monthly "hunting" trip [kitami&jericho]

[Deleted]

The family had settled into their new home with relative ease despite coming across that incredibly strange wolf in the center of town their first day. Their wolves had roved the woods from dusk until dawn a couple of nights in a row to shake the claustrophobia caused by the dreadful boat ride. A cryptic note was delivered to the new estate, smaller than the Pointe du Lach but not without charm, with Jean Pierre's name scrawled across. Excitement filled the normally indifferent spirit and he'd raced to his father's study with the news that their baby sister and her mother had arrived in Avaleur. Lachesis had given the lad a smile and announced to Lisa and Jericho at dinner that night that it had been far too long since the last Father Son hunting trip. They would leave the next morning, so the boys would need to gather what they needed and get a good night's sleep. Through the sleeping house, a figure tip-toed while balancing a stack of goods in his arms. Pere loaded the carriage his father secured for them with presents for the much adored Isonette and a few even for her mother Kitami. Six long months had passed since they had seen each other, being the generous creature that he was Pere had spent almost all of his monthly allowance on birthday and Chirstmas gifts as the family had missed both on the ride over seas. He'd even made sure to get four extras incase Jer or Lachesis had forgotten.

Papa was ahead of him though for inside the storage box there lay several wrapped packages already. Pere smiled, removed the tags from two presents bearing Lach's name and scribbled Jericho's instead. His heart raced too fast for any sleep to be had that night, instead he had a long hot bath, went through every article of clothing to find the outfit that best suited him, brushed his hair until it gleamed, polished his boots, filed his fingernails. When dawn broke he was waiting impatiently at the bottom of the steps. It took another hour and a half for everyone to wake, an hour longer for the boys to depart for the cheaper side of town. Jean Pierre frowned, a rare occurrence, "Why do Kitami and Izzy have to live here, Papa? Is there no where better you could put them? Money should not be an issue when it comes to your own daughter, it never has been for Jericho or myself." Lachesis was surprised at the criticism from his passive son, but both boys were so protective of the little girl and though his pride was pricked by the words he said, "Money is not the issue. Kitami is proud and she doesn't appreciate handouts unless entirely for Isonette's benefit. The cottage with its furnishings and resources was something I knew she would accept from me, an estate would be a different matter." That and he wanted to avoid Lisa's discovery of his second family's presence in town for as long as possible.

Pulling up to the little farmhouse, Pere frowned at the state of things: it needed a coat of paint, the roof was sagging slightly in one corner, the garden was overgrown, the stable off to the side was inhabitable for a cow and horse which surely they would need. Leaping from the carriage before it came to a full stop he rushed to the door and gently rapped. Lachesis took more time stepping down and told the lad hired to carry the gifts inside. A look of apprehension crossed his face, as much as he adored Izzy, Kitami usually had a list of complaints to tell him and Pierre always demanded they all be met. It was actually his first-born's declaration that he wouldn't move without Kitami and Iso coming along that made him set up the arrangement . When the door opened a sigh softly left his lips then a wide smile overtook the teenaged face while he bowed to the lady "Greetings Kitami, you look very well."

[Kitami Aklia]

Life for Kitami and Isonette became less luxurious, but still a good one. Izzy took well to the new home, despite its lacking, and did her appointed chores without much complaint. Kitami took on a job as a healer and brought in money that way, and had enough to keep them both comfortably sustained and even hire a day servant girl to keep house and watch the child when Kitami was out. In the evenings she always listened to Izzy’s chattering about her day. How she played in the woods, how she chased some ground birds, how she met new imaginary friends. Kitami always listened with interest, after making sure from the day girl if she was a good little pup.

Once settled in Kitami sent a letter to Lachesis, or rather, his eldest son, announcing their arrival and being settled in for the most part. The house needed some tending to but it wasn’t much that she could do till the ice broke. And much of it was man’s work to begin with. But the inside was nice and cozy, good solid furniture and a warm, lovely scent as well. On this particular morning Kitami and her hired servant girl were working to make a big meal for the boys when they showed. Isonette paced the floors impatiently, whining here and there and inquiring when her Papa would show. It took quite a bit of work to keep the girl settled down. Finally Kitami sent Izzy to her room to play.

