Boy are you guys in for a show... ahhh...

Longest Chapter I ever written.. 4000 + words...ahh you guys better enjoy it...lol.. this took me forever so I expect about 15 reviews mininum...lol...

Summary:

You guys get to find out what happened to Rae after he left Corus.. plenty of twists and turns.. and this deff. fills in a bunch of gaps I might have left... oh jeez your in for one heck of a chapter

USNA- your wish has been granted.. read and enjoy...

nativewildmage- I'm glad you like my cordial invitation...lol... I hope I don't need one to tell you to review this chapter..lol.. and tell all your friends to read.. I need as many reviews as I can get.. can you believe it I only got eight reviews for the last chapter.. 8... that makes me sooo sad.. thanks meghan..

On Top of Cloud9- happy belated birthday! No I didn't go shopping black friday.. I am like literally broke lol.. and plus i did my xmas shopping for this year last year.. lol I am such a freak.. and did I mention cheap!

Knights of Ne- yeah I noticed that at the end of chapter.. I was like damnit... yeah by then it was 1 am and i was like screw this...lol... so yeah.. well thats Corus... no one cares about serving drinks to minors.. and to tell you the truth I don't think any one cares now either...lol

anonymous girl- ahh hola dances.. very nice.. hope you enjoy the next chapter.. and review it too!

cheese... - yeah sorry I am a pretty evil author... trust me people can tell you things..lol.. I hope you review next chapter..

maliphire- yeah depression is deff. a bad thing... muchos gracias with reviewing..

Pesche- here you are.. I hope you like it...

Smiley Faced Person- yeah I most deff. suck at grammar...lol.. I'll try harder...

I hope you like it...

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Rae had been riding for four days straight with occasional stops to rest his mount.

The young Shang was absolutely devastated when he found out he was lied to all these years by the woman he loved.

A normal Shang wouldn't have experience the pain he was put through, but Rae came from a long line of strict Shang. His great great great great grandfather started the Shang at the Yamani Islands. Rae knew the moment he discovered Jzet with her gift he knew they could never be.

But did you really have to be so cruel to her? A rebellious part of his mind questioned.

I suppose not, but it cut me deep, really deep, Argued the other part of his mind.

Well you can never face her again not after what you did to her.

I know.

I guess it's time to turn a new page in the book.

Yeah, but it will take me a while to forget.

At that moment Rae's horse stopped in its tracks. Rae observed that the horse sensed another person was around.

Rae didn't want to stick around just in case it was bandits and kicked his horse into a gallop.

Rae was so busy looking behind him he didn't see a girl standing in the middle of the road.

His horse reared and Rae clung on for his life. His horse finally calmed down and Rae dismounted.

"What in Mithros name do you think you were doing standing in the middle of the road? I could have been killed!" Before Rae could shout anymore he realized the girl was all too familiar. She had long black hair that went to her waist. She had hard brown eyes and was obviously of Yamani origins. Then it dawned on him.

It was Aria.

"Aria it's you! I haven't seen you in three years!" Rae exclaimed hugging his long lost companion tightly.

When she didn't respond immediately to his hug Rae noticed something.

The light from her eyes had disappeared. She wasn't the same eager, happy girl that she had been three years ago. The energetic shadow of Jzet had turned into a dull one.

"Aria what's wrong you're different?" Rae asked gripping her shoulders tightly.

"Rae could you please answer one thing for me?" Aria asked politely.

"Yeah anything Aria,"

"Did she make you suffer too?"

Rae mouth went dry and memories of the past few days flooded back into him like a dam breaking.

"Yes Aria she did, very much."

"I've been looking for her for the last two years Rae." screamed Aria. "I traveled to a distant land just so I could see her again."

Rae closed his eyes reflecting on the moment.

"She ruined me Rae."

"Jzet had to be called away on short notice, Aria." said Rae softly.

"But she never said good bye to her best friend." shouted Aria angrily. Her Yamani mask was all washed away as rain poured out of the sky drenching them leaving bitterness.

"I would have dropped my training just so I could be with her, Rae. She was my only thing close to family." said Aria. "And just like my parents she abandoned me."

