Cora's Camp

Cole's tight hug around his son never faltered and he lay awake for a little while just enjoying his son's warmth. It filled him with such a joy to be this close and gave him a boost in his morale, he would be prepared to fight his best for this child in his arms. He thought of his late wife and her smile she would have if she could see them together like this. He continued to rub Ike's back as he thought of her, a small frown blooming on his face in the silence. Eventually, Cole's thoughts waned and his rub stopped as the heaviness of his eyes closed and he fell into a sleep.

Don was slightly cold, the small cloth not offering much in the way of warmth. It gave Don time to think about tonight and the eventual morning, his thoughts going to Kaa and Ike from moments before. Don chuckled to himself, "What a fool I am...I said to myself that I would tell the truth." He narrowed his vision as he stared at the fabric wall of his fathers tent. "For the first time...I lied twice in the same night...to the same family." Don let out a yawn after speaking his thoughts allowed. He too would eventually grow too tired to remain awake and fell to sleep.

Kaa remained awake for a long while, alone in his tent. He had hoped to spend their first night together as a family, but it wasn't meant to be. The loneliness of the tent depressed him and he felt sick because of it, Kaa constantly thinking if he'd ever see his brother, Kemba or Theos again. He wondered if his relationship with any of them would ever be the same again after what he had done. "There are no heroes...." Kaa repeated, as he remembered Theos. He too would find his thoughts waning as the heaviness of sleep overtook him. His questions would just have to be answered in the morning.

(Continued from Into the Dragon's Mouth)

The sun was high in the sky and the camp was already stirring, knowing the battle was mere moments away. Half of the camp had already been packed away and sent to the rear with Magi and the Sistermon. Cole was hovering over head, ordering the troops.

Cora was not to far behind, dressed out in his own armor. His eyes drawn to the dunes, hoping still that his sons would come back to him from that suicide mission. His heart grew even wearier as time passed, they were due to be back last night but never showed up.

Don had finished fitting his armor and came out of his tent. He wanted to see Ike before he moved to the back with Magi, he went searching for him finding him not to far from his own tent. "Yo Ike." Don said greeting him with a raised claw, "I wanted to see you before you went away. Just in case I don't come back." Don was very blunt about it and he said it with a straight face.

"You shouldn't speak so sourly." Cole said flying down, "No sign of the enemy yet." Cole mentioned. Don sighed, "I suppose it'd be too foolish to think they retreated back over the border...." Cole chuckled.

"Indeed."

"Or they're setting up their catapults...." Kaa said coming into view from the side, his own armor adjourned. "They were supposed to come back last night.....they never did Don." Kaa said glaring at him. Don sighed knowing this was inevitable, chances are they failed.

"I know..." Was all he could say.

"You sent them to their deaths.....we could have planned something else...." Cole shook his head at Kaa's words.

"We already tried thinking of other methods, we've been through this. That was the only way that lowered casualties." Kaa clenched his claws together.

"I guess it doesn't matter now does it? Soon the sky will rain fireballs and it was all for nothing!" Kaa yelled. Don shook his head, "There is another possibility, the enemy could have been delayed because the mission was a success." Don said.

Kaa scoffed, "How likely do you think that is?" Kaa asked. Don smiled, "Very likely brother." He pointed to the dunes where Kemba came running down with Theos and Ban on his back.

The group turned to see them, "Kemba looks different..." Cole said. Kaa's eyes slowly filled with tears and he fell on his knees overwhelmed by his own emotions. Don walked by Kaa looking at him a moment then moving to greet their return.

Kemba smiled when they came into view, Ban waving frantically as they approached. Kemba slowed his run to a walk until he met with them, "Kemba...did you evolve?" Cole asked.

"Yes...how is a long story for another time." He chuckled now standing at Cole's stomach. "I'm impressed!"

