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With AJ keeping it secret and Andais forgetting to tell Martin or the twins, the surprise when both Martin and Chani see each other. However as much as Martin wanted to keep things quiet, he is very very lucky to have Crystal and AJ there for dinner, so is his family.\n\nThis is the final chapter to Minking About, this weekend, Charvale and I will have and epilogue story up. And then as I stated in my recent journal, we're going to take a short break, work on our own stories for a bit and then continue with the 2nd week to Minking About.\n\nMartin, Andais, Yvonne, and Yvette belongs to [iconname]Charvale[/iconname]\n\nChani, Jenny, Lee, Tai, AJ and Crystal belongs to me. [iconname]AJDurai[/iconname]", "description_bbcode_parsed": "Friday night, and dinner time. With AJ keeping it secret and Andais forgetting to tell Martin or the twins, the surprise when both Martin and Chani see each other. However as much as Martin wanted to keep things quiet, he is very very lucky to have Crystal and AJ there for dinner, so is his family.

This is the final chapter to Minking About, this weekend, Charvale and I will have and epilogue story up. And then as I stated in my recent journal, we're going to take a short break, work on our own stories for a bit and then continue with the 2nd week to Minking About.

Martin, Andais, Yvonne, and Yvette belongs to [iconname]Charvale[/iconname]

