Rim: All right, I finally sat down last night to sketch out some direction for this story to take. So I would like to say that this chapter might be a little dark, but I'm getting my point across finally. Thanks to all my reviewers who have given me comments towards this story.

-oooooo-

The silence in the dining hall would have been enough to cause a man to go crazy, the tension no where near subtle as the young Japanese prince Tyson stood by the Russian prince, Kai's seat while the prince continued to eat his breakfast. As Kai had wanted, Tyson somehow found the strength to get up from where he sat on his bedroom floor crying to himself and got cleaned up. Kai had noted with approval that he arrived directly in the hall in ten minutes to serve him his breakfast. Since that time, silence settled over everything within the hall.

Prince Tyson raised his eyes from where they rested on the floor, watching the Russian prince as he sat back in his chair drinking the morning ale the maids got up extra early to fix for him. With half hidden eyes from his long dark blue bangs, Tyson observed the laid back posture the other prince exhibited as if…Tyson felt his hands clench the tray that remained in his hands. If anyone were to walk by him at that precise moment, they would see how dark his eyes had become as he thought back to earlier that morning.

When the Russian prince came in his room, trying to…Tyson didn't know what Kai had been trying to do, but the end result was a mixture of confusion and shame on Tyson's part. Kai had seemed to enjoy Tyson's reaction to his actions and overlooked Tyson's outburst without reprimanding him. Tyson could still recollect every detail of what happened vividly as if it occurred seconds ago, and the more he considered a meaning for it, the more his head became muddled. Why had Kai…why had he caused Tyson to react like that?

"Is there something on your mind little prince?" Kai's voice broke through Tyson's train of thought, the Japanese prince lifting his eyes to the other prince that was studying him with fiery auburn eyes, causing Tyson to shift his eyes from those flames which could scorch his skin by their intensity.

"There's nothing on my mind that you should be concerned with, Prince Kai," Tyson stated, clenching the tray tighter, his hands trembling ever so slightly, but the bluenette was sure if the other looked carefully with those fervent eyes, it would be an easy task for Kai to note Tyson's nervousness.

"Nothing on your mind," Kai repeated humorously. Placing his cup down on the table, he turned his full attention towards his slave. "So, that must mean that what I did to you earlier does not play on the edges of your mind? I see you try to hide the mark that you received from me too." Kai's eyes shifted to the collar of the robe resting snuggly under the brunette's chin.

A flush colored Tyson's cheeks, hearing Kai chuckle at the younger prince's reaction to his question. "I…I…I wouldn't think about something like that," Tyson retorted, keeping his eyes turned from Kai so the older man wouldn't see the tears that resided in the corners of his eyes. If he showed his weakness now, Kai would easily dominate him again, leaving the bluenette more confused than he already was.

"You say that, but how true is it, Prince Tyson," Kai said, a smirk twitching the corners of his mouth, his eyes taking in the slight tremor crawling up the Japanese prince's spine. "How do you know that deep down, you might not want me to touch you that way again? That your body aches for my touch once more? When I had you against that wall, I could see the truth in your eyes."

"What truth?" Tyson demanded, turning his eyes now to meet Kai's keen stare flickering with amusement. "What truth do you think you saw in my eyes?"

"Do you really want me to tell you little prince?" Kai stated.

"I want to know what you think you saw in my eyes," Tyson demanded.

"Since you really want to know, I will tell you," Kai said. The slow smile, which was curling the edges of his mouth, finally broke into a devious grin. "What I saw in your eyes, my dear prince was a need for me. You might have told yourself that you didn't want me, but it was obvious that you couldn't say no to me."

"It's not true! I never wanted you, nor will I ever," Tyson said.

"Don't fool yourself, Tyson are you going to try to say that I forced you to react to me?" Kai laughed. "Are you honestly going to deny that as I had you pressed against me, those moans of pleasure were wrenched from you because I forced them to come out of you? You didn't have to react, you didn't even have to come your body chose to be pleasured by my actions."

"That's a lie! I would never want something like that from you," Tyson shouted. The younger prince watched as the dual haired prince stood up from his seat, his auburn eyes darkening with indignation. Tyson backed up from the other, his eyes surveying the scene to see if the other was going to lay another hand on him.

