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

[Full_Moon_Rising]

"Of course you were" the leopard responded, trying to humor the boy more than anything else.

 

Katsu had lived a very long time and he knew how to smell out a lie from the truth. Dakari might never admit to it but the snow leopard knew that the cub was not being truthful in the least. Nevertheless, he wouldn't call the little one out on it. He had no true reason to after all. If Dakari wanted to keep the impression that he was a strong, brave cub despite his age, then Katsu would let him do so. After all, it wasn't hurting anyone and it would do the cub some good to be allowed little freedoms such as these while he was still so young.

 

"Yes you can, just try to not splash around too much or Hiyori just might have your head" Katsu replied as he smiled kindly at the boy he carried with him.

 

While he could swim and sometimes enjoyed a warm dip in that hot water, he'd much rather remain dry for the most part. The only times he tolerated willingly getting wet was when Kisame showed his face and gave him no choice but to get drenched. The blasted shark might have been one of his closest and dearest of friends along with other things, but he could be a pain in the ass when he set his mind to it.

 

Reaching the open doors to his work place where Hiyori hovered with a small concerned frown on her youthful features, Katsu smiled lovingly at his sister even as he leaned down to set Dakari back on his feet.

 

"He's fine, Hiyori. He just got a bit turned around in the corridors" the leopard informed the younger feline who nodded even as she looked over the young Prince with that motherly concern once again.

 

"If you ever come back to the Tower, I think we might have Tsubaki draw you a map. I dont think it'd be a good idea to have you get lost again in here" Hiyori sighed softly racking sharp claws through her hair even as she turned and strode back into the room once more.

 

Laughing quietly, Katsu shook his head at his sister even as he ruffled Dakari's hair and urged him forward as he himself began to walk back into his work space.

 

"Come along, Princeling. We can't keep these doors open for too long. Besides, you said you wanted to swim right? The spring is waiting for you" he called over his shoulder calmly.

[LoneDigger]

"I won't."

 

He promised, though the moment his feet touched the ground the prince was already striding around to check things out. He was very curious, but polite. He didn't dare touch anything and simply took a look around.

So this was where the Sentinels did their work... It was truly interesting.

 

"A map would be useful..."

 

He turned to smile shyly at the lioness,but when he felt Katsu gently nudging him along he quickly trotted ahead to find the hot springs.

 

"I love swimming!"

 

The prince confessed softly, yet the excitement in his posture was obvious. But there seemed to be nothing that the boy didn't love so it wasn't a big surprise to anyone his enthusiasm for life.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Watching the young one trot on ahead into the room, Katsu silently closed the doors behind them and sealed them once more. A precautionary habit. By law and tradition, only a Sentinel and his or her followers could have access to the work places of each Sentinels. Should anyone else try to enter without permission from the Sentinel of the Tower, they would be burned to a crisp at that moment. It was a safelock that had been thought up and created many years before Katsu was born. If he remembered correctly, his mother's grandfather had been one of the founding members of this form of security and it still ran strong till this day.

 

Watching Hiyori drop back to her place on cushioned seat, Katsu turned his attention back to Dakari and where the boy was approaching the area of the spring. Normally, the snow leopard would have no quarrels with allowing the boy to jump right in, but something had his senses going off. Something that was very much triggering Hiyori's senses as well because his sister was all but glaring at the steaming water just a few feet from where she sat.

 

"Prince...hold on! Don't get to close just yet" Hiyori called sharply out to the young one even as she stood up and closed the distance between them. Eyes never once leaving the water.

 

Standing at Dakari's other side, having crossed the distance faster than his sister, Katsu frowned at the sight of what appeared to be the tip of a fin appearing over the water. Yet, something was telling him that it wasn't a fin. Eyes narrowing in thought, Katsu's frowned the moment the object dipped under the surface of the water once more before his eyes were widening in disbelief and concealed exasperation the moment a dull flash of light reflected from under the water before something completely else was breaking through the surface. Or at least not something, but someone.

 

"Really? I haven't seen either of you two in a few weeks and glares is what I get for a greeting. Damn of that's the case, I should have made a bigger effort in dragging one of you into the bloody water instead of just considering it!" A rough, deep masculine voice broke the silence that had fallen as a rather pale muscular shape parted the surface of the water to reveal the appearance of a male.

 

Long, spiky wet steel colored gray hair hung around him in cascading strands while slitting pupils peered out at his audience from stormy gray colored eyes. Slits that appeared to resemble gills ran up and down both sides of his neck and as the man grinned, dozens of white terrifyingly sharp teeth flashed in the light of the room. With the water covering what could only be assumed was the nude lower half of his body, the man's well sculpted torso, face and muscled arms were the only things visible of him. However, it was enough to have Katsu and Hiyori relaxing even if the lioness growled in impatience at their visitor.

 

"If you would have even dared to throw me into that water, Kisame....I would have had shark bits for breakfast" she snarled at him and though there was heat in her words, it was clear that she wasn't serious by the growing laughter that was gathering in her eyes.

 

"Well its good to see you too, my little wild cat" The man, Kisame, barked out a sharp laugh.

 

Huffing at the nickname she was addressed with, Hiyori rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest as she raised a brow st their old friend.

 

"Honestly, Kisame, a little warning would have been nice before you decided to drop by. You know I loathe when you do that" Katsu sighed, dragging a hand through his own long black hair and raising his eyes to the heavens for patience.

