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Learning to Love	By : Ikaru Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female > Sessh?maru/Kagome > Sessh?maru/Kagome Views: 22062 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.

Chapter List
- 30
- 31
- 32
Disclaimer: Me no own Inuyasha, me make no money either…T.T

Well here we are again and my muse is cooperating for the time being…and Merry Christmas everyone!!

This time we are following Ikaru on her adventures in the East. So without further delay…On with the Show!
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The horses moved through the forest with practiced ease at a gallop. Ikaru didn’t want to waste any time. The sooner she resolved the problems in the East the quicker she could return and finish handling the problems that she left in the West.

They had been traveling nonstop since dawn. Their horses hadn’t even broken a sweat yet. Ikaru patted the huge black stallion she was riding whispering compliments in his ear occasionally. By midday they were almost at the neutral part of the cardinal lands.

It was not long after they had passed the boundary that Ikaru had sensed something was amiss. Something in her gut was screaming at her something was very wrong. She held up her hand to stop and quickly dismounted. She stretched her senses over the area and quickly found the problem. Before her escort group could blink she was gone.

The energies she had sensed led her to believe a pup was in dire trouble. Normally she would let nature take its course, but the energy signatures had been so similar, and disturbingly familiar that she had to investigate. The sight she came upon had her blood running cold. A fox demon had transformed into his true state and had a fox kit cornered ready to finish him off. Something in Ikaru rose up and demanded that she save the kit, and she was hardly one to argue. In a movement too swift for many eyes to see she had unsheathed her sword and cut off the head of the giant fox and was crouching protectively in front of the kit. Turning to the kit she suddenly realized why his energies seemed so familiar. The blood red southern facing moon on his forehead gave away his lineage. She had just saved the youngest pup of the southern lord. Looking at the quickly cooling corps of his attacker she noticed the same moon hiding in his russet fur.

Something was terribly wrong in the south, but now was not the time to think about such things.

Turning her attention away from the carnage she had caused to focus on the kit that was white as a sheet and trembling terribly, he had also wet himself in his fear. Her heart hurt for the kit.

“Be at ease kit, I mean you no harm.” Ikaru said slowly reaching for him. In a flash he was attached to her hand biting it for all he was worth. His venom wasn’t even strong enough to turn her skin red, but she quickly adjusted her blood toxicity to be non-harmful to the kit. Pulling the kit to her she cradled him in her lap and ran her free hand through his bright red hair, slowly working out the leaves and sticks that had become stuck in his hair, all the while humming a soothing melody. Eventually the kits grip went slack as he passed out. Ikaru adjusted the kit and took off his soiled clothes throwing them into the blood pooled around the kits brother. She had cleaned him as best she could with his soiled clothing before wrapping her tail around him to protect him from the chill in the air. Before she left she sprayed the area with her poison melting all that it came into contact with. Leaving the area and masking her scent trail she quickly returned to her confused escort group.

“Milady it is highly unwise to rush off like that alone.” The elderly General scolded her. She brushed his warning off and began issuing orders.

“We will be making our first official stop at the hot spring about two hours from here. There is a stream where we can water the horses and gather the supplies we need for the trek up the mountain. I want everyone to be prepared for a snow storm just in case. Gather as much wood as your horses can carry, and it would be wise to send a hunting part out to gather fresh meat and to have plenty of water. I want you all to decide your groups now. We leave in two minutes.” Ikaru said and she swung herself up onto her black stallion.

“What is it you have there milady?” The General asked as he pulled up beside her. Ikaru hugged the boy hidden in her thick tail closer to her armored chest.

“I’ll explain later General.” Was all Ikaru said before she spurred her horse into action quickly being followed by the group.

Two hours passed and the smell of the nearby hot spring hung heavily on the air. The men quickly separated into their groups and started off to their tasks. Ikaru and the General headed toward the hot spring. When they reached the steaming waters Ikaru revealed her precious bundle to him.

“Do you know who this is General?” Ikaru asked simply as she began washing him and her tail where he had wet himself again during their trip.

“Looks as if he is a member of the southern lord’s family judging by that moon on his head.” The General said trying to figure out why his Princess was helping the kit.

“Exactly General. This boy is the youngest son of the southern lord. I found him about to be murdered by one of his brothers. Hand me that towel General…” She said as she pulled the now clean boy from the hot waters and wrapped him in the thick towel “…I believe things are far from sound in the south.”

“Milady?” Heero said emerging from the forests. Ikaru immediately became very defensive of the boy, only relaxing slightly when she realized who the intruder was.

“What are you doing here Heero?” She growled at him.

“My apologies milady. I stopped at a village about an hour back and picked this up for the boy you found earlier.” Heero said bowing low and handing the parcel to the General.

“While your forethought is appreciated you should not have left the group. I will forgive it this time but heed my words carefully Heero, do not let it happen again.” Ikaru said with deadly intent. Heero blanched before excusing himself to finish his duties.

“What is your take on him General?” Ikaru ask as she unwound the package the General had handed to her. It contained two simple childrens kimono. One heavy and thick for colder weather and one for warmer weather. Both were a deep shade of green. She grabbed the heavier of the two and set about winding a fundoshi around the boy, making sure to put a spell on it to keep him from wetting her again when he had another accident, before wrapping the kimono around him. The General remained quiet as he held the boy while Ikaru tied the obi. Once that was done Ikaru took the boy back and picked up their mess.

“I believe he will never be a strong solider on the battle field milady. He doesn’t have the body for it. His strength lies in his brain. Though I will compliment your lessons with the boy, his hand to hand skills have improved remarkably since you began to tutor him.” The General said frankly.

“My take exactly General, seems old age has not dulled your observation skills yet.” Ikaru smirked at him.

“Watch yourself pup or I’ll have to show you how much you still have to learn.” He smirked. He was one of the few able to get away with talking to her like that.

“As time is of the essence General I am afraid I will have to decline, however I would recommend you move before I douse you when I shake my tail out.” Ikaru smirked as the General jumped out of the way a second before a jaki surge forced the water from Ikaru’s tail in a mighty whoosh. Her tail now warm and dry once again cradled the kit as they finally returned to the clearing they had left the rest of the escort in. The horses were now loaded down with wood, water, five large deer and two wild hogs. Her own stallion didn’t seem too happy being treated like a pack mule. She walked over to him and mounted him in one swift motion, slipping the other set of clothes into her saddle bags.

“You may not like it now but you will appreciate having a warm fire on the mountainside tonight, so bear with it till then my beautiful boy.” She whispered before patting his neck. Thinking of the increasingly colder ride to come had Ikaru thinking her tail would not be sufficient to keep the boy warm on the trek up the mountain. Calling one of the guards over to her, she quickly took off her chest plate and loosened three of the seven layers of her shirts. The guard blushed a little, his mind obviously already far in the gutter. Ikaru rolled her eyes and ordered him off after she had settled the kit in the cradle her shirts had made. His face was all that was visible as his head rested on her chest. He had yet to wake up from the attack earlier. Ikaru was becoming slightly worried about him.

