FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

_Creator's Notes - a Preface...

This third post is parts 16 - 32 of my first story, and is concluded here. This posting triples the size of the story, adding over 50 pages to it.

Both were rated 10/10 by readers at Yiffstar, the first being viewed about 5000 times. (the counter was reset a couple times I think)

Part two of this story was my very first attempt at this, back in 12/03. I have trouble coming up with characters & storylines, so when this story (in rough from) popped into my head, I quickly wrote it down. It started as a short ecchi story in which a [human] guy becomes physically intimate with a catgirl (part 2), but turned more into a short romance story, and then into a 70 page story, with ecchi scenes throughout.

2/2009 - The story is now frozen, as I have stopped working on writing altogether, but it will remain posted here for enjoyment, as it has been since 2004.

Please enjoy this, as well as the small piece of "story 3" that continues it a bit. Sayonara~~ John_

_######################

Male & female first person perspective. Switches between Noah & Triela (and occasionally others) randomly._

Part 16 - Breakfast

I Followed Noah down the stairs, his hair still messed up from the shower, rounding the corner into the kitchen, the smell of pancakes filling the bottom of the house. Tavi and Kerru were milling about the kitchen, finishing the prep work, everyone else sleeping in on this lazy morning.

"Triela, is Tora up?" mom asked, looking over her shoulder from the stove.

"I don't think so."

"Can you go wake her up? She needs to come down if she wants to eat this morning."

"kay..." I headed back up stairs, Noah sitting at the table, talking to Kerru about something at his work. I made my way to the quiet upstairs, finding Tora's door still closed. I knocked, getting no answer.

"Tora.. Time to get up! Mom's waiting for ya.." I said, trying to rouse her. Still no response. I turned the knob, pushing open her door, slowly slipping into the room, finding her suitcases open, clothes strewn about, and a heap of blankets on the bed with a black-tipped silver tail sticking out of them, last nights clothes next to the bed.

"Tora.. Time to get up" I said more forcefully, still trying not to startle her, but it seems she was still fast asleep. I reached down, grabbing the tip of her tail, twitching rapidly as I grabbed it, a gave it a couple soft tugs, one of the more annoying things to my sister. The blankets moved, her head emerging from one of the edges,

"Ok, Ok, I'm awake... But did you have to wake me? I was having a good dream..." Tora sleepily said, letting out a yawn after it.

"About your boyfriend?"

"Yeah, actually... How did you know?"

"you gave me a hint last night, after Noah and I finished." Tora's face turning red, realizing what Triela overheard.

"Oh... That... Yea, I miss him a lot already... " her eyes looking away from mine, glancing nervously around the room.

"It's Ok Tora. I'd probably go nuts if I was separated from Noah for a month or so too... I guess you should try to keep your mind off of it... Noah and I are going out this afternoon shopping, why don't you come along? it would be better than sitting here thinking about him..."

"Yea, I guess you're right... Count me in." A smile appearing on her face, her ears perking up a bit.

"well, grab your robe and come on down and have some breakfast, before mom sends up dad after us." Prompting Tora throw back the blankets, hopping out of bed on the other side, her tail sticking out from under her nightshirt, her silver leg fur running in all directions, ruffed up from the blankets.

"you should have Noah brush your fur - he does a really good job."

"Really? I'll have to try him out then." She said as she walked over to her suitcase, glancing back at her calves before rummaging in her bags, throwing a couple garments out, and pulled out her light blue robe and a pair of undies. Tora set them on the bed, pulling off her night shirt with her back towards me, her tail doing its job of keeping the rest of herself out of view, and slipped on the undies, the white cotton making the silver color of her tail more contrasting, then quickly disappeared, the blue terry cloth covering her up as the robe slipped over her shoulders, tying it shut as she turned towards me, scooping up some clothes for the laundry from the floor.

"Ok, let's get go"

We both headed down the stairs to breakfast, the first weekend of all of us being under one roof in over a year and a half.

Part 17 - Brushing

WIth breakfast over, I went out and sat on the couch, turning on the TV, flipping through the channels filled with nothing but golf and cartoons, a staple for weekend mornings, finally settling on some old comedy movie high up in the channels. Tora and Triela were just finishing up their plates, clearing the dishes and washing their hands in the sink, with Tavi cleaning up the kitchen. I should be heading up to get ready, but this is a lazy day, so I guess I have a chance to sit and veg out for a while, before getting ready to go out for the day with Triela. The girls seemed to have the same idea, heading over to the couch, Triela in a T shirt and shorts, Tora in her robe, each sitting down on either side of me, Triela putting her arm down around my side behind my back, pecking a kiss on my cheek as she got comfy leaning against me. I put my arm around her, leaning towards her as she sat and watched TV with her head on my shoulder. She giggled at a joke in the movie, leaning forward and looking at tora on the other side, recanting a story with her, something involving people only the two of them knew, in some similar wacky situation, something involving someone's father and a parade float, I couldn't really follow it. I planted a kiss on the back of Triela's neck as she leaned in front of me talking to Tora, her ear twitching with the unexpected action. Her head found its way back to my shoulder, my arm around her again. The movie continued, the three of us sitting enjoying the old comedy.

"We're still going out shopping today, right Noah?" Triela asked, talking over the music that started playing over the credits, the movie over.

"Yea, they're having some kind of sale at the mall today. Should be fun walking around and window shopping."

"Well, do you mind if Tora comes with us?"

"Sure, don't see why not..." Looking over in Tora's direction, a smile appearing on her face as she looked over at me.

"thanks.. we should have a good time out today." Tora softly said back.

"Oh yea... Noah - we need to get brushed before we head out, do you mind?"

"Nah, it's fine - go get the brush...." Triela jumped up off the couch, walking over to the kitchen, rummaging through her purse, pulling out her fur brush, and returning back to the couch, sitting down farther away from me, her legs on my lap, her feet almost in Tora's. I slowly began the usual procedure of brushing her legs. the usual lines from the brush appearing in her fur, slowly working my way down from the top of her thigh to the tops of her feet, overlapping and redoing the same area several times, Triela's eyes closed, a smile on her face as she laid back on the couch enjoying the brushing, her tail sticking out from the side of the couch slowly waving back and forth, very softly purring. Tora would glance over at the brushing, but she went back to watching something else on TV, not paying much attention to me. I moved my left hand from my side, reaching over and sliding it under Triela's butt, her hips moving, shifting her weight slightly to let my hand under her, her body weight returning, now sitting with my left hand on one of her cheeks, feeling the muscles nearby moving her tail around. She opened her eyes and winked at me, returning to her blissful state, enjoying the continuing brushing. I gave a little squeeze, making her giggle and her tail twitch side to side quickly for a second. Her eyes opened and glanced at me for a second, her look telling me to cut that out with Tora sitting next to me. After about five minutes more, Triela shifted, standing up, releasing my hand, and laid down on her stomach, a pillow underneath her tummy to raise her up, the backs of her legs now awaiting attention. The brushing began again, smoothing out her ruffled fur, and making her purr softly with the attention. The end of Triela's tail was moving slightly with each stroke, sticking out from the appropriate hole in her shorts, curling arund her waist along her arm towards her face, keeping it out of my way. Tora was now paying more attention the brushing than the TV, watching my movents along Triela's legs. My hand found it's way to Triela's back, softly scratching below her shoulder blades, her thin T shirt letting most of the sensation through to her back. Her purring was more pronounced with both the brushing and scratching, my hand slowly working it's way down her spine, arriving at the small of her back, her tail was now tucked under by tummy, preventing it from whapping me in the face as it attempted to show how much she was enjoying the attention. The brush slowly made it's way up her her legs, the job finishing, the brush going under the edge of her shorts, finding the edge of her fur, which ended just above the middle of her thigh. With Triela's legs fully brushed, She swung her legs off of me, and stood up, And leaned over me kissing my temple, whispering in my ear.

"Thanks Noah, that felt great..." She turned away from me and headed upstairs to get changed get ready to leave. She got to the stairs and looked back at me.

"When you finish up with Tora, head on up to get changed Noah." I nodded, and she headed on upstairs.

"OK, your turn Tora." looking her direction.

She got up, retying her robe,moving to where Triela just was, her legs moving up over my lap, her feet where she was just sitting, her robe still down to her knees.

"Same thing as Triela, right?"

"Yea, except for the hand on the butt - maybe next time..." she smirked, a grin on her face as I blushed a bit. "But I wouldn't mind the scratching."

"Oh, Ok... Yea, I figured as much" I said sheepishly, as she laid down on the couch, her stomach on on a pillow so her thighs would be comfortable being in my lap. I slowly started brushing her ankles, the small red brush overlapping strokes straightening out the rough black fur, her claws beginning to extend and contract with the brushing, looking just a s dangerous as Triela's. Her tail was doing its best to stay still stuck between her thighs and calves, the tip wiggling a bit with the strokes near her ankle. I slowly advanced up her legs with the brush, following the gradient up her legs, the black going grey and fading into silver, the darker hues hidden by the lighter color near the end of the fur. By the time I got to the backs of her knees, I ran into her robe, the blue terry cloth hiding the remainder of the gradient, thinking that was all she was comfortable brushing. As soon as the brushing slowed, the robe moved up a couple inches, her hands pulling it up, revealing more and more, stopping a couple inches short of the end of the fur covering her legs, the gradient complete, the silver fur now free of the black tint, the light color seemingly prismatic as the fur ran in several directions at once. The brushing continued silently, my mind not noticing what was on the TV in the background, as I focused on the strokes of the brush. But after a while, I did notice Tora begin purring lightly, reminding me that I offered to scratch her back as well. my left hand smoothing the cloth of her robe, and began scratching at her shoulder blades, harder than with Triela because of the thick robe, her purring growing more intense with both actions. The scratching continued down her back, the brushing continuing up her thighs. Again reaching the edge of her robe, the bristles following the fur under the cloth, now noticing the last remaining inches were further up Tora's legs that Triela's. Tora's purring grew louder, her hips shifting on the edge of my lap, her tail still trapped between her legs, looking like it is trying to escape. As I finished up the brushing on the back of her legs, I was left wondering how I didn't notice how far up her fur went when I caught a glimpse of her in the shower the day before. I patted the back of her calves, pulling the robe further down her thighs, a sign that this side was done, her legs slipping off of me, sitting then standing up. she turned towards me, her cheeks unexpectedly flush, a smile on her face.

"Thanks Noah, you're really good at brushing, and I always enjoy getting my back scratched..." she said softly, moving the pillow out of the way.

"Umm, thanks Tora. I'm glad you like it..." I said a little nervously, as Tora sat down where the pillow was, her legs over my lap, the brushing beginning again at the end, going over and over the tops of her paws, Tora stretching her foot, spreading her toes, her claws fully extending, piercing the cushion next to me, letting me brush the whole top of her foot, one then the other. I slowly worked my way up her shins, brushing the inside of her claves, again hearing the soft purring, her tail sticking out the side of the couch, slowly swishing back and forth, twitching with each stroke of the brush. the When I reached her knees, the brush done working it's way up her shins and now ready to work down her thighs towards her waist, her robe was again in the way, but she didn't move it. Looking up at tora laying on the couch, her hands were crossed over her chest, a smile present on her face, her eyes closed, obviously enjoying the brushing more than Triela ever has. I reached up and tapped her arm, her eyes popping open looking at me, realizing what I was about to ask.

"Oh, I'm sorry Noah..." her arms unfolding, her hands finding the hem of her robe, slowly pulling the robe up towards her, more and more of the silver fur appearing.

"It's Ok, Tora - looks like you got lost in it"

"yea, I kinda did" her eyes closing again, the brush in my right hand moving again, slowly advancing up the silver fur. After a few moments, the brush ran into the robe again, Tora's hands moving automatically pulling up, revealing not only more of the fur on her thighs, but a wet spot on her panties, the reason for her flushed face now apparent. I Tried to keep the pace of the brushing the same, trying not to alert Tora, my blushing doing it's best to give me away. I focused on the brushing, watching the bristles go through her fur, finally reaching the end, my eyes doing thier best to keep from staring as I reached out and pulled the hem of her robe back down, patting her calf. Tora opened her eyes, her purring continuing to be audible, the tail twitching with the same intensity over the last few minutes, swinging her legs off of my lap, her paws touching the floor, slowly standing up, her tail shivering a bit as she stretched.

"thanks so much Noah."

"Umm.. no Problem Tora."

"I'll have to have you do that some more some other time.. you do a great job"

"Sure, I'd be happy to..." Trying not to bring attention to my red face, almost matching hers.

Tora walked toward the stairs, turning back just before heading up.

"hope I didn't flash you too badly - but I didn't think you'd mind too much anyway" she said smirking, giving me a wink, turning and walking up the stairs, the black tip of her tail disappearing around the corner, leaving me sitting on the couch, wondering what the heck just happened...

Part 18 - The Mall

The small taxi pulled up in front of the curb in front of the mall, Triela, Tora and I piling out of the back, and walked into the courtyard, the the smaller chain stores and large departments stores mostly visable from this ccentral point in the large outdoor mall, people milling about with their oversized department store bags, families and friends standing around talking, the different food stands on the other ends filling up the tables with people eating their lunch outside in this nice weekend day.

"Ok Girls, what's on the agenda? Where do you want to go today?" I asked Tora and Triela, the two talking behind me, commenting on something they saw in a window of a housewares shop nearby.

"Well, we're looking for clothes, as usual. a couple shops in the back are pretty good, as well as those two..." motioning to the entrances of the two largest department stores on either side of the courtyard.

