The Distance Between Us

New Lands

Minori was no stranger to fried foods but she had never seen anything like the abundance of golden fried fish, crab, and chips that Matiu laid out before her. Ryuu rubbed his hands together and didn't hesitate to stuff his mouth with three of the fattest chips from the pile.

"Oh yeah, Matiu, Aotearoa has the best fish and chips I've ever had," Ryuu said betweens bites.

Matiu chuckled and helped himself to a piece of fish, "you seem more traveled than your friend there. Strange for an Alpha isn't it?"

Ryuu shrugged "not for our kind, Minori has been in training and hasn't even had her unveiling yet. It's actually amazing her dad even let her leave the clan lands before the ceremony!"

Matiu directed his attention to Minori, "oh yeah, tell us about the ceremony then. We've heard some rumors but finding anything concrete in your clan is like getting blood from a stone."

Minori took a moment to process the phrase, "Mmmhmm-" she swallowed before continuing "-we do not often talk of what goes on within our clans to protect our sacred abilities. This is the first time my people have accepted an invitation outside of our country."

Kahu interjected, "why is that? Your people are notorious for keeping to themselves. Why the sudden change?"

Minori for a moment to collect herself she had to think carefully about how much she shared with these strangers. As nice as Kahu and Matiu were, there was no guarantee that they weren't spies, or that what she told them wouldn't be used against her.

"I will be Alpha soon-'' Minori paused thoughtfully and looked out to the ocean that stretched to the horison, "-I don't want my people to be as isolated as I have been. It is true that our powers are great and many see this as a threat. I believe however, that it could be our greatest asset when it comes to making allies. I hope that your Alpha would be open to forming a mutual pact for future endeavors in protecting our clans against potential attack."

Minori almost glowed with pride in her response. It was not a lie. It was in fact a primary reason for her father allowing her to come before her unveiling. These people did not need to know her own personal reasons for being drawn to this foriegn land.

Matiu grinned, "Oh, Anahera is going to love you! You sound just like her" he laughed.

Kahu elbowed her mate, "that's what I was going to say earlier in the van! Uncanny how alike they are'' she gushed.

"I would very much like to meet Anahera. Who is she?" Minori asked.

"She is the twin sister of our Alpha, Aperehama and the Beta of our clan. Her war strategy and diplomacy skills are far better suited to the role of Alpha but unfortunately that particular ability fell to her brother."

"Unfortunately?" Ryuu asked, raising an eyebrow.

Matiu waves a hand dismissively, "it's nothing that bad. Aperehama is a brute who loves the fact that he can use his Alpha ability to bully others. If it wasn't for Anahera keeping him in line I reckon we would have a war monger on our hands." the man laughed.

Kahu smiled reassuringly and added, "it really isn't as bad as Matiu is making it out to be. We have basically raised the twins since their parents died in a car accident when they were twelve. Aperehama was never the same and after his first shift he became more aggressive and antagonistic. He likes having control. I think because as a child he felt that so much was out of his control."

"You give that boy too much leniency Kahu '' Matiu sighed.

"He is still young"

"He is a man!" Matiu nearly shouts before breathing out a sigh of frustration, "my apologies, as you can see that topic is a sensitive point of contention between my us."

Ryuu grins, "got to keep the relationship hot somehow"

Matiu barks with laughter and says "and to think that people say Japanese are a prude bunch!" as he slaps Ryuu on the back in comradery.

Minori sneaks a look at Kahu who now looks dejected and picks at her food.

"I'm sorry Kahu, I know that it must be difficult raising someone else's child to fill such a complex role"

Kahu smiles softly at Minori, "I really appreciate that Minori. I was the Beta before their father passed away and had already spent a lot of time helping to raise them. But it 's different once they really become yours. Once one of them is destined to become an Alpha. I'm only a Beta... sometimes I wonder if what I've done has been enough-" Matiu stops his mate from speaking by grasping her chin and making her look up into his eyes.

"Kahu. You raised that boy well before he became ours. You poured your love and soul into him. Alpha or not he knows that. They both do. You have been a wonderful mother" Matiu ensures she can't protest his praise by capturing her lips with his own.

Minori could feel her face become warm and the need to flee was suddenly welling inside her. Ryuu took this moment to choke on a chip, promptly breaking the connection between Matiu and Kahu. Both of them at least had the decency to look embarrassed by this sudden display of public affection.

"Right," Matiu coughed awkwardly, "I reckon its time we get on the road again aye?"

Minori and Ryuu both nodded in unison causing Kahu to laugh, "I really can't believe how much you're like them" she smiled as she began to wrap up the leftover fish and chips.

"I'll sit up front with Matiu for the long drive. We will stop about half way but it's already about four o'clock. You two can sleep in the back since you need the rest. Both seats recline and there is a blackout window we can put up to separate you from the front cabin. That should give you plenty of time to rest up and prepare for your visit with the Alpha."

"Thanks Kahu", Minori smiled and followed her back to the white van where Ryuu and Matiu were waiting.

Despite the jetlag and strange surroundings Minori was beginning to feel comfortable and as she snuggled into the reclined leather seat with the warm woolen blanket Kahu had given her she suddenly felt that she had definitely made the right decision coming to Aotearoa.