Sky- I do not know the pairings as of right now, I need people to vote on them.
Angel-Thanks, yep, what an interesting position.
Hmm, Valentines Day, and the day of spring in Japan for February, oh can't wait. Wait a minute I am writing it.
Um, hi my loyal readers I have a request of you. In the last chapter I ask if you guys wanted Usagi to have a blade or not, only one of you answered, I really need to know. Because, I have to postpone the tournament until then. Vote for the match for Usagi will you please?
I do not claim ownership of these shows.
Hong Kong, China, that is where they were, observing the delightful festival of Lights. Rei had requested that they start their round of the tournament in his home town in China. None of the Blade Breakers had argued seeing as how New Year's was important to each of their cultures. Shingo gasped as the martial artist flipped off the stage they had been performing on. Rei grinned down at him and nudged him in the side before disappearing into the crowd. Usagi raised a puzzled eyebrow at the action and it reached higher when Kai vanished as well. Shingo gasped again drawing Usagi's attention to the stage. Rei and Kai stood facing each other in the middle of the stage, bowing at the waist to show respect, but never letting their eyes off their opponent. They traded a few light insults, nothing to mean, Rei enjoying the taunting, more then his fellow teammate. A red banner with the symbol of the New Year's zodiac animal snapped in between them effectively shattering the tension. Kai and Rei smirked at each other, their battle faces pulling up as they fell into different crouches.
Rei's stance was wide his legs bent at the knees bringing him to a lower force of gravity. His arms bent at the elbows and his hands curled into a tiger claw. Obviously, his master taught him the art of the tiger, but the extent of Rei's knowledge was shadowed for it showed not in his stance. Usagi drew a breath as her senshi trained eyes caught Rei's weight being lightly distributed on his toes, readying an attack. Her examination turned to Kai on defense, his stance belying his position. He stood tall and relaxed, his knees slightly bent and his arms crossed in a vacant gesture of nonchalance. His eyes were the only true sign of his awareness, studying quickly, the corners pinched minutely. The banner snapped between them again signaling a start, and within heeding the call to two deftly leapt off their feet. Usagi sighed in heartfelt wonder as she notched a thought toward the customs of China.
Shows of martial arts prowess was demonstrated before the world in praise of their gods. For the true art was not one of indulgence or attacking, but one of defense and disciplined. No longer could Usagi dwell on the subject when the sound of something striking brought her back to her companions on stage. 'Makoto, and Haruka, would of loved this.' Usagi thought as she saw Kai roll the high kick off his shoulder.
Rei landed in a crouch from the off balance of his kick, and swiftly pushed off again faking a right punch toward Kai's face. Kai blocked quickly with his arm, and also negated the following attack of a sweep kick by leaping and flipping over Rei. Rei spun quickly on his heel to block any attack from the phoenix wielder. Catching Kai's blatant punch to his face in a x-shaped arm block, tugging his arms to the side effectively pulling Kai with him. The gravitational pull of the block had Kai's momentum used against him throwing him by Rei's left side, leaving his side and back open for attack. Rei using the opportunity, sent a snap kick to Kai's open venerable spots. However, what he wasn't counting on was Kai using the same momentum he gained in the throw to circle out of the way with his arm still caught in the block. Tired of his locked arm he rotated his shoulder and arm quickly, wrenching it out of Rei's hold and flipping back.
"They are showing off for someone." A wizen voice echoed from beside Usagi. Usagi's gaze fell on her new company, a short man about three, five was stooped beside her. Leaning lightly on his gnarled cane, a single sprout of white hair poked from his crown and his eyes were a navy blue. He wore a martial arts outfit as well all white with strips of yellow lining accenting it. The old man glanced up when he felt Usagi's gaze. "I taught that boy better, but I can see now why they are showing off."He said looking at her. Seeing Usagi puzzled look, he elaborated on his persona. "I am Rei's sensei in the arts, and beyblading." He said and Usagi smiled gently at the man, bowing slightly at the waist. "Nice, mannered young girl, you are, hmm." He muttered and turned his attention back to the spar, Usagi followed his example. Beside her Shingo was snapping pictures like crazy, cheering each time one of the two landed a movement.
