Tarnished Souls

by Neena14

The Russian's betrayal forced the neko into seclusion and even three years behind their brutal seperation, their broken souls are further tainted by the resurfaced past memories. They meet again and rust some more. KaRe Yaoi. A masterpiece...

5. Chapter 5

Hello folks. I'm furious at myself and will not blame you for hating me. I hate myself more than you do anyway. This chapter was supposed to be up on 10th of August, 2008 and yes, I'm serious. The time spent in between is…unexplainable and I'm not at a liberty to tell. What I would like to say is that the way this chapter was written, I hate it and you guys, don't expect any update soon. I'm sorry.

I read the last chapter and I can easily detect the wayward style in which I composed it. It didn't feel like I really typed all that. It wasn't my way. Anyway, upon Tarnished-Iota's POV, I've decided not to merge these two chapters. What I also forgot was to mention in the previous chapter the name of the song lyrics I used. So give it up for, 'The Reason' by Hoobastank!!

The lyrics used here, in this chapter, are mentioned in the end, just to create a bit of a surprise.

Anyway, don't forget to Read and Review.

Enjoy!

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Chapter No.5

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Sun went down, taking with it the light that bestowed the green planet and giving way to shadows that etched to conquer. Birds nestled, creatures hid but the human nature, one of a kind, if not much, became even more ardent with the approaching of end of the day.

Similarly, the life with in the restaurant never ceased to increase. The staff members: on duty with their plates and hands full; while chefs concocted exotic banquets for the hungry customers behind those large metallic kitchen doors. Aromas were served as hors d'oeuvre even before the arrival of the first appetizers and they filled up the big and small bellies alike, mounting the growing yearning for the delights and delicacies to appear quickly.

And he served amongst this pandemonium of humanity which in civil society was considered as feasting, or rather, dining.

Shaking his front hair out of his eyes, Ray smiled at the guests as he laid down a silver dish of spaghetti alla carbonara, a large Italian salad and a pear torte and bowed away politely. It was his stubbornness that had resulted in his Uncle appointing two Italian cooks in his kitchen team. The man swore his nephew did not grant him peace till it was done.

Walking back to the reception, he watched as new comers filled the eatery, the waiters leading them to the tables in a subtle manner. His eyes made out Tania, looking nothing less of a spectacular host in her fitting clothes, as she handed the menus and took out the orders. His gaze swept over the place and his mind wandered away.

Tania either was psychic or Ray gave her less credit on how well that girl knew him. He had appeared from behind the parting curtains from the executive area and she had known something had happened; again. Her eyes never left the lyrics Kai sent as Ray softly filled her with the phone conversation. The only time she glanced up was when the neko's voice broke slightly at the mention of the song his koi had composed for him.

"I don't know, Ray. I don't know what to say."

That was what Tania said. She was not sure how to advise him. To tell him to go ahead with the date and ending up getting more hurt was not a pleasing option. But then again, to suggest not meeting Kai would never solve a piece in the emotional trauma Ray was experiencing.

And here he was; confused and uncertain once more. Truth to be told, his heart felt a heavy burden laid upon it whenever he thought of his lover. To meet Kai again would provide him a chance to settle things down maybe and finally, try to go on with his life with one less issue to carry. But the meeting would definitely also give way to the past memories and distrust to resurface eventually. How could he ever forget that his boyfriend had been engaged to marry? How could he ever forget how Kai betrayed him for Brooklyn?

How can I ever forget that I would never live my previous life again?

There was no turning back, ever. Lee haunted him. He scared him and he crushed him. Yet he even provided him the will to go up and meet Kai. Why? Ray could not answer that to himself. At least he could never answer sincerely. Perhaps it was a matter of defiance to the Lion. Or maybe an urge to gain the support of the shoulder he lost so long ago?

It doesn't matter now. I promised Kai I will meet him. I replied so eagerly that time. Why? Why did I ever do that? Shouldn't I have thought about it? Shouldn't I have given it a second thought, a deeper analysis?

That was it. He did not. And he did not because his heart said so. At that moment his heart had spoken, not his mind. Ray now wondered; it was his damned heart that made him believe Kai and Brooklyn's affair never existed. It was his heart that forced him to trust so blindly in Kai. And it was his heart that remained shattered since the night he left Kai.

"Fuck this…" Ray mumbled under his breath, fighting the urge to punch something hard. Taking a moment to seize control over him self, he decided to return to the kitchens.

But that never came.

The teen was about to move when the doors of La Xian admitted two formidable looking men. Whether or not both had the same business, it was hard to tell. One of them stopped at the glass top magazine stand while the second one went straight for the reception. He was dark with narrow eyes and wore tourists' attire and red sun glasses. It did nothing to make him look less dangerous.

He mumbled something to the male receptionist who either took that customer without any apparent surprise or was very well trained not to express his personal sentiments. Nodding, the receptionist beckoned a waiter to show the man, strangely, to the lounge.

The large figure had not even taken a few steps when the man who had entered with him left the magazine stand and brushed past Ray towards the reception. Clad in leather jacket with a gold hoop in one ear, he was a bit less shocking than the first one though the eyes held the same dangerous streak. He conversed with the receptionist and after a few nods of agreement, went stealthily towards the bar.

Ray would have question discreetly about the two mighty fellows but right then, the doors once more opened and admitted another figure. He, however, was the type Ray had seen many a times.

The man was heavily built but in a dark business suit that matched him well despite his size. He wore black glasses, which were no doubt one way see through, and a grey coil ran behind his head with a small hearing device in the end that fitted in the man's right ear. He reached the reception and turned to give the restaurant a long calculating glance. Probably satisfied, he turned back to the man and spoke in a hard accented but deep voice,

"Table for two and in a corner, now,"

The receptionist gave Ray such a fleeting glimpse that could had been imagined before replying with a smile, "Certainly, sir."

The neko watched as Akiko came forward to escort the man but instead he remained stationary and pressing the earplug with an index finger, he mumbled something incoherent in his collar. That done, he went back to the doors and turned to face the restaurant, legs open and hands folded against the stomach.

Ray was familiar with this procedure. Quite often he had seen the secret service men arriving and handling the arrangements for their clients before going to a corner and standing guard like statues. What surprised him a bit was that this rarely ever happened at La Xian. Sure politicians, business tycoons, royalty were regular guests but they hardly brought security with them for La Xian, in the evening, was usually a place for personal dinners rather than work-related affairs. What also remained a little peculiar was that such preparations always were handled beforehand. Ray had not been informed about any special guest by either Tania or any other.

He asked the receptionist, "Were we expecting them?"

"No Master Ray, I don't have any special bookings for 7 pm."

Walking behind the counter to check the booking register him self, Ray's gaze shifted to the door as it opened again and admitted a trim female figure. It stopped right at the entrance and the huge man bent to whisper in the delicate ear before escorting the lady to a suitable table near the huge bay windows.

Ray watched as she passed the reception and sweet scented oils and perfumes filled his senses. Though she was somewhat shorter than him, he could not judge her age for her face was completely shadowed by the hooded deep purple cape she wore. It covered her shoulders and whole back and trailed a foot behind like that for a princess. Underneath she wore a pearl white evening gown till her feet with a perfect seventeen-inch-waist.

A golden orb caught Tania's look and nodded towards this new visitor as she carefully took her seat. Dutifully, a waitress welcomed her and handed her the menu, making small talk but the girl dismissed her with a wave of manicured hand.

Shrugging it off, Ray turned about and went for the kitchens to serve the next order.

"Hey," Violet eyes clashed with his as he stopped, "You reckon she's from yesterday's Ball?"

"Probably," Ray sneaked a look at the still figure from behind a beautiful flower arrangement in the ornate vase, "Entertain her, will you?"

"I'll go when she's ready to order. I haven't seen her around this joint and I certainly didn't see her last night." Tania replied, scanning the area.

"Well, I think she's trying to catch your eye." Ray pointed out as the hidden face turned towards them. Damn, she looks like a phantom.

The pianist played a soft melodious symphony as Tania walked over, her high hells clinking against the emerald marble. Ray watched the customary pleasantries taking place as both females talked. However, Tania never pulled out her pad to write down the order; instead she straightened up and looked at Ray and then back again to cloaked figure. Nodding at what ever she was told, she returned back to where Ray stood.

"Uh…would you be surprised if I'd tell you that she asked you to have dinner with her?" She spoke in a tentative way, scrutinizing his face for a reaction.

At any other time, Ray would have bet his right arm that Tania would had definitely made a quirking remark about how another girl had fallen over Ray. He rushed in his mind to come up with a way to handle this, "I guess I am surprised. But that doesn't matter. Do I look fine?"

Again, at another time, Tania would had given him her know-it-all look and replied with a tone dripping in sarcasm or in a fan girl's gushing tone at how handsome he looked. However now she only nodded, "You look great, chibi."

"That's what bothers me."

---

"Ray Kon…I have heard much about you."

The voice was soft like a breeze and if it had not been for his sensitive hearing, Ray would have definitely missed what she spoke.

"I'm afraid I'm not at a liberty to say the same, ma'am."

Sitting across that mysterious figure, Ray wore a smile and a calm façade of mild interest. The moment he had neared her, that alluring fragrance greatly filled his soul. She had the palest skin he had seen and it had an unearthly glow that seemed to outshine the angelic attire itself! Her head tilted downwards and eyes shadowed, Ray could have compared her with a fairy tale's princess in her dark silk hooded cape and white gown.

Initially hands clasped softly in her lap, she had leaned on the table towards him the moment he was seated. Now resting her right arm above her left, the neko noticed the delicate nimble hand, manicured at least twice a week, adorning a simple golden bracelet.

The pink glossed lips glistened from the chandelier's light from above with sheen of a pearl. They were the only feature visible on the face and they parted to let out that silky voice again,

"Delilah, the name is Delilah."

Ray waited, expecting her to continue with her surname but she unfolded her arms and picked the menu in a feathery touch.

"I assure you that my family did not rest till I conquered the pinnacle of all of my studies so trust me when I say that well-bred I am."

Smile turning to amusement, he wondered where this was leading to.

"But despite all my education," She raised her head only to let the light catch her eyes. And Ray sensed himself leaning closer towards her, partially to make out the quiet words and partially to take the chance provided to get a look at the girl's face. The soft shade of hazel met his gaze as she gave the tiniest of smiles, "I'm afraid I'm as much as an expert in China as a backstreet illiterate." She finished, handing him the menu without opening it.

Ray raised his hand with a shake, "Well, in that case, you don't need to worry about me. I'm well versed in everything that had been printed on these pages. I wrote them myself."

"Really now," Delilah purred, tentatively opening the red folder bearing the restaurant's insignia again, "Then I do hope that you'd participate in making some human sense with these dishes. China had always been a difficulty for me. It's rather alien."

"I expect nothing less from a Russian, ma'am."

Those eyes rose from the menu and scrutinized him closely, "Russian…?"

"Probably from some distant Tsar family and here on the trip with your father I suppose. You either attended the last night Ball at Czar's or your father had been at The Deluxe. You've lived in Moscow, likes to shop from there and probably from Dubai and Bangkok. Had the best home tutoring and can speak Spanish, no doubt. Of course, all I debated can be purely based on intuition but I have a strong hunch that I stand corrected." The honey pools twinkled as Ray ended with a tilt of the head and a smile.

The Soviet placed her right hand on her left and sat back, staring at him for a long, long time. Then, "You're amazing, Ray Kon."

"Thank you, ma'am,"

"Please, call me Delilah."

"Alright," Ray pointed at the menu, "Should I order for you?"

"Oh no need; I just need some expertise before I order up snake's shriveled skin or frog legs as appetizers." She replied smoothly. "Though, I give you full credit at your perception. It is very much guessed correctly and true."

"Again, I'd say it was instinct."

"I see," Her eyes latched on his again, "Do enlighten me how your 'instinct' was so well on target, Ray Kon?"

"It's Ray. And La Xian caters traditional and international food so I've been meeting different customers from different backgrounds and culture almost every hour from the past two years. It won't be much to claim that it trains you in reading people off their walk and body. And also, I'm very much acquainted with your accent if you don't mind me adding."

"Interesting; though I don't reckon you meet Soviets everyday here. So how are you familiar with Russian accent? Perhaps through someone you knew…?"

You have no idea. But outwardly, Ray only nodded.

Satisfied for now, Delilah spoke, skimming through the menu gradually, "Do you have, I'm not sure if I'm pronouncing it right, that coconut drink, Chantal?"

"You mean Chendol?" Ray corrected immediately, "It is made with coconut milk, coconut sugar and little pieces of gelatin."

"Yes, that. I would like you to have one with me now."

Ray glanced up and Akiko was at his side instantly. He ordered two drinks and dim sum, Chinese appetizers. He explained, "One of our restaurant chefs is renowned for the Nonya style of food. That is a mixture of Chinese ingredients and Malay spices. No recipes have ever been written down."

She smiled. Taking her eyes off him and reading the menu again, both fell into another silence.

At the sidelines of his sight, Ray saw Tania looking at him and he easily read her gaze. Nodding only with the movement no one could had notice, he signaled her that all was fine. Watching her saunter away, he turned his attention back to Delilah.

She is mysterious. In fact, she's too mysterious to sit here discuss Chinese cuisine with me. She came for a purpose…But what is that?

He was experienced in customers enough to say that this young lady was no flirt. With a personal bodyguard and the suddenness of the whole scenario, there remained no doubt in Ray's mind that this meeting was not just a meaningless tête-à-tête. That girl held power in her aura and Ray was not shallow enough to think she would be attracted to him from his looks.

"What are you thinking?" The sudden inquiry made him glance up. The face was once again hidden under the shade of the cape but the lips were seen, "What is on your mind, Ray Kon?"

Ray shrugged with a smile, "Nothing much, ma'am." He could not bring himself to call her by her first name. Then again, she didn't either.

"Am I keeping you from something?"

"Oh not at all; it's a pleasure in fact."

"I am sure you say that to every other customer."

Ray raised one eyebrow, smiling still in amusement, "To be honest I do."

"Oh," She bent her head down for a moment before glancing up again, showing her eyes, "Is that so?" She smiled.

"Yes," Ray leaned in, "It's because it really is a pleasure meeting so many esteemed members of this global community everyday. It's rather entertaining."

The drinks arrived and Ray glanced at the brown liquid with lumps in it. It was something he was not fond of. The drink was unexceptionally sweet and Ray remembered describing the taste to Tania that after his first gulp, his taste buds were threatening to commit suicide. It was two years ago. Yet obediently he stirred it making sure his guest followed him. She brought the glass to her lips, barely touching the edge, and took a sip.

Ray would have liked to see her expression but it was quiet hidden when she commented, "It's…different."

"Indeed,"

"Tell me about yourself, Ray Kon."

The neko stopped for a moment's hesitation, rapidly thinking over the respond which he knew should be brief yet satisfying, "There's not much to tell about a country boy grown in the mountains, ma'am."

