"Okay, Kurama, what's the matter?" Aara finally asked.

"Kelte?"

"Yes, he arrived late yesterday afternoon..." Kurama said. "With Taka."

"Taka?  The Demon Hawk ruler?" Aara asked.  She sighed when he hesitated to go on.  Am I going to have to pull every scrap of information out of him one by one?  

"That's wonderful!  The Hawks can cover so much more territory than we can by foot.  The Dragons are trying to help but they fly so high that they can't do much good.  If they fly lower, they panic the livestock." Aara exclaimed.  Kurama remained silent.  "I'm not understanding what the problem is.  Isn't her help a good thing?"

"Kelte asked to spend the night -- with her."

"I didn't realize they were involved with each other."

"They aren't -- rather, they weren't.  Kelte didn't even know her until yesterday."

"Well, I don't know about Hawks, but aren't Foxes very free with their sexual partners?  I'm still not understanding the problem."

Kurama looked at her.  "Hawks are pretty much the same as Foxes when it comes to sex -- well, maybe not quite as bad -- but they usually stay within their own species.  A Fox and a Hawk have never joined before.  Our species are just too different."

"But in your human forms, you're exactly alike, aren't you?" Aara asked.

"Yes, but I just have a feeling that nothing good is going to come of this.  We finally have a treaty with Mukuro and I don't want anything to ruin it."

"Let's not borrow trouble before it arrives.  Maybe they'll fall in love and everything will be perfect!" Aara told him.  "Look for the good, Kurama."

"I'm trying to, but I just have this bad feeling..." 

With that the Fox left.  He went to see if Kelte and Taka were up yet.  He couldn't shake the feeling of dread at the thought of them together.  It was almost like a premonition.

Kelte looked at the woman in his arms and kissed the top of her head. 

Feathers ... her blue hair was made of fine, long feathers.  He sat there silently, not wanting to disturb her, his thoughts filled with the future.  If they mated, their two clans could unite, becoming stronger.  Kelte stopped short -- was I actually thinking of mating?  Yes, he admitted to himself, he was.  I could be happy in this lady's arms. 

It was late morning before Taka finally stirred, sitting up and yawning.  She stretched her arms up in the air, her gown opening, revealed small pale breasts.  Kelte reached for one of them, running his fingers across the pale nipple.

"Didn't you get enough last night?" Taka asked as she pushed his hand away.  There was no humor in her voice.  She got out of bed and went into the bathroom without another word.  

Kelte stared after her, his brow furrowed as he tried to understand, when he heard the sound of Taka running a bath.  Deciding to try again, he padded to the bathroom naked and moved behind her, his arms around her waist.  He kissed her shoulder.  "Want some company?"

Taka whirled around to face him.  "What are you doing?"

"I just thought we'd share a bath and maybe it will lead to something else."

"I thought you understood.  I don't want any commitments!  Last night was fun -- you were great -- but I'm not interested in a relationship," Taka said, her voice tinged with anger.

Kelte backed off immediately, muttered an apology and left the bathroom.  What just happened? Last night had been wonderful and he was sure she enjoyed it as much as he did.  Why did she get so angry at him?  He waited for Taka to come out of the bathroom, needing to clarify things.

"I'm sorry if I upset you." He said when she walked out.  "I thought you had a good time last night."

"I did.  You're great in bed and I've always wanted to have sex with a Fox."

Kelte looked at the floor.  Was that all last night was?  Just another thing to try?  "Well, okay, then.  Thanks for last night."  He told her and then left the room.  He saw Kurama coming towards him and went to meet his friend.

"So how'd it go?" Kurama asked lightly, trying to be jovial.

"Okay." Kelte replied.

"That's it?  Okay?"

"I really like her, Kurama, but she doesn't want to have any more to do with me.  To her, last night was just trying out a Fox." Kelte told him sadly.

"Oh.  Kelte, I'm sorry, but perhaps it is just as well.  Our species are too far apart."

"It sure didn't feel like that last night."

"Well, you were in your human forms.  But in your true forms, you are a fox and she is a bird.  I don't see much compatibility there."

"Perhaps you are right.  Oh well, at least last night will be a wonderful memory," Kelte said with a shrug.  "I'm starving.  Where can we get some breakfast?"

About a half hour later, Taka came down and joined them.  "Can you give me a description of the children?  How many are there?" She asked Kurama, ignoring Kelte completely.

"There are five of them.  We found out that the entity who kidnapped them had the power to age them.  He changed a newborn into a 14-year-old in seconds.  So the children could be any age."

"That is going to make it very hard to find them."

"That's why we're grateful for any help you can give us.  The first child is the Prince of Suzaku, a human, who is -- or was -- eight years old. .  He has black hair and dark blue eyes.  His name is Hotoshin.  Kenji was a two-year-old boy, the son of Kenshin.  He has dark brown hair and dark blue eyes.  Both of his parents come from the Human World, so his scent may be a little different from Otherworld humans.  Kayla ...."

"I know of her -- she is the granddaughter of Kouga and of the red-head she-Wolf that his son mated with.  She has the power of fire.  We keep an eye on her because of her powers."

"True, but she is also the granddaughter of Naraku.  Ayame and Naraku are her grandparents on her mother's side.  That is where her fire powers come from."

"Interesting!  We always wondered how a Hanyou Wolf could be a fire master.  She has reddish hair and brown eyes, about 14 years old right?"

