I'm not too sure about the pace of this story yet. I think things might be moving too quickly. Hmm. In any case, I hope you enjoy this chapter and maybe you can see just how some events are going to go underway:D

Disclaimer: Sadly, I still don't own Beyblade

Chapter 6

Hilary shook her head ruefully, watching the actions on the street from her window and feeling as helpless as ever. Her people were people treated so shamefully and there was nothing she could do about it that wouldn't make things worse. Brooklyn had made it clear that if Kai would just turn himself in then all this tyranny to the people would end but most knew that should that happen all hope would pretty much end. Kai was hope's figurehead and the people needed that. But how much longer could things go on like this? The country's heart and soul would soon be taken from it. Brooklyn knew this too and if Hilary wasn't mistaken that would be a much appreciated by-product for finally getting Kai. After a point, there would be no more soul to be free enough to rise up against Brooklyn.

Her mind drifted sightly at the feeling of warm hands wrapping around her waist and pulling her gently backwards into Kai's strong chest. He laid his head on her should and lightly kissed her jawbone, a personal pleasure point that made close her eyes in enjoyment. She hadn't even heard Kai come into her room but wasn't complaining that he had. Mariah had forbidden him from sleeping in Hilary's bedroom since discovering them together in the drawing room. Ergo, he had now been made to rest in Mariah's room which, with her spending most nights with Ray, was normally empty. Also, it was very rarely that anyone would ever go into Mariah's room and certainly not without her permission. The only downside was that Kai – keen to live a little dangerously since he was feeling deprived – would never wait until Mariah arrived back before leaving, like this instant.

"You shouldn't be here," Hilary said in a slightly scolding voice.

Kai traced her neckline with kisses and smirked at the rumble in her throat. "I don't hear you complaining."

His hands crept underneath her silk nightdress so they rested on the soft skin of her stomach. Her heart picked up a beat at the gentle sensation of his creeping fingers. She rested her hands on them and guided them further up her body. "That doesn't make it any safer," She murmured. "He's like a lion or something waiting to pounce. No one can tell for certain when he'll come, if he'll come. He could easily catch us off guard."

"We're not off guard. Well, I'm not anyway. I'll know when he's coming," Kai reasoned.

Hilary took a hold of his hands and wrapped them around her shoulders. "Do you thinkthey all knew he was coming?"

For the first time Kai looked out of the window and saw just what Hilary meant. There were soldiers scattered around the square and various other streets in view, holding machine guns and guiding the occupants of houses with them while their cohorts searched their properties. Their faces weren't too clear but Kai could still sense the fear those people were feeling. He didn't know much about what was going on but he had a sneaking suspicion it had something to do with him. Most actions undertook by Kingston these days seemed to be involving him somehow.

"It's a city wide search, Kai. Brooklyn told me he was going to start one. He's trying to flush you out."

"He'll never be able too."

"Think so?"

"Know so," Kai replied sharply. "Do you think otherwise?"

Hilary turned to face him and he noticed the little playful tug of a smile on her lips. "It could happen."

"Could, but won't," Kai said firmly and kissed her on the forehead softly. "I'm always one step ahead of him. Look at what's happening now. He's failed to find me anywhere when I'm right under his nose. If he only had some savvy about him and search every house when he means every house. Unfortunately for him, Brooklyn Kingston's arrogance won't allow him to think that his archenemy would be hiding under one of his own roofs. Watch this space, Hilary. His arrogance will be his downfall." Hilary thought that Brooklyn wasn't the only one whose downfall may be arrogance. Kai turned back to the scene and for a second a glimmer of confusion lit up his face. "I thought Kingston finished his search days ago?"

Hilary frowned. Yes, he had. In fact, the search had been completed the very same night Hilary had been in Kai's arms for the first time. That had been several days ago, around four, if Hilary's wakening mind calculated properly. Since her last encounter with Brooklyn had been the day before and nothing of this had been mentioned to her she had no idea what was going on. Come to think of it, Brooklyn had been acting strange, almost like he knew something that no one else knew. He had been excited and hadn't told her what about. Nor had she asked. Lately Brooklyn had been a man to tiptoe around and such questions could provoke a suspicion that wasn't intended.

"Hils?" Kai asked again and she remembered that she was yet to answer his question.

