I. fatherly interlude

"Schuldich, stop yanking the ears and tails of my clan mates they're getting annoyed." Crawford said as he sat down on the makeshift couch in their human sized quarters in Rtow pack den.

Rtow was Iraka's home pack and now Crawford's. It's been a two days since he and the rest of Schwartz had moved in with the pack. Nagi seemed to fit enough though rather disgruntled at being treated as another kit, albeit a strangely shaped one. Schuldich's tricks earned himself a place with the rest of the pack though pulling ears and tails were definitely a no-no.

"Aw, but what am I going to do next? I'm bored." Schuldich said, teasingly.

"Why? You've had other tricks to play and they certainly appreciate them."

"That takes the fun out it besides, Youji's not here."

: I take it that you're serious about Youji then? :

Crawford was surprised at the fatherly tone in Ayan's voice. Ayan had also hopped onto Schuldich's beanbag couch to gaze into the telepath's face.

: Aa, Ayan. : Schuldich said, sounding uncharacteristically serious as he ruffled the little red fox's ears.

: Good. : Ayan nuzzled Schuldich and pulled himself up to give the German a lick on the nose.

Good, good, I won't have a problem with Schuldich snatching Ayan anymore. He's not going to sleep around and risk the chance that Ayan would say something to Kudou.

The feeling of relief evaporated when he saw Ayan snuggle at Schuldich making murping sounds as he did so.

But I wish my Ayan wouldn't get so close to him too much…

Crawford popped into his blue kitsune form.
 
 

***

: Ayan, it's time for a cuddle. : Crawford said to Aya as he put his forepaws up on the couch and looked at him. His big head looked kind of strange to Aya who craned his neck back to look at him.

What is the matter with him, it seems that every time I get comfortable in Schuldich's lap… he always tries to pick me up for a cuddle.

: Hai. :

Oh well, I love him…and cuddling is fun with fur.

***

: Surprise, Ran-kit! :

: Luren-tousan, Manx-baasan what are you doing here? : Aya said surprised. He was sitting on their quarters' living room couch when Luren got into the room followed by Manx. Schuldich and Nagi were out with some clan members who decided to show the two humans the sights of their lands and Crawford was out with a hunting group. Both were wearing their kitsune forms and being carried by larger Thunder Clan members who absentmindedly put them down before going about their business.

: We decided to visit our new in-laws. : Manx put in.

: Though we were hard put to walk here on our own. It seemed less of a struggle to let them carry us. :

: Oh, now that you mentioned it, Luren-tousan, why were you being carried by those other kitsune? :

: It's the racial peculiarity to be obliging to kits. With our size we are often mistaken for one by the larger kindred. They give us lick baths, ask us where we're going and give us a lift. At least it's a cure for sore small paws. : Luren said sheepishly.

: But it can be inconvenient at times. : Manx added.

: Aa. : Aya said rather forlornly. He hated being treated as a kit especially by his lover.

: So how is Crawford treating you? :

: Well enough. He takes really good care of me like a father should and doesn't take advantage of me. That is when I'm not in human form as per agreement. :

: Why aren't you happier, then? :

: I'm just disappointed that I couldn't go with him today, that's all. He's out hunting. :

: Don't be in a hurry to grow up, Ran-kit. There's lots of time for that later. So, tell me about it? : Luren said, hopping onto the couch to sit beside his son though not too close knowing the kit might not appreciate it.

: I--I don't want to talk about it. :

: Now, now, I missed most of your childhood. I want to know more about you, Ran-kit. :

:I'm still a child remember. : Aya said. He resented the way this kitsune seem to presume upon him.

I know he has the right but…he left me to be raised by others. He shouldn't think that I would open up to him as soon as he asked me. Now be fair, Ran…

: Not where it counts. : Luren replied, rather sadly.

: Ran, give your father a chance. : Manx said.

: Why should I, Marika-baasan? He had less to do with me than you ever did? :

: Because he is your father, kit and even when he behaved in an inconsiderate manner, you still have to acknowledge the kinship. :

: I guess he is at that. : Ran said grudgingly, his voice trailing off.

: Hn. Tell me about my mother…: Ran said finally after a long contemplative silence.

: Your mother was, as you know, a princess of Void lands and priestess of Inari. She was a large black kitsune but delicate and graceful for all her size… I was a wandering kitsune when I first met her at the edge of nogitsune clan lands… She had been hunting for the temple…

Ran settled down on his paws for the story.

: So your mother picked me up and then she said that such a plucky little one shouldn't be out in the woods all alone… :

And so the rest afternoon passed with Luren telling Ran stories of his kitsune mother.

***

Luren watched as the kit finally settled beside him with a happy sigh. He wanted to cuddle the little one like he would a kit that age but that might upset Ran. He couldn't blame the kit for feeling skeptical of Luren's motives. He had been estranged from the kit for far too long. Besides, Ran-kit thought the human family to be his family not these newly known relatives of the four footed variety. Narrating how he and Reshka met would made him relive those potentially hurtful memories once again, the ghost warmth of the kit was comforting in it's own way…

***

: What's a tiny kit doing alone in the woods like this? Wandered off from a caravan, little one? : A resonant mental voice said.

