Pet of the Peacock Prince

By Princess Thil Galel

I DO NOT OWN

Thank you

R&R

Please enjoy!

Edit note: After much extensive reseach, I've come across the Soothsayer's true name, in the beginning I simply called her 'Ebi', but now-being the stickler for such details as I am-I've edited this chapter and replaced it with her real name 'Ah-Mah'.

The unexpected gift

It was the last snowfall of the winter, a blanket of white covered the royal gardens in the Peacocks' ancestral palace-the Tower of Sacred Flame. Snowflakes clung to Shen's shoulders as he walked the frozen path, his ever present wolf guard trailed behind him. Lang and he had been together since they were a pup and chick, for nearly 25 years the wolf had watched over and protected his white prince. The Wolf Boss, along with his pack of wolf brothers and sisters, were the guards in Gongmen City's royal palace. The only member of the royal family ever to befriend the wolves was Shen-the frail, leucistic heir to Gongmen City's throne. Shen fed them, played with them, and treated them like family. It was because of this that Lang swore his allegiance to the young prince. He served Shen, and no other, and he would only assist the king and queen at his master's bidding. The young peacock sighed, his breath turning into a frosty cloud around his beak, the wolf smirked "What's the matter, Lord Shen, bored already?"

Shen slowed to a stop, his red eyes turning upward "Most would call this place beautiful, Lang, but for me it seems to have lost all luster." he murmured quietly, his gaze shifted to look around at the bare trees and brown leaves clinging to the bushes "Winter strips the world bare, and yet the greenery will return one day, but there is no spring for me. Not anymore." He sighed again and shook his head, perhaps he was being foolish. All the ice and snow must be getting to him, surely that was it, the root of his woes was winter itself. With an angry growl he dusted the white flakes from his robe, who was he kidding, he loved the white serenity of this frozen season in the same way he loved the air he breathed. No, winter would never be one of his problems.

Lang chuckled "Don't look so glum, Sir," he said "So things have been pretty quiet, but you know how it gets near the end of winter. And look on the bright side..."

The prince frowned "What bright side?" he asked, turning he watched as the wolf scooped up a handful of snow and packed it into a ball. Pressing a finger to his lips, Lang pointed to where one of the gardeners was knocking icicles off a tree heavily laden with snow, with a snicker he chucked the white projectile with years of precision training. The snowball hit the branch with an audible thud, the impacked caused the snow to fall onto the unlucky ram below-completely burying him.

The wolf howled with laughter, clutching his aching sides as he struggled to answer "Ya-you c-could-ahahaha! Be-be la-like that guy!" Shen couldn't help but roll his eyes with a smile. Lang always had a good sense of humor, he could pull jokes just as well as take them, and he somehow found a way to put a smile on his prince's face no matter what might be bothering him.

"Yes, well, if you're quite done tormenting the local sheep population, I'll be going inside before my feathers freeze. You, on the other hand, are going to dig the poor fellow out of the snowbank." said the peacock, when Lang opened his mouth to protest with his usual 'I need to be by your side to protect you' line, Shen raised his wing "No 'but's, Lang. Now off with you, before he catches pneumonia." He watched the wolf stalk off as he grumbled quietly, the prince couldn't help but chuckle lightly to himself as he headed back to the palace.

A chilly wind blew, with a shiver the prince wrapped his robe tighter around himself. He couldn't remember a time when it had been this cold so late in the season. The servants opened the doors for him as he approached, they bowed as he passed, he offered them a brief smile and shook the snow off his sleeves. The marble floor under his feet held a rosy warmth, candles and lanterns set all around released some heat as he walked up the stairs to his parents quarters, but when he entered the room a roaring fire in the hearth gave off a wave of pleasant warmth. Sitting on a cushion before the fireplace was a peahen, painting on silk scrolls with black and red inks. Her feathers were rich shades of chocolate and mahogany with dustings of ash gray on the edges and her neck was a metallic green, she turned to him with a beautiful smile "Shen deary, you look cold, come sit with me-I could use some company." she coaxed.

