Sorry its taken me a bit to update this story. I hit a block. I know where I want to go... all the way to nearly the end (), but the little pieces inside are what are hard. This chapter isn't one of my best, I don't think. But here we go... as always... Read and Review!!!!

Review Corner:
Cassie: I'm glad you liked the other chapter! I hope you like this one too! (though I don't think its as good as some of my previous ones.
Kayla-m.f: Yea... I guess it was cool... Worth the wait... yea... As always, I update when I can!!!!
LunaRavenCroft: Hopefully I continue to get better and better. I have some great "stuff" already planned! I just hope it will be as good as it can be!!!
kai/hil all the way: This is a Tyson/Hiromi fic... I've read one Tala/Hiromi fic. I can't pull that off! I'm a Ty/Hil girl... they are cute when they fight... ;;;
Calm Soul: I've done that millions of times!!! I'm sooo happy you liked my chapters. Appreciated much!!!!

Disclaimer: I do not own BB, just the OCs.

Summary: The war between two empires has gone on long enough. Now the Emperors pass down their grudge to their grandchildren. But what happens when they find themselves escaping their worlds, and finding love between one another?

Pairings: Kai/OC (Mika), Takao/Hiromi, Rei/??, Tala/?? (Do I even get a character for them??? I dunno) ;;;

Key

"Talking"

"Thoughts"

:: Communicating with Sacred Animals ::

Chapter 8

As Kai had predicted, it took them three nights worth of hard riding to reach the borderlands between the Empire and Poseic, the northern kingdom known for their ports and merchant villages. Kai wanted to avoid Ookamikei as much as he could; he was after all a Houou. Not to mention the Imperial Heir to the Houou thrown. Mika and Hiromi did not protest at this call from the prince. Personally, Mika wanted to avoided her lands as much as Kai did, for her own reasons though.

She and Beo had talked it over during the nights as they ate. Their meals were what ever they could manage to catch, with the help of the two guardians. Squirrel and hare was a popular choice on the "menu". With the dawning of each day, they would scout out treetops and reside up there. The horses were tied up a distance away from them. Dranzer would scout the area for any signs of Houou soldiers. She never came back in a rush or ruffled. So they felt it was safe.

In the trees, Mika and Hiromi would sleep together on one branch, Kai would be a few levels up, and Takao a few levels down. They always were in fear of falling out of the trees, but luckily, they always woke up all right.

Kai never found himself unable to keep from looking down at the two sleeping ookamis. Well, at least one in particular. Michi. He couldn't get her out of his mind. His dreams were troubled by images of his past, and of Michi.

He could always feel the presence of Beo, who always slept in the shrubbery that surrounded the bushes. It was like the crimson eyes of Mika's companion were always piercing him. Kai longed for the reason as to why the ookami wasn't particular about him. It was like he was being watched. That's what he was. Watched.

On the third evening, they found themselves out of the aura that the Empire was surrounded in, and now they could tell that they were graced with in the lands of Poseic. Just as a precaution, Kai made them run he finally allowed them to stop they were now safe and well into Poseic territory where the soldiers couldn't follow – for now. Poseic was the next on Voltaire's list. After Ookamikei and Torabuzo of course.

They entered a rather large village, comprised of hundreds of different merchants and inns alike. Their money situation was well; Tala sure had given them plenty. Kai was able to get them into an inn where they would be able to sleep comfortably that night. The girls were also pleased to find out that there were bathing houses. They rented two rooms, one for the girls and one for the boys. It was more difficult to get Beo into the inn. It took Mika's convincing—err—seducing—yea to get the wolf into the inn. Both Takao and Kai were in shock at the actions of the Ookami. Dranzer was simpler to get in; she just flew through one of the window into the boy's room.

The rooms were adjacent to one another, and as soon as the girls were in their room, they were out. Running down the hallway, they waved at Takao, who was entering the room, dressed in bathrobes that covered their necks to the floor. A bar of soap and hair solution in their hands.