"You're right. It did finish. He's up to something else but I don't know what. He's not mentioned it to me but he was definitely smug about something last time we were together. I don't know whether he's on to something or if he's just got some kind of plan forming." Hilary noticed Kai's eyes widen and looked to the scene before them and her hand flew to her mouth. "They're making arrests! Why would the be making arrests?"

"I have no idea..." Kai murmured. "There's not been any crimes committed in the past couple of days as far as I'm aware. Certainly not in these parts anyway." He frowned. "I think I know some one who lives around here...From the Resistance but...no. No, it couldn't be, could it?" His voice wavered slightly and Hilary sensed pending fear in it.

"Couldn't be what?"

The man was being pushed roughly into a police car while his wife screamed in despair. Now, Kai didn't have a doubt in his mind. "That man's an Arsenal. I've had quite a few discussions with him in the past about attacks."

Hilary looked up at Kai and tried to sense what he was feeling but his face was like a wall which couldn't be seen through. "What's wrong?"

"I'm wondering if its just coincidence that he's being arrested or whether your fiancé is finally onto something." He sighed and looked to Hilary. "I had a feeling it was time. I need to leave here and return to the Resistance."

"What? But you've barely been here at all. You won't have recovered yet!"

"My leg's well enough for me to go home. I can make the rest of my recovery there." He took Hilary's arms and pulled her in towards him, making her look straight into his eyes. "Something tells me that this isn't a fluke. I don't know how Brooklyn's done it, but I think he's finally been able to crack some of our member's identities. If that's true then I need to return to give stability to what is probably going to be a wide-spread panic. As soon as Mariah arrives I'll need to leave. It might be my only chance and I need to take it."

Hilary nodded. "You're right. It might be." She was silent for a second. Out of all the conversations they could have had this morning this particular topic hadn't been one she'd prepared for. "So where will that leave us? We might never see each other again, you know."

"You can come with me," Kai almost pleaded, grabbing her hands. "Think of what we could do together. You could be the face of the Resistance. If you came with us, you'd be free to fight Kingston and you wouldn't be fighting the battle alone. Think about it. With you representing us you could have the whole nation at your beck and call."

She turned away from him sadly. "That all sounds very well but it's just not possible. If I left here Brooklyn would pretty much go insane. He'd burn down the whole city until he found me and there's no doubt in my mind about that. We each have to stick to our places. Your place is with your people and my place is here." Her hand went gently to his bristled face. "We should leave things the way they are now. It's safer."

"But what's life without a little danger?" She cocked her head and looked up at him, inviting him to continue with whatever proposal he was about to put forward. "We could do this. Me and you, I mean. We could do it. In secret. We may not get to see each other often but its better than never seeing each other at all. No one will ever find out because only three people know, all of whom have too much to lose if it was."

There were so many things running through her mind that she needed to sit down for a bit to think over this suggestion. She wanted to so badly. She wanted him so badly. But one of them had to be rational and she had a feeling that burden was going to lie with her. A few paces backwards led her to her bed and she sat down on it. Kai remained at the window, imploring her with his burning eyes. Imploring her, yes, but also there was a small flicker of fear there: the fear of rejection. How could they have gotten in so deep so soon? It didn't seem real. Since their love affair sparked she felt like she's been riding on an ethereal cloud and, honestly, did she really want to get off? The answer was no, she didn't. Not now and not ever. If staying with Kai meant she was allowed to have that floating in the air sensation she felt whenever he was around then she never wanted to leave his side.

But there were so many things that told her they shouldn't. They had too many people counting on them and to be so reckless when danger was lurking around every corner for them it would be far too easy to let everyone down. For them both, that mean their country would fall and Brooklyn would reign supreme, an outcome that was spookily near. Also, love can do so much to a person, change them into something good or something bad. It can cloud their judgment, realign their priories and even question loyalties. Yes, loyalties would be questioned if they were to be found out.

"Nothing will keep us together," She replied. "You know that, right? Fate will try to keep us apart."

"We'll defy it. I don't know what it is I'm feeling but I know its strong. How can anything stand in the way of that? I don't think it's possible. Not fate, not duty and not Kingston."

Despite her tough position, she found herself smiling. Kai certainly had a way with words that could convince a miser to give up his fortune. "It'll be almost impossible for me to leave here."

