ATM Rewrite: B2 — 21. Sailor Fluffy Tails... And A Valkyrie! (Patreon)

Author Update:  An FYI, Val, one of the editors, is going to be editing the chapters a bit after release for, at the very least, the next week or two (if not more) due to a new little munchkin that's been added to their litter.  Val went through this chapter, and I updated some things for clarity.

PoV:

1. Sora Moore (Our Mom Trusting Fox Girl!)

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A shiver ran down Sora’s spine to the tip of her tail at her mother’s comment.  When she thought about demigods, she thought about movies like Hercules or figures like the Monkey King, who was pissed he was considered a ‘lowly’ demigod, so he had a tantrum and was thrown out of heaven.

Taking in the information, she cooled down with everyone else as breakfast was brought up by the Foundation serving staff; she wasn’t sure if anyone else lived in the hotel beside them anymore.  Kari still seemed a bit vulnerable, but all of them were more or less pondering their own troubled thoughts after things started to settle down.

Eyia and her mom went to help set the table, which left Kari for her dad, not that the wolf was particularly talkative once she regained control over her hiccups and tears.  Sora rubbed her arm reassuringly before giving her dad a thankful smile; it was good just to have someone nearby.  Now, she had to help Wendy because the brunette appeared to be struggling to keep her body stable.

“You okay?”  she asked, moving to her side.

Wendy hugged herself, focusing on her dress.  “Totally good… said no one here.”

Sora forced a laugh and crossed her arms, mouth drawing in for a moment.  “What can I do to help?”

“Haaa.  Nothing, really,” she mumbled, blue eyes drifting to Kari, still huddled on the couch, not looking at anyone.  “I just feel like I’m starving.”

Twisting to touch the book attached to the small of her back, just above her bushy tail, Wendy sighed.  “Umm… hey, actually… I’m going to go for a walk around the suite.  I feel like moving might help; I don’t know.  Cool?”

“No, yeah, of course!”  Sora nodded, gripping her elbow.  “Want some company?”

Wendy’s ears dipped.  “Not… really.  I’m not trying to be mean; I’m just… trying to process a lot.  Being around people right now is… weird.  It’s hard to explain.”

“No, it’s fine…”  Wendy walked to the gravity elevator to reach the second floor.  Why she was heading back the way they’d come was a mystery to her.  Then, the brown fox swapped directions just before reaching it, heading for the hallway, head down and looking a little dazed.  “Wendy, are you sure you’re okay?  I’m worried.  Did I… mess up?  No, I should have talked to you first.”

A weak chuckle shook Wendy’s body as she turned to give her a sad smile.  “It would have been the same, I think.  Thank you for always thinking about me, Sora… really.  I’m just, heh… adjusting, I guess.  I’ll meet you for breakfast soon.”

“Okay…”

Watching her go, Sora sighed, and with Kari not being in a talking mood, she was forced to go to the dining room.  She leaned against the wall, happy to see the Valkyrie enjoying herself, at least.  It was wild to think that, at one time, her mother would have killed the cheery blonde.

As the plates were positioned around the table, Sora listened to Eyia’s endless questions that were aimed at her mother.  It was interesting to hear details about certain Asgardian figures.  However, fear touched the warrior’s voice after asking about her older brother.

“You… did not see Thor in the war with my father?”

Mia shook her head, thanking those who had brought the meal as they left with all their carts.  “I’m afraid not.  A number of individuals congruent with your typical mythology were missing, and it was the same with the other Primordial Pantheons.  We assumed it was due to the destruction of your Greater Existence when Yggdrasill collapsed.”

Eyia scratched her ear.  “Eh-hehe.  No, my brother is a strong one.  Perhaps he just went… of course.  There was talk about a giant maelstrom that had my father anxious, which was sweeping lower Existences into its tide.  My brother is Asgard’s greatest champion.  He will return.  I am sure of it!  He has escaped the fate of Jörmungandr…  Hmm.”

Sitting down, Sora rested her elbows against the table.  It was filled with dozens of dishes waiting to be devoured, and, apparently, this was only the first course.  They were going downstairs to get the next batch.

“Wait, how old are you, Eyia?  Are you older than my mom?”

