A/N: As promised to several people, I am continuing this story. I mean in two days it's gotten more reviews than my other three combined, a grand total of nine. Thank you to all these lovely people:

coolcat101s

I.F.T.S

Ahr0 (one of the original creators!)

zoewinter1

NekoNinja-chan

CountrygalxHetalia

phantomsonic

And two Guests.

FYI, I love reviews, but when guests do it kinda ticks me off, because then I can't give them my personal thanks for it. Oh well, a review is a review and I can be happy with that! So thank you to those two lovely guest as well. I do deeply enjoy seeing people take an interest in my story, da! Also thank you to those who favorited/fallowed this story too! You guys are all frigging awesome!

Now read to your hearts content my pretties! Read, Read, Read! Veeeeee!

Feli did indeed find Ludwig again, outside his own home the very next morning. He had been talking with Romulus on the sands bellow unknowing of Feli watching them at the time. He had asked for permission to take him and Felicity out for the day. Why, he hadn't known at the time but that didn't matter to him just then. His savior had sought him out rather than having to seek him out himself. Did that mean that he too had thought the same things as Feli had last night, about ceremonies and promises?

So he and Feli were allowed out together that day, much to Lovino's dislike. He had tried to fallow them discreetly on foot, but lost them on their casaraptors within minutes. Ludwig took him back to the docks where they wandered, ate and chatted back and forth. They did this many times together over the moons as the dry season ran its course, before Ludwig asked him for exactly what Feli had contemplated that first night.

"Feli, the Storm Festival is coming up soon and you'll be ten seasons old and I was wondering..." the young blond alpha had asked as he worried the edge of his vest. Today he had taken them back to Turtles Cove, and they sat on the rock paths and let their feet rest in the water. Felicity and Berlitz had settled for cooling their heated scales in the refreshing water of another pool near by.

"Ve~ what Luddy?" Feli had taken to shortening the alpha's name in an endearing way.

"Well, well I was wondering... since, uhm, since I... I kinda like you... a lot... I was wondering if... ifyoumightpromisetome!?" The last part had come out so fast that Feli wasn't sure if he had heard him right. But the dark blush to his face and the nervous yet hopeful look in his summer blue eyes told Feli that he had heard exactly right. Nothing could have stopped the grin that lit the young omega's face as he leaped, tackling the blind boy into the pool behind them, startling their casaraptors in the process. They landed with a deep splash in the water, but neither minded being completely soaked to the bone at that point.

"Vee!~ Of course Ludwig!" Felicity and Berlitz watched as the blond wrapped his arms tightly around Feli's smaller, more lithe form. Approving coos and trills went up as the pair agreed with their respective partner's choice. The two enjoyed each others company as much as their partners did, and if they had to live the rest of their lives side by side, well then they were perfectly okay with that.

And that's where they were found a week later at the Storm Festival. Maykelo Island had the honor of hosting it this year, and the tribes had gathered on the wide sandy beach to celebrate together. A central fire had been built sending sparks and ashes rising to the night sky for the spirits that lived in the ever erupting mountains of the island. The casaraptors of all the tribes, those that had come any way, were gathered together themselves at the base of the trees at the edge of the jungle, chattering away in their own little trills and coos to each other.

The combined peoples milled about, picking through what was left of the food from the great feast earlier, talking and catching up with friends from the other islands. Though rivalry over the oceans and slight differences in culture split the tribes, any one was open to leave or join, if the right circumstances were there and steps were taken. Many despite having left their birth tribes, still kept ties there. After all it was their home by birth.

Many of the omegas and even betas, male and female, children a like, danced around the blaze in twirling flying skirts of brightly colored fabrics while others played on pipe flutes, drums, and small string instruments. The music was light hearted and quick, calling to those fleet and light of foot, and bright of soul and heart. Those that flew about the fire couldn't help their smiles and laughs joining with the music as it played.

Feli was among those whirling around the flames in bright reds and blues, decorated with small white shells that jangled in time and the colorful feathers of his casaraptor. A bright orange and pink orchid was tucked into his hair just in front of the odd little curl that bounced on his hair. Ludwig could see where his neck shined in the firelight from the ointment Kiku had applied over his new omega tattoo. The black ink shimmered beneath his sun kissed skin as he moved, the three points of flame seeming to move as if fire actually licked at his throat.

Ludwig spared a glance down at the new, elaborate cats paw inked into left shoulder, for the cat he had killed saving Feli, and smiled thinking how it had brought them together. Looking back up he caught Feli giggling, and laughed allowed as the prince twirled around, his bare chest rising and falling rapidly as he gasped for his breath. The fire could go out for all Ludwig cared, to him Feli's smile could have lit the whole beach.

