Rim: All right, I guess I should get started on this chapter or something…though I would rather sit around and read Death Note. Oh well, I guess I can hold off on my obsession of Raito and L for a while. At least long enough to finish this, so all right, we start out with Kai's point of view first and see where it takes me. Thanks everyone for the reviews and let's get this started.

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Kai stopped his horse when he managed to make it through the thicket of trees branches which covered the afternoon sky. The sun was slowly sinking on him. Judging by the way the sky was steadily turning from lighter blues to pinks, purples, and reds, night would be approaching in no time. He was going to have to make or find shelter for the night and resume his search for Tyson in the morning. There was no way he was going to get lost at night with no sort of way to track his steps in the dark.

Slipping off his horse, Kai looked around, noticing debris from a few snow and ice heavy branches which broke for trees littering the ground. While it was still light, he would have just enough time to catch his dinner and make a fire for the evening. Of course he might lose some ground in finding Tyson if Bryan wasn't going to stop and rest the night.

Of course no one who plans a successful hunt can go without sleeping or even resting regardless of how much the prey is wanted. Some time in the next three to four hours, Bryan would be forced to stop the night and rest to keep up his energy. He didn't want to lose to Kai after all.

"Of course, he might not be worried because he already knows where Tyson is, and just to mock me, made this bet," Kai murmured, tying his horse to a nearby tree while he set to work clearing the area of snow and ice for his fire. The thought was still open in his head that Bryan knew where Tyson was being held and had a hand in the blue haired prince's capture. He wasn't putting it by Bryan to do something of the nature.

In fact, if he thought about it, he was certain Bryan was the cause of Tyson disappearance more than anything else. This was the type of thing that the young baron would do if he couldn't get his hands on whatever it is he wanted. Of course, Kai just couldn't put the blame on his friend without first getting evidence that Bryan had anything to do with Tyson's disappearance. He would only deny what they both knew, and then insistence on proof Kai didn't have at the moment. He would have to catch Bryan at his game.

"But first I have to catch up with Bryan and find out where he could have taken Tyson," Kai thought while continuing to clear the area for a fire. Meanwhile, as he was doing this, the person in question that he was planning to save sat on the floor of his makeshift cell, thinking about what Bryan had said earlier to him about Tala.

It couldn't be true…it just couldn't. Bryan had to have been trying to screw around in his head. Or maybe it was a joke of poor taste. Surely nothing like that had ever happened within the walls of the Russian palace. King Boris would have never allowed something so heinous to occur.

"Bryan was just joking…" Tyson whispered, resting his head on his knees. His hands still throbbed from beating on the door, but he hardly noticed anymore. His mind was too preoccupied with what might be going on back at the Russian palace, with whether his brother was indeed safe or not from Tala. "Dragoon, please hear my prayers and give me strength. Please keep my brother safe, please don't forsake this prayer. I would give up my life if only he's safe. That's all I ask Dragoon, I don't care if something happens to me, don't let what I learned be true."

Tyson prayed with desperation that he had never before felt born out of sheer fear. He would never have expected it to be such strong motivation for anything, but right now in that darkening room, when he had no idea of truth from lies anymore; it burned a fire inside him like nothing had ever done before. If he managed to get out this unscathed, he would definitely make sure that he was never going to leave his brother unattended to again. Even if it meant being beat by Kai, he would just have to deal with it.

The sounds of the squeaking door brought his attention from his prayers. Turning his head towards the sound, Tyson found the young baron reentering the room, leaning against the door frame to eye Tyson's position on the floor. A smug, and very satisfied smile curled to the corner of his mouth.

"You don't look too good little prince, perhaps something distresses your mind?" the baron replied, slipping into the room and locking the door behind him. Putting the key into his pocket, Bryan walked over to where Tyson was inching away wearily. "You have nothing to fear, my little prize."

"I'm not your prize," Tyson growled, narrowing his eyes at the baron.

