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

[LoneDigger]

Dakari felt himself going limp when a strong, yet surprisingly gentle pressure clenched down on his scruff and he felt himself being swung into the air, being carried off. It was hard to tell where since the sky and the ground were the almost the same color, a pure but eerie white.

Once he was set back down and asked to help, the prince let out an excited whine. Almost like a chuckle, he never got asked to do anything and now Hiyori was trusting him with such a big task! Only... he had no idea of how to control his element. In fact... sometimes it scared him. How out of control and volatile fire was. In many ways it fit the cub's own temperament to a 'T'. Yet he was still learning to regulate his own emotions, let alone a blazing fire.

 

There was no room for fear or doubt now, Hiyori and Katsu were counting on him. He had to show them he wasn't just a baby anymore. He was future King, and as such he wasn't scared of anything, and he could control his fire.

Giving a firm nod towards the lioness he stepped in front of her, leaving her side of protection because if she stood too close she would surely be burned. The cub tried to concentrate on his breathing, his laughter ceased and he just exhaled and inhaled steadily. It didn't seem like anything was happening at first, but then the ridge of longer fur along his back started to singe and soon it turned into a fire, the flames were red and yellow. But the color seemed to flicker and change with the wind and the cub's own breath. He turned towards the bears and charged, pressing them even closer to the edge.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Following as close as she dared, Hiyori kept a close eye on the young Prince. When the flame started on the long fur along his nape, the lioness couldn't help the sharp inhale that sounded in evidence of her surprise. She had been expecting a small display of flames, perhaps the briefest flashes of a light show that would be just enough to have the bears losing their footing as they stepped back....but this was completely unexpected. Even she had to admit that.

 

Keeping her muscles tensed and ready for anything that might happen if their plan didn't quite work out, Hiyori made sure her posture was low and threatening. As a Sentinel, she might have been one of the most powerful creatures in the realm, however, her elemental attribute didn't work out here. Nature couldn't answer her call in the frozen tundra of where her brother ruled. Had they been on the Savannah or even in a forest, she could have easily disposed of the bears without batting a lash, here though....it wasn't that simply. Regardless, that didn't make her weak. She could claw them to shreds if she needed to, but for now, she'd try this first plan that had come to mind.

 

Watching the bears exchange a glance even as they shifted back half an inch when Dakari charged them, Hiyori narrowed her eyes when the hulking creatures lowered their heads and snarled at the young Prince. Danger oozing out of them as one snapped his powerful jaws at the cub and the other rose up to his hind legs and released a less than amused growl.

 

"A little hyena with the power of fire....how terrifying" the one on his hind legs scoffed in cold entertainment "You might be able to light of fire on your back, furball...but you are still no match for us. A sneeze would be all it took to knock you and your flame away!".

 

A cold bark of laughter by his partner had the bear's lips pulling back into what appeared to be a humorless grin....yet the grin melted away the moment his partner released a startled cry. Looking down sharply, the towering bear could see exactly what had caused that reaction and he felt his blood run cold.

 

At their paws, small gradually growing spikes of ice were forming by the second. Their merciless tips pointed directly at the bears as they grew longer and longer by the growing seconds. If the little cub of fire charging them wasn't enough, now they had a larger problem....but where was the feline who controlled the element around them. Sparing a quick glance around, the bear sank down back to all fours when his cruel eyes found the feline responsible and he couldn't quite stop the shiver that ran down his spine.

 

Katsu quietly padded out of the slowly dying storm around them, pelt wet with blood but stance strong and eyes deadly. He paused to stand shoulder to shoulder with his sister, long tail twitching at the tip and muscles rolling under his fur. As injured as the big cat was, he showed no signs of slowing or any discomfort in the way he moved. One would think his injuries meant nothing to him and in situations such as this one...they couldn't be any more right. Flickering his icy gaze between Dakari and their attackers, the snow leopard let out a snarl of his own to join Hiyori's as he willed his ice spikes to grow another inch.

 

Between the cub and the two felines, the bears knew their chances of escape were impossibly slim. The young prince might not be able to do much yet, but the lioness and snow leopard could....the odds were not in their favor. However, neither bear realized how much it was so until they felt their hind paws slipping into the open air behind them. It seemed that without their knowing, Dakari and Katsu's subtle threatening spikes had forced them back the last few inches to the lip of the cliff they were on. A pair of startled shouts slipped out of the bears and as they scrambled desperately to not lose their grip on the frozen ground below them, despite the fact that their weight was dragging them down either way, Katsu took care of sending them over the edge quickly.

 

The spikes that had been growing slowly, suddenly gained length in the span of a breath and it took little more than feeling their hard tips pressing into their fur, to have the bears finally lose their grip and fall down the face of the cliff. Screams of terror were sharply cut off by the sounds of their bodies hitting the water with force.

 

Sinking down onto his hunches, Katsu exhaled a long breath as he allowed his eyes to close briefly. Though adrenaline still pumped through his veins, his body was screaming at him for rest and the wounds on body his feline leg and the right side of his ribs were beginning to throb ominously. A mere warning he knew was coming when he finally allowed himself to relax.

 

"Dakari! Princeling, come away from there. You need not see what Kisame and Akira will do to them....it is not for your eyes yet" the snow leopard called out to the cub. Blinking his eyes open once more as the storm finally came to an end.

 

Hiyori wasted little time in turning to her brother once the threat was gone and nosing at his wounds carefully. Tongue coming out to rasp along the deep lacerations on his leg, the lioness gently tried to clean the wound out even as she flickered her gaze over to the Prince and purred out a soft "Very well done, my Prince. I'm proud of you....we might just make a King out of you yet".

[LoneDigger]

Dakari laughed at the black bears, they didn't think he was scary. But now he didn't have to go easy on them! He was about to launch himself right at the large belly of the one standing foolishly on his hind legs, but he didn't have to. Katsu was showing off, again. The hyena cub huffed, his flame growing larger from his own excitement. Too bad he didn't get to kill them, but he was so happy to see Katsu he didn't even care about that detail.

 

But the Sentinel was still hurt, worse than before. The blood was soaking right through his fur and making the prince whine uneasily.

