Pet of the Peacock Prince
By Princess Thil Galel
I DO NOT OWN
Thank you
R&R
Please enjoy!
Hey everybody! Here's a quick shout-out to my wonderful readers that left their mark on is work in progress: Eld MCM, Mrs. Optimus Prime, Grievousorvemon, Jozs001, MidnightGypsie, and Autobot NightFury. Thank you all so much for giving me a little piece of yourselves, your words are welcomed with open arms and without you this story would be nothing.
~Princess Thil Galel
Edit note: After extensive reseach I've found the Soothsayer's true name and shall be replacing my name for her-Ebi-with her real name 'Ah-Mah'. If there's anywhere I've missed replacing it please let me know.
Wolf Pack
Golden sunlight streamed through the gray clouds. It's warmth kissed the frost coating the windows of the palace, melting away the veil of ice and allowing the outside world a glimpse into the room of Prince Shen. The beaming rays fell on a heap of blue-black fur asleep beside the door, and it was that same light which awoke the white prince from his slumber. Shen's ruby colored eyes slowly peeked open, blinking against the bright light as he yawned. He sat up with a stretch and groaned softly. A harsh cough tore itself from his sore throat, he smothered the sound in his wing and wiped the tears from his watering eyes.
When the fit subsided, he peered over the foot of his bed to the human sleeping on the mat-only, she wasn't there. The prince looked about in confusion, and what he found, made him pause. Pink hair spilt wildly over one of Lang's arms as he cuddled the human. Her face buried in the curve of his neck while her fingers were tangled in his fur, and the wolf was practically laying atop her. Shen silently slipped off the bed. He went to the wolf's side and tapped his shoulder "Lang," he called softly "Wake up, you over-grown puppy!"
The wolf drowsily raised his head, smacked his lips, then shook his head "Good morning, Lord Shen," he yawned, blinking his blurry vision into focus with a goofy, sleepy, lopsided grin. "What can I do for you?"
Shen rolled his eyes, then shook his head and bent down to the wolf's drooping ear. "I believe a certain someone is in need of a seamstress," he whispered "And, correct me if I'm wrong, but I also think a certain little wolfy was suppose to have gotten one of his sisters to fetch one from the city."
Lang stiffened visibly, all remaining signs of sleep vanished as his scarlet eyes opened wide. He quickly sat up-but was careful not to wake the slumbering woman "I-I apologize, Lord Shen," he stammered quietly "I'll get right on it!" He gently untangled himself from the human's grasp, carefully covered her as he stood, and hurried out the door.
The young prince huffed softly. What was up with that wolf? It wasn't like Lang to oversleep-even as a puppy he'd wake up before the sun would rise. Now of days he was one of the first in the palace to awaken, and he was always up before Shen. This was one of the very few rare occassions where the peacock had beaten the wolf. The only other times being when he'd been sick as a puppy.
He turned his attention to the human woman still asleep on the pallet. Her strangely colored hair had freed itself from her braid and was cast about like so many strands of silk. Lang's oversized clothes made her appear small and fragile-much like a child who'd stolen her father's clothing to sleep in, and the blanket at her waist only seemed to emphasize that image. But even so, there was no denying that the creature laying before him was a rather beautiful young lady. High cheek bones with just a faint dusting of pink, almond shaped eyes in the same color as the rolling sea, and delicate little hands.
Turning his thoughts away from the girl, the white peacock retreated behind the changing screen to slip out of his sleeping robe and into day clothes. He chose a red chocolate robe with darker brown leaf patterns. When he stepped out from behind the screen he was greeted by the sight of the Soothsayer holding a tray with what he assumed to be his breakfast. But even at the welcomed promise of food he couldn't help a slight frown "Why is it that you just simply barge into my room without so much as a knock?" asked Shen. He glanced over the the dishes and reached for the sugar dusted plum slices.
Ah-Mah's cane gently, but firmly, hit the back of his wing, causing the young prince to snatch back, more in surprise than actual pain. "How's that for a knock?" she asked innocently, then chuckled softly when he pouted slightly with a glare. "Oh Shen, you know I don't come in if you're busy. But that's beside the point-this is for both of you, so make sure you leave half for her." He huffed as his feathers flattened and replied with a 'Yes Nanna' before popping a plum in his mouth. The goat smiled, she had known he'd go for the plums first. It was his favorite fruit, and when it was sprinkled with a little sugar he couldn't keep his hands off them. Ah-Mah glanced over to where the human lay "Isn't that Lang's sleeping place?" she asked.
