The Trouble With Slaying

The Trouble with Being A Rabbit

I shuddered on the floor of the bus as everyone stared at me incredulously. I hadn't moved from where Liam had dropped me after hauling me through the Florida swamp lands and back onto the bus, not quite sure what I would do even if I could shake off the terror and exhaustion of fear. My ears had flopped back and stayed tight against my spine as I tried to block out the pained grunts and curses as Liam changed back.

I had expected him to be in a foul mood but he was down right jovial. He hadn't even bothered putting on more than a pair of jeans just so he could come out and tell everyone about my erratic behavior when I realized I was caught and my hilarious scream when he had grabbed me. He was still laughing. Hysterically.

"Are you sure?"

Liam wiped the tears of mirth from his eyes and nodded at Shaw. "Damn sure. Smells just like him. And he was at the end of the trail I was following to find Seth so..."

Shaw frowned. "You're not just kidding around and brought your dinner home with you?"

Liam's amusement faded as he was continually met with disbelief. I probably wouldn't have believed him either. "I'm telling you, that's Seth. If he were just some random rabbit he'd have found a place to hide by now."

Sawamura shrugged as he moved a little closer and squatted down. "Could just be that he's terrified. I know I'd be terrified if some big monster snatched me up by the scruff of the neck and hauled me off to Sire knows where to plop me in front of more monsters." He held a hand out towards me and made a 'come here' gesture.

I hesitated before hopping over to him. I knew he was likely going to pick me up and thought that was just as humiliating as being hauled in here in Liam's mouth, but I supposed I should probably get used to it. Sure enough, he scooped one hand beneath my belly and the other beneath my butt to scoop me into his chest. My stomach dropped and my head spun as he picked me up and stood all in one motion. He hauled me over to the table and set me down on the surface before turning away to rummage.

Liam growled a little. "I eat on that table."

"You also eat rabbit so what's the issue."

Shaw sighed. "I don't eat rabbit."

I just looked up at Aria as she leaned her elbows on the table and studied me. Lissi landed lightly in front of me and gazed into my eyes. She sent a quick glance around before turning back to me. "I know the witch hit him with some spell, but I didn't see the effects before I attacked her. I just thought it was a fear spell when I realized he had run off." She grinned at me. "His eyes are the same."

Aria glanced over at Sawamura as he came back with a pen and an old receipt but I knew she was talking to me. "She's dead, if you wanted to know. You and Lissi managed to stall her for long enough that we could catch up with you and finish her. Nice work."

The praise was a little muted as I tried to figure out how Sawamura expected me to write anything without thumbs. I relaxed a little when he quickly wrote himself, 'yes' on one side, and 'no' on the other. He spun the paper towards me.

"Are you Seth?"

I wished rabbits could roll their eyes as I reached over and smacked yes with a paw.

"Told'jya."

"Shut up Liam. You feel okay? Other than being in the wrong body of course. No feeling of imminent doom if you don't get changed back STAT?"

I wiggled my nose, thinking. Then set my paw on no. I decided it was probably a good thing I hadn't lied in an effort to get changed back as soon as possible when everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Shaw nodded. "Good. That gives us time to do it right." He dug out a cigarette and lit it as he continued. "Aria and I will go turn in our assignment and get paid. Liam, get the bus gassed and ready to go back home. Sawamura, you're on rabbit sitting detail. Aria, if you wouldn't mind giving me a ride there and back I would be much obliged."