Author's notes: ok... I had a minor complication... since I wrote the WHOLE damned chapter out and then my $%&#$% laptop deleted it all!!!!! ARGHHHHH!!!!!
I sincerely apologise if this chapter isn't as good as it should be, because you know who to blame if it isn't ((cough)) computer ((cough))
Oh and if there are spelling mistakes, I'm really sorry cuz I have a sore index finger... and there's a really bulky plaster on it, and so the plaster kind of knocks keys that I don't really want knocked, so sometimes the words may have a few extra letters in them... sorry!
To all my reviewers: OMG, I love you people!! You guys are the best, and I really appreciate all the reviews you've sent me!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!
Well.. you know what comes next the warning and the disclaimer, so I'm just going to let you go figure and get on with the story.
!#$%&()
Chapter 7
Rei brushed a weary hand over his bloodshot golden eyes. It had been 6 months since he had last saw or heard from Kai. 6 long months, spent all alone, looking through a seemingly endless pile of documents which were full of words that just seemed to blend into each other, words that didn't make sense to him anymore.
Being king was tiring, and he wished for nothing more than to just lie down and truly sleep. But he hadn't had a full night's sleep ever since he had left the Hiwatari castle, and Kai, behind.
Didn't Kai care about him? Why hadn't he returned any of the letters that Rei had sent him?
Rei groaned and buried his head in his hands. This was absolute hell. There was no way that he was going to make it through the rest of his life if Kai wasn't with him.
Somehow being with Kai made everything simpler, everything so much more enjoyable.
Argh, he thought, disgusted with his train of thought, I'm not supposed to be thinking about Kai, I'm supposed to be focusing on this marriage proposal... to Mariah?? he shuddered. Although he liked the pink haired girl, he only liked her as a sister, and never as a lover.
Besides, he knew that he loved Kai, and Kai only.
"Still pining over the ice prince?" Lee asked, as if reading his mind. He walked over to stand next to his king. "Come on Rei, cheer up.
"How can I?" Rei asked sadly. "It's like half of me is missing.
"Now you sound like Mariah when she pines over you." Lee shuddered. "And that's not a good thing. You've got to snap out of it, Rei. Honestly- it's quite sickening.
Lee's comment caused Rei to laugh, and his mood to brighten, if only slightly.
"You're right. Can you get one of my advisors to finish this please? I'm going to go to my room.
Rei's room was really a small tent at the edge of the clan fire. All of the clan lived in small tents, though the dining hall -which was also another tent- was the size of an actual hall, and had taken a while to put up.
"Your majesty!" an advisor ran up to him, and Rei hid a frustrated sigh.
What did those annoying pests want this time? He turned around and plastered a (fake) patient smile on his face. "Yes?
"Here, a letter for you, from the Hiwatari castle.
Rei's face lit up, and excitement built within his chest. A letter from the Hiwatari castle! Was it Kai? He ripped open the letter and hastily scanned the contents.
Hello kitten,
Guess who?
How are you anyway? Living up to the expectations of your clan? I heard that you're king. Well done- I'm sure you make a great one.
You're probably wondering why I'm writing. Well, I was wondering about these peace treaties that everyone is talking about but doing nothing about.
Would it be possible to negotiate about a peace treaty between our two lands? If you agree, then we'll send over a party straight away.
Yours sincerely,
Tala
p.s we all miss you
Rei gave a disappointed sigh, and threw himself onto his bed, which consisted of a few furs and blankets on the ground.
The letter slowly fluttered onto the ground, and Rei's tears slowly joined it.
Didn't Kai care about him? He said that he would write, that he would visit, but Rei hadn't even heard a single word from the bluenette.
He shook his head. These thoughts would get him nowhere. Rei picked up the letter and read it again. Then he started to write a response.
Dear Tala,
Thank you. I'm grateful for your support. I'm fine, and how are you? How is Kai? I miss you all so much.
A peace party? That sounds great. We will welcome your party with open arms, trust me- the clan is tired of the seemingly never ending battles.
We look forward to your arrival,
Rei
Checking over his letter, Rei deemed it fine, and yelled for one of the messengers.
"Yes, your majesty?" the young boy, who couldn't be any older than Rei, asked.
"Here, can you please take this to the Hiwatari castle?" Rei asked.
The messenger nodded and swiftly ran off, the letter clutched safely within his hand.
Rei smiled and re-entered his private tent, and laid down on his furs. He wondered if Kai would come with the peace party- but he doubted it.
Kai had probably forgotten all about him.
!#$%
Kai sat at his desk, glaring moodily at the opposite wall. He couldn't bring himself to look at the portrait that he had had painted of Rei.