Shen nodded, swallowing the sweet plum. "I was going to ask him about that when he got back," he said, then selected a dumpling "He woke up late you know, I actually had to get him up myself-I almost couldn't believe it!" He took a sip from his tea, only to quickly put it back down "Ow, too hot!" he murmured.
O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O
Lang nearly tripped over his own feet in his headlong rush down the halls. He felt absolute embarrassment-how could he sleep in like that? And on a day when his prince needed him! It didn't matter now, though, there was nothing he could do to change what had already past. Right now he had to focus on the task at hand, getting to his sisters.
He didn't have to look far, with a knock on one of their doors he found all three. The oldest of all his 'sisters' was Kisa. Her fur was the color of warm honey, some even said it looked like a tiger's pelt without the stripes, and her eyes were dark brown. Then there was the Twins, Rin and Ren. Rin was 'the oldest', her coat a lovely shade of copper and her upper chest sported a black, leaf-shaped mark on the right side. While her eyes were a sparkling jade green. Her 'younger' sibling, Ren, looked almost identical to her sister-the only difference was her mark was a white butterfly beside her left eye.
Kisa smiled "Good morning, Brother." she greeted "Tell me, we heard of some sort of commotion last night in the dining room...involving the prince and our guest?"
He waved the question aside "Later, you girls can gab and gossip after you get back from the city." Lang quickly explained the need for the seamstress, but said nothing else. The girls nodded, Kisa volunteered to retrieve the best one she could find and run back as swift as the wind. The Twins, naturally, wanted either to go along with Kisa, or meet this person in such desperate need of clothing. A growl and a brief flash of his teeth had them backing down instantly. They, along with Kisa, were the queen's ladies-in-waiting, and with their sister gone they would be needed even more to attend to her Majesty's needs.
As Kisa raced off to fetch the seamtress and the Twins left to help the queen prepare for the day, Lang headed back to the prince's chamber. It didn't surprise him to find the Soothsayer there, or to see Shen munching on plums. A sideways glance confirmed Amalthea was still asleep. Ah-Mah handed him a bowl of rice with an affectionate pat on the head "Morning Nanna," he said, then turned to his prince "I've sent Kisa after a seamstress, Lord Shen, she'll be back shortly."
The peacock nodded and gave his tea an experimental sip "Good, she's my mother's fastest lady. The seamstress should be here in no time." he commented. His gaze drifted to the pallet by the door "But what I would like to know is how she ended up way over there with you, when she started out at the foot of my bed. Care to explain why Songbird was cuddling with you?"
Lang ducked his head sheepishly "Her, uh, name...isn't 'Songbird', Lord Shen. It's actually Amalthea." he replied. The name didn't bring out much of a reaction from the peacock, but Ah-Mah's eyes widened and then she smiled-almost mischievously. "You see, she couldn't sleep so she asked if we could talk for a while, and she told me about Japan and how Strika kidnapped her. Thats part of the reason I...um, overslept."He quickly focused on downing his meal instead of his prince's questioning eyes.
Shen raised a feathered brow "Yes well, a message came while you were gone." said the prince "A rather persistant group of bandits has become a bit of a problem in a village in the eastern valley."
The wolf paused with a frown "The eastern valley?" he asked "You mean the panda village?"
"The very same." he replied "Father wants you and a few of your brothers to use those keen noses of your's to sniff them out and bring them in before things get worse. They've already killed a group of farmers yesterday, so lethal force is authorized. If they fight, don't be afraid to break a few bones. I have no mercy for cold-blooded murderers."
Lang nodded and set his empty bowl aside "I'll get right on it, Lord Shen." he said, then bowed with a fist over his heart "I'll return in a day or two with the thieves in hand, Sir." Then he was gone, sprinting down the halls on all fours.
'Be safe, Lang, and watch your tail out there.' Shen silently sent his thoughts after the wolf. He then turned to the grinning goat standing beside him "And what, pray tell, do you find so amusing?" She nodded her head towards the door, on the mat the human finally began to stir. Lazily, her arm reached out, searching for something, but touched only air. Those strange aquamerine eyes slowly opened, black crescent lashes caressed her high cheek bones as she blinked the fog of sleep away, and lips as pink as cherry blossoms formed the shape of a perfect kiss.
