Shotii made his way through the bone littered graveyard, finding little to do as of late. He’d eventually come to, once again, you guessed it, the famous tombstone of which Cadencia always seemed to reside upon. Though once he’d arrive the male couldn’t seem to find the kitsunette at her usual post. So, with a small leap, he’d land upon the surface of the worn stone, gazing around, bored. He eventually shifted down into a lying position, multiple tails resting against his side. He knew she’d eventually be back.

Illis walked past the spirit shrine, and silently leaped over a log. He usually didn’t make much noise. Cadencia had taught him well. His eyes peered over, to where Cadencia normally lay. Someone else was there...someone he didn’t know. Eyes narrowing, the fiery kitsune slowly faded into an ethereal state, growling to himself. He walked over to where the male lay, watching him through cool blue eyes, which glowed faintly. Cadencia was no where to be found, and an echoing growl emanated from him towards the four-tail. “This is Cadencia’s domain...by what right do you lay upon her coffin?” Normally Illis wouldn’t be so aggressive, but for some reason, he felt much more defense of his mentor’s ground than he did anywhere else.

Cadencia tilted her head to the side, watching the males from her perch. Though, of course they couldn’t see her; fem’s bodice hovered several inches above the top of the cross, tails flickering about beneath her, simply passing through the solid object with ease. She’s been feeding on someone in the realm of the dead, and had just returned when Illis’ growls reached perked harks. Shaking her head a few times, fem’ would giggle rather childishly, though hushed rather quickly as she wanted to watch the two for a moment, curious as to what Shotii would do.

Shotii would slowly lift muzzle from its perch atop his paws to lazily glance over his shoulder, towards the fire kitsune behind. A stern growl ushered forth as he slowly sat up, charcoal rims pulled back to reveal glistening fangs as he grunted. “I have business here, thank you very much.” Eyes narrowed upon the other, having stood his ground without fail. No way would he be chased away from the tombstone by some lowly strange. Even then, no way would he be chased away from his dead friend Cadencia, either.

Illis snarled, ready to jump forth, his body shifting back and forth out of the ethereal plan. “You have no business without Cadencia being here! Your business is not to sleep on her tomb! I suggest you come back when she is here, but I have never seen you here before, nor has lady Cadencia mentioned that you would be here!” he would snap. Though making no move as of yet, his tri-tails thrashed behind him causing ethereal sparks to shoot from them.

Cadencia giggled again, this time making her appearance. “Enough, boys,” Fem murred, tips of her paws slowly materializing into physical form, bodice lowering as forepaws would touch down against the top of the cross, hind paws ‘pon either end of the horizontal piece of the tombstone. “I want no blood and guts on my tombstone; I’ve worked long and hard to keep it clean as it is.” Ears would twitch slightly as her curious gaze rested upon the two males whom, clearly, were rather dear to her.

Malissius’s ears twitched as the kit heard some strong voices nearby; he was napping, but obviously wasn’t bothered by the sounds. Small tassel gently curled upon the kit’s side, lightly covering its face, little whines were emitted as he slept cuddling into the soft tail.

Shotii glared down upon the other with seemingly hollow eyes, the shadows beneath either of them rippled with anticipation as the other seemed ready for an attack. “Don’t even think about it...” Just then, Cadencia’s voice perked auds, swiveling in her direction. The nogitsune male backed down for the time being, knowing all to well the wrath
Cadencia placed on those who failed to heed her warnings. “Retard,” he’d mutter, swatting at a pebble atop the tombstone that aimed right for the other’s head. “’Bout time you showed up; was worried I’d have to defend this tomb in the name of...oh god who knows. I just hate being pushed around.” Another glared offered to the other, as he slowly settled back down. Ears perked towards the sounds of the miniature kit in the distance.

Illis laughed as the pebble passed through his form, landing harmlessly on the other side of him. The very first thing Cad had taught him was the ability to shift realms. “Yeah...I can see your intelligence surpasses my own,” he boomed, voice echoing. He froze a moment after hearing his guardian’s voice. Turning, he bowed low to her. “Hello Lady Cadencia. I hope this is a friend of yours, because I would surely enjoy knocking him off his high horse.” He lifted a brow, shaking his head at the other, too fumed to pay attention to the squeaks of the kit.

