Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Bound Together ❯ Hide and Seek ( Chapter 13 )

Chapter 13
Hide and Seek

“Hey…over here!” A soft voice called out.

“Here?” A meek voice replied.

“Hey, isn't this….” The first voice drifted off as it trying to recall something.

“Tai-Shi!” The second voice yelled.

Tai-Shi sat leaning up against a tree stump. His body looked worn and ragged and his left eye had a distant stare, like it had lost its life.

“Ah, that's right. The younger Kay son.” The first started off.

“Help him Sei!” The meek voice pleaded basically.

“I know; we'll have him fixed up and rested. He doesn't appear to have any injuries on him. He just looks tired from roughing it.” Sei smiled as he slowly picked Tai-Shi up.

“Then we can take him back to Tai-Li.” The second chimed in happily.

“…no…” Tai-Shi softly said.

“Huh?” Sei asked as he looked at Tai-Shi who had instinctively curled up in Sei's arms.

“I don't want to go back…I can't go back…” He slowly said.

“Did something happen?” The second voice cautiously asked.

“Allen, don't press him on right now, he probably needs some rest and some time to think. He probably has a lot of stress going on if he ran away…and remember...he ran away from Rei…that's got to put anyone through a premature hell…” Sei began.

Allen nodded and walked up beside his lover.

“We'll take care of you…we'll take you to the Mori estate. Sei's father is a bit…out there…but he's a nice guy. He'll treat you well like he treats everyone.” Allen smiled to try and ease Tai-Shi's mind.

“Hey, that's my father we're talking about.” Sei teasingly sounded offended. “I'm a chip off the old block you know.”

“You're a romantic…a cheesy one at that.” Allen smiled.

Allen seemed to have changed since the last time Tai-Shi had seen him. Allen seemed more confident with his words, but he still had the shyness to him that made him adorable. Tai-Shi smiled softly as he listened to the two lovebirds bicker back and forth playfully.

“Oh come on…you never said you didn't like the flowers I'd pick for you.” Sei whined as he carried Tai-Shi.

“No no no! I love the flowers. It's just you give me too much…and I can't take them back with me…so I have to leave them here at our special spot…” Allen said tenderly and closed his eyes.

“Now who's the romantic?” Sei teased.

“I'm not a cheesy one though.” Allen retorted.

“You're never going to let me live that down, are you?” Sei sighed.

“I suppose not.” Allen giggled.

The three walked towards Sei's estate quietly for a little while. Sei had to let Tai-Shi down in order to gain access to the perimeter of his estate. He drew his bow and an arrow and fired it strait ahead onto a paper charm. The three heard a whistle and Sei went and picked Tai-Shi up.

“Almost there, not too much farther.” Sei smiled.

“Alright…” Tai-Shi said weakly.

He was tired; he had run away from the Berth estate without a word to anyone. He had left Tai-Li in Rei's hands and he didn't know what was going to happen. He didn't want to think of that so he shook his head to clear the thought.

He had climbed the rocks and cut up the palms of his hands. He finally found the tunnels and had wondered around for hours, following a wall to get to the outside. When he had found the outside. He had taken note of the moon and the brightly lit stars over his head and looked into the dark forest.

He had wondered blindly all night, not sure where he was going, but he knew that he was going away from the Berth estate. He didn't want anyone to find him so he didn't always stay in a straight path. He had weaved in and out of bushes and such and cut through a stream sometime during the night. He had finally collapsed, hungry, tired, cold, and wet in front of a dead tree. It was later in the next day's afternoon that Allen and Sei had found him.

“Tai-Shi, do you hurt anywhere?” Allen asked slowly, more or less looking at the dried blood on his hands.

“My hands sting…” Tai-Shi said slowly.

“We'll have the nurse soak them to make sure they don't get infected.” Allen said with a smile as Sei led the way inside of the estate.

Those that lived in the Mori estate stopped and whispered as Sei carried the small blond in his arms. He didn't stop but gave them cold stares and they hurriedly wandered off.

“Young Master?” A woman asked slowly.

“Ah, Lea, please prepare a room for our friend.” He paused, “And would you call for Meena?”

