Chapter 13: Return to "Normalcy"

I wake with the sun peaking at me from behind the curtains. Both Sonya and Opal are both lying around me. I know thy stayed here to comfort me and make sure I did not do anything drastic during the night. I lay there for a moment thinking about what I should do. My body demands that I stay here in the bed but my mind knows that will help nothing. In order for things to get back to a semblance of normalcy, I have to return to my normal routine. I stand up and step off of the bed so that I can stretch without disturbing the two.

I look at the two of them to be sure of their sleeping before exiting the room and heading down to the kitchens. Servants bow to me but do not greet me cheerfully. It seems they know what has occurred as well because some of them smile at me sadly.

One servant stops and asks, "Kitsune-sama, are you okay?"

I recognize the servant as Kaya as I reply, "I am alright for now Kaya. I am trying to return to a semi-normal routine. Thank you for your concern."

"Of course, Kitsune-sama, it is just that we all would be scared to lose you. You are very much loved by the people of Kyuubi-sama's palace," she tells me with a smile before leaving me to go about my way.

I shake my head smiling and continue on my way to the kitchens. Once I arrive at the kitchens, servants swarm me asking what I need and how I am doing. I push through them and approach the head cook who is preparing a tray for Kyuubi-sama. When she finishes, I grab the tray and start to head out of kitchen. One servant stops me and takes the tray from me.

"Kitsune-sama, I apologize but I think you need more time before you approach him. Trust me I know. My mate forced himself on me as well but we get along just fine," Taliya tells me with a smile.

Taliya is the mate of one of Kyuubi's colonels in his army and they are both fox demons. I did not know that one such as him would have forcefully taken anyone. One of her tales rubs against my side softly before she leaves and heads towards where I had come from. Other servants motion me towards a cushion by the fire telling me to sit down and relax while they gathered a meal for the girls and me. It takes them a little under a minute to have all three trays ready. I grab a tray but one servant demands that she help me carry the others to my room. We are about half way to my room when I pick up the sound of quick moving paws. I stop curious about who would be running through the halls this early in the day.

Around the corner comes Sonya and Opal. They hurry over to me when they see me next to a servant. Both are eyeing me to make sure I have no injuries or anything wrong with me.

Sonya gets a scowl on her face as she says, "Do not scare us like that again. At least for the next couple of days, let us stay with you. We are just worried about you so please deal with us."

"Alright Sonya, just to make you all happy," I tease. "Let us hurry, we have much to catch up on today."

The girls take their meals from the servant and follow me outside. No sense in going back to the room when we can get straight to training after we finish. We eat, and I continue their training for a little bit before heading over to watch the army with their ambush training. Some of them have become very good with coming up with ambushes. I pull the good ambushers and have them start doing some training for spying. These people would be good with giving the army information and ways to ambush the enemy.

I stop everyone for dinner and then head off to my room to eat. After we eat, I head to my bathing area and both girls leave me alone for a little bit.

Kyuubi's POV

How could I have of taken her as my mate? She should be nothing more than my slave. Someone knocks on my door and comes in carrying a tray with my dinner on it. This is the second time someone has done her duty. I will not allow this for much longer.

"Where is Kitsune," I demand growling at Taliya.

"She is training the army my lord. She has taken some of them to the side to train them more intensively in certain areas. I believe she is training spies now. Also neither Sonya or Opal will leave her side for anything. They may get aggressive should you approach Kitsune," she replies.

"As if they could stop me," I hiss with a smirk. "Go."

Taliya exits my study, and I eat before standing to go find Kitsune. I sense that she is in the bathing room that is now hers'. I approach it and hide my aura. As she exits, I step out in front of her. Her heart beat and breathing pick up. I sigh before rubbing my head against her shoulder.

"Understand this Kitsune, I did not mean for this to happen between us but we will have to make do with it. Any kits born between us will be cared for. The first male will be my heir and will rule when I decide to step down or when I feel he is ready. Since you are my mate during mating season you are expected to submit to me," I growl out. "Nothing else has changed. Until we find out if you are kitted or not, you are not to do any fighting with anyone. Am I understood?"

"Yes, master," she replies bowing her head and looking away from me.

"You no longer need to call me master," I tell her before grabbing her muzzle with one of my tails and watching as she flinches. "Please do not fear me. Things will get better my Byakko."

I release her and leave her there in the hall as I head back to my study.

Kitsune's POV

Did he really just say that I need not fear him and did he just give me a pet name? I ask myself as I head back to my room. Both girls stand as they see me enter the room. They both walk over and ask me how it was.

"I ran into him," I whisper approaching the bed.

"What happened," Sonya asks glaring at the door as if he was waiting on the other side of it.

"I freaked but he told me that I had no need to be scared. He also explained any kits we have are going to be cared for," I reply. "But he also said that I will have to submit to him every mating season."

"Oh dear, I am so sorry," Sonya says.

Opal rubs her side against me and motions me towards the bed.

"We might as well sleep. We have training to do tomorrow. Although I am no longer allowed to be a part of the fighting at least until we find out for sure about the kits or not," I tell them lying down for the night.

My body is tired from being forced into a day's exertion so soon after having no rest at all for days.