Chapter 2

*Whack!!*

A loud sound resounded around the room and Kane who had been watching had his jaw wide open in shock.

As his their mother was still trembling with her hands clasped together in front of her chest, she turned to Kane with tears filling her eyes, "Kane dear take the twins to the other room for a moment."

Kane moved swiftly without speaking and hurriedly trying to pickup the sleeping twins howver before he could Kira spoke with a calm voice, "Stop Kane, there is no need as this conversation is already over." Kane stopped immediately and looked at his brother, Kira remained standing still with his eyes now fixed on his mother but with a much more emotionless expression. "I have already made up my mind and father has already given his approval, I just wanted to let you know."

"And Kai, what about him where is he why are you telling me this instead of him?!" she exclaimed with eyes filled with tears. As she was spoke she woke up the twins who began crying also.

"He did not wish to see you like this I suppose." he said before turning around and walking towards the exit. As he did his mother could only stand there and watch as her son left her with this sudden information, this only added to the pain in her heart and betrayal she felt towards her husband for not considering her in his decision. Kane could only try to comfort his sisters in his mothers place.

When Kira left his parents hut he headed towards the one he and his siblings slept in, it was smaller than their parents but that was because it only consisted of a single large bedroom in which Kira slept in with his three other siblings. This was common in the village for families to split their bedrooms between the parents and children with babies usually sleeping with their parents. This was done so that the parents had more privacy but also because most families consisted of many children and many men had multiple wives, this was because men mostly died during battle resulting in a higher population of women and lead to polygamy.

Women played an important role in the village as most men were warriors or hunters, the wives of the tribe dealt with the relations between each family, defending the village and the training of shamans, as well as other important tasks like gathering herbs, studying and creating runes, as well as the overall organisation and distribution of the food collected. Their importance in the tribe could even be considered more important in than warriors.

Upon entering the bedroom he placed his spear next to his bedroll and took from beside it a large machete, although it was chipped slightly near the grip it still had a fierce and brutal demeanour, he placed it in a sheath attached to his waist 'Guess I should prepare, she'll get over it once father returns.' He thought while remembering the pain in his mothers eyes. Kira made his way to the village training ground and proceeded to practice his swing and try to hone his skills to the fullest in preparation of the war.

Meanwhile in the chieftain's hut Kantu had just finished discussing and altering his plan with Katsu and the elders, during their conversation they had finally come to a conclusion however there was still two more things left to decide. "So Kantu who will be the one to propose?, My sons will can do it but I'm sure they won't just accept just anyone." Katsu asked to his brother unsure of who would be ideal for a marriage between tribes.

"hm yes that is a problem, however why not just present a selection and let the Blue Lotus Tribe decide." as Kantu said this the elders nodded in agreement and they began to compose a selection of young men in the tribe to present.

After the meeting ended Kantu returned home to be greeted by an expected slap which he accepted gracefully. "Dear, so glad to see your discussion with Kira went well." he said sarcastically.

"I can't believe you are letting our son go to war, how could you not even ask my opinion first!" she said while slamming her fists on his chest.

"haaa, would you have approved if I did tell you." Katsu let out a tired sigh as he gently held his wife.

"Of course not, what mother would I be if I did!"

"That is why I did not tell you, You do not understand the heart of a warrior Sanya" Katsu stroked her black silky hair with one hand and held her waist with the other, "What about Kai, what did he have to say?"

"He has yet to return only Kira had come to see me," she said as she calmed down in her husbands embrace, "It's bad enough having the both of you muscle heads going out to war but why must you influence Kai, he is not like the two of you." she said as she rest her head on Katsu's chest.

"That boy made the decision himself, and he is just as capable as his brother as is Kane." he said while releasing his wife and walking over to his two daughters who where now leaning on their crib trying to grasp for their father, "Speaking of Kane where is he?" he suddenly asked.

