As usual, sorry for being so slow...

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The Head of the Razada House

Kaira held the small baby dragon close to her, gently rubbing it's stomach. It purred and squeaked happily as she did. Ryo smiled, watching Kaira have fun with her new pet. Steel glanced at Ryo, then at Kaira.
"You know what'll happen to her if Kain finds out," Steel said lowly to Ryo. Ryo's face fell.
"I know...hey Leo..."
"Yeah?" Leo asked, looking at Ryo.
"When we get to the Razada House, pretend like Kaira's your daughter, okay?" Ryo asked. Leo gave him a slightly surprised look, but understood.
"Yeah, okay." Ryo turned to Kaira. Taj and Kyo walked on either side of her. Taj occasionally glared at Kyo, but Kyo ignored him.
"Kaira...listen to me," Ryo said seriously. "When we get to the Razada House, you can't call me 'Dad', all right? You need to pretend like Leo is your father."
Kaira's eyes looked sad when she looked up at him. "Why?"
"Because..." Ryo said, feeling slightly like a jerk, "This place is a lot different than Hollow. There's this man, Kain, he's in charge of it...just pretend you and Davis are brother and sister, okay?"
Kaira nodded. "Okay, but...what's wrong with Kain? Isn't he like my Great-Grandfather or something?"
Ryo lowered his eyebrows. "I wouldn't say that..."
The path sloped upward more and more the higher they went. The climate was different higher up. The wind blew harder and was much colder.
"Once we get past this hill..." Steel yelled back at the group. "There'll be a valley, a big one. In the center of the valley is the Razada House..."
"Well finally!" Dimi said loudly, "I can't wait to sleep on an actual bed!"
"Who said anything about you even getting a bed?" Kalon said harshly, breathing hard. Traveling upwards was the hardest for him, due to his smoking habits and his lungs. He stopped to rest again, letting the group get further and further ahead of him. He leaned over, resting his hands on his knees breathing hard. Dimi looked back at Kalon with sympathy. He walked back and offered Kalon his hand.
"What do you want...?" Kalon asked angrily.
"To help you, you're falling behind," Dimi said simply. Kalon gave a soft laugh. He stood up straight and walked past Dimi.
"I don't need your help Water Sprite..." he said in a cold voice. Ryo saw the sad look on Dimi's face. He couldn't understand why Kalon couldn't get along with Dimi, even when Dimi was sincerely trying to help Kalon. After Kalon refused Dimi's help, he fell behind again, breathing hard. Ryo sighed and walked back to him.
"Here..." Ryo said, extending his hand to Kalon. Kalon looked at Ryo's hand, then lowered his head.
"Why does everyone think I need help?" Kalon said.
"Because you do. Dimi's right, you're falling behind." Ryo said. He grabbed Kalon's hand and helped him up. "The least you could do is accept help when you need it."
Kalon's eyes widened slightly at Ryo's action, but went right back to his cold , hard face. "Fine..." Kalon muttered beneath his breath. "Just don't tell him you helped me. I don't need that damn Water User thinking I'm gonna accept him or anything."
Steel stopped walking when he reached the top of the hill. The wind was calmer here, and the cold wasn't as severe. Slowly the group reassembled around Steel, looking at the valley between the Mountains. Kalon and Ryo reached the spot last.
"This is where you guys were born?!" Dimi exclaimed to Leo.
"Yeah..." Leo said quietly. He didn't want to be here. The valley was green with forests of trees with hills and fields of grass. A small lake was in the center of the valley, fed by small streams running down from the higher mountains. On the far side of the valley they could see where the pass continued to the other side of the mountains. Ryo stared at the valley in slight amazement. He'd never seen the valley from high up like this. He almost thought the view was beautiful, until he saw the Razada House near the lake. It reminded him of everything that had ever happened there, and it stole the very beauty from the grand valley.
"After living in Hollow, it's hard to believe a place like this thrives just across the Dead Lands..." Davis said quietly. "Are there other places people live outside of Hollow? Besides this valley?"
