It was not difficult to pack up the encampment nor was it too difficult to travel to where Yoake and her pups would settle for the winter. What was a task, and a half, was keeping the two young littermates in line enough that they didn't wander off or get left behind. Nen followed in the back with his aunt leading. Suki followed behind her with Hatsumi and Nikko keeping an eye on Yaeko, who seemed to be the more distracted and flightier of the two.
After the excitement wore off came the complaints and the dragging of their feet. Both transformed more than once to break away from the rest resulting in Nen carrying Yaeko who screamed in his ear crying for her father. This prompted her twin to sit down on the ground, cross her arms, and refuse to move. Picking her up by the arm and hauling her onto her shoulder Yoake didn't say a word.
By midday both had settled and fell asleep soundly making them easier to transport. Stopping for the night Nen and Nikko hunted for them all and procured water, Hatsumi set up the girls futons on the ground while Yoake prepared the lesser demons they had brought for them to eat and made tea. The two younger girls seemed happier to be able to explore their surroundings and rest.
"We should have been farther." Yoake said sipping at her tea. "They have never acted out in this way when we are traveling. I suppose I did this to myself in sending off Haruki."
"Lady Yoake; I am sorry for disrupting your life by arriving unannounced." Nen did feel awful, especially with how tired she appeared after a long day of travel.
"No. Never apologize for coming. I am more than pleased that you did." She shook her head. "I have a lot to think on. Nen, you should know that where we are going there are other packs and clans who knew your parents and grandsires. Some who once served in both houses before they were decimated. I am not sure how any of them will react to your appearance or what it may mean for the south."
"I am not here to begin trouble." He stated.
"I know but it is an old wound in this area and your presence will undoubtedly reopen it. You will be asked questions not just about you but also your brother, possibly may be requested to prove your lineage as I did to you." Yoake explained.
"Hm. I do wonder how Jiro would react to knowing he was meant to be a lord, better yet if I went back to the compound with demons ready to rally him." Amused at the thought he shook his head. "I cannot see Jiro being a lord."
"Why do you say that?"
"Jiro is sensitive and naturally naïve in ways. He has just recently mated and before he and his mate were together he came across her scent of arousal. He sought me out to figure out what it was as he had never been with a female before." Nen smirked as he spoke. "While I have never been with one myself, I do know what sex smells like."
"Oh. Poor boy." Yoake chuckled out. "I would certainly like to meet his mate to see how their breeding went then."
"I, never asked for the details." Nen replied chuckling himself. "When they came back from their breeding Jin and I had found Nozumi and were busy caring for her."
"I heard what you told Nikko, about the human pup you found. Tell me, what are your mate and daughter like? How did you come to be with a human?"
"I met Jin when he joined the compound. Originally, he was brought on by Lord Kohaku, the Chief; they are demon slayers. Along with two others Jin requested to join the western compound after Kohaku left their village under new command."
"Interesting." Yoake listened intently.
"One of the others that came on was found to be an unsavory character and I was tasked with Jin to bring him back to the village…"
"In what way?"
"Rentarou attacked Jiros mate, before they were mates. He attempted to make off with her to assault. Emi saw them and intervened having her arms broken for her trouble."
"Oh my, what a disgusting male."
"Yes. It was a…bad day." Nen agreed. "During the trek to take him back Jin was quiet for the most part but said stupid things from time to time to try and start conversation that I ignored. It was then we found out that we both took men as partners that he showed an interest in knowing that about me. I rebutted him, never wanting to take on a human partner."
"Why is that?"
"Humans have a short life span; compared to us they are fragile. I did not want to put myself in a position to have to carry on without someone I cared for because they grew old or sick, and died." Nen said.
"That makes sense. I am intrigued then how you did in fact decide to mate with Jin?" Yoake replied.
"Well, I fucked him." Nen said softly so the pups wouldn't be able to hear him.
"That seems counterproductive to what you just claimed."