"We have one more ceremony to enact this night before the gods!" Romulus's deep voice carried far across the area, from the young newly bonded couples roosting in the trees at the edge of the sand line, to those who rested in their boats moored in the shallows. The music stopped playing and Feli froze in his place before Ludwig reached out to pull him back to him as others cleared the dancing area. All attention was drawn to their Chieftain and the other two who stood near the fire pit so that it threw interesting shadows across them. The lights and shadows shifted and changed, revealing new marks, and hiding old features.

Tiberi Tribe's chieftain was young yet, a man by the name of Alfred, with hair the color of the setting sun on sand with a little cow lick the stubbornly stuck at the front if his mop top due, and eyes just a few shades lighter than Ludwig's. He bore an old promise mark on his muscular chest, filled in with a design of twirling falling leaves that danced about each other, his mated mark. It shined in the fire light with the clear healing salve that was spread over new tattoos, which could only mean he had taken his promised on this very same night. By all means he should be with his mate, probably hiding in the trees at the edge of the jungle, alas, he was chieftain, so he had to be down here instead.

In contrast, Kilowe Tribe's chief was a middle aged man, Ivan, with the most pale beige blond hair and bright violet eyes that held an almost childlike innocence in them yet. Though far from ever being cold, he wore a pink tinted white scarf wrapped securely around his neck that clicked with weight of shells tied it the ends. Scars littered his body, striking even paler than his already pale skin, but none marred the rare golden inked flower that circled his heart. No promise ring surrounded the mark, but the shear detail in the golden petals alone conveyed the deep bond that must have been shared between him and his mate.

"We believe that as children our sights are yet unclouded by the duties of alpha, omega, or beta and are clear and knowledgeable in everything. That they see everyone and everything in the best light possible without outside judgment." Alfred began looking across the gathered peoples with the affection of a father watching his children.

"It is for this reason, we allow them to, of their own free will, pick and choose their future mates at such a young age, because their affections are with the purest of intents. Though still too young to know what their given positions in life mean for them yet, at the age of ten full seasons, they are allowed to promise to one another, so that when they come of age they may take them as theirs and create a bond to last lifetimes." Ivan's voice was even deeper than Romulus's, and roughened by the winds of the high seas. Though it was still gentle like a child's.

"Those wishing to promise may come forward now." Romulus announced. Feli and Ludwig were among the first to approach. This surprised the oldest alpha. He had known his grandson and the tough blond alpha had taken quite the liking to each other, but was he really going to promise to him? And so soon, he had only just this night turned ten, was he really ready for this? Looking down at the boy he had raised since near birth he noticed his hand clasped tightly in Ludwig's, and smiled. He and his own late mate Cleo had approached his father in the same manner at twelve and eleven years old with hands wound tightly together. He knew then, this was right for them.

Looking between them and the few other pairs that had come forward they began. The ancient words of the ceremony had been whispered down through the generation since the beginning of the tribes, and carried the power of the ocean, wind, and fire with them. They bound, and forever tied those willing to repeat them, to the person they chose to promise to. The promise mark was then inked into their skin, a circle of ocean waves, to show that the promise would never end On boys it was placed over the heart, on girls, it went on their right side, just above the hip bone. The same place where each would receive their mated marks when they were older. Kiku did this to both with great care, as he always did.

"Thus you promise to your chosen to wait for them until the time comes when you may truly be bonded before the gods." Romulus said with a beaming smile. And it was done. A single chorusing cheer went up from the masses around them, celebrating even though they had already celebrated. Oh well. Ludwig allowed Feli to lead him around the fire in a dance for joy as the music picked up and the voices of the people joined as one tonight. They sang the night away till the sun rose from the depths of the ocean, of storms to come and pass, and fire to rain from the sky, and of young love and joy and life.

Morning found Feli and Ludwig resting lightly against each other as Berlitz and Felicity curled around them for warmth. The fire had died sometime in the night, and now all that remained was ashes and a few thin wisps of smoke. Most others were in positions similar to the newly promised pair, asleep, curled up or splayed out on the cool sand as it stuck to their bodies. The distant trill of macaws gently roused people from their dreams, though many refused to actually get up and move.

Feli opened his eyes and found his head resting on Ludwig's shoulder, and his own hand intertwined with his. Ludwig himself wasn't far from the waking world either, and soon his shocking blue eyes fluttered open to the light of the world. He smiled softly seeing his promised already awake and looking up at him. A soft hmmed rumbled through him as he squeezed the smaller boy's hand.

