How fitting that this chapter is number 13. Don't kill me for what happens at the end of this!

Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade!

Chapter 13

The guests had arrived and were awaiting the arrival of their hosts. As Kai looked around them he couldn't recognise a single one and that was perfect. Even the most famous of celebrities were unidentifiable and in that genre included the infamous ones like himself. He could feel a few eyes quickly scan over his body and when he discreetly turned his head to see who he found that a group of girls had gathered and he was the latest subject of their conversation. He rolled his eyes. That was something he could do without: the young society debutantes treating him as their latest competition. He could hear their giggles just by looking at them. These girls were the ones he would probably have been brought up in the company of. Those exact ones. This was the society he had been born into but harshly removed from. Even while he sipped on the expensive champagne and enjoyed the taste in music there were some things he was glad he didn't have to do. Courting the debutantes was definitely top of that list. He could remember them in his younger age. All beautiful, rich, intelligent and well aware of it all. They would constantly compete with the other girls for the attention of one boy and as soon as one had won they would move on to the other. Superficial, snobby but even he couldn't deny that they were sexy even in full ball gowns.

He moved through the crowded dance hall, avoiding the waltzing couples and waiters with their trays of hors d'oeuvres, to where Hiro was standing on his own watching Max as he flirted with the society girls and drove them into fits of giggles.

"No sign of the target?" Kai muttered, folding his arms. Max had now taken of the girls in a crimson dress and they were dancing. Even with her masque on Kai could tell she was very pretty.

Hiro made a slight inclination of his head. "None. They'll be making a grand entrance I'd expect. Don't you remember how the hosts of these parties work?"

"Well they better hurry up because I'm starting to get antsy," Kai lied. In truth he was antsy about seeing Hilary. Killing Brooklyn was another factor, of course, but a relatively minor one in comparison.

"They'll be here when they're here."

"No shit."

Hiro noticed two men entering the hall and turned his back. "Don't look now but the henchmen have arrived."

Kai turned his back too but not before he had a quick glance at who Hiro was talking about and knew instantly that Mystel and Garland had made their arrival. Mystel wore a golden masque in the shape of what could only be described as a bird's beak. Over the eyes there was ruby glass to make him look even more like a falcon. Kai recognised it as a sign of their family symbol. Beside him Kai recognised Garland. His masque was low on his so that it covered his eyes, nose and upper lip but not his forehead so that he could see the red dot on his brow that was a characteristic of the members of his family that had been given honour. Kai wondered about this. He thought that whole idea of a masquerade was to hide identities, not enhance them.

"That means Kingston and his bride will be arriving soon," Hiro continued.

They watched out of the corner of their eyes as the two men walked over to the music section and had a word on the pianist's ear. The music then stopped. A hushed excitement fell over the crowd since this would be the first time society would be introduced to their new queen. The double doors at the top of a large stairway opened and Brooklyn Kingston and Hilary Tachibana walked out arm in arm the the landing.

"Thank you all for coming tonight. I know its been very short notice but I'm sure as you can understand time isn't something that I can afford to squander. Tonight is very important for both myself and Hilary for it is to celebrate out engagement to be married." They turned to each other and smiled, a sight that made Kai's heart pound so fast he thought it might burst through his chest.

Hiro scowled. "Would you look at that? You'd forget he was once just a slave for the military, a dog like anyone else."

Kai grunted in reply but it wasn't Kingston he was looking at. His eyes had never left Hilary. She looked extraordinary. She was wearing a full length white ball gown littered with diamonds and crystals so that it glittered in the light. It was cut off just above her bust and was supported by sleeves just below her armpits. The dress pulled in corset style to her narrow waist and then erupted in mass of frills and layers around her hips all the way down to the floor. Her hair had been piled on top of her head in a mass of curls and swirls and decorated with a simple silver tiara. Her masque covered only her eyes and was silver with sequins and white feathers sprouting like mystical eyelashes. All in all she looked like a princess in an enchanted fairy tale.

He tore his eyes painfully away to look at Brooklyn. They were matching, he observed with scornful distaste. He wore a white suit with diamonds scattered over it as well, only didn't shine as brightly as his bride. His masque was an exact replica of Hilary's except his had no feathers.