Dakari turned back to the black bears, holding his ground as he sneered at the pair. They weren't very bright, and he would enjoy watching them plummet to their own demise.

 

"Katsu!"

 

He turned his attention away from the edge of the cliff and ran to the snow leopard's side. His flame burning hotter before he snuffed it out with a sharp exhale in the form of a gasp at the true extent of his injuries.

 

"I already know... Kisame and Akira are going to eat them."

 

The cub announced, very matter of fact, with an inappropriately cute giggle for such a gory image had entered his mind. He wanted to see, but Katsu said he was too little. Not fair, but he didn't want to cause the other any more stress and instead sat next to his side, keeping an eye out while Hiyori tended to his wounds.

 

"You were amazing! Those dumb bears didn't even see you coming!"

 

He was excited again, standing up and nuzzling underneath the elder's chin quickly before trying to act serious again. But there was this huge grin on his face.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Eyes widening slightly at the cub's nearly too happy reply of what would be the fate of the bears, Katsu couldn't help but shake his head in fond exasperation a moment later. Truly, Dakari was something else. While the cub had wasn't perfect, he really did have a bright little soul. One Katsu would love to watch blossom into the King Dakari would one day become without even the smallest of doubts. For now though, even if the cub didn't seem to mind the sight of bloodshed and gore, Katsu wanted to keep him as innocent as he could for as long as he could. If this invasion had been a warning of the days to come, he feared that they might just be facing another war in the future....For now though, he'd try not to let the little Prince know of his worries.

 

Chuckling, the snow leopard didn't bother to hide to huff of warmth that escaped him at the Prince's words. Lowering his head a bit, doing his best not to shift too much while his sister tender to him, Katsu gently nuzzled the small hyena and breathed out a deep rumbling purr. Passing his barbed tongue over those rather adorable rounded ears, Katsu kept his head lowered while locking eyes with the grinning cub. A small answering smirk quickly appearing on his own features.

 

"Maybe...but I have centuries of practice and causing those brutes to slip off the cliff was childs play. You, on the other hand....I must say, I agree with Hiyori...I'm thoroughly impressed, little one. I didn't know you could breath a flame to life the way you did. Truly, your courage and bravery is something that will make you grand one day" the snow leopard spoke, smirk gradually turning into a soft grin of his own as he couldn't resist nuzzling Dakari's cheek once again.

 

Hearing his sister's answering purr, Katsu glanced at her from the corner of his eye as she paused her licking for a moment to exchange a glance with her sibling. "We are in agreement there....our little Prince didn't even show the slightest signs of fear. We really are lucky to one day be able to serve him as King. I'm all the more eager to watch him grow into the proud leader he one day will be" Hiyori smiled as she directed her words to the cub before rising to her paws.

 

"I'm going to check on Kisame Akira....though I'd tell you to head to the Tower, I know you'll do no such thing....My Prince, make sure Katsu does nothing stupid while I'm away. These wounds need proper tending and having him bleed out will not be all too pleasant" she put in as she rubbed her cheek against her brother's for a moment. Giggling at the way he rolled his eyes, Hiyori ran her tongue briefly across Dakari's head before she was bounding off down the mountain.

 

Watching her go for a moment, the feline let out a heavy breath before deciding it would more than likely be better to lay down before he accidentally toppled over. His wounds wouldn't kill him but they weren't exactly light either and he was damn tired. Clenching his jaw for a moment as pain flared through him, Katsu carefully laid himself down onto the snow covered ground and felt instantly relief the moment the cold sank into his pelt. Eye half closing in content and signs of tiredness, the snow leopard lay comfortably on his side as he observed the little one.

 

"Are you sure you're alright? This was your first real fight...you were not injured in any way, were you?" He couldn't help but ask.

[LoneDigger]

"They didn't get a scratch on me... No thanks to Hiyori."

 

Dakari smiled, instead of bragging of himself it seemed he was still gushing over the lioness a little more before he scooted closer to the snow leopard and gave his wounds a gentle sniff before tenderly running his tongue over them. Even if his sister had just done so the bleeding was bad enough it seemed that he would have to continue nursing them.

But then finally the cub's cheerfulness seemed to fade away as a shudder ran through him.

Katsu was hurt, really actually hurt.... The fact that his licks had done little to help worried him. He whined and moved back in front of the snow leopard, bristling at the nothingness that he sought to protect the sentinel from.

 

"Katsu... Why... why did those animals attack us? I don't understand... They should know my father doesn't tolerate betrayal to our laws and the penalty is exile or death, so why would they risk all that?"

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Affection filled his heart for a moment as Dakari seemed to speak highly of Hiyori. To hear the cub gush over the lioness was a pleasant sound even if he supposed he felt the slightest tingle of jealousy for it. No matter how stupid it was of him to be bothered by the cub's admiration for his younger sister.

 

Forcing himself not to winch at the momentary renewed licking of his wounds, Katsu eyed the young hyena the moment Dakari sat down in front of him. The protectiveness in the little one was adorable even if it wasn't really necessary. Nevertheless, the snow leopard simply let the cub do as he liked even as his eyes slowly closed in what seemed to be their own accord.

 

"Because they are not from our kingdom...nor are they really from this realm" Katsu breathed out a reply to Dakari's questions. He didn't want to worry the boy and tell him more than he should, but it wouldn't be fair to leave the young one in the dark either. As Prince, Dakari would one day be told all of this...and while Katsu would not go too into depth about it, he would tell the little one a bit.

 

"The creatures you saw us fighting just now belong to a realm beside this own. One much like ours but harboring those that only house evil intent and wickedness in their hearts. The creatures of that realm once lived with us, we once shared a deep, profound peace with them....but sharing our resources and land was not enough for them. Greed, selfishness and cruelty soon found themselves home in the hearts of these individuals and they sought for more. To overthrow the crown and to take these lands for only themselves. The King and his Queen at the time couldn't allow this to happen, so they decided to fight back and a massive war broke out. The Great War" the snow leopard began to explain.