"I figured as much, so lets get cracking." I said, starting to walk away from the two. Triela caught up with me, hooking her left arm through my right, holding onto my right hand, her stride matching mine. Tora walked behind us looking away, checking out windows as we walked to the back of the mall.

I hefted the bags up the stairs, the girls seemingly buying everything they had tried on in 3 different stores. I was following the two, walking through the mall, each looking for their own particular sweater, dress, shirt, or skirt, talking about what they had just seen in the last store, complaining about the high prices, boasting of the bargains that each had found, all of which I was lugging around for them. The only thing left off their hit list was shoes, their paws not designed for them, and I guess I should count my blessings that they weren't on the list. We were on our way to the last department store on the end, when we passed by a lingerie shop on the second floor, the mannequins in the window wearing black, white and pink lacy items, the sexy styles matching the current ads and commercials for the intimate apparel giant.

"Oh, hey lets go in there for a second, I need to get a couple things" Quipped Triela, and the two abruptly turned and went in, following them in like the good little pack animal I was for the day. Triela and Tora headed over to one side, picking through the small frilly items on the racks near two other catgirls that were quietly browsing while I hung back a ways, letting the girls pick through and find what they wanted to find. A majority of the panties on that side of the wall brandished a small light green oval tag with cat ears, meaning they were designed with a notch or an opening for a catgirl's tail, catgirls beign a decently sized minority here, something I'd never seen in Farstead. Triela picked up a pair of black lace panties, holding the waistband with her thumbs, lisfting them up in my direction.

"What do ya think of these, Noah?" She said with a grin on her face, briefly giving me a great mental image of her wearing the skimpy item, standing in one of the poses of the mannequin out front, tail curling around one of her legs.

"They look good Triela..." I said a bit softer than her, walking closer to her, as she turned and picked through the other items, all types of lingerie present, from the every day to the 'special occasion' ones. Triela seemed to be looking for the latter, asking my opinion on several of the lacy undergarments. While we were looking over Triela's items, Tora was close by, picking through items on her own, nudging Triela to get her opinion every once in a while, Triela was lost in picking out stuff and asking my opinion, something we haven't done in a while.

Triela held up a black pair of garters, the straps dangling off of them, the item still clipped to the hanger.

"What about these Noah? You always have said it was disappointing that I don't wear stockings." A catgirl's furry legs and paws not suited to wear stockings.

"Love to see you in those dear, but don't you need stockings to go with them?" I asked, trying to figure out what the straps would hook onto.

"You use these" she said pulling her hand from her side, revealing the top bands of two stockings paired together, a small green tag on them, denoting an item made for catgirls.

"You put these on.. they're just top bands, so catgirls can wear garters, if we want.." Tirela explained, holding one of the stretchy wide black bands up to the edge of her fur, visable as she hitched up her skirt a few inches.

"Damn, about time they solved that problem!" I said eagerly, anticipating the sight of Triela in garters.

"Well aren't you a lucky devil..." she smirked, holding up the little bands, putting them in the small pile of matching black items draped over one of her arms.

Tora eventually heard my comments, and came over to us, holding up a medium grey set of bra and panties in my direction, ones that went the hues in her fur, both the lighter and darker ones.

"Whadaya think Noah?"

"They'd look good on you Tora." I said, trying to be supportive, the quick mental image flashes bringing a smile to my face.

"Yea, I guess so." she said unconvinced, looking at the tags, examining them, feeling the pattern sewn into one of the edges of the cups with her thumb and forefinger.

"Well, why don't you go try 'em on then, Tora?" Triela sat flatly, pointing in the direction of the fitting rooms.

"I Think I will..." Tora said, not reacting to the tone of Triela's remark, reaching past her, grabbing a pair of the matching grey garters and the green tagged little bands that went with them, and walked off toward the rooms, leaving Triela with a grumpy look on her face. She watched Tora walk away, her silver tail swishing back an forth a little bit more than normal for her. Triela looked away, the grumpy look disappearing from her face as she turned towards me, picking up the bands up off of her arm, the garters and panties along with them.

"You want me to wear these out?" Triela said, the her green eyes suddenly burning with playfulness.

"Umm... You won't hear me complaining, just know my hands have a mind of their own." reaching down and patting thee side of her hip.

"Yea yea, I know.. I'll pay for them and go get changed. Can you hand me the card and that yellow shopping bag? I'll think I'll wear that stuff out too. I'll meet ya back at the fitting rooms."

"Ok, then I'll be waiting..." I said, a Grin on my face in anticipation. I handed her a credit card, she walked over to the checkout, her black tail also swishing back and forth a bit more, along with a little bit more swing in her hip. I hefted up all of the other bags, walking over to the fitting rooms, sitting down in one of the big chairs, the bags huddled around it. Triela appeared moments later, walking into one of the open rooms, the door closing behind her as I caught a glimpse of her looking over her shoulder at me. A short while later, Tora's voice echoed through the fitting room area.

"Triela, are you out there? I don't think I got these on right! Can you show me how they go?" the sound of genuine frustration in her voice.

"I guess so. I'm trying some stuff on too, so I'll be right there." a edge of annoyance in her voice. A few minutes past. Triela's head peeked out of the dressing room door.

"Noah, you want to see how they look?" Triela asked, a grin accompanying the playfulness in her eyes, more intense than ten minutes ago. She didn't have to ask twice. I walked over to the door, slipping inside, finding Triela in a new outfit she bought today, a small baby T shirt, white with pink shoullders and sleeves, the tight little T showing off her chest, the outline of the cups of her new bra visible, but none of the black showing through the white fabric. She also had on grey-blue pleated skirt, a few inches shorter than the one she was just wearing, now the center of my attention, the higher hem line revealing the bottom edges of the stocking tops.

"That looks sexy as hell Triela..." I softly said, looking down at her legs as she shifted from one leg to the other, showing off the edges of the clips, the stocking tops covering the edge of her fur at mid-thigh, her leg fur appearing to be the rest of the stockings.

"You think that looks good what about this?" she said, turning around, leaning then bending down, keeping her legs locked and together, her skirt lifting up, revealing the stocking tops, the straps, and finally a small amount of her new panties hidden between her thighs, showing off how unbelievable her legs looked, her tail holding up the center of her skirt, curling off to the side, trying not to block my view.

"you little vixen you!" I said softly, moving closer to her, seeing her looking up at me, still leaning over. I reached out and snapped one of the straps on the back of her thigh, the feeling making her jump a little. She leaned back up, turning around, moving in close, putting her arms around me, her head doing it's best to get close to my shoulder. My hands reached down, feeling the edges of the straps even through the pleats in the skirt on her butt.

"Glad to know you like them..." she whispered in my ear. My fingers found the zipper on the back of her skirt, unzipping it, the loosened waistband letting her skirt slide down, catching on her hips, my hands feeling the garters and panties around her waist, thumb through the waistband, feeling her unique furry strip on her side, my eyes still looking into hers.

"Do you really want them to hear me purring and moaning out in the store? Lets wait 'til tonight..." She softly whispered, kissing my cheek. Triela reached down and pulled her skirt back up before it slipped off of her hips, My hands moving away in consent, letting her zip it back up. I leaned down and kissed th side of her neck.

"Then I look forward to tonight." I whispered back, returning the kiss on her cheek, accompanied with a little squeeze of my hands at her waist.

Triela turned from me, leaning over, scooping up all of her clothes, inadvertently showing off the bands again, and handed the now stuffed yellow bag back to me.

"Here, go grab the other bags. I'll go see what Tora wants." Triela slowly slipped out of the door. heading off to the other stall as I went back to sit up front. Their conversation a bit muffled, pieces missing, but I was understanding most of it.

"Ok, what now?"

" Well, see this? This doesn't look right. Aren't these supposed to to look different?"

" Yes, you have it on backwards. And those go over, not under, so take them both off, and put them on again, unless you want to unclip them every time you have to go."

"Oh.. Ok.. I see now"

"Ok now, hows that?"

"I guess you got it."

"Well, does it look good on me, or is the grey too dark?"

"I guess it looks good on you."

"Well, that's really what I was hoping to hear... I want Noah's opinion on it."

"What do you need his opinion for?"

"well, I'm looking for something more definitive than 'I guess'."

"Fine then." Triela stuck her head out of the dressing room, looking pissed, her ears folded a bit flat.

"Noah, can you come here a sec? Tora would like your opinion." She said, visibly annoyed.

"Uhh. Ok." I said cautiously, walking towards the other fitting room, walking inside, my mind trying to figure out what was pissing off Triela so much. I found Tora in nothing but the dark grey lingerie she was considering, the ensemble showing off all the curves she possessed, including that her chest was a cup size bigger than Triela's, the underwire doing it's job. The grey set matched the center of her gradient, the light silver much lighter, the dark black much darker, the medium grey seemingly made to be worn by Tora. The Garters with the stocking bands also looked sexy on her, the low cut panties showing off the garter belt at her waist. She did a quick turn in front of me, tail swooping around with her, just catching a glimpse of her backside, tail curling around her waist as she twirled. My gaze found it's way over to Triela, her ears folded flat, not looking at either of us. She was pissed.

"Well, what do you think Noah?" Tora questioned, my eyes flashing back over to her face, finding a smirk on it. "Should I get it or not?" , my mind working out what I should say.

"You look stunning Tora, I definitely would get it." my words not only reflecting the truth, but hopefully delivered so she would make up her mind and get me out of this situation.

"Ok then, I'll get it. I'll see you two outside in a minute." Triela and I turned and left, Triela walking away faster than me down the short hallway, turning and walking right out the front of the store, leaning against the wall outside, still looking pissed off. I walked over, bags in hand, setting one hands worth of bags down, putting it gingerly around Triela. She leaned into me, her head leaning against the side of my shoulder.

"I'm sorry Noah..." Triela whispered softly "I shouldn't get so upset with her. I guess it's leftover from when we were kids... She still can piss me off." the anger gone from her voice, replaced with sadness. I softly patted her shoulder.

"Tora has always flirted with my boyfriends, and a couple of them left me for her when we were in school... but I guess she doesn't do that anymore... we're all pretty much adults, but... It still reminds me of those days, and all the frustration she has caused me."

"Triela, you know I'm not going anywhere..." I said reassuringly patting her shoulder. watching her posture change, looking up at me.

"I know Noah..." a small smile peaking out from behind her gloomy look. She leaned against me again, pausing for a moment, and turning to go back into the store. "I'm gonna get Tora. We'll be out in a minute." She disappeared back into the store, reappearing with Tora moments later, both of them talking to each other quietly as they left the store, the noise of the mall drowning out the softly spoken friendly conversation. Tora was also dressed in one of her new outfits, a white baby T with some clothing label logo, and a light grey pleated skirt, the same style as Triela's, their outfits identical, just in different colors, unmistakably sisters. Triela approached me with a soft smile on her face and took my hand, leaning against my arm as we walked down the mall, Tora walking along next to me. We cut our way through the crowd, heading for home.

Part 19 - disparity

Triela uncrossed her legs and leaned away from me, no longer laying against me as the three of us sat on the couch. She Slowly got up, my arm slipping from around her as she did. Triela was still wearing what she picked up from the mall today, even as we sat around and watched TV after a late dinner. Her tail shivered a bit as she stretched and yawned, almost flicking Tora on her nose, who was sitting on the other end of the couch, leaning the other direction from us, her hand propping up her head as she watched, leaning heavily on the armrest.

"Well guys, I'm going off to bed. It's a bit early, but it's been a long day..." Triela turned and headed towards the stairs.

"I guess I'll head up with ya dear." I said sleepily, slowly pulling myself to my feet, the hour sitting on the couch watching TV making me groggy.

"Goodnight Tora... sleep well..." I said, turning back and looking at her change her posture, moving to lay down on the couch.

"Goodnight you two..." Tora said softly, as I followed Triela up the stairs to her room.

I sat down on the foot of the bed, undoing the laces on my boots, dropping them in the corner, as Triela quietly slipped off her skirt behind me, hearing the sound of it hitting the floor, the shirt almost right after that. I turned around, Triela looking at me, dressed in her lingerie from today, the first time I've seen her wearing the matched items, all of which looked better on her than I imagined. The alluring sight of her in sexy lingerie was offset by the look on her face, as she sat and laid down on the bed facing me, reaching over and pulling me silently towards her, Triela's eyes telling me she wanted to be held. As I laid down next to her, she rolled back over, scooting close against me, her shoulders against my chest, her back and legs against my stomach and thighs, as I reached around hugged her, my arm draped over her tummy, feeling the cups of her bra against my arm, the pads of her paws against the tops of my feet. She reached and pulled my hand up to the center of her chest, my palm feeling her heart beating, and put both her hands over mine, holding it flat against her. I reached out with my foot to the end of the bed, my toes catching the corner of her blanket folded up at the foot of the bed, a quick jerk flinging the corner of it to where she could reach, one of her hands leaving mine and reaching down, pulling the corner up and over, the blanket unfolding, neatly covering us. Triela began to softly purr, hearing it in in the pillow, feeling it in my fingers near her neck. I pulled her tighter against me with my whole forearm, kissing her neck. Triela wriggled in my embrace, a sign she was content, a gentle smile on her face.

"I love you Noah... Please never let me go..." Triela said softly.

"I never will Triela..." I replied, kissing her neck again. A few moments past.

"Sorry if you were expecting something else tonight Noah. We'll have some fun tomorrow morning..." she said as if she had done something wrong.

