Beyblade Fan Fiction ❯ Majesty ❯ Chapter 02 ( Chapter 2 )

Authoress' Notes: Now, I know you're all ready to kill me over Gramps, but let me assure you…he'll be back! Soon… Until then, I guess I should mention that I'm pretty much making up a new world here, with new places that don't really exist. But then it's a fantasy AU so that shouldn't really surprise anyone, should it?

Warnings: See chapter one if you're worried about it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade or anything to do with it. Only this fic and it's OC's (if any).

Pairs: TyKa, ReMa, Hilary/Tala? or Kenny?, Lee/Mariah, others to be decided.

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Chapter 02

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Tyson gently stroked Hilary's hair, her head pillowed on his lap where he sat with her, Hilary curled up beside him on the straw-covered floor of the cell. She had cried herself to sleep and the blue-haired leader of the Dragon Clan wished fervently he could have done so himself.

But what was the point in sleeping anyway? He'd be dead tomorrow, after all. Just like his Grandpa.

Aw…Gramps! Why'd you have to step in front of that arrow? You should have let it kill me. You could have worked something out with…well, maybe not. Tyson felt tears slide down his cheeks silently. How can anyone be so cruel? My people are scattered, their homes and crops destroyed. Children are left homeless and without care because of one man's greed for a power he can never have. And I am shackled to the floor of a dank, dirty holding cell awaiting my death because I couldn't keep my big mouth shut! He sniffed loudly and Hilary stirred.

She lifted herself off his lap wearily, sitting up slowly and stiffly. "Takao? Are you alright?"

Tyson gave her a small smile, meant to be reassuring. It came out more like a grimace, though. "I'm as well as can be expected, cousin. And please don't call me 'Takao.' I am not worthy of the name."

"Grandpa gave you your new name, Takao." She shook her head, deliberately using it. "He believed you were ready else he would not have named you so. You are eighteen years of age and had this war not interrupted our lives you would have gone through the whole naming ceremony just as Hitoshi and your father had before you."

"And I will never be able to go through that ceremony now, will I? I can't claim that name rightfully without the ceremony, Hilary, so I am Tyson. No more…no less." He stated firmly and she sighed, knowing he had made up his mind and would not be swayed from it.

They sat together in silence, in the dark, for a while. Hilary broke the quiet when it began to get on her nerves. She wasn't used to Tyson being so silent. He was almost perpetually happy and moved through life with an optimistic attitude she envied at times.

"Tyson?"

"Hmm?"

"Who was that guy that came in just before the Emperor left?" She asked quietly, playing with a piece of straw.

"Which one? The guy with the amazing crimson eyes and those blue triangles on his face?" Tyson blinked at himself and blushed a little even as he scowled, remembering the cold, distant expression on the teen's face.

Hilary giggled at the description and the blush. "No. The other one."

"Red hair? Ice blue eyes? Skinny?"

"Yes." She paused. "He wasn't skinny!" She protested.

"Hmph. If you say so." Tyson teased. Hilary stuck out her tongue at him. "Sorry, Hilary. I don't know who he was. Why?"

"Oh…no reason." She said, a little too quickly. Tyson eyed her suspiciously.

"You think he's cute!" He exclaimed incredulously. "Hilary! He's…the enemy!"

She scowled at him. "Oh, and like you weren't drooling over the other guy! And he's the Emperor's grandson! That's worse!"

Tyson made an embarrassed noise and turned red - not that Hilary could see it in the dark. "Now isn't the time for you to be going boy crazy, Hilary!" He managed to growl out.

"That goes double for you, hypocrite!" She tossed back.

This led to a solid glaring match between them - until their cell door swung open and a low light appeared from the torch in a silhouetted figure's hand.

"Are you two done bickering or would you rather stay here until dawn when they come to behead you?" The figure asked, voice dry and sarcastic.

Hilary moved closer to Tyson and he slipped an arm around her protectively. "Who are you? What do you want with us?" She inquired in a strong voice that wavered only slightly, belaying her fear.

