FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this story are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. All characters are of legal and consenting age; likewise, if you are reading this story you should be of legal age in your respective country.

All characters are my own creation, any resemblance to existing characters is purely coincidental and not intentional, please do not use them without permission. If you would like to use them in a story, please feel free to send me a PM either as Inja on SoFurry or TheRealInja on FA. As always, I am open to new story ideas or situations with existing characters as well.

This has been a long time coming, a lot has changed since I first wrote this and it's been hanging over my head like a sword of Damocles. I loved the story when I wrote it and I do not want to simply trash it, but for personal reasons I am changing some of the characters from the original. It has been long overdue for an update and rework, possibly even finishing it off how I originally intended.

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For years the houses of Migi and Hidari had been fighting for the Emperors favour, countless battles fought and lives lost as the two great houses war raged on through the generations. This year though House Migi had a trump card, in the excavations of their mines they had unearthed a jade dragon egg. The last of its known kind in existence, having thought to be extinct for centuries and would be priceless, surely enough to finally gain the Emperors favour. With sons having grown too fat and lazy on their father's name, it was decided to hire some outside help to make sure the treasure was safely delivered to the Emperor on his birthday. House Migi was to hire a Ronin by the name of Hageshi to be the eggs protector; her master only having been recently slain she was relatively unknown and was promised a place in House Migi is she was successful in her mission. Her beauty belying her true nature and skill, seeming far too small and delicate to pose much of a threat to any would be attackers. Being a kitsune as well, she would blend in well with the vulpine envoy being sent. Her cover came in the form of word being spread that she was the true gift to the Emperor as an offer of marriage to his soon to be eligible son. After all, such things were not uncommon to garner status among the houses.

The small band of Migi soldiers would set off on horseback, two each side of the carriage Hageshi would be riding in along with the Jade dragon egg. Making sure to keep a slow and leisurely pace as not to draw too much attention to themselves, the group would travel along the Emperors road and heading up through the valley and into the mountains before descending back down the other side. The first few days relatively uneventful, the commoners out in the fields barely stopped their work to watch the passing carriage. All the while Hageshi would sit in the carriage fanning herself idly, nerves wound tighter than a harp string as an uneasy feeling rolled about the pit of her stomach. She had been in enough battles to know that the quiet was not her friend and only warned of trouble to come. Staring out the window at the passing rows of cherry trees her ears would suddenly perk at the familiar sound of a faint whistle. Soon another and another was heard; her blood running cold as she recognised the sound too late. Before her eyes the riders beside the carriage cried out as blood erupted from their chests, the arrows easily piercing through their simple armour. The carriage drawing to a halt as the driver jumped down and bolted for safety, only to get a few paces away before meeting the same fate as the soldiers.

"Step out of the carriage Princess, we promise not to hurt you" came a low growled voice of one of the attackers.

"But what if I want to hurt you?" the kitsune chimed back in a singsong voice, a faint smile touching her lips.

"Don't be silly, we have you outnumbered!" another voice hollered with a laugh. Indeed it seemed she was outnumbered; stepping from the carriage Hageshi would see a band of five men, from their dress she knew instantly they were from House Hidari.

"Come now, surely it doesn't take five Rongutëru to handle me?" still Hageshi smiled demurely, stepping away from the carriage while holding the front of her Kimono to step over one of the fallen soldiers.

With a nod the white tiger with silver stripes whom seemed to be in charge would send the largest of his men to handle her. As he approached, the kitsune could see why the large black panther seemed to suddenly scowl at being called a long tail; the short stub of what must have been a long luxurious tail once upon a time flicked agitatedly behind him. Growling as he got in close; making to grab the collar of her kimono, he would scream out in pain a moment later as his hand was grabbed and twisted painfully with an audible pop; dropping the big oaf to his knees before a smirking Hageshi. A moment later he would be knocked out cold as she did a simple graceful spin; raising her foot to connect with his temple and sending the panther crashing into a heap on the floor. With a final stomp to the back of his neck and a sickening crack; his body gave a last few twitches before falling still, much to the shock of the remaining men. Their largest member being taken out in an instant with so little effort, they quickly realized this was no ordinary Princess; if she was a Princess at all.

