The Shadow Fox

Part Two
- Revelations-

The leader's feet touched the ground of his strong hold, and as soon as he felt his people at his back, he began to unfasten his mask. He pulled the top of the mask off first, his hair springing out in spikes. Violet spikes. He unwrapped the bottom half of the mask then, placing both pieces of the hiding clothe over his shoulder. They blended nicely into his body suite along side the long black pony-tail that ran down his back, the length of gathered hair almost touching his posterior. He then walks towards the entrance of the main house, where his own rooms were located, though they were floors above the corridors open to recieve guests and suppliants.
His mind was on the young man whose face had been revealed in Mana's courtyard, wondering if the Fox were still alive now. The image of youth's face was burned into his mind.... both masculine and feminine at the same time, with something to the rounded cheeks that reminded him of a child... or an angel. The young man had look like an angel... a feral one. A fallen one. The leader smirks and shakes his head, hoping that the soul behind those burning, deep amber eyes he'd seen had not been extinguished by Mana. It would be a shame. As he thinks this, he feels a hand on his shoulder. The weight of the hand was familiar, the way it gripped him. He knew whose face he would see before he looked. He turns his face, looking over the shoulder where this hand sat. A small smile spread his thin lips.

"Yes, Die?" He asks, his rich voice sounding out. He stopped his ascent of the few stairs into the entrance corridor of the mainhouse of his compound. Around the two still on the stairway, the other's moved, going inside as well, though some went off in other directions, forsaking the mainhouse for their own lodgings in the sidehouses scattered around the compound. Their leader could not blame them... many had families and a meal cooked with love awaiting them in those small houses. For a moment, he wished he were one of them . . not a Lord. His dark violet eyes focused on his second in command though, awaiting the usually grinning man's reply.

"That boy..." Die states, retracting his hand. He looks at his leader, a troubled look on his very masculine, handsome face. He'd seen the look in his leader's eyes, had watched the body language of the other man. He knew what his leader was thinking over... And he'd actually seen him stop in their flight to safety to turn back and stare in the direction of Mana's compound. That had been the last warning sign he needed. His Lord had more interest in the Shadow Fox than was really necessary. If the youngman were still alive, this could get rather messy. "My Lord, I don't think...."

"Die." The leader states, shaking his head gently. "You think I'm being a fool, don't you? I'm just curious about him, that's all. Did you see how he fought? How he moved? Did you see his face, his eyes?" Another smile, and he sighs when the other looks away from him, a frown on those strong features where a smile should be. A smile that could blind anyone into smiling back. It hurt his leader not to see that smile. . . He reaches out and touches the red head's cheek; thin, elegant, strong fingers commanding the other's face in silence to look at him once more. He smirks gently when those glittering, strong eyes face him once more. The elegant fingers reach from the face to muss with the other's spikey, wild red hair. Die smirks and pulls from that touch, and the two laugh lightly with one another. The younger man goes silent once more, and recovers his seriousness. A frown comes back to his leader's face.

"I think he's dead, Kaoru." Die began, his voice low and cautious as he looked around, hoping no one heard the fact he'd used his leader's first name instead of addressing him formally. It was common enough between the two, but always to be used in such caution in Die's place. Kaoru may not care, but there were others who would. . . and law stated, if one was found to offend - one was to go on trail... There was too much to parade before others for this slight slip of decorum to be put on display. "You shouldn't dwell on him." His dark eyes watch the hawk-like features of the other man, seeing the troublesome look that passes through the violet eyes, the furrowing of his thin brows, the set expression of the thin lips. When Kaoru looks back at him, he sees the determination as well. Die sighs, knowing his words and advice are lost on the other man.

"You are aware that the woman was the one Mana brought with him from his visit to the nobles of the wilderness, are you not?" Kaoru asked. He watches the other's face as well, Die's eyes taking on a frustrated, annoyed look. "Die?"

"Yes, I'm aware of that. But I'm also aware of the fact that he uses her as part of his personal bodygaurd, as well as his concubine. He abuses her like a common whore, why should we care about that?" Die rambles through the well known facts. The woman had been publically humilated before. . . time and time again, actually. The fact she was of foreign nobility was a joke in some circles.

"The boy looked like her...." Kaoru stated.

"Yes, we all noticed that Kaoru. But if Mana can treat her like that, what makes you think he'd be kind to any of her kin, especially after the attack that Shadow Fox pulled on his compound!? He's dead, Kaoru! Dead! There's no way Mana would keep him alive after that!" Die was frantic, wanting to put his leader off of this trail. More mix up with Mana was a bad idea. A very bad idea. There was already far too much troubled water between the two Lords. Anymore could surely start a civil war, bringing their quarrel from out of the shadows of nighttime. Kaoru's hand comes up to rest on Die's shoulder then, and the violet eyes moved up to lock on his second in command.