The figure lit the lamp on the wall with his torch and the light revealed the red haired teen from before. Hilary turned scarlet and meeped. "My name is Tala and I am the captain of his Majesty's Royal Guards. If you would kindly follow me, quietly, you're getting your freedom." He motioned to them to follow.

Tyson just scowled at him. "First off, I don't trust you. And secondly, even if I did," he raised an arm to show he was chained to the wall, his chains clanking on the stone. "I'm a bit tied up at the moment, as you can see."

Tala rolled his eyes and turned to the door. "Bryan! I thought I told you not to use the chains!"

"Sorry, Tala, but there were some of the other guards watching. It would have seemed strange if I hadn't." A voice that Tyson assumed belonged to 'Bryan' apologized.

"Well give me the keys then!" Tala took them when they were held out and quickly unlocked the bonds on the two prisoners. "There. Now come on! We're late as it is."

Tyson and Hilary followed the red-haired Guard out the door and met Bryan, a lavender-haired, bulky teen with a pale complexion and light violet eyes. "What do you mean 'we're late'? And where are you taking us anyway?"

"To the stables. We'll meet someone there and he'll help you out of the city. From there, you'll be on your own." Tala explained impatiently. "Bryan. Go. Anyone asks, I felt it was unnecessary for the prisoners to be guarded all night so I sent you to bed."

"But, Tala…" Bryan protested, since Tala was taking responsibility all on himself.

"Go!" Tala snapped and Bryan took off in one direction while Tyson and Hilary followed Tala another, moving stealthily through the halls of the dungeon Tower.

They had to dodge several Palace guards but they finally reached the stables undetected. Tala snuck them in through a partially hidden side door behind a pile of hay barrels and let them past rows of stalls where the horses were sleeping - or at least resting quietly.

"Kai?" Tala hissed quietly. "Where the hell are you?"

"Right where you left me, moron." A voice answered from above. "What took you so long?" Tala looked up and Tyson recognized the dark-haired teen that dropped from the rafters gracefully as the other guy from the throne room.

The Hiwatari's grandson, Kai.

"You!" Tyson exclaimed, earning dual glares and shushing noises from Tala and Kai.

"Shut up, Kinomiya! The grooms next door don't need to hear you!" Tala warned him. Kai laid a hand on Tala's arm and shook his head.

"Never mind, Tala. Let's just get them out of the city before they're discovered missing from the Tower."

"Oh no. I don't think so. We aren't going anywhere with you, Hiwatari." Tyson declared stubbornly, blue yes narrowed with distrust. Hilary nodded her agreement, hovering close to Tyson and gripping his arm and his hand tightly.

Kai turned his gaze on Tyson and frowned. "Don't be stupid. If you want your freedom, Kinomiya, if you want to live, you will accept the help I offer to do so or we'll all be caught and all our heads will roll in the morning!" As he spoke he stepped right up close until they were nearly toe-to-toe, Kai looking down slightly because he was a bit taller than Tyson.

"Why should I trust you, Hiwatari? I have lost everything already because of you?" Tyson didn't flinch away from the intensity of Kai's eyes on his at such a close distance. If anything he moved closer, unconsciously drawn as if by some sort of strange magnetism.

"I don't care if you trust me or not, Kinomiya. I just want to save you and the girl from a fate neither of you deserve. I can't bring back your Grandfather or all the people who have died because of this stupid war. I wish I could." Kai stared down at the blue-eyed teen and had to fight off the insistent urge to just lean down a bit farther and press his mouth to Tyson's, to find out if he tasted as good as Kai thought he must.

"If you're going, Kai, you'd better move it. Dranzer's restless." Tala pointed upwards and Kai looked up to see his companion ruffling her feathers anxiously.

"Yeah…what are you still doing here, Tala? Go on." Kai waved him off. "Go to bed. And thank you."

Tala shrugged and gave him a mocking bow. "As my imperial cousin commands." He flashed a grin at Kai's growl of annoyance and disappeared out the door.

