Disclaimer: Don't own it.
Kai looked up into emerald green eyes, hot breath ruffling his hair. "You have to get to him now!" The guardian's voice was deep and held a slight growl. The huge tiger moved away from the shifter, and took off for the north of the camp moving so fast that it looked like his feet weren't touching the ground. Kai stumbled to his feet and took off after his mate's guardian, knowing that something was wrong.
Driger left the tents far behind, knowing that Rei was in desperate need of help. He came to a stop and nudged the tiger body that lay in the snow. Rei didn't move, unconscious, from blood loss. Driger moved to one side as Kai dropped to the blood soaked snow, hands going to tangle in his mate's fur. A knife protruded from Rei's body, just behind his shoulder blade. The white fur was stained crimson, like the snow and the black stripes were darker then ever. Driger disappeared as the sounds of running shifters drew nearer.
Tala knelt down next to his friend, one hand resting on the cloaked shoulder. "Tala" the redhead jumped, eyes moving to his friend. The slate haired shifter's voice was hoarse and almost inaudible. He was shocked to see tears welling in the normally blank mahogany eyes. "Go get the Shaman and healers." Tala nodded once and pushed through the crowd, taking off at a dead run.
The Shaman arrived, cloak flapping about him as he dropped down across from his Tribe leader. He poked at the skin around the blade and wound, trying to gauge the depth of the blade. He pulled back blood stained fingers, wrinkled face creased with more wrinkles as he frowned. "Sire, we must get him to change back before I dare remove the blade. If I was to take it out now there is an increased chance that it would kill him. Also," he paused, not sure how to tell the younger shifter the last bit. " If we wish to heal him, we need a second Shaman."
Kai looked at his hand, the pale fingers combing through the soft black and white fur. "Max!" The blonde shifter jumped at the sound of his name and moved to Kai's side. "Send Tyson to the White Tiger Tribe. He is to return with their Shaman. Understood?" Max nodded and left. The rest of the shifters moved nervously, afraid that they would be the next to be chosen.
Kai looked up; eyes cold with hate and anger. "If any of you have an idea of who did this, I want you to tell me. And if you know and don't come forward, I will personally kill you myself." The crowd was silent before someone finally broke the silence. It was Hajem. He knelt down, head bowed with shame. "I think I know who it was My Lord. Farrah has disappeared with my horses. She's been missing for three hours." Hajem risked a glance up and seeing the confused look on Kai's face, continued. "My servant. The one I rescued when we were in town."
Mahogany lit up with an inner fire when he realized whom the other shifter was talking about. He motioned with his free hand and Tala appeared at his side again. "Tala, I want you to hunt her down and bring her back, alive. I will join you as soon as Rei is shifted back."
The redhead gave a wolfy grin and started to shift. A fine fuzz covered his pale skin, slowly lengthening into a full-grown white coat. Within seconds a full-grown white wolf stood in Tala's place, blue eyes sweeping over the assembled shifters. They moved to the side, allowing the wolf out on to the plains. Moments later he was joined by a bigger wolf, this one white with a faint bluish tinge. A long, low howl danced through the air, sending chills down the spines of anyone with in hearing distance.
*****
Max threw open the door of the tent, freckled cheeks red from the cold air and exercise. Tyson was sitting across a chessboard from his guardian. The small blue dragon, Dragoon, was thoroughly thrashing his partner at the game. Max's own guardian, Draciel was sitting next to one of the braziers, dozing in the heat. Tyson looked up from the board, eyes widening at the sight of his mate. "Maxie, what happened?" The blonde waved off the question trying to catch his breath. "Tyson, somebody stabbed Rei. You have to go get the White Tiger's Shaman. And make it fast." Tyson got to his feet and pushed past the blonde. Max stumbled outside just in time to see a dragon take off, wing beats stirring up a small snowstorm.
Dragoon and Draciel looked at each other. The tortoise got to his feet, and stretched his neck out. "Come on Dragoon. I'm sure that Driger is going to need some help." The two guardians vanished in two puffs of smoke, one blue, and the other purple.
*****
"Rei come on. You need to wake up." Kai rubbed one hand over Rei's flank, the white fur standing up in spikes. Most of the other shifters had returned to their tasks, distressed at seeing the neko-jin lying still in the blood stained snow. One golden eye opened and the fur covered body shuddered, pain flowing through every vein. Slowly he started changing, his body shortening and losing weight. Halfway through he stopped, pain causing him to lose his concentration.