Rei and Kai stepped back, away from the vicinity of each other's reach. They both smirked and what once was a spar, became a fluid like dance. Rei evident in his style and quick cat-like grace, Kai elegant and calculating in his art, revealing a mix between judo and tai-chi, his element being ice style. Far from each's region of art the clash of the two was wonderful, and the spar ended deadlocked and winded. Kai had caught Rei's ax-kick and Rei's arms had followed through with his movement hooking his caught leg and Kai's arms to the side. Neither could over power one another, the arts being based on speed and agility. They each let go of one another and bowed to each other, then bowed to the crowd. The applause and cheering was deafening for the two as they came beside Usagi. Usagi gave them both a scattering glance before sighing.
"Since we have hours before the honoring of the ancestors, perhaps you two should take a quick shower." Usagi said as she observed her watch. "Not only that we have to round up Takao, Max, and Kyouju, so we might as well make our way to the hotel." Usagi pointed out and then craned her neck to someone beside her. "Will you be joining us Sensei-san?" Usagi inquired.
"Yes, I have much to talk about with Rei." He said, and Rei craned around to see his old teacher staring studying at him and his companions. The group headed off to the motel, Shingo describing how awesome it was of their fighting. Usagi added comments here and there, but for most part stayed silent. 'I wonder if I should ask the guys to train me?' She mutely wondered. 'I know Makoto and Haruka taught me the basics, but it would be beneficial to me if another enemy showed up, and I had incorporated different styles into my learning.' She continued. 'After all, I am pretty sure that each enemy we had studied the enemies before them and us, Haruka's and Makoto's styles are pretty much documented in our previous battles.' Usagi mused as she studied the two. She mindlessly entered her hotel room as the rest stared after her mutely wondering about her state of mind.
Shingo bounded over to the three on the couch watching a movie on the television and started to explained to them Rei and Kai's little show. Takao pouted that he didn't get to see it while Max second his opinion. Kyouju lightly remarked it would have been great data for his computer, and asked if Shingo had taken any photos. Shingo responded with a positive as Rei and his Sensei walked to his room to talk and Kai vanished into the shadows.
Usagi attempted to contact the senshi with her communicator, but it seems Sera Uranus had ordered them off. Usagi was displeased, but not terribly worried, for Sera Pluto would see if Usagi got in a predicament. She thought over her last statement and gulped, she hoped. Sometimes, the time stream could be as vague as its mistress. For instance Chaos, and Mamoru and Seiya's attraction to each other. Saddened she picked out her diary from amongst her luggage and began to write. Mulling over her past romances and how they turned out. Though she was hurt, she gave them her blessing, but she had yet to truly mourn for her love life or what's left of it at this moment in time. Sighing she checked over her jean and T-shirt appearance and figured she needed to change. Pulling out a red slim Chinese dress, she slipped it on and pulled her long blonde hair up into a large bun. Scrounging up to long red chopstick hair accessories she stuck them crosswise into her hair. After all on New Year's in China red is noted as the color of happiness and to bring the wearer a bright and sunny future.
A knock disturbed her musing and she opened it to find Kai standing there with a delicacy plate of bamboo shoots. She raised and eyebrow at the stonelike one, but he shrugged his shoulders and turned. "Ask Rei." He muttered and started to walk off. Usagi hugged him quickly and mumbled a thank you into the startled teen's back. A small pinking of the cheeks went unnoticed by Usagi as Kai's thoughts were brought back to that destructive plant on the winter holidays. He grunted softly and unhooked Usagi's arms from around him stalking off. Usagi sighed in sadness, recalling the Russian's trio's history, human warmth and contact nearly forbidden. Her hands clenched a little around the forgotten plate bringing her attention back to it. Sighing again she went searching for the Chinese youth. She found him in his room with his master, sitting in silence contemplation written on both of their countenances.
Usagi shook her head and stepped in. "Any body want to share with me why they are so solemn, or do I have to guess?" She asked staring at them. Rei shook out his trance and smiled at her, gesturing her in. His smile widen when he saw his treat grasped in her hands. "Oh, and can someone explain the dish?" Usagi inquired. Rei nodded and pointed for her to have a seat.