Kai moved to the door after him and made sure no one was around before calling, "Dranzer!" and holding out his arm for her as the phoenix ghosted down from the rafters. "Let's go."

Tyson hesitated for a moment then pulled Hilary along after him as he followed Kai from the stables.

They went along with the dual-haired prince out of the Palace by way of a servant's gate and then through the streets of Bay City, the Hiwatari Imperial capital.

Kai finally stopped at an inn that was built up against the high city walls. "We're here. Let me do all the talking inside. And keep the hoods of your cloaks up. You're entirely to recognizable and memorable with that hair and those eyes of yours." He instructed.

"And your eyes aren't?" Tyson muttered. "Those were rather remarkable and memorable to me."

"Why, Kinomiya! Was that a compliment?" Kai smirked, hiding the little thrill of happiness that went through him at the comment. "Now come inside and don't say anything."

Tyson pulled up his hood after giving Kai a scowl, and he and Hilary reluctantly followed Kai inside the inn.

They waited while Kai talked to the innkeeper quietly for a moment and slipped the man some gold coins in exchange for a key. Kai came back over to Hilary and Tyson and said, "Follow me."

Kai took them back outside and around to the stables, where guests could leave their horses for their stay when they didn't require the horse to get somewhere. At the back of the barn, in the very last horse stall, there was a well-hidden door that was locked by a huge iron lock. Kai used the key he had obtained from the innkeeper and pushed the door open.

"There. You have your freedom." The crimson-eyed teen said. "Be careful when you go through. There are some prickly thorns on the rose bushes that hide this door on the other side. You'll find two horses and some supplies in the saddlebags tied out there waiting for you." Kai pulled out a small cloth pouch that clinked slightly and pressed it into Tyson's hand. "There's a bit of money and some valuables that you can trade for more coins later. It's not much but it should be enough to get you out of the Empire if you spend it wisely."

Tyson stared at the purse in surprised gratitude. "I…I don't know what to say, Hiwatari." He looked up into Kai's eyes and offered a tentative smile. "I don't understand why you are helping us or why you even care, but…thank you."

"Yeah, well, I don't like what my grandfather has done these last few years and I am ashamed of the man he's become. Whatever it is he wanted from your clan he obviously can never have and he's too insane to understand it." Kai looked over his shoulder and frowned at a noise.

"Someone's coming, Tyson." Hilary tugged him through the door. "Let's go…while we still have the chance."

"Alright. Careful of your skirts, Hilary." He cautioned as she stepped over the branches and avoided the thorny rose bushes. Kai went with them, intending to make sure they got the horses he'd had Kenny procure then leave ready and waiting for their escape.

"Ow! Tyson, that's my foot!" Hilary yelped

"Sorry! I can't see in this darkness." Tyson apologized.

The three escape artists pushed through the last of the bushes and stepped out into the open…and found themselves surrounded by armed Imperial Guards, on horses, each aiming crossbows at them. Kai stepped forward, placing himself between Tyson, Hilary and the guards.

"Stand down!" He barked the order sharply. He saw some of the guards hesitate and begin to lower their weapons but another voice spoke up and all the crossbows remained aimed at them threateningly.

"Do not. We must take these prisoners back to the Palace and our your Prince, here, must face the consequences for betraying the Emperor's decree so rashly." A man in armour wearing a black cloak rode forward through the guards and dropped a large bundle on the ground at Kai's feet. The bundle squeaked and whimpered in pain when it landed hard in the dirt. "This servant of yours has already had his punishment, today."

Kai knelt down next to Kenny and swallowed back his rage when he saw the bruises and blood. "Kenny! Oh no…"

"I…I'm okay, your Highness. P…please don't worry about me." Kenny gasped out and began to cough. Kai winced and helped him to sit up, undoing his bonds.

"Are you okay? Can you walk or run if you have to?" Kai whispered the question as he helped Kenny to stand slowly. Kenny whispered back, pretending to stumble.

"If I have to, I will."

"The horses?"