Chani, Jenny, Lee, Tai, AJ and Crystal belongs to me. \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAJDurai\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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", "writing": "“Why do I have to wear a bow?” Lee asked.\n\n“Because you look so pretty with a bow in your hair.” Jenny tittered.\n\n“Jenny, stop teasing your brother, and take that bow out of his hair.” Crystal ordered.\n\nLee glanced sidelong at his sister with a look that definitely said “I’m going to get you back for that one, sis.” even as she took the hair clip out of his golden hair and replaced it back into her own while Chani looked out the window with a noticeable melancholy to her demeanor. “Are you alright, sis?” he asked.\n\n“I’m fine.” she said while giving a sigh. After arriving back home Chani resisted the urge to call Martin’s cell phone for a grand total of ten seconds, but snuck into the kitchen to try while the rest of her family was getting ready for dinner. When the call went immediately to voicemail she figured that the device was turned off. Since then, she kept quiet, worry eating at her resolve with every passing second. “Mom… dad… I… I thought you said that we’re going out to eat.”\n\n“We are, honey.” AJ commented with a serene smile.\n\nShe blinked, looking around again, “But, there aren’t any restaurants here. Just houses.”\n\n“Oh, I forgot to tell you.” AJ said with a small smile, “My business associate invited us to their house for dinner.”\n\nNodding slowly, she chewed at her lower lip. “C-Can we go back to the school after dinner? I think I may have forgotten something there.” Chani asked, finally deciding that if she couldn’t reach Martin on the phone she might as well try searching for the mink at the last place she had seen him.\n\nAJ looked at Crystal before looking back at his daughter. “Would this be something important, Chani?” he asked.\n\nThat made her look down, the thought of what might have happened to Martin making her shiver. “Potentially life threatening…” she thought aloud.\n\nGiving a nod, AJ sighed. “I will speak with Tai after dinner, and we’ll see about taking a small detour to the high school.”\n\n“Thank you, daddy.” Chani said as a bit of relief washed over her.\n\nFeeling a small shift to the children’s right, they shifted ever so slightly as Tai pulled the left rein, turning the carriage so that it started up the incline toward their destination. Checking with his phone’s GPS system, the blue dragon slowed his carriage by pulling on the reins ever so slightly until they came to a stop in front of the Thomas residence. Stepping down from the front, he opened the carriage door for AJ and the family. “I believe this is your stop, everyone.”\n\nStepping out, AJ saw a two story home with a garage on their left, with the driveway standing empty. ‘Hmm, must have the car inside, expecting us to come that way.’ he surmised as he stepped up onto the sidewalk, and turned to look at the family. In the distance, he could hear a small commotion from within the home. ‘This must be the place.’ he thought casually, motioning for everyone to follow.\n\nWhen the last of the family was outside of the carriage, Tai closed the door, and hopped up into the driver’s seat. “I shall see you after dinner, everyone.” he said in a kind voice.\n\n“Enjoy your meal tonight, Tai.” AJ urged.\n\nA snap of the reins, and the carriage moved on, while Crystal and AJ looked over their family. “Okay, Chani you look beautiful. Jenny, you look positively lovely, and… seriously? Again with the bow?” their mother asked looking at the smiling female otter.\n\n“He just looks too cute with it on.”\n\n“Jenny.” AJ warned while using his cane to give a light swat to her rear.\n\nGiving a squeak, Jenny jumped before taking the bow from Lee’s hair. “Sorry.” she said while the patron of the family turned to head up the path toward the covered porch. Reaching up with his silver dragon headed cane, he pressed the doorbell button with an audible DING-DONG sound.\n\nAndais came out as the sounds of horses drew closer, wearing a fetching blue blouse that matched her eyes, and a flowing black skirt that stopped above her knee. Around her neck rested a string of pearls, while she wore her wedding ring on her left hand. “Okay, Martin.” she said with a smile that turned into shock at seeing his face. “What happened to your face?!”\n\n“I got beat up at school…” he managed as his mother grabbed him by the cheeks causing him to wince.\n\n“Oh, I have had it with that school!” she growled, “First thing Monday morning, I’m calling my lawyer, and we are going to…”\n\n“No, mom! I’m fine!” he cried out as he pulled away.\n\n“You’re not fine, Martin!” Andais shook her head, “You look like you went ten rounds in a boxing ring…”\n\nMartin shook his head, glancing at his sisters. “This is the reason why I didn’t want to tell mom… well, that and I didn’t want to ruin your evening.” he commented before looking back at Andais.\n\nLooking him over, she stared into his eyes. “Honey, my evening will not be ruined by you telling me something is wrong. Now, are you sure that you’re alright?” Andais remarked.\n\n“I’ll be fine.” he commented.\n\n“Okay, Martin.” Andais said softly as the doorbell rang. “Our guests are here, but once they’re gone I’m going to take you to the hospital.”\n\nNodding as he gave a weak smile, Martin nodded. “Okay, mom.”\n\n“Go ahead honey, and greet our guests.” Andais urged. Leaning forward, she kissed her son’s bruised cheek, making him wince.\n\nWith a smile, he nodded. “Okay.” was all he said before going over to the door. Turning the handle, he opened it as the porch light came on automatically. “Hello, and welcome to our…” he just stopped speaking when his gaze met Chani’s, the two of them just standing there, stunned for the span of several seconds. In that amount of time, he saw raw emotion passing over the feline’s face from relief, to confusion, to anger. ‘Oh god! She looks gorgeous!’ he thought.\n\nChani blinked. ‘He’s safe! I knew he would be, although that’s a really bad bruise on his cheek.”\n\n“Um… Martin…” his mother said, “Our guests are outside, and the food is getting cold.”\n\nShaking himself free of his thoughts, the mink stepped aside. “I… I’m sorry about that, please. Come in, may I take your… coats?” he asked as Chani walked past tossing her coat into his arm, while gazing around the interior of the house. Jenny and Lee followed, smiling as they handed him their coats too. Crystal and AJ entered last, smiling at the young mink.\n\nBehind him he heard Jenny and Lee mirroring Yvette and Yvonne as the quartet said the same exact same thing. “Oh wow! Twins! We’ve never seen twins before in our life!” All four of them seemed to think that was hilarious because they started to laugh.\n\nMartin shook his head with a smile on his face, as he closed the door to the outside. The moment he was handed AJ’s walking stick, Yvette’s eyes widened at the detail of the dragon at one end as she walked over to her brother. “Oooh! Pretty!” she said with a smile.\n\n“Do you like it?” AJ asked while Martin hung up everyone’s coats in their foyer closet.\n\n“Yes! I love seeing intricate details on everything.” she announced with a smile.\n\n“Thankfully that little dragon has protected me and my family ever since we came here from Formosa.” AJ commented.\n\n“Really?” Yvette asked, her eyes shining.\n\n“Absolutely.” he remarked holding out his hand. “May I?” AJ asked Andais while Martin returned the cane to its owner.\n\nNot knowing what to expect, the female mink nodded as he held his cane once more. Twisting the dragon slightly feeling it click in his hands, he pulled the hidden blade from sword sheath, and brought it up in front of his face. Everyone stood there, transfixed at the sight of the dragon in a fencing stance, spinning the blade in a circuit. Seconds later he reversed his grip and brought it back down so that it clicked into the sheath again.\n\nCrystal giggled, “Are you done showing off for the young ladies, An-Jun?” she asked.\n\n“Yes. Please don’t do that again.” Andais remarked shortly.\n\n“My apologies, but I do love showing off Scy’s workmanship every once in a while.” AJ said. “Thank you again for inviting us to your lovely home for dinner.”\n\n“I should be thanking you for accepting.” Andais said with a smile. “Please, everyone come and sit while my son gets us all something to drink.”\n\nSetting the walking stick on the inside of the foyer closet door, Martin closed the portal while both sets of twins talked animatedly with each other. Giving a weak smile, he headed for the kitchen which would enable him to walk past Chani. ‘Come on! Just say it!’ his mind screamed at him. “You… look beautiful.” he said in a soft voice.\n\n“Thank you.” Chani remarked coolly while thinking ‘I bet he’s just saying that.’\n\n“What would you all like to drink?” Andais asked as she moved toward the dining room table. “Naturally, we have water, sparkling apple cider, white wine, grape juice, and milk.”\n\nBoth dragons smiled. “I believe we’ll have wine with our dinner.” AJ commented while Crystal gave a nod of approval for his selection.\n\n“Water.” Jenny and Lee said in unison.\n\n“I’ll have milk.” Chani said in a soft voice.\n\nMartin opened the door to the refrigerator, wincing slightly at the pain in his abdomen. Reaching out, he picked up the gallon jug of milk, pouring some in two glasses for Chani and himself. Hearing two voices as one asking for sparkling cider, he poured some into two more glasses for Yvette and Yvonne. Placing both back onto the shelf, he pulled out the jug of water, pouring that into glasses for Jenny and Lee. Seconds later removed the bottle of wine from its shelf, and removed the already severely loosened cork from the neck.\n\nAndais walked in casually, setting out three flutes for wine, she watched as her son poured a liberal amount into all three. “Thank you, honey.” she said with a smile before heading back in with one held by the stem, and the other two held in one hand. Walking into the dining area, she handed over the drinks to AJ and Crystal while Martin walked in with two waters and a milk on a small tray.\n\n“Thank you.” Jenny said before getting a good look at his face. “Martin? Are you alright? You have a bruise on the side of your face.”\n\n“Yeah. I’m fine.” Martin said softly, “Just got into a fight at school.”\n\n“Don’t worry about Martin, Jenny.” Chani remarked bitterly. “He doesn’t need any help.”\n\n“Chani!” Crystal chastised.\n\n“It’s alright, Mrs. Durai, I deserve that…” Martin said solemnly as he set Chani’s glass of milk by her plate. Without another word, he walked back to the kitchen, picking up both Yvette and Yvonne’s glasses, setting them down by their plates. Taking his drink last, he sat down at the table across from the incensed feline with his head bowed, and his eyes closed.\n\n‘No!’ Chani thought angrily, ‘You have no right to be upset, and no right to make me feel guilty for saying that.’ Even as the thought passed through her head, she couldn’t help feeling her chest tightening at the sight of him. ‘Is this how it’s going to be every time I’m around him? I don’t want to feel like this!’\n\n“I just hope everyone is hungry, because I made plenty.” Andais commented as she lifted the covers of the four dishes to reveal breaded halibut, clam strips and shrimp separated in a single container, a bowl of coleslaw, and another bowl of steaming mashed potatoes. In another, smaller bowl, was her homemade tartar sauce, as well as a shrimp dipping sauce that she bought from the store. The sight and smell of it all had everyone’s stomachs rumbling.\n\nMartin tried to look interested in the food, but he felt his stomach cramping, ‘I don’t think I’ll be eating much.’ he thought silently as his tail twitched from the pain.\n\n“Okay everyone, pass up your plates.” Andais ordered. Once the first of the plates were at her side of the table, she started dishing up the food, handing the first plate down Chani’s side of the table. Yvette looked as if she was about to cry when AJ set the plate down in front of himself.\n\nLooking up at him with pleading eyes, she blinked a couple of times. “Aww, aren’t you just adorable, little one?” AJ asked giving her a smile while gently touching the top of her head.\n\nBlinking, she blushed a little. “Thank you for the compliment.” Yvette said before giving his fish another glance.\n\n“Quit begging, Yvette. Your food is coming.” Andais said with a smile.\n\nSeveral minutes passed as plates went down either side of the table until everyone had a plate of food in front of them. Jenny and Lee both practically wiggled in their seats, licking their lips, while Chani, looked relatively disinterested at the meal. Yvonne, and Yvette looked about ready to tear into the fish at a moment’s notice, while Martin couldn’t even bring himself to look at the food with his stomach stinging.\n\nWhen she finished dishing up her own plate, Andais stood up, “I wish to propose a toast.” she announced casually, making everyone stand up to hold their glasses in front of them. “To a long business partnership, good friends, and to our loving families. May we all be happy in our endeavors.”\n\n‘Good luck with that.’ Chani thought silently as she glared at Martin, who didn’t even try looking her in the eye.\n\nOnce everyone drank, they all sat to begin their meal. The first one to talk, as they started to eat, was Crystal. She gave a soft moan of bliss as the first fork full of foot hit her tongue. “Oh! I must get your recipe for coleslaw, Andais! This is heavenly.”\n\n“I’ll make sure to write it out on a recipe card after dinner.” Andais said with a smile.