Disclaimer: Don't own Beyblade. Got it? Good.

A/N: Well, here's the next chapter. Sorry for the wait. Enjoy!

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Of Age and Era

Chapter 3: The Morning After

A red sun shone its warning over the palace walls. It filtered into the Kinomiya's residence and awoke Takao. He opened his eyes wearily and only had his brain fully working when it registered the strange blood-like glow reflecting on all his walls. Takao clambered out of bed and went to the window. Leaning against the windowsill, he stared out across the land to where the sun had risen just above the forest.

Takao recalled his grandfather telling him of a certain divination that dealt with weather conditions. And he felt that, at this moment, the sun was trying to tell him something.

Shortly after, Takao left his room with his bokken. Once into the main hallways, he found himself in chaos. People were grouped, talking in buzzing whispers. Takao didn't understand what was going on. He couldn't make out any words that were said.

He continued to walk until he heard a call echo through the palace. "Takao!" Takao looked around for the person who called him. He took notice, too, that the corridors had suddenly grown quiet, all eyes glancing his way. Takao, embarrassed at the attention, hurried his search for his addresser. It was Kisho, the leader of the group of classmates who taunted Takao. Takao didn't want to speak with him and shut his eyes to keep out the mere image of the boy, but his body started to walk toward Kisho despite what he felt in his mind. It was the crowd. Maybe if he entered in a conversation, they would all stop looking at him.

As Takao reached Kisho and the group of classmates that he had been talking with, the whispers in the hall started once more, and with harshness, Takao spat, "What?" As he did so, he looked up into Kisho's face and was taken aback. His usual smirk had left his face. His black hair, always tied tightly in a bun hung loosely and messily onto his shoulders. His grave eyes showed an emotion Takao never knew he had: compassion.

"I'm sorry," said Kisho with such sincerity, Takao couldn't speak. He didn't understand at all what he meant by that. Before he could inquire Kisho about his meaning, another call resonated off the walls.

"Takao, come with me." The whispered conversations died again.

Takao turned to see Ronin-sama at the end of the hall. Ronin was a large, muscled man who imposed his authority by simply stepping into any room. He had a thin moustache and small beady eyes that seemed to be able to record, in detail, everything that happened at any moment. This was one of his secrets to becoming the accomplished samurai he was. He could watch an opponent's technique, memorise it and all while fighting, figure out a way to counter it. As a result, along with his other abilities as a warrior, he was named the trainer of the elite samurai knights, although Kinomiya-sama had always been much too experienced even for Ronin.

Takao wondered why Ronin would ever be addressing him, but he knew that now wasn't the time to question the swordsman. Takao promptly followed the burly man and as he left the groups of people where they stood, they resumed their chatter. This time, however, Takao could have sworn the whispers were quieter but even more urgent than before.

Ronin walked quickly, not even glancing back to make sure that Takao was still with him. Takao tried to gather his thoughts and put some sense to all that was happening. Maybe it was something he did? No, then why would Kisho be sorry? It had to be something big though, otherwise the whole castle wouldn't be under such gossip. Well, whatever was going on he hoped Ronin was taking him to see his grandfather. Ojisan was so smart and prided himself not only on his skill as a samurai, but also on his vast knowledge of the world. He could solve any problem which is what the King relied upon him the most. Even more than protecting the palace, Kinomiya worked with Ringo-san, the King's advisor, to come to agreements with the people of the land.

Takao turned a corner and was stunned to a stop. Ronin was leading him to the Royal Chamber, the place where the King welcomed any audience he had. Takao, although born at the castle, had never once stepped foot into this chamber. It was only for the King's most welcomed guests and Takao, being the worst samurai to ever be at the castle, only kept as respect to his grandfather, had never dreamed he would ever go in there. He knew at this point he either did something really good or really bad and he was in full doubts that it was the former.

"Keep up," Ronin spoke out when he was almost at the doors. He hadn't turned his head but was keeping track of Takao all along by the sound of his footsteps and laboured breathing. Takao quickly caught up, not wanting to make his situation any worse. He knew now that he had done something terrible, and he was afraid of what the result would be. He probably caused great dishonour to his family for one thing. Maybe they would go as far as ostracise him - have him leave the kingdom never to return. He couldn't bear the thought. If only he had tried a little harder.

Two samurai knights opened the golden doors to the Royal Chamber, Ronin entered, and Takao took a large gulp and followed.

