbled on the paper were a telephone number and the name 'Bryony'. Kai wandered slowly down the stairs to find his Grandfather. He found him at last, in a room full of books, sipping tea. Kai told him about the number. "Been charming her eh?" He said with a cruel grin. "Should I phone her?"
"Yes, go and do it now." Kai went back up to his room, where he had his own phone line. He punched in the number and waited for an answer. "Hello?" he heard Bryony's voice say. "Hi, it's Kai. You left your phone number in my pocket so I guessed you wanted me to phone you, but why?" "Er, yeah. It was a silly idea. I'm sorry. Are you busy?"
Kai almost told her that yes he was busy, 'be nice, you're meant to be making her like you, you dim wit!' "Er, not at the moment I'm not, I thought I'd phone you while I'm free. My Grandfather's friend, Mr. Li. He's coming to discuss me learning marshal arts of some form." "Mr. Li? Does he teach Kendo?"
"Yes, why?" "Well, I know a Mr. Li, he's my Kendo teacher. Ask him if he knows me. He doesn't teach many girls, their parents don't let them learn. I'm the only Bryony he knows. He'll know me if he's my teacher."
"Okay, I'll try to remember to ask him. Do you want to meet me tomorrow?"
"Yeah, sure. When?"
"I'm an early riser. Whenever you're ready I'll be up in all probability."
"Ditto on the early rising thing. I collect water from the stream at about six, any time after that."
"I'll meet you as soon as you make it, on the hill near the stream, you know, the one I'm normally on."
"See you then."
Kai hung up. At that moment, Mei, Kai's mother's maid, walked into the room. She had adopted Kai as a master when his mother, her mistress died. He was an odd master, but better than Mr. Hiwatari Senior. She bowed and informed him that Mr. Li had arrived and was 'very much looking forward to meeting young Kai.' Kai grimaced at being called 'young Kai.' Mei laughed and Kai walked out of his room and down the stairs to the 'Day Room' at the back of the cottage, overlooking the garden. He saw his Grandfather and Mr. Li in animated conversation. Kai coughed gently. "Ah! And here he is! My Grandson. Kai, say hello to Mr. Li."
Kai bowed and said he was very pleased to meet him. They discussed the different marshal arts Mr. Li taught. Kai asked about Bryony who confirmed knowledge of her. "Of course. I am one of your Grandfather's information gatherers. My purpose is to keep an eye on Bryony and keep him informed on her progress. It has been decided that you should learn something like Kendo or Karate so that you are prepared for anything she might throw at you. The family is plotting something, and knows nothing of my friendship with your Grandfather. Your Grandfather tells me that you have suspicions concerning Bryony, you are quite right, and it is proof of your perceptional skills and aptitude for the job you have been assigned. She is a spy. She has been brought up to be one and was probably born for that purpose. There has been a feud going on between your two families for as long as anyone can remember. She is good at her job. She is a very convincing 'normal teenage girl', but she is not as average a girl as she would have you believe. It is best that you tell her that I told you I am not the same Mr. Li, and that I have told you that Li is a very common surname. I will tell them about you asking of course and tell them that I fooled you into believing I am a different person. You must play along. We have decided that you should learn Kendo, so that you can defend yourself in armed combat, and a form of unarmed combat so that if you cannot get hold of a sword, you can still fight her and defend yourself. She is a very apt pupil, she learns quickly. She is far ahead of you so you will have to do a lot of practice to catch up. She must not know about you learning anything else, make sure that she only knows about the Kendo. Do not trust her with anything. If she learns about the alternative lessons you are receiving, I will have to teach her that too, you can bet your life on it. Remember; she is beautiful, she knows it, her family knows it. She will have been taught to use it to her advantage, and will almost certainly use it against you. Play along, but always be on your guard. She is a very dangerous enemy. Do not underestimate her, it will be your downfall. Now, we will start with basic Kendo tonight. I have brought everything you will need. Go and change into these." He said, handing Kai a bundle. Kai went upstairs to his room. On opening the parcel, he found a white fighting kimono with emerald green fastenings, a sapphire blue t-shirt and baggy trousers and finally there were emerald green slippers with sapphire blue trim. Over this went the Kendo Armour. Kai changed quickly and came down stairs wrapping the bandages around his wrists and forearms.
