Sorry no sorry that this is a short chapter, but don't worry, the next few will be longer! Thanks for all the reviews!

Disclaimer: Not mine. At all.

Chapter- A decision must be made

We made it home in record time. Tsume bandaged me up and then grabbed me some -cooked- steak. He made me eat the whole thing then had Cheza check me over,"I'm fine," I growled.

"No you're not. Shut up and let her look at you," Granny called from the kitchen.

The next morning, everyone was sitting around, recovering from our battle wounds, Tsume doting on me like a mother hen, and Toboe and Cheza both cuddling with me the whole day.

Hubb came in that afternoon, and removed his hat,"Amber..."

I looked up at him, illusion up and human face smiling,"Yeah?"

"Your parents are awake... And asking for you."

I felt my chest painfully tighten.

Tsume held my hand as we walked through the hospital. Emma, her mother and Abby were in a separate room. I didn't really feel like seeing them anyway. Mom's eyes brightened as she saw me enter the room, I hardened my resolve when I saw the mangled and bright red gashes on her face and neck. They'd probably only turn into scars. I ran up to her, and she wrapped her arms around me. I started crying, then she did, or was it the other way around? There was a lot of emotions.

My dad was sleeping, and definitely far worse in his damage than my mother. I explained our cover story and sat with her for over three hours, my stomach swirled, how was I supposed to live with them all now? I kissed my mom on the forehead before I stood up to leave so she could sleep.

Tsume met me by the door, his gold eyes bright,"You good?"

I leaned into him as we walked,"Yeah, I'm good."

I rubbed my forehead later that night, my mind going about a hundred miles an hour - rehearsing lines over and over in my head. Tsume rolled over and took my hand away from my face before kissing my forehead,"What's wrong?"

"I'm gonna have to go home. There's no other way to keep this simple."

Tsume looked at me with wide eyes before he nodded,"So you've been thinking about that too, huh?"

I curled into him,"So you're not mad?"

Tsume pulled me close,"Course not. I'll just have to go with you."

I hit his chest,"Not unless you wanna be labeled as an obsessed stalker by my family, you won't."

Tsume smirked in my hair, I continued,"I'll call. A lot. You can visit me when I get into college."

Tsume nodded and ran his hand through my hair,"I just don't want you to leave."

"Same here. But don't worry, I won't be gone long."

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