Territory of the Wolf and Undead

[Rikugurl]

"AHahahahahaa!! It looks fabulous!" The young woman cheered as she saw the somewhat elaborate sandcastle in front of them as they finished the moat. "Now, for the finishing touches..." She slowly reached to her side but blinked when a twig with a leaf was gone, having been the ideal flag for their castle. "Huh? Oh, I hope it didn't fly away." She pouted, her eyes dark and slightly puffy from being so tired.

"There."
Both she and Sora looked up as they heard a deeper voice and watched as the 'flag' was placed on the highest tower by the hunter. "That is quite a fine castle you have their, my King and Queen."
Lilo giggled as she watched Riku bow slightly before she had him help her up, her feet a little shaky from her fatigue. "Ah, Riku~ It it good to see you..... RUN!" Her eyes widened when she looked beyond the man and quickly pulled up her dress and headed inland, as well as Sora.

"See me... run?" The silverette rose an eyebrow before hearing a sudden roar behind him, quickly looking back to see a large wave coming in. "DAMMIT!" He spun on his heels but not knowing how sand worked well, he slipped upon it and fell right on top of the castle, done the middle and the wave crashed over him. Lilo gasped, her hands going over her mouth as she watched the wave come in... and slowly foam out only to reveal....
"hehehe....hehehee....haha....mmmMMMMMM AHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA!!" She laughed so hard she fell over as the wave revealed a sight that was hilarious to the gods.

The poor dhampir was smack dab in the middle of castle, looking like a wet cat from a pond as his hair plastered around his face and he spat out the wet sand from his mouth. What topped it all though... was the starfish atop his head.


"Yes... I suppose." His voice was still shallow and full of guilt and depression. Slowly he stood, seeing his job well done before shaking his head. When he looked back, he could already see the lycan at the door to wait for him to come so they could walk to the edge of the city like they always did. The vampir slowly came along, his feet feeling heaving like bricks. However, before the door was open, a question had to be asked. "Terra... will you answer me this?" It gauged some interests and blue eyes slowly looked into a matching pair. "Once our studies are over... what shall we do then?"


The book was slowly pulled down before a cunning grin came over the master's face. The literature was placed upon his chest as a clawed hands reached for the side of the wolf's face, petting his side gently. "A proposition, you say? And what ever could that be, dear Eskel?"

[Reno]

"Pfffff-ahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!" Sora laughed right beside her, having done his best to hold it in but found it was not possible the sight of the prim and proper man in such a disarray was just too much to bear! His poor wife was rolling in the sand so he took it upon himself to head over and offer a helping hand to him. Even still he could not hold his humor back. "Are you- hahaha- are you alright?"


Instead of answering automatically, the brunette glanced back, looking at the many books. "Well... I would hope we could study more. Of course if it is not of your interests... then I suppose we will just simply part ways." Something about that sentence made him feel lonely... and a bit like a steak bone. Once the usefulness was stripped from it, the bone was tossed away with nothing left to give.

The frown on his face reflected his troubled thoughts. But maybe that was all he could have expected.


The tail behind him wagged tentatively, leaning up against the hand. "Yes... as you know it is mating season and this is the time mates... well mate. Even though my mind knows we can not bear children my body still does... desire..." He shifted some, seeming now a little embarrassed, talking of such thinks but he must say his piece. He had come all this way and even if it was just lust driving him. "You had taken me that night... so I think it a fair trade if I... do the same to you. I think that might settle my mind some and in turn that will make you happy."

[Rikugurl]

The hunter continued to spat out some sand as a shadow from the moon lingered over him and he could only glance up the best he could. It was an offered hand that was given to him that made him blink some before he shook his head. "I---" Aqua eyes widened as a starfish suddenly fell from his head. Was that... upon him? At the thought, he too could not help but burst into laughter. At the sound, Lilo paused and looked over, seeing the happy face on Riku. She had... never seen him laugh before. "Oh Riku..." She smiled as he got up, dusting the sand from her dress. She would certainly have to watch it in the morrow.


