Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Bound Together ❯ Black Sun ( Chapter 15 )

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

After Tai-Li was cut by the sword, his eyes were damaged, but no one is sure if the damage is perminant. The girl, the one responsible for all the trouble, reappears, and has something surprising to say.

Meanwhile...a plot has begun to deal with Eliot.

Miscellaneous: Original Stories Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Shounen / Suspense / Romance / Drama | Type: Shounen-ai | Uploaded On: 09.04.2007 | Pages: 11 | Words: 8.1K | Visits: 193 | Status: Work In Progress

Chapter 15

Black Sun

Poor dear…they said that if he's not careful, he may never see again.

How dreadful…

“Tai-Li?”

Tai-Li's head felt like it was spinning. He heard voices, but yet he couldn't tell who they belonged to.

“Tai-Li?”

Again, the one voice rang inside his head. It sounded so familiar?

“Please answer me Tai-Li.”

Who are you?

“Tai-Li?”

The voice seemed so sad, like the person it came from could break at any moment.

What's making you so sad?

It was quiet for a while before Ta-Li was finally able to piece things together.

Wasn't I fighting? I was…I interfered with Allen's match…but he was going to get killed…

Tai-Li paused, trying hard to piece together the last bit.

I thought the man was dead…but…Tai-Shi called out and warned me before it was too late. I got careless.

Tai-Li groaned.

“Tai-Li?”

That voice again? Wait…that's Tai-Shi.

“…Shi?” Tai-Li said weakly.

“It's me.” Tai-Shi smiled lightly, no change in his voice.

“Where am I?” Tai-Li asked weakly, trying to sit up.

“You're in the Mori suite.” Sei sounded sarcastically.

“Don't be rude Sei!” Allen snapped at his lover.

“But isn't that what this estate has become? A boarding house for the families?” Sei sighed.

“I said I'd leave…” Tai-Shi said softly.

“Why am I at the Mori estate?” Tai-Li asked, ignoring Sei's rudeness.

“You passed out…and your father said something about not going home…” Allen said slowly.

Tai-Li smiled. His father was angry, but he would get over it soon and retrieve his “only” son sooner or later.

“Are you alright?” Tai-Shi asked quietly.

“Ya…just a—hey!” Tai-Li yelled.

“You idiot! You idiot. You idiot. You idiot!” Tai-Shi yelled as he pounded on his brother's chest with his fists. “You could have gotten killed!” Tai-Shi sobbed quietly, his fists landing softer and softer until they no longer moved.

“Tai-Shi…” Tai-Li sad slowly as he brought his hand up and gently patted his brother on his head. “I did it so Sei wouldn't bitch.” He smirked.

“It's not funny!” Tai-Shi snapped.

Sei grumbled and Allen smiled, even now Tai-Li joked about small stuff.

“Tai-Shi…I'm sorry.” Tai-Li said, not knowing what else would make his brother stop crying.

“I just…you could…you are an idiot…” Tai-Shi stumbled on the multiple thoughts going through his head.

“I know…” Tai-Li smiled and ruffled his hair.

Tai-Shi finally calmed down enough so other people could talk. Allen sighed and stepped closer to the bed.

“Thank you…Tai-Li. You saved my life.” Allen said quietly. His steps sounding uneven and his voice sounded frailer then ever.

“It's no problem…just answer me this. What family do you come from?” Tai-Li began.

“Path?” Allen was taken aback.

“What's your family known for?” Tai-Li asked quickly.

“Um…strong and proud warriors.” Allen answered.

“Then why the hell were you acting like a child! No proud warrior would take to a battle like that! They don't cry or run when faced with death! They die honorably!” Tai-Li snapped, making the white haired boy slowly retreat away.

“That's enough Tai-Li!” Sei growled. He walked up behind Allen and wrapped his arms around him. “He's not like you! Allen can't fight!”

“Every male in the Path clan can!” Tai-Li fumed.

“Not everyone. Allen was not born with the talent of his father. Allen has never picked up a sword in his life until yesterday. He takes after his mother!” Sei yelled with his face red with anger.