 

"Man, seriously? Why should I give you a warning when I can just keep you on your toes, kitten?" Kisame grinned as he calmly began to stride out of the water.

 

It was an action that had Hiyori's face darkening in a fierce blush even as she reached down to cover Dakari's eyes from the sight of the shark's naked lower body the moment he stepped out of the spring he had been standing in.

 

"Kisame! For the love of the Gods, at least bother to manifest the lower part of your blasted robes! There's a child here, for goodness sake!" She practically screeched at him.

 

Katsu for his part dropped his shoulders in mild defeat even while reaching up to pinch the bridge of his nose. So much for having some quiet time to work....

 

"Sheesh, woman! Ya don't have ta bite my damn head off. Give me a damned minute, I'm sure the brat didn't see much of my body anyways" Kisame grumbled right back at the woman, a strange sort of accent making it's way into his voice while he waved his hand towards the spring water.

 

At once a surge of that hot water sprang out from the spring to reach him and wrap around his hips and legs. It glowed gray for just a moment before dissipating and when it did, loose silver and black trimmed pants covered Kisame'a lower body from view. With that taken care of, the shark wasted very little time from crossing the distance separating him and Katsu before all but draping himself over the snow leopard's shoulders. Nuzzling against the feline's neck even as Katsu grumbled a soft note of annoyance and tilted his head a bit to give him more access, Kisame ran his rough tongue across the expanse of skin in a clearly possessive manner.

 

"I'm hurt, Katsu.....You haven't come ta pay me a visit in weeks. It's been bloody borin without ya there ta keep me entertained. I think this might actually have our friendship scale take a hit" Kisame practically purred out.

 

"Quit being such a baby, I've been busy with things here. You know I can't always go to you if things require my presence in the Tower.....now get off, this is not the time nor the place for your desires" Katsu grumbled, elbowing the man in the ribs. An action that only resulted in Kisame grunting in discomfort but still keeping his arms slung over Katsu's shoulders for the most part.

 

Leaning his weight against the snow leopard's back, chin resting on one of his shoulders, Kisame rolled his eyes at the feline's words before turning his gaze down to Dakari.

 

"Yeah yeah, whatever you say, kitten....Who's the brat anyways?" He asked, raising a brow at the young Prince.

 

"That would be your Prince, son of the current rulers of the Kingdom. Prince Dakari" Katsu replied rather cooly as he lowered his gaze to Dakari, eyes growing warm and gentle.

 

"Ya serious? This little shrimp is our Prince?Che, the kid looks like he'll get dragged away by even the smallest of waves" Kisame huffed completely unimpressed.

 

"Mind your manners, Kisame" Katsu growled lightly at the male hanging off of him before turning his attention back on Dakari. "Pay his words little mind, Princeling. The Sentinel of the Tower of the Sea has always had a sharp tongue....However, Kisame is as loyal as the rest of us are".

[LoneDigger]

Dakari had already stripped down to his underwear, which were really just like a pair of short shorts more like so he could just jump right into the water but the prince tensed up when he heard the worry returning to Hiyori's tone.

He hurried to the snow leopard's side, his clothes folded neatly in his arms as he set them aside and pressed against the Sentinel's side with a low growl, his own blond hair seeming to bristle up along with his ears and tail.

He didn't even know what was going on, but if Katsu was not happy then neither was he!

 

Who was this guy and why was he speaking so disrespectfully to two Sentinels?!

Surely someone who acted that way couldn't be a Sentinel themselves...? Yet, the prince simply had a feeling that had to be the case here.

Still... what a loud mouth!

 

The prince huffed slightly when he felt the lioness pulling him aside and trying to cover his eyes, but he was already squirming and giving her a disgruntled look though was aimed shyly to the side.

Dakari was only just old enough to know that he should be embarrassed by other's nudity, yet not old enough to know the real reason behind it.

 

But the way the shark was acting around the two felines, and especially for Katsu somehow made the prince feel really uncomfortable. It was this strange feeling inside him he had never experienced before... True jealousy.

Though he wasn't mature enough to know that's all that it was he was feeling so the unknown had him even more worked up and made the repulsive feeling all the more worse.

 

Dakari moved tensely forward, still all bristled up and ready to get some answers but when he locked eyes with the snow leopard for a shot moment his own anger faded away and he even gave a smile, but hearing Kisame speak again had it turning into a grimace.

 

"I'm not little. I'm going to be bigger than all of you when I'm older!"

 

He snapped, as if he knew that for sure and was not only speculating or being just too hopeful. The hyena turned to Katsu again and whined softly in frustration.

 

"Very well... but tell him to stop doing that!"

[Full_Moon_Rising]

"Stop doing what?" Kisame asked with a smirk on his face. It was clear that he was intentionally trying to be frustrating.

 

"Kisame....please, would it kill you to act your age. It's bad enough that you are provoking our Prince....the fact that you are continuing to argue with a child is ridiculous. Drop the tone and mind your manners" Katsu hissed softly at his living attachment.

 

"Fine, whatever. Crap, I never knew you'd get so boring just cause we have our Prince around. The Katsu I know wouldn't have such a stick up his ass" Kisame grumbled while lowering his mouth a bit to nibble on the soft flesh of the leopard's skin. If he felt the sensation of a shudder run down the leopard's back, he didn't mention it in the least though he did chuckle quietly against his neck.