"Don't be sorry, dear. We both needed some snuggle time." my words prompting her leg to move, running her paw along my calf back down to my foot. She reached over and flicked off the light. Triela fell asleep in my arms, softly purring as she slept, still curled up against me. I drifted off, the purring lulling me to sleep....

I opened my eyes slowly, The small rays of sunlight blinding me a bit, ear twitching involuntarily, finding Noah still leaning over me, his breathing still heavy. My senses were just starting to return to normal, the sensations of my climax just now starting to fade away, but still making me purr loudly. I looked into his eyes as he leaned forward and kissed me again, his hands reaching around my back, pulling me up, helping me sit up on the bed, pecking a kiss on my cheek afterwards. He was in rare form this morning, making me wonder just how much he liked the sight of me in garters, even though he denied that was why, but that was the only thing he had left on me, the other items on the floor around the bed or hanging on the lamp. I moved a little further back on the bed, now sitting behind him, leaning to my side and grabbing him from behind, my arms wrapping around him as he sat on the bed, my chin on his shoulder, pulling him tightly against me.

"Thankies dear, that was a great way to start the day." I whispered in his ear, feeling his arms move, his hands now holding mine against him.

"You're most welcome" he said, wiggling his back, feeling my breasts pressed against him "Was the second better than the first?"

"Sure was... I didn't know you had it in you, Noah..." He shifted, sliding out of my grasp, leaning backwards, laying down on the bed. I followed him, curling up against him, my head laying on his shoulder with his arm around me. His hands softly scratched my back as my paws wrapped around his legs. His head tilted up, kissing my forehead, his hand moving up and over my side, his fingers on my stomach, pulling me tighter against him, his hands not missing a chance to wander up a little, coming to rest on my breast, cupping it. He always enjoyed holding me as I curled up against him afterwards, a nap before starting the day in earnest. He reached over and grabbed the corner of the blanket still in reach, pulling the rumpled heap up onto the bed, tossing it around until it got spread out, covering us both up again as the sunlight began to creep in more and more through the window. Hopefully the rest of the day will go this well. I closed my eyes, drifting off to sleep curled up against Noah....

I dropped myself down onto the couch, the same spot I was just a few hours ago, the cushions still remembering me, but this time all was quiet, alone on the couch. Triela and Noah were still upstairs, sleeping off their early morning romp, the noise just enough to wake me on the other side of the wall. My spoon stirred the cereal in my bowl, the flakes swirling round, playing catch-up to it's silvery leader, distracting my eyes from the turmoil inside my head, another day stuck here in the house alone. My mind was still reciting the words written in the letter I found in my suitcase, telling me he wouldn't be waiting for me when I got back to campus, all his things already pulled from our apartment, key under the mat. I set the cereal down on the floor, curling up tightly on the couch, the cushions hiding my face from sunlight creeping through the window, the soft warm yellow light radiating through the living room, in stark contrast with the darkness that enveloped me on the couch. I cried myself back to sleep.

20 - Bills & Beach

"You two should really come on down, it is alot of fun!" Tora's voice echoed out of the phone, the sounds of the seagulls and tourists in the background, the bustling beachfront generating it's own unique noise that mixed into the soft roar of the waves and wind.

"Nah, we better stay here, Noah and I have work do to, stuff to go over. But maybe next time Tora.." Triela answered back, motioning to the pile of paperwork and stuff present in the corner of the room to me, stuff I said I would take care of this weekend.

"Aww.. Well Ok you guys, you owe me then" Tora lamented, actually sounding quite let down, even though we informed her we couldn't go to the beach with her this morning. Triela finished the conversation, setting the phone back down on her night stand. Dressed for the day in her accustomed shorts and a T Shirt, Triela grabbed the big stack of paperwork, this months bills and forwarded mail from Farstead. We headed down to the kitchen table, spreading out the mess, going through small mountain of statements and invoices.

I let out a deep sigh as I hung up the phone, upset that Triela and Noah wouldn't be coming down, another trip to the beach alone. I walked away from the old pay phone, covered with stickers and gum from all the skater and surfer kids that wandered along the beach-front walk, the wide walkway appearing like a people highway, the walkers, skaters, and boarders slowly moving by in both directions, the expanse of sand heading from the low wall alongside down to the shore. I stepped off the concrete walk onto the white sand, wandering past the small clumps of seaweed, finding a spot on the beach away from everyone, throwing my towel down, trying to keep sand off of the top of it. The sun was out, the coastal fog burning off as I arrived, a sign the day would be hot. I wanted to get some tanning time in before heading back, but the sun said that I should be out of here less than an hour. I pulled my blue sweatshirt off, sitting down down on the towel, wriggling off my board shorts, left sitting in the sun in the swimsuit I picked up in the mall last weekend with Triela and Noah, the black two piece's first time at the beach. I reached back unclasping the top, slipping it off, setting it down on the pile of other clothes, no one around close enough to notice me going topless for a few seconds, laying on my stomach on the towel, my tail following the suit down to my side, trying to not stop my back from getting some rays. I laid there on the beach, trying to get my mind off of things, the turmoil in my head still boiling over as it did a week ago. My eyes closed, the sun on my skin and fur bringing some warmth that I haven't felt in what seemed like eternity, reminding me of what I missed so much. Noah's brushing had reminded me for a brief moment, the days events fooling me into thinking I could handle it, the next morning crushing me into a little ball, now stuck turning it over and over in my mind for the past week. The warmth I miss so much, the warmth that Triela has obtained so easily, yet has eluded me years. Every time I thought I found it, it was just temporary, a fleeting glimpse at what I was looking so hard for. I drifted off, the soft noise of crashing waves lulling me to sleep.

Noah sat down across from me at the kitchen table, still in his dark blue robe, the morning beginning slowly, our nap running long and eating into the productive part of the day. I rummaged through the bills, credit card statements, cell phone bills, and others mixed into the forwarded mail from Farstead for Noah. He was intent on keeping an address for his old place, something about keeping presence there, a favor to a friend of his, as well as for work related matters, so he tells me. I picked up the small brown bundle of mail, a little bigger than normal, straining the tape holding it shut, ripping as it was moved across the table, spraying it's contents everywhere. Noah caught most of it from going off of the table, and stacked them back up again.

"Whew, that was a close one dear"

"Yea, sorry about that."

"No Biggie" he said distractedly, looking at the various addresses on the envelopes, almost all looking like they were coming from financial institutions, most of them going in the trash. a couple were opened referenced to others, and then tossed as well. He was keeping an eye on accounts for a friend of his, apparently unable to handle the simple matter of checking the paperwork once a month, too busy spending the money to count it, some of the figures reading seven digits, a wealthy man on paper. Noah said it was because he used to do this as a job for him, a favor that now has gone on for years. A couple required responses, a phone call made to transfer funds into other accounts, money to keep the wheels turning on projects that were being taken care of. Noah got up from the table, setting the phone down, walking over and putting the pile of old bills into the fireplace, retuning to look over our current set of bills, invoices revealing presents, trips, and dinners, Noah always managing to keep them covered.

"Wow, that lingerie we got last weekend was that much?"

"yea, what did you expect? Saying it wasn't worth the money?" ribbing noah a bit.

"Well, now that I think about it, I guess it was a bargain, but I better get my money's worth out of those threads." He smirked a grin on his face.

"I'll bet you'll certainly try..." I said, the joke trailing off, retuning to the bills.

One by one, the checks were written, the envelopes sealed, and the stamps licked. All done for this month.

My eyes slowly opened. looking at my hand curled up on the towel. A yawn slowly escaped, ears twitching, noticing the time on my watch, now several hours after I got to the beach, the results clicking through my mind. Shit. My hands checking my shoulders, my fingerprints leaving white ghosting prints on the red areas on the back of my arms, feeling the sandpaper of my touch. I got to my knees, sitting up, as as two joggers ran by staring at me, looking at the sunburn on my arms, their stares lingering longer than usual. Damn. I must have burned the rest of me too, looking down on my stomach, seeing my breasts staring back at me, the pair wondering where my top was. I felt my cheeks turn red as the burn that covered my back, my hands trying to cover myself and get my suit at the same time. Eventually I got my top back on, the straps on my burned shoulders making me cringe with pain, the hoodie and shorts tearing at the burn that went from my shoulders down to the fur on my legs, interrupted only by the bikini bottom I was wearing. I winced with each step as I exited the beach, pulling my ears back, making my tail twitch spastically, leaving erratic paw prints in the sand. What a great freaking day at the beach...

"Tora, what'd you do to your self?!" I asked worriedly, looking at Tora's burned thighs peeking out from under her sweatshirt, the board shorts thrown in the laundry bin.

"Just another great day at the beach Triela... fell asleep in the sand." Tora said slowly, wincing as she slipped off the sweatshirt, revealing her bright red back.

"Jeez Tora, you cooked yourself..." seeing the burn going from her neck to her leg fur. "Go up and take a cold shower, and come down and I'l put some lotion on your back." Tora noticed my tone of voice, my ears folded down from looking at her burn.

"Is it really that bad?"

"Yeah, you really did a number on yourself." I reiterated, still checking out the burn. Tora slowly walking away, heading upstairs to the cold relief of the shower. I headed into the kitchen, walking to the cupboard in the corner, full of pain meds, lotions, and salves. I grabbed the sunburn lotion from the of the shelf, the bottle was half empty, used up with the last time I got a sunburn in the beginning of summer. I walked around the kitchen table, noticing an errant envelope under it, hand addressed to noah from farstead. The letter must have been orphaned from the rest of the mail when it spilled off of the table. I picked up the small letter, stuffing it in my pocket, holding onto it for Noah. I walked back to the couch, waiting for the burn victim to come back downstairs.

21 - Wanderlust

I stepped in the front door, weary from work, the kitchen lit up, the aroma of dinner being made wafting through the house. Dropping my bag next to the couch, I noticed only three settings on the table, Tavi and Kerru's spots not prepared, a sign they wouldn't be joining us. Triela was in her usual shorts and a T shirt, wearing an apron over them as she tended to a pot on the stove, it's aroma wandering throughout the house.

"Smells good dear... So where are Tavi and Kerru off to this evening?" I asked, her ears perking up with my voice.

"Welcome home dear. You should know - they took the train two days ago up to aunts house to see her. They'll be back in a couple weeks. Why do you think it has only been us three in the house this weekend?"

"Umm.. just thought they were out or in their room. I forgot about that..." I walked over to her, my arms going around her waist, dangerously close to the hot burners, hugging her from behind, kissing the back of Triela's neck, feeling her head lean to one side to let me plant the kiss, her tail swishing against my leg as I held her for a second. I let her go, taking a seat at the table, finally able to sit down after a long day at work.

"You want to go on a trip like that? take a couple weeks off and take a train or a car along the coast, go along and see all the sights, maybe end up back in farstead? would be a fun diversion."

"Sure would, but what about the bills? do you have enough to spend on the trip and take the time off? It would probably be an expensive trip..."

"Don't worry about that. I already told you that the wedding bills shouldn't be an issue, so what harm would a vacation do?"

"Really?" Triela asked, surprised that all the costs be absorbed by my job in town. "We could do that? Well, then we should do that as our honeymoon, christening every motel along the cost for three thousand miles..." she joked, making me think of the last time we spent nights in a motel room, the trip down from farstead to Livt, and all the fun we had then.

"Yea, something like that dear." I said with a smirk, getting up and turning out of the kitchen.

"I'm going to go wash up for dinner. be right back."

"kay. Bring down Tora With you, she's sleeping up in her room.

"Ok dear, I'll get her." I wandered upstairs, heading up for Tora.

I entered Tora's room, the radio softly playing a quite melody, perfect for lulling you to sleep. Tora was laying on her stomach on her bed, wearing only a pair of cotton panties, the rest of of her bright red skin visible, the color clashing with her silvery fur on her tail and legs. I gingerly walked over, tapping the back of her calf, making her ears twitch and her head slowly turn towards, revealing the redness in her eyes, the little trails around her eyes, informing me that something was bothering her much more than the burn on her back. I decided not to comment on it.

"Dinner's on. come on down and eat with us sleepy..." I said softly, as she wiped her eyes with her wrist. I reached down next to the bed, grabbing one of my big white T shirts that Triela gave her to wear, so she wouldn't irritate her sunburn.

"Ok. Lemme get up. Can you hand me that shirt?" I set the shirt next to her arm, turning around as she slowly got up, my ears hearing her slowly get to her feet, then the T shirt slowly slip over her shoulders. Tora walked by me, her red skin and silver fur appearing from the bottom of the baggy T shirt. A small bottle of aloe vera appeared from her hand, she looked back over her shoulder motioning the bottle towards me.

"After dinner?" She asked me, shaking the bottle, inferring she wanted me to apply it to her back.

"Sure Tora..." I said casually, my tone still soft, still tempered by her earlier tears, a small smile coming to Tora's face.

We slowly made her way down the hallway, following the smell of dinner down the stairs.

"That was good Dear..." I commented to Triela, setting my plate in the sink, walking towards the living room, heading for the couch.

"Thanks" she said clearing the other plates, putting the small dishes into the sink, running water over them to start them soaking.

I got to the couch, dropping into it, the TV clicking on, the channels whirring by as I looked for something to distract my tired mind, worn down by the day at work, thinking over what could be bugging Tora. As If it was her que, Tora sat down on the couch, slowly sitting, trying not to disturb her sunburn. Triela walked out of the kitchen, heading upstairs, stopping only to address me.

