Bonds as strong as Time [[For LoneDigger and Myself]]

[Full_Moon_Rising]

"As if either one of you could successfully tame me."

 

Katsu made an effort to joke back even though his mind and heart were less in it than usual. He wanted Erai gone, he needed a reprieve from the scorpion so he could center himself again. Just a few days, that was all he needed to try and wash himself of the disgusting tendrils on darkness he felt squirming under his flesh. They just needed to capitalize on whatever opportunity they managed to get in this fight. Kisame had an opening for a damaging hit on Akuhei, if they could manage to hit both Generals in relatively the same time frame, then they would win this skirmish. And even if they didn't manage to kill them, at the very least they would have pushed the pair out of their realm for the time being.

 

Watching Dakari provide a distraction from his side, Katsu smiled ever so lightly in glee at the snarl of pain that escaped the scorpion when the fire licked into his flesh. Using the moment Erai turned to face Dakari, Katsu summoned tendrils of ice to gather beneath Erai and launch themselves up into the vulnerable flesh the scorpion had available to them. The screech that his move greeted his ears with had a soothing feel to the fear coating his insides. And yet, just as he thought this could work, a distraction had him tearing his eyes off Erai to the forest to his left.

 

Seeing Kisame's body come soaring through the trees had his eyes widening and alarm and all thought of attack left his mind in order to help his friend. Leaping into the air, Katsu caught Kisame's sailing body against his chest with enough momentum that had them both slamming onto the ground and skidding a few feet away from Erai and Dakari.

 

".....Kisame?" Katsu asked in a soft grunt, breath knocked out of him and head absolutely throbbing.

 

"Damn asshole hits hard.....fuck everything. I feel like absolute shit, I don't know how long I can hold him off for, Katsu. We need to get them to fuck off before my control slips" Kisame groaned softly, laying across the snow leopard's chest and wheezing for breath. The left side of his own neck bore his own forced mating mark.

 

Sitting up slowly, despite the agony that was taking hold of him, Katsu gently eased the shark down to his legs, fear growing at the unnatural golden gleam in his friend's usually gray eyes. It was with the desperation that he felt in that moment that he launched his next attack. Flinging his sword through the air, Katsu watched his weapon turn into a spear of ice before their eyes and seemingly with a mind of it's own, lurch down below Erai before imposing its deadly will through the open wound of the scorpion and out the plated back of the beast, leaving traces of frozen blood and skin behind it.

 

"Dakari, now! Burn him now while we have the chance!"

 

Katsu commanded the hyena. While Akuhei had yet to reach them and while their minds remained their own, they had to finish the fight or he didn't want to know what the results would be.

[LoneDigger]

"Hey, look at that. A flying fish."

 

Dakari teased fondly with a grin at the sight of Kisame. His feelings towards the shark were very conflicting, but he couldn't truly despised him. Even though sometimes he would have liked to he had come to realize that the man was just as much a part of Katsu that he couldn't shake off.

 

The prince chuckled softly, at least Kisame was on there side. Anything with teeth and a temper was something a hyena could respect since that's basically the same as him.

Not sparing the sentinels another glance Dakari focused himself back on Erai.

It was working. Katsu's icicles had pierced through the creature's armor, weakening his main defensive. The tail was still a threat, but now that they could attack from a safer distance it was hardly such a problem.

This time Dakari didn't even move, his muscles tensed and the flames suddenly erupted from his body, as soon as they left they were infinitely harder to control, but he had preparing for this. Willing his element to obey he sent the flames traveling through the breeze straight for the scorpion. Once he felt the flame contacting with flesh he urged them to burn hotter. Essentially trapping Erai in a swirling vortex of fire.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Watching the boy create a vortex of flames around Erai, Katsu couldn't help the soft laugh of delight that slipped out of his exhausted state. The screams of undeniable pain that were coming out of Erai had satisfaction filling his heart to the brim. At his legs, Kisame chuckled coldly at the scorpion getting a taste of his own medicine and while Erai still had a grip on Katsu's mind, the pain the individual was going through was enough to force his control to retreat.

 

It would have been nice to watch Erai simply burn to a crisp.....but things rarely worked out that well.

 

A thick web shot out from where Kisame had been flung from. Whatever coated the web seemed to make it fire proof because the trajectory of it had it bursting through the vortex and attaching itself to Erai. Once caught that same web retracted and with it, it pulled the scorched scorpion in its grip. Dragging the half concious creature in its hold, cold golden eyes peered out of the shadows of the forest around them but the owner of those eyes didn't bother to honor them with his full presence. Instead, he dragged Erai's limp form into the darkness while murmuring a dark promise of:

 

"This isn't over.....Count yourselves lucky. Next time, we will get what we came for."

 

It was with that that in the moments that passed, both Erai's and what could only have been Akuhei's presence vanished from the area. Seconds of silence filled the land around them before once again the creatures of the forest began to make their sounds know and the feeling of peace resurfaced. Breathing out a long relieved air, Katsu all but collapsed onto the cool ground beneath him with Kisame still sprawled out over his legs.

 

"Honestly.....next time I decide to do something as stupid as face off against Erai....make sure you break my legs or something.....How are you feeling?" The snow leopard asked his long time friend and partner.

 

"Like I've just been run over by a mountain more than once. Everything fucking hurts. Clearly we need to reevaluate our choices in opponents" Kisame grumbled, trying to make light of what had just happened as slowly but surely they felt the full control of their bodies return to them.

 

"Clearly...." Katsu grunted, closing his eyes briefly for just a moment's rest before he was turning his words to Dakari. "Despite your clear lack of being able to follow orders....you did a good job out there, Princeling. I'm proud of you....I think you might have just saved our asses".

 

"Damn straight....the punk is a brave idiot to go up against our 'mates'. Though I should bite your head off for refusing to leaving when Katsu told you to.....thanks for standing by us, kid. You're not so bad, after all" Kisame added lightly, refusing to get up just as Katsu made no efforts in lifting himself from the ground.

 

Help was coming, and even if they were rather late, it still filled the two Sentinels with a sort of relief. At least for the time being the danger had been removed and they were all safe.

[LoneDigger]

"Bastard. Stealing my kill? Get your fucking own!"

 

The hyena laughed wickedly, but he was clearly pissed about his chance to painfully murder Erai were being snatched away from him.

The prince knew that would have been too easy though, and what was the good in that? He'd get to have more fun with the filthy creature later.

 

Dakari grimaced, suddenly bowing his head down with a chuckle only to rise it back up again with a low, but resonating howl. Though he was half wolf, it didn't sound like any normal one. It had it's own eerie ring to it.

A victory cry, though even the teenager knew it was premature. This wasn't nearly over yet.

