Legend of Glory

Eight: What is Love?

--

In the far back forests of the Beast Tribe, there stood a dark, drafty fort made of wood and dirt. Though cold, the fort stood nicely, having a movable door and side window. The fort belonged to Katsuya and Hiroto. When younger, they had built the fort as their hideout and getaway. Sadly, two years prior, the two friends stopped greeting the dying fort, them beginning to grow out of their ‘horseplay stages.’ But just recently, the fort had regained the company it had lost.

Within sat Shizuka. Brushing back a piece of her long, brown hair, Shizuka sat upon the soil, focusing her attention on a single plant growing in the corner of the fort. It obtained a single shine of sunlight drifting in through the broken ceiling of the fort. She had taken notice of it when she began to hang within the fort, and she began taking care of it. She believed it to be a type of flower plant. Tiny white buds were growing on it, yet they were not quite ready to flourish. But why was Shizuka hanging within such a place as that fort?

The answer came nearer.

Soon, the door of the fort opened. Quickly, Shizuka ’s head swirled to her guest. Smiling, she stood and turned to the person. “You’re late…”

“I’m sorry,” smiled Hiroto. “I had trouble escaping my mother. You know how she can be.”

Nodding her head, Shizuka wrapped her arms around Hiroto, enlightening him with a kiss. Hiroto’s own hands found their way around Shizuka’s waist. They kissed with such passion and love for the other, never wanting to let go.

“Mm…” Hiroto moaned as Shizuka pulled slightly away to catch her breath. “You taste so wonderful.”

“Hiroto…” Shizuka sighed, her face full of joy. “W--when are we going to tell the others?”

“Oh, umm…” Hiroto sat on the ground with Shizuka. They were both facing the flower plant. “Well, I was hoping that, perhaps we don’t have to tell them. Yeah…”

“Ugh, Hiroto…” Shizuka tried arguing, but Hiroto interrupted her.

“No, no, here me out,” Hiroto asked, though he spoke such nonsense. He was just being silly, to Shizuka’s knowing. “We don’t tell them until we have our first child. That way, when your father is ready to kill me, I can use our son as defense.”

“You’re terrible,” Shizuka playfully slapped her love. “Besides, my family will understand. Father will understand. Mother will understand. I am positive that Katsuya will be very happy for the both of us.”

“I’m more afraid of him than your father,” Hiroto admitted. “We have been the best of friend’s since birth. Of course, I never thought that I’d fall madly for his adorable, beautiful, great sister…” He made Shizuka giggle happily. “But you now him, Shizuka. He loves you dearly, and you know that he doesn’t want to lose you.”

“I know what you mean,” Shizuka smiled. She turned her attention on the plant, watching the tiny buds sparkle in the sunlight. “But Katsuya will not lose me. I will still have room for him in my heart. I love him, but I love you, too, and differently.”

“We will tell them tonight, Hiroto. We must be brave. They will understand. And Chief Mandook will see our love, and he will see our truth, and he will marry us and make us one.”

“Yeah,” Hiroto chuckled. He snuggled into Shizuka, enjoying her warmth and scent. She was definitely his chosen mate. Just talking and sitting with her showed all the proof needed. They enjoyed cuddling, giving one another comfort, and lying in one another’s arms.

--

Villagers scattered as Katsuya and Flame entered. Flame’s heavy beating slowly came to a halt in front of Katsuya’s parents’ hut. He leaped off Flame, taking notice of his mother staring at him through an open window. Loosening Flame’s reins, Katsuya allowed the wolf freedom. He smiled, watching Flame immediately dash for the large waterhole, joining Shizuka’s own wolf, Umi, for a drink of refreshing water.

Upon entering the hut, Katsuya stared, watching with confusion as his family stared back at him. Standing with them, however, were the Chief, Hiroto, and his own family. “Uh… what’s going?”

“Katsuya,” Nana smiled. “Wonderful, wonderful news!”

“Mother!” Shizuka squeaked, giving Nana a serious gaze.

“Right, right,” Nana nervously muttered. “You tell him, you tell him.”

Interesting. Very interesting. Smirking, though still rather puzzled, Katsuya asked, “Tell me what?” as Shizuka stepped forward. She was smiling widely, and had this wondrous glow.

“Katsuya,” Shizuka began, “I--I have found my lifetime mate.”

Immediately, Katsuya felt happy for his sister. He engulfed her, hugging her strongly. “That’s great!” He looked her in the eye, feeling proud. “Who?”

“Well, he’s someone very close,” Shizuka answered. She backed away from her brother, and turned, motioning for Hiroto to step forward. In doing so, Hiroto wrapped a strong hand around Shizuka’s shoulder as she placed a firm hand on his chest. “Katsuya, Hiroto and I are destined to be together. Forever.”

