KuliKuli was the first to open her eyes, yawning and stretching her arms. Kicking away her bnket, she swung her legs around and hopped off bed, stepping clumsily as she rubbed her eyes. She pushed the window wide open and was quickly met with the sun's warmth on her face.

  "Aaaahhh." She sighed loudly, basking in the afterglow from the previous night's experience. Her ears picked up a soft shuffle of the mattress, and soon Felix sat up and popped his back muscles.

  "Good morning, sleepyhead." She greeted him with a smile, pulling him to the open window.

  He covered his eyes and coughed. "You know we're still naked."

  "I can cover up."

  "No, I like what I see." He grinned, giving her butt a squeeze. She jumped and gave him a lustful look, her tails were quick to pull his body close until their chests pressed together.

  She reached in until their lips met, exchanging one kiss after another, his fingers dancing along her waistline while her paws caressed his chest. But when he held her face and brushed her hair away from her eyes, she bit her lip and pulled away.

  "No?"

  "I want to, I really do, but not yet." Their eyes met and he nodded back.

  "Okay, I understand." They were on borrowed time with much to do and plenty to look out for. Suddenly, that feeling of warmth was gone, repced with a need for urgency. He went and scooped up his clothes, lifting his leg to put on his trousers when KuliKuli cleared her throat.

  "I can hear mother at the kitchen downstairs. I'll go check on Jay, see how she's feeling."

  "Good idea, you do that."

  "Not coming?"

  He smiled. "I'd rather not scare her by waking her while naked."

  "She's seen you before, but that's fine." She ughed, leaving him alone to change. Her friend slept a few rooms down the hall so in no time she stood at their door and knocked gently. No response. "Jay? Feeling better?"

  Not getting a response, she focused on her hearing and picked up on a soft little sigh. She pushed the door ajar and stepped inside.

  "Jay, are you feeling-" She froze in pce, met with the sight of her friend and her sister spooning together in bed. Janette raised her head, feeling the bed shift as Syri rolled away and shrunk down to her cat form before hiding under the mattress.

  "Uhhhh... hi." She croaked, keeping the bnket up to cover her breasts.

  KuliKuli stifled a snort, doing a poor job to hide her amusement. "Hey hehe, how are you healing?"

  "Better." Answered a nervous Janette, "Can you not mention this to anyone else?"

  KuliKuli fshed a wide grin. "Nope!"

  Sm!

  Janette sat up and buried her face in her hands, groaning loudly. Syri plopped back into bed, changing into her humanoid Nekomata form. She patted her back in comfort when Janette raised her head, both of them exchanging a nervous gnce. They broke the tension with a fit of giggles, interrupted by her wincing in discomfort and holding her stomach.

  "Breakfast time!" Emyri cheered, passing fresh bowls around the dining table.

  Na'Vi stared down at her food, eyeing it with suspicion. A light sniff made her tummy rumble. "Soup with fruit?"

  "Looks like oatmeal to me, with blueberries sprinkled on top." Janette slowly sat beside her, leaning back in her chair with relief. "Told you I could make it."

  "Still wasn't going to let you walk on your own." Syri fussed back, taking her seat to face her. "One misstep and you'll be crashing down and then what?"

  "I am NOT getting a cane!" She flinched, holding her stomach. "Ow."

  "NO LOUD VOICES DURING MEALTIME!" Emyri's voice echoed throughout the house, observing the silence from everyone else. Satisfied, she passed down the next bowl to Dimyri and smiled. "Besides hun, shouldn't you be upstairs resting?"

  "That's what I said!" Syri chimed in.

  "Syri."

  "Sorry." Her ears fell back as she shrunk in her chair. "But she didn't want to stay."

  "It's a bolt to my gut, not broken legs. I can walk just fine." She scooped up a spoonful of oatmeal when her gaze was directed to the little pixie munching on a blueberry. Due to her size, the tiny fruit was held with both hands like a woman carrying a watermelon. She bit into the surface, slurping up some of its juices like a cocktail. "Enjoying your drink?"

  "Hmm?" Tootsie turned around and swallowed. "A bit sweet, some dew drops would help."

  "I didn't know fairies eat food." Na'Vi mentioned, cocking her head with interest.

  "I'm a pixie, silly. We can eat, just not as much as you need to. I can sip on this and go without hunger for a few weeks if need be!"

  "Pixies don't need food for substance the way we do." Janette expined to all the interested Nekomata's, "They rely on dew drops for nourishment."

  "But I won't say no to some fruits and cheese!'' She beamed, taking another sip of her blueberry juice. "Yummy!"

  "Hey Jay?" Dimyri leaned in to ask, "Feeling better? You were hurting just now."

  She waved her hand, dismissing her concern. "Much better now, thank you."

  "The wound is closed so no more bleeding," Syri added with a hopeful expression, ignoring Janette's frown. "She needs some more herbs to help the healing, but it's not all the way healed."