But now that he got that out of his system, the hyena snorted. Kicking up the ground a bit as he bounded back over to the pair, still hyped up from the fight and his own flames, though he seemed to have forced them down.

The crash from the high he was in would hit the prince later. Unbeknownst or not.

 

But right now he was celebrating this small win, the creature acting like a small cub again as he brushed up against the pair letting out a happy whine and bumping his head affectionately against both the shark and snow leopard. Though it seemed Kisame got more teeth involved in this display, but of course. Normally he would have been too proud for such a display, but this was a special occasion.

"What? You think I was going to let that creep have them? No fucking way~"

 

Dakari grinned, but realizing that Kisame or any of the others who would be arriving any moment now wouldn't be able to understand him he reluctantly changed back into his human form. Though looking just as cocky as before. He couldn't help it. Both Sentinels were praising him instead of scolding him, well maybe there a little mixed in there, but nothing could take that away from him now. Real pride, and not just for himself. But the two laying in front of him as well.

 

"Not bad? I'm actually pretty fucked up, but I appreciate it~"

 

He grinned as he settled down in front of the pair, even now still acting protective over them. He wouldn't leave until his clan was safe. What a strange clan it was. A hyena, snow leopard, and shark. Among many other species. But hell, he didn't think he could deal with another copy of himself. He chuckled at the thought, shaking his head. No. This was much better.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Chuckling lightly at the Prince's celebration of their momentary win, Katsu chuckle soon turned into a laugh when Kisame grumbled about the teeth he was getting rubbed against him. Neither of them made an effort to shoo the boy off though, they were much too exhausted for that and it felt nice to celebrate a little win like this. Regardless if things could have gone the opposite way at any moment in their fight. For the moment though, things had gone the way they had wanted them to go and the the Sentinels couldn't be any more relieved than what they were feeling now.

 

"Kid, if you think you're pretty fucked up....what the fuck do you think of us? We're mated to two twisted, homicidal Dark Realm Generals" Kisame bit out a laugh that sounded much more hollow than anything else.

 

"Don't say that out loud, it makes me want to heave all over again and I'm trying to enjoy our win" Katsu grumbled under him, lips twisting down into a scowl.

 

"Yeah yeah....but I mean, who would have guessed that after centuries they'd still be able to play us like little puppets" Kisame breathed out a heavy sigh, shaking his head from where he lay.

 

"It is rather disheartening....I suppose our lives really do suck no matter how much we've tried to think otherwise" the snow leopard replied, shrugging his shoulder ever so slightly before adding "At the very least Dakari knows what to do if they ever gain full control of us."

 

"Oh yeah? What did you tell him to kick our ass or kill us? Cause really I'd definitely second that" Kisame grinned at Dakari but again that expression seemed rather hollow compared to the energy the shark usually had. "If you really wanna keep us down, you need to run a swords through our hearts or something. My element is your weakness so you don't want to get too close. Maybe sneak through my defenses and loop my head off at some point. That should stop me from coming at you easy enough. Remember that I can't see very well through my right eye, that is all the opening you need to get to me.....Katsu might be a bit

more difficult".

 

"Now that's not entirely true.....Dakari, all you have to do is trap me in a vortex like the one you just created with Erai. That should neutralize me well. Burning me to a crisp is a sure way of having me not continue to attack you. Or you could use your overheated fangs to tear open my neck. I might be faster than you but your fire is still deadly to me" Katsu huffed in response without hesitation.

 

"See, there you go then. Easy peezy, killing us won't be too hard for you. Or you can hold us off until help gets to you" Kisame laughed softly.

 

The two were talking about their deaths as if it wasn't important, almost like they were discussing the weather or something just as simple. However, who could really blame them. The two Sentinels would prefer an honorable death cast upon them by their Prince than to be used against their will once again. Besides, they doubted Dakari would care much about what was being said. Unlike the rest of their families, the boy seemed to enjoy morbid themes so he probably welcomed speeches like these. Especially when it gave him the opportunity to beat two Sentinels and boast about it for the duration of his life.

 

"I need a bath....possibly one that lasts an entire week. I feel damn disgusting" the shark growled out a moment later, for a moment resignation flickered through his voice.

 

"I second that....might even add an order for new skin or something similar" Katsu sighed softly in response. Even though he was gone, Katsu could still remember the feel of Erai's mind and control flooding him. It felt like thousands of ants crawling through him and he desperately wanted to get rid of the sensation.

 

"I'm down for that....But first before our pity party, we're celebrating Dakari's victory when we get back to camp. No self respecting Sentinel would think about not honoring that the kid kicked ass for us" Kisame chuckled, winking up at the Prince.

[LoneDigger]

"You're both pretty sick~"

 

Dakari beamed, it wasn't said with an ounce of mocking nor disgust. Instead it was pure admiration. Not to say he was happy about the situation, but the way the prince was looking at it now was that he had made the first break in this fucked up bond. And he would kept pushing until it all shattered, just leaving Katsu -Kisame too- behind and the monsters burning in hell.

 

"Because they're pathetic excuses for mates."

 

The teenager suddenly answered, sounding a bit more serious.

 

"If they can't get what they want, they manipulate reality to their own tempo. But even with that and the... poison. You fought back, resisted the painful temptation. I don't think that makes them any more badass, Aren't insects are the lowest of the low?"

 

He didn't want to believe that those two could control the Sentinels lives, but he knew it wasn't so simple to dismiss the fact.

Then came the topic he was trying to avoid secretly. But he put on a grin and threw himself back into the conversation despite the fact.

 

"Mhm. Pretty much like that. In case you were wondering, the safe word is pineapple."

 

The prince tried to tease, but even seeing that Kisame wasn't really laughing made him swallow it back down as his gazed focused on the shark. He wasn't kidding, he was telling him that if the time came to kill him. Simple as that, right?

But somehow even the thought of ending Kisame's life was surprisingly not as satisfying as he had thought. Hadn't there been a time when he wanted to do nothing more?

 

It a million times worse when Katsu joined in. He didn't like hearing this, but somehow he put on a grimace and nodded as if he completely understood and would comply if the moment came. But inside his head his mind raced, trying to figure out some kind of loophole that would work.

If only he were stronger... More of a threat. Then he could really actually hurt the pair but without killing them.

But instead Dakari knew his powers were an all or nothing deal. You can't really 'gently' torture someone with a raging hot flame. Or if you changed your mind on it, too late, they're already burning down.

 

Though even the prince knew... despite not being in either of their places or even close to that. That he too would have rather died at the hands of his friends than face a life being mind fucked by the like's of Erai or the spider.

So he turned his gaze on both men and nodded firmly. Two lives were in his hands now. The choice of life and death, and death was the only answer...

