Disclaimer: I don't own YYH.

This story is basically about how Jin and Touya met and what their lives were like before the Shinobi. It will be chaptered and is yaoi (Jin/Touya). Told in Jin's POV. The rating is for violence ONLY…I will not be writing any explicit romance scenes, and I think you all know what I mean by that.

I know, I know…I should be updating Eternal Flame like a good authoress, but nooo…I had to go start a new story. Sorry, but I suddenly got this idea and had to write it.

Alas, another story dedicated to Angelkitsune. Is there any story I will not dedicate to her? The answer is obviously "No…" And Kitty…there's really nothing I have to say that you don't already know. This way I won't sound like a broken record…

I hope y'all enjoy! Please review!

…………………

He was my servant...but I suppose slave is the more correct term. My father, King Reizan, bought him for me when I was seven years old. A birthday gift from father to son.

I remember like it was yesterday. My father brought a young boy, about my age, into my room. The boy was thin and dressed in rags. I couldn't understand why, for the servants of our House had always been treated well.

Then Father explained that he was the child of our enemies, the Ice Warriors, rebels in our lands. He had been captured by our soldiers, along with other women and children of the rebels. But unlike them, he had refused to submit to the power of our men. So they denied him food, proper clothing, and shelter, thinking they could break his spirit.

Finally, the day of the slave market came, and Father bought him for me. He knew I was lonely and needed a companion.

None of the other children of the Kingdom would come near me. They thought if they got too close my almighty father would cut their heads off.

Besides, who would want to befriend a psychotic red-head who flew through the sky even though he had no wings? The answer was no one. I was utterly alone in my world, the only son of the king.

At the time, I didn't understand my father's reason for getting me a servant, but now I know that we wanted me to have a friend.

As I said, the boy was thin and covered only by the rags my father had managed to find on his way home from the market. He bore a chain dangling loosely from three holes up his right ear, the mark of a servant of my House. His ice blue hair was covered with grime, and his turquoise bangs hung heavily in front of his eyes. He refused to look anywhere but at the ground.

"This is for you, son," my father said, pushing the boy toward me. The lad stumbled and fell.

I could hear the disgust in my father's voice. He hated the Ice Warriors with a passion. Our lands had been in a state of war for years because of them.

"Call him what you will. He deserves no better treatment than what you are willing to give him."

With that, my father left the room.

I stared curiously at the newcomer. He stayed on the floor, silent and motionless. I felt sorry for him, but I didn't know what to say. Finally, the silence became too unnerving for me.

"Hello," I said.

He didn't respond.

"Me name's Jin. Tha' was my father. 'e looks mean, bu' 'e's really a big softie. Anyway, 'e's me dad. 'e tol' e ta call ya sumthin', bu' I wan' ta call ya by yer real name, ya see? So wha' be yer name?" I babbled. I did this constantly when I was hesitant or nervous. It was another reason why people avoided me. When I babble, my speech becomes totally incomprehensible. I talk very swiftly, and my unnatural accent doesn't help much.

I instantly regretted opening my mouth. Now he wouldn't answer me for sure. He'd just avoid me, like everyone else did.

When I looked at him, though, I actually saw a hint of a smile on his face! He thought my speech was funny!

"Cum now, don' be shy. Everybody's go' a name, now don' they? Tell me, I wan' ta know," I encouraged, talking faster than ever.

That time, a chuckle actually escaped his throat. But he immediately suppressed it, as if afraid I might hurt him if he laughed.

Curious as to why he stopped, I got off my bed and moved toward him. He flinched and scampered back, like he expected me to hit him. At this I was confused. I had never hit anyone in my life.

And no one had actually been afraid of me before. Afraid of my father, yes, and cruel to me, but never afraid!

"I won' hur' ya," I said softly. He stared up at me, fear in his icy blue eyes. To prove my point, I grinned at him, folded my hands behind my back, and sat down on the floor, legs twisted so that I couldn't move them.

"There, ya see?" I asked, cheerful, even though my legs were twisted in a knot.

His eyes brightened a bit, and this time he let himself chuckle at my ridiculous position. I looked down at myself and smiled at my own silliness. It was nice to have someone to laugh with you instead of at you.

"Like I said before, me name's Jin," I said. "What be yer name?"

He hesitantly came over to me, still slightly fearful, but willing to come closer. "My name is Touya," he said.

I was surprised at the clarity and properness of his voice. Usually servants were uneducated and spoke with accents worse than mine.

I smiled painfully, for my legs were still twisted up. "Hello, Touya," I said.

He looked at me. "You don't have to do that anymore," he chuckled.

I sighed in relief and tried to move my legs. They wouldn't budge. I tried again, frantic, and met with no success.

Touya smiled. "Do you need help?"

I nodded pleadingly, and, eyes shimmering in amusement, he helped me get de-tangled.

"Whew, tha' was a close one, I'd say. Almos' spen' the res' of me days as a pretzel," I said seriously.

This was just too much for Touya, and he began to laugh as though he'd never laugh again.

