“WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?! WHAT DO’YA MEAN YOU’RE NOT GONNA CHANGE BACK TO YER NORMAL SELF YET?! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?! I WAS ONLY GONE FOR TWENTY FREAKIN MINUTES!”

Backing up slowly on the younger witch’s palms as she raised her hands up defensively, Abby chuckled dryly as she tried to calm her fuming guardian down. She kind of expected a reaction like this…

“N-Now, now, Casey… I, just don’t want to be hasty, that’s all! I’ve been stuck like this for a week now… what’s another day or two more?” That was a rather weak excuse and she knew it… But, she didn’t want to tell the redhead that she was actually stuck like this until Najia awakened. The last thing she needed was for Casey and Kari to get into a fight all because of her…

Tugging on her hair as she started to fume, Casey’s pleading eyes fell on her younger friend in turn. “AND YER JUS GONNA ALLOW THIS?! AFTER EVERYTHIN SHE’S DONE FOR US?! COME ON, SAY SOMETHING YA BOYD!” Kari was the voice of reason more often than not! If she asked her Abby to change back then she would do it for sure!

Shivering in place as she started to shrink from the rising octaves in the Hominal’s tone, Kari quietly whimpered before turning her head away. “I-I-I… I can’t… I can’t change- ““She can’t change my mind. I already told her there was no point in even trying to.”

Blinking in surprise as she was cut off, Kari’s eyes fell on the smaller teen she held as she gave her a knowing smile. “A-Abby…” Nodding back at the younger girl as she quietly began to whimper, the brunette softly sighed.

“Casey, I know you want to do stuff with me when I change back. You’re not fooling anyone. It’s just for a little longer, alright? Once grow back we can do anything you want. But, only when I choose to change back. Deal?”

Gulping as she heard the resolute tone the smaller girl was speaking to her in, Casey’s face suddenly flushed a bright shade of red. “A-Anythin…?” Growing embarrassed as she watched the obscene look the Dullahan now wore, Abby simply nodded as she gave her an affirming smile.

“I promise. Now, please stop screaming. You’re starting to scare Kari.” Licking her lips as her mind began to wander, the younger girl shivered in excitement before she gingerly began to scratch her cheek. “Jeez… fine already. I won’t ask whatever the hell it was that made ya lose yer head I guess. J-Just make sure ya keep yer promise!”

Smirking, Abby simply nodded as she saw the excitement in the younger Hominal’s eyes. ‘What did I just agree to…?’ It would probably be pleasant, but… she wasn’t so sure anymore.  ‘Having to bribe someone to agree with a decision they have no say in, is rather unbefitting for a potential mate. You would do well to remember that, my amore…’

Stiffening as an elegant voice echoed out in her mind, Abby’s eyes swiftly turned towards the entrance of the cave before a small smile made its way to her lips as she saw Eve casually entering on her own. Had nightfall come already? It felt like she and Casey had been out just a few hours prior.

Catching on a bit slower then the human had both Kari and Casey’s eyes followed Abby’s line of sight before they grew rigid as they watched the Vampiress calmly strolling past them before she was kneeling in front of the brunette with an all too familiar grin spread across her features.

“My amore~. My apologies, for coming so early. I just couldn’t help myself. I’ve attended my familiars, so you needn’t worry. Both Emma and Ella are up and about as per their usual. Quite the lively ones as you’d imagine. They're rather keen on seeing you soon actually. Perhaps after we spend a little time together ourselves, I can call them to my chambers if you’d like to catch up. I know you’ve been concerned for their wellbeing, have you not?”

Blushing heavily as she felt the Vampire’s breath wash over her skin from the closeness of their face’s, the teenager looked away sheepishly before smiling. “Y-Yeah… I-I think I’d like that actually. Did, you have something in mind for us though? You said, after…”

Grinning in amusement as her subtle statements hadn’t gone by unnoticed, the blonde quietly chuckled as her fingers started to wrap around the smaller girl. “Of course, ~. I was thinking, we could pick up where we left off the last time you were there~. Though this time, I can assure you my familiars will not interrupt us. Plus, we could share another dinner together. A better one.”

Standing in silence as she felt her body being surrounded by the Hominal’s finger’s, Abby quietly nodded as she thought about the Vampire’s tempting offer. She could use something like that right about now. But, it didn’t look like the pleasant time the blonde was offering was all that appealing to everyone else…

“Sorry, but Abby’s already got previous engagements. Better luck next time ya stiff!” Hardening her gaze as her eyes shined red, Eve snarled angrily as she felt her mate suddenly removed from her fingertips as a black shadowy tendril pulled her away from her.