Cadencia’s eyes narrowed, watching as the pebble passed through Illis’s form. She’d shake her head slowly, hinds quivering a moment ‘fore she’d push herself forward, leaping rather gracefully off of the cross she’d adorned. “Illis, Shotii,” ‘fem nearly hissed, “Enough.” She wasn’t about to let either of them get hurt; she cared far too much for them. Illis as if he were her own son, and Shotii...well, we won’t go into that, now will we?

Tiny form stalked forward, one of her tails flickering forward to smack across Shotii’s cheek, as done the same to Illis. “Apologize to one another, now,” Caden huffed, vulpine brow raising, not yet noticing the slumbering kit ‘pon the nearby tombstone.

Malissius opened his maw, yawning, and a sudden screech was heard, signifying the kit was awakened from his rest. The small creature glanced around and took sight of the three adults nearby. A spirit orb appeared and would float towards the older kitsunes, as if it were angry that the kit had been awakened by them. Single tail would sway upon the kit’s rump, brushing the stone where he sat.

Shotii seemed to ignore the fact that Cadencia even approached, the other’s words seeming to delve into him somewhat. But, Shotii was known for keeping a cool head even in the most heated of situations. He brushed off the comment with a dismissive flicker of four tails as he gazed away without a second glance. Turning to meet the eyes of Cadencia, only to be abruptly hit across the muzzle with one of her tails, demanding he apologize, and the other to do the same. A paw lifted to run alongside the spot of where she’d planted the firm whip of a tassel, grunting slightly. “What gives? I did nothing wrong. He’s the one with the big mouth.” Shotii glanced over towards him once more. “Oooh and it’s soooo cool that you can shift realms. Took you how many hundred years to learn that?” Eyes rolled once more.

Illis stopped short at the order of his teacher and the slap to his face. His nose curled to the male in obvious contempt. “Your maturity shows in your words, and it took me about an hour and a half to learn it. Ask Lady Cadencia.” He paused and sighed. “I say this out of respect for my mentor, not you. I’m sorry.” It was very unlike Illis to act this way. He was obviously bothered by something. Perhaps it was the fact that he did not like strangers around his loved ones; his recent losses provoking a paranoia. His eyes caught sight of the floating orb but paid little heed, thinking it to be one of Cadencia’s.

Cadencia blinked several times as Shotii spoke back to her, a bit shocked, though it didn’t last too long. Rudders curled, silent snarl present ‘pon normally peaceful-looking facial features. Her eyes narrowed, many tails flicking back and forth behind her in utter annoyance. “Do you think I give a damn whom started it or not? Apologize to him as he did you. I will not have this behavior in my home. I don’t give a flying fuck who you are.” Claws slowly unsheathed as paw would be delicately lifted from the ground, stroking along Shotii’s thigh. “I don’t care if you’re my darling little love, you know what I do to males who disobey me, and it doesn’t get anymore pleasant when it in the comfort of my domain.” Ears twitched slightly, nape slowly twisting at the screech of the tiny kit. A tail carelessly slapped the orb away. “And you,” she growled, snarl still present. “You best watch how and when you use those little orbs of yours, before you get into some nasty trouble.”

Mallisius calls his orb back to his side, whimpering at the thunderous voice of the female and perking down little ears. He’d climb down the tomb, walking towards her, then curled up on himself, sobbing as his tail rolled over his teary eyes. Meanwhile the spirit orb gently floated around the kit, like it was protecting it.

Shotii’s eyes narrowed slightly. Her words indeed stung, but he hadn’t exactly know the other would apologize so abruptly. So without a second though he’d turn to face the other, expression softened considerably as he spoke, in respect for both, despite the other’s tone which hinted more towards respect for Cadencia alone. “I’m sorry as well.” Form tensed up slightly as her paw seemed to wander between parted haunches, her threats seeming more than just idle. It even...aroused him a bit. “Oh please, as if you could stand to part me from my sanity.” Shotii teased. Glancing towards the uni-tail, which scuttled behind the scenes...wow. It seemed as though Cadencia’s homeland was prone to a lot of rogue younglings as of late. A brow lifted in contention, furrowing slightly. “Do you not know this one either, Cad?”

