Family Ties

[Captain Stumpy]

Ichirou's herd was improving, even with the loss of Opal and her offspring and Ichirou hiding a enemy at the river. Over the winter Mararu had stumbled on some dis-placed mares with simular ancestry to Ichirou. Dai, Huan, Hong and young Chiyo were welcomed whole-heartedly by Val who now had some normal mares to rule over.

"Chiyo don't go far" Dai knickered to her bold daughter. The black roan mare was standing with Huan and Hong, who were both resting. Val was also by them. "Don't let her play with that Kwaad" Val sniped to Dai as Chiyo bounded round a sweet smelling bush that was in full flower. Dai turned to face the lead mare, "I'm sure she won't wonder that far" Dai smiled. Val smiled back, "Your daughter will be wonderful for Tywin when he's older" she mused, Dai didn't disagree, The roans had banded together nicely leaving Llamrai and her son on the outskirts of the social pecking order. Tywin was a year older and growing well, he would be a wonderful match for Chiyo, and could be Dai's oppertunity to become a Dam of the lead-mare to be.

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It had been years since Saburo had seen her two brothers, They had all gone there seperate ways, and since then things seemed to have gone from bad to worse for the youngest roan brother. But now she was heading to the Rainbow Ridge. It didn't matter how far away she could have traveled she new she'd always find Jirou at the rainbow ridge. Jirou loved to watch rainbows, he was so predictable Saburo thought breaking through the boundry territory. Wondering how her older brother would react seeing Mezurashii. Her head tilted Mezura had grown into a strong yearling. His figure reminded her of Ichirou. He was the thickest built of the 3 roans.

"Mother" Mezura said, his voise already breaking and sounding strong. His mothers lack of meternal care and made him a interpendant youngster. Saburo glanced at his face, then to where he was looking. Up ahead stood 2 chestnut roans, both focused on them. "Don't worry Mezura" Saburo said glancing down at her son. "They should be friendly" She said trying to convince herself, somthing was making her hair prick with tention.

Rin and Masaru had been excused from guarding Ichirou's prisoner. Assuming Ichioru wanted more information from the rather stiff tounged prisoner. The Brothers eyes glistened as a strange mare walked willingly into the territory, even if she was dragging round a yearling. Rin screamed down the slope a greeting, before both brothers trotted towards the mother and son.

"Hello My dear" Rin greeted stepping ahead of his brother. Saburo also took a fearless step forward, it was then the 2 brothers noticed the scars on her pelt, and with a bold gait, they new she wasn't a pushover. "Is Jirou here?" She asked, Mezura hovered behind his dam. Both Rin and Masaru struggled to hide the shock of her question. "Jirou" Masaru asked, "He 'uh hasn't been" "Masaru quiet" Rin snapped taking a step forward to touch noses with Saburo. the mare returned the jesture. "Jirou's been away a little while but he should be back soon" Rin continued. "Is it only you two here then?" Saburo asked, not particuly sispisious that her brother wasn't here at the moment all the roans traveled alot. "Oh no" Rin said. "The rest of the herd are between the tree's" He said with a charming smile. "Your welcome to wait for him with them" He continued. "Is Opal here then?" She continued as Rin walked beside her and began leading them towards the woods. "No I'm afraid not, she's gone with him" He said frowning on que.

"So what business do you have with Jirou then?" Masaru asked, "Is he?.." The stallion said flicking his nose at Mezura. "No" Saburo said frowning. "Jirou's My brother" Rin's face remained normal but Masaru's eyes widened. "Your Saburo?" he said his tone slightly higher than normal. "Jirou will be so pleased to see you" Rin said preventing his brother from saying anymore. "yes so this is Jirou's Nephew, Mezurashii" Both the stallions looked over the yearling, certainly mature for his age. "Masaru, why don't you go up ahead and check to see if the herd is in the clearing or river please?" Rin said with a carm chuckle. "Wouldn't want to go to the wrong place first, would we" he said both to Masaru and Saburo. Masaru nodded and broke into a canter away through the tree's, once he was a fair distance away he broke to a ergent gallop towards the river adn where Ichirou should be.

