Insanity

Kana noded, "I think you're right. I can go for a while longer without sleep, but my reflexes will be slowed...sleep sounds like a good thing." She yawned. "Oh I was serious about the wig thing, do you know where I could find one? Dying my hair just doesn't work, I've tried it before. It wont hold color to save my life, so I gave up. But a wig, that never even crossed my mind." She picked up here bag, heading towards the tent Koda had vacted.

She paused in front of Koda, then did something unexpected. Kana dropped to her knees and bowed in the formal way of the great clans, forhead to the ground, hands palm down above her head, "Thank you for bringing me here Koda. If you hadn't, I would for never met Damian, and gods know how long my Imoto would of been trapped in that hell. I know we don't agree on everything, and that we tend to annoy the hell out of each other, but you're a good person, and I don't regret being woken up by you in the woods. I just thought you should know this." She said, pusing herself up so she was sitting on her knees, then raising in a single fluid motion. Kana turned back to Damian, "You can explaine to her what I'm doing if you wish, but I would prefer it if only you and Koda knew. Obviously the less people who know, the better." She reached the entrance to the tent and turned again, "And thank you Damian-sempi, for everything." She said with a smile, entering the tent. She smiled to herself. She had never called anyone "sempi" before. She had never had the chance. Until she met the man, she had never met another kyuubi who was around her age. As a matter of fact, she had never met another kyuubi at all, save her O'baachan. She was also amused that the mere thought of returning home was brining out her accent and original mannerisims.

Kana paused to look down at the sleeping teen spralled across the bed. Tear tracks had dried on her cheeks. She sighed, kicking off her shoes and pulling off her black long sleeved shirt, folding it carefully and setting it on top of her bag. She padded back to the bed, staring at the girl. She didn't want to wake her, but she also didn't want the child to wake up and freak out because there was a strange person in bed with her. Kana reached down and gently stroaked the girls cheek Melissa seemed to stir, "Lissa, it's Kana. Would it be okay if I laid down with you?" She asked softly.

"I can ask around, I'm pretty sure I can rustle a wig up no problem. They're relatively easy to come across, people get bored and begin to sew. It makes life more enjoyable." He smiled before walking off into the forest.

Koda took a step back as Kana bowed, stumbling over her feet and falling to the ground.
"Please don't." She whispered, averting her gaze. "I don't deserve things like that. If you knew...you would either kill me or run screaming." She stuttered, clambering to her feet once more. Brushing away the dirt that clung to her clothing, she ran towards the woodland, face paler than before.
"What's wrong?" Damian asked, sliding across to her.
"N-nothing. Just worried is all. I already know what she's going to do." She told him with a shaky smile. "It's all over her face." She added when a look of confusion came her way. "Lets get the stallion, convince him to be good and get back here okay? The air's getting strange."

Melissa groaned at the touch not bothering to open her eyes.
"Hai..." She mumbled, scooting over to allow more room in the bed, spreading out the sheet on top of her so Kana could cover herself comfortable.

Kana adjusted her tank top and crawled in next to the girl. She rolled so her back was facing away from the girl, and thought about what Koda said. She understood the whole "Don't deserve things like this" part. It's not everyday someone preforms a kotou infront of you, well it use to be every day for Kana, but that was different. What concerned her was the "If you knew...you would either kill me or run screaming" part. Koda should know Kana better then that by now, so unless Koda did something that would put Dai-chan in jepordy, Kana would most likely just brush it off. She would have to ask Koda about that comment before she left.
She closed her eyes, trying to sleep. She ended up sighing and turning so she was laying on her other side, facing the girl. Sleep quickly sucked her under.

"Hey, Kana wake up."
Damian sighed, the rumpled sheets only containing one person underneath them now. The sunset had begun to dapple the ground, fanciful patterns falling through the trees outside and landing on the debris. Gently taking hold of her shoulders, he shook her lightly.
"Wake up goddamn it." He mumbled, rolling his eyes to himself. Leaving her to force herself awake, he walked out of the tent to where Koda stood. A jet black horse with a scar let tipped tail held tightly in her hand.
"You sure he'll let her ride?"
"Yeah. I asked nicely enough and he never disobeys me. Also warned of another small child. It should be okay."
"...And sleeping beauty?"
"Stirring to say the least. But very dead." He chuckled, running his hand down the beasts nose.

"Mmmm, go fun ijoo." Kana muttered, asking for five more minutes, forgetting where she was. It had been so long since she had slept, especially in a bed. She pushed the sheets off of her with a sigh, grabbing her bag. She pulled out the balled up cloth, trying to smooth it out. Thankfully it was a yukata and not an actual kimono, so it was made of cotton and not silk. She pulled on the two robe like garments, belting the oba around her waist with practiced ease. The sleves of the red and black yukata fell to almost the floor.
Kana poked her head out of the tent, spying Damian and Koda next to a large stallion. "Koda, can I talk to you for a second?" She asked politely. Before she went to get her sister, she wanted to make sure Koda didn't do anything stupid like tell someone she was going back to the Northern Lands.

