When I Met Yukkuri - Ch4: Clans, Kappas, Education, and Kitties~

[Hitosura]

[Take-2!  Aaaand... action!]

Why are we doing all this?
Because it's the right thing to do.
Yeah, but I don't like it.
You know as well as I do about us and our, 'comfort zone.'
But... there's gonna be so many...
That's fine.  We'll evolve and find other ways to be ourselves.  We still have us.

I had trouble sleeping that night.  An entire clan of yukkuri?  Living in my backyard?  What was I getting myself into?  I felt myself conflicted.  This could be pretty huge.  The next day, I started with more of Marisa's coordination training.  She was walking well.  A few minutes to play catch, breakfast, and I was out the door, and off to the park.  Needed to collect some data of the yukkuri clan.  I took stock of the clan, and how many boxes I'd have to bring.  I had a few ideas on how to keep it organized.  There were four full-fledged families, three singles, which included Patchouli, and ten children spread over the three families and Tough Marisa and her child.  Twenty-one yukkuri about to move into my backyard.  Seven boxes is all I'd need.  10x10x10s.  Should be sufficient for the time being.  I took a moment to stop by the park and approach Patchouli.  I informed her that tonight would be the night.

"Make sure they get all their stuff ready.  All their treasures, furniture, and other stuff they want to bring.  You, too."
"Mukyu!" she responded.
"Also, let them know a bodied yukkuri is going to help us... just so, you know, they're not scared and think she's uneasy."
"Mukyu!" she said again.
"I'll signal with a bright light twice.  Got it?  See you then.  Be ready!"

She nodded.  A few of her clan came out to see us.  She moved back to them, and I listened to her start to inform them.  Once we parted, my mind set to work the operation.  At work, even with how busy it was, my mind still penciled ideas.  I'd need a means to identify the families.  Make sure there were no other yukkuri trying to slip in.  Not that they wouldn't be welcomed -- but a means for me to take stock of them.  Yuuka and her sunflower brooch popped into my head.  Pins.  Simple, but effective.  They weren't badges, so other yukkuri -probably- wouldn't try to steal them.

When I got home, which was rather late, Marisa and Ran were waiting.  The rest were already sleeping -- Reimu, her family, and Nitori were long out.  I showed them how to make the boxes.  Wasn't that hard for them to figure out, since they already had a general idea from when they were strays.  They just needed to know how to tape them.  After that came the pick-up.  I brought my phone as a flashlight, and let off the signal: two flashes of the light.  After that, I saw the whole clan emerge.  Not too big -- Patchouli had good control over them.  Something I looked up -- Patchouli-types often ran clans, since they were deeper-thinkers.  For most clan structures, they often would govern it, and help keep them alive, mostly through population control.  They designated hunters, where to hunt, controlled how much the clan ate, and even the population of the clan.  In the wild, I read, yukkuri tend to breed according to their ecosystem, but some can overbreed, which leads to starvation, or the hunter of the family becoming too exhausted, dying out, and the entire family starves to death.  With a clan situation, those yukkuri tend to do better, due to someone telling them what to do.  It really -was- that simple.

I decided I should introduce myself.
"Well, I'm sure you all remember me from the few times you've seen me.  I'm Mister Kei.  I'm an easy human, so you can trust me easy.  My friends here are easy, too, so you can trust them easy."
I motioned to Ran.  She stepped forward.  A low gasp rose up.  Some of them seemed to cringe.  Others looked on with awe.  Ran gave a light bow.
"Ran is a very easy yukkuri, and she's here to help us move you to my back yard."
She stood up and smiled to them.
"Take it easy!" she said, then took a few steps back.
"Alright, so," I said, addressing the clan, "Did we all gather up what we want?  All your mister treasures and all your easy furniture gathered?  We've got plenty of time.  Make sure you get all of it before we go!  Once the mass extermination begins, you won't be able to come back for a while, because the mister poison will be all over, and you'll die easy if you try to return."
A few of the small kos turned around and ran back to their burrows.  Their parents followed.  The remaining approached us.
"Alright, well, for the rest of you, let's get moving!"
Ran was in charge of handing out the pins.
"First, proceed to Ran.  She will give you some mister pins.  Please fasten them to your mister accessory and your children's mister accessory."
I bought a few different types.  I didn't have to give one to Ran or Marisa -- I knew who they were.  I got some for Reimu and her kids to wear, independent of these yukkuri.  I took stock of the yukkuri on purpose -- I knew how much of each pin to get.  I oversaw Ran as she handed them out.  I helped them gently pack the small furniture and trinkets they carried -- gemstones, buttons, bottle caps, and even some rather interesting-looking furniture.  Broken pieces of toys or discarded furniture fashioned together to make things like beds, tables, or even just storage for their treasures.  They were kept with the associated families, and packed gently into each box, alongside the family who owned it.  Patchouli had a few books she had other yukkuri help bring out.
"That's right.  Make sure they're on.  Now, with your pins on, and all your stuff, go to Marisa, and she'll take your possessions, and you, into a mister box, then bring you to my easy place."
It all proceeded like clockwork.  They were all prepared, but they were still all nervous and anxious.  I did what I could to help settle them.  By then, the remaining families returned, were marked, boxed, and brought over.  With the pins done, Ran moved to help Marisa finish packing them up.  With the count complete, there was only one group missing... and there she was, approaching me, with her small child.  They exchanged a hug and a rub-rub.

"Now, go, little one.  An easier life awaits you," Tough Marisa said to her child.
"B-but dawdy...!"
"No buts, little one!  Understand easy!  Daddy made a mistake, and daddy will fix the mistake!"
Tiny Marisa began to cry a little.  Tough Marisa wiped away her tears.  I walked up.
"Now, make sure you wipe after you poo-poo, and make sure you clean-clean your acce--"
"What's all this about?" I said, and knelt down in front of them.  I placed the last box next to them.  Tough Marisa stopped, picked up Tiny Marisa and handed her to me.  I smiled, gave her a little rub-rub with my index finger, then gently lowered her into the box.
"Mister human, for the uneasiness Marisa has brought upon the clan, Marisa should stay behind and defend our homes.  If mass extermination starts and they see no yukkuri, they may come looking for the clan."
Martyrdom.  Really?  This was completely unnecessary.  I looked to Tiny Marisa, who was sobbing lightly, then back to Tough Marisa.
"You're not serious, are you?"
She narrowed her eyes and nodded.  She reached under her hat and took out the knife.  She handed it to me, and I took it.  I slid it into my pocket.  I'd dispose of it later.
"Please make sure the rest of the clan are ea--"
"No, nonononono," I said, and shook my head "I don't think so.  You're coming, too."
"Understand, easy!  This is all Marisa's fault!  If I ha--"
"I don't care.  Even if they come here and don't find yukkuri, they're still going to spray.  They'll probably figure you guys found out and went into hiding.  They're still going to coat your domiciles and the park in poison, and hope you guys fall for it.  There's no point to this other than you not wanting to face responsibility for what you did," I gave it a second to let it sink in, then continued, "If you give up now, you'll never really atone for what you did, and to top it all off, your child will have to grow up without a daddy!  Is that really what you want?"
Tiny Marisa's sobs stopped.
"M-mishter hu..."
"No!  Marisa's mind is made up!  Marisa is st--HEY!"
I snatched her by her head.
"I refuse.  That choice is absolutely the wrong one."
I stood up and held her tightly.  She squirmed around in my hand, trying to break free.
"YUPI!  YU!  NO!  LET ME GO!"
"Um, mishter?  Ish daddy easy?"
I smiled down to Tiny Marisa as Tough Marisa continued to squirm and yell.
"Daddy's fine.  He's coming with us!"
"Really?!  Yupipipipi!  Eajy!" she said and bounced up and down in the box, "Daddy ish coming!"
We went to the house.  Still can't believe that...
"Leave Marisa behind!  Now is fine!"
"Nope."
"Marisa doesn't want to be saved!"
"I don't care!"
"Stop!"
"No."
"Please!"
"Denied."
It went on like this all the way home... all the while, Tiny Marisa sang and cheered about being able to live with her daddy...

