Standard Disclaimer

Well another story coming to an end, always a sad thing. Oddly this started to grow on me to the point I started adding arc after arc and...I knew I had to end it. Padding for padding while fun to read doesn't progress the plot and wastes time. My brother is coming back to the home state due to his factory closing, but only temporary. Work is...confusing as they're about to throw away what I've spent a year doing? Whatever, got paid.

Monsters to Some

Chapter – 16

Holding his hand, Merino didn't know how to feel right now. Mostly it was shattering depression, but she had to have some hope. Without hope, he was gone and Merino wouldn't accept that. Machines beeped rhythmically, the occasional voice called out of the PA system calling out some code or another, and her honed ears could hear her current escort kicking his shoes on harder and it squeaked against the tiles. "Not much longer I guess, but I'll be back again," Merino got up reluctantly. Only ten minutes, but it was just small initial visit. Setting his hands back on his chest, she shifted to the dried and wilting flowers. They hadn't been watered in some time, people were visiting less.

"You ready to head to the house Merino-chan?" Kaji asked as he opened the door. Spotting her moving, he peeked his head in and offered a weak smile. As she approached he opened the door a bit more so she could join him in the hall. Gesturing to the parking garage, "Kid will get better, has too many people waiting on him. Just have to be patient. Keep telling Katsuragi the same." Standing just a little too close for Merino to like, the man was not the type she was used to.

Keeping her voice down, if she spoke she'd bleat and start crying. Her beloved was so…so…faint. Not the new reunion she expected after the weeklong visit turned texting rekindled friendship/romance they were sharing! It felt so naughty to send those texts and racy pictures…even more to get the rare ones back when he played along. Then the texts stopped all together, no replies to messages, calls, and now she knew why. World was stunned to learn of the corruption in the upper echelons, but none of them knew he was responsible for stopping it!

"Oh hey, aren't you Merino-san?" a tan boy walking aside a slightly younger girl waved with a bit of joy. Clad in a tracksuit, smoothed back black hair, the boy stuffed his hands in his pockets as the girl just blinked on in intimidation. Just a little loud for the location, "You look exactly how Shin-man described you. H-hello Kaji-san. Mari-chan, you remember what I said about her?"

Bowing respectfully to the Pan, the younger woman didn't take her eyes off of the fluffy woman, "Pleased to meet you. I-I'm Mari Suzuhara. W-what brings you here? Did you meet with Ikari-san" Little girl's cheeks flared out when she said his name, Merino noticed it. Her more 'prey' based nature did help Merino hear and see a bit more, always on the 'look out' for predators…for wolves.

Nodding once, she heard Kaji grunt a little in aggravation at the delay, Merino gently took the girl's hand. She'd respect emotion where she saw it. "I came once I heard the news. My homestay supervisor dropped me off here where Kaji-san was waiting. Going to be staying at the house until…" Merino paused unsure how to continue. Until he got better or until he got worse. One would happen, and that would be a drastic change for her. The new college students helping at the farm…some of them hinted at liking her. But she held her heart out to her beloved, wished for him to take it and own it. Now, now she couldn't even think of his name.

"Yeah, need to drop her off before Smith runs off again. So we need to keep moving. But you two go see him, visiting hours aren't up yet," Kaji winked at the teenagers. Mari shuffled stepped at the attention while Touji, Merino remembered the names of his friends, took a bit harsher a stance. Guess he didn't like the older man showing his sister any type of attention.

After quickly exchanging contact information, Merino waved off the Suzuhara siblings. Following Kaji, stepping away from him, "Thank you for driving me. I know you have more important things to do. What with all the…issues going on. Smith-san said you're helping with a lot of things." Smith said Kaji was also a government spy that had been involved with the exposure of SEELE and the commanders of Nerv. To what degree, Merino didn't know or care, just glad he did it.

Escorting the Extra-Species girl to his car, he opened the door for her and waved her in suavely. Getting into the driver's seat and firing up the engine, "Not an issue. I had to pick up some tests so I was going to be here anyway. Don't know if you heard about Akagi or not…" He waved the folder he was carrying and tossed it into the backseat. Ah yes, the other big change in the world brought on by the revered or hated (depending on who you asked) Ritsuko Akagi.

Genetic manipulation of human and Extra-Species. Ritsuko's very existence and her research notes were supposed to be kept secret, so of course it was leaked nearly as fast as the fact that half the UN Security council was in SEELE. Was it ethically acceptable to fuse one's DNA with Kobold's to get more energy? Want to have more strength, take orge enhancement pills. Having trouble with wrinkles…lamia DNA could be used to smooth you right out. It split a lot of peoples' opinions. Was it using the Extra-Species to splice genetically with them for their traits? Merino thought it wasn't a good thing. People were good because of their differences, to merge everybody together…well wasn't that what the crazy people tried doing?

"How is she doing? Smith-san said she was…sick," Merino didn't know if Kuroko meant physically or mentally. Likely Kuroko meant both, but Merino found her cares about others a little muddled right now. She was just worried about her beloved and that horrible little room he was in.

Pulling out into the streets, Kaji hissed out a confused wheeze. Pushing the lighter into the dashboard, "Mind if I smoke? Thanks," Kaji didn't let her answer, but he at least opened the window. When the lighter popped, he lit up and took a long drag. Dusting his ash out the window, "We don't know who, but one of the guards took the bait she was offering. If the tests are accurate, she's about a month pregnant. So she has morning sickness at least. Other than that, she's…" He tugged his collar up to show a long scrape along his arm.

Swallowing hard, Merino sat primly and properly in her seat. Her fur was needing a good sheering so it made the belt a little too tight. He was coming on to her, flirting with her, and Merino didn't like it much. Guy was nice, attractive, and was helping her…hell he was a hero effectively, but she wanted her wolf…one that was finely wrapped in the shawls of a sheep. Watching the scenery pass by, Extra-Species walking alongside humans, "It is a shame what happened to her, but she did do it to herself. W-will she be able to come to term?" A child. She…she wanted a child. It sounded unfair that Ritsuko would be blessed yet…

"Don't know, this is a first. And with her genetics all mixed up, who is to know what the child would be like. Got a team of scientists and doctors keep tabs on her now," Kaji did his best to not blow smoke on her. His phone chimed a few times as they drove, he made small talk that she politely responded to. A few rather delicate questions were asked and carefully answered. Pulling into a driveway, Kaji put the car into park, "Well here you go, you need anything just text me. Katsuragi and Smith are in high demand right now, so I've been making myself available to get the girls out when I can."

Getting out of the car, holding the door to the car in sweaty hands, "S-sure thing, thanks. I don't know how long I'll be staying. T-the farm does need me, but Cathyl said she'd take care of things for as long as I need." It took the minotaur stomping her foot and telling the rancher Merino was going to get this far…she was the pants wearer in that relationship. Scampering off to the door, she didn't wait for Kaji to leave, she wasn't comfortable with such attention. Ringing the doorbell, she felt the heat start to get to her, city heat was more stifling than the ranch. Trying the door after nobody answered, it was open so she pushed it open, "Hello? Is anybody home? It's Merino, I should be expected?"

Voices were heard, heated and overlapping. Some thing was being debated, something that everybody wanted to have the last word in. So Merino snuck in and shut the door. The feeling of A/C on her fur and skin to be heavenly. Slowly approaching the source of the borderline fight, Merino hide behind the corner and just listened.

