Disclaimer: I don't own it.

AN: Well, I hope you all enjoy this chapter.

Max elbowed his lover and Tyson shut his mouth, trying not to glare at Bryan. He took a deep breath. "Rei, what exactly are you doing?" The neko-jin, feeling usually cheeky smiled. "Just what it looks like Tyson." Bryan smirked, waiting for the Japanese man to have a cow. He didn't have to wait long.

"Just what it looks like? It looks like you were ready to throw yourself at him!" Rei's smile widened, fangs showing. "I already did that. You just missed it." Tyson ran a hand through his hair. "For which I'm glad. How long has this been going on?" Moonlight and gold met and Rei shrugged. "Since you two came to visit, what three months ago?"

Max nodded, and clamped a hand over Tyson's mouth to keep him from sticking his foot in it. "That sounds about right. Well, congrats. We'll see you tonight at the dinner." He dragged Tyson out, the only sound in the room that of the bubbling hot tub.

Rei rested his head on Bryan's shoulder, nose inches away from the pale throat. He moved the necessary inches, nuzzling the soft skin. "Well that was interesting." Bryan laughed, tightening his embrace. "I'm sure no one else will be walking in with the way Granger's mouth will be flapping."

Rei pulled back slightly, golden eyes flashing. "I'm sure you're right." He placed a light kiss on the Russian's nose before moving down to the, pale unmarked flesh of his lover's neck.

*****

Rei tugged nervously at the hem of his shirt, trying not to think of the reactions he might get from his friends. After his talk with Li earlier that day, he had decided that he needed to tell Mariah, Kevin and Gary. Warm fingers settled on his shoulder, squeezing in reassurance.

He wrapped his arms around Bryan, head resting on his lover's chest. The Russian rubbed circles on the neko-jin's back in an effort to comfort him. "Are you going to be okay?" Rei shrugged. "I don't know. I don't want to have to live with their hate of who my lover is." Bryan gently pushed Rei back slightly; placing a soft kiss on slightly parted lips.

"Rei, if they can't accept your choices then they're not worth being your friends." The neko-jin nodded. "I know. Let's go."

Rei stopped just outside of the doors to the ballroom. Bryan waited patiently; knowing of the anguish his lover was going through. Ever since Li had talked to Rei that morning, the neko-jin had been tense and upset, and almost as jumpy as after the brick incident. Rei took a deep breath. "Okay."

Just inside the door they separated, Bryan going to speak with the other Russians, Rei to go talk to Kevin and Gary. Kevin had grown over the years, standing taller than Mariah but still shorter than Li, Rei and of course Gary. None of the neko-jins were anywhere near Gary's height. "Hi Rei!" Kevin jumped to his feet and embraced the older neko-jin violet eyes shining with happiness. Gary settled with patting Rei on the head.

The raven-haired neko-jin pulled himself from Kevin's embrace and sat down. "Kev, you might want to sit down." The green haired blader sat down, confused. "What's up Rei? You're usually not this..somber." Rei tried not to fidget. "There's something I need to tell you two." Violet eyes filled with confusion before a proverbial light bulb came on. "Does it have something to do with why Mariah was crying this morning?"

Rei nodded and glanced over to where the pink haired neko-jin was talking with Emily, Oliver and Michael. "Mariah walked in on me in a rather, controversial position with someone." Kevin and Gary shrugged. "So, we already know that you're gay. It's no big deal." Rei shook his head, wishing that was the only problem. "It wasn't the sex of the person that was the issue. It was the person. Bryan."

Both neko-jin glanced over to where the Russians were standing, Robert and Johnny having joined them. Johnny was standing on the far side of Robert, as far from Bryan as he could get. The Russian's silver eyes were focused on the Scot with almost predatory hunger. Johnny said something and rapidly walked away from the group, glancing over his shoulder as though he was afraid Bryan was going to stab him. Tala turned on Bryan but the lavender haired one didn't say anything. Kevin glanced at his childhood friend and then back at the Russian.

"So?" Rei looked up shocked. "You don't care?" Kevin took a drink. "Has he hurt you since you got together?" Rei shook his head, wondering where Kevin was going with it. "Good, then I could care less. As long as you're happy." Gary nodded, agreeing with his green haired friend. Rei got to his feet, feeling extremely relieved. "Thanks guys. You made me feel a lot better. Hopefully Mariah will take it as well."