The Valkyrie giggled, settling in beside her as her mother went to call the others in for breakfast.  “I have not kept track of my age since I awoke on The Island.  My father hid me in a bubble to grow and awaken…”

Her cheer dampened a tad as she played with her braided hair.  “Many winters have gone by before my father’s magic weakened enough for me to overcome the sleep.  I am unsure of the exact time that I have lived.”

“Then why not just say you’re sixteen, like me?”  Sora examined the girl, noting she may have been tall, but she could certainly pass for a young adult or teenager.  “We can celebrate our birthdays together since it’s around the time we met.”

Eyia’s sad eyes brightened, showing a soft smile.  “You are very good to me, Sister.  I am glad Jin decided to spare your life when we first met.”

“Ah-hahaha-yeah…  Good ol’ Jin and her murder tendencies.  Mom?”  She glanced at the doorway when her mother came in with a frown, Kari and her father following.  “What’s wrong?”

“Hmm.  Your sister is upstairs.  Would you mind going to get her?”

Left ear drawing back as she looked to Eyia, Sora shrugged.  “Sure.  Her room?”

“Possibly,” her mother returned, taking a seat beside Kari.

The wolf’s ears and tail were in somewhat of a stand-offish position, puffy red eyes scanning the food-filled table.  Sora could only guess what she was thinking as she sat opposite Eyia.  She seemed a little better after releasing everything on her chest.  “Your father said she went up in somewhat of a daze shortly after you left.”

“Okay?”

Scooting out, Sora jogged toward the hallway, sending a spiritual pulse through the upper floors to find the puffy-tailed girl.  Her eyebrows furrowed when she received the strange ping Wendy put off, distorting her magic and giving her a fuzzed perception of the book.

Why is she in my room?

Opting to hop up the second level instead of using the lift, Sora slowed to a stop outside of her room.  “Wendy, hey, are you ready to eat?  We’re all…  Wendy?”

Sora’s gut twisted as she saw her new sister resting on her bed, the seven-pointed star amulet twisting in her fingers: the Lady in Black Thorns’s necklace.

“Why… did you get that out of my drawer?”  she slowly asked, finding her elbow as she walked inside, scanning for the vines or thorns, yet there was nothing.  “Wendy?”

The brunette blinked and looked up at her as if only just realizing she was there.  “Oh, Sora, umm…  No, I’m sorry I just barged into your room, but this… just kind of drew me in, I guess.  I’m not hungry.”

“What?”  Taking a seat beside her, hands knotting in her lap, Sora cleared her throat.  “Wendy, that thing is dangerous.  You shouldn’t even be able to see it—no one could—only the Herald of Sakura and I can.  Wait, what do you mean it drew you in?  I’m kind of freaking out here.  You’re acting weird.”

Wendy sighed, hair draping to the floor as she bent over to rub her forehead with her free hand.  “Sorry for making you worry, it’s just…  Hmm.”  Sweeping back the locks and straightening, she lifted it up with a weak smile.  “I felt so dizzy and lost.  It was so hard to keep myself together, and then I touched this, and… I feel totally perfect.  Ugh.  It’s totally the One Ring, isn’t it?  I’m going to get possessed.  Great…”

Laughing a little at her half-joke, Sora scooted over to nudge her.  “Hey, you haven’t eaten your favorite dress, so that’s a plus.  Help me understand.  You feel stable right now?  You’re not hungry or about to gobble up my bed?”

“Haha.  No.”  Wendy snickered and twisted the necklace again, whispering, “I’m not stupid.  I knew that picking up this thing and suddenly feeling normal was bad mojo.  I wake up magically in your room, holding one of your jewelry pieces, and all my anxiety instantly melts away.  Yeah, no.   Haaa.  Right out of a ‘do not touch’ movie scene.”

Leaning against her knees, Sora lightly chewed on the inside of her lip for a few seconds.  Wendy seemed totally normal; in fact, it sounded like she had a better grasp of how bizarre and ominous this kind of situation was.  Then again, she’d been subject to all sorts of crazy crap recently.

“Is it asking you to ‘steal’ it or keep it secret or something?”

