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Taeru pricked his ears forward at the sight of a boy
entering the room. Sila was sitting at Taeru's side in a chair, not yet noticing
the boy; and hoping that the little stray Aisha that they had found would survive
after it's treatment at the NeoHospital. Taeru remembered the boy, who was around
the age of seventeen. He remembered Sila despised the boy quite much, and that
he wouldn't let his guard down around the human who was not able to be trusted.
Taeru rested back on his haunches, maw slightly
opened to subtly reveal his lethally sharp fangs. The boy slumped down into
a chair, with a young red Grarrl, who snuggled up into his lap. The boy punched
the Grarrl and threw him off of his lap, not longing for affection of any sort.
The Grarrl-who had been thrust onto his head-looked up at his owner as he pulled
himself back into an upright posture, but then switched his attention over to
Taeru and growled viciously.
The boy looked over at Taeru, and squinted his
eyes maliciously. "Stupid Lupe," he mumbled.
Taeru growled and edged forward with a warning
toward the human.
Sila then looked over and noticed the boy. She
pulled on Taeru's scruff. "Not now, Taeru. Be calm. It's okay."
The boy laughed at Sila and Taeru. "What are
you two here for anyway? Are you finally putting that stupid fire Lupe to sleep?"
Taeru stood up and exposed his fangs even more,
now. He hated how the boy would talk right in front of him as if he weren't
even there, or as if he couldn't hear him.
"Taeru, sit," Sila said firmly. Still having
a solid grip on Taeru's scruff. Then she glared over at the boy with piercing
eyes. "Zander, I might purposely loose my grasp of Taeru if you insult him again."
"Oh, I forgot. His name was Taeru," Zander snickered.
"It's such a terrible name, it's so hard to remember."
Anger stinging her voice like the venom of a
lethal viper when it injects its extremely fatal fangs into one's neck, Sila
raised her voice, "Zan-"
"Sila? Come with us, please," an Elephante nurse
said.
Taeru and Sila hurried into the other room with
the Elephante. The young Aisha stared at them timidly from the examination table
with a cast wrapped around her wrist.
"We're so glad that you brought this stray to
us," the Elephante said, "She's so young, and it seems that her previous owner
had been abusing her. She had a broken wrist, and a few ticks on her-most likely
because she had also been formerly kept in a poorly held home-but we gladly
pulled all of the ticks out. She'll need to be taken back in three months for
the cast to be removed. But you don't have to worry about that, we'll inform
the new owner."
"New owner?" Sila asked. "So she already found
a new owner?" Sila looked at the Elephante with a glint of hope seeping through
her eyes.
"Well…" the Elephante shook her head. "Not yet.
But we'll take her to the pound."
Fear struck Sila's eyes and pain poisoned her
throat. She swallowed hard. "The… the pound…? No, it's fine. I'll take her in
until I can find a new owner for her." Sila really wanted to adopt the sweet
Aisha, but knew that she couldn't. Taeru would never like it if Sila were to
get another pet-especially if it were an Aisha, the enemy of Lupes and Gelerts.
Taeru was mostly an independent Lupe. Although his heart was kind, he was only
the type of Lupe to be loyal to his faithful owner, Sila, and other Lupes.
Taeru opened his mouth, about to speak, but
held back his words as not to talk until later.
Sila grasped the little Aisha kitten in her
arms and walked out of the NeoHospital with Taeru at her side.
Once they were fully away from the NeoHospital,
Taeru couldn't hold in his words any longer, "What do you mean, Sila?"
"Oh-" Sila began, her eyes drifting down to
stare at the ground. "I know you don't really want any other pet to stay with
us-it's just-I can't just let this poor stray be sent to the pound. For all
we know, this poor Aisha might be overlooked because she's been abused and never
make it in the pound."
Taeru looked sternly at the Aisha stray in Sila's
arms. "Well, it can stay with us until it finds an owner," he said reluctantly.
"She," Sila said, glancing at the Aisha.
"Okay, she can stay with us until she finds
a new owner," Taeru repeated. Then added, "But I don't have to have anything
to do with her."
"Thank you so much, Taeru! You're such a great
Lupe!" Sila gave Taeru an enthusiastic stroke over his head.
***
"Look, she can't even talk!" Taeru stared at the little stray Aisha. "She's
too young to even talk! What a baby!"
