You Know You Could Tear Me Apart, Put Me Back Together And Take My Heart

Kuai walked through the dark empty halls, silent beside his soft footsteps. It had only been a few months since Bi-Han had left for a mission, a mere blip in their timeline, and yet he missed him already. This house was already too large for just the two of them, but for just one? Well it was positively lonely.

Tomas would not be back for another week or so, when Kuai would be due to feed. He had practically begged his friend to stay with him while Bi-Han was away, but Tomas had insisted he couldn’t. Too many responsibilities and too much risk of being asked why he was spending time in a mansion known to be inhabited by vampires. He already had to hide the fact he was willingly letting Kuai drink from him. Kuai understood, even if it meant he was alone for now.

He hoped Bi-Han would return soon. He was often leaving for missions, but these usually didn’t last more than a week. When he’d told Kuai this time it would be several months, Kuai was naturally concerned. This was the longest they’d been away from each other and while Kuai knew his separation anxiety wasn’t normal or healthy, it was hard to not experience it over his only constant companion of over 500 years.

He couldn’t really leave the mansion either, despite Kuai and Bi-Han never posing a threat to anyone, the people of the village still distrusted them simply for being vampires. Bi-Han had made it clear that if Kuai ever left the safety of their home, he would likely be hunted. If it was true or not, Kuai couldn’t say, but it definitely added to his anxiety.

He just wasn’t sure what to do with the time alone. Over the 500 years they’d lived in this home, he’d read through every book in the library multiple times, picked up multiple hobbies, and he was starting to run out of ways to keep himself amused.

Maybe I’ll read again, he thought as he navigated the dark corridors, or maybe I’ll start a new tapestry, I havn’t done one in a while… or maybe-

This thought was cut off by a very loud creak from down the hallway. Odd. The house was old but generally didn’t creak for no reason. He stayed still and listened. There was another sound, and another, and another. It sounded like footsteps.

Someone else was in the house.

Bi-Han?

It was the only explanation. None of the villagers ever approached, let alone tried to get in. Maybe Bi-Han had come home and Kuai had missed him entering. It had happened before. Kuai quickly made his way down the corridor to the room the sounds had come from. It was one of the lounges, strange, as they were probably the last places Bi-Han would enter the home from.

“Hello?” He asked aloud as he walked into the room. He was surprised to find it was empty. But I swore I heard someone. He walked further inside, and asked “Bi-Han?” There was no reply. He turned his head, wondering if the lack of vision in his right eye meant someone was hiding out of his line of sight. “This isn’t funny.”

Still, silence was the only thing that answered him. Did I just imagine it? Gods above, maybe his loneliness was getting to him more than he believed. He sighed, turning back to leave the room.

A man was stood in the doorway.

A man who was definitely not Bi-Han.

He was wearing yellow armour, limbs spread to block Kuai’s exit, a chain with a kunai attached to it in his hands. His long hair was tied back in a bun, and he stared at Kuai impassively, but critically. Like he was waiting for Kuai to react. Kuai took a step backwards, the man did not follow him, just stared. Kuai took a moment to look a little closer, to see if he could find a clue to who this man was and why he was here. There was a little symbol on his uniform, a small scorpion, and Kuai suddenly understood everything.

The Shirai Ryu. A vampire hunter.

He turned on his heel and made a run for the window. If he could open it and climb down, maybe he could escape. Bi-Han told him never to leave the mansion but this was an exception right? He couldn’t stay here with a vampire hunter. Reaching the window, he found that the latch had a padlock on it. What? When did this happen? Did Bi-Han do this?

He heard a whistling coming towards him and he ducked out of the way before he was struck by the kunai. He looked back in time to see the man reeling the kunai back to him. This was his chance to get away. He darted towards the man, shoving him as hard as he could. Sometimes he forgot his own strength as a vampire, as soon as his hands hit the man, he went flying back into the wall of the corridor.

Kuai practically leapt over him, running down the corridor. He just needed to get to one of the doors, then he could get out. He’d make his way to Tomas’ home. He didn’t know where he lived but he’d find it. Tomas would help him, he’d find a way to get to Bi-Han.

It would be fine. It would all be fine.

“Get over here!”

Seconds later, there was the sound of flesh being pierced, a sharp pain in his hip, and then the echo of his screams.

He looked down, the kunai was buried into his hip, blood seeping out around it. He reached a shaking hand down to grab it, only to find the chain attached suddenly wrapped around his entire body. A hard tug and they constricted, tying his arms to his torso. Another hard pull had him falling onto the floor.

He looked down at the chains, pulling against them and hoping his strength could maybe destroy them. As he tried, the chains flashed orange. Enchanted. Of course they would be. It didn’t stop him from trying.

He heard footsteps approach as the continued to struggle. Hands grasped at him and moved him until he was on his knees. His squirming continued, until an arm snaked around his chest, pulling him flush against the intruder. Hot breath his his cheek as the man lent in.

“Calm down,” he softly instructed. “I do not wish to harm you.”

I have a kunai in my hip!

“What do you want?” Kuai chose to question instead, trying to wriggle out of the mans grasp.

“Your brother. Where is he?” The man asked. Kuai could feel himself start to shake, what did a vampire hunter want with his brother? What had his brother done? Kuai could feel his intakes of breath quicken, please don’t take Bi-Han from me, please. A hand was suddenly on his head, stroking his hair. “Shh, I won’t hurt him either. I just need to know where he is.”

“I don’t know,” Kuai admitted quietly, hoping it would make him leave faster. “Please. I really don’t-“

“Ah, you found him,” a third voice cut in, and Kuai’s head snapped to where it had come from. How had two people gotten into his house without him knowing? This second man made the hairs on Kuai’s neck stand. Pale, bald with strange red tattoos, and Kuai had the strange sinking feeling he had seen him before. “Hello there Kuai Liang.”