She was just kneading some dough when the knock came, and she felt flustered. She had lived in luxury while in Mero, and none of the boys seen her in any other way. She felt nervous to open the door with her hair tied back in a kerchief, an apron on and hands covered in flour. She had a feeling of dread that they’d think less of her. She turned and opened the door, and her fears were dispelled upon seeing Pere. She smiled.

“Ah, you get bigger every time I see you!” She said, giving the boy a gentle hug, being sure not to dirty his fine clothes with the flour on her hands. She smiled to Lach and Jer, and stepped outside, glad to be away from the hot oven. She turned and called into the house.

“Isonette! Your father is here!” And the crash from the bedroom door, squealing of joy, and running footsteps following would have suggested a monster was on the way. Instead a little red haired girl flew through the doorway and tackled the nearest figure, which happened to be Pere.

“Jean Pierre! You made it!” She said, nearly climbing the boy to attack his cheek with kisses, before moving on to the next nearest figure, which was Lachesis. “Papa!!” She cried, assaulting him with adoration and love as well before finishing with Jericho, attacking him as well. Kitami laughed as Izzy finished her love assault on Jer then clung to Lach’s side.

“Papa! You have been gone far too long! I thought you forgotten me!” She said, holding his hand and bouncing up and down in excitement. Kitami meanwhile was eying the gifts that were being carried into the house. She looked surprised but pleased.

“Goodness. You know how to spoil the child!” She said, smiling, glad Isonette was getting gifts from Lach and the boys, and assuming all were for the child.

[Deleted]

Finally, he'd be able to see his little sister today. Jericho was extremely excited. So much that when his mother had come in and told him to have a good day, he had almost spilled the beans. But he was careful. His father had set up the whole thing to sound like that hunting trip they went on a couple times a month. But it was only a ploy to see his baby sister. He loved that little child like no tomorrow. Because they shared the same father, he considered her a part of the pack.

He had helped his father and brother pack up the night before they had set out. He had brought his own gift for his baby sister and thought it to be extra special. Even though she had a mountain of gifts waiting for her in the carriage. For much of the trip, Jericho was rather quiet for his own reasons. But he'd be in better spirits once he got to see Izzy's smiling face. Her giggles brought out the pup in him every time. So it was easy to see that the big, tough Jericho had a soft spot.

Though it sort of pained him to have to lie to his own mother, he didn't want to see her getting too upset over what they were really doing. He wouldn't mind getting to see his baby sister so long as his father wasn't seeing Kitami and being unfaithful to his mother. Kitami was nice and all, but Jericho had one mother and he didn't want to see what would happen if Lisa ever found out that they were here. He shuddered slightly at the thought. But all that seemed to disappear when he saw the ten year old come running up to him and his father and brother.

Jericho smiled aimlessly and opened his arms to give Izzy a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Hello there, darling sister. Good to see you.. You're growing up to be a beautiful little lady, you know that?" he smiled genuinely and kissed the top of her head before looking from Kitami and giving her a nod. "You're looking well and settled." he mentioned and looked to his father. "Shall I start unloading the carriage, father?"

[Deleted]

Pere's grin could almost be called wolfish as Kitami enfolded him in a hug. Completely ignoring the matronly tone she used with him, the teen wraps his arms tightly around her, pulls close and breathes in sharply through his nose to get the scent of her hair. Stretching to his full six feet of height, the boy puffs out his broadening chest and proudly grabs the lapels of his overcoat. "I am almost full grown. My eighteenth birthday is this spring, just before Papa's. Have you been well? How did you fare on the journey over? Do you enjoy this cottage? Let me come alone some day this week to make repairs for you...the both of you." Lachesis claps his palm on his eldest's shoulder and bends slightly at the waist in greeting to the mother of his daughter. Not for the first time, he notices how talkative the normally stoic Pierre becomes in the presence of their second family. Perhaps the two needed to have a talk, the alpha male really hoped not. Eyes can't help but slide down her figure; somehow the rustic look suits her, even the smudge of flour on her forehead. "Yes, Kit, enlighten us." He smiles and Jean Pierre briefly frowns.