"Well, that's not what I heard and I'm very much interested so take your time."

Ray looked at her. "I wouldn't mind if you return the courtesy."

"Ah, quid pro quo I assume?"

"Perhaps,"

The platters of dim sum arrived and Akiko placed the chopsticks, one in each plate, and left, bowing.

"That's quite a bargain Ray Kon."

"In all sincerity, it's not much, ma'am. Please help yourself. They are excellent."

Delilah stared at the dumplings and then at the chopsticks. Raising her right, she deftly picked them up but did not separate them from their hold. When she did not move for a while, Ray took the hint and picked his own up, lightly snapping the two sticks apart. He watched her as she studied his skillful holding between the thumb and finger and did not look away till he picked one dumpling up and dropped it in his porcelain plate.

"My, I suppose I can use the fork?" Those pliant lips held a tiny smile as the Russian placed the chopsticks back but instead of picking any cutlery, she stared intently at Ray as he easily broke the dumpling in half and continued in placing it in his mouth.

"It's pretty easy if you get the hang of it."

"Well, I'm sure Kai can do it." She purred dreamily.

The pianist never stopped in his play though at that table, silence became deadening.

Ray felt his inside contract and he was just able to keep himself from choking, "Ex-excuse me?" He coughed; eyes wide.

"Oh…I said I'm sure my fiancé can do it."

And that's when she actually looked up, her face visible in the chandelier's light. Beforehand, Ray would have been lying if he said that he had seen any face more beautiful than hers. But now, the shock of the revelation left him speechless.

"Didn't I mention it, Ray?" She purposely brought her left hand up this time and it was the first instance Ray noted the silver pearl ring on her third finger. It was the same he had seen yesterday night when he had found Kai at the Ball after three long years.

How could he have not noticed!

Golden eyes looked up to that pretty heart-shaped face, the solemn cheek bones noticeable under those glamorous hazel orbs, staring at her with fearsome apprehension for the first time in the evening. The same eyes now bearing a hard cold stare and the stare that was directed to him.

"I'm engaged-to-be-married to Kai Hiwatari, your dear old sweetheart!" Those lips looked no longer soft and inviting instead now they were curled in furious snarl as Delilah let out the words, one by one, dripping in venom.

Stunned beyond reason, Ray felt his heart convulse painfully in its cage as the female in front of him raised her hands to her hood and pulled the cape off to reveal her blonde head.

Many things happened at once.

A shrill ring rang through the restaurant and the guests and staff alike jumped as the fire bell itself screamed danger. Cries, yells and screams filled the atmosphere as the small water hoses installed in the ceiling turned on and started spraying ample amount of rain on everyone in the house. Ray watched with lips parted as people pulled back their seats and rushed for the fire exit, some taking refuge under their shawls and coats while running.

In all the havoc, three men moved opposite to the frenzied crowd. The man in the tourist's attire, who had been sitting and reading the latest article of Beijing Today in the lounge stood up, throwing the red cover magazine on the floor. The thug in leather and a hoop in ear took off from his stool at the bar. And the agent standing erect like a statue near the wall pushed off, intent on joining his client.

Ray could only sit and stare as that tourist person started shouting with the crowd in Chinese, pointing and directing the herd to the exit swiftly and expertly. The other man in black took the handling of the staff that was in the way of the kitchen and ushered them outside to safety as quickly as possible. And with in a second's record, the guard was at their table, gun out and ready.

Shocked and truthfully scared, Ray made to stand through the drizzle but the agent quickly pointed his .38 revolver at him, freezing him to the spot effectively.

"Sit down Ray, this is just an appetizer." Delilah said silkily, a wicked glaze in her eyes as she looked at him from under her curled dark lashes. Her hairdo, which was fine-looking and attractive in all its simplicity, now hung against the glowing frame of her face yet it did not hamper her beauty. Though completely drenched with her gown and cape sticking close to her perfect figure, she looked like she was home, her bare elbows standing on the table and her chin resting on her hands.

Fear poured in his heart like the water escaping a broken dam wall. Finding no escape whatsoever, he took his seat, staring from the gun to the blonde with wide eyes.

"Ray!"

Drops of water flew every where from the tips of raven bangs as the neko's head whipped towards the shout. Tania had broken out from the tide of hysterical guests and waiters and was rushing towards him, looking rather shocked that her friend had yet to move while almost the entire restaurant had ran out.

Ray helplessly watched as the man in black locked the kitchen doors and pushed an iron chair against it. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion as the thug pulled out a sleek black pistol from his breast pocket and with long strides reached Tania. Ray gasped as the man grabbed her arm and wrench her back as she rushed to their table. Clutching her in a tight grip, he shoved the muzzle of the silencer against her neck while snaking an arm across her waist.

"What the…!! Let go of her!" Ray shouted but did not get far as the tourist guy, after driving everyone out, turned to him, gun ready in both of his hands.

Heart thudding painfully, Ray breathed without a sound, all voice caught excruciatingly in his throat. He now glanced one by one at the five people remaining in the whole eatery and the gravity of the situation hit him. Three hoodlums with three guns pointing at him and Tania and their boss sitting comfortably across him; he wondered how they were going to get out of there unhurt.

Swallowing a couple of times, he gradually turned to the blonde female next to him. Except for the smug glint in her eyes, she looked rather somber, "What-what do you want Delilah?"

"It's Miss Vaclav to you, sir." She spoke in her velvety voice, the shower from the hoses finally dying down.

Even the single of the droplets that now fell to the marble floor sounded, to Ray, like the ringing of a large metal gong for the silence and tension in the room pressed heavily against him, begging to rip his soul apart from the pressure.

"You said you wanted to know about me, Ray." Delilah Vaclav commented, "So are you still interested in listening?"

He never responded as his eyes were locked at Tania's white face. Her arms were caught behind her and she stayed on her knees with the gun in her neck as she kept staring at Delilah in terror. She was terrified. And expectedly, so was Ray.

"The Vaclav dynasty and the Hiwatari dynasty are the lineages belonging to ancient Tsars of Russia. Our forefathers, all the way down the history, were men of nobility, honor and status. Honor was our platform, our luggage pride and our train was success. And we rode each track and arrived at every platform, pride, honor never misplaced and success always waiting there for us." She leaned in towards him, "Those were our ancestors and the generations to come afterwards never took a path misleading to the one laid down. With such a track, two such families are bound to become acquainted, Ray Kon.

"Lord Voltaire Hiwatari, I'm sure you came across that name a couple of time, correct?" She smirked slightly and Ray fisted his shaking hand under the table, "My father and Lord Voltaire had been fellows for years, falling into mutual partnership at times while expanding their Empires. The apex of the story starts from here, Ray. Shall I proceed?"

The fire brigade would be here soon. This girl would not dare leave any evidence of her work here so all I need to do is wait her out. She won't hurt Tania, not purposefully anyway. Ray sent a prayer to heavens and nodded slowly as if any sudden movements might alarm her.

"A year ago, Lord Voltaire arrived at our castle and asked for my elder sister, Lady Nikki, to be wedded to his grandson, the famous Kai Hiwatari." Ray tensed up noticeably at the candid way she spoke in. "Arrangements and planning started but I'm afraid my sis got caught up in a terrible, terrible accident. What a pity, she would have made a wonderful wife."

"I don't get-"

"I had loved Kai since my childhood, Ray; even before you began to read. A little engagement was not going to ruin my fantasy. I acted then and look where it landed me. I'm the happy bride-to-be-wed of the Master phoenix of the Hiwatari Circle himself." The hazel eyes twinkled evilly as she smiled and picked up the pair of chopsticks.

Ray could not bring himself to even blink as she separated the sticks and held them perfectly in her right hand. His eyes dimmed and narrowed as she expertly picked a damp dumpling and squeezed it in half without even glancing at it.

"Kai and I are engaged now, Ray Kon. I worked very hard for a long time to see that no obstacle stand in my way. And a three year old crush with a whore is not something I'm going to lose to!"

The chopsticks landed with a clatter in the white dish as she threw them at him. She stood up, her drenched cape falling behind her to the wet floor.

"Listen to me and listen well, Ray Kon," He got to his feet as she neared him, "You lost someone near to you long ago. Well here's a piece of advice you should grab," She pointed at Tania, "Do not try to lose the ones left in your bleak life any more."

"Is that why you came?" Ray spoke in nothing more than a whisper.

"No, I came here to give you some news, Ray." She held up her left hand close to his face, the pearl ring almost touching his nose, "Kai belongs to me and I am going to see to it that it remains the way it is forever. Do not try to interfere if not for her, then for your lover's sake. I have my brothers and my, my, they do not approve anyone hurting their baby sister, Ray. My words are clear; take caution and leave Kai alone!"

Leave Kai alone…?

He searched those hazel eyes now no more than a foot away from his face and he did not need to think twice about the threats. She meant business; it was written all over her.

Ray spoke, his voice low but clear so that only Delilah could hear, "Kai has been alone all his life, Miss Vaclav, and being married to someone as yourself is never going to cure that."

Delilah remained impassive and searching, not showing what she was trying to find within his orbs. But when her search came up with nothing, she tilted her head, "Its Mrs. Hiwatari to you, Ray Kon."

"Not now, not ever…Delilah…"

Surprisingly, the girl smiled. It was only a tell tale curve but it was there and it was a genuine one.

Ray did not fall back nor did he move when she stepped forward, her perfect bosom brushing against his chest, their noses inches apart,

"You are very handsome, Ray Kon." She purred a whisper, "You can have anyone you want. You need someone who truly loves and cares about you, darling, not some fling who would leave the second they lay their eyes on some other pretty head."

Golden eyes widened and coldness seeped in his limbs. Just how much this girl knew about him and Kai?

Delilah placed a soft hand on his cheek, feeling the tense yet smooth skin underneath, "Stop living a faggot's life Ray and I might send you a post card of our honeymoon."

The blonde moved forward, closed the gap between their lips and kissed.

Sirens rang out across the boulevard and the ringing of bells indicated the fire brigade was nearby. Pedestrians jumped away as the speeding truck and police cars rushed down the road, the red and blue lights signaling urgency and frenzy. In La Xian however, the kiss broke and Delilah stepped back, pulling the cape on her head again, looking at the neko with an amused glint in those eyes which were still visible underneath.

"This meeting never took place, Ray Kon. We never met here."

She nodded at her hoodlums and they pulled back immediately. The distant sirens were sounding very nearby and two of the thugs ran out, one of them after purposefully pushing Tania down hard. The moment her head even met the stone marble, they were out in the streets, blending in the crowd of apprehensive guests and staff alike.

Delilah followed them, her stride perfect and proud, her body guard falling in her shadow like a watch dog with pistol still out. She stopped at the entrance door and looked back straight into those honey pools which had not missed her single movement,

"I pray that the next time I come here, I would get a chance to enjoy the meal and not to cause you more misery, Ray Kon. It really was a productive evening. I wish you well." She bowed her head elegantly and blowing a kiss from the tips of her fingers, she turned and went out.

---

Three men in fire fighting gears rushed through the entrance, one holding an axe, the other a giant water hose. The chief spoke rapidly, shouting out instructions but his instinct told him something else. There was no smoke, no visible sign of fire. His eyes scanned the eatery, noting immediately that it was empty with the sole exception of two: a violet haired girl and a neko-jin. Pointing his second-in-command to rush to the cellar and the basement, he ran towards the two.

"Sir, miss!" He shouted but neither responded. The raven head, which seemed in his late teens, had his wide stare glued to the floor. He searched him for any bruises or burns and even prodded him but the boy did not move. Exasperatedly, he turned to the girl who happened to be on her knees, the palms of her hands against the wet tiles below, "Miss, are you okay?"

Tania finally looked up at that old wizened face of the man and could not stop her head from swaying.

The fire fighter bit his lower lip, and putting down his axe, squatted down to help the girl up, "Here, its okay. We've got things control." She refused to aid him and it felt like pulling up a puppet, "Miss, come on, I'll bring you out!"

Dark eyes focused and unfocused and then Tania turned to man next to her, trying to force her to stand. Suddenly waking up, she fervently shook her head and scrambled up to her feet, her arms and neck feeling rather sore.

The chief watched as the hose was grabbed by two new comers and hauled towards the kitchen doors near which the basement entrance was located. They had probably located the source of fire. He, on the other hand, needed to vacate the restaurant.

"Let me take you out miss, we've got it all under control."

"I think…" Her voice seemed so cracked. Swallowing, Tania picked herself up, her nerves still shaken, "I think it was a false alarm."

"What-?"

"It was a false alarm. You can check the restaurant out for your surety but I don't think the threats are fatal."

The man gave her a skeptical look, wanting to ask more but instead, "Very well, we'll see to it. Meanwhile, it could be dangerous, please leave now."

Tania nodded and watched the old man rush away. The water sprinklers in the ceiling had drenched the whole place! But there were none installed in the floor beneath yet and she dreaded the consequences if there really were a fire. Taking in a deep breath, she massaged her arms and winced as she looked down. Red finger marks were imprinted on both of her forearms and she could feel a bruise forming on her neck where the muzzle of the silencer was pressed in.

Shaking and gulping, she hid her face with both hands and exhaled out, "God help us…!"

She stayed like that for some minutes, listening to the men's shouting but not actually giving it any heed. Finally getting her shivering under control, she peered through her fingers right next to her.

Tania was not sure whether Ray's absence surprised her or not. She brought her hands down and stared at the spot where Delilah and Ray had stood and she could see that blonde advancing toward him and suddenly kissing him on the lips. Forcing the mental image to go away, she sadly looked at the swinging door.

Ray…

The platter of dim sums now remained cold, wet and forgotten; the chandelier's light above them reflecting in the water droplets on them. It was the same light that had reflected in the soft hazel orbs…

---

With the thunder cracking explosive silver fireworks in the murky dark sky, to a peeping tom, the large gym would seem nothing much but entirely deserted. However, the sounds created by the air friction against flesh as it was punched forward and backwards came as wild whooshes of wind which one might mistook for bad weather outside.

The place was large enough. In fact it was too big than necessary to practice t'ai chi chuan, the centuries old martial arts taught to warriors for preparation of eventual combat. The exercises required little space and they used every muscle of the body. That was why Ray had confined himself in the small square space, the lines of which were drawn in his minds. His feet intuitionally did not allow themselves to step out of the boundary as they pranced on the blue mats beneath.

The neko-jin went through the opening moves, his eyes never opened.

Grasp the bird's tail, become the white stork, repulse the monkey, face the tiger…

Each movement had a name and significance. He had started off with the militant Punching the Demons then into the softer Gathering the Light. The movements were accurate and graceful, done with slow fluid motions. Every gesture came for tan tien, the psychic centre, and each move was performed in a circle.