Sila shook her head. "Come on, Taeru, she's
just scared." Sila held up a tiny box of Aisha treats and pulled one out. "Here
you go." She handed the kitten a little nibble of food. "I'll get you some real
food." Sila walked over into the kitchen and looked around for a bit. "Hmm…
I can't find any food that would probably suit an Aisha… ooh, but Taeru has
some canned food that I think you would like!"
"Wait! No!!!!" Taeru yelled. "She is not going
to eat my food! Give her something else!"
Sila walked back into the living room holding
a can. "Taeru, it's fine! A lot of pets share the same brand of food!"
"Not me. I am not sharing with that mangy stray!"
"Taeru!" Sila looked into Taeru's eyes and shook
her head. "That is no way to treat this sweet little kitten. You have to have
some respect for others!"
She popped open the can and slid cake-formed
meat onto a tiny saucer for the Aisha kitten. The stray looked upon the saucer
and lowered her head forward. She sniffed at the food and then began licking
the gravy that surrounded the meat.
Taeru scoffed, "Look how it laps up that food-"
But was interrupted to the ringing of the doorbell.
"Stay here, kitten," Sila said and gave the
Aisha a pat on the head. "Taeru-watch her." The rapid rings of the doorbell
increased, so Sila darted off for the door. There stood Zander with his now
mutant Grarrl. "What are you doing here?" Sila asked, now angry that she had
hurried for the door.
"I just wanted to show you Robert's new look,"
Zander said. "He looks ridiculous," Sila looked down to see Taeru now at her
side. He spoke loud enough for Zander and his Grarrl to hear.
The Grarrl opened his maw to reveal yellow teeth.
"Don't even try with me," Taeru growled and
bared his sharp fangs.
"Taeru, what are you doing? You were supposed
to be watching-" Sila's words got cut short when Zander stomped straight past
Sila and into her house with his Grarrl at his heals.
"What was your little fire Lupe friend supposed
to be watching, eh?" Zander made his way into the living room.
At first sight of Zander and his Grarrl, the
Aisha kitten bolted like a streak of lightning under the sofa.
"Is that it?" Zander sneered as he bent down
to look at the kitten. "What a stupid-"
"Get out of my house," Sila said, now with a
firm grip on Zander's arm, pulling him back.
Taeru jumped to the front of Zander and let
out a ferocious snarl.
"What? Or you'll send your stupid Lupe after
me and I'll be frightened of his hideous face?" Zander laughed.
Taeru made one swift advancement toward Zander
by shifting his weight and pulling his muscles tensely, pushing off the ground,
landing and pinning Zander to the floor, with his blade-like claws gripping
harshly at Zander's shoulders. Zander had a very surprised, and slightly intimidated
expression rested on his face. Even though he was too proud of himself, he couldn't
help but let a little of his emotions be spoken through his features.
"Let him go, Taeru," Sila said and pulled gently
at Taeru's fur.
Taeru stood back, allowing Zander to stand up.
"Your house is so…" Zander's eyes wandered around
the house. "I'm getting out of here," he said, rolling his eyes as he stared
at Taeru. He motioned for his Grarrl to follow and they both headed out the
door.
"What is wrong with Zander?" Sila said, irritated.
Then she headed for the couch. "Are you okay, kitty?" she said, reaching under
the sofa and pulling out the little stray Aisha. Sila began to stroke the kitten's
smooth back softly. "We need to give you a name, sweetie."
"Sweetie is okay, for a pathetic little Aisha
kitten, I guess," Taeru muttered.
"I already told you, have some appreciation
for this kitten," Sila stared at Taeru. Then she shifted her eyes back toward
the Aisha. She continued to stroke the kitten's velvety, white fur. "Maybe Velvet?"
"Fine," Taeru said, trying to smile. He loved
his owner, but he just couldn't tolerate the kitten.
After many days had rolled by, soon the Aisha
was beginning to speak, and wasn't as timid as before. But Taeru still kept
an eye on the kitten.
"Hey, Mom, when are we getting rid of Velvet?"
Taeru observed Sila as she scrubbed at the dishes.
"Taeru," Sila said sternly, sliding a stray
strand of blonde hair back behind her ear. "I told you, we're not getting rid
of her, we're fostering her until we can find a new owner for her."
"Same thing," Taeru tilted his head. "Anyway,
I'm getting sick of the little runt."
