'inuyasha's thoughts'
Chapter 11
The fight between Kumo and Ngbaka had turned bloody. Kumo was badly wounded. Although the wounds weren't serious. They did bleed heavily. The little dog demon growled angrily as he lunged at the lion demon. His spear had caught Ngbaka in the shoulder. The elder demon leaped away from the younger one. Clutching his wounded shoulder, he smirked at the child. Ngbaka had to admit. The kid was good but not good enough. There were cheers and jeers coming from the spectators. The only cheers Kumo heard that was for him was coming from Zaine and Ashanta. He heard Ashanta yelling to him to rip her elder brother's throat out. Although he knows she doesn't mean it it was nice that someone wanted him to win.
"I must admit that you haven't made a complete fool of yourself." Blood poured over his hand. "But you are still in training runt. So pay close attention because I am only going to show this to you once." He smiled. "Lesson number one." Ngbaka took to the air. "Blades of Blood!" He swung his arm in an arch sending bloody blades at the small child.
Kumo stood there staring in wide eyed shock as the blood that came from Ngbaka's hand turned into razor sharp blades that sliced him all over. At the last minute Kumo threw up his arms protecting his face from the attack. He was forcibly knocked to the ground. 'What kind of an attack was that?' The child thought amazed getting up on shakey legs and panting heavily. Sweat trickled like tiny rivers down his face. He was cut all over as he stared in wonder at what his adoptive brother would attack him with next.
Kumo readied himself as he saw Ngbaka charge at him with one claw raised high. "Iron Reaver Soul Stealer!" Was this particular battle cry. Bringing his claws down, he sliced Kumo across his chest. He stumbled backwards tripping over his own foot. Kumo watched as the world moved in slow motion. It felt like he was falling forever until he finally hit the ground. He stared up at the elder lion demon. "That was lesson number two, runt. You do best to learn your place." Then he turned and walked away.
Somewhere in the distance he could hear Ashanta and Zaine calling him. It does not matter. 'I don't know why I thought I would be accepted. I'm just a filthy canine like the hyenas and jackals.' With a shuttering sigh, he let the cool comfort of oblivion engulf his consciousness.
xxxxx
When Kumo awakened it was night. Ashanta and Zaine sat around his bed watching him.
"Have you two been here the whole time?" asked Kumo groaning as he sat up. Every muscle in his small body was screaming in pain. All though his wounds had healed, he was still sore.
Zaine sat on the bed beside him. "Of course," the lion cub said smiling. "You are our brother now."
"Zaine is right," said Ashanta smiling and kneeling at his bedside.
"But . . . I'm a canine demon just like the hyenas and jackals." He began to twist the sheets into a ball. "Don't you hate me? Your brother, Ngbaka, hates me."
"Ngbaka is an idiot," said Zaine smiling. "We don't listen to what he says anyway. We listen to father. If he says that you are now his son. Then no one will question him."
"He's right. It doesn't matter to us if you are a canine. You are our brother and friend. And nothing anyone can say to us will change that." Ashanta threw her arms around the half-demon's neck and hugged him tight. "So don't you ever think that we don't care about you."
"Thanks." Kumo hugged her back.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. It opened and Ngbaka stood in the doorway. Zaine and Ashanta growled at their older brother. "What do you want," growled Ashanta. "Haven't you caused enough trouble for one day."
The elder demon said nothing to his younger siblings. He just stared at Kumo with his icy gaze. Then the iciness in his eyes disappeared. "I just came to see how the runt was doing?"
"As if you care," growled Zaine.
"Believe it or not, I do care. I was impressed when he was able to withstand both my attacks. I came to apologize."
All three children stared at their older brother in shock. Ashanta and Zaine couldn't believe that Ngbaka was apologizing.
"Apologize for what?" asked Kumo.
"For my behavior. For thinking you were beneath me because you are a canine demon. For thinking you were weak and didn't belong here." He sighed. "I'm just plain sorry."
"Yes, you are." Ashanta mumbled under her breath.
Ngbaka heard the snide remark and growled at her. Then he straightened up. "But don't think I'm going to go easy on you or any of you. You're still just a couple of squirts."