 

"For many days and nights, blood was spilled upon the ground and countless lives were lost. Sentinels fell under the duty to the crown....Kisame, Hiyori and my parents were a few of those Sentinels that perished during the war. However, we could not afford to lose the war. So the remaining Sentinels and the offspring of the Sentinels that had fallen used every minuscule of strength in their bodies that remained, pushed their powers to the limit and forced one last face off against those who wanted to destroy the peace of our lands. My sister and I, along with the Sentinels managed to defeat the Dark Ones and under the rule of the Crown, they were banished from our Kingdom and realm....never to set foot here again....However, it would appear that the Dark Ones are rising again...if today is anything to go by...and that can't be very good" the snow leopard finished quietly.

 

He didn't know it himself but his voice was as gradually growing dimmer and softer as he spoke and his words were beginning to slur together without his knowledge. Despite wanting to open his eyes, knowing it was the smartest thing to do, Katsu just couldn't will himself to do that. He was just so damn tired....and who could blame him really. He had a bloody hole in his side and his arm had been used a chomping stick for an overgrown lizard. He thought he earned himself a nice little break after a fight like this, especially when he couldn't quite remember the last time he had had a full night's rest.

 

Nevertheless, he couldn't leave Dakari on his own....not yet. He had to wait until Hiyori and the others got back, then he could rest.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari had so many question swarming through his small mind. Why hadn't his parents ever mentioned any of this to him? Or if they had, it hadn't been in such detail. He never felt like anyone could even touch their kingdom, his mother and father, not to mention the Sentinels had always protected the land. Why was it suddenly so different now? And surely if they had defeated them once before in a war then they could do it again? The thought of war both thrilled and terrified the cub.

He could hear the fatigue in Katsu's voice and he stood up and padded closer to the snow leopard, nuzzling against him gently. If the poor sentinel had been well, the prince wouldn't have been so careful. As was clear by the way he normally showed his affection towards the elder by crashing right into him for a hug. But right now he was trying to behave, he could sense things had changed, he had to grow up... Stop acting like a baby.

 

"You can rest... I'll keep watch, and if I hear, smell, or see anything I'll wake you up straight away."

 

The prince promised softly, his warm breath blowing against the soft ears of the feline as he nuzzled him again in reaffirmation of his concern.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Despite his exhaustion, Katsu had no way of stopping the affectionate rumble that escaped his chest.

 

"I'm afraid you have your duties mixed with my own, little one. I swore to protect you, your family and this realm no matter the cost.....and this is nothing as long as you are safe....You don't need to try and protect me" Katsu murmured quietly, ears flickering in a mild sign that he hadn't dropped off yet and long tail slowly swinging around to just for a second brush against Dakari's side.

 

"However, I appreciate the offer....If I don't react to the noises around us, then please wake me...as you've said" the snow leopard put in lastly because no matter how much he knew he had to stay awake, he knew a part of his mind was already beginning to shut down in order to try and begin the repair of the damage done to him.

 

Breaths coming out in silent puffs of air, chest rising just a touch slowly with every breath in and out, Katsu tried his damnest to keep at least one sense active. And for the most part he succeeded, he could just make out the sounds of voices approaching not too long after...though he didn't know if they sounded far because they were far or if his conciousness had slipped that far back already.

 

"Dakari?" Hiyori called out when she was close enough to the pair. Alarm and worry flared in her chest as she took in the nearly prone shape of her brother on the snow covered ground but she told herself that he was fine. Katsu was literally always fine....he was just probably resting was all, there was no way around it. Despite that knowledge, she couldn't stop the questions that escaped her. "Is everything alright? Has brother gotten worse?" She asked, quickly hurrying her paw steps to reach them.

 

Kisame and his own follower, Akira, hurried behind her, both having changed to their human forms again to make things easier. While Akira appeared untouched, the shark had a laceration running diagonally down his back from his left to right shoulder.

 

Pausing at Dakari's side to lightly sniff at her brother's wounds, Hiyori barely blinked when Kisame reached the snow leopard as well. The shark barely shot a glance at the hyena cub and by the missing smirk he usually sported, it was clear that Kisame was worried. Raising a hand, he gently rested it against the back of Katsu's neck as he murmured gently "Hey, you overgrown kitten. Sleeping out here is not allowed, come on...we gotta get you back to the Tower and get those wounds tended to".

 

Katsu, for him part, released a soft grunt in answer but made no notion to open his eyes or rise. Frowning at that, Kisame shifted a glance to Hiyori...eyes briefly flickering towards Dakari before he was saying "Best bet is that I'm carrying him to the Tower. Can you, Natsume and Dakari have his room ready for him when I get there? I don't like the fact he's bleeding this much, we need to get these wounds closed".

 

Nodding at Kisame, Hiyori turned her gaze to Dakari while saying "Come on, we need to get going if we plan on having Katsu back on his feet soon. It'll be easier to reach the Tower with you on my back again".

[LoneDigger]

"Well... How can you do your job properly if you don't get rested up first? That's the way I see it."

 

The prince smiled warmly, and then nodded his head.

 

"Promise..."

 

The hyena sat quietly as he watched the other's chest rise and fall slowly, his ears flicked every now and then. Trying to detect sounds from every which direction. After the noise of battle it was so quiet now. A cold, dead landscape...

Dakari instinctively bristled when he saw the pair approaching. Akira because in many ways she was practically still a stranger to the cub, and Kisame for obvious reasons. But he forced himself to swallow down his nerves since he knew they were only here to help. But he was more than happy to see Hiyori again. He had grown quite fond of the lioness. And to think he hadn't liked her at first simply because she was a lion. It was truly foolish.

 

"Don't worry Katsu, it's just Hiyori and the others... They're going to take you back to the tower. We'll see you there."

 

The prince murmured near the snow leopard's ear, shooting the quickest of silent snarls towards the shark before backing off. He had to let Kisame help, he was strong and would protect Katsu well... He tried to reassure himself. But he couldn't bite his tongue long enough and glared up at Kisame fiercely.

 

"If you don't bring him back in one piece then I swear you won't make it either."

