And on to the third one. I just finished this one, too. Figured I'd update before I forget.

And so it Begins, Torturous Journey

Before I started any kind of adventure, I needed to retrieve my weapons - which I had been forced to leave back at an old friend's home in the Wyldwood when Grim had summoned me. I felt strangely naked without them, and to be honest I was always a little more guarded without them.

So when a certain fey boy decided it would be a good idea jump out in front of me from the bushes...let's just say it didn't end well for Robin Goodfellow.

Ash couldn't quite hide the smirk that twitched at his lips while we stood watching an injured redhead rub at his aching nose. "I can see you still remember what I taught you."

I glared at Puck, massaging my knuckles tenderly. "It's never wise to forget how to deal with Goodfellow. After all, you can never tell when he'll show up uninvited. Best always be prepared."

"Loosen up, Sunshine." Puck groaned. He sounded like an injured puppy.

"Not when you're around, I won't." I replied simply and continued walking. Ash followed soon after, matching my stride effortlessly with his long legs.

"So where are we headed first? The party begins not long from now." He inquired.

"Don't worry, we'll make it in time. I left my things back at an old friend of mine's and we need to pick them up. Not to mention we don't even have clothes for an event like this. She can help us."

"And along with the debt you'll owe to this 'Thero' guy for any information he gives us, we'll probably have to pay for party clothes, too." Puck caught up to us easily, seemingly forgiving me for his nose. He kept pace with us, leaving me in the middle of the two.

At this, I scoffed. Did he really think I would be that careless. If I acted like he thought I did I'd owe half of Faery life debts. "You think I'm stupid or something?" I asked, "Avaril owes me, and she knows plenty of fey and human owners of shops that can help us. She'll take care of everything."

"Ooh, touchy." He snickered and raised his hands in mock surrender, "Okay, okay, I'll never question your extensive influence again." I rolled my eyes and he reached over to mess up my hair with a big hand. A wave of nostalgia hit me like a truck and I shook it off quickly. "So I see you've been busy replacing us. What other connections do you have up your sleeve, Sunshine?"

"None of your damn business, Goodfellow." I shoved his hand away, "So for your safety you should assume I have the power to hire someone to get rid of you completely and inconspicuously, and treat me accordingly."

"Aw, what fun would that be?"

"For me? Loads."

"That stung, Sunshine."

"Have Ash piss on it for you."

"No!" The former winter prince sounded disgusted and slightly appalled. His eyes darted back and forth between us a few times before realization hit him and he saw that I wasn't actually being literal. He gave an awkward cough and stared ahead. "Is that where we're headed, then?" He nodded towards something and I searched for what he was talking about. Instantly I recognized a quaint looking log cabin slightly hidden by the eternal twilight and hanging leaves of the Wyldwood. It was a bit off the beaten path we walked presently.

"That's it." A smile spread across my face as I sped up and quickly left them behind. I didn't bother knocking on the door when I came to it; I was on too good of terms with the owner of this place to need such a practice.

The other two came up on each side of me, and we entered together. Warmth washed over me like a breeze and I breathed in the faint scent of pine.

Puck blew out a low whistle, "Yikes, place is huge." He marveled quietly. Ash gave a silent nod as he took in the whole home in silent awe. I didn't blame them for being so shocked - it only looked small on the outside. Once you stepped through the door, you could see just how massive and extravagant everything was.

Indoors, the cabin was built like a mansion. The walls were dark wood, built like logs stacked on top of each other and smooth like the skin of an infant. The ceiling soared above us, slanting to one side like a lopsided triangle. The floor was a polished cherry hardwood. From the door where we stood, a long Persian rug lined a walkway to a door at the other end of the house - which led to the large kitchen. On the left side of said rug, doors lined the wall - not all of them guest rooms. And to the left of the foyer was a living room. A red leather couch with a bear hide tossed neatly over it and two matching armchairs surrounded a blazing fire in the fireplace. A large window was covered by long satin curtains the color of blood with striking gold trim. Tapestries hung on the walls, depicting dancing fairies in fairy circles and beautiful views of the summer kingdom.

A golden stag's head was mounted on the side of a grand staircase which led into a hallway lined with even more doors. From countless travels I knew that many of them were trods to mortal and Faery-owned shops and salons, hotels and restaurants.

