Frozen Like the Russian Winters.
Chapter 11.
Rastaivaet.
Rei opened his eyes and tried to adjust to the bright light all around him. He felt no pain, just slight nausea and dizziness. He tried to lift his hand but suddenly it felt like he had none. He tried to speak but his lips felt numb and dead.
-Now, now. I wouldn't move if I were you.
The Chinese boy's thoughts froze in horror as he recognised the cold voice of Kai's grandfather. He made an attempt at turning his head though failed miserably.
-It's a special drug that my team has developed, we haven't given it a name yet but when we do, you'll be the first to know.
- F…f…uckh…uo.
-Oh dear me, how rude but then again, you are the friend of my sweet, little grandson.
A smile slowly formed on Rei's lips.
-Haha, it is such a pity that you can not see yourself right now. You are SO beautiful. All that blood around you. With your pale skin to contrast it and your gorgeous raven hair. Would you like to see?
Terror rose within Rei as his imagination began creating all sorts of ghastly images. Where was he? What was going on? The lights suddenly began to dim, eventually disappearing completely and then, through the darkness, Rei looked into the large mirror before him.
-…g…god…
He was completely naked, hanging crucified and all in blood. His hair was not in its usual braid but twisted around his bare limbs. From the tips of his fingers came tubes which moved about in snake like fashion as they seemed to absorb his blood, replacing it with something else. Around the golden cross stood all sorts of machinery, softly humming away as they worked.
-Rei Kon of the White Tiger Clan. Hahaha, I know your little secret. Why you aren't the first one from your bloodline to visit my labs.
Scared…
-Your blood makes you special…haha…this must sound like a corny science fiction movie but it isn't. Your blood is very similar to that of the White Cat Demon that your ancestors summoned in order to protect themselves.
Cold…
-It is your heritage, the nine lives of that beast.
-N…no…that's not...t…rue.
-Well, you're right, it's only a theory.
Rei's eyes widened in horror.
-Care to test it?
Rei opened his mouth to scream but no sound came out. He suddenly felt all the pain collapse in on him. The cold feeling of fear, the blood that trickled down his face and chest and the eternal pain.
/Kai…you'll save me right? You'll love me…right? /
The sun had shone brightly that day and the little boy stayed outside in fear of his grandfather and his foul mood.
-Hey there angel!
The blue haired boy turned around and glared.
-Don't call me that you annoying brat!
-I'm not a brat!
-What's your name anyway? You've been following me around for ages now.
-It's common courtesy to give ones name first!
-…fine, my name is Kai Hiwatari.
The black haired girl smiled.
-My name is Rei.
-Stupid girl, why do you follow me?
She laughed and pulled on his scarf, making him fall over onto the soft grass.
-Because I like you.
Kai blushed but didn't move. From somewhere far away a woman called.
-Rei! Come, we mustn't be late!
-All right then, I'll see you later angel.
With that said she jumped up and started running into the distance. But before she was too far away she turned her head and addressed the boy.
-Kai? I'm a boy you know.
/Kai will come for me…/
/He will search…/
Or has he forgotten you? He doesn't need you anymore…he has someone else…
/Love me…please. /
Kai lay in bed and listened to the soft murmur of Tala's voice while the boy talked on the phone. Outside he could see the white snow falling and laying itself upon the frozen ground. The phone clicked and Tala lay besides him.
-The police have nothing on him…we don't have much of a chance, seeing as your grandfather is supposed to be dead.
-Do you think…that Rei is still alive?
-I don't know Kai.
-Why would they want him? Why couldn't they take me instead?
-Are you blaming yourself for this?
-Stupid but yes. Are you going to tell me not to?
Tala shook his head and pulled Kai into an embrace. They had been staying together for about a month now; Rei had been gone for three. No trace, no evidence, they had nothing to prove Rei even existed. Turned out he wasn't even registered in the country. Sometimes Kai found himself waking up in the middle of the night, thinking it had all been one huge nightmare but then he'd feel his lover besides him and reality would become one with him again.
-Tomorrow we'll have to go back to school, we can't avoid it anymore.
-And out search, are we going to give up now? Tale!
But the red head didn't let him finish, he pulled Kai into a kiss and wrapped his hand tightly around the others body.
-If we carry on, we'll loose ourselves in this…maybe this is how it's meant to be?
Kai refused to believe it, he wanted to shout, protest, to run outside and search for Rei but he stayed silent for he knew that he would never find him now. He got what he wanted. He felt guilty but he had done what he could.
Or did he?
He knew that he was no longer the person people called the Ice Prince but what was he them?
The ice around his heart might have melted away but once again, bit by bit, it came back, thicker than before.
/Kai…I'll wait for you…for eternity…/