“How- Do I know you?” Kuai asked. He didn’t remember this man, yet there was a sickening feeling of déjà vu that he just couldn’t escape.

“Interesting,” the man muttered, tilting his head. He didn’t elaborate on what exactly was interesting, he just bent down to grab Kuai’s chin. “My name is Quan Chi, and this is my associate, Hanzo.”

Hanzo was still gently stroking Kuai’s hair as he said, “we’re looking for your brother, if you tell us where he is, we will leave you alone.”

“Why?” Kuai asked, keeping his eyes locked on Quan Chi. I know you, why do I know you?

“That doesn’t matter.” Quan Chi’s fingers dug into Kuai’s chin. “Just tell us where he is.”

“I can’t,” Kuai whispered. While it was true, he genuinely couldn’t tell them where Bi-Han was, he also didn’t want to. Hanzo seemed genuine enough in his desire to not hurt Kuai, despite the weapon still in his hip. Quan Chi on the other hand? When he looked at him, he got a terrible feeling.

Quan Chi sighed dramatically. “Very well, we’ll do this the hard way.”

His hands were down at Kuai’s shirt, plucking at the buttons and undoing them, pulling away the fabric. Kuai jolted back, pushing further against Hanzo. This didn’t deter Quan Chi, who just continued his work.

“What are you doing?” Hanzo asked, tightening his grip on Kuai trying to still him.

“Getting the information we need out of him,” Quan Chi hissed as he finished undoing Kuai’s shirt and revealing his bare torso. “Just focus on keeping him still.”

Quan Chi reached into a pouch on his belt, feeling around. He pulled out a glass bottle of what looked like water. Quan Chi held it up for Kuai to see. There was a small cross on the bottle, and Kuai immediately understood what it was.

Holy water.

No, no, no. Kuai began to struggle again, as Quan Chi took the top off the bottle. Hanzo shifted his arms to hold Kuai more effectively. He pulled Kuai back, so his head was on Hanzo’s shoulder. Kuai wanted to hide his face in Hanzo’s neck but also didn’t want to let his eyes off Quan Chi.

Quan Chi broke out into a grin, holding the bottle over Kuai’s chest and slowly tipping it. He was drawing it out, delighting in Kuai’s fear. When he finally tilted the bottle enough for water to come out, he held it so only a single drop came out. It splashed down against Kuai’s skin and the pain hit straight away. It felt like his skin was burning, being melted away like acid as the single droplet rolled down his chest. He cried out in pain. He hadn’t been in pain like this since…

Since…

Since when?

“Where is Bi-Han?” Quan Chi asked causally, but Kuai was too confused and in pain to answer. Quan Chi snarled in frustration splashing more of the water on Kuai’s chest and causing him to scream more. “Where is he?”

“I-I don’t-“ Kuai was cut off by another splash of water, more of that unbearable burn that had him bucking in Hanzo’s arms and screeching uncontrollably. “Please!”

“Shut up brat.” Quan Chi held a hand over Kuai’s mouth as he poured more holy water onto him. Why was that familiar? Had someone said that to him before?

“Shut up brat, it’ll be over soon, just take it.”

He remembered… something. As Quan Chi continued to demand an answer, throwing more water onto Kuai’s chest when all he got in return was screaming, Kuai’s mind began to drift. It was like those few words were a key, unlocking a door to a memory.

A long lost memory, kept somewhere in the dark recesses of his mind.

Kuai Liang had no idea where he was or what was going on. All he knew was he was tied down to a rough solid surface, someone was touching him, and it felt like fire was being forced into his veins.

He was screaming, throat raw, so he must have been screaming for some time although he couldn’t remember doing so. He kept his eyes closed, too scared to open them and see what was being done to him. There was a pulse inside him, a new wave of pain hitting him again and again. Rough uncaring hands grabbing parts of him and forcing more and more of that burning into him. He was naked, he could feel that now, as a hand pressed against his chest, and repeated the action again. He was in agony.

“Stop!” That was Bi-Han’s voice, somehow louder than Kuai’s screaming. If his brother was here, why wasn’t he stopping this? “Stop this now!”

He could hear struggling, like someone was holding Bi-Han back. At least that explained why this wasn’t being stopped. Hands pressing into Kuai’s sides, and he wasn’t sure how much more could be forced inside him. He felt full, like if he took any more he’d burst at the seams.

“What’s wrong Bi-Han?” A second voice asked, and Kuai could tell from how close it sounded that it was the same man touching him. “I thought you wanted to be with him again?”

“Not like this!” Kuai could hear his brother sobbing between his breaths. Bi-Han never cried, whatever was happening to him must have been bad to reduce his brother to tears. “Please, don’t do this to him!”

The man tutted, hand pressing down on Kuai’s stomach. Nausea overwhelmed Kuai, gagging on nothing.

“You wanted him back, I am delivering on my promise to you.” Everything hurt, the hand continued to push down on Kuai’s stomach. He wanted to be sick but given he kept dry heaving there was clearly nothing to dispel. “It’s not my fault you didn’t clarify or inquire how I was going to do it.”

The hand moved from his torso, and pushed down on his forehead. If he’d thought he’d been in pain before, it was nothing compared to the feeling of burning in his brain, setting off almost every nerve in his body in the process. His scream was louder than ever, so much so he could barely hear Bi-Han’s protests anymore. A hand clamped over his mouth, muffling his screams dramatically.

