"Now I have set up the archery practice area. The recruits know what to do from there and if not you can ask any of the hunters who have graduated from my lessons." I spoke to Itayo almost ready to head over to Kazuki and tell him the good news.

Itayo only nodded, the man known to speak very little, then he looked out over the practice area.

"I'm sorry to just leave and put all of this pressure on you. But my troop needs constant practice." Only then did Itayo looked back towards me.

"Don't worry I'll make sure they all practice hard." I was almost shocked by how many words the man had uttered. Though I knew he could handle the kids, even if I wish I could just take them all with me and train them myself.

"They'll be here by eight sharp, if they aren't make them run laps. They'll try to test you because you are new. Show them you are not to be trifled with." That was all met with several nods which led me to bid good-bye to the new temporary second in command of the lions of the mountain.

My next stop this morning was to meet with Kazuki and give him the option of traveling with me. Of course I couldn't force the boy to travel with me. Although I doubted that he would pass up the opportunity.

"Kazu! Wake up!" I busted into his small housing unit the door swinging behind me as I barreled in.

"What the hell Mira!" Kazuki mumbled from underneath his blankets, not even raising his head in hopes that I would go away.

"I'm going after my sister and I want you to join me." I smiled watching him jump from his bed tripping on his blankets and smacking onto the floor. The mop of blonde falling in front of his face as he sat up. Kazuki loved his beauty sleep, which is why I went to help Itayo first, but I suspected that he loved adventure more.

A loud whack could be heard throughout the small housing unit. I squatted down, very happy that he had decided to sleep with clothes on because had he not... ew. I smirked at the boy wanting to laugh under my breath.

"Meet me at the stables in twenty should you wish to accompany me." If he couldn't pack in that time then I would leave him to play catch up.

"Okay!" His eyes shined so bright and trusting towards me while I began to leave his home.

"Better get to packing Kazu, you only have nineteen minutes left." I heard another whack, as he most likely ran into a piece of furniture in haste, as I closed his door.

I made my way to the stables where my father would be waiting for me to send us off. The lions were mostly already awake by now, each doing their daily duties. The kids running around with wooden swords and pretending to be fighting evil trees.

One who was too into their pretend fight didn't even notice that I was walking. The boy rammed right into me landing flat on his butt. He looked up towards me in fear of being reprimanded for not paying attention.

"Be careful who you bump into. You never know if they are friend or foe." I quickly grabbed his sword his eyes widening in glee as I ran away from him with his sword. Him and his friends all chased after me their own swords raised above their heads.

"Get her!" They yelled and I couldn't help the laugh that bubbled out of my throat.

They chased me all the way to the stables where my father was watching us. A small grin on his face. I let one of the kids smack me with her sword just as we reached the stables. I pretended to fall having been defeated by the small warrior.

"Father, avenge me." I looked up towards him my arm stretched out towards him before slumping down into the dirt. The dust flying over my previously clean outfit and armor. Not that I minded.

"Alright you've slayed my daughter. Go find a new villain to defeat." My father picked up the little boy's sword I had taken and handed it to them. The group ran away cheering in victory from their successful quest.

"I already prepared Anri for you and Juniper for Kazuki." My father spoke his voice heavy with emotions and his hand stretched out to help me up.

"Thank you." I took his outstretched hand and let him raise me from the dirt and on to solid feet. I sheathed my sword into the place made into the saddle. A few items that I may need in quick access were put in my saddle. Otherwise I could carry the rest on my back.

"Hello Anri, ready for an adventure?" I had known Anri since she had been a foal, a stubborn little thing. Although she was also incredibly intelligent which is why she nodded her head at me like she was saying yes.

"Do try to not ruin our standing with any of the kingdoms Mira." I wondered if he was mainly referring to Tanborun's or Clarines's royalty when he said that.

"Don't worry I know how to deal with royals." As second in command I had traveled to many different kingdoms for the lions of the mountain. I had to learn quickly how to handle myself in front of them and other nobility.

"Be careful Mira." I gave my father one more hug until finally Kazuki came barreling to the stables. His breath ragged and he gulped the air forcing it into his lungs.

"Come Kazu, Clarines awaits." I laughed at the teens bewildered expression as he struggled to breathe.

