Beyblade Fan Fiction ❯ The Four Beasts ❯ Chapter One ( Chapter 1 )

Sweet notes: A sort of odd story, it might take a while to understand.

Warnings: Lime, Yaoi, lemon, Rei/Takaeo, Kai/Takaeo, AU, PWP.

Disclaimer: I don't own 'em!

~.~

The Four Beasts.

~ By Sweetdeily.

~.~

Rei watched The Blue Dragon Prince lower his silky tunic to the floor. Soft, adolescent curves revealed to the warm night air.

The White Tiger Prince's blade never wavered from the younger Prince's throat.

"The necklaces, bracelets and your facial covering, now." There was a soft intake of breath. Large blue eyes looked at the threatening sword; ready to strike at any moment and cut through facial veil, skin and bone.

The price of defeat was heavy in the air.

The jewellery tinkled as it hit the floor; metal clicking against metal carelessly. The sound of silk passing over skin as the film over all but the small Blue Dragon Prince's large sapphire eyes fell to the ground. Soft cherub cheeks and a harsh blush, half parted lips as the boy breathed in and out quickly, partly from exhilaration of the battle mere moments before, partly from fear; met Rei's heated gaze.

"Nice. Now the hair."

There was a soft swish as trembling fingers undid the jewelled clasp over The Blue Dragon Prince's hair, releasing raven black strands everywhere.

"Shoes. One at a time." He commanded.

Rei brought his own hair out, never even blinking at his captured prey.

The shoes came off, almost fumbling in fear.

"The pants."

The boy's eyes widened and he hesitated. The White Tiger Prince growled, stepping closer with his steady sword.

"The pants. Now."

A soft whimper filled the room before the pants were slowly slid down slim hips, revealing naked, tanned flesh beneath.

Rei smirked at the view. "Very nice. Step closer."

The Blue Dragon Prince blushed, moving hands to cover his exposed body even as he moved closer one step.

"Don't cover it! I did not give you permission."

Rei licked his lips watching the fear slid into The Blue Dragon Prince's eyes; another soft whimper echoing from the boy's mouth as he let his hands fall to his sides in tiny fists.

The White Tiger Prince kicked off his shoes, using one hand to slither out of his own pants, his arousal clearly viewable.

"Down on your knees." The raven haired boy knelt, head bowed, hands at his side.

"Before you can't answer me any more.What is your name, Blue Dragon Prince?"

"Takaeo."The Blue Dragon Prince's voice was soft and full of childish tones as it spilled from his thick lips.

"Your lands are mine now."

There was no reply so Rei took it as time to do as he wished. "Suck my cock, Takaeo."

Takaeo gasped softly at the request but only trembled and reached up fearfully; touching The White Tiger Prince's organ with trembling fingertips before leaning closer slightly, doleful blue eyes darting up to look at The White Tiger Prince's face before closing tightly as the boy opened his mouth.

Rei sighed softly as warm, moist lips pressed around his cock, soon the lips took more of him in and his organ was swallowed into a hot moist cave; the delicious feeling of being inside The Blue Dragon Prince's mouth sent sparks up his spine.

"Good boy." He purred, sliding a hand into the thick mass of raven hair on the boy's head.

"Suck me harder." He commanded, pushing himself further, fucking the boy's mouth leisurely.

Takaeo fought against his natural gag reaction to having most of the conquering Prince's cock shoved deeper into his mouth; tears trembling in his eyes as he sucked harder on the column of flesh. It was awkward to have something so big inside his mouth. The salty taste of precum slid over his tongue and he whimpered around the flesh, breathing through his nose. The hand in his hair clenched and pulled at his roots, bringing more tears to his eyes, even as droplets stained his cheeks. He'd never been brought up for such rough treatment. The cock in his mouth was harsher than the soft pattering of bare touches he had ever received in his life and he fought not to choke.

Rei growled blissfully.

All that hard work…

Those weeks of going without a single touch to his groin because of the importance of getting some sleep to plan the next stages of the conquering.

And then the four be damned major battles.

The first battle.Killing the king of the Dragon Lands; officially, after that he should have owned the lands, but the title, of course fell to the oldest son.

The second battle. Disposing of the oldest son. Then touring the palace, killing any resistance; and coming across this room.

