The pain of memories ((Open))

[keller]

It was dark as the lone figure entered Midgar, there white ankle length jacket stood out against the darkness of the night while there black tank top, boots and combats blended in with the shadows. The natural blue tint of her hair was all but gone, lost to the night where little light remained. Her dark eyes searched the area around her as she crossed her arms over her chest. This place was familiar to her though to her knowledge she’d never been here before, she raised her gloved hand to her hair, running her fingers through the hair that hung in front of her right eye, moving it out of the way.

“So…This is Midgar,” a gentle voice left the girls lips, a smile forming upon them as she looked around again. What was the young woman’s reason for coming to Midgar? The answer to the question was unclear even to the woman herself, part of her was drawn to Midgar because of the rumours she’d heard about three silver haired men who were searching for Jenova’s head.

The young woman walked through the empty streets, silently taking in the view of Midgar. This place called to her long forgotten memories, screaming at her to remember this place, pain coursed through her head as she raised her hand to her head. She held back a scream of pain as she leaned against the wall, trying to calm herself down and stop the irritating throbbing in her head.

*Flashback*

A 14 year old girl ran through the street, looking for something of importance to her or at least a someone.

“Calamity!” A male voice called from behind the girl, causing the girl to stop and look back over her shoulder, smiling happily at the sight of her uncle standing there.

*Flashback End*

As the memory faded as did the throbbing pain. She calmed her breathing, looking down at the ground. The pain is getting worse each time and it’s lasting longer…I just want the pain to go away…. she thought to herself as she pushed herself from the wall. Her hands suddenly moved to the twins sais that were concealed at her back by the white ankle length coat she wore.

She’d heard something, a noise coming from behind her, the blade of her Sais were now pressed upon her skin as she held them tightly. She slowly turned on her heels and looked in the direction that the noise had come from but saw nothing there, her eyes narrowed slightly as she placed the sais back in their sheath, slightly uneasy now though it didn’t show in her body language.

[Malachi]

Midgar; it was a perfect place for such a monster as the one who glided like a shadow over the sky. There was no one here anymore, no one for him to kill. It was the only way the experiment could stop himself. Project Kaibutsu descended onto the skeletal frame of a fallen building. Metallic scraping sounded quietly as the twisted creature's wings wrapped like arms across a lone pillar to support him. Sure, it was a lonely life, but it was better than being a murderer... more of a murderer than he already was, that is.

Kaibutsu gasped as he spied a figure draped in white. Someone out here? Who were they? Why would they come to such a ghost town as this? His curiosity couldn't help but be peaked. But would curiosity kill the cat? It was quite possible, especially if this stranger was part of ShinRa. He was a wanted criminal, after all. But he was so lonely, and though he denied it, his heart longed just to meet someone face to face.

It was foolish, but Kaibutsu decided on trying his luck at being social one last time. A flicker of movement, and a section of ruins seemed to come to life to anyone who might have been watching, which he doubted anyone was. Powerful tail flicked nervously as he fell silently behind a pile of rubble, careful not to be seen. Kaibutsu's stomach turned as he watched the stranger, a female, stagger against the wall. Was she injured?Chartreuse green eyes narrowed as he strained to see. One step closer, just one step to get a clearer picture of his company. Shyly, the creature of the night took one step forward, his bare feet dancing nervously across the ground.

Encouraged when he went by unnoticed, he too another step forward, and another, and a-- oops. A rock clattered loudly as his clawed foot brushed against it, just enough to make it tumble down a pile of rubble. Kaibutsu flinched and quickly retreated back into the shadows like a frightened animal when his company exposed her weapon. He had been spotted. Would she attack if he reveled himself, or would she run like the others? In any sense, it was more logical to stay in the shadows.

"H-hello..." he shuddered nervously, keeping his beastly form out of sight. He winced as he tried to turn away further, the straitjacket that bound him had done a number on the circulation in his arms. It was an advanced suit, even tighter than the normal model. And not without reason. The hybrid didn't have inhuman strength normally, but during his 'fits'... that was when you needed a little more than a cell to keep the insane one down.

"What are you doing out in a place like this?"

[keller]

Calamity was sure of it now, she’d heard something. Whatever had caused the noise either feared her or was toying with her, the latter she could live with but the second she couldn’t. She couldn’t stand being feared that wasn’t something she would never be able to live with.

