Oh man, what a busy busy year. Being in college is no joke when it comes to papers. I hope I get an 'A' though. .; Yeah.. I also didn't feel like giving Ushio's mom a name. I'm such a bad person.

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She quietly sat her fork on the half empty plate and placed her hands together. "The food was delicious as usual."

"I'm glad you were able to enjoy it, though you seem to eat less and less now-a-days." Mom said. Cheza looked down at her plate.

"Wow," Ushio chimed in, "I guess your eyes are bigger than your stomach." He placed his arm around her shoulders. "It's nothing to worry about mom, Ive been sneaking her extra food." His father gave him a stern look, he avoided his eyes and apologised for his behavior.

"Ah, to be thirteen. Such a lively age." The old man commented.

After everyone was done they cleared off the table and went about their own buisness. Ushio's father went out with Blue for a walk, his mother went to weed out the garden, and he and Cheza went to their room. He laid back on his bed and let out a big sigh. "That was way too close. Why don't you just tell them?" Cheza looked as if she had seen a ghost. How could she go about doing something like that? It's not every day a child tells their adoptive family that they're not human. "I just don't want you to leave, not yet," He whispered as he turned on his side. She wasn't ready to leave either but with her appetite for human food leaving it won't take them long to realize that she's not completely human. Most twelve-year-olds are gluttons because their growing bodies and active life-style demands a lot from them.

Cheza spent more time out in the sun then at the table for meals, though she tried for weeks to keep up the normal routine, it failed and she stopped going all together. One night at dinner Ushio's mom looked at Cheza's empty spot at the table worried.

"She's not eating though I made all of her favorite things" she said softly. "I'm worried."

"It's nothing big mom, she's just not feeling good."

"Ushio, do you know what's wrong?" she asked, her tone heavy with worry.

"Umm, her head hurts." He blurted.

"Her head? Is that all?" Quient grunted. "That's no reason to miss a meal."

"But that was after she said her stomach was badly hurting." Ushio said.

His mother stood up with a slight smile on her face and walked upstairs. "Please take care of the dishes Ushio," he made a face to show his dislike for doing dishes, "and make sure your father helps." Ushio smirked at his father who made a face of his own, he hated doing the dishes. Like father like son.

She quietly knocked on the door and called to Cheza before entering. Cheza was laying on the bed holding Blue close to her. "Mother?" Cheza sat up while she took a seat at the foot of the bed. "I didn't think it would happen to you this soon, but I guess it's time." Cheza's heart dropped when she heard her say that, she thought that mother found out about her secret until she spoke again. "This didn't start happening to me til I was fourteen. I was embarrased so I didn't tell anyone, not even my mom." Cheza slightly tilted her head in confusion. Mother just put on a smile and hugged her close. "You're becoming a woman."

"A woman?" Cheza was relieved that her secret was still safe but confused as to how she came up with that reason. "How am I becoming a woman?"

"Because your behavior has changed, and Ushio told me all your symptoms."

"This one is unsure of what you mean." She sat back on the bed and explained how the body works. It's the kind of conversation that easily turns into a lecture, with enough details to make any twelve year old girl wince from the thought of losing blood every month. Cheza understood a little more about the human body, Blue on the other hand thought that everything sounded a bit disgusting and could have been better off not hearing about the blood cycle. Ushio walked in and sat next to cheza. "I'm sorry, I was just trying to help." Blue whimpered and laid her head in his lap, he stroked her head softly. "I guess this means that we won't be sharing a room anymore." The room fell into silence. He turned his head to get a good look at Cheza who had brought her knees close to her face. She looked as if she was deep in thought.

"Hey," Ushio said quietly, "You're not thinking about leaving are you?"

"Yes." She looked away for a moment still in her thoughts.

"You can't! I mean, what about mom and dad?" he pleaded.

"It is almost time for me to leave. Besides I am…"

He cut her off before she could finish. "I don't care about that!" Blue and Cheza were both shocked to hear him raise his voice like that. He suddenly hugged her close to him. "Please, I don't want you to go."

"Ushio, I," She paused for a moment. "On your birthday." He pulled away and looked at her, his eyes glazed. He noded and gave her another hug, thanking her for waiting.

xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

"Happy Birthday," A young man whispered to himself as he as the let the hot water run down his body. After traveling for days on end it felt great to be able to take a shower and wash away all the dirt. Though the hotel wasn't in the best part of the city, it had the essentials: hot water, food, a bed, blankest, and drinks. "Dad would've loved it here." He said noting how his dad would happily drink Vodka and try to share some with him when he was younger, his mom would take a book and 'lightly' tap his father's head with it. Finally done with is shower he toweled off his slightly tanned skin, wiping away the water off his back and shoulders. He could have been a professional fighter due to his muscular build. Walking out the bathroom he proceeded to dry his hair, which stuck to the back of his neck. "What a bother," he muttered as he heard a soft knock at the door and a female voice saying 'Room Service'. He wrapped the towel around his waist and opened the door. "You have a letter." She said handing the white envelope to him. He thanked her for her services and politely closed the door.

"So when you plan on leaving Ushio?" the restaurant owner asked as he stepped out onto the streets. The owner was an older man with short grey hair that was always covered with a red scarf. His dusty glasses were huge and looked like they were going to fall off his face had his nose not been big enough to hold them. Unlike the man's smile, the air in the city was stale and dry, like the city was forcing him back inside the inn. An old woman was slumped over staring at his empty bottle, swirling the invisible liquid around before taking a drink. The place was more depressing then being at home.

Ushio looked back at the owner. "You want me gone that badly?" he asked forcing himself sound hurt.

"No," the owner replied, "just don't want you starting trouble."

Ushio nodded in old owner's direction and started walking down the stree. He was only there to find information to continue or end his search for his dog and Cheza. It's been years since they have been together. Now he was wondering what kind of adventure she's on, is she eating righ, how is Blue holding up? The wondered about these things the lonlier he got. He dog deep into his coat pocket and pulled out a family photo. He promised his mom and dad that he would do all that he could to find them.