As always, a big thank you to those of you who reviewed. .
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Rei's head was bent low, a small smile gracing his full, soft lips and his eyes were closed. Locks of thick, shiny, and soft raven hair tumbled down from the clip, their tips brushing against the back of his neck and his bangs falling into his eyes and some stray wisps curling about his face. His nimble fingers glided effortlessly over the keys, playing a mellow yet happy tune as his thoughts still drifted through his encounter with the cold, beautiful boy.
"REI! THERE YOU ARE!" Lee's frantic, relieved voice broke into Rei's solitary world, causing both his hands to come down hard upon the keys. The notes ground together horribly and made Lee flinch. Rei heaved a loud sigh and used twisted to look at his older cousin, who was tired and sweaty from his Taekwondo class, his once pristine uniform sweat drenched and disheveled, and pushing Rei's wheelchair.
Lee rushed over to Rei's side, his dark eyes, which were more brown than gold, raking over Rei's lithe form as if checking for any injuries. "What in God's name were you thinking, taking off like that?! I should tell Nai- Nai-"
Rei's golden eyes flashed angrily, the softness leaving him at once. "I'm not some little child that needs looking after! I'm fourteen!" He hissed, glaring at Lee.
Lee glared right back. His temper was quick and he often shot his mouth off without thinking, while his younger cousin was slower to anger, and nowhere near as hot headed and arrogant. "You're a cripple!"
Rei's glare intensified. He let out a soft growl and brought his hand sharply and swiftly across Lee's cheek. Two pairs of eyes widened in shock, one of Lee's large hands coming up and massaging his stinging cheek, amazed at the strength in that deceptively delicate body. Both stared at Rei's fine hand, which also stung from the force of the blow. They hung in suspended silence for an eternity until Rei spoke, his voice much lower and calm than before. "Lee...I'm not some piece of glass or porcelain doll; I'm not going to break. You need to back off; I'm suffocating."
Lee snorted in disbelief and snagged Rei's wrist, causing the smaller boy to flinch and emit a soft whimper. "Rei, you are not what you once were, you-" But Rei turned his head away, tugging futilely against Lee's strong grip.
The sixteen year old let out a soft, agitated growl. "Fine then. I'm calling Nai-Nai to come pick us up." Lee stood up and stalked out of the room and into the hall. He leaned against the wall, banging his head off of it purposefully. He didn't get out his cell phone; he just stared vacantly at the opposite wall. He'd left the room before he'd really lost his temper and said some very awful things to Rei. Why couldn't his cousin see that he needed to be protected?
Rei was staring angrily down at his feet, his tiger plushy clutched tightly in his arms. Why did Lee have to be so blind? Just because his lower legs didn't work didn't mean the rest of him was helpless! He was strong; he didn't need anyone! He could do things on his own! He'd show them; he'd show his cousin and his grandmother that he wasn't a fragile piece of glass. Breathing heavily, Rei glared at the doorway, where he knew Lee was lurking. He'd show him. Rei Kon was not weak!
55555
Kai scowled as he emerged from the room and saw his irritated grandfather standing at the end of the hallway. The blue haired boy tugged on the sleeve of his black hoodi as he approached.
"You were told to stay in the library. I haven't got all day to be chasing after some snot-nosed brat. We're leaving, now."
"Yeah, wouldn't want you missing your afternoon nap. What a tragedy that'd be." Kai glared, clenching his teeth and balling his hands before shoving his fists into the pocket on the front of his hoodi.
Voltaire's eyes narrowed and his thin lips pursed; his gloved hand tightened on his gold accented walking stick, as though he wanted nothing more than to take a swing at his grandson.
Kai's black eye-liner rimmed crimson eyes widened at bit, warily watching the cane. Voltaire smiled and raised the stick a few inches off the ground; his grandson took a step back, but the old man merely placed it down ahead of him and began walking. Kai backed into the wide hall, staying out of striking distance while allowing his grandfather to pass. He would not walk ahead of Voltaire, would never turn his back to him. Voltaire may never strike in public, but home was a different story.
Kai, angry at himself for being afraid of the old man, followed his grandfather through the library and out into the cool autumn air and parking lot, where a valet was already holding open a door to their chauffeured Lincoln town car.
55555
"Rei, sweetie, you shouldn't have taken off on Lee like that. He was worried sick about you." Nai-Nai chided gently from her end of the elegant table after daintily swallowing a bite of salmon filet. The housekeeper had outdone himself on dinner tonight.
Rei frowned, glaring at his barely touched meal. Why did they always have to talk down to him, as if he was mentally impaired as well?
"Rei-Rei? You need that cut up?" Lee reached over, mistaking his younger cousin's frustration. He picked up Rei's knife and fork, about to cut his fish.
