Marina here; I'm excited to announce that Chapter to of my first published work is out. Here it is Chapter 2: An Arranged Marriage. It's promising to be a new style kind of story.

Chapter 2: An Arranged Marriage

Mariah had been in her room for an hour and no one dared bother her except Ray who had tried but Lee stopped him. "Mariah, I think it's time we tell Ray. Come on out, we have to see things from a girl's point of the situation. You're the only girl here who understands so please come out."

Mariah opened her door and walked out and sat on a cushion in the living room. Ray, Kevin, Lee and Gary followed him. They all sat down, she took a deep breath. "I am 15 years old as of 6 months ago. That means I'm suppose to be looking for a husband, well that's how it is everywhere else. I don't, being a high member of council as is Kevin, Lee, Gary and you Ray we also have to. We are being set up into an arranged marriage. It's so unfair." She started to get up and run out of the room and Ray grabbed her arm.

"Mariah, calm down, sit and just explain everything. I don't want to over react to this because you but this too bluntly. I need details if you can. Who's marrying who when and details of the people." Mariah shook her head and just collapsed on the floor crying. Ray held the poor crying girl in his arms and she was so weak, vulnerable, and easy to take advantage of. She needed to be protected like when she was little. He saw in her eyes not the will to fight or will to live but the feeling of acceptation and grief. He knew she didn't want to feel like that but she had forced herself to.

"Ray, Mariah is being forced to marry this boy Zackary; he's 17 years old and much more mature and forceful like an old man. He's from Zuni tribe, he's a warrior and he's very mean and adult like to Mariah. She's still very young compared to him. He's almost 18 while she's almost 16. You understand?" Lee said without feeling and anger in his eyes. Ray nodded and looked at Mariah; she was still young and very weak and needed protection not to protect someone else.

Kevin stood up. "I'm being forced to marry Mille, she on of Zackary's sisters. She's Mariah's age 15 or 16. She's as serious and stupid as her brother Zackary. Gary is marrying London; she's also one of Zackary's sister's. She's very blunt and quiet like Gary. Gary doesn't mind, they get along great." Kevin sat back down. Ray looked at Lee.

"I have to marry Wendi; she's the head chief's daughter. She's very serious like her whole tribe. She's very bossy, controlling and over ruling and very happy at the same time. She's a terrible person and is in charge of most of her tribe's weddings but Mr. Uzi makes all the choices for her." Lee finally walked out. "Mariah's just a young girl and needs you and me to protect her for now Ray. She'll always need one of us; we can't leave her with Zackary. She'll fall apart and die. He's a monster. He doesn't care about how bad he treats Mariah or if she's sad. She's a prize being the only female council member anywhere. He'll treat her like such." Ray was amazed with how heartless this boy was.

Ray stood up and Mariah leaned on him so he would sit back down but he brought her up with him. "Kevin, watch after Mariah for a while. Make sure she's okay. I have some people to talk to." Kevin nodded and Ray walked out. Mariah said something unable to be heard it sounded like 'Ray, help.' He looked back. "I promise I'll get you out of all this." She seemed a little happier and nodded.

Ray walked into the council dojo and bowed and entered. Mr. Uzi saw him and nodded for him to come in. "Mr. Uzi…

"Ray, don't waste you're breath. I know you're problem and you know how to solve it. There are no simple ways to solve it so maybe we can find the simplest of the ways." Ray nodded, understanding Mr. Uzi's wisdom. "So who would you like to address first. You're problem or hers."

Ray was stunned. "I don't care about me as long as she and the other are happy. Let's start with her. She has to marry this Zackary creep. Explain him."

"He's you Ray. He is the best of his tribe but not the chief's son. He treats Mariah like a trophy that is a prize. He has no respect for her. He hates her in every aspect but he has only the respect that we respect her. Any prize you take from another has more value than a prize you have on your own. Someone else's prize has much more value." Ray nodded and was angry.

"How could you let this happen, Mr. Uzi? Mariah is still very young and naïve. She has dreams and they go way beyond marrying this jerk and taking care of his family. She wants to be free and happy and no held down. I can't let them do this to her." Ray pounded his hands against the ground.

"You love Mariah, yes?" Mr. Uzi looked at Ray and he nodded. "You would let her have her way and let her do what she wants to do and not what you want right?" Ray once again nodded and didn't see what Mr. Uzi was planning. "I just gave the people to be married off and you weren't there."

"What do you mean? I wasn't there at the time but…oh." Ray was silent, it was his fault. Everyone's fates were sealed. His and Mariah's were not. If Ray was there at the festival of the setting sun then he would have got his say but he wasn't.

"You see Ray. You, being our head warrior get 2nd pick to who you shall marry. Lee had to marry Wendi because she was also the chief's child but you had a say you just weren't there to say it. Mariah doesn't know this but you do. Take time and explain it to her and think about it." Mr. Uzi dismissed Ray from his sight.

"Mr. Uzi I can't do that to her again can I?" Mr. Uzi shook his head. "Who am I to marry?"

