Promise Me

She blinked, having momentarily seen him with silver hair before her vision came to focus. He helped her sit up, placing a pillow behind her for support.

"Easy now, how do you feel?"

"Like I was stomped on the face by a horse." She muttered, rubbing her red cheek. "W-what... where did he go... the hunter! He took Dimyri, h-he-!"

"Easy now, KuliKuli please calm down!" He raised his voice, holding her paws and staring into her eyes. She was panting, but as he chanted his words and began to inhale and exhale slowly, she begun imitating him until her heart began to relax. "Better. You had a rough night and kept us worried, but I knew you'd pull through. Maybe try not to-"

"Felix," She said, spoken under a soft and hesitant voice. "I was... with her."

"I know, it wasn't your fault. We'll find them I-"

"No, I was back home."

"You are, you're safe n-"

"Felix you're not listening to me!" She pouted, staring deeply into his eyes as hers began to swell. "I remember... I remember small bits and pieces but... I remember who Nityri was."

Felix looked back at her with concern in his voice, "You are Nityri."

"I don't feel like I am, that name... it feels like another person to me. Like suddenly I had a new life, and it was great but then... then something happened..."

She rubbed her head and closed her eyes, concentrating on remembering.

"Ugh, my head hurts."

"Careful, you're bruised there." He sat beside her and watched patiently as she gave small fits of frustrated grunts.

"I knowww, but in my dream I remember it was so clear, I was scared. I thought I had lost you." She looked into his eyes as her ears dropped. "I was with Na'Vi, or well Nityri was, and she had so many friends around them. It looked so pretty where they lived, but then she... I mean I saw him. The hunter, Leone I think, I saw him and then these big men wearing shiny things grabbed me." She imitated their hand movement as she described it. "They had these big strong hands, I felt so weak and helpless. Then they gave me this thing on me, and Leone was there. He looked... sad. He looked away, I think he didn't want to watch..."

"The way you describe it, it sounds like he felt bad. You sure he wasn't the one who trapped you? In your dream, I mean."

She shook her head. "I heard voices, it sounded like he didn't want them to do something to me." She hugged herself and trembled. "I don't know what they did, I saw them put something on my face. My eyes couldn't see, I was so scared. I couldn't see you or Reta or Janette... I was so scared..."

He leaned in as she hugged him tightly, silently sobbing into his chest. Her tails hugged his waist, he didn't mind and rubbed her back gently up and down as she continued.

"I don't want to forget, I was so scared when I remembered Nityri, and I thought I would forget you too. I never want to forget, never! Not again..."

"You won't, I'll be here. You're family is here, they won't let you forget even if you tried."

She turned her head aside and rested on him with dried tears on her face. "You're my family too. Promise you won't forget me, please."

"I promise." He smiled, holding her tight. "I couldn't forget if I tried. Having you in my life is the best thing that ever happened."

"Even if we're in trouble?"

"Especially then. Before, I'd be fighting just for some bread. Now, I got someone to fight for and it feels nice. But next time, you're not going at him alone alright? I hate having to stay behind, I can help too."

"But what if you get hurt?"

"What if you do? I don't want that for you too. I figure if we go at it together well, we can protect each other and make sure neither one of us gets hurt." He knew it sounded stupid, but he admitted he would refuse to let her run and fight alone. "Next time I'm coming too, monster or not. You can make that promise in return. I love you, and I will protect you."

She looked up into his eyes, feeling a tear roll down her cheek. He smiled and wiped it away with his thumb. "You got something in your eye."

"Felix."

He rubbed her hair and kept quiet, holding her for a minute or two more as she began to melt in his arms. She felt warm inside from his words, confident that she had made the right choice.

As they parted away, she reached for his arm, being extra careful to ensure that her claws were retracted first. "Felix, I know that man. We met before, I-I don't know how but I think if I remember who he was or who I was, I think it would help us find my sister."

He nodded. "And Na'Vi."

"What?"

"Na'Vi, he took her didn't he?" She shook his head which left him puzzled, "But she never came back-"

"And both her and Mom appear to be sharing a secret." Both of them looked back to find Reta leaning against the door frame with her arms crossed. "Hey, totally meant to snoop. I think we need to have a chat with your mom. Seems each time we mention the hunter and you, she looks the other way."

"Reta." She stared at her friend who stood up and walked to her, kneeling at the bed side. She reached in and held KuliKuli's paw, a small, subtle smile crossing her lips. "Good to have you back, champ. I hope you pelted him once or twice with an apple."

KuliKuli smiled, giggling as Reta reached over and tussled her hair, her cat ears flicking in response.

"Looks like he hit you good, but nothing you can't heal from. Take it from me, the more hurt you get, the more you can dish out. We'll get your sister back, but first we need to jog your memory a bit. Starting with calling out your mom."

"Reta, Felix. I missed you guys." She squealed, giving her two friends a hug. Felix patted her back while Reta groaned.

"Not a hugger."

"Not a care." She smiled, giving her another squeeze. "Okay, I think I'm ready."

Reta nodded. "Good, let's go."