"Aria-" Rae began.

"I had to give up my virginity just so I could get a passage over to Tortall." said Aria in a whisper. She screamed as her Yamani mask broke one last time leaving tears flooding her face. "It hurt me so bad, and I was only thirteen." She fell to her knees.

"Aria come on I'll get you a room at the inn and we can eat." said Rae lifting the fourteen year old girl off the ground.

"There's no need for an inn my friend." said Aria. "Would you like to meet Tortall's Shang council?"

"Wait your in the Shang council?" Rae asked.

"I am inducted tonight, but the masters told me I needed to bring a Yamani Shang to the induction ceremony so it could be completed." said Aria. "I was completely devastated when I found out I needed a Yamani Shang, knowing that Jzet was the only person I could bring. But tonight I felt a force, calling me to this road, and I came. And look here you are Rae, my Yamani Shang."

"I'd be happy to go see the council. I have nothing else now." said Rae solemnly.

"I can tell." said Aria shortly. "Come and bring your horse. You will be warmly welcomed by the council Rae, or should I say Shang Tiger."

Rae chuckled softly and took his horse by the reigns.

"Lead the way Aria."

Aria nodded and then began leading Rae through the thick forest. Rae stumbled a few times on roots and stones as he went through the forest. But he was shocked that Aria had perfect balance.

Finally Rae spotted the orange flames of a camp fire up ahead and let out a small whoop. He was happy to finally get around a warm fire.

"My masters I have returned with a Yamani Shang just like you requested." said Aria bowing.

An older man spoke from across the fire his face was tense.

"You did?" he asked obviously very surprised. "Impossible, there is no Yamani Shang here in Tortall, on record."

"Well I'm sorry my master the Shang Tiger is from the Yamani Islands and I have brought him to you." said Aria.

Rae noticed something was fishy.

"Aria I don't think they expected you to finish the task." he whispered.

Aria only nodded.

"Rae is that you?" asked a hoarse voice.

Rae froze he had heard that voice so many times before.

An older man stepped into the light. He had cropped grey hair and carried a walking stick.

"Rae it's me your grandfather."

Rae couldn't believe what he was hearing. His parents had told him his grandfather Jakino Noh Shangri had died a long time ago in a battle.

"But you're dead, that's not possible." Rae said clearly awestruck.

"Dead," the old man said dryly. "Nonsense, I was never dead. That was just a crazy tale made up by your mother, Rae. No I went to Tortall to help recruit more Shang students. It's been a long fifteen years Rae, and look you are a man now. I missed it all."

"Shang Wolverine I am so pleased you have brought my grandson to me. You shall be inducted into the council as the youngest member to ever exist." proclaimed Jakino.

The other council members nodded, but reluctantly.

"Your ceremonial induction begins tomorrow at sunset." Jakino explained to Aria who couldn't help, but smile. "And Rae as a member of the Yamani bloods you shall help her complete her task."

Rae stood their puzzled and was about to ask why when Aria jabbed him in the stomach. Rae recoiled quickly and shot her a sharp glare as to say 'what was that for'

After the Shang Council and Aria had retired to their tents and the fire dimmed down Rae decided to go to sleep. He was crawling into his tent when he felt another person in front of him. He was about to shout out in fright when the person's cold finger touched his mouth and seduced him.

"Calm down Rae it's just me." said a familiar voice.

"Aria?" Rae questioned.

"Yes," responded Aria in a hushed whisper.

"What are you doing here?" Rae asked.

"To thank you for everything," Aria said softly.

Then his lips were captured by hers sending Rae into a momentarily shocked state.

"Aria do you love me?" Rae asked still a little a taken aback.

"Yes," And with that she kissed him again and this time Rae kissed her back.

"The question is Rae do you love me?" Aria asked after they had broke apart.

Rae paused a little uncertain. Did he love Aria? Or was she just a temporary thing that would keep Jzet off his mind? But deep in side his heart Rae knew he could never love Jzet again.

"Yes I do Aria very much." said Rae and they kissed again.

