Hello everyone! I'm back with a new one-shot! This time, it's for one of my oldest OTPs: RayXMariah!
It's really such a shame (For me specially not writing anything on them for a long time) not having so many RayMariah fics on these days though it's the most cannon pairing of Beyblade (And I know no one is gonna disagree with me). It's still my favorite (Just the liking got decreased but I still love this pairing sooo much!). Besides, a few readers were also requesting me to write on RayXMariah, so here Misty goes!
AU it is, set in medieval ages.
Rated: T
Warnings: Fight, violence and it's a tragedy.
Based on: A play (A love story which is mostly known by the Muslims). It was shown as a musical in a Bollywood movie of Madhuri Dixit too. Guess? ;)
It will be a two-shot. I thought to make it a one-shot but it was going longer. So, it will have two chapters.
Enjoy! :D
Every town knows this tale,
Every alley knows this chronicle,
But exactly where did it take place?
Still, to everyone, unknown it remains.
But we all know that they grew up together,
Let it be a day or a night, it was forever,
But how many days and how many nights?
Even we also don't know that right.
Then…what can I say now?
Okay, stay tuned and let me show….
The learning center was the heart of White Tiger village of China. In every morning, little-little students or the children of the local villagers used to come there for learning. They didn't discriminate between boys and girls when it came to spread the light of education across the society. The environment wasn't much privileged. As usual, the teacher was giving his lecture standing under a shady banyan tree, its leafy branches spread over his head like an umbrella and red banyan fruits scattering around the thick, deep roots. Laying jute mats in front of the podium, male and female students sat in two separate rows and paid their attention. While scribbling on the dense yellow pages of the exercise book with his feather-pen, the eight-year old raven-haired neko-jin stared at the seven-year old pinkette whose honey orbs were already laid on him.
Little Ray didn't know why her bubbly beryl pupils attracted him so much. Her cheeks were too fluffy for him to stay away from pinching. Neon-pink hair was tied into pigtail buns, adding more cuteness to her face. Mariah was also always allured by Ray, his long black hair tied with a white strap and his yin-yang bandana wrapped around his forehead. His golden cat-like eyeballs were enchanting, always teasing her to no end. They were little children; they didn't know what love is. But they surely found each other beautiful; thus, liking each other. As childhood friends, they were growing up together like two flowers blossoming in the same plant.
"Ray," The bald mentor asked, "Last day, you learnt synonyms and antonyms, right?"
"Yes." The toddler nodded.
"Okay," The teacher questioned, "Now, tell me, what is the synonym of beauty?"
Looking at the pinkette, the little boy confidently replied, "Mariah."
The pink-haired girl silently giggled so that the teacher couldn't hear her, who, in fact, was surprised. The students were confused, trying to determine the accuracy of Ray's answer. But the eyes of the male neko-jin were expressing so much sureness about the correctness of the reply. The eyebrows of the teacher twitched as he again queried, "No, I've told you to tell the synonym of beauty."
"And it's Mariah." Ray was still sure.
"You aren't only a dull student," Finally, the mentor couldn't control his temper, shoving his head and pointing at the pinkette who was gulping in fear, "But also you don't have any practical knowledge. How can a proper noun be a synonym of a common noun? Besides, Mariah is an ordinary little girl and there are more beautiful girls in this village. In comparison with them, Mariah is nothing! Give me your hand!"
In fear, the neko-jin stretched his right palm where the teacher hit with his cane, leaving a straight bloody line there. Yet, he didn't feel satisfied, demanding, "Now, the second!"
Compressing the hurtful sensation, Ray had to extend another palm. The cane in the hands of teacher landed there too, forcefully. After it, the stick kept thumping on the soft palms of the eight-year old toddler just like raindrops, one by one, without any interval. Ray clenched his teeth in pain as the streaks of blood were reddening almost all the fair portions of his knuckles. He knew that the punishment would increase more if he screamed once. All the learners were almost blue, panicked and shaken. That's why, perhaps, they couldn't see the pinkette who was in equal pain. Nope, it wasn't mental…..it was literally physical! Mariah was feeling the same inflammation of getting hurt by the stick. Neither she could tolerate it, nor could she bear the scene in front of her eyes. That's why, she stood up and protested, "No! Don't hit us!"
