-1Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade, sadly enough…I'm just a pore student, with no money to spare, so try and sue me, you won't get a penny.

Chapter 3

'Who's following us Dragoon?' whispered Takao while dismounting. He secured his horse's rein to a pole. So did Max.

I don't know Takao-sama. He or she feels somewhat familiar to me, though I can't figure out in what way…if I could just check out…

'No way Dragoon. If someone sees you!'

I know I know. I'll check out tonight…

'Taka…I mean, Tyson… let's book a room for the night, we can search for clues then.. If we start searching now we might not be able to find a room afterwards.' said the blond.
'Good thinking Max. Dragoon? Don't move.' teased Takao. He and Max entered the inn.
'Good afternoon. We'd like to rent a room, two beds, but we're not certain yet about the time we're staying.' said Max. Takao and he had agreed on the way there that Max would do most of the talking, in case someone would recognise Takao.
'I'm sorry boys, I've got only one room for you, with just one bed. All other rooms are taken.' said the inn keeper.
'Ta…Tyson?' asked Max, turning to the prince, who was observing the inn.
'What?' he said turning to the blond.
'Only a room with just one bed available…'
'A double bed I assume?'
The in keeper nodded.
'We'll take it.' said Takao. 'You handle it Max? I'll wait for you outside.'
'Of course, but…'
'No buts Max. See you outside.'

When Takao (and Dragoon) left the inn Dragoon immediately felt eyes on them again. He tried to pinpoint the location, but he couldn't move, so it was difficult for him.

Takao-sama… take a good look around, see if you can find someone who's observing us. I'm not sure if he or she is an enemy or not, but I have to know who it is.

'I was planning that Dragoon.' said Tyson softly. 'The inn wasn't that interesting, and Max can take care of it all. Do you have any idea where he is hiding?'

I don't think he, or she, is hiding. The presence I feel is to strong for that…He or she probably knows I know about him/her already.

'Why do you keep repeating that the person watching us could also be a female?' whispered Tyson, scanning the area.

Because the possibility he's male is the same as the possibility that she's a female. teased Dragoon. But my feeling says me he or she's female, but I can't confirm it…yet…

'I see…'
'Tyson.' called Max. 'I heard something interesting… 'The king arranged….'

Meanwhile at the castle…

'Grandfather. I don't need a New slave.' said Kai irritated when Voltaire started bout it again. 'One slave is enough, and Rei helps too.' he tried to convince his grandfather. He sat against a pillow against the headboard.
'Rei is taking over your duties now. He doesn't have that much time for you anymore. All I want is for you to be treated and taken care of on the best way possible. Tomorrow a slave driver will come here, I want you to pick one without complaints. It's already arranged. I heard from Rei you are able to walk small distances again, so don't come with the argument you couldn't come because of your injuries. Just make sure you don't show too much of your bandages. Don't show them at all, is what I would do.' said Voltaire sitting down on the bed. Not everyone needs to know how badly hurt you were.'
'I understand Grandfather, but really. I don't need another slave.'
'I don't want to hear anything about it from now. Now rest, make sure you recover fast, so you can take over your own responsibilities again.
Kai thought what his grandfather also thought, but didn't say out loud.

Recover fast so that your adoptive brother doesn't have to deal with important things anymore.

'Yes grandfather.' said Kai.
Voltaire ruffled Kai's hair, and left his bedroom.

'Master Kai?' asked Kenny carefully when he came 'out of hiding' and saw the prince angry. Immediately Kais mood changed and he smiled friendly. 'You can come. Have you heard all?'
'Yes, I have…it sounds like Lord Voltaire wants someone to keep an eye on you.' Kenny teased, but Kai could hear Kenny was nervous.
'Don't worry. I'm never going to replace you for another slave Kenny. I don't want anyone else but you. I can trust you, you know how I think. Having someone new close by will be …strange…annoying…and it's definitely unnecessary.'
'Lord Voltaire did seem honest though when he said he wanted the best for you. Maybe you know who doesn't have a too great influence on him yet…'
'Perhaps, but I don't trust him anymore. Boris holds too many strings in this castle for my liking…'

'So the crown prince has to pick a slave tomorrow? And everyone can come and watch?' repeated Takao.
'Yes. If the one we're looking for is also there tomorrow you might recognise him somehow…' said Max smiling.
'Is slavery still accepted here then?' asked Takao quite surprised. He'd thought that by now all countries would've quit with slavery. This country obviously
hadn't.
'I guess so.' said Max. 'But that doesn't matter at the moment. Do you want to take a look at the city? See if we can find some extra escape routes or
something like that?' offered Max.
'You're in a good mood today Max!' said Tyson laughing slightly. 'Let's go.' he said. 'Ow, and watch if you see someone following us. According to
Dragoon we're still being watched.' he added.
'Still? Do you have an idea who it is?' asked Max while the both of them started walking.
'No. But Dragoon thinks the one following us is female.'
'You don't know who is following us, but you think it's a she?' asked Max, looking at Takao, but speaking to Dragoon. Max knew Dragoon would answer telepathically if he was listening.

It's only a feeling I've got Max-sama…

'Well, you could be right… We have to stay open for every possibility.' said Max, his smile returning on his face.
Takao wasn't really paying attention to Max and Dragoon anymore. Something inside him told him he was getting close to the person he was looking for.

'Kenny? Could you hand me my cape?' asked Kai while he swung his legs off the bed.
'Of course, but may I ask why you need it Master Kai?'
'How many times do I have to tell you Kenny, when it's just the two of us you don't have to call me Master. And I want to take a walk. I don't want my legs
to get weak because I lye in bed too much.'
'But your wounds, and…'
'Kenny, don't worry. I'm fine, really. I would be happy though if you would accompany me though.' the prince said smiling faintly.
'Of course!' said Kenny handing the cape to Kai. 'Just a walk around the castle?' he asked while the both of them left Kais bedroom, and made their way outside.
'Yeah, I don't think Voltaire would be happy if I left the grounds in my state.' said Kai as he made sure his cape was fastened securely. He didn't want strangers to know he was hurt. He didn't like it when people knew too much about him what could be used against him.

