"Well,you were my favorite boy to be with..since all the rest teased me or I teased them."She grinned to herself and remembered how one summer when her family was staying there,and there last summer there she had almost kissed him but then stopped since her father had been calling for her.That was the last summer because then there mother had died and there father had pretty much lost the will to be nice to the children.

Maiara looked at the wolf thoughtfully before turning her attention to Lance. “The crops have done surprisingly well this year. So I’m sure there will be no problem with working out a trade. Thirteen deer in a week is an amazing feat. You must be a great hunter Lance.” She wasn’t surprised by this. Lance always seemed like he’d be the great warrior or knight out of all the Kurai brothers.

Isaac laughed," yes I remember how you did use to tease the other." he said and then frowned, " and i really wished that your father would have brought you back because I knew how hard it would be to lose your mother." he said and layed a hand on hers." I wish I could of been there to cheer you up." he said and could just image how sad she had been.

Eve turned back towards the house, soon she had taken care of Lai, climbed back into her room and slipped her dress back on. The only sign that she had left the house was that her hair was tied back, some leaves were stuck in it here and there, and that she smelled like the stables. She walked back out of her room, down the stairs, a fake smile was plastered on her face when she saw that her father was watching her closely. "I am sorry about that father." she said to him as she bowed slightly, when she straightened up she saw that his eyes narrowed and motioned to his study. She followed him into it, the door closed behind them, and soon he was getting on her case, telling her things that she heard before, she knew that if anyone was in the living room that they could hear her father yelling at her. She just stood there and listened, saying yes sir, no sir, i am sorry sir, it won't happen again sir. Just all the normal and correct response that he wantted to hear as she kept her voice calmed and leveled, this had happen enough that she knew the speech by heart.

Katie frowned as she heard her sister being yelled at by her father.She wanted so much to just be her old self towards Isaac.But,he was her sisters.Even if she wished they could be together they couldn't so she simply moved her hand and pushed her bangs out of her eyes as a cover up for moving her hand."Well..she got sick so much quicker then what the doctor said and after that my fathers never really..cared what we thought."She said and looked at Isaacs face."Your still the same way I remembered you..except taller."She said quietly since her father was yelling.She despised him."Do you still play the flute?""

Isaac frowned as he heard her father yell and knew that it would change when they where moved to there house. He smiled at her then," yes, I still can eve after the accident. But I had to teach myself had to play blind but I still play." he said as he loomed at her. Part of him wished that her father would have arranged him and Katie to marry, that he could deal with. He then remember the sing he had made her beofre he was blinded and wondered if he could still play it.

((I need to get off))

Eve sighed heavily after she was able to leave Mr. Amaya's pressence, she looked over at Maiara, she gave her a weak smile before she moved out of the door way. She pulled her hair out of the tie it was in, runnaing a hand absently through it, making everything that she had in it get tangled in her hair even more. She walked towards the living room, she turnned back around and motioned for her sister to bring Lance in there with them. "I apologize that you had to here that Isaac." Eve said softly to him as she bowed apologeticly to him, she walked over to the chair that was on the other side of the coffee table and sat down, she pulled all of her hair over her shoulder and began to pull the debry out of it as best as she could.

Katie smiled."Thats great,when I heard about your accident I wanted to go over and comfort you but my father wouldn't allow it..so I'm very sorry you haven't heard from me in..what..ten years?"She asked with a frown."I missed you a lot.."She said quietly,she knew that she should stop reminding herself of how she used to like him so much because it was bring her to wish he was hers and not her sisters fiance.She frowned again."Maybe I should..go upstairs soon and see if I can find my sister.."She then looked up at Eve."Father said he was going to tear down all the rooms and make the house a factory!Can you believe how low he would go for money?And hes making us move in with the Kurais by then end of the month..I never liked Bastian as a child..what will make me love him now?"She grimaced.

((I gotta go too.))

Maiara nodded to her sister, Eve. "Shall we join the others Lance?" She curtsied to him before turning to lead the way. "I apologize for the way our father is acting. He's never really been the same since our mother took ill and past." Walking over to the entrance to the living room she waited for Lance to join her. In the back of her mind she wished her father had chosen him or one of his other brothers to be her husband.