"Without further ado let's commence the festivities!"

Still linked by each others arms, Brooklyn and Hilary walked down the steps and into the crowd. Hilary scanned over all the people and frowned slightly. If Kai was indeed here there was no way she would find him. There was no one she recognised yet so many people she knew from pictures in magazine and television. She smiled as Brooklyn greeted one of his guests and thanked their compliments on her beauty modestly.

Two men walked up to Brooklyn and greeted him with a formal handshake. "I am the Baron Vladimir Krushkiev of Russia," one said in a thick European accent.

Hilary found the man entrancing to look at. It was odd. He had all the airs and graces of a titular man but his demeanor made him appear humble. She admired his outfit and knew the man had great taste. His trousers were blue with red crystals going up the outside leg in two vertical lines. His jacket was blue as well with a similar design going up the arm and his shirt was plain red with no tie to accompany it – a bold move with these kind of guests. His masque was of the same colours. Around his eyes – which were dipped so she couldn't see the colour – was a blue outline followed by a red. The rest was blue with red spirals. His hair was slate but smoothed down and tied back with a red tie.

"I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting," he continued. He then took Hilary's hand a kissed it. The feel of it in her own felt strange, like she had taken that hand before. The calluses seemed so familiar to her. "You are very beautiful, truly deserving of a crown." He gestured to the man beside him who was much less extravagant as he was. He wore a simple tuxedo of monotones. His masque was plain black but instead of having the effect that he hadn't made much effort he looked like he was perhaps of noble birth of had been accepted into nobility as some point in his life. "This is my good friend the Count Mario de Susario of Spain."

The greetings were repeated again.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both. It seems that in every social event I've turned gone to your acquaintance has always passed by me."

The Russian nodded. "That's a tragedy I made sure wouldn't happen again tonight."

Brooklyn smiled charmingly. "I'm glad it hasn't. If you'll excuse me there are other guests who require my attention. Perhaps we'll have a better opportunity to talk once the greetings are out of the way."

The Baron smiled. "I hope so."

The two men watched the couple walk into the midst of the crowd, both feeling extremely satisfied with themselves.

Hilary looked at the grandfather clock and sighed. It had only been two hours since she's arrived at the party but it felt at least ten times that had gone past. She was sitting in the company of six society girls who had obviously grown up with each other. Each tried to outdo the other for her attention, obviously aware that no Maids of Honor had been announced for the wedding. Flattery was getting them nowhere. For intelligent women, Hilary saw them as dull as gray skies. Each was a replica of the other. She supposed that when you were in the company of an other girl for so long it was only natural to adopt some of the same traits and personality. However seeing six different girls with all the same thing to say on subject of marriage was scarily unnerving. She casually leaned back in her chair to see if perhaps there was a clockwork mechanism on their backs and they were actually robots. None.

She hadn't even taken the time to learn their names. They were all to similar anyway. Names like Clarissa, Melissa, Larissa, etcetera. Instead she identified them by the colour of their dresses which , thankfully, were all different. Even in the world were everything else is the same if you wear the same clothes as the other you're an official outcast. Thank God for small favors.

"Wow," the one in blue gushed. "That ring looks so expensive. Brooklyn must really think highly of you!"

"I should say so!" lilac said to her friends more to Hilary. "That man could have any girl he wants. I expect choosing one must have been the toughest decision of his life. What, with marriage being the most important thing a person will ever have to do picking the perfect spouse isn't easy."

Hilary opened her mouth to talk but crimson burst out with, "I know! Why, I've had my eyes set on that American all night! Only it might be a bit too early for a proposal." They all tittered. "Maybe another couple of hours," she laughed.

The girl in green smiled devilishly. "Do you know who I wouldn't mind walking down the aisle with?"

The other five cried, "who?"

"That Kai Hiwatari!"

"No way!" yellow laughed. "That's not something you should be saying when you're at the party of Brooklyn Kingston. He'd have your head for sure!"

