Shilo promised his father that he would be careful and then he set out with Chaal. It was a day's journey traveling at Blood Demon speed; for a human it would have been a three-day trip. Since they did not want to travel with a human feeder, they gorged themselves on blood beforehand - they would fast during their trip. A few days without food wouldn't be a problem for them. The cabin was out from under the cloud that covered the capital city; so they wore cloaks to keep out the dangerous sunlight.

They arrived at sunset, and the sun's last rays had turned the mountains into gold. Shilo stood there watching the beauty around him, sighing in contentment.  For many years, his life had been full of sorrow and fear.  When he was a child of seven, he had watched his mother murdered and then he was kidnapped by his father's partner.  He was taken, along with his sister, to the distant land of Seiryuu and given to the depraved Emperor Balago for his sexual pleasures.  Terrified, Shilo had fought back and killed Balago.  To this day, he could not remember what had happened in that room, but he still had nightmares filled with blood.

Not even waiting to unpack, they began to undress, caressing young, smooth skin as they did.  Deep kisses followed, filled with love and passion.  Soon Chaal was deep inside his Prince, and Shilo matched Chaal's thrusting movements, impaling his partner as deep as possible, bringing him to his release. With a hoarse cry, Chaal emptied himself, shuddering as he gave up the last of his fluids. Once free of Shilo's body, he reached for the young Prince, bringing Shilo to his own climax. Afterward, they collapsed into one another's arms, sprawled happily on the floor.

Afterward the young men put on loose robes to ward off the night's chill, and Chaal reached into his traveling case, bringing forth a small bottle of wine. "Let's toast!" He said as he poured two drinks into earthenware cups that were part of the cabin's amenities. He handed a cup to Shilo and then both the boys drank, forgetting to actually say a toast. They giggled when they realized it and drank again, this time toasting to happiness.

Suddenly, Shilo began to shiver, his limbs growing cold as ice. The same thing seemed to be happening to Chaal. Shilo looked at the wine and fear began to creep up his spine. 

Chaal's body grew hazy as if the lines were being blurred and a second form began to appear. In moments, a young man stepped from Chaal's body and stood over the boys. Shilo looked at him in shock -- it was Tala! But a male version of Tala. What was happening? He tried to move but couldn't make his muscles work properly. He turned to look at Chaal. The youth was in the same condition as he was; you could see the fear in his eyes as he stared at the male Tala.

"Are you wondering what is happening? Well, the wine you drank was laced with a potion that freezes your muscles; you won't be able to move for about 24 hours.  I have been inside of Chaal for three months waiting for the perfect time. Ah, you look surprised! Well, that is the gift my father gave me. He could merge demons into himself while I can merge into someone else's body."

Shilo stared at Tala. "Your father?" 

Tala moved to Shilo, and hit him hard across the face, drawing blood. "You remember my father, don't you? You ruined all of his plans and started things in motion that would lead to his murder. Naraku is my father, Shilo, Naraku!"

The color drained from Shilo's face. "No! You can't be!"

"But I am! Naraku seduced the foolish Mirago and I was born -- well, my sister was born. I hid inside of her until I was strong enough, until we turned 16. And then I went inside of Chaal. But I am through hiding! Tonight begins the first stroke of revenge for my father." Tala drew his long, sharp sword and stood up, towering over the helpless demon. 

With one brutal downward thrust, he sliced Chaal's stomach open. Chaal screamed in agony as the sword opened him, spilling dark red blood over the floor of the cabin. 

"NO!!!!" Shilo cried as his partner was stabbed.

Tears ran down Shilo's face as he helplessly watched his partner's agony. The crimson pool around Chaal kept widening as his life's blood poured out of the terrible wound. Shilo stared up at Tala; the gentle beauty of the girl's face was cruel perfection on her male version.

Shilo watched mutely now. He realized that no amount of pleading would help. He had offered his own life for Chaal and Tala had laughed. All he could do was watch the pool around his partner widen. He was now lying in Chaal's blood -- it covered half the room, staining the floor a dark red that would never come clean. Chaal was chalk-white and moaning softly; he no longer had the strength to scream. If only he could hold out until the potion wore off -- then Shilo could get him to the palace; he would open a vein in his own wrist to feed him. Please! Please! Only a few more hours!

It was mid-afternoon when Tala stood up, giving Chaal a small nudge with the toe of his boot. The boy did not respond. "Well, I'd best be going.  I want to put some miles between us when that potion wears off. Well, I hope you had as good a time as I did." And then he left.

Shilo cradled Chaal's cold body in his arms and screamed his pain into the night.

Shido held his son tightly, still covered in his partner's blood. Shilo only sobbed helplessly, his soul broken. He had been unable to tell anyone what had happened, managing only to whisper one word -- "Tala" -- which made no sense to Shido. But the next day it all made terrible sense -- a messenger arrived from Otherworld warning them about male versions of Tala. Of Naraku's sons!

When Shido heard the messenger, he tore apart his office in rage. Not again! Naraku was in his grave and still the demon managed to torment his family! Then he got control of himself and searched through his wrecked office for keys to a very special door, found them, and then went to his son. Bundling the boy up in his bedding, he carried Shilo to a hidden door in his bedroom. Breal was there waiting for him.

"I am going with you. Chaal was my brother." His voice was grim.

Shido nodded and together they went through the door. On the other side was a small portal; created by Bakura years ago so that Shido could go to Otherworld instantly. The three Blood Demons went through the portal to see the Princess and to ask for her help once again.