Kei and Kotone; In her service

Kotone's POV

"Come on princess, the sooner we leave the sooner we get there" my protector whined. Why is he always so impatient? He only ever referred to me as princess whenever I was irritating him, otherwise he just called me Kotone, unlike the others who serve me.

"Will you be quiet!" I called back to him as I finished putting away my music sheets; he looked over my shoulder and frowned.

"Why the hells are ya bringing those for?" he asked picking one of them up and scrutinising it.

I snatched it back from him and put it with my others. "It's to show Kasumi, she told me she wanted to hear my compositions" I shot back. I had turned fourteen a week ago today and I promised my sister, brother-in-law and nephew that I would visit.

Kei as my body-guard was instructed to escort me there, wherever I went then so did he. This meant we knew each other pretty well and I spoke freely in front of him as he did me. I liked that he was so open with me and did not hold back as my other servants did.

Kei scoffed, "Well guess who the sap is that's gonna have to carry all this crap" he pointed his thumb to himself, "This sap, I told you to pack light."

I rolled my eyes at him, "I am! I have my own room in each of my siblings homes with clothes and other things I really need. All I am taking is my flute and music sheets…oh and my short sword…and my bow…maybe my a couple needle daggers but that's it!"

"Well I'll carry the weapons" he said with that annoyingly cocky grin of his everything about him had changed since I met him when he was eleven. He was sixteen now, tall, lean but muscular with eyes of the wild wolf. However his smile remained the same.

"Uh, I think not…you'll carry my flute and sheets, my weapons remain with me as always." I responded coolly and began attiring myself with said items.

Kei rolled his eyes and picked up what I told him to carry, "whatever" he said as though bored out of his skull "just make sure your mother doesn't see them this time. It implies that you'll be getting into fights along the way and a lot of potential danger, something she hired me to keep you from."

"I'm not an idiot Kei, I am a highly educated princess…cunning and wise beyond my years" I responded as I hunted for my last dagger, I couldn't recall where I last had it.

Kei suddenly burst out laughing, "That's hilarious! You…cunning? What a laugh!" he slapped his knee.

I ignored him and continued my hunt. No good…only one person can help me. "Abyss!" I called and moments later my faithful companion padded in. "Abyss, seek my dagger, the one with the emeralds" he went forth to do as I bid.

I again heard Kei scoff, "Emerald daggers? You really wouldn't last a day outside your pretty castle, Kotone, not without me at least."

I will not satisfy him with my anger, not this time. Honestly I think he does this because he actually likes to see me annoyed. "The dagger was a gift from my brother Yoshi" I informed him quite shortly.

Abyss came in with my emerald dagger in his mouth and I thanked him by kissing the black fur on his face. "Thank you Abyss, you are such a good boy."

"Ya know when I gave him to ya, Abyss here was a strong savage beast beneath all that fluff, you've made him soft."

Kami he was irritating! No one insults my wolf! "Abyss!" I pointed to Kei, "attack!"

Abyss leapt at the wolf demon with a great snarl, his fangs bared to him and saliva fell from them, a blood lust in his eyes. Kei tried to fight him off, but this was one wolf he could not control…because Abyss was loyal to me now and only me.

"Okay I get the point now get him off me!" Kei demanded.

"Say you're sorry!" I shot back.

"Okay dammit I'm sorry!"

With that I made Abyss relent and return to my side, calm and noble. I patted his head in appreciation. "Don't underestimate my companion…or me!"

Aha! Love that look on his face. I couldn't help but smirk, "now…I need to bid farewell to my parents, then we can set off. Don't forget the flute."

8888

We had to travel for a couple days, which meant camping. My father had me dress in the attire of a simple village girl so I did not spark any attention. He also insisted Abyss come too, something I was happy with. His words were "Watch out for the wolf" when I mentioned that Abyss would rather kill for me than harm me in anyway. Father narrowed his eyes at Kei and said "that wasn't the wolf I was referring to."

Night fell and Kei and I found an inn to stay at, they tried to turn us away when they saw Abyss and Kei. I was more passable for human so they were willing to let me stay. With some strong words and brutal threats Kei got us a room with a discount.

