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

[LoneDigger]

Dakari dozed off for much of the first length of the journey. The vaguely familiar sounds and smells of the forest lulled him to sleep. But as they kept going north... things began to change and the little cub could feel it in his bones.

He had been warm, but now all that was gone as he felt a shudder shake through his body. He blinked his eyes open to see how far they had come and he let out a soft gasp at the brightness of pure white surrounding them.

For a minute he truly believed they were walking in the heavens among clouds, as those were the only white things he had ever seen in nature. They even felt soft and light little millions of little clouds swirling around them, but these were only snowflakes.

 

Dakari was utterly fascinated by this new world, but equally frightened. He pressed himself tighter against the snow leopard's pelt and snuggled into it's warmth.

As the temperature continued to drop and the winds howled around them he again began to feel a strange sensation, at first it burned terribly and he almost began to cry from the pain... but then it was just pure warmth spreading through him.

Surely Katsu would be able to feel it too. But if only the Sentinel were to turn around and see that a small flame was licking up at the sky from the cub's back where there was usually only a ridge of fur.

 

The prince had fallen back asleep again, and when he awake the small flame would be extinguished like his dreams...

He suddenly couldn't keep up his act and when he really came to terms of how far from home and his family he really was caused the cub to suddenly let out the saddest of wails, trembling as he hid his face in the snow leopard's fur. But his despair only lasted a few minutes before he was already bravely crawling off Katsu's back as requested, but only the sharp pain in his shoulder caused him to fall and he would have yelped only the snow broke his fall and it didn't hurt at all.

It truly felt like he had fallen into a cloud, although it was a lot colder then he imaged them to be.

On his back with his paws in the air the hyena just lay there in the unnatural whiteness, yet something stirred within him.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

It had not escaped the snow leopard's attention when Dakari began to grow rather warm on his back. It was strange, not something he had been expecting in the least and when he chanced a glance back at the little one, the flame that caught his attention had taken the breath from his lungs. Fire? Why had the cub's ridge been on fire? It didn't make much sense and his confusion had caused the feline to pause in his steps towards his home. Blue eyes looked on in what could only be shock as that flame dimmed gradually seconds later until it was completely gone. Leaving no trace of it ever being there.

 

Could it be that Dakari was awakening his powers? That would be a good explanation to what he had just seen but it was unusual to have it happen when the cub was away from his parents. Usually when powers were born, the parents of the child were present to be able to be the first to see just what gift their child had been given. To have it happen now with Dakari, if that was what had just happened....well it surprised Katsu down to the core. Perhaps their awakening had been due to the stress he had endured over these last few hours, that could be the reason why the cub had manifested them now. Yet it had still been alarming to see the flames on Dakari.

 

Then again, with a temperament such as his, those flames suited him quite well.

 

Shaking his head with a hint of exasperation and amusement mixed in one, the feline continued his trek through the snow covered land. It was only when they had arrived at the Tower and Dakari released that wail that pierced even the snow leopard's heart, that Katsu couldn't help but want to offer the boy a bit of comfort. No doubt he would be longing for his parents right about now.

 

Blinking in mild amusement down at the cub the moment he made his landing on his back, Katsu couldn't only tilt his head a bit and chuckle out a:

 

"Nicely done, young one. You're graceful landing is truly impressive"

 

Taking just a moment to focus on the shift, blue eyes closed for a moment as bones changed and reformed. When those eyes opened once more, the man rolled his shoulders and brushed that long hair away from his face before reaching down and scooping Dakari into his arms as gently as he could.

 

"I know you are frightened and long for home, Princeling. I promise I'll get you home as soon as I can when your wounds have been dealt with. By tomorrow you'll be safely with your parents and this will only be a bad memory....But for now, I need you to be brave for a little while longer. Now try and stay still. If you feel afraid, latch on to me as best you can....just don't bite down too hard. You'll be in a warm, soft bed in just a moments time" Katsu spoke with more warmth and comfort in his voice than he had previously used on anyone outside his family.

 

Cradling Dakari close to his chest with one arm, Katsu bent his knees to crouch while he eyed a ledge several feet above them. With one leap, the snow leopard gracefully soared through the air to reach that small ledge, grabbing onto it easily with his free hand and digging in the toes of his shoes for leverage against the cold tower walls. Keeping his gaze turned up to another ledge higher up, Katsu repeated the processes by using his grip on the current ledge as momentum to hurrell a few feet higher up to his next target. Never once did his footing or grip falter and his body remained far to relaxed for an activity that would have surely meant death for anyone else.

 

It took a handful of moments but soon Katsu was making the last leap to land successfully on the balcony of his bed chambers. Through the glass doors, a massive bed could be seen in a beautifully decorated room that harbored a roaring fireplace inside it. Surely it had been lit by either Natsume or Tsubaki. Opening the doors to his chambers, Katsu walked the remaining few steps to his bed and gently set the cub down on the soft furs there.

 

"How are you holding up?" He asked quietly as he stroked a gently hand down the cub's head.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari just laughed weakly and gently flailed his paws in the air trying to get back up, but being exhausted meant he was more or less kind of stuck there.

He watched with mild fascination as the other changed, even though he had seen it a million times with others and even himself in the reflection. It still never failed to amaze him, and how different humans were, yet... some animals features always stayed there. Small remnants of the animal spirit.

 

The cub was too exhausted to change back since it did take quite a bit of energy and concentration to do so. So as a little hyena the boy stayed, and he let out a soft but content chatter when Katsu scooped him up so delicately he almost felt as if it were his mother or even father being the one to carry him. That's how much love he could sense coming off the elder.