"Damn it, Lee, why don't you just put a bib on me and give me a bottle!" Rei snapped, his golden eyes shooting sparks. He was not some mentally retarded, helpless cripple. He could do things on his own! He was strong; he didn't need anyone. He just....had some problems with his lower legs, that was all. The rest of him was perfectly normal, thank you very much!
Lee's eyes widened in shock, but before he could reply, Nai-Nai spoke up, her quiet voice firmer this time. "Young man, we most certainly do not use that kind of language in this household! Now, control those temper tantrums unless you want to be eating soap!"
Rei grit his teeth, his hands clenching Driger, who was held in his lap. He ruthlessly wrung the toy's fur to keep himself from screaming in frustration. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply; he could hear the scrape of metal on porcelain as Lee cut up his fish, and felt the urge to smash the fine, imported China -food and all- upon the floor. Or better yet, over Lee's dense head.
He looked down sourly at the bite size pieces on his plate, angry tears welling in his eyes. He furiously wiped them away, but more took their place, threatening to spill. He lowered his head, hoping his fluffy raven bangs would hide his eyes. He didn't want to see the looks on their faces- frustration on Lee's, and disdain on Nai-Nai's. He should feel sorry for disrupting the meal, for not being the quiet, polite and reserved young man Nai-Nai had raised him to be. But he wasn't- he was burning with rage.
Lee's face was impassive, but his mouth was in a thin line and a muscle in his cheek occasionally twitched. He longed to throw words back at Rei, tell him that if he was tired of being treated like a baby, then to stop acting like one! However, at the dinner table and in the presence of Nai- Nai was not the time, so he glowered at his cousin and bit back his diatribe.
Nai-Nai watched her grandsons. Lee was silent and perfectly restrained, though full of tension, as if he longed to have a go at Rei. And Rei...she didn't know what was wrong with him anymore; it was as if she didn't know him. Her sweet little dancer was gone- he'd never dance in any of the fine schools or stages in Vienna or Paris. Her dream was gone, stolen by that- that scoundrel she'd been forced to call son-in-law. He'd broken her little doll-Rei could no longer dance- and she no longer knew him anymore. She'd never really known her youngest grandson at all.
Lee broke the heavy silence by taking Rei's fork and viciously stabbing a moist piece of salmon, which dripped butter, and insistently shoving it near Rei's mouth, almost under his nose. The younger boy retaliated by jerking his head away, tears glittering on his wet cheek from the dim light of the dining room.
Lee's lips twisted into a snarl and he again moved the fork to Rei's mouth. Rei's golden eyes shot sparks, and he slammed the bigger boy's hand forcefully down onto the table, the fork clattering on his plate and sending some butter splattering onto the white table cloth. Before anyone could say a word, Rei pushed his wheelchair from the table and wheeled himself out of the room, tears falling faster down his face.
55555
Kai was naked from the waist up and kneeling on a square of plush carpet by the cold edge of the hot tub. He didn't have a regular bath tub in his large bathroom- he only had a very large shower/ sauna and the jacuzzi. The fifteen year old still wore the wide leg black jeans with chains on them from earlier in the day. The blood stained, gauze wrappings around his wrists lay discarded by his knees. His boots, socks, under shirt and hoodi laying scattered about the vast room where he'd angrily thrown them after another row with Voltaire.
Voltaire-that son of a ing ch. Kai grit his teeth and swiftly, ruthlessly slashed a deep, long line on the inside of his mutilated forearm. This new cut was a little deeper than he'd been making lately, but his grandfather had managed to push him over the edge yet again, making him go insane with white hot fury.
Kai blindly, furiously cut a few more times, the sharp razor blade tearing through fresh skin, scar tissue, partially healed scabs, and clotted blood that was hardening into scabs. he criss crossed old and new cuts, not seeing what he was opening. Who cared? All that mattered was getting out the intense pain and anger bouncing inside his head and heart, consuming him. Let it out- turn it physical and let it out. Let the physical pain numb it, let the blood wash it away. Just get out of his head and heart, leave him alone.
Kai's arm was burning with pain, the entire area slashed open. Blood poured from the numerous cuts and steadily dripped down into the jacuzzi. He was panting heavily, each breath ragged, when the bloody blade slipped from his suddenly lax fingers. He gave a small smile as the pain burned, taking away the turmoil of emotions rolling around inside him. The pain in his arm numbed it all, gave him something to think about and made it all go away.
The Hiwatari heir's body slumped more against the tiled side, which was cold to his bare skin. His eyes were half closed and he was smiling as he stared at his mutilated arm, which hung limply and continued to bleed. The pain freed him from his own head, and he felt nothing but the sweet, empty bliss of relief.
tbc....