“Shut up brat, it’ll be over soon, just take it,” the voice hissed at him as Kuai tried to quieten down. He sobbed into the hand as the voice spoke in a faux caring tone, “there you go, that’s a good boy.”

Kuai felt like he was going to pass out, the pain shooting from his brain and down his spine. He was shaking and crying. The hand pushing on his mouth felt like it would suffocate him. Bi-Han was still screaming, Kuai wasn’t anymore far too close to unconsciousness to be able to.

Suddenly, the hands retracted, and didn’t return to him. The pain slowly dissipated, turning to a dull ache rather than the searing anguish it was previously. He panted, hiccuping as he tried to calm himself down. He felt a hand caress his cheek, and he realised that even though he’d stopped screaming, Bi-Han hadn’t.

“What have you done?” Bi-Han’s voice echoed, he sounded completely wrecked. “What have you done to him?”

“I saved him.” The hand slapped Kuai’s cheek a few times. He was too dazed and confused to pull away. “I would think you’d be more grateful, Bi-Han. I brought your baby brother back to you!” The hand finally stopped touching him, and Kuai attempted to open his eyes, although closed them just as quick, his eyelids just felt so heavy. “Kuai Liang is alive again. Granted, he’s had some… Changes. But they are a small price to pay for his return, are they not?”

“But he-“ Bi-Han choked slightly. Kuai tried to open his eyes again, his vision was blurred, and the room was spinning. “He’s undead. He’ll… He’ll outlive me now.” The room started to focus, but only a little. Only enough for Kuai to make out a figure standing above him. “Who will look after him when I’m gone?”

“There is a simple solution to that.”

Kuai could just about make out the dark toothy grin on the mans face. He reached down to his belt, pulling out a shiny object from a sheath. Even without full vision, Kuai could tell it was a knife. The man held it out in his hand.

“You know what you have to do, Bi-Han.”

“I don’t think he knows anything!”

And just like that Kuai was back in the present. Completely limp, and pressing his face, damp from tears, into Hanzo’s neck. He chanced moving his head just enough to look down at his chest, his skin had almost completely been stripped from his chest, leaving red and raw wounds that looked like burns. They would heal, he knew that from experience, but it would take time and no doubt scar.

He knew that from experience? What experience? He couldn’t remember but he knew he’d had one. The scar on his face and loss of sight in his right eye was testament to that. Bi-Han had always been vague, only ever saying Kuai had been accidentally splashed with holy water. The memory he’d just experienced, and the nagging feeling he knew Quan Chi, made him start to wonder if there was something more to it than his brother cared to mention.

“Kuai Liang,” Hanzo softly prompted, and Kuai looked at him with bleary eyes. “Do you know where Bi-Han is?”

“No,” was all Kuai could reply before his head slumped back down against Hanzo. Why was he relying on this man for comfort? He’d just held him down while he was tortured.

“We won’t get anything out of him,” Hanzo directed at Quan Chi. Kuai tried to look where he was, but only moving his head until Quan Chi was in his peripheral vision. He looked extremely pissed off that his torture session had been cut short.

“Very well then,” Quan Chi sneered, his displeasure laced his tone.

His hand jerked suddenly, splashing the last remaining holy water over Kuai’s torso. He screeched as the last parts of his flesh that hadn’t been burnt began to melt away, and the wounds that were already there were further added too. Hanzo held him close to him, leveling Quan Chi with a glare.

“My hand slipped,” Quan Chi explained with a shrug, although both Kuai and Hanzo knew damned well that wasn’t what happened.

“It’s okay, I’ve got you,” Hanzo claimed, once more running his hand through Kuai’s short hair. How was the vampire hunter the one showing him kindness? Hanzo glared up at Quan Chi and finally asking “So, what are we meant to do now?”

“Whatever do you mean?” Quan Chi asked, while examining his nails.

“About Bi-Han?” Hanzo pulled Kuai to him a little tighter. “We’re no closer to finding him, he could be anywhere, and we can’t just sit around here and hope he turns up again.”

“Well, that’s very simple, Hanzo.” Quan Chi turned his back to them and began to walk away. “We make it so he has to come to us.”

“And how exactly do we do that?” Hanzo questioned, eyes glaring holes in Quan Chi’s back.

“Oh, isn’t that obvious.” Quan Chi turned back to them, looking Kuai up and down. “We take something precious to him.”

They didn’t need to ask what the precious thing was.

“You…” Hanzo started, his teeth bared. Kuai swore he felt his grip on him get a little tighter. “You can’t be serious.”

“Of course I am,” Quan Chi said matter of factly. “He is the most important thing in Bi-Han’s life. If we have him hostage, Bi-Han is bound to come to the rescue.” Quan Chi bent over, and in a patronising voice said “isn’t that right, baby brother?”

“No,” Hanzo gruffly replied, shifting both himself and Kuai slightly so he was in front. Kuai didn’t understand why this man was suddenly shielding him, but he was grateful for even the slightest mercy. “He has nothing to do with this and you have hurt him enough.”

“Are you, or are you not, meant to be a vampire hunter?” Quan Chi spat, and Kuai peered over Hanzo’s shoulder. He stood back up straight, arms crossed but hands clenched. “Is it not your job to kill these creatures?”

“I kill those who have become a risk to human life, which he is definitely not.” Hanzo’s arm accidentally made contact with the holy water burns on Kuai’s chest. Kuai yelped, and Hanzo reached back to steady him. “I certainly don’t torture them, which given this interaction is clearly what you want to do to him.”

Why was Hanzo suddenly defending him like this? Maybe he hadn’t realised how badly the holy water would hurt Kuai. He guessed there was some moral difference between hunting and eliminating vampires that had gone rouge, and torturing one that had kept away from humanity.

