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Dragon and Phoenix	By : GeminiStarlight Category: Beyblade > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 2193 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 2
- 3
- 4
Chapter 3:

Hours later, a figure paced restlessly in
the big throne room inside the Kinomiya castle. Four other persons were present
as well, but resumed standing at one place, carefully watching the first one. This
person, a man of nearly seventy years with long silvery white hair breaded into
a tail seemed anxious for an unknown reason. He wore a richly decorated tunic
in white and different shades of blue over dark blue trousers and excuded a
certain sense of dignity and noblesse. But his erratic pacing contradicted this
aura of nobility, because he vented quite colorfully - even if nearly inaudible
- his mounting frustration over the reason of his uneasiness.

Three of the four other persons looked at
each other, as if trying to find a way to release the pacing man of his
anxiety. But it was their friend, who finally voiced some words, which made the
old man stop in mid-stride and turn to him.

�Your Majesty, there is no reason to be
worried about His Highness. He told me last night that he would be back by
midday at the latest � and I am sure he will hold his promise�, the young
warrior, which was Lee, tried to ease the worry of his prince�s grandfather.

But with saying those words he became the
focus of Masahiro Kinomiya�s wrath. The worry the old man felt for his now only
grandson�s wellbeing turned into anger at the seemingly careless behaviour of
the prince�s guards. And the anger of the former King of the Highland Clans -
father of the current and grandfather of Takao, the next one � was a formidable
force.

�How can you say something like that so
nonchalantly, Lee?�, he demanded to know. �These times are very dangerous �
like you very well know! Even the Highlands are not as safe as before when I
was a young man� my grandson could encounter very dangerous things on his way
to the Lord Dragoon.

You and the rest of the guards should
have gone with Takao � with Ray on a scouting mission for my son it is your
primary duty to make sure Takao is not harmed!� The last words were spoken with
great ferocity and the white-haired man glared at the four young warriors in
front of him. One of them, a quite short young man with dark green hair, almost
stepped back a pace when being glared at by the blue eyes of the old man in the
process of his speaking, but refrained from showing it by sheer will.

The young woman next to him instead
seemed totally unafraid of the angry power the elder Kinomiya�s glare and voice
had on her companion. She cocked her head and said in a soft but determined
voice: �Your Majesty, our prince is one of the best warriors in the Kingdom and
quite able to look after himself.

He is very skilled in the wind magic he inhabits and the ways of combat�he does
not really need further protection on his way higher into the mountains. Only
the people of the Clans loyal to the Royal family live for miles around � and
nobody of them would dare and try to harm him. And even if they were so callous,
they wouldn�t know what hit them if the prince would decide to fight back.�

�Thank you for your vote of confidence
for my brother�s abilities to look out for himself, Mariah�, another female
voice could be heard, before Takao�s grandfather could answer the pink-haired
female warrior. �I�ll make sure he will hear of that, when he is back.�

Mariah turned her head around and then
smiled at the brunette, who had walked into the room with a redhaired young man
on her side. Both newcomers registered the tension emanating from the elder
Kinomiya, whom the brown-haired female now adressed in a scolding manner:
�Grandpa, is that really necessary? I know you don�t like Takao going alone,
but do you really need to blame it on Lee and the others? You know as well as I
do, that Takao made sure they would not follow him even if they wanted to � a
fact you can be sure of they tried.

Like you said, because of Ray�s current
absence the responsibility for protecting my brother lies in the hands of Lee
and the rest of his friends - and each of them is eager to make sure Takao is
not in any way harmed.

But like Mariah so rightfully stated,
Takao is very well able to protect himself and I hope for you he will not find
out that you blamed Lee and the rest of his guards for not going with him�that wouldn�t
be a lovely picture!�

�Quite right, sis. That it won�t be.� The mental voice resonated through the minds of those present in
the throne room and even if they did not hear the words out loud, each of them
cringed slightly at the furious power behind the low growl, which was only
tempered to not give them a severe headache.

�I can�t believe you, Gramps�, the next words were solely focused on the elder Kinomiya and
because of that nobody else could hear them. That was a fact the old man was
quite glad for in the next minutes, because his grandson made no move to hide
his exasperation.

Takao had always been very protective of
his guards, whom he regarded more as close friends than his protectors. For the
blue-haired magician Lee, Kevin, Gary as well as Mariah, who was his sister�s
best friend and Ray, with whom he shared almost every secret, were something
close to family. He never regarded them as inferior to himself because of his
nobel heritage, but had always made sure they knew he saw them as equals even
if he was a prince.

