Fan Fiction ❯ Six Years ❯ Chapter 6

Lee rode his horse in silence and Asuka watched him. She knew that he was still upset over his father's choice and there wasn't anything she could do to change his feelings.

"I've got an idea," Asuka said and Lee glanced at her. "Why don't we head for a human village? They'd never think to look for us there."

"We're not human, Mother."

"True, but we can look like humans."

Lee watched his mother's wings disappear and stared at her. Her ears were shorter and her fingers had lessened in size. He found her strange in this form and even though she smiled comfortingly at him, he didn't feel comforted.

"You'll get used to it, Lee," she said and pointed to his wings. "Now it's your turn."

"Do I have to?" he asked.

"Yes."

Lee sighed and closed his eyes. Asuka watched his violet wings disappear and smiled. Lee opened his eyes and stared at his shortened fingers. He shrugged his shoulders then glanced back at them.

"I bet I look terrible, don't I?"

"You don't look terrible, Lee. You're a cute human."

Lee folded his arms and Asuka smiled. She knew he resented the comment but it was something he'd have to get used to. In demon folklore, it was said that humans came from the bloodline of Humandiaz, a headstrong major of Shorel's army. Humandiaz was given a dishonorable discharge and he fled to the strange northern lands in shame. It was there that the humans were born. But because of the dishonor Humandiaz had caused, humans were never accepted as equals. Lee hated lowering his standards to that of a human but it seemed to be the only means of escape.

"I know they are low class," Asuka said as she coaxed her horse in a different direction. "But we have no other choice. Not if we want to live."

Lee sighed as he gazed up at the sky. He knew there was no way to bring his father back but he wished he could speak to him. He wanted to completely understand his father's decision of following the king.

"Do not put too much thought into why he did what he did, Lee. There is nothing that can be done about it now," Asuka said and Lee sighed.

"I know. I just can't help but feel that somehow his death is because I let him down in some way," Lee replied and Asuka brought her horse to a halt.

"What are you talking about?"

"Well I know I'm supposed to be Ryo's...advisor but it's really hard to get close to him. I don't know if I'll ever be as good as Father was with Niezon. I may fail our family."

"Lee, Ryoshan is only ten. He's not even thinking about love yet. He's more interested in being a child than anything else."

"And he doesn't even get that luxury. He's always taking lessons from Karu or training. I guess it's no surprise that he's jealous of me. I get to do things he's not allowed to do."

"See? It's not because he hates you, it's because he's envious of your freedom."

"I never thought of it that way. Thank you, Mother," Lee said and Asuka smiled.

"You're welcome Lee. Now the only thing you have to worry about is catching his eye. I hope Caedin is dealing with her loss well," Asuka said as she directed her horse towards the lights of a distant village.

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Kana leaned against the bark of a Juin tree with his eyes closed and a hand down his pants. He was thinking about Ura and his request to become closer. Perhaps he should have broken his vow just that once...He sighed as he withdrew his hand. He could never go against a promise. He placed his hand down his pants again, then stopped. He couldn't do it to himself even though he wanted it. If Ura were still alive, his desires would be satisfied but Ura was dead and Ryo was not old enough to understand his desires. His ears twitched alertly as he sniffed the air. He recognized the scent and he gazed up into the air just as a shape descended to the ground. The form had bluish white wings with the military demon code branded on the right outermost wing tip. The shape crouched in that position for a few seconds more then jumped up.

"Izo, what are you doing here?" Kana asked as the tall, fair and almost elven-like demon folded back his wings. He then brushed off his cream colored outfit and grinned at his superior officer.

"I'm from this part of the country. I had to go back home to sort out a land rights problem, remember? Now what are you doing here and what's with these rumors about the castle?" he inquired.

"Is there room at your place?"

"Don't tell me you came all this way because you missed me."

"That's not the entire reason. Ryoshan has been sleeping poorly and I thought an actual bed might help."

"I thought his scent was awfully thick around you. Where is he?"

"Between Vengeance and Nightwing. He's less likely to be spotted there," Kana said as he and Izo walked towards the horses.

"What happened to that captain? The one with a lot of potential. You picked him out yourself, didn't you sir?"

"I pick all my soldiers," Kana said as Vengeance gazed sleepily up at him. "Please do not step on the young prince when you rise."

Vengeance glared at him and rose slowly. He carefully stepped over Ryo and made his way to Kana. Izo patted the stallion's head and Vengeance licked him.

"Has he been treating you well?" Izo asked then turned his attention back to Kana. "So what happened to him?"

"He was killed by a wild animal. It attacked Ryo but Ura protected him. Unfortunately Ura had chosen the wrong weapon to use so instead of driving the creature off, he merely enraged it. It went for Ura and I killed the creature but I couldn't save him."

Izo sighed as he gently woke Nightwing and directed him away from Ryo. Nightwing then turned around and nuzzled Ryo's feet. Ryo drew his feet up closer to the rest of his body and wrapped the blanket tighter around him.

"It's a shame we lost him," he said as he watched Kana. "He loved you."

"I told him I couldn't return the emotion," Kana replied as he pulled the blanket off of Ryo's sleeping figure.

"You're still going on about Celcian, aren't you? It wasn't your fault."

"I stood there and watched him die. I could have pulled back. I could have..."

"Sir I'd like to remind you of something," Izo said as Ryo yawned and sat up. He rubbed his eyes as Kana knelt beside him.

"What do you want to say?" Kana asked.

"When Celcian joined your ranks, I'm sure he was aware of the danger. In fact I know he was. From the moment we are born, we are taught just how final our lives are and how we should not fear death. I'm also sure he was aware of the danger when he became involved with you. The lover of a prominent general is a prominent target for one's enemies. Now I know he was slain but that was because he was at the front."

"I know how he died. I saw it. I was there."

"Celcian was doing what you ordered. He was fully aware of the danger and he did it because he not only wanted to do it, but because he loved you as well. I would have done the same thing in his place."

"What's going on?" Ryo asked then looked at Izo. "what are you doing here?"

"I came to check on the general. I was doing some scouting and I caught his scent. So where's your dad?" Izo asked and Ryo turned away.

"Izo didn't know, Ryoshan. We'll be staying at his village, though. You'll be able to sleep well soon," Kana said as Izo knelt beside him.

"I'm sorry Ryoshan. I didn't exactly know what happened at the castle. Where's...?" Izo asked and Kana laid a hand on his shoulder.

"I'll explain everything to you at your place," he said and Izo nodded his head.

"Then let's get going. I'm sure the young prince is hungry."