Disclaimer: I don't own it.

A/N: Well, it's been a long journey but I've finally finished this story. I hope you all enjoy it.

Kai rested a hand over Rei's mouth, mahogany eyes neutral. "Rei I don't want you to argue with me. The mage needs to be killed. You have to leave. I can't have you here. You'd be a liability." Golden eyes flared with anger and the raven haired shifter nipped his mate's hand.

The slate haired teen drew his hand back and looked at it. A small bit of pinched flesh was the only hint of what had happened. He rolled his eyes as he folded his arms across his chest. "You have something to say."

Rei glared at his mate, fangs peeking out. "I do. I didn't follow you all this way to have you run off again! I'm going to follow you and there's nothing you can do to stop me!" Kai was just about to give in when Tala pulled him away.

The two shifters conversed in tones too soft for the neko-jin to hear. Rei glanced at the door to find Bryan also watching Tala and Kai. The lavender haired caught Rei's look and shrugged before going back to watching the hallway.

Kai glanced at his mate, just barely managing to hide his shock. Rei was still glaring at him, golden eyes seeming to glow in the low light. His hair had come unbraided and it hung around him like a living cloak.

Tala tapped him on the shoulder and Kai turned his attention back to his friend. He nodded once in an agreement. The redhead smiled in support before he moved to stand with Bryan. The slate haired shifter dragged Rei into the corner furthest from the other two shifters.

He rested one hand on his mate's waist and cupped his chin with the other. "Rei, I love you." With sure fingers he pressed at the mark on Rei's neck. The raven haired shifter's eyes fluttered and he collapsed into Kai's arms.

The slate haired shifter slowly lowered Rei to the floor before looking at Tala. "He's going to be pissed when he wakes up." Tala shrugged blue eyes sad. "I know. But, it's the best for him. Bryan and I will get him out of here."

Kai nodded before he left the room, his stride confident.

Kai slunk down the hallways, his every sense attuned to his surroundings. After several close encounters with the imps in the halls, he had decided that it would be much safer to travel in a shape that had better senses.

The shifter peered around the corner, mahogany eyes drawn to the large iron door at the end of the hallway. The door was partially open. He took a deep breath, the mage's scent filling the small area.

His eyes combed through the shadows, seeking out a hidden presence. This seemed too easy. By now the mage had to know that he had escaped. He had no doubt that some kind of warding spell had been placed on the door.

Kai moved forward, the feeling of being watched driving him on. He slipped into the room and shifted back, mahogany eyes focused on the mage. The mage's back was to the door. He was mumbling something and the faint sound of stone against stone filled the small room.

Suddenly the sound stopped and the mage turned, black eyes shining. He set the mortar and pestle down and took a step towards the shifter, robe softly swishing. "It's nice to see you. I was wondering why it had taken so long for you to get here. I know you can't get lost," He smirked. "Not with all of those shapes at your disposal."

Kai shrugged, arms folded across his chest. "I got a little caught up." The mage nodded and pulled a slim, jeweled rod from his sleeve. "I know. It was you're little mate wasn't it? And you released my present for the King of Maienai. He's not going to be happy."

The slate haired shifter smirked, mahogany eyes neutral. "I'm not worrying about it. No one is going to be around to tell him about Bryan's escape." The mage spun the rod in his fingers the jewels flashing in the light. "We'll have to see about that."

Before Kai could react a slim jet of red light lanced at the teen. A flash of blinding light filled the room, blinding the mage. When the whiteness had faded away Kai was unharmed, mahogany eyes wide with shock. Floating in front of him was a picture of a wyvern in front of a lighting bolt.

The mage's rod dropped to the floor as he stepped back. He held his hands up and kept moving back, lips frantically chanting an unheard spell. The glyph in front of Kai enlarged and the wyvern stretched its neck out, mouth gaping wide.

With an inhuman screech the legless dragon swallowed the mage before erupting in a fireball of small green sparks.

Rei slowly came awake, wondering why it was so warm out. He reached out blindly hand coming in contact with soft, silky fur. The neko-jin moved closer to Driger and nearly jumped out of his skin when a body pressed against his back. A cold nose was pressed against his nose and a coarse haired tail brushed against his arm.

"Wolborg, back off." The wolf let out a huff and got to his feet. Rei sat up and leaned against Driger, still feeling slightly woozy. His vision cleared and he looked around, feeling that something was missing.

Bryan was standing near a half finished wall, talking to a massive silver falcon. Tala was standing further away one hand petting Wolborg's ears as the wolf and Dranzer talked. The neko-jin finally realized why it seemed so empty. "Where's Kai?"

Tala and Bryan looked at the younger shifter before exchanging a quick glance. Tala knelt next to the neko-jin, one hand brushing back some of Rei's hair. "Well...he's-"

"Right here." Rei shot to his feet, nearly knocking Tala over in the process. Kai hit the ground, arms wrapped around Rei. The younger shifter was purring, in sharp contrast to the hot tears that were falling on Kai's skin. Rei rested his head on Kai's shoulder. "If you ever do that again, I'm going to have Driger eat you."

Kai kissed the top of Rei's head and fell to the ground, mahogany eyes closed. "Don't worry. I never want to repeat this experience again."

Kai tightened the sash of his robe before joining Rei on the bed. They had stopped in a town, deciding that Bryan and Kai needed rest. Both of the shifters had argued, saying that it would be best for them to get back to the tribe. It wasn't until Dranzer and Falborg had threatened them that they had finally given in.

The first thing they had done when they got to town was to get new clothing everybody. Kai's old pair had several burned holes in it, though he had refused to tell his companions how they had come to be.

Rei crawled under the blankets and turned sleepy eyes on Kai. "Either get in bed or leave. I want to sleep." The slate haired shifter laughed and slipped in next to his mate and spooned him.

The sound of footsteps in the hall reached their ears and Rei giggled. Kai propped himself on one elbow, eyes focused on his mate. "What the hell is so funny?" The neko-jin smiled. "That's Tala and Bryan. Give it a minute." Kai settled himself back down and waited.

Several seconds later he was rewarded with the sound of someone hitting the wall. He buried his face in the pillow and sighed, trying to figure out why Rei found the whole situation so funny. "You have realized that he'll be impossible to deal with tomorrow, right."

The neko-jin nodded and snuggled further into the blankets. "I do. At least now he won't be so lonely." The slate haired teen nodded and rested a hand of Rei's stomach, eyes closed. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Kai could feel Rei shrug. "I didn't want to worry you. Goodnight." The two slowly drifted to sleep, content for the first time in days.