The court artist -who had a photographic memory- had gladly drawn and painted the raven haired boy, for the 500 gold coins that Kai had paid him.
But the painting had far from put Kai at peace. The more he looked at it, the more he wanted to reach out and stroke the tanned skin, but it was impossible. It was a painting, and nothing more.
He gave a frustrated groan and slammed his fist onto the wooden desk. Why, why did his koi have to be a king?
How he wanted to storm over to the White Tiger clan straight away and bring Rei back to the Hiwatari castle, but there was no way that they would be able to be with each other. They both had their own lands to look after, their own people to take care of.
"Hello, hello, hello!" a familiar voice sung out and the next second Tala had seated himself on top of all of Kai's documents on his desk. The familiar smirk was on his face, and there was a piece of parchment in his hands.
"What do you want?" Kai snapped rudely.
"Just to talk." Tala was silent for a while, fiddling with the letter. It was starting to annoy Kai. "Well... I was just wondering...
"Just get it out already!" Kai yelled, exasperated.
"Here, read." Tala handed the letter to him.
Kai scanned the letter, and his face paled slightly, whether from anger or fear -maybe surprise?- Tala didn't know, but he backed off slightly just in case.
"Since when have you been writing to Rei?" he asked, his voice dangerously soft.
"Oh... I've only sent one letter to him. So far, anyway. I just thought that since you had obviously forgotten him, maybe-"
"I have not forgotten him!" Kai shouted, his crimson eyes flashing dangerously. "And how come I wasn't told of this peace party'?"
"You've been talking about sending a peace party for ages, Kai. Just because you've found that Rei is the king of the opposing land doesn't mean that your plans have to be put on a halt." Tala grinned. "Oh come on- you get to see Rei again!
"What do you mean, I get to see Rei? I'm not the one going!
"Yes you are. You are going, along with several other people." seeing the disagreeable look on Kai's face, he quickly added "I've got everything sorted. Don't fret.
"I'm not fretting." he muttered. "Fine. I'll go.
"Good! Because I'd hate to unpack everything again!" Tala laughed and clambered off the desk.
"You packed for me?" Kai demanded. "How did you know that I would accept?
Tala rolled his eyes. "Go figure." he left the room, leaving a thoughtful Kai behind.
He was going to see Rei again... a large smile spread over his usually stern face.
He was going to see Rei again!!
!#$%
A few days later the peace negotiation party from the Hiwatari castle arrived at the White Tiger clan lands.
Kai stood in the midst of the throng of neko jins, looking this way and that, searching from his koi. Where was Rei? Surely, since he was king, he would come and greet them?
As if reading his mind, Lee said "His majesty, King Rei Kon, will greet you properly tonight, before we gather for dinner.
Kai nodded, showing none of the impatience that he felt on his face. Tonight seemed so far away. He wanted to see and feel Rei now.
!#$%
The night finally came, and Kai sat with the rest of the party at the edge of the large fire that burnt in the middle of all the tents. All the neko jins stood around it, shirtless, their long hair let out. Muscles were flexed, and tanned skin glistened enticingly.
But still Rei hadn't emerged from his tent, and Kai's patience was thinning rapidly. His crimson gaze never left Rei's private tent, and he wondered why Rei had to wait until just before dinner. Was something special going to happen?
He was pulled out of his thoughts when some of the men and women on the edge of the fire started beating on drums, keeping a steady rhythm. The Eastern Landers looked up from their conversations, and an expecting silence fell over everyone.
A slender figure slowly approached the fire, and Kai's heart churned in his chest as he realised that it was Rei. It had to be- Kai knew exactly how the golden eyed boy moved, how he held himself. It was Rei.
Rei clenched sweaty fists at his side. He was so nervous... Was Kai among those in the peace party? He wasn't sure- all Tala had said was that 14 men and women were coming, but he had never specified who.
His heart almost stopped when he saw the familiar, two toned, spiky blue hair next to the fire, and the same crimson gaze, burning with desire and longing.
Their gazes locked for a split second, then Rei was reminded of his duties as king when the drumbeat picked up.
His hips swinging provocatively side to side, he started to dance. His feet moved to the beat of the drums, and his graceful body twisted and turned, giving him a boneless grace.
"This is the welcoming dance." Lee muttered to Kai who found that he couldn't take his eyes away from the dancing Rei. "It is performed only by royalty, and only at special occasions.
"It is an honour." Kai murmured, trying to keep his voice calm and collected. It wouldn't do to show how much effect Rei had on his senses.
