s e e k i n g (Lu-Shuan)

[syeira]

Zen wasn't stupid, and she realized that both the clans of Tiger and Horse were growing powerful, wealthy and strong. And one of the things she hardly thought sensible was to wage war on TigerClan. Therefore, it would be much more appropriate to strike up some sort of alliance. And taking into consideration that both SnakeClan and RabbitClan were also allied to TigerClan, it would be a wise choice, since it would even further decrease the chances of any of the smaller clans joining forces and attacking HorseClan. Now, politics weren't Zen's strongest function, but she could add two and two.

Currently, with four hand-picked guards that she'd trained herself, Zen approached the TigerClan and HorseClan border. While HorseClan had a vast expanse of grassland, TigerClan seemed to have a large forest to their disposal. This made the young warriors antsy; they prefered to have the open sky over their heads and no obstacles that would block their path and prevent them from an all-out run. But Zen gave them a sharp snort of demand, and reluctantly, they traveled into the brush, wincing as they passed the scent markings. Cats, thought Zen bitterly. She honestly did despise their territorial instincts, and their borders reeked. She didn't dislike felines at all, just their way of border marking.

With her fleet footed guards dancing at her heels, she went a ways into the forest, and then halted, her guards posted around her. Sending out a shrill neigh that echoed throughout the territory of the tiger demons, Zen waited.

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[Naraku]

Within moments a sound disturbed the Generals cat nap but he ignored it counting the seconds before, Shen-long arrived without saying a word him an a few guards vanished to see the intruders. Lu-Shuan growled a bit an shakes his body sensing an smelling Horse demons cross the border, The first thought that came into his head was war...but why so few an the leader it didn't make sense. He knew Shen-long wouldn't fight first so he stood up an casually walked to the doors an towards the forest.

Shen-long an three guards jumped into the border of the forest smelling Horse demons, other soliders saw them an noticed Shen-long making orders with his tail, following some of the guards vanished. Shen-long took a deep breathe an with the guards behind him they walked in the scent the Horse demons had got stronger, before long Shen-long stood before the general Zen an her few guards.

Shen-long stopped an gave a gracious bow to the General sensing his the soldiers surrounding them just incase of battle.

"Welcome to the land of the Tiger Demons General Zen, What can the Tiger clan do for you?"

Eager to hear her words, Shen-long rose up an stood before her.

[syeira]

Zen's amber eyes glowed brightly, the dappled sunshine that passed through the canopy of leaves highlighting her odd pelt. She nodded, lifting a forehoof from under her, and elegantly bowing. "Lu-Shuan. My humblest greetings." She said, her bell-like voice fluid as it placed the short sentence together.

"I come to discuss an alliance." Giving wary glances at Shen-long and the other tiger guards, she glanced at her own warriors, stamping a foot that told them that they ought to take a few steps back. The stallions shook their heads, and backed away quietly. They were all in their horse forms, however, to use her gift of all tongues, Zen had to be in her half-form. Her human torso was covered with an elegant steel platebody that was short cut, stopping just above her belly button, and the sleeves ending at her elbows. The sleeves were actually very finely crafted chainmail that rippled from the fine plating, like dragon scales. Around her neck, Zen wore a black leather choker, and at her flank dangled a wicked looking blade and strapped over her back was a bow, next to a white leather quiver filled with silver-fletched arrows.

Her long teal hair danced on the light breeze that seemed cheery despite the serious situation, and her black tail floated out behind her like a satiny breath of wind. Her black-striped white pelt was naturally well groomed and sleek, revealing her ample muscles that rippled with every move. Her long legs, complete with large hooves, were not bulky, but thin and agile, much like a deer's. And although her body was muscled, it was lithe, not overly ripped so that it looked out of proportion with her legs. With slightly pointed ears, it was easy to see the regalness in Zen's face, and it was easy to see her as royalty.

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(Srry, kind of drawled on right there. -.- But I needed the length for my post.)

[Naraku]

Shen-long looked back an saw Lu-Shuan walking in his tiger form yawning seeing them all he stopped before the General Zen an bowed showing respect. Stomping his paw on the ground the soldiers in the trees obeyed there General an vanished, as the guards with Shen-long walked away only leaving Lu-Shuan an Shen-long alone with the General an her Soldiers.

