Blinding the Consequences

I don't own them, we all know that-

Here you are lady tokyo, sorry to keep you all waiting I was pondering where I want the story to go.
Thanks for the reviews and thank you to my beta for putting up with my mistakes and fixing them.

The healer smiled at InuYasha's simple way of seeing things, food that filled the belly was good.
"Because" Sesshomaru patted his brother so they could get up
"This celebration is all about you InuYasha, though I know you'd rather not have it, I want you to find comfort in it. I had to endure the same once I came into my maturity. Father told me that it was necessary though very rarely enjoyable. So he would have times for me to look forward to during it all."
InuYasha allowed himself to be lead down the hall, Sesshomaru's hand at his back. He did this to comfort his little brother but also to keep contact with him. To be honest, he knew that he often didn't get all the information on how InuYasha was doing. Unless he had some physical contact with him, he was very good at hiding what appealed to him from himself. Having blood connection made Sesshomaru a little more aware than others. InuYasha had become a master at hiding his wants and needs.
His brother at the moment was tense, this part of the castle was unfamiliar to him and therefore might hold dangers he couldn't perceive. His ears were flattened against his head, they would pop up and angle towards any sound made, but they would always return to their lowered position once the noise had been identified.
They entered the sitting room the youkai cloth maker and his apprentice bowed low to both brothers, as they were seated. The cloth maker moved quickly explaining each sample of cloth where the colors and silk had come from and it's quality.
InuYasha felt like there was a canyon between himself and his brother right now. He couldn't concentrate on the cloth the youkai before him was showing him. He looked at his brother who as looking at the cloth, with an eye he didn't have. And then back at the cloth-maker, who was holding the cloth sample up to InuYasha. He examined the cloth, he didn't want to seem ungrateful for what his brother was doing for him.
It was flurry of activity as cloth was set before him, he had to choose which he liked. He was thankful that Sesshomaru knew what clothing each item was to be made. He just had to choose to his liking. Then the kitchen had prepared samples of many dishes for InuYasha to try. All the while a woman sat at the table between them and served tea.
The Tokai came into the room, a stern look on his face.
"My lord we must speak."
Sesshomaru nodded and stood.
"InuYasha I will be right out here if you are in need. "The Daiyoukai lead the Adviser out of the sitting room.
"What is it?" Sesshomaru ask.
He been able to smell the spike of fear from his brother as he left the room, this discouraged him a bit. This was InuYasha's home he should not feel fear.
"There is a young youkai, wishing to speak to you."
Sesshomaru felt he should raise an eyebrow at this.
"What is his purpose?"
Tokai looked towards the door to the sitting room.
"He would not say, I must assume it is information for your ears only my lord. I have Luken looking in on him, he is not well."
Sesshomaru sighed internally, Tokai had not said because his brother was frightened and his hearing is heightened, there was a chance not even the door would muffle them enough to keep InuYasha from hearing.
Tokai bowed and walked away.
Sesshomaru entered the room again, he felt a strange thrill as his brothers face lit up as he entered. The chefs assistant was writing down all the dishes that InuYasha liked.
"Just one more course if you don't mind my lord" the assistant said.
InuYasha looked more willing to deal with one more since Sesshomaru had taken his seat again.
The next batch of servants came in one at a time each having on their platter a dessert and a small testing of wine that would go well with it. InuYasha instantly liked the desserts, but decided that he could go with out the wine. Though after about two or three tastings he decided that the wine was not so bad. It made him feel a little less uneasy about being away from the royal wing.
Sesshomaru watched his brother, the boy gave a sudden easy smile as he tasted one desert. He found himself slightly taken by that innocent little smile. He suddenly realized his brother was getting drunk. He held his hand up giving the assistant a look that canceled anymore wine and desserts to his tipsy little brother. Yes, he'd known the wine might affect his brother, but it had been so little of it and coupled with all the food he tasted he didn't figure it would go straight to his head.