The third battle.The freakin' nurse! Pink haired bimbo 'Takaeo' had called Mariah.

The fourth, and, although he would never tell the little figure on his knees before him; the hardest battle, The Blue Dragon Prince.

The goal he had been searching for.

The White Tiger Prince pushed his cock into that tight, moist mouth further, growling more. "Harder." He commanded. Ochre coloured eyes flickered on the tears staining The Blue Dragon Prince's cheeks and Rei smirked.

After so much pride from the Dragons it was refreshing to finally see one humiliated.

"Mmm, you're lucky to be alive, Takaeo." Rei growled out. There was a munificent blush right across the boy's features; it was so innocent that Rei felt himself leaking more heavy beads of precum everywhere. Those lips and that mouth were so soft and untainted. He could just stand there having the boy suck him off forever.

Takaeo choked around the saliva covered cock raping his mouth, he could barely get enough air in, if The White Tiger Prince didn't cum soon, Takaeo was going to suffocate to death. Making up his one-track mind, the smaller prince increased his speed as best he could, when they'd said 'if your father and older brother are killed, you are defeated in battle, and a noble of high birth claims your kingdom, all that is left for you is to please those who outrank you', he hadn't realized people meant this kind of… perverse pleasing. It was times like these, when he realized that people enjoyed misleading the youngest royalty, that he hated the fact he hadn't gotten a younger brother or sister.

Rei panted, he usually took his pleasure slow and steady, but with that mouth sucking his dick faster, and that sweet sense of profound victory, he could barely contain the stirring animal luster that took over him. He pushed in and out of Takaeo's mouth harder, gripping the boy's black hair until a few strands were pulled loose and let loose a dark purring sound that was like nothing any normal cat would dare make.

Takaeo whimpered harder as his hair was abused, mouth aching harder now as he drove his tormentor into a kind of frenzy. Tears fell down his face and he gripped the organ in his hands just a little harder in his pain.

He had never lost hair before, it hurt!

There was nothing interesting about this horrible perversion people had about these things called pleasure and sex, how could women stand to have their hair ripped out? How was this beneficial for anyone?

Rei let his head fall back, stars playing along his vision as wildfire raced up his spin and caused him to open his mouth in silent exhalation. He came in that hot mouth and almost stumbled, he stopped at a sway, straightening blissfully as stars fell in patterns around his gaze.

Takaeo tried not to swallow the hot liquid that spilled into his mouth; but as he couldn't move back, from the painful fingers digging in and almost pulling him forward, he ended up swallowing the salty cum. It tasted like hazelnut salt. Not entirely a horrible taste, but not nearly a pleasant one. The White Tiger Prince was breathing heavily now, but had not let him go, which meant he couldn't move his hand, which meant he couldn't quite breath all that freely.

Takaeo whined in agony.

Rei became aware of a soft whining sound and looked at the tear stained prince beneath him. The boy was flushed all over and had cum trailing down his chin as well as heavy tears. But he hadn't even tried to move away, which was impressive for the normally rebellious Dragon Lords. Rei let the boy's hair go and instantly Takaeo moved, taking a deep lung full of air and choking in a way Rei thought was a little over dramatic.

"Didn't they ever teach you to breathe through your nose all the way through a blowjob?" The White Tiger Prince asked, trying to hide his amusement when the kid gently rubbed his head as if it were sore.

Takaeo shook his head; puffy sapphire eyes darting up to meet ochre before falling away again.

Rei snorted and pulled a handkerchief from his pant's pocket, slipping back into the garments and straightening his clothing all back into perfect order slipping his sword back into its scabbard cleanly. He still had a few more things to do, even if he couldn't have waited a moment longer to totally conquer The Blue Dragon Prince. He tossed the small form the handkerchief and turned, striding toward the door.

"Clean up." He ordered. There was only so much submission he could take before he felt like strapping someone down and seeing if he could make them resist.

Just as he opened the door he realized he hadn't heard any kind of sound, Rei whipped around and growled.

The little prince had picked up a shattered piece of glass and was holding it to his own neck, trying to steady himself so he could drive it in.

Rei was on the boy in a flash, obsidian hair flailing out behind him as he moved, grabbing the naked boy's wrists like quick fire.

Genetic training kicked in and Takaeo immediately brought his foot up to slam into Rei's chest. The action would have hurt more if Takaeo had of being wearing shoes still, but as it was, it sent the pair rolling.

