Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Bound Together ❯ The Cost for Your Protection ( Chapter 3 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Chapter 3
The Cost for Your Protection
 
Long golden locks lay delicately over a small boy's shoulder. Delicate white flowers littered the ground around him and another boy sat behind him, with equally long brunette hair. The boy with blond hair was tying the flowers into a small headband; he hummed softly to himself and wiggled around.
 
“Tai-Shi…please stop moving…” The brunette whined.
 
“I'm sorry Tai-Li…Tai-Shi is only making a flower crown…” Tai-Shi stopped moving so that Tai-Li wouldn't whine again.
 
Tai-Li couldn't help but smile, “Why are you making those things…you know you can't take them back…father will know you've been outside…”
 
“I know…but I make them so I can wear them now, and so can Tai-Li!” Tai-Shi turned and placed the flowers on Tai-Li's head, which slightly drooped on one side. “Tai-Li's as pretty as a flower now.”
 
Tai-Li laughed and arranged the flowers on his head and turned around to face Tai-Shi. Tai-Shi smiled up at his brother, a small cloth eye patch lay gently over his right eye. He soon got up and began running around the field with his arms outstretched. Tai-She's long sleeved torn shirt hung loosely around his waist. It was white with dark patches from where it was dirty and repaired. He wore old gray trousers that were tied around with a piece of rope.
 
“Stop it Tai-Shi…you're not a child anymore. Why can't you sit still?” Tai-Li laid back and smiled.
 
“But I never get to go outside! Tai-Shi is always stuck inside in dark rooms!” Tai-Shi pouted.
 
“Use I…you're ten…you are almost full grown, so start talking like it.” Tai-Li said as he rolled over and watched his brother run around like a fool.
 
“Can't make me!” He stuck out his tongue and ran backwards. He laughed but soon was interrupted when he accidentally tripped over a rock backwards and fell down a steep hill.
 
“Tai-Shi!” Tai-Li jumped up and dove over the rock and rolled after Tai-Shi. Tai-Li's tan colored shirt wrinkled around him as he reached out and fell forward, ending in the result of him rolling down the hill into Tai-Shi. The two had stopped, having run into a sticker bush.
 
“Owie…” Tai-Shi softly cried feeling the stickers all along his body.
 
“Damn bush…are you alright Tai-Shi?” Tai-Li turned and saw his brother tangled in the bush. He reached over and pricked his hands several times trying to untie Tai-Shi, but nothing worked. “Can you move at all Tai-Shi?”
 
“A little…but it hurts…get me out!” Tai-Shi cried louder, trying to squirm out but couldn't.
 
“Tai-Shi…take off your shirt.” Tai-Li said rolling out of the bush because he wasn't stuck.
 
“Then my back will get scratched!” Tai-Shi whined.
 
“You're back's going to get scratched either way…the stickers are stuck in your shirt, not your skin.” Tai-Li sighed.
 
“But…”
 
“No buts…just do it so I can get you out of there.” Tai-Li ordered waiting for his brother to oblige.
 
Tai-Shi whined but wiggled out of his shirt, he was able to crawl a little forward but he still couldn't get out.
 
Tai-Li grabbed onto his brother's hand and tried to pull him free. A quiet sound of clothing tearing was heard and Tai-Shi's face turned red.
 
“I want to stay in the bush!” Tai-Shi said as he let go of Tai-Li's hands and looked away.
 
“Tai-Shi!” Tai-Li growled, getting frustrated at the bush and with Tai-Shi. “Why do you want to stay in a damn bush? Why the change of mind?”
 
“I uh…I like it under here. Nice and cool…” Tai-Shi winced slightly feeling a thorn scratch his back.
 
“Stop lying and come on!” Tai-Li grabbed Tai-Shi's wrist and pulled him harder.
 
A much louder tearing sound was heard as Tai-Shi was flung from the bush and rolled. He sat up quickly, his face a very bright red as he looked down and held his hands in his lap. Tai-Li reached into the bush, and tugged on the tangled shirt. Finally, Tai-Li was able to free the dark blue shirt. Tai-Li sat back on his legs and turned around, holding the shirt in his right hand.
 
“Here you go Tai-Shi…Tai-Shi? What's wrong with your face?” Tai-Li asked looking at Tai-Shi. He slowly dropped the shirt as he looked over the weird expression on Tai-Shi's face.
 
Tai-Shi didn't say anything but shake his head.
 
“Tai-Shi…what's wrong.” Tai-Li crawled over to Tai-Shi and gently grabbed his wrists.
 
Tai-Shi tried wiggled around, trying to free himself from Tai-Li's grasp.
 
“Tai-Shi! Stop!” Tai-Li stood up and pulled his brother up with him, who tried to stay on the ground, but it was no use now.
 
Tai-Shi was pulled up, and down went the side of his gray trousers. Tai-Li's eyes widen and he let Tai-Shi go. He dropped and looked to the ground, not able to be any redder then he already was.
 
