[Hello reader. I trust this message finds you well. I do apologize if it seems parts of chapters don't quite make sense or coincide with previous chapters or expectations, but the story is a personal fantasy shared online and I'm trying to make it as awesome and coherent as I can. I don't quite put as much detail into it when I write because it feels like just too much for others to read. While I'm at it, I'm getting a tad better at drawing and I'd love to take art requests from the story. I'm also willing to publish separate chapters with a pairing or plot of reader's choice; because I sympathize with the feeling of disappointment when something in a story doesn't quite go they way you'd expect. Also it sounds fun.]

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A black gas mask almost completely filled Kani's field of vision. Her pyro-maniacal friend was leaned over the table, staring right at her. From the small window near the ceiling, it seemed midday had just come about. Kani drowsily laughed and pressed her palm against his mask, moving him aside so she could stand. With her first step forward, she wobbled and nearly fell over, until a pair of large, familiar hands caught her.

"Um hmm, humma huh," the Pyro remarked sarcastically.

"Oh shush you, I almost died, haha," Kani started. "Py, there's someone you should meet. Kat, you here?" "Same as ever."

Pyro made a huge "Huh?" sound and gesture. He put his mask against his friend's face, as if scanning her for alien life.

"Hiyo, my name's Katze. I was supposed to have my own body but it didn't quite go that way. You're Pyro, right? Thanks for being so nice to my sister."

The Pyro seemed to think it over and, much to Kani's déjà vu, picked her up, spun her once, and set her back down. She smiled, knowing he approved of her new second consciousness.

Kani's mind wandered for a bit, then she tugged at the collar of Pyro's suit. "I have to tell everyone else, too. Would you help me?" Pyro responded with a nod and "Mm-hm," turning and kneeling, offering a piggyback ride. It felt like it had been a while since she had last done it, so Kani enthusiastically climbed on. As Pyro rose, the firm grip Kani thought she had around his shoulders suddenly collapsed, and she fell onto the hard lab floor. The Pyro spun around and gently helped her up, his body language suggesting an apology.

Kani rubbed her sore backside. "Ouch... I can't even hold on to things? I wonder why I'm so weak right now. Damn it, I guess I'm not going anywhere until I can move on my own. I'm sorry Pyro. Maybe I'll just lie down for a while." She placed her hands on the hard table she'd been sleeping on just moments earlier. Before she gathered the strength to jump back onto it, her feet lifted off the floor by themselves. Along with the rest of her. Pyro had picked her up, one arm supporting her back and the other under the backs of her knees. Without a word he took her out of the lab and into the rest of the building.

Kani's excitement shone. She was happy her friend was sweet enough to go as far as carrying her where she needed to go. When they reached someone, she would explain what she knew. Her hair and eye colors, her lack of physical femininity, the whole incident that led to another person living in her head, why Pyro had to carry her, and Kat spoke to everyone to confirm this sci-fiesque situation. Having observed the mercs' personalities, Kat chose his words in a way that won over almost every one of them; save for Spy, who strictly maintained formalities. They had one more stop to make, which was the Sniper.

Kani's excitement turned to nervousness. The last time she saw him, if she didn't count morning routines, was their date. How would he react, she wondered. As she and her tireless carrier neared where he mentioned the Sniper was at, she told him she was good and able to walk by now. It was only slightly true at best, as she still swayed a bit as he let her down. But she promised she'd be okay, so he let her go.

Apparently, he'd been hanging by himself in his personal truck he already spent a great deal of time in anyway. Kani played out best and worst-case scenarios in her head before knocking on the back door of the camper. A concise "Git lost!" sounded from the inside. Kani jumped back, and responded, both relieved and disappointed, with an apology and a "maybe later then." As she began walking away, the door clicked its lock and opened.

"Aw I'm sorry love, thought you were some other bloke. What brings you 'ere?" He sat down on the edge of the open door.

Kani turned around. "Oh, well I um, I wanted to tell you something." As she watched him, simply sitting with a faint smile looking back at her, her cheeks flushed. It remained true some of her teammates were very appealing and made her a bit nervous to be around or speak to; but there was something else about this calm, distant Aussie, something that kept him on her mind.

"Well, see, I have this brother-" "Who does not like you." She quickly covered her mouth. "Bugger me, I've 'eared that voice before. What's this about then?" His smile faded.