"Good morning Feliciano." He whispered to him. Feli hmmed in return.

"G'morning Luddy." He whispered back. Ludwig smiled at him and raised his free hand to pet through mahogany colored hair affectionately. How could someone so sweet and kind, and a prince at that, have chosen him of all the young alphas his age on the island? He was terribly lucky, he thought.

"Feli?" He asked. The boy resting against his shoulder hummed lightly, showing he had heard. "Since, since we're promised now... would it be alright if... I kissed you on the cheek?" He'd wanted to before, but had felt it entirely inappropriate. And he also hadn't wanted to possibly scare him off, if they were just friends, it would have been heartbreaking for him. Feli looked up at him with slightly widened eyes for a moment in surprise, and Ludwig though for one fearful moment he might say no. But the soft blush that rose to his face as he turned his cheek up to him told him otherwise.

"You may. Anytime you want to, you don't have to ask." He said almost shyly, innocently. With a soft smile Ludwig leaned down and just lightly pressed his lips the omega's tanned cheek. It was soft, and smooth, and left a lingering taste of something sweet on his lips. He pulled away blushing a light pink, and smiled down at him. Feli's smile was just as soft, and he leaned in closer to the alpha.

"Hey looky there." Feli said pointing to something just behind Ludwig. The boo d turned to discover what he was gesturing to. To his amazement, Lovino sat not far away on the beach with Pele, and another boy. He had dark cocoa brown curly hair like Lovi, and green eyes, but his weren't the deep forest that Lovi's were, no his were the bright new leaf green of spring. As the ocean breeze blew past both caught the familiar Beta scent mixed with Lovi's alpha. The two spoke quietly it seemed, but there wasn't any of the usual hostility the Lovi often displayed towards people, but instead a quiet understanding and simple smile.

"This is good for Fratello, maybe now he will be happier instead of grumpy all the time." Feli said with a happy sigh. He was truly glad for his brother. Ludwig had to agree, he liked the idea of Lovino leaving them alone rather than angrily stalking them all day.

The two sanded a smile before sitting g up more to take in their surroundings. Many people still slept in the sands or just beneath the trees. Most were from the other two tribes, as the people of Maykelo Island Tribe had homes to return to, but there were still plenty of them abound as well.

Tangled in the vines dangling between the trees' branches, Ludwig could make out the form of Alfred, Tiberi Tribe's leader still asleep. He was on his back with his strong arms wrapped protectively around another person, no doubt his mate. This man was just as young as he, and also had blond hair, though his wasn't as brightly yellow nor was it as messy.

Bellow them he could also make out Ivan of Kilowe Tribe leaning heavily against the base of a tree. A woman with long dark brown hair tied in two tails and beautiful tropical blue eyes sat between his legs with his hands and her's on the large swell of her belly. He was leaned over her more petite frame whispering in her ear with a very small smile on his face. She stretched up to plant a kiss on his cheek before settling back down against his larger solid frame.

Ludwig smiled as he turned to look over Feli's shoulder and Berlitz's back to spy Romulus wide awake and standing at the dye of the shore. Waves rolled pushing water up to his ankles each time as he stared out at the rolling ocean. He appeared deep in though with his brow creased and hand on his hips, though a sadness swam in his eyes. Ludwig could only guess that with the ceremonies last night he could t help but think of his own late mate.

From his other side he recognized his grandfather, Aldrich, approach the Chieftain. His own long blond hair blew softly in the breeze, little braid twisting around. His blue eyes greeted his old friend with understanding, and hand came up to rest on his bare shoulder. Both alphas bore old and somewhat faded mated marks, and identical promise rings over their hearts. Ludwig knew that both understood the pain of loosing the other half of ones soul. So the two stood at the waters edge together, not saying a word and simply finding solace in the others company.

Ludwig could only hope and pray to the gods he never had to permanently separated from his little Feli. Be it by death or other means, it would break the omega's heart, and Ludwig just couldn't think that.

"I hope I never have to be away from you for very long Luddy." Feli seemed to know the darker thoughts that plagued his mind right then.

"Me too Feli." He answered. He turned away from the sad sight and gently roused Berlitz, who had been asleep with his head lying over his legs. Feli did the same to Felicity, whose snout had been tucked just against the blue casaraptor's. The two large lizards lifted their heads in unison to look up at their charges with sleep bleary eyes. Feli gently petted his mount's cheek but nudged her up telling her it was time to get up. They stood, shaking the sand from their feathers, and chirped good mornings to their partners.