Koda shuffled on the spot for a second, dithering between going and not.
"Sure." She eventually settled on before following Kana into the tent. She had an inkling where the conversation was going to go. She held her hand up to Kana, silencing her for a moment.
"I did not tell anyone where you're heading. I have been here the whole time, you know that. I was only with Liss. She doesn't have a clue what's going on. I don't sell people short like that. What I did is in the past and it shouldn't bother you. Neither will I tell you as I am ashamed of myself enough for a life time. If that's all you wanted to know, may I be excused?"

"That's all I was worried about. What happened in your past doesn't concern me. We all have things we regret, some of us more then others, I know I do. Thank you." she said sincerly. "I can't believe you asked if you could be excused. You amuse me at times Koda." She added with a small laugh.
"I really don't care what you did before I met you. I know I would never sell out someone, but I still don't know you terribly well, so I just had to be sure, you understand right? Dai is the most important thing in the world to me, I didn't want to take any chances. I trust you, but not enough to put her life in jepordy. Nothing personal." Kana said in a more serious tone, following the girl out towards the waiting Damian and horse.
"So this is the horse...he's beautiful." Kana said smiling to Damian. "What's his name? Oh and did you happen to find a wig?" She asked, approaching him and the horse slowly, not wanting to spook the creature. She dropped her voice to a whisper, "Should I return here or...?" She didn't say the last, knowing he would know what she was talking about.

She smiled gently to Kana, Desperately wanting to tell her that what happened so many eons ago did concern her. All for the sake of her own race.
"I may be a complete and utter bitch, but you show me respect. I ask to be excused because it shows you respect in return. That's all." She replied, following her out the tent.
Damian passed the reigns back to Koda, ignoring the snort that came from the horse.
"His name's Orion. A fussy one to tell the truth, won't let you ride unless you know him or he is told otherwise by someone he trusts. Horses are odd creatures, I suppose at least no one can thieve him. I've found the broken remains of people who've tried. But he should be fine with you."
He pulled a bag round to the front of his body, made of something neither leather nor hide.
"I asked the seamstress. She gave me a brunette wig, says it's the only thing she had." He pulled out a simple cut wig, full fringe with long straight tresses.
Lowering his voice in turn he whispered back. "You can go to either. Orion knows the way to the cottage and if you dismount there he'll come back on his own, so I'll know if you show up or not. But you're more than welcome to return here."

"I sure hope so, I really don't feel like breaking my neck today." Kana laughed, then cautiously moved forward to pat the horses side. Orion flicked his mane, but nothing else.
"Brunette works just fine, anything to cover this red, thank you." She said, excepting the wig. She eye'd the bag suspiciouly, but said nothing. Pulling a tie and a few hair pins from her bag, Kana twisted her long locks up, securing them the best she could, then fitted the hairpeice into place. "How does it look?" She asked with an embarassed smirk.
Kana mounted Orion with some effort, the horse moving a bit in slight protest. Orion wasn't exactly a small horse, and Kana wasn't exactly a tall woman, but they made it work. She frowned, adjusting her yukata. Kimono's weren't exactly made for horseback riding, but being seen in anything else in the north would mark her as an outsider, an intruder. Her entire left leg was bare up to her thigh, her right leg covered because of the cut of the kimono. She chose to go shoeless, the ones she had been wearing not seen in the north, and her wooden geta's would just fall off while riding, not to mention they make a hell of a lot of noise on hard surfaces.
"Thank you again, both of you. If everything goes well I will see you tomorrow evening, and you will get to meet my Imoto..." Her face went serious, "I really do hope I get to see both of you again." She suddenly thought of something, "If I return here, will the same thing happen to Dai as what happened to me? I don't know if her mind would survive that, she's only a baby, not even four yet."
After recieveing her answer, Kana noded. "I have to go now if I'm going to make it while they are still asleep. Tell Melissa I said bye, and I'll see her again. Ittekimasu. Arigato gozaimasu." She said in her native tongue, urging the horse forward, she rode towards her home to retrieve her most precious possesion. She was more afraid then anyone would ever know.

