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Kane looked over at Risa...she was fast asleep. He put Abel back into his cage..and moved into the kitchen.
"YOu fluff and feathers get into my cooking...you're dead mister." Kane pulled a seat out and sat in it, his wings over the back. "No such luck sis." "So....how is everything?" She asked quietly. "I'm doing alright...things are healing like they should...and I'm still alive...safe to say things are going well.." "And..." "And what?" "How'd Risa take the transformation?" ".....She...was a little pissed off....but I think I talked her into only hating me for half of my life." Juri laughed....it felt strange to be talking like this...but familiar at the same time. |
Only about 15 minutes later, I opened my eyes and stretched, and looked to them in the kitchen and came in and joined them, kind of embarrassed.
"Sorry about that. I guess I'm more tired that I thought." I rubbed my eyes, and rested my chin in my hands. "That smells amazing." My wings were still under my clothing and I fidgeted them around. "So, have you been working more hours?" |
Juri looked over.
"Don't worry about it, you're welcome to sleep as long as you want here, you should know that." She smiled, and flipped the wok turning over the mix, and letting it sit for a minute before getting plates and things ready. "Not really...things here...well, they've really quietened down...I'm not saying that I like it that way...but I have been able to take a few days off from Okiku's." |
"I didn't want you to think you guys bored me, thats all." i said, blushing and looking to Kane beside me, smiling a bit.
"Oh? What have you been doing on your days off?" I didnt mean to pry.. i was trying to make general, light conversation, and I placed my hand on Kanes thigh. |
Kane smiled, and lay his hand on Risa's.
"You'll never bore us." He said with a chuckle. Juri dished out the food, and thought. "Hmmm..." "Has Jerry popped the question yet?" Kane asked. "WHAT!?" Juri blushed furiously. "NO! What in the world makes you think that!?" He laughed. "Oh..just that you and he have been making those googly eyes ever since you started working for him." She slammed his plate in front of him, laying Risa's softly on the table. "Don't think that just because you're different now Kane, I still can't kick your ass." She smiled wickedly...and Kane paled. "Geeze, alright He-woman...relax...just curious." He laughed again...this time nervously. Juri sat down with her own food with a sigh. "I'm so sorry Risa...sometimes...my brother can be a bit retarded...I can only pray that it isn't contagious." |
I smiled at his warm hand atop of mine and smiled, looking tot he food placed before me.
"This looks so good..." I picked up the fork and began. I looked to Kane then back to Juri. "Well, do you like Jerry? Maybe its time for you to settle down...?" I asked, as gently as possible. "Having a relationship... is nice." I bumped heads playfully with Kane and ate again. "Maybe it wouldn't be so lonely around here if he was in your life? You should invite him over for dinner some night. I bet he'd enjoy it." I said simply. |
Juri sighed.
"Too late...you've got it too!" She cried comically over her plate...and then smiled, blushing. "Maybe...with Kane gone...it's......really quiet....and...Jerry keeps saying that he'd like to taste my cooking.." "Not after I warned him the last time." Juri chucked a snow pea at her brother. "Shut it. Jerry doesn't listen to you." "How do you know?" "He just doesn't." "Does he put all his funds in one stock like he used to?" "No." "Then he listens to me." Another snow pea. "Be quiet.." She laughed. |
I just smiled playfully at their constant bickering.
"Does...that mean you don't mind Kane being with me?" I asked awkwardly. "I know... he's your little brother... but I am the reason he left the home. Are you sure thats alright?" I looked to her seriously. I interlaced my fingers with his. "I... want him by my side always. But i don't think it would be safe to stay here in the city. What if Chi started something if she saw us again? I'm afraid it could happen...I feared all my life someone finding out. Now... I have another to protect." |
Juri smiled winking.
"Please, I've wanted an excuse to get him out of here since he started high school." She reached over and covered Risa's other hand with her own. "But really....if he hadn't done what he did...and would have given into Chidori's demands....I would have decked the idiot...I just want for the two of you to be happy...that's all." She gave her a reassuring squeeze. "How about we worry about that when we get to that...for now..you two are welcome to stay as long as you want here. Consider this...your second home." Kane pouted. "Hey now, that's supposed to be the other way around!" He kissed her cheek. "I'm supposed to protect you." |
I laughed a little, and smiled when her hand touched mine.
