Chapter 6.1.2: Leica's Heart
The next morning, while the kids were still asleep in the living room, all of them cuddled up, Kurama and Areza got ready and got their sheets in the wash, then got to work on breakfast. With what they had so far, they were able to do pretty good. When the kids woke up smelling breakfast, they of course were delighted to find all the stuff Kurama and Arteza fixed. And of course, Erron once again called them "Poppa" and "Daddy" and Kurama and Arteza were so happy to hear that. They hugged the three kids tightly along with Celadon and Sienna, giving them several kisses. Kurama and Arteza couldn't describe how they felt, and they'd be even less capable of doing so when Sheila arrived. And so, as they ate, of course, Leica had to talk to them and she couldn't really help herself from apologizing.
Kurama: Leica, baby, it's ok. You don't have to keep apologizing.
Arteza: Yeah, we're long past that, and you don't need to think of it anymore, sweetie.
Leica: You sure?
Kurama and Arteza: Of course, Leica, we love you!
As the day went on, Leica saw more and more of how much Kurama and Arteza really cared for her. Leica had been so broken for so long after the incident that got her fur burned off, but now she had them to care for her. And Kurama and Arteza were more than happy to do so. To them, she was a joy to have around. That evening, as they were watching a movie, Leica was snuggled up with them, and she genuinely felt at peace with Kurama and Arteza. They'd reminded her all day of how much they loved her, and gave her the affection she needed. Of course, now she truly realized it, and laying there with Kurama and Arteza, she didn't want to ever leave them. By the time they went to bed, Leica ended up sleeping in the middle with Rodney and Erron, between Kurama and Arteza. They didn't want her hurting herself out of guilt, so she certainly wasn't gonna be left alone. And just as well, before bed, Kurama and Arteza laid down the ground rules for her, and made it clear that she needed a lot of therapy, and as part of it, she wasn't allowed to handle any weapons at all during her therapy. She would be limited to non-combat work with them, and if there was a battle, she was told to go hunker down with the babies.
Kurama: It's for your own good, sweetie.
Arteza: That's right. At this point, you could end up hiring yourself or someone else, and we don't want that. Look, eventually, you'll be able to join us in the fight again. But….not right now, sweetie. Now is definitely not the time.
Leica: Ok…But…someday, right?
Kurama: Yes, and hey, it may be sooner than you expect.
And so, as Leica lay dreaming there, she dreamed of a better day, when she was really ok again, and she'd still have Kurama and Arteza in her life. She just didn't know that she was in for a wonderful future.