Rim: Okay, yeah, I know I've disappeared for some time, but blame my ability to kill my computer, which I didn't mean to. I've been thinking of things while I've been gone and now I'm ready to work or at least try to work as much as possible to make up for the time which I have let slip away with the murder of my computer. I know, yes I'm a dunce so wait no more for my updates. Or I'm going to try to get everything done within the amount of two or three days so I have no complaints…then again, when don't I have complaints. Oh well, onwards.

-oooooo-

Silence filled the dining hall as three pairs of eyes looked at the teen that was sprawled on the floor from where the red headed prince slapped him. Getting up from where he sat, Kai walked over to the stable boy, his crimson eyes studying the shaking boy. Kneeling down until he was eye to eye, Kai chose to speak then.

"What did you say?"

"I…" The stable boy started to try to speak again, but knew he was only going to stammer and he didn't want to get hit for it. Taking a deep breath, he started again, this time more slowly. "I was out in the stables sire, when I noticed a man getting up on one of the horses in the stable. I was about to question him, when he shot out of the stables and he had Prince Tyson over his shoulder."

"Was the prince unconscious?" Kai questioned, over course he already knew that answer because he doubt the boy would let himself get kidnapped while he was still conscious.

"Yes sire, he showed no signs of moving," the stable boy said.

"What do you make of this Tala?" Kai got up from kneeling in front of the stable boy to eye his brother who was already turning away. "Tala!"

"It's your toy, not mine, so I don't care. Even if it were one of our enemies, which I doubt that father hasn't already taken care of any opposition which has threatened the kingdom in the past, no one knew about that boy's existence in the palace other than those who are within these walls now," Tala stated with a shrug while heading back to his place at the table. "More than likely, it's probably someone who knows the palace."

"Or someone who has a motive to kidnap," Kai replied, turning his eyes towards Bryan.

"You think I kidnapped Tyson?" Bryan replied amusingly. "Dear friend, must we forget that your stable boy said a man, not me. And besides, I was sitting here with you, how would it be possible for me to steal your prince then run away moments ago?"

"You could have had someone steal him for you," Kai said. "We both know that you want the prince for yourself and that you would do something of the sort now that I turned you down for your offer to buy him."

"How would it be possible for me to hire someone on such sort notice, you know all your servants within this castle, none would dare to defy you, and would tell you immediately if I were plotting anything. So please tell me how it's possible for me to get someone who isn't afraid of your wraith to assist me with that sort of foolhardy conspiring?" Bryan questioned.

"That is true," Kai thought for a long minute once the young baron was done talking. "I suppose that you are ruled out seeing as how you haven't went into town in a few days and spend most of your time trying to get into my toy's pants. You wouldn't have much time to conspire."

"Exactly," Bryan nodded.

"Now that you've stopped with your conspiracy theories, you should find a way to get the boy back," Tala reminded, staring at Kai with a meaningful look though he really didn't care to have the boy brought back to the palace. It would work more into his favor to break the little brunette, which has been plaguing him with unwanted feelings of the past. With the older brother gone now, surely the boy would break down to his will so he could finally use him up and toss him away and get rid of the anger which has been clawing at his soul.

"I'm going to go out on horseback to see what I can trudge up," Kai said, turning to leave the dining hall when he found Bryan following him. "Bryan?"

"You won't cover that much ground alone, I'll come with you," Bryan said.

"You'll hinder my search," Kai smirked.

"Hinder it?" Bryan raised a brow.

"If you find a trail, you'll keep it to yourself and not tell me," Kai explained. "You do want the boy too. You'll hinder my search by keeping information from me to save the young prince yourself. Can you say that is not true?"

"You seem to know me very well," Bryan chuckled. "I am probably likely to do just as you claim."

"Probably likely?" Kai stated, quirking a brow. "I am sure you are very likely to do just as I claim. I have known you since I could walk, dear friend. When you want something, your predatory streak comes out and you will do what you need to get what you want. I have seen it before, and I'm certain this time will be no different."

"How about I make a deal with you then?" Bryan suggested.

"I'm listening, what do you have in mind?" Kai asked eyeing Bryan with another leveled stare.

"I propose that we treat this like a hunt. You and I shall compete to see who finds the young prince first. That way, I don't have to feel guilty if I find him first, nor vice versa. Whomever finds him first, he's there's for the taking, no complaints from the losing since it was a fair hunt with no inhibitions. What do you say Kai, interest you any?" Bryan remarked.

