Well here it is Chapter 6 I worked on it all today and yesterday yay for me. Hopefully I'll be able to post sometime next week.
Warnings: YAOI don't like then buzz off. If you flame me the flame will go into my box box of burning desires to join DCI (drum corp international)
Disclaimer: Aoki Takao owns it I don't. I only own the oc's which no one is to use without asking.
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Chapter 6 Certainties and Uncertainties
Rei sighed as he looked over attack and defensive plans in his office. He had been feeling really bad for a couple of weeks now and had been dismissing it as just fatigue. Lee looked worriedly at him from where he was sitting in front of him pointing out a good defense strategy.
"Rei are you okay? You know we can always continue this tomorrow" Lee explained as he set down the pointer he had been using. "No we need to get this over with before another wave of attacks hit" Rei said with determination. "Okay if you say so but you know we can always stop" he said and they both went back to looking over the maps scattered across the desk.
"Well that's all for today Rei will continue this tomorrow" Lee said standing and stretching. Rei looked up surprised "But..." "But nothing Rei you need rest I can see it in your eyes. So get some sleep don't worry me and some of the overlords will make plans and strategies and fill you in tomorrow" Lee stopped him as gathered up all the maps and documents and strategy books and set them back on the shelves that lined the walls.
Rei sighed heavily "Fine I guess I can use with some food right about now too" he said sheepishly as his stomach growled. Lee laughed and pulled Rei up from his chair. "Okay my emperor I think it is time for a snack and nap" he said lightly as they headed out of the office and walked through corridors that had more guards then their had ever been inside the palace.
"I still can't believe Russia dared to send a force to take out some of our force" Tyson was heard saying as he gobbled down his food. "Yeah and I thought China and Russia were on good terms" Max said from where he sat across from his boyfriend. "That's because the faces that our countries put on were fake" Rei answered as he sat down in his chair Lee sitting to his right. "I still can't believe your father never left anything about their bad dealings with the Russians" Lee said quietly as he took a sip of his drink and looking at Rei. "Neither can I Lee, but I've always felt something weird about Voltaire and Boris when they came here" Rei said and thought for a second "By the way has their estate been confiscated?" "Yes Kevin personally made sure the property was confiscated and guarded" Lee answered as he began to eat. "What about the servants or guards?" "The few servants were taken to my father's and Kevin's house to work their were no guards leaving me to believe that they took them with them" Lee said as he watched Rei pick at his food.
"That's good to hear anything else apart from the attack on the North?" Rei asked smiling as he took a bite of bread. "Nope Gary said in his last letter that everything was calm with Honk Kong the British and Americans aren't causing any trouble" Lee recalled as he took another bite of his food. Rei smiled "At least they haven't stopped trading with us" China had suffered economically since Russia pulled out of the country no longer trading or socializing with them "they were one of our big financiers they bought a lot of silk and rice from us" Rei commented remembering that a lot of the stock of rice went to Russia since it's arctic climate didn't allow for any kind of vegetation. "Don't worry Rei we're doing just fine without their financial support" Max commented as he had been listening in on the conversation. Rei turned to look at his blonde friend with a questioning eyebrow. Max sighed I guess since you've been really busy with all this stuff you never found out. Your head treasurer asked if I could join in since my skills seemed to match his. China's economy did fall a little but not enough to cause any type of stress" Max said as he took a drink of water "Look at it this way maybe now you can get the Mongol tribe up to the northwest to join us, we can sell them silk and rice and whatever else at a lower price but they more than likely will buy a lot but that's just me I still have to take that argument to Han who will maybe take it to you" Max explained finally taking a breath.
"Max is right Rei and I was asked to join you military staff by Lee himself. Tyson said as he inclined his head towards Lee. Rei blinked once then twice and without warning ran out of the dining hall to nearest washroom he could find. "Rei!" Lee quickly got up and ran after him the other two in tow.
Rei emptied his stomach of all it's contents tears coming down his cheek as he continued to vomit into the basin. "Rei are you okay?" Lee asked then looked at Rei's pale face "Of course you're not." He rubbed circles on Rei's back comfortingly until his dry heaving subsided.
"Im sorry" he apologized as he wiped his mouth and looked at them. "It's okay when you gotta go you gotta go" Tyson said with a smile on his face. "Yeah no harm done" Max added with a grin. "Now let's get you to your chambers so you can lay down. Max go find Chao he's the healer he'll more than likely be in the kitchens nicking some dry leaves or in his chambers" Lee ordered as he helped Rei stand up straight. "No Lee I'm fine I need to finish the rest of that stack of documents" Rei said his throat still burning from the bile. "No you're not fine you've been like this for that last two or three weeks. I was hoping you'd come forward or at least go see Chao but you never did and I'm not letting you kill yourself just because you have duties to do" Lee intervened dragging Rei out of the washroom.