 

With that said he strutted off with a huff that melted away when he was close to Hiyori, nuzzling the lioness's side before clambering onto her back again.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Ears flickering to show he heard the cub, Katsu managed to force his eyelids to part just an inch in order to look at the world around them again. Glancing at Kisame and Akira, where she was crouched beside the shark at his side, Katsu turned those blue eyes over to Dakari and Hiyori a second later and thanked the heavens that he was too exhausted to even laugh. Dakari truly showed no limits when it came to the shark. Katsu understood why the little Prince disliked Kisame so much but it was rather entertaining to watch Dakari shoot threat after threat at Kisame. Especially when the shark couldn't control his own reaction to the words.

 

Peeling back his lips, Kisame wasted no time in producing a soft challenging sound towards Dakari's threat but he didn't verbally reply. There was no time to do so. Not when they had to get Katsu back to the Tower and taken care of. Watching Hiyori produce a small affection rumble towards the Dakari when he reached her side, the lioness wasted little time in bounding off after the cub was secured on her back.

 

Keeping his eyes on them until he had lost sight of them, Kisame dropped his gaze to the snow leopard when Katsu sifted a bit to sit up just a margin of an inch. "You think you can change to human form, Katsu? It'll be easier to carry you that way" the shark asked, running his fingers through thick fur once more.

 

Huffing out a breath, Katsu did as he requested with alarmingly more concentration than he would usually need. Sitting half sprawled on the icy ground, now appearing human instead of feline, the Sentinel had the mind to be able to look down right indignant no matter the heavy exhaustion every pore in his body leaked. Shooting a half hearted glare at Kisame, the Sentinel part his lips in order to say a short "You drop me, Kisame, and I'll rip your throat out with my teeth", before falling silent once more.

 

Chuckling lightly, Kisame rolled his eyes at his old friend's temper before he was bending further to scoop the man into his arms as gently as he could. A frown briefly flashed upon his features at the feeling of blood pressing against his bare chest, but he tried to not pay much mind to it. No matter the worry. With a nod at Akira, the pair raced off across the frozen landscape, heading towards the distance where the snow leopard's Tower awaited them.

------------------------------

 

It didn't take Hiyori too long to reach the Tower before them, she had kept her movement smooth and steady as to not dislodge Dakari from her back, however, it couldn't be denied that she had covered the distance to the Tower at a faster speed than she had when she had left. Seeing the flash of wings overhead, Hiyori watched Natsume land at the double windows that lead to Katsu's chamber high in the Tower and she knew the owl as well as her brother's other followers were already getting things ready.

 

"Dakari, once we get inside, I need you to help cleanse the tools we'll be using to close his and Kisame's wounds. There will be a bowl of alcohol set on a table near his bed, use it to make sure the medical instruments as clean as they can get. We don't want to risk an infection and make things worse. Katsu's probably gonna complain that there's no need for such a precaution, but please do as I say. We're stronger than most others, but even Sentinels aren't invincible" Hiyori requested just as they reached the entrance of the North Tower.

 

As soon as Dakari clambered off her back, Hiyori would waste no time in racing inside and helping to get everything set. They wouldn't have much time to waste, she could already smell Kisame, Katsu and Akira in the wind.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari had another job, he really liked all this fuss. Well... he didn't like the part about Katsu being hurt or a potential war, but everything else had been so exciting and he got to help! It filled the cub with a sense of pride and purpose, and with his new given responsibility proved not to be a bad idea, since now he was starting to show more maturity in response.

The prince turned back into a boy and hurried off to wash his hands before getting to the task of disinfecting the instruments. First he filled a shallow container with 1 part of alcohol and 3 parts water. He then placed the tools there to soak in the solution for a bit before he plucked them out one by one and cleaned them in a cloth soaked in pure alcohol, rubbing them and then drying them with a separate cloth.

After that was done and all the medical instruments were laid out neatly on a tray he ran to let Hiyori know it was ready.

 

"I disinfected everything! Are you going to patch up Katsu now? Is he okay? Do I have to bite Kisame again?

 

The prince fired one question after the other, it wasn't him trying to be pesky. He was nervous and that was his way of handling it.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Having been busy getting the bed set and sheets turned in order to lay her brother down on it, Hiyori blinked out of her thoughts when Dakari rushed over to her again and bombarded her with questions. Despite the situation, an amused smile lifted the corners of her lips and she caught a glimpse of shared amusement in the eyes of the other Followers that were still in Katsu's room helping her.

 

"Thank you for your help, Dakari. Yes, as soon as they get here, I'll get to work on having my brother patched up in now time. And yes, I'm sure Katsu will be absolutely fine. Heck, I see him wandering around before the end of the day today....he's just tired right now. His body needs just some time to begin the healing process, and he needs to rest so that can happen" Hiyori replied, tone soft and affectionate as she addressed the young one's inquiries. However, before she had time to answer whether or not Dakari should bite Kisame again, she was interrupted by the sounds of voices growing closer.

 

The voices sounded like they were bickering, one sounding admiringly more exhausted than the other but holding a growl like quality to it. The other vibrated with moderate annoyance and an almost pouting nature. Feeling a grin lifting the corners of her lips, Hiyori cast a glance to Dakari before finally answering his last question with barely restrained laughter.

 

"No, my Prince....I do not believe you have to bite Kisame again at all. Katsu might just do it for you by the sounds of things" she giggled quietly just before the door to the room was pushed open.

 

Kisame strolled in with a clearly annoyed Katsu in his arms. The shark had the remnants of a ridiculous pout on his face while Katsu looked almost mentally pained....like he'd prefer to be anywhere else. Behind them, Akira had her hand raised and fingers pinching the bridge of her nose, exasperation and surrender clear in her expression.

 

"All I'm saying is that it's not entirely fair that you got to kill more people than I did. And eating them doesn't count....besides, you're probably gonna end with a more badass scar than I am. If things keep going this way, I'm gonna look like a harmless guppy next to you" Kisame grumbled out, tone nearly playful but more than anything, sounding whiny.