"OK, well, I'm heading upstairs to get some laundry ready. I don't know about you but I'm tired. I'm heading off to bed after that, so don't be too late."

"Ok then, I'll be up in a while." with that, Triela disappeared upstairs.

I dug through the basket in the corner or the room, tossing the clothes into various piles sorting them into the various types of clothes, readying the first load for the washer, checking the pockets for errant change and things forgotten. After going through the whole basket, the only thing I found was sixty-seven cents and the crunched up letter I found under the table. After finishing sorting them out, I tossed the first batch into the basket, setting it next to the door, looking back over my shoulder, feeling my tail start wiggling, the playful grin on my face appearing as I looked back over at the letter, taunting me with it's contents, the handwritten envlope teasing me with the secrets within. Noah never really talked about his old life in Farstead, so I guess I'd have to find out by snooping. I jumped over on the bed, grabbing the letter, leaning forward, slitting the top of the letter open on my large left claw on my foot, a small handwritten letter it's only contents. I unfolded it, reading the scrawled note.

_How are you doing in Livt Noah? The house has been so empty without you, and I have missed you so much during your absence this past year. Things have been progressing along here, and everything has been kept up ever since you left. I can't begin to thank you enough for money to keep things running here, and I'm waiting patiently for your return, whenever that may be.

The catgirl waiting on the doorstep for you,

Midori_

I Crumpled the letter, and tossed it at the trash can. The fear creeping into my subconsious, wondering who she was and what she means to Noah, my subconscious dreading the answer, remembering all of the other cheating boyfriends I've had, my mind reminding me that Noah is different, and I just need to understand, hear the rational explanation from him on why there is another catgirl from his hometown waiting for his return, thanking him for the money he sent her. It better be a damned good answer. I curled up on the bed, kicking the dirty clothes onto the floor, not wanting to deal with them, the sick feeling in my stomach getting worse. I pulled part of the planket over myself, and clicked off the light, hiding from my fears in bed.

Triela's tail disappeared upstairs, followed shortly by Tora's hand tapping my shoulder, the bottle of aloe vera in her hand, reminding me of my promised duties.

"Oh, Okay Tora..." her posture changing, sitting looking away from me, the T shirt slowly receding up her back, and over her shoulders, slipping over hear head, now bunched over her chest, her arms crossed, holding the shirt in place, her back bare down to her tail, the waist band for her cotton panties underneath it. I slowly dribbled the green gel onto her shoulders, gingerly applying it to her back, the gel's effect changing her posture, her shoulders relaxing, as she leaned farther over, resting her elbows on her knees, her hand on her cheeks, obviously enjoying the feeling of the the gel soothing her burn. My hands approached her lower back, getting closer and closer to the base of her tail, which was now twitching back and forth slightly. I finished applying the gel to her back, patting her hip.

"All done Tora" I softly remarked, as her shirt slinked back over her head, falling down her back, patches sticking to the gel I just applied, the lime green mix tainting the white shirt. Tora looked back at me, her face a little red, a soft smile present.

"Thanks Noah, I appreciate it a lot. I'm glad I have someone here who will take care of me..." her words seeming to have more meaning than just putting lotion on her back.

"You're Welcome Tora." I nodded back, as Tora took the bottle, gingerly applying some to her hands, reaching around and between ehr thighs, finishing off the job by doing the back of her thighs herself, finally sitting down awkardly, and laid back on the couch. After a moment, her head laid down on my shoulder, her hand finding mine, holding it tightly. Her actions still a little ambiguous, but still unnerving - what was she doing? A tear slid down her cheek, soaking into my shirt, another one soon after. I brought my arm up behind her, trying not to touch her burn, softly scratching Tora's head, watching her ears perk up and lay flat with the attention, enjoying the scratching when she's sad, just like her sister. Even through the tears coming from her cheeks, her soft purring could be felt. She really was being tormented by her breakup. I leaned my head on hers.

"It will all be Ok, you'll see. Everything will work out for the better, maybe not as fast as you want it to, but it will all be better someday." I said soothingly, a small sob the only immediate answer from Tora. She laid against my shoulder for another few minutes, soaking my shoulder with her sorrows, eventually falling asleep against me. I gingerly pulled her from my shoulder, standing then kneeling in front of her sitting on the couch, pulling her legs around my waist, and putting her arms over my shoulders, standing up, picking the sleeping catgirl off the couch, sitting on my clasped hands, carrying her up the stairs to her room, setting Tora down on her bed. I rolled her on her stomach, pulling the covers up over her legs, switching on the fan nearby, the breeze cooling her burn. I scratched her head again, autonomically tilting towards the attention. I left the room, turning off the light and closing the door behind me, heading off to give some attention to Triela. Slinking quietly down the hallway, expecting to find Triela still sorting laundry or engrossed in some TV show, I found her already curled up asleep on the bed, half covered by the blanket. I dropped my clothes next to the bed, and curled up next to her, pulling her close to me, noting a change in her demeanor, tensed up and stiff, even in her sleep. Something is bothering her. I'll have to find out in the morning. I reached over, flipping off the light.

22 - interrogation

The alarm went off, shattering the quiet in my mind, seemingly only seconds after I got back to sleep, Triela's tossing and turing keeping me up all night, the band-aid on my toe a testament to her restlessness. I rolled over, finding a cold spot where Triela was, guessing she was making breakfast or something. I jumped up, heading for the warm embrace of the shower.

I laced up my boots, the last step of getting ready for work, quickly bounding down the stairs, looking for Triela. No time for breakfast. The fiesty sleeper was still in her robe, sitting at the kitchen table, sipping tea, sign two that something was bugging her.

"Kay dear, I'm off. let's talk about whats bugging ya when I get back from work, Okay?"

Triela turned back around, the circles under her yes showed she didn't sleep well either. She nodded, saying nothing through her sips. I headed out the door. Sign Three. Danger Will Robinson! Danger!

The long concrete sidewalk meandered it's way up the hill towards the house, Boot's clomping over the uneven squares on my way home. The day slipping by in a blur, wondering what the hell is bugging her. Was it me being nice to Tora, rather than folding laundry with her? She's not that shallow. Hmm.. well, here it goes. I walked in the front door, meeting the sight of Triela sitting on the couch, all the farstead mail she could get her hands on spread out on the kitchen table. Three crumpled and flattened letters from Midori sat in the middle of the table.

"Well Noah, Who is the little catgirl in farstead who yearns for your companionship, but instead only ends up with money from all these accounts you take care of?" Triela asked calmly, not even looking away from the TV. "Why would some old acquaintance of yours need this much money to live on? Does your 'friend' know that the single biggest drain on his accounts is Midori?" Her hand revealed, letting me know how screwed I was. I didn't want to let the unravelling begin, but she had to find out sometime, right? maybe I can hold it off for just a while longer...

"I'm sorry dear, I can't tell you all about that yet. But Just know it is what the owner of those accounts wants to have happen..." My voice trailing off. her ears perking up with the answer she didn't want to hear.

"Midori is my old housekeeper. She was or might still be in love with me, but I'm here with you now, and thats the way I want it." I said trying to relieve a bit of the tension from my last statement, Triela finally turning and looking at me, the tears on her face not as surprising as the redness in her eyes. She stood up from the couch, facing me.

"You can't tell me?! Jesus Noah, you know everything about me! Hell, you even live in my house. So What makes this so special? What do you need to hide from me Noah?" Triela threw it bak in my face, harder than I expected.

"Dammit Triela, Please let it go for now. I can't really talk to you about it now, and I want to keep it that way. There are very few things that I'd ever consider keeping from you, and this is one of them. I love you, and I trust you, so please trust me on this." I said with some force, hoping that this wouldn't unravel all in front of me right now. Triela's tail tip prickled up . Her ears laying flat, her look menacing.

"So I'm just supposed to ignore someone else in your life perusing you? Ignore large chunks of money that you're transferring around, Like your some drug dealer or something? Don't bother to come upstairs to me until you decide to tell me what the fuck is going on Noah!" Triela turned from me, and marched upstairs. Leaving a gut wrenching feeling in my stomach. It was almost complete too - another two months, and everything would have happened without her knowing, Everything setup for the both of us.

I dropped onto the spot on the couch were Triela was just sitting, curling up against the cushions, my first night sleeping on the couch by Triela's choice. I reached over behind me clicking off the lamp. The Darkness flooding the room, making everything seem worse than it was.

23 - When the Catgirl's away...

All was quiet at the house as I came home, expecting Triela to there waiting for me, sipping her tea, tapping her claws on the floor, waiting for an answer, but in her place was a short note taped to the fridge. I peeled it off.

_Noah -

Old friends of mine in town wanted us to go out sailing with them to an island off the coast for a week. I was going to decline it, but now I decided to go by myself. That gives you 5 days to decide how to answer my questions. I'l be back saturday night. Please have the truth ready for me.

Triela_

Great. Just freaking great. I stuck the note back on and pulled the door open, extracting some frozen meal buried in the back. After the the little bowl was nuked, I headed upstairs, eating on the bed, the soft scent of Triela reminding me of her over the food.

Weather it was the smell of the food or the sound of the TV, Tora appeared in the doorway a few minutes later, still dressed in an oversized T shirt and panties, Pink ones today, a small amount of the fabric peeking from under the large shirt. Her burn must still be hurting her quite a bit. She came and sat down on the bed next to me.

"Sorry to hear about Triela. I don't know what exactly is going on, but I imagine you two will get through it. her words soft and soothing, something I really needed to hear right now.

"Thanks Tora. I think everything will workout Ok over time." my voice a little more sure of itself than I was. I changed subjects. "Is your burn still bugging ya? if you go get the gel, I'll put it on your back." Tora's ears perking up with the offer.

"Sure, I'd appreciate it. leeme go get the bottle." Tora got up and disappeared, the noise of her rummaging through her room heard on the other side of the wall, reappearing a moment later with the bottle.

"On the bed?" she queried

"yea" I responded, Tora coming around the bed, taking Triela's spot on the bed across from the TV. With her back towards me, she pulled her t shirt up over her head slowly, slipping it off, holding it over herself as she turned and laid on the bed, my eyes couldn't help but noticing her cleavage pressed into the the T shirt on the bed, my eyes following the still red burn down her back to her tail and the little pink undies she was wearing, the burn reappearing down her legs to her silver fur. I drizzled the contents of the bottle on her back, softly rubbing the gel into the burn, following it down to her twitching tail. Almost finished with her back, a quick process.

"Can you do my legs too, Noah?" Tora asked from under her crossed arms. I grabbed the bottle, squeezing some of the gel onto my hands, gingerly placing them on her legs, softly applying it to her thighs, acutely aware of where my hands were. after a few moments, the task finished, Tora turning her head watching TV with me, the gel evaporating slowly off of her back for the next hour, as we both quietly watched TV, the late news coming on. I fell asleep.

The sunlight slowly leaked into my sleepy world, waking me softly, slowly. My eyes slowly focused, looking at Tora's neck, very close to me, my breath moving the wispy silver hairs, making her ear twitch. She Yawned, feeling her ribs move against my arm with the deep breath.

"Are you awake now, Noah?" Tora asked cautiously, her elbow pushing back on my arm. "Time to get up Noah." she said again quietly, my mind slowly realizing I was curled up, sleeping next to Tora. My hand moved, feeling the warm softness of her breast in my hand. I quickly withdrew it, pulling my arm from around her, rolling over, pulling the blanket off Tora. With me and the blankets off of her, Tora sat up on the foot of the bed, pulling the wrinkled T shirt she slept on from underneath her, slipping it on over her ears.

"I'm sorry Tora, I didn't mean to.."

"I know Noah... I must feel like Triela when you're sleeping. I'm going down to get some coffee. It's already 7:30, you should go get ready for work."

"Sorry again, Tora..."

"Please don't be sorry. It was the best night sleep I've had in a long time. I miss having someone sleeping next to me, keeping my back warm, their soft breath on my neck..." her voice trailed off.

"Tora, how long were you awake with me sleeping against you?" replaying the words spoken this morning in my mind.

"Quite a while Noah..." she said softly, a twinge of sadness in her voice, as she turned and headed downstairs, leaving me to get ready for work. I got up off the bed, heading towards the shower, mulling over in my mind that everything that happens just seems to remind Tora of her loneliness. Even with all my current troubles with Triela, I still felt sorry for her. The warm water flooded over my head, thinking about all of this as the water woke me up for work.

24 - together in lonliness

The old door swung shut behind me, another 10 hours gone from the day, most of it spent preoccupied over Triela and Tora. Mulling over what I was going to tell Triela, wondering why she didn't connect me, Midori, and the mail to the money. It wrenched me up inside keeping this from her, but the months slipping by in Livt make me forget about it all, making me realize that wherever I go, whatever I do, I'm happy with Triela by my side. Maybe all of this setup and concealment wasn't necessary. I dropped down on the couch, flipping through the stations, the short silver hears on the couch reminding me of Tora. It's never easy to sit back and watch someone else suffer, especially when you've been there yourself, curled up in a ball crying, wondering why it hurts so much to be alone, looking for some way or someone to help make it go away. The thought of Tora's pain, mixed with what I was putting Triela through sucker-punched me, an unexpectedly strong pang of sadness curling me up into a ball on the couch, the feeling almost paralyzing me, as my sorrows dripped one by one onto the pillow under my head. After a few moments, I heard the TV click off, the sound of paws walking in front of me, Tora's soft voice talking to me as quietly as she could.