 

Gritting his teeth silently at the minor spikes of awakening desire that ran up and down his back, Katsu lowered his gaze to Dakari once more before shaking his head. As much as the shark drove him crazy in ways no other had done before, he didn't want to have a go at the shark in front of the Prince or even when the Prince was in the Tower. Something about having the little one present while the two of them relieved themselves didn't feel right to him and he wouldn't entertain the thought any further.

 

"I'm not going to tell you again, Kisame....Get off before I beat you to a pulp" Katsu snarled softly, flashing an annoyed glare at the shark who raised his brow at the display of the feline before huffed and slipping his arms off of him.

 

"Alright, no need to give me that look, Katsu. Sheesh, obviously I came at the wrong time" Kisame exhaled with a roll of those silver eyes which then turned on Dakari to appease him silently. "Looks like you have a new toy to play with".

 

The smack that he recieved for his words on the back of his head was expected even while he pouted at the feline as Katsu delivered a viciously dry glare to the shark before rolling his own eyes and shaking his head. He loved his friend dearly, but honestly, he had no idea how he put up with Kisame half the time. Lowering his gaze back to Dakari, Katsu stepped towards the boy and reached out to run his fingers through the cub's hair while saying:

 

"Go on, you wanted to swim, did you not? Ignore Kisame, he's an imbecile most times than not. Don't let his behavior bother you too much".

[LoneDigger]

Dakari didn't know what Kisame was trying to do with Katsu, but all that touching and just seeing them standing so close was making him so uncomfortable and he showed more teeth towards the shark.

 

"Stop opening your dirty mouth!"

 

What a rude creature... He should teach him some manners since it didn't look like anyone else had ever bothered to try.

So when Kisame turned to face him the prince didn't even flinch as he stood his ground stubbornly and a threatening chuckle began to rise out of him, his grin nothing but a snarl disguised as a toothy smile.

 

But Katsu had already delivered the first and perhaps final blow to the shark so Dakari would let things be for now. But he wasn't soon for forget that Kisame was no friend of his.

 

The prince wanted to calm down when the snow leopard stroked his hair, but it was still all bristled up and refusing to calm down, even his sinister chuckling was still rumbling in his chest.

 

"I don't want to leave you alone with him... He doesn't know how to behave!"

 

The cub huffed as he leaned against Katsu and hugged the snow leopard tightly while keeping his now harsh brown gaze on Kisame with another display of an aggressive smile.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Eyes widening a fraction when the cub actually wrapped his arms around him to hug him tightly, Katsu could only stare down at the little one with a rather perplexed expression on his face before he sighed and gently wrapped his own arms around the young Prince. Dakari didn't like Kisame. A blind man could see that with no assistance what so ever. It couldn't be helped though, Kisame was being an asshole as he tended to be....however, the Prince just wasn't used to the tendencies of the shark. Nor did Katsu ever think Dakari would truly grow comfortably with Kisame's dark sense of humor and mocking nature. Nevertheless, he didn't want to create more tension than what already was there.

 

"Calm your mind, Princeling. Kisame would never hurt me. He's a fool, one intent on pushing all the wrong buttons...but you'll soon learn to tolerate him. However, you don't have to worry about him harming me while being with me. He and I are good friends, there is no danger between us" Katsu murmured reassuringly to the young hyena whose aggressive expression did not slip his notice.

 

Behind him, he could hear Kisame release a soft warning sound towards the Prince, no doubt taking the look the Prince was giving him as a threat. With both of them in the room, Katsu didn't doubt that the little Prince just might lose his temper with Kisame's antics and calm words would not cool the fire in his veins. The best option was to try and separate them....at least for the time being.

 

"Kisame....wait for me in the gardens, I'll be down as soon as I manage to get some time to entertain you. Hiyori, keep him company, the last thing we need is him destroying your plants" Katsu ordered in a tone that lead for no nonsense from those in the room.

 

Hiyori was quick to nod to her brother's command and gesture for Kisame to follow. However, the shark did not depart without a few words tossed over his shoulder.

 

"Don't get too crazy with the kid, kitten. I might just get jealous if I catch more of his scent than what is needed on you when you come to me" the shark called back just as the doors closed behind them once more.

 

Shaking his head in ever fading patience at his old friend's antics, Katsu leaned down to nuzzle his nose onto the top of Dakari'a bristled hair while his long tail gently wrapped around the little one in a comforting motion.

 

"You shouldn't let Kisame get under your skin, little one. You'll let him win if he gets a reaction from you" he murmured gently.

[LoneDigger]

Kitten?!

 

Why on earth was Kisame calling him that when Katsu was more than full grown?

He didn't understand teasing to that extent yet, but it still put a really sour taste in his mouth.

Something was seriously wrong with this shark...

 

Dakari tried to let go of his anger, and listen to Katsu's wisdom. But not only had Kisame gotten underneath his skin... his actions caused an an emotion that had seized a hold of his heart and wouldn't stop squeezing. He felt like he was going to loose it again, he wanted to bite Kisame so bad... Make him cry and beg while submitting not to him, but to Katsu after daring to show such arrogance!

 

But... even the prince knew his royal powers stopped here. This was no his territory, and he was sure that Sentinels could only be punished when they actually committed a crime against the kingdom and not just for acting a bit too cocky wasn't written in any law.

 

"...What's wrong with my scent?"

