u/ARTS1984

Chapter 3: Settling In

As does every day eventually end, night in the Ketsukane Household settled in. Chujin decided he was gonna work well into the night to try and ignore the presence of the "plague" that Martlet had beset upon their family home. Meanwhile, in the more festive bedroom upstairs, Ceroba, Cole, Kanako and Martlet were getting snuggled into their respective beds. Ceroba and Cole had the master bed that could fit three people and Martlet(who was still giggling like a school girl at the prospect of sleeping in a sleeping bag)/Kanako got their respective bell and ribbon themed sleep bags.

"These are beautiful, Ceroba!!" Martlet went starry eyed gazing upon the golden borders of the blue colored sleeping bag she was wrapped in. "I feel like I'm in Monster Scouts again!!"

"I'm glad you love it, Mart! This was going to be a birthday gift but I figured what the hell, right?" Ceroba grinned jokingly, Kanako having a pouty look on her face. "And what is your grumble, young lady?"

"Can't we all sleep on the bed and keep Cole company??" Kanako raised her arms.

"I'm afraid not, honey." Ceroba gently rocked the sleeping boy back and forth in her hair, having gently wrapped him up in it like a cocoon. "Cole needs to feel safe and know that this place is safe (even if certain elements of this household aren't helping...)."

"I--I wanna sleep in my bed!!" Kanako pounded the floor.

"Kanako..." Ceroba reminded her.

"OK, Mom..." Kanako stuck her tongue out, really fluffing her one giant pillow from her room. "I'll sleep with the giant bird."

"Aww, she called me giant bird!!" Martlet blushed.

"(It wasn't a compliment???)" Kanako looked at her Mom, who just told her to go with anyway.

"C'mon everyone, let's drift off. Big day tomorrow!" Ceroba smiled.

"oh yeah, the big trip!!" Martlet almost forgot. "OUR LUGGAGE!!"

"Martlet, I already had Chujin go back to your place. It's in the dining room, set aside." Ceroba reassured her.

"Oh--oh! Thank you again, Ceroba...I don't know where you get your reserves." Martlet looked aside.

"..." Ceroba frowned slightly. "Martlet, it's ok. We're all going to be ok...you're going to raise Cole just fine. We're all going to Disney World for a week and then flying back all relaxed and hopefully renewed."

"B-But what if I can't do this, Ceroba? What if Chujin is right and I'm bringing nothing but problems on your life..."

"Martlet...are far as I'm concerned, you AND Cole are members of this household and family helps family, right?" Ceroba winked.

"Y-Yeah!" Martlet sniffed.

With that, the three girls and sleeping boy settled into sleep world. The hours seemed to fly by in Kanako and Martlet's child and child-like minds as Ceroba held her little Cole close, snout resting on his head. Without fail however, Cole started to move ever so slightly in the warm embrace and woke up, eyes wide and in a sweat. He looked around, realizing he was in Mom#2's grip still. He breathed a sigh of relief, wanting so bad to go back to sleep but his mind wouldn't let him.

"Mmmm...bad dream?" Ceroba took her snout off, gently rubbing her eyes and running her tongue against the side of Cole's face.

"Y-Yeah...too many." Cole admitted.

"Wanna talk about them?" Ceroba whispered.

"N-No..." Cole shook their head.

"Ok. How about I talk about when I was...well, younger." Ceroba gently smiled.

"Y-You were...younger?" Cole got confused.

"Yep, I wasn't always Kanako's Mom or Mom#2!" Ceroba thought back. "I was in college at a mixed human/monster school and dating this rather cute human guy. Short cut, well mannered and well to do parents...just what my parents were looking for me to mingle with. But this guy...he didn't care about any of that. He really cared about me and my dreams...really wanted to take on my family name, regardless of the consequences. "You don't cast aside a last name like Kitari!" he boasted...I couldn't help but laugh but I loved that about him."

"W-What was his name?"

"Andus." Ceroba closed her eyes.

"So, why aren't you with him now?" Cole asked, totally into the story.

"He was shot." Ceroba said plainly with a hint of regret. "Thing is I wasn't even in class with him at the time. Some human lady student freaked out and decided to end herself and everyone there that day. Thing was, he didn't do anything wrong...he just happened to be in the line of fire that day. Chujin...back then, I want to say he was different but he had that same antagonism against humans. He was on a student council for banning humans from the school altogether. But then...he showed me his gentler side that day and I have to say, I feel in love with that Chujin...the one that showed me caring and understanding after such a terrible event."