 

Dakari parted his lips to speak, but then Kisame's laughter had him relaxing just slightly. What a strange relief it was just to hear that sound, even if it wasn't as energetic as normal. It still made the prince smile. A much welcomed subject change that he quickly jumped into.

 

"You guys can have your baths first, I think you earned them... But after I fully expect you to celebrate with me."

 

His lips curled up, this time it wasn't forced or even sinister. It was warm and genuine. A hint of pride mixed in.

Katsu had said it, life sucked. But that didn't mean anyone could take away little moments like this away from him. Never.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Feeling something soften in his heart at Dakari's words against their forced mates, Katsu relaxed further against the cool ground beneath him and allowed himself a soft smile. Truly, the boy surprised him at times. Dakari had a way of pulling off being serious when the snow leopard least expected him too but he was glad for it regardless. As long as the boy had a justifiable reason to hate their mates, it worked in their favor....even if the fact that they were mates still disgusted their Prince. That in itself couldn't be helped and Katsu refused to dwell further in it.

 

"They tend to be but when these insects have poison running through their veins, they suddenly shoot up to the near top of the food chain. It would be easier to kill them if we weren't bound to them, and even if that were the case....their poison packs a hell of a punch" Kisame grumbled softly, exchanging a glance with Katsu.

 

"It truly does....which reminds me, Princeling. We have to work on your immunity to the less deadly poisons if we're going to have to have more run ins with Erai and Akuhei. You're probably going to end up being our trump card in more ways than not and we need you to be able to handle the effect of some of their toxins" Katsu added a moment later, having the grace to yawn a bit in the middle of his words.

 

Seeing the effort the boy put into trying to tease the mood, Katsu wished he could respond in the way he normally would. Or that Kisame would flash him one of those devil-may-care grins....but neither of them were much up for it at the moment. Too many old, dark memories had been stirred by their battles and really, he knew Kisame and himself needed time to recover. It wasn't easy dusting the dirt off your shoulders when you mind and body felt violated in more ways than one could begin to explain.

 

However, no matter had shaken the pair were, the aspect of celebrating Dakari's victory had them both turning amused eyes on their Prince.

 

"What kind of celebration did you have in mind, kid? Cause we're down for anything. Might even try to actually successfully get you drunk" Kisame smirked up at the light haired Prince.

 

"If your attempt from last time is anything to go by, you'll end up falling asleep before that happens....again" Katsu laughed softly before shifting his legs under the shark murmuring "Now get off, you're heavy and I'm losing feeling in my legs"

 

"Now that's just rude...here I am in pain and you're demanding to have me get my aching self off of you" Kisame playfully grumbled, eyeing the snow leopard with shadowed traces of the mischief he was capable of producing.

 

"You didn't get thrown into a tree, you have no reason to complain" the feline grumbled right back, not missing a step.

 

"Yeah well I did get run over by an overgrown spider and then got thrown through the forest"

 

"Yes, into me because I was nice enough to try and catch you....And what do you mean you go run over, did you forget to move? Honestly, Kisame, I think alot of things of you but stupid isn't something I usually consider you as"

 

"Hey now! It wasn't my fault! He caught me off guard, besides I forgot how fast he could move. And for the record, why is it that Dakari is the only one that came out relatively untouched?"

 

"Because I got thrown into a tree.....instead of him. He would have died if I let him get hit by Erai's attack" Katsu sighed though the amusement in his bantering with Kisame was evident in his tone of voice.

 

"Well how bout that.....Next time let him get hit or thrown into a tree.....Then we can all complain on how miserable we're feeling. It'll be an all around fun time" Kisame laughed, sounding rather impossibly amused at the thought even as he rolled off Katsu's legs reluctantly.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari suddenly remembered how when he first bit into the scorpion how it had felt like the creature's blood was like tar. It tasted even worse, and for a moment he could have sworn the poison was boiling his flesh, until he snapped out of it. Even now when he reached up to touch his lips, much to his own horror in all the commotion he forgot they were still dirty with dried blood.

Quickly scooping up some snow in his hands, cupping them together as he heated it til it was a warm liquid state. Splashing it up on his face and even drinking some, before spitting it back out onto the ground like a mouth wash. Then quickly remembering he wasn't alone he shot an apologetic look towards the pair.

 

"Sorry about that..."

 

But it seemed that the prince wasn't getting away scott-free as previous thought, as the pink that should have been his tongue was splotched in ugly patches of black. The poison hasn't harmed him as bad as it should have, but it still born a mark that would probably take days to fade.

 

"I'm the secret weapon... And this bastard has some natural immunity thanks to his spirit animal's less than pretty habits."

 

Dakari grinned, while he could never imagine intentionally consuming dead, rotting flesh. It meant his body was able to tolerate some pretty nasty stuff. It seemed to tie in directly to what Kisame was suggesting. The only reason he wasn't a lightweight like he should have been his first time trying alcohol his tough stomach seemed to give him a higher tolerance.

 

"I already told you both that you're sick, so let's just agree on that so you can stop bickering like an old couple?"

 

The prince teased, again not meaning anything by it other than to lighten the mood and just maybe to get them to shut up a little. Honestly he'd be lying though if he said the sound wasn't almost like music to his ears now. He had come so close just a moment ago to loosing both.

But Kisame's messing around helped to shove that thought back away and give out a little snicker.

 

"Okay, fine. We'll do that. But honestly I'd feel more sorry for the tree!

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Sympathy curled in his heart for the sorry display Dakari made when he was trying to get rid of the blood in his mouth. It was a miracle Kisame kept his silence but by the look of pity Katsu spotted on the shark, he knew Kisame was remembering all the times he had been in the same position. Not to mention the snow leopard himself. Erai's flesh was as disgusting as it was poisonous and no one got off without a bite of that venom when they faced off against the scorpion. Dakari was lucky that was all he had managed to get though. It could have been much worse.

 

"You have no need to apologize, Dakari. We've both been there and we've done exactly what you're doing now" Katsu reassured the teenager with a gentle flicker of a smile.

 

"Better get the remnants of blood out of your mouth before it does more damage than good. By the glimpse I caught of your tongue, we might have to do some healing to it. Can't have you secretly getting poisoned under our noses" the shark added just moments after Katsu had spoken to the Prince.

 

Humming in thought to what Dakari said about immunities, Katsu shrugged a bit even as he gave the boy a fond look. "Immunities or not, in a fight between a hyena and a scorpion....I'd probably go with the hyena". Erai was dangerous and he would never allow Dakari to face the creature completely by himself, but he had faith that the Prince would be able to force Erai a second time should it come to it. Nevertheless, he'd prefer to avoid a confrontation at all costs.