His little brother was still holding the glass that held just a sip of the sample meant to go with the dessert.
"It tasted very funny at first." InuYasha said more to himself than anyone. "But I like it, it makes me not care, about being afraid and stuff."
Sesshomaru found himself smiling in spite of himself. "And stuff little brother."
InuYasha to looked over at him and gave a deep nod. "Can I have some more?"
Sesshomaru didn't like that fact that he'd gone so informal, but found himself trying to remember a relaxed InuYasha, besides the night of the spiritual marking.
He looked at the servant girl who had been serving them tea.
"Go fetch Kohame."
She stood and bowed and rushed off to find the raven.
The raven was not long coming as he watched his little brother drink the last of the wine in that glass and look sadly as the empty vessel.
The raven entered, he watched the hanyou for a few moments before his eyes moved to his lord.
"Would you like me to take him back to his rooms?"
Sesshomaru nodded.
"InuYasha has not had the spirits before but wishes to to get to know them better."
The Daiyoukai stood.
"Don't let him get too acquainted with them." He said in low rumble.
Kohame smiled and nodded.
"Come Lord InuYasha, I have a wonderful drink in which you can find enjoyment in."
InuYasha stood and began to follow the Raven, but stopped and looked at his brother.
"Where are you going?"
Sesshomaru, had hopped the promise of more drink would lead the hanyou away with out question.
"I must go and meet with someone."
He placed his hands on his little brothers shoulders and lead him in the direction of the royal wings.
"I shall return shortly, I promise.'
InuYasha's face lit up a the prospect of promise being kept.
He walked a little ahead of Kohame.
Sesshomaru smiled watching them go.
His smile disappeared as he turned to go and see who need to see him.
He walked quickly down the halls wanting to be done with this business, he wished to be in the presence of his brother. He found himself drawn to his little brother, he almost longed to do nothing else, but sit with his brother. He began to wonder if there might be something wrong with him, beyond father he'd never been very attracted to anyone. When he was a child he didn't remember his mother tending to him much. He remembered father around more than anything, he seemed more willing to be there than his mother. Later when he was given responsibility's his father was able to let him learn under him and then under the tutelage of the advisers and most trusted generals.
He frowned at Tokai, as he stood outside of the door of the waiting room. He'd not expected him to stay and watch the prince.
"My Lord, he is very clever."
Sesshomaru was instantly on guard.
The door opened and the healer stood there.
"I do believe you know this wounded solider."
Sesshomaru was honestly surprised.
The guide stood in the middle of the room.
"I am sorry Lord Sesshomaru, I didn't mean to lie to you or your people. But, I do not know who here is a spy for that creature."
The young youkai nearly collapsed.
"Sit" The healer said sternly.
The Guide looked at the fine cloth on the chair.
"Worry not." Sesshomaru said "You are wounded."
"I was able to hide my presence from most everyone I traveled near." he said taking deep breath.
"We thought you were dead, you fell into the trap.”
The youkai nodded.
"I was not thinking, or maybe I was thinking too much."
He shook his head.
"It doesn't matter I ended up back in that place, he was angry."
He clenched his teeth as the healer began cleaning his hand that was missing a few fingers. Sesshomaru eye skirted over the many wounds that he could identify.
"I didn't see him, but I felt him."
He closed his eyes.
"Your brother must be one of the bravest youkai alive to have lived through being near that creature."
He opened his eyes and looked at Sesshomaru.
"He devoured everyone there, they were not expecting him to come back, but he knew the prince was gone."
The healer looked at Sesshomaru.
"His information is important but if I don't get him cleaned and dealt with he won't live, need to see the damage that has been done to him."
"You saw nothing of his form?"
He laid his head back on the bed.
"He reminded me of a spider."
The healer lifted a small cup to the boy's lips. The boy grimaced.
"If you have anything more to say, say it now. You will not be conscious very much longer."
Sesshomaru looked to the Young youkai who was succumb to the healer medicines.