That was another thing... even as mischievous as Dakari could act, deep down animals could feel emotions and you could never hide your true nature from them.

So even though he knew Katsu had to be cold and stoic as a Sentinel the cub knew that beneath the icy layers there was a warmth, though it was one only reserved for a very special few. And he felt honored to be one of them.

 

If he wasn't completely tuckered out then he surely would have been screaming by now. Dakari was terrified of heights, they were highly unnatural and hyenas were no way equipped to handle them.

But feeling secure in Katsu's grasp the cub was very quiet and only grew more relaxed when the elder made jumping from cliff ledge to another seem so... fluid and effortless.

 

Once inside the prince took a quick glance around the room and instantly when he smelled the wood smoke from the fire and it's heat felt all his worries fading away and even his pain somewhat too. He was drawn to warmth and fire the same way Katsu was to cold and snow.

 

His paws hadn't even been dug too tight against the other's robes, and his face which had been tucked underneath Katsu's chin was already beaming up tiredly at the Sentinel. He nuzzled underneath the elder's jawline and pushed himself up more so that he could rest his head on his shoulder and let out a content whine.

 

"I feel better... This is really where you live? All the way up in the clouds?"

 

He inquired innocently, his warm brown eyes filled with awe.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Chuckling at the Princeling's awe filled questions, Katsu ran his finger's through the hyena cub's fur even as he looked around his room with a small smile on his features.

 

"Yes....I suppose I live all the way up in the clouds, though I never thought of it like that. I've spent my whole life calling this Tower home, so has my sister. And our mother before us called it the same. Its isolated and far from civilization, but its home to me. I wouldn't have it any other way" Katsu remarked with quiet affection in his voice as he spoke.

 

This Tower was one of the most ominous looking of all the Sentinel Towers. Perhaps it was because it was located in a winter landscape, where warmth was so rare to be felt and one could wonder these mountain for days without finding their way out. Or perhaps its was because the guardian of this Tower had always been one of a rather cold outer nature and even colder touch....Katsu couldn't be sure. All he knew was that aside from the scarce villages located amongst these mountains, villages he and his followers had watched over for centuries....just as his mother before him had, no one came to this Tower often. To be honest, Katsu preferred it that way. Aside from the other Sentinels and his followers, two groups of individuals which he considered family, he didn't need anyone else snooping around his home.

 

Looking over at the door of his room when he heard a quiet knock, Katsu called a brief acknowledgment before the door was slowly swinging open. A thin, tall young boy with a shock of long gray/white hair and light brown eyes...almost golden in the light, stepped through the door holding a tray in both hands. Slung across his shoulder was a rather large satchel that Katsu knew held medical items in it for the times where scuffles or spars grew too rough. Walking further into the room, the boy smiled friendly at Dakari even while the aura of what appeared to be unwavering peace never faded from around him.

 

"Princeling, this is Natsume....one of my followers. I've known him for nearly my entire life and he is very dear to me. If you'll let him, he'll tend to your injuries while you take a warm drink. I'd rest easier knowing that your wounds have been dealt with instead of them being neglected" Katsu introduced Dakari to the young male who stopped just a foot from Katsu's side.

 

"My Prince....it is a great honor to meet you although I apologize for the circumstances being far from appealing....I've brought some warm chocolate if you would to drink some while I tend to you as best I can" Natsume greeted the boy, bowing deep at the waist before straightening to turn those gentle eyes on the young Prince before him.

[LoneDigger]

"Does Hiyori like it here even though she's not..."

 

He quickly stopped himself realizing that these questions of his could easily be considered rude or intrusive.

The prince knew he had already disrespected Katsu enough for a lifetime and he wasn't about to make the same mistakes when he now knew better.

 

Already the cub felt so much older than his years... In all but in the span of a day? Two days? More?

Come to think of it being in the cave had skewed his sense of time and he had no idea how much of it had passed already.

But he was no longer so carefree, he now had a new profound sense of both wonder and fear at how... unexpected their world could be from the animals in it to the landscapes they inhabited.

 

So if he had been the same Dakari he was a few days ago he would have already been tearing around the place and demanding that they make a new game or just asking a bunch of questions. And the healer would have received a similar enthusiastic and cheerful greeting.

 

But instead of that Natsume was met a hyena cub who was very suspicious. How did he know for sure that this male could be trusted and wasn't going to hurt him like Shiba had?

The wolf had truly been such a big part of his life, someone they had trusted and more. What if everyone they trusted including Katsu's followers were also just waiting for their chance to hurt him?

 

So when the snow leopard tried introducing him the cub immediately bristled up a bit and edged closer towards the elder, not outwardly trying to hide or anything, but still showing a new shyness.

Yet the cub still gave a respectful bow of his own but then spoke.

 

"Thank you very much, but... I can't accept your help. You must understand it's not... proper of me in my position to do so."

 

Dakari replied, trying to sound just like the adults did when they talked.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

"Hiyori is half snow leopard. While she bears a strict resemblance to our father, even she longs for the cold from time to time. Be that as it may be, she still has strong blood ties to her lion lineage, that is why I've separated a place in this Tower for her. Hiyori has the control over nature, mother nature answers her calls and she can bring to life any plant and vegetation she'd like to have. The lower half of this Tower is reserved for her, the air down there is much warmer than it is up here and she has quite the garden down there. However, when she longs for the Savannah environment, she makes the journey to the South Tower where our father was once Sentinel. Our childhood friend has taken his place there and she is always welcomed with open arms" Katsu explained the situation with his sister calmly, not appearing bothered by the question Dakari was going to say in the slightest.

