Samurai Souls Part 3

A Ronin Origins story by Kajite Gray email YoroidenGi@aol.com

"Little Fish"

"OK - I think I got this now. A dolphin is a fish, isn't he?"

"Technically, it's a mammal." "A what?"

"A mammal," repeated Cye, pointing at the picture in his textbook. "Breathes air, has live babies, all that stuff."

"Oh." Kento scratched his head. "But a WHALE is a fish, right?"

"Whales are mammals too." Kento shook his head in bewilderment.

"But they SWIM everywhere, don't they? Doesn't that make him a fish?"

"It's not WHERE something lives, Kento. It's HOW it lives that makes a thing what it is."

"I don't get it."

"Well," said Cye, helping himself to more popcorn, "That's why I'M here." They sat together at the small kitchen table in the Fungs' apartment, surrounded by mounds of books and paper. Cye smiled at his baffled friend.

"I'll NEVER understand Marine Biology," he moaned.

"Yes you will," replied Cye confidently. "You just need to study." Ken shrugged, emptying the bowl of popcorn.

"If you say so. Hey -thanks for coming over. I really needed help with this stuff." Cye gave him a shy smile and stared down at his lunchbox, which was covered with whale and fish stickers. Kento stifled a chuckle. He had practically had to twist Cye's arm earlier just to get him to come over. He hadn't believed Kento's invitation at first; he just couldn't believe that someone actually wanted HIS help with something. Kento was glad he'd come over - hed've really been sunk if he hadn't.

"C'mon," he said, pulling at Cye's shoulder. "Let's take a break and get something to eat!"

"Again?!" Kento gave him a broad grin.

"Hey - it's almost 6:30 - Dinnertime!!"

"Oh!" Cye put a hand to his mouth. "Uh...." Ken eyeballed him.

"Hey - You wouldn't dare pass on Mama Fung's cooking, would ya??" Cye leaned on his hand.

"Won't she mind?"

"Shoot, no - you're a guest!" Cye still looked uncomfortable.

"C'mon," said Kento impatiently. "You already asked your Mom if it was OK, so COME ON."

"Well...." Cye reluctantly allowed himself to be led down to the resturaunt's kitchen. He would much rather have eaten upstairs where it was quieter - he didn't relish going down there with that huge crowd. He almost never ate out - let alone in a CHINESE resturaunt. His Mother would hardly approve of THIS.

"C'mon," motioned Kento, walking into the spacious kitchen. Cye hung back, noticing the heavyset woman working at the stove. He hated to interrupt anyone - especially when they were preparing a meal. She turned and smiled warmly at the boys. Cye inched back up the steps, not used to instant friendship. Kento gave him an irritated look.

"Aw, c'mon, Cye. She's not gonna bite."

Mama smiled as her son practically dragged the smaller boy into the kitchen. She was used to his guests, but this one was so shy! If Kento hadn't had a hold of his arm, he probably would've bolted back up the stairs. Poor kid. She hadn't seen him before.

"Oh, good," she said. "I see that you're finally listening to me, Kento." Her son cocked his head at her quizically. She winked at him and he grinned. Mama nodded to Cye. "I keep telling him to bring his friends home for dinner, but he hardly ever does." Kento coughed abruptly, to hide his laughter. THAT was a lie. He had friends over all the time. Mobs of them. Mama began dishing out miso soup and rice.

"So who is your friend, dear?" She looked at the shy, brown-haired boy hiding behind her son. His big blue eyes peeped at her timidly.

"Oh-" Ken pushed him forward slightly. "This is Cye Mori. He's helping me with my Marine Biology." Mama gave him a warm smile.

"Well, such a heroic effort deserves dinner at least." Ken gave her a wry look, which she returned. Mama knew her boy was no genious.

"Here," she said generously, extending a plate. "Specialty of the house. Grilled sweetfish with shrimp dressing." Cye gave a little yelp of horror, turned completely white and sagged to the floor. Mama looked down at him in confusion. Kento quickly moved to block his view of the steaming, pop-eyed fish.

"He, um, doesn't eat fish," he said, fanning Cye frantically with a dishtowel.

"Oh," said Mama quietly, putting the plate away.

"Sorry...." muttered Ken, hoping she wasn't offended. "C'mon, Cye, wake up!" he pleaded, slapping his pale cheeks gently. He hadn't expected him to FAINT.

"Try this," offered Mama, handing him a cool wet cloth.

