26: Realisation

the tigris: Gary is lovable yes. *Tries to hug Gary* Um... my arms don't reach here...

Chibi Chaos Sama: Hope you didn't hurt yourself falling off that seat. As for the summary, I took it out. Better now?

Jay Kamiya: Yep. Very bad feeling...

Ms Hobgoblin: Just drop in when you can. I understand that you won't always make it.

Imari: Gary's the strong silent type methinks. ^_~

Gothic-Wolf: Tension? Did I? And I'll be looking for you in Out of the Darkness. ^_^

This fic is really starting to turn angsty. Don't think I enjoyed almost killing Kevin, because I didn't. However, I did enjoy hurting Tyson a few chapters back. Can't explain it though. Maybe its because his character gets on my nerves at times. And if Kevin were in full fighting spirit, he would be the leader of the captured group while Tyson bickered with him. But then, when aren't they bickering:

Kevin: You totally look like the weakest link

Tyson: Why you…

Kevin: mocking Weakest link, weakest link dashes after his team

Tyson: being held back Well you look like the missing link!

Disclaimer: Can't say anything stupid in the disclaimer that can rival that last quote there, can I?

Lee and Ray walked side by side, not speaking as their torches pierced the darkness, showing them a path through the rocks and crevices. The cold did not bother them anymore, they had grown so accustomed to it that the bite had turned into nothing more then a constant annoyance. Their eyes could pear easily into the dark shroud that had once blinded them, though their catlike orbs had always been far more reliable then the eyes of a normal human.

Their thoughts were on Kevin, the bad feeling that had swept over them now but a slight sense of unease at the back of their mind. The pain in their heart had felt like losing someone close and grieving for their loss, striking fear into the minds of the two neko-jin. What was it that their extra sense was trying to tell them? What fate had befallen upon the annoying yet lovable imp that had been an almost constant companion since their early childhood?

Moving around a large boulder at the foot of another endless rise, they started up it only to discover that the third member of their party was no longer following them. Pausing, they glanced at each other, spotting him standing at the base looking up at them, realisation, suspicion, and anger playing across his face and through the heat of his glare.

Ray frowned. "Kai?"

"You've been toying with me," Kai growled. "Playing me like a puppet."

Lee moved down a few steps to be even with Ray. "What do you mean?"

"Don't pretend you don't know, Yin." Kai's eyes narrowed. "You've been playing with my emotions like they are yours to toy with. Well I don't like it. I won't be manipulated like that. Not by my grandfather; not by anyone."

Lee raised an eyebrow. "Looks like he's caught us out, Tiger. The jig is up."

"Lee!" Ray shot a look at his lover, noting the passive and almost neutral look on his face. "Wait. You were expecting this?"

"Mm. Kai's not stupid, Ray," Lee looked at him, shrugging. "I knew he'd figure it out eventually."

"You could have warned me."

"Guess I forgot." Lee looked down toward Kai, crossing his arms over his chest as best he could with a torch in one hand. "The question now is what the Phoenix is going to do about it."

Kai growled. "You mean apart from punching your lights out."

"But do you really want to do that?" A small smile flickered across Lee's lips, fangs glinting in the faint light as his eyes narrowed. "You couldn't do it, even if you wanted to. Something inside would stop you, logic perhaps, as you're going to need us when we reach our destination. But even if we weren't going anywhere, you could never bring yourself to strike us, and why, you cannot work out."

Kai glared at him, a snarl playing across his face. "You're a son-of-a-bitch, Yin."

"My mother can be a bitch, yes. But then, most mothers can at times." Lee slowly moved down the slope, watching Kai out the top of his eyes as he came. "Something inside has changed, Kai, and you know it. Our so called 'game' struck something within you, throwing all you once believed into the air, your feelings and emotions in turmoil. You're confused, and you know that we have something to do with it. But why are you confused? If you were so sure of yourself, then there should be no confusion."

Kai watched him cautiously, feeling like a cornered animal as the Lion circled around. Ray had perched himself on a small ledge, one leg sitting on the knee of the other, arms crossed over his chest, watching curiously. Kai's gaze flickered back to Lee, noting the gleam of intent in those eyes, the burning of a predator stalking his prey. "You're right, it is a game to you. You enjoyed messing with my mind, thinking nothing of it while you had your fun. You don't really care about me, I'm just a pawn in your little game."

"Do you really believe we would do something if there is nothing in it for us?" Lee chuckled sinisterly, eyes narrowing as he scrutinised the younger teen. "We want you, Phoenix. If this is really a game then you are the prize." He stopped, directly in front of Kai, looking up at him, chin raised in defiance. "And the final move is yours."