“Sei…don't…” Allen began.

“Allen isn't as strong as his father! Do you realize what Allen had to go through! The guards push him around, tease him, and Allen can do nothing about it until he takes over the Path clan estate, and that won't be for a while.” Sei continued.

“That's enough!” Allen snapped. “I don't want to hear it!” Allen squeezed his eyes shut. “I can't help how I am…I can't help how weak I am…and can't fight my own battles…I just…can't…” Allen cried softly.

“Allen…” Sei said, realizing he probably shouldn't have yelled all of that.

“I'm sorry…” Tai-Li said slowly.

He understood what Sei was yelling about. Tai-Shi, he took after their mother. Always so kind and gentle, let his emotions control him. Tai-Li sighed, if Tai-Shi took after their mother, then that had to mean that he took after his father.

“I won't be like that…” Tai-Li whispered.

“What did you say Tai-Li?” Tai-Shi asked softly, his crying finally stopped.

“Nothing Tai-Shi…” Tai-Li smiled.

“Tai-Li?” Tai-Shi began.

“Yes?”

“I want to come home.”

Tai-Li's mind froze. “Home?”

“Yes…I want to go home to the Kay estate…” Tai-Shi said slowly, but firmly.

“Tai-Shi…please…just wait another month—”

“Another month?” Sei burst out, not expecting the small Kay son to be staying that long.

“Hush!” Allen said quickly as he stepped on his lover's foot with his now full cast leg.

“Ouch!” Sei gasped as he bent over to rub his foot, grumbling.

“I'll be Master…and you'll be able to leave freely, finally.” Tai-Li smiled. “Just wait that long, please? I don't know what father might do if you were to come home now…after being gone for those few months.”

Their father had post pone the ceremony for Tai-Li to take over as Master due to Tai-Li missing many of his studies. It's been a few months since Tai-Shi had been staying with Sei, but it never seemed like that long.

“I see all are well.” A familiar voice called.

At the door stood Maith, Master Berth. Tai-Shi jumped.

“Hold on there. It's been a while. I just wanted to make sure you guys were all right.” Maith began with a gentle smile. It was hard to believe Rei was related to him.

Sei looked away, he wasn't fond of the man, and neither was Allen. It was all because he was Rei's father, the cause to their pain.

“Master Berth?” Tai-Li began.

Tai-Shi nodded, “He stood up for us Tai-Li.”

“What do you mean?” Tai-Li asked.

“He means after you passed out. Your younger brother here ran out to help you, but your father almost sicked his guards. It was pretty stupid of him if you ask me.” His lips curled into a wicked smile. “Either way, I basically said to your father that he continued his little affairs with your brother, or threaten to disown the lot of you; he'd be facing some hurt from the families.”

“Out family wouldn't offer an alliance and protection.” Allen said, slightly smiling.

“And your father would be out of luck when it comes to meat and furs.” Sei smiled.

“You Kay boys are amazing.” Maith began again.

“How is that?' Tai-Li asked, confused.

“You've conquered a feud that's been going on for many generations. All the families hated the Kay clan for being stuck up and know it alls. They would think and talk fast, but they really had nothing else for the other families. No one really needed your family.”

Tai-Li ground his teeth in his mouth. He didn't like the insult.

“But, the two of you showed that you're not all stuck up. You're well grounded men who actually look out for other people.” He paused. “I do have one last thing.” He turned around and walked out the door and the sound of strange steps was heard.

Slowly, in walked the familiar boy which had caused so much trouble for the youth.

“Rei?” Tai-Shi gasped as he backed up against the far wall.

“He's still scattered brained, the fall he took really did a number on him.” Maith began. “Rei, do you remember these people?”

“I'm not scattered brained…” Rei said slowly, his speech slow.

“Right, right.” Maith Smiled and gently placed his hands on his son's shoulders.

“Isn't there something you wanted to say?” Maith began.

“May I speak without you here?” Rei asked slowly.

Maith nodded and brought over a chair for Rei to sit in.

