"Is she still seeing the Moth?" Kurama looked up from his papers.

"Yes.  She only returns to her Villa sporadically to check the barrier.  I believe every three or four days."

"What about her males?"

"According to Ritsu, when they are in need, they go to the White Palace and then return home."

“I pity them."  Kurama said sadly.  "I will escort you, but we should also include someone with more power than I.”

“My sisters wish me no harm and Bakura will open a portal right at their front door.”

“I would still feel better if we took Bakura or one of the others with us.” Kurama insisted.

“Very well, I'll bring Bakura if it makes you feel better.” Aara relented.

Kurama nodded. “Good.  I’ve never been to Athara or Aratha’s castles.”

“Actually neither of them have castles. That was my personal preference. Their homes are more like Arina’s Villa.”

“Hopefully, that's the only thing they modeled after Arina.” Kurama said quietly to himself.

A few hours later, the three of them stood in front of Athara’s front door. A servant greeted them.  After bowing to the Princess, she lead them trough the Villa and stopped at a closed door.  She indicating that her mistress was inside and departed. Aara knocked lightly and heard a “come in” through the door. She entered with Kurama and Bakura right behind her.

The room was beautifully adorned study featuring a large window seat that looked out on the beautiful garden. The dark reddish walls were covered with bookshelves full of books. Their attention finally turned to Athara, who was leaning across a large desk, idly flipping through pages of a book. Directly behind her stood one of her males, a Wolf Demon if she was not mistaken. It was an odd position but it still took Aara a few seconds to realize what was happening.

The male was copulating with Athara. Her dress was bunched up on her back and he was bumping tightly and rapidly against her rump; his face and movements made it completely obvious. Aara turned bright red as she swung around, shoved her own startled males out the door, and slammed it shut behind her.

“Foolish servant! She could have warned us.” Aara exclaimed, completely flustered. “I can’t believe Athara allowed us to walk in like that!!”

"Wolf, tell my sister it's safe to come in now."

Beowulf flushed deep red with embarrassment as he nodded to the Princess and hurried past.

"So, he was Wolf Demon.  I thought as much."  Aara said with a tinge of anger.  She whispered to her males, "It's bad enough she bound one of their kind in the first place, but to treat him so callously...  I just don't understand her."

Kurama gave her a 'what did you expect' shrug as he opened the door for her. Her sister was busy adjusting her dress and cloak. Athara had the same coloring as Vara but not the same beauty.

“I am so sorry…” Aara began.

“For what?” Athara looked at her youngest sister with puzzled eyes.

“For barging in like that! Your servant neglected to tell us you were....ah....busy.”

All three visitors gasped in amazement. Aara wondered if she, alone of all her sisters, treated her Demons with love and respect.  What a terribly sad life their males must lead!!

“I certainly don’t have sex with them out in the open!!” Aara exclaimed.

“Why not?”

“What?!? You can’t mean that!”

“Of course I do. Since I am forced to have sex with them, I want it done as quickly as possible so I can get on with my life.”

“You sound like their needs are an inconvenience to you.” Aara said sadly. “Can you not sense them? It is not just the sex that they need – they need affection. They need to be loved!”

“Loved?! So, Arina was right!  She told me you coddle your males too much.” Athara said. “Fortunately, she taught me how to push their frivolous needs to back of my mind. I am sure she taught you the same, since you were her pupil. Honestly, Aara.  I do not know where you come up with your ridiculous ideas. They don't need love.  They're Demons!  All they need is sex every so often. We bind the males to protect the barriers, not to love them! Did you use love as a criteria for choosing your males? No wonder you bound such useless ones! This one…” indicating Kurama. “...at least I can understand.  He used to be powerful.  Of course, now he’s barely more than a teenaged human but since the binding cannot be broken, I guess you're stuck with him.  But poor Bakura here must be bone weary, being your only mage! And the rest, well, look at them -- hanyous and weak misfits -- for the most part useless.  I guess you upgraded a little bit with your newest male, but now that he's clanless, he is just another Blood Demon like his son was. He cannot even be out in the sun for long.  Honestly, sister, I just do not understand you.”

Aara's temper flared.  In a cold hard voice, she said, “Do not ever call my males useless! They have protected the five worlds from dangers you never even dreamed of! Where were you and your males when the Entity attacked? What about Naraku or when Ryoku-Ashi terrorized both Suzaku and Otherworld?  And poor sister Arista; where were you when she was killed? Where were you when Ga-Wane destroyed the Blood Demons and took over the Southern Lands?”

"Remember whose house you are in, dear sister, before you start throwing around accusations of dereliction of duties."  Athara said,  “I was protecting and repairing the barrier, just as I was assigned to do!”

“Oh, that's right.  How very brave of you!  I'm sure all eleven of you were patrolling the little strip of land in front of your assigned barrier looking for flaws.  I'm sure your three mages must have been completely overworked with the one barrier they have to repair and I'm sure the rest of your Demons  were busy protecting your overworked mages.  Meanwhile I – and my ‘useless’ males -- ended up protecting everything else!” Aara glared at her sister.