Wendy’s hair brushed against her shoulders as she shook her head.  “No.  Nothing like that.  No voices.  No urges telling me to kill my sister.  Nothing…  Just a sense of… normal.  I don’t need to focus to keep my body from collapsing.  My tail and ears feel… realer?  Is that a word?  Whatever—fluffy!”  she chimed, waving the big thing.

“Right?!”  Sora mirrored her, showing a small smile.  “Well… if it is helping, then I guess it’s better than nothing.  If you do start hearing voices or… are swept into another world with a pretty black and white lady or start seeing thorns everywhere, then let me know.  Okay?”

Lifting an eyebrow, Wendy forced a laugh.  “Those were… oddly specific.  Sure.  You really think I should wear it?”

“I mean…”  Sora scratched the back of her neck, studying the seven-pointed star, now showing a tiny candle-like symbol where the circle had been, a black flame imprinted on one of the star’s spikes; parts of it had changed since Wendy touched it.  “It feels… a little similar to you.  I’m not sure what it is, but if it is helping you, then it’s better than nothing.”

Wendy reached over to hug her, and she felt real, as if flesh and blood.  “Thanks, Sora.”

“Mhm.”

Pulling away, she slipped it around her neck and lifted it up for them to examine together.  “I almost expected to be possessed or something, but all I feel is… peace.  I haven’t felt… secure in so long.  Ugh.  What if this turns into like… some kind of drug?”

“Then we’ll deal with it later as sisters,” Sora said with a rosy smile, pulling her in again.  “Let’s go eat because I’m hungry!  What are you—ouch!  Hey!”  she glared at the brown fox as she reached up and pinched her ear.

“Alright, fatty,” Wendy teased.  “Hehe.  Do it back!  I want to make sure this isn’t a dream—oof!  Yikes, that does kind of hurt,” she groaned when Sora retaliated.  Then she blinked, her ears rising.  “Oh…  I can turn off pain.”

“Huh?  No fair!”  Sora hissed, rising to her feet and massaging the sore area.  “What about this?!”

“Sora!  No!”  She danced away, hugging her tail close to her chest as Sora darted after her to squeeze it.  “Sora!”

“Hahaha!  You will know pain!”

“Stop!  Hahaha!”

Chasing her downstairs, Sora’s stomach swarmed with positive vibes as she settled down, Wendy taking a chair far from her and shooting her a play scowl.

“Aye, are we finally ready for the feast?”  her dad asked, beaming at all the girls around the table.  “Mia?”

Her mother’s gaze lingered momentarily on Wendy before a soft smile brightened her face; no one commented on the necklace, but Kari and Eyia eyed Wendy for a moment, faces unreadable.  “Hmm.  It seems so.  Feeling better, Wendy?”

“Much.  Thank you, Ms. Moore.”

“Of course!”  Mia wrapped her nine tails around the back of her chair to loop under the table and against her shins while addressing them.  “Why don’t we start by saying what we are grateful for…  Kari, would you like to go first?”

The wolf shrank a bit in her chair, ears drawn back and glancing away.  “I’m… grateful Ylva didn’t take me,” she mumbled.

A half-smile lifted her cheeks.  “That’s one hell of a way of saying, ‘Thank you, Sora, for using your birthday wish to get Nilly to save me!’  You’re welcome!”

“Mmgm.”  The wolf’s low, accepting grunt was more than she expected, yet her mother’s next words snapped Kari’s focus to the fox mom.

“I am grateful that Alva was smart enough to know when she was outmatched and sent you here.”

Kari’s brow furrowed, voice a tad thick.  “How can you say that?”

“Hmm-hmm.”  Light laughter shaking her frame, the flame-tailed woman gave the same look to each of them at the table.  “I am grateful for my daughter, who has a far more forgiving heart than I and who has accepted me for my weaknesses.”

“Mom…”

“I am thankful for my husband, who has dutifully done everything in his power to protect and provide for our daughter despite the challenges of life and the troubles a daughter brings.”

Sora snorted and rolled her eyes, knowing her mom was probably only half-joking, and it showed with her dad’s chuckle, leaning over to squeeze her hand.  Her mother moved on to her next victim.

