To Aid and Befriend

Arania strolled through the gardens of haven slowly. She had taken the day off at work, letting MusiKai take care of it. She needed a break and was enjoying the peace and quiet she found here among the roses. She had long grown used to the quiet humming around her from the electric currents of life. She smiled as she saw Pye walk by in the company of one of the lionesses she had turned loose on the grounds. They turned and rumbled a greeting to her and she raised her hand, walking over to them. The lionesses had grown used to the presence of the people there, thanks to Pye showing them that they were all friends. She settled into the clearing, laying back on the grass, Pye and his girlfriend let her stroke them for a moment before licking her hands and stalking off, attracted by the sound of a new mouse to add to the lion's collection. She chuckled to herself and watched the clouds float by, starting to doze in the near silence.

She awoke to sensation of being watched. Arania looked around, dusk had fallen over the beautiful garden and she sat up. She was certain she was being watched. She peered into the trees around her and saw a glow, eyes landing on it. She dismissed it quickly when the sounds of mating lions came from the spot. She turned her head, allowing them their privacy and enjoyment, mind half wondering when they would see little cubs roaming the grounds. She smiled at the thought and stood, walking deeper into the woods where she got the feelings from. She tiptoed through the darkness, walking silently on her toes, half floating as her love had taught her.

'One advantage to living with so many fighter Kais,' She thought to herself. 'Strange, I don't see anything.' She continued to move deeper, not paying attention to where she was heading, the sense of something amiss drawing her on and on, her curiosity and wanting to help drawing her onward and overwhelming any fear.

After what felt like an hour of walking she spotted what would be a dark shadow to normal eyes, but to hers it glowed dimly, the light of dead life fading as she watched. She ran forward to the person's side and saw a Kai there, slumped and nearing protoblood failure quickly. She checked him over, and thankfully saw no wounds on his body and quickly attached the small jar of protoblood to him. She always carried it with her for emergencies with MusiKai or any of the other Kais she considered family.

As the jar drained into him, his eyes opened wide, flitting left and right in fear and wariness, until he saw her sitting above him, and realized what she had done for him. His voice whispered as he spoke.

"Thank you kind lady. Where am I?" He continued looking around, sitting up and adjusting the shredded tunic to cover his protoblood port.

"You are on the grounds of Haven, a home to many Kais and their Ladies. What happened to you? Do you have a name?" She stood and helped him up, leading him back to the mansion, weaving carefully through the trees.

"I have no name. I was never given one. I was running away, and ended up here. I was not able to carry any protoblood with me, and I ran out during my wanderings in the woods." He followed her cautiously, eyes still darting, unsure what to think of the situation he now found himself in.

As they emerged from the woods, they saw a Kai standing in the gardens looking around. She walked up to him and pointed back to the Kai following her. She whispered softly to him, and the new Kai slowly walked forwards.

"Arania, you don't know anything about him, he could be dangerous. What were you thinking?" MusiKai looked between her and him, frowning.

"Mus, if he was dangerous, he could have hurt me anytime he wanted to. Haven is here for a reason, and we will help him. Now let me go take him to Angel, and get him settled." Her voice brooked no opposition, but Mus frowned even more, noticing the looks this strange Kai was giving his lady. He gave him a warning look before turning on his heel and stalking inside.

"Come on, you can come meet the owner of the house, you can stay here, Haven is meant as a refuge for those like you. Lost and lonely people and Kai's." She wove her way through the halls easily, knowing the way to Angel's chambers quite well from their chats when the boys weren't around. She knocked on the door and Angel opened it, smiling at them. Arania explained the situation to her and she nodded.

"Since he has no name of his own, I think we can call him SparrowKai, since now he is as free as the sparrows that soar in the garden."

(contribution by angel)

angel invites them all into the sitting room and smiles as they all take a seat...

"Hello, SparrowKai, you are welcome here. What did you do before you came here? If you do not want to say, that is alright. If you need a home and a job, you are more than welcome to stay here"

angel smiles and takes his hand and squeezes it reassuringly.

(Ketana's contribution)

Coming from the pool house where she had had a lovely swim and doing a few laps since BladeKai's desserts were rather fattening, Ketana came up the stairs sashaying her way to her bedroom wearing one of her skimpiest bikini's. The one that drove CupidKai absolutely out of his dead man's mind, having left him properly thudded by the pool. She stopped at Angel's room and hearing voices inside knocked softly.

"Come in," trilled AngelMay as Ketana opened the door and peeked inside.

"Heard voices Angel, a strange voice you alright. Oh hi Arania and Musi," then she saw the newest Kai, his tunic in rags. Coming inside and throwing her damp towel on an antique chair to Angel's dismay. Ketana extended her hand out. "Hi I'm Ketana the Lioness, pleased to meet you."

Shyly SparrowKai lowered his eyes upon seeing this beautiful feline before him nearly nude. Gripping his jaw and tightening his hands into fists he could barely shake his head at her as he peeked out from under his lovelock.

"Ketana darling, go put something on before this poor Kai thuds into oblivion," scolded Angel, "and take that towel off that chair!"

"Shhesssh no one appreciates my new bikini but Cupid," snatching the towel off the chair and wrapping it around her waist.

"Well duh lioness he is a delta isn't he?" Arania snapped back.

Then Ketana sat down on that very chair and watched the newest member of Haven closely as he told his story. She just had to interrupt being a nosey she-cat, "what are you hiding clone?"

SparrowKai was startled and couldn't utter another word. "How did she know his secret?"

"Ketana let him tell his story without you interrupting him every few minutes."

"Alright, alright but I still think he's keeping something from us. Ooohhh by the way you didn't tangle with my lions did you?" Seeing his tattered clothes and wondering if he had 'danced' with Pye.