• Blu woke up feeling lonely and cold. Kel was asleep on his couch, looking abit lonely himself. So, she got up and went over tot him.
    "Kel?" Blu asked, touching his shoulder gently. He jerked awake and looked at her, half asleep.
    "Huh, what?" His voice was thick with sleep; aparently he'd been in a deeper sleep then she had thought.
    "Come to bed."
    He rolled over so that he was faceing the other side of the couch. "I am in bed," he said, his voice muffled by the couch's side.
    "No, I mean...come to the actual bed with me. I'm lonely, and cold, and I want you next to me in bed."
    He rolled back over to face her. "Huh? But Blu-"
    "No!" She grabbed his arm and pulled. He fell off the couch, grunting at the impact.
    "Um, ow...what is wrong with you!? I'm trying to sleep!" he said, sitting up and rubbing his head.
    "Come to bed with me. Please? I want you to."
    Kel sighed. "Fine. I'll come." He stood up and went over to the bed, slipping in and falling into a helf-sleep almost immediatly. He felt someone next to him and scooted over so Blu could fit in. She slid under the covers next to him, and he woke up a bit when her skin touched his.
    <Crap. What am I getting myself into? Damn it, Blu...> he thought as he put an arm around her to pull her warmness closer to him.
    She snuggled in and buried her face in his side. He rested his chin on her head and felt himself falling asleep again. After all, it WAS his bed. He had every right to sleep in it, even if he wanted her to sleep in it.
    His eyes closed and he fell asleep.
    }*{
    Blu woke up curled against Kel's body under the blanket and it took her a while to remember why he was next to her. She stretched and peeked her face out of the blanket. Kel was awake, but he seemed to be thinking because he was staring up at the ceiling thoughtfully. She realized he had an arm around her waist protectivly and smiled: even when he was tired he felt protective of her.
    She decided to give it a chance and said, "Kel? Whatcha doin'?"
    He jumped and then smiled at her warmly. "Oh, your awake! I was just thinking about something, that's all."
    Blu hugged him and asked, "What are you thinking about?"
    Kel gave her a scrutinous look then said, "About how good this feels. Just you and me, you know? This feels...right. Just right. That's all."
    "You really think so?"
    "Hmm...yeah, I do, actually. You're very cuddly, you know," Kel said, hugging her tightly.
    Blu laughed. "Thank you! That's very sweet of you to say!"

    Kel blushed a bit and looked back up at the ceiling. Blu propped her head up on her elbow and looked down at him. He ducked his head under the covers to avoid her look.
    Blu automatically went under the covers after him, but when she went under Kel and Blu's mouths found each other somehow and Blu felt herself relaxing into Kel's arms under his blanket. A small alarm went off in her head and she pulled away from him in the dark.
    "S-sorry," Kel stuttered, moving under her. His hand brushed against her chest and she stiffened. He stopped. "What's wrong?"
    "Nothing! Nothing at...nothing at all," Blu said, blushing. He moved his hand up to touch her, and she pulled away. "Kel! Stop that!"
    She could practically hear his smile. "Why should I? You're enjoying it, aren't you?"
    He let go and she felt a wave of releif go over her. "Don't you dare do that ever again. EVER. I mean it."
    "Hmm...sorry. I think I'm going to go to sleep."
    Blu pulled her head out from under thte blanket to find herself facing him. She blushed and he kissed her again.
    "Luv, if you and I are going to get married, we need to get used to each other more. I think we should start now," Kel said. He looked like he was trying to look serious and she couldn't help but laugh at him. He caught her mouth with his and plunged is tongue into her mouth as she tried to stop laughing at him. She felt his hands on her and ignored it because she wanted to get used to him, as he had said.
    And of course soemone interrupted them. It always happened to Blu; she had the worst luck and it always involved being interrupted when she was doing something like this. Kel smiled against her mouth and said, "Here we go again."
    He lsid his arm out from under her (she had no clue how it got there) and slid out of bed to get the door. As sson as he opened it he tried to close it again, saying, "Get away from here, May."
    Amaya pushed opened the door. "We need ot talk. As in, now. We need to talk now."
    Kel sighed. "Fine. Come on in."
    Amaya came in and sat in Blus' favorite chair. Blu stayed where she was, and Kel sat on the bed next ot her, his hand touching hers slightly. Blu smiled, because he must have really been telling the truth when he said he loved her. He wanted to be near her all the time.
    Amaya was looking at the ground, not meeting their eyes. "Do you guys really want to get married? I mean, I've helped you get together before, but that was when you two wanted to date. But this? I dunno, guys..."