Illis nodded to the other males, the coals in his deep blue eyes died down. The fiery young male smiled a bit. “Apology accepted, and I will apologize again as my last one was inappropriate. I am sorry for my behavior. I just am not used to seeing others here, and I trust very few nowadays.” He looked over to the kit Cad had barked at. “Ah, is that the one from before lady Cadencia?” he asked, referring to the son she had shown him before. He tried to peer over to him, but only caught a glimpse.

Cadencia stared at the kit as it crawled over to the pile of bones, sobbing. True, it touched her heart, nearly ripping it in two, but the fem was rather distracted at the moment to really notice what the kit was doing. “That is the kit from before, Shotii,” she mumbled, rudders slowly smoothing out as the two apologized to one another. She’d slip between the tombstone and the plant, settling herself down next to her student and her darling little friends. “Either? Sweetheart, this is my student, Illis. I believe I’ve told you about him, haven’t I?” Brows lifted upwards again, shifting forward to drag her mit along the inside of his thigh, claw scritching across his sheath. “Darling, I’d make you wither in pain before I’ve even begun,” she snickered shortly, shaking her head a moment after. “And Illis...this is Shot. He is very dear to me, so please, treat him with the same respect you would me.”

Malissius slowly stopped sobbing, eyes still in tears; the kit had been by himself for years and maybe he just got traumatized by how he got spoken to from an elder. The small form shivered, fearing to be yelled at anytime. The spirit ball still idly soared around him. Mallisious would lift gaze up to the sphere as it was his only friend he ever had since the day he lost his family.

Illis winced noticeably as he saw her drag her claw playfully between the other male’s legs. He gave a bow to the male slowly, though thoughts drifted through his head, making him sigh. The other male seemed to disappear in a shadowy puff. He looked over at Cadencia, not really knowing what to say. He glanced to the crying, then back to Cad.

Cadencia’s eyes narrowed once again as Shotii did what he always did; poof. Noticeably annoyed growl would be emitted as fem’ hopped up onto the stone. Hmmm...he would get it tonight. Fem’ had a certain control over him, more so than she had any other male she knew. She could him to roll onto his back like the submissive shit head she wanted him to be, whenever she wanted. Claws scritched against the stone’s surface, piercing gaze returning to the kit. Her tails flickered from side to side with such force she nearly knocked herself off her throne.

Illis looked to his mentor and shrugged. “I guess it could have went worse...lucky you were here to stop it or your precious...” he paused, “love, would likely be in little crispy bite-sized bits. I mean no offense to you or him, but he seemed quite immature, and awfully overconfident.” He shrugged and moved closer to her, giving a nuzzle. “But, that’s in the past, and it won’t happen again.”

Cadencia’s eyes widened, slowly shifting her head ‘pon the tombstone as the male spoke rather illy of her dear Shot. She dealt with a lot when it came to those of whom she loved, but this...even Illis would come to regret. Claws dug into the surface, hind legs twitching ‘fore she’d bounce sideways, lunging at the male. Petite vix slammed paws ‘gainst his shoulder, in hopes of knocking him over and onto his back, pinning him there. That is, if he had materialized back into his physical form by now. If not, her own bodice would shift into the ghostly form, her jumping ending in midair as vix’ would bind him in place.

Kidorika ran on little energy. She wanted to use it all up, wipe herself out before she called it a night. The wind was fierce, gusts chasing after her as she darted into the spirit shrine. She was so close, so perilously close to gaining the music element. But it was something she dreaded, feared, disliked immensely; a process she’d avoid entirely if she could. It was one of the most painful experiences in her life, accepting a sub element into her being, and wanted to prolong it as long as possible.

As she jogged through the spirit shrine, she came upon a sight that...wasn’t at all pleasant. Lying before a coffin was a kit, and a little ways away, Lady Cadencia was trying to attack Illis. Her eyes widened and she gasps, skidding to a halt. “Lady Cadencia! No!” she screamed, dashing at them, not knowing what the consequences would be for interfering. She didn’t think Cadencia was training Illis; the look of pure rage in her eyes spoke of other, harsher things. She knocked herself into Cadencia, trying to get her away
from Illis before she attacked him.

