Unfortunately, there was the matter of his nephew, Kyosohma, and the Blood Demon Yuki.  Somehow she had enthralled them and they always seemed to be hovering nearby. How she tolerated their squabbling with each other, he would never understand.  He also learned they shared her bed, so it was obviously more than just a spell.  It was a sexual liaison.  But she did not seem to be happy with them.  She tended to ignore them at dinners and other functions.  It seemed as if sleeping with the two young demons had become a duty rather than a pleasure.  He did not understand it.  Worse, he did not know how to help her solve her problem.  He admitted, at least to himself, that he was in love with her, and -- at times, it seems as if she might like him too -- but it always came back to the two boys standing in the way.

He heard that Kiba, the young Demon Wolf, had been in a similar situation.  His mate, Akina, had another lover when they mated.  Kiba managed to accept the arrangement.  Still, Kiba was a Wolf with a soul-mate bond and Hiya had been a female.  Kyosohma and Yuki were males!  How could he bear sharing Kage with two other males?  Kyo did it with Vara and Vash shared Princess Aara with her males, but Vara and Aara bound Demons to protect their lands.  It was their duty.  Kage's boys were a different story.

Tennu sighed.  He wanted to be with Kage, but couldn't think of any way to do it.  Why had she enchanted them in the first place?  Perhaps an answer could be found there...

As he floated over the Northern keep, he saw Kage sitting in her tower, near one of the open windows.  Just the sight of her excited him.  His heart pounded with joy to see she was alone.  He longed to talk to her, even to just be in the same room with her.

"This is ridiculous," he said to himself.  "This love will go nowhere if I am meek. It's time to change strategy."

Tennu flew in the window.  Startled Kage gave a little cry of alarm, raising her hands to cast a spell.  He winced and braced for the repercussions of his foolish impulsiveness.  Fortunately, the pain never came.

"By the gods, Tennu.  I almost fried you!" Kage growled.

“Forgive me! I didn’t mean to startle you.” Tennu apologized with a little bow, but in all honesty, he really wasn't repentant. 

Kage sighed and shook her head.  He smiled and crinkled his forehead, looking for some sign that she was glad to see him.

She smiled and quietly said, “It’s okay."

Yes... Tennu took the opportunity to sit down beside her. She looked at him in surprise.  Usually he was not this forward, but he was determined to make his move.

“What is it?” she asked.  She blushed and looked down.

Was it nervousness that made her look away or disinterest?  Only one way to find out.

“Well, I know you are not like the Princess or Queen Vara, yet you have Yuki and Kyosohma bound to you. May I ask how?”

Kage blush even deeper and refused to meet his eyes.  It must have been too much. He should not have inquired.

"I'm sorry.  Please forget I asked."

"No, no, it’s okay," Kage said.  She sighed and continued, "I'm just embarrassed by my foolishness. I was just playing around and now I can’t break the spell.”

"Ah!  A spell....?” Tennu said. This much he had already guessed but true to his innocent role he asked, “So you are not in love with them?”

“Goodness, no! I was … ah …experimenting."

She blushed again. He smiled. She blushes when she lies.  But what was she lying about?  It was obvious she did not love them.  Was she embarrassed by them or by what she did to bind them?  The Princesses use sex when they bound males.  She could have used a similar method.  Kage is young.  Maybe sex was still embarrassing to her. 

“I assume you have tried to break the spell,” he asked.

“Yes, of course, but without success. Bakura, Akina, Lady Jaal -- just about everyone tried -- but the spell will not break. It was just supposed to be a little fairy tale.  Now it's a nightmare.”

“A fairy tale?” He had never heard of that term.  Maybe it was important.

“Fairy tales are little fantasy stories told in the Human World to young children.” Kage explained.

“Okay.... And just how are fairy tale spells broken in these stories?” Tennu leaned in closer and lowered his voice to a deep whisper. She had to look at him then.  It was reflex.  Invade their space and entice them with his voice, worked almost every time.  Other women told him his voice reminded them of distant thunder. It was having the desired effect on Kage too.  He smiled when he heard her gasp and met her gaze as she stared into his eyes as if mesmerized.

“With love’s first kiss.” She murmured, her cheeks reddening even deeper.

Tennu raised his eyebrows.  Could it be that simple?  She wasn't in love with the boys, that was obvious.  She had tried to break the spell the conventional way but couldn't.  'Love's first kiss'?  It was a gamble for sure, but he knew he had try, regardless of the consequences -- even if it failed -- even if he had to share her in the end.  He couldn't turn back now.

“Do you mean a kiss like this?” Please do not let her turn away. His lips touched hers, gently at first, then harder and deeper. His hands captured her so she couldn't escape.  Please don't let me be wrong.

