Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Bound Together ❯ Gentle Moments ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter 5

Gentle Moments

 

Later on in the morning, Tai-Li had to report to his instructor in the study. He poured himself over books upon books of family history and other important studies. He took detailed notes on small pieces of paper, saying he'd look at them later, but that really wasn't the case. Tai-Li taught what he learned to Tai-Shi. Tai-Shi wasn't allowed to be taught by the noble's instructor and wasn't allowed to do anything else a son would do in the family to earn the title of Master.

 

Tai-Li had to learn etiquette. He had to learn how to eat properly and in small servings in order to impress those who had meetings with the head of the estate. Tai-Li always found the dinners and lunches boring. He was never allowed to slouch, he wasn't allowed to eat a lot of one thing, and was forced to eat things he didn't like. The people that came and ate were also very boring, talking about land and servants. None of that interested Tai-Li. Their children no better

 

Tai-Li was happy just being able to play. He was an adult of nineteen, yes, but he enjoyed a carefree life. If Tai-Shi would have been a daughter, in one more year the two would have been married, and the title of Master passed onto him that much sooner. The title really didn't appeal to Tai-Li. He just wanted the title so that he could free his brother from his father's abusive power.

 

During study lessons, Tai-Li never enjoyed reading about his father, or his family at that. The first Kay was an immigrant from a neighboring country, though, if you asked anyone, he was a noble who sought his own power. Tai-Li had come a crossed Alexander Kay's diary in an old bookcase, behind larger books. His ancestry wasn't anything thrilling, most of the papers he read were more then likely edited to make the person seem more heroic and noble.

 

Tai-Li read deep into the family code of arms, and into the Kay Clan code. He had learned that there were many other Kay relatives, and some far off into the family that mixing blood with outsiders wasn't that uncommon. If only he get his father to believe that, then he wouldn't have to imprison Tai-Shi, nor would he have the Kay Family name disappear all together.

 

Tai-Li had no interest in outsiders. They looked up at him as if he was snobby, or that if they said anything to him, he'd bark and have their heads chopped off. He wanted to be looked upon as an equal, and the only person who did was Tai-Shi.

 

Many of Tai-Li's thoughts went back to Tai-Shi throughout a normal day of studying. During his physical training, he would think of new ways to train his younger sibling. He would also have to train his body to become faster if he wanted to keep beating his younger brother.

 

Tai-Shi wasn't as strong as Tai-Li, but he was certainly faster. Tai-Li usually had to hit Tai-Shi hard, and then dodge and block any other oncoming attacks. He could never understand where Tai-Shi held all of his stamina, or where it had come from in the first place. Tai-Shi was always full of energy, but when he ran out of it, he was out. That is what happened the other night. Tai-Li had worn his brother out, though, Tai-Li was exhausted himself, having to think fast and move faster.

 

Tai-Li's thoughts went ajar as he was flung back into the dojo wall. His training instructor in front of him placed his feat together and put his hands into his robe sleeves before bowing.

 

“Young Master, how are you to take this seriously if you let your mind wonder?” He said.

 

“Master, I am sorry. I will concentrate harder.” Tai-Li said as he rose and took a stance.

 

“It is enough for today, give your mind the rest it needs and we will start again tomorrow.” The teacher bowed and slowly turned and left the dojo.

 

Tai-Li would not have rest; he would take Tai-Shi out again as soon as he was feeling better to train. If anything, Tai-Li wanted to train more tonight. Tai-Shi would have no objections, he was always eager to train, as long as he could be with his older brother.

 

While growing up, Tai-Shi had learned to stay clear of his father. He would have to gain his father's respect through other ways. Tai-Li taught him martial arts to protect himself against him, who was very skilled in the arts.

 

Tai-Li leaned up against the dojo wall outside and wiped his face. His brow covered in sweat. The bathhouse was a crossed the garden, he would have to make a trip there shortly. As Tai-Li pressed back against the wall, he slipped and fell into the bush next to him. He quickly crawled out and stood up; he turned hearing one of the kitchen maids chuckling. He sighed, not liking to look like a fool in front of anyone.

 

He looked down at his finger and saw a small trickle of blood. He placed his finger in his mouth and began walking towards the bathhouse and stopped. He took his finger out of his mouth and watched the blood make a small bead. He remembered that Tai-Shi was filthy. He then turned on his heal and walked into the estate and down the small hallway to the room where Tai-Shi was kept.

 

Earlier, Tai-Li had to restrain Tai-Shi the way he was before he let him loose earlier that night. He also had to crawl out of a small hidden passage that he had made when he was younger to see Tai-Shi when the guards were outside the room. Tai-Li looked up and down the hall before he walked into Tai-Shi's room. He closed the door quickly behind him and smiled at his younger brother, who was sleeping hanging from the ceiling in the middle of the room.

 

“Get up Shi-Shi.” Tai-Li teased as he nudged his sibling.

 

“Why…” Tai-Shi whined, “...and don't call me that.”

