Hi!

I finally have internet again! Yay:D so I'll just give you the chapter instead of making a long A/N. Enjoy!

Ichigo p.o.v.

'Are we there yet?' I asked as I bounced up and down.

'No.'

... 30 seconds later...

'Are we there yet?'

'No.'

... another 30 seconds later I opened my mouth to ask again when Kishu said: 'We're not there yet.'

I grimaced as I tried to stop bouncing. 'I'm getting annoying, aren't I?'

He smirked as he shook his head. 'We passed annoying hours ago.'

It'd been like this all morning. I had woken up to find the space next to me empty for once. This was great, seeing as it spared me the agony of staring at his face with his lips so close to mine, and terrible for, well, the same reason. Confusing, right? That's what I thought.

It hadn't taken me long to figure out we were moving. I spotted him n the driver's seat, awkwardly talking to Masha while said fluff ball stared from his cushion on the dashboard apprehensively. I had climbed next to Kishu and picked up Masha, stroking her soft fur. That's how we travelled. That is, until I started getting restless. I'd been asking the same question for hours, apparently.

I sighed and put Masha back on her pillow. 'Sorry. Nerves, I guess.'

'What's there to be nervous of?'

'Well, I haven't seen them in a year. Who knows how much they've all changed, especially my brother and sister. Now that I think of it, I have more siblings now. And I don't even know their names! Not to mention, they live separated from the human world now, and do you know what that means? A pack! Loads more cats that I've never met! A whole new family! So in conclusion, there is enough to be nervous about, thank you very much!'

Kishu waited a few seconds as I tried to control my breathing. 'Now that that's out of your system...' he said,' you feeling better?'

I did feel better actually, now that it was all off of my chest. I nodded, and he smiled. 'Glad I could help.'

About an hour later Kishu spoke the words that I had been hoping (and dreading) to hear. 'We're there.'

We had long ago left all traces of humanity behind us and we're deep in the woods. There was no road left to ride on, just a small clearing. But we didn't need to ride anymore. There we're signs of cats everywhere: scratches on the trees, catnip growing everywhere. And I could smell them. So many of them. My chest tightened anxiously. 'Yeah,' I whispered. 'They're here.'

I got out of the car. Masha floated beside me, beeping like crazy. 'Home, home!'

I swallowed hard. 'Hello? Is anybody there?'

Kishu appeared next to me. 'I don't see anything,' he whispered. 'Maybe-'

'Sssh,' I whispered. 'I heard something.' The sound of twigs snapping was audible, and I was certain it was getting closer. Figures moved in the shadows. Kishu saw them too, because he stood in front of me protectively.

They stepped out of the shadows slowly, poised and ready to attack. Cats. Ten, maybe twenty of them. They were looking at me curiously, as if they weren't sure what to do.

'ICHIGO!' voices yelled, and I spun my head. I knew those voices. My family.

Sure enough, a second later Lily and Allen crashed through the bushes and ran towards me. The tears came bubbling up, and I dropped to my knees to catch my younger siblings. We all clung onto each other, crying.

'She's here!' another voice yelled. 'She found us!' I looked up to see my mom and dad rush to us as well. They kneeled next to me, joining in the hug. It was all we could really do, just sit there hugging each other.

After a while I remembered Kishu. I looked up to find him looking at us with as smile, and I smiled back at him through my tears. My mom felt my head move and looked up at Kishu as well.

'And who might this young man be?' she asked.

'This is Kishu, mom. You know, from when I was younger?'

Kishu held up his hand in greeting. 'Nice to see you again, mrs momomiya,' he said.

I could practically see the radar's in my mom's head working overtime as she looked from me to Kishu and back. My cheeks burned a light pink as I imagined what she might be thinking.

'It is nice to finally meet you, Ichigo,' a tall man said to me in a deep voice. 'I am this pack's leader, Nyle. I've heard a lot about you.' I exhaled in relief. Saved by the tall, dark stranger. 'It's a pleasure to welcome you to this family.' He eyed Kishu suspiciously. 'Is he joining us as well?'

'No,' I answered. 'He was just helping me find my family. Nothing more.' Nothing more, I sighed in my head. Why couldn't it be more? Why did he have to go?

'I suggest he stays tonight, or he'll be driving all night,' my mother said to Nyle, giving me a quick wink. 'It's the least we can do to thank him.'

Nyle examined Kishu. 'Can we trust him?' I could hear the accusation in his voice, and I wondered if he knew cats who had been captured.

'Yes,' I answered.

'Very well,' he answered. 'He may stay.'

'Can he attend the ceremony?' mom asked. Nyle nodded, and she beamed at me.

'Which ceremony?' I asked.

'Your coming of age ceremony of course!' Lily beamed. I gaped at her.

'Tonight? I haven't had the time to prepare!'

'Don't worry!' Lily said. 'We'll take care of it!'

'Dad and Allen can take care of Kishu,' mom added. 'Let's go!'

I sent Kishu one last glance before Lily and mom dragged me off.