"If we just say we'll tend to him here, we won't need to worry about sneaking in! Misato would side with us, then we can try each of these on there own…or even the mixed one!" a passionate young woman said loudly, followed by a small crash.

A skittering then a yelp from the first girl followed by, "You just want him in your room. We don't even know if this idea about my silk, Meroune's mucus, and all this mess would even do anything. Dragging Honey here, away from his doctors on a whim is dangerous. So you just hang there and think about what you're saying."

"But with all we've been hearing about the healing effects of Akagi's research. It is possible that it could have some hope. Beloved deserves this chance," a rich and calming tone soothed out the others. A muffled yelp was either in agreement or just calling out for aid. A creaking sound, unoiled wheels screeching, "But something is still missing. The ball of silk incased in Miia-chan's scale, dipped in my…oils, a dab of Suu-chan, and the yolk of Papi-chan's egg. Stitched shut with Centorea's tail fur…we are still to moist to be seared by Pyre-san's heat. It'd just leak out before a seal could be made. We need…something to contain it all."

A cure? They were thinking of using some of Akagi's insanity to try and heal…

Merino stepped into the living room and bleated just a little to get their attention. Room was a huge mess, smelled a little foul as food containers were strewn about, furniture broken and cracked in places. Just what was happening here while the caretaker was gone? "S-sorry for spying you, j-just nobody answered the door when I knocked. Y-you knew I was coming correct?" Merino found all eyes on her. So these were 'the other women' her beloved was with. They all shared her worry it seemed, appeared just as desperate as she was.

A lamia, harpy, arachnid, mermaid, centaur, slime, and salamander were all heatedly debating while a purplish skinned woman sat smiling with her head on her lap. Hanging from the ceiling was a bound by silk lamia, Miia, swaying back and forth. The centaur, Cerea if memory served approached and knocked some garbage around, "Sorry, we be having pavalar about…master and what we might do to aid him. Katsuragi-san said you were to have seen him prior to your visit here? Ye shall be sleeping in my chambers, herbivores."

"She's so fluffy! Can I hug you?" Papi flung herself at the Pan only to get webbed by the Arachne just prior to the talons sinking in. Swaying back and forth, laughing a little, her wings fanning out when coming close to Merino.

Giving Papi a spin, Rachnera approached the newest addition and drummed her fingers against her cheek. "So you're the one that sent him all those texts. The one that wrote that rather detailed file out Honey's ins and outs. The sly Pan that got him wrapped around her finger when he visited…just walking into our house are you?" Rachnera started looping strands of silk with a very predatory stance.

File? What file? What was this woman talking about? Taking a few steps back from the steadily approaching throng of women, Merino was suddenly very concerned. "Y-yeah, going to st-stay a few days. My bags should be showing up later t-today or tomorrow. W-what file are you talking about? And you've seen m-my texts?" she bleated again. She walked into a den of predators without any indication!

"Darling never kept any secrets from us," Miia muttered out after freeing her mouth of her mouth of the silk. Slithering out of the confines of her prison, Miia and Rachnera formed a two prong pincer on the poor little lamb. Sizing up the piece of meat, "Papi-chan is right, you do look fluffy. Almost like you haven't been sheered in some time. How thick is that fur of yours?"

Forming a third wall of inescapable doom, Pyre rounded Merino in her confusion and put hands on her shoulders. "Resilient and thick. My heat would take some time to cook through it. We put the poultice in a wad of this…it could work. Any objection to aiding my husband's life…would help your odds at being my second," Pyre's hand were firm, latched on and were unto steel.

Trembling as they all approached and started touching her fluff. Not hard or abusive, but very focused. Suddenly very confused and concerned for her safety, "S-second? What do you mean? And why do you need my fur?" She had her speculation but as fear started to take over, the fight of flight was starting to trigger and she was more a flight type.

"Just a small snip is all, and it's for a cure for our Beloved. With what we have learned about our traits…how they can be extracted and used. I saw some reaction between Rachnee and my oils…got us thinking we could try and heal him, but we need something to hold the mixture long enough to be heated into usable state," Merino already had a wad of fur, cut with a pair of scissors, an eerily disassociated smile on her face.

Putting her head back on her neck, the last of the group fixed her hair, "Fight the flow of reality as ye wish. Tis not but a staling of the inevitable. All things pass, all things come to the passing. Do you wish to pull the lighthouse from the shore, to let others crash upon those dark shores alone? You stare into the darkness and it will see you for what you are." Lala set something down on the coffee table and left the room.

"I doth not know how to take her lately. She be either to happy or speak like that. And…what be this?" Centorea picked up what Lala set down. Showing the crescent shape to the others, a finger nail by all looks. Holding the small slip of bone up to the others, they all shared a look…was Lala saying to add this to the little cure they were hoping to make?

As the situation started to slowly break down, Suu keeping to herself in a small ball form, the girls all 'calmly' sat down and actually introduced themselves to Merino. She learned that…no they weren't taking the state of things well, but now they had a plan! It was silly, wasn't going to work, but it gave them hope. Make some elixir out of all of their relative healing parts, give it to their shared Beloved. And when he woke…Pyre-san was willing to start accepting some co-wives. And when Merino did ask again about the 'file' they kept talking about, Centorea let her see it…she woke up some time later in her current shared room, a bit more fur missing.

X-X

Whenever a new person came by, the surroundings changed Shinji realized. When it was just him it was an idealic floral bouquet of colors, smells, and feels, but other people had vastly different influences on this ridge between life and death. Some were so beautiful that it was awe inspiring, others made that cold and drab land across the river look like paradise. Occasionally he'd notice people waiting on the other side beckoning the visitor to make the trek, others were like him and it was empty. The only constant was the initial meeting it seemed.

"H-hello, who are you?" a new voice called out, confused and a little afraid. It was an older man, in his late fifties with streaks of white hair mixed with blond hair and blue eyes. Not Japanese, not speaking Japanese, but Shinji understood him regardless. He'd have to ask Lala when she came back. The man felt about his body and his eyes went wide with joy and a few tears started to grow. "No-no pain? It doesn't hurt? Where am I? This place is…" the incredulous voice gasped out.

That was when Shinji felt the shift, being pulled from his vision of the crossing to his new companions. It was a mostly empty room, an apartment room full of clutter and mess, yet the river remained and the other side just as static as always, save for a few growing swirls of cloud…visitors. "H-hello sir. My name is Ikari Shinji and this is…I don't know really. Some think it's the afterlife, or the point where you could go to it if you want. I don't fully understand it. But, how are you?" Shinji would never get good at these initial meetings. Finding a clean chair amid the mess, he sat down and watched.

Walking about the room with cream colored walls and yellowish carpet, the man sat on a clothing covered couch wearily. "Vernon, Leslie Vernon. And I feel…better. My old place, haven't thought of this hell hole in years. You say this is the afterlife? Are you…D-Death?" Leslie's tone was reverent boarder lined worship. Shifting through the mess, grabbing books and old memories he started making stacks of things.

"No I'm not. Just a person like you, stuck here," Shinji confessed and accepted. Something kept him from going back, a fear inside himself…a selfishness to avoid the pain and fear of life. For all the good he had, fears existed. If he went back, would things continue to be the joy he had or would it start to slide. Here he had Lala and could aid people either back to life or to the other side. Back there…unknown, fear, hurt, pain, possible abandonment. Grabbing a book, a medical one he saw it was in English, "How does that make you feel? Knowing that you have a choice…to go forward across that river or go back?"