He let his breath out in amazement. The room was gorgeous. He had never seen such a sight. Tapestries from distant lands hung on all four walls, depicting wars and hunts in materials of rich colours. Pillars rose to the ceiling. They, too, were from a distant land. Takao remembered his grandfather tell him once of a people who made shrines of this substance - marble. The floor was made of it, too. Such richness Takao had never known existed within this palace, and he decided then and there that, should he be forced to leave, he would love to see the land from where this material came from for it must be a sight of beauty beyond belief.

"Come forth," a voice echoed across the room.

Ronin stepped forth and Takao followed closely behind him. He stopped at the bottom of a staircase and bowed saying, "My Lord, I have brought the boy, Kinomiya, as you requested.

Takao's eyes were pulled up the ten steps at the back of the room. At the top, a throne of gold upon which the King sat, was located. Next to him, a young girl sat, the Princess. Upon her lap lay a sword. Takao quickly looked around and noticed that no one else was in the room. Ojisan was not there.

"Young Kinomiya," the King addressed Takao. His voice was soft and kind, his eyes sparkled, but Takao flinched anyway. He was shaking from head to foot. "It is all right," the King assured in his same voice. It was enough to calm Takao this time. Maybe he hadn't done anything wrong at all. "Come here, Young Kinomiya." Takao walked forward up the stairs. He stopped in front of the King and bowed.

"Stand straight," the King coaxed. Takao came out of his bow.

"Kinomiya Takao," a high pitched voice rang out. It was the Princess. She was now standing, the sword held delicately in her arms. She took a step towards him. "It is my duty to bestow upon you this sword." She held out the sword in her arms. Takao recognised it immediately. Its silver hilt, polished blade and encrusted symbol of a blue dragon, the Dragoon Sword, looked the same as it had the last time Takao had laid his eyes upon it.

But right now, Takao didn't understand. "You are now the Dragoon Sword's sole protector and possessor. Keep it safe," she added.

Takao didn't take the sword though. He didn't understand. He turned back to the King and asked, "What is this?"

All three others in the room opened their mouths in shock.

"You mean to say that you have not heard anything of the night's events?" the King asked dumbfounded. "Oh dear..." He didn't know how to react. He had expected- with all the talk in the halls - there was no way Kinomiya Takao could not know. Yet, here he stood, small and innocent, oblivious to what had happened.

"Very well," he sighed, "I suppose I must be the one to tell you." Gathering his thoughts, the King took a deep breath. "Late last night, an assailant entered the castle and made his way to my daughter's room. He would have succeeded in killing her if it weren't for your grandfather. He gave his life for the royal family he vowed to protect. It is my wish that you continue in your grandfather's steps. Take the Dragoon Sword. It is yours now." He stopped as his lip quivered.

The Great Kinomiya was his friend and swore to always be there to help him. Now, he had to tell Kinomiya's poor grandson that he would be in danger unless he became strong. Any samurai would love to hold the Dragoon Sword as their own. It would be a hard path for Young Kinomiya and the King vowed that, as a tribute to his cherished friend, he would do everything he could to protect this boy.

Takao, on the other hand, stood in shock, unable to move. Kinomiya? Ojisan? It couldn't be! Say it wasn't so. He wanted someone to tell him it was all a lie to get him to work harder, but no one spoke now.

The King allowed time for Kinomiya Takao to realise what it all meant. Then he continued. "Kinomiya Takao, I have a request of you. I would like you to host a few guests who will be staying here. I have called upon them to help protect my daughter but I only want them treated with the greatest respect. That is why I have chosen you, grandson of the Great Kinomiya, to welcome them."

"You want me on servant duty?" Takao asked without thinking.

"Little Kinomiya!" Ronin yelled out.

But the King laughed. All eyes turned back to him. "Yes, I suppose it does seem that way. I guess the higher up you are on the social ladder, the more duties you have but don't want. It is the price of fame, unfortunately. But it will show our guests respect if you, who carries the name Kinomiya, attends to them. Please do this."

Takao knew he really didn't have a choice but that 'please' was just there as a part of polite speech. He nodded and bowed. Then left unaccompanied.

As he watched Takao open the doors and leave, Ronin turned back to the King. "My Lord, if I may speak?"

"You may."

"Do you think it wise to leave such an important task to Little Kinomiya? Even if he is of a prestigious family, he is no exemplary samurai... Unless," his eyes widened, "you have other reasons for assigning these samurai to Little Kinomiya?"