Hearing a voice from behind her Calamity turned and looked in direction it came from, smiling slightly, ok. Not something that was going to attack her and judging by the stutter they didn’t mean her harm. “Hello,” she said softly in her usual gentle voice, showing that she meant him no harm. Calamity drew her sais slowly, flipping them so that the blade ran up her arms as she slowly crouched and placed them on the ground before looking back at where the voice came from.

“It’s ok, I promise I’m not going to hurt you, it’s for you to come out,” Calamity stood up and crossed her arms over her abdomen in a casual manor. She looked down at her sais, this was the first that Calamity had been around someone else without a weapon, she wasn’t used to it. She slowly took a step back to show that it wasn’t about to hurt him.

Calamity looked down. “I’m…searching…for who I am…” She closed her eyes then looked up, her eyes slowly opened. Her hand suddenly shot to her head, pain was starting to course through her again, fighting back the urge to scream out in pain. Too many memories remained here, her eyes closed as the pain slowly dulled down and her breathing slowed and the urge to scream ceased. Will the pain ever stop? She thought to herself as she slowly lowered her hand to her side the moment she did the pain returned with a vengeance causing her to fall to knees and scream out in pain.

*Flashback*

“DADDY! IT HURTS MAKE IT STOP!” a young girl yelled as she looked up at her father who was standing over his daughter. A rob in his hand, blood trickled down the girls cheek from where her father had struck her. She was bruised and cut and for a 5 year old girl this was not what people expect.

“Not until you get this right Calamity, NOW GET IT RIGHT!” a scream left the girl as she was struck again.

Calamity lay panting on the floor, gritting her teeth as she pushed herself up onto her knees. The girl looked up at her father, hatred in her eyes.

*Flashback End*

During the flashback, Calamity was writhing in pain, slowly the pain started to subside and her body stopped writhing. “Great, I had an abusive father who pushed me past my limit,” she whispered softly, mostly to herself. The pain stopped and her eyes slowly closed.

[Malachi]

At his company's response to his presence the dragonoid gave a sigh of relief. She wouldn't attack if she saw his face (probably), but there was still the aspect of fleeing... which in truth was a bit worse. He should be used to those sorts of things now, but obviously he wasn't. Kaibutsu twitched as the stranger mentioned her purpose. A strange reason, but he could understand... sort of. Under his nightmarish exterior, this experiment had a heart of gold. Maybe he could help her? It was a long shot on his part. He'd probably end up crushing the woman's trust involuntarily if he did such a thing.

He began to walk forward slowly, timidly. Maybe there was a way for him to cover up his unnatural traits? Kaibutsu glanced around for something, anything to cloak him. He had always had rotten luck, nothing was there. It would probably be best to stay hidden, but what if she was different?

Any other consideration was hastily pushed aside as a scream pierced his ears like a blade, a scream that made his blood rush and his senses flare. For just a moment, he forgot that he was a nightmare and flung himself forward to come to her aid. Bat wings, lizard tail, near-luminescent skin, and binding straitjacket clearly visible for the world to see. His acid green eyes were wide with worry as he ran over to confirm the stranger's distress.

If he had any arms available, he would gladly support her with them, unfortunately, that wasn't possible unless this woman preferred to be supported by boney, demonic wings. Instead, he just kneeled down so that he was eye level with the stranger. "Are you alright?!" he nearly yelped, his whole body quivering anxiously.

That was two mistakes in one day! Close to his personal record. Kaibutsu's heart sank as he realized his mistake. His eyes lowered to the ground shamefully as he waited for his company to run away in fear once she saw him, just like everyone else. His very name meant "monster", a cruel title for such an innocent creature. An angel cloaked in a devilish form.

[keller]

Her hand moved to the ground, supporting her weight as she shifted, the aftermath of the pain was growing longer with each memory that she reclaimed. Hearing the voice again made her eyes flicker open, knowing that the voice was closer to her than before. Calamity looked up, his green eyes caught her attention before she could take in anymore of his appearance with her own crystal eyes. “Yes…I’ll be alright in a minute, thank you for asking,” a slight smile forming on her lips. Her eyes slowly left his eyes, moving to take in the rest of his appearance.

Still Calamity didn’t move, she slowly reached forward, the tips of her fingers traced his wings, she smiled then looked back at him. “Is that not a bit uncomfortable?” she asked softly, making a small gesture of the hand towards the straightjacket. His appearance did nothing to phase her, still she smiled sweetly at him, the pain caused by the memory had faded to nothing.