' I look like Rei for god sake!' he growled to himself. He walked into the room and was tossed a wooden Kendo stick. The training began in earnest. At first Kai continually got his ass kicked, but a couple of hours later he was winning some of the fights. "Well, he picks things up fast, as fast, if not faster than Bryony. It's all good. Lets hope he can learn enough in time."
Flashbacks
present time
'thoughts'
"Speech"
*****: change of scene.
*****
Secrets Fic:
Chapter 2: Deception and Lies: Part 1
In Bryony's house, Kai was the main topic of conversation. "You are certain it's him?" Aunt Molly asked. "Absolutely Auntie. It has to be him, or a very good look-alike. He looks like Kai, talks like Kai, when you can get him to talk that is, he behaves like Kai and blades like Kai. Down to every detail of technique. He has the same method of hitting hard and fast before his opponent has a chance to attack. No opponent of his stands a chance." "Except you Bryony. You have to beat him, and will, when the time comes." Uncle Judas corrected. "But I failed. I can't match up to him!"
"You can" Molly chided "You might have to play a little dirty on him, but as they say, all's fair in love and war." Uncle Judas chipped in. "But BeyBlading is his field of expertise. Can't I work within my area of expertise? I'd be more likely to succeed that way." "I don't suppose it will hurt to try. Do you have any information on him?" Uncle Judas enquired
"Not much, I don't want to make him suspicious." "I always said she was a bright girl!" Molly said, clapping her hands joyfully. "Devious more likely!" He muttered. "Now, now, where is she going to get without exercising a little cunning?" Molly chided gently. "What exactly have you got on him?" "Well, his parents are dead, he blames himself for it. I had to try and act comforting!" She added in disgust. "any way. He lives with his Grandfather. They loathe each other with a passion. He's here because his grandfather wants him to learn something like Karate, Judo, Kendo, you know what I mean? Well, I'm already at teaching level in Kendo, so I could offer to help him practice and then - " "Oh, you are a good girl!"
"It means making him trust me though" She continued doubtfully "It's not going to be easy," "No one said it would precious, but you give it your best shot. You are our only hope you know sweetheart." Uncle Judas didn't say anything. Finally he stirred. "You do what it takes. Talk first, but if you have to, use your, er, feminine allure."
"Oh, he won't know what's hit him! I almost feel sorry for the poor lad." Molly chuckled. Uncle Judas didn't say anything. He just sat thinking what might be the best way of tackling Kai. Bryony didn't say anything either. She just sat, eating silently, a cruel, grim, smile on her face. 'Kai, you are in for one hell of a shock.' she thought with a smile. As it happened, Kai wasn't the only one who was in for a shock, and Bryony wasn't the only one out to fool someone. Trouble for Bryony was waiting quietly, just around the corner. ***** "So then, you met the girl again?"
"Yes. She wanted to know about my past. I told her. You don't mind do you? I exaggerated a bit, to make her sympathetic. She seemed so easy to fool, almost too easy. I wouldn't be surprised if she was playing along, or up to something herself." Kai finished with a frown. "Nonsense Kai. She's female. She can't have seen through the front. Now, she trusts you right?"
"I'm working on it, but pretty much, yeah. I still think that there's more to her then meets the eye."
"Kai! For the last time, she is genuinely as stupid as she seems. She female. Females don't have many brains. That's why we were put over them instead of them being equal. Now, you know what you are to do?" "Yes. By the way, I think she might have a BitBeast."
"Well, well," Kai's Grandfather said, rubbing his hands together "it just gets better and better. You must get hold of it." Kai got up, bowed slightly and walked out of the room. "Don't forget about Mr. Li coming later. You must be around when he comes. I will send a maid to fetch you, but you must come promptly." Kai was in his room when he found in his pocket a scrap of paper. Scribbled on the paper were a telephone number and the name 'Bryony'. Kai wandered slowly down the stairs to find his Grandfather. He found him at last, in a room full of books, sipping tea. Kai told him about the number. "Been charming her eh?" He said with a cruel grin. "Should I phone her?"