"Ready and waiting." Kenny murmured before he raised his voice and said through his pain, "I'm sorry I failed you, your Highness. I was on my way back when they caught me and forced me to lead them to this secret door."

"You didn't fail me, Kenny." Kai assured him. "This isn't your fault."

"Enough! Guards, seize them all! Bring them to the Palace at once!"

"You know what, Boris? I don't fee like it." Kai glared at the General, pure fury flaring in his eyes. He gave a sharp, shrill whistle and seemingly out of nowhere Dranzer flew in, raining fire on the guards and Boris.

While the fires and phoenix kept everyone busy, Kai pulled Kenny to Tyson and Hilary and shouted over the ruckus, "Let's get out of here while they're distracted! Lead us to the horses, Kenny!"

Not about to argue, Tyson took Hilary's hand and they ran after Kenny and Kai along the city walls until they reached another grove of trees and bushes where two horses were tied, waiting patiently.

"We'll have to double up for now." Tyson said, quickly helping Hilary mount one horse then swinging up into the saddle behind her himself and taking up the reigns. Kai did the same with Kenny, untied both horses, and led Tyson off, away from the city and the guards.

They hadn't ridden far when a light cry of a bird sounded and Dranzer swooped down, landing on Kai's offered forearm and settling on his shoulder when he moved her there.

"Thanks, Beautiful. That was very nicely done of you." Kai complimented her, softly stroking her feathers and making her coo happily in his ear. "We'd better ride hard and fast to put as much distance as we can between us and them." Kai decided, jerking a gloved thumb in the general direction of Bay City.

"I can agree with that." Tyson nodded. He hesitated a moment then nudged his horse closer to Kai's and held out a hand. "I misjudged you, Hiwatari. You've more than earned my trust and friendship tonight. You put yourself in danger for us and now you're in huge trouble, too. I thank you, and at the same time, I am sorry for the trouble I've caused us all."

Kai looked at him for a moment. Then he reached out and grasped Tyson's hand firmly, accepting the gratitude and the apology."

As he pulled his hand back, slowly (because he found he didn't want to let go), his hand began to tingle mysteriously and tiny little licks of…something pleasant danced over his nerves.

For Tyson it was nearly the same, only his hand wasn't tingling - it was hot, almost burning. But it felt good rather than painful. He snatched his hand back and picked up his reigns, looking forward over Hilary's head, deliberately avoiding Kai's gaze when he felt his cheeks burn. "I know a place we might go, if you're interested."

"As long as it's outside the Empire then yes." Kai replied, noting the blush and wondering at it. Never mind, Kai. Escape now, have hentai daydreams later. He reminded himself.

"It is. Marchantia City to the west." Tyson focused his attention on riding and escaping. "I have friends there."

Kai nodded. "Good enough. Let's ride as fast and far as we can tonight. I want to get as much distance as possible between us and the danger we leave behind." He looked down at Kenny. "How're you doing?"

"I'm okay, your Highness. Ride on." Kenny told him, grimacing. Kai patted him on the shoulder gently and nodded.

"We'll tend your wounds when we stop, Kenny. But from now on you can't address me as 'your Highness' or 'my Lord' or anything, okay? I'm just…Kai."

"Yes, your…I mean, Kai."

"Good." Kai looked over at his unexpected travel companions. "As for you two, same thing goes. I'm just Kai. Try to refrain from using my family name, if you would."

Tyson smiled - the first true smile he had since even before his Grandpa's death. "Sure thing, Kai. Call me Tyson, and her Hilary."

Kai inclined his head, smiling back faintly. "This is Kenny. He's my most loyal servant…was, I mean." Kai informed them. And the closest thing I've had to a human friend. He added silently. "Now that the introductions are over, let's ride!" He nudged his horse into a run and Tyson followed, close behind.

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They rode all night and well into the morning. The sun was high into the sky and huge clouds had begun to form when Kai finally slowed his horse to a walk then stopped. His horse needed a rest, he was about to fall asleep in the saddle, and Kenny was in need of treatment.