"JERK!" yelled Ashanta fuming. Ngbaka bust out laughing and left the three children alone.
"Wow!" said Zaine turning to Kumo, his eyes wide with disbelief. "I can't believe Ngbaka apologized."
"I was kind of surprised myself," said Kumo staring down at his small hands smiling.
"Hey, you want something to eat," said Ashanta.
He stared up at his two new brother and sister and smiled. He was so happy that the two were his friends. "Yeah, I'm starving." The three left Kumo's room and raided the kitchen.
The next day everything returned to normal. Xhosa would continue to teach Kumo their language and ways. An elder dragon would come to teach Kumo dragon magic as well as other things. Sometimes his two dragon friends, Tago and Sano would visit. The five would get into no ends of trouble and they made sure Ngbaka would be at the receiving end.
Their training was getting more and more difficult with each lesson. What surprised them even more was when Ashanta demanded to be trained along with her brothers. Her father and mother tried to dissuade her by telling her that she was already loaded down with her magic studies but the girl was not hearing it. She screamed for two days until her parents finally relented and let her train with her brothers.
What surprised everyone even more was the fact that she was very good. Even the instructor was surprised at how well the girl did. Within two weeks time, Ashanta had caught up with her brothers. The three were definitely a force to be feared. So, the day came for the three siblings to learn the Pride's attacks. They were overjoyed. Finally, they would be able to do some real damage.
xxxxx
Three months had passed since the day of the challenge and every thing was going well for Kumo. The young demon was on his way to his room to turn in for the night when Ashanta and Zaine stopped him.
"Where are you going?" asked Zaine.
"To bed," said Kumo.
"Why? It's still early out," said Ashanta picking lint off the shoulder of his red dashiki.
"I don't know. My mother always told me to go to bed before the sun set on the nights of the new moon."
"Why would she tell you that?" Zaine leaned against the wall. Kumo shrugged his shoulders.
"You know. I just realized that every since he came here Kumo has been going to bed early on the nights of the new moon." Ashanta scratched her head. Putting it out of her mind as quickly as it popped in, she turned to her two brothers. "Want to go into the village. I'm sure nothing will happen if you miss going to bed early just this one time."
Kumo smiled. "Okay."
The three made their way to the sweets section of the city. They walked into Stellara's store. The Fairie turned and smiled at the three children. "And what brings the little princess and princes of Pride Castle out this late in the evening?"
"Nothing in particular, it was just boring," said Zaine. "Father and mother are entertaining some demons from Egypt."
"House cats," scoffed Ashanta. "They are Abyssinians. Grandmother Xhosa said the demons are representatives from the royal family."
"I see. Amen-Ra and Thema," said Stellara.
"Who are they?" asked Kumo.
"They are the rulers of Egypt," said Zaine. "The people their worship them as gods. I've heard that they build great structures and sculptures in honor of their 'gods'."
"It's true," said Stellara. "I have seen them. Huge pyramids that are boggling to the mind. Great statues that touches the sky. It is truly a sight to behold."
"I wonder why they sent a representative instead of coming themselves." Kumo stared at all the colorful delicious candy Stellara had in her shop. The Fairie saw the directions the children eyes was staring and sighed. She reached up and took down three suckers. She handed one to each child.
"Well, the only reason I can think of why the royal family didn't come was because the queen was pregnant," said Stellara answering Kumo's question. "She has had two miscarriages. The Pharaoh doesn't want to take any chance on her loosing another child."
"Do they have any children?" asked Zaine licking his sucker.
"I've heard that they have a son."
"Is something wrong, Kumo?" asked Ashanta.
Kumo stared up at her. His face was pale. "I don't know. All of a sudden I just felt weak." He looked at them smiling. "I'm fine now." Kumo frowned at the looks of shock on the others faces. "What . . . Is something hanging from my nose." Kumo wiped his nose on his sleeve. He started to get agitated. "Why are you guys staring at me?"
"Kumo . . . Kumo," Zaine repeated shocked and pointed at him. "Your hair . . ."