My father offered me his hand and helped me up onto the saddle of Anri. Who was ready to go. She didn't get much exercise, the last trip to a neighboring kingdom was almost a year ago.

Kazuki, still trying to regulate his breathing, jumped onto his own saddle. Muttering something angry under his breath and then he shot off leaving me in the dust. My Father and I let out a laugh.

We looked at each other our smiles softening as we realized that we wouldn't see each other for awhile.

"I'll be back in a month." I reiterated knowing that this would be the longest time I would be gone from my home. I would miss it. Just as I had every time I left to hunt or to visit nobility.

"No, you won't." I scrunched my face together in confusion, "But I'll be ok."

I nodded and took off racing after Kazuki and Juniper. They were fast for sure, but Anri was faster. We bolted off like a wisp, Anri's main sparkling in the summer sun. It was the summer solstice, which meant we could make it to Clarines today if we kept up our pace. Or at least on the outskirts.

"Kazuki if I had known you were going to use the bathroom so often I would've left you on the mountain." We had stopped a total of three times in the past six hours and while we were nearing the outskirts we wouldn't make it to the capital by night fall.

I could either pick some little town and have us spend the night there or... I could head to Kunito Cove where some old friends lived. Who were probably mad at me considering I hadn't seen them in years.

"It's not my fault! It's fucking blistering out here!"

"Language." Kazuki rolled his eyes at me having been used to cussing a lot when he lived with the Sea's Talon.

"You can't say it isn't hot out here Blue, we have to stay hydrated!" Kazuki exclaimed though their words could barely be heard as they began to gallop once more.

If I wanted to get to the cove by nightfall we would have to hurry up the pace slightly. Kunito Cove was in-between the outskirts and the capital. It was about three hours in land and we were about two hours till we even made it to the outskirts.

As long as we kept a good pace we could arrive in the Cove just shy of eight o clock. If I had been the only one riding I could push myself through nightfall and get to the capital. But neither Kazu or Juniper were used to that kind of pace.

This was the first time Juniper had set out since she was one of the younger mares. She was actually meant to be Kazuki's sixteenth birthday gift from me. I was going to tell him his training was complete and he was free to go where he pleased... This was a better outcome.

"Let's take a thirty minute break once we enter the forest. We're going to try to make it farther inland so it'll be a short journey tomorrow." We would make it to the forest in around an hour and the shade from the trees would help Kazu.

"Are you sure? We can make it to the capital I don't mind." Kazuki yelled as our horses began to speed up making everything harder to hear.

I didn't give him a response instead I just motioned Anri to go as fast as she wanted. She was used to me making her limit her speed. But not today.

"Mira!" I heard my name being yelled in annoyance from behind me though I couldn't care right now. The wind on my face and the heat from the sun felt far too good on my skin.

I glanced back seeing Kazuki a couple of yards behind me though there was something else that caught my eye. Three chestnut horses about 500 yards away with masked riders.

"Kazuki!" I immediately had Anri run as fast as she possibly could towards the boy I had practically raised.

Bandits. Three all heading towards Kazuki and I, surely they thought a young boy and a girl were easy targets. I unsheathed my sword red filling my vision at the thought of someone hurting Kazu.

"I'm sure you'll find this place much nicer than your previous residency." I spoke to the twelve year old with a soft smile on my face, "You'll get you're own place once you're a little older. Until then you get to live with me."

My father was worried about me adding such a big responsibility on my plate considering I had only just turned nineteen myself. Barely an adult by the world's standards yet here I was practically adopting this kid.

"This is all for me?" My housing unit only had one bedroom, not that I would tell Kazuki that. It also had an extra room for a study, which is where I would be sleeping from now on.

The kid deserved his own room and his own things.

"Of course, rest up we start training tomorrow." I threw my bag onto the table wishing I could rest to. But I needed to go see how my troop was doing.

My first troop of hunters had come with us on the mission and a few of them had gotten hurt during close combat. Perhaps I could add swordsmanship into our regimen.

"Ma'am?" I glanced at the kid, he still wore the fancy frilly little outfit the nobles had put him in. He looked like a doll, "What training?"

"I'll return shortly with some clothes that you can wear instead of that stuffy get-up the nobles put you in." I didn't answer his question.

"Th-Thanks." I turned to head out of my home but I stopped not looking at him when I spoke next.