“Of course.” Lea bowed and hurriedly walked ahead of them and opened a door to let Sei and Allen in.

She wondered over to a clean bed and pulled the covers from the bed and folded them and placed them on the floor. She adjusted the pillows and then excused herself and went to seek out the nurse.

Allen hurried over to the bed as Sei followed close behind. He gently laid Tai-Shi onto the soft, white bed and Allen covered him up lightly.

“Get some water…” Allen began.

“Don't you think we should wait?” Sei asked.

“I said get some water. We can at least clean his hands and face before the nurse gets here.” Allen somewhat glared up at Sei as he sat next to the bed beside his friend.

Sei grumbled and rubbed the back of his head.

“Alright, as you wish.” Sei turned and grabbed a small bowl and left to go fish water from the well.

Outside there were still some people whispering about the strange blond that their young master had brought home. Sei dipped the bowl into the water and headed back to the room. The nurse, Meena, had already arrived and was taking a look at Tai-Shi.

“Young Master, who is he?” She asked as Allen took the bowl from Sei to begin cleaning Tai-Shi's dirty, blistered hands.

“He is the younger brother to Tai-Li, the second Kay son.” Sei began.

“The second Kay son?” She questioned.

“I'll explain later.” Sei sighed as he watched Allen tend to Tai-Shi.

Meena reported that all Tai-Shi needed was some food and a good night's rest. He wasn't physically hurt, besides the blisters on his hands.

"Let him sleep, then when he wakes, we'll fee him." Sei decided, "I must speak with my father now about all of this."

"He's in the garden." Meena replied as she tended to the small Kay clan son before leaving the room.

Sei sighed; his father only went into the garden to do one thing.

"Alright..." Sei turned and waved Allen to follow him out.

"Can you get home by yourself?" He asked as the door closed behind them.

"Yes...but I'm not leaving." Allen flatly said.

"You don't have permission to stay though."  Sei sighed getting agitated with how much Tai-Shi was affecting his lover's attitude.

"I'm not asking you for it." Allen glared; apparently Allen was aiming for the higher-up, Master Mori.

Sei looked away, but couldn't help but smile.

The two soon stood outside of the garden, and the smell of opium hung thick in the air.  Allen covered his nose, but Sei did not.  He was used to the smell of the opium his father smoked.  Sei looked around the garden and spotted his father, pipe in hand, in the middle of the path near the small Koi pond.

"Father?" Sei called out to let his presence be known.

"Ah, Sei!  I thought you left with the Path son?" His voice questioned.

"I am with your son, Master Mori." Allen spoke up quietly.

"Ah, the Path son is here?"

"Yes father, we've come to speak with you." Sei replied shortly as he began to approach his father, Allen on his heels.

"What is it you've come to talk with me about?" Master Mori sat up properly and folded his legs over each other.

"Father, the young Kay son is here." Sei began.

"Ah! Tai-Li is it?  A polite boy, but a bit...how do you say...stuck-up?"  He paused and looked around, "Why does ne not come before me himself?"

"No father, the other boy, the one that was kept secret from the families." Sei reminded his father.

"Then why is he not before me?" Master Mori asked as he took a slow drag from his pipe and slowly blew out smoke.

"He is bed ridden.  He is sick and tired and has escaped being held by the Berth estate.  Allen and I had found him near our estate upon heading back." Sei said calmly.

"Then let him rest.  Treat him to our finest herbs and he'll be up in no time." Master Mori laughed and took another drag.

"Father...that stuff will kill you..." Sei sighed as he changed the subject.

"It is more of a habit, Sei.  The land provides it, why not take it?" He smiled.

Sei sighed, bowed and stood up.

"Yes, young Path?" Sei's father voice spoke up.

Sei turned around to see Allen still sitting in front of his father.

"Master Mori...may I request residence here for the night to watch over my friend." Allen's voice was a little shaky but still trying to sound confident.

Master Mori laughed and glanced at Allen who was slowly losing his nerve.

"What a strange request." He smiled and glanced up at his son.

"Your generation is a much more friendly generation then mine." He smiled.

"What do you mean?" Sei asked.

"The families never got along well." Master Mori smiled.