"We are... at least, I am." I looked to Kane. "I just hope you don't regret what youv'e done." I sighed and finished my supper. I sat back in the chair. "You may physically protect me, but I have the smarts to protect you. You are still new at being winged. You need me to help you." I sighed. "Juri... would you mind if I got a shower? Warm water... Kane made that sound so good earlier." |
He smirked.
"I'm happy..." Kane said. "Found you again, got rid of Noah...I think....met Hita..Nice guy really...and.." He pressed his forehead to hers. "I'm sitting here next to the most wonderful person in the world." He pouted again, smiling. "Ahhhh, I'm smart." "Says who? Your imaginary friends?" "NO...they tell me to go jump off buildings." He laughed again, and Juri nodded up the stairs. "Bathroom's where you left it...towels are there too.." She got up and cleaned off the table...and waited for Kane.. "Alright, alright...you wash I'll dry." He said rising. |
I smiled and blushed. I was kind of suprized he showed this affection in front of his sister. I rubbed my nose to his and stood.
"I'm glad you don't listen to your imaginary friends or I would have kicked their imaginary asses a long time ago..." i said, heading up the steps and into the bathroom. I stripped quickly and jumped right in the hot water. |
Kane kissed her quickly while her nose was next to his, and as she hurried up the stairs...looked at Juri.
"She's as scary as you are when she wants to be." He said smiling. "Now if only that would keep you in line." |
I finished up, taking a nice 15 minute hot shower and climbed out, ruffling my feathers before exiting. I took a deep breath and wrapped the towel around my body and went into Kane's room.
I looked around the bomb-hit room and found a small pile of my clothes from last time I was here. Thankfully, they were clean and a matching pajama set was there. I dressed quickly, and slipped into some clean socks of Kanes and want downstairs. |
Kane and Juri were just finishing up when Risa came down the stairs.
"How was it?" Kane asked drying off the last plate, while his sister drained the water. |
I smiled and sat down on the Lazy boy, both cats still on each arm.
"The best feeling in the world, I must say" I said, smiling, and giving Kane a thumbs up. My feathers draped over the arms of the couch as I sat and rested my eyes. "Thank you Juri, for the great meal and shower..." I let out a deep sigh. |
She smiled.
"Don't worry about it." She urged Kane out towards the living room, and then up the stairs. "Here now, you go on too...you smell like ash.." "It's cause we slept next to the fire....you can't help but smell wood....ie after that." "Just go on.." She made sure he was going..and then flopped down beside Risa. "So......how are things living out there?" She asked gently. |
I smiled with heavy eyes.
"It's nice. Open air, cold nights. Its like camping. All the time though. Cold bathing in open lakes. Its nice when it's warm, but its been kind of cold up there the past few days." I sighed. "Collecting firewood, sleeping in a sleeping bag. Eating fruits. I dont have the heart to fish. So i just eat fruit." I looked to the floor. "Keeping enough money to just use for what I need. Deodorant, when I'm going to town. Soap, shampoo. It's all good." I yawned. |
Juri smiled, pulling Risa against her shoulder.
"That's good.." She said quietly, running her hand over Risa's hair. "You scared me.....you really did...when you left so suddenly...." She leaned her own head on top of her companion's. "I'm just glad that you're alright.." She let Risa sit upright, and turned to lean against the other arm of the couch. "You're going to have to give me a call if you ever need anything....though I really think it's silly for you to live way out there....at least move back in city limits...but if you're happy out there..." She shrugged. "Anyway...I'll make any runs to places if you don't ever feel like making the trip..just send Kane back here, and he can haul it all back." |
I was suprized by her sudden hug. I smiled, holding back my tears. I hugged her back, wrapping my wings around her for a brief moment. I relaxed...her hand running over my hair was more comforting than anything i had ever felt before.