She patted a second cushion beside her own, he sat down and let her stroke down his crest lovingly, murmuring sweet words. Shen sighed quietly and leaned into his mother's caress, silently enjoying her attention. Queen Hera loved spending time with her son, he didn't often let her pet his head as he'd gotten older, but every once in a while-when they were alone, he'd allow them both to indulge. "So, Shen deary, where's Lang?" she asked.

Shen snorted "He buried one of the gardeners in the snow, so I sent him to help him out." he said, picking up one of his mother's painted scrolls. She loved painting plants-especially flowering trees, and it didn't surprise him that she'd made a peach tree sitting near the edge of a cliff. He smirked "You do have a talent for art, Mother. But where's Father, isn't he suppose to be here?"

Hera set her brushes in the jar of water as she capped the ink bottles "We have a guest coming, he's in the throne room perparing to meet them." she replied as she rolled up her scrolls "Why, did you need something from him?"

He shook his head "No, I was simply curious." he said, then he frowned "Who is this 'guest'?"

"Master Strika, he's coming to deliver the Jeweled chest of Dhi Tao as a gift to our family."

The door suddenly opened behind them, Azure, the Peacock king swept into the room. His sapphire blue feathers shone in the fire's light, his long tail train flowed behind him with a rainbow of colors, and although his eyes were black as onyx they held only warmth and kindness. He smiled brightly when he spotted his wife and son sitting together "Good morning Shen," he greeted "I hope you slept well." Azure helped his wife to her feet and rubbed his cheek against her's.

Shen rolled his eyes as he shook his head, not understanding why they had to be all sappy while he was in the room. But he smiled none-the-less "Yes Father, I slept fitfully." he replied, straightening his robe as he stood "Mother tells me we are expecting Master Strika."

Azure nodded "He'll be here this evening," he confirmed "Which means you should busy youself with getting ready for his arrival-we always want to make a good impression on our guests, after all."

"Yes, of course Father." he replied "I shall not disappoint you." As he swept past his parents, Shen felt his father's wing give his shoulder an affectionate squeeze.

O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O

A servant brought the white peacock prince a royal purple robe, the dark color not only spoke of status but made his unusual white coloring stand out, emphasising his pure as snow appearance. Trails of gold flames rose up the sleeves, while a golden peacock blazed the back. Shen had just finished preening his feathers when a knock came at his chamber door "Enter," he called as the servant lightly sprayed his tail train with some of his imported cologne.

Out of the corner of his eye, Shen watched as the black wolf strolled into the room like it was his own, Lang rubbed his arms in an attempt to banish the remaining chill from his flesh "Its freezing out there," he commented, a little snow still managed to cling to his blue-black fur even as he gave himself a furious shake, at that point Lang noticed the peacock's attire "What's the occasion?" The peacock ignored the question at first, choosing instead to stand before the mirror, he flared out his tail, the red and black markings standing out like blood and ink on the petals of a lily. Lang growled low in his throat, a sound Shen knew was of worry and concern instead of aggression "My Lord, you're wearing one of you dressed-up combat robes-you wouldn't have it on unless you were expecting some sort of trouble." he coaxed, hoping to draw an answer out of the suddenly sullen prince "Its my duty to protect you-to fight by your side till the death. You know that, you know as well that you can place your absolute trust in me."

Shen fingered the uniquely-shaped throwing knives which he hid among the sleeves in his robes; these were custom-built, as they appeared to be forged into the shape of feathers, so Shen could hide them among his own feathers in the folds of his robe. He always carried them, it had always been a comfort to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them. Shen liked to think several steps ahead if he could, and in most cases he did. He didn't foreshadow any mishaps with their guest tonight, but his Nanna had pounded some words of wisdom into his head as a chick; it's always better to be safe than sorry. And these were words he lived by, even to this day.