"He went to go watch Kira train, I can already tell he will follow in both your footsteps. He really admire Kira you know." Sanya said while walking towards the crib alongside Katsu

"Yes, well if the boy was a bit more friendly to talk to maybe he could help begin Kane's training." he said as he picked up his daughters in his giant arms. "There is something that you may find interesting however."

Upon hearing this she was filed with anticipation which Katsu could see clearly on her face, he smirked and spoke in a clear and proud voice with his chest puffed out, "I alongside the chief and elders have come to the conclusion that in order the secure an alliance with the Blue Lotus Tribe we will be presenting candidates for marriage to unify our two tribes." After hearing the word marriage Sanya's face brightened greatly at the thought of a daughter-in-law and fulfilling her dream of having grandchildren.

"Who have been selected!" She said immediately after to which Katsu replied with a devilish smile, " We have selected both Kira and Kai to take part as there is a chance that there will be more than one marriage I pressed for both our sons to go."

"Wonderful when will the selection be presented?" she asked with a loving smile as if she completely forgot about her anger she felt just hours ago, of course this was because she was overwhelmed by the thought of becoming a grandmother something every mother desired.

'Such a simple woman' Katsu thought to himself as he rocked his two daughters in his arms. "We will leave tomorrow, the sooner we get an alliance the sooner we can get the war started." as he said this Sanya's face dropped as many other mothers around the village surely did as they received the news about their children's selection. "Such little time, how am I supposed to make them both presentable?" she said as she began pacing back and forth.

Already aware of the marriage selection Kai walked though town while his sister skipped in front of him, he glanced down at the pendent clenched in his hand and thought about the conversation he had with his father a few days ago. He was ordered by his father to prepare himself to greet his potential new wife as well as to keep it a secret from Kira as he would immediately disagree with the idea of marriage. Kai felt bad about keeping this secret from his brother but he also agreed with his father that it was necessary since he also wished for his brother to think of something other than war.

Sasha looked back at her brother and saw that he was looking at something so she decided to inspect the shiny item inside his hand. When she saw the beautiful pendent with the lovely flower engraving in the middle her eyes widened and she asked her brother snapping him out of his momentary daze, "Brother what is that flower?" Looking at his sisters face he smiled and stroked her head while letting her look closer at the pendent. "It is called a Lotus flower, known most for it's purity and determination to grow despite the conditions it is forced to live in." he said while running his index finger over the lotus engraving.

"Can I have it?" Sasha asked in a pleading voice to which Kai responded with a slight grin and chuckle, "I'm afraid this is for your future sister-in-law," Sasha's face dropped slightly but Kai only flicked her nose and continued, "However I have will have you made another one that is unique only to you." after hearing this her face brightened and she chuckled with embarrassment as her ears turned a slight red. They both continued to walk around town and play until sunset when they decided to make their way home.

Once they arrived back home Kai was immediately hugged by his mother to his surprise but he only guessed it was due to his brother and father for taking the brunt of her wrath. He looked at his father who stretched his arms out to receive his daughter as she jumped and clung onto him like a small baby animal.

"Mother, I-" but before he could start Sanya already cut him off with a pinch and spoke in an ominously positive tone, "I have not forgiven you yet for following that brother of yours, however I will forgive you when you bring home my future daughter-in-law." Hearing this Kai could only smile wryly at his father before looking around for his brothers. "Where is Kira and Kane?"

"haaa, they are both still at the training ground I presume, you should get some rest we leave at dawn and your mother wants to make sure your prepared before hand." Katsu said as he but down Sasha and began walking towards the training grounds, "I will go and get that idiot before he injures himself again."

"Come Kai we will discuss more before you go to bed, Sasha you must get up early as well to help me prepare your brothers." Sanya said as she hurriedly shooed the two inside.

Katsu made his way to the training grounds where he was greeted by many warriors and village folk along the way. When he arrived at the grounds Katsu saw Kane unsurprisingly watching Kira train with his blade while sitting on a large rock, he decided to go sit next to him and climbed the rock to take a seat behind him. "Can you see his movements yet?" he asked with his gaze now fixed on Kira as he danced through the wind with his blade in hand.