Jerking his hands, Leslie knocked his stacks over and sent things falling all over, "I don't know. I-I did a lot of bad things in my life. Before the great tragedy I had a…strange goal. After it I, my plan had no real direction anymore. Just floated through life, spent a lot of time in this room. I got sick, hospitalized." More tears started to fill the mans eyes, but they grew hard with memory. Running his hands over one another, gnarled firsts of strength.

Putting the book down as the image shifted from the apartment to the hospital room, these shifts happened frequently Shinji noticed. Depending on the soul, things were either static or dynamic. This was a dynamic soul, one filled with conflict and uncertainty. Shinji could relate, if he let his mind drift when alone here the same happened to him. Dwell on bad, bad came for you. "Was that your last memory, before coming here I mean?" Shinji probed. He found it helped himself to help those that came. Maybe that was why Lala kept referring to him as a lamp or light.

"No, my last memory was of the children of one of my girls…my survivor girls and a pillow over my face," Leslie let out a small chuckle. Walking the hospital room, the man pushed a glass of water over and it fell to the ground and yet stayed solid. Shuffling towards the great divide he put his hands into his pockets and rocked on the balls of his feet. Spinning his head towards Shinji, "I did some bad things. Think…think those over there are the ones I hurt? Will I be punished for what I did?"

Having seen some real dark souls moving across, Shinji didn't have an answer. He saw no punishment and no reward for those that walked the water. Whatever was across that pure clean water was still unknown to him, Lala assured him it would remain that way until he walked across himself. "Is it better or worse than being here? I'm afraid of going across, afraid of staying…I'm afraid so I stay. You have a choice. Stay here, go back, or…" Shinji pointed at the bleak landscape with a few more wispy shapes.

Flexing those hands, a small mask appeared in his hand and he held it lovingly. "I go then. To see what I have created. Going back would just be more beds and pain, this place is…empty. There is new. And do you…" Leslie tossed the mask over to Shinji. And as the man walked towards the water, his body de-aged and a young man in his twenties. Standing in the bank, the water curling around his ankles, he let out a single laugh before vanishing amide the souls waiting for him.

"That man had been here far more than most, his grip on the world of the living tenacious and poisonous. Yet your words were more powerful than the knives and vices that broke and slashed him," Lala's hands wrapped around Shinji's waist. As Leslie was just an illusion in the mist, the surroundings changed and back were the flowers and clear blue sky. Time did work very differently here, dream time, going way fast, standing still, going backward, and not happening at all. But Lala and Shinji shared it, and Shinji found the strange psychopomp held nearly as strong a place in his heart as all the others, and Lala returned his emotion.

Not understanding much of what Leslie said, already fading into dream memory, Shinji just held Lala's hand. She had to tease and let her head fall and roll into his lap. He shifted so she wasn't face down in it, if he didn't his close would vanish again and watching souls vanish did not leave him in the mood. "How have you been? Things going alright…are you doing alright?" Shinji adjusted his question. Lala couldn't talk about the other side, or she refused to, and Shinji accepted that. Being what she was, Lala had rules she followed, and Shinji could easily accept that.

"Fools dance about in errands that may or may not bear fruit. But if the fruit be harvested it would be juicy, if it sours on the vine…a delicious wine for me," Lala's deadpan voice was betrayed by her blush. Her body was a bit more 'earnest' than the voice, she hugged him tightly and swayed in the sudden warm breeze. Such a lonely existence this was, watching souls come and go in this place where time was in such flux. Shinji was a static thing in a realm of never ending change.

Picking up the beautiful face, Shinji caressed her cheek as he had done countless times now. A chaste kiss and he put it back on the shoulders. Plucking a flower from the ground he put it above her ear. "I don't lie and say I understand this place. Seeing people come and go, it's lonely here when you're gone. Knowing they're going to leave, one way or another. I hope…I hope the others are being nice to you. Hope you have friends back there," he felt himself starting to tear up as his fears started to work back.

"I need no other than you Mortal, my lantern and light in the dark and grey. Be you here, be you there, or even…" she pointed across the river and leaned against him and rubbed her thighs. Pushing him over, not hard as he was quite willing, she set her head upon his chest while pooling her hair over his side. Softly, the wind grew stronger, "You are mine for now until we each go across. Souls entwined to guide the others to where they need be."

For an unknown period the two enjoyed the oneness of one another, Lala did have the uncanny desire to have her head watch as Shinji performed a few tasteful acts…even after doing such things in the past Shinji was squeamish of some of the comments she made. Lala was a dirty talker. Once they were both quite content, Shinji went to cuddle a little and…Lala was gone. Just as she appeared, the collector of souls would vanish, her duel planer nature.

"She needs to learn how to say she's leaving," Shinji tittered as he felt his clothing warp back around him. With no need for food, water, or even sleep, Shinji just set his feet into the waters and let the coolness wash over him. But what if Lala never came back? What if he just sat here forever alone again? "I could go back," he shuddered as the water grew colder.

Turning back towards the land of the living, he saw the house only it wasn't the inviting image of his memory. Heading towards it, the door opened and banging in the wind, he swallowed as he entered. Garbage was overflowing and everything was in disarray. Things were just not what he had them left as, and he saw things moving about. Miia, older by a few years but just as beautiful, with a new guy. The new man was taller than Shinji had been, more muscular, and gave off a very 'cool' type. Miia was happy, the man was everything Shinji thought she'd prefer he show.

A sound from the backyard got Shinji to move away from the amorous Lamia and her new paramour. Cerea was sparring with mountain of a man, massive muscles but not to a disgusting level, a kingly man. They displayed levels of skills far beyond anything Shinji could ever do himself, he didn't have the frame. And after they fought, the man bravely and confidently kissed the doting centaur.

Before he could follow Cerea further, he saw Mero sitting in her chair, rubbing her rather large belly with one hand and holding a photo in another. Dabbing her eyes as tears threatened to fall, yet a gentle smile on her face.

No sign of Papi or Rachnera was found, their rooms empty and their possessions gone. Moved on to something else, somebody else.

Rushing from room to room, Shinji saw his fears all given flesh. They moved on, each and every one of them would be fine without him in time. Rei had MON, Misato and Smith each other, Tio would find somebody to help her, Zombina a man that accepted her, Merino one of the college students, and Pyre one of her tribe. Without him they'd be sad for some time, but eventually they'd get over it. He wasn't special, he wasn't needed, he was being selfish in trying to wrap all of them together with him to end his pain and loneliness. Each had a better life if he…if…

"Hello? Hello is anybody there?" a young voice called out, female by the sound of it. And like that the image changed. Gone was the nightmare he created for himself to punish himself, and back was the paradise he had been. Shinji found his new visitor was a bronze furred Extra-Species girl with flappy dog like ears. "Oh! There you are, hello, how are you?" the girl asked happily as she approached Shinji.

Quickly rubbing at his face, best to put forth a good image for the woman. "H-Hi, my name is Ikari Shinji and I'm fine. How about you? Do you feel alright?" Shinji took several deep breaths. It was an illusion, it fed on his fears and worries. A nightmare he had made, gave strength, and nearly fell into. Yes if he did die they would move on…but that was NOT a bad thing. Would he want them to suffer forever if he DID die? NO! He's want them happy, want them to find love again. But that did not mean what they had was bad either! It meant, his choice was his alone…good or bad it was for him to decide.