"Thanks," said Kento, trying to rouse his friend. It took a minute, but Cye's color gradually returned. He groaned in Kento's arms.

"He's coming around."

Cye opened his eyes gingerly. The room was still spinning, and his head hurt. And he DEFINITELY wasn't hungry anymore. That FISH..... He moaned, shutting his eyes. Ken patted him with the wet cloth. A glass of cold water was pressed into his hand. He drank a little and felt better. Cye cautiously opened his eyes again to see Mama hovering over him.

"I'm sorry, dear. I didn't know." Cye managed a thin smile.

"It's.... OK." The room had stopped spinning now, and he didn't feel so sick. He sat up carefully, still leaning on Kento. Mama stood up.

"I'll get you some rice..... unless you're scared of that too?" she teased gently. Cye shook his head and smiled.

"Whatever you want to give me's fine, just..... I don't eat anything with fins." Mama chuckled.

"No fish? However do you live in Japan?"

Kento helped Cye to his feet, ready to catch him if he passed out again.

"Are you okay?" he whispered. Cye nodded weakly, still pale. He leaned on Kento's arm as they headed for the dining room. Hesitantly, he peeked out at the huge crowd. Remembering his shyness, Mama turned to him.

"Would you rather eat in here, dear?" she offered.

"No.... that's okay," mumbled Cye. He was too embarrassed to stay in the kitchen. Fainting at the sight of someone's cooking was bad form. With an apology to Mama, he hastened out of the kitchen. She shrugged, unoffended by his odd behavior. She was used to some of her recipes getting strange looks. Peanutbutter pancakes hadn't gone over so well either.

Cye leaned back in his chair with a politely muffled burp and smiled. Despite the unfortunate incident with the fish, he'd enjoyed his dinner immensly. After a few minutes of watching Kento wolfing down everything in sight, Cye's appetite had returned with a vengeance. Kento was right. Mama Fung WAS the best cook in all Yokahama. Maybe in all of Japan. Cye hoped HE'D be able to cook that good someday.... he took all the Home Ec classes he could, and practiced on friends like Kento. The boys at school teased him for it, but he didn't care - Kento appreciated it. Maybe he'd ask Mama to give him a few pointers sometime.....

"Hey," said Kento. "Fortune Cookie?" He tossed one onto Cye's empty plate. Cye cracked it open, then laughed at his friend's method - eating the cookie whole, THEN spitting out the piece of paper. To each his own. Cye giggled at his paper. "A fish is a fish," it read.

"What does YOURS say?" he asked eagerly. Kento screwed up his face at his damp, wrinkled paper.

"You will accomplish great things." Cye grinned at him.

"Your test tomorrow! Told ya you'd pass it." Ken shrugged.

"I ain't passed it yet. I know what this says, but let's go study some more. I don't wanna leave anything to chance." Cye grinned eagerly. HE didn't need to study anymore - he knew the material inside out. But he certainly didn't mind reading more about his finned friends.

"Say...." he said cautiously. "You don't drive do you?"

"Matter of fact I do," remarked Kento, picking his teeth casually. "When Dad lets me, that is. Got my permit 3 months ago. Why?" Cye gave him an impish look.

"Well, if you wanna learn about fish, there's a GREAT aquarium about 5 miles from here. Okanashi - ever hear of it? You should see the seals! And they got whales, and dolphins, and -" Kento laughed, cutting him off.

"Cye! If you want me to take you to the aquarium, just ask!" Cye jumped up like an eager little kid.

"Please!! You'll love it - it's so COOL!"

"Ok, ok - you convinced me. For the benefit of my education and to keep you from giving me Puppy Eyes, we'll go. I don't think my Dad will mind if I borrow the car for that." He grinned at Cye's eagerness.

"You are SO cool, Kento. Thanks!!" Before Cye could hug him in front of everybody, Ken got up and headed back upstairs. Cye followed him like a toy on a string.

"It can't be this weekend, though - Dad's got some stuff to do and he needs the car," he warned. Cye looked crestfallen.

"Oh."

"Cheer up, buddy - the fish'll be there next weekend," said Kento jovially. He pointed into the den. "Let's grab some snacks and study in there. I think I'm still a little hungry!"

Hours later, Kento yawned and uncurled stiffly from his place on the couch. He poked Cye.

"Well, I've had enough for awhile - my brain is full! So are you stayin' the night or what?" Deep in a book on whale migration, Cye jumped and blinked at him.

