Yes, this chapter is horribly short. I'm sorry!! I'll try to make the next
chapter a bit longer, but I can't promise anything. TT
Thank you to all the reviewers!! I love you all!!!
To:
Bluumberry: I totally agree!! All my asterixes have disappeared! . annoying!! I don't know how to make them stay... also I can't have any words in italics or bold. .
The tigris: I hate school too... blah... we have so many tests and stuff...
Warning: this is a yaoi fic, which means boy boy. Don't like, don't read.
Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblades. If I did, Mariah would be gone, and Rei and Kai would be together!!
"..." – speech
'...' – thoughts
... - something said in the Forbidden Language
- change of scene/ time has passed
Chapter 4
Kai entered his room, wondering where in the gods Rei was. He hadn't seen Rei for numerous hours, and he was starting to get worried about the raven haired boy.
He pulled off his clothes, and changed into a pair of shorts, and guessed that Rei had returned to his own chamber. He gave a defeated sigh and walked over to his bed. His foot met a sort object, and he stumbled, cursing madly. To his surprise, the object gave a small mew like sound, and shifted.
He lit a torch, and found Rei fast asleep on his favourite rug. A smile graced Kai's stern features, and he gently picked up Rei, who was fast asleep, and placed him on the bed. He wondered what to do now- Rei probably wouldn't want to share a bed with him, but there was nowhere else for him to go.
Finally Kai gave a snort- he would deal with it in the morning- and climbed into bed next to Rei.
Minutes had passed, and Kai was just drifting off to sleep when he felt a small face press against his back, and he stiffened.
What in the seven realms...? He twisted around and Rei immediately snuggled up to him, gentle purrs sounding from the back of his throat.
Kai's crimson eyes lit up, and he enveloped Rei in his warm embrace, allowing the neko jin to rest his head on top of his chest.
Soon he was fast asleep- the best sleep he had had in many, many years.
Rei's eyelids fluttered open, and he looked around himself with bleary golden eyes.
Where was he? He could remember falling asleep on Kai's rug... but since when had the rug been so damned tall?
Taking full stock of his surroundings, Rei realised two important things- 1) he was in KAI's bed. Repeat, his bed. 2) a pair of strong arms were wrapped around his waist.
He uttered a small 'eep' and twisted around to come face to face with Kai, who was watching him with serious crimson eyes.
"My lord!" Rei wondered what he should do first- start blabbing his deepest apologies and wish to the high heavens that he wouldn't be killed, or run away as quickly as possible.
"Next time you should just use the bed, instead of sleeping on the rug." Kai's soft voice caused a pink tinge to appear on Rei's tanned cheeks.
Without his consent or encouragement, Rei's hand reached out and gently traced the outline of one of the blue triangles on Kai's face.
Those triangles had intrigued Rei ever since he had arrived- it had to be an Eastern custom, because nobody in the Forbidden Lands ever marked their faces.
Kai tensed slightly, then relaxed under Rei's soft touch, and unconsciously inched closer to the neko jin, who's touch grew more confident.
"Rei..." Kai whispered roughly, and cupped the raven haired boy's face with one hand. He rubbed his thumbpad over Rei's soft, rose coloured lips, his breath hitching in his throat.
He had to be dreaming- there was no other sane reason for Rei to be looking at him with that much fire in his golden eyes.
Loud knocking on the door interrupted the moment, and Kai cursed loudly, causing the person on the other side of the door to chuckle.
"You busy, Kai?"
"No! I mean, yes!" Kai swore again, much to the amusement of the other person whose laughter was echoing throughout the corridor. "Meet me in my office in a few minutes!"
"Whatever you say, boss."
Rei recognised the voice as belonging to Tala. He immediately pulled away from the bluenette and fumbled around with the blankets, trying to get out of bed.
A hand on his shoulder stopped his movements, and Rei looked at Kai questioningly.
"Stay. Don't worry about getting up right now- I need to bathe first so you can sleep for a while longer."
Rei nodded, gratefulness shining in his eyes. "Thank you, my lord. What would you like me to do today?"