\n\nBeside the matron of the Durai family, the otter twins were practically tearing into their fish and shrimp ravenously, mirroring the twin skunks on the opposite side of the table. AJ was the only one eating his fish the slowest, choosing instead to savor the taste as he let it roll around on his tongue. Chani, however, squirmed in her chair as she placed a piece of the tartar sauce glazed fish into her mouth, purring at the flavor and the texture as they coalesced in her mouth.\n\nAs everyone ate, nobody spoke for the first few minutes, with the only sounds being forks clattering on plates, Chani’s purring, and random people drinking from their glasses. Throughout it all, Martin couldn’t bring himself to do more than push some food around on his plate with his stomach stinging painfully.\n\n“You’re not hungry, honey?” Andais asked.\n\n“Not really.” Martin said softly. “May I be excused? I don’t feel very well.”\n\nLooking at him, she noticed how he and Chani seemed to be avoiding eye contact during dinner. “Is there some specific reason why you’re not feeling very well?” Andais asked, worry entering her voice. The silence was palpable, like a weight that descended upon their dinner, pressing down on them.\n\n“Just… an upset stomach.” he said softly.\n\nChani blinked glancing over at Martin as he leaned forward, looking a little pale with his eyes clenched in pain. ‘I bet he’s doing that for sympathy.’ she thought bitterly. Sitting there for a couple more minutes, she glanced at Crystal who had just noticed the teenage mink leaning forward with concern on her face.\n\n“Martin, are you sure you’re alright?” the female dragon asked.\n\n“He said earlier he was fine.” Andais said before leaning over to Martin. “Honey, do you need to lay down?” she asked.\n\n“I’m fine… I just need some air?” he said softly.\n\nAndais nodded. “Okay, honey. I’ll put your plate into the microwave.”\n\n“Thanks, mom.” Martin said as he shakily stood up from the table and staggered to the sliding glass door. Opening it, he stepped out onto the back deck with the moonlight filtering down from between the clouds, and trees.\n\nClosing his door, he staggered over to one of the deck loungers and sat down, laying his head back as he took slow, steady breaths. Feeling the stinging of his stomach and abdomen, he lay there with his hand on his lower torso, shivering from the combination of sensations coursing through his body. Through the door, he could hear people still talking while at the dinner table.\n\n“I’m sorry.” Andais said to her guests. “You’ve caught us in rare form. Apparently, my son had something happen at school today, but I haven’t gotten the full story.”\n\n“Martin was beaten up by a bunch of seniors.” Chani remarked dispassionately as she poked at her mashed potatoes, “They took all the stuff out of his bag, tore or messed up all of his drawings, and when I tried to help him out, he yelled at me.” Everyone looked at the feline as she set her fork down beside her plate. “May I be excused too? I just lost my appetite.”\n\n“Yes, honey.” Andais said softly. She watched as Chani walked into the living room and sat down on her loveseat. She could just barely see the young girl’s hair and ears poking up over the back of the furniture.\n\nJenny watched her sister go, her mind already working on how to get both of them to patch up their differences. Looking across the table at the short haired skunk in front of her, she could see the same look in Yvonne’s eyes as what she had. Glancing over at Yvette, she saw the young girl turn her head to look at Chani before looking at her mother. “Mom. I’m done, may I be excused too?”\n\n“Actually, I think that dinner is pretty much over tonight anyway.” Andais said softly. “Would you like some leftovers to take home with you?” she asked AJ and Crystal.\n\nCrystal nodded, “Yes. Please. I have a brother who would love some battered fish.”\n\nThat caused AJ to smile. “Oh, and don’t worry about dinner. It was a very delicious meal with quite pleasant company.”\n\n“I thank you for that.” Andais remarked with a smile as she stood, and picked up the dirty dishes closest to her. Everyone else picked up their plates, glasses, and flatware in order to take it all into the kitchen. When the children were out of the kitchen, the matronly mink turned to look at both of the dragons. “Please forgive my son. He’s been having a bad week at school. I’m sure that he didn’t mean to yell at Chani.”\n\nListening to her talk, AJ sighed and nodded. “Chani, herself, has had problems at the school on more than one occasion, but that was usually because of individual students.” he said as he leaned his rump against the island. “Is that what’s happening with Martin too?”\n\n“Partially, but it also has to do with the teachers.” Andais commented. “They constantly do things to get my son out of school, or hinder his ability to learn. Any time there’s a single altercation, they automatically point fingers at my son as the instigator, while the nearly half dozen older boys get off without so much as a slap on the wrist.”\n\nAJ narrowed his eyes, “That definitely doesn’t sound like a safe learning environment.” he remarked. “How long has this been going on?”\n\n“Since the beginning of the school year.” Andais answered.\n\n“Perhaps I should look into this business.” AJ commented, “It doesn’t sound like Martin is getting a fair shake at the school.”\n\n“I can’t promise you’ll find anything, but I would be thankful for any assistance you can give.” Andais commented. “I’m at my wits end with the faculty.”\n\nWhile the parents talked, Jenny and Lee poked their heads up over the couch far enough so that only their noses could be seen above the edge. To either side of the otters, a pair of skunk tails rose up until the heads of Yvonne and Yvette mirrored the other set of twins. The fluffy tails of the two skunks twitched behind them in anticipation. Both of the otter’s green eyes looked out toward the teal blue eyes of their skunk counterparts. “Okay, so who wants to take Martin and who wants to do Chani?” the female otter asked.\n\n“Kinky.” Lee remarked earning eye rolls from all three girls.\n\n“How about we take Chani?” Yvonne suggested. “Martin already knows our tactics.”\n\n“Just be careful.” Jenny commented, “Chani knows our tactics.”\n\n“There’s no way she can deny our cuteness.” Yvette remarked with a giggle.\n\nBoth pairs of twins giggled, looking at each other for several seconds before the otters lowered themselves behind the couch. Within a matter of seconds, Lee and Jenny slunk past the couch while their older sister sat on the loveseat, holding her knees to her chest, and her head down. When the two skunks saw the otters at the sliding glass door, Yvette looked at her twin with a smile. Moving slowly, their heads and tails disappeared behind the couch. Slinking over to the loveseat the two girls moved stealthily around to opposite sides of the feline. ‘This is going to be awesome!’ the twins thought in unison as they approached their prospective targets.\n\nAt the same time, AJ and Crystal noticed both pairs of twins moving, the male dragon shook his head. ‘I don’t even want to know.’ he thought silently as Andais continued to pack up a plate for Tai.\n\nWrapping her arms around Chani from behind, Yvette snuggled against her back causing the kitty to jump a little. “I’m sorry that my brother is a stupid jerk.” she said softly. “Normally he’s not like that.”\n\nYvonne nodded as she walked up and wrapped her arms around the feline, hugging Chani between the pair. “He should’ve just thanked you for helping him.” she said with a sigh. “I mean, nobody else has been nice enough to stick their necks out to help him before today.”\n\nChani blinked, looking at the pair. “If you’re trying to get me to forgive him for yelling at me and telling me to leave him alone, it’s not going to work.” she said softly. “I’m angry at him because he hurt me, and I don’t ever want to be hurt by him again.”\n\nLooking at her, the twins shook their heads. “That’s not what we want at all.” Yvette remarked. “If anything, we think it would be best if you both did leave each other alone.”\n\n“Wh-What?” Chani asked, looking at the two.\n\n“Considering how many times we’ve heard Martin crying while he sleeps…” Yvonne looked down as she held Chani tighter. “We don’t blame you, but we really don’t like hearing him being so upset.”\n\n“I haven’t done anything to Martin…” Chani said before the memory of Wednesday night flashed in her mind, “at least not until he’d done something to hurt me.”\n\nYvette nodded, “We understand, which is why we’re hugging you. Neither of us blame you for anything that’s happened, but we think that it would be best for both of you to just stop trying to hurt each other no matter how unintentionally.”\n\nBlinking at what the two girls said, Chani initially thought of becoming indignant, her mind going to all the times she spent with Martin. She remembered him holding her on Monday as she cried, going with her to the police station although he didn’t have to be there. Their time at the bookstore on Tuesday, not to mention the ride that allowed them to stop for some fun in the woods, and his purchase of her panties. She then thought about Wednesday, and she felt that familiar tightness in her chest, the pain of seeing him with that Doberman.\n\nJenny’s words cut through her memory, and Chani feeling like crying all day Thursday while Martin alternated between avoiding her early that morning and not being there for the afternoon class. Friday hit her like a freight train, with stress and anger being foremost on her mind, and the pain of what happened during lunch, followed by the worry for Martin’s safety causing her heart to ache. “You don’t have to worry about that, girls.” she remarked solemnly. “Even if I wanted him anymore, I doubt either of us want to go through another week like that.”\n\n“That’s good.” Yvonne said softly. “You deserve someone who you will never be able to disagree with, Chani.”\n\n“Especially not someone like Martin who would frustrate or upset you.” Yvette cooed, “I mean, it’s not like our brother has any good qualities.”\n\nThe moment the words left Yvette’s mouth, Chani’s mind went back to that Monday when he promised to help her with her artwork, and saved her life from the wolf. She blinked at the memory of him holding her close, and yet never once took advantage of her vulnerability. A blush heated her cheeks as she remembered his touch, the feel of his kiss, his fingers caressing her body, and the size of his…\n\nShaking her head, she tried not to think about Martin’s rather prodigious endowment, while feeling a tingling between her legs. “No…” she murmured while looking away from the younger girl, “it’s not like that at all…”\n\nOutside was a different situation altogether. “Are you alright, Martin?” Jenny asked as she sat down at the foot of the lounger, a look of concern on her face. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but you look horrible.”\n\nMartin nodded while gritting his teeth, “I feel horrible.”\n\n“Would you feel better coming back inside?” Jenny asked, looking at him.\n\nTurning his head, Martin sighed. “No. I would probably feel worse.”\n\n“You didn’t mean to yell at Chani, did you?” she asked.\n\nClosing his eyes, he gave a deep, shuddering breath, his arm going up to his abdomen, and wincing. “No, I didn’t.”\n\nJenny blinked at the sight of his response to touching his own stomach. Reaching out, she gently removed his hand while looking at his face getting paler. “Lee, get mom.” she ordered while unbuttoning his shirt. When she pulled up his t-shirt, she blinked at the sight of the bruise. ‘This is bad… really, really bad.’\n\nLee entered the house with the sliding of the glass door, and rushed into the kitchen. “Mom! We need your help outside.” he called, grabbing her hand.\n\nBlinking at the interruption, Crystal was just about to chastise her son, when she saw the worried look on his face. She had just managed to take a step when she saw a streak of white and brown, the pink tip of a tail exiting the house before she’d even taken a second step. As she exited the house, she watched as light illuminated the entire outside area. Jenny was still sitting at the foot of the lounger while Chani stood on the opposite side, looking at the bruised abdomen.\n\nUpon reaching the side of the lounger, Crystal blinked at how much of his abdomen was bruised. “Martin, how much farther does the bruise go down?” she asked, kneeling down next to him.\n\n“P-Pubic bone…”\n\nAndais arrived shortly afterward, her eyes wide in shock. “Martin!” she cried out.\n\n“Honey, take her and the children back inside, and bring me your sword.” Crystal ordered, her voice authoritative.\n\n“You’re sure…” AJ started to say, but one look from his wife and he didn’t question her judgment further. “Okay everyone, we need to give her some room. Jenny, Lee, and Chani, help me get the Thomas family back in the house.”\n\n“I want to stay.” Chani said.\n\nCrystal started to say something, but a single look at the feline’s face nearly broke her heart. “Okay, honey. Everyone else get into the house.”\n\nEven as they ushered Andais and the twins back into the house, the matron of the family started to question An-Jun with tears in her eyes. “What’s she going to do? Why did she ask for your sword? Is my son going to be alright?”\n\nThey were back inside before AJ answered. “She’s going to heal your son, and she needs the sword in order to effect that healing.” He then looked at Lee. “Bring me my sword.” To his credit, the male otter never questioned while Jenny sat on the couch with the two skunks, hugging them close to her with that flipper tail around all three. Once he had his sword in hand, the male dragon turned toward the door as he answered the last question. “I don’t know if your son will be alright, it all hinges on whether or not he has anything left to live for tonight.”