Why… what was the point, in interfering! Standing back up with her back turned to the Dullahan behind her, the Vampire’s eyes continued to glow as she silently breathed to calm herself down. The last thing she needed was to get angry again and paint her character in a bad light in front of her future mate.

“Is that so? I don’t recall MY Abby every stating that herself. Perhaps it is just you who thought up these, delusions yourself, and you’re now trying to force them upon our dearest guest. For shame, Ragdoll, for shame…” Eve muttered darkly as she craned her neck back to glare at the taller redhead.

Landing softly as her body was turned all around, Abby coughed briefly as she felt the air return to her lungs. She had been pulled away from the Vampire so fast she barely had time to breathe! Looking up at Casey in concern, all worry left the brunette's features as she looked up at the younger girl’s face. ‘N-Not again!’

She looked, livid…

Grinding her teeth as she matched the older girl's glare with an equally icy one, Casey soon began to smile as her fingers wrapped around the smaller human before she began to pet her gently. “I hate ta break it to ya, but me and MY Abby were still on OUR date. You’ll jus have ta come back, oh… I don’t know, tomorrow? The next day? Who knows. You’d probably be better off not coming back at all… actually.” She growled.

Not batting an eyelash at the hostile words directed her way, the regal Vampiress soon began to smile as her fangs briefly peaked out beyond her lips. “Your, date? You couldn’t possibly mean that farce you subjected our indulgent guest to earlier, now could you? Because frankly, I could hardly see anyone of negligible intellect delusional enough to call that, anything but what it was… A complete, and utter, waste of her time.” Eve growled.

Widening her eyes at the proclamation, Casey’s shadow slowly began to flicker back and forth off the walls on its own. She had been spying on them again! “Ya want ta run that by me again, bloodsucker!” Smirking in amusement at the ire she provoked, Eve’s eyes shined brightly as she began to stalk forward unthreatened by the murderous gaze being sent her way.

“A picnic? What type of a date is that! You take MY Abby out of the safety of these walls, and into the open where she is subjected to nature, animals, insects, and dare I say, the most hazardous thing to her health… you. All for the sake, of trying to act like you even have a shred, of understanding of what a proper date befitting someone as special as she is? No. No, that is not a date. That is a cruel misconception of what a child thinks two who are in love should do in the company of one another. That is where you and I, differ on a scale incomparable to the mindset, of silly, little, girl!” Eve finished succinctly, as she stood chest to chest with the now trembling Dullahan.

Convulsing as her anger began to bubble over, the redhead all but tossed Abby over to a startled Kari as she Witch scrambled to grab her. She didn’t want her Storeen to have to be caught up in this. It was about to get ugly…

“And ya think, screamin at her like a wee lil tot, is any better! Oh, I heard what ya did! Yer lil flyin fucks told me all about it! Ya took MY Abby away from me. Kept her in a musty little hole in the ground. Played dress up on her like she was yer dolly! And then threw a temper tantrum because ya didn’t get yer way! Seems ta me, that out of the two of us, at least I put her needs above my own. I bet ya can’t say the same, now can ya?”

Glaring hatefully at the taller girl as her eyes glowed a bloody red, Eve’s fingers slowly began to twitch now. She hadn’t expected the ragdoll to know of what transpired between her and Abby the night before. Those damned Imps probably spied on them from one of their cracks in the walls... But, it was fine. She still had the upper hand, in every way.

“Outburst aside... Our date was pleasant to a tee. I sat Abby down, made her a beautiful ensemble fitting for someone as breathtaking as she, and we shared a delicious meal… before consummating our love together, in my very bedchambers. And you dare preach, that your little outing could even hold a candle to what my I and my amore shared… I should put you in your place for even insinuating such a novelty!” She hissed.

“U-U-Umm... c-could you two p-please, not fight in here…? N-N-Najia is still recovering. A-And I know that Abby doesn’t- “

“BE SILENT!”

“SHUT IT BOYD!”

Screeching as she fell backward's in fear, Kari whimpered loudly as she was shrieked at by both bickering Hominal in turn. They looked like they were ready to kill each other right here and now! Shivering in silence as she watched both Casey and Eve tossing words with one another, Abby was sullen by what was transpiring.