“Tai-Shi…” Tai-Li began before he fell backwards, curling up from laughter.
 
“Stop laughing!” Tai-Shi yelled, now a mix of anger and embarrassment.
 
Tai-Li rolled on the ground laughing so hard he cried. Tai-Shi stood up. He held his trousers with his left, balled up his right fist and then cried, taking off running away from Tai-Li. Tai-Li shot up after seeing Tai-Shi run away, and hurried to his feet to chase after Tai-Shi.
 
“Tai-Shi! Stop!” Tai-Li yelled trying to catch up to his brother. Tai-Li learned that his brother was much faster then he looked. That was a problem for Tai-Li because he wasn't as fast.
 
Tai-Shi had disappeared out of sight as he ran behind trees and the other side of the hill. When Tai-Li finally caught up to Tai-Shi, he found him crying by a small stream huddled over on a rock. His face was buried in his knees and his golden locks lay lightly over his back.
 
“Tai-Shi?” Tai-Li spoke softly.
 
“Go away!” Tai-Shi cried angrily
 
“Tai-Shi…I'm sorry I—”
 
“No you're not! You're not sorry!” Tai-Shi yelled as his knees muffled his voice.
 
Tai-Li looked down, trying to think of anything to make Tai-Shi stop crying. Tai-Shi continued crying into his knees. Why did his brother have to laugh at him? He couldn't help what happen. It was Tai-Li's fault after all. Before Tai-Shi could blame his brother aloud, he heard the sound of fabric tearing and turned around to see Tai-Li ripping his dark brown trousers.
 
“Father will be mad if he sees your pants!” Tai-Shi said quickly. He had forgotten all about his embarrassment and looked up at Tai-Li with concern.
 
“So now you can laugh at me.” Tai-Li turned around and wiggled his rear end, to make Tai-Shi forget about his tear and problems that would be dealt with later.
 
Tai-shi smiled and fell off the rock in hysterics as Tai-Li wiggled around. Though, the two brother's fun would end abruptly when the sound of whistles sounded. Tai-Li stood up straight and reached for his brother's hand. He quickly grabbed his pants with the other and pulled Tai-Shi along with him quickly.
 
“Tai-Li…what's wrong?” Tai-Shi didn't understand.
 
“If they find you out here Tai-Shi…you'll be punished.” Tai-Li said, trying to get Tai-Shi to hurry up behind him.
 
“I'm tired Tai-Li…I can't run as fast as you now…” Tai-Shi said with a whine.
 
“You have to keep going!” Tai-Li called back hearing the whistles louder, meaning that they were closer. If only Tai-Li could get his brother back home before the guards found them, then they wouldn't have to punish Tai-Shi. They could say Tai-Shi was in a room. The stone wall was in sight and Tai-Li was almost dragging his brother through when he caught sight of one of the guards. The good thing was, they did not spot Tai-Shi or Tai-Li as they climbed through a hole in the wall behind the garden. Ivy leaves grew all over the wall and had to be pushed aside gently, so that they would not die and grow suspicion as to why they were dead. Tai-Li finally let go of his brother and the two collapsed, tired from running.
 
“My lungs are on fire.” Tai-Shi cried between heavy breaths.
 
Tai-Li could only nod and smile. He looked up at his brother and closed his eyes what seemed like a few seconds before he heard Tai-Shi yelp. Tai-Li's eyes snapped open and he saw a guard taking Tai-Shi away. Tai-Li couldn't say a word; he was still out of breath. He slowly rose to his feet, which felt weak and could give in at any moment, and took after the guard. Tai-Li grabbed onto the guard's shirt and tried to make him stop but tripped and fell onto the wood porch that led into the laundry area.
 
Tai-Li could only crawl as he went after Tai-Shi and the guard. He found himself on his knees in front of his father, and the guard. Tai-Li looked on in horror as he saw his father grab the crank on the washing machine. He had a hold of Tai-Shi's long golden hair and Tai-Li couldn't make but a raspy no as he saw his father quickly wind the crank.
 
Tai-Shi instantly grabbed his hair and pulled in the opposite direction, trying to ease the pull on his hair. He hoarsely cried as he continued to take in short sharp breaths. Master Kay turned and began to leave the room.
 
“Dogs are not meant to run free. They're meant chained and kept in cages.” Master Kay sneered as he turned the corner and left to do what ever he pleased.
 
Tai-Li went to his brother and tried to smack the side of the rollers so that they would release, but Tai-Shi's hair was so wound up in it that the rollers couldn't release. Tai-Li panicked and tried to pull his brother's hair from the machine but still couldn't. He looked around the room and found a small shard of glass that had been broken off the vase that Tai-Shi and he had broke earlier running around the house to get outside.
 