She glanced about with a confused frown. Seemingly still searching and was puzzled that she couldn't find what she was looking for. When her eyes found Shen she avoided his gaze and let her own wander over the Soothsayer. Ah-Mah smiled at her like she was a sleepy child just beginning to wake. Amalthea returned it shyly as she sat up and began combing the tangles out of her hair with her fingers. The goat crossed the room and handed her the brush she'd used yesterday. "I think this'll work a bit better, dear." she said softly, then watched for a moment as she brushed her hair back and used the tie she'd fished out from the blanket to braid it. "You must be hungry, and I've brought breakfast. Why don't you come eat with us?"
Amalthea hesitated, wondering if she should dare to trust them. But Lang's words echoed in her mind. He had shown her nothing but kindness, even sat up over half the night just to talk with her until she felt safe enough to sleep. If he said she could trust these people, she would.
Amalthea followed the Soothsayer to the table that was sitting by one of the windows. She took a seat next to the goat and opposite from Shen, who continued to watch her intently. She picked up one of the dumplings Ah-Mah placed in front of her and chewed slowly to savor the rich taste. She was fully aware of their eyes each time they fell on her throughout the meal, she felt the prince's eyes almost constantly, and she silently pleaded for him to focus on something else. As she happened to glance up Shen once more turned his gaze towards her, and, for the second time, their eyes met squarely. Amalthea nearly dropped her chopsticks as she lost herself briefly in the ruby depths. She managed to tear her gaze away after a moment, but she'd noticed that he'd started to lean forward slightly until she looked away. She began to wonder if all peacocks had such intense and alluring eyes as Lord Shen possessed, or if it was just his eyes that pulled her in so deeply and quickly that she'd almost froze in place.
O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O
Despite the chill of the snow and howling wind a layer of sweat soaked Lang's fur under his armour. He was certain his brothers weren't doing much better, in fact he'd say they were worse off with their under-armour bodysuits and metal masks. But the four wolves travelled quietly through the underbrush without a complaint to be heard. Lang had chosen to bring his best fighters, the Kai-Ken Brothers. They were both feared and respected throughout all of China. Half kai-ken, half wolf, and all loyal warriors.
Aka was the lead brother, his red coat shimmered like fire in the sun as he effortlessly followed the Wolf Boss over the uneven ground. The ink black stripes of his breed broke up his outline in the dappled light filtering through the trees as his red-brown eyes flashed like sparks under his mask. His broken canine could be seen as he panted for cool air, his tongue lolling to one side.
Just behind him, Chu ran at his heels. His fur was a dull brown and he bore the same stripes as his brother and his eyes mahogany with flecks of green. His right ear was noticably missing-lost long ago as a day-old pup when he and his siblings were dumped in a box on the palace doorsteps. No one knew just how he'd lost it, but the wound had clearly been a bitemark.
Kuro scouted ahead of their group, even with only one eye he could spot danger far better than any other wolf Lang knew. When that coal-black eye scanned the surrounding woods and found no sign of their prey, they moved on. Kuro's gray-black pelt made it sometimes difficult to see that he too had stripes as his brothers did, but his vicious fighting style had earned him the nickname 'The Black Tiger Wolf'.
In a way, the three brothers had a little pack within the larger Pack, they were often called 'The Kai-Ken Demons'. Named so for their predatorial fighting styles, prefering to use their fangs and claws rather than weapons of steel, and aiming for the throat, wrists, or ankles to disarm or kill their opponents.
As they left the shelter of the trees and moved into open ground they crouched low in the waist-high grass. Kuro's head briefly poked above their cover before ducking down "Nothing so far, Boss, but we're catching up." he said with a soft growl "Their tracks are fresh through the trees, and their scent is on the wind. If we hurry and take the high path up ahead we can overtake them before they reach the river."
Chu clacked his teeth together in excitement "We could leap off the cliffside and catch them off guard." he commented with a chuckle "Pain from above!"
Aka lightly slapped the back of his brown brother's head. Lang rolled his eyes "Alright, calm down." he said "Kuro has a good point, high ground will give us the advantage here-but that doesn't mean we ease up. Whether these guys are just your run-of-the-mill thugs or not that doesn't give you a reason not to take them seriously, they can stick a knife in ya' just as fast as a trained soldier can. Now that thats been said...let's go get those bandits." Dropping on to all fours they set off, running faster than before, the promise of catching their quarry lending them an extra bust of energy. Lang could practically smell the scent of fresh blood in the air and licked his chops eagerly as he anticipated the coming battle, knowing full well that murderers wouldn't turn themselves in.