Giggling and spinning around the ground, kicking up dirt and flowers, making a bouquet of them, "I don't know. I was off to meet my new contact. I'm joining the Extra-Species inclusion initiative for my species. Guess I was a bit too excited and…last thing I remember is running across the street and…here. You're human right? I've never spent any real time with humans! My species is more…pack based. Mind telling me about yourself?" Her tail wagged happily as she handed Shinji the flowers and forced him to sit.

"I-uh…ok, you're quite the happy one aren't you," Shinji couldn't help himself. Her joy was infectious, and he found himself unable to not pet the girl under her chin, the doglike qualities forcing him to comply. Her leg started thumping and Shinji had to stop or she'd not be able to focus, "S-sorry about that. Couldn't help myself. And yeah I am human…" He went into a small question and answer session with the girl, Sheena she eventually told him her name was. She asked about EVERYTHING, guess some Extra-Species knew very little about humanity, so he did his best to not jade her impression of things.

After the questions ended, Sheena fell onto her back and frolicked in the green loamy earth. "Well that is just about perfect! I can't wait to…can't wait to…" and the joy started to leave her. Sitting up, taking Shinji's hand, she grasped it hard.

"M-maybe next time, Sheena-chan, maybe next time," Shinji knew what happened. It was rare, it was horrible, but sometimes there was only one way to go. Not everybody that Shinji saw here HAD a choice, and after some time they realized it. He never knew, it was for the soul to learn on their own. But when the realization struck it was always profound. Giving the woman a hug, "I'm glad we could meet. I hope…" he didn't know. He had no answers, only support as he could.

Standing up, drawing her human support with her, Sheena whimpered just a little, her tail stopped wagging. "Mama always said to be careful on the roads…g-guess she was right. T-thank you Shinji, for telling me your stories. I wish I could have seen it myself. But you can right? You can go back and see all the pretty things! Maybe…maybe next time I'll get to meet you there," she nuzzled her nose against Shinji's neck for a moment before walking across the river.

As Sheena vanished as Leslie did, Shinji found his legs go weak and he fell down. Such happiness and such suffering. All the things she wanted, hoped for, lost…maybe forever. He had a choice, he COULD live right? Didn't he owe it to those that couldn't go back, that he should? Letting himself have a good cry for the poor dog girl, he really did hope that she got a chance to come back somehow.

"Good or bad, don't be afraid of the bad…not bad all the time. Don't run away, don't run…go back," Shinji laid down on the grass and found he could sleep, as he felt horribly tired suddenly.

X-X

Fixing her sneaking suit, more a bluish top with more pockets than needed, Miia slapped her cheeks a few times to pump herself up! This was it! This was go time! No stopping now! Her bandana, one of Darling's shirts folded over, kept her hair back and out of her face. The pill was given to her to carry, she insisted it looked like a heart a little, and she was going to insure Darling got it. Smith and Misato were still overly busy with the Nerv merger with the JSDF, and the turmoil the UN was dealing with. So they couldn't count on them! This was a house issue, well house plus Merino, and they wouldn't fail!

"Darling is counting on me…us…but mostly me," Miia nodded at her reflection. Just under a full month of hospitalization, of coma, it had to end! This would work, it had to! Sliding the pill into a small plastic baggy, she slide it into her 'pants' pocket and stuffed tissue to insure it didn't move. No chance of losing it, of it falling out, or it getting lost! Without Misato to help get them about, they didn't get many visits to the hospital to see him. Maybe once a week if they were lucky. Putting her gloves on, "Not like it was much of a visit. Seeing him like that."

A light rap on her door got Miia to see Rachnera waiting, "Are you good to go? Once we start we cannot stop. Without a chaperone we might get reported and if they to, they might take our little solution here. I'll get away, but you won the right to hold it." Those shiny red eyes did not denote happiness. It was a group vote on who carried their best hope, Miia won by nature of Rachnera's stress relief methods leaving her less than popular at the moment. Clad in a variation of Miia's own garb, just white instead of blue and with a deep V cut down the center, Rachnera kicked open the door.

Not liking the fact she wasn't the only Solid Snake in this mission, Miia puffed out her cheeks just a little, "Couldn't you have worn something else? That color will stand out a lot!" Grabbing her box, Miia brushed passed Rachnera and headed to the front door and the waiting others. When this worked, she wanted Darling to see her and remember! If only MON wasn't on duty keeping Misato and Kuroko safe during the last of this transition period, protesters were having a field day with Akagi's research.

"Not really an issue to worry about right now is it? You're just upset I wear it better, Jack," Rachnera followed suit with the little play. Reading a few loops of webbing, the Arachne skittered through the dirty living room and the waiting throng. "If only we got enough mineral water to have Suu-chan smart enough for the walk. She could just have been Katsuragi and we'd not have this little jaunt," Rachnera towered over the slime for a moment before just walking out alone into the early afternoon.

Patting Suu's cheek, and getting more than a little slime on her hand, Centorea shook her head. Gripping Mero's wheelchair with both hands, "It be not your fault, Suu-chan, nor it be mine. But each of us shall reclaim our fallen Master today. She doth be worried and not know how to show tis all." Upper half covered in her gleaming armor, she went without the helmet today to not limit her vision. It was the centaur's duty to push Mero's chair and hopefully preserve the illusion of a human companion.

"A-are you sure you want me to stay? I-I know I don't know the city well. But I would like to go and help w-wake Dear up," Merino was fumbling her hands over one another. Clad in Darling's apron, the Pan had worked tirelessly the last two days in fixing the house back up into a respectable home. Bags of garbage sat ready to be picked up, rooms cleaned, and the stock of food back above emergency lives. But she just did not have the instincts necessary for this type of mission. Extra fluffy, her clothing puffed out due to her fur, Merino just bounced from foot to foot, "I-I could help somehow."

Leaning forward to pat the woman's hand, Mero just tilted her head with that diplomatic air. Firm but fair, "We had worked out this plan prior to your arrival. We need you here to answer the phone if Misato-san or Kuroko-san call, inform them of our intents. You have been a true boon to all of us, and I can see why Beloved loves you. A dear heart just as caring as his, but this is not a mission for a sympathetic heart." They all shamefully looked away from Merino, they all agreed. Merino was to pure for this, things might get dirty, might get hard, and none thought Merino capable of such.

"Enough delay, the spider is already off and we delay to long. Papi, to the air!" Pyre thumped her fist to her chest and made her war beads jangle. Her face painted for the mission, claws flexing in agitation, the forward division extended her arms to be picked up. Staring her run, a running T, Pyre leapt into the air and over the privacy fence.

Carving divots into the wood floor Papi flapped her wings, "We're coming Hubby! Going to play and play and play!" Feathers fell off her wings, her preening forgotten since Darling wasn't there to help, Papi caught Pyre just at the apex of the leap. The two took to the air, circling around and getting higher.

There would always be a small amount of rivalry between Miia and Merino, but Miia wasn't evil. As her heart got ready, she did pat the Pan's shoulder, "We'll bring him home today. He's been slacking to long. And if you see that…headless traitor…you tell her we're putting a stop to her monopoly!" With a nod to Centorea and Mero, she dashed outward and towards the entry gate. Merino had been the first to learn the workings of Darling's heart, to get a part within in. If that jerk teacher hadn't shipped Merino away, life might have been different. Miia had to live with this fact, but that was for after he woke up.

