Chapter 13 - Kenru

The Princess was in her garden sitting under the shade of the trees, but it was not one of her males on her lap, but Shilo. He was sleeping in her arms, his head on her shoulder. She kissed his forehead; he was such a sweet child. She picked up his small hand and examined it. She could not understand how this small boy could have torn a grown man to pieces.

From the edge of the garden, Shido watched the Princess with his son. His son had taken to the Princess and usually could be found at her side.  Shido walked towards them and the Princess smiled at him. He knelt beside her and tousled his son's silken hair. This was what he had been missing, the feeling of family. He stretched to her mouth and kissed her, lightly at first, then deeper. He put one arm around her shoulders and the other on her arm, encircling his son. When he parted, she was looking at him with sad eyes.

"I wish I could give you what you need, Shido, but I can't," she said quietly. "I can't be your family."

Shido sat down beside her, sighing. She was right; she could not take the place of Liho, as much as he would like her to. He felt an aching emptiness inside; he had lost not only his mate but his partner as well. His daughter was still missing and might not be alive. But he knew that he had to go on -- he had put his life on hold long enough. It was time to go home.

When Kenru arrived two days ago, Toyna instantly became her shadow, following her everywhere. When would the boy realize she was not interested in him? -- or anyone! She was walking quickly through the hallways, in a wing she had never been in before, trying to elude her persistent suitor, when she collided with someone and landed hard on her butt. She looked up at him, straight into angry green eyes and messy short red-gold hair. "You should look where you are going!" he said sharply, as he pulled her to her feet.
"Well, I didn't do it on purpose!" Kenru retorted.

Suddenly, the young man started laughing, "I'm sure you didn't! Sorry, I growled at you; my day has not gone well."

Kenru smiled back, "I am Kenru."

"And I am Tekki," he answered, adding, "Tasuki's half brother."

"Oh, you are from the Bobcat Clan, right? I heard that his brother had come to help."

"Well, I'm not helping much! Now that we know that Tasuki is in Seiryuu, there is not much we can do except wait. We can't exactly march into Seiryuu and start a war. That is exactly what they want."

Over the next couple of weeks, Kenru found herself more and more in the company of Tekki, whether by chance or design, she didn't know. But she didn't mind his company. She didn't mind it at all. Tekki was usually happy and upbeat, although frustrated by his inability to help rescue his brother. She was very drawn to Bobcat, but she couldn't tell if he felt the same. At least he didn't avoid her.

She found herself sitting next to him at dinner, sitting across from Toyna, who never took his eyes off of her. Kenru ignored the Ice Demon as she usually did. He was a pest! Instead she talked happily with Tekki. Toyna watched them in silence, his eyes narrow. He couldn't understand what Kenru was doing; he was there for the taking, hopelessly in love with the girl, and she was flirting with this miserable Bobcat.

Shido profusely thanked the guard who had volunteered to be his feeder after he finished his last feed. The guard bowed and left. He looked over at the wet nurse who feeding his son. While she finished, he packed the rest of his things. It was almost dusk and he wanted to get started. The wet nurse began to stand up, letting Shilo slip from her lap, and Shido also thanked her, grateful for her kindness to his son. He put a cloak around his son, strapped his traveling bag to his back and then picked up Shilo. "Ready to go home?" he asked. The little boy nodded clasping his arms tightly around his father's neck.

At the front door stood Kurama, InuYasha and Vash. They all wished him a safe journey and promised to keep looking for his daughter. They would keep in touch and let him know anything that was happening with Naraku. At the gate stood the Princess. Shilo stretched out his arms for a last hug, and she kissed his cheek. Shido kissed her farewell, but there was nothing more to say. Then he took off, a rapidly vanishing blur. Aara stood there, her eyes brimming with tears. She prayed that Shido would find happiness again.

One afternoon, a few days after Shido left, Tekki announced that he was going for a run on the surrounding hills, and asked if anyone wanted to accompany him. No one took him up on his offer, everyone busy with other errands, so Kenru volunteered. Fortunately, Toyna was in his own wing, doing some task that his father had set him to, and couldn't chime in. Tekki and Kenru started on their trek. She knew that she would slow him down, but he didn't seem to mind. After a couple of hours of walking, Tekki called for a break and threw himself down in the middle of little glen. Flowers surrounded the edges and tall trees formed a natural wall. The sun fell dappled through the trees and covered them in moving shadows. It was a perfect little hideaway.