"A-are you...ok? Y-You're cryin'..." Cole pointed out.

"Haha...it's ok, just bad memories." Ceroba sniffed, wiping her own tears away this time.

"S-So...you have a hurt like me?" Cole asked, twiddling his thumbs.

"That's right, honey! We all do, humans and monsters." Ceroba smiled at him. "What counts is that you don't let your hurt get the best of you."

"I--I try real hard, Missus Catsup...collie?" Cole butchered the name but was quickly forgiven with a hand wave. "B-but I get scared sometimes and...and the bad dreams come and I want to hide..."

"You do honey, you do...you can't give up. You got back up now who is going to love you, no matter what."

"T-Thank you, Momma!!" Cole hugged Ceroba's neck, Ceroba amazed at the arm strength of the little man in her grasp.

"E-easy there, honey...awww, I feel kinda bad but if you wanna call me Mom I'll take it but remember it's "Mom#2" when we're around your Mom, ok?" Ceroba winked.

"O-Ok!" Cole giggled, going red in the face all of a sudden.

"What's wrong?"

"Um..gotta use bathroom."

"Haha, oh dear..." Ceroba quickly unwrapped Cole, getting out of bed and taking him by the hand. "Come on...I'll show you where to go."

Throwing off the covers, Cole and Ceroba quickly got up. Cole quickly ran over to his slumbering Mom, hugging her sleeping bag covered body and kissing her forehead while she dreamt of butterflies. Ceroba smiled at the sight, wishing she remembered her camera this time and Cole quickly ran back over.

"Mama needs a hug every once and awhile...like me." Cole took Ceroba's hand. "Said it helps her forget the bad stuff."

"That's very good thinking." Ceroba noted. "Seems to work for you and Kanako!"

"She eat crayons, Missus Catsupcoonie?" Cole asked curious.

"W-Why do you ask?" Ceroba looked down, a bead of sweat running down her head looking to the drawer of half eaten Crayolas in the book.

"She smelled like green!" Cole revealed like it was a sudden revelation in great surprise.

"That's her favorite color to use." Ceroba giggled.

"Do they taste good?" Cole inquired.

"Can't say but I'm sure Kanako can tell you." Ceroba couldn't hold back her laughter.

"Did I say something funny?" Confusion hit Cole's head.

"No no...c'mon, let's hurry to the...'

*BAM*

"GODSDAMMIT THAT HURT"

Of all the timing...if anyone had bad timing today AND the next day, it was of course her beloved Chujin Ketsukane.

"Honey, not so loud please and what're you doing up?" Ceroba opened the door, Cole in her hand tight.

"Need to catch up." Chujin sucking on his pinky as he waved it back and forth.

"A-Are you...ok, Mister?" Cole asked politely.

"Y-Yes...I'm fine." Chujin sat back to his desk, not looking at the child. "Now, if you'll excuse--"

"I-I'm sorry!!" Cole cried out.

"C-Cole, honey..." Ceroba bent down on two knees.

"Sorry for what?" Chujin looked over at him.

"*sniff*...whatever I did, I'm sorry sir!!" Cole wiped his tears, the memories of earlier coming back. "I didn't mean to kick sir..."

A look of regret overcame Chujin's face, Ceroba looking at him earnestly.

"Y-You didn't hurt me, Cole." Chujin closed his eyes, looking at his work desk. "You don't have to apologize..."

"B-But what about what you said earlier?!" Cole sniffed. "Am I--am I..."

Chujin went silent, unable to answer that question.

"(Chujin!)" Ceroba hissed.

"Cole...I have a sorted history with humans. I'm sure my wife has told you as such. What I said earlier...that not necessarily apply to you. My wife is right...it was unfair for me to judge you based on one terrible experience." Chujin recalled the time."I apologize for my abrupt manner."

"R-really?" Cole began to form a small smile.

"Y-Yes. Let's just say I'll give you the benefit of the doubt." Chujin looked at Ceroba square in the face.

"O-Ok!!" Cole sniffed, wanting to hug him but Ceroba held him back.

"Honey, the bathroom is right over there...I'll be there in a minute."