((Ittekimasu means "I'll go and come back." it's kinda like saying see ya later lol, and Arigato gozaimasu is a very polite way of saying "thank you"))

"You look fine." Koda replied, passing her the reigns. Reaching around to tighten the girth. Double checking it, she readjusted the stirrups for her so she could sit more comfortably. Damian crossed his arms, frowning lightly.
"I can't promise anything. It won't be as bad as yours that much I can tell you. I will make sure to tell her, but you better come back otherwise she will be in tears for a least a week." He smirked, patting the horses backside. Bowing lightly to her, scarlet tipped ebony hair falling in his eyes he smiled.
"Good luck Kana." He said, Koda doing the same on the other side of the horse. Brushing her hands together to rid herself off the leather wax that had worked itself onto her hands as she fiddled with the saddle.
"Seriously though, I hope it goes ok." She added.

Orion was faster then Kana expected, so fast in fact that she had to stop just before the border of the Northern Lands to kill some time. She snacked on some nuts that she had stashed in her bag while the stallion grazed on the lush greenery. Kana went through the layout of her families estate in her mind, the place was massive with several homes on the grounds. Her house, and the one Dai would be in, was the largest and located in the center of the compound. The last time she heard from Onba, Dai's nanny, her little sister was being kept locked away in Kana's old bedroom. There, or the small room next to it, which use to be Kana's play room, but was now completely bare. No lights, no windows, just tatami mats on the floor. She noded to herself, hoping she could pull this off, and walked back to Orion. "Come on Utsukushii uma, let's go get my sister." She said, carefully mounting the stallion again. A slight trembling had started in her body that she couldn't stop. She was terrified to cross that border into her homeland, terrified that she would be caught and taken back to Akio. She knew how to defeat the man, but it had to be a suprise attack. If he knew she was coming, she didn't stand a chance. It wasn't that Kana was afraid of death, or even torture, she was terrified that if she was caught, there would be no one to save Dai. Her sister would be damned to that life for hundreds of years to come, and it would all be her fault. She took a deep breath, thinking of what Koda and Damian had said to her, and urged Orion forward towards her homeland.

Everything was still and silent when she reached the Michiko family estate. She had only seen two servents traveling the road that lead to the sprawling compound, and neither of them gave her a second look. She needed to remember to thank Damian for the wig if she made it back. Kana led Orion to the back of the estate, dismounting next to the ten foot high stone wall that surrounded the permiter. "Please wait for me Orion, I'll be back as soon as possible." She said quietly to the stallion, stroaking his face. She had no idea if the horse understood her or not, but she had a feeling that he would be there if she returned.

Kana began to scale an old sakura tree that grew next to the wall. She use to use this tree to sneak back home when she was a child. The rear of the estate were the servents quarters, where the front homes were lesser clan members. Kana assumed that if she were to run into anyone awake, she would have better luck with the servents then her own kin. Her family would sell her out in a heartbeat, the servents might hesitate. Many of them saw how the children of the main branch were treated, and didn't agree with it.

Kana jumped off the top of the wall, landing in a crouched position. She quickly looked around, making sure no one was there. It appeared that luck was on her side today. Of course, it was normal for everyone to be asleep during the day here. Kana quickly made her way to the main house, using trees and walls as cover. It didn't take her long to reach the rear entrance of the house. She took a deep breath, saying a quick prayer to Amatarasu that no one would be in the entrance when she opened the sliding door. She carefully slid the door open, peaking inside. Empty. Thank the gods.
"Kana?" someone whispered from behind the girl. Kana jumped, turning to find Sora, the one tailed kitsune she use to play with as a child, who just happened to be captain of the security force for the Michiko clan. "Kanachan, what are you doing here?! If your mother sees you..." The slightly older boy said urgently. Kana walked towards him, putting her index finger to his lips to stop his words. "No one will find out unless you tell someone, and you're not going to tell anyone are you, Sorakun?" Kana said, backing him up against the wall. Sora's storm grey eyes went wide, shaking his head no. "Good, that's what I thought." Kana smirked.
Kana removed her finger from Sora's mouth, grinning at her childhood friend. "Kanachan, what the hell did you do to your hair?" The boy exclaimed. Kana gave him an incrediulous look, pulling the wig off her head, "It's a wig baka!" She whispered harshly, reaching up to tug on the boys blue-black hair. "What are you doing here? You're going to get killed!" Sora asked again. "I'm here to get Daichan. You can either help me, or leave, but I'm taking her either way." Kana said seriously. Sora frowned, "You're going to get me killed one of these days Kanachan. Josei Michiko will destroy me when she finds that her akachan is gone." (Josei = Lady, akachan = baby) Kana looked at her friend solemly, "Sorakun, please? If you don't want to help, I understand, but please don't tell... Anata ga tasukeru shite kudasai?" (will you please help me?) She pleaded. Sora finally sighed, closeing his eyes, "Hai."