For some unknown reason, despite his appearance, Calamity didn’t think he would harm her. How many people asked if someone was alright when they were in pain if they were going to harm them. Calamity gently placed her hand under his chin, making him look up at her and smiled at him, that enchanting smile that people associated with Calamity. “Don’t look so shamefully, is there a reason you hid yourself from me?” she asked in a gentle whisper.

Lowering her hand back to her side Calamity pushed to her feet and went to retrieve her sais from the ground, slipping them into their sheath before looking back at him and smiling. “I’m Calamity,” she said as she moved her hair away from her eyes. “Calamity Valentine.” Her eyes once again scanned the area, she’d been here before, she knew that. Was this my fathers home? Why was he here but my mother was in Costa Del Col? she thought to herself as she looked back at the winged man, she had a pleasant feeling she wouldn’t be forgetting him in the near future.

He’d shown concern for her from the start, this was something she was used to but it felt…Nice. Calamity chose not to judge others, she’d been judged enough because of the fact she had no memory. Most people found her odd considering she can’t even tell you how old she is. Calamity looked down for a second then looked back at him and smiled. “Do you want to walk for a while? Even if it’s in ruins Midgar’s still amazing to see,” she whispered with a smile. “I’d like to get to know you better if that’s ok with you,” she looked over at him, a hopeful look in her eyes.

Calamity looked down when she heard her phone going. “Hold that thought for one second,” she flipped her phone open. “Hello.” Calamity moved the phone from her ear as several yells ensued then brought it back to her ear. “Shut up and leave me alone,” she flipped her phone closed and put it back in her pocket. “Sorry about that…” she blushed as she looked at the ground, moving the toe of her boots over the rubble.

[Malachi]

An inward sigh or relief made the twisted figure's risen shoulders drop. His company would be fine, she even said so herself. Something that resembled the traces of a grin twitched shyly at the edges of Kaibutsu's lips. "I'm glad..." he muttered under his breath, his voice like the wind as it whispered over the ruins. Bony wings flinched away in surprise as the gentile touch of the woman's fingers as the brushed against them, but quickly relaxed. That was something he wasn't used to, for sure. It was kind of nice...

"Oh this?" he responded to the straitjacket question, tapping the bothersome tool of confinement, it was like being in prison without being in prison, "yeah, it hurts... a lot..." he admitted sheepishly. Yet another surprise! Amazing what interacting with a human being for what... three years or four? could do to someone. His green eyes darted nervously from side to side as his gaze was lifted from the earth.

So, Calamity was her name? If there was one thing about Kaibutsu that even the people who despised him could not deny, it was his extremely good listening skills, in fact, he was better at just sitting an listening than most adults. Though he was older than a boy, he was not quite old enough to be called a man. Either way, he had knowledge that reached beyond his age.

"A good name," the experiment commented shyly, "Nice and elegant, it has a good ring to it." A spiny wing tip was extended to Calamity Valentine, offering the best handshake he could manage, "Pleased to meet you, Calamity. Unfortunately, I can't tell you my name because I have none to tell, or it's been so long since I've been called by it that I've forgotten what it was," did he once have a proper name? If he did, he couldn't remember now. "But, I guess you can just call me what everybody else does, that's the closest thing to a name that I have. I am a monster... I am Kaibutsu."

His heart was suddenly sent into an excited flutter, "You would do that?! Really?!" he asked when she mentioned going on a walk with him. Him! In truth, he couldn't ask for anything more. Just to walk normally, maybe clear up a bit of the fog that shrouded his true nature from others. Part of it, at least. His tail wagged behind him as if he were an excited puppy.

Kaibutsu tilted his head curiously as a series of yowls strummed dully against his ears. He couldn't make out words, but apparently Calamity was having issues with something. He didn't know, and didn't care what. "Trouble?" he asked innocently, his powerful tail dropped to doodle little, shapeless figures behind him. "I don't want you to get in trouble... i-if you have to go, then don't feel like you have to stay unless you w-want to." Oh, how he wished she would stay, even if just for a bit, but his golden heart would never allow anyone to have troubles because of him, even at his own expense. He could probably show her the way out if she needed to go, but something told him that she wasn't exactly willing to leave these lonesome ruins.

[keller]

Calamity smiled sweetly at him, her shock was well hidden beneath her smiling exterior, she wasn’t used to having others concerned about her. Her eyes flickered to his face as her fingers continued to trace his wings with an insatiable curiosity, she’d never seen anyone with wings before….That she knew of…Allowing her eyes to flicker to his face once more as she stopped and placed her hand in his lap.