At the sound of blades being drawn, Hageshi turned to face her attackers again. Slowly undoing the sash of her kimono with a skew grin on her lips at the look of confusion on the men's faces. A sudden flare of movement as she whipped the silk garment up and off, tossing it into the air to distract them; her own Daisho hidden beneath soon drawn and held at the ready. Her clothing beneath the kimono giving away her true identity; a simple white keikogi and black hakama and her stance seemed to bring a smile to the white and silver tigers lips. Still standing behind the others and watching with mild interest. With a roar the three soldiers rushed in, swords drawn and slashing wildly at Hageshi who parried and blocked their attacks with ease with the blade of her shoto while lashing out with her daito. All the while she would smile and laugh, seeming to almost dance between her enemies blades without tiring. Meanwhile her would be attackers soon wore many red stripes as small wounds were opened all over, fatigue quickly setting in from their disorganised attacks and the loss of blood alike.

"Just finish them already, Totsuzen," the tiger would say with a soft laugh, knowing his men had already lost. Hageshi's smile faded at being called a mutt, whatever mercy she might have shown evaporated instantly. With a few precise flicks of her daito, arcs of crimson soon spilled across the ground a moment before the three soldiers fell to the ground. Their cries nothing but strangled gurgles as they dropped their weapons to clutch uselessly at their throats before they lay motionless.

"You won't fare any better" the kitsune growled at the tiger, aiming her daito at him and making sure he would see the blood of his men still dripping from the blades edge.

"Cherry blossoms, how cute..." he stated as he stared down her blade to see the pattern carved into the golden flower shaped guard or tsuba of her sword, an intricate pattern of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind.

With a flick of his thumb the tiger would unsheathe his of daito and shoto, shrugging out of his cloak and turning to face her. A few steps brought him close enough to almost touch sword tips with the kitsune, also to finally notice the dazzling emerald of her eyes and the odd stripes which were barely visible at her shoulders beneath her keikogi. Likewise the kitsune got her first real look at the tiger, though not a true tiger it seemed. The blue eyes were not common for his species, there also seemed to be a hint of another species in him, yet she could not place it. Not that it mattered; he was the enemy and needed to be put down.

"I am Hyo, may I know the name of the Totsuzen that killed my men?" he would ask with a slight grin, knowing that word seemed to anger her and might just give him the edge.

"Hyo, a bit on the nose isn't it? Your parents must not be very imaginative to call you that....I am Hageshi" the kitsune replied as the pair began to slowly pace and circle one another, sizing each other up.

Hageshi would be the first to strike, a simple probing attack that Hyo easily deflected; likewise, his counter too would be brushed aside with ease. The longer they seemed to dance and deflect one another's attacks; the mood in the air seemed to change. A few dodges and steps back and soon they found themselves almost dancing beneath the falling cherry blossoms, petals being cleaved in twain by sharp blades as each tried to score a hit. While the pair continued to battle the sun would cut a lazy arc across the sky, morning soon changing into afternoon before the light started to dim as it changed to sunset. Still the pair danced, the kitsune's moves flowing like a river while the tiger was the immovable rock. They were far too evenly matched; neither seeming to gain the upper hand other than shredding each other's' clothing and exposing more of each other's forms in the process. By the time Hyo and Hageshi were finally panting from exertion, the mood in the air had changed. No longer where they enemies fighting, the look of desire in their eyes and admiration for one another's fighting styles issued in a change.

"Neither of us is going to win this, what say we call a truce?" Hyo finally asked with a laugh, grinning at the kitsune whom would nod and slowly sheath her Daisho, though only after the tiger had done so first.

After a brief exchange the truce was cemented; both being too far from their house to make the journey back alone it was decided for Hyo to build a small fire while Hageshi would catch some fish for their dinner. But when the fire was well underway and Hageshi was nowhere to be seen still, Hyo's curiosity got the better of him. Creeping along to the riverbank, he would find more than he bargained for. Hageshi was standing nude waist deep at the river's edge, having decided to take a quick bath before dinner it seemed judging by the fish lying beside her neatly folded clothing on a nearby flat rock. With the moonlight dancing on the surface of the water, Hageshi's true beauty was readily apparent, stirring desire even years of training and discipline could not contain in Hyo.