"All right." Cole smiled at her, Ceroba pinching his cheek as he ran off happy.

"(That...must've taken you a lot of effort.)" Ceroba whispered.

"(Appearances, honey...appearances!)" Chujin hissed back. "(My feelings haven't changed, you know that and I know that. But for the sake of this family road trip and Martlet...I will ATTEMPT to hold back.)"

Sighing, Ceroba shrugged and decided to take it. She could take him faking it...at least Cole didn't have to feel bad anymore for the moment knowing "Mr. Castsupconnie" liked him again. Ceroba quickly made her way to the family toilet where Cole had politely closed the door.

"You ok in there honey?" Ceroba knocked on the door.

"U-um...can't reach the seat!"

"You want me to come in?"

"Y-Yes...please!"

Opening the door, Ceroba assisted Cole in doing his business and then quickly shuffled back to bed, Cole wrapped back up in a freshly made cocoon of her orange locks. Sighing in content, Cole drifted off to dreamland along with everyone else finally while Ceroba lay back in bed, contemplating her life choices. At heart, she felt like a single mother herself instead of happily married...two boys(one overgrown), two girls and she had to keep the peace. She wondered if Andus hadn't been shot, would she still be here to look after this troubled young man? In the end, even though the memory brought her grief, she had to cast that aside. Cole needed her and she was gonna be the best mentor she could be even if she wasn't his real Mom.

"(Don't worry, my sweet little Cole. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you...ever again. I promise.)" Ceroba ran a hand through the little boy's hair.

With that, the assembled party drifted off...including Cole, to the lands of beauty and grace in the mind within.

Chapter 2: KANAKO!!!

The wood planks of Kanako Ketsukane's room creaked back and forth as she ran back and forth in front of her bed, giggling and waving crayons here and there to get the shy little human to come out from underneath the bed.

"Oh c'mon, I just wana color!" Kanako yelled in jubilation.

Cole said nothing, hoping the rather active and rambunctious little fox child would simply go away long enough for him to escape his rather narrow prison filled with random "lost" stuffed animals and assorted books. Kanako huffed and puffed, crossing her arms and sitting on the ground in annoyance. Some friend!!

"Oh c'mon, you know I didn't mean to throw that book(s) at you! I said "thank fast!" didn't I?!" Kanako asked.

"...Too many times!!" Cole quickly yelled, rubbing his throbbing head.

"Aww c'mon Cole, I'm sorry!" Kanako got on her knees, looking underneath the bed.

"Go away!" Cole warned her.

"B-but I..." Kanako began.

"I don't wanna get hurt again!" Cole covered his face, shaking uncontrollably.

"C-Cole?" Kanako asked gently, realizing she went a little too far like her Mommy warned her about earlier.

"Please, just go!!" Cole cried, Kanako stopping her prancing.

So THAT'S what Mommy meant.

"What is all the racket?!" Chujin walked in, covered in black oil and wearing his standard work apron. "Honey, where is your new...friend?"

"Um...I scared him under the bed?" Kanako grinned, knowing she was in a LOT of trouble.

"You...did?" Chujin said, bending down and looking into the underside seeing a cowering human shivering uncontrollably. Chujin sighed, he knew the human had some baggage but he didn't realize it was quite this bad. Still, the human had to come out.

"H-Hey there...it's me, Cole...Mr. Ketsukane!"

"M-Mister Castsuploonie?" Cole sniffed, looking back.

"Kanako is sorry for whatever she did...RIGHT, honey?" Chujin looked back with a glare.

Kanako gave a quick thumbs up, sweat rolling her forehead.

"Right...anyway, come on out now, ok son?" Chujin grinned, reaching out with a "friendly" hand.

"NO!" Cole shouted, too terrified to face him.

"Son, come now...let's be reasonable..."

"I don't wanna get hurt!" Cole backed up, terrified.

"C-Cole, I promise you, I'm not going to hurt you." Chujin said. "So please, just come on out and we'll all have a Nice Cream..."

"nonnono!" Cole cried, grabbing one of Kanako's stuffed animals and forming into a ball.

"You're coming out of there, young man!!" Chujin tried to reach in and grab one of Cole's legs.

"nooo!!" Cole cried, beginning to kick in panic. "P-Please, don't..."

"Stop kicking!!" Chujin said, trying to get a solid grip.

