Here we go. Take your time with posts, I don't mind <3 Set a day after Kuma arrived
After she had ran so hard and so long and found a person to fight, she was too tired to move another step and had slept away from the territory. She had found an abandoned deer den and tucked herself away inside of it. It was there that she thought over the things Kuma had said. The way she had acted..... hadn't Minori herself been cold and brutal before Corvus and Issun had gotten inside her heart? Hadn't she been hardened by the loss of her home? It took even longer for her to realise that Issun had been so blatantly hurt by the news and she had done nothing to soothe him. She fell asleep with a heart that was weighed down with guilt.
She woke up before the sun even rose and headed home. She wasn't happy about Kuma staying, she didn't like her attitude and wanted to knock the woman down a few knotches but at the moment she had two things more important to her. First Issun was upset and she wanted to soothe him, Second was....she wanted to lead beside him. He was hers, she had firmly decided that in her heart and she wanted to be in a rank where she could speak freely, act freely, be with him freely. It took a few hours but she finally reached the Sweep and as soon as she did she called for
@Issun.
the sun went down eventually. issun sought refuge in his den when he did. it was difficult to fall asleep after hearing what kuma said. ishaku is dead. those piercing words coupled with an emotionless stare was all he thought of durning the night. and minori was gone, his only solace. sleep did not come easily.
when the sun rose, issun was wide awake. he had been waiting for its arrival for an hour. when sunlight kissed the earth, he was already up. a thousand yard stare was plastered on his face.
some glimmer of life twinkled in his eye when he heard his lover’s call. he fell into a swift jog and stopped when he saw her form a ways away. for a moment he was still, not knowing what to do. he slowly closed the distance between them and buried his face in her chest. he was shaking. he was sobbing. grief’s weight crushed him.
All her plans went to the back of her head as she looked over and spotted Issun. She could tell the second her eyes fellow upon his face that he wasn't okay. She stood still as he approached opening her mouth to say something until he buried his face in her fur and she was rendered speechless. She lay her chin across the back of his head, embracing him silently as she tried to figure out what to say. "I'm sorry for your loss Issun....I understand the pain of losing those you love deeply. Especially... Especially family" she whispered softly. Images of her mother and father and most clearly Tadashi came to her mind, the roars of her soldiers as she commanded them to hold strong and defend her parents. The screams of fear as she was taken down by the single prick of a dart, her... Minori, General of the Samurai.
She took a shaking breath and licked the back of his neck, lifting her muzzle and gently kissing along his throat. "It will be okay Issun. You are strong and resilient, kind and generous, protective and fierce. You are a leader, a true leader." she stepped back and used her nose to raise his chin while looking into his eyes "Lift your chin up. You will get through this. we will get through this. Together." she said this firmly, it was a fact in her mind. "I will help you get Kamiki settled, no matter how long it takes." she couldn't speak for the others but she wouldn't leave him, she knew that much.
some warm feeling arose in his chest when she embraced him. it was like a butterfly escaping from tar and fluttering off into the sunset. relief and comfort. how such a feeling could arise from a simple touch was a mystery. her empathy and affirmation bought light into this dark situation.
he loved her. looking into those calm green eyes reaffirmed that. a weak smile spread across his maw. there was something about her that bought out the best in him. even at his lowest point she was always able to lift his spirits in one way or another. “thank you,” he whispered softly, “i love you minori.”
She could feel the change her words brought over him in the way he relaxed and pulled away. She peered unabashedly into his eyes, feeling that she could do this without him seeing it as disrespect. He thanked her and then said...he loved her. Her eyes went wide and she froze her heartbeat speeding up and beating rapidly in her chest. It had been a very long time since she had said the words to anyone so freely. Yes she had said it when confessing her feelings but even know she was so confused as to what they were. How could she say she loved him when she wasn't sure if he was truly hers? "Issun....am I your mate?" she asked hesitantly, tonight sweeping out to nervously wet her lips. She held her tongue from saying any more than this in fear of what he would say.
her words evoked warmth and nervousness. taking another mate was a gamble. who’s to say minori wouldn’t disappear like sage did? but looking into her eyes pushed back the thought. this was a different type of love. a strong bond that could not be broken. she wouldn’t hurt him like that and he wouldn’t do so either. sure, love was a gamble, but it was a game he wanted to play.
nothing would make him happier than being by her side. issun dreamed of a future where they could grow old and watch their children grow up. yes, that would be great. it would be perfect.
he gingerly ran his nose through her fur and rested his head on her shoulder. “i am yours.” his voice was as gentle as the summer’s breeze. “and words could not describe how happy i would be if we were mates.” he pauses for a moment. “i’m more than willing to carry on with this relationship. are you?” that question made his heart skip a beat.
"Mine" the word was exhaled out in a sigh of happiness as she wrapped her chin across the back of his neck, holding him tightly eyes closed as the scent of him washed over her. Everything about him spoke of home to her now, she couldn't imagine life without him. "As I am yours" his words caused what remained of the ice around her heart to melt. With the ice gone something else took it's place, a warm elation blossoming like a flower inside her chest. Issun would never hurt her, he had proven to be her best friend, her constant ally. He wouldn't abandon her, he'd defend her like she would him. He had been the one alone to push and pry and try so hard to know her....and so she loved him.
"I am. I want to be yours completely. I know Im not easy to deal with but...I love you Issun and I will stay with you through anything and everything" she spoke words she hadn't spoken to anyone in years. Love hadnt been important to her since she was a girl and now she realised it was the most important thing. Love healed, love created strength and determination. He loved her and had healed her from something broken and bitter to the old warrior princess she had been born to be.
words were powerful, no matter the length. mine. so short and simple, yet so life changing. it weaves a scarlet thread through the lovers hearts. this was real now. through all the trials and tribulations, they were still here.
issun bought her closer in his embrace and buried his face in the crook of her neck. “i’ll always love you, flaws and all,” he teased.
this post is short n ugly SRRY FF
Minori felt a bubble rise up and a burst of laughter burst forth like the pealing of bells. She pulled back and then headbutt him playfully, eyes ablaze with humor
"Flaws huh? You're gonna get it" she growled though any ill intentions were purely acted out, not genuine. With that she lunged for him, seeking to engage in some lighthearted play before they would go about the daily business.
We can fade here!