‘Why… why do you both have to fight over me…?’ She wasn’t worth this… She wasn’t worth all the trouble she was causing! And it was making her sick to her stomach to see both these girls acting, so hateful to each other. This… it had to stop… But, what could she even do, against two towering titans such as them?

Standing as stiff as a stone as shadows began to creep up all around her, Eve’s eyes never left the redhead as the wind around her suddenly began to circle the both of them slicing the shadows left and right. To think, that ragdoll would dare to challenge her again… it was not amusing… it was it was an insult!

“A full course meal, versus stale bread and moldy cheese… a thoughtful gift, brought on by countless hours of labor and love, versus a rock next to water… a heartfelt moment of love, and a wondrous night of passion, verses… blubbering and self-loathing… You’re not even trying to copy me… you’re just a pathetic kid who can’t grasp when she’s lost. Abby will never be yours… this burlesque you’ve thought up is over now. My Amore is mine. And I pity her for having to humor your poor mental stability, to begin with-“

Leaping back as she was all but cut off, literally, Eve’s eyes shifted as she saw a black curved blade jaggedly sticking out of the ground where she had been standing prior. It seemed time for words were at an end. This ended now. She would beat it into this brat if she had to!

“YOU BITCH! I’LL KILL YOU!” Casey screamed as her shadows shot forward, multiple scythe-like blades all curving outward from each tendril of black rather than the weapon she had been using beforehand. She hadn’t crossed a line… she had completely shredded it and pissed on it after!

Flying through the air as she landed a fair amount away, Eve’s eyes shot back and forth as she observed the strange new addition to the growing arsenal the headless girl possessed. She had watched a lot of new and strange things the redhead had been capable of recently and this was almost impressive… almost.

Reeling her arm back uncaringly, the Vampiress simply closed her eyes before swing her arm forward, before all the encroaching tendrils were severed from the ground causing the countless scythes to clatter to the ground below before melting away into nothing.

“Kill me…? You couldn’t keep up with Ebon in her weakened state. How dare you even insinuate you could stand toe to toe with me. I am Najia’s charge. I am her right hand! You are the self-loathing parasite she picked up by mistake all those years ago. Perhaps it’s time I corrected her error of judgment!”

Gritting her teeth in pain as the Vampire vanished instantaneously, Casey soon found herself being shoved backward as she gripped her own scythe defensively as Eve’s hand collided with the front of the blade in an attempt to knock her back. If it had been a few days ago that probably would have hit her head clean off. Thankfully, she could materialize a blade on a dime now. Not that it helped much. This was ridiculous!

Keeping a neutral face to her assault, the regal blonde pulled her fist back before delivering another punch the redhead’s way, before continuing with another, and another, and another. This was pointless and she knew it. Watching as Casey jumped back after every punch, the older Hominal soon snarled before spinning around with a kick instead.

Falling to the ground as she was knocked clear off her feet, the Dullahan soon raised a dome of shadows around her as another kick soon fell on top of her makeshift shield. Just how long did the bloodsucker plan to keep this up!

Snarling as a spike of shadow shot out where her foot had been planted, Eve turned her head to the side before another aimed to impale her face. "All these new tricks and you still can't grasp what power really is... This is sad..." Leaping back as multiple spikes shot out at once, the Vampire's eyes hardened as she watched them retreat back into the strange dome. Was this a joke to her!

"You keep thinking up new and unique ways to use your gifts... yet, even with all that potential... you fail to understand how to even utilize it!" Eve barked before running toward's Casey once more. Watching closely as multiple spikes began to rise from the black surface once again, the blonde simply closed her eyes before raising her hand.

As the spikes shot out at her like before, they all soon were severed as a single gust of wind shredded them apart till they fell to the ground and splattered. "You can make anything from those shadows you proudly boast... But you never... try to make them any more durable!" Eve screamed. It was infuriating to see someone so weak acting tough!

“Do you, think, you, could, protect her?! She, needs, a strong, mate, like, me!” Eve screamed, her every word being followed by a hard punch to the cracking dome of shadows. “Abby has to have someone to protect her… and I’ll be damned before I allow a weak, defenseless, child like you be the one to do it!”

Raising her fist back in anger, Eve screamed once more before slamming her fist through the dome causing it to shatter on its final impact… however, the Vampires eyes suddenly widened by what she saw inside.

Kneeling on the ground as her scythe was lowered at an angle, Casey grinned viciously as her hands gripped her weapon tightly, all before the blade was swung upward in one swift motion. Reeling backward in shock, Eve was at a loss for words as she took a few more steps back.