"NO!" A sudden cry came form the shorter blonde as he wrapped his arms around the taller. "Please... I do not wish to part ways. We shall find something else to study!" Panic ran through his eyes as he looked up at the brunette before the gears in his head seemed to start cranking quickly together. "P-perhaps I can teach you French, do you desire something like that? Or... you can teach me something you wish to learn as well... so we shall learn together!"


A head shifted in question before he seemed to nod with the explanation. "Yes, of course. I know of the season well. It be one of the reasons there was no attack this stage of moon." His eye grew a bit darker as he looked into the wolf's. "This is fine with me, thus only being fair. I shall submit to you as you want me... but..." He paused, making the wolf seem to hesitate, "only for you, my love."

[Reno]

The other Vampir's eyes widened at the sound of the other's laughter, before a joyful smile spread on his lips enjoying the sound of it like one enjoyed the sound of a fine concerto. It was like the rarity of snow in a desert - unseen but precious. It truly had been a wonderful day for them all.

But the night had to end. Sora wished he could stay to see sunrise, but he knew doing so would be asking for his death. And Lilo had grown very tired, so much so she was beginning to doze on the sand. In fact, she was indeed asleep as they took the carriage back home, slumbering happily against her love's arm so the ride home was very quiet.

She hardly stirred as they reached Riku's home and the silverette got out of the carriage and walked around it to his gate. "Ah, one moment Riku please!" Sora called out the window, halting the silverette. His head disappeared behind the curtain moving carefully so as not to stir Lilo before he poked his head and arm out, smiling. "Here take this!"

He laid a good-sized spiral conch shell in the man's hand, the outside a fine soft yellow-orange and the inside flap going inwards to the darkness a brilliant pink. He withdrew his hand and smiled, "When you hold it to your ear you can hear the ocean. That way, if you miss it and can not quickly attend there, at least you'll still be able to hear it. I know I used to. My father gave them to my and my siblings when we were very young... and when I listened to it I used to pretend I could hear the waves my father's boat was crossing over." The brunette smiled in nostalgia before shaking his head from the memories, "So shall you join us tomorrow night as well? Lilo is training some ponies so she wanted to ride. She thought it might be of your interest."


Terra was startled as the blonde suddenly held him, his voice full of fervor and pleading as he tried to convince him to stay. It was so ironic he could have laughed had he not known Ven would be very hurt and offended by such. "I... well..." He smiled a bit tentatively, "I... I was always interested in French..."

Feet and paws made imprints in the dirt, the wolf at the Vampir's side walking closer there most humans would find comfortable. Of course in the darkness of the night few of the city could tell the beast beside the man was a wolf at all but merely a big hunting dog. Even moreso, no one could tell the man beside the creature was not a man at all. They also might never believe that as the man spoke a language strange but beautiful spoke not to empty air but to the creature at his side.

They would believe themselves crazy if they got near enough to tell that the dog was speaking back.
"Bonjour." Terra repeated softly, his voice but a low whisper.


"Truly...?" Came the hesitant answer, and as the other affirmed his words paws rose from the bed, shifting before the man very eyes as they split and lengthened and lost all their fur to reveal tanned fingers that soon enough slid around his neck and brought him forth as he met the very human lips of the wolf.

Over the course of the night, clothes were removed, both completely naked except a single silver band left around the younger's wrist. Hands hesitant from inexperience but eager to please ran across smooth, pale skin. Lips and a tasting tongue soon followed their path, harsh breathes and groans starting to fill the air. Soon enough, with the use of the same mixture used upon himself, the purple-haired male had slid within the blonde Vampir, his cheeks red and eyes glazed with passion.

There bodies moved that night together in a way that had been done thousands of time before but would only be the second time for each other.

[Rikugurl]

Riku looked at the shell that was placed in his hand, frowning some at the weight and the myth. He could hear the ocean from this? That was rather impossible. He glanced back up at the brunette when he heard that the lady Lilo would be training some ponies and was invited to attend. He had a good idea whose ponies they were, for there was only one noble man who fancied them since he had but seven daughters. "Sounds fine enough. I shall meet you at the city gate." With that, he turned, his cape fluttering some as he headed towards his stable. "Good evening... and thank you."

