Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Bound Together ❯ The Broken Boy ( Chapter 12 )

Chapter 12
The Broken Boy

"Another year and so many more to follow." Rei smiled as he wrapped his arms around the slender boy in his lap.

"Yeah...isn't it bad to see me today thought? I mean until tonight?" Tai-Shi softly asked.

"If you were a bride, yes." Rei began.

"But I thought that's what we decided on!" Tai-Shi interrupted. "We agreed that I'd wear the traditional robes for the bride!"

"Shh, you didn't let me finish. If you were a bride, and a girl, then yes you would be right." Rei nuzzled Tai-Shi's cheek softly.

That night, on Tai-Shi's official eighteenth birthday, he was to marry Rei. Rei had formally proposed to Tai-Shi, and he accepted with a lot of thought. It's not like he fully wanted to say yes, but, he didn't want to say no.

Rei had been so nice to him. He taught him a lot of new things and treated him like he saw the maids treat Tai-Li. Tai-Li; it hurt to think about him. If Tai-Li had really cared for him, then why didn't he ever come to take him back? Why had no one cared he left? Was he that much of a burden?

Tai-Shi didn't know what to think anymore. He loved Tai-Li, he really did, but Tai-Li wasn't there anymore. Today, his birthday, he felt all alone.

"Tai-Shi?" Rei asked softly, trying to get his attention.

"Yes?" Tai-Shi asked.

"Here." Rei smiled and handed him a small box.

"What is it?" Tai-Shi asked as he took the box and slowly opened it.

Rei placed his hand on the lid of the box to close it.

"Wait until you are alone later." Rei smiled as he lifted Tai-Shi up and held him in his arms.

"Put me down Rei!" Tai-Shi squirmed.

"I don't want your feet to get tired." Rei playfully nipped on Tai-Shi's neck.

"Stupid...you're being stupid!" Tai-Shi pouted and pulled his neck away.

"Alright, alright." Rei let Tai-Shi down but still held onto him. "Tonight, you'll finally have a true home."

Tai-Shi nodded slowly. That comment hit him hard. He never gave the meaning of home a thought. With Rei, he was someone. He was waited on hand and foot. He was able to learn how to read and was now learning how to write. He was still behind, but he would eventually catch up.

He had learned so much. Rei helped Tai-Shi with poisons, and soon found that he was getting really good at mixing them, almost as well as Rei. Tai-Shi had even learned to apply them. The maids had asked for Rei to get rid of the rats in the food pantry. Tai-Shi had watched his poison work on a small rat. It had gotten sick, cried out in probably pain, and finally fell over, twitching and squirming until it stopped.

Tai-Shi had long gone into hysterics. It took a long time for Rei to get Tai-Shi to talk about it. Tai-Shi cried again as he answered how cruel it was.

"Tai-Shi?" Rei smiled and kissed his earlobe.

"Huh?" Tai-Shi jumped slightly as he was jarred from his daydreaming.

"They need you." Rei gently squeezed Tai-Shi and slowly let him go.

Tai-Shi turned around and smiled when he saw the tree familiar kind faces walk up to him.

"Master Tai-Shi, it is time to bathe you and prepare for this evening." The smallest of the three stated.

Tai-Shi looked and Rei nodded and handed him the small box from before. Rei slightly pushed Tai-Shi towards them.

"I love you." Rei smiled as he turned and walked away to prepare himself for later.

Tai-Shi held the small box in his hand and let the maids lead him off to the female bathhouse.

"Um...where are we going?" Tai-Shi stammered.

"We're to clean you up, young master." The eldest of the three replied as the other two giggled.

"But I can't!" Tai-Shi yelped as he tired to push away from the opening where they could hear other women talk and gossip inside, "I'm not a girl!"

"Don't be silly Hun. We can't have you bathing with the men today. You'll still smell like them." The tallest giggled as Tai-Shi stumbled into the bathhouse.