Freeing his hand from his sleeve, Shen folded his tail once more and turned to face the wolf "We are playing host to a Kung-Fu master, Lang." he answered at last "You know how I like being prepared. I don't really expect any foul play from Master Strika, but just in case, I want you to hide my lance in the dining room-in the usual place."

"In the potted fern, left side of the table's head?"

"Isn't that 'the usual'?"

Lang crossed the room to where the prince hung his blade on the wall-a curved blade with an extending shaft resembling a snake spear, allowing Shen to use it as either a sword or lance-and carefully took it in his hands. Shen smoothed a wrinkle in his robe as he studied his reflection, his eyes seeking out any possible flaws in his appearance, when he found none he nodded in satisfaction "Well then, I believe I'm all set." he stated, then turned to the wolf "I'll meet you down in the dining room when he arrives-which shall be soon, so hurry up already!" With a quick bow of his head, the wolf took his leave.

Shen gazed back into the mirror once again, even though he already found his form to be as perfect as possible he couldn't help but look himself over another time. Something felt off to him, like a fog had suddenly descended around him, casting it's chill into his heart, numbing his senses and planting a seed of worry in his mind. Hosting guests didn't normally cause such a reaction in him, but something about this meeting just wasn't right.

"You are troubled, Shen."

The prince whirled around to find the Soothsayer, his wing flew to his chest where his heart pounded against his ribs "By the King, Nanna, must you sneek up on me like that?" he snapped, but the fire vanished as quickly as it had come and he solemnly added "Something is strange about this, Nanna, I feel anxious and blinded-its as if I'm willing walking into a trap I know is there but can't see. I'm in need of your second sight, have you seen anything odd?"

Ah-Mah looked at her young charge, she didn't need second sight to see that something was bothering him a great deal, and shook her head slowly "Not yet," she said, stepping closer she gingerly placed a hoof on his wing "But I plan to, right now." With that, she plucked a down feather out of his plumage.

Shen snatched back with a yelp of surprise and rubbed the sting from his abused limb "Why do you always do that? It hurts a lot more than you think!" The Soothsayer simply answered with a 'Hmm' as she crossed the room to the roaring fire burning in the hearth, she twirled the feather around in her hoof before casually tossing in the white down, and together they watched as it dissolved into blackened ash. When nothing else happened, the young prince opened his mouth to question the goat, but then Ah-Mah reached into the sleeve and took out her blue-black magic fortune powder, he held his tongue as she added it to the blaze, and watched in awe as a cloud of white smoke rose up and seemingly hovered in the air before them. He let out the breath he hadn't even realized he'd been holding as moving shapes formed in the smoke "Oh...Nanna, what do you see?" he whispered, not daring to speak too loudly in fear of disturbing the mystical force that filled the room.

Her eyes narrowed in consentration "I see...your dinner for this evening-it's that lovely baked black sea bass, I know how fond of it you are." she commented, causing the white peacock to slap his wing against his forehead, with a chuckle she continued "But I see something else too," Shen watched from over her shoulder as the shapes shifted almost constantly "Tonight, you shall show your best and worst, and desire something that is as easy to obtain as the wind-the tender moon."

As the cloud dispersed the peacock prince looked at the goat blankly before falling into a confused stutter "Wha-what does that mean? How could I ever want the moon? It's not like I can simply pluck it out of the midnight sky and carry it around in my pocket like a purse of raw silk." he stated, with a frustrated groan he massaged his now throbbing temples "Nanna, for once please, tell me what your message is-without the headache-inducing riddle."

Ah-Mah sadly shook her head "I'm sorry Shen, but I can not, there is a reason my words are as they are-there are always multiple meanings to every message. What you think one line means is really far from the actual truth. If I told yesterday that you were going to knock your father off his throne, what would you think I meant?" she didn't give him time to actually answer, instead she shook her head and spoke for him "You would assume I was implying that you'd de-throne him, when in reality you bumped into his side and caused him to fall off his throne. Do you see what I mean?"

