A/N: Sorry it's been so long guys I'll try not to let it be three weeks before I update again next chapter. Oh and the last word at the end of the chapter means "shut up".

Chapter 29: Thoughts and Talks

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Oz had fallen asleep with his guitar still in his hands. River smiled down at the wolf. She gently took the guitar from him and placed it back in its case. Then she picked up the blanket from the floor and covered Oz. River stood for a moment trying to decide what to do next.

Chaos and thoughts were running through her head. She knew she liked this boy who was not a boy. Yet when he had taken off his chains just for a moment before they were placed in her hands she felt so many years, lifetime upon lifetime, thrust upon her in an instant. She saw so many flashes. Women, though one in particular with red hair, men, being chased, running through the woods, military. For a moment River's own memory of the Academy surged up and she was about to panic. Then the calm of the chains soaked into her brain.

All the voices were muffled like someone had thrown a blanket over them. She felt like she had when she was a child and she could control it. She knew what she thought and what others thought and everything made sense. Stupid Academy.

But back to the subject at hand. Oz. River carefully sat down on his bed and tried to keep her thoughts in line. She liked Oz. Oz liked her. He was a werewolf. She was a reader. He was possibly centuries old. She was kind of crazy.

Two sides of the same coin, pieces shoved together. River frowned. She kept pushing him away, coming up with excuses.

Why?

Was she scared? Did Simon actually sense something and want her to stay away? Was it the age difference? What?

River let out an "Eeek!" as Oz lurched up to grab her and lay her down next to him. He wrapped an arm around her waist and for all intents and purposes seemed to go back to sleep. "Ummm? Not old enough, not ready, Simon—" River begin to babble.

"Nothing's going to happen." Oz mumbled, "Just wanted someone to sleep with." He lifted his arm, "You can go if you want."

River muttered several things, few which made sense to the werewolf, before putting Oz's arm back around her waist.

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Oz woke to an argument. "Simon!" River pleaded.

"Get up now River." Simon growled. She gently moved Oz's arm off her and went to stand by Simon. "You said nothing was going on. But this seems to be a recurring theme."

"Simon I—"

"You're only sixteen. You're too young mei-mei." Simon said gently.

"Simon," Oz said sitting up, "me and River are friends—"

"Oh really and how many of your 'friends' share the same bed as you?" Simon was almost sneering. "My sister is not to be—"

"Have I done anything to show your sister disrespect? We haven't done anything inappropriate," Oz held up a hand to stop Simon, "we were sleeping, period. We were not having sex. We are not having sex. I know how old River is and I get that she's your sister, man. But—"

"She is not just some normal girl. She is special and you—" Simon paused when River stamped her foot.

"She is right here. Simon. I'm not a baby. I know," River paused. "I know I'm broken but I'm not beyond repair. I can still function and I know what I want and what I don't."

"Are you telling me you want Oz?" Simon asked.

"Yes," Her brother opened his mouth to protest but River spoke first, "but not that way, dummy." Simon gave a sigh of relief, "At least not yet." River smiled and looked back at Oz. The werewolf gave a slight smirk at that.

Simon frowned and took a step in Oz's direction. "You do anything she doesn't want or before she's eighteen you will be in a world of hurt, dong-ma." Oz nodded. Simon took his sister's hand, "Come along River you missed your medications last night."

River stuck out her tongue, "Meanie."

Simon led them out of the room, "You should be happy I didn't try to beat Oz up again."

River waved at Oz as she left, "Yea cause that worked so well last time."

"Bizui."