Ray could hear their sensei's voice filling his head till there remained no other thought than that to concentrate and remain focus: 'Arouse your chi, Ray, your vital energy. It starts heavy as a mountain and becomes light as a bird's feather…'

He could feel it. He could feel the chi flowing through the tips of his fingers, seeping down to every cell of body and travelling back to the very pores of his flesh. And so he moved, in a timeless pattern, eyes still veiled and mind meditating upon the shores of lazy oceanic waves, relaxing each nerve till nothing but the sounds of tidal waves crashing conquered his hearing and till he felt no more than the spray of cool salty water upon his skin.

Let your hands become the clouds and circulate the water of life. Let the white snake creep down and ride the tiger…

The thunder no longer mattered nor did the contrast silence of the gym. No one disturbed the fighter who battled against his demons, the only sounds to world being the one of air against flesh as it flowed like tendrils of crimson ribbons in virgin water.

Shoot the tiger, gather your chi, and go back to tan tien, the centre.

The whole cycle took an hour and by the time he performed his ending move, Ray was noticeably exhausted. He was not satisfied though. His body had not cooperated with his mind. His limbs were stiff. With the lack of practice and exercise on regular basis, Ray was unable to taste the serenity that flowed afterwards t'ai chi chuan.

Or perhaps my body did cooperate but my mind refused to be deceived.

Maybe so; maybe his thoughts were the villain here and why not with the events that kept enfolding in his life.

"Buddha, help me…" The pray left his lips as Ray put on protective gloves from the glass cabinet; choosing his favorite fingerless black ones.

Stretching his shoulder blades, Ray neared the 300 pounds punching bag, hooked heavily and still to the wooden ceiling above. Putting on a determined face, he launched out without another second, his punch landing accurately in the middle and causing the obstacle to sway dangerously in a slight arc.

Usually I meditate…why do I feel the need to exhaust myself to death?

That was what he had asked himself before as well while entering the sports complex but somehow the urge to vent out some steam obscured his sight and now he stood in the centrally heated wooden chamber, shirtless and beating the stuffing out of a bag.

Random troubled thoughts rushed through his mind and he did not know which one to assess, which one to be worried about, which one to be sad about…

Tala…'Ray, stop this!'

Kai…'Do you really think I came off untouched all these years? Can you for a second, so inconsiderately, think that I enjoyed life to the full?'

Lee…'Dare put a finger on him and I swear I'll cut it off Hiwatari!'

His lover…ex-lover…'Ray, come with me.'

So many lies, so many betrayals…who to trust…who to doubt…

But through all that, a single voice from three years ago came. And it was so clear from the other reminiscent of past that it stood out till it had invaded every iota of sense in him,

'……Are you going to leave me? ……Are you going to leave me? ……Are you going to leave me? ……Are you going to leave me?'

Ray punched hardly into the leather as the echo refused to stop but even he had no power to control the tear that rolled out from his eye, cascading down a tan cheek and mixing with the tiny droplets of perspiration that cling to his face.

The memories never ceased and he remembered his younger self speaking to his boyfriend in a small helpless whisper,

'I don't want you to go…I don't want anyone to leave me again…'

Kai had replied so confidently, so assured of his self, 'No one is ever going to leave you, Ray.'

'Everyone eventually does. First my father, then mom…then Mariah…'

That voice, that voice that always held such promise, such truth, such sincerity, 'I will never leave you, Ray. You know that……I won't leave you. Nothing's going to keep us away from each other. I promise…'

Those were all lies…nothing but lies…spoken only for momentary comfort and then left to crush faith and belief to shards in the long run…all lies…

Ray stopped but only for a second. And that too to furiously wipe the tears that escaped his eye lids. A memory planted itself in his mind and it was as clear as the day it happened. He had always known that this figment of past will never leave him till his death…it was so long ago…yet ironically, just like yesterday…

---

Flashback

The cheery obese bus driver pulled at the lever to shut the bus doors before turning to wave back and driving off in the huge yellow vehicle. The kid returned the wave as enthusiastically as the adult before spinning on his heels and running through the majestic lawns that encircled his home. The spring blossoms bloomed on each plum tree, the clear water in the pond reflecting their softening beauty perfectly. The child traced back the stone steps and without knocking, opened the dark oak door.

Turning the golden handle back, the five year old stepped into a wide wooden hallway, the house structure being akin to that of a traditional Chinese dwelling. Taking off his shoes in visible excitement, he placed them in a corner before struggling with his white socks. After many tugs and pulls from those tiny hands, the young boy grinned in triumph and school bag still lodged on shoulders; he pushed up to rush towards the kitchen.

Only, baby Ray stopped, turned back, and squealed in delight. How could he have not noticed! Next to his small shoes and his mother's delicate lotus sandals, another large pair rested in the carpeted rack. That only meant,

"Uncle Xi is here!"

Golden eyes shimmering with renewed happiness, he dropped his little bag and skipped towards the kitchen again. But once more, he stopped in his charade in the middle of the hallway.

"Good afternoon, papa! I'm home!"

To an outsider, the kid seemed to be speaking to none or maybe to the wooden paneled wall. But in honesty, the little boy just paused to greet a portrait of a handsome man that hung there. The proud male was in his mid thirties, extremely handsome with a pointed chin and enigmatic golden eyes. Deep raven hair were combed back into a looped bun shone with a silver tinge as Shang Lee Kon sat in the frame with a sensational aura of accomplishment and nobility.

Ray's eyes went from the sword held in the right hand to the platinum ring in the left and then travelled upwards from the strong chest to the loop in one of the pointy ears and finally to the face.

"Papa uncle Xian is here! Did he greet you?" Ray shook his head. No matter how nice his school day was and no matter how excited he was right then, he should address his father with adequate protocol and dignity. That's what Nana always taught him.

"I'm growing up, sir," He stood straight in front of the image, puffing out his small chest and looking directly into the eyes he had inherited, "And I'm learning a lot at school too! We finished making small sentences today! My teacher says I'm very bright, papa! And I almost forgot to show you what I made!"

He scrambled down to his bag to retrieve a carefully folded paper and stood back, holding it upright with both of his hands. Smiling shyly at his father's portrait, Ray spoke, "I made this for mama, papa. Miss says I've got…uh…I've got artist germs in myself! I thought it was a bad thing but she says it's very good and I can become a good young artist one day! She says it's in my…my j-jeans! I told her I always wore trousers but she only laughed."

The boy held up the pencil sketch for a few more moments before glancing down at it himself. A kind of hesitancy entered his demeanor and he questioned the picture in a low tentative voice, "Papa…do you think…do you think that may be…may be mama would like this?"

He stole a look at the man's face before looking at his feet again in an uncertain manner, "I hope she does…I really want to tell her I missed her loads this time." Ray looked up again, "Papa, why does mama keep going away for long trips? She hardly comes home. I like Nana, you know I do. But…" He peeked left and right to check if his Nana wasn't actually coming before whispering hurriedly, "But Nana snores too loudly at night and she just isn't mama. Nana loves me a lot but papa, mama is never there!"

Ray let out a frustrated childish sigh, lips automatically pursing out in a pout, "Mama sometimes…papa, mama sometimes…she, she just doesn't like me, papa." The child looked around once more for privacy before confiding in the portrait what he said almost every other week, "I know my mama is a busy woman but papa, she never comes to my school and she didn't even come to see me perform last week!"

Rubbing a small fist in his eye, the raven head sniffed a bit, "Mama kisses me good night only when I ask and when I tell her I love her, she sometimes get annoy and only sometimes answer me. Why papa? Did I do something wrong? I always try to please her papa, I always do so, sir, but she never really likes me…it hurts me papa…it really does…"

The five year old tried suppressing the tremors that shook his little frame before mentally scolding himself for behaving so childishly in front of his father. Fingering the end curls of his shoulder length black ponytail, Ray spoke shyly once more, "She…she loves you though. Papa, mama loves you a lot! I…I even see her cry at night sometimes. She really, really loved you. You shouldn't have been so careless." The raven head pointed a tiny finger at the portrait in a scolding manner, "Mama always says that she warned you but you didn't listen to her! You should have. I always listen to mama and see; I'm the best in my class!"

He thumped a small fist on his chest and then continued heroically, "One day I'll be as big man as you papa. I'll have my hotels in the whole wide world and mama will be so proud of me! I'll make sure of that! One day…one day when I've all grown up, I'll come back and show you how…ho-honorable…and respectful I've become and you will be proud of me, papa!"

He bowed dutifully down till his navel, his ponytail swinging, before looking up with a fanged smile. He was going to make his papa and mama so proud of him. With such a promise, he smoothened out the edges of his sketch and stare at it for a while.

The fawn page had a rough pencil imprint of a blossom's tree and a small pond next to it. In the left bottom corner, broken Chinese in a child's handwriting was scribbled in form of a small message.

Pleased at himself, Ray finally made his way to the kitchen and immediately cheered at the colored pastries resting in a covered porcelain plate on the counter. Nana had made him treats! Running to the sink to wash his hands because Nana would be cross if he did not clean the dirt from the school, Ray helped his stomach to two of the delicacies before quickly grabbing a moon-cake.

Though his Nana always told him to finish eating in the kitchen and not to take any crumbs to the lounge, Ray could not help it and after quickly devouring the two pastries, he rushed towards the sliding door that was adjourned to the den. Uncle Xian had been gone to Europe for three months! He must have brought Ray presents!

The crash of China meeting the glass however froze him in his footsteps and Ray halted in pulling the door just in time. The muffled voices arguing loudly came from the lounge and curious and somewhat dreading the scenario, the child opened the door and slid quietly inside. Crawling behind a cane sofa, golden eyes widened at the broken pieces of the golden vase and mirror on the floor before fearfully looking at the two adult occupants of the room.

"For God's sakes Chun-Li, I did not come here for this!"

"Then what did you come here for Xian! You know I wanted to get over this and you and your wretched brother, Tahoe, run off to Europe for vacation!"

Ray gasped but the sound fell to deaf ears in such racket. His mother never swore! And she had neither spoken ill of his uncles ever!

"I told you it was not unplanned! You know very well as I do that the inauguration of The Deluxe at Las Vegas was to be taken place! Both of us had to be there!"

Almond shaped chocolate eyes narrowed dangerously and the Chun-Li Kon bristled in her beautiful silk kimono. Knee long purple hair, bond in a loose high bun, cascaded down the perfect model's body like waterfall at night and even with the white porcelain skin flushed pink with anger, the lady was nothing but an epitome of beauty. The front lighter tresses reached the wide sleeves as a nimble hand rose to brush away the hair from the forehead.

"Never mind, Xian, I simply called you to let you know I've made my decision."

Ray watched biting his lip in apprehension as his paternal uncle narrowed his yellow eyes in fury. He had seen his uncle and mother argue many times before but never this fiercely that they had to raise their voices and break decorations.

"I'm warning you Chun-Li, I'm not in mood for this!"

"I don't care! I've thought long and hard about this and nothing reasonable comes to my mind than this-"

The man growled, "Chun-Li-"

"Listen to me, Xian-"

"No!" Ray jumped before cowering in the corner again as his uncle stepped menacingly towards his mother, "You listen! Ever since Chang's death, that's all I've been getting out of you! You know the family is and has always been ready to support you! You know everything; everything Chang owned has been willingly labeled under you and only you! You've got everything you could ever ask for and yet-!"

"Don't you dare degrade me into assuming I married Chang because of money, Xian! I am very capable in earning a well life for myself!"

"No, you married him because of love, did you not?" Xian sneered.

"Yes! I married him because I loved him! I married him because he could give me the most cherished thing in the universe; love! But most importantly, I married Chang, not his brat!"

Coldness seeped in his heart so quickly and painfully that Ray almost choked in suffocation.

His mother stared at his uncle, tears continuously falling from her eyes while the man only buried his face in his hands, eyes closed as if in some deep trauma of indecisiveness.

Chun-Li, however kept up her speech, unaware of the hurt her son was going through, "My fashion career started only two years ago! And I'm just twenty-four, Xian! The reason I agreed on nurturing his baby was because both of us will be here to take care of it! I never wanted to enter motherhood so early and so alone! This wasn't-"

"Chang did not die with his own will either, Chun-Li! It was not in his hands for God's sake!"

"Well this is in my hands and I've decided!"

"Chun-Li don't do this!"

The lady took a deep breath and spoke in a disturbingly calm voice, "I'm going to disown Ray and move from China tonight. I leave him in your hands along with everything written in Chang's will for me. I don't need the money and I'll only be taking some of the things precious to both Chang and me. You'll find my final statement and documents in the locker and my contact number there too. This was why I called you here today and I hope you'll respect my decision enough not to raise more difficulties for me."

Ray's world came crashing down and this time he could not stop his cries.

Xian was the first one to hear the small sobs and his heart shrank with dread. Hoping and praying that it was not who he thought was, he turned sharply towards the piece of furniture and with long graceful strides, pushed it aside to reveal the corner hiding place.

The shock still did not refuse to lessen, "Ray!"

The man clenched his eyes shut as a deep sorrow washed over him and turned back angrily towards the stunned woman. Chun-Li might not have planned to break it to her son like this so it was a blow hard to recover from.

Ray watched the surprise on his mother's face after his exposure and could not help the tears that rushed down his face now. He did not even protest when his uncle quickly scooped him up in his strong arms, caressing his head and back but it was nothing to ease the pain.

His mother…mama…mama was going to leave him. Did he do something wrong? Was his mama angry at him? He had made sure never to annoy his mama then why was she leaving him? He had always tried to be a good boy, always ready to obey her every command. He was sure he did not ever make his mama mad at him? So why…why was mama leaving him? Why didn't she want him?

"Mama…" He choked, his tears obscuring his sight, "M-mama…mama I'm sorry!" He gushed, suddenly in panic and fear. He could not lose his mama. He could not live without her, "Mama, I didn't mean to be bad! I'm sorry if I made you angry! Please mama, please! Please don't leave me!"

He tried to get down, tried to reach for her, hoping that she will forgive him of his misdeeds but his uncle only pushed his head deeper into his black dress and rotated so that he would face the wall rather than his mother. But Ray could not possibly bear that and twisted in the grasp until he was freed and then rushed to his mother.

Whatever emotions she was feeling, Chun-Li wore a perfect disguise to hide them. She did not even flinch when two small hands grabbed the end of her silk kimono and instead, looked away from her child near her feet. She had made her decision. Whether she had planned on telling Ray or not, she was not going to be dissuaded by this sudden change in plans.

Ray watched her mother turn away from him and tightened his hold on her dress. His mind was in a feverish turmoil. From day one, his mother had kept her distance from him, never being caring and loving like the other moms of his school fellows. She was a woman with a title 'mother' and that was all she was; someone with a title. She was the lady who brought him to this world and since then, left him on his own to venture in this jungle of humanity, rarely providing a shoulder to cry or a finger to hold.

And now, she was leaving him forever.

Her career as a fashion model and designer was the reason that kept her absent from his life in the first place. Her weekly trips varied from Malaysia to New Orleans, from Paris to Spain to Toronto and perhaps even Warsaw in Poland and then of course, there were the magazines and papers and advertisements. She was the camera's darling; the world her oyster. And surely, there was no place in her time to raise her child, especially only as a widow.