"I don't know what you've been through," I paused wondering how he had ended up a slave for nobility, "But you should know you are safe here. I won't let anyone force you to do anything you don't want to do."

I moved to open the door when a force collided me almost knocking me off balance. Two arms wrapped around my stomach from behind me and face burrowed into my back. I could barely tell that the kid was crying. He was probably used to having hide his fear and tears.

I didn't turn around knowing that he would probably apologize if I did. Instead, I stood there letting him get out all of his anger, his fear, and his sadness. It was probably ten minutes till he finally let go of me.

"I'm so-"

"Don't apologize, you've been through a lot." Only then did I turn around to face his tear stained face looking at me like I was some kind of savior.

"I will always be here for you if you need a shoulder to cry on." I ruffled his blonde locks affectionately knowing that while I may have basically adopted the kid. He wasn't my son, he was the brother I had always wanted.

Kazuki looked back where my attention was and immediately sheathed two short swords from his saddle. I rushed past him, then he followed right behind me, the bandits seemingly unworried that we were not running away.

"You dare come after my blood!" I roared as I came up upon one of the bandits my sword slashing towards him, his own sword blocking my strike.

"We just wanted the boy, you're free to go." The man's voice was cocky and I could only see his brown eyes ready to cut Kazuki down.

"He is my blood scum." I didn't take time to wonder why the bandits only wanted Kazu considering my sword had an emerald that would sell nicely.

I slipped out the knife that was always hidden on my side throwing it towards his head before he knew that I had pulled it. Then as he was worried about the blade I slashed towards him with my sword. Cutting him down with a single blow right across his neck.

His blood spattered onto my face, the warm red sliding down my chin onto my neck. I didn't care nor did I watch him slump off of his frantic horse. Instead I was already looking towards Kazuki as he battled against the leader's lackeys.

One glanced towards his boss had given Kazu enough time to send a knife right into the man's jugular. Blood spewed onto Kazu's clothes, the red seeping into the cloth.

The final lackey quickly made its escape not wanting to deal with us now. We didn't follow after him instead allowing him with his life but scarring him with the memory.

"And don't come back scum!" Kazuki yelled out towards the guy with a gleeful laugh.

"Kazu." I gestured towards the bodies that now marred the grassy field, "Let's not be inappropriate."

"What do we do with them now?" He asked looking towards me not used to killing people out in the middle of a random field.

"I suppose we ought to just leave them here, the animals will feed on them soon enough." I jumped off my saddle and grasped the reigns of the only horse who hadn't scared off.

"What were you talking about when you told him that I was your blood though?" Kazuki tilted his head in wonder at me trying to figure out what I had meant. How did he not realize by now that he was my family?

"You're my brother Kazu, blood or not." There was nothing worth anything in the bandits back, not even a few pieces of gold. Odd. I didn't even look at Kazuki when I said the words. They slipped off my tongue like water, quick. Nothing I had to think about hard.

We didn't talk much after that. Kazuki seemed stunned that after all this time I considered him family. I did not speak to give him the reflection time he needed to come into terms of everything that had happened. We had just killed two men.

We didn't take the break in the forest instead we rode the rest of the way to Kunito Cave. Mostly silent. The Cove was exactly how I remembered, the small town located on the harbor. The Salty breeze coming off of the ocean swishing through my hair and into my lungs.

I couldn't fight the smile that stretched on my face as we neared the Inn I had spent so much time in as a little girl. The house was only two stories and had a bar on the main floor. Still, they had the best ale in all of Clarines and the triplets that I had grown up with were some of my closest friends.

"You can take our horses to the stables on the other side on the inn. I'll get us a room." I didn't want him around for my little reunion just on the off case that one of the triplets got angry.

I assumed that the Triplets had probably taken over the place by now, they were a year older than me after all. Besides Ayaka and Hikaru had always had such vision when it came to the place. Once I had walked inside I was sure the two younger triplets had spent some time renovating the place. It had been completely transformed.

There were more decorations and new wallpaper adorning the traditional inn. Hikaru was the one at the desk, looking down and scribbling something down in his notebook. I leaned on the front desk, a small smile on my face, he was the youngest and the least likely to be angry with me.

The oldest Kaoru however would be a completely different story. He and I had... history that had to be broken off when we were younger. I had just become the second in command of the lions and had more duties than I could count. I didn't have time for anything more than that.