The loads the horses carried slowed them down a great deal, and as Ikaru feared a snow storm hit as soon as they reached the caves near the top of the mountain. Supplies were quickly divided and the group broke up into many of the small caves.

Ikaru and the General were sharing a cave as the storm got worse.

“I better go and check on the men.” The General said as he rose to leave.

“You may not be able to make it back here in this storm General.” Ikaru said in a matter of fact way.

“Then I’ll be bunking wherever I get stuck if I can’t make it back missy. You better be getting to sleep soon, tomorrow is going to be a long day.” The General smiled at her before walking out into the blizzard.

Ikaru cradled the kit to her. He was awake now but was in a kind of shock. Nothing seemed to get through to the boy. A noise outside the cave had Ikaru on edge. Suddenly Heero entered, his dark hair was covered almost completely in snow though he quickly shook off most of it.

“Milady I apologize, I was shoved out of the cave I was in and this was the first one I came to.” Heero said his teeth beginning to chatter a little.

“Never mind that now Heero come to the fire and warm yourself. There is enough room for you here for the moment. Should the General return you will probably be on the lookout for another cave though.” Ikaru smirked. Heero smiled and gratefully took a seat by the nice warm little fire on the opposite side of the cave from the Princess.

Ikaru raised her head a little while later looking toward the entrance. “The storm is getting worse.” Was all she said, by this point it was obvious the General wasn’t going to be making it back to the cave. Ikaru decided to try one last time to feed the kit.

“Heero come take the kit from me.” Ikaru said handing her precious bundle to the man in front of her. She grabbed the skin containing the deer blood and knelt before Heero. Ikaru grabbed the boy’s nose and stuck the opening near his mouth. When the kit opened his mouth to take a breath she shoved the opening into his mouth and forced him to drink. She only stopped when he started to finally whimper. The first sign of emotion he had shown all day.

Ikaru took him back and cradled him, licking his face free of the remaining blood and then resting him on her chest where the steady beat of her heart, and the soothing melody she hummed soon had the pup heading back into the world of dreams.

“What is your name?” She whispered to the kit just before he slipped totally into his dreams.

“Shi….Shippo…” His weak little voice whispered.

“Sleep now little one, have no fears this night, I will protect you.” Ikaru whispered comfortingly. Little Shippo nodded before finally fully succumbing to sleep.

“Milady I notice you don’t have enough wood here to last the night.” Heero said looking at the small pile remaining in the corner.

“I am not as vulnerable to the cold as you Heero. Being born a wolf demon has its advantages.” Ikaru smirked as she wrapped her thick tail around the kit.

“May I sit beside you milady, I am afraid I am not as immune to the cold as you.” Heero said his teeth beginning to chatter.

“Come I cannot afford for you to get sick.” Ikaru said motioning to the space beside her. Heero quickly took the offered seat, but kept a respectable distance. He immediately felt the warmth that radiated from her. Her jaki was filling the cave making its temperature much warmer than it had been a few minutes before as the fire ate the last of the logs they had fed it, leaving a small pile in the corner to warm their meal with in the morning.

Ikaru was sitting against the wall with her eyes closed. Heero sat huddled beside her, occasionally sneaking a glance her way. The kit Shippo stayed curled into her chest, clutching her shirt like a lifeline.

“Milady, it is not wise for you to sleep in such a position.” Heero nearly jumped when one of her eyes opened and seemed to glow in the darkness.

“Who said I was sleeping?” She nearly chuckled.

“I am sorry milady, I just thought…” Heero stumbled over his own tongue, blushing he looked away from the Princesses eerily glowing eye.

Ikaru suddenly got up and went to lay down on her bedroll. She situated the kit and used her knapsack as a pillow. Heero looked on confused.

“You must want to sleep Heero. Come I will keep watch tonight.” Ikaru said motioning to the spot beside her. Heero nodded reluctantly and rolled out his bedroll beside hers. His spot was closer to the hot coals left by the fire. Heero laid with his back to Ikaru. He jumped when the Princesses thick tail suddenly went and covered him as well, its long length winding back and forth to cover them like a blanket. It was long enough to cover most of them leaving only their booted feet uncovered. Heero quickly made his own tail long enough to cover their feet.

The kits even breathing, and the occasional crack of the hot coals were the only noises to be heard in the cave. Heero thought sleep would never some to him. Just thinking about the woman lying so quietly behind him was enough to keep his mind in a whirl. Before long though, the day’s events finally caught up with him and finally his eyes became too heavy to keep open any longer.

The next morning found Heero to be quite comfortable. Something warm was snuggled up to him, not fully awake yet he pulled the nice smelling warm body closer to him. A small sigh had his eyes shooting open.

There in his arms was the Princess completely oblivious to the world, the kit still fast asleep snuggled between them. Before the Princess could wake up he managed to move away from her and resume the position he had fallen asleep in the night before. He had no idea how he had ended up in that position, but he would keep it a secret if he was able to. The Princess had enough bad rumors flying around about her; he would not be one to add to them. However, he would hold the image of her peacefully sleeping face close to his heart for the rest of his days. He pretended sleep when he noticed the Princess was beginning to awaken.

Ikaru had just had the best night of sleep she could remember in heaven knows how long. She had intended to stay up the entire night, but as soon as she got warm her eyelids became heavy. Deciding to just have a short nap she threw a barrier up at the entrance of the cave and a warning spell in case Heero tried anything during the night before cuddling the kit close to her and letting sleep claim her. She was surprised to find night had given way to day and that Heero appeared to have not moved the entire night. She was beginning to think she had seriously misjudged his character. Hearing his heartbeat increase, she watched him shift and stretch.

“Good morning milady, did you manage to get any sleep last night?” Heero asked, shortening his tail as he stoked the embers back to life and added the last of the firewood to them. It quickly came back to life and crackled merrily.

“I did manage to get a little rest last night.” She fibbed as she sat beside the fire rousing the kit and trying to coax him into eating again. Obviously remembering the night before, Shippo drank the blood willingly until he couldn’t drink anymore. He sat curled in the cradle her shirts made and continued to clutch her inner shirts. Ikaru nuzzled him and continued her soothing growl until Heero handed her some warmed rice porridge. She offered some to Shippo but he refused. Deciding not to push the issue yet she ate her portion and downed the rest of the blood Shippo couldn’t drink.

“We should be to the Eastern palace by the end of the day.” Ikaru said as she rose and began to gather her things back together.

“Yes milady, I am looking forward to it, I have never had the chance to see the Eastern palace, are you looking forward to the visit?” Heero asked, knowing he had made a mistake when a cold mask had covered the Princess’s face.

“That place holds nothing but bad memories for me.” She said coldly as she made to exit the cave. Her tail shortened enough to cradle and warm Shippo but not drag the ground. A burst of jaki and any trace of Heero’s scent was burned from her body as she left the cave.