Isonette came flying round the corner and all three flash sharp teeth in wide grins. Pere squeezes her tightly, kissing her hair before releasing her. Lach kisses her cheeks, her forehead, her nose and holds her close before letting her go onto Jericho. When she returns he swoops her up and keeps her enfolded in his arms like she was a babe. "Isonette, je t'aime, je adore! Mon ange, ma petite princesse, never could I forget your beautiful face. Your brothers have missed you fiercely, but not so much as your Papa." Smiling broadly at Jericho, the alpha nods at his request to help unload the carriage, "If you wish it, I'm sure the lad would appreciate the help." Pierre also rushed out to carry back the many gifts, removing the cards he'd penned Jer's name on from the extras.

Lachesis continued to snuggle his daughter close, how much she had grown! Soon she would be a babe no longer, the idea of her being a grown beautiful young lady placed a rock of worry in his gullet, but it was a problem for a later date. "Did you enjoy the sailboat or did you think it dreadful, like your Papa? It was wretched, non, being cooped up so long, not having your brothers and me around for your birthday or Christmas? Do not fret ma ange, we didn't forget about you, just look at the bounty your slaves lay at your little feet." Pere had individually wrapped a large house, all the furniture and dolls to occupy it. Lachesis's boxes were filled with expensive dresses, slippers, bonnets, hair ribbons and a pure white rabbit-fur coat. The extra gifts purchased by the older brother were three stuffed wolves that resembled all three of the males's other forms and a snow-globe with a miniature of the Pointe du Lach inside. The three for Kitami included another snow-globe featuring the spa she'd left behind, a delicate gold locket with a place inside for Iso's picture and an oil painting the family had posed for on the boat. A copy of it hung in their new parlor, but this one Pere had paid extra to substitute little Izzy in Lisa's stead. [/b]

[Kitami Aklia]

Kitami gave Jericho a smile as he mentioned they looked settled. She gave him a nod. They were as settled as they’d ever be she supposed. She was just glad Izzy accepted the cottage. She turned her attention to Pere as he asked his questions. She gave him a smile as well. She also disregarded Lachesis’s look as he eyed her curves. She was very good at disregarding his looks. She had done so for years before Isonette’s birth after all. And after becoming pregnant after lying with Lach only once, she had no intention of doing so again. She very much would prefer not to become with child once more. It was clear by the three standing before her the damn wolf had powerful enough seed in him.

“The travel wasn’t that grand. Poor Izzy was sick almost the entire time.” She sighed. Isonette meanwhile was giggling up a storm as Lach picked her up and spoke to her. She wrinkled her nose as Lach asked about the boat trip.

“C’etait horrible Papa! I did not enjoy the boat ride a bit! It was smelly and cramped, and I was sick very often! Papa and mon feres were not there to play with me and I hated it!” She cried. Kitami laughed and turned, gesturing towards the cottage door.

“Come in, come in. I’ve been making you boys a feast for you! To celebrate our being reunited so to speak.” She said, stepping back inside her cottage. The servant girl was curiously gazing at the gifts. She looked up at spotted Lachesis and his sons, and looked confused. As far as she knew, her mistress was a simple healer. And yet she had a child with this handsome noble? Kitami saw her staring and she presented a coin to the girl

“Off with you dear. You’ve done enough for today.” She said. The girl took the payment, gave a bow to the gentlemen, and hurried out the door.

“Oh, Papa! Jericho, Pere! I think my phoenix egg will hatch soon! Just yesterday morning I saw it twitch!” Izzy said, one arm locked lovingly around Lachesis’s shoulder, the other pointing to a basket with a towel and a bright orange and blue egg sitting by the cozy fireplace. Kitami smiled at Izzy, finding the girl’s fascination with the egg cute, but she doubted the thing would hatch. Izzy carried it for all these months and it had yet to hatch, but it didn’t smell rotten, so Kitami let the girl keep it as long as it didn’t smell up the place yet. Kitami resumed her station before the dough, once more working into it. She looked at the table, full of hot and waiting food. If the boys wouldn’t eat Izzy would. The girl had yet to eat breakfast.

“Isonette dear. Be sure to eat. You may show your father and brothers your egg later.”

Isonette blinked before pouting, resembling her mother much when she did so.