"Guan of their tribe she is of the same stature as Mariah except much more serious, mean, unfriendly and bossy. She doesn't like you that you messed with her marriage arrangements and everything." Ray looked confused. "Everyone expected you to pick Mariah but you couldn't pick and she was last so you got her. She didn't want you she likes Zackary of her tribe. Use this information to help you."

Ray ran out of the Dojo and ran back to Mariah who had returned to her room to cry. Kevin was sitting outside her room. "Kevin, can I talk to her?" Kevin shrugged and ran off. "Mariah, can I come in and speak to you?"

"Of course you can Ray. You, Kevin, Lee and Gary are open to talk to me anytime. It's just sometimes I don't feel like talking back. I will though because it's only respectable thing to do." Ray nodded and came in and sat next to her on the small bed and he looked at Galax who looked very nice.

"Mariah, I first want to say I'm sorry. I left you guys and messed a lot of things up for our tribe and the next. If I would have stayed; I would have had a choice of who I got to marry. I could have saved a lot of people from a lot of problems. It's all done know. Kevin, Gary and Lee's fates are sealed now. I can't help them. I'm going to meet with Zackary, Wendi, Mille, London and Guan. I'm going to see if I can save myself and a few other people and let them choose their own fate. I'm going to have to leave, I'm sorry I couldn't help you with Tyson, Max, Kai and Miriam. They'll be here at two that's in about a half and hour. I'll be back in two or three days." She looked startled that he was leaving her and just after he just got back.

"Ray, you can't bother with this. It's like permanent. You especially can't leave when you're guests are coming and staying here. You can't leave me Ray. I love you." She cried and he pulled her toward his body and held her body in his arms.

"I love you too Mariah. That's why I'm doing that. Your and my fates aren't sealed and I'm going to help them be sealed but fix them before there set in stone and I bother the whole system. I promised I'd get you out of all of this. I'm going to keep my promise Mariah." Mariah cried and he held her head up. "Don't cry it's only two or three days."

"It's not that simple Ray. I'm a prize and people don't give up prizes that easily. I hate him Ray. I do but if you get hurt of in trouble I'll never forgive myself. Take me with you." Ray looked into Mariah's yellow tiger eyes and saw tears.

"You're worth anything and everything Mariah. A lady's place is to listen to the men. I'm a man and you're a lady so I want you to listen to me Mariah. I respect you for not disobeying the law and I know you won't so listen. I want you to stay here take care of Tyson, Max, Kai and Miriam. They need you more than I do right now. Just listen to me not as a man but as you're friend. Stay here and do this for me so I can do this for you." She nodded and cried. "Remember two or three days." She sighed and he walked out.

"Ray, what if you can't?" Mariah wondered as her teary eyes seemed to disappear. "What if you can't get them to reason with you? What happens then?"

"Don't worry Mariah. I've got a few plans if one fails then to the next and there's always one that works. It might not work perfectly but it'll work. I promised I'd come back and I did. I promised I'd help you out and I will." She nodded, he packed his things and left.

Mariah sat on her bed until someone knocked on her room door. "Hi Mariah, I'm Miriam, Max's Girlfriend. I heard you're having a tough time with someone." It was Miriam; she was very nice, pretty and polite.

"Not with someone with some people, a whole lot of people. I have two tribes and customs and rules I'm going against and nothing seems to be going perfectly right today." Mariah lay back on her bed.

"I see, so you must have a few people on you're side too. People who will help you out, right? I had to fight customs, tribes and my own family to leave and be with Max and he was there with me. You have someone like that too, don't you?" Miriam sure could connect to Mariah.

"You're right, Ray. He's started the battle without me so he can protect me from my enemies. He'll do anything to same me from Zackary. Zackary's this brute man I have to marry. He's two years older than me, treats me like a prize and not a person. He's just using me for the fame and fortune. He's going to over work me until I die. Ray's saving me but it's not an easy path." Miriam nodded and left the room with Mariah's head filled with thoughts.

Mariah decided that she had to help her guests who had arrived. She walked outside to Kai and Lee leaning against the wall, Gary and Tyson eating and Kevin and Max watching and pulling pranks while Miriam stood in the mitts of it all.

"Hey everyone maybe it's time we all eat. I think some healthy food would be best for everyone, especially Gary and Tyson." Miriam helped Mariah out with making preparations for the meal.

"Whatever Mariah." Kai said as he got off the wall and sat down to eat at the table.

"Wow Mariah you out did yourself on this one. This is one of the best meals you've made in a while. It looks delicious." Kevin said diving into the food. Kai and Lee slowly ate as Tyson and Gary dived through the food.

Mariah walked away from the dinner setting to go back to her room. Miriam saw this. "Mariah, aren't you going to eat something?" Mariah turned around and with a sigh she sat down at the table and barely touched her food. Miriam and Max exchanged looks at her to see this.

"Hey Mariah, do you know where Ray was heading off to when he left? I saw him with his bags when we were on the train." Miriam hit Max very hard and he stared at Miriam. She had a face that said why-did-you-say-that.