With a sigh, he nodded, knowing that even if he didn't exactly understand her Shen knew better than to argue with his Nanna. The toll of a gong called their attention, with a kind smile Ah-Mah gently patted the prince's shoulder, he took a deep breath "Well then, wish me luck, Nanna." he said as he swept past her "I'm off to dine with Master Strika."

A smile curled the Soothsayer's soft black lips "Good luck, Shen." she murmered after his retreating form "Reach out and take your moon."

O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O

"King Azure, Queen Hera, and Prince Shen-it's a tremendous honor to make your acquaintance!" said Strika, the brown fox bowed low at the waist "It gives me great pleasure to announce my mission to retrieve the Jeweled chest of Dhi Tao was a complete success."

Shen immediately decided he didn't like the fox. Not. One. Bit.

Whether or not his tone sounded truthful, something in his demeanor spoke falsely, and Shen couldn't keep the image of a snake slithering through the tall grass from crossing his mind. He couldn't quite put his finger on why, or how, but somehow he knew this was a weasel in a fox's guise. But he simply nodded his head in acknowledgement and held his tongue, although he couldn't help the slight scowl on his face when the reynard politely kissed his mother's wing. Azure gave a grand sweep of his wing towards the table "Shall we dine?" he invited "You can tell us all about your adventure-we're all very excited to hear about this land you visited."

The king took the head seat at the long table-naturally-while his queen sat on his right side, and since Strika was a guest he took the seat to the king's left, that left Shen sitting alone at the far end of the table. The moment they were seated the fox's elbows plopped down onto the tabletop, an extremely rude behavior made all the worse in the presence of a lady such as the queen and even more so in front of the king himself. Either this fox had no etiquette, he was habitually rude, or he was plain stupid. With a crooked grin that showed off one of his canines, Strika began to weave his tale "So I had started asking around all my sources and found out that the chest had been stolen and taken across the sea to the island of Japan. The thief was apparently seeking refuge high up in the mountains, but had no idea what he would find-or what he'd lead me to find." he paused, seemingly for dramatic affect "A village lay hidden in those peaks, lost from all knowledge and time. Now the village itself was breathtaking on it's own, but some of the inhabitants were what was truly amazing-like something out of an old fairytale."

The dishes were quickly set before them, Shen couldn't help a slight smile when he realized it was indeed black sea bass, once again his Nanna's insight had proven to be right. Hera sipped her glass before waving him on, a twinkle of excitement in her hazel brown eyes "Go on, Master Strika." she said "You've captured my attention, now I simply must hear this." Azure nodded as well, his onyx eyes filled with curiosity as he took a bite of his meal.

A chuckle escaped the reynard's mouth that was full of food "Well, at first I found the normal kind of people you'd expect to find-rabbits, cats, dogs, wolves, and whatnot. But when I went further-right to the heart of the village, thats where I found them." he mumbled, bits of food flew from his inky-black lips as he spoke, he paused to swallow-thankfully "At first I couldn't believe it, but there they were, walking around like everyone else. Humans."

Shen nearly choked on a piece of fish. Humans? How much wine had this Master been drinking on his journey? Humans weren't real, they were the thing of myths and legends-childrens' stories to be told around a fire or in the warmth of a bed to put them to sleep with sweet dreams. Shen knew things like magic existed-he'd seen the Soothsayer preform such a feet mere minutes ago. But humans? He wasn't buying it, not for a single minute.

Seeing the looks on their faces made the sly fox grin once more "Ah, a bit skeptical are we?" he wiped the juice dripping from his chin on the back of his hand "Well then, I'll fix that. Now I know its a little early, seeing as the spring festival is slightly over three weeks away, but I've gone through the trouble of bringing you a gift, Prince Shen." The white peacock eyed him warily as Strika clapped his hands and called forth one of his assistants "Bring in Lord Shen's present, and be quick about it-I'm certain they're all excited to see this."

