Disclaimer: Well, HA! It's here ain't it?!
A/N: Chappie 13! I never knew it would get this long! Hope you love it! Have fun!
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Chapter 13: Love in all the right places
Genki shook his head wildly, trying to dry out his hair. He was getting ready for the Tigers' celebration. It was somewhat formal, but it was also supposedly a lot of fun.
He pulled on his shorts and looked over at the entrance of the den he was in. His eyes widened in surprise as he realized that Holly was standing there. He scrambled to get his shirt and realized she was holding it. She laughed.
"I've seen you without a shirt before Genki. If it didn't bother me then, it won't bother me now," she said, holding the shirt out. He grabbed his shirt, and fake glared at her.
"Leave me alone," he said pulling his shirt on. He hugged her close and laughed a bit as she giggled into his chest. They laughed together for a little and then looked into each other's eyes.
"You've changed Holly. You're not as sad as you use to be. You're a lot happier," he said slowly, pushing some hair out of her face. She smiled happily up at him.
"You haven't changed a bit. You're still happy and immature. I like you this way," she replied hugging him close. She rested her chin on his shoulder and started humming a simple song. They stayed close, until Achika walked into the room.
"OOOOOOOOO! Look at the two love birds!" she yelled. Holly and Genki pushed away from each other at the same time and glared at Achika. Achika laughed hard as a sudden blush crept over Holly's cheeks. Genki noticed, but didn't say anything. He was too busy trying to find out which was the best way to torture his sister.
Achika laughed even harder as Genki started chasing her around the room. They nearly tipped the basin, where Genki bathed, as they raced around the room.
Holly giggled as Red walked in. He sweat-dropped as he watched the two siblings try to kill each other.
"What did she do?" Red asked Holly, as Genki tackled Achika into a wall. They slammed into the soft earth and fell laughing.
"Um, nothing. They're being silly," Holly replied, watching as Genki started noogying Achika.
"Ok. Whatever. Just tell Achika I need to talk to her," Red said walking away. Holly watched him leave, as Genki cried out. She looked back to see Genki in a headlock. Achika laughed sadistically as she started to give him noogies. He yelled as he got up and started trying to throw Achika off of him. She laughed even more as she dug her knuckles harder into his head. He finally succeeded in throwing her across the room into the basin. He laughed insanely.
"Good! You can use a bath!"
"Shut up! You suck! I all ready took a bath today!" Achika yelled, climbing out of the basin. Genki just laughed as Holly walked over to Achika. She patted the girl's head and looked down at her clothes.
"I think you need to dry up. Come with me," Holly said slowly, leading Achika away. She looked back at Genki and winked. His smile widened.
Achika pouted as she walked down the hall with Holly. Year old Tigers were running through the hallways, carrying messages back and forth between the different packs. They were trying to figure out what prey was going to be eaten that night. A lot of prey had been captured, more then enough, and they wanted to use the best meat for the festival. Holly and Achika made their way slowly through.
"Red said he needed to talk to you. He didn't tell me why, but he made it sound important," Holly said, patting her head and directing Achika into a den where Yuri had finished bathing. The pixie hybrid stood completely naked, in front of a mirror. She turned to see Holly and Achika standing there.
"Hey!" Yuri said, waving. Achika stared at her jiggling... wings, and blushed.
"Hi Yuri. I didn't know you could take off um.... You're... uh...."
Yuri smiled broadly, "Most humans don't know that it's actually clothing. What are you guys here for?"
"Hey Yuri. Achika and Genki were wrestling and he threw her into a basin. Now she needs to dry off. Since your element is fire I was wondering if you could help."
Yuri walked up to Achika and hugged her, "You poor thing. I'll help you dry up. Come over here."
Achika blushed as Yuri lead her over to where the mirror was. Yuri had been petting her head, and that didn't help with Achika's severe case of red cheek. Holly smiled and walked away. That was going to be one story that she didn't want to hear.
Holly found Red watching her.
