Kotori hadn’t seen as much of Iki lately but today they would both have time and the weather was pleasant.  The horned wolf loped past the armada border as he headed towards the willow trees.  With fall having arrived the sun had a pleasant feel to it versus radiating waves of heat.  A few small white clouds floated in the sky but for the most part, it was cloudless today.

He had a present for her too!  Would she like it?  It really wasn’t anything all that special but Kotori wasn’t sure what a princess like Iki would like. He had Fang to thank in part for the making of the present which was really a shock.  The mongoose never acted as he cared for anyone yet after telling Fang his concerns about a good present the little guy had brought him a bunch of small silver bells.  Kotori had already had a pelt from a tiger he had killed.  With more of Fang’s help, the bells had been stitched into the edges of the pelt so the bells would jingle a bit when the pelt edges were moved about.  She’d like that, right?  

Kotori enjoyed meeting his princess out here amongst the hanging trees.  It was on neither of their pack’s land, this was neutral ground of no laws by either side and no other wolves around to annoy them.  Kotori would find a nice spot of ground before lying out the brightly striped tiger pelt.  Hopefully, she liked it.  Hopefully, at least she doesn’t hate it.  Fang had been coming with him initially but Kotori had no idea when the tiny killer had left, that was his way.

"Kotori Fatalis"

The pair had agreed to meet in their usual spot at the willows. Iki and Kotori hadn't seen one another in a while and that was mostly due to the amount of responsibility she had taken on herself since Hattori's abandonment. There honestly wasn't much time for anything other than work and, being the industrious sort like she was, time off didn't often cross her mind. It wasn't right for one so young to be so busy, so when the invitation came, the girl easily accepted.

She left Willa and Tanuki behind, knowing that she would be safe with Kotori. He wouldn't let anything happen to her, especially not after he'd gone so far as to save her life. Since the departure of her father, Ikigai had packed away her elegant kimono's, so the young princess met the Armada boy without her usual garb. Her coat, however, was as pristine and white as the brightest, freshest snow. She had grown considerably more feminine, if possible. Coming upon her second birthday, Ikigai was close to being full grown.

The young lady padded into the clearing, searching for the familiar form of Kotori. She had changed a bit since they'd last met. Her eyes were significantly different and she was a little self conscious when it came to them. Following a meteor shower, both her eyes and her sisters had changed. Both had slit pupils like a snake. Iki's own had stayed brilliant silver, but were now marbled with thin, black lines.

Once her eyes fell upon the earthen brute, Iki's face lit up in a smile and she hopped over one of the small streams to get to him. "Kotori," she purred softly, giving her head a little tilt as she spied the tiger pelt that accompanied him.

"Ikigai"