An ox roughly pushed open the door, a chain was loosely wrapped around his hoof as he shuffled into the room, he gave it a sharp snatch and Shen sucked in a breath at what tumbled onto the floor.

A human.

Shen's body reacted on it's own, he came to his feet instantly "By the king!" he breathed, "Its impossible!" It's furless skin was ashen gray and smeared with dirt and grime, it was wearing what could only be described as an over-sized rag, and a filthy cloth covered it's mouth. The hair on it's head appeared to be long enough to reach it's knees, if not for the fact that it was horribly knotted and Shen believed he could spy a few twigs, leaves, and straw tangled in it as well. But for the state she was in, it didn't really surprise him, it was the color that was shocking. It's hair was pink, never had he seen a creature other than birds or fish with such a coloring. Shen felt his talons digging into the carpet when he caught sight of the white leath collar around it's neck, it was so tight the human was sporting chafed skin so raw it was bleeding.

Strika stood and crossed the room to where the human lay "I would have brought back more-or quite possibly a better specimen-but it seems that mere minutes after capturing this one the rest just disappeared. Although this was the most interesting human around, thats part of the reason why I grabbed her up first." as casually as if he were setting his foot on a stone, Strika stepped down hard on the human's back, then he fisted a hand in her hair and snatched it forward to reveal the back of her neck. The prince heard his mother gasp at the sight of what lay hidden underneath, at the base of her skull were feathers "As you can see, this particular human has feathers growing under her hair-even sings like a bird, I might add. I call her Songbird, and she's all your's, Prince Shen."

Shen heard the human gasp through the cloth over her mouth when the fox yanked her upright by her hair, he felt an anger burning inside of him when her helpless aquamarine eyes met his from across the room, and when he saw the terror in their blue-green depths he shook with rage. With a loud cry he launched himself at the reynard, he clutched one of his knives tightly as he slammed into the fox and pinned him against a pillar, the razor sharp blade edge pressed to his throat. The peacock prince's body trembled with an unbridled fury as he pressed the knife's tip down hard enough to release a scarlet bead in the reynard's dirt colored fur "The only reason I don't kill you now is because it goes against my morals to take another's life," he hissed "But so help me, if you lay one more hand on her I'll run you through!"

Snatching his knife away, the white peacock turned to his parents "If I may be excused, Mother, Father?" he asked, acting like they weren't staring at him in horror. His father managed to recover somewhat and he nodded, waving him off. Shen dipped his head in thanks before turning to the door "Lang," he called, when the wolf poked his head inside he gestured to the pitiful sight of the human shaking on the floor "Bring her up to my chambers, then have someone fetch the Soothsayer." Without a word, Lang yanked the chain out of the ox's grasp as he glared daggers at the fox who stood frozen against the pillar, and gently scooped the human up in his arms. She didn't struggle, and she didn't seem as scared, but she still looked like she expected the wolf to pounce on her at any moment.

With a bow to his parents, Shen completely ignored the fox and exsited the room, Lang and the human following at his heels.

O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O

"Set her down in front of the fire, she must be freezing in that sad excuse for clothing." instructed Shen "And take that blasted collar off and throw it in the hearth-I can't stand looking at it!" The wolf quickly went about doing the prince's bidding, carefully placing the human on a cushion before the blazing heat and unbuckling the collar, a hiss of sympathy escaped from the wolf as he peeled the leather off her throat, the coppery scent of the fresh blood filled his nostrils and flakes from the scabs fell to the floor. The sight made the young prince cringe, his pity for the poor creature growing. The doors to his chambers suddenly opened without his permission, Shen instinctively whipped out a throwing knife and prepared to send it flying, but he relaxed when Ah-Mah stepped inside. His relief faded, however, when she gave him 'the look', at that moment he knew he was in for grief "Nanna, I-"

"Not now, Shen." she cut in as she went to the human's side "We'll talk later, but for the moment let's focus on helping her instead." The goat untied the cloth over the human's mouth, Ah-Mah tsked when she inspected the woman's hair and found the large tangles "Poor thing, these'll never come out, dear." she said in a melancholy tone, then turned to the white prince "You'll have to cut her hair with your knife, Shen, or they'll just get worse."