Slipping out of his own clothing to casually stroll down to the river's edge beside her, Hageshi would not flinch or even try to cover herself. Instead, the kitsune would grin at the tiger, her eyes travelling along his form. The many scars along his chest and shoulders speaking to his hard life, likewise the scars she wore telling her own tale. Despite being of different houses, it seemed they had a lot in common. Perhaps more than just mutual attraction and admiration from the way she gasped as his lips met hers in a sudden kiss. Strong arms wrapped about her waist and shoulders, the tiger held the nude kitsune against himself, her small breasts pressed against his chest and stiff nipples rubbing against his soft fur. A soft kitsune hand stroking down along the tiger's side, resting momentarily at his hip before moving in to grasp at his swelling length and bringing forth a pleased growl from him.

"What would our houses say if they knew we were doing this?" Hyo joked with a pleased churl as Hageshi began to steadily stroke him to fullness.

"I'm Ronin, I have no house so I have no problem" the kitsune replied with a hint of sadness which was soon replaced by a startled yelp as Hyo's hands found her behind with a firm grip, hoisting her up by his grasp there and carrying her to dry land once she'd wrapped her thighs about his waist.

Laying the kitsune down beneath himself, his lips would find hers again in another passionate kiss. Her thighs rose to press against his hips, rubbing against his sides as his turgid length teased against her slit. Like sheathing a sword within its scabbard, the tiger would hit his mark, burying himself to the hilt within the kitsune. Their kiss broken by a mutual groan of satisfaction as they began to move as one, hips rolling against thighs, thickness stroking and stretching Hageshi in ways most pleasurable while her embrace hugged and gripped Hyo's length with an almost perfect fit. Muscles flexed and ears twitched as they rolled against one another, soft grunts and pleasured groans filling the air while cherry blossoms drifted down around them. As much as they both wished it would last forever, the inevitable end came with a howl and a deep growl; Hyo growling as he gave one final thrust and came within Hageshi. While Hageshi would howl as Hyo sunk his knot within her, bringing more than just pleasure to the kitsune as she suddenly realised why there seemed to be something else to the tiger, which she now realised he was part kitsune as well.

As they lay panting and staring down at one another, neither unable to move for a little while at least, Hageshi would reach up to stroke her fingers against Hyo's cheek. "What of your house, you've lain with a Ronin and tarnished your honour?"

A deep silence would follow before the stern expression on Hyo's face would crack into a smile, "I guess I'm a Ronin as well now."

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In the days following their encounter, Hyo and Hageshi spent most of their days in one another's arms. Having buried the bodies of their fallen and stripping the carriage of anything valuable; including the jade dragons egg, they had set fire to what remained. The horses set free, save for the two they rode away on. The rain would wash away what else remained to stain the grass and cherry trees, soon leaving little to no evidence of what had transpired that fateful day.

"You know this can't last forever..." Hageshi would say in a rueful whisper as she sat between Hyo's thighs on the front steps of their little hut a few days later, staring down the valley across the multitude of layered rice fields at the small rustic town below. Fires and torches being lit in the houses bellow, the smells of dinner cooking drifted up to the watchful pair of eyes. She could feel the grumble of Hyo's belly against her back, the fact of which brought a smile to her lips, however brief. "Someone will come looking for you sooner or later, honour demands it," the kitsune continued, Hyo knew she was right as much as he wished she wasn't.

He had forsaken his masters, if that was not punishable enough on its own; he had abandoned them for one of the rival house. Nothing but his death would absolve his house of this stain and Hyo knew it. Death was coming for him, he did not know when, but he was sure it would be sooner than he wished. He cherished his time with the kitsune, her strength and courage inspired him. The more he learned about her, the more he wanted to know. Born to common folk she had worked hard to get to the levels she had before her master was assassinated by unknown parties, casting her out into the world as a Ronin. Usually the title was enough for the common man to spit in her direction, but the kitsune was so loved and respected by her people they were sad to hear of her being called to the House of Migi.