With the youth laying still , he could see the damage that had been done to the him. His fingers on his right hand were mostly gone and by the look and smell of them he would lose most if not all of the hand, his face looked like he had been beaten soundly and then beaten again just to prove a point. Even under the clothing that was caked with dirt and filth you could see he'd probably not had a decent meal in many a day. And two of his toes looked broken.
The healer and an assistant were working to get the clothing off of him so that they could find out what other surprises might be waiting for them.
The healer didn't even look up at Sesshomaru.
"I will send for you when he wakes."
The Daiyoukai said nothing, everyone in the room was focused on dealing with the boys wounds.
He turned and laid eyes on Aoi.
"He's alive." he said before he walked away.
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The prince had been acting very strange.
The celebration was a day away, and the castle was buzzing with the last of the preparations. The raven had taken to following the hanyou around to make sure nothing would happen to him. He put the best of his guard on the royal wing and had made sure that they knew exactly where they were to be during each stage of the celebrations.
But the prince, who had a steady line of etiquette lessons, Sesshomaru had been satisfied that his brother picked up on the lessons well. It still made him fume when he saw that the hanyou feared getting even the smallest movement wrong. His brother had been very withdrawn and for the first time since his return Sesshomaru could only spend minimal time with him.
The raven was doing his best to keep InuYasha busy, which lead to him reading the exploits of his father. He noticed that InuYasha seemed to be drawing into himself in thought more and more. Which had lead him to following InuYasha around.
At the moment he was watching the prince gaze up at a wall.
Proper exercise and nutrition had made his personality change in some ways, in others he would fall back on remaining quiet and unseen. In some ways he was more unpredictable at this stage. The raven had taken it upon himself to learn InuYasha habits.
"That would be quiet foolish my prince."
InuYasha looked back at the rave standing in a tree.
He looked down at the ground.
"By the time my father was my age he knew so much, I know nothing."
"That was by no fault of your own I might add." Kohame said.
"Your brother has said already that as soon as this business is over we will concentrate on your training in the finer art of being a prince of the western-lands. But right now, we need to keep you safe within the castle walls so that your kidnapper can not obtain you again."
InuYasha sat on the ground.
"I really don't want to get dressed up for this party tomorrow." he said softly
Kohame jumped down from the tree.
"It is a little odd that your family owns a sizable kingdom and yet dislikes a good deal of the social needs that have to be seen to in your office."
The hanyou curled his knees close to his chest and shrugged.
That was the hanyou pouting pose.
They sat in silence for a few moments before the smiling raven tapped InuYasha on the shoulder.
"How about we go for walk, you can see some of the preparations that are being made just for you?"
InuYasha didn't move. "It's not for me, if this was for me there wouldn't be an occasion"
The Raven had to agree a little with the prince on that. "But, I think your brother would like to know that you approve of what is being done, in your honor."
He turned his head to look over his shoulder at the raven. "My approval is needed?"
"Yes, my prince I think he would like that you are showing an interest."
The Raven held out a hand to help the prince up, he had to admit that the prince was acting the brat. But honestly it was more pleasant than the quiet submission he'd been showing for so long. It was one way you could tell if something really didn't please him.
They moved beyond the royal wing into the the main part of the castle, there were banners of red, gold and silver being hung. InuYasha stopped in the main entrance to look at the great painting of his father in his natural form. He recognized the picture from one of the scrolls he'd been reading lately.
"Do I have a natural form?" InuYasha asked in a low voice.
The raven was taking note of all of the youkai and humans that rushed about trying to finish getting everything set for the celebration. Both male and female stopped and looked, the hanyou had no idea the effect he had on those surrounding him. But, then he reminded himself the prince had been raised underground and kept in the royal wings.
"I am not sure my prince, I'm sure this is a question your brother will be able to give an answer to."
The Raven said standing in such a way that, no one dared to get close to the prince.