"Die. . . you have not forgotten how sadistic Mana is, have you?" His voice is almost inaudable as he speaks. "Why kill the boy? There are things far worse than death, aren't there? The boy is alive. And I want you to find out what you can about him for me."

"..........." Die stays silent for a long moment, then he hangs his head in reverence to his Lord, the sorrowful act soon turning into a dutiful bow. "As you wish, milord."

"Thank you." A finger curls around Die's chin once more, and Kaoru lifts the other's chin gently so they could face each other once more. "Don't worry . . . . I'll be careful on this." With that, Kaoru turned and left his second in command on the steps, going inside for a bath, a good hot meal and bed.

"That's what I'm afriad of, Kaoru-kun." Die whispers, still on the steps. Slowly, he ascends the steps as well, following his leader inside. He was almost hoping the boy was dead . . . so Kaoru would not endanger himself further with this interest.

---

Meanwhile, in the main house of Mana's compound, the woman who was being spoken of in conversation between Die and Kaoru sat bathing the young Shadow Fox's forehead with a damp rag, looking down into his eyes with sorrow. The youth was laid out on her bed, stripped to his waist, only the pants he'd come here in clothing him then. She studies the boy she raised as if he were her own son, he'd grown into a man since she'd last seen him. How old was he now? 19. Had 5 years passed so quickly since she was stolen from her people?

"Why did you come, little brother?" She asked lowly, her frown fixed on her face. "You know there's no going back for me."

"There's always a chance to go back, Leiko. I was sent to collect you.... at all costs." His voice is a whisper in reply, the sound gruff. "We want you out of this place, and home. . . "

"So that I can be put on display for my shame?" She pulls her hand away from his forehead. "You know that is what shall happen, don't you? And why would they send a boy for me, not a true warrior?"

"I am not a boy!" The youth then sat up and glared at her, those strong eyes seeming to burn holes right through the older woman as he glared. He sees and hears her sigh, and she places her hands on his shoulders and pushes him back to the bed.

"Yes, Tooru, I kno..."

"Kyo." He growls lightly, looking away from her. She was using his childhood name - as always. Forgetting that he was no longer associated with it, as he was no longer a child. He had not been a child for 7 years now. Leiko did not like to think of him as an adult.. even before she had left, she'd insulted him constantly with that name. Though from her lips, it was not meant to insult. He knew that, but he would still use the meaning to her now.

"Kyo." She states lightly. "I know you're not a boy anymore. You became a man even before I left home. The ceremony was one of the greatest to date among our people. And I'm sorry...." She soothes him gently, reaching up too stroke his wild blonde hair. Slowly he turns his face to her once more, looking at her with troubled eyes. Her fingers move from his hair to brush down his rounded cheek. "And you are a true warroir, I know. . . you've trained all your life. . .and your attack was well executed. But . . "

"Don't tell me of my faults, sister." He whispers. He touches her hand gently. "I know that I've failed you. Again." Once more, those deep beautiful eyes glace up at her, and she smiles weakly, not wanting to tell him that he had most likely been sent to die on this mission. She wondered to herself what was going on at home - that her family would send out the only remaining child to collect one who was blacked out from the family tree due to dishonor she'd wrought with a misguided and ill forturned love. She had never guessed Mana would have been such a monster. . . She would never had guessed until the very last second, as she had . . . . when she was humiliated before her entire nation, and taken like a slave to this place she found herself in. And her little brother? He'd faught to save her then too. He was the one who had left the great scar across Mana's back. . . the ivy blade was his even then, and he had not yet mastered it. Their people had pulled him back into the crowd and hidden him from the monster's sight. And then the nation had chased her, and her new master, from the only home she'd ever known, out into the wildlands. . . Memories stung at her mind, and she pushed them back, closing her eyes to rid herself of them.
When she opens them again, she studies her brother's beloved and much missed face with worry. What of him now? Why wasn't their family sending someone of less importance? Was he now to be a 'glorious sacrifice' to store the branch of thier family to honor? It was not an uncommon practice. . .

Her thoughts were broken by the door of her bedroom opening. She looked over her shoulder to see Mana slipping into the room with them, his usually emotionless face fixed with a catty smile. Leiko could feel her heartbeat beginning to rise. Kyo, for his part, was sitting up in the bed, glaring over his sister's shoulder at the new arrival.

"Leave us, my darling . . . your brother and I have much to discuss.." Mana purred at his concubine. "Man to man..." The last statement made the smile grow even more. However, Leiko stands her ground. She does not rise from her knees, only keeps staring at her master, her eyes harsher than he'd ever known them to be. "Oh, don't worrry, dearest. . . I'll not hurt him."

"Whose to say -I- won't hurt -you-?" Kyo stated from the bed, sitting up on the support of his elbows, trying to get out of the bed, almost snarling at the soft voiced man who was speaking. "Maybe she doesn't want to leave for that, ne?"

