Love's Not Void

Chapter 4:

"Where are you headed, Two Canes?"

Okay. Kimberly knew that she's the one who called herself 'Two Canes' in the first place- but after a while, that's going to get old. Besides, what kind of name is that? It's half-baked and difficult to say. Actually...it felt a little rude too.

"I have a name," the brunette huffed. "It's Kimberly, or Kitty for short." Gesturing to her surroundings, her lips pursed to a side, "And if you think I know exactly where I am, you're sorely mistaken... Just look at this place. There are barely any noticeable landmarks."

How was she supposed to know where she was anyway? The forest is full of identical trees and bushes. What did Rai expect from her? Did he think she'd stand here with a hand to her chin, and pretend to be some kind of a professional Ranger?

'Hmm...yes, yes, I must be going the right way. I distinctly remember that pebble being under toe! Come on, let's be real here.'

Kitty is a small-town loner and anime lover. The last time she's been in the woods, she was 5 inches shorter, and riddled in Band Aids.

"You're lost."

'Wow. Way to dumb it down...'

"Yes." She farther deadpanned, a sigh escaping her lips. "Very lost."

Rai paced around the small area, keeping his guard high and suspicions on the down-low. If he didn't believe Kitty, she'd be dead or injured by now. There's no doubt about it. His qualms lied within their location.

It was late; not dark out, but getting there. If they didn't get out of here, the two buffoons from before might return...return with friends.

"Look, I obviously don't have any bearings as to where I am. I know that you do! So if you could point me to North, I'll be-"

Rai faced her slowly, but his gaze nearly split her in half. Since she has been doing most of the talking, he would be irritated. But that look was like him saying 'stop talking or I'll cut your tongue out'.

At this moment, her brain couldn't choose to be scared or thankful for a reaction.

"Follow me."

Kimberly blinked with surprise, unable to move right away. Even as he started to walk, she was having trouble comprehending his words.

'O-kay...*sigh*. To Neverland?'

Rushing after Rai, Kimberly struggled to keep up with his fast pace. However, despite the rush she was in, she managed to catch a figure in the corner of her eye. Before able to see who or what it was, it vanished. With little to nowhere to hide, all Kitty could do was furrow her brows, and keep moving.

~

"Take a break."

As the words left his mouth, Kimberly gasped for air. She sat down where she stood, and leaned her head back- as if it would help her condition.

"Where *pant* do you *pant* store all of your *pant* energy? Do you *pant* pump iron all day?"

"No. I'm simply in shape."

Great. So now he was calling her fat.

A mocking snort came from the panting teenager. Though it was difficult to speak in full sentences, she was able to because she was no longer walking.

"Forgive me Rai, the great and powerful bounty-hunter, if I'm 12 pounds overweight."

Was it a crime to be a tad over the mark? Her society looked down upon those who had a little cushion for the pushing. If most of the people in her town took a survey, at least half of them would say they'd rather be underweight than overweight. But honestly, nothing was wrong with 10, 20, or even 30 extra pounds! As long as you're healthy and not morbidly obese, it should be fine.

"If you've had your rest, we should be moving along."

'Fuck. No.'

Kimberly held her hand in front of his face. "Stop. I'm not even close to catching my breath."

With a small grimace, Rai moved her hand away from him. His tail swayed in annoyance, flicking at the tip. His fluffy white fur defied gravity, catching Kitty's green eyes as it moved through the air.

"What?"

Looking away immediately, the girl shrugged. "Wha? Oh, nothing."

His tail was far fluffier in real life. I mean, the game described it as fluffy- but damn! It had some volume to it!

"You were staring at my tail."

"I have no clue what you're talking about."

Her words betrayed her when the human's eyes moved back to Rai's tail. It was still moving like before, only slower and in a less peeved way.

"Say what's on your mind. Speak."

"Your tail is pretty, that's all."

...

"Tch, idiot."

'Tch, idiot': Rai 2015.

So many insults and scoffing fazes...and it's only been an hour. The sky was a New York minute away from being completely dark. If you looked closely, maybe squint your eyes as well, you could see one or two stars. Most of it was unfortunately concealed by leaves overhead and clouds.

"Thanks for insulting me again. What's this; the 20th time in-..."

No...way. She had to be hallucinating. That was NOT what she thought it was!

Running over to the tree, Kimberly got on her tippy-toes. She jumped, snatching a green apple off one of the branches. Smiling down at it, she turned to look at Rai. He stared at her blankly, not sure what to make of the scene before him.

"I didn't know that these grew around here. Why didn't you tell me?!"

It's been forever since she's seen a green apple. Red apple? They were always in her kitchen growing up. She hated them, though. The only apples she could eat happily were the green ones. It's been that way since birth.

"I didn't know that I was obligated to tell you anything," Rai retorts.

Kimberly shrugs, tossing an apple in his direction. He sees the apple hurling towards him and catches it with ease. Although the trick was impressive- especially considering he wasn't looking her way- his eye looked down at it as if it were poison.

"Ribika can't eat them. If its food to you, collect it and let's be on our way." Putting it into his pocket, Rai was all-too eager to leave.

'Duh. They can't eat it because they're cats. If they were dogs, I'm sure food wouldn't be an issue at all.'

That's not an understatement... Dogs will eat anything. They will literately eat their own shit.

"We should leave. We've been here longer than necessary."

"Fine," Kimberly whined, "Before I run another mile, let me just put this away."

Her pants pockets were actually rather deep. The one on her left was the shortest. It was also where she normally kept her phone. But the one on the right reached from the rim of the pants, down to her knee-cap.

With the other apple in hand, Kimberly took a bite. After chewing and swallowing what was in her mouth, she jogged to chase after Rai yet another time.

~

"This place will do," Rai announced.

Coming out from the thick bushes, Kitty took a strand of hair out of her mouth.

About to complain about their previous pace, she opened her mouth to speak. Despite her intentions, her open mouth closed at the familiar sight.

It was her house. From the front porch to the tire-swing in the front yard- this was home. Only, home looked more worn than she expected.

The porch was covered in mud, as well as eaten away in a few places. The windows were so dirty that you couldn't peer inside. The little 'clean' places left on the glass were towards the middle of the window. The tree, which held her childhood tire-swing, was bent over and eerie looking. It had overgrown tremendously, along with the grass around the house itself.

"I'm home..."