"Hey Hikaru, have any rooms available?" Hikaru's face whipped up from the notebook he had been writing in, a big, wide grin making its way onto his face.

"Mira!" He yelled with glee quickly making his way around the desk and tackling me into a hug, "You know we always have room for you!"

"I've got Kazu with me to, he'll need a room on his own." I had debated letting him loose so early on in our trip, but I knew I could trust him. He would never abandon me and if someone tried to hurt him now he could protect himself.

"We finally get to meet Kazuki?" I had only ever talked about Kazu to the triplets, since he had been in his training still when I had last came here. They had been concerned the first time I had told them about me taking care of him at such a young age. This had been shortly after becoming the second in command for the lions.

I had been anointed Second in Command on my eighteenth birthday, since that was the age limit to be in the role. Eight months later I met him, I barely knew anything about the world myself and yet... To date it was the best decision I had ever made.

It had felt so much longer than three years of having him by my side. I would give anything if we could've been the ones who had found him instead of the sea's talon. Maybe then he could've had such a better life. But I was determined to make sure he had a good life now.

"Yep, we're going to the capital to find my sister." Hikaru's eyes widening even further than I had thought possible. They knew about my sister to and why I had stayed away for so long.

"She's here in Clarines?" As far as the triplets knew Shirayuki was still in lovely Tanbarun. I nodded though not giving away why Shirayuki had to flee Tanbarun. I didn't need to get into the politics here for now, not that this was my first time dealing with politics in any Kingdom. I always tried to avoid Tanbarun though.

"I'm glad you're finally going to find her Mira, you deserve to know all of your family. Not just a single part." I had always made my family out of the people around me ever since I was a young child. It was the easiest way to keep myself from being, well lonely.

I lost my mom, we sent my sister away, and I only had my father left. I had to forge a family and I think I did fairly well.

"Where's the rest of you rugrats?" It would be better off for me to reunite with Ayaka and Kaoru before Kazu came back. Though I suspected the boy wouldn't be back for at least an hour. He loved the ocean and we were right next to a small fishing port.

I imagine that Kazu will walk through the port streets to see all the different things that the vendors are offering. Kunito Cove had two main exports: Red Salmon and Pink Pearls. They had little land to grow larger crops like tobacco and corn, but they used the space they had.

Herbs and Spices were always being traded, Kunito trading their Basil and Thyme for Paprika and Ginger. Even if they were a small port they were used frequently. I had taught him how to cook many dishes and he had found quite the love for it. I'm sure he would spend a sizable amount of coin before he got home.

"Mirayuki!" I looked to my left finding Ayaka and Kaoru watching me, one with a gleeful expression... the other not so much.

"Ayaka!" I smiled happily watching as she handed off the bottles of alcohol to Kaoru and came bouncing my way. Us wrapping each other in a large hug.

"I can't believe you're finally back! Are you heading to the capital again?" Ayaka refused to release me from my grasp, leaving my eyesight to only go one way. Right towards Kaoru.

He gave me just a small, tight lipped smirk. Barely noticeably to anyone else, but not to me. I had been learning to read his facial expressions for quite some time. I gave him one of my own hard to read expressions, barely letting a smile for him grace my lips. They were all a part of my family to.

"Kazuki's here and they are going to go find Shirayuki!" Hikaru explained to his family and I watched as Hikaru's facial expression became more vibrant.

"That's awesome Miyu!" Ayaka pulled just slightly out of the embrace to look at me with those happy doe eyes. A larger smile overtaking my face.

"I can't wait to meet Kazuki!" Ayaka continued to chat my ears off while she and Kaoru led me to the adjoining rooms they had for Kazu and I.

"We figured you'd want him to be close by but still have his own space so," Ayaka showed me how the door between the two rooms worked, "We figured this would give your mind some ease!"

"He probably won't return until after night falls, you may not meet him until the morning comes." I mentioned knowing all three of them were excited to meet the boy.

"That's alright Miyu, I need to go check on the bar anyways." Ayaka finally took the bottles from Kaoru looking towards him to see if he was coming.

"I'll be down in a minute, Aya." Kaoru finally spoke though his eyes were settled on me, a flash of heat went through me. He had been my first and my last, it had been quite some time since I had felt a man's touch.

