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~Far away from the Anbu Camp~

A mix of Silver Egyptian Mau and a Silver Abyssinian stretched yawning with the early rays of the morning sun, groggy and stiff she stood and looked around, her brother no where in sight. "Always going off on his own." she sighed and stood up, cringing a little at the pain in her joints, though a particularly young cat she was covered in scars, ones that had at one point nearly killed her, but somehow she had survived, before then she had never truly believed in the old wives tale of cats having nine lives, now; either it was true or someone up above was really looking out for her. Pale green eyes looked out before she called out "JOSH!" She sat back down with a soft flump and starting to fix her hair, pulling it into a loose herring bone braid that followed down her entire back. Since her revival, having found herself in a sort of shrine, alone and mainly healed, she had set out again to find her mate and those that she easily called her family, the Anbu who had so long been around her that being alone had made her somewhat feral for a good while. She sighed looking at the braid, remembering the times she had braided her mates with love and care, at first he had not been too fond of it, but had quickly learned to enjoy the experience. She smiled sadly at the thought. "I'll find you..." she whispered to herself.

Joshua had been a little ways off fishing, he hung his head at the call of his sister's voice. He should have figured she'd get up and call for him, not that she wanted anything, just making sure he was alive. He'd been rather depressed for a while and had confided in her when they had been reunited, he had thought her long dead, but there was no mistaking Asha in anyway no matter how hard one tried. He'd already caught a fish and it would suffice for the both of them to eat more than enough to get through through the day and a few more if need be, but he hoped not, his sister became quite irritable without a good meal. He grabbed the fish and hauled it over his back, his perfect silver hair hung over his opposing shoulder as not to touch the fish and get dirty. He'd rush Asharadine through the meal to her consistent protest, only to be glad to be moving again, both were looking for something, he the beautiful Manx Valiant he had met along he way and his sister her mate Raco. Both determined and unrelenting in their search, not willing to stop until they were dead.


~Back at the Anbu Headquarters~

Raco trudged into the camp, sleep deprived, hungry and looking as though he'd gone through a blender on the pulse cycle a few too many times. His mismatched eyes dull and lifeless, even his hair has lost it's shine. He'd been gone for three weeks on a crazy chase for something he hadn't even been sure he was looking for, but had finally decided he wasn't going to find what he'd been sent out for and had made his way home. He made it to the center of the camp before collapsing onto a log and laying there as though dead, a few of the Anbu that were actually awake looked at him sadly. It was rare to see Raco like this but they knew better than to disturb him because he'd gone to sleep right in the middle of the camp, something he'd normally never have done.

Youko wandered out and took one look at Raco passed out on the log and hung his head sadly. He'd been unsuccessful, but it was to no surprise, nothing more than an empty hope. At least an attempt had been made to locate those that were lost, even for so much as a rumor, but by the looks of it, nothing at all had been unearthed. "Riki, go make Raco something to eat, when he wakes he'll be starving I can guarantee you at least that." The other cat nodded and ran off, leaving the leader of the camp standing there, looking down at his best friend sadly. "Well, though we may have come up empty handed this time my friend, maybe the next we shall strike some luck." he muttered looking toward the sky where thin tendrils of light seeped through the holes in the tree roof above them.

Youko looked down at Ishtar, eyebrows raised. "I sent him out the first time, now he is doing this upon his own accord, not on my word. He's doing it for your mother because he feels she at least has something to live for unlike himself." he said shaking his head. "It's best you leave him be, he'll be quite foul when he does finally wake up and he'll only want to eat. For all we know he could lay there for the next few days. Wouldn't be the first time really." he sighed. He turned away from the younger cat. "If you want to assist someone I suggest aiding your mother more than him. Do you even have the faintest idea what it is that Raco has been disappearing for weeks on end?" he asked turning his head to stare at the young healer. There was no hate or angry, but rather piqued curiosity, and a silent dare behind those golden eyes.

Raco gave a low hiss in his dreaming, a tormented, nightmare, one he had suffered many times before, watching his beloved torn from his grasp, swallowed into the darkness away from where he could ever save her. And he was alone, lost and without a purpose in the world, no will or need to live, wanting nothing more than to wither away and have some sort of small hope of finding his precious Asharadine in the afterlife. But no matter what he did, his body would not give up, he kept on living as though no matter what he tried he could not die and he would be forever separated from her.