"I-I'll be good, I promise...just don't..."

"W-What?" Chujin stopped himself.

"I'll be good...I'll trim the hedges, do the dishes...please just don't hit me!!!" Cole cried uncontrollably.

"H-Honey...I-I think we better leave your room." Chujin backed off, Kanako frowning in response.

"D-Did I...really hurt Cole?" Kanako began to cry herself.

"N-No sweetie." Chujin picked up his little girl."It's just you unintentionally reminded Cole of a bad time. He needs some space."

Quickly closing the door behind him, Chujin placed his little girl down on the ground and whisked her away down the stairs telling her to get some nice cream out. Chujin stayed by the door, putting his ear against the door hearing some sobbing within the room.

"(Oh geez, you really did it this time Chujin Ketsukane.)" Chujin hit his head, opening his eyes as soon as he heard the door opening.

"Momma Momma...come quick!" Kanako said excitedly.

"Kanako NO!" Chujin yelled down the stairs.

"I leave you with him for an HOUR." Ceroba marched up the stairs with an equally annoyed looking Martlet. "Put him in the room with Kanako and now you're both outside the room...where is he?"

Chujin stood there in silence as Ceroba gently put her ear to the room, hearing the child she welcomed into her home just hours ago quietly crying in her daughter's room. A look of distaste crossing her face, Ceroba walked up to Chujin demanding answers.

"(Look, look...it started with our daughter throwing one too many coloring books at him. He retreated under the bed because he had some sort of panic...)"

"Oh no..."Martlet gasped. "His old parents used to beat him senselessly. I--I don't know if I can...."

"Martlet, calm down." Ceroba came to her side, reassuring her. "You're going to be a fine mother but first, let Mom#2 back you up...again."

"Oh Ceroba, thank you...thank you so much!!" Martlet hugged her tight with her wings, Ceroba gladly hugging her back.

"As for you, you're with me." Ceroba grabbed his apron pulling him along.

"B-but honey--I--kinda contributed to his panic."

"..." Ceroba let go. "What did you do?"

"I...got impatient with him, tried to grab his legs and drag out from underneath the bed. He only got more frightened of me and Kanako."

Ceroba closed her eyes and grimaced, slapping her husband's face with her right hand and quickly walked into the room, quietly slamming the door in Chujin's face.

He quietly admitted to himself that he deserved that.

In the room, Ceroba quietly approached the bed, bending down on two knees and looking underneath the bed to see the frightened human.

"Y'know, I've heard of humans under the bed from my distant friend Mr. Holiday but this is kinda ridiculous!" Ceroba started gently.

"h-huh?"

"It's Mom#2." Ceroba sang.

"*sniff*" Cole wiped his tears away. "I-I'm sorry missus catsup..."

"shhhh." Ceroba gently whispered. "I'm sorry about my daughter. She gets a little too excited sometimes when it comes to new playmates. Kanako doesn't want to hurt you--"

"I-I know, I just got scared and I--I don't wanna get in trouble...."

"Honey, your old parents can't hurt you anymore. You have a new family with Martlet, me, Kanako and Chujin...people who love you!"

"M-Mister Catsupcoonie?" Cole whispered. "H-He..."

"He what honey?"

"I-I heard him downstairs...I didn't wanna make trouble..." Cole tried to hold back his tears. "W-Why...what did i..."

"Oh honey." Ceroba shook her head. "I-It's hard to explain. My husband had a bad experience with humans but that doesn't mean you're bad honey. Far from it."

"R-Really?" Cole inched closer to the light.

"Of course! Why, didn't you pay attention when I called you cute like 50 times?" Ceroba giggled.

"U-Um...yeah, I guess you did hehe." Cole giggled a bit.

"My husband forgets that it doesn't matter whether or not you're a human or monster...you have feelings and they were hurt today, huh?" Ceroba closed her eyes in dissapointment.

"Y-yeah..." Cole hucked, crawling out slowly from underneath the bed and standing before the kneeling Ceroba, who looked at him with nothing but compassion in her eyes.

"C'mere." A tear ran down Ceroba's face, Cole leaping into Mom#2's arms and them embracing tightly as if she were hugging her own daughter. Ceroba felt as if she were adopting this child part time. Cole cried into her kimono heavily, Martlet opening the door and coming to Ceroba's side and joining the hug.