InuYasha nodded and followed the sound of gentle music into the main dinning hall, there was two youkai holding strange instruments he'd never heard of or laid eyes on before. The raven pulled out a chair from the table and prince sat and listened for a while. His silver furred ears pointed forward, his hand on his lap, a small smile on his face. It was a lot more quiet in the dinning hall since any preparations for this room had been made or couldn't be completed until very early in the morning. The two men continued to play, for the prince.
InuYasha wasn't surprise when his brothers hands fell upon his shoulders. He looked up as his brother with shining golden eyes. A brighter gold than his own, he was pleased to see his brother's eyes shine in this fashion. Instead of looking dully at the world, he was glad to have the brothers playing here for the celebration tomorrow. He usually hired them for most occasions and had been tempted to hire them exclusively for the castle. But, he knew somehow that they wouldn't be tied down. They made themselves available to the Daiyoukai without thought.
He remained silent until their skilled finger came to rest.
"You have brought peace to my brother." Sesshomaru said gratefully.
Both men bowed their heads in respect to the Daiyoukai.
Sesshomaru looked around at the bright and vibrant colors draped through out the dinning hall. He felt pride in seeing the colors that represented his family since time was spoken. He looked down at his brother again the hanyou was gazing up at him patiently. He was startled by the sudden realization that he did not want his brother to mate. Not some stranger who could not understand who his brother was, not some other youkai who would not treasure his brother properly.
"Shall we InuYasha, it is time for our noon meal."
One thing InuYasha came to expect was the meals would be shared with his brother. If Sesshomaru was honest with himself, he'd have to say he looked forward to each meal with his brother in the privacy of the their room.
He stopped in the middle of the hall causing the Raven and his brother to look at him in question.
It had been a good 6 moons since his brother had returned and he dressed in his room, sleeping there became an obscene thought. He was thankful they where in the royal wings by this time. He reached out to his brother and brushed his growing hair. InuYasha didn't flinch or move from his touch.
InuYasha deserved to go out and do as he pleased, become his own person. But, Sesshomaru wanted him to become that person at his side. He began walking again leading the raven and his brother back to the room. He noticed the a table being set up in the largest of the garden off of the wing.
He reveled in taking his meals out in the garden, even as a child he loved the spring for it changed the world.
And when he was little it meant he could spend more time out of the castle.
He had to consider that it was the new bonding, perhaps this was also why the bonding was no longer done. It made you too possessive of the one you were bonded to.
It wasn't helping that after their meal, he decided to continue what work was left before the celebration in his brother's room. He reminded himself that he should stop this habit.
Tokai knocked on the door.
He smiled at the sleeping hanyou, so peaceful and unaware of the chaos that was brewing around his very existence.
“My Lord the guest have begun arriving" Tokai said in a low voice so as not to wake the napping prince.
Sesshomaru had no intention of dealing with any of those who had arrived until the evening meal.
"Is it made clear that I am not to be harassed about a mate for InuYasha." He said looking at the papers.
"Yes, my lord through the most reliable way."
Sesshomaru knew this meant gossip, during all of these affairs a few servants were chosen for discreetly letting out information. Kept the headache down when everyone involved felt they where getting info they, were not supposed to.
"I also put out that you would be using the old courting concepts also."
Sesshomaru nodded.
"Have Kohame stay in here, until I return from the dinner tonight."
He said, remembering stories he'd read when he was young about young suitors scaling walls to steal a mates heart. He sighed and looked up at his little brother who nuzzled deeper into the furs. He felt a spark of rage when he thought of another trying to have their way with his brother.
“This shall be a long couple of days, Tokai."
Tokai nodded.
"We will be blessed if you don't have to throttle anyone."
Sesshomaru remembered his father's headaches during his celebration, but he'd been quite disappointed with the lengths some would go to get there daughters with child from his seed. Or even the men that threw themselves at his feet. He'd even been made horribly sick by some supposed love potion that one female had slipped into his drink.
He became more aloof the more bodies that were thrown at him. He might as well been an ice fortress by the time InuYasha's mother had been brought here by his father as a mate.