"Yes.  She's the oldest of the children.  The fourth is Kara, the daughter of Kamara and Kiba.  So she is half Demon Wolf and half Hanyou Wolf demon.  Her scent may also be different because of this.  She has black hair and vivid sky blue eyes."

"It has been doubly hard because Kouga and Kome were both asleep.  Now that they're awake, they've joined the search, along with the other Wolf Demons.  Kiba has the Demon Wolves of the Western Mountains searching that area."

"You said there were five?"

"That makes her part Dog Demon?"

"Ah, not exactly. Her mother is ... unusual.  Suffice it to say, the girl is half human."

"Very well. So exactly what territory is already being covered and where do you want my Hawks to concentrate their search?'

"The Bobcats are searching the mountains of Suzaku.  The soldiers are searching the villages.  Kouga and his wolves are searching the southern part of Otherworld, and Kiba is searching the Western Mountains and all the farms and village near them.  Soldiers from Otherworld are also searching the Northern Mountains with the help of the Northern Wolf Clan.  Your Hawks could help with the more remote farms and unknown settlements. These settlements take us a long time to reach and waste precious manpower.  Your Hawks should be able locate and fly to them easily." 

"I'll have them start searching as soon as I return to my aerie."

"I'll have Bakura open a portal to your aerie." Kurama stood up.  "Thank you very much for your help, Taka."

"I'm glad to be of service." Taka said graciously. 

Kurama left the room, leaving her alone with Kelte.

"I'm sorry if I offended you earlier, Taka." Kelte began, still trying to figure out what had happened between them.

"I just wanted you to understand that I don't want a commitment of any sort, not just with you.  I'm sorry if I was rude."

"I don't want a commitment either." Kelte told her, knowing it was a lie.  "I just want to spend more time with you."

"For sexual pleasure only?"

Kelte wasn't sure how to answer that.  He had a fifty-fifty change of getting it wrong.  "Yes, only for the sex." Another lie!  Great!  

"That would be acceptable.  I'll come to your dens on occasion."

"You're welcome at any time."

"I have one question." Taka looked at the Fox.  "How different are you when you're in heat?  I've heard about the famous Fox heats."

"The only thing that is different is that I do not discern between my partners.  When I'm in heat, anybody will suffice."

"Ah!" Taka stood up and offered the Fox her hand.  "I'll see you soon."

Kelte stood up as he took her hand.  "I'll look forward to it."

He watched her walk out of the room.  "Oh man!" he exclaimed to himself.  He had definitely bitten off a lot more than he could chew.  She only wanted sex from him -- and he was falling in love!

The young girl still had not spoken a word.  Keiko told her husband that Kaiba confirmed there was nothing physically wrong with her. Some trauma had occurred to her and only time would sort things out.

"Do you think Mariah's trauma had something to do with that entity?  She did show up at about the same time." Yusuke pondered.

Running feet leaped up the porch stairs and continued through the house to the wash room.  Minutes later a little girl came out proudly displaying two very clean hands and one very dirty face.  Yusuke broke down laughing at the sight.  His wife gave him a scolding look.

He could hear Keiko chuckling in the kitchen.  Yes, Yusuke thought, he was very pleased to have a new daughter in his life.  His house was a home once again.

She was suppose to be gathering the eggs and feeding the chickens. This was a chore assigned to her because it was simple enough they thought that even she could not mess it up.

Instead of egg gathering, Luka was sitting in the window thinking about her dreams.

It was late afternoon and Buru and Bouya were weeding the vegetable garden while Akai was making cornbread for dinner. Kimi had just come in from taking care of the cows and was looking for something cool to drink. He stopped in the doorway, watching Akai mixing the cornbread. She was bending over and all he could think about was how her breasts were pressed against the fabric of her dress. Kimi gulped. What kind of thoughts were those to have for your own sister! But he couldn't help it! Every time he looked at her, he noticed her breasts or her soft hair or her full lips.

Flustered by her thoughts and his stare, she took a stirring swipe too wide and the spoon slipped out of the bowl.  She lost the utensil and splattered cornbread mix all over the floor.  Kimi rushed in to help her clean up the mess, kneeling down next to her.  She looked up at him and suddenly their lips were so close.  Just a slight movement forward...

"I'm sorry!  I'm so sorry!"  He cried and then bolted from the house.

"No, Kimi!  Don't leave!" Akai called after him, but the boy ignored her and ran into the woods behind the house.

Luka saw him run by and disappear. She could heard her sister calling after him.

Kimi ran unheeding through the woods.  What was wrong with him!  How could he desire his own sister?  But Akai had kissed him back!  He had to get away -- running from his thoughts and his feelings.  He ran until he was exhausted.  Slowing to a walk all he could think of was that kiss, his mind in turmoil.  

When he finally stopped to rest, the sun was dipping low in the sky.  Soon it would be dark.  Kimi looked around, but saw nothing familiar.  He tried to backtrack but soon lost his own trail in the leaf-covered floor of the forest.  He was completely lost!  Trying hard not to panic, he went first one way, then another, trying to recognize something.  The darkness closed over him.  He stood there, completely lost and uncertain of what to do next.  If he continued in the dark, he might go further into the forest, but he didn't even know which way was which.

Then he heard a twig snap and whirled around.

In the black of the forest he saw two yellow eyes, and then another pair, and yet another.  Then he heard a low growl.  Kimi backed against a tree and looked up.  Its branches were too high up for him to climb it.  He picked up a sturdy branch and stood waiting.  The eyes were steadily moving closer.