The Third Family
Think About It- This is my new little prestory thing. Because I GRADUATED today I decided to have everyone think about Vitamin C's song Graduation. I bet most of you have heard it before, but here's the lyrics.

And so we talked all night about the rest of our lives
Where we're gonna be when we turn 25
I keep thinking times will never change
Keep on thinking things will always be the same
But when we leave this year we won't be coming back
No more hanging out cause we're on a different track
And if you got something that you need to say
You better say it right now cause you don't have another day
Cause we're moving on and we can't slow down
These memories are playing like a film without sound
And I keep thinking of that night in June
I didn't know much of love
But it came too soon
And there was me and you
And then we got real blue
Stay at home talking on the telephone
We'd get so excited, we'd get so scared
Laughing at ourselves thinking life's not fair
And this is how it feels

As we go on
We remember
All the times we
Had together
And as our lives change
Come Whatever
We will still be
Friends Forever

So if we get the big jobs
And we make the big money
When we look back now
Will our jokes still be funny?
Will we still remember everything we learned in school?
Still be trying to break every single rule
Will little brainy Bobby be the stockbroker man?
Can Heather find a job that won't interfere with her tan?
I keep, I keep thinking that it's not goodbye
Keep on thinking it's a time to fly
And this is how it feels

As we go on
We remember
All the times we
Had together
And as our lives change
Come Whatever
We will still be
Friends Forever

La, la, la, la:
Yeah, yeah, yeah
La, la, la, la:
We will still be friends forever

Will we think about tomorrow like we think about now?
Can we survive it out there?
Can we make it somehow?
I guess I thought that this would never end
And suddenly it's like we're women and men
Will the past be a shadow that will follow us 'round?
Will these memories fade when I leave this town
I keep, I keep thinking that it's not goodbye
Keep on thinking it's a time to fly

As we go on
We remember
All the times we
Had together
And as our lives change
Come Whatever
We will still be
Friends Forever

So how many of you have heard this before? I heard this song for the first time when I was in fifth grade. I didn't really listen to the lyrics. I only decided that I liked the sound of the song. Now that I'm older and I'm graduating, I took the time to actually listen to the lyrics. Believe it or not a whole lot of the lyrics apply to me. Especially the thing about 'will our jokes still be funny?' Who's graduating this year or has already graduated? What applies to you?
Before I said I had no hope, perhaps I was over reacting. But not too much. A few minutes after Sen had left me alone, my hands were untied. It was not the first time I was glad to have my claws. It only took a few seconds to untie my legs after that. Now that I could walk, the next thing to do would be to try to get away.
After a bit of a struggle getting up, what with my big belly and my sore legs (from being tied up), I tried the door. To my surprise it was open. I looked out into the hall causously. Pushing the door open a bit, I looked up and down the hall. There was no one around, so I crept out. I stopped to sniff the air. Finding Sen's scent, I followed it to the left.
It seemed as if I walked around in the dungeon for hours. And it probably had been hours. My feet were getting tired and I was stopping for breaks ever few minutes when I heard it the first time. It sort of sounded like a yell and a clang of a sword combined. Frowning I sniffed the air again. Sen's scent was gone. I went pale. I realized hadn't smelled her scent in a long time. How long had I been walking without any sort of lead to go by?
I mentally kicked myself. Unless I found Sen's scent again I could be lost down here for days, if not forever. There were at least four different passage ways branching off from even the smallest hallway. And they all looked the same. Sighing, I started back the way I had come from, hoping that I could find Sen's scent again.
A few minutes later I heard the sound again. It sounded closer now. I looked in the direction I was going in nervously. The last thing I wanted to happen was to be caught by a soldier or walk into a room where a duel was going on. That's what the sounds sounded like to me. A bit more unsure than before, I continued forward. As I continued forward, the sounds got louder and more frequent. I could tell that there was a fight going on. But between who? And why? I started heading towards the fight, not because that's where I had last smelled Sen's scent, but because I wanted to know what was going on. I cursed my cat demon blood. Why did I have to be so curious! I was going to get me killed some day. If I survived this one first.
Approaching the sounds of the fight, they seemed to end. I frowned, becoming more nervous by the minute. If the fight had just been a friendly bout there would be strong fighters coming my way soon. If it had been a fatal fight, one murderous person would be approaching. I didn't know which one was worse. I'd probably die either way.
Deciding it was the safest way to go, I turned and started walking back the way I came as quietly as I could.
"And where are you going?" a familiar voice asked. a pair of strong hands gripped my shoulders.
I stiffened slightly, but then relaxed when I caught the scent.
Turning around, I was so relieved that I started sobbing into his shirt. "Mikoto!" I sobbed.
"Shh." he whispered, "It's alright now. I'm here. I'm going to get you home. Were you scared?"
I looked up at Mikoto, wiping away some tears. "Of course I was!" I exclaimed, "I think anyone would be if they were kidnapped!"
"Yes." my mate agreed pulling me closer.
"How long have I been here?" I asked, "I really don't know."
Mikoto was silent for asecond as he thought it over "Around half a day now I think." he replied, "I'm late, I know. I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it." I told him, "I'm just glad you're here."
"And I'm glad I found you." Mikoto said kissing me gently on the forhead.
"I heard fighting."I said, "Then it stopped. Did you fight and win?"
Mikoto patted the swordat his hip. Kenzoku. "Yeah." he replied, "I got into a fight with some guards I saw. Now let's get you home."
"I think it's a little late for that." a voice said from behind us.
Right now I was thinking, 'What happened to my senses! That's the second person who's come up behind me today!"
We turned around to see Sen standing there.
"Who are you!" Mikoto demanded, "What do you want with my mate!"
"I don't know." she replied, "Why don't you ask your mate? She knows."
Mikoto turned to me, a question in his eye. "She's Sen, the Lady ofthe South. Shewas planning to trade my safety for your power."
"Was?" Sen repeated, "I still am."
Mikoto raised an eyebrow. "But you don't seem to have her anymore." he pointed out, "I do."
"But both of you are in my castle." she said smirking, "How are you going to get out?"
"I think we'll find a way." he answered, drawing Kenzoku.
"A sword!" Sen said in mock terror, "Oh dear! What ever shall I do!" Smirking, she drew her own sword.
My mate pushed me back gently, getting ready to fight. "I guess I'll have to defeat you to get out, won't I?"
"Perhaps you will." Sen sneered.
I took a few extra steps back just to be careful. I had seen Mikoto's short battles, but never his long ones. Something told me this would be a longer one. And I was right. I was surprised at how quickly the battle began. It seemed as if Sen and Mikoto leaped at each other. Sparks literally flew. It didn't take me long to find out that they were equally matched. For every thrust Mikoto threw, Sen had an equally powerful parry.
But finally something happened in the fight. Sen lashed out, her attack throwing Mikoto back towards me. I ran towards him. "Mikoto!" I screamed. I gasped as I saw a large red spot appearing on my mate's shirt.