"Yes," he said drawn from his thoughts "it will be a blessing indeed."
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A pouting hanyou was a weapon that no one should have turned on them.
Sesshomaru was dressed for the formal dinner, welcoming the guest that had arrived from the furthest reaches of Japan to honor the coming of age of InuYasha. Those who lived closer would arrive tomorrow. But many of the lord and ladies had traveled to far to be ignored, his manners held him to seeing that they knew they were welcome. Within reason.
But, there on the bed was a hanyou pouting, ears laying flat against his head as he would have to eat his meal alone. Not really alone Kohame would be here but his brother would not and that was all that mattered for him at the moment.
"You could still share this meal with me InuYasha, if you wished to get dressed and come down and greet the guests with me."
For the moment InuYasha almost looked tempted. But hanyou knew what all those lords and ladies were also there for. He didn't think his little brother ears could flatten anymore but they did.
He shook his head silently.
He tipped up the lowered chin making his sibling meet his gaze.
"I will be back to night, I will not let you alone for a moment."
InuYasha nodded looking a little happier with the promise.
He held Kohame's gaze, the raven nodded. He was happy also with the fox standing outside the door, who bowed a little more formally at him.
InuYasha watched his brother go and looked back at the table where there had been several snacks set out for the prince and his guardian. They would be eating the same fare as was being served at the dinner this night. He moved off of the bed and sat at the table on the pillow he was used to having.
"I know he doesn't want to leave me." InuYasha said choosing a few items and placed them on a plate. "but, I feel empty when he is not here, in a way that is regular."
Kohame nodded and poured some tea for the prince and then himself.
"I am glad you are feeling his presence more strongly, but you understand he will always return to you."
InuYasha bit into the finger food and nodded.
He looked down at the cup set before him.
"All this trouble over mating."
Kohame chuckled.
"There are only a few very influential lands in this country and you are prince of one of them. So anyone who wants a step up wants a part of you or your brother. And many have learned over the years that trying to dethrone a inuyoukai means death even if your line is strong and skilled. So, to mate is the next best thing."
InuYasha finished the food in his mouth.
"Should we take some to Aoi?"
He pointed to the food.
"No my lord, we will both eat after your brother has returned."
He looked down at the food before him.
"Are you sure you are not hungry now, I remember being hungry. He used to keep food from me, if he was angry with something I did, I would have to sit and watch others eat as a punishment while I got nothing."
Kohame smiled gently at the prince.
"No I am not hungry, I too have known hunger, not in the fashion you speak. But I have know it. We must remain alert during this time. So we do not over indulge ourselves."
The prince still looked a little bothered by the memory.
"Most of the time, I can ignore that all those year happened, I can be happy here. But there are times the memories seem to close. Like this is a dream and any moment now that place and that time are going to reach out and drag me back."
Kohame knew he was speaking from a fear deep in him, that he was dreaming this.
"This not a dream, it is real.” Kohame said softly.
A knock sounded at the door and Aoi let in the servant with the next course of food.
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Sesshomaru had been approached by ten different males and four females about his brother, in there own subversive way. They would never out rightly ask or they might be stepping on toes. Instead they made sure all the good attributes, most he was well aware of were known.
Kouga had a bit of a smirk on his face as the Daiyoukai, pretended their efforts fell upon deaf ears.
As a bell rang signaling that dinner would be served they all made their way into the dinning hall.
"Shall I sell you all my good points?" he muttered walking beside Sesshomaru.
"If you do, I will have to think of new way to torture you my friend."
Kouga chuckled.
"It would be worse if you hadn't had the word out."
He nodded as he took his seat at the table the seat directly right of him was empty. Seeing as it was his brothers no one would sit there, to his left was Kouga his trusted friend. Which would only be taken by his own mate if he were to ever choose one.