: I am not a kit. : Luren said in an annoyed tone of voice as he felt himself being lifted off the ground.

: My mistake, but what is a Fire Clan kitsune doing on the border of Void Clan lands? : A big sable head came into view as he was lowered to the ground again.

: I am a wanderer. : Luren said stiffly. He hadn't forgiven the presumption of the nogitsune.

: I'm sorry, wanderer…: The nogitsune said gliding into the clearing with a grace that took Luren's breath away. Then he remembered that he hadn't fully introduced himself and almost blushed at his bad manners.

: Luren of the Fire Clan. :

:Reshka of Inari's Temple. :

: My lady. Princess…:

: I left that title long ago when I joined Inari's temple. :

: But you are ever of royal birth. Even the Lady would not insist that you renounce the title you are born with, had you joined Her service. :

: That is why I tool vows at Inari's instead. I have no ambitions whatsoever in ruling the Clan. : The answered pleased Luren who had no such aspirations himself. He also appreciated the carefree spirit behind the words.

: Aye. I guess you don't. So what is a priestess of the Trickster God doing in the woods? :

: I am hunting. Priest-folk must eat too. Are you going to pay your respects to Inari at our shrine? It will be dark soon. :

: I will, my lady. :

So he had accompanied the nogitsune lady into the shrine she had served in and he didn't leave again for a very long time.

***

Luren remembered those happy days in the temple, of playing catch-me-catch-you in the moonlight after Reshka's duties were done. Of the days when they roamed the woodlands to hunt and to marvel at things that were suddenly new. Love made the world a place of wonder and newness it seemed then. And he remembered this as he told the story to his son. He finally glossed over that one last moment he had seen Reshka and their other kit, they had been gutted on the pike of one of the nogitsune. Bittersweet memories that made his eyes glisten with tears though he was glad to have the chance to remember them again and to tell them to this one surviving kit. Ran-kit was such an adorable little one that Luren knew that Reshka would have been proud of this son of theirs had she had the chance to see the kit. The kit had all the kitsune virtues, loyalty and mischief, and a charm that was hard to deny.

Yes, I am lucky indeed to have some time with Ran-kit…

Luren smiled inwardly as Ran-kit snuggled by him instinctively as the kit lost wariness.

We could almost be a normal father and son…

***

Crawford got into the cave and saw Ayan talking to another red kitsune. The scent told him it was Ayan's Luren-tousan who was probably visiting to see how Ayan was doing. He felt a hint of jealousy as he saw them so close together.

: Ayan, I'm home. : Crawford said, he grabbed Ayan by the neck ruff and pulled him on to another couch. He then started to give his mate a lick bath while Manx looked on with amusement.

: Crawford, kindly remember that Ran-kit needs to spend some time with me. I am his father, after all. : Luren looked decidedly miffed at being preempted.

He doesn't look much of a threat like that. He's too cute rather like Ayan…

Crawford thought amusedly. He lost his annoyance once he got his Ayan away from the other kitsune.

: I know that. : The silent kitsune-speak was quite useful in times like this when one had one's mouthful of kit fur. Aya was fairly purring under Crawford's ministrations.

: Then why did you take him away from me when we were just starting to be comfortable? :

: I don't know what you mean by that. I always take Ayan for a cuddle when I get back home. :

: A creature of habit, aren't you? :

The sarcasm in the tone made Crawford's hackles rise and it didn't help that the other adult male's hackles were already up. He didn't want to fight his father-in-law but he wasn't about to kowtow to the small red fox either.

: Males and their domination games! Look at what it is doing to the kit. : Manx huffed intruding on the potentially disastrous moment.

Crawford looked at Ayan and saw that the kit was looking at him and Luren with uncertainty in his eyes.

: Sorry, kitling. : Luren said contritely as he hopped to the couch to where Ayan was to give the other red a lick of affection, which threatened to raise Crawford's hackles.

: Sorry, Ayan. : Crawford said grudgingly. He still didn't like his father in law.

: It's male hormones talking. Kitsune males are always possessive of their mates in front of other males. : Manx said lightly into his head.

: Aa. : That explained a great deal. Though he still didn't like Luren and probably never would.

: Oh well, females are more sensible. : Manx sighed privately into Crawford's mind.

: Why bug me with it? And not your brother, he's being oh-so-amicable. :

: He knows. : Manx said, sounding smugly at the implied "And you don't".

Sometimes he hated being a new at this…

***

: I am Kizie of the Void Clan, I hear that my little cousin and his mate-to-be had taken shelter with this pack? : Asked a sable female kitsune as she sat patiently by the outpost of the Rtow Pack.

: I am Asel of the Thunder Clan. I must check within the pack den. Will you wait? : Said the blue kitsune that sat in the little stone outpost.

: Aye, I will. : for as long as it takes.

~TBC~

Author's Notes:

Brad-kitsune:  Ayan's spending the afternoon with me!
Luren-kitsune: Ran-kit is going with me! *tries to pick up Ran ending up head over tail*
Brad-kitsune: hahaha!  *grabs Ayan-kitsune by the scruff*
Ayan-kitsune:I feel like a stuff toy between two children! @.@

Japanese Glossary:

Rai - thunder
Ku - air, void etc.

From http://users.cg.yu/ronin/glossary.html

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