Sora led Kana through the halls silently, hands clasped. Kana felt like a child again, being led by Sora. "She's in there. She should be alone, everyone is asleep but me." He said, pointing to a door across the hall. "Arigato, will you wait for us?" Kana asked, walking towards the door. "Hai Kanachan, Watashi wa itsumo anata o matte." (Yes, I'll always wait for you.) The boy said sadly. Kana blushed, turning away from him, turning the knob.

Kana peered into the dark room. The shades were drawn over the windows, but she could see that her sister lay sleeping in the large eloberate bed in the center of the room. "Daichan? Daichan, Anata ga me o samasu hitsuyoo ga aru." (you need to wake up) Kana called softly. She watched as her sister blink her eyes, sitting up slowly. "O'neesama?" She called in her tiny voice. "Hai Daichan, Watashi wa watashi to issho ni iku koto ni kite iru. Ima isoide akanboo o shutoku shimasu." (Yes, I've come to take you with me, now hurry and get up baby.) Kana said, walking swiftly into the room. "Hai, hai!" Dai said quickly, throwing the blankets off herself.
"Sora-niisan?" Dai asked, spying the boy at the door. "Ohayoo Daisama." Sora smiled at the little girl. "Sorakun, we need to hurry. We have to get out of here before someone notices." Kana whispered urgently, reaching down to pick up her sister, setteling her on her hip. "Hai, hai, follow me Kanachan." Sora said, going serious, leading the two out of the house. The sun was blinding after the dimness of the interior. "How are you getting away?" Sora asked, taking Kana's hand again. "There is a horse waiting at the back wall."

The three of them reached the back wall quickly. "Are you going to put your wig back on Kanachan?" Sora teased. "Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me." Kana smiled, a bit embarassed, handing Dai over to the boy so she could fit the hairpeice in place again. "Anata ga hen ni mieru, O'neesama." (you look funny) Dai giggled. "Watashi wa akachan o shitte iru." (I know baby) Kana laughed, she then turned to Sora, "Sorakun, can you give us a boost up?" She asked, smirk on her lips. "Of course. Just like old times, eh?" He said, handing her sister back to her, holding his hands out for her to step up on. "Daichan shikkari tsukamaru." (hold on tight) Kana said, swinging her sister onto her back. "Hai." Dai responded, holding onto Kana's neck. Kana stepped up onto Sora's hands, and he lifted the two girls up high enough for Kana to grab onto the wall, pulling herself the rest of the way up. "Sora-niisan issho ni kite inai ka?" (Sora isn't coming with us?) Dai asked, sounding confused. "Ie, watashi wa kuru koto ga dekinai Daisama, shikashi, watashi wa sugu ni hyooji sa remasu." (no, I can't come, but, I'll see you soon.) Sora said, smiling gently. "Yakusoku suru ka?" (you promise?) Dai asked. "Watashi wa yakusoku." (I promise) Sora grinned. "Oh Sorakun, catch." Kana said, carefully dropping the vial of green liquid to her childhood friend. "What's this?" He asked, confused. "A gift. A small spark near it will cause a large explosion. When we are far enough away, blow up the back of the house. Make sure you don't get killed, but you might want to get injured a bit. Blame it on Akio." Kana grinned. "You're evil." Sora laughed. "Only sometimes." Kana laughed back.

"Daichan, I need you to speak elvish, okay? No one understands our language where we are going." Kana explained to her sister who was sitting infront of her on Orion. The sun was starting to set, and they were close to the settelment. "Shikashi, watashi wa, sono gengo no yoo ni, 'neesama!" (but I don't like that language) Dai complained. "Daichan! You want people to understand you, don't you? Listen to your 'neechan, okay?" Kana scolded her. "Fine, I speak like this, but I no like it. I sound funny O'neesama!" Dai pouted. Kana laughed, "You sound adorable Imoto. Don't worry about it, you're fine." Kana looked ahead, "We're here."

Damian remained by the fire, Koda at his side. Tearing a piece of bread into tiny shreds, he bit his lip in worry.
"You think they'll be okay?" He asked, dropping a few pieces. Koda dropped her eyes to the ground, shuffling her feet against the debris in agitation.
"You want a comforting lie or my honest thoughts?" She asked quietly, linking her hands together.
"Comforting lie please."
"They'll be fine and get away scott free." She replied, her golden eyes darting towards the forest, snowy ears pricking up. "You hear that?"
Damian nodded rising to his feet in mild shock. He hadn't expected them to make it. After all he of all people knew what Aiko was like, even if he would never tell Kana. He had been employed as Aiko's personal doctor a few years ago, only to see him and only him. But that didn't stop him wandering the estate, keeping to the shadows. He had seen Kana a few times, even if she didn't see him.

The hoof beats grew louder, until the whole camp almost rattled.
"You gotta teach that horse to be light footed." Koda reminded him with a smile, nudging him in the ribs.
"Shut up. It means they're okay dimwit."
"I know." She grinned, running to the edge of the forest to meet them.