“I'll be talking with the family heads about what happened yesterday, I'll be back.” He looked over at the Kay boys, “Please try not to bang him up too badly this time.” A gentle smile curled his lips as he slowly closed the door behind him.

The room was silent. Everyone could feel the tension growing.

“What the hell—” Tai-Li began.

“I'm sorry.” Rei said quickly.

“What?” Tai-Li asked, not sure of what he heard.

“I said I'm sorry…” He turned slowly and looked at both Sei and Allen, “I'm sorry…”

“I don't believe you!” Tai-Li growled. Sei glared at Rei, not liking where this was going.

“You don't have to…and I don't expect you too.” He said slowly.

“Then why tell us that then?” Tai-Li snapped.

“Because when I fell, I finally realized what I was doing…what I had done. I never saw any of you as actual people…just…objects. I became what I didn't want to be…and I hurt you…all of you in some way.” He looked up at Tai-Shi and then back to Allen, “And you two I hurt the most…”

Allen looked away and Tai-Shi stared at the floor.

“After I take over the Berth estate…I will be moving our family closer to the town.” Rei began.

“You're leaving?” Tai-Shi asked quietly.

“Ya…I can't expect my family to ever be allied with any of yours after our generation takes over.” Rei said slowly.

Tai-Shi slowly approached Rei, whose body still looked banged and broken.

“Come here.” Rei smiled up at Tai-Shi who slowly obeyed.

Tai-Shi was just as tall as Rei when he was sitting down.

“You're still wearing that silly cloth.” Rei smiled as he reached up behind Tai-Shi's head. Tai-Shi flinched but relaxed when he felt the cloth being slowly removed. “Didn't I tell you that you look much better without it?”

Tai-Shi nodded, “But they want me to wear it.”

“Who's telling you this? They should appreciate you for who you are, and this scar is a part of you.” Rei smiled as he gently caressed the scared skin over Tai-Shi's right eye.

“Don't touch him!” Tai-Li growled.

Everyone looked over at Tai-Li he had removed his bandage to reveal the horizontal scar over his eyes. His eyes were bloodshot as he focused on Rei and Tai-Shi.

“Tai-Li! You could hurt your eyes and be permanently blind if you do that!” Allen said quickly as he rushed over to Tai-Li and began wrapping his eyes, but Sei slowly pushed him aside so that he wouldn't hurt either himself or Tai-Shi in the process, only having one good arm.

Rei smiled, “Alright…” He said quietly.

Tai-Shi watched Tai-Li and looked back at Rei. He could never forgive what Rei had done to him, but he was still attached to the dark haired boy that taught him what a real home was.

Rei smiled again at Tai-Shi, “Maybe when I leave…you'd like to come with me? Start over.”

“Absolutely not!” Tai-Li yelled.

Rei ignored the brunette, “I'll win your heart over honestly this time…I'll do everything the right way.”

Tai-Shi blushed.

“He's not going anywhere.” Tai-Li growled.

Rei slowly stood.

“I'll be going now.” Rei smiled as he slowly turned and used his wooden crutch to steady himself as he hobbled towards the door.

The door opened and Maith appeared again.

“I'm ready to go father…” Rei said slowly as he hobbled passed him and out the door.

Maith nodded and smiled at Tai-Shi, “You're welcome to come by when you want. The doors are always opened.”

Tai-Shi nodded. He respected Maith, and he was almost like a real father figure to Tai-Shi when he was staying there.

Maith was strict and tough, but he was also gentle and fun. He taught Tai-Shi how to annoy Rei when it came to his studies.

When Rei would read, he would zone out and not notice the world around him.

Maith had taught Tai-Shi how to move everything in the room around. When that was done, the two would leave and go to a safe distance and watch as Rei would get up, walk away and approach the bookshelf, and constantly trip over the tables and chairs.

The door slowly closed behind Rei and Maith as they left. Everyone was quiet afterwards for a while before Tai-Li spoke.

“Who's all here? Why were the Berths here at your estate Sei?” Tai-Li asked.

Sei bit his lip and looked to the floor. “The families…” He began.