The class was already silent but the teacher went quiet along with the students too this time when he turned his head around and saw the fair palms of the little girl. They were reddened with the cuts too though he wasn't hitting her; blood was about to seep from them. Tears were brimming in her soft gold eyes. Almost dropping the cane on the ground in shock, the master kept staring at the girl and the boy for a few moments. Then, without speaking a word, he left the place.
The little neko-jin was wiping his eyes, his hands were trembling. The pinkette came to him with wobbling footsteps and took his hands into hers, wiping his tears and getting her tears wiped with his miniscule fingers. Unknowingly, the burning pain vanished from Ray's knuckles as the waterworks from her eyes touched them. Gently, she placed her cheek against them, making him feel more relieved.
But this happiness couldn't stay between them for a long time. Already, the teacher had informed their parents and the villagers about it. In utter tremor and astonishment, they thought that it was happening because of any evil sorcery or witchcraft. Specially Ray's family assumed Mariah as a witch who was after Ray, taming him and taking him far away from them. The thoughts of Mariah's parents regarding the raven-haired neko-jin weren't less different. The illiterate and foolish people of White Tiger village didn't even try to understand how deep and pure their bond was; so blind they all were.
"It's an unholy magic!" Mariah's grandfather blurted, "Don't go near him, Riah!"
"Is this magic or something to do with a ghost?" The tone of Ray's father was equally loud, "Put a black string around his arm to protect him from the evil eye!"
"Take them far away!" The rural people strongly agreed with them.
"Take them far away!"
In front of the villagers, both their parents dragged them by their hands. They weren't ready to leave each other. They cried, screeched and objected as far as they could. Again, they splashed their adorable cheeks with the droplets of their holy tears, stretching their hands to reach their respective friend but failed due to the strong holds of the guardians on their wrists. Their little bodies could not stand against the physical strength of the elders. Their pleading and painful screams ragged the environment of White Tiger village, shaking all the animals, birds and plants, reaching the clouds but they failed to convince their families.
Estrangement was their ultimate fate.
Little by little, just like the flying kites in the sky, twelve years flew away from the lifespan of the earth. In these years, a lot of things, persons and environments changed. The people who had been children grew up and became young adults. Youth successfully possessed their bodies, minds and souls-making them glow so brightly that they couldn't avoid anybody's stares. The spring arrived in White Tiger village too, the Sakura bloomed, painting the branches of the cherry tree white and pink. Nightingales crooned, making the cherry-flowers listen to their songs. Bumblebees joined the concerts too, intoxicated, intending to get more inebriated with the legal and sacred dozes of honey.
The spring carnival had already begun in White Tiger village. Swings, Mari-go-rounds and other rides were at the kids' corner, little children happily riding and playing with them, getting excited. The pavilions built of different-colored cloths and bamboos were hotter than the previous funfairs. Kids were gathering around the stalls of sweets and toys. Young girls and women were pressurizing the storekeepers of the arcades of jewelries, cosmetics and dresses so much that they were on the brink of sweating bullets. Men were trying to flirt with them or buy them their favorite stuffs so that they could win their hearts. Meanwhile, a dance began at the center of the fair. All the young people, both girls and boys, rushed there.
The drummers bet their drums, artists played the flutes and thumped the strings of other instruments. It was a miniature version of heaven's court on the earth, the girls and boys dancing with each other like angels. There were single persons too who were dancing themselves. The jaws of the spectators were open in surprise, discovering the beauty of the performance. The carnival became gorgeous with the swirls of the flamboyant qipaos of the Chinese women and the flapping different-shaded oil-paper fans held in their hands. Guys performed with kendo sticks, amazing everyone with their skills. The pinkette, who was a grown-up lady now, came to dance. Spreading her arms, she whirled, her knee-length unbound coral tresses moved around her waist.
Suddenly, somebody held her arm and twirled her. Spinning, she landed on his broad chest which prevented her fall. Raising her eyes, she couldn't open her mouth anymore when she saw the person. The deep, dandelion orbs and the pointy black bangs covering his bandana-worn forehead. Wearing a white Chinese shirt, a pair of black baggy pants and swathing his waist with a red belt, he was looking so charming and brave. She couldn't take her eyes off, nor could the neko-jin because his ones were already glued to her appearance. She was not a little seven-year old toddler anymore. The length of her hair increased along with the volume; figure became much more attractive; enough to give a man a sudden heart-attack. She was so gorgeous in her light-pink qipao possessing bright coral quatrefoil patterns with cherry flowers. The pearl and star garnet-made earrings added more elegance to her appearance but Ray was still attracted by her soft honey orbs the most; which still had the innocence and purity which she'd had in their childhood.