"My hair? What about . . ." Kumo raised a lock of his hair to his eyes and stared in open mouth horror. He turned to his friends with fear in his eyes.
"That's not all," said Ashanta. "Your ears are gone and your eyes are no longer gold."
Kumo reached up to touch his ears but they were gone. Stellara went behind the counter and reached a hand mirror to the little demon now human child. Kumo looked at his reflection. He couldn't believe his eyes. He had black hair, lavender colored eyes and human ears. He stared at his hands and his claws were replaced with human fingernails. "What . . .What has happened to me?" He lowered the mirror to stare at his friends in shock. "I'm human."
"He's a half demon," said Stellara. "Although I have never seen the transformation of a half demon. I've heard this happens to all half demons . . . At least to the ones that are half human." The Fairie took a close look at Kumo. "It's amazing how different you look as a human."
"Well I hate it," said Kumo putting the mirror down.
"Don't worry. You will change back with the rising of the sun." Stellara patted him on the head. "Now, you three should be getting back home. I have to close up my shop."
The three made their way through the castle hiding whenever they heard someone coming. They were almost to Kumo's room when an annoying voice stopped them.
"Hey squirts," said Ngbaka. His eyes widened a fraction as he stared at the dark hair human. Although there were human servants in the palace. They were not allowed near the sleeping quarters unless given permission. "What's this human doing here, and where is the other runt." He sniffed the air trailing Kumo's scent to the human. Ngbaka stepped closer and peered down at the boy. His eyes widened in shock at the human. "Kumo"
Then the elder demon bust out laughing. "You're a . . .a human." He continued to laugh.
Kumo became angry and punched the obnoxious Ngbaka in the stomach. The demon just doubled over slightly but he continued to laugh at the plight of his adoptive brother. Kumo stalked by the laughing Ngbaka. He snarled as he could still hear the jerk laughing. He stormed into his room slamming the door behind him. He jumped into the bed and covered his head with the sheets.
Kumo awakened the next morning stretching his arms over his head and yawned. Suddenly the event of last night flooded his sleepy mind. His eyes widened as he clutched a handful of his silver mane looking at it. The little demon sighed in relief. Stellara was right. His hair did change back the next day. He got out of bed and went into the wash room to clean up. Once he was finished, he went to the wardrobe and took out a a stripe ankle length dashiki. He sighed and stared at the only pair of clothes his mother had given him resting snugly at the bottom of the chest. He picked up the shirt and held it to his cheek. He remembered when his dragon mother presented the clothes to him. She told him that they were a copy of the clothes he wore when she found him. He had outgrown the clothes and wore what the lions wore. Either the shirt-like dashiki with a pair of pants, the ankle length dashiki or just the loin cloth which Zaine seems to favor. Anyway, the clothes were small, old and tattered around the cuffs and seams. Folding the clothes, he placed them back in the chest. Just then, Ashanta and Zaine burst into his room. The two stopped and smiled at him.
"So, you did change back," said Zaine smiling.
"Yeah."
Ashanta began to tweak his ears. Kumo growled and slapped her hands away. "Will you stop doing that. It's bad enough that every female that I come across does this. Must you keep doing it also?"
"I'm sorry but your ears are so . . ."
"Don't say it." Kumo glared.
"Adorable." Ashanta giggled at the defeated expression on his face. "Anyway,
I guess that was why Lady Nefra always told you to go to bed early on the nights of the new moon." Ashanta sat on the bed. "She probably thought you weren't ready to know about this yet."
"I guess so," said Kumo shrugging his shoulders. "Come on, let's go get something to eat."
After breakfast the day began as it always does with their studies.
xxxxx
When the three children turned 11 Nala and Xhosa decided that it was time to teach the kids how to hunt. The two demoness took them out to track a herd of Wildebeest. Then they taught them how to stalk their prey. The two waited until the time was right and they struck. Grandmother Xhosa may have been old but the old lioness could still help bring down her prey. All three children were impressed by her skills, stealthfulness and strength.