Malissius’s eyes caught sight of the new fem, gray-hued this time. He’d blink, seeing her jump into what seemed to be a fight. The kit, as small as he was, emitted one of his most high-pitched screeches at the sight of the fight and, as horrifying memories suddenly rushed his head, the spirit orb came to gently brush against the kit’s back, giving comfort to the fragile creature.

Illis was not expecting the sudden attack, and was slammed into falling over. He looked up in shock at his mentor, who he cared dearly for. His eyes widened in fear. Instinct told him to defend himself, but logic told him others, not to mention he couldn’t bring himself to try to harm her; she was the last of his close family. He heard the screams of a familiar voice and saw his good friend Kido rushing towards them, soon slamming into Cadencia. The high pitch screech from the kit filled the air, giving a frightening rush to the whole situation.

Cadencia groaned as she was slammed into. Eyes widened as she’d stumbled a bit, one of her paws still latched into the male’s fur firmly. Gaze would slowly shift to the vixen whom had run into her, nasty growl emitting from vocals as she’d shake her head slowly. “Illis, you best tell this bitch of your to back down, or she will end up like your last fucking mate.” Eight tails flickered off behind her, claws burying themselves into the male’s flesh as gaze never wavered away from the female, ears twitching slightly to the screech given by the tiny kit.

“Enough!” she growled, a tail flickering to the side as golden orb appeared. “If you’ve lived on your own for this long, you shouldn’t be the wimp you’re being!” She knew she was being rather harsh to the small kit, but clearly, the vixen didn’t care at this point. She’d snapped. All the idiotic kitsunes that had been annoying her within the past few months had finally gotten to her. She’d tried to be good, really, simply so she could stick around long enough to see Illis and her own kit grow up happily. But, the stupid fire kitsune had to go and piss her off even more.

A small golden orb hovered on over to the kit, though instead of an attack, it simply settled over him, creating a barrier ‘round the fluff ball to ensure it wouldn’t be harmed.
Kidorika would’ve happily let go of Cadencia, if she didn’t think that she would harm him. She did ease off of her, only to try to pry her paws off of Illis. “Please stop Lady Cadencia!” Don’t hurt him!” she said, pleading. Her claws were sheathed, knowing well that if she hurt Cadencia all hell would break loose, and she’d probably end up dead. She used every ounce of strength she had to keep the wind in check and not have it lash out and cut at the older kitsune; just tried to pry her off of Illis. She paused, looking down at
Illis, and blushed a little before looking back at the pissed off vixen.

“Please Lady Cadencia. He’s not my mate, but he means a lot to me, and I’m sure he means a lot to you! Whatever he did or said, I’m sure he didn’t mean it. Please, let him go,” she said softly, still pleading. Her eyes were begging Cadencia. She flinched at the screech, but didn’t relent her harmless grip. Her ears were lowered, entire body low to the ground in a look of submissiveness to her dominance, but she still kept her grip on Cadencia, pulling gently but firmly.

Malissius giggled a bit as his orb came to him; he indeed felt better. He glanced at the glowing, bigger orb that floated in his direction and the kit feared if the fem would intent anything towards him as well. Eyes blinking, seeing that in fact the sphere created a kind of protection around his body, the kit glanced over to at the kitsune who gave him such protection.

Illis winced slightly at the grip to the shoulder, her claws digging deep. He looked over to Kido and shook his head. “Stop Kido. You will only make things worse, and I don’t want you to be hurt.” He turned his head to Cad. “I am sorry Cadencia. I was upset. You have to understand...I can barely control what I say when I get angry.” If she turned on Kido he would do whatever it took to protect her, even at the risk of his own life. But for now he took the pain with a grain of salt, and simply tried to calm his beloved mentor.

Cadencia’s gaze dropped back down to Illis, amused smirk playing across her muzzle as he indeed told Kidorika to back off, as she knew he would. But, would the bitch listen? That, the vixen didn’t know. So, in lifting the paw the young fem had been tugging on, a powerful strike would be directed towards her face, claws sheathed. Cadencia may have been small, but she was not, in any way, weak, even in not using elemental powers. Ears twitched slightly at the kit’s giggle, expression softening only slightly. She was glad to know Tiny was doing her job in keeping the small thing protected. She’d harm a two tail if she had too, but never would fem’ lay a harmful hair ‘pon any kit, even if it was not of the spirit. Rudders twitched as she’d growl once again, muzzle parting as she’d grip onto the male’s neck, fangs sinking down if the chance had been given, a hind paw raising to step down ‘pon his stomach, claws just short of his sheath.

