Ha! I have returned with yet another chapter … obviously ^^;; Yes, well I rather like this chapter … one of the scenes towards the end particularly. Hope you guys all enjoy too.
Chapter Twelve
Rei noticed a distinct change in Kai's attitude over the next few days they spent in his old village. It wasn't really that noticeable unless you were really looking, actually, it seemed that Kai had only really changed to him. Tyson still thought the same of him as always, as did Max and Kenny. Dizzy never really talked to him much, but Rei thought he saw a hint of knowing in her eyes. But she was a spirit, who's to say what she did or didn't understand?
But around Rei, Kai sometimes had a smile or a slightly more relaxed attitude that Rei hadn't seen before. He didn't know the cause of the change, but he liked it.
Soon though, Kai got restless and insisted that they go on their way, once he was sure Max was completely healed. That was just another thing that confirmed Rei's admiration for Kai. He didn't often show it blatantly, but he cared for all of them and wanted the best for them.
Of course Tyson was the one always beside Max making sure he was all right. Kenny would have gotten fed up with it, Max was his best friend after all, had he not walked in on a rather interesting situation the other day. Rei had laughed his head off when he heard it and Kai even managed a small smile of amusement when he retold the story.
It seemed that Tyson had been in Max's room for a while and Kenny thought they had fallen asleep, only he heard some noises, one of which was a rather loud thump. He and Dizzy had raced into the room, not knowing what they would find, only they didn't expect to find Max pinning Tyson to the floor, kissing him passionately and the dragon quite happily responding. Of course they didn't notice the intruders until Dizzy made a rather loud comment from the doorway to get their attention.
The two were teased about that for days.
Of course now that everything was out in public, they didn't have to hide their affection and were often seen together just talking quietly with their heads close, or their fingers twined together.
Rei always felt rather wistful whenever he saw them together like that.
But today they were heading away from the village, continuing on their journey to Wrighton. Kai had all of them up just before dawn, much to Tyson's annoyance, but Rei was eager to go. It wasn't that he hated being back here, it was just that he felt rather restless about everything.
Rei looked around curiously. He was one of the first up, probably because he was the first Kai woke, but soon the others joined him. But Rei frowned as he noticed more coming to join them.
Lee grinned at his old friend. "We thought we might help you on your way to Wrighton."
Rei looked surprised for a moment then grinned. "Thanks, it will be good to spend more time with you. All of you." He looked around at the other three with a grin.
"Were flattered," Mariah rolled her eyes at him and they all chuckled.
"Is everyone ready?" Kai came out of a house behind a widely yawning Tyson, chivvying him along, much to the swordsman's disgust. Tyson hated early mornings.
"As always," Rei replied with a smile. Kai spared him a softer glance before making absolutely sure that everything was in readiness for the trip south.
"Let's get to it then." And they started off again, the thrill of adventure calling to them, like a siren's song, beautiful, yet tinged with danger with every step they took.
*~*~*
Max and Tyson took the rear guard with Mariah and Dizzy talking excitedly and quietly just ahead of them. Kenny glanced over his shoulder at them while chatting with Kevin and Gary and occasionally Rei as well. Rei alternated between them and Kai and Lee up front. The two of them had gained a respect for each other that still did not quite overpower some suspicions between them, but they were friendly enough with each other and Rei didn't think anything serious would happen between them.
Rei hoped not anyway. Lee was his oldest friend, and he was ecstatic to realise that even after what happened over the years that Lee still considered him a friend too. And Kai ... well, Rei still couldn't decide what it was about Kai that drew him, perhaps everything. He just didn't want them fighting, he really wanted them to get along, even if just for his sake.
Rei hurried to catch up with the two of them discussing which turn to take in the path ahead.
"You're right, Wrighton is in that direction," Lee was telling Kai. "But that path takes us down to the river and the way is eventually blocked."
"But you're sure about this way?" Kai pointed ahead.
Lee nodded and would have said something, but Rei cut in. "I don't think we should Lee."
They both turned to look at him. "Why not?" Lee asked.
Rei shrugged. "I just have this weird feeling. Why don't we take the left path and head out to the plains and cross back."
Lee frowned. "That will take us at least half a day out of our way and we'll have to back track a bit." Lee glanced over at Kai, who also frowned then he turned back to Rei. "Why do you want to do that?"
Rei shrugged. "Just an idea. Doesn't really matter."
Kai studied him a moment longer before asking Lee, "Which way then?"
"I still say straight south."
Kai looked over at Rei who just held up his hands. "Straight south it is then. Go tell the others what path we took."
"Sure." Rei headed back, wondering why he had a knot of apprehension forming in the pit of his stomach.