We brought the boxes around back.  Tough Marisa resigned to her new fate, and had stopped squirming.  Ran and Marisa had already unloaded the families.  Patchouli had gathered them off to the side while we worked and took their furniture out of the boxes.  I sat down on my porch and looked to them.
"Welcome to Mister Kei's easy place!  This is where all the yus will stay," I motioned to the roofed section of the porch, "Your easy homes will stay here.  It's safe from mister rain.  Now, let's get the houses all set up."
Funny thing -- we took all the boxes and placed them on their sides, all next to each other.
"Alright, we're all set.  Feel free to move your easy stuff back in.  Once you're done, gather up back here.  Mister Kei wants to have an easy discussion with the clan."
They broke and chatted among themselves.  They shifted their possessions back into their easy places.  Ran skittered off to finish preparing the meal for the clan.  Patchy finished up her own house, then shifted back over to me.  She gave me a nod, with a smile.
"Thank you, Mister Kei."
I reached and placed my hand on her head.
"I couldn't just sit by and let my easy friends die easy."
She gave a smile.  I removed my hand from her head and moved it to my lap.  Most of the clan returned.  Some of them were still tucking their babies in for bed.  Tough Marisa was against the wall, staring at me.  I noticed a few yukkuri weren't very pleased with seeing her still here.  Hm.  Once the remainder came, I began my speech.
"Alright, so, again, welcome to Mister Kei's easy place.  I'm not exactly easy to have to bring so many yukkuri here, but it was partially my fault that the mass extermination is coming, so this is how I will make it easy again.  I have a few easy rules if you want to stay here," I raised my index finger for them, "First off, no poo-poo and pee-pee everywhere.  You're all a clan.  Pick a place to do pee-pee and poo-poo and do it there.  I don't want to come out here and this place smells, nor do I want to step in any one's poo-poo," I heard a few light giggles, "Easy?"
"Take it easy~" I heard a few of them respond.
"Next!" I raised another finger, "Patchouli is still your chief, but I'm your chief now, too.  I know some of you don't like humans much, but that's okay.  I'll show you how easy I can be.  If you need anything, let either Patchouli or me know.  We will see to it that we can make it easy again.  If there's any uneasiness between you and another yukkuri, let us know.  Easy?"
"Take it easy!"
"Alright," I said, and raised another finger, "No refreshing unless we tell you.  I'm sure Patchouli has already explained that to you.  Food is going to be a little tricky for now.  You don't want to have an easy family if you can't feed them, right?"
There was a low muttering.  Families were a touchy subject.  Most of them already had children, so it wasn't that tricky to convince them.
"On the subject of food," I said, and raised another finger, "It's up to you guys to get your own munch-munch.  You may be living here, and this is your easy place, but food is still your responsibility.  Mister Kei will help you now and then if food becomes tricky, but Mister Kei can't provide for a whole clan of yukkuri.  Understand easy?"
There was a few nods, the rest stared at me.
"Last but not least!  No entering my easy place unless you are let in!  From time-to-time, I may let you in, if we need to talk easy about something, but other than that, all yukkuri stay out here.  Easy?"
Another nod from the group.
"With that... Ran!"
Marisa slid the door open and Ran emerged with a few large plates.  Marisa disappeared, then came out behind her with a few more.
"Tonight's meal is on all of us.  Welcome to your new easy place, everyone!"
I kept an eye on Marisa.  She didn't like this idea.  Not at all.  Her pleasant face was fake.  I could read it.  I could see it'd be a subject for later discussion.  The plates were placed down and the yukkuri gathered around.  Five plates should be sufficient.
"Now, make sure you share the easiness!  There's lots for everyone!"
"You should all thank Chief Kei for the easy food!"
A few were mid-eating, but they still turned around.
"Thank you, Chief Kei!"
All the happiness and delicious yells aside, they all seemed pleased.  I was afraid the sudden migration might put a lot of stress on them.  They munched their meals down, shared them with their friends, neighbors, and children, then an Alice picked up the plates, stacked them, and brought them to me.
"Thank you for the city-sect meal, Chief Kei!"
I took the plates from her and held them up to Ran, who took them to the kitchen to be cleaned.
"My pleasure.  Now, you go settle in for the night.  I'm sure all of you have a lot of work to do tomorrow."

They were already calling me chief.  Well, a few of them were.  There were some sour faces on a handful.  I wasn't sure if it was because they believed this was all my doing, or because they believed it was Tough Marisa's fault.  I stared at them through the sliding glass door.  There were a few that looked unsettled, quietly chatting to one-another.  Tough Marisa was still against the door, her child talking to her with her usual adoration.  She pulled her child close, and stayed there.  When one noticed she was being watched, she waved.  I returned the gesture.  Ran came to me.

"Dishes are all done, master!  I'm going to retire for the night!"
I placed my hand on her head and gave it a light rub.  Funny.  She seemed taller.  Her hands came up and she giggled.  I gave her a light hug.
"Master is pleased.  Sleep easy."
She let out a cheer, then gave a gentle bow.  She darted down the hall, a light tune hummed from her.  She was easy to please, and hard-working.  A good combination of personality traits.  Marisa emerged from the kitchen.  She passed by me.  I watched her go to my room.  She didn't say a word.  Yup.  I was in for it.  I let out a sigh and went to my room.  She was already in bed and curled up away from me.

"Marisa?"
No response.  I moved to my bed and sat down.
"Marisa?  Come on, I know you didn't fall asleep yet."
I heard a light sob.
"Hey... is this because I took in more yukkuri?"
"You... were mine first!"
"Eh... what?"
She sat up and looked at me.  Tears were in her eyes.  She was talking like a yukkuri again... this must have really been bothering her.
"Mister Kei... saved Marisa.  Marisa and Mister Kei were happy together... then... Mister Kei brought home Reimu and KoReimu and KoMarisa... and and... Marisa was still easy with that... then Mister Kei brings home Nitori... and Marisa is easy, because Nitori is Marisa and Mister Kei's beautiful easy child!  But..."
I placed my hands on her shoulders.  I took in a breath.  The speech wrote itself out in my head.
"Marisa.  You promised me that you'd be okay if I brought home a few more yukkuri.  Now, I know that this was obviously more than just a few, however, I put them in this situation.  It's only fair that I try to make it right.  Besides, it's only going to be temporary.  Once the poison is evaporated, they can go on their way.  Few days, maybe a month.  They won't even live in here; they live out back."
I stopped to let her respond.  She wiped her eyes with her hand.  I wrote out more of what to say in my mind.
"You're still my first.  You're still important to me.  Just because there's more of them doesn't make you any less important.  You, Nitori, Reimu and her family.  You're all my easy family."
I think that did it.  She gave me a hug.  I returned the gesture.  She sniffled a few times.
"Nitori said she was worried that you won't be able to spend time with her any more..."
"Oh?"
Marisa nodded.
"I'll keep that in mind, thanks," I said, with a nod.
We curled up under the sheets.  She still liked to snuggle against me.  The anatomy of her body still poked at the back of my mind.  Was she still a pastry?  How did her body keep itself upright like that?  Did she form bones or something?  Hmm...



So it's started.
Yep.
Where do we go from here?
Let's see what kind of poison is used.
Why is that important?
Remember those bug sprays that last for months?
You just gonna ask?
We'll just be persuasive.
... and if it's one of those types of poison?
... then we'll take steps.



I only woke up once, fairly early.  Marisa crept her way out of bed.  She liked to get up early and begin cleaning the house.  Her and Ran seemed to have worked out some kind of co-op/competitive cleaning.  I even heard of them making a mister schedule so they could make sure everything got done well for mister Kei.  Their words, not mine.  Made me smile.  They were being intuitive.  Must have been me rubbing off on them.  After I got up, I went outside first to meet with Patchouli.  We sat down and chatted.