Ray could never say that his mother hated him. But there was never any substantial evidence to claim that she ever loved him either. The impression he had gotten while growing out of infancy was that he was a bother to her beautiful mother and her wonderful career. Since then, the child had always tried his best not to nurture that feeling and in fact rise against it and counter it. His mother, however, had somehow, may be even unintentionally, prevented that. She had more than once showed openly that she never wanted him and the only reason Chun-Li ever bore his presence was because of his father.

And that was all. She harbored no feeling, nor love, a mother had for her first child. This was the type his mother was. And though he had known that very well, he had refused to believe it till this day.

"Mama…" Ray whispered but the inevitable being the inescapable, he knew it was of no use.

The last of the tears poured out from those bright pools of honey, relaying a child's deepest fear yet trying to console it with the purest solace there was. No one had ever been there to wipe them away and similarly no one did this time either. They trickled down, unable to veil the incoming hiccups and small sobs that wracked the child's body. They drained and so did the emotions of panic and terror which had previously grasped Ray. Instead, numbness took reigns and rode his veins till his fingers automatically let go of the silken material and he hunched down, shoulders dropping and head bending forward in defeat.

Mama…does not want me…she has other things to do…

Ray remembered how his Nana always told him to ask his mother for more time to spend and bond with him. He remembered how he always scolded her that his mama was a big lady and had her very important business to attend to. He had never kept any expectations from Chun-Li; never expected her to kiss him good-night or tuck him in; never expected her to attend his weekly meetings with his teachers; never expected her to be interested in his school tales. She was hardly home and when she was, she would dedicate no more than half an hour or less to him.

And even that, for young Ray, was very well acceptable.

This, however, was not.

Mama is probably angry. She always complains about the directors and the hard work on stage. Perhaps she had a bad day and then had a fight with Uncle Xian. She's just mad right now. She won't be leaving. She can't.

But as the thought processed through his mind, his mother's words became more meaningful and clear. She intended to go on with her life as a single with no motherly responsibilities and she intended to leave him for good.

"Chun-Li…"

"Xian…please…I need to be alone right now." Her words were short and to the point. She wanted them to leave.

Just like that…? Ray dreaded.

The man stiffened at the abrupt dismissal and then turned to his nephew near his sister-in-law's feet, crouching like a wounded kitten, tears drying up on his soft pink cheeks. Ray was a perfect child. He never threw tantrums, he never demanded or screamed. Hell, he was not even a little spoiled for children of his age! Xian did not remember a single time the child had ever interfered with his mother's work or even personal life. He had accepted the fact that his mother was too busy for him and had handled himself very admiringly. But this…this was plain torture for a kid his, or any, age.

"Come, Ray,"

His breath hitched up painfully and Ray raised his eyes immediately to his mother. But she never looked, or even glanced at him. Those cute lips parted to say, beg, plead, but words refused to come out. His mother's cold demeanor just…simply turned him deceased…

Once more he felt arms scoop around his tiny frame as his Uncle Xian picked him up and cuddled him in his chest; the comfort at which Ray instantly turned to.

"I hope you know what you're doing Chun-Li…"

The two golden orbs peeked from behind the beautiful raven bangs and above the broad shoulder. A silent tear escaped and seeped into the black material on the shoulder as Ray fisted his uncle's top in his small hands. He watched till his vision blurred at his mother's figure for the very last time, knowing that this was where they had a parting of ways and this was how he had to learn to live his future like; alone.

The woman never said good-bye. She never even turned. The tears were there but she sniffed only once and wiped them off roughly. With that, she showed both males her back as they exited the lounge and made their way out of the house.

Ray never stopped looking, his foolish heart and naïve mind still begging for a last kiss, a last caress, and a final gesture. None came; none were exchanged. They entered the hallway and the five year old buried his face in his paternal uncle's shoulder, visibly showing that, at least for the moment, he had shut down the entire world around him and retrieved to the womb he had first breathed in…

The sketch on that fawn page lay forgotten on the wooden floor, the sentiments holding within the paper dying with a scream of the young child, dying in deep agony…

The broken Chinese writing in the corner said; 'I love you, Mama…'

---

End Flashback

A sprain shot up his leg as the kick landed on the swaying sand bag but Ray ignored it and turned about to launch a few more before crouching and landing an open-palm slam in the middle. He hardly had time to step out of the way as the bag swung back, hard.

Damn, I'm rusting. He cursed. To his conscience, his attacks were accurate but did not hold the grace he once had. What is wrong with me!

Time was lost to the neko and so was the track on which his thoughts travelled, zigzagging, crisscrossing on the dangerous terrain that was his past.

Since that fateful day, Ray had worn a hidden veil: his life; a drama, a solid mask behind which he walked. Indifference though prevailing, a fake smile as he talked…

After his mother's disappearance from his young life, he grew up, never letting any of his relatives penetrate the shell he slept in. His uncles and aunts were fabulous; generosity and love embedded in their veins but Ray refused to be in debt of any of that. His eldest uncle, Xian, after mutual agreement in the family decided upon sending him, Ray, away from city's life and to the village of their forefathers in the mountains that bordered near Hong Kong; the abode of the White Tiger Clan.

So his life began anew.

He was welcomed with a fresh sense of acceptance and friendliness which, initially, seemed fake due to the lack of it in his earlier life. But he soon found out, his sociable nature had not been tainted as much as he feared and allowing people, who loved him for who he was, to share a part of his time became as natural as sleep at night. Confidence regained and mind no longer blemished by the thoughts of uncertainty and dread, his orphan life blossomed and he finally unlocked the gates to the land he had started to reign alone.

And there was where he first made friends with the village's most remarkably peculiar group of kids ever, one being the grandson of the Chief himself.

Ray felt cold; terribly cold out of the blue. Drops of perspiration slid down against the heated skin yet the formidable chill that controlled his body seemed lethal. To think he had once claimed him as his best friend was…was revolting. The mere thought brought bile into his throat and Ray forced himself not to choke.

The Lion had always loved him more than a brother. He had always been there on the look-out; always being overly possessive and protective and always there to lend a hand. Lee, he had played such a perfect role of an overprotective, domineering but reliable companion. Ray hardly remembered anytime they had not been together. They had the same schools, same temples, same training, same journeys, everything. But now the more he thought about it, the more Ray saw the deceit and lies resurfacing.

'I did what I should have done three years ago, my dear Ray. And I'm going to complete it now.'

The bite on his neck throbbed and Ray had to, once again, jump back to avoid the bag as it swung towards him after his attack. He was losing concentration and his control.

Nothing seems real now… Lee…how could you do that? I couldn't have been that blind not to see how you took me from your lustful gaze!

Fate laughed at him and Ray felt humiliated for the truth was, he was blind. He had graced the idea of perfect companionship and taken upon a supportive shoulder after being ignored and treated as a bother in his early childhood. Only now, he was left again to lick pitifully at the wounds that bleed after being betrayed in the most disastrous way.

'It hurt, Ray… It hurts to love you so much. I wanted you for so long yet you never even gave me a second thought.'

That was true. Ray never gave him another thought because he never took any of Lee's advances in a serious manner. He had simply made himself to believe that the ebony head's sexual encroachment was a result of his extreme perverted mind and usual wit.

But now, as aforementioned, the more Ray dwelled on those past memories, the more he could see the false meaning he used to deduce from the sly acts and flirting.

Not even one of the broken figments of reminiscence was a sincere recollection of two friends…not even one…

---

Flashback

"We're lost."

"We are not!"

"Yes, we are."

"For the last time, we are not!"

Silence prevailed for some moments as one of the two boys pouted slightly, following the other on the arduous climb upwards. It only lasted for a while,

"I told you we're lost."

"Ah! If you have nothing better to add, then I suggest you keep quiet and climb!"

"Well, you do agree that we're lost, right?"

"No, I don't. I know where we're going."

They kept tearing down the slope, knees aching, hands dirty and lungs both out of breath. The dangerous rocky climb finally started to level out and after a few more pulls and pants, they staggered onto the rough ground, one of them falling down immediately, the other sliding against a boulder, drained of energy and exhausted.

The elder one, after catching his breath, exhaled deeply before standing up and turning to assess the cave's surroundings. He could barely make out the stalagmites hanging from the black ceiling and everything else seemed nothing but alien.

"Okay, so we are lost." He concluded.

"I told you!"

"You're not helping, Ray." Lee growled at his younger friend, a few weeks shy of twelve.

"What? I said we should take the tunnel that goes downwards! That way we could have reached the waterfalls!"

"That path is caved in!"

"Well, I did try to help, didn't I?"

"You know, you're being impossible!"

Ray grinned, "I learnt it from the best, Lee."

"Don't be a smart ass with me, Ray."

The raven head frowned in mock innocence, "What is it with you and my ass?"

Lee rolled his eyes, taking out his hiking boots and rubbing his aching feet, "You have no idea."

Ray watched his friend with a small smile before sighing and mimicking Lee. He massaged his big toe and heel with little hands and then looked around him sulkily.

He and Lee set out for treasure hunting at nine in the morning. By noon, they had mightily enjoyed their rations and taken a cool bath in the waterfalls before the craziest idea of exploring the caves entered the vicinity of their adventurous thinking. Neither eager to call it a day and return to the village, they had taken the entrance to the mountain rather unfamiliar to them and then proceeded deeper and deeper till they were successfully lost.

And that had been two hours ago. Now body exhausted and lantern almost out, both rested at the peak of a small but steep cliff within the mountain's cavern, neither knowing which path to take now.

"Lee…?"

"Hmm…?" The Lion grunted, eyes still trying to make out anything that resembled to a path outside.

"What if we die here?"

Lee actually stopped in trying to locate a possible route and turned to the grinning neko that sat of the boulder, cross-legged, "Ha Ha, then I get to spend the last minutes of my life here in the dark with you and the rodents. How romantic,"

"But then I'll die a virgin!" Ray protested in childish glee of irking his already frustrated friend even more.

Lee, however, smirked, "Well I did suggest you months ago to lose it."

It was Ray's time to frown, "And I did reply that though you're two years older than me, I did not appreciate the offer."

"Then stop complaining,"

"But I still don't want to die a virgin!"

Turning 180 degrees and giving the younger boy a hard look, the ebony hair strode up to him and bringing his face inches away from the grinning one, spoke, "Do you want me to change that?"

"Don't feel so lucky, Lee. I'm ready to give myself to the old women than you."

"Fair enough, I suppose. So shut up and help me get out of this, alive. And unless there's some helpless old maid lost here too, I suggest you make some reservations and prepare yourself to be returned back to the heavens above, unopened and unused."

Ray mocked saluted his friend before sticking out his tongue when Lee turned away. He was on, what Lee termed, sugar-high and why wouldn't it be so when he stomached half a dozen pastries and sweet rolls before eating five honey sandwiches? Yet still, both needed to concentrate on getting out of that stony labyrinth well and soon. And that seemed rather difficult after climbing and trekking for so long on a dry throat.

"Lee, are you thirsty?"

"Yeah…very…we better find a way out of here and fast. Do you reckon we should go back and-?"

"Hush, listen…" His pointed ears actually twitched as Ray held up his hand to silence the elder. He just heard something rustle. It was a mild flutter sort of.

Lee patiently did for a few moments but detected nothing peculiar, "I don't hear anything-"

But Ray shushed him up again, getting off on his feet and straining his neck to detect whatever caught his attention. As being neko-jins, Lee's sense of smell was admirable but Ray took the aces when it came to eavesdropping or detecting the slightest of air vibrations.

His pointy ears twitched as Ray concentrated on making out the vibes. Finally, he silently gasped and pointed to the ceiling above, whispering fearfully, "Bats…"

Both of the boys tensed up as they watched what appeared to be fungi hanging from the cavern's ceiling were actually nocturnal creatures, meant on sucking blood of their prey once the sky darkened.

"Okay…" Lee whispered, unconsciously taking a few steps back, "Let's scram…"

"No, I have a better plan." Ray confided confidently before pushing Lee under the space beneath a large boulder.

"What are you-?!"

"SHH!" Ray hissed furiously as this time more disturbing flutters entered their hearing. "Just trust me, okay?"

"I do trust you, Ray," Lee replied, "It's when you're high on sweets when I have my reservations!"

"You want to get out of here with your throat intact or not?"

Turning off the lantern, Ray left his grumbling friend and after shooting him a shut-up look, put two fingers between his soft lips. He could feel Lee's glare turning into bewilderment then to fear. He could sense his mind telling him that it was not a good idea. He could hear the bats above becoming more restless and their huge wings flapping more.

He let his instincts take control and blew a loud shrill whistle.

Hundred bodies upon bodies jostled in alarm and deadly red eyes snapped open from their day-time slumber; the bats immediately falling from their upside down resting pose, beating their wings against each other to stay upright, still, no doubt, shaky from the unexpected wake-up call. The raven head was just able to dive in their temporarily hiding spot as earsplitting screeches filled the cave, the walls threatening to collapse around them from the sudden tidal wave of noise.

Leathery wings flailed terribly, endeavoring to stay airborne as the bats, gigantic and small, took off, flying against the cavern's ceiling before forming a hurried thick queue and rushing towards one of the three tunnels that lined one side of the huge cave.

Ray waited just for a while as the night creatures took flight towards the probable exit, then, removing his hand from Lee's protesting mouth, he gushed, "Let's go."

Without giving the elder one a chance to comprehend what just happened, Ray pulled his friend to his feet and chased the path the bats took, passing and dodging the obstacles carelessly yet expertly. He could sense Lee behind him but his concentration was being used in discerning the trail of their lead and keeping it within the boundary of his hearing. Up and down, crawling and jumping, both friends pursued the bats before Ray suddenly stopped when a clearing appeared, Lee running right into him.

"Did we lose them?"

Ray watched the two tunnels before him, trying to make up his mind. The darkness had given way to some light and they could at least make out their surroundings better than before which meant exit was close by. But left, right, what to choose? The bats, obviously very familiar to the turns and twists of their rocky abode, had taken their escape to the outside where the two Chinese had been attempting to reach for the past hours.

"Now what…?" Lee sighed, bending down to catch his breath.

Fighting to ease the drumming of his heart due to the run, Ray assessed the situation, mind exercising vigorously to locate some sign of escape, when a tiny sound was detected by his pointy ears.

Drip-drip…

"Listen!"

Amber eyes narrowed in focus before widening in realization what that noise could mean, "Water…?"

"No…" Voice filled in excitement, the neko closed his eyes before jogging towards the pouring. It kept increasing and Ray blessed his sharp inherited instincts for the umpteenth time. "I think we've reached the water falls!"

"No way, Ray. As far as I think, we're totally opposite to-AHHH!"

"Lee-! Where did you-AHHHH!"

