A Time Of Peace

[Cat]

*Set before Wake Up Flock!*

I sat with my back against a tree trunk. I sighed contentedly as rain lightly begin to pour and soak me through. The Flock was doing well with our eight party members, and we lived in utter peace. It had been two years since we had last seen an Eraser; we hoped it stayed this peaceful.

Yawning, I wondered what everyone was up to. Did they miss their odd Leader (me), who was currently sitting next to a tree, out in the pouring rain? I bet they were watching TV and arguing about what to eat for dinner. Lord knows I love the Flock, but even I need to get away sometimes.

Turning my head, I almost wished someone would come out and sit with me. Unfortunately, I didn't think anyone wanted to get wet. Aaron might have come out with me, if it weren't for the fact he was sleeping. Sometimes the feline in him told him to sleep.

Suddenly my thoughts turned to Rane. I had yet to figure him out. He was my Second-In-Command, and someone you could trust with your life...if you were on him 'Team'. I trusted Rane, and I often found myself leaning on him for support. Without him, I might not have made it this far.

As of late, I had found myself watching Rane; narrowing my eyes and staring for such a long time, he would turn and notice, but I wouldn't take my eyes off of him. He probably questioned my sanity, as I recently had, but all in all, I knew it was out of mere curiosity. I wished I knew more about the lithe, raven-haired teen.

I remembered the stories about Maximum Ride and Fang's relationship. In a way, I was Max, and Rane was Fang, but we were only friends. But is that what I wanted?

Muttering to myself, I stood and walked up and into the house we lived in. I shook myself like a wet dog before entering and then turned my eyes to wards those who were in the Living Room. A few of them turned to look at me, but others stayed put; interested more in the TV.

I was about to go up the stairs to see if Aaron was asleep, when I decided I'd ask Rane. I knew they both didn't like (much less trust) each other, but I always knew Rane would know. Lately, Aaron had been sleeping a lot more, so I feared he was ill or something else was wrong. Even after hours of sleep, he would wake up and dark circles would surface around his blue eyes.

"Rane, do you know if Aaron is still asleep?" I asked quietly once I made my way over to him. Water dripped off me and I sneezed; knowing me, I'd get hypothermia from sitting out in the cold rainy night and staying in my wet clothes. I slightly shivered and wrapped my arms around myself, waiting for Rane to reply.

[Rane]

Peace, it was something that Rane treasured. He was happy that the Flock could experiance it, and he could get to know them. He smiled as he watched his 'family'. They were all gathered around the t.v. watching some funny show. The only people not present were Aaron and Cat, their leader. A frown tugged at his lips as he thought about where she could be. He knew Aaron was up in his bed sleeping, however he hadn't seen Cat in almost an hour. He turned his gaze to the window and watched the rain drizzle outside. 'She's probably out in that.' He thought to himself and that worried him. He knew that he cared deeply for every member of the Flock, but for some reason Cat ment more to him. When he would feel her eyes on him he felt an odd tingle that lasted for a few moments. He wanted to talk to her about it but he knew he would never be brave enough. While lost in these thoughts the person that they were centered on appreared. Rane jumped slightly as Cat's soft voice reached his ears. He turned to face her and instantly wanted to grab the nearest thing to warm her. He smiled at her trying to ignore the feeling. "Yeah, he is still asleep, he has barely left his room all day." He answered before turning and grabbing the tattered blanket that sat on the back of the couch. "Here, you must be cold." He said softly as he placed the blanket over her wet shoulders.

[Cat]

I blinked in thanks at Rane for answering, and was slightly taken aback when he placed the blanket on my shoulders. I blushed slightly, and coughed to cover it up. Oh, great, now I'd make him really think I was sick.

Shaking my head and muttering once more to myself, I settled down next to Rane. I squeezed closer to him, seeking warmth. I sighed as I set my head down on his shoulder and closed my eyes. I felt a hundred years old, and I felt so content, just being here, surrounded by my Flock. If life went on like this forever, I'd never get tired of it.

I moved my shoulders slightly and pressed against Rane again. I shifted every so slightly, and breathed in his scent. Next to me, I heard one of the Flock members change the channel to a music-video station. I suddenly heard one of my favorite songs pop onto the station. It was I Caught Myself by Paramore.

"Change the channel and you die." I muttered sleepily.

As I listened to the song, I felt myself leaning heavily on Rane. I began to think of that as the way I thought about Rane. Softly I began to sing along with the second verse until the end. Yawning, I slowly felt myself drift into sleep next to Rane.

