"You cheated. You flew!" he pouted.
"So did you! I'm not helping you down now." The girl crossed her arms. Beautiful gold and black wings sprouted from her shoulders.
"Karuku wait!" cried the boy. "I'm sorry, okay? Please help me down?" Karuku grinned triumphantly.
"Of course!" she grabbed his hands and pulled him out of the thick foliage. They balanced on a bulky, sturdy branch for a moment then leapt off. Karuku's wings beat fiercely to hold them both up and carry them over the tree. She turned to the ground and glided carefully down; letting Sesshomaru go as soon as his feet touched the ground. She landed gracefully beside him.
"Thanks!" he said. "Wanna go eat lunch?"
"Yeah!" cried Karuku as her wings shrank away. They took off running.
Rows of fish garnished with small mushrooms were being laid out on a long table. Several villagers watched hungrily as the beautiful Lady Kriva and six other girls set out the food.
"Mommy!" Lady Kriva set down a plate then turned and knelt to greet her daughter.
"Hello Karuku, Sesshomaru. Did you have fun?" Both children nodded vigorously.
"Why is everything so formal today?" asked Sesshomaru.
"We're celebrating this as a day of peace. We've beaten back the tiger attacks successfully, and it's all thanks to your father."
"Oh," said Sesshomaru.
"Mommy, can I show Sesshomaru my new workspace?" asked Karuku. Lady Kriva smiled.
"Of course, Hawklet!" she said affectionately. "But be quick, lunch is almost ready!" The villagers cheered. "I'm glad you all enjoy my cooking so much!" Karuku kissed her mother's cheek then ran off with Sesshomaru at her heels. The two children dashed down to the end of the path. A great granite house loomed before them. Steps were carved into the hill it sat on, and Karuku and Sesshomaru dashed up them. The door to the house has huge and heavy, but the tiny Karuku shoved it easily aside. They ran into a back room of the house and stopped before a small desk littered with books, papers, and small pots and jars filled with herbs.
"Ta-da!" yelled Karuku proudly. Sesshomaru stared.
"I don't get it." Karuku frowned at him.
"It's my workplace. It's where I study." Sesshomaru shrugged. Karuku glared at him for a moment; then a mischievous smile crossed her lips. She picked up a small pot.
"Wanna help me test something?"
"Sure!" cried Sesshomaru. This was far more interesting than a desk and a bunch of herbs.
"I made this color mixture, but I don't know what color it is. I need to find out."
Lady Kriva didn't want to start lunch without the children, but everyone was increasingly impatient. Lord Kres was pacing back and forth while rubbing his stomach.
"I'll go fetch them," sighed the Lady. But before she could even take a step the door to their granite home was tossed open and a pink blur leapt down the steps.
"GET AWAAAAAAAAY!" it screamed, and ran into the forest. Everyone was frozen for a just moment. Then they all burst out laughing. A grinning Karuku shuffled up the path and stopped before the tall dog demon seated at the far end of the table. She bowed. Inutaisho smiled at her and ruffled her hair.
"Hello Karuku. Can you fix Sesshomaru?" Karuku nodded.
"I can, but the powder takes a while to make and everyone looks so hungry." Inutaisho stood, his eyes shining with laughter.
"I'll go fetch him so we can eat." He strode off into the woods. Karuku plopped down next to her mother.
"A fine prelude to lunch," grinned Lady Kriva. Inutaisho came out of the woods carrying Sesshomaru. His hair and fluff were pink, and his face streaked with tears. The villagers were silent when the meal first began, but soon laughter and gossip rang through the air. Sesshomaru remained silent but ate his share of the food. Karuku, however, would have none of this. She stared at him as she ate, and the minute her plate held nothing but bones she stuck her tongue out at him. He glared at her. She blew a raspberry. He glowered. She crossed her eyes. He scowled. She touched her nose with her tongue. He giggled.
"Gotcha!" she cried delightedly. Sesshomaru quickly regained his stoicism. "Uh-uh! You don't getta do that. You can't be mad at me, or I can't undo the colors."
"Really?" asked Sesshomaru worriedly. Karuku nodded convincingly.
"So c'mon before it's permanent!" Sesshomaru gasped and jumped up. He followed Karuku back to the house. Inutaisho caught Lady Kriva's eye. She stood up as well.
"I'll supervise." She trotted gleefully down the path.
Karuku held the pot up for her mother to see. The Lady inspected it carefully then nodded.
"Hurry!" whined Sesshomaru. Karuku struggled to hide a grin for a moment. Her mother nudged her forward, and she shook out the powder on Sesshomaru's fluff and hair. The quickly began to pale until they were white again.
"Thanks for your help Sesshomaru! I get the color differences now!" she said brightly and skipped out of the house. Sesshomaru stared at his fluff.
"I think your father will want to see you," said Lady Kriva.
"Okay," said Sesshomaru. The exited the great house, and the great door swung shut behind them.