\n\nAndais backed up to the chair in the living room, and collapsed. Bowing her head, she put it in her hands and started to cry, while mumbling a prayer. Walking outside, AJ looked at Crystal as he twisted the cane, unlocking it, and extracted the blade. Handing it over, he glanced over at Chani. “If you have anything you want to say to him, please do so now, honey.”\n\n“Why didn’t you go to the nurse’s office you idiot?” Chani asked chidingly.\n\nMartin winced at the tone of her voice. “I did… they told me… to walk it off.”\n\n“That doesn’t make any sense.” she remarked, “You mean to tell me, they sent you to the hospital for something as simple as food poisoning, but wouldn’t even help for something like this?”\n\n“It’s… what I have to deal with… all the time…” Martin gasped through the pain. “I’m used to it by now.”\n\n“Considering what your mother said about the school’s indifference toward you,” AJ commented, “I believe what you’re saying, Martin.”\n\nShaking her head, Crystal looked up at AJ with a look that told him volumes. All he had to do was nod his head in agreement, for her to hold the blade in her palm. “MOM!! What are you doing?!” Chani asked.\n\n“He’s beyond alchemical healing, Chani. There’s only one thing that will save him, but he has to want to live.” Crystal answered.\n\n“But… how…?” she started to say before looking down at Martin. Several seconds passed before she closed her eyes. “I’m sorry for slapping you.”\n\n“Doesn’t matter, Chani. I’m sorry that I… that I yelled at you… it wasn’t my choice.”\n\n“It… It wasn’t?” she asked. “But… why did you tell me to stay away from you?”\n\nMartin shivered, “The school… they wanted me… to stay away… said… I was… a bad influence.”\n\n‘Looks like I’m going to have my work cut out for me with that school.’ AJ thought to himself, his eyes narrowed with smoke trailing out of his nostrils.\n\nCrystal gently turned the mink’s head to look up. “Martin, I’m going to drip something into your mouth.” she announced, “When I tell you to swallow, then please do so immediately.”\n\nHe nodded in response before Chani filled his vision. “When you get better, I want to try our date all over again. Okay?” she asked.\n\nGiving a small nod, he smiled. “Me too.”\n\nLeaning forward, Chani kissed his lips, purring softly before breaking that kiss and looking at her adoptive mother. Crystal never even winced as she pulled the blade out of her hand. “Hold his mouth open, honey.” she said as she looked at her daughter, handing the blade back to AJ.\n\nDoing as she was told, Chani watched as Crystal dripped her blood onto his tongue. The effect was instantaneous, with Martin convulsing at the first drop, the second hit the back of his throat, making him cough. Even with his erratic movements, she didn’t stop holding his mouth open. The third hit his tongue, and made him cry out in pain, before the fourth and fifth finally landed. “Close his mouth. Keep him from spitting it out.” she ordered as she set about wrapping her hand with a handkerchief AJ gave her.\n\nHolding his mouth closed, she watched as the teenage mink continued to convulse for several seconds before his limbs started to fall to the lounger one by one. When only his body trembled, Crystal leaned over, opening one of his eyes. “Swallow, Martin.” she ordered, but nothing happened. “Swallow now!”\n\nEveryone watched as he swallowed the blood, the effort almost too much for him. That lone act had Martin clutching his abdomen in pain. Chani moved to hug him, her arms wrapping around his upper chest and arms. “It… It hurts…”\n\nNodding in agreement, Crystal spoke soothingly. “Just bear with it a little while longer, Martin. You should be fully healed in a couple of days’ time.”\n\nCoughing, he nodded while Chani held onto him. After little more than a minute, he finally felt the pain dissipate, only to be filled with a penetrating cold. Laying back, he felt that sensation radiating out from his lower abdomen, up through his torso, before finally sliding out to his arms and legs. Once the sensation reached his fingers and toes, he started to breathe a little more normally.\n\nLifting his shirt again, Crystal noticed that the discoloration had lessened quite a deal so that there were only marks where he had been kicked and punched. Even the bruise on the side of his face seemed to be healing faster. Seeing that he was still breathing, she looked over at AJ, and gave a nod. “You’ll be just fine, Martin. I do, however, recommend resting tonight.” she remarked as she stood up.\n\n“May I stay out here with him for a little bit?” Chani asked, snuggling against the mink.\n\n“I don’t see why not.” AJ answered as he and Crystal headed back inside.\n\nWhen the sliding glass door opened, the two dragons entered the dining room, closing the door behind them. Andais was up and heading for the door before it had even closed so that as the door to the back deck closed she was right in front of the pair. “How is he?” she asked.\n\n“He’ll be fine, but he needs monitoring for about an hour, so we left Chani with him.” AJ said with a small smile.\n\n“Are… Are you sure he’s going to be alright?” Andais asked.\n\nReaching out, Crystal touched the matron of the house’s shoulder. “Absolutely. He’s stronger than you might think.”\n\n“Some credit has to go to Chani too.” AJ said with a smile. “I think her being there was just the boost he needed.”\n\nBowing her head, Andais gave a sigh of relief as she allowed herself to be led over to the couch. The two sets of twins moved to the side, with AJ and Crystal taking the loveseat. Yvonne and Yvette held onto their mother, snuggling against her as she held them close, mumbling “He’s going to be alright.” under her breath over and over again.\n\n“Don’t worry, Andais. Martin is in good hands.” Crystal remarked with a smile.\n\n“Why did you need the sword to help my son?” Andais asked, looking over at Crystal.\n\n“Martin was beyond any effective healing through technological, or alchemical means, so I had to use five drops of my own blood.” Crystal answered. “Unfortunately, his reaction to the blood was… disconcerting.”\n\nAndais blinked, “What do you mean?”\n\n“Normally, a truly healthy person would just find the taste of dragon’s blood nasty, while someone who is sick might cringe, or shiver. Martin… convulsed.”\n\n“Is there some significance to that?” Andais asked.\n\nCrystal looked at AJ, who had just finished cleaning the blade, and locked the sword back into its scabbard. “It means that if I did not do what I just did, you would be making plans for a funeral right now.” she shook her head, “Your son had internal bleeding. From the discoloration, I can tell you that he probably had a ruptured pancreas, spleen, or both.”\n\nOutside, both Chani and Martin held onto each other with the feline caressing his slender chest. “I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions this past week.” she remarked with a sigh. “I’m not normally like that, but… Eliza… she’s been a constant pain in my tail for the past six months, and I was seriously getting tired of her ruining everything for me at school.”\n\n“You already apologized, Chani.” Martin said softly with his arm around her. “You don’t need to say anything else.”\n\nChani nodded with a soft purr. “I just wanted to explain my actions.”\n\nMartin sighed, pulling her into a warm embrace. “Truthfully, I wondered if your anger was more directed at me, or the Doberman after it happened.” He shook his head, “What had me upset for the majority of yesterday wasn’t that you slapped me.”\n\n“It… It wasn’t?” Chani asked looking up at him.\n\nShaking his head, he looked into her eyes. “No. It was the fact that I didn’t catch you before you could get onto the bus.” Martin answered. “All I wanted to do was wrap you up in a hug, and tell you what happened. You slapping me didn’t change anything yesterday. It was my own failure to get to you first that ate at me all day Thursday.”\n\n“Why didn’t you tell me that when we got to school?” Chani asked.\n\nGiving a sigh, he shook his head. “I wanted to talk to you, but I didn’t want to say anything with Andrea and Tanya present because it was none of their business. Besides, we needed to work on our presentation.”\n\n“You could’ve stayed behind to… was that when you started feeling sick?” Chani asked.\n\nMartin nodded, “The moment that the bell rang, I started feeling nauseous, so I ran to the bathroom to throw up… that’s when I was found and sent to the hospital.”\n\n“This really was the worst week for us to start a relationship, wasn’t it, Martin?”\n\nNodding, he gave another sigh. “Now, thankfully, we don’t have to worry about the other students giving us a problem…” Martin said while looking out at the starry night.\n\n“… and if my father starts an investigation into why you’ve been targeted, we may be able to stop that as well.” Chani interjected.\n\n“Honestly, not being targeted anymore sounds wonderful.”\n\nChani nodded, smiling as she snuggled against his chest with her hand caressing over his slender abdomen. Blushing profusely, she continued to feel the tingling between her legs, which made her tail twitch at the tip. Pressing her upper body against his side, she crossed her leg over his thigh so that it grazed his crotch. With her head on his chest, the adolescent feline had a perfect angle to watch as Martin’s pants tightened.\n\nSliding her hand down his abdomen, she lightly caressed her paw over his crotch, rubbing the growing length under the fabric of his pants. “Ch-Chani?” he asked a little breathless. “Wh-what are you doing?”\n\n“I-I’ve just missed you, and… well… ever since Wednesday…” her tail flicked as she blushed profusely, looking down at his bulge. “I wanted you that night, but…”\n\nNodding at her comment, Martin sighed. “I want you too, Chani, but don’t you think that now really isn’t the time?” he asked “Our parents are just on the other side of the door, not to mention the rest of our families.”\n\n“You’re right, but… I just really want to show you how sorry I am for everything.” Chani commented.\n\nReaching up, he gently helped Chani to raise her chin so that she was looking him in the eyes again. “We don’t need to have sex for you to show me how sorry you are.” Martin remarked before leaning in and kissing her lips. He wasn’t sure how long they lay there, kissing with his arms around her body, but the feel of her entire mouth and tongue only helped to arouse him further.\n\nBreaking the kiss, Chani mewed as she snuggled against Martin’s chest while her hips wiggled against his thigh. Laying there for several minutes, the teenage mink rubbed his hands down her back while his other arm wrapped around her shoulders. There was only a few minutes of quiet before the sliding glass door opened, breaking the quiet.\n\n“Chani, we have to get going home.” Jenny called out, “Dad says that Uncle Tai is about to return.”\n\n“Okay, I’ll be inside soon.” she called back before looking at Martin. “I’m sorry that we can’t continue this.”\n\nShaking his head, Martin smiled. “It’s alright, Chani. We always have tomorrow.”\n\nLooking down, she blushed. “Jenny and Lee have asked a friend to stay over for the weekend, but maybe… I can make plans with you for next weekend?” Chani asked.\n\n“I would like that.” Martin said with a smile.\n\nNodding at his remark, she smiled in response, kissing his lips. “I’ll see you at school on Monday.”\n\nMartin nodded. “Okay.”\n\nTaking only a few seconds, Chani stood and helping Martin to his feet, with the latter wincing ever so slightly. Heading into the house, hand-in-hand, they noticed where everyone stood. Jenny, Lee, and the rest of the Durai family already had on their coats. AJ stood at the open doorway with Crystal, the latter of which was holding a plate of food. “I had a wonderful time, Andais. We really should do this again sometime.” the patron of the family suggested.\n\n“Hopefully with less drama than tonight.” she remarked sarcastically.\n\n“Agreed.” Crystal and AJ said in unison.\n\nWhen she arrived, Chani retrieved her coat, and slipped it on over her clothes. “It was a pleasure having dinner with you all.” she said softly.\n\n“It was our pleasure mostly.” Yvette said giving the feline a hug.\n\nChani wrapped her up in a hug, nuzzling the top of the younger girl’s head as Yvonne hugged the other side. “You all have a wonderful night, and we’ll see you tomorrow.”\n\n“Tomorrow?” Chani and Martin asked.\n\n“You both were outside, but I invited the Thomas family out to the Makin’ Waves Waterpark.” AJ commented.\n\n“O-Okay. I didn’t know that we were going there tomorrow.” Chani commented.\n\nJenny nodded, “Yup. That’s where we’re going to meet up with Jeffy, so that his mom doesn’t have to drive halfway across the city.”\n\nNodding, she looked at Martin for a few seconds before wrapping him up in a hug. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then.” she purred into his ear.\n\n“See you tomorrow, Chani.” Martin remarked, hugging her back. Watching as the Durai family walked outside, he got a good look at the carriage that brought them to his home that evening. Smiling, he watched as the family entered, with Crystal handing over the plate of food to the driver. His entire family watched as the carriage drove away into the night, while his body felt better by the minute.\n\nAfter eating dinner, finally, Martin headed off to bed to get some sleep. Tomorrow he would see Chani again with all the drama of the past week gone, like a heavy weight dropped from their shoulders.\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "“Why do I have to wear a bow?” Lee asked.