It was plain to see that Quan Chi did not agree with this assessment, his hands on his hips and looking down at the two of them with distaste.

“Do you really think that thing wouldn’t tear you apart given half the chance?” Quan Chi asked with dismissive wave. “All vampires are a risk to human life.” He broke out into a cruel grin, worse than any he’d given before. Kuai shuddered, he’d seen that grin before. But where? “I would think you would know that better than anyone else, given what vampires did to you family.”

The noise Hanzo made was inhuman, a mix between a gasp and a snarl. “Do not speak of that.”

“Do you really think this creature would have shown them any mercy?” Quan Chi continued, delighted by Hanzo’s reaction. Kuai’s head was spinning. He was trying to pay attention to the argument, but his mind was wandering again. I know him. I know his face. Why? From where? “He is just like the rest of his race, remorseless, a monster.”

“Even if he was, it wouldn’t give you the right to torture him.” Kuai could hear them still going at it, but he was zoning out again. Quan Chi. That smile. There was something he was missing.

“Oh what does it matter?” Quan Chi spat. “He’s just a vampire, he can hardly even be considered sentient.” He took a step forward, but Hanzo was on his feet before he could get too close. “Oh. You can’t actually feel sympathy for that beast can you?”

“Find another way to locate Bi-Han,” Hanzo warned lowly. “Because I am not letting you take him.”

There was an extremely tense silence, before Quan Chi said “I was so sure you would not betray me.”

Kuai blinked, Quan Chi’s voice seemed to echo in his head.

“I need to be sure you won’t betray me, Bi-Han.”

And like that, another memory, buried deep, sprung back to life.

His head felt dizzy. Like it was too heavy too keep upright. His limps were completely useless, it felt like they’d had the bones removed from them. He could hear people talking, but his hearing was muffled, and he couldn’t make out who they belonged to or what they were saying. Had he been asleep? What was happening?

His eyes were closed, but he tried to figure out his surroundings from what he could feel. He was next to a warm solid mass, head tucked against a scratchy fabric. He could feel movement, a soft rhythm that seemed to go up and down. He could also feel something shift beneath him occasionally, gently bouncing him. Oh. Was he sat on someone’s lap? That would mean the movements were breathing and the leg he was sat on shifting.

But who’s lap was he on?

He felt a wet hand touch his torso, realising he was at least topless, yet that thought was quickly dispelled when the pain hit him. The fingers traced down his side, smearing the liquid down him, and leaving a burning sensation across his skin. He whimpered in pain, squirming as if that could help him get away. Another arm snaked around him, keeping him steady.

“Don’t move,” a voice above him commanded, and Kuai gave up his attempts, just sobbing as those wet fingers dug into his skin. “That’s better, it’s easier when you don’t struggle.”

“Stop!” That was Bi-Han’s voice. The demand caused the drying hand to let go of Kuai. He heard what sounded like water being disturbed like something was being dropped into it, before the newly wet hand was back on him, and the burning started again. As Kuai sobbed, he heard Bi-Han call again, “I’ve done everything you’ve asked! Please just stop.”

“You have, but there is still much for you to prove.” Fingers were drying up again, removed from him, only to be placed back against his skin. Kuai could feel his body quake, managing to get enough strength to reach up a hand to grasp the man’s clothing. “I need to be sure you won’t betray me, Bi-Han.”

“I won’t,” Bi-han claimed, “please, I’ll do anything!”

“Yes, you will,” the voice calmly replied, wet hand stroking down Kuai’s chest and drawing another pained mewl from his lips. “But I need to be sure. Kuai Liang will stay with me until you can prove yourself.” Kuai felt the knee underneath him jostle him, causing him to bounce slightly. “Then you both can go off and happily live the rest of your immortal lives.”

Immortal lives? What did that mean? Kuai didn’t know and didn’t have time to really question it as the hand was dunked back in the liquid and then back on his body. What was this stuff? Acid? Why was it hurting Kuai but not this man? He wasn’t wearing gloves, it definitely felt like skin touching him. He let out another pained moan, causing a chuckle from the man.

“Please, he’s been through enough.” Bi-Han sounded defeated, and Kuai wanted to cry. His brother was headstrong, always fighting to the bitter end. This was not the same man Kuai knew.

“He will have had enough when I say he has.” As if to emphasise the point, the man grabbed Kuai’s hair, yanking on in hard and making him gasp.

Kuai heard Bi-Han’s breathing turn heavy, as he bit out “go to hell!”

Any joy Kuai could feel at hearing Bi-Han’s temper return to him was stolen when his head was painfully pulled all the way back. He heard a growling above him, and warm breath hitting his face.

“Open your eyes.”

Kuai knew the command was aimed at him. He tried to comply, blinking as he tried to adjust to even the dim light of the room. His vision cleared, and he got a good look at the man looming over him.

Quan Chi stared down at him, cruel grin plastered over his face, and a bowl in his hand.

He tipped the bowl, a clear liquid splashing down onto the right side of Kuai’s face. As soon as the fluid hit his face, he knew it was the same one that had been on Quan Chi’s hand. Whatever this liquid was, it felt like it was eating away at his flesh, and that wasn’t even to mention it hitting his eyeball. As he screeched, he tried to jerk away, but Quan Chi’s hand kept him in place. His vision was fading in his right eye, and closing it did nothing to stop the burn. His arms flailed, trying to grab hold of Quan Chi’s hand to make him stop. Even over his own screams he could hear Bi-Han just as loud.

The fluid stopped spilling, but the pain was still there. He sobbed, chancing opening his eyes. He couldn’t see out of his right eye at all, and all he could see in his left was Quan Chi’s face, still with that chilling grin.