"Than you will help me become apart of the Shang council, right?" She touched his chest with her cold hand making him shiver, but at the same time his heart beat faster.

How could he say no to such a woman that he had found such love and beauty in?

"Of course Aria I would do anything for you." She kissed him again this time fumbling with his belt buckle.

Rae didn't understand she contained no magic, but still what was this spell she weaved over him?

"I need to know if you are committed to me Rae." Aria said softly, but with power behind her words.

"Okay,"

"Let's do it."

The next morning Rae woke up finding that Aria was not beside him, but he still felt her warmth. He yawned and put his clothes back on.

He began to stretch feeling very stiff from last night. He just did things robotically without having one thought run through his head.

Soon he stepped outside his tent he noticed all the other Shang were up and about.

"You sleep very late Shang Tiger," said one of the elders.

"What are you talking about it's five in the morning!" Rae exclaimed.

"We get up at three, but the Shang Wolverine told us not to wake you."

Rae hid his embarrassment under his Yamani mask.

"Oh," he said lamely and then set off to find Aria.

Rae found her practicing with one of the younger Shang in a clearing in the forest.

"Ah Shang Tiger nice to see you up and fully awake," Aria drawled smirking.

Rae glanced over to the younger Shang, a girl around the age of nine, who met his gaze squarely.

"No thanks to you," snapped Rae.

Aria just laughed.

"Emma this is my friend the Shang Tiger," said Aria introducing the girl to him.

Emma gave Rae a Shang style bow which Rae returned.

"Nice to meet you Emma," said Rae politely.

"Well actually Emma I'm going to talk to Rae, you go find Frances." said Aria trying to sound as nice as she could.

"Ok," mumbled Emma.

Rae watched as the young girl bowed to both of them and then scurried off towards camp.

"So what's on your mind Rae?" Aria asked seductively capturing his lips with hers.

"What do I need to do tonight?" Rae asked. Aria rubbed his shoulders.

"Nothing hard Rae, I'm sure it will be easy." said Aria lifting his chin and kissing him feverishly.

"Are you sure?" Rae asked.

Aria ran her fingers through his hair.

"Rae you told me you would do anything for me, and after all this is anything." Aria said kissing him again.

"Well okay if you say so," Rae said uncertainly.

Aria noticed his ambiguity and stroked his face with her callused fingers.

"Everything will be all right Rae, I promise." Aria said.

"I believe you Aria,"

The sun was setting over the horizon when it was time for the task the Shang Council of Elders was going to make Aria do.

They dressed Rae and Aria in pure white garments and they were brought before the council of elders.

"Shang Wolverine your instructions are simple go to the center of the forest and find the Animala Jewel which is the center of balance for the Shang. You will know of it because of its yellow color. Then you will use the blood of a fellow Yamani and use a few drops of it on the jewel. Then the gods will see if you are worthy to be on the council. If you are successful a mark in your right arm will be visible of a horse. If you are not successful you will die. This is very risky Shang Wolverine, are you sure you want to go through this?" A Shang Elder asked Aria.

Aria took no moment of hesitation.

"Yes my master I am ready." said Aria her jaw set in a determined line.

"Than go and the gods be with both of you." said Jakino.

Rae and Aria bowed to the council and then set off into the woods.

"Well you lead the way Aria I'll just hang back." said Rae ushering her forward.

"Yeah you're sure brave," said Aria sarcastically.

"I try my fair lady I try," said Rae smiling flirtatiously.

Aria pushed him playfully.

"Stop it you, we need to find that Animala." said Aria scolding Rae.

Rae smirked and stopped his antics.

The silence was soon replaced by the cold that nipped at Rae's face constantly.

"I hate Tortall." he mumbled. "How do you put up for this Aria?"

"I don't know I haven't been through these so cold storms from the north." said Aria rubbing her hands together.

Yeah that would have been a good thing to ask Jzet when I had the chance. Rae thought bitterly. He mentally slapped himself for bringing up his ex-friend's name and started to sing a Yamani folk song under his breath to pass the time.

Rae looked up and saw the moon covered by the passing clouds. It was so peaceful out in the forest it seemed to grip Rae.