 

"I've tried to convince her to stay at the South Tower and perhaps find a mate there....however, she does not listen. She's always been dead set on staying by my side no matter what, ever since our parents died. So all I can do is entertain her prideful determination and offer her what comforts I can in this frozen world" he finished sighing softly and shrugged his shoulders.

 

Hiyori had always been quite attached to him ever since they had been children. She had always had the tendency to follow him around like a little shadow....even to places she had no business being. Katsu couldn't remember how many times their parents had nipped at her ears when they caught her trying to scale the same frozen cliff walls Katsu did, or how many times they lectured her for trying her luck on the leaps from one ledge to another that the older feline did with grace. Nevertheless, no matter how many times Hiyori would get scolded, her determination to stick by her brother's side never faltered and Katsu never had the heart to chase her off. Even if it was for her own good. The siblings loved each other and they had stuck together throughout the centuries, no matter what came their way.

 

Both older men blinked at the reaction of the young Prince in their presence, however neither seemed upset. If nothing else, they both appeared to understand the caution in the Prince. After all he had been through, it was perfectly understandable.

 

"Of course, that is something I can understand at full, my Prince. Nevertheless, those wounds must be tended to. Your parents would have our heads if we don't return you to them as perfectly as you left them......would you be opposed to Katsu tending to them? I can assure you that you have nothing to fear from him" Natsume responded gently even as he tried to negotiate with the younger male.

 

Blinking down at Dakari, Katsu exhaled a soft sigh before reaching out to brush his fingers against the boy's ears.

 

"I know you're worried about who you can trust and who you can not. It will take time for that caution to fade away....but in this Tower, we have all sworn to protect the Royal family. No matter the cost. Our promises can not be swayed as easily as Shiba's or any inside the palace. We are marked by the Gods to be this realm's guardians and the protectors of the crown. Our followers are under the same oath....even if we wanted to, something that will never happen, unless we felt our existence was in danger, we would not be able to harm you like Shiba did" Katsu stated softly, he too trying to make the boy understand that there was nothing he had to fear here. Those that circled the Sentinels and the Sentinels themselves were very different than the people the boy had interacted with before.

 

Reaching for the mug of steaming liquid in Natsume's tray, Katsu gripped the cup and raised it to his lips to take a sip. Just one, as proof that there was nothing wrong with the drink. An extra reassurance for the Prince. Once he was done, he lowered the cup from his lips and offered it to the boy. It didn't matter that he was in his animal body, Katsu was more concerned in getting some liquid into the boy.

 

"Drink..please...if not for yourself then for your parents....they would want you to be brought back to health as soon as possible" he spoke gently, keeping those blue eyes on the young Prince with infinite patience in them.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari looked up towards Katsu with an almost pleading expression in his eyes. He'd feel much, much better with having Katsu take care of him instead of the other. Even if he seemed so nice... He was just really scarred over what had happened before it seemed he was going through something where no one could be trusted anymore.

But in time he would learn with experience how to distinguish between the two... Right?

 

The hyena's ears twitched and he leaned his head slightly against the elder's touch, letting out a low whine as he closed his eyes as he listened to the other's words carefully. Trying to really take in into consideration.

He was safe here and none of the Sentinels would harm him... The cub sighed and nodded his head to show he understood now.

 

Sitting up a little Dakari watched curiously as Katsu took a sip from the drink and when it was presented to him he gave it a good sniff before deciding it was okay to drink. His muzzle fit into the mug and his pink tongue flicked out to lap up the hot coco delicately. He was really savoring it and letting it warm him up from the inside out.

He pulled back and licked his lips before resting his head down, he loved the taste of the chocolate... It was comforting and reminded him of home. Though he had never had something chocolate in a hot drink before so this was already such an amazing first for him.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Smiling just a bit when Dakari actually did as he was asked and began to drink from the cup, Katsu shook his head amused before turning his gaze to Natsume. His follower seemed equally as amused as he was, sporting a serene grin on his delicate features while simultaneously slipping the satchel from his shoulder and passing it over to Katsu. The owl wasn't blind, he saw the trust the cub had in the Sentinel and at the moment, perhaps it was best for the boy to trust just one person at a time while he was away from his home. While he might have been the medic in this Tower, Katsu knew just as much as he did in curing injures so he wasn't worried that his old friend would be in over his head.

 

Taking the satchel, Katsu watched Natsume quietly slip out of the room before he turned his attention once more on Dakari. Once the boy had finished his drink, Katsu walked a few paces away to set the cup down of one of his tables before reaching up to tie his hair away from his face with a ribbon. If he was going to tend to the young one, the last thing he needed was his hair cascading all around his face and making things harder to look at than they probably already would be.

 

"I'm going to need you to try and remain relaxed. Disinfecting the wounds will hurt a bit, but its neccessary. Once we're done and everything had been looked at, then you can rest to your hearts desire" Katsu said as he turned his attention to the cub laying on his bed and began to walk over.

 

Dropping the satchel on the bed beside the cub, the snow leopard calmly got to work gently looking at the boy's scruff. He had detected the scent of blood coming from there earlier, it was one of the reasons he hadn't carried the boy by that method when they had left the cave. Seeing where the skin had been broken from Shiba's much to hard treatment, Katsu couldn't help but let out a soft growl of anger at the thought of the wolf before shaking his head and taking a cloth out of the bag. Drenching it in a special mixture Natsume made to disinfect wounds, Katsu gently dabbed the cloth over the punctures as lightly as he could.

 

"Where else were you hurt?" he asked while continuing to clean the first wound he had stumbled upon.

[LoneDigger]

"Okay... Thank you, Katsu..."