The tavern had a bar down the stairs, while Abyss got some rest upstairs, my body-guard and I went to get something to eat. They gave us each a bowl of rice which Kei sneered at.

"What is you issue now?" I demanded with irritation, "You ca't threaten them again Kei so stop sneering and eat your rice, you're princess commands it."

He hushed me and looked nervously about the room, when he finished he leaned in further so only I could hear him. "First of all it isn't wise to broadcast that you're royal, stupid" he hissed. "Secondly…I'm wolf, I eat meat…meat that I hunt for myself."

I rolled my eyes, "just eat your damn meal!"

He leant in and started eating like a hungry dog, ploughing his face into rice; it was starting to attract attention. "What are you doing?" I chided, "Use your chopsticks; you can be such an animal!"

He looked kind of sheepish, this was an odd expression for the big bad wolf he portrayed himself to be. He pushed at his chopsticks with his index finger. "I…don't know how to use'em" he confessed.

I was so shocked I nearly dropped my rice, but then a laughter arose from my throat and for a while I couldn't stop it.

"You think that's funny?" he scowled, it made me laugh even louder. "Go ahead laugh it up…but we're not in ya pretty castle no more, I'm not afraid to throw this rice at ya!"

"How could you not have learned?" I laughed, "You've worked in my family for five years how could I not notice?"

He shrugged his broad shoulders, "I just…never learned, what's the big deal?"

I stopped chuckling, "It's not, not really" I assured, my mother would have scolded me for being so rude to him. "I'll teach you…give your hand."

I took his hand and showed him how to hold them, I didn't realise at first how close I was to his face as I did this or the fact that I was touching his fingers most delicately, almost romantically. When I did a deep blush burned my cheeks. Why am I blushing? It's just Kei? I quickly finished and sat up straight.

"Go ahead…now try" I said nervously, he made the attempt and failed. The look on his face, the irritation at himself, it was actually quite adorable.

"Damn sticks! Obey me!" he growled at them.

My lips stretched and I again giggled, "it's okay…keep trying, you'll get it."

He smiled quite gently at me now, I never noticed…his smile was actually kind of attractive and made my heart leap…wait what? This is Kei? Stop it now Kotone!

"thanks Kotone" he uttered more softly than he had ever done before.

This was a nice moment, but suddenly our candlelight was blocked by a big busty shadow. We both looked up and saw an annoyingly seductive temptress. Her cleavrage was on full display, I wanted to stick my chopsticks in them to see if they popped, especially when I saw Kei looking directly at them with his tongue hanging from his mouth.

"I could teach you a thing or two…I'll stay up as late as you want, till we master this…how does that sound?" She cooed in a breathy voice.

Please…Kei won't go for some harlot like you, he's a savage but he's an honarouable one.

"Sounds good to me" he spoke up.

What the damn hell!

The girl looked down on me, "I think your little sister needs to go get some sleep though…how old are you dear? Twelve I'm guessing?"

Twelve? I would scrape the paint off your face if my mother hadn't taught me better than that…also my blades were kind of out of reach. She may try to come off a poor peasant girl, but she somehow could afford make-up wonder how she earned that money.

"I'm fourteen, only two years younger than him…and yourself most likely" I corrected her.

She giggled and what an annoyingly girly giggle she had! "Oh I'm sorry, it must be the baby face….still would you mind?"

Such nerve! "Actually I-"

"She's right Kotone, you're young, and you need sleep." Kei interrupted.

This shocked me…why would he do this? It was then I realised that even though I was only two years younger…I was still just a child in his eyes. It made a little sense, in wolf culture the pups became full grown at seven when they began hunting, I was not a part of this…I was still a child in his eyes. But why was this bothering me so much? Was...was I jealous? No! I can't be…I don't feel that way about Kei…yet why do I feel this way?

"Fine" I huffed and let the table, the girl went and got them drinks…little did he know I wasn't in bed, I stood at the top of the stair case and watched them. Flirting…what heathens, get a room…wait no don't! Why not? It's not like I care…of kami I do! Do I have feelings for Kei?

