Author's Note: Guess who got their first review?! … I'm very excited. Anyway, did I mention that I don't own these universes and this is a fan fiction made in complete fun?

Warning: some crass language, a lesbian couple, and violence?

(**)

Mandrake shifted very carefully within the tree he was still within. He had hollowed out the inside so that his legs could be stretched out and maneuver around without jostling the child too much. He hadn't expected someone so small or so young but he didn't mind. It simply meant that he could raise the boy for much longer.

"I will do better this time, so much better," he whispered in the darkness, dragging his hand through the boy's hair. It was a promise that he would carry out to his best ability and even beyond that. This child was now his everything and he would die before he let anyone harm him. Mandrake bit into his gloves and yanked them off, they were constraining and making him even hotter than he already felt. It was so very hot and he was melting but he couldn't leave for more air. He had to protect the small child in his lap.

Mandrake pulled off his other glove and threw it somewhere far away then adjusted the bundle of fur in his lap that contained the carefully wrapped up prince who had felt so very cold to touch. Without waking the child, he slipped his hand within the folds of the fur and placed it in the middle of the child's chest. He couldn't hear or feel the child's breathing and it had caused him to panic for the first three minutes until he realized that the child had a steady, fast heartbeat. It was a reassurance that he needed to feel beneath his palm and felt rather than sounded like a lullaby.

Soon he would leave the tree and take the child to his home where food and a proper bed—

Suddenly Mandrake felt his chest rattle as his lungs suddenly rebelled against him. He gasped for air, feeling his throat tighten even as he tried to expel whatever had caused the disruption in breathing. Loud coughs exited his mouth and attacked his dry throat, making him feel as though he were on fire. When it finally stopped, Mandrake took great, whooping breaths of air and clutched tightly to the whimpering child.

The boy twitched, squirming within the bat fur to curl more into him as though he naturally knew who Mandrake was to him and that there was something wrong. Mandrake frowned to himself. Was there something wrong with him? He felt sick but he didn't get sick, those of the forest very rarely became sick unless they were dying and Mandrake would be damned if he died and left his new son all on his own. No, he would live for him. The grey skinned Boggan smiled weakly and dragged the child even closer to his body until the boy's head was pressed right above his heart which drummed in perfect unison.

(**)

So here Ronin stood, staring at the massive tree that had sucked Mandrake in for all eternity. Or at least that was his thought pattern until he rounded the tree on his faithful bird and saw the gaping, rotted hole staring him in the face. Had he been lesser of a man, his mouth would have fallen out but all he could do was pinch the bridge of his nose and shake his head. How was it that no one heard this happening? There were large chunks of bark and wood splinters all around, surely it would have caused at least a bit of commotion! He guided his precious bird closer and saw that the inside had been smoothed and extended to provide room for movement. Ronin expertly jumped inside and looked around although he squinted hard to see anything seeing as the sun had fully set. Then he saw something that made him frown deeply.

"Determined is only one way to describe you," Ronin growled as he stared at the splattered blood and he immediately knew two things. One, it wasn't the boy's blood and two, it didn't come from a wound. Damn Mandrake, damn that great fool! Who would move around when coughing up blood? Never had he thought that particular Boggan to be rash or self-destructive but it seemed that he was both these days and now Ronin was going to have to bring in another person. He wouldn't be able to deal with a sick Mandrake with internal bleeding all by himself along with a delicate child!

But the question was who could he trust…?

(**)

The woman wasn't the most obvious of choices. She was short, probably only reaching his shoulders but she was deceptively strong. Her shoulders were wide and every part of her body was corded muscles—her thighs were probably used to snap a Boggan's neck once or twice. She now wore a light outfit, showing off some bruising on her shoulders, around her left eye and, if Ronin wasn't mistaken, she had narrowly missed a rot arrow judging by the unevenness of her normally neat afro. Her dark red eyes were closed at the moment as she sat between the thighs of another woman, allowing her to cut her hair into its former glory.

Her name was Ruby. She was strong, emotional and willing to put her life on the life for the greater good. She was also his best option in an army that was still recovering.

Ruby had a good sense of duty, it made her a perfect soldier but that didn't mean that she liked it. In fact, her life mate was just finishing cutting her hair when she opened her eyes to see her superior coming towards her and she already felt the need to run away. Of course she could get up and run away quickly with some excuse about having something to do… far, far away from the white haired Leaf Man. Alas, that would be cowardly. No way could she let Sapphire see her run like some mouse who had his whiskers flicked. So Ruby smiled apologetically at her life mate and stood with her face as expressionless as she could manage.