Ban leaped off and jumped on top of Don hugging him tightly with his tail wagging back and forth. Don chuckled as he fell to the sand hugging his baby brother, "I knew you could do it!" Don said. "Uh...I recall you saying it was a suicide mission." Blake said approaching.

"So, you guys did it right?" Blake asked. Kemba nodded, "Not without casualties....like I said, it is a long story but thanks to the efforts of Remmy...their weapons are burning cinders."

"That small Agumon will go down in our history as one of the bravest and grandest heroes of our time." Cole said taking a moment to honor his sacrifice.

Ban removed himself from Don and looked around for Kaa spotting him in the same spot. Ban gave a half smile and approached him, Ban nuzzled Kaa's chest licking his tear filled face. "I'm home." Ban said. Kaa gave a tearful smile and hugged Ban, "W..welcome...home." He said putting his face into Ban's shoulder. Ban returned his brothers embrace, wrapping his tail around them.

Don looked to Theos and went to greet him, "Welcome back Theos....thanks for coming back." Don smiled, he was hoping Theos wouldn't notice the wound on his face from Kaa the night before.

Dantelion

"Yo Ike." Don said greeting him with a raised claw, "I wanted to see you before you went away. Just in case I don't come back." Ike returned his wave frowning slightly. Well at least he was honest about it.

"You shouldn't speak so sourly." Cole said flying down, "No sign of the enemy yet." Cole mentioned. Don sighed, "I suppose it'd be too foolish to think they retreated back over the border...." Ike doubted they would do such a thing.

"Indeed."

"Or they're setting up their catapults...." Kaa said coming into view from the side, his own armor adjourned. "They were supposed to come back last night.....they never did Don." Ike looked between them wondering if they were going to do their enemies job and kill one another.

"I know..." Was all he could say.

"You sent them to their deaths.....we could have planned something else...." Cole shook his head at Kaa's words.

"We already tried thinking of other methods, we've been through this. That was the only way that lowered casualties." Kaa clenched his claws together.

"I guess it doesn't matter now does it? Soon the sky will rain fireballs and it was all for nothing!" Kaa yelled. Don shook his head, "There is another possibility, the enemy could have been delayed because the mission was a success." Don said.

Kaa scoffed, "How likely do you think that is?" Kaa asked. Don smiled, "Very likely brother." Ike looked behind Kaa to the returning trio. Part of him relieved at the sight. May they could stop bickering for a bit now.

"Kemba looks different..." Theos smiled as the camp closed in around them and Kaa and Don were there to great them. The gang was back together again. Relief filled him as he jumped down from the slowing Kembas back.

"Kemba...did you evolve?" Cole asked.

"Yes...how is a long story for another time." He chuckled now standing at Cole's stomach. "I'm impressed!"

Theos tail wagged stirring the sand behind him as he sat beside Kemba. "I knew you could do it!" Don said. "Uh...I recall you saying it was a suicide mission." Blake said approaching.

"So, you guys did it right?" Blake asked. Kemba nodded, "Not without casualties....like I said, it is a long story but thanks to the efforts of Remmy...their weapons are burning cinders."

"That small Agumon will go down in our history as one of the bravest and grandest heroes of our time."

"I'm home." Ban said. Kaa gave a tearful smile and hugged Ban, "W..welcome...home." He said putting his face into Ban's shoulder. Ban returned his brothers embrace, wrapping his tail around them.

Don looked to Theos and went to greet him, "Welcome back Theos....thanks for coming back."

"It's good to be back," Theos said hugging him. He noted the scratch on his face but said nothing. Something told him it was probably from Kaa. He had been very angry yesterday which was understandable even if it didn't justify his actions. Speaking of he looked to Kaa crying into his brothers shoulder. He smiled slightly knowing he would have to mend his words from yesterday. Maybe his relief would calm him down some.

"They are probably only an hour to two behind us. Since we moved at full speed to their march," Theos said looking to Cole.