"I-I'm so sorry Cole, I should've been here too!!" Martlet joined the cryfest.

"M-Momma, n-no...I---"

"Shh, you two. Just enjoy the hug, ok?" Ceroba smiled, tightening her grip. After a few minutes of family bonding (literally), Kanako peeked her head in the room looking directly at Cole who shook a little in response.

"U-Um...can I come in, Cole?"

"S-Sure." Cole hugged Ceroba's leg tight almost out of instinct.

"C-Cole...*huck*, I-I'm sorry!! I didn't wana hurt you, I just...just want to be a good friend!" Kanako got teary eyed. "I didn't mean it, honest!!"

"I--I know. I believe you." Cole smiled, Kanako running to Cole and hugging him tight, Cole returning the hug, finding it nice.

"Aww." Martlet forgot she wanted to get a picture when she noted Ceroba was already ten steps ahead of her, taking the perfect shot with her handy "kimono kamera!"...name pending trademark.

"You smell like crayons!" Cole remarked at Kanako, reeling back and sniffling his nose.

"Well, you smell like dusty old bed!" Kanako argued, the two of them breaking the embrace.

"Hehe, now they're arguing like friends!" Ceroba laughed, letting her hair down after a long day. "At least we're making progress."

*creak*

Cole looked up, seeing the smiling grin of Chujin Ketsukane holding a nice cream bar and holding it out to Cole. Backing up in panic, Cole looked around and noted Ceroba's hair which he jumped into out of panic.

"H-Honey?" Ceroba was confused.

"I-I'm sorry, please!!..." Cole cried from his hair hideaway.

Sighing in contempt, Ceroba glared at her husband who got the hint and walked out of the room, the door slamming behind him.

"Hey, you're in my favorite hiding spot!!" Kanako stamped her feet.

"Not now Kanako!!" Martlet and Ceroba hissed, Kanako silencing herself. Ceroba picked up her rather long volume of furry extensions, bringing Cole into her arms.

"Hey there." Ceroba booped his nose.

"S-Sorry." Cole said, fresh tears on his face.

"It's ok Cole. You don't have to apologize." Ceroba cooed him, letting him get comfortable in her head fur. "You like Kanako's hiding place, huh?"

"Y-Yeah...smells like flowers." Cole blushed.

"Thank you!" Ceroba smirked. "Only use all natural herbs and spices."

"(Guess I better grow out my hair...)" Martlet took notes, getting out a little notepad with "Cole Tips N' Tricks" on it.

"You wanna spend the night with me, your Mom#2?" Ceroba sang, gently rocking her favorite little human back and forth.

"S-Sure...what about Mister Catsupconnie?" Cole got nervous.

"Don't worry honey, I have an answer to that." Ceroba sang. "Why don't you just get comfortable in my arms and hair, ok? It'll be like a slumber party!"

"A-All right." Cole sniffed, Kanako crying a little bit at the sight herself.

"D-Does that mean I have to sleep in a sleeping bag?" Kanako mused.

"Yep! Martlet too!"

"Yayy!!" Martlet threw her wings in the air.

"But the floor is too hard!!" Kanako complained.

"Sleeping bags WOOOOO!" Martlet got too excited, Ceroba and Cole looking at one another in confusion and then giggling.

While Kanako and Martlet got excited, Ceroba took Cole aside holding the hapless human in her arms and gently whispered into his ear.

"(If you ever feel out of sorts and the world is falling out of place, I'll be right here. You can hide in my hair anytime you want, for however long you want. We all need to cry sometimes Cole...some more than others.)" Ceroba smiled, gently kissing his cheeks and licking it.

A wave of warmth passed through Cole's body as his eyes finally allowed him to fall unconscious in Ceroba's grip, Ceroba properly wrapping him in her orange fur so it wouldn't tug when she went to sleep.

"Why don't you two get things ready? I'm going to talk to my husband for a minute."

Martlet and Kanako nodded, running down the stairs while Chujin stood there holding the melting Nice Cream in his paws.

"H-Honey, this isn't fair--I just wanted to make up." Chujin whispered.

"You shouldn't have resorted to pulling at his legs to begin with!" Ceroba hissed. "You know his background...you've read through the files enough before me and Martlet left!"