 

"Who said anything about us wanting to stop bickering. Maybe we want to be seen as an old couple. We might even elope and run off into the sunset together.....And if you're lucky we might even let you tag along.....After you prove you can go head to head with a tree and win" Kisame teased lightly, getting to his feet as Katsu snorted out a sound of laughter while he too rose slowly, carefully.

 

The sound of movements in the forest straight ahead had the Sentinels looking up sharply but there was no caution in their gazes. Only fondness as a bulky muscled, tall young man stepped out of the treeline with a line of soldiers behind him. Gentle hazel green eyes took in the two Sentinels and the Prince with concern at first before relief seemed to swell inside the man in the second it took for him to lose his tense stance. Sweeping a hand through nape lenght medium brown hair, the young male ordered his men to make sure the forest was secure and help any survivors as he walked towards the trio.

 

"Katsu....Kisame.....Thank the Gods you're alright. When I caught scent and sound of fighting, I wasted no time in rushing over" the young man spoke, addressing both Sentinel's first with undeniable love and friendship in his tone before he was turning to Dakari.

 

"My Prince......I am truly relieved the day finds you without harm" he spoke, tone softer and full of respect as he bowed impossibly low to Dakari.

 

"Oi, Yuuta. You don't have to do all that, you'll just make the brat's ego swell up bigger than it already is....besides, we have other things to discuss....like the real reason how the hell Erai and Akuhei got this far" Kisame grunted, shooting a slightly playful grin at the brunette.

 

"They killed the soldiers guarding this part of the forest. I wasn't given the report until it was too late, my mens minds had been manipulated into falsifying reports until the sounds of battle reached us. I'm sorry, the failure is absolutely mine. I will accept any punishment you wish to give me" the young man, Yuuta, spoke in a broken guilt ridden tone. His head bowed and eyes lowered to the ground in defeat.

 

"This was no fault of yours, Yuuta. Raise you head and lift your eyes, you are a Sentinel not a submissive creature. You have no control of the events going on around you and Erai and Akuhei have more experienced in deceiving than what you are comfortable with. We do not blame you, but we must double the guards around the barrier. We mustn't allow enemies to slip in this far again" Katsu spoke gently, tone soothing and warm to the young Sentinel before his eyes flickered to Dakari. "Our Prince needs medical assistance. He has taken in poisonous gas and his mouth is damaged. Is your mate able to see to him when we return to camp?".

 

Having grown relaxed and filled with gratitude while the snow leopard had spoken to him, Yuuta nodded firmly at Katsu before turning to look at Dakari saying "Yes, of course. Yuzuki is waiting for us in camp, she suspected there would be injuries. My Prince, please follow me. We'll lead you to our base".

 

Kisame wasted no time in staggering forward, while his eyes were still dim and lacking their usual spirit he didn't hesitate from draping an arm around Yuuta's shoulders and playfully ruffling the younger male's hair. Shaking his head at the two, Katsu turned his gaze to Dakari as he slowly rolled his shoulders to work out his own aches. "Come on, the sooner we get to camp the better" he spoke to the hyena calmly.

[LoneDigger]

"The tree won't even know what hit 'em."

 

Dakari chuckled as he squeezed Kisame's hands, helping the male to rise by pulling him up first and then helping Katsu. Only the shark was lucky enough to get a hard thwack of a pat on the back. Which the snow leopard was spared of.

Being rough with the ones you liked was usually seen as something cute, but when it was coming from a hyena the attention seemed a bit more intense than that.

 

The prince tensed up, standing in front of the pair but then seeing that the other's looks were alert, but held no fear he quickly relaxed. Reinforcements had finally arrived. Though by now he just needed them to make sure that the pair of sentinels would be alright, since even if his mouth burned slightly he knew there injuries both physical and mental had to be a million times worse.

 

But rarely had he ever seen such a powerful figure bow like that in front of him. And Kisame had it right on, it did seem to feed the teenager's ego more than what was necessary. Dakari grinned, though he would be the first to admit right now that Kisame was not wrong.

 

"The shark speaks the truth. You really shouldn't encourage me."

 

He teased, only showing that there was no grudge against any failure or error that had been made. No one had been expecting something like this to happen, and with mind control involved made it impossible for the warning to reach them soon enough.

Katsu seemed to be handling things, and he was just going to call it a day until the snow leopard reminded him that he just might be needing some medical attention of his own. But instead of being logical about it, the prince groaned childishly.

 

"I'm fine, really... It just tasted awful but I already cleaned up."

 

It seemed Dakari would rather jump right into a toast to their victory instead of attending the more important, but less exciting matter of having himself tended to.

 

"Very well..."

 

He added in quickly after, knowing that arguing while in front of the two elders would just earn him a cuff behind the ears as he followed in line.

Really they should be more worried about Kisame and Katsu, not him... But he didn't say so. Instead he tried to keep quiet and listen to the sounds of the forest return back to normal. He was still on alert for danger, but it was almost like nothing had even happened now that they were gone.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Biting back a laugh at Kisame's half hatred glare that he directed back to Dakari when his back was hit, Katsu accepted the hyena's help even as he playfully winked at the shark. While he knew Dakari wanted nothing romantic in regards to the aquatic predator, it was endlessly amusing to watch the two of them together. When his mind wasn't drowning with worry and his senses screaming at him that something was wrong, as they had been earlier in that day, it was rather entertaining to see Kisame's eyes narrow at their Prince and his antics.

 

And while Katsu could see Yuuta take Dakari's words to heart, he also knew the young bear would have trouble following through with them. Katsu had trained the young Sentinel himself and Yuuta had idolized him for some time. While Katsu usually ignored proper mannerisms around the Prince, Yuuta would not know of that. He would conduct himself with the same quiet respect that the snow leopard showed most others. It truly would be quite amusing to watch his expression when he saw just truly how Katsu often regarded Dakari when they were amongst friends.

 

"It might have tasted aweful, Princeling, but we don't know any other side affects the gas Erai released might have caused you. You are still new to his poisons, we can never be too sure.....Besides, you'll have your celebration soon enough. Just have a bit of patience" Katsu adviced the young Prince gently as he kept pace with Dakari when they began to head back to camp.

 

"While we're having Prince Dakari checked for further injuries, we can also have you two checked. It would be best to know no one was seriously injured" Yuuta put in lightly but no sooner had those words left his lips that violent reactions greeted them.

 

Identical snaps of "No!" left both Kisame and Katsu.

 

Casting a startled look at his seniors, Yuuta blinked when Kisame grinned sheepishly at him and Katsu sighed softly with an apologetic smile.

 

"Sorry, Yuuta....we'd just prefer to hold off any treatments for now. Besides, we're fine, there's nothing seriously wrong with us...Don't worry so much" Kisame spoke lightly, yet there was no way of denying that his tone broke no arguments.