Ike watched from the sidelines. He would have to go to the rear soon and join up with Magi. He wondered if Don had anything else to say to him before they were interrupted. He did at least want to say good luck so he would wait for the moment.

"It's good to be back,"

"They are probably only an hour to two behind us. Since we moved at full speed to their march," Theos said looking to Cole. Cole smiled, "Good...then we will be well prepared by the time they get here. I'm going to go inform the King. Good job you three." Cole flew off to where Cora was.

Kemba watched him fly then looked to Blake who was eyeing his evolved form, "What?" Kemba asked, "I was just thinking...how much I wish you had this form when you were a fighter in the arena. I'm getting the itch to kick your ass." Blake laughed.

Kemba shook his head, "You're always this way. Fighting and girls." Blake chuckled, "Don't forget booze! In any case, it's good to know we'll have a stronger version of you on the field. Our chances to win keep growing."

Kemba smiled, everyone's confidence has grown. It must be because of their victory, Kemba felt good. This approaching battle seemed more hopeful now. "Anyway, Cole needs me to help with the preparations so I'll see you out there!" Blake waved and headed off to finish what he had started this morning.

Don looked at Theos, "So...there is a lot to discuss...since you've been gone Kaa and I....we've been butting heads....he also did something incredibly stupid...I still don't know if it will pan out but he and Ike are alive." Don said turning his attention to Ike.

"He forced Ike into an impossible situation using me as a hostage....of all people. He has been trying to turn their princess into our ally. He took Ike to meet with her in the dead of night. Ike went...against my wishes...and spoke too her." Don explained just as Kaa and Ban came over.

Kaa scoffed at his brother, "Are you still complaining about that? I did what I thought was right." He said. Don looked at him, "What you thought was right put Ike and yourself in needless danger. Any number of things could have gone wrong. You were fortunate. This time." Don said.

"I wouldn't have taken such a huge risk if I didn't think it would work! Theos would have done the same thing!" Kaa said. Don hissed, "I'm starting to get annoyed by this sudden change in your demeanor. You never have acted so rashly in the past. You were even more level headed then me in some aspects."

"Oi! What's with the fighting all of a sudden?" Kemba said walking over. "I was explaining to Theos the events of last night...Kaa still stands by his foolish acts." Kaa let out a growl.

"Please don't fight..." Ban asked somberly. "Don has put on this high and mighty routine since being the adviser. It's pissing me off."

"Good...then we will be well prepared by the time they get here. I'm going to go inform the King. Good job you three." Ike waved lightly as his dad left.

"What?" Kemba asked, "I was just thinking...how much I wish you had this form when you were a fighter in the arena. I'm getting the itch to kick your ass." Theos chuckled looking to Blake.

Kemba shook his head, "You're always this way. Fighting and girls." Blake chuckled, "Don't forget booze! In any case, it's good to know we'll have a stronger version of you on the field. Our chances to win keep growing." Hopefully they would continue to grow.

"Anyway, Cole needs me to help with the preparations so I'll see you out there!" Blake waved and headed off to finish what he had started this morning.

Don looked at Theos, "So...there is a lot to discuss...since you've been gone Kaa and I....we've been butting heads....he also did something incredibly stupid...I still don't know if it will pan out but he and Ike are alive." Theos cocked his head looking at Kaa. What did he do?

"He forced Ike into an impossible situation using me as a hostage....of all people. He has been trying to turn their princess into our ally. He took Ike to meet with her in the dead of night. Ike went...against my wishes...and spoke too her." The princess? These thought back to last night. The princess had stood up to Stall. It was faint but he remembered it. She wanted them as hostages and alive which was ten times better than killing them s Stall had planned.

Kaa scoffed at his brother, "Are you still complaining about that? I did what I thought was right." He said. Don looked at him, "What you thought was right put Ike and yourself in needless danger. Any number of things could have gone wrong. You were fortunate. This time." Don said.