"Noah, it will be Ok... you'll see..." she said soothingly, a hand slowly moving the pillow from under my head, replaced with a warm furry thigh as Tora sat down next to me, her nails slowly running through the hair on my temple. For the time I was there on the couch, minutes drifted by for hours, the troubled waters in my head slowly calmed by Tora's kindness, slowly ebbing away. The attack now over, I was able to sit up and talk to Tora, dressed for hanging around the house in her shorts and a T shirt, her sunburn now tanned, waiting to peel.

"Thanks Tora... I guess we're all a little fragile right now..."

"It's cool. Glad I got a chance to pay ya back."

"Speaking of payback, I'm going to skip work tomorrow, I'm not really getting anything done. You want to go hang out at the mall or something?"

"Sure, sounds good. Anything to get out of the house, now that I can wear clothes again."

The early alarm intruded my dreams, the nebulous dreary images evaporating from my mind, the imagery never exciting or interesting, disappearing without protest as I thought about the normal procedure of getting ready. I rolled over in bed, going to hit the remote to turn on the TV, unexpectedly running into a warm lump curled up above the sheets. My eyes squinted, bringing Tora into focus, curled up under the blanket on top of the sheets.

"Tora.." I slowly and softly spoke, repeating it a few more times, as her eyes slowly opened and acknowledged me.

"Morning Noah... I couldn't sleep, so I curled up here on top of the covers... fell asleep almost immediately after that... "

"Ok.. well.. wander back over to your room and get ready to go. I'll be ready to go in about a half hour"

"Kay.." Prompting Tora pulled the blanket around herself, wearing it as a wrap, wriggling off the bed, heading for her room.

The taxi trove off, leaving us standing back in front of the courtyard, the mall that was bustling on the weekends now almost empty this morning, a few customers wandering about, the dew still on the outdoor benches and plants, the Mall having a different feeling without three thousand people milling about. We headed towards the only busy spot in the mall - the coffee shop.

Tora and I sat outside, sipping coffee around the small table, sipping away the morning. Tora was dressed in the outfit she got last time she was here, the baby T shirt and grey pleated skirt, this time accompanied by a light Jacket for the cold mornings. Sitting with her legs crossed, I noticed the grey stocking bands on her upper thigh, meaning the entire ensemble was broken out for today's outing.

"So are you going to buy a present or something for Triela when she returns?"

"Yea, Thinking over what to get her, the standard flowers and chocolates seem a little ho-hum. Trying to think of something special"

"You ever think of getting her jewelry? she doesn't wear hardly any, but I'd bet she'd like a pendant or something"

"Hmm... Thats a good idea Tora..."

"Yea, that and some Lingerie or something. She was going on and on about the stuff she got last time when we were out. We usually don't get stuff from them - too expensive for us.."

"Thats a good idea too, Tora... do you remember what sizes she is?"

"Yea, they're just a bit different from mine."

"Ok. lets go to to the jewelry store then to the that lingerie place. then we can catch an afternoon movie at the theater down the way, and head home, Ok?"

"Sounds good Noah..." Tora finishing her coffee, tossing her cup in the trash.

The both of us got up, heading for the Jewelers across the mall, Tora putting her arm through mine as we walked, each of us content to have a substitute filling in, at least for today.

The jeweler handed me the small bag, made just to hold the small box inside. I shoved my wallet back into my pocket, turning to meet Tora waiting outside, the colder than expected air of the shop made her wait outside after helping me pick it out.

"Which one did you end up getting Noah?" Tora queried, as we walked over to the shop.

"The big one you were admiring."

"You're kidding me!? That thing cost more than my tuition! You have a card that has that high a limit?

"Um...Yea, I got a couple of them, but I wrote them a check. It's kinda why Triela is upset with me. She thinks I'm cheating on her... Hiding the fact that I know a catgirl back in farstead. But in actuality, I'm hiding my net worth, which right now is getting moved around a bit, so I can move everything down here, I'm working on getting a house in Southside right now..." I narrated to Tora, spilling the beans about the whole plan to her, watching her eyes widen as I talked. "Midori, the girl, is my old housekeeper in farstead, taking care of and living in my old building there. I was going to ask Triela to move with me back to Farstead, but after being here so long, I want to stay... I was even going to move Midori down here, but she's reluctant. " I said finishing off the story.

"You're shitting me, Noah... You've been hiding the fact that you have money from her? Why didn't you just tell her right off the bat?!"

"because I've met a lot of people who that is all they're interested in. After a month or two with Triela, I know that isn't why she's with me, but then I thought I'd make a surprise, but it has drug on too long, taken too much time. I figured she'd notice how all the credit card bills are paid off immediately, and things just get paid for without any real budgeting, but I guess thats the way it goes..."

"Ok then Noah.. I guess that makes some sense. But you know what that means right?" Tora responded back, a playful grin on her face, leaving me puzzled.

"No, Tora, what?"

"It means you can afford some stuff for me too, so lets get going." The playful grin widening on her face, as she grabbed my wrist and pulled me down the mall towards the Lingerie shop.

The sunlight had retreated all the way down to the horizon, the orange-red light filtering into the lobby of the movie theater as we stepped out, tossing a popcorn bag and soda into the trash as we exited into the mall, heading for the taxi pickup.

"How did you like the movie, Tora? I kinda liked it." thinking back over the scenes of the movie, the redone film noir piece, made to look as if it was made 40 years ago, the Black and white Indiana Jones feel of it all.

"Was pretty good, I liked all the robots and monster kinds of things, but it was predictable. Of course the mad scientict died 20 years ago, and the robots were jsut carrying out his evil plans... isn't that how it always goes?"

"heh, Yea, I guess... I kinnda liked the robots and stuff too... That was a pretty fun afternoon Noah, I had a good time, regardless of how much stuff you bought for Triela and I" Tora hefted the bag she was carrying, full of lacy things that took way too long to pick out, but left a catalog of mental images of her and triela in the them, many so revealing I wouldn't expect Tora to pick out for her own sister to wear. " Well I guess I don't want to go home just to sit and mope around watching TV, so I was wondering if you wanted to go hit a bar some where..." Tora asked kinda reluctantly.

"Well, I guess so. Since we had a good time today, we should go have a good time tonight too. Where do you think we should try?"

"Don't worry Noah, I know just the place..."

We headed off to find a Taxi, then to Happy hour...

25 - Stranded In The Sand

My paw involuntarily twitched, the soft breeze blowing over the beach gaining enough force to wiggle the fur between my pads, tickling me, waking me up. The light yellow rays filtered through the hat over my face, keeping the sun, wind, and sand out of my eyes, as I laid on my back in the soft white sand, the others either sunning themselves as well, drinking, or hiding from the sun on the boat moored just off shore, a short swim required to get on and off the thirty-five foot yacht. The volleyball had been put away this morning, everyone going their separate ways, the two couples going off and doing things together, walking down the beach to find a secluded spot, or off snorkeling in the water. Most of the trip for me had been spent sleeping on the beach, getting a light tan through the heavy sunscreen I've been using. It was nice of Nick to invite Noah and I along for the trip out to the backside of a resort island, a nice beach secluded from the rest of everything by dense brush and rocks, only accessible by boat. I guess he figured something was up when only I showed, the unspoken question posed and answer given with our eyes at the beginning of the trip.

"Hey guys! Come here! I got some bad news!" Nick Yelled from the boat, my eyes finally peeking from underneath the hat, looking down the beach, seeing the others moving a couple hundred feet away, getting up and starting to head for the boat. I guess everyone means me too, forcing me to move. I reached behind my head, pulling out my black swimsuit top, sitting up and shaking the sand out of it before I tied it back on, pulling the strings for the bottom back around my waist, my tan lines almost eradicated from the four days under the sun, despite the SPF of the sunscreen. I shakily stood up, heading off to join the others wading out to the boat, waiting to hear the news from Nick.

After wringing all the water out of my fur up on deck, Nick came out of the berth, looking at everyone.

"Well, I just got word that there's is a moderate storm on the way here, and it means we should head home now, unless you want to be throwing up half the way home tomorrow." his words bringing a sigh from the group, but everyone slowly realized that was our last time on the beach, the decision made to head home a day early. Nick pulled up the anchor, releasing us from the island, as we slowly maneuvered out and turned, heading for home, taking me back to Noah.

26 - Decisions, Decisions...

Tora shakily got out of the cab as I paid the driver, steadying herself with the door of the car. I got out next, holding her arm, helping the tipsy catgirl up the walk, my face still feeling hot from the alcohol, as we trudged up the walk. The bar had been a good time, drinking and talking, Tora sharing some of her more embarrassing stories as the drinks kicked in, tales of past boyfriends, awkward situations, and fun times out raising hell with her sister. We seemed to have a good time out, even though it was in a place I usually don't venture too often. Once inside, Tora found her way up the stairs to the bathroom, saying her goodnights, and thanking me for buying her things today. I picked up the bulky bag from the landing, the satin and lace items in several different colors, blacks, whites, pinks, and even something in light green. I guess I'll have to go sort them out tomorrow, and get a box or something ready for Triela when she returns this saturday, the day after tomorrow. I drug myself upstairs, getting out of my boots and clothes, slipping in between the inviting sheets in just my boxers, turning on the TV, something to fall asleep listening to, The local news droning on for a few minutes, when a knock on the door interrupted it. Tora wandered into the room, her happy face from today gone, a very sullen look replacing it. she walked around to the side of the bed, standing between me and the TV.

"Noah. Today's been great and all, but I don't really want to go sleep over in my room by myself. Being with you all day makes me feel very alone in that quiet room, and I was wondering if I could sleep here again tonight." The look on her face expressing an odd mixture of emotions she was feeling, tail twitching nervously.

"Sure Tora. I guess it's Ok..." I said cautiously, the first time she ever asked me, even though it would be Three nights in a row now. Tora reached behind her, flipping off the TV and slipped the baby T over her head, reaching back and unzipping her skirt, the two garments falling on the floor, leaving her standing in front of me, now in the in the dark grey set of undies she had purchased last week, still making her look as seductive as ever. Tora reached around, arching her back, unclasping her bra, sliding it off of her, dropping it on top of the other things, doing nothing to hide her chest from my stares, now the center of my mind's attention. Fatigue mixed with alchol letting my eyes make decisions rather than my brain. Tora sat down on the bed, brushing her paws off, and pulled back the covers, deciding to leave the rest on, slipping in next to me, my eyes not looking away. I scooted over, making sure she had enough room, now looking at her as she was facing me, feeling her bare skin against my arm.

"I hope they don't make you too uncomfortable Noah, I usually like to let them out when I sleep. I could tell by the look on your face that you don't mind seeing them either..." She reached across me, her chest now pressed into me, and grabbed my far arm, pulling it across me, rolling me onto my side as she did the same, her back against my stomach, the straps and stockings touching my legs. She pulled my hand up onto one of her breasts, fingers feeling the warm softness. Tora slowly moved my hand over her heart, feeling it beating under my hand. Tora's actions surprised me, but not to the point that I'd stop, enjoying the feeling of Tora pressed against me, feeling her purring softly, contently.

"Noah, can you please just hold me tonight? Being out with you this evening was one of the best times I've had in such a very long time. You are very kind to me, and I really appreciate it. I miss being held by someone as kind as you..." Tora's voice wavering a bit near the end, the sincerity of her emotions evident.

"Sure Tora, You can stay here tonight..." My hand pulling against her, reinforcing the decision.

"Alright Noah." she said softly, putting her hand over mine, holding it against her with both hands, the groggy part of my mind still acutely aware that this action mirrored Triela's only days earlier. After a few quiet moments however, Tora pushed my hand back to one of her breasts, feeling her pressing my hand, slowly and softly kneading it as I felt her top leg moving to face upwards, Tora's hip pushing against me, as her other hand disappeared between her legs, the motions of her arms still evident from under the blanket, her leg extending and coming back up, the fabric of her panties now longer felt by my leg, but now down my toes, her paw carefully wrapping them around my ankle, making sure I noticed her action. Slowly her leg came over mine, pulling her hips tighter against me, the muscles contracting as her hand returned to between her legs, fingers focused on their target, the motions of her hand slowly took on a rhythm the blanket doing little to conceal her actions. Tora obviously wanted me to be next to her as she plays with herself, my presence somehow soothing, comforting, and exciting all at once. Weather it was the drinks, my desire to put a smile of Tora's face, or the fact that I had D cup in my hand with someone rubbing pretty hard against my boxers, I didn't put a stop to it - It was probably a little bit of each. My hand no longer passivly followed Tora's lead, as it softly pinched each of Tora's nipples, feeling her back arch against me each time, her purring starting to become louder and louder. My hand followed it's instincts, slowly making it's way down her stomach, feeling her hand and wrist, her hips moving with each of their movements. My fingers overtook hers, feeling the warmth and wetnness, eventually two of them taking over her duties, slipping inside her. My hand now replacing hers, moving quicker and quicker, purrs now turning into moans as I increased her earlier pace, both of her hands holding onto my bicep where my arm crossed over her, her trapped tail writhing against my leg. Tora pulled her legs together, trapping my hand against her, moaning heavily as she came, briefly resembling screams. Legs finally relaxing, her grip on my arm weakening, and her purring returning. I withdrew my hand, Bringing it back up to her chest, resting it on one of her breasts. Tora leaned down, licking one of my fingers, then turned and rolled onto her back, looking up at me, still leaning over her.