"Some foods have meanings on New Years, this is one of them." Rei started, pointing to the dish. "I caught your pensive look earlier and decided to send Bamboo Shoots." He said. "They generally mean, wishing everything is well." Rei remarked and Usagi placed the plate down hugging him around his waist. She picked her head up from its position and pecked him on the cheek in thanks. Usagi then picked up the plate and demolished the Bamboo shoots. Rei and his sensei laughed at her enthusiasm for food. Usagi sighed in contentment and turned to them.
"Now, are you going to tell me what's got you thinking so deeply?" Usagi inquired watching their faces. They laughed at her again Rei nodding at her. "Good, I hate for any of my friends hurt, and I doing nothing." She remarked as Rei patted Usagi shoulder in comfort.
"It's nothing much, sensei was giving me some tips for the up and coming tournament." Rei explain. "I was musing over it and applying it to my strategy." He finished, glancing at her. "Why, worried about me?" Rei teased her leaning forward slightly. Usagi frowned at him playfully, but nodded her head. Rei smiled at her, and gave her a quick hug, before tapping her on the nose. "Tag, your it." Rei intoned and sped off, Usagi's expression, fished for a moment before following. The pair dashed through the hallway Usagi hot on Rei's heels. Rei passed Kai in a blur leaving the one leaning against the wall to open one eye in curiosity and shutting it. Only to have them both snapped open with the blonde smirking evilly at him a finger poised on his nose.
"Tag, your it." She declared and bounded after the Chinese cat. Kai blinked at the instruction, watching as Usagi bounce back wondering at Kai's confusion. "You know how to play tag right?" Usagi inquired. Kai blinked again, before closing his eyes and shaking his head. Usagi quickly explained the rules and the 'objective,' as he had inquired leaning toward him in wonder. "Got it now?" She asked missing his battle smirk , as one quick hand dashed out tapping Usagi's arm.
"Tag." Kai whispered and vanished into the confines of the shadowy hall. Usagi stomped her foot in indignation, before heading into the living room. She pounced onto Takao on the couch.
"Tag." She stated and bounded away seeing the tail end of Rei's ponytail and following. Takao whined before looking over at Max, who saw his predicament and rushing away flinging a quick teasing glance before exiting Takao's view. Takao's gaze fell on the quiet Kyouju, pensive before his lit laptop screen, he smirk and tagged Kyouju, shutting his laptop close as well. Kyouju was miffed a little before smiling and chasing after the sparse Blade Breakers among the rooms of their hotel flat. Their game lasted for an hour or so, before a yell caught their attention.
"Alright, we have to get to the river for the honoring." Shingo's voice reminded them. They all gathered and left to the river. On the way each of them bought a small candle and a straw and wooden boat. On the mast they slipped a paper with a name or wish on it before wading to the river's bank. Most of the Blade Breaker's written names were ones they had lost, however Shingo and Usagi's was different. Shingo's had the characters for peace and happiness for all inscribed on his and Usagi had a wish for all the ones fallen in the battles of the Sera Senshi. 'So, many innocents.' Usagi sadly thought. They each placed their lit candles in the small wooden boat and pushed them out to the river's current. The river bed was silent with past memories, before one by one everyone left. Shingo disturbed by the solemn air, broke in with a suggestion. "Hey why don't we go browse the bazaars, after all we have the Lai sei, or red envelopes of money Daitenji-san gave us." Shingo said. Each teen spared a glance between them before nodding together.
Usagi stood in the middle of a unconscious protective circle, Shingo leading the pack. Max to his right and Rei to his left, then behind Usagi, Kai to the right, Kyouju in the middle, and Takao to the left. Usagi's thoughts wandered off toward the bazaar wondering about the things they could purchase. Usagi bought good luck charms for her friends, including the sera senshi. She also brought engraved charms for her blader friends with the name on one side and the animal of who they reminded her of on the other, with the year's zodiac number and animal on the corner. The base was silver, Kai's name was etched with an icy blue, and a fiery red etched phoenix on the other side. Rei's name was etched white with black deepening it, the same coloring with the tiger on the other side. Max's was etched in yellow, with a green turtle on the other. Takao was red etched, and the creature was a dragon carved in blue. Kyuoju's name was in a sandy yellow, and his swallow was etched in brown. She also brought one for her brother, Shingo's name was gold, and a cursive writing of little brother inscribe into the a small black etched cat on the back. Usagi also got one, a group, hers was pink etched, and a snow white bunny on the other side. Chirping in laughter, she picked up a few kimonos's for her senshi, their planet colors of course and went to find her entourage, picking up some items for her parents. She gave her gifts to them in happiness when she found them.
