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Day After Fool Moon (begin cosplay hopefuls RPs)
Remus dragged himself towards the headquarters, only barely noticing the extra activity all around. Though his robes were freshly clean & smelled of being recently laundered, he himself looked awful. Large bags were under his eyes, but were next to nothing against the many bites & scratches marring his chocolate brown pelt. Some were deeper than others, but any knowledgeable eye could see that they had been recently treated while a trained eye knew some were more than a day old.

Bouncing around him, the teen Chroma barked & yipped excitedly, just glad her 'brother' was with her again. "We're gonna have fun, Aren't we Remy? So many kitsu around to play with!"

"Remus." He tried to give a gentle smile with the reminder, but even that caused him to wince in pain. Still... it might be less crowded & less over-sympathetic here than at home tonight. As much as he had appreciated it -being cared for all day- Remus realized he also needed time to remind himself he was also capable of taking care of himself.

(Spidey & Hiei -cosplay hopefuls- fighting)

They had not even entered the HQ yet when Remus noticed Chroma's attention diverted. Seeing the kitsu posed in pre-fight readiness his eyes narrowed & he nipped at the bright teen's ruff. "Come along now. Don't make me carry you like a kit."

More worried that Remus would follow through his threat & hurt himself than of the threat itself, Chroma meekly ducked her happy tails & pouted into a position beside the adult kitsu. "Okay..." Of course that did not stop her from casting wide-eyed, curious glances to watch the fight begin.

The sight of webs & flames almost distracted Chroma to leave Remus' side. Luckily for her, he too had paused to watch the strange fight with some interest. He sighed in resignation, finding a soft bed of moss to rest upon. "I suppose we can watch from a distance. If you promise me not to leave my side so that if their magic comes to close I can apparate the two of us safely away."

The bright blue swirl on her rump appeared to spin as all three of Chroma's tails moved happily at once. "Okay!"

New Day ((Still Cosplay Hopeful))
His wounds were healing & Remus was beginning to feel much better. He was curious about the abundance of new kitsu around the HQ lately. A little sigh escaped him. Remus did not like letting his little sister know he was nearly as curious as she.

Chroma for that matter was not curious in quite the same ways Remus was. Happily, she pranced ahead of her protective brother while humming a little song. Her curiosity revolved more around wondering what she would do tonight, & who she might meet. Light blue eyes sparkled at the thought.

Naruto's loud voice can heard as always and he bolts outside the HQ, hot on the trail of a red blur, yelling profanities "GYPSY, GIVE IT BACK!!!! THAT'S MINE!!!"

Gypsy, in another game of chase, has something far less dangerous then a kunai she occasionally takes from him. It is a cup of instant ramen, taken right from Naruto's paws and now she is running around with it

Ryuk smirked through a mouth full of plastic.

Typical mortal reaction...

Though he wasn't surprised at all, sometimes he wished mortals wouldn't react so badly to him. It was hard to observe them in their natural state when they wouldn't stop screaming. Granted, had he been a mortal, he'd be afraid of him too. And this one, this one was a child. Of course she'd be afraid.

Landing lightly on the grass, his wings retracted into his back. He set the bag of apples down, and proceeded to rip it open with his teeth, seeking a bite of the fruit. He kept an eye on the mortals the whole time.

Naruto growls at the dark furred Kitsu, "Why'd you have to scare her like that ya jerk?!! She's only a baby and she can't fly yet!!!" he yells. Then he unzips his jacket, pulling Gypsy out and turning her to look at him "See, Gypsy, there isn't a reason to hide, you don't have to be scared of a big fur ball like him!!!"

Gypsy blinks at the dark furred Kitsu, her gold colored eyes wide. Her fear is quickly forgotten as she spies the apples and she reachs her paws out, wriggling around as she screams out "Food!!!!"

Who is this figure? His large ears twitching with an ultra-sensitive sense of hearing, a good portion covered by the relatively short cut of dirty blonde hair that is carefully parted at the front so that it doesn't cover his ocean blue eyes. Those eyes are curious as they look around, but also very wary, glaring at everything and everyone he sees for who knew if any could be an enemy!

His gauntlet covered forepaws stretch out and the little individual fingers stretch as he walks, the sound of the shield on his back faintly heard scratching at his forest green tunic that wavers with each step. His sheathed sword settled under that shield providing more weight in his steps but Link carries himself quite nicely with the skill that only a warrior of his skills and experience could very well have.

Despite all the this though, he could not still help himself from sending a few small glares in the direction of that rather annoying little Guardian that chittered in her surprisingly loud and very high pitched voice. Everything she saw was accompanied by a ringing of a bell and usually something along the lines of, "Hey! Watch out! Look!" Every time he had to roll his eyes because every time there was nothing there! Overreacting she was, Navi that is, that little pestering Guardian that he could not help but love! She had come with him when he needed her most and had not yet abandoned him. So, of course, there was a deep and very profound friendship between them.

But still! She should stop! So annoyed with her that Link doesn't notice the rock until he trips over it, releasing his trademark, "AAAAAH!" as he falls forward, flies a few feet and thuds onto the ground with a cloud of dust following his impact. Oh, that hurt.

At first Chroma is merely crestfallen, and her whole posture droops with sorrow. why did Gypsy friend run? The thought flies as she feels the presence descending. "Ahhhhhhhhhh!"

"Chroma!" His first thought that if whatever was descending was a danger he could not reach the teen in time. Instinctively his wand was out, Stupefy ready to cast when Remus realized the descending shape was a kitsu & did not seem to be aggressive. Realizing he was staring as the winged kitsu began to eat his apples; Remus Lupin averted his gaze & put his wand away. Casually he went over to his sister. "Everything is fine, Chroma."

To the immortal he said. "Hello. I do not believe we've met."

Blinking out of her shock, Chroma nodded. "I know I've not seen you! I'm Chroma!"

Ahh, and here was a mortal who was too dull to know what was good for him. How quaint.

The laugh that escaped from the Shinigami kitsu's throat could not be determined as being either mocking or jovial. His dead grin washed over the orange-clad kitsu.

"The kit is probably right to be afraid," Ryuk said. "You don't know what I am, do you?"

Reaching through a hole he'd ripped in the bag, Ryuk reached into it and pulled out an apple. He rolled it towards the winged kit.

"Here. But don't think you'll be getting much more."

Then, sticking his snout into the hole, he brought up an apple in his jaws and crunched down on it. He made little content noises as he chewed.

Nodding towards the robed kitsu, he responded through mouthfulls of fruit.

"No, we haven't. Had we met before...well, you wouldn't be here."

Naruto sets Gypsy down, but keeps an eye on her so she doesn't get to close. He shrugs his shoulders as he goes to pick up his abandoned cup, "Nope, not really..." he holds his cup protectively, eyeing Gypsy in case she made another grab for it

Gyspy hops up to the apple and picks it up in her mouth. She stares up at the dark furred Kitsu with big eyes, but she turns her attention to Chroma and she bounds up to, her voice and chirps muffled as she goes to her friend

"I admit I do not know who you are either." Remus interjected. "Perhaps you could enlighten us? I am Remus J. Lupin."

"Yeah! e'lighten us!"

Link pushes up to his feet, shaking himself off as he does. That one scream would probably be all that anyone gets out of him, being a silent protagonist and all. Navi's "WATCH OUT!" had come a few seconds too late for him to heed her warning and he had paid with a scuff on the chin. One of those forepaws lifts up to rub at that spot before settling it back down into the dirt.

He glances over his shoulders to spy that his white tights have gotten dirty; no surprise there. It always takes a great deal of washing to get rid of all the gunk they collect. With a slight waggle of his hips, he shakes off more dust from the bottom piece of his tunic before he starts on his way again. His belt, consisting of many useful tools and some pouches, jingles as well; all in all he's a rather noisy Kitsusagi if you really thought about it but when he wanted to, he could be as silent as a cat, a tactic he often uses while on a quest.

He had surveyed his surroundings already once before and now does it again. He had some some other Kitsusagis, but rarely did he ever find himself so interested to make an approach and inquire. However, that didn't ever stop him from eavesdropping for one could always pick up tasty morsels of information that way. With stealth in mind he creeps along towards some group to listen in.