Rushing to the gate, opening it before Centorea crashed into it, Miia saw Merino standing at the door watching. Hand clutching her apron, such worry and concern for not just Darling but all of them, Miia would honor that. Prey would always fall to predator, but Miia wouldn't mind a little extra fluff about the house. The sensation of wetness wrapping around her waist, Miia glanced down to see Suu shaping into a shawl around her waist. Suu was the last ditch effort for hiding themselves. Take the form of a large dress, or something to hide her coils and she'd pretend to be human…better than nothing.

Thundering down the street, the click-clack of Merino's chair was louder than expected. They should have done a dry run, see if the chair could handle Centorea at full gallop. If the chair broke, well either Centorea had a passenger, Suu-chan acted as legs, or Mero stayed behind. People got out of the way, phones pulled out to make calls or to take pictures, but they didn't slow down the group. In the sky, Pyre and Papi were flying, but Miia noticed they were straying from the hospital. Papi might have forgotten the directions!

"You see that? Papi's going the wrong way," Miia got along side of Centorea. Sweating already, Miia was out of shape…guess being so lax about things had taken its toll on her. Good food, Darling tending to her, and then the depression from his absence, yeah she needed the gym again.

Bouncing in her chair, the high speed was rocking her about and making her voice warble, "Oh dear, we should have expected that. Once she gets flying that high, I doubt she can hear Pyre-san over the wind. Hopefully they can catch up. Miia-chan are you…feeling alright? You can slow if you wish, I can take the medication." Gripping the armrests of her chair, Mero nearly fell when her chair struck a rock and pitched hard to the side.

"Be you alright, Mero-san? These walkways be full of debris and traps it doth seem. And yes, we can take the parcel to Master if ye be to fatigued," Centorea didn't look away from straight ahead. Eyes going a little wide as a police cruiser turned onto their street. Its lights flashed up blue upon getting in sight of them. Still a little way off from the hospital, Centorea's head dipped. Regret welling within her, "Can thou push the chair?"

Those blue lights flashing, growing brighter and louder in her head, Miia shook her head. "N-no, I couldn't push it with your speed. I guess…" she started to reach into her filled pocket for the pill. One of them was going to have to take the hit for this, the sacrifice play to get the other past the police officer. With how out of breath she was, Miia was willing to accept it would be more likely for Centorea to make it.

Cutting across Miia's path, Centorea's tail smacked Miia's face and it had to be intentional. With a commanding tone, "Suu-chan, help yon snake when she start to falter, we shall tend to this! Lady Mero, if you would." And like that, Miia was alone as Centorea started to slacken off and angled towards the car.

"Stupid horse, telling me what to do…but I will do this," Miia coiled up tightly and launched herself forward. Sailing faster and higher than she ever leapt before, Miia flew over the police car and the street itself. Suu formed a small buffer as Miia was about to crash, but righted her. Patting her reformed sash, Miia was going to get Suu an extra-large water when this was over.

Pushing herself harder and harder, some of her scales getting damaged by stray rocks and garbage, Miia pushed through the pain. No time to give up now! The hospital was in sight and Darling was waiting for his princess to kiss him and wake him! Slithering into the parking garage, Miia spied for any followers or spies. Finding none, she took Suu off and set the slime down. Dabbing her cheek and neck with her sleeve, a sweaty mess, "Alright, now don't talk unless you have to alright?"

Suu's antenna turned into a check and she formed into Kaji's form. Since it had been that man taking them about due to Misato's lack of time, it made the most sense. "I let you talk," Suu did her best Kaji impression. She thumbed at herself in a very Kaji like matter and extended her arm to Miia.

"Now don't you go acting to much like that guy. I swear he is walking hormones. With how he was eying up Merino…shameful," Miia took the arm regardless. More to lead Suu than to 'hold a man', Miia tolerated Kaji, liked him to a degree, but she just felt an odd air about him. Knowing he was actively hitting on most of them, kept his eyes above the waist, and only Merino with her mostly human form got his full attention, yeah she'd tolerate him but not fully 'like' the man. "Alright…let's do this," Miia strode into the connecting passage from garage to hospital.

If people noticed 'Kaji's' antenna they didn't comment on it, they walked from garage to check-in without incident. Though at times, Miia worried Suu would break character to get at her sweat. Thankfully it didn't happen, at least not yet. Waiting for their turn, Miia waved at a little boy standing by his mother. Boy smiled widely at her and went to wave back until the mother stopped him. Future had possibility if only the past would let it. Miia winked at the boy anyway, let him know Extra-Species were the future and cohabitation was the only way to survive.

"Please write who you are here to see and…Kaji? I thought you said you were busy today! Sly devil trying to surprise me!" the nurse's attention changed dramatically after she looked up from the computer. Actually recognizing Miia, the nurse flinched her head to the door, "You're here to see the Ikari boy right? Head on in, and you…you come with me. Inez I'm taking my break!"

Miia and Suu had a moment of sheer panic as the nurse latched onto 'his' arm and drug the slime off to parts unknown to 'talk' to the nurse. Well, Miia wondered how that was going to turn out, but she had her go ahead. Slithering down the halls, the A/C chilling her far past her comfortable point. Slowing and slowing as she neared the room. Doubt started to set in. Pulling out the wads of stuffing and padding, she took the pill in her hand. Yeah, it definitely had a heart shape to it. "If it doesn't work…" Miia's tail vibrated and knocked into a standing food cart.

If it doesn't work, they make another, they try again, she'd wait. Mother's letter about visiting, about the communal husband, Miia didn't care about that right now! It would hurt to fail her mother so fully as to be alone and waiting, but she was willing. Spotting two forms outside the door, Miia's fear level raised to maximum. "H-hello, what a shock seeing you here. Taking a break?" Miia waved weakly at the pair.

"Miia-chan, care to tell us why I'm getting reports from all over the city of Extra-Species homestays without their chaperons?" Smith stood cross armed and firmly scowling. Kaji laughed but kept it silent, just his shoulders jumped. Advancing on Miia, Smith got right under her nose, "I don't have time for this Miia! People are either afraid or demanding more of this crap Ritsuko got started. Misa-chan is being made the vice-commander of the new Nerv. I don't have time to come here because you want to see…"

Towering over Smith now, Miia was not having that. Finger pointing firmly at Smith's chin, "No time to see Darling? Why not? Afraid to see him? You started this mess, you put all the pieces of the puzzle together to make this life for us. Now that we're here to get our last piece back, suddenly you're too busy to deal with things? You've ALWAYS too busy for us! If it wasn't for Darling how many of us would have left or been shipped home!" Knowing she was making a scene, Miia didn't care. Smith got a pass to long for all the things she mucked up!

"I couldn't have said it better myself. You let others do the work for you, take the credit, and now that something might make you do work you preach? Convenient," Rachnera tittered as twin loops hitched Kaji and Kuroko under their arms and hoisted them. Winking at the scared doctors and nurses that ran at the assault, "Been waiting for you to get here. Swear if I had that pill I'd have taken him away from here already."

Leaving Rachnera to deal with Smith, Miia made a pledge to go back to that conversation after all this mess was over. Smith got a free pass for to long for all the shit her laziness created! Flipping the light on in his room, Miia's hand fell to her side again, thankfully holding the pill. He was paler and weaker looking than before. The flowers were wilted or dead, guess the nurses didn't bother to water them. But Miia forced herself to move on. She was stronger than she was that first time she visited.

"Darling, your princess is here to wake you…" Miia whimpered. Putting the pill into mouth with a swallow of water. Lingering over him, she pulled the breather away, closed her eyes, and went in. Lifting his head up a little, making for a good pathway down his throat. Cleaning up the water and mess she made, making sure he didn't choke, Miia let Darling lay back down. Fixing his bedding, she coiled up and took a breath. Holding his hand, "You can come back now Darling. You can't sleep forever."