"Of course there is..." Steel said, he sounded almost too calm. "Hollow's just a filthy, low-life country, hardly worth existing. The entire country isn't worth as much as this small valley..." No one liked what Steel said about Hollow, but no one said anything against it either. Steel watched the calm valley a second longer, than slowly started walking downhill, towards the path that led to the House. Everyone followed suit, but Ryo hung back, hesitant. Every part of his being wanted to wait for Steel to simply come back with Roxanne. Kaira stopped, and looked back at her father, noticing he wasn't moving with everyone else.
"Dad...?" Kaira asked. "Are you okay?" Ryo snapped back, realizing Kaira was talking to him.
"What...yeah, I'm fine," he said. He gave Ryo the Dragon a small pet before walking on.
"How come you don't like it here? It's so beautiful," Kaira said.
"It's not the valley..." Ryo said.
"I know you don't like Steel, but he is your father...don't you like him for that?"
Ryo scoffed. "No, I hate him..."
"Then why are we all following him?"
"I don't know...I really don't." Kaira looked down at the sleeping dragon in her arms.
"How come Steel always calls you 'Demon'? I hear him call Uncle Leo 'Lion' sometimes too..."
Ryo tried thinking of a way to explain it to her. "Well...those are our birthnames...Ryo and Leo are just our nicknames. We used them as our real names when we left a long time ago..."
"Oh..." Kaira said slowly. "But why would you leave? What's wrong with this place?" Ryo didn't answer her. He knew she would find out on her own eventually.

"Welcome to the Razada House travelers. It's good to see you back Steel," a maid said formally when they reached the gate. She took a look around at the tired, dirty people, and smiled. "You will all be offered meals, as well as rooms and baths if you wish. The Razada House doesn't receive visitors often, but we will work hard to make your stay comfortable!"
Steel smirked at the attention he was receiving. He took off his overcoat, revealing his white shirt beneath it. He also removed his gloves, fully revealing his metallic right arm. He gave them to a servant, who quickly left to return them to Steel's room.
"Show our guests their rooms," Steel ordered the maid in a suave, but demanding way. "Tell Master Kain we have arrived, and I have brought the Twins with me."
"Yes sir," The maid said, bowing slightly.
"Demon, Lion, you come with me..." Steel said over his shoulder. "We need to get ready for our audience with Master Kain."
"How come you can't come with us?" Caza asked, surprising everyone that he talked.
"Because...we probably still have our own rooms..." Leo said, following Steel and Ryo into the House. "We'll probably see you later..." Leo left them alone with the maid.
"If you'll follow me, I'll lead you to your rooms," she said kindly. She led the group into the House. The house was definitely old. The floors were all made from wood and the walls were white. Lanterns hung from the ceiling, lighting the dark hallways in the twilight of the setting sun. She led them past a hallway that had all of it's windows and doors open to the garden that was full of flowers and blossoming plants. Koi swan lazily in the small pond.
"This place looks expensive...." Ken commented quietly to the group.
"No kidding...it's not as fancy as the palace in Hollow, but it has an air of nobility to it," Jim said. The maid led them up a steep flight of stairs then to the left. The hallway ended there with five rooms.
"You may all stay in these rooms," the maid said politely, bowing to them. "You may decide among yourselves who will stay in what room. Each room has two beds, a sink, towels and robes, a desk, and a lovely view of the garden. The bathhouse is just downstairs and down the hallway to the right. How long will you all be staying here with us?"
Everyone gave each other a questioning look. Steel had ordered them all not to speak a word to anyone about where they were going or what they were doing. He had told them to only trust a maid named Roxanne.
"Are you Roxanne?" Jim askd politely.
"You're looking for our Roxanne?" the maid said, surprised. "She's busy attending other matters, but I'll be happy to fetch anything you need."
"Oh no, thanks," Jim said, giving her a smile. Caza lowered his eyes at his son. He didn't know where he learned all of his manners from. The maid gave them one last bow before leaving them alone in the hallway. Everyone looked at the five room. They had to split them among the nine of them, which ment only one person got to have a rom alone.
