AN. We're off canon again. At least, real canon. Head canon? Totally different story! :D Enjoy! Also, super Chiaotzu heavy chapter, so if you're not so much a fan of Chiaotzu then...my stories are probs not the place for you, let's be honest :P

Chapter Ten

The fire flickered in the darkness, hot embers flitting through the air. Chiaotzu hunched in the corner, retching up bile that burned his throat as he clenched his eyes shut. In the fire a body lay, smouldering, silent.

This had been a bad one. He had been sent out to assassinate someone who had cheated Shen in a deal. The details were unknown to Chiaotzu; he hoped it was something really serious. He would hate to think that he had just murdered this man for something trivial.

He retched again as he thought of the Dodonpa he had unleashed, aiming for the vital spot above the man's heart, hoping to make the death as quick as possible. But at the last second the man had twisted, the ray hitting him on the arm instead of the heart, and had been engulfed in flames. He had burned to death, screaming and writhing and struggling against the fire that had consumed him.

Chiaotzu slumped against the wall, feeling tears burning in his eyes, unable to stop the nausea that filled him. It had been a long time since he had botched an assassination so badly. He somehow found the strength to stumble from the hut as the fire caught, thick black smoke starting to rise. There was the scent of roasting meat mixed with that acrid smoke that made his stomach heave and more bile burn up his throat.

Tao Pai Pai was waiting outside. Chiaotzu looked up at him in surprise, wiping one hand across his lips to ensure no vomit remained there. The tears in his eyes fell down his cheeks, leaving streaks of white and red skin in the black soot. Shen must have sent his brother to check on him, concerned about how long he had been gone.

He felt the disapproval that radiated off the assassin and was overcome by shame, lowering his gaze to the ground.

"I'm s-sorry, Master," he said, wishing his voice was less shaky. The man scoffed softly under his breath and then he was being hoisted into the air by his upper arm. This wrenched his shoulder and he swallowed a gasp of pain.

Tao cut down a tree and easily stripped off the branches, still holding Chiaotzu by his arm. He flung the log and leapt to stand upon it, soaring through the air. They headed back to the dojo this way, requiring two further throws of the log to make it all the way. Tao dropped Chiaotzu at the door of the school, not looking at the boy as he stalked inside.

Chiaotzu had managed to regain control of his emotions now and his ashy face was still and solemn, his blank eyes revealing nothing. He walked inside, knowing that Tao was going to tell Shen of his weakness, and headed for his room.

Tien wasn't there. He was outside, most likely, training with the other boys, learning more powerful techniques. This was a relief and Chiaotzu pulled off his ashy surcoat, wiped his face with the inside lining, dropped it on the floor and slid into the bed. The surcoat still smelled of smoke and roasting meat, and he had to swallow another rising tide of vomit. He curled into a tight ball and pulled the blanket to cover him, feeling his muscles tremble and shudder as his composure dissolved.

He lay alone like that for about an hour, tears sliding down his face, his eyes staring blankly at the wall. Every time he blinked he saw the man's face as he had beat frantically at the fire that engulfed him. He would never forget that sight.

The door flew open and Tien burst in, the door slamming behind him as he excitedly jumped on the bed.

"Chiaotzu! You're back!"

The boy flung his arms around the telepath as best he could considering Chiaotzu couldn't quite find the strength to get up. Chiaotzu had been gone for several weeks at this point so it was not surprising that Tien was so happy to see him. However he couldn't match the boy's enthusiasm, not with the despair he felt.

Tien backed off, his confusion almost palpable. On the other trips Chiaotzu had taken away he had always been happy to see the triclops again. Chiaotzu steeled himself and managed to sit up, forcing a wobbly smile on his face. Tien's own smile fell away and concern filled his eyes.

"Nii-chan?" Tien put his hands on Chiaotzu's shoulders. He still hadn't stopped calling Chiaotzu big brother, despite being a year older now than Chiaotzu would ever be and even taller. "What happened?"

Chiaotzu shook his head, then his face screwed up and he started to cry, leaning forward and burying his face into Tien's shoulder. The triclops wrapped his arms around the telepath instinctively, the embrace soft and comforting.

It was awful, Chiaotzu sent, unable to make his voice cooperate through his tears. He didn't want to die!

Tien's grip tightened ever so slightly, his muscles stiffening. Chiaotzu was working overtime to prevent his sobs from evolving to wails, a series of choked gasps the only noise he was making as he cried. Tien started to rub his back, murmuring soothing nonsense words.

It took a little time but Chiaotzu eventually cried himself out and leaned his head against Tien's shoulder, exhausted. The triclops didn't release him just yet, maintaining his gentle embrace until Chiaotzu found the strength to lift his head and sit back on his heels.

"Sorry," he said, wiping his cheeks with his hands. "I…I lost it a bit."

Tien met his eyes readily, no embarrassment or shame between them. He kept one hand on the telepath's arm, giving comfort through the contact.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I don't know." Chiaotzu realised his hands were still covered in ash and retched slightly. Tien gently took hold of Chiaotzu's hands and wiped them clean with his shirt, then lifted the hem and cleaned the smears of ash and tears from the red-circled cheeks. "Thank you, Tien."

"That's okay." Tien looked deeply concerned, his mouth turned down sharply at the corners, his three eyes soft and wary as they fixed on Chiaotzu.

Chiaotzu wanted to warn Tien about the path Shen had chosen for him, to dissuade him from following this path and being stuck in this emotional torment. He couldn't find the words though, and he closed his eyes as he leaned back into Tien, frustrated by how helpless he felt. Maybe Tien would be a better assassin than he was, and wouldn't suffer this feeling so much.

AN. And there we have it. A bit of insight into how the assassins of the Crane School do their thing. Chiaotzu is...not a great assassin? He's a good person though, and that's waaay more important :D Next chapter will be a few years in the future, focusing on Tien becoming the star pupil of Tsuru'sennin! See you then!