Kidorika’s eyes narrowed, the only sign of her anger showing. She lifted her paws off of Cadencia, right before she was backhanded. Her head snapped to the side, and she closed her eyes before backing off, still low to the ground in an act of total respect. Her eyes went to the kit, protected by Tiny. Her eyes softened, the anger vanishing out of them. She loved kits, especially after meeting Bamteros’s kit Daithi, and knowing that Cadencia was a mother made her back off even more. Never in a million years would she harm a kit, or the parents of one. But the happy look in her eyes vanished, replaced with worry as she turned her attention back to Illis. “Illis,” she said, voice soft. She knew it was out of her hands, outmatched by the older vixen, and with her lack of strength and not having music be a part of her just yet, she didn’t really stand much of a chance if she was attacked. And the blow had been warning enough.

Malissius, now calm once more, he’d curl up to himself, orb settling down beside him. The kit rested head upon the ground, yet stayed alert to his surroundings. He idly pawed at the silvery orb that was beside him; the sphere would react to the pawing by giving a few little pokes to the kit.

Illis felt a very strong chill go down his spine. He was not sure how far she was going to go, but he held to his word. When she first offered to be his mentor, he told her he would never betray her in any way. That applied even now as she bit down onto his neck. Not a sound came from the male as she did so; he simply remained still, feeling her foot paw step roughly on his stomach. He had options sure; he could have turned white hot and scorched her flesh from her bone, and could have dropped into the spirt plane to avoid the physical bite. Though that would lead to far worse, as she was ten times as deadly in the spirit plane as she was the physical one. But he did nothing of the sort, just kept himself still. If he was lucky, he would come out of this alive. If he was not...well, he didn’t break his promise, and she did.

Cadencia wouldn’t kill him, no. She simply wanted him to cry out in pain, and the vixen would stop. Normally that would was her bottom to kill. When her victim uttered a sheer-pained screech. Mmm, it made her shiver. The simply blood that soon oozed into her muzzle gave her the chills. Sure, she wasn’t all that sexual, but she was easily turned on by all the blood and gore. Muzzle parted, as she’d let go of his neck, glancing back to the kit, simply to make sure Tiny was doing her job, which she was. Little misted hand stretched out within the golden orb, gently tickling the fluff ball along the side.

She grinned, tongue sliding out over her muzzle to lap up the bit of blood that’d escaped. Gaze slowly returned to the lad, nose pressing firmly against his.  “Now, Illis dear, scream for your mentor,” Cadencia hissed. Tails slithered forward to press tightly against his shoulders, one of the tips digging down into the flesh wound ‘pon the shoulder she’d bitten into, vixen slowly sliding down his body. Nearly seductive gaze given to him as her lips parted, teeth grazing ‘long his shaft ‘fore she’d take the tip ‘tween her front teeth, simply holding it there for the time being. Now that the wind kitsunette had gotten the idea, hideous cackle slipped from her vocals as she’d slowly begin to apply pressure to his poor sheath, which fem’ remembered all too well.

Kidorika growled, her ears flattening against her skull in anger. It took a lot, a lot, to make her mad, and usually it was seeing those she cared for attacked or in pain. She’d do anything to protect them in situations like these. She was utterly, thoroughly pissed. Her hold on the wind broke, sending gusts slashing at the older vixen and no where else.
She crouched down low to the ground, preparing to pounce on her and do anything to get her away from her beloved friend. “Let. Him. Go,” she said, enraged. She wouldn’t attack, not unless Cadencia didn’t let Illis go. None of what Cad told him registered in her mind...she just wanted Illis safe, even if it meant risking her life to save him.

Malissius was still playfully pawing at the orb, not paying any attention to the other kitsunes as he wasn’t looking at them anymore. The spiritual ball floated around the kit, keeping him occupied. Small kit followed the orb with his eyes, giggling.