 

“Why? You used to like it.” Tai-Li said as he removed the keys from the hidden stone and unlocked Tai-Shi.

 

“Yes…used to. I'm grown up now.” Tai-Shi sighed and leaned against Tai-Li's shoulder as he fell from his restraints.

 

“Oh really? You were talking in third person just last night. How grown up is that?” Tai-Li flicked his brother's forehead with a smiled and stood. “Come on…let's get you cleaned up.”

 

“No one will see me will they?” Tai-Shi and Tai-Li had done this many times before.

 

“I have my own private bath remember? We'll be fine.” Tai-Li crept towards the door and looked outside. “The coast is clear, come on.”

 

Tai-Li led Tai-Shi out of the building and into the garden. The guards were stationed in the building at the time, and the bathhouse would be overlooked for the time being. Tai-Li ran a crossed the path with Tai-Shi close behind, and they both turned into the small door, into a small fenced in area.

 

Steam filled the part of the enclosed space, and the sound of running water could be heard. A small hot spring was separated into four sections for the family house members. Tai-Shi and Tai-Li shared a bath because Tai-Shi was never allowed a place to clean of his own.

 

Tai-Li removed his green cheongsam with a black outline. He folded up his outfit and laid it so the purple emblem on the back was up and unwrinkled. He then proceeded to loosen his dark brown belt and removed his deep brown trousers and neatly folded them. Tai-Shi removed his trousers and through them onto a dry rock and dove in.

 

The water was warm, but it was still refreshing. The bath was small, about the size of a woman and her child could sit comfortably in it. Meaning, the small enclosure was a bit cramped for both Tai-Shi and Tai-Li at the same time. Neither cared because they had forgotten they had both grown. Tai-Shi was small for his age. He was a good foot shorter then Tai-Li. He got his bone structure from his mother obviously. Tai-Shi moved to the side and let his brother slide into the semi-tight fitting tub.

 

“Move over Tai-Shi!” Tai-Li whined after being poked in the side with a sharp rock.

 

“I can't! I'm over as far as I can!” Tai-Shi also whined. “Why can't we fit anymore?”

 

“We haven't taken a bath together in ages…several years to be exact.” Tai-Li sighed.

 

It had been many years that they had been in a bath together, but that didn't mean either hadn't bathed for that long. They were smaller also so there was still plenty of room in the bath for them back then. Now that they had fully grown up, they couldn't fit as nicely as they remember. Tai-Shi climbed out and sat on the side with his hands between his legs on the rocks, making himself more decent.

 

“I'll wash your back and hair Li-Li.” He smiled.

 

“I'm not a child anymore…” Tai-Li sighed.

 

“Oh that's right…you were Tai-Tai to me.” Tai-Shi smiled as Tai-Li moved to sit below his brother.

 

Tai-Shi grabbed the home made shampoo and put some of it in his brothers brown hair and gently began scrubbing it. Tai-Li sighed and leaned back against Tai-Shi's stomach. Tai-Li could feel well formed abs and laughed.

 

“What are you laughing at?” Tai-Shi gently grabbed Tai-Li's hair and pulled his head back to look up at him.

 

“I didn't know you had abs.” Tai-Li smiled and laughed again.

 

“I do train…I have been getting stronger you know. It's all because you teach me.” Tai-Shi smiled as he pushed Tai-Li's head forward and began scrubbing his hair again.

 

“Be gentle Tai-Shi. You know I have a tender head.” Tai-Li sighed.

 

“Now who's the baby?” Tai-Shi laughed.

 

“Quiet. I can't help it.” Tai-Li tried to pout.

 

“You're doing it all wrong.” Tai-Shi couldn't help but giggle.

 

“Oh? Are you some master of pouting?” Tai-Li scoffed.

 

“You look like a fish…maybe a dip would help you fish lips.” Tai-Shi smiled as he pushed his brother forward and immersed him in the water. Tai-Li came up moments later coughing.

 

“What the hell was that for?” Tai-Li growled.

 

Tai-Shi fell back with laughter. Tai-Li narrowed his eyes and threw the small basin next to the bath at his brother and watched it bounce off of Tai-Shi's stomach.

 

“Hey!” Tai-Shi whined as he sat up and pouted.

 

“Oh? So that's a pout?” He smiled leaning against the other side of the bath.

 

“You threw the basin at me!” He reached in and splashed Tai-Li with a wave of hot water.

 

“Ack! Tai-Shi!” Tai-Li yelped as he splashed his brother back.

 

Tai-Shi squealed and began splashing more. Tai-Li wouldn't take this sitting down so he sat on his knees and began splashing back just as fast as he was being splashed. Soon the sound of laughter filled the small room and then the heavy breaths of two tired boys followed.

 

“No more!” Tai-Shi whined as he sat on the side with his feat behind him and his head hanging low.

 

“So you give?” Tai-Li smirked.

 

“Never! I'm just soaked…and our clothes are wet…” Tai-Shi said pointing to the side of the room where their water had reached the clothing.