 

The cub suddenly asked so innocently, yet his voice was a little grumble that was meant to be scary though was actually just really cute.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Breathing out a soft laugh, Katsu gazed down at the boy with obvious laughter in his eyes and by the twitching of his lips. Sometimes, Dakari was just too cute for his own good. This was one of the times, even though what spurred this temper flare was a shark that Katsu cared deeply about in his own way.

 

"There's nothing wrong with your scent, Princeling. Kisame is just....he's possessive and he doesn't like having me carry to many different scents. I don't care, mind you, but he has a habit of talking without thinking most of the time" Katsu replied as quiet laughter trickled out of his voice.

 

Kisame and he were not mates nor were they likely to ever become mates, but they were close friends. The had grown up together after having lost their parents in the war. They were closely knit with a few other Sentinels and Katsu had long since gotten used to Kisame's less than appealing nature. Hell, he wouldn't sleep with the man if he didn't like him. But he couldn't deny that Kisame could be a migraine inducing creature when he set his mind to it and apparently, the shark had found an interesting new victim to tease.

 

"Honestly though, Kisame is rather complicated and our relationship more so. However, it shouldn't bother you too much. It's matters for the adult minds...that's why I'm telling you to not let his actions get a rise out of you. He'll win his little game and you'll end up on the losing end of the challenge" Katsu added after a moment when he nuzzled against the boy's hair once more.

 

"Leave Kisame to me and you enjoy the time you have here in the Tower" he said softly, blue eyes soft as they kept their gaze on the child in his arms.

 

Kisame would make it his personal task to get a rise out of Dakari for as long as the boy was here, Katsu knew that.....but he had to admit that he had missed the shark. As annoying as he had a tendency to be, Katsu had missed the warmth of shared flesh with the other male and he was somewhat pleased for the other's arrival. Something Kisame would no doubt know without having to think twice. Nonetheless, that didn't mean he'd let him drive Dakari into an anger induced fit. The cub was his to protect and Kisame would learn to mind his tongue.

[LoneDigger]

"He should proud for you that you carry my scent since I'm going to be the ruler of everything one day!"

 

Dakari informed Katsu, and honestly he was acting perhaps just as arrogant as Kisame had only moments ago. The only difference was that the prince didn't say it to rill anyone up, he just was trying to defend himself and going overboard.

The sound of laughter coming from the usually refined snow leopard seemed to put the agitated cub at ease and he suddenly nuzzled his face against the elder's abdomen and so what if the shark could smell him, let it be there and tell the stupid Kisame that this was his most prized Sentinel!

 

The cub gazed up at Katsu with warmth returning to his brown eyes as the harshness slowly melted away.

He whined and shook his head, the grown ups were always saying things like this!

Yet he couldn't deny that the snow leopard's words were somehow reassuring... maybe he shouldn't worry about it. He was just a child and falling for other's games was supposed to be his specialty and he wasn't about to have his own tricks turned against him.

 

"... Thank you, Katsu. Am I still allowed to go in the Springs?"

 

Dakari asked hopefully as he leaned his cheek against the snow leopard's stomach and gave a gentle giggle, already his posture was more relaxed that the shark was gone and his usual cheerfulness had returned.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

"Perhaps you will, little one. But when one is as possessive as Kisame is, the scent of another on what has been claimed as your own is less than pleasing. You'll understand one day when you're older" Katsu laughed once more.

 

Dakari was truly precious for one so young and Katsu had faith that he would make a great mate for a lucky individual one day. One that tolerated Dakari's antics and grew fond of them as Katsu had no doubt begin to do so himself. The boy would be a handful, that was for sure, but he would be the breath of fresh air that the kingdom needed. To be lead by an Omega such as him and whoever managed to capture the boy's heart, would be a blessing in disguise for this realm. It was about time that the standard of the status of the people here was shaken up a bit. And who better to do it than the boy he held in his arms.

 

Feeling something warm spread through him from his abdomen to the rest of his body when Dakari nuzzled against him, the leopard released a long drawn out purr of pure content. Funny how one so small had a way of starting to melt his outer walls only with a bit of temper displays and a surprisingly clingy nature. The warm way the cub turned those brown eyes up to meet his only furthered the soft affection the feline found himself having for the boy already. As odd as the affection was, Katsu didn't want to fight it. Whatever was manifesting in his soul for this cub felt right and as long as Dakari would have him, the leopard wouldn't be quick to leave the young Prince in his past.

 

Smiling down at the child, Katsu ruffled his hair even as he took a small step away from him.

 

"Of course you can. In fact, I might as well join you for a few moments. It seems I might actually have some time to spare now with Kisame here" he replied, cooly shrugging off the upper part of his robes but leaving the pants on. He didn't think taking his pants off would be much use to him for now seeing so he would more than likely get wet when he met Kisame later. So for the moment, while he spent some time with the young one, he'd keep them on unless he decided to shift.

 

Calmly walking over to the hot spring, Katsu didn't hesitate from taking the first step inside the hot pool of water before turning to offer his hand to the little one who had become quite deer to him.

 

"Come on, Princeling. Let me see how well you swim" he gently beckoned him.

[LoneDigger]

Deep deep down... Dakari admired the Sentinel so much. Even if he acted out and probably drove Katsu crazy... It was still the same mutual feeling of affection. But it was the endearment of a child's comprehension, so it was still very different from what the elder, or even Kisame felt for that matter.

