Circumstances Allowing

Chapter 2: Old Friends Together Again

Morning dawned on the two old friends clouding, drizzling and just a tiny bit cold. Usually, such weather in late June would worry Avi but the weather around her 'home' had grown to be very strange over the past few years so she was used to it. Besides, days like this were her favorite kind. Kuronue woke before the girl lying next to him did and he stared down at her, stroking her hair in a gentle fashion. It was comforting to see that mop of dark brown in such an innocent pose once again.

"You've certainly grown…" He whispered more to himself than to her, watching her peaceful face as she slept. He had a sneaking suspicion that this had been her first real night of rest in a long while, if the tired look in her eyes last night was any indication.

Her eyes had changed drastically over the years.

Kuronue wanted to know why. He wanted to know what had caused the drastic change in the girl's eyes. Her eyes were harder, colder, full of exhaustion and above all else lacked the light they once held. When she was the kitten he knew, she was mischievous, she was innocent, she was clever and she loved her life. Her eyes were warm and alive; they seemed to glow with an inner light. He wanted to know what had happened to her.

"Mmmmm…?"Avi groaned in her sleep, turning her head away from the direction of the window and snuggling up to Kuronue even more. Moments later she opened her eyes slowly and gave a tiny mewl, staring up at Kuronue as he stared down at her.

She blushed.

He laughed.

"Morning kitten." Kuronue greeted with a half smile, giving Avi a slight squeeze with the arm that was wrapped around her waist.

"Morning already?" She yawned and slowly sat up, lifting her arms over her head and arching her back in a quick stretch, causing her muscles to pop loudly and somewhat painfully. "Breakfast time!" She exclaimed and crawled around Kuronue to hop off the bed. "Hm…I can totally bring it in here for us. But if you'd like to try and walk to the kitchen with my help, then you're welcome to the option." She gave him the choice, waiting patiently in her Gumby™ pajama pants and white tank top.

(She'd slipped on her pajamas last night before the two had decided to get some sleep. Kuronue had insisted she sleep on the bed because she looked so tired.)

"Hmm…" Kuronue moved to get off the bed and winced, officially confirming his decision to both him and Avi. "Lets eat in here."

"Okies! I'll be back in a bit!" Avi replied, exiting the room with a speed Kuronue wasn't aware she had.

((((((((((((((((((Half an hour later, 10 am)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Avi walked back into the room smiling brightly and holding a tray designed to sit on a bed that was laden with food. There eggs, bacon, sausage links, two glasses of orange juice and chocolate chip pancakes lightly dusted with cinnamon and sugar. She sat the tray down to where it was over both her and Kuronue's legs and propped herself up on the remaining pillows. Kuronue just stared at the veritable feast in front of his very nose, then at Avi, then at the food, and again at Avi, settling on the slightly confused girl.

"What?" She asked, confused by his gaping stare.

"When did you…how did you…you can cook?" He asked, taking a tentative bite of the scrambled eggs. "Wow…you CAN cook!" He exclaimed and continued eating voraciously. Avi beamed and began eating as well, she was positively famished herself!

Once the two were done and the tray was back in the kitchen, and after Avi had apparently cursed out and murdered a trail of ants happily using her garbage can as a restaurant, they sat in comfortable silence on the big bed.

"What happened to you kitten?" Kuronue asked, taking on a very serious expression.

"What do you mean Kuro-chan?" The girl in denial spoke, cocking her head to the side cutely and staring at him through long, brown bangs.

"I want to know where your light has gone." He more stated than asked.

"Um…what?" Avi was genuinely confused.

"You've grown Kitten. But you've lost the light in your eyes and the spring in your step. What happened to you?" That did it. Avi began to choke on her mouthful of OJ and finally had to spit half of it back into her glass. Kuronue gave her a worried look. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine! Just fine! Eh-heh…" She replied, laying back and trying to disappear into the pillows behind her.

"Kitten…?" Kuronue questioned again, noticing she now refused to meet his eyes. She looked towards the window instead, refusing to answer him.

"Kitten…please tell me what happened." She shook her head slightly, still refusing to look at him.

"No…"She whispered finally, after 5 minutes had passed and she was still looking towards the sliding glass door, watching the rain pour down in thick sheets.

"Avi…" He sighed and with much effort moved himself to hover over her, one arm on either side of her head effectively trapping her between him and the mattress. "Look at me Avi. Please." Slowly but surely her now weary eyes moved to meet his, followed by the rest of her face.

"Kuronue…I…."She began softly, the sadness in her eyes was overwhelming. She'd seen something rough, that much was obvious.

"What happened to you Avi? Please, tell me."

"I…I…You'll hate me."

She was scared. Avi was afraid he'd hate her if she told him what had happened to her. His little kitten was afraid of his opinion of her. Or was it a deeper fear?

"No I won't."

"Do you promise Kuronue? Promise me you wont hate me for what I've done?" She made it sound so ominous to him.

"I promise Avi. Cross my heart and hope to die." He moved off of her and sat up, propping himself up against the pillows, watching her as she sat up Indian style, hesitating to open her mouth.

"Okay…what happened is this…."

(((((((((((((((((((((Chapter Fin))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Purposeful cliffhanger people. A few reviews would be nice! And thank you to the person who put me in her favorites, you rock hon! I know its a short chapter for that I'm sorry...but it's 1 in the morning and I've got a 9:20 philosophy class in the morning. Much as I love West Valley, it does take a little while to get there in the mornings. So...Reveiw me! Thanks! Night!