“But Mama!” She said. “They haven’t come to watch me eat!” Kitami laughed.

“Yes they did dearheart. They came to watch you eat, play, and sleep. They came to share it all with you and spend time with you.” She said, continuing her kneading. Izzy thought this over, glanced at the presents, then turned her bright yellow eyes to her father, putting on the best begging face she had.

“Papa, may I open my gifts before I eat breakfast?” She asked, being sure to add a kiss to the cheek with the request.

[Deleted]

Jericho stood there quietly, watching his baby sister. She was cute and young and naive and someone Jericho would protect to the very end. He wouldn't be as playful as Pierre perhaps, but he would see to it that she was well taken care of. He gave Kitami little regard as his mind played around with the idea of coming here once in a while more to see his sister. Because sooner or later, his mother was going to find out about Kitami and Izzy and wanted to at least protect the one he loved.

He sighed slightly and prepared himself to go out to the carriage to get the gifts out. Pierre would probably go off to play with the little one. And Jericho wanted to watch his father carefully. Because although the man was the Alpha of the family, Jericho would not let his father screw anything up. He'd keep his nose in check. His mother had told her son about things before. How his father had been caught a few times before and how his younger sister came to be. He wouldn't mention anything outright in respect of Kitami.

Lisa would be heart-broken and furious. She'd accuse Lach of being unfaithful and kill the competition because that's what she knew best. Extremely jealous she was and she'd prove her point. But in the end, Lachesis would be hers and she would spare the children. Like she had with Pierre and Izzy. He took in a steady breath and cleared his throat, eying his father again and then Kitami. He turned and went to unload the carriage, helping the other lad out when his brother came to help too. They got the gifts unloaded quickly and came over to his father and sister.

Kitami spoke of a feast and he bowed politely in her stead. Good. He was hungry. Very hungry. But when Izzy mentioned her little phoenix egg, he changed his expression to a smile and chuckled. "Did you now? Do you know how to take care of a phoenix? Because you must know before it hatches." he mentioned, reaching up to tickle under her chin. As they walked in, Jericho was assaulted with all of the good smells of cooking and the new environment overall. It was a nice little place, but too small in Jericho's opinion. He liked the big and lavish places. Much like their own manor.

Jericho saw the egg by the fireplace and took his seat at the table where the food was. He'd wait for his father to serve himself before he grabbed any food. Just to be polite and because his father was still Alpha and head of the family after all. So the young man looked at his sister and smiled again, speaking up. "We came to make sure you grow into a strong and pretty young lady, Izzy... Because I'm your brother and I want to make sure you're healthy."

[Deleted]

All of the alpha male's attention was given to his youngest once she entered his sight, at least that much good could be said of him. He would act a fool to hear her laughter, hold her close while he still could. She was all things innocent, pure and sweet; something to be cherished and protected at all costs. This he had done a good job impressing on his sons as well, no mercy would be shown to the fool who made her realize the world was not as it seemed. Pere paid plenty of attention to Kitami though, despite the fact that his words and entreaties were answered only with her smile. "Je suis désolé, I offered to stay behind and travel with the two of you but mon père insisted otherwise. Perhaps I could've offered some assistance." Lachesis glances briefly at his eldest, frowning because he had explained that would've raised too much suspicion in Lisa's mind and hadn't thought it would be brought up infront of Iso and her mother. Choosing to ignore Pierre, he cuddled his girl closer, "My poor little one, the boat made votre père sick as well, I shalln't ride on another until they can race across the sea as fast as my legs can carry me. But it is all over and votre feres and père are here to play with you now." Carrying her into the cottage, Lach's wolf perked up at the rich smells of food and now he turns to Kitami to smile appreciatively at her cooking for their arrival.

"You needn't have troubled yourself so for our sake, we could have brought breakfast..." Lachesis frowned again at Pere and retorted, "Nothing purchased at the market could compete with Kitami's mastery of the culinary arts." He smiles ever so charmingly and it's Pierre's turn to frown now, "Non, no of course not..." Never allowed to be in the background, Isonette chirps like a bird about the egg she always carries around and Lachesis humors her though he doubts the possibility of it being alive. "How wonderful, my dear, what a good mommy Pheonix you will be." Kitami urged her to eat and the girl argued back of course, his children couldn't help but inherit that trait. "Listen to your mother, mon ange, eat you must." The alpha wolf growls playfully and bats his paw at her before tickling her belly, "Your wolf, she hungers, and you must feed her lest she decided she'd prefer a tasty little human for breakfast instead."