"Then I'll come to you. There's a way around everything except maybe you. So that leaves this last question. Do you want us to be together?"

"Of course I do!" Hilary answered quickly and found that it wasn't a lie either.

"Then we can be. Maybe not forever but for the now. And that's what we're living for anyway, isn't it?"

"I wish it could be different. I wish we wouldn't have to talk about this so soon. I wish I could just be with you."

Kai joined her on the bed and pushed her gently back into the luxuriously soft mattress and silk sheets. "You'll need to find a hell of a lot of stars to make all those wishes come true. We might never get to be together but..." His eyes met hers and in an instant she knew what was on his mind. "I know a way which we can be one, even if only for a moment."

"That moment will be worth everything," She whispered, her voice a stranger to her in its hoarseness.

Her breathing deepened as his hands slid up the soft skin of her legs and her heart fluttered in her chest. Her fingers worked on their own accord, unfastening the fly on his jeans and pulling them off. Before her mind could comprehend what was happening her nightdress had been removed. In a moment of heavy breathing and ecstasy, she smiled as they had each other. Kai was right. In that moment they were one.

What was he supposed to do? Maybe he should rephrase that question. He knew exactly what he was supposed to do and what was expected. What he didn't know was if he could do that. Could his conscience lie with him? So much was making him toss and turn in his sleep and every day it was only getting worse. It was showing on his exterior too. He was sure of it. It was the way Brooklyn looked at him, spoke to him and even treated him. Lately, it felt as if Brooklyn was purposely putting him beneath him when before they had been almost like equals, key word being almost. Clearly Garland was being favoured over him and he knew why. Garland wouldn't dare question his orders or his leader. He, on the other hand, would. Things just weren't resting right on his shoulders. Arresting men who could easily be innocent? Women too? Topped with the plans of executing them without trial, the only indication that they've even committed a crime was in a photograph which could easily be lying, he dreaded putting on his uniform that showed the world he was Brooklyn's lapdog and bloodhound. Displaying the 'Zeus' crest on his chest made him as big an implication to Brooklyn's crimes to humanity as Brooklyn himself. It was he who was giving the direct orders to the soldiers after all. He was the 'feared' one when really he was the general who was becoming as doubtful about this new leadership as the country itself.

Brooklyn had changed. There was no denying that. As each day passed Brooklyn's mood seemed to withdraw from their friendship further and he was afraid – yes, afraid – that soon he would find himself demoted from the post of General and friend altogether. After that point he was sure it was only a matter of time before that dagger found its way into his back just like so many other soldiers whose loyalty had been questioned. In Brooklyn's world there was no room for doubting Thomas's and anyone possessing such characteristics should be removed from the picture altogether. How then could he be having such thoughts in his mind? It just didn't make sense to him. If only they could go back to the days before all this madness when he, Garland and Brooklyn had been soldiers in the King's army, happy to fight for their God and country with no whims of greatness other than the shared esteem of being a member of one of the most powerful armies in the world. Brooklyn had been much more himself. Happy, peaceful and loving all things to do with life, be it his own or other people's. Back then, he had respected others rights just as much as his own which in turn had led to his own respect from other people. Unfortunately, fate got in the way. All it took was a little flaw in his personality and for Brooklyn that had always been greatness. He was content to be at the level he had been until a few whispered words from those who praised him gave him a new ambition in life. That had been the pinnacle of his transformation. From that point onwards he had become sneaky, sly and snaky. In hushed voices he had gathered support from those weaker than him who were dying for a leader who they could relate to. A regular Joe. Enter Brooklyn. It wasn't hard to believe. Even he could have done it, should he ever have wanted. A part of him at that point probably had. It had all seemed like one big adventure. Naturally, he had stayed by Brooklyn's side during his rise, thinking that by his side he would stay. However, he had overlooked two things: changes in Brooklyn and changes in himself.

By nature, he never been a cruel person. He had always been empathetic to other human beings. He had also been blinded by the success he had found himself lavished in when the three of them hit the top. The riches had showered down on him and the praises had been sang in his direction. As a result his humanity had wavered while he basked in limelight which turned out to be darkened by Brooklyn's shadow. He didn't want to be taken in the wrong way. It wasn't the realisation that he was now second great and always had been. No, that wasn't what was causing the unease at all. It was when reality hit him and he looked at the person he had become that was now causing these doubts in his mind, thoughts that should they surface could put his own life in danger.