He had been my protector, a month after he was hired he proved his skill when I was almost abducted. I still recall how he fought off the kidnappers and then carried me back.

Wait…in his culture, if I wanted to be seen as an adult I had to hunt something…the woods were full of deer and rabbit and more! If I left now I could do it! Then he would stop treating me like a child and maybe look at me the way he looked at the girl in the bar! I don't want to be child to him, not anymore.

I ran to the room where Abyss rested. "List my friend, I need you to do something for me…okay."

Kei's POV

Wow this sake is strong! It was like the sake I used to drink back in the tribe! Good times...I shot another.

The sake girl who kept me company, Sanako was her name, she filled up my cup again. "my handsome wolf" she cooed into my ear "You have mastered the chopsticks so quickly, you are a quick learner."

"I'm still too sober!" I roared "this is some weak sake! Pour me more!" I slammed down my cup.

I missed behaving this wild, I had to behave in that palace, it was nice to let my mane flow. My tale was even starting wag.

Sanako obliged me, "You know," she continued and took my hand, "you can tell a lot about someone by their hands."

"Really?" I tried not sound so bored, but couldn't help it though, she was nice to look at and I guess she was kind of charming in her own way, but still she seemed to mean nothing she said, she seemed to be in a constant pretence. That and her giggle was so annoying!

She nodded "yes, by the mere texture of yours I can tell you are a hard worker…and very good with your hands."

She then did that fruity little laugh again; it was so restrained and false, it irked me like nails on a chalkboard. The best laugh I've heard is probably Kotone's, it filled the room and it was such a genuine sound.

Wait! Kotone! I am such an ass! This wasn't fair; I have a duty by her…not just as her protector…but her friend. So as much as I wanted to take advantage of the situation, I had to stop and go see her. I'll bet she's mad as hell. She won't be asleep; she'd have waited up for me so that she could yell at me. Or worse she would use that weird power of hers, a Banshee screech, this sonic, piercing sound that could make ears bleed and damage the brain.

I left Sanako without a word; truth is I didn't care about her in the slightest. I traced up the stairs and slid the door open.

Kotone was huddled un her blankets. I know I probably shouldn't wake her, but I wouldn't be able to sleep if I didn't straighten things out with her.

"Hey Kotone…look I'm sorry okay….It was wrong of me to send you away like that" I apologised, she made no answer. "Come on princess sulks-a-lot, I said I'm sorry…stop ignoring me!" still nothing, now I was starting to get pissed off! She knew I hated being ignored.

"Dammit you stubborn-" I threw off the blanket…only it wasn't Kotone beneath it. "Abyss?" I uttered in confusment, he looked up at me as tiredly and yawned.

"Abyss…where is Kotone?" I asked, I searched to room, her short sword was missing. What the hell is she doing? "Abyss…we need to find her, come on!"

This was bad, Abyss followed her everywhere unless she told him stay put, she must have made him stay there as a decoy.

The two of us set off into the dark woods, I could smell her, she was close.

I raced through the woods with the black wolf alongside me. Our animal instincts kicked in, both of us could smell her fear, she was in danger.

"Stay back!" She yelled then came a swing of her sword; followed by laughter…I counted the voices, five men.

"Stay back" she repeated "I don't want to kill anyone!"

More laughter….then I heard something rip, fabric…no! I heard her yell but she would not scream. Her screams were too dangerous, it had the potential to burst ear drums and brain hemorrhages, not only to her victims but any innocents in hearing range. I knew Kotone, she was fierce but still kind at heart, she would rather suffer than risk any harm to an innocent nearby. She had no control of her powers yet…that was why she needed me and I let her down.

Kotone…I'll save you! I leapt through the trees; I had never ran so fast in all my life. Kotone was pinned to the ground, four men holding down a limb between them while the fifth hovered over her.

Two head rolled and her arms were free, I knocked their heads clean off. Abyss grabbed Kotone by the collar and dragged her away to safety; he stood protectively over her while I took on the other three.

