Rim: Welcome to yet another chapter of this story. I'm happy that everyone likes this story and is so happy you all wish for me to continue as soon as possible.

Brooklyn: And would you like to make a statement?

Rim: Oh yeah, my buddy B. Tiamat pointed this out to me, and I really didn't think about it until someone else also pointed out the same thing. Okay, about Tyson's behavior and how I switched over in chapter four. That was subconscious because I'm so use to writing him one way and I wasn't paying much attention to it last chapter. So I hope to correct that in this chapter.

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Tyson and Kenny arose early the next morning and dressed for breakfast, only to find that the two Russian princes weren't to be found at the dining room table. "Prince Kai and Tala aren't joining us for breakfast this morning?" Tyson inquired to the servant setting the dishes of food on the table in front of him and Kenny.

"No sire," the servant said. "Both princes woke much earlier than you and ate. They told me to tell you that they had business to attend to, so feel free to explore the palace grounds while they are away, but do not stray too far off by yourselves."

"That was certainly nice of them," Kenny smiled. "Don't you agree brother?" Kenny looked over at his brother who was picking up his fork.

"Indeed it was," Tyson said. "Maybe they aren't so bad after all."

"I was hoping that you would say that, big brother," Kenny smiled. "After yesterday, I was wondering whether or not you would go through with your promise to kill them both before leaving here."

"No, that wouldn't solve anything, just maybe a lapse back into sanity," Tyson joked as the servant uncovered the morning's dishes. With a wide smile of approval, Tyson turned his head to the servant about to walk away. "Thank you very much, and please give our regards to the chiefs for preparing another wonderful meal."

"As you wish sire," the servant bowed to both Kenny and Tyson before leaving the room to head back into the kitchen.

"Brother, by chance have you started writing to Nanako yet? I'm sure she's anxious to find out how things are going while we're here," Kenny said.

Tyson paused in his meal to finish chewing and nod. "In fact, after you went to sleep last night, I started composing a letter and finished it this morning. I asked for her to send immediate news of father's condition. Did you wish to write a letter to her also?"

"I don't have much to say right now, I suppose I will write her a letter later," Kenny smiled at his brother. Though he didn't tell his brother that in fact he had much to say to Nanako, or rather something to discuss with her that he didn't want his brother to know right now. It wasn't so significant at the moment, but he felt a difference towards the older of the two Russian princes, an experience that was relatively new to him. If his brother knew…Kenny was sure his brother would relentlessly tease him.

"She was worried about you the most, so don't be too long in write, or she will worry more over you," Tyson advised.

"I know, brother, I think everyone was worried about me when they knew I was leaving, though I was sure that the whole kingdom would feel most concern towards you since of course you are the heir to the Bakuten throne."

"Don't remind me," Tyson groaned. "The council kept telling me to behave and not do anything that would shame the kingdom. Sometimes, it would have been a lot simpler if I had not been born under the protection of Dragoon."

"You know you shouldn't say that. Being born under Dragoon's protection is a grace from the heavens. Anyway, at least it's better than me under the dragon lord's protection, I wouldn't have dealt with the stress like you can," Kenny smiled.

"Do you really love me?" Tyson frowned teasingly. "You're always being so mean to your big brother after all. I don't know what I'm going to do with you if this keeps up."

"Oh, I say continue to love me and never let me go."

"And you do it again. You're going to break your brother's heart if you keep up with that. Now apologize to me, do I make myself clear young man," Tyson pouted slightly, causing his brother to laugh at him. "I'm serious! Apologize to your big brother for teasing him so much. And promise that you won't do it again."

"I apologize big brother, and I promise I won't do it again," Kenny laughed lightly.

"Good, now we can go back to breakfast," Tyson nodded with approval.

"It looks like you're in a good mood this morning." Commander Bukharin walked into the dining area with a warm smile on his face, looking from Tyson to Kenny. "Good morning young princes, how is your stay so far in the palace?"

"Good morning Commander Bukharin," Tyson smiled. "So far our stay has been a pleasant one. Though Prince Kai and Tala are quite…what is the word I'm looking for…?" Thinking for a long minute over ideas, he finally figured out the perfect one to describe the two. "They're certainly quite unusual."

"Unusual?" Commander Bukharin raised a brow. That was probably the first time he has heard anyone call the two princes unusual before.

"Yes, very unusual. For one, I have never seen brothers act like they do, it's like…well…they don't really consider each other siblings, maybe friends, but definitely not siblings. And secondly…both of them could run someone up a wall. Which is way I say they're unusual, it takes a while to get use to them," Tyson explained.

