This has also been reuploaded.

Warnings: If you haven't figured it out this is YAOI (male/male) don't like don't read

Disclaimer: Don't own it. (sniff)

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Chapter 2 The Pieces Begin to Move

Rei walked down the hall, no longer accompanied by a stream of servants or Xin. He had just turned eighteen a month or so ago. He was headed to the entrance hall when he saw a familiar blue head along with a blond one, hee smiled as he recognized them.

"Tyson! Max!" he called as he headed towards them. "Hey it's been a while hasn't it?" Tyson said smiling as he turned around to greet his friend. His eyes almost popped out of their sockets "Whoa you're hot" he blurted. Max elbowed him in the stomach "And I thought you loved me" he faked cried. "Oh come one Max, I'm just stating the facts here" Tyson defended as he held his lover closer.

Rei smiled and blushed but quickly lost his smile "You've heard haven't you?" he asked "About my father?" Max nodded "Yeah we got the notice and me and Tyson decided to pay you a visit and see what is really going on." Rei nodded "Okay come on let's go to my chambers and talk" he said as he led them to his chambers.

"So what's the scoop?" Tyson asked as they sat down on the floor making a triangle. Rei sighed as he looked out the window "I don't know a couple of months ago my father fell ill. The healer hasn't been able to figure out what's wrong with him. He is constantly watching my father for any sign of him recovering but it seems he just gets worse everyday" Rei said as je turned to look at his friends. "Well if he fell ill out of the blue than he was probably poisoned or it's just a very nasty cold" Tyson said as he took a sip of his tea.

Rei blinked "maybe but the healer says that he has no fever or any symptom that would classify it as a cold" then he frowned "But who would want to poison my father? I mean he does snap at his servants but not to the point where a servant would try to kill him." "Well he's not just saying a servant Rei, if he was poisoned than it could always be a noble trying to take over" Max put in "I've seen many countries where the ruler was murdered by his most trusted noble or colleague but of course I can't be sure."

Rei put his head in his hands and groaned "Man this is going to age me at least twenty years" and leaned back and laid on the floor. "Rei, don't break your head over this" Max said leaning over him. "Yeah Rei you'll figure it out. It's not your style to despair so don't" Tyson said looking at him. "Yeah you'll see, we, as in us, we'll figure it out" Max said "Thanks Max" "That's what friends are for" he said and kissed him lightly on the cheek. Rei smiled as he sat up. "You guys okay if I leave you alone right? I need to go check on him" Rei announced standing "yeah sure go ahead we'll wait" Tyson said as he waved at Rei as he walked out of the chamber.

Max sighed "Poor Rei we're going to help him Tyson. Remember what happened to Brooklyn when his father was murdered with poison?" "Yeah unfortunately, but good thing my bro was with him and stopped him from going nuts" Tyson said drawing Max close "Now that we're alone let's have some fun." Max tried to pull away but gave up when Tyson's lips landed on his neck nipping him lightly. "Tyson...I don't think Rei would...want to...mmm" Max trailed off as he totally gave into Tyson's teasing tongue on his ear.

"Sick bastards" a voice said as they watched the pair kiss and hands roaming each other's bodies. "Tala keep your mouth shut. We don't want them to hear us. Besides we're here make sure the old man dies and dies soon" another voice responded to the first. "Yeah okay well then let's move to the old man's window and give him another dosage of his medicine" Tala said as he jumped from the tree onto the ledge of the building followed by the other. They swiftly made their way to the emperor's window where they waited.

"My son you must be prepared to for anything" he told him. "That's not funny father and I don't appreciate it" Rei scolded as he kneeled beside the elders bed. The man chuckled at hearing the scolding "And I was not meaning for it to be amusing. On the contrary my son I think I will be joining your mother soon. You will rise to your duty and take my crown and wear it proudly like I did and those of your ancestors" Shang told him while looking at him in the eyes.

Rei blinked away the tears that had sprung in his eyes "Please father don't do this to me. I don't think I'll be able to survive. I'm not fit to be emperor. I will bring destruction to our country." "Rei, there is no need for you to worry. You are protected by the guardian of our family the white tiger, Drigger. Drigger will protect you he will make sure that you are doing what you have to" he said wiping his son's tears.

Rei laid his head on the bed, he knew it in his heart that his father wouldn't last more than a day at most. He reached for the elders hand that was still on his cheek and held it tightly. He closed his eyes when he felt the grip on his hand loosening around his. When he opened them his bright gold eyes shown with unshed tears and a fire of determination. "Don't worry father I will not let you down and I especially wont let down my own country" he said as je kissed his father's hand. When he felt a hand on his shoulder he looked up to fin Xin standing behind him with solemn expression on his face. "Come Master Rei you must prepare for announcing the death of our emperor" he said sadly. Rei nodded standing, while he walked out he looked back at his father and bowed deeply in respect and went on his way.

"Well seems the old man already gave in" the voice outside the window said as he smiled triumphantly "Nothing more to do than have out forces attack this unstable country. The new emperor will fall easily to us" "Don't underestimate him. Especially the emperor we need to see what happens before move in for the attack. Remember it is like a game of chess the pieces have started to move. All we've done is take a pawn there is still the rest of the pawns, rooks, knights, bishops, a queen and then we have our king the emperor" the other said as they made their way out of the grounds.

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