Kai looked down at him, eyes flickering up toward Ray who now had one elbow on his leg, heading resting in hand as he leant forward, watching in interest. Ray smiled smugly, shrugging and making a 'go ahead' movement with his other hand, but remaining silent. Kai's eyes drifted back down toward Lee, who was watching him unblinking, one eyebrow raising faintly as if to say 'well then?'

Kai swallowed, his mind running full speed as he tried to sort through his emotions, trying to work out exactly what his move would be. Lee and Ray had played their cards well, but, as Lee had said, the final move was his. If he took them up, they would win; if he turned them down, they lost, having gambled everything on this last round. Whatever he decided would change someone's life forever.

He frowned, something flickering through his mind, a quiet realisation that niggled at him, something he had known all along. He thought back to that morning he had discovered himself lying in bed with the two neko-jin curled up against him. It had made him feel… comfortable, more so then he ever had. He could recall their smell, the faint tickle of hair on bare skin, not annoying but actually rather pleasant.

And then there was their taste. It was something unlike he had ever tasted before: sweet like rainwater, yet at the same time spicy, but never sour. A pleasant taste, a taste he knew he would crave forevermore. Lee was more spicy then sweet, Ray the opposite, but both were addictive.

He had always loved the neko-jin, their species fascinating him from the moment he had discovered them while wandering through the streets of Moscow with his nanny, Maree. He loved the way they moved, their elegant grace almost as if they were floating, and an agility that never ceased to amaze him. He loved their appearance: the fangs, the ears, and especially the eyes. He had never though he could ever get close to one… but then these two had come along.

Few could argue that Ray was not attractive. The way he smiled made women swoon, those eyes enough to make you melt when they sparkled. His build, his features, his personality: all were a beacon that drew one to him. He could make anyone open up, so soft and gentle, though it was unwise to annoy him, as you would come under his wrath. Ray was as sweet as he tasted, as Lee was spicy.

Yes, Lee. The handsome rogue. He was rough around the edges, prepared for anything or anyone that came his way. His loyalty to his family, friends, and beliefs was second to none. His battling style aggressive: destroy them before they destroy you. Though he would never be the looker Ray was, he was more masculine then his life-long friend. Lee was the fierce leader, a warrior in his own right. His personality almost the exact opposite of Ray's, yet no less attractive.

They were the Ying and Yang on Ray's bandanna; two entities that balanced each other out. Kai could see in watching them that they had found the perfect harmony between them, and had longed to become part of it. And now their arms were open, offering him inside their retreat. If he turned them down, not only they would lose, but he would lose as well.

Looking once more toward Ray, a small smile flickered across Kai's lip as he returned his attention to the Lion in front of him. He met those orange-yellow orbs, fire meeting fire as he took a half step forward, bringing his lips down onto Lee's. Lee welcomed it, sliding an arm around Kai's waist as Kai slid his hand through Lee's hair, the kisses slow, drawn out, almost experimental. No more hesitation.

Ray laughed in triumph, setting his torch on the ledge and dropping from his perch, crossing the space and reaching up to run a hand through Kai's hair, causing Kai to pull back from Lee. "For a moment there I thought you were going to turn us down."

Kai smirked. "I was."

"Oh really?" Lee looked up at him. "So what changed your mind?"

"The odds were entirely in your favour." The smirk widened. "And in mine."

"Well I'm glad you chose us," Ray said, sliding his arm around the waists of his now two lovers. "Otherwise the remainder of this trip would have been rather awkward."

"Not really." Kai nodded to the side. "I would have simply dumped you both in that pool over there and left without you."

"You are too kind." Lee shook his head and smiled. "Mariah would have killed you if you did that."

"Maybe."

Ray tilted his head, eyes wide with innocence. "Am I going to get a kiss too?"

Kai laughed, pulling Ray to him and kissing him, Ray leaning into it and gripping Kai gently by the back of the head, making sure that the kiss wouldn't end quickly. Lee chuckled and shook his head. "Already trying to score brownie points, Ray. Just remember it was my idea."

"Why am I not surprised," Kai said as the kiss ended. He looked over the top of Lee's head, frowning. "Wait a minute, did you feel that?"

Ray turned. "Feel what?"

"A blast of warm air."

Lee blinked. "Now that you mention it, yeah. And if there's warm air…"

Kai released his grip on the two neko-jin, picking his torch up from where it had fallen to the ground. "Come on kittens, lets get moving. The end is near."

Kai, Ray, and Lee are finally a… triple would you call it? You can't really say couple, can you? #^_^#