The White Tower
This story is rated PG-13 for sexual situations
Chapter 11 - Tennu
Tennu turned away only for a few minutes to get water from the nearby stream but when he returned, the Black Dragon was gone. The Bobcat looked around in alarm, and then noticed a tall man walking to the White Tower, long black hair falling like a sheet of black rain down his back. He had transformed! Tennu rushed to him, putting himself between the Tower and the man. The human form of the Black Dragon was strong and muscular and young looking, although not as young as Shun had appeared. But Tennu knew that appearance in this world meant nothing. His own father looked like a man in his twenties yet was over a thousand years old. Bya was the youngest of the Great Dragons and was probably over three thousand. This Dragon was more than likely twice that. The Great Dragons had been alive when the five worlds were one, before the mystical and physical separations.
"Get out of my way." The Dragon said in a calm voice.
"Sorry, but I can't let you in the Tower." Tennu said, his voice equally as calm, even though he knew that he was no match for this Dragon. He doubted that he could create a tornado large enough to bring him down.
Cold dark eyes bored into the young Bobcat, but Tennu stood his ground. Neither demon was giving any ground -- a physical altercation would be next -- but for Bya stepping from the Tower at that very moment.
"My daughter is not for you." He told the Black Dragon firmly.
"That is not your decision. I fought for her…."
"...and did not win. The battle was not fought to any conclusion. Both of the smaller Dragons retreated when Raike was hurt. You have no claim to my daughter."
A crooked smile crossed the Black Dragon's handsome face. "That is true. And now you have hidden her from me. But that will not last long. I will find her. But for now I will give you a reprieve. I have another matter to attend to, but I will return. And the she-Dragon is mine! Never forget that!"
With that, he transformed into his dragon form and took to the sky, heading in the direction of Suzaku.
"Is he going to Suzaku?" Tennu asked, alarmed.
"He is heading in that direction. Do you think he might be going after Kyo?"
"I need to get to Suzaku now! I must warn them!"
"Come, you can use the mirror." Bya and Tennu ran into the Tower and soon Tennu was back in Suzaku. The last place he wanted to be; where his father was. He hadn't even realized that until it was too late; the only thing on his mind was warning Kyo. Perhaps he could avoid seeing his father. Just give his message and leave. Use the portal to Otherworld, and then return to the Tower. The young Bobcat walked rapidly through the gardens to Kyo's room, but it was empty. He left the room and was standing in the hallway trying to think where to go when he saw Vara outside her own door. "My lady!" he called and ran to her side.
"Tennu! It is so good to see you. You never returned to us after your injuries healed and we have missed you."
The Bobcat face grew grim and Vara subtly felt his emotions. What turmoil was raging inside of him! Feelings of neglect and anger, and pain -- so much pain! What was wrong? She took his arm and pulled him into her own room.
"Tennu, sit with me. Please tell me what is wrong? I can feel such pain and anger inside of you. Did I do anything to you? Did I offend you in some way? I feel that some of your anger is directed at me." Vara kept her voice calm and caring, and filled the room with those emotions.
Tennu sat next to her on the settee, staring at the floor. He knew that was using her power on him, but said nothing. What could he say? How would she understand? She had the love of his father -- the love he had never known and desperately wanted.
"Please, Tennu, please. Trust me. I want to help you." Vara pleaded, taking one of his hands in hers. It was cold. Unconsciously she put her other hand over it and rubbed it, trying to warm his cold hand, perhaps hoping that the warmth would extent to his heart.
"Tekken has been worried about you."
Those words brought a sharp reaction. The Bobcat looked up at her, his eyes dark, then he returned to his study of the floor.
"Do you not think that your father is concerned?" She asked, and then suddenly everything became clear.
"Oh, Tennu!" She tightened her grip. "You cannot believe that your father choose me over you on that dark day? He knew that you would survive. His slash was not random; he calculated how much damage you could take. He had to hurt you enough so that the Tala would come out, yet not enough to kill you. He loves you! He went to Otherworld many times to see you, but you were sleeping, deep under Kaiba's potions and Kurama's plants. Tekken spent many a night at your side, watching over you."
Only silence greeted her words, and Vara tried to think of more to say, but then noticed that Tennu's shoulders were trembling. She let go of his hand and embraced him, his head on her shoulder. She could feel the wet of his tears. He had thought the worst! That Tekken had tried to kill him. For a long time she rocked him gently, whispering soft words to him, their content not important, only their loving sound.
A soft knock sounded at her door, and she gave no reply. The door opened a little and Tekken poked in his head and then saw his son in her arms, sobbing. He rushed inside, but Vara held out her hand and stopped him. She pointed to the settee, and he sat down on the other side of her, concern written across his face. Quietly she told him what she had learned and what Tennu had believed.
Tekken turned ashen at her words. His own son thought he did not care! He stood up and went in front of Tennu. A tear-streaked face looked up at him. Then the Bobcat Lord, without hesitation, went to his knees in front of his son. "Forgive me, Tennu. Forgive the pain I've caused you. I love you; I loved you from the day you came into the den all by yourself; I was so proud of you. Please forgive me that I did not know how to show you that love."
Tennu left Vara's embrace and went to his father. Strong arms wrapped around him and Tekken held his son tightly. "You are my most powerful son. You are the one I am most proud of." He whispered and kissed the top of his son's head.
Vara stood up, thinking to leave them alone, and brushed away tears. This was the first time that she was truly grateful for her power.
"No! Don't leave!" Tennu cried his voice still strained. "I came to warn you."
"Warn us?" Tekken said.
"Yes, the Black Dragon is heading this way. He said that he had something to attend to."
"Do we know who this Dragon is?"
"Kyo might know. I will go fetch him." Vara left them to dry their tears and calm down before she returned with the Red Dragon.
A few minutes later she knocked and then entered with Kyo behind her. If he noticed the red-stained eyes, for once he said nothing.
"Vara tells me that the Black Dragon is coming here?"
"Yes, he said that he had a matter to attend to and took off in this direction." Tennu replied.
"You saw him in human form? What did he look like?"
Tennu described the young man as best he could and as he did, Kyo's brow creased with worry.
"I fear the worst. The description fits Rye, the son of Rhu, the Black Dragon that Jodah enslaved and that I fought. I don't think he is coming here but rather he is going to the mountain where his father slept. There he will hear the stories and either come here looking for me or go to Otherworld, searching for his brother's killer, Keiki. He will soon learn that the Unicorns still exist in the world. And he will find them."
"But…" Tennu began.
"What is it, Tennu?"
"Taiki took Jae to hide her with the herd."
"No! That is the worst place in the world to hide her! He will be drawn to her and searching for the Unicorns. And he will find them both together. They must be warned!"
"I will go." Tennu said.
"No, you need to be here. All of you do. You and Tekken must be together right now, and you, Kyo, must watch over Raike. I'll send Toya to warn the Castle. He can go through the portal."
Before anybody could protest, the Queen rushed out of her room to find Toya. Kyo shrugged and returned to Raike's side. And Tekken and his son continued their quiet, healing talk.