Girls squealed and giggled as they covered themselves up and watched Tai-Shi slowly sit up.

"Now, off with these dirty old things." Another young maid squealed as she started to remove his scarf and gloves.

"Wait!" His face was bright red as he clutched the scarf around his neck.

"Don't be shy, love." A rather free spirited woman drawled.

Tai-Shi covered his eyes as he caught sight of the woman and momentarily forgot about the maids trying to undress him. He felt slender fingers grazed his hips and he yelped as he felt his pants fell passed his knees.

"My, my, a healthy one we have here ladies." Someone called out and Tai-Shi quickly covered himself with his hands.

"Aww, don't embarrass the poor boy more then he already is." The smallest maid requested with a soft smile.

"Into the bath!" The other two stated as Tai-Shi felt himself being pushed forward and feeling the warm water caressed his delicate skin when he slipped and fell face first into the water.

Tai-Shi emerged from the water and delicate hands removed the bandage from his right eye.

"Now, to clean off this grime and get rid of the musk." Someone said.

Before Tai-Shi could retort, he felt the cool sensation of herbal mixtures turn to lather in his hair and small fingers gently massage his scalp.

After the nightmare in the bath house, the three maids wrapped Tai-Shi up in some towels and led him off to a section of the Berth family hadn't used for a long time in the estate.

"Are we supposed to be here?" Tai-Shi asked softly. He was afraid that if he spoke too loudly he would set off the fragile atmosphere of the room.

"Usually, no, but today is the day of Master Rei's wedding, and the bride will wear the traditional robes that has been passed down through the Berth family ladies." She paused and opened an old wardrobe and pulled out light blue silk and white ribbon. The maids pulled out several silk clothing, all different shades of blue and pale green. When they had stopped, Tai-Shi gapped at the bed with at least six different robes.

"What do I wear?" He was afraid to ask, but his mouth moved faster then his brain could think.

"All of it." The tallest one replied as she picked up the light blue silk and started dressing him.

Tai-Shi looked down to see another aid removing the towel from around his hips and wrapped a string around his bear hips. Another maid came in and handed the maid, who was fiddling with the string, a piece of fabric. She nodded and took the fabric and wrapped it between his legs. Tai-Shi jumped and swatted her hands away.

"Calm down, I'm just fixing you--" She began.

"Fixing me? I'm not broken!" Tai-Shi stumbled slightly.

"No, no Hun. I'm fixing you so you don't feel so bare." She smiled.

Tai-Shi nodded eventually and felt another maid place another layer of silk upon his shoulders. As another layer was being place on his shoulders, Tai-Shi heard the door open again and figured it was another maid.

"You're not allowed in here young master when the bride is dressing!" The eldest sternly said to the visitor.

Tai-Shi turned around and realized it was Rei.

"Rei?" Tai-Shi asked.

Rei smiled as he slowly walked towards Tai-Shi wearing elaborate dark colored clothing. He looked elegant. Gold trimmed his outfit and black designs curved tightly together to show strength and authority, what a groom of the master should wear.

"I need to see you." Rei smiled and gently removed the towel from Tai-Shi's head.

Tai-Shi's hair fell over his eyes.

"But, you're not supposed to see me now until later!" Tai-Shi pouted.

"I know, I've been told. I just wanted to make sure you are alright." Rei smiled.

"Alright? Why wouldn't I be?" Tai-Shi cheeks redden, besides being constantly embarrassed, nothing has happened to him.

"Just be careful okay? Promise me." Rei sounded slightly worried.

"I...I promise." Tai-Shi promised. It meant something to Rei if he wanted to make sure he would be all right.

"Thank you." Rei smiled and leaned down and lightly pressed his lips to Tai-Shi's scared eye. He slowly pulled away and turned towards the door and began to walk away. He grabbed the eldest maid's arm and pulled her close to listen. "Let his hair down and do not hide his eye. I am to marry him for who he is, not for what he hides." He let her go and left the room.