"Yes, go and do it now." Kai went back up to his room, where he had his own phone line. He punched in the number and waited for an answer. "Hello?" he heard Bryony's voice say. "Hi, it's Kai. You left your phone number in my pocket so I guessed you wanted me to phone you, but why?" "Er, yeah. It was a silly idea. I'm sorry. Are you busy?"
Kai almost told her that yes he was busy, 'be nice, you're meant to be making her like you, you dim wit!' "Er, not at the moment I'm not, I thought I'd phone you while I'm free. My Grandfather's friend, Mr. Li. He's coming to discuss me learning marshal arts of some form." "Mr. Li? Does he teach Kendo?"
"Yes, why?" "Well, I know a Mr. Li, he's my Kendo teacher. Ask him if he knows me. He doesn't teach many girls, their parents don't let them learn. I'm the only Bryony he knows. He'll know me if he's my teacher."
"Okay, I'll try to remember to ask him. Do you want to meet me tomorrow?"
"Yeah, sure. When?"
"I'm an early riser. Whenever you're ready I'll be up in all probability."
"Ditto on the early rising thing. I collect water from the stream at about six, any time after that."
"I'll meet you as soon as you make it, on the hill near the stream, you know, the one I'm normally on."
"See you then."
Kai hung up. At that moment, Mei, Kai's mother's maid, walked into the room. She had adopted Kai as a master when his mother, her mistress died. He was an odd master, but better than Mr. Hiwatari Senior. She bowed and informed him that Mr. Li had arrived and was 'very much looking forward to meeting young Kai.' Kai grimaced at being called 'young Kai.' Mei laughed and Kai walked out of his room and down the stairs to the 'Day Room' at the back of the cottage, overlooking the garden. He saw his Grandfather and Mr. Li in animated conversation. Kai coughed gently. "Ah! And here he is! My Grandson. Kai, say hello to Mr. Li."
Kai bowed and said he was very pleased to meet him. They discussed the different marshal arts Mr. Li taught. Kai asked about Bryony who confirmed knowledge of her. "Of course. I am one of your Grandfather's information gatherers. My purpose is to keep an eye on Bryony and keep him informed on her progress. It has been decided that you should learn something like Kendo or Karate so that you are prepared for anything she might throw at you. The family is plotting something, and knows nothing of my friendship with your Grandfather. Your Grandfather tells me that you have suspicions concerning Bryony, you are quite right, and it is proof of your perceptional skills and aptitude for the job you have been assigned. She is a spy. She has been brought up to be one and was probably born for that purpose. There has been a feud going on between your two families for as long as anyone can remember. She is good at her job. She is a very convincing 'normal teenage girl', but she is not as average a girl as she would have you believe. It is best that you tell her that I told you I am not the same Mr. Li, and that I have told you that Li is a very common surname. I will tell them about you asking of course and tell them that I fooled you into believing I am a different person. You must play along. We have decided that you should learn Kendo, so that you can defend yourself in armed combat, and a form of unarmed combat so that if you cannot get hold of a sword, you can still fight her and defend yourself. She is a very apt pupil, she learns quickly. She is far ahead of you so you will have to do a lot of practice to catch up. She must not know about you learning anything else, make sure that she only knows about the Kendo. Do not trust her with anything. If she learns about the alternative lessons you are receiving, I will have to teach her that too, you can bet your life on it. Remember; she is beautiful, she knows it, her family knows it. She will have been taught to use it to her advantage, and will almost certainly use it against you. Play along, but always be on your guard. She is a very dangerous enemy. Do not underestimate her, it will be your downfall. Now, we will start with basic Kendo tonight. I have brought everything you will need. Go and change into these." He said, handing Kai a bundle. Kai went upstairs to his room. On opening the parcel, he found a white fighting kimono with emerald green fastenings, a sapphire blue t-shirt and baggy trousers and finally there were emerald green slippers with sapphire blue trim. Over this went the Kendo Armour. Kai changed quickly and came down stairs wrapping the bandages around his wrists and forearms.
' I look like Rei for god sake!' he growled to himself. He walked into the room and was tossed a wooden Kendo stick. The training began in earnest. At first Kai continually got his ass kicked, but a couple of hours later he was winning some of the fights. "Well, he picks things up fast, as fast, if not faster than Bryony. It's all good. Lets hope he can learn enough in time."