Unconditional Love
Written by: Monica Nordquist
Lania is pronounce La-nay-uh and Kitel is pronounce Kit-el
Chapter 1 – A Friendly Dinner
Sighing Lania trudged up the hill. How she got stuck with an extra guard duty she had no idea! Just over the ridge was her beautiful home. The fox dens in which she lived in were on the outskirts of Jakota forest. They protected the barrier that kept the forest hidden. Lania's clan was known as the Elite Fox demons. There strength and power were unimaginable for any other demon to acquire. There skill in controlling plants was greater than any other fox clan in Jakota forest; make that most of demon world. The one thing they lack is a strong leader.
The Cat clan on the other side of Jakota forest is always planning to kill there most hated enemy. The only thing that keeps the two warring clans in check is the Wolf Demon Clan in the center on the forest. There power wages between the Cats and the Foxes, not stronger or weaker. Wolfs have been the allies of the Fox clan since the brink of time. Several families in each clan contain foxes and wolves. Depending on the stronger gene when they grow up, if the wolf blood is more prominent then the child/children will go to live in the wolf dens when deemed ready and vice versa for the foxes.
Slowly walking down the hill Lania continued grumbling to herself. Oh how she wished she had a man in her life! Being the most chased after female in the fox den, surely she should have found a mate, but nobody met up to her standards. Of course since she was the strongest female fox vixen in the clan, she expected somebody that could beat her. So far, none of the men could. Looking off into the horizon, her hand rested on the hilt of her sword, a habit she developed when she was training. Looking out over the horizon, she smiled to herself and raced home, eager to get dinner ready and take a nice hot bath. Her speed was incredible as she raced through the trees, no one could out run her. Passing by the guards at the gate she slowed down and smiled.
"Hello Lania! Back from guard duty I see," Shouted Riko, one of the guards and Lania's closest friend.
"Hello Riko! So very good to see you; and yes finally back from patrolling the border. Would you like to come eat dinner with me? I have some fresh deer meat; I'll make my special stew."
"Perfect! I'll go clean up and I'll be there in a few, my shift is almost up anyways," Riko said as he turned to his partner. They exchanged a few words then Riko left.
With a big smile on her face Lania headed to her quaint little home. It was on the edge of the village and the biggest house. Lania was like the leader of the fox demons, not officially but she commanded the army and handled the situations of running the clan. As thanks, the fox demons built her the biggest house in the village. It had two suite buildings with elaborate designs. Gold and silver pillows laid across the big king sized bed in the center of the room. Gold curtains hung from the big windows and the carpet was velvet soft. Satin sheets covered the bed, along with a big down feather comforter.
On the east side of the bedroom there was a door that lead into her bathroom, which had a built in hot springs and a waterfall that served as a shower. Different assorted soaps and shampoos lined the wall in little shelves and ornate bottles. A big mirror was station next to the bath so she could stand in front of it and brush out her long blonde hair.
Sighing again, Lania went around to the back of her house to where her garden was. Picking out different vegetables and herbs she wrapped them in her skirt then went back into the house. Putting the vegetables and herbs on the kitchen counter, she got out a good sized pan and filled it with water. Setting it over the fire she went and cleaned the vegetables. Throwing them into the pot along with the herbs, she went outside and grabbed the meat. Slicing through it with her claws, she cut it up in manageable pieces and then threw that in the pot. With the stew on the fire to cook, she walked to her bedroom and stripped down. Walking into her bathroom, she walked over the hot springs and slowly stepped into the hot water, letting its warmth embrace and relax her. Sitting only for a minute, she grabbed her shampoos and went over to the little waterfall. When Lania's hair was wet, she lathered the shampoo up and washed her hair.
When Lania was finally clean she stepped into her comfortable, but semi formal silks. Walking into her kitchen she smiled. Riko was standing in her dining room with a wide smile on his face.
"When did you get here Riko-kun?" Lania asked with a sly smile on her face.
"Just a few minutes ago Lani-sama"
"Well the stew is almost done, you know were the bowls are could you please take down a few," Lania said as she stirred the stew.
Setting the bowls on the table, Riko walked over to Lania and put his arm around her waist. Pulling her to him he gave her a little kiss and a hug. Laughing she unraveled herself from him and pulled the ladle out from the pot. Grabbing a bowl she poured him some soup, then some herself. Sitting down at the table, Lania and Riko enjoyed each others company. They sat at the table chatting away the evening talking about the clan and war tactics. It was late when Riko-kun finally left.
"Guess I better head to bed now. Goodnight Lani-sama!"
Riko changed to his fox form and headed home. With a big smile on her face Lania headed straight for her bed, awaiting for the next day to come.