Athara blanched with anger. "How dare you!"

Suddenly the temperature in the room grew icy cold.  A Demon purposely entered the room and moved protectively to Athara's side.  Bakura stepped protectively closer to his Princess.

“I apologize, Athara.  I lost my temper and stepped way over line.   It was totally unacceptable behavior on my part. Please, forgive me.”

Athara glared at her for a few more seconds and then relaxed, “I accept your apology.”

“I have never met this male….” Aara said, indicating the new arrival.

“Kakashi is an Ice Demon.” Athara said dismissively. “Now, why did you come here? I assume it wasn’t to insult me.”

Aara forced herself to ignore the sarcasm. “I wanted to share some new information about Arina.”

“Arina?”

“Yes.  She has taken up with Ga-Wane.”

“When you say ‘taken up”….”

“I mean she is living at the Eastern Land's White Palace with him.”

“She bound him?” Athara said surprised. “What a catch! The ruler of the Eastern Lands of Demon World!”

“Catch?” Aara began.  She felt her temper flared again, but this time she caught herself. “There is no indication Arina bound the Moth Lord. We are here is because we are worried about her.  Ga-Wane is not trustworthy. There is solid evidence he ordered the poisoning of people in Otherworld, Suzaku, and the Western Lands and ordered the genocide of the Blood Demon clan.  We also know he was instrumental in Mukuro's death.”

“Why is he not bound? I assumed she has had sex with him – even though you are too prudish to say it.”

“I am too polite to say it….” Aara corrected.  Did she not hear a word I said about how dangerous he was?

“Whatever!” Athara said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “I still want to know why he isn’t bound.”

“Probably because Ga-Wane is one of the Special Children and has some kind of enthrallment power of his own.  His power apparently cancels out Arina’s.  It also appears that his power does not work on her.”

“Interesting.  Yet we are able to bind Blood Demons who also have enthrallment power.  I wonder why... So are you saying they are in love?”

“I guess so. I never thought of that possibility.” Aara admitted.

“Of course, you wouldn’t. Only you can have love and children.” Athara said, bitterness tingeing her voice.

“Athara! Are you jealous of Vash?”

“Of course I am! We all are! The rest of us are stuck with only bound males while you have a mate and children -- even grandchildren and great-grandchildren through your daughter and her son! Don’t you realize what we would give for such a thing?”

“It never occurred to me.” Aara admitted. “I’m sorry.  I lost Vash for so many years.  When he was given back to me….”

“That's just it!  He was returned to you, even after he died! Why?  What makes you so special? Don't we deserve happiness as well?” Athara asked plaintively.

“I don’t have all the answers.  I cannot speak for the gods,” Aara said sadly. “I wish I could give each of you the same happiness I have known.”

“But you can't, can you?  So, why are you here?  Now that Arina has actually managed to find a little happiness of her own, do you wish to take it away?”

“No! It’s not like that! It is just that ... well ... Ga-Wane is dangerous!”

“Don't kid yourself, little sister.  The truth is you don’t want any of us to be happy! That is a right reserved for just you and your precious little family!”  Athara exclaimed, her voice sharp with bitterness.

Aara stared astonished at her sister, then she closed her eyes and bowed her head.

“I’m sorry I bothered you. I will take my leave now.” She paused at the door and said, “I truly wish I could make things different.  I would love for all of you to be as happy as I am.”

“Just leave! Go back to your precious Vash! Take your useless males away and leave me alone!” Athara snarled.

Aara sighed and left. Bakura quickly opened a portal back to the Castle.

“Well, that went well,” Aara said sarcastically, as she sank into a nearby chair. “That new Demon of hers, what was his name? Kakashi? He was more than an Ice Demon, wasn't he?”

“Yes." Bakura answered.  "He was an Ice Mage; welder of both Ice power and Mage powers. I could feel his power all around me.  He is very strong and potentially dangerous.”

“Kurama, you know you are not useless, don't you?” Aara said quietly. “None of you are useless.”

Kurama knelt in front of her and took her hands in his. “We know that. She’s just jealous.” He kissed her hands. “But I am more grateful than ever to have you as my Princess!”

She felt Bakura's hand as he placed it gently on her shoulder.  "As am I."

She smiled as she stroked Kurama's beautiful red hair and then patted the hand on her shoulder.  She wish she could convince her sisters that happiness was just a loving caress away, but their minds were closed and no amount of preaching would change that.  They were wallowing in needless jealousy, and she could not shake a melancholy feeling of dread.

The atmosphere at this villa was totally different.  They were greeted with smiles, not suspicion.   The decoration of the hall and rooms was bright, airy, and cheerful. Several had arboretums full of plants, fountains, and birds.  Wandering free in the courtyards were all sorts of critters, from squirrels to deer. Their peacefulness reflected the owner, for Aratha had found her key to happiness.  As Aara was for her people, Aratha was for nature's creatures. Her villa was their sanctuary.  Most of her males were chosen with the animals' care in mind, especially her mages.  All three were healers.  Even though she had bound ten males in total, she was considered the weakest of the Princesses, especially after Arista's death.  Still, none of that mattered to her.  Gentle Aratha was loving with her males and they cared greatly for her in return.

