Rena Moon-Thank you kindly. I just strive to constantly evolve my style until I can finalize it.
Queen Diamond-Did warn that he was going to have it rough. Ne, but he is not out of the running yet. Their re-meet on the road should be quite fun.
Moonbeam21-(Nods.) Okay, as long as you are sure. Don't know about a love triangle, but there are going to be some mishaps. (Giggles at the future chapters.) I think mishaps is to weak a word. Catastrophes? (Nods.) Yeah, that might describe them.
Unspoiled Rini-I picked up that novel you suggested this weekend, read it in about thirty minutes, and had to read it again because it was so catching. Poor Vivian, how vile of Astrid to do that to her.
I claim no ownership, and the original female cat demon belongs to Mayla.
As Serenity and her pack traveled further North, their noses alerted them to a warning. Serenity slowed her pack down and lifted her nose upwards to catch the scent better with her youkai nose. Loud growls and much hissing echoed in her ears as it bounced off the land. "Oh, no." She muttered as she realized what had happen. "We must settle here for a few days." Serenity ordered, gesturing Dante and Haruka to her. "I must continue on ahead to make peace with the tribal leader of the cat demons." Serenity informed them. "It seems we have stumbled into their territory and its mating season." She nipped out, and started to walk on. Serenity stopped for a minute as she heard argumentative growls between her alpha siblings. She withheld a giggle as Haruka and Dante argued who would accompany her and who would watch the pack. However, it was Setsuna who stepped up, and lead Serenity away from the dispute. By the time the siblings had settled in an agreement, Serenity was already gone. Their noses caught Setsuna's scent with her, they both sat on the haunches and pouted.
Serenity approach with the wind to alert the leader to her presence. One hand was tucked tightly in Setsuna's scruff as she walked on. Finally, her eyes alighted on the leaders of the tribe. The ruler was an elder of his tribe, his brown hair was lassoed by a hair-tie in a long ponytail. He had raven stripes through his hair, tail, and fur on his shoulders and wrists. Misty green eyes stared at Serenity in measure before gesturing closer. Beside him was another cat demon, and her nose found no relation between the two. "What brings a wolf demoness this way?" He inquired. Serenity bowed to him, showing her neck as a sign of trust before straightening.
"Sir, I am the akeala of my pack, we are on a blood hunt and it carried us this way." Serenity explained and observed the slitting of the eyes. "I only came to inform you of my pack's presence on the south border of your land, we were unaware that is was mating time." She continued and he nodded to her statement.
"Ah, I see, well it is alright wolf akeala." He told her, and her eyes trained on the one beside him. The ruler laughed before laying a calm hand on the female cat demon who was unaffected by the heat of the mates. "This is my adopted heir, her whole tribe was slain." He informed her and gestured Serenity closer. "However, my mate is with kitten, and I am afraid that she is no longer my legit heir by law." He explained quietly, Serenity nodded sadly before a thought dawned on her.
"She could travel with us for a while." Serenity offered and watched as the ruler mused over the suggestion.
"Yes, that could be the best thing for her." He agreed and turned to the quiet cat demoness off to his side. "Marilla, please approach." He ordered, and with a small nod responded. As Marilla drew closer to them, Serenity took time to study her new friend.
Her first noticeable feature was the long brown hair tamed in a braid. Serenity continued to casually observe her, her next feature was the slitted cat-eyes of blue that gleamed at her in mistrust. Marilla's tail flicked back and forth showing her apprehension and Serenity noted the coloring to be brown as well. Noting the sharp claws, pointed ears, and sash sword she nodded to Marilla.
Now Serenity studied her clothing, making a check to see if it would last a few miles of travel. Her style of kimono was a little more modern then Serenity's, but allowed for maximum movement. It was black and sleeveless, its hem cutting off before her lower knees and trimmed in silver. She had what the ningen's calls shorts under the kimono to balance out the long silts that run lower thigh high in the kimono, these were white. Her feet were bare, but the callouses spoke of many miles of travel. Silver guards donned her wrists and ankles, accessorial to her silver belt. A small smile spread across Serenity's face at the easy movement clothing, but she worried about the absent armor.
"Marilla, this wolf akeala has agreed to let you travel with them for a bit." The ruler stated as the female cat demon stood next to Setsuna and him. "I know you always wanted to see more of the world since your home was destroyed." He softly stated. "I hope you find what it is you are looking for Marilla." He whispered and waved good bye to Serenity, Setsuna and Marilla.
As they made way out of the loud noise, Serenity turned to her new companion with a kind smile. "Well, welcome to my pack, I am Lady Serenity, but just call me Serenity." She greeted and laid a hand on Setsuna's crown. "This unusual looking wolf youkai is my oldest and wisest advisor Setsuna." Serenity informed her. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." She added with a bow and waited for some response from the cat demoness.
"I am Marilla, as you have found out." She began, and a small smile alighted on her face. "I thank you for allowing me this opportunity." She stated and Serenity nodded with a large smile.
"No problem, my pack is real friendly, just watch out for the goof's Haruka and Dante." Serenity chirped and led her into the lazing pack the rest of the day was sorting through introductions and acclamations. At the dusk's first breath Serenity carried out her flute, and sniffed it lightly in sadness before playing. Everyone relaxed under the soothing melody and Serenity was left to her thoughts. 'Kouga, why?' Her thoughts brought no relief and a cough drew her attention. Serenity blinked as the taller cat demoness kneeled beside her and laid a comforting hand on her knee.
"I see you are troubled Serenity, I am here to listen if you like." Marilla offered quietly and Serenity smiled sadly.
"Thank you, I am not ready to talk about it, but it helps knowing that you care and you want to listen." Serenity responded and then took a deeper look into those shadow azure eyes. "I as well, am here to listen, to anything." Serenity declared softly before patting the hand that rested upon her knee. "Shall I play?" Serenity inquired and Marilla nodded. The music helped soothe their souls at the moment and they couldn't help the bond of companionship they felt or the small smiles that settled upon them.
Sesshomaru with held a snarl as he realized his path was blocked by frolicking felines. He was also aware that his half brother and his,..group followed him. Settling down upon the soft grass he tucked Rin into his white boa before mostly relaxing.
InuYasha sniffed the tangent air, and called a stop to his friends. "We can go no further for now, the tribe ahead of us is in heat." InuYasha warned. The group nodded and set out their bedrolls.
Kouga sniffed in a huff, so far Ginta and Hakkaku had been quite useless in their directions. Catching the scent of the area he groaned, they had been past this area three times now! Ordering a rest period he settled down lazily on a rock. While sitting there his eyes looked up to the sky and there he wished to see Serenity soon.