Disclaimer: I don't own it
A/N: I'm sorry this took so long. School. Well, I hope you all enjoy this chapter!
The guard pushed the door to the tent open before shoving Farrah in. She fell to her knees; hands still bound behind her back. She hesitantly raised her head, hoping to find some support from someone in the tribe. Wherever she looked she was meet by eyes filled with hatred and disgust. The guard roughly pulled her to feet, strong fingers digging into her arm.
Kai was at the front of the tent; his normally blue triangles replaced with black ones that made him look even paler then before. He was dressed in black and the handle of a dagger could be seen, resting on his left hip. His mahogany eyes burned with hate and anger. Tala stood behind him and to his left, his blue eyes equally angry. Farrah was pushed to her knees again. This time she kept her head down, fearing that Kai would shift and rip her throat out. There was a great in drawing of breath as Kai stepped forward, mahogany orbs scouring the assembled shifters. "You are all here to witness the trial of this outsider. She attacked Rei Hiwatari, with full intentions to kill him. I have had Vralti performed and learned that she is only the forerunner of doom that will befall our tribe."
A wave of murmurs swept through the crowd, quieting down as their leader raised one arm. "You are all here to witness the Vralti. You all have the right to know that this tribe is going to war and there is nothing that we can do. This is the only way that I can prepare you at this moment." The tribe was silent trying to assimilate the information their young leader had gave them. The tribe Shaman stepped forward, a small glass bottle held in his hand.
The tent quieted down as people stopped their whisperings and turned their eyes to the Shaman. He pulled the top form the bottle, chanting under his breath as smoke coalesced into a small image of Farrah that hung in the air in the center of the tent. The real Farrah whimpered slightly, knowing that her fate was sealed. The image started talking and the real Farrah curled up on the floor of the tent, trying to make herself as small as possible.
"My Master is a mage of great power. To this day he has twisted seventeen tribes of magical beasts. His great army has wiped out fifty cities and villages. And soon you will join his ranks. In his eyes the inhuman are worthy of being nothing more then slaves and the humans whom posses no magic are not worth populating the planet. My Master is coming for you all. He will warp you until you are nothing but unfeeling, unthinking beasts, good for anything but slaughter. You will lose all free will and there is nothing you can do about it. He is unstoppable."
Her voice and image faded away, leaving the tent in a silence so deep that even the sounds of breathing sounded almost sacrilegious. Kai was the first to break the silence. "Farrah, you are sentenced to death for the attempted murder of Rei Hiwatari and for plotting against the Drista Tribe. You will be taken high into the mountains and left at the mercy of the elements, which have none. The girl looked up for the first time since she entered the tent. Her brown eyes were huge with terror and shock and small tremors raced through her body. "Varie." The shifter stepped forward and bowed, her brown-grey hair pinned into tight coils. "I want you to take the outsider to Carosia Valley. You are to leave her there with nothing but the clothes on her back. Come back as soon as you do." He turned his attention to the rest of his tribe. "The rest of you return to your tents. You are dismissed."
The shifters filed from the tent, many of them glancing down at Farrah with hate filled eyes. When everyone was out the only people who remained were, Kai, Tala, Varie and Farrah. Varie pulled Farrah to her feet easily, as if the younger woman weighed no more then a feather. She bowed to Kai again, her grey eyes sad. "Please give Rei my wishes that he gets better." Kai nodded and watched as Varie left the tent, Farrah meekly following behind. The two other shifters listened as the sound of leathery wings disappeared into the distance. Kai pulled up the hood of his cloak and wrapped the fabric about his slim body. "I'm going back to my tent. I'll see you in the morning."
As soon as Kai left the tent Tala sank to the floor of the tent, watching as white-blue smoke appeared next to him. Wolborg lay his massive head on his partner's leg, cold nose nudging at the pale hand. Tala smiled slightly, fingers scratching the wolf's thick ruff. "What do you think of the situation Wolborg?" The wolf sighed and allowed his blue eyes to slide shut under his partner's scratching. His voice was low and held slight hints of pack song. "Dranzer and I have been watching the mage's army since he started his campaign north. No one tribe can stand against his might. But if you band together, then you may survive. Now, get to bed before you fall asleep. I'm not dragging you back to the tent." Tala got to his feet and made his way to his tent with his guardian at his side.
*****
Kai slipped into the tent and repinned the door. He tossed his cloak on the chest, followed by his shirt. He cleaned the black paint of his face and stripped his boots off, dropping them by the chest. After stirring the braziers he climbed into the bed with Rei, careful not to jolt the sleeping teen. Pale fingers brushed over the tan cheek and he noticed a slightly sticky feeling to his fingers. He puzzled over it for several seconds before he finally hit upon it. Rei had been crying. He placed a soft kiss on the teen's lips, murmuring a soft "I'm sorry" before drifting off to sleep himself.