"So, first night's over, and first day begins.  How is the clan status?" I asked.
"There's a little uneasiness.  Some of our little ones don't like their new homes, mukyu."
"To be expected.  Hopefully it'll only be temporary."
"Hopefully, mukyu?"
I rolled my eyes away, then looked back at her.
"You know, there are types of poisons that last for a long time, right?"
She gasped.  I guess she didn't.
"Yeah," I continued, "So, we may have to face a new reality."
Her gaze lowered.  Her piu-pius knitted at her mouth.
"Hey," I said, and placed my hand on her bonnet, "Take it easy!"
That made her perk up slightly.
"We'll get through this.  I made a promise to take care of you and your clan.  I don't intend to renege."
She looked a little confused.
"Why do you say things I don't understand, mukyu?"
"Anyway~!  Is there any immediate issues we have with the clan?  Any sickness?  Bugs?  Worms?  Mold?"
She lowered her gaze and shook her head.  I perked my eyebrow.
"Are you sure?  You maybe want to ask?"
She nodded.
"I'll ask easy, mukyu.  For now, though, the clan needs mister water and a nursery for our little ones.  Alice and Reimu watch after our little ones, but we need a place for them."
I looked to my right.  The extra room my dad added.  It's original purpose was to extend my room, but was repurposed for his 'office.'  Since he passed on, we cleaned it out and was using it for storage for a long time, until my mom passed.  Since then, I cleaned almost all of it out.  I pointed to it.
"Would that room be easy?"
I reached over and opened it.  Patchy hopped over and looked inside.  She turned back to me.
"This is a great easy place for the little ones!"  She hopped from the room, "Alice!  Reimu!  Come here easy!  We have a new, easy nursery!"
Two rather kind, motherly-looking yukkuri gently slid up.  One was clearly a Reimu.  She looked almost like Mother Reimu -- expression and all.  The other was a blonde-haired one with a gentle smile and kind eyes.  That must have been Alice.  Patchouli pointed to the room next to us with her braid.
"Muyku!  Chief Kei says we can use this easy place for our nursery!"
Both gasped.
"Yu!  Easy!"
Alice slid and looked into the room.
"Ohhh... this easy place is very city-sect!"
They bounced up and down.  I raised my hand.
"On one condition!"
They both stopped.  Their expression of excitement shifted to unease.
"You two have to keep the easy place clean!  No pee-pee or poo-poo!  You can have others from the clan help you, but the easy nursery better not stink like uneasiness!"
Their unease shifted to happiness.
"Easy!" exclaimed Reimu.
"That sounds very city-sect, Chief Kei," Alice said, and bowed her head.
I figured they were already used to the idea, but it never hurt to reinforce it.
"Feel free to decorate it how you want.  I'll even bring some easy toys for you."
"Thank you, Chief Kei!"
+Reputation.  Good start.  The two slid off.  I looked back to Patchy.
"Anything else?"
She stared for a moment.  Her gaze lowered.  I could tell she was thinking.
"Mukyu... Human children go to a place to learn things," she started, then looked up to me, "What was that place called?"
My brow quirked.
"A school?"
She pointed up at me with her piu-piu.
"That!  A school!  Mukyu... Patchy has noticed some of our clan is, well..." she looked behind her at the clan, most of whom were either searching my yard for food, or chatting it up with their neighbors, "... dumb." She looked back to me, "Mukyu... could Chief Kei help Chief Patchy make their clan smart like Chief Kei?"
Ah ha... well... attaining my level of intellect was out of the question.  I gave it a thought... they'd probably pop.
"I'll... see what I can come up with," I started.  My hand moved to my chin.  I brushed the stubble under my chin.  "It'll take me some time.  There's a lot of logistics, there."
"Logistics, mukyu?"  She tilted to one side, "Is that tasty?"
I chuckled slightly.  My hand patted her head.
"No, silly.  Logistics -- you know, factors.  Things.  We need a teacher.  A room.  Possibly seats, a board to write on, lessons, tests, toilets, rewards for good behavior, and such."
My mind was already penciling it all together.
"Oh!  Of course!" Patchy exclaimed.  Her piu-piu moved up to poke my hand.
I picked her up.
"Mukyu!  Patchouli is as high as mister birdy!"
I guess some habits die hard, even in the smartest of them.
"Anything else?  How's the food supply?"
She turned around in my hands and looked out at the clan.
"Uneasy.  We weren't able to gather much in one night.  Mukyu... our best hunters are doing what they can to gather out here, but..."
"Mmm.  Well, I'll supply what I can.  I can't just buy all your food, though.  I'd run out of mister money, have no home, and we would have no easy place for the clan."
She nodded.
"Patchouli understands easy."
"I'll leave the fence open for you.  Just make sure they stay away from the park."
She turned to me and nodded.  I looked out at the tough-looking adult Marisa.  She looked happy with her child, who was singing to her.  I could tell she was still upset that I didn't leave her.
"Also, uh... how is she?"
She followed my gaze.
"Marisa is doing... okay.  The clan is still uneasy with her."
I nodded.
"I'll figure something out there."
It'd take some time for that... What else did I want to ask her about...
"While I'm thinking about it, are all the yukkuri well?  Not easy or uneasy... I mean like, any with mister mold?  Itchiness?  Any kind of sickness that you know about?  I have some medicine that can help them."
Patchouli thumbed her mouth with her braid.
"Patchy doesn't know," she said, then looked up at me, "but Patchy will ask around."
Didn't want them making me or my yukkuri sick.  Plus, it'd be good for my reputation.  And mold spreads easily from yukkuri to yukkuri.
"If they don't want anyone to know, have them wait for me by the door tonight," I said, and pointed to the sliding glass door.
She followed my finger, then looked back to me with a nod.  At that moment, Ran stepped in front of the door.
"Mister Kei!  Breakfast is ready!"
I leaned my head back.
"Coming, Ran.  Thank you!"
I looked back to Patchouli.  She fidgeted in my hand.  She looked away and hugged herself with her braids.
"Something the matter?"
"Well," she said, and shifted from side-to-side, "Ran says mister's hands are pretty warm... and soft."
My brow flicked up.  Was she trying to... I gently slid my hand over her cheek.  She rubbed herself against it.  Up to this point, I never saw her face so peaceful.
"Mmm.  Ran was right," she said, and nodded.
Well.  She was a yukkuri, after all.  It wouldn't be below her to want rub-rub now and then.  Just an odd way to ask for it.
"Alright, well, I gotta go," I said and lowered my hand down.  She slid out of my hand.  "Good meeting.  We'll catch up after I get home from work.  Make sure you get a nap before then."
She nodded and waved her braid.
"Take it easy, Chief Kei!"
Nurse Alice and Nurse Reimu were passing by, flanked on all sides but the front with little kos.  When Patchouli said her goodbye, they stopped and turned to me.
"Take it easy, Chief Kei!"
Nurse Reimu waved her braid.  Nurse Alice gave me a smile.  The kos quickly joined in.
"Chake it eajy, Chief Kei!"

Ran shoved a bag into my hands.
"Please take this easy munch-munch with you!"  She moved her hands in front of her and bowed slightly, "Ran prepared it for you while you hunt-hunt!"
I smiled and placed my hand on her head.
"Thank you, Ran."
She definitely got taller.  Perhaps it was because she was eating better?  Better environment?  I'd give it more thought later.  I waved to her.  Marisa quickly pushed her way out and waved to me as well.  I smiled and waved back to her.
"Bye Marisa!  Take it easy!"
I set off down the street to the park.  There was a large truck parked there.  A few guys were already surveying the park.  I figured if they were going to show up, it would be around now.  Most city work took place mid-day, while school was still in session.  It didn't look like they were spraying yet.  All of them had white jumpsuits with a scarf around their right arm that simply read, 'Factory.'  Plain, but simple.  The same was written on the side of the truck.  Just the word, 'Factory.'  Never knew a business could just be called, 'Factory.'  I approached the man with the clipboard.  He seemed to be overseeing it all, from what little I could eavesdrop as he spoke into a walkie talkie.
"... alright, well, keep searching," he said.
"Roger," came from the other end.
"Ah, you must be the guys doing the spraying."
"Eh?" he turned to face me, then nodded.
"Hey, nice to meet you," I offered a handshake.
He seemed reluctant.
"Hey, it's okay," I said, and withdrew my hand, "I'm not here to put you down or anything.  You're just doing your job."
"Good," he said, with a slight nod, "Then you can get lost.  We're busy."
"Did you find any of them?"
He looked out to the park.
"No."
"Probably found somewhere to hide.  For stupid little manjuu, they can be clever sometimes."
He let out a snerk.
"Someone probably tipped them off.  Some manjuu-lover," I said, and gave a shrug.
"Won't matter, anyway," he said, and looked back to me.  He had an odd smirk on his face, "We've found their little hovels.  We're gonna hose them down."
"Yeah?  Like with some kind of special poison?  Is there a commercial version, or is this stuff only industrial grade?"
He looked back at me with a brow raised.  I could feel he was trying to assess me now -- was I a yukkuri supporter here to harass him, neutral, or abyuser?  I could almost see the gears in his head spinning.
"The stuff we use is pretty high-end.  You wouldn't want to spray that around your house, especially if you have pets," he said, and turned to face me.  "There's no known health effects of the stuff on humans, but other small animals can get sick.  Yukkuri just flat out die from it.  Why?  Have there been some yukkuri around your house?"
I nodded.
"Yeah.  There's quite a few that live around the neighborhood as strays."
Sort of a lie.  Not much of one.  Even the strays around the households were kept mostly as pets -- neighbors would talk about and to them all the time.
"Don't want any of them coming around my house."
He nodded.
"Well, let me show you a brand that's pretty much the equivalent... see, the stuff we use is not only supposed to kill them, but last for several months before evaporating.  Water can't actually wash it away.  We use that stuff on their homes, to make sure they're gone and no other yukkuri can simply just move in.  We do what we can -- yukkuri can get pretty clever, and learn fast in a pinch.  The empty park is a testament to that."
I nodded as he talked about his work.  At this point, I just let him do the talking.  Before long, I bid him farewell and moved on with my day.  Information acquired.  Now I just needed to look up the active ingredient.  Check it's effects and such.  Off to work~

