Anika changed out of her clothes and took a good soak in the hot springs in her room after she got back from her patrol, one of many since her first time. Seeking out Sesshomaru, Anika went to the dojo first but was suprised that he was not there. Scenting the air Anika hoped to tell which way he went.
"Looking or someone little one?" Saber rubbed her head agianst Anika as she greeted her.
"Hello Saber how have you been?" Anika gave her guardian animal a big hug.
"I believe he is in your fathers study." Saber supplied information without being prompted. Racing back into the castle Anika stopped to give a brief greeting to Fang before continuing on her way. Knocking on her fathers study door she was granted admitance and Anika was delighted to find Sesshomaru still there.
"Hey Sessh, how did Inuyasha do? You made sure to keep him some company at least?" Anika gave her brother a warning look but soon smiled brightly when he gave her a positive response.
"Our brother does well and is growing quickly. You have no reason to fret." Sesshomru gave his formal response as usual but it still pleased Anika.
"Father it has come to my attention that I am soon going to be 10 and Saber has told me that I have to fufill a rite of passage in Africa in order for me to be considered a true Dragolf." Anika waited to for her fathers response.
"What is this rite of passage you have to do?" Inutaisho put down his paper work and gave Anika his full undivided attention.
"I do not know what it is, all that Saber has told me that I will have to be there in the next month or not at all losing potential allies." Anika explained to her father hoping for the best response.
"Are you the only one taking this rite of passage and who is allowed to attend with you?" Her father responded in a serious voice.
"Other ten year-old dragolfs will also have to participate but I have no idea how many and the only ones who are allowed to come with me are my guardian animals." Anika explained to her father.
"How long will you be gone for?" Her father inquired.
"Fang and Saber both agreed that it would take about a year. Father please let me go. I want to learn about my origins and have allies I can call upon in case there ever was a war." Anika pleaded to her father.
"Give me a day Anika and I will let you know of my answer tommorow." Inutaisho dissmissed his daughter.
Anika bowed respectfully to her father and then turned to Sesshomaru hoping he would ask her for a spar in the dojo.
"Not right now pup I have paper work to attend to maybe tonight." Sesshomaru read her mind. After hugging her brother Anika went to seek her guardian animals.
"Is it unusuall for me to have two guardian animals at my age?" Anika questioned her guardian animals as they sat in the garden watching the birds flit through the sky.
"I know of five others throughout history to achieve two guardian animals at the age of ten and one at the age of nine." Fang supplied as he groomed Anika making her giggle.
"Unfortunatley only one of the five had survived the rite of passage. Anika this is not something to be taken lightly. Your endurance and will to live will be tested to their limits and many have died during this test. We are not allowed to tell you what it is but know that even for us it is difficult." Saber curled next to Anikas side and purred in the warm sun.
"Fang you have had to go through this test once before correct, with your previous master?" Anika questioned.
"Yes pup and we just barely made it through alive. After that my master took a turn for the worst and became cynical as the days went by. He was so full of himself and thought himself, myself excluded invincible." Fangs fur visibly bristled at the thought of his deceased master.
"I promise I will never do that to you guys you are my family and best friends and I rely on you too much to discard you." Anika laid back in the soft grass resting her arms over both of her guardian animals. Later that night as promised Sesshomaru sparred with Anika.
"Do you want me to go?" Anika through the sudden question at her brother as their blades locked. Sesshomaru looked up suddenly knowing exactly what she was talking about but took a minute to think.
"I believe that it is your decision for it is your bloodline at stake but if it were up to me I would acompany you to make sure you came back in one peice." Sesshomaru gave a truthfully raw answer as he circled Anika looking for an opening.
"Thank you. That means alot to me." Anika gave her brother a true heartwarming smile that touched her eyes. Not to let Sesshomaru think that she had weakend her defensive Anika leapt quickly and faked a blow only to wack him with one of her wings causing him to stumble out of the way.
After their hour long spar with no clear winner Anika and Sesshomaru made it back to the castle for dinner. Dinner was a quiet affair. Everyone had many things to think about and contemplate.
The next morning Anika was called into her father's study.
"Yes father?" Anika bowed to her father before sitting on the pillow present infront of his desk.
"Sesshomaru and myself have talked about your rite of passage and we have decided that with some tough training in the next month we will allow you to go." Inutaisho smiled when Anika jumped up and hugged him in gratitude.
"I will make you proud father! You can count on me!" Anika exclaimed before bounding out to the dojo. Anika practiced or many hours over the next month and learned from her guardian animals what to expect from the land and it's inhabitants.
"Father, Sesshomaru I'm going to miss you very much. I will not let this family down!" Anika stated as she stood at the gates of the castle with her guardian animals who were ready for departure.
"Be safe my pup I will be here when you get back." Inutaisho paced a gentle kiss on Anika's brow.
"Show them what you are made of and don't let anything stand in your way!" Sesshomaru ruffled Anika's hair causing her to giggle. Taking a deep breath Anika unfurled her wings and gave one last smile to her family before taking to the air with her guardian animals in tow.