“That is outrageous!! How can father do something like that? Mother would never allow it if she were here just like she would never allow these arranged marriages. It is all because father loves his money more then he does his own children. I can’t believe how low he has stooped for it….I don’t even want to marry Donald either, to bad we can’t just trade our fiancées with one that we like….” as she spoke it was clear that she was flying through her emotions with each sentence, first it was anger, disgust, sorrow, disappointment, back to anger, then disgust, last dry humor. She gave a heavy sigh, it wasn’t like they had a choice in the matter anyways, she combed her hair with her fingers as she stared at the glass figurine on the mantle. She never really got along with any of the guys except maybe Lance but that was in the past, those things didn’t matter now, they never did to her father.

Katie nodded as a shiver went down her spine."Yes,I wish he would let us switch."She laughed lightly."But..I doubt he would ever let the odds be in our favors."She sighed and laid her head back on the pillow.She was getting tired for some odd reason.She pulled a cover from the floor by the side of the couch and put it over her,feeling the fuzzy warmth on her like a jacket."Ugh..Even though hes rich he refuses to turn on the fireplace and then have to buy more wood,since hes to much of a ignorant fool to cut down a tree..and he won't let us do it either."

"One should never address their father with such a tongue. You not only disrespect him, but you disgrace you sisters and mother as well. Moreover, your mother is not here and therefore you cannot speak for her. If your father has decided it that it was his will and god's will to do as such.

"Your mother would be both insulted and upset at your outburst. You need to learn to control yourself better and see that things could be much worse. Have you seen war? Are you blind? I think not to both. You haven't watched your fellow comrades die before you while you get soaked in their red blood. You didn't risk your life to save someone and now live in a world of darkness.

"Learn to hold your tongue and place, or you may just lose it." Lance's words were a bit harsh for even him, but, if there was one thing he hated, it was disrespected. Perhaps it was all thanks to his military training, but either way, Eve had not only offended him, she insulted in.

"Your father as well as mine arranged for this. By insulting your father, you insult mine. If you insult my father, you insult me. We are but a strong family and I cannot believe someone like you would ruin such fine names. Are you really that spoiled for a brat? Perhaps my brother should sell you off once he marries you. If you are not obedient and if you do not know your place, then you are of no use to anyone."

Hovering over her, his eyes scorned her. "I thought you knew better, Eve." A hint of disappointment lingered in his voice as he walked over beside her father. "I apologize for stepping out of line. I did not mean to cross boundaries, but I solely sought to tell her what she'd done." His arms crossed over his bare chest as he gave Eve another upset looked.

----------

((Okay, I'm off to bed now. Sorry if that was a little harsh, but it fit Lance. XD))

Eve just looked at Lance for what he said to her, how could he say that to her when he did not know what she has and has not been through. She was pissed and upset, he knew nothing and didn’t not understand anything that had been going on her life since their mother died, since they were forbidden to go and visit them. She stood up and walked over to him, ignoring her father and her sisters, who knew what was coming next, unlike her sisters she was a tomboy and one thing she learned was how to fight. He hand balled up into a fist as she stared him in the eyes, she was so angry, so upset that tears were streaming down her face openly. “Lance…You know nothing that has happened to any of us. You know nothing about me, you don‘t even know anything about my family. You’re the one who has insulted us. I have said nothing and done nothing to insult your family. Your just an arrogant, male donkey‘s posterior!” Her voice was low, it was like pure ice dripping down people’s shirts, and she pulled back and punched him in the face, making him bleed. After she done that, she walked out of the living room, up the stairs, into her room. She locked the door behind her, she then pushed almost all of her furniture in front of her door, and she quickly changed back into her ridding clothes and slipped out the window. She treaded softly, not leaving any foot prints, staying out of the view of the windows, this time she did not take a horse but instead she headed towards the girls’ mother’s grave.

