Note: As I type this chapter, I've noticed it could be interpreted as yaoi. There won't be any pairings of any sort in this story, yaoi or otherwise, just to let you know.
The Weretiger's Path
Part Four: Reunion
Rei sat down in the ruins of his house, resting. He was angry at himself, partially for being so reckless, but mostly because the battle he'd fought not long ago had gone so poorly. He wasn't strong enough back when Balio and Sunder attacked years ago, and even after all the training he'd done, he still wasn't strong enough to fight a couple of travelers on the road. He'd been wasting his time from the moment he'd decided to go for revenge.
He frowned at the dusty floorboards, trying to decide what to do next. He considered his options.
He could settle down, rebuild the house, and live an honest life. Give up vengeance, fighting, just live quietly in the woods.
That idea made him laugh. Rei had tried living honestly. That's what got him into this mess. He had tried to be a good person, along with Teepo and Ryu, and they died because of it. And Rei just wasn't good at the quiet life.
The other option he saw was to keep going on the path he was on. Even if he failed at getting revenge, at least he'd die trying.
His mind made up, Rei was about to prepare to leave, when he heard footsteps coming towards the house. Someone had followed him? Those travelers had come to finish him off, maybe?
Rei listened as the footsteps came closer. Whoever it was, he didn't sound very large, so it probably wasn't the gargoyle. But the other person, the smaller one- he was just as dangerous as the larger one.
Rei tried to remember the face of the smaller traveler, but he never could remember much from whenever he turned into a weretiger.
His mind raced, trying to think of what to do, until the footsteps finally came to the dilapidated doorway. Rei did nothing. All he could see of the person was a silhouette.
The person paused in the doorway, then cautiously started towards Rei. The person wasn't menacing or threatening, so Rei just stood there, unsure of what to do and who it was.
But, as the person came closer, his face became more recognizable. Rei wondered briefly if it was a ghost coming to visit, but he'd faced ghosts before, and this didn't seem to be one., which could only mean...
"Rei?" the person asked.
"Ryu?" Rei asked back.
Ryu nodded slowly. "I've been looking for you."
"You knew I was alive? The entire time?"
Ryu nodded again. He was a lot taller and more grown-up, but he seemed to be the same solemn person.
"What about Teepo? Have you found him?"
"No."
So, not only was Ryu alive, but he'd been looking for Rei and Teepo all through the years Rei had been preparing for revenge.
"Huh." Rei laughed a little. "You've been looking for me all this time, and all I've done is try to avenge you and Teepo." He suddenly felt very guilty. He had just accepted that Ryu and Teepo were dead, but Ryu hadn't given up.
What did this do to Rei's plans? Did this mean that the years of training for revenge really were wasted?
No. Ryu being alive didn't change the fact that Teepo was still gone, and the syndicate that put them through all this was still active. Balio and Sunder were still alive. Loki was still around to spread lies. McNeil was under investigation, but even if they did catch him, he'd just be put in jail. A person like him didn't deserve a fate so kind.
And if he didn't hurry, that princess might get to McNeil before him. Ryu could wait.
"I have to go," Rei said darkly, just before he swiftly exited, leaving Ryu behind.