As instructed, the three tracked a herd of zebra's. Ashanta sent the boys up further while she would isolate a zebra from the herd. The girl crouched in the tall grass and crept her way forward making sure to stay downwind of the herd. She stopped as a couple of zebras looked in her direction. She waited until the animals went back to grazing. Then Ashanta crept closer and closer until she was in striking distance. Then she attacked.
The herd seeing the threat bolted. Ashanta found her target and slashed it across the rear with her claws marking it for her brothers. "NOW!" She yelled. Suddenly Kumo and Zaine joined her. The two boys sunk their claws into the hips of the Zebra while Ashanta buried her claws into its throat. All three piled on top of the animal dragging it to the ground. Ashanta dug her claws deep into its neck and ripped its throat out. The zebra whined and ceased all struggles. The three children howled and roared in victory.
That night they feasted upon their first kill.
xxxxx
Five years had passed and Kumo, Zaine and Ashanta had turned sixteen. There was a huge celebration welcoming the Pharaoh, Queen and prince of Egypt to their kingdom. The three was outside playing near the pond when Ngbaka walked up to them.
"Hey squirts, what are you doing out here?"
"What does it look like," said Ashanta scowling.
"You do know the royal family from Egypt will be here." The elder demon scowled at the three teens. "You are expected to give the princess a present."
"Princess?" All three stared at him in puzzlement.
"What do you mean, princess," said Zaine frowning at their brother. "They have a son."
"Where did you get that?" the elder demon scowled at the teenagers. "Queen Thema had a daughter."
"But Stellara said they had a son," said Kumo scratching his head puzzled.
Ngbaka shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe, she didn't know. Queen Thema had twins. Since the prince would inherit the throne. The princess wasn't as important as her brorther. Unfortnately, the prince died a few years back of a strange disease. Now, the princess will inherit the throne. Anyway, I went there three months ago and I saw her." He smiled. "She was quite beautiful with long red hair and gorgeous purple eyes."
"That's weird," said Ashanta. Then she sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "I guess we should go get her a present."
"But what do you get for a female that is older than you?" asked Zaine.
"When I was at their home. She had an assortment of dolls from all over the world. You should get her a doll for her collection," suggested Ngbaka.
"Wow, that's very helpful of you," Kumo stared at the elder demon suspiciously.
"What are you up to?"
"Nothing. I just don't want you spores making father look bad."
"You asshole." Kumo scowled at Ngbaka.
"Forget about him, Kumo," said Ashanta. She grabbed her brothers by the hands and the three of them left.
That night at the celebration Kumo, Zaine and Ashanta sat on the other side of their mother watching the entertainment. "So kids, do you have the presentation gift?" asked their father.
"Yes father, we have it. We will go get it when they arrive," said Ashanta rolling her eyes.
"Exactly what is . .. " Before he could question his daughter. His advisor Kariba walked into the banquet hall and bowed to his rulers. Then the three got up and hurried out of the hall to get the gift.
"My lords and ladies, King Mugabe and Queen Nala. I introduce to you Pharaoh Amen-Ra and Queen . . ." The door had closed behind them so they didn't hear the introduction of the princess.
When they returned, the royal family from Egypt were bowing in respect to the lions. They quickly took their places and looked at the cat demons. Ashanta scoffed and leaned over to her brothers.
"Wow, Ngbaka was right," whispered Zaine. "She is beautiful."
"Yeah," agreed Kumo.
Ashanta snorted. "Hmph, house cat. She's probably never been outside a day in her useless life."
In the center of the room stood the Abyssinia cat demons. They were not as tall or as muscular as the lions but the Egyptian cats were pretty to the eyes. With their triangular faces, lean bodies and pointed ears. The pharaoh and his queen had long black hair that flowed down their backs. Their pointed cat ears were dark at the tips. Pharaoh Amen-Ra was dressed in a white double kilt. The cotton kilt stopped above his knees while the transparent top kilt reached down to his shin. He wore a headdress of a falcon with a sun disk upon its head. The pharaoh also carried a staff with the ankh on top of it. He wore gold arm bracelets and wrist bracelets on each arm. Queen Thema was dressed in a long white gown that reached to her ankles. She wore silver arm bracelets and wrists bracelets also that had gilded sculptures of cats on it. She wore a ring on each finger. Around her neck was a beaded collar that was made of feldspar, green faience, and carnelian. Upon her head she wore a vulture headdress with the moon between two cow horns and all three wore sandals. But it was the princess that caught everyone's attention.