"But you all hold parties for each other?" Sei replied quickly.

"We've come to an understanding as we took our roles as heads of our families.  We've understood that we must uphold the alliances between our families."  He paused and looked back at the young Path son, "You may stay, but only if your father permits it."

"Thank you." Allen bowed and slowly stood up.

Sei bowed again and led Allen out and shut the door to the garden.  Allen smiled up at Sei.

"At times, I don't understand you." Sei said with a slight hit of a smile.

"Why don't you want me to stay?" Allen demanded.

"You know I want you to stay, but your father is suspicious of us." Sei explained slowly.  "And Tai-Shi-"

"I knew it!  You like Tai-Shi too!" Allen yelled, a bit pink in the face, as he stormed off quickly ahead of Sei.

Sei was a bit surprised by that replied.  He stared, dumbfounded, at Allen.

"I knew it!" Allen hurried towards the exit of the estate, sounding a bit hurt.

Sei sighed and held his forehead.

"I don't think it is I who holds feelings towards the young Kay." Sei smiled to himself as he slowly walked down the hall, opposite to which Allen had ran off in.  He stopped when he was outside of Tai-Shi's closed door.  "You're a lucky, and unlucky should.  You do not have the love and respect of your father, but you have the love from who ever you meet."

Sei sighed and turned away from the door and slowly walked down the hall.

~ * ~

Allen had long left for his estate and returned back to Sei's estate, smiling and gloating to Sei about his accomplishment of being able to stay. Sei could only roll his eyes as he worked outside in the archery field mending and making new arrows. When he was done, the sun had slowly begun to set and the slaves had begun to light the fires around the estate to keep the occupants warm during the night. Sei had wandered through the building looking for his small companion, and found him where he was hoping he wouldn't be.

Allen sat on the floor, with his head lying in his arms on the side of the bed. He had fallen asleep at Tai-Shi's side. Sei sighed and took a seat at the foot of the bed, being careful not to wake either Tai-Shi or Allen.

“You're lucky…” Sei sighed with a broken smile. He slowly turned his head to look at the white haired boy and then to the blond. “You make him smile and worry with little effort. It has taken me years to get him to smile the way he does with you…” He paused, “I am afraid to say that I envy you. You the one who is forever broken by those you surround you.” Sei gently placed his hand on Allen's head then slowly stood and left the room. As he left, he did not notice the slow trail of tears sliding down Tai-Shi's cheek.

Sei stood outside in the cool air gently rubbing his arms. He sighed as he leaned against the front gate and listened to his surroundings. He shuddered as he heard the sound of the woods crying.

Sei felt cursed. He was blessed with being in tune in nature. He could tell when there was to be a storm, or when the day would be hot and unforgiving. His entire family was like that. He only felt cursed when nature would cry out with uncertainty. It made his bones cold and churned his stomach to make him ill.

Something was going to happen.

When the wave passed he held his stomach and looked around the dark surroundings. Something out there was foreboding; something was coming. Sei quickly grabbed his quiver hanging close to the gate. It was always there for when he went hunting in the early morning with his father. He grabbed his long bow, slumped down to the ground near the gate, and slowly turned to face the outside. He placed his bow to the ground, drew an arrow from his quiver, and readied his weapon for defense.

He sat there in complete silence as he waited moment of insecurity to pass. Sei tried quickly to regulate his breathing, but being uncertain was always a weak point of his. He felt helpless when he didn't know what he should expect.

Another mournful cry rang from his surroundings. There was no time to alert the guards as he drew back his bow as he slowly spotted something moving within the distance.

He readied his aim as the figure slowly drew closer to the gates.

Something wasn't right. These movements…they were unsteady and unsure. They walked a crooked line, unsure of where the line that he was following would take him.

“Who's there?” Sei hesitantly called out to the figure but received no answer. “I'm prepared to shoot! Answer!”

The figure did not reply, but the sound of something hard hitting the ground answered Sei's reply. The figure was rather dead, or is too weak to move any further.

Sei slowly moved from his spot and carefully approached the fallen figure. Upon reaching the figure, he recognized it and immediately hurried forth.