‘W-What…?’ What, just happened…? Moving a shaking hand towards her chest, the blonde’s eyes slowly began to widen as she stared down at her hand. Coating her palm, and her chest… was, blood? Wincing as her regal clothing was torn apart, the little Vampire glanced down at her chest, as a small gash stretched up her stomach, and between her breasts. She had been, cut… But, she caught the blade, hadn’t she?

Panting in exhaustion, Casey dropped her scythe to the ground before falling to her knee’s. She did it… Grinning quietly as she felt her energy all but depleted, the headless girl looked up silently as she saw the aftermath of her attack.

‘I-I got her…’ She had landed a hit. It seemed, her training had finally paid off. But now… she could hardly move. Damn it, why couldn’t it have been just a bit deeper. Sighing as she tried to stand up, the redhead soon raised a knee up before glaring back at the startled Hominal in front of her. Weak... she knew she was weak. It was something she just had to overcome!

“I… I know that you bitch! And I’ll be the one… t-to protect her! I’ll never let anything hurt her! She’s going to be my mate! And I’ll keep gettin stronger for her! I ain’t like ya… or like the damned lizard! But I won’t stop, until I know she’s safe! Because, that’s what it means, to be someone’s mate!”

It meant, being willing to put everything on the line for the one they’re with. Coming to her senses as the stinging in her chest began to slowly pester her, Eve’s eyes grew a bloody red once more before she moved her hands to her mouth, before licking her opened wounds.

“For once… I can agree with you on something… But you’re still too weak. You’ll never keep her safe. And if there’s even a shred of doubt in my mind about that, I cannot allow it.” She didn’t care if the sentiment was there. Or that the headless girl believed every word she was spouting wholeheartedly. Actions spoke louder than words. And her actions had come up short.

Wiping her saliva over her open wound, the Vampire’s soon closed her eyes as she felt the small gash beginning to seal itself. It was a shame on her pride to have been struck… but, if you planned to give an attack on someone your all…  you had to be willing to accept the consequences if it failed. And this was a lesson she was more than willing to teach the naive Hominal kneeling before her.

Stalking forward as her fingers curled outward, the older girl was soon standing over Casey before reaching forward. Gritting her teeth as her hair was pulled, the redhead tried to keep her head in place, but her shadow just couldn’t hold onto it anymore, she was to drained.

Prying away the younger girl’s head as she lifted it up to eye level, Eve simply shared a glare with her. “I don’t care what you think… and I don’t care what you feel… If you truly cared about Abby as I do, then you would relent, and stop pretending. You can’t keep her safe. And in the end, if she dies, her blood would be on your hands…”

Biting her tongue as she felt the Vampires words stab her like a stake, Casey grit her teeth angrily before growling. “I… I could. I, I’ll get… stronger! I-I’ll keep getting stronger… and… and… I-I’ll… I’ll give her my life if I have to! I don’t care if I die! I’ll protect her with everything I’ve got!”

She’d do anything for her Storeen… anything…

“THAT… THAT’S… THAT’S ENOOOOOOUGH!!!!!”

Stiffening up, both Eve and Casey slowly began to pale as an all to familiar voice rang out behind them. Realizing they weren’t alone, both Eve and Casey shifted their gaze back towards Kari, and in turn, to Abby too. It had almost been like, they had forgotten she had been here all along…

But, one thing was for certain. She was shaking… and her expression was far more terrifying then what either of them had just faced with one another. She, was, furious… Looking down at her smaller companion with an equally startled expression, Kari quietly gulped as she saw the enraged state the smaller human was in. It seemed she was just as upset by all of this, but, instead of being worried, she was angry…

Trembling silently as she felt her emotions all stirred up after what she had witnessed, the smaller teen clenched her hands as she looked back at the two bickering Hominal angrily. What they were saying… what they were doing! It… it was making her sick!

“This… this has to stop… I, I can’t… I can’t keep watching this… I CAN’T KEEP WATCHING YOU BOTH FIGHT EACH OTHER OVER ME!” This was ridiculous! They were ready to kill one another over someone they liked! If this was what it came to… then she had to put her foot down… E-Even, if it meant what she had to say next.

Biting her lower lip as she tried to control herself, the brunette looked back up at Eve and Casey, before shaking her head once more. “Y-You two… you’ll never stop, will you? This, it will never end. Your rivalry... I feel like I'm just an object to you two at this point. E-Even, even if I choose a mate… you’d still hate each other. You, Eve… you look down on others… and put up an act, like you’re better than everyone else! But I’ve seen who you really are, it isn’t fooling me!” Abby screamed, the Vampiress shrinking a bit by the hostile words being sent her way.