 

The prince stood back as the elder undressed a bit and he looked eagerly towards the hot springs and was tugging the snow leopard by the hand excitedly. Soon letting go to show off his swimming skills he slipped right into the warm water and began to swim quite powerfully, though having the broader shoulders must have helped a lot.

Yet the cub seemed entirely relaxed, even as he was paddling around there was this look of bliss on his face that had never been there before, only when he was cuddling up to his parents -or Katsu moments ago- or when he was asleep.

For once he was also quiet, so focused on just moving through the water that everything seemed at ease.

 

The hot water felt so soothing, especially against his bruises it seemed to melt away any lingering soreness he had.

Dakari clung gently to the side of the springs and rested his head just on the ground above the water while leaving the rest of him submerged in the warmth that seemed to be hugging him.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Watching the boy eagerly hurry into the water, Katsu chuckled and shook his head as he observed the little one. If ever there was an expression of pure and unwithheld delight, then that was the look on Dakari's face. The Prince looked to be completely at home in the water as he was on land. Then again, he had both hyena and wolf genes in him, it was little wonder had the kid enjoyed both dry and wet land. Thankfully Kisame wasn't in the room at the moment because that fish would do his best effort to cause the child to fear the water in any way he could. While Kisame was a Sentinel and would do his part to defend to realm and maintain the balance, he did have a personality that could cause even a saint to lose his temper.

 

Choosing to recline comfortably against one of the stone walls of the spring instead of swim about as Dakari did, Katsu got to work on working some frustrating knots he could feel out of his long hair. As much as he adored his hair and would never dream to chop it off, he couldn't deny that there were times where he wondered if the knots he got were worth it. During moments like these, he'd much rather change into his feline body and groom himself as perfectly as he could, but he didn't have the motivation to do that. Besides, he needed to keep an eye on the young hyena with Kisame here. While the boy acted like he was ready to take on the world, Dakari was still injured and Katsu wouldn't let him do anything too stupid.

 

"How are your wounds feeling, Princeling? Do they still hurt you? Would you like me to make you some pain remedy from a few tea leaves we have here?" The feline asked as he continued to run his clawed hands through his hair.

 

He could see that Dakari seemed just as relaxed as one could be in the grasp of the heated water around him but Katsu still worried. It had only been a few hours since he had gotten the cub to safety and that surely wasn't enough time for the cub to have healed completely.

[LoneDigger]

"Even better since I got in the water..."

 

The cub murmured softly, his eyes closed and his head still resting in his folded arms on the ledge, but the rest of him stayed under where it was so warm...

Why didn't they have hot springs at home? Perhaps they could only exist in very cold places such as these...

Dakari almost could have fallen asleep right there if it weren't for the fact that this place was still so new... and that dumb Kisame could come back any moment so he had to be prepared to protect Katsu this time!

 

"They only hurt sometimes... Though some tea would be lovely."

 

The hyena smiled, as he turned around so he could face the snow leopard, swimming around gently again before just letting himself sink back in up to his chin, his ears twitching contently.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

"Then we will have tea made ready for you when you decide to get out of the water" Katsu responded kindly.

 

Looking around his work space while relaxing his body all the more, the snow leopard was about to say something else but the sounds of stomping footsteps caught his attention. A long, resigned sigh escaped his lips as his shoulders slumped and he let out a soft groan of frustration at the knowledge of who was making his way over. Kisame wasn't one to take orders, never had been even as a boy, and now that he was older...well that hadn't changed a bit. It had surprised Katsu that the shark had decided to humor him by leaving when the snow leopard had requested he do so, but obviously Kisame had changed his mind. Not that having the man change his mind in the span of a second surprised the feline all that much at all.

 

Ears twitching ever so slightly when the doors to the room were slammed open, Katsu gaze over his shoulder in a rather bored manner at the shark that stood glaring around the room before his eyes landed on the pair in the water. Hiyori's calls of protest could be heard somewhere behind the shark, but Kisame seemed to not be paying them mind at all. His target was clear when his gray eyes landed on the leopard who slowly blew out a breath of air and quietly rose to his feet.

 

"Ya know, as I was walking away like ya told me ta do....I thought about whether I wanted to wait in the garden or not. Now don't get me wrong, the garden is beautiful and all that, but I'm not craving Hiyori's company as much as I'm craving yours....Which is why, I ain't leavin without ya. I didn't swim all this way just ta look at pretty flowers, kitten. Have Hiyori entertain our Prince, I want you ta entertain me" Kisame spoke as he grinned around his words.

 

While Katsu delivered another rather dry stare at the shark, it didn't take the leopard long to shake his head and murmur under his breath:

 

"You're such a pain in the ass some days, Kisame..."

 

His words got a larger grin from the aquatic being before the leopard was reluctantly getting out of the water and heading towards the shark. Water dripped down his body and hair, falling to wet the floor below but Katsu paid that little to no mind. Instead, he simply turned to look at Dakari while he pondered what he could say to get the little one to rest easy. The feeling of Kisame's arms wrapping around his waist didn't help one bit even as he offered the laughing shark a soft growl, his eyes once more turned to the Prince.