He gazed down at the blade as it came free of his sleeve, the light of the fire gleaming off the silvery surface, he couldn't help but swallow hard past the sudden lump in his throat as he stepped up behind the human sitting still as stone on his floor. Keeping a tight grip on the knife with one wing he slipped his other wing under the flowing mass of pink, he moved the blade beneath her hair and paused when he felt something brush against his feathers "What about her feathers?" he asked "I can't simply cut them-who knows how long it'll take for them to molt and grow back, if they molt at all."

"Feathers?" asked the Soothsayer, she gently lifted the human's hair to reveal the pink plumage underneath "My my, I've never seen such a thing, how interesting. Well, they don't look too damaged, so we shouldn't have to pluck them," both Shen and the human shuddered visibly at the comment "Just cut around them and we'll use some feather oil to clean them up later." With a nod, the peacock slowly sliced off one inch of hair at a time, hoping he wouldn't have to chop it all off, and ended at her shoulder blades. Ah-Mah produced a brush from the pocket of her robe and began combing out the remaining knots, she whimpered from time to time when the goat tugged on several thick tangles but otherwise remained silent. When she was finished, the Soothsayer stood "Now that thats taken care of, she'll need some proper clothing and a bath. But I don't believe anyone in the palace would have anything that would fit her until she recieves clothes of her own."

From his place by the door, Lang quietly cleared his throat to draw their attention "Um, I, uh...she can borrow some of mine-they'll be a little big, but they're formfitting so it shouldn't really be a problem." he said "And I can send one of my sisters to fetch a seamstress from the city first thing in the morning, so she'd only have to sleep in them anyway." The wolf quickly glanced away, the situation making him feel awkward and nervous. He almost couldn't hold back the sympathetic whimper rising in his throat as he glimpsed at the human once again, trying not to imagine the terrors she'd experienced at being ripped away from her home, or the horrors she must have gone through while under the care of the fox, nor did he wish to think about the pain she must be in at having her fate in the hands of complete strangers. Granted Shen was one of them, and himself another-heck even the kindly Soothsayer was lending a helping hand, but that more than likely didn't matter to her since she didn't know any of them, and therefore didn't trust them.

"That'll do for now," said Ah-Mah, "Pick her up and come with me-I'll have the servants draw her a bath. Shen, why don't you have a place prepared for her to sleep in the meantime, hmm?"

As the Soothsayer walked out Lang gingerly gathered the woman in his arms once again, but when he moved to follow the goat Shen stopped him with a wing on his shoulder "I don't trust Strika not to try something, you keep an eye on her, and set up a guard outside my chamber doors tonight." he said "You'll both be spending the night in here. I'll have pallets brought in for you, so hurry back." The wolf nodded and quickly ran after the Soothsayer.

When Lang caught up to the Soothsayer, after retrieving a set of clothes for the human, the last of the servants filled out of the washroom, as he went to enter Ah-Mah's cane smaked his foot, causing him to yelp at the sharp pain in his toes "She can walk a few feet to the tub," she said "If you want to stay, then stay on the other side of the door, and if we need anything I'll call for you." Not having much of a choice in the matter, Lang carefully set the human down as if he were handling fragile glass and handed over the clothes to the goat. Ah-Mah gently nudged her into the washroom and closed the door.

