Ch. 14- Growing Up

As if by instinct, Mials peeped, "Daddy?"

"Oh, look, Master Kurama!" said Maha still tangled in the vines and hanging upside down. "It's your bride and son! Now can you please put me down, Arwen!" Mials ran to his father's arms after a nod from his mother. As Kurama knelt down and embraced his son, Maha crashed to the ground. "Ow!" he cried. "Thank you."

Arwen walked over closer to Kurama and Mials. Kurama stood up with Mials in his arms. With one looked between Arwen and Kurama, he suddenly reached out and pulled her close.

"I've missed you so much!" he whispered. Arwen was almost in tears of joy. He kissed her on the head.

"Where have you been, my love?" she asked still in his arms. He and Maha exchanged a worrisome look.

"I got the base back." he replied. "I've been securing it."

"I wanna see the base!" said Mials excitedly. Kurama looked to his son and smiled.

"You will." he replied. "My child, you are growing up too fast."

"Mommy said I'm growing just right." said Mials proudly. Arwen looked up into the faces of her boys.

"Is that what she says?" Kurama said with a fake surprise to amuse his son. Mials nodded. "Well, then Mommy must be right. She not just the most beautiful woman ever, but she's also the smartest. Remember to always listen to her. She will always take good care of us."

"You listen to Mommy too?" asked Mials in a real surprise. Arwen and Kurama snickered.

"Yes, I listen to Mommy too." he replied. "Sometimes I wish I listened to her better though."

"Cuz she's smart and takes care of you!" said Mials happily.

"Yes." said Kurama. There was a moment of silence.

"So who took care of you while you were away?" Mials finally asked. Kurama sighed.

"I had to take care of myself for a little while." he replied.

"Daddy's smart too, honey." said Arwen stroking he son's golden locks. "Daddy takes care of us too."

"Mommy's just better at it than Daddy." said Kurama. "Do you understand?" Mials nodded, then laid his head on his father's strong shoulder. He was firmer than Mommy, but Mials felt an overwhelming security. Mommy was comfort and a gentle protector. Daddy was reassurance and a rock for him to rely on.

In that moment the maturing voice of Ceala called out for Arwen and Mials. It was getting late and the cold was really starting to settle in. Dinner was almost ready. The smell was now even penetrating this far into the woods. Maha's ears flickered. When Ceala stepped through the brush, Maha almost melted like hot butter at the sight of her.

He thought she was pretty before, but now she was gorgeous. Her long, bright red hair waved and curled at the tips. Her skin looked light and soft. Her lips were pink and full. She was built like Arwen. She had grown in ample breasts. Her once girlish figure was detailed with curls that took her far out of the category of little girl and right into the sizzling hot middle of young woman hood. She looked from Maha to Kurama then back to Maha in surprise.

"You've returned!" she said joyously. She went to Maha wrapping her arms around his neck. He let his arms go around her. He felt the string of her dress. Oh, how easy it would be to pull it, loosening all ties and possibly causing the dress to drop. He took one glance at Arwen, Kurama and Mials and rethought that scandalous plan. He let her go.

She ran over to Kurama and hugged him now. Maha could see her display of affection was innocent, but he couldn't help imagining it being real and passionate. Her embrace for him would start with that hug, and would be followed by a passionate kiss by those perfect lips. He could imagine stroking that beautiful hair, that long, beautiful hair.

"Come on, Maha." said Kurama passing him, breaking him from his fantasy.

"Yes, sir." he replied. The boys hung back as Arwen and Ceala lead the way.

"Maha, calm yourself!" hissed Kurama.

"Yeah!" Mials backed up a little too loudly. The two looked back for a moment, then walked on.

"Shh!" Kurama hushed. "You can't speak too loud right now, okay?" Mials nodded. "Maha, that is Arwen's little sister. I highly doubt she wants you thinking about Ceala like that."

"I'm sorry, Master Kurama!" he replied softly. "Mials here isn't the only one growing up! She becoming a woman. A beautiful woman. One that I want to deflower." Maha felt Kurama's searing eyes on him. He looked up at him. "I'm sorry!" he cried. With that he quickly looked away and fell silent for the rest of the way.

Over dinner, Maha regaled the ladies and Mials in some of the group's daring new adventures. Ceala seemed to hang on ever word he said and Maha loved it. As dinner came to an end, weariness came over all of them. Arwen tried to start gathering up plates, but Aleira came to her and took them.

"You and Kurama go on off." she whispered. "I can take care of Mials. It's Ceala's night for dishes anyway."

"Really?" asked Arwen.

"Must I?" argued Ceala stopping her conversation with Maha.

"I'll take care of the dishes." Regina said as she got up. She began to gather the rest up, relieving Arwen from the duty. Ceala went back to talking to Maha. "Go on, Arwen." said Regina supportively surprising everyone. "You and Kurama have a lot to caught up on." She came close and whispered, "Just try not to make anymore babies anytime soon." Arwen went pink and nodded. She looked over to Kurama who was gazing back at her as Mials sat in his lap. Seeing this side to him was definitely new and appealing. Aleira came up to Kurama and Mials.

"Come on, little fox." she said sweetly. "Time for bed."

"I wanna go to bed with Mommy and Daddy." he replied with defiance.

"Go with Nana tonight." whispered Kurama in his son's ear. "Tomorrow you can join me and Mommy." Mials stood up on his father's lap and turned to look him in the face.

"Promise?" he clarified.

"Yes, I promise." said Kurama assured. He pulled Mials in for a hug and kissed him on the cheek. "I love you, son." Arwen came over and put her arms out. Mials jumped into them embracing his mother. He gave her an innocent peck on the lips.

"Love you, baby." said Arwen.

"Mommy, I'm not a baby!" he fussed.

"I know, but you'll always be my baby." she replied. Aleira now held her arms out. He went to her quietly.

"Good night." he called as they were about to leave the room.

"Good night." they all called back. When Aleira and Mials disappeared up the stairs Kurama got up and led Arwen out.

Author's Note: Yay! I'm finally done with this chapter! Miracles happen. Thank you all for reading and most of all being patient with me.