Kierra

By the time I pull in to my shiny new shed-garage, the sun has been down for a few hours. Accident on one of the roads had taken a lot of time to get around. We both get out and I reach out for the fedora in his hands.

"If you wanna change in the basement so clothes don't get ruined, either I or Bastion can let you out when you come up."

His head bobs as if he has a song playing in it. Probably does. Letting him in, he heads straight over and down. Someone's in a hurry. Can't say I blame him though, as I'm wanting the same thing.

Upon our entering, Bastion had looked up and nodded at us before going back to his puzzle. I lift a brow, wondering if he's been working on it the whole time. Doesn't look like it, only about half of it is put together in patches.

"Hey kiddo, what'd you do all day? Did you eat?"

"I did. There's a sub in the fridge I made for you, only a few hours old. I've been rotating projects."

That takes me back. 'Rotating projects'? That's something I would say, or even my sister. Anyone older really.

"Yeah? How many you got going? I have food?"

He finally looks up from being glued to the sporadic image in front of him, a small smile on his face as he motions out over the living room. Taking my coat off and getting it hung up, tossing the fedora onto the counter, I then look around to where he's referring to. One of his new books is sat at one end of the couch, the workbooks I had grabbed for him on the other, and the semi-smallish plain dark blue rug I had put in front of it has the sketchbook I gave him open with his utensils set aside. My brows rise as I realize that indeed; he'd rotated.

Pulling my boots off, I go straight for the fridge to get that sandwich. Just as I'm pulling it out, Xavier's giant self comes over the top step. His black mane is raised, tail all poofy, probably from a good shaking. Soon as he clears the doorway, Tigger, who had been on the counter begging for my food, takes off.

Canine eyes watch the flying fat tabby intently, so I shift over and lay my hand over his eyes.

"Don't even think about it. Orange pussycat is not for eating. There are plenty of innocent little bunnies outside."

The whines he makes at me sound almost as if he's talking. No idea what he's saying, but it's cute. If you've never heard one, you really should, it's downright adorable. Reminds me of captive foxes, how they sound when playing.

I run my hand from his eyes to his cheek and under his chin. He has a small tuft of black hair at the end of it. Even his animal has a goatee, imagine that. Tugging at it lightly, I smile at him and go for the door.

"I seriously need to put in some doggy doors or something."

I say it under my breath, but they both hear me. Bastion giggles and Xavier makes a sound in his mouth.

"If you scratch at the door when you want back in, one of us will open for you, unless we're asleep, then you're screwed."

He rubs the side of his face on my hip, then takes off when the door is opened, his reddish-brown coat weaving in the trees. Was just turning when Asher comes up and noses at me.

"Hey you, was wondering if you'd say hi before you take off for the night. Everything good today? No interlopers?"

I get the feeling of a smile, warmth sliding into my brain.

"No interlopers, unless you count the fox I never seem to actually see. How'd your search go? Any luck?"

I play the day's events in my head. He gapes at me when I get to the part of sticking a blade into the Alpha's wife.

"You met Alarico? I'm not surprised about Lucia, she's high maintenance. She submitted to you though, you must have really scared her."

I snort and keep going. I grin as he just about chokes when I get to the pimping him out part, then start laughing as he starts nipping at me.

"Alarico? You know him? What kind of person is he?"

Having been crouched in the open doorway, we come in all the way then close it. I go back to my food and start chowing down. The large black wolf goes over to the Imp and touches his nose to the boy's cheek. Bastion smiles and starts rubbing at Asher's ear.

"He's a good man, most of the time. He does have a mean streak, as Xavier almost found out. One of his word, so if he told you he'd call if he heard or seen anything relevant, he will do so."

Bobbing my head as my mouth is a bit full at the moment, I whisper to him instead, not wanting the boy to hear me.

"What do you think of what Benjamin had said? Dug myself deep this time."

"You did. How do you think you're going to take on something that big? You only have limited resources and a child to protect, not to mention your sister once you find her. You have to know she's going to be different, she won't be the same girl you knew before all this happened."

I close my eyes, wincing at his reprimand. I know it was stupid, I know it's too much. I know I have nothing to go with, or on, and have those who depend on me. But that is why I'm doing this, or going to, rather.

Those around me won't be truly safe while those people are out there, able to come at us at any time. I know my sister won't be the same, I already feel that whenever I try to connect with her. But she's still my sister, and I will love and help her any way I can.