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"How Meny stallions does he have!?" Ichirou ordered, There was sweat on his brow, temper in his voise. His hooves were plastered with fresh bloodstains and under him was a beaten but remaining strong Grulla stallion. He'd answered none of Ichirou's unrelenting questions again, the silence was making Ichirou even angrier. "how meny horses live with him!?" Ichirou barked, another hoof shot at the grulla's ribs. A grunt was he he uttered still he uttered nothing Ichirou wanted to hear. "Ichirou!" Masaru screamed breathlessly. Ichirou had his hoof raised to strike The Grulla again, but placed it on the sand when his lacky returned. "WHAT?" Ichirou screamed. Masaru bowed when he stopped. "Sorry Leader, but Rin, Rins got Saburo" He said. Ichirou froze, "What?" He said after the silence. "Saburo" Masaru continued. "Your sister, and she's got a son, a yearling, your nephew" He said between gasping breaths. Ichirou couldn't believe it. The mangy mare had reapeared. "How has Rin got her?" He asked walking to the river to wash off the blood before it dried and stained. "Rin has her believeing J-Jirou is here, that this is Jirou's territory" Masaru said looking between the Grulla and Ichirou. "Ha! i new she was againced me, new it from the start. Jirou must have planned this somehow" He said splashing the water up his legs. "Masaru stay here, watch him" Ichirou said walking towards the clearing.

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"Llamrei!" he said even before he made it to the grasses of the clearing. "When was the last time you called my name like that?" Val said sarcasticly, "not now my dear, we have a enemy on the door-step. Val still didn't look amused. "I can't expect my lead-mare to get her hooves dirty now can I?" he said with a smile, he gave the roan mare a quick nuzzle before looking round for his dark-pelted mistress. "I have to be quick my dear, I'll explane later." He said trotting off to Llamrei.

"Llamrei my dear I need you" He said. He waited till he had the mares attention before continueing. "My Sister is coming, she hasn't made it to the clearing yet, and I don't wish her too" He said a vile smirk already on his face. "I can 'uh take care of my sister, but I wouldn't like by nephew to get in the way. Not till ive personaly met him anyway" he said with a wink.

[silverbolt]

Tywin had found a spot to veiw the territory, he watched everything that went on and never questioned his father.... though he seriously doubt Ichirou was entirely in his right mind.

Well, it really mattered little to him, the yearling was growing into a fine young stallion. he had made friends with Gendou and the patched golden roan would stay loyal to him as long as he could claim Tywin's older sister Kamiko. This was a plan Tywin endorsed, Gendou was useful to spar with and was far more inteligent than Rin and Masaru together. it also didn'y hurt that Kamiko seemed fond of the other colt as well.

As for his mother... well she was playing Matchmaker and wanted to pair him with the new filly Chiyo. From his Vantage point Tywin looked her over... she could be worse he supposed, might be pretty when she grew up... all would hinge on that, and her inteligence of course. For now he would be kind, even if she never was his future lead he would need a loyal mistress and confidant.

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While all this was going on two youngsters walked along the borders. Gendou and Kamiko were of the same age and the palomino roan found himself smitten with the Princess of the herd and the beautiful mare she was becoming. Building his courage he gently nuzzled her neck as they walked.

[Snappin' Turtle]

The black mare flicked her long white tail and took a step forward on heavily feathered hooves to a better patch of clover. Her ears flicked backwards slightly as they caught Val's annoying voice commanding Dai not to allow Chiyo to play with Kwaad. As if he would, anyway. Llamrei didnt mind being on the outskirts of the herd, it allowed her to teach her blue roan sun much easier and far better than if they were in a group setting. One-on-one was always the best method.
She raised her head as Ichirou called out her name and was about to reply before Val cut in, causing the taller mare to flick her tail and almost roll her eyes. "Yes?" she asked as the roan stallion came over. "Spirit him off to a safe place, eh." Llamrei repeated, nodding her large head in conformation. "Of course, Ichirou. It wont hurt for Van Het Kwaad to learn the lay of the territory." she mused, nickering to their blue roan son. She insisted on calling him by his full name, to ensure he never forgot what it truly meant and how he was going to live into it. The colt trundled over, swishing his tuft of a tail happily before bouncing into Ichirou playfully, head butting him. "Stop such nonsense." the black and white mare said and he looked down and away before following after his dam as she started into the forest in the way that Gendou and Kamiko had left in.

[Captain Stumpy]

Ichirou smiled devilishly as son seemed just as happy as he was, Though probably for different reasons. "It'll be a while before you can knock me over like that Kwaad" He said as Llamrai started the treck out of the clearing. Ichirou took a glance back before following his mistress away. "Saburo wasn't a fool last I remember" Ichirou said as he caught up with Llamrai, "Let her believe what she wants, but get that nephew away from her... Nicely if possble" He continued, It was always good to make a plan even if they rarely got stuck too. "Once I'm done with Saburo we'll take the boy back, as far as he'll know a preditor attacked the pair of us" Ichirou was quite pleased with his plan, it sounded fool-proof in his head.