"You are still mad about them teasing you yesterday at dinner aren't you?" Kenny stated.

"Do you think your big brother forgets so easily about such incidents Kenny?" Tyson inquired. "I promised to give them a chance, but if they continue to let banter speak for them, I will have to apologize to King Boris for hanging them with their own bed linen."

"Brother," Kenny chimed. "They really aren't that bad. I'm sure they were just having fun with you. I doubt anything that drastic will be needed."

"Okay, fine, I won't do it anytime soon," Tyson pouted.

"I'm happy that you both are finding the princes easy to get along with," Bukharin said, but he was definitely worried. The two hadn't showed the two Japanese princes what they were really capable of yet. Which meant it was another one of their mind games to get the two young Japanese princes to trust them, before pulling the wool from off their eyes.

He would have to watch carefully for the first signs of danger, if he had to, he would lose his life taking those boys back before it was too late. Commander Bukharin knew he couldn't disobey his King, but it was not right to have both princes tormented at the hands of Prince Kai and Tala. He had once before seen what the two were capable of, and it had sickened him greatly for months while he allowed it to happen. This time, he was going to do something about it.

"Commander Bukharin?" Tyson blinked as he watched the man's eyes change into a somber reflection. "Is there something bothering you?"

"No, no Prince Tyson, it's nothing. I'm happy you both are enjoying your stay here, I was worried that you would be homesick in no time," Commander Bukharin lied, his mouth curling into a believable smile.

"You don't have to worry about us, we're fine," Tyson said. "Do you have duties today Commander Bukharin?"

"Yes, in fact I do. I just came by to make sure that you both were doing fine before I left for patrol while I'm still here in Russia." Just as Commander Bukharin was about to say something more, Lieutenant Petrovich walked into the dining area, his eyes immediately falling upon his superior.

"Commander, your presence is requested amongst the soldiers," the young man replied.

"I understand," Bukharin nodded.

"Good morning Lieutenant," Tyson smiled. The young brunette officer turned his attention to the older of the Japanese princes with a warm smile. He too also was relieved that so far, the princes were safe. For how long though was on the minds of everyone that knew the two Russian princes well.

"Good morning young prince, I'm sorry that I must take the commander from the conversation, but I fear that the troops will run rampant if he is not there to give them orders," Lieutenant Petrovich apologized.

"It's quite all right, I understand," Tyson said. "We can always finish this conversation later, Commander."

"Indeed we can," Commander Bukharin nodded. Turning from the boys at the table, he nodded for his subordinate to follow. Lieutenant Petrovich bowed slightly to the two princes before following his commander. Once the two were out the dining room, Anton turned his dark eyes upon Commander Bukharin.

"Sir neither has started yet, have they?" Lieutenant Petrovich inquired. "That's quite unusual for them."

"They're playing around with the two. Making them think that everything will be fine before pulling the wool off and showing them what they can really do. I've seen those two do it before," Commander Bukharin stated.

"Before I was under your squad?" Lieutenant Petrovich asked.

"Exactly, it was King Boris's second wife after Prince Kai's mother. The young queen thought they were the sweetest angels, until they decided to stop acting so sweet. Sending her to an early grave," Commander Bukharin stated.

"We were only eleven and twelve then," a voice said, startling the two officers. Both turned around to find Prince Tala walking towards them, his eyes seething a dangerous blue despite the calm tone in his voice. "Commander Bukharin and Lieutenant Petrovich, I would have expected that sort of talk from your underlings, but from you, what a shame. Do I need to exercise a touch of power in this situation?"

"Sire…I was the one that brought up the subject," Bukharin remarked quickly.

"I know you were I heard the entire conversation. So tell me Commander Bukharin, are you planning to take them back to Japan. My father would be highly upset if you ruined his plans to overtake the Japanese empire. And who knows what will happen to your family once the rest of the country finds out you tried to betray your kingdom. Your daughters, they're now 10 and 13 am I right commander?" Tala walked up to the slightly taller man, staring him straight in the eyes.

"Leave my family out of this," Bukharin responded. "They don't have anything to do with this."

"Oh, they don't," Tala smirked. "I think they do, after all, they are your family and aren't families supposed to stick together through the good and bad? Or will you disown your family and take the blame alone?"

"Prince Tala…my uncle didn't mean any harm," Anton stated. That of course turned all of Tala's attention towards the young lieutenant.

"Ah yes, I forgot he was your uncle," Tala said. "You started off as an incompetent soldier then you were transferred to Bukharin's squad. You began getting better, no one complained about you anymore. In no time you became a lieutenant, gaining the respect of many soldiers. You owe a lot to your uncle, don't you Lieutenant Petrovich?"