“They're here discussing what to do with Eliot…” Allen said quietly.

“Wait…you mean everyone is here? Does that mean my father is here?” Tai-Li asked, slightly confused.

“No…your father went home. He will return tomorrow for you.” Sei said.

“Father…he said a lot of things yesterday…” Tai-Shi said slowly.

“Yesterday…you all keep saying yesterday, but it all happened this morning, didn't it?” Tai-Li asked.

“No, yesterday. You've been asleep since you passed out yesterday. Probably the pain caused you to sleep so long while your body healed.” Sei thought allowed.

“What all did father say?” Tai-Li asked.

“Tai-Li…your father is ill…Everyone could tell…” Allen said quietly.

“I know he's ill…he's been that way…since before Tai-Shi was born.” Tai-Li began. “Everything went downhill after he was born though.”

Everyone sat and stood quietly for a while after that.

“What are they planning to do?” Tai-Li asked slowly.

“They're going to forcefully put you into power Tai-Li…for now…” Sei said slowly as he took a seat in the far side of the room on the floor.

“For now? What does that mean? I'm the heir to the Kay estate! They have no right to give me the power that's rightfully mine temporarily!” Tai-Li growled.

“Calm down…they just want to make sure you'll be alright.” Sei continued.

“What do you mean?” Tai-Li asked slowly, calming his nerves.

“Well…our fathers…they say that you were just liked Eliot when he was younger…” Allen said quietly, looking away.

“I…I'm like him?” Tai-Li said, almost breathlessly. “That's not possible! I'll never be like him! I'll never be cruel to anyone…”

“We know that…but our fathers…they're afraid you'll change. Eliot changed…our father's slowly noticed it, but they didn't know exactly what he changed into.” Sei said.

“What's going to happen to father?” Tai-Shi asked, quietly, but forcefully.

“Your father…he's not going to let go of his power so easily...or willingly.” Sei began.

“He's going to fight…isn't he?” Tai-Li asked.

Sei nodded, “He'll fight…and our fathers…they'll fight back…”

“They're going to hurt him?” Tai-Shi asked.

“Yes…but they'll do much more then that.” Allen said quietly, his voice almost leaving him.

“They're going to kill him then?” Tai-Li asked, curling his fists up in the bed sheets.

“No! They can't kill father!” Tai-Shi blurted out.

“Tai-Shi?” Tai-Li asked.

“They can't do it! How can father acknowledge me if he's dead?” Tai-Shi asked as his voice wavered.

“Tai-Shi…” Allen began, “He's made you sick…”

Tai-Shi looked up. “I'm not sick!”

“Tai-Shi is not like father!” Tai-Li growled. “How dare you say that about him!”

“Look Tai-Li, you know as well as everyone else…Tai-Shi isn't in the state of mind where he should be.” Sei said.

“Enough! I will not hear this! Especially not while in front of Tai-Shi!” Tai-Li yelled.

Tai-Shi looked away, “I-I'll leave.” He stuttered as he quickly left the room, not waiting for the others to stop him.

The door quickly shut and Tai-Li growled as he forced himself out of bed, “Tai-Shi!” He stumbled as he stood on his wobbly two feet. “Why the hell did you say all of that in front of him!” Tai-Li growled.

“It's the truth…and the two of you have to face it.” Sei paused, “If your father is sick, then possibly the two of you could both be sick.” Sei said slowly. “It's not that we're being inconsiderate…we're just worried.”

“We just don't want you to be like that!” Allen said softly. “Tai-Shi…he doesn't understand a lot of things…and that's your father's fault for keeping him away from his studies.” He paused, “We've know you've tried…it shows…and Rei had helped. Rei did a lot for Tai-Shi you couldn't Tai-Li!”

“I don't want to hear it…Rei—” Tai-Li began.

“Taught Tai-Shi to read and write.” Sei said slowly. “Tai-Shi interacts more with people now. He's not completely afraid of them anymore.”

“But that's because—” Tai-Li interrupted.