They tumbled across the floor in a flurry of limbs and lengthening nails until Takaeo's feet and hands were talons and Rei's were sharp claws. Without the use of his hands however, Takaeo was a pinned dragon.

Finally Rei landed on top and slammed Takaeo's wrists back against the floor. Hard. The smaller prince whimpered loudly and fresh tears fell from his silted eyes until he lost the talons and was just a crying prince once more.

Rei's tail lashed in the air behind him for a few more moments before he forced himself back into his human form, cat eyes staying on the cherubic prince's submissive face.

"You seem to misunderstand the meaning of 'clean up'." Rei finally murmured after he counted to ten.

There was no reply.

"Acknowledge me! Or so help me I will skin your tiny little hide myself!" Rei bit out.

A fine trembling started in the boy's legs until he was a shaking mess of tears and trembling skin. He made a small squeak and then broke into hysterical sobbing.

Rei was quite taken aback. He'd seen little children cry like this when their homes were destroyed or their families lost, and trembling overtook the older knights on occasion, but never had he seen a warrior prince begin to act like a child when defeated.

"Shut up." Rei commanded.

Takaeo tried to draw breath but was obviously overrun by sobs as it failed and he just cried louder.

"Lord Rei-…" A voice began only to stop mid sentence. Rei turned with a hiss to the newcomer and lost the sound immediately.

It was The Purple Turtle Prince, Prince Max who was from the most peaceful country of all four neighbours, he'd even signed agreements with the Phoenix lords, which, as they were more proud and arrogant and better if not as good as warriors than the Dragon Lords.

Prince Max, Rei was convinced, should have been born a girl.

He was beautiful, even for a female, and bore sunny blonde hair, blue eyes and a female disposition. He also knew more about household cleaning, sewing, bowing and writing than any prince ever should.

Rei had asked Prince Max not to come with the royal invasion force, but the prince had insisted that he would since he wanted to make peace with everyone, and he also wanted to visit the famed hall of swords the dragons had in their castle. Great complications and arguing with his father had resulted in Rei's objections being ignored.

The Purple Turtle Prince took in the scene in his usual cheery way. "Oh, congratulations! You've just conquered a peaceful nation and bullied someone of the same rank as you into crying and getting embarrassingly undressed. You must be proud."

Of course, Max had a strange, honest looking sarcasm to him, as a peaceful and treaty inclined prince, he had strongly objected; all the way over the six week journey mind you, to the war.

Rei would have given a lot for the crying one to be Max and the one he couldn't hurt to be dead right then. The White Tiger Prince twitched. "I don't know why he's crying and I am proud thank you very much, Lord Max."

"You don't know WHY? You kill a boy's father, elder brother, nursemaid, bash him around in a duel, do something horrible that involves nakedness, and you can't imagine that pinning the frightened peaceful passive dragon down, would eventually make him cry?" The blonde exploded.

Glaring at the obsidian haired prince with disdain Max marched into the room and loomed over Rei. "First. Let him go, because you're hurting his wrists. Secondly, zip your fly, its still open. Thirdly, find a robe or something to cover him with… and finally give him a sword to kill himself with because we will duel before I willingly let you take care of this boy."

Rei ignored the slight heat that rose to his cheeks and released The Blue Dragon Prince's wrists to do up his fly. Takaeo curled into a tight ball and shivered and sobbed, he visibly flinched when Max gently petted his shoulder.

Rei turned his back to the display.

If it weren't a useless effort, he would have declared war on the Turtle Lords and slaughtered them all; but as they're defences were impossible to breach and they had strong ties to the Phoenix Lords, during which if a war were to be attempted, the Phoenix Lords were entitled to side with the Turtle Lords, and thus ended the conflict… with a lot of dead people.

The sobbing stopped very suddenly and Rei, hand outstretched for the top drawer of the room's dresser looked back at what was going on.

Prince Max was whispering something in dragonish and making a few vague gestures. The Blue Dragon Prince breathed deeply a few times and whipped his eyes with the back of his hand, whispering a reply in his childish tones.

Rei shook his head. Dragons were a strange lot. He finally found something that resembled a robe and strode back to the pair, kneeling and grabbing the naked boy by the shoulders and forcing him into the garment. Max clicked his tongue, watching Takaeo flinch at Rei's harsh touch.