 

"Little one, would you be terribly upset if I left you in Hiyori's care for a little while? It would seem my business with Kisame is far too pressing to be able to turn the blind eye towards it" he spoke, striding to keep his tone calm and at ease even if the amusement he could feel coming off the shark both annoyed him and caused his own amusement to rise.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari's blissful state quickly disappeared the moment he heard the door slam open and he began to growl lowly, pulling himself out of the springs and stand on the edge to guard Katsu from this pesky shark's advances.

 

"Maybe Hiyori was sick of you first! How about you just go home and have your fish friends entertain you!"

 

The cub snapped, his blond hair already bristling up again in a small way of making himself look bigger, or a way to communicate his emotions being tense.

 

But Kisame wasn't even the slightest bit intimidated by him and that only made the prince all the more aggitated, but remembering Katsu's word he tried to swallow down his anger.

An uneasy chuckle leaving him as the male moved past him and draped himself back around Katsu who didn't seem to be putting up much a fight...

Why wasn't the snow leopard making him stop this nonsense?!

 

Dakari didn't want to see a moment more of his hero being humiliated by this idiotic shark so he ran off to find Hiyori, and none of this was her fault but he was so full of... He didn't even know what it was, but it was jealousy that he more or less took his anger out on her, chasing her back to garden and snapping his teeth at her to move faster.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Openly laughing at the little Prince's outburst about having him return home, Kisame glanced at Katsu from the corner of his eyes and felt a small frown settle on his features at the sight of worry in the snow leopard's clear blue eyes. When the Prince stormed off, Kisame felt the way Katsu's muscles bunched up and the way his body shifted forward almost as if he wanted to chase the little one down. However, with Kisame's arms wrapped around him, there wasn't much space as to where the snow leopard could run off to. And while Katsu could very easily break Kisame's hold over him, the feline seemed to decide not to. Instead, after a tense moment, Katsu released a sigh full of tension and forced himself to relax in the shark's arms.

 

"You really must stop riling him up, Kisame. He's your Prince and while he might have quite the tongue on him, we must treat him with respect. Causing him to openly dislike you at this age will gain you no favors from him in the future" Katsu reprimanded the male behind him.

 

Scoffing under his breath, Kisame rolled his eyes murmuring "Yeah, well it'll do him some good in experiencing people that won't easily bow down to him. Not everyone will acknowledge his place as Prince...especially as young as he is. You know I will protect the Royal Family and this realm with my life, but I don't have to make things easy for them either".

 

Shaking his head in exasperation, Katsu turned his head towards Kisame to lecture him just a bit more but no words managed to leave his lips. Not when they found themselves occupied with the lips of the shark. Hungry gray eyes met cold blue and without another word exchanged, Katsu knew that the time for more talk would have to wait until they reached the release they both craved. So with a wave of his hand towards the open doors, his work chamber's entrance closed and sealed itself from the outside world.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Hiyori, for her part, found herself feeling rather ticked off by a little cub that chased her towards her gardens. The snapping of the teeth drew on her last nerve and as the lioness that ruled over her spirit awoke, she couldn't help her next actions. She wasn't as calm and collected as her brother was. No, Hiyori was by far the hothead of the pair and she had no issues with admitting that. So as the little hyena kept snapping his canines at her, Hiyori reacted as only a lioness could when facing down a small, annoying threat.

 

Whirling around the moment they reached her gardens, the lioness swiped a clawed hand out at the air between her and the hyena. A small, deadly warning for him to stop his nonsense even as she glared at him through irritated emerald colored eyes. Golden brown hair appeared puffed up just a bit in her agitation and her lips were pulled up to reveal sharp canines of her own as she growled low towards the little cub.

 

"What is your problem? I didn't need you to drive me all the way down here just because you were having a little hissy fit" she snarled softly at the younger male.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari skidded right to a halt, letting out a concerned whine at the speed Hiyori possessed coupled with her temper was enough to make him think twice about showing his teeth at her again, instead he tried to force his own bristling to subside and pressed his ears back, scooting behind one of the trees in the garden just in case she moved too fast like that again.

 

"My problem is Kisame and Katsu! They were both acting so weird and they even smelled different... I don't like it!"

 

The prince replied with the only the blunt honesty that a child seemed to hold. But at least there was no secrets from the opinionated cub who was still learning the art of being subtle in his own emotions. Everything he did or even felt just seemed so brash and forward. He had to learn to channel his inner cunning.

 

But already Dakari seemed to be a bit distracted by all the different types of plants, reaching out to touch some of the leaves or stop to smell the flowers. Some of these were species he'd never seen before. Being away from the tension helped as well for the cub to calm down and he even wandered back over to Hiyori to give her the smallest of nuzzles before running off again to explore the other side of the garden.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Breathing out a heavy breath of air at the words that left the cub's lips, Hiyori tossed strands of her long hair over her shoulder and shook her head. Even before she had a chance to reply, the little cub was running around her garden almost as if his previous irritation was all but forgotten. To be honest, if it was, Hiyori would be endlessly grateful for it. She didn't want to have to be the one to explain to the boy that her brother and Kisame were bed mates. Or to put it simply, they tended to share numerous moments in bed doing less than pure things. Dakari was to young to have his eyes opened to the lust of the adult mind, at least that was what she thought....but if the boy was going to spend some more time here, she might as well attempt to somewhat clear things up for him.