"I lie? Is that what you're trying to tell me, Tyson?" Kai said angrily. "What reason would I have to lie to you, it's not like I really care if you believe me or not. That tongue of yours shall get you into trouble if you keep letting it lash out with such ferocity. In fact, I think I am being gracious to you, young prince."

"Gracious? You call this gracious? You and your brother led me and my brother into a spider's web. You were nice to use, you treated us with kindness, then you take away those we trusted and made us yours slaves. We have no say in what we want anymore, and you disregard us as human beings with capable thought. How is that being gracious to us?" Tyson asked bitterly.

"There it is again, your sharp tongue which hopes to slice me with words," Kai smirked. "Dear prince of the Bakuten Empire have you ever considered that you and your brother were not the first to fall into that trap?"

"What do you mean?" Tyson exclaimed.

"You were not the first slaves that we have taken. There were others before you, many others who felt wronged by our misleading behaviors. Some were like you in fact, but they eventually learned their places…then again, one or two of them were quite tenacious when it came to pride," Kai chuckled, remembering when he was slightly younger and received his first servant at the age of twelve.

"What…you mean that other people have suffered this role besides me?" Tyson said, his voice holding an air of disgust and disbelief.

"They not only lived that role, but died because of it. My first slave was much like you, little prince, he would backtalk me he didn't want to obey orders. So, I had the guards tie his hands to a gate and I left him there for days without food or water. Eventually, on the seventeenth day, he broke down and begged for my forgiveness. By then, I had no more use for him, so he was executed. The second one tried my patience one too many times and was put to death. So you see Tyson, I have been both gracious and patient with you," Kai explained, as if it was a normal conversation.

"You…you monster!" Tyson screamed.

"Monster, I am a monster now?" Kai raised a brow, giving Tyson a chastising glare. "I would have been a monster if I had dragged you back to that bed and got from you what I intentionally came for. Do you want me to be that Tyson? I can not care if you like what I need, or want it I can take you any time I feel like it, even right now."

'Oh Sohryu…' Tyson stepped away from the older prince whose eyes compared in feel with the eyes of a snake, deadly and anticipating the moment of striking. 'Sohryu protect me please…I beg you.' He was well aware that his body was coated with a cold sweat, beads tumbling down his face, gathering under his chin before falling.

"Do you still want to call me a monster Tyson," Kai questioned darkly. "Perhaps I should show you how much of a monster I can be then you will appreciate my earlier words more."

"S-s-s-stay…" Tyson stammered, his voice quaking with fear.

"Stay away from you?" Kai grinned devilishly. "Do you fear me Prince Tyson? Is the antipathy of my words seeping into your soul, instilling that emotion deep within you?" The atmosphere between them drastically changed from earlier. No longer was the silence welcoming, it only seemed to smother the bluenette in an uncomfortable blanket of dread Kai would act out his threats. Tyson could not tear his eyes from the blazing hell stones which made up Kai's eyes, a spell of paralysis immobilizing his feet to at least run if the other prince should descend on him like a vengeful archangel.

"Prince Kai." The soft voice of Tyson's brother broke the apprehensive. Kai's eyes finally leaving Tyson to look at where the brunette was bowing in the entrance to the dining hall.

"You may enter," Kai said, his eyes no longer seething, in fact when he turned them back to Tyson no indication of malevolence swirled within the now clear auburn depths. "I was leaving for the morning now. Have the maids clear the table for your breakfasts. Once done, I'm sure you have your chores for the day."

"Yes sire," Tyson nodded. His eyes watched as his brother set the tray in his hands down on the dining table before bowing once more to the dual haired prince.

"Good, I take my leave now." Turning away, Kai walked pass the brunette whose eyes examined his brother. Tyson let out a shaky breath, trying to calm his pounding heart that felt as if it were going to burst from his ribcage at any given moment. In his entire life, Tyson never felt so horrified than those long minutes in Kai's rampant company. Unaware of his brother's closeness to him over the course of seconds, Tyson nearly jumped out of his skin when Kenny placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Big brother, are you okay?" Kenny asked quietly, his eyes filling with worry. The brunette took the tray in his brother's hands, setting it on the table before coming back up to his brother.