"Pleasure to see you General Zen"

Lifting his head hearing her request, Shen-long was shocked,what was she planning he wanted to speak up but Lu-Shuan would be angered by his words.

"An Alliance huh?"

Lu-Shuan sat up an looked at her soldiers, an then back at her taking a deep breathe, the sunlight breaking the trees an hitting him.

"This is sudden Zen, what made you come to this?"

Shen-long walked to Lu-Shuan an leaned down to whisper to Lu-Shuan "Your considering this Lu-Shuan it could be a trap", Lu-Shuan shrugged looking at Zen. Shen-long stepped back wondering why what could be going on through Lu-Shuans mind but he would always put the clan first.

[syeira]

Zen shot a glance at Shen-long at his remark of her being a trickster -- obviously he'd forgotten how good horses' hearing was. "Shen-long, I would appreciate more respect then being called a liar. If you knew me better, you would know I would never sink to such a level."

She said, tonelessly. "If this had been a trap, I would have more warriors with me, and hidden, but you can skirt the border and you'll be able to smell that only I and these four crossed it." Being slightly offended, her voice gained a sharp edge. But she said nothing to make them think they had nothing but her respect. Glancing back at Lu-Shuan, she blinked warily.

"Both our clans have grown strong. I know this because the scent markings at the border have grown stronger. And I would appreciate an alliance because if we were allied, the smaller clans could not even think of joining and then attacking either of us." She replied calmly. She had no particular need of any alliance, because the other clans were docile enough as it was; however, it was much nicer if the alliance was forged under pleasant circumstances, rather then only when in dire need. Ones forged quickly for immediate issues never lasted, but if a friendship was struck earlier, the alliance would likely last longer.

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[Naraku]

Shen-long started to growl at the Generals remarks, thinking that an alliance with the Horse demons so sudden was a trick but he would only respond unless Lu-Shuan commanded it as Lu-Shuan looked at Zen with a yawn followed by a smile an a slight shake of the head. Lu-Shuan though the little scene with Zen an Shen-long was a bit humorous.

"hehe can't turn down a request like that"

Lu-Shuan stood up an bowed to the Horse general Zen to acknowledge the alliance, Shen-long then bowed to her.

"General Zen of the Horse demons I Lu-Shuan general of the Tiger Demons acknowledge an alliance between our clans, Whenever you need us we will be there as I hope you shall show the same grace to my clan if we are in need"

Lu-Shuan reverted to his human form an stood before Zen holding out his hand to shake hers. Shen-long nodded an stood behind wondering the need of a Alliance as if there was some type of war coming.

"Perhaps I can accompany you back to the Horse demon village I was always curious to see what it is like there"

Saying in a delighted way with a smile on Lu-Shuans face.

[syeira]

Zen aslo shifted into her human form with a small explosion of light. The now nimble little human girl bowed as well, and shook the tiger general's hand. "General Lu-Shuan of the tiger demons, I Zen of the horse demons acknowledge an alliance between our clans. Whenever you need us, we will be there to assist you."

She said, and jerked her chin up in acceptance. Looking to Shen-Long, she gave him an apologetic glance. "I meant you no disrespect, but I would like to let you know that I find such things very offensive." She said, her wind-chime voice now airy and light, now that the circumstances had lessened from intense to relaxed. Glancing back at Lu-Shuan, she nodded with a small grin of amusement.

"Of course. Feel free to bring any amount of warriors you wish. It would only be fair." She replied, with a giggle. The four other horse demons snorted or stamped their foot in doubt, but they loyally led their general back to the border. Crossing it with slight hurry, they moved on, as fleeting as gazelles. Zen turned around and faced Lu-Shuan, walking backwards without a care as she began to speak. "We have a deep rive crossing the front of the box canyon we live it. It's filled with demon pirhanhas, and designed so that only horse demons can jump it. However, I'll lead you into the passages along the canyon walls to get past there."