When he got to his dark room, he undressed and hung his clothes out the window before closing it tight. He needed to get all the same from his clothes away before---
He paused, hearing his father cough in the next room.
How long would Kuku supply this money for the kill? Hopefully... long enough.
He sighed, climbing into bed before the morning came. Though he could tolerate the sun, he found no need for it until late afternoon... when he would fetch his father his medication.

Before he laid his head to the pillow, he paused, glancing at the shell before picking it up. Slowly, it came to his ear and his eyes indeed widen to reflect what he was hearing. The sounds of the ocean waves.
Perhaps... things weren't as impossible as it seemed. Like... a vampir hunter enjoying the company of a vampir.


Or a vampir enjoying the company of a lycan.
"Hahaha, Très bon!" The blonde smiled as he ran his hand through the wolf's coat as they reached the forest edge and knew this was their time to part. "Je vous verrai demain. Je vous souhaite un bon repos~" He smiled more as he glanced down at the wolf who seemed to anticipate to learn what he had just said. "I said... I shall miss you..."


The sun rose and many human got up and did their daily chores while the beasts and demons slumbered in the woods and in the basements. The day was like most, nothing exciting or thrilling truly happening even if it were a city day. There was simply a wedding that some attended, including a rather sick judge but it was his promise that he would return the broach to his niece on her wedding day. Before he left upon his carriage, his brother slipped him some money to take care of himself as well did his new nephew-in-law. Though he denied it at first, he wasn't foolish enough not to know that his end was near without the help.

By the time he returned, a glass bottle was upon the table, reading a bizarre name that he knew was for his cold. His own son was persistent to pay what needed to be paid with still having enough for the medication he needed. The old judge took his dose before heading upstairs for bed but before he entered his room, he looked upon the room of his son, only to see it empty. "Of course..."

Instead, the silverette was where he had said he would be. The stallion he sat atop of shifted his weight as he waiting, looking for any sign of the vampir and his lover, the witch.


CLOSED
Read a sign upon the library door, a piece of old board place over the entrance. "Closed...?" The blonde frowned as he moved to a window, looking inside to see nothing but darkness. Was this because of what had happened last night? He was sorry to see that a wanted ad was already up around the streets of the city for the missing librarian. However, dead or not, this shall not do. He needed to get inside so they could continue their lessons. And what would happen to all the books?
Worst off, where was Terra?


Back at the manor, a sight was more intimate. Still in bed, two lovers embraced each other and still with dried sweat and semen about them. The eldest of the land had his face nestled in the nook of the lycan's shoulder, breathing softly as he still slept. But not for long as he slowly stirred, pulling his face away and brushing his blonde, stringy hair from his face only for his dull eyes to look into vibrant amethyst. "Mmmm, have you been watching me sleep?"

[Reno]

The dhampir was not kept waiting terribly long for soon enough Lilo came walking upon the hill, in yet another dress but more suited for riding. Beside her, looking surprisingly nervous, was Sora his own clothes different and more suited for the night. Ssd they came upon the Vampir, they greeted him as happily as ever and Lilo told them to wait while she gathered the two ponies and hurried off to the manor. Waiting behind, Sora against shifted nervously, glancing at the horse that Riku was atop.

"I... trust your day has been fine?" Sora asked, more to distract himself than anything though his question was honest.


Terra... was actually late for a good reason. As he had lost his clothes to the incident of last night, he was finding himself stalking the many stores and homes for a proper pair of clothes. He found a nice white button shirt and a good pair of brown trousers and even added a brown coat to match. The shoes were truly the most difficult to find, but eventually he got a pair of spats in his size and was soon enough headed to the library.

There he found Ven quickly, the look on his face unhappy as he sat outside the urban building, seeming to be concentrating on the design in the dirt he was making,. He paused though when the fine boots filled his vision and a bit startled he looked up - even more startled was he to find it was Terra, looking quite fine and handsome in the new clothes. "Hmm... closed is it?"