"What?" Ken pointed to the wall clock, and he gasped.

9:40!! He had to be home by 10'o clock, and he would NEVER make it now.

"Oh, no! I'm LATE!!" he wailed. Mother would KILL him. Kento, gathering up the snack dishes, gave him a look.

"Stay here. There's no problem." Cye gave him a desperate look.

"You don't get it - she'd NEVER let me stay in a place like th- ah, stay over," he finished lamely. "I'm not allowed to stay at someone else's place. She wants me home by 10!" Ken gave his friend an incredulous look.

"You mean you've never stayed over at anyone's house before? Ever?!"

"Uh-uh."

"Man, it's time you started cutting some of those apron strings, boy." He fished around under the table clutter, coming up with a battered white phone. He pushed it at Cye, who looked at the thing as though he were afraid it might bite him.

"Go on, ASK her," encouraged Kento, pushing the phone into his hands. With a doomed expression, Cye pushed the buttons, hoping against hope that he would get his sister rather than his mother. Kami would understand this better than SHE would. After only 2 rings, the phone was snatched up.

"BABY? Is that YOU?!" his mother's voice, shrill with worry, made him wince.

"Yeah... it's me. I'm ok, I just-" She cut him off.

"Where ARE you? What have you been doing? Do you know have any idea what TIME it is?!"

"Uhh.... 20 of?"

"No. 5 past 10." Great. Ken's clock was slow. Now he was REALLY in trouble.

"WHERE are you?" Cye squirmed uncomfortably.

"I um - I'm at a friends' house," he bumbled.

"YOU are in VERY deep trouble, young man," she informed him. Cye winced unhappily, and Ken stared at him. Who was this woman anyway - Atillah the Hun? Cye looked perfectly terrified.

"I-I know. I'm sorry. I was... helping... we needed to study....."

"I should say SO!! You have a TEST tomorrow."

"Yeah, but - we were - I, uh... we did -" His mother's angry tone came loud and clear over the phone.

"I want you HOME. NOW!!" Cye gave Kento a helpless look. He looked worried, and no wonder - his mother was all but reaching through the phone and dragging him home by the ear. Kento watched him stumble clumsily, argueing inneffectually with his mother. He was doing very badly at it. Shaking his head, Ken reached over and grabbed the reciever from him.

"Gimme."He leaned back in his chair.

"Hello, Ma'am?"

"Who is THIS?!" The harshness of her tone made him jump. But he recognized it largely as worry, rather than hostility.

"Hi!" he greeted amiably. "It's me, Kento." There was a pause on the other end of the line, accompanied by an audible scowl.

"You're that Fung boy, aren't you?" she accused. Kento smiled. Ahhhh...... a challenge.

"Yes, Ma'am! Last time I checked my mail I was!" he quipped cheerily. Mrs. Mori deflated his balloon.

"You've got a smart mouth, haven't you? I've heard about YOU." Uh-oh, thought Kento.

"Listen, I just - "

"Put my son back on. NOW." Her tone made even him flinch. But he had one last trick - reason.

"Ok," he bargained, "I will. But let me explain first, please? Ok?" There was a pause on the other end of the line.

"This had better be good," she warned. "He was SUPPOSED to be home by 10." Kento nodded in agreement.

"He's here helpin' me study. I asked him to. I didn't know he had to be home by now. Sorry about that."

"I still want him home, ASAP." Ken countered.

"Ah..... I know it's late. Listen, wouldn't he just be safer staying here for the night?" She hesitated at his logic, and he plunged ahead. "You must be pretty worried about him. I know I wouldn't want to go through Shinjuku Station at 11 o'clock at night. Alone, ya know." He glanced over at Cye, who was gazing at him wide-eyed. "He uh, looks kinda sleepy - wouldn't want him to miss his stop. We've got a cot he can crash on." The sound of laquered fingernails drumming on formica came over the phone as Mrs. Mori thought this over. He realized this must be hard for her.

"Well...." she began slowly.

"Y'know, thanks for lettin' me borrow him. He's really been helpin' me out with that Marine Biology test."

"He does like science...." she admitted.

"Sure does!" agreed Ken enthusiastically. "Is it allright if he stays over? We'll feed him and everything. He won't be any trouble, ok?" Mrs. Mori smiled. He was really laying it on thick to get her to let Cye stay over and she knew it.

