SR: Another chapter for you all ^^. Please excuse me if the chapter isn't as good as the others. I'm running off four hours of sleep and a package of pop-tarts x.x

On with the chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade or any of it's components. ~

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Trial and Verdict

Ray was jostled out of his sleep by a pair of rough hands shaking him. Instinctivly he lashed out with fists and feet and was rewarded by a grunt and the backing off of his adversary. Ray opened his eyes and quickly regretted striking out so hastily for there was Kai doubled over and clutching his stomach. The prince lifted his head enough so he could glare at Ray. Crimson and amber orbs locked in a silent battle of wills each waiting for the other to look away. Ray bared his teeth and gave a soft growl and Kai scowled darkly and sent one of his infamous death glares at Ray. Ray snorted and looked away deciding it would be best not to invoke Kai's wrath as long as he chained against the wall. He had limited movement and therefor limited fighting capabilities.

"Son of a bitch." Kai growled and made a quick grab for Ray's hair but only got air as the neko-jinn quickly pulled his head back.

"What do you want?" Ray demanded in a cold tone. He did not enjoy being woken so rudely from his sleep and certainly not by a snobby prince.

"It's time for your damn trial. Remember?" Kai lunged forward and grabbed one of Ray's ankle chains and yanked hard causing him to crumble into a heap on the dungeon floor. Kai pulled out a lengh of rope and bound his two front hands together and then proceeded in unshackling him. Ray remained silent and docile. He knew that this was probably the end of the line for him and resistance was futile as long as his hands were bound. Kai shoved him roughly out of the dank dungeon and marched him off towards the audience hall. About half way there Kai, who felt a need to pay Ray back for the punch in the stomach, punched Ray hard in the back of the head. Ray gave a strangled cry and fell to his knees on the floor.

"What the hell was that for?" He managed to snarl through the pain and humiliation.

"For punching me in the dungeons." Kai replied in a cool manner but failed to keep the note of amusement out of his voice. Ray remained silent those on the inside he had just exploded with anger

'The bastard! He's enjoying this. He's amusing himself by hurting me.' Ray fumed silently and stood up and faced Kai. Ray didn't even think about what was going to happen to him. He jumped up and kangaroo kicked Kai in the chest sending him back several paces and them he just slid to his knees holding the spot where Ray's feet had become acquainted with his chest. Breathing hard he looked up in time to see a very angry neko-jinn thief come hurtling at him. He tried to roll out of the way but Ray was upon him before he could react properly.

Ray clawed at Kai with his bound hands and sunk his teeth into the young nobles shoulder. He wasn't sure what he was doing, only that he was doing it and now he had to finish it. The element of surprise had worked well and Kai had been to shock and winded to quickly retaliate. Now, he was pinned underneath Ray and already suffering from a deep bite in the shoulder and several claws marks.

'If I play my cards right,' Thought Ray. ' I should be able to knock him out and maybe get out of here.' Kai had other plans however and he swung his gloved fist at Ray and successfully made contact with the side of the raven-haired teens' head. The blow knocked Ray clear off of him and into the wall. Kai stood up and was bracing himself for round two before he noticed that Ray hadn't stood back up after introducing himself to the wall. Peering at him, Kai noticed that there was blood coming from the side of the boy's head.

"You had better not be dead." Kai growled as he took two large steps and reached Ray. Grabbing him roughly by the collar he shook him viciously in an awkward attempt to get him to regain conciousness. Surprisingly enough, it worked. A low groan escaped the thief's mouth and that was all it took for Kai. He half-dragged half-carried Ray down to the audience hall.

He entered the large room and literally threw Ray down at his fathers' feet before seating himself down three places to the king's left. His two brothers were the ones who filled the two spots between. Kyle, who was seated next to Kai leaned over and whispered to him.

"Little brother, you are a mess. Didn't you comb your hair this morning?" Kai scowled at Kyle. The second eldest was only a few years his senior but acted as if he was a lifetime older.