 

The cub murmured a bit sleepily already even though he knew he needed to be sitting up for the other to help him.

Yet he wasn't worried about the pain anymore. In fact he was more interested in the way the elder's appearance changed simply by pulling his hair back gave Dakari a new look at the other's face and features that he hadn't notice before with his hair trailing down his face.

 

The prince bit down on the covers to keep his soft whimpers of pain at a lower volume as the snow leopard tended to him gently.

His neck was sore, the teeth had not only sunk in deeply but they had also serrated his flesh in a few areas from being shaken around.

He'd never been truly bitten before and that alone was terrifying to fear another predator's teeth like that. It suddenly made him realize all the many times he had bitten others in play. While he may not have punctured them, he wondered if it had still hurt them...

 

"All over my side..."

 

He whined.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

With his hair pulled away from his face, one could just barely make out small black spots decorating their way down his neck and a few just at the corners of his eyes. They weren't bold, instead they looked almost like incredibly pale freckles but they were there. Something that followed him after changing from his animal form to his human form. The black spots that often covered the fur around his eyes and head when he was in his feline form, faded yet remained on his skin even as human. They were unique in the way they were spaced across his features but it didn't take away from his beauty. If anything, it made the man look more exotic. And some more of his markings followed him through the shift though they were covered by his robes. Along his back, spots turned to pale rosetta markings that gave no question of his parentage to those who knew him.

 

Finishing up on Dakari's scruff, Katsu shifted his attention to where the boy had said he was further injured. Runninging the cloth over all the injuries he could find, Katsu stepped after a moment to look through the bag once more. He shifted bit to pull a bottle from the bag next even as he dropped the cloth he had been holding on the bed. Opening the bottle that held another of Natsume's concoctions, a minty cool smell soon swelled up into the air as the snow leopard poured some of the thick white substance into his hand.

 

"This works as a numbing agent for your wounds. You'll feel them grow cold and then gradually the pain will fade. It's meant to numb your injuries enough for you to be able to rest without the discomfort of feeling them every time you move. I'm going to apply this onto your body and then I'll wrap a few bandages around you. After that, we should be just about done and you'll be able to get some rest" Katsu explained even as he began to run his fingers against the boy's wounds.

 

His touches were impossible gentle, not once applying too much pressure or seeming too impatient. Every time his fingers ran over an injury, he allowed a very thin layer of ice to claim homage to them for just a few seconds to cool the pain Dakari must have been feeling. And as he had stated, once he rubbed the ointment on the Prince's injuries, Katsu finished by gently wrapping a couple of clean bandages around the cub before finally stepping back.

 

"There....you should be all set for tonight. The ointment should have started working by now, that way you'll be able to sleep without pain....Did you require anything else, little one" he asked after a moment while he began to out the items that had been used back in the bag.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari scrunched up his nose slightly at the strong scent of mint hitting his senses, he even had to give a little snort just to feel like he was getting rid of the scent that was inside his head.

The hyena knew that for the stuff to work he'd have to have more skin available and with his short but thick fur that would be nearly impossible.

So he decided to change again, despite the effort it took and slight discomfort as even if he wished that his wounds wouldn't transfer into his other body they always still did.

 

The prince lay perfectly still, his face down against the blanket. When he first felt how could the stuff was it made him flinch and let out a soft whine, but he quickly settled back down again.

Other than the bite on the back of his neck and a few small cuts, the main problem was the ugly bruising that covered a lot of his body. But it really could have been worse.

With all the bruises it was harder to see that Dakari too had faint freckles that seemed to resemble the pattern of his pelt as a hyena.

 

But as tired as he was, there was still another matter that was pressing him. Yet it would have been considered a good sign.

 

"I... I'm hungry..."

 

The cub mentioned quietly, almost sounding a hint guilty. Katsu had already done so much for him and now he was demanding a meal before bed.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Watching Dakari change back to his human state while he finished tending to him, Katsu couldn't stop the small smile from appearing on his face. Despite his reservations and even his own pride that kept him from showing too much emotions at certain times, he had to admit that the cub was a cute one. Hiyori might even label him as adorable but Katsu wasn't comfortable going that far just yet. Dakari wasn't the nuisance most cubs tended to be every now and again. While he had been somewhat exasperating with his demands to play when Katsu had first met him, that was just what made the cub all the more special. Even now that the boy seemed a bit more brought down to earth than he had before.

 

Laughing softly at the boy's request for food, Katsu sank down on the bed just a few inches from Dakari and rested his weight on the hands that were placed to support his weight behind his back. Gazing up at the ceiling of his chambers, he hummed out a thoughtful note while he considered what be could give the cub to eat. His diet was more than likely very different than that of the hyena cub's but there wasn't much he could do about that. The mountains didn't have the same prey Dakari was probably used to so he'd have to stomach whatever it was Katsu would be able to offer him.

 

"What would you like to eat? I'm afraid my mountains don't hold the prey animals your palace must have. We mostly eat goats, rabbits, and different birds up here. I'm not sure if any of that sounds too appetizing. If you want, I can travel further to see if I might find something for you to stomach better" the feline offered while turned his gaze down to the boy laying face down on his bed.

 

At the very least, despite the bruising, Dakari seemed to be well. He had let out some noises of pain while Katsu was tending to him but for the moment the boy seemed almost comfortable. Which was a good thing, the last thing the feline wanted was the Prince to have to suffer more than he already had.

[LoneDigger]

"Oh... I'm not picky. My stomach can handle anything."