“Shh, now,” he spoke softly, his kind tone betrayed by the look of pure evil over his face. “I’m sorry to hurt you like that, I wouldn’t have to if your brother would just behave himself.” Quan Chi carded his hand through Kuai’s hair and he whimpered, wanting nothing more than to get away from this sadistic monster. “There you go, rest, I’m done for now.”

“Please, Quan Chi,” he heard Bi-Han beg once more. “I’m sorry. Please just leave him alone.”

“This is all very simple Bi-Han. Just do exactly what I say, and you will get your brother back in one piece.”

“So is this how you repay me for all I’ve done for you?”

Kuai blinked, realising he was back in the present. Hanzo was still stood in front of him, stretched out to protect him. He was still in the chains, and while he tried to wriggle out, they caught the mess of raw flesh that was his chest currently.

“You owe me, Hanzo Hasashi,” Quan Chi continued. Kuai couldn’t see him anymore, but his tone told him everything he needed to know. “I saved your life! I am helping you get revenge for what happened to your family! Does that mean nothing to you?”

“None of that matters,” Hanzo growled, slowly reaching behind his back, trying to find the kunai inside Kuai. “Regardless of what you have done for me, I am not helping you with your sadistic game.”

“So be it.”

Quan Chi charged forward, and Hanzo ducked out the way, grabbing Kuai and hauling him out the way as he did. He pulled the kunai out of Kuai and let the chains fall away. Quan Chi lurched in Kuai’s direction, attempting to take ahold of him. Kuai fell backwards, pulling his leg back and kicking out directly at Quan Chi’s face. There was a snap, and Quan Chi was thrown backwards. Kuai scrambled to his feet, helped by Hanzo, as they both watch Quan Chi come back out of the daze Kuai’s attack had sent him into.

Quan Chi reached a hand to his bleeding nose, clearly broken by the force. When he stared down at the blood on his hand, Kuai could see his eyes widen as he bared his teeth. The look he shot Kuai from there was pure venom.

“You’ll pay for that, brat.”

Quan Chi disappeared into a portal, and before Kuai could contemplate what had happened, someone was grabbing him from behind. A hand went to cover his mouth, but as if on auto pilot, Kuai went on the offensive. He bit down on the hand as hard as he could. Quan Chi’s howl was extremely satisfying, but short lived as Hanzo managed to wrestle Kuai from Quan Chi, and as he did he threw a strange metal ball on the floor.

As it hit the wood, it cracked open and plumes of smoke began to seep out. Hanzo took Kuai’s hand, pulling him away down the corridor, as Quan Chi coughed and spluttered, slowly being enveloped by the smoke.

“We need to leave,” Hanzo announced as they ran, “where’s the nearest exit?”

“We can’t leave,” Kuai protested, struggling to keep up with Hanzo’s pace. “Bi-Han told me never to leave.”

“I’m sorry, but as long as Quan Chi is around, you aren’t safe here anymore.” Kuai felt Hanzo squeeze his hand. Logically, he knew Hanzo was right, but that didn’t make the prospect of leaving the only home he knew any less terrifying. “Which exit?”

“Front door will be the easiest,” Kuai said. He’d suggest a window, but given that Bi-Han gone behind his back to put locks on some of them, he couldn’t say which where able to be opened.

Hanzo didn’t say anything else, just continued to guide Kuai to foyer of the mansion. Thankfully, the front doors only had a few latches, which Hanzo was able to open easily. They ran down the pathway, through the gates, and did not stop running until they were out deep into the woods.

They came to a clearing, at which point Hanzo finally released Kuai’s hand. Hanzo’s gaze landed on the burns on Kuai’s chest, and he grimaced. Kuai had to admit, they were bad, and still hurt like hell but he knew they wouldn’t kill him. Besides, he had bigger questions to answer.

“Why did you do that?” Kuai asked, clutching his hands together in front of him. “Help me, I mean.”

“I may be a vampire hunter, but like I said, I do not kill for no reason, and you have given me not reason to do so.” He stepped forward, looking regretful now regarding the injuries Kuai had sustained. “I’m sorry about the holy water, I didn’t know he was going to do that.”

“And the kunai?” Kuai pouted, because that was definitely a deliberate choice.

“You tried to run, I needed to secure you,” Hanzo claimed, looking further down to see the wound in question bleeding profusely. “In retrospect, I regret doing it the way I did.”

Kuai looked away, it sounded like an excuse. But then Hanzo had helped him get out. Gods he was so confused.

“Kuai Liang, I know I haven’t given you much reason to trust me,” Hanzo started, gently placing a hand on Kuai’s cheek. He coaxed Kuai to look at him again. “But I need to find your brother. I believe he has information on the death of my family, and it is my belief that the safest place for you is with him.” Kuai closed his eyes, he really did want to be with Bi-Han. “We need to find him as quickly as possible.”

“It will be day soon,” Kuai pointed out, feeling nervous of how open he was out here. “I can’t travel in the day.”

“I know,” Hanzo said, gently stroking Kuai’s cheek. “I have a friend who lives nearby, we can lay at his until the day has passed.” Hanzo’s eyes twitched. “It will also give me a moment to look at your wounds and care for them, it is the least I can do for my part in you receiving them.”

It could have been a trap, and Kuai wasn’t completely sure if Hanzo had good intent. But when he considered the alternatives, either continuing on alone or going back to the mansion and potentially Quan Chi, he realised he had no choice but to put trust in Hanzo.

“Okay, where is your friends house?”

