Some Familiar, Some New

"We're lost!" Syri bawled, lifting her head up and shouting into the heavens. Numerous birds lifted from their branches and took flight, disturbed and irritated from the young kitty's frustration. Dimyri spun back, trapping her sister into a hug with a rough emphasis on squeezing. Placing her head against her sister's chest, Syri could feel Dimyri's heart running laps and doing jumping jacks in her lean frame. Going quiet, she pulled her head back and looked up to catch her sister's focused golden brown eyes.

"I'm scared too, but if you keep making a scene then we may as well turn around and turn ourselves in. I need you to stay strong for me, please?"

Syri moaned and whined, turning her head around with worried eyes as her breathing began to pick up. It wasn't so much that she was a child, she was aware of her actions but felt no clear way of coping with the situation. She was never any good with stress and always had a hard time with handling awful emotions. Dimyri recognized this in her actions, feeling her sister if left to continue like this would begin to cry. It pained her inside to see her sister so scared like this.

What would Mother do? I can't be like Mom and pet her or hold her tight, I'm not like that and I don't have that effect on her. It would just feel awkward and forced for both of us. This isn't good, and Aunt Zimi stood several feet away watching this mess. Maybe she can help her instead? I... I'm not good at this, what was Mom thinking? If I can't help Syri like this then how could I help the others if I take Mother's place?

Dimyri felt a pain in her index finger before realizing she had been biting on her fist under stress. I can't do that, Mother never showed when she was like this. Pulling away, she closed her eyes and took in a series of deep breaths, hoping to control her tension. Dad would do that when he was in a bad place, uncertain of his skills to fulfill a heavy contract before. His life work depended on it, and every few months he would return to see them. That was before when she was the only child, giggling happily in her father's arms as they spun around. She could hear him laughing in her mind as she thought of those younger days. Mom and Dad looked so happy then, and she looked so fat with that round belly.

That helped, she could feel her body's pulse return to normal as she continued to relax. Those memories helped a lot, her hand slipping forward as she waved and flexed her human fingers. No claws, no furry paw, just a human hand. They looked weird and smooth, is this what it's like to be one of them, to be like him? Reaching out, she held Syri's paw to pull her forward, gently this time for her to hold her sister's two paws with each hand.

"Syri, it's okay to be scared. We're all scared, and it's normal to want to run. Heck, I'd rather hide and run away too. Mom would want that, I think. She would want us safe, they both would."

Looking up, Dimyri could see Syri's hanging head staring at the ground, her rinny nose sniffling. She felt her cat paws, almost admiring how they felt so differently when brushed by her fingers instead. It felt new, the sensation her hands would reward her with, yet it felt different and forbidden somehow. This was something she was never meant to experience before.

"What's her name again? I can tell she's on your mind."

Syri looked up as her eyes opened up, her cheeks turning red as her soft lips stayed open. "J-Janette."

"Janette, you want to see her again?" She nodded, closing her eyes as her face began to fight back any tears. She felt her sister's thumbs rub gently over her fur, their fingers squeezing her paws. "I can tell she's a stubborn woman, you're going to see her again soon."

"How do you know?" Her voice cracked in response.

I don't. Dimyri shook that out from her head and looked directly in her sister's eyes. "Because she knows who's waiting for her, and she doesn't seem the type to wait around. Honestly she's definitely the dominant type, don't lie."

Syri chuckled, blinking rapidly as a tear rolled down her red face. "I can be strong too, I could wear the pants there."

"Syri, you don't wear any pants like ever. We're always naked, we've been naked since we were born. Janette's wearing the pants but who knows? What I do know is, you need to be brave and strong for her. Can you do that sis? Can you be a strong girl for Janette?"

Syri cleared her throat, slowly nodding her head and coughing briefly. "I-I can try?"

"That's good enough for me." Dimyri sighed in relief, wiping her sisters tear before cradling her head in a hug. "Now, let's get going. Aunt Zimi has a special spot for us to go, right?"