“I am grateful to have new daughters, who I can love, dote on, and make monumental mistakes with that I will no doubt cry many nights over.  I can’t believe I have a Primordial girl in my family.  My mother would be proud.”

A strained laugh from the book girl followed.  “Hopefully, not too many nights.  You’ve been nothing but amazing and kind toward me…  Wait, Eyia was legally adopted, too?”

“Indeed!”  Eyia chimed.  “I am not sure what my father would think, but he taught me never to stab a welcoming hand or shun the hospitality of other tribes.”

“Cool.”  Wendy showed a thumbs up.  “I guess I’m grateful to have a best friend, who has a family so wonderful that they’re willing to welcome me into their home.  Thank you, Sora, Mr. and Mrs. Moore, I… I’ve never felt so loved.”

They all nodded, and her mother motioned to the Valkyrie, making the blonde sit straighter.  “I never would have thought a Primordial Agardian would call my daughter her sister, yet you have proven exactly what my mother always said…  I am honored to have you as my daughter, as well, Eyia.  Well, if you will have me.  I’m not sure how Freyja would feel about it, seeing as I’ve never met your true mother.”

Eyia’s head tilted with a small frown.  “You have not?  I was sure my mother managed to escape the collapse.  Hmm.  Nonetheless, I trust my mother would approve of your generosity, Queen Mia; it is my honor.  My mother took in many people into her hall, so I cannot see her disapproval.”

A small smile replaced the frown.  “You have welcomed me into your territory when it may bring ire from your kinsmen.  Truly, it is I who am humbled by the grace and open hearth of your home.  Sora has shown me the honor of Founders in a way I was told was nigh impossible.”

She gestured to Kari, who returned a look, asking why she was being brought into the spotlight.  “Sora has even made me see that there are Fenris Wolves that are… less detestable than I imagined.  Although, I am not in favor of this one’s mouth.”

Kari gave her a mocking grin.  “Bite me.”

“Not my style,” Eyia sniffed with a mirrored cadence.  “I am not an animal—no offense intended, Queen Mia and Sister!  I have found foxes to be quite enjoyable while the wolf is… tolerable.”

Her mother chuckled as Sora waved off the comment, tail wagging with joy at the good vibes she was getting from everyone.  “You’re awesome, Eyia, and I love the way you say ‘bite me,’ Kari!  Haha.  It really fits you.”

“Weirdo,” Kari grumbled, sinking lower in her seat at all the attention.  “Can we eat yet?  I thought Wonder Book over there was starving.”

“ ‘Was starving,’ Small Ears,” Wendy corrected, grinning while tilting them to draw eyes.  “You’re so different now!  It’s kind of insane.”

Sora could see Kari’s temper rising with her flushed cheeks at all the embarrassment, but before she or anyone else could do anything, her mother whispered, “Kari… your mother isn’t lost.”

Silence swept the table, all focus now on the somber red fox as she crossed her legs and sat back, staring right into the wolf’s big amber eyes.  “It is possible to resurrect your mother since your brother ate her, thereby allowing her to bypass the strength restrictions of our territory and squeeze your family into it.”

“How…”  Throat hoarse, Kari sat as straight as a board, and suddenly, tears started to well up in her watery eyes again.  “Couldn’t…  Couldn’t you have resurrected her b-before taking on this—this powerless form?  Is that… my punishment?  What am I supposed to do?”

Mood devastated, Sora didn’t know what to say.  There was no way she would want that to happen to the wolf, and to just tell her that out of the blue?  It was cruel.  Even her dad looked blindsided by the statement.

“First.”  Her mother breathed out a long stream of air.  “This is not a punishment, Kari.  Sora would be mortified if I said it was.”

“Yeah, I would!”  Sora returned.  “Kari’s mom is what… in Eric’s stomach?!  What the hell!  Could you have brought her back?”

“Yes, Sora, I could have…”  her mother responded, making a shiver run down Sora’s tail at the sorrowful look on her mom’s face.  “However, Alva would have bitten off my tails in the process.  She had a design.  Is it perfect?  No.  This was last minute.  Did I need to change some events?  Yes.  Will it be much more challenging to perform?  Yes.  Will it be soon… absolutely not.”