He pulled ahead to take the lead as they began climbing up the slight slope that, if they followed it, would take them up the mountain. But it also overlooked the pathway leading to the river that was fed by the mountain streams. Lang could faintly make out prints in the snow on the road below. He was certain they were boar tracks and what he believed to be a set of ram footprints as well.
As they came around the bend in the pass, the stink of sweaty pig rose in his nostriles and the loud barking of orders filled his ears. "Up ahead!" he called out as he flexed his claws and ran his tongue over his teeth "Right over the edge of the cliff!" He could hear them growling and snarling at his heels. Glancing down he spotted a group of boars running behind a ram on the road below and, with a signaling flick of his ear, the four wolves leaped down to the snowy path, howling like maddened dogs. The thieves skid to a stop, each trying to hide behind the other. The boars settled on shoving the ram in front of their group.
The three brothers remained on all fours with their hackles raised while Lang stood upright and dusted off his hands. He purposely took his time, letting them sweat a little as the brothers snarled and snapped wildly to intimidate them into submission. After adjusting his armour slightly Lang finally spoke "I believe you know why we're here," he growled. "You low-lives are wanted by his Imperial Majesty, King Azure, for theft and murder. Give yourselves in and you'll recieve a fair trial, fight us...and you risk death. I'll give you one chance, and one chance only."
The boars murmured frantcally from their place behind the ram. He silenced them with a hoof, his watery brown eyes fixed on Lang's scarlet ones and slowly raised his hands "We surrender." he stated calmly. Lang nodded, he took a pair of cuffs from his belt and walked up to the ram. Suddenly, he heard Kuro gasp and cry out a warning. Before Lang could turn to see what was the matter he felt something thud against his side and a sharp pain exploded between his ribs. He couldn't breathe as he slowly looked down, the ram's hoof was holding a wooden handle, Lang felt numb when he didn't see the blade on the end. The ram smiled "We surrender...to no one."
The world tilted before his eyes, he stumbled back into the arms of, who he believed to be, one of the brothers as a voice called out his name over and over. Then everything darkened and fell away.
O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O
At the Soothsayer's suggestion, Shen decided to take Amalthea for a walk around the palace. They were confined indoors for two reasons. The human's borrowed clothing wouldn't keep her warm in the snow outside, and Shen didn't want to risk getting any sicker than he was. He'd yet to tell his Nanna about his coughing, but guessed she already knew something.
He watched quietly as Amalthea's eyes wandered over the richly decorated walls, columns, tapestries, and paintings. He couldn't help but stand a little taller with pride for his beautiful home. No other place in all of China could hold a candle to the Tower of Sacred Flame, not even the Jade palace was able to match it's majesty. He smirked when she stopped in front of his family portrait "I was rather small back then, wasn't I?" he asked as he stood beside her. In the painting he was only a year old, his baby feathers had yet to fall out and he almost appeared to be nothing more than a white fluffball sitting on his mother's lap. Oh how he had fidgeted that day, squirming around as his father tried his best not to chuckle even as his mother shot a glare at the peacock king.
"Your mother is beautiful, Prince Shen," she murmured softly "And the king is very handsom." Her cheeks turned bright pink and she turned away, hoping he wouldn't see.
The peacock chuckled slightly when she blushed "Thank you." he chortled "I'll be sure to tell them you said that." He had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing when her face turned cherry red. As he continued down the hall she followed at his heels, slowly her pace each time they past something that caught her eye. The sunlight shining in through a window suddenly drew Amalthea in like a magnet, she leaned forward until her forehead touched the glass. She jumped back with a gasp, her eyes wide. Shen frowned in confusion, he glanced out the window and then turned to the human. "What?" he asked, completely baffled and then, with a smirk, he teasingly added "Haven't you ever seen glass before?"
Immediately he regretted the joke. She looked down, her face a mask of shame "No, My Lord, I've never beheld glass until now." she murmured "We live very secluded lives in my village. There is no contact with the outside world."
"Oh," he said ineptly, his crest falling almost completely flat atop his head "I apologize, my dear, I...I hadn't known."
