The Beast Tide attacks halted after General Weiss was detained. Jing Xuan and Rai Shen found out he was paid off by someone to hinder their plans to calm the beast tide. General Weiss exchanged the spirit stones with a incense, that somehow overwhelmed all the nearby spirit beast into an agitated state. After the first wave of attacks Rai Shen noticed the Generals odd behavior, which was when he decided to set the second trap. Which ended in General Weiss's men stealing bags full of animal droppings, instead of spirit stones. When Rai Shen caught up to the General they were in the process of hiding the bags of stolen 'goods'. He was imprisoned while Jing Xuan had the laugh of his life.
That night General Weiss was found with his wrist slit in his cell; before The Spirit Beast Kingdom could interrogate further, leaving the real mastermind unknown.
Two weeks later Rai Shen arrived back in The Jade Emerald Kingdom, with Little Xuan at his heels.
Rai Shen leisurely greeted The King, reporting back his missions success. Jing Xuan watches Rai Shen from behind anxiously, he could tell Rai Shen's patience was running thin with the repetitive questioning from The King.
"Father stop teasing me, I want to go check on Little Shin'er. From your playful mood I assume they've all been well, how's mother?"
Jing Xuan's mouth falls to the floor, Rai Shen definitely gots guts! He ordered and questioned the king to his face. Jing Xuan grasps the hilt of his sword ready to make a move, his heart beating rapidly in fear for Rai Shen's safety.
His movement catches The Kings attention. Rai Shin was known to be a fearless and powerful ruler. Not providing the slightest bit of mercy to his enemies.. even rumors embellishing his heartlessness even towards his own kin, as he sent them to conquer unknown lands. Nearly exterminating three-fourths of younger generation. Jing Xuan thought the king would strike out at Rai Shen despite blood ties.
"You brought back a hostage?" The King eyes narrowed at Jing Xuan emanating a bit of his aura. "Child do you think you'd make it out here alive if you draw that sword?"
Jing Xuan swallows back his anxiety, igniting his spirit energy around his body to alleviate some of the pressure from the kings dominating aura. "There's nothing more satisfying than to die, while protecting those that matter to you... especially if it gives them a chance to survive." His hand tightened around his sword hilt while motioning for Rai Shen to leave.
-silence-
"Ahaha Shen he's is exactly how your letters described!" The Kings playful laughter stuns Jing Xuan into a petrified state.
"Good, very good I see he has a solid spiritual foundation and genuine upbringing. I sense no deceit from his expressions. I approve! Especially of that unyielding determination while facing a stronger opponent, Old Jing definitely raised a good son." The King steps down off his throne losing his dominating facade...inspecting Rai Shen before pulling him into a hug.
"You seem to have lost some weight my son, remember to take better care of yourself or else your mother and I will worry.
The little ones are well, your obsequious worrying is unnecessary. However your plan has failed miserably! Two weeks after your departure... well I'll let you see for yourself. Ha ha Yess, I'm definitely the best at making Little Princesses.
Shen ...I'm off to Brother Kozak's. Have Nae escort your mother back to my courtyard, I'll leave you to care for the little ones tonight."
The Kings playful smile disappears immediately after he walks out the courtroom.
Jing Xuan stood shocked at the personality change the king displayed, not being able to make sense of what just happened.
"Little Xuan let me show you to your room. Get some rest, while I check on my siblings."
"Wait I want to meet brother Akuma and Kiyoshi and Shinah and your sister."
Rai Shen's steps faltered momentarily. "No, I'll have them over for dinner, excluding my little sister.. she's sickly and doesn't do well around others."
"Oh.. okay I'll get settled in till you return."
. . .
Rai Shen makes his way over to the mountain. This trip to the Spirit Beast Kingdom was originally supposed to be a two week journey but with the internal struggle and multiple beast tides occurring all over the kingdom it took about two months to finally obtain peace. During these last two months in the Spirit Beast Kingdom he received updates from his brothers and father on Shinah but it didn't fill the void he felt not being around her.
He enters the hidden cave inside the mountain... where he sees his brother Kiyoshi pinching the face of a little boy making his tender face red.
"Kiyoshi! You bully I'll turn you into a girl again if you keep this up!"
"Little brat those threats don't scare me! This time make my bosom bigger, I like them full and perky!"
"You! Pervert! Watch I'll give you some deflated saggy boobies! They'll go all the way down to here!" The little boy pokes near Kiyoshi's navel.
A sequence of fire balls shot out towards Rai Kiyoshi and the little boy.
It happened so fast Rai Kiyoshi scooped up the little boy tucking him in his arms before rolling around on the floor avoiding the blazing fireballs aimed at them.
"You idiot! Where's Shin'er, shouldn't you be on guard...she better have not heard one word of your disgusting discussion or I'll flog a layer off both your backs. Kiyoshi why did you bring an outsider in here. How can we protect Shin'er if her location is leaked!" Rai Shen yelled at Kiyoshi the veins on his forearm bulging with anger already condensing a new set of fire balls.
"Brother why do you always strike first and ask questions after, am I really your brother you only care about the little brat!" Kiyoshi then pushes the little boy in front of him like a shield.
"Three..."
"First Brother are you mad!!!"
"Two..."
"Kiyoshi you pig! Your choking me ...Shenshen your home... quick help! Kiyoshi's bullying me! Beat him! Burn his ass..Make him cry!" The little boy frees himself out of Kiyoshi's hold slightly dazed.
"First brother! Don't believe his lies! This little brat invaded the mountain trying to peek on Shiner changing!"
"WHAT!" An aggressive flame surrounded Shen's body. He shot toward Rai Kiyoshi pulling both boys apart.
Rai Shen was a second away from giving both boys a beating they'd never forget, But when he looked into the little boys eyes... something changed and on instinct he gently placed the boy down before snatching Kiyoshi giving him a good beating.
"Little brat save me! Your first brothers playing favorites, how long will you let him beat me till!" Rai Kiyoshi begs the little boy.
The little boy sat elegantly at the table eating an apple ignoring Kiyoshi completely.
'Yeah right you just fed me to the wolves and now you want me to save you.. tough luck brother..'
After a few minutes the little boy runs over to Rai Shen grabbing his arm, pulling him away from one sorry bruised up Kiyoshi.
"Big Brother I missed you very much! I'm so happy your home, are you tired or hungry? Don't overwork yourself okay." The little guys smile was so bright it calmed the fires raging in Shen's eyes.
"Mm I'm okay, are you doing well? Why did you dye your hair and change like this?" He picks up the little guy inspect his heath and appearance.
The little boy had his long black hair up in a ponytail. His height and age looked to be about the size matching a seven year old. He looked scholarly and refined in a black vest over a plain cream colored robe, with black pants.
Completely different from Shinah's normal emerald green hair and colorful princess wardrobe. Aside from the Jade tablet tied to her waist she looked nothing like the little princess he was used to.
Which made him feel a bit uncomfortable.. like he lost something very important to him.