"I wouldn't have taken such a huge risk if I didn't think it would work! Theos would have done the same thing!" Kaa said. Don hissed, "I'm starting to get annoyed by this sudden change in your demeanor. You never have acted so rashly in the past. You were even more level headed then me in some aspects." Theos wasn't so sure about that. He would never take one of the princes hostage just to get his way. Though trying to resolve things through talk did sound like him.

"Oi! What's with the fighting all of a sudden?" Kemba said walking over. "I was explaining to Theos the events of last night...Kaa still stands by his foolish acts." Kaa let out a growl.

"Please don't fight..." Ban asked somberly. "Don has put on this high and mighty routine since being the adviser. It's pissing me off."

"Don is doing what any advisor is suppose to do to win a war," Theos said shaking his head. "But about the princess. What made you think you could turn her to our side?" Theos was really curious about her now. Had she protected them because of Kaa? Come to think of it she was given a chance to stop them wasn't she? He had been so busy convincing Kemba to flee he didn't really take note of her location. However if she wasn't caught up in the blast why didn't she try to stop them?

"Don is doing what any advisor is suppose to do to win a war," Theos said shaking his head. "But about the princess. What made you think you could turn her to our side?" Don glanced to Theos.

"Come now Theos, you aren't really entertaining the thought?" Don spoke up. Kaa let out a low growl but ignored Don and spoke to Theos.

"She was Stall's group of spies sent to weed out any of our own. When we met with her, we did battle with her and she whole-heartily believed that Coraggio is an evil nation bent on ruining her and her city. She had been lied too by her father and Stall. After knowing that...I couldn't just take her out. She is the heir to her fathers throne...she has a right too know what kind of nation her father is running. I pleaded with her and she agreed to meet with Ike. I know Ike's words reached her because he and I are still here." Kaa explained.

Don crossed his arms scowling at Kaa when he mentioned Ike, "You forced him too go. Don't leave out that part. I was wounded badly and instead of allowing me to see Magi, you used my condition to sway Ike to going on such a stupid quest."

Kemba looked to Don then at Kaa, "Is this true Kaa?" Kaa couldn't look at Kemba, "I...I wasn't putting Don in any danger...Ike helped him..."

Kemba was a bit upset at Kaa's actions, "Even with good intentions...to do such a thing to your friends...family. What would you have done if you weren't right? You could be rotting in a Scomparsa prison or worse."

Kaa hissed at Kemba which surprised him, "Why is it when I suggest or do things....it is never enough for any of you. Kaa is suddenly the bad guy...the nuisance...the kid who believes in stupid things...." Kemba shook his head.

"Kaa that isn't what I mea--"

"It sure sounds like it....I'm sorry that I'm not smart like Don....or strong like Theos....I'm sorry I'm a terrible heir...." Kaa turned. "Forget it....I should have realized you would side with Don. Nothing I do will change that." Kaa began walking off. "I have to fold up our tent....unless Don has any reason I shouldn't." He said as he walked.

Kemba frowned, "Kaa...." Don shook his head, "Just leave him....he has to grow up...this is war and he has to realize we need to be cold and calculated...not warm and fuzzy."

Ban looked at Don, "I like warm and fuzzy!" He exclaimed. "I believe in Kaa...."

"Come now Theos, you aren't really entertaining the thought?" Theos had to admit he was. He nodded slightly in response.

"She was Stall's group of spies sent to weed out any of our own. When we met with her, we did battle with her and she whole-heartily believed that Coraggio is an evil nation bent on ruining her and her city. She had been lied too by her father and Stall. After knowing that...I couldn't just take her out. She is the heir to her fathers throne...she has a right too know what kind of nation her father is running. I pleaded with her and she agreed to meet with Ike. I know Ike's words reached her because he and I are still here." Kaa explained.