"Do you still try to cut me with that look? The only thing I see now is a scared animal putting up a front," Bryan replied, not slowing or stopping his steps as he walked in front of Tyson. "Why don't you give it up and give yourself to me?"

"I bet you would want that, wouldn't you?" Tyson sneered. "Well forget it, I'm not going to give in to you, or Kai. You both think I'm going to be easy to bed or whatever, but I'm a lot more stubborn than you both give me credit for sometimes."

"Stubborn I can believe, but the news I delivered to you has made you weak," Bryan said, kneeling in front of Tyson.

"You're an idiot if you believe that," Tyson said, smacking Bryan's hand away.

"It's not nice to treat your new master like that," Bryan frowned.

"I have no master," Tyson said.

"That opinion will vanish soon enough," Bryan said, raising his hand to grab Tyson by his arm and pull him forward. Tyson tried to wretch free, when a hand came sailing across his cheek, stunning him momentarily. Bryan pulled Tyson up from the floor, dragging him over to the bed and tossing him down on it.

"There's no way I'm going to allow this," Tyson tried to push himself off the bed, but Bryan grabbed him by the leg, dragging him back to the center of the bed. Shaking his foot of the baron's grasp, Tyson pulled himself up off the bed, only to be shoved back down and slapped. The young baron climbed over his prey, seeing the indignation flaring within stormy blue eyes.

"Don't worry little prince, I'll be gentle," he grinned, leaned down to try and kiss the Japanese prince. Tyson turned his head away in disgust. Bryan's lips curved under, using his hand to turn Tyson's face back towards him. "If you would cooperate, things would go a lot simpler for the both of us."

"Why don't you go to Hell?" Tyson struggled. "I'm not going to lay here and be your play toy."

"You have no choice in the matter."

"There's always a choice, and this isn't going to be it," Tyson voiced, pushing at Bryan. "I have too much at stake to be your play toy. Now release me or I swear--"

"You swear what?" Bryan laughed. "You're going to take care of me, like you're going to take care of Tala and Kai? Do you know how amusing that sounds coming from someone in your position? I can see why Kai has been toying with you for so long. It makes the catch so much more desirable."

"Shut up!" Tyson shouted, just as Bryan leaned down, kissing him roughly. Tyson pushed at Bryan, trying to push the extra weight off him. With a growl, the Japanese prince bit down on Bryan's bottom lip, causing the young baron to pull back, holding his now bleeding mouth.

"You little whelp," Bryan hissed.

"Didn't you like me responding to you, my lord?" Tyson said sarcastically. "I thought that's what you wanted."

"I see you need to learn some manners." Bryan raised his hand, ready to allow it to sail across Tyson's cheek once again, but he found a knee embedded in his sternum.

"I don't need lessons in manners from the likes of you," Tyson shouted as he lunged at Bryan, knocking him on his back. Reaching into the baron's pocket for the key to the door, he received a back hand, knocking him onto the floor. Looking up, he found the silvery haired male glaring down at him while holding his chest. Anger flickered deep within those stony orbs, the color darkening into granite.

"I see you don't want to do this the easy way," Bryan said, climbing off the bed.

"You don't scare me," Tyson spoke.

"Then let me put fear into you, so you'll know better than to try a stunt like that again."

Tyson scrambled out of reach of the baron, keeping his eyes on the fuming other. The young baron was finding that his patience was beginning to wear thin. He was curious to wonder if the information he had given the boy did the opposite of what he was expecting. In fact, it seemed as if the boy was acting on the emotions which would handicap others. Maybe he was being too hasty and had not given the boy enough time to let it sink in.

"It seems that you're more focused than before," Bryan commented. "Your submission won't be easy if I keep going will it?"

"It will never be easy, because I'm not going to submit to you," Tyson commented.

"As much as that would be a conquest to make someone as untamed as you submit, I suppose I will let you win this round," Bryan bowed. "Consider yourself lucky, but I will be back, don't think you've dissuaded me." Tyson said nothing as Bryan walked towards the door, opening it and exiting then locked the door behind him. With a sigh, Tyson slid down the wall, breathing heavily.

