Yoshi! Here's the third chap…won't be updating until the 29th, because tomorrow I have to leave for camp. Argh, the horrors. To those who wonder about how I can update so fast, the secret is simple: stick to as little scenes as possible. As observed from my previous chapters, there's only a minimum of three scenes in one. And I'll not only add the canon pairings but also crack ones, eg YamatoxCarat, AsadouxCarat and EnjyuxMarilyn ( XD on the last one!) Hoping to update as fast as possible, very looking forward to tell you guys about the other weapons and techniques the others have. Sincere apologies for any errors in the story and writing. Oh, and soul force is the power radiating out of one's body.

Disclaimer: Inuki Eiji owns Battle B-Daman but does not draw enough romance. Thus the secondary purpose of this fanfic. PS: Excuse me for misspelling Carat's name in the previous chapter.

Black Rose Zero

Chapter Three:First Rate Man/Upgraded Boy

Thankfully for Yamato, the process went smoothly without anymore injuries sustained. Though he thought for about five times that Bull was about to strangle him, Carat would approach Bull and flashed him one of her dazzling smiles at the perfect timing.

About an hour later, they headed out to get a drink at a nearby café. A wave of relief washed over Yamato as he stepped into the sunlight. Breathing in fresh air had never made him feel so rejuvenated. Sitting down at a table with Carat and Bull, he looked down at his arms and legs. The deep cuts were gone and it was as if he was as good as new. He must admit, Bull had done a really good job.

" Hey, thanks again," Yamato sincerely thanked Bull, " I can tell you're very skilled at this…Bull, right?"

" Uhh…yeah," Bull said. He was in a non-violent mode now and Yamato hoped he would remain this way for as long as possible. " Bull. That's me. Ahaha! So what's your name again?"

" Yamato," Yamato repeated for the third time. For an intelligent person this boy's definitely a forgetful one. " You know, I'm still worried about what happened at the castle…I mean, my mom was there too and King Watt…"

" Just relax, you just had a tough fight against a top assasin," Carat comforted him, " When you were unconscious I did some investigation and all the royal staff had led the survivors to safety through another secret passage. Your mother's a royal chef, right?"

" Damn right she is!" Yamato could pratically see a boulder lifted off his shoulders. He should not have worried in the first place, Mie had always squeezed herself out of tight situations for numerous occassions. " Then that means she should be fine! Phew! But what about your dad? Don't you even feel a little sad?"

" Oh, he's done this with five other young men already," Carat said, " We just need to extract him from your spirit and put him back in his body, that's all."

" What!?" Yamato exclaimed, utterly shocked, " Take him out of me? Isn't the transfer supposed to be permanent?"

" No, as you know my father is a man of high skills," Carat explained patiently, " So obviously he has mastered the highest skill of the transfer. When he stabbed his sword into you, his soul and spirit intermixed with yours, that's why you're about five times more powerful than before."

" Oh, I see," Yamato nodded, " Well, looks like I have to start thinking of how to use his powers wisely and taking him out. But I don't understand, why didn't King Watt and the others fight back if they're so powerful?"

" Father only reserves his strength for the leader," Carat stated, " The rest are merely representatives, having a rank much lower than their leaders. Father knew Gray Michael Vincent doesn't do the real assasination, he only acts a decoy and to make the council panic. About the extraction…I still have to do further research on the possible alternatives."

' Who would have thought Gray still has hesitation on killing,' Yamato thought, thinking back to the battle, ' No wonder these wounds heal fast…they're only minor ones. Wait a minute, that just means the jerk has been taking it easy one me! What the hell!? Hmph, now that I'm more ready, I'll personally track him down and take him at full strength.'

" Say Bull," Yamato started, " Do you know anything about our assasin here?"

" What assasin?" Bull inquired cluelessly, still being his peaceful self.

" Blonde, tall, wearing a brown poncho-argh, never mind give me your pen!" Yamato reached out and snatched Bull's pen, which was tucked behind his right ear. He used it to draw on a napkin and in a moment, was done with a demented portrait of Gray.

" There, this guy!" He raised the napkin at Bull. Carat arched an eyebrow at him. Did he really expect Bull to understand what he was hinting at?

" Ehh…he looks like a napkin?" Bull frowned, supposedly deep in thought.

" No, the guy on the napkin," Yamato corrected exasperatedly, making a mental note to ask Mie to recommend him to some shrinks.

" Err," Bull thought for a minute before his face brightened up, " Oh yeah, I see him everday! Around two to five in the afternoon he would usually train his shooting at that mountain over there."