"You need to eat; you'll need your strength for what's coming." Try as she might, Hageshi could not keep the note of worry from her voice. She had heard stories of the warriors in Hidari, if they were even half-true and recalling the brute of a panther she had fought not so long ago, the kitsune knew trouble was coming. In the few short days she had spent with Hyo she had learned to read through his calm exterior, she knew this weighed heavy on his heart. Torn between honour and love, he had given up his life for a kitsune he had only just met. It was a big gamble, for both of them, but as she now realized the tiger was not afraid of risking it all for the things that mattered. A fact which she both admired and hated, knowing it would probably lead him into taking risks he shouldn't.

The odd couple had fallen into a routine of sharing the workload, helping each other with cooking and cleaning. Despite their business in the small kitchen, they managed to dance around each other without getting in one another's way. Both taking turns at being punch drunk fools as hands groped and caressed when an inviting curve of bulge was presented at the right time or angle. By the time the food was ready for consumption, obvious flour caked handprints would be outlined over crotches or on behinds from their playing. Sometimes the food forgotten all together as a counter would be swept clean and passion overtook them.

That night was different, the lovemaking seeming more intense and desperate, as if they somehow knew it might be the last time. Much like their first time the kitsune would be beneath the tiger, staring up into his eyes as her lips parted in a soft pant. A hand gripping the back of his neck as she pulled his lips to hers with a fiery passion, a needy whine bursting into his muzzle as strong feline hips rocked firmly between kitsune thighs. Despite having taken it a few times by now, the fact the feline had a canine knot still caught her every time he tied with her, though his cat did seem to know how to use it better than most of her own kind. Slipping a hand down against her lower belly to press down as he ground his knot within her, lighting up nerves even she had not known she had and wringing a climax strong enough to make her feel dizzy as she in turn coated his swaying balls and inner thighs with her climax. The way she squeezed and writhed beneath him would set Hyo off soon after, groaning heavily against her shoulder as his girth throbbed and pulsed strongly a few times before he released his own thick ropes of seed within the radiant kitsune beneath him. Collapsing on top of her, trying to hold his weight from her by resting on his elbows above her, his nose pressed to hers as they stared deeply into one another's eyes. No words needed to express what they both knew to be true at that moment.

Hyo woke the next morning to a hard weight being dropped onto his chest, opening one eye and peering down at the object Hageshi had placed there not so gently. His heart caught in his chest as he saw the hilt of the dagger, the head of a wolf with ruby eyes. The symbol of his house; they had finally found him.

"There's a note too. It says someone named Buruto is coming for you?" Hageshi read the name out again, a confused look on her face until she turned to look at Hyo. Even through his fur she could see his pale colour; clearly this was not good news at all.

Hyo sat up in their bed, taking the note from Hageshi's hands to read it for himself and make sure she'd read it right, but she had. In plain black lettering was the name Buruto, his old master. Memories of the hardships Hyo had suffered growing up under his tutelage came flooding back, fingers raising to trace along the faint scar along his jaw from the first time he had disobeyed Buruto and received a punch hard enough to send hip flying over the banister and a story down onto the stone courtyard. He could still hear the sound of his arm snapping beneath him, the ache of weeks after from having the bone reset still followed him.

Deciding it best not to involve the villagers below in their fight; Hyo and Hageshi collected their belongings and headed back to the place it all began. Hoping to catch Buruto off-guard if they found him early enough, or at least out in the open and on even ground. Despite the need for urgency, the pair found their feet to be dragging, unwilling to move at a brisk pace as each step drew them closer to what could possibly be the end of them. Finally they reached the edge of the cherry tree orchard where it had all began, the faint breeze bringing with it the sweet scent of the blossoms. Hyo came to a halt, head raised as he stared straight ahead with a low growl and agitated flick of his long tail behind him. Hageshi followed his gaze and saw the shapes of men approaching from the opposite direction, wearing similar outfits to the one Hyo had worn the first day she had met him.

"Buruto..." the kitsune said with resignation, stepping in behind Hyo as he slowly approached the group.

"Hyo, I hear stories that you have forsaken your masters? From the look of the bitch behind you, it looks like they're true. Can't say I wouldn't do the same as you for a piece of ass as fine as that, but is even that Totsuzen pussy worth your honour?" the large black bruin said with a grin, showing off his white fangs. His four cohorts laughing on queue as he turned to glare at them.

"As subtle as a drunken bull as always" Hyo hissed back at Buruto, dropping his pack and drawing his Daisho.