"Don't forget to walk him in the morning." Kento, surprised by her humor, grinned widely.

"Thanks. we'll ship him back after school tomorrow, ok?"

"Allright. But he had BETTER be on time."

"Sure thing, Mrs. Mori. So long!" He hung up and gave Cye the high-sign. Cye stared at him, goggle-eyed.

"I can't believe you just DID that!" Ken shrugged, grinning at him.

"Well, you weren't doin' so hot." Cye still gaped at him.

"That was incredible! She's NEVER let me stay out before!!" Kento was amazed.

"Man - what are you, 15? Doesn't she trust you?!" Cye lowered his gaze to his hands, which were folded in his lap.

"Guess she worries about me a lot more since.... since Dad's been gone."

"Jeez, I'm sorry," apologized Ken. Cye shrugged sadly.

"It was a long time ago. I barely remember him." His eyes clouded over at the memory. How dark the normally cheerful house had seemed without his father's laughter. He remembered the endless succession of strangers filing in with cakes and condolences. Overwhelmed by all the activity, Cye had hidden; he had not wanted to go to the funeral. Maybe if he didn't say goodbye, his father would come back. He remembered staring down at the still face in the casket, wishing with all his heart that his father would wake up and play with him. He was too young to understand why he wouldn't, and that he would not be coming back anymore, that they weren't ever going to sit on the dock together again and feed the fish. It was very hard for him to accept the concept of "never again."

Cye stared silently at the wall, lost in thought. Kento gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze - he looked so small and lonely. Cye gazed at him silently with sad blue eyes.

"Come on," said Kento gently, changing the subject. "Let's catch a movie before we turn in." Cye smiled a little, grateful for the opportunity to forget.

"Sure. What've you got?" Ken held up a video.

"Godzilla meets the Three Stooges. You'll love it - it's a classic."

They had just reached the best part of the movie when Ken noticed that Cye wasn't laughing along with him anymore. He glanced down and smiled. Cye was slumped against his shoulder, half-asleep.

"Guess you've got the right idea, buddy," he said, reluctantly shutting off the TV. "C'mon, Cye - Wake up. It's time to go to bed." Ken shook him gently.

"Huh?" Cye rubbed his eyes wearily, blinking at him.

"Come on, SleepyHead. We gotta test tomorrow!"

"Oh, yeah!" he woke up a little. He glanced around the cluttered den. "Where, um, do I sleep?" Ken opened a door covered with sports stickers and Do Not Enter signs.

"My room," he answered, flipping on the lights. Cye gasped, a bit shocked by all the junk in there. His own room was excruciatingly neat by comparison.

"Where do you SLEEP?" he asked, picking his way cautiously around stacks of comics and mounds of dirty laundry. He couldn't decide which pile was supposed to be the bed. Probably that lumpy thing with all the Voltron pillows. Kento laughed, shoving aside a pile of nondescript junk.

"Yeah - I can't always find it either. It's usually someplace under Malachai - see?" He indicated the black and white cat, sleeping flat on his back amid the tangled sheets.

"Oh." Cye perched carefully on the edge of the sagging mattress. Checking out all the football and wrestling trophies on the shelves, he wondered what a jock like Kento saw in someone like him.

"Ouch! Damnit," muttered Kento. He was trying to wrestle a cot out of his jumbled mess of a closet. Finally wrenching it free, he dragged the cot over to the side of the bed. Cye was amazed. He hadn't even realized there WAS a closet behind all those anime posters.

"There," grunted Kento, straightening out the cot at last. Somewhere, in all this mess, he had managed to produce another pilow and some clean sheets.

"Hmmmm," said Cye. "You have a lot of 'guests' over, do you?" He snickered at the sour look Kento leveled at him.

"Don't be wise."

"Who, me?" asked Cye innocently, flopping down on the cot on his back. "So what's it for, huh?" Kento sat on the edge of his bed, looking uncharacteristically grim. Cye cocked his head at him.

"What's the matter?" Kento shot him a troubled look.

"Rowen's crashed here.... on a coupla' bad nights." Cye frowned at him questioningly.

"I was going to ask you about that." He had the feeling he wasn't going to like the answer. Kento gazed down at his hands.

"Guess.... guess you were gonna find out about this sooner or later. Better you hear it through me than through the rumor-mill." Cye propped his chin in his hand, waiting for his friend to continue. He had fallen silent, hunched on his bed, nervously hugging himself. After staring at the wall for some time, Kento spoke. His eyes held a haunted look.