She was very beautiful with long red hair that reach down to her ankles. Her smooth delicate features made her look like an angel. And when she opened her eyes, they were the prettiest violet color they had ever seen. She wore a short cloak on her shoulders. Ashanta had to admit that the princess was an angelic sight to behold. Then she snickered to herself.
"What's with you?" asked Kumo.
"Nothing, I was just thinking the princess is very attractive," she said smiling. "Too bad she's a she and not a he." All three laughed.
"Wait a minute, why is she dressed like a man?" asked Zaine.
"Who knows, maybe they didn't want any ungodly demons to lay eyes upon their precious goddess." Ashanta said snidely. "Like I said before, they're nothing but pampered house cats."
"Wow, you really hate them," said Kumo.
"Not at all, I just hate the fact that they are taking advantage of the simple minded humans." She turned to the royal family. "Letting them think they are gods and can answer their prayers."
"Now, Ashanta I believe you have a gift to present," said Mugabe looking at his daughter.
Ashanta stood up with the wrapped package in her hands. She bowed to the Pharaoh and queen. Then she bowed to the princess. "Welcome to Western Africa, I hope your stay here will be pleasant. Please accept this gift as a gesture of good will between our people." She placed the gift into her delicate but somewhat large hands. The princess opened the gift and stared at the porcelain doll that was dressed in Egyptian clothing. "I hope you like it."
The Egyptian princess stared at the lioness.
"I'm sorry. I don't mean to show you disrespect but I don't even know your name, princess," said Ashanta.
Everyone in the hall gasped in either shock or horror. Ashanta, Kumo and Zaine stared at the shocked faces of everyone in the room. There mother seemed about ready to faint and there father looked as though he would beat her within an inch of her life. The only one that didn't look shocked or struck with horror was Ngbaka. In fact, the jerk looked as though he would erupt with laughter.
Ashanta looked to her two brothers. They shrugged their shoulders not knowing what was wrong either and turned back to the princess. An angry scowl had marred that soft, tanned face.
And when she spoke, all three stared at the woman in shock. "The name is Prince Sethos."
"You're?" Zaine.
"A?" Kumo.
"Guy?" Ashanta.
The three stared at each other and then turned to the smirking Ngbaka. He placed the doll back in her hand. "Thank you for the gift princess, but I have never played with dolls," said Prince Sethos looking at the shell shocked girl amused. Ashanta bowed to him and went back to her seat beside her two brothers.
"That bastard," said Zaine pissed. "He tricked us."
"Not us, me," said Ashanta clenching her hands into fists. "I was the one that looked like a fool giving the prince a doll." She glared at the glass eyes of the doll staring up at her. "I'm going to strangle that dick."
"Prince Sethos, please forgive my daughter," said Mugabe glaring at the girl. "I hope her . . .gift did not offend you."
"No sire, there is nothing to forgive. After all, she is my betrothed."
Upon hearing that all three looked up at the cat demon and shouted in unison, "WHAT!"
"This was settled years ago, little sister," said Ngbaka smiling.
Both Zaine and Kumo edged away from their sister as her youkai began to flare up in rage. 'Here it comes,' thought Kumo closing his eyes and cringing in fear. If there's one thing he knows for sure about his sister is that she does not like to be forced into a situation.
"LIKE HELL I'M GOING TO MATE THIS . . .THIS . . .HOUSE CAT!" She exploded. "I REFUSE TO MATE SOME PAMPER PUSS THAT SITS AROUND ALL DAY AND LET HUMANS WORSHIP HIM LIKE HE'S SOME KIND OF A GOD! THIS IS PROBABLY THE FIRST TIME THIS GIRLY WIMP HAS PROBABLY SET FOOT OUTSIDE!"