If only things could go back in time. Life had seemed so carefree back then. There were fewer worries. He had his life set out before him. He would work his way up into the army for a few years, earn a good salary, settle down and raise a family. Now there was no hope for that. Sure, he was one of the wealthiest men in the country but at what cause? The women he found weren't interested in a lifelong relationship but only in earning a couple of dollars so they could feed their existing families. How could he tell anyone that he wanted so much more? He, the charismatic General, suave and sophisticated, wasn't interested in the military whores thrown at him. He wasn't interested in killing the innocent and he wasn't interested in being Brooklyn's puppet.

That brought him back to the problem at hand. He had been instructed to analyze the photographs from the parade – a particularly grueling task since there had been so many of them – and for days it had just been a matter of running them through the computers and seeing if there was any face recognition on the civilian databases. Matches were then processed and sent to some computer buff. Though the job was boring as hell, it meant he had time to gather his thoughts, even if it was for only an hour a day. It was out of his hands after he scanned them into the computer and that was where his problem lay. He didn't know why but rather than looking at the picture after scanning them, he had decided to look at this one before. He wasn't sure the importance of this but it in itself was important. He had been so surprised he had had to have a double take just to check he was seeing what he thought he was seeing. The picture reminded him of old model shots of the boy-meets-girl-and-sparks-fly genre only this time it was real. This wasn't what had caused the surprise. It was the people in it. Undoubtable were the faces of Hilary Tatibana and Kai Hiwatari. It was clear that they had only laid eyes on each other for the first time but even he could tell of the connection in them. He was, after all, a hopeless romantic. That was unimportant anyway. What was it to him what was shared in the first and last moment Hilary had met Kai Hiwatari? He knew the likes of Hiwatari and he would have no interest in women like Hilary. He wouldn't have time for long- relationships nor would he care for them though he didn't doubt for a second Kai wasn't short of women for quick flings. The thing that had struck him when seeing that picture was what the hell Hilary was doing there in the first place? As far was he was aware (and that was a considerable amount) Brooklyn didn't permit his future queen to leave her home without an escort and on that night he had been under the impression that Hilary had been in bed sick or something like it. This picture told otherwise.

And there in lay the problem of what he was supposed to do. Should he do what Brooklyn expected of him and take the photo directly to him so he could decide the best action to take which for Hilary would probably leave her in a near death state. He blanked out the horrible mental image he got from that. Going directly to Brooklyn would be his chance to redeem himself but did he really want redemption? Well yes, but not from Brooklyn. He knew that clear enough. His other option was to destroy the photo and pretend he had never seen it before. Hilary would be protected for the time being until he had a chance to show her how close she came to losing the feeling of her body and he could rest assured that he had done at least one good deed in what had now become a sorry existence of cruelness.

"Mystel, my good Mystel," Brooklyn drawled at the door, causing Mystel to flinch slightly.

Letting subconscious take over, he stuffed the photograph into the pocket of his jacket and turned around in his computer chair to greet his former friend with a charming smile. "Brooklyn," he replied amiably. "You seem in good humour."

Brooklyn quirked an eyebrow. "You seem surprised. Aren't I always?" His green eyes flickered for a second, showing the ghost of suspicion at the Mystel's seemingly forced pleasantness. "What's wrong?" he asked in a friendly tone which Mystel knew meant it probably wasn't.

"Huh?" He replied, stalling until he found an excuse.

"You seem a little uneasy. Is there something the matter?"

"Oh," Mystel replied with a laugh in his voice. "Nah. I was just startled a little is all. Kind of wasn't expecting any visitors, you know?" He tried to keep his expression easy as Brooklyn decided if this excuse was acceptable. When he said no more he assumed he was out of the immediate danger zone, though far from green. "How are things going with you anyway?"

His leader smiled, showing his perfect, sharp teeth. "Better than I ever could imagine, giving everything that had happened in the last week."

Mystel felt his heart skip a beat in excitement. He might slightly oppose Brooklyn's methods of ruling a kingdom but that didn't mean that the two of them didn't share mutual hate of Kai Hiwatari. "You mean some one's talked? You've found him?"