"Yes, sire I do," Anton answered without hesitation in his voice. "I also owe him my life after my parents was killed when I was four and he took me in and raised me like his own son." His eyes watched the slightly younger teen walked around him slowly, intently studying him.

"Well, you have no other family but his that will miss you. No girlfriend, wife, or fiancée?" Tala inquired.

"No sire, I don't," Anton stated.

"Interesting," Tala smirked. "I suppose that's a good thing. Are you going to ask me why, Lieutenant Petrovich?"

"Why…sire?" Anton asked, knowing if he didn't play the prince's little game, then it could mean an instant death for him, along with his uncle's.

"Do I sense fear in your voice, Lieutenant Petrovich?" Tala chuckled. "I suppose when the outcome of your life is decided by someone younger than you, it is scary to think about what might happen. You have no reason to be so brave in the face of death."

"Prince Tala…he has nothing to do with this," Commander Bukharin stated. There was no way he was going to let his nephew die at the hands of their country's prince. He would rather let Tala take his life before allowing his nephew to give up his life so soon. "I'm the one that started this, not him."

"Oh, don't think I have forgotten about you, commander." Tala shifted his eyes back to Bukharin for a moment then placed his attention back on Anton.

"Prince Tala?" The soft voice of Kenny interrupted the conversation between the three men who all looked to find the younger of the Japanese princes staring at the scene with a look of curiosity.

"Prince Kenny," Tala smiled, moving away from Lieutenant Petrovich, slipping back into his sweet persona. "I expected you to be at breakfast right now."

"I wasn't too hungry, so I was just going to head back to my room for a while. Have you finished with your morning business?" Kenny inquired.

"In fact, I have. I was just conversing with Commander Bukharin and Lieutenant Petrovich," Tala smiled. "I suppose I should let them get back to their duties. You both are dismissed and we can finish our discussion at a later time."

"Yes, sire." Both saluted their prince before turning and leaving his sight, knowing this wasn't the end of what was interrupted. Currently he had his sights set on another target, the younger of the Japanese princes. Even while he was thinking of what to do with the two officers, Tala's mind also churned out every move he was going to make in gaining Prince Kenny's trust.

"So, Prince Kenny how about I show you a tour of the palace while I'm around?" Tala inquired.

"You don't have to do that," Kenny protested lightly. "I don't want you to take time out of your busy schedule to attend to me."

"Nonsense, that would be entirely rude, and I wouldn't be a good host if I didn't pay attention to my guests," Tala said. "It would be an honor for me to show you around the palace, if you don't mind."

"No…I…" Kenny flushed, looking down at his slippers. He wasn't exactly use to the attention that the older prince was showing him. In fact, usually, the only people that ever pay any attention to him were Tyson, Nanako, and his friend Max. Even when his father hosted royal parties, he stayed hidden from others. Nervous about being questioned on anything; he was extremely shy and no matter what, he couldn't help that fact. "I don't…I don't mind…"

'So my dear brother was right about the young one. This shall be interesting indeed,' Tala thought as he allowed a sweet smile on his face. "I am honored, Prince Kenny of the Bakuten Empire for the opportunity."

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Tyson stopped on the hill by the castle seeing the younger of the two Russian princes laying eagle spread in the high grass staring up at the sky and clouds that floated by. His breath came out in short puffs of steam. Tyson stood silently watching the slight rise and fall of the older teen's chest, his breath as if in synch with everything around him. Easing his way towards the dual haired prince, he found the other's eyes were closed, his head tilted slightly to the side as if he were asleep.

"Prince Kai," Tyson called softly to the other prince, but Kai did not move or acknowledge the other prince's presence. Moving closer, Tyson found that it wasn't just a question of Prince Kai being asleep, he was indeed asleep. "Prince Kai…"

Kneeling down beside the teen, Tyson lowered his hand to the Russian prince's shoulder, ready to wake him up. But something stopped Tyson from doing so. Lowering his eyes, he was in fact amazed to see how angelic the older prince looked like that. And not just that, Tyson felt a slight hitch in his breath, Prince Kai was handsome. This being the first time that he paid attention to that note, of course he knew the other wasn't bad looking, but this was the first time he realized that the older prince's looks…well…captivated his attention.

The way strands of his light blue bangs swept over Kai's eyes, or the way the wind teased the mass when it occasionally decided to blow through. Even his flawless features were something of a surprise. It was as if his face was sculpted out of the purest ivory or porcelain tracked down on Earth. Every part of the older teen sculpted and shaped if by the gods above themselves.