The food was being served. His closest allies and friends were seated close to him. He and Kouga both sat tonight with the purpose of welcoming those who had traveled far and to watch for anything that might give away that one of them was the kidnapper.
"It is a pity that we could not meet this intriguing prince My lord." The tiger youkai said.
Sesshomaru face remained impassive.
"He will be present tomorrow." Kouga said.
"Well that is all fine and well for you Lord Kouga." A woman said in high voice "you've met the young prince."
Kouga kept the smile that always stayed on his face even with an uncomfortable memory of them pulling InuYasha out of that wretched place.
"I feel blessed to have witnessed his return." Kouga said honestly.
"Speaking of which" The tiger continued "where did your brother disappear of to all these years?"
Sesshomaru examined the tiger youkai briefly, they where cunning and strong, but straight forward, they would never stoop to kidnapping a child , and keeping him such a condition.
"Where is not really a concern." The Daiyoukai answered.
"It might be to some," The snake leader said eyes sliding to the crane " who he is associated with now."
Kouga chuckled, he was always amused by the underlying hostility between the cranes and snakes.
The crane looked down he nose at the snake.
"His past mean little, we are here to celebrate his future." She said looking around the table.
There were a few that would not be at the this table or at the celebration the next night. But they were enemies of the inuyoukai Empire. The cat youkai, they resided in a mountainous region that bordered the Wolf youkai lands. But they had been enemies long before Sesshomaru's birth and would rather meet you face to face, and would have killed the prince when he was a child. There was the baboon's who were related loosely to the snow monkey youkai that sat next to the cranes. But the two families had separated since the baboons were more a war mongering lot than the monkey youkai.
Of those who had arrived early he did not see any of them, feeling smug enough in there standing with the Westernlands that they would take his brother. Then or now, this dinner though tradition and what a proper host would do was turning you to be a waste of time in his eyes.
Kouga walked with him after the dinner had run through, as he checked the last of the arrangements made for the celebration. He was impressed with the sage as he wandered about the gifts for the prince still trying to discern anything from any one of them.
Kouga looked at the sage.
"What if the culprit had one of his servant send out this gift. The taint would not be on it?"
The sage shook his head.
"That kind of power is not something, that would not linger just a little bit everywhere that creature resides. Anyone who spends any amount of time around this creature will have something of his taint on them."
"Which means that this creature either just didn't send a gift or is planning on going about getting InuYasha back in another fashion." Kouga said looking at his friend.
Sesshomaru nodded.
"Come" he said "You wished to see our broken guide."
Kouga nodded and walked with his friend.
"So he was really inside that place when it went away."
"The way he described it, a giant stomach was brought to mind. He mentioned that everyone there was devoured."
Kouga cringed.
"Hired just to be devoured by this creature, the sound down right unpleasant."
Sesshomaru looked at his friend.
"After what they put my brother through their lives were forfeit."
Kouga grinned and shook his head. He'd learned as a young child that you did not cross the honor bound inuyoukai. They where not difficult to get along with in the first place, but they felt there were somethings you didn't do. And though much of what Sesshomaru would find offense in made his eyebrows raise. This however was one very few could disagree with.
They came to the guarded room of the healing guide.
Sesshomaru rapped on the door before entering.
The healer sat in a chair, drinking tea when they entered.
"Good evening, My Lords, how was the dinner."
"Bland" Said the Daiyoukai.
The healer smiled.
"You missed the short amount of time that the young one was awake, I have gotten him to eat a little." the healer looked a little worried.
"Whatever was all over him and in his wounds has made it difficult for him to heal. I have had to cleanse the wounds daily. I can not seem to get it out of him. Once his strong enough I might have to have my brother do a cleansing."
"You can't have one done now?"
Kouga asked.
"It would most likely kill him, and even if he was marked for death, He holds too much information for that to happen." Sesshomaru said.
Both Kouga and the Healer were watching him.
"He is not marked for death, not by this one anyhow."
Kouga looked away.
"Just have to be sure with you."
The Healer chuckled at this.