“I swear…you Kays owe the Mori's big time after this…” Sei said slowly as he carefully lifted up the eldest Kay and took him inside.

~ * ~

“You know it's worthless to try and rattle those bars while you are injured. All you're going to do is hurt yourself.” Rei grinned as he watched his captive squirm in his holding cell.

Tai-Li's cell hung from the ceiling. It was similar to a bird's cage, and was barely big enough for Tai-Li himself to sit up in.

“Go to hell!” Tai-Li growled.

Rei laughed and wandered slowly in front of Tai-Li and gently pushed the cage so that it slowly rocked back and forth.

“Tai-Shi chose me.” He began.

“He'd only choose you if he felt he had to.” Tai-Li ground his teeth back and forth as he rocked back and forth, trying to break the chain.

“That's not going to work…” Rei turned and slowly walked away, “We were to marry today, but you just had to show up and put Tai-Shi in distraught.”

“I would have been here sooner if I knew this is where you thieves were nesting here.” Tai-Li kicked the bars and jumped slightly.

“Careful now, Tai-Shi wouldn't want you to get any worse before I let him see you.” Rei smiled.

“What they hell do you want with my brother? I thought it was me that you wanted.” Tai-Li bit his lower lip.

“You think it's all about you huh? Well I'm sorry to say, but Tai-Shi is just too precious for you to harm any further.” Rei rambled on.

“I have never laid a hand on Tai-Shi!” Tai-Li snapped and kicked the bars again.

“Really now? I find that hard to believe. You're cold hearted and take your anger out on those around you Tai-Li Kay, just like your fath—”

“I will never be like him!” Tai-Li hissed. “I will never raise a hand and harm the person I love.

“Love you say? If you truly loved him, you wouldn't have let any of this happen. I wouldn't have Tai-Shi, and you wouldn't be in this situation, now would you?” Rei sneered.

“Give me back my brother.” Tai-Li growled.

“Oh how threatening, you know what I say is true and you demand here, in my estate? I will be Master of this estate soon and you dare order me around? If it wasn't for this damn treaty, nor Tai-Shi wishing you to live, then we would have let you die hours ago when you were struck with our poison laced arrows.” Rei growled.

“You're just a child, and you know it.” Tai-Li smiled, finally getting under Rei's skin.

“To hell with you! You are the child chasing after something you'll never have! Rei yelled.

“I see it is you who is chasing.” Tai-Li smiled.

Rei growled and kicked the bars of the cage and whirled around, leaving Tai-Li to howl in pain from the shock.

“You never loved Tai-Shi.” Tai-Li began. “If you ever loved him, you wouldn't offer to sleep around.”

Before Rei could turn on him, a loud noise came from the stair well. One of Rei's servants had tripped and fallen down the stairs.

“Get out of the way.” Rei ordered coldly.

“Young Master…Young Master Kay is gone, he has vanished.” She said.

Rei froze, “What?”

“He left the robes on the bed and is missing from the Lady's room. No one has seen him on the estate either.” She went on.

Rei grabbed her and threw her aside as he hurriedly climbed the stairs and slammed open the door.

“I want him found! Find Tai-Shi!” He growled and barked at the guards who were standing outside of the door. They quickly hurried off to do what they were order.

“Rei, I need to speak with you.” Maith said quietly as he slowly walked towards Rei.

“Not now! Tai-Shi is my first priority.” Rei growled.

Before Rei could form another thought, he felt his left shoulder slam into the wall and an overwhelming pressure placed on his chest.

“You will never take the tone with me. I am the Master of this estate and above all else, your Father.” He paused and glared down at his son who coldly stared up at him. “You are a grown man and should be capable of making decisions. I believe was wrong of me to let you have that freedom. You will give up your hold on the Kay Clan estate and return them to their father. I will not have you breaking the treaty my father had worked hard to make just because of your infatuation.”

Maith let Rei go and slowly walked off, leaving Rei to stand there silently until his father was out of earshot and grabbed a wooden chair and threw it against the wall.

~ * ~

Sei quietly opened the door next to the room with Tai-Shi and Allen sleeping and helped Tai-Li over to the bed. It was too late in the evening for him to call upon a doctor, and had to treat Tai-Li himself.