“Because you look so pretty with a bow in your hair.” Jenny tittered.

“Jenny, stop teasing your brother, and take that bow out of his hair.” Crystal ordered.

Lee glanced sidelong at his sister with a look that definitely said “I’m going to get you back for that one, sis.” even as she took the hair clip out of his golden hair and replaced it back into her own while Chani looked out the window with a noticeable melancholy to her demeanor. “Are you alright, sis?” he asked.

“I’m fine.” she said while giving a sigh. After arriving back home Chani resisted the urge to call Martin’s cell phone for a grand total of ten seconds, but snuck into the kitchen to try while the rest of her family was getting ready for dinner. When the call went immediately to voicemail she figured that the device was turned off. Since then, she kept quiet, worry eating at her resolve with every passing second. “Mom… dad… I… I thought you said that we’re going out to eat.”

“We are, honey.” AJ commented with a serene smile.

She blinked, looking around again, “But, there aren’t any restaurants here. Just houses.”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you.” AJ said with a small smile, “My business associate invited us to their house for dinner.”

Nodding slowly, she chewed at her lower lip. “C-Can we go back to the school after dinner? I think I may have forgotten something there.” Chani asked, finally deciding that if she couldn’t reach Martin on the phone she might as well try searching for the mink at the last place she had seen him.

AJ looked at Crystal before looking back at his daughter. “Would this be something important, Chani?” he asked.

That made her look down, the thought of what might have happened to Martin making her shiver. “Potentially life threatening…” she thought aloud.

Giving a nod, AJ sighed. “I will speak with Tai after dinner, and we’ll see about taking a small detour to the high school.”

“Thank you, daddy.” Chani said as a bit of relief washed over her.

Feeling a small shift to the children’s right, they shifted ever so slightly as Tai pulled the left rein, turning the carriage so that it started up the incline toward their destination. Checking with his phone’s GPS system, the blue dragon slowed his carriage by pulling on the reins ever so slightly until they came to a stop in front of the Thomas residence. Stepping down from the front, he opened the carriage door for AJ and the family. “I believe this is your stop, everyone.”

Stepping out, AJ saw a two story home with a garage on their left, with the driveway standing empty. ‘Hmm, must have the car inside, expecting us to come that way.’ he surmised as he stepped up onto the sidewalk, and turned to look at the family. In the distance, he could hear a small commotion from within the home. ‘This must be the place.’ he thought casually, motioning for everyone to follow.

When the last of the family was outside of the carriage, Tai closed the door, and hopped up into the driver’s seat. “I shall see you after dinner, everyone.” he said in a kind voice.

“Enjoy your meal tonight, Tai.” AJ urged.

A snap of the reins, and the carriage moved on, while Crystal and AJ looked over their family. “Okay, Chani you look beautiful. Jenny, you look positively lovely, and… seriously? Again with the bow?” their mother asked looking at the smiling female otter.

“He just looks too cute with it on.”

“Jenny.” AJ warned while using his cane to give a light swat to her rear.

Giving a squeak, Jenny jumped before taking the bow from Lee’s hair. “Sorry.” she said while the patron of the family turned to head up the path toward the covered porch. Reaching up with his silver dragon headed cane, he pressed the doorbell button with an audible DING-DONG sound.

Andais came out as the sounds of horses drew closer, wearing a fetching blue blouse that matched her eyes, and a flowing black skirt that stopped above her knee. Around her neck rested a string of pearls, while she wore her wedding ring on her left hand. “Okay, Martin.” she said with a smile that turned into shock at seeing his face. “What happened to your face?!”

“I got beat up at school…” he managed as his mother grabbed him by the cheeks causing him to wince.

“Oh, I have had it with that school!” she growled, “First thing Monday morning, I’m calling my lawyer, and we are going to…”

“No, mom! I’m fine!” he cried out as he pulled away.

“You’re not fine, Martin!” Andais shook her head, “You look like you went ten rounds in a boxing ring…”

Martin shook his head, glancing at his sisters. “This is the reason why I didn’t want to tell mom… well, that and I didn’t want to ruin your evening.” he commented before looking back at Andais.

Looking him over, she stared into his eyes. “Honey, my evening will not be ruined by you telling me something is wrong. Now, are you sure that you’re alright?” Andais remarked.

“I’ll be fine.” he commented.

“Okay, Martin.” Andais said softly as the doorbell rang. “Our guests are here, but once they’re gone I’m going to take you to the hospital.”

Nodding as he gave a weak smile, Martin nodded. “Okay, mom.”

“Go ahead honey, and greet our guests.” Andais urged. Leaning forward, she kissed her son’s bruised cheek, making him wince.

With a smile, he nodded. “Okay.” was all he said before going over to the door. Turning the handle, he opened it as the porch light came on automatically. “Hello, and welcome to our…” he just stopped speaking when his gaze met Chani’s, the two of them just standing there, stunned for the span of several seconds. In that amount of time, he saw raw emotion passing over the feline’s face from relief, to confusion, to anger. ‘Oh god! She looks gorgeous!’ he thought.

Chani blinked. ‘He’s safe! I knew he would be, although that’s a really bad bruise on his cheek.”

“Um… Martin…” his mother said, “Our guests are outside, and the food is getting cold.”

Shaking himself free of his thoughts, the mink stepped aside. “I… I’m sorry about that, please. Come in, may I take your… coats?” he asked as Chani walked past tossing her coat into his arm, while gazing around the interior of the house. Jenny and Lee followed, smiling as they handed him their coats too. Crystal and AJ entered last, smiling at the young mink.

Behind him he heard Jenny and Lee mirroring Yvette and Yvonne as the quartet said the same exact same thing. “Oh wow! Twins! We’ve never seen twins before in our life!” All four of them seemed to think that was hilarious because they started to laugh.

Martin shook his head with a smile on his face, as he closed the door to the outside. The moment he was handed AJ’s walking stick, Yvette’s eyes widened at the detail of the dragon at one end as she walked over to her brother. “Oooh! Pretty!” she said with a smile.

“Do you like it?” AJ asked while Martin hung up everyone’s coats in their foyer closet.

“Yes! I love seeing intricate details on everything.” she announced with a smile.

“Thankfully that little dragon has protected me and my family ever since we came here from Formosa.” AJ commented.

“Really?” Yvette asked, her eyes shining.

“Absolutely.” he remarked holding out his hand. “May I?” AJ asked Andais while Martin returned the cane to its owner.

Not knowing what to expect, the female mink nodded as he held his cane once more. Twisting the dragon slightly feeling it click in his hands, he pulled the hidden blade from sword sheath, and brought it up in front of his face. Everyone stood there, transfixed at the sight of the dragon in a fencing stance, spinning the blade in a circuit. Seconds later he reversed his grip and brought it back down so that it clicked into the sheath again.

Crystal giggled, “Are you done showing off for the young ladies, An-Jun?” she asked.

“Yes. Please don’t do that again.” Andais remarked shortly.

“My apologies, but I do love showing off Scy’s workmanship every once in a while.” AJ said. “Thank you again for inviting us to your lovely home for dinner.”

“I should be thanking you for accepting.” Andais said with a smile. “Please, everyone come and sit while my son gets us all something to drink.”

Setting the walking stick on the inside of the foyer closet door, Martin closed the portal while both sets of twins talked animatedly with each other. Giving a weak smile, he headed for the kitchen which would enable him to walk past Chani. ‘Come on! Just say it!’ his mind screamed at him. “You… look beautiful.” he said in a soft voice.

“Thank you.” Chani remarked coolly while thinking ‘I bet he’s just saying that.’