The human wasted no time shedding the rags she wore and quickly got into the water, Ah-Mah handed her a bar of scented soap and allowed her as much time as she wanted to clean her. When she finished, the goat wrapped a towel around her shoulders and presented her with Lang's clothes. Her hand shook as she took them, the Soothsayer couldn't help but feel for her "It's been a long time since you've held descent clothing, hasn't it, my dear?" she asked quietly, when she nodded with a soft sniffle Ah-Mah gave her arm an affectionate squeeze "Don't worry, if I know my Shen he won't let anything harm you. Now then, you must be tired. Finish dressing and we'll get you to bed."

O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O

Shen had just slipped into his sleeping robe when the doors to his chambers opened, when Lang escorted the human inside, the white peacock barely recognized her. Her clean pink hair was washed, brushed, and braided into a rope that hung down her back with those unusual feathers finally visible at her neck. Lang's black shirt wasn't big on her, it was huge. It reached down to her knees, the collar hung off one of her shoulders, and the sleeves swallowed her arms. The black pants weren't much better, a sash around her waist kept them in place while even though the legs had been cuffed several times over they still dragged the ground. He blinked in surprise "Quite the transformation you've brought on," he commented, the young prince spied the white banages wrapped around her injured throat "I hope the Soothsayer's herbal salve didn't burn too much." The woman only shook her head, her eyes fixed on the floor.

He frowned in confusion, not understanding why she wouldn't look at him "Yes, well...I've had your beds brought in-Lang, your's is by the door, as always. And your's is at the foot of my bed." Again she only nodded, Lang on the other hand went to his pallet and plopped down like he slept there everyday, Shen chuckled as the wolf wiggled around to make himself comfortable "I see I don't have to tell you to make yourself at home, now do I?" The wolf gave him an almost shy-like smile with a shrug, the peacock shook his head and turned back to the woman "It's alright, go lay down and rest-you must be exhausted after all this fuss." She ducked her head slightly before carefully walking past him to the foot of his bed, there she layed down on the mat with her back facing them and wordlessly pulled up the blanket.

The prince cast his guard a questioning glance, Lang could only offer an equally confused look and spread his hands in a helpless gesture. With a silent sigh, the peacock went to settle into his own bed for the night and bid his company good-night before snuffing out the lantern on his bedside table, plunging the room into semi-darkness. The only sources of light remaining were the blazing fire in the hearth, and the silky-silver glow of the moon through one of the windows.

While Shen easily found sleep the instant his head hit the pillow, Lang simply lay on his back, his ears perked as he silently listened to the crackle of the fire, the guards murmuring quietly outside the door, and the prince's light breathing. At night the wolf often lay awake for several minutes, caught between wakefulness and dozing, a habit he developed in order to become more alert in the time where everybody else let their guard down. Very little ever escaped his keen ears in the twilight hours, that was why he jumped slightly when he felt fingers brushed his shoulder "Pack Brother, may I speak with you?" a voice whispered in his ear "I know you're not asleep."

He blinked up at the strange aquamarine eyes staring down at him with a worried expression, the strands of pink hair that had managed to free themselves from the braid framed the face of the human. Slowly, as not to startle her, Lang sat up, his head cocked in surprise "Did...did you just address me by a wolf term?" he asked in confusion, not even Shen-whom he considered like a brother-had ever called him 'Pack Brother'. She nodded shyly, even in the dark the wolf could faintly see a tint of red on her cheeks "How do you know to call a wolf that, and why claim me as a Brother?"

"Because...my brother's a wolf, or half wolf anyway." she said, her eyes filled with loneliness "He was out with our Papa hunting, when I was taken."

Lang felt his ears droop "I'm sorry. Do, uh, you want to talk about it? I'd actually like to hear about this Japan place-especially how in the world your brother's a wolf...and how you've got feathers." he said quietly "But, you know, if you don't want to...I totally understand! I mean, we don't even have to talk at all if you don't want to."