Sei grabbed a bowl and fetched a basin of water and gathered towels and medicine. “You're so useless…” Sei teased with a smile.

“Shut up…” Tai-Li said weakly. “I need…I need an antidote.”

“Antidote? So you were poisoned.” Sei began.

“Yes…Rei's damn guards laced their arrows with poison. I can hardly feel my arms and legs.” Tai-Li explained.

“Tell me more of what you feel, and I can narrow down the number of antidotes we have to choose from.” Sei explained.

Tai-Li explained everything he thought would make a difference and Sei fetched the antidote quickly and let him drink some, and then gently put some upon the wounds so to help neutralize the poison.

“This should help…I'll give you some more tomorrow morning.” Sei went on as he slowly wrapped bandages around Tai-Li's chest. “I'm surprised you didn't die…”

“Can you pack it up? I have to look for Tai-Shi.” Tai-Li explained as he slowly tried to stand.

“No way! You're not going anywhere with those wounds! They're open and if you continue on like this you're going to kill yourself!” Sei forced him back into the bed and then continued to dress his wounds.

“I have to find him…I have to talk to him…” Tai-Li said quietly.

“Don't rush…if you push yourself…you're not going to be good for anyone…and you'll never see Tai-Shi.” Sei sighed. Tai-Li needed the rest, and if he let Tai-Li know that Tai-Shi was in the next room, the stress on both of them wouldn't be good and nothing would get accomplished. “How did you get away from the Berth estate? I don't expect Rei was happy to see you.”

“He wasn't. He had thrown me into a holding cell and was probably going to leave me there to die, but his father gave order to release me. Rei threw me out and I aimlessly wondered here.” Tai-Li sighed.

“Oh…” Sei sighed.

“What? Expecting something more like I killed a guard, stole the key he had, unlocked my cell, and made my valiant escape?” Tai-Li smiled.

“I suppose.” Sei laughed.

Tai-Li smiled and finally lay back when Sei was done dressing his wounds.

“If this was on better terms, I'd say your estate is homey.” Tai-Li smiled.

“Bit you just did. Just rest.” Sei paused. “I'll sit here…no one knows you are here…and it would be bad if someone else found you in here before I got here in the morning.” Sei smiled.

“True…wouldn't want that.” Tai-Li yawned.

Sei nodded and rested himself against the wall and folded his arms over his chest and lightly closed his eyes. “Don't try to leave…”

“Same to you.” Tai-Li smiled and closed his eyes to sleep.

The next morning came and Sei woke early in order to catch the nurse to request breakfast plates for four. He had explained to the nurse that another visitor had come during the night and he needs something to eat. Before he could return to the room, the other door opened and Allen peered out.

“Sei!” Allen smiled, but then looked mad.

“Morning sleepy head.” Sei smiled staring down at him.

“Where have you been? You didn't come back at all last night.” Allen glared and looked at the open door. “Where you in there this whole time?”

“I was, don't worry. I got the nurse to bring up some meals so we don't have to leave Tai-Shi alone.” Sei began as Allen tried to see into the room.

“What's in there?” Allen asked as he heard some noises.

Before Sei could reply, the door was pushed open and there stood Tai-Li in the door.

“Tai-Li?” Allen jumped. “What…how…I have to tell Tai-Shi!” Allen said as he ran off into the other room.

“Tai-Shi?” Tai-Li asked quickly and looked at Sei seriously.

“Yeah…we found Tai-Shi last night.” Sei started to explain.

“Why the hell didn't you tell me?” Tai-Li growled and approached the door where Tai-Shi was.

“I didn't tell you because of how you are acting now! You're not thinking clearly! Tai-Shi is still confused and— ”

Tai-Li pushed Sei away and entered the other room where Tai-Shi sat on the bed. Tai-Shi tightly gripped the covers tightly as he watched Tai-Li slowly enter the room. Sei followed Tai-Li into the room and motioned for Allen to follow him. Allen was a little reluctant but listened. As the two left, Sei quietly shut the door.

“Why did you make me come out?” Allen pouted.

