---

❁

The group of them set off by early morning, trudging through the swamps and trees of westmoor for clearer ground. Soon enough, the shores that marked the end of the lands would reveal itself through an exit of thick foliage and tree trunks. Izumi breathed in the smell of seasalt as gentle waves crashed and receded from the white sands. Turning her muzzle over her shoulder, she’d becon them to follow her toward the low tide path leading to the Island.

The first thing to hit her was the strong smell of wisteria, a sweet yet gentle perfume against her twitching nose – yes, she was home again. A smile crossed her lips as she closed her eyes, taking in the fresh seabreeze that hit her while approaching the shores.

Turning over her shoulder, the empress checked with Osamu and Gekirin.

”We should start by scouting over the lands, first. We haven’t occupied the island in a while now – there's no way it’s been barren for long…”

---

---

The trio had taken off for the Dynasty's old home, hopeful that it could be reclaimed once more. Gekirin followed Izumi faithfully but wasn't so sure about the man that was now alongside her. Osamu was his name, heard in passing of course. But if she trusted him that much, then so would he. Such was the way in this pack, loyalty above everything else. Surely enough, the group had come to the sandy beaches were a path in low tide was waiting for them. Each wolf took to the water, coming across the somewhat open sea until paws rested on soft ground again. Finally they were home.

Izumi looked over her shoulder to the two men, eyes alert and voice filled with purpose. Gekirin nodded in deep understanding. I do wonder if there is anyone left on this large island. I guess we shall see what there is to discover soon enough. The forgotten prince waited for Izumi to lead the patrol, wondering if separating would be better to cover more ground. But for now he would keep silent, unsure if what he was thinking would be the right thing to do.

The last time he'd been to the island, he had been utterly alone.

Well - until some ill-tempered foreigners came by to presumably scout it out for their own claim, but it seemed that his dour attitude and surly expression put them off. He'd still doggedly held onto hope that Izumi and the others would return, and he had made it clear to the strangers he had no intention to leave but through force.

Time, however, eventually changed his heart. The scent of wisteria had gradually begun to make him ill with longing, the sight of weeping willow trees a sorrowful metaphor for his grief; Osamu couldn't bear to stay on any longer as the lone sentinel of their memories and finally left Queen's Rest to pursue a new life - an emptier life - on the mainland.

To be back felt strange, to say the least. Comfort mingled with pain, but he was glad to see it remained unclaimed. There were lingering scents to suggest some had begun the attempt, but they had long grown stale, and it helped bolster his confidence that they would once again be able to establish the great Fujiwara dynasty where it belonged.

He followed the Empress dutifully, shyly averting his gaze from the soft sway of her hips. Since their last conversation Osamu had grown even more acutely aware of his own fleshly desires and impulses; the samurai struggled mightily to separate his feelings from his station, regardless of whether or not she returned them.

What a predicament.

Gekirin was new to him, although he'd known of the man's existence. He was a quiet sort, stoic much like Osamu, and he appreciated his decorum and overall conduct. A fine addition to the Dynasty, he thought.

There were traces of others close to the border, akin to the scent of pack-wolves laying claim, he said, But the marks were old. If anyone is still here, they do not seem to be yet unified.

Osamu lifted his head as the heady scent of wisteria filled him once more. Home.

We should begin our own claim as deterrence. Any scent markers, mask them with yours.

---

❁

Izumi's eyes couldn't help but wander as the three of them discussed important matters.

Though the placid expression she'd always worn remained unchanged, her lilac gaze always landed back to the target of her attention — Osamu. The fact that she was able to reunite with him after so long aside, embarrassment only began to set in after the fact. They had held each other, whispered sweet nothings, and even shared a kiss…Izumi had never felt anything like that before. To become undone so easily was unbecoming of someone of her station — at least that's what her father would've told her. Yet she did not regret one bit of it, and the desire to be held within the samurai's strong arms again was potent.

Though she was thinking about it for the 3rd time to today, and it was time to compose her thoughts. The Empress cleared her throat, feeling her heart hammering uncomfortably in her chest. "It has been a while, though I do not sense much of a claim thus far." She says in response to Gekirin's words, visually observing her surroundings while her nose twitched to pick up any unfamiliar trails.

