Kitsune: Okay minna-chan. This is the first work of my very own creation. The plot story, and most of the characters belong to me. I borrowed Maxwell, Pierce, Velsper, and Vicious from some friends, so those character I can’t lay claim to, but everything else is mine. Well, hope that you enjoy the story.

Tales of The Past

Mandy wandered through the park. It was empty, but that was to be expected at 1:30 in the morning. She sighed and looked up at the full moon. ‘If nii-san caught me here right now he would throw a fit.’ Usually the thought of angering her elder brother would bother her, but not tonight. She just couldn’t bring herself to care.

She soon found herself at the lake in the center of the park. She was about to continue past it when she saw movement out of the corner of her eye near some bushes. ‘I wonder what that was. There should be no one out this late at night…’ Her curiosity got the better of her and she headed towards the bushes.

When she reached the bushes she found nothing. ‘I could have sworn there was somebody over here. It couldn’t have been an animal. It didn’t sound like one.’ Frowning to herself, she took another look around but still found nothing. She shook her head. ‘Maybe I was just imagining things.’ She thought as she started back to the path that she had been on, but before she could reach it she was grabbed from behind. A hand covered her mouth to prevent her from yelling as the other one wrapped around her waist to keep her from moving.

Her captor then pulled her back against him, ‘Definitely a male’, and tightened his arms around her. ‘Almost like a hug…’ Before she could put anymore thought into it her captor leaned forward until his mouth was right next to her ear. His warm breath played with her earring and she caught a familiar scent. She tensed and her eyes widened. ‘Wait a minute. That smells like-’

A soft laugh reached her ears. “So chibi, you finally recognize me. It’s about time.” The arms loosened around her until she had enough room to turn around and look her “captor” in the eyes. “Velsper. Don’t sneak up on me like that. You scared me.” She crossed her arms and turned away from him. “And don’t call me chibi,” She added as an afterthought.

Velsper sighed and buried his face into her neck, nuzzling it and nipped at it slightly casing Mandy to blush. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you, but you should be more careful. I could have easily killed you if I had been an assassin.”

Mandy turned to him and hugged him tightly. “I doubt that there would be any assassins out right now. We are at peace. Remember? We fought hard for it and it will stay this way as long as my brother is alive to keep it.”

Velsper nodded and pulled her back to him. “Yes I know, but there has been a war going on for a long time. It’s just a little…weird to not have to worry about it anymore. Hey, wait a minute. Don’t you have to watch those kids latter today? What are you doing up this late?”

“I couldn’t sleep. It’s hard to get any sleep with all of the staff going around and getting ready for the wedding ceremony.” She grinned. She was happy that her brother had finally had the mate that he was looking for. It took a lot of convincing to get the council to okay it considering what and who her brother’s mate was.

Velsper laughed remembering it as well. “Man that was a chore. I thought that those old farts would never agree to the wedding. It took them forever to decide whether or not they could. I was about ready to go in and beat some sense into those senile old fools. They are completely wrapped up in the traditions of old.”

Mandy smiled. “You’re completely right, but if the council heard you saying those things you would be in deep.”

He shook his head. “Naw. Those old windbags wouldn’t dare try anything. They’re already too afraid that I’ll come in the middle of the night and kill them while they are sleeping. Speaking of sleeping you need to get home and do just that. Come on.” He grabbed Mandy and they started back towards the castle.

“And whose fault was it that they are scared of you in the first place. I mean, having a nine-tailed kitsune/elf threatening you does seem to warren the fear.” Mandy said as they approached her home.

“Yah well, they asked for it.” He said somewhat gruffly as he remembered what the council was trying to do. “Like I said earlier. Thos old geezers are so wrapped up in the old ways that they were about to throw you out just because you were a half breed.” He muttered angrily.

“Really, I don’t care what they would have voted, because I know that my brother would never have let them throw me out.” She said with confidence. “Besides, even if they did manage to find some way to throw me out it would actually be good.” They had just entered the castle.