The King smiled. "Your perception is magnificent. Yes, I do have other reasons."

"May I ask what those reasons are?" Ronin inquired.

"I have supreme respect for his grandfather and so, I have asked in my letter for the samurai who come to protect not only my daughter, but that boy, for many people would love to have their turn to wield his sword."

The King just smiled, leaving his explanation as simple as that.

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Takao wandered out into the great courtyard from which many other courtyards branched off. One of them was where the new samurai knights were trained. Takao vowed that he would try with all his might to become a stronger samurai. It was his grandfather's only wish for him, and he would use his love for Ojisan to fight with. And maybe, one day, he will be given the opportunity to avenge Ojisan's death. He thumbed the hilt of his new sword that hung at his side with his wooden one.

Entering the main courtyard, he realised that nobody was in training. Apart from all those samurai knights on duty throughout the castle, everyone else stood here, still in groups, chatting away. Takao quickly spotted the group of boys his age.

He thought about Kisho. Now he understood why Kisho had apologised. He may not have liked Takao, but Kisho respected Kinomiya-sama. That was why he was sorry.

Takao decided to talk to them, however. If he was going to make a change at training, he may as well start by getting along with Kisho and his group.

Suddenly, with a blast of smoke, Takao's eyes watered and he covered his mouth from the thickness of it. He tried to focus his eyesight but couldn't. Just as he thought it too much, the wind blew and herded away the gas.

The samurai knights were looking around in confusion. From the centre of the smoke, a body appeared. The smoke twirled its way in an upward motion around the figure and spread out into the atmosphere. A boy stood there, sword drawn and poised for battle. Every knight withdrew his sword and pointed it at the stranger, except for Takao.

Takao studied the boy in front of him. He couldn't be much older than Takao was. He had scarlet eyes which moved erratically, analysing his surroundings. The second feature which stuck out most to Takao was the boy's duel coloured hair. In front, his hair was a light bluish-grey, and at the back, a dark blue. His garments were black as night and he stood tall despite his young age. His arm muscles were lost in the looseness of his clothing but from what Takao could see, he appeared to be rather strong. A golden emblem was attached to and decorated his left shoulder. It was the crest of the King.

Finally, Takao snapped out of his thoughts about this boy and realized he was the only one without his sword drawn. He unsheathed the Dragoon Sword, knowing it would be more useful than his bokken, and to his luck, was not noticed for everyone's attentions were absolute on this strange individual.

"Wait, Princess!" the yell cut through the group of samurai. Attentions split and the Princess stopped, noticing the situation in the courtyard.

Ronin, the King and several other samurai knights caught up to the Princess and took notice of the individual surrounded by the blades as well.

"Who are you," the King stepped forward fearlessly.

"Beware Lord Tatibana!" Ronin said, stepping in between the King and the boy. "It is not safe – "he stopped in shock of what the boy was doing now.

Sheathing his sword in a swift motion, the boy fell to one knee and bowed his head. "My Lord," he spoke. All the samurai knights, including Takao and his classmates, were wide-eyed in shock and let their grips on their swords loosen. Only the King seemed unmoved.

"You have made it, in quicker time then I expected of you but, I suppose, you have your ways of watching the goings-on of the castle. You are the best, after all, but, you have come alone? I want my daughter irrefutably protected," the King alliterated clearly.

The boy lifted his head. "I work alone." No one could deny his assurance.

"Very well," the King said thoughtfully, "your name is?"

"Hiwatari Kai."

The King nodded.

"And the other assignment?" Hiwatari asked. Takao could have sworn he saw the boy look at him. But a split second later, when Takao was focused on him, Hiwatari was staring unblinkingly at the King.

"Yes," the King spoke, "Kinomiya Takao," Takao looked up, "you are in charge of assuring our guest be comfortable."

Hiwatari looked at Takao, bowed to Lord Tatibana, closed his eyes and walked casually past Takao, stopped, turned around and waited. Takao clued in, bowed to the King and then the Princess, and walked forward, showing Hiwatari the path to his room.

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Well, there you have it. How was it? Please tell me in a review!

Thiaf: There will be plenty more sword fights and massacres to come. Don't worry smiles And Rei and Max will show up in a little while. Hope you liked the chapter!

Next chapter will be Devastation Strikes

Till then!

.:Fey Phantom:.