She released her little progeny on Ashen and already she wanted them to return to her side. They were bouncing fuzz balls of energy and there was no stopping them. Venom could still enjoy some cuddles, especially the really cold days when the girls would curl up by the fire to warm themselves and stay out of the mud. They were all unique and got in trouble in different ways. Kuroki for example was much more bold in his actions, while Kiyohime was quite remorseful in most instances.

Her little firefox was another story. Kitsune was very nearly as small as the runt of the litter Ike, and unlike much of the group had no shortened nickname. She seemed the embodiment of her name, and Venom loved that about her. The other four were off exploring or sitting by the fire when the Empress returned to the palace and started looking for her second eldest daughter. ”Kitsune? Are you in here?” She called out as she padded back to the royal bedchambers.

Kit was, luckily, nearby as her mother called out for her. She had discovered the wonder of frogs, not far from the palace entrance, and was self-learning the best ways to pounce them. First off, she huddled down in some bushes, letting the long green stalks bounce back up around her. Then she settled in to wait, until a frog came hopping by her.

As one did so, she leaped out, and, success! She grabbed it in her maw, its little legs flailing out the opening of her muzzle. She crinkled her nose and looked at her catch. The problem with Kit, was she got so lost in problem solving the first part, she sometimes forgot the why

When her mother called, she shrugged, and raised her head and tail. Trotting proudly into the palace and towards her mother. For once, the easily excited girl was quiet. She had to be, or she would lose her catch. She sat behind her mother, putting herself into a demure, ladylike pose as she waited for her mother to turn around and see the quiet little trouble maker.

"Speech"

All of her children were swiftly finding their paws and making their way out into the world. She was proud of them, but also nervous at the same time. She worried about them constantly, knowing the dangerous world that she had released them into. Venom trusted her pack mates, she knew there would be plenty of eyes on them and that they needed to be allowed to grow and learn for themselves the dangers that lingered just beyond the entrance of the palace walls. Venom continued to search for her wayward child, the middle daughter and far from the eldest. The Empress was still surprised that she and Hattori were the parents of five small children. She wouldn’t swiftly forget the effort put into birthing them. All of it was worth it in the end as she began to get to know her puppies.

Venom continued to pace forward until she heard tiny pawsteps behind her. Venom turned as her daughter was taking a seat. ”Oh, there you are Kitsune!” She told her softly, a smile playing on her usually stoic features. She hadn’t expected how much joy her little bundles would bring for her. ”Did you catch some dinner?” She asked with a tilt of her head. Venom wasn’t the biggest fan of amphibians, but done right frog legs were quite tasty.

She was holding the frog delicately in her mouth, but when her mother mentioned eating it for dinner she almost choked! As it was, it was strange and slimy, and squirming on her tongue. She pulled a face at her mother, and spat the frog out between them. “Dinner? Is that what it is?’ she asked her mother, scrunching up her nose and examining the creature before them. It croaked but didn’t try to hop away. It looked too startled to do anything.

“You were looking for me, mumma?” she asked, lifting her eyes from the frog and back to her mother again. Her bright eyes grinning up at the taller wolf.


"Speech"

Venom barely contained the laughter that wished to spill forth as her fiery daughter gave her a look that might’ve killed if given half a chance. Remembering decorum the Empress didn’t often allow any kind of emotional outburst but her children did something that filled her with joy. Having them and raising their royal family was the dream she didn’t realize she wanted to live. Her efforts were put to the test again as the young Princess spat the frog onto the ground between them. Venom focused herself before she spoke.

”After a little preparation. I’m not a fan of live and slimy.” She chuckled softly and nuzzled her daughter’s cheek. She loved being the mother of these amazing children, and the thought still caught her off guard that they were hers. ”I just wanted to know where you were. You’re brothers are with Raijin and your sisters were by the fire.” Venom offered her siblings locations in case Kitsune preferred to find them instead of keep her mom company.