These five were clearly not diplomats and carried little rations; they were not planning to bring anyone back, at least not alive. That much was obvious, but the bears threatening demeanour cemented that fact as his grip never left the hilt of his massive odachi.

"Kill the bitch, he's mine" came Buruto's command and not an instant later had the four smaller felines behind him drawn their katana.

With an annoyed sigh Hageshi would stride over to a cherry tree and place her bundle down beside it before turning to face her opponents; an arm outstretched with a paw facing palm up as she made a come-hither motion with her fingers. The fact she had not drawn her swords seemed to give the four armed men pause, if only for a moment.

"Show off..." Hyo would say softly to her, a slight grin tugging at his lips as he watched the four try in vain to even touch the kitsune, but the way she danced and moved around their blades, they would have better luck nailing water to a tree.

Her confidence was all he needed, turning to face the bruin just in time to see his attack and roll to the side in a dodge. Even with his hearing, Hyo had not heard the long blade being drawn; luckily he could hear the bears lumbering steps though. Rolling again to dodge a hard overhead swing, the blade scraping against the stone where Hyo's head had been not a moment ago. Quickly getting to his feet and facing Buruto, the first few probing stabs he knew so well from their years of training easily deflected with his shoto while his faster reflexes would leave small cuts in Buruto's hide. Being a seasoned warrior though, Buruto was able to ignore the small cuts Hyo had managed to land, letting them fuel his anger and letting his swings hit harder until eventually he would create an opening and land a strike against the tigers left leg. A spray of crimson followed by a pained cry as Hyo stumbled to regain his footing, but it was not to be. Buruto knew better than to let his enemy regain their composure, especially a traitor like the feline. With a firm strike, he would swat Hyo's daito from his grasp, sending it clattering across the cobbled path and catching Hageshi's attention.

With three of the four men put down with their own swords running them through, she would draw the final blade across the pleading feline's throat just in time to see the large bear grab Hyo's hand still holding his shoto and twist it back with a sickening snap. The tiger being lifted by his broken arm from the floor as the bears large fist first knocked the wind from his lungs, soon followed by a an even harder blow to the side of his face, instantly swelling his eye shut and making his head spin. With a cruel laugh, Buruto tossed Hyo like a ragdoll against a nearby cherry tree, his barely conscious form slumping down at the base of the tree as the large ursine form loomed over him. Hyo knew his time was drawing to an end; how he wished he could see Hageshi one last time, but then he did. The kitsune had her daito drawn and was running at Buruto, blade drawn high as she meant to spear it down into his exposed back. The faint glimmer of hope Hyo felt at seeing her rushing to his aid vanished in an instant as Buruto whirled around and caught Hageshi's wrists in his own, holding her easily up in the air.

"It's true what they say, if you want something done right, you got to do it yourself" his large form shook with a laugh, stabbing his odachi into the ground between Hyo's thighs before reaching up to grasp the shoto at Hageshi's hip.

Hyo's one good eye opening wide as he tried to beg for Buruto not to do it, but it was too late. The blade was already piercing Hageshi's body; soon appearing out beneath her left shoulder before she was tossed aside to land atop her backpack beside the tree; eyes wide with tears rolling down her cheeks as she stared helplessly at Hyo, the world around her starting to fade to black.

With an ear-splitting roar Hyo would be on his feet in a flash, Buruto's heavy odachi snatched up in his good hand to be thrust forward and up...right through the jaw of the stunned bear, jutting out of his forehead like an odd shaped metal horn. The large form gurgling and grunting as his ruined synapses fired, eyes rolling back into his head before his lifeless form slumped and fell over. With his heart sinking into his stomach, Hyo rushed over to kneel beside Hageshi, a hand stroking against her cheek as he stared into her fading eyes.

"You can't go yet, our story isn't done" Hyo pleaded with her, tears beginning to run down his cheeks.

"A true warrior doesn't cry..." Hageshi would try joke, wincing in pain as her soft laugh caused the blade to shift. With trembling fingers she would slowly pull it free, the front of her kimono suddenly turning deep scarlet as the wound was now unblocked. "Goodbye Hyo, my love".