“What would you all like to drink?” Andais asked as she moved toward the dining room table. “Naturally, we have water, sparkling apple cider, white wine, grape juice, and milk.”

Both dragons smiled. “I believe we’ll have wine with our dinner.” AJ commented while Crystal gave a nod of approval for his selection.

“Water.” Jenny and Lee said in unison.

“I’ll have milk.” Chani said in a soft voice.

Martin opened the door to the refrigerator, wincing slightly at the pain in his abdomen. Reaching out, he picked up the gallon jug of milk, pouring some in two glasses for Chani and himself. Hearing two voices as one asking for sparkling cider, he poured some into two more glasses for Yvette and Yvonne. Placing both back onto the shelf, he pulled out the jug of water, pouring that into glasses for Jenny and Lee. Seconds later removed the bottle of wine from its shelf, and removed the already severely loosened cork from the neck.

Andais walked in casually, setting out three flutes for wine, she watched as her son poured a liberal amount into all three. “Thank you, honey.” she said with a smile before heading back in with one held by the stem, and the other two held in one hand. Walking into the dining area, she handed over the drinks to AJ and Crystal while Martin walked in with two waters and a milk on a small tray.

“Thank you.” Jenny said before getting a good look at his face. “Martin? Are you alright? You have a bruise on the side of your face.”

“Yeah. I’m fine.” Martin said softly, “Just got into a fight at school.”

“Don’t worry about Martin, Jenny.” Chani remarked bitterly. “He doesn’t need any help.”

“Chani!” Crystal chastised.

“It’s alright, Mrs. Durai, I deserve that…” Martin said solemnly as he set Chani’s glass of milk by her plate. Without another word, he walked back to the kitchen, picking up both Yvette and Yvonne’s glasses, setting them down by their plates. Taking his drink last, he sat down at the table across from the incensed feline with his head bowed, and his eyes closed.

‘No!’ Chani thought angrily, ‘You have no right to be upset, and no right to make me feel guilty for saying that.’ Even as the thought passed through her head, she couldn’t help feeling her chest tightening at the sight of him. ‘Is this how it’s going to be every time I’m around him? I don’t want to feel like this!’

“I just hope everyone is hungry, because I made plenty.” Andais commented as she lifted the covers of the four dishes to reveal breaded halibut, clam strips and shrimp separated in a single container, a bowl of coleslaw, and another bowl of steaming mashed potatoes. In another, smaller bowl, was her homemade tartar sauce, as well as a shrimp dipping sauce that she bought from the store. The sight and smell of it all had everyone’s stomachs rumbling.

Martin tried to look interested in the food, but he felt his stomach cramping, ‘I don’t think I’ll be eating much.’ he thought silently as his tail twitched from the pain.

“Okay everyone, pass up your plates.” Andais ordered. Once the first of the plates were at her side of the table, she started dishing up the food, handing the first plate down Chani’s side of the table. Yvette looked as if she was about to cry when AJ set the plate down in front of himself.

Looking up at him with pleading eyes, she blinked a couple of times. “Aww, aren’t you just adorable, little one?” AJ asked giving her a smile while gently touching the top of her head.

Blinking, she blushed a little. “Thank you for the compliment.” Yvette said before giving his fish another glance.

“Quit begging, Yvette. Your food is coming.” Andais said with a smile.

Several minutes passed as plates went down either side of the table until everyone had a plate of food in front of them. Jenny and Lee both practically wiggled in their seats, licking their lips, while Chani, looked relatively disinterested at the meal. Yvonne, and Yvette looked about ready to tear into the fish at a moment’s notice, while Martin couldn’t even bring himself to look at the food with his stomach stinging.

When she finished dishing up her own plate, Andais stood up, “I wish to propose a toast.” she announced casually, making everyone stand up to hold their glasses in front of them. “To a long business partnership, good friends, and to our loving families. May we all be happy in our endeavors.”

‘Good luck with that.’ Chani thought silently as she glared at Martin, who didn’t even try looking her in the eye.

Once everyone drank, they all sat to begin their meal. The first one to talk, as they started to eat, was Crystal. She gave a soft moan of bliss as the first fork full of foot hit her tongue. “Oh! I must get your recipe for coleslaw, Andais! This is heavenly.”

“I’ll make sure to write it out on a recipe card after dinner.” Andais said with a smile.

Beside the matron of the Durai family, the otter twins were practically tearing into their fish and shrimp ravenously, mirroring the twin skunks on the opposite side of the table. AJ was the only one eating his fish the slowest, choosing instead to savor the taste as he let it roll around on his tongue. Chani, however, squirmed in her chair as she placed a piece of the tartar sauce glazed fish into her mouth, purring at the flavor and the texture as they coalesced in her mouth.

As everyone ate, nobody spoke for the first few minutes, with the only sounds being forks clattering on plates, Chani’s purring, and random people drinking from their glasses. Throughout it all, Martin couldn’t bring himself to do more than push some food around on his plate with his stomach stinging painfully.

“You’re not hungry, honey?” Andais asked.

“Not really.” Martin said softly. “May I be excused? I don’t feel very well.”

Looking at him, she noticed how he and Chani seemed to be avoiding eye contact during dinner. “Is there some specific reason why you’re not feeling very well?” Andais asked, worry entering her voice. The silence was palpable, like a weight that descended upon their dinner, pressing down on them.

“Just… an upset stomach.” he said softly.

Chani blinked glancing over at Martin as he leaned forward, looking a little pale with his eyes clenched in pain. ‘I bet he’s doing that for sympathy.’ she thought bitterly. Sitting there for a couple more minutes, she glanced at Crystal who had just noticed the teenage mink leaning forward with concern on her face.

“Martin, are you sure you’re alright?” the female dragon asked.

“He said earlier he was fine.” Andais said before leaning over to Martin. “Honey, do you need to lay down?” she asked.

“I’m fine… I just need some air?” he said softly.

Andais nodded. “Okay, honey. I’ll put your plate into the microwave.”

“Thanks, mom.” Martin said as he shakily stood up from the table and staggered to the sliding glass door. Opening it, he stepped out onto the back deck with the moonlight filtering down from between the clouds, and trees.

Closing his door, he staggered over to one of the deck loungers and sat down, laying his head back as he took slow, steady breaths. Feeling the stinging of his stomach and abdomen, he lay there with his hand on his lower torso, shivering from the combination of sensations coursing through his body. Through the door, he could hear people still talking while at the dinner table.

“I’m sorry.” Andais said to her guests. “You’ve caught us in rare form. Apparently, my son had something happen at school today, but I haven’t gotten the full story.”

“Martin was beaten up by a bunch of seniors.” Chani remarked dispassionately as she poked at her mashed potatoes, “They took all the stuff out of his bag, tore or messed up all of his drawings, and when I tried to help him out, he yelled at me.” Everyone looked at the feline as she set her fork down beside her plate. “May I be excused too? I just lost my appetite.”

“Yes, honey.” Andais said softly. She watched as Chani walked into the living room and sat down on her loveseat. She could just barely see the young girl’s hair and ears poking up over the back of the furniture.

Jenny watched her sister go, her mind already working on how to get both of them to patch up their differences. Looking across the table at the short haired skunk in front of her, she could see the same look in Yvonne’s eyes as what she had. Glancing over at Yvette, she saw the young girl turn her head to look at Chani before looking at her mother. “Mom. I’m done, may I be excused too?”

“Actually, I think that dinner is pretty much over tonight anyway.” Andais said softly. “Would you like some leftovers to take home with you?” she asked AJ and Crystal.

Crystal nodded, “Yes. Please. I have a brother who would love some battered fish.”

That caused AJ to smile. “Oh, and don’t worry about dinner. It was a very delicious meal with quite pleasant company.”

“I thank you for that.” Andais remarked with a smile as she stood, and picked up the dirty dishes closest to her. Everyone else picked up their plates, glasses, and flatware in order to take it all into the kitchen. When the children were out of the kitchen, the matronly mink turned to look at both of the dragons. “Please forgive my son. He’s been having a bad week at school. I’m sure that he didn’t mean to yell at Chani.”

Listening to her talk, AJ sighed and nodded. “Chani, herself, has had problems at the school on more than one occasion, but that was usually because of individual students.” he said as he leaned his rump against the island. “Is that what’s happening with Martin too?”

“Partially, but it also has to do with the teachers.” Andais commented. “They constantly do things to get my son out of school, or hinder his ability to learn. Any time there’s a single altercation, they automatically point fingers at my son as the instigator, while the nearly half dozen older boys get off without so much as a slap on the wrist.”

AJ narrowed his eyes, “That definitely doesn’t sound like a safe learning environment.” he remarked. “How long has this been going on?”

“Since the beginning of the school year.” Andais answered.

“Perhaps I should look into this business.” AJ commented, “It doesn’t sound like Martin is getting a fair shake at the school.”

“I can’t promise you’ll find anything, but I would be thankful for any assistance you can give.” Andais commented. “I’m at my wits end with the faculty.”

While the parents talked, Jenny and Lee poked their heads up over the couch far enough so that only their noses could be seen above the edge. To either side of the otters, a pair of skunk tails rose up until the heads of Yvonne and Yvette mirrored the other set of twins. The fluffy tails of the two skunks twitched behind them in anticipation. Both of the otter’s green eyes looked out toward the teal blue eyes of their skunk counterparts. “Okay, so who wants to take Martin and who wants to do Chani?” the female otter asked.