"Dragoon, dragon god of east, please hear my prayers," Tyson mumbled rapidly. "Please in the name of my kingdom, give me the power I require to save myself and my brother. Please Dragoon don't forsake me…please save us, please Dragoon, please…"

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"Prince Kenny…" Saori, the young maid with the aqua colored hair lightly shook the brunette prince that laid curled up in bed with the rabbit resting in his arms. The boy whimpered, trying to shrink away from the touch even in his sleep. "Prince Kenny, please wake up."

The brunette's eyes fluttered open, dark blue eyes focusing blurrily on her. "Sa...o…ri…" He stared down at the rabbit sleeping in his arms, then back up to the girl who was looking down at him. His eyes immediately went to the other side of the bed, but it was unoccupied.

"Prince Kenny, there's a bath prepared for you, you should get up and soak, it might help some," Saori said softly. "Master Tala left some time ago, so you don't have to worry about him."

"Where…?" Kenny said, tears leaking from his red eyes, hugging the rabbit to his chest. The motion awoke the animal; the rabbit turning its head up to Kenny and making a sound. Squirming from his chest, the animal nuzzled its nose to his cheek in a form of comfort, but that only caused more tears to fall.

"First you must get up my prince," Saori said.

"My body hurts," Kenny whimpered, closing his eyes. "It hurts so much."

"If you want, I will assist you," Saori remarked.

"It hurts," he sobbed, his body shaking from the sobs that arose from his lips.

"Please calm down," Saori begged.

"I want my brother…I want Tyson," Kenny cried. "I want my brother…"

"Please sire…you have to calm down. Your brother's not here right now," Saori said softly. "I'm sorry if I'm not much of a comfort, I wish I could do more for you. But I don't know what to do…"

"You're worthless girl," Tala replied from the doorway of the room. His eyes rested on the sobbing boy, not bothering to pay the girl any mind.

"Master Tala…" Saori jumped up, fearful that he had returned to rape the boy once more. She couldn't allow it to happen, even if it cost her not just her job at the palace, but also her life. Kenny had been one of the first people who ever kept her company when she was doing chores. He was a very kind person who shouldn't have went through what the oldest Russian prince put him through. "I was just getting Master Kenny up for his bath."

"Out," Tala said.

"But sire…" Saori started.

"Out the way," Tala commanded, walking into the room, striding to the bed in no time.

"Sire, you told the maids to have him bathe," Saori began, until Tala slapped her in the mouth, the girl dropping to the floor from the force of the blow. Looking up, she found frigid eyes icing her over.

"You're as stupid as all the others," Tala scowled. "When I tell you to do something, you follow my damn instructions you stupid wench, do I make myself clear?"

"Yes…sire," Saori nodded.

"Now what did I tell you girl?"

"T-to get out the way," Saori stuttered.

"And did you?" Tala raised an impatient brow. Saori shook her head back and forth, tears shining in her eyes. Reaching down, Tala slapped the girl once more, getting a yelp of pain out of her. "I want an answer girl, not a gesture."

"Y-yes sire," Saori said.

"Good, now again. Did you do as told?"

"N-n-no sire," Saori said, bowing her head. "Forgive me sire, I did not."

"At least you know your place now, girl," Tala said. "Out of my way."

"Yes sire." Saori got to her feet moving out of the way while Tala picked up the sobbing brunette into his arms. Kenny made a high pitched sound of panic, struggling to remove himself from out of Tala's arms. Konan made a similar noise when Tala picked the animal up by the scruff of its neck and dropped it down on the bed.

"No! Please don't!" Kenny screamed, beginning to pound on Tala's chest with his clenched hands. Tala didn't seem to feel any of it as he strolled over to the tub where steam was coming off the water's surface. The smell of jaspers and honey rose with the steam, filling Tala's nose. "I want my brother! I want Tyson! I want my brother!"