*****
The Shaman unwrapped the last of the bandages from Rei's back to reveal the wound. A pink scar had replaced the stab wound, the pink standing out against the surrounding skin. The old man's fingers pushed around the edge of the scar. "Does it hurt?" Rei shook his head, fingers idly combing through his hair. "It feels fine." Kai entered the tent and watched as the Shaman checked over his mate's wound. "How do you feel?" Rei looked up and smiled at the older shifter. "Fine. Although I could do with a bath." Kai turned to the Shaman. "Can he fly?" The Shaman nodded slowly. "On one condition. He must rest for several days afterwards. Other then that I can't see any reason why he shouldn't be able too." The old man got to his feet, wrapping his cloak around his frail body tightly. "My Lord."
He left the tent and Kai went to his chest, digging out bag. He placed a bar of soap in the bag and three towels and some clean clothes for himself and Rei. He closed the top of the bag and slung it over one shoulder, watching as Rei put his shirt back on. "Let's go find Tala." The sun was high in the sky, warming the camp slightly. They found Tala sitting on the small rise outside of the camp, blue eyes looking to the south.
"You're in charge for the next couple of days Tala." The redhead just nodded, not once looking at his friend. Kai started shifting, his pale skin turning blood red. Rei also started shifting, black bars appearing on exposed skin. Seconds later a phoenix and a prairie eagle stood on the snow. Tala watched as the two birds took to the sky, the red bird carrying a bag, the slightly smaller grey bird following.
*****
Kai landed in front of the entrance to a cave and shifted back, watching as Rei settled down next to him, rapidly changing from bird to his natural form. He winced slightly as he stretched his left arm, unused muscles stiff. "Are you okay?" Rei nodded, one hand rubbing his shoulder. "Fine. Just a little stiff." Kai moved into the cave, the warm air raising goosebumbs on his chilled skin.
A large hot spring was in the middle of the cave, steam rising in wisps over the water. A small rivulet of cold water trickled into the pool, cooling the water to a bearable temperature. Shelves were carved into the cave wall and a door in the stone led to a second room, where Rei could barely see a bed piled high with furs and blankets. Kai dug the soap out of his bag and placed it next to the rim on the spring before stripping his shirt off. He folded it and placed it on one of the shelves. He laid the towels by the spring, close enough to reach but far enough away that they wouldn't get wet.
He heard a splash and turned to find Rei already in the spring, ebony strands glistening with water. Golden eyes were closed and a small sigh of satisfaction slipped from the neko-jin's parted lips. Kai smiled and finished stripping before slipping into the pool. The water was just the right temperature, driving away the chill that seemed to settle in the bones after weeks of snow and chill winds. The sound of bubbling water and of their breathing was the only sound in the cave. Kai noticed that Rei was about to fall asleep. "Come over here." Rei cracked one golden eye open and moved over by his mate, slightly wary. "I'm not going to bite. Now turn around." The younger shifter turned his back to his mate, fingers idly playing with several strands of his hair.
Kai grabbed the soap and wet it, slowly rubbing the bar against the other shifters back in slow, soothing circles. Rei slowly relaxed, leaning back into the caress. Kai moved one hand around to his mate's stomach, thumb stroking the soft skin. Rei shuddered slightly, body unconsciously arching into the touch. Kai smiled slightly, placing a feather light kiss on the tip of Rei's pointed ear. He started trailing light kisses down the younger shifter's neck, canines slowly growing. He lightly raked his new fangs over the spot where Rei's neck and shoulder met. He licked at the tan skin, reveling in the small whimpers of pleasure coming from his mate.
With a quick movement he bit down on the tan skin, fangs puncturing the skin easily. Rei whimpered slightly at the sharp pain, his body slowly going limp in response. Kai licked at the wound, gathering the last drops of the neko-jin's blood. He carefully tipped some of the warm water over the wound, watching as the clear liquid washed over the marks.
The slate haired shifter got to his feet, carefully cradling the smaller teen to his chest. The neko-jin's eyes were hooded, brilliant golden color barely visible. Kai wrapped Rei in one of the towels, trying to avoid bumping the open wound on the tan body. With all luck the wound would be closed with in the next three days, a scar the only reminder. Kai carefully laid Rei on the bed, pulling the furs up to cover the lithe body. He quickly dried off and dressed before climbing in bed with his mate.
He drew the warm, towel wrapped body closer and closed his eyes, the stress of leading a tribe on top of the two shifts and flight lulling him to sleep.