Ryuk swallowed the last of his apple noisily.

"My name is Ryuk," he proclaimed. "And I am a Shinigami."

Fishing another apple out of the bag, he idly rolled it off his claws and tossed it into the air before grabbing it again and biting into it. He wagged a paw at the cloaked kitsu.

"You might as well return the favor."

"I know my name is not widely known, but I am Remus J. Lupin, a wizard." and werewolf He mentally added to himself depreciatively. "If you do not like company, why choose a spot where you will have company, I wonder?"

The large dark kitsu was boring. Chroma happily sought to start a game with the kit Gypsy while the 'adults' talked. Talking was highly overrated. Play was much better!

He doesn't get too far because again Navi starts her bell ringing and shouting, leaping up and down in front of his path and up to wards his face to stop him. In fact, she even catches his muzzle, making him skid to a halt, blinking as he goes cross-eyed to stare at her as she warns him to stay away, that none of these folks look very safe.

Link exhales a sigh, his ears pinning back against his head and he tilts it, causing his hat to shift along with him. His expression is one with an arched brow and one dropping towards the middle to narrow at the Guardian, patiently waiting for her to let go of him. She does, but only to climb up his face, getting a grunt out of him and she climbs under his hat, sticking her head out to look around. After all, she still intends to watch out for her Kokiri Kitsusagi friend.

He shakes his head absently at her before he starts to walk, ignoring her previous warning that he ought to stay away. Link was cautious and still very aware and still he wasn't too close to them that he'd be in danger. If anything it looks as if he's going for a casual walk and at that point, to him, it had become just that.

"A wizard" Ryuk mused. "That's new. You mortals are always full of surprises."

His grin widened as he turned to look Lupin straight on. Golden orbs bore into the other kitsu's.

"Why does anyone do anything?" He began to preen himself, long tongue stretching out over jagged teeth.

"I was bored."

Waving goodbye to her friend & Gypsy's strange babysitter, Chroma hears the sound of a bell ringing. With eager hops she bounds off in search of the source. Then it stopped. A new smell approached. "Hihi!" The teen called out gaily. "You here to play too?"

The Kokiri Kitsusagi comes to a stop, blinking as he looks at the approaching girl. Her words are met by a casual tilt of the blonde's head, blinking at her again; his three tails remain still behind him, merely dangling at his hindquarters and along his booted hindpaws. He regards her inquistively but finally decides that she doesn't mean him any kind of harm. She's met with a smile from him and he gives a shake of his head.

This kind of interaction makes Navi's bell dingle again, but at least this time it isn't accompanied by a warning from her. Instead, she speaks in that high pitched voice, waving at Chroma, "Hello there!"

You mortals? What does that make him? An immortal? There were memories of many kinds of immortals in the wizarding world. Remus had a feeling Ryuk did not mean elves or fae. No. The dark one had too much sense of self for that. "Boredom makes both mortal & immortal do strange things." He might have been unnerved slightly by the intense stare but showed nothing. Sometimes being a werewolf had its advantages. "Would your boredom be better suited to our presence or without it?"

"I'm Chroma! Wanna play?" One track mind, this kitsu.

Ryuk raised his head to again level himself with Lupin. He let out a low chuckle.

"Don't flatter yourself. I come here all the time. I like it here, in the mortal world. Mortals...are a RIOT!"

His eyes widened, causing him to look even more maddened than he normally did. He managed to maintain the same low laugh. If there was anything the Shinigami kitsu didn't want, it was to come off as being a lunatic.

He leaned in closer to the other kitsu. This served two purposes: to better examine the wizard as well as hoard his apples.

"You don't seem like a normal mortal yourself. Are you from around here?"

Link opens his mouth, readying to reply when Navi goes on to answer for him, "I'm Navi! And this," she knocks on Link's forehead with two tiny hands, "This is Link! Of course we'll play! Link loves to play, don't you Link!" She looks at him, square in the eyes.

He smiles at Navi and then nods, turning his eyes back to Chroma, having since closed his mouth since his eccentric fairy friend was quick to the punch to answer for him. This is something someone might notice over time that Link was rather quiet and withdrawn, but at the same time very friendly. Navi was his voice a good deal of the time, and she did it a second time with this other Kitsusagi.

"What game would you like to play? Link loves to race! And oh, oh, treasure hunts are always fun too!"

"I never flatter myself." Remus stated matter-of-factly. In fact, if anything he tended to belittle himself. But he knew enough to keep that to himself. He chuckled; two short bursts. "I suppose mortals are rather humorous"

Remus blanched ever so slightly as Ryuk leaned in. It was not the proximity as much as what he said. 'don't seem like a normal mortal'... can he see I'm a werewolf? He quickly pulled himself together. Not that it mattered. Severus knew, & in this place did not seem to care. "Yes & no. I was born here, in this form. But I have memories from another life, not here, with a different form." but the same affliction...

"There are others I know from that time or place, who also seem to recall it." Remus could almomst hit himself for that. It was not like him to give out information on others.

Chroma got more & more excited with each utterance from Navi's mouth. "I love all games! I can race! She seemed completely oblivious that the grown kitsu would likely outpace her easily. "But I don't usually get to go on treasure hunts! Do you know of any treasure hunts? Brother Locke looks for treasure all the time but he never lets me go with him." That was not quite true. The cait Locke had taken the teen kitsu on a few excursions with him. However Chroma tended to get distracted or get in the way at crucial times & he had since taken to either sneaking out while she was not looking, waiting til Chroma left for the kitsu HQ, or implying he was going to do something much more boring than treasure hunting.

Ryuk couldn't help but wonder how it felt to have memories from two lives, when he himself could hardly call what he had a "life" at all. Perhaps that was why this kitsu's lifeclock looked so strange? No, it had to be something else. Something physical. Even the little winged kit's lifeclock had looked the same as those of other mortals. This kitsu, Lupin, he had something supernatural about him.

He laughed with his eyes.

These mortals...

"Must be nice..." was all he said.

Navi had little patience, but it was not the sort of lacking patience that made her snippity or rude like it would others; she was just very energetic, constantly on the go, and often found it difficult with Link to get what she wanted or go where she wanted when she wanted. However, this other Kitsusagi seems to be the complete opposite and this makes her happy!

Link himself is stuck in between them, so to speak, listening with growing amusement, his eyes bright with it, and the smile on his face both clear indications of the laughter he feels but doesn't express vocally just yet.

"Let's do a race! I don't think Link knows of any treasures we can go look for. Do you Link? Well, Link? LINK!"

She had said this all so fairly quickly that the Kitsusagi barely had time to register each word before she was screeching out his name. His ears flatten and he takes a step back, crossing his eyes to stare at her again, then he shakes his head quickly when it finally dawns on him what she was saying.

"A race it is then!" she announces, pointing an arm out in the air. She then looks around. "Ha! Over there, to that tree! On the count of three. Face that way! Come on, look! Watch!" She ducks under the hat, readying herself with Link to go on the race.

He shakes his head, smiling, but does lower himself to the ground slightly, preparing to run when the count starts.

Remus shrugged, in a self-depreciating way. "I suppose." He was starting to miss Chroma's chatter. The wizard felt he should continue talking, but was uncertain what to say. The way the laughter hung in the immortals eyes made Remus more uneasy than anything else Ryuk had done since meeting him. As if he knew something...

Resisting the urge to shift uneasily, Remus cleared his throat. "Please don't let me keep you from your meal. Chroma & I ate before we came."

Not having as far down to crouch, Chroma giggled as she sized up her opponent. Blue eyes twinkled as she waited to hear the countdown. Her hind end wiggled with excitement. Race Race Race!

"Ooooone," begins Navi, purposely drawing out each number just to make the anxiety for the start of the race all that more painfully slow.

"Twoooooooo."

And while she starts to count, Link is debating with himself. While this is a race he could more than likely win, he decides to be a good fellow, a good man, and let her win. A decision quickly made just as Navi shouts,

"THREE!"

And he doesn't shoot out like a horse from behind the gate. No. He rises up to his feet as Navi yanks and jerks at his bangs, bouncing up and down under his hat, almost sending it flying.