"It was to prove a point; Jin was ashamed of his sexuality because the humans had told him to be. He was disowned and chased from his own village after his lover blamed him for their relationship when it was found out. He was alone until he met the Chief and taught him to be a demon slayer. Even still, in the demon slayer village he was abused by other men who would take advantage of him and then refute him when others were around." Nen expounded on.
"Those humans sound dreadful. I have had some contact with them but that was some time ago. "
"I met a half-breed female by the name Koneko who claimed to be acquainted with you some time ago."
"Ah yes, my little neko. Her mother was found with her in a dreadful state. Much the same as Jin, her people had attempted a stoning when she gave birth to a half-breed. How she escaped was beyond me. Nikko was a pup and as a young mother myself I could not leave her to suffer and probably die with her kitten." Yoake said.
"She sends her regards and thinks very highly of you. It was a chance meeting when I approached a village to see if I could find your whereabouts more precisely as opposed to wandering. Her sons met me on the path. She was protective of your location until I explained who I believed I was."
"I see. It has been many years since I have seen her and am glad to hear she is doing well." Looking up at the sky that was darkening Yoake put down her cup. "Ready to round up the pups to put down for the night?"
"Gladly." Nen nodded, smirking again.
The next day the twins seemed more settled in their traveling as they noticed some landmarks they were acquainted with and began to chatter about the winter encampment and their friends there. With signs approaching that they were nearing a civilization Nen became incredibly nervous. These were people who had known his blood pack, some may even be so themselves. The idea of meeting more demons who may be able to fill in more gaps for him was almost putting him into a heightened state of anticipation and excitement.
"Lady Yoake." A female voice called out. Glancing ahead Nen saw another dog demon who stood at the head of the path they were on waving to them. She appeared to be of the same age as Yoake and wondered who she was to him if anything.
"Lady Mira." Yoake greeted as she stopped in front of her. Gripping her hand as it was offered Mira glanced down the line to Nen.
"Has your puppy become too old for you that you decided to trade the old dog in?" Mira joked with a small smile, referring to Haru's absence and Nens presence.
"Ah, if only it were that simple my friend." Yoake sighed out. "Has Lord Kenji arrived yet? There are things I need to discuss with him."
"He has. This way." Mira said assigning another female to stand in her spot to greet others as they arrived. The area was in an open field with more established huts to withstand the winters. It reminded Nen slightly of the compound except there was no main house. The huts were arranged with the older ones encircling a large fire pit dug in the ground and surrounded by stones. As more people had come and built, they continued to create a circular pattern with their own domiciles creating a large encampment.
"Interesting." Nen commented to himself taking in the surroundings.
"The more permanent residents reside in the middle of the compound whereas others who are here seasonally live closer to the outskirts. Many of us are from defunct households that have fallen and sought refuge among others of our kind." Mira explained. "Where is it you are from Nen?"
"Originally, the south." He replied.
"Oh, part of a house?"
"Seems so."
"Which one?" Mira pressed, being met by Yoakes sharp eye giving her a glance. Exchanging it with her she stopped talking, raising a brow at her in question. Shaking her head slightly once Mira stopped asking questions. "Here we are." Rapping on the door panel a deep voice sounded from within.
"Enter." Pushing the curtain aside Mira followed Yoake and Nen in. "Ah, Lady Yoake. Lovely as ever my dear."
"Lord Kenji." Bowing her head slightly in respect Nen did as well. Mira went to sit beside him as Yoake and Nen kneeled across from them both.
"I trust your journey here was uneventful." He said eying Nen.
"If only…" Yoake answered. "This is Nen. He came to us from the western compound that Lord Sesshomaru has made for himself."
"Ah yes, with Lady Izumi if I am not mistaken."
"Yes."
"So, pup; have the east and the west decided to finish us off down here? Sent you as a harbinger to seal our fates at last?" Kenji questioned in a tired tone.
"No, my lord." Nen shook his head. "I came here with the blessing of my lords and ladies to find my origins."
"Father, Nen had said that he is from the south." Mira said looking to Kenji.
"What part?" Kenji narrowed his eyes looking at him warily. Nen looked to Yoake who nodded her head to encourage him to answer.