Heero sighed as he hit his head for his own foolishness. The Princess’s tale was a well know story to all in the western castle. He had spoken without thinking and unintentionally hurt her. Maybe before this trip was up he might be able to apologize to her.

He too burned her scent from his person before exiting the cave. The party was just finishing packing to leave. He hurried to his horse and finished tying everything down.

They got a slightly later start than Ikaru wanted, but it was unavoidable with the amounts of snow the storm had dropped. Some of the men had had to be dug out of their caves before they were able to start their trek for the day. Going down the mountain was a lot easier than trying to climb it, as the temperatures warmed many of the men shed their heavy cloaks. At the bottom of the mountain the excess wood was left hidden for the return trip and the horses were spurred on to make up for lost time.

The East was already showing its fall colors. As they sped thought the forest the leaves rained down peppering the speeding group in shades of orange, red and yellow. To make up for lost time they skipped the midday meal, only snacking on dried fruits and meat while they urged their horses onward. They stopped for an early evening meal to water the horses and stretch their tired muscles. The kit had refused to eat all day, but by the time they stopped his stomach was letting the whole group know just how hungry he really was. He had varied between crying quietly and just sniffling into Ikaru’s chest most of the day, but he had yet to say a word about what happened, and no one had the heart to push him to it yet.

She managed without much difficulty to get him to eat some of the venison they had cooked, cutting little slivers off her portion and hand feeding him. When he was finally full she ate the rest and continued to cradle him. The rest of the group was a little unsettled at seeing their Princess act so out of character coddling the kit so. She was being viciously protective of him as well, growling whenever anyone but the General got near her.

“You know milady we will have to have his story eventually, the sooner the better.” The General said as he approached her.

“When we get to the palace is soon enough General. Forcing a child to talk when they are not ready is never the answer, and more often than not causes them to close themselves off more.” Ikaru said running her fingers gently through his hair, his death grip on her shirt rarely lessened. When she had to use the bushes she had tried to hand him off to the General but Shippo had pitched a fit and fought to stay in the safety he felt in her arms. The only other one he had marginally calmed enough to stay with was Heero, though he had been the last to try, and the moment she had returned Shippo had practically flown back into her embrace. She thought it would have been cute if it hadn’t been for the circumstances that brought her to him.

As soon as the meal had been cleaned up, Ikaru felt the need to make one last stop before they left the area.

“Heero come here.” Ikaru called. He quickly made his way over to her. She handed the sleeping kit over to him and made off for the woods, this time however she wasn’t going to relieve herself. She was going to visit a grave.

When she had made her escape all those years ago from the East this was where many of the soldiers escorting her had lost their lives. A simple rock marked the spot, worn with age and covered in moss. She knelt before it and sent her prayers of thanks to the souls of those brave men that had died to make sure that she would live. Her heart felt heavy with the guilt she carried over their deaths. Another of her gifts was to see the recently deceased before they crossed over. She had seen the spirits of these men and all had wished her a happy life. She had done her best, but she could not find the happiness they had wished for her. Her life and memories would not permit such a thing at the moment. Sighing she rose from the grave and returned to the group. Shippo had woken up and was looking quite desperate. He jumped into her arms when she was close enough, then whispered in her ear he had to go to use the bushes.

“Well little one you should have asked Heero to take you while I was gone.” She laughed when he fidgeted thinking she wasn’t going to let him go. She shook her head and motioned for Heero and quickly explained what needed to be done. Heero smiled at the boy who reluctantly jumped into his arms and walked off into the woods.

Little Shippo disappeared into a bush and a few seconds later a content sigh escaped him.

“You should not worry milady so little one.” Heero scolded him gently when he emerged from the bush. Shippo hung his head.

“I’m sorry; I don’t want to worry her.” Shippo said in a small voice.

“Then don’t pretend not to be hungry when you are. I am certain it will make milady happy if you ate your meals on your own, and got back the appetite a boy your age should have.” Heero smiled at the boy.

“I haven’t been really hungry lately.” Shippo admitted looking very sad.

“That is understandable considering what you went through, but you should try for her.” Heero said ruffling the boys’ hair gently before picking him up. “Tell me little one why do you seem to trust me and none of the others?” Heero asked trying to take advantage of his talkative mood.

“You don’t smell like you don’t like her. The old man smells like he likes her, but he smells nasty, like tobacco and I don’t like tobacco.” Shippo said wrinkling his nose.

“What do you mean by the others don’t like her?” Heero asked. He understood about the General, he did often smell strongly of some wicked smelling tobacco.

“When she was trying to give me to them they smiled at her but they smelled upset. You seemed happy.” Shippo said looking up at him, curiosity shining in his emerald green eyes.

“Ah now I understand. The others think themselves important because they are always assigned to protect her when she makes these trips. They have gotten big heads and think that small orders like watching you are beneath them. I believe it is my duty to do whatever I can to help the Princess.” Heero smiled at the Shippo, who gave a small smile back as he relaxed a little in Heero’s arms.

“I like her she is strong and nice, but she seems sad.” Shippo said with a frown.

“There are few stronger, and fewer who would call her nice. We are heading to her homeland and it carries many sad memories for her. You should tell her what happened to you. She is the ruler of the Eastern lands and could help you.” Heero said with gentile urging.

“I’ll think about it.” He said as they reentered the clearing. He immediately jumped into Ikaru’s arms and cuddled into her shirts. She just chuckled at him as she mounted her horse and signaled that they were heading out.

It was dusk by the time the gates of the Eastern palace came into view. Shippo peeked out from his place in Ikaru’s shirts and watched as the gates remained closed before them. He jumped when Ikaru let loose a long loud howl that nearly deafened him. Slowly the old gates creaked open enough for the group to make their way through. Things were quiet in the courtyard. It wasn’t until they had almost reached the palaces doors that the residence started making themselves known. Ikaru dismounted almost immediately, making sure to cover Shippos ear this time before letting loose a howl of challenge.

On occasion when she had first begun making the necessary trips to the East there had been those who questioned her right to rule. She had quickly shown them the error of their ways, and ever since she always announced a challenge upon her arrival. This time there were no takers.

Once things were quiet again, three little children rushed from the gathering crowd and plowed into Ikaru’s stomach knocking her to the ground, Shippo had jumped out of her shirts and landed on her head before he was crushed by the over eager pups.

“Omph!! Koga, Ginta, Hakaku! It is good to see you three are as healthy as ever.” Ikaru said with a laugh as she hugged the excited pups. Koga was a few months older than Inuyasha, with jet black hair and piercing sky blue eyes. Ginta and Hakaku were brothers born in the same littler and were born about the same time as Inuyasha. Both boys had grey hair, but Ginta had a black tuft in the front of his hair, and both had brown eyes. All the boys were wearing outfits made of brown furs.

“Nee-san we’re glad your back!” Ginta and Hakaku said together.

“Nee-san you were gone too long this time, what kept you from coming!” Koga said with a frown. Ikaru laughed and ruffled his long black hair.