~Well outside of Ikebokuro~

Joshua stood up in the tree top, tall lashing, he could see the faint outskirts of either a fairly large town or a small city, either way it meant cats. "Asha, I see something ahead! A human city!" he called down, grinning from ear to ear. Maybe this was it, something told him it had to be it. He shot down the tree as quickly as he could and landed in front of his sister, still grinning. "She has to be there, I just know it." he said and turned away and headed off towards the city.

Asha stood there with her jaw slack, it was rare her brother acted like a kitten and his mood swings from depressed to giddy sometimes scared her a little and made her consider the possibility of her brother being faintly bipolar. "Josh, Joshua wait up!" she called out taking off after him, amazed at his sudden enthusiasm, she hoped his hunch was right for his own sake, she hated to see him depressed. But a faint sparkle of hope glimmered inside of her as well though, maybe they could both find what they were looking for in the small city that lie ahead. They had a ways to go, at least a days worth of travel, maybe even two, but there was no point in stopping now because if what either of them was looking for was there, then it would be onto the next town.

Raco spasmed in his sleep, fidgeting with his nightmare, a pitiful whine escaping his throat, a single word escaping his mouth; "Asha" he breathed sadly before his breathing completely stopped for a moment, lasting a good ten seconds before he took a deep breath and began to breath normally again. He wouldn't sleep for much longer, every time the nightmare visited him he would awake covered in a cold sweat and shaking, breathing hard.

Youko watched Val leave and Raina settle herself by Raco. He looked back at Ishtar. "He looks for the cat who your mother gave her heart to. I suspensions about him, but nothing can be truly assumed until later on. But I do say I am quite interesting in this Joshua." he said rubbing his thumb under his chin. He was intrigued indeed, from the necklace Val held around her neck to the kittens in he womb once again. It had been weeks and he still couldn't shake off the feeling that he had surely seen that necklace before, but he could not place if it was who he suspected it was. He was not one to jump to conclusions, he never one, if he made a guess on anything, he knew he was going to be right. No thought that ever went through Youko's mind was ever half-baked when it left his mouth.

Raco shot up eyes wide and livid, he looked around ears point forward and tail bottle-brushed in shock. He looked around, from his daughter, to the wet cloth that had fallen off his head, to Youko and Ishtar. He was shaking slightly, he hadn't exactly wanted to wake up, but felt faintly better since he had. It had been that damned nightmare again. He pounded his fist on the log in frustration, and he hung his head.

Youko looked over at Raco and turned to Ishtar. "It is not a matter for you to worry yourself over. You may not like it but you are still too young to be caught up in our politics. I don't care how mature you are, it is not your place, and I hope you never need place yourself in them. Dreadful thing it is, really, wish I were able to avoid it." he said with a faint smile on his face. he looked back, wondering how Rikimaru was coming along with the food and as though the mere thought had conjured the other out of the air, he came through the trees with a armful of fresh sparrow, berries and a bottle of sake. Though not ordered by him, Riki had learned well about Raco's habits, as well as his own. "What comes this way will effect you greatly, but in truth it has nothing to do with you, so I would not worry yourself too much. If I am right...then tomorrow is going to be quite and interesting day indeed." he chuckled, not even sure himself why.

Raco looked up dolefully at Riki as the food was placed before him. "I'm surprised your up already Raco, I would have thought you'd sleep for another day." he laughed lightly and gave a wide grin to Raina. "And I brought a little something for you as well!" he said pulling a small pouch out of his pocket. Inside was a small collection of leaves that young cats had a strange habit of chewing on often called cat grass and cat mint. it was healthy so most parents had no problems with the children eating it and Riki normally kept a bit of his with him as he had retained a liking for the taste. "And maybe you're father will share a few of his blueberries with you, fresh off the bush." he smiled leaving her the pouch and giving a bow to Raco and then Youko.

Raco stared at the food, his body called out for it, but his mind rejected the idea. Lifted the sparrow he looked it over and bit into the meat. Sweet and fresh he dug into it, the best thing he had eaten in well over a week. Pulling off a part of the leg her handed it to Raina. "Eat it, it's good." he said with his usual half smile.

Raco nodded. "Yes, I will be fine." he said, he felt as though he'd had a full night of sleep, though in truth no more than twenty minutes had passed. He'd never get to sleep until sometime the next day no matter what he would try. The smirk turn into the closest he ever got to a real smile when Raina put the crown of clovers on his head, it sat between his ears seeing as he was a good bit larger than Raina. "I know, but I 'ave been trying to do somet'ing for 'er t'at I just don't t'ink I will be able to do. I won't be leaving any more like t'at." he said looking down at the half eaten sparrow.