She looked over at Zimi, catching her by surprise as she was leaning on her arms admiring the moment between her two nieces. "Right-of course! Just, having difficulties in finding the right way after being held up for so long."

Syri sniffled and looked over from her sister's arms. "You don't smell their tracks, Auntie Z?"

"Some familiar, some new. Forgive me sweetheart, but this place reeks of different smells animal droppings, fruits and moss, bird feathers and damp wood. Reason why that man can't just send his girls to find the others is because of this jungle, too many smells for a Nekomata to follow. Tracking is a Dog's job." She muttered, stepping over several exposed tree roots.

"Come on, let's go." Dimyri cheered her sister on, letting her move ahead as a wave of relief washed over. Syri nodded, taking a deep breath herself as she followed Zimi through the jungle with Dimyri taking the rear of the line. From behind the girls poking above the high trees stood the mountain tower, looming over with its presence staring down.

"So, your sister is not a cat." Zimi mentioned, her paws crunching against the pile of leaves over the dry grounds.

"Nope. Turned into a hyu-mane because of Dad. Oh, that hunter was our Dad, by the way." She skipped in her steps, prancing lightly with a cheery atmosphere, her mind set on finding her beloved. She looked back when Zimi froze in place with a puzzled look. "What?"

"What hunter, and hyu-mane?"

"She means hoo-man, and it's a long story." Dimyri mentioned, walking past the two.

"We have time, so explain away!" Zimi replied, running forward to lead the way. So they did, talking away and explaining all the numerous details of what had happened since they had gone away. Everything that happened when they were being followed, when they discovered Nityri now named KuliKuli, how Dimyri was kidnapped by her Dad, how she was rescued and how the girls turned themselves in to save their friends from the duress they had given them from being on the run.

"You turned yourselves in for them?"

Syri and Dimyri nodded.

"And they just let you go?"

"Took a loooooot of convincing." Dimyri said. "But yea, we were convinced it was the best action to save Mom and our friends."

"That cursed woman back in the tower who pushed us, she one of your friends?"

"That's Reta, we call her Wolfy! Big bad wolf, very scary. But now that I think of it, she's not scary... just scared..." Syri paused, opening up in her realization with a hand to her chest. "She let us go even if it meant letting herself be captured. I never got to thank her."

Dimyri hooked her arm with her own, smiling to her. "We will sis, we will."

"You sound so sure."

Trust me I'm not. Dimyri chuckled nervously, "I guess so. Aunt Zimi, how much further along?"

"That's... two hundred paces east or west? Or was it weast? No no no no no." She shook her head, mumbling with her paws on her waist. By this point they had arrived to a large field of tall grass when Zimi began digging through. "Could be straight through here, could be several miles the other way."

"That's helpful." Syri giggled, whining slightly as she pushed through the grass with her sister. "My paws are starting to hurt. So is my neck, ow!"

"You think that's bad?" Dimyri winced, grinding her teeth. "I'm feeling all kinds of hurt on my feet. I miss my paws."

"Ah yes, further proof that cat paws or animal paws in general do have a resilience to rough terrain when compared to hoo-man feet. Human, sorry." Zimi blinked, feeling her vision going obscure with different shades of green. "Oh dear, this doesn't seem safe. Careful not to step on anything hard."

"Anything meaning everything." Dimyri groaned, holding Syri's paw as they struggled to keep up with Zimi. "Auntie, slow down. You're moving a bit fast for me."

"It's just several paces further on, you two can rest while I-" Zimi froze in place when they began to hear a low growl, when suddenly she was pulled through and disappeared into the high grass.

"Aunt Z!" Syri cried out, running forward with Dimyri as they broke through the grass and stumbled onto the floor surrounded by dozens of Nekomata's and friends.

"Wha-" Dimyri looked around before staring at Zimi being bear hugged by a bear.

