It seems like not everyone is able to hear Poro. I could hear a lot of her thoughts and it seemed like she could hear all of mine. She sometimes would disappear and I couldn’t find it. I even would check under my bed and nothing but it still felt like she was with me.

My mom wanted me to go along with her to Meeting of the Nythan Council. There was a big meeting to discuss our end of the Fall harvest.

The Council met in a palace at the center of the Purrian capital. It was the focal point of the city. “This is why Lady Nya annotated the nine families, we are all descendants of her.” My mother explained to me as we approached. *That’s right.* Poro chirped in. I looked around trying to find my cat.

“What’s wrong?” My mom asked, I shook my head in response as I failed to spot Poro.

“Try to focus on Shao-chan. Today is a very important day.” My mom said as she squeezed my shoulder. I nodded in response, I would have to try and figure out more about Poro later.

Massiving hand painted scrolls covered the walls featuring designs of nature that fit with the fall season we were in. Large shoji screens made of rice paper blocked out light and separated the rooms. The very same rice paper was a product we had to sell at port.

The meeting room was very intimidating, with high ceilings adorned with wooden beams I could barely make out from the low light and their height. The floor is covered in smooth just like our home estate, tatami mats to make it more welcoming and also so everyone had to sit eye to eye with others in the room.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

When we arrived my mother took her seat and I sat behind her. Two of our clan retainers were then behind me. All of the nine families were here. Even the Hattori Clan with their dark gold tortoiseshell hair. I noticed their Oya or head of their household leering at us. I went to hiss but my mom raised her hand motioning me to stop. I don’t know why they have alway seemed to hate us. Looking around I realize the other clans were judging how we responded. Everyone else was a variety of hair and fur variance. Shades of void black, silver, orange, blonde to brown like us.

Honestly I zoned off during most of the conversation looking at all of the art on the walls in the room. I also studied all of the people. It wasn't common for all of the Nine families to be together in one place. A lot of the conversation had to do with if we would make enough of a profit from our harvest and concerns over being ready for the upcoming winter. The conversation then piqued my interest.

“It is not fair for our house to bear more of a burden! Not only do we oversee the silk trade that is more costly than something like rice but we have been at the forefront of protecting the caravans for many seasons.” Parked the Oya of the Hattori, the elderly man's voice was hoarse but sharp like a dagger.

There was some yelling back and forth. The clans with larger families and household guards wanting everyone to have to contribute equally to the caravan protection. Hattori really seems to have it out for Mao Clan this time.

“You want me to risk my only heir?” My mom spat back in frustration to a comment calling for me to be part of the caravan.

“My eldest son will be there so yours should be as well!” Hattori declared.

“Shino Hattori, you know how that is a far far comparison. You have many sons and I have one.” My mom said calling out his first name knowing that would anger the opposing clansman more.

Something inside of me was telling me this was my time to act. I crawled close to my mom to whisper to her.

“Mom, I can do this.” I tried to whisper to her but Shino heard me.

“Wow, the tailless one isn’t spineless! Here, I was worried there was no spine at all.” I shot him a dirty look. My mom looked me in the eye and sighed.

“I guess I have no trust, I trust you to be careful Shaoran.” She then shifted her gaze to Shino. “However if any harm befalls him because of your sneaky ways you will bring a plague upon your house.”

“I only want equality.” Shino said with a sly smirk.