"He --- his - he doesn't get along with his father very well." Cye's turquoise eyes widened in disbelief. Those bruises....

"You mean he - " Kento slammed his fist against the headboard, startling him.

"The man's a Goddamned drunk - likes to kick his kid around." His blue eyes narrowed bitterly. "You shoulda seen what he did to him last night. I'm afraid he's gonna KILL 'im onna these days...." He scrubbed the back of his hand across his eyes, snuffling loudly. Slowly he picked his family portrait off the shelf and gazed at it numbly. Tears spattered the faces smiling at him from behind the glass. His mom, dad and him at last year's summer by the lake. There was someone missing from the picture. Rowen was supposed to have come with them, but..... he'd been too 'sick' to go. Kento tore his gaze away from the picture. The hopeless look he offered Cye was enough to make his heart clench. Cye looked down at the photo clutched in Kento's huge hands, not knowing what to say.

"I'm lucky," Ken murmured quietly, touching the picture gently. "I got a good family." His usually stalwart chin shuddered. "REAL lucky...." Kento bowed his head, hiding his face as he cried. Cye couldn't stand it anymore. Hoping it wouldn't seem too strange, he clasped his friend in a tight hug. Kento didn't resist the embrace. He leaned into him.

"It's not FAIR...." he nearly whimpered, voicing the complaint that Rowen had never breathed. Not knowing what else to do, Cye patted his thick shoulder helplessly.

"I'm sorry," he breathed into Kento's hair, though he wasn't sure what he was apologizing for. Kento drew back, self-conciously scrubbing at his tears. Cye's blue eyes met his, likewise tear-filled.

"What are YOU apologizing for? You're not the one who should be sorry for all this," commented Kento, blowing his nose loudly. Cye looked at him seriously.

"You really worry about him, don't you?"

"Yeah." Kento knitted his brows. "He's my buddy. I know he's kind of an ass sometimes, but he's my FRIEND, ya know?" Cye sat silent for several moments, wondering what kind of man would beat his son.

"Have you tried talking to this guy?"

"Yeah." Kento pulled his lip up. "See this cap on my tooth?" Cye gasped, his eyes like saucers.

"Mr. Hashiba HIT you?!"

"Nah. Rowen did." He shrugged massively. "Guess he didn't want me gettin' involved. Don't suppose I can really blame him for bein' pissed." Cye stared at him.

"Why are you two still FRIENDS??!" Ken shrugged, rubbing his jaw pensively.

"He APOLOGIZED. Prideful bastard, that one."

"You got THAT right," Cye agreed.

"Hnf," Ken muttered, pulling his shirt off over his head. He shook his tousled hair out of his eyes. "I'm goin' to bed before I get too depressed thinking about stuff I can't change." He stripped down to his underwear and flopped down on the bed. Opening one eye, he muttered, "You'd better crash too, if you wanna be any good in the morning." The suggestion made him yawn. Cye hurried in and out of the bathroom, returning with a small white case in his hand.

"What's them?" asked Kento sleepily.

"Contacts," he remarked, setting them carefully on the dusty bureau. "I'd look like a dork with glasses."

"That you would," agreed Kento. Cye made a face at him. He turned away and undressed, a little self-conciously, folding his things neatly over a chair. Much to his chagrin, Kento erupted into laughter. Cye glared at him.

"Sorry," chuckled Kento, pointing at his boxers. "I should have known." Cye looked down. He was wearing the ones with the happy goldfish all over them.

"Sue me. I LIKE them," he retorted, climbing under the covers. He lay on his back, staring at the cracked cieling.

"Hey, Ken?"

"What?" came the sleepy reply.

"How'd you ever get mixed up with someone like Rowen? He doesn't seem your type." Kento flinched at the memory, his features tightening. There had been so much blood, and Rowen had been so terrified. Things had turned ugly when Hashiba found the boys hiding in the garage---- with an effort, he blocked the picture out.

"Don't ask me about that now," he warned, "Or we'll both end up with nightmares."

"Oh." Cye could only guess the circumstances. They could not have been pleasant. He rolled over, looking at Kento. Malachai had migrated to his broad stomach for warmth. Absently, he stroked the soft black and white fur.

"Rowen's lucky to have you for a friend," murmured Cye. Kento shrugged, looking up at the ceiling.