 

Glaring at the shark, Katsu narrowed vibrant blue eyes at him before he peeled his lips back briefly to flash sharp canines at the fish while hissing in irritation "Well I'm sorry to take the glory from you. Next time I get a fist driven through my side and my arm used as a fricken chewing bone, I'll make sure to lay on the ground and let you kill everyone for the offense. In fact, I'll even try dying while I'm at it. That way you can bloody resurrect me and look even more 'badass' than ever".

 

Blinking at the arguing pair in disbelief, unsure she wanted to know what sparked this argument or her brother's obvious lack of patience, Hiyori shook her head as she watched Kisame gently set the feline on the bed. Stepping back to stand beside his own Follower, Kisame watched Katsu with fond amusement even as he huffed out a fond reply.

 

"Now now, I don't think we need to go that far...just getting to look cool while I save your ass is enough for me. Dying is not allowed on your end, I'd miss you too much" the shark chuckled softly before he was grumbling when Akira swatted the back of his head as a sure sign of her lack of tolerance for his ridiculous statements.

 

"As worried as I am, its glad to hear you two arguing like an old married couple...it shows you're already on your way to recovering, big brother" Hiyori giggled a bit louder, stepping closer to the snow leopard as he carefully sat up and made easy work of beginning to shrug the top of his robes off so she could look at his wounds better without the clothing in the way.

 

"With Kisame as your form of transportation, there's no way I'd be able to let him carry me without an argument happening" Katsu breathed out rolling slightly pained eyes in respond even if he was shooting a playful wink at Dakari.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari rushed over to the pair and growled at the shark, grabbing his pants leg between his fist and shaking the fabric roughly.

 

"Alright Shark, that's enough out of you! Katsu is hurt and tired, he doesn't have time for your nonsense so move along!"

 

With take the tugging had turned instead into a small shove, trying to force the older man out of the room so that he could have the snow leopard all to himself, and Hiyori too. But no need for the other to gawk around. But he then trotted away, distracted again by the sight of the sentinel being partly undressed. He watched for a moment longer than really necessarily before fetching the medicine and tools he had cleaned, setting them aside on the table by the bed.

 

"Don't worry Katsu... We're going to fix you back up."

 

The prince murmured, patting the snow leopard's arm tenderly.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Eyes widening at the young cub's behavior, Katsu exchanged a glance with Hiyori that brimmed with laughter, the siblings watched Dakari successfully herd Kisame and Akira out if the room. And when Katsu found the cub's eyes lingering on him more than what one would consider neccessary, he found his fond amusement doubling. It seemed whatever Dakari had seen when he had looked at him had caught the cub's attention but Katsu really didn't have time to ponder it further. Dakari was moving again moments later and Hiyori was cleaning her hands before even considered touching the wounds that damaged her brother's body.

 

"Honestly, Princeling, it's not that big of a deal. These wounds will heal themselves with time, there's no need to make such a fuss over th-" Katsu began to reassure the Prince, only to have his sentence be cut off by a sharp hiss of pain slipping out of him and an irritated "Hiyori!" being snapped at the lioness.

 

One who flickered her eyes up at her sibling with a glimpse of amusement in them no matter the worried frown on her face as she continued to gently dab at the wound piercing the right side of her brother's torso.

 

"What? I thought you said it wasn't a big deal?" She remarked softly, attention focusing on the wound once more.

 

"Well it wouldn't be if you stopped probing it. There is no need" the snow leopard replied, pain causing his usual tolerance and good nature to wane a bit as the muscles on his back bunched up with tension.

 

"You know as well as I that it's best be careful with our bodies than regret it later" Hiyori sighed though she did soften her touch a bit as she continued to clean the wound as best she could. Dropping a blood soaked cloth to the ground, she grabbed another one and dabbed it in an alcohol mixture before she was renewing her efforts.

 

"My Prince, if you would, could you start working on his arm? This would go smoother if the two of us worked at him together and it would probably keep up from having him bite our heads off" the lioness murmured a moment later though she didn't take her eyes off what she was doing.

[LoneDigger]

"Nothing's a big deal for Katsu, right?"

 

He grinned up at the sentinel admiringly, unlike Hiyori it was evident he was being completely earnest in his words. Even if the snow leopard had gotten badly hurt he still won the fight, and that was really amazing to the young prince.

But asking the overly enthuastic boy to help may have been more than Katsu had bargined for.

Despite his naivety, Dakari was far from oblivious. And when he glanced at the other's injured arm the image of a reptilian face clamping down on it made him shudder.

 

"Kisame! Akira! Get back here! You're needed!"

 

The prince suddenly ordered, waiting for his request to be obeyed before continuing.

 

"Kisame, Akira, Hiyori... Hold him down and don't let him move."

 

What the hell was going on? He sounded dead serious however, and again waited for everyone to comply before gripping Katsu's arm and muttering a quick sorry before suddenly taking the entire bottle of alcohol and pouring it directly into the wound. Dakari wasn't insane, or a sadist. Katsu had been bitten by a Komodo Dragon. Why was this a big deal? There mouths were full of bacteria. In fact, what usually killed their prey wasn't by force, or even bleeding out. But instead from severe infection. He was making sure to flush out the wound to get any bad stuff out of there before it festered.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Smirking lightly at the comment by Dakari, Katsu sat as calmly as he could while Hiyori continued to dab the injury on his torso clean. However, when Dakari called for Kisame and Akira to come back in, confusion rouse through his body. Blinking at them curiously, Katsu turned his attention back on Dakari when the Prince spoke once more but this time, it wasn't confusion that shot through him. It was panic.

 

Snow leopards were solitary creatures by nature and if they were hurt, they tended to their own wounds in their own. They allowed the wounds to heal at their own pace and carried on with their lives. They did not like being surrounded by other creatures on normal circumstances and they liked it far less when they were injured. And though Katsu knew these people and he trusted them with his life, he couldn't help the rumbling threatening growl that ripped itself from his throat at the thought of them holding him down. Eyes flashed dangerously as he eyed the people in the room but he didn't get a chance to react before he was pinned down to the bed.