"No, I got into a fight with our thieving friend, in case you have not noticed my bleeding shoulder and all the claw marks!" Kai gestured first to his shoulder and then to his stomach and chest where the clothing was ripped in several different places to reveal bleeding scratches. Kyle's face went a deep red for he actually hadn't noticed Kai's shoulder or the his other injuries even though they were plainly obvious.

"You should have those checked down at the infermary. They could get infected you know." Kyle stated.

"I'm fine. The stupid cuts don't hurt." Kai lied. In truth, he was in a good deal of pain but he'd be damned if he let Kyle, or anyone else for that matter, see that. His older brother merely gave him a 'yeah right' look before turning to look at Ray who's trial had now begun.

"Boy you stand charged of thievery and resistance to your superiors." The King began in an emotionless voice. Kai sighed and let his eyes roam the room. He wouldn't be missing anything important for awhile, his father would drone on for about ten minutes stating the various crimes Ray had committed. He scanned the sides of the room which were lined members of his father's coucil along with soldiers of varying ranks. Including Tala. Kai's eyes lingered on the Chief Captain. He was clad in a simple red-dyed shirt and a pair of similar pants. On his feet he wore average soldier boots. Crafted from brown leather and laced with strong animal sinew they were ideal for long treks over rough terrain. Kai scowled at Tala who happened to look his way at that very moment and looked like he was going to return it but a sharp voice directed towards him caused him to look at the King.

"Captain Tala! For the third, and I do hope the final, time would you please step forward and tell the council about several of your encounters with the thief." Tala did as he was bidden and stepped forward and began to describe one of his pursuits with Ray. When he was done his story no one in the room doubted that Ray should be executed. The were quick to let the king know this.

"Send him to the block."

"He's guilty! Do way with him."

"Dead thieves don't steal again." The King waved his hand and the room fell silent.

"Comrades!" He called out to the gathering. "Do we all agree that this thief should be executed?" The crowd roared it's agreence and Ray's face noticably paled. He felt sick and thought he was going to end up throwing up right there in front of all those people. The King nodded at the crowd and then continued. "Then it is decided, he will be executed when the sun sets."

"I have a better idea." A soft but firm voice called from the crowd. Ray turned his head and tried to locate the source of the voice. Obviously the King was to for he asked for the one who spoke to disentangle themselves from the group and identify themselves. A young women probably only a few years older then Ray stepped forward. Her long pink hair went past her waist and she was rather short.

'Still,' Ray thought 'She's awful pretty.' He then noticed that the entire room seemed to be waiting for the girl to continue. Even Kai seemed to be paying attention now. The King nodded once.

"Your opinion is counted highly among my council Mariah. Continue." She did.

"It would seem to me that if this thief has committed so many crimes that he is getting off easy by merely facing a quick execution." Mariah smiled as the crowd broke out into murmurs. Being the only female of the council had been difficult at first and she had often been ignored by the others but she had long since proven that she was as cunning as any man. If not more so. She looked at the King who seemed to be taking her words into careful consideration.

"You may have a point Mariah," He mused more to himself then to her. "What do you suggest?" He inclined his head toward her and awaited her response. She smiled inwardly and shut her eyes as if thinking hard about what should be done. In reality she already knew what she was going to say. She was a very aware person and had not missed the glares that Ray and Kai had sent each other. It was just fun to let the apprehension build. Finally, after letting everyone practically explode with anticipation she opened her eyes and grinned wickedly.

"Make him Prince Kai's slave." The room this time around erupted into loud cries. Most of which were agreeing with Mariah. Kai had nearly fallen off his throne at Mariah's words. As if he was going to be the neko-jinn's baby- sitter! Still, the idea of being able to force his new formed enemy into doing his bidding did have a certain allure to it. And for that, he kept his silence. Ray however spoke up for the first time since the trial began.

"E-Excuse me?!" He sputtered through his shock and rage. "A slave! To that bastard? I rather be sent to the block, thank you very much!" The entire room fell silent and stared at Ray. He was not expected to voice his opinion, let alone refer to the prince as a bastard. Mariah had expected Ray to voice an opinion such as this. She was ready. She spoke in a clear voice to the King.