“Don't you think Tai-Shi and Tai-Li need a little time to talk about what's all happened? Remember, Tai-Shi didn't want to see Tai-Li yesterday, and Tai-Li's been to Rei's estate.” Sei sighed.

“Alright…but still…what if something happens in there?” Allen still continued to pout.

“Then we'll be here to stop it, or let it be.” Sei began.

“Let it be? How can we just let it be?” All stuck out his lower lip with agitation.

“They are brothers. We have no right to get in the middle of a family feud which has gone on longer then we had known about it.” Sei thought for a moment and gently poked Allen's hanging lip. “Still trying to catch those birds huh?”

“Hush you!” Allen mumbled and folded his arms.

Inside the room was dead silence. Tai-Li stood pressed against the door looking down at the floor while Tai-Shi sat quietly on his bed and nervously twitched his toes and fingers. It was unbearable. Someone had to say something.

“Shi-Shi?” Tai-Li used Tai-Shi's childish nickname.

“Don't call me that…” Tai-Shi said quietly.

“I'm sorry…” Tai-Li apologized.

The silence had crept upon them yet again.

“Tai-Shi, are you alright? You're not hurt are you?” Tai-Li asked.

“I'm fine.” Tai-Shi said slowly as he hid his hands under the covers.

“I can see you are hiding your hands…let me see them.” Tai-Li said softly as he carefully stepped towards the bed where his fragile brother sat.

“They're fine.” Tai-Shi said again, but a bit weaker.

“Then you won't mind if I see that they are fine.” Tai-Li said as he finally came to stand in front of the bed and looked down at the blond who sat hunched over.

Tai-Shi didn't make a sound but slowly removed his bandaged hands from the blankets and held them up for Tai-Li to see.

“What happened to them?” Tai-Li asked softly.

“I climbed rocks…” Tai-Shi replied slowly.

“When you ran away from the estate?” Tai-Li asked again.

Tai-Shi nodded and tried to withdraw his hands. Tai-Li held onto them gently and reached over for the basin of water and a clean cloth on the table next to the bed. He slowly sat down and set both the basin and the cloth in his lap then proceeded to undress Tai-Shi hands.

Under the bandages were bloody blisters. They looked sore and tender. This wasn't going to be easy. Tai-Li apologized ahead of time and gently pressed the clean cloth to the water and then gently onto Tai-Shi blisters.

Tai-Shi yelped and tried to take back his hands but couldn't because Tai-Li had a tight grip on them.

“If you fight it it's only going to hurt worse. These wounds need to be cleaned again so that they won't get infected.” Tai-Li sighed.

“I don't care…” Tai-Shi turned his face away.

“Stop acting like a child Tai-Shi. If they get infected someone may have to remove them…and you don't want a hand without fingers, correct?” Tai-Li warned.

Tai-Shi nodded and let Tai-Li see his hands again and withstood the pain of cleaning them.

When Tai-Li was done, he freshly wrapped the blisters with a clean bandage lightly.

“They'll need to get some air in order to heal properly. I put some ointment on the bandages so that it will take the stinging away.” Tai-Li explained.

Tai-Shi nodded and wrapped his arms around his knees and pulled them to his chest.

“Tai-Shi?” Tai-Li asked softly.

Tai-Shi looked up slowly and watched his brother's expression change.

“Do you feel up for a walk?” Tai-Li slowly asked.

Tai-Shi was about to refuse but was cut off.

“We're not going to go home…I just want to speak with you…without anyone listening.” Tai-Li said hardly above a whisper as he pointed to the door behind him.

Tai-Shi nodded and slowly climbed out of the bed and kept a good distance away from Tai-Li.

Tai-Li sighed and slowly opened the door and stepped aside as the small white haired boy stumbled forward.

Allen nervously laughed and rubbed his arm saying how he tripped and such.

“We're going to take a walk…” Tai-Li said slowly looking at Sei.

Sei nodded and gently grabbed Allen's arm. “We're going to go eat in the garden with my father. When you get back, join us okay?”

“Wait…but—” Allen began.

“You wouldn't want to make a bad impression now would you Young Master Path.” Sei teased.