 

"Perhaps in a day or two you can have us checked....but for now, it would be best to let us be. We don't require medical attention" Katsu added a moment later.

 

While they both were hurt in more ways than one, they didn't want to be subjected to another's touch....at least not now. Not when they were so riled and their spirits felt battered. They needed to try and handle the damage on their own because there was no way they knew how they would react if another tried to help them and accidentally set them off. It would be safer for everyone.

 

"Just focus on Dakari for now....If the Prince is to celebrate his victory the way he wishes, he must be at a hundred percent. Who knows what Kisame is going to put him through" the snow leopard added getting laughs and a playful grin from the shark directed at Dakari.

 

"You're definitely gonna have a hell of a celebration tonight, kid" Kisame chuckled in response.

 

While Yuuta didn't argue further, there was a deep sense of sympathy for his elders in his eyes as well as a fierce protective nature. He knew the history of the pair and what had been their opponents. While the two refused to be treated, he would be keeping a watchful eye on them for any signs of worrying distress.

[LoneDigger]

"Oh, I see how it is... You two both have the right to refuse medical attention, but the prince of the entire kingdom who makes the rules doesn't? Sounds about right..."

 

Dakari snickered, but he would still let the medics poke and prod. If it made the pair feel better than it would be worth the hassle. He didn't want them to hold back tonight because they felt sorry for him or something.

 

"That had better be a promise."

 

The hyena grinned at the shark and snow leopard. Maybe if he could get the two to really let go tonight then they could briefly forget about the pain that they were surely still carrying at this moment. Not that he was going to judge. But he didn't want to see either of them like that. Not when they didn't deserve the shit life handed to them with there literally toxic mates in both senses of the word.

 

The prince stayed close to Kisame and Katsu as they walked back to camp, mostly walking in silence since the younger male was trying to stay alert for danger. Nothing was what it seemed, and anything could happen and he wasn't going to let it take him by surprise again.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

"You said it yourself. You're a Prince who makes the rules for the entire Kingdom...so technically those same rules apply to you and technically us Sentinels are excluded from those rules. We might show you respect and tolerant obedience but again, technically, we have no need to do so. We're favored and hand picked by the Gods while you are kinda just born into your Royal blood. So technically....we outrank you and we can do whatever the fuck we want" Kisame grinned at the hyena.

 

While the shark was greatly exaggerating things, Katsu couldn't help but concede to some points. Sentinels were favored by the Gods and their bloodlines were much more pure than even that of the Royals, but that didn't necessarily mean they outranked the ruling family. If they did, there would have been no need to show them such great respect. Still, it was amusing to hear Kisame playfully goad Dakari with his own words. The shark always knew how to the push the buttons of those around him.

 

"Kisame, play nice. There's no need to rub facts in his face" Katsu laughed softly, far too entertained to truly reprimand his partner.

 

It felt nice to joke around a bit after the encounter they had had. While he felt bone weary and tired, wanting little more than curl into a ball and ignore the world around him, a feeling he was sure Kisame shared....he wouldn't give into his weakness. At least not yet. They still had a victory to celebrate and this being Dakari's first actual battle, he wouldn't allow the Prince to feel it was anything other than important. Dakari's victory in battle was something he was proud of and nothing would change that.

 

"Kid, once we're done with you, you'll wish you hadn't pushed us into celebrating as hard as we will. You won't know your name by the end of it" Kisame barked out a laugh, winning at the hyena.

 

Yuuta simply shook his head and chuckled at the exchange between the two Sentinels and their Prince. It was surprising that they spoke without a care around the hyena but it also spoke of the strength of their friendship already. Outside the Sentinel circle, Yuuta had no idea these two were capable of being this friendly, and here they were proving to him that they could.

 

Hearing the sounds of the camp drawing closer, Katsu breathed out a soft sigh of relief they finally would be surrounded by their own allies. It would be a few more moments before they reached the base but the feeling of safety and protection was already making its presence known. With a quick flicker of the eyes up to the tree tops, he could see several sentries in various posts keeping guard of their base.

 

"How are you feeling? Aside from the burns in your mouth, have you been feeling anything else? Do you feel weak or light headed?" The snow leopard quietly asked Dakari after a moment of silence. He'd rather know if something else was wrong with Dakari so he could inform Yuuta's mate properly.

[LoneDigger]

"... What? That's not even true! You're making this all up as you go along!!!"

 

Dakari laughed as he shook his head, not wanting to believe it. What did the shark know anyway? Nothing clearly.

 

"If God doesn't give you an entire kingdom to rule over while still having to fight for it every living moment then I don't know how that's the better deal."

 

The teenager tried to shoot back, but even he knew with Kisame that was only a sure fire way to get something throw back in his face.

 

"Won't know my own name? Then what are you going to call me instead? I'm dying to find out~"

 

Dakari didn't even know what the shark meant, but he was just going to assume it was one of those things. Kisame was weird enough after all.

Though the way they bantered back and forth together made the three seem more like brothers than their respective places, it probably was hardly proper at all. But frankly the hyena didn't give a fuck and if he was breaking some law then he'd make sure it was the first thing to go when he took the throne.

Having fun shouldn't be something limited to one type of person or animal, everyone deserved to laugh. Even though having his ass kissed was something he was all too used to, sometimes it really did get old and he'd rather others just be real with him. Kind of like the old fable of the emperor wearing no clothes but only the child dares point out the truth.

Dakari chuckled to himself at the thought of his first day as king, if he were to come out naked how would everyone react? Well, Yuuta would just bow and act like everything was normal. Kisame would probably have some dirty remark, but he could image that Katsu would be the first one to stare him straight in the eyes and inform him of the problem in some philosophical way. Ideally it would somehow involve an accidental brush against him and then--

 

"... How do I feel? Is it that obvious?" He teased with a grin before answering more seriously, "No, nothing like that. I feel fine." It was a white lie. He was feeling more than that, and maybe he was getting just a slight bit woozy.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

"How about not only giving you one realm to look over but multiple ones in order to keep the balance? Or you could also considered being allowed to communicate with the ancestors without wishing and hoping you get an answer. I would say the fact that Sentinels have more responsibilities, makes us more special. Especially when we mostly have to wipe the messes you Royal bloods create" Kisame answered quickly enough, tone toying and challenging at the same time.

 

Rolling his eyes at the pair of idiots he had found himself rather fond of, Katau sighed and shook his head slowly. Even after the tension they has just gotten themselves out of, these two could go back and forth without fail. Kisame might not be quite himself yet but he had no issues provoking Dakari in little verbal matches. And while most of the information the shark provided was true, Katsu couldn't help but wish the man wouldn't push Dakari to react everytime they were together. No matter how laughable their interactions tended to be most of the time.

