Thanks to AJ for reviewing since I couldn't reply to it personally : -D

The main storyline is now beginning and I think I'm sort of happy with the way it came out. Very soon more events will begin to unfold. I have no idea how many chapters length this whole thing will be, but I suppose I'll see towards the end :P I wasn't sure how I would do it and how believable it would come across but I hink I'm pretty much satisfied. Hope you all agree!

Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade

Chapter 5

"Well this is just great," Garnet proclaimed sarcastically, sighing in frustration. She tossed the newspaper she had been reading aside after glancing at the article which had made the headlines.

Max Tate picked it up gingerly, trying the fix the pages together after they had been scattered into a disarray of typing and tried to see what it was Garnet was so agitated about. He looked up at the rest of his friends and grimaced.

"Is it that bad?" Ray asked, trying to read over Max's shoulder.

Clearing his throat, Max begun to read. "'Rebelling 'Hero' Rebels His Last: The teen rebel, Kai Hiwatari, who was shot two days ago is currently still missing and rumored to be still injured. During an investigation sweep it was confirmed that he hadn't been treated by any hospitals nor medical practices public or private. All doctors within the city and in nearby times have been questioned and their alibis checked and approved.

"'So far, there has been no sightings of the traitor to our Lord, Brooklyn Kingston nor of his little gang'-"

"Little gang?!" Tyson repeated incredulously. "Some one should talk to that stupid journalist and tell them just how little our 'gang' is!"

"Shh, Tyson," Max said and continued reading, "'and there are hopes that they have finally been quashed once and for all. Lord Brooklyn had this to say, "These young kids have been nothing but trouble for all of us since they invented this elaborate idea. They seem to think they have the power to overthrow an army and if that is the case they are incredibly naive towards the point of just stupidity. For you and I, this is a set-back. You see, if people can't stop living in the past then there is no way that we can work towards the future."

"'For more information and profiles of those believed to be involved with the rebel forces visit our website.'"

Tala shook his head. "I hate the one-sided tabloids. They don't even consider printing their stories from the factual point of view."

"Well of course they wouldn't, Tala," Kenny said. "If they did they would be shut down for treason and their employees arrested, tried and no doubt found guilty. Standing up for what's right is just too dangerous. Besides, its the smart thing to do. If Brooklyn favors certain tabloids for revealing the 'truth' then they'll sell much more copies. People are unscrupulous that way."

"I would hardly think that article is the very peak of our troubles, guys," Hiro intervened. No one had even heard him come into the room, never mind overhear their conversation. "We have a far bigger problem at hand. With Kai out of action for the time being we're going to have to think of things to do. We can't just sit here and do nothing. We should start planning new attacks, new strategies."

"But Kai said..." Garnet began but stopped when Hiro gave her a dark glare.

"Screw what Kai said. Kai forgets that though he may be our leader, he's only young, just like the rest of you, with no actual war time experience. The proper way to do things when the leader is out of action is to carry on with the second in command, and right now that's Tala. He's going to take over until Kai is back with usand ready to do battle again. We'll stick by Kai's commands to the furthest degree that we can but I will not allow us to sit back and relax like he seems to think we should. During his absence is the optimum time for us to plan ahead because after our last stunt Brooklyn's going to be turning up the heat on his search to find us. I've already heard rumours that he's planning on having a search on every house in the region to find Kai. He's never gone to extremes like that before and what does that tell you?"

Tala smirked. "He's scared."

"Exactly. If he's scared he's going to start being irrational. After all, is it really a sensible idea to waste all his resources in such an exhausting scheme? No. It's not."

"I have one question, bro," Tyson said. "What if Kai gets kind of pissed that we didn't follow his orders?"

"When Kai gets back let me deal with him. He'll listen to what I have to say." Hiro turned to Tala. "So? Are you ready to take charge?"

"It's not really my thing, but I suppose so. At least until Kai comes back."

Laying a hand on Tala's shoulder, Hiro smiled. "You'll be fine."