Don crossed his arms scowling at Kaa when he mentioned Ike, "You forced him to go. Don't leave out that part. I was wounded badly and instead of allowing me to see Magi, you used my condition to sway Ike to going on such a stupid quest." Theos looked to Kaa. Making him a hostage was one thing but a wounded hostage. What would he have done if it had cost him his life?

Kemba looked to Don then at Kaa, "Is this true Kaa?" Kaa couldn't look at Kemba, "I...I wasn't putting Don in any danger...Ike helped him..."

Kemba was a bit upset at Kaa's actions, "Even with good intentions...to do such a thing to your friends...family. What would you have done if you weren't right? You could be rotting in a Scomparsa prison or worse."

Kaa hissed at Kemba which surprised him, "Why is it when I suggest or do things....it is never enough for any of you. Kaa is suddenly the bad guy...the nuisance...the kid who believes in stupid things...." Theos frowned.

"Kaa that isn't what I mea--"

"It sure sounds like it....I'm sorry that I'm not smart like Don....or strong like Theos....I'm sorry I'm a terrible heir...." Kaa turned. "Forget it....I should have realized you would side with Don. Nothing I do will change that." Kaa began walking off. "I have to fold up our tent....unless Don has any reason I shouldn't." He said as he walked.

Kemba frowned, "Kaa...." Don shook his head, "Just leave him....he has to grow up...this is war and he has to realize we need to be cold and calculated...not warm and fuzzy."

Ban looked at Don, "I like warm and fuzzy!" He exclaimed. "I believe in Kaa...."

"I'm going to go talk to him," Theos said trotting after him. "Kaa." Theos called out to him.

"I'm going to go talk to him," Theos said trotting after him. "Kaa." Theos called out to him. Kaa heard Theos but didn't stop, he continued to his tent.

"I don't have anything to say too you." He said. "I get it, I screwed up. I'll always screw up. I don't need you to make me feel any less then I already do. You and everyone else has done a good job of that as is." He called back making his way inside the tent. He went to a corner and began to fiddle roughly with some of the things inside. However, he was far to upset and wound up cracking his claw on the metal pike.

"Ugh! Damn it!" Kaa said looking at his bleeding claw as it shook. He sat down nearly in tears, "What am I even doing here?" He sniffled. "I'm so useless." He said holding his claw out, watching the blood drip down his claw.

"I don't have anything to say too you." He said. "I get it, I screwed up. I'll always screw up. I don't need you to make me feel any less then I already do. You and everyone else has done a good job of that as is." Theos shook his head sitting down not far from Kaa.

"Ugh! Damn it!" Kaa said looking at his bleeding claw as it shook. He sat down nearly in tears, "What am I even doing here?" He sniffled. "I'm so useless." He wondered if Kaa would let him lick his wound despite it being small.

"Not at all. That is what I came to tell you. While your method wasn't correct in the end it may have saved our lives," Theos said smiling slightly. "The princess returned to camp after talking to you. Stall had us surrounded and was intent on killing everyone but me. She faced against Stall arguing with him to take us prisoners. She delayed him and in that instant Remmy was able to light the fire." He left out the part about Ban's near death. "I'm pretty sure that wasn't her intention but she also didn't try to stop us from running either. She doesn't like Stall. You may not be good at battle tactics but you can read people Kaa. You knew instinctively that she was a good person at heart. You should continue to follow your instincts." Theos paused.

"They may not always be right. But they are their to help you. I've been fighting my instincts Kaa. I had to bite back making promises afraid to hurt myself and others. But that just hurt more and for that I am sorry.....I promise Kaa. That during this war i will do everything in my power to keep everyone alive," Theos declared.

"Not at all. That is what I came to tell you. While your method wasn't correct in the end it may have saved our lives," Theos said smiling slightly. "The princess returned to camp after talking to you. Stall had us surrounded and was intent on killing everyone but me. She faced against Stall arguing with him to take us prisoners. She delayed him and in that instant Remmy was able to light the fire." He left out the part about Ban's near death. "I'm pretty sure that wasn't her intention but she also didn't try to stop us from running either. She doesn't like Stall. You may not be good at battle tactics but you can read people Kaa. You knew instinctively that she was a good person at heart. You should continue to follow your instincts." Theos paused.

