The Dragon Queen walked in and sat near AiLin's mother. Jing and Kong both sat there not saying a word as they watched her.
''So you knew what would happen and still was going to allow Li to stay with Ai?'' The Fox Queen said.
''As much as I don't want to lose my son, yes, but I also agree with Ai is doing as well'' The Dragon Queen said picking up her cup ''Li has left for the human world again.''
Jing and Kong looked at each other ''One of us should go keep an eye on him while the other stays with Ai'' Jing said.
Kong nodded ''I'll do it.'' He stood and kissed Jing on the cheek. Just as he was about to leave LiYun's mother spoke up.
''There is one thing you both need to know first'' she said. ''Once the Emperor starts the process of giving Ai his memories back, Li will since that he is in danger.'' She turns and looks at them ''The mark you give each other also links you. When one is in trouble the other feels it. That being the case you both will have to keep Li away till the Emperor is done.''
Both Kong and Jing nodded and Kong left. Jing stayed to help look after AiLin. Jing made his way back to AiLin's room to find him sitting near a window looking out. Jing walked over and sat with him not saying a word.
''You must keep everything from him no matter what happens'' AiLin said.
Jing nodded and looked at him ''Because of the mark, he will come once he knows something is wrong.''
''You and Kong must keep him away by all means'' AiLin looked at him ''You are the only one that will be able to keep him away from everything. Even Kong isn't strong enough.''
''Ok, Ai'' Jing said nodding again.
AiLin and Jing sat there not talking for a while. Jing helped AiLin lay back in bed, then left only to meet his mother outside the courtyard.
''How is he'' she asked
Jing turned and looked back ''He is hurting for what he did to Li. He says his heart feels as if it's breaking.'' He sighed and looked down ''This isn't the first time they been apart but...''
''Everything will be fine, Jing dear'' she said patting his back.
Jing nodded.
Kong was able to find LiYun in Chongqing at their normal hang and hotel. When he couldn't find him at the bar he went to the hotel and knocked on the door. LiYun opened the door and sighed when he saw Kong. He turned and walked to the window looking out.
''You're not hard to find, Li'' Kong said.
''I wasn't hiding'' LiYun said, not looking at him.
Kong flopped down on the couch stretching his arm over the back ''Your mother is worried and so is Jing.''
LiYun turned and looked at him a bit ''Is that is?''
''Well I am too that's why I'm here'' Kong said laughing a bit.
LiYun growled and huffed, turning away. Kong stopped because he knew who else he meant. Kong didn't dare say anything about AiLin.
''How is he'' LiYun said softly then took a drink from his glass.
Kong looked away and sighed. LiYun turned and looked at him then laughed, shaking his head.
''So, I'm not even allowed to know anything about how he is doing'' he asked.
''I'm not here to report to you about Ai nor when I go back am I there to report back about you'' Kong said getting up walking over to the bar ''Ai made it clear it's over between you two.'' He sat there and thought about it for a moment then looked at LiYun ''In fact, he wants to remove the marks you both have.''
LiYun growled and slammed the cup down ''He wants to what?'' His tone was full of anger.
''Yeah, and he wants to do it soon. He doesn't want to have anything to do with you'' Kong sat back down on the couch and opened the bottle of water he got.
LiYun walked into his room and slammed the door shut. Kong smiled but then looked out the window and sighed. He knew what he was doing was for the both of them. A few minutes later LiYun walked out in a different change of clothes.
''Let's go'' he said heading out the door.
Kong jumped up and followed after him. What was going on in LiYun's mind?
When LiYun and Kong showed up at the Fox Kingdom they found both Jing and AiLin's mother talking in a whisper outside of AiLin's palace. Kong walked ahead of LiYun and asked what was going on. It seemed AiLin had got another fever and was sick again. Kong walked over and stopped LiYun in his tracks.
''We should leave for today'' Kong said.
''Why'' LiYun asked in a harsh voice.
AiLin's mother walked over to him upset ''Prince LiYun, you need to leave right away. Ai has no wish to see you'' she said.
Jing stood near the door in case LiYun made it that far ''I'm only here to do one thing and one thing only'' he said in a loud tone.
AiLin walked out slowly wrapped in a blanket ''What is all the noise about'' he said.
Jing turned and walked over to him helping him down the stairs ''You should be resting, Ai'' he said in a soft tone.
''How can I rest when a damn dragon is outside making it hard for me to'' he glared at LiYun ''Why are you even here? Have I not made it clear that it is over between us?''