"Playing matchmaker silly human?" he asked her as she passed.
"Well, I saw the way they were staring at each other and thought it was cute. I thought it would be nice to see Achika with Yuri."
Red smiled, "You did the right thing. Anyway, the reason why I needed to talk to Achika was because I needed to know whether or not she had any visions since well, last night. You see, she's powerful, but she can't control when they appear. They do it at random. It's very important that I know if she has any bad visions."
Holly paused in mid-stride, "Are you able to interpret her visions?"
"Dreams and visions are unique in their own retrospect, but they are also the same when it comes interpretation. I can interpret both."
"Oh. Well, I'll ask her during the wercikin. What is a wercikin anyway?" Holly asked, trying to make her way back to where Genki was. Red followed slowly, making sure to stay behind the girl the entire time. He wished to see how Genki and Holly were when they were alone. Maybe Achika was right about them.
"The wercikin is a great celebration of the beginning of a journey. All of the packs come together, and we spend the night feasting, dancing, and telling stories. It is the most wonderful thing, because it helps the people who are going on the journey to remember what they are fighting for."
"You are talking about us, aren't you?" Holly said, pausing to look back at Red. The daton smiled mysteriously.
"Who do you think this wercikin was for? It is for us and the journey we are about to take. You do realize that this is going to be one long journey right? We're not even sure exactly where we are going."
"Then why are we going to go onto this journey?" Holly asked him as they continued to walk. She walked into the entrance of the den Genki was in, to see him looking through his bookbag. He seemed to be looking for something very important.
"Genki..." Holly said softly. He looked up at her in surprise, then relaxed into a smile. He threw his bag into the corner and walked up to her.
"Hey Holly," he said as he hugged her. She hugged him back closely, while Red disappeared into the tunnels. He did not need to see much more to prove his point. Those in love tried to help others fall in love. Holly was a sweet girl.
Red walked down the hallway to find Tiger watching several Calabos lifting what looked like a keg.
"What are you doing?" Red asked Tiger as the Calabos ran back and forth underneath the weight. It was a comical sight.
"That's a barrel of our best wine. We are going to use it tonight."
"You Tigers make wine?" someone asked.
Tiger and Red turned to see Mako. The Zuum hybrid stood arrogantly behind them. Red walked up to him slowly.
"Mako! Where have you been?" he asked, sniffing at him to make sure it was the saurian hound. Mako scratched idly at his neck.
"Around. I got lost and ended up helping one of the packs take down one of those mammoth things. It was huge! It had all ready injured some of the pack and was basically on a rampage. I used one of my awesome attacks and ended up killing the beast. It was great, the pack leader let us eat some of it."
Tiger shook his head, "You got lost? Geez, I thought you were one of the first ones out of the den."
"I was. I can't travel in snow though. You guys left me behind without realizing it. Then the storm hit and everything else. I doubt you even realized I was missing," Mako scoffed as he walked over to the tiny group of Calabos. He held the "keg" up and took it to the Main Hall. Red and Tiger followed. The Main Hall had been decorated with the furs of past kills. The fur lining made the hall even warmer.
Several alcoves were filled with different things. One alcove had meat, another had fresh water from the glaciers, another had berry bushes growing in it, and yet another had a bunch of the keg-like containers. Each alcove had Tigers busily making preparations.
Mako carried his burden over to its appointed alcove and gently laid it down. He made very small marks with his claws. He didn't puncture the wood, but made sure that the marks indicated that was the place where the barrel was going to be opened. He looked over at Tiger and Red.
"This is my first wercikin. I can't wait."
Red smiled, "You will grow to love this celebration almost immediately. It is plenty of fun and a great opportunity to meet and know some of the other packs. This will be my third wercikin, and I'm glad for it. It gives you time to think."
"Yes. The wercikin is one of many things that are very important to us Tigers. It is an age old tradition, that started way before this den was even thought of. We use to have humans with us back then. I think. You would have to ask Lord Kazu. He remembers a time before Moo," Tiger said slowly.