"Well there's no denying that he's as fine as silk and probably even more pleasing," the green girl reasoned. "Besides, did you see his face in the paper? He's as handsome as any man and I've heard charming besides. It won't be just any girl that man settles down with."

"If he settles down at all," orange pointed out. "No one's seen hair nor hide of him since he was shot. Maybe he's not even alive anymore."

"Of course he is," Hilary said angrily. "It'll take more than a bullet to the leg to kill him."

The other girls looked at her in shocked surprise.

"It was his leg?" orange gasped. "I thought it was his arm!"

Yellow shook her head. "No it was definitely his torso."

Hilary rolled her eyes and excused herself. She needed fresh air to clear her head of the bimbo-ness she was sure these girls had infected her with. She walked over to the curtained door of the balcony and let herself out.

The night breeze was calming as it blew against her bare arms and onto her face. She closed her eyes and let out a deep breath. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves apart from her and it was her party. She looked out into the gardens and sighed as she saw the foot patrol guarding the walls. Maybe Kai wasn't going to come after all. She was foolish to think he'd be able to get in. Not even a criminal mastermind could get over those walls and without an invitation that would be the only way in.

A shooting star shot through the sky but Hilary made no wish. They'd all been wasted.

"It is your party is it not?" the thick accent of the Russian Baron said. "What are you doing going out here away from your guests?"

She gasped in surprise and turned round. She hadn't even heard the door being open nor noticed if anyone had seen her sneak out. "I'm sorry. You startled me. Yes, it is. I just need a little air. It can be so stuffy in those places, you know?"

The Baron made a non-committal grunt. "I see. Well a beautiful girl such as yourself shouldn't be allowed to be at her own party by herself. Perhaps you would give me the honor of dancing with you?" He held out his hand and Hilary bashfully took it. They slowly began to waltz around the balcony, falling into each others step with perfect timing. "Are you sure its the heat? I have seen your eyes looking around you as if you have been expecting some one. Did they not arrive?"

She smiled sadly. "I guess he couldn't make it. I was hoping a friend of mine that I haven't seen in quite a while would have come. He hasn't, though, so it doesn't matter."

"Maybe he has and you've just not been looking right in front of you," he replied, smiling at her.

Hilary looked up and into his eyes. She knew it. They were crimson.

"Kai!" She cried.

They embraced each other, holding the other tight as if they were never going to let go. Hilary missed the feeling of being in his arms, the security they gave her. She could smell his usual scent and couldn't get enough of it. Eventually they broke away from each other enough so they could see into the others eyes.

She giggled. "Where did you learn to dance and mingle with the crème de la crème?"

"Don't forget I was born into this kind of life. Look, I'm sorry, Hilary. I wish we hadn't parted like that. It's been killing me ever since. I've just wanted to see you or even talk to you but trying to get in here uninvited would be like trying to fly without wings."

"I think we both know that there's blame to share. Funnily enough it doesn't even seem to matter anymore I've missed you so much. I've wanted to contact you so we could go our place but there's just been no way. It feels like forever since I saw you last."

He held her close to him again. "I know. It drove me crazy thinking about you with him and knowing I'm helpess to stop it. It still is."

"Kai, you can't be jealous. What I feel for him is nothing like what I feel for you. I love you. I don't love him. That means everything to me, knowing that. You love me too so that should be all that matters." For several minutes they said nothing. They were just happy to be in the others harms, enjoying the warm and the happiness that came from it. As an afterthought, Hilary said, "by the way Kai, just how did you get in here?"

Kai looked taken aback. He went into his pocket and pulled out his invitation. "I was invited, for your information."

"Mariah!" Hilary said, finally seeing the whole picture. "I'd never have guessed. Should have figured. It was she who put this whole idea into my head first of all."

"I'm glad she did," Kai said and kissed her. The feeling of her lips on his own was one he had missed so much when kissing other girls. They just seemed to fit each other. It was natural, like they'd been made for each other. It only made sense that they should be together and to Kai it was ridiculous that they shouldn't. Come hell or high water he would find a way for them to be together. A bond like theirs could never break.