“That's because of what? Tai-Li, Tai-Shi feels what a home should be like when he's around us. You have the face the truth Tai-Li; you can't offer him everything he needs, especially with your father the way he is.” Sei said sternly.

Tai-Li would have retorted what Sei had said, but he had to admit…he was right.

He couldn't provide everything for Tai-Shi, and what he could provide was very little, and anyone could provide that for him.

Outside the room, a few guards were making a ruckus. Sei growled as he got up and went to the door.

He swung it open wide and looked outside, “Who's making the racket! There is an injured man in here and he requires it to be quiet!”

“Young Master!” One of the guards said as he turned around, revealing a small girl, the one that Sei recognized to be from the family that had challenged Allen.

“You.” Sei growled.

Allen darted up and glared at the girl, “What is she doing here?”

Tai-Li sat in silence as he heard the delicate steps slowly approach the door to the room. His stomach slowly churned as the footsteps came to a stop beside his bed.

“Hello Young Master.” A delicate voice spoke hardly above a whisper.

I know this voice…

“I'm so sorry to see you in this state, you poor dear.” She said as her small cold hand gently caressed his cheek.

Tai-Li pulled again.

“Who are you?” Tai-Li asked firmly.

If Tai-Li could see, he'd be able to comprehend how foreboding it was.

“I'm you're fiancée.” She smiled.

“You're not my fiancée.” Tai-Li said quickly.

“As of this morning, I am.” She smiled and lightly waved a small fan to cool herself.

“I didn't agree to anything! Why would I marry you! You're the family from yesterday then correct? You're fighter nearly took my head!” Tai-Li yelled.

“But with your help, Allen took his life.” She said also quickly.

Tai-Li gritted his teeth.

“My father would never allow this.” Tai-Li said slowly.

“That's not what he told my mother this morning.” She smiled.

“He'd never say yes, because you're not a Kay.” Tai-Li growled.

“My mother told him we were distant cousins, having some blood related.” She coyly smiled.

“That's a lie!” Tai-Li yelled.

“That may be, but I'm now your fiancée.” She chuckled.

“Go to hell…” Tai-Li said coldly. “What do you want with me?”

“You're the one that really beat my father.” She smiled.

“Your father?” Tai-Li asked, confused.

Allen nodded, “Tai-Li…I was fighting her father…because I destroyed her honor…”

“She has no honor.” Tai-Li looked back to where the soft voice had come from, “I can see through your masks and see deep down you're a conniving bitch.”

“Oh so sorry.” She said sarcastically, “But as this day forth, you are my fiancée.”

Author's Note: Another chapter, just as long as the last, but a little drawn out and dull compared to the rest. This was more of an explaining chapter I need to do so very much. I explained slightly about Allen and why he's not strong and such in a warrior family. Allen's just a gentle child. He's the youngest of the group at fifteen. Sei's at least 17 and Tai-Shi is 18 while Tai-Li's going on 21…or something…I need to go through and fix all my errors for Tai-Li's age. If anything, Tai-Li is 22 at the most.

Any who…bump bump bum! Eliot Kay's murder plot set into action, but things are gonna get complicated. As I write all this straight out of my head without any planning, I come up with new ideas, and I'm slowly forming the end. I'm still clueless of what to do, but now I'm playing all the scenarios in my head slowly, and so far not exactly happy with them, but there is one I do rather like…but that's to be discussed later.

When I introduced the girl…she'll get a name next chapter, don't worry, I planned for her to be Tai-Shi's fiancée…but I reconsidered and gave her to Tai-Li, it works better. I needed to give Tai-Shi a break every once in a while. Another reason I shoes Tai-Li…well…how to say it….Tai-Li is like the tall dark handsome knight on a white horse…but not?

Throughout the story, I think Tai-Li matured the most. He was childish at the beginning, but I slowly formed him into strong man he is today. It's like a 180. He may seem like an ass to everyone right now…but he's just stressed.

So ya, before I write more then what I already have, I'll leave you curse me for the way this chapter heads. But…you can't say I didn't foreshadow something like this last chapter, especially with her talking about Tai-Li and him being a catch.