"Let her go!" Syri shouted, with Dimyri running behind her and freezing in place. Zimi squeaked while in Nukka's bear hug, looking down at her face.

"Darling?"

The Grizzly Bear blinked, moving her head from side to side. "Is not real, is not real, nu! You're just another big meanie, why does she think it's real? Just close her eyes and squeeze..."

Dimyri looked around, finding Felix and Janette looking back between her and the Grizzly Bear. This can't be a dream, right? Pinching herself hard, she flinched and looked over at Syri, who's eyes were focused on Janette.

Zimi winced. "Oof! Peaches, count to ten for me. Come on, do it."

Nukka kept her eyes shut, huffing in frustration as Zimi ran her paw over the Bear's soft head. "Say it for me, that's it."

"One, two, three-"

Who is the dwarf standing next to Felix and Janette, Dimyri wondered as the Grizzly Bear continued to count down.

"Nine, ten."

"Good, now breathe with me. That's it, one more time. Now open."

Nukka opened her tear-filled eyes, staring into the Nekomata's caring face as she began gasp.

"It is you!" She cried, licking the Nekomata's cheek and face. Zimi's eyes filled with glee as she laughed and turned her head away, her cheeks beginning to hurt from how hard she was smiling. Janette stepped out, her hand reaching out and touching Syri's paw.

"Syri..."

Syri stared back at her, her eyes beginning to swell with tears as she jumped in, hugging her mate tight and bawling into her chest.

Janette froze for a moment, her arms holding her back before she nuzzled over her mate's shoulder and wept quietly. Both girls fell on their knees, not once letting go ever again as they shook and cried and hugged each other tight.

Felix surprised Dimyri with a sudden hug, smiling and laughing as he gave her a light squeeze. She patted his back until they pulled apart, his eyes looking over her shoulder.

"Where are the others? Is KuliKuli...?" His lit expression began to fade as she remained silent before shaking her head. Immediately he stepped back, beginning to fear the worst when she clasped his hand.

"Not yet! They're still with us, don't think like that! Just, we need to focus on that now that we're here. I... we... I'm sorry."

"It's alright." He responded in a low tone while looking over at Janette and Syri. "So long as someone's happy."

"We'll get her back, okay? Stay positive for her."

"I will." He nodded, looking down at his hand trapped between both of hers. She pulled away, feeling better in finding a familiar face again before jumping back as a hand popped up offering a flask.

"Drink?" Nyitzcha beamed, standing between her and Felix seemingly from nowhere. "Is rum!"

"N-No thanks, aren't you a bit young to be drinking?" She asked. Nyitzcha began to frown when Felix stepped between them, holding Nyitzcha's hand while keeping her behind his legs fuming.

"She's a dwarf." He nervously chuckled, leading Dimyri's eyes to pop out as she looked down.

"Oh! Oh my gosh I'm so sorry!"

"Hmph! Lousy no good rag wearin' skin 'n bones." She grumbled, walking away with her head high.

"You're going to have to explain." Dimyri looked over as Felix began to laugh shortly after.

"Certainly, but you first. What happened in there? Where are they?"

"I-"

"She will need to explain in a calmer location." Alma pushed in, facing Dimyri and nodding. "Miss Dimyri, it's good seeing you still here among us. We'll need to check you three over just in case, just telling you ahead of time."

"Alma, hey! I didn't think I would see you again." She smiled, looking out into the crowd around them.

"Recognize any of them? They sure seem to know you." Felix asked.

Dimyri glanced over them, feeling rather nervously happy. "Some familiar, some new. It's a bit overwhelming."

"Then let's go to somewhere more calming and under control." Alma suggested, "Spi'Reto."

"Yea?" The young elf waved happily at Dimyri.

"Take her to my tent, I'll talk to the others."

"Got it! What about the others?" He asked.

Alma looked over at the two couples, one pair hugging tight and the other spinning around and laughing. It brought a smile to her.

"Let them enjoy their moment, I say they need it."