Maybe, just maybe, one of these days I'd tell him how I really felt...

[Mira]

In these times in these places it was a relaxing time for any of the flock members. They were safe, warm, protected by those they loved and by a roof over their heads that provided the ultimate thing they needed, a home. This was the perfect enviorment for the young ones to grow up in, much better than dog crates at the school. This was also the absolute best place for little Mira to grow up and develop in. The little girl loved watching TV with her family, playing with her family and just being with them in general. She had watched Cat come in all wet from the rain outside and how she was looking for Aaron. When she had turned back to the TV for just a brief moment watching the end of her show just before it was changed to the music station.

Mira liked this song and she knew Cat did too by the way that she threatened whoever was planning on changing the channel. The young girl turned over to see Cat falling asleep on Rane's shoulder, still looking kind of cold from the rain. The Small Child smiled a little and turned into her Tabby cat form, though she looked much more like a kitten than a full grown cat, which was probably true since the doctors said her form would grow older as she did.

But this was neither here nor their! The small orange kitten scuttled across the wooden floor being quite as a mouse just before she hopped up on Cats lap. The Kitten settled herself for a moment before starting to purr contently as she laid down in a fluffy little ball of orange fur.

'There! Cat should be all warm now!'' Mira thought happily

[Rane]

Rane felt Cat pressing against him, he could feel the water that soaked through the blanket begin to soak through the fabric of his shirt. However at this moment he didn't care. All of his thoughts were on the girl that was pressing against him. He lifted one arm and curled it around Cat's shoulder pulling her closer to him. As he listened to the song play he smiled and lay his cheek on top of her wet hair. Suddenly he looked down to find the source of the loud purring that had started. "Well hello Mira." He said softly using his free hand to pet the orange kitten's head. He was careful to be quite, letting Cat get some sleep.

Lexi yawned as he stumbled out of his room and down to where the rest of the Flock had gathered. Once down her ran a hand through his messy red hair and grinned. "Good morning everyone!" He basically yelled as he moved behind the couch and closer to the kitchen. "No one woke me up, I must have missed so exciting stuff." He added opening the pantry door and digging through it. After settling on a bag of half eaten chips he began to look for his 'Wing buddy'. He finally found her on Cat's lap and scooped her up. "Hey Mira!" He exclaimed as he rubbed his cheek against her head. "Whatcha been up too?" He asked before shoving a handful of chips in his mouth.

[Cat]

I suddenly felt a weight on my lap and warmth. I sighed in my half-asleep state and growled when Mira was gone. I looked up and narrowed my eyes dangerously at Lexi. Boy, he had taken away one of my sources of warmth and content, and he was going to pay.

As I plotted on Lexi's death, I felt Rane wrap his arm around me and I flushed. "Will you help me kill Lexi later?" I whispered in his ear.

I suddenly yawned and let my eyes narrow against the light. My wolf-like eyes adjusted quickly to light, but when I suddenly opened them again, it was painful. Giving out a low growl in irritation in my throat, I found myself pushing my face into Rane's side.

The day I actually get good enough sleep is the day Hell freezes over.

[Mira]

Upon getting her head petted Mira started to purr louder and wiggled a little it Cats lap. She liked getting attention from anyone but when Rane did it it was kinda special. Rane was usually the quite type and people would think he really wasnt that affectionate, but Mira knew better. He really liked Cat and Cat really liked him, they both cared about the flock so much it was like having a big happy family with a mommy and a daddy. However, Mira did worry about Aaron though, she always wondered if he liked Cat a lot too, like more than what others cared for her.

Mira's thoughts were interupted by being scooped up from Cats lap by causing her to mew softly. She started to purr again however when he rubbed his face against her head, velvety soft kitten fur rubbing up against his face. The kitten purred loudly at his question and gestured over to the TV with her striped little tail before she rubbed her head against him. She watched as cat growled a little and she mewled a little up at Lexi, not wanting him to get in trouble.

"Mew, Meow?" She mewed in that soft little voice of hers. Mira was worried about him but...she was also kinda hungry so she looked at his chips and preceded to meow again. "Meow?"

[Cat]

I heard Mira mewling and I think I sighed. I had no idea though, since I was still buried next to Rane, with my head under his arm and into his side. I was partially glad that Aaron was asleep where I could be this close to Rane without having Aaron have waves of anger coming off of him. That was always a put-off.

