Violet orbs opened slowly surveying the curious surroundings. The shades were drawn leaving the momentary world in darkness, she didn't mind. Being what some referred to in a crude term as Sirian (1) she reveled in the darkness, it had always been her comfort. Moving experimentally she shifted the mattress moving to fit with her every turn looking to the clock she groaned to find it already 4:15, meaning she had slept in...Again. She usually woke about 3:45, 4:00 at the latest. Kai always woke some time after her and then they left for training. She didn't sleep much, and when she did it was only when she was alone. Or rarely when in the accompaniment of her team, but never anyone else. 'To sleep is to be weak' the cold voice of Boris rang through her thoughts running a shudder down her spine, 'To have to rest is feeble, you should always be ready. Always prepared for the worst. Because I can assure you that out in the world all that awaits you is pain, and ultimately: Death.' Nodding to herself she gave a small smile, 'He's right. I hate the bastard but he was always right about that kinda stuff.'

Hearing a soft sigh she rolled around smirking at the sight that met her dreary eyes. The great Kai Hiwatari sleeping as soundly as a baby, a small smile sketched on his usually impassive face. Unable to resist she moved closer rubbing her nose against his in an Eskimo kiss. His face scrunched up and he pulled away slightly one amethyst orb coming into view. His smile faded and he pulled back watching her with chary look.

Knowing Kai for 14 years she knew how to read his emotions, his eyes always giving him away. Kai was a proud person and that was one thing she always liked. That was why the night before she hadn't let him finish his apology, she knew he meant it but she felt like she was making him sink to a lowly level and it didn't suit him. Now was another one of those moments. She hated seeing him weaken especially on her account. Having devoted herself to him it was another thing she would allow, the fact of the matter being she liked seeing him more powerful and pretentious. Cutting him short before he could say anything of such manner stared back, "I'm going to get something to drink. You want something?"

"Coffee."

"Black?"

"Yeah."

"Thought so. Be right back."

"Hey panther."

"Yeah"

A sly smirk spread onto his lips as he watched his shadow stand, "You might want to put some clothes on first."

Turning away the smaller tried to hide the obvious blush tinting her pale cheeks, "Very funny. When your blading falls through you should be a standup comedian." She glared playfully moving to her suitcase.

"You'd be my water girl?"

"Of course." Pulling a shirt over her head she stood pulling on a pair of loose cargo pants her belt holding up the oversized cloth. Walking to the small bathroom she flicked on the light starting with her quick task of unknotting her long hair, pulling it out from where it had been tucked into the collar of her shirt she picked up the brush and ran it through the knots fading into silk...after much annoyance of course.

Grabbing the keycard on the way out she opened and shut the door as quietly as possible not wanting to awaken any of the other guests. After her figure disappeared around the corner three taller figures entered the room she had just exited with a spare card. Moments after the door shut it re-opened and the middle sized one left retreating down the hall in close pursuit of the unsuspecting girl.

Kami walked silently down the hall her footsteps inaudible even to the sharpest set of ears. Deciding to take the stairs she realized she had awhile to think. Reflecting seemed like the best idea at the time. Entering her mind she left the walking up to her sub conscious hoping she hadn't made a mistake in doing so. She had never thought of herself as 'exceptional' or 'unique' in any way, the reason being she wasn't anything out of the ordinary. She had always believed that everyone was different in their own ways, so how can one be 'special' in a world full of 'special' people? The answer: they can't. She would like to say she was more down to earth than most, in other words she knew the score. Another thing stood, although it may sound conceited or snobby, she knew that she was fair. Not beautiful, but fair. True she held some attractive qualities but that didn't mean she was perfect. She had never been the type to worry about things as such, never wore makeup or flashy clothes, just what suited her was fine. If anything the looks she inherited weren't her own but those of her parents, she was just a smaller version of them. A copy. It was true she had a tough life but it wasn't fair to say it was the worst; there were children out there who didn't have anybody. She still had her team and her brother and that was all she needed. She had even known kids in the abbey who had watched their parents die before their very eyes, were forced to destroy their only loved ones. Her mother and younger brother were both dead, but she accepted that. They weren't ever coming back and she embraced that. Life was unfair, but you can't do anything except live.

Some people say life gets to be to much so what do they do? They quit, some even go so far as to take their own life. But the panther had always thought of it like thus. Stealing is wrong and always has been. If you kill yourself you are taking something that isn't yours: the breath of life. It is weird to say the least that somebody as dark as Kami is a Christian but that's just how it is. Her mother had always told her that GOD would lead her through anything no matter how grave the situation and she believed it. So what do you call a person who gets to tired and kills them self? A thief.

Feeling herself stop she shook free from her thought and looked up finding herself at the main floor stop. Sighing she pulled softly at the door turning the knob in the same fluid motion. Stepping out she examined the lobby the room ghostly empty, but what can you expect at 4:45 in the morning? Rubbing her sleepy eyes she moved silently across the floor gaining some unwanted attention from the few people milling around. Ignoring their skeptical gazes she trudged towards the cafe' that was luckily open 24 hours for all the inn guests. Strolling to the counter she awaited patiently for the waiter to notice her presence, it took him a moment but on chance he turned to wash the counter and spotted her dropping the rag in surprise.