"I-I'm fine, don't worry about me," Tyson said, forcing a smile to his lips which fell through when he spotted the bright redness gracing his brother's left cheek. A sour taste filled his mouth, sprouting down his tongue into the pit of his stomach while lifting his hand to the younger teen's face. Kenny lightly flinched away from the gentle touch when Tyson used his thumb to stroke the area.

"It's nothing big brother," Kenny tried to assure, hoping he could restrain the tears which threatened to break again.

"That bastard touched you again…why didn't you stop him?" Tyson growled his anger overriding his short lived appall of Kai's demented soul. "You can't let him get away with this, it's unacceptable that he thinks he can just treat you anyway he feels without paying consequences for it."

"Big brother, please don't get into trouble with him," Kenny pleaded, grabbing hold of his brother's hand and taking it in his. Lifting his head up, the silky mass fell from his eyes which pleaded to the older to let it go. The last thing he wanted was his brother to disappear from his life. It was already worse with his ever shifting mindset whenever it came to Tala. Now and days he didn't know either to shy away from the prince or flock to him despite his fits of anger and abuse. "I know you hate it…I don't like it either, but we have no control over this."

"I don't want to accept this…you've done nothing wrong to deserve this treatment," Tyson said thickly, slipping his other hand around Kenny's small waist and pulling the boy into a hug. Lowering his head into the boy's hair, Tyson sighed, their fingers still interwoven as they stood in the silence of the dining hall. Kenny placed his head against his brother's chest, listening to the strong heartbeat emitting through. "Little brother, no matter what, I promise I will remain by your side regardless of what may occur."

"I know big brother, you would never leave me," Kenny smiled, looking up at his brother. "You've never broken a promise to me yet, I know you will remain true to every statement you have ever told me."

"Sometimes I do not know what I would do if you weren't around to keep me on track," Tyson chuckled, pulling away from the boy.

"I don't know, because I don't know what I would do without you either," Kenny responded. "You're my better half, just like I'm yours big brother."

"That is true," Tyson nodded.

"Prince Tyson," the voice of a maid broke through the conversation, both princes' attention focusing on the maid who stood accompanied by two other kitchen hands with trays in their hands. "Should I wait before offering breakfast to you or your brother? I don't want to interrupt."

"That's okay, we shall take breakfast now." Despite the pit of his stomach feeling sour from earlier, he couldn't let that ruin his appetite. He had to eat to keep up his strength, that way if there was ever a time that would come where he needed to really protect himself or his brother, he would have the energy to do so. It was Kai's plan to shake him into submission, but in spite of the chance his best efforts were not enough, at least he could tell himself that he tried hard as hell to stop the other from getting the satisfaction of Tyson begging.

"As you wish Prince Tyson," the maid bowed. The woman cleared the table, having the two others place the trays on the table. When finished the three bowed to the princes before leaving the dining area. Tyson walked over to the table, setting down in front one of the covered trays of food, while Kenny seated himself at the other end where the other place was set.

Uncovering the tray, Tyson found the daily breakfast consisting of creamy porridge topped with honey and a light sprinkling of sugar with a side of baked bread filled with cheese, eggs, and sliced pork inside. Picking up the spoon from beside the tray, the older Japanese prince dipped his spoon into the porridge Tyson lifted the spoon to his lips, blowing the steamy mass before sticking the spoon into his mouth. When he first came to Russia and the maids had served him the yellowish-white substance for breakfast, he nearly had a heart attack thinking that they were trying to kill him. After one of the maids introduced honey to the dish, Tyson instantly feel in love with the taste and always had the cooks mix in sugar and pour honey on top of the meal.

Looking across the table, he found his brother nibbling at the egg, cheese, and meat filled bread. It seemed his mind was wandering somewhere else. Tyson realized that it was still hard on him to take the transition between the past in Japan to now in Russia. At times in the middle of the night, Tyson awoke to hear the soft sounds of his brother crying down the hall for their mother or father. It broke Tyson's heart that he was able to assure the boy they would be together, but to not say everyone back in their homeland was fine.

There was still no word from Nanako, six months have passed, Tyson continued to write every day, telling her how things were, how they longed to come home, and how was their homeland holding up. Every day he awaited word that said they would suffer no more, that she was coming to get them, or better their father was going to come. That the Russian princes would be punished for treatment of their guests, that things would go back to normal. But each day it was a difficult waking up thinking of outcomes to what could have gone wrong.