Rei unconsciously did the whole dance, his mind fixed on Kai, and Kai only. He didn't even notice all the other people around the fire, all he saw were those crimson eyes that spoke volumes of love.
The drums came to a halt, and so did Rei. His breath came out in small pants, and his skin glistened with sweat, and suddenly he realised that the dance had ended.
"And now to the feast!" one of the advisors called out, gathering a group of joyous yells.
Everyone moved off to the dining tent, with the exception of Rei and Kai, who stayed exactly where they were, still staring into each other's eyes.
After a few minutes of stunned silence, Kai stood up, and hesitantly walked towards Rei.
How would the raven haired beauty react to him? Would Rei be angry at him, because he never replied to any of the letters he had sent?
His doubts were pushed aside when Rei threw his arms around him, burying his face into the crook between his neck and shoulder.
"Oh Gods, Kai..." Rei murmured, unable to stop the tears from rolling down his face. All of his anger and sorrow were playing up at once, and Rei sobbed uncontrollably into Kai's shirt. "I missed you so much...
"I missed you too." Kai murmured, his voice thick with pent up emotions. "I'm so sorry, Rei.
Rei brushed a hand across his eyes, and sniffed a few times. "What for?
"I never replied any of your letters. I thought... I thought you wouldn't want to hear from me... I thought you'd be too busy with your duties to your clan." Kai said.
"Then why would I have written to you?" Rei retorted, a bitter note in his voice. He pulled back, so that he could look into Kai's face, which was twisted with pain.
"Please forgive me.
"Why should I?" Rei asked, his eyes burning with anger. "You just disappeared!
"Because I love you." Kai whispered. All of his nerves were on edge, and he hoped desperately that Rei would forgive him. He wouldn't be able to live if Rei wasn't in his life (a/n: nyahh.. that sounded cheesy xx)
Rei paused, indecision written all over his face, and Kai took the chance to place a tender kiss on his lips. Reaching out a trembling hand, he brushed a lock of black hair behind the neko jin's slightly pointed ear.
"Don't leave me again." he whispered into Rei's ear, smiling slightly when he felt Rei shiver from their close contact.
"I won't." Rei whispered back. He glanced around, and frowned when he saw one of his advisors staring at them, half submerged into shadows. As soon as he caught Rei's glare on him, the advisor left.
"Who was that?" Kai asked, following Rei's gaze.
"Aradi. One of my advisors." Rei replied, his voice tight, then tugged on Kai's sleeve. "Come on- let's go into my tent. He won't be able to spy on us then.
Kai nodded, and wrapped his arm around Rei's waist protectively, holding the neko jin close.
"You're mine now." he whispered into Rei's neck, making the younger boy laugh, a blush tinting his cheeks. "All mine." (a/n: well... you can guess what happens next... XD lol)
!#$%
Rei awoke the next the morning, and stretched. Kai's arms were loosely draped over him, and Rei had to grin at the innocent look on Kai's sleeping face.
How different he looked when he was asleep- all the sterness and worry disappeared, and he had the look of an angel.
A fallen angel? Rei mused, and a grin spread across his face. My angel.
He pressed a kiss on Kai's forehead, and reluctantly pulled himself away from Kai and the warm rugs. He had his duties to take care of, and documents to fill out.
He sighed. Sometimes he wished that he had never been born into royalty. As soon as Rei entered the tent that served as his study, he was the focus of numerous glares.
"Your majesty!" his advisor- Aradi- approached him, a frown on his face. "How could you associate yourself with the Hiwatari lord? He is not worth your time.
Inwardly, Rei burned with anger. How dare this man, who had no idea of what Kai was really like, tell him what to do, and what not to do?
"I love him, Aradi." Rei said quietly and coldly. "And I shall do what I like.
You may love him, your majesty, but does he love you? Or is it simple desire?" Aradi asked slyly.
Rei hesitated. Of course Kai loved him- he had said so before... hadn't he? Maybe he had just imagined Kai saying it... But the night before- Kai had seemed so protective, and so glad that they were together again- that couldn't possibly be just desire?
Aradi saw the indecision on the king's face, and decided to strike while the iron was hot.
"Your majesty, a man who has killed his own kind cannot love, and a man like that has no heart." he said.
Rei bit his lip anxiously, and looked around the tent for support. All the other advisors' eyes were fixed on him, and they contained not a single drop of sympathy.
"I need time to think this out." Rei said, and stalked out of the tent. He returned to his private tent and silently slipped inside.
Kai was already awake, and he was just lying on the rugs, dressed, staring at the roof of the tent, an unreadable expression on his face.
"Kai?" Rei asked quietly, not really wanting to disturb him.