There was nothing but darkness, no sound or temperature. This was not quite how she had pictured the afterlife, there was just nothing. Hageshi felt herself drifting about aimlessly, shouting out in the hopes of someone answering. After what felt like an eternity of drifting in the void, finally she got a response. A faint musical sounding voice replied with "Hello Hageshi, are you ready to go back now?" the words came as a surprise for sure.

"Back? What do you mean back?" she would say, trying not to get her hopes up, knowing she may very well be in the spirit realm and they often tricked unsuspecting travellers like her.

"To Hyo of course, he needs you. He was right you know, your story isn't done yet."

Even as she began to stammer and stutter the single word "Yes!" a light would begin to grow, growing so bright Hageshi would have to cover her eyes and block her ears from the sound of rushing wind.

In an instant, it was silent again, the light vanishing only to be replaced by darkness and the smell of cherry blossoms. Hageshi blinked a few times, hands reaching down to her chest where the shoto had pierced her, only to find no evidence of the wound. A faint glow caught the corner of her eye, sitting up and turning about to find a stunned Hyo holding what appeared to be the jade dragon egg. A long slender form seemed to be swirling about inside it, the same soft laughter and voice coming from somewhere inside; asking "Can Hira come out now?"

Hyo turned to look at Hageshi as she moved beside him, her hands cupping beneath his as she stared down at the glowing egg before in unison both spoke out an unsure "Yes."

Brilliant white light began to shine through the cracks forming on the jade egg until with a bright explosion the shell disintegrated, revealing a small emerald scaled wyrm sitting in their palms, smiling up at the stunned pair.

"I'm Hira, I healed you because your love fed and healed me."

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The days following their encounter with Hyo's old clansmen had been tense, so much had happened in such a short space of time. The impossible becoming possible, their reality seeming unreal after facing certain death and both Hyo and Hageshi making it out not only alive, but feeling stronger than ever before thanks to Hira healing their wounds. With her fingers tracing the spot where the scar should have been from the blade piercing her body, Hageshi sat at the table still trying to make sense of it all. The reason for her and Hyo still being alive lay curled about a small melon on the table before her, the long slender emerald scaled wyrm curled about the fruit as if it were a precious horde of loot. There was an undeniable connection between the three of them now, as if Hira had always been a part of them. A light smile gracing the small wyrm's lips as Hageshi reached out to stroke against the silky soft little mane of the dragon, eliciting a faint almost feline like purr from Hira.

A faint tapping at the door to their little cottage breaking the silence of the night, though despite the soft almost musical tone to the knocking both Hyo and Hageshi's nerves would be on edge. Hageshi approached the door slowly to place her hand on the latch, with a nod from Hyo whom stood beside the door in the shadows and hand on the hilt of his daito; Hageshi would push the door open to reveal a form cloaked in black standing before them.

Palms pressed together as the figure bowed politely before her "I deeply apologise for disturbing you at this hour honourable Hageshi, but I believe we have much to discuss. If you would be so kind as to ask Master Hyo to sheath his sword and step aside, I have news which concerns you both" came the measured and calm voice of the apparently male form before her. With only his eyes revealed there was not much to give away what lay beneath the layers of cloth, save for a pointed snout and large ears.

"First tell us who you are, then we will consider letting you inside, stranger" Hyo's voice would come from within the shadows before he stepped into the light, his hand still on the hilt of his sword. The tiger's sharp azure eyes would scan the form before him, though he would glean little from the well-hidden figure to make any worthwhile observations.

"I am Prince Xael, of the House of Tsuiho, of course" even through the mask it was obvious the male was smiling, his eyes twinkling with an odd sort of mischief.

"Tsuiho? You're either a robber, a thief or a murder" Hyo would spit with a fierce growl, his daito being drawn in a flash with the point of his blade pressed against Xael's throat.

"Granted there are those of my clan whom...well let's just say, do not follow the common law. We are all just exiles, something I believe the two of you are very familiar with right now. You two have been making quite the ruckus in this area and stirring up the royals, it's bad for business you know" still his eyes would sparkle with an odd playfulness.

Try as he might, Hyo found this unknown person's demeanour infectious, catching himself beginning to smile unwittingly as the tip of his blade began to lower. "Give us a moment to discuss letting you in...Prince Xael" the tone was both one of mockery and disbelief, both pouring like venom from Hageshi's lips as the door shut firmly in his face. With a nod back to the table the kitsune would point out the obvious dragon still laying fast asleep wrapped about the fruity horde of treasure.