"I heard that," Velvet walked into the room,
stopping only to rub her back against Sila's legs, and then jumped up onto the
table.
"What are you doing? I thought you were busy
playing with your yarn ball," Taeru winced. "I was, but… er, well, I sort of
got it trapped behind the TV," Velvet swished her tail and gazed down at the
smooth table guiltily.
"Little runt," Taeru spoke under his breath
and padded into the other room. "Here," he said to the white Aisha and pushed
the TV out of the way."
"Ooh, thanks," Velvet jumped up and pounced
on the little ball, then scurried out of the room after it.
Taeru shook his head and returned to the kitchen.
"Mom, I train today."
"Oh, right," Sila wiped off her hands and bent
down to her Lupe, stroking his head gently. "Let's get going."
"Does the kitten have to come?" Taeru asked
helplessly, giving his mother puppy eyes.
"Aw, sweetie. Yes, she does. We don't want to
leave her home alone if she has the possibility to come with us. She's just
too young."
Taeru groaned, but they all soon headed out
the door, the little kitten in Sila's arms, and Taeru trotting protectively
at her side.
"Whoa, I didn't expect it to rain so much,"
Sila commented, staring up at the sky as a million drops of rain shot down.
She hurried inside and grabbed an umbrella, then came back out. "Tons of thunder…"
Sila shuddered. For some reason, Sila was always so afraid of lightning and
thunder. She didn't really enjoy the sounds or sudden bursts that came in storms.
"It's okay," Taeru pressed lightly against the
girl's side to ensure her safety.
Once Taeru, Sila, and Velvet had walked for
quite a while, they were all very near the Island Training School when suddenly
a beam of lightning bolted at them. Taeru jumped in front of the two others
and shoved them out of the way, but sadly couldn't pull himself from the lightning's
ruthless strike. He pummeled onto the muddy ground, his coat getting matted
and dirty.
"TAERU!" Sila gasped and jumped towards her
Lupe. "TAERU!?" she screamed.
Taeru lied almost motionless for a while, but
the girl could see that he was still breathing. He slowly opened his eyes to
look up at his mother. He pulled himself to his paws and shook himself of the
mud.
"Taeru?" Sila said more softly now, so softly
that her Lupe could barely hear her.
"I'm alright," the Lupe blinked.
"What…?" The girl gazed into Taeru's turquoise
eyes. She could see an electric bolt constantly zapping through them. "Your
eyes…" And then she looked at his pelt. It was not the same hue, the base color
was still black, but Taeru had a few lightning markings on his face, and a long
streak of lightning on his sides and tail. "Wow…" She was speechless for
a long moment, but then she breathed, "We should get inside the training school
so you can… see…"
They hurried inside and Taeru peered at his
reflection. "I'm…" His pattern was nothing like that of an electric Lupe, so…
"I'm a…" He was a lightning Lupe.
"I've never seen such a pattern," the Island
Training School Master peered over at Taeru. "Taeru? Is that you?"
"Yes, Master Yai." Taeru padded up to the Techo.
"What happened? Is there a new paint brush?"
"Nope," Taeru shook his head. "Something happened…
I was struck by lightning and… and now this is what I look like."
"You look so cool," Velvet smiled.
Taeru rolled his eyes at the little Aisha. What
does she know? he thought, but Taeru did think he looked pretty cool, still.
Suddenly, Sila's cell phone rang, so she hit
the 'on' button and said, "Yes?"
"Hey, it's Marie, I operate a NeoShelter and
saw your ad. I immediately began posting notes everywhere with a picture of
that little white Aisha, and somebody really wants to adopt her!!!" the other
end spoke.
After Sila finished speaking with Marie, she
told the others what happened. "But I'll really miss you, Velvet."
"I'll miss you too, Sila," Velvet said, "And
you, Taeru."
Taeru rolled his eyes. "Great, soon it'll be
back to like it always was. I'll be able to do whatever I want, without worrying
about that little runt." But inside he knew he really would kind of miss the
little Aisha, even though he did think she was annoying at times. And it was
up to him whether the Aisha would stay or not, because it was because of Taeru
that Velvet was leaving in the first place. Then he spoke again, swallowing
hard, "Um… Velvet, I… I don't want you to leave. I'll be so happy if you would
just stay with us."
"That would be wonderful!" Velvet bounced up
and hugged the Lupe. "Thank you so much. Lupes really are loyal."
The End
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