LiYun huffed and walked over to AiLin picking him up by his collar ''Is it true about the mark?''
AiLin looked a bit confused then looked at Kong who bowed his head. He then smiled and pushed LiYun away ''I see he told you about me wanting to remove it.'' He stumbled backwards but was caught by Jing ''It's true. I want everything that connects us gone.''
LiYun growled and moved over to him placing his hand where the mark was ''So be it'' he said then whipped it off as if it was dust.
AiLin started to reach up but LiYun pulled back ''You may want it gone, but I don't'' he turned and walked away leaving.
Jing huffed ''Kong, stay with Ai'' he said and followed after LiYun. ''Li, let Ai take the mark off you'' he said.
LiYun stopped and touched his neck ''I won't. I will never have or allow anyone else mark me as theirs. Ai is the only one and it will stay that way no matter what he says or does.'' He looked at Jing ''If this is what he wants and is happy so be it, but I will carry the pain with me always.'' LiYun walked out leaving Jing there.
When Jing walked back to AiLin's palace he was shocked to find AiLin had passed out. Kong picked him up and carried him back inside. Kong held Jing as the doctors checked on AiLin.
''What are we going to do'' Jing said.
''We have no other choice'' a voice said from the doorway.
The Emperor walked in and everyone bowed ''We need to give him his memories back now, if not he will die anyways of a broken heart'' he said
''If we do, he could have a higher chance of dying'' Jing said
The Emperor sat on the bed looking at AiLin ''We have no choice, Jing. You both go outside and guard the doors from LiYun.''
Kong nodded and dragged Jing outside shutting the doors behind him ''It will be ok.'' He kissed Jing softly.
They both stood in the middle of the court yard looking at the gate waiting for LiYun. They could hear AiLin screaming from inside.
LiYun was visiting with his mother in the gardens of the Dragon Palace when a sharp pain hit his neck. He fell to the ground and placed his hand on the mark. He was confused as to what was going on. His mother pulled his hand away and sighed.
''I see it's started'' she said.
''What has'' he asked.
She shook her head and helped him up only to have him fall again from the pain ''That pain is because of AiLin. If you would have let him remove the mark, you wouldn't be feeling it now'' she said sitting at a table.
LiYun looked up at her ''What are you even talking about?''
''The Emperor is in the middle of giving AiLin his memories back. That pain you feel is the pain he is going through.'' She had no emotion in her face as she talked ''I pray he makes it through.'' She looked at LiYun ''That poor child is not only suffering from a broken heart, but now he could die from this. It's sad really.''
LiYun sat on the ground trying to gather his thoughts. Jiang grabbed his arm and picked him up and shook him ''Are you really going to sit here and let something like that happen to AiLin'' he said.
LiYun looked at him then pushed him away and ran off to the Fox Kingdom only to be stopped at the front gates by AiLin's mother. LiYun knew he couldn't fight her; instead he knelt down and bowed to her.
''You came here knowing he doesn't want to see you, yet you don't stop'' she said ''He is my only child and the next King of our clan, Li.''
LiYun hung his head ''I know, Your Highness, but he is and always will be the only one I love. If it's not him then it will be no one. It is why I choose to keep his mark on me'' he said softly.
''He could die'' she said ''And if he does he would not want you to follow but to live on. Would you do that for him? Would you live on for Ai?''
LiYun looked up and nodded ''It may hurt to be without him but if that is his wish then yes'' he said.
She nodded and stepped aside ''Then go, but know this. If you do not hold to your word then your family will be cursed.''
LiYun stood and nodded then ran off to AiLin's palace. He found both Kong and Jing standing there and they looked as if they had been waiting for him. The moment he heard AiLin scream he forgot all about them and tried to run to him. Kong and Jing stood in his way.
''Move'' he said.
''No'' Jing said ''Ai asked us to make sure you didn't step forward and as our friend and family, I will obey even if it means fighting you.''
LiYun growled at Jing only to have Kong stand between them ''You know Ai wouldn't want either of you fighting cause of this.'' He turned to Jing ''If he is here that means he knows the risk Ai is in due to AiLin's mother'' he looked at LiYun ''Still you can't go in till he is done.''
LiYun growled and huffed as he paced around. AiLin's mother joined the three of them as they waited. The pain in LiYun's neck faded due to it meaning nothing like the pain in his heart. Hours seemed to pass and AiLin's screams still came. Finally, they stopped and the Emperor walked out.