Kai hesitated. "Just come to my office as soon as you're changed, and I'll give you your duties then."
Rei nodded, his cheeks still a bright red. He couldn't believe that he had dared to stroke his lord's face!
Kai's grip on his shoulder tightened, and he leaned in close to the hardly breathing neko jin, and kissed him gently on the cheek.
"Don't take too long." he whispered and disappeared into the bathroom. Rei stared at the shut door, confusion filling his every sense, along with deep contentment.
Kai liked him- he had to, otherwise why would he have kissed him? A large grin split his face, and Rei buried himself under the numerous blankets that lined Kai's bed. Life was starting to get better.
Kai soon came running out of the bathing room, and went into one of his other rooms. He came back, fully clothed, and hesitated at the sight of the lump on his bed.
"Rei?"
"Mmm?" a head poked out from underneath the blankets, making Kai smile.
"You may have a bath now. I'll see you in my office later."
The head nodded, then disappeared straight back underneath the blankets. Kai laughed, then left the room. He entered his office, and found Tala sitting on his seat, grinning knowingly at Kai who glared back at him.
"Someone sounded busy this morning. I didn't see your slave around either."
"Don't make presumptions." Kai snapped.
Tala raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Oh really? Because you two looked really comfortable this morning in each other's arms when I walked in."
"What?" Kai demanded, spluttering slightly. "But you never came in! Why didn't I see you?"
"That's because you were still asleep." Tala leaned forward, resting his elbows on the wooden desk. "Tell me Kai, how long is this little toy going to last this time?"
"He's not a toy!" Kai growled. "He's just my servant."
"Oh really? I believe you." the knowing smirk on the redhead's face said that he thought otherwise. "So... what's this about a peace treaty?"
Rei came running in at that moment, his clothes looking as if they had been tossed on hastily in the dark.
Tala grinned at him. "Hello, kitten. Someone looks as if they were in a rush this morning. Bit busy doing something else, perhaps?"
Rei frowned, puzzled. "Pardon, my lord?"
'Why do nobles always have to speak in riddles?' Rei wondered, conveniently forgetting that he himself was royalty.
"Don't worry, kitten."
Kai looked absolutely livid at the nickname that Tala had given Rei. His hands were clenched into fists at his side, and a scowl darkened his features.
"Shall we get to business then?" he asked, using his no nonsense tone which seemed to have no affect on Tala whatsoever.
"Sure." the redhead shrugged off the evil glare that Kai had sent his way. "Tell me more about this peace treaty."
Rei's slightly pointed ears pricked up, and he leaned forward, obviously interested. Neither of the lords noticed, and Kai started to explain his plan. "For centuries we've been at war with the Forbidden Lands, and since Voltaire is now thankfully dead-"
Rei gasped, shocked. Kai had blurted out their secret! He wasn't supposed to tell anyone- he had said that he wouldn't!
"Don't worry, Tala can keep a secret." Kai told Rei hurriedly. "He's been my best friend since we were little children, he won't tell anyone. Won't you?"
Tala nodded vigorously. "No, not I. I won't tell a soul."
Rei relaxed a bit, still not off his guard. He wasn't the best fighter in the Forbidden Lands for nothing.
"Anyway. As I was saying- now that Voltaire is dead, we can start talking about peace treaties with the Forbidden Lands. We're losing more and more soldiers every year, fighting with the White Tigers. I've sent a runner to their clan, telling them that I want to negotiate with them."
"And have they accepted?"
"Surprisingly, yes. Unfortunately they can't do much at the moment, since their King is dying, and the heir to the throne is missing."
Tala frowned, his normally playful face sombre. "Their heir is missing? Does anyone know where he is?"
Rei felt guilt gnaw at his insides. He shouldn't have run off like that- now his clan were in trouble, and it was all his fault. He opened his mouth to tell Kai and Tala that he was the heir to the throne of the White Tigers, then quickly shut his mouth again.
He didn't want Kai to know- their master/servant relationship was fine, and he didn't want the bluenette to treat him any differently.
"No." Kai shook his head. "He's been missing for a while now. But that doesn't matter- they'll find him sooner or later. He's probably just playing truant, running around the countryside. Apparently he's a bit of a joke, this prince."