"It IS not fair, I was trying and the human got scared and I..."

"Not fair....Chujin Ketsukane, I've put up with a lot today but your continued denial of this child's well-being has gone on long enough. You know I was considering adopting him myself but I KNEW you would make a scene and make his life miserable. I can settle for being Mom#2 and Martlet giving her honest to goodness effort. At least she's TRYING...but walking in after you just scared the child half to death was moronic!" Ceroba continued, Cole shifting his weight in her arms in an effort to get comfortable.

"M-Moronic...the only moronic choice was the one my apprentice knowingly made bringing that...." Chujin stopped himself, cowering as soon as Ceroba raised another hand threatening another slap.

"Sleep in the kitchen...for the next THREE WEEKS or whenever I feel like tolerating you again...love." Ceroba walked away. Chujin sat on the ground, feeling isolated in his own home.

That human. The only thing that could come into Chujin's head despite his better nature was hatred. This...human...only brought trouble. Why did she show so much love to this...thing? This bastard of people who were even worse than this child? He was no better, Chujin thought. He just had to prove it somehow...make Martlet reconsider somehow. How would he possibly do it?...

Chapter 1: Meeting The Ketsukanes

It was another day in the workshop for Chujin Ketsukane. He was working on another radio...people in this town were apt to break them lately. They were relatively easy to fix but he was hoping one day someone would walk in an actual...well, challenge.

"Ah, it's steady work." Chujin drunk his coffee, wiping the sweat off his purple furred forehead. The door creaked open, his vanilla furred fox wife Ceroba peeking in.

"Dear, Martlet's visiting today with her new child!" Ceroba cheered, excited to see who she brought into her family.

"Oh, that's right!" Chujin put down his goggles. "Well, best we better make them feel as welcome as possible. Who knows, maybe they'll be interested in machines like Kanako."

"I think Martlet adopted a little boy if memory serves." Ceroba mused. "Anyway, I'll be out wai--oh, they're here!"

With a knock at the door, Ceroba hurried to the door which Kanako tried to beat her Mommy to but Ceroba told her to restraint herself.

"Kanako...honey, I know you're excited to meet your new friend but this child has had a tough time so we need to be as respectful as possible, ok?" Ceroba leaned down, Kanako nodded her head up and down like a small puppy wagging it's tail in quick succession.

"Don't worry Mom, you can count on me!!" Kanako saluted.

"Oh, I have no doubt..." Ceroba rolled her eyes, half expecting disaster. "Why don't you go up to your room and wait?"

"Do I HAFTA?" Kanako stamped her feet.

"Yes." Ceroba glared, Kanako gulping and quickly running up the stairs to her room. Sighing, she quickly made her way to the door realizing she was still dressed in her bathrobe.

It was Martlet, she wouldn't mind...hopefully, neither would the little kid. Opening the door, Martlet waved hi as did the little kid with a shy grin, sweat running down their forehead.

"(Just like we practiced, Cole!)" Martlet whispered.

"u-um, hi...M-M-Missus Catsupcoodie!" Cole quickly shouted before hiding behind Martlet's legs.

Ceroba laughed, half at the butchering of her name but at how...CUTE he was. It was a little human boy...7 years old, with jean shorts, a white shirt with a yellow heart and short brown hair.

"Why, hello there." Ceroba bent down on one knee, peeking behind Martlet's legs and shivering in fear. "My name is Ceroba. What is yours?"

"I--I'm Cole." The kid answered meekly, peeking out from behind the bird woman's legs.

"That's a nice name!" Ceroba smiled warmly, closing her eyes and holding out a friendly hand. "Here we greet one another with a friendly hand shake."

"O-Oh...ok." Cole grew a little braver, reaching out with his tiny hand and Ceroba gently clasping it. "Y-You're fuzzy."

"Really? That's an interesting observation!" Ceroba smiled. "We fox monsters are all fuzzy...you wanna see?"

"Uh..." Ceroba let go, Cole coming out from behind Martlet. "S-Sure."

Walking up to Ceroba cautiously, the Fox Mom gently dipped her snout to Cole's level so he could feel. He reached out with his small right hand, running it against the velvety like surface. Cole's eyes bulged out in amazement, Martlet smiling and clasping her wings together. If anything, Ceroba was a miracle worker.