Tai-Shi stood, his face still slightly red, but for a new reason. No one ever said anything to him about hiding who he was. Was that eye patch really hiding him? He couldn't see out of that eye, and when he would see it in his reflection, he felt ashamed. He despised his eye and wished for him to become normal, but the way Rei treated his eye gently, and ugly scars that covered his body, it didn't disgust him anymore.

"Young master?" The smallest nurse asked.

"Yes?" Tai-Shi snapped out of his thoughts and looked towards her.

"Could you sit so we can fix your hair?" She asked with a soft smile.

Tai-Shi nodded and followed her towards the vanity near the door of the room.

Finally, Tai-Shi had some time alone to himself. The maids warned him to keep himself clean because he was ready for the wedding. He wasn't the type to just sit around and wait. He liked to walk around. He had been dying to be alone since earlier when Rei gave him the small white box.

The Berth estate was beautiful. A small stream ran through the middle of the yard. There was a small bridge that Tai-Shi was familiar with and constantly visiting that spot to think. He stood on the pale bridge and stared down at the stream below with a few Koi fish, thing they were going to be fed. Tai-Shi checked around to make sure he was alone and took the small white box from his new attire and brought it to hold close to his waist. Now that he could open it, he was almost afraid to.

The white box shifted slightly in his palms of his hands as he moved his fingers around the bottom to judge the weight of it. He looked at the blue ribbon around the lid and played with it slightly before he opened it. Curiosity took over and his nervous feelings vanished and he raised the lid of the box.

The contents in the box seemed empty at first until he looked deeper into the box. He fully removed the box's lid and stared at the small golden pin. In the center was a small light blue rock, which he had learned was a sapphire.

He didn't know what to do with it. He was afraid to break it if he touched it and it had surly meant a lot to Rei. He put it back into his pocket and sighed. He glanced at the water below and watched the Koi crowd around below him. Near the bridge was a small bag with some food for the fish. He grabbed some food and tossed it into the water. He jumped and dropped all of the food around his feet when he heard a heavy tree branch fall and a few rocks tumbled to the ground. Tai-Shi turned and slowly backed away from the commotion. His eyes rose to the cliffs as he caught sight of someone moving.

The figure descended the cliffs quickly and landed not too far from the bolder. Tai-Shi turned and began running back to the estate. Rei and the guards were running towards him.

"Tai-Shi!" Rei called out and grabbed him and held him close to protect him. He looked up towards the intruder, "Aim and fire!"

Two guards kneeled on the ground, drew an arrow from the quiver on their back, drew back the string on their bows, and let go of the arrow and string.

"Tai-Shi?" The voice called before he was struck with the arrows and fell to the ground.

Tai-Shi slightly pushed away from Rei and turned back.

"Tai-Li?" He yelled as he turned and tried to run back towards the fallen man.

"No, Tai-Shi! It's a trap!" Rei yelled as he caught Tai-Shi's wrist.

Tai-Shi turned around and tears welled up in his left eye.

"No! It's Tai-Li! He's come to get me!" Tai-Shi turned away from Rei and tried to run towards Tai-Li but couldn't. "Tai-Li! Tai-Li!" Tai-Shi called out.

"You want to leave me that badly?" Rei asked quietly.

Tai-Shi stopped fighting and stood still.

"I...I don't...know what to do..." Tai-Shi said weakly.

Rei sighed and growled as he let go of Tai-Shi's wrist.

"Guards! Take him to the holding cell, clean his wounds, and give him the antidote." Rei quickly turned and started to walk towards the estate.

Tai-Shi turned and grabbed Rei's wrist.

"Rei, wait." Tai-Shi weakly pleaded.

Rei stopped and didn't turn around, but his voice was cold and distant all the same.

"The marriage is postponed." Rei paused, "You'll have time to figure out what you really want." Rei violently shook his wrist and made Tai-Shi let go.