"For a bit," Came the honest answer the man seeming content on the bed. He smiled ever gently and said in a teasing voice, "You sleep like the dead. I tried to wake up before but you stirred not. I did not think it proper if I left before you rose, even for my daily hunt. I did not wish you to think ill of me though I am now quite famished." To accent those words, his stomach rumbled lightly.

[Rikugurl]

Protective eyes watched the woman quickly go to the manor to fetch the ponies before he looked down at the demon. "It was just but a day of rest, nothing more." For all he knew, it was no business for the vampir to know of his father's illness. He wished to keep it as secret as he possibly could and it seemed so did the blonde, old man. He shifted upon his horse some before he took a good look at the brunette. "What be the matter with you, vampir? Did thou lady give you one of her famous lectures? Dirt you tracked through her flat, did you?" He asked curiously, never having seen the vampire appear so nervous.


"Ut...." Slowly the vampir's eyes looked up, his mouth gasping and he blinked a few times as he saw the tanned man in such rich brown clothes. One would think of him more as a fish out of water than a demon with how his mouth was going before he made sure it was closed tightly, swallowing as he stood. "T-Terra.... y-you look...." He was indeed lost for words as his eyes could not be pulled from him, the stolen blood rushing through his veins faster. "O-oh! The library... yes... I mean no! Wait.... yes! It's closed..." He blushed, his fingers running through his hair. "But I suppose there are other ways to get inside than just this door..."


A lazy smile appeared on the master's face as he heard the sweet pun but he frowned when he heard about the nightly hunt. "Forget it now. I wish that you dine with me tonight. You may pick any meat you so desire and it shall be yours." Frail, clawed fingers reached up, pushing away some of the deep violent hair behind the man's ear as he leaned up against him and kissed him gently, though with some leftover passion from the night before. When their lips parted, the blonde still stayed close. "I was also hoping you would stay with me this night. Perhaps I can gauge your interests if I offer lessons it learning to write once more."

[Reno]

"No... If I had dirt upon my feet I would have just floated and-" He shook his head, knowing he was getting off track and babbling a bit. He hesitated then he looked up at Riku, "I suppose I got ahead of myself agreeing to come this night..." The other's pale aqua eyes pinned him, telling him to speak - so he did.

"I... I have never learned to ride a horse." He admitted finally. "The last time I had I had been thrown from it quiet violently, thought it was not her fault." He glanced away, looking towards the barn where he was sure his lover was preparing the horses. "Lilo does not know this and she believed I can and I am about to make an utter fool of myself..." He sighed in despair.


A grin fell upon the elder's mouth, looking like he was about to be rather wicked. "Of course, a side door. Follow me." He lead the other around the side of the building, speaking all the while, "I have come here many days when the library was closed - even once for an entire week for the librarian was quite sick. However my nose helped me to discover the secret of access here. A hidden key. It is right - ah! Here."

Fine fingers moved a loose brick in the wall and half of it shifted out of the wall, revealing a small copper key not seven inches from the door. He took it and deftly unlocked the door before replacing it to it's hidden place. "I could never stand to be away from books for long. We will have to burn few candles though, lest we bring suspicion upon us."


"Hmmm... I suppose I would not mind learning again, though I am uncertain what I will do with such knowledge once I learn it." Eskel said thoughtfully, glancing at the other. "It was never my place to know I was born and raised with expectations to be a solider. I of course never got that far." He chuckled some but shrugged. "No matter, lessons or not we are dining first for I am sure my stomach will rebel further and I am becoming quite embarrassed at it's growls."

[Rikugurl]

A silver eyebrow rose as the truth of his nervousness came to be. It was rather amusing, well enough to laugh upon but since he was not a man of laughter, not a peep came from him as he glanced upon the barn where Lilo was. He knew the woman well, maybe even longer than the vampir below him and he knew her habits of chatter when another spoke about her interest. Since ponies were one of the said few interests, he was sure whoever was manning the stable could cause them some time.