Ronin was in front of her now, nodding to Sapphire and looking down at her seeing as, despite being a great fighter and loyal friend, Ruby was undeniably a very, very short person. She tilted her head up, almost glad that her hair had just been cut by a few inches so she was clearly able to see the blue eyes darkened with anger and determination and she was highly tempted to run anyway—damn rank and bravery. Sapphire placed a soft hand on her shoulder, effectively stopping her and forcing her to concentrate on what Ronin was saying.

Only for her to wish that she never did. What in the world…? The brown haired woman squinted to search the man's face carefully just to make sure he realized that he was speaking actual words. Then she turned her eyes to her mate. The woman was grinning as though she had been presented with the biggest bundle of flowers and there was no doubt that her blue eyes were sparkling behind her long bangs.

"I will prepare your bird now and set up in our rooms. Make sure to come in through the back," Sapphire clapped her hands excitedly then kissed her mate's cheek and swept away as fast as possible. Ruby thought about stopping her because she wasn't completely understanding what was happening but found her mate much too fast.

"Er… what did you say?" Ruby finally asked. Ronin did that jaw clench thing that signified that his patience is coming close to an end. Of course, he wasn't going to yell at her or anything equally reckless. Ruby had a short temper of her own and could definitely beat Ronin if a temper tantrum was going to be thrown.

"I said: that we have a mission—." Ronin began once more but was stopped by a calloused hand grabbing his own thus causing him to connect eyes with the short woman.

"No, not that part you idiot. I meant the part after that! The part where you want me to come with you on this suicide mission!" Ruby was a good soldier, one of the best but she was also a free thinker. She also lost people yesterday, people who were close to her. If she wasn't sure that she'd end up in prison or at least be separated from her mate for a very long time, Ruby would have hauled off and punched him right in the face. She was strong enough to do so despite her short statue. Ronin seemed to sense that he was treading light ice so he attempted to explain in a different way.

"This isn't about just the two of us. This is about the good of the forest. The Boggans are weak right now. It won't take much to retrieve Mandrake and the…the child. We just bring them back here, make sure they won't die any time soon and send them back. I would have approached Nod or even Jasper but they are… preoccupied," Ronin winced. Even though they acted as though this was a simple battle like all other battles that wasn't exactly true. Some of their own had died and twice as many were severely injured.

Ruby frowned, still not able to understand just why their recovery was so important. She didn't know that much about Boggan custom—none of them truly did however, she was fairly sure that someone would succeed Mandrake. And if they didn't then who cared? After all, it would just be some careful tutoring of the queen and that was that. The end. Forever and ever.

"Please." Ronin's whisper was so low and heartbroken, Ruby actually gave pause to her inner thoughts to give him another look over. The man's bruises were just beginning to fade and his stance was much better than it had been a day ago but there was still weight on his shoulders. He looked exhausted and lost.

Ruby was probably the only person he could think of to take on this mission despite his earlier excuse. She knew that territory, she was a scouter as much as a warrior. She knew the best points, most of the turns and twists. They had to do this quickly and effectively because there was no telling how they would react to this painful lose.

"I… fine but I'm only doing this because I'm a very, very good friend," Ruby finally sighed. Ronin brightened (well as much as Ronin could brighten) and some of the weight seemed to fall off his shoulders.

"Yes you are. Hopefully any severe injuries can wait long enough to be brought back here. I am not sure how old or large the Dark Prince so be prepared for anything," Ronin ordered although he realized that he knew next to nothing about this Prince. Tara hadn't told him much except that he was weakened. Perhaps she didn't know much either but it certainly would be helpful just in case Mandrake and the Prince had been separated for any reason. If the child (or young man) looked like every other boggan, they could walk right past him.

"Sapphire is probably done preparing the bird. I'm ready to go now if you are," Ruby nodded in the direction of her ever faithful steed. Just as predicted, the humming bird had a little kit and several weapons strapped safely around its sides. Sapphire was even nice enough to place light armor next to it, something that was easy on the bruised woman's shoulders. It didn't seem to notice as it trilled and looked off in every direction. Ronin nodded sharply and turned on heel to prepare his own bird.