Tai-Li looked at his brother's long hair and it pained him as he took the glass and began to saw way at Tai-Shi's long hair. Soon, the pull of hair on Tai-Shi's head weakened and he realized finally what his brother was doing. He took a deep breath and finally was able to speak.
 
“Don't cut it!” Tai-Shi cried.
 
“I have to!” Tai-Li said between sobs, having loved Tai-Shi's long hair.
 
“No!” Cried Tai-Shi as he was able to fall to the floor as Tai-Li cut the final strands.
 
Tai-Li slunk to the floor next to Tai-Shi in tears. He reached up and grabbed his hair and soon began sawing at his own.
 
“Don't!” Tai-Shi said as he grabbed the glass shard, cutting his hand slightly.
 
“It's not fair for you…” Tai-Li sobbed taking the shard back and sawing at his hair again.
 
“But…” Tai-Shi began to cry again, “I like your long hair…”
 
Tai-Li nodded gently as he finished cutting his hair. Around the two boys was a mixture of brown and blond hair. Tai-Shi gingerly reached up and felt the painfully short hair. He continued to sob as he reached over and gently tugged on his short hair and fell forward, crying into Tai-Li's lap. Tai-Li gently placed his hand on Tai-Shi's head and gently felt the light hair and gently felt the freshly cut ends.
 
“From now on…we're cutting our hair…” Tai-Li sighed as he looked down at his brother.
 
Tai-Shi nodded, drying his eyes on his brother's pant leg.
 
~ * ~
 
Tai-Shi woke Tai-Li later on in the morning. As he stretched and rolled over, Tai-Shi hit Tai-Li, causing Tai-Li to whine and push his brother over. Tai-Li opened his eyes and stretched before sitting up. He couldn't help but chuckle looking down at his brother, curled up in a small ball. He glanced over his features, his gentle face, soft skin, and silky blond hair. He sighed as he reached forward and slightly moved the stray strand of hair away from Tai-Shi's eyes. As Tai-Li gently touched Tai-Shi, Tai-Shi jumped and flinched.
 
“Tai-Shi…it's me.” Tai-Li said quietly.
 
Tai-Shi opened his eye and looked up at his brother. “Sorry…you just scared me.” Tai-Shi never would admit it, but he hardly slept, he was afraid he'd be beaten just for that. So many things scared Tai-Shi, but some things he did either way, just to be with Tai-Li.
 
“I didn't mean to scare you Tai-Shi…just moving the hair from your eyes. I'm going to need to cut it again…” Tai-Li crawled over to the medical box and looked for a small knife. “I should do it now while we are both here.”
 
“Why do you have to keep doing that! I want my hair as long again.” Tai-Shi pouted as he slowly sat up on his legs, his knees together in front of him and his hands curled up over the small holes in his trousers.
 
“Tai-Shi…we have to keep it short…you remember why…” Tai-Li sighed.
 
“I know…but…” Tai-Shi whined.
 
“Yes, I know we have them…so, why are they in our conversation?” Tai-Li snapped playfully.
 
Tai-Shi giggled and looked away. He found it funny when Tai-Li was trying to be silly.
 
“Come here.” Tai-Li said pointing in front of him.
 
Tai-Shi sighed and reluctantly crawled over to his brother and sat down on his knees in front of him, grumbling.
 
“You're always messing with my hair…” Tai-Shi grumbled.
 
“I guess I like the feel of it…” He smiled lightly pushing his brother's head forward.
 
“Hey!” Tai-Shi turned quickly and held the back of his head.
 
“Turn around silly…you don't want me cutting an ear off do you?” Tai-Li said as Tai-Shi did as he was told.
 
“No…but it hurts…” Tai-Shi whined.
 
“It can't be helped…” Tai-Li sighed as he grabbed a lock of Tai-Shi's hair and started to saw at the hair. Tai-Shi whined.
 
“You're pulling my hair!” He whined leaning back.
 
“Come on Tai-Shi…stop whining and look up…I want to get it even the first time around.” Tai-Shi dropped the cut hair in his hand and went to cut another part.
 
“I think you enjoy cutting my hair…” Tai-Shi sighed.
 
“I suppose it is enjoyable.” Tai-Li smiled as he gently pushed the back of Tai-Shi's neck with this index finger. Tai-Shi leaned forward and curled up into a small ball squealing. “I find that enjoyable too.” Tai-Li couldn't help but laugh as Tai-Shi sat up quickly.
 
“Just cut my damn hair…” His face was red and he gently rubbed the back of his neck.
 
~*~
 
Author's Note: I do hope you enjoyed the chapter. It is my longest yet. Please review…please give me something to keep writing for. Suggestions…anything? I plan on doing one more reminiscence chapter, and then I'll get on with the story. I can't promise anything, but there will probably be little of Tai-Shi in the next chapter. See you again in Chapter 4.
 
Update: Well, nothing big here, just a few grammar errors.