Kana grinned as she saw Koda and Damian waiting for her. The sight of those two standing there, smiling at her arrival, made Kana happier then she had been in a long time. "Daichan, that's Koda and Damian, they are the ones who helped me so I could come get you." Kana explained to her sister, leaning down to talking into the girls ear. "Yoi." Dai noded. "Daichan, what did I tell you?" Kana chided her. "Sorry." She responded, accent heavy.
Orion came to a stop infront of the two, snorting slightly. Kana dismounted the stallion, reaching back up to retrieve her sister. She went to set Dai on the ground, but the little girl wrapped her arms around her neck tightly, "O'neesama, watashi no kutsu..." (my shoes...) She said in a soft whisper. Kana laughed, "Sorry akachan, I'll get your geta's out." She said, hiking the girl up onto her hip so she could get Dai's wooden sandles out her bag, which wasn't exactly easy since the child was in a silk kimono. "Anata wa watashi o nigiru 'neechan? Watashi kowai." (Can you hold me? I'm scared.) She said in that soft voice of hers, face burried into Kana's neck. "Can you talk so everyone can understand you Daichan?" Kana teased. "Of course I'll hold you." She assured the girl, petting her hair.
Kana stepped up to Damian and Koda, smiling. "You didn't think I could do it, did you? The looks on your faces...you look like you never expected to see me again." She laughed. "I had help, I'm not going to lie. I was actually discovered, luckly it was by the captain of the guard, who was one of my closest childhood friends." Dai perked up now, smiling briliantly. "Sora-niisan sasae rarete!" She said excitedly. Kana looked down at her little sister, catching Dai's eye. Dai blushed, "Gomen 'neechan. Sora-niisan helped us." Kana smiled down at her, "Hai, Sorakun helped us. I hope he's okay." She mumbled the last. She looked back to Damian and Koda, "Koda, Damian, this is my Imooto, Dai. Daichan, why don't you say hi to them?" She said smiling. Dai blushed, and waved shyly, "Konnichiwa, Kodachan, Dami-niisan, watashi wa anata ni aete kooeidesu." Kana sighed, rolling her eyes, "Watashi wa karera no gengo o hanasu koto o oshiete kurenakatta no?" (didn't I tell you to speak their language?)
"I sorry O'neesama! I forget...you put me down now, no?" Dai asked. "It's okay Daichan, try to remember, okay?" Kana replied, setting her sister on the ground. Dai turned to the couple standing infront of them, "I very happy to meet you, Kodachan, Dami-niisan. Thank you. You help 'neechan get me. I happy." Dai smiled, clasping her hands infront of her, bowing.

"I can't help looking surprised. Your husband seems like a..." Koda eyed the small child, swallowing the curse that was on the tip of her tongue. "An outlandish brute. I didn't expect you to get back in one piece. But I'm glad you did" She finished.
Damian rolled his eyes, bowing politely back to Dai.
"Good afternoon, or I suppose this would the middle of the night for you right?" He smiled lightly. "I'm sorry you have to speak in a foreign tongue, but my skills in your language are greatly limited, so unfortunately this is the only way we can converse. But you can speak you're language to your sister if you want. After all she must be pleased to have you back, she hasn't stopped speaking about you."

Walking past them both, he took hold of the ebony horses reigns before he could take off.
"Kana have you got everything? I need to tether him up. I suspect your sister wants to sleep, or to the least eat. So she can do either of those before we head out...come to think of it you could use those as well..."

Kana laughed at Koda's polite words for her husband, "Outlandish brute. That's one way of putting it." She paused, smiling a little gentler, "Thanks for that. I'm glad I made it back too, I was lucky that I didn't run into him or one of his lackey...I probably wouldn't of made it back."

Dai blushed, looking up at her sister, then back to the Kitsune infront of her, "Arigato gozaimasu." She bowed from the neck. "It okay that I have to speak like this, I just not use to it, I sound funny." she giggled, accent thick. "It almost time I get up, but that okay, I with O'neesama now, not O'baasama, or Kakasama..." the little girl shuddered slightly at her mention of her mother. "I very happy to be with 'neechan, and I very happy you help 'neechan. I happy to meet Dami-niisan, please tell if I say stuff you no understand, okay?" She smiled. She noticed the man looked familiar, somewhat like pictures of her real O'niisan, but that wasn't it. She didn't care though, she was just happy to be with someone who cared about her again. At home there were only two people who were nice to her. Her nanny, who actually wasn't even nice to her, she just wasn't mean...or violent, and Sora. Sora was always kind to her, treated her like she imagined an older brother would, like Kana treated her. Sora tried to protect her from her mother, and always went with her when she had to see her grandmother, assuring her that her grandmother didn't hate her, that she was just upset that she lost Kana. Dai understood this, she was always very sad when Kana had to leave her to return to that evil man too. When she had asked why Kana lived with such a mean person Sora had explained that it was to keep her safe, to keep them all safe.