He felt a hand moving through his hair, caressing his neck. "Rei concentrate on my voice. You need to finish changing back." Rei focused on the rich, deep sound of his mate's voice, body slowly finishing its change. He let out an involuntary whimper as pain shot through his shoulder. Kai pressed his cloak to the wound on Rei's shoulder, the black fabric soaking up the blood leaking from the stab wound. He carefully picked up the other shifter, careful not to bump the wound.
When he got back to the tent Rei was unconscious again. Kai carefully set him on the bed before turning to the Shaman who had followed him. "I want you to do everything possible for him. When the White Tiger's Shaman shows, up I expect you to work with him. If I hear that there was any fighting between you two, you will be answering to Rahee, himself." The Shaman bowed low, knowing that his leader was not joking. Kai had been raised until three years ago by his grandfather, a cold cruel man, with no remorse.
Kai shifted, powerful wings carrying him into the sky. Light reflected off of his blood red feathers, making him gleam in the sunlight. He easily located the tracks of the two wolves, still heading to the south. It was nightfall when he finally caught them. He landed and changed back, shivering in the chill wind. Tala was standing next to Wolborg, eyes focused to the south. "If we keep pressing on we can catch her by tonight." Kai nodded and shifted, deciding to join his friend in wolf form. Soon, three wolves set off at a ground eating lope, two white and one rust red one.
*****
Farrah huddled into her cloak, the small fire in front of her sputtering in the wind. She cursed under her breath. Some where behind her the howling of wolves rose, the wind carrying it to her ears. The horses shifted nervously, tack clinking. The howls grew closer and suddenly she wished she hadn't left her knife in the shifter. She had a horrible thought that she was going to be left in the middle of the plains dead. Farrah jumped, too scared to do more, when a huge white wolf appeared across the fire from her, eyes glowing in the firelight.
A slim figure appeared next to the wolf, one hand resting between the wolf's ears, scratching the white fur. "Good job Wolborg." She shuddered as cold blue eyes turned on her. "I told you not to go anywhere near Kai, you should have stayed away from Rei also. Kai is not happy with you." Farrah finally found the strength to get to her feet. She backed up, eyes never leaving Wolborg and Tala. A low growl echoed from behind her and she turned to find a second wolf behind her, the eyes strangely familiar. Her eyes widened as the wolf changed, leaving her face to face with a very angry shifter.
Pale fingers closed around her throat, applying just enough pressure to make breathing difficult. "I should just kill you now and leave your body for the crows and coyotes. That, however, would be far to kind a fate for you." He gave a final squeeze before letting go, watching her drop to the ground, her breath wheezing. "Tala get the horses tied together. Wolborg, make sure that she doesn't do anything stupid." The huge wolf grinned and moved over by Farrah, looking at her with unblinking eyes.
Kai moved away from the fire, paying no attention to the howling wind or the bitter cold. Mahogany eyes slid shut, his mind reaching out to the immortal plane. Seconds later his guardian was next to him, a low heat radiating off of the fire bird. One hand reached out to stroke the soft red feathers. "Tell me Dranzer. I'm doing the right thing aren't I? I'm so confused." The phoenix moved closer to his partner, keeping the slate haired shifter warm. "Go with what feels right Kai. That's all that I can tell you at the moment. Oh shit." Kai looked over at his guardian, surprised by the phoenix's language. Usually Dranzer was well spoken. "Driger's trying to get here to kill the human. I'd better go help." He vanished in a swirl of red smoke, leaving his partner alone.
When Kai returned, he found Farrah tied to one of the horses, shivering. Tala was back in wolf form, curled up with his tail over his nose. Wolborg was sitting next to the horse Farrah was on, pink tongue lolling out of his mouth in a wolf grin. Tala got up and stretched, moving to join Wolborg. Kai shifted, and the three wolves got the horses going in the direction of the camp.
*****
Kai slipped into the tent, careful not to make a sound. A single lantern stood near the bed, illuminating the two occupants. Rei was on his stomach, shirtless. A bandage was wrapped around his chest several times before crossing over his shoulder, covering the stab wound. Driger was curled around his partner, long tail flicking against the floor. "I heard you got her." Kai nodded and knelt down next to the bed, gently toying with a strand of Rei's hair. "What did the Shamans say?" The tiger shifted slightly, tail curling around Rei. "He should wake up tomorrow. They've got him under a sleeping spell. He's lost a lot of blood, so he's going to be weak for awhile."
Kai stripped his boots off and dug a second cloak and a blanket from his trunk and wrapping himself in them he curled up at the foot of the bed. A deep rumbling sound filled the tent and he realize that Driger was purring. He drifted of to sleep one haunted by crimson snow.