“Kinky.” Lee remarked earning eye rolls from all three girls.

“How about we take Chani?” Yvonne suggested. “Martin already knows our tactics.”

“Just be careful.” Jenny commented, “Chani knows our tactics.”

“There’s no way she can deny our cuteness.” Yvette remarked with a giggle.

Both pairs of twins giggled, looking at each other for several seconds before the otters lowered themselves behind the couch. Within a matter of seconds, Lee and Jenny slunk past the couch while their older sister sat on the loveseat, holding her knees to her chest, and her head down. When the two skunks saw the otters at the sliding glass door, Yvette looked at her twin with a smile. Moving slowly, their heads and tails disappeared behind the couch. Slinking over to the loveseat the two girls moved stealthily around to opposite sides of the feline. ‘This is going to be awesome!’ the twins thought in unison as they approached their prospective targets.

At the same time, AJ and Crystal noticed both pairs of twins moving, the male dragon shook his head. ‘I don’t even want to know.’ he thought silently as Andais continued to pack up a plate for Tai.

Wrapping her arms around Chani from behind, Yvette snuggled against her back causing the kitty to jump a little. “I’m sorry that my brother is a stupid jerk.” she said softly. “Normally he’s not like that.”

Yvonne nodded as she walked up and wrapped her arms around the feline, hugging Chani between the pair. “He should’ve just thanked you for helping him.” she said with a sigh. “I mean, nobody else has been nice enough to stick their necks out to help him before today.”

Chani blinked, looking at the pair. “If you’re trying to get me to forgive him for yelling at me and telling me to leave him alone, it’s not going to work.” she said softly. “I’m angry at him because he hurt me, and I don’t ever want to be hurt by him again.”

Looking at her, the twins shook their heads. “That’s not what we want at all.” Yvette remarked. “If anything, we think it would be best if you both did leave each other alone.”

“Wh-What?” Chani asked, looking at the two.

“Considering how many times we’ve heard Martin crying while he sleeps…” Yvonne looked down as she held Chani tighter. “We don’t blame you, but we really don’t like hearing him being so upset.”

“I haven’t done anything to Martin…” Chani said before the memory of Wednesday night flashed in her mind, “at least not until he’d done something to hurt me.”

Yvette nodded, “We understand, which is why we’re hugging you. Neither of us blame you for anything that’s happened, but we think that it would be best for both of you to just stop trying to hurt each other no matter how unintentionally.”

Blinking at what the two girls said, Chani initially thought of becoming indignant, her mind going to all the times she spent with Martin. She remembered him holding her on Monday as she cried, going with her to the police station although he didn’t have to be there. Their time at the bookstore on Tuesday, not to mention the ride that allowed them to stop for some fun in the woods, and his purchase of her panties. She then thought about Wednesday, and she felt that familiar tightness in her chest, the pain of seeing him with that Doberman.

Jenny’s words cut through her memory, and Chani feeling like crying all day Thursday while Martin alternated between avoiding her early that morning and not being there for the afternoon class. Friday hit her like a freight train, with stress and anger being foremost on her mind, and the pain of what happened during lunch, followed by the worry for Martin’s safety causing her heart to ache. “You don’t have to worry about that, girls.” she remarked solemnly. “Even if I wanted him anymore, I doubt either of us want to go through another week like that.”

“That’s good.” Yvonne said softly. “You deserve someone who you will never be able to disagree with, Chani.”

“Especially not someone like Martin who would frustrate or upset you.” Yvette cooed, “I mean, it’s not like our brother has any good qualities.”

The moment the words left Yvette’s mouth, Chani’s mind went back to that Monday when he promised to help her with her artwork, and saved her life from the wolf. She blinked at the memory of him holding her close, and yet never once took advantage of her vulnerability. A blush heated her cheeks as she remembered his touch, the feel of his kiss, his fingers caressing her body, and the size of his…

Shaking her head, she tried not to think about Martin’s rather prodigious endowment, while feeling a tingling between her legs. “No…” she murmured while looking away from the younger girl, “it’s not like that at all…”

Outside was a different situation altogether. “Are you alright, Martin?” Jenny asked as she sat down at the foot of the lounger, a look of concern on her face. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but you look horrible.”

Martin nodded while gritting his teeth, “I feel horrible.”

“Would you feel better coming back inside?” Jenny asked, looking at him.

Turning his head, Martin sighed. “No. I would probably feel worse.”

“You didn’t mean to yell at Chani, did you?” she asked.

Closing his eyes, he gave a deep, shuddering breath, his arm going up to his abdomen, and wincing. “No, I didn’t.”

Jenny blinked at the sight of his response to touching his own stomach. Reaching out, she gently removed his hand while looking at his face getting paler. “Lee, get mom.” she ordered while unbuttoning his shirt. When she pulled up his t-shirt, she blinked at the sight of the bruise. ‘This is bad… really, really bad.’

Lee entered the house with the sliding of the glass door, and rushed into the kitchen. “Mom! We need your help outside.” he called, grabbing her hand.

Blinking at the interruption, Crystal was just about to chastise her son, when she saw the worried look on his face. She had just managed to take a step when she saw a streak of white and brown, the pink tip of a tail exiting the house before she’d even taken a second step. As she exited the house, she watched as light illuminated the entire outside area. Jenny was still sitting at the foot of the lounger while Chani stood on the opposite side, looking at the bruised abdomen.

Upon reaching the side of the lounger, Crystal blinked at how much of his abdomen was bruised. “Martin, how much farther does the bruise go down?” she asked, kneeling down next to him.

“P-Pubic bone…”

Andais arrived shortly afterward, her eyes wide in shock. “Martin!” she cried out.

“Honey, take her and the children back inside, and bring me your sword.” Crystal ordered, her voice authoritative.

“You’re sure…” AJ started to say, but one look from his wife and he didn’t question her judgment further. “Okay everyone, we need to give her some room. Jenny, Lee, and Chani, help me get the Thomas family back in the house.”

“I want to stay.” Chani said.

Crystal started to say something, but a single look at the feline’s face nearly broke her heart. “Okay, honey. Everyone else get into the house.”

Even as they ushered Andais and the twins back into the house, the matron of the family started to question An-Jun with tears in her eyes. “What’s she going to do? Why did she ask for your sword? Is my son going to be alright?”

They were back inside before AJ answered. “She’s going to heal your son, and she needs the sword in order to effect that healing.” He then looked at Lee. “Bring me my sword.” To his credit, the male otter never questioned while Jenny sat on the couch with the two skunks, hugging them close to her with that flipper tail around all three. Once he had his sword in hand, the male dragon turned toward the door as he answered the last question. “I don’t know if your son will be alright, it all hinges on whether or not he has anything left to live for tonight.”

Andais backed up to the chair in the living room, and collapsed. Bowing her head, she put it in her hands and started to cry, while mumbling a prayer. Walking outside, AJ looked at Crystal as he twisted the cane, unlocking it, and extracted the blade. Handing it over, he glanced over at Chani. “If you have anything you want to say to him, please do so now, honey.”

“Why didn’t you go to the nurse’s office you idiot?” Chani asked chidingly.

Martin winced at the tone of her voice. “I did… they told me… to walk it off.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.” she remarked, “You mean to tell me, they sent you to the hospital for something as simple as food poisoning, but wouldn’t even help for something like this?”

“It’s… what I have to deal with… all the time…” Martin gasped through the pain. “I’m used to it by now.”

“Considering what your mother said about the school’s indifference toward you,” AJ commented, “I believe what you’re saying, Martin.”

Shaking her head, Crystal looked up at AJ with a look that told him volumes. All he had to do was nod his head in agreement, for her to hold the blade in her palm. “MOM!! What are you doing?!” Chani asked.

“He’s beyond alchemical healing, Chani. There’s only one thing that will save him, but he has to want to live.” Crystal answered.

“But… how…?” she started to say before looking down at Martin. Several seconds passed before she closed her eyes. “I’m sorry for slapping you.”

“Doesn’t matter, Chani. I’m sorry that I… that I yelled at you… it wasn’t my choice.”

“It… It wasn’t?” she asked. “But… why did you tell me to stay away from you?”

Martin shivered, “The school… they wanted me… to stay away… said… I was… a bad influence.”

‘Looks like I’m going to have my work cut out for me with that school.’ AJ thought to himself, his eyes narrowed with smoke trailing out of his nostrils.

Crystal gently turned the mink’s head to look up. “Martin, I’m going to drip something into your mouth.” she announced, “When I tell you to swallow, then please do so immediately.”

He nodded in response before Chani filled his vision. “When you get better, I want to try our date all over again. Okay?” she asked.

Giving a small nod, he smiled. “Me too.”

Leaning forward, Chani kissed his lips, purring softly before breaking that kiss and looking at her adoptive mother. Crystal never even winced as she pulled the blade out of her hand. “Hold his mouth open, honey.” she said as she looked at her daughter, handing the blade back to AJ.