Kari sank into her chair, now looking unsure.  “Why didn’t anyone tell me…  I just—did Aiden and Eric know?  What about Tiri?”

Sora’s gut twisted as her mother shook her head.  “For whatever reason, I didn’t give myself all the details.  I do know that Aiden is not aware.  Eric, however… I am positive he knew from the start.”

“Damn him!”  Kari snarled, rubbing away and sniffing back tears.  “Damn him!  Why did he make me believe she was gone?!  Did my mom tell him to do that?”

Her mother looked at the tablecloth, seemingly fighting back her own emotions, which answered it in Sora’s mind.

“…I don’t think she would do something like that, but I can’t be positive; your mother didn’t have time to prep you.  Alva’s plan relied on my mercy and Aiden’s ability to pull you in the proper direction, using his abilities, not my daughter’s.  Kari… your family might be able to be made whole, but for that to happen, you will need to fight for it and have support.  I know this is a lot to…  Haaa.”

Kari shoved the chair back and walked away, fighting sniffles, chokes, and hiccups.

Sora stood up.  “Kari—”

“Wait.”  Her mother held up her hand.  “Let her work through it.  I’m sure this feels like a massive betrayal.”

Wendy pressed her hands into her lap, following the wolf’s exit.  “I mean, doesn’t she already hate Eric and feel like he betrayed her?”

Their gaze went to Eyia, arms held against her gut.  “By putting myself into her shoes, as my sister instructed… I can see the reason for such emotions.  I have felt such betrayal from one I call friend, yet if it were my brother who hid such joyous news about my father’s revival—even if only the hope for a chance—then I cannot say what I might do.  And if it were my father…”

A lump dropped down Wendy’s throat as she sat back, holding her own stomach.  “Yeah… betrayal hurts… a lot.”

Sora experienced a stinging in her own eyes as the mood soured, and her father leaned his elbows against the table, staring at his wife with a small frown.

“Did that have to be said before dinner?  I’m pretty sure we’ve all lost our appetites.”

Her mother’s melancholy smile said it did.  “Food will bring Kari back.  She is far too weak right now to refuse it, and I believe, like her mother, she is a bit of a stress eater.  Kari just needs to internalize it.  Should we wait for her?”

Sora’s lips rose at the reassurance.  “If no one is hungry yet, then I can put a spell on the food to keep it all fresh and ready.  Haha.  I’m sure Kari will come back and say her motivation is to resurrect her mom to bite her tail.  I’d do that,” she said with a big grin at her own mother.

“Eh-hehe.  Please don’t, Sweetie, I’m delicate right now.”

“Exactly!  Chomp!  Chomp!”

Laughing, Sora’s belly eased as things started to clear up.  Her gaze shifted from Wendy to Kari’s empty seat.  The disguised book was excitedly talking to her new Primordial sister, their parents listening intently, currently on the topic of the brown fox’s favorite sailor anime shows they were going to watch after rescuing everyone.

The seven-star amulet around Wendy’s neck really did seem to be working for her.  She hadn’t had an episode, looked frustrated, or given off any negative vibes since donning it.  In all respects, she had her old best friend back and better than ever—they were sisters.

However, The Herald of Sakura’s warning—and her single visit with the entity it was linked to—kept stabbing at her gut.  Just because things were going well right now, it didn’t mean there wouldn’t be side effects later.  Maybe the Lady in Black Thorns could only talk to her… or maybe it was biding its time until Wendy couldn’t live without the stabilizing force she brought.

The issue is Wendy’s control, Sora pondered, seeing the happy atmosphere starting to return.  If she can gain that without the amulet, then we don’t need to risk the connection…  I can’t have whatever she did to Zen’s curse happen to Wendy… but will it?

Her gaze drifted to her chuckling father, poking fun at their childhood obsession with magical girls.  Wendy was shooting back with the counter-argument that most girls wanted to be little princesses with kick-butt powers growing up.  She pointed to the Frozen Princess movies as an example.  Sora’s mind was on more sobering topics.