He laughed at Raina and her twisted position, but it was not without a sting of an old memory of Asharadine, she had once very often done the same thing, contorting herself into strange positions that made other stare at her and question, but she had always insisted that she was quite comfortable, he had always believed her, she never had any trouble unknotting herself and getting back to anything she had been doing previously.

Youko laughed, "I am quite sorry dearest, but I do believe I am currently out. I will be sure as soon as I have the time will go out and get some more especially for you." he said with a graceful bow to his adoptive niece. He dearly loved the little girl and she was one of the only females who could actually pull his heart strings into doing things he quite often distated in doing.

Raco clucked his tongue, his own daughter manipulating the one man who bowed to no one. "Raina, 'ow about you come wit' me tonig't. I am going to take a guard post at the edge of the territory, would you like to come wit' me?" he asked, he knew she wouldn't sleep, the girl was so restless at night and he often wondered why. He knew children often suffered nightmares, but Raina never complained of them.

~The Northwestern Edge of Ikebokuro: Hananeko Park~

Asharadine looked around the park, she'd seen many others like it, a place where human children came to play and their parent's to watch and gather together. Following behind her brother she kept looking around, the night had fallen, they'd been moving nonstop for nearly a full day and she was worn. "Josh, can't we stop, I'm exhausted; besides, this place looks like a great area to rest in." she said with a sigh. but she figured her words were falling on deaf ears.

Joshua had been moving forward like a mad man, never stopping and unrelenting. It was like he was bring drawn forward like a moth to a flame. He barely paid any mind to the area around him, but his sister's voice did reach him, but only as though it were at a distance. He stopped though and looked back. He could see that Asha was tired and worn out, dragging herself on for his sake and not wanting to be left behind. "I'm sorry Asha, just a little father though I swear and we'll stop. We're almost there, besides we'd be better off in the wooded area up ahead, we're less likely to be disturbed." he said nodding at his sister. It would still take them the better half of the night to get there, but all the same, he knew he was right..

Asha sighed and nodded, she stopped only for a moment to pick some grass for something to chew on and give her a few trances of energy to continue to follow her brother. At least for once he was determined about something, rather than being depressed and mopey about the girl he had been so stupid as not to just follow home.

~The Southern edge of East Ikebokuro~

Raco sat up in the tree with Raina and Youko. "I don't see w'y you keep staring out t'ere, t'ere 'ave been no t'reats in quite some time. W'at makes you t'ink somet'ing out suddenly out t'ere now?" he looked at Youko a bored look on his face. He'd seen Youko do this many a times before and it never really grew old, and Youko had always been right but this time he wondered if his friend was just being overly cautious or trying to stir up something to do in order to break the boredom that had descended over the camp. Though two litters of kittens were expected, with no real work the Anbu had started to become restless.

Youko scoffed. "Now Raco, I never said there was a threat moving this way. All I said is there there is something headed in our direction, I'm just not sure what." he said with a shrug as he looked down at Raina with a smile. "More likely I believe we're in for a pleasant surprise, Gods know we need something to become roused about around here." he laughed. he'd grown tired of the stagnant manner than had taken over the camp.

Though Joshua and Asharadine may not of known it, but the Anbu watched all corners of Ikebokuro and word was traveling fast from one cat to the next, slowly, but still faster than the two towards the Anbu encampment. Rikimaru was the last to get the message. His green eyes bright with the message before he set of at lightning speed to search out Youko and Raco with the news. Though none of the Anbu knew that the new cats were indeed Lord Joshua and Lady Asharadine, new cats that showed up in the small city was nothing to be overlooked, especially though who carried weapons.

~~~~

Joshua slowed his pace to allow his sister to catch up, he took a blade of the grass from her and chewed on the end. "Trust me Asha, I just know this is it, this is the place. You ever have that feeling?" he asked, not exactly expecting his worn sister to answer, he knew she had little to be enthusiastic about. But nonetheless she'd been left behind, thought to be dead. Neither of them had the slightest clue how she had survived, she'd been torn to shreds and nearly bled out and yet here she stood walking and talking only suffering a great number of scars that only seemed to add to her beauty.

The mixed female merely grunted at her brother, glaring at him slightly, she was too tired to care anymore, the sooner they got to the wood the better.The only thing she cared about at the moment was curling up in the fork of a tree and going to sleep. Her large ears twitched, she could sworn she was hearing silent whispers of familiar voices, but she had to be hearing things, ghosts of the past coming back to haunt her all over again. She shook her head with a sad smile, those day were gone and done, faint bitter pieces of her past.