"Kyo!" His sister hissed, turning to throw his shoulders back to the bed harshly. He hits the mattress with a huff, the impact enough to make him groan, the back of his head where Mana had landed the hilt of his sword still in great pain. A reminder to him that he was not yet fit to fight. With that she rose, glaring at her Master as she turned. She approached him cooly, her eyes blazing. "I have your word he will come to no harm?"

"You have my word, my most beautiful one." Mana's eyes were serious, and he reached down to brush her bangs from her face, placing a delicate kiss upon her forehead. "Go make your household arrangements." He looks past her to the young man. "He will need attendants."

"Yes, milord." Leiko states softly, moving past Mana to go to the door. She looks back at her brother once more. If he were going to need attendants, then that meant he would live. That made her feel releaved for all of two seconds. If he lived, that meant he would be included in the games her Master liked to play with the lives of his supplicants. She stares at her brother for a long moment, his eyes locked on Mana and glaring. What could her Master be planning for him?

"Leiko . . . I'll not tell you again." Mana's voice was lower, sweeter. Dangerous. Leiko bowed her head, not daring to answer, and she left the room in a low whisper of silk - her long, but simple silken shift sweeping over the floor as she made her exit.

The two of them alone, the men stared at one another harshly, silently. The power of each set of eyes enough to make the room feel loud, as though they were both shouting, but neither made even the slightest sound. The tension was enough to choke them both into silence. Kyo sits up more in the bed, his arms shakey from how he felt, suddenly so tired and weak, the pain of the crack to his head throbbing in his skull. Finally, it is Mana who breaks the silence as he sits down across the room from the man whom he had returned a wound to. Not exactly the wound he wanted, but it still caused the youth pain . . . so at least that much was repaid. And now, he would give him the rest of what he was owed.

"You are either very brave or very stupid." Mana stated lightly. "Perhaps a mix of both. . . it's more common at your age." He received a glare for that comment, but Kyo remained silent. The lord of the compound smirked, two of his fingers twisted together under his chin to support it as he looked at the young man in the bed thoughtfully. "You have style though, and spirit. It would be unwise to kill you, especially when you could be used to much greater purposes. However, there is also the fact that you've killed well over a dozen of my people."

"As though that matters so greatly to you." Kyo finally stated, glaring more, his voice low and dark as he spoke.

"Oh, I care, my dear boy. I care deeply. . . " Mana rose, his hand going to his side. He approaches the bed slowly. "After all, their lives were mine. And I do not take it lightly when something of mine is stolen."

"Kill me then." Kyo smirks.

"I told you," Mana turns from him then, studying the contents of the room in thought. "That would be a waste. And what you want, correct. Honor to be restored to you. Defeat drains the soul of your people, does it not?" He looks over his shoulder at Kyo, the catty smile back in place. "And your sister, what would she think? Ah. That's it. Now I know."

"Know what?" Kyo growled, trying to climb out of the bed. Mana turned and pinned the youth to the mattress in a flash, holding the youth down by his collar bone.

"What to do with you, my dear boy." Came the purred reply as the youngman struggled. One hand came up to grab the youth's chin and knock his head back into the pillow and hold it there. "You'll serve in a game for me, one made just for you. . . your misery to entertain me. Listen to this plan, pretty - your honor, in exchange for your sister's."

"What do you mean?" Kyo hissed, trying to struggle more beneath the other, his heart beating maddly in his chest.

"If I leave a knife for you, you would be given the option of suicide to restore your honor after being bested in such a battle as you just fought. You can't fight me again, I'd be waiting for it, and you'd only be defeated again. So, self murder would be the only way . . . You'd pick this, I know your kind. That would leave some of your family clean of shame. . . . however, your sister would be devastated. As she is mine, she would still be living in shame. . . and I would kill her in it, and damn her to an eternity of dishonor. . . she would walk, lost between the worlds, unable to enter the afterlife with the burden of how filthy her soul is. She would never be able to rejoin you or your family. . . Lost forever to you. Defeats the purpose of your grand mission doesn't it?" He purrs down into the youth's ear, watching as Kyo closes his eyes and calms his struggles, his words hitting home. "However, if you decide to serve in my game. . . I will restore her honor to her, and place all of the troubles upon you. After all, you've failed her so many times. Wouldn't this be proper payment, my dear boy? You'd want her to be happy. . . I know. She would be so happy at peace. This game would be a much more glorious sacrifice for you to make. . . enough to restore your own honor.. in the very end."

Kyo is silent for a long, long moment. He is thinking all of this over, his breathing fast as his heartbeat. Everything Mana had said about him was true. He would kill himself if he found the mission impossible to complete. And his sister. . . . oh, his sister. . . . He closes his eyes once more. And very lightly, he asks.. "What do you have in mind, Sorcerer?"