"I think Kaira should get her own soom since she's the only woman." Kyo said. Kaira flushed sligtly at being called a 'woman'. Everyone nodded, with no real objections.
"Thanks Kyo," Kaira said as she went into the room closest to her.
"Me and Kyo will have this room then," Taj said taking the room next to Kaira's. He wasn't going to let Kyo out of his sight since Kaira was staying by herself. Kyo shot Taj a bad look, but said nothing. He wasn't going to leave Taj alone either.
"We can share this room Dad," Jim said, taking the next room. Caza's face remained emotionless as always as he entered the room with Jim.
"Me and Davis will take this one then," Ken said, taking the second to last room. This left Kalon and Dimi alone in the hallway with one room left.
"I've gotta room with Dimi?! This is bullshit!" Kalon yelled.
"Aww, come on Kalon!" Dimi said happily, putting his arm over Kalon's shoulder. "It'll be like back at the orphanage, only this time we have actual beds!"
"Shut up! And get off me!" Kalon yelled, shoving Dimi away. "I'll trade roommates with anyone!" Kalon yelled at the different rooms. No one answered back.
"It won’t be that bad Kalon! Look, we have our own separate beds!" Dimi said, opening the door and looking into the room.
Kalon growled, pulling out a cigarette and putting it in his mouth. He shoved past Dimi into the room, setting his bag on the bed farthest from the window. He lit his cigarette angrily, taking in a deep inhale of it.
"Come look at the garden Kalon! It's huge!" Dimi said, leaning out of the window. Kalon had half the mind to shove Dimi clean out the window. Dimi drew his head back in, and frowned at Kalon's cigarette. "You shouldn't smoke Kalon! You should find some other way to relieve stress."
"Shut up Dimi! You're the reason I have stress!" Kalon yelled, taking another puff of his nicotine and laying back on his bed.
Dimi collapsed on his bed the same, staring up at the ceiling. He sat quietly, trying to think of something for him and Kalon to do. "You wanna go down to the bathhouse?" Dimi asked, turning his head towards Kalon's bed. Kalon sighed. He wanted to, but not with Dimi. But he figured they find one of the others down there, and he could shake Dimi off on one of them.
"Sure why not?" Kalon said halfheartedly. They left the room and headed down the stairs to the left the way the maid had told them. They entered the men's side and exchanged their clothes for towels before heading into the showers. Dimi played and manipulated the water like a child before following Kalon out to the sauna rock pool.
Caza, Jim, Ken, and Kyo were already in the rock pool. Kyo was the farthest away at the far end of the pool sitting alone with his eyes closed.
"This place is awesome!" Dimi said looking around at the pool before slipping and falling in. Kalon ignored Dimi.
"You should learn to be more quiet in calm places like this, Dimi." Caza said quietly, not opening his eyes. Dimi submerged himself up to his nose and blew bubbles.
"Why would Leo and Ryo leave a life like this behind?" Ken said, relaxing back against the edge of the pool.
"Who knows?" Kalon said. He rested his head on his crossed arms on the side of the pool. "They were probably snobby rich kids or something who wanted a taste of a real life."
Taj and Davis entered the pool area. Kyo opened one eye to see them walk in. "Oh great...it's the gay brigade..." he said under his breath. Taj spotted Kyo off in his own section of the pool, and walked over to enter the pool by him. When Taj got in the water, Kyo stood up, grabbing his towel. "Damn it, I knew you were pissy, but I had no idea you were gay too!" Kyo said, getting out of the pool.
"In your dreams!" Taj yelled back, furious. "Even if I was gay I wouldn't go after an asshole like you!"
Kaira sat alone on the girl's side of the pool, leaning against the tall wooden wall that separated the men's side from the girl's. On the other side she could hear the men arguing with one another, especially Dimi and Taj. "Why do they have to be so noisy...?" she said softly to herself, looking up at the stars.