Hanzo smiled, taking Kuai by the hand again, and leading him through the woods. They didn’t speak, not really, only Hanzo reassuring Kuai that he was okay when he got jumpy. It had been so long since he’d been away from the mansion. The closest to the outside world Kuai got was the gardens. Those were walled in, carefully curated by Bi-Han and himself. The woods by comparison were wild, out of control. Bi-Han had warned him not to explore them, and he was starting to see why. Thick branches of the trees curling like claws making him uneasy.

He didn’t remember much of his life before he was turned, but he did remember something happened to him in the woods.

Something terrible.

He didn’t want to think about that right now, the memories that had already come back to him this night were terrible enough. He really did not need more to confuse him further.

Not to mention, he could see a house in the distance.

It wasn’t run down exactly, but the garden was overgrown. Does someone really live here? It felt almost like just an extension of the woods.

Hanzo knocked on the door, looking over his shoulder nervously as if expecting someone to be following them. His attention was taken back to the door when it opened, revealing a man standing on the other side. His eyes were cloudy, and Kuai recognised the reason from his own eye. The man was blind.

“Kenshi,” Hanzo greeted, and Kenshi’s eyes widened in recognition but his mouth was tight.

“Hanzo, it’s a bit late for a visit isn’t it?” Kenshi replied, and Kuai suddenly understood why he was a bit standoffish. It was late at night, at least for humans.

“I know I’m sorry, it’s a long story,” Hanzo started, pulling on Kuai’s hand to bring him closer. “I need to lay low for a night, I have a vampire with me, and we need shelter before daylight comes.”

“A vampire?” Kenshi sounded surprised, but he still stepped away and let them in. “A curious companion for you to have, Mr. Vampire Hunter.”

“Like I said, long story,” Hanzo muttered as he guided Kuai into the small home. It wasn’t as fancy as his mansion, but he supposed that was to be expected.

Kenshi hummed, shutting the door behind him. “So, does your vampire friend have a name, or is he just the vampire?”

“My name is Song Kuai Liang, Sir.” Kuai bowed politely, but then realised how stupid that was to do. Kenshi smirked and chuckled however.

“Did you just bow?” Kenshi questioned, and Kuai made an embarrassed squeak. “No need to be embarrassed, believe me, you are not the first.” Kenshi held out his hand in the general direction of where Kuai was. Kuai scrambled to greet it. “It’s nice to meet you Kuai Liang, my names Kenshi.” As he was shaking Kuai’s hand, he tilted his head. “You do not happen to be one of the vampires living in that mansion on the hill, would you?”

Kuai hesitated, before replying with “Yes sir, I am.”

“You don’t have to call me Sir,” Kenshi replied, but Kuai noticed him shoot a look towards Hanzo. One that screamed “you have a lot of explaining to do”. Still Kenshi hooked his arm with Kuai’s, using his cane to begin to navigate. “You must be tired though, I think the rest of our introduction can wait until the morn… Well, the evening.”

“Ah, thank you S- Kenshi,” Kuai let Kenshi guide him through the house, glancing over his shoulder to make sure Hanzo was still there.

“I am curious though,” Kenshi began, patting Kuai’s biceps. “You are the one who doesn’t leave home, correct? I’ve met your brother before. Bi-Han?” Wait, he’s met Bi-Han? “Gave me a story that you physically couldn’t leave the mansion.” What? Kuai stared at Kenshi for a few seconds, before looking over to Hanzo, who was looking equally confused about that. “I’m assuming from your shocked silence, that was not true.”

“No,” Kuai said slowly, trying to compute what he’d just been told. “Bi-Han told me not to leave, because the outside world was dangerous for me.”

“I see. And yet here you are?” Kenshi reached a door, opening it up. Peering inside Kuai could see it was a bedroom, curtains drawn and empty. “This is my guest room, so you and Hanzo are free to use it.” Kuai eyed the curtains wondering if they would be enough to shield him from the sunlight. “Do not worry about the curtains. My son has, ah, a sensitivity to light, so he needs the same accommodations as you. This house is safe for you.”

“Thank you Si- Kenshi,” Kuai said catching himself, and finally being let go by Kenshi.

“I hope you sleep well,” Kenshi said with a bow before turning to Hanzo. “We will talk in the morning, old friend.”

“Thank you, Kenshi.” Hanzo patted his friend on the shoulder. They stayed like that for a moment, just sort of looking at each other. It was pretty eerie if Kuai was honest. Like a silent conversation was going on between them.

Before Kuai could ask, it was over, and Kenshi was walking away. Hanzo followed Kuai into the room, closing the door behind him. Kuai wanted to ask what all that was about, but decided maybe for now, it was best to not know.

“First things first,” Hanzo started walking over to the one side of the room, and pulling out a bowl and some medical supplies from a cabinet. His knowledge of the room implied this was not his first visit where he needed medical intervention. “We need to get those burns taken care of.”

Kuai nodded, and made his way to perch on the edge of the bed. Hanzo left for another door, and Kuai heard a tap turn on and water run. Kuai felt his head go dizzy. He tried to take deep breaths. It’s water, just normal water. Not holy water. This water won’t hurt me. Calm down. Calm down.

In the name of the elder gods, calm down!

“Are you okay?” Kuai blinked, he had been so wrapped on his panic he hadn’t even noticed Hanzo come back. He placed the bowl on the bedside cabinet taking a cloth and dipping it in.

“Y-Yes,” Kuai replied, keeping his eyes intently on what Hanzo was doing with the water. “It’s just… that is just water, right?”

Hanzo paused, staring at the bowl. “It’s watered down alcohol, to clean your wounds.” He hadn’t really been around alcohol since his turning so he had no idea how it would effect him. Bi-Han had never explicitly warned him against it so it shouldn’t be dangerous. “It’s not holy water.”