"Thanks Noah... I would have been content with you just holding me.. but I'm glad you joined in" Tora reached across me, hugging me tightly. "I hope you'll sleep as well as I will", her head turning away from me, rolling over and curling up to sleep, her hands pulling mine over, now holding her. Tora's eyes closed, softly purring as she drifted off to sleep, something that seemed like a really good idea the the moment. My eyes closed, head hitting the pillow, asleep almost instantly.

The alarm next to the bed went off, each buzz hitting my subconcious like a sledgehammer, reality invading my sleepy world. Furry legs moved, claws smoothly sliding along my foot, as Tora reached over and slapped the alarm clock, then rolled over to face me. Tora's warm smile matched her demanor, my mind going through the checklist of events that occured last night, actions and reasoning hazy, but the overwhelming fact was known that I did something with Tora I shouldn't have. As I laid there trying to straighten it all out in my head, Tora's hand wandered down to my boxers, feeling out the effect she had on me.

"Thanks for last night Noah, I really enjoyed it. I guess I owe ya one..." she said with s soft smile as she pulled back the sheet, starting to move down to my waist.

"I shouldn't have all the fun now..." Tora whispered, grinning at me, her hands now tugging at my boxers. I put my hands over hers, stopping them. Stopping all of this.

"Tora, This has to stop right here. It has already gone way too far."

"Wha?" Tora's head snapped up, looking at me, crestfallen by my decision.

"I made several very bad decisions last night Tora, and I can't make any more this morning. I'm sorry Tora, but please go back to your room." Tora looking like she had just been shot. she silently slipped off the bed, picking up her clothes off the ground, her tail softly swishing across her bare skin as she walked towards the door, the clothes held against her.

"I'm sorry Noah... I thought we both wanted the same thing..." she mumbled, still walking away from me, glancing back at me as the door closed behind her, a glimpse of her eyes revealing a very hurt woman.

What the hell was I thinking? I'd had managed to cheat on the woman I love with her own sister, not to mention crush her spirits as well... What the fuck was I doing? Everything could come apart, all because of me, because of a bad decision with a drunk girl I made when I was buzzed. The ramifications running through my mind, all of which scared the hell out of me, scared that I had made a decision bad enough to loose Triela. I looked up, the shower nozzle's spray hit my cheeks. I had no idea how I got from the bed to the shower, but I was here. I put my head down, the warm water flowing over me, trying to calm my scared and preoccupied mind, trying to provide it comfort it couldn't find.

27 - Demolition

My bag landed on the floor next to the couch, peppering the wood floor with sand. Eleven AM - Noah's at work, Tora's out somewhere. Damn, I'd hope Noah would be here, waiting for me for some reason. I guess it gives me a chance to get cleaned up. I heard the shower calling me, I bet my leg fur could use some conditioner. I headed upstairs to the shower.

Robe over my shoulders, Towel wrapped around my head, I headed down to my room, expecting to find it somewhat straight, instead finding the bed torn up, Noah's clothes strewn about on the floor. I guess he was waiting to clean up until tonight. I reached down, picking up his clothes, one by one collecting the garments, starting to clean the room. I piled the clothes in the corner, noticing the large shopping bag propped against the door, a peek inside revealing a large quantity of lingerie. I pulled out the first piece, seeing what noah had picked out for me, noticing it wasn't sized for me, it was sized for Tora. The idea that Noah was cheating on me with Tora drifted through my mind, almost dismissed immedieately, when something caught my nose, the smell of my sister. My ears perked up, wondering why, my eyes wandering up to the sheets on the bed, revealing the answer, Tora's thin silver and black hair was everywhere in the sheets, leaving little doubt she had been sleeping there, next to Noah, in my absence. Dammit Noah... did you really have to let the lonely flirt take my spot while I was gone?! I continued collecting laundry, my ears folded flat with discontent over Noah's decisions, tail prickling up with the mental image of Tora and Noah in bed, the idea of cheating still floating around through my thoughts. Done with the clothes, I pulled the sheets off of the bed, pulling the the covers back, revealing a pair of Tora's gray panties shoved to the bottom, still reeking of Tora's excitement, A surprise I didn't want to learn of, My heart trying claw it's way out of my throat, the thought of Noah cheating on me with Tora running rampant. My eyes teared up with the pain of it, seeing all the love I had for Noah betrayed, my dream of spending my life with him crumbling as I dropped to my knees next to the bed. This whole time he's been lying to me... The Farstead mail... Midori... and now is sleeping with my sister behind my back... The sadness fueled the anger of betrayal, I as I slowly got to my feet, walking to the closet, grabbing his old leather bag, starting shove his clothes inside, grabbing everything I knew to be his, ready to hand him when I say goodbye....

The house came into view, noting that the lights were on, my day long and tiring, preoccupied with what the repercussions were for last night, my mind mulling over and over what to do next, what to say, what to reveal to Triela. The door swung open, hitting my leather bag placed behind it, haphazardly stuffed with clothes, my eyes wandering up, seeing Triela sitting at the kitchen table, sipping tea, looking at me, eyes red, ears folded flat, her tail waving angrily as she stared me down. Oh Shit...

"Well, I see you had a good time while I was away. I'm glad I came back early to find this out, to finally put all these puzzle pieces together." her tone cold and menacing, matching her demeanor. "You've been hiding things from me, hiding people from me, and screwing my sister behind my back to boot. I can't believe you did this to me Noah!" Triela screamed at me, not really expecting a response.

"Triela, you''ve got it wrong, it isn't what you think it -" I said, backpedaling against her verbal assault, getting cut off.

" What am I missing Noah?! did you start shedding silver hair and used panties while I was gone?! The whole bed reeks of her! Are you telling me that you didn't do anything with her?!" Triela shouting, her eyes wide with anger, tears slipping down her face. I looked away from her, not wanting to tell her, not wanting to detail my mistake.

"Then grab your bag and leave Noah. You are not welcome here anymore." Her voice, wavering a bit, my eyes looking back over at hers, the answer finalized, even her eyes telling me to go.

"Triela, it doesn't have to be this way, it cant be this way..."

"You decided this path, Noah, you were the one who forced my hand... I can't trust you anymore... I can't have someone like that in my life... not again. Now get out." Her sorrowful words biting at the end. I hesitated, still looking at her, looking at the pain my actions inflicted on her. She was right, I did this, I did this to her. "Go.."

I reached down, grabbing my bag, slipping it over my shoulder. turning away from her, away from the future I so badly wanted, the one that I destroyed. I took a step out the door.

"I'm sorry Triela, I really am. I Love you." My voice slowly slipping as I slowly walked, the door closing behind me after a few seconds. I kept walking, the dark miles slipping by under my shoes, my mind trying to grasp the finality of her decision, the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, realizing how much it must have tormented her. I looked up, the train station sat in the distance, the amber lights casting everything in yellow and black. I dug out my wallet, pulling out my card to buy a ticket back to Farstead, and a phone card to call midori, to let her know I was coming back, coming back alone.

28 - Reversal

The dark blue cushion absorbed my tears one by one, now hours after Noah had left, the sadness draining all the will to move from me, barely able to make it to the living room couch, listening to something on in the background. The quiet was broken broken by the door opening and closing softly behind me, the soft footsteps and cadence revealing that my sister just arrived home. the footsteps got closer, her hand patting my back.

"Are you awake Triela? I see you got home early..." her soft tone and happiness irritating me even more. I rolled over, my red eyes, the look on my face made her take a step back.

"How could you Tora... I thought the days of you stealing my boyfriends were over... Why did you have to go and sleep with him..." Doing my best to keep from jumping off the couch and clawing the hell out of the little tramp in front of me, my words and tone made Tora go white.

"Triela.. it isn't like that... it wasn't that at all... we were just friends... " Triela Trying to weasel out of this.

"Yea, friends who happened to fuck in my bed when I'm gone... How long have you been seeing him Tora, how long has he been hiding you, just like he hid that other girl too?!"

"He never slept with me Triela... It was all my fault... I was drunk... he never stopped thinking about you Triela... there's so much you don't understand..." My eyes narrowing as she rambled, she could at least tell me the truth.

" I understand he's been sending money to a girl behind my back, out buying you lingerie, sleeping with you in my absence.. I found your grey panties in the bed Tora, and it doesn't look like you guys spent all night playing checkers!"

"Triela, all that money he was managing, all that money he's sending to that girl, all those bills and accounts he dealt with, those were all his accounts! That's all his - that was the secret he was keeping from you - not a girl, not a secret lover, he was hiding the fact that he was loaded from you! He was trying to surprise you with it, buy a house up in the southside hills and move down his old housekeeper..."

"Bullshit Tora, prove it! And what about all that lingerie up there in my room in your sizes? what about your hair all over the bed?!"

"We went out to the mall yesterday, we both needed to get out of the house.. he was sad the entire time you were gone. I slept next to him on the bed a couple nights, he was so kind to me when I was sad... Then we went to a bar later that night, and I got plastered, he got a little tipsy, and I made an advance on him, and he didn't stop me. We got a little frisky, but we never really did that much... He stopped it Triela... when he realized what he was doing, he stopped it... as far as the other stuff goes... When we went to the mall earlier that day, he bought you a pendant at the jewelers that cost as much as a car... that's how I found out.. he told me everything he was trying to do... we went to the store to buy things for you, and I got some stuff too... most of that stuff in that bag is yours, including that big pendant in the little velvet box in the very bottom of the bag... If you don't believe me, go look in the bag... I'm glad I got here to tell you this before he came home, I figured you'd do something rash..."

Tora's words echoed through me, explaining why he did that he did, explaining why Noah looked away... That is why he couldn't deny it... I jumped up off the couch, running upstairs, dumping the bag out finding the little jeweler's bag in the bottom of of it, the receipt wrapped around it, the cost of the small item in five figures. The Tags on the lacy items stren around on the floor in my sizes. Tora caught up with me, looking in the doorway.

"See? it isn't what you think, so don't be so hard on him..." I looked up at Tora, my eyes tearing up again.

"Tora, he's already been here... He's already left... He's already gone... He could be anywhere by now..." Tora realizing she got home too late. the look of panic on her face probably matched my own, realizing what I had done. But unlike mine, hers softened, an idea materializing.

"Triela... Don't worry, we'll find him... And I know just who to call." Tora walked over to the nightstand, dialing a couple digits.

"Farstead information please..."

29 - Home Sweet Home

The cab motored up the winding hill, the narrow winding road scarred by patch after patch, the constant construction of new houses and additions to the old ones tearing up the road, making the modern houses and landscaping seem even more sharp and polished, the narrow corridor providing access to some of the best houses in Farstead. Even at night, the view was wonderful, the streetlights and buildings visible for miles and miles up here, the seaside City much bigger and much colder than Livt, the weather reminding me of the last time I was this far north, when Noah found me. The cab came to a stop in front of a small house, not seemingly very big at all, the bushes, shrubs and flowers looking their best despite having to be huddled close together, the short driveway to the garage taking up a majority of the house. I hopped out of the cab, paying the driver, grabbing my suitcase from the trunk, walking up the short walk, knocking at the door. After a moment, the door opened, a small catgirl greeting me, her long wavy silver hair offsetting the black and white of her maid uniform, bright green eyes and a warm smile greeting me.

"You must be Triela -Myu" her suffix accent immediately recognizable, the shoes on her feet pointing it out - an eastern catgirl. The short, singularly named girl only possessing only the ears and tail, human in most other respects, the fur and paws not in their genetics. "I imagine you've had a long flight, please come in- myu." Her manner courteous, as if she was working fro a hotel or some other hospitality job.

"Thanks Midori, It's nice to finally meet you." I stepped into the house, the small exterior belying the large interior, the living room expansive, the stairwell off to one side providing access to the 4 other floors going down the hill, the kitchen around the corner. Midori walked over, sitting on the couch. I followed her over, sitting down across from her, as her green eyes beamed at me, glad to have me here.

"So was the plane flight up Ok -myu? that's a really long flight up here -myu."

"Yea, the twelve hour flight was pretty cramped, I wish I had more legroom stretch out and sleep..." pausing for a moment. "So you're Midori? I've never heard anything about you from Noah, he's pretty much kept everything a secret from me... He hasn't told me about you, this place, or the money, half the reason this happened. I did get the jist that you like him, but that was about it..." I queried Midori, watching her blush with the last statement.

"Well, Noah inherited a bunch of money he didn't know about when he was 21 -myu, and although he lives in a nicer place now -myu. He really hasn't let the money change him too much -myu, he still works and lives pretty modestly -myu. I know in the past he dealt with women who were after him for his money -myu, so he had it kind of hidden away, to use when he felt like it -myu." Midori's suffix almost getting in the way of understanding what she was saying. "I answered an ad for a live-in maid and he hired me -myu. I've lived and worked for him for a couple years now, and he's been very good to me -myu. I did go after Noah, but he shot me down, basically saying I wasn't his type -myu." Midori's voice trailing off, her ears flattening a bit with the statement, the sadness in Noah's decision obvious. "But I'm happy he found you -myu! He's been the happiest I've ever seen him when he talks about you -myu. I'm glad I can help solve this problem -myu." A toothy grin on her face, Her cheerfulness almost infectious, anxious to help out, rebounding from the fleeting sadness. Noah really had a good friend in Midori.

"Well, here's what I want to do, and it shouldn't be that hard, so here's the deal..." I detailed it out to Midori, her tail weaving slowly back and forth with mine, agreeing to the small act of deception. But for now we wait - still two more days 'til Noah's arrival.

