Starry Savana Night

First Crush

Yuu dumped the next load of laundry onto the grassy surface with a heavy sigh. She knew she'd get punished for having caused Leona more trouble again, but she'd hoped it would have been a more severe workout than just doing a bunch of chores. She snapped the first t-shirt out into the wind and stood up on her tiptoes to hang it carefully on the wire to dry.

"You look right at home doing that." Inola's voice made her fur stand on end. She glared at him over her shoulder. "Leona finally showed you your place."

"Watch it, senpai..." she growled at him, her hands gripping the fine fabric firmly. "I have strangulation items at my disposal and I'm not afraid to use them "

"Tough talk, house Frau." He snickered. He heard another growl from behind and glanced over his shoulder. He jerked when he saw Jack and Ruggie standing behind him. "Ah... just making sure she's doing her job, Ruggie-Senpai."

"Really? Seems to me you're distracting her, Inola." He jerked his thumb. "Take a hike before I tell Leona and things get really ugly."

"Yes sir, Ruggie-Senpai!" He slapped the arm of his associate and they ran off at high speed. Yuu couldn't help but smirk at the sight.

"They seem spooked. What'd you two do to them to make them react that way?"

"Nothing much..." Jack rubbed the back of his neck. "It's Leona-Senpai who they're scared of. Can't say I blame them after what we witnessed the other day."

"Hmmm?" Her ears perked up at this info.

"Never mind, want some help with that?" Jack stepped up and picked up a pair of pants.

"That's nice of you Jack, but you don't have to help me. I got it."

"You shouldn't have to do it alone. It wasn't really your fault what happened, and I owe Leona for saving my skin." He decided and easily hung up the pants. "It'll go by faster if we do it together."

"Well listen to you, Mr. Team Player." Ruggie hissed out a laugh. "Are you taking what Leona said to heart?"

"I still prefer to do things on my own... but if I want to be a valuable member of the team I need to learn to work with others. So..." he eyed Yuu who just stared up at him with big green eyes. He stared so hard at them that he noticed there were little flecks of gold circling the irises... almost like an eclipsed sun. "... Yeah, I'm learning."

"I really want to play too, but until I can keep up with the big boys I won't even be considered for the team." Yuu sighed.

"Well he's already got a speedster like me on the team, so what he really needs is some defense players to go up against guys like Malleus who are power players. Though I don't know anyone who can stand toe to toe with that guy, at least at this school."

"He is something else, isn't he?" Yuu had to admit. "When I met him face to face the other day I was scared stiff."

"You actually met him?" This from Jack who gawked at her.

"Yeah, long story, but basically I was just running an errand for Leona and got the opportunity. He's impressive... the air around him just sizzles with power. Made my fur stand on end. No wonder Sebek worships the guy."

"Sebek, huh?" Jack tried to recall. "Yeah I know him. He's a real loud mouth, and a hypocrite."

"He's actually really nice once you get on his good side. He doesn't have the greatest fondness for humans though. I wonder why." Her ears flicked and she stood up on her tiptoes again, reaching. Jack stood behind her, gingerly taking the pegs from her and clipping them in place while she held the fabric. "Thanks."