She wanted to be alone. When she returned from Brooklyn's she didn't want to have to face anyone or their questions. She wouldn't answer them anyway. She wouldn't even think about the answers. They would be pushed in the darkest crevice of her mind and never brought the surface. There were some things that were better left buried and this was one of those things. Her legs were stiff as they climbed the stairs to her house, staring straight ahead and not focusing on anyone.

In the previous night something had occurred to her. She hated Brooklyn more than words could even describe. But even more bizarre was that Brooklyn was trying to make her hate him. In his eyes was pleasure when hers were hateful, pleasure that increased when her words were like acid even in her own mouth. It didn't quite make sense to her. Why was he doing this? What kind of game was he trying to play? It was unnerving to say the least but not so much that she would try to change the way she felt. If he wanted hate he would get it and she was only too happy to comply now.

In her house she felt suddenly safe. It was unusually quiet inside but she was grateful. There was nothing worse than servants trying to do about their work while showing concern for her. They would never even ask if she was alright, just look at her with sympathy or – worse still – pity.

Her shoes clicked on the wooden floorboards as she made her way to the drawing room where her library collection of books were and also the coal fire that made her feel most at home. That was the only thing she felt like doing: sitting back with a book. There she could be transported into another world, one much better than this one where she was living. Anything had to be.

She entered the drawing room and quietly shut the door behind her, hoping that anyone still left in the house would understand the meaning and not disturb her. She looked to her easy chair and let out a high pitched scream that made the occupant jump up in surprise, the book he was ready flying out his hands and dangerously close to the flames of the fireplace.

"Jesus, Hilary!" Kai exclaimed, settling back into the chair. "What's the matter with you?"

Groaning, Hilary slunk into the chair beside his. "I forgot youwere here."

He glanced at her slightly irritably. "May I remind you that its you who brought me here and it wasn't my choice. I didn't have any say in the matter."

"Where is everyone and why are you wandering around here without Mariah?"

"Mariah sent your staff away, claiming you wouldn't be pack until much later on, probably so I could get around rather than having to stay in your room which – by the way – is lovely but really holds not much entertainment for a guy. And I'm not wandering around. I came in here because it looked like the nicest place in the house. Definitely the most peaceful. I guess you must come in here a lot to get away from everything." She nodded. "Oh, and as for being without Mariah I wasn't aware I needed an escort."

"I didn't mean it like that," Hilary replied curtly. "I just mean that she should be making sure if you're going to go anywhere in here that its safe for you to do so."

Smiling sarcastically, Kai said, "Thanks for your concern." He bent over to pick up the book, read a few words and then shut it again with his finger marking the page he was at. "Why are you back this early anyway?" He smiled wickedly. "Was Kingston not getting any?"

Hilary shot him a look that told him that Kingston had perhaps gotten more than he should have. There was a vulnerability in that look that didn't belong with Hilary. She seemed like such a strong young woman. However Kingston had been able to bring that about Kai didn't know and was sure that he didn't want to but Kai wondered if it made him proud. Disgusted, he thought it probably did. But why do something as evil as that to the woman he was to marry? Where was the point? What was his reason? Sour tasting bile rose up his throat just thinking about it. Without thinking he rose and crossed the room to Hilary, taking her hand and kneeling in front of her like a knight bowing to his lady.

In an unusually withdrawn voice, she said, "He left because he's starting a house check on every resident in close proximity to this region. He thinks you're hiding out somewhere in the city but he doesn't know where. He's frustrated to no end and I guess that's one of the reasons he..."

Kai's crimson eyes widened in horrified surprise as he finished off the sentence Hilary couldn't and understood the meaning that she hadn't intended coming across. It was his fault. "Hilary, are you alright? Are you hurt?"

She shook her head. Tears gathered in her eyes but she didn't bother wipe them away. Kai was feeling more than a bit uncomfortable at this pending scene but he stayed put anyway. "No, I'm not alright. Nothing's okay anymore. I hate him, Kai. I hate him. Can you imagine what its like to have to spend your entire life living with some one you wish would just die so you could be in peace?"

"No," He replied quietly. "No I don't."

