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The master wasn't looking at him with hatred or disgust, sympathy, yes, but none of the emotions Leo had feared to see in those expressive eyes. he flushed and looked down, "you shouldn't thank me for such a thing, it's silly." but he moved closer to the master and lay down, his head in the man's lap where he felt oddly safe. he could just lay here and not have to pretend that everything was ok because everything really was ok.

Tsume frowned, but he could understand Leo's actions, the man had always laid his head in his parents or even tsume's lap when most troubled.

Nix smiled when she saw Leo lay down on Elliot, "you two are cute together. you should get married and then we can have the armies of both our countries take over Reta. wouldn't be hard with the creatures here thirsty for Retan blood and your armies, Elliot. they are the most advanced troops in the known world after all. it's what Reta didn't try to take you over and made peace with you." she held up a hand, "and no, i didn't take that from your mind, i took it from leo's. was trying to see how you two had met, how brother had escaped." she stood, thinking as a deer walked over and nuzzled her shoulder, not even fearing Tsume in her presence. "but that would break the treaty and look back for you, Elliot. so maybe we will have to be discreet. any ideas?" she looked from Ipo to Elliot as if expecting them to pull plans out of thin air

Nix frowned, "Same sex marriage is common here, even mutipule marriage partners. like a woman married to two men or two men to a women, even three of the same sex, though more than three is a little more uncommon. your country doesn't do that?" Nix glanced at Leo, but he brother was asleep. Everything that had happened and the emotional upheavals, combined with a bit of Nix's help, had proven too much for the unstable man who was still weaken in body and mind. "you are right though, all out war isn't good. maybe-" she moved to Tsume, ignoring the questioning look the wolf gave her and pushed him down onto his butt, sitting in his lap s if her were her own personal throne, "i wonder if we could use brother as bait? tell Uncle that his powers have come back, which they already know so we wont have to-" he rambled, but that was just how she talked, "and tell him that you do not want a defective ben-ten," she sounded out the word and frowned, shaking her head. "Stupid word, anyways, he'll have leo locked in the prisons with father and then we can use leo as a link to get us in."

Tsume was used to Nix sitting on him, it was her way of showing affection, but at her suggesting, his eyes grew wide, "no. never. i wont allow it!"

Nix sighed, "i know, it was a bad plan," not to mention as soon as she said it they began to 'shout' protests and had given her a headache. "it was just a thought, besides, with Leo's powers reawakened and fully manafested there isn't anywhere they can keep him but that prison. Uncle has some talents, i haven't been able to figure them out yet, but he's not strong enough to hold back someone as strong as brother." she sighed and rested her head on Tsume's shoulder, "we have to revive mom though. the forest is weakening, the protections are barely holding. another year or two and we'll be practically defenselessness." she chewed her bottom lip and sighed, "i tried to commune, but the council wouldn't let me. i thought that seeing me would get her to come out of the trees, or convince the trees to release her, but the council is worried i'll be sucked in as well. Leo might be able to do it, but they are right. it would be best if everyone as a family went in after her."

Tsume shook his head, "we can think of this tomorrow, come they have prepared a feast to welcome back their prince. i daresay they will even show themselves to you two as well, dispite being outsiders. Nix's actions as well as Leo's have assured you both have the trust of the royal family." he smirked at Ipo, "which is the reason why she sat on you, bunny-boy. now you're practically family."

Tsume smiled, "Food and supplies has already been sent to them. i'd imagine the offer for them to come to the border was extended, but it's up to them to take it or not." Tsume stood, lifting Nix in his arms easily as he straightened himself, going from her sitting on him to cradling her in his arms. "come."

As if on Tsume's command, Leo's eyes opened and he looked up at the prince, smiling, "Good morning master." he sat up and stretched slightly, groaning as his back popped from being twisted in his sleep. "Food?" he asked, rubbing his sleep hazed eyes. he could sense something off and frowned, but didn't say anything about it as he fluidly got to his feet. "may i help you stand, master?"

Leo smiled warmly at the prince, "i slept very well, master. i apologize for using you as a pillow." he laughed softly, smiling freely in the shade of the trees, "did i sleep long? i hope i didn't tire you, having to hold me like you did." he slipped his hand into the master's gently slipping his fingers between the other's as they walked and not noticing what the others were talking about as he began to point out different flowers and trees and tell the master what they were and what they could be used for.