She looked down and whispered, "Kat what's your problem? What'd he ever do to you? Be nice!" Footsteps quietly smothered grass as the Sniper approached her.

"He's annoying, sis. And rude, and antisocial, and weird. Do you know what he keeps in those jars of his? You could have picked Engineer or something, he's both nice and intelligent." "But Snipey's been nice to me, too. What am I saying, I'm supposed to introduce you, not argue about my taste in men." "Well, the deed is done, let's leave."

Sniper looked on, dumbfounded by the apparent conversation being held with what he thought was a single person until now. But he just shrugged it off, chalking it up as an experience from being a mercenary. Before she had the chance to turn and leave, he held an arm around her. "Well it looks like we're in a bit of a pinch, aren't we? Listen mate, it looks like your, er, sis has taken a shine to me. And very honestly, I'm shinin' right back. What say you give it a chance, yeah?"

Kani's expression turned cold. "Fine. I'm holding you responsible for any and all problems this causes." Her face then flushed again as she processed her taller teammate's words. Sniper began, "Right on, mate! Kaninchen, was it, doc said? Hope you'll not be makin' it a habit of changin' your name. Looks like you'n me'll be ditchin' the distance, eh? What say we chat for a bit?" He held her head in place by her chin and planted a peck on her cheek before making way back to the open door of his camper, beckoning her with an arm wave.

"Later, bushman. We've got things to do first." Without allowing Kani to speak, he made her leave. Anything Sniper called out was blocked with Kat's own words. "Kani, I didn't just say that, we really should shower. We haven't since the day before the mission. I hate a not-clean feeling." His tone suggested a hint of humor. She brushed her fingers through her hair, and concurred as it had a thick, oily texture to it. "I guess you're right."

She made her way to Medic's lab, which held the shower she'd always use. She went in and began her shower, without closing the door. No one was around, and she didn't close it often anyway. While washing her hair, she had a conversation with Katze about Sniper. He seemed cold as ever towards him, and she convinced him to be just a bit nicer. Kani heard some commotion and yelling from the other room. The guys must be having game night tonight. She ran her hands across her chest, as she often would while alone. "I wonder what it's like to have breasts." "Probably inconvenient as hell." "Yeah, probably." They both laughed.

She finished a moment later and stepped out. As she dried herself off with her favorite red, slightly torn towel, a crash sounded from just outside the door. As she jolted to see what had happened, a white, furry blur darted out the room and down the hall. "Kani, that was a wolf!" "A wolf? I've never seen one this close! I gotta catch it!" "Okay but- hold on wait!"

She tossed her towel on the counter and tailed the beast. Sometimes, she would have friendly yet highly competitive races with Scout. She never won, but the exercise made her quick enough to keep up with her target. She exhaustively trailed it down halls, around corners, through open doors, surprised not to run into anyone else along the way. Eventually, the canine took a wrong turn and found itself cornered.

Kani panted. "What do I do now? He's cute, but he looks mean..." "Hopefully it doesn't have a good memory. Get down. Show it you're not the threat it thinks you are." "What makes you think that'll work? Why don't I just grab it!" "I actually payed attention when papa taught about wild animals. Just do it."

She sighed and knelt down, holding out her hand to the creature. She spoke softly, following Katze's instruction. It only growled back at her. "Well that didn't work, what now?" "Hm... get on your back. A bare stomach is the ultimate show of trust. Submission, perhaps, but trust nonetheless."

She slowly moved onto her back, waving at the hostile beast. It stopped growling, and approached her cautiously. As it reached her, it sniffed her extended hand. She very carefully reached further, petting its muzzle. When no attacks followed, she managed her hand over its head and behind its ears. "This thing is too big to be a pup, but not big enough to look grown. How'd it get in here?" Kani sat up and continued petting it as it became more at ease. Eventually she just sat on the hard floor, holding it in her arms and petting its belly.

"I don't really care how it got here. This little guy is the cutest thing I've ever seen. I'm going to ask vati if we can keep it." She decided to keep petting it for a while before going back. Just then a stampede of footsteps made their way to their location, followed by a very distinct, "Giddyup, fellas, I saw it down this way!"

"Shit, shit! Kani!" Kat's voice whispered. "What?" she replied, sounding almost annoyed. "Damn it, I told you to wait! You didn't even put your clothes on yet!"