I just then realized I could feel something vibrating off of Rane. I stiffened and concentrated, using my power to sense what people were feeling. It wasn't the most accurate or easiest power in the book, but I still liked it.

When I finally admitted I couldn't identify what he was feeling, I gave myself a mental shrug. As I heard Mira continue to mewl at Lexi, I growled, flinging myself upwards. I leapt onto the floor and turned into my wolf form. I snarled at Lexi, daring him to not give me back Mira. My sharp canine teeth retracted and I pointed them at Lexi. He had ticked me off one time too many.

"Give me back Mira and you won't be missing a leg." I threatened. My eyes narrowed dangerously and waited with my tail swishing back and forth in irritation.

[Rane]

Rane sighed as Cat left his side. He knew this was going to get bad, after all both Lexi and Cat had wolf DNA so it tended to get a little nasty. "Come on you two must we really fight?" He asked as he got to his feet. If he wasn't able to stop it before it happened then he had no idea what would get destroyed and who would get hurt. "Cat, you know he wasn't hurting Mira, and I don't think she has any issues with him holding her." He added as he reached down to touch Cat's head trying to reassure her.

Lexi grinned as Cat changed into her wolven form. "Ohhhh! So you wanna play huh?" He asked as he carefully placed Mira on a counter. "We can do this." He stated as he changed into his own wolven form. He grinned at Cat his white fangs contrasting to his black muzzle. "So whatcha wanna do Cat?" He asked sweetly his ears back and his tail swinging slightly. One of his ears twitched a little as Rane talked but he really didn't care what the older male had to say.

[Cat]

I quieted down at Rane's touch, yet as soon as Lexi mocked me, I leapt at him in fury. I tumbled over and pinned him. "Don't mess with me, boy." I snarled, my muzzle pressed against his.

"I know he wasn't hurting Mira, but sometimes people push the wrong button." My eyes narrowed at Lexi before I easily stalked away from him, turned back into my human form and declared; "I am taking a shower and if anyone bothers me...it's your throat."

I sauntered into the bathroom and turned on the water for it to heat before I walked into my bedroom to grab clothes and a towel. A few weeks ago it was the first time I had decided to change in the bathroom. The last time I walked out of there with a towel on...well, let's just say it didn't end well. Quietly I closed and locked the door before I undressed and sank into the hot water. "I'm gonna kill Lexi one of these days, and I won't feel any guilt about it."

I narrowed my eyes and hunched my shoulders into the water. I needed a good, long, hot bath. And I was serious about my threat if anyone interrupted it.

[Mira]

Now, to say the least, little Mira was now effectively terrified at what was going on. She kept trying to voice her protest but not voice would come out of her little mouth. The young girls ears flatend straight back and she looked around in a frightened way at the two. She looked at them for a while as they exchanged words and cat stalked off to take a shower, making sure to threaten Lexi. Mira mewled softly, hopping off the counter and skittering to her room. It was easy to say that the kitten was obviously distress the way her fur was all poofed out and such and as she went into her room. The Kitten hid inside one of her empty pillow cases and shook a little, always hating it when people were angry.

Mira hated it when her family fought, it made her so sad, they were supposed to all get a long. It made her very upset and because she was so upset she didnt even think about if the flock was gonna worry about her or not, she just wanted them to stop being mean to each other.

[Cat]

I pulled myself partially reluctantly out of the bath. I stood, quickly dried off, and then got dressed. My hair was still wet, but I didn't mind. I glanced over and saw Mira's door slightly open. I decided to just take a look, and there I saw a pillow case shivering. I blinked and softened my eyes, realizing I must have scared her. Will I ever quit scaring my family?

"Mira...are you okay? I'm sorry I snapped at Lexi...I just haven't felt quite right tonight." I paused and saw the case stop shivering a touch. "How bout I let you stay up to watch a movie with Rane and I? Would that brighten you up? Especially since I never let you stay up so late." I smiled lightly as I plucked Mira out from the case and rubbed my face against her soft head. "Deal? Just you, me, and Rane." I smiled at her gently.

[Mira]

Mira listened to this reasoning Cat gave her, tempted to refuse it all together. However this temptation went away as soon as cat plucked her out of the case and started rubbing her face against her soft head fur. Mira started to purr loudly at cat, snuggling her furry head against her mother figure. She enjoyed being held and now that everything was okay again no one would be fighting anymore.

"Meow." The kitten replied in her own way of saying deal, she the preceded to latch onto cat a little with her paws. Mira wanted to be close to cat right now, and it was Cats own fault, thats what she got for being motherly to her surrogate daughter, kitten latched onto her.