Kai shot up, a surprised yet happy smile on his face, and he beckoned for Rei to go over to him.
Rei did so, and as he lay within the circle of his koi's arms, he wondered if the advisors were just lying to him again.
"Kai... do you love me?
Kai stared at him in surprise.
How could Rei not realise that he loved him? Kai wondered indignantly.
"Of course I love you, you fool. I've loved you since I first laid eyes on you." he said, and saw the relief on Rei's face. "Why? What happened?
"My advisors... they were trying to convince me that I shouldn't stay with you, and that you don't love me."
"How dare they!" Kai snapped, his crimson eyes burning with anger. "I'll kill them!
"No, Kai, don't! I mean, it would serve them right, but you can't just kill them!" he sighed. "I don't know what to do, Kai. I can, I suppose, just banish all my advisors, but then the clan would be in turmoil- we need the advisors. As much as I hate to admit it, they know this clan better than anyone. They know how to bring money into our lands."
"Surely you could just tell them to keep their noses out of your personal life?" Kai asked reasonably. It had always worked with him.
Rei smiled sadly. "I could, but the advisors are so tricky, especially Aradi. They'll spread rumours about you and me, they'll say that I'm abadoning my clan, and so on forth. You don't understand, Kai, they'll never give me a moment's peace, as long as they're alive."
Silence fell over the duo for a second, until Kai finally broke the silence.
"You want to end this, don't you?"
Rei stared at him in disbelief. End it? End the happiness that kept him alive?
"Are you mad?" he whispered in shock. "Of course not! I love you, Kai, and that will never change, but how are we to be together? I suppose I could figure something out with the advisors, and a bit of bribery will help, but still..."
"Still what?" Kai demanded.
"Your castle... my clan..." Rei whispered. "What about them?"
Kai hesitated, and bit his lip.
"Just promise that whatever happens, you'll stay with me to the end.
"I promise." Rei replied swiftly without any hesitation. He reached out and stroked Kai's cheek tenderly.
They remained like that for a while, until Rei heard the lunch bells toll, and sighed. "I should be going. The advisors will want to talk to me again, I just know they do."
"Why should you do anything that they say?" Kai whispered. His face was buried in Rei's mass of raven coloured hair, his arms wrapped tightly around Rei's lithe body. "This is your clan, these are your people. You should be able to take care of your own life."
"I know." Rei heaved another sigh. "I have to go." he reluctantly pulled away, and strode out of the tent with a wistful look back.
Rei entered his office tent, and sat down at his desk, without a single glance at any of his advisors.
Aradi approached him, somewhat surprised. "Your Majesty?"
"What?" Rei asked, without looking up. He shuffled through all the papers needed for the peace treaty, glancing at each one briefly.
"You haven't said anything about Lord Hiwatari."
"What should I say?" Rei asked, a strange glint in his eyes.
"I- well..." Aradi looked at his fellow advisors. Several of them shrugged, and went back to their duties, not truly interested in their King's love life. "Your majesty, you can't possibly mean to say that you actually think that the cold hearted lord loves you.
"I don't think that he loves me, I know that he loves me." Rei shot back. "Since you're so worked up over it, why don't you go ask Kai yourself?" He turned to the other advisors. "Does anyone else have a complaint to make about my personal life?" he demanded, looking each advisor in the eye.
They all looked at their feet, embarrassed. Aradi backed off a bit, not able to meet Rei's angry golden gaze.
"I- I guess it doesn't really matter..." Aradi muttered.
A small, triumphant smile spread across Rei's catlike face. He carried on with his documents, content that his problems with the advisors had been settled.
Kai lay staring at the tent roof.
Rei's right. What am I going to do about my castle and his clan? I can't force him to come and live with me- that would be cruel. He would be stuck in a foreign land with people who mock him for his cat like features and abilities.
Kai sighed, and sat up slowly, enjoying the feel of Rei's soft, warm furs against his skin.
I can't believe that he actually loves me... he smiled, a rare sight on his face. I wonder where he is?
He poked his head out of the tent, and watched as several neko jin families milled around, and lovers walked along in a love filled daze.
Could Rei and I ever be like that? Kai wondered, smirking as he imagined himself stumbling along without a care in the world. I don't think so.
"What are you thinking about?" Tala walked up to him, and pushed his way into the tent, smirking widely. "I see you've made yourself comfortable in Rei's private tent.
Kai glared at him. "Do you have a problem with him and I being lovers?
"So you have progressed to that stage... Already..." Tala grinned and ducked the half hearted punch that Kai sent his way.
His face took on a serious edge. "How does Rei feel about this?