"Like, a dozen of them?" my coworker asked.
"Well, more like two dozen, if you count the ones who I consider my family," I responded.
Her jaw hung open.
"Isn't that like, unsanitary?"
I shook my head and looked at her.
"Yeah, I haven't cleaned up the new set of strays yet, but they're fairly clean.  The ones who live with me keep clean.  I taught them how to bathe themselves."
She stared at me, bewildered.
"They shower themselves?"
I nodded.  She went into thought for a moment.
"Like... cats?"
I shook my head.
"You know, Ran?  I showed her how to clean all of them.  They take care of their own poop and pee," I said, and turned to her, "Which is really some kind of odd joke, because their poop is just bean paste -- still edible, by the way, and their pee is just sugar water.  There's no smell, unless it's been sitting there for weeks."
She didn't seem to know how to respond to that.
"Anyway, the clan seems pretty cool.  I haven't seen anything that sets off any alarms in my head."
"They could be trying to break into your house and steal all of your food."
I shook my head.
"Nah.  They survived in the park as long as they did without me," I said, and looked to her, "Why would they suddenly want to do something so stupid now?"
She gave a shrug.
"Anyway, it sounds pretty cool.  Are you like, opening a shelter or something?"
My brow flicked up.  An animal shelter?  Tax breaks.  Donations.  Would be an easy way to keep cash flow.
"Maybe.  I'd have to see how all that works."
The day went by pretty normal; few annoying customers, arguably forgettable in my book.  It wasn't until we were almost leaving...
"You know, all that stuff you said about the clan sounds pretty cool.  Any way I could see what happens?"
I blinked a few times.
"Well, I have some pictures..."
She came over.  I showed her the pictures of my pet yukkuri.
"I don't have any of the clan yet... they're pretty cool to just watch.  It's like watching a small town of people."
"That actually sounds... neat.  Any thoughts to like... showing them off?"
I canted my head to the side.
"Well, the issue with that is there's some pretty crazy abyusers out there who look for places like mine... but maybe I could set up some cameras."
Stream it or something.  Not bad of an idea.  I looked up to her with a grin.
"Thanks.  You gave me some ideas."

I made a stop at the chain store nearby.  I kept notes on my phone of different ideas and things I had to get -- toys for the little baby yus including small broomsticks, shanghai dolls, ying-yang balls, a couple of things for the older ones, some ramune pills, medicine in case any had worms or what-not, some more shampoo, some clothes for Marisa and Ran, some more yukkuri toilets, orange juice, and I got some pricing on security cameras for my house.  Something to do down the line when I felt ready.  Pretty sure if I posted it up now, there'd be issue with the fact that they were all living in boxes.  No, more time was necessary.  I couldn't just go and buy them all yukkurium-style houses.  The clan was social.  They'd have to be more dog house-style, with an easy-to-open entrance, and just in case any kind of animals wandered in, there would have to be some kind of door.  I stopped for a moment.  I jotted all of this down in my phone.  I moved to the aisle with bug sprays and such.  There it was.  The poison the guy recommended.  I turned over the can to read the information.  Hm.  I turned and headed to the register.  As I approached the counter to pay for all the purchases, my phone began to ring.  I didn't recognize the number, but my instinct told me I knew who was on the other end.  I answered.
"Hello," I answered
"Hi, uh..."
"Can I help you?" I asked the confused voice.
"Yeah, see, I know this is gonna sound weird, but I found your number..."
"Ah, you must be Ran's friend."
A contented laugh came over the speaker.
"Yes!  Oh, God!  Thank you!  Is she okay?"
"She's just fine," I assured him, "She's staying with me.  Has her own futon.  She's addicted to doing household chores, oddly enough, but it seems to make her happy, so I don't stop her."
More laughing.
"Oh, Jesus, I was afraid she was... ah..."
"Yeah, I know the feeling.  She's a spunky little thing.  I like her energy.  Very optimistic, and works hard to make others happy."
"Yeah, I wanted to take her home, but..."
"Oh, man, it's fine.  Look, if you wanna see her, I can give you my address.  Just let me know when you're gonna show up to take her out, and I can have her ready to go."
"Seriously?!  Dude, you're awesome."
"I'll text you the info later.  I'm in line, buying some stuff for them."
"Oh!  Cool, cool.  I'll touch base with you later."
"Bye."
"Bye."
I hung up.  I emptied the cart onto the counter and the lady went to work.  She looked at what I was buying and gave me a look.
"They're pretty good pets, ya know.  Like small humans."
She laughed a little and shrugged.
"Maybe one day," she said.