Kai thought for a second, or at least seemed to be thinking because he knew that deep down, the baron had a hand in Tyson's abduction. He would play along with the baron, it might even seem fun to hunt the supposed hunter, trap him and then take back what was rightfully his anyway. Of course he couldn't let on that he knew this was all a game that Bryan had set up. He would have to play by the rules, which were being set if he intended to have Bryan lower his guard and trip up.

"Fine," Kai nodded, finally. "I think this will be a fun little game. First person to find him wins the boy over and the loser has nothing to say whatsoever."

"All right then, shall we be off?" Bryan asked, bowing to the dual haired prince to go first out of the dining hall. With a smirk, Kai nodded to his companion, as he went ahead of the baron. The moonlight haired teen following after as they both left the hall. Leaving the older of the two princes thinking about his plans. Both Kai and Bryan would likely be out on their little hunt for a couple of days, which guaranteed that he would not be stopped from doing whatever he wanted without interruptions.

-oooo-

Tyson's eyes fluttered open as he felt something cool against his forehead. Opening his eyes slowly, a sharp pain streaked across his brain, forcing him to close his eyes once more. When the pain subsided, Tyson reopened his eyes, the dull pain throbbing in the back of his mind, but was not as sharp as it once had been. Sitting up, a rag fell off his head into his lap.

"What…happened to me," Tyson murmured, about to move off the bed before he realized the absent of anyone at his bedside which would explain the wet cloth on his forehead. Looking around, Tyson found there was no one around. In fact there was nothing else around besides the bed and a small table with a basin of water either. The walls were stone and empty of decoration, as was the floor. The room included no windows, which might give Tyson some indication to where he was.

Getting up from the bed, Tyson walked over to the door, trying to pull it open, but it refused to budge. Pulling harder, Tyson found that no matter what, it still refused to open. "Hell…" Tyson gave up trying to open the door, sighing and running a hand through his hair. "What am I going to do now…?"

Trying to peep through the keyhole and see what might be on the other side, Tyson found that was useless. All he saw was darkness on the outer side of the door.

"Where the hell am I?" Tyson growled. "Hey! Can anyone out there hear me? What's going on! Where am I?" After shouting at the door for, which was not answered by anyone, Tyson slumped to the floor to think about his predicament. "I remember about to leave my room and opening the door. Then…there was someone standing there. They put a rag to my nose and I passed out."

If the thought hadn't crossed his mind of kidnap before, it was there now. Of course, who would be crazy enough to kidnap him without worrying what might happen to them if Kai ever caught up with that person. The next question on his mind concerned why he was kidnapped; sure the Russian Empire might have enemies, but no one outside of the palace with exception to Lord Bryan knew about Tyson's existence at the Russian palace. No one else could possibly get past the guards, even if a lot of people outside the kingdom knew about him.

"That has to mean that this is the work of someone who knows the palace, where I'm located at, and my what goes on around the palace. Meaning anyone…or…" He wasn't about to discredit this as being the baron's work. He wanted Tyson, Kai wasn't going to let him have Tyson (though Tyson already proclaimed he was no one's to give away), and he could definitely be certain that if it came down to it, Bryan might get the urge to stage Tyson's kidnapping in order to have Tyson to himself.

Running his hand through his hair once more, Tyson exhaled again. He had to think of some way to get back to the Russian palace. He wasn't worried about Kai at all, but…with his absent…if Tala found out that he was gone…that meant his brother was in trouble. Tala would definitely take advantage of his absence. Clasping his hands together, Tyson prayed to Dragoon for his brother's safety in his absence.

"Please…please watch over him until I can get myself out of this mess," Tyson prayed softly. The words barely audible in the still room. "Please don't let anything happen to my brother while I'm gone."

-oooo-

"Konan, do you think that my brother is up yet?" Kenny sat on the floor of his bedroom feeding the rabbit nestled in his arms a carrot. The white rabbit stopped munching on the vegetable in order to lift its head up to Kenny, staring at him with red eyes. The little animal tilted its head to the side, as if pondering the question. Kenny hugged the animal when it seemed to nod to his question. "You think so? Maybe we should go check when you're finished okay?"

The little rabbit tried to climb up Kenny's chest to reach his face, but settled in his arms momentarily, resuming its job on the carrot in Kenny's hand. The smile on the younger prince's face widened, if anyone had been around, they would see the sparkle in his blue eyes. It had indeed been a while since he had such a simple joy. Since becoming Tala's servant, it seemed that all the simple pleasures of life dried up, replaced by a frigid omniscience.

