86
Picking Up the Pieces
It took a long time before anyone, even Mother, could determine the species of these animals. Hilde and Aoi walked back to the camp to prepare the slightly rusted wash basin and to gather as many rags as they could find. The two women readied the supplies for Oga, Mother, and "the rugs", as the animals had been affectionately dubbed by Furuichi's consciousness, eventual arrival.
It took much time for the rugs to adjust to firelight, but the pack of strange, limping animals obediently followed Mother's gentle coaxing to the group's campsite. As Mother walked closer to the wash basin, one of the smaller rugs snorted and fussed in alarm at the site of water. Mother gave an eye of warning to the humans surrounding her, Don't move.
Mother began to play with the water, she even took a handful to sip, offering the water to the pack leader to lap out of her hand. Gaining their trust, the largest of the rugs dipped a paw into the warm water. The rug sighed then fully submerged itself into the basin allowing Mother to wash the fur on its back.
One by one, the rugs bathed, dried and after an hour of hesitation, trimmed. Aoi had gone to work at cutting away the matted fur that served no more purpose than to be a weighty nuisance. Aoi cut and cut and cut, uncovering wary blue eyes of foxes. The pack had confided in Mother that they had gone into hiding when the cocoon exploded. Just like the other guardians, the rugs were scared of what the humans would do now that their savior was gone.
When the rugs had finally gone to sleep, Oga leapt at the chance to speak to Furuichi. It felt like ages since they last saw each other. "How are you?"
Furuichi smiled and cuddled under Oga's arm, "Much better now."
Oga kissed the top of the silver head, careful of the untrimmed thorns that might lurk beneath.
"You missed all the fun, Aoi did a great job with trimming the rugs, but Hilde looked ready to charge if they hurt the crazy bandaged woman."
"I was awake. I saw the whole thing."
Oga watched his partner with a frown on his lips.
"I know," Furuichi sat up, "I was surprised too."
Mother liked to feel that she had total control of their shared body, so Furuichi slept when they switched. Furuichi, on the other hand, allowed Mother to literally see the world through his doe brown eyes, except when there was a more private moment with his partner of course.
"The whole time I could feel her guilt and sadness. I don't know what to say to make her feel any better."
"Well," Oga gestured to the rugs, "Tell her to get off her ass and help the rest of them."
"Oga!" Furuichi swatted Oga's arm, "She can hear you!"
"No, I mean it. Mother, you were the one trying to clean up our mess and instead went to make one of your own. If this damned planet is ever gonna get better, then we all have to go back and clean it up."
Oga held his breath and grabbed the hilt of his machete when the brunet could see Furuichi fighting to stay inside his body.
"I agree," Mother stated coolly. "I propose…a truce."
Hilde and Aoi had woken up to see Oga eyeing the outstretched hand with squinting eyes. "A truce?"
"Between your kind and mine. A truce to clean up the messes we've made and to grow...together."
The rugs lifted their heads, curious to see where the next action may lead. Oga relinquished his weapon and shook hands with Mother. "A truce it is then."
Furuichi fainted into Oga's arms, but came too a minute later. The silvernette took stock of the grinning faces and the lessened tension in the cave. "What I miss?"