She smiled slight "You actually remind me of my brother," she sais sadly "It's part of the reason I felt like I could talk to you-and it's been so long since I've spoken to anyone. What did you want to know?"

"Well, why don't we start with how you ended up here?"

"I was heading home late one evening, a day or two after that kyubi kitsune showed his face in our village, normally my brother and I walk home together, but since he wasn't there I didn't notice him sneak up behind me until he put a sword to my throat." she explained "He said if I screamed or tried to run he'd burn the village down, then he shoved me in a cage, and after two and a half months I'm here...as a pet of a peacock prince."

Lang placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, when he had first picked her up he knew she was thin, but now his hand completely engulfed her shoulder "It'll be okay, Shen's a really nice guy-he only snapped earily because of how bad Strika was treating you. I should know, I've grown up with him." he said, he leaned back against the wall and patted the mat by his side, inviting her to join him. She quietly sat beside him, lightly pressed against his side like she'd known him all her life "What was it that you called that fox? Cubey kitten?"

She smirked "Kyubi kitsune, a nine-tailed fox demon." she said, but her smile quickly faded "I've never been this far from home before, and especially not without Teshin."

"Teshin?"

"My brother," she replied "I'm adopted actually, but I don't remember my parents since they died when I was little. My mother was sick for a long time and when I was born it was just too much for her, then my father gave me up to my new family because he was sick too. Now my Papa's a dog, my Mama's a wolf, and my brother is a hybrid. Teshin and I have always been close after I came to live with them, we even fall asleep together in front of the fireplace on cold winter nights like this."

Lang watched as she absently stroked a feather "Well that explains a lot," he said "But what about those? The last time I checked humans didn't sprout feathers."

She blushed once again and toyed with her braid "Well, that's because my grandmother was a white-wing crossbill-a bird, she past her feathers down to me." she explained "Back in my village, humans and animals live together in peace, and even fall in love with one another-I happen to be a result of that. One of the very rare few, now of days."

The two sat talking quietly in the semi-darkness of the room, the fire's glow slowly dying as the snow gathered on the windowsill, as Lang stoked the fire and watched the flames leap high and licked over the wood like red tongues, Shen coughed in his sleep. The prince pressed his face into the pillow as a stronger cough errupted from his throat. The woman was instantly on her feet and at his bedside, her face a mask of worry as she leaned over the peacock "He's ill?" she whispered.

Lang glanced over his prince as he join her, his breathing was slightly uneven and his regal face was pinched in discomfort "Lord Shen gets sick a lot, especially during winter." he said softly as he gently took her hand and tugged her back to his pallet, when they sat down he lightly tossed the blanket over their laps "The Soothsayer said something about a possible chest infection, he'll be alright though-his Nanna knows just how to take care of things."

She nodded "Nannies usually do." she commented, her fingers playing with the end of the blanket in a nervous fashion "Brother, what is your name?"

He smiled broadly, showing his glistening white teeth "Lang, I'm the Wolf Boss of my pack and of the palace guard." he said proudly, his ears perked and his chest out "Not to mention Lord Shen's childhood friend, companion, and his personal guard. But please, just Lang will do. What about you? I heard through the door that Strika called you Songbird, right?"

She stiffened, her hands clenching into fists "That's not my name, and I swear if he ever calls me that again I'll feed him his own white-tipped tail." she growled softly, before relaxing "No, that's not my name. My name is Amalthea-you can also call me 'Thea' if you like, I answer to both."

Lang's smile turned softly and kind, his hand reach out to take her's and entwined their fingers, her's felt small and cool against his fur "Its nice to meet you, Thea." he whispered, then draped his arm over her shoulder "I hope I'm not taking liberties here, but since you've been raised like a wolf I don't think you'll mind, right?" She answered by scooting closer with a sigh. Their talk continued on into the night, sharing life stories and quietly talking about anything that came to mind, until the two finally dozed off-Amalthea's head on Lang's shoulder, and his chin resting on the crown of her head.