"You know Rei, Takaeo here is a youngest prince."

"Yes, I know. He's the one I waged the campaign to capture, or were you to busy being righteous to know that this was about traditions between the Tiger Lord and the Dragon Lords. For centuries they've won. But now," He began with a vicious smile, "Now I will be celebrated as the fiercest warrior to ever emerge from my ancestors because I am the first to take The Blue Dragon Prince."

Max rolled his eyes. "Yes, yes, you're very impressive. But you don't know anything about Dragon culture do you? Takaeo is an untouchable. Meaning he has no conception of how much pain you can put someone through, or what pain your body can ignore. Do you realize what damage you can do to him by simply pulling his hair?"

Rei snorted. "A lie Prince Max; that is a lie. If he didn't know how painful things could get, he wouldn't know how to use a sword. And if my spoils have something to say, let him say it for himself." Rei reached his hand forward to draw a sharp nail across Takaeo's ear, knowing the boy was listening to what they said intently.

Max cocked his head, as if conceding to such logic he opened his mouth, about to address the prince in question, Takaeo answered him before he even asked Rei's question in dragonish.

"Elders teac-taught me to never speak to whoever wins against my sword fighting, they say-said to nod and say-uhh…" he paused, and Rei realized that Takaeo didn't speak the common animal tongues very well at all. "And speak name… Mariah taught me to listen well to animal common- common animal language…but I don't say- say or speak?" he asked Max.

The blonde smiled encouragingly. "Speak."

"Thank you. I don't speak it very well."

Max opened his mouth again and spoke clearly and precisely in dragonish, he even hissed the strange sounds out as if they were natural. Takaeo frowned at whatever Max had asked and shrugged.

"I came like that." The Blue Dragon Prince answered.

Rei frowned. "Now, in the common tongue if you don't mind?"

Max rolled his eyes. "I asked him about sword fighting, and how he could be innocent to pain and know the blade. He said, in common, he came like that."

Rei snorted with mirth. "Yes, and I'm a duck mother."

"No. I am… born… to use sword, so when I pick up sword, I use it..." Takaeo made a rolling motion with one hand, saying a word to Max.

The blonde smiled. "Properly. Expertly."

"Expertly," the raven haired boy picked up. "my body is shaped to use sword for big event… but I fail because I try to move wrong way and The White Tiger Prince defeats me, and causes…. Pain!" he finished and rubbed his scalp gingerly.

"Then breaks tra- big word- tradition and not let- doesn't let me… finish please? Too hard to remember all the word say." He muttered something that Rei would have bet were dragonish curses and cleared his throat before making an odd clicking noise that Rei had no idea was an actual word.

Max sighed. "When I signed on to travel with you, I knew you were a little out of whack with cultural differences, but to stop the poor child from killing himself…"

Rei frowned. "Now listen to me you righteous little do-gooder, in my culture such things are frowned on, and, he belongs to me now; so back off." The White Tiger Prince snapped.

Sky blue eyes lit up with watery furry.

Takaeo settled onto the cold stone floor and sighed, they had began arguing and he didn't see the point in paying attention, Tiger Lords were prone to fits of anger and if the smart Turtle prince wanted to yell back, that was his business, not the defeated Takaeo's business. Neither screamer noticed Takaeo slip away to the other side of the room where the window was, the un-shoed prince had to be careful that he didn't step on glass. After having his hair pulled, he didn't think he could stand much more agony. His wrists were white hot fire where they had been smacked against the ground and he hurt all over anyway. What a horrible day this had been. The small prince sighed and looked out the window at the distant mountains. He closed his eyes slowly and his mind released from his body with practised ease.

/A very bad day to be my little Dragoon. The palace is so empty without your father and brother… I forget how big of an aura you Dragons cast./

/Dranzer? You have no idea how bad it's been. I felt pain. PAIN. And it was horrible! He made me suck his… ugh! He pulled my hair and slammed my wrists and… I wish I had a younger brother or sister. At least then I could have just been killed rather than face that kind of torture. How can you stand it? Being pushed or pulling, falling down, yelled at… being hurt like that?/

/ha!… you are so naïve little Dragoon, some people go through that every day of their life. And yet here is my little gem, untouched from the horrors of painful things. You don't even feel emotional pain properly, do you? You're like a hatchling, my little Dragoon. Did it feel good at all? To have him do that to you?/

Takaeo shivered and shook his head to the almost desirable tones in his psychic companion's voice.

