Sitting primly in the window sill, paws tucked under her chest, Cuan was thinking. Outside, the night sky was clear as crystal and she could see the stars twinkling away. Mau was somewhere up there. It worried her a little that she couldn’t remember anything about the place. As far as she knew, no guardian cat could. They only remembered their Duty and did their best to serve.

The small lykoi liked to think that she was doing as was expected of her, but was she? Was she really? Her first senshi bond had been broken and rather painfully, though it had been mutual. Sometimes she did wonder how Chariklo was doing these days. The last she’d heard, the wayward bird had gotten married to that strapping Mars knight who’d always hung around and had children now. Sometimes… sometimes, Cuan wanted to go see them. Visit with her former ward and let her know that it had been the right choice for the both of them. She’d even be pleased to see the mangy little dog that Chariklo had thought so much of. How long did dogs last anyway? Sanskrit must surely be ancient by now!

Feeling moved by curiosity, the cat got up and stretched luxuriously before padding to the computer that Esfir did her homework on. Bapping at the mouse to wake the machine up, Cuan purred softly as she maneuvered the mouse and keyboard, opening Google and typing in ‘Average Dog Lifespan’. The range of average ages seemed odd to her, but well. Earth was odd. The mutt had been only a little bigger than her and small dogs got longer lifespans. So, he might be around if she went calling.

Suddenly, the idea seemed more real. More immediate. Cuan wanted to go see her old senshi. Wanted to know that Chariklo had allowed herself to heal. She wanted to bring Saiph along and let the two meet because Esfir was rapidly growing up and would need guidance and training in keeping herself alive and uncorrupted once the protections she enjoyed as a chibi faded. Though, perhaps that meeting should be delayed until Cuan could be sure that Chariklo would be open to the idea. Even though the cat was reasonably certain the bird would jump at the chance. Chariklo, for all her faults (and they were many), had always been fiercely protective of the younger and less experienced senshi.

Yes… yes. She’d go right now. Moving quickly, the lykoi kitten jumped back to the window. Saiph had left it open a crack in order to sneak back in once she’d finished her patrol. And the girl was more than used to Cuan going out on her own from time to time. She wouldn’t worry if Cuan wasn’t there. Wriggling and pulling, the cat got through the window and leapt for the ground. She still knew the way to Chariklo’s home. She could be there in a good thirty minutes.

Feeling bolstered by her decision and the brisk walk, the kitten did have to wonder why she hadn’t done this sooner. She’d forgiven Chariklo a long time ago for dissolving the bond, though it had taken longer than that to forgive herself for allowing it. But now? Cuan loved Esfir. She loved Saiph. It had been the right choice.

And now? She could love Chariklo again. And Sanskrit and even Xibalba and the children. It was a marvelous feeling.
Soon enough, she was scrambling under the front gate of her bird’s house and popping up onto the outer sills to peep inside. It was late, so she hadn’t really expected to see much. But as she paced around the house, looking into windows where she could, Cuan eventually saw what she wanted.

There was Bindhi padding into the room, white gold hair just as wild and majestic as Cuan remembered. She looked tired, but good. At peace. Rearing back on her tiny haunches, Cuan placed both forepaws against the glass and meowed. Loudly. Had the satisfaction of seeing Bindhi’s head jerk and turn in surprise towards her just before the surprise became unfeigned glee as the woman hurried over to let the cat inside.

Leaping from the window to Bindhi’s shoulder, Cuan gave her former charge a loud, purring chuff as she bonked her head against Bindhi’s cheek.

“Well?” she demanded in her small voice. “Give me your report, bird! And don’t leave out a single detail.”

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