He suddenly dismounted from his fine horse before holding his reigns close. "Than we only have a bit time to practice. It was not you leading the horse the night of your change?" He asked as he offered his hand to help the brunette get atop the horse. When he was suited and set, he started to walk the gentle creature around so Sora could get the feel of it. "There is not much you should fear. Lord Hyatt has the nicest of ponies. I have never seen one act out. He has many daughters, you see... so he must make sure they are all well natured to keep the girls safe from harm."

He leaned upon his horse, getting close to the man. "And if it still does not settle you, an excuse would be well for you to know. Riding upon a pony can be much different than a horse." He whispered.


"Ooooh~" Ven smiled as he saw the key and nodded, quickly following him within only to get a small hint of alcohol still in the air. The door was closed and locked behind him before he glanced around, seeing some spare candles where they were placed. There was only two left, now remembering the woman he killed the night prior had spoken of their lack of light. This would have to do for now. They headed to their spot once more, Terra having picked it up when he was making the grave.

The bible was still on the table so they easily sat on the couch again and the book taken. Blue eyes watched as the pages turned while he lit the candles, setting them close enough to read yet far away not to catch anything on fire. As Terra was finding his place, Ven glanced at his attire once more. "As handsome as you are and with the clothes to attract any living creature, I wonder why you haven't gone to other event around the town. Surely you would fit in well to see a play or watch a race..."

[Reno]

A little pink tinge appeared upon the man’s cheeks as the other came close and confided to him some brave advice, finding he was quite an attractive man in the moon, but he smiled at the words, “I will remember that, thank you Riku.” As the other back away and started to guide him with the knowledge of how to hold the reins and just where to place his heels when he needed the horse to move or stop. He could not be expected to remember it all but hopefully he would remember some of it or he truly would find himself in a state of shame.

“I have led horses.” Sora spoke suddenly, as he carefully lead the horse in a small circle around the dhampir. Almost randomly it seemed was his statement but he was in fact answering the other’s question previous. “But only by the reins and walking them. I know a lot of horses – how to brush them and how to place saddles on them. I know just what types of clothing is best suited to set out for a day’s ride. But I… was never allowed to be upon one.” He fingered the leather of the reigns, strangely shamed when he had never felt this before when he spoke to Lilo, his brothers of even the clan. He was uncertain what it was about Riku… The other was technically – in terms of social class – very far above him. And knowing Riku’s ties to Evard seeing who his father was… it made this very profound. He felt nearly… insignificant to him suddenly.

He admitted softly, “I was a servant at Evard manor even since I was six years old, meant to attend to Kairi.” If Riku was shocked at this news, the night hid it well. Naturally, the silverette had known he had been a servant before as his parents had died – yet another secret he knew not why; at least not his mother’s. Even Riku could guess his father had died on the sea, if his act last night did not show that. The fact still remained though that Riku had not known and his father had probably never mentioned such of precisely what family he had attended to.

“My master did not like us to have much knowledge, we were badly punished when we tried” Unconsciously his back tingled some, knowing that he too had the marks of a whip on them – though nothing to the extent and horror that his youngest brother had to suffer. Only five in fact – two of the scars gained in his youngest years when he lisped a word in front of an aristocrat attending his master’s house. And three gained during his adolescence… when he was caught with an open book in his hand. “Especially not of horse riding. He claimed we would steal them and take flight the next morning or at least that is what my mistress told me. That night… it was a disaster cloaked by a blessing.” And slowly the story spilled out – about how his brothers and he had all ended up together again – about the thief Olette who had rescued his slave brother and Xion who broke Ven’s heart and in a need to flee he came to fetch him so they could leave. He even told him of Pence, the shy servant cook who was in love with the thief.

“It had been a mistake to tie the horses but what could we have done?” Sora had said, not even aware they had stopped moving as he regaled his tale. “Neither Roxas nor I could ride and with my brother so injured and ill, he could not have stayed upon the horse on his own. We… we did not even think he would make it on the boat sail to France but we had to try. So I sat on the mare, led by Olette and Ven’s horses, and off we went into the forest. We came to a fork in the road and paused to find our way – and that is when the wolf happened upon us. It spooked the horses quite well, and before we knew it, Olette had cut her rope and went one way and we went the other. The wolf was able to get Ven’s horse and it halted us both and off we fell. I was certain it was all over… and… and then you came.”