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Kamiko giggled as Gendou's touch tickled her, "Stop it Gendou, that tickles" She said smiling and shaking her mane at him. She'd become alot more attached to the odd palomino roan, Her mother didn't seem to mind them hanging round anymore, and she was begining to believe her little childish crush was blooming into a true romance. The borders always seemed more beautiful, though after Jirou and his mercenary's attacked Kamiko didn't feel nearly as confident as she used to. Ichirou keeping one of those mercenerys also made the filly nervious, She'd gone to the river once to see if Gendou was on gaurd there and saw the large Grulla stallion, it made her coat prick at the very sight.

She bumped into Gendou's shoulder playfuly when she heard movement though the tree's around them. She glanced over to see her father with 'that very *friendly* person' as her mother says. And her son was with them. A little drop of envy flurushed in Kamiko's eyes, why did her father pay so much damn attention to his son's? even the one her mother didn't even like? She didn't even realise she was gritting her teeth at the sight of them. Releacing her jaw she looked back round at Gendou, "Wonder what there doing" She said regaining her plesent tone.

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"Your friend's taking his time"[/i] Saburo said, Bordom pretty clear in her voise. Rin looked round from were he was grazing. "They must be passed the river thats all" He answered. Mezurashii had taken this opportunity to take a nap, Saburo wasn't quite as relaxed, So far all she'd done was found a stallion that said this was Jirou's territory, but somthing bugged her. She couldn't catch a sent of Jirou, and only the faintest of Ichirou. Surely Jirou would be doing his own boundrey checks? The black roan dam came behind her sleeping son and knocked his rump with her hoof, "C'mon Mezura you can sleep when its dark" She said hardly lovelingly, but then he wasn't a foal crafted from love. The large yearling raised himself, Rin turned to them a little concirned. "You could let him rest I'm sure Mesaru won't be too much longer" He said. Saburo looked at him, then her ears and eyes pricked at another figure coming from behind Rin.

"Saburo!" Ichirou called as he came into the light from the treeline. A huge smile on his face. Rin moved from between the siblings. "Ichirou, brother its been too long" She said as Ichirou and herself touched noses. Ichirou couldn't believe his luck. While He had grown strong and heavy over the years, Saburo seemed to have gotten thiner, and more scar's pitted her roan coat. "How long before Jirou get's back?" She asked. Ichirou couldn't help but let a confused glance slip, "Uh, well how long does it take? these seasonal feelings" He chuckled. "He's with his harem at the moment" He continued. Saburo chuckled at the coment. "Ha, Jirou with a harem, thought Opal was going to be the only one for him"She smiled. "I'm sure I've got plenty of neice's and nephew's to greet havn't I?" She continued her smile already tireing. "Yes" Ichirou glanced behine himself. "You can meet one of them now, this is my youngest Kwaad" Saburo looked at the black roan and intantly aproved. "Didn't expect you to bring back a youngster Saburo, brother" Saburo grunted, it was clear by her face Ichirou hit a raw nerve. "Yes Mezurashii he's your nephew" Saburo said passively. "Mine?" Ichirou said smiling.

"Uh Llamrei young Mezurashii looks tired why don't you take him to rest with the others his age. Myself and Saburo have alot of catching up to do." Ichirou said, a little to much haist in his voise to be natural, but Saburo let it pass after all it had been over 4 years sence the brothers had seen eachother. Mezura didn't look half as willing to cooperate. How could he trust these strangers after the monsters on that island. Though looking at the younger roan colt carmed his mind a little. He came beside his dam. Suprized at the size difference between his dam and his uncle. "You wanted to rest Mezura, so go on then" Saburo said nudging the oversized yearling. He looked at the large black and white mare, somthing about her didn't make her feel pleasent. taking a tentative step forward he came to stand with the smaller colt.

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Chiyo had had her eyes on Kwaad, her dam new and Val probably new before she was warned. But still Kwaad was like forbidden fruit, and it only made her want to spend more time with him. Though he spent alot of time with his dam, they both behaved very aloof to the rest of the herd, a air of mistery surrounded the both of them, and to a curious foal it was addictive to spy on them. Though Ichirou and Val had ruined todays games. Ichirou had taken the misterious pair too far away for the filly to follow. Looking round she needed to find somemore entertainment. Looking up she soon spotted it in the form of a buckskin roan colt, Prince Tywin.

She was still a little to young to understand the inheritable power of Tywin, and if they were to become lead mare and stallion the power she could gain. For now though everything was about fun and games. The first challange, working out how Tywin got to higher ground. The agile filly climbed and tripped over afue rocks and a inconveniant tree root to make it to Tywin's platform. "Cool view from up here" She uttered to the colt as she came to stand beside him.