Velsper stopped, turned around and looked at her as if she was crazy. “What are you talking about? How would getting thrown out of here be any good to you?”

“Because, then I wouldn’t have to go to all of those stupid lessons.” She said as she crossed her arms and pouted. “You know how boring those are. The instructors drone on and on about how to do this properly and how I’ve messed it up again. The only good thing about this place is that I get to look after the little ones.”

Velsper smiled and gave her an exaggerating sympathetic look and talked to her in a baby voice “Aw. Is poor widdle Mandy getting bored with her life?” He teased her.

Mandy glared at him. “Hey. You have no room to talk Mr. I-Try-To-Ditch-My-Lesson-But-Always-End-Up-Getting-Caught. I know that you like them probably less then I do.” She suddenly yawned.

“Come un. It’s probably about 2 in the morning and you have some kits to watch this afternoon.” He led her back to their rooms. They stopped just outside their rooms. Velsper’s room was right across from Mandy’s.

“Goodnight Velsper.” Mandy opened the door to her room.

“Goodnight chibi.” Velsper replied and watched as Mandy walked into her room, too tired to correct his words. He then made his way into his room.

Noon in the Castle Courtyard

Mandy smiled as the little ones she was watching played a game of tag. All of the nobles were away for the day, and it was her job to watch after their kitlings’ until they returned. It was times like these that Mandy could completely forget what had just taken place last year and her annoying instructors.

A boy by the name of Ethan came up to Mandy and tugged at her pant leg. “Ms. Mandy, I’m tired of playing tag and it’s noon now. Can you tell a story now?” His question had caught the attention of the other children and they quickly ran over to her. Yells of, “Yes! Tell us a story.” And “Tell us, tell us!” came from all of the children. Mandy laughed and raised her hands in defeat. “Alright, alright. I’ll start the story now.” Cheers rang through the courtyard as the children sat down and waited anxiously for the story to begin.

“So, what story would you guys like to hear about?” As soon as the words came out of her mouth, she regretted them. Shouts and yells came at her from every single child she was watching. ‘Man, I should not have said that.’ She thought as she mentally slapped herself. While she was trying to get them to calm down a voice was heard over the shouting. “QUIET!!” The noise immediately stopped and everyone turned to see a very annoyed female hanyou glaring at him or her.

Mandy sighed in relief and sent a grateful look towards her. “Thanks Maxwell.” Maxwell shook her head and walked over to stand next to Mandy. “What in the world did you say to get them so riled up? I heard them all the way in my room, where I was meditating I might add.”

“I’m sorry about that Maxwell. I was about to tell them a story and they were telling me which one they wanted to hear.” She bowed in apology.

Maxwell shook her head. “Yelling is more of what I hear, not telling.” She sent a look at all of the kids who where now looking with interest at the hanyou. “Why don’t you tell them something constructive? Like some history or something like that? Goddess knows that they don’t pay attention in their classes. I hear their teacher complaining about it all the time at dinner.”

There were groans from the children and comments like, “History is boring” and “No, I want some action.”

Suddenly Ethan spoke up. “How about telling us about the fighters that brought the peace to our lands? None of the grow-ups will tell us the full story.” As soon as he said that there were shouts of agreement to his idea.

“That’s actually a very good idea.” Maxwell said in agreement as well. “I’m not surprised that the grown-ups won’t tell you the full story. They probably don’t even know it.” Maxwell went and sat down under the shade of a near-by tree. “Come on Mandy, why don’t you tell them?”

Mandy frowned. “I don’t know. Do you think that they are old enough? They are still pretty young and some of the details are…a little gruesome.” There were protests of “I’m old enough.” from the kids when they heard her answer. “See? The kids think that they are old enough so just tell them.” Maxwell said from where she was resting.

“Alright, but I want no interruption from you guys okay?” She said looking at the children. They all nodded and then settled around Maxwell.

Maxwell blinked as the children settled around her, content. Mandy grinned and laughed, seeing her expression. “It seems like you still have a knack for attracting kids to you Maxwell.” Mandy teased her as she sat down. Maxwell mumbled something under her breath and glared at Mandy. “Just get on with the story.”