"Kinomiya get one of the servants to clean the washroom will you and Max please do what I asked" he asked looking at the pair behind them. Tyson nodded and quickly headed towards the servant quarters where more than likely he would run into a servant. The blonde also nodded and quickly took off towards the kitchens on the way running into Xin and telling him what had happened since the man had asked. Xin quickly told Max to find Chao and that he would take care of the rest after hearing that Rei had vomited. 'I knew this would happen' he thought bitterly as he quickly made his way to Rei's chambers with two of Rei's personal servants in tow.
"Lee you don't have to do this" Rei said as he was dressed in a sleeping gown. "I don't wanna hear it Rei" he said as he dragged the neko-jin to his bed and laid him down. Just then Xin walked in and pushed the older neko-jin aside and sat beside Rei. "I'll be leaving now to take care of my duties, sir. When you find out what is wrong with him please tell me" he said and bowed and quickly left the room.
"Kitten I knew this would happen I just knew" Xin said brushing aside Rei's bangs. "It's not your fault Xin it was my mistake" Rei said quietly "I should have never slept with him in the first place but...I ... was an idiot...driven by lust" he said as pearly crystal tears cascaded down tan cheeks. "Oh kitten you could not help it you were greatly hurt at the time and only sought some sort of comfort" Xin comforted as he hugged the young man to him. He closed his eyes he hated seeing the one person he considered a son in such a state of distress. He continued to soothe him until the sobbing subsided. He looked down when he no longer heard sniffling and found the young man fast asleep in his arms. He smiled softly and placed a fatherly kiss on the top of his head and laid him down and covered him with the blankets.
Chao cam in quietly followed by max who quickly took his leave at Xin's nod to him. "So what is wrong with him?" Chao asked as he rested his hand on the neko's forehead to check his temperature. "What I have feared has come to pass" Xin answered looking at the tear streaked face of Rei's. Chao sighed as he pulled back the blankets and pulled up the gown to above his abdomen. Xin watched as Chao pushed lightly on Rei's abdomen and then laid his slightly pointed ear onto it to listen to his breathing and then moved up to listen to his heart.
Chao pulled away and looked over at Xin "He'll be fine but keep him from stressing so much. Morning sickness is common among women but amongst neko-jins especially male that's not the case if this ever happens again I'll have to force him on bed rest" Chao explained looking Xin seriously. "I must ask if it is possible for you to answer" Chao said as he sat beside Xin, who nodded knowing what the question would be "who is the sire?" Xin lowered his head and looked at Rei before answering "I'm sorry my friend unfortunately I'm not at liberty to say" he answered remorse in his voice. Chao nodded understanding that what was the emperor's business was his business and no one else's. "Well I'll have my leave now. He will need to rest for the rest of the day and give light foods like soups and stews. Tomorrow he may resume whatever he has been doing only not at such a stressful level" Chao informed as he began to gather himself. "Yes I understand" Xin nodded and followed the doctor out of the chambers, closing the doors right after he left.
Xin sighed and made his way to the sleeping neko-jin and resumed his place watching over him until he awoke. He was certain that the next days, weeks even months would be very hectic.
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"Magnificent that attack took them completely by surprise. Were their any survivors?" asked an extremely happy Boris. "Yes there were survivors they fled into the mountains where we could not follow" Tala explained pointing out the mountain region. "There also seems to be some kind of path there that leads almost directly to the Imperial City" Bryan put in as he traced a finger towards the city circled on the map.
"Hmm that may be a problem I would like it if some men went to explore that region" Boris said thoughtfully as he laid his chin in the palm of his hand. "With all due respect sir that's a bad idea as much as we are beating them now their numbers are more concentrated towards the south which will require a vast number of soldiers to take on" Tala intervened not liking that idea at all. "True but I don't plan to send so many maybe up to four people" Boris countered staring hard into Tala's ice blue eyes.
"Now where is Kai?" he asked noticing the bluenette was not present at the meeting. "He is currently taking care of training for the new recruits" Bryan answered truthfully. "Hmm why isn't the trainer training them?" he asked suspiciously, Bryan sighed "The number of recruits was too much for Spencer to handle alone so he asked one of us to help" he explained further. Boris frowned but nodded nonetheless. "I'll speak to Voltaire about this mountain pass and then we'll see meanwhile have your men continue the small attacks" Boris ordered as he gathered up the maps. Bryan and Tala nodded and saluted before taking their leave.