Rei was halfway to Mariah when one of the waiters stopped him and handed him an envelope. His name was written across the front in black ink, in handwriting he had never seen in his life. With trembling fingers the neko-jin opened the envelope. The handwriting on the letter, however, he had seen before.

Rei, don't try to escape. I will find you wherever you go. You are MINE!

Rei crumpled the letter in his hand, trying to keep from shaking. His thoughts narrowed to the note and Bryan. And he wanted Bryan NOW. One of the few people he felt safe around. He pushed between Robert and Ian, not caring what they thought of him at the moment.

The neko-jin wrapped his arms around Bryan, shivering and trying to fight back tears. He felt an arm curl around him protectively, the Russian's warmth and scent surrounding him, soothing him. Warm fingers curled around his wrist, a second set of fingers trying to pry the note free.

Recognizing the feel of Kai and Tala's fingers he allowed them to take the note. He trusted them with his life. Kai's voice sounded angry when it reached his ears. "Shit. Bry." Bryan took the note, and quickly read it, felling his anger bubbling up. "This is getting fucking ridiculous."

Robert, his curiosity winning over his manners leaned forward, wanting to see what had Rei and three of the five Russians so worked up. At the looks he got from moonlight, mahogany, and cyan he pulled back, not wanting to risk his neck. "Is there anything I can do to help?" Tala laughed harshly. "If you're a psychic maybe. If not, don't worry about it."

Bryan leaned down, lips brushing against Rei's ear. "Are you okay to stay or do you want to go back to the room?" Rei kept his face hidden, painfully aware of all the eyes on him. "Room. Too many people here and I trust exactly nine of you."

They made there way to the room, Kai and Tala the only ones knowing what was going on, refusing to answer any questions as they worriedly watched Rei and Bryan leave.

*****

Two weeks later

*****

"That was fun." Rei smiled at the grumpy look his lover gave him. They had spent the weekend at one of Kai's mansions in the country. Bryan was just unhappy because Tala had managed to take some pictures and Bryan hadn't gotten the camera back. Rei slipped past Bryan and back into the kitchen. "I'm going to make hot chocolate. Want some?" Bryan set his bag on the floor. "Sure." Rei nodded and started purring as he gathered the ingredients.

Bryan sat down on the sofa and smiled, glad to hear Rei purring again. It had taken Rei a week to get over the note and in the entire time, he hadn't purred once. To be honest he had missed the sound. The neko-jin handed him a mug and sat down next to him. "Feeling better?" Rei nodded. They sat in silence, nothing needing to be said.

*****

Five weeks later.

*****

"Rei, are you planning on not getting out of bed?" The neko-jin rolled on to his side, drawing the blankets closer. "I'm not feeling that great. I think I'm going to sleep for the rest of the day." Bryan leaned down and kissed his lover on the forehead. "Okay. I'll be home in a couple of hours. Love you." The neko-jin grabbed Bryan's hand and kissed the back of it. "I love you."

Rei slowly drifted off to sleep, barely hearing the sound of the door closing.

*****

Rei slowly came awake, his body stiff. He was cold and his arms were tied behind him painfully. The neko-jin wriggled his fingers, wincing as the rope cut into his wrists. Golden eyes rapidly opened and closed several times as he took stock of his surroundings. "SHIT! This is not fucking happening to me!"

The room was littered of picture of him, from his time with the Bladebreakers up through his weekly visits with Kai, Tala and Bryan. "This is disgusting." A door hidden behind pictures opened and a figure slipped into the room, hidden in darkness. "What's wrong love? I thought you would like it. After all it is dedicated to you." Rei shook his head. "This is wrong."

His captor stepped further into the room. "But I made it all for you." Golden eyes widened in shock. "YOU!"

*****

The moment Bryan entered the house he knew something was wrong. The house was far too silent. "Rei?" Nothing had been touched in the house, and he was for once he was glad that he had had all the training from the Abbey. He had planned on methodically searching the house but something drew him towards the bedroom.

He turned on the light. Lying in the middle of the unmade bed where he had last left Rei lay a single, long stemmed black rose.