Mariah ran off into her room in tears and everyone looked at her. Miriam excused herself. Kai told Max and Tyson to get the dishes because those two would be a while.

Mariah and Miriam had been talking for an hour when there was a knock on the door. Mariah opened the door. It was Max. "Hey Mariah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I just wanted to know where Ray was. I mean he's my friend and I thought he should be here when we arrive. I didn't know about everything that was happening to you. Kai and Lee explained it to us."

"It's okay Max, it's just I miss him so much. I mean he left us for all those years, now he's back and with all this. I think he's going to have to leave us again. He's fighting the law, our customs, and everyone and everything is against him."

"Mariah, Ray is a fighter. He's fine and he'll win and move on. He has a purpose to win; it's you so he'll defiantly do it. It may take time but he will win in the end. I promise you he will." She nodded and Miriam and Max left.

Five Days Later!

"Max, Ray hasn't returned, what are we going to do? Mariah's starving herself and very upset and crying. She's going to dehydrate like this." Max nodded and took Miriam's hand and went into Max's room.

"First we're going to force Mariah to eat and drink something. Two, we'll go get Ray out of there and help his win. Three, we'll make sure everyone's happy. Sound like a plan."

"That's a perfect plan Max. Let's go for it." Kai stopped them from going near Mariah's room.

"We got news from a scout from Wendi's tribe. Ray is in jail for attempting to ask for a battle with Zackary. He's not going to get out for a while. I'm sending you two to go help them out. I'll handle Mariah." Max and Miriam nodded, packed their things and left.

Kai walked into Mariah's room. Mariah turned around and then turned back around. "Starving yourself won't help Ray return Mariah. You should eat something. I'm going to be straight and honest. Ray's in way over his head, he's in jail. Max and Miriam are going to help him out and fix everything. They'll be back as soon as they can. You have to eat. Ray wouldn't want you to starve before he gets back." Kai closed the door and left. She sighed and ate and got some water to drink.

Meanwhile at Zackary's Tribe

Max and Miriam walk into the city. "Hey Miriam, this is your tribe isn't it?" She nodded slightly and looked thru the city.

"Not exactly it's a small group very much like The Saint Shields. They also think that they are the only ones aloud to be trusted with sacred bit-beasts Max. They trust me and you because I am dressed in my Saint Shields' uniform. I hope we can get close to Zackary." She looked around at the many people watching her. She was nervous.

They walked up to a large building. The lady was standing in front of the building. "Excuse me miss, in order to enter this place she must be married. May I see her marriage certificate?" Max pulled out a rolled up piece of paper tied with a ribbon.

This document hereby states that

Max Tate

Is married to Saint Shield member:

Miriam Ward

This marriage is hereby approved by Saint Shield Rulers

"You may pass Mr. and Mrs. Tate." The guard let them out of the way and when she called Miriam Mrs. Tate it brought a smile to Miriam's face. "You may speak to the chief now." She opened a curtain and a chief sitting on a table was sitting there."

"Hello, fellow sister tribe member, Miriam Tate. What brings you to your fellow brother tribe? I hope there is no trouble between our two tribes." She bowed then stood behind Max the whole time.

"There is no problem's between your tribe and hers but between your tribe and another tribe, The White Tiger Village. You have their leader in custody. He was coming here to clear business and was mistaken for someone else. We would like him to come with us so we made talk within the confines of your city." Max said Miriam nodded in fear.

"I see. What was he taken in for? Do you know? What business was he on? I haven't heard anything from their tribe since the festival of the setting sun for marriage arrangements." The chief said and another man came in the room with Ray walked in. "Mr. Uzi, we were just speaking of your tribe. I see you have your leader champion with you. What is it you need?"

"Mr. Doan, Ray would like to speak with you about the wedding arrangements along with your council if that is okay? He will explain the rest." Mr. Doan nodded and raised his hand. Ray bowed down on one knee.

"Chief Doan, I would like you to call a meeting of the council so I may appeal to them about the marriage arrangements. I wasn't here and I had no say in it I was in my training to be the world champion and I didn't get a choice and I'd like to make an appeal. Can I ask this of you?" Mr. Doan nodded.

"I will call them together, champion. Your training may never stop and you are great and better than me for I shall agree to this meeting with our council." Ray got up and they gathered the council of The Lintec together.

I hope you liked this next chapter, I did. In the next chapter they will call together the council. You'll get to understand the rules of the villages' arranged marriage system. I'll try not to spoil anything else. Do the others know Miriam and Max are married? I don't, haven't got that far. You'll have to wait a few chapters. I have a few more hours of writing time to go before dinner so I'll get the next few chapters up too.

I enjoyed you being there with me, reading this story. 1 review makes a difference so review. I'll be happy. I don't know how to read them yet but I'll thank those who did in the next chap. Marina

Disclaimer: I do not, will not and don't want own BeyBlade. I love the show but owning and using my own ideas would be a pain. I'd give to someone with better stories if I did own it but I don't.