Yes, I said this fic was going to be discontinued, and I had every intention of never finishing it, but I want to finish it, and I'm starting to get ideas for it again. However, I simply do not have the time nor energy to research all that I need, so everything in Russia's just going to be made up. I'll try to find more out about the Cultural Revolution- more specifically the Anti-Foot Binding Societies and the actual unbinding itself.

Also, this isn't a brand-new chapter; I've just re-written the last one because I really didn't like it; too much happened too fast, and I wasn't pleased with Kai's reaction.

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chapter 10: discovery

Kai sighed heavily and set Rei down." You're legs should be fine by now. The flight wasn't that long." He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, turning from Rei and starting to walk down the moth-eaten, carpeted hall of the Russian airport. Back at the Chinese airport, Rei's infuriating older brother had insisted upon carrying Rei onto the plane and placing him in his seat, as if he couldn't do it on his own. Kai snorted. Rei had been sad for a while after Lee left, then exuberant, his quick, intelligent golden eyes darting from side to side, studying everyone and everything. He'd been a little scared during take off, but his curiosity soon overcame that, and he had his nose pressed against the small, round window, watching the clouds and land far below. Then, when the plan had landed, Rei had tried to stand, but it took him forever and it looked like he was in pain. When Kai asked, Rei had merely said his feet were numb from sitting so long.

Rei gazed about him in wonderment, aching to go off and explore, then he realized just how far ahead Kai was, and just how fast the long-legged Russian was walking. "Kai! Kai, wait, please!" He called out, pulling his coat closer about him and trying to go as fast as he could. He placed one foot forward, used to the feeling of his toes scrunching into his foot as his weight was placed upon it. But being familiar with the pain still wasn't enough to make him go faster. He needed normal feet for traction and power, instead of dainty, crippled feet, where every step was a struggle for balance.

"Rei-" Kai turned, looking over his shoulder just in time to see someone in the sparse, small hallway of the Russian airport accidentally jar Rei, and the Chinese boy's eyes widened as he fell to the cold, dirty floor. "Rei!" Kai rushed over, shoving a few people

out of his way. He looked down at the wide-eyed Chinese, reaching out a hand to help him up.

Rei's breathing was swift and shallow, his body stinging where he'd smashed into the tiled floor. It took him a few minutes to collect himself, and when he looked up, he saw his Kai coming to him. He started to smile reassuringly when he felt cold air brush over exposed skin on his lower leg, and he knew one of his bound feet were showing. Just as Kai reached him, Rei suddenly jerked his foot back under the hem of his skirt.

"Rei?" Kai's eyes narrowed curiously as the boy, who'd pushed himself up and was just sitting dazedly on the floor, swiftly jerked his leg back out of sight as he held out his hand. Rei had been acting very odd, almost as if walking pained him. But what could be wrong with him, Kai couldn't fathom. If there was something wrong, such as an injury, Rei would've been sensible enough to speak up and have it taken care of, surely. Then again, maybe Rei wasn't as sensible and level headed as Kai remembered him to be.

Rei pasted a quick smile on his face and laid his soft hand in Kai's bigger one. "I'm okay, just a little stunned." He waited, ready to Kai to pull him up, but the Hiwatari heir never moved.

"Why did you jerk your foot like that? What are you hiding, Rei?"

Rei's golden eyes widened further and his breathing increased as he started to panic. He knew Kai would find out, but not here, not now! This was going to be hard enough when they were in private, alone-but in open public? "M-my foot? Nothing- it's fine. It's perfectly normal. There's nothing wrong with my feet-foot." Rei's stuttered, nervous words tumbled over one another. It was obvious he was lying, and Kai didn't believe him.

What the hell was wrong with Rei? Kai was beginning to think he'd gone insane over the years they'd been apart. Rei was hiding something from him, and he didn't like it one bit. The taller boy reached out a hand to grab Rei's foot, but the small neko shrunk back, nearly hitting into a passing woman.

Kai's crimson eyes narrowed and his voice turned cold and commanding as he grew angry. He wanted to know what Rei was hiding from him, but more than that, he was angered because Rei didn't trust him. When they'd met several years earlier, when Rei had run away from home, the Chinese boy had been so warm and loving with him. He'd been open and honest, letting Kai in close to his heart. At first, Kai had been guarded, but was unable to resist Rei's sweet country charms.

"Rei." He growled and Rei winced, looking down at the dirty floor. "Quit lying to me, and tell me what's wrong with your foot."

Rei's thin shoulders shook, and he covered his mouth with one hand to hold back a sob. He was afraid to tell Kai, even though Kai had a right to know- would have to know. But not here, not now. Not in front of strangers in a grimy Russian airport. And their verbal game of hide and seek over his feet had to end; he was embarrassing himself as well as Kai. He'd always been taught to be quiet and demure, especially out in public, yet here he was, sitting on the floor struggling not to cry. It was hard to hold back the tears, especially with Kai being so emotionally distant and hard.