In each other's eyes, they could see the images and memories of their vibrant childhood; where they had played together throughout all the day. Some banters had taken place between them but they'd forgotten everything after a while because there'd been literally no place of enmity and hatred in their relation. Whenever she'd shed a single bead of tears, he'd become busy to comfort her. They both could never have tolerated the pain of each other. Ever since Ray had gone, Mariah only blamed herself because of protesting like that on that day in the learning center. But when she met him again, she couldn't thank the deities more.
The dance continued. After a while, they both parted but left their hearts to each other. Forever.
The night gifted the sky with the silvery moon, shaped like the blade of a glimmering, brand-new scythe. Stars lit small lamps around it, not leaving any place for the disturbing clouds. Having her eyes placed on the magical texture, the pinkette was sitting, holding the twines of the swaying swing in the garden of her residence. Around her, azaleas and Sakura bloomed in pinks, violets and whites, making the night more ethereal by spreading their heart-warming fragrance. Dew drops clinging to the blades of the velvety grasses twinkled like pearly beads. The charming white rays of the moon were getting reflected on the mirror of the streams of the crystal water flowing from the fountain made of marbles. When a butterfly sat on her shoulder, she felt tickled.
The pinkette smiled. Ever since she'd returned from the carnival, she couldn't sleep. With his sudden and surprising appearance, the jet-haired neko-jin had snatched all her slumber in the dance but she couldn't even talk to him, let alone protesting. She didn't know how and why she'd been feeling so bashful there to exchange a few words with him; specially when they'd met each other after solid twelve years. Their eyes didn't have each other's glimpse for six pairs of springs. But no word could have escaped from her throat. He'd been silent too, maybe, some mature manly traits were in him with the passage of time.
She had to give a break to her thoughts as a pair of hands caught her eyes from behind. Startled, she was about to shout but stopped at the last moment, feeling the palms very soft, gentle and caring. Unknowingly, she got the belief that those hands would never harm her. Then, his name was let out from her mouth though she herself didn't know why and how, "Ray?"
"Your voice has become sweeter, Mariah."
Her heart jolted at his tone. So matured, charming, handsome-yet caring, soft. She smiled in satisfaction; his fingers could feel the warmth of her face which was getting heated due to her blushing. Leaving her eyes, the neko-jin knelt down before her and placed one of her bare feet on his knee.
"Ray…." She whispered, "What's it?"
"Anklets." He tied the silver jewelries studded with pink trinkets around her slim, bronze-toned ankles. She placed her feet on the soft texture of the verdant grass and stood up, leaving the swing. He tenderly seized her arms as their mouths neared each other. Breaths felt warm, tickling their nasal areas and cheeks. Butterflies flew in both their stomachs. The heat of bashfulness spread all over their cheeks, borrowing the colors of the Sakura as a visible sign. Her heartbeats rose; so did his, but not as rapidly as hers. They poured honey in each other's same-toned pupils. The closeness of the bodies was feeling unusual, yet, not discomforting.
"Mariah…." He murmured, not blinking, "I love you."
Those three words poured ambrosia in her ears, she lowered her eyes in shyness. Tweaking her chin, he lifted her face up. Not removing her orbs from him this time, she spoke, "I'm Mariah, you're Ray. Now, we belong to each other."
"Yes, my love," Ray nodded, "Now, this sentence will stay at the tips of the tongue of the century."
Cupping her face and pulling her closer, he pressed his smooth lips very gently and carefully on hers so that she couldn't get hurt. The speed of the flying butterflies increased in her stomach, she bound him in her arms and clasped him. The nasal ridges rubbed each other, foreheads came into a pure and divine physical contact. The moonlight showered euphoria on them, in the dazzling garden. His embrace around her was tender but protective. For a moment, they both forgot the accident in their childhood which had separated them for a long time. Now, it was only a strength factor of their love.
"You bastard!"
Their embrace broke as they got startled at the unexpected loudness of someone's voice in the garden. Pondering, they saw another raven-haired neko-jin, shorter than Ray. His eyebrows were creased, fangs and fists were gritted in wrath. He fumed, glancing at the pinkette once as the girl shivered, gulping in the fear of getting caught in the hands of her elder brother. However, Ray didn't have any sign of fear on his face as if he hadn't committed any crime.