Mandy laughed and got into a comfortable position. “Well, now where should I start from?”

“How about you give the kids some back round and stuff like that? That way they know exactly why different things happened and how they turned out.” A voice said and they turned to see Pierce walking towards them.

“Hello Pierce. What are you doing out here?” Mandy asked as Pierce sat down next to Maxwell.

“Well, I heard all of the yelling and got here about the same time as Maxwell, but I decided to just watch.” He said and leaned back against the tree.

Maxwell eyed him and shook her head. “Okay, now that that’s done with, let’s get on with the story,” she said impatiently.

“Alright, I guess that we will start from right before I was born.”

320 Years Ago

Yelling could be heard coming from a room. This room happened to belong to the current Elvin King, Kiroleno. Kiroleno looked every bit like an Elvin king should. With his flawless tanned skin, eyes the color of an emerald, and hair the color of the brown earth. Standing at a height of 5’11, he was an impressive sight. He and his advisor, Jerion, were arguing over what to do with the baby that was on the way. Jerion was completely opposite from the king in every way. Jerion’s complexion was a pale, almost white, his hair was the color of freshly fallen snow, and his eyes where an ice-cold blue. While only standing at 5’9 he was still an imposing figure of an elf.

“I can’t believe that you would sleep with a demon, a kitsune no less! Have you no honor, nor pride in who you are?! You are King of Giladria!” Jerion yelled as he paced the room. His knee length hair, pulled back at the base of his neck, lashed out angrily behind him. “To sleep with that…thing is one thing, but to have a child with it is totally absurd! You should have had her killed as soon as you found out that she was with a child.”

“Now you listen here Jerion. You’re right. I am King of Giladria and as such you should have more respect for me and whom I chose to conceive a child with. It was my choice to have the child, my choice to keep Loraina as my mate.” Kiroleno said calmly, but with force behind those words. He sighed and tugged at his shoulder-length hair.

Loraina was a fox-demon. Mating with other species was frowned upon in Elvin society, and Loraina could be easily distinguished with her waist length platinum-blond hair and golden eyes.

“So you would just forget Helen? Forget that you already have a son and heir to the throne?! I thought that you loved her and your son, but it seems as though I am mistaken!” Jerion spat as he glared at the king.

Helen had been Kiroleno’s wife. She had been the most beautiful of all the elves in Giladria. Her waist-length golden blond hair, eyes the color of a sapphire, and a beautiful peach complexion had every elf after her heart, but Kiroleno was the one to eventually claim her. Unfortunately, she had died a couple of years ago due to a rare blood disease that had lain dormant in her blood for many centuries.

“I loved Helen, you know that.” Kiroleno said in a strained voice. “But I am only doing what she has asked of me. She came to me and told me I should go on with my life, she’s is even the one that told me where to go so I met Loraina. Don’t you dare accuse me of never having loved Helen ever again. As for Bou, I love him just as much as a father could ever love a son, if not more. He is my heir, my hope, and my last reminder of Helen. He will be my heir, but I know that he is also lonely. Having a younger sibling will help him with that.”

Bou was the spitting image of the union between Kiroleno and Helen. He had inherited his father’s tan skin and emerald eyes, but his facial features, long sunny blond hair, and only standing at 5’8 were definitely traits from Helen. At only 146, Bou showed much more maturity than any other elf his age. He was very reliable and helped his father with many things pertaining to court matters. He was what everyone wanted him to be: the perfect heir.

Jerion just glared at Kiroleno with more hatred that before. “Did you forget what happened the last time a cross breed between elf and kitsune brought? Total chaos and destruction! The child was very powerful and the families fought over where it was to be raised. There was almost an all out war between them, but the child disappeared. Do you want that to happen again? If the other kingdoms find out that you are once again doing this what will they think? I’ll tell you what they will think. They will think that you are trying to raise a powerful warrior to do battle against their kingdoms. The peace is strained already, why put even more strain on it?”