He lifted his head, tears falling down his golden cheeks, to look up at Kai. "I'm sorry. I really, truly am. My husband....my love..." He took a deep breath and scooted closer, putting himself within striking distance of Kai's hands. Cold crimson eyes regarded him emotionlessly, just listening before deciding upon a course of action. "I would never keep anything from you....there IS something about my feet-foot-feet...that you need to know, but I ask of you....please, wait until we're alone."

Kai hadn't expected Rei to drop the facade and denial. He gazed at him before slowly nodding his head. "In the limo, then." Rei looked frightened, as if he was dreading telling Kai whatever it was, but nodded his head in agreement too.

Kai stood up and brushed the dirt from him, debating whether to help Rei up or to carry him. He suspected Rei had twisted his ankle; that was the only thing he could have done from the fall, but he couldn't fathom why Rei would want to hide that and why he kept mixing feet and foot up.

A man in a trench coat and hat, reading a newspaper, nearly tripped over Rei, who scooted closer to Kai. The Russian boy was suddenly aware that they were out in public, and with the awareness came the shame of their little scene his grandfather had beaten into him. A Hiwatari was to govern their emotions at all times, and especially in public. Kai grit his teeth; he hated the mores and social values he'd been taught, but they'd been so thoroughly ingrained into him they were almost instinct. He knew that carrying Rei would be making the spectacle worse, but he was NOT going to allow his new bride to walk on a twisted ankle and make it worse.

He began to bend again, both arms reaching to wrap around Rei, but the delicate boy shook his head. "Just lift me up; I've already brought enough embarrassment upon both our families...I do not want to make things worse." He was looking down again, and tears still ran down his soft cheeks.

Kai gave a soft snort, his strong arms easily lifting Rei's slight weight and placing him upon the ground. Rei gave a surprised gasp as he was lifted into the air, then slid down along Kai's hard body. He winced as his weight was suddenly placed upon his folded feet, and grasped Kai's coat tightly. " Kai frowned at Rei's grimace of pain; it wasn't right for him to suffer just because he didn't want other to stare. Kai didn't care if they did; he never really cared for society's rules, even though he went along with them because of Voltaire's teachings, but another part of him rebelled- the part of him that had him come to China for Rei, and the part that wanted him to carry his injured bride.

"There is no shame in helping someone whose injured, and if anybody doesn't like it they can kiss my ass."

Rei gave Kai a soft smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I'll be alright." He reached out and wrapped both of his arms around one of Kai's, leaning some of his weight on Kai to slow the bigger boy down as he walked, to help support himself, and to just be close to him, his beloved Kai-koi.

Kai liked the feeling of Rei snuggled into his side, and caught himself just in time from smiling as the smaller boy gave a little sigh and laid his head down on his shoulder. Kai felt better, too. They hadn't exactly resolved Rei's foot, but Rei was no longer acting strange; he was starting to act like the old Rei-chan that Kai new and fell in love with.

The only thing that didn't sit well with him was the little, mincing steps Rei took. It wasn't a normal limp like one would expect with a twisted ankle. The Chinese leaned heavily on Kai, lifting one foot, then the other, slowly placing his weight upon each foot in turn. It was an agonizingly slow process, and was grating on Kai's nerves. He would have scooped Rei up into his arms, except his bride seemed nearly content and he didn't want to drive Rei from him again.

It took a long time and Kai was practically insane by the time they reached the shiny black limousine, emblazoned with the Hiwatari family crest upon it's hood and sides. Their luggage had already been claimed and packed in the trunk and the valet was starting to fall asleep by their door.

Kai none too nicely cleared his throat; the man jerked awake, bowed in apology, and quickly opened the door. Kai merely gave him a frosty glare. Rei took no notice of this. He'd been dreading this moment, concentrating on walking, and using all of his self control to keep from looking around in awe, which would have slowed them down even more and resulted in Kai carrying him. Soon as they had stopped, Rei, nervousness making his heart race, started craning his head around, his eyes excitedly drinking in everything and anything; the drably clad people, the buildings, crowded streets.

Rei hesitated when Kai tugged; he wasn't done looking around, and he really didn't want to get into the limo. Another impatient tug, and Rei shuffled forward a few steps, then his attention was caught by a police officer's car. When Kai pulled yet again and Rei didn't move, he soundlessly swept him up into his arms. Rei gasped then shut his eyes as Kai bent low, afraid his head was going to hit the top of the car, and was put down on a comfortable, black leather seat next to Kai. The valet shut the door, and he nervously clasped and unclasped his hands, his golden eyes gazing all over the interior but never really seeing anything.

Kai was put on edge again as he saw how stiff and rigid Rei was sitting, and his feet pulled back, well hidden under the skirt. He gave the dark tinted windows one spare glance and raised the long one that separated the driver's front from the back. "Rei. Now we're alone, so show me." He looked straight at Rei, face impassive and spoke in a voice that would brook no argument.

tbc....

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please review! .