Val watched sourly as Ichirou left with Llamrei, if she concived another foal by him she'd have to find a way to kill it, or better still find a way to make Llamrei and that runt colt leave Her territory and her Ichirou. Her heart was slightly brightened at the sight of Tywin surveying his inheretence with young Chiyo at his side. "Look Dai, match made in heaven" She said to the roan, Sai lifted her head and gazed for a moment at the two younsters. "They've both got some growing to do" She said. Val remained silent on the comment, not sure wether it was a pleasentry or a insult. Huan and Hong who had since woken up shaired a glance at each other, knowing what Dai meant. They could see Val had increadibly high expectations for her son, It was going to be intesting to see what happens when the colt grew up and got a mind of his own.

[Snappin' Turtle]

The black and white mare nodded as she listened to Ichirou drone on. Get her son away from her so that the bay roan could kill his mother. Sounded easy enough. Llamrei followed along ebhind him, keeping Van Het Kwaad at her side. "Stop." she snapped as his attention wandered to a elaf that fell from the trees overhead, about to go after it. The young roan colt sombered and returned easily to his mother's side.
She stayed behind Ichirou as he introduced them to his sister. She didnt seem to be in the ebst of health, or at least the scars told the black and white mare that. She held herself back from correcting the roan stud when he called their son by his nickname. He'd have to learn not to call him that. It wasnt his name. "Ah, yes, a nap. Kwaad is in for one, also." she said, nodding her head agreeably. "Come along, Mezura." Llamrei continued, nudging the yearling's shoulder lightly before turning to head back into the trees. She stopped by the river, lowering her head to nip at the green grasses that grew there. Kwaad nipped at the yearling's legs playfully before darting back behind his mother. She snorted but decided to allow him to play, maybe the roan yearling would even join in.

[Captain Stumpy]

Rin looked at Ichirou as Llamrai lead the yougsters out, quickly Ichirou gave him a swift instruction to leave. If Saburo was healthier Ichirou may have needed his help though the roan stallion doubted his sister would be a match for him in her condition. Rin made no responce back, instead he turned and followed Mezura's heels till they got to the river, once there he gave a passing glance to Llamrai before taking a drink from the river.

Mezura wasn't the most confident of young characters, so when Kwaad snuck up and bit him on the leg the colt couldn't help but give a alarmed squeek. loud enough for Rin to turn his head and see what they were up to. Mezura looked confused for a moment when the younger black roan darted back to the safty of its dam, was it trying to play with him? Mezura didn't get much time to play on that hellish island. He smiled at the thought of playing with someone, dancing round Llamrei to grab Kwaad's tail.

Rin came back from the water to Llamrei, His ears pinned ever so slightly. The herd was enough of a mess with the mares Ichirou didn't need to add to it my having a mistress and a ba*tered son into the mix. Especily when Ichirou had quietly ordered that Llamrei was shown as much respect as Val and Prince Tywin. "Llamrei" Rin said gaining her attention. "Shouldn't we be getting back to the herd? I assume that is where Ichirou would expect us" Rin breathed with a sigh, glanceing at the playing younsters, he hoped Ichirou had told Val about bringing in another young male. Otherwise that would be another shouting match from the lead mare.


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Saburo watched as her son was escorted off, the meadow turned suddenly cold. "I can't say i didn't expect it" Saburo said with her back to Ichirou, Ichioru grinned lunging as he made the first move. Jumping sidewards Saburo spinned double-barreling into Ichirou's direction. Ichirou hezitated enough to dodge Saburo's blow. She was just about to bolt when Ichirou threw his chest into her rump. Off ballance Saburo was just greatful not to fall over, But Ichirou was left with more than enough time to turn and land his two back hooves into her ribs and back. Saburo grunted rather than screamed like her brother had hoped. His smile momentery dropping Saburo didn't look at her injury best not too. Grunting as she collected herself she managed to cow-kick Ichirou in the shoulder. Ichirou's temper rose, Rearing up to strike his sisters face, Saburo reared back, doding her brother once again and landing a fine slash down his cheek with her own well aimed hoof.

Blood and sweat already stained the grass and air around them, Rearing up caused Saburo emence pain down her back no thanks to Ichirou. She was begining to regret believeing she could take him on. Ichirou wiped his cheek on his shoulder, the blood smearing his coat, his confident smile had been wiped clean off his face, replaced with gritted teeth and incurable rage. Ichirou regained himself again, lunging at Saburo teeth open to grab her throat, Saburo jumped back, but the ground gave way under her back legs, the skid caused her to fall badly backwards, Ichirou landed inches from her scull, riseing again the roan stallion smiled. "I Win"....

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Mezura didn't like the look of th other roan stallion, somthing about his seemed wrong, the way he stood and spoke. He said everything with a double-meaning. Even his escort Llamrei had a sinister glint to her eye.