Far too long.

Still the memory of our last departure came to the forefront of my mind.

It was only two months before my birthday and my father had already told me of his desire to make me the Second in command of the Lions. I had rode Anri all the way to Kunito Cove trying to think of what to do. I wanted to be in command, but how would that change me? I wouldn't be able to come here much anymore.

Kaoru, he... meant something to me.

We had started dating? Courting? Whatever we had started it had only begun five months ago. Though one could argue that we had feelings for each other long before then. Which probably started years ago, but that could be because he's the only male friend, minus Hikaru, that I had.

"Are you sure that you want to take up that mantle, Darling?" Kaoru asked whilst I laid in his arms, his voice a quiet breath against me. I let out a small unsure sigh, snuggling my face further into his side.

"It's all I've worked towards for the past five years Kaoru, I was only thirteen when I placed myself on this path." I rubbed small circles on his hand trying to think of something else to say.

"Is this something you still want though? Or are you just trying to fulfill the thirteen year old's dream?" That was the question wasn't it? A lot had changed and I was no longer that thirteen year old girl. Not even close.

He pulled me closer to him as if I was going to drift away right this very second. We were always fighting against time, weren't we? Even though I had known him since I was a child, it wasn't like he lived in the mountains. I had only come here a couple times each year, mainly to trade for things for the lions.

The lions were my life... Kunito Cove was just a small part of that life.

Even in his arms I was still thinking about some things I could surprise the lions with upon my return. A numerous amount of spices and herbs for our cooks. A few bundles of cloth as winter nears. Perhaps a bag of candy for the kids. I needed to protect my people and make sure they enjoyed life.

Whether or not that was a dream or not did not matter.

"I want to protect my people Kaoru, I want to help them live happy lives." I spoke softly knowing that is not what he wanted to hear. But it did not make it any less true to me.

"At the expense of your own dream? At the expense of having a husband and children and a family that-" I jerked away from his grasp like he had burned me, looking into his eyes. Regret, he hadn't meant it that way and yet...

"Are you saying that I can not have both? That I must choose between them?" Anger laced my tone and maybe I would've been calmer if I hadn't been so stressed. But right then that was the problem I could handle, not the lions.

"No, god, Mira I love you, you know that-"

"But is that enough for you? You won't move to the mountains, not when your family's legacy is here." He looked away guiltily like he had already thought about that long before now.

"Perhaps you could-" I cut him off already knowing what he was about to say.

"That's why you don't want me to become second in command," I paused climbing out of the bed ignoring his hand that tried to keep me there, "You know then I'll never leave my lions."

"Mira, we could be happy here... Don't you think?"

"I refuse to leave my lions for any man, if they can't come to the mountains then I don't want them."

"Hey... Kaoru." I swayed on my feet putting pressure on my left then my right multiple times. Trying to think of what to say to him... considering all that we had done before that point. We had only dated for a couple months and yet... and yet he was my heart beat for so long.

"Mira." I guess he couldn't help it or maybe he had actually missed me. Yet, I wasn't surprised when he stopped talking, the only word he had uttered was my name.

His arms were upon me boxing me against the wall before I could blink. His lips pressed against mine burning ever inch of my very being. His familiarity and warmth seeped into me, making me question why it had taken so long. A content sigh slipped past my lips as my hands went up from his chest hooking around the back of his neck.

"Kaoru." I whispered in between his attack of kisses while I tried to get more life filling air in my lungs. A groan slipped from his throat sending vibrations through his mouth into mine. Desire flooded my body and I shifted my thighs around. Too much. It was all too much.

"I've missed you so much Mira." His voice came out as a choked whisper breaking the kiss and forcing me to meet his eyes. Those crystal blue orbs that reminded me so much of the ocean nearby. Tears were welling up in them threatening to spill over.

"Kaoru I-" I sighed not knowing what to say, "I can't."

Why did it have to be now? The last few times I had come to visit he had completely ignored me. Avoiding me so that we couldn't even talk, let alone talk about what had happened.

"I know, I just-" He groaned, this time in displeasure, "You'll be gone tomorrow so can't we just have this one night?"

"I don't know-" I mumbled thinking about the potential repercussions of laying with him once more and yet...

"Please Mira." He pleaded with me and I knew my answer.

"Okay."