Kuai nodded, and Hanzo took the cloth and went to wipe at the wounds. The concoction stung and Kuai jumped slightly. It didn’t burn like holy water would, but it wasn’t pleasant.

“Sorry I should have warned you it would sting.” Hanzo pressed the cloth onto another part of the wounds and Kuai gritted his teeth. “I just need to clean this before I put bandages on, okay?”

“Okay,” Kuai hissed as the Hanzo continued to wipe. Really this was nothing compared to getting them in the first place. Nothing to when Quan Chi poured holy water directly into his eye. Those memories. There really was more to all this than initially he realised. Maybe talking about them would help take his mind off Hanzo’s cleaning? “I know why you were looking for Bi-Han, but why was Quan Chi so intent on finding him.”

Kuai saw the way Hanzo’s mouth tightened. “You mean, you don’t know Bi-Han does work for him?” Kuai didn’t know that, Bi-Han never told him what he did when he went away on missions. Hanzo got Kuai’s answer without him even voicing it, as he added, “Bi-Han’s gone rouge the last few months, he wanted to get answers as to why. Convinced me to come along so I could get my answers too.”

“Two birds, one stone,” Kuai thought aloud. He gripped the bedsheets under him as Hanzo began to clean out a particularly deep burn. “I… remember him.”

“Remember who?” Hanzo asked absentmindedly, putting most of his concentration into his task.

“Quan Chi.” Kuai was stopped from explaining further with a loud moan. Hanzo took the cloth away, dipping it back in the water. “I don’t have many memories from when I was turned but today, when he was there…” Hanzo still only looked like he was half listening as he began to clean a new area. “I remembered some things. He was there, when I was turned. I think he was the one who did it.” Hanzo stopped in his tracks, head snapping up to gaze at Kuai’s face. “He’s also the person who did this to me.” Kuai pointed at the scar on his face. “I don’t remember much even now, it’s fuzzy, but I swear to the elder gods it was him, he was there!”

Hanzo took a deep breath, trying to return his attention to the cleaning. “How old are you exactly? I mean, how long have you been an vampire?”

“500 years.”

Hanzo’s movements slowed to a crawl as he contemplated what he’d just been told. “That would mean Quan Chi is over 500 years old as well.”

“I know,” Kuai whispered. It didn’t make sense. “Is he definitely human?”

“As far as I know.” Hanzo turned his attention from the burns to the wound that had been created by the Kunai. “He’s not a vampire, I’ve seen him out in sunlight and he can handle holy water without… well… this happening to him.”

“I know it doesn’t seem possible.” Kuai let out a breath when he saw Hanzo put the cloth down for good, thankfully done with this part of tending to his wounds. “And I don’t understand it myself, but… I swear it was him.”

“I believe you,” Hanzo assured, grabbing some padding and bandages. “I don’t have an answer for you, but I swear we will find one, okay?”

We will find one. Kuai smiled at that, although he wasn’t sure why. This man hadn’t exactly made the best first impression. But he’d helped Kuai run, he was here tending to his injuries, and offering to help him make sense of his jumbled memories. Maybe it was like in the books he read, where even the worst introduction could be turned into something beautiful.

Hanzo finished wrapping the bandages around him, and Kuai realised he had nothing to offer for his help. He had nothing of particular interest, and anything of value he had was back in the mansion. He thought back to his books, the romance ones, and tried to remember what the protagonists offered in thanks for their rescuers. There was one thing he could offer, he supposed.

“Thank you, Hanzo,” he started, watching Hanzo put all the medical equipment away. “I have nothing to show you my graditude for helping me.” Hanzo finally looked over, and eyebrow raised like he didn’t know where Kuai was going with this. “However, the books I have read suggest that, my body is an acceptable offering to you.”

Hanzo suddenly choked on the air, coughing loudly and covering his face. Kuai got the feeling that wasn’t a good reaction.

“I- oh- Kuai Liang,” Hanzo spluttered, removing a hand to fan himself. “That… Those books you’ve read, they aren’t exactly a good indication of what is expected of you in this situation.” Hanzo composed himself, before sitting next to Kuai on the bed. “Me accepting that offer would be inappropriate.” Kuai bowed his head. God obviously that was a stupid thing to say. Hanzo placed his hand under Kuai’s chin and tilted his head up. “Please do not take this as a rejection of you. But you are in a vulnerable state, and I wouldn’t want to do anything to you that you would regret.”

“I understand,” Kuai tried to not sound upset, in reality he was actually somewhat relieved. He knew he’d had sex before his turning, but he’d not had it since. The closest he’d come was a kiss from Tomas, which Bi-Han had quickly broken up. Hanzo was right, Kuai wasn’t exactly thinking straight right now, and the likeliness was that if Hanzo had said yes, the little trust he’d begun to build up would have been shattered.

Maybe he shouldn’t feel bad he asked, at least this was another sign Hanzo was trustworthy and had his best interests in mind.

“We will find your brother, but until then, I swear I will do everything in my power to protect you.” Hanzo sounded so sincere, it reminded him of whenever Bi-Han promised the same thing. “And you do not have to offer me anything, this is not about that, okay. This is about doing right by you and your brother.”

“Thank you,” Kuai said with a yawn, suddenly realising how tired he was now. The sun would be rising soon, he needed sleep.

“Come on, let’s sleep,” Hanzo said softly, “I can sleep next to you, if it would make you feel safer?”

“I would like that.”