[Cat]

I smiled gently at Mira and plucked her up and held her tightly as I made my way out of her room and into the living room. I saw that most of the Flock members had gone to bed, and only a few remained. I sat on the couch with a sigh and let Mira curl up on my lap. I yawned and flexed my shoulders slightly. I glanced over at Rane and sighed. I hope he wasn't angry at me for threatening Lexi and causing such an uproar. Sometimes...sometimes the wolf inside of me gets the better of me and I just have to do something to prove my point. I decided to be friendly though and hope he wasn't as mad as Lexi probably was.

"Hey Rane; how would you like to watch a movie with just me and Mira?" I asked quietly. I hoped he said yes, because I needed his company.

[Rane]

Rane finished toweling his dark hair dry and then threw the now damp towel toward the dirty laundry. He would probably be the one washing it anyway, since Lexi's pride was now damaged and he was moping up in his room. "I wish he would just hurry and grow up." He sighed as he moved himself over to the couch and sat down. He had just sat down when Cat and Mira joined him. He blinked in surprise and quickly recovered with a smile. "Of course I will watch a movie with the two of you." He answered his voice warm. He leaned closer to Cat and then paused slightly a small wave of uncertainty rolling off him. 'Come on you can do it!' He thought to himself instantly dissolving the uncertainty. "I hope you don't mind...." He whispered as he closed the distance and placed a small kiss on Cat's cheek. "I'm not mad at you...you know." He added as he placed a hand on Mira's head and stroked softly.

[Cat]

I smiled at Rane warmly and froze when he lightly kissed my cheek. I think I flushed, but my face was already too hot to tell. I moved closer and once again pressed myself against him. I felt so warm and safe when by his side, and I was grateful for all he had done.

"Rane, why did you follow us when we escaped? I've began to wonder why anyone follows me..." I trailed off as I looked helplessly at Mira's purring form.

I had never been the Leader type, and I was still getting used to all the...power...that came with it. All the stress...all the anixiety...everything about being a leader was painful. But somehow I managed to find the wind under my wings with the Flock. They kept me aloft on the wind of fate, and I was awed and grateful to every last one of them.

Though I'd had to admit; Mira and Rane were the ones I was closet to. Mira was like the daughter I never had, and really never want. But she keeps me entertained, and I know I'd have a child if it were like her in a heartbeat. I loved Mira so much. Now Rane, he was always the one who supported me. He helped us escape, and stayed with me and the Flock through thick and thin. Honestly, I wouldn't know what to do without him. And (with a chuckle to myself), I knew Mira thought me as her Mom and Rane as her dad. It was cute, actually.

[Rane]

Rane smiled softly as he used his free hand to play with Cat's hair. "I followed you because I believe in you." He answered as he continued to stroke Mira's head. "With out you, this flock would be nothing." He added before moving his hand from Cat's hair and turing on the t.v. "So what would you like to watch?" He asked as he flipped through the channels. He sighed as he went a few more channels. "All they are showing tonight are Horror movies...." He groaned. He hated horror movies.

[Cat]

I smiled at Rane as he messed with my hair. I didn't mind it. "Afraid of the big bad wolf and vampires?" I asked teasingly, noticing the look of disdain on his face. "I'll be here where you can grab me and hug me while you scream when it gets to the ugly parts." I smirked lightly; merely teasing him for knocks.

[Mira]

While Cat was thinking and talking to rane , mira enjoyed her pettings and strokings from the other two flock members purring loudly. The kitten was happly content with laying on the lap of her best buddies, and parents. The Kitten contently snuggled in cats lap, nearly falling asleep for a moment before they said the word horror movies. The cat shook a little bit, ears flat against her head docilly.

"Umm, you sure only horror movies are on?" Mira mewled softly, "You guys could tell me a story instead of TV if nothing good is on."

[Cat]

I lightly smiled at Mira. "I was merely teasing Rane. Now hand over the remote." I said with a false growl as I pulled it from his hand. Easily flipping through the channels, I finally found a good movie. Well, good in my opinion. Actually, this movie always made me...cry...oooo, big shocker, right?

"How about A Town Without Christmas? It's about a 'boy' that writes very odd letters to Ole' Saint Nick. Soon everyone is in a town waiting for him and blah blah blah, ghost shows up, Chris is a girl, freaky paintings fortell the future, and as always, a hint of romance." I cackled to myself quietly. Unfortunately, as I stated, I always cry because it's just so sad.