It could not be.

It was not right.

Frustration consumed him, and Katsuya stepped back in an almost disappointed awe. “W--what?”

“We love each other,” Shizuka calmly stated. “Chief Mandook will be marrying us this time tomorrow evening.”

The news left Katsuya stunned and silent. His best friend? His little sister? The two were in love? How could such a thing have happened? Years into the past, Katsuya could recall all times that he and Hiroto ran through Kimo’s forests, both desperately trying to lose Shizuka. And yet, there were many of times when Hiroto would say such things as, “Katsuya, you pick on Shizuka too much,” or, “Maybe we should let her come?” The astonishment of them growing a romance, though shocking to Katsuya, did not seem all that insane.

“Earth to Katsuya! Katsuya!”

Blinking, Katsuya turned his attention towards Hiroto. The friend had obviously been trying to get Katsuya to say something, anything. Hiroto stared on, worried that Katsuya would not accept his and Shizuka’s love. “Katsuya? Y--you haven’t said a word.”

“Oh,” Katsuya looked ahead, watching Chief Mandook eye him wearily. Lowering his head in shame, Katsuya nodded before smiling. “Y--yes I’m sorry. The news was just, almost unbelievable.” Katsuya leaned forward, giving Shizuka a hug of near affection. “I--I am happy for you.”

“That’s all I wanted to hear,” sniffed Shizuka. She smiled, watching Katsuya give Hiroto a firm handshake.

“I promise that no harm will come to Shizuka,” Hiroto said. He placed his hand back on Shizuka’s shoulder, warningly smiling at her beauty. “I swear I will protect her, feed her, and give her warmth.”

“We know you will,” spoke Hiroto’s mother. She was crying in joy, so thankful that Hiroto and Shizuka had found one another.

Stepping forward, Chief Mandook held his hands out wide. He embraced both Shizuka and Hiroto, pushing them closer together. “I can sense the love and passion that the two of you have for one another.” Grinning, Chief Mandook showed off his yellowy smile, chuckling in happiness for the two. “Tomorrow, we shall celebrate and make you two one.”

Chief Mandook walked with Shizuka and Hiroto towards the parents. Katsuya stood behind, watching with distress as his family and Hiroto’s family exit.

--

Afternoon swiftly shined. Birds chirped and wolves of the Beast Tribe howled in delight for Hiroto and Shizuka. The couple stood tall, beautiful, and delighted beneath an oak arch.

Shizuka wore a lovely, long furred dress, made specially for such occasions as being wedded. She wore a bone necklace painted in purple and pink, and in her hand she held a small bouquet of flowers.

Hiroto wore a more pampered fur top and bottom. In his hands, he held a beautifully decorated trinket. He held it out to Shizuka, and Shizuka only was to take and accept it if she promised to be a well, designated mate. Hiroto had to make an identical promise by handing the trinket over.

Together, the two stood facing one another. Between them stood Chief Mandook, chanting to the heavens that Hiroto and Shizuka’s love was not false, and that they would never hurt nor abandon the other. The entire village sat, listening and nearing tears. In the front sat all four parents. All four were proud.

In the far back, Katsuya stood with crossed arms. His face was motionless as the ceremony continued. He watched, no longer confused. He was, however, curious as to how his best friend and little sister found love.

What, exactly, was love? That is what Katsuya wished to know. Was love being with someone for a very long time? Was love knowing someone for a very long time? Was love natural, or plainly coincidental?

So many questions, so few answers. But would all answers come to the same result?

How does love come to be?

Katsuya watched as his sister took the trinket from Hiroto’s hands. It indicated her truthfulness and awareness in being with Hiroto. And upon her taking the trinket, it showed Hiroto’s word to keep her protected, fed, and warm.

Grinning widely, Chief Mandook raised his hands in the air. His staff rested in his left palm, it glorious and divine. “My friends! My brothers! My sisters! Together, these two have shown that they are well ready to become one. Together, they shall work hard and earn one another‘s love and compassion through sight, scent, and touch. Let us all watch, now, as they truly show that they are fully prepared for the days, weeks, and mothers to come.” Chief Mandook eyed both Hiroto and Shizuka. “Hiroto. Shizuka. Join now.”

As passionately and wonderful as possible, Hiroto and Shizuka leaned in to share a perfect kiss. They earned gratified claps and awes from all villagers. All for the exception of one.

Katsuya.

While the ceremony continues, Katsuya secretly vanished into the forests, making his way through the thickness. He whistled for Flame, the wolf immediately reacting to his calling. Flame appeared, landing before Katsuya with such ease. Climbing aboard, Katsuya made way towards a particular waterfall where a certain someone awaited his presence.

