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The first day in their new home seemed to elapse much too quickly, for as tired as her body was Nayru could not believe how much she had accomplished in one day. First she had shown the smoky boy, Pripyat Soul, the barn in Dahlia Valley where the animals could be housed. Then she surveyed the vineyards, some of the vines seemed unhappy and wilting at the move but the rest were taking root and Nayru was pleased with how well they and the other plants had faired. Where the borders were being lined with stones she had left her scent, marking clearly the land Ichika no Ho-en was calling home. And all the while she had been trying to coordinate, make sure everyone had all they could ask for. If her members were happy, she too was happy and so many of her efforts throughout the day had been to achieve that goal. Now the second night in the new home was beginning and Nayru lay awake, staring at the ceiling of the lodging in Gampo Abbey.
The past week her mind had been filled with nothing but thoughts of Ichika. There hadn't seemed time for anything else. Or if there had been, she had pushed it into a corner of her mind to be forgotten until later. There was only one thought she could not compartmentalize so well. Gideon kept drifting back to her, but as well trained as the tiny warrior was she showed no signs of the invading thought. Her ruby eyes had not wandered to Gideon more than they had to anyone else, and this perhaps was one reason she could not stop thinking of it. The ivory and ebony woman had left him unanswered, from nearly three weeks before. The words kept crawling over her as she tried to understand them completely.
I'm not okay, Nayru. I won't be until you are by my side. The words had been kind, but Gideon had pulled away from her. Had not wanted her to touch him? And why? The distance between them plagued her and no matter how she tried to chase away the thoughts and find sleep, it would not come. Finally she rose and tip toed out, and leaving the Abbey behind she could head the snoring sounds as Razekiel slumbered. That she was in the Abbey with him seemed right, as far as Ichika no Ho-en was concerned, but that she was apart from Gideon seemed wrong. Very wrong and inexcusable. Nayru could barely move quick enough, eager to correct this oversight.
Down the mountain slopes Nayru moved, picking her way with ease. Already the best trails and pathways seemed known to her. She moved in the direction of Trenton, knowing only vaguely where Gideon had planned to locate his family. The tracking skills she rarely put to use now were as sharp as ever, and it took the girl very little time to find the quaint home that Gideon and the children slept inside. Like a wraith Nayru eased herself into the house, tiny feet taking tiny steps and making virtually no noise. Her coal nose twitched as she checked each room and finally found the one she sought. Taking a deep breath she placed her hand on the knob of the door and opened it.
Whether the boy she knew so well had awakened at the door creaking open or if he slept still she was uncertain, and for as unshakable as the girl normally was she was uncertain as she lowered herself beside the man. Almost like a lonely, scared child in an unfamiliar bedroom, running to her best friend for comfort. Still he did not move and with cat like movements one slender ivory hand found the large, ebony hand of Gideon. Lacing the fingers together she buried her face into the back of his neck, her quiet voice muffled into his fur. "Gideon. I want to be here with you."
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