"I think I have everything, thank you Damian. Oh and thanks for the wig, it really came in handy, though it confused the hell outta Sora." She grinned. "I'm fine on sleep till morning, but Daichan might be tired. I know she must be hungry, I mean I woke her up and didn't exactly stop for breakfast." She said. "Daichan, are you hungry? Let's get us some food." Kana asked, crouching down so she was at her sisters level, though to be honest, she wasn't tall enough for it to be necessary. "Karera ga kuru ka? Watashi wa karera sukidesu. Kodachan wa totemo kireidesu, to Dami-niisan totemo shinsetsudesu." (Are they coming with us? I like them. Koda is very pretty and Damian is very kind.) Dai asked shyly. "You think so? Why don't you tell them? I'm sure they would be happy to hear it." Kana grinned at her sister. "Ie, ie! Sore wa hazukashiidesu!" (No, no! It's to embarassing!) Dai protested, waving her tiny hands. Kana laughed at this reaction. "Wouldn't you want someone to tell you if they thought that about you Imooto?" She asked, tilting her head to the side. Dai seemed to seriously think about this for a moment, sighing, "Hai." She turned to the other two, "You come eat with us? Daichan like you both. Kodachan very pretty, I like pretty hair and eyes, and Dami-niisan very kind to Daichan, like you very much." Dai said, blushing furiously, eyes averted to the ground where she was shuffeling her feet.

((Okay, this was short and rushed, but I edited it lol, and of course, now it's really long...oh well XP Oh and Dai calls Damian "Dami-niisan" (big brother Damian) because he is a kitsune, where Koda is "Kodachan" because she is a Neko. (Still respectfull, but since Damian is the same race as her, he gets called big borther, like Sora was.) Just incase you were wondering where the different types of nicknames came from lol.))

Koda bent her head forwards, hiding the sudden blush that had crossed her cheeks in her snowy hair.
"Thank you." She told Dai quietly, unable to rid herself of the scarlet complexion.
Damian simply grinned, wrapping the reigns around his hand.
"Sure, just give me a few minutes to tether Orion up and I'll join you." He told them, walking to the edge of the camp, the stallion following obediently. Knotting the leather around a wooden pole, he patted the horses neck lightly before walking back to join the others. Hearing a loud squeal, he turned in surprise as a small lump tackled Kana from the side. Struggling not to laugh he glanced at the girl now hugging Kana tightly.
"I thought you'd left forever." Melissa smiled happily, Sitting back on her knees to let the girl sit up.

Dai beamed as the two agreed to go eat with them. She really did like them. She jumped, eyes wide as someone squeeled with joy, plowing into her sister.
Kana let out a suprised yip as she hit the ground, arms wrapped around her. She started laughing when she realised it was Melissa. "I thought you'd left forever." The girl said happily, moving so Kana could sit up. "I told Koda and Damian to let you know I would be back, I just went to get my Imooto." She said, still laughing. Damn, that little girl is stronger then she looks. Kana thought in amusement, resisting the urge to rub the hip she landed on. "Melissa, this is my Imooto, Daichan." She said, reaching up and grabbing her sisters hand. She looked up at her sister, smiling at her expression, "Daichan, this is Melissa, she is a very sweet girl." She assured her relative. Dai smiled shyly at the excited girl, "Nice meet you, Lissakun." She said bowing, hoping the girl would be able to understand her thick accent.

"Nice to meet you too Miss Dai. You look a lot like your sister, I guess beauty runs in your family." She replied, appearing unfazed by the thick accent that drowned the words. Struggling to get to her feet for a moment, she held out her hand to Kana, helping to haul the Kitsune up. "Besides, Dami did tell me. I just didn't believe him. He says things like that a lot to protect me." Her emerald eyes flicked to his face for a moment. "It doesn't work." She assured him.
"It did the first hundred times." He replied, sticking his tongue out. Smirking at the glare she threw to him. "We should eat before everyone else gets up. Question time will be huge if many people see."

