I'm back! And back with a new chapter! Sorry for the wait, I just haven't felt up to writing much, been to tired or sick. But I'm back again, so I hope you all like it! I know it seems kinda similar to Moody Shadow's, but I AM trying to make them as close as possible, without totally copying him, that way things aren't confused, so yeah, enjoy all!

Chapter twenty one: Barely Standing

I stood there, standing stiff, in total shock of the events that were flashing before my eyes. Everything seemed to move so slowly, yet they also seemed to be flying by so fast, I couldn't keep up.

Kasaru kept patting her mothers back, trying to wake her, but she just laid on the ground. Kasaru cried, and laid down next to her, and hugged her tightly around the neck, as if afraid to let her go.

But in all honesty, I would have done the same, had it been my mother. But, I knew that was completely impossible. I had witnessed my parents dismissal, so to speak.

After a moment, Shawn walked over and laid a paw on Kasaru's shoulder, and then gently pulled her away from her mother. Kasaru looked hurt by that, but I knew Shawn only wanted to help.

He gently shushed her, and knelt down next to her mother and picked her wrist and felt for her pulse. After a minute he looked over at Kato.

"Get over here now, son!" he yelled to him.

Kato nodded quickly and ran over, pushing Kasaru aside, trying to hurry. Kasaru simply stood back, watching in worry, as tears fell down her face.

At that point, I knew how badly she needed a friend, and I hurried over and hugged her tightly.

I watched as Shawn carefully picked his aunt up under her arms and carefully lifted her up. Kato tried to help, by holding her legs off the ground.

Lily ran ahead and opened the door to the house and stepped to the side, as the two hurried past.

Everything was a blur to me, and I thought I heard Kasaru yelling at Kato about something. After a moment, I shook my head and guided Kasaru into the house.

Lily slammed the door closed on a customer, who I hoped understood why she had to do that, then ran into the room with Shawn and Kasaru's mother.

I pulled up a chair and carefully sat Kasaru down at the dining table, then sat myself down next to her.

I moved closer and quietly whispered, "Everything is going to be okay Kasaru, don't worry!"

Kasaru closed her eyes, and I gently rubbed her back, trying to calm her some. I could hear Shawn franticly talking to Lily, and then turned my attention to Kato, who was whimpering quietly.

I gently took his paw and pulled him on the other side of Kasaru and gently shushed him, until he was calmed some, then returned to gently rubbing Kasaru's back.

At the moment, it seemed like I was the one holding the three of us together. But one thought crossed my mind; When will someone hold me together?

I knew that Kasaru and Shawn's family had done so much for me in my time of need. But for some reason, I still felt... so very alone. Especially now that Kasaru would hopefully have her mother again, I was... alone again.

I heard Kasaru sigh, and she buried her face into her paws and shook her head after a moment, as she began to tremble.

After a little bit, she glanced up at her mother, who still laid still in the bed, and I worriedly watched her, afraid for what was happening to her and her mama.

Then she looked at me, and slowly smiled just a little. I smiled the best smile I could, trying to show her I was there for her, and then added a slight tilt of my head.

She looked over at Kato, who quickly looked away, when he saw her watching him. She sighed and gently laid a paw on his knee. He turned, and stole a glance out of the corner of his eye, then sighed softly, when he saw her smiling slightly at him, and wiped the back of his paw across his forehead and smiled wide.

Kasaru turned back to stare into the other room, at her mother. I could see how worried and upset she was.

After a bit, Kato and myself left Kasaru to be alone for a little bit, and talked quietly among ourselves, over a small meal that Kato had thrown together for us.

I felt bad that I hadn't been able to carry out my plan of finding something nice for Kasaru to have for dinner. And I felt bad that she was going through so much, so suddenly.

After a little bit, I saw Lily come out and kneel down by Kasaru.

I heard her quietly say, "Kasaru? Honey, we've done everything we can. It's up to fate now...", then she walked over towards us, and quietly scolded Kato for some reason, that I wasn't sure of why.

After a few more minutes, I saw Shawn come out and talk to Kasaru, but I didn't catch much of what they said. Just something about, he'd done everything he could, and for some reason, Kasaru got a bit defensive, then seemed to feel bad about something, as Shawn walked off, a bit annoyed it seemed.

He sulked over to Lily and sat down at the table, and Lily laid down a plate of food for him.

I turned back to Kato after a moment, and laughed quietly at the face he was making. Then we started playing a clapping game, Kato taught me. I laughed, when I accidentally hit his arm, and we tried it again.

After a little bit, I heard Shawn sigh, then say, "Oh, come on now Kasaru..."

I turned to look at my friend, and saw her turn and run into the room with her mother. I saw her lay by her and hug her tightly. I stared at them for a moment, then felt a harsh pang of loneliness.

I did still have Kato, Shawn and Lily, but I didn't have a mother or a father. Mine had been stolen from me. I didn't have anyone to cuddle with now, if I was afraid. Kato had his parents, Kasaru now had her mother, but who did I have?

Kato tried to get me to play another round of our game, but I just sat against the wall, hugging my knees. I felt so alone now. But that was because, I truly was alone. I didn't have my mama and daddy anymore.

And I never would have them, ever again...

Okay, kinda sad, but hey, it's how it is! I feel bad for poor Shad, but there's nothing to be done, but keep writing, and just find out what else happens to her along the way! SO! I hope you enjoyed this, and please don't forget to review! Remember, I LIVE off those! But, until the next chapter, I'll see ya later all!