A/N: This chapter is written in Itachi's point of view. Thanks for reading. Though maybe in the next chapter the brothers will meet.
ItachiSilverwolf
Keeping Peace
By: Silverwolf
I watch as several people gather in front of me. They want me to declare a right to hunt the Talyena to their end. I cannot give that order even though I'm confused as to why I'm unable to allow them to hunt the beasts. They gather together and start to dig pits at the edge of the village. Part of me wonders if I should tell them to stop; after all I'm supposed to be the prince.
I sigh as they place leaves a branches over a large pit. They must have been set on catching a Talyena. I decide to tell them that the pit won't remain any longer than overnight. At first they are angry with me. I choose to explain that it's a hazard to more than the Talyena where they dug it. Someone nods in agreement with me.
After negotiating with the island village I decide I'd rather be stuck with my music lesson than listen to more of their complaining. Though my attention changing when I hear my mother. She isn't happy about the large pit being dug either. She looks to me asking questions. I'm stuck not only answering her questions but incuring her wrath when I tell her the outcome I've decided.
Now I can hear a lecture over the Talyena being around longer than the village. Even stories of them traveling between the islands through the water. If Talyena are such strong swimmers why did they seek a hunt near the village?
Everyone clears out from around the pit. I fight the urge to fill it in as I watch the last person leave. Someone will be harmed by it the moment everyone forgets it was created. Part of me doubts the Talyena will return near the village to even be caught in such a trap. After all the stories I've heard about them all state that they wee created by a child god on a whim. Maybe that explains why the Talyena are such odd looking creatures; with their long pointed ear that fold a bit at the tips, overlengthed canines, and stunning cresent shaped eyes. Talyena are usually odd-eyed... meaning that the color of their eyes don't usually match. Though rarely a cub can be collected with matching eyes.
Though keeping a Talyena cub is impossible. A pride doesn't leave one of their memebers behind; which is odd since Talyena fight amongst each other during eating and they play quite roughly. Talyena cubs are never kept as pets; a mother is the least of someone's worry when a whole pride appears searching relentlessly for the missing cub. I've been told that Talyena are monsters, but I don't believe a monster would give up everything to find their missing child.
After completing the lessons I want to I move to watching from the window. The sky darkens as I hear their calls. The whooping sound carries through the wind. Even I know it's cooler now that the sun has fallen. My teacher once told me that Telyena hunt twice once as the sun falls and again just before its rise.
The cries of the Talyena carry near the edge of the village. Even though I can hear the calls between them something tells me they are no where near my home. I hear my mother ener the room. She's concern over the outcoming wedding.
If I had a decision in the matter there would be no wedding. It isn't because of the chosen girl's appearance. It is because she doesn't strike as being interesting in the least bit. Why should I have to marry a girl with such a dull personality.
When I was younger I used to dream of running with the Talyena because they were the monsters of the islands. I used to think of the fun I would have chasing prey and traveling the water between islands. Or lying in the shade of tree lazily unti lthe heat has disappeared. Though I still think it would be fun to be a member of the pride I know it won't ever happen for me. I'm the civlized child of a queen; not a savage running wild with felines that could easily remove my head with their jaws. Once a hunter brought the body of a Talyena to my home. It was then I actually got to see every detail of their body. The skin is now my blanket come every winter. The truth is the hide of the Talyena I sleep under in the winter is even warm enough for me to stand wrapped in it outside. This is the closest I'll ever stand to a Talyena... and then it's not even the actual animal wrapped around me.