He pointed at the mountain behind them. Yamato turned around and observed that it was not an ordinary one. This mountain was barren of any lush greenery, having a steep surface and the wind blowing around it carried visible rock particles. Yamato smirked. Of course a strong guy like Gray would train in that sort of deserted-looking place.

" That would be about now. Right, its decided," Yamato declared, " Later we'll climb that mountain and I shall defeat Gray once and for all!"

" Yamato, that would be irresponsible towards yourself," Carat scolded, " Plus we need time to ponder over the extraction."

" Well Carat, these wounds are only minor ones and I am not a baby," Yamato boasted, " Just watch me! I'll teach that guy for underastimating me! We can always think later, a facedown with Gray comes first!"

" My, what a man with dignity," Bull praised, now his manly and sharp self, " In that case, I will accompany you to witness a true duel."

" Not you too," Carat sighed, disheartened that she was the one left out. That and the fact that Bull was going to witness something great without her. Somehow she felt that he ought to do those kind of things with her, because then it would come off as something greater, at least for her. " Hello there, people? Don't we have something important to do here?"

" Bah, when the time comes," Bull reverted into his violent and bloodthirsty ways, " I'll just tear him apart and rip your daddy-o out!"

" That is, if I'm not too strong for you to dissect," Yamato sneered.

Carat groaned exasperatedly. Potential boys, they're all the same. Men in battles, babies in character.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

During the period when Bull was healing Yamato, Carat discreetly informed Yamato of Bull's situation when the mechanic had his back turned on them. He, who secretly felt humiliated about his situation, did not bother explaining the prescence of his alter egos. However, considering that Yamato's life was in his grasp, Carat felt that she had a responsibility to tell him.

In the past, Bull had experienced a traumatizing massacre which caused him to lose his parents. Carat knew little about this, since Bull's second and third form refused to talk about it, whereas his original self was constantly confused about what was going on. After the harsh incidents, Bull had to scrape through life on his own and several contradicting characteristics began to develop within him. Gradually, they took a life of their own inside Bull's body, but all the same, they were Bull and forever would be.

Bull's second form was the suave man every girl would swoon at. Sharp, prudent and competitive-he loved to stand in the limelight and proved others how worthy he was. He welcomed any battle which he could shine in with open arms.

Bull's third form was a sadistic, blood-craving being. Without fights, especially fierce and intense ones, he could not survive. To be strong was his sole purpose. Yamato assumed this side of Bull was an embodiment of his desire for revenge.

Bull's condition prevented him from shining with his own power, but it gave him a high fair edge over his opponents. Three alter egos was equivalent to three minds, in other words, the powers of three people into one. As a saying went, ' When two can't take the heat, bring another to cool them down.' Not to mention he had an admirable trait little possessed, not neccassarily to appreciate everything around him, but to always look on the good and bad side of all situations.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

" Gosh," Yamato panted, barely hanging on to the rocks protruding from the mountain, " Whichever god who built this mountain is definitely not a fan of people."

" I second that," Original Bull seconded, facing the same problem, " Too bad Carat isn't here…imagine what fun we would have if she is!"

" Reality check, she can't climb a mile with that dress on," Yamato reminded him, " Then again, neither could we! And we aren't wearing dresses!" He gritted his teeth, cursing under his breath and trying not to look down. Though they were far from the peak, the buildings on the ground looked so tiny from where they were and if they accidentally slip…a disfigured corpse would be found at the bottom immediately.

" I like obstacles, but this is a far cry from one," Bull's second form snorted, positioned both his feet against the mountain and jumped up, sweeping Yamato under his arm as he dashed towards their destination, " Come on Yamato, time is money, and you are obviously not wealthy!"

" Wait, stop!" Yamato cried, " What if we fall?" Cold terror engulfed him, turning his face pale white as he shut his eyes tightly, bracing for a fall to their deaths. Strangely, it did not come. He assumed Bull, skilled as expected, was moving at such an amazing speed that the force of gravity and friction could not catch up to him.

In a second, they leapt into the air and the next, they were at the top, scanning around for Gray. Bull changed to his original form. " Uhh…Yamato, I don't think Gray's coming. His spirit received some awful damage, you know."

" Gray, where the heck are you?" Yamato called, not seeming to listen to Bull's words, " Come out and face me, chicken!"

" Stop categorizing everyone in animal groups of yours," The same icy voice rang through the air. Gray stepped out from behind a large rock, guns in both hands and ready for combat. " I knew you would come by to finish our battle."