 

Purring ever so slightly when the cub ran back to her and nuzzled her, Hiyori watched him run off with the barest traces of warmth in her eyes before she too was following him. Every step she took, the garden around her seemed to come further into life and respond to her. Theflowers grew higher up, flower buds blossomed at her feet and it almost felt like the plants let off soft musical notes as a welcome to their mistress. It truly was a relaxing environment to be in and while Katsu preferred the cold of the mountains outside the tower, even her brother tended to come here to relax every now and again when the stress of certain Sentinel duties weighted on his mind too heavily.

 

Dropping down against the bark of a tree not too far away from where Dakari was exploring, Hiyori allowed her body to relax in full even while she kept an eye on the little one. Until her brother and Kisame were finished, Dakari would be her responsibility. And while her patience might have been less than glorious on most days, for their Prince, she would try and keep her temper below the surface a bit more.

 

"My Prince, listen. My brother and Kisame have a special relationship going on between them. They are not mates, nor is it likely that they'll ever become mates, but that does not mean their interactions are exactly pure. They have been known to share more than just the space between them. In fact, I would say they are as comfortable with the feel of each others flesh than anyone else would be. So even if you don't like it, you might have to stomach it while you're here. There's no law that says that too unmated males can not indulge in each other to relieve themselves" she spoke calmly with a small shrug of the shoulders.

[LoneDigger]

"I don't see what's so special about it!"

 

The prince huffed, only proving further just how innocent he still was when it came to adult matters. And it wasn't that he didn't know about what two mates did when they loved each other... but he had gotten only the vanilla and biological explanation of how that occurred so everything else involved or related was beyond his comprehension.

 

"I know they're not mates... He's a shark and I think they don't love anyone... I heard they even abandon their own young right after they are born..."

 

That made Dakari think that had to be the reason why Kisame was so strange because it wasn't the shark's fault that his mother didn't raise him... The cub couldn't even imagine being apart from his parent until this situation had forced him to, and even just thinking about it made him almost start to cry again, but he had to be brave or else Hiyori would think he was just a baby like everyone else seemed to wrongly think!

 

"... Sharing the space of flesh? You mean like when he was hugging him."

 

The prince nodded, that's all it was. He liked to give hugs too so it only made sense, right?

Still so innocent...

That last sentence of the lionesses went completely over Dakari's head and he just shrugged back cutely.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

"Kisame does love....just not like the rest of us. He might not have been raised by his parents, but he was raised by the rest of the Sentinels kinda like Katsu and I were. He's just a bit more unique than we are"

 

Hiyori replied shrugging once more. While her brother and herself had had much more time with their parents compared to Kisame, that didn't mean that the shark's parents hadn't cared. They might have been sharks but there was a small thread of humanity in them that had them willing to care more than what was normal for animals such as them. They hadn't fussed over him as her brother and her parents had fussed over them, but they had been there for Kisame when he was just a little one. The reasoning behind Kisame's strangeness though was simply because he was a shark and sharks did not obey without putting up a hell of a fight first. Some would say that the shark Sentinels were one of the most feral and volatile tempered of all the Sentinels.

 

Laughing at his failed understanding of what she was trying to say. Hiyori shook her head as she gazed at the adorable Prince with newly found patience.

 

"It's not just hugging. Katsu will more than likely try and keep it subdued while you're here, but sharing of the flesh includes kissing and constantly having hands on one another. It won't be surprising if you see Kisame touching Katsu ever so often or Katsu letting him, it's just normal between the two. They'll also more than likely share a bed for things less pure than what you might think of. You're much too young yet to understand the functionings of lust in adult minds but just understand that the touching and kissing is kinda normal for them" she replied.

 

Dakari had much to learn until he reached the level of knowledge that those around him had but perhaps that wasn't a bad thing. A certain degree of innocence in the child was a good thing. Especially in someone as young as he was. It would be better for him to take his time and learn than be rushed into situations.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

It's hard to believe that it had already been a couple of years since he had first met the young Prince in person. Standing here, sharing light conversation with his fellow Sentinels, Katsu couldn't help but keep glancing towards the massive stairway of the ballroom that would soon have the doors open for their Prince. It had been a few months since he had last seen the little one. Sentinel duties had picked up and the mild dread of war in the back of the Sentinels minds gave little time to ponder or contemplate anything else. Even occassionally paying the Prince a visit, a pastime that had become rather dear to the snow leopard, had become impossible. Katsu had kept tabs on the boy, he had heard he had grown somewhat and had had multiple triumphs of his own...no matter how small they were. Such news had pleased the feline and despite having been forced to ignore all that was not within his immediate duties, he had been proud of the young one.

 

Now finally, standing here in the middle of the crowd that had gathered for the Prince's official coronation, he could tell him in person.

 

"How different do you think the little one looks now? I know it's only been a few months but if you think about it and you add those months up, it equals to almost a year. A lot can change in that timespan" Hiyori's voice rose from right beside him, a curious tint in her tone.

 

Dressed in a gorgeous ivory gown, his sister was a sight to see. Then again, most of the Sentinels were and they were attracting more than one interested stare. Dressed in a matching ivory suit with a slightly darker trimming and his long hair pulled back into a loose braid with a few loose strands sweeping around his face, Katsu seemed to hold an alluring appeal of his own. Especially when those cobalt eyes landed on you and seemed to hold you absolutely mesmerized. The siblings definitely stood out amongst the crowd as well as their fellow guardians, but that wasn't very surprising. Sentinels always seemed to stand out, no matter what they did or where they went. It was something that seemed to come with the position they held, and truly it was rather amusing than anything else.