Tyson and Hilary pulled up beside him. Hilary was already asleep, curled against her cousin's chest and Tyson had once arm wrapped around her waist to hold her in place. "How's he doing?" Tyson inquired about Kenny.

Kai frowned and pulled off a glove to place the back of his hand against Kenny's forehead. "He's warm. We'd better make camp and take care of his wounds."

"I'll scout around for a good place." Tyson offered, preparing to dismount. Kai held up a hand and waved him back.

"No need. Dranzer will lead us to a safe place." Kai pulled his glove back on and nudged the dozing firebird on his shoulder. "Dranzer? Wake up, sleeping beauty!" She opened her eyes and blinked at him owlishly, ruffling her feathers. "I know. Help us find a safe place to camp and you'll get back to sleep faster." Kai pointed out. Dranzer chirped and nipped at his ear with her beak before hopping down onto his forearm and launching herself into the air, soaring high and disappearing from view.

"That's truly amazing, Kai. I've heard phoenixes are impossibly independent. How'd you manage to train her?" Tyson inquired curiously.

"I didn't. She's a free spirit." Kai replied with a shrug. "She has been with me for as long as I can remember - a guide, a protector, a friend, maybe even a mother since my own died so long a go." The dual-haired teen blinked. "Why am I telling you this? I don't talk to people - especially when I've only known them less than twenty-four hours."

Tyson gave him an odd look. "Why not? It's not a bad thing to speak openly with other people, you know. You make friends that way."

"I don't need friends. I have Dranzer. She's all I need." Kai's tone warned Tyson to drop the subject and Tyson did, frowning despite being intrigued even more by this prideful, cold prince with the burning wine-coloured eyes.

They waited in silence for about five more minutes (Tyson getting more uncomfortable with the quiet by the second) when Dranzer returned with a squawk and circled her human companion twice to gain Kai's attention. Then she flew ahead of them and they followed close behind.

She led them off the path they were following deep into a forest, until they reached a very beautiful, secluded clearing - complete with a gurgling, clear brook that streamed through it.

"Wonderful. Thanks, Beautiful!" Kai gave his avian friend a grateful smile and she bobbed her head at him in return, landing on a tree limb to roost. Tyson shook Hilary awake gently.

"Hey. We're resting here, Hilary."

"Huh? Oh." She sat up straight stiffly and looked around. "Oh! It's very beautiful, here, Tyson." He nodded and slid off the horse, reaching up to lend her a hand down.

Kai had already done the same with Kenny and had sat the smaller teen down on the moss-covered ground, propped up against a dry, dead log. "Kenny? How're you feeling?"

"I'm okay…"

"No, you're not." Kai sighed. "You can tell the truth, Kenny. We aren't in the Palace anymore and you're not going to be punished for being unable to perform your duties."

"I don't…I can't…" The poor kid was practically in tears. "I don't want to be hurt more! I…"

"Shh…" Tyson knelt next to him and smiled reassuringly. "You won't be, Kenny. I promise. But if you want to feel better you have to let us treat your wounds. We don't want you to fall ill on us."

Kenny, who had curled himself into a ball in fear and pain, looked back and forth between them a few times with an ashen face before slowly uncurling himself and nodding a little. Tyson removed his cloak and helped Kenny get his tattered and bloodied shirt off. The bluenette gasped and felt tears sting his own eyes when at the sight of the wounds the brunette had endured.

"Sweet Gods…" He breathed. "What did they do to you?"

Kai felt a boiling rage bubble up inside him again at the sight and stood abruptly, walking off away from the others where he found a large boulder and kicked it as hard as he could. Then he sat on the rock and ignored everyone and everything, too occupied with controlling his formidable anger.

Tyson watched him in a mixture of fear, concern, and uncertainty. He made a move as if to get up and go talk to the furious prince but stopped when Kenny put his hand on Tyson's arm and shook his head.

"Don't, Tyson. It's best to let him sort things out for himself, right now. Just leave him be." Kenny advised softly.

