Disclaimer : All characters and places belong to their respective owners, ©2004-2008.
A/N: Dedicated to my pets: Lady, Missy and Buddy. R.I.P Lady.
10. Feeling
Teana studies the little plush cat cradled in her palms, wondering just what in Mid-Childa's name possessed Subaru to believe she was anything like that. It's a gift from her that she won at the midsummer festival. Tea had given her a stuffed animal, a Siberian Husky the owner called it, she bought at a booth on the other side of town ('Because I know how much you love dogs,' she tells her a tad shyly, 'and since you and Ginga don't have one, well, I figured this was the next best thing.')
Of course, this had drawn some pretty embarrassing comments on part of the two siblings.
('Ah, so the devil DOES have a soft spot! How adorable!' chirps Ginga, who walks over and playfully ruffles her hair.
('I bought it because I felt like it!' she defends, 'Your sister acts like a husky, anyway: Runnin' and jumpin' and kickin' dust and grass in peoples' faces! Such a wild child!'
'I got something for you, too, Tea!' says Subaru. She holds up a bright, colorful bag. 'Look inside!')
It's a cute thing, really. Red fur; green button eyes; stringy black whiskers and a perpetual smile. It's soft and supple when her fingers trace its not-there spine. She loves (loves) tweaking and tapping its tiny plastic nose. She grabs its front paws and bounces it around and around on the bed spread so it makes it look like its dancing.
It's a really sweet gift, coming from Subaru.
Except . . . .
('It reminds me of you 'cause it's red like your hair and has the same green eyes. It's kinda pudgy, though, but I'm okay with that. You just love to eat a lot.')
It took all her willpower not to clock the kid right then and there.
'Stupid Subaru.' She sighs through her nostrils and gently places the plush cat on the window sill. 'You make me feel strange in ways I've never felt before . . . .
'And the worst part is: I like it.'