I let Asher know exactly what I feel. My determination and stubbornness. My will to see this through and keep everyone as safe as I can make them. The knowledge that I'm fully aware that I probably won't live through it also makes its way through.

Since it's out there, I show him in my head where that notebook is that I put everything in. His sadness spills over into me, but I just give him a small smile. Finishing my food, I thank Bastion for making it for me and let him know it was delicious.

Looking back over at the couch with the workbooks, I snag one up and look through it. He's finished the whole thing. Cool. So he's higher than a fourth-grade level. Kinda knew he would be, he's very smart. And no, I'm not just saying that because I'm his guardian, but because he really is.

"Hey, Bastion? I can't remember if I mentioned it to you yet or not. You know the schools that Ava had mentioned for Shifter kids? I asked her to find out if they would be willing to take you on, since you know about the deep, dark underworld of creepy-crawlies. Would that be something you'd be interested in? They'd be able to teach you a lot better than I could with these things."

Whole-time I was talking, I was looking through the book, not sure if I want to see his expression. When no response is forthcoming, I look up. He looks a little uneasy, but curious as well.

"Up to you, Imp. I'm guessing it's not all that big, can't be too many baby animals out there, right? I think it'd be amusing to see a kid change into some critter or another right in the middle of class. I know I'd have caused all sorts of mischief."

I smile wickedly. He needs this, and I'll play on his interests if I have to. His uneasiness is still there, but he also looks eager now. Giving me a slow nod, I smile brightly at him, causing him to blush.

"Since you're around the same age as Lily, I'm sure you guys would have much the same work to do."

It was meant to be even more of an enticement, but his blush deepens. Oh, boy. I don't poke at that though, it could turn south very fast. Setting the book back down, I get me some juice.

"You in or out tonight Asher? Dunno 'bout you guys, but I'm tired. Too many crazy people today. You would not believe the dirty looks I was constantly getting with Xavier around."

My nose scrunches up as I make a look of distaste and disgust.

"And you will not believe how that boy disrespects bread, it's sacrilegious."

Bastion bursts out laughing, having seen me go nuts over bread before. Asher smiles, not answering me on the in or out. I really don't want any more awkwardness, so I just go to my room.

If he wants out, Bastion can open the door for him. Shutting my door till it's just barely open, I go on with taking out assorted jewelry. Catching a look at myself in the mirror, I groan. Forgot I had make-up on.

I go wash my face then come back in and start stripping down, looking over my many scars as I do so. I don't mind them, I find scars interesting, it just gets tiring explaining them though. Pretty sure most teenagers who have a rough childhood go through a cutting stage, but it's amazing how many people look at you differently after learning that about you, even after saying they 'understand'.

Brushing my hair for no apparent reason other than I can, I then shift. Again pushing for a quicker time. I may have the ability to insta-shift, but it has a big drawback. Really don't want the crash that happens afterward.

Once on four feet again, I shake myself out. The want to run is strong, but so is my weariness. Think I'll take Bastion out tomorrow and practice with him some more on holding his weight. He's gotta weigh at least a few more pounds than he did last time.

Digging at my door to open it, I make my way out. The front door is locked, lights off, and Bastion at the basement door waiting in his sleepwear. His blue eyes shine at me as I stick my nose in his ear.

He heads down first, Asher not being at his usual spot on the couch means he went out. Looking over the house once more, I head down.

The sight that awaits me when I turn at the bottom of the stairs is so surprising, I stop. Bastion is laying down, curled in his usual spot. Next to him, also curled up, is a midnight wolf whose ocean eyes watch me. Hmm.

One of my ears flick, but other than that, I do nothing but continue towards where I usually lay. The blankets and pillows smell heavily of warm fur, comfort, and peace. Digging at the blanket to fluff it, I then hunker down.

Bastion is facing and curled around Asher, so I have his back tonight. Laying with my legs under me, I press close to the boy's spine. My head lays on a pillow while my long tail curls around and rests over his legs.

I lift my head when my tail is grabbed, the darkened tip caught between Asher's teeth. Not used to him being down here, I forgot he was and probably hit him with it when I covered Bastion.

I send my apologies and pull it away, curling it around to my other side. Laying my head back down, I run over the day's events in my head. A pang of fear shoots through me when I really think of the enormity I have in front of me.

It passes in a few minutes, the sound of Bastion's deep, even breathing familiar and calming. I rub my face along the pillow, almost burying myself in the thickness of it. Closing my eyes, I drift off rather quickly yet again.