Tyson wanted to argue but decided against it. "You'd know him best, I suppose." He turned back to Kenny and gathered up the wrecked clothes, leaving his cloak beside the injured boy for a moment while he went to get some of that water to clean Kenny up.

Hilary, staying away from Kai as best she could, came over as Tyson was bathing Kenny's wounds gently carrying a clean set of clothes and some emergency bandages and ointment she'd found in the saddlebags. "Good thing you packed this stuff, Kenny. It's sure coming in handy now."

He gave her a wan smile as she helped her cousin use the ointment on the worst of his injures and bandage him up as best they could. He blushed quite a bit at being nearly naked in front of such a pretty young girl - and a Lady, too - but he didn't protest much because, quite frankly, he just didn't have the strength to.

The clothes were entirely too big on him since he'd packed them himself with Tyson in mind. But after a few adjustments (rolled up sleeves and trouser legs, some string for a belt, etc.) they got him clothed again. Tyson draped his discarded cloak around Kenny's shoulders with a smile.

"There. Better. Now, you sit and relax, Chief. I'm going to gather up some firewood and get a small fire going." Tyson stood up and brushed himself off before heading off into the trees to scrounge for twigs and branches.

Once he'd returned and together with Hilary's help gotten a fire going, and a modest meal was prepared, the three sat companionably together and ate. Kenny didn't eat much and had to reassure Hilary and Tyson he never did otherwise and it wasn't because he felt ill or something.

Tyson, the entire afternoon and well into the evening, kept glancing at Kai, who hadn't moved from his perch on that rock at all. Tyson had called to him when their meal was ready but all he got was an indifferent grunt in reply, so the bluenette reluctantly left him alone again.

Since Hilary had napped on most of the ride earlier, Tyson stretched out comfortably beside the fire at a safe distance and dozed off for a while. Kenny had curled up, too, at Hilary's insistence, to get what rest he could while he could.

Eventually, however, Kai finally did move from his rock. He padded over to the fire, where Hilary was sitting and poking at the burning sticks with another stick idly, and said gruffly, "Wake up Tyson. We'll travel at night from now on until we get out of the Empire. If the Emperor sends people after us - which he probably has - it'll be easier to avoid them under cover of darkness."

Hilary turned to her cousin and shook him hard. "Wake up, lazy! Time to go…"

"Uhn…go 'way." Tyson groaned, rolling over with a sigh. Hilary rolled her eyes and shook him again and he batted at her hands in annoyance until he got so fed up that he sat up and scowled cutely at her. "What? I was having this really great dream, Hilary!"

"We're leaving, Tyson." Kai stated, smothering their campfire with dirt. "Pack up." He turned away, fighting the urge to go over and kiss away the bluenette's pout.

"Oh. Sure." Tyson yawned widely and went to it.

Hilary woke up Kenny and helped him stand. "How do you feel now, Kenny?" She asked. "You've got some colour back in your cheeks, at least."

"Better. I'm still sore, though." He blushed slightly at her steady gaze.

Kai glanced up from a folded sheet of parchment he was studying. "It should take us about another three night's ride to reach the border. Then another two days to get to Marchantia." He eyed Kenny critically. "That is, if you're up to it. We have to ride hard and fast if we expect to stay ahead of any pursuit parties."

Kenny straightened up as much as he could. "I'll try not to slow you down, your…Kai." He amended quickly at Kai's furrowed brow.

"But if you're in pain or ill, tell us Kenny." Tyson said firmly, giving Kai a glare that warned him not to argue. "Don't hide anything just because you don't want to slow us down."

"I won't."

"Let's go!" Hilary exclaimed, tugging Tyson to their horse. "We've got a long ride ahead of us."

The group of travellers mounted up and with Dranzer leading the way in the dark of night, began the next leg of their journey to escape the certain death they'd left behind.

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Authoress' Notes: Hmm…so now they're on the run! And I still haven't figured out whom Hilary is going to get paired with… decisions, decisions. *sighs* Please R/R!