(**)

Mandrake hunched over his precious bundle, ears close to the parted lips just to make sure that the child was still breathing. Their journey had been a hard one because he was forced to do it as soon as he had awakened from his light slumber and when the sun was down. The sleep had actually helped very much and he was close now, very close. He could see his rot territory, still slightly in Queen's land but not too much that anyone would notice. Not that he cared one bit. After all, he had what he wanted. Mandrake looked down at the child in his arms, face practically glowing in the moonlight. Yes, he had what he wanted.

Mandrake crossed the rotted land quickly, listening to the shifting and rustling around him but ignoring them. They were just Boggans after all, nothing to fear. Of course, considering the past few days Mandrake's been having, he should have known that it nothing could be simple. The King took a large step to the side as something shot past, something that had been intent to strike him between the eyes. He looked to the side and saw an arrow and not just any arrow but one from his people. The already dead branch bubbled and blackened.

"What are you doing you little fools!?" he hissed low under his breath, still not willing to awaken his son. He glanced at the sky. The moon was still high in the air but that didn't mean it would stay that way. The sun would soon start to rise and his poor child wasn't strong enough for the beams. He had to get him in as quickly as possible and the one way he could think of was… Mandrake tore off a stick that was roughly the same size as his staff and added his special touch, watching it morph and blacken until it was the right shape. He took away the thick cloak and wrapped it back around his hot body, sweat now pouring down his face and his heart hammering but he needed the protective layer if he hoped to survive. He adjusted his child, making sure he was hidden as much as possible because should he perish, Mandrake wasn't quite sure what he would do so it was best to keep him as safe as possible.

Then he stepped forward.

(**)

It was strange flying into Boggan territory so soon after nearly being killed in there. Ronin pursed his lips slightly as he guided his bird to rest on a rotting branch, feeling as Ruby did the same. The first time he had snuck into this place, he lost a very dear friend who sacrificed himself to give him time to leave. The second time, he nearly lost his life sacrificing himself to give Nod and MK time to leave. It was only a miracle that saved him from death that time. Now he was back a third time and the possibility of death was looking a bit too plausible for his tastes.

"We could always go back, kick up our feet and curl up with a very nice cup of Honey Elixir. I'm sure Sapphire wouldn't mind you crashing on our couch," Ruby offered with a strained smile. Ronin quirked a brow at the woman and felt a rather easy smile sprawl across his own lips.

"You remember the last time you had Honey Elixir? I believe it was two decades back, you were on couch duty for a while after insulting a rather lovely Djinn… what had you said again?" A dark blush bloomed on the brown face and she looked away in an effort to hide it. Ronin thought a bit and snapped his fingers, "Oh yes, a stinking pile of Stomper dung that was better off at the bottom of the ocean where no one had to see their ugly face."

"How was I supposed to know that she was a friend of Sapphire's? … I knew there was a reason that I never liked you," Ruby groused, folding her arms over her chest. That had been the most embarrassing evening of her life despite being the most hilarious for a good handful of the Leaf Men. Sapphire was a very kind person so she hated when others were mean but that Djinn had started it! First she patted her on the head and called her a 'little boy' and then she tried to chat up Sapphire as though she wasn't standing right there. Frankly, that fucker was lucky that Ruby hadn't stuck her foot up her ass—she showed a lot of restraint. Unfortunately Sapphire hadn't seen it that way and banished her to the couch. That had been a miserable time so it was time to change the subject.

"They are probably underprepared for defending their home. We could fly very low at least half way to the side entrance. Leave the birds to lower our risk of detection. I fear that getting in will be the easiest but it might be a bit difficult to leave—Mandrake may have a large target on his back," Ruby warned. Ronin became serious within a single second, his smile sliding off and his mind quickly running through the proposed plan. Finally he nodded, it wasn't as though they had much of another choice.

(**)

He couldn't hold the boy any longer. He… Mandrake wasn't sure how to say it but he was dying. An ironic chuckle left his blood stained lips. All the lives lost, the sorrow brought just to have a son, the perfect son and he wouldn't even see him open his eyes. Mandrake brushed a hand over the pale face framed with the rat fur and black hair. The boy let out a small noise and shifted closer to his large palm but the large forest dweller had to snatch backwards to let out loud, lung rattling coughs. He hunched into himself, his entire body shaking as he attempted to expel whatever poison had overtaken him.

At first he had thought himself recovering but then his people had actually attacked him… knowingly. They were angry with him but even in this state, Mandrake was still more powerful than them all. He took two rotting arrows to the back and one to the shoulder and killed fifty of his remaining people until they realized that he would not go down so easily. For now they were calm, no longer under the foolish assumption that they would win with such hastily put together plans but how long would that last, Mandrake was not sure.