A snap of a twig brought Rae out of nature's trance.

It was a ferocious looking wild cat on his late night hunt.

Seeing Aria and Rae the cat licked its lips hoping for a late night snack.

The cat pounced and Rae immediately threw himself in front of the cat to stop it from attacking Aria.

"Rae!" shouted Aria as beast and man tangled with each other.

Rae ignored the girls screams and instead concentrated on the wild animal that's claws were digging into his arm.

He gritted his teeth as he threw the cat off him sending it to the ground where it rolled a few feet.

"Go!" Rae shouted to Aria. "Go find the stone!"

"But-"

"Just go Aria," Rae said desperately before the cat could attack him again. "I'll meet you there."

Rae didn't watch Aria go because the cat attacked him again, but the sound of crunching leaves and twigs signaled the girl Shang had left the area.

The sharp pain in Rae's leg had indicated the wild cat's teeth had bitten it.

Rae's Yamani training stopped him from screaming in pain because it hurt like nothing Rae had experienced in his life.

The blood was trickling onto the soil when Rae decided to put an end to the wild cat.

He swung his left leg across and his boot collided with the wild cat's jaw sending him farther back and hitting smack into a tree.

The creature let out a yowl of pain, but then limped away.

As soon as Rae was certain it was gone he tended to his own wound in his legs and arms using strips of his white garments to stop the blood flow.

Then Rae continued on this time alone.

It seemed like hours the young Shang had traveled. He was growing weak because of his bad wounds and poor bandaging.

Finally a bright yellow light and a steady vibration brought him running. Rae was certain it was Aria and the Animala stone.

"Aria is that you?" Rae asked before stopping just short of the bright object.

"Rae finally I have found you." said a voice that's owner was hidden by the light, but Rae was certain it was Aria's. "Come the ceremony can begin with your blood."

Rae just nodded and stepped towards the bright object and put his arm on it.

Without warning a silver dagger came down upon it and drew blood.

Rae was surprised upon this sudden pain and let out a small yelp. But he gritted his teeth as the blood trickled down off his arm and into the bright light.

Then unexpectedly an unknown force pushed Rae back and softly against a tree. Rae tried to get up, but found he was bound to the tree by some kind of ivy like rope.

How will I bandage the dagger wound? Rae wondered as he looked down at his wound, but found it completely healed except for a small little blue letter A shape on his arm where the dagger had pierced it.

Rae just smirked. He would never understand the outside forces.

Though the young Shang was concerned about Aria who was still out of view. Suddenly soft droning music filled the air in a series of loud and long vibrations.

It was soothing in Rae's point of view, but he had little time to enjoy the music because the light had suddenly brightened considerably blinding him.

Rae tried to cover his eyes and realized his arms were still bounded so he clamped his eyes shut.

But as quick as the blinding light had began it had ended too leaving the forest in complete darkness and without any sounds except for Rae's heavy breathing.

"Hello Aria?"

And with those words a small light flashed and a loud humming sound was heard.

Aria's body was completely illuminated showing every last line on her face.

A low rumble was heard and Rae had the urge to look up. The clouds were parting rapidly leaving just one cloud that was pure black.

"Shang gods please open the way for me." Rae heard Aria scream and repeat it several times until a blinding red light came down upon Aria and seemed to pull her in the air.

Seeing this Rae struggled against the ivy without success, he wanted to help Aria.

He was scared for her.

The red light made Aria's body rotate a few times before making a painful screeching noise. It sounded more like an eagle than anything.

Rae gasped as he saw a horse suddenly trot out of nowhere and pause in the red light below Aria. It just stayed there and looked up at Aria and then at Rae.

"She is what she is made to be," a sharp voice said inside Rae's head.

Rae screamed in pain and tried to grab his head, but in vain. The voice was unbearable like nothing he had heard before almost god-like.

And with that the horse whinnied and stood up on two of its legs scaring Rae for a moment. And then the majestic animal galloped away into the darkness of night.

With that another low rumble shook the earth around Rae and then came another flashing light that again blinded Rae completely.

