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Disclaimer: No, I don't own Hamtaro, and I never will.
Guess what?! It's the new story, sequel to Nothing you Love is Lost! Visit N.Y.L.I.L. under my FanFiction pen-name, TerraLuna17! I hope ya like it! For a picture of Keona, go here: http://www.geocities.com/viennawood/keona.jpg
Chapter One: Angel Wings
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Keona slept peacefully in her quiet bedroom, dreaming of the love she and Panda shared. In her dreams, her feelings were illustrated beautifully, a feeling of wholeness and completeness accompanied by a dark, empty feeling of loss. Keona never dreamt in pictures or events, but in wonderful feelings and dazzling colors. Luckily, Keona never heard the snores of her room-mate dozing in the main room. Unfortunately, this particular morning, a lone tear drifted down her furry cheek as she trembled at bearing the horror of her dream. Suddenly she heard a familiar sound which roused her from her heavy slumber. It was the sound of a door being pulled opened, creaking on its hinges and letting in a whoosh of warm dewy air. She heard it every morning when the first of her hamster friends arrived.
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Keona scurried out of bed and went to greet the newcomer. When she passed the threshold she saw him- Panda! Rushing into his arms, she hugged him and kissed him.
"Panda! How are you? I missed you SOOO much......"
Panda was a little surprised, but didn't let go.
"Um, I missed you too... although it was only eleven hours..."
Keona looked up to stare at him with great green eyes, brimming with tears.
"I know... but... *snif* I just like seeing you, that's all... actually, I had a dream that... that..."
Keona ran to find a handkerchief and hastily proceeded to blow her nose. Panda rushed over and patted her on the back as she blew snot onto a formerly white hanky. Using as few fingers as possible, he took it from her and tossed it into a hamper.
"Now," Panda said kindly, "What did you dream about?"
Snuggling against Panda, she seemed to feel much better as she told him about the angst of her dream.
"First, you and I were here, talking, and suddenly this shadow was over us and these great chromish-black talons came down and picked you up... and I watched you fly away on an owl... then in my dream the owl was gone and you had your own wings and were flying away... and you forgot about me and never returned..."
Suddenly she burst into tears and Panda silently comforted her. When she had stopped crying, Panda lifted her chin so her verdant eyes were gazing into his, and whispered,
"I would never leave you, Keona. You're my angel... and I love you." Keona smiled sheepishly.
"Panda... you always know just what to say. I love you too..." she gave him a quick kiss and hug, and changed the subject.
"So, anyway, what are you doing here so early? You usually aren't here for another twenty minutes."
"Mimi is going on vacation, and she left early this morning. One of her friends is going to feed me once a day."
"That's terrible! You'll be all alone!"
Panda grinned. "Do I look alone to you?"
Keona smiled. "True... at what time does her friend come?"
"Eight at night," Panda responded. "Why?
Keona shook her head briskly. "No reason," she said crisply. "Just curious." She then accented her remark with a musical laugh which made Panda's knees tremble. His favorite part about Keona was her laugh.
Just then the door swung open for a second time and in walked the tall, burly Boss. His rude and loud exterior hid his soft, sweet personality, which most people didn't bother to take into account. Keona was not one of them.
"Hi, Boss!" she cried sweetly, giving him a quick hug. "How are you today?"
Boss sweatdropped and backed away. "Um, okay... you're in a very good mood, I take it..."
Keona grinned and glanced slyly at Panda before replying cheerfully, "Yup!... But you didn't answer my question- HOW ARE YOU?!" Despite her words, her eyes twinkled.
"No better than usual," Boss replied dryly. "Some moles invaded my bedroom last night, and I hadda fight 'em off." Keona looked thouroughly concerned.
"Too awful! How often does that happen?"
"About once a month. They never learn!" Boss said, and chuckled. Panda cleared his throat.
"Well, Boss, my slate is clear- I've nothing to build at the moment. Any suggestions?" Boss stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Maybe a sturdier door for my house! Honestly, those stupid moles..." Panda and Keona burst out laughing.
Once again the door opened- quieter, this time. The person who emerged from it, however, was not quiet. He, as usual, was jovial and excited, for no apparent reason. Hamtaro grinned at the three of them, and at the still-sleeping Snoozer.
"Hi guys!" he said enthusiastically. "Great morning, isn't it?" He sounded like he meant every word more than he knew.
"And why are you so happy?" Boss asked, a tiny smile playing on his lips, trying to conceal itself. "Laura give you a new toy to play with?"
Hamtaro shook his head, his spirited grin not budging. "Better! Laura says her friend Travis said he'd go on a date with her! I don't know what that is, but if she's happy, I'M happy!"
Panda smiled patiently and explained the concept of a date, or what it was to a twelve year old. Keona wasn't listening. When she and Panda were first reunited, she talked to him about the pain of hearing the others talk about their humans. He had advised her not to think about it(For this was his own solution), and it had worked up until now. Now, however, Hamtaro had caught her with her guard down, and she remembered wistfully the day Mina had told her she was going on her first date. Keona had known what it was, and had been happy for her human.
Now, she let herself wander, unaware, into a realm of lost memory, the realm of everything she no longer had. Up until now she had not allowed herself to think about it, but now she could not stop. She was practically delirious, was unaware of what was going on around her as Panda waved his hand in her face. Finally she was jerked out of this phase of grief, and looked apologetically at the others.
"Oops," she said frankly. Nobody said anything. Keona cleared her throat, and then continued. "Sorry. Did I, um, miss anything?"
Luckily, she missed the look Panda gave to Hamtaro and Boss, refraining them from speaking. He tried to smile. "No problem. Hey, I'll be right back. I just remembered; I want to show Keona something."
He led her away and into her room. Closing the door, he said quietly, "Keona, what's wrong?" She turned to look at him, her expression somber and her eyes shining with restrained tears.
"It's... nothing. Believe me, I'm all right." Panda looked at her quizzically, and dismissed it with a "You sure?"
"Yeah. I'm... I'm fine." She smiled and squeezed his hand. When they re-entered the main room, they saw that both Oxnard and Pashimina had arrived. Keona quickly planted a wide grin on her face.
"Pash! What's up?"
As the two girls made conversation, Panda confined himself to his building corner, thinking intently about Keona. As the morning wore on, the rest of the hamsters arrived and the day began.
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