 

Dakari giggled, and it was true. He could eat just about anything without getting sick. Even bones and rotting meat were fine, though being royalty meant he'd never been that desperate to actually give either of those a try.

Though he was positive he'd tried a rabbit or some type of bird before, but he didn't think he'd ever tried a goat.

 

The prince snuggled into the blankets, scooting closer to the side of that was pointing towards the fireplace. He loved the warmth and watching the flames dance. He hadn't been paying attention to where Katsu was and ended up pressing against the elder's side.

He grinned sheepishly before moving over again stretching out on his stomach and folding his arms so he could rest his head in them. His blond hair was a bit messed up from all the crawling around, but he didn't even seem to notice.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

"Very well" Katsu chuckled at the boy's response.

 

Reaching out just a tad absentmindedly, Katsu ruffled Dakari's hair in the gentlest of fashions even as he eyed the door and parted his lips to call out. However, before a sound could leave his lips, Natsume was pushing the door open once more and bringing in a tray full of food this time. Blinking at his friend and follower for a moment, Katsu could only shake his head in deep, profound amusement even as Natsume released a soft laugh and placed the tray of food on the bed beside the snow leopard.

 

"If I weren't impressed with you already after years living together, I would be amazed at your talent to know things without me even having to tell you" the feline murmured an entertained and very rare grin appeared on his usually stoic features. The expression making him look younger than what his serious look lead most to believe.

 

"I'm an owl, Katsu. If I couldn't hear what was going on in here, then I'd be a failure to my species. Besides, you always are hungry when your spars with Kisame end up going rougher than planned. I figured that our Prince must be starving after what he's been through....I've brought some goat and a warm stew. I hope it's enough to satisfy him for now" Natsume smiled as he spoke.

 

"I'm sure it is" Katsu responded, lifting a hand to gently cup the male's cheek and bring him down for a moment so the two could briefly press their foreheads together.

 

An action that had them both closing their eyes in content and exhaling a passive breath. While snow leopards tended to prefer to live alone, Katsu was half lion and he did have moments of affection towards his followers such as now. Besides, a gesture like this was one he had learned from his mother and had been performing for numerous years now. It was a normal action from the snow leopard and both his sister, followers, and a few other Sentinels had learned to love his brief show of deep affection.

 

"Go on your flight, I have things handled here" the feline commanded lightly after a moment, blinking his eyes open again when he pulled away from the owl.

 

Nagsume smiled in delight and nodded before bowing once more to Dakari and heading out the room. Once the door clicked shut behind him, Katsu gently placed the tray on the bed beside Dakari and gestured for the boy to begin eating.

 

"Eat as much as you can. Natsume's cooking is one of the best I've ever had. The goat might taste a bit odd but it's not bad, you just have to grow used to it" he stated calmly.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari let out a faint, but content groan as the other ruffled his hair. Even if the touch was light he still craved affection and now that his adrenaline had completely disappeared he was feeling more trusting.

His own attention was turned to the door when he smelled the food before even seeing it, feeling his stomach growling.

 

"Natsume? Thank you for bringing this..."

 

The prince bowed his head just slightly but kept his eyes on the tray since the food was just too tempting.

It appeared to be some kind of soup and he was already eager to try it.

Sitting up properly and scooting to the edge of the bed, he wrapped a blanket around to cover himself as he took the bowl and not even bothering with the silverware as he dipped the bowel towards him to drink from the side.

It was delicious, there was spices in it he didn't recognize but right now it was honestly the best thing he had ever tasted.

Once he finished with that he nodded towards Katsu, wanting the other to have some of the goat too so they could share it.

 

"The stew was amazing. I'm sure the goat will be too..."

 

He picked up a piece and brought it to his lips taking a bite and chewing thoughtfully as he let the flavor settle in his mouth. It really wasn't so different from eating an antelope so he gladly swallowed so he could go in for another bite.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Observing as Natsume glanced over his shoulder at Dakari and smiled kindly at the boy, Katsu could feel something settling in him. His followers , or his "pride" as Hiyori liked to call them, were very close and dear to him. Aside from the other Sentinels, they were the only ones who knew who the real Katsu was behind the mask he often wore towards the outside world. They knew his charming nature that would often slipped into his daily activities when he was relaxed and they knew of his far more lenient temper than most Alphas. Katsu was a rare jewel to them, a completely different breed of Alpha...one who didn't spend all the hours of his days pondering over ways of making others submit to him. They knew his kindness and his protective tendencies over those he loved. In whole, they knew his true self and if they were already willing to accept Dakari into their home and welcome him with open arms, as Natsume and Hiyori had done....then Katsu couldn't be prouder of them.

 

Leaning back on his elbows on the bed as he watched the Prince devour the stew through half lidded eyes, Katsu released a soft yawn while he allowed the young one to eat in peace. Now that the excitement was over and the Princeling was safely under his watch, his natural laziness was peeking through again and his desire to close his eyes and sleep was growing all the more evident as the moments dragged on. It was only when Dakari nodded to him that the Sentinel's awareness was returned to the young boy and softness melted the normally cool gaze of his eyes.

 

"It is a delicacy up here, once you get used to the flavor, you'll find that its actually quite tasty....by far it's one of our favorite meals...though you should try the sheep to someday" Katsu commented as he reached out to pick a slim piece of meat from the dish and popped it into his mouth.

 

He wasn't all that hungry, he had fed well when he had returned to the palace after the little scuffle with the Prince. His stomach was still rather full but for the Prince, he entertained the offer of sharing the meal with him. He didn't take a lot, no he only took a few small pieces of goat here and there while he left the bigger slabs of meat to the younger male. And once he felt like he truly didn't want to put more into his stomach, the feline straightened a bit before rising to his full height.