Jing held AiLin's mother tightly while both Kong and LiYun met with the Emperor.
''He will be fine now, he does need rest but he is fine'' he said patting LiYun on the shoulder ''You should go be with him.''
The Emperor took AiLin's mother back to the main palace so LiYun could have time with AiLin. LiYun stood there looking at the door unable to move. Kong and Jing patted him on the back and pushed him forward then left themselves. LiYun walked up the steps and stopped at the door. He could see AiLin laying on the bed sleeping with a servant girl wiping him down with a cold rage. He moved forward and held out his hand.
''Let me do it. Everyone can leave. I'll take care of him'' he said softly.
She nodded and handed him the rage then left closing the doors behind her. He sat on the bed next to AiLin and started to softly wipe him down and even changed his clothes. He spent the whole time taking care of AiLin without leaving the room.
The next morning AiLin's mother comes in to find LiYun sleeping on the floor with his head on the edge of the bed. She smiled and walked over, placing a blanket over him. He jumped up and looked at AiLin who was still sleeping.
''Don't worry his fever has come down a bit'' she said sitting on the bed ''You should let someone else take care of him while you get some rest.''
LiYun shook his head ''I'll be alright. Making sure he gets better comes first.'' He got up and went to change out the water.
While he was gone AiLin seemed to wake up a bit looking around. He sat up a bit with his mother's help ''My head hurts'' he said.
''It's going to. That was a lot to take in'' she said handing him a cup of water.
''Where is Jing and Kong'' he said, taking the cup.
''Kong is with Jing, he ended up getting a little cold, so he is taking care of him'' she smiled.
AiLin nodded and looked down at the cup in his hands ''What about...him? Did he leave?''
''Sadly no, he is here taking care of you'' LiYun said as he walked back in with new water.
He set it down on the table next to the bed and dipped the rag in it then placed it on AiLin's forehead. AiLin looked at him shocked then looked at his mother who laughed and got up.
''Well since you are back I will leave him to you again, Li'' she patted his back and left.
LiYun nodded. Just then a servant walked in with the trey ''Prince LiYun, I brought some food'' she said bowing
He met her half way and took the tray ''Can you shut the door when you leave'' he asked.
She nodded and left closing the door behind her. LiYun stood there for a moment then walked over to the table and put the tray down. AiLin watched him the whole time. LiYun walked over handing him a bowel.
''Since you're awake, you need to eat'' he said then turned away and sat at the table.
AiLin looked at the bowel and held it tightly in his hands ''Why are you here?''
''Why else? I'm making sure your fever goes down'' he said softly.
''There are others who can do that'' AiLin said.
LiYun slammed his fist on the table and stood up ''Just eat'' he walked over to the window and pulled a smoke out and lit it.
AiLin got upset and set the bowel down then made his way out of the bed slowly. He walked over and took the smoke from LiYun's hand and snapped it then tossed it out. LiYun turned and growled softly as he looked at AiLin. He sighed then picked AiLin up and carried him to the bed.
''You need to stay in the bed and rest. If your mother saw you getting out of bed she would have my head'' LiYun covered him back up and grabbed the bowel then raised the spoon to AiLin's mouth ''Eat'' he said.
AiLin growled and knocked the spoon out of LiYun's hand ''No.''
LiYun nodded and placed the bowel down then grabbed the rag and dipped it back in the water and placed it on his forehead. AiLin took the rag and tossed it across the room.
''Fine, then at least take the medicine'' LiYun held out the pill AiLin's mother brought.
''No'' AiLin said again.
LiYun closed his eyes and breathed slowly ''Ai, don't do this. You need to get better so just take the pill, please.''
AiLin leaned forward and smirked ''I said no.''
LiYun growled and looked at him. He smirked back and placed the pill in his own mouth then grabbed AiLin and kissed him. He used his tongue to shove it into AiLin's mouth then held his mouth there till AiLin swallowed the pill. LiYun pulls away and sighs. AiLin punched LiYun in the face.
LiYun turned and pinned him down to the bed ''You have no right to be mad at me'' he said yelling ''Once you get better I will leave, so just do what you are told for now.'' He let him go and got up walking outside.
AiLin laid there breathing hard and almost in tears. He placed his hand over his chest. He knew he had hurt LiYun and all he was trying to do was help take care of him. After hurting him why would he do this?