Amber light filled the Farstead station, the sight similar to Livt's station, making me do a double take, checking the sign, making sure I didn't get back on the wrong train. Sleeping the majority of the trip, the fog of disappointment hung over me, tainting my return home, the first time in over a year. I hailed a cab, heading home to see Midori.

The house had looked the same since I had left it, the bushes still manicured to the same shape, the place never changing with time. I walked up knocking on the door, swinging open after a few moments, Midori waiting for me.

"Welcome home Noah -myu!" her words boisterous, jumping up on me, hugging me, hanging from my neck. I hugged the slight catgirl back, carrying her a few steps inside the house, setting her down, looking down at her in a new maid's outfit, one I don't remember her wearing before.

"Welcome home noah -myu, I wish I got to see you under better circumstances -myu" , her tone softening. Midori disapeared into the kitchen, bringing me out a glass of beer, the thick black drink foaming up to the top of the glass. She set it on a coaster on the table in front of the TV, remembering my favorite drink when I was down. She sat down next to me, hearing the details of my trip. After a while, the subject of food came up.

"Noah, I'm going to start on dinner here shortly -myu, I'm going to run down to the market to grab a couple things I'm missing -myu. Just stay put, and I'll have everything ready in a little while -myu." She grabbed the keys off the hanger, hitting the button for the garage door next to it.

"OK See ya in a bit" I called, as she disappeared down the hallway, my mind refocusing on the beer and the TV, letting my mind get some relief, getting lost in the television. But after a few moments, the softness of the couch overtook me, and I was asleep against one of the armrests.

My pads softly glided over the floor, not making a noise, heading towards the couch, expecting to find noah watching TV, instead finding my love asleep on the couch, softly breathing, leaning against the armrest. I softly sat down next to him, my arm slipping around his shoulders, pulling him slowly over against my shoulder, my arms finally glad to be back around him. The slow motions disturbed his sleep.

"Noah dear, time to wake up" I said as softly as I could, his groggy mind beginning to whir to life, but still not realizing he was against me. I leaned over and kissed his temple softly, pulling away slowly. "I'm sorry I put you through all of this Noah, I didn't understand..." His ears instantly recognizing my voice, head snapping around as fast as I've ever seen, his wide eyes meeting mine, about jumping off the couch.

"Triela! What.. how did you get Here! " My appearance startling him, leaving him speechless. As the shock wore off, he realized I had come to get him back. "I'm so glad you're here!" his voice almost shouting, a look of surprise on his face, mixed with the joy of seeing me again. "Why did you come back to me Triela?"

"I found out the truth about what happened from Tora and Midori. Both of them filled me in on what I misunderstood, and whith Midori's help, I flew up here to meet you when you got home. I've been waiting here for you here, waiting to apologize for my rash actions. I kinda understand your reasoning for holding back the money and Midori from me Noah, I guess that's jsut what you have to do to make sure someone loves you for yourself, not jsut for the money. I Wish you would have trusted me earlier on..."

"Triela, I wanted to..."

"I know Noah, and I also know about what happened with you and Tora..."

"R..Really? It was such a mistake Triela... I wish..."

"Noah, everybody makes mistakes. Your kindness towards Tora, turned into something else, for whatever reason, and that was a mistake. But you stopped it Noah, you stopped yourself from making a bigger mistake... That is what is important noah..." I reached over pulling him towards me, holding him tightly against me, feeling his arms slipping around me, pulling me tight against him. "I love you Noah, I'm sorry I pushed you away"

"I love you too Triela, I'm sorry for keeping things from you..." Noah whispered back in my ear, hands softly stroking my head, softly scratching behind my ears, feeling the purring begin. After a few moments, I heard the garage open, Midori returning from her planned trip out, the three of us set to go out to dinner. Noah pulled away, looking into my eyes, tears in the corner of his.

"Triela, I have to say it again, I'm sorry for what happened between Tora and I..."

"Noah, I understand, It's hard not to let emotions and desires get the better of you when you've had a few, I know the feeling dear..."

"Hmm?" A slightly puzzled look came on his face.

"I guess we both now have had some fun with Tora when we were buzzed" a smirk on my face as he thought about that for a second. Midori came through the garage door, the short little ball of energy coming into the house, no longer in her maid's outfit but in a dark dress, ready for a night out on the town, reaching down and slipping on her heels. Both of us had ventured out to the mall the day before, getting midori's wardrobe caught up, several shopping bags full of things besides T shirts, jeans, and other thread-worn clothes besides the maid outfit she liked so much. I had insisted she come with us to dinner, another way to thank her for all her help, imagining she missed Noah more than I had during their year of separation.

"You two ready to go?" Midori queried, as I stood up, Noah still looking at me funny from my last comment. Reaching out, grabbing his hand, pulling him off the couch, Standing up.

"Come on dear, we don't want to keep Midori waiting.." We both headed out to the garage, the small luxury sports coupe parked next to the larger black sedan that showed signs of daily use, the polished red coupe looking like it has never left the garage. Midori Grabbed the keys off the wall, the lights on the coupe flashing, midori bounding ahead, opening the door for the both of us, climbing in the back seat as she walked around, getting in the driver's seat. Noah put his arm around me, pulling me tightly against me, legs cramped in the back together of the coupe.

" Wait a second.. you and Tora?" the gears turning unusually slow tonight.

"I'll tell ya about it later, I know how you like good stories..." I winked at him, leaned in and kissed his cheek. Midori started up the powerful engine, gunning it as we pulled out of the garage, headed off to dinner, driving through farstead with two people who would be with me for the rest of my life.

30 - Heading out

"Wow, these trains move fast!" exclaimed Midori as the train hit it's top speed several minutes after leaving the station, the blurry countryside zipping by the window, Midori's nose pressed against it, her first time on a train an exciting one. After a while, she came back down and sat next to me, leaning against me as I sat next to Triela, curled up asleep on the bench next to me, her head resting on my thigh, blanket tossed over her, train travel making her sleepy, another reason we had this compartment to ourselves, just the 3 of us. I softly stroked her hair from her pointy cat ear to her temple, the slight purring sensation starting to come her, a slight smile on her face as she slept. Midori reached up, putting her hand on my far shoulder, patting it softly.

"I'm glad I could help you two lovebirds get back together -myu. You really found someone special in her, Noah -myu" her soft tone trying not to wake Triela.

"I can't thank you enough for this Midori, it probably never would have happened without you talking to her... I can't think of a better way for this to turn out, both of the women in my life with me here, heading back down to our new home... I really am glad to have you sitting here next to me too, Midori." I leaned her direction, putting my arm around her and giving her a small hug, seeing the smile on her face.

"You're welcome Noah -myu, I look forward to the new place -myu. When will the crates be arriving -myu?" referring to the shipping container full of the stuff from the old house, packed up over the last few days, a little over two weeks since I arrived in Farstead, probably not returning there again. The Real Estate agent said it would be easy to sell the house without me there.

"Well.. It will probably about two weeks for them to get down to Livt, it takes a while to get down that far by container ship..."

"I hope the cars arrive OK -myu."

"You had a really fun time driving the red one - flying around town that night we went out. I guess I should make that your car in Livt, rather than that old sedan..."

"R..Really -myu?!" her large green eyes going wide with excitement, the quiet tone gone.

"Yea, you have more fun driving it than I do."

"Thank you, Noah -myu." her arms going around my waist, almost hitting Triela in the face, hugging me tightly, staying there for a few moments, finally resuming leaning against me as I still stroked Triela's temple. As if someone flipped a switch, Midori hopped up, walking over to the window of the compartment, watching the stuff fly by the window again.

"I'm a bit hungry, I can just go down to the dining car and grab some lunch, right -myu?"

"Sure. Then go up to observation room on the front car, they have bigger wrap around windows for you to watch the scenery go by."

"coolness -myu! I think I will -myu... I'll see you guys in a while -myu."

Midori disappeared out of the room, heading down the train. I looked down at Triela, my hand finding it's way back to her temple, feeling her soft purring returning. I grabbed the pillow from above me, leaning it against the far wall, taking a nap with Triela.

"Noah, whadaya want for dinner -myu?" Midori asked, softly shaking my shoulder, waking me up. I was sitting up, leaning against the wall, sitting on the end of the bench, Triela sitting against me, her back on my stomach and chest, leaning on my arm asleep as I held her, the blanket covering her legs.

"I guess we're not hungry right now, but we'll be along in a little while - why don't you head up without us?" I sleepily told midori, acting like a little kid for some reason.

"Ok, I guess I'll see you up there in a while..." Midori turned and left, closing the door behind her. Triela's shoulders moved against, me, her hands moving, pulling my arms tighter around her.

"Looks like someone was hungry..." the sleepy catgirl softly spoke, waking up form her long nap.

"Yea, I said we would go up and join her in a while."

"Probably a good plan..." Triela pulling my hands to her waist, reaching down and grabbing the edge of the blanket, pulling it up over her, her hands returning to mine no under the blanket. her slender fingers intertwined with mine, moving my hands under her thin white sweater, feeling the warm soft skin of her tummy, slowly getting pulled up, feeling the silky fabric of her bra passing under my hands, her hands pulling mine up, placing them against her chest.

"Your hands haven't been here all week Noah...What's up?"

"I'm sorry, I guess I'm still feeling bad about Tora, I figured I'd let you make the first move. I'm content just to hold you in my arms , I'm glad just to have that right now" I leaned over, kissing one of her ears. Triela rolled her head against my left arm, across my chest to my right, her ear tips softly brushing my chin.

"I had a good dream just now, I'm glad I woke up to you holding me."

"What about?"

"Us having some fun in the sand on that island I visited on Nick's boat. When I was there, the couples barely did anything else, I just ended up spending the days sleeping on the beach, thinking about you, and what was going on then."

"We'll have to go back there some time and see the sights then." I said moving my hands slightly, feeling her purring begin again, a little stronger than before.

"Do you think Midori would mind if we were a little late to dinner?" Triela's shoulder's wiggling, her arms stretching out, pulling the sweater over her head, her hands returning to mine, still wrapped around the cups of her bra.

"I don't think she would mind too much..." my hand softly squeezing, feeling her shoulders tighten up with the pressure.

"Tora was telling me you were pretty good with your hands, you'll have to remind me..." her hand pulling one of mine off her chest, pulling down past her stomach, feeling the fabric of her skirt slowly being hitched up under the blanket, her hand guiding mine around the pleated cloth, finally feeling the warm slick cotton under my fingertips, the touch making her hips move a little, her dream apparently very real to her.

"Speaking of Tora, what was that you were saying about You fooling around with her?" I asked, feeling her ear brush against mine as she laid against me, enjoying the pressure of my fingertips slowly moving against her panties, tail tickling my leg as it began to move.

"Oh yea, that... isn't it like every guy's turn on to think of his girl with another woman?" Her back arching against me, probably feeling how much I missed her pressing into her back. "Well, when I was in school, I was up watching a porn tape I had gotten, drinking some vodka and OJ... sitting on the couch enjoying the tape... " Triela's words bringing to mind her in her old school uniform, unbuttoned and pulled aside. "Well, Tora sheepishly came in... and sat and watched with me, her first... porn I might add." Triela's words pausing as the cotton had moved aside, my fingers finding their way in, much to her delight, deeper breaths coming after every sentence, her purring starting to reach it's limit, the moans on their way shortly. "Well, a few scenes and a few screwdrivers later... we were both enjoying... the pleasure each others hands..."

Triela now unfocused, lost in the sensations, I leaned over, softly nibbling and kissing her neck, hearing her begin to moan, her hands finding their way behind her to my hips, her thumbs tugging on the waistband of my jeans, signaling she wanted more than just my hand, and I was more than happy to oblige.

"Jeez where are they -myu!?" I muttered aloud, talking to no one but me, waiting at a table up in the dining care for 20 minutes. Noah and Triela must have fallen back asleep or are in the wrong car. I got up from the table, meandering my way back through the train looking for them, but not finding them along the way. The hallways through the train were not too busy, errant passengers walking to and from the private compartments in the back, separated from the general seating in the front of the train. I finally found our compartment, slowly opening the door, taking a step through the doorway, my head peeking into the compartment. The sounds from inside told me what the two were up to, finding Triela bouncing on Noah's lap, looking away from him, facing me, with noah hidden behind her, his hands on her waist. The moaning catgirl's sweater and panties were strewn on the floor, her skirt and bra still on, chest bouncing and a small moan escaping from her lips with each motion. I felt my cheeks blush, matching Triela's, as I looked at the couple, the few seconds passing for minutes, thinking of the few times in the past I had accidently came upon Noah with a woman, usually in a more private place then a train. Stepping back through the doorway, starting to leave, I noticed Triela's eyes opening slightly and looking at me, her head tilting slightly in my direction. A smile came over her face, winking at me. I felt my cheeks get hotter as I blushed even more, reflexively pulling back through the door, closing it shut behind me, quickly walking over to one of the small seats between compartments. As the embarrassment wore off, slowly stroking my tail to get the prickled fur to lay flat again, my mind was thinking about the two of them in there, intermingled with all the times I used to fantasize that it was me with him instead of the 'other woman'... And trying to place a meaning on Triela's unexpected wink. I guess she was just enjoying herself, her way of joking with me. Ten minutes past as I waited on the bench for them to finish, reminding myself that it was never going to happen between me and Noah, the decision made long ago, but still dragging me down, a thorn in my rosy demeanor. Noah's voice played through my head. "Midori, I'm not the one for you, but I'll be right by your side when you do finally meet him"... I wiped my cheek with the back of my hand, hoping Noah was right.