"You should leave him to sleep," a voice said behind Tyson. Removing his hand from the prince's shoulder, Tyson whirled around to a young woman carrying a basket under her arm watching him. Her short blonde hair rustled in the wind; her blue eyes studied him suspiciously, before she combed a hand through her hair. "Who are you? And how do you know the prince?"

"I…my name is Prince Tyson, heir to the throne of the Bakuten Empire in Japan," Tyson stated politely. "I'm staying at the palace while on my stay here in Russia. And may I ask for an introduction?"

"My name is Aleksandra I'm one of the maids at the palace. My apologies for not recognizing you, Prince Tyson," Aleksandra bowed. "I was just returning from visiting my family in town, and I…"

"You don't have to apologize, I can understand what you might have thought," Tyson smiled. "I could have been someone wishing to harm the prince. But I do believe we should awaken him from his nap."

"Don't, you should let him be," Aleksandra said.

"But, won't he catch cold out here sleeping like that?" Tyson inquired, looking back at the peaceful and very handsome face of the other prince.

"He tends to sleep like this all the time; I doubt that it bothers him. Besides, he gets very irritated when awakened from his naps. You should allow him to wake up on his own," the maid said.

"How sad…he's only known me for a day and he has more compassion in his soul than you do Aleksandra. And I've known you for my entire life, I believe there's something truly offensive towards that," the presumably sleep Russian prince murmured from where he laid on the ground. Tyson watched as she paled, turning her eyes to the figure on the ground.

"You're…you're awake sire…" she stammered.

"Yes, I've been awake for some time now. If I hadn't been, were you planning to say something else to Prince Tyson about me? Something that would have made Prince Tyson think differently about me?" Kai sat up from the grass to give the maid a narrowed stare.

"I…I…I…" the maid stammered.

"Oh, so you were about to say something then Aleksandra," Kai remarked, getting up from the grass and strolling towards her. The blonde took steps back, keeping her eyes upon him with each step back she took. "Do I frighten you, dear Aleksandra?"

"S-s-stay away from me you monster!" she screeched.

"Monster?" Kai blinked, with mocked hurt in his eyes. "I'm a monster now? What have I done to deserve such a title Aleksandra? I have never laid a hand upon you. So why use such hurtful language towards me? Do you hate me that much?"

"Prince Kai!" Tyson shouted. The feeling that was filling the pit of his stomach pulsed with dread something was about to happen, something that if he didn't do anything to stop may be later regretted. If not by the one taking the action, but the one who witnessed what was going on. "Please…leave her be."

For a moment, Kai seemed as though he wasn't going to listen to the other prince. Just when Tyson was about to call to the other again, Kai turned to stare at the younger prince. Tyson could see the older prince's eyes were dark with anger and something he couldn't place before the emotion cleared from his eyes. Shifting his attention back to the maid for a second Kai's mouth curved under into a frown, before he spoke once more.

"You should thank Prince Tyson, Aleksandra, you know that don't you."

"Thank you so much Prince Tyson," Aleksandra bowed repeatedly to the prince before scurrying away from the two. Once she was gone, Kai shifted his attention to the Japanese prince. Tyson stared up at the Russian prince, not sure of exactly what to say.

"I apologize that you had to see that, Prince Tyson. That one…she's hated me since the time I could remember her being around the palace for some reason."

"I'm sure that it's just a misunderstanding of some sort," Tyson assured.

"Do you really think so?" Kai inquired with a short smile rising to his lips. "Maybe you are right then, Prince Tyson. Do you mind if I inquire upon your destination today?"

"I was just going for a walk," Tyson said, noticing the change in Kai's eyes once again, but he would not mention it. He doubted that the older prince would tell him what it was, even if he asked about it.

"Then I shall accompany you and show you many of the sights around the palace, if you don't mind," Kai said.

"Of course," Tyson smiled. "It will be an honor."

"No Prince Tyson, the honor is all mine," Kai smirked, bowing low to the other prince. If he was standing up straight, the other prince would have surely seen the smirk on his lips and the devious flickering within his eyes. It was only a matter of time before he would put his full plan into action. Once he was done with all these formalities, the other would know what that young maid knew to be true of him.

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Rim: Officially…I hate this chapter. I hate it a lot…moving on to other news…I would like to take this moment to let everyone know that I'm only updating Mondays through Fridays on all my stories to do other things on the weekends. So more than likely everyone may get two to three stories updated in a week…hopefully. I'm trying out a new routine that may just help me update faster in fact. Let's see how this works. Back on note, this chapter sucks and let's all pray next chapter is better.