 

"Oh I don't know....Princess is a good nickname for you, one of my favorites actually...Hmm, maybe firecracker, hot head, firefly, Volcano, fire pit, brat, punk....not really sure. Katsu, what do you think?" Kisame asked, glancing over at the snow leopard.

 

"You're not getting me involved in you banter, Kisame. You've come up with some pretty creative nicknames, just pick one. Or use them all on different occasions. That would work in your favor" Katsu yawned, running a hand through his hair.

 

Truly, as ridiculous as arguments got...this one had to take the cake. While it shook some of his haunting thoughts from his mind, he had no idea what he had done to deserve being stuck with these two males. Unlike earlier when their bantering had irked him, now Katsu simple enjoyed listening to such a familiar sound. It was better than the coldness that awaited him in his mind. Besides, Kisame truly had come out with some interesting names for the young Prince.

 

"Are you certain nothing is hurting, that nothing is ailing you. If you can feel something off, tell me now Dakari. We need to make sure that you remain in perfect health. I'd hate myself if I let anything happen to you" Katsu pressed the Prince lightly and the concern for the other man was hard to deny in his voice.

[LoneDigger]

"More special? Perhaps you are right... But I don't know, having you do all the hard work for me sounds like a pretty good exchange~"

 

Dakari thought Sentinels were pretty badass and all, but it sounded like a lot more work. He'd take being second best any day if he meant he got to be ruler.

 

"Princess Punk Firefly of the Hotheaded Volcano, AKA Brat for short. Now you can address me properly~"

 

The prince snickered, he knew it was ridiculous. But who said if those two old bastards couldn't act there age then why should he? It was much more fun being immature and getting away with it too.

But he then shook his head quickly in response when Katsu pressed him further on the matter. He did not want to admit that anything was wrong. He had to be strong, and only weakling and crybabies complained of such minor annoyances such as headaches.

 

"Really, Katsu... I already told you I'm fine. Quit asking the same thing over again won't get you a new answer."

 

He teased the snow leopard, again trying to change the mood by acting nonchalant over it.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Scoffing amused at Dakari, both Katsu and Kisame rolled their eyes at their Prince's words but the answering grins that lifted the corners of their lips were enough to show that they found his words amusing. Dakari never seemed to miss a step with them and that's what made the Prince more likeable to the Sentinels. Where others would normally treat them with the utmost respect, Dakari did whatever he pleased and honestly, it was like a breath of fresh air to them. Much like the Prince, they preferred this sort of behavior than anything else people around them might offer.

 

"That's a mouthful to address you as and Brat doesn't really do you justice.....But if you insist, your wish is our command...punk" Kisame teased the youngest amongst them, inclining his head in a playfully submissive manner to the Prince.

 

Seeing the torches of camp lit up just feet ahead of them, Katsu relaxed a bit further though he still didn't quite believe a word Dakari was saying about his health. In the few moments it took to see Yuuta's mate standing waiting for them at the entrance to the camp along with her dozen of female assistants, Katsu exchanged a playful look with Kisame when the shark nudged his side and winked. Oh, if Dakari refused to admit anything was wrong, they would just have to feed him to the women and then he'd see why everyone submitted to Yuuta's mate and her helpers.

 

"Yuzuki....as always, it's a pleasure to see you" Katsu greeted the beautiful russet haired short woman standing with her hands neatly folded over her lap.

 

Vibrant amber eyes shone with soft affection and infinite love as the young woman took in the three Sentinels, the Prince, and the soldiers behind them. The soft smile on her face never quite faded and while power rolled off her in waves, as it did with most Sentinels, Yuzuki seemed a bit different. For one, she wasn't a Sentinel, despite her power. But she was mated to one which made her of great importance. Yuzuki focused most of her energy in healing wounds as well as other medical issues and there was no one that could rival her as of yet. However, despite the peaceful nature of her expertise, the woman had quite the temper not even Kisame wanted to provoke.

 

"Katsu, as charming as ever. Though I would admit that you and Kisame should visit more often. Seeing you two in less than pleasing circumstances is not good for the heart" Yuzuki returned the greeting, voice impossibly soft in sound and incredibly gentle in nature.

 

Sweeping closer to the men, she stretched up to be able to press an affectionate kiss on the snow leopard's cheek when he leaned down before pressing their foreheads together briefly. Once their greeting was done, she moved on to do the same to Kisame and finally she paused in front of her own mate to gift him with a more intimate lingering kiss on the lips before she was turning to Dakari. Regarding the young Prince with curious eyes, Yuzuki performed the typical low bow for Dakari while saying:

 

"My Prince, you honor us with your presence in times of war. I hope our camp is truly up to your liking"

 

Not waiting for Dakari to reply, Katsu placed a hand on the hyena's back and shoved him with alarming force into the group of awaiting women, all who quickly lifted their hands to steady the Prince.

 

"Yuzuki, the Prince has been hurt in battle. As of yet he refuses to admit any further injuries but it would be best to check him over thoroughly and assure yourselves that he is truly alright. Pay no mind to his protests, if he loses his temper, feel free to put him in his place" the snow leopard addressed the russet haired woman who had a hand pressed to her lips to avoid letting out a soft laugh at the scene.

 

"And by thoroughly, we do mean thoroughly. So inside and out, leave no crevice unchecked. Tie him down if you have to, but we expect a clean bill of health for him if he's really as fine as he says he is" Kisame added cheerfully, glancing at Dakari and flashing him a thumbs up as a teasing sign of encouragement.

 

Running his hand through his hair and shaking his head at his elders, Yuuta couldn't help the soft chuckle that left him while Yuzuki turned her gaze to her group of women and nodded.

 

"Very well, it will be as you wish. Ladies, please escort our Prince to our tent. Make sure he is ready to be examined as thoroughly as is necessary. I'll join you in just a few seconds" Yuzuki commanded gently, her words getting instant actions as the women all found a piece of Dakari grab ahold of before they were pulling him into camp and away from the Sentinels he had come with.

 

Watching the Prince go, Katsu felt his smile fade off his face and without even having to look at Kisame, he knew the false mask of cheerfulness the shark had pulled on for Dakari's sake, had vanished as well. Turning to look at Yuuta and Yuzuki who gazed at the pair with grim, sympathetic looks, Katsu offered them a barely visible smile as he shifted his weight and made to walk off.

 

"I'm going to go get cleaned, again please be sure nothing is wrong with Dakari. I don't want his parents biting our heads off because their son is injured. Also, inform our men and women that the Prince has just won his first battle. A celebration is in order, have everything set by the time he is cleared" Katsu stated, not glancing back once even as Kisame fell into step right next to him.