These were bandits…she had no money on her so her innocence was to pay the price. One of them came at me, my claws went through his gullet. Two to go!

Blood was all over me, I was a savage wolf to them now. "Demon!" they cursed at me.

"Filthy savage!" they hollered.

I flicked the blood from my hands, "savage am I? You're the ones who attacked this girl…I'm savage? I'm filthy? The two of ya need to take a good hard look at yourselves!"

One of them, a taller one smiled at me, "Fine…we're savage…we're brutes and once we've killed you your pretty girl there will know that better than anyone."

Over my cold, dead, reeking, worm infested corpse! I had hunted since I was six, I started a year younger than other pups. The first human I killed was age eleven and it was all for Kotone, I proved myself worthy enough to be her bogy-guard, I killed the seven men who tried to take her from her home! Now I was going to add five more to that list.

I lifted my head and gave a great howl to the moon, the beast was to be unleashed, my fang bared I turned into my full wolf form. My fur was blacker than my hair, blacker than old Abyss, but my eyes blue. I stood as tall as a horse in this form. I slowly approached them, my fangs bared.

Tonight I taste the foul blood of bandits! I leapt at them, I took them by the throat and did not release until the shaking stopped.

When all was over, a strange silence screamed in the dark. Cautiously I turned to Kotone who's eyes were so wide they could be used as shooting targets. This was the first time she had seen me in this form, I was curious to see how she'd react.

I morphed back into my humanoid self, blood was all over my face. "You alright there? You hurt" I asked.

She shook her head and came to me with a handkerchief. "You've always been such a messy eater" she teased trying to lighten the mood but the falter in her tone told that shock was still cold upon her.

"Why did you come out here?" I asked, "Did me talking to that girl piss you off that much"

She shrugged her shoulders and looked away.

I had to ask "Why?"

A scowl suddenly creased her face and her cheeks burned, I guess it was fury. "I'm not angry because you were talking to her! You are my body-guard and you acted inappropriately in my presence, further more you allowed her to speak to me, one of royal blood, in such a manner. You showed a lack of respect tonight, however I will overlook it due to this rescue….now if you don't mind, carry this carcass back to the inn."

Kotone proceeded to a dear carcass, not just a deer, a stag, she pulled her sword from it.

"You hunted?" I exclaimed with disbelief, she had really caught a stag? Most first timers are lucky if they catch rabbit! But that was Kotone for ya, never did anything half-heartedly. Like her father…she was killing perfect, at least one day she would be.

Kotone shrugged, "I needed an outlet….and a gift for my sister and her husband, I thought this would be a nice addition to the feast."

Smug little thing she is!

I still couldn't believe it "But you used a short sword...hunting with a bow and arrow is one thing, you just need good aim, if you killed with that….you would have had to have been fast, strong and resilient…did you really do this?"

"Of course I did!" she insisted, "I told you….you shouldn't underestimate me."

I don't think I'd ever do that again. She was always so proud , refined and dignified like her mother and father. However, she had demonic blood in her…there was a wildness in her and I have to say…I was impressed.

"Soon….you won't have any need for me my friend." I told her.

She scoffed at me, "Please…I'll always find some use for you…."

Another moments silence came and she was the interrupt it, "Now remember the stag" she turned on me, "come on Abyss…you did well tonight, well done my good boy."

"Why is he getting all the damn praise!" I yelled as I hoisted the stag over my shoulder, "I'm the one with dirty hands!"

"You're always covered in dirt!" she snapped back, "please bathe when we get back…you smell most unpleasant." She paused and looked over her shoulder at me, "By the way…you are forbidden to use chopsticks ever again." She then proceeded on.

"What the hell! Why are you irritating?"

I just mastered those! Sanako made me practice again and again! Why is all my practice going to waist?

She's royal alright…a royal pain in my ass! Still nothing will ever happen to her…not so long as I'm at her service.

Heya so that was aglimps I'm thinking of doing a story with Kotone just to conclude everything. One final sacrifice from Rin and Sesshomaru and Kotone takes the throne.