It didn't happen immediately, a good five minutes of just holding his hand, but Miia did start hearing the machines start to beep louder and faster. As the door opened, her time being the sole occupant ending as the others finally got there, it happened. Was it the pill, was it just his time, or was it…was it anything else Miia didn't know. But Darling opened his eyes, not the wide awake way seen in her movies, but he blinked a few times and rubbed at his eyes. Slowly, weakly, turning his head to the side, "You're all here…good. I wanted to see all of you again."

It took Centorea and Rachnera to keep Miia from smothering Darling, he was to weak for that type of affection. But by end of the day, he was being wheeled out of the hospital alongside of Mero and back home. For the remainder of her life, Miia would always believe the pill, their combined love, brought him back…call her romantic if you want, she was, but that had nothing to do with it.

X-X

Feeling tipsy already, Misato didn't care and took a deep drink anyway. It was a party after all, people had to let go and throw caution to the wind from time to time right? The furniture had been pushed around and to the sides of the living room leaving a big open space to move in, the door to the backyard was open and the party spilled out into it as well. Bugs might get in, but she didn't care. That was for tomorrow's Misato to care about. But despite the booze, food, and fun she had her little worry and she went to find it.

First up was the taller boy Shinji hung out with, Misato spotted him with a young lady whose name was on the top of Misato's mind…but just to hazy right now. "And how are you two doing tonight? Enjoying the party?" Misato winked at the pair. They were wearing matching tops, the universal sign of couple, but boy didn't that guy quickly look away from her. Still got it, not that she ever thought she lost it. Spinning the straw in her drink about, she fought back a giggle as the girl looked between the two with a little fear, "Katsuragi Misato, sorry but my memory is a little boozy, you are?" She extended her hand to the girl.

"H-Hokari Hikari, and we're doing fine. Never been to many parties, especially one this rowdy. Are you sure we won't get into trouble for…" Hikari held up her cup that held a little intoxicant. Fidgeting from side to side, she eyed Rachnera quite seriously when she wasn't leaning possessively against her boyfriend.

Rubbing the back of his head, spilling a little on the ground, Touji was just a little to overwhelmed by the house right now. A lot of skin was on display as the girls were all trying to entice a certain somebody for whom the party was partially held for. "It's great, Misato-san. Not used to hanging with adults, but these other Nerv people are cool," he tried to pry his eyes off of Tio but failed. Well he stopped once Hikari 'accidentally' stepped on his foot. Scolded and head hung down, "S-sorry Hi-chan, but…did you SEE that lady over there?"

Misato did laugh when Hikari followed Touji's digit and saw the very elegant Tio in a shoulder less dress and the girl nearly fainted. Hard not to gawk at an ogre in love trying to fetch the attention of her beau. Tio was showing a lot of skin, and a cup size that was larger than a teenage girl's head. Misato came to Shinji's friend's aid, "Don't fault him to much, Tio-chan has that effect on just about anybody. If you doubt it, try standing next to her right now. Well keep having fun, but not TO much fun. No accidents tonight!" Waving at the pair she moved along to find another group to chat with.

"Just hope somebody hasn't dragged him off to some bedroom. That is the after-party," Misato spied for Shinji but didn't see him. Finding herself in the kitchen, table still laden with treats both succulent and savory, she grabbed a handful of chips. "And how are you doing? Playing nice tonight? No fights today, Vice-Commander's order," Misato waggled her finger at Asuka. If it wasn't a joint party for success against the angels, Seele capture, promotion, and Shinji's recovery party Asuka wouldn't have been invited.

Shaking her head, more than a little wobbly, Asuka's cup was half filled and Misato wondered how many she had. "I'm fine…I'm…yeah fine! Just think we should have had two parties. One with…uh…" Asuka looked about the room and saw a few of the issue she had. Zombina and Merino were chatting with Maya and Shigeru, Asuka shuddered. Pounding more of her quickly emptying cup, "Can't really relax with stuff like this all around me. Came here to talk to…talk…see Kaji-san and pologize to Shinji. But can't even find him! Bet one of those…where's Hikari?"

Ah the telltale signs of a newly minted drunk, girl was two sails to the wind already. Slurred speech and problem keeping focus, Misato could relate. Leaning against the wall next to Asuka, watching everybody moving about in a haze she drew in a deep breath through her nose, the smell was an odd mixture. "Because this is a celebration for all of us. Extra-Species and human, we all worked together to get past the angel threat, if it IS gone like we hope. Life is going to be different going forward. Nerv's purpose will change, our purpose will change. So why not start the joining. As for Kaji," Misato pointed back to the living room. Kaji was there, talking with some nurse, didn't look good.

"Bull, those monsters didn't do nothing. Just…just got lucky is all. I could-a…could-a done just is good. Going to go find that idiot," Asuka slurred as she slowly pushed herself off of the wall. Girl didn't go to the living room first, oh-no, she got a refill and a sandwich after pushing Liz away from the drink counter. Girl was in for a rude awakening, her status of pilot wasn't worth much anymore. Not if what Gendo's interrogation held true. Angels had been trying to get to Adam or Lilith, and they were gone. Nerv's future was in debate now, the Eva's big expensive war machines with no war.

Following suit with Asuka, Misato got topped off before wandering out to see the adults for a bit. Kaji and his nurse were chatting with Makoto and his little lady Polt. "And here I thought Makoto-kun would never let us know he was dating you Polt-kun. Kaji, and uh…girlfriend?" Misato winced as the girl took a step away from Kaji. Guess the idea of Kaji and the woman dating was off, but judging from the look it was still fresh.

"Oh yeah! Misa-chi! He's so shy out in public! You'd never imagine he's such an oni in the sack! My dear Mo-Mo is…" Polt found Makoto's hand over her mouth, eyes wide and face red. Polt's tail flopped and flipped all over, but her head listed as the others laughed a little at the poor tech's expense.

Slowly taking his hand away, Makoto found himself the center of attention, "S-sorry, she's terrible with liquor. She burns it off nearly instantly if she does anything, but we've been lounging about the party. Polt-chan, please…be a bit more candid?" Makoto did look nice in his casual clothing, relaxed and smiling, and boy did he look as if he had ZERO body fat, guess being engaged to a physical trainer might do that.

"Don't worry about it Hyuga-san, we know she's a bit drunk. Oh, and I'm Shizuka Nuramaki, doubt you remember me. Secretary at the hospital, signed you in and out a few times. I-uh…is Suu-chan around? Would like to ta-talk with her again," Shizuka tugged on her causal tan top. Taking another step away from Kaji, more proof that Shizuka wasn't with the man, she scanned for her target.

Pointing outside to the patio area, "We have Suu-chan outside right now. With all the fluids spilling, don't want her getting to drunk and assaulting anybody. You…know Suu-chan?" Misato was amazed at that. Suu was never far from Shinji's side, doubly so since his return to the house three days ago. When this woman met the slime, Misato couldn't fathom.

"You just had to tell her," Kaji pouted as Shizuka all but fled outdoors as Misato pointed. Adding more fuel to his fire, Kaji emptied his cup with a smile and a shrug. Leaning in close to Misato as the engaged couple had their own private chat after Polt's rather open declaration. "I was thinking of asking that girl out. But during the great hospital siege, that slime took on my form, she took it to a room to 'talk' and…well now Shizuka is…" Kaji pointed outside where Shizuka was already talking at Suu.