He could feel the tension in her body mount.  She could kill him if he was wrong.  But if he was wrong, he really did not want to go on. Then he felt the tears on his hand.  She was crying.  Why?  Why was she resisting his love?  Couldn't she tell how much he wanted her?  Her lips were so sweet.  Her smell of herbs and flowers were intoxicating.  Please Kage, please be in love with me too! 

Suddenly she wrapped her arms around him and returned his kiss without restraint. His whole body reacted, creating an euphoria which he never wanted to stop.

Finally they had to come apart if just to catch their breath.

She laughed as she wiped at her tears. "What a fool I've been. This is the way it's supposed to feel!  This is truly 'love's first kiss'!"

He smiled and kissed her again.

“Are you all right?  You look a bit pale.” Iome asked.

“Something's different.  I don’t know what....”

Kyosohma burst into the room without knocking. “Did you feel that?”

“Yes. Something's changed.” Yuki said. For the first time he didn't growl at the Bobcat for barging into his room.

“It feels like a weight has been lifted -- like being set free.” Kyosohma said. “Do you think the spell….?”

Getting to his feet, Yuki said, “We won't know for sure until we find Kage.”

He led the way up the stairs to the top floor, Iome and Kyosohma right on his heels. He threw open the door and halted in shock.  The other two couldn't stop in time and pushed him into room.

Yuki gaped at the scene.  Kage and Tennu were embraced and passionately kissing, totally oblivious to their entrance. To his surprise, he felt nothing! Yuki turned to Kyosohma. The Bobcat looked as shocked as he felt.  Even Iome stood there gaping.  Yuki asked the obvious question to Kyosohma silently with his expression.  The Bobcat shook his head.

He couldn't stop the grin if he tried as he exclaimed, “The spell's broken!! We’re free!”

Kage gasped in surprise and broke their kiss.  She stared at Tennu blinking.  He smiled and gently wiped away her tears.  He took her hand as they turned to face the intruders.

“Free?" Kage asked. "You mean the spell is gone?”

“It appears so! Neither of us felt any jealousy when we saw you kissing Tennu.” Yuki said. 

Beside him, Kyosohma nodded in agreement.

Tennu turned to Kage and gently squeezed her hand.

Grinning, the man said, “So, 'love’s first kiss' really does work.”

Kage lowered her head, blushing as a smile touched her lips. 

"Love's first kiss?" Kyosohma queried, with raised eyebrows.  "Uncle!  Have you been lusting after Kage all this time?  I should be furious at you, but instead... Congratulations!  It's about time you found somebody to love."  He patted Yuki on the back.  "Why don't we give these lovers some alone time and tell Namari the news." 

They turned and walked out the door. 

"I intend to return to Suzaku.  What about you two?" Kyosohma asked.

Yuki looked at Iome and said, "I don't know.  What's left of our clan is in the Eastern Lands and I definitely don't want to go there."

Iome nodded in agreement. "We don't have to decide right away.  Let's enjoy our freedom for a little while," his partner said.

Tennu and Kage could still hear their voices echo up the stairs.  Tennu looked at Kage and saw her smile with relief. He smiled too.

"Looks like you are finally a free woman.  How does it feel?"

"I can't believe it. Why did you kiss me?" she asked quietly.

"Because I have loved you since the moment I first saw you.  I finally decided I had to be part of your life, even if I had to share you."  He confessed.  "Tell me the truth. Do you feel something for me too?"

Kage laughed softly. Tennu loved the sound of her laughter. He suddenly realized he had not heard it before today.

"I think that's rather apparent," she said as she waved toward the empty stairwell. She looked into his eyes, suddenly very serious. "I felt the same way as you when I first saw you.  It was the day Namari first arrived in the Northern Lands.  Somehow I knew you were the mate I had been looking for.  But I had the boys...." Kage's voice faltered.

"Do not fret about the past.  You are free now."  Tennu lifted her face up and kissed her again.  "I suppose we should see the boys off."  He turned and reached down a hand. 

Kage took it, but instead of heading for the stairs she brought his hand up to her lips.

"Later," she said with a smile. She kissed the palm of his hand. "They need packing time after all."

"Yes!  I'm sure they'll need lots of time!"  With a laugh, Tennu scooped her up and carried his new found love to her bedroom.

Two hours later, Kage and Tennu joined the excited crowd.  Everyone was still talking at once.  Yuki and Iome were happily telling everyone how the spell had broken and Kyosohma was smiling as he told everyone that Tennu had found love by stealing their girl.  Namari was the first to spot the new couple's arrival. They watched as she lead the crowd of well wishers to greet them.

"So, how did this miracle happen?"

"I'm not sure." Kage admitted.  "Tennu kissed me and the spell broke."

"It was love's first kiss." Tennu added with a smile.

"Ah, love!  That is the strongest magic of them all!" Namari said with a laugh. 

"But I still don't understand how it worked when nothing else did." Kage frowned.