The slimy ground underneath gave way and both boys tumbled into a bumpy ride of slick floor and fungus, sliding over each other, mouths ever opened in yells, as gravity did its toll and suck them down. Ray thought he heard Lee screaming something about keeping his legs and arms closed and head down but it could have been the air rushing against his ears and the shouts that just did not stop from coming out of his mouth.

Lower and lower, the boys spun and twisted against the sliding wet tunnel, their voices muffled to their ears, the initial dripping of water now metamorphosed into gushing liquid of high velocity. The golden eyed neko tried stopping his fall with his hands but his fingers passed through the green mold like a hot knife through butter. He now knew how a bullet must feel after being fired from a gun because that was exactly how he exited once reaching the tunnel's end.

Ray's body lurched forward painfully as the sliding path smoothened out before ending all the same and for a comical moment, he felt suspended in the mid air, eyes wide as saucers, as he gazed down to the wild water beneath. It was weird while it lasted because the next second, Ray screamed as he, unceremoniously, met the river's surface before being plunged down to its watery depths.

The small figure twisted around, the feeling of velvet jelly against his skin, cold and aggressive. Ray stretched out his arms and unexpectedly, took a gulp of bitter liquid. Out of breath and choking for his life, he scrambled here and there before pulling himself up to the surface. The raven head broke its wet cage and gasped for air to cool his burning lungs but that benefaction was not granted for long as the untamed wild water pushed him down again.

I'm going to drown here!

Swimming violently against the tides, Ray pulled himself up, watching the chaotic waves fighting mayhem of a battle as they rode down the mountains in their narrow rocky path. For the moment, he allowed his body to move with the flow of the current, twisting his head here and there in search of his other comrade,

"Lee!"

No sign of him!

"Lee where are you!"

Water stung his eyes as Ray turned to see more trouble washing up his way. Just around the corner, the river ended, disappeared.

That only meant one thing; waterfall.

For a second time in less than ten minutes, Ray was bulleted forward before feeling dangled by nothingness in mid air and then the eventual fall.

---

The chirping of birds, croaking of jungle toads and some twitches here and there altogether added a serene aura to the water edge, now and then a chameleon appearing to tongue some water in to quench its thirst. The leaves slid upon the ripples of the small lake, caused by the waterfall in the back, before docking at the rather stony and muddy beach under the shade of the evergreens.

However, as clichéd as it seem, the peace did not last for long.

"RAY!"

Knees weak and coughing out water violently, the said person raised his tired eyes and despite just having a life-loosing experience, grinned feebly. That only lasted for a while as Ray collapsed on the small pebbles on the river bed, heaving heavily, his limbs screaming at their own. Damn, he was exhausted!

Lee splashed water everywhere as he reached his friend; both drenched to the bone, and fell right next to him, his own breathing ragged and uneven. He was quick to overcome his shabby state and made to sit, his body shaking from the freezing bath they had just been granted.

"That…That had to be the stupidest idea…you ever came up with, Ray!" He breathed, his hands limp in his lap as he breathed.

Ray laughed slightly, one hand on his eyes in a tired manner, "At least…at least we are alive so be grateful!"

Cupping a hand full of water, Lee threw it on the grinning face. Seemingly, Ray was still not over his hyper state. That only caused Ray to grin even more and ending up in fits of laughter. He could not explain those sudden bouts so Lee caved in and laughed out loud too.

Perhaps it was because both were alive and unhurt; and had just swum out of the open jaws of death. Ray did not know and sighed happily, staring at the sky. He looked sideways at his friend, a smile automatically gracing his features. This had to be one of the best days of his life. They had an excellent picnic, ventured into unknown territory, got lost, and then almost drowned and probably had been this close into losing one of their nine neko-jinn's lives!

The weather was perfect; not too hot nor too cold either. The noon had witnessed the full glory of the mighty sun before clouds took reign and now the blue and grey sky, etched, some of the dark clouds slowly creeping nearer and nearer towards the mountains. The sound of running water, now gentle and soft, contrast to the rogue version they had been flung abruptly into, was soothing against their eardrums, lulling them to sleep that bordered their sight.

Ray yawned slightly, putting his hands behind his head and closing his eyes. He could fall into a nap right there, right then despite his wet attire and hair and the uneven bed of stones.

This is life!

He loved it here. Not only the nature, but the little place he had been granted down in the valley he called home. Now he had a big family with Lee as his best-friend and overgrown possessive brother and other friends as siblings. Ray wondered what the villagers' would say after hearing their small adventure. Then again, it was best to be grateful they were alive and keep their silence.

"Well…" He breathed in peace. Even that felt like a blessing; Ray doubted he'd ever want cold river water choking his breath ever again. "Now I don't have to worry about my virginity or old women."

He just caught Lee granting him a superior smug smirk,

"Come to think of it, who'd ever want to bed you?"

Ray growled playfully before giving an arrogant smile from his own side,

"Ha! You certainly do!"

It was unexpected and abrupt and Ray's eyes only opened for a second and widened when Lee suddenly draped himself over his lying body with a devilish grin in place of the usual superior smirk. His body twitched and breath left him as his best friend bent down and captured his lips in a gentle, chaste kiss.

It was short and sweet. And it lasted for less than a couple of seconds. But Ray remained stunned even when Lee pulled back to stand with his hands on his waist and that smirk in place,

"And I will…sweetheart."

The grubby effects of shock left him only when Lee started running down the path leading from the waterfalls. And perhaps his escape from Ray's probable vengeance was what stimulated his brain to react and jumping to his feet, Ray chased after him, yelling how he was going to regret ever doing that, laughing all the while. But the kiss…it remained there, causing him to shiver at least once at the new experience. It was planted in the back of his mind for ever. Ray knew it. Because that had been his first kiss ever…his first kiss, by his best friend…

He caught up with the older one at edge of a small mound and slammed into him powerfully, sending both bodies down the slide and into the branches and leaves.

"You are so busted Lee!!"

"Ha, ha, you're so cute when you're angry!"

Ray, face red, balled his hand and pretended to punch him on the nose when his ears twitched once more and instincts kicked in. He looked up from where he and Lee had fell into a heap of leaves and humus, arm still pulled back to attack, and scanned the trees before him as if trying to discern the direction where the mild thudding was coming from.

They must be near to the village by now. The waterfalls were only three miles in the north from it.

Lee had noted that look on Ray's face, the one he always had while concentrating, "Do you hear something?"

"Don't you?"

"Hmm… Drum beats…?" Lee questioned, the thudding now entering the vicinity of his hearing too.

There they were; low but rushed! The forest probably blocked the sound but it was there and Ray was sure of it as he took a few steps towards it.

"Kind of…"

They were loud enough by now and more frantic and Ray's heart missed a beat when he realized what they meant.

Both friends shared terrified looks and cried, "The village!"

The drumming, in the White Tiger Clan, was signified for any sudden emergency that constitutes in the villagers gathering at the village Centre. The trumpet was played for any threats, let that be war or tribal battle, and to warn about the incoming typhoons from the Dragon; the metallic gong for the arrival of someone foreign; the flute for the arrival of spring and the siren for children and women alike to take cover and for the executive council to meet in the Temple.

Forcing branches and leaves apart and tearing their way down the jungle, the two boys scrammed and rushed on the dirt path that marked the whole woods, Ray dreading the scenario in wake of the signal.

Something must have happened, something terrible.

The trees thinned away, giving view to a magnificent green hillside and the hidden village that resided in the beautiful valley below. Ray and Lee stopped at the peak, gazing down with formidable expressions, hands on knees. Specks of people were seen, darting from street to street, the shepherds and farmers returning from work while the village Elders, distinguishable in their mighty distinct gowns, rushing towards the riverside that bordered the east side of the mountain community.

"What's happening, Lee...?"

The raven head turned to see the amber eyes fixed on the group of people accumulated near the river, half a mile or more away from the last house of the village,

"I think someone has drowned."

"Then why would they send the signal?" Surely it was not an incident of that big a magnitude to call upon the villagers for a gathering.

"I don't know. May be…" But he could not complete that sentence for both knew what lay at its end and were too scared to speak out loud.

"Look, they are starting to send the smoke signals! Why are they calling up for other tribes?" Ray cried while pointing a finger at the smoke rings now slowly starting to decorate the sky.

Something was definitely wrong!

"Let's go…"

They jogged down the mountain hill, their legs and feet accustomed to high jumps from their martial arts training and regular trekking so they were down in no time. But as the slope flattened, they did not stop and kept running the distance that remained between them and the village gate with fast speed. Ray followed Lee as they passed the main entrance, taking an immediate right before scissoring through the stone paths that snaked the wooden houses. Ray finally pulled out his breaks and came to an abrupt halt as they neared the water edge and the group of village folk gathered there.

An aged women, heavily lined faced, wearing a dark bandana rattled the beads in her hand as she struck the ground hard with her wooden staff, "It's a dark omen that has entered here…dark omen indeed… Our tributes have not pleased the Golden Dragon, Lord of all creatures. Oh not at all! Evil…it's dead…but it's amongst us."

Those crazy wide veined eyes scared him and Ray forced himself to look away. Lee had disappeared into the crowd and Ray, being agile and small, dropped to the ground and crawled in between the legs and gowns of the people to reach the source of commotion that remained accumulated at the river bed. His charade was so far successful until two small hands grabbed his hunched shoulders and he was forced to turn around to look into another pair of light golden eyes,

"Ray! Where have you been! I was so worried!" Mariah gushed, her beautiful tinted hues wide in fear. She, like him, had crawled into the centre of the group and now her fuchsia hair poured out of the pink bandana, static and charged.

"We were at the waterfalls. Mariah, are you okay? What's going on?" Ray assured his female friend who was, to him, akin to a younger sibling.

"I have no idea. But the Elders are sending all children back to home. Even Chief Burma is coming!"

"Chief Burma…?" Their tribal chief rarely left the temple!

"Yeah, Ray! I was so worried something had happened to you and- Where's Lee?" The eleven years old stretched her neck to look around but Ray pulled her back to avoid being hit by the shifting legs.

"He's okay, too."

"Ray! Mariah!"

Both young neko-jins turned to see another kid struggling out of the mix match of limbs and hopping towards them. His dark green high ponytail was his identifying signature and Mariah pulled the small seven years old towards them to save his bones from being crushed.

"Kevin, where did you run off to?"

"I went to see what happened."

"Well, what did?" Ray whispered, sensing the restlessness stirring in the group of elders they were surrounded with.

"A-a body floated down the stream." The cute mouth that always had a mischievous smile glued on it whispered fearfully as if confiding the biggest secrets, "It's a lady I think but nobody knows who. The Elders want every kid to go back home, Mariah, but I think they mentioned Ray."

Ray felt a cold shiver climb down his spine, "M-me…?"

"That must be because you and Lee were missing Ray," Mariah reasoned with him but Kevin, naïve and thoughtless, interrupted her,

"No, they want Ray specially to return back to his room-Ray. Ray, where're you going?"

"Ray-wait…!"

But Ray was already many feet away from them, crawling towards the edge and as the number of people became denser, he knew he was nearing whatever horror that was there.

What was going on? What was all the hype about anyway? Was the person, the lady, dead or something? If the smoke signals had been sent, that only meant that the victim was not from their village. But if the drums' signal was sent, that meant it was very serious. The continuous need to veil the calamity from children also aroused his suspicion and fear. What was going on? And more so, why was he mentioned? He did not know any female outside the village. Even his uncles' wives lived here.

"Send for Chief Burma! And fast…!"

Ray stopped at the man's horrified voice before creeping near the edge to get a sight at the incident.

"Oh Buddha…"

"It's an omen."

"This is dreadful!"

"How could this have happened…?"

The mournful whispers and murmurs, up till then, had scared Ray but nothing jolted him badly as another man yelled loudly, his tone crisp and hard in the wind,

"Go back to the temple and call Tahoe! Tell him and Xian to fly here immediately from Hong Kong! Get a move on NOW!"

Ray was pressed against the many legs and clothing as the villagers squeezed together to give way to Lee's Grandfather, Chief Burma, who swept towards his people in his majestic yellow gown, his almost bald head and numerous beads shining from the light. A moment of complete silence enveloped them all and all the little neko could hear was his troubled heartbeats as everyone waited for their leader to address the situation in best way. He felt suffocated, oxygen hardly present, and just when Ray thought he was about to pass out due to the tension and eventual throttling, Chief Burma spoke, the deep baritone intonation resonating in his voice was secluded only to a small radius around him,

"Find young Ray and take him and Lee to my temple, immediately. Let none see this and wait for Xian's arrival." He lowered his voice and continued in his heavy tone, sounding mightily troubled and depressed, "It is a dark day for the White Tiger Clan. I do not wish for my people to be scarred by this. Obscure this obscenity and start preparing for a funeral and forgiveness."

He could not take it much longer.

People parted and Ray raced through the gap, breaking the crowd's invisible hold on his sight, and skidded to a stop in the muddy water on his hands and knees. The front raven bangs swayed skywards as gasps tore from the elders there but Ray did not wait and turned towards the river edge where the body was dragged in.

Time stopped and a single scream rang through the village, causing the birds settled on trees to take a frightened flight.

Someone grabbed him from the waist and quickly tried to carry him back in the crowd but even they knew the irreparable damage was done.

.

.

.

The golden eyes remained stretch open in a scream as Chun-Li's dead gaze scrutinized her only son, her once pink lips parted in a gasp of her own…

---

End Flashback

The security he had rendered after his mother's departure was shattered in the worst way possible and after that incident, vulnerability distinctly made up his persona. That was when Ray first noted the permanent need of isolation that snatched his heart and reined his soul. The need to keep to himself, to remain far from any relation and to even separate himself from the society and friends he had grown to adore, it initiated. After that, many things took a wild twist in his young life and peace of mind, self-confidence and emotional stability were one of the few things he knew he was not entitled to.

His mother had been murdered, he had found out later on. His uncles had been rushed from their offices and the matter had remained under discussion for a long time, during which Ray became victimized by the shackles of shock and darkness in the most hidden corners of his room. She had been strangled and thrown in the river, deliberately near the White Tiger Village as if the cold blooded murderers wanted him to suffer for misdeeds he had not committed. He had, many at times, futilely endeavored to link this tragedy with that of his father's death but alas, coherency was lost to him then.

Thunder crackled threateningly outside the gym. The attacks were becoming more feverish, resulting in sawdust showering from the hinges that held the bag from the ceiling. Creaks and squeaks of metal against metal filled the firmament but this was all playing a role of easing his racing heart. Ray was hardly paying attention to his surrounding by now, too absorbed by the demons of his past.

What happened to be the most difficult point in the whole scenario was, perhaps, when, after being dried and cleaned up by the female healers, they found the meshed up wet paper from possessions that Chun-Li had in the pockets of her large silk kimono.

'I love you, Mama…'

It was too much! Chun-Li had actually kept that last sketch Ray had forgotten on the floor of his house as her son's lasting reminiscent. Ray did not know why. He could not even dream how she had managed to actually keep such a direct reminder of him through seven years when the last time he saw her alive; she wanted simply nothing to do with him!