"No matter what you hear, he's really a good guy. He's really kinda quiet and shy.... kinda like YOU." He grinned. Cye blinked.

"You sure we're talkin' about the same guy?"

"Wise-ass," muttered Ken. "Now go to sleep."

Cye smiled peacefully and snuggled into the crisp white sheets, more comfortable then he'd ever thought he'd be in a strange place. It was like he really belonged here. He was very much at ease, somehow. Mama was kind, and Kento felt like the brother he'd never had. He was so easy to talk to, Cye felt like he could almost trust him with - he sat up in bed. Why not? Surely, if anyone would understand this, Kento would. The older boy obviously trusted HIM, so he should do the same.

Squirming around in bed, he reached over and dug around in his pant's pocket. He pulled out the thing that had been driving him mad for weeks. Maybe Kento would know something about it.

"Hey, Kento!" he hissed. "I need to show ya somethin'!" Only deep snores answered him. He shook the sleeping form gently, but earned only more snores and a sour look from Malachai. Kento was NOT going to wake up. With a disappointed sigh, he dropped back onto the cot.

"Oh well," he muttered aloud, turning the pale blue marble over in his hands. It's glassy surface winked in the dim light. "Guess I'll have to keep this to myself for a little while longer." Curling his fingers over the cold little globe, he settled back under the covers. Soon he was asleep, the milky blue light from the ball seeping out between his fingers.

In the darkness, the balls pulsed. One's rythm was slow and powerful, the other's faster and lighter. Their rythms merged, becoming the same. They glowed harmoniously, the one in Cye's hand shining bright crystal blue, the one on Kento's nightstand blazing a fiery orange. The globes hummed in unison. The walls were lit by the bizarre patterns of light and shadow that were thrown on them as the orbs communed. Their quiet, psionic conversation continued long into the night. Like two long lost friends reunited after a long absence. They hummed back and forth busily, cheerfully, as though they had missed each other. The room was illuminated by their power. The air shimmered.

What the hell.... thought the blonde-haired boy, suddenly awake. He looked around his well-furnished room, shifting in his white linen sheets. The rest of the Date household was still asleep. The room was dark: Sage could see no one. Not a sound greeted his ears. Minx, curled up beside him, was still asleep. He stroked her calico fur absently, causing the cat to purr softly. The house was silent, but SOMETHING had woken him. Sage poked about mentally, but could not pinpoint the source of the disturbance. He sighed in frustration, laying back down. Something was definitely up on the magic front... he could feel it. He just didn't know what it was. Yet.

Cye stretched lazily, and rolled over. He swam in warm water, enjoying the feel of it against his skin. The sea surrounded him like a caress. His hair drifted in an auburn cloud around his face. He had no trouble breathing, seeming to have developed a set of gills along his sides. Trails of bubbles drifted lazily past in the luminous blue waters. Cye turned sumersaults in the sea, kicking easily. His hands felt strange. He looked down at them, realizing they were covered now in tiny silver scales. Delicate webbing grew between his fingers. His feet felt the same, but all at once they were not feet anymore. He felt them twining together, forming into a long tail. Undulating, he skimmed swiftly through the water, thousands of tiny minnows fanning out before him in silver sheets. His hands were no longer hands, they were graceful fins. His vision transfused, blue eyes turned to glassy gold as he transformed completely from human to fish. Forgetting all else but the clean blue ocean around him, he streaked through the water, swimming for the pure joy of it.

Cye smiled and sighed deeply in his sleep. He was in Heaven.

Kento watched him dream, peering down at Cye, who was grinning blissfully in his sleep. Gee, guess I'll have to tell Rowen he was wrong, thought Kento, completely misinterpreting the dream. I wish I was dreaming about a pretty girl!

Shrugging to himself, he lay back down and went to sleep.

Malachai scrubbed his paw, eyeing the sleeping boy below him. The young man was sprawled on his back, one forearm drawn up over his eyes, a leg flung casually over the edge of the cot. This one was unfamiliar to him, but he'd caught his scent on Kento many times. The cat paced the bed, tail switching. Where best to jump on him? The other one had awakened in the most entertaining fashion with a great deal of sleepy fusses when he'd pounced on his face. Precisely three minutes before the alarm would have gone off, of course. With a mumbled threat about fur handbags, Kento had shuffled off sleepily towards the kitchen.