*~*~*
Kai looked around nervously. Something was wrong with the surroundings. He glanced over at Lee to see the neko-jin rather tense himself. He couldn't quite put his finger on what was wrong, but it was something.
Kai heard Rei come up behind them. "Kai," he whispered. "The others are rather confused. Why did we stop?" he sounded nervous.
"Something's wrong," Lee replied.
"What?"
"It's too quiet," Kai finally said, realising just what was going on. His eyes widened. "We're being hunted."
Lee swore. "I'd had reports of a new den of tigers in the area, but it didn't even cross my mind when we started out."
Kai looked around nervously. "We'll back track. Tell the others to start—" He was cut off as they heard a yell from behind them. "Tyson," Kai muttered before dashing away, Lee and Rei close behind.
The others were in a panic, running in all directions. Kenny, Max and Dizzy were nowhere to be found and Tyson was stumbling away from a large white tiger, who eyed them all warily. He was bleeding and holding his arm tightly. Even from so far away Kai could see the pain on his face. Kai saw movement in the trees and swore. The others were there, just ready to pounce.
"Where are they?" he asked Mariah quietly. No one had dared to move.
"They ran east through the woods," she whispered.
Kai studied the situation. "When I say, run the same way, we have to catch up to them." He glanced at Lee and Rei who nodded. Gary, Kevin and Tyson were all too far away to hear him, but as Tyson glanced over, he caught Kai's eye and nodded, wincing slightly.
The tiger snarled at him, seeing his movement. Kai had to act fast.
"Now!" he yelled, shooting a fireball at the ground before the tiger, causing the large cat to leap back in fright. The others wasted no time in running from the scene, save Tyson, who was limping. Kai didn't stop to think, he just grabbed him and carried him away, much to Tyson's disgust. He heard sounds of pursuit and glanced over his shoulder, seeing movement from the corner of his eye.
"So what's the plan?" Tyson asked.
"We run, I scare them away."
"Great plan," Tyson muttered sarcastically.
"You got a better one?" Kai snarled, sending another fireball over his shoulder.
"I'm not the leader here."
Kai glared at him and glanced back again. There were no obvious signs of pursuit, but to be sure he sent a wave of fire behind him.
"Are you trying to burn down the forest?" Tyson asked.
"Would you shut up and let me save us?"
"I never asked for you to save me."
"Well, I'm not about to let you die so easily on me."
"I'm touched." Tyson rolled his eyes. "They're not following us, so would you put me down now?" Kai gave him no warning as he let go. Tyson fell to the ground and yelped. He glared at Kai and rubbed at his backside. "I really don't like you, you do know that right?"
"The feeling's mutual." Kai looked around. "I don't see the others."
"You got us lost?"
"Shut up! I'm trying to listen."
Tyson muttered something under his breath but remained quiet after his grumble, watching Kai.
"This way," Kai finally said, helping Tyson to his feet and pulling him in yet another direction. Tyson had no idea where he was now, everything looked exactly the same to him. And by the way Kai's mouth tightened in frustration, Tyson realised he was the same.
Suddenly they heard sounds ahead of them. Tyson grinned, recognising voices. He and Kai came through the bushes into a small clearing where everyone had gathered. It seemed that Kenny, Max and Dizzy had all stopped here when they realised nothing was chasing them, and when they realised they were lost. The others were still close enough behind to have found out where they went, plus, being neko-jin, the five had sharper senses and were quite good trackers. But they were all so turned around now that even they had no idea where they were.
"Tyson!" Max rushed over seeing Tyson limping beside Kai. "I shouldn't have ran, I should have stayed to help you."
Tyson smiled at him softly. "You did the right thing Maxie."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, I wouldn't have wanted you hurt again." Tyson wrapped an arm around his shoulder, both in comfort and to ask Max to help him walk a bit further into the clearing.
Kai moved to where everyone else was gathered as well. "What now?" he asked Lee and the others.
Lee shook his head. "In the run to get away and find the others I got confused. I have no idea where we are."
"Great." Kai sighed. "Is there any chance the tigers could find us here?"
Lee shrugged. "Not sure. We really should get moving. Maybe we should head out east. Of course, telling the direction in the forest might be a bit of a problem." Even in the clearing most of the sky was obscured by the thick foliage. "Not to mention we might veer too far north and bypass the plains entirely."
"We have to do something," Kai snapped. He started to pace, thinking things over.
"Why don't we just go this way?" Rei asked innocently. Everyone looked over at him and saw he was pointing somewhere. "It's as good as any."