The king felt his stomach revolt and was not strong enough to stop the vomit that erupted from his mouth in a fountain of red blood and perhaps food. It hurt, it burned, it was rot. His magic attempted to get rid of it, to release its hold on his body but he was weak. He was had used so much magic and so much physical strength just to get to this point that his magic reserves were practically empty. It hurt. It hurt so bad. Mandrake hunched over, heart pounding in his ears as the fire moved from the wounds and into his body, traveling to his organs to set them aflame. Dying, dying, dying without a way to stop it. He spat the last of the vile mixture from his mouth and slowly dragged himself to his child.

"My lovely, lovely prince," Mandrake whispered, curling his larger body around the small boy. He hoped the smell of vomit didn't set off the delicate child but he couldn't force himself away for a second longer. If he was going to have only hours with the child then dammit, he would have them holding his boy.

"I love you child. Papa loves you so much," he continued on, looking down at the head of black hair. He ran shaking fingers through the locks, murmuring over and over. Perhaps the boy would remember this in his dreams. Perhaps he would know that although Mandrake hadn't lived long enough to see the no doubt beautiful eyes, he stilled loved him more than the boy could possibly imagine. His heart skipped a beat in his chest and then another, going slower and then faster in some desperate attempt to stay alive.

Mandrake heard the door creak open behind him and he knew that his subordinates had come to finish the job. Mandrake pulled his son closer, almost crushing the delicate boy in an attempt to stay alive just a little bit longer. No, no, no. Please, he couldn't let the boy die. They couldn't take him away from Mandrake before he even got a chance to enjoy having him around. Please, Mother, don't take this away. Please grant him the strength to protect the boy and give him the strength to live afterwards.

Please… please… then the boggan knew no more.

(**)

Ronin wasn't sure what he had expected as he stepped within the rotted palace. This… emptiness certainly wasn't it. It was as though no one inhabited the entire kingdom although he was sure that the Boggans hadn't been made extinct. Quite a number of them had escaped in fact but now… Ronin shook his head and walked the halls carefully, making sure that it was as empty as he believed. Ruby trailed closely behind him, keeping an eye on the ceilings and behind them in case the rot dwellers were hiding in the shadows.

"Mandrake's room," Ronin gestured to the tall door in the middle of a long, empty hall. The hotheaded woman glanced at him in question but said nothing to his obvious knowledge and simply followed him to the large door and inside it.

"Well fuck…" Ruby wrinkled her nose at the smell then found herself watching the scene before them. They had walked in just in time to watch as the Leader of the Boggans crumbled like a flower in a Stomper's hand. The body he held fell on the bed with nary a sound while the man himself hit the ground hard, his head making a sickening thump and his hand landing partially in the puddle of vomit. Ugh, it stunk to the high heavens.

"Mandrake," Ronin called out, wary on approaching the larger man. He knew that Mandrake was anything but helpless despite his condition but he also knew that he had to quickly see to the man if he wanted to save his life. So he quickened his pace, gagging at the stench of sickness and death. Just as he reached out a square hand, ready to check for the other's pulse, another hand much larger than his own caught his in an iron grip.

"Shit!" Ruby cursed, drawing her sword in preparation of dismembering the weakened Forest Dweller.

"D-don't…" Mandrake whispered hoarsely, lips barely moving. Ruby bit her tongue to stop any rash decisions, focusing on what the villain was saying, "Leave me… save h-hi-him."

"Self-sacrifice Mandrake? That's not really your forte," Ronin tossed back, prying off the large fingers and taking one arm around his shoulder. Mandrake let out a breathless laugh but soon began to hack loudly, blood spraying from his lips and on the sides of Ronin's face. The Commander cursed quietly and shifted his hold just in time for the larger to become complete deadweight. Damn, he was extremely heavy.

"Well, at least the boy isn't such a fat ass," Ruby chirped quite cheerfully before appearing by his side. The boy was bundled in a thick layer of rat fur, covered completely head to toe which was weird but not weird enough to comment on. It was time to leave.

As they exited, they could feel… the presence of hundreds of thousands of Boggans. They were there, sitting in the shadows, shuffling and shifting and hissing so low it was like a sigh of air. They didn't attack, try to take back their king or the little prince. It was disturbing, intriguing but very helpful.

They made it back to their steeds without trouble and left without a single scratch, taking the King and Prince with them.

(**)

TBC