Stacked carefully in the inner most compartment of her pure leather wallet, which, in turn, was pocketed safely in the inside of her attire, was that old drawing of a blossoms tree and a pond nearby. In fact, after losing all the moist, the pencil work had faded to such an extent that the child's work was nothing but indistinguishable. And Ray at first had not recognized it, his mind refusing to do so. It was his uncle, obviously familiar with the art, who jarred his memory, may be in hopes of arousing some compassion for his late mother that she had, till the very end, not forgotten him. That had, seriously, done nothing whatsoever to affect his emotionless, blank stupor and Ray had put an impassive face in front of the Elders when viewing his mom's dead corpse and left belongings.

However, once behind the veil, he was hammered down to lasting broken pieces, his mentality torn.

You told me you didn't want me! You left me! And I coped up with that, I really did. And then…you came, returned only to destroy me again…? Just like that…? How could you…?

Things did not go as smoothly afterwards as Ray proposed and thought them to be. His uncles decided, upon his behalf, to take him, once more, away from the place that had caused a young child such terror. And so there began his adventures into the foreign lands beyond China and Ray travelled the Europe and Middle East, finally associating with his family's business in real terms.

Of course this had a diverse affect on Lee and his friendship and if there was anytime Ray literally had felt vary of the elder else than now, it was then.

Ray experienced this change directly after Chun-Li's death and tendency to appreciate and even long for some isolation became evident in him. Lee, on the other hand, not only disapproved this but downright refused to understand it. He hated Ray's uncles for taking him, in his own words, 'away from him'. Lee had faced defeat then and he had confessed it to Ray's face that he was not in favor of Ray going so far without him but Ray, for once, had not sided with the Lion then. Maybe he felt it was a time to stay away from Lee's…lustful…gaze.

Lustful…Ray almost sneered at the thought. I'll be lying to myself if I say I knew the hidden meaning of his advances at that time. I was too naïve then.

True, Ray had simply put a blindfold on his eyes when it came to Lee and his possessiveness and public display of ownership of Ray. It was true. Even when Ray returned from his tours, quite a chef even at that age, he did his best to bridge the gap that had occurred in their companionship. It had worked too and Ray and Lee had settled into restaurant business in Hong Kong. That merry time once more changed when he was admitted to Tokyo on Home Economics skills and cooking expertise, and having his maternal linkage in Japan, Ray had taken up yet another opportunity to distant himself from the lands whose soil was his heritage.

But the horrors he had experienced there were enough to forget all about it.

And there, for the first time ever in his life, Ray had found a companion he had believed to be the one.

The neko side stepped the charging punching bag and distanced himself from the moving projectile, the veins in his limbs throbbing with adrenaline. Flexing his fingers and wrists, Ray jumped slightly at the sound of thunder from outside. He was grateful that he was alone in the gym. It gave him time to cope up with his fucked up thoughts.

Kai…

'I missed you, Ray'

Not how I missed you Kai…not how I missed you…

Making his way off the mats, he slid down the mirrored wall, resting his head on the cool surface with a façade of defeat. His silky mane was damped from the scalp and neck and Ray felt an instant need to shower. However, for the moment the small white towel sufficed and after taking a swig from the small bottle that sat on the table within his reach, he rested back, scrutinizing the lazy swinging movements of the punching bag with tired eyes.

It seemed ironic. Ray had thought he would never be able to start any relation any time soon or even at such a young age. His life had been too much in turmoil beforehand and he had come to Tokyo only to start anew. Perhaps his heart had concluded that the best way to do so was to seek, maybe, someone…someone special…perhaps a lover…

He did not know then what it was that he saw the first time he had looked straight into those fiery ambers of crimson. He did not know how, or even why, he reacted when he saw that stoic figure on his first day. Ray was not even sure if the attraction was from him or the Russian.

However, what he did know was that the first time their eyes met, Ray felt a bond already in process of making. When he saw the bluenette, he felt a tie between their lives, akin to each other and strangely similar tragedies adorning their pasts. What he did find was that Kai Hiwatari had never glanced towards any other person, even those who knew him a bit, but was somehow willing to have him, Ray, in his company.

Kai rendered a persona where significance for others remained zero. But he had found Ray of at least this much importance to let him approach him and allow him to caress his soul with gentle touch of simple friendship.

A simple friendship that very quickly metamorphosed into deep intimacy and companionship and soon to something both considered more blissful than the most divine relation present on God's green earth…

---

Flashback

"Master Ray! What an unexpected surprise."

Scrambling in through the partially opened heavy wooden doors, the said teen pulled back his grey hood, revealing damp raven tresses plastered on his grinning face.

"Hey Dimitri, is Kai home?" Blowing warm air on his hands, he rubbed them quickly in order to reheat his body. The temperature inside the mansion was much moderate and cozy than the storm raging outside but Ray had other matters to pursue than to be worried about a little pitter patter.

"Yes, he's upstairs in his room but I won't bother him if I were you. The Master is in a bad mood." The butler replied smartly, taking a clean towel out of the antique wardrobe and handing it over to the wet neko-jin. "And mind I remind you that you should not be out in this weather, especially without a jacket or an umbrella?"

Ray laughed openly as he took off his jumper and hung it on the coat hanger to dry. Mercifully, his customary Chinese attire beneath was in a much fine shape, "Nah, I couldn't wait till the rain's over. Besides, I'm here, am I not? Why do you say Kai's in a bad mood again?"

Dimitri smiled, his perfectly brushed and trimmed mustache curling in a small curve, "He had a bit of an argument with Master Tala."

"Tala's here?"

"Yes, he came in last night."

"And they had a fight? That must have been a record."

Dimitri offered yet another smile and after making sure Ray would not be dripping on the expensive rugs and shining floor of the grand lobby, he allowed him to step forward,

"What is it that you're in such a rush about again?"

Ray actually had to stop himself from running to the staircase at the end of a half kilometer lobby. Trying to come with a brief response, he bent down and quickly started pulling various junk and articles lying surprisingly in order in his red bag pack. Taking out a sleek black wallet and a few off-white pages, he stood up again, the long ponytail bouncing swiftly at the speed,

"Kai forgot his wallet in the library and there's some other news he deserve to know first."

"Well, don't be surprised to find him locked in and brooding."

Ray laughed, "Kai and brooding in the same sentence, Dimitri?"

The senior almost smirked before turning and striding off, "Don't say I didn't warn you, Master Ray. Good evening to you."

Smiling benignly at the stoic figure, Ray settled his bag in the corner before taking off to the majestic wooden staircase and using the delicately designed wrought-iron railing, he propelled himself up the steps, taking two, three at a time.

The reason for this excited rush that conquered his body at the moment was mainly due to the news on the notice board he had a glimpsed of after school. He had been given the post of the Head cook in his Home Economics and he was only a freshman! That was a record in the institution's history! The decision was taken by a month's observance by various teachers and an overall cooking bonanza. Ray's rival had been some egoistic guy, two years his senior and he had downright refused to take a part in it.

That's where Kai came in. He admitted that returning the wallet had been the first excuse to meet the bluenette again at his small mansion, and Ray had grabbed that chance like anything, totally willing to once more visit the Russian in his awesome abode. But after hearing the news of his unexpected victory, now he had an extremely urgent and totally explainable reason to barge in on him unannounced and not make a fool out of himself.

Where Kai came in this entire scenario? It was not a big deal that over the four months they had become really good colleagues. Then again, may be it was; because the neko had been one of the first and only one to befriend the fire phoenix whose flames reflected nothing but the snares of chill from the coldest of the tundra.

The two-toned head had been the one who had suggested and later encouraged him to muster up the confidence to become the nominee for the post in the first place. Had it not been Kai arriving by accident in the kitchen when Ray was making famous Chinese moon cakes, he would never have tasted the delights and hence never bothered to tell, or even find out, that Ray was a great cook and should probably try for the President. Ray had laughed and made fun of him self at the idea and Kai had shrugged it off for almost a week before catching the little chef once more making some other dish and tried persuading him to sign up.

Skidding to a halt right before the wooden door, Ray brought his fist up and knocked at the hard surfaced carved magnificently in hands of a professional with a large ruby residing near head level.

"Kai…" He called out just to affirm his presence. Kai had assured him sometime before that he was one of the few granted the liberty to invade his privacy of his room and approach him there if the occasion calls for it.

For Ray, it definitely was such an occasion.

No reply came and the Chinese frowned somewhat. As little as he knew the bluenette, he was sure that Kai had 'twenty by twenty' hearing and even if he had not called out loud, he would have already knew it was Ray. That was just the way Kai was, Ray assumed.

"Hey Kai, it's me." He knocked again, tapping his feet in anticipation.

No answer…

What the heck! Why wasn't he opening already? May be he was still bummed out because of Tala.

"Kai…?"

Waiting for only a single hesitant second, Ray grabbed the knob and slowly opened a crack. Hearing nothing from the other side, he took a silent breath and peeked into the Master Hiwatari's room.

He had been in the chamber only once before but he admitted it was in all its glory at that time. Now, however, it was blanketed sensually in darkness. The heavy curtains cascaded down till the thick fur carpet like dark crimson blood frozen in its fall. They veiled the inside warmth from the rashness of the raging storm but in doing so, also obscuring the probable light, basking the room in an eerie silence. No lamps, no lights, it was as if an angry demon rested, scrutinizing from the shadows at the easy prey that would be a victim of its fury.

Ray shivered despite himself and stepped in tenderly, closing the door behind. Blinking a few times, he waited till his eyes got accustomed to the darkness. He could make out the master bed, resting on the raised steps of a platform and that was because of the streak of light coming from the far end of the room. Frowning a bit, Ray made out the door from which the aforementioned light was coming from. During his visit before, he had not noticed another sideway chamber else than Kai's massive walk-in closet.

Could it be Kai was brooding in there??

Watching his steps, Ray made his way through the grand place, forcing his mind to ignore the thought of invading someone's privacy and feeling highly guilty about it. Reaching his destination with inaudible movements, he, in a spur of a moment, remembered that Kai's wardrobe and bathing suite was at the opposite side.

This must be some personal study of his or something. I wonder if I should-Whoa, what's that?

Ray's ears twitched in habit and he stepped closer to the mahogany door. Was that some instrument playing that he heard? Clearly yes; it was faint and muffled but nonetheless there.

Leaning a bit towards the wood, it slightly swung opened on its own accord and Ray quietly peeped inside. His limited view restricted his eyes to make out what seemed like a rectangular room that was unlit but the burning ambers in the grate provided fair enough illumination to make out the tastefully decorated study.

Golden eyes shifted towards right at the plucking of some guitar strings and Ray almost jumped to find Kai sitting on the window sill. The glass being sound proof held back the thrashes of the rain outside yet the continuous heavy patter of rain drops on it and the dry cozy environment in the interior gave an overall classic touch. But that, surprisingly, was not of any interest for Ray at the moment for he was finding it very hard to believe that his eyes were not deceiving him.

Was Kai holding a guitar?! Better yet; was he playing a guitar?

Sure enough, the bluenette sat on the cushioned sill, one leg folded, the other stretched out, the acoustic instrument embraced in his strong arms with posture of an expert musician yet the calmness of a soul at peace. The beautiful blue bangs fell before the pale face in a rebellious style, merging colors with the golden shades coming from the fire place. Ruby eyes partially opened, the lashes now and then caressing the cheek bones with a gentle whisper, were lowered to the guitar whose strings were play by skilled fingers, producing a soft, swooning melody.

Ray was mesmerized.

His purpose forgotten, he felt seduced by the purity of the scenario he felt he had rudely invaded upon. This was sacred. Never had he even thought to imagine that Kai Hiwatari, the Kai Hiwatari, would be one day seen in a veneer so tender, so defenseless…so…touching…

Ray had always seen the one and only aloof façade of the Russian. The master of indifference: stoic and proud in his walk, yet cool and distant from every angle possible. Quiet, calm but always ready and alert; Ray had seen those auburn hues burn with a fiery inferno, yet the same ones awarding cold glares akin to Siberia's chilly winds. He had seen the lethargic apathy residing in those eyes and also the boring look that subjected everything with simple impassiveness. He had witnessed the garnet orbs lighting with curious intrigue and glinting in sarcasm with a smirk always in place; the same eyes bearing a hint of a smile at a small quirk or simply giving a meaningful stare of silent encouragement.

What he had never seen was perhaps the vulnerability, the shadow of despondency that now etched in those crimson pools. It seemed like an armor had been shed and a wounded body had emerged. Yet on that wounded body, there remained a single, unblemished iota, a single fiber different from the tarnished skin. The iota, which still knew emotions, which still could feel, like it had emerged through the battles and tragedies and unlike the whole body, it still remembered pain, sadness…still remembered being human.

Kai had always been an icon of strength, someone not cursed with the pain of a broken heart or human emotions. He always seemed so strong, so untouchable, so cold…

This, however, showed him a light where Ray finally realized his obsession with the bluenette.

Looking back, the neko-jin would claim he fell in love with Kai on first sight. It was just this moment that made him realized this for the first time ever.

The melody continued, so beautiful, so soothing…completely divine. And just when Ray thought he should announce his presence, he was struck with another sacred revelation.

The two-tone head gently rested against the wall and those lips, translucent, facing the ceiling, parted and a voice, wrapped with sheer divinity and perfection, sang out to the silent room and its walls.

"…I won't talk,
I won't breathe
I won't move till you finally see
That you belong with me…"

Ray almost pulled back in a gasp and had to bit his tongue to keep him from reacting in any way that would give his hidden position away.

That was beautiful.

"…You might think I don't look,
But deep inside
In the corner of my mind,
I'm attached to you…"

He breathed out slowly and gradually, fingers wrapping at the doorframe to keep hold. The thought of Kai singing took a backseat when he heard that voice, which held the power to make anyone envious, continued without breaking. The stanzas were perfect; longer when supposed to be, short when needed.

Kai…

It was clear that the bluenette was singing out to someone. It was evident. How? Ray did not care. He was sure of it. And he wondered who that lucky person was…

"…I'm weak…
…It's true…"

Ray's heart convulsed at the confession. Kai…? Weak…? He narrowed his eyes, the song's lyrics twisting him in a typhoon of sentiments he seemed unable to harness.

"…'Cause I'm afraid to know the answer
Do you want me too?
Does my heart keep falling faster?"

He closed his eyes, God…Kai…

"…I've waited all my life to cross this line
To the only thing that's true
So I will not hide
It's time to try
Anything to be with you
All my life I've waited…

This is true..."

By the time the stanza ended, Ray felt weak enough to have tears falling from his eyes. Kai…he sang…he sang so pristinely…it was so divine…so profound.

Ray was lost at sea. Kai singing had opened a window that showed him in a light worth falling for. And that was what happened to him. The moment could not be described. If those lyrics were the one Kai composed himself, Ray adored them and adored him for doing so. Even if not, it did not matter because the way he uttered each sentence, each word, it was heavenly.