It was just as Osamu confirmed — stale were the scents of others who attempted to lay claim here. Though they had failed to keep up with them, so much so that Izumi did know if they'd still been here or not. Whatever the case may have been, a sense of possession overtook her. Tail twitching as she lifted her head up towards the thick wisteria forests that consumed Queen's Rest. She would take it back — she promised inwardly.

"Osamu is right. Our first priority should be enforcing the claim. Let us begin covering up these markings, and later today, we can scout out the Island for anything suspicious." The crane stated, and she had already went straight to work as soon as she'd finish. Finding a bed of seaside flowers and marking a new layer over the old one she'd detected earlier.

---

---

Gekirin listened intently to Osamu's words, taking them very much to heart as he contemplated their next actions. Then came Izumi's final decree, that they would begin marking over the old scents that had come from outsiders. Funny to think that once upon a time, he too was an outsider to the Fujiwara clan.

Perhaps we should split up so we could cover more ground? I would be fine to head off or go on ahead and mark further to strengthen our claim. It was an offer that he gladly would take, noticing earlier how much the two were making eye contact to each other. It was nearly impossible to see the connection the two of them shared. A tie that he would dare not come between, silently and kindly offering in his own way space for them to catch up if they so wished. But would not push the issue.

I would also be happy to scout out ahead for anything that might catch my attention, then bring the news to you. Though I am open to what you feel is best. He did his best to help out in any way he could, still getting used to the ways that this clan had handled things. With not much opportunity for him in the past, it was hard for him to take a leadership position and keep to it. But for her at least, he would certainly try.

Each time Izumi's gaze chanced upon Osamu, he was already watching first - and each time his eyes of silver would dart shyly away, a gesture more befitting a child than a grown man. It would take some time to get used to the idea that he needn't hide his affections, particularly now since they had declared themselves to one another.

Yet why did his stomach still lurch in fear as if she might suddenly change her mind?

Osamu admittedly had no grasp of time. However long the pair had been dancing around the subject, however long they'd harbored these secret thoughts, he knew it had at least been...

... Years.

A few of them.

And it didn't take a genius to see the way their eyes lingered upon each other. Osamu knew they weren't subtle, and he kicked himself internally for it. Gekirin was a little too eager to get away from the pair under the (reasonable) guise of 'scouting ahead', probably thinking they wanted to spend more time together, and he was probably right.

Osamu felt immense guilt.

That is... a good idea, he said truthfully, wishing it wasn't while being simultaneously grateful for the opportunity. The Samurai gnawed at the corner of his lip reflexively. We'll continue heading inland to check the state of the den-site and cache. If you find anything, do not hesitate to call for us.

Er -

If - the Empress wishes to check the state of the den-site and cache.

Izumi couldn’t help but have a feeling as to why Gekirin suggested they split up. To cover more ground — which was good instinct on the man’s part — but also to not get caught up in the cloud of hormones that was going on between her and Osamu. She’d realized it now; her and the samurai were practically making googly eyes at each other while they’d been discussing how to take the island back. Seriously, she really WAS no better than a teenager.

The Empress looked away at once, turning her back towards them to avoid eye contact with the two men. Her gaze opted to focus on the shifting sea instead, feeling the tips of her ears turn red. Great thinking Gekirin. It’d be easier to cover more ground that way. Izumi nods in acknowledgment, before then addressing Osamu. And I’d be happy to. The dens and caches probably need to be cleared out after all this time collecting dust.

What was this? Was her heart beginning to race?

They were only going to explore the inner territories together — they’ve done it before in the past. So why did it make her stomach knot now?

It was not hard to see the affections growing between those two. Clearly there was a history with them, one that he would not get in the way of if he could help it. It shall be done then. I will leave you both to it. Take care, Empress. Gekirin then took off ahead of them, his mind focused on the task at hand. The larger parts of the territory were now calling to him, asking to be explored and further assessed. Such was his job now. He only hoped that he did it justice.


OOC: Gekirin has left unless further spoken to or stopped!