“And you… Casey, you want to prove to everyone, that you’re just as strong as anyone else. But, you’re just getting yourself hurt… and using that as an excuse to justify being stupid and reckless!” Opening her mouth to speak, the Dullahan soon felt her words leave her… why, couldn’t she talk back to her…?

Crying softly as she stared back at the pair of Hominal, Abby quietly shook her head again. “I… I thought you two would stop fighting. After last time, I thought it would just be words, not actual fists… But, you’ll never stop. All because of me… So that’s why I’ve made my choice…” She whispered.

Looking back at Abby with baited breath, both Eve and Casey were mute as they listened intently to the smaller girls’ words. Did she mean, she was going to choose one of them, as her mate…? Trembling silently as she gathered her bearings, the brunette sniffled weakly before clenching her eyes shut. She didn’t like, that it had to come to this… but they were leaving her no choice.

“If this is what the future holds for the two of you, then I choose, to take neither of you as my mate. Not now, not ever.”

Dropping the younger girls head to the ground as her eyes widened in disbelief, Eve was the first to react as she looked on at her amore… speechlessly. She, wasn’t going to pick, either of them? But… she had to choose a mate! She had seen her take her as her own countless times in her mind! It… it had to be… This, couldn’t have gone the way it had… the potential for this to be the outcome was almost nonexistent…

Showing no outward reaction as her head collided with the hard rocks beneath her, Casey was equally shocked as well, as her eyes beaded. Her Storeen… she didn’t want to take either of them as her mate? So… that meant, all of her training… had been for nothing? She couldn’t have her Abby…?

Even Kari was surprised as well as she looked down at the crying teenager in her hands. She didn’t know much about what her friend or Eveline wanted from Abby… but, if they wanted her as a mate as badly as they said they did, then this was probably soul-crushing to hear coming directly from the one they loved…

Shivering as she heard the room go all but silent, to the point even the ever-present waterfall behind them seemingly ebbed less, Abby continued to cry softly as she tried to calm down. She wasn’t going to lie, not to them, or to herself. She had, feelings… for both of them. It seemed almost ridiculous that they formed in only a week, and to a different species no less. But, they were definitely there. But no feelings mattered when the two she liked… loved? Wanted to hurt one another over their love for her.

This was the only way she could think of to end this fighting… once and for all. Even, if that meant giving up the possibility of a pleasant future that they both were offering her. Keeping her eyes fixated on the ground instead of the two in front of her, Abby continued to shake her head. She couldn’t bear to see their faces… not after what she had just said.

“T-There… I’ve made my decision. S-S-So please… j-just, stop, FIGHTING!” There was just no reason to. Not anymore… She had taken it away.

Closing her opened mouth, as reality slowly began to set in, Eve’s shining eyes faded back to normal, before they left her little amore, to gaze back down at her newfound rival in turn. It was all too apparent, what their actions had brought, now that her anger had subsided. This… had to be rectified.

“A-Abby… I… We, we’re Hominal. You must understand my amore, this is how two of our kind act if we share an interest in the same mate! Y-You can’t just-““I’M NOT A HOMINAL!” Going silent in an instant as she heard her little love screaming back at her, Eve’s shoulders soon dropped, as she saw the tears trailing down her cheeks.

Moving her arm up to her eyes as she furiously wiped away her tears, the smaller toon continued to sniffle as she shook her head. “I… I’m not, like, you… This… this doesn’t please me, and I'll never understand it! I don’t care whose stronger! O-Or whose classier! O-Or if you’re alive or undead or if you drink blood or, or your head falls off! NONE OF THAT MATTERS TO ME! None of it… I just… I just can’t keep watching you kill each other…” She whimpered out.

It hurt. It hurt to see it. As a doctor in training… as someone who had seen too much death and violence to last her a lifetime… as someone, who shared feelings for them both. All of It combined made it all too much to bear. She just couldn’t…

Feeling the brunette’s emotions being relayed back to her, Eve was sullen by what she had done… what, they had both done… Looking down at Casey once more, the redhead seemingly still in a state of shock by the teen's former statement, the Vampiress soon closed her eyes before clenching her fists.