Lee was going to protest, but he glanced over at Kai who was staring at Rei curiously. Kai shrugged, the faintest hint of a smile coming to his lips. "Why not? Take the lead Rei."
Rei looked and saw the others were all looking at Kai curiously, but Kai was completely serious. Rei shrugged. "Sure." And he led them away through the dense underbrush.
*~*~*
Rei couldn't quite describe what was happening, but he knew that they were going the right way, the quickest, and safest way, to Wrighton. He didn't know how he knew, he just knew.
Sometimes Lee would come and talk with him, curious about the path, but Rei couldn't tell him anything. He'd never been in these parts of the forest before, yet he seemed to instinctively know his way. It was almost like ...
Rei almost stumbled as he suddenly realised something.
It's almost like magic.
"Rei?"
The neko-jin turned as Kai approached and smiled. "Hi Kai. Something wrong?"
Kai shook his head. "No, I was thinking we should be looking for a place to stop for the night. It's getting close to sundown and everyone's getting tired, not to mention I'd like to have Tyson stop and rest for a bit."
Rei nodded. "There's a small creek up ahead."
Kai looked at him with narrowed eyes. "I'll go tell the others then."
Rei nodded again, but he could feel Kai's eyes on him still for a moment longer before he turned away to inform the others of their plans for stopping. Rei let out a slow sigh of relief. Kai had been staring at him strangely all day and Rei was feeling slightly uncomfortable and self-conscious about it all. Just thinking about Kai made shivers crawl up his spine. He decided to concentrate instead on getting everyone to the spot where they'd be staying for the night.
Kai walked around to everyone once they'd started to make camp, just to make sure that everything was going all right. Technically he was the leader, even if Rei was the vanguard at the moment, and he had his responsibilities. By the time he could rest though, it was already dark and Max was making something for dinner, with Tyson's help.
Kai wasn't too sure he wanted to eat whatever they were preparing, so he looked for something else to grab his attention.
One thing did. Rei was nowhere to be found. Kai headed over to the creek, thinking that would be the most probable place to find Rei, and it was. The neko-jin was crouching on the edge of the bank staring down into the water. As Kai stepped closer though, Rei suddenly stood and turned to face him. His ears were very sharp.
Seeing Kai, Rei relaxed a bit and he turned back to the creek as Kai walked to stand beside him. They were both silent for a while before Kai finally spoke up.
"How did you know?"
Rei was still staring down at the water, lost in thought. "I don't know, I just did." He looked up to see Kai watching him. "Do you think ... was that ... I mean—"
"You want to know if I thought it was your magic." Rei nodded and Kai looked out into the forest, thinking things over. Rei watched him a few moments longer before also turning away and watching the scenery. He was startled suddenly though when he felt Kai wrap his arms around him.
"Kai?" Rei asked hesitantly with wide eyes.
"Shush," Kai whispered soothingly. His hands rested on Rei's chest for the moment, his fingers lightly tracing patterns over the thin fabric of Rei's shirt. Rei looked over as Kai rested his chin on Rei's shoulder and saw that Kai had his eyes closed, his face an expression of tranquil concentration.
"Do you feel that?" Kai asked as he trailed his hands lightly down Rei's chest. Rei shivered at the touch. Kai shook his head, a slight frown coming to his face. "Close your eyes Rei."
Rei did so and Kai's hands continued to drift lower, resting over his abdomen. "You feel it there, when you sought out our path today, a tingling sensation, almost like you're connected with everything around you. You feel it inside you, in your blood."
Rei nodded faintly, lost in the sensations as Kai's hands traveled in slow circles over his abdomen. He felt warmth start to travel through him. "It's almost sensual in its own way," Kai whispered against his neck and Rei couldn't help but shiver again. Kai's hands moved lower then suddenly flared out, yet for some reason, Rei could have sworn he still felt Kai's touch, only it felt somehow different.
"You feel that."
"Yes." Rei let out a small sound of surprise as he felt something else, almost like fire shooting up and through him. He opened his eyes and stared suddenly at the strange scene.
He was glowing, as was everything around him. Kai's fingers seemed to be tangled around thing tendrils of white light that originated with him and led out to connect up to his surroundings. What disturbed him slightly was that he could still feel Kai's fingers as they moved over the tendrils.
"This is your power," Kai whispered to him, opening his eyes and looking around with Rei. "I just made it visible. Do you believe me now when I say you're Earth?"
Rei didn't answer. He still had huge doubts about that, but he could not deny there was something in him not entirely the same as others. "Perhaps," he finally said.
Kai smiled in amusement at his denial. "You will eventually." Kai suddenly moved one of his hands away and made a pulling motion. The entire white glow around them was sucked into his hand and he closed his fist around it. Rei felt a tingle go through him at the action, but Kai suddenly gasped softly and leaned a bit more on Rei.