/You are a pervert! It hurt more than anything, Dranzer. And I almost choked to death. Besides, all he did was hurt me and tell me to suck his cock. He didn't do anything else to me. Don't think I'm not glad… but arh! Stop being disgusting Dranzer, I've had a really horrible day and before I jump off the balcony I wanted to say goodbye so just be nice and say you love me and we can part on friendly ground./

/You're going to kill yourself? Tsch! That's not very fair! And here I've been, celibate for years, waiting for your old man and brother to die, and when I finally get my wish what happens? You say 'oh, I don't want to live anymore, a world with pain is too hard' sob, sob, sob. GET A GRIP DRAGOON! The rest of us go through far worse without ending it all before things can get better. I've been waiting for so long baby, don't go yet…please? I want to see you in the flesh, I want to lay you down and- Takaeo!?!?!/

Ignorant to the fingers waving across his vision and lost in the almost physical touches that ran shivers down his spine and made his breathing hitch as invisible lips sealed over his and cool hands not really there cupped his chin and teased his senses, Takaeo nearly had a heart attack when he was slapped across the cheek. The raven haired prince's mind was torn from the conversation and sent whirling as pain lashed through him.

Takaeo stumbled and gasped, tears falling from his eyes as he fell to his knees, one hand covering his cheek.

"I wouldn't have taken you for a magic user, Takaeo. But from now on you do nothing unless I say so. Understand?" The White Tiger Prince glared as he spoke, they were alone in the room once more, and Takaeo had only to wonder where The Purple Turtle Prince had gone.

Takaeo nodded dully, he would wait, wouldn't he?

Dranzer would come and take him far away.

Dranzer had lots of talents, and strong magic.

Dranzer *was* power.

"Good, now go and have a bath or something, calm down and do whatever it is Dragon Lords do to grieve. Oh, and don't try to kill yourself. Here, you'll need this to get anywhere or past any guards." A small white wooden shaft on a green ribbon was tossed near him; it bore three circles inside one another printed in gold ink.

Takaeo stared hatefully at the thing. Objects couldn't feel pain, just like he was meant not to.

The White Tiger Prince walked out of the room, if he heard Takaeo's soft sobbing, he ignored it.

After a few long minutes Takaeo managed to stand and headed for the baths. The halls were deserted save for the occasional white dressed Tiger soldiers who didn't even glance as Takaeo walked by them. The baths were empty when he got there; there was no sign of servants or battle in any of the three little joining rooms. Takaeo went to the private bathing screens and stepped behind the end one. He stripped off his robes and picked out a pale blue robe from a stack on the chairs, the pale blue was the colour of dragon tears, a sign of grieving. He dragged up another chair and sat the new cloth on there and stacked two towels atop it.

Takaeo used the small step to settle on the rim of the tub and slipped a foot into the water, it was hot, but the end one was the one usually reserved for him, so the servants always made sure it was never too hot, either someone was still alive or it was just the ruminants of his life. As he slipped further into the water his body shifted, scales flowing and talons growing from nails, the process continued until he was fully in the water, the last of his hair conforming to his skull and forming spikes that spread back from his muzzle. The last thing to adapt was his eyes, dilating in a swirl to vertical slits. Beneath the warm water he curled up, dark blue scales sliding along the walls of the tub, barely causing a ripple on the surface as his now 12ft long body settled to the bottom of the tub in rings.

Takaeo sighed, watching the bubbles that rose to the surface with the expulsion. He closed his eyes and relaxed into the water, thoughts floating away without him even realizing it.

/"Ready?" The red clad soldier nodded at the question and pulled a bow back.

"Any time now, Royalty."

He nodded curtly. "Right aim for the walls, and don't kill any of the blue. FIRE!"/

Takaeo snapped his eyes open and shot out from the water, gripping the edge of the bath with sharp talons and whipping his head left and right, a thundering explosion wracked through the stones and the very walls.

The Blue Dragon Prince sniffed the air, scenting magic. A moment later another explosion wracked the palace. Water sloshed over the edge of his tub and Takaeo fought not to erupt in a screaming heap. This day couldn't get any more perfect could it?