"They may not always be right. But they are their to help you. I've been fighting my instincts Kaa. I had to bite back making promises afraid to hurt myself and others. But that just hurt more and for that I am sorry.....I promise Kaa. That during this war i will do everything in my power to keep everyone alive,"

Kaa's face remained unchanged as he looked at Theos after his explanation, "You're just saying this to make me feel better...aren't you?" Kaa questioned. "I begged you yesterday....on my knees....I threw away my pride and opened up too you. I cried into your chest. I revealed my heart and...." Kaa began to choke up. Taking a moment to gather himself.

"You turned your back on me.....you my former hero....the only digimon I can look up too because my brothers look....used too look up too me. You turned and walked away and I felt like a thick....darkness...just engulfed me. I felt alone and scared and no one would listen to my pleas. You wouldn't promise me....you wouldn't even say why....I know that that promise may not have been kept....but just hearing you say it...hearing you....say you'd protect us." Kaa would not stop Theos should he approach and lick his wound, it continued too bleed.

"That hurt me more...then any enemy could have....because of that...I did somethings really stupid.....I hurt my brother and destroyed his trust.....I hurt Ike....." Kaa's voice trailed off. "I was never supposed to be heir...." Kaa said.

"I shared an egg with Ban and Don...unlike normal children who are born alone they break the egg when ready. I remember being in the darkness of that egg, the warmth of my brothers so close too me. It was just before we were ready to hatch, we had grown too much for the shell. I remember opening my eyes...and seeing Don staring back at me. He smiled at me and Ban still hadn't woken up. It was the first time I got to see him. The sunlight peered through our egg rather easily. He had already been awake...before me...but he didn't break the egg shell...because he didn't want to wake us up." Kaa recalled.

"I didn't understand then of course...so I broke the shell...and climbed out of the egg first. Don to follow, then a crying Ban." A single salty droplet ran down his face. "I wasn't supposed to be first born...I wasn't supposed to be heir...Don was...but by technicality I was first out...first born...so I became heir." Kaa shook his head.

"I grew up....hearing from the townsfolk...there goes our little king....Cora's heir....the future of Coraggio. I was treated differently then Ban and Don...everyone bowed to me...on our birthday, I received fine gifts and golden idols. Ban and Don's always paled to mine. I was given harsher training...I was to learn to fight like father. I had private lessons with Magi...to learn how to be kingly. By the age of nine...I had felt this intense pressure of expectation that I had to meet. So...I put on a fake personality. I tried to be what everyone expected me to be. To protect my brothers and the kingdom. I hated it...I hated being the heir...I didn't ask for it...but it was my destiny and unchangeable."

"I became focused on not letting down father...letting down the kingdom. Father had always been so busy doing his thing and sometimes I watched. He'd make difficult choices that made my stomach lurch. I'd dread knowing, I would have to do that one day. I stopped smiling...stopped being a child....I choked down my heart and decided to be the best heir I could be for everyone's sake." Kaa closed his eyes. "It wasn't until you and Kemba showed up...and dragged me back from the depths....that I felt like me again." Kaa explained.

"I wasn't just the next heir to take my fathers throne too you....I was Kaa. I could be the version of me I always wanted to be. I would watch you...the way you acted and believed in yourself...loving everything and everyone and I admired you from the shadows. You became my big brother. My aspiration." Kaa let out a small sad moan.