[LoneDigger]

For once, Dakari wasn't jealous over being left out of all the kissing that was going around because truth be told when it came to females, well... He was really, really shy. Hiyori was an exception to that rule because he had known her since he was small. But anyone else just seemed too much of a mystery to him and he was unusually silent. Maybe hoping that if he made himself scarce they would forget he was even here and sneak off.

 

It seemed like a perfect plan of escape until a certain someone decided to push him right into group of girls. Even worse was that they had to help catch his fall.

And now Katsu had turned against him as well. And the prince flushed, shooting a glare at the snow leopard before shaking his head quickly.

 

"Shut up!!!"

 

He hissed mentally at the Sentinel, but it didn't seem to work this time or maybe Katsu was intentionally blocking him out of his mind.

 

"I ought to put you in your place... Snitches get stitches."

 

Again, nothing from the snow leopard so he turned a very forced smile towards Kisame which resembled more of a snarl than anything.

 

"You. Don't Need. To. Say. That."

 

He was really biting his tongue not to let out a full retort complete with the colorful language he was so well known for. But if there was one thing his mother had taught him was that you never curse in front of a lady. He definitely didn't get away with his dirty mouth back at home with her watching.

 

"Don't to listen to them, I'm fine, really!!!"

 

But it was really no use. He was already surrounded and frankly too overwhelmed to even realize that he didn't need to be escorted away, instead he seemed more focused on just forcing his legs to move somewhat normally while he was eternally panicking. Honestly for a hyena, nothing was more terrifying then the gender opposite.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Despite clearly hearing the Prince's voice in his head, Katsu choose not to respond until the Prince was in the hands of the women. Perhaps he was being a tad cruel or perhaps it was punishment for the boy's insistence of not listening to him when he told him to leave the fight, who knew, but Katsu sort of enjoyed the discomfort the other man was given off. Especially when that discomfort seemed to come out of being around women. For all Dakari's bravado and the like, it was painfully clear he wasn't as confident around the opposite gender as he had claimed to be.

 

"Snitches get stitches, huh? Well, my Prince, it's a damn shame you have yet to beat me in anything in life. For someone claiming to put me in my place, I think I'll be dead and ash in the wind by the time that comes. Now be a good boy and behave for the nice ladies. It'll be your own fault if they have to employ restraining methods"

 

Katsu chuckled as he sent a mental response back to Dakari even after his eyes had been taken off the young one and focused on the people in front of him. One should never show one's weakness and Dakari had made the painful mistake of doing so just now. It was a pity but to be able to torture the boy in a way that wouldn't outright harm him was something the Sentinel found well worth it.

 

Hearing Kisame's loud laugh at Dakari'a response to his words, Katsu felt his amusement rise tenfold even as the women began to drag the boy off in their grasp. It wasn't long after the two Sentinels had turned and headed for the near by river to get clean that Yuzuki joined her women and smiled kindly up at Dakari. Yet no matter how kind her expression seemed there was a sharpness in her eyes that spoke of warnings to not test her patience.

 

"My Prince, even if you are after all fine, as you say, it is still best for us to check you. You are our Prince, one of the most important people in the realm, it would not due to have you fall ill amongst us. Besides, the sooner you get this over with, the sooner you can celebrate with the rest of them. You'll need your full health, with Katsu and Kisame here, things are surely going to get entertaining in terms of whatever they might have planned for you this night."

[LoneDigger]

"That's true, I guess... I didn't get hurt much thanks to Katsu. I just bit into a nasty bug and the blood burned my mouth just a little... Not a big deal or anything."

 

Still trying to act tough and cool even though he found it impossible to even look into the female's eyes directly, instead averting his gaze slightly to the side and trying not to make eye contact with any of the other ladies.

He was surrounded by estrogen and it was freaking him out. Maybe because even though he was seemingly a male in every sense that he had the same chemicals within him, though they hadn't been awoken yet.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

"Has anyone ever told you the story of one of Katsu's first clashes with Erai?" Yuzuki asked as she lead the group of women into her rather large tent and gestured for the women to lead Dakari to a cot in the center of the tent.

 

"He was very young, several years younger than you when he first got thrown into war, as you well know I'm sure. Before he fell into the hands of Erai, when he first clashed with the scorpion, like you he bit into that creature's flesh. And like you, when they returned to camp, he thought little of it until the poison in Erai's blood began to cause a mess in his body. He was lucky the Sentinel before Yuuta was able to use his powers to cleanse Katsu of the effect of the poison due to it being caught in time. And after being exposed to it time and time again, the ice in Katsu's blood had developed a natural immunity to the poison. You unfortunately, My Prince, are still inexperienced when it comes to the lethal nature Erai holds. So I'd much rather be sure nothing is wrong instead of assuming everything is well."

 

Yuzuki spoke even while she cleaned her hands in a pot of warm water and gestured for Dakari to take off the top of his clothing. Lining the tent walls around them, her assistants all watched the young Prince in case he showed signs of needing help taking what was required off. They didn't plan on being rough with him if it wasn't needed but they had to make sure the boy was truly alright.

 

"Now, the sooner we can get you back to my boys, the sooner the real fun can begin. Listen...they have already started to get the festivities on the road. If you cooperate, you'll be able to join Katsu, Kisame and Yuuta before they get too drunk" Yuzuki put in playfully, nodding towards the entrance of the tent.

 

Already music could be heard flowing from outside their tent. While the celebration was in no means at full swing, it was obvious that everyone outside was wasting no time in getting the festivities started.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari shook his head slowly and his voice was soft, a hell lot quieter than usual and not just because he was feeling shy.

 

"It... It's not something anyone seems to speak about."

 

He wanted to respect Katsu, even if that seemed hard to believe most days deep down he didn't want to see the other feeling ashamed or hurt over his past.

The prince shuffled along, really hoping that there wasn't anything wrong with him so that he could get out of here as quickly as possible without too much intrusion.

He nodded his head slowly, the snow leopard had mentioned something of that nature briefly. But he had no idea that the other was only alive today thanks to curing the poison in time.

 

"I think I got most of it out my system... Admittedly I did become sick once, but now I'm good as new. Strong stomach, you see."

 

Dakari was still trying to talk his way out of this. But when he was more or less ordered to lay down and take off his shirt he felt too outnumbered to protest much as he grunted softly as he peeled the clothing off and set it aside, grumbling to himself as he wrapped his arms around his torso a bit defensively.

 

"Already having fun without me? How dare they..."