"I will see you to your room now."
Kouga gave the healer a knowing smile and gave a quick wave good bye.
"I'll be by tomorrow to see if he is awake, it's good to see he got out of there anyhow."
He followed Sesshomaru out of the room, and down a hall. He didn't need to be shown to his rooms, he was a fixture here since he was small their fathers were both close. And after his father had died, Sesshomaru's father was a constant in his life.
His room was closer to the royal wing than any other in the castle.
Sesshomaru bid him a good night and walked the rest of the way through the halls to InuYasha's rooms. The fox stood outside, he gave a nod before going into the room. The raven stood as he came into the room. His brother lay sleeping.
"How is he?"
The raven smiled. "He didn't want to go to sleep, other than that nothing out of the ordinary."
Sesshomaru nodded. "Thank you."
The raven left, after looking at the inuyoukai for bit. "Sleep well my lord."
He barely heard the door behind him close, his mind was filled with the little hanyou that was asleep before him. His mind lingered almost constantly on his little brother, but he could not let complaint fly about this because he didn't mind. He removed his clothing and went to bathe before climbing into bed. He needed to think, He found himself less satisfied if his brother was not within his reach.
After this celebration was over his brother would begin his true training to become a prince. So that he could claim his rightful place at his side. He sank down into the water, letting tense muscles relax under the spring water. He would need to stay near his brother most of the time during this entire affair. Though he hoped his brother would find comfort in being within the safe hands of the castle. He'd more than gotten used to the constant presence of the guard around him.
He would meet many who were allies of these lands and many he would have to interact with in the future.
'And one he might meet will want him as a mate.'
His eyes opened as this little thought appeared, this wasn't pleasant or peaceful as he would imagine it would be. Nothing peaceful about how possessive that tone bordered on.
'Another one who will sleep beside that sweet little hanyou.' He felt himself go rigid in the water.
'someone else will pet his ears.' He stood out of the water abruptly.
No he did not like these thoughts, and he was questioning more where they were going.
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The healer looked at Kohame.
"You really think so?" he said quietly not wanting to disturb the one under his watch.
Kohame nodded.
Santus looked between the two of them.
"Foxes do it all the time, once upon a time because there was a dip in males to mate. But that hasn't been a problem in some time. Now it just happens, but we tend to have larger families."
Kohame looked from the fox to the healer. Who was thinking it over.
"Are you sure it isn't just this bond that they have between them, such as the one they made?"
The Raven gave him a knowing smirk.
"Never, he will feel attachment, that is not what I have been seeing lately."
They all sat quiet for a moment.
Santus broke the silence
"It would make sense, it isn't often that beta, is born at the same time an alpha son is. Unusually it's both and you have to split up the kingdom. But, then it is hard for inuyoukai to have a mate that has more than one child much less two sons."
The healer leaned back.
"I'm not sure about that, there are several lesser inuyoukai that serve the kingdom that have had five or six children, but for some reason the high families never seem to have that many."
Kohame nodded.
"It is not all that unusual with most ruling families, or they just won't have more than one with only one mate."
All conversation stopped as the young guide woke, he looked shakily around the room. The healer adjusted his pillows. Then poured him some water, he tried to take the cup with both hands but then noticed that his left hand was no longer there.
"I keep forgetting." he said in a hoarse voice.
He let the healer help him drink.
"Is the prince well?"
He looked at all of them expectantly.
"Yes." Kohame answered.
"He is very well thanks to you."
The guide leaned back on the pillows.
"I'm happy."
He closed his eyes and drifted off again. The healer set the cup down.
"He wakes up and keeps forgetting about his hand and that the prince has been back for some time."
"Perhaps this is his way of coping with the pain." the fox said.
"He collapsed at the front gate, if one of the guards hadn't recognized him from when Kouga brought him, he would have been sent to the beggars quarters."
"There are many difficult questions, that need to be answered."
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I hope everyone enjoyed this little bit, I am well ahead of this.