"Wanna come up and see my house? I have someone your age who is excited to be your friend!" Ceroba opened her eyes.

"Y-Yeah!!" Cole said excitedly, Ceroba gently picking the little human up into her arms and Cole hugging her neck, feeling right at home.

"(T-Thank you, Ceroba! It tooks me hours to get him out from under his new bed this morning...)" Martlet admitted, Ceroba patting Cole's back and cooing him like she would Kanako.

"It's quite all right, Martlet. You just gotta let them know they're safe." Ceroba smiled, nuzzling Cole's neck, a wave of warmth running through him.

"A-Are you a Mom too?" Cole whispered to Ceroba.

"Yep, I have a little girl!" Ceroba carried Cole into the house, Chujin coming out to greet the gathered party. Chujin stopped in his tracks, noticing the little boy in his wife's arms.

"H-Hi, Mr. Catsupcoonie!!" Cole said, closing his eyes and hiding his face in Ceroba's hair.

"H-Hi there."Chujin grinned nervously, immediately coming to Martlet's side. "(Martlet, a word please.)"

"Chujin?" Ceroba bopped Cole up and down playfully.

"Just need to talk to my apprentice...real quick." Chujin said.

"It's ok Ceroba. Will you be ok with Ceroba for a minute, honey?" Martlet smiled.

"umm...yeah, I'm ok with Mom#2!" Cole grinned, hugging her neck again.

"Ooof!" Ceroba giggled, bopping his nose with a finger. "Awww...Mom#2!! YOU'RE SO CUTE!!!"

"Hehe." Cole giggled.

Taking Martlet by the wing into his workshop and closing the door, Chujin pointed at his work chair and Martlet sat down like her father was talking down to her.

"Um, what's wrong?"

"What are you thinking...a HUMAN?!" Chujin raised his arms.

"I-I know your aversion to them, Chujin but Cole has no one else in the world. He's been in that adoption agency with no one even giving him a second glance. He looked so...needy I couldn't say no. When he saw that I was gonna be his new Mom, the smile that crossed his face...oh Chujin you should've seen it!!"

"They all act that way at first then they take you for all you're worth! He can't be trusted!!" Chujin threw his arms up in the air in a tirade.

"B-But Chujin, Cole isn't like that...if you just gave him a chance, I'm sure..."

"Absolutely NOT! I don't want that...thing coming around here, am I understood?" Chujin crossed his arms.

"CHUJIN KETSUKANE." Ceroba kicked the door open. "You are GODDAMN LUCKY Cole didn't hear any of that VILE CRAP."

"B-But dear, you know...."

"I know you had a bad experience with humans but that doesn't give you the right to condemn a seven year old you've hardly even met! Cole lost his parents a year ago and has no one! I am not going to tolerate your blatant racism against a CHILD. You are going to be friendly even if you have to fake it...AM I UNDERSTOOD?"

"..." Chujin clenched his fists, looking up at his wife. "Y-Yes...dear."

"Good. Besides, I'm officially Mom#2 so I gotta live up to the hype." Ceroba winked at Martlet, who giggled in response.

"M-Mom--s??" Cole peeked into the shop.

"(Give him a chance already!)" Martlet elbowed Chujin, who grimaced at Martlet.

"(I swear Martlet, if it weren't you I'd...gah." Chujin quickly put on a friendly smile. "H-Hey there, little guy!"

"Mister, is this your shop?!" Cole looked around in amazement at all the spare parts laying around.

"Y-Yeah...it is!" Chujin appreciated the actual interest. Most just patiently waited outside for their repairs instead of coming into his shop to talk repairs.

"I--It's AMAZING!!" Cole couldn't help but stare in awe.

"W-Why, thank you Cole." Chujin noted, quickly sitting down in his chair. "Well, gotta get back to it! If you'll all excuse me."

"But dear, you told you'd take today off." Ceroba frowned.

"Ceroba, I'm sorry...it can't be helped." Chujin put on his goggles. Cole looked down, wondering if they'd done something wrong. Ceroba quickly came to the child's side, picking them up into her arms.

"C'mon dear, I'll show you my family recipe for corn chowder." Ceroba smiled, quickly taking Cole out of the shop.

Martlet slowly walked out of the room, looking back at the busy Chujin who went back to his work in tandem.

"(oh Chujin...of all people, I thought you'd understand.)