In return, Rei had gotten her a jade rooster on a jade bracelet, with her name in silver cursive kanji on the stomach of the rooster. Max had gotten her a stuffed white bunny holding a rooster, with the year on its paw. Her brother got her a cherry blossom kimono, which she gave him an embarrassing peck for on the cheek. Kyouju gave her a jade rabbit charm for her jade bracelet, with her birth-date inscribed on it in gold. Takao gave her another jade charm for her bracelet, a dragon hugging a rabbit, with the kanji for the year of the rooster on it. Kai offered her a necklace with a jade bunny sitting atop a jade rooster holding up a victory sign and winking. She thank them all with a quick peck on the cheek and hopped off to the hotel. To freshen up for the Festival of Lights parade with several exerts from other entertainments. They quickly spruced up in record time and headed back to the main road for the parade.
The first thing they saw as the afternoon turned to early evening was acrobats flipping down the street in the red tight shirts and loose white pants. Black stretch shoes fit snugged on their feet and their hands released white powder every time they hit the ground. Six front flips forward, two back, cartwheels to each side, and a front tuck step out flip as a finish. After they waved joyously they threw fools gold charms of roosters into the crowd. Following them were elegant drummers clothed in the same uniform as the acrobats. A beat was drummed to praise their gods. Marching after them were banner wielders which were moved in elegant pattens, closely followed by dancing dragons. By then the first of night had fallen and the parade of lights was soon to began.
The first lighted parade float was a character of prosperity, followed by a character of happiness. Another float was a character of good luck and the last float of characters was of New or Begin. After came the floats of the twelve zodiac animals in order. The Rat, the Ox, the Tiger, the Rabbit, the Dragon, the Snake, the Horse, the Sheep, the Monkey, all of which was lighted white, next was the Rooster lighted red, the Dog, and finally the Boar. The twelve zodiac animals whose order was based on a Chinese legend.
According to Chinese legend, the twelve animals quarreled one day as to who was to head the cycle of years. The gods were asked to decide and they held a contest; whoever was to reach the opposite bank of the river would be first, and the rest of the animals would receive their years according to their finish.
All the twelve animals gathered at the river bank and jumped in. Unknown to the ox, the rat had jumped upon his back. As the ox was about to jump ashore, the rat jumped off the ox's back, and won the race. The pig, (or boar,) who was very lazy, ended up last. That is how the animals are situated in the yearly cycle.
Seen within the parade, it was so, the Rooster being the only different colored one, because two thousand and five was the year of the Rooster. The crowd cheered as they threw candy from the floats each shape like the animal of the float it was pitched from. After the parade was done, the acrobatics came back and gave different crowd members crickets for good luck. The Blade Breaker entourage was all lucky to receive one. However, what most waited for on this day was the spectacle of fireworks.
Fireworks were shot off according to Chinese legend because it was the way of sending off the old year. Also, welcoming the New Year. The fireworks were an amass of different shapes, formations, and colors. Afterwards, the group headed back to the hotel, tired from the days excitement. As each readied themselves for rest they saw Rei dash out at midnight and open the hotel door, yelling to the group to leave their bedroom doors open. As he passed Usagi's door, she asked him why it was necessary, he replied with an offhand, "Tradition." Yet, noone would let him rest until he explained it fully. "The doors and windows have to be left open to let the old year out." He said and headed into his room. The final sound heard in the Blade Breakers hotel flat was the sound of opening windows and soft muttering.
Happy New Year! Hope you like this chapter. Please Review, Please? Vote too, read the AN's note at the beginning for what. Please?
Much Care, WolfChildBlazer