They didn’t speak as Kuai lay back on the bed, feeling Hanzo settle next to him. Kuai wasn’t sure what came over him, but he flipped onto his side, and threw an arm over Hanzo’s chest. The second he’d done it, he internally panicked, wondering if Hanzo’s rejection of his advances would include this. He didn’t mean anything romantic or sexual by it, he just wanted the comfort an embrace could offer him.

To his surprise, Hanzo flipped over to face him and pulled him close to him. Kuai’s breath hitched, but soon began to calm, lulled into a sense of security by Hanzo’s body heat.

He nuzzled his face into the pillow, closed his eyes, and let sleep claim him.

Usually, Bi-Han would be glad to be home.

He’d come in, find Kuai Liang, and make sure his little brother hadn’t gotten himself into any danger. Then they’d sit in the study, Bi-Han making notes on his latest mission, while Kuai would be reading probably. They’d be comfortable and happy despite everything that had led them to this point.

The fact the front doors were wide open made it feel like there was a rock in stomach.

“Kuai Liang?” He didn’t waste any time walking in, panic overtaking his mind. Kuai wasn’t supposed to leave, he knew Kuai wouldn’t. At least not willingly. Had someone tricked him? Kidnapped him? Where was he?

He walked into the lounge, hoping maybe Kuai had just had a visit from Tomas and forgotten to close the door. There was someone sat on one of the arm chairs. It definitely was not Kuai Liang though.

“Hello, Bi-Han,” Quan Chi greeted, lounging lazily in the chair. He was his usually calm and calculated self on the outside, but there was a darkness in his eyes that only showed up when someone had pissed him off. His nose looked slightly swollen, and he had a bandage on one of his hands.

“Quan Chi, why are you here?” He asked nervously, taking a few steps forward.

If Quan Chi was here, where was Kuai? He doubted Kuai would have just let Quan Chi in, Kuai was smarter than to let a stranger inside their home. He didn’t have any memories of Quan Chi, Bi-Han had been sure to wipe every last one, ensuring his brother didn’t remember any of the awful things done to him while they were newly turned.

“I lost contact with you for some time, I wished to make sure you still remember our arrangements,” Quan Chi said lowly, voice trying to sound concerned but coming off as threatening instead.

“Someone requested a task of me, I needed time to complete it.” Bi-Han could feel a cold creep up his back. “I was intending to contact you after I came back.”

“Well, good to know,” Quan Chi sneered, somehow leaning even further back in the chair. “But in the future, I would appreciate a warning if your going to wander off for a long time. I gave your poor brother such a fight, it would be a shame if he had to suffer again because you are terrible at communication.”

There was bile in the back of Bi-Han’s throat as he asked “where is he?”

“I do not know, unfortunately,” Quan Chi said in a bored tone, and inspected his nails like he didn’t care. “Hanzo Hasashi has taken him hostage.”

“What?” Bi-Han hated the deviation in his own voice. “Why would… Why would Hasashi take Kuai Liang?”

“For some reason, he seems to have gotten the impression you are the one who killed his family.” No. No, no, no, that wasn’t me! He had seen the massacre, but he had not been the one to issue the blows. “Said that if you took his family from him, he would take yours from you.”

“I didn’t do it,” Bi-Han argued, taking a few steps back as Quan Chi stood up. He felt ire build inside him as he snarled “you let him take Kuai Liang.”

“I most certainly did not,” Quan Chi exclaimed, sounding so insulted it had to be fake. “I was having a civil discussion with your brother, when Hasashi came along. I tried to stop him but he used Shirai Ryu trickery against me.”

Bi-Han shook his head, the room was spinning. God fucking dammit, how had this happened again? Why did he always fail so fucking spectacularly at keeping Kuai safe? He failed when Kuai was murdered in the woods. He failed when Quan Chi brought Kuai back to life. He failed when Kuai was newly turned and tortured by that same sadist until Bi-Han could meet his ridiculous demands. And now he’d failed again.

He should have never taken this job. Fuck Raiden and his stupid fucking mission that took months! If Bi-Han had been here instead of that temple, Kuai would not have been taken.

“Oh, calm down,” Quan Chi snorted, annoyance laced his voice. “We will get Kuai Liang back. Hanzo Hasashi has rather betrayed me in doing this, and I’d quite like to get my hands on him myself.” That disgusting smirk was on Quan Chi’s face again. “You just have to do exactly what I say, like you always do.”

Bi-Han studied him. He didn’t want to work with Quan Chi, not again, and certainly not when Kuai was so heavily involved. What other choice do I have though?

“Yes, of course,” Bi-Han reluctantly agreed, looking away so he didn’t have to see that look Quan Chi always had when he’d gotten his way. “Just… Help me get my brother back, and I’ll do anything you say, I promise.”

“Good boy,” Quan Chi patted Bi-Han on the back in a condescending fashion. “Good to see you’ve learnt since the start of our partnership.”

Partnership. Fuck that.

Still Bi-Han’s eyes couldn’t help but linger on the bandage around Quan Chi’s hand.

“Do I want to know what you did to your hand?” He was expected some bullshit response, but Quan Chi made a wounded noise.

“When Hasashi took your brother, the poor thing got slightly confused,” Quan Chi explained looking at his hand with a pout. “He wasn’t sure who was trying to help him, so he bit me in his panic.” Good boy Kuai Liang. If his brother was here, he’d praise him for taking a bite out of this bastard. “Don’t worry, I know he was just scared. I won’t hold this against him.”

Quan Chi’s tone indicated he absolutely was going to hold this against him.

Still, Bi-Han had no other option at this point, he just had to hope that when they got Kuai back, Quan Chi would go back to their agreement. Bi-Han did shit for him, and Kuai got left alone.

“Where do we start?”

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