It still pained the younger Japanese prince to have to deal with the oldest Russian prince, especially after the way they were friends when Kenny first came to the Russian empire. That memory had not faded from his mind yet he was still perturbed by how easy Tala could switch between nice and sadistic at the drop of a pin. All Kenny really wanted now was for him and Tala to be on good terms again. There was no reason for him to treat the younger as if he were just trash.

"Konan, what do you think of my situation with Prince Tala? He's always so mean to me…but sometimes he can be…nice, I suppose…" Kenny whispered, stroking the animal's head. The rabbit stopped eating once again, looking up at Kenny who had tears streaking down his face as he thought back to a little while ago when he had seen another side to Tala which he hadn't seen before. That Tala held something that longed to have Kenny befriend it.

-flashback-

Kenny was unaware that he was being watched as he continued his studies of arithmetic. Brushing his bangs out of his eyes, the younger Japanese prince set his pen back to paper, marking down another number before scribbling down something else to the paper. When he was certain that the answer was right, Kenny set down the pen to analyze his work.

"As smart as ever," Tala murmured behind the younger boy, causing Kenny to jump out of his chair and turn around to stare wide eye at Tala.

"P-P-Prince T-Tala, I didn't hear you enter," Kenny stammered. "Was there something you need sire?"

"No." Tala said simply, narrowing his eyes.

"What?" The younger prince stared up at the red head.

"I said, no. I don't want anything, nor did I want you to hear me," Tala repeated. He watched the concern leave the wide blue eyes staring up at him, the look replaced by fear and nervousness. "Do you have a problem with that?"

"No, I don't," Kenny whimpered despite himself, fear climbing from the pit of his stomach to resonate through every pore and cause him to shiver. Kenny could never be sure when the older would snap and smack him, or roughly push him against something and threatened him as Tala had so many times before.

"Tell me Kenny," Tala remarked, noting the fear in Kenny's eyes. "Do you fear me right now?"

"I…y-yes."

"Don't," Tala said, pulling Kenny away from the desk, and pulling Kenny towards the bed. Pushing the younger back, he watched the brunette gaze up at him with confused, terror-stricken eyes. "You don't have to fear me right now…I don't want that, do you understand me?"

"Tala," Kenny bit his lip, watching Tala's eyes change, the blue in them flickering with something Kenny had never seen before. The look reminded Kenny of a wounded animal that didn't trust anything, yet wanted to reach out for help. At least maybe to him. His brother would see something different, he was certain.

At times Tala wasn't the cold blooded, heartless tyrant which Tyson always complained about. There was something about Tala, something deep which he barely touched the surface of before Tala recoiled back into himself. Maybe this time he would find out exactly what it was which scared and drew Kenny to the older.

"Don't look at me like that," Tala said, moving to sit next to the brunette, staring down at him. "You always stare at me with those damn eyes. What is it about you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Kenny said.

"Of course, you can't see it, but I can. I see it clear as day every time you look at me. What is it about you that just…" Tala growled, dropping the rest of his sentence as he now glared down at the shivering boy. "You…do you understand what I want from you?"

"No," Kenny shook his head, tears beginning to fall.

"Why don't you push me away? Why don't you cry or fight, why don't you do anything?" Tala questioned, trapping the boy's hands above his head. "You don't want this yet you would allow it wouldn't you?"

"I don't know," Kenny sniffed, the tears continuing to fall as he turned his head away from Tala. "I don't know at all."

"Then give in to it," Tala mumbled leaned down towards Kenny."

-flashback ends-

That was about the same time that his brother entered the room and made Tala leave. If Tyson hadn't come in or even disturbed them…what would have happened? What was it that Tala would have done? What would Kenny have had to give in to, in order to find out what was under the surface, behind all those frigid walls?

"I don't understand him," Kenny whispered. The little rabbit in his arms climbed up his chest, sniffing at his face before nuzzling its nose to his cheek. Kenny smiled, petting the rabbit on the head. "It's okay Konan, I will be fine. He just seems to always bring out tears in me."

"Who are you talking to?" Tala's voice drifted from the doorway as Kenny turned to stare at the red head whose eyes narrowed the minute he saw the rabbit in the brunette's arms. Kenny froze up when he felt the flash of cold fire upon him. Having never seen such a look from the red head before, it unnerved Kenny, wondering if the red head would do something as cruel as kill the animal.

"Prince Tala…" Kenny bit his bottom lip nervously. The unwavering gaze at the rabbit was only broken when his name was called. Icy azure eyes scorching him with a stare not unlike fire blazing out of control.

