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Timex whuffed gently at the two cats at his feet in reassurance, showing to them at least there had been no "accident" to his accidental nudge of Relm earlier. Of course the only other one of their family to see the exchange was Ginny, still sitting calmly on the hover-cycle over seeing the proceedings with laughter in her brown eyes. Relm smirked teasingly at the hummingbird audio. "See? I told you they would want to know you were safe at home." She lightly touched Keme's elbow then took a step back from the three -very glad that Rikku's last comment seemed to have gone unnoticed. Is she going to tell everyone that Keme stayed the night?

But then Naruto decked Keme in the face & all laughter fled her face. There was no time to cover her fury as she whipped her brush out with a growl & painted the shinobi. Rikku gasped. "Relm! NO!" The Al Bhed had been shocked too at her love's reaction, but not so much that she would not defend him without question. She ran between Naruto & Relm's painting of him, pulling out her thieves blades at the same time & getting into the battle. Relm did not even notice that, nor Naruto switching to hug his brother right afterwards.

What they see is a spitting image of Naruto squaring off against Rikku with his eye on, well, himself -the real Naruto Audio. Rikku blocks a thrown kunai from the 'painting' who seems nothing like paint at the moment. "Relm! Call it off!" The thief leaps at the painted Naruto, blades flashing, as she sees him put his hands together to perform a jutzu. She does not want to know which one. Hopefully not the one that makes multiple copies....

Her wand back out in a flash Ginny shoots a bat bogey hex at the copy Naruto. He instantly erupted in a mass of bat wings flapping all over his body, which being a painting it could not be seen if it weakened him at all. However, between the two girl's attacks the false shinobi's concentration had been broken & his jutzu did not go off.

Timex whinnies loudly. [Little ones, higher ground now!] The hunter understands, but being more worried about Azure than his own safety darts after her instead. [Azure!] Though not what Timex had wanted it had the same effect -the cats were not under-hoof. Taking two great steps the ninau brings his neck down over Relm's shoulder, firmly pulling the artist into his shoulder. [Relm! Cease this at once! You'll hurt him!]

She struggles against him for a second only as the fire leaves her eyes & she see's Keme & his family behind Rikku, ready to fight her creation. She lowers her brush as her eyes widen in shock. "Oh Espers... what have I done." Her brush falls from her fingers to the ground & the painted Naruto slumps over unanimated -much like a marionette with no one holding the strings upright.

Relm turns into the security of the ninau's shoulder, practically hiding in his long blue mane. Her muffled words can just be made out though her face is buried; full of sorrow & honest regret. "I'm sorry. Oh Espers! Keme! I'm sorry. I don't know why I... Espers! I'm sorry!"

The hunter did not even give it a second thought before bounding after Azure into the house. He was a cat after all. It was just that he was worried about her. Rikku let out a choking laugh of relief. "Oh she wasn't attacking me my silly ninja!" Her blades return to where ever they go when she's not using them & she hugs Naruto in relief. "It's okay now! She dropped her brush!" In fact, the "painted" Naruto was starting to look more & more like paint instead and flesh & blood.

The artist-mage is startled at first at Keme's touch but before she can react any other way she spins around to face him, falling between his arms & against his chest. Strands of Timex's mane trail with her & the ninau steps closer so that they are not pulled. "Keme I'm sorry! I didn't think! I just... and oh! if I should have hurt you..." Her fingers clench against his jacket collar. "If I'd've hurt you I don't know what I'd do... I could never forgive myself."

Then softer, Rikku ponders her surprise aloud. "Though she's never set her brush down before... much less dropped it..."

Perun has to start tracking the female by scent once in the house. He pauses as a fresh new scent stops & follows the trail, but then trots after both scents regardless.

"I don't know..." the Al Bhed begins, watching the paint start to fade away. "I do. At least in part." Ginny hopped off the cycle & trotted over, sniffing at the traces Relm's magic painting. "dang. I wish Remus or even the twins was here to study her magic with me..." Rikku looked at the kitsu funny for her quiet words & Ginny shook her head & continued on the answer she was previously given. "You hit Keme. She was protecting her friend." Brown eyes flashed with inner amusement at a passing thought. "Though why she acted so strongly I don't rightly know." Though I wonder...

It was probably a good thing Relm could not hear her kin over her own tears & fears. She was starting to calm slowly being rocked in Keme's arms, feeling safe, cared for... perhaps even forgiven? She sighs softly, feeling his chin upon the top of her head. "I'm sorry Keme... I'm being so selfish. I should go. Let you see your family again. I can meet them later. Later, when I'm not so... well, whatever it is I am that caused me to react like that..."


So she said, but the artist made no move to withdraw herself from Keme's embarace.

Rikku kissed the ninja's cheek lovingly. "I know you didn't... But I guess Relm didn't. She must've just reacted automatically." She looked at Ginny for answers, feeling that the witch might have a better sense of the situation than she did but Ginny just shook her head, red hair swaying. Still, Rikku wondered, seeing her sister with Keme. She doesn't... does she? But he's not her type... At least not the type Relm seemed to go for. Rikku sighed & rested her head on Naruto's shoulder.

Perun trotted faster, sensitive ears perking at the sound of Azure's mew. He entered the laundry room with nonchalant care. [Azure?] The tone of his meow was one of worry.

Knowing by her scent she was nearby, the hunter trotted past the purple cait with no outward display of acknowledging her presence. He did note that she seemed to be of the same species as Locke & Amaryllis, and knowing how some caits had familiars he kept his senses open for one's appearance. [Azure, are you all right? Why are you hiding in here?]