 

Hiyori held him down by the hips and his uninjured arm as best she could without hurting him further, Akira pressed her weight onto his legs to make them as immobile as she could and Kisame held him down by the shoulders, avoiding his other injury but putting enough force in his hands to solidly pin him with the others. Snarling at them in mounting anger and silently spreading panic, Katsu glared at the determined faces around him while tugging against the hold Dakari had on his injured arm.

 

"Get the hell off me before I rip you all off. This isn't funny" he snapped, voice melting into another growl that was far more hostile and guttural the moment he spotted Dakari reaching for the alcohol.

 

In the lenght of a second, a new emotion joined the two coursing through him the exact second a loud yowl of pain all but exploded out of him. Agony. Struggling against the arms holding him down, Katsu's control slipped a bit and his features started to show more animalistic qualities than human. Snarls, hisses and deep growls flooded out of him as the nails on both his hands lenghted into claws and his tail snapped into existence, swinging around with force to try and dislodge the people holding him down. Trying in vain to yank his injured arm out of Dakari's hold as the alcohol drenching the bite continued to produce sheer agony throughout his body. Pain over rode his mind far too strongly for him to be able to hear the panicked voices trying to calm him.

 

"Brother, stop struggling! You'll make your wounds worse! Please!" Hiyori's voice was crying out with a terror in her voice at seeing the force of her brother's pain. Something she rarely ever saw.

 

"Katsu, please! You must lay still, it'll be over soon!" Akira's concerned voice joined her's, the Orca's steel colored eyes were wide with her own panic.

 

"Hey, cut it out, Katsu! You need to let him clean it! This is the only way!" Kisame's anguished voice rang out as well, his heart clenching at the sight of the snow leopard's agony.

 

Throughout it all, the three struggled to hold down the thrashing male and despite their words, none of them seemed to be having an effect on the pain filled, livid feline in their grasp.

 

"Get the fuck off of me!" The snow leopard yelled, fury nearly impossible to measure heavy in his tone.

 

Maybe it was due to the chaos of his emotions at the moment, but it took seconds for the temperature in the room to begin to plummet. His element responded to the Sentinel's agony in the only way possible. A fine layer of ice began to slowly cover the ground and the walls of the Sentinel's temper flared to life. Whatever resemblance of calm and dignity he had been holding before, vanished in the face of his anger and the Alpha inside roared to life. Blue eyes began to tint at the edges with crimson red and canines began to lenghten by the second. His struggles grew stronger as his markings grew darker.

 

"Fuck! Shit, you can hate me for this later, brat, but for now focus on getting his fucking arm taken care of. I don't know how long I can hold him off" Kisame cursed loudly, sparing a glance at Dakari before springing into action.

 

Shifting his weight higher as he pressed Katsu further down into the mattress, Kisame didn't hesitate even the slightest of a second before slamming his mouth over Katsu's. Lips pressing against the pissed off ones beneath him, Kisame's long silver hair soon cascaded down around both their faces to block them from view....but it seemed his sudden action had produced a less violent reaction from the feline. The ice paused from its steady growth around them and though the air was still frigid, the temperature didn't seem to appear to be lowering anymore. The strong gusts of wind that had been banging against the closed windows, dulled and the tremor that had begun to shake the Tower ceased. However, it wasn't evident for how long the now still Sentinel would remain as such.

 

"Dakari! Hurry and finish, please. We can't afford to waste time right now" Hiyori pleaded with the young Prince, voice shaking a bit as she shot him a desperate look.

[LoneDigger]

It would have only taken a second if Katsu hadn't squirmed so much, but at the same time who could even blame him? The pain had to be excruciating against fresh wounds even if it was only to save his life.

The prince tightened his grip around the elder's wrist, his other hand trying to steady the rest of the remaining alcohol in the bottle, just pouring it out would result in it just ending up on the covers useless, he had to make sure it was soaking deep into the wounds to clean them fully.

He hated to see how upset Katsu was, maybe the snow leopard would hate him forever after this. Maybe even when he broke free he would murder them all on the spot, but it didn't matter so long as Katsu lived. That's all the prince could focus on.

 

Even though he was a boy now, the prince seemed to turn a bit more animal himself at the sight of Kisame kissing the snow leopard, but it was the perfect distraction. For a brief, but just long enough moment his arm had gone limp and he was able to pour the rest of the alcohol right over the punctures.

 

"We're done... We're done!"

 

He repeated louder, letting go of the arm he was once holding and instead pushing Kisame back with a growl. But he didn't bite the shark just snarled at him as he tried to get him out the door again.

 

"Nice little trick of your's, but never do it again. Now leave!"

 

He tried to be polite, but it hurt. He had to clench his teeth to keep from biting his own tongue out of jealousy.

Then again maybe he should be kicking himself out of there as well since he was pretty sure after all that Katsu would never want to even see his face again.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

To be completely honest, the kiss had been the absolute last thing Katsu had thought the shark would end up doing. Sure they were rather intimate with each other more times than not when they were in the same space, but in a moment when rage and agony had caused a mixture of signals in his brain, the snow leopard had not been prepared for the other man's actions. His body had gone completely still under the hold everyone had on it and though a growl was still bubbling in his chest, Katsu dumbfoundment caused him to cease everything under of the pressure of lips over his. Yet, there was a bit of a difference in the kiss this time. Normally, he'd enjoy them, no matter the occassion....yet this time the kiss felt a bit lacking. Something that confused the pained man rather deeply.

 

Feeling Dakari trying to push him back, Kisame reluctantly pulled away from the feline with a playful twitch of the lips before allowing himself to be pushed towards the door. He knew better than most that right now Katsu was high strung and it would be best to allow him to calm down before bothering some more, but he couldn't help but want to stay. This was his friend and whether Katsu and Dakari were pissed or not, he was still worried about the other Sentinel.

 

"Get out....all of you, except the Prince....I need space to breath and I can't do it with all of you in my room" the soft voice of the snow leopard, cold in nature and still not quite forgiving, rang out the moment he was fully released.

 

Pulling his arm into the safety of his lap as he shifted to sit up, fine tremors running throughout his body in evidence of the shock his system had gone through, Katsu rested his weight slightly back against the propped up pillows behind him. Watching Hiyori nod hesitantly and Akira actually take some backwards steps towards the door, the snow leopard couldn't help but feel satisfied that his request was being answered.

