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Ralton's voice boomed behind them, making Kio jump and his eyes cross. "Kio! Nearrah!" he exclaimed. "I thought I lost you!" He grinned with delight as he brought his horse around, reins in hand.

"Hey, Ralt." Kio gasped, uncrossing his eyes. "Don't sneak up on us like that. You almost gave me a heart attack." Kio was getting considerably taller and more skilled, but he was still a coward when it came to surprises. "Nearrah and I were just talking about Zorra." he added.

Ralton had known about Nearrah's secret for so long, and he didn't even know if she knew that he knew. Confused? He knows about her secret, and he doesn't know if she knows that he knows about it. Still confused? Figure it out. Ralton's gaze froze when he heard that they were talking about Zorra, worried that Kio somehow found out. "And, um, what about Zorra?" he asked uncertainly.

Ralton smiled and said, "You don't need to get anything for me, but Kio's birthday is coming up..."

"It's okay." Kio interrupted. "You don't need to spend your money on me." he smiled at Nearrah, then chuckled and added, "Unless you want to." Kio's next birthday was one of his most important that will be in his life, and he would appreciate a small gift, but he wasn't going to push for it.

Nearrah smiled, glanzing up at him. The moon made her pupils reflect ing blue greens before she looked away. She knew exactly what to get him. 'Course, it was traditionally the father to get it for him, but since Grandfather couldnt make the trip, she'd get it on her way in.

"Take care Uncle," she hugged him and turned to lead Dust into the caverns of hte den. "Hey Kio, dont wait up okay?"

Ralton hugged Nearrah and patted her back. "Catch you later, Nearrah." he said with a warm smile.

Kio waved and grinned at her, leading Dust away. He let out a sigh of contentment, letting his eyelids droop a bit.

"Enjoying the show?" Ralton said, waking Kio up from his daydreams. Ralton knew Kio had always had a crush on Nearrah, but he never heard Kio admit it. Once.

"Ralton," Kio said with uncertainty. "Now that Nearrah's gone, tell me the truth."

"Truth about what?" Ralton asked, worried that Kio may have caught on.

"Everything."

Nearrah smiled to herself, turning and heading into the Den... Grandfather hadnt woken up to eat. She bent down and touched his arm... warm. He must be extremely tired.

Looking out hte window, she moves outside one more time and touched a carved Z in a stone, glancing around and hten stepping inside just behind the pannel.


(Sorry for hte late response I got caught up elsewhere)

Ooc:// Do you want Kio to find out now or later that Nearrah is Zorra?

(He can know now. It's fine with me, puts a new twist in the story )

Ooc:// Ok, thanks!

Kio widened his eyes at Ralton. He had told him everything. That Nearrah was destined to be the legendary Zorra from the day she was born, and she now was. "We've known each other since we were kits!" Kio complained. "Why wouldn't she tell me?"

Ralton put a hand on Kio's shoulder. "Listen, Kio. It had always been a secret, and it will stay that way. She probably didn't tell you either because she didn't want you to spill it, or she didn't want you to worry. I'm sure it's nothing personal, as you are almost brother and sister. Don't take it to heart."

Ralton was right. "Yeah but..." Kio began. "She's always been my best friend. I'd never tell anyone!" the words he was speaking seemed complaints, but Kio knew why she had never told him. He'd just pretend he doesn't know, and there shouldn't be any problems.

Right?

Nearrah looked at the design of the sword she wanted to give to Kio for his birthday... it had to be designed this way. The cap at the hilt of the sowrd hid her crest... the Zorra Crest... a sign of her protection.

She pulled on a leather black vest and retyed the mask on for extra protection before sliding more into her Animalian form for protection. She thought back to her reasons why she didnt tell Kio who seh was and what she was destined to be... who she was destined to be and the very big pawprints she was walking in.


((In all honesty, I'm pulling out hte noble that Nearrah's crushing on. I just cant fit him into the plot >.<))

Looking up, she wrote a quick note and slid through the shadows, her paws making absolutely no sound. She crept around and placed it on the Dining Table and slid out again. The silver in her tail glinted just before exiting hte window and onto Tornado's back.

"Be safe... I'll be back soon." She whispered and kicked Tornado and rode into the setting Moon... towards the West Villages.


Grandfather,

There is some business I need to take care of in the Western Villages. I've been asked by a friend to check up on things while I'm in making errands.

Kio,

There is extra meat and rattlesnake jerky in the Cold Pits in case you want anything to munch on if I'm not back by supper time. I'll try though. I love you guys and will be home soon.

-Nearrah

As Kio and Ralton arrived at their village, they parted ways and Ralton took Nexio to the barn he built himself. Kio opened the door to his and his 'family's' house, spotting a note on the dining table. He didn't touch it as he skimmed the page, his sky blue eyes darting back and forth across the slip of paper. He finished and thought, Western Villages? Well, that doesn't sound suspicious or anything. Of course he was being sarcastic.

"Well," Kio whispered to himself, "Might as well catch some Z's before she gets back." he stayed in his animalian form as he wandered off to his quarters and slipped under the covers, already chasing a dream.

Grandfather woke slowly, yawning loudly and shaking out his red-silver dusted fur. "I must've went to sleep before dinner..." he grumbled seeing his cold dish of food. "Nearrah?" He called out, sitting up and walking out.

He spotted the note and read it over. 'Has Zorra work writtian all over it... Noble must've called her in on it.'

He stretched, cracking his back and looking ino n Kio. "Kio, you hungry? Nearrah wont-- what's with the sour face, boyoh?" He only said 'boyoh' or 'lassie' as an affectionate term or if they were being scolded. They were like his own kits after all.

My own kits again... Ferlo, you now have a new sister and brother my son! hahahaha! he laughed to himself, thinking of Nearrah's father.


********

Zorra kept to the shadows all day, or under a brown cloak with a hat. Dear gods it was hot! Of course, she couldnt let her outfit be recognized. Being recognized could mean disaster for the mission.

Of course, she had already seen to the Noble that was in some danger. But her mind was yet again, for some reason that drove her insane, on Kio!

She already dropped off the sword order to a maker who she was excellent friends with... who knew somewhat of her secret but didnt know the whole thing. He just knew she was a quiet character and had business that needed to stay that way. Her buisness.

She spotted Ralton's army not far off and smirked. "Show time."

Kio poked out from under the covers and looked up at Nearrah's grandfather. "Oh, I didn't realize you were standing there, Grandfather." Even though he wasn't Kio's real grandfather, he called him so. "I'm just waiting for Nearrah to get back. It's kinda empty around here without her, you know?" he gave a fake smile.

Ooc:// Did you mean Rath's army or Ralton's?

(Raths... Grr... dont know why I wrote 'raltons' I'll fix it)

"You cant fool an old man, Kio. i've seen it all. What's wrong?" Grandfather sat down near Kio, he had that look that he himself got when his wife went away.

"It's more than just misisng a friend, Nearrah, isnt it?"

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Rath looked around hte villages, murmuring. "Perfect..."

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Zorra had to wait until the army passed before comming out. What were they doing here anyway?