“Things were busy in the west Koga, I have many responsibilities there too you know.” Ikaru said gently as the pup ‘humphed’ and then cuddled into her open arms quickly followed by Ginta and Hakaku. Ikaru somehow managed to get back to her feet by herself and started walking into the palace with three excited pups chattering about their adventures since her last visit and one silent kit maintaining his place on her head.

“The Princess has a soft spot for the young ones, and they adore her, she always takes her first evening and spends it with them.” The General explained to a confused looking Heero.

“Who’s children are they?” Heero asked as he unloaded his horse.

“Who knows, probably some servants children. Things work differently here than they do in the west.” One of the other guards shrugged it off.

In the castle Ikaru was introducing Shippo to the other three boys.

“I am surprised that none of you have asked about the kit in my hair.” Ikaru chuckled as three sets of eyes focused on the kit trying desperately to hide in her hair.

“Who is he?” They all asked at once.

“His name is Shippo, and he is the youngest son of the southern lord.” Ikaru said feeling Shippo stiffen on her neck.

“Why is he here with you then?” Koga asked.

“I found him in the forest and saved him from being attacked by another demon. I am going to watch over him until we find out why he was all alone.” Ikaru said purposefully omitting some of the story. Shippo relaxed a little until Koga crawled up to look him in the face.

“You should tell nee-san why you were out there alone. She’s really strong I’m sure she would be able to help you.” Koga smiled kindly at the scared kit. “Common guys nee-san has a lot of work to do if she is gonna help the little guy. Is there anything we can do nee-san?”

“I want you three to go get my best scouts and spies and have them meet me in my office in one hour prepared to leave.” She smirked at the children. They all gave her one last hug before jumping from her arms and saluting before running off to gather their parents.

Ikaru plucked Shippo from his hiding spot on her neck and cradled him again.

“You should not be afraid of them; they are energetic but good boys at heart.” Ikaru said as Shippo cuddled into her embrace as she entered her study. She sat behind her desk and sat Shippo on the desk in front of her. “Now little one I think it is time you tell me your story.”

Shippo fidgeted for a little while, Ikaru sat patiently as the kit ordered his thoughts.

“My parents are dead.” He started. He expected Ikaru to interrupt him but she simply sat and waited patiently. “My oldest brother has been wanting to rule for a really long time now, but my father never let him. He never trusted him; my oldest brother wasn’t stable in his mind my father said one time. He also wanted my oldest sister for his mate. She and my father refused. He got really mad but left it for a while, almost everyone forgot. That was when my brother attacked my father and killed him, my mother came in shortly after my brother had killed him and he killed her too. My sister came in and my brother took her and claimed her. I was hiding in my father’s closet in his study, I had been playing hide and seek with my oldest sister before it all happened. My brother ordered the assassins he had hired to kill my other brothers and sisters. My second oldest brother was in on it, he was the one you killed in the forest. I escaped when they left the room and he came after me. That is where you found me.” Shippo said shaking and beginning to cry. Ikaru took him into a tight embrace and let him cry.

“We will get your parents bodies so you can send them off properly Shippo you have my promise, your brothers and sisters too if we can manage it. One day we will rescue your oldest sister as well, until then you will have to pray she remains strong enough to survive.” Ikaru said.

“How can we stop him?” Shippo sniffled, looking up at her with glassy eyes.

“I can do nothing without proof, and though your brother may not be completely sane he is smart enough to cover his tracks. The only way to beat him is for you to grow up and defeat him in a leadership battle.” Ikaru said seriously.

“But how am I going to do that, all of my family is gone.” Shippo said sniffling again, silent tears were beginning to run down his face.

“I have taken you under my protection. If you will allow me I will let you stay with me and I will train you until you are strong enough to beat your brother. Or I will find somewhere safe for you to train yourself until you are old enough to come back and defeat him.” Ikaru said.

Shippo sat in her arms and thought about it for a little while. “You’ll really let me stay with you?”

“So I have promised, I can take you as my ward and protect you from your brother until you can take him on yourself.” She smiled at him.

“I would rather stay with you.” He said in a small voice hiding his face in her chest.

“So be it then, from today onward I vow you will have my protection.” Ikaru said running her hand through his dirty red hair. They both were still covered in the dust and dirt from their travels.

A few minutes later Shippo was asleep once again and Ikaru’s spies were entering her study. They all lined up and bowed before her.

“There has been a coup in the south. The eldest of the southern lords’ sons has assassinated his entire family and taken his sister as his intended. I need accurate reports on the condition of the southern family and the retrieval of as many of the bodies as possible. It is quite possible this kit is the last in line for the southern throne.” Ikaru said in a calm and deadly tone.

“Milady should we take any action to retrieve the sister?” the one that was obviously Koga’s father said.

“I would like to say yes Koishiro, but I fear that would only cause undo trouble. The only positive thing is that he cannot truly mate her unless she is willing.” Ikaru said knowing the nightmare the poor girl was probably already going through. “Gather what information you can and report back as quickly as possible, and do not let them know you were there.”

They all bowed and disappeared. Ikaru sighed. The night was already well upon them, it would be time for the evening meal shortly. Rousing Shippo they left to wash up a little before meeting the rest of the group for dinner.

That night in her chambers Koga, Ginta and Hakaku crashed in her sitting room continuing with their stories and trying to make friends with Shippo. Shippo still wasn’t quite ready to trust them. When the boys started to yawn Ikaru announced it was time for bed, surprisingly the pups didn’t argue with her. Instead they turned her into their personal pillow, each boy brought their blankets, found a spot, and fell asleep clinging to her. The three pups took over her legs, and Shippo snuggled into her side. Smiling at the four of them she picked up her documents for the meeting she would have to attend in the morning. She had been right, it was a silly land dispute, one that flared up every decade or so. She rubbed her temple trying to ease the headache forming there. Last time things had flared up it had been a nightmare trying to negotiate things peacefully with them, she could already hear their annoying voices ringing in her head. A knock at her doors pulled her from her brooding thoughts. She called out a quiet ‘enter.’

Heero quietly entered a moment later. He was shocked at the heartwarming scene before him. All of the pups had serene expressions on their faces as they used the Princess for a pillow. Even Shippo for the moment seemed to have forgotten his sorrows and looked at peace. Ikaru motioned him over. He took the seat in front of her and waited for her to finish reading her documents.

“You will have to forgive me for not rising to talk to you, but as you can see I have been attacked and am currently being held hostage.” Ikaru and Heero chuckled as she adjusted some of the blankets over the boys.

“These pups seem very attached to you milady.” Heero smiled.

“I have been there for all of their births, and even was given the honor of naming them. They are part of my pack, my little brothers if you will.” Ikaru explained.

“I see, if I may milady may I ask why you called me in here this evening?” Heero asked, while he was enjoying the idle banter he was essentially alone in an unmated rulers room. To say it was a little uncomfortable was an understatement.

“Ah yes. It is about Shippo. I will have to leave in the morning to settle a territorial dispute and there is no way I can take him with me. As you are the only one, other than myself he seems to be at ease around I would like you to watch over him in my absence.” Ikaru said.