"You should like a spoiled brat who can't have your way," Tala snorted. "You know your brother isn't here, so shut up." And with that, dropped the naked boy into the tub, letting him sink to the bottle then come up spurting and choking on water. Tala turned his eyes on Saori, who was watching. "Change the linen on the bed, you stupid wench."

"Yes sire," Saori squeaked. Tala turned his attention back on the boy who was staring up at him with wide blue eyes.

"Have you decided to calm down now?" Tala questioned, kneeling beside the tub to look the brunette in the eyes. "You need to get clean, when Kai brings your idiotic brother back, you'll need to be packed. The boat that's going to be taking you back to Japan has arrived."

"What…I get to go home?" Kenny blinked away the tears stinging his eyes.

"Kai and myself are suppose to accompany you on the trip, but yes, you get to go home finally," Tala responded. "I went to speak with the captain that came on the ship. He said that my father is expecting us to sail off as soon as possible."

"I can't wait to go back home," Kenny said softly.

"To get away from me?" Tala questioned. "Because of what I did?"

"I want to see my father, and Nanako. I've missed her a lot since I was gone," the younger prince countered, hearing the coldness in enter the red head's voice. Even after what happened between them, how much he hurt and feared the older man's touch, Kenny was now seeing a different, softer side to the red head. His sacrifice wasn't completely in vain.

"You don't hate what I did, how noble," Tala said.

"If that's what it takes to see you without a scowl…then the sacrifice I've made isn't so big." Kenny stared down at the water he sat in, the older prince frowning at the brunette. Was this why he hadn't found the satisfaction he craved earlier? This boy wasn't like the others before him. It was as if…no…he had to shake his mind clear of her. That woman who never smiled at him, who never looked at him, except once. That one and only time he was ever able to make her see him.

-flashback-

"Young Tala, is there something wrong?" The woman with short black hair tucked under the scarf walked up to the boy sitting by the window of the room he had to share with his mother. The exact same mother that never looked at him, always pass him out to some other point in her life. The little boy's head was resting on his knees, his body drawn up in a ball.

"No, I'm fine," the little boy mumbled before a cough racked his body.

"You are not all right," the woman said.

"I'm fine!" he yelled, lifting his head, the light pink on his cheeks made it evident he was suffering from a fever. Ignoring the fevered scowl the boy wore, the woman walked up to him, placing her cool palm to his forehead, feeling the heat radiate off.

"My, you have quite the fever young Tala," the woman said.

"I don't care…no one cares…not even my momma," Tala mumbled. "So why should you care? You don't gain anything from it. I can take care of my own cold, I've done it before."

"Aren't you tired of taking things up on your own?"

"Don't make me laugh," Tala said. "I'm not really a member of this family, I'm not even supposed to be here in this palace. It's because my father is the king that I'm allowed to stay here. Me and my mom, but she doesn't even care. She doesn't care about anything."

"You shouldn't say that, little prince," the woman picked up the four year old boy, carrying him away from the window to the bed.

"Well it's true," the boy argued. "Besides you, no one else cares to pay me any mind. I'm an outcast, an outsider who doesn't belong here, or wanted. I've known it for a long time now. They all either fear me or are disgusted by me for what I am."

"What are you then young Tala?" The woman tucked him away under the cover, making certain that he wasn't about to get up for no reason.

"I'm a curse," the boy murmured, closing his eyes.

"A cruse?" the woman replied.

"Of course," he nodded. "Haven't you seen how everyone jump to get out of my way if I'm allowed from out of the servant quarters? It's like I have some sort of plague or disease. It's amusing at times, frustrating most other times. At times I wish I wasn't like this, that no one knew who I was."

"At times life is never fair," the woman said, stroking his hair.

"Hey," the boy yawned.

"Yes young Tala?"

"Can I ask you something important?" The heavy lids on his blue eyes slowly closed, fighting to stay awake at the soothing touch lulling him away from the fever. The woman, the same woman who raised him from the time he was born to a mother that wanted nothing to do with her own offspring, was the only person he could ever talk to. Regardless that his conversations consisted of their present subject, he was grateful to have someone to share his views with.