Doing as she was told, Chani watched as Crystal dripped her blood onto his tongue. The effect was instantaneous, with Martin convulsing at the first drop, the second hit the back of his throat, making him cough. Even with his erratic movements, she didn’t stop holding his mouth open. The third hit his tongue, and made him cry out in pain, before the fourth and fifth finally landed. “Close his mouth. Keep him from spitting it out.” she ordered as she set about wrapping her hand with a handkerchief AJ gave her.

Holding his mouth closed, she watched as the teenage mink continued to convulse for several seconds before his limbs started to fall to the lounger one by one. When only his body trembled, Crystal leaned over, opening one of his eyes. “Swallow, Martin.” she ordered, but nothing happened. “Swallow now!”

Everyone watched as he swallowed the blood, the effort almost too much for him. That lone act had Martin clutching his abdomen in pain. Chani moved to hug him, her arms wrapping around his upper chest and arms. “It… It hurts…”

Nodding in agreement, Crystal spoke soothingly. “Just bear with it a little while longer, Martin. You should be fully healed in a couple of days’ time.”

Coughing, he nodded while Chani held onto him. After little more than a minute, he finally felt the pain dissipate, only to be filled with a penetrating cold. Laying back, he felt that sensation radiating out from his lower abdomen, up through his torso, before finally sliding out to his arms and legs. Once the sensation reached his fingers and toes, he started to breathe a little more normally.

Lifting his shirt again, Crystal noticed that the discoloration had lessened quite a deal so that there were only marks where he had been kicked and punched. Even the bruise on the side of his face seemed to be healing faster. Seeing that he was still breathing, she looked over at AJ, and gave a nod. “You’ll be just fine, Martin. I do, however, recommend resting tonight.” she remarked as she stood up.

“May I stay out here with him for a little bit?” Chani asked, snuggling against the mink.

“I don’t see why not.” AJ answered as he and Crystal headed back inside.

When the sliding glass door opened, the two dragons entered the dining room, closing the door behind them. Andais was up and heading for the door before it had even closed so that as the door to the back deck closed she was right in front of the pair. “How is he?” she asked.

“He’ll be fine, but he needs monitoring for about an hour, so we left Chani with him.” AJ said with a small smile.

“Are… Are you sure he’s going to be alright?” Andais asked.

Reaching out, Crystal touched the matron of the house’s shoulder. “Absolutely. He’s stronger than you might think.”

“Some credit has to go to Chani too.” AJ said with a smile. “I think her being there was just the boost he needed.”

Bowing her head, Andais gave a sigh of relief as she allowed herself to be led over to the couch. The two sets of twins moved to the side, with AJ and Crystal taking the loveseat. Yvonne and Yvette held onto their mother, snuggling against her as she held them close, mumbling “He’s going to be alright.” under her breath over and over again.

“Don’t worry, Andais. Martin is in good hands.” Crystal remarked with a smile.

“Why did you need the sword to help my son?” Andais asked, looking over at Crystal.

“Martin was beyond any effective healing through technological, or alchemical means, so I had to use five drops of my own blood.” Crystal answered. “Unfortunately, his reaction to the blood was… disconcerting.”

Andais blinked, “What do you mean?”

“Normally, a truly healthy person would just find the taste of dragon’s blood nasty, while someone who is sick might cringe, or shiver. Martin… convulsed.”

“Is there some significance to that?” Andais asked.

Crystal looked at AJ, who had just finished cleaning the blade, and locked the sword back into its scabbard. “It means that if I did not do what I just did, you would be making plans for a funeral right now.” she shook her head, “Your son had internal bleeding. From the discoloration, I can tell you that he probably had a ruptured pancreas, spleen, or both.”

Outside, both Chani and Martin held onto each other with the feline caressing his slender chest. “I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions this past week.” she remarked with a sigh. “I’m not normally like that, but… Eliza… she’s been a constant pain in my tail for the past six months, and I was seriously getting tired of her ruining everything for me at school.”

“You already apologized, Chani.” Martin said softly with his arm around her. “You don’t need to say anything else.”

Chani nodded with a soft purr. “I just wanted to explain my actions.”

Martin sighed, pulling her into a warm embrace. “Truthfully, I wondered if your anger was more directed at me, or the Doberman after it happened.” He shook his head, “What had me upset for the majority of yesterday wasn’t that you slapped me.”

“It… It wasn’t?” Chani asked looking up at him.

Shaking his head, he looked into her eyes. “No. It was the fact that I didn’t catch you before you could get onto the bus.” Martin answered. “All I wanted to do was wrap you up in a hug, and tell you what happened. You slapping me didn’t change anything yesterday. It was my own failure to get to you first that ate at me all day Thursday.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that when we got to school?” Chani asked.

Giving a sigh, he shook his head. “I wanted to talk to you, but I didn’t want to say anything with Andrea and Tanya present because it was none of their business. Besides, we needed to work on our presentation.”

“You could’ve stayed behind to… was that when you started feeling sick?” Chani asked.

Martin nodded, “The moment that the bell rang, I started feeling nauseous, so I ran to the bathroom to throw up… that’s when I was found and sent to the hospital.”

“This really was the worst week for us to start a relationship, wasn’t it, Martin?”

Nodding, he gave another sigh. “Now, thankfully, we don’t have to worry about the other students giving us a problem…” Martin said while looking out at the starry night.

“… and if my father starts an investigation into why you’ve been targeted, we may be able to stop that as well.” Chani interjected.

“Honestly, not being targeted anymore sounds wonderful.”

Chani nodded, smiling as she snuggled against his chest with her hand caressing over his slender abdomen. Blushing profusely, she continued to feel the tingling between her legs, which made her tail twitch at the tip. Pressing her upper body against his side, she crossed her leg over his thigh so that it grazed his crotch. With her head on his chest, the adolescent feline had a perfect angle to watch as Martin’s pants tightened.

Sliding her hand down his abdomen, she lightly caressed her paw over his crotch, rubbing the growing length under the fabric of his pants. “Ch-Chani?” he asked a little breathless. “Wh-what are you doing?”

“I-I’ve just missed you, and… well… ever since Wednesday…” her tail flicked as she blushed profusely, looking down at his bulge. “I wanted you that night, but…”

Nodding at her comment, Martin sighed. “I want you too, Chani, but don’t you think that now really isn’t the time?” he asked “Our parents are just on the other side of the door, not to mention the rest of our families.”

“You’re right, but… I just really want to show you how sorry I am for everything.” Chani commented.

Reaching up, he gently helped Chani to raise her chin so that she was looking him in the eyes again. “We don’t need to have sex for you to show me how sorry you are.” Martin remarked before leaning in and kissing her lips. He wasn’t sure how long they lay there, kissing with his arms around her body, but the feel of her entire mouth and tongue only helped to arouse him further.

Breaking the kiss, Chani mewed as she snuggled against Martin’s chest while her hips wiggled against his thigh. Laying there for several minutes, the teenage mink rubbed his hands down her back while his other arm wrapped around her shoulders. There was only a few minutes of quiet before the sliding glass door opened, breaking the quiet.

“Chani, we have to get going home.” Jenny called out, “Dad says that Uncle Tai is about to return.”

“Okay, I’ll be inside soon.” she called back before looking at Martin. “I’m sorry that we can’t continue this.”

Shaking his head, Martin smiled. “It’s alright, Chani. We always have tomorrow.”

Looking down, she blushed. “Jenny and Lee have asked a friend to stay over for the weekend, but maybe… I can make plans with you for next weekend?” Chani asked.

“I would like that.” Martin said with a smile.

Nodding at his remark, she smiled in response, kissing his lips. “I’ll see you at school on Monday.”

Martin nodded. “Okay.”

Taking only a few seconds, Chani stood and helping Martin to his feet, with the latter wincing ever so slightly. Heading into the house, hand-in-hand, they noticed where everyone stood. Jenny, Lee, and the rest of the Durai family already had on their coats. AJ stood at the open doorway with Crystal, the latter of which was holding a plate of food. “I had a wonderful time, Andais. We really should do this again sometime.” the patron of the family suggested.

“Hopefully with less drama than tonight.” she remarked sarcastically.

“Agreed.” Crystal and AJ said in unison.

When she arrived, Chani retrieved her coat, and slipped it on over her clothes. “It was a pleasure having dinner with you all.” she said softly.

“It was our pleasure mostly.” Yvette said giving the feline a hug.

Chani wrapped her up in a hug, nuzzling the top of the younger girl’s head as Yvonne hugged the other side. “You all have a wonderful night, and we’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Chani and Martin asked.

“You both were outside, but I invited the Thomas family out to the Makin’ Waves Waterpark.” AJ commented.

“O-Okay. I didn’t know that we were going there tomorrow.” Chani commented.

Jenny nodded, “Yup. That’s where we’re going to meet up with Jeffy, so that his mom doesn’t have to drive halfway across the city.”

Nodding, she looked at Martin for a few seconds before wrapping him up in a hug. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then.” she purred into his ear.

“See you tomorrow, Chani.” Martin remarked, hugging her back. Watching as the Durai family walked outside, he got a good look at the carriage that brought them to his home that evening. Smiling, he watched as the family entered, with Crystal handing over the plate of food to the driver. His entire family watched as the carriage drove away into the night, while his body felt better by the minute.

After eating dinner, finally, Martin headed off to bed to get some sleep. Tomorrow he would see Chani again with all the drama of the past week gone, like a heavy weight dropped from their shoulders.

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