When Rae opened his eyes he found himself in total darkness and the grey clouds that covered the moon were once back again.

It took a few minutes for Rae to come out of his state of shock and move his arms which were no longer bound by ivy.

Rae got up and ran over to where the red light had been and stumbled across the limp body of Aria that was on the ground.

Rae bent over and checked her pulse.

She had a weak one.

He sighed in relief and suddenly remembered something the Shang Elder had said earlier.

He rolled up Aria's right sleeve that revealed a horse on her tricep. The horse was blood red and was bucking on its hind legs like the one Rae had seen before.

She had passed the test.

Rae let out a small whoop and decided they should head back to camp before they would meet up with any wild beasts.

Rae lifted the Shang girl onto his shoulders and began the long slow journey back to camp.

After what took hours Rae stumbled back into camp clearly exhausted. It was dawn already and the Shang were sitting by the fire.

"Is she alive?" Jakino asked him the first thing he entered camp.

"Yes," Rae breathed.

His words caused the other Shang to shout out in joy and celebration.

But before Rae could join the celebrations in he had fainted in exhaustion.

"Rae, it's time to wake up you've been asleep two days." a familiar voice called to him.

Rae groaned and his eyes fluttered open to reveal a jovial looking Aria.

"Aria!" Rae exclaimed and flung himself into her arms and hoped to never let go.

They kissed passionately like they would never kiss again.

After the kiss Rae sat up in his bed panting.

"What happened to me?" he asked Aria.

"I'm in the Shang Council Rae!" said a jubilant Aria forgetting Rae's question. "Well not officially, but they're giving the fancy ceremony tonight because you are now awake."

"Oh good Aria, I am so happy for you." said Rae meaning every last word.

"I know I don't think I have been so glad since…" her voice trailed off, but Rae knew what she was going to say. It now left them both bitter.

"Well never mind that Aria she won't ruin your special day. Help me up so I can finally get some fresh air." Rae requested.

Aria helped Rae out of bed leaving him with sore legs and bones. Rae stretched making his bones creak and muscles shoot out in a small bit of pain.

"You get dressed and I'll meet you by the fire." Aria said.

"Unless you want to stay and watch," Rae hinted mischievously. He got no response excepted for the face of a flustered Yaman.

That night was a clear night not a grey cloud lingered in the sky.

"Perfect weather for an induction ceremony," Jakino mentioned to Rae before the ceremony.

Suddenly a soft wooden flood was heard leaving the other Shang in silence.

Aria appeared out of a tent in a white dress with a crown of ivy on her head.

She looked beautiful with her long black hair flowing loosely down to her waist.

The leader of the Shang Council known as the Shang Falcon stood above them all on two tree branches that tangled with each other leaving a perfect platform.

Aria walked forward to this platform her chin held high and she did not look any where except straight ahead at the Shang Falcon who was smiling at her.

She reached the platform and climbed up on to it with very little difficulty until she stood eye to eye with the Shang Falcon.

He took her crown of ivy off her head and replaced it with a crown of flower petals.

She bowed to him without the crown shifting off her head and then turned and faced the congregation of Shang who bowed to her.

Rae could have sworn that a tear was forming in her eye.

The Shang then clapped as she descended off the platform and walked back into the tent where she would put on another ceremonial garment for the after party.

Rae smiled just for the heck of it as he went over to the fire pit where the party would take place.

Three younger Shang boys and a girl around the age of eleven provided the musical entertainment with woodland instruments of their own why the girl sang. Her voice was so harmonious it sounded just like a goddess'.

Aria eventually emerged from the tent dressed in earthly garments signifying she was still not above everyone even though her reign and still was like dust.

Rae hugged Aria wishing not to kiss her in front of the other Shang.

"This is our lives for now on," She whispered in his ear.

Rae smiled yes this would be how they would live.

A/N notice Aria's shang name Wolverine... Jzet is Shang Wolf... wink wink ahh...

So I hope you liked it... I hope (I mean pray) you don't think the fluff was to bad...

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW

and I'll love you forever...

now I gotta go play a soccer game...

Keep it real

Caiti