"I'll cut your hands off!" The brother hissed, "Do you know whom you have touched?"
"She's mine."
His reply was stern. Gasping, the pinkette held his shoulder, one of his hands landed on hers. She anxiously looked at her lover once, once, at her brother. Heartbeats were still fast but not in amorous feelings. Instead of them, fear occupied that place. Breaths became shallow and quick too.
"You worm of drain!" Thrusting them apart, Lee clasped the collars of the white qipao shirt of the taller neko-jin, "If I don't make your permanent address at the local cemetery, neither my name will be Lee Wong, nor will she be my sister, Mariah Wong but something else!"
"She's mine." Ray again said.
"Enough now!" Lee scowled, nearing his sister, "Enough it has been! You hoe, didn't feel ashamed to let him touch your body?"
"Thud!"
Mariah turned her face away, receiving a heavy slap from Lee. Now, the blood of the taller neko-jin bubbled in anger. Spreading his arms, he protectively stood in front of his love, trying to save her from the wrath of her brother and objected, holding the hand of Lee which was about to hit the pinkette again, "Get your hands off or yourself!"
Not warned, Lee held the wrist of his nervous sister to drag her inside home and take care of her there but Ray freed the pinkette immediately, "You worthless, don't forget that you touched her! You touched the person who is my suppressed fierceness, the blood flowing through my arteries and my passionate prayer!"
Gently laying a hand on Mariah's cheek, he continued, "She's the prophecy of the deity, the announcement of fortune, the remedy for my morbidity! The one whose tears are precious, the one whose smiles are golden, Ray Kon is saying, 'She's my Mariah!', listen!"
"Your discourtesy!" Lee exposed his sword.
"No," Mariah herself moved towards the naked rapier and placed her chin at its tip, "It's called bravery."
"You're shameless!"
"No, I'm strong!" The pinkette retorted.
"You're a lifeless doll now," Lee remarked, "Stripped of dignity."
"Not a doll," Mariah bravely fought the oral battle against her brother, "Who's left at the mercy of her family members like their puppet!"
"I'll excavate his grave now!" Lee threatened his sister, "Think about it once."
"But two corpses will be needed, brother," The female neko-jin turned her face away, announcing her decision, "Don't forget this!"
At Ray's approval, nodding, the pinkette stepped aside. Circumambulating him like examining a prey, the lion roared, "I'm swearing that I'll cut you into hundreds of pieces and spread them all over this garden so that our hunter dogs can have a delicious feast tomorrow! It's the vow of Lee Wong!"
Surprisingly, taking off the sleeveless cape of the neko-jin, Lee rotated his sword horizontally and wheeled on his ankle along with his weapon but Ray saved himself by kowtowing on the ground by swooping down. Mariah gasped at the move of her brother, not imagining that he could do something like that with Ray. Again, Lee flipped his rapier, this time charging at his ankles but the raven-haired again saved himself with a straight leap. But at his third attempt, Lee became successful, giving a cut on the right arm of the lover of his sister, not noticing that the same deep and long cut appeared on the right arm of the pinkette too. Pressing that place, Mariah wheezed.
Blind, Lee gave another slash to Ray, this time, on his left arm and back. Again, Mariah seethed in pain, wrapping her own shoulders. The raven-haired Chinese noticed it, again, the blood in his veins fumed up. He was a strong man; those cuts weren't hurting him much but Mariah's painful screams were. That's why, grabbing the wrist of her brother, he shoved him on the ground. Not delaying, Ray popped out a dagger from the pocket of his qipao shirt and looked at Mariah once who was lying on the ground, writhing in burning sensations.
"Forgive me, Mariah!" Ray blurted, "Only for our protection, I have to commit this because I have been bound to do it!"
With a leap, like a tiger, he landed on the lion as the blade of his dagger pierced the neck of the fallen one…
Ahem...how was it? What will happen after it? What's waiting in Ray's fate because of this offense?
Dear readers, should I continue it or not? And pardon me because...I'm writing a RayXMariah after such a long time. There was a time when I had a lot of prompts for RayXMariah...anyways, if you say, I'll continue it :P
Do read and review. Pardon the grammatical and spelling errors. Take care and stay safe :D
-Misty ^_^ ^_^