Suu pretending to be Kaji, girl drags 'Kaji' off to a room for some fun, and now the girl was doting on Suu? Misato did NOT want to think about what a slime could do to a woman to make her so fawning. "Think I need to drink more to imagine what that was. So how have you been doing, Kaji? I've been so busy with the whole mess, wanted to thank you for helping the girls while Shinji was…" she got hit by the emotion ball. Hard and heavy, a big fist to the stomach of her mind. Her boy had been hurt so badly, she nearly lost him. If what the girls did helped or not, she thought it did. His tests today showed an almost magically improved state, he might not even require physical rehabilitation!

"I did what I could. Your roommates are good people. They are TOTALLY smitten with Ikari-kun. Won't lie, I might have flirted a little bit with that sheep girl, girl is stupid cute. Don't know what it was, but it hit the strike zone, but no go. But I'm glad, he deserves happiness…so do you for that matter. So where is your significant other?" Kaji stuffed a hand in his pocket and tried to scout out Kuroko.

As if summoned by the man's comment, Kuroko hip checked him before sliding up along Misato and putting her arm around Misato's waist. "Just talking to Pyre and Centorea. They were going to have a little drunken spar. Guess Pyre never knew who Centorea's mother was, once she did…well we have heavy competition for wife three," Kuroko had a bottle of water in her other hand. For a few minutes the group all chatted about how Polt's gym was, when the wedding was planned, and only ended when Polt's cup ended and she dragged Makoto away. "That kobold is going to break his pelvis you know," Smith chuckled.

"Well, I'm glad for him though. Months ago I treated him like a spore, just another guy trying to either climb up my leg or kiss-up for a promotion. But he's a good guy, you are too Kaji, so don't…don't get upset you lost your current prospect to Suu-chan," Misato had to tease. Good friends, she had some good friends, and the future was open to all of them now! The noose was gone, oh the future was still unknown but the massive threat was gone!

Spitting out her water, it made a nice clean spot on the ground, Kuroko slapped Misato's back with that hand that before been semi-hugging her. Pointing at Kaji, Kuroko's glasses nearly fell off, "That is what happened to the girl at the hospital? After I got cut down from the ceiling…got a call about…what has Darling-kun been teaching that slime. Girl was…you might have a stalker in her."

After a few more awkward minutes of talking, Kaji excused himself, "Well, think I might see if I can't follow Makoto-kun's lead and find a lady to adopt me. Maybe I should change up my tactics a little. Been striking out a lot lately. Well, new day is coming…new me. Ladies, have a good evening. Misato." Kaji leaned in and kissed Misato's cheek and then Kuroko's as a friend before nodding once and walking off to join the party. They just watched in silence for a while, until a strange sight approached them.

"Smith…bed…need bed…we're sleeping here right?" Manako drug a copy of herself over to the leader of MON. People were starting to take off, staggering into the night.

Having gotten herself a nice drink after Kaji wandered out, they never saw him again that night, Kuroko nodded. Just a little slurred, "Yeah, we got some extra futons in the rooms. Just avoid Darling-kun's room. I do not want to think about what is going on in THAT room. Haven't seen him all night, betting they've given him another oni-fang pill and keeping him there to knock the emotion out of them." Pointing up the stairs, Kuroko took her glasses off and slid them into her pocket.

"Don't think I want to think about that. But you're not wrong. Haven't seen him since this party started, and it wouldn't be hard for one of them to slink off…want to go spy on them?" Misato was getting in deep and down in her drink, mind started seeing Kuroko without the complications of that suit on. Yup, she wanted some stress relief after the worries about her boy and the world around her!

Covering her mouth as she started to snicker, Kuroko nodded. Spying the room, it was still half populated, dirty as hell, but they could slink off for a few. "You're wicked. Going to give him a heart attack. But…if he did have oni-horn, maybe…no…still fun to watch him squirm," Kuroko took Misato's hand and pulled. Such a soft and warm hand, Misato enjoyed holding it. Even during her college time experimentation Misato wouldn't have thought she'd end up with Kuroko. It had been Kaji in her future visions back then, now…who knew! Maybe this COULD work.

"So who do you think it is? I bet its Rachnera, haven't seen her all night. But her coffee pot isn't full, so bet its her," Misato stumbled as they moved deeper into the house. They had to crouch under a hanging Asuka…the how and the why of Asuka being hung up in webs…a tale for the morning. Girl was sleeping, so likely an attempt at something a certain spider-woman didn't want was curtailed.

Putting her hand to the door, picking up a feather with the other, Kuroko put it in Misato's hair, "I bet Pyre. Wife has to keep the husband content or she tends to wander. Can't have that." That look Kuroko gave was telling enough. To ease her 'wife's' worry, Misato grabbed that hand again for a moment, no wandering tonight. Climbing behind Kuroko, lining up with the door to get a good peek of her boy, they could hear sounds on the other side, Misato readied her mind for the vision.

The door was cracked, Misato fell atop Kuroko as both lost their ability to support their own weight. On the floor was what looked like acres of fabric, it took a lot for Tio to have a dress. And there laying on her 'Snookum's' bed was a very-very content ogre. Eyes half laden, mouth open in constant low throaty moan, and the deep smack of…

"Room now, guests can tend to themselves," Misato drug Kuroko up and to their room. Seeing her boy slaying an ogre was something Misato never thought she'd seen, but damned if Shinji hadn't found a way. Whatever aura Tio exuded must have changed since the act started as Misato was…well she needed this.

Kuroko didn't resist, didn't hesitate, and the pair retired from their guests to a world that contained only one another. They had odd lives, full of duty and honor, the need to appear controlled and competent at all times when in public. But in this house, with their family, they could slack and be slovenly, show the person behind the image. And they did doubly so when they were alone…

In the morning, loving the sensation of futon to naked skin, the pair were rudely woken by the shrill cry of Asuka, "Somebody get me down! I really have to use the bathroom! Please!" Misato lifted her head off the pillow for a moment, about to see to the girl.

"Let somebody else do it, or let her piss herself, hangover…sleep in today, no work," Kuroko mumbled. Well it was a magic spell, and Misato laid back down and in moments was asleep again. New day, new problems, new her…she could accept that.

X-X

Fainting to the right, Centorea swung downward at Pyre's tail. Her wooden sword connected and skittered down the bladed sections causing Pyre to throw her mace. Victory! But it that only tied the current exhibition. Taking a deep breath, the woman grabbed a waiting towel and bottle of water, "Are you unhurt?" she asked.

"That was a terrible mistake on my part. I might get a tail guard for our next spar. Give me a few minutes to prepare for our final match," Pyre confessed. Grabbing her tail, she rubbed it a little and wiggled a few of the segments. Once she was finished with her investigation she joined Centorea in a little cleaning and re-hydrating. Sitting on one of the outdoor chairs, "You are going out with my husband tonight correct?"

Her ears flapped a little as that thought entered her mind, Centorea nodded quickly. Ah they were entering the psyc-out part of the pre-fight routine. In the three months since Master's recovery, Pyre had taken one additional wife into her cluster, Merino, and was making the others work for it. Spotting the vegi-tray Master had left for them, she grabbed a few carrot sticks and nibbled, "Yeah, once Master returns from his trek to the station to deliver Miia's mother, we shall take our leave."