---

The crimson-eyed teen haggled with the blacksmith fiercely until he got an acceptable offer for a pair of simple swords with no jewels or golden-laced decoration. Since Kai had left his sword in the chambers of his ojisan, he was currently defenseless, not including the help of Dranzer. Handing over the money, he quickly concealed them to his belt before leaving the shop to go on the hunt for some new clothes for himself and his companions.

He had already gone through some other merchant stands, picking up some jewelry and things he thought the two girls would like. After all, they probably never felt pampered in their lives. (A/N: rolling on floor laughing). And Kai was the cause of their grief, he wanted to make it up to him.

Dranzer had accompanied Kai throughout his travels to the village. A few times all Kai had to do to purchase anything was to give them a legendary phoenix feather. Dranzer was wary about this at first, but gave in.

Kai wasn't looking forward to trying to find some suitable garments for Hiromi and Michi. The girl did look rather foolish in the male attire that she was in. It was too big and uncharacteristic. "What the hell do I know about female clothes anyway?" Kai grumbled in his mind. Still, still he could not get that woman out of his mind. What had he done to deserve this? He trailed down the street to find a tailor's shop and a dressmaker's if he could. People were sidestepping out of his way and giving dual looks of glares mixed with nervousness at the sullen teen's own expressions.

"Curse you, Michi! Why must you be so intriguing? Maybe I saved your life and got you freedom but by all rights you should hate me! I treated you like dirt. You were my slave. Why did I turn on Ojisan like that? It was you.." Kai pushed open the door to the tailor's and strode in, deciding to find Takao's clothes first since he had on only what he was provided, which was not much.

"May I be of some help to you Sir?" A man who Kai implicated was the administrator of the shop stepped up beside him modestly as Kai examined some clothes on display.

He left the shop nearly a half-hour later with a few large bundles of clothes in his arms. Kai did not spend much on them. He wanted to be rid of the attire that was laced in Houou stitching on him. His next stop was the seamstress. He looked over the dresses with a blank stare. He did not know anything about what he was doing there. He was a fish out of water. The dressmaker quickly rushed to his aid, seeing the struggling teen. Explaining as patiently as he could—lying through his teeth— he told her that all their luggage had unfortunately been stolen by Houou renegades just the week before when they were attacked. The woman was instantly compassionate and out of sympathy for the Ladies who had lost all their clothes and possessions, gave Kai a discount of half-price on all his purchases.

"I can't believe she bought that lame excuse, it is true. I must be my ojisan's lineage," Kai muttered to himself as he left the shop completely laden down like a pack mule with packages and boxes. "If Michi or Hiromi say one word, I am going to throw them down a well."

He made his way back to the inn; Dranzer soared up the side of the inn and slipped into the boy's room. Kai struggled up the stairs of the inn with his purchases. He first stopped at the girls' room. Kicked on the room door (since he couldn't knock or open the door himself with his hands full), ardently hoping someone was in there to let him in.

"Who is it?" Hiromi's voice streamed distrustfully. Kai suppressed a shiver and growled out his name.

"It is Kai. Let me in."

"We did not barricade it, Kai." Mika replied.

"I would have opened it if I could already, miss," Kai ground out, emphasizing the 'miss'. "My hands are full."

"Oh! Well, you certainly have been busy," Mika declared as she swung the door open quickly, looking down at the armful of purchases. Kai's eyes were in shock. The girls were only dressed in their robes, and their hair was drenched to the scalp.

"No hentai, Kai."

Kai walked into the room, and Hiromi jumped off of the bed. She started to unload the things from Kai. Beo sat down at the edge of the bed, his eyes carefully laced onto the teen. Kai could feel a chill run down his spine.

"Geez, Kai. What the hell is all this stuff? Did you buy out the town or something?" jokingly asked Mika, shutting the door behind him. Kai's brow furrowed and he set down the remaining stuff with relief.