Kenru sat next to the Demon, watching him. She was falling in love with him -- something she had never even dreamed of doing. But the young Bobcat was fun to be with and full of life, just like she was.  And he was very handsome, with his red-gold hair and deep green eyes.  But she had no idea how Tekki felt about her.  
As if in answer to her unspoken question, Tekki suddenly sat up, startling her, and looked into her violet eyes. "I like you," he said, and then his mouth kissed her softly, just a bare touch of his lips. When she didn't stop him, he reached for her mouth again, this time crushing her lips to his own. Kenru suddenly found herself awash with emotion. He was kissing her -- really kissing her! She slipped her arms around his shoulders and held him close.

For long minutes, Tekki kissed her hungrily, with Kenru returning his kisses with equal ardor. His hands began to explore, and found her breast. She trembled at his touch, but allowed it. His mouth never left hers, while his fingers gently teased her nipple to attention. Then his hand dipped lower, slipping under her skirt. When she felt his hand there, she knew she had to make up her mind. If she stopped him now, she might lose him forever. She was in love with him but did she want to mate with him? Did she want to join her future to his?  She felt his fingers probing and allowed him to continue. She realized that the answer to her questions was a resounding yes!  Then all coherent thought left her as his fingers found what he had been searching for and she arched involuntarily as he rubbed a tiny nub between his fingers. Kenru fell into a sea of raw emotion, lost between the sensation of drowning in his mouth and all her nerves coming alive by what he was doing with his hand.

Tekki teased the girl until she was on the verge of her first pinnacle, and then released his own very aroused piece of flesh. Suddenly Kenru arched violently, her body in spasms with her very first climax. Tekki swiftly plunged himself into her and began to thrust in perfect time to her movements. Deeper and deeper he drove until he too fell into the sweet oblivion of release, and gripping each other tightly, fingers digging deep into flesh, they rode out the passion together.

Finally, they lay there side by side, Tekki drowsing in the warm sun. Kenru ran her fingers through his hair, "I love you," she whispered. "I am proud to be your mate."

Tekki opened his eyes, "Mate?" he questioned. "We had sex. We didn't mate. Bobcats don't mate."

Kenru looked stricken. "What?  But when two people make love, they mate for life."

"I am not a human, I am a Demon," he said sitting up. "And Demons don't mate for life."

"Kouga did. And so did all of the Princess' males."

"Kouga is a Wolf Demon and they are the exception. And the Princess' males are bound with her power. Most Demons don't mate; they just take according to their needs. No Bobcat has ever mated."

Kenru stared at him, her eyes filling with tears. "I thought…" she began, and then stopped. She had assumed that they were mating because of Kouga and Kagome.

"I'm sorry you misunderstood. If having sex mated me, you would not be my mate. You are not the first. We Bobcats use each other freely." Tekki said, as her tears spilled, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I like you a lot but it is not the way we are."

Tears fell steadily down her cheeks and he took her in his arms. She did feel so good in his arms! He had been with many females before, but never did one feel like this.  And did he really want the life his father had, no commitments, and children with a dozen different females? And sex with a Bobcat female was not that pleasant -- sure his needs were satiated, but there was also a lot of pain from sharp claws and playful nips. When he finished with a female of his own kind, his back and shoulders were usually covered in blood.

Thunder Demons didn't usually mate either, yet Hiten had found joy with the human woman, Serafin. Maybe he should rethink this. But he couldn't take her home to live the caves of his home. And he didn't want to live in her sleepy little village. Maybe he could become a Protector and live with her in the Castle. He shook his head suddenly -- what was he thinking? Was he actually considering mating for the rest of his life with a human girl? But all he could think about that the wonderful feelings he had experienced in her arms and he wanted more. He wanted lots more!  And his heart ached to hear her crying.  Torn with indecision, Tekki did nothing.

Finally, Kenru stopped crying and stood up. "I am sorry. It is my own fault for assuming. Can we return to the Castle?"

Tekki nodded and they walked back to the Castle in silence. Once there, Kenru went directly to her room. Tekki returned to his own room, not knowing what to do. If he went to her, it would no longer be a brief encounter, but a lifetime commitment. He sat there in darkness lost in a turmoil of conflicting thoughts.

Kenru fell on her bed, crying softly. Finally she cried herself to sleep. She woke to a hand on her shoulder. Tekki had returned to her! She turned over happily and looked straight into Toyna's eyes.
"Why have you been crying? Did Tekki do something to you?" the Ice Demon demanded angrily.

