Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade

Summary: Life at court is like a survival of the fittest. Those who are in the 'good books' are respected and those who aren't - aren't. While Kai is the young emperor, the others are his courtiers. A fic on their lives and the lives of those who are new to the court.

Chapter Title: A Near Thing

Author's Notes: OOC/AU warning. If you don't like, then don't read. I've just realised how corny this little storyline is. Mary Sue or not, Chika, Rika and everyone else are quite the usual I-have-something-against-you-but- I'm-gonna-fall-for-you-later-on kind of characters. Of course, they're MEANT to be that way, aren't they? Anyway, next chapter . . .

ENJOY!

- A Near Thing -

He eyed her. She didn't have any visible weapons and the only thing that would make an impact was the koto. However, he also knew she didn't trust him and if showing her he could fight would earn that trust, then what was wrong? He tucked away his flute and followed her out into the practice field. Along the wall were lined weapons and she motioned for him to choose one. He picked a long spear made of supple wood.

"And what is your choice of weapon?"

"This."

She brought out a thin sash, which had been wrapped, around her waist. It looked heavier than a normal sash and twice as long. Under different circumstances, Kai would have asked to inspect this weapon closer. He kept it in mind, to ask after the duel. For now, he would have to concentrate on fighting. His fan, the ones highborn and scholarly men carried, was tucked into his belt, where he could easily reach it if he needed it, but wouldn't get in the way.

"One round," she announced. "First to be disarmed by the opponent loses."

"Fine by me."

They stood on opposite ends of the training field. He tested the spear's weight, whipped it around a couple of times and nodded to her, satisfied. She held the sash easily in both hands, comfortable with their weight and stood watching him, her blue eyes sharp. If she had been male, Kai would have recognised her as a fellow warrior, a fighter.

No one moved. Even the spectators were holding their breaths, afraid to breathe. Who was to attack first? What was to happen? Most importantly . . . who would win? Rei didn't like it when Kai got into one of his scrapes, especially when it involved fighting or duelling someone with sharp, battle weapons. Besides, even if this was a school, senior students probably had access to proper weapons that hadn't been blunted for practise.

"Stop it Kai!" he called.

"Stay out of this," Rika warned him. "You see Chika there? She's got a violent temper if it gets out of hand. Never, EVER try and get into her way."

But, the strange thing was, Chika was the first to react to Rei's call. With a flick of her wrist, the sash pelted across the practise field, aimed right at Kai's face. As it came closer, Kai thrust the spear forward to meet the sash, getting it wrapped up and held captive. It was like a game of tug-of-war, only that neither moved and Chika wound her weapon around her arm to secure it.

"Oh, I see," Kai said conversationally. "You've got chains in this sash."

"A bit too late to notice, don't you think?"

She pulled suddenly, causing the spear to almost fly out of Kai's hold. In a flash, he had the roles reversed, gripping the spear where her chain had wound itself around. He pulled and she somersaulted over his head, releasing the spear. It splintered, but didn't break. With a shrug, Kai disposed of it and reached for his fan. He didn't enjoy using practise weapons.

"Is he allowed to change weapons in the middle of the duel?" Hilary whispered to Ren, who was watching with a drawn expression.

"He can change as many weapons as he wants," the other replied darkly. "Just so long as he's the one disarming himself."

"Who do you think is going to win?" Michiru asked the nearest person.

"Kai," Max replied. "In case you haven't noticed, he hasn't moved from his position - or used his right arm at all. No one has ever made Kai use his right hand in a duel before."

-

"I want to propose a little change to the rules."

Chika's eyes blazed, but she nodded a little. Kai unfolded his fan with a little wrist movement and made a show of fanning himself. Then he snapped it shut again and pointed it at her in a challenge. She kept her position - straight backed, arms on both sides and hands clutching the chain sash loosely.

"If you can get me to use my right hand in this duel, then I will yield. Anyone who can do that has my respect. That is my challenge. What do you think?"

"What's so good about his right hand?" Takao asked his older brother.

"I don't know." Ren was watching Chika, who seemed to be considering the offer.

"All right then."

She attacked, movements barely seen, which left most of the audience rather stunned. Kai, however, didn't seem to be overwhelmed. In fact, he blocked every attack she threw at him, sidestepping only barely to avoid her chain sash. Occasionally, he used the edge of his fan to knock the chain aside.

"Other women your age would be looking for husbands," he told her when one attack brought them close enough to whisper. "If you lost the temper, men would be queuing up for your hand in marriage, my lady."

"Save your flattery," she retorted. "I've been spoken for."

"And I was going to do so myself."

She couldn't tell whether he was joking or not. Either way, she noted with a hint of frustration, he still wasn't using his right arm. It remained behind his back, not budging. She could find no way to get him to use that arm, not unless she had to wrap the chain around his left one, rendering it useless. But then he would probably still have the advantage.

"I suppose the one who has spoken for you is the one called Ren Kinomiya?" Kai's eyes flickered over in Ren's direction. "He seems interesting enough."

"He's ten times the man you are," she hissed back.

"Perhaps I'll have to prove to you just who's better."

Then she suddenly got an idea. If she couldn't wrap the chain around HIM, then . . . Kai's expression changed to startled in the matter of a second. She had grabbed his fan with her left hand and - with a practised movement - secured the chain around her own neck, so that if she pulled the other end, she would have herself in a stranglehold.

"Don't move," she warned. "If you do, I'll just pull this chain and then die."

"That's below the belt," he returned, eyes narrowed.

"THAT'S CHEATING!" Max yelled.

"Live with it, Hiwatari," Chika informed him.

-

Her hand started to pull the chain tighter around her neck. In a panic, Ren started forward, but was held back by Rika. She whispered to him in a low voice, telling him that if he interfered now, then the whole duel would be thrown away. He was still fuming, but backed down at her insistence. The chain got tighter and tighter.

"Don't be so stupid," Kai hissed in panic. "This isn't necessary."

"You never said I couldn't attack myself."

To anyone else, Chika would have seemed at the point of desperation, stooping to any level she could to win. But to both Kai and herself, she was using the most efficient strategy there was to overcome this situation. Even though he knew, Kai couldn't just stand by and let her suicide. As she pulled, his mind began to reel in panic. He couldn't let her do it.

Reaching out with his right hand, Kai grabbed her hand before she could pull the chain any further. Ignoring the fact that it was improper, he prised the chain from her grip and held onto her, just in case she decided to pull a stunt like that again.

"You don't seriously think I'll let you kill yourself?" He looked shaken - scared almost - but relieved that she wasn't going to kill herself. "That was a near thing. Don't frighten me like that again, got it?"

"S-Sure."

- End of Chapter Three -

A/N: chappie three done!

Did you enjoy it?

It was rather corny, I think. I can't describe battle scenes very well.

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