  "I'm feeling fine, really. Actually, the results have been remarkable. You could hardly tell I was shot just the other day-"

  Janette felt her chair pulled back as Emyri wasted no time to pull her clothes aside to expose her wound before pressing her paw on her forehead. She huffed and helped her adjust her clothes back in pce.

  "If only she were so lucky," Emyri muttered, brushing her little apron she wore for the occasion. "Young dy, you're smarter than to pull this brave face on us. That injury is nowhere near close to being fully recovered. You're heating up a small fever and body is sweating."

  "It's not an infection." Janette protested.

  "No, it's a good sign. Our healing methods work great for us but using them on non-monsters is pushing their bodies to work harder than usual. You'll need to eat a bit extra today, and drink plenty of water to help. I do not want to see you without a gss of water nearby; do I make myself clear?"

  Janette frowned but nodded in agreement.

  "Syri." Her daughter sat upright. "You're in charge of looking after her. Keep her well-fed and if she refuses your help, let me know."

  "Yes Mum!" She smirked, giving a look to her miserable friend.

  When Felix and KuliKuli descended from the stairs, the cat sisters whistled at their arrival.

  "Look, it's the lovebirds!" Syri cheered, eyeing KuliKuli. "Think you can handle a chair after st night?"

  "Oooo I don't know sis, they might need a second serving to recover from all that exercise." Dimyri added with a chuckle.

  "Another word from you two means a hit on the head." KuliKuli hissed defensively, lifting her paw.

  Dimyri stood up from her chair with a smirk. "Try your luck, sis! You may have forgotten but I'm the oldest, and Aunt Alma taught me a few things. We sparred before just you and me, and it didn't go well for you."

  "I'm willing to test that outside if you are."

  "Oh yea?"

  "Yea!"

  "GIRLS!" Emyri shouted, breathing in deep to calm herself. "No loud voices during mealtime, understood?"

  Felix said nothing throughout the ordeal, ughing nervously and pulling out a chair for KuliKuli to sit. The two sisters locked eyes while eating their meal, all throughout breakfast the room remained in complete silence aside from the occasional bite and spoon clink.

  He was the first to finish his meal and stood up from the table. "I have to go back home, my home. Well, Auguste's home."

  "Now?" Janette asked.

  "You mean that small pce with the animals?" Na'Vi questioned with a puzzled look. "I'm with her, this pce is much bigger. Isn't it dangerous to go around with Perdilius and his followers hunting us down?"

  "Hey, I thought you of all Neko's would prefer running away?" Dimyri mentioned. "You weren't fond of the idea about staying before."

  "That was before what happened at that marketpce, I can't just leave their friend behind."

  "About that." KuliKuli chimed in, pushing her bowl away. "We have discussed what to do there, and we think we should go back tomorrow."

  "What?" Dimyri was taken aback.

  "We do need to take her back." Na'Vi pointed at Tootsie, who nodded in agreement.

  "Aw but I like her, she's cute!" Spouted Syri.

  "I do miss my friends." Admitted Tootsie, much to Syri's surprise.

  "Aren't we your friends too?"

  "You are, but I keep the Night Dweller's Hub hidden. No Tootsie means no secret entrance." She chirped, wiping her mouth clean of any juices. "I'm very thankful for your hospitality here, but I should be on my way to see my friends again. I can wait for tomorrow."

  "When are you going?" Na'Vi asked, pushing her chair back.

  "The sooner, the better. I made a promise to care for the livestock there, and I've neglected them long enough."

  "What do you have in mind?" Emyri calmly asked.

  "I go back and make sure they are cared for. I should return by nightfall if I hurry."

  "Alone?"

  He nodded. "That's the idea. You guys can stay here."

  "Can I come?" Tootsie asked, fshing an adorable toothy smile.

  "No, you stay here. Your wing is still broken."

  "But I want to see the animals." She began to pout, crossing her arms and stomping her foot. "Not many animals in Kershin."

  "What do you mean, it's a rge city. They must have some livestock for food."

  She shrugged. "Not much at the district where I live. Can I go with you, please?"

  "I-" KuliKuli interjected but appeared hesitant before leaning in close with a low voice. "I was kind of wondering if maybe you could do some magic spell or something to hide the house, like what you did with the Hub?"

  Tootsie huff. "I can hide smaller structures, but this pce is too big for such a tiny woman like me. I would need some help, maybe draw from a source of magic to fuel an illusion of that size. But I was hiding a door, not the entire building!"

  "Okay, okay. Sorry I asked." She muttered in resignation, sinking below.

  Felix sighed. "Fine, no harm in bringing you along."

  Janette shifted in her seat. "Felix-"

  "No." He sternly responded.

  Emyri swiftly added. "You are out of your mind if you are considering following him."

  "Sheesh, I just wanted a word with you."

  "Oh." Both Felix and Emyri stood in silence, responding in unison. "Sorry."