"Go away!" Kenru said wearily, getting up and shoving him out to the balcony. He must have entered through the open door. "Just go away."

"No! I want to know what happened! If he hurt you…"

"It is none of your business!" she said, her voice rising in anger. "Just leave me alone!"  She again tried to push the Ice Demon away, but he refused to budge, determined to find out what had happened.

"You heard her. Leave her alone." Came a voice from the edge of the balcony. Tekki crouched there, balanced on the narrow ledge, having leapt to her balcony when he heard her angry voice.

Suddenly, the whole balcony grew cold as Toyna iced up, "What did you do to her?" he snarled.

"Just stay away from her." Tekki growled, his eyes turning feral. "She is mine!"

Kenru's heart skipped a beat! Did Tekki just say that she was his?

Before she could say anything, the two Demons went for each other, Toyna using ice shards as sharp blades and Tekki using his claws. "Stop!" Kenru screamed at them both. Suddenly, two bodies flew past her. Tekki found himself held fast by InuYasha's incredibly strong arms and Souten was holding Toyna firmly. The two boys were still growling and snarling, trying to break free. Princess Aara walked onto the balcony with Kurama at her side. 

"Stop this now!" she commanded, using her power at the same time, and both Demons immediately stopped growling and stood meekly before her. She looked at the pair and then at Kenru, feeling their emotions. Both boys had numerous cuts and scratches, but they had already stopped bleeding and would be completely healed by tomorrow. She motioned for InuYasha and Souten to leave, and then nodded to Kurama.  He smiled an enigmatic smile and then left also.  Then she took Toyna's hand and led him away, leaving Kenru and Tekki standing there alone.

Princess Aara took Toyna to her daughter's room and knocked softly on her door. She told him to wait for her in the hall and then went inside. Toyna knew he was in trouble, but couldn't understand why he being brought to Princess Vara.  Was Vara going to punish him?  He stood there nervously waiting for the door to open.  Even if the punishment from the Princess was not that bad, he still had to face his father.  And that would not be pleasant!  A few minutes later, the door opened and the Princess beckoned him inside. 
Aara gently touched his cheek, "My Sweet Toyna, you are in love with a girl who doesn't care for you at all."

"I will win her! I know I will," he protested, his cheeks reddening.

"No, I have read her feelings and she loves Tekki." 

Toyna was crestfallen; he had been sure that he could make Kenru fall in love with him. The Princess kissed his forehead, and then left the room, leaving him with Vara. Vara came to him and wrapped her arms around the young Ice Demon. "Don't worry.  You will not feel the loss much longer." He looked at her in surprise -- what was she saying? And then she used her power on him. Immediately he felt it and trembled violently as his body responded to her power. She removed his clothing carefully, her hands running over his smooth, strong body. His eyes never left her face. She guided him to the bed and there claimed her second male. She bound him to herself and then to Souten. This binding was not as unplanned as it may have seemed, even though the timing was spontaneous. Vara had discussed whom to bind with her mother and, unbeknownst to Toyna, he was high on the list. The only reason she had waited was because of Toyna's crush on Kenru. If Kenru had returned his love, she would not have bound him.

Toyna lay next to his Princess, Kenru now just a vague memory. He was completely happy, not because of her power, but because he was desired by the beautiful Princess. She had chosen him and that was what he wanted more than anything. He did not have the foundation that Souten or Kome had; he was well aware that his parents did not love each other like Kouga and Kagome or Hiten and Serafin, and, more than anything, he wanted to be loved. And now he was! He wrapped his arms around the Princess and kissed her. She smiled at her newest male; she had always been fond of the Ice Demon and was very happy that he was now hers.

After the Princess left with Toyna, Kenru faced Tekki. He was still standing on the balcony, a little embarrassed by the scene he had made.

"Did you mean it?" she asked.

"Mean what?"

"You said I was yours. Did you mean what you said"?

Tekki looked at her; he had not realized that he had uttered those words. He only knew that when he had thought she was in danger, he had felt a terrible need to protect her. She was waiting for his reply, patiently standing there, waiting for him to speak. All it would take was one word and his entire life's course would change. And she would be his. All his. Forever.  He whispered the word:  "Yes."

Kenru smiled at her Bobcat and opened her arms to him. He went to her, and embraced her tightly. Then he swept her into his arms and took her to her bed. Their bed! As he set her down on it, she said to him, "Say the words. I need to hear them from you."

He smiled, knowing what she meant, "You are my mate. Forever." He kissed her, murmuring, "I love you, Kenru."

 

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