Sorry this has taken so long, you all know how holidays are. That added to traveling in Israel, it's been kinda crazy. But here we go again.

The Past Comes Home chapter one: Thin Ice

"But Mom, I want to go to town with you. It gets boring here doing my lessons or playing outside," the twelve year old Illya complained.

'No, dearest. You can't come with me to work. I tell you what. When I get home we'll go out and get you a new coat. Yours is getting a little worse for wear."

"Okay, fine. You promise?" the girl asked looking up with hope-filled eyes.

"Yes, I promise. Now just make sure your lessons are done before I get home."

"Yes, Mother."

"There's a good girl." Svenda kissed her on top the head then left for work.

Illya went to the table and started her earth science homework. "All the other kids get to go to school to learn this, but no. I have to stay here," she smarted-off bitterly. She quickly settled down and got all her work done. "There," she stated proudly. "Finished. Now I can go and play," she thought. Illya loved the wintery wonderland outside. Today was perfect. Clear blue skies and enough snow on the ground to go up to her mid-calf. Illya could spend hours outside without getting cold.

"One of the advantages of having fur I guess," she mused one day to herself after falling face first into the new fallen snow. She was fascinated by the way her white fur blended in. Once she was sitting by a tree when a snow leopard came right up to her. She was for sure it was going to eat her, but it just stared at her before nuzzling her a little and walking off. Ever since then she's had a secret nickname for herself. White Saber. She tried White Leopard, but it just didn't fit.

She walked aways into the woods behind her house to a little spot that was surrounded on all sides by tall bushes. She liked to go there and think or just listen to nature. Here mom would be home in about four hours. Until then Illya was free to run around, care free.

When Svenda returned home Illya was more than ready to go. "Okay, make sure your tail's tucked in and don't forget your hat."

"I know, I know, Mother," Illya said putting on her big fur hat and scarf. From their house to town wasn't very far, and since they didn't own a car they had to walk; which took about twenty minutes.

The town of Archangel wasn't very large consisting of one general store, a court house where most of the city functions were held, a doctor's clinic that doubled as his home. A fine restaurant, clothing and other small, family owned stores, church and a few residential houses spread about. In the middle of the town was a pond where people could go ice skating if they wished. Illya and her mom went into the clothing store.

"Evening, Mikail." Svenda called out cheerfully.

"Why hello, Svenda, little Illya," the store owner greeted them coming out of the back room. He was in his early thirties with green eyes, sandy hair accented with strong handsome features. "What can I do for you?"

"We're here to get a new coat for Illya. Do you have anything on special?" Svenda asked.

"Yes, ma'am. I do indeed. Just received a new shipment in today. Looking for anything you especially want?" Mikail asked Illya kindly.

"Can I look at all of them?" the girl asked taking the scarf from around her head and unzipping her current coat a little.

"Here let me take your coats for you," Mikail offered reaching to take the items. Illya looked to her mother for permission first. When Svenda nodded, Mikail took and put their coats over in a corner. Svenda didn't worry too much about people seeing Illya's face, Though it was extremely white, it wasn't as fury as the rest of her body. Her excuse for it was when Illya was first born she became deathly ill. She hadn't been delivered by a doctor, and those that had seen her since didn't know what she had, or what had caused it.

"This way ladies. Let me show you where they are." Mikail led them to the back of the shop. "Please, take your time."

"Okay. Let's see what we have here," Svenda said picking through one stack of coats while Illya looked through another.

"Oh, Mom! I like this one!" Illya cried out after a while holding up a black leather coat with white fur trimmings.

"Try it on. See how it fits." Illya put the coat on, then turned in circles so her mom could get a good look at it. "Well, it looks like it fits well enough for a couple years of growth. Is it comfortable?" Illya nodded. "All right. Mikail," Svenda called to the front. "I think we found one."

"Ah, excellent choice.," he commented as they came out. " Just let me wrap this for you." He took the purchase and folded it.

"Illya, if you want you can go on outside. Play in the snow, watch the people skate."

"Okay." the girl replied. She ran, put her old coat on, then went outside.

"She's such a cutie, Svenda."

"Thanks, Mikail. How much will that be?"

Meanwhile, Illya was outside watching the people walk by or skating around on the pond. A noise caught her attention. Shouts and screams coming from the far end of the pond filled her ears. Like any curious twelve year old, she went over to investigate. What she saw shocked her. A little boy had fallen through a thin sheet of ice and was struggling to get out. She sprinted ahead at full speed towards the drowning boy. No one else had seen him, so she figured she had better do something before it was too late.

When she got there Illya dropped to her knees and threw her hand out. "Here. Grab my hand!" she yelled. The little boy struggled to reach her. When he finally did, Illya held on as hard as she could as she pulled, dragging with all her might until she was able to grab his pants and roll him out. "Are you alright?" she asked him. He just looked up at her and started crying. "Shh. Don't cry. Hey! Someone, this little boy just fell in," she hollered and people started closing in on her.

"Oh my God! My little boy! Thank you very..." the woman stopped in mid-praise to stare at Illya. At that time Illya noticed all of the people mumbling. At first she thought they were mumbling about the boy, but as she listened closer, she heard what they were saying.

"What's wrong with her?"

"What is that?"

"That isn't normal."

Illya wondered what are they were talking about. A gentle breeze blew against her face, through her hair, across her ears... "Across my ears! Oh, no!" Illya raised her hands to her head and felt for her hat. It wasn't there, but laying a few inches behind her. It had been knocked off when she was pulling the boy out of the water. And now her cat-like ears were visible for all the world to see.

Svenda had heard the commotion and went out to see. When she saw her little girl in the middle of things she ran to her side.

"Illya, honey, What happened?"

"That little boy fell in the water and I pulled him out. Then when everyone came over here they stared at me and started mumbling. Like they are now." The crowd was getting louder. Illya now spoke in a whisper. "I think they saw my ears."

"Let's go," Svenda said taking her little girl's hand. The crowd followed for a bit then broke up. Svenda and Illya got back home safely. Thankful that there were no other incidents had occurred.

End chapter one. 2 coming.