"Come on, we'd better get you home before you brother or grandfather so they don't think I kidnapped you or something." Feli giggled at the comment. With still somewhat sleepy movements he swung up into the saddle, now with more grace and ease than he had just half a year ago. Felicity stumbled for a moment under the new weight, as she was still sleepy herself, with a quick shake of her feathery head she righted herself to stand beside Berlitz. The male casaraptor, though the same age as she at six now, was just a few inches taller than her now.

The pair set off at steady even trotted up the beach, as the gathering place was set a good five miles south of the actual village. The morning was quiet, just the birds and ocean seemed awake, but that was fine by them, they enjoyed the quiet time just riding in each others company. Though Feli was usually quote talkative, today was content to keep his little mouth shut. Mostly anyway.

"Hey Ludwig, did Kiku say anything about getting more of the salve for the marks?" Feli asked about half way into their trip back.

"No I don't think so. Why? Does it hurt still?" He asked turnip g his head just enough to the side to see him clearly. He didn't want to take his eyes off the path ahead. They were far enough away from both the village and the gathering place that a jungle cat could come prowling out of the trees.

"Ve~ A little, it itches more than it hurts really. Like something is crawling under my skin, or when those nasty little fire ants swarm over your feet and bite and it really really hu-"

"Feli hush!" Ludwig cut off his rant suddenly, jerking back on Berlitz's feathers bringing him to a sharp stop. Felicity jolted to a halt beside him as Feli ducked his head almost instinctively.

"What is it Luddy?" He whispered as a slight fear crept into his voice. Ludwig looked around wildly, scanning the ocean horizon and back into the trees.

"I don't know, I don't hear anything, and that's just the problem, listen even the birds have stopped calling to each other." The little alpha was correct, there was no sound aside from the soft hush hush of the ocean next to the them. Ludwig narrowed his eyes at the tree line, searching deeper into the dark green foliage. When a swift black shadow, to big and bird like to be a jungle cat, shot out of the jungle, he yelled.

"Turn back, turn back now Feli!" He roared. It didn't take more a few milliseconds for Felicity to whip about and take off at full speed with Berlitz hot on her heels. Glancing behind him Ludwig made the shape of several people on dark colored casaraptors, bodies painted in striking war colors. The brightly adorned spear they carried held high aloft as they cried and gave chase. The good thing about young casaraptors was that they were generally faster than their older counterparts.

Feli held fast to Felicity's harness as his life depended on it. Though to afraid to look back, he could hear the shrill war cry of casaraptors, and the clatter of spears. He knew a war party of some sort was not far behind them. He prayed to the gods above it was small and could be easily defeated.

They soon spotted the gathering place ahead. More people were awake now, and up and moving about. Many more sprang to their feet in fright and in readiness as the cries of their attackers reached their ears. Feli screamed at the absolute top of his lungs, and he was sure his voice would hoarse for days after that one shriek alone. Men and women, alpha, omega, beta alike began swiftly retrieving spears and bows and quivers from the sides of their own mounts and from the marooned boats. Tiberi Tribe was renowned for their archery which they soon displayed in quick succession as both men and beasts soon began to drop to the sand behind them. Their cries of pain only seemed to strengthen the resolve of the rest, as they charged into the growing line of warriors.

The chaos around them continued as Ludwig leapt from Berlitz's back with his own tree pointed trident spear in hand. He never went anywhere without it, and right now he was glad he did. As Felicity bore her charge in the opposite direction of the attack he and Berlitz leapt into the fray with surprising ferocity. He was not about to let these strange people attack his home, and get away with it with out him knocking a few heads.

Feli on the other hand was not about to leave his promised behind. Pulling Felicity about he grabbed a random bow and spare quiver from the side of an already downed casaraptor. It may not have been his best weapon, but he was trained to use one, quite well too. So he strapped the quiver around his waist tightly and hefted the bow high. It was a bit to big for him but it would have to do for now. He quickly notched an arrow and fired into the thick of the fray aiming for an enemy's skull. It sailed through the sky true and struck home bur Feli didn't take the time to watch, he was already reloading and firing again.

He could make out Romulus and Aldrich fighting side by side from their casaraptors, Gladiator and the jungle green Teuton. Their blazing red and yellow frills made them east to find. Lovi too fought with his spear from Pele's back, with his other friend behind him firing volley after volley of arrows. Ludwig could be spotted with Berlitz as he tore through the enemy with a ferocity that almost frightened him. But he knew better, he was fighting for his life as much he was Feli's own safety and the protection of his home.