With the bed now his alone, Malachai had preened contentedly until the burbling snores from the cot attracted his attention. Cye whistled and grunted peacefully, wrapped up in some silly human dream. Well, HE knew how to deal with THAT. Green eyes twinkled down at their target. Now, where to pounce?

Ooh. Fish.

Malachai jumped, claws extended, right on a smiling goldfish.

The results were better than he'd expected. Cye yelped in surprise, a pained gasp escaping him. Swearing, he swung his pillow at Malachai, who took off like a furry torpedo. He heaved a slipper at the cat, who dodged it with practised ease.

"SonofaBITCH," grimaced Cye, inspecting himself for damage. Nothing serious, fortunately. He glared at the cat, who sent him a satisfied smile from atop the cluttered dresser. HIS job was done.

Rubbing his eyes, Cye blinked at the sunlit room. What a heck of a way to wake up. It took him a confused moment before he remembered he was in Kento's room. The bed beside him was empty. Mentally giving the cat the finger, he fought free of the sheets twisted around his ankles. Somehow he always managed to kick off his covers during the night. He scratched himself sleepily, standing up. Where was Kento? He felt the bedsheets - still warm. He couldn't have gotten up TOO long ago. Sounds of movement from the den caught his attention. Cye headed grimly for the door, intending to have words with his friend about his psychotic pussycat. He wandered out into the room, yawning.

"Hey Kento, what's the deal with your-" The words froze in his throat. It was NOT Kento he had walked in on. Mama straightened in surprise, her hands full of dirty dishes. Busy with her morning cleaning, this was the last thing she expected to see coming out of Kento's bedroom. She stared at him in surprise. She hadn't even known he was staying the night. But there he was, standing there in his underwear, a look of horror spreading over his face. His cheeks flushed bright red and he dashed back into the bedroom. "Excuse ME!!" he gasped, nearly slamming his foot in the door in his haste.

Mama, completely surprised, stared after him for a minute. She slowly sat down on the edge of the couch. Kento, no better dressed than Cye, came in a few minutes later to find her sitting there. He stopped chewing on his donought.

"Mama?" He said cautiously. She was shaking slightly. "You okay?"

"Fish...." she managed to gasp between fits of giggles. "Little....fish!"

Uh oh, thought Ken, looking towards the bedroom door. Poor Cye. Mama recovered enough to reach over and tweak her son's ear.

"Ow."

"Somebody forgot to tell me they were having company over for the night." Kento rubbed his ear.

"Sorry about that. I meant to tell you. It's just Cye."

"So I noticed. Just remember to tell me next time. Poor thing - I think I just about scared him out of his fish." Ken grinned.

"Yeah. He's a little shy."

"He must be - I haven't seen him around before." Kento shrugged, swallowing the last half of his donought.

"He's new. He just started at our school a few weeks ago." Mama nodded, heading for downstairs.

"Well, if he's not too timid to show his face, tell him breakfast is ready."

"Ok."

"No." Cye, still red in the face, shook his head at Kento.

"Aw, come on, Cye - it's not THAT bad. You were... KINDA dressed."

"I don't care. I am NOT going down there."

"Aw geez, don't be such a prude," grumbled Kento, trying to pry Cye's fingers off the doorframe. Cye gave him a wild look.

"I was practically NAKED!! I'll never be able to look her in the face again!" he wailed.

"Nonsense," muttered Kento. Succeeding at last in prying him loose, he propelled Cye (now properly attired) toward the kitchen stairs. He halted stubbornly at the top, refusing to go down.

"NO," he grated.

"Yes - you - ARE!!" grunted Kento, giving him a shove. Cye stumbled halfway down the steps. He glared back at Kento and would have tried running up past him if he'd thought he'd make it.

"Don't," warned Kento, reading his mind. "Bet you she's not even in there," he said, pushing Cye into the kitchen. But she was, stirring her soup as usual. She looked up as they entered the room.

"Good morning! Someone's up early."

"Sure am!" grinned Kento, pushing a sputtering Cye before him. "We're both starved." Mama's bright grey eyes lit on Cye.

"Why hello, Little Fish! What would you like for breakfast?"

Fatally embarrassed, Cye hid his face against Kento's shoulder and groaned. He hissed in his ear: "I shall KILL you for this, baka-san.... I shall kill you." He had the sinking feeling he was going to be "Little Fish" forever.

To be continued.... Next Chapter: Decisions

"For those foolish enough to plagiarize from this story....
The Youja shall haunt you."--Kajite