Mako cocked his head, "I heard that Lord Kazu was old. I didn't know he was that old."
Red laughed, "He isn't. He just remembers the time before Moo, because he wasn't reawakened until recently. He never had to battle Moo."
Mako gave them a confused look. He sat down on the ground and watched as a young wolf began to howl loudly.
"I guess that makes some sense. I remember the war with Moo, but vaguely. I didn't really think it was possible to remember stuff that happened before being reawakened. I didn't think it was possible at all."
Monsters began to walk into the Main Hall by the hundreds. One of the alcoves had a raised floor so it was like a stage. All the Tigers sat back on their haunches and looked toward the "stage". Lord Kazu looked out over his audience, seeing the few humans sticking out like sore thumbs. He howled loudly, bringing everyone to attention. The Tigers below him stayed quiet as he made his announcement.
"My dear fellow Tigers; Golbez has come back."
He paused as a buzz of excitement and worry raced through the crowd. He glared down at the crowd and waited patiently for them to quiet down. When they finally quieted down, he continued.
"That is why young Red of the Lightening, of the pack Moon, under the order of Lady Rumiko of the Eastern Jungle, is going on a journey. He and many others are going to look for the elements. They will be gone for a long time, and will travel many miles. Tonight's wercikin will be for Red and those traveling with him. We will celebrate their bravery and strength. Tonight is for those who dare to fight against the darkness that is threatening our world. Tonight is for freedom!" Lord Kazu yelled. He howled a joyous howl. Slowly everyone joined him, even Achika and Yuri. Everyone howled, letting their fear release.
As the howl died, Lord Ginta barked. Everyone turned towards him.
"Only Alphas and Outcasts are allowed to drink the wine!" he shouted with a laugh. It sounded strange coming from him, but it was obvious what he meant. He just did wanted the worry and fear that had grown in most of the assembly to disappear completely. Everyone laughed at his statement. Another howl went up and the general assembly joined again. They were howling away every unneeded emotion.
After the howling died down, all the Tigers started to mingle. Many of them went to the different alcoves, some were drinking, others were eating. Achika watched everyone with Yuri by her. Yuri smiled and patted the young human's head. The way her eyes lit up as she watched the way things haphazardly proceed, made Yuri smile. Achika was a cutie.
"Oh! Let's go see Genki and Holly! They're with Lord Ginta at the wine room!" Achika shouted, running towards the room, dragging Yuri with her. Yuri followed, pushing through the throng, trying to not lose Achika. They reached their destination in time to see a young Hare hound stumble away.
Yuri tapped Genki on his shoulder, "What kind of wine is that?"
He looked back at her with a flushed face. He had drank a couple of cups.
"It's sake! Go sake!" He yelled, spinning Holly around. A bunch of Tigers, with Mako, had started singing and making music. The Tigers were using their horns to scrape against random objects, but it sounded good. So, some of them were dancing.
"Let me have some!" Achika yelled, grabbing at one of the cups the Tigers took out for the humans. Most of the Tigers just drank it out of the barrel.
"Achika, are you sure it is a good idea to be drinking?" Yuri asked as Achika handed her a cup.
Achika smiled, "It's fine. It's just a little sake. Don't worry about it."
Yuri accepted the cup, shrugged and downed it. It was just a little sake, right?
Seven cups later, Achika and Yuri were stumbling to a den. They heard several stories, had lots of meat, drank plenty of water, danced to some songs, and were still just a little tipsy. They had met plenty of Tigers, and all of them were kind. Now, they were tired. They both just wanted to pass out.
"Godsh. Did you shee what... uh... Red did?" Yuri asked.
"Yeah. I shaw what he did. That Daton'sh crazy. What did he do again?" Achika asked, as they fell into a den. They laughed harder and harder as they stayed on the ground. Yuri hugged Achika close as they laugh.
"You're warmsh. I like thish. Yuri?" Achika asked, snuggling closer to her.