Rei bristled. What did Kai mean, that he was a joke? He took his responsibilities seriously!
Apparently Tala was thinking along the same lines, as he asked "What do you mean?"
"Oh come on- he's only around 15."
'16', Rei thought firmly. 'I am 16 years old.'
"You're only 19." Tala reminded Kai, who rolled his crimson eyes.
"And? That's 4 years difference. 4 years is a long time."
"That doesn't explain why you think he's a bit of a joke."
"Oh come off it Tala, we're supposed to be discussing the peace treaties here."
The redhead shrugged, and they started to talk about the different clans, and the sorts of alliances that were most useful to them, and things that Rei wasn't interested in.
A peace treaty between the White Tigers and the Eastern Lands... Rei frowned thoughtfully. This would be interesting. There was a knock at the door.
"Come in!" Kai barked out, and a man in his mid forties, thin and balding with a nose as sharp as an eagle's beak, walked into the room.
"My lords." he bowed fevrently to Kai and Tala who hardly glanced at him. "I am Master Drael."
That made Kai look at him. "So you're the language master, are you?" he took in Drael's appearance and raised an eyebrow. "I hope you're as good as you think you are."
"What's he doing here?" Tala asked, frowning deeply.
"I am to teach Lord Kai how to speak the Forbidden Language." Drael proclaimed with a flourish.
Kai's eyebrow shot even higher. "Ah. Start." he commanded, and pulled out a scrap of parchment.
"You'd better learn as well." he told Tala, who glared at him, an unhappy scowl on his face, which only caused Kai to smirk mockingly at him. "Oh come on- you had to start using your brain at one point in your life."
Rei laughed softly at the indignation on Tala's face. Kai glanced at him, surprised, as if only just realising that Rei was still in the room.
"Rei! I forgot to give you your duties." he paused, then shrugged. "You can stay in here until I finish my lesson. Scrub the floor while you're at it."
Rei nodded, somewhat disheartened at the sight of the bucket and brush, but started cleaning the floor anyway. It would be good to hear his native language again, if only for a short time.
Drael began to spout some nonsense in the Forbidden Language.
I am no who you but we life kill tree he said, making Rei grin. He guessed that Kai had to start somewhere. His smile disappeared when Drael told the bluenette that the sentence -or rather nonsense- he had just said was how to say 'how do you do'.
This went on all morning, and Drael made up stupid sentences that made no sense, whatsoever, and telling Kai and Tala that it meant something else.
Finally Rei couldn't take it any longer- how was Kai supposed to make a peace treaty with the White Tigers if he couldn't speak the language?- and stood up, brushing the soap suds off his clothes and glaring at Drael.
"That's not how to speak the Forbidden Language!" he snapped, and instantly everyone's eyes were fixed on him.
Drael scowled at him. "What are you talking about, slave?"
"He's a servant." Kai put in smoothly, ignoring Tala who was waggling his eyebrows suggestively and mouthing something rude to him.
"Of course my lord." Drael bowed to Kai before turning back to face Rei. "What are you talking about?"
"That's not the Forbidden Language." Rei felt his heart flutter in his chest- what was he doing, speaking back to a noble? But he had to- there was no way that he was going to let Kai embarrass himself in front of his clan! "You're speaking nonsense."
"I was speaking the Forbidden Language perfectly. How dare you suggest that you, a servant, would know better than me, a noble?"
Rei sighed, frustrated. "You should just give up trying to teach Lord Kai how to speak the Forbidden Language."
"Oh?" Drael cocked an eyebrow, obvious amusement written all over the features that Rei had come to hate. "So you propose to send your lord into the enemy's land-" Rei growled softly "-unprepared?"
Kai looked from Drael to Rei, his lips pressed into a tight line.
"No, of course not!" Rei replied fiercely. He shuddered to think of Kai getting injured in any kind of way. He knew that Kai was a good fighter, but that didn't mean that he was invincible. "I will teach Lord Kai the forbidden language, since you obviously can't."