I got home around the normal time, which meant everyone was waiting for me.
"Welcome home!" they all said in unison.
"Take it easy!" I responded.
Hugs and rub-rubs were given.  Sometimes both.  Ran took my purchases from me to the kitchen.  I followed her and showed her where to put the few food purchases away.  I explained to her what the rest was for.  Dinner was served.  Marisa cooked today.  The house looked and smelled better.  Not that it stank -- but ever since my parents died, I wasn't big on maintenance.  Just when it got really bad.  They told me about the yukkuri clan outside, and how cool it was that I was taking care of them.  I could feel an atmosphere of uneasiness hanging over them.
"Is... everyone okay with the clan living out there?  Marisa?"
She seemed startled.  She looked to me and gave a light nod.
"Ran?" I looked to her.
She smiled and gave a nod.
"Whatever master decides, Ran is okay with!"
"Reimu?  Little Reimu and Marisa?"
The three of them looked up from their food and nodded.  I didn't expect an expert opinion from anyone.  No one had gone outside with them yet.
"... Nitori?"
She didn't look away.  I gave her a light poke on her cheek.
"Nitori?  Are you okay with the clan?"
She looked up at me.  A fake smile.
"Take it eajy, mommy!  Nitori is eajy!"
Her slurring was disappearing.  A sign of maturity?  Regardless of that distraction, she was hiding something.
"Okay, well, make sure you finish eating.  You wanna grow up to be big and strong like mommy and daddy, right?"
Another smile and a nod.  Munch-munching was administered.  During dinner, I told Ran of her human friend who took care of her.  She expressed her excitement in the form of squeezing a hug out of me.  I gave her the usual round of pats.  After dinner, we went our separate ways -- Marisa wanted to watch some TV, Reimu and her kids went to their little home for bed, Ran went to wash the dishes and the kitchen, I put Nitori to bed in her yukkurium, then went outside to go meet with Patchouli.  Many of the adults were still awake and chatting.  The koyukkuri were already in bed.  Patchouli was still up, and greeted me with a bow when I came out.  I brought the bag with me.
"Hey, uh, come with me for a moment."
A look of concern crossed Patchy's face.  I scooped her up and moved to the bathroom.  I shut both doors and sat down, then placed her down in front of me.
"What's wrong, Chief Kei?" she asked.
I clapped my hands and nodded.  Anxiety thing.  I took in a breath and let it out.
"Okay, so, they were over at the park today spraying.  I talked to the guy who I think was in charge.  The poison they're using, Patchy?  You're not gonna be able to go back to the park.  Not for a long time."
She gasped.  Her expression dimmed.
"However, as stated, you're free to stay back here as long as you like.  I'm in the works for making better residences for you and your clan.  I also picked up some toys and other odds-and-ends stuff."
Her mouth closed, but she didn't have much to say at that moment.  She lowered her gaze.
"Mukyu... our hunt-hunts aren't going well... without the park, our clan's easiest hunters can't find much..."
"Then we'll have to think of something else."
She looked up at me.
"Does Chief Kei have any ideas?"
Well... my mind rolled back to the small farms my mom and I had out back...
"Well... if I got you the tools, do you think your clan could start farming food?"
She blinked a few times.  Her eyes rolled to one side, then she gave a nod.
"I still have some books.  If you were willing to teach them, I can get you everything you need."
"Mukyu... that's a good idea."
"You should still have your hunt-hunts, though.  It'll take a while before the first yield, even if we started tomorrow."
I had the day off.  I'm sure I could get started on that.
"Oh, also, did you let them know to see me if they had any sicknesses?"
She nodded.
"Mukyu... there are a few who want to see you."
There came a light knock at the door leading outside.
"Yes?  We're in a meeting."
A low, soft voice responded.
"Cheef Kei?"
I turned the knob.
"Move away, the door swings out."
I gently opened the door.
"Yupi!" exclaimed a small Marisa as she bounced out from the door's swing.
Patchy hopped over.
"What is it, little one?  Mukyu..."
"Um, Padchie shaid Cheef Kei can help if widdle one feld uneady..."
I nodded.
"Is everything okay?"
She shook her head.
"Widdle one ish idchy..."
"Let me see."
She rolled onto her back and held her phanny up.  Yup.  Mold.  Patchy gasped.
"Oh!  Let's take care of that, immediately.  Come on in."
The small ko crawled her way in. 
"Wait here while I get what I need."
I stood up and left the room.  It only took a few seconds of prep work.  I grabbed a ramune pill, some of the flour mixture I had stored away in a jar, the paintbrush from before, and my xacto knife.  I offered the pill to the ko.
"Here.  Swallow this, but don't chew!  When you wake up, your mister foot won't be itchy any more, easy?"
She looked up at me.  I held the pill out to her, then opened my mouth.
"Ahh~" I said.
She opened her mouth.  I slid the pill in.  She swallowed.  Her eyes almost instantly became heavy.
"Madisha ish... sweepy..."
Thud.  She fell over to one side.  Patchouli became alarmed.
"Mukyu!  What was that?!"
"Ramune pill.  Pretty cheap stuff.  Knocks out yukkuri."
She looked up at me with amazement, then over to the koMarisa.  She blinked a few times as I rolled the Marisa onto her back, then swiped the mold off in one hit.  The mold hadn't seeped under the surface yet -- very early stages.  I shook the jar in my hands, mixing the flour into the water.  A quick dab, a single stroke, and it was all done.  I rinsed off the brush in the sink, capped the jar, and sat back down in front of Patchouli.  The look of amazement on her face said it all.
"What?  Not like she had a real bad infection.  I can show you how to do that, if it comes up again."
I rendered her speechless.  She looked to the Marisa, who was happily sleeping.  Probably dreaming of sweet-sweets.
"Sorry to cut the meeting off, but it's getting late, and I'm sure you need your sleep.  Would you kindly take the little one to her parents?"
She gave me a smile and picked up the Marisa.
"It's okay, Chief Kei... thank you."
I opened the door.  She gently slid her way out.  I followed her as she made her way around.  She moved down to one of the boxes.  A Reimu came out to greet her and took her.  Bows were exchanged. The Reimu took the small Marisa with both braids.  They chatted for a moment, and Patchouli suddenly pointed to me.  The Reimu followed her pointing, looked to me, and gave a smile.  She bowed her head for a moment.  I returned the gesture.  She stood up and went back inside the box.  I motioned for Patchy to come to me.
"Alright, so, hate to cut our meeting short, but I gotta go to sleep soon.  I'll check my shed for tools tomorrow.  In the meantime, I'll drop off the toys and stuff tomorrow morning."
"Mukyu... Chief Kei!"
I gave her a nod, turned, and gently waved.  Well, while I still had the idea fresh in my mind, I sat down in front of my computer.  I began to sketch ideas for the yukkuri homes.  Variables passed in and out of my head -- doorway, cube or dome, soft or hard floor, if a floor at all, modular-city, or single-modular, multi-floor or single...
"Mommy...?"
My mind shattered.  I looked over at my door.  A light thumping came from it.
"Coming~" I said, and stood up.
I opened the door.  Nitori was there.  She looked a bit upset.
"Take it easy, Nitori!" I said, and smiled.
"Take it eajy, mommy!"
Ah, children.  Easy to please.  Well, sometimes.  I leaned down.
"Something the matter, little one?"
"Um..." she started, and lowered her vision.  She knitted at the sides of her mouth with her braids, "Nitori knowsh mommy ish chieth now, but..."
"Yu~?" I responded.
"Mommy... isn't gonna forget Nitori, ish she?"
Mmm.  I think I went through this phase as a kid... when my parents got divorced.  I lowered myself down and sat.  I patted my lap.  Nitori perked up and slid along.  I scooped her up and held her in my lap.  While we went through our little motions of bonding, I was already forming the words in my head.  What do yukkuri usually say at a time like this?  Hmm.
"Nitori is mommy's precious little one," I started, and gently lowered my index finger to her.  I lightly poked her where her nose wasn't, "And don't you forget it!  Just because mommy is chief now doesn't mean mommy will forget Nitori, it just means mommy has to work harder.  All those yukkuri out there are counting on mommy to help them take it easy."
Nitori seemed confused.  She looked around for a moment, then back to me.
"B-but... can mommy take care of sho many yukkuri?"
I gave a nod.
"Mommy's gonna try.  You know your mommy's really easy, so I'm gonna do my best!"
She bounced up and down in my hands.
"Yupipipi yu!  Nitori's mommy ish the eajiest!"
"With lots of easiness to share with everyone!"
My cognition began to spin.  Perhaps it was her.  Perhaps it was curiosity.  My brow lifted.
"Say, Nitori, would you like to see what mommy is doing?"
She drew in a breath and smiled.
"Yupi!  Yupi!  Nitori wants to see what mommy ish doing!"
I stood up.  A gasp came from my hand.
"Nitori ish soaring into the sky!"
I slid into my chair.
"Mmm... mommy'sh hand ish warm..."
I could feel her snuggling into my hand.  I lowered my hand to my desk.
"Hop off.  This is mommy's desk, where mommy does the household stuff."
Okay, not really.  Nitori's mouth hung open slightly as she looked around.  I had two monitors for my computer, my dish receiver in the middle, and my PS3 over it.  There was a layer of dust on the PS3 -- my PC pretty much took over my gaming... what little of it I could do these days.  My desk was still cluttered with stuff -- mostly random junk.  A tube of glue, chapstick, some markers, my Xacto knife, cards... every time I cleaned it up, stuff cluttered up on it again.  An endless cycle.
"Yeah, mommy's desk is a bit messy, but don't w..."
"Thish ish sho cool!"
She was completely consumed by the stuff on my desk.  I gave her a light poke on her cheek.  She giggled.
"Yupipipi!" she exclaimed, and accidentally peed a little.  I reached down, picked up a tissue, and wiped it up, then gently dabbed her.  "Shorry, mommy..."
"It's okay.  You're still young, and don't have good bladder control yet.  You should start trying to, though.  You're not gonna be a little yu forever."
She looked down and averted her eyes to my cutting mat.  I gently slid my finger under her chin and lifted her face up to mine.
"Hey.  Mommy didn't bring you up here to chastise you," I said, and pointed to the monitor, "Mommy wanted to show you that."
She followed my index finger and looked at the drawing on the screen.
"What's that?" she said, and pointed with a piu.
"That, my dear, is a sketch of the house I'm going to build for the clan."
She looked up at me, then looked back at the sketch.
"Ishn't that a little shmall, mommy?"
I grinned.
"Of course.  It's a sketch.  Not the real thing.  See, it's best to have plans first before you start.  Make plans for what you want to make, then make it."
She nodded slightly, then looked to me again.
"So, listen easy.  See if you can follow along... I want these houses to be modular."
"Mod... modu"
"Mod.  You.  Lar."
She repeated.
"Modular!  Very good!  What that means is that it's something that's assembled, but also easy to build upon."
Okay, not textbook definition, but it'd have to do.
"Understand, easy?"
Nitori had a slight look of confusion.  She nodded slightly.  I lifted a brow.
"Okay, how about I show you, instead?"
I got up and moved to my closet.  I reached into a small box and pulled out a few tiny boxes.  I moved back to the table and lightly swatted Nitori to the side.  I placed each of the small boxes down and opened them up.  I took out a few pieces and laid them out in front of her.
"Now, what is modular?  You see these pieces, right?"
She nodded, I slid the large, flat base to her.  I picked up four corner columns and pushed them into the holes to make the four corners.
"See, when something is modular, you tend to build it the way you want it."
I slid the walls in, including the wall with the doorway.  I pushed the door open for her.  I placed the roof on top.
"Ta-da!  A little home!"
Yeah, it was stuff for AD&D.  I could build my own city with all the parts I had stored up.
A look of amazement hung on her face.  She turned to me, and her amazement was shifted to confusion.
"But mommy... ish too small for Nitori..."
I smiled and gently pat her head.
"Of course.  This was just a demonstration.  I'm not even done yet.  Watch."
I removed the roof and pulled off the north, south, and east wall.  I pulled out the two columns that were free now.  I slid over another base plate, placed the two removed columns on the far edges, then grabbed horizontal columns.  I showed Nitori their two pegs, and slid them into the two base panels.  I then replaced the removed walls, and placed in the two new walls.  I then placed the roof on both spots.
"Ta-da!  Now it's a bigger house!  Modular!"
Again, amazement... then confusion.
"... ish shtill too small for Nitori..."
I laughed a bit and poked her.
"I knooooow... it's only an example.  A demonstration!"
She smiled and bounced back and forth slightly.
"Yu!  Yu!  Demon strashun!"
I brought up a picture of a yukkuri.
"See, this is a full-sized adult yukkuri."
I popped up the measurements, and pointed to them.
"This is how big they are, represented in what us humans call, 'measurements.'  The unit of measurement is inches.  Easy?"
It didn't quite look like she got it.  I held a ruler out to her and pointed.
"Inches."
I drew my finger down.
"About how big an adult yukkuri is."
She appeared to be compiling it.  As far as I could tell.  I put the ruler down.
"So, what I want to do, is make a house for each of them.  Something that they can live comfortably in.  Just enough space for them, if they're single, but if they have kids, enough space for them, too.  However, if it's a full-sized family, we can't very well have one of them staying outside, can we?"
She looked to me as I spoke, then shook her head when I asked her.
"So..."
I drew it on screen -- I erased the wall, then drew the same cube off to the side.  Nitori smiled and rolled from side to side.
"Mod you lar!"
I drew a second picture of a single home, then pasted a few pictures of yukkuri around it.
"And just like that, I have a small city for them.  Comfortable, clean, and it looks nice."
This kind of stuff was my specialty -- especially if I got inspired.  Once I got inspired, it just kind of... flowed.  She looked at the picture.
"This picture ish sho eajy!"
"Oh, but we're not done.  We have much to go.  Like this."
As I drew a door on, I felt the presence in the doorway.  I turned my head and smiled.
"Hi, Marisa. Come on in."
She stared at us.  It took her a moment before she nodded and stepped in.  She smiled and leaned down to Nitori, who turned to Marisa as well.
"Daddy!"
She hopped up and down.
"Take it eajy, daddy!"
Marisa held her hand down to Nitori, who gave her fingers a furious rub-rubbing.  I moved to the side to make room for her.
"Dishes all done?" I asked.
She nodded.
"And what are you two up to?"
"Mommy ish drawing eajy plashes!"
"I'm drawing up plans for more-permanent housing for the clan."
Marisa blinked and leaned back.
"Didn't you say..." she started.
"I know what I said, but..." I looked up to her, "It's worst-case scenario.  The poison they're using..."
Marisa's face darkened.  I placed my hand on her shoulder.
"Come on," I said with a smile, "We'll be easy."
"Eajy!" Nitori repeated.
Her face brightened a little.
"I'm going to sleep," she said.
I gave her a hug.
"I'm gonna keep on working on this."
She pulled back from the hug to look at me.  She lifted her brows.
"You... really care for them... don't you?"
I furrowed a brow.  Was she questioning me?  Nitori watched.
"I care for all living things, whether it be a worm, or other human beings.  I care enough to let them live in peace."
I shrugged.  She blinked and stared.
"I don't really..." she started.
I let out a sigh.
"Let me put it another way: if I can help, I help.  If I can choose life, I choose life.  I wanted them to live instead of die.  So I did something about it."
Both stared at me, slightly confused.  I guess philosophy wasn't their thing.  I leaned up and gave Marisa a kiss to her head.
"Easy dreams of sweet-sweets~"
She blushed slightly, stood up, and moved to my bed.
"I won't be too much longer..."
Nitori was already looking sleepy... We went over a few more of my ideas.  A mister door.  A mister soft-soft.  She even gave me an idea for a mod you lar spot for drink-drink or food insert.  She even pointed out a place for a mister toilet.  With her inspiration, I showed her how a sliding drawer could be removed from the outside to make it easy to clean.  It made her gasp.  Then yawn.  She rolled to her side, nearly dropping her hat.
"Nitori ish shleepy, mommy..."
I smiled.
"Okay, it's way passed all little yu's bed times."
I slid her into my hand, hat included.  Her hair was spilled over my palm.  She didn't move until I had her in the middle of my hand.  She rub-rubbed into my palm.
"Mmm... musht be mommy'sh hand... can take it... eajy..."
I smiled down at her.  Okay, stuff like that?  I was a sucker for.  I didn't think putting her back in her aquarium was appropriate at this time -- doing so would wake her up.  She could sleep with us for tonight.  Marisa appeared to already be knocked out.  I reached down and grabbed a sock I wore today and moved to my bed.  I gently slid Nitori next to our pillow, wrapped the sock around her, then placed Marisa's hat over that.  There.  She'd sleep, thinking she was snuggled up with mommy and daddy.  Or at least it would smell that way.  I crawled into bed next to Marisa, who shifted slightly.  Must have been some kind of instinct -- she almost instantly curled up against me.  I let out a sigh and closed my eyes.  It was easier when she was small, but now...



