A small smile appeared on him before he shook his head. "Don't bother. I deserve what I have done."
Zekke approached the pair, and nudged his Protector. ::I think we should head back. There are somethings that I think Miss Ceres should know, and if he is the same himthat's there back home... We'll have work to do.::
Marushii nodded and hugged Zikuru again. "When this is all over, come live with us -- okay?"
A nod from him got the kitsune to let go and mount up on Zekke. "Hey... Zekke." Zikuru said, stopping the pair. "That necklace you have... do you wish to live within the water?"
Zekke snorted, grinning. ::Nope! This pretty thing will let me talk with the water-dwellers. Their thoughts are a LOT different than our's, and their language sounds more like a dolphin's than our's. Besides, I can't swim -- if I ever did become a water-dweller, I'd probably sink! Thanks again, Zikuru -- we'll come back to visit!::
With that they left, leaving the now brightly-lit meadow that was haven for the one called "Zikuru."
Back Home...
"Zekke, I think we better tell Ceres about all this -- fast." Marushii said, hopping off his back and picking up the book. At the sight of dust everywhere, she frowned. "We've been gone that long?" She wondered, leaning against Zekke as he came up behind her.
::Now time for that now -- let's go!::
"Zekke, what do you --"
A moment later they appeared inside the Changeling HQ.
"ZEKKE! Warn me next time!" She yelled, playfully punching her Changeling companion on his neck, who returned with a nudge to the shoulder that nearly sent her toppling.
::Hey! Is Ceres in? We have important news!::
((Crappy ending... e_x; Guh.))