Soubi curled up tighter and an involuntary sob escaped his lips. He choked it off quickly, blushing in shame despite there being no-one there to see him and hear his weakness.
It hurt. It shouldn't, but it did. This shouldn't hurt. This had been nothing more than he deserved. He had been slow to respond to his master's orders. His master had punished him, as was right and proper. But it hurt so much.
Kio looked up at the sound from the other room and got up to investigate. At first glance, the room was empty. He stepped inside, eyes roving, alert for any sign of his friend. He glanced over at the bed, then, dismissing it as empty, moved on. His head jerked back a moment later. There was something in the bed. He moved cautiously towards it.
Soubi heard movement in the room and curled reflexively tighter, shaking a little in fear of his weakness being discovered, of yet more pain.
Kio sat down on the bed and it shifted a little under his added weight. Soubi whimpered. Kio paused, realising that he must have been beaten again. He slowly, gently peeled the sheet back, revealing his quivering friend's head.
Soubi whimpered again, feeeling the air against his skin. "No, no please... I'm sorry... it hurts... please no more... I'm sorry..." Kio paled and placed a tender hand on Soubi's head, gently stroking his hair.
Soubi began to cry at the gentle, caring touch. "He hurt me again Kio..." he whimpered "I deserved it... I failed him... but it hurts..."
As always, Kio did what he could, what he always did. He lay down next to him and wrapped his arms around him, hushing and rocking him gently.
After a while, just like every other time, Soubi went to sleep. Kio sighed, watching him, wondering what had happened this time. But that was one of the unwritten rules. Don't ask. Never ask. You can watch him cry, hear him whimper in pain, hold him and give scant comfort. But you can never ask and he will never tell. You can never save him.
He stroked Soubi's hair behind his ear and whispered, knowing the other couldn't hear.
"I love you Souchan..."