She drew herself closer to him, still smiling sweetly. “Would you like me remove it for you?” she asked softly, her strikingly pale eyes met his and a slight blush formed upon her pale cheeks, He has nice eyes… She resolved to try and help him ease the pain in any way she could, she couldn’t him and a friend and she would do whatever it takes to help him as she would with any of her friends…Or at least she would if she had any…

Looking down at the ground Calamity nervously fiddled with her hair, wrapping it around her delicate fingers as she looked down at the floor before looking back at him, smiling still, no-one could tell when she was faking a smile or if it was a real one, she’d taught herself to fake smiles so she could hide the fact that she was confused when anyone came up to her and started talking to her like they knew her but right now this one was one hundred percent genuine. Something about his shyness just made her smile, she found it somewhat sweet and kinda cute.

Her scarlet blush returned to her cheeks when he complimented her name. “Thank you,” she whispered, she’d returned to fiddling with her hair in her usual shy and nervous way, she didn’t know what else to say other than thank you. Calamity smiled as she gently traced her fingers along his wings spine then lowered her hand to her hips, resting it there while the other rested at her side. Her eyes suddenly widened in shock.

“Is that really what you think of yourself?” she gently touched his cheek, smiling that enchanting smile that everyone she knew seemed to love. “I don’t see any monsters here,” most would of said that she was just saying this to make him feel better but she wasn’t, she meant every word. “I think they are wrong to call you a monsters, monsters are uncaring and concerned about no-one but themselves but you…You’ve shown concern for me,” she shook her head, “you are no monster.” She look of thought crossed herself for a moment then she smiled. “How about I call you Kai cause I’ll never call you monster or something that means in?” She gently kissed his cheek, replacing her hand with her lips.

Calamity jumped slightly at his little excited outburst then quietly giggled. “Yes, why wouldn’t I? You’re my friend and I do anything to make my friends happy,” she giggled again then smiled. Movement caught her eye as she looked down and watched his tail, smiling. He officially reminded her of those sweet little puppies all little girls loved.

She looked back at him when he spoke, shaking her head as her black-ish blue hair fell to one side of her neck. “No, I just haven’t checked in with the ‘babysitter’ in like a week and she was annoyed so she felt the need to yell and make me deaf in one ear,” she said with a smile. Calamity looked at him, listening to what he said, inside her mind was screaming ‘AWWWW’ but she chose to merely smile. “I’ll stay I…enjoy your company,” she said with a small blush. Again she was being nothing but honest.

[Malachi]

How little Calamity knew of the wrathful side of him that had given him his name. It was better like that, though. Better that she not know how much innocent blood had been spilled by his cursed hands. The twisted creature's eyes seemed to brighten in the night as he listened to his new friend's words. A wide, toothy grin formed across his face. "You really mean it?" he asked with the excitement of a puppy dog. How nice it would be to finally be rid of the God damned contraption. Freedom had almost become a foreign word to him, he looked forward to being able to move freely.

His smile faded a little, he had not wanted to think himself a monster, yet others had forced the title upon him. "I've done some awful things in the past." he muttered under his breath, not wanting to go into details of the gruesome acts of carnage he had unconsciously committed. Kaibutsu shuddered, and pushed the memory aside rather forcefully. "But... if you want to call me Kai, then go ahead." the creature chuckled awkwardly.

'Friend'... that was dangerous. If she stayed around him for too long, she would most definitely see his crazed alter ego. He would have to tell Calamity eventually, but that could wait for another time. "Well then, friend," the experiment cooed playfully, "feel free to stay for a lifetime if you want."

(Sorry for shortness. >.>)

[keller]

For a moment Calamity watched him, looking at him for a moment before nodding. “Of course I mean it, there are very few things I say that I do not mean,” she flashed him a warm smile as she reached forward and stroked his cheek then lowered her hand and began to undo the restraints that were hurting her friend, she didn’t care if she got hurt in the process or as a consequence, she would deal with it as she had her entire life. From the view memories she’d been able to reclaim she’d figured out that her life was anything but peaceful and pleasant and she now knew that her father was the source of the discord in her life.

The silver eyes of Calamity scanned him, although she’d never noticed it herself there was a sadness hidden within her eyes, it haunted the supposedly enchanting colour that no-one else’s eyes could match, no matter how they tried. She bowed her head slightly. “We all do things we’re not proud of…even I know that in the past I’ve done something…I just don’t know what yet,” she said quietly, she saw him shudder and gently wrapped her arms around him protectively as she smiled sweetly at him. The young woman was often being told that she had a mothering nature which often made her wonder if she had a child but she guessed not, considering she had no memory of ever being with a guy. She smiled down at him. “Kai it is then,” she whispered.