"You see My Lord? The thief considers this worse punishment then execution. We have already confirmed that he was getting off to easy so why not accept my suggestion and make his your son's slave?" Mariah inquired. At the large grin smirk on the King's face she knew she had just gotten her way.

"You are right, Mariah. Thief!" He turned his gaze to a very angry looking neko-jinn. "You will serve my son as his slave. Disobey and you will be punished. Try and escape and you will be caught." The King seemed to consider the matter closed for he stood and left the room with his queen. Slowly the room emptied of it's occupants until only four remained. Ray, Mariah, Kai and Tala.

Kai seemed somewhat confused by everything that had happened. He now had a thief for a slave. Odd but perhaps not bad. It would be amusing to see how the thief would adjust under the fact of having a master. He smirked and began walking over to Ray.

Mariah, seemed very pleased with herself and watched with a smile of satisfaction as Kai moved towards Ray.

Tala was by far the angriest person in the room. Normally he would have held Mariah's opinion in high regard but this time he could not help but feel resentment towards the pretty girl. No one, but no one deserved to have to serve Kai on bending knee 24/7. He himself could barely put up with it and he only saw Kai every now and again and he never had to really serve Kai. With an inaudible growl of anger Tala turned and stormed out of the room, unnoticed.

Ray was horrified. A slave! Him? This was not fair. He looked around wildly and his gaze landed on an advancing Kai. Ray gave a small whimper and tried to back away only to tumble backwards onto his butt. He had forgotten that his hands were bound. No escape was in his near future. Kai's hand shot out and grabbed Ray's dark bangs and pulled hard on them forcing him to stand.

"Son of a-," Ray never got the chance to finish his insult for Kai's fist pounded into his stomach making him crumple up like leaf. Mariah moved over to the prince's side and joined him in looking down at Ray.

"Nicely hit My Lord. He will quickly learn his place under your command." She gave a slow nod. Kai looked down at Mariah who didn't quite meet his shoulder in height. Mariah was one of the few people he could actually get along with. He had no romantical interest in her and highly doubted she had any in him. She was just a companion and someone he could go to for advice.

Ray curled himself into a ball and just wished that Kai, Tala and Mariah would just go to hell. Those three people had managed between themselves to make his life horrible. He felt a hand reach down grip his shirt and pull him roughly up. Ray found himself dangling in the air and then dropped down onto the floor where Kai kicked him in the side. It hadn't been meant to hurt him but more to get his attention.

"We're going now. Follow me." Kai gave Mariah a curt nod and she returned it with a deep bow and took her leave. Kai turned and began walking towards the door and looked back to see that Ray hadn't moved. "Hey! I do not wish to spend the rest of my day in this room. Now get up and follow me." Ray staggered to his feet and began to follow Kai who looked like he was going to strike him for being so slow but then decided against it. Ray already looked like he was going to collapse. He had dried blood along the side of his head and that punch to the stomach probably had him dazed as well. "For the record, what's your name?"

"Uh.Ray. My name is Ray." The word sounded funny on his tongue. He had spent so much of his life by himself that he had nearly forgotten it.

"Ray."Kai repeated the name slowly and then nodded. "My name is Kai but you probably already know that. However, what you probably don't' know is that from here on you will address me as Master."

Ray looked mortified by this statement. He had never in his life called anyone master and now he was expected to call this stuck-up prince just that. A rebellious spark flared into an inferno inside of him but he ignored it for the moment. If he was going to get out of here and back to his free life then he would need to make the prince think that he was in complete control. Ray nodded to Kai who seemed pleased that he had gotten that through so easily.

"Alright then. Come." Kai ordered and turned and couldn't help but smirk at Ray's reply.

"Yes . . . master." * * * * * * * * * *SR: Yes, I know that it's not a great chapter but bear with me folks. I'm working on designing Ray's brother and it's not an easy task. Neither is working him into the story. Anyways I would be really happy if you reviewed. Reviews=Happy Me= More Writing= Another chapter up by tomorrow.