Ok... and that was it!! Please read and review!! And no flames please!! If anyone knows how to get bold and italics on ff along with asterixes to appear please email me!!
To:
Bluumberry: I totally agree!! All my asterixes have disappeared! . annoying!! I don't know how to make them stay... also I can't have any words in italics or bold. .
The tigris: I hate school too... blah... we have so many tests and stuff...
Warning: this is a yaoi fic, which means boy boy. Don't like, don't read.
Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblades. If I did, Mariah would be gone, and Rei and Kai would be together!!
"..." – speech
'...' – thoughts
... - something said in the Forbidden Language
- change of scene/ time has passed
Chapter 4
Kai entered his room, wondering where in the gods Rei was. He hadn't seen Rei for numerous hours, and he was starting to get worried about the raven haired boy.
He pulled off his clothes, and changed into a pair of shorts, and guessed that Rei had returned to his own chamber. He gave a defeated sigh and walked over to his bed. His foot met a sort object, and he stumbled, cursing madly. To his surprise, the object gave a small mew like sound, and shifted.
He lit a torch, and found Rei fast asleep on his favourite rug. A smile graced Kai's stern features, and he gently picked up Rei, who was fast asleep, and placed him on the bed. He wondered what to do now- Rei probably wouldn't want to share a bed with him, but there was nowhere else for him to go.
Finally Kai gave a snort- he would deal with it in the morning- and climbed into bed next to Rei.
Minutes had passed, and Kai was just drifting off to sleep when he felt a small face press against his back, and he stiffened.
What in the seven realms...? He twisted around and Rei immediately snuggled up to him, gentle purrs sounding from the back of his throat.
Kai's crimson eyes lit up, and he enveloped Rei in his warm embrace, allowing the neko jin to rest his head on top of his chest.
Soon he was fast asleep- the best sleep he had had in many, many years.
Rei's eyelids fluttered open, and he looked around himself with bleary golden eyes.
Where was he? He could remember falling asleep on Kai's rug... but since when had the rug been so damned tall?
Taking full stock of his surroundings, Rei realised two important things- 1) he was in KAI's bed. Repeat, his bed. 2) a pair of strong arms were wrapped around his waist.
He uttered a small 'eep' and twisted around to come face to face with Kai, who was watching him with serious crimson eyes.
"My lord!" Rei wondered what he should do first- start blabbing his deepest apologies and wish to the high heavens that he wouldn't be killed, or run away as quickly as possible.
"Next time you should just use the bed, instead of sleeping on the rug." Kai's soft voice caused a pink tinge to appear on Rei's tanned cheeks.
Without his consent or encouragement, Rei's hand reached out and gently traced the outline of one of the blue triangles on Kai's face.
Those triangles had intrigued Rei ever since he had arrived- it had to be an Eastern custom, because nobody in the Forbidden Lands ever marked their faces.
Kai tensed slightly, then relaxed under Rei's soft touch, and unconsciously inched closer to the neko jin, who's touch grew more confident.
"Rei..." Kai whispered roughly, and cupped the raven haired boy's face with one hand. He rubbed his thumbpad over Rei's soft, rose coloured lips, his breath hitching in his throat.
He had to be dreaming- there was no other sane reason for Rei to be looking at him with that much fire in his golden eyes.
Loud knocking on the door interrupted the moment, and Kai cursed loudly, causing the person on the other side of the door to chuckle.
"You busy, Kai?"
"No! I mean, yes!" Kai swore again, much to the amusement of the other person whose laughter was echoing throughout the corridor. "Meet me in my office in a few minutes!"
"Whatever you say, boss."
Rei recognised the voice as belonging to Tala. He immediately pulled away from the bluenette and fumbled around with the blankets, trying to get out of bed.
A hand on his shoulder stopped his movements, and Rei looked at Kai questioningly.
"Stay. Don't worry about getting up right now- I need to bathe first so you can sleep for a while longer."
Rei nodded, gratefulness shining in his eyes. "Thank you, my lord. What would you like me to do today?"
Kai hesitated. "Just come to my office as soon as you're changed, and I'll give you your duties then."