“So you wish me to be a nursemaid?” Heero asked slightly confused.

“Not quite, though it may seem like it to others. I have given the boy my protection, but events are putting me in a position where I will be unable to fulfill that promise personally for a short time. My maids can take care of his essential needs, what I need for him is a temporary guardian.” Ikaru said.

“I see. It will be an honor to protect him for you. I give you my word I will protect him as if he were one of my own.” Heero said bowing to the floor.

“I would expect nothing less. To help you in your task you will be given a separate room to share with him.” Ikaru said.

“Milady are you sure the kit will be alright with this arrangement. He has clung to you for emotional support since the incident that brought him to you. Will he not see this as a kind of abandonment?” He did not care to guard the boy, but he was uncertain how willing his charge would be to accept a new guardian.

“I will explain it to him in the morning; I do not intend to steal off in the middle of the night.” Ikaru said running her hand through Shippo’s hair.

“I see; I hope he takes it as well as you hope. Milady how do you intend to sleep, you will not be very comfortable as you are now.” Heero said looking at the way she was propped against the couch.

“I will rest; I never truly sleep when I am here Heero.” Ikaru explained, intending to fib a little as she was going to try sleeping this one night to get reading for the shouting match she would have to listen to in the morning. She grabbed her sleeping potion from her pack and upended the vile liquid.

“What is that milady?” Heero asked as she stored the vile back in her pack.

“Nothing just a tonic to help me relax and get some rest.” Ikaru said the half-truth with ease.

“You never took anything like that in the cave.” Heero said it more like a statement than a question, but the Princess answered anyway.

“I did not intend to rest in the cave.” She said with a shrug of her shoulders, though her mind had begun working overtime thinking about the implications.

“I see, well I will send a prayer to the gods it works milady. Rest well; I will be there to collect the kit when you are ready to leave in the morning.” Heero bowed again before leaving Ikaru alone to her thoughts.

Ikaru pondered the reason for her restful sleep in the cave for a while before returning to her documents. Eventually she too fell into a light sleep.

The next morning Ikaru sent Koga and the others off to bathe and begin the day while she took Shippo into her personal baths to get cleaned up. While they were soaking in the baths Ikaru decided it was time to tell Shippo she was going to go on a trip.

“Shippo I am going to have to leave to settle the land dispute after we break our fast.” Shippo stopped swimming in the large spring to look at her with frightened eyes. Ikaru sighed and tightened her towel around herself before grabbing Shippo and holding him in a comforting hug.

“I thought you weren’t going to leave me.” Shippo said in a small voice.

“If I had a choice I would stay with you and protect you personally, but my position prevents me from doing that. I will not leave you unprotected Shippo; you will be staying with Heero while I am away. Koga and the others have taken a liking to you as well, and Koga is very protective of his friends.” Ikaru said in a comforting way.

“You’ll come back quickly?” Shippo said looking at her with pleading eyes.

“I will be back as soon as I can beat it into those stubborn lords’ heads where their boundaries are.” Ikaru smiled as Shippo cuddled into her arms.

An hour later Ikaru was mounting her horse to leave. Shippo had been a little resistant when she handed him over to Heero, but did as he was told.

“Remember Heero he is your charge while I am gone, if anything happens to him it will be your head.” She said smirking as Heero paled slightly while nodding. She kneeled down to Koga and the others who were sniffling a little. “I’ll be back in a few days; I want you three to help Heero take care of Shippo for me.” All three boys perked up at that.

“You can count on us nee-san!” Koga said wiping his nose and standing as tall as his young body would allow. Ginta and Hakaku quickly followed Koga’s example. Ikaru smiled and gave them one last hug before getting up to leave. As she walked by Shippo she stopped and placed a quick kiss on his forehead. He blushed and hid his face in Heero’s shirt.

She quickly mounted her horse and rode out of the gates with her wolf guards following closely behind.

Koga and the others had done wonders at keeping Shippo busy through the day, Heero really only had to keep an eye on them as they played their games and watched as Shippo slowly opened up a little. After the evening meal Shippo was beginning to yawn. Heero picked him up and headed to the private room the Princess had had prepared for him.

“You have had a busy day little one.” Heero said as Shippo fought another yawn.

“When will she be back?” Shippo said jumping from Heero’s arms to look out the window his fluffy tail swishing slowly as he looked outside.

“I don’t know little one, but she made you a promise didn’t she?” At Shippo’s nod he went on. “Then she will keep it, I know why don’t I tell you a story?” Shippo looked at him curiously before nodding and sitting beside him on the floor.

“I will tell you the story of a poor Princess who lost everything…” Heero started the Princess’s tale; it was a well-known bedtime story in the west that had several lessons within it. He wondered if Shippo would pick up on who the Princess was. It took almost an hour to finish the tale; Shippo sat listening with a curious expression.

“The Princess is just like me.” He said looking thoughtful.

“Yes she went through many of the same hardships you have and will go through.” Heero said. “Does she remind you of anyone?”

“No, do you know who she is?” Shippo asked.

“Yes I do. The Princess is the very same one who saved you and has given you her protection.” Heero smiled as Shippo’s eyes went wide.

“She went through all of that?” Shippo said with a sad look. He had no idea the strong woman who had saved him had been through so much pain and suffering. “That explains why she had bad dreams last night.” Shippo said suddenly.

“What do you mean Shippo?” Heero asked confused. Shippo fidgeted a little not knowing if it was his place to tell or not. He looked up into Heero’s concerned gaze and decided to trust him.

“I woke up last night and she was asleep, but she was whimpering a little and her face looked pained. She was having a nightmare I think.” Shippo said looking sad.

“That is not too surprising Shippo, this place holds many sad memories for her.” Heero said picking Shippo up and holding him.

“Even though this place makes her sad she still fights to protect it. She must be really strong.” Shippo said looking at his savior in a new light.

“To rule one must be strong of not only body but mind. The Princess is both.” Heero said. Shippo looked up at him with a serious expression.

“I wanna be just like her when I grow up.” He said nodding. Heero smiled and ruffled his hair.

“With her as your tutor you can be just that, but you will have to work hard.” Heero said and Shippo nodded firmly and looked very determined. “Now come it is time for a bath before we go to bed.”

When they got back there were three freshly bathed wolf pups waiting outside Heero’s door with blankets and pillows stuffed under their arms.

“I suppose it is to be a sleep over then?” Heero laughed as the boys nodded and smiled at him. “Well come on then.” They all piled into the small room. Heero relinquished the bed to the boys. Koga and the others put Shippo in the middle of them and Heero tucked them all in.

“Your new, nee-san has never brought you here before, why don’t you tell us a story?” Koga asked Heero excitedly. Shippo looked toward Heero with a look that said he expected another sad story.

“Very well if you will all promise to go to sleep right after.” Heero said and four heads nodded in agreement. “Alright have you ever heard the story of how the prince of frogs tricked a beautiful kitsune Princess into becoming his mate?” The all shook their heads so Heero proceeded to tell them the demon version of the ‘Frog Prince.’ Before he was even done with the story all but Shippo had fallen asleep.