"Come on, Link! RUN! RUN! LOOK! She's getting ahead of us!"

Does Link start running despite this insistent badgering on the part of the Guardian? Not at all. With one paw in front of the other, he puts himself into a light trot, looking more like a show horse rather than a racer as he keeps himself a good few feet back behind Chroma to let her have the lead and of course, the win.

Ryuk cocked his head slightly.

Meal?

Being immortal, the Shinigami kitsu really had no reason to eat regularly. He rarely did. Hell, there wasn't even food where he came from. The only time he ate was when...

Oh, he means the apples.

"What, these?" he said, pawing at the bag. "This isn't a meal. I'm not feeding myself with these. I'm feeding an addiction."

He took a bite out of another apple, savoring it like he figured a mortal human did a long drag on a cigarette.

"Apples are like cocaine to Shinigami like me."

He used the word pointedly. The dark kitsu was making Lupin uncomfortable, he could tell. But it wasn't uncomfortable in the way most mortals were around him. It was a more...uncertain-uncomfortable. This made him wonder amusedly if Lupin knew what a Shinigami was.

Mortals are so easy to mess with.]

At the sound of Navi's "THREE!" Chroma took off. The simple minded teen did not notice her opponent's slow pace, only the feel of the air whipping through her fur as she sped onwards. She did however notice that she was ahead (mostly thanks to Navi's exclamations), a realization that made her smile. Panting with exertion she pressed on, at long last reaching the target tree. Tapping it with her paw the tired teen found the energy to do a victory dance. "I won! I won!" As Link also reached the goal she beamed up at him happily. "That was fun! Did you have fun? I had fun!"

No. Remus had no idea what a Shinigami was. His reaction to hearing that the apples were like cocaine to them however was first one of worry. He understood from his human that cocaine was bad, & that muggles could get horribly addicted to it & worse. He had never heard of someone in the wizarding world taking cocaine... perhaps it was another one of those things muggles did to try to get the feel of what magic was like.

Once he was past the worry, his brow quirked. The scholar in him awakened. "Cocaine has negative effects on the mortals who use it... do apples have negative effects for Shinigami?" Remus felt he really should know something more about these Shinigami; perhaps he could see if they were mentioned in any of the books at home later. "Or are they merely like cocaine to you in that the craving increases exponentially."

By the time Chroma reached the finishing line of their race, Link was only half way there, still in midtrot. However, once she had been declared the winner by touching the tree, he pushes himself into a nice swift leaping gallop that gets him there in no time. Navi herself is still exclaiming and almost practically shrieking at Link for having not gotten there fast enough, but in the end, he's just rolling his eyes and smiling at the Guardian.

His attention is snatched by his opponent, smiling brighter at her and nodding his head. Again, before he can speak Navi is quick to pipe in, "Yes, we had fun, even if we didn't win! Link is usually faster than that; I don't know why he was being so slow today!"

"Just in that they're terribly addictive."

He nodded slyly and crunched again.

"...Worse things happen to me when I can't have them."

Ryuk had intentionally dragged out the use of the term 'Shinigami.' He was sure now that Lupin had no idea what he was.

He can't possibly just think I'm just some mortal...not even one as -irregular- as him.

For the other kitsu's benefit, the Shinigami kitsu decided to just throw out the information.

"Shinigami. You know, god of death. Like...the Grim Reaper?" He recalled, almost fondly, how he'd met the Reaper in the form of a kitsu the other night. "We go by many names and have different ways of going about it, but in the end, we are all Shinigami."

Still looking up, Chroma's purely happy face simpered with sympathy. "You're usually faster? But you were slow today? awwww.... poor Link-Link!" She nuzzled his side compassionately. "Link must have hurt himself! We will have to race again when Link is all better!" She nodded emphatically, happy to have come to such a good conclusion.

So that is the type of immortal he is. There had been times in his life -more in his 'past life' than this one- where Remus had wished for death to come. Now however, he found that despite his condition he was not interested in leaving his life behind. It made him a little nervous, wondering if those times wishing fore death had led up to this moment. Still, it was not quite as terrifying as the thought of losing one's soul forever to the dementors.

All in all, he took the revelation rather well. "Well, all living creatures must go at some point. You must have your work cut out for you." He amazed himself that he could continue speaking as he did, but it was part of his nature he suspected. Always the scholar... "I do hope you've not come for me this night. I'd like to see my charge safely home." He inclined his head where Link kept Chroma occupied. "Not that I want to cut short the conversation, Just that I lost track of the time. It has been an honor."

With a little bow he bade the Shinigami good night & called to Chroma. "Chroma, dear! It's time to go home."

"Awwww..." The teen pouted, right before yawning. Sheepishly she caught herself & smiled up at Link & Navi. "Thanks for playing! Bye-bye!" With a flick of her tails she ran off to join her brother & return home.

Ryuk watched as the cloaked kitsu and his bright kit headed off.

"I do hope you've not come for me this night..."

"Don't flatter yourself," he said quietly. "I was just bored."

Mortals always think everything is about them.

Taking the bag of apples into his mouth, he launched himself into the air and flew off on leathery wings.

Chroma becomes an Adult
Chroma: That's right! I'm an adult now! Just like India & Keiki! *looks around in mild confusion* So um... what's that mean, anyway?

Remus: *drops his head, shaking it sadly from side to side in disbelief* Oh, no. Please tell me I won't have to explain to her about "the birds & the bees"...

oh I'll tell her.

That's a relief.

Whether it will get through to her or not is another matter entirely... sweatdrop

eh? *head snaps up* what was that?

ah.... nothing.

*prances around in her new adultness; oblivious to conversation around her*

Remus returns to HQ alone
It was nearing the full moon, & Remus was getting antsy. Not only that, but Chroma -his dear little sister- was now an adult & not so little anymore. He could not sleep for the thoughts on his mind & so headed alone to the kitsusagi headquarters for perhaps the first time since Chroma joined their family. He did not know why... it could be as busting with kitsu here as their home was filled with the many creatures that made up his 'family'. Perhaps it was the longing to meet others of his kind & spend time with them. The scholarly wizard could not quite put his paw on it.

Sirius walked into the HQ, a grin on his maw. It had been quite some time since he had felt this happy, and he himself know it. Ever since he had visited the HQ as often as he could, he kept meeting new people... Which resulted in entertainment for him.

Rounding a corner, Sirius spotted someone who feels familiar to him. He frowned, and approached the other kitsu quietly.

The sound of another kitsu entering behind him lightly got Remus' attention. It was faint, the sound, almost too quiet to perceive had the HQ any other kitsu moving around at the time. As it was turned around, as quickly as was casually possible.

He shut his mouth just as quickly as he gaped. Another kitsu in Hogwarts robes & Gryffindor scarf. The dark hair combined with the way the kitsu moved struck a memory... but the frown seemed out of place for that thought. Closing his eyes briefly to regain his inner composure. "Ah... I don't believe we have met." Here... he wanted to add on but did not.

"My name is Remus Lupin."

"Mine is Sirius Black."

He seemed lost for words, something that had not happened before. Blinking at Remus, he wanted to ask that if they had not met before, then why did he find him so familiar? Almost as if they knew each other... If not here, where? The first moment Sirius had laid his eyes on him, something rang in his head.

Shrugging those thoughts off, Sirius gave him his mischievous grin, "So, what brings you here?"

The name. The mischievous grin. It was Sirius. The shock of the revelation held Remus in thrall until after Sirius' question. He answered almost automatically. "Oh, just to get out of the house for a while. I couldn't sleep...."

Then his own thoughts caught up to him. "Sirius?!? By God, it is you!" A wave of feeling relaxed washed over him, calming Remus even in his excitement. "You are here too! This is wonderful!" He was smiling now, his eyes shining as if there was some great & wonderful new book to be found & read. "Then perhaps James might be here as well!"

He did not mention that his last memory of Sirius from before was his friend's death. No. That meant nothing here... here where a Dementor might be called his friend.

"What?" Sirius replied instantly, his mind mixed up between his previous life and now.

Wait a minute... Remus? James? Those names... He knew them. No wonder there was that feeling inside him when he first spotted his old friend. He gave a joyful laugh before replying, eyes shining, "Remus! I can't believe I didn't realise it sooner! I thought that I was the only one!"