If this was where fate was guiding her Abby… then her choices were very limited. But, one led to the outcome she wanted. But, it was a path in which she, had regretted to have ever looked upon, and one she would have never have considered in the end. But, now it seemed like it was the only way she could reclaim what she had lost. Kneeling down gently, the little blondes’ fingers soon wove themselves into Casey’s hair, before she picked her head back up. She... No, they... could salvage it. Not all was lost...

“Ragd-, C-Casey… come with me. We… we have things to discuss… We’ll return shortly… Abby…” Hearing no reply back from her little lover, Eve bit her tongue before grabbing the back of the younger girl’s dress and pulling her body along with her as she made them both leave the brunette's presence.

Watching as a bystander to it all, Kari was at a loss for words. Both by what Abby had said, and, by what Eveline had just done. That was the first time she had ever heard her call Casey by her real name. She could only hope that wherever she was taking her friend, they wouldn’t get into another fight. Abby didn’t look so good.

Staring back down at the teen as she softly cried, Kari quietly began to whimper. “D-D-Does… does this mean, y-you won’t be staying with us after all?” Wiping her eyes dry as her tears finally began to subside, Abby looked up for the first time since she had started speaking as she saw the toddler behind her about ready to cry herself.

Forcing a smile to her lips, the brunette soon shook her head. “N-No Kari… I, I’m still staying. I’m sorry that I made you think I wasn’t… I just…” Trailing off as she felt her sadness returning, the teenager quietly shook her head. It was just one thing after another around here…

Feeling her body moved, however, Abby said nothing as she was soon pulled into the little witch’s chest as she hugged her close to her heart. “P-Please don’t leave us, Abby! I-I’m sorry! Please, just don’t go away!” If she didn’t mate with Casey or Eve, did she really have a reason to stay with them in the end?

Nuzzling her face into the child, Abby quietly nodded. “I… I made you a promise. You haven’t already forgotten, have you?” Shaking her head, the dirty blonde soon whimpered as she curled up into a small ball next to Najia’s bedside as she continued to cradle the shrunken girl tightly.

She hadn’t forgotten.

“I-I’m s-sorry…” Sighing weakly, Abby continued to just hug the child, as they stayed in this position a while longer…

It hurt too much to talk anymore… She just wanted to be held.

And to silently pray… that she hadn’t made this whole situation any worse by her actions…

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

“C-Casey’s been gone for a long time… Y-Y-You don’t think that Eveline did something to her, do you Abby…?”

Shaking her head quietly as she laid sprawled out on top of a purring Nya’s belly, Abby remained silent as she gently petted the young Neko’s tummy. It seemed her new *kitten* could sense her discomfort and came not to long after she had begun crying. Frankly, though, she welcomed the comfort from her. Potentially sabotaging her situation here wasn’t something pleasant to dwell on. So, having someone to take her mind off it was better than nothing.

But, Kari did bring up a good point. The two of them had been gone for a while. It had to have been hours since they had their fight. She just hoped the line that was crossed could be mended somehow… and in the end, she could still remain friends with them.

“Eve… wouldn’t hurt Casey like that. She doesn’t want to upset me anymore then she did earlier… even if I upset her back. I don’t know what they’re doing together… but it’s not going to change my mind. I’m still not going to choose either of them as my mate. The one who's left out will just end up hating whoever I choose… and maybe even resenting me after a while…” It wasn’t fair.

She liked them both as they liked her… But, this was the path of least resistance. Even if it meant losing both of them in the end, they would have no reason to continue fighting as they had been until now. ‘I hope, that you understand Eve…’ And she hoped Casey did too.

Feeling a gentle poke on her back, Abby soon smiled before rolling over on her side to hug Nya’s dusky fingers. “Nyaaa!” “Don't worry, I love you too.” Smiling quietly as she watched her two friends laying together, Kari quietly sighed as she stroked the Neko’s head comfortingly.

She hoped Abby was right. She didn’t like seeing her friend fight so hard anymore then the brunette did. ‘Please come back soon Casey… Abby needs you.’ She could tell, that the teen was still hurting after what had occurred. And having the three of them that were involved make up would be the best she could hope for… as doubtful as that was to happen…

“Kari… Can I ask you something, and can you please answer me honestly?” Looking back down at the shrunken human, the little witch nodded before leaning her face closer. “What is it, Abby?” Keeping her face turned to the younger Hominal as she thought about her next statement, the brunette silently closed her eyes as she tried to quell the lingering doubt in the back of her mind. It had been festering there for a while now.