 

Gazing down at Dakari with that same unusual warmth in his eyes, Katsu leaned down to briefly nuzzle the hairline of the boy with his nose in another rare sign of affection before stepping back. As much as he wished to sleep, he doubted the cub would be comfortable lowering his defenses in full around a still relatively unknown individual such as himself. Besides, whether he liked it or not, Katsu knew he could possibly find some work to do while the cub rested in his chambers. The most important thing to him now that the cub had eaten, was to have the boy rest and recover from his experience.

 

"Finish that up and once your done, you can leave the tray on the floor. I'll come back for it a little later. Just concentrate on getting some sleep for now, you've had a rough few hours and your body needs to rest. I'll be around the Tower if you need me, all you have to do is call" Katsu said in a gentle tone of voice.

 

Combing his fingers once more through the Prince's unruly hair, the feline turned his back and calmly began to head for the door of his chambers.

[LoneDigger]

"It's good..."

 

Dakari nodded again, and it was clear from the way he kept going back for more that this was something he really enjoyed.

 

"Sheep? That sounds tasty..."

 

He hummed, they were very useful animals. Their coats made soft clothing and blankets and their meat was good to eat. What more could you ask for?

 

Quietly sharing a meal with Katsu was oddly one of the most peaceful yet happiest moments in his whole life. And he wasn't a quiet being by nature so perhaps it was just the whole ordeal that had humbled him slightly.

All he knew now was that he could truly trust the Sentinel and even his followers more than anyone else in the palace.

He would have to be more wary in the future... Not to let traitors slip past him.

 

Dakari bowed his head slightly when he felt the elder leaning down and he hummed softly as Katsu nuzzled him, his ears twitching and pinning back not because he was scared obviously, but a sign of respect and acceptance to the small gesture of affection.

 

The prince wanted to protest when the other said he needed to go. Wanted to tell him that he needed to stay right here and watch over him as he slept, but yet he didn't want to sound like a cry baby... He was old enough to look after himself, right?

So he nodded tiredly, already feeling that sleep was really the best possible thing that the other could have offered him at this point after having a full stomach he pushed away the empty tray and curled up tightly into a ball.

It looked a bit ridiculous to sleep that way in his human form, but it made him feel cozy and safe.

 

"Thank you..."

 

He murmured, eyes closing as he felt the soft touch from the man's fingers through his golden blond hair disappearing and with that his scent too, Katsu had left to do more important things and he could be brave... Was his final thought before he surrendered himself to sleep.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Casting one last look back at the Prince as the little one let sleep take him, Katsu sighed and shook his head at the way the boy choose to sleep. It was different than what he was accustomed, but no less endearing he supposed. Later, when he had just a bit more time on his hands, he'd be sure to come check on the boy to see if he was still resting. The Gods knew that the cub could use as much sleep as he could get after the hellish few hours he had had to endure on his own with Shiba. And thinking of the wolf, Katsu wondered if his sister had bothered informing the King and Queen of the traitor's location. Surely she must have said it in passing, Hiyori would be interested to see what punishment the wolf would be handed after having posed a very real threat to the Prince of the Kingdom.

 

Closing the door quietly after himself, Katsu turned and headed further into his Tower. Strolling through the long white halls of the upper part of his home, Katsu weaved his way through a labyrinth of corridors until he reached the two large double doors he had been heading towards. Lifting a hand to push them open, he barely batted a lash when the ancient symbol for Ice formed in a light blue light on the double doors before they were swinging open. Inside the room it looked much more comfortable than one would have predicted. On the left wing of the room was a sitting area with walls lined with numerous shelves of thick and thin books. At the very front of the room, a massive wall window that gave an excellent view out of the Tower and to the world below. The right side of the room was occupied by a thick mahogany desk with several piles of paper stacked around it, towards the right corner, just feet from the desk was what looked like a long cylinder hole in the floor that held steaming water in its grasp. And right at the center of the room was a tall stand that held a glowing sphere of light. Light that reflected the same light blue color of the symbol that had appeared on the doors.

 

This was Katsu's working space, the place where he performed nearly all his Sentinel duties without flaw. He spent most of his time here when Hiyori or the rest of his pride weren't dragging him out for fresh air or more exciting activities. To be frank it was one of the rooms Katsu felt most at ease in, it held memories of his time with his parents and his first accomplishments as Sentinel of the Northern Tower.

 

Walking calmly towards the floating sphere, Katsu flickered his gaze over his shoulder to the number of comfortable, cushioned reclinable furniture...one which harbored his sister. Hiyori laid sprawled on her back on one of the longer seats, her feet comfortably propped up on pillows and a book hovering just inches from her face as it was held by a pair of delicate tanned hands.

 

"Welcome home, sister. Did you do as asked?" Katsu greeted her with deep affection in his voice even as he finished his journey to the sphere.

 

"The King and Queen have been informed of the status of their son. They are eternally grateful for us having saved him and insist that they are in our debt. I also informed them of Shiba, they should be sending someone to retrieve him sometime in the next few days. A bit of further punishment will do him well. Regardless, they are eager to see their son and will be awaiting his return with great anticipation tomorrow" Hiyori reported without hesitation.

 

"I see, thank you for getting to them, Hiyori. I just wasn't comfortable leaving the Prince on his own after what he endured. The cub is sleeping now, I believe I'm going to consult with the others while he rests. Wake me if he has need?"

 

"As you wish. If anything happens, I'll bring you back, brother. Now go and talk to those idiots. It's been a while since you all held council" Hiyori giggled, blinking at her brother with mirth filled green eyes.