"He loves me." Kai replied confidently. "But..." Kai looked at his hands.
"But?" Tala prompted.
"I don't know what to do. I love him, I honestly do, but how are we supposed to be together?
Tala was silent for a while. Then his eyes lit up with an idea, and he stood close to his long time friend.
"What would you do for him?" the redhead asked softly.
"Anything." Kai replied instantly, and Tala could tell that the bluenette was telling the truth.
"Would you go against his whole clan for his love?
"Of course." Kai said, not sure where this was going. Why would Rei's whole clan go against him?
"Would you die for him?" Tala asked.
Kai felt this was getting a bit stupid. "Of course I would, you twit. What is this, the stupid question game?
"No, it's just..." Tala hesitated. "Rei needs an heir. I've done some digging around, and found that the closest relative he has here is his cousin, but the guy's only 6.
"What are you saying?" Kai demanded. He could feel fear rising within his chest. Was Tala saying that there was no way that he and his koi could be together?
"Rei would never be able to leave his clan, Kai." Tala bit his lip. "Which means you're the one who's going to have to leave.
"What do you mean, leave? Leave who?
"Your people, of course, you idiot. You're the one who's going to have to leave your castle and move here. Tell me you have an heir who's old enough.
There was a long silence, before a large grin spread across Kai's face.
"Of course." he said, a mischevious note in his voice.
"What?" Tala asked suspiciously. "Why, who did you name your heir?
"Guess.
Tala frowned. Kai had no living family members that he had heard of, and he wasn't particularly close to anyone other than him.
"I don't know." Tala replied truthfully.
"It's not that hard.
"Well it is for me, ok?" Tala snapped. "Just tell me already!
"It's you." Kai replied simply, the same infuriating smirk on his face.
Tala simply stared at him. Finally, he managed to gasp out "Me? You left me in charge of the Hiwatari castle?
"Who else?" Kai asked, and he laid a hand on the redhead's shoulder. "I hope you take care of the castle well.
"But-" Tala broke off, shaking his head. "You're impossible, Kai! This isn't happening.
"Yes it is." Kai sighed and peeked out the tent. "I don't have time to discuss this. I've got to find Rei, and ask him how the advisors took the news that we were lovers.
Tala shook his head in disbelief, and sat down hard on the ground. "I can't take your responsibility! It's absurd.
"Well, you can read my will and find out." Kai replied, an annoyed note in his voice. "But I have to go." he walked out of the tent, leaving Tala behind, both shocked and pleased.
Kai slid onto the seat next to Rei's, glancing around the eating tent, which was as big as the dining hall back at the Hiwatari castle.
"Well?" he asked.
Rei offered him a weary grin, and rested his head on top of Kai's shoulder, muttering something under his breath, ignoring all the stares that were sent their way.
"What was that?
"I said, it was horrible." he groaned softly. "I hate politics.
Kai laughed softly. "Don't we all. Well? What did your advisors think?
"They're not exactly happy, but they'll live." Rei grinned, baring his sharp teeth. "What have you been up to this morning?
"Talking with Tala." Kai smirked.
"About what?" Rei pressed.
"Well..." Kai wondered how the neko jin would take the news. "Remember how we promised to never leave each other?
"Yeah..." Rei replied slowly. He wasn't sure he liked where this was going.
Is Kai trying to tell me that I have to leave my clan to be with him? Rei wondered. I love him, but my clan has to be taken care of!
"And I was thinking... would it be alright if I lived with you?
Stunned silence settled between the pair, and Kai wondered vaguely whether Rei's jaw would hit the ground- it was hanging wide open.
"Y-you would give up your castle and your people for me?
"I would do anything for you." Kai knew that line was well used, and old, but he meant every word of it. "Even if that means giving up a castle I absolutely detest, and people I don't know.
Rei laughed happily, and hugged him tightly. "I love you so much, Kai." he whispered into the bluenette's ear, not wanting any of the curious neko jins sitting around them to hear.
"I love you too Rei." Kai's hard crimson orbs seemed to melt into warm, fiery ponds of red. "And nothing is ever going to change that.
"Nothing," Rei agreed, purring softly. "Nothing at all.
The End
!#$%&()
Author's notes: Well. That's it. grins happily I FINISHED!!! YIPPEEE!!! Ok, so it was a crap ending (and a crap chapter)- but I finished!!! You wouldn't believe how hard it was to write. Damn writer's block... I seem to be able to think up new ideas really quickly.. it's just finishing the stories that's the problem... ah well...
Your thoughts and comments are welcome!! No flames please- but I adore constructive criticism!!!!