Chapter FiveUnited States of America –2001; One Week Later, Afternoon

Kaitlin had finished packing her bags two nights ago, and now she sat at the table with her mother and Takamitsu Griever. She knew that the plans that Griever made, plans that she helped to make, would be acceptable to her mother.

“We’ve made our plans Lynne-san,” Griever started. “Kaitlin and I have taken our time to work out a plan that will help us to avoid the Kyuushi and get to Japan in little time.”

“All right,” Lynne said calmly, “Let me hear it.”

Griever cast a look at Kaitlin and she nodded. “Griever said that the Kyuushi agents here in California would be watching and waiting for us to leave. We think that if we first travel north to Washington and take a flight out of Seattle, instead of just leaving from San Francisco, that we will be able to avoid the Kyuushi.”

“If anything at all it will take a bit longer, but this also gives me time to start training Kaitlin in self-defense,” Griever added. “The two of us will both need to be able to fight if anything unexpected happens.”

Lynne nodded; she understood their predicament. “No matter what, on this journey I want you both to keep safe. As many have said before ‘expect the unexpected’.”

Griever and Kaitlin both nodded in agreement, and together answered, “We will.”

“In that case, Kaitlin you’ll go to school tomorrow. Griever you wouldn’t mind taking her in for me?” Lynne asked.

“Not at all Lynne-san, I would be honored.”

“Turn in your paperwork Kait, and you’ll be done. You’ll be able to return home right afterwards. Is there anything you need that I can pick up while I’m out tomorrow?”

Griever nodded, “Other than the tickets and getting Kaitlin’s passport picture updated I’d like you to see if you can pick up an outfit for Kait, something that she’ll have free movement in.”

“No need for that,” Kaitlin piped in. “I have an old bodysuit that I can use.” She smiled and her mother shook her head.

“You will not be wearing that,” Lynne frowned, “It is a complete and utter mess. I’ll get you something new. Maybe a few of them.”

“All right mom.” Kaitlin decided that agreeing on new clothing might be a better idea than fighting over her old stuff. She hoped her mom would not be too conservative though. She was going to need to move fast and often in training.

“I know that this is going to be a long and trying, as well as tiring, journey for the both of you,” Lynne started, “You should both get to bed right after dinner is over.”

“I had already planned on that mom,” Kaitlin responded. She looked over at Griever and he nodded.

“I do believe that is a good idea,” Griever agreed.

Lynne stood up to get their dinner out of the oven. For Kaitlin and Griever’s last night in California, she decided that they should have a true and proper dinner. She had made a roast with the works. Griever and Kaitlin both looked at it hungrily. Kaitlin stood up to help her mother set the table. Lynne had promptly told her to sit back down in her own seat.

“I’m doing this for both of you. You have a long trip coming up and I want to make sure you’re both ready.”

“Lynne-san you didn’t have to go through all this trouble,” Griever told her, but as he saw the look in her eyes, he knew he was outnumbered. He looked at Kaitlin and watched as she smiled and shook her head. They both watched as Lynne set out the plates and served their meal.

Lynne bowed her head as Kaitlin and Griever did the same, “Lord bless this food that we are about to partake, and guard those who have a journey to make. Thank you Lord for having us at this table for one more meal, and let us rejoin shortly after. Amen.”

Kaitlin and Griever, in the same breath also said, “Amen.” As a group, they all started in on their meal, taking their time eating, and enjoying the time spent together. As dinner neared its end, Kaitlin stood up and gave her mother a fierce hug from behind. When Griever left the table, he bowed low in front of Lynne. After they had both retreated to bed, Lynne allowed herself to cry. As she took care of the dishes, her tears never ceased.

Long after night had fallen, the entire household long asleep, shadows crept in to observe the situation. Shadows that moved so silently, that the living, breathing beings that they were, were not heard. Try as they might though, the shadows were unable to enter the house that they were so intent on. As dawn approached, the shadows left, leaving their quarry for another day.

In her room, unaware of the events that transpired over the night, Kaitlin woke up to her radio. Lying in bed, she listened to the radio before getting up and going for the day. She could not believe that it was already time for her to tidy up in her hometown and leave for Japan. She picked out a comfortable pair of jeans and one of her favorite cool spring tops with a vest to wear for the day. After getting dressed, she paused to look at herself in the mirror, and blinked. For a second or two she thought she saw a shadow behind her reflection, a shadow of herself in her hybrid tiger form. She looked again, and decided that it was the light playing tricks on her.

She started down the stairs for breakfast, only to be met by Griever at the landing. He looked as if he was still mostly asleep, and he confirmed it.

“Ohayo, genki?” Griever asked, or Kaitlin assumed that he asked.

“Griever, I don’t speak Japanese all that well yet,” she reminded him.

Blink, blink, “Ah, sorry. Good morning, how are you?” Griever asked again.

“I’m a little bit hungry,” she smiled, “What would you like for breakfast? I can make pancakes.”

Griever looked at her and smiled, “Pancakes sound good Kait.” He let her go down the stairs ahead of him before starting down himself. As he entered the kitchen, he saw Kaitlin busying herself. “You’re quick this morning.”

Kaitlin laughed, “I am a quick cook, and pancakes are my specialty.” She already had the mix ready and was starting up the griddle. “Just have to let this heat up before I can fix them.” Kaitlin watched as Griever went about setting the table. After a few minutes, she had four pancakes cooking on the griddle. She flipped them over before there were any burns, and let them cook the rest of the way. As soon as they were done, Kaitlin scooped them up to serve. She placed the plate in the middle of the table before returning to the griddle to make up another batch.

“You don’t need to make up more Kaitlin,” Griever said as he grabbed two pancakes with his fork. After placing them on his plate, he poured a bit of maple syrup on them.

“If you insist,” she said as she unplugged the griddle. She sat down and snagged the last two pancakes. “Are they good?”

Griever only nodded before taking another bite. As she expected the rest of the meal passed in silence. They knew what had to be done, no need to talk it over from here. The minute the meal was over they deposited the dishes in the dishwasher, grabbed what was needed, and headed out the door. Griever opened the car door for Kaitlin, who got in and buckled up. Griever hurried over to driver’s side and started the engine after he got in. The ride to the school was not long, and after Griever parked the car, Kaitlin went and took care of her paperwork.

“We’re sad to see you go Kaitlin,” Lucy said when Kaitlin handed her the paperwork.

“I’ll miss it here too,” Kaitlin responded before she walked out the door and headed back to the car.

“That didn’t take long,” Griever commented when Kaitlin got back into the car. “All taken care of then?”

“Yes,” she said sadly, “let’s head home.”