*****
Rei stretched and winced as a dull pain shot through his neck. He raised one hand to scratch an itch on his neck, only to find fingers closing over his wrist. Blinking owlishly, the first thing that he saw was a pair of mahogany eyes, unshielded for once. The neko-jin smiled slightly and brushed his free hand over the triangle free cheek of his mate. "Morning." Kai smiled slightly. "Morning. Hold still." Rei nearly jumped out of his skin when Kai put something cold on his neck. The slate haired shifter pressed down on it slightly, one hand resting on his mate's stomach. "What was that for?" Kai dipped the piece of bandage back in the water and rung it out. "I'm trying to finish healing the mark."
Rei closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of Kai's warm fingers on his skin. The caves were quiet, the only sounds the bubbling of water and of their breathing. "Roll over." The neko-jin obliged and rolled onto his stomach, his towel sliding down, revealing more skin. Kai took a deep breath, tearing his eyes away from the broad expanse of skin. He carefully prodded the muscle around the younger teen's wound, searching for any signs of swelling. ""How does it feel?" Rei burrowed his head further into the pillow, his answer barely audible. "Fine."
Kai lay back down next to his mate, fingers trailing up and down the younger shifter's spine. A shiver rippled through the neko-jin's lithe body. Kai continued his ministrations, gently trailing his fingertips over his mate's back. He stopped when he felt a faint rumbling. It took him a minute to realize that Rei was purring. With a slight smile he continued caressing the tan skin, fingers moving slowly down to brush over the neko-jin's side.
As soon as Rei felt Kai's fingers brush over his side he jumped, sleep hazed eyes looking at him accusingly. "Don't do that!" Mahogany eye lit up and Kai smiled something that surprised Rei greatly. "What's wrong Rei, ticklish?" The younger shifter moved away from his mate slightly, golden eyes focused on the pale hands that were inching steadily closer. "A little bit." He caught the pale fingers and squeezed. "Don't."
Kai smirked and quickly flipped his mate on to his back, pinning the younger teen's arms above his head with one hand while the other trailed down the neko-jin's stomach, fingers grazing the top of the towel that was riding dangerously low on Rei's hips. Rei swallowed a moan, painfully aware of the hot fingers that caressed his skin in such a sensual manner and his eyes slid shut of their own accord. Kai slipped his fingers under the edge of the towel, brushing the skin with a light, ghostly touch. A small whimper escaped from his mate's throat and the neko-jin's eyes opened, golden depths burning with desire. When he spoke his voice sounded like velvet. "So, what are we doing today?"
Kai leaned down, forehead resting against his mate's, single hand moving. "Staying in-" He was cut of as one of Rei's now free hands slipped into his pants.
*****
Tala watched as the phoenix and prairie eagle landed and shifted, leaving behind the Head of the Tribe and his mate. He noticed that Rei was more at ease around Kai and he quickly spotted the reason. Barely concealed by Rei's shirt was a scar, the signs of fang marks evident. It also seemed that Kai was more relaxed. "Tala." The redheaded shifter pulled out of his thoughts and fell into step with Kai and Rei.
"Well, Farrah is dead. I went up there to check. It looks like a basilisk got her. There were teeth marks all over her body and a huge chunk of her torso was gone." The slate haired shifter just nodded, mahogany eyes focused on the horizon. Slowly a black spot appeared, growing steadily larger and headed straight at them.
Within minutes, a small dun colored hawk landed in front of them, nearly stumbling forward in exhaustion. The three shifters watched as the hawk shifted to reveal a small, old man. Rei dropped to his knees next to the old man, catching him as he fell. "Wendell! What are you doing here?" Cloudy eyes looked up at the neko-jin and the man smiled. "Lord Rei, thank Rahee that I found you. Your-" The sentence was cut off as the old shifter started coughing, his frail body shaking.
The raven-haired shifter patiently waited for the old man to quiet. "What?" The man got to his knees and bowed, forehead against the ground. "Your father died this morning. You are now Head of The White Tiger Tribe." Golden eyes widened in shock. Kai gestured to the old man. "Tala, take him somewhere and make sure he gets some food." The redhead nodded and with some work managed to get the old man to follow him.
Kai crouched down in front of his mate, fingers gently brushing the tan skin. "Rei, love, come on. You need to get to the tent." The neko-jin threw himself at his mate, fingers curling into the dark blue hair at the nape of Kai's neck, hot tears dropping onto the pale skin. The older shifter slowly got to his feet, carefully cradling the shaking body.
A/N2: About the marking. Only the dominant mate marks. The human part of Kai's mind knows that Rei is his mate. It's the animal part of a shifter's mind that marks mates.
Until next time