((by the way she just called him an arrogant jackass))

Katie stood up,angered of only one thing he said 'Learn to hold your tongue and place, or you may just lose it.'
"A threat? Really? You think I'm scared of a idiotic rich boy?Even if you did go to war and have seen far worse then anyone in this family don't ever threaten me or my family again or it will be you who will be punished for it!"She said coldly."Just because you think listening to your father and acting mature doesnt make them love you.They still would throw you off a cliff for a business deal.And I do recall your father telling mine that when you went to war he hoped you didn't come back so that would be one less mouth to feed.So why stick up for your father now?When..he wanted you dead?"She questioned sternly.If he was in for it big time.
Katie's father simply sighed."Katie,you were being rude by speaking about me behind my back and telling this boy what his fahter has said to me..And Lance I think it is very unfair to run up to my daughters and start yelling at them,your very lucky I didn't call of the deal right now and shut your fathers business down.I have the upper hand boy,when they live in your house you can punish them anyway you please.But not in front of me."
Katie sat back down and said nothing,she was already fighting with him again just like when they were kids.Atleast she wasn't marrying him.
The father began to speak."Say your sorry you two."
Katie frowned."I have to admit I was being a bit prissy when I was making all those complaints..I should be happy that my life is not as horrid as others and that my familys..just lucky.So what if we lost the one thing that meant something in the world to us?It's nothing compared to your comrades.But of course I feel horrible because of your brother losing his sight..but I never said anything that said I didn't feel bad.So I am sorry that I am not good enough to be in your presence and I will try to be less angry about having snobs like you..in my home."She said with a small smirk.
The father glared."Sincere."
"I'm sorry that I upset you and called you names,I should be more mature and I realize I was acting like a complete and utter snob.Will you ever forgive me?"She said seeing her father stare her down.

"You all misunderstand. No matter what you say, I will always love my family above all else. My father and my brothers are my life. They are all I have and all I live for." He looked down at Kapu. "Yes, I went to war because my father couldn't afford to feed me and because, compared to my other brothers, I brought in the most cash. But, I do not mind being used as you would all call it. You see, I've merely embraced my pathetic existence in this world."

Pivoting on his heels, he walked outside as he saw his hawk friend fly down. "There you are," he smiled at him, ignoring everyone for a moment. Stroking the bird, he looked at his reflection in the hawk's large yellow eyes. Sighing, he cleaned his face.

Kapu whined. "It's okay boy. I can take a hit." Standing back up straight, the male exhaled. "I guess I should apologize. Apparently I insulted them all. But, how? Do they not understand they times we live in?"

Returning, the male thrust his hands into the air. "Not like it matters," he unrolled a scroll in his hands. "I'm being called back onto the battlefield. Only this time, I'm not a soldier. I'm a... knight." He looked at the scroll again. His jaw was ajar now as he reread the words. "A knight? For his... his Majesty?"

The male looked down at his wolf. "I don't want to be a knight. I don't want to... leave home." His eyes saddened as he lowered his arms, dropping the scroll. "And I don't forgive you. I don't forgive any of you." His eyes drifted over to Isaac. "Brother," he whispered. He had recalling the tragic day when he lost his sight. "Ugh, how I wish I was not away. I'm always away. I was away when your mother died. I was away when Isaac lost his sight. I was away when our crops were burned to the ground. I was away when there was a massacre the town over. I'm always... away."

A lick came to his hand and this caused him to smile some. "I'm sorry if I'm out of line, but you should teach your daughters to respect a..." he sighed, "knight when thy are in the presence of one. Disrespecting me now shames the kingdom." The male was conflicted. He loved the idea of tossing a title around as it now put him at the same leave as his father and the girls' father. But it was also this title that he didn't like. He was a dog to his Majesty. A loyal wolf that would kill once commanded.

He exhaled again and turned to find Eve. Bowing before them all, he slipped outside and kept his distance from Eve. Once she was at the grave sight, he walked up beside her. "I'm sorry," he said kneeling before her grave. "It must be hard to be a raised by just a father, but... at least you had a father to raise you your entire life. And a mother. All I've ever had were men in uniforms, whips, and torture. If I was out of line, I was beat to death."

His eyes watched hers. "But, enough about me. I'm just an... arrogant jackass." Standing, the male ran off back toward the house. As he did, the light caught him just right, and his split personality started to emerge. Almost at the stairs, he pulled himself away.

"Don't go in there. They'll only mock you. You must leave. Run. Fight. Kill. It's what we do."

"It is... but I have no reason to kill now."