"No-o." He replied, drawing out the vowel in annoyance. "I bought all of us some extra clothes since we've all got practically nothing but what we rode out of town with." Kai selected the things he had purchased for him and Takao with a huff. "I… I hope those are to your liking." He nudged his head towards the gowns and the accessories. Hiromi was sifting through them, as was Mika.

"They are wonderful Kai," declared Hiromi. Kai nodded.

"We are leaving in the morning. It is now safer to travel in the day hours," declared Kai, heading for the door. "I see you have taken to the bathhouse. You needed it." Wait, what did he just say? If he wished he could take anything back, this would be it. He could see the flames dancing in the red faces of the girls in front of him. Beo stood up, letting out a low growl. Kai got out of there as quickly as he could, and rushed into his own room.

Takao looked at the older teen with a curious look. Kai was flustered, and slammed the door behind him.

"What troubles you sir?"

"I think I need to learn to chose a better wording, Takao," stated Kai.

"What did you say, My—err Kai?" Kai placed everything down on one of the beds, ignoring the question.

"I am going to the bathhouse," he declared. They left Dranzer in the room guarding their belongings and silently followed the other two teens outside to the men's bathing area – an outdoor hot spring. The place was empty since it was the middle of the afternoon and Kai was rather indebted for it. It meant he wouldn't have to worry about other people and being…ugh…sociable.

Takao slipped out of his robes and slid into the hot water, and sat down with a sigh, relaxing, as he hadn't in years. Heading for the deepest part, he wanted to sit with the water up to his chin and be totally immersed in the soothing heat. "Oooooohhhh yeah. That's so much better!" He practically moaned, leaning back against the rocks and closing his eyes with a happy little sigh.

Kai shrugged out of his robe and slid into the water where he immediately began scrubbing clean. "I'll relax later," he thought. "For now I just want to stop smelling like sweat and horse."

When he was done, he passed the stuff to Takao and sat back, letting the hot spring water seep into his sore muscles from the hard riding, relaxing as much as he ever allowed himself to.

"Kai?"

"Hn." (A/N: I couldn't resist).

"I was talking with Hiromi," stated Takao. "According to her, the night we escaped, Michi was shaken up. And Michi also told her that you betrayed your ojisan."

"I betrayed no one," snapped Kai, feeling his temper rising with the mentioning of his ojisan. "My ojisan has not been himself over the years. It is all this pointless war, and Boris' fault."

"The sorcerer?"

"The flesh. I have not been able to prove it, but I know he's been using some kind of black magic on him," declared Kai, growling with each new word. "Voltaire is nothing anymore than an empty capsule controlled by that bastard." Takao was silent, sitting back from Kai.

"Why did you save her?" asked Takao.

"I don't know, Takao," stated Kai. "All that I know is that I'm in her debt. I've wanted to be free from my ojisan. She gave me that reason to leave." Takao chuckled.

"Just don't let Michi know that!"

"Don't let her know what?"

"That you are in her debt. I have been around the real Michi, Kai," snickered Takao. "Once she knows she has the upper hand, she exploits whatever she can. The other female servants never favored her. How do you think she learned to clean your floors?" Kai laughed at the idea of someone using another to teach them how to clean a floor.

"So, are they going to stay with us?"

"Who?"

"Whom else have we been traveling with?"

"Dranzer and the ookami?"

"Don't tell me I have served under a prince who is that dense."

"…"

"Michi and Hiromi. Are we going to stay as a group?" asked Takao again.

"Michi knows the way to that sanctuary. She'll stay with us until we get there," declared Kai. "And then after that, they are able to do what they desire."

"Unless you are able to wield on of their hearts in your hand," smirked Takao. Kai snapped his head at Takao.

"I do not wish to hold the heart of an ookami. They are mangy and wild," declared Kai with a stern voice.