"Yeah?" Yuri replied, wrapping her red tail around the girl's waist. She hugged her close and was slowly beginning to fall asleep.
"I like you Yuri. I really... really... zzzzzzzzz," Achika said, as she passed out. Yuri smiled down as the young girl snored against her shoulder.
"I know. I know," Yuri mumbled, patting the sleeping girl's head.
Red watched them, not wanting to intrude. He had been watching Achika the whole time, making sure the girl was ok. Unlike, basically everyone else he was going to be traveling with, he had stayed sober. He did not drink a drop of sake. He had watched everyone to make sure everyone was ok. Holly and Genki had long since passed out, with Lord Ginta and Lady Rumiko. Mako was with the rest of his band, somewhere. Tiger had found his mate, and was never seen afterward. He probably had the most fun out of everyone.
Red was the only one that was alone, but he liked it like that. He preferred to be alone, even after he had met Achika and found out about Golbez's reawakening. All he knew was being alone. He never complained about it.
"Youngling," a soft voice called.
Red turned to see Lady Ariana standing there. Lord Satoshi was at her side.
"Yes, my lady?"
"What are you doing here? Why are you not at your den?" she asked politely.
Lord Satoshi glared at him. The Tropical Dog obviously did not like him.
"I was checking up on everyone. They were all drinking a lot. I just needed to make sure that our journey wouldn't be postponed for too long," Red said, completely ignoring Lord Satoshi. Red returned the hatred.
"I understand. Are you going to be alone tonight?" she asked walking to Red's side. Lord Satoshi glared at him but refused to give the daton the satisfaction of a growl. Everyone knew Lady Ariana liked Red, and that Lord Satoshi liked Lady Ariana.
"Aye my lady. I am going to be alone. I prefer to be alone my lady," Red said slowly as he began to walk towards his den. Lady Ariana followed slowly behind him. Lord Satoshi also followed, but he stayed behind both Red and Lady Ariana.
"There is no need to be so formal, Red. I am not a council member tonight. Tonight, I am but another lonely Tiger."
Red smiled warmly, "I understand, my lady. But I was raised to see that every Tigress is a beautiful creature and should be treated as such. It does not matter whether or not you are a member of the council. You are still a lady to me."
Lady Ariana hid her blush. Never had a male Tiger been so kind to her. Most of them were just insensitive, possessive jerks, like Lord Satoshi. Red was sweet and kind to her and she loved him for it.
"Thank you, Red. You are very kind to me. Too kind in fact. Shall we go to my den?" She asked with a smile.
Red smiled back and paused in mid-stride. He looked back at Lord Satoshi.
"Are you going to be joining us?"
Lord Satoshi growled, and then walked away. Red watched him go with a slight smirk. He never really liked him that much. Lord Satoshi took Red's place on the council by cheating him out of it. There was a contest held for the fifth spot on the council, after Lady Momiji had died of old age. The contest was a simple race. Both Lord Satoshi and Red had entered. In the end, they seemingly tied. It was obvious to everyone that Red had won by a nose. Unfortunately, the council was force to vote. Most of the council members didn't like Red, but they didn't like Satoshi either. So, the vote was split half and half, and only Lord Fujitaka hadn't voted yet. Lord Satoshi had threatened to expose one of Lord Fujitaka's secrets. Lord Fujitaka was forced to swing judgment of the race towards Satoshi. Most monsters disagreed, but they were not allowed to veto the council's ruling. So, Red stayed a lowly outcast Tiger, while Satoshi became a council member. They didn't like each other ever since.
"Red?" Lady Ariana asked quietly, snapping him out of his reminiscence.
"Yes?"
"You look troubled. Is there anything I can do to take your mind off of these things?" She asked, leaning against him. Red turned red.
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A/N: Holly & Genki. Yuri & Achika. Tiger & his mate. Red & Lady Ariana. I left out Mako didn't I? Don't worry! He'll have a sweetie too! I hope no one is disappointed by the relationship that is slowly blossoming between Yuri and Achika! Now... REVIEW!