"Sorry, that spell takes a rather large toll on me."
Rei smiled. "Okay. You should get some rest then." He turned around, letting Kai lean on him more comfortably. "Thank you for showing me that." Kai mumbled something against his neck and Rei smiled, knowing Kai was exhausted. He helped Kai back to the camp, almost carrying him completely, but he ignored the few curious stares they got and managed to get Kai to his bedroll and under his blanket.
Rei was about to move to the fire with the others when he was stopped as Kai called his name softly. He looked back around. Kai still had his eyes closed and was almost completely asleep.
"I hope you truly do see soon, Rei," he said. "I need you with me."
Rei leaned down with a smile and ran his fingers through Kai's hair in a comforting gesture. "Maybe Kai, but I promise I'll stay with you no matter what happens, I'll always be there when you need me."
"Thank you." Rei let his fingers trail down Kai's painted cheek once he was sure Kai was completely asleep then moved back to sit with the others around the fire, though not really joining in with anything, his mind still occupied by the events from before and the feelings the other boy had so strongly evoked inside him.
*~*~*
"I don't know how you did it, and I really couldn't care, I'm just glad you got us out of that damned forest." Tyson grinned and clapped Rei on the back as they approached the small town of Guildeburg. They were still a fair bit north and east of Wrighton, but it was better than being stuck in a forest for ages.
"Hey, I told you I would." Rei returned the grin.
"Let's just find an inn so I can get a bath and a soft bed for one night," Mariah said with a grimace. "I haven't spent so long outdoors for along time, and I'm still not quite used to it again."
Lee chuckled at his sister's complaints. "Don't mind her Rei, you know what she's like."
Rei rolled his eyes. "Indeed I do at that." There were a few chuckles at this, and a glare from Mariah. Rei looked back to see everyone close by. "Does anyone know a good inn here? I didn't head out south when I left so I've never been here before."
Kenny shrugged then said, "I guess it doesn't really matter, we can ask around once we're inside."
"Yeah, so let's stop talking and do that," Kai snapped. Tyson rolled his eyes and Max giggled at this, but no one protested and they all headed into the town, leaving Kai to take up the rear, with Rei waiting close by with a smile. They started to walk along with the others when Kai suddenly stopped and turned around, staring at the road behind them with a frown.
"Kai?" Rei asked curiously. "Is something wrong?"
Kai stared at the road a moment longer before shaking his head. "No. Let's get going." But even after that he couldn't shake the feeling that someone was either following them or watching them somehow.
We should be safe inside the town, Kai thought as he entered the gates with the rest of his party. I just hope we get to Wrighton soon, I get the feeling that things are starting to come together and we need to be ready for anything.
*~*~*
Bryan paced his room nervously, waiting, as he had for over a week, for summons to the dungeons, or to the High Lord, or even just for the door to open and reveal the one person he wanted to see above all else.
When that did actually happen though, Bryan was so startled he almost jumped. He turned quickly to face the door as it opened and his breath caught as he saw who entered the room.
"Tala." He smiled in relief and rushed over to his bonded, ready to catch him in a tight embrace, but his step faltered as he moved closer and he suddenly frowned, despairing as he looked upon the cold empty form of his beloved. "Tala? What happened?" Bryan reached out a hand to caress Tala's cheek and icy blue eyes flashed angrily, the only warning Bryan had before he was suddenly pinned against the wall.
Bryan's eyes opened wide with shock, then he winced and cried out in pain as Tala pushed him further against the hard stone.
"Don't ever touch me," Tala hissed in a cold venomous tone before he threw Bryan to the floor as he would a piece of clothing or an object of no import. "We head out to Wrighton in the morning, so it would be best if you got some rest." His voice was hollow and devoid of all tone and infliction that made it Tala's.
Bryan was so stunned by everything that he did not move for a long time, he just lay getting his breath back as Tala moved to sit on his bed. He finally pushed himself onto his knees, wincing at the pain in his chest from where Tala had held him against the wall with his arm. He looked over at the still figure on the bed then turned away, moving to his own bed, knowing there was nothing to do.
He sat leaning against the wall, staring down at the golden band on the index finger of his left hand, tears filling his eyes.
The cold empty shell sitting on the other bed was no longer his Tala.
AN: I know, you guys are all wondering about Tala, but I can't explain that part of the story totally yet, a few things have to happen and they have to be at a certain place, I do actually have this story planned out … mostly. But I do hope you guys liked that chapter.
Until next time we meet … or interact … or do whatever …