 

Rolling his eyes at his little sister, Katsu turned his attention on the orb of light once more and when he lifted a hand to touch it, the light it held seemed to transfer into his body. The spotted patterns on his face, neck, and down his back where they turned to rosettes silently began to glow the same color as the orb and the blue of his eyes were erased to make way for a completely white glow. While his body was still present in the Tower, Katsu's mind and essence were miles away on a different plane of existence that the Sentinels used to communicate in and keep the balance between the realms.

 

Keeping her eyes on her brother just a bit longer, Hiyori nodded to herself after a moment before turning her attention back on her chosen book. While Katsu was away, she'd keep the order in their home, not that it was needed much.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari began to fit in his sleep, it wasn't natural for him to be in this position without feeling the presence of his mother and father pressed up to either side of him.

Sleeping alone was never something he had to do except for the rare moments when playing out in the garden and tiring himself out so much he would take naps in the sunshine. But he'd always wake up having been carried inside by a guard and placed back in the familiar bed with the comfort of his parents.

 

But this place didn't even subconsciously feel the same as home. It was so much colder, even buried in the blankets and curled up tightly he still felt a chill. The scent surrounding him was the only reassurance... Katsu. But still, it just wasn't the same at all.

 

He woke up with a sharp cry, feeling disorientated and unable to voice his own fears as he let out a scream of panic as he torn himself out of the covers and began to run around the room searching for the elder. Dakari didn't even know what he was experiencing was just called a bad case of separation anxiety, triggered by being away from home and recently having been betrayed meant his mental state was vulnerable.

 

Finally the fearless prince was showing what he truly was... only a child. Even if he wanted to act so much older and bigger some things you just can't fake.

 

...

 

Dakari had tried to track down the snow leopard, but he was hopeless lost in the labyrinth of the northern tower. Even the Sentinel's scent seemed impossible to track and everything was void of any sound or even much light.

 

"KATSU...!!!"

 

The boy called out, only to hear his own voice bouncing back at him which only seemed to panic him worse as he crumpled to the floor.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Sitting up sharply at the sound of a scream of panic vibrating through the walls and making it's way into her ears, Hiyori's normally sarcasm filled green eyes widened in concern as she turned to look towards the room door. The scream hadn't come from anywhere close to this room but it had reached her just as loudly all the same. Worry flooded into her mind at the knowledge that the only one who could possibly be making that sound was the Prince even if she didn't sense any danger in the Tower. Getting to her feet in a heartbeat, book abandoned in her previous perch, Hiyori turned her attention onto her brother who had seemed to almost winch at the sound of the scream. Katsu had said to bring him back if anything happened with the Prince and right now it looked like things were far from going smoothly.

 

Closing the short distance between them, Hiyori lifted a hand to place it on her brother's cheek and turn those absent white glowing eyes towards her.

 

"Katsu, big brother, I need you to come back. Dakari needs you and I dont know what to do. Please come back, brother" she called out to him with soft desperation her tone of voice.

 

It took a heartstopping handful of moments before her voice seemed to reach her brother. Previously glowing eyes slowly dimmed to give way to his natural blue hues and the markings around his body left their glow as well. Instead they returned to those exotic spots on his body and gave no indication that they had been anything else only moments ago. Blinking confused, slowly focusing eyes down at his sister when he managed to get his wits about him, Katsu tilted his head to look her order and assure himself that she was fine.

 

"Hiyori, what's the mat-" before he could finish his question, the scream of his name caused his head to snap towards the door and in a breath of air, he was gone from her sight.

 

Racing his way down the corridors of his Tower, sharp nose catching Dakari's scent in a heartbeat and wasting no time in following it, Katsu spared a moment to give his head a little shake. Coming back from that other place in such a fast manner was never a good thing, usually it lead to migraines and dizzy spells but right now the snow leopard couldn't focus on that. While his head was hurting, his concern for the cub was much more higher than anything else. He had never heard Dakari scream like that with such panic in his voice and to be completely honest, it unnerved him. The hairs on the base of his neck stood on edge and every instinct in his body was screaming to him to get to where the cub was as soon as possible. So while it might have normally taken long moments to navigate the complicated expanse of corridors that made up the Northern Tower, Katsu covered the distance in the span of a few seconds.

 

Making it to where Dakari was crumbled on the ground in a much shorter time period than would have been expected, Katsu took a moment to sweep his gaze to the area surrounding the cub and ensure himself that there was no danger before he was approaching the little one with quick steps.

 

"Little one, what's the matter? Is everything alright? Are you hurt, Princeling?" The snow leopard asked with a fine layer of panic in his voice even as he crouched down in front of the boy.

 

Hands reaching out urgently to gently brush against the boy's in an effort to see if he was injured anywhere, Katsu kept his eyes one the little trying to see if there was anything physically wrong with him.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari did not want to be alone anymore, could not be alone anymore. His spirit animal needed a clan, and his other half that didn't show like the hyena half was a wolf, which also thrived on social interaction.

Logic wasn't even on his side right now, all he knew was that he had fallen asleep with Katsu near his side and then woke up to be alone, like he was abandoned or just forgotten.

 

The prince missed the familiarity of his own room back at home... He was never alone there. Always there was at least someone to dote on him. His parents were preferred, but when they were busy usually a guard or his tutor would be there to entertain him.

Sometimes he wished he had a sibling to play with, but he had been an only child so there was no one around his age.

 

The cries stopped the moment he felt Katsu's presence before actually even hearing or seeing him. It was like a cool wind, and it made him feel... peaceful again. Even if he was still a bit worked up over his perceived abandonment.