She explained. As they entered the closed-in quarry, the lush grasses brushing against their knees, Zen walked over to a solid-looking door. She rapped on it three times, and in a hushed whisper, spoke the password into a small, extraordinarily normal looking dent in the rock, and the wall began to rumble open. A centuar stepped out and kept a lazy guard outside the now open door, resting his weight off one of his forelegs. His bow was still tucked over his shoulder next to his quiver, and he gave the warriors of TigerClan a dismissing glance.

"Netu, go back to the village. Zenko, take guard." Zen said, and one of the warriors in the small regiment that had went with her to TigerClan took guard over the door, his head alert, his crossbow held low. He rested his weight off a hind foot, but he seemed much less lazy then the other guard named Netu, who joined Zen as she went through the torchlit passage through the walls of the canyon. There was a gravelly grinding noise from behind as the stone tablet was replaced over the secret entrance, and another moved aside in front of them. Slipping out and ending up on the other side of the river, Zen stretched and moved along with a dancer's grace, her pale blue hair whisked along the breeze that always swept her windswept moorlands. Her pointed ears pricked, and she smiled largely as a group of foals ran over to her, in human, centuar and horse forms. She brushed her hands over their flanks and gave a few of then hugs, then continued on toward the village, the children trotting around before her. Occasionally, a scuffle broke out, and a playfight would ensue, but it would subside quickly as attention spans waned.

Once the village was only a few yards away to the nearest stone hut, Zen turned and spread her arms in a welcoming gesture. "And this is my village!" She wasn't sure if it was a wise idea to allow another clan to know so much about her stronghold, even if they were allies, but she decided she could trust them with the information for the time being. The gentle person Zen was, it was easy for her to accept the tigers. Her villagers bustled about in their villages, a few other foals clinging to their mother's sides, not ready yet to leave them and play with the other colts and fillies. Mares wove and gardened and cleaned near their huts, while the men mingled and went to the bar that was strictly monitered. It was a bad crime if a guard on duty got drunk, therefore, Zen always placed senior warriors there to make sure nothing got out of hand. The blacksmith was forging at a lazy pace, ad his apprentice was zipping about in a rush to grab things he needed. The apprentice was new, and probably the whole reason that the seasoned, middle-aged smith was going so slowly. But he was a kind man, and he was patient with the lad.

As they passed another stone hut, this one with a spicy scent flowing from it, an elderly woman walked out of it, her arms filled with dried herbs and vials that she perilously balanced. She looked grizzley and in a bad mood, and Zen waved and sent a guard to assist her. Netu, the lazy one, had already arrived to his home and his mate and their newborn foal. Another few huts down, several elders snoozed in a longer, wooden hut that had an old-person aroma emanating from it. An old, silver-haired couple walked out, their wrinkly faces content and wise, as they laid outside together to sun themselves. Several cats and dogs darted about the village, the dogs looking almost half wolf while the cats were sleek, agile and muscled. Moving along, more towards a large set of wooden doors leading straight into the rock wall, more fertile soil and several different crops were growing. Corn, carrots, soy beans, turnips, radishes and beans were all mixmatched, and closer yet to the entrance to the castle were a few long rows of fruit trees. Most were cherries and apples, and around their trunks were planted strawberries. As they went along, farmers harvested the ripe vegetables and fruit. Horse demons, however vegetarian, still raised chickens, however, and a large pen closer to the village was filled with squawking hens and a few rowdy roosters. Alongside the walls were more river, filled with silvery fish. More horse demons yet were fishing here, castng out great nets that would only catch big fish due to the size of the holes.

"We have specific rankings here, and all foals must be admitted through a ceremony to become warriors. When they grow too old for warriors, they are permitted to farm or go to the elder's hut, or they can join the more political reaches of the village within the palace, unless they're loyal guards whom I trust to stay longer, if they wish." Zen explained, stopping to watch over the farmers.

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[Naraku]

Lu-Shuan bowed to show is appreciation, turning to Shen-long an nodding to him, Shen-long replied with a nod turning around an knocking a the bark of the tree next to him suddenly leafs fell to the ground. Shen-long has called away Lu-Shuans private guards, looking at Lu-Shuan an bowed to say it was done Lu-Shuan reverted back to his tiger form an walked with Zen, Shen-long followed close by as they crossed the borders.