Illis would more than scream; he roared in despair. Memories flashing through his mind, deep memories; his first death. His mother...oh god...why...why did you kill me...and in such a horrible way...horrible and painful. And now in reality his ‘mother’ was in the same position; his sheath in maw and biting down. “MOTHER!” His eyes shot open, a rage beyond that which he ever felt before coming over him. His body bursting into flames, as he kicked and screamed, tears flowing and evaporating.

Cadencia’s ears lowered against her skull as the wind picked up. It seemed though, that it hadn’t affected her. She was used to the raging winds within the graveyard at night, but that truly didn’t mean the vixen was withstanding it all too well. Claws simply dug down within the ground, keeping herself from biting down too hard on the male’s sheath. As soon as he screamed out the word ‘mother’, vixen let go. Not because of the flames, or the kicking. She’d gotten what she wanted, even if it was a bit much. “Illis,” she hissed, crawling forward despite beautiful fur being burnt, which would say much as vix’ barely did anything to harm her wonderful form. Legs coiled around him, as did tails, stomach pressing tightly against his own as bodice consciously began to shift between forms, taking the spirit-fire male with her. A few soothing licks would be given to his cheek.  It was her own way to keep herself from being burnt too badly.

Kidorika growled louder as Illis thrashed about and screamed out the word “mother”...but she didn’t think it was the mother she’d come to know. There was too much pain in his eyes, and she could tell the memories were painful. Her eyes were a solid, depthless black now, rage making her shiver and shake uncontrollably until the wind picked up to the point that it was ten times worse than that of any winds anywhere, but the wind shrine. She sprung, launching herself at Cadencia, even as Cadencia knelt down on top of
Illis. Claws unsheathed, she tackled Cadencia before she could fade into the ethereal state...she was so angry, so worried about Illis she didn’t care how hurt she got trying to protect him. She said nothing, just kept growling low in her throat.

Malissius played some more with the orb, soon yawning and curling up on himself, settling tail around his body. The kit slowly fell into a new slumber as the silver glowing sphere would set itself by the kit’s side and watch over him in the most protective manner.

Illis jumped up, still in his panicked state, his eyes glowing with a dementia. His tails flailed violently behind him, scorching earth where they touched. He clawed at the ground, shifting from side to side. No pain? No horrid tearing? He backed away slowly from his mentor and his friend, having yet to notice the re-appearance of the male who had left in such a rush.

“No!” Cadencia screamed as she was tackled, rolling onto her back. “You idiotic girl, that’s not what he needs!” She didn’t know what happened to him, didn’t know what she’d done would bring back horrible memories. Claws unsheathed completely, hind legs and all. Forepaws coiled ‘round Kidorika’s neck as hinds would kick up into her stomach, merely hoping to knock the wind out of her, and simply roll her to the side. If not, forearms would drop back down to her side, force given into another kick in attempt to launch the vixen off of her. And if rid of the kitsunette, she’d roll back onto her front, lunging forward to wrap the front of her paws around the burning kitsune, and finally, flickering out of view, along with her dear student. “Illis, shhh,” she whimpered. Yes, the fem was nearly about to burst into tears at the male’s reaction.Voice still heard to all the others around, as they didn’t switch dimensions, simply disappeared so she’d be free of getting burned.

Shotii reappeared in a puff of black smoke, which sank eerily into the shadows as it dissipated. Though upon entry a new scent was palatable; a vixen been tossed lay motionless upon the grass. Auds swiveled back upon the sounds of Cadencia’s high pitched whines. Gaze lofted over shoulder as frame contorted to face the ongoing commotion. Not a sight was seen upon first glance, but the grass beneath their invisible forms lead him to believe what was going on. Using the shadow cast from his form and partly the tomb, he’d form a silhouette of sorts around the two, in his eyes, faint traces of their forms became evident. Shotii leaped down from atop his perch and approached slowly. “What the heck is going on?”

Kidorika gasped as she was hit, letting go immediately as soon as she realized what had happened, and Cadencia’s words registered in her. Quickly, she put a stop to the raging winds, and looked frantically at Illis, who was perilously close to blowing up. She made a run towards Illis, to take him into her arms even if she got severely burned, but a blow to her head knocked her sideways, and for a moment she lay stunned, unable to move as a wave of dizziness crossed over her. She gasped, trying to turn to look at Illis, but she was too dizzy, her head pounding. She shook it, trying to clear it, and blinked, watching
Cadencia take Illis into her grasp and fade out. Her rage gone, filled with a minor self-loathing at her stupid mistake. “Illis,” she gasped out, then blinked again when she saw another kitsune appear. “Wha...who the hell are you?” she bit out, answering his question with one of her own, that wasn’t too respectful. She was past kindness and respect by now.