What if the Lady in Black Thorns is somehow related to Dad?  If Wendy is accessing his energy, then…  No, no.  She ran her fingers through her hair with a short huff, dismissing the thought.  Mom said there were a lot of other forces that went into making me.  It could be the thing that allowed Mom and Dad to have me…  Is that even a better thought?  Yikes.

Focus drifting to the empty chair, pain compressed her chest.  How many Ls does Kari have to take before she can get a win?  I mean… I guess this is a win, in a way, but it’s a shitty win to learn your family was fine, and they purposefully made you think they were dead…  Mom.

Her mother’s ears drew back as she caught the dirty look she was giving her.  “Is something wrong, Sora?”

“Nope, just glad to have you here.”

“Of… course.  Haha.  Let me know if there is something you want to talk about.”

Sora sent a magical embrace to wrap and warm her mother.  “Less talking, more hugging!  Love you…  Oh, the next course.”

It didn’t take long for the staff to set up a new table to place all the dishes on.  Spelling it to remain fresh, it took nearly thirty more minutes before Kari came back up the elevator.  Not even addressing her absence, she just sat down, didn’t look at anyone, and started eating.

Trying not to chuckle, Sora caught the soft looks from everyone else around the table as the wolf ate; her pulled-back ears, agitated tail, and, recently, eternally puffed up and red cheeks, the wolf was trying to hold things together.

Digging in, Sora started the table discussion with her father, jabbing at how she could totally out-eat him in a contest.  Not long after, they were in a full-blown race to see who could pack down more.  Sora had a private bet with her dad on who would be the victor since it most certainly wouldn’t be either of them.

She had it on Kari; it came with the territory as a Fenris Wolf, after all.  On the other hand, her father put his chips on his new book of a daughter.  Sora began to get worried as time went on, and the many, many dishes vanished off the table.  She was shocked that she was the second one out behind her father; apparently, her mom’s nine tails and multiple hearts required a lot of energy because her mom could eat!

Once the red fox was tapped out, their attention went to the three black holes, yet Eyia withdrew in an upset, citing the need to keep herself balanced if combat occurred.  Sora should have seen that coming, and none of them had offered a ‘formal’ challenge, which meant the Valkyrie was just eating to necessity.

Kari and Wendy, though?  The two were animals!  Sora couldn’t believe her eyes at how much food her sister casually ate.  It wasn’t like they were rushing, but they just didn’t stop until everything was gone.

“Tie?”  her dad mumbled.

“Tie.  I lost count.”

“Me, too.  Me, too… but not at the price.  Eesh.”

Sora giggled as he held up his phone, showing a five-figure meal.  “I’m sure I can get the Foundation to cover it.”

Her dad tilted his head.  “I mean, it’s not like we don’t have the money.  Just… not to do this every meal.  Hahaha-haaa.  And I remember you being far less of a glutton, Honey.”

“Hmm?”  Her mother’s left eye narrowed with a small smile.  “There are many things you still have to learn about me, Dear.  Perhaps I will show you a few later…”  Sora wanted to become deaf.  Thankfully, that was the end of the flirting.  “For now, our ride to the moon base should be arriving shortly.”

Leaving the serving staff to earn their tip, Foundation employees or not, they moved to the conference room.  Sora’s nose crinkled, still smelling the unholy scent of the demon.  She was about to ask when the black hole transportation thing would come when a frowning, elderly man spontaneously sat inside an armchair without any ripple in space.

A pipe held between his fingers and deep-set, illuminated turquoise eyes wandering between them, Pynerius’ aged voice broke the silent atmosphere.  He wasn’t here in body, but in a magical illusion that was beyond impressive.

“Pardon the intrusion, but my son seems to have left this universal fragment, and the creature I imprisoned… waltzed free.  I take it this is all a part of your plan, Lady Mia… because I was certainly blinded by this development.  What part does Zen play in this plot?”

Wendy quickly stood up and gave him a hurried bow, speaking somewhat faster than was needed; her ears and tail gave away her nervousness at talking to her crush’s father.

“I am sooo sorry, Mr. Pynerius, Sir!  He was trying to protect me, but he didn’t need to—it’s a mess—but I am totally going to rescue the prince!  I promise!  We, uh, we just need to… train a little.  Right, Sora?”