Rei nodded, his cheeks still a bright red. He couldn't believe that he had dared to stroke his lord's face!
Kai's grip on his shoulder tightened, and he leaned in close to the hardly breathing neko jin, and kissed him gently on the cheek.
"Don't take too long." he whispered and disappeared into the bathroom. Rei stared at the shut door, confusion filling his every sense, along with deep contentment.
Kai liked him- he had to, otherwise why would he have kissed him? A large grin split his face, and Rei buried himself under the numerous blankets that lined Kai's bed. Life was starting to get better.
Kai soon came running out of the bathing room, and went into one of his other rooms. He came back, fully clothed, and hesitated at the sight of the lump on his bed.
"Rei?"
"Mmm?" a head poked out from underneath the blankets, making Kai smile.
"You may have a bath now. I'll see you in my office later."
The head nodded, then disappeared straight back underneath the blankets. Kai laughed, then left the room. He entered his office, and found Tala sitting on his seat, grinning knowingly at Kai who glared back at him.
"Someone sounded busy this morning. I didn't see your slave around either."
"Don't make presumptions." Kai snapped.
Tala raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Oh really? Because you two looked really comfortable this morning in each other's arms when I walked in."
"What?" Kai demanded, spluttering slightly. "But you never came in! Why didn't I see you?"
"That's because you were still asleep." Tala leaned forward, resting his elbows on the wooden desk. "Tell me Kai, how long is this little toy going to last this time?"
"He's not a toy!" Kai growled. "He's just my servant."
"Oh really? I believe you." the knowing smirk on the redhead's face said that he thought otherwise. "So... what's this about a peace treaty?"
Rei came running in at that moment, his clothes looking as if they had been tossed on hastily in the dark.
Tala grinned at him. "Hello, kitten. Someone looks as if they were in a rush this morning. Bit busy doing something else, perhaps?"
Rei frowned, puzzled. "Pardon, my lord?"
'Why do nobles always have to speak in riddles?' Rei wondered, conveniently forgetting that he himself was royalty.
"Don't worry, kitten."
Kai looked absolutely livid at the nickname that Tala had given Rei. His hands were clenched into fists at his side, and a scowl darkened his features.
"Shall we get to business then?" he asked, using his no nonsense tone which seemed to have no affect on Tala whatsoever.
"Sure." the redhead shrugged off the evil glare that Kai had sent his way. "Tell me more about this peace treaty."
Rei's slightly pointed ears pricked up, and he leaned forward, obviously interested. Neither of the lords noticed, and Kai started to explain his plan. "For centuries we've been at war with the Forbidden Lands, and since Voltaire is now thankfully dead-"
Rei gasped, shocked. Kai had blurted out their secret! He wasn't supposed to tell anyone- he had said that he wouldn't!
"Don't worry, Tala can keep a secret." Kai told Rei hurriedly. "He's been my best friend since we were little children, he won't tell anyone. Won't you?"
Tala nodded vigorously. "No, not I. I won't tell a soul."
Rei relaxed a bit, still not off his guard. He wasn't the best fighter in the Forbidden Lands for nothing.
"Anyway. As I was saying- now that Voltaire is dead, we can start talking about peace treaties with the Forbidden Lands. We're losing more and more soldiers every year, fighting with the White Tigers. I've sent a runner to their clan, telling them that I want to negotiate with them."
"And have they accepted?"
"Surprisingly, yes. Unfortunately they can't do much at the moment, since their King is dying, and the heir to the throne is missing."
Tala frowned, his normally playful face sombre. "Their heir is missing? Does anyone know where he is?"
Rei felt guilt gnaw at his insides. He shouldn't have run off like that- now his clan were in trouble, and it was all his fault. He opened his mouth to tell Kai and Tala that he was the heir to the throne of the White Tigers, then quickly shut his mouth again.
He didn't want Kai to know- their master/servant relationship was fine, and he didn't want the bluenette to treat him any differently.
"No." Kai shook his head. "He's been missing for a while now. But that doesn't matter- they'll find him sooner or later. He's probably just playing truant, running around the countryside. Apparently he's a bit of a joke, this prince."