“Because, I love Loraina very much and I am willing to risk everything to be with her. I will not give up another of my loved ones.” He replied.

“Fine,” he hissed. “Do what you want, but you will sorely regret your actions on this day.” He said as he made him way out of the chamber.

Kiroleno sighed and shook his head. ‘What am I to do? I thought that Jerion would support me in my actions, but it seems that he is now against me…’ He thought as he sat down I a chair. ‘I’ll just have to keep an eye on him. I won’t let him harm Loraina or my unborn child.’

8 months latter

Yelling was heard once again in the castle, but this time it was of a different kind. Loraina was about to give birth to her child and the only ones in the room to witness it where the doctor, Loraina (Of course. She is the one giving birth.), Kiroleno, and Bou.

“Push milady, push,” called out the female doctor as she waited for the birth. Kiroleno and Bou stood to the side waiting as well. “Father”, Bou spoke up, “will Loraina be okay? She doesn’t look too good.” He pulled at a lock of his thigh-length hair, a bad habit that he had picked up from his father.

Kiroleno looked on grimly. “I don’t know Bou. I don’t remember there being this much blood at your birth, but this might be the way things happen with your mother’s kind.

Just then Loraina let out an ear piercing scream as a wail joined in to match hers. Loraina had finally given birth. “Congratulations my lord. It’s a girl.” The doctor quickly took care of the baby as Kiroleno rushed over to his mate. “Loraina? Loraina? Are you alright?”

Loraina looked at her mate and managed a small smile. “I’m sorry…Kiro-chan, but I don’t think-” She was cut of when a pain shot through her body. She then started coughing until blood started dripping through her hands.

“Loraina?!” Kiroleno yelled as she didn’t stop coughing and there was more blood. He quickly looked at the doctor who was clutching his newborn child. “Doctor! Do something!”

The doctor just looked down sadly as she fought back tears. “I’m sorry my lord but there is nothing I can do.” She just watched as Loraina took her last few breaths and eventually grew still.

Kiroleno just looked down at Loraina in disbelief. ‘No…this can’t be happening, not again.’ He thought as his emerald eyes slowly filled up with unshed tears, but before he could grieve a shout was heard outside the doors.

Bou looked up, startled. “What was that?” He quickly made his way over to the door and cracked it open. As soon as he opened it he immediately shut it again.

Kiroleno looked over to his son. “What is it Bou? What’s happening?”

Bou quickly made his way over to the doctor and grabbed the child. “It’s Jerion’s men. They are right outside demanding to be let in. He must have found out about the birth and sent them to stop it. We have to act fast father. If we don’t, we could all die here.”

Kiroleno took one glance at his now dead mate and his face hardened. “Go. Bou, I want you to take the child and I want both of you to leave for now. I will try to hold of Jerion’s men, but I’m not sure how long I can do it for.”

Bou growled and tightened his hold on the child. “That no good backstabber. I can’t believe that he managed to convince the council of his beliefs.” Suddenly there was a pounding o the door.

Kiroleno quickly pushed the doctor and Bou towards a hidden door in the wall. “Now go through here and this should lead you to an opening in the woods just outside the palace. There I want you to head for Yolika. You should be able to find shelter in the town.”

“But father!” Bou tried to protest, but was cut off as the door splintered. He was then pushed into the tunnel, but the doctor managed to get something out before he started to close it. “My lord? What should we name the child?”

Kiroleno paused for a moment. He then gave them a smile before he placed a kiss on the child’s forehead. “Her name shall be Mandy.” He then looked Bou straight in the eyes. “Bou, you are the hope for this kingdom, your mother named you well.” That was the last thing he said before the wooden door gave way and Kiroleno shut the door behind the two fleeing elves.

End...For Now

Kitsune: Well there’s the end to chapter one. The next chapter should be more exciting. Plus we get to introduce most of the main characters. Now if you could just click on the little button called the review button and send me some feed back on how you liked it. That would be great stuff. I mean it is the button that keeps on giving right? ;p