”I’m about to go on patrol if you want to join me?” Venom spoke to her children like she would an adult, however aware she was of their tender age. They were not normal children, and while she encouraged their play she also wanted them to be aware of the weight of the blood in their veins.

Kitsune nodded her head, trying to look at least a little regal despite having just spat a frog out at her mothers paws. “I don’t think I like live and slimy either, Mumma” she agreed completely with the older wolf. Of course, it was easy to be in agreement with her mother. She dearly loved the Empress, and got all of her parental affection from her.

Her mother explained where her siblings had gotten off to, and she nodded again. She had gotten distracted, and hadn’t something a little more organised then general running about and learning had been scheduled for the day. Woops hopefully they hadn’t been expecting her to join them.

”Yes please, Mumma!” she said, perking up at the offer, and tilting her head to the side. Shooting wide eyed joy at the older woman.

"Speech"

Venom barely contained another chuckle as Kitsune completely agreed with her. No live frogs for dinner, thankfully. Someday when the frogs came back in earnest they might enjoy a pile of frog legs but for now they’d let the half frozen creature be on its way. The frog was swiftly forgotten, even as Kit tried her best to have more decorum than one who has had a frog in their mouth. The Empress smiled down at her child as she eagerly agreed to patrol with her mother. She even remembered to say please. Venom felt her heart warm, for so long she hadn’t realized her young heirs were exactly what her life had been missing. This was what she wanted most.

”Alright, follow beside me.” Most of the trails were wide enough to walk abreast, especially with Kit being such a small pup. ”We’re going to walk and then I want you to tell me where the border is. Okay?” She wasn’t sure how much scent work had been done, or even if Kitsune had been to the border yet. It didn’t matter if she succeeded or failed, she would be learning.

She felt herself begin to wiggle with delight under her mothers inspection. It was easier being still under her father, who’s gaze was far more stern. “Yes Mama!’ she said, quick to obey, even if was a little wiggle and excited. Unable to contain herself, as she began to follow after her mother, she launched herself up and licked Venom under her chin - which was about all she could reach of her mothers face.

She settled in besides the older woman after that, looking about her with wide eyes. She didn’t want to miss the border for even a moment - but it was the edge of the island, right? Or was it more complicated then that?

"Speech"

They were on the island but Venom had already put them on a trek towards the shrine. Sooner than later the two of them would cross the sand bridge. The paths often submerged during high tide, but Venom could see their destination already and there would be no wet paws today. Kitsune eagerly fell into step beside her and the young mom couldn’t begin to reprimand a few wiggles from the girl. She was excited to be coming along with her and eager to take on any lessons Venom offered.

The two of them trotted along and into the pale trees of the shrine and Venom kept going. ”Has your father taught you the island names yet?” She asked softly as they neared the border. She knew that Hattori had taken Kiyohime around and gave her a geography lesson but she wasn’t so sure about the other puppies.

Understanding lit up the girls face as her mother led them towards the land bridge that connected to the Shrine Territory. They reached the sand bar and Kit sniffed it, through of course she had been over it before. It was nice and high above the water level today, and she pranced along it with confidence, tiny beside her mother.

“Yes Mama” she agreed, and then went on to remember what she could of the lesson “Nephi-il-...- Island” ugh, but that word was too long. “Inu, Reku, Dove, Black, Ibon” some were clearly easier to remember than others.

"Speech"

Venom watched her fiery young daughter from the corner of her eye as they walked along together in the sand. They left pawprints behind them, Venom never thought of her paws as big, but they were massive compared to her puppy’s. They continued over the land bridge and into the shrine as she quizzed Kitsune on the island names. She was very nearly perfect and Venom tried not to chuckle at how she pronounced Nephilim. It was a difficult word for young puppies.

”Nephilim,” She corrected gently as they were very nearly on the border now. A few more steps and Kit might miss it all together. ”Otherwise, yes perfect. Good job.” She praised her lightly, partly for her performance and partly to distract her to see if she would walk over the border or catch it.