"Then why did you save one?" asked Takao. Kai's silence confirmed Takao's beliefs. "Ahh… I see, it is not you who has tamed the heart of a 'mangy' ookami. It appears to bet that your heart is captive." Kai rolled his eyes at Takao's accusations.

"That is rubbish."

"Well, Michi is deffinetly one of a kind. I have never met a woman who speaks her mind. Especially when her life is threaten," declared Takao, recalling their encounter with Boris and the army. Kai growled and got out of the water, putting his robe back on. He left Takao in the tub smirking.

The next morning, Kai woke up early, grumbling to himself. He had not received a well-rested night. Takao's consistent snoring drove the poor Dranzer out of their room and into the girls. The dark eyed bluenette wouldn't wake up, so Kai took it as his fate to get the girls up. He had already had packed all his and Takao's things the night before. All he had to do was wait for Takao to get up and get changed into his new clothes.

He lightly tapped on the door, and was ready to turn and leave, but the door creaked open.

"Kai? What is it?" There was Hiromi, yawning sleepily. Kai looked into the room and noticed Dranzer had curled up on the bed and was roosting. She gracefully raised her head and chirped at him. He gave her a look; she had left him alone with Takao and his night noises.

"It is time to go," he stated. "Where's Michi?"

"She said something about going to the market early this morning," replied Hiromi. "According to her, she still wanted to get a few things you didn't." Kai's brow furrowed, his lips all-tense in his anger. Hiromi put her hands up in defense. "There is nothing wrong with what you purchased. She is wearing one of the gowns you gave her. Oh, here is the clothing that she borrowed." Hiromi raced to the empty bed and came back. Kai took notice that the leather hide vest was missing. He stated nothing.

"Then get everything packed and meet Takao and myself outside. We'll go looking for her together and leave as soon as we find her," declared Kai leaving the room.

Twenty minutes later, the three of them met outside of the inn. Two stable boys brought out their well-rested horses, and loaded the bags onto the back of the saddles. Takao helped Hiromi up into the saddle with her dress on, and then settled behind her. Kai got on his own horse, Dranzer mounted on his shoulder. With a nudge of their heels, the group was off down the busy streets of the merchant village.

They felt like they were searching forever to find Mika, and their search was not fairing too well. Many of the merchants sent out their pawns, stopping the riders in the middle of the road, advertising their merchandise. Kai counted a total of ten salesmen in fifteen minutes stopping them. As they were passing a stable they could hear a recognizable voice arguing inside. It was accompanied by a barking. Kai and Takao quickly swung off their horses and ran inside, leaving Hiromi outside to herself and the two warrior horses.

"I have the money, now give him to me!" growled Mika jingling the little pouch in front of a portly man's face. She was dressed in a pale blue dress, which was actually comprised of a dress transformed into pant leggings and another that had a long slit up the middle to her waistline. Overtop of the dress was the leather vest, and a large boomerang thing taller than her was attached to her body by a strap of leather crossing her front. The stable owner stood defiantly in front of a muscular chestnut (reddish brown) stallion.

"I am not obliged to see you a horse," he snapped back. "Now fall into your place and leave quietly." Mika's temper rose off of the charts, and Beo next to her was growling at him.

:: I can handle this, Beo.::

:: If you insist, Mika.::

"Listen to my lips. Your place is to sell horses to the people. I am here to purchase one. That one behind you. Now fall into your place and do your job, and sell me that steed-"

The man's temper rose and as Kai and Takao were entering they watched as he swung his hand, backhanding Mika across the face. The girl did not see it coming and the fist connected with her cheek, sending her flying back and onto the ground, landing on her side. Beo barked sharply, before launching himself at the man.

Kai could feel his heart racing, temper rising, and his body pulsating. "HEY!" he shouted, running towards Mika. Beo bounced off of the man's belly, lowering himself to the ground bearing his teeth in the anger. Takao followed the crimson-eyed teen towards the ookami's side. Kai kneeled down next to her.