“You’re good at telling stories.” Shippo said sleepily.

“I’ve had a lot of practice with my younger sibling.” Heero smiled from his chair at the window. “Go to sleep now little one so you will have the energy to play in the morning.”

Two more days passed in much the same fashion, Shippo was slowly getting his appetite back, but in the evening he would get a bit depressed while bathing before bed. Heero would tell the boys stories before they went to sleep and stay awake reading while they slept. It was during the morning of the fourth day that howls rang through the castle announcing the return of the Princess. All four pups ran from Heero to greet her, he rushed to keep up with them. By the time he reached the doors he saw Shippo launch himself at Ikaru with Koga, Ginta and Hakaku attaching themselves to her legs. She laughed as she somehow managed to walk inside the castle.

When she was in her rooms the pups all let go of her and started telling her about the days she was gone. She smiled at them as she started unpacking. An hour later she shooed the three wolf pups out to get ready for the evening meal and proceeded to her baths taking Shippo with her.

“Were you treated well while I was gone?” She asked as she washed the road grime from herself.

“Yes Heero was really nice to me, Koga and the others stayed with me every night as well so I wasn’t lonely. He told us stories before bed each night; he’s really good at telling stories. He even told me your story.” He paused when Ikaru stopped what she was doing to look at him.

“I sometimes forget that tale is not a popular story outside the West and East. What did you think of my story?” Ikaru asked carefully.

“It is a lot like mine. I didn’t know you knew what I was going through, I didn’t want to talk about it because I didn’t think you would understand, or worse you would reject me for not being strong enough.” Shippo sniffled. Ikaru moved over to where he was sitting on the side of the baths and splash him, after he was done sputtering she spoke to him sternly.

“Never…and I do mean never say something like that again. I understand your situation better than you think. You are still a pup; you haven’t even grown into your ears yet. Any adult would be a fool to expect a child to try to take on an adult and win. I wouldn’t reject you over something so foolish. I promised you my protection, and you will have it until you no longer need it. Never feel it is an inconvenience to come to me with your worries.” Ikaru said rubbing his soggy hair and tweaking his twitching ears. He smiled at her and the two finished bathing then left for the evening meal.

Ikaru’s room was the scene of another sleep over as all four boys had taken position around her, but this time she had thought ahead and had moved it to her bed.

“Nee-san you look tired were the lords that hard to deal with.” Ginta asked.

“They were quite stubborn as usual, but I finally convinced them that the boundary was fine where it was.” Ikaru smiled at the curious pups.

“How did you convince them?” Shippo asked surprising the group. Ikaru smiled at him for his boldness.

“After two days of their bickering I had had enough. I told them if they were that unhappy with their lands I would be more than happy to relieve them of the trouble. It was truly amazing how quickly they came to the conclusion that they were perfectly happy with what they had. They apologized for the trouble they caused and I left. That was the gist of my trip.” The pups looked at her amazed. After that she announced it was time for them to sleep, she took her potion and curled under her covers surrounded by the pups.

It was in the middle of the night that a quiet knock woke Ikaru. She managed to slip out from under her covers without waking the pups and went to answer the door. A maid was waiting with news that the scouts had finally returned.

“Go to Heero’s room and bring him here immediately, if you need to throw a bucket of water over his head.” Ikaru whispered to the maid as she hurried away. Ikaru quickly pulled on a robe a patted down her hair.

The maid was trying unsuccessfully to wake Heero. He really slept like the dead. Instead of a bucket the maid took pity on the poor bed and only threw a cup of water at Heero’s face. He immediately sat up sputtering and growling, the maid had retreated to a corner to wait for him to calm down a moment.

“Forgive me sir, but milady requested your presence in her chambers immediately.” The maid said when some of the red had seeped from Heero’s eyes. She handed him a towel then hurried from the room. Heero grumbled for a moment as he dried himself off before throwing on a robe and making his way to the Princess’s chambers. He didn’t even get the chance to knock before the door was flung open and Ikaru quickly ushered him inside.

“My spies have returned from the south. Stay here and protect the pups till I return.” Ikaru said before quickly leaving the room. Heero sighed and walked into the bedroom where all the pups were still sleeping peacefully. He took a seat on the sun seat by the window and basked in the moonlight while he waited for Ikaru’s return.

In her study Koishiro was kneeing on the floor when Ikaru entered.

“Report.” She ordered. Koishiro raised his head and began speaking in a subdued voice.

“It is as you thought milady. The coup decimated the southern family. Only the eldest who orchestrated the coup and his sister remain in the palace of the royal family. The sister is being pressured into a mating with her brother and is being violated regularly by him to try and produce an heir and force a mating. We managed to retrieve most of the bodies of the family, some we were unable to retrieve.” Koishiro stopped there to allow Ikaru to ask any questions.

“Who were the assassins?” She asked after a moment.

“The cannibal tribe.” Koishiro said in disgust; that was the reason some of the bodies were unable to be recovered.

“Their fate?” Ikaru asked after another moment.

“They were dealt with milady, not a sign was left behind. They will not be missed.” Koishiro said with a wicked smile.

“The bodies?” Ikaru turned from the window she had been facing.

“They are currently being cleaned and prepared for final rights.” Koishiro said bowing his head.

“Have the pyres set up in the courtyard, at dusk we will give them a proper sending. Have an extra one set up for the bodies we were unable to retrieve. Then bathe and get some rest, you have done well my friend.” Ikaru patted Koishiro on his shoulder.

“Milady has my son given you too many troubles?” Koishiro always worried that his son was a little too clingy to the Lady of the East.

“On the contrary, he has been very helpful in keeping my new ward busy while you gathered this information about his homeland. They have become friends from what I can tell. They are currently piled on my bed fast asleep.” Ikaru smiled at her old friend.

“I apologize milady I’ll retrieve him immediately.” Koishiro said as he rose to leave.

“Leave him be Koishiro. When they spend the nights with me it makes it more bearable to sleep here.” Ikaru said with a sigh.

“The nightmares still plague you milady?” Koishiro asked in concern.

“Yes they do, nothing seems to keep them at bay. I dare not stop taking my potion for fear that the nightmares will only worsen.” Ikaru sighed again.

“Milady all those years ago was not your fault; there was nothing you could have done. You barely made it out alive yourself.” Koishiro scolded gently.

“Try telling my heart that.” Ikaru said as she dismissed him and returned to her rooms. Heero was sitting in her window seat keeping silent vigil over his sleeping charges. When she entered the room he stood and approached her. She motioned for them to move into the sitting room.

“It is as I suspected that kit is the only one to survive the massacre of his family.” Ikaru said when they had pulled the door to the bedroom closed.

“I see.” Was all Heero said. The Princess looked at the closed door with sad eyes.

“I apologize for waking you so abruptly. There will be funeral services this evening for the southern family; you should try getting some more sleep before then.” Ikaru said with a sigh trying to figure out how to break it to the kit that he was the only one to survive his family’s massacre.