He glanced at Riku and smiled, nervousness in his gaze but it’s cause so different this time. “That is why I thanked you that night in the tavern. That is why what you did was so important to I.”


“Heh…” Came the deep, rumbling chuckle, the wolf in disguise glancing up at the other. The fire made the blue of his eyes appear darker, shadows playing upon his face in a way that accented his strong chin and fine features. “I have. I often attended to the café as well, meeting intelligent minds to speak with.” The other, struck by his looks once again could only stutter in a silly way of why he had never gone to any recently.

“Why, is it such a mystery?” The other asked in surprise and blue eyes merely blinked right back at him, unable to speak for he had not an answer. The man chuckled again and lent back tilting his head to gaze up at the ceiling. “Well… it all began just weeks ago, when I was deep in the story of Ortonto and a man came up to me and asked me if it was a good read – soon enough we got to speaking of the Lord but as he could not touch the bible we began to read it together.”

The other stared at him for a time, but the message was clear. He had not gone anywhere because he had been busy attending to Ven’s desire to learn. “Ah, but don’t fret over thinking you are stealing my days as I’m sure you already are.” Terra said, reading his mind perfectly, “This is simply a different side of life not a loss.”

[Rikugurl]

"Hmmm..." The hunter frowned as he heard the sorry and he knew it was quite true for he had seen how inexperienced they all looked when the wolf was after them. He heard the cried and the sounds of the spooked horses, which made him come in the first place. The mare was able to get away and stay alive for a few days before the wolves took her as well... but the brunette didn't need to know such news. "I see..." His hand was offered once more and with great strength, he helped the brunette down from his horse.

"I do what I can to help all poor souls who venture into the woods at night. I was hoping the thief would of learned her lesion the first night that a vampir had attracted to stay away from it during the night. Even near dawn is safer. I suppose it was the near lack of education though and young minds who think one is invisible." Slowly he started to pet down between the horses eyes as his own seemed to become lost. "Education is what many need... though I suppose many don't find purpose for their servants to have it. I, myself wouldn't agree. No say I have though, since Evard is not my true family name."

He did not realize that the vampir at his side blinked, looking at him curiously as he did not know this fact. He did however when he glanced at him, only a small smile coming to his lips. "You thought I was truly the son of the judge?" A nod made him look away, proceeding to pet the horse. "I was adopted. Since you shared your story with me, I will make haste to tell you a small one of mine. As the judge told me, my mother was in labor when she was hunted down by a vampir. It would of been a quick, easy kill to dine upon a woman already lame with the worries of childbirth. He said two fellows brought her to the courthouse and it was where she had given birth to me. Came to be, my mother was a well know, pleasant widow who was not married for yet a month before her husband were killed on his way home by robbers."

He glanced over his shoulder, hearing the trots of the ponies coming over. "And so the judge took me under his own wing for he knew a demon had done this. I, nor he, knows why I had been cursed as a half-breed of human and vampir..."
"Ah, here they are!" Lilo smiled as she came up to them, handing Sora the reigns of a brown stallion. "I pardon myself for being some time long. I was learning more about these brilliant ponies! These two are Fell ponies and are the best breed known around these parts. Your stallion's name is Archie and mine, Kimball. He says these two are but the family's favorite so they shall be fine rides!"


A blush rose on the blonde vampir's face as he knew which distraction this brunette had. It was but himself but just as he was about to pardon himself, the lycan did it for him. Still... he felt bad for keeping him locked away in this building. "Perhaps... we may do something else tomorrow. A play we could catch or... perhaps you wish to do it solo. I shall understand, Terra."

[Reno]

Not having time to really respond to Riku's story probably - then again what was there to say? Though he'd only been around the other for a short time he could tell the man would not appreciate pity or sympathy. Simply... understanding. He glanced at the man for a moment, wishing his expression could tell him what he wished to say - that at least it was a blessing the judge had been so kind and he did find a family.