 

The boy muttered, trying to sound annoyed. But instead he couldn't help the smile that was tugging back up his lips. Why was it so hard to stay mad even when it would be in his favor? That's a hyena for you.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

"Well....that's not at all surprising, I suppose" Yuzuki breathed out quietly, a small frown briefly tugging her features down. "Their childhood, both Katsu and Kisame's, was filled with unspeakable cruelty and monsters. The Sentinels that lived through it with them still bear the scars of witnessing what had been done to them. The fact that those two still hold so much goodness and the ability to forgive when many would have given themselves to the darkness....That is a miracle in itself."

 

While she had not been born when the two Sentinels she admired had been held captive and tortured, she had heard the grotesque stories just as anyone in the immediate Sentinel circle had. She had wept for the pair, screamed for the pain they refused to give voice to and clung to them for long minutes in the several occassions that followed in which she could see them. They were dear to her, almost like brothers and to know they had suffered so terribly had torn her heart to shreds. And yet, watching them now, she was so impossibly proud of them too. It took a special kind of strength to be able to go through what they had and keep moving forward.

 

"Katsu is naturally secretive. He hates being a burden to others and he adamantly refuses to show weakness, even if he holds serious injuries....both mental and physical. He'd rather take on the weight of the world than ask for help....If you want to know about his past, you should ask him. The worst he can do is tell you to steer away from questioning him about his past.....Though I don't think that will happen. That old snow leopard appears particular fond of you, I think it's the first time in a long time that I've seen him show this much care for someone outside our Sentinel family" Yuzuki advised him, flashing him a small playful smile as she walked towards him calmly.

 

Her hands had begun to glow a gentle green as she approached him, raising a brow at his defensive appearance no matter the fact he was laying on the cot. Lifting her hands, she quietly hovered them inches above Dakari's stomach and closed her eyes to concentrate on what she was looking for in the hyena's body. "As happy as I am to know you have a strong stomach, even the strongest of stomachs can meet their match. Now this might feel a little funny...almost like a buzzing under your skin, but try not to move. I'm going to perform a quick scan to make sure there is nothing unsavory in your stomach. While I have confidence in your body, it wouldn't hurt to make sure."

 

Ignoring the growing sounds of festivities outside, Yuzuki slowly moved her hands over Dakari's skin, never once touching him but emitting enough of her power to make him feel her power against his flesh. As far as things were looking now, he seemed fine to her, but she wasn't about to skip a step in her examination.

 

"I'm sure once you join them, My Prince, the celebration will grow in volume. You must let those old men warm up before you make them inprove their efforts. We don't want them to hurt themselves trying to keep up with you" Yuzuki giggled softly despite not once opening her eyes from her job. It wouldn't be much longer now, just a few more moments and she would be able to tell if he truly was perfectly fine or not.

[LoneDigger]

"I don't know... I'm sure Katsu wouldn't want to talk about it to me. He's got Kisame and that guy actually went through the same thing so like... they have that bond or something."

 

Dakari grumbled, trying to state the facts calmly without getting himself too envious again. Why should he be jealous over something good that came for the pair out of a something nightmarish? Sure he was a brat, and a pain in the ass. But he was at least trying to be a little more mature. As hard as it was and shouldn't have been, considering that he was nineteen years of age.

 

"It kind of tickles..."

 

The hyena complained, but he held still. In fact he seemed to be squeezing himself in a tight hug so that he wouldn't feel the urge to squirm around. He huffed softly, hoping that this examination was almost over. He didn't want her to find anything that would prevent him from going out and having fun tonight. Even if she did, he refused to hold back.

 

"You can bet it will... For a bunch of old bastards they seem to know how to have a good time."

 

The prince chuckled fondly, he was just used to this. Since he had never had any siblings being around those older than him was just second nature. If anything he wouldn't know what to do with others his own age.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

"They may very well have a bond but I assure you, My Prince, that a clear perspective of a situation is always appreciated. It is akin to something like a breath of fresh air. While there is no sugarcoating that the two of them survived what could be closest thing to a hell, having someone on the outside to talk to about it wouldn't be bad. Sometimes, the opinions of people from the outside looking in help more than those you are tangled in bed with. Trust me there....besides, it would work on strengthening your bonds.....Of course, that is only if you're bold enough to pry"

 

Yuzuki spoke in a soft, musical laugh filled tone. Green eyes sparkled with knowledge and humor as she continued to tend to the future ruler of their realm. While she didn't know much about the dynamic between their coldest Sentinel, literally, and the young Prince...she was not blind to rumors and the such. She often heard Hiyori speak of the pair when the lioness had come to Yuuta's Tower to visit and on the rare occasions that Kisame had dropped by, he'd grumble about it to. Katsu was far more elusive but as her mate's former mentor, they often exchanged pleasantries and information when the snow leopard slipped out of the mountains he called home. There was something more between the Prince and Katsu than met the eye and Yuzuki couldn't help but feel curious about it.

 

"I'm glad that's all it feels like. Should it had brought forth another sensation, I'd be worried. It shows that you might very well be just fine, as you had stated previously."

 

Yuuta'a mate smiled gently down at the hyena. Quietly hovering her hands a few more minutes above Dakari, Yuzuki spared a few extra seconds to make sure the teenager showed no signs of deeper poisoning. From what her energy was telling her, the Prince felt absolutely fine to her. Even if he had stated that to her before, she now felt much more comfortable after having seen to that for herself.

 

"If you think they know how to have a great time, you have yet to meet that pairs fathers. As terrifying as Sentinel Hironori and Sentinel Tatsuo can be at first glance, those two old farts certainly know how to throw a party. I'm sure you'll be meeting them soon. They must have felt the disturbance in their sons, it's more than likely they're already on their way.....Just don't tell them I called them old farts. I'll never hear the end of it"

 

The russet haired woman informed Dakari while quickly winking at him playfully and lowering her hands, glow quickly melting away from them as if it had never been there.

 

"Now, come along, My Prince. The party awaits and I'm sure you don't want to fall too far behind in the festivities. Not when it seems that you truly are just fine."

 

Yuzuki smiled, turning her back on Dakari and heading for the entrance to her tent. Pushing the flap back and listening to the growing sounds of laughter and music, Yuzuki couldn't help but feel and reflect the excitement and happiness that filled the air around them. For the time of war they were in, being able to enjoy a small chance to have fun, was something that was greatly needed. Already in the distance she could see her mate making a fool of himself dancing beside Kisame in a loose circle made by their men and women. Several were contentedly sprawled out on the ground, others were sitting, some stood and some even danced alongside the drunken pair of Sentinels. Perched up on a low tree branch, looking impossibly comfortably leaning back against the bark of the tree with a bottle of clear liquor, was Yuzuki's favorite snow leopard. His usually cool and indifferent eyes were warm and filled with amusement as he watched his idiotic friends and exchanged soft words with the group of soldiers gathered at the base of the tree.