“That may be difficult milady as the maid that woke me up splashed water in my face and soaked my bed.” Heero chuckled. Ikaru looked at him wide eyed then started laughing.

“I thought you looked a little damp when you came in here earlier, I am sorry I did not expect the maid to actually go through with it.” Ikaru said doubling over laughing. Heero blushed but was happy to lighten the Princess’s mood for a moment. “Tell you what Heero take the couch here, it is quite comfortable and you can get the rest you need to recover from watching the pups while I was gone.” Ikaru finally said when her laughing fit subsided.

“I could not milady it would be highly inappropriate.” Heero tried desperately to refuse but Ikaru would have none of it.

“Do not make me order you Heero.” She sobered instantly. Heero gulped and nodded sitting on the couch. The Princess smirked then disappeared for a moment only to return with a blanket that she handed to him before wishing him good night and reentering her bedchambers. There was a resounding click of the lock sliding into place. That made Heero feel a little bit better. He didn’t think it would be possible for him to go back to sleep, but not long after laying down sleep quickly claimed him.

Ikaru managed to slide back in between the sleeping children without waking them but sleep eluded her for what seemed like forever. Finally exhaustion took her and the dreams haunted her.

Everyone was late to rise the next morning, by the time Ikaru woke up Heero was gone which was probably for the best. Now all she had to do was to break the bad news to Shippo. She let Koga, Ginta and Hakaku stay and bathe with her and Shippo.

“Shippo I have news of your family.” Ikaru said as the boys were splashing in the bath. They stopped almost immediately. Shippo looked scared and paled. Ikaru decided to just tell him directly. “I am afraid you are the only one other than your sister to have survived the attack.” He didn’t need to know about his sister’s condition at the moment.

Shippo floated silently for a few moments before silent tears started working their way down his cheeks. Ikaru immediately scooped him up and held him. The other boys not knowing what else to do gathered around him to offer their small amount of comfort.

“We managed to recover most of the bodies and they are being prepared for the funeral pyres as we speak. We will give them a proper sending here so you can say your farewells. The assassins responsible have already met their ends.” Ikaru continued, Shippo shuddered then began to cry harder as the news sunk deeper. Ikaru held him tighter and let him cry into her towel clad chest, the other boys started whimpering and crying for their friend. Eventually Shippo’s tears ran out, Ikaru washed his face and they all left the baths to get changed and headed to the preparation rooms.

Twenty eight bodies lay in the large room. The Lady of the South had been gifted with exceptional fertility, so twenty six of the bodies were Shippo’s brothers and sisters. He walked woodenly through the bodies giving the faces names, until he got to his parents.

“They look like they’re sleeping…” He choked up looking at them. With the bodies identified there was no more need for him to be there, Ikaru picked Shippo up and left the room. Shippo sat quietly staring out the window the rest of the day, as the sun began to set Ikaru came to get him.

“Forgive me Shippo; I do not know the ceremonies of the south for burials, so we will be using the Eastern traditions. It is time to say good bye and light the pyres to send their spirits off.” Ikaru said. Shippo nodded to her and slowly followed her outside. She had given him a new outfit that morning; it was black with silver foxes stitched into the sleeves. As they got outside everyone was wearing black, the pyres were lined up in a tidy row with the white clad bodies already resting atop the tightly packed wood. Shippo noticed there was an extra empty pyre and looked up to Ikaru confused.

“It is for the bodies we could not recover. There are special herbs to call the spirits here and help send them off.” Ikaru explained. When they reached the end of the line Koishiro was standing there with his son and a torch. “It is better if you light the pyres and send each soul away with a prayer.” She said handing the torch to Shippo. He nodded and walked up to the first pyre. He lit it and said his prayer the dry wood caught instantly flaring up and consuming the body. The scent of herbs filled the air; Shippo was surprised by the sweet scent but moved on repeating the process with each of the following bodies. He only paused when he reached his parents. Looking at their calm faces he wanted to break down and cry, but he sucked it up and lit the wood. Their bodies disappeared in the flames. He stood back and watched his parent’s body’s burn, sending a prayer with them.

Ikaru kneeled behind him patting his shoulder.

“There is no shame in showing your tears to them. Let their spirits see your sorrow, it lets them know you cared and gives them the peace they need to move on.” Ikaru said watching Shippo’s shoulders shake. Eventually his whimpers and tiny howls filled the evening. Ikaru looked up at the smoke above the Lord and Lady of the South. Slowly two forms took shape in the smoke. Ikaru was used to this; she had been seeing recently departed spirits for most of her life and the fact that these two had clung to their mortal shells for this long was no real surprise either. The spirits looked sad as they watched their little one call out to them.

“Please milady watch over our son.” The Lady of the South said.

“Your son has my protection, you have my word I will take care of him.” Ikaru said in her mind.

“I always felt guilty because I couldn’t spend the time with him as I did my other children. I was just so tired by the time Shippo came along.” Shippo’s mother’s spirit cried.

“He is a good boy, please milady keep him from his brother. He will not hesitate to kill the boy if he finds out he still lives.” Shippo’s fathers’ spirit said trying to comfort his lady.

“Shippo will come to no harm under my care; you have my word as Lady of the East and the Princess of the West.” Ikaru said bowing her head to the spirits. Shippo started talking then breaking up the conversation Ikaru was having with his parents.

“Mama was always tired by the time she could spend time with me, but I know she cared about me, she would hold me to her heart and I would fall asleep listening to the steady beating of it. Papa was always busy but he would take time out to spend time with me and read me stories at night.” Shippo said sniffling. “So you’re going to be like my mother now right?” Shippo ask innocently.

“I suppose I will be doing all the things a mother would do for you.” Ikaru said cocking her eyebrow at the kit.

“Do you think my mama would mind if I called you mama too?” Shippo looked at her with watery green eyes. Ikaru looked surprised for a few moments before looking at the spirits floating a few feet away.

“It would put us at ease and be a great honor if you could one day see him as your son milady.” Shippo’s father said holding his wife who nodded in agreement.

“If you feel at ease enough to call me that, then I would be honored to hold such a title.” Ikaru said hugging Shippo who clung to her like a lifeline.

“Your son will be safe; it is time for you to move on to the afterlife with the rest of your family.” Ikaru said to the spirits. They nodded and thanked her again. Ikaru let loose a howl that carried the spiritual forms away with the clouds of smoke.

They stayed by the fires until they were nothing but ash and soot, Shippo eventually fell asleep in Ikaru’s arms, tears still leaking down his cheeks. Ikaru gave the order to have the remains buried and left for her chambers where she and Shippo slept part of the day away. By evening Shippo was still very quiet, Ikaru had announced that they would be heading back to the west the following morning. Koga, Ginta, and Hakaku pitched a fuss that was quickly quieted by their parents.

The following morning the group was packing their horses for their trip when the three pups ran out and attached themselves to Ikaru.