"The Master will see you all now in his throne room, and he wishes to meet you all and introduce yourself." the maid said after everyone had gone back to their rooms. "If you'll follow me I'll lead you." The group followed.
"When do we get to eat?" Dimi asked.
"Your dinners will be delivered to your rooms while you meet with the Master," the maid said. She led them down the stairs to the far end of the house. She opened the door to a large room and motioned for them to enter. A throne of marble and gold stood empty at the far end of the room, with Steel standing in it's shadow, his arms crossed. Steel wore a long, white robe lined in dark maroon that completely hid his metal arm. There were eleven mats on the floor near the door where the maid motioned for thm to sit. They carefully knelt on the mats given to them and waited in silence, the way they were ordered to by Steel that morning before entering the Razada House.
"Where's Leo? And Ryo?" Dimi asked out loud, receiving bad looks from everyone.
"They'll be here," Steel said sternly, his eyes telling everyone to remain silent.
The door behind them opened and everyone turned to see who it was. In the doorway stood an older man with long gray hair and slight facial hair. His robe was identical to Steel's, but had red and gold linings. His face was slightly wrinkles and his eyes were a fierce red. He walked slowly past his guests, hardly taking notice of them. Behind him were two people. One was a man with longer, white and black spiked hair and light red eyes, wearing a simple white shirt and pants. The other was a woman with long brown hair that reached the back of her knees and red amber eyes.
The older man turned to his guests once he reached his throne. "These are the people you've brought with you Steel...?" he said in a deep, strangely unsettling voice.
"Yes Father," Steel replied. Everyone in the room gaped at Steel. They'd never heard Steel talk to someone like that before, and none of them ever imagined Steel with a father. Kaira and Davis stared up at their great grandfather nervously. A smile slowly worked it's way across the old man's face. But it wasn't a nice, welcoming smile, it had a darker meaning to it.
"Welcome..." he said in his unsettling voice. "To the Razada House. I am the Head of the House, Master Kain. You’ve meet Steel, as well as Lion..." Kain's eyes scanned the room, not seeing his heir. "I thought you said you had Lion with you Steel..." his voice was almost threatening.
"They're both here," Steel reassured him. "They'll be along shortly." Kain made a hmph sound then approached the one closest to him: Dimi. Dimi started sweating with Kain so close to him. kain sikply stood, looking down at the blue-haired man.
"Well....introduce yourself!" Kain said loudly, sounding ominous.
"I'm Dimi! A Water User!" Dimi said quickly. Kain said nothing to Dimi and looked at the one next to Dimi: Taj.
"I'm Taj...Dimi's son..." Taj said in a low voice. One by one all them introduced themselves and their ties. Kaira remembered to pretend that Davis was her older brother and Leo was her father. Kain listened to them, hardly paying attention until they were all finished.
"This...." Kain said, motioning for the man with black and white hair to come foreward. "Is Nayota, the oldest son of Steel. Nayota nodded his head at them. "And she is May, Steel's only daughter." May gave a small curtsy from her place against the wall. Everyone was surprised. Leo and Ryo had never mentioned having an older brother and sister.
A knock on the door echoed throughout the room. Kain smiled, showing his teeth. He looked young to be a grandfather, but he had an air of power about him thta took the warmth from people's heart.
"Come in..." Kain said loudly to the door. "Lion...and Demon." He turned and walked to his throne and sat down. The door opened to reveal Ryo and Leo, standing side by side. Their appearance surprised everyone. Leo wore a white shirt missing the left sleeve, revealing his left arm tattoo, and white pants, all lined in red. Ryo's outfit was identical, but black with green lining. His shirt was missing the right sleeve, revealing his right arm tattoo. They both walked and knelt on the ground, ahead of the rest of the group, closer to Kain's throne.
"Hello Grandfather..." they said in unison. He looked down upon them. Kain stood back up and slowly approached the twin in red and white.