Lu-Shuan saw the river an heard Zen's comment licking his lips at the word piranhas, It was his favorite after all. Walking by the water to test how they were biting Lu-Shuan's tail slapped the water as Shen-long was ready to catch one of them an shakes his head at the childish demeanor of Lu-Shuan, As Lu-Shuan simply smiled an continued walking. Shen-long looked at the area an then at the horse demons wondering if they had a good vantage point to attack them, not seeing much he walked examining every rock for the worst case scenario.

Coming to a grassy area watching Zen hit some boulder Lu-Shuan an Shen-long wondered what was going on suddenly seeing the boulder open revealing a Centaur. Shen-long was astounded by the sight the demon was huge, looking at Lu-Shuan seeing no expression on his face as if he suspected as much, seeing the glance Lu-Shuan and Shen-long knew they wasn't welcomed but followed Zen in none the less. Lu-Shuan walked in with no hesitation, as Shen-long walked in still examining his surroundings as it appeared they was in a tunnel smelling the outside air both Lu-Shuan an Shen-long knew they was close.

Coming out an Seeing how calm Zen was Lu-Shuan looked around as she seemly proud of her village, he couldn't help but smirk an continue to following her walking into the village they both felt the welcome into the village walking, Lu-Shuan tried to show his kindness but to not much avail. Soon coming to a type of farm land an hearing Zen's words, Lu-Shuan took in a deep breath an watched the wind hit the field.

"Yes we have something similar to this as well the elderly usually help with the crops an medical an help protect there families at home"

Remembering the clan he nods, Shen-long walks into the field seeing the food they have seems to be different from theres an it interesting too see first hand. Lu-Shuan looked at Zen then back to the field.

"Glad to see both of our clans are similar in some ways as the world starts to crumble friendships need to be made an enforced....General Zen your village is magnificent it reminds me so much of home I will put my life on the line to help if need be..."

Shen-long an Lu-Shuan turned to Zen an bowed.

"If it would be the same to you I would like to send some troops here to help until reinforcements arrive if something shall happen, Your welcome to send troops to my village if you wish "

[syeira]

Zen also bowed her head in respect toward the general and his deputy, her amber eyes serious, instead of relaxed.

"Do as you please, Lu-Shuan. But I would not bother you by placing my warriors in your village. They like to have the sky above their heads, and having such a canopy above them so they cannot see the stars makes them nervous. I do not need reinforcements or help, yet, but I do sincerely appreciate your consideration."

Shifting into her horse form, she lowered her delicate cranium and placed her muzzle on Lu-Shuan's shoulder, then rose and went to Shen-Long, doing the same. It was the horse gesture for friendship and respect. With a flick of her ears, she signalled for the remaining pair of her guards to escort them back through the stone corridor. She had other political matters to worry over, with her pesky ambassador fussing over her, mentioning many tmes, however subtlely, that the throne lacked an heir. Fuck that. Zen was ready to chew his ass out for even suggesting that she bear a child. With a snort, she bowed once more and drew back into her castle hewn of rock.

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[Naraku]

Lu-Shuan smirked an nodded understanding that if they need the tiger clans help they would request it. Shen-long bowed to Zen as it seemed the sun was starting to go down, taking a step towards Lu-Shuan.

"I know go on ahead I will soon be leaving"

Shen-long bowed to Lu-Shuan an then Zen to show respect.

"See you home Lu-Shuan"

Vanishing before there very eyes, Lu-Shuan walked with the guards through the pathway, bowing to them when he was outside the village gesturing he will go the rest of the way alone. Walking without a care in the world Lu-Shuan reaches the border by night fall Soldiers patrolling the parameter a figure started to draw there weapons to only see Lu-Shuan walking.

"General welcome back"

Lu-Shuan smiled an nodded

"Good to be back"

Walking past them the soldiers followed two steps behind there General.

"What was it like there in the Horse demon territory"

Remembering all the sights an smells Lu-Shuan couldn't help but smile.

"It's something worth protecting like how our home is something worth protecting"

The soldiers stopped an nodded knowing what the General met as they allowed him to get back to the village an they went back to patrolling.

-End-