Fully relieved & relaxed now, Remus hugged his dear friend. Well, as much as any quadruped can manage a hug. "Oh? You've not seen Harry? I ran into him briefly when I was a pup.” He grinned at the memory, intentionally leaving Severus out of the telling. No point marring this occasion by mentioning his name & getting Sirius riled up about it. "He was playing with a snitch, just like his father would. I thought he was James for a moment..."

"I've not seen him since though. Pity."

"I ran into Dumbledore when he was a pup & I was but a teen. That was quite discerning." So glad was he to have his dear friend with him again that he was coming just short of rambling. At least he was getting better at talking.

Everything in his mind clicked back into place as Sirius sat down on the floor. He grinned at his friend, "I've only seen Severus, you and a... Well, a Dementor." He frowned before giving a laugh, remembering what had happened just months before.

"That Severus has children here. I've never thought that I would live to see that day. This is like an alternate universe." Sirius continued with his infamous grin, "No, I've not seen Harry, although I would love to meet him... And the look on Dumbledore's face as a kit."

Remus smiled hearing this; only barely catching Sirius' frown. He'd caught no undercurrent of the old dissention between Sirius & Severus. Perhaps the potions master's family had a calming effect on Remus' friend as well. So you've seen Severus too, as well as some of his delightful family? Families do have a way of changing a fellow." There was a slight wistfulness to his voice. If Severus & even Dementor could have find mates, perhaps there was hope for him as well.

"Dementor has children too. My sister, Chroma, played with them when they were all pups." That grin of Sirius'... ah! How he had missed it! "I'm sure Harry would love to meet you too. He flies... he's an angelic." Remus shook his head, chuckling softly. "That came as a surprise too. Thought you might like to know."

"Dumbledore... ah." Another gentle grin. "Cute pup. Talked as well as I can remember from before." It was great, being with Sirius. Along with everything else, it was comforting to talk with another who shared similar experiences. Trelweny seemed to know about his world & life before as well as his 'condition', but his human could not relate to him the same as someone like him, no matter how she tried. "Which was interesting in its own way, coming from a pup."

"An angellic?" Sirius laughed, showing his surprise. "It is true, that boy's all good like an angel, but... But to put it in literally." He laughed again, from pure happiness of knowing that Harry's alright, and from being reunited with his old friend.

"Dumbledore is still the same as ever, then!" Sirius chuckled and added, "Would love to meet him and everyone else..."

"He's not as... Well, all I can say is that I don't seem to want to tease Severus anymore, that's for sure." He grinned, obverving Remus carefully. Chuckling, he nudged his friend with a paw. "You want to start up a family?"

Trust Sirius to pick up on that. Remus sighed. "There are a lot of families around. It's hard not to want to, well, want to be a part of something like that." He sighed again, more heavily. Sure he had hope that perhaps there was a female who might not fear his condition, but did he really want to subject anyone to that? "It would not be right for me though. Just not right to... subject anyone to my life."

He knew Sirius would know to what he referred. Part of him dreaded while part of him waited for his friend to talk him out of his way of thinking. Not that it ever lasted for long.

Remus tried changing the subject. "It's great that you don't want to tease Severus anymore. I've always wondered if he would have been less full of angst we had not teased him so much at Hogwarts." Even though he had not teased Severus, he felt the guilt. For his not stopping his friends was as much as agreeing it was all right. To him, that was the same as doing the deed himself.

"You'll make a good father. More then I would ever be, anyway." He replied, laughing, "If you really like someone, and someone likes you back, I don't think she would mind that part of your life." He chuckled and added as an afterward, "And make me your children's god-father."

At Remus' sudden change of subject, Sirius gave a shrug. "Well, you can't blame me." Sirius countered with a mock pout, "Severus was just so... Teaseable in Hogwarts. You have to admit that turning him upside down and exposing him was rather fun, even if it was... A little... Mean as you would call it?"

Sirius' points made sense, & Remus wanted to believe & agree with them... but he was too stuck in being self-depreciating. Still the assurances felt good. But making Sirius the children's Godfather? Well, of course. He only got a little weak at the thought. After all, Sirius had done rather well with Harry before. Considering the circumstances.

His relief was evident that Sirius accepted the subject change. Even so he was a bit uncomfortable about that particular memory from before. "ah, well yes. It was hard not to chuckle... " He'd rather not have remembered that... or his own amusement. "Mean. Harsh. I sometimes wonder if I had been in a different house if that could have been me you were teasing."

Okay. it had been one of those underlying thoughts; the one's you know you've had but do not fully recollect them until some odd moment when you realize it has been there for quite some time, influencing you. Such was the nature when Remus contemplated his own blind luck at finding friends in James & Sirius. Peter too; for at the time he had to show his duplicity.

"You? Why, you were made to be in Gryffindor!"

Sirius laughed, giving Remus a wink. "And fate even set us out to meet each other! One of the reasons why I'd always picked on Severus was because of the way he looks. Yes, I know that he can't help it, since that was the way he look like the moment he was born, but he's amusing in his own right."

Looking around, he continued, "At least I know that you're here."

He could not help but grin. One of the many things that was great about Sirius Black. At times Remus had been jealous of his friend's easy way with females, but Sirius' own comment not long ago showed how trivial that was. He found himself sympathizing with the poor females that undoubtedly were charmed by Sirius.

"It's worth everything to know you're here as well.” Another soft smile. "You know... I think I can sleep easy now. It's like everything is all right with the world."

"I should go home, so my new family doesn't worry for me. We'll meet up here again?” He was hopeful, & the question sounded as if it came from a much younger kitsu. It was the sound of one who had hope, & was desperately afraid of losing it.

After Full Moon

Remus steps into headquarters, followed closely by an ultra-hyper Chroma. His eyes are rolling & his steps are slow & carefully placed. Three-day old scars are healing, but it is evident that they still cause some discomfort. He was pleased to emerge from his solitary to find Chroma home & waiting anxiously for him. Although her constant talk about India was amusing, he hoped for something new that she might talk about. "Chroma dear, are you certain you've matured?" Again, the eyes roll.

Adult, but acting the spirited youngling, Chroma looks at her brother in confusion. "Of course! Look how adult I am!" She struts here adult self for a moment, almost regally, then digresses back to her usual self. "India knows I'm an adult!"

A shake of the head. "Oh? & why does it matter so much to you what India thinks or knows?"

The hyper kitsu paused in her tracks, almost thinking what Remus was trying to get her to realize for herself. The moment passed, & she grinned at the wizard. "He's my friend!"

Remus sighs. "That he is, Chroma dear. That he is." and perhaps more, my dear sister?

Next Day
Having managed to dodge both Chroma & the talaye Weasley twins, Remus made his way into the kitsusagi headquarters. He had a few books with him this time, as he was almost finished with "Uses of Magic in the Muggle World." The only reason he had not finished was due to the continual interruptions at home. Not that he was not normally left alone when he read in the library... he just had not been today.

The truth was, Remus was not particularly looking for a place to read today. He simply felt a need to be away from his family. Hence having to avoid Chroma on his way out. The wizard sighed; he knew he would apparate home to get his little sister if he saw her paramour, but he would cross that hurdle if it happened.

Ember lay on the couch once more, engrossed in the last couple pages of his book. He didn't even register that somebody had entered the room until he again got that terrifying somebody-is-watching-me feeling. Peering over the top of his book, he spotted Remus with yet more books! Excited, he bounded over to him as though he was much younger, grinning happily. "Hiya, Remus!" he chirped, eyeing the books. "Cha reading?"

The robed kitsu grinned. "Oh, the same. I'm afraid I didn't get much reading in today." His tone was slightly rueful, but not too upset about it. "Family does have the tendency to cut into one's reading time."

"I brought a new book, incase I had the chance to finish but I don't think I'll need it tonight." He grinned, not looking the least bit disappointed. Unlike some bookworms, Remus understood & appreciated the importance of socializing & particularly friends.