“Do you think… that after everything that’s happened since I came here, Ebon might have been right all along?” Blinking slowly as she tried to process what had just been said, Kari’s eyes slowly began to widen. “WHAAAAAT? W-What do you mean?! SHE WANTS TO KILL YOU ABBY! How could you even ask something like that?!”

Wincing as her words were received about as well as she figured they'd be, the teenager sighed weakly before rolling back over to meet the young witch’s panicked face. “Kari… Since I was brought here… I’ve caused each of your kind some sort of pain or turmoil by budding in where I didn’t belong in the first place. I’ve caused the rift that separates you, girls, to become even wider. I’ve almost got a couple of you k-killed… And, the more I think about it… This was all what Ebon said would happen after she discovered I was here…”

She wasn’t taking the Dragon pups side when it came to her actions… but, her statements were becoming eerily true in the end. And she was starting to wonder if her very presence might actually be more harmful to these girls then she had first realized. Perhaps… staying with them would be more dangerous in the end. Not to just her, but to each of them…

‘They’re enemies to our very existence…’ This statement seemed to hold more meaning then it did the first time she had heard it. Perhaps, trying to coexist, and to help these girls were better left to their own kind. Better left… to Najia.

“A-A-Abby…” Blinking as she was brought back to the younger girl before her, the brunette stiffened up immediately as she watched Kari’s face now covered in tears. ‘D-Damn it!’ She didn’t mean to make her cry... again!

Leaning up quickly as she raised her hands up in a calming fashion, the brunette softly sighed before reaching out to the younger girl. “Kari… Please don’t cry. I-I, I just need to know the truth. Am I really helping any of you like I think I am… or am I just causing discourse by being here in the first place.”

Nudging the little Neko’s hands aside as she picked up the smaller teen in her palms, Kari soon brought the diminutive girl back into her embrace before holding her close for comfort. She wanted to cry after hearing her say that!

“A-Abby…” Listening to the weak whimpers and sniffles above her, the brunette was soon depressed once more. It was things like this that she questioned. She asked the little Hominal one thing, and she brought her to tears. It was hard to gauge at times like this, whether or not it mattered if she was there in the end.

“P-Please… stop it…” Looking up in surprise as she heard a somewhat harsher tone come from the child, Abby soon began to scowl. “S-Stop, what…?” Tightening her hold on the shrunken teen, Kari’s eyes faintly glowed a soft magenta hue as she gently hugged her friend closer.

“Stop… stop saying stupid stuff… Y-You’re smarter than that…” Looking back at the child in surprise, Abby was about to retort before being cut off quickly as her head was forced into the younger Witch's chest. Pressing her fingers lightly into the back of the brunette’s head, Kari soured considerably as she clutched the smaller girl affectionately.

“I… I know you’re upset… but don’t say things like that. E-Ebon… Ebon hates you. Agreeing with her means that you hate yourself. And it means… that everything we’ve done since you arrived, was pointless… Is this pointless!”

Yipping as she was jerked away from the toddler’s chest and shoved in front of Najia’s sleeping form, Abby soon felt a pang of guilt from her words prior. However, she didn’t get much time to dwell on it as she was pulled away swiftly once more before being presented before a clearly startled Nya.

“W-Was she a mistake to?!” Looking back at the little Neko as she stared back at her in confusion, Abby soon began to frown before she was turned away once more, before being brought up to the younger girl’s face.

“W-W-What about m-me? Do you think you’re not helping me? Am I-I a mistake as well!” Staring back mutely as she was humbled in a matter of seconds, the shrunken girl soon hung her head as she felt shame from her former words.

“K-Kari… that’s enough… I get it, I’m sorry…” Hugging the smaller girl back into her, the little Witch nodded before gently petting the teens head. She knew that Abby was upset by what she had said earlier. But that didn’t mean she had the right to upset others as well!

“Abby… I don’t care what you think. Everybody here, really, really likes you. I-I do! And Nya sees you as her owner! And Casey loves you and so does Eveline! And I heard both Emma and Ella praising you the last time they came here to help me! And I think it’s the same for the others too! You’ve been telling me every day how much fun you’ve had with everyone… Even after everything we’ve done to you. E-Everything, I’ve done to you… Please… Please don’t start thinking that you’re hurting us in some way. It’s the exact opposite… The way I see it, y-you’re the reason we’re going to be ok... You’re the reason, we’re going to keep being ok. You saved Najia… You’ve helped me feel better to… And I know you’ve made everyone really, really happy by being here. You’re not scum. Or a disease! Or a bad person! You’re you! And even if people get mad at you sometimes, I’ll still love you! And Nya will too!” “Nyaa?” “Exactly!”