"Oh sorry about that I didn't notice you there. So what can I get you?" he asked softly his drowsy eyes watching her movements.

"Two coffees. Black." she replied trying to add some warmth into her emotionless voice.

"You got it sweetheart." he smiled jokingly at her turning to prepare her simple order. After finished he turned back placing some cup socks on securely to help from burning her hands.

"Thanks a lot." she smiled nodding in appreciation.

"Anything for such a pretty face. Really kicks my day off in a great start to have such a cutie come in here so early in the morning. Come to think of it, why are you up so early?" he prodded tilting his head to the side.

"Training." she answered picking up the drinks and turning away, "Catcha' later."

"Bye."

Few steps before she reached the exit she stopped and turned realizing she had almost forgotten an important ingredient. Walking to the small counter stocked with condiments she reached for the sugar grabbing three white packets and stacking them together. Ripping the top free she shook the contents free into the first cup using a stir-stick to mix it all in. Having known Kai for so long she knew how he liked his coffee. Being the 'tough' guy he had always thought it most mature to drink his coffee black even though he didn't enjoy it. Kami knew that he really he liked sugar, three packets to be exact. So she had always mixed it in unbeknownst to the rest of the world. He had caught on of course, tasting the sweetness but had never objected. As long as it looked black and plain to everyone else that was all that counted right?

Smiling to herself she threw away the trash and continued to the doorway the steam from the cups trailing up to meet the pale flesh of her face. Her smile however faded when she felt a strong hand clamp down on her shoulder and by reflex she whipped around not even thinking about what she could be attacking. Her eyes softened and her facial features changed from angry to surprise when she took in the sight. Bryan was standing in front of her his lilac orbs matching his stunned features.

"Damn Bryan you startled me." she hissed angrily using her sleeve wipe the coffee from Bryan's face.

"Yeah and you scalded me, so I think were even." He joked batting her arm away playfully, "Hey cut it out panther you're going to ruin my image."

"Image huh? You weren't worried about that worried about that image the time when we were 9 and you-"

"Kami please." Bryan stopped her looking around to make sure nobody had heard. "We agreed we'd never talk of that again." he whispered casting a glance around the room.

"Yeah, yeah I remember." she replied shaking her head and taking a sip of her coffee that was now 3 quarters full. "C'mon if I don't get this to Kai he'll get grouchy or worse he'll get up." she commented over her shoulder.

"Oh and we wouldn't want that now would we?" Bryan rolled his eyes his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"No. We wouldn't." Moving forward she froze at the sound of familiar voices, the sound causing her to snarl with anger. Whipping around her eyes turned dark when she spotted the two figures approaching her their fur coats ghosting across the marble as the strode.

"Ah Kamia, how" pause "nice it is to see you." the last part being obviously forced. "Your brother told us you were here. How long has it been? 3 maybe 4 years." the form continued the dull blue green scanning over the lithe form of the other.

"14."

"Hm, funny how time flies isn't it?"

"Hilarious." she almost sneered trying to control her building rage.

"I see you still have the same disrespectful attitude problem as before. I say that your father should've given you a good beating." the taller form joined in his tone grinding on her nerves.

"He would've if you wouldn't have taken him away. But don't you worry I got my fair share." she growled her body tensing slightly when the memories came flooding back.

"Well thankfully you are no longer my burden. Nor my sons'."

"Thankfully." she scoffed turning and stomping away, Bryan joining her while refraining from asking questions until they were a safe distance away.

"Oh Kamia, we are having a small celebration tomorrow. For you and Micah of course, it would be just terrible if you couldn't attend."

"I'm busy but I'll try to drop by if I'm in the neighborhood. Don't count on it though." shaking it off the two started off heading to the elevator, "Catcha' later gramma." smirking she walked away Bryan right by her side shaking his head an amused smirk etched on his face.

'Bitch.'

A/N

I was going to make this a lot longer but right now my throat is killing me and I want to go make some hot chocolate or tea or something hot like that. Besides that I'm so depressed, my trampoline broke! Can you fucking believe it! Well I can't...I've had so much fun with that. Cracked my skull, screwed up my ankle, popped my shoulder out of place and now it's just dead...damn it all. So I'm busy being depressed the good news being that I will probably update faster because I have nothing to do...stupid trampoline crappin' out on me! Oh and before I forget...which I almost did...

(1) Sirian- Means panther people, most being of dark nature. Known as cruel evil beings that lived hidden in the darkness. Crude term for such people. Often mistaken for a Wicca this is of course wrong.

So when people want to be royal assholes they will call Kami something of this nature because it is a supposed evil beast. Anyway I'm gonna go now to make something hot. Catcha' later.

This is Tawnie remembering all the good times with her trampoline -looks at ankle longingly-