He thought it was good though, as few children were ever adopted. The brunette knew it for a fact. He had never once heard of anyone coming to the orphanage to add onto their family only to add to the servant trough. And now he and Riku... they had something in common.

When he concentrated on Lilo thought he smiled, holding the reigns loosely and looking up at the pony, it's pretty brown eyes staring back at him with an unnerving gaze. "His coat matches my hair..." He said with a chuckle, feeling nervousness pool in his gut yet again. Oh he hoped he did not fall from this horse too.


"Oh cease that talk." Terra said and actually flicked him on his forehead with a disapproving gaze. "Did I not tell you before how I enjoy intelligent company? What good is watching a play if you have no one to critique it with after the curtains fall? And it has to be said... such outings are never quite as enjoyable when done solo. Now for your punishment for your silly talk, you are reading the first page." Goodness it was like training a pup of the pack at times!


As the night went, Sora did quite well on his walk, the three being smart and walking down the path parallel to the forest and not within it. The only time he quite embarrassed himself was at the beginning when he dug his heels in too hard and Archie burst into a sudden run. He grew too panicked to remember how to stop but to his luck Riku sped after him. They did not get more then 200 feet before the talented silverette caught the reigns and pulled the pony up short. When they returned to the starting place, Sora blushing quite much for his foul, it was where he used the excuse that he had never ridden a pony and it was a bit different. Which was not technically a lie...

But as the walk went on, they all grew comfortable, and even talked quite jovially with one another. And eventually they passed the part of the trial where it was broken by the river - a bridge marking there way across. They stopped at the water though and dismounted their horses to bring them for a rest and a drink.

Riku and Lilo got engrossed in a conversation though, but Sora, even if he had interest of it, did not listen as he instead distanced himself from them, listening intently to the forest about them. There was a sound within, a small one - many small ones - which could be but any animal. Possibly... badgers. He had fed but four days ago... and again he was hungry. He wondered if they would even notice if he hurried away for a short time to get his food...?


Meanwhile, in the library, they had set aside the Bible and where now studying a different prose altogether. "Je suis.... Je suis.... Un lupe...." The man sounded out carefully, his accent shaky as he spoke, writing the words in a find script on a scrap of paper they had managed to find at the front desk. "Ah yes? That was right...?"

He grinned as Ven complimented him, giving him a glance before he wrote again, chuckling as he did. "Je suis.... un beau homme."

[Rikugurl]

"I find them finer than dear horses, I'm afraid." Lilo smiled as she pet her Kimball as he drank as Riku watched over his and Sora's ride. "Women always find smaller things more adoring... except for---"
"RIKU!" The woman laughed as she blushed, knowing what he was about to say. "You have a perverted mind. It is not how large it is... but how it is used."
"Do not sound so innocent, dear lady. You speak just to better yourself by imagination. If you felt nothing, you surely wouldn't say such nice things." The silverette spat back as she flicked some of the cold water at her.

"You make we sounds like some who---" She paused when she heard a faint call from her lover, slowly standing and looking over the horse. She saw him wave his arm before pointing at the forest before raising his index finger. "Alright!" She called before looking back at Riku. "I suppose he must relieve himself." She giggled before her fingers dipped into the water.
However, reflective eyes narrowed at her statement... knowing well that vampirs did not urinate...


"Grand! Very good!" Ventus laughed as he heard the shaky language but he was picking up quickly. This man truly was very intelligent. He never knew of such a waste when he was human and heard that the wolf beasts were hunted down. He was but happy at the news for his horses would be safer. Then again... perhaps not many where like this since then he was sure there would be more upon the city and village like those of his own clan.

When the next words were spoken though, his eyes widened and he was about to pull at the man's ear but as he did, Terra pulled a fallen piece of hair behind his ear, revealing that beautiful face in the candle light. Ven's cheeks darkened a but as his hand hesitated, a twist in his gut that he had only felt for Xion and once a few times for his own brothers. Instead of pulling at his ear, his hand took the man's chin and turned it so they were looking at each other. His eyes darkened as he smiled slightly, fangs easily seen before he spoke suavely. "Oui, vous êtes très beau. Dans et hors...."