Calamity looked down for a moment, she wasn’t sure if he’d actually meant his words or not, she wasn’t sure what to say. Part of her wanted to say ‘I would like that’ while another part of her wanted to tell him ‘I’ll stay for as long as you wish me to’, she didn’t know what to say. That was a first for Calamity. “I’ll stay for as long as you want me to,” she whispered, choosing the latter of the whispers in her mind.

Lowering her hands, she clasp them behind her back, watching Kai with a bright smile on her face, turning daintily on her toes she turned and looked around Midgar, slowly starting to walk in a random direction, she needed to stretch her legs and maybe if she looked around some more she’d discover more about her.


ooc// No worries love. ^.^

[Malachi]

Acid green eyes flickered briefly over to gaze at Calamity's enchanting eyes. They were interesting, and for a moment he was drawn in, but only for a moment. His bound arms twitched as his restraints were loosened. They were a nasty sight, bruised purple and black from lack of circulation. Kaibutsu ground his teeth togeather as his damaged arms fell to his sides for the first time in years. It almost felt unnatural! He breathed a deep breath, flexing them thoroughly. "Thanks." he muttered quietly.

The creature watched with curiosity as his new friend wandered seemingly aimlessly about. A twang of sympathy struck the experiment's heart like a metal steak. She must have it hard, not knowing her past. He wondered what it would be like: not knowing where you came from, or your past friends, even enemies. He was happy that she would stay for longer, company would probably do his mangled soul some good. "I'm happy to hear you'll stay." he said; few would know the significance those words held for him.

Suddenly, something ruined his peace of mind, shattering it like a mirror. Kaibutsu staggered clumsily to the side, only managing to keep himself up by propping against a wall. He gripped the sides of his head as blood lust rose within him, causing him to convulse violently. Not now! He couldn't lose it now! Apparently freedom had triggered an unfortunate response. The demon's eyes shut tightly. He dug his fangs into his lip and breathed heavily in an attempt to cling to sanity. Lucky for him, today he would be able to subdue it. Slowly the intense craving for blood subsided, leaving him shaking and panting.

"Sorry about that," he apologized after a moment of silence, still shaking. He wiped away the thin trickle of blood from his mouth where he had bitten it. "It won't happen again, I don't think." he couldn't be positive, insanity was an unpredictable little thing. He had hoped by coming to this ghost town his mental instability would be smothered, but it was part of him now. It looked like he would just have to deal with it.

[keller]

Her silver eyes met the green that belonged to her newest friend, smiling sweetly as he looked away from her eyes. Calamity looked at his arms, judging by the bruises she would guess that this straightjacket had been on for years. “Your welcome,” she whispered softly before taking his right arm in her delicate fingers. “A potion would help these bruises,” she whispered softly. Her eyes traced the bruises at the same time as her fingers, she was being as gentle as she could be so that she wouldn’t hurt him. “So would this,” slipping her right hand into her jacket pocket she pulled out a small vial of white liquid. Gently letting go of his arm she put a small amount of the liquid on her hands, gently rubbing it onto the bruises. “They’ll take a little bit of time to heal but it should feel better soon,” she whispered softly as she looked into his eyes.

All she could see when she turned to face him was the sympathy and pity he felt for her. “It’s not that bad on a normal day, it’s when you meet someone your supposed to know and don’t that it hurts the most or when I do get a memory back and the sheer pain I feel each and every time,” she whispered softly. Smiling as she walked back over to him, she gently ran her fingers through his dark hair, Calamity felt no evil him, only something hidden deep within that wanted to be released, maybe this was the reason that despite his appearance she felt no fear for him. “I’m more than happy to stay,” she placed a gentle kiss upon his cheek and continued to smile at him.

Calamity moved quickly to his side and held him in her arms to support him, gently stroking his hair to try and sooth him. “Stay with me Kai,” she continued to stroke his hair like a mother would a crying child. She still held him even as he looked calmer, an emotion that wasn’t familiar to Calamity began to stir within her. She watched him, continuing to watch for any signs of pain. “It’s ok Kai, just relax and breath,” she whispered, kissing the top of his head. Was this who she was? A motherly figure? Did she have a child out there somewhere that she didn’t know about? These were the sort of questions that plagued her constantly.

