Welcome to Gaia! ::

Umi was concerned. She walked over to Lan, and carefully undid his shirt a little. She laid her head against his chest, and listened intently for a moment. She sat up and did his shirt back up, her face a little pale.

"Have you always been like this, Lan?" she asked. "Have you always had trouble breathing?"

Helix scowled. "I think you should leave him alone."

Umi hugged Lan to comfort him. "I understand that you don't trust me," Umi said quietly to Helix. "But I only want to help you two. It's the truth. Your brother is sick, and he needs a doctor to look at him."

Helix gritted his teeth. "You don't know anything!"

Umi looked upset, and nearly began to cry, but she stiffened her lip, and became more firm. "There's a doctor here who's very good. I think Lan needs to see him."

Helix slammed his hand on the table, and ran out of the room.

Umi hugged Lan, and smoothed his hair. "It's alright," she said to him. "It's not your fault. I think he's upset because he believes I'm trying to take you from him. But I'm not. I just want what's best for you two." She smiled at Lan, and kissed his forhead gently.

Umi hugged Lan a little longer, and then sat down beside him, smiling. "I wonder if my child will be anything like you?" she asked herself. "It's rather exciting...and a little nerve-wracking. I'm worried I might not be a good mother." She looked at Lan. "I'm not very good at this, am I?"

Umi smiled. "I'm sorry. You probably don't understand." She patted his head. "I didn't mean to confuse you." She paused. "I bet you're tired," she said suddenly. She stood up a bit. "If you like, I can show you where you'll be sleeping." She seemed eager to do something helpful.

Umi smiled, and took Lan's hand, and gave it a little squeeze. She led him up the stairs and into a room near the end of the hall, where there was a small, but cosy room with a large bed and a few other pieces of furniture. Umi opened the window to let the late afternoon sun in. "You and Helix will have to share this room. I hope that's okay with you." She smiled at him over her shoulder.

Umi pulled something out from behind a chair and handed it to lan. It was a teddy bear with soft brown fur, and a cute little bow tie. She blushed.

"I...I thought it would help you sleep. Strange places make me nervous too. Hopefully, he'll make it a little better." She smiled as she gave it to him. "He's really snuggly. I hope you like him." She fidgetid. "I wanted to take you clothing shopping too. Maybe tommorrow. That's if you'd like to, of course. You don't have to say yes. I'd understand if you didn't." Her bangs covered her eyes as she got more and more flustered.

Umi couldn't help herself. She threw her arms around Lan and hugged him. She was crying, but she wasn't sure why. She was just so happy that he was there. She sobbed, and hugged Lan.