 

"I'm not hurt... I just didn't know where you were so I got--"

 

He was about to say 'scared' but he didn't want the Sentinel to know that much.

So the prince slowly uncurled himself and sat up, just so that Katsu could see he was fine other than the bruises that had already been there.

 

"Where did you go?"

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Eyes softening almost to impossible levels for the snow leopard, Katsu allowed a breath of relief to escape his tight chest as his shoulder slumped from their tense appearance. He didn't have to hear the boy say it to know that the child more than likely had been frightened about waking up on a strange new place with no one familiar around after the kidnapping he had endured. It made the feline feel bad about leaving Dakari on his own but Katsu had had work to do and he honestly couldn't ignore the thought of consulting with the rest of his Sentinel family. Still, just seeing the state Dakari had riled himself into because he couldn't find him had sympathy festering in his heart even as he combed gentle fingers through the boy's blonde hair.

 

"I had work to do...I needed to meet with the other Sentinels and discuss several things that were rather important....however, I apologize for leaving you on your own. I should have stayed closer to you in case you woke before I thought you would" Katsu sighed out a reply softly.

 

Reaching out with both hands, he gently placed them under the boy's armpits in order to be able to lift him up carefully into his arms the moment he stood to his full height. With an arm under Dakari to support the boy's weight and the other gently around his waist, Katsu turned and began to head back down the corridor the way he had appeared. He wouldn't say Dakari was exactly light, the boy had muscle in him already and his sturdy form didn't lead to anyone believing his was exactly a light weight, but Katsu was by no means weak either. He might have been on the lean side of the scope, but the snow leopard was powerful in his own right and he had no quarrels showing his strength every now and again. Besides, he might as well enjoy the aspect of being able to carry Dakari while he still could because he didn't doubt that the boy would grow greatly in the coming times.

 

"Do you want to go back to bed? Or did you want to accompany me to my work space? Either way, I don't plan on leaving you again if you'd prefer I stay at your side. I just need to inform Hiyori that you are well. You worried her quite a bit" Katsu commented as he continued to walk down the halls with calm, steady steps.

 

He had no doubt that the others would soon check in on him after he pulled put of their other realm so sharply. However, for now he was more concerned about the little one he held in his arms. Until he delivered Dakari safely to his parents, Katsu would make sure to remain right at the boy's side as he had stated. He didn't want to have the boy drive himself up the wall again as he had just done so before he found him.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari let out a soft grunting sound as he was picked up and he fussed a bit, squirming and whining until he felt secure and then was settled again.

He would never admit that sometimes it was nice to be carried around, because if he did then Katsu would definitely treat him like a baby.

The prince wished he was grown up already, then he could show the world that omegas didn't have to all be the same and maybe he'd even be the first to defy his rank.

 

"Yes, you should have!"

 

The boy tried to sound stern, as if it were Katsu who was the one in trouble now.

 

"... But I will forgive you because you didn't know any better."

 

Truly, Dakari didn't even know the definition of overstepping his place as he gave a soft huff and gently gave the Sentinel's neck side a quick nibble.

 

"I will accompany you... Tell Hiyori not to worry about me."

 

Though even the cub was surprised that the lioness would even feel that way towards him, but it was welcomed nonetheless.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

"Of course, Your Majesty, I am ever humbly thankful that despite my misguided steps, I am lucky enough to have earned your forgiveness" Katsu chuckled, tone just a touch teasing as he continued his path.

 

Feeling that gentle nibble against the side of his neck had goosebumps rising ever slightly and a soft growl rumbling from his chest. Even if it had been gentle and probably harbored no ill intent, Katsu still remembered the last time he had let Dakari get close to his neck. The boy had taken a chunk right out of it and the snow leopard wasn't quick to forget how quickly a calm situation had spiraled downwards. While he tolerated most of the Prince's antics, his caution about letting the little one too close to his neck was a high one.

 

"Telling Hiyori not to worry is like telling the sky not to be blue. My sister spends her free time in a constant state of worry, though she masks it well. Besides, you are our Prince...it is our job to worry about you whenever you are in a state of distress" the snow leopard replied with a soft huff of an amused breath.

 

Hiyori was definitely the worrier of the two. Katsu handled things with grace and a devil may care attitude when a particularly sticky situation came up, however, Hiyori on the other hand fussed over the small details and making sure that plans went good without the smallest of hitches. They made quite the pair the two of them and the snow leopard would forever be grateful to have his sister at his side and protecting his back.

 

"My work space is a rather large one, Princeling. I'm sure you won't have a dull moment there while I tend to other important matters. If you wish to read from one of the various choices of literature we have, just let either myself or Hiyori know. There is also a hot water spring within the work space, so if you feel the need to grow warmer then you are free to take a swim in it" he informed the little one as they grew closer to their destination.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari quickly stopped and pinned his ears back when he felt Katsu tensing up after his teeth brushed against the snow leopard's neck. Instead he gave it a brief lick and then rested his head on the elder's shoulder, closing his eyes for a short moment.

How long could this last? His father ever was always saying that very soon he would be just too heavy to be picked up anymore. The cub couldn't wait for that moment to come when soon he'd be the one able to carry little ones around... Everyone would have to look up to him.

 

"I wasn't scared you know... Just... a little overwhelmed. That's all."

 

Dakari stated cooly, trying to hide the blatant obvious fact of him having been terrified over being left alone.

 

"May I go for a swim?"

 

The prince had already perked right up at the mention of it. Hyenas actually were very strong swimmers and enjoyed water whenever it could be found, which only during the rainy seasons for the most part when the plains flooded.