So, we're really going through with it all.
Sure, why not?  You think it's a bad idea?
Nah.  You know I support whatever.
Yeah.  It's a lot to take in.  Even I feel uncomfortable at times.
How far are you gonna go?
I suppose... as far as it takes.
So... what comes next?
I think we had to address...


She always woke up before me.  I felt her try to be as gentle as she could, but disturbing my bed always woke me up.  Even if for just an instant.  I caught her peeking under her hat.  She saw Nitori sleeping there, and simply left her hat behind.  She put on one of the new shirts I got her, then exited the room.  I drifted off to sleep again, but could hear the TV on.  For a few minutes, my mind reeled -- wasn't my dad dead?  Yes, he was... so why was the TV... oh, right... even the smells threw me off.  My mom wasn't around any more, who could be in the kitchen... oh, right.  My brain was always laggy in the morning.  Senses often had their wires crossed.  I thought I was almost asleep again, when...
"Mommy?  Daddy?"
A rustling came from next to me.  Nitori must have woken up.  I slid my finger under the rim of the hat and lifted.  I gave Nitori a smile.
"Take it easy, Nitori."
She gasped and smiled.
"Take it eajy, mommy!"
I was still half asleep, and part of me was urging the half that was awake to join it.  I yawned.
"Ish mommy still sleepy?"
I gave a nod.
"Mommy usually sleeps lots."
"Becaush mommy hunt-hunts so much?"
"Yeah."
I offered her my hand.  She rub-rubbed against my fingers.
"Yu... Nitori loves mommy..."
I swept my hand behind her and slid her to my face.
"Sleep a little longer with mommy, okay?  Marisa will come and get us when breakfast is ready."
"Mmm... mommy ish warm... okay... Nitori sleep... now..."
Her voice drifted off.  Good.  Maybe I could get another half-hour or so... Before I knew it, I felt her bouncing up and down on my pillow.
"Mommy!  Mommy!  Ish time to wake up eajy!"
My brain split.  I was a little aggravated, but she was just being a kid.  I cupped my hand over her to stop her from bouncing.  I cracked my eye open and lifted my hand slightly.
"Boo~ I'm awake."
She giggled.
"Mommy ish silly!"
I slept enough.  Time to get a move-on.  I rolled onto my back.
"Mommy is a slow riser, so I'll be up in a bit," I said and rolled onto my back.
The door opened.  Marisa stood in it's wake.
"Hey!  Get up!  Breakfast is almost ready!"
"Gimme a few.  Can't even feel my feet yet."
I heard her growl, then storm off.  Next to me, Nitori was bouncing up and down, chanting 'mommy' in a broken pattern.  I felt my eyes move in her direction.  Was she trying to sing?
"Mommy!  Mommy mommy mommy... mommy mommy!"
"Hey."
"Mo-- yu?"
"What're you doing?"
She seemed confused.
"N-Nitori ish shinging for mommy..."
I rolled onto my side and stared at her and gave her a grin.
"That's not how you sing.  Let me show you..."
I reached behind her and turned on the radio alarm clock.  Yeah, my bed was an odd sight.  It was pushed up against the corner wall with an alarm clock on it.  Yes, on the bed.  I hated being awoken by a buzzer -- made me anxious and crabby.  I also hated having to actually reach for it, so I kept it as close to possible.  I also had it somewhat loud -- loud enough to wake me up, but not loud enough to scare me.  I was pretty precise when it came to waking up.  A familiar song was on.  I grinned and sang for her.  I knew all the lyrics to the song, and could sing it rather well... Hotel California.  I choreographed it a bit, using my hands to 'paint' the song for her.  She seemed to enjoy it, all the way up to the end, where her face glowed with excitement.
"Mommy ish eajiesh shinger!"
I gave her a light nod, and the radio moved to the next song -- Don't Stop Believing, by Journey.  Oh jeeze.  This was a lot tougher to sing, especially to hold the high notes.  I gave it my all, and Nitori joined in once we reached the last chorus.  She couldn't quite keep up, but she gave it her all.  When the song ended and a commercial started, I turned off the radio.  That was enough of that.  I could hear an upstart from the room next to mine -- the room I gave to the clan as their nursery.
"Is that Chief Kei's easy singing?!"
"Mommy ish the eajiesh shinger!" Nitori yelled to the window.
Before I could say anything, Ran was in the doorway.
"Master!  Your breakfast is going to get cold!"
I looked down to Nitori and smiled.
"Munch-munch time~"

