Phoenix and Pegasus 2

Chapter 3

A/N Thank you to those who left a comment on the last chapter with a guess as to who Kitsune is.  I wanted to let you know I read all of them, but didn't want to reply because I was afraid I'd give something away.  I promise to reply to your comments for this chapter.  I'm always eternally grateful for all your support.  xoxo -JJ

~X~

Upon entering the living room, Xiao Zhan could hear the low mumble of A-Feng talking on the phone in the hallway. His eyes scanned the large room until he saw Yibo's lithe figure standing by the window, staring out into the darkness. The dancer had showered and was now dressed in a comfortable pair of sweats and a t-shirt. Xiao Zhan approached him from behind and wrapped his arms around him, feeling the younger man tense before relaxing into him. He gave him a gentle kiss on the nape of his neck and turned him around. Once again Xiao Zhan observed how young and vulnerable Yibo looked without makeup on.

"Bo'er, you must be tired," Xiao Zhan said, cupping the side of his face.

Yibo shook his head and moved out of Xiao Zhan's arms to take a seat in the corner of one of the cream coloured couches. "I'm fine," he muttered.

Xiao Zhan frowned and took a half step towards him in concern before stopping himself. Over the past few months he had learnt that Yibo needed his space at times, especially when he was lost deep in his own thoughts. He knew the younger was reacting to the events of today and needed time to process what had happened. He couldn't blame him when he himself was having difficulty with it all. Yibo would come back to him when he was ready.

"Laoban," A-Feng greeted Xiao Zhan.

"What did you find out?" he asked, taking a seat across from Yibo on the matching couch.

"Kitsune's name is Zhu Zanjin and he was a dancer before he changed occupations," A-Feng reported. "He had extensive training from when he was very young."

"When did he change occupations?"

"Two years before the Dictator came into power."

Xiao narrowed his eyes in thought, replaying the moment when the enforcer shot Lyria. "He works for Li Wuwen?"

"Yes," A-Feng said, not surprised that his boss had figured it out without him mentioning it. "His media editor."

"Fuck," Xiao Zhan sighed closing his eyes and massaging his temples. Part of Li Wuwen's rise to power could be attributed to how good he was at manipulating the media. The media campaign was spectacular; perfect in the way it was launched and executed. Xiao Zhan cursed again – the mastermind behind the campaign was now his performer. "He didn't flinch when they shot Lyria. They had this planned from the start."

"So he's here to spy?" Yibo's deep voice held a slight tremor in it causing Xiao Zhan to glance up anxiously. The dancer however wasn't looking at him, but had his eyes glued to A-Feng.

A-Feng nodded once.

"He will report everything back to the Dictator?" Yibo asked, still staring at A-Feng.

The bodyguard glanced once at Xiao Zhan before answering. His gaze was one of sympathy when he nodded again slowly.

Xiao Zhan knew what Yibo was thinking because it weighed heavily on his mind as well. Now that it was confirmed that Kitsune was a spy, he would need to have a Patron-Performer relationship with Kitsune. "Bo'er..."

Yibo turned his face towards Xiao Zhan, his eyes hard as stone.

No... "Bo'er," Xiao Zhan said again, fear running through him as he saw his lover dawning the visage of his alter ego.