"I'm...sorry. i just didn't want to be a burden..." I whispered. I leaned back in the chair again and rested my head on my hand. "I think it's safer for all of us If I stay out there. i never thoguht Kane would be a resident though. It makes it difficult. Now I have to look after him as well...." My eyes wandered to the floor, anything i could avert my eyes from hers. "No humans live out there. We are safe to fly without anyone seeing us or poaching. No media as well. When winter comes, I know the tourists will come around to ski." I sighed deeply. "Its a good thing we're done school." I said. A long pause. "Do you want Kane back in here?" i looked to her. "I can talk to him, to convince him to stay here, like always. But, theres always the risk of him being found out..." |
Juri smiled.
"Risa...." She started. "Love, I know, being like this all your life must have been hard...everything would be so different if you'd been normal...but don't ever think that because you're special...that you have to shove everyone away...wehter it's to keep them or you safe...never feel like you're a burden here..." She shrugged. "It's your choice...but Kane's room is always there if you want to stay or visit..you know that right?" Juri burst out laughing. "You should know as well as I do...that when it comes down to you or safety...Kane's going to choose you everytime...he's not going to stay here and leave you out in the open like that...that....that's just how he is....I think...it had something to do with what Dad told him that last time he left." She thought for a moment..and then smiled gently. " 'Kane, son, I'm leaving you in charge...take care of your sister..that'll give you good practice for when you find that person that you never want to let go...' ...Or something like that..." She crossed her legs and threw her arms over the back of the couch. "But it's been a long time since then...Kane was about three or four ..." |
I looked ashamed to the floor.
"I..just hate feeling like Im a burden and I'm freeloading. And Im used to being alone and distant from everyone...so its alright..." I sighed, and looked to her. I giggled. "Kane's room..? Does that mean you wont mind if we...share a bed?" I smiled at her, blushing. I listened intently and nodded. "Now I know why he's so... strongly about being with me and at my side always." i sighed. "Oh Kane... what am I gonna do with you...." Misty meowed and I pet her gently. "you ask the same too huh?" She purred replying. |
She smiled.
"So...you're not freeloading anyway....you're taking care of my idiot brother for me." Juri shrugged. "Eh, if he does anything to hurt you...I'll pound his face in.." She smiled and looked over. "Or would you rather me break his kneecaps?" "Damn Juri....violent much?" Kane came down the stairs rubbing a towel over his hair, his wings still dripping just a bit. "Showers....are a lot harder when you don't fit in the stall anymore...." He laughed flopping on an ottoman in the middle of the floor. "What are you going to do with me?" Kane smiled at Risa. "I'd hope that you'd love me...and occasionaly feed me...but that's optional." "Not for you, you garbadge disposal." "That's hurtful Juri.....You're food's not THAT bad....it's bad, yes...but not THAT bad.." That earned him a pillow in the face, which he caught laughing. |
I tched.
"I'm not doing a very good job at it..." I looked at him coming down the stairs. "i didnt get to run though the proper way to shower or wash your feathers. He still has some blood stains on the back of them, from when they broke through the skin..." I sighed. I shook my head at him, a half grin on my face. "I don't know..." "All of the above" I said, lifting my wing to run my largest feather up his spine." THUMP. I looked to Juri, then Kane. "Is... anyone else here?" |
"You're doing fine...he's not dead yet." Kane smiled, taking the pillow down.
"Eh, that's true, though if you haven't killed me, then I'm not sure ANYTHING can." He looked back over his shoulder, and twisted this way and that...not being able to see. "I do?" He shrugged. "I'll have to take your word for it..." He shuddered a little at the feather, and Juri rolled her eyes. "You've always been so--" Her head snapped up to the sound. "No...and unless that's Jerry coming in the top window...I'm going to be busting someone's ass..." She rose..and started for the stair... "Juri.." Kane said. "Wait..." He lay a hand on her shoulder. "Let me go first..." She looked at him.....and then nodded. "Alright Lancelot...I'll be right behind you..." Kane nodded. "I'll be right back alright Risa?" He smiled reassuringly..but his stomach was in his throat. |
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