Dai blushed furiously. As she looked at her sister, who was being helped to her feet by Lissa, she couldn't see how she could be as pretty as Kana...She had seen pictured of her sister as a child, and knew she had a similar face, but Kana had that beautiful hair, and those pure black eyes, and the white skin everybody envied. No, she couldn't see it.
Kana got to her feet with the girls help, smiling when she realised the thirteen year old was the almost the same height as her. "As annoying as it can be, it's always nice to have someone looking out for you." She turned to Damian, "I agree, we should eat before everyone wakes up. I'm suprised everyone isn't awake as it is. Orion was especially loud when we reached the camp, which was funny since he was so quiet you wouldn't even know a horse had approched when we got to the estate. Then Lissa's squeal..." She laughed. Kana looked down at Dai's elaborate kimono, and her own yukata, "Besides, Daichan and I stick out like sore thumbs in these clothes. Only the clans in the north wear them on a daily basis." She crouched down infront of Dai again. "If anyone asks you where you're from, I need you to pretend like you don't know. Just say okaasan and otoosan's. Don't even say what clan. If the wrong person found out who you are, they might take you away from me, take you back to Mama." Kana said seriously. Dai nodded, "I no want to go back to Kakasama...She mean to me." Dai said quietly, peaking at her ankles, which still had fairly fresh wounds on them from a beating with a bamboo stick. Kana's eyes went wide, "Oh akachan! Does it hurt to walk?" Dai shook her head, "Not much now. I okay." She smiled reassuringly, lying to her sister. "We eat now? I hungry 'neechan." She said in a whisper, pressing her fingers together. "Yes Daichan, we go eat now." She smiled, peting the girls head. "You guy's ready?" She asked the other three.

Damian shook his head, walking to the large fire which was still burning merrily in the middle of the camp.
"They sleep like logs here, something in the air and the tiring work. We have about an hour before anyone stirs." He rubbed his neck, loosening the stiffness it had gained over night. "The animal is fairly smart, capable of thought and will do as he pleases. He knows it's safe for him to make noise is all."
Koda sat down on the log next to him, warming her hands by the fire.
"Food's where it was last time Kana. I'm fine and Damian doesn't eat until late with Liss, so take what you want for you and Dai."

"Yeah the forest air seems to do that, I don't think I've slept so deeply in my life as I did the other night." Kana smirked. She turned to Dai, leading the child to the log. "Why don't you wait with Damian and Koda while I get us some food? Don't go wandering off by yourself akachan, it's not safe in the woods alone." Dai gave Kana a look like she was being rediculous, "O'neesama, I no dumb. I tiny, and not very strong. I stay by fire." She said, sitting on the edge of the log, away from everyone else. Kana smirked, poking her sister in the forehead, "I know you aren't dumb sweetie, I just wanted to make sure you knew. It's not the same here as it was back home." Dai looked sad, "Only time I go outside, Sora-niisan snuck me out. Kakasama no allowed me to leave past garden. She afraid you husband take me away, since you leave him." She said, staring at the ground. Kana looked horrified, dropping to her knees infront of the child, hugging her to her, "Oh akachan I'm so sorry. Anata no jinsei wa watashi no tame ni kon'nandesu. Watashi wa zan'nen akachandesu. Watashi wa sore o watashi ga kiboo henkoo ga dekireba. Sore wa kooseina koto wa, jibun no koodoo no tame ni kurushimu koto ni nattade wa nai." (Your life is hard because of me. I'm so sorry baby. If I could change it I would. It's not fair that you had to suffer for my actions.) She said, feeling horrible. "O'neechan, Anata no seide wa arimasen. Anata wa hanarete, soko kara jikan ga kakatta. Watashi wa daijoobudatta, Sora-niisan wa watashi no nochi mite, watashi wa anata ga shiawase ni naritai. Ano otoko wa soo suru tsumoridatta. Ooku no akka shite Kakasama ga watashi ni shita." (It's not your fault. You took me away from there. I was okay, Sora looked after me, and I want you to be happy. That man was so mean to you. Much worse then mother was to me.) She said with a light smile. "Daichan, you're to grown up for three." Kana smiled. "O'neechan, I almost four." Dai pouted. Kana laughed
Kana filled two bowls with food, hoping her sister could use a fork. She handed the food to her sister when she returned, sitting between the girl and the other two. Dai held the fork awakwardly, trying to get food into her mouth. "This food different." Dai said with an odd look on her face. Kana laughed at her sister, "Yes, yes it is, but it's good, I promise." She smiled. "So Damian, what do you think we should do? I'll have to go back eventually. I have to set things right." Kana asked, turning to the man. "Will Sora-niisan come soon? I worried about him." Dai pouted, tugging on Kana's sleeve. "I don't know akachan. If he doesn't, I'll get him when I go back, Okay?" She answered, knowing perfectly well the chances of Sora coming here were slim to none. Sora wouldn't do anything that could jepordize their safety.