 

“Forget the clothing.” Tai-Li climbed out and sat on the side. “You're turn. I'll wash you up quickly so then we can get something to eat. I'm getting hungry.”

 

“Will Tai-Li make me something delicious?” Tai-Shi looked like a small child getting a brand new toy. He even drooled some.

 

“Stop drooling. You'll see when we go in.” Tai-Li smiled as Tai-Shi quickly got into the bath and leaned against the wall where Tai-Li was.

 

Tai-Shi relaxed as his brother washed his hair and then gently washed his back, cleaning the fresh wounds. The two, soon after, dressed and carefully left the safety of the small bath house.

 

In the garden, Tai-Li made sure the coast was clear before pulling Tai-Shi along into the kitchen. He told Tai-Shi to sit and then began looking through the pantry for something to eat. He found fish, rice, and fresh soy sauce. He came back in holding the food and Tai-Shi drooled over it.

 

“Tai-Shi, if you want me to cook this then go get the board we use to skin the fish. I'll start frying the rice and then you can help me slice the fish up once I have it skinned.” Tai-Li smiled as he washed his hands.

 

Tai-Shi nodded and looked through the cabinets and draws for the board and nail. He came back with it and a knife for skinning. Tai-Li had been cleaning the rice and just finished when Tai-Shi returned.

 

“Good, now take a seat and I'll skin this fish.” Tai-Li rolled up his sleeves and put the nail through the fish's tail and soon after began skinning the fish. Tai-Shi sat back in his seat and hummed, gently tapping his foot and fingers on the table to his own beat. “You do love music, don't you Tai-Shi?” Tai-Li finished skinning the first fish and went to skin the second.

 

“Yes, I love it when father has parties.” Tai-Shi smiled brightly.

 

“You can't attend them though…they're nothing special.” Tai-Li hated the parties. They were his father's way of showing off his estate and showing off his `only' son. Tai-Li hated these parties with more then a passion. “They're just a damn waste of time.”

 

Tai-Shi slightly recoiled into himself after he heard Tai-Li snapped, “I'm sorry…” He said quietly.

 

Tai-Li turned around and sighed, “I'm sorry Tai-Shi. The music is good though…” He finished skinning the fish and stepped aside, “You're going to help me slice the fish right?” He smiled.

 

Tai-Shi smiled and quickly jumped up and rushed to the counter by his brother's side and began cutting the fish as Tai-Li was.

 

“Will you hum some more?” Tai-Li asked quietly.

 

Tai-Shi didn't say anything but smile and continued to hum. He got caught up with himself too much and began wiggling his hips and slicing at the fish with a beat. Tai-Li smiled and matched his brother's rhythm. Tai-Shi looked at Tai-Li with a smile.

 

“Quiet nights…” Tai-Shi began the chorus.

 

“Lit with the passion of our fire...” Tai-Li followed with a smile, remembering the tune from his childhood.

 

“Those summer dreams…”

 

“We'll just keep living them…”

 

“'Cause together we'll be…”

 

“Together for eternity…”

 

“We're bound together…”

 

The two went back to humming the same song as Tai-Li went onto frying the rice. Every once in a while turning and gently spinning Tai-Shi in a small dance, though, Tai-Li had to stop because the rice almost began to burn. He soon finished the rice and then began cooking the fish.

 

After a short while, Tai-Li finished the meal and set it on the table and the two began to eat. Tai-Shi drooled, even while he ate. Tai-Li couldn't help but laughed but he smiled all the same. He was happy that Tai-Shi liked his cooking that much. He dipped his fish into the soy sauce and took a bite and smiled, not having to worry about etiquette or anything else around him. Tai-Shi looked up and gave him a carefree smile.

 

“Tai-Li?” He asked.

 

“Yes Tai-Shi?” He took another small bite.

 

“Can we train tonight?” He gave Tai-Li his puppy dog face and pushed out his lower lip.

 

“Waiting for a bird to land?” Tai-Li smiled.

 

“Huh?” Tai-Shi didn't understand.

 

“Using your lip as a perch.” He lightly pointed his fork at Tai-Shi's lower lip.

 

“Hmph!” Tai-Shi pouted and looked away.

 

“I didn't say we couldn't train.” He smiled and took another bite.

 

“Really?” Tai-Shi smiled bouncing in his seat.

 

“Yes.” Tai-Li finished his meal and went to go clean his dishes. “Later, when father goes to bed, we'll go into the woods.”

 

Tai-Shi jumped up and his chair flew backwards as he jumped around the room. Tai-Li sighed as he cleaned up Tai-Shi's plate and put the chair back where it was.

 

~*~

 

Author's Note: Well here is Chapter 5 for you. I hope you enjoyed reading. I am now continuing the story from here on out. No more backtracking as a main theme for a chapter. If there is spelling errors you see…it's because my Microsoft Word isn't catching them for some reason. I may have to reinstall it. I really hope I don't have to do that. Well, until next time.

 

Update: Wow…so many errors…stupid old Word. Oh well…now there's hardly any errors…if any at all. I'll probably always miss something. I'll try to do better.