"Tyson…" Kenny said after minutes of silence filled space while they ate, the brunette lifted his eyes to his brother, seeming to have picked up on his brother's thoughts. "No word from Nanako yet, is there?"

"You shouldn't worry, I'm sure that Nanako has been really busy to write us, or maybe it just takes longer for letters to get here than like they use to come from different places of the countryside," Tyson smiled. "We will probably get a ton of letters sooner or later."

"It's been six months…" Kenny replied.

"So, it probably just takes longer," Tyson said.

"Do you really believe that brother?" Kenny pushed his half eaten food away. "It wouldn't surprise me if our country was wiped out by Russian forces. Father, Nanako, Max…I know they are all dead and we're trapped here forever. I dream about walking through the palace sometimes, the only sounds that can be heard are my own echoing footsteps stepping over bodies which litter the floor. I can picture seeing Nanako, turning her head to stare at me before she's killed by the Russian soldiers."

"Stop talking like that," Tyson demanded.

"Why? You know it's true," Kenny shook his head. "You know we are the only ones that survived. Why do you keep writing to a place that no longer exists? It's hopeless, don't you see big brother. We were never meant to see our homeland again."

"Stop it!" Tyson shouted, startling the younger. Tyson was on his feet, his eyes filled with fury. "You can't just give up like that Nanako would never allow anything to happen to father or our kingdom. We will find a way to get back home no matter how long it takes, we will get back there. I'm not going to give up seeing the plains again, or feeling the summer sun against my skin, or exploring caves with you and Max. I won't believe that we've seen Japan for the last time."

"But Tyson…" Kenny started.

"No! You can't let them get to you, I won't do it. They can't take away our spirits even if we are to remain here there is only four and a half months before my birthday, when I receive Dragoon's power. Then I can use it to send us back to Japan. We've made it through six months already can you not hold out another four months, little brother?"

"It will be hard," Kenny admitted.

"We were foolish to think it easy, but no longer, okay?" Tyson smiled.

"No longer," Kenny agreed.

"Good, now that we have that settled, I think we should try to push those dark thoughts into the back of our minds. We should stay positive no matter what," Tyson said, even though in the back of his mind, Tyson wondered if he would really be able to back up his claims. He had no idea what power Dragoon would lend him on his seventeenth birthday, or if it would be enough power to carry them back home. He just hoped that all his praying would pay off.

-oooo-

Tyson lowered the wooden box into a corner, where he carried out of Kai's room down the flight of stairs, to an old cellar where various objects from old clothing and worn out armor remained. Wiping sweat from his brow, Tyson stood up, stretching out his aching limbs. When he had returned to his room after breakfast, a note was left on his bed from Kai who went into town to be tailored for new clothing, stating the things Kai expected to be done when he returned from town.

Of those things were scrubbing the Russian prince's entire room, making up his bed, airing the room, refilling the oil lamps in his room, and moving three boxes Kai left sitting out of the way down into the cellar. Pushing out of the cellar, Tyson looked towards an eastern window, seeing the sun set low signaling late afternoon into evening. Maybe about four hours ago, he stopped to have a quick lunch before finishing cleaning the prince's room, refilling the oil lamps, and airing out the room, then went on to scrub the floor and now moving the last of the three boxes. In another hour dinner would be served. Before dinner, Tyson would have the maids draw him a warm bath, relaxing until it was time for dinner. Tyson had to remember to lock his door when he turned in for bed he was not going to have a repeat of that morning.

"Have you finished all of your chores for the day, Prince Tyson?" Kai was walking up to Tyson, his eyes examining the clothing sticking to the bluenette, sweat dotting Tyson's face as he wiped drops from his eyes. Even his hair clung to the back of his neck where it was tied back out of his way.

"Yes sire, I have. Now if you would excuse me, I would like a bath," Tyson remarked.

"How about I take it with you little prince?" Kai smirked, waiting to see the flush cross Tyson's cheeks but he was disappointed when there were no splotches of bright red, or even shifted glances. Tyson held his eye contact, a frown appearing between his brows.

