Ever Cynical

Chapter 41- Circling

Anais POV

You would have thought Ritsu would start mouthing off, but she just stood there, looking terrified. I didn't believe it, though, not a bit. I circled her, waiting.

I was not stupid. Someone this disrespectful?

The moment my back was turned she'd try some dumbass sneak attack. I knew she was more angry than scared. She was trying to calculate why she could not damage me, because Immortals weren't exactly talked about, and I knew some of those blades were silver. We'd have a chat later about carrying such lethal things into an ally's territory. Regardless of whether Kieran personally had an alliance with the Kitsune, I did. As my mate, his pack by extension, was considered allies as well.

You don't just walk into an allied territory armed to the teeth with something that (theoretically, anyway) was lethal to the people in it strapped all over your damn body. Kier called it when he said this girl could start wars without thinking.

Finally, she moved into a combat stance. Bet you she had no idea that her mother and I were trained together at the same ninja school. Hmph. Our group had caught up and were watching us carefully. Somewhere along the way they'd been joined by Lugh, Sean, and Helga. Sean laid a hand on Lugh's chest when he moved to interfere, shaking his head. My poor Gamma. Here I'd promised not to make his job difficult, and yet I was doing worse than that.

Getting in a fight that he could not protect me from.

This was my fight, and chances are I'd also kick the ass of anyone that interfered.

As we circled each other, a deep, Norse-accented male voice boomed out, causing us to pause for a moment.

"Looks like I'm just in time." A large, you guessed it- muscular man entered the training grounds, his long, straight silver-white hair flowing and icy blue eyes blazing. I grinned, resuming my stance before calling out to him. My favorite dragon had arrived!

"Good to see you too, Vidar. How's your queen?" I quipped, knowing where he went, she went. A beautiful woman with knee-length, wavy golden hair and brilliant golden eyes stepped out from behind him, smiling mischievously.

"His queen, meaning me, is just great, Ana." The new lady beamed, rubbing her pregnant belly.She was one of those women that looked fabulous while pregnant. I could only hope that I would be so lucky. "But let's talk after I watch you kick this upstart's booty. Ekezeic told us what she tried to pull. So rude! Trying to deny a mate-bond with the royal Beta? If I was not pregnant I'd take a turn after you, sweetie," said Ingrid, Vidar's very proud queen. Ritsu managed to look the tiniest bit embarrassed in front of her family's other allied royals. I guess she only considered kitsune and dragons worthy, given that she had not bothered to offer respect to my adopted father, either.

My eyes narrowed on her.

"Respect for dragons but not wolves or reptiles, huh? That's not smart of you, little one." I hissed angrily, bringing her attention back to me. She snarled.

"What would you know anyway?" She snipped. "Stop calling me little and all that shit." Was she blind, stubborn, or just stupid? How could any supernatural be so closed off? And honestly, how could any daughter of Riyoko be so lost to protocol? I'm sure she'd heard of me before, considering that her mother and I stayed in regular contact.

"Well, considering I've got seven hundred seventy-five more years on this earth than you, I'd say I know a hell of a lot more than you ever could. The only reason you've not been banished is that despite your lack of common decency, is that Geoff still wants you." She scoffed. "You don't even know what Immortals are or you would have been smart enough to avoid this fight." I grinned. "Come at me, kiddo." I flicked my hand in a motion for her to come.

I knew it would piss her off even more, but I was ready. Despite all her tactical gear, it was obvious that she had dodged one too many trainings, just on her stance alone.

Ritsu dashed forward, growling. Her next move was obvious to everyone watching. Geoff was going to have his work cut out for him training her if it worked out. I noted that at no point had her kitsune come forward to fight, which likely meant that they were at odds. As I gracefully dodged, I reached out to my wolf.

Claire, I've got this little s**t under control. Could you try to reach her kitsune and find out what the deal is?

Of course, ma Cherie.

Merci, you are the best. She giggled in response, flitting off to work her magic. Hopefully, her kitsune was more open-minded and accepting. Her beast's nature would tell me a lot about hers. While beasts were often different from their human counterparts, there was a core similarity and compatibility that always shone through. If the girl was truly a racist, her kitsune would be as well.

Ritsu continued her ill-advised, poorly timed, and rash attacks, not a single one landing. Her balance was utter s**t. How she'd reached two hundred years or so and clearly not completed her ninja training was a mystery. She screamed in frustration, her face beet red from her exertions. Kieran giggled. I shot him a glance, daring him to do it again. Ritsu, of course, thought this distraction was her chance and dove in, fists flying. I simply grabbed her fist and flung her sideways, landing on her knees. I pointed at my mate.