Because of this feelings for his friends
Takao now stalked over to his grandfather and glared at him with blazing
midnight-blue eyes, silently berating the old man over their mental link.

Minutes ago he had come back after Dragoon�s
gentle waking in the midmorning and entered the throne room without anybody�s
knowledge. But the sight, which had greated him, had angered the young prince. He
had realized by the agitated state his grandfather was in, that the former King
was very worried about Takao going alone up into mountains in the middle of the
night. But the young man believed � like his guards � that his grandfather was
exaggerating the dangers in his worry over Takao�s health.

Even if he felt warmed that his Gramps cared so much for him, Takao also got
exasperated that the elder man tried to vent his uneasiness by blaming the
prince�s guards. Another part of the young warrior�s frustration stemmed from
the fact that the former King seemed to think his grandson not to be able to
fight on his own and protect himself, should the need arise.

Therefore his mental words were quite
harsh and tinged with disappointment for the behaviour of his grandfather.
Masahiro Kinomiya knew quite well how loyal and devoted Lee and his friends were
to Takao and that they would do almost everything for the bluenette. Even if
said young man didn�t want them to.

Some minutes later Hilary exchanged
slightly worried looks with the redhaired young man by her side as well as with
Takao�s friends, as they could see the elder Kinomiya paling a bit at the
silent, but furious lecture he got from his grandson. With a nod, Hilary�s
companion urged her to step in before Takao would lose the last of his grip on
his temper. And the young prince�s temper was legendary.

Even if the blue-haired magician had an
easygoing, friendly and open-minded character � when angered he could be
devasting to the target of his wrath. The storm magic Takao inherited and
controlled was a mirror of his soul.

On a normal day his presence would caress you like a gentle breeze on your
skin, his smile would warm you deep down to the core and lift your spirits �
but when the young prince was angered and his temper flared, a mere look of his
darkblue eyes could mirror the frightening power of a raging thunderstorm.

It was because of that knowledge, that
Hilary nodded silently and went to rescue her grandfather from the dire
consequences his wrong handling of his worry had caused. But even before she
reached her brother, a new voice could be heard. �We seem to have arrived on
time��, a deep baritone made itself known. It was a voice each of those present
recognized and while a welcoming smile lit Hilary�s face, she whirled around.

�Father�, she cried happily and went to
hug the tall man standing in the passageway. She threw her arms around the
King, who gladly returned the enthusiastic greeting of his only daugther. But
while encircling her in his strong embrace, the newcomer had his gaze centered
on his son and his father.

A worried look entered the brown eyes of
the Kinomiya, because he could see � and feel � the exasperation of Takao, who
was quite known to be hard to really be angered. But seeing his son�s guards
standing a little bit awkwardly to the side, Takao�s father sighed audibly. He believed
to know now what had happened to make his son lose his temper and berate his
grandfather.

Gently freeing himself from his daughter,
who gave him a slightly pleading look, the King went to the remaining members
of his family. Upon arriving he was at once enfolded in a strong embrace by his
son, who had stopped his silent lecture towards his grandfather and now looked
at his father with eyes full of unmistakable love and relief at seeing him.

Returning every ounce of the feelings
directed at him with emotions of his own, the Kinomiya opened himself to his
mental link to Takao. Then he whispered into his son�s ear: �Forgive him, son.
Even if your anger has good reason, you have scolded him enough by now. Your
grandfather worries too much � but it is because he loves you dearly, Takao.�

�I know, father. But it�s frustrating to
be regarded as not being able to protect myself. He knows of what I am capable
to do � hell, he even teached me one or two of the more vigorous techniques
himself some years ago! Why does he have to behave now as if I am a little,
defenseless child � and blame my friends for regarding me as the adult I am? I
won�t allow that!� Had the beginning of Takao�s
answer to his father�s words been understanding, even if a bit strained, the
more the prince said the more his temper flared again.

The King squeezed his shoulders and calmy
looked into the young man�s face. The controlled power he exuded, combined with
the warmth in his brown eyes, made Takao�s anger subside and after resisting
his father�s effect on him for a split second, the bluenette let go of his
exasperation. Instead he buried his mind into the security and comfort the
presence of the Kinomiya always surrounded him with. Takao knew, that soon he
would have only the memory of his father�s strength and the stability it
provided him, to steady himself.