With a snarl he jumped from the tub and slid on the floor, wet scales and dripping talons finding it hard to get any perchance on the stones. He whipped around and snatched the piece of wood with the white circles on it in his mouth and skidded out of the bathing chambers, still in dragon form and moving so fast it was a complete blur to every rushing soldier that past him. Someone yelled and Takaeo turned snakelike, golden eyes glaring at the Tiger soldier that challenged him. The soldier held a long glaive in one hand and met Takaeo with level eyes. His black hair was pulled back tightly behind his head and his eyes were orange, he still had whiskers as if he'd only just finished changing back to human form.

"Who are you and where are you going?" He asked in common animal tongue.

Takaeo spat the piece of wood at the soldier and stood on hind legs.

"Disturbing bath, stupid in-con-sider-ate annoying-" He grumbled trailed off in dragonish and grabbed the wooden token from the soldiers fingers. Flicking the man with wet water from his tail as he hurried off again, not caring what the Tiger thought.

He picked up speed again and burst into the throne room of the palace, looking around in rage, seeing The Purple Turtle Prince he marched up the to boy, spat the wooden token out and began roaring his mind at the prince in dragonish before slipping into Phoenix whistles and chirps and finally back into common.

"-Son of a dog lady!How am bath going when playing magic?" he finally ended with a vigorous roar and settled, scaly chest heaving with breath.

The Purple Turtle Prince was dripping wet, Takaeo had managed to cover him in water as he ranted in all three languages, albeit the Phoenixand Dragon words had been better constructed.

"WHAT IS ALL THE NOISE IN HERE?" The sound of Rei's voice drew both Princes' attention to the door. The conquering Prince marched into the room, looking between the soaked Max and still dripping Blue Dragon.

Takaeo puffed his chest out and turned, talons clicking on the floor to give the Tiger Lord a piece of his mind but

The Purple Turtle Prince beat him to it.

"Lord Rei, Prince Takaeo was interrupted during his bath when the explosion's started. He's more aggressive in dragon form-" The last was punctuated when Takaeo picked the wooden token up and spat it square at Rei's head.

"And he demands you stop playing with magic, among other things."

"Bad noise!Big rocking annoying! I am not happy!" The Blue Dragon Prince added.

Rei caught the wooden token easily and frowned. "I-"

Another explosion wracked the room and all three Princes tumbled, the stone walls breaking and bricks falling from holes.

Takaeo roared again and shifted back to his human form, all the while shouting obscenities.

Max regained his footing and muffled snickering, Takaeo was still dripping wet from head to toe, only his hair held more water than anything else. Clearing his throat Max shook his head.

"Calm down Lord Takaeo, calm down please. We don't know what is making the commotion."

The Blue Dragon Prince sniffed indignantly and walked gingerly over to the window to look out. What he saw made his heart stop.

"Oh wow."

Below the palace stretched a massive field of red. Gigantic birds of fire swarmed in circles before rapidly coming around and unleashing blasts of fire against the walls of the castle. Below the birds hundreds of men walked, all dressed in scarlet red and bearing the banner of the Phoenix Lords. Takaeo recalled his history lessons and realized how all the armies had gotten there so quickly, the teleporting device in the jungles to the south.

The Blue Dragon Prince squealed in happiness and raced back to grab the token from Rei's stunned hands, shifting quickly into his dragon form and hurrying back to the baths. Yelling a passing farewell to The Purple Turtle Prince on his way through the door. The halls were a clatter of desperate moving feet and no one stopped Takaeo this time.

The Blue Dragon Prince spat the token out as he skidded around the private screen for his bath and reverted to his human form, grabbing a towel and beginning to rub his head and hair dry vigorously. He moved the towel down his

body until he was as dry as he could manage and then slipped into his bathing robe.

Calmer now, Takaeo grabbed a few towels and started making a nest in the middle of the room. He found the towel closet and pulled a few stacks of the cloth down, adding them to the nest. All the while explosions wrecked the castle, shaking the foundations. Even though he dropped the towels every few seconds or tripped painfully, there was nothing that could wreck his mood.

He finished with the nest just as the explosions stopped and the fighting began. Screams tore through the air, and shouts followed. The noise level rose to the point that Takaeo hoped he'd go deaf. But he settled into the nest and trained his eyes on the door.