After a brief, and awkward, silence Amalthea shook her head "You didn't know, Prince Shen, no harm done." she said. Her eyes drifted back to the window "But, if you wouldn't mind, may we see more?"
With a chuckle, the prince held out his wing. When she hesitated, he smirked "Come on now," he coaxed, then reached a little closer "I won't bite, I promise." She glanced nervously at the offered wing, her shaking hand slowly reached out, and her fingers wrapped loosely around his feathers. He firmly grasped her hand and tugged her along. "You don't have to be afraid, Miss Amalthea." he murmured "Title or no title, I'm just like anyone else. And I'd both prefer and appreciate it if you would treat me like you would every other peacock in the world."
"And how does one treat a peacock, exactly?"
Shen stopped in his tracks, with a puzzled frown he turned to her "Are you saying you've never met a peacock?" he asked curiously. When she shook her head, he shrugged "Then just as you would any other person."
Amalthea nodded "Yes Sir, Prince Shen." she said, but when he gave her a pointed look she quickly added "Er, I mean, yes Shen."
He smirked "Thats better."
The peacock lead the human to his parents' chamber, he felt her suddenly start to drag her feet. He rolled his eyes with a light snicker and tugged her into the room. Queen Hera turned as her son entered, practically dragging his new pet behind him. She casually waved her ladies away "Shen deary, what in the world are you doing?" she chuckled, "If you pull her any harder you'll have her face-down on the floor!" She tightly embraced her son and smiled over his shoulder at the pink-haired human. The peahen walked past the prince "Hello there," she said softly "How are you doing, Sweetheart, have you eaten yet?"
Amalthea couldn't find her voice, so she nodded instead. Hera smiled and stroked her hair, just like her own mother would. That was all it took to bring the tears. Amalthea couldn't bear them seeing her cry, she quickly buried her face in her hand with a quiet sob. She was miles away from her home, her family, and everything she'd ever known. And everywhere she turned, something reminded her of just how alone she was.
A pair of wings wrapped around her, pulling her into the queen's feathered bosom. The peahen cradled her closely "Oh its okay, Sweetie," she cooed lovingly, running her feathers through the weeping woman's hair "Everything will be alright, you'll see. It'll be okay."
Throwing all caution to the wind, Amalthea clutched the peahen's robe. Feeling rather lost, Shen did the only thing he could think of, he placed a wing on her shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O
Ah-Mah had searched the palace for her young charge since he'd taken Amalthea on a tour, that had been hours ago. She tightly held a paper packet in her hoof as she knocked on the king and queen's door.
"Enter!" came the queen's beautiful voice.
The goat opened the door and tilted her head at the sight within. The prince, the queen, and Amalthea were sitting around a table. Mother and son played mahjong, while the human nursed a steaming cup of tea. Shen swiped a pair of tiles off the board, then looked up "Afternoon Nanna," he said, smirking confidently as he was certain he'd win "Come to watch the game?"
She chuckled when the peahen abruptly cleared the board and Shen's mouth fell open. "Perhaps you shouldn't have taken your eyes off the game." she commented "But no, I didn't come to watch. I'm here to give you your medicine."
The prince stiffened noticeable "Medicine?" he asked cautiously "What are you talking about, Nanna?"
The Soothsayer loudly knocked her cane on the floor "Don't you play dumb with me, mister." she said sternly, setting the packet on the table beside him"I've known you since you took your first breath, and I know when you're not feeling well." She poured a cup of tea, wrapped his feathers around it, and handed him the open packet. With a grimance, Shen tilted his head back and poured the strong smelling, bitter tasting, gag-inducing green herbal powder into his mouth. He quickly drained his cup and coughed hard, tears streaming down his face. Ah-Mah wiped the wet trails with her sleeve "You shouldn't drink that fast, you'll choke."
"I wouldn't have to if it didn't make me want to throw it back up." he said, his voice strained and rough "Gods, I hate that stuff."
"My Lord! My Lord!"
All eyes turned as a gander ran into the room, panting for air. He rested his wings on his knees "Puh-Prince Sh-en!" he wheezed.
"What?" snapped the peacock as he continued to shed tears uncontrollably.
"Your Majestey, its urgent!" he squawked "Lang has been injured-terribly wounded!"
Shen was on his feet instantly "What?" he gasped.
"He's been taken to the surgeon." continued the servant "His wound is awful-he's bleeding profusely!"