Brooklyn looked around for Hilary and frowned when he couldn't see her anywhere. He was hoping they would have shared a dance by now but it had seemed more important to introduce her to the other young ladies at the party and let her be acquainted with them. However he hadn't seen her in their company for over twenty minutes. He made to walk over and ask about this when Garland stopped him. Slightly irritated, he gave him his attention.

"I thought I'd give you an update. There's been no attempted infiltrations. The guards have not had any trouble at all. I think its safe to say that our rebel friends won't be attending tonight."

His demeanor didn't falter but inside he felt relief. "Well that's good. That clears Mystel completely."

"So it would seem," Garland returned with a tight lipped smile. "Though I hate to admit it, I wish it had been him in some ways. Then we would know the culprit and wouldn't have to keep searching. Finding them will be like finding a needle in a haystack."

Brooklyn smiled an eerie grin, like a madman about to make his next kill. "Do you think so?" His eyes focused on one person in particular. "I'm not so sure. I think it'll be easier than you think."

The other man quirked an eyebrow but said nothing. He knew Brooklyn well enough to know he would get nothing else out of the man regarding this matter. "Well that's all. If you'll excuse me I have a girl waiting on me in the other room." Saluting, Garland walked off, disappearing into the dance floor almost instantaneously. Brooklyn loved that about him. No matter where he was he could always make himself invisible. An impressive characteristic to say the least.

"They said this would be the social event of the year," a Spaniard said, catching Brooklyn by surprise. "It seems they were correct. There doesn't appear to be an unhappy face anywhere."

"Count de Susario," Brooklyn smiled warmly. "I was hoping to have the chance to talk with you. Where's your companion?"

"Wooing some girl, it would seem," he replied dismissively. "My condolences to the unlucky one, whoever she may be." Brooklyn laughed heartily and the Count joined him, both blissfully unaware of how right they were. "I offer you my humblest apologies for not attending your previous social events. As I'm sure you can imagine, with a civil war running in my country I couldn't very well leave me people."

"Think nothing of it. I fully understand the pressures of holding a title." The Count smiled grimly and Brooklyn quirked his head. He was sure he'd seen that smile before. "Are you sure this is out first time meeting?"

"I assure you that you have never met the Count de Susario before," he replied with a smile.

Brooklyn cocked his head. "I'm sure we have. Have you ever had anything to do with the army?"

The Count's smile widened. "Actually I have."

Mariah saw Hiro talking to Brooklyn and felt worry rise. As far as she was aware this was not a part of their plan. Kai was supposed to be around when Hiro made his move and she couldn't see him anywhere. In fact, Hilary had gone missing to. She felt her stomach turn in knots. This was not a good sign. From the corner of her eye she saw Max once again dancing with a girl in a crimson dress. Not worrying about intruding on them she marched over and grabbed Max by the arm. He gave an indignant cry and the girl glared at her. She didn't care. The importance over balanced everything else.

"Max, come over here," she demanded. The worry was thick in her voice. "I have something I have to ask you." She stared at the girl who looked as if she had every intention of following them. "In private."

With a worried expression he followed her to a quite corner of the large dance hall. "Before we go any further can I just say that you look ravishing?"

Mariah gave him an unamused glare although she completely agreed with him. She was wearing a baby blue dress that was low cut and gave her bust the best push up she had ever known. It sweeped all the way to her ankles an had a mini train at the back that seemed to flow around her when she walked. Her hair was half up in a bun and the other half was a mass of curls that framed and settled on her body perfectly. Max could see that she was drawing more attention from her looks that she wanted. From behind her baby blue masque, sparkling with glitter, sequins and rose petals, her eyes shone with anxiety.

"Leave it out. Have you seen Kai?"

Max frowned. "No I haven't." He noticed Hiro with Kingston and panickedd. "Shit. What's he doing? He's supposed to wait until Kai's there to back him up!"

"You don't think I know that? Come on we need to find him before Hiro does anything stupid." She paused for a moment. "I don't suppose you saw where Hilary went?"

Max nodded. "I did. She was talking to my date for the night and she went outside to the balcony."

Her heart fell. "I think I know where Kai is then. I'll explain on the way."