Pierre's jealousy abided as he couldn't help but smile at his father acting like a fool for the chance of making Izzy laugh. Though Lach would never admit it and was quite sure he didn't show it, his eldest knew the little girl was his father's favorite with Jericho in close second place. Something about the eldest boy pained his dad , something he didn't speak to his child about but Pere knew it none the less. Iso begged to open her presents before eating and the blue eyed du Ponteloc laughed at his siblings: her batting lashes, sweet kisses and Jericho moving to sit at the table before anyone else. Lachesis melted at her attention and could deny her nothing, "Oui, oui, as you wish ma cher." Shaking his head, laughing further at how his sister had his father wrapped about her fingers, he countered "You must hurry though, ma belle, before Jericho starts gnawing on the table." Lach glances over at his second born and nods, "Pick one to open first and save the rest for after, your brother's wolf hungers too."

[Kitami Aklia]

Isonette paused when Jericho asked if she knew how to care for a phoenix. It had been a question she hadn’t considered before. If the bird was made of fire how would she hold it? She thought this over, realizing she knew nothing about the bird. “Jericho, you must teach me about the phoenix then.” She replied, deciding that was how she’d learn Jericho would get her books or something. If not perhaps Mama would teach her. Mama was very smart. She beamed at her Papa as he told her she’d be a good phoenix mama. She supposed she’d find out whenever the egg hatched!

Kitami meanwhile paused her kneading and turned back to look at Pere and Lachesis as they seemed to do some strange bickering. She looked amused at the both before giving them a smile.

“Why thank you for the compliment. I don’t mind cooking for you all. You mean so much to us, Izzy especially.” She said, turning to place the bread in a pan and she popped it in the oven, checking the coals as she did so. She then sighed and began to wash her hands free of flour. The feast had been draining to make, but Kitami was used to being tired. It was something one had to adjust to quickly when they became a mother.

Isonette giggled as Lach tickled her, then paused at his words. She mused over them a moment before looking back up to her Papa.

“Do humans taste good?” She asked curiously. Kitami gave a laugh.

“Lachesis, don’t put such silly ideas in our daughter’s head. Then she’ll go out and eat a human and get sick.” She said, Izzy smirking at her mother. Kitami looked at her for a moment before sticking out her tongue. “Humans are dirty. Don’t eat them.” Izzy giggled at that. When Lach gave her permission to open one gift she squirmed her way out of his grasp and ran over to the pile of gifts. After looking them over she selected one and opened it. Kitami smiled as the girl squealed in joy.

“Oh Mama! Look! They’re toy wolves! And look! They look just like Papa and Jericho and Pere!” She said excitedly, pulling the stuffed toys into her arms, running up to Kitami. “Look Mama! Here is Papa!” She said, pushing the wolf into her mother’s arms. Kitami looked at the toy and smiled, stroking it absently, before Izzy turned and ran up to Jericho. “And this one is you Jericho!” She cried, showing Jericho his new twin. She turned to run around some more, but Kit caught her, lifted her, and set her in her chair at the table. Izzy hardly seemed to notice as she continued to admire her new toys. Kitami set the three wolves on the counter so Isonette could continue to see them. The girl gave some protest, wanting the stuffed wolves next to her, but Kitami pointed out that Izzy got to sit next to the real things, and the child grew satisfied with simply keeping them in sight.

“Mama, won’t you eat?” Isonette asked as Kitami fixed a plate of food for the girl, seeing her mother wasn’t seated herself.

“Oh, I’m alright dearheart. Besides, our table can’t sit all of us.” Kitami replied, kissing the top of her daughter’s head before turning to clean up the cooking dishes she used. Izzy turned, frowning, a look of concern crossing her face as she looked at her Mama, then she turned to the table, smiling at the men that came to see her. Her Mama hadn’t eaten yesterday or today, but Isonette was much too excited to press the issue currently.