" No way!" Bull gasped, " How did your spirit heal so fast? Yamato did some major damage on you!"

" I have my ways," Gray replied smoothly, " Who's he?"

" A friend of mine," Yamato introduced and unsheathed his sword, " Bring it on, Gray! Bull, don't interfere, this is our fight! Slash, Cobalt Blade!"

" Howl, Chrome Zephyr."

Gray preferred to act one thing at a time, which was why he did not continue earlier, keeping his original goal in mind. This time it was not a battle to defend lives, but a battle for pride. A rare chance to fight in his full strength without regret till the death. Wanting a change of mind, he seized it without fear hesitation.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

" Are you sure you know what you're doing, bratt?" Gray smirked.

" More than ever.And call me Yamato, I happen to like my name, thank you very much," Yamato introduced himself, " So you're not going to resist me or anything while I defeat you?"

" I doubt you are at full strength," Gray commented, " Because in fact, I already did."

Indeed, a bullet rushed into Yamato's left shoulder and began wearing away the layers under his skin. It happened at the same time when his sword stabbed through Gray's right leg. Yamato quickly released an opposing force of energy and Gray did the same.

" How could I forget that this is your domain too," Gray realized, focusing too much on the battle to even heed the pain in his leg. A long time since this feeling had overwhelmed him, making him glad that today had happened.

" The wind here might be strong," Yamato admitted, " But so is the light! A test to our spirits, eh, Gray?"

" Absolutely," Gray agreed, a smile teasing his lips.

" Wow," Bull breathed at the sight before him. Evenly matched, Gray and Yamato's soul force began to envelop them, corroding the ground under their feet. Gray's was sky blue in colour, tamer than Yamato's but no less intense, evaporating into the air at a medium rate. Yamato's red one shot out in all directions, implying his unpredictable techniques. It was not King Watt's extra boost that caused it to be so powerful, but his own distinguishing wild spirit. Gray could identify it too and instructed himself again to not let his guard down at a higher level.

Bull's gaze stayed fixated on them as they clashed against each other, his eyes trailing their movements closely. Yamato increased the heat on Cobalt Blade to fend off as much wind as possible. As the hot air rose, the cool wind began speeding in the opposite direction. Gray stayed in the shadows as much as he could, staying away from the sun's rays and attacked Yamato whenever he got close enough to a shadow.

From the way they carried out their movements, it was like fighting was not sheer violence, but an art. Bull rarely saw evidence of this, due to his work as a mechanic under the earth. At these times he would rid him of his tools. At these times he would feast his eyes on the fascinating happenings around him, just like now and savour the other aspects of life. At these times he would…

' Oh hell, Bull, quit making up excuses. Go on, we know you want to join in…'

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Yamato and Gray broke apart, standing a fair distance away to each take a brief rest. A drop of sweat mixed with blood rolled into Yamato's eye, but he paid little attention to it. Defeat Gray first, then baby all over himself.

" What do you plan after I'm done, huh?" Yamato inquired, " Kill me or something?"

" Probably," Gray shrugged, " Maybe if I'm in the mood."

" I know you're not really a killing type, so don't try to scare me," Yamato said, " Carat told me about the representatives and the 'innocent people' you 'murdered' only have minor wounds like me. Tell me Gray, what are you fighting for?"

" The same reason you are fighting for," Gray replied, " But I can guarantee that I'll be the last one standing!"

Weapons poised in their palms, they build up their strength for one last blow, when suddenly, Bull shouted, " Slash, Helio Breaker!"

" Huh!?" Both froze in their tracks and stared at the mechanic in bewilderment.

" Bull, what are you doing, stay out of this!" Yamato demanded firmly.

" My, my, gentlemen," Bull's second form chuckled, " You two seemed to be having so much fun, its rather rude not to include me, isn't it? Allow me to introduce my weapon—Helio Breaker." He raised a red chainsaw-shaped sword held by its narrow purple handle, with a purple handed and both sides jagged. " You know, it's a rather exceptional weapon with multi-purposes. Of course, I made it myself. Not only can it extend to a considerable length,"

On cue, the sword extended to the other end of the mountain, slashing a rock into two. Yamato and Gray hurriedly leapt out of the way.

" But it can also cause major bloodspill too! Say hello to Helio Breaker!"

Capturing heat from Bull's strong soul force, Helio Breaker expanded outwards and embedded itself into Yamato and Gray's torso before they could dodge it again. Observing the hurt he had just inflicted upon them, Bull's third form lauhed maniacally to himself.

' Tonight, we shall dance in your blood.'