"I was bein' serious, ya know!"

He just kept laughing.

The moment I joined in, though, he stopped and shrank back as if he'd done something wrong. Again, I was confused.

I asked, "Are ya afraid o' me, Touya?"

He stared into my eyes as if searching for the right answer. "No, Master Jin," he finally said.

At this I laughed. "Master Jin? Wha' crazy talk is tha'? I tol' ya, me name's Jin. Jus' Jin. Alrigh'?"

He nodded and tried again. "No...Jin."

I grinned. "Good, 'cause ya don' have ta be. I'm no' gonna hur' ya like maybe sum o' those brutes o' my father's did. I promise. Now, let's ge' ya cleaned up an' sum proper clothes, alrigh'? Then we'll ge' ya sum food, 'cause ya look starved 'alf ta death."

I looked him over. "Big, ugly brutes," I muttered. "No one deserves ta starve."

He smiled. "Thank you, Master Jin."

I slapped a hand to my forehead. "Ah, I tol' ya! Call me Jin!"

"Yes, Master Jin..." he said.

"Jin," he then quickly corrected upon seeing the look of horror on my face.

I took him to the hot tub in the room next to mine, where he washed all the dirt and grime off his body. Then I dressed him in some of my old clothes. Even though he was the same age as me, he was so small. The clothing bagged around his thin body, but it was better than nothing.

When he was all dressed, I took him to the kitchens. He seemed slightly disturbed by the way I got there, though.

"How do you fly without wings?" he asked me.

I was surprised. No one had ever asked me that before.

"I'm training ta be the Master o' Wind," I said. "I use my power over it ta fly."

"Amazing," he said, and I could tell he really thought so.

"O' course...I've ne'er flown more than a few fee' off the groun'," I explained, slightly embarrassed.

He smiled at me. "You'll fly higher with more practice. Just believe in yourself."

"Thanks, Touya," I replied.

We walked...well, he walked...the rest of the way in silence.

Suddenly, he stopped. "One day...when you're able to...could...could you take me flying with you?" he stuttered.

I guess my face showed the utter shock I felt, for he said, "I'm sorry, that was too bold. Forgive me."

I shook my head wildly. "No, no! I's no' like tha'! I's jus'...i's jus' no one ever asked me tha' b'fore. I'd love ta take ya flying, Touya."

"Are you sure?"

I grinned. "O' course I am!"

He smiled. "Thank you very much."

&&&&&

And so, we grew up together. But as we grew, we also drifted apart. I was the Prince, he was my servant. It would always be that way.

I became more like my father, dominant of my servants. I had quite a few now, but Touya was my most trusted. I liked to consider him my friend, but I knew he was only nice to me because he had to be. I can't blame him, seeing what an arrogant creature I had become.

And even though my power over wind had grown substantially, I had never fulfilled my promise. I had never taken him flying.

I also knew my father hated him. With each passing day, his hatred grew, for Touya was no longer an innocent boy. He had become a man, a warrior in my father's eyes, who was intent on seeking revenge for his people. In a way, it was true. I could see the yearning for freedom in Touya's eyes.

I protected Touya from my father's cruelness. I had begun to develop feelings for him, even though I knew he could never return them. Love between master and slave was unheard of in our House, especially between sworn enemies.

I tried to suppress my affection for his sake, but one day it became unbearable. I loved him, and I was willing to do anything it took to make him see that. I didn't even think of his feelings on the matter...I just knew I wanted him to return my love.

So that night after dinner, I called him to my side.

"Touya, cum 'ere."

"Yes, sir."

I could hear the sarcasm in his voice. Silence hung in the air after his statement, for I had stopped correcting his use of titles many years before. He hated me for it, I know he did. He hated submitting to the power of someone else. I could see it in his eyes, I could hear it in his tone, I could smell it on his skin. But at that point, I didn't care.

"Walk with me."

"Yes, sir."

We walked in silence down the dark corridor. But as we neared my quarters, I could wait no longer.

"Touya..."

I turned toward him and he looked at me, but his eyes were lowered. For some reason he could never meet my gaze, not since the day we first met.

In the dim hallway, his pale skin shone. He was perfect.

"I jus' wanted to tell ya..."

I love you! my mind shouted. I love you, and you love me as well.

Not even thinking, no...not even caring...about his feelings, I moved closer, pinning him against the wall.

His eyes were wide. "Wha-what are you..."

I couldn't think. My passion was blinding. I cut him off by forcing my lips upon his.

He gave a strangled yelp and tried to shove me away. I clung to him and we fell to the floor. We made quite a clatter as we struggled.

Finally, his eyes frantic, Touya pinned me to the ground, a blade of ice encasing his hand and pressed hard against my throat.

Suddenly he was yanked forcefully from me. I looked up to see five palace guards beating him. I realized that they thought he had attacked me.

"No!" I cried. "No, i's no' like tha'! I's no' his faul'!"

They ignored me.

"Stop, I order ya!"

He was now bleeding and unconscious, but not even I could stop them from dragging him to the dungeon.