Feli continued loosing arrows as he and Felicity slowly picked their way around the edge of the fighting. At one point he ran into Chieftain Alfred who fought like a jungle cat himself, and his mate who displayed an incredible talent with his bow from the trees. He was near the top in the thin branches, with Ivan's mate protectively behind him. She wasn't in good condition, panting and clutching at her round stomach. Ivan himself wasn't far away, using his bullish strength to drive a long spear through the gut of an enemy man. Feli quickly left there and caught a low hanging vine to haul himself up into the trees while Felicity dove teeth and claws first into the fighting.

It wasn't good, the enemy was larger than Feli had originally thought, out weighing the three tribes in number. They were being pushed back towards the sea now, corralled into the shallows of the water away from the boats. Finally, someone caught his grandfather off guard and pulled him down from Gladiator's back and dragged him through the fighting to where the fire had been. Now it was nothing more than a raised lump of blackened and bloodied sand.

"See here! We are the Banished Ones! The ones who you deserted and left behind to die! Ones who you deemed unworthy of being accepted into the folds of your tribes! We are our own tribe now! We are Dead Island Tribe! And we will not be belittled any longer!" The man screeched jerking up a beaten and bruised Romulus by his hair as if showing off a prize. Despite the layers or red and yellow war paint one could make out the pale skin, and dark hair and wild brown eyes. He must be their, uh, Chieftain? Either way he had his Nonno and that just wasn't going to sit well with him.

Just as an obsidian blade knife was raised to Romulus's throat Feli loosed an arrow. But wasn't that arrow that stopped the man, though it did sink straight through his hand. No it was very familiar trident spear, with blue, green, and yellow feathers whirling around just behind the head, that sank into the man's abdomen. He stumbled back, releasing his Nonno, and doubled over on his knees. His blood ran a dark red, staining the sand pink. Shakily he wretched the spear from his gut, letting his spill even more.

People who had stopped to hear his declaration either cheered, or cried anguish. This was exactly what the tribes needed. With their leader dead this Dead Tribe was disheartened and fighting wildly, giving the people of Maykelo, Kilowe, and Tiberi the upper hand they needed. They began pushing back, out of the rolling pink and red waves. Feli let off a whoop of sheer glee. They were going to win this fight.

"Dead tribe, to the boats! Bring any prisoner you can!" He thought to soon. More shrieks went up, more of fear this time rather than pain. He could already see a few people being dragged off north on casaraptors. With a precision and speed Feli hadn't quite known he possessed with a bow he loose arrow after arrow, felling or at least injuring enemy warriors. This forced them to drop of leave their captives and flee or die.

A sudden shriek bellow him brought his attention to the base of the tree, Berlitz and Felicity both stood there calling to him desperately. Fallowing the big blue casaraptor's line of sight he saw Ludwig being dragged off by three people on casaraptors. He was clawing and biting trying to get away from them. But even Feli could see the wound to his right shoulder that was causing him pain.

Acting on instinct and reflex Feli dropped from the high branches and onto Felicity's back. The three then tore off into the dispersing fighting after him. Berlitz bolted ahead of them trying to get at his charge. Out of now where an arrow flew apparently true and struck the blue lizard's left flank sinking almost halfway down the shaft. He dropped to the sound rolling, tumbling over once twice before skidding to a stop with a pain filled cry in the sand. Feli felt a pang in his heart for the injured animal, he would come back for him soon. For now he turned back to fallowing Ludwig and his captors.

They were certainly swift, bit Felicity was gaining, but another arrow came up from ahead and struck Felicity's right side, sinking into the space between her rib cage and hip bones. Thankfully nothing vital sat there. But it sure put her down like a hot rock. She shrieked at the pain the wound caused, and promptly fell to the sand, no rolling, skidding, or flailing. Just dropped. Feli found himself thrown to the side rolling a few feet away from his mount in the warming sand.

As his world began fuzzing on the edges he watched his promised borne away from him. He tried to speak, to call out to him, but his voice just wasn't there. He tried lifting his arm to reach out, but the pain protested the movement of the appendage. Ludwig and his captors disappeared over the sandy horizon, and Feli was left lying in the sand trying to reach him as his vision finally faded to black.

"LUDDYYYYYYY!"

A/N: I know, you probably all hate me right about now. Just to let you know this story will have , at least, a mostly happy ending if I can finagle it. Well until chapter three dear readers!

Bu-bye Vee!