Conciously relaxing, the invisible
thundercloud hovering over the head of the blue-haired warrior vanished, taking
the tension which had hung in the air with it. Lee, Gary, Mariah and Kevin
relaxed their stance and while Hilary sighed, her grandfather bestowed a
thankful smile upon his son for helping him.

With a nod and a bit of a reproachful
look for his action the King accepted his father�s gratitude, before turning
around and saying with a smirk: �Ray, I think next time I will send another of
Takao�s friends to scout. You are hardly two days away and already pure chaos
reigns in my son�s surroundings!�

Those words got him a scowl from both his
father and his son, a giggle from his daughter and slightly affronted looks
from Lee and his friends. And a bright smile from a young man with
compassionate golden eyes and long black hair, clothed in the attire of a
warrior, standing silently on the place the King had vacated minutes before.

�Dad!�,
Takao�s mental voice growled, but had a humoured touch to it, which let the
King realize that his son�s mood had brightened considerably upon seeing his
best friend. �That was really uncalled for. And you know how much Ray loves
to scout � his spirit-form simply asks for it. You can�t deny him that pleasure
only because of Gramps� and my quarrels.�

A pointed look was added to these
declaration before Takao crossed the room to hug the leader of his guardians.
Takao had missed his best friend terribly and was glad that he was able to see
Ray before he had to leave to go on his quest for the phoenix. Folding Ray into
a short, but heartfelt embrace, the young prince smiled at the older warrior,
whose own smile widened in return.

Stepping back, Takao allowed the rest of their
friends to greet Ray warmly. He used the time instead to collect his thoughts
and ground himself before telling his family and friends, what explanation
Dragoon had given him for his dreams. And what the wise dragon had advised him
to do.

Reaching a level of calmth, Takao
gathered his thoughts and then opened himself to his magic to strenghten his
telepathy. It was a little bit exhausting to speak mentally to more than one
person, but this gift of his family was strong in the young man and since his
prolonged muteness it had become easier each time for Takao to speak to more
than one of his friends at the same time.

Extending his mental presence and lightly
tapping the minds of those present to get their attention and have their
permission to forge a connection, Takao found himself at the centre of curious
and questioning looks mere moments later. He felt their willingness to be
spoken to in the only way he was able to since six months ago and sighed before
saying: �I have something important to tell everybody of you. But we should
sit down because my story will be long.�

The curiosity deeped, but each of the
prince�s friends and family followed him to the big table in the centre of the
room. Sitting down they waited for Takao to continue speaking. �I�d like to
tell you, why I left the castle last night to go to the Lord Dragoon�, the
bluenette began his explanation. �I wanted to seek advice, because over the
last weeks I have been getting dreams. Dreams, which are quite alarming to me.�

Takao�s eyes dimmed momentarily in
rememberance of the sorrow he always felt when dreaming of the phoenix
resigning to the force of the ice, when the glorious creature of fire should be
free and exuding his beauty and power. But then he shook his head slightly to
get rid of that saddening picture and resumed speaking.

�I had these dreams � or visions, like
Dragoon called them � once before when I was younger. I remember them stopping
when Taron came to us�, Takao favored the redhead,
who sat next to Hilary and now blinked slightly startled, with a warm smile.

�Because I couldn�t figure out, why
the dreams started again and what they wanted to tell me, I sought Dragoon and
told him �� And Takao recited the happening of the
last twelve hours from the point he had woken from the vision last night to
when Dragoon had explained the meaning of the dreams as well as the relevance
of what he had to do now.

After he had finished, stunned silence
filled the throne room, while everybody tried to come to terms with this sudden
revelations. Nobody of Takao�s family and friends were happy with the prospect
of the prince leaving the castle for an unknown period of time to search for
the phoenix. But they could see the determined look in his eyes, which sparkled
with more energy and life they had seen for the last month. The deep blue
depths were almost as alive as they had been before the tragic deaths of
Takao�s mother and older brother. It was a sign that the young prince seemed to
find back to life, even if it meant that he had to go on a dangerous quest.