*****
Rei tried to roll over, but as soon as he put weight on his back, pain shot through his body. Golden eyes opened and he blinked several times, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the light from the sun. One arm reached out; looking for the waterskin that should have been next to the bed. "How are you feeling?" Rei tilted his head to one side and blinked, surprised to see Kai next to him. The blue triangles that usually adorned his mate's cheeks were gone, making him look much younger. The younger shifter reached one hand out, letting out a hiss of pain as muscles pulled against his wound.
Kai moved closer, laying one hand on the warm skin covering Rei's back. "Are you okay?" Rei nodded the movement short and jerky. Slowly he relaxed as Kai's hand drew pictures over the tan skin. The warmth left his skin, as Kai stood, moving to his trunk. He dug out a small silver box, and a fine silk blanket and a mirror. Within seconds the blue triangles were back in place, shielding the compassion Rei knew his mate was capable of. Kai spread the blanket over his mate, hand resting low on the neko-jin's back, moving in soothing circles.
"Um, are we interrupting?" Tyson stepped back under Kai's gaze, Max just smiled; blue eyes focused on the neko-jin on the bed. "No. I was just leaving." Kai kissed Rei on the forehead, murmuring quiet "I'll be back later" before disappearing. Tyson and Max sat down on one of the cushions. "How are you feeling?" Rei shifted slightly, trying to get comfortable. "I'm okay. I'll be glad when I can lie on my back again. Would someone get the waterskin for me?" Max found it and sat back down, leaning back against his mate. "What happened?"
"If I knew Max, I would tell you. I don't remember anything up to the point of Kai waking me up."
*****
"Look, its simple. Tell me what you're doing here?" Farrah looked up at Kai, hate radiating from her dark eyes. She was bound hand and foot, no danger to the shifter. She had been in the tent for five hours, under heavy guard, not saying anything. Kai motioned and one of the guards came forward. "Bring the Shaman. If she won't talk we'll force her." The guard nodded and disappeared. Kai could see the sudden fear lurking in her eyes. He left the tent, standing just outside, soaking up the weak winter sunlight.
"My Lord." The Shaman bowed, before straitening, playing with the end of his beard. Kai didn't look at the Shaman, mahogany eyes still closed. "I need you to perform the Vralti." The old man gasped, looking at his tribe leader with wide eyes. "But My Lord, that is only performed one there is a great threat to the tribe. You cannot expect me to believe that there is a danger to the tribe!" Fingers grasped his cloak, pulling him close. Mahogany eyes burned with an inner flame, fangs slowly growing. "My mate is attacked by an outsider and you think there is no danger! She is hiding something and I think it has something to do with the war in the south. If Rahee becomes displeased, so be it!" He released the Shaman, fangs retracting.
"I expect you to be done by nightfall. We will hold the trial at first dark." He moved off, leaving behind a shaken Shaman.
*****
When Kai went back to the tent Rei was asleep, a book lying next to the bed. He went to his chest, changing into black clothing. The neko-jin shifted in his sleep, forehead wrinkled in pain. Kai knelt next to the bed, fingers smoothing the fine lines in the tan skin. Rei slowly stopped moving, one golden eyes opening slowly. "Hey." He moved slightly, biting his lower lip to stifle the gasp of pain. The slate haired shifter looked behind him, finding a small cloth bundle that lay next to the waterskin. He opened the package, revealing a small pile of fine white crystals. He tipped them into a cup pouting in water and swirling it gently until the crystals dissolved.
He handed the cup to his mate. Rei sniffed it before drinking it down. Kai watched the tan throat move as water trickled down. Rei put his head back down on the pillow eyes half closed. Kai picked up the book, eyes skimming over the pages. The only sound in the tent was the sound of their breathing, Kai's deep and even, Rei's slightly labored with pain. There was the sound of boots crunching on the snow and a cold draft blew into the tent. Rei shivered slightly and Kai pulled the silk blanket up, carefully tucking it in for warmth. He set the book aside and got to his feet. "Where are you going?" Both Kai and Tala looked down at the bed-ridden shifter. "I had the Shaman perform Vralti the time of the trial is at hand. I will return after."
Kai and Tala left, leaving Rei alone in the tent, tears slowly moving down his tan cheeks. Not for himself but for his mate. If the Vralti proved wrong, Kai could be killed or stripped of his powers and be forced from the tribe.
A/N: Some of you asked what was wrong with Kai. There was nothing wrong with him. It was Driger's way of getting Kai out of the tent. Guardians usually don't show themselves to anyone but their partners and their partner's mates. Wolborg may be the exception to that. He shows up all the time. Hope you all enjoyed the chapter.
Until next time.