Kumo looked at the Egyptian prince and saw the demon was livid with rage. He guessed that this must be a new experience for the prince. There's someone in the world that doesn't worship him like a god. The look on the cat demon's face was priceless. If it wasn't for the fact that Ashanta would strangle him. He would fall to the floor laughing.
Mugabe slammed his fist against the table silencing his daughter's ranting. "You will do as you are told. I will not have you embarrass our Pride with your disrespectful manner. And you should be thankful to your brother."
The three teens stared at Mugabe in shock. "Why would she be thankful to him?" asked Zaine.
"It was Ngbaka who suggested the alliance between our two tribes by betrothing Ashanta to Prince Sethos."
The snake in question sat on the other side of Mugabe smiling and waving at them.
"Ashanta . . ." Mugabe was about to rip into her when Sethos decided to speak up.
"Your majesty," said the Egyptian prince. "There is no need to argue. I understand what she is going through. She just needs time to adjust . . ."
"No I don't," the girl said snappishly.
Ignoring her comment, he went on. "I suggest that the wedding take place on her seventeenth birthday. I will stay here until then. It will give the princess as well as her siblings chance to get to know me better. To let them see that I am not a . . . pampered house cat."
"What a wonderful idea," said Ngbaka smiling. "Those three have been together for years. It's about time to add another member to their little group."
The three teens growled at him.
"Now that all of this has been settled." Ngbaka stood up. "Please your majesties sit and we can continue with the festivities of our new alliance and the betrothal of my darling sister to your son."
"He is so dead," snarled Ashanta.
Sethos sat beside Ashanta and rested a hand on top of her's. Kumo watched as his sister at first stiffened in apprehension and then relaxed. He nudged Zaine in the side and hinted that he look at their sister. Both boys began to snicker at the bright red spot that crept into her cheeks.
"Well, she did say too bad she wasn't a guy," whispered Zaine. "Now that we know that the princess is actually a prince. Everything is fine."
"Yeah, I guess now we're going to have to be buying baby clothes after while," whispered Kumo.
"I can hear you pricks," she said through clenched teeth. "And you two traitors will suffer the same fate as that bastard."
"What troubles you my sweet," said Sethos raising her hand to his lips kissing it. The blush on her cheeks became darker and the two boys bust out laughing. Everyone stared at the two laughing boys for a second and then continued with what they were doing.
xxxxx
It has been nine years since Kumo came to live with the lions. He was a strong warrior in the Pride. And he had finally completed his studies with the dragons. The Dragon Father himself came by two weeks ago to inform him of this. He was finally an adult in the eyes of the dragons and as such it was time for him to be on his own. His friends had come by to see him also. They had came by to say goodbye since they had to find their own cave and soon they would have to find themselves a mate. The seventeen year old dog demon sat up in one of the cotton-silk trees resting in the shade. He was just about to drift off to sleep when the annoying voice of his elder brother called up to him.
"Hey squirt!"
Kumo growled and glared down at the lion. "I am not a squirt," yelled the young demon. Then Ngbaka jumped into the tree and settled on the branch beside the silver hair demon. "What do you want anyways?" He sat up and leaned his back against the tree to glare at the one that interrupted his nap.
"Well, I have been thinking a lot about the future and I have decided that you shall be my mate," the lion demon said crossing his arms across his chest and daring the dog demon to challenge his decision.
Kumo stared in shocked at the other and then burst out laughing. He stared at the elder demon and stopped laughing. "You're serious?"
"I do not jest in matters such as this."
Kumo swallowed a lump in his throat. "But I thought you didn't like me?" He could feel the heat burning his cheeks and he just knew that he was blushing.
"You were a kid. It was my job as an older brother to make my younger siblings' lives miserable." He smirked at the shell shocked expression on the young demon's face. "Now that you are of age to mate." Ngbaka leaned close to the shocked teenager. "I can claim you as mine. As the eldest it is my right to claim whomever I deem is worthy to be my mate. I can think of no other more worthy than you." He brushed a feather light kiss against Kumo's lips.