"Oh..." Ember mumbled, looking at his feet momentarily. "I wouldn't know. I don't really have any family, I don't think...Autumn brought home an egg, but that's not really family of mine...I think it would be nice, to have a family." He shrugged, smiling happily at Remus. "Maybe I'll just have to share yours."

What on earth was wrong with him? Ember frowned, puzzled. He was never this happy, never this confident with somebody else! It must be the books, he reasoned, and nodded to himself. Yes, that was it. Remus was his book-buddy...nothing more, not even really his friend, though he'd like to be Remus's friend.

He chuckled at first. "If your human is bringing home strange eggs that are not meant for the breakfast table you will likely be getting a family soon enough." His eyes crinkled at the thought of both that & sharing a family. "I don't know if you'll want to share my family, once you've met them... though Chroma is likely to adopt you if you let her either way." Yes, his darling sister would likely do that. "You can judge for yourself... if you ever visit our home to see the library."

Concern changed the look of his eyes as Remus noticed Ember's frown. "ah... did I over-step? If I upset you, I am sorry."

"N-no!" Ember assured Remus, shaking his head. "I'm not..I'm not upset. Really. It's fine."

As Remus chatted about his family, and about eggs and libraries and stuff, Ember got a strange feeling in the pit of his stomache. It was almost like lonliness, but that made no sense, because he had somebody there with him. Stupid pointless emotions, he thought unhappily. As Remus pretty much suggested that he come and visit- at least from Ember's point of view- Ember blinked at him in surprise, and then grinned once more, nuzzling him gratefully. "Would you really want me to come and visit?" He asked excitedly, though he still sounded as though he thought maybe Remus was going to laugh at him. "Your library and everything?"

Remus relaxed somewhat, but remained cautious. It seemed his new friend & fellow lover of knowledge -especially from books- was even more of a recluse than he (Remus) ever was. The last thing he wanted to do was scare Ember away.

Still, he took Ember's answer at face value & continued on as if nothing untoward had occurred. "Certainly." A pleasant & welcoming smile spreading over his mouth. "I would not have mentioned it otherwise."

Ember's excitement was infectious, & Remus felt his tails wagging. "I know I can trust you with the books." He smiled as if in conspiracy. "One cannot fake a love & respect of books."

Not around Remus, at least.

Ember bounced up and down eagerly, beaming at his fellow bookworm. "I have to warn you," he teased, "once you get me in a room with that many books, you may find it hard to get me to leave." A chill went up his spine at the thought of a whole library filled with books...in somebody's house. It was something like paradise in his mind. "...Why're you so nice to me?" he asked suddenly, cocking his head to the side in curiosity. "You d-don't know anything about me, except that I love the written word, and books, and learning, and....y-you don't know anything else about me."

"Of course." He grinned, thinking that spending time with a fellow reader just reading would be terrific.

That question made him pause. Why was he? Well, Remus was usually nice to most he met unless given a reason not to be. Still he did not usually invite anyone home. With clarity Remus knew it was the mutual love of books that set him so at ease. Suddenly, he did not know why he should need another reason & smiled with inner peace & wisdom at that understanding. "Is that not enough?"

"I suppose it is..." Ember replied, slightly glumly. Stupid, he berated himself, stupid for thinking that he liked you for anything but your shared love of books. What else would there be? Your astounding good looks? Your charming personality? Idiot.

"I'd love to see your library." He commented with a slightly less bright grin and a nod. "Whenever you'll have me."

Watching as Ember became glum, Remus was forced to acknowledge he had made an error. Not in trusting the other kitsu, but in something he had said. Remus had made a grave error & he was baffled as to what it might have been. What had he said wrong? He simply did not know.

"I look forward to your visit." Somehow, he too was not as happy as he had been just moments before. The knowledge of his own slip-up casting a shadow he could not shake off. "I'll bring a map next time I come here. You can come whenever you like, for if I'm not here I am there."

He almost mentioned that Ember not come during the full moon but stayed the thought, deciding to tell him that when he had a map to present to him. Perhaps I will have been able to mend this rift I inadvertently created by then. The scholar thought sadly to himself.

Next Day

He had left Chroma to sleep herself out beside India, but now Remus returned to check on her. It was amazing how the male was able to get her to calm down & sleep so readily when Chroma was so hyper & active otherwise. Maybe her emotions wore her out. For his part, Remus did not know.

Having finished his book, Remus brought it along anyway. There was the tingling hope that he would run into Ember & be able to loan it to him when giving him the map. Also in a pocket of his robes was a book teaching Braille for Kaida. Remus had asked Myranda for one after leaving headquarters & spent the day familiarizing himself with it. He felt he was reasonably prepared to meet either of his fellow avid readers.

At least as far as material was concerned.

Nari blinked as the robed Remus entered the HQ. Putting one paw in the book she'd been reading to hold her place, she watched him as he checked on the younger kitsu before nudging an actual bookmark into it and trotting over to him. "Hello. Another book, I see."

Ember wandered warily into the HQ, still jittery and alert from watching Yrre. The kit so far seemed to have an unlimited amount of energy, always racing around and knocking things over and chewing on things he shouldn't. Ember just couldn't keep up, and so he'd finally given up, putting the little maniac into the playpen by Autumn. Not that he completely trusted her to take care of the kit- she was human, after all, and couldn't possibly know what to do- but he assumed she's do well enough for him to slip away, just for a little while.

And besides, he'd finished his book. He was bored.

Looking around the room in a typical scan that he normally did, seeking threats, he spied Remus. For the first time in what seemed like ages (though it had actually been only a day or so) Ember grinned and relaxed, trotting happily over to plop himself down in front of his fellow bookworm. Something about Remus made him feel like a kit again himself- cheerful, easy to please, and even more eager to please. "Hullo, Remus!"

*Aisia entered the HQ at a slow pace. A grim expression placed firmly upon her maw, and luminous eyes drawn towards the floor.
With a flick of her long ears, she made her way to the corner of the room and slumped to the ground, coiled her three tails around her.*

Remus was startled to be addressed so quickly. Especially by a lovely female angelic & a once again happy Ember. He was immensely pleased on both counts. "Yes, I am onto a new book, lovely kitsu." He nodded with a smile at Nari. "Though I did bring it back if you wanted a turn at it, Ember."

Ember nodded shyly. He wanted the book. He wanted the boook. He'd devoured the one Remus had given him before, reread it once, twice. He was fascinated by it. He wanted to know more.

"Yesplease, Th-thankyou!" he exclaimed hurridly, tripping over his words in overexcitedment. Ah, hell. He hated his stutter.

Remus beamed, handing over the book. "You might as well hold onto the other one... it is good reference for this one." he grinned again. "Actually, I've been told you may keep it. Since Myranda secured a replacement of it for me."

He refrained form adding that the GaiaCom was slightly miffed, since she had also wanted to read the theorem. Ah, well.

Chroma stirred beside India, completely relaxed but wondering at the laughter in her brother's voice. Remus' voice seemed far away. Her furry pillow was warm & moved slightly beneath her head. She giggled, remembering. India. "hey, sleepyhead... " she whispered with a laugh.

Ember stared in shock for a moment, before quickly dropping his head so that his hair fell into his eyes. For certainly, there were tears there. A gift, Remus had given him...a book? A book that he'd loved? To...him? "I-..I-...th-thank you, R-Remus..." he stammered, not meeting the other kitsu's eyes, but fighting the urge to tackle him as he had when they'd first met. Which would be childish, and, well- there was the female angelic watching. Who he hadn't greeted yet! Ugh, impolite idiot... "I, uhm- H-hi?" He offered to her, nodding slightly, which caused his hair to bounce and flop farther into his face.

Grinning widely, she waved a paw at Remus and at Ember as well. "My name is Nari <3~ What are your names?" [the little <3 is something she does to everyone.. she's a lovey girl XD]

For the Kitsu who slept so much, even now he was unwilling to move. Grumbling slightly, an annoyed amber eye was visible beneath the lid. "Mornin' already?" he scoffed, stretching out his back legs slightly, though he was careful not to kick the femme beside him. A whiny yawn escaped his maw before he could stifle it. Huffing, he lifted his head from the ground, only to have it flop back down moments later. "Mmm... just five more minutes..."