"Could you make it quick? I'm freezing my tail off out here and I'm rather fond of my tail I'll have you know!" the somewhat muffled voice of Xael could be heard.

With a resigned sigh and not much time to think of a better plan, Hageshi stalked over to the table and gathered Hira up, slipping the half asleep dragon inside her kimono while putting her finger to her lips to try silence him. Looking up at an oddly grinning Hyo, she would give a nod for him to open the door. Half expecting Xael to have vanished while out of sight, they instead found him a few paces away admiring a little Buddha statue left behind from the previous owners.

"He's got some nice breasts for a guy, don't you think?" the unexpected comment would catch Hyo completely by surprise and even earned a choked snort under a menacing glare from Hageshi.

Deciding it prudent to move things along, Hyo would jerk his head back inside indicating for Xael to enter and rather urgently at that. "For such a nice butt, sure does seem to be a mighty big stick up it," Xael would whisper in passing to Hyo as he entered. Thankfully Hyo would be facing the door so his grin and battle of trying not to laugh would be hidden from Hageshi's glare, taking a moment to compose himself before turning back around and looking as stern as ever.

Joining Hageshi at the table and sitting beside her, they would both wait for Xael to take a seat and begin speaking. Instead of sitting before them however, Xael would begin to unwrap his headdress and remove his gloves, leaving a stunned looking Hyo and Hageshi staring open mouthed at the appearance of a golden fox standing before them.

"Best close your mouths before a bird makes a nest in them," Xael teased before sitting down finally and leaning forward on his elbows, hands clasped before him.

"You two don't know what you've done, do you?" Xael begun with a sudden air of seriousness as his stare bounced between the tiger and kitsune before him, they looked at each other first before looking back at Xael to shake their heads. "Hageshi was already a Ronin, what she doesn't know is that she was meant to be a gift to the Emperor by way of marriage to one of his sons and thus creating a stronger bond for House Migi. What you also probably don't know is that it was the head of House Migi that had your master killed to achieve these ends as a loyal samurai does not ever relinquish their post willingly," Xael had expected a look of shock and horror to cross Hageshi's face at this news, but there seemed to be something else going on with her at the moment.

Eyes wide and an apparent blush touching her inner ears, the way her arms wrapped about herself as if she were trying to keep warm; she was rocking and squirming in her seat most peculiar. Xeal frowned at the kitsune, but continued with his story regardless.

"To make matters worse, you met this tiger here and somehow convinced him to break his oath to House Hidari. The way I hear it, he was one of their finest samurai and in line to take over command once Buruto was ready to retire. A warrior forged in flame and hardship I hear them call him, a true warrior spirit...are...are you all right Miss Hageshi? You're looking rather pale all of a sudden," Xael would ask with some concern at seeing the kitsune starting to pant and perspire.

It was all finally too much, the mischievous dragon was just too curious, squirming about inside her kimono and licking at everything it could find. Tugging her kimono open and rather blatantly exposing her breasts to a suddenly blushing Xael, Hageshi would grip Hira by the tail and tug him fully out from within her clothing where he was rooting around between her thighs to plop him onto the table. The sudden sight of a real live dragon being presented before him would send Xael toppling backwards and out of his chair, quickly getting to his feet and pointing at the creature before him.

"That's...that's a...a dragon!"

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Once Xael had calmed down enough to listen to rational thought, Hyo and Hageshi told him of how the jade egg had hatched as a result of the love which had blossomed between the kitsune and tiger.

"This poses a problem, if Hira was born of the jade egg and from love...I have heard tell of an obsidian egg which was stolen at the same time from the vaults of Hageshi's former master. We need to go have a talk with Chisana Haha and get more information." Even if it was not for the serious tone of his voice, the lack of the playful twinkle in his eyes spoke volumes for how worried Xael was at this latest revelation. Plans were made that night to pack provisions and make the journey to the Sabita Yosei Yado, Chisana Haha's place of residence in the nearest major town.