Smiling weakly as she felt her troubles all but evaporate as the child continued to rant, Abby chuckled softly as she rested her forehead against Kari’s chest. Self-pity was definitely not something she needed right now. And thankfully, it seemed the little Witch was happy to rid her of it.

‘I think Casey may be onto something… I am an eejit…’ Sighing as she heard the younger girl, and now Neko as well apparently, continue to list off random things that they had done with her, the teen pulled her head back before looking up at Kari. She got the point.

“Kari, that’s enough. I get it, alright? I’m sorry. Thank you for answering me though… even if it wasn’t a simple yes or no.” Panting softly as she felt herself at a loss for breath, the younger Witch nodded before smiling warmly back at the brunette.

“You helped me feel better about myself Abby. And I wanted to make you feel better about yourself too. We’re friends, you promised. And that’s what we do!” Laughing weakly as one of the child’s hands left her as she stuck her pinky finger out, Abby gave her a warm smile in return before grabbing onto it. “I remember. Thank you, Kari.”

Eeping in surprise as she was knocked out of the younger girl’s hands before falling into another, both Witch and human looked up in disbelief as they watched Nya purring contently. “N-N-NYA! D-DOWN! GET DOWN!” “NYAAAA!!!”

Watching as the little Neko glomped the younger girl against her will as she tried to hold onto the brunette herself, Abby soon began to grin before bursting into laughter as she was waved around. It seemed the little cat-girl was getting rather jealous again.

“N-Nya! Knock it off!” Grinning as she fought off the larger girl’s tongue as she started to get groomed by the younger girl, the brunette simply laughed it out as Kari thrashed beneath the content kitten holding them both hostage.

Perhaps, she did have a place here after all. Even if it was as bizarre as this.

As their little tussle continued, however, all playfulness that surrounded the group soon died out as Nya’s ears began to twitch. Letting go of Abby as she dropped her on top of Kari’s stomach, the little Neko soon sat up on top of the Witch as her slanted eyes shot to the entrance of the cave.

“N-N-NYA! THAT HURTS! GET OFF ME ALREADY!!!!!” Feeling the little Beastial comply with her wishes as she jumped off her body, Kari leaned up quickly before rubbing her chest. She thought she was going to be crushed!

“Owe, owe, owe! Darn it Nya! How many times have I told you not to get on me like that?” Kari whined out as she picked Abby up off her as well. But, no response came. In fact, it seemed like the younger kitten had gotten up rather quickly actually…

“K-Kari, I think someone’s coming…” Blinking as she heard Abby’s voice speak up, the younger girl looked back down at the teenager before frowning as she saw the worried look she wore. Looking over to her friend as well, the dirty blonde soon began to cringe as she saw the state the little Beastial was in now.

She had gone from playful to alert in a matter of seconds… and whenever that happened, it only meant one thing. “Y-You don’t think…” Growing silent as a figure began to emerge from the darkness, Kari’s voice all but abandoned her before fear entered her eyes, as did Abby’s by who they saw standing there…

“NYAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!” Hissing loudly as her tail shot up in agitation, the Beastial loudly growled before stalking in front of her friend and owner defensively before her petite claws began to extend. She recognized the smell quicker than the others… and she had to protect her new alpha, now that she was in harm’s way…

Sitting atop Kari’s hands as she looked out over the room, Abby felt her mouth go dry as she tried to determine why she was here… Eve had said, that she wouldn’t come back. But yet, here she was again… And she looked just as displeased to see the three of them as they were her…

“E-Ebon…”

Gulping collectively, all three girls looked back at the black dragon pup as she glared at them collectively, her shimmering red, reptilian eyes shifting between Nya first, before darting to Kari next, and lastly landing on herself, before they narrowed hatefully back at her. She was back once again… Though this time, neither of her two guardians were present…

And she doubted that was a coincidence…

She was no doubt, here to finish the job she had set out to do the first time. And now, there would be little resistance without Eve or Casey to hinder her. Keeping her eyes locked on the small human her companions were harboring, Ebon moved one foot forward before the little Neko in front of her yowled in anger. But, it didn’t deter the Dragon one bit, as she took another, and another, before standing directly across from their group, before her jaw fell open, and a guttural growl of her own was heard.

“Abby… You’re coming with me…”

To be continued…