Kai and Kenny didn't speak while they were walking. Kenny was eying Kai close fully, to see if there was even a slightest hint of pain. Kai paid more attention to the surroundings. It was spring, and all flowers started to bloom again. Suddenly he saw Dranzer again. She was heading to him.
'Dranzer…Welcome back beautiful.' said Kai holding his arm up so she could rest.

Thank you Master Kai. Nice to see you too Kenny. said Dranzer transmitting her thoughts to both teens.

' Did you have a good time Dranzer?' asked Kai petting her on her head.

Well, a good time…I've found some people who interest me…They seem strangers, but somehow I feel I know them. Especially one of the three spirits I feel, though there are only two men…well, young men, about your age I think…I tried to find out more about them, but I think they knew I was tailing them. They're exploring the city at the moment…

'Interesting…' said the crown prince. 'If something strange happens, will you tell me Dranzer?'

Of course Master Kai. I'll tell you everything that might be of importance to you.

'If we go this way we'll pass by the palace. Do you want to check out here too before tomorrows event?' asked Max, still smiling.
'I still don't understand how you can be that energetic all day long.' teased Takao before answering. 'And I'd like to see the whole city before tomorrow, but that's impossible. I never thought there would live that much people here…My grandfather never spoke about this country, and I never read or heard anything either, so I assumed they would be a small amount of people, else they would be at least mentioned a few times. I don't understand why this country doesn't have any ties with other countries. It seems rich enough to compete with other countries at the trade market, yet, on the other hand, if they still have slavery, that wouldn't make them popular with others.' Takao sighed. 'It's so difficult…'
'Woah, Takao… I mean…Tyson…relax.' said Max sparing himself, and Takao more of Takao's talking. 'We've arrived at the front gate of the palace.' he
added.
'Are we there already? That's pretty close to the inn then…' said Takao surprised.

Takao-sama…try not to be lost in thoughts too often. Especially not tomorrow. It might get dangerous, and if you're not paying attention you could be caught off guard…

'I know I know Dragoon. Gramps made sure I remembered that…Anyway, it seems deserted from the outside…the palace then…At home you would always see someone walking, kids playing…' observed Takao. 'The palace itself is beautiful though…It has an ancient look, and the gardens are even more beautiful.' said Takao.
'I like the pond, on the left side of the palace.' said Max smiling.
'The other side? How? O…right…you can sense it when water is nearby…'
'Yup, and seeing the feeling I get, it's a big pond…could we go to the river today Takao? I really feel for a swim.' said Max
'Sure.' answered Takao smiling friendly. 'If we have time.' he said continuing their walk.
'Hey look Tak…Tyson…there is life in the palace.' said Max on a teasing tone, pointing at two teenagers in the flower garden.

Takao felt his heart skip when he saw the tallest of the two.

'That's him…' he whispered… 'That's the one…' he repeated.
'What?' reacted Max very surprised. 'You mean the person we're looking for lives in the palace? This is not good Ta…Tyson…This can get very difficult…how the hell are we going to contact him? For all we know he could be a slave, or even the prince!'
Suddenly Dragoon moved.

Takao sama. The one who was following us…she's with those two…

'What? But there is no one else but them…wait… you mean…the bird on his arm? Is she like you Dragoon?' asked Tyson.

Perhaps…I'm not sure. But I do know she's spotted you.. I guess soon the two teens will see you. Do you want to be seen already Takao-sama? If not, you should leave…now!

'Nah, I guess it's okay…if possible I'd like to talk to him…'

Master Kai…the two I was trailing…no, the three I was trailing, they're staring at us now…Should I go and chase them away?

'No…' said Kai who was already staring at them. He especially took a good look at Takao.

He seems familiar to me… who is he? I'm sure I've never seen him before, but then how does he feel familiar to me?

'Master Kai?' asked Kenny concerned when he saw the dual haired teen spaced out.
'I'm fine. I want to speak to them though.' he added.

Are you sure Master Kai? I do not know yet if they are the enemies or not… said Dranzer concerned.

'They can't be more of an enemy to me than Boris, and I see and speak him everyday. Go to them Dranzer, make them follow you to the third gate. I'll be waiting there.' he said turning.

If you say so Master Kai, but keep in mind, if it comes to a fight, you cannot win.

'I know Dranzer. I don't think it will come that far. Trust me, I've got a good feeling about the one with the long blue hair…'
Dranzer nodded and flew off.
'Kenny, could you get my sword from my room and bring it to me at gate three?'
'Of course Master Kai. Be careful.' the brunette said while he went inside.

The dual haired teen closed his eyes for a second and tried to calm himself. Ever since he'd laid eyes on the bluenette, his heart was beating fast…very fast… When he opened his eyes again he saw Dranzer coming back.

They're heading for gate three. And I now know who the third one is. There's a dragon hiding in the bluehaired teens cape. The dragon is strong Master Kai. Please be careful.

'I will Dranzer, I will.' he said offering his arm again for the phoenix to rest. 'I'd appreciate it when you'd accompany me when I speak to them beautiful. I'd like to know what you think of them.'

Dranzer let out a satisfied chirp. She knew Kai cared about her more than anyone else, but she also knew he wasn't really as protective and loving when it came to himself. "I'll protect you Master Kai" she thought as Kai made his way to the third gate.

TBC

and? what do you think? I could always use some hints, tips, even critism is welcome XD