"I don't like that idea one bit. We know close to nothing about China and he wants us to find a pathway through the mountains?" Tala growled as he quickly made his way to the training grounds. "I agree with you but whatever Voltaire says goes" Bryan said as he followed his redheaded lover. "Sometimes I ask myself if it is worth it" Tala said quietly as he slowed "What do you mean?" "It's just sometimes I can't help but think that we're just pawns in a game. Like all Voltaire wants is to control instead of looking for better lives for our people" he whispered as he looked over the snow covered grounds. Watching as the soldiers sat around their camp fires having whispered conversations and eating. "Tala I don't get what you're trying to say" he said confused by his lover's alien words.
"Don't you see Bryan there was no need to go to war with China" Tala began to explain "There is no need for all this we could have gotten what we wanted with words and meetings not fighting and killing" Bryan blinked and stayed silent but wrapped his arms around Tala's waist laying his head on the other's shoulder. "But he turned down our offer" he argued "But don't you see Bryan we didn't offer anything in return that was of use to them just the safety of their people nothing else. We could offered something better apart from that like letting them keep their ports or even letting them keep their government and just ask to open each other's borders" Tala reasoned as he laid back into Bryan's strong arms. "I agree with him" a voice said from behind them. None of them stirred as the comment was carried in the arctic wind that was heading south.
"Sir?" the silence was broken by a teenage boy no older than sixteen his pale blue eyes dimmed. "Yes?" answered Kai who had silently moved towards the other two. "L-lord Hi-Hiwatari...Whi-whish-shes to see... you all" he stuttered his teethe chattering from the cold. Kai nodded and moved past the boy without a word. Bryan and Tala followed closely behind. Tala stopped and looked down at the boy who looked at him with fearful blue eyes.
Tala gave him a sympathetic look before he took off his coat and put it around his shoulders. "Here stay warm and here" he pulled out a pack of dried meat enough to last two days. The took the package into his hands and smiled up at Tala some of the life returning to the pale eyes. Tala smiled back pushing aside one of the boy's fine blonde locks from his face. "Go back home kid you don't belong here. You belong with your parents and family" Tala said softly almost immediately the boy's eyes dimmed again. "I have no family, I have no parents, I don't even have a home" he spoke softly eyes brimming with tears and he let out a small sob. Tala shook his head and drew the young blonde into his arms. "I'm sorry" he said into the blonde's head as he ran his hands up and down his back. The boy hugged Tala and buried his face into the his shirt.
"Tala we need to get going" Bryan said softly as he moved towards them. Tala nodded and pulled away from the blonde. "Go to my tent you know which one it is right?" he asked looking th boy in the eyes. The boy nodded and left towards Tala's tent. "Tala I don't know what happened to my other lover but you're not it" Bryan said as they walked towards Boris's tent. "Hey I can be mature when I want" Tala said as they neared the tent. "Hold it down you two" Kai said and entered the tent followed by the other two.
"Ah so good to see you got the message" Boris said with a fake smile on his face. "Just tel us what you want us to do already" Kai growled as he stood in front of the desk where Boris was sitting behind. "My, my you must learn to control your temper Kai" he tsked wagging a finger. Tala and Bryan both rolled their eyes as they stood in front of Boris. "I have spoken with lord Hiwatari and he was approved that twenty of the men should go and find this pathway through the mountains" he said as he intertwined his fingers. "Who would you like us to take?" Tala asked but there was a scuffle outside as a guard entered the tent carrying a coat in one hand and dragging something in the other.
"What is the meaning of this?" Boris yelled as he stood "Sir I saw this brat trying to steal Lieutenant Ivanov's things" he informed showing him the coat and easily lifting the boy up. "Is that so" Boris said his eyes roaming over the boy's body. Tala saw this and his eyes narrowed "He did no such thing I gave him my coat and those things he was carrying. I told him to go to my tent." Boris looked at Tala and smirked "Since when do you care for the homeless and weak Tala don't tell me you're going soft?" "Of course not sir. I had half the mind to make him my slave" he said automatically thankful the boy didn't say anything but he didn't miss the hurt that passed through his eyes. "Oh well in that case take him back to the tent and make sure he stays there" Boris said and sat back down.
The guard nodded and set down the blonde and lead him out of the tent. "Now what were you saying before we were interrupted" Boris said looking over at Tala. "I was asking who we were going sir?" "Ah quite simple the elite will be going excluding a few who will be needed to lead the armies" Boris answered. "And who are the ones that are being sent?" Bryan asked as he crossed his arms. Boris smirked "This is more of a test of loyalty than anything else" he said "What do you mean?" Kai asked his crimson eyes narrowing. "Quite simple if the team returns with the emperor's head or someone who is of great importance they will be rewarded with highest honors. If they do not come back with something than we'll see what happens" he said "And if they don't return at all?" Bryan asked his eyes narrowing as well "Sadly there will be nothing we can do" Boris sarcastic tone was enough to tell them to drop it.
