Battle of the Masters
Chapter Two
by Shadou-sama

Bored, bored, bored, bored, bored. He was really bored. Nothing in his mansion or the surrounding country could keep his attention for more then a few seconds or the heat would drive him away. Not that Yuki couldn't tolerate it, it just made him uncomfortable which he wasn't use to feeling. So he had taken to sitting hidden in the shade beside his Olympic Size swimming pool.

He silently cursed the names of the other A4 members, his friends. They had left him all alone and bored for the whole summer break while they went Hong Kong or California or some other place. And her… He had planned a great summer for them and she had just walked away. No, more like disappeared in the middle of the night. Hadn't even said goodbye and had left that stupid cat in his care. It hated him, and had been tormenting him all summer. Yuki had finally gotten rid of it by mailing it to her.

A maid or something walked casually by carrying some towels. He glared at her. How dare she disturb him? He winged a rock at her, hitting her head. She cried out in pain and dropped the towels, looking frantically around to see who threw the rock. She spotted him. He could practically smell the dread. She hurriedly scooped up the towels, and scurried away with her face buried into them.

Yuki laughed at her. Everyone feared him. His 'peers', the servants, the teachers, his parents… even the others of the A4 feared him. Most people were even terrified of him! All except her… Maybe that's why Yuki respected her. She was the only one to stand against him, even with the whole school bullying her to get into his favor.

Ah, no use dwelling on her. He knew was she was. It was all over the news. She had run off globe trotting with those boys, the Bladebreakers. His hand clenched into a fist. Those boys… He punched the decorative boulder beside him. It shattered. Maybe it was time to remind Shadra that he still existed. He stalked off to prepare.


"Hello. Welcome to Prairieland Tournament. May I see your invitation?" A blonde lady asked politely when the Bladebreakers entered the white building. Her gold plated name tag read 'Daniel Parington'.

"I have it right here." Kenny said, handing her a white card.

"Ah, the Bladebreakers." Daniel Parington said as she turned to her computer. She typed a few things in before facing them again. "You are Kai, Kenny, Max, Ray, Shadra and Tyson?"

"Yep!" Tyson yipped.

"Alright. You'll need a map of the grounds and then you can be off." The lady said turning to a large pile of papers. She picked through them. "Do you have the tournament rulebook?"

"Yes, we do." Kenny answered, pulling out a white book. "Good, and here's your map. Oh, and tomorrow night there's a dance at the local high school that you're allowed to attend. If you want to go, just meet here at seven o'clock." She said handing Shadra a large white piece of paper. The team started leaving the office.

"Oh! Shadra? There seems to be a problem." Daniel Parington called out.

"A problem?" Kenny asked.

"Here." Shadra said, handing Kai the map. "You guys go ahead, I'll sort this out."

"If you're sure…" Kenny said. The others left.

"So what's the problem, Miss Parington?" Shadra asked.

"You seem to be double registered." Daniel Parington answered. "And call me Daniel."

"Alright Daniel. What do you mean double registered?" Shadra asked, tensing.

"Basically that you're on two teams." Daniel answered. "The Bladebreakers and the Masters have both listed you as a team member. But this is easily fixed, just tell me which team you're on."

Shadra frowned. "The Bladebreakers of course."

Daniel's smile seemed to freeze. "Are you sure?"

She gave Daniel a puzzled look. "Yes."

Daniel almost hesitantly typed it onto the computer.

"Okay, it's done. But if you should ever wish to switch teams, you have until the tournament start." Daniel told her. Something seemed weird to Shadra. Why should she care which team Shadra was on? She was an official, after all. "And good luck! Not that I think you'll need it. Oh, and if you need anything, just ask, okay?"

"Thanks! See you later, Daniel." Shadra gave a little wave before exiting.