Irritation spread over Brooklyn's face and Mystel was relieved that it wasn't because of him. "No. Nothing, actually. I don't know whether it's because we've got innocents or whether they just love Hiwatari too much to say anything. Whatever the reason all lips are sealed except to deny involvement or scream in bloody pain."

"No offense Brooklyn but I'm not getting you. I thought you said things were better than you could have imagined?"

He looked at Mystel with a sly grin. "I did because they are. Next time you step out into the streets take in the atmosphere. They're uneasy and whispers in the walls say that they're wanting their hero to do something." Mystel caught on immediately and grinned widely, slightly smugly. "I see you've got it. So, here's the plan. We organise a mass execution by hanging on Saturday, that's three days away. If I know our friend Hiwatari then he'll just have to make an appearance to save the poor people. Don't forget, he's still injured. It'll only have been a week since we last met and bullet wounds don't allow one to get back to the peak of one's health that quickly. We'll have him for sure."

"What if he doesn't show up?" Mystel asked.

Brooklyn's smile resembled that of a wolf's who was anticipating the hunt. "Oh he will. I know he will. Anyway, even if I should be wrong it's a mass hanging. We'll still have our spectacle."

Mystel joined in the cruel laughter that rang through his ears. It was only when Brooklyn had left him to his own devices that Mystel's humor turned to horror.

Kai quietly slipped his jeans back on and watched the sleeping, naked from of Hilary. His eyes scanned the perfection that was her body, admiring everything from the gentle bump that was her breasts to the perfect line running down to her naval where the duvet rested. Her chocolate brown hair was spread underneath her like a soft pillow and she looked so peaceful that he had to smile. Expressions like that were hard to come by these days with most citizens scared to sleep incase a member of their family should be taken during the night. To see it coming from Hilary meant more than if he could have shared it. For the moment, she was felt happy and safe and that reflected upon him. He only wished he could give her both of those things always even though he knew it was impossible.

He wasn't sure at what point she had fallen asleep. They had made love to each other for the first time, each of them never having a higher feeling of euphoria and probably never would. It had been amazing. Utterly indescribable. In the space of half an hour he had experienced every emotion possible for a human to feel while his mind had been an assortment of jumbled up thoughts, each as incoherent to the next yet fitting perfectly like a jigsaw with no picture to form the basis of the puzzle. Afterwards, both of them exhausted and higher than the stratosphere, they had collapsed beside each other, sweat glistening on both of their bodies, chests panting heavily and eyes only for each other. Strangely enough, for him that was perhaps the best part of it. In France it was known as 'La Petite Mort' or 'the little death', as it would be roughly translated. It was the feeling one felt after the great euphoria of an orgasm that made the soul feel as if it part of it had died, if only for a second. The rise up again after it was what made sex such an appealing thing for most human beings. After the brief low – which only lasted for a few seconds at most – came the best sensation, the feeling of real happiness and contentment. That was the feeling he had when lying beside Hilary. Neither of them said anything; there was nothing left to say.

After some time he heard Hilary's breathing deepen and realised that she had fallen asleep. This hadn't surprised him. Sleep had been close to him as well but he'd managed to stem it. He had taken this opportunity to get dressed and slip out. It would be easier that way. If Hilary had a chance to, he was afraid that now he could easily be talked round to staying with her. Even without her saying a word he was contemplating it. That was why he had to leave while he still had the chance and willpower. Hopefully she would understand that just because he had left didn't mean he didn't have every intention of coming back. God knew he would as soon as he could, even if it was only for a second and the only part of Hilary he could have any contact with was the smell of her hair that lingered in the air when she walked past, that sweet, savoring scent of vanilla and jasmine.

Fully dressed now, he stood beside her bed, implanting the image on her face onto his memory so that he would never forget this moment of perfection. As silently as he could, he slipped the duvet over her full body and kissed her forehead gently. She stirred for a moment, her eyes flickered open for just a second and then once again she was at peace, smiling serenely.

"I love you," He whispered before leaving the room and making his escape.

When he was gone, Hilary opened her eyes and looked towards the door longingly. "I love you too," she whispered back and settled back down to sleep, blissfully unaware that just a few miles away she had came dangerously close to being put into an intensive care unit at a hospital, her only saving grace the conscience of a man who had so much to lose by helping her.

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