--

The mutt. He was more quiet than usual. It almost concerned Seto. His new friend seemed so sad, and so unsure as he stared ahead at the waterfall. Having no difficulty finding his voice, Seto firmly asked, “What’s going on?”

“Huh?” Katsuya turned, looking into Seto’s eyes. “What?”

“You are not yourself,” Seto answered. He rested a hand on his raised right knee, sitting with his left leg straight out. “You are showing signs of sadness, mutt. What is going on?”

“Humph,” Katsuya raised his head, sticking his nose up as he stood to his feet. “If you must know, my sister just married my best friend today.”

The news was intriguing. Standing, Seto asked, “Really?” as he brushed off his robe. “Are you not happy for them?”

Not answering, Katsuya drifted his direction away from Seto. He showed his emotion by lowering his gaze.

“So you are not happy?” Seto whispered, giving Katsuya a firm glare.

“No!” Katsuya shouted, lifting his gaze up again. “I--I mean, no… I! Well. I don’t know!”

“I see,” Seto said quietly. He allowed his self to stretch Katsuya further. He walked forward, placing a hand on Katsuya’s shoulder. This made Katsuya jump, and his eyes fell over Seto. “Katsuya, do you fear losing your sister and your friend? Do you fear their finding love may push you away? If you do, then I do not blame you. From what you have shared with me so far, no, I cannot blame you. Your parents have lost their love through hate and fights. All you have now are your friend and sister, right? But now that they are together, you fear that they will forget about you…”

“I--I…” Katsuya lowered his head. How was Seto so clever? The man, though Katsuya hated admitting so, seemed right. But was he not? Looking up, Katsuya softly asked, “Seto, what is love?”

Surprised by the question, Seto raised a brow. “Excuse me?”

“What is love, exactly?” Katsuya again asked, only he showed more yearning. “I--I mean, how did they fall in love? Right under my nose, even! I’m so confused.”

“Love can’t just happen,” Seto confronted. “Love takes time. Your friend and sister have known each other since childhood, have they not?”

“Y--yeah…” Katsuya mumbled. From eyeing the ground, Katsuya allowed his gaze to slowly rise. Soon, he was staring straight up at Seto.

“So what’s the problem then?” Seto whispered, noticing the bizarre look Katsuya was giving him. The mutt was not at all acting like his self. He was still so quiet, and Seto, at that time, wished that he could read Katsuya’s thoughts. “Katsuya, why are you…?”

And as he tried speaking, Seto was cut off by the soft set of lips he knew to be Katsuya’s. The kiss was so sudden, so unexplainable. Yet, as puzzling as it was, feeling Katsuya’s lips attached to his own made Seto feel almost controlled. But he could control Katsuya, he knew. Before the young man could further investigate what lie past Seto’s pinkish lips, Seto pulled away. “W--what the hell do are you thinking?”

“I’m not,” Katsuya replied. He was becoming restless, and pushed his way towards Seto. “Will ya just be quiet, though. I wanna see something!”

“What…?”

Interrupted, again Seto’s lips found themselves attached to Katsuya’s own. With skin against skin, moist and soft, both men pondered likeable thoughts. Thoughts that they knew would, by chance, threaten their already bizarre relationship. The kiss, tender and fascinating, peeked both men’s interests.

Their kiss became wild.

Suddenly, Katsuya found his left arm burning in a strange, new sensation. He could feel the mark upon his skin, it seeming almost alive as Katsuya teased Seto’s tongue with his own. It made him feel weak in the knees, and he found himself becoming sweaty and dizzy.

Unknown to Katsuya, Seto was having a similar experience. Seto’s right arm heated increasingly, and Seto’s own mark forced his strength to leave him. Quickly, he pulled away from Katsuya, taking a few steps back. He grabbed his arm, noticing Katsuya mimicking him.

In synch motion, both men rubbed opposite arms. Both breathed as if their lungs had taken flame, and their foreheads each drizzled a small amount of sweat. Their bodies shivered, and neither dared move as they stared strongly at the other.

“Y--you…” Seto found speech, and he inched closer to Katsuya. He placed both hands on Katsuya’s shoulder, forcing the mutt to gaze deeply into his eyes. “You never fucking kiss me again!” He watched Katsuya’s terrified stare, and watched as Katsuya nodded. “Good.”

Seto kissed Katsuya.

Shoved to the awaiting grass below, Katsuya allowed Seto to take control of him.

As they shed clothing, both men allowed the marks on their skin to burn like fire. They allowed their hearts to rapidly increase, and they allowed their minds to wander as they uncaringly greeted their bodies to a sudden need that both had been missing.

-End Chapter Eight-

Holy crap! Hotness!