"Lion...you've been gone a long time. Stand up." Kain said in a tone that sounded almost kind. Leo did as he was told and stood up. Ryo remained kneeling, his head bowed, looking at the floor. Leo stood perfectly still as Kain slowly circled him. Everyone else watched in pure silence, not daring to speak.
"You've grown into a fine young man Lion...just as I imagined. I knew one day you'd come back to us." Kain said, sounding satisfied with what he saw.
"Thank you Grandfather," Leo said in monotone.
"It's a shame..." Kain said, sighing. "We sent Bella home when you two failed to get married at eighteen. You broke her heart."
"I'm sorry to hear it." Everyone in the room sat rigid. The aura given off by Kain made them all nervous, and on guard. Kain then turned his attention to Ryo, still kneeling.
"Demon! I thought I'd never see your unholy being back in this House," Kain laughed.
"I'm sorry Grandfather," Ryo said, doing his best to sound monotone and keep the hatred out of his voice.
"Look at your little brothers! They've grown up quite a bit haven't they?!" Kain said to May and Nayota. Neither said nothing. Kain's voice sounded mocking. "Imagine my surprise Demon..." Kain went on. "When my son came home, missing an arm...and my heir was missing." From the midst of his robes, Kain drew a long sturdy bamboo shoot. Kaira gasped. It was the kind used to beat people with.
"Fetch Roxanne," Kain said to May. May gave a small bow then left the room. The Head of the Razada House continued to circle Ryo, fingering his cane. "You always were the trouble child, Demon...always looking at things you shouldn't...look at me."
Ryo remained kneeling, frozen. He did not lift his head. Kain gave off a cold, mocking laugh.
"I see you remember your place..."
Everyone in the room, watched Kain in disbelief. They now understood the aura they each felt coming off Kain. It was cold, and cruel, like a dark abyss. There was no real compassion or sympathy in his heart. The door behind them opened, and May walked in. She was followed by another woman, slightly younger than Ryo. She wore the gray maid's outfit, and had blonde hair and green eyes.
"Come here Roxanne...kneel with Demon," Kain said, tapping the floor next to Ryo with his cane. Roxanne quickly went next to Ryo and knelt next to him. She smiled at Ryo, but he ignored him. "Say hello Demon, Roxanne's been waiting a long time for you," Kain mocked, smiling.
Ryo turned his head slightly to Roxanne, but didn't look at her. "Hello..." he forced himself to say.
"Hello Ryo..." Roxanne said quietly, sounding happy. Kain took amusement from Ryo's humiliation in front of everyone. He raised the cane, and brought it down upon Ryo's back swiftly. Everyone in the room flinched from the crack emitted from the cane striking Ryo's back. Ryo flinched from the pain, but remained kneeling. Kaira had her mouth covered to stop herself from screaming. No one in the party could hardly believe they'd just seen Ryo get struck by his own grandfather.
"Where have you been Demon?!" Kain demanded raising his hand again.
"Hollow," Ryo answered, flinching from getting struck in the back again.
"Why did you take Lion with you?!" Kain raised his weapon again.
"He came with me," Ryo said, getting struck again, this time, the cane cut through his shirt, and his back started bleeding slightly. Kain raised his hand again.
"Kain." Steel said stepping forward. Kain gave Steel a sharp look, but slowly lowered his hand, looking at his guests, all staring at him with fear and hatred.
"You have my leave to go..." Kain said to them, turning back his throne. "Roxanne, return them to their rooms..." Roxanne quickly stood up and ushered everyone out of the room. Steel took the cane from his father.
"I will beat him," he said, and slowly approached Ryo, still kneeling on the floor with clenched teeth. Leo remained where he stood, looking down at his brother with pity. Nayota and May stared on, not saying a word on protest. Neither of them had sympathy for Ryo anymore. Their love for their youngest brother had died when they turned eighteen.
Steel stood behind Ryo, cane in hand. "I will beat you hard..." Steel said quietly, so only Ryo and Leo would hear. "So he will not beat you harder..."