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Rei's head was bent low, a small smile gracing his full, soft lips and his eyes were closed. Locks of thick, shiny, and soft raven hair tumbled down from the clip, their tips brushing against the back of his neck and his bangs falling into his eyes and some stray wisps curling about his face. His nimble fingers glided effortlessly over the keys, playing a mellow yet happy tune as his thoughts still drifted through his encounter with the cold, beautiful boy.
"REI! THERE YOU ARE!" Lee's frantic, relieved voice broke into Rei's solitary world, causing both his hands to come down hard upon the keys. The notes ground together horribly and made Lee flinch. Rei heaved a loud sigh and used twisted to look at his older cousin, who was tired and sweaty from his Taekwondo class, his once pristine uniform sweat drenched and disheveled, and pushing Rei's wheelchair.
Lee rushed over to Rei's side, his dark eyes, which were more brown than gold, raking over Rei's lithe form as if checking for any injuries. "What in God's name were you thinking, taking off like that?! I should tell Nai- Nai-"
Rei's golden eyes flashed angrily, the softness leaving him at once. "I'm not some little child that needs looking after! I'm fourteen!" He hissed, glaring at Lee.
Lee glared right back. His temper was quick and he often shot his mouth off without thinking, while his younger cousin was slower to anger, and nowhere near as hot headed and arrogant. "You're a cripple!"
Rei's glare intensified. He let out a soft growl and brought his hand sharply and swiftly across Lee's cheek. Two pairs of eyes widened in shock, one of Lee's large hands coming up and massaging his stinging cheek, amazed at the strength in that deceptively delicate body. Both stared at Rei's fine hand, which also stung from the force of the blow. They hung in suspended silence for an eternity until Rei spoke, his voice much lower and calm than before. "Lee...I'm not some piece of glass or porcelain doll; I'm not going to break. You need to back off; I'm suffocating."
Lee snorted in disbelief and snagged Rei's wrist, causing the smaller boy to flinch and emit a soft whimper. "Rei, you are not what you once were, you-" But Rei turned his head away, tugging futilely against Lee's strong grip.
The sixteen year old let out a soft, agitated growl. "Fine then. I'm calling Nai-Nai to come pick us up." Lee stood up and stalked out of the room and into the hall. He leaned against the wall, banging his head off of it purposefully. He didn't get out his cell phone; he just stared vacantly at the opposite wall. He'd left the room before he'd really lost his temper and said some very awful things to Rei. Why couldn't his cousin see that he needed to be protected?
Rei was staring angrily down at his feet, his tiger plushy clutched tightly in his arms. Why did Lee have to be so blind? Just because his lower legs didn't work didn't mean the rest of him was helpless! He was strong; he didn't need anyone! He could do things on his own! He'd show them; he'd show his cousin and his grandmother that he wasn't a fragile piece of glass. Breathing heavily, Rei glared at the doorway, where he knew Lee was lurking. He'd show him. Rei Kon was not weak!
55555
Kai scowled as he emerged from the room and saw his irritated grandfather standing at the end of the hallway. The blue haired boy tugged on the sleeve of his black hoodi as he approached.
"You were told to stay in the library. I haven't got all day to be chasing after some snot-nosed brat. We're leaving, now."
"Yeah, wouldn't want you missing your afternoon nap. What a tragedy that'd be." Kai glared, clenching his teeth and balling his hands before shoving his fists into the pocket on the front of his hoodi.
Voltaire's eyes narrowed and his thin lips pursed; his gloved hand tightened on his gold accented walking stick, as though he wanted nothing more than to take a swing at his grandson.
Kai's black eye-liner rimmed crimson eyes widened at bit, warily watching the cane. Voltaire smiled and raised the stick a few inches off the ground; his grandson took a step back, but the old man merely placed it down ahead of him and began walking. Kai backed into the wide hall, staying out of striking distance while allowing his grandfather to pass. He would not walk ahead of Voltaire, would never turn his back to him. Voltaire may never strike in public, but home was a different story.
Kai, angry at himself for being afraid of the old man, followed his grandfather through the library and out into the cool autumn air and parking lot, where a valet was already holding open a door to their chauffeured Lincoln town car.
55555
"Rei, sweetie, you shouldn't have taken off on Lee like that. He was worried sick about you." Nai-Nai chided gently from her end of the elegant table after daintily swallowing a bite of salmon filet. The housekeeper had outdone himself on dinner tonight.
Rei frowned, glaring at his barely touched meal. Why did they always have to talk down to him, as if he was mentally impaired as well?
"Rei-Rei? You need that cut up?" Lee reached over, mistaking his younger cousin's frustration. He picked up Rei's knife and fork, about to cut his fish.