"I think it worked because you believed it would."  Kain commented, overhearing the conversation as he waited to congratulate the new couple.  "After all, it was your spell.  You had to truly want it to break and believe in your own power."

"That sort of makes sense." Namari agreed.  "You had to believe -- and you did!  You freed the boys -- and yourself along with them.  So now what are your plans?"  She included the boys with a gesture of her head.

"What about you, Yuki, and Iome?"  Namari asked.

"I guess we'll go first to the Castle to tell my father."  Yuki said.  After that, I'm not sure.  We don't really have a clan anymore.  Just Kal and my father."

"And what about you, Kage?" Namari asked.

Tennu placed a possessive arm around her waist as he echoed, "Yes.... What about you, my love?"

Kage looked at the floor.  "I'm not sure...  I was raised in Human World.  This quick 'make love and you're mated' thing just doesn't seem right."

Kyosohma looked at her in astonishment. "What do you mean, 'doesn't seem right'? You're in love, so you're going to settle right here with Tennu of course.  Tennu will do it too, even if he has to mate you the Human World way."

She blushed as Tennu squeezed her hand and smiled at her. 

"The Human World way? That sounds like an excellent plan, cousin!"  Tennu turned to stand directly in front of her.  "Will you do that, Kage ... mate with me and live here in the Northern Keep forever?  Will you help me keep it safe from harm, and fill our little tower will love?"

Kage blushed deep red as the room went silent.  Everyone was holding their breath as they leaned forward to hear her reply.  She gazed into his eyes.  Her eyes were filled with longing and hope.  He hoped his eyes reflected his desire and earnest.  She closed her eyes.  Was she having second thoughts? Tears appeared in the corner of her eyes.  Were they tears of joy or sorrow?  He knew he was going to die of anxiety if she did not answer soon.

She smiled at him and in a quiet voice said.  "Yes.  You know I've already accepted.  And really, I don't need a ceremony.  I love you and I'm yours forever."

Tennu took her hands in his.  "And I pledge myself to you for eternity, Lady Kage, my newly-made mate."  Then he kissed her to the applause of everyone.

After the kiss ended, Kage turned to Kyosohma and Yuki.  She said, "I hope you both find happiness. I'm so sorry about what I did."

"Well, I learned a lot." The Bobcat said wryly.

"I hope some of it was good," she said.

"Of course! I learned that I do not want the life of a solitary Bobcat.  I want to find a mate and settle down one day, like my father.  I don't want to live in the Dens."

Namari laid a hand on the young Bobcat's shoulder and said, "I wish you much luck, Kyosohma.  It has been a pleasure having you here.  Know that you are always welcome if you choose to return." 

"Thank you, Lady Namari." Kyosohma bowed.  "Farewell, my friends!"  He waved as he departed.  The crowd waved after him.

"And you, Yuki?" Kage asked.  "Am I forgiven?"

"Yes, of course you are, my Lady." Yuki smiled.  "You may not believe this but you probably save our lives.  For that I thank you.  I learned a lot, and I still have Iome.  You need not be worried."

"Tell Lord Shido that I'm sorry about everything."

"He already knows, but I will convey your message," Yuki promised.  "I wish you much happiness with Lord Tennu."

"Thank you."

Yuki turned to the Northern Ruler and said, "Lady Namari, thank you for your hospitality these last few months.  If you ever have need of us, just call and we will come to your aid."

"Thank you, Yuki -- and Iome.  I will miss you both."

With a final goodbye to Kage, they walked to the White Tower portal together.  After the Blood Demons' departure, the crowd slowly dispersed until it was just Namari standing alone with them.

"Well, that's done. You two should go now.  It's time for you to start your life together.  I wish you much happiness!" Namari gave them each a hand and then walked back into the Keep.

"This is happening so fast.  A big part of my life just ended." Kage said, her voice sounded sad as she gazed at the faint blue lines of the portal in the distance.

“Any regrets?" he asked.

"No, my love, not at all.”

"Good!" He scooped her into his arms. “Your new life awaits.”

"What the...  What are you doing?" she asked.  She gripped him harder as swirls of wind began to whirl around them.

"Tennu?"

"Hold on."

She squealed in fright as they were lifted into the air.  She buried her head into his shoulder as they went higher and higher until he stepped on to the roof of the tower.

It took a minute before Kage loosened her arms.

“That's going to take some getting used to!”

Tennu laughed. “Believe me, you will get lots of practice! Now, Kage, shall we?”

 “Shall we what?”

“Begin our life together."

"Yes!" Kage wrapped her arms around Tennu and looked up into his eyes.  “I never believed I could be this happy!”

A gust of wind spun around them, catching her long red-streaked black hair and blending it into his. She laughed happily as he spun her around in the wind. He was so happy!  He could not believe his fortune.  His only regret is that he had not done it sooner.