"Then yesterday....you snapped me back into reality....of what I'm supposed to be. That everything that has happened doesn't matter because in the end...I have to be the heir. The heir that Don was always supposed to be. Don is right, I could have gotten Ike and I killed. I tried to make a decision I thought was right as heir. I tried to go back to how I was before I met you, but when it mattered. I faltered and foolishly tried to stand by my decision. I don't know how to do this! I never did...I can't be the heir the kingdom deserves...next time...next time my instincts will get someone killed. My entire existence has been a lie." Kaa looked at Theos, his eyes shining with the water within and his snout running into his maw.

"So don't pretend for my sake....I am not worth it. Just....leave me alone......." Kaa finished in almost a whisper. His chest wrought with heart ache and mind full of depression. His truth that only he and Don knows that has pained his heart his entire life. The burden Kaa had been feeling, now lay open to Theos.

In this moment, Kaa was more open to Theos then he ever was before.

"You're just saying this to make me feel better...aren't you?" Kaa questioned. "I begged you yesterday....on my knees....I threw away my pride and opened up too you. I cried into your chest. I revealed my heart and...." Theos looked down at his hooves. He had handled it all very poorly.

"You turned your back on me.....you my former hero....the only digimon I can look up too because my brothers look....used too look up too me. You turned and walked away and I felt like a thick....darkness...just engulfed me. I felt alone and scared and no one would listen to my pleas. You wouldn't promise me....you wouldn't even say why....I know that that promise may not have been kept....but just hearing you say it...hearing you....say you'd protect us." Theos walked forward nuzzling him then licking his claw.

"That hurt me more...then any enemy could have....because of that...I did somethings really stupid.....I hurt my brother and destroyed his trust.....I hurt Ike....." Kaa's voice trailed off. "I was never supposed to be heir...." Kaa said.

"I shared an egg with Ban and Don...unlike normal children who are born alone they break the egg when ready. I remember being in the darkness of that egg, the warmth of my brothers so close too me. It was just before we were ready to hatch, we had grown too much for the shell. I remember opening my eyes...and seeing Don staring back at me. He smiled at me and Ban still hadn't woken up. It was the first time I got to see him. The sunlight peered through our egg rather easily. He had already been awake...before me...but he didn't break the egg shell...because he didn't want to wake us up." Kaa recalled.

"I didn't understand then of course...so I broke the shell...and climbed out of the egg first. Don to follow, then a crying Ban." A single salty droplet ran down his face. "I wasn't supposed to be first born...I wasn't supposed to be heir...Don was...but by technicality I was first out...first born...so I became heir." Kaa shook his head.

"I grew up....hearing from the townsfolk...there goes our little king....Cora's heir....the future of Coraggio. I was treated differently then Ban and Don...everyone bowed to me...on our birthday, I received fine gifts and golden idols. Ban and Don's always paled to mine. I was given harsher training...I was to learn to fight like father. I had private lessons with Magi...to learn how to be kingly. By the age of nine...I had felt this intense pressure of expectation that I had to meet. So...I put on a fake personality. I tried to be what everyone expected me to be. To protect my brothers and the kingdom. I hated it...I hated being the heir...I didn't ask for it...but it was my destiny and unchangeable."

"I became focused on not letting down father...letting down the kingdom. Father had always been so busy doing his thing and sometimes I watched. He'd make difficult choices that made my stomach lurch. I'd dread knowing, I would have to do that one day. I stopped smiling...stopped being a child....I choked down my heart and decided to be the best heir I could be for everyone's sake." Kaa closed his eyes. "It wasn't until you and Kemba showed up...and dragged me back from the depths....that I felt like me again." Kaa explained.

"I wasn't just the next heir to take my fathers throne too you....I was Kaa. I could be the version of me I always wanted to be. I would watch you...the way you acted and believed in yourself...loving everything and everyone and I admired you from the shadows. You became my big brother. My aspiration." Kaa let out a small sad moan.