"Yessssss, yes we do! We always need to kill!"

"No, no I don't. I don't need to kill. No one is harming us."

"But his daughters...."

"They are just girls. They will learn their place... sooner or later."

"Cut off their tongues and watch them bleed. Please, oh please!"

"Silence!" Lance stomped his foot, thus shaking away his bitter half. Taking in a strong breath, he walked back in and waited patiently for his love to join them.

Maiara was normally the quiet one, but she was reaching her limit. Their father was really going too far this time. She glared at her father as he told Katie and Eve to apologize, but what really upset her was what he told Lance. “How could you say such a heartless thing father? Telling these boys that they can punish us however they want once we’re living with them. That really shows how much you care for us. Ever since mother died it’s like I don’t even know you. You’ve become man corrupted by money and greed.” Before she got more out of line she left the room. It wasn’t like her to have outbursts. She wandered off into the garden to think.

The father stepped out of the room quietly.The only reason Katie had not left was because Isaac was there,and she didn't want to leave him alone where he knew nothing of there home."I'm very sorry you had to hear that."She said before Lance walked in and then she looked down at the palms of her hands,she wasn't ashamed of anything she said but if he wanted her to know her place,he should know his.

Eve sat there at the grave, hugging her knees to her chest, Lance had walked up to her, he started to apologize for what he said, then he told her some things about him self for those few years that they all stopped seeing each other.

She was the one that got to see their father’s dark side since their mother passed on, she was the one that was always beat, the one that was called a slut for how she dressed and acted, for the past ten years she had kept a lot of things secret from her sisters, only letting them know the good things and some of her thoughts on certain subjects.

She had disappeared for a few months, helping the doctor with the injured people, living on the streets, learning to take care of herself, to protect her sisters. Out of all her mother’s daughters, her almost look a likes, she was the most hated one out of them, the one that their father abused, tried to get rid of in more ways then one. She was the one that kept her sisters from being hurt by him, she might not been the oldest but she took up that responsibility even if they didn’t think she did and that she was just a trouble maker.

She wiped her tears from her face, chuckling a little when she remembered the time that Lance promised to protect her and her sisters no matter what, she always knew it was an empty promise but it was a nice thought. She stood up and her way back into the house and the living room, her father was pissed at her and made a motion that he needed to speak with her again.

He walked out of the living room, and into the stables, Eve followed him silently. He picked up a ridding crop, she turned around so that her back was to him and let him beat her with it, she didn’t cry as he did it, she didn’t really flinch; she just stood there silently and took it. Once he was finished he mentioned something about never doing that again and to apologize to Lance and that he was a knight now and to treat him with some more respect then she has been.

She said yes sir to him and made her way back into the house and over to where Lance was at. She clasped her hands in front of her, bowing until her back was straight with the floor, it hurt her to do this, to do anything that dealt with pulling the muscles and skin on her back.

“Sir Lance, please accept my humble apology for hurting you, for saying such horrible and improper things, for my actions and for not holding my tongue, even for not knowing my place. I will forever be greatly dishonored if you so choose it..” her voice and face were blank, there was no emotions on her face, her sisters knew that she was only doing this because of their father, she stayed in the position she was in until Lance accepted her apology or he choice to dismiss it like a fly thus making her a dishonored girl. She could see her father out the corner of her eye, she knew he was please with how she apologized to him, but he was still extremely angry at her, she could feel his eyes on her.

((wow long thought process lol))

( OMGosh. o.o I left for a couple of hours and it's five pages? What've I missed? ^ ^' )

Bastian arrived at the house a tad bit late. Having heard who he was going to marry,he had gotten mad at his father for making them marry complete strangers. Well, it wasn't that true, but he just knew he wasn't going to get along with half if not all the sisters. "Just gotta be nice." he muttered as he opened the unlocked door and looked around. "Hello?" he called out, wondering where everyone was. Also, there seemed to be a tense air around the home. Maybe something happened with his other brothers. Or the daughters and their father.
( Er, I hope it's alright, to jump in or something. ^ ^' )

Mr. Amaya walked over to Bastian."Why hello!I'll get my daughter for you to meet."He said with a grin and turned to walk into the other room.He took his daughters hand and pulled her from the couch."Your fiance is hear Katie,put on on a smile."