/The soldier fell in a gurgle, body heaving painfully in the last throes of death. He raised the shinning blade and flicked the blood from its edge.

"I want this level cleared."

"Sir!It's the White Tiger Prince." One of the red uniformed men bowed, motioning to the darting form of the prince.

He smiled, fingers curling around the hilt of his weapon. "Leave that one to me. He owes me."/

Takaeo frowned. What if Dranzer was hurt…? He didn't want to lose Dranzer to that monster. And besides, Takaeo was meant to be the best fighter of all the princes, if Lord Rei had defeated him…

"What in the name of the Turtle gods have you made?"

Takaeo blinked and looked up, the nice Turtle prince was standing in the doorway to the baths.

Takaeo motioned the boy inside. "It's dangerous just standing there. The Phoenix Lords are only under orders not to kill anyone dressed in blue… and purple… well… I'm not going to be responsible." He spoke in the hissing words of Dragonish.

The Purple Turtle Prince slipped into the room and closed the door behind him. "Why are the Phoenix Lords attacking? I didn't call them here. And to my knowledge they don't have any treaties with you lot." He replied in the same language.

Takaeo looked down. "They don't… in fact my father and brother hated the PhoenixLords… just as their old king returned the feelings."

Max's eyes narrowed. "So why are they here?"

Takaeo played with one of the towel's edges. "Dranzer... is… well… he's…and me… and… all that stopped him were my older brother and father…"

"I'm sorry; could you repeat that in a clear sentence?" Max asked, his girlish features were contorted into a look of pure confusion.

"Dranzer… he- well the last guy that made a move on me… Dranzer kidnapped them and had their head cut off, then he mailed me the guy's tongue." Takaeo sighed romantically. "It was still bloody when I opened the box."

A shudder passed through the Purple Turtle Prince. "I forgot you dragons are carnivores."

Takaeo smiled, showing pearly white teeth that were a little unnecessarily sharp. "And why are you here, Lord Max?" he had to pause to pronounce Max's name, as the sounds were not natural Dragonish.

"I have been reading about the 'tradition' between yourselves and the Tiger Lords. I wanted to see it in action."

Takaeo raised his eyebrows, following Max's movements as the prince dragged a chair to sit within comfortable talking distance. "You didn't think the White Tiger Prince could do it, did you?"

"No, actually."

"I understand. They haven't won for the past eight generations. I was too shocked to fully understand it either. And this stupid law they have against suicide! THAT was a certain break in ritual. We always encouraged our prisoners to take the proper way out." Takaeo toyed with his hair gently while he talked.

Max's eyebrows shot up. "You encouraged them to commit suicide?"

"Naturally.It's the way of the tradition. Of course, they don't have to, but the humiliation…"

"It seems the more I witness this stupid little tradition, the more I want to destroy both sides!"

Takaeo blinked. "You think it's stupid?"

"You invade each other's lands, kill all but the youngest of the royal family and then make them commit suicide after raping them. What about that doesn't sound stupid to you!?"

Takaeo mulled this over for a few moments. Put it that way… it did sound a bit silly. "Mm, whatever you say…"

They were both too absorbed in their conversation to notice the door quietly opening.

"That's what I mean! You just go along with it! The only problem you had with him raping you was that it hurt!"

Takaeo sighed. "It wasn't my only problem…" he mumbled the hisses faintly, so quietly he didn't think Max heard him until the other prince prompted him.

"And what were your other problems?"

"It wasn't… it wasn't interesting… Dranzer always says it'll be good, and fun, and feel so nice… he says he's going to make me have such a good time that I'll scream. But doing that to the White Tiger Prince… it was painful, and it was boring."

The Purple Turtle Lord blinked. "You didn't enjoy it? That's it? You don't see it as a moral outrage that he forced himself on you?"

"I lost the fight! It was within his rights to demand anything of me. You wouldn't understa-"

"Ahh, my sweet little Dragoon, perhaps you misunderstand the young Turtle Prince, you see, he probably understands all too well." The Phoenixchirps echoed through the room and two pairs of eyes whipped to the source of the noise.

~ To Be Continued…

Sweet notes: DONE!!! After two years, finally finished the first chapter! Reviews?