Tai-Shi stood silently watching everyone go back in. He lifted his left hand and felt his cheek. There, on his hand, were hot tears. When did he start crying? Tai-Shi violently shook his head and took off running back into the estate. He ran passed everyone and accidentally knocked someone over, but he didn't look back to see who he had hit as he ran into the room he had changed in and closed the door behind him.

He threw his clothing off onto the bed until only his bandaged waist and his skin could be seen. He collapsed to his knees and buried his face into the covers on the side of the bed.

"I don't know what to do..." He whined as he clenched his fists.

"I know...but..." He paused, "I don't know what to do!" Tai-Shi yelled as he tilted his head up slightly.

"I don't understand...tell me..." He paused and buried his face back into the covers, "Why is it so confusing? Why?" He cried harder and repeated his words.

"Rei..." He paused as he pictured Rei's face in his mind.

"Tai-Li..." He cried harder when he pictured Tai-Li's smiling face.

"Why do they both have to confuse me so much?"

Rei grumbled and paced back and forth in his room. His formal garments tossed aside onto the bed in a messy pile, seemingly not caring how they looked at the moment. He had pulled on his casual clothing. He continued to pace, trying to calm himself down. Today was his...his day to get married.

Tai-Shi heard a soft knock on the door behind him. He didn't acknowledge it and continued to cry into the sheets.

Rei growled as he opened his door in a rush and knocked over a maid that was passing by the door.

The door opened slowly and heavy steps crossed the floor towards Tai-Shi as he cried into the covers of the bed.

Rei quickly hurried down the hall towards the section of the estate that was holding the eldest Kay clan son.

Tai-Shi felt a familiar hand graze his head as it ruffled his hair. Tai-Shi shook his head, not wanting the warm gesture.

Rei opened the door and stared down at the topless Tai-Li. There were a few people around him treating the wounds with an antidote.

“You were in a hurry.” A rough voice slowly said.

“Is he conscious?” Rei asked.

Ta-Shi turned his head and looked up at the familiar voice.

“He goes in and out.” A man said that was sewing up one of the wounds.

“Master Berth?” Tai-Shi slowly began.

“What is he now?” Rei asked with irritation.

“I lot has happened, no?” Master Berth asked slowly as he walked towards Tai-Shi.

“He is currently conscious.” The man said slowly.

“I don't understand what's going on.” Tai-Shi had long had a break down and continued to cry.

Rei walked over to stand in Tai-Li's eyesight and glared down at him.

“Tai-Shi is mine.” Rei growled.

“The one that showed up, he is your brother?” Maith asked.

Tai-Li stared up at Rei, his eyes half opened as if he looked like he was on the verge of both life and death.

“Yes…Tai-Li finally came…but I don't know what I want anymore. I love Tai-Li…but I also think I love Rei… I just…don't know how to choose.” Tai-Shi felt a heavy hand rest on his right slumped shoulder as he continued to cry.

“I don't know how you found this place…but you're not welcomed here, and if it wasn't for Tai-Shi wanting you alive, I'd never had let you lived.” Rei growled.

“Love is a hard thing to understand. Are you sure you are ready for it?” Maith asked softly, but his gruff voice not really able to be soft.

“Stay….ay…from my…bro….er…” Tai-Li tried to say but was able to form his word coherently.

Tai-Shi had never really thought about if he was ready for love. He knew he wanted it, but he never thought if he was ready for it? He had always wanted love, he yearned for it.

“I…just want someone to love me…” Tai-Shi's cry softened.

“Ah, so you can speak.” He paused, “Tai-Shi is my fiancé now, you don't have the right to tell me what to do with my property.

“Everyone wants to be loved, but can you love in return?” Maith asked thinking loudly about what he just asked Tai-Shi.

“Fiancé?” Tai-Li asked slowly, making sure to form his word correctly.