 

"We'll give you the time you need, Katsu...Just try not to kill the brat after we leave" Kisame murmured, his tone surprisingly soft and soothing for one as sharp tongued and easily angered at he tended to be. Looking down at the Prince before he stepped out the door, Kisame flashed the boy a sharp toothed grin before he added lastly "And brat, if you don't like me kissing him, maybe you should learn how to take over for next time. It would work in your favor!".

 

The bark at laughter that followed those words melted away as soon as the door was closed and the trio had left the room.

 

Breathing out a deep sigh, Katsu's features shifted back to his fully human appeal despite the tail and the ears remaining. Red tinted eyes began to slowly fade back to their normal blue and while the stiffness in the man's body still remained, Katsu looked a little bit calmer than he had moments ago. But then again, truly who could blame him. Not only had the pain in his wound set him off but the hands holding him immobile had not helped in the least.

 

"Princeling, next time you have a brilliant idea such as that one...try and give me a heads up. I probably won't try and kill everyone around me, even if the pain is less than favorable" the snow leopard grumbled under his breath as he closed his eyes and leaned his head back. It wasn't for another moment that he was speaking again, this time sounding apologetic. "I'm sorry about what you had to see with Kisame and myself....I know it bothers you and I'll make sure it doesn't happen again. But you have my apologies".

[LoneDigger]

For once Dakari was not happy to hear that Katsu wanted him to stay, and him only. The snow leopard still sounded deadly, and he was probably going to teach him a lesson for pinning him down and pouring alcohol over his arm. He knew that wasn't a very nice to do, but if they hadn't then the sentinel could likely die... He couldn't risk that.

 

The boy shuddered, all his adrenaline from before was gone and being replaced by a dread crawling up inside him. It made him freeze in place, unable to move or think of anything but how Katsu was going to kill him this time, until Kisame spoke which snapped the prince out of his trance, briefly flashing a snarl up at him.

What the hell was that supposed to mean? He didn't really know, yet still the boy had an idea and somehow having the shark suggest that was infuriating. He didn't need advice from him.

 

Yet even when Katsu spoke directly at him the prince still didn't dare move from his spot, which was sort of in the middle of the room, but slightly closer to the door than the bed. The elder didn't sound as upset as he had thought which was a relief, but then Katsu had to fucking apologize and that did it, the prince's eyes filled up with tears. Katsu shouldn't be the one saying sorry when he was the one who had scared and hurt him like that. He tried to open his mouth to tell this out loud, but he had to quickly cover his mouth to muffle the soft cry that escaped instead.

 

Get it together! Stop crying in front of him! You're not a baby anymore.... So quit acting like one!

 

He mentally scolded himself as he tried to calm down, taking in a deep breath which seemed to help. His eyes were still watering, but his voice was now steady.

 

"I should be the one apologizing to you... I'm sorry, Katsu."

 

He'd never seen such pain or even fear in the sentinel and it was his fault. He made the other act like that.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Watching the tension in the young boy's body when he was requested to stay behind, Katsu took some moments to just observe the boy in silence. He wasn't exactly in a forgiving mood, not yet, not after the way his spirit animal was still puffed up and restless right beneath the surface of his renewed control....but he couldn't force himself to be angry at the boy. Dakari had done what he thought best and while the results hadn't been the best for Katsu's flare of temper and aggression, at least he had gotten the wound disinfected as had been the plan. Regardless whether the Sentinel was thankful for the way it had happened or not.

 

Narrowing his eyes the moment he heard the muffled sound of a soft cry, Katsu's nose quickly caught the scent of tears in the air and concern took root in his heart. He was angry, yes and his arm burned like nothing he had felt in a while....but the last thing he wanted was for Dakari to cry in front of him. He didn't want to cause the cub to fear him over something like this. The situation hadn't been an easy one but it had happened and there was no changing that. Katsu wasn't about to tear the young Prince apart, not now and not ever, so he didn't wish to hear such heavy emotions in the little one's voice.

 

With jaws clenched to hold back any sounds of discomfort, the snow leopard carefully dropped his legs from the bed and eased himself to his feet. Long black hair cascaded around his shoulders and face while his injured arm dangled useless against his side. The fire the alcohol had awoken in his wound had yet to cease though the pain had dimmed to mildly tolerable levels. Just like the wound at his side, it made it a tad easier for him to move without cursing every fate there was for letting these injuries land on him.

 

Taking a deep breath, momentarily closing his eyes to swallow down the mild spikes of pain that ran up and down his arm, Katsu turned those eyes back on the Prince and quietly padded towards him. Long tail trailing behind him, swaying in what appeared to be a calm manner despite the ruffled appearance of the fur on it, the Sentinel came to a stop in front of Dakari. A short moment of silence passed before the man was carefully lowering himself to a crouched position and a soft twitch of the lips offered the slightest glimpses of a gentle smile. One that softened the cold in his eyes and the stern nature of his expression by a few degrees.

 

"You mustn't apologize for what you did in an effort to save a friend. No matter the reaction that arouse from your actions, you had the best intentions at heart. That is what matters most.....I can't say I am happy about having been pinned down, nor about the pain...but I accept it had to have happened. One way or another...you should not apologize over it, my Prince. And I am thankful for your assistance" the snow leopard spoke gently, eyes watching the youthful face in front of him as he spoke.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari stood perfectly still when he felt the snow leopard rising from his bed and coming over to him. He didn't dare make a move, only his eyes seemed to change as they watched Katsu carefully.

It was painful to watch the sentinel trying to get up when he was still so clearly hurt. He didn't know why the other was doing this to himself... Maybe he was so upset that he was finally going to snap and get over to strike him down.

Dakari would have allowed it though, he deserved nothing less at this point.

 

But nothing could have prepared him for the snow leopard's actions. The other was.... smiling, and... and... kneeling in front of him. Normally such a gesture would have caused the arrogant prince to swell with pride. It was his status after all and everyone should respect him, but right then his posture was that of a confused child. Standing with a tucked in posture and fidgeting with the edge of his shirt nervously. He didn't even know how to handle Katsu not being upset when he had convinced himself that it was going to be the case.