Breakfast was the usual show of my yukkuri family.  We watched cartoons today.  Nitori didn't seem to take her eyes off of me much.  Marisa took notice -- she seemed pleased with the change.  It was my turn to feed Nitori -- I let her simply take it off of the fork.
"Now, be careful not to bite too hard.  Mister fork can hurt if you don't bite easy," I said, and lowered the fork to her.
She nibbled around the edges, then dragged off the rest, and nibbled down the rest.  Huh.  Smart.  Cognitive, really.  I took another pluck with the fork and held it to her.  She proceeded to do the same thing -- nibble around the edges, then eat the rest.  Reimu's family were having the usual chatter about... well, whatever it was they chattered about.  I normally tuned them out.  For some reason, however, Wasa Reimu's voice caught my attention.
"... and one day, Reimu will be a superstar!  She will be the easiest pop idol ever!"
I don't know why that particular thing she said stuck with me.  I guess part of my brain deemed that her ego boosting might be important.  Wait, yukkuri learn better from one-another... I looked over to Wasa Reimu and lightly poked her head.
"Hey, you said you want to be a star, right?"
She looked up at me and nodded.  She flapped her bushy piu-pius.  I grinned.
"I might be able to help you, there."
Reimu, Little Marisa, and Wasa Reimu all stared at me, their mouth collectively agape.  Wasa Reimu's mouth pulled up into a wide smile and she bounced up and down.
"Really?!  Really?!  Mister Kei can help Reimu be a super famous star?!"
I lifted a brow and shifted my legs.
"Well, not super famous," I said, and pointed to her, "You gotta start small, first."  I leaned forward, "But I can get your career started.  Give me some time, and I'll contact you when I'm ready.  Heck, Marisa?" I said, and pointed to her sister.  She perked up in surprise. "You can even be a part of this, too!"
"Yu?" she responded and pointed to herself with her braid.
I nodded.  Reimu looked to the two of them, then to me.  She tried to whisper.
"Mister Kei... please don't..."
I winked to Reimu.
"Don't worry.  This is real."
Well, 'real' was a matter of perspective.  But at least I had someone I could use...  With breakfast done, I gave Ran her obligatory head pat.  She loved it.  She took the dishes.  Reimu and her family watched the cartoons with Marisa.
"I'm gonna go meet the clan.  Nitori," I said, and she immediately yu'd, "You wanna come with?"
She gasped in joy.
"Eajy!  Nitori wants to go with mommy!"
She bounced lightly in place.  I lowered my hand.  She slid over and climbed into my hand.
"Climbing up eajy!"
I stood up with her in my hand, and waved to Marisa.
"I'll let you know how it goes."
Before I went out back, I grabbed the bag of toys.  When I stepped outside, Patchouli was talking to another yukkuri.
"Mukyu!" she said, and turned to me.  She looked back at the other yukkuri, "We will finish talking later.  It is time for the easy meeting already?"
"I can wait," I said, and moved to the nursery.
A few squeals came from the bunch of small koyukkuri in the nursery.  Alice and Reimu were helping them sing.  They were trying to sing the only part of the song they heard me sing -- the chorus.  It was rather funny listening to the koyukkuri slur it out.
"Downt shtop... bewieving!"
It was rather interesting what they did -- they had already arranged it.  They had a few big grassy nests.  Perhaps I should invest in a cushion?  Near where all the children were were piles of leaves, and across from them, piles of leaves with, clearly, their waste attached to it.  It was stacked on top of a large piece of paper.  Interesting.  They kept 'leaf diapers' on the babies, would remove them and place them on the paper, and likely would simply fold up the paper and drag it out.  One particular (and familiar) Marisa turned around as soon as I entered the room, and immediately smiled.
"Cheef Kei!"
"Hey, everyone!"
They stopped singing for a moment and all greeted me.
"Take it easy, Chief Kei!"
"Take it easy, everyone!  Chief brought you all some easy toys!"
A few delighted squeals and gasps came from the kids.  Alice and Reimu made room as I sat down.  I reached into the bag and took out the few ying-yang balls.  I gently rolled them to some of the Reimus, who would smile in turn, pick it up, and roll it to another Reimu.  I took out the broomstick and placed it down.  A few Marisas came over and tried to push one-another out of the way for it.
"Hey!  I have more, you know!  Don't be uneasy and share it easy!"
I took out another of the few broomsticks and laid them around.  The other Marisas climbed on, and their imagination took over.  The few who were left, I gave the mushroom toys to play with.  The remaining Alice child looked lonely.  I gave her a wide smirk, leaned down, and reached into the bag.  I took out the small Shanghai doll, and placed it in front of her.  Her glee was on another level, and she rub-rubbed it almost immediately.
"Shank yew, Cheef Kei.  Thish doll ish very chity-shecht..."
Reimu raised her braids.
"Now, now, children!  We should thank Chief Kei for our new easy toys!"
They all stopped for a moment and turned to me.  I heard a series of disfigured, slurred English that I was -pretty- sure was their attempt to thank me.
"Oh, you are all very welcome.  Now, play easy!  And make sure you share with everyone!"
I stood up and left the room.  Nitori was oddly quiet.  She was still looking in the room as we left.  She looked to me with a certain adoration I hadn't seen before.
"Mommy ish very eajy mommy..."
I looked to her as she spoke.
"Well, I want them to know I'm chief, and I'm going to take care of them, just like I take care of you," I said, and gave her a small poke.
She giggled and shifted away from my finger.  I looked over at Patchouli, who had a few yukkuri near her.  I sat down and placed the bag next to me.  I lowered my hand to the floor.
"Hop off, Nitori.  Mommy's gonna need both hands."
Saying that seemed to confuse the other yukkuri.  She slid from my hand and onto the concrete.  They looked to her, then to me.
"So, I assume these are the yukkuri who feel uneasy?"
She nodded.
"Mukyu... you have the medicine?"
I took out the few bottles of various medicines.
"I took the opportunity to read up on how to spot various infections.  Now, I know this medicine won't taste very easy, but you'll feel better soon!"
Patchouli moved to the nursery while I examined and gave each yukkuri their medicine.  A few of them had worms.  Some of them had mites.  A little sip of this.  A pop of this pill.  With the few that were gathered, Patchouli called the rest over.
"Alright, looks like everyone's here... so, here's the announcement!  Patchouli and I decided that our best bet for food would be to simply grow it here ourselves."
A bit of chatter rose up.  I lifted my hands.
"Hey!  Pay attention, easy!"
"Mukyu!  Listen easy: since the park is uneasy with the mister poison, we have to find a new source of food.  Hunt-hunting has been uneasy lately.  Chief Kei says we can use this area to set up a farm!  Mukyu!  Patchouli and Kei will come up with how to build it easy!"
More murmurs.
"I'll assist as much as I can," I said, "I still have some tools and books.  Patchouli will tell you guys what to do.  I'll help when they're ready, and Ran will prepare the munch-munch into delicious food for all of you to enjoy!"
Happy cheers.  Seemed they supported the idea.
"Now, mukyu, the entire clan will have to help!  No lazy yukkuri!  Laziness is uneasiness!  If you're lazy, we may all starve!  Mukyu!"
Her words seemed to stir determination in a few.  Others seemed to wince slightly.
"I'll get started on it immediately.  We have to first loosen up the soil so it's nice and soft for mister seeds.  I'll let Patchouli explain the rest to you."
"Meeting is over, mukyu!  Let's all have an easy day!"
"Take it easy!" they all shouted.
Alice and Reimu lead the children back to the nursery.  The parents set off to my back yard and seemed to survey.  Patchouli came to me.
"You've got a good clan, Patchy," I said.
She smiled.
"We have an easy clan, Chief Kei," she corrected.
I nodded.  Nitori was still quietly watching us.
"So, I'm still working on the house.  I'll start work on a prototype immediately.  After that, I have to find a company to manufacture them.  Shouldn't be too hard.  Now, you said that yukkuri learn better from each-other, right?"
She nodded with a, 'mukyu.'
"Alright, so I had an idea.  One of the yukkuri who live with me as a pet is a really easy teacher," I started, and pointed down to Nitori, "She taught my little one here all the basics of being a yukkuri."
Nitori took in a breath and bounced around.
"Eajy!  Eajy!  Nitori lovesh teacher Reimu!"
Patchouli nodded, and I continued.
"So, here's what I thought:," I said, and pointed to my left at the door through the sliding glass, "That room can be the classroom.  Reimu can be the teacher.  One of her kids, I can use, to make video lessons, while she teaches them more.  They can go there, learn the basics of being a yukkuri, maybe teach them how to farm, how to act around humans, so on and so forth..."
Patchouli nodded as I continued.
"I'll need you as a guest teacher now and then, and or for you to tell me what you want Reimu to teach the kids."