[Reno]

A grin fell upon wicked fangs as he was given an okay and quickly dived into the forest his feet silent upon the forest floor and his eyes turning a bit pearl as he started the hunt. He could hear the little shapes moving, could detect his catch's heartbeats and their blood rushing. He happened upon the clearing, hesitated at the bare rim of the tiny clearing, his body tense and ready to pounce - and then he blinked.

"Guys!" Came a surprising cry, the brunette already back in but two moments and even Riku seemed a bit shocked at his speed. How could he of fed so fast? The brunette's eyes were quite wide though as he happened upon them, looking rather excited. "There is something I must show you! Come, tie the horses it is not far in!"

Lilo seemed a bit uncertain not wanting to leave them to their own but at Sora's insistence she gave in. The horses were tied to the branches and after picking up the woman and telling Riku to be as silent as he could, the three dived back into the forest. It was farther away then Lilo was comfortable with but Sora and Riku could still easily hear the horses even as they reached their destination. "Look at this... and tell me mine eyes have not made me mad." Sora whispered as he set his lover on the floor gently, and the three peered beyond the branches to the clearing.

What a shocking sight it was. At first glance it seemed nothing more then a family of foxes. A father, a wondrous red fox, was sitting upon a broken log and watching two of his pups romp and play. They were still very young, there fur fluffy and orange and most of their discerning characteristics still faded. But it was not the playing foxes - adorable as they may be - that stole their attention. It was the mother laying on the floor her belly exposed as three small creatures nursed from her.

They were not foxes.

They were kits. They were kittens. Tiny orange tabbies, possibly born from a barn cat and tied to a sack and thrown to the forest to die as farmers often did. They appeared still quite young, there eyes still not open and had it not been the fact the mother had just birthed babies thus spring, she would not of had the milk to feed them. But it was something to gaze at in wonder - it was not an unheard story that a fox might drag off even a full grown cat for a meal. To see this... it was unheard of.


Eyelids lowered some over true blue eyes, the other listened to him as he spoke, understanding only 'oui' and 'tres beau', though he could easily figure the rest. But that was enough - it was all he needed to know. He felt his gut stir, his skin starting to heat much like it had that night Ven asked him to stay. A hand rose, running through blonde spikes, before he murmured. "Embrassez-moi."

[Rikugurl]

Lilo placed her hands over his mouth as she gasped in surprise, seeing the strange sight before her. It was adoring and astonishing; never in her life had she seen such an amazing sight. Some had said they had seen frog circuses and mice shows but this was nature at it's best. Oh how she wished she could get a closer look but she knew it could not be done. She also wished that she could scoop all the kittens up and bring them to the flat with her to nurse. It would at least give her something to do while Sora was asleep during the day... but she knew that the foxes were probably protective of them now.

Riku too blinked as he saw the strange scenario laid before him. It was not the first time he had seen animals cross to take care of others. Some birds lay eggs in other nests for they are lazy parents and the birds of the true nest would warm them, hatch them and feed them all the same. Then there was a lovely mare that had given a colt some of her milk as well when her mother had escaped for a few days. He had even seen a fawn milk upon it's knees, suckling on an utter of a milk cow.
This however was a whole different thing. These foxes should be eating those kittens, not---

The silverette pulled back some, frowning as he realized a larger picture. Creatures who are normal enemies... nursing and caring for those they should kill...
His hand ran through his hair before he slowly turned and headed back to the horses, so silent that the two lovers barely noticed.


Ventus breathed out slowly as he heard the lustful French coming from the lycan's lips. Their eyes shifted, darkening from the untold passion that their bodies knew better than they. He swallowed some before sucking in his lips, wetting them with his tongue before he parted them. Slowly and hesitatingly, he leaned down, his eyes lidding, before their lips pressed together again.

At least this time he knew that no she-wolf would rip them apart.