  KuliKuli looked between her mother and mate in bewilderment, reaching out and holding her friend's hand to give comfort.

  Felix ran his hand down his face with a heavy sigh. "It's the stress, yes of course. We can talk after you're done eating."

  "KuliKuli, I need to run something by with you as well. Could you both meet me upstairs?"

  Her friend seemed shocked. "Sure, you don't want to finish first?"

  "I'm done for now." She answered, scooting her chair back. Syri reached in, helping her stand up. "Thanks, we can go now to save on time."

  "Okay." KuliKuli helped take over from Syri, with Felix coming to her other side. The trio made their way upstairs, approaching them one step at a time.

  "Oh, come on. What am I some grandmother?" She scoffed, taking a few extra steps up against their wishes.

  Sm!

  The rest of the girls remained on the dining room in awkward silence.

  "What was that all about?" Dimyri asked.

  Her mother stood up and picked up the empty bowls using both her paws and tails to bance them. "Everyone is a tad bit stressed nowadays. I'm sure it was nothing big."

  Na'Vi shrugged, staring at the young fairy.

  "What?"

  "Why are you green and your eyes so bck?" She asked.

  Tootsie frowned. "Why are your ears on the top of your head rather than the side where a humans should be?"

  The Nekomata scoffed. "Fair enough."

  "Something the matter?" KuliKuli questioned after helping Janette back on her bed.

  "Yes, keep your voices down." She whispered, gesturing for them to come close. "Good ears make private conversations difficult."

  "Why are we whispering?"

  "Because your mother is keeping secrets."

  She recoiled and scoffed when Janette pulled her back in. "See this is why I wanted to write this down, but you two haven't learned how to read well enough."

  "Sorry." Felix apologized. "This about what Vardare said?"

  "Who's Vardare?" KuliKuli asked.

  "He's the book I keep, the magical book."

  "I thought you wrote in that book."

  "I do, why does that matter?"

  She shrugged. "Is that the weird one where you write questions and it gives you answers."

  "Yes, the very same. Tootsie did some pixie magic and Vardare came to life."

  "Huh?"

  "Nevermind." Felix urged, brushing past her confusion. "It's a weird story, just ignore that for now."

  "Right, right." Janette continued, "Look he told us a few things, like clue us in as to why Perdilius is after you."

  "He did? What did he say?"

  "Something about you and your sisters being a split of magic." Felix mentioned.

  "Me and my sisters?"

  "We think your dad might help us figure out what Perdilius wants."

  "Has your mother mentioned him before?" Felix approached the subject cautiously.

  "You know my memory is foggy."

  "I know, but still. Maybe since she's come back, she hasn't said anything about him?"

  She sighed and shook her head. "I never asked, never thought about him."

  "Then we need to ask Dimyri about him."

  "Why her, why not ask my mother?"

  "She might lie, and we think your sister knows something about him." Janette expined, setting her eyes toward Felix. "Take Vardare, take Tootsie, and take Dimyri with you."

  "Won't they ask questions though? She and I never spent much time together."

  "You spent time with Syri." KuliKuli pointed out.

  He rolled his eyes. "In a cell, not the pce to really get to know each other in."

  "Look it's now or never. Tonight is the final full moon so by tomorrow we can see about getting Reta back. I understand going to check on the farm, all I ask is that you take advantage and do it then. Emyri won't be there; it's the perfect opportunity."

  "I-" Felix paused and nodded in agreement. "Fine, fine. I'll take them both with me."

  "Not comfortable with this?" She asked, noting his hesitation.

  "It's not the sort of thing I'm used to, not without you there."

  "I'm not in the most mobile state to travel with you, and Momma Kitty isn't fond of my attitude today. I'll py it safe and stay here with KuliKuli. Na'Vi can stay, we'll be fine. I've seen Emyri fight, she's kind of a badass."

  "What, her?"

  She smiled. "Saw her tear through these three men back at Kershin Market, it was kind of hot."

  "Hey, that's my mom you're talking about." KuliKuli protested.

  "Your mom is hot, not sure if you're ignoring that." Janette argued back with a knowing look. "Don't think I haven't noticed you taking peeks at her too, Felix."

  He looked away, avoiding her eyes. "That is not um, not the point of this conversation."

  Janette paused and noticed the flustered expressions on both of her friends. "Oh my gosh, you two are telling me what you've been up to st night when this is over. Now, are we in agreement here?"

  "You really think she would lie to us?" Her voice cracked as she asked.

  "It's easy to lie, KuliKuli. I hope I'm wrong on this, but that is why we're doing this. Now go, grab Vardare and try to take Dimyri with you. I'll be fine."

  Felix nodded and stood up, approaching the door. KuliKuli followed when he held the door for her but froze when a thought emerged.

  "Want me to call Syri over?"

  "Yea sure, that would be lovely-" She brushed her hair back but noticed the smirk on her friend's face. "Oh, shut it!"

  KuliKuli giggled and skipped by with Felix trailing behind.