She nodded in response.
"I'll get in talks with Reimu.  I'm sure she'll be okay if I just ask her properly.  You two can coordinate it all."
"Sounds easy, Chief Kei!  Mukyu!"
I looked to Nitori and offered my hand.  She rub-rubbed against my fingers, then slid into my hand.
"Was there anything else we needed to address today?"
"Oh!" she said, with a start, then turned and pointed.  I followed her braid and saw Tough Marisa leaned against the nearby wall.
"Marisa wanted to talk to you."
"You don't say," I said, and looked to Patchouli, "Alright, well, get everyone prepared.  I'm gonna go chat with her, then go grab some tools so we can get started."
She gave a light bow and hopped off to her home.  I stood up and walked to where Marisa was.  Nitori chimed in from my hand.
"So ish thish what a cheef ish, mommy?"
I nodded.
"A chief has to lead them.  There's a lot to do right now, since they just moved in.  Lots of technical stuff, like food and such.  I can't just cook for all of them, then mommy won't have any food for us.  They have to find or make their own food."
"Ohh..." Nitori responded, "So, clan is going to make mister earth grow food?"
I nodded and grinned.
"You're getting it," I said, and stopped in front of Marisa.  I lowered myself down, "Take it easy, Marisa."
She didn't reply at first.  Her eyes were locked on the ground.
"Take it easy... Chief Kei," she replied, her eyes moving up to me.
I sat down.
"Something bothering you?"
Nitori moved to the edge of my hand and peered down at Tough Marisa.  Tough Marisa looked away for a moment, then back to me.
"Why did you take Marisa?"
My brow lifted.  Why do I do anything, really?
"Because I wanted to."
She stared up at me.
"Why does Chief Kei say things Marisa doesn't understand...?"
I took in a breath and let it out slowly.
"Marisa, the idea that you'd stay behind and die uneasy to the poison is stupid.  You'd gain nothing but the big easy.  Meanwhile, your little one would have no parents any more.  You shouldn't be uneasy and die easy, you should be easy and live.  It's always better to pick life than to pick death."
Translating philosophy into yukkuri was rather tricky... she looked up at me with a mix of confusion and... hope?
"Pick life... instead of death..." she said, then looked up to me, "W... what should Marisa do?"
I smiled.
"Live.  It's better than dying easy.  I know the clan's not happy with what happened at the park, but they'll get over it.  You're one of their best hunters.  Now it's time you be one of their best farmers."
Her gaze lowered.
"Marisa... should live easy..."
I nodded.
"Keep living.  You'll find out it's better than dying easy."
I stood up.
"Now, Chief Kei has to get tools so everyone can get started on farming.  I'm counting on you to work hard and help."
She didn't move.  I guess she was lost in thought.  I didn't take yukkuri for philosophers, so it'd probably require her a lot of time to get used to those thoughts.  I turned around and moved to the shed.
"Nitori doesn't understand easy..."
I looked down at her.
"What?  About living easy and not dying easy?"
She looked down, then looked back up and nodded.
"Yeah..." I said, and looked out.  Introvert process time.  I looked back down to her, "It's not something you can explain easy.  It's just something you come to understand.  A choice you make.  To help, instead of harm.  To acknowledge, rather than ignore.  To choose to live, instead of choosing death."
Nitori remained silent.  She stared.  I could see this was a bit much for her.
"See, I could have just let them stay in the park and die easy to the poison... but, well, it was our fault to begin with," I said, and looked to Marisa, "I'm sure you remember that day..." She stared off into space for a moment, then panicked slightly.  I leaned my face down and gave her a light rub of my cheek.  She giggled almost instantly.  Guess my stubble was tickling her.  "I know, it was scary, but you can't let things like fear govern you when you make decisions.  Making decisions based on fear can make you even more uneasy when you make a bad decision."
Her mannerisms showed she was trying to understand... I just don't think she's old enough to get it yet.
"Well!  Enough about this.  Don't let it get to you -- it takes some humans their entire lifetime to understand that way of thinking..." I said, and walked to the shed.
I stopped at the double doors and looked at it.  They were cracked open.  Could have been anything, really, but... I gently lowered myself down, and placed my hand down for Nitori to hop off.  Something else caught my eye.  The grass in front of the shed.  Some of it was broken.  I looked in through the crack.  There was something in there.  By the looks of it, it was a yukkuri.  Must have made my shed a home.  Nitori looked to me with confusion.  I brought my finger to my lips, then pointed at the door.  Nitori nodded and leaned to watch.  I slid the door open.  I was immediately greeted by a scream.  Nitori slid over to peek.  They were two yukkuri -- or cats.  Or... cat yukkuri?  Both had cat ears, one had red hair, the other had brown hair.  Both sets of ears were black, but one had white tips.  The one with the white tips also had two black tails.  The red-haired one appeared to have two tails but also had two sets of long bangs.  Both looked rather battered and appeared to be missing their accessories.  I think the one with the white-tipped ears was a Chen, and the red-haired one was a... Rin?
"Ah!  Chen!  We've been found by a mister human!  Quick!  Run!"
Chen didn't seem aware of the situation.  Then again, upon closer inspection, her eyes were closed.  Was she asleep?  Or perhaps blind?  The one bounced up and down, looking between me and her friend.  I leaned down.
"No!  Mister human, don't be uneasy and go away easy!"  She, again, turned to her friend.  "Chen, please, run easy!  Mister human is getting closer!  Rin will protect you!  Please, just...!"
Her eyes began to well-up.
"Chen... doesn't get it... why are mister humans... always taking our easiness?" she said, her voice low and slightly raspy.
Those two.  My mind blanked out.  Right.  Just like those two cats I had a long time ago.  I reached out for them.
"Noooo!" Rin cried.
At that moment, she bowed her head and lifted her tails.  From above her head and between her tails, a flame flickered up.  I could make out the image of a skull in it.  She drew her tails back and threw them forward, and the flame launched at me..  Without even a thought, I clapped it out of existence.  All those years crushing mosquitoes with one hand made one skillful in such tricks.  I looked at my hands.  They stung a bit -- it was hot enough to leave my skin red, but it definitely didn't feel like any blistering was going to occur.  I looked back to the two of them.  Interesting.  The Rin could generate flames?  Pyromancy, perhaps?
"A-a-aaahh!  Please!" Rin turned to Chen and began pushing her to the back of the shed, "Please Chen, run!"
Nitori, I guess having heard enough, hopped into the doorway.
"You!  Uneajy yukkuri!  Shtop that!  Now ish fine!"
Rin stopped and turned around.  Chen gently turned to face us.
"Chen gets it... another yukkuri?" she said, her voice low.
"Yesh!  Ish Nitori!  And Rin should shay she's shorry for being uneajy to mommy!  Mommy ish very eajy!"
My hand reached out and gently brushed over Chen's cheek.  Almost immediately, I felt her rub into my hand.  Her tails lifted and gently lowered.  One tail gently flicked against my wrist.  I could see it now -- her eyes had been removed.  Possibly crushed, by the marks on her face.  They vaguely resembled the marks of a shoe.  These two were definitely on the receiving end of someone's wrath.  Chen had some nicks on the side of her face where my hand was.  Small nicks were missing from her ears.  Rin didn't seem too badly dama -- ow!  She lept over and bit my forearm.  It didn't hurt too badly, but was enough to pull me out of my thoughts for a second.  Probably what hurt the most was the spots she was missing teeth -- it was pinching my skin.  I thought yukkuri could bite harder than this -- maybe it was starvation.  I heard Nitori scream.
"Oohhh... this isn't Rin... this is," she started, and rubbed into my hand, "a mister human hand... purrrr~"
"Mommy!  Uneajy yukkuri should drop dead eajy!  Nitori is gonna puff-puff you!" she said, and puffed out her cheeks.
I looked to Rin, who was crying as she bit into my arm.  I could hear her sobs.  I placed my free hand on her head.  Her eyes opened and looked to me.  Nitori angrily hopped next to her and bounced up and down.
"Hey.  You better let go before you break my skin."
Chen continued to rub against my hand.
"Rin... is okay.  Chen gets it... mister human is easy..." she said in an almost whisper.
Rin looked from my arm to Chen.  I lightly tapped Rin's head.
"You can let go now," I said.
She dropped off.  Her face flushed, and she looked to the ground.  She suddenly gasped and dropped onto the floor, throwing both long bangs out.
"Please, mister human!  Please forgive Chen and Rin!  Let Chen and Rin stay in their new easy place!  Please!  We won't be uneasy any more!  Please!"
I looked down at Rin, then back to Chen.  I slid my hand under Chen and lifted her up.  I brought her