"I am hurt. I'm hurt everywhere. Especially in here," she pointed to her head, "and in here." She pointed to her heart. She was now fully crying and not holding back anymore. There was a lost of emotions she needed to get out and this was the best way. Kai wouldn't stand in the way of that. "He did it on purpose, Kai. He knew what he was doing. He wanted to hurt me. He wanted to prove that he owned me, that I belonged to him and that he could control me. I'm nothing more than a possession to Brooklyn, one which will make him very, very satisfied in more ways than one."

Kai shook his head. "You're wrong." She looked up at him, broken and defeated. "He doesn't own you and he can't control you. Does he know you were at the parade? Does he know that you're hiding me here?" He took both her shoulders to make sure she was looking into his eyes. "You may not feel it now, but I knew it from the moment I saw you. You're a fighter Hilary. You think he's won but the battles not over yet, not while you and I are still living and fit to fight another day. We can carry on. I know you're cynical that we can make a difference now that you've seen just to what extent Brooklyn's going to shut us down but believe me. We will carry on."

"How can you know me so well?"

"When Brooklyn's not around you wear your heart on your sleeve."

"Kai..." She whispered. "Will you stay with me for a while? I just...I just don't want to be alone!" Her body shook with sobs and her face was wet with tears which were still flowing, gentle streams down her face.

To comfort her, Kai held her in a tight embrace, soothingly stroking her hair, hoping that he could somehow calm her down. "I'll stay as long as you need me to, Hilary. I promise. As long as you need me."

She pulled back slightly to look up at him, his handsome face looking at her with uncharacteristically softness. It made his features seem gentle, a persona he had never seen from him in the public eye before. This was the real Kai she was seeing. He was no longer playing a part, but playing himself. She was glad. It would have been almost impossible to bear if she had felt he was comforting her only so he could play along with his masquerade.

His face was felt like a book she was studying, Kai thought, and he was a very conscientious student. He wondered what was going through her mind when she looked at him. What did she see? Did she see this 'hero of the people' who'll slay the dragon and win the heart of the lady fair? Did she see that he was scared too: scared of what would happen should he stop fighting; scared of how his country would turn out if Kingston won; scared of what was going to happen to him in the future? Or did she see something else, something that was like a music box playing a familiar lullaby, the only melody that could ever soothe her? Her eyes told him the answer in a way no words could. Her eyes held so many things. He could see passion, longing, hatred, compassion. They were a Picasso drawing, all assorted and so mixed up they didn't make sense to him, except the most prominent at that moment. Wanting. He felt it too. It was almost eating him alive that they were so close together yet at that moment so far away.

He didn't know what to do. Should he take the risk and chance offending her so much that he quickly found himself in Kingston's clutches or should he leave it and let his golden chance pass him by in what could be an opportune moment? Going by his instincts, he leaned into her, letting his lips taste her soft, cool ones and realising that this had been what she was hoping for since they'd first met, even if she hadn't known until now.

Kai was different from Brooklyn, Hilary thought in a jumble of mixed up ideas and images. After the initial surprise of Kai's kiss, she had sunk into it, enjoying it like she'd never enjoyed one before. Yes, Kai was different. Kai was warm and gentle against Brooklyn who was cold and demanding, only going through the motions. Kai's hands stayed on her waist respectfully, the tight grip telling her that they longed to touch every part of her body but the stillness showing that he wouldn't do anything to spoil this moment. Had it been Brooklyn, his fingers would have slithered along her skin like snakes, taking what he wanted and giving her nothing back in return.

When their tongues touched for the first time it was like electricity had jolted through the both of them. Breathing became heavier and soon Hilary and Kai both found their hands moving on their own accord, no matter how hard they tried to fight it. Hilary noticed that Kai's didn't tread anywhere where he felt they shouldn't and she was grateful to that. Where normally such actions made her tense, she felt relaxed. He didn't so much feel as stroke, like they were for her pleasure and not his own. His forefinger treaded the crevice of her spine so softly it was like it wasn't there at all.

A thought occurred to her. "Kai," she murmured in between kisses. Kai had moved away from her mouth anyway, trailing kisses all the way to her neck, nipping her skin so right that she moaned. "Promise me that you're not just doing that because of Brooklyn."

Everything stopped immediately. He looked at here earnestly, tipping her chin towards him. "He doesn't even come into the equation. I'm doing this for me and you. I promise."