As our eyes wandered the large room - mine looking for my precious weapons - a soothing voice spoke from the direction of the kitchen. "Hello, Kirie." The faint noise of claws tapping on wood flooring that I hadn't noticed before came to an abrupt stop. I turned towards it to find an elegant looking wolf with reddish-brown fur staring at us all with bright blue eyes. A tuft of extra fur hung between her eyes as she watched us. Ash and Puck looked a bit confused.

"Minerva!" I exclaimed with surprise. "I had no idea you were here!"

The wolf nodded once, solemn as ever. "Yes, I only just arrived. I found a particularly irked Avaril ranting about ungrateful guests leaving without even saying goodbye."

I grimaced at the thought. I should've expected as much - Ava had always had a short temper. "Yeah, well she can blame a certain kitty cat for that. You have any clue where she is?"

"On her way."

"Oh fantastic."

"KIRIE!" I flinched noticeably at the shrill screech that was my name, along with everyone else in the room. Heavy, stomping steps could be heard from the second floor, alerting her approach.

"Ooh, you're in trouble~." The ginger beside me singsonged quietly. I elbowed him in the gut. "Oi!"

Avaril appeared at the top of the staircase, scowl firmly in place on her young face. Beside me, the two fey boys seemed to relax. Knowing them, they were expecting some huge troll that could crumble mountains with a single glare. In reality, Ava looked more like a fourteen-year-old beauty queen than a monster.

The girl looked delicate as a flower with a her soft face, sky blue eyes, and wave of white hair that looked like a pastel purple river to her hips. From years of knowing her, I had learned that her appearance was mainly to trick her opponents into underestimating her - and doing that was a horrible idea. "Where the hell have you been? You left your things all over and I was the one who had to clean up the mess!"

"Hey Ava," I gave a sheepish smile. As she descended towards us, not stopping until she was only about a foot away from me. "About that."

She kept glaring, unrelenting in her tirade, "And then you have the nerve to bring both the summer fool and winter prince back with you!"

I sighed in defeat. "Well that wasn't my choice." I launched into a run-down of what had happened since I had disappeared on her, from Grimalkin's favor, to Puck and Ash inviting themselves along, and finally to how I was completely free of blame.

Minerva, who had at some point in my story padded up to our group, looked somewhat amused. "It's not quite so surprising that the cat is at the center of this."

Avaril shook her head. "It's just like you to get yourself into a deal with a cait sith." I made an indignant noise at that, and she gave me a teasing grin. "So you need help, I understand that. You need clothes for the party. And I suppose you'll need your weapons back. But before any of that goes down, you all should rest. The ball isn't until tomorrow night, and getting you gussied up won't take too long. Stay the night here."

I smiled and looked at the guys, who did look a little tired. I remembered Grim saying something about a brawl with some nixies and decided that Avaril made a good point. "Sounds good. We'll rest up here then."

As if on cue, Puck gave a huge yawn and stretched his arms above his head. "Great, I could use a nap. What about you, Ice-Boy?"

Ash shot him a half-hearted glare. "I wouldn't be so exhausted had you not goaded the nixies, Goodfellow."

"Oh don't act like you didn't have fun."

"Well then it's settled. Let me show you guys to some rooms." Avaril motioned for us to follow as she turned back to the stairs. We followed her up the winding steps and into the long hallway, where small balls of Faery fire bobbed in midair. We must've passed twenty doors on our way to the bedrooms. Once Puck and Ash settled into their rooms across the hall from my usual one, I said goodnight to Avaril and let Minerva follow me inside.

The wolf almost immediately settled at the foot of the bed and closed her eyes. I smiled before shedding my hoodie, shoes, and pants and sliding under the soft maroon comforter in only a tank top and boy-shorts.

"'Night, Minerva." I yawned as I curled into a ball.

"Goodnight, Kirie." She replied, sounding content. My eyes fluttered shut and darkness claimed me quickly.

And there it was. Hopefully you'll like it enough.

She-Wolf971 - Haha, that was fun to write. Yeah, asses was a little more generic, but oh well ^_^. And this is after Iron Knight - three courts, Ash has his brand spankin' new soul, the works. But its before Ethan's arc, so no forgotten x.x

koryandrs - Yeah, I thought so, too. Hopefully this is long enough for you. ^_^