"You're very welcome, Ember. It is a pleasure to met you, Nari. I am Remus J. Lupin. He gave a little bow; more than just an inclining of his head but not so much that his nose might touch the floor. "However, Remus will do."

"Remy!" Chroma piped up with a giggle from her comfortable prone position beside India. Remus winced.

"Remus. Despite what my sister might say." He snorted lightly as if in apology.

"Remy?" She giggle lightly at that, and his reaction. "Remus is a nice name."

"I'm, uhm, Em...Ember." He replied nervously, wincing afterwards. He sounded like an idiot again. Uuuugh. "Remus, uhm, I..." he started, trailing off momentarily before continuing. "You d-don't...don't know how much this means to me. Really. I- you d-don't have to give me this. It's...I mean...you don't..."

"okay sleepyhead." Chroma answered laughing, then licked him on the nose. "But then you've got to come up with what you wanna do that isn't sleeping!" Snuggling deeper into India side her inner laughter rumbled across her body. Chroma wondered what game her friend would chose.
Tarik wandered in from outside, for once clean and dry. He was just a little poofier than normal. Darn the humidity levels outside these days. Looking around for someone to talk to, he noticed his brother. But beside him, was some femme.

"well well... does someone have a companion all of a sudden?" Tarik asked softly, smiling in understanding. He was pretty sure that his sister was right about him, and that Nixis was possibly thinking the same things he was but he wasn't positive.

"Right, right. Not sleeping." For a moment, India debated returning to sleep and hoping the other would be too kind-hearted to wake him. Ah, he was a sly one. That plan fell through, though, as soon as he heard his brother's voice. His eyes shot open and he tried to sit up, however, he was still very trapt under Chroma. "Yeah, whatever you say, Tarik..." the male drawled out nonchalantly, even as he was unable to view his fluffy brother.

"I'm just curious, if it's not so then that's alright too. I didn't like when Keiki said things like that, so if you're just friends that's fine." Tarik wandered around them so that he could be in his brother's eye sight.

"I'm rather partial to it." He smiled, showing more a distinguished veneer than he felt. Especially considering the odd way he felt when the angelic repeated his disliked nickname.

To Ember he glanced at him unwavering, not intending to budge. "No, no. It's yours, my friend. I can't think of a better home for it."

Out of the corner of his eye he noticed the large fluffy kitsu nearing his sister & her paramour & his eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he made a mental note to keep watch.

"Hmmm? Tarik?" Chroma cocked her head at India in confusion. What kind of a game was Tarik? Then she remembered the voice & realized the new male had been speaking to them. Impishly, she rolled onto her back, letting her legs dangle in the air. Looking up at the large male she grinned. "Oh! Hello! I'm Chroma! Are you a friend of India's?"

India fluffed himself out and rose to a sit as he was given room. Ducking his head at his brother's words he mumbled around in search of a responce. "It's not that I... I just... it's..." Scoffing at himself, he trailed off. Besides, Chroma still happened to be right there. He couldn't really say anything... Sighing, he eyed the femme deciding to just let Tarik answer the question. It had been directed towards the other male, anyway.

"My grandfather has an entire library of old books." Nari sat next to the robed kitsu, trying to peek at the book he had in his pocket.

"Actually, I'm his brother." Tarik said, smiling. "I know we look really different, but we're siblings. Our mom is over there, resting."

Tara lifted her head and looked over, blinking.
"Really? Old books are hard to come by." The lovely femme had his attention now, in more ways than one. Especially seeing that it seemed Ember had vanished into a book again. Not that the scholar could blame him.

Noting Nari's attempt to see into his robes, Remus flushed & withdrew the other book. "Just something I'm dabbling in until I could get it to the young Kaida." He showed her the book to teach Braille. "You... enjoy books as well?"

Chroma blinked innocently. "Oh! I didn't know he had more siblings than Keiki!" She exclaimed, taking a short look at their mothers. The only mother she knew was her human. Grinning Chroma rolled to face India & nipped him teasingly behind the ear. "Hey! No using family to get out of coming up with something fun to do!"

India's ear twitched and tried to slide back, as if protecting the spot that'd been nipped. "Alright. Uh." He glanced at their mother, then to Tarik, and back to Chroma as he thought. The male wasn't the best at coming up with games rather than his favorite "game" of sleeping. "Aw, I dunno..." he canted his head to glance at the ceiling.

"Yes.. it's his pride and joy. Enough that he used to chase Nokomis and myself out of there constantly when we were young, thinking we'd destroy his books." She tilted her head and studied the book he showed briefly. "She's blind?"

Chroma pouted, then nipped his ear playfully. 'Aw, I dunno' did not sound like a fun pastime to her. "Do you just not want to get up? Then she giggled, an impish gleam coming to her eyes. "If you don't pick something you want to do... then I get to pick!" She giggled into his ear, knowing already what she was going to do.

"I'll be nice... you won't have to get up for my game!"

Remus chuckled at that mental image, remembering seeing Noko the other night. He grew serious when it came to Kaida. "Well, no. Not quite anyway. I think she can see shapes, but she said she could no longer read. I don't know if corrective glasses would be enough for her, but thought that if she could at least learn Braille Kaida would have the chance to enjoy books again like she did when a kit."

He was rambling, but that was to be expected. Remus was uncomfortable sharing another's problem without their knowledge.

"Ah.. " She frowned. "That would be horrible.. even worse, to have sight and then loose it."

Tarik grinned. "India likes to sleep That's his favorite game or past time. Father sleeps all the time too."

"Is that so?" India questioned. Amber eyes narrowed as he glanced at her from the corner of his eye. The look was rather untrusting. Just what was she planning? Still watching her warily, he seemed to move closer to Tarik, as if seeking protection from his fluff brother. "What do you have in mind, might I ask, Chroma?" He tried sounding relaxed.

"Yes." He nodded & shook his head sadly at the same time. "I can only imagine how hard it must be for her. Perhaps that is why I am trying to learn the Braille writing myself... just incase."

"Does your grandfather still chase you & your sister from his library?"

"Yes." He nodded & shook his head sadly at the same time. "I can only imagine how hard it must be for her. Perhaps that is why I am trying to learn the Braille writing myself... just incase."

"Does your grandfather still chase you & your sister from his library?"

Chroma blinked, turning her head briefly to Tarik. She had momentarily forgotten India's brother was there & flushed with embarrassment. "oh... I've learned that." her embarrassment faded & she spoke to include both males. "But sometimes you've got to do something to wear the body out to be able to sleep, right?"

A look of perplexed wonder crossed her face. A second perhaps & it was gone, as Chroma remembered her fun new game. The gleam returned to her eyes, almost predatory. She rolled onto her tummy, legs curled up underneath her as if to pounce. "Nothing bad, India... just a harmless... little... game... called..." With each drawn out word she inched closer to India, bridging the gap he had tried to make. "Tickle fight!"

'Attacking' as she announced the game, Chroma set to tickling her friend as best she could. No one could resist tickling back in a tickle fight! He would have to play!

"Sometimes. He usually has to find us first. It's more difficult for him nowadays, he's older, and we're faster."

Tarik laughed and stood back from the tickle fight. He didn't have much urge right then to get involved, in fact, his father's sleepy gene felt the need to make a mean return. He yawned and curled up on a couple large pillows, watching his brother and friend.

Remus broke out in laughter. "He must be a very old kitsu indeed. I've not met an elder kitsu yet who did not seem still in his prime." He paused, obviously pondering something. "Unless he is not a kitsu?" Remus suddenly worried that he had blundered.

Chroma had completely forgotten that India had said he was not ticklish. But then again, she had dismissed it as him telling her a mistruth so that she would not try for herself. The way he laughed sent little electric thrills through her body & she giggled too. "Uh-uh!" She managed through her giggles. "You're not allowed to call on siblings for help!" She giggled shrilly, her eyes bright. "I'll see that you're tired enough to rest well tonight!"

Chroma was surprised that she was not disappointed he had not retaliated yet, but was having fun. Trying to think of another way she could tickle him, Chroma breathed multiple short little 'whuff's into India's ear.

"He is very old. And looks much older." Nari laughed lightly. "Do you have any family.. Chroma is your sister, ne?"

