Me- Hi time for my next for your suppory you guys...Please do tell me what you think of this story thus far...Anyways, I still do not own Bakugan Battle Brawlers. Now with all the formalities done, On with the story.

FORBIDDEN DESIRE

crystal-mist

Chapter- 9

Arrange marriage

*Ventus*

Shun and Seichiro were in the main hall of the palace, having a very important meeting with their father.

"What ?" came Shun's hysterical tone.

"You heard me, you are to get married with the minister's daughter Youaka." his father repeated, getting a bit impatient with him. Shun looked horrified. "No, I most definitely will not." he protested loudly.

"Shun, this is not your choice to make...I have already arranged every thing. You cannot protest to the wedding without a valid reason." The King of Ventus said with finalty. Seichiro stared at his brother sadly, he knew that Shun was already in love with the priestess of Darkas. Seichiro's co-operation had helped Shun sneak out of the palace undetected numerous times. Shun was devastated.

"But father..."

"I will hear no buts. Do you understand me Shun?" he asked. Shun nodded silently. not knowing what to say and how to say it."

His father left the room, leaving the two brothers alone.

"I will not give up." muttered Shun, clenching his fist in front of him. Seichiro went closer to him.

"I don't know what you intend to do in order to get out of this situation brother. But, know one thing, I will always support you. Regardless of what decision you make." His brown eyes met Shun's topaz ones in reassurance.

"Thank you...But, what am I to do?" he muttered in a barely audible voice. A long silence stretched on. "Maybe,... Yes that might work." Shun said as an idea suddenly came into his mind.

"What is it?" his brother pressed on.

"Well, you know how father is all nostalgic about things like love and such." he nods. "Well, maybe if he met Alice, and he saw that we truly are in love with each other. He might give in."

"But the chances are slim, seeing that she is the priestess of our rival kingdom." Seichiro stated. "Still, it is worth a try. It is your only chance...But see what she thinks of this entire situation."

Shun nods.

*Neutral Kingdom Shun&Alice secret meeting place*

Shun explains the entire situation to Alice. She turned her soft brown eyes to look at him. He saw horror and depression mirrored in her face. "I am sorry. But you must know that it was not my decision...Please, believe me."

"I believe you." she answered quietly, concentrating on the ground. "I should have known, realized sooner that we were never meant to be, that we should have sto-"

"That's enough...Please stop..." he cut her short. His voice was pleading, he did not want to hear any more. She looked at him, surprised at his tone. "But, there is still a very slim chance, a very very slim one." he continued. Alice looked at him listening intently.

Shun explained what he and Seichiro had in mind.

"What if...What if your father doesn't like me?...What'll we do then?" she asked softly, the doubt clearly showing in her voice.

"That won't happen. Who couldn't like you?" he replied with a small smile. "But God Forbid, if that does happen...Then we'll meet the followind Saturday and discuss it. I want you to know something Alice, I am willing to give up anything just to be with you."

Alice blushed at his last remark.

The day Alice and Shun agreed upon finally came.

Alice told Ace everything, however Ace was a bit did not know why. In the end he agreed that she could go. Shun made his way to the Darkas castle to pick Alice up. Ace looked at Shun, trying to see if he really did feel the same way.

"She is special. If you break her heart or pain her in any was I will personally hunt you down." Ace threatened under his breathe menacingly. Shun nodded silently as he walked past Ace and held out his hand to Alice, dressed in a beautiful gown.

She took his hand and smiled. She nodded to Ace before leaving. She felt nervous in the carriage, on the way to meet the King of Ventus.

"Don't worry everything will be fine." he reassured her as he took her hand and planted a gentle kiss on it. She blushed slightly at his action. She nodded, suddenly looking a lot more confident than she actually felt. They were finally there. The Ventus castle towered in front of them. She took in a deep breathe as they made their way inside hand-in-hand.

They finally reached the main hall. Seichiro was standing at the entrance. He smiled widely and gave them an enthusiastic thumbs-up. Alice mouthed a thanks as she and Shun made their way into the huge room.

There in the far side of the room sat the King, his head bent over the paperwork he was doing. Shun took in a deep breathe and tightened his grip on Alice's hand as if she would slip away if he let go. She was nervous as well. Shun cleared his throat.

"Good day to you father." he greeted. His father looked up at his son. His eyes undoubtedly on Alice in confusion. His father did not utter a single word, obviously waiting for an explanation. He wanted to know why his son was in front of him, hand-in-hand with a girl. He had to admit that the girl was beautiful. She also looked meek and shy. The king automatically liked the girl he saw in front of him, but he didn't let it show on his face. He looked on nonchalantly.

"Father, this is Alice. She is the reason I refused the marriage with lady Youaka." he thought it best to get right to the point. His father raised his eyebrows could feel Alice's hands start trembling with nervousness. He squeezed her hand. His father's eyes were focused on her face and mostly on Shun's hand that held Alice's. He could see the seriousness in Shun's eyes.

His eyes blazed with passion and the king could see that. In Alice's eyes he could see the same. She seemed a modest girl.

He was also quite amused that Shun had actually fallen in love and found a match for himself. He smiled at the two nineteen year olds. Shun half-sighed in relief. But he knew that things weren't over, they still had to reveal Alice's true identity.

"So father...What do you have to tell me."

"Well my son. I have to admit that I did not see this coming." he said with a small laugh.

"Father, there is one more thing you need to know...Alice, she isn't just a normal person...she is the prietess of Darkas."

At this the King's face was completely altered. His face turned angry and dark in a fraction of a second. "Pardon?" he half-growled.

Shun felt his heart go cold with fright.

"She is the priestess of Darkas." he muttered.

"AND WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BRINGING OUR ENEMY INSIDE THE CASTLE PREMISES?" his father shouted at him.

"But, father."

"I will not hear a single word. GET OUT of Ventus castle." he barked furiously at Alice. Shun was horrified at this turn of events.

Alice couldn't move. She was rooted to the spot out of fright.

"Shun, go to your room NOW." the King ordered seeing that his son's grip was still firmly on the Darkas girl's hand.

"NO, I will not." he protested defensively.

"I said that I would like to have a word with this friend of yours."

"You can still talk to her if I am here can't you." he said in defiance.

"Shun Kazami...Are you disregaeding a direct order from your Father, the king of Ventus?" he asked in a menacing tone.

"Y-"

"No Shun it's okay go ahead." reassured Alice in a shaky tone.

Shun looked at her uncertainly then leaves the room. He was a bit scared, especally after his Father's little outburst.

But he left all the same. Alice gulped as The King looked at her with cold eyes.

What if...What if he doesn't like me? Will I be able to see Shun again? Oh..I only wish our kingdoms were more friendly.

She looked up from the groud, only to meet the icy and enraged face of Shun's father. She closed her eyes waiting for what was coming next.

Me- Okay now that's that..Please review you guys,,It keeps me goin

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