“It’s ok Kai,” she said with a smile, it wasn’t her usual enchanting smile but a comforting one. Calamity ripped the sleeve of her jacket and used the ripped piece of cloth to dab the bite marks on his lip, cleaning it gently. “I’ll help you as much as I can Kai, I know what it’s like to have a pain that can’t be taken away, I can help, I can comfort you through this,” she whispered as she stood in front of him, her bright silver eyes looked into his.

“I’ll help you through anything Kai, remember that.”

[Malachi]

Kaibutsu flinched as she touched his bruised and tender arms. Sharpened teeth gritted togeather as a way to force himself to not lash out as his instincts screamed at him to. If the remedy she was rubbing on his arms would heal him, he would gladly allow the potion to work its magic. He would be glad when he had full freedom again. And then the outburst...

As the last agonizing throbs of insanity faded to nothing, Kaibutsu was left trembling at the thought of what could have happened. It looked like luck was with him after all. The feeling he felt now, laying in Calamity's arms, was this the way family was supposed to feel? He could only wonder. The experiment allowed his eyes to close, and fell into the warm feeling that surrounded him. For a moment, he was a mere child again. "I hope you can find who you are ... but if you do, please don't let yourself change," he murmured softly, his eyes still closed. "please stay how you are."

His mind drifted: it was of the utmost importance to find a way to control his killing sprees, and being a recluse was no longer an option. There was something that they used on him in confinement, but what was it? Most likely, he couldn't find any of that substance unless a huge stroke of luck happened to grace him. Hah! He wouldn't take his chances. Looks like he would just have to search for an alternative a little longer. Maybe then he would be accepted back into society? What a dream that would be.

Now that he had tasted companionship, he could not let it go. The freak's eyes snapped open, glowing with a new light as he pushed himself back onto his feet. "I know!" he cried happily, "I'll come with you, wherever you go. I'll help you recover your memory! It's the least I can do to repay you." A wide, cheesy grin crossed his face; one that showed all of his sharp, gleaming teeth. His tail curled in delight at the thought. It didn't really matter if she said yes or no, when Kaibutsu made a decision, he intended to stick with it to the end.

[keller]

Her eyes shifted to his when she saw him flinch, a saddened look dampened her usually bright and vibrant eyes. A gentle sigh left her lips. It’ll help him in the long run, I would rather seen him pained for mere few moments than for days like he would of if his arms weren’t seen to, she shook the thoughts from her head and smiled warmly at him. Calamity closed her eyes, images flashed in front of her eye lids, a beautiful woman tending the wounds of a young girl. Mother?

Calamity watched over him as she stroked his hair to calm him, wondering what it was that he was thinking about. When was the last time someone just held him like he was a normal person? He can’t be anymore than a teenager, why was no-one there for him!? a rage filled within her at the thought of him being alone, no-one deserved to be alone. Her eyes closed as she calmed herself. His voice was what drew her attention away from her thoughts. Calamity looked down at him. “I don’t know…for all I know I could really be a truly horrid person who doesn’t know what nice, kind or gentle is,” she smiled sweetly down at him. “What is it that you don’t want me to change? For all you know I might even be wearing a mask to hide what I look like,” still she smiled though her eyes showed her seriousness.

Her eyes raised, following his movements, a smile graced her lips but it was in no way forced it was completely natural. Kai seemed happy, he looked so happy and it seemed to rub off on her. Calamity looked down, still smiling. “I would like that Kai,” she nodded, “I would like that very much.” Tears welled up in her eyes but they weren’t tears of sadness, they were tears of joy, for so long she’d wanted nothing more than a companion and now she had one, one that she could care for and protect.

In one graceful motion she rose to her feet and looked straight into his eyes, so many thoughts were running through her fragile mind to the point that she couldn’t focus anymore. She walked over to him and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, burying her face into the base of his neck in a way that would most people think of a kitten wanting to get close to its master. “Thank you,” she whispered against his skin. She felt safe standing here with her arms around him, her eyes closed. She knew he would be able to feel her eyelashes brushing against his skin. “Thank you for staying with me Kai…It means a lot to me,” she could feel heat rising in her cheeks, a crimson blush forming on the pale skin of her cheeks.

Drawing back slightly so that she could once again look into his eyes, she gently stroked his cheeks, smiling warmly at him before very gently placing her lips on his cheeks, smiling sweetly at him as she started to stroke his cheek with the back of her fingers before looking down at the ground in between their feet.