"And you're not getting a cheap kick because I'm betrothed to him?"

Frowning, Kai replied, "I would be lying if I said there wasn't a bit of gloating there, but its entirely circumstantial. If Kingston didn't want you I'd still be desperate to know what your mouth tasted like."

She smiled teasingly. "Did you get a good taste?"

"Once more wouldn't hurt..."

"I think you'll find that it will!" Both Kai and Hilary jumped at the shock of some one else being present in the room. Mariah was glaring at them both, her hands on her hips. Her face was amass with stormy unpredictability but her chest was rising and falling, showing her inner anger. She pointed her finger at Kai and he flinched gingerly at her harsh shriek. "You! Why won't you just listen to me for once instead of doing whatever the hell you want to do?! I told you to watch yourself at the parade and what do you do? You go and get yourself shot instead of keeping to the shadows like anyone with any sense will do! I told you to keep your manly needs at bay for seven freaking days and by the next day you're climbing all over Hilary! What the hell is wrong with you? And in the middle of her freaking house where Brooklyn's minions could easily see you!"

"It was a kiss, Mariah," Kai retorted, slightly guiltily. "I was hardly climbing all over her, as you so eloquently put it. And the place is completely empty. I'm not stupid."

Mariah snorted. "You could have fooled me!"

Hilary crossed the room and took Mariah's hands. "Mariah, please. It's not as bad as it looks."

"Oh well that's good," she replied sarcastically. "What was it he was trying to do then? Dislodge something from your throat with his tongue?!" Hilary looked to Kai for help but he didn't know what to do either. Luckily, Mariah took a deep breath to calm herself down. "Well, I think the two of you should talk about what you're going to do about this. But tell me this. Was it just a kiss or do the two of you think there might be something else going on."

"What?" Kai and Hilary asked simultaneously.

"What I mean is was this a one off thing to stem curiosity or is it more than likely to happen again. And be honest. I promise I won't be mad. I need to know because if the two of you are going to be putting on displays like that without any awareness that there are other people in the room then some one's going to have to watch your backs and I think that that oh-so-pleasant task is going to fall to me." Both of them were silent and Mariah sighed impatiently. "Oh for God's sake. Will the two of you grow up and be a little more mature. You were certainly acting mature enough when you were dry shagging Hilary on that couch, Kai."

"We were not dry shagging Maraih and will you stop being so crude!" Hilary exclaimed helplessly. "Look, I don't know what will happen, okay? All I will say is that if the chance came around, then yeah. I would do it again. I don't know about Kai but I would."

"Me too."

Mariah nodded slowly. "Okay. Okay. Then the two of you will have to promise me that you won't be irrational. You'll have to suppress your urges until the two of you are positive that's its safe. If any other of the housekeeping staff find out about the two of you you'll have to rely on their loyalty to Hilary over Brooklyn and let me tell you this, though they may like you better, Hils, the fear of what Brooklyn would do to them might be a greater pull. So, do you two promise?" They both nodded. "Good."

"Mariah?" The pink haired woman turned her attention to her cousin. "I need you to do me a favour. Don't tell anyone and by anyone, I mean Tala, Garnet and people such as."

Her eyes widened. "You mean you want me to lie to our friends? You want me to lie to Ray? Do you have any idea how much you're asking of me? You may feel fine lying to your friends and comrades but it won't settle fine with me. What would you do if they found out? That you lied, I mean. And that you were involved with the enemy. I'm sorry, Hils. But they don't know if they can trust you and that makes you an enemy to them, even if it is only slightly. They'll see it as you putting them all in danger and it would be a crime they might not forgive you for."

Kai bit his lip. "I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. The longer they don't know the better. But until then, I'm still their leader and yours too. You don't have to lie to them, you just don't mention it. Would it help if I ordered you not to tell? They wouldn't be as mad at you if I did."

"Whatever, Kai."

"I'm sorry that you have to be in this position but if you knew the way I felt right now you would understand."