    Kel lifted her chin with his hand. "May, look. How would you feel if ShadowKiss asked you to marry him and I didn't want you to? After all, I'm kind of responsible for you now, so..."
    Amaya narrowed her eyes. "What are you talking about? You aren't responsible for me!"
    Kel and Blu exchanged glances and Amaya said, "What haven't you told me?"
    Kel leaned back so that his head was rested in Blu's lap. "It's kind of hard to explain. A while back, Bartholemew wanted me to check the DNA similarities in our family. And, well, it turns out that you and I...we're a bit more lcosely related than you might expect."
    Amaya crossed her arms. "What are you saying?"
    "Well...it turns out that apparently your Father and my Mother had an affair and, uh, we got me. Then you with your dad and mom."
    Amaya gasped. "WHAT!?"
    "Well, um...I hate to break it to you, but I'm your half-brother. Sorry to burst your bubbles," he added, joking about the fact that sometimes when she was bored she made bubbles with her water magic.
    Amaya scowled. "Do you honestly expect me to beleive this?"
    Kel shrugged and wrapped an arm around Blu's waist as she caressed his hair. "It's the truth. It's all over on my computer. You know the password, Croy-li told you. So go check."
    Amaya stared at him for a few seconds. Then, "Holy sh- crap. You're not kidding. You never let me on your computer unless it's an emergency or something like that."
    Kel sat up. "Obviously. C'mon, you know me, May. I don't joke that often."
    Amaya met his eyes. "You know, this explains a lot. I mean, about...us. Remember? There was such an age gap between you, Christien, and Kelly. Christien was nine years older than you, and Kelly is seven years younger than you. If you actually think about it, it makes sense."
    Blu stiffened and swiveled her head towards the door, her cat-like ears perked up. Kel and Amaya glanced at the door, then Kel dissappeared and reappeared with a young boy Amaya and Blu's age in a head lock.
    "Croy-li!" Amaya gasped.
    He clawed at Kel's arm. "Tell him to let me go, Aimee!"
    Kel let go with a growl. "What is it, Croy-li?" he said, his voice low and threatening.
    Amaya punched him in the shoulder. "Leave him alone, Hynnky! He's my friend!"
    Kel glared at her. "Like I ********' care. I still don't like him." He turned back to Croy-li. "You stupid little brat. Why do you insist on eavesdropping?"
    Amaya swung another punch at him but he caught her around the wrists. "May, stop it. Now."
    Croy-li glanced at Blu. "What? You aren't going to do anything?"
    "No. I can't..."
    Kel pushed Amaya into him. "Here. Take her. Nwo what do you want?"
    Croy-li gave him an angry look. "I found your ********' dog, but if you're acting like this I won't give him back."
    Every muscle in Kel's body tensed. "Tell me where the hell Scout is, or I'll kill you."
    Scout was a husky puppy Kel had saved from abusive owners, and he had recently gone missing. Kel had been crushed and searched for him every where, but he hadn't found him. Yet.
    Blu laid a hand on Kel's shoulder. "Kel, don't."
    "Luv, you knwo how much he means to me. He means a lot to you too. Why the hell this untrustworthy little-"
    "Alll right, all right! I'll give hi mback...just get an attitude ajustment. Gods..." Croy-li took his DS and flicked through the Recent Calls menu. He touched a name and the person answered immediatly. "The owner of the puppy would like to speak with you."
    Kel took the DS. "Was the he wearing his collar?"
    THe person seemed surprised. "No ,he wasn't. Just a satin cord with a little box on it. When I opened the box it had words in some other stupid language and a name that I couldn't really read."
    Kel scowled and Blu came and put her arms arounf his waist. He smiled at her breifly then turned backl to the screen. "THe language is Roadesian. I'm Roadesian, so...I put it Roadesian. It's not your fault. This is Resor, after all."
    "Yeah, well...still...can oyu get rid of him?"
    Kel stiffend. "What!?" he asked wildly. "I'm not gettign rid of him. Why would I do that?"
    The other person snorted. "He's a pest. He keeps getting in the trash and stuff. And he bit my son!"
    Kel growled under his breath. "I don't like this person..," he muttered under his breath. Aloud he said, "Let me guess, you're son said it wasn't his fault."
    "Well of course. He doesn't do anything wrong. He's very well behaved."
    "The puppy or the kid?" Croy-li whispered.
    Amaya and Blu stiffled giggles. Kel rolled his eyes.
    "Look, cna I just get him back? I've been looking all over for him." Kel glanced at Blu. "Besides that, my friend here has been worried too. She really misses him, too."
    "Does he know where you live?"
    "Who? Scout? Or your kid?"
