Was it adoption? Or simply foster care? Shino had been too young at the time to really care. She hadn't been at an orphanage. But she did know one thing, wherever she went, Locke came too. They were a package deal. True, she was just a child, and Locke at the time, even younger than her, but she felt the need to take care of him, or at least stay with him.
Before, she had been a 'church mouse' if you will. Quietly living in a rarely-used church, minding her own business until the storms came. That's when she met all her new friends: Tamuril, Bethan, Pyper, and Eri. And shortly after, Locke and Nigel. When her existence became known, that's when the community had suddenly become so 'kind' and wanted to place her in a nice home where a loving family would take care of her. She wondered why that was. Until then, she had gone around un-noticed. Was it because she had preferred it that way until she made her first friends?
Regardless, she was lucky enough to be scooped up, and taken in by a couple who wanted her AND Locke. That was what was most important to her. Now she had a family that was willing to provide, and help her take care of the herald she so adored. And when she wasn't at home; despite the place being huge, you would think a child like Shino would be entertained to simply explore the place all day, instead the little mouse girl would rather be outside. Luck again was on her side. Shino could take Locke with her to the Shrine where Pyper and Eri lived. Pyper and Eri were also old enough to help her take care of her, and the herald. And they had more freedom to go in and out as they pleased.
Everything was finally settling into place. Or at least, that's why Shino and Locke had thought. Not only had they both gotten older; in fact, to Shino's surprise, Locke almost looked her age now. It was as if he was growing faster than she was. If he kept growing at that rate, he would almost be Shino's age or older-in appearance anyway. But besides that, a new figure had stepped into the picture. A figure that neither Shino or her new family had counted on ever encountering; Shino's real father. And that's what had gotten Shino thinking.
At first she had been avoiding him, Dune, that's what he called himself. Since they met, it had been awkward; Dune being an amnesiac. But deep down Shino could tell they were related. Maybe it was the animal part of her that knew? The instinct? The smell? The feel of his presence?
Eri had phoned over and over again, even if just to talk to Locke and Shino, despite Pyper telling her to stay out of it because it wasn't their business. Eri insisted that perhaps Shino and Dune go to the hospital and have a test done to see if it was true. Shino was reluctant at first of course, but her 'adopted' family assured her they wanted what was best for her, and it was completely her decision.
Plus, since Dune saw Shino he had constantly been ridden with nightmares. He remembered a destroyed village, and various other things, including... a baby. All he had known was that his home no longer existed, and if he had had a family, which he wasn't sure, they were most likely deceased. But perhaps that wasn't the case.
Finally the day came when Shino, her foster family, and Locke met with Eri and Dune at a clinic. Pyper had agreed to meet them there later since she apparently had some sort of business run to attend to, but secretly Eri felt that Pyper simply wanted to avoid the situation because it made her uncomfortable. She wasn't the only one though. It seemed everyone was rather uncomfortable. Who wouldn't be in a situation like this?
The test of course proofed, what Shino had already suspected. Now the question was what to do about it. She sat in the Manor's guest room on the floor with Locke and discussed it.
"Do we stay here Locke? Or do we go live with Dune at the shrine?"
"Well....they took him in...for us, right?" Locke asked, slowly. "And I think he's nice..."
"I know. I don't hold anything against him..." Shino replied, staring down at the floor. "He's sick. He can't remember....." A sad look crossed her face. "I can't imagine what it's like....... not being able to remember things.... important things..."
Locke reached over, and patted the girl on the shoulder. "Don't worry. Lots of people recover from amnesia," he reassured.
Shino nodded, but let her tail coil around his leg as if to add to Locke's reassurance. "Maybe he WILL remember. And then we'll know what happened... but until then... I feel like it would be mean, just to leave here. These people took care of us. They gave us a home, and food, and love.....can we really just up and leave? Don't we owe them something in return?
"................." Locke remained silent. She had a point. But being just a baby when they first moved there, he wasn't as attached to anyone, but Shino. So wherever she went, he would follow. So now what were they supposed to do? Either way, having an old-enough guardian who could support them wouldn't be a problem. It was just a question of preference on Shino's part. And Locke could see what she was leaning towards. It was the guilt of 'leaving behind' her family here that was holding her back. "Perhaps... if we had... a sort of....going away party?" It was more of a question than a statement.
Shino's ears perked. "Y-you're right! And, I'm sure they'd still let us come back and visit, don't you think?" A slow smile began to spread across her face.
Locke nodded. "Of course!" He was happy that she was happy. He had actually managed to say the right thing. He smiled in return.
Maybe the churning sea would finally become calm again. Things would return to 'normal', whatever 'normal' was for them.
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