The phoenix continued his lament,

"…You don't know what you do
Every time you walk into the room
I'm afraid to move…

I'm weak…
…It's true…

I'm afraid to know the ending
Do you see me too?
Do you even know you met me?"

Ray wished he knew the thoughts behind this. And he wondered: Was Kai feeling the same what he was? If so, how deep did it run?

"…I've waited all my life to cross this line
To the only thing that's true
So I will not hide
It's time to try
Anything to be with you
All my life I've waited…

This is true..."

The neko almost jumped back when Kai lowered his socked feet to the floor, a ghost of a smile adorning his features as he plucked the strings of his guitar. He seemed to have lost that shroud of sadness Ray had first been granted to witness but Kai was still as much absorbed as from the start for he had yet to discover Ray on the other side.

"…I know when I go,
I'll be on my way to you…
The way that's true…"

For the moment, the worry of being discovered took a back seat in his mind as Kai opened his crimson eyes and turned his head towards heavens above. His fingers fiddled, not once breaking their momentum and automatically on cue.

"…I've waited all my life to cross this line
To the only thing that's true
So I will not hide
It's time to try
Anything to be with you
All my life I've waited...

This is true..."

The last syllable was stretched to just the right extent and the song ended, the words still managing to hook themselves with the air that surrounded.

It was sensual…

The log that smashed against the doorframe scared him much more than being grabbed by front and shoved into the wall. His gasp was left in mid air as Ray's head made hard contact with the edge to the wall and doorframe, leaving his mind to automatically shut down for a moment from the crack.

"Ray??"

Honey eyes screwed open, blinking shockingly at the unexpectedness of the attack and coming straight in contact with wide crimson orbs. Kai, hand still fisting his shirt, stared at Ray in pure surprise before narrowing his eyes in what was sheer fury.

"What are you doing here?!"

He would have swallowed had he not been frozen by the glare Kai was giving him, his grip on his front pushing his back further into the edge.

"I asked something!"

He had never seen Kai like this. Sure he had seen him granting death glares to students and teachers alike at school and yeah, he had a couple of opportunities seeing him coolly ticking off seniors by his crisp short replies in squabbles. Ray had coped up with his annoyed expressions during recess and classes or in any social event. But anger; this was a new territory where he had his first step over the line and even if it killed him, Ray, for future, would make sure not to trudge to these grounds again.

If there was anything worse, it was the fact that Kai was angry at him, at Ray.

And that small fact rendered him speechless as the bluenette continued to stare down at him, obviously expecting a proper, well reasoned answer as to why the neko dared invaded his sacred privacy with the knowledge how much Kai prized his solitude.

I-I…

Kai searched those shocked eyes before his gaze fixed on those wavering lips. As if the realization suddenly struck back home, he took a step back, leaving the raven head to gasp in air as if he was being strangled.

Ray tried not to fall forward at the retreat but the pain that shot up his spine made him double over and he fell down to his knees with a small hiss. Kai's shadow over him shifted as the bluenette went to stand before him, his fury somewhat dissipating. Ray made to speak but the lack of oxygen counted as one of the factors along with being jolted out of his senses that made him not to reply.

"What…"

He looked up. Kai still stared down at him, and though his eyes were not blazing, they were unnaturally hard meaning Ray was not forgiven. The Russian did not complete his inquiry as if testing whether Ray was foolish enough to inquire further.

When any answer failed to reach his ears again, Kai looked away with a small curse before turning sharply back again, his towering figure amplified as the neko still remained on his knees, "Wasn't the door closed?"

"I-" Ray swallowed and tried getting up. Kai did not help, not even when he bent down again as his spinal cord cracked back into place. Gasping, he clutched the side of the door for support. "I-I knocked…many a times…"

Kai waited patiently but when he did not continue, he spoke in a commanding voice, "And…?"

Ray finally looked into his eyes and somehow the whole scenario fell into his mind. Of course Kai was pissed off. He never allowed anyone to trespass into his terrain without permission. And Ray had not only done that but actually crossed all boundaries by raiding into his room, his private sanctuary, and further had sneaked around to a corner most sacred to the bluenette. He, Ray, had broken his own moral limits and had witness perhaps something very personal to Kai.

What would this have an affect on his newly bond with this intriguing foreigner to whom he had taken as an old friend? Would this mistake cause him this friendship? Ray's heart sank a bit. What if Kai never wanted anything else to do with him?

Maybe the dejected shadow that veiled his eyes as he lowered them moved Kai's demeanor for Ray, too ashamed and confused now, trained his sight anywhere but his friend's face, not knowing how or what to explain and how to actually put it in words. His mind was just not able to cope up with this diverse change in the Russian. He had just seen him…singing and now…

Silently shaking his head, Kai ran a hand through his unruly bangs, "Ray-"

"Dimitri…Dimitri kind of warned me. He did say that…" Ray fidgeted, hands making shaky gestures, "That you were not…in a very good mood…that you and Tala just fought…and…"

Watching his once confident colleague mumble so incoherently, Kai actually sighed before softening up a bit. Waiting after as if fighting to make a decision in his mind and finally reaching the verdict, he took Ray's hand off the door and closed it shut.

Golden eyes shifted to the uncharacteristic contact in a lost haze. He had already dropped the wallet and his papers outside and one glance before had confirmed him that Kai had seen them. Now as the bluenette led him in the small study, he raised his head upwards like a confused child searching for way home.

He finally turned to face Ray.

Kai's eyes held…regret…? They had lost that hard look and that angry gleam as he stared down at the ruffled attire before reaching out and straightening the collar and the hem of Ray's shirt then checking him for injuries.

Lips involuntarily parted and eyes wide, Ray could not judge whether his mind registered the fleeting touches or not. Kai was close to him, just a foot away, touching his shoulders and back with gentle fingers as if already trying to make up for the way he reacted. His vision fogged over and thoughts became hazy when the same hand slowly traced the base of his head, feeling for any serious lumps yet causing the fine hair there to stand up.

Perhaps the stillness that controlled Ray's body finally made Kai realized and he looked into those two glowing golden ponds. And then he realized what powerful sentiments were in control there. Garnet gaze shifted from those big beautiful orbs to those moist lips, his hand still at the back of Ray's neck.

God, he's so close…he's so close!

Standing there, Ray's mind blacked out as he stared at a person he had begun to admire after there very first meeting, a person he had wanted to be bonded with, to share something special. That person –Kai– now here with him, alone, in a closed warm room, caressing him intimately…Ray later wondered how someone could not be hypnotized then.

Ray felt the hand as it slowly travelled down, involuntarily tracing the exposed skin of the neko's arm with slow, hesitant moves. Ray's eyes glazed over but Kai remained pretty much conscious, crimson orbs, holding a soft light, darting from the lips to the lost look before returning to the lips again as if unsure, hesitant, to continue.

Whether intentionally or not, the two bodies came closer, inch by inch… Clothes kissed in whispers as both leant in, not knowing nor caring who did first.

We shouldn't…I shouldn't…but Buddha, he's so…so close…Kai, he's…

Kai watched closely as those tempting lips timidly turned upwards and he couldn't seem to help it anymore. Ray's fingers were brushing against his, the only contact between the two till then. And it seemed so less. He wanted more, much more than that.

We shouldn't…

The powerful forces from above were dominant here and impulse could not have been annihilated. Kai's lips brushed against the rosy pink ones in a caress and nothing more. That, itself only, made Ray's breath leave him in a shudder of a gasp. Kai, taking it as fright, made to back off when the younger whispered in an almost inaudible voice,

"More…"

Eyes falling close, he raised his chin forward, fingers below still caressing Kai's in uncertain hesitancy. Lips above him made hesitant contact with his own opened ones and they once more brushed, yet full heat of contact was not achieved. They kissed like that for moments; none of the two daring to move forward yet neither had the heart to call it quits. The fleeting touches not growing distant or bold but both seemed content to carry on this subtle battle towards higher goals.

And just when Ray was going to gently demand to continue, he opened his eyes just to see Kai closing his red ones and finally entwining his fingers in shy hold. And that was enough for the raven head to move forward and claim the bluenette's lips with his.

Hands embraced each other strongly together at the contact and Kai's other hand grabbed his chin to sink deep into the kiss that the neko had initiated.

The walls of the room burnt and the world around disappeared into oblivion. Neither time nor space intervened and nor the two soul mates, lovers at first sight and partners for life to come break apart. Hands, held tightly together, strengthened their hold as Kai traced his hand against the smooth soft skin, cupping the tanned cheek as he gently parted the lips to caress the contours of that delicious mouth that so willingly lost itself in the kiss that mated them.

"Hey, Kai, I just wanted to…Whoa!!"

Meshed mouths, touching faces and entwined fingers broke apart with a startle before both heads whipped towards the entrance, bodies automatically setting apart and drawing distance as if scorched by hellish fire. Ray gasped, his cheeks coloring up faster than ever as he stared wide eyed, shocked, at the redhead Russian gracing the doorway.

"I…uh…"

The cerulean eyes portrayed shock and confusion as well as Tala stared from his best friend to the Chinese he had very recently acquainted, neither of which moved or tried to explain. Feeling best to just step away and run off rather than stuttering and ruining the moment, he showed up his two hands in defeat and moved backwards,

"I…I should've knocked. Don't mind me; I just…well…carry on."

And he was out faster than he came in and Ray actually breathed out in relief. Or was it relief?

Stabbing them in the back with a hot rusted knife, reality crashed down and both of the remaining occupants turned back to each other. Well, at least Kai did. Ray just shot a glance before turning his head down again, his heart beating as if he had finished twenty laps in one go.

I just…we just…Kai just…kissed me…

The bluenette's gaze was on him, that much he knew. And Ray certainly did not like the idea of being scrutinized right then, right there. He just kissed his friend, god damn it! And the one he did not even know much about! Worst of all, he enjoyed it! God, how could he have done that!

Ray heard Kai smile and raised his head. Surely, there was tell-tale curve on that handsome face as Kai looked at him, eyes light and soft. Yet for a moment Ray dreaded whether the bluenette was simply making fun of him and his naivety. Ray kept watching and those ruby orbs turned away with a small sigh. Kai, once again, reached out for him and the neko froze as the hand that had caressed his face before, traced his cheek once more.

"You'd wonder why Tala and I fought perhaps."

He wanted to nod but settled with just staring at the supple lips he had just kissed. Truthfully, he wouldn't have been able to speak even if Ray wanted too. The light fingers on his skin were too much big a distraction to over come.

Kai stepped forward and Ray instantly raised his face up again, watching the tamed emotions reflected in those burgundy pools of wine.

"He was trying to persuade me not to let go…" Kai trailed off and was about to turn away,

"Don't-" It was out of his mouth before Ray could stop and Kai blinked at the abrupt stop. But Ray did not allow that and grabbed it with his. "Of me…He was trying to persuade you not to let go…of me…right Kai?"

The latter opened his mouth to reply but nothing came out. Not knowing what to do, Kai did what he was best used to and turned away. Only this time, Ray squeezed the hold on his hand and stepped closer so that even the air separating them radiated intimacy.

"Not now."

"What?" Kai's lashes fluttered as he asked, clearly not comprehending what the neko had said before him.

Lips twitched into a small satisfactory smile as Ray whispered back, "Don't turn away. Not now that I know why I love you so much."

Crimson hues widened but much more when the raven head bent forward and pecked his lips, closing the distance and putting his arms gently on his shoulders. Kai breathed out, staring into those deep eyes of his companion, knowing he had reached the pinnacle where things would be blossoming even if its harsh winter he had to endure.

"Do you?" He asked against those tempting lips.

Ray smiled, "Yeah… Just don't use your karate on me again, okay? They are kind of scary."

Kai smirked, "Never…"

They kissed again.

---

End Flashback

Her eyes shifted from the ruffled mats to the swaying bag and then landed on the figure crouched against the large mirror with a bottle and a towel in lap. The raven head touched the drawn up knees but Tania could make out the partially lidded eyes blinking ever so gradually at the wooden floor beneath.

"Ray…?"

Not expecting any response, she once more looked about the empty gym, noticing the discarded boxing gloves, before bending down on her heels too. Coming face to face with the neko, she touched the bare shoulder, finding it unnaturally cold even after the workout. Ray was drenched with cold sweat.

"Chibi…"

It was known that if nothing, Ray always responded to that. And then, he did, even if it was little. He gave the tiniest nods in recognition that he was listening to whatever she had to say but might not reply. That was enough for Tania.

"It was a false alarm if you're wondering about that." Tania said, hand still on the wet shoulder, "I don't know how and when those thugs managed to do that but they did it and made their point clear if that's not difficult to conclude."

Ray nodded again, eyes trained only down, exhaustion visibly dripping from his expression.

The girl shifted on her feet, "I called Uncle Tahoe and have sent for the cleaning team. We will be in working condition and open by tomorrow noon, no doubt."

Again, only a small nod was given.

"The interior is drenched and the firemen broke a couple of mirrors and windows on their way in and out but those are little expenses. We'll be able to manage that. The kitchen is safe and so is the rest of the place. But the police want to keep on investigating a bit further to locate the cause of the alarm going off. The technician said that the main board was unsecured and easily accessible thus probably those guys hacked it or something. But the fire chief said that a flame was set near the alarm in the basement. That's not difficult, I mean you can use a lighter and voila, you've sprinkles turning the place to a bath." She softly finished, eyes still looking out for any movements form the younger.

Ray sighed and closed his eyes for a long, long time. Tania brought good news may be. At least the restaurant was okay. And he knew Uncle Tahoe well to know that everything will be on time by tomorrow. La Xian did not close down for trivial matters as these.

"I do not suppose the force nor the fire brigade found anything about Delilah?"

"No they didn't and I didn't mention it of course."

"Good."

Tania hesitated, "Do you reckon we should have told?"

Golden eyes clashed with violet suddenly, "No, I don't. Didn't you hear her, Tania?"

"I heard her threatening your life and Kai, Ray-"

"Exactly! And yours too. You think I'm just going to let her have it that way and throw cautions to the wind?"

"But you have to tell someone-"

Ray shook his head, "Like whom? Uncle Tahoe would just go file to the police, right? Tania you don't know these people. We might have big businesses but we are still country people. They, the Vaclavs and Hiwataris, I have dealt with them even if it counts very little in magnitude but I know when I say that do not trigger their hostility. You'll be-"

"Crushed, I know. You said that before once too."

The neko nodded, "Right." Gently lodging her hand off, he made to stand. His legs protested a bit but his mind was too numb from battling against his past traumas to notice.

"What now?"

He looked at her and then outside where the thunder boomed and clouds fought fiercely in the chaotic cosmos. What now?

'My words are clear; take caution and leave Kai alone!'

Leave Kai alone, huh?

Should he go forward with his meeting tomorrow and put everything he cared for in more jeopardy? What mattered most; Delilah's threats or his lover's request for one last face to face exchange? And Tania; what about her? Will Delilah bother this much to be a peril to her life as well?