At first, Kumo stiffened from the contact and then he melted against the other. Closing his eyes, Kumo opened his mouth to deepen the kiss. Suddenly an imagine of a handsome demon with long silver hair and golden eyes much like his flashed in his mind. The demon was sad and was calling for someone. His eyes snapped opened and he pulled away from the other. Kumo quickly jumped down and hurried to his room.
Once behind closed doors, Kumo leaned against the door and slid down to sit on the floor. Resting his head in his hand he began to wonder who that person was. For the past four years he had been having dreams about this demon he felt he should know. The truth be known, he has been dreaming about this same person every since he awoken in Nefra's cave. In the beginning he was just a dark, shadowy silhouette with no face. But as he grew older the face began to appear out of the dark until after he turned sixteen. The face of the stranger was finally visible to him. He was the handsomest demon he had ever seen. Or in this case, every dreamt up. He looked to be the same age as Kumo with lavender marks on each cheek and a blue crescent moon on his forehead. He was sad. He kept calling to someone in a strange language he did not understand. At least Kumo guessed he was calling to a person. . .Yes, he was sure that this demon was calling someone. From the look in the demon's eyes, this person must be someone very important to him. 'If he's calling to someone then why am I dreaming about him? Do I know him?' Kumo rubbed his eyes tiredly. 'Who are you? And why do you haunt my dreams as well as my every waking hour? Kumo sighed and stared up at the ceiling. 'Why are you so sad?' He didn't know why but every time he saw the beautiful face with such a sad expression. It broke Kumo's heart. He felt as though he was the cause of the stranger's pain.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. He scooted over and opened it. Ashanta and Zaine walked in. "Hey, what are you doing sitting on the floor?" asked Ashanta kneeling beside him.
Kumo didn't answer.
"Is something wrong, Kumo?" asked Zaine sitting on the other side of his brother.
"It's Ngbaka," the dog demon sighed.
"What has that idiot done now?" Ashanta scowled at the tense expression on the silver hair demon's face.
"He . . . He wants me to become his mate."
"Really?" Zaine raised a dark brow interested in what his brother said. "And what did you tell him?"
"I didn't say anything. I ran."
"Hmm, I thought you would have said yes," said Ashanta glancing at the other from the corner of her eyes. "I sense you seem to have some feelings for that jerk. Although you hid it from everyone, Zaine and I noticed how you use to 'secretly' watch him when you thought no one was watching you."
"You mean you two knew all along how I felt about him." Kumo stared at his hands clutched together tightly.
"You would have to be blind not to notice it," said Zaine. "I wouldn't be surprised if everyone in the palace knew how you felt."
"So, do you love him?"
"I do but . . . I don't know why but . . ." Kumo hesitated and then sighed. "Can you keep a secret?"
"You don't even have to ask," said Zaine.
"Well, I do care for Ngbaka very much . . ." He trailed off.
"But . . ." Ashanta urged him to finish.
"But, as of late I have been having this strange feeling in the pit of my heart." He leaned his head back to stare at the ceiling. "I love you guys so very much and I am grateful that you took me in as part of your family." He hesitated again. "It's just . . . I have this emptiness in soul. It's as though it calls for some thing or some one to fill it. Although I have come to love Ngbaka. My soul is still empty and it is not him it is calling for."
"So, you're going to decline his offer," said Ashanta smiling sadly. Kumo stared at his sister and smiled. She had become very pretty now that she was seventeen. He remembered that before the announcement of her betrothal. Mugabe had received several proposal for his daughter's hand in mating. But for some odd reason, he always told them no. Now they knew why. She was already promised to Sethos.
"I don't know. I just feel like the answers to my questions are out there somewhere."
"What kind of questions?" asked Zaine.
"Who am I, really? Where did I come from? Do I have any family out there looking for me? Stuff like that," said Kumo.
"Then maybe you should go in search of those answers." Zaine stared up at the ceiling also.
Kumo stared at the boy, and then smiled. "You two are the greatest. And I want you to know." He put his arms around Ashanta and Zaine pulling them close to him. "No matter what I find. Even if I do have a family waiting and looking for me. I will always love you and you will always be my brother and sister."