Rei bristled. What did Kai mean, that he was a joke? He took his responsibilities seriously!
Apparently Tala was thinking along the same lines, as he asked "What do you mean?"
"Oh come on- he's only around 15."
'16', Rei thought firmly. 'I am 16 years old.'
"You're only 19." Tala reminded Kai, who rolled his crimson eyes.
"And? That's 4 years difference. 4 years is a long time."
"That doesn't explain why you think he's a bit of a joke."
"Oh come off it Tala, we're supposed to be discussing the peace treaties here."
The redhead shrugged, and they started to talk about the different clans, and the sorts of alliances that were most useful to them, and things that Rei wasn't interested in.
A peace treaty between the White Tigers and the Eastern Lands... Rei frowned thoughtfully. This would be interesting. There was a knock at the door.
"Come in!" Kai barked out, and a man in his mid forties, thin and balding with a nose as sharp as an eagle's beak, walked into the room.
"My lords." he bowed fevrently to Kai and Tala who hardly glanced at him. "I am Master Drael."
That made Kai look at him. "So you're the language master, are you?" he took in Drael's appearance and raised an eyebrow. "I hope you're as good as you think you are."
"What's he doing here?" Tala asked, frowning deeply.
"I am to teach Lord Kai how to speak the Forbidden Language." Drael proclaimed with a flourish.
Kai's eyebrow shot even higher. "Ah. Start." he commanded, and pulled out a scrap of parchment.
"You'd better learn as well." he told Tala, who glared at him, an unhappy scowl on his face, which only caused Kai to smirk mockingly at him. "Oh come on- you had to start using your brain at one point in your life."
Rei laughed softly at the indignation on Tala's face. Kai glanced at him, surprised, as if only just realising that Rei was still in the room.
"Rei! I forgot to give you your duties." he paused, then shrugged. "You can stay in here until I finish my lesson. Scrub the floor while you're at it."
Rei nodded, somewhat disheartened at the sight of the bucket and brush, but started cleaning the floor anyway. It would be good to hear his native language again, if only for a short time.
Drael began to spout some nonsense in the Forbidden Language.
I am no who you but we life kill tree he said, making Rei grin. He guessed that Kai had to start somewhere. His smile disappeared when Drael told the bluenette that the sentence -or rather nonsense- he had just said was how to say 'how do you do'.
This went on all morning, and Drael made up stupid sentences that made no sense, whatsoever, and telling Kai and Tala that it meant something else.
Finally Rei couldn't take it any longer- how was Kai supposed to make a peace treaty with the White Tigers if he couldn't speak the language?- and stood up, brushing the soap suds off his clothes and glaring at Drael.
"That's not how to speak the Forbidden Language!" he snapped, and instantly everyone's eyes were fixed on him.
Drael scowled at him. "What are you talking about, slave?"
"He's a servant." Kai put in smoothly, ignoring Tala who was waggling his eyebrows suggestively and mouthing something rude to him.
"Of course my lord." Drael bowed to Kai before turning back to face Rei. "What are you talking about?"
"That's not the Forbidden Language." Rei felt his heart flutter in his chest- what was he doing, speaking back to a noble? But he had to- there was no way that he was going to let Kai embarrass himself in front of his clan! "You're speaking nonsense."
"I was speaking the Forbidden Language perfectly. How dare you suggest that you, a servant, would know better than me, a noble?"
Rei sighed, frustrated. "You should just give up trying to teach Lord Kai how to speak the Forbidden Language."
"Oh?" Drael cocked an eyebrow, obvious amusement written all over the features that Rei had come to hate. "So you propose to send your lord into the enemy's land-" Rei growled softly "-unprepared?"
Kai looked from Drael to Rei, his lips pressed into a tight line.
"No, of course not!" Rei replied fiercely. He shuddered to think of Kai getting injured in any kind of way. He knew that Kai was a good fighter, but that didn't mean that he was invincible. "I will teach Lord Kai the forbidden language, since you obviously can't."
Ok... and that was it!! Please read and review!! And no flames please!! If anyone knows how to get bold and italics on ff along with asterixes to appear please email me!!