"How about you not, I would rather like my bath alone," Tyson stated. "Now if you would excuse me—"

"You've regained your backbone," Kai interrupted. "I thought for sure it was lost from this morning. You simply amazing me, Tyson, no one would think about refusing me once I show my true ferocity. May I ask you what keeps you being so stubborn?"

"I'm not being stubborn, I just won't let you bully me around I have to stay strong for myself and Kenny. If you think that's stupid, I don't care, because I made him a promise I will not break. So you can hit me all you want, or beat me, or tie me to a gate, I'm not going to go back on my word to him," Tyson retorted. Bracing himself for the first blow to knock him down, for the burst of anger showing a demon's reappearance as it screeched at Tyson for his defiance as it swooped down claiming his life. Only those scenarios never came, Kai studied him, eventually a laugh escaped his lips.

"Admirable is what I would call your words and your sacrifice for your little brother," Kai continued to laugh. "I am not the one who does not value that bond between brothers. If it were Tala instead of me hearing those words, he would try to make you recant each statement. Do not start a war with Tala that you will never win, Tyson."

"War? This isn't a war, unless he decides to make it just that. I will not hesitate to stand up to him, like I am doing now with you. You may think you can bully me, but I have something to keep me going," Tyson remarked.

"Your beliefs? Tala would make you recant those too if he were here," Kai smiled.

"Do you think I care if he doesn't respect my beliefs?" Tyson declared. "I never will, but I won't recant no matter what he does to me."

"Tyson, haven't you figured it out yet," Kai said. "I am not a devil because I was born that way in fact I probably would have been much like your younger brother, if my elder brother hadn't been the devil. I followed along in his footsteps so I wouldn't have to deal with his ways myself."

"What are you saying?" Tyson questioned, eyeing the Russian prince with confused eyes. "How does Tala fit into what you turned out to be?"

"Have you not listened to a word I've said? I followed along in his footsteps, he taught me how to be cruel, how to turn my heart away from everyone. The individuals in this palace may fear me, but my brother instilled terror in their souls. If there is one thing he hates more than defiance is a bond between any persons, siblings especially. You don't see it now, but you will. The curse that's in his blood, that slowly thickens his blood," Kai chuckled. "I shall let you take your bath now I have more pressing things to attend myself to."

"Wait! What do you mean the curse that's in his blood?" Tyson asked.

"You will find out, especially since you and your brother are close to each other. It's slowly firing up his blood, eventually it will break loose and then you will discover the things I have mentioned to you," Kai bowed mockingly as Tyson took off pass him to find his brother.

Tyson pushed his tired body up the stairs, paranoia clawing at the back of his mind, imaging the worst. Coming around the corner to the wing his room and his brother's resided, Tyson ran for the door, pushing it open then stopped. Under the warm light of the afternoon day, his brother was curled up on his bed sleeping peacefully. Tyson let out a breath, about to close the door when he noticed the shadow in the corner of the room watching the sleeping boy.

"Prince Tala…" Tyson spoke the other's name, but the red haired prince did not acknowledge the prince, his eyes remaining on the sleeping brunette intently, eventually a cold blue eye cut its way to Tyson. "What…what are you doing in here?"

The older Russian prince ignored the question, pushing off the wall and walked pass Tyson out of the room. In passing, a cold chill rode down Tyson's spine. Wide dark blue eyes looked at Tala's back then to the bed where his brother continued to sleep unaware of what occurred. Or rather, what would have occurred if Kai...if…if Kai hadn't warned him.

"Oh Sohryu…" Tyson shook, a feeling of sickness striking him causing him to lean against the still open door. Whatever Kai had warned him about and if Tyson didn't make sure his brother was safe, something horrendous would have happened to his brother. Something he thought he would never be able to forgive Tala for. But...why had Kai warned him in the first place. It didn't make sense, seeing as how he told Tyson earlier that day he didn't care about the other's feelings. Yet...Kai made certain Tyson wouldn't have suffered behind his own elder brother's actions towards Kenny.

-oooooo-

Rim: Kai and Tala are going crazy now. Well, now that I've established that, I think I have a rather stable position of thought to go from here. So the story stops meandering around. If anyone has any ideas of things they want me to add into the story, small little side plots or something just add them to your reviews and I'll see what I can do.