He stared at the bright orange blaze for a moment, linking his hands together in thought.
"We can either get your sister out of here and you can go back and confront your husband, maybe get Sora out of there. Or you can both leave here in safety. It's your choice, either is fine and won't be a problem." Leaning back he placed his hands on his knees, oblivious to Melissa's confused blinks.
"If you do go back, I'm going with you. We both know you can't do it on your own. Besides you know I'll be a useful asset. I'm sure you remember how we met." Koda added with a cheeky grin.

"O'neechan, I miss Sora." Dai said quietly, pulling on her sisters sleeve. Kana looked over at Damian then back at her sister. "I need to get Sora, then go confront Akio. He's ruined so many people's lives, he needs to be stoped."
Kana stared at Koda in disbelief. "You seriously want to come with me? I mean, I know you can handel yourself, but Akio...are you sure?"

"I'm stronger than I look. I've lasted for years on the run for murder and various other nasty illegal acts. Besides I have my own score to settle with him. Something personal and simply for vengeance of my people, none but one of my kind can level the playing field for what he did to my kin. I will make him suffer." She whispered clenching her fists. Damian rested a hand on her shoulder squeezing lightly in a successful effort to calm her down.
"I would also go with you, if not for your sister needing someone here. However, if you give me a few hours I can get you some healing supplies." He chimed in.

"I know I said I wouldn't ask, and you don't have to answer, but what did my husband do to you and your kin? Despite his looks, he's much older then we are, so he did a lot before I was betrothed to him. No one said anything about his actions because he was head of one of the most powerful clans, just like if I had done horrible things no one would of said a word. It's the reason I've survived this long after what I did to him. Only he and his followers are after me. Kakasama would turn me in if she saw me, but that's because my mother detests me. The rest of my kin would probably turn me in as well, but that's because they fear that woman. They know I won't harm them unless necessary...Kakasama is vicious." Kana said, lowering her voice a bit, hoping Dai wouldn't catch everything she said. The child was smart, but this wasn't her first language.
"I believe that you're stronger then you look, and I've commited murder, along with other not so savory acts...such as trying to killing my husband. I won't judge you for any of that. As a matter of fact, I won't judge you for anything you've done in the past Koda. We may have our differances, but I've got to know you, and I know you wouldn't do anything without good reason. Thank you for offering to come with me, even if it is for your own reasons. I truly appreciate it. I don't think I would get out alive if I went alone. I was prepared to die, as long as I could take him with me. I know Sora would insist on coming with me, and that kills me. Sora is an amazing fighter, but he's kind, and he hesitates. If Sora died and I survived...I don't know what I would do." She said solemly.
"O'neechan, anata ga shinu koto wa dekimasen! Anata wa watashi o hitori ni suru koto wa dekimasen. Watashi ni yakusoku. Anata ga modotte kite, aruto modosu Soraniisan to Kodachan moto ni modotte, Ka, matawa subete de iku koto ga dekimasen. Wareware wa, subete koko ni sumu koto ga dekiru." (You can't die! You can't leave me alone. Promise me. You have to come back, and bring back Sora and Koda, or you can't go at all. We can all live here together.) Dai said, eyes filling with tears. Kana hugged her sister, petting her hair. "Daichan, Watashi wa kore o okonau hitsuyō ga arimasu. Kodachan Kore o okonau ni shite imasu. Nani ga watashi-tachi ni, hassei shita baai, Damian-sempi anata o mimasu. Watashi ga iru koto o kakunin shite mimasu Sorakun Sore wa anata no tame ni narimasu. Watashi wa Sorakun wa anata no sewa o suru kare wa, anata no musume toshite, onaji yō ni watashi wa kangaete iru shitte iru. Shikashi, akachan o modotte kuru no keikakunanode, shinpai shinaide kudasai. (Daichan, I have to do this. Kodachan has to do this. If anything happens to us, Damian-sempi will watch over you. I'll try to make sure Sorakun makes it back for you. I know Sorakun will take care of you, he thinks of you as a daughter, just like I do. But plan on coming back akachan, so don't worry.) She smiled reasuringly. "Okay 'neesama. I trust you. I believe you come back." Dai replied, clearly lying.
Kana smiled at Damian, "It's okay, there's no reason for you to come Damian. I honestly didn't expect anyone to help me." She smiled at Koda, "And they need you here. You're their healer, and from what you've told me, they would be in big trouble if you were gone. There's no reason for you to risk your life to help me destroy someone you've never met. Thank you for taking care of Daichan. This little one is as important to me as if she were my daughter instead of my sister." She said, hugging her sister to her, smiling down at the girl. "I've waited this long, I can wait a few more hours. To be honest, I'm terrified. Lord Akio knows my strengths, and my weaknesses, and knows how to use them against me. That's one thing he definatly learned in the years I was trapped with him. If I succeed, you're all welcome to come live there. I will be the ruler of the Northern Lands if Akio is gone." Kana finished, a little harshly.