“I…I don't know…I don't know. I'm so confused!” Tai-Shi quickly got up and ran away from Maith and ran out of the room. He wanted to be alone and think to himself.

“That's right, Tai-Shi agreed to marry me, what do you think of that?” Rei asked smugly, much liking how Tai-Li, his first crush was helpless on the table before him, but he quickly thought better of his thoughts and pushed them aside.

I can't stay here…

“You had to have done something…” Tai-Li was finally fully awake and slowly trying to move, but yelled out in pain as he felt the doctor sew his skin back together.

I don't want to be around anyone…

“I haven't.” Rei smiled.

Please…tell me what to do…you always know what to do…

“Then what do you want? You surly don't love him.” Tai-Li growled. “You only want him cause you can't have me.”

Why? Why won't you answer me?

“You really think I only want him to get to you?” Rei growled, balling up his fists.

You've always been here for me…you've always told me what to do…

“It's always been about me. Because you had your way with my brother does not mean poop!” Tai-Li clenched his teeth and glared at Rei.

Why are you not answering me? I need your help…

“Watch your tongue! Why can't you accept the fact that I love Tai-Shi now, not you, Tai-Li? Are you that jealous of your brother?” Rei hissed.

Why?

“Hell if I'd ever love you!” Tai-Li paused with a growl, “Give me back my brother!”

Did I do something wrong?

“Can't think of anything else instead of barking commands, in my home?” Rei growled.

I'm sorry…please talk to me…please…

“What do you want…” Tai-Li growled and looked away.

Don't leave me alone…

“What was that?” Rei smiled.

I can't stand being alone...

“What do you want so that I can have my little brother back.” Tai-Li growled.

Why? Why are you doing this to me?

Rei smiled, “I suppose there may be one thing…” He thought allowed to himself.

Why won't you help me when I need you the most?

“What will it take to get my brother back?” Tai-Li looked back towards Rei.

I just…I just want you to talk to me…

“Let me have your body.” Rei smiled.

Why won't you talk to me?

“…” Tai-Li glared at Rei, “So it was a lie..." Tai-Li thought to himself and closed his eyes lightly, "and you'll give Tai-Shi back?”

I don't want you to leave me…

“Maybe.” Rei smiled. He shrugged and turned away. “I've grown fond of the boy.”

Please…don't leave me…not like everyone else has…

“You don't really care about Tai-Shi…do you?” Tai-Li growled.

Please…

“Now don't say that…I do care, but who can pass up their first love? I loved you before I loved him.” Rei smiled.

Don't ignore me!

“What about how Tai-Shi feels?” Tai-Li glared.

Stop ignoring me…

“He's never gave a hint to how he really feels.”

I haven't done anything wrong…

“…ne…”

Please …

“What was that? A little louder please?” Rei smiled.

Just tell me why you won't talk to me…

“FINE!” Tai-Li growled.

Fine…

“Fine what?” Rei couldn't help but grin from ear to ear.

I don't want to talk to you anymore!

“I'll let you have my body…”

I'll go away where no one can find me!

~ * ~

 

Author's Note: Wow…chapter 12: The Broken Boy. Hehe, I never really showed it in story much until this chapter…but Tai-Shi talks to the “voices”. Just when you thought I couldn't torment him anymore…Tai-Shi now talks to himself…and he gets answer back! Spooky.

The whole last part with the italics, that's Tai-Shi trying to talk to the voice that has been with him throughout his life, but it's not answering.

Guess what…another turning point! Muhahaha. I keep extending the story because I'm still unsure how the end is going to play out…but the end will come soon…I am aiming for this to go on for a little longer. And don't worry Allen and Sei fans, they're coming back. =3

And Rei...oi...my little Rei is turning out to be such the bad guy...well he did have a very wicked past.  He has become what he hated.  Isn't that like a lot of us?  We become what we hate?  Well, see you next time in chapter 13.