"I am the eldest son of Lord Yami and Lady Ai, of the southern house of the star." Nen replied. Staring at him momentarily while Mira stared wide eyed and with her mouth slightly agape, he stood quickly.
"Yami and his pups are dead." He nearly growled out.
"Nen, prove it." Yoake said. Nodding his head once he stood untying his kimono and removing it. Turning his demon energy up a few notches he felt the shift that occurred when he did so, the relief that came with not having to suppress it.
"Father…" Mira whispered out.
"Quiet Mira." Kenji ordered sternly. Closing the gap between them Kenji stared into Nens eyes examining them intensely. Nen returned the glare wondering what was going through the older males mind. Shaking his head Kenji took a step back, looking over the rest of him picking up his arm and examining his markings. Dropping his appendage Kenji shook his head. "You have her eyes, Nit."
"Lady Yoake said the same." Nen said softly.
"I served in the house of the moon here in the south, I was Lady Ai's personal guard until she left for the house of the northern star. Losing her was devastating and to hear that her pups had been captured and subsequently died on the journey east was…well, it set many things in motion that the south never quite recovered from." Kenji explained. "Where have you been all these years?"
"Before my littermate and I took up residence in the west, we served in the celestial palace under Lady Nishi. We stayed on to serve Lord Sesshomarus new compound, as soldiers and guards. Before that I am not sure where we were, we lived among slave traders and…Haruki." Nen replied.
"Your mate from the east." Kenji retorted casting his eye to Yoake.
"A fact that was kept from me. I am assuming he came to the south once he had sold Nen and his brother. For what reason, I do not know." Yoake defended.
"To humiliate us by breeding with you and collecting intellect on us to feed to the east. Where is that mutt?" Kenji ground out between gritted fangs.
"I sent him back to his parents." She said.
"To the east then?"
"No." Nen interjected. "Captain Riku and Lady Iku serve Lady Izumi in the western compound."
"This is complicated." Mira breathed out trying to keep up with what she was hearing.
"Indeed." Kenji agreed, sitting back down with his arms and legs crossed. "This is a matter not to be taken lightly and I am unsure how to proceed. We will bring it to the other lords and ladies' attention once they arrive in a small council. From there we will figure out how to go about all of this. Now if you will excuse me, I believe now is as good a time as any to get drunk."
"Mind if I join you?" Yoake asked as they stood.
"Not at all." Kenji smirked somewhat at her.
"Nen, please look after my pups for a time." Yoake requested.
"Yes, my lady." Nen said dutirfully nodding his head.
"Mira, show Nen to Lady Yoakes accommodations." Kenji also instructed.
"Yes father." Nen masked his energy once again and redressed before Mira led him out. She took him to the third row of huts and invited him in. The equipment they had carried was unceremoniously dumped on the floor in front of the door. "It would seem they have found other things to do."
"Apparently." Nen took a breath glancing around the space. A ladder was built into the wall that led to a space in the wall that seemed to be a loft for sleeping. The floor was half wood and half dirt with a hearth dug out in the middle of the floor. Shelves were covered with cloth and an area was quartered off with a black privacy screen that had small silver dots adorning it to resemble stars.
"Is there anything else I can assist you with? Company, perhaps?" Mira asked, looking him over.
"No." Shaking his head she gave a slight nod.
"If you change your mind…"
"I have a mate, he is male." Nen said quickly to put a stop to her advances.
"Oh, I see. If for anything else then, seek me out if need be." She responded, blushing slightly in embarrassment.
"Thank you, Lady Mira."
"Oh, I am not a lady, and my father isn't a lord. He is simply called that out of respect." Mira said before continuing. "You are a lord though, if you are in fact heir to the northern star."
"No. I was never meant to be a lord. The title would have gone to my brother." Nen informed.
"Hm, interesting." She thought out as Nen continued to look around in silence. "I will leave you to it then Nen."
"Thank you." Hearing her exit he let his shoulders slump as he wondered what the others would think about his arrival or, more importantly, do about his presence.