Illis growled and jumped at Cad as she ran at him. He was in a crazed stupor, unable to register friend from foe. He clashed with her and sank quickly into the spirit realm with her holding to him tightly. He kicks and thrashes about, with her clinging to him. His movements slowed eventually as he tired. The flames lapped at her though they didn’t burn her. She was lucky; he had the ability to make them burn, just didn’t have the mindset to concentrate on it nor would he had he been more stable. Panting heavily, he tugged and whimpered, soon falling to the ground.

Cadencia groaned with each and every kick that slammed against her sides and stomach, though ‘fem refused to let go. Fucking Illis. Why hadn’t he let her know earlier? Or did he just remember what had happened to him in a previous life? It didn’t matter now, though, as vixen clung to him for what seemed to be dear life. Ears twitched slightly as Shotii reappeared, little attention given to him though. Once the male had worn out a bit, vixen and himself would flicker back into existence. She stood above him, his blood from earlier wounds on his shoulder splattered across her face, chest, and back from tumble ‘round the spiritual lands.

Cadencia stared down at him for a moment, shaking her head a few times as muzzle would lower, gently prodding at his cheek. “Next time when I say stop, I mean stop,” she whispered sorrowfully and stepped away from him, limping at that. Vixen may have put on a rather strong appearance, but she wasn’t all tough and mighty like some nogitsunes she’d dealt with. She was still small and fragile, easily hurt. “Shotii,” white and crimson stained vix’ whined, just sort of falling into him, clearly worn out from constantly trying to shift forms, and dealing with the idiotic wind kitsunette.

Shotii leaned forward to grasp at her form as it fell against his own, paws propped up beneath her underbelly as multiple caudal whisked out from behind, allowing her a place to rest as he slowly lowered her onto the collaboration of appendages. “What happened? Tell me.” Shotii blinked, the smell of her blood tingled tiny nostrils as gaze lowered unto the others, shaking crania from side to side. “Who’s she, and why is Illis acting all...?” Chest heaved in an outward sigh, as he slowly lowered himself onto the ground beneath, nestling up and against Cadencia’s worn body, eyes closed as he awaited answers from any one of them.

Kidorika sighed in relief when they returned, but was almost enraged again when Cadencia just upped and walked off, leaving Illis behind. But she hardly cared. She got shakily to her feet, her body covered in minor bruises, the darknest and most painful ones on her head. She slowly moved towards Illis, murring in an attempt to keep him calm. On top of that, she sang. She sang her song, the song she had created years ago, that she knew would probably calm Illis down, if only a little. She hunkered down to the ground slowly, carefully and gently easing Illis into her grasp, wrapping her tails and appendages around him, holding him close as she sang to him. When the song ended, she just held him close. “It’s all right Illis. It’s all right,” she whispered, nuzzling him and hugging him tightly, careful of the wound on his neck.

Illis groaned, completely exhausted. His eyes half open, he heard Cad’s words. He felt her cool nose press to his cheek before she moved away. Blood covered his coat from his neck to chest, still oozing slowly from the bite mark. He attempted to stand, shaking as he did so, his tails limp behind him. He fell back down and shook his head, dizzy with blood loss, and his muscles just didn’t want to work. He gave a weak nuzzle to Kidorika when she came close, singing to him. His eyes drooped shut, feeling her comforing presence close to him.

Cadencia watched as Kido rose, walking unsteadily over to Illis. She had half a mind to pop back up and attack the bitch, as fem’ no longer liked her. True, Cadencia had first put up with the vixen for the mere fact that Illis had liked her, but sooner or later she’d grown to like the wind kitsunette because she made her student happy. But now, after disobeying her several times, when all she wanted was a simple yip from Illis to know he’d learn his lesson. Tails flickered, smacking up against her hind legs as she’d pass, but that was just about it. Muzzle lifted, nuzzling gently against Shotii’s cheek, tongue flickering out to lick at his lips. “He disobeyed me, and when I tried to teach him his lesson, that stupid girl over there got in the way, turning it into some big fight.” She shook her head, lifting her paw tiredly to place it on his nose. “No big deal.”