~~~~

Riki finally had found the group up in the big oak, he panted his breath with sharp pains. "Youko..." he gasped collapsing on the branch. "Word of two cats headed towards the northern....northern....border." he breathed taking a few deep breathes before straightening himself up to report in proper. "Word from the park, to cats headed towards the northern border, both are armed with swords by the looks of it. One male, one female, silver haired. Similar breed." he said bowing his head.

Youko looked at Rikimaru with a wicked grin. "Then let us give them a warm welcome." he said making the other stare at him oddly. "Something tells me they are here for a reason, bring them here to camp, we'll see just who the stars have led this way this time." he laughed looking down at Raco and Raina. "Come let us properly welcome our guests." he said looking back to Riki. "Get the cooks up and make up a grand dinner."

Raco stared at Youko with a slacked jaw. This was oddly rare and he half wondered if Youko had planned this or had truly seen it coming but had gone about his regular antics of not spilling a word to anyone. But he turned back to Rikimaru, two cats of silver hair? Maybe...but no, it was impossible, and so surreal the idea. He merely stood up. "Youko are you sure. I would be more cautious about t'is. We do not know w'at t'ey are 'ere for and you go and invite t'em to a late dinner, you t'ink t'si wise?" he questioned as Riki only nodded and left to do as he was told.

Youko smirked at Raco. "Oh come now Raco, I'm sure even you know courtesy somewhere deep into that tough outer layer you always wear. Am I right Raina?" he asked with a smile.

~Northern Edge of East~

Joshua stared up at the tree line just within reach he heaved a sigh. He wished to continue forward, but he knew Asha was near collapse. "Here you go!" he said waving a hand at the tree line. "Now you can get some rest, I'll scout the area for a bit and get a better idea of what the place is like." he said with a smile. He was still running on the adrenaline in his system, as though he was the energizer bunny is feline form. But before they even fully reached the tree line two black clad figures stepped out of the trees towards them. Joshua reached for his rapier but Asha's hand shot across his chest.

"Wait." she said looking forward, they looked too familiar. And sure enough she was right in making her brother halt his defensive move. The two Anbu stepped forward, ones neither of them had never met before, for they must have been newly recruited. "So Youko sent a Welcoming party did he?" she asked holding herself high.

Joshua stared at his sister in shock. Even he had not made out the two for what they were just yet, and somehow she had figured it out long before him. He relaxed a little, so Youko was here then? Sure enough as he took a closer look he could see the mark of the Anbu on their arms, he did not bare the mark on his own flesh, but had lived along with them for his sister's sake for long enough to become well accustomed to them.

The cats looked oddly at Asharadine. "You know of Lord Youko then?" the one asked tilting her head to the side.

Asha laughed lightly. "I guess you could say we are old friends." she said folding her arms. "I expect he's asked you to escort us. Figures he would find us here before we ever got close. Just the way he works isn't it."

The female merely looked at Asharadine and Joshua oddly before turning. "Follow us then." she said stiffly. She was wary of the odd couple regardless of the Leaders warmth towards them. Had he known they were coming?

~Back in the Camp~

Youko gave a strained smile, he loved the little girl to death, but a piggy back was pushing his limits with the girl. He's pamper her with sweets and special treatments, but there were some lines even he was too hesitant to cross being the vain cat that he was. "Exactly my dear. Come now, the Anbu will be bringing them straight to the center clearing may was well go get a good seat so that we can meet whoever these special guests the stars have told me about." he said raising a triumphant fist with a wide grin.

Raco shook his head and lifted up his daughter and put her over his shoulders. "'old on tight and we'll take a one way trip down, 'ow does t'at sound?" he asked. He was still wary of his friend but he had little choice, Youko was the leader and if he wanted to invite the strangers into the camp then that was his choice, but he would be ready to fight at any given moment as he always was.

Youko grinned. "I'll meet you back in the clearing. And Raco do make yourself look a little nicer, you hair looks as though you have not touched it in weeks my friend. First impressions are always the most important." he said waving a finger before taking a single step off the branch and dropping straight down to the ground to make a soft landing.

Raco grumbled a bit. "I 'aven't you p***k." he muttered under his breath. "'old on, we're going down." he said before following Youko same move and dropping down straight to the ground, though not quite as gracefully. Once back on solid ground his turned a little to look at Raina through the corner of his green eye. "'ow about doing as Youko says, and you 'elp me fix my 'air. T'ere is no way I can do it myself." he said with a half smile.