That had been a rather unique visit, Miia's mother. Woman drugged the whole house, ran off with Master and tried to convince him to move to their village to be a sire to all of the women there. A traditional o-o-orgy, even the word was hard for Centorea to think of. Centorea didn't know what happened after the poison mist paralyzed her, but she did see the woman hanging next to Miia in the morning with a note claiming she tried to sneak into Master's room that night. But since she was leaving, Miia was happy, they must have come to a conclusion that didn't involve Master having a few dozen children with the tribe.

"That woman was nearly as evil as the daughter. Miia is unique, a mixture of the trickster coyote yet smart like newt. But at times she only thinks of mating like rabbit. Though...being of cold blooded like myself, maybe she would be a good third," Pyre finished a bottle of flavored water and tossed it into the outdoor garbage can Master set up. Using the marriage order as a carrot, Pyre hinted to each of them about being ready for a third...just they all were dancing to her tune to get it.

Getting back into the 'arena' Centorea pointed her blade at Pyre. "I doth have spoken to my mother. She be planning to visit soon. I let slip the possibility of marriage...she...I am unsure how she took it," that got her tail to sag and ears to stop their incessant flapping. Mother was hinting of wanting her to start considering marriage, or at least a mate. Her life was entering her prime siring years and a child was expected. Hell, Centorea wanted a child...in a few years. But if Mother insisted she start looking through the book of males, it was time to inform her mother the truth. She was not going to follow tradition, she would abscond with Master if the need came to it.

Twirling her mace about, bouncing it off her shield, Pyre's eyes lightened with an inner fire. Sweeping out widely, "Excellent, I have followed her carrier as a jouster since my earliest years. To finally meet her would be a great honor. I thank you." Swinging low, aiming at Centorea's legs, Pyre hand to jump back as the centaur reared back and kicked at the air, nearly striking her in the head.

"That move won't befall me a second time," Centorea knew her races limitations well enough. Those long and powerful legs were an easy target for attack. Pyre's first round victory came from Centorea jumping to the side to avoid a blow and falling over. Twirling around, gaining momentum, she swung to keep Pyre from rushing in. Getting just a little dizzy, "So how went your night out the other eve? Twas your first full night out twas it not?"

Pyre's sudden motion forward came to a stop, her tail went rigid and she just held straight up, a living statue. "That is not a fair question to ask! Husband and I...twas lovely," her bronze skin took on a lovely hue. Recovering from her shock, she was to slow to avoid the rocketing speed of the prancing pony. Centorea dashed forward, sword at the her side held horizontal and let her momentum do the damage for her. It caught Pyre in the stomach and the Salamander went down.

All the girls knew what happened, they were the same after their first night with Master, and still like it after any time they shared time. It didn't lessen, did not lose its magic, or the emotional impact. Now Pyre and Master were fully married, consummated and it showed in how they changed while together. The coldness was gone, the odd fear of one another dissipated, and Pyre showed her own possessiveness of it.

Having won the spar, Centorea kept her head high, they were evenly matched so a win was a point of pride. Sheathing her blade, "As victor, I decree you shall ask the spirit what she doth effect Master with. Thee must have seen the times he become sullen after a period of sleep." Heading into the house, the A/C was high as Kuroko and Misato loved it cold, Centorea shivered thanks to the sweat. Suu and Papi were playing their game while Rachnera napped in a web hammock behind them. Hopefully the two of them did their school work before playing.

"I have seen the odd somber look he gets. If his talk about his dream be true, he has been to the spirit plain. Aiding the headless one in her tending to the dead or dying...that is something very few experience. It would leave one marked," Pyre took out their waiting lunches from the fridge. Grumbling a little, "He has made supper for the ogre and zombie, they'll be here after their work I believe. The ogre I accept, that zombie is to brash in her jokes." Handing Centorea her specially crafted salad, Pyre's own food was so spicy the smell alone made Centorea crave some water.

Popping the top of her lunch, "Well those two at least keep their own places. Though when Master be gone over night to their places...makes ones mind wander. Tio-san is so...to think of her in a lover's embrace be hard. As for Zombina-san...she can be hard to take serious but a challenging opponent to fight. Ye might try once or twice." Centorea fought Zombina a few times, never won. When your opponent felt no damage, could literally break apart and wrap around you, and was trained for official combat...different leagues.

Sitting at the table, Pyre took a deep breath of her tongue melting meat, and started to inhale the dish. Over her chomping and ripping, "I'll have to try. My honor will not let me stand below my husband's concubines. The tribe expects me to be on top of my wives, keep my husband's attention. Though a few are wanting to challenge him. The men...want to get in close with the king-in-waiting. I think the women resent him. They expect the king to be like my father, a valiant warrior. They do not know he is far more a warrior than any of the others in our tribe. What he has done...what he can do to all of us...a different type of man. One I did not see myself loving when this started, now..." Pyre just went silent.

Yes, they all had that idea over the months of cohabitation. That tiny slip of a man, down cast expression, always to willing to please, afraid of rejection and resentment. In her youth, Centorea had fantasies about who her master would be, who she'd mate with, and who she'd allow sire her children. Oddly, at least she thought it was odd, she never imagined a male centaur as the father of her child, but the human was tall, lean, and well...not Master. But upon meeting him, learning of his courage and sensitive nature, well Centorea was willing to disobey her beloved mother to stay with him.

Leaving Pyre to her own devices, the look on the salamander's face was all but screaming whimsical, Centorea found Mero had joined the others in the living room. They chatted a little while the younger (if in mind) girls played about. This was her family now, eventually they'd all be married into the cluster, and she'd defend it. It was not how she thought life was going to go, not in the slightest. Joining the Homestay program, she never expected this. But damned if it wasn't the best thing she had done. Supportive, fun, and caring. Everybody was in for the duration, and Centorea wouldn't have it any other way.

Sure they'd annoy one another at times, cause strife and problems, main lately had been the oppressive Soryu and her attempts at wooing Master. Mero's mother was asking for a visit from the whole of them, Papi's mom had come before Miia's did, and Kuroko kept being lazy. Didn't matter, just part of the fun of the house. Hell the missions Master went on now in his metal beast were still nerve-wracking even if it was just aiding ships at sea or buildings about to fall. One day though he'd not have to pilot, or the new LCL would stop making him sterile and one of them would...Centorea hoped she was the first but doubted it.

"We're back, anything happen while we were gone?" Master called from the door. Miia and Ayanami flanked him, guess Misato and Merino went off on some other chore instead of coming in.

Rushing over to him, bag packed and ready to go, Centorea raised her eyebrow as a very exhausted Rei clung to Master's side. "Is she to be alright? Yon Ayanami appears a might...fatigued," Centorea couldn't help but accuse. They were a little later than expected, and judging from how Miia was on cloud nine…

"Oh it was nothing, I just had to remind Darling of a few things. Rei-chan wanted to help, nothing to be worried about," Miia kissed Master's cheek and took Ayanami with her deeper into the house.

Rubbing the back of his head, bashful and worried, "S-sorry about that. Miia-chan was a little sad to see her mother off so we went out for lunch and...things just..." He'd apologize for the sun rising if one of them commented about it, but it was who he was. And Centorea loved that about him too, the good and the bad were what made all of them. And part of her beloved Master loved her for her good and bad as well, all of them.

Leading him outside, linked at the arm, she gasped when he wrapped an arm around her waist and hugged her, "Master haft done nothing wrong. Worry not, and let us go and enjoy ourselves. The day is ours for the taking, as is the future. Let us go see it to the fullest."

- The End -