The 'ne' threw him & Remus flustered a bit. "Yes... she is my little sister. She & Trinity, a mini-kitsusagi, are my only kitsu family." He chuckled to cover his perceived awkwardness. "Our non-kitsu family is much larger. Perhaps why we visit here so often."

"Chroma seems.. sweet. I've never met Trinity." She sighed. "My only family by blood is Nokomis, who seems more busy flirting with Obi-Wan lately than anything else. However, I share a house with dozens of other kitsu, and it can be.. crowded.. at times." Wrinkling her nose, she shook her head a bit. Combine the kitsu with all the other pets in her owner's home, and..

Very un-India-like was this whole situation. Whines full of annoyance escaped his maw as he struggled futilely to get away from the torture. His ear began to twitch wildly with the tickling breaths. Claws scraped at the ground as he tried to get enough leverage to tickle her back. He was only able to swing his solid colored tail around to brush her side. A rather sad attempt.

"I give! I give!" He cried, still trying to get away. Little tears began to well behind his eyes. It was too much. Being tickled was hard to explain. The laughing made him feel good, but the utter madness of the entire situation made him twitchy and rather unwilling to be in this predicament.

"Trin doesn't come by much, now that Chroma's grown." He frowned as why dawned upon him. "I think she's jealous of Chroma being able to grow." Remus let his shoulders hop in a small shrug. "We're not blood kin either, but closer than to the rest of our 'family'. I can hardly comprehend what living with vast numbers of kitsu would be like." the last was added sympathetically. He imagined that getting away from them would rather be like how he avoided the talaye Weasleys. He let the comment about Nokomis & Obi-Wan slide. After all, if there was a lady kitsu in his life we would likely be the same. A sigh escaped him. He knew this lady was out of his league in that regard. Perhaps why he was still able to speak somewhat respectably with her.

Chroma was having much fun. She liked how her playmate squirmed beneath her. It made her head & heart race, & she was not even being tickled! How was that? At his cry for mercy Chroma paused, catching something that did not sound fun in India. She looked him over worriedly, her eyes huge. Seeing the tears forming in his eyes she mewed pitifully. Had she caused him to hurt? Laying nearly on top of her friend she licked the tears gently away. "You hurt? It was supposed to be fun! You laughed!" Her face scrunched up with sadness & sorrow & her voice broke with it. She nuzzled him gently & whimpered sadly. It was not supposed to go like this!

"That would be understandable, really. There are a couple within my house who are permanent kits, but I don't think they mind it so much." She peeked over at where Chroma was playing with the other kitsu, before glancing back at Remus.

Released from the tickling, India's body relaxed greatly. The male's head rested against the floor as he took great breaths to fill his aching lungs. A few remnants of a laugh trickled from his maw. But even as he began to calm, he felt a sickening pang in his heart. He hadn't meant his pleads for mercy to make her feel bad. He did have fun, he just needed a break. "It's alright, I'm fine," he assured her, twisting so he could lick gently at her muzzle. Suddenly he found himself feeling very protective of sorts. He wanted her to feel better. "I did have fun, maybe a little to much." He offered a lopsided smile before nudging her cheek and nuzzling at her neck. "Don't be sad."

Remus chuckled. Trinity has many layers to her. She is somewhat bi-polar I think too." His eyes too strayed to watch his sister & India most protectively. Remus knew she was an adult, but that did not mean his 'big brother' duties could so easily be cut without the feelings surging up. A very low growl rumbled from somewhere within him, unbidden. "He's lucky I trust him..." He grumbled softly between clenched teeth.

The smile & nuzzlings helped, but Chroma still sniffled. "Really?" Sniff. Her blue eyes were big, sad & pleading like a lost puppy's. "You're not just saying that?"

She sniffled again. "I never thought there was a thing as too much fun..."

"o.o" Blinking, Nari flicked her ears back at the growl. "If you didn't..?" In honesty, though, she would rather see a protective older brother than one who didn't care..

Remus forced himself under some semblance of control, though he kept a wary eye on the pair. "I trust India not to take advantage of Chroma's naivety... that does not mean I take lightly when he causes her to cry. Chroma's not prone to crying." He watched noting how India was trying to make things all right. It took a while for Remus to see that his sister was crying because she thought he was hurt. He humphed once, almost smiling & shook his head. "My apologies... I had not realized... I might react like that." Still on edge he glanced at his sister. "heh. & she does not know her own feelings for the lad." A heavy sigh took most of the remaining aggression away. "I fear I do not know what to do, if anything." Remus' mouth curved in an apologetic smile as his eyes sought Nari's. His display was unworthy of her presence.

If Chroma was any less naive, she would know that the softness in India's eyes stole her heart. As it was she simply melted. Her legs got wobbly, her head felt heavy, & she felt like she was going to fall down. "I... I believe you."

Her knees threatened to buckle & suddenly Chroma was worried that her new feeling of heaviness & lightness would crush India should she fall. With a worried look she tumbled to his side, being careful of his head & neck. Once safely down beside him she snuggled in again, taking advantage of his comforting display of affection. Wiping her eyes on his fur she looked up at him like a child. "So... it was a good game? We can play it again? Maybe later?"

"But it is sweet that you would protect her." She grinned, and poked her nose at his cheek. "And I think most don't know what to make of their feelings. It seems. Obi-Wan and Nokomis.. " Her voice trailed off slightly as she shook her head.

India let her get comfortable before he made any moves to do so himself. Once she seemed settled, he moved his head around under hers, cradling it against his shoulder in a way. All three tails swung lazily to wrap about her, as if forming a protective barrier. "As long as you let me rest, I suppose we can play again," he whispered softly against her neck. Inhailing, he found her scent almost too sweet to handle. "So, for now, sleep. And you should know, I plan of having a turn tickling you next time." Grinning, he attempted to bring her closer, were it possible. Yawning, he nosed at her fur for a while before he was lulled to sleep by exhaustion.

Nari touching his cheek stunned him, & Remus' eyes fluttered wide, simply staring at her momentarily. "I, ah, guess it could be considered sweet..." He flushed, then shook himself thoroughly in an attempt to return to normal. As Nari's words trailed off, it was as if Remus gained a little more confidence. "They make you feel left out too?" He finished softly, attempting to fill in what she did not say. More in wondering if she felt the same as he. But surely there was someone important in the femme's life! If not now, later. Sometime down the road. Where he could not hope to dream. Not yet. Not now. Not while his condition made such closeness dangerous.

Chroma giggled softly as India's breath tickled her neck. She was tired too & let out a yawn, letting herself be pulled closer. Letting herself? She helped. "I was right though? Better tired for the fun?" Chroma knew he was too sleepy to answer. For that matter she would not be awake even were he not. "I'll hold you to that..." she murmured into his fur, her eyes closing. A satisfied little smile remained on her sleeping face.

Nari flushed as well. "Very often. I see my sister so rarely nowadays.. Of course, there are many others in my household, but.. I do not have that connection with them, as I do with my sister. I have not met one yet."

She was even lovelier when flushed & thinking that had Remus blushing again. He nodded in understanding, but also to hide his reddening cheeks. Something about what she said confused him. "You've not met some of those in your household, or one that you have a strong connection with like your sister?"

"Not.. met one that I have a bond with. Although, thinking of it.. there are probably those I haven't met yet. Of the others who are like me, they are.. good friends, but I would not consider them more."

Remus found himself nodding again, thoughtfully. "I'm told nothing is closer than a close sibling. I live with two sets of twins, & they are almost inseparable." Three really, if he counted the baskets. But those did not seem to like each other. "Each pair's connection between the siblings is different, even to an observer like me, but I cannot deny their closeness." He sighed at that. "Chroma & I do not have anything that strong. Perhaps I am being bold... but I think you should be glad to have such a bond at all, & not so sad that perhaps someone else is becoming important in her life."

and I should try to do the same. Remus thought to himself sadly, watching his sleeping little sister.

Her ears perked at the tone of his voice, and she nodded. "I don't begrudge her it.. I just would like to see her. Of course, I could always poke into her mind and annoy her until she comes to see me.. or bean me over the head."