Nix looked at him, "regulations? well-i guess you can't force someone to marry you, both parties have to agree to it. if it's a joint marriage then the first spouse has to ok it, but i don't think that is what you meant."

Tsume actually flushed a little and turned his head away when Ipo asked about him, "it's none of your business, bunny-boy." he pushed his hands into his pockets and hurried forward so he could walk alongside Leo instead of next to Ipo.

Nix giggled, "Tsume's a bit shy about his past. long story short, brother saved his life. he had been abandoned by his first master, a cruel man. he was executed not long after, but anyways. Tsume was left soul-less and torn in half and was going to die a slow painful death when brother found him. Brother wasn't yet a year old, just having learned how to crawl and he escaped everyone watching him and wandered off into the forest. everyone freaked out, of course, but when they found him they were even more scared. Tsume could have very easily consumed by brother's mind and soul, but somehow brother was able to subdue the beast and bond them together." she shrugged, "normally familars are bound at birth or when the master is older and can handle it. this is the first time that there is one so much older than the master."

Nix shrugged, "the age of consent is generally around 16 but it really depends on the mental status and maturity of the person in question."

Tsume grabbed Ipo by the back of the neck and lifted him into the air much like a wolf would it's pup. while still walking he looked into Ipo's eyes, "listen here, boy. a familar can't survive without a soul to share. it's even worse for one who's been suddenly cut off. i love Leo, but i would never do such a thing to him. he is my brother and my savior." he dropped the bunny and turned away.

Nix sighed, "stop it, Tsume, and Ipo? you need to learn some tact. Tsume was tortured by his first master, it's a miracle he lived at-" she was cut off by Tsume's hand clamping down over her mouth.

"I am in favor of the poisonous flower as well, Leo. it would certainly cure kitty and my's headaches," Tsume said, ignoring Ipo's attempt to hook him up with this Kashi

Leo smiled, "well we can always go with wolf's bane, i hear it causes a slow, lingering death," he said pleasantly enough, "I do still owe Ipo for almost killing me on the way here." he lifted an eyebrow as he looked at Ipo and touched his neck almost casually. but he couldn't keep up the brave facade much longer so he quickly turned away. "i was kidding of course, master." he smile shyly at the prince before walking out into the city where there was what looked like a giant picnic set up. "wow-" he whispered, stopping as he looked at the ground covered in large and small blankets, each holding an array of food. but it wasn't just that he was staring at, it was the people, his people. many looked just as human as him or Nix, others had tell tale signs of mixed blood and still others looked nothing like humans at all. there were all kinds of creatures living in the forest and there was at least one representative for each species living within the city and all of them had come out to welcome him home.

the conversations of the gathered people stopped when they saw Leo. one by one, they all began to bow, lowering themselves to their knee and pressing their hands over their hearts, the sign of fidelity in Faila. such a simple act swore their bodies, minds and souls to whomever it was they bowed. and right now, that person was Leo. He wavered, and for a moment nearly turned and ran away. the life of bentien, that he knew. that he could understand. yes, it hurt and it made him feel torn and dirty and hate himself, but it was better to be nothing than to be the one leading all of the people here. they looked at him like they had looked at his parents. as their leader, their master, their protector. who was he to be so much to so many? he was nothing, a whore, a thing used and broken for the amusement of others.

But as much as Leo wanted to run away, he knew he wouldn't. More, he couldn't for at that moment something rose inside of him that had lain hidden all these years. Strength. and with it came the courage to stand before those bowed heads with his back straight. he smiled warmly and in that instant became the proud prince he had been born to be. "Please, we are all equals here. do not bow yourselves, my friends. Stand and hold your heads high."

Tsume smiled and felt tears in his eyes. "my prince." he whispered as he lifted his head from where he too had bowed and looked at Leo. "he had returned."

Nix giggled and whispered, "Welcome home," kissing Leo on the cheek before she skipped to the blanket at the center, which was one of the largest. she sat down and almost instantly there were animals surrounding her, cuddling close.

Slowly the people stood, each one smiling warmly and looking at Leo with hope and pride, but none came to them. they respected that Leo was still fragile and would give their prince room. Leo nodded his thanks before turning to look at the prince at his side, smiling as he held out his hand, "Shall we go and eat....El-Elliot?" he paused and had to force them name out, blushing furiously, but he made himself say it all the same.