�I am not happy with what you are advised
to do�, the former Kinomiya finally voiced his opinion. His old face showed his
worry for his grandson, but he held up a hand to forstall the words he knew
would be coming next. �Let me finish, Takao. Even if I am not happy about it,
it doesn�t mean I will hinder you to do what you are destined to do. The Lord
Dragoon is very wise and if he wishes that you search for the phoenix you have
seen in your dreams to help and guard him against the danger, then all my
blessings will travel with you.�

�I agree�, Takao�s father added. �Like
your grandfather I am really not happy about letting you go, son. But what has
to be done has to be done. I know what a formidable warrior you are and that
you are able to protect yourself � and the person your vision stands for. I
always trusted your abilities, Takao. But in the meantime I will pray to the
Gods that your search will be over soon and that you will come back home safe
and unhurt.�

Takao�s eyes misted over at the hidden
fear in his father�s words. He knew the Kinomiya still grieved deeply for his
wife and his older son. Therefore it would be an added burden for his father�s
soul to worry about his now only son�s wellbeing � but at the same time the
prince could see the pride the King felt that his son was destined to protect a
soul worthy to be envisioned as a phoenix.

In the beliefs of the Dragon Clans each
human being had the soul of a spirit. Therefore each young man and woman of the
Clans would search for their spirit at the brink of adulthood � and come back
when they had found it. After crossing that �bridge�, they would be welcomed
into the ranks of fighters. And with the spirit-forms they could change into
after finding their soul-spirit, these young warriors were a formidable force
when defending the Highlands.

Ray, for example, had searched for his
soul-spirit only three months ago and was now able to change into the form of a
great white tiger. Taron, Hilary�s financ�, had been struggling a bit, but came
back after three weeks of wandering the Highlands in the form of a silver wolf.

Everyone else of Takao�s guards each had
a similar experience over the last year � Lee now changed into a black lion at
will, Gary into a grizzly bear and Kevin into a monkey. Mariah�s spirit-form
was a tigress � which had proved to be a great deal of amusement for Ray�s and
her friends, because now the pair couldn�t hold back their similarities any
longer.

Only Takao hadn�t been able to go on his
search for his soul-spirit until now. Because of the sad happenings half a year
ago his family was wary to let him or his sister Hilary leave the castle. But
now it would be not only necessary for the young prince to leave his home but
the grounds of the Dragon Clans, too.

�It�s a honor to guard another spirit,
Takao�, the Kinomiya added, trying to hide his sorrow at losing his younger son
because of this quest. Takao was precious to the King, not only because he was
his only son now and the future King of the Highland Clans. Takao was special
for his father, because the young blue-haired man reminded him of his wife �
her laughter, her cheerful, warm attitude, her kindness.

And her astonishing abilities as a seer.

Leaving his place at the table and
rounding it, the King kneeled in front of his son, who looked at him with
midnight-blue eyes full of gentle understanding for his father�s feelings but
also determination to help the source of his vision. Laying his hands onto
Takao�s, the Kinomiya said: �Takao, I couldn�t stop you even if I wanted to.
Your mother once told me about some things she had seen in the future � and she
made me promise that I wouldn�t hold you back when you one day would come to me
to tell me of a vision you had.�

Takao was stunned. �Mother knew of my
vision, father?�

�Yes, she knew. Your mother was one of
the greatest seers our people ever had. She made some great predictions over
the time I knew her, and they always came true. And once � I think you were
three or four years old � she had a vision about you. She saw a blue dragon
hovering over a great city in the Lowlands, and alongside that dragon was a
phoenix. She told me, that she felt as if the dragon wanted to guard the
phoenix against an approaching darkness, because the firebird couldn�t protect
himself on his own.

After she had this vision she made me promise that I wouldn�t argue to let you
go on your own to do as the vision showed � she seemed to think that it was of
great importance that you help that phoenix. So, in regard to the promise I
gave her � and in the belief that you are ready to go on your own spirit-quest �
I give you my blessing, Takao. I know you will make our family even more proud
of you than you already have until now, son.�

Tears of gratitude for his father�s words
glittered in the prince�s eyes, as he leaned down and hugged the King warmly. �Thank
you, father. I promise I�ll do my best to live up to the trust you put in me. I
love you, father.�

�And I love you, too, my son. Never
forget, my love and the love of your family and friends will always be with
you. If times are dangerous or destiny seems to hard to bear, think of our love
� it will give you the strength to carry on�, the
King responded mentally to make his words to his beloved son more private.

�I will carry you in my heart wherever
I go, father�, Takao vowed.

Breaking their hold on each other, the
prince then left the throne room with his group of friends to gather in his
rooms for a session of being together before Takao had to leave the next
morning. Each of the young men and women wanted to cherish these last hours of
togetherness before not seeing their beloved prince and friend for an unknown
period of time.

Thanks for all your lovely reviews! Stay tuned for the next chap!
gemini
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Dragon and Phoenix