Mariah swallowed hard and her expression softened. "It's because I know that I want to help you and I'm going too. I suppose when all's said and done, Ray will forgive me and if they don't then they're not really my friends at all. For you it's going to be a different story. Are you willing to make that sacrifice? Does this mean that much to you?" Kai nodded. "Then I'll do whatever it takes. I hope this doesn't end in tragedy for the two of you but you'll forgive me if I'm not expecting a happy ended. Star crossed lovers tend not to have them."

"I'm determined to make it a happy ending," Kai said.

"Ah, but so is Brooklyn. For himself, at least. And let me tell you with his resources against yours its all the more likely that he'll win. I'm not being pessimistic. I'm just speaking facts. Now Kai, could you leave me and Hilary alone for a minute? We have things to talk about."

With a final look at Hilary, he left the room, wondering if all this was really worth it. It was breaking every rule he'd ever made, but the way his heart was racing made it not matter. His principles had been shattered in a single moment of calculated insanity and in his heart there was a battle going on between what he felt for this girl who was practically a stranger and a cause he had been working for since he had realised he could make a difference. Right now, the latter was fighting a losing battle and it scared him to know it.

Screaming in frustration, Brooklyn Kingston hurled an expensive China vase, at the wall of the throne room, narrowly missing Mystel's head. Mystel didn't flinch. He knew it wasn't aimed at him. The mouthful of abuse aimed at him and at his incompetence, however, made him inwardly cringe. He had seen Brooklyn angry, but never livid to the point of insanity like this. He was like some kind of wild animal that had just been released from its cage.

"What do you mean he hasn't been found?" Brooklyn demanded, glaring at his two generals, his chest rising and falling with his heavy breathing. "You had all of my army at your disposal! How the fuck could you not find him?!"

"My Lord," Mystel began but Brooklyn silenced him with a single wave of his arm.

"Let Garland talk since he isn't the screw up."

Garland swallowed hard. Even he was uneasy with Brooklyn's current mood. "My Lord, he is nowhere to be found. We've searched every house withing the city limits thoroughly and there hasn't been any sign that he even made it out of the square. No one saw him leave."

"Did you see him standing in the square today?" Brooklyn asked, sarcastically. "If not then logic will tell you he escaped! I don't know how he did but he did." He crossed over to the large window that overlooked almost the entire city. Night had fallen and the search had been going on all day, since he had made Hilary leave early in the morning with her spirit almost broken, but not quite. He had tried his best but there was some fire inside of her that even he hadn't been able to put out. It would be a lie to say he wasn't unnerved by it. He had expected her to crumble in his fist as easily as a lump of dirt but she hadn't. She was clearly a lot stronger than he'd ever expected. As the icing on the cake, he was now told that, despite searching every location in the city were some one needing a hiding place could go, their AWOL fugitive was still AWOL. He couldn't understand it. Hiwatari was flesh and bone, not a ghost or a shadow. Where could he be?

Brooklyn sighed, finally calming down enough to be able to have civilities with his generals. "Are you sure you've checked everywhere."

"Yes, sir," Garland replied. "If he had been hiding in this city we would have found him. We've had experts investigating all medical practices, analyzing security tapes, checking operating theaters for DNA that didn't match the patients using them. All doctors and nurses have alibis that have been checked and confirmed. It's like Hiwatari's just vanished into think air. There's no other way I can explain it."

"It seems," Brooklyn said, "that our rebelling friend has support that we've overlooked. Our next step is to find out who they are. I want you to collect as many pictures as possible, including videos, and pin point those who looked like the were in support of Hiwatari and his little group and arrest them for treason. We'll flush him out if it means arresting ever other person to do it." Mystel frowned and Brooklyn noticed it. "Do you have a problem with that, Mystel?"

Taking a deep breath, Mystel replied, "Don't you think it's a bit extreme? People might think that you're getting worried about Hiwatari and his friends."

"People will think that I'm arresting traitors for being treacherous. They'll be executed accordingly, of course. Maybe his conscience won't let him stay in hiding for long. As for now, analyze the pictures from the parade, get me a list of names and I'll sleep on it before I come to a proper decision. How's that for meeting in the middle?"

With a sigh, Mystel nodded but said nothing more. Brooklyn was worrying him more than a little bit and he was sure it showed.

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