As the sun was peeking over the horizon at daybreak, the three would set off along the road, dressed in plain peasant clothing and weapons hidden to avoid attracting any unwanted attention. What little attention they did garner was easily dealt with by Xael's uncanny charm, a terse meeting with a pair of palace guards scouting the boundaries would end with a shared meal about a campfire and bad singing over a bottle of rice wine; even somehow managing to get the guards to laugh at jokes about their own beloved Emperor. It seemed the golden fox might have the ability to talk a cat out of its own skin if he wanted to, as palace guards were notorious no nonsense types and usually had a severe lack of humour.

The rest of the trip was relatively uneventful, save for a few lessons in manners with Hira as he once again decided to explore inside Hageshi's clothing without her permission. Eventually the party of three would be entering the main gate of the town and heading to the less than savoury sections. Making their way through back alleys and dimly lit passages until the sound of cheer and laughter would be heard. A few steps from the entrance, the door to the Inn suddenly burst open as a large four-legged creature burst through and heaved a clearly drunk large bull bodily across the passage and slamming hard enough into the opposite wall to lodge his horns in the wood, keeping him from crumpling to the floor.

"Nice shot Batsu! See, I told you we should have put a bull's eye on that wall for you!" A smaller form would appear on the taurs back, bouncing with glee as she pointed and laughed at the bull stuck struggling against the wall. "Let's get back inside and go to my office, I think you earned a reward for that one!" the smaller creature would cheer with a tug to the taurs ears, using them like reigns and guiding her back inside.

"That's Chisana Haha..." Xael would turn to a stunned looking Hageshi and Hyo with an apologetic smile. "Best head in and catch her before Batsu gets too busy or we'll have to wait until tomorrow to speak with her."

With a resigned sigh and setting his shoulders, Xael would push through the door and the crowd beyond to head for the stairs at the back; Hageshi and Hyo close behind. The scent of the opium and other substances was almost overwhelming, sickeningly sweet and making the unaccustomed kitsune and tiger's heads both spin, causing them to stumble a little on the rather steep stairs heading up to the private quarters. With a firm knock on the door Xael would announce his presence "Chisana Haha, it's Xael. We need to talk!" he would have to shout over the din of the crowd below, to which an oddly breathless "Come in!" would barely be heard. Pushing the door open Xael would enter first, but the sight which greeted them would stop all three in their tracks.

Batsu was lying on her back; legs in the air with the small form of Haha laying on her belly with her head between the taurs back legs. Raising her face with lips glistening from the taurs obvious arousal, Haha motioned towards the chairs close by for them to sit on. With obvious blushes the three travellers took their seats; not sure how to proceed as Haha dove back between the taurs thighs, kissing and licking at her womanhood with audible slurps even over the noise from below.

Finally breaking his awkward silence; Xael gave a loud cough into his fist to get her attention "We've come to ask about an egg..." he would begin, only to be cut off by a laugh from Batsu whom despite her intimidating size and strength had an oddly musical and very feminine voice.

"We're not farmers Xael, no matter how often the little one plows me," Even in the dimness of the room Xael's blush would be obvious, again coughing into his fist before looking away briefly.

"An obsidian egg..." the golden fox would push on, trying to ignore the impassioned groans of the taur while Haha sucked on her clit while nimble fingers delved between her folds.

"Oh, is that all? His old master has it. Stole it right from under the nose of her new Houses murdering head after he killed her previous master to take possession of her," Haha replied without so much as lifting her head to look directly at Hageshi and Hyo.

"He what!?" Hageshi almost yelled, slapping a hand down on the table between her and Haha.

"Oh don't look so shocked, little one. Kitsunes are highly sought after; you being a Samurai already serving another house meant you would never willingly offer yourself to further the status of another house," Haha replied, finally lifting her head to turn and look at the vixen. "Migi have never been afraid to play dirty, no matter whom gets caught in the crossfire."

"The obsidian egg..." Xael gently but firmly reminded everyone of the real reason they'd come.

"Ah yes, the obsidian egg. Where the jade dragon heals and brings life, the obsidian destroys and takes it. No doubt his old master intends to use it to...shall we say, obtain a seat on the throne?" Haha gestured at Hyo as she referenced the obsidian egg's new owner.

"This is bad, worse than I thought...he's going to start an all out war," Xael stammered, suddenly looking very pale.