Shotii would give a passing glance to the other as she’d risen and headed off towards Illis to tend to his wounds, able to sense hostility in the air. Shotii thought it best to move just a bit, and cradle himself into the wedge between the two as he continued to nestle up against Cadencia with a murr, licking at her claw tips as she pawed at his nose. “What did Illis do that was so bad?” He blinked, gazing in between the two, before looking back. He’d prop himself up against her form, beginning to tend her wounds with subtle licks, nuzzles and rubs. “This won’t affect your relationship with him, will it?”

Kidorika didn’t hold him too tightly, and was appalled at the amount of blood that soaked his skin.Cadencia, no matter what her reasons, was not really on Kido’s good side right now. That had not been handled right, not in her eyes. Violence was never, in any way, the answer. But not everyone followed that saying, which was made clear by the events that happened today. She nuzzled Illis again and licked his cheek, then bent down and began to groom him, cleaning the blood off of him, and cleansing his wound as best she could.

She warmed the wind that blew through the shrine, keeping it around Illis mostly so that he didn’t get cold. She rocked him slightly, beginning another song. If she could, she’d ease him into a peaceful, healing sleep, and possibly make her amends with Cadenica, if not at least apologize. Sure, what Cad had done wasn’t right to her, but what she had done herself had been stupid and foolish, and she had been blinded by rage and the need to protect, which had led to this. She buried her muzzle into the unwounded side of his neck. “I’m sorry Illis,” she whispered.

Illis sighed softly and drifted off into a painful slumber, his neck killing him though the wound sealed rather quickly. He heard the song from Kido, which managed to keep him soothed and indeed help him sleep a lot better. He tried to hug close to her, though was barely able to move before his stupor hit him. What a crazy day; perhaps when he woke it would be much better.

Cadencia blinked a few times. “Because my dear, he insulted you,” she mumbled rather quietly, nosing at his cheek. “And Shotii, I love you.” She stared at him for a moment, glad Illis had fallen asleep, as such words as those had never been spoken by vixen, never so sincerely and true. Not even to her past mates, how few of them there’d been. Cadencia shook her head, depressed, sorrowful look quickly fading from her facial features as vixen would slowly push herself up onto all fours, legs trembling slightly, as it would soon she was rather tired.

“Kidorika, call me if he gets any worse tonight,” she stated without looked to the female, slowly walking around the tombstone, many tails draping around her to help steady her walking. ‘Pon reaching the edge of the empty grave-bed, she’d glance over her shoulder. “Are you coming, Shotii?” she didn’t wait for his answer, however, and instead slipped silently into her den, curling up in one of the corners, in hopes he would join her and not be scared off with her being so straight forward.

Shotii would slowly push himself up onto his paws, gazing back at the two as he watched Illis fall asleep. Turning back to face Cadencia as she nestled against him with the sudden admittance of her feelings towards him, this in itself seemed to have quite an affect on his ability to stand, as he’d fallen against her for a moment, muttering, “Really? I really like you too...a lot, actually. I guess you could say...yeah, I love you.” Cheeks burned up as he spoke. He looked back towards the others in attempt to hide said appearance.

Working the stiffness out from his limbs, he’d look at Cadencia. Shotii watched as she beckoned towards the grave, urging him to follow. “Yeah, of course,” he’d mutter, taking one final glance at the two, Illis in particular. He wondered why he insulted him after Shotii gave him such a sincere apology. “Well, hope he’s by morning, or at least halfway there.” Despite being insulted, it seemed he still held an amount of respect for the other. Trials in life lead Shotii to believe all had reasons for their actions. “Well, g’night guys.” And with that, he leaped into the ground behind Cadencia.

Kidorika yawns and nods to her. “Yeah, I will. But don’t worry. He’s in good hands.” She curled herself tighter about him, trying to keep him warm and soothe his aches and pains. She sang another song, a softer, gentler tune, but it faded out as her long, exhausting day came back to whack her over the head and render her unconscious. She put her head next to his, and dozed off into a peaceful sleep.