Her feelings played across her face just under the surface. Sorrow & apprehension eventually gave way to a small shaky smile. "This time?" Relm attempted to tease, her smile wavering slightly as if straining. Then her eyes softened. "Okay. It's only fair, after subjecting you to breakfast with mine."

Only then did she notice the lump growing on Keme's jaw. Even as her eyes widened they flashed dangerously. Only this time it was at herself Relm was angry. "Oh! I am selfish! More onto how I felt than how you felt... I should have cured you right away!"

Gingerly but with great determination Relm set her hand upon Keme's jaw. "Cura!"

Relm blushed, pleased at the praise & wondering a little about the thrill it gave her. "You're welcome... & thanks." She leaves her hand in place, her thumb lightly stroking Keme's jawline. "Though I'm not sure I deserve such kindness. Without my magic all I can do is... paint." The artist thought a second about what she had last painted & gave a shudder. "Though perhaps that would be better for all..." Timex knickered softly and lightly tossed his head in disagreement but otherwise remained quiet.

Smiling at the prospect of getting Naruto all to herself for a little while again the thief pauses, her gaze resting with curious worry on Keme & Relm. Ginny snickered, then butted the lovebirds with her head to urge them on. "Oh! Go on, you!" Her brown eyes danced, suspecting -or hoping- what they might talk about on their walk. "I'll keep watch over them. I'll even let the others know you've gone so they don't worry about you & punch you when you return." Rikku's giggle joined the kitsu's as she teased them. It was a good thing little Arnold was there to translate for them -Rikku had left in such a hurry she had forgotten her translator. She entwined her fingers with Naruto's as Ginny nudged them again, giving the Shinobi a dazzling smile. "Yes! Let's go for a walk!" She swung their hands lightly between them as they walked off towards whatever path he led her.

The hunter stepped towards her, ignoring the laundry. He circled her slowly, rubbing his head against her from time to time as he checked to see that Azure had not been hurt. [You're unharmed; that's what matters.]

Without taking his attention off her Azure answered the cait's question with marked indifference. [Our Rikku got her orange one & the one patterned like the small fast bird to yell loudly right off. The orange two-legger stepped on Azure's tail. Then the orange one and the two-legger cat Manami went to the bird one as if in greeting but the orange one swung his paw instead, catching the larger one's jaw. That set our artist off & she "painted" the orange one. Our Rikku went to fight the paint copy. I think it was stopping before really starting when Azure ran in here.] Perun nuzzled the mostly black female for reassurance that she was safe. [That's what matters.] He repeated firmly.

[No.] Perun shook his head, laying down & curling almost protectively around Azure. [Just be more careful.] His purr rumbled softly. [You being so impulsive is fun. As long as you're safe.]

Relm wrung her hands, unable to meet his gaze. Her hands felt bereft now tht they were apart & she suddenly missed the familiar feel of her brush in her hands. Her hand moved to her pocket where it normally was when not in hand but she stopped it partway. No... I don't need it. Ginny was half tempted to float the artist's brush from the ground where it had fallen & into Relm's pocket but resisted. She wanted to see when her sister of sorts would notice she had dropped it. And how she would react. Her heart still fluttering about the word "love" applied to her magic Relm gave a gentle sigh. "I'll try, Keme, though apart from the cure just now I can't see how you'd come to the conclusion that it's done good..." She shook softly, still diverting her eyes. "Or maybe it's the better part of me & it's my use of it that's flawed." Her voice dropped to a whisper. What if I'm as bad as Kefka? Perhaps I should paint myself... see what I really am. Putting my friends & family in danger... I just don't think!" The Ninau watched Keme over Relm's head with his large blue eyes, as if trying to see inside him.

Rikku watched him quietly, her head tilting thoughtfully to the side. She wanted to tell Naruto that it was okay... but not knowing still hurt so it was not okay. Not quite. Instead she said. "I forgive you... I... I don't understand, & it hurts but I'm sure you have a reason... don't you?" She was not crying, but her swirling green eyes were moist. "I reason you'll tell me now?" Her voice & eyes were hopeful, even as they shook with emotion.

It felt like her blood was pounding in her veins. She wants to reach out & touch him but somehow sees the wisdom Naruto had shown in stepping away while they talked. "Ruto..." Rikku swallowed hard. "I think... I think I've wanted more for a while... I'm not sure... I only know I want more of you."

She could no longer not touch him & lightly placed her fingers on the back of his hand as he rubbed his neck. "I'd be happy if we were chaste all night... I'd be happy if we weren't..." Her face flushed crimson as Rikku felt warm all over from the promise of the thought even though she was still fairly naive in such matters. Her body still responded regardless. "I... I don't know if I'd ever be fully ready... but I know I want more... I want you."

Rikku stepped boldly towards the shinobi, her other hand resting lightly on his arm. She shivered slightly. "As long as we're together, Naruto. I love you, 'Ruto."

Then she flipped from serious to give him a look of mischief & innocence. "Besides, you did promise to jellify my legs again & since that's when you usually pull back... well... I've been wanting to see where that leads us for a while."

His bright blue eyes glinted with mischief. [Tsuki, eh? Do you think he'd wake to play with us?] Laughter broke up his purr into mini little rumbles.

Relm blinked into his brown eyes as they caught hers. Defiance flashed in her light green eyes. She places her hands flat on Keme's chest, almost looking to an observer as if she will pull away. Ginny & Timex watching are not so deceived. "Fine. I won't. But only if you stop belittling your worth, Keme! You're worth everything to me!"

Ginny was glad she understood without having to wait for Arnold's translation. Still, she stared with a goofy grin flickering on& off the corners of her maw. She raised a brow & caught Timex's eye. There were some things that could be shared without words. This was one of them.

The artist did not notice. "So don't say you're not worth it! You are!"