“Don’t go nee-san!” Koga cried, quickly followed by similar pleas from the other two teary eyed pups. Ikaru smiled kindly at the pups and scooped them all into her arms for a hug; it was the same routine every time she left.

“Now enough of this, you know I must leave.” Ikaru scolded gently, nuzzling the sniffling pups.

“We know but we don’t want you to go.” Hakaku sniffled.

“I will be back I promise.” Ikaru said kissing each of their heads before setting them down and moving to pick Shippo up before mounting her horse. She hadn’t bothered with her armor because she intended for Shippo to ride in her shirts again to make the trip easier on him.

“Come back soon nee-san!!” The pups called as they followed the horses a short way out of the gate. Shippo waved sadly from Ikaru’s shoulder before settling in for the ride. Ikaru rode up beside the General.

“I intend to make camp in the same spot on the mountain we did last time. Unfortunately there will probably still be a blizzard going on up there. We will have to cover the cave mouths to conserve warmth.” Ikaru said, the General nodded having been in this situation many times before.

“We will have to gather more wood as well, last time we ran a little short in some of the caves.” The General said, obviously speaking for himself.

“Very well we will gather what we can at the bottom of the mountain.” Ikaru said before spurring her horse on signaling the rest of the group to follow suit. They again skipped the midday meal spurring their horses as fast as they would go. They made it to the mountain’s base in good time to gather the supplies they needed. The horses were stocked more heavily than they were before and again urged to climb the mountain. A storm was already in full swing when they reached the area they had camped last time. The caves had been buried by the heavy snowfall. Ikaru sighed and ordered the men to dismount and begin dividing supplies. Without any warning Ikaru walked up to Heero and handed him Shippo. He quickly extended his tail to cover the shivering kit, and was nearly knocked over by the surge of energy sweeping the snow into a tornado. For a brief moment there was huge silver wolf silhouetted against the darkening night before the snow began falling heavily again.

“Stupid girl, she’s going to wear herself out with this foolishness.” The General grumbled coming up beside Heero.

“What is she doing?” Heero asked trying to stop Shippo’s shivering.

“She is digging out the caves for everyone.” The General grumbled pulling his cloak closer to him.

In the next moment a huge paw descended from the snow. Heero and the General jumped out of the way just as Ikaru pushed a huge pile of snow out of the way revealing a cave before moving on. The two quickly moved the supplies into the cave and started a fire.

It was a little while later when a snow covered Ikaru entered the cave shaking herself off at the entrance. Her outfit went from white to black, and her hair sparkled with the few persistent snowflakes that melted in her hair.

“Brrr…you’re going to freeze these old demon bones of mine to the core coming in here like that girl.” The General smiled at her.

“You are welcome to find other accommodations for the night General. Several of the other caves have a much larger fire than this one.” Ikaru said as she sat beside the fire warming her hands over it.

“I believe I will take you up on that offer. I have some things to discuss with the men as it so happens. I will see you in the morning Princess. May you all rest well.” The General said as he grabbed his knapsack and walked out into the cold night.

“The general never stays the night with me on these trips; he only stays long enough to see me safely into the night.” Ikaru said at the confused look Heero was giving her. Shippo had finally stopped shivering and started toward Ikaru taking a seat in her lap.

“Mama you look tired.” Shippo said smiling at Ikaru’s raised eyebrows.

“There was more snow than I thought I had to move.” Ikaru said wrapping her arms around Shippo.

“Perhaps I should find another cave to stay in tonight.” Heero said moving to get up. There was suddenly a rumble outside the cave then a mountain of snow fell covering the cave mouth.

“I believe you will be staying here tonight.” Ikaru sighed setting Shippo down and got up to blow a hole in the top of the snow wall with a jaki blast. Shippo snuck a few new logs on the small fire warming the cave up considerably. Ikaru turned and eyed him as he sat by the fire looking innocent; he had felt the shivers running down her arms as she held him. He quickly took up his seat in her lap again when she sat down, she ran her hand through his hair and fluffy tail, and absently scratching behind his fuzzy ears while looking into the fire as Heero warmed up some meat handing her the bladder of blood. She took several long swigs before handing it to Shippo. He drank a little handing it back to Heero who finished it before handing out the meat portions. They ate quietly, not having any real reason to break the comfortable silence. With their bellies full Shippo began to yawn.

“Go to sleep little one.” Ikaru said adjusting how she held him.

“Will you lay down with me?” Shippo asked innocently, trying to trick her into resting as well. He knew by the look in her eyes she was on to him, but she humored him by walking over to her bedroll and lying down. She called Heero over when his teeth began to chatter and they resumed the same sleeping position they had the first time they were forced together. Ikaru had made certain to take her sleeping potion before she had entered the cave this time. She did intend to try and sleep tonight.

Heero was certain he wasn’t going to sleep, the Princesses tail was thick and warm but this time he was determined to keep his back to her and stay on watch. The fates seemed to have other plans though, because as soon as he got warm he was lost to his dreams.

Heero was the first to awaken again, and again somehow the Princess was in his arms fast asleep. The kit was also far into the land of dreams curled contentedly against her chest. He again pulled himself away from her resuming his original sleeping position, somehow he actually managed fall asleep again. The next time he woke up to something fluffy tickling his nose. His eyes shot open to see an orange tail right in front of his face. He was facing the Princess but Shippo was sitting there watching her sleep.

“Why are you awake little one it is not yet time to rise?” Heero whispered, Shippo jumped a little and turned to look at him, little tears slipping down his cheeks, it was then Heero noticed the gentle rumble coming from the Princess in her sleep.

“I had a bad dream.” Shippo sniffled; Heero pulled the boy into a hug letting his own chest rumble soothingly. Soon Shippo’s tears stopped and he was again back asleep. This time he managed to stay awake until the Princess woke. She eyed Heero cuddling the boy curiously. He shrugged and mouthed ‘Bad dream.’ Understanding dawned in her eyes as she nodded and took the boy from Heero who went to make some rice porridge to break their fast.

Shippo woke up at the smell of food and went at his porridge with the gusto of a growing boy. Ikaru smiled at him as she ate her own food. After they had gathered their things together a blast of jaki cleared the way and they joined the group who had mostly managed to dig themselves out on their own. No one questioned the scents lingering on either the Princess or Heero as they made to move down the mountain. They stopped to eat the midday meal then moved on quickly. Everyone was eager to get back to the west. By the time the sun was almost set the western gates could be seen.

After a little over a week away, the tired travelers were home.
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Ok I wanted to explain something about the tails of the demons in this story, as I feel there might be a few questions about some of the tail references.

In this story the way I imagined it was that they would have control of how long their tails were and it was a conscious thought that determined their lengths but their limits were that of their beastly forms, and well, since they usually turn out to be very large animals they can make really long tails in their humanoid forms.

Hope this clears up any confusion.

Next time we are back in the West but something is not quite right.

And with that little tid bit…please leave a review to let me know what you think of this monster of a chapter please!

Ja ne!
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Learning to Love