He chuckled lightly at the image of a bean-ing. "Perhaps you do not feel the jealousy as I do." Remus shrugged, letting his head tilt in the process. "For me, it is not just that India now seems to take up her time when she is with him & her thoughts when she is away from him. There are other things. Things I did not think would bother me. Like the present situation." He nodded his head, inclining the younger kitsu sleeping. "It was rare the times Chroma would calm down enough to rest, curled beside me. But she seems to sleep quite often beside her paramour, though neither acknowledge their obvious feelings for each other."

He sighed. Putting his thoughts to words was difficult on this matter. "I find myself more jealous of him than I do of her happiness." He glanced at Nari, hoping he was not talking her ears off. "Certainly, I also long for what they have found, but I find myself envious on the level that now Chroma does not look up to me alone nor does she snuggle with me as she once did." He brushed the edge of his scarf across his eyes, attempting to wipe the tear that had formed away before it was seen. "I miss her, though we still spend much time together."

"But that is the way of things. I do not begrudge her either, what she has found... but it does not make my pain any less."

Glancing over at the sleeping pair, it was easy to understand the jealousy. "I think.. you seem to think of her more as a child.. or used to, anyways. Now that she's grown, and seems to have found her someone.. It will be easier - once you have found someone too."

The pained look that struck him was quickly replaced by a wry grin. "You're likely correct, though I doubt my likeliness to 'find someone'. It is a nice thought."

Then, because the question had been gnawing at him; "Certainly a lady such as yourself has found someone, as your sister seems to have done. At least someone to flirt with."

Ears flopped back, Nari flushed as crimson as her hair. "I have not. As I said, most of those met are within my house and.. not what I would think." [honestly, I think Remus is the first non-mauowned kitsu she's talked to] She paused for a moment, then blinked. "Why would you not be able to find someone?"

It was once again Remus' turn to be flustered. "Oh... I, ah, presumed that you must have met others from outside your household that might have taken your fancy." His eyes darted about uneasily. "Of course family would not do..."

That was of course implying that she thought of those in her household as family the way he did those in his.

Remus gulped thinking of a way around answering her question. He did not see one. He shifted uncomfortably. "Let us say there are aspects pertaining to myself that make it so I would not feel it fair to impose myself upon a lady in any sort of lasting romantic relationship." In particular one aspect of the moon, lasting 3 days.

"Aspects..?" That statement got a head-tilt of confusion in response. "I don't see why not.. unless you are hiding an entirely different personality in there, you seem to be the type who would have potential "someone's" lining up to meet." [but Rem is so sweeeet and shyyyy what girl wouldn't like him.. XD]

He blushed awkwardly at her compliment, but at the same time shuddered from the closeness her assessment of his 'problem' hit home. "Something like that..." He muttered dejectedly, before forcing himself to straiten & address the compliment. "I suppose I've not met many females." He blushed deeper, Nari's red hair recalling his slight crush on Siggy. But the Scottish femme was as much out of his league as Nari was. His blush deepened. What is it with red-headed kitsu? You would think you had enough of red-heads with the Weasleys around, Remus. He chastised himself mentally. "None I've met have seemed remotely interested in me."

At least, not that Remus had noticed. Not that he would.

"Oh...?" Nari didn't truly understand, of course, and without Remus telling her, she wasn't likely to, but she could understand the disappointment in his voice well enough. "Surely it can't be that bad? You take wonderful care of your siblings. You are kind, gentle, and well-spoken."

Good thing Remus was at the extent of his blushing capacity. His face felt like a furnace. "Thank you. You're very kind." It was useless for him to hope that perhaps Nari was feeling for him, rather than merely lifting his spirits. Still her words felt good. "Perhaps there is someone out there that would like those qualities you see in me." Still only if I am free of my curse. Confound it! How it curses me at every turn!

Remus managed a soft smile for the angel. It was kind of her to be concerned.

"I would imagine.. almost any female would." Nari grinned, seeming completely oblivious to the very red-faced Remus. They were traits she would look for.. eventually.. when she grew up. "There is always someone out there for everyone."

"That is something all who are lonely must believe." His smile touched his eyes sadly. "Thank you for easing my mind Nari. I only hope I may have been half as helpful to you. But the hour draws late & I I've grown tired. Unlike my sister, I fear I must search out my own bed." He bowed with gentlemanly grace. "Your company has been a pleasure. Thank you."

He paused, waiting for her response before heading for the door & home.

Nest Day
Remus entered headquarters slightly on edge. He was hoping he sould not return to find the newly realized pair already with kits... for the dream he had after leaving had woken him in a cold sweat. Not that he would not be glad to be an uncle... just not yet. Also, the talaye Weasley twins had agreed to wok with him to make not only a clock such as their mother had for the family, but wrist watches for those that tended to be in positions of responsibility for the rest. They would need something of Chroma -such as fur & or a sliver of claw- to be able to include her in the magical workings. Now that she had a mate, even Fred & George had become solemn in with the idea that someone should know where she was. In that, Remus was extremely relieved & grateful for he knew this undertaking was more than he should handle alone.

Something else was bothering him. He had yet to hand Ember the map he had made showing the way to his family's home. He did not want his friend to think Remus was not serious about his offer. However giving him the map posed another problem: having to tell Ember not to visit on days when the moon was full. Under his robes, Remus' guardian chittered at him uncharacteristically having sensed the kitsu's troubled thoughts. Calming himself with a loose smile, Remus knew he would simply have to cross that hurdle when he came to it.

Ember lay curled up on the couch, staring forlornly into space. Yrre slept- finally- on a coushin nearby, and he was careful not to jostle the sleeping kit, remaining absolutely still. He just got into these moods sometimes- a lot, really- where he was hopelessly unhappy, desperately lonely even if others were around. They always passed, always, but while he was in them he was miserable.

With a soft sigh, he closed his eyes, resting his chin on his forearms, ears drooping as he tried his best to fall asleep too- for even falling asleep in such an open place was better than being awake by himself. However, as soon as he closed his eyes, he heard the soft footsteps that meant somebody was there, and his skin prickled reflexively, defensively. He opened his eyes warily, then relaxed as he saw Remus. Unlike other times, however, he didn't race over to the other, a fact which he attributed to not wanting to wake Yrre. He merely smiled blankly at his friend and nodded, keeping his voice low. "Hullo, Remus."

He fairly beamed at the sound. Padding over quietly, Remus sat carefully near his friend. "Evening to you too, Ember." It was his library voice, which Remus found was remarkably useful around sleeping younglings of any species. At least those he had happened across so far. "I was hoping I would see you tonight. Are things well? Is Yrre still trying to meet new friends with teeth?" His eyes twinkled merrily, remembering last night.

Yrre's ears twitched at the sound of voices. Friiends...? But no, he had exhausted himself. He wriggled a bit, giving a soft murmur of incoherant greeting, and then promptly drifted off again.

As the kit beside him mumbled sleepily, Ember crooned softly, gently nuzzling him. Then he returned his gaze to Remus, caaarefully slipping off of the couch and thrusting his chin at the other side of the room, where they wouldn't disturb Yrre. Remus had been quiet, but he didn't want to take any chances.

Yrre's stirring had worried him slightly. Had his excitement affected his normally soft library voice? Shaking the question off as one he would likely never know the answer to, Remus padded after Ember. Once they stopped he apologized. "I did not realize the kit's hearing was so acute. It is a good thing Chroma is still asleep." Remus gave a wry grin at his lame 'joke'; if it could be called that.

Ember nodding unsmilingly, glancing back at the kit. "He's just got so much energy.. I don't want to wake him, though you were so soft that I'm...I'm sure it wasn't your fault at all." He dropped his head, worridly shifting his weight. What if Remus thought Ember thought it was his fault? Ugh, idiot, messing things up as always..

Remus did not notice Ember's worried discomfort. Or if he did he gave no sign. Instead he grinned knowingly. "I know all about hyper, energetic kits. Unlike Chroma, I hear most outgrow it." He did not mention that he had never been a particularly energy-filled kit.

"I keep forgetting to give this to you." Remus pulled a tightly rolled parchment from within his robes & held it out for Ember to take. "Well, either forgot or decided not to have to explain about it with others around. After all, it would be rude to speak of having invited you to our home when no one else has been."