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It had been years since she had seen Lloyd.
In the years he had been away the elders betrothed her to a man named Beniro a kind red fox Formling to produce heirs to succeed her brother the next chef in case he didn't have any cubs. While she did not love him she had to be with him for the sake of her family and the village.
So she buried her felling for Lloyd and put her energy into learning skills to be a good wife Beniro and make her parents,brother, the village and the spirits proud.
Beniro was sweet,witty and bold and treated her well and smitten with her but he wasn't Lloyd but he was gone.
She was ready to let Lloyd go even if it hurt and live happily with Beniro until he came back and all her buried feelings came bubbling back.
It was a day like any other,she and Beniro came back from a successful hunt when she smelt something familiar, no someone familiar.
She sprinted towards the smell and standing there was her first love Lloyd.
Lloyd had changed from when she had seen him last being taller,more muscular and his hair being cut a bit shorter than before.
She couldn't help herself tackling him and licking his face.
He smelted just as she remembered:minty with hits of incense and cake.
Lloyd giggled from licks,blushing as his fellow Ninjas watched on with amusement!"
"Oh Lloyd I knew I would see you again!"Akita said back in her human form.
"It's been so long!"Lloyd said pulling her into a hug.
"Akita!"Beniro said running up to her panting.
"You caught a scent and ran so far ahead so fast thought you found more prey!"Beniro said.
Lloyd let go of Akita looking annoyed at Beniro ruining their reunion.
"Who's this?"Lloyd asked trying to hide his irritation but she could still smell it oozing off him.
"L-lloyd this is Beniro We are to be Form-Bonded at the next
changing of leaves."Akita explained recomposing herself in front of her mate-to-be who stood proudly beside her.
"Form-Bonded?"Lloyd asked.
"We will be mates or as you humans put in married."
As soon as the words left Beniro mouth Lloyd scent changed from curious to heartbroken and jealous despite his smile. It made her heartache seeing him so heartbroken b
"Congratulations."Lloyd forcing a smile with Kai giving Beniro a dead glare that he didn't see.
"Why don't we take you to the village? My brother would love to see you."Akita asked.
"Sure that would great."Lloyd said not taking his eyes off her and her mate-to-be.
"Lloyd how did you end up back here?"Akita asked.
"Well,it's a long story,"
Just like old times Lloyd told the story to her in vivid detail as looked into each other's eyes.
And they only stopped when they arrived at the village.
Even though she was to be Form-Bonded Beniro she just couldn't help herself spending time with Lloyd listening to his stories and his cute laugh.
She knew she couldn't love him but she just couldn't stop the blush coming to her face then he touched her and gave her compliments.
One night Beniro led her to his hut.
This is it I'm performing my duty as the sister of the future chief. I wonder why he wants to do it now rather than wait for the Form-Bonding. Akita thought.
She tried to think of Beniro with his coy smile and lean body but she all could think of Lloyd with a sweet smile that could light up the room and muscular body.
"Akita I think we should call off our Form-Bonding."Beniro said holding her hand.
"What why?"Akita asked shocked.
"You are the love of my life but you are not mine. You know what they say 'If you love someone set them free' and I love you Akita and I can't bare a cage you"
"Thank you Beniro for setting me free, you'll be able to find someone to love."Akita said in whisper planting one last kiss on Beniro's forehead.
"Oh you and Beniro broke off ring the engagement?"Lloyd asked the next day his scent smelled of curiosity and guilty joy.
"Yes,we found that we're incompatible."Akita said.
"T-that's too bad, you know you can always talk to me I know heartbreak."Lloyd said grabbing her hand and smiling at her with his sweet smile.
A weeks later
"Are you sure he won't reject me?"Akita asked looking in the mirror.
"I'm sure just look at how he looks at you and how he always wants to be with you!"Kataru reassured her.
"Besides you may not get the opportunity to court him."Kataru said tucking her hair behind her ear.
"You're right if I want to ask him I have to do it tonight or he may leave my life forever."
"Good luck sis."Kataru said hugging her.
She walked out of her and her brother's shared hut into the cold winter night towards the outskirts of the forest.
A few villagers were out and about guarding the village and keeping the fire burning.
Finally waiting in the outskirts of the forest was Lloyd.
"Akita you wanted to see me?"
She took a deep breath, remembering what she practiced.
"Lloyd since the day we met you've captivated me in a way no man has before. Lloyd will you be my mate or boyfriend as you Ninjagans call it."
"Oh I-i would love that!"Lloyd asked turning pink.
She kissed him for the second time but this time on the lips. He tasted as sweet and minty as he smelt. She didn't know how long they kiss but it felt like eternity.
After they broke away from their kids they spent the night play fighting and chasing each other around.
When dawn came they walked into the village hand in hand lost in each other's eyes.
When it was time for Lloyd and the Ninjas to leave she went with them promising her village that she would come home and promised to forge a permanent connection between Ninjago and the Never Realm.