    Croy-li and Amaya burst itno laughter and Blu buried her head in Kel's shoulder, shaking with laughter. The other person wasn't happy.
    "How wuld my kid know where you live? What are you, a child raper?"
    Blu glanced over Kel's shoulder. "No, he's my fiancee. Why would he rape little peopel when he has me?"
    Croy-li gasped and looked at Amaya. "Aimee, what did I miss here?" he whispered iin her ear. She twitched.
    "Stop! That tickles!" she whispered backm, squirming. "Kel proposed to Blu, and she said yes. I don't really like it, I mean, I don't know why, I just think t'll lead ot something bad. But yeah, now I feel all lonely."
    Croy-li was silent for a few seconds, then said, "You have me."
    Kel dropped the DS. "Croy-li, you are not getting my little cousin as your own. Well, little half-sister." He bent nad picked it up.
    Croy-li blinked. "Boy, Isure missed a lot on my little trip, didn't I?"
    "Hell yes," said Kel. "Now, look, Idon't aprove of you two, but...Croy-li, if I ever see your brother again I'll kill him. I just want yo uto know that for the future....damn, they hung up..."
    "Push the re-call button," Blu suggested, looking over his shoulder. He did.
    Amaya draggd Croy-li into the bathroom. "What this all about? What do you mean I have you?"
    Croy-li blushed. "Wel, it's like this...we've been friends for a while, right?"
    Amayanodded slowly. "Yeah...so?"
    "Well, I kind of...you know, care about you. A lot...really. I don't really like Hynnkel, but...it's okay."
    Amaya stared at the floor. "So...you're saying you love me? Too..?"
    "Too?" Croy-li blinked.
    Amaya nodded.
    Croy-li bent his head nad kissed her gently. Kel glnaced at the bathroom door. "Damn...oh well."
    }*{
    Someoen knowcked on the door and Kel immediatly got up and answered it. "Yes?"
    A small grey and white husky barreled into him and knocked him off his feet.
    "Scout!" Kel laughed as the puppy licked his face all over. "I missed you too...did they feed you right?"
    "Rrrr..."
    "Well, we've got your favorite foods here. We'll feed you right."
    Blucame to the door and petted Scout. He licked her hand then went back to licking Kel all over.
    "I hate dogs," said Amaya with a lok of extreme distaste on her face.
    Croy-li nodded. "Yea, me too. THey're not bad looking, btu thwey make a mess."
    Amaya laughed. "Yeah, true."
    Blu looked over Kel and Scout to the other person and took a step back. "Um, Kel..."
    Kel stopped laughing at hte shake in her voice and glanced up at her. "What's wrong, hon?"
    Blu took another step back ,tripped and sat their shaking as she stared at the other person. Kel glanced at he person wh ohad found his dog and started. "Oh s**t. May! Croy-li!"
    THe urgency in his voice made them grow alarmed. They came to the door and gasped.
    Mya, princess of Tsurugi and Kel's promised faincee, who he hated with a passion, was standing there looking triuphant. Amaya immediatly took out her silver bow and arrow and aimed it at Mya, but then dropped it has her friend Sahiid stepped out in front of Mya. Kel grimaced.
    "Sahiid. Listen to me. You don't know how dangerous she is," kel said in a low voice.
    Sahiid the mute walked up to him and touched him on the forhead, showing hi ma picture with his gift. Kel's eyes grew blank, then normal and he creid out an fell back next to Blu. Blu gripped his hsoulder as he shook his head nad covered it, shaking.
    Blu looked up at Sahiid. "What did you do to him!?" she cried, tears filling her eyes.
    Sahiid glanced at her with distaste, then touched her forhead and showed her a scene of Kel as a young boy, his father whipping him with a horse whip for not obeying him. Blu burst into tears.
    "How could you? Sahiid, how could you show him hsi worst memory? You're as bad as Mya!"
    Amaya stared at Sahiid, looking hurt. "Sahiid, Idon't understand. What are you doing? Kel's my half-brother."
    Sahiid looked surprised. He glanced at Kel's huddled, sobbing form, then back at Amaya. Amaya nodded.
    "It's true. His mother and my father had an affair. He's my half-brother. I didn't beleive it either, but it's true."
    Mya walked u pto Kel and Blu and then lifted her hand ever-so-slightly. A pillar of rock spun up from the ground below them and trapped Blu inside it. She didn't even egt to make a sound. Kel lifted his tear-stained face immediatly as his Gaurdian's instincts kicked in.
    "Mya. Let her go, please." His gloved hand went to the small bronze cylinder at his belt.
    Mya smiled cruelly. "I'll only let her go if you come with me."
    Kel's eyes overshadowed, then he said, "Fine."

    To be continued...