“I told you not to call me that.” Allen pouted as he turned and headed to the garden area.

Sei nodded to Tai-Li and alerted the servant who was bringing them their meals and told her to take them to the garden. She nodded agitatedly but wouldn't dare show it in front of Sei.

Tai-Li nodded and slowly led Tai-Shi out the front gate and off into the forest that surrounded the Mori estate.

Tai-Shi and Tai-Li walked a little while in silence. Neither of the two knew exactly what to say to the other. Tai-Shi ran away from both him and Rei do to his confused emotional state. Tai-Li had so many questions to ask, but he didn't know where to start. He wanted to know about the wedding, and if he truly loved Rei or not, but he couldn't summon the courage to start the conversation.

The two came to a small cliff. Tai-Shi walked towards the edge and peered down. He slowly backed up and accidentally bumped into Tai-Li and tried to get away still.

“What's wrong?” Tai-Li asked, confused by his actions.

“You said we weren't going home!” Tai-Shi quickly said.

“We're not? We were just walking.” Tai-Li began.

“You're lying! You're taking me home!” Tai-Shi said again as he continued to try backing up.

“I'm not…really I'm not.” Tai-Li tried to protest.

“You are! That's our home!” Tai-Shi cried out loud, he was visibly starting to feel cornered.

“Hold on…below the cliff you mean?” Tai-Li asked as he gently grabbed Tai-Shi wrist and slowly walked over towards the edge of the cliff.

Tai-Li stopped when he could see what Tai-Shi was talking about. Below them was in fact the Kay Clan estate. He had never known that he was this close to the Mori estate.
“I didn't know…” Tai-Li said as he quickly turned around sat on a rock that was near them.

“You're lying!” Tai-Shi said again.

“I'm not…Tai-Shi…why don't you trust me?” Tai-Li asked sadly.

“You didn't come!” Tai-Shi cried out.

“You didn't come!”

That sounded so familiar to Tai-Li. He slowly let go of Tai-Shi's wrist and gently grabbed his chest.

“I didn't come…” He repeated slowly.

Tai-Shi watched him and slowly backed away from him.

“I tried…I've been looking for so long.” Tai-Li began.

“If you were looking, you would have found me sooner!” Tai-Shi began again.

“I tried…I didn't know where to go to find you…or to find Rei. No one knew where Rei's family took up residence.” Tai-Li paused. “I left home three weeks ago. Father's infuriated that I left home without a word. He probably thinks that it is your fault, so I will not take you back to a place like that…not while he is like that. I knew that if I found you…I could take you someplace safe until I knew father calmed down—”

“I am nothing there! I am nothing but a dog to them! No one talks to me. No one is there for when I get hurt…or when I am sick. No one takes care of me. No one feeds me and no one lets me bathe. I am nothing in that house!” Tai-Shi continued on.

“I know…” Tai-Li said slowly.

Tai-Shi stopped and watched Tai-Li. Those words hurt coming from him.

“There is nothing I can say to anyone to change that… Father is ill. He's been ill for a long time, since as long as I could remember. He does not know what he is doing most of the time and does not understand what he does. Tai-Shi…father may have the power over everyone who lives in that damned estate, but he will never how power us me…power over us.” Tai-Li looked up at his brother. “I will make sure that father falls…I will no longer let him do what he does anymore.”

Tai-Shi stopped and froze and continued to slowly back up towards the cliff.

“Tai-Shi?” Tai-Li began.

“How noble of you Tai-Li.” A familiar cold voice said.

Tai-Li jumped up and turned quickly around, too quickly. He held his chest and growled as he watched Rei slowly approach them.

“Careful Tai-Li, wouldn't want your wounds to open anymore” Rei smiled.

“Get the hell away Rei!” Tai-Li growled.

“Temper, temper.” Rei grinned as he still continued to advance.

Tai-Shi whimpered as he continued to back up…no matter where he went, he couldn't get away from all three. Behind him was the Kay Clan estate and in front of him was both Rei and Tai-Li.

“Don't be afraid now Tai-Shi.” Rei smiled and paused. “We can go home now. We can be a family.”

Rei slowly began to circle around Tai-Li and towards Tai-Shi.