Triela stepped out of the bathroom, composed and dressed again, cold water doing little to remove the redness from her flushed face, as we both got ready to go meet Midori for dinner, running really late now. I leaned in and kissed her cheek, my arm slipping around her back as we left the the compartment, heading up the train. We didn't venture too far, finding midori sitting on a bench nearby, a soft smile appearing on her face as we came up, Triela's arm hooked through mine.

"I thought you two would never finish -myu..." Midori quipped, hopping up and grabbing my hand, a grin poking out as she towed us up to the dining car. "You know they stop serving in ten minutes -myu?" she asked, pulling a bit harder, the Twenty year old acting as if she were seven, leading us to the toy store. Triela leaned close, whispering in my ear.

"Oh, did I forget to mention she saw us having fun? I winked at her and she turned bright red, it was so cute!" the flashbacks of Midori turning red putting a grin on my face, heading off to dinner.

I reached over to the switch dimming the lights in the compartment, looking over at Midori sleeping against the wall of the train, still sitting in the seat, obviously worn out from her first day on the train. Triela stepped out of the small bathroom, still pulling on her T shirt, now dressed for bed.

"Can you help me with Midori, dear?" I asked, getting up off the seat, walking over to Midori, my arm going around her back, the other under her kness, pulling her close, lifting her off the seat. Triela pulled the latch releasing the small bed from the wall, folding out, pulling back the sheets and pillow attached to it. I slowly set her down on the bed, supporting her head as I laid her down, her long silver hair covering her face. Triela popped her small shoes off, guiding her feet under the covers, pulling the sheets over her, still asleep. I reached up to one of her ears, softly scratching behind it for a moment, making her gently purr in her sleep.

"You're really good at that, Noah" Triela whispered, motioning to my scratching.

"I got a lot of practice with her, she'd always fall asleep next to me on the couch watching TV, so I'd scratch her head in her sleep as I veged out, the only times i've ever really heard her purr."

"You're such a big softie... If I fall asleep before you will you scratch behind mine? it gives me good dreams" she said softly, walking over to our side, releasing the other bed, stepping on the seat, hopping into bed, stopping mid step to swish her tail at me, as it disappeared under the oversized shirt.

"Sure Dear, you know I like hearing you purr in your sleep..." I stepped closer to the bed, my shirt and pants joining her clothes in the corner of the room, slipping into bed next to Triela, feeling her warm furry legs come around mine, pulling me towards her as I leaned over her her, my head on her chest, leaving kisses along her neck and cheek, finally retreating back to the pillow. My arms found their way around her, wrapping around her tummy and under her neck, holding her tight, never wanting to let her go, never having to again.

31 - The Honeymooners

I Walked around the cab, grabbing the bags from the trunk, hefting the two large hardsided suitcases out, looking scarred and beat-up compared to the pristine condition they were in a month ago, bought before the wedding for our honeymoon, the large containers bearing the only hardship of our trip. We had spent our time exploring the island that Triela visited by herself, the small chartered boat finding the secluded beach she spoke of, hidden away from the rest of the tourist-filled beaches and hangouts. Triela lazily got out of the cab, still wearing her old woven hat, one of the only ones her ears approved of, the shadow it cast made her face look like she was an islander or something, her face tanned by the week in the sun, the rest of her skin also tanned to a matching hue. The cab took off, leaving us in front of the house, recently getting a coat of white paint, one of the last things the builders were doing when we had left, the interior still made of exposed joists, missing carpet and flooring, crates of things new and old waiting to find their place, all under the guidance of Midori, the boss of the house while we were away.

"It's looking better and better, Noah" Triela commented as she put her arm around me, looking over the large white edifice in front of her, the small brown desert out front, waiting to be landscaped after the house was finished, the thin concrete walk looking like a freeway across it.

"Well, let's see what Midori has up her sleeve, she said the hotel wasn't needed anymore..." we each grabbed our suitcases, walking up to the front of the house, knocking on the large hardwood door. "Just a minute - Myu!" yelled Midori form the inside, the door opening moments later, Midori dressed in overalls and a T shirt, work boots on her feet.

"Welcome home Noah -Myu!" Midori jumping on me, hugging me tightly. stepping back, and grabbing the handle of Triela's suitcase, leading it into the house, Showing off what she had accomplished.

"The floors and walls are done, the electrical and plumbing is finished, and your friend from work says the wireless is up and running too. I've been getting the stuff unpacked from the old house and the items Triela had ordered too." she quipped as we went through the entrance hallway into the living room, the spacious room the centerpiece of the house, the two story ceiling and stairways on either side, the room flooded with sunlight from the large plexiglas wall, the coastline of Livt visible curving off in the distance, taking advantage of the house's position high up on Southside Hill. The furniture sat in a group huddled in the middle, the rugs still rolled up, the wood flooring getting to show off through the dust and equipment scattered around the room.

"well, it is certainly coming along in here, what about the rooms?" I asked her, wondering how the bedrooms looked.

"Lets go upstairs, and you can see for yourself." Midori grinned, leading us up the right stairwell, towards the master bedroom and the others on the second floor. As we all ventured up the stairs, the dust and equipment disappeared, pictures, furniture and rugs in their place, the top floor looking completed. We headed down the hallway passing a room with soft yellow paint on the walls, something I never remembered having been planned.

"Hey Midori, what's up with this room? I thought we were going to have this as storage until it was needed..." Walking in, seeing the furniture all ready in place, a crib and rocking chair the most prominent pieces. Triela wrapped her arms around me from behind, her head resting on my shoulder.

"Well, I found out we're going to need it a bit sooner, so I had Midori get it ready... I hope Daddy approves..." She whispered in my ear "I'm pregnant..." I snapped around, finding a smile on Triela's face as I reached out and hugged my new wife, now an expectant mother, feeling her softly purring with emotion. As I pulled away, questions floating through my head.

"When did you find out dear? I thought you were on the pill?"

"I found out before the wedding, when I skipped my period... I was off the pill when you left, I didn't have them with me when I went to the island or to farstead - I figured it was the train trip home."

"Do you know if it's a boy or..." Triela cutting my question off.

"It's a girl, and I already have an idea for her name, the next one to be used for my family... I imagine you noticed we all start with the Letter T, my great grandfather started it for the girls, we've followed it ever since..."

"What is the name you've chosen?" Triela then telling me, the name of one of her great aunts as well. It sounded like a fine name for a little half-catgirl, approving her choice. I held her hand as we went over and sat in the large rocking chair, pulling Triela down, sitting on my lap, my arms holding her tightly, her arms slipping around my neck. Triela tugged on my neck, pulling my head against her chest, my ear hearing her heart beating the soft purring sounding very loudly, as she put head against mine, each of us holding one another as tightly as possible. A flash went off, my eyes opening and looking over, Midori snapping a pic with a camera, destined to be framed and hung in the hallway, a reminder of how happy I was at that moment every time I would pass it for the years to come.

Epilogue - First day of school

"'Bout ready dear?" I called to Triela, still in the bathroom, finishing up her morning routine, clothes laid out on the foot of the bed as I sifted through the closet looking for a tie to match my shirt, deciding on my goofy father's day tie from a few months ago, appropriate for today, at least for this morning.

"Yea, just about done..."

"Breakfast's ready -myu!" Midori called up the stairs, as I tightened the knot in my tie, Triela steeping out of the bathroom behind me, walking over to the bed, slipping on the white lace items laid out, noting how wonderful she looked, slipping the white blouse on, the skirt following in quick order.

"would you mind brushing us before we go?" Triela picking up her purse from next to the bed, heading downstairs with me to the awaiting breakfast.

"Sure, we should have the time, we're doing pretty good this morning." We walked down the hallway, turning down the stairs, finding the other two in the kitchen, Breakfast already on the table, Midori up early to make sure everything went well.

"Mommy, can I take this with me to school? Tala called to Triela, waving her latest favorite plush animal at us. Triela walked over and kneeled next to her, the five year old in her PJ's, sitting in the taller seat at the table, her short grey tail sticking between the slats of the chair, waving back and forth in excitement, her morning routine altered severely today. Triela put her hand on the top of her head, stroking her black hair.

"No dear, he'll have to wait at home for you, but there will be other fun things to do there."

"Ok.." she said sadly, her ears laying flat on her head, setting the purple thing back down on the table, returning to eating breakfast. Midori came around and set our plates down on the table, larger portions of Tala's.

"So what are you up to today Midori?" I asked her, as she walked around the kitchen, putting things in their place.

"Well, I'm heading over with you guys for the first day of school, then heading down into town to run a few errands and do some shopping. I should be back to pick up Tala at school just before they let out. You need anything special picked up?" Midori asked me, always keeping up with the demands of the house, practically a part of our family.

"No, Just heading off to work afterwards, I should be home around four."

"Daddy, are you coming with me down to school?" Tala queried, stirring the remainder of her food around the plate with her fork, the morning's question and answer session beginning.

"Yes - me, Mom, and Midori will be going to drop you off at school today."

"Is Suna going too?" Referring to her friend down the street, spending more time over here than at her own house.

"Yes, you are in the same class as Suna, but there will be many more people to be friends with there waiting to meet you, so be nice to them - no clawing their feet."

"Yeeessss Daaadd" her voice drawing out the words making fun of my admonishment, a trouble-maker's grin on her face, one her mother uses all the time.

Midori grabbed the plates off the table, leaving me reading the paper as Tala and Mom headed up to get her dressed for school, returning 10 minutes later, Tala dressed in her black dress, red ribbon tied around the collar, one that we used for going out to a fancy dinner some time ago, appropriate for her first day of Kindergarden and the pictures Midori would be taking of her. Midori was now our own amateur photographer, talking pictures of Triela and I ever since our first time in the house - saving them, framing and hanging them, as well as printing books to be looked over in the years to come. Triela flipped on the big TV in the living room, showing Tala's morning cartoons.

"Ok Tala, you first" Triela called to her, engrossed in the TV, as I hopped up, heading for the couch, pulling the fur brush from the catch-all drawer in the kitchen, peppered with grey and black hairs. I sat down on the couch, Tala hopping onto my knee, sitting sideways on it, still watching TV as as I quickly ran the brush through her short grey leg fur, it's progression stopping just below her knees, looking like she was wearing grey socks, her small paws possessing small sharp claws like her mother's, the genes for her catgirl traits obviously dominant ones. The brushing ritual was unnecessary for Tala, an excuse for me to have some bonding time with her, and her desire to be more like mommy, just another step in Triela's morning routine.

Finishing the quick strokes, I kissed her on the top of her head, as she jumped up and wandered over to watch the TV, Mom taking her place, legs over my lap as I ran the brush over them, Triela softly purring with the attention, my hand reaching over, slipping behind her neck, softly scratching the back of her head, watching her eyes close, enjoying the relaxing feeling amongst all the stress and excitement of the day. My hand slid from the back of her neck to her shoulder, tracing it's way down her side, coming to rest on the side of her hip as the brushing finished up, Triela moving and sitting on my lap, watching Tala from behind, playing with the scattered toys on the floor, TV glowing overhead. Triela reached around, her arms pulling my head towards her chest as I kissed her neck, following the buttons down her shirt, stopping where the cleavage ended and her shirt began, still noting the size increase that having Tala gave her.

"You know Tala will be in school until two o'clock, and Midori will be out running errands, if you stay home we could have the house to ourselves for once... " Triela whispered in my ear, thinking of her in lingerie getting ready this morning.

"I'll see what I can do - I'll call the office while we're driving." I quipped, liking the idea of staying home the more I thought about it.

"We better get going then..." Triela hopping up from my lap, making sure her tail flitted by my nose. "Time to go Tala.." She called, the two troublemakers heading out to the garage, Midori waiting for me as I grabbed my phone off the table, calling the office to use up some vacation time.

"Say cheeeeze -myu!" Midori called to us, kneeling on either side of Tala, a picture destined for my wallet, snapped in front of the school, all the other parents doing the same. Triela got the camera from Aunt Midori as she hefted up Tala, giving her a kiss on the nose, Triela snapping a pic of the two of them looking at one another. Grandma stepped out from behind Triela, Tavi scooping her up, telling her to have fun at school, setting down the little catgirl, Tala running off to class, looking for her friend Suna, my arm sliding around Triela, pulling her hip against mine, leaning in and kissing the tear that escaped from her eye, holding her tightly as she disappeared around the corner. Tavi Walked back, Triela leaving my side, hugging her mother, hearing Kerru's name mentioned, His passing away last year still fresh in their minds, Tala just old enough to remember sitting on grandpa's furry knee. Triela turned back to me, leaning and softly kissing my cheek, arms going around my shoulder as we all turned and walked out to the cars, the hurdle of the first day of school behind us, many more hurdles in front of us, ones that we would face together.

The End

######################

Thanks For Reading ^_^

Story 1 is complete (as of 2004), and has had a majority of the errors and mistakes removed (not all of them, however). The timeline for this story continues on a bit with Story one's characters supporting the new cast of Story Three.

1.6.10 -

Story three was started but will probably never be finished. I wrote up segments of the story, mostly revolving around Midori, and some other plot building scenes. I will post these unfinished bits (several pages worth) onto the end of he current story 3 or as a whole new addition.

Story 3's page is located under my story list.

Thanks for reading my first ever major creative writing project. ~John