“Welcome, sister! Well met, Kurama and Bakura!  It is so nice of all of you to come and visit!”

They waited while she rose, stepping carefully over the doves.  She held out her hands to each of them in turn as they greeted her.  She motioned for them to follow her.

“Let me order some refreshments.  We can enjoy them on the terrace.”

Aratha pulled on a bell cord by the door and a tall Demon appeared immediately. “Rain, dearest, please ask the maids to bring cooled tea and the little sweet cakes the cooks made this morning to the lower terrace. Then, if you would, locate the rest of your brothers and have them join us.”

“I noticed that Rain has Demon markings, but he is not a mage. May I ask his species?” Aara said as they made their way to the lower terrace.

“Rain is a Tiger Demon, one of my strongest. I am very lucky to have him.” Aratha said in her soft, lyrical voice. “Here we are.”  She offered each of them a seat as took her own.

Rain rejoined them with two more of Aratha’s males; Tori, a Demon Hawk and Rinsei, a Plant Mage.  Tori, Aratha's first male, had golden brown feathers instead of hair, like all feathered Demons, and his large golden eyes, although piercing in his hawk form, were gentle and intelligent as a human. Rinsei's mage powers gave him control over plants; much like the Foxes, but to a much greater degree.  He also had a gentle appearance.  He was dressed as usual, in loose robes with his long dark hair caught in a high ponytail.

Aratha smiled at her demons.  Peering around them, she asked, "Are the rest of your brothers on patrol?"

"Yes, my Princess." Tori responded.  As first male, he was in charge of duty assignments.  "If it is important, I can fly out and fetch them."

Aratha looked at Aara, who shook her head. With a smile, she turned back and said, "No, that will not be necessary.  As long as you three are here, you can bring your brothers up to date upon their return.  Now, please, sit and join us."

She indicated the chairs next to her.  The three Demons acquired refreshments from the table and sat. 

"Now, please, sister, tell us what this is all about."

Aara told her sister about Arina’s tryst with Ga-Wane and Athara’s reaction.

“Your males are not useless at all! How horrid of Athara to say that!” Aratha exclaimed. “I am sure she is just jealous.”

“Yes, she even said as much.  She believes you are all jealous of Vash.” Aara admitted.

“Well, I guess we are, a little bit.”

“Athara appears to be more than a little.” Aara said sadly. “She acted like she hated me.”

“Oh, Aara.  Please do not let her upset you.  Athara does not like anyone but Arina. She emulates her in all things."  Suddenly a small smile graced Aratha's face.  "Just watch Athara go after a Moth mate for herself now that Arina has one.”

Aara laughed at the image of her heartless sister trying to woo a Moth Demon. "That would backfire for sure.  Ga-Wane is a Special One – that is why he cannot be bound.”

Aratha laughed. “I hope you did not tell her that. It would be funny to see her accidentally bind yet another male – one that spins acid silk, no less!!”

“Unfortunately, I already did.”

“Ah, well. She probably would not try anyway. She does not want just any male – she wants a Vash of her own. I am still amazed she made no attempt to attract Jin-Kensi.”

“It would have been useless. My grandson knew his lifemate since he was a little boy.”

“Yes, so I heard -- Lukana the Unicorn, right? I also hear they have a daughter now.  Does she have powers like ours?”

“We are not sure.  Jin-Kana is barely more than a baby. We were unaware of Jin-Kensi's powers until he grew up. There is a chance that Lukana’s Unicorn blood will cancel out the powers.”

"Probably because of his Demon blood."

"Demon blood?  Jin-Kensi has no Demon blood.

“But was not Jin-Kensi’s father either a Bobcat or a Dragon?”

“Ah, actually no. Sorry, I thought you had been informed. Jin’s father was actually the Red Phoenix.”

“The Red Phoenix!  Suzaku's guardian god?  Well, that makes more sense." Aratha said.

“Yes.  It was quite a surprise to us all.  Jin-Kana's arrival was as well, but we are fairly certain she was conceived in a natural way.  I just hope that she grows up happy and safe, whether or not she has our powers.”

"So true.  She is quite a miracle child. Her parents are very fortunate."  Aratha said.

"Yes, they are." Aara agreed.

Suddenly, a maid rushed up to Aratha.  They talked quietly for a few seconds and then the maid departed the way she came.

"I am sorry, there is something I must attend to."

Aara nodded.  "Of course, we have detained you from your duties long enough."

"Do not be ridiculous.  I love your visits.  You are welcome at anytime!" Aratha said.

"My doors are always open to you too."

"Then let's not be so long between visits.  I will assist you all I can.  Now, if you would excuse me, I really must go.  My servants will see you out.  Take care sister!"

Aratha hurried into the Villa with her Demons on her heels.

Aara sighed and the three of them followed the same servant that guided them before.  She filled them in on the emergency.  A wolf had appeared at their door barely alive.

"Gonna be touch and go, poor thing," the servant said.  "Touch and go."