"I don't know, Tania. I'm just so…I don't know."

Tania rubbed his back softly in a soothing way to console him, "Let's get you home already, okay? And let's see what tomorrow brings."

If Ray knew or could foretell the future he might have just known the gravity of the words; 'if tomorrow comes…'

---

Ray locked the door behind him, entering the dark apartment that was his home and his personal hell now. Not bothering to properly hang his jacket on the hook, he dropped it and rubbing his eyes, stepped forward in the small hallway. One fist still massaging the aching eyes, he searched for the damn switch that seemed to have magically disappeared from its spot.

What am I going to do?

Finding it, he clicked on the light above but only a spark graced him and the bulb fused.

Damn!

Cursing under his breath, Ray would have grumbled in numb annoyance but was not really up to showing any disappointment at that stage. Tania had dropped him off in front of his building and had offered to walk him till his room and let him settle down. But Ray, trying to maintain the left of his tainted dignity, had subtly refused and assured her that he'd be fine and call him once he was ready for bed.

I need some time alone. This all can't be happening to me. This nightmare can't be real. It's too horrifying to be real.

Ray brought down his fist and blinked at the dark silhouettes of furniture before stepping forward into the small lounge. Where was that switch again? And why was it so hard to think right?

"I need some sleep…" Ray murmured to the empty surroundings. He had a lot on his plate and it just kept over flowing. He needed a break and some deep rest.

His lover was here with his best friend in Hong Kong for his engagement. His, Ray's, friend had betrayed him for the worst in the worst way. And to top it all, his lover's fiancé worked back stage to sprinkle salt on the open, peeling wounds.

What am I going to do?

"Shit, where's that light?" Ray cursed out in total frustration. There was only much one could take in a day!

"Here let me get it for you."

The gasp left him as he whipped around in shock at the voice that whispered right behind his ear. The lights came on and Ray gaped at the face of calm amber eyes and that ever present smirk. Something behind him crashed to the floor as Ray backed away into the wall in initial shock and fear.

Lee! What was Lee doing here at this time!

"Surprised, Ray?"

The teen's eyes widened and he pressed his back more into the wall as the Lion neared him. "What…What are you doing here?"

"Hmm…? Oh I had to drop here for a very urgent and important matter, Ray. In fact, why don't we get started now? What do you say?"

No! I'm not going to let you do that again!

But Ray, outwards, seemed frozen to find his former friend so at peace, standing under the roof where he had shamelessly taken him forcibly without any consideration. How could that guy even have the guts to show his face here! Lee was once more in his apartment, invading his privacy and breaching his security, physically and mentally. And yet, all Ray could do was distanced himself from the other's reach. Lee had the keys to his place, true. But Ray never imagined the Lion would have the guts to show his face again here. Or may be he did not consider his earlier threat in the morning.

Was that just this morning? So much has happened till then…

"You're not welcomed here anymore, Lee. I have nothing to say to you. Get out!" Ray hissed as he slid back with every step Lee advanced in his direction. He turned to glance back and realized too late that he had backed away in a corner. The moment he turned back, Lee towered him, reaching out to place a hand next to his head, caging him once more like before.

"You've always been so naïve, Ray. Didn't I tell you in the morning that I'll come to get you, huh?"

The raven head flattened himself into the barrier behind him, wishing to dissolve into the wall and never return. He felt sickened and revolted as Lee licked his lips before bending forward in an intimidating way.

"Didn't I, Ray?"

"Lee…" Ray could not bring to push the elder back, more because he did not want to touch him and a bit because he knew it would be on no use and only entice the ebony head more.

The said person smirked at his obsession, loving the way emotions metamorphosed from one to another in a kaleidoscopic way in those bright eyes. He could detect the tiredness and wariness portraying from those miniature sun orbs. He could feel the fright radiating from the body. Lee could smell the want to break free and run away from him. But he knew Ray would not actually do any of that because he knew that Ray was aware that what was supposed to happen, it will. And he would not be able to stop just like last night.

Lee bent forward and Ray clenched his eyes shut as the elder neko-jin captured his lips fiercely with such a strong hold that promised not to let go unharmed. His hips were grasped tightly from the sides and Lee wasted no time in pressing his body against the lithe one to counter any form of resistance from his prize.

Ray tried to cry out, shout, in the kiss but the force with which he was being held down like a slave was too much painful to overcome. His mind screamed and he tried, forced his body to struggle, but Lee was in much effective control than he ever was.

He shifted his hands from the hips to the shoulders as Ray dropped forward when he backed away, heaving heavily in shock. Lee, taking advantage of the immobility, pecked him on the cheek before caressing the smooth skin.

"Enough pleasantries, Ray, we have work to do and I'm afraid time is short."

He trembled as Lee held him close, shudders racking his frame at the treatment he was enduring.

"Now I want you to listen to me and listen very clearly Ray, or else things would turn ugly. Do you understand?"

Ray did not look up and did not respond, his heart thudding painfully in his ribcage. What was Lee playing at? Why was he doing this to him?

"Do you see that bag, Ray?"

He turned to where Lee was pointing and sure enough, next to his bedroom door, a small brown suitcase was seated.

"I want you to do exactly what I say, Ray. Any mistake and you'll deeply regret it."

Uncertainly, Ray nodded, praying to be saved by whatever the demon embracing him was planning. But of course, prayers in peril go unanswered like always.

"Take it to your room. You have," Lee made a quick check on the wall clock to see it was quarter to eleven, "12 minutes, Ray. Get some clothes, passport, papers and anything worth some importance. I want you packed and ready in the given time and by eleven, we leave. Is that clear?"

"Lee-I-"

"Have I made myself clear Ray?"

Ray looked into those insane eyes and knew there was no other way out of it. Lee meant what he said and right then; he could not muster the courage to defy him.

---

The slamming of the door made him jump and Ray fearfully stared at the digital time piece on his side table. He had more than six minutes and two of his shirts and trousers were already in and ready. What had made him stop was to make sure Lee would not barge in as he crouched down to the last drawer of his dresser. Tentatively, Ray was not sure why, he slid opened the compartment, staring at the red velvet cloth hiding one of his most precious possession, if any.

Kai…

The Russian's and his photo slipped into his fingers and deftly Ray placed it under the base of his suitcase. Whatever the fickle finger of fate was playing with him, whatever Lee had planned for him, if Ray was to leave his home temporarily, there was no way he was going to part with the only reminiscent of his lover.

This can't be happening! Lee…he can't just kidnap me like this!

Panicked gaze fell on the cordless phone resting on the table next to his bed and Ray's heart missed a beat. Lee's warning rang in his ears but the way out to safety felt too tempting not to trudge upon.

And so, after making sure the apartment was quiet and silent, the neko slowly neared the small device, the beating of his heart making it arduous for him to properly breathe.

Relax…just…just call Tania…or the police…anything, Ray, just do it!

The teen stared at the phone with a mixture of fright and uncertainty. Should he? Or should he not? He couldn't have locked the door. Lee had the keys and he was not a fool to leave Ray alone here for more than five minutes. What to do?

"Buddha, help me." Sending a prayer to the unresponsive heavens above, Ray reached out and grabbed it off the sheets.

His fingers shook as he pressed the log button. Tania's number was displayed there as the last caller from the morning. Ray had meant to call at La Xian then but had simply thrown the cordless away. Now, he pressed the dial option and watched as the call began to connect, the green screen mocking him for taking its lazy time.

Come on…

The first bell went and then,

"Sorry, but you're not allowed to reach the number you're calling. Please call your customer service for further inquiry or turn to our toll-free helpline-"

Not allowed…?! What the-!

"I warned you, Ray."

A hand closed over his mouth and the other went for his waist. Ray wasn't even given a chance to be surprised as Lee pulled him back into his body, the elder's fingers grabbing him in between the legs. His cry was muffled in the hand on his mouth as Lee delved right beneath his pants into his boxers. The battery broke out from the back of the phone as it hit the floor, the green screen fading away just as Ray's chances of escaping faded away.

His eyes screwed closed as Lee tightened his hold but his struggle became far wilder. He tried scratching out the other's face and kicked him but that all fervent died with a scream when Lee tugged at his manhood hard.

"Easy, Ray…" The ebony haired neko purred in the pointy ear of his companion, "You know you're already in trouble. Don't make it worse for yourself."

Ray tried to shake off the hand but when Lee hardened his grip in warning, he fell still, fearing the probable consequences if he aroused too much of the Lion's fury.

Feeling the younger quiet down, Lee closed the zip but did not stray farther and settled on Ray's inner thigh, "That's right, sweetheart. Relax…all will be fine."

A sob escaped his throat when his friend caressed him down there, the painful tingling resurfacing many dark, dark memories. Ray's head rested on Lee's shoulder in a wrong angle, his mouth still closed by that large hand, restraining him from making a scene.

"Had you come quietly Ray, I wouldn't have done this. But now, I guess, you've not left me any choice. Come now…"

Lee backed away from the bedroom, the tensed beautiful body pressed against him and he loved the feeling. The shivers that dominated Ray were sensational and corrupted his mind. But controlling his urge, he walked near the small showcase in the hall, grabbing the sleek injection containing a transparent liquid from the surface.

"I'm sorry Ray, but this is how it's going to be. You're just going to sleep for now, my love."

Golden eyes screamed in terror but their scream was left unheard as a sharp needle entered Ray's sight. He watched from the corner of his vision as Lee stretched his neck to expose the vulnerable flesh there.

Stop! No please! Stop!

Alas, his thoughts remained there where they were meant to be. No one interfered, no one intervened. No last second interruptions and no miracles. Ray felt the prick of the metal and cried out at the burning feeling that spread throughout his neck. The fluid, what ever poison it was, seeped into him and Ray's struggled died altogether, the burning sensation turning into liquid nitrogen that froze every movement, every ripple, and killed each molecule of oxygen in his body.

Lee pulled out the injection and dropped it on the floor, his arms automatically embracing Ray's now limp body in a cuddle against his chest. The legs could not possibly support themselves anymore for the poison was fast and potent. The flailing arms were now dropped by the sides in defeat and Lee smirked at the immobile state the figure was swathed in.

Unable to resist, he placed a soft kiss on those wavering lips, watching the lights in those victimized eyes slowly dying.

"L-Lee…"

Ray made to fight the last time but his world slowly faded away and his head settled next to the dark heart of the elder neko-jin, now the bane of his life.

---

Two sticks of red dynamite were wrapped together tightly with gray duct tape. But there was no fuse. Instead, Lee Chan used a detonating device, a timer with cheap windup alarm clock. He had removed the minute hand from the clock, and drilled a small hole between the numbers eleven and twelve, more towards the latter than the former. Into the small hole, he inserted a metal pin which, when touched by the sweeping hour hand, would complete the circuit and detonate the bomb which was capable of wrecking the entire apartment but not damaging the whole building or causing the main beams to collapse.

Lee considered himself near as an expert on bombs and timers. Since nine he had been enticed by fireworks and anything with gun powder in it. And timers, they were his specialty.

Walking away from the coffee table where the explosion was set, the amber gaze scrutinized the whole place one last time. He counted many of the times and memories he spent and had here and there over the years. But none was as strong as the one last night when he had finally bedded Ray. And he was proud that he had to get to do that in, ironically (or not), the neko's own bedroom. That was exquisite…

Alas, these memories will be charred and ashes now, Ray. But I assure you, we will have many others to make together in the near future. I promise you that…

He had already rounded up what ever he needed or was required from the apartment. The last minute packing that Ray did was just a formality that the Lion wanted to be over with. It was not of any significance anyway.

So grabbing the two briefcases on the floor, Lee once more swept the place with a close look and finding nothing wrong in the scene, turned about and left through the door.

The last click of the door aroused many phantoms of the past, which, knowing their fate; screamed and wailed at the injustice. Many begged to be allowed freedom, many asked for a better end. None of them was happy. But perhaps the only one genuinely crushed and sad…was the one with the red crimson eyes…

---

"Now there's a nice catch, boy. Where did you get him from?"

The alley was deserted with the exception of the dirty yellow cab and the three silhouettes, all of which hardly apparent under the wisps of street lights.

Lee glared at the sleazy taxi driver who smoked something cheap wrapped in a piece of paper, "Shut you pie hole and help me with this shit." He cussed to the disgusting looking man.

The driver sneered at the youngster with his yellow teeth before taking the luggage and throwing it in the passenger seat. Getting behind the wheel, he waited till the neko-jin was done.

Shooting another look to confirm he was leaving no evidence behind, Lee opened the peeling door. This was definitely not according to his taste or desire but for the moment, it was all worth it. Shifting the legs on to his lap, he climbed in with a grimace on the torn leather seats and handed the driver thick envelope.

"Get us there safely and secretly and the rest will be yours. Now get a move on."

The unshaven, foul man grinned and adjusting the rear view mirror right, he started the engine off. This was far most, the easiest job he had done for the grand amount he was receiving. May be if he was able to pay his debts, he might get some good seat covers for his cab.

Lee turned his attention back to his companion nest to him, now caught up in a dreamless sleep without any idea of the languid pace of time. Lee shifted, taking Ray's legs with him as he adjusted between them. Caressing the caramel tinted face, his eyes traced the contours of those angelic features, delving into their attractive but vulnerable façade. The raven head was oblivious, and Lee was about to take full advantage of it.

The driver shot one last glance at the back where the couple was. He had not met a more handsome man in years. That unconscious neko-jin was an eye candy worth loosing blood. And had he not been doing business with Lee Chan, he would have let his instincts wild and run off with the raven beauty when the Lion had came to put him in the back of the car before.

Now he watched with a perverted gaze as the elder of the two took the sleeping teen in his lap, touching him, kissing him softly here and there. The shallow breathing becoming sharp and uneven was distracting. So taking the partition between the front and the back, the driver closed it shut; smirking at the perverse thoughts running through his head at what he would have done if it was he in the back seat with the knocked out neko.

Reversing the vehicle out of the alley, he placed his foot on the accelerator and zoomed out in the road, quickly merging into the night's traffic, away from the apartment and the bomb.

---

The woman was in her late sixties, greedy, rude and downright bitchy. And even as she witnessed the whole kidnapping take place eight floors beneath her, she could not think of anything else than the reward money she could make by calling the police or the ones concerned.

If there was anything that changed her mind for afterwards, it was the blast that took place fifteen minutes after the cab and three mysterious figures departed.

---

The lyrics used were 'True' by Ryan Cabrera worth listening, swooning and totally getting emotional on. I know some people have a problem with the length so from now on; the length of the chapters will be less. Wish me luck and forgive me for updating so late and in such a…inappropriate and 'unlike me' manner.

I want to thank a certain 'somebody' belonging to my college, who has very recently became a confidant and a good friend, for helping me get through this and being very supportive. Without him, this chapter or even this story might have become dead to me. Yes, I was and am this depressed and desperate.

Yours reviews are dear to me guys, and sincerely, I want some encouragement.

Please R&R.

Till next time,
Neena14