“Tai-Shi! Don't go with him. He'll only hurt you.” Tai-Li snapped as he tried to lunge at Rei.

Rei was to fast though for Tai-Li as he sent him flying back with a kick to his gut. Tai-Li doubled over and growled as he looked up at Rei, who only grinned.

“Tai-Li!” Tai-Shi called out but quickly turned his attention back to Rei who was still circling. Tai-Shi slowly moved away and he soon stood between both Rei and Tai-Li.

“Tai-Shi…we treated you like a part of our family.” Rei smiled.

“Tai-Shi…don't go to him…he's trying to trick you.” Tai-Li pleaded as he slowly stood t his feet.

“We fed you, gave you nice clothing, and you had a nice bed to sleep in every night.” Rei continued on.

“Tai-Shi…” Tai-Li knew no matter what Rei gave him, he couldn't argue, Tai-Shi literately had no life at the Kay Clan estate, but at the Berth estate, he did.

“Tai-Shi, I love you.” Rei smiled and held out his arms. “Please come back.”

Tai-Li bit his lower lip as he stood and watched Tai-Shi hesitantly walk towards Rei and slowly look back at Tai-Li.

“Tai-Shi!” Tai-Li began.

“Tai-Li is the one that hurt you…” Rei smiled as he finally wrapped his arms around Tai-Shi's slender body.

Tai-Li bit his lip and slumped to the ground. Tai-Shi didn't want to be with him…he could clearly see that now. He never got to talk to him about how he truly felt, how he missed him, and that he was sorry forever leaving him alone, or letting him feel abandoned, but that didn't matter now. Tai-Li clenched his fists and shut his eyes tightly.

Tai-Shi will have a better life there…

“No…” Tai-Shi said slowly.

Tai-Li looked up and saw Rei's arms were slowly loosening around Tai-Shi's shoulders.

“No?” Rei asked slowly.

“Tai-Li never hurt me…Tai-Li never laid a hand on me.” Tai-Shi began. “Tai-Li was there to bandage my cuts. Tai-Li was there to cut my hair when it got to long. Tai-Li played with me. Tai-Li raised me. Tai-Li bathed me. Tai-Li held me when I cried. Tai-Li never hurt me!” Tai-Shi balled up his fists and looked down. “Tai-Li took care of me when I was sick. Tai-Li took care of me when father was upset. Tai-Li hid me from the guards when father sent them after me. Tai-Li never hurt me!”

Tai-Shi pushed Rei back and yelled.

“Rei hurt me!”

Rei didn't say a word as he stumbled back and lost the ground under his feet. Over the side of the cliff he fell to the ground below.

So I have become…what I hated most…

~ * ~

Author's Note:  Well, as you can see, music influences my writing.  This time, Imogen Heap's Hide and Seek influenced me a lot.  If you've ever heard the song, the first time you hear it, you're wondering what the heck is she saying?  "Crop circles in the carpet"?  "Oily marks appear on walls where pleasure moments hung before the takeover"?  Well reading around the internet, I came across of this one person's interpretation and I highly agree.  What he said was that the song was about a child who's parents had divorced and separated.  When you think of it that way, then the song makes a bit more sense if you think of what happens during a divorce.  Furniture gets split up, hence the "crop circles in the carpet" and wedding pictures and such on the wall were the pleasure moments. 

Now how I hook it in to Bound Together is at the very end.  This is my way of "divorcing" Rei and Tai-Shi's relationship.  In the next chapter, Rei's sense of presence will still show up at the beginning, but I don't believe he'll be in the story anymore...*cries* 

But the emotions of the song influenced me the most.  The song makes me teary eyed...even thought this chapter isn't meant to make people cry... some people will cheer about the end...

In the last few paragraphs...repeating Tai-Li was sorta essential.  It sounds awkward reading, but I needed to stress that Tai-Li was the one Tai-Shi was choosing.

On last thing...I wanted people to know I never intended for Rei to be this evil... just events in his life has twisted his mind, but he's finally realized...after all this time...what exactly all he's done.

Well...next time...I plan to actually introduce one last new set of characters...or character...still deciding.  And guess what...She's a girl!