"You OK?" his voice was laced in concern. Mika looked up to him and nodded, blotting out the stinging feeling in her face.

"Yes." Kai held out his hand and helped her on to her feet. Takao came and put his hands around Mika's shoulders, pulling her back away from Kai for a second. Kai's eyes danced with the flames of his anger.

"How dare you strike down my woman!" he growled. Mika and Takao's eyes opened wide, but neither said a thing. The portly man immediately lowered himself to Kai, feeling a strange power pulsating off of the prince before him.

"I am sorry good sir," he quickly replied. "I was not aware she was-"

"She was what?" snarled Kai. "She was the wife of another?"

"Whoa, where did that come from?" wondered Mika. Beo stalked over towards Mika, stopping at her side.

"Of course not. But she should know that a woman holds her tongue to a man-"

"She has the right to spit down upon you," snapped Kai. "As my wife, she is higher than you could possibly be. She is the Duchess of Maranchi, and the least you could do for me and my wife is show her some respect!" The man was groveling at the feet of Kai. Mika was having the hardest time holding in her laughter. Beo was loosening up with the act Kai was putting on.

"I am terribly sorry, my Lord," he groveled. "I wasn't aware she had a title. She is dawning a weapon I-"

"And she does not have the dignity to protect herself?"

"As I said, I am sorry."

"Dear, what was your reasoning for being in this stable?" questioned Kai lightly towards Mika. Oh, she deffinetly was going to play along with this game.

"My Lord, I was here to purchase a steed," Mika replied. "I offered him the price he had set on it, but he refused to sell him to me." Kai nodded and turned towards the stable man.

"The horse…"

"Yes, sir. I shall fetch his tack." The man rushed off and returned with the saddle, bridle, and blanket. With the horse tacked up, he handed the reins over towards Mika. "Here, my Lady." Mika smirked at him.

"Good sir."

"Now here's your money." Kai handed over the ten gold coins for the creature, and the group left the stable. Hiromi was shocked to see Mika walking out with a new horse. Kai quickly helped her mount, and then he and Takao settled on their own creatures. They rode off, leaving the man and his sale barn.

"Duchess of Maranchi?" questioned Mika in mockery. Kai glared at her, and Hiromi just gave a confused look. Takao leaned forward and whispered what happened in her ear.

"What, would you rather have me title you as my bitch?" questioned Kai. A low growl came from Beo, and Dranzer squeezed her talons lightly into his shoulder. Kai felt the pain and looked up at Dranzer, who was locked in a death glare.

Beo was at the heels of the horses as they were strolling down the street, which was packed full of merchants and customers. A few of the children strayed away from their mother's grip and rushed over towards Beo, wanting to pet the "oddly colored inu". The ookami growled at the children, sending them running back towards their mothers.

As soon as they were out of the village, Kai nudged his horse next to Mika's. "Why did you buy that?" He pointed out the weapon on Mika's back. She glanced back at it with the movement of her eyes, but then settled back in front of her.

"I felt it was not fair for myself to be a burden to you. I will protect myself," she declared.

"Like you did back in the stables?" asked Kai. "You wasted your money. We could have used that money to buy food in the next village, and another place to sleep." Mika rolled her eyes at Kai.

"There is plenty of food around you, Kai," stated Mika. "You just have to open your eyes to find it."

"And when did you become the expert?"

"You don't know me."

"True, I did not know you knew how to ride."

"You never asked." Kai hated to agree with what the younger girl had said. "It is not correct to assume anything, Kai," she continued. "It only shows a weakness."

"Are you considering me weak?" growled Kai. Mika smiled and winked at him.

"Are you assuming anything again?" Takao and Hiromi shook their heads at one another. This could never end.

I hope you liked it!!! I know I know (dodges rotten tomatoes from reviewers) I just love Sango's weapon... I had to have it!!!! HAHAHA! (cough cough) Well it doesn't belong to me!!! there!!!

-padfootop