Seirei wasn't oblivious to the fact that he had been injured in battle. He wasn't immortal and though their bodies were created to be able to withstand pain much higher than humans, even kitsune could feel pain. However, this hadn't been Seirei's first injury nor did he think it would be his last. While it didn't feel pleasant, it was tolerable for the most part. Hell, the wound on his back barely held a candle to the agony he had felt when he had lost the use of his right eye during his younger years. The scars running down the hidden portion of his face had been enough to cause his clan elder the force him to remain at rest despite the endless duties he had had back then. In turn, this new wound was barely worth his worry. Would his sister and brother comment on it, more than likely....would his sons nag him about choosing to ignore it, again most likely....But that was just how Seirei was.<br/><br/>If a wound wasn't lethal or agony inducing, he wouldn't pay much mind to it until he was done with what was on his mind. This was just one of those occasions. No one liked it, but they knew better than to argue with him.<br/><br/>Choosing to ignore the sound of concern in Hikaru's voice when the human no doubt caught sight of his wound, Seirei lead the boy into the village and it was only when they were in the midst of his people that he paused. "There is alot about this forest that you humans do not know about. Not all of the demons living here are as cruel as the legends may lead you to believe. I might not love all of humanity, the outside world's humans are disdainful to me perhaps, but the humans here are different. They have learned our ways, they are one of us now for as long as I have the strength and breath to keep them safe" Seirei spoke kindly, looking down at Hikaru even as his ears picked up the conversations all around them.<br/><br/>There were sounds of confusion and curiosity at the sight of a new human being lead into the village. Both the humans and Kitsune eyed the young male unsure just what to think. It had been such a long time since the humans here had had contact with the outside world. Ever since the crash that had changed their destiny. While it had not been the easiest life to accept and grow accustomed to, the humans in this village learned to forge a new life here, with the Kitsune they had once feared from the legends and tales whispered to them. While many still missed their lives and families outside the forest, they had come to accept that Seirei could not provide them that freedom. But he could give them the protection they needed to survive here, a new environment to call home, new creatures to call family and friends, a new sense of self and purpose.<br/><br/>Explaining that to an outsider though, even one who Seirei care deeply for as he did for Hikaru....well that would be difficult at best.<br/><br/>Not flinching at the drastic tone change Hikaru spoke with at the mention of his parents, Seirei simple blinked at the boy as he spoke, not for a moment bothering to interrupt him or correct him. He knew admitting to the human that his parents were alive and well would be painful for the boy. To have believed them dead for so long only to have that be proven to be a lie, it would be a blow and Seirei didn't fault Hikaru for his anger....but he wouldn't allow the boy to remain blind to the truth. Especially when Hikaru had been bold enough to come back in this forest and seek him out.<br/><br/><b>"Oi, kid! Wait up will you! At least bloody listen to us!"</b>Tatsuo called out after Hikaru after the boy had taken his bag and begun to leave.<br/><br/><b>"Father is not lying to you! Will you just wait and see for your own eyes that we are telling the truth? Why would we lie to you in such a way?!"</b>Natsume added to his brother's protest, gazing at Hikaru's retreating back.<br/><br/>Seirei for his part merely closed his eye and called back to Hikaru. "Young one, your anger is understandable....your memories serve to make you believe that you lost your parents the day of the crash.....but I do believe I told you as a child.....Our ways of healing are not as primitive as you humans. We would not live as long as we do if we did not know other ways to mend a broken body. You would not be alive if I had not healed you the way I did when I found you. And these humans....the survivors of the crash that day, they would not still breath had my clan not saved their lives. I will tell you once again.....your parents are alive. However, if you do not wish to believe my words....then perhaps your eyes can convince you otherwise.....Is that not right, Keisuke?" Seirei spoke, opening his eye once more to glance back at his brother who was just entering the village with a small group of humans behind him.<br/><br/>The silver haired tall, finely muscled male blinked equally golden eyes at his brother as his shoulder lenght hair swayed in the breeze around them. "I was wondering when your little human child was going to wonder back into your path. I told you, aniki, it was bound to happen sooner or later....though I thought it would be much later" Keisuke spoke, arms neatly crossed against his chest as a pair of humans stepped forward with disbelief, shock and desperate longing as they stared at Hikaru. Their scents almost identical to his.<br/><br/>"As I promised you two when I saved your lives....you would see your son once again. I might be unable to take you out of this forest, but your boy was brave enough to come back into this realm. Enjoy his presence, for however long he chooses to stay, I imagine you have much to tell one another" Seirei breathed out the moment his eyes landed on the two older humans. Inclining his head ever so slightly at them, Seirei continued his path into the village without looking back a second time, his sons followed after a brief moments hesitation.<br/><br/>"Oi, Aniki! Masa came in earlier while you were gone. Have him look at your new wound, will ya! Gods know he's the only one that can make you see reason!" Keisuke called after his brother, getting a mere flick of Seirei's tails as response while the Kitsune vanished deeper into the village.<br/><br/>It wasn't long for Seirei to make his way to the front area of his home and there, sprawled out on the wooden "porch" area, as the humans called it, was a long haired brunette. Arm tucked beneath his head to cushion it, his long bushy tail tapping a light rythem against the wood beneath him, dark brown wolf like ears flickering at the top of his head, Seirei's oldest friend waited for him. The gleam in Masato's clear blue eyes was far too knowing and exasperated. "Got your hands full, don't ya, Seirei? Sheesh, I leave you alone for a week's time and I come back to you dragging a human pet along. Clearly we're going to have to have a talk on letting more humans into our forest, there's enough as it is. Now get your ass over here and let me look at what that dumbass bird did to ya" the wolf's deep voice filled the air around them.<br/><br/>Rolling his eyes with equal exasperation even as a smile twitched onto his face, Seirei found himself unwilling to argue with Masato as he moved to calmly slip the top of his robes off in order for the wolf to take a look at his wound as he sank down to sit in front of him. The feel of Masato's gentle touch as the wolf grumbled under his breath before he headed briefly back into the wooden home to bring forth some herbs and bandages, was a comforting one and Seirei found himself relaxing under his best friend's care before he realized it.