No one else cared, then again, his own nursemaid was considered a witch for having delivered him at all. Both recognized as lepers of sorts, quarantined from everyone else. It was only fitting that this conversation never bothered her. In fact, the boy had a feeling she was humored every time she heard it. Without her, he would have likely went crazy soon in that hell hole he could only call a home.

"What's she doing?" the boy inquired.

"Who, young Tala?" the woman questioned.

"My mother…what's she doing?"

The woman turned her eyes to the shape sitting in the corner. To her surprise, eyes which usually remained fixed on any other thing than the child she gave birth to, were fixated on the body beneath the sheets of the bed. Brown eyes flickered with thoughts left unspoken. "She's looking at you, young master."

"I thought so," he voiced. "I've felt her eyes since this morning watching me. I haven't looked directly at her, but you can feel those eyes. It's strange…the feeling of her watching me."

"I can imagine," the woman agreed.

"Why do you think she's paying attention to me now?" Tala wondered.

"Perhaps she senses your illness?" the woman suggested.

"I've been sick before, she never paid me any attention before, so why now? It doesn't make sense."

"Maybe we will never know," the woman declared. "The only thing I can say to you is be joyous that her attention has found its way to you. You never know if it will fade."

"I'm not expecting it to last long," Tala confirmed.

-flashback ends-

"A whole day is what I received. Those brown eyes remained on me for an entire day without straying. When it was over, I didn't mourn it, I knew it was going to come. So…how is it different now?" Tala thought, staring at the brunette in the tub bathe bashfully. He didn't want the attention, he had learned growing up to accept the lack of attention. He got by in the shadows, out of the spotlight. It puzzled him how his actions triggered something on such a larger scale as this.

"Prince Tala…" the timid voice brought him out of his thoughts. Lifting blue eyes to his prey, he raised a brow.

"What do you want?"

Kenny stared down at the water, his cheeks tinting. "If it's not trouble…could you…wash my back for me?"

"Aren't you afraid I might drag you out the bathtub and have my way with you again?" Tala questioned. "Don't you fear me? After what I've done to you, you want me to wash your back for you? Don't you want me to get away from you, like when I first picked you up?"

"You didn't seem like you wanted to. You only wanted me to take a bath," Kenny replied softly.

"You were still scared. What changed your mind?"

"You didn't do anything more than drop me in this tub," Kenny answered. "If you really had wanted to do…that again…why bother to pick me up. You could have pinned me down on the bed and done it again. You aren't the type of person whose going to go through so much trouble for what they want."

"You seem like you know this from fact."

"Six months of being here with you…at times, some things are noticeable, even if you don't want them to be. For a while, I thought about how I might have to make some sacrifices in order to see the true you."

"There is no true me," Tala assured.

"You're wrong," Kenny stated. "You didn't want to have me in that way because you…well…because you had a need for it. You did it because you wanted to fill an empty space. I don't know if you filled it or not, but I know that's what you were trying to achieve."

"You're a moron," Tala scoffed, standing up. "You're probably the most idiotic person I've had the chance to meet thus far. The only reason I took you over and over again was to hear you scream in pain. That look in your eyes sated me the most. That pathetic pleading of a wounded animal. You have no idea how foolish your babbling sounds. I've lived from the time I was two in this manner."

"It must have been hard to deal with, keeping others at bay like this," Kenny remarked after remaining silent for a minute, taking in the reply he received from the red headed prince. Tala narrowed his eyes, his icy eyes shrinking in size, before refocusing back on the brunette. Turning his back to the younger prince, he took a step towards the door.

"If you really knew the truth about me, there would be no doubt how you'd react…" With this said, he exited the room. "Why is it so different now than every other time? If you had been more like him…maybe I wouldn't waited a few more years before killing you mother."

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Rim: I'm not going to comment cause really, I don't have anything to say. With that done and out the way, let's get some sleep now.