Sora walked beside her flustered sister, the brunette’s hands clasped tightly at her front as she quaked a little.  “Zen is fine right now.  We just need your help to speed train…  HAREM caught us off-guard.  We need your help to get strong enough to fight back.  Umm.  Can you help us?”

Pynerius’ gaze lingered on her before sliding to her mother, no doubt pondering a string of possible outcomes.  His focus returned to Wendy and her at the red fox’s silence, allowing them to take the stage.

“I cannot teach you much in the ways to use your unique talents.  What I can do is provide you with a place to exercise them yourself.  I expect your mother will be the instructor.”

Mia gestured to the blonde, watching the Moon Wizard closely.  “Eyia, actually, will be overseeing much of their training.  A world of challenges… that can kill my daughters.  I have faith in Eyia to see them through it.”

Sora’s fur bristled at that comment, but her mother wasn’t done as she turned to the unsure wolf.

“Kari… I know this is going to be hard for you to hear, but it needs to be said.”  Kari bit her lower lip as the powerful vulpes looked her straight in the eye.  “If you want to save your family, then you will have to learn to kill.  There will be creatures that you must kill in order to develop the skills for what is ahead.”

The declaration made Sora nervous that she might need to, as well.  Then again, she probably would after all the warnings her mother had already given her; she had chosen this path.

Rubbing her elbow, Kari glared at the carpet.  “Being stronger than your opponent means you don’t have to kill…  Isn’t that true?”

“Haaa.”  Her mother got up, surprising the girl as she went to hug her, and whispered, “Yes, in some cases, Kari, but there are things that you must kill for.  We do not live in a reality where one can go eons without blood on their teeth.  I know death scares you.  You must overcome it if you want to confront your brother, save Aiden, and resurrect your mother.”

Sora’s breath caught as Kari’s thick throat caught, her fingers twitching as the wolf slowly reached up to return the embrace.

“Thank you…”

It was quick, but more than a little baffling to Sora as the tall, raven-haired wolf broke away, wiping at her cheeks and heading for the kitchen.

“I need some water,” she croaked.

She let her father and Wendy engage Pynerius for further details, her father naturally wanting to know about any safeguards; instead, Sora hopped over to her mom, spinning a silencing spell between them.

“Humph.  Why did you get a thank you before I did?”

A small, knowing smile lifted her mother’s lips as she pulled her in.  “It was aimed at you, My Little Ember.  She was thanking me for allowing you to remain in her life to kick her in the tail…  She’s healing, thanks to you.”

Grumbling as her mom rubbed her shoulder, Sora’s tail flicked against her mother’s.  “Why doesn’t she just say it, then?  She was always so blunt and dominant.  Now she’s…”

“Shy,” her mother answered with a short giggle.  “Sora, you know better than anyone how much of a mask she puts on.  Give it time, and she’ll warm up to be friends.  She’s never had a real one, so be patient with her.  You’ve been doing great in finding things that Eyia and Wendy can connect with her on.  You’re doing great!”

“Hmmm.”  Letting her mother shake her like a beanpole for a second, she let go of a long stream of stress.  “I can’t believe I really want to help Kari…  I just feel like crying whenever I think about her messed-up family and life.  I want to punch Eric—even her mom.  I can’t believe…”

“How sweet, gentle, and vulnerable she is under that mask?”

“Pfft.”  Sora rolled her eyes.  “Sweet?  Not even close!  Gentle and vulnerable…  Yeah, a bit,” she admitted.  “Kari’s like… that puppy that was abused and bites because she’s scared…  I’m going to cry again!”

The tall, black-haired girl walked into the room, eyes asking what was wrong with them as both she and her mom sniffed, cradling each other while looking at the wolf with big puppy-dog eyes.  “Uh, yeah…  Are we going?”

“Mhm!  Thanks, Mom,” she said, kissing her mom on the cheek and dispelling the silencing field.  “Let’s go train for what Wendy is no doubt calling ‘Operation Moon Prince Rescue!’ ”

“Sora!”

She giggled at her sister’s flaming cheeks, blue eyes darting to Zen’s dad.  “It’s not like it’s hard to see, Sis!  We’re on a mission, Sailor Fluffy Tail.  Onward!”

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