 

"I'm sure he doesn't look too different. It's only been a few months since we last laid eyes on him. If anything, I'm sure he's developed a larger mischievous streak than the one he had before. And that will more than likely lead to headaches for all of us" Katsu chuckled out a reply.

 

One that had the other Sentinels laughing around him as well. Raising the flute of champagne up to his lips, the feline calmly took a sip of the rather delicious liquid before falling back into the conversation his family, in all but blood, was having around him. Kisame's boisterous laugh had a smile twitching his lips up and Hiyori's goading of the shark didn't help the laugh that escaped the snow leopard. All in all, the night was going rather well as they all awaited their Prince to appear.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari had changed quite a bit since the last time they were all three together. Already he had grown a little taller and stockier too. But yet he still looked more or the less the same. Though his blond hair seemed a bit less wild, if that was just how it had been or thanks to this being a special occasion was still up for debate.

 

One thing was for sure that the prince hadn't grown shy, in fact being the center of attention was something he was more than just used to, but seemed to thrive on.

He greeted everyone with the same enthusiasm and mischief, whether they were young old, male female, any type of animal. To him the world was just something waiting to be discovered, if not he were a bit more vigilant since he had learned that valuable lesson months ago with Shiba.

 

Speaking of that had caused quite a change in the palace, several of the guards had to be changed out of an abundance of caution, yet many stayed the same.

Already he was learning who was truly loyal to him and his kingdom and those who were not. But still, his fatal flaw was his own assurance. It blinded him at times to the truth.

But it wasn't something he had to worry about right now, he was still learning and had his parents and mentors to guide him.

 

Children will be children. And when the prince spotted the pair of Sentinels he hadn't seen since he had last stayed with them in the tower he couldn't help but rush right over to see them, about to give them both the biggest of hugs until he remembered his father's words and instead just gave a smile.

Hiyori and Katsu would always have a special place in his circle now after all the pair had personally done for him.

And when no one was watching he did sneak in two quick but tight hugs for the lioness and snow leopard.

It was so hard not to show his appreciation like this, Dakari was just a very physical person in his show of affection. Or another other emotion for that matter.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Sniffing the air lightly when a familiar scent floated towards them, Katsu turned his gaze off the conversation he had been having with the Sentinel of the West Tower to spot the Prince of the Kingdom rushing towards them. Blue eyes softening significantly at the sight of the younger male, Katsu nudged Hiyori lightly against her side to get his sister's attention from where she had been trading teasing remarks with Kisame. Feeling his sister lean against his side and peer around him to look at whatever had caught his attention, the lioness grinned at the sight of Dakari. An expression that grew further as the young one seemed to make a beeline towards them in a heartbeat.

 

Smiling lightly at the younger male, the siblings waited until he approached before trying to greet him properly. His polite smile was understandable but the moment he wrapped those arms around them each, one at a time, surprise rippled through the two siblings. It wasn't a bad sort of surprise but one developed by knowing of the boy's antics and being rather welcoming towards them. Some might not think it appropriate for a Prince to show such open emotions but for Katsu and Hiyori, such displays would always be welcomed. No matter how old the Prince got or the different paths they all walked down in life.

 

"Hello, my Prince. I have to admit that I'm happy to be able to finally see you again. Though I thought you'd be a little bit taller now. You've gained a few inches but you still look like a little brat" Hiyori teased him quietly in a tone that was quite friendly and playful as she wrapped an arm around her brother's waist. Leaning down just a bit, she sniffed at the boy's hair and grinned while saying "You still smell like a brat too".

 

"Hiyori....honestly, show some manners, would you?" Katsu couldn't help but laugh softly even while his eyes remained on the young boy in front of him.

 

He wanted to provide some sort of affectionate gesture of his own, but in their crowded environment he didn't give have access for much. As much as Sentinels were revered sometimes more than the Royal family, even they had to act their part and show the adequate respect for those of royal blood.

 

"How have you been, Prince Dakari? I hope life has been treating you well and you've been learning plenty?" The snow leopard questioned warmly.

[LoneDigger]

"Hey...! Not fair! I just had a bath an hour ago..."

 

The prince whined playfully when told that he smelled, but he knew that the lioness was only teasing him. If only this wasn't so formal he would have liked to challenge her further with some rough housing to show her, but he knew now wasn't the time for playing around. He had to behave himself and not get his suit messed up.

Though as soon as this thing was over he would be tearing out of his dress clothes and back into something more comfortable that his parents didn't mind if it got dirty or torn when he played out in the garden, still his favorite spot of the palace even now.

 

"I did grow bigger! One day I'll probably be taller than you!"

 

Well, that was debatable, but Dakari had to say something to defend his pride, didn't he? But he was still grinning so it was clear this was all just fun to him.

Though he was royal which made him incredibly cocky and spoiled, one thing he was not was stuck up.

He loved joking around no matter who he was with, the hyena in him craved laughter and made it hard to act serious for too long.

 

"Hiyori was just playing around, riiight?"

 

The cub laughed as he looked at first Katsu and then gave the lioness the biggest of grins to show her that he knew what was going on.

 

"Yes, very. I've had more lessons and I'm not allowed to spend all day in the garden anymore because father says its not proper."

 

Dakari explained, still a bit childish from how blunt he could express himself without sparing the details.