Kai held Hilary in his arms and let her head rest against his shoulder. He could smell her perfume all around him, driving him insane with her gentleness. He sighed and wished they could be like this always. He looked down at Hilary and smiled. He loved this girl so much it hurt. Why was it that they couldn't be together. Why was life so cruel? He had had to watch the woman he loved pretend to be in love with another man and see him looking back with the same expression as he showed her. It had driven him mad watching the two of them playing happy couple to the world and knowing that no matter how much that bastard could claim he loved Hilary Kai knew he'd always love her more.

"Kai?" she whispered.

"Hmm?"

"I wish it could be like this always. I just want to be with you."

Kai was silent for a few seconds. "There has to be some way we can. There's just got to be." It was Hilary's turn not to say anything. So many things were running through her mind. "Meet me tomorrow. At the place just after midnight. I'll think of something."

She bit her lip. "I'll be there."

They leaned in to kiss again when the door of the balcony burst open. In a panic they split apart.

"Kai?" Max cried incredulously. "What the hell are you doing?!"

Mariah grabbed both of their arms in a rage and yanked them towards her. "Are you stupid right enough? Being together under Brooklyn Kingston's own nose? Anyone could have found you. Anyone!"

Kai ignored her and shrugged her arm away. "Where's Hiro?"

"He's about to do what we came here to do," Max said in a deadpan voice. His eyes never left Kai and Kai found that he just couldn't meet them.

Panic filled Hilary's eyes. "What you came here to do?"

"What, he didn't tell you?" Mariah asked innocently. "They came here to kill that bastard. Only Kai's not sticking to the plan."

She looked to Kai pleadingly. "You can't! You just can't! That country will fall down in a shambles and anyway, he's not the same person he used to be. He's different now!"

"Hilary..." Kai murmured.

"Don't tell me you're having second thoughts just because a girl's telling you?" Max hissed. "No offense to you Hilary but in case you haven't realised the country's already in shambles. How could it get any worse? And Kai., Hiro's out there about to strike and instead of being there to back him up you're to busy chasing your animal instincts with the target's fucking fiancé! What are you waiting for?"

"He's there right now?"

"Yes!"

Kai looked to Hilary who suddenly refused to meet his eyes. "Maybe we should call the whole thing off."

"It's too late for that now, Kai!" Mariah almost screamed. "Hiro's about to make the shot!"

Ignoring all else, Kai took Hilary's hand in his own. "It's your call. If we do this then we can be together."

A single tear ran from her eye. "And if we don't your friend might die. Do it. Just do it."

He gave her a quick kiss and with nothing else being said he, Max and Mariah ran from the balcony into the hall.

"The army, huh?" Brooklyn questioned. "I knew it. I was so sure I knew your face. Were you in the King's Army?"

"Yes, as was my father. He was very high up in the rankings."

The other man frowned. "And his name was de Susario as well? I can't seem to place him anywhere." He paused for thought. "No I can't think on him. De Susario?"

"No," Hiro replied, dropping his accent. Brooklyn's eyes widened. "Granger."

Quick as a flash Hiro whipped out his gun but before he had a chance to shoot another shot rang out, silencing all else. The gun fell from Hiro's hand as the blood poured out from his wound. Mystel, panting, ran to Brooklyn's side. His gun had smoke flowing from it. Hiro looked up and saw Brooklyn's menacing face glowering down on him.

"Too slow," Brooklyn said and pressed the nozzle of his gun into Hiro's forehead. Smiling, he fired again. Hiro's body dropped to the floor.

"No!" Kai and Max cried, now hidden in the hysteria that has arisen. Kai tried to run forward but Max grabbed him from behind. "It's too late," he whispered. "It's too late. We have to get out of here of we're not going to get out at all."

Everything was a blur. Max half dragged, half carried him away from the dance hall, slipping away unnoticed from the madness. Kai could no longer make out shapes or faces. His vision was blurred and his hearing fuzzy. He could feel himself being guided by Max to safety but nothing connected apart from the fact that he had failed. He had failed his friend and he had failed his country. The numbness he felt ate him up.

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