"Damn it, Lee, why don't you just put a bib on me and give me a bottle!" Rei snapped, his golden eyes shooting sparks. He was not some mentally retarded, helpless cripple. He could do things on his own! He was strong; he didn't need anyone. He just....had some problems with his lower legs, that was all. The rest of him was perfectly normal, thank you very much!
Lee's eyes widened in shock, but before he could reply, Nai-Nai spoke up, her quiet voice firmer this time. "Young man, we most certainly do not use that kind of language in this household! Now, control those temper tantrums unless you want to be eating soap!"
Rei grit his teeth, his hands clenching Driger, who was held in his lap. He ruthlessly wrung the toy's fur to keep himself from screaming in frustration. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply; he could hear the scrape of metal on porcelain as Lee cut up his fish, and felt the urge to smash the fine, imported China -food and all- upon the floor. Or better yet, over Lee's dense head.
He looked down sourly at the bite size pieces on his plate, angry tears welling in his eyes. He furiously wiped them away, but more took their place, threatening to spill. He lowered his head, hoping his fluffy raven bangs would hide his eyes. He didn't want to see the looks on their faces- frustration on Lee's, and disdain on Nai-Nai's. He should feel sorry for disrupting the meal, for not being the quiet, polite and reserved young man Nai-Nai had raised him to be. But he wasn't- he was burning with rage.
Lee's face was impassive, but his mouth was in a thin line and a muscle in his cheek occasionally twitched. He longed to throw words back at Rei, tell him that if he was tired of being treated like a baby, then to stop acting like one! However, at the dinner table and in the presence of Nai- Nai was not the time, so he glowered at his cousin and bit back his diatribe.
Nai-Nai watched her grandsons. Lee was silent and perfectly restrained, though full of tension, as if he longed to have a go at Rei. And Rei...she didn't know what was wrong with him anymore; it was as if she didn't know him. Her sweet little dancer was gone- he'd never dance in any of the fine schools or stages in Vienna or Paris. Her dream was gone, stolen by that- that scoundrel she'd been forced to call son-in-law. He'd broken her little doll-Rei could no longer dance- and she no longer knew him anymore. She'd never really known her youngest grandson at all.
Lee broke the heavy silence by taking Rei's fork and viciously stabbing a moist piece of salmon, which dripped butter, and insistently shoving it near Rei's mouth, almost under his nose. The younger boy retaliated by jerking his head away, tears glittering on his wet cheek from the dim light of the dining room.
Lee's lips twisted into a snarl and he again moved the fork to Rei's mouth. Rei's golden eyes shot sparks, and he slammed the bigger boy's hand forcefully down onto the table, the fork clattering on his plate and sending some butter splattering onto the white table cloth. Before anyone could say a word, Rei pushed his wheelchair from the table and wheeled himself out of the room, tears falling faster down his face.
55555
Kai was naked from the waist up and kneeling on a square of plush carpet by the cold edge of the hot tub. He didn't have a regular bath tub in his large bathroom- he only had a very large shower/ sauna and the jacuzzi. The fifteen year old still wore the wide leg black jeans with chains on them from earlier in the day. The blood stained, gauze wrappings around his wrists lay discarded by his knees. His boots, socks, under shirt and hoodi laying scattered about the vast room where he'd angrily thrown them after another row with Voltaire.
Voltaire-that son of a ing ch. Kai grit his teeth and swiftly, ruthlessly slashed a deep, long line on the inside of his mutilated forearm. This new cut was a little deeper than he'd been making lately, but his grandfather had managed to push him over the edge yet again, making him go insane with white hot fury.
Kai blindly, furiously cut a few more times, the sharp razor blade tearing through fresh skin, scar tissue, partially healed scabs, and clotted blood that was hardening into scabs. he criss crossed old and new cuts, not seeing what he was opening. Who cared? All that mattered was getting out the intense pain and anger bouncing inside his head and heart, consuming him. Let it out- turn it physical and let it out. Let the physical pain numb it, let the blood wash it away. Just get out of his head and heart, leave him alone.
Kai's arm was burning with pain, the entire area slashed open. Blood poured from the numerous cuts and steadily dripped down into the jacuzzi. He was panting heavily, each breath ragged, when the bloody blade slipped from his suddenly lax fingers. He gave a small smile as the pain burned, taking away the turmoil of emotions rolling around inside him. The pain in his arm numbed it all, gave him something to think about and made it all go away.
The Hiwatari heir's body slumped more against the tiled side, which was cold to his bare skin. His eyes were half closed and he was smiling as he stared at his mutilated arm, which hung limply and continued to bleed. The pain freed him from his own head, and he felt nothing but the sweet, empty bliss of relief.
tbc....