"Kieran, stop that s**t right now so I can bloody well focus." I sniffed. He grinned and lifted a shoulder as if not a bit of this had him concerned. Lugh was glaring at him in annoyance, probably wondering why his alpha hadn't put a stop to it.

"Aww I was just trying to make things more fair for your little plaything." He said sardonically, clearly indicating that Ritsu was not capable of providing me with a real challenge. He wasn't wrong, at least, not right now. Claire giggled.

Ma Cherie, there will always be very few that can offer any sort of challenge, it's just who we were born to be, she said flippantly.

"Are you not going to take this challenge seriously, you so-called queen?" Ritsu snapped, to which everyone present except Ritsu herself, even Geoff, growled with menace. She shivered in fear, knowing at this very moment she was in a very dangerous place. I have never felt so supported in all of my long life.

It was nice.

"I always fight seriously, but if you're asking if I take you, personally, seriously? Absolutely not. Disrespectful ingrate is what you are. Geoff." I called as we circled again. I decided it was definitely good that I owned pants almost exclusively. I could not imagine trying to do this in a f*****g dress.

"Yes Luna?" He responded, ignoring Ritsu's eyes on him. It was hard to watch her long for him and loathe him at the same time. She was hurting both of them by denying what she really wanted, and we all knew it. She wasn't fooling a single one of us, not for a millisecond.

"I'm honestly not sure how much more of her bullshit I can deal with, you know?" I said to him, my tone dry as a bone. I like to think I'm patient, but I don't think I truly am. That would be Kieran. Geoff shifted from foot to foot. I knew this was extremely hard on him, and I felt so bad. He deserved a lovely woman in his life, one that gave him her whole heart, and unless this child had a serious change in behavior, I just didn't think there was a place here in our pack for this much ego.

"Understood, Luna. Do whatever you feel is best for the pack." He sighed. Suddenly, Ritsu seemed concerned. I guess we can cross dumb off the list. Blind or stubborn, it is. I'm betting stubborn.

"What was that all about?" She asked, her voice panicky. Good, things were finally starting to settle into her mind. This was no simple matter.

You got anything yet, Claire? I'm about to toss her on her ear at the border.

One moment, ma Cherie.

Fine.

This time, I attacked, and I pinned her, screaming, under me, my legs holding hers as my forearm pressed on her neck.

"What all that was about, kiddo." I sneered. "Is that much more s**t from you, and you're banned from my pack or anything to do with it for life. On top of that, Geoff will reject you when I am done with you. Perhaps an eternity of loneliness will finally teach you to watch your mouth and actually get to know people before you judge them." I spat. Her eyes widened and tears formed. With both her brother's and mother's best friends here, as well as a firm alliance, it wasn't just our pack she'd be banned from. "I'd even bet you get sent to the Werebears in Canada." I grinned evilly. She shook her head, struggling underneath me as the weight of her decision to be defiant rather than respect us finally began to sink in.

Ma Cherie, I am linking you to her kitsune, Hotaru.

Got it.

Hello Luna Queen? A new, sweet voice said carefully.

Princess Hotaru? I asked.

Yes, I am Ritsu's kitsune. She sighed unhappily.

Sorry to be rushed and all, but first do you agree with your human self? I asked.

No, your majesty. I want my mate. He is beautiful. She said wistfully.

Sooo what's Ritsu's deal? Why is she being such a brat? I demanded.

She is angry that her mother won't allow her into any significant leadership roles. I have told her there is a good reason... her behavior does not help anything, and you know in Japan we rule not only kitsune, but all supernaturals there. She is too harsh and prideful. I know underneath it is insecurity and a good heart, but I don't know what more I can do. She sobbed.

Fine, Hotaru. I will not banish her, but I am going to let her think I am. I cannot allow her behavior to continue.

Understood, your majesty.

I let Ritsu up and took position yet again. I linked Geoff to let him know the plan as we circled.

Geoff, I need you to do your best job acting. Are you up to it? I caught his eye briefly. He nodded subtly. I've spoken with her kitsune, and her kitsune, Hotaru, wants you... Don't f*****g smile, dumbass! The ghost of a smile that had crept up his face dropped. Hotaru has agreed that she needs to be taught a lesson to get her head out of her ass.

What's the plan Luna? He asked. I could hear the relief in his voice.

I'm going to kick her ass, and then I'm going to fake that I am exiling her. I replied. His eyes widened, as he understood the implications as well as Ritsu had.

I've got your back, Luna, he quipped.

Ekezeic simply grinned, taking in the situation and seeing all.