 

Dakari didn't even know what to say, so instead he very gently reached out his arms and wrapped them around the older male, hugging him so softly as if afraid of breaking him, but still wanting to hold onto tightly enough that he wouldn't loose him.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Blinking surprised when Dakari made a move that had him wrapping his arms around the feline and hugging him, Katsu breathed a small air of amusement even as he raised his uninjured arm to gently wrap it around the boy's back.

 

"With time, My Prince, you'll come to understand that even the hardest actions hold merit if they're done with the purest of hearts. You will learn not to apologize for you decisions as long as they are made to save or protect our people. You are our Prince, no matter how young and innocent you are now, your actions will always be accepted by us. And with time you'll realize that I'm never going to go anywhere. I will remain by your side and protect you from anything that threatens you and all you hold dear to your heart, as is my duty" the snow leopard whispered softly against the side of the boy's head.

 

"I can't promise that I will not lose my temper from time to time and I may be less than gentle in my way of handling your emotions if decisions aren't quite to my liking....but I will always stand by you. No matter how angry I might become nor if you stumble and make mistakes, I am here to stay. So you need not fear my temper, for I will never lift a hand to hurt you. As long as I live and breath, I will not allow harm to befall you, no matter if it is from friend or enemy" Katsu added a moment later, that warmth in his tone expanding the more he spoke.

 

Truly, no matter how agitated and angry he might have been...seeing the child stand there uncertain and fidgety had the need to comfort spreading through his cold soul. It was a feeling he rarely felt for others aside from the Sentinels and their "family". While it confused the feline, he found himself treasuring this small flame in his heart that pulsed for the cub he held gently to him.

 

"Now...its been a rather long, exciting day...I reckon its time to see about having you taken back to your parents at the palace. I doubt you'd want to stay the night with a group of rowdy old Sentinels, you might just lose your mind" Katsu finished after a few seconds of silence, affectionately running his nose against the boy's hairline before making a move to pull back just a bit.

 

It really had been a long day and no matter how well the cub's composure seemed, Katsu worried for him. Sure, he'd rather keep the cub in his sights in case anything happened to the child but he couldn't be selfish. Especially when he knew the cub had actual family waiting for him.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari held onto every word the sentinel, even if he was too young to understand or know how to respond half the time, he was always taking it to heart. And knowing that Katsu was not angry at him made him feel so much better. The Sentinel had understood why had to hurt him was for his own good.

He couldn't even imagine Katsu ever wanting to punish him... But yet when he saw the other loose control he wondered if that could change, but now he was reassured it was impossible. The snow leopard existed to protect him, not harm him.

And the nuzzle against his hair only confirmed this all again.

However, with the mention of staying the night suddenly the once shy boy had turned back into his normal happy go lucky self.

 

"Stay the night? May I?"

 

He asked eagerly, hugging Katsu a bit harder than he had meant to. He did miss home, and his parents. But he wanted to be with the snow leopards and the others. Even Kisame in a weird way.

 

"I don't care if you're... you're um, causing a ruckus or whatever you said!"

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Chuckling when the boy tightened his arms around him, Katsu simply propped his chin against the child's shoulder as another smile swept onto his features. It was really mindboggling how Dakari went from one emotion to the other in breakneck speed, but Katsu supposed that that was just how the boy was. Besides, if he were being honest, it tended to be one of his more endearing qualities as well.

 

"If you promise not to bite or try to attack Kisame, even if he is being annoying, then I don't see why you can't stay the night. It'll be easier to keep an eye on you and Hiyori would probably love to have you here" Katsu replied, shrugging a bit even as he lowered the arm around Dakari to make it easier to support the boy's weight as he rose to his full height once more.

 

One would think having been injured the way he was it would have slowed the feline down, but while it had him taking a few steps back from being a hundred percent....he wasn't fraying at the seams either. Securing his arm beneath Dakari's thighs, the snow leopard turned and carried the boy back towards the bed...movements a bit slower and more careful than normal but still able to appear graceful.

 

"Are you hungry or tired? If you are, I can have a meal brought up to you and we can just stay in here" he asked, gently placing the child on the bed before letting him go and sinking down to the bed beside him. Pulling his injured arm onto his lap, the snow leopard didn't hesitate to reach for the gauze Hiyori had left behind to begin to wrap his wound. While his sister had successfully cleaned and covered the wound on his torso, in the "excitement" that had followed, his arm had been left open. That was something Katsu remedied quickly with smooth, practiced movements.

 

"If not, then we can explore the Tower at your leisure" he added a moment later, eyes focused on his task.

[LoneDigger]

"I don't if I can promise anything when it comes to that shark... But I promise to try not to bite him."

 

Dakari grinned softly, he really was hard to keep track of. It was in his hyena nature to one minute be perfectly fine and then the very next trying to bite Kisame's leg off. Not to mention having the element of fire did not help with matters, making him even less stable.

 

"Besides, I'm just making sure that guy doesn't bother you! He's always getting way too close and being weird. He needs a leash."

 

It sounded like a joke, but the prince said it all with such earnesty, and like it was a casual suggestion.

Why did Kisame deserve such treatment from the boy? Well, he didn't. But him being on mating terms with Katsu was just something he could not tolerate. No one should mate with the snow leopard, ever. Period. He didn't even like thinking about it.

 

When Dakari felt himself being lifted up, he let out a soft squeak of protest. Katsu was still hurt and shouldn't be exerting himself. Though he made sure not to squirm, not wanting to make this any harder on him as he waited to be set down on the bed before speaking again.

 

"Katsu... You didn't have to carry me."

 

The prince murmured, looking away with a shy smile. He didn't know why he was suddenly feeling so... flustered. Maybe it was just that old guilt from pinning him down. Yeah, that's all.

 

"Just hungry... Let me help!"

 

Dakari crawled over the bed and took the snow leopard's arm gently.

 

"I'm not going to hurt it this time, just going to wrap it up."

 

Surely it would easier with him doing it since Katsu only had one good hand to do the job.