Katie sighed."Bye Isaac,I guess...I'll see you later."She said quickly as her father took her out of the room and to where Bastian was.
"Since you've met each other as children I hope that your marriage will be a happy one."He said even though his voice showed no happiness."I'll be in my study if you need me,and Katie introuduce yourself."He said before turning and walking out.
Katie stared at Bastian,half stunned since this was who she was supposed to marry."Umm..Hello, I'm Katie Scarlett Amaya.She said lightly,forgetting the curtsy she was supposed to do.

Isaac sighed as he sat there and was alone in the darkness. It wasn't like it was the first time, he was always alone in the darkness. He sighed as he slowly got up to his feet and slowly made his way to a empy room. By the sent of it he wasi n the dinning room and no one was in here. he then pulled out the flute he always carryed with him and slowly started to play. HIs fience wasn't here and Katie was off with his brother. So he was alone and he had learned to like being alone. he stayed in the dinning room and played till he couldnt' breath anymore.

Maiara sat on a bench in the garden. She knew that once she went back to the house her father would scold her for her outburst, but she didn’t really care. Sighing she looked up at the sky. It was peaceful here and she would like nothing more then to stay in this peaceful place. She wrapped her arms around herself and closed her eyes. She flinched when she heard the sound of whipping coming from the stables. Poor Eve. Father really is the worst. She didn’t even try to block out that sound among others. It grew silent again and stayed silent for a while. When her ears caught the faint sound of a flute she thought that it would be best to go apologize to Isaac. If she remembered correctly he plays the flute so maybe he was the one playing. Leaving the peaceful garden behind her she entered the house to find that Katie was with Bastian, Eve was apologizing to Lance and Isaac was no longer in the living room. With no father in sight she sighed slightly in relief. She had some time before she received her scolding.

She headed to the dinning room to see if maybe Isaac had made his way in there. “Hello,” she called lightly as she entered the dinning room. Seeing Isaac there playing she smiled. “So lovely. You really are talented. Sir Isaac.” She went over to him. “Umm…I’d like to apologize for earlier. I didn’t mean to say those things in front of you. Please forgive me, things have been stressful as of late.” Even though she knew Isaac was blind she still bowed her head as she spoke her apology.

((Hey Ameika, would you mind maybe breaking up your larger paragraphs. They are a bit long and make it harder to read.))

Lance was still sitting silently on the couch beside Kapu who was now asleep at his feet. Cupping the wolf's head in her hands, he smirked at the funny expression the wolf gave him. A laugh then came. Compared to most people, you could say Lance had a dark laugh. It wasn't a cheery and friendly one. No, instead it was a bit wicked and dark.

Actually, the more you think about Lance, the more you realize how little you know about him. You knew his age, 23. You knew he liked wolves. You knew he was a soldier. But there are so many other sides to this male that have yet to surface and make their visible appearance. For example, Lance has a split personality. Most people don't know this, and, if they were to find out, they might question which half is one in control.

His wicked black silk-like hair shifted down into his face looking almost like a landslide. Kapu laughed some as he saw the look Lance now wore. (>.> look going on. XD) Pulling his hair back, he watched as his arm flexed some. Impressed by the look of his muscles, he held out his arm. Curling it up and tucking the fist down, he watched at his slender arm bulge as he tensed his bicep.

It was Kapu's remark that brought him back. "Say what?" He gave the gray wolf a puzzled look. "Oh, yeah. I guess I will get a horse now. Eve," he turned to the female nearby, "would you mind accompanying me on finding a horse." He smiled over at her. "After all, I hear you're the expert."

Bastian almost cringed when Mr. Amaya said they hoped the marriage would be a good one. Just because they had known each other a couple of times in childhood didn't really mean anything. As Katie came and introduced himself, he offered her a small smile and bowed his head a little. "Nice to meet you. I'm Bastian Kurai, as you may have heard." he said with a small chuckle. He looked at Katie and thought she looked a bit prettier but, that meant nothing. It was her attitude he had to worry about. Standing there, he really didn't know what to say to the girl.

((Lawlz! You have the belly dancer. XD Or that's what Lance calls her. :P))