"So are you going to tell us who's going or are we going to play the guessing game?" Kai asked as he folded his arms. "Patience Kai, Patience" Boris taunted "I'll show you patience Boris. With your head hanging off the highest mountain" Kai growled menacingly. "Such a spoiled sport" Boris fake pouted "but I will tell you. The three leaders of that campaign will be yourself Kai, Tala and Bryan from there you can choose whoever you want limit of four more companions" he said as he sat back down with a smug look on his face.
"Don't take me as being and insubordinate person Boris but what if there is no way over the mountains or through for that matter?" Tala said as he looked down at the map. "Well that will be your problem. Lord Voltaire has instructed that you leave before tomorrow at noon. That will be all you are dismissed" he said waving them off. All three stood up straight but did not salute and walked out heads held high.
"So what time do we leave?" Tala asked as they headed towards their tents. "Later on tonight I want to be out of here before dawn" Kai answered "Sir" they both mocked as they walked. "Who are we taking with us?" Bryan asked as he looked around the grounds at the men walking around, sharpening their swords, or making arrows. "The ones we trust the most" Kai answered, Tala and Bryan looked at each other and nodded "Spencer Vyacheslov" "Hn" "And Ian Viocklovski" Tala added with a slight smile. Bryan glared at his lover but didn't comment as much as the short young man was annoying he was very trustworthy. "Well I suggest that you get some rest. Tomorrow we have a big trip ahead of us" Kai said as he entered his tent which had a giant phoenix imprinted on the flaps. "I'll see you later I'm going to pack and hopefully get some shut eye" Bryan said as he hugged Tala and kissed him on the cheek. "Yeah you too Bryan" Tala said giving him a kiss on the lips "I love you" he breathed giving him another sound kiss on the lips. Bryan pulled away reluctantly "See ya" he whispered and walked into his tent that had a falcon imprinted on the flaps. "Night" Tala whispered and made his way towards his tent pushing aside the flaps that had an imprinted wolf on them.
The boy looked up from where he had been bundled in Tala's blankets. He quickly scrambled to get out of them. "No don't you're fine" Tala said as he entered and took of his snow covered boots. The boy stopped and looked at the red head who was moving around the tent collecting his things. "You're leaving" it wasn't a question it was a question. "Yes I'm leaving but you're coming with me. We're leaving before dawn so get some sleep" Tala explained as he packed all his clothes and left out a smaller outfit and coat for the boy. "By the way what's your name?" he asked looking over at the blonde. "The boy smiled slightly "My name is Alexandre Dimitrov" "Dimitrov?" Tala turned to look at the boy again and noticed something familiar about him. "You wouldn't be Vichel Dimitrov's brother would you?" he asked the boy nodded shyly. "Well that's something your brother was one badass too bad he couldn't escape the attack" Tala said as he finished up his packing.
"You knew my brother sir Ivanov?" Alexandre asked "Yes I knew him and please don't call me Sir Ivanov makes me feel old" he joked as he moved to sit beside him. Alexandre smiled and continued to ask questions about Tala both not noticing when they had fallen asleep.
"Tala wake up we're leaving" Bryan's voice broke through his sleep. "Alright, alright I'm going" he mumbled as he sat up and started to get dressed. "Dimitrov wake up we're leaving" he said shaking the sleeping boy beside him. "I'm going" he mumbled as he opened his pale blue eyes and rubbed the sleep from them.
"Let's go here get dressed in these" he said throwing Alexandre a pair of clothes and boots. "They might be a bit big but you'll grow into them" Tala observed as he put on the shirt over the shirt he was already wearing and proceeded to put on the pants and boots.
"You're all ready right?" Kai asked as he looked at the small group that had assembled. They all nodded as Kai took out a map. "Come on let's move I know where this thing is. Hopefully we'll be there by nightfall if we don't stop too much" he said as he looked at the others. "Alright well let's go I don't feel like seeing Boris's ugly face so early in the morning" Bryan grumbled as he walked everyone soon following.
Tala shivered a bit 'I'm still uncertain of this' he thought as he watched Alexandre carefully.
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It's a little on the short side but this was more of filler chapter. QUESTION! okay I want to see if you guys can figure out what is wrong with Rei although i think it's quite obvious. Well review please and tell what you think and where I could have done better in. See ya maybe next week.