"Where the hell did that animal come from?" Tala demanded, his tone enough to cause the brunette to flinch.

"It's…my brother's…" Kenny shook.

"Come give me the damn thing," Tala ordered.

Kenny sat on the floor holding the rabbit to his chest shaking. He had an uncanny feeling that if he did as told, the rabbit was as good as dead in his hands. With a bit of effort, Kenny managed to shake his head no. He couldn't let the animal be senselessly slaughtered to quell the Russian prince's fury.

"Didn't I just tell you to give me the damn thing?" Tala said, his anger rising as he thought back to another time where a rabbit was involved in his life. The mood which he had been thrust into for the past few days was starting to boil over instead of simmer. Or maybe it could just be the ale from earlier firing up his mood.

"No…I can't," Kenny shook. "I can't let you kill my brother's rabbit."

"So you want to defy me," Tala growled.

Kenny watched Tala stalk into the room and try to snatch the rabbit from him, but sensing danger, the rabbit jumped out of Kenny's arms and hopped under the bed. Kenny blocked Tala's path when he tried to go under the bed and get the frightened animal out. "Please, leave it alone! Please don't hurt it!"

"Why do you care about that stupid animal?" Tala said, his eyes anything but human now, more so like an animal predator on the hunt.

"Please, it didn't do anything wrong," Kenny pleaded. "Please don't kill it!" Kenny threw himself at Tala, crying as the red head stopped his tries for the rabbit to glare down at the crying boy on his arm. "Please, don't kill it!"

"Let go of me," Tala snapped.

"Promise that you won't hurt the rabbit," Kenny cried, hanging on tighter.

"Let go." Tala slapped the brunette off his arm, snatching the boy up by his collar to glare angrily into his eyes. "Why do you care about that animal so much? It's going to die anyway, if not by my hands, then by some other predator that's lurking around for a meal. What difference does it make boy?"

"It doesn't deserve to die," Kenny cried, regardless of the fact he was facing another side of Tala that was far different that the anger he previous showed before. "It's not right to kill it because a predator is going to come along and try to eat it anyway."

"You are so naïve aren't you," Tala smirked, yanking the brunette to his feet and flinging him face first onto the bed. Tala loomed over the bed, the animal quickly forgotten as focused in on his new prey which cowered on the bed. "Do you think that a predator cares about its prey, or its feelings about being targeted?"

"No…" Kenny sniffed, his cheek burning with an all too familiar pain by now. "Just like you don't care about my feelings, about how I feel towards you or how you treat me."

"Exactly, I could care less if you live or die. Tell me, does anyone else really give a damn?" Tala said, moving to the bed, still looming over the brunette who had turned around to face the older prince.

"My brother, he cares whether I live or die in this world," Kenny whispered.

"Your brother," Tala smirked. "You think your brother really cares about you? You think that he's going to come to your rescue every time a predator spots you wandering around like the lost little, weak lamb that you are?"

"Of course," Kenny said a little more firmly this time.

"Your brother could care less about you. He only looks out for his best interests. You're not that important to him," Tala snorted.

"That's not true! He cares about me, he raised me after our mother died. He's always been there for me no matter what," Kenny responded, only to watch a more devious smile curl the corners of Tala's mouth.

"Then you don't know yet do you."

"Know what?" Kenny tried to scrub away the tears, only to have more replace the ones which were wiped free.

"Your brother, he's left the palace, my brother is out looking for him right now," Tala replied, enjoying the shock and disbelief etched into the brunette's face. "He took off this morning without so much as taking you with him, or telling you of his plans. What kind of loving brother is that to do such a thing? Tell me, how much does your brother love you again, to leave you to the wolves?"

"It's not true!" Kenny shouted.

"You may not believe me, but it's true," Tala smirked, climbing onto the bed and pushing the younger onto his back. Their eyes locked. "Tell me, how does it feel to learn that you've been abandoned."

"Why are you saying things like this? Why? My brother wouldn't abandon me," Kenny sobbed. "He would never!"

"But he has, and there's nothing you can do about it. So, tell me. Does it hurt?"

-oooooo-

Rim: I know this is evil of me, one cliffy after another. But think about it, this is what you guys love the most…er…well most of you anyway. Just think of them in the same manner as what soap operas do. Anyway, I need some material for the next chapter. I hope that I've given you a bit of happiness at my return and as I said, I'm going to try to update everything in the next two to three days. This is now down and now three more to go.