AN. So here we have the aftermath of this fight! I hope you enjoy, I'm really enjoying writing these stories! And watching all of Dragon Ball again, of course XD So once again, Tien is 12 and Chiaotzu is stuck at 5 like most (if not all) of my stories :D

Chapter Fifteen

Chiaotzu scrubbed at his face with his right hand, trying to get rid of the tears that blurred his vision. He needed to concentrate, he needed to focus. He shifted and his broken arm sent out another bolt of agony, making him grit his teeth. He lifted his right hand again and bands of power spread out and immobilised his left arm. He sighed with relief. It was so much easier to focus when he didn't have to worry about jostling the broken bone. He could slightly move his left hand like this, so long as he didn't move his elbow. He gently used his power to move his broken arm, to stretch out his hand and grab at his shirt. He had torn it off when he'd found this cave, using his powers to shred it into long thin strips.

He hesitated, looking between the makeshift bandage and his right hand. He was going to have to let go of his arm to use the bandage. He couldn't split his power like that; perform two complex actions with only one hand. With two he could just about manage it, but his left hand was essentially useless and he couldn't direct power up his own arm anyway.

"Dammit," he spat. Then again, much louder, so his high sweet voice pierced the cold air like a dagger, "KAMI DAMMIT!"

Chiaotzu?

The thought intruded in his head, Tien's voice echoing in his mind. Chiaotzu immediately tried to put up protective walls; he was too hurt to see the triclops at this moment. However he found himself powerless to do so. Their minds were already so deeply entwined that he couldn't boot the triclops out even if he wanted to.

Leave me alone, he sent back, trying to make his tone venomous, aware that the pain and hurt would be clearly transmitted too. He could feel Tien's emotions easily, the despair and the horror and the regret.

Where are you? Let me help.

Chiaotzu now started to focus on suppressing his power level. He felt a flash of anger when he realised he couldn't, not while he was actively using his powers to maintain his arm in its line. Damn it.

Sure enough the voice calling his name soon echoed in his ears as well as in his mind. He curled into a small ball, hoping that he would be hidden. If he had been dressed then maybe it would have worked, but with his shirt off his white skin was almost luminous in the dark cave.

"There you are, Chiaotzu."

There was a hint of relief in his voice now. Tien's hand rested gently on the telepath's shoulder, who couldn't quite find the strength to shrug it off. Instead he curled into a tighter ball, aware of the tears which were again streaming down his cheeks and splashing on his chest.

"Leave me alone," he said, and his voice was soft and croaky. He'd spent a fair amount of time cursing and yelling and screaming inside this little cave as he'd used his powers for things other than stabilising his arm.

"Chiaotzu, I'm so sorry. I couldn't go against Master Shen."

Chiaotzu tried to stay angry, he tried to keep a hold of his rage and his hurt and his betrayal, but the emotions slipped away from him like water through his fingers. He knew what power Shen had over them both; the fear and awe he inspired. He brought his knees closer and the flickering bands of his power tightened slightly around his arm, strengthened by the force of his emotion. He let out a small gasp of pain and Tien's touch on his shoulder became a grasp, the triclops holding him steady.

"Can…can I see?" Tien asked.

Chiaotzu jerked his head in a nod and unfurled his body, leaning against the cave wall, grimacing as his power tightened again around his arm. He tried to loosen the bands and released his arm completely. It was always so much harder to control his powers when his emotions ran high. He let out a short scream and then Tien was holding his arm in both hands, gently and surely, keeping it still. Dark dots swarmed in front of Chiaotzu's eyes again and he gritted his teeth to prevent a faint.

"I broke it?"

Tien's voice and face showed the horror he felt, but he kept his hands steady and Chiaotzu's arm remained straight. The telepath nodded once, biting hard on his lower lip, his right hand curled in a fist.

"Kami, Chiaotzu, I'm so sorry." Tien dropped his eyes to the thin white arm in his grasp and Chiaotzu saw the shine of tears well there. "I didn't mean to hurt you so badly. I just wanted to wind you so he would let us stop."

Chiaotzu didn't know what to say to that, how to address the horrible situation they had been forced into. Instead he decided to ask for help.

"I…I t-tore my sh-shirt," Chiaotzu said. His voice was breathy and weak and he swapped to his telepathy so his words would be understood. To make a bandage. If I hold my arm still could you wrap it for me? I…I can't alone…

He didn't wait for Tien to acknowledge his cooperation, just lifted his hand and grabbed hold of his arm with his powers. Tien's hands loosened, then released completely when he was sure that Chiaotzu had a hold of it properly. He bent and collected the shreds of Chiaotzu's shirt. He started to wrap it around Chiaotzu's arm, pulling it tight to provide some support. He paused and looked around the room.

"What did you have as a splint?"

Ah dammit. Chiaotzu leaned his head against the wall of cave, groaning to himself. I forgot.

Tien frowned slightly, then shrugged. "I can splint it against your body. That might work."

Chiaotzu couldn't quite understand what he meant, but nodded. He trusted Tien, even after being hurt so badly. Tien wrapped the bandage around his arm a few more times, then directed Chiaotzu so his arm was against his side. The triclops started binding the broken arm to the telepath's side, wrapping the shredded shirt around him. As he did he apologised again, trying to explain why he hadn't helped, why he couldn't defy Shen.

"And I just knew that if I helped you that he would be so mad and he might kick us out. Where would we go, Chiaotzu? We don't have anywhere else we could live!"

"He wanted to drive a wedge between us," Chiaotzu said softly, closing his eyes. "He doesn't know how else to do it. He wants us to rely on him only, to not have any supports besides him and Master Tao."

"I swear I'll never do it again. If he ever asks then I'll just say no."

Chiaotzu knew it wasn't that easy, but appreciated the thought behind the words.

"I won't either. I'll never hurt you, Tien, even if he tells me to."

Tien reached the edge of the bandage and was clearly not happy with the support it provided because he took off his own shirt and tore it carefully into one long strip. He used it to really bind Chiaotzu's arm to his side, pulling it tight. Chiaotzu withdrew his power nervously, then sighed with relief as the bandages held, his broken arm completely supported.

"Thank you, Tien."

Tien offered a small smile, cautiously. He clearly was nervous about the gesture, uncertain how Chiaotzu would respond. Chiaotzu found himself returning the smile, unable to keep his features still.

"Friends again?"

Chiaotzu's smile widened slightly at the hope in Tien's voice. "More than friends. We're brothers, Tien. Always."

AN. And there's another chapter. I'm pretty happy with it :) I just read back on the first chapter and I think I'm getting the hang of this again! It's been a long time :D Please review, it's really appreciated!