Chapter End-

Surprisingly Chesu and Charuse reached the fortress in less than 3 days, Charuse carried Sari on his back as she slept.

“Why so long after did you finally find me?” Chesu asked curiously

“In truth, I’ve known of your whereabouts for sometime now, but I wished not to bring this shock onto you so soon. Even now I think I have told you this all too early of an age, you reacted a bit more mature than I had expected though…” Charuse trailed off

“Reacted?”

“It matters not now my son, we are home together after so long” Charuse smiled as they entered through the tall wooden gates,

“This is the Demon Clan Fortress of the last few Tigrens and Elvens”

Chesu smiled, though for only a moment, he looked around taking in the opposite details of what he had hoped for. Worn down huts sat scattered over the small walled in land, the scent of muggy death sat in the still air. The fortress looked deserted away from the few demons roaming in the corners.

“Is this really the outcome of war between the two kinds?”

“Sadly, yes… we have hopes in repopulating most of the Tigrens. Hopes for even anymore half blooded Elvens is lost. Only time can say when we will live in a clan again…” sadness laced Charuse’s words as he set the waking Sari-ine on her feet.

As the sun rose into the sky Chesu closed his eyes, he lay on patches of dying grass and around leafless bushes. The air was dry and hot, Chesu sighed sitting up.

“Sari! Tell Char--father I’m going to the lake!” Chesu called out to his half sleeping sister. It had been almost a month since Chesu was met by his second sister and missing father of the Tigren Demons. Though he was let down by the appearance of the Fortress, the joy of finding something left of his family filled him with pride.

Chesu removed his thick protective shirt and first layer of leathered pants before dipping into the cool waters of the lake. Clouds passed over the sun every few seconds, a cloud covered the sun; it sat still for a few minutes, Chesu suddenly felt urged to open his eyes. The “cloud” stood smirking over him; his green eyes ran across his no longer as pale skin.

“You’ve tanned a bit there Chesu” Klaha chuckled.

Chesu jumped out of the waters and stood a few steps from Klaha.

“Don’t worry I’m not going to hurt you”

“You followed me?”

“Not necessarily, it wasn’t a hard place to find, and I was a bit curious”

“Leave”

“Why? I haven’t done anything to harm you or anyone else here. It’d be rude to kick your mate out for no apparent reason”

“You’re no longer my mate and my reasons are my own”

“Wrong and correct, you’re no longer my mate but I am yours, and you’re right your reasons are your own unless you’d like to tell me”

“What are you talking about?”

Klaha raised his right wrist to show Chesu the still remaining band.

“Sadly you are no longer bonded to my soul, but I have remained bonded to yours.”

Chesu stared passed Klaha then slumped against a dying tree. Klaha moved closer to the confused demon and leaned a soft kiss over his lips. Chesu pushed away, a sudden light headedness fell over him as his heartbeat quickened. Klaha smiled walking closer, he slid an arm around Chesu’s waist and drew him into a one sided kiss. Slowly the kiss drew into a two tongue race, Chesu’s chest rose and fell as he leaned into Klaha’s hold.

“Klaha…” Chesu pulled away, “I’m sorry” tears swelled at the corners of his eyes. Klaha relentlessly pulled Chesu into another kiss,

“Though it turned out nothing as I had hoped, maybe it’s become even better. For now I am yours, helplessly at your command.” Klaha smirked, kissing Chesu’s neck.

“Though I am happy to be have found and be with my father and sister… I am unhappy here… even more without you. I’m-- sorry for leaving you-- your side-- I’m sorry for lying.”

Chesu attempted to apologize as Klaha ran his hands over countless points on Chesu’s body.

“I do not forgive you” Klaha stopped and looked into Chesu’s blue eyes

“…!?” Chesu stared at Klaha,

“And for that you must take no mercy on me” Klaha finished gripping the back of Chesu’s neck. A blush crept over Chesu’s face; he pulled Klaha into a brief kiss before pulling away.

Klaha looked at him pleadingly but Chesu only smirked shaking his head,

“I don’t belong to you, meaning I say when and how far we go”

Klaha laughed at Chesu’s childish smile as they headed back towards the fortress.

Klaha woke, forgetting for a moment where he was, he sighed relieved finding himself in Chesu’s bed. He turned to kiss Chesu only to find him gone.

Klaha sat up and looked around the dark room; silently he slipped out of the bed and to the door. A soft melody swam into his ears and temptation led him to its source. Soon Klaha found himself outside of Chesu’s newly built shelter, the moon sat in the sky half covered by darkness. He looked to the top of the wooden hut to spot a slender shadow perched on top. Easily he jumped and pulled himself to the top,

“Chesu…” Klaha sat behind his still mate; Chesu held the ivory flute to his lips and played short tunes he must’ve newly learned. Chesu set the flute down and leaned back against Klaha’s bare chest. Seconds later Chesu sat back up and turned, facing Klaha; Chesu pinned Klaha down and began licking and softly biting at his neck and chest, then he pulled away and looked into Klaha’s dark green eyes.

“Do to me what you have wanted” Chesu ordered sensually

“No” Klaha replied surprising Chesu, “I’ll do to you only what you have wanted” both smiled as Klaha lay Chesu on his back and began kissing his lips cheek and earlobe. He slid his hand down into between Chesu’s legs and pulled them slightly apart; Chesu moaned as Klaha’s wind cooled hand took hold of him.

As the sun warmed the two a voice startled Chesu awake,

“Chesu…?” Sari stood and stared straight into Chesu’s eyes, “Father sent me to tell you… he wanted to ask if, to help our clan… we would bond but…”

Klaha sat up grinning at Chesu; Chesu pushed Klaha away for the moment and looked at his younger sister shocked.

“Sari I…”

“It’s ok, I’m happy that you found your mate… I’m sorry to have bothered you” Sari turned and half jogged back towards her own hut.

“Chesu?”

“Ya?” Chesu turned to Klaha, “Even if you hadn’t of come, I wouldn’t be able to court with Sari… I can’t love anyone else like this” Chesu kissed Klaha and the two laid back down for moments longer until the day grew.