"Then yesterday....you snapped me back into reality....of what I'm supposed to be. That everything that has happened doesn't matter because in the end...I have to be the heir. The heir that Don was always supposed to be. Don is right, I could have gotten Ike and I killed. I tried to make a decision I thought was right as heir. I tried to go back to how I was before I met you, but when it mattered. I faltered and foolishly tried to stand by my decision. I don't know how to do this! I never did...I can't be the heir the kingdom deserves...next time...next time my instincts will get someone killed. My entire existence has been a lie." No it hasn't, was all Theos thought.

"So don't pretend for my sake....I am not worth it. Just....leave me alone......."

"You know I'm still just a kid myself. I make mistakes sometimes big ones. I hurt those I love trying to protect them. Everything I said is true Kaa," Theos said looking down. "Just like you don't feel you are heir I don't feel like a hero. You know what though. We are what we love not what everyone makes us. You love your family and would do anything to protect them. I love my family and I loved the stories of old. I loved heroes and if we are what we love then I guess I might as well be one. If for no ones elses sake then for yours. It doesn't matter who's eyes were open first. Kaa you make a wonderful heir and want only the best for everyone. You haven't perfected it and probably never will...." Theos paused a moment. "And I will never be a perfect hero either. I'll continue to try and strive for it though. So that if even if no one else does but you can look up to and lean on. We'll both learn how to be what we love."

"You know I'm still just a kid myself. I make mistakes sometimes big ones. I hurt those I love trying to protect them. Everything I said is true Kaa," Theos said looking down. "Just like you don't feel you are heir I don't feel like a hero. You know what though. We are what we love not what everyone makes us. You love your family and would do anything to protect them. I love my family and I loved the stories of old. I loved heroes and if we are what we love then I guess I might as well be one. If for no ones elses sake then for yours. It doesn't matter who's eyes were open first. Kaa you make a wonderful heir and want only the best for everyone. You haven't perfected it and probably never will...." Theos paused a moment. "And I will never be a perfect hero either. I'll continue to try and strive for it though. So that if even if no one else does but you can look up to and lean on. We'll both learn how to be what we love."

Kaa watched Theos clean his wound, listening to his every word. "Oh Theos....." Kaa mumbled. He threw himself over Theos and began to wail as loudly and freely as he could. His pained tears soaking Theos clay fur and pained hearted muffled cries into his neck. An entire lifetime of bottled up angst came out of Kaa and broke the hearts of any who heard. His tight embrace grew tighter around Theos neck, gripping as if for dear life. Kemba hearing it, poked his head inside briefly before smiling and leaving.

Kaa raised his face slightly from Theos's warm, wet neck. "I can't do this anymore without you..." He cried. "I hate being heir...I feel so sick from all the pressure...I need you Theos...don't leave me...anymore..." Kaa wept, his breathing coming in short bursts.

"You are...my big brother....I need you...I can't do it alone....I felt so alone yesterday...I was so scared. I don't want a hero...I want you." Kaa said burying his face back into his neck. He began to feel better, here with Theos. Finally after all these years, the personality was gone and the sensitive Kaa he had always been returned to the surface. "I am not strong enough without you." He mumbled from Theos neck.

"Oh Theos....." Kaa mumbled. Theos was a bit surprised at first then hugged him holding him there. Making shushing sounds and letting him know it was alright.

"I can't do this anymore without you..." He cried. "I hate being heir...I feel so sick from all the pressure...I need you Theos...don't leave me...anymore..." Kaa wept, his breathing coming in short bursts.

"You are...my big brother....I need you...I can't do it alone....I felt so alone yesterday...I was so scared. I don't want a hero...I want you." Theos was silently glad that all he wanted was for him to be himself. "I am not strong enough without you." He mumbled from Theos neck.

"You know I never thought i was strong either. Then one day I climbed a mountain just to hear stories with the flock. That day was the first time I was told I was strong just because I took the time to climb up there and listen," Theos said chuckling. "You are strong Kaa. For facing these challenges everyday and still managing to live. No matter how hard it get's I know you'll not just survive but live and remain true to yourself."