"No, every time I get close to seeing them he gets even faster." although he sounded a bit glum his eyes were filled with excitement and admiration as they desperately trying to follow Kira. When Katsu looked down and saw the expression his son was making he shook his head slightly and chuckled, "Looks like I managed to get not one but two little monsters." he then stood up and unsheathed a large dagger that looked more like a sword and lunged down at Kira.

As soon as he saw his father's figure out the corner of his eye Kira broke out of the dance and proceeded to block with all his strength against the incoming attack, However as soon as the two blades met Kira was thrown back and only barely managed to dig his heels into the ground to stop himself from falling. He then charged forward and engaged with his father into what quickly became a different type of dance where Katsu led and his son followed.

The sound of steel clashing and the production of sparks were heard and seen all throughout the training ground drawing the attention of other warriors, they kept at it for a while increasing the intensity and speed of each swing until eventually Kira couldn't keep up and was thrown through the air, this time unable to stop himself he braced himself before landing in a bash. When he stood up he was drenched in sweat and covered in dirt, despite barely being able to breath he got back into his stance with his machete raised in front of him but before he could attack his father already sheathed his dagger disappointing him, however he lowered his stance and sheathed his sword.

The crowd that had gathered were used to this conclusion to their daily spar and proceeded to return to their own business however they all admired Kira as despite never beating his father he always displayed what a true warrior of the Frost Tusk Tribe should strive to be, someone with an absolute resolution to fight until they have achieved their goal. The two silently stared at each other before walking back towards their home while Kane followed behind them casually.

"I hope you won't be too sore for tomorrows meeting with the Blue Lotus Tribe." Katsu said to Kira to break the silence as they walked the village path.

"I'm coming, why?" Kira asked with a hint of curiosity.

"Well we may need to fight our way out of course if negotiations turn sour. Katsu replied without looking at Kira.

'Huh so I finally get some real action.' Kira thought with the slight hope that something may go wrong during the meeting.

The three quickly arrived home after a silent walk back where Kira and Kane went to their separate hut while Katsu walked to his own. The hut in which the siblings slept was spacious on the inside with four comfy bedrolls where placed beside each other, on the right closest to the door was Kira's bed to the left of him was Kane followed by Sasha and finishing with Kai, this was the bed layout of the room and at the foot of the respective bedrolls was a small storage sack for each of them.

Kai and Sasha were already sitting together on the beds ready and waiting for their brothers before they went to sleep. As soon as the two entered Kai gave something sneakily to Sasha and she got up to run towards her brothers and extended her small gentle hands. "Here brothers, I saved some jerky for you both." She said and offered the two the pieces of jerky in her hand. Kane took a piece first and then Kira, he then patted his sister on the head, "Thank you Sasha." he said with a slight smile making Sasha blush before he walked to his bed and quickly ate the jerky which Kane did the same. Once they were all seated comfortably on the beds Kira began to discuss with Kai" Did you hear were going to the Blue Lotus Tribe tomorrow."

"Ah yes did father tell you why?" Kai asked trying to act as if this was his first time hearing the news. 'I hope he doesn't know about the selection." Kai was praying that none of the other youths had told Kira about the marriage selection as he would undoubtedly reject the proposal, not that he was guaranteed to be selected.

Luckily for Kai and the rest of the tribe Kira was busy training all day and was undisturbed so all he heard was what his father had told him, "Father said it's encase negotiations break down and we have to fight our way out, just the thought gets me excited." Kira said with a devilish smirk creeping onto his face as his eyes became colder causing chills to invade his siblings bodies.

"Well hopefully it won't come to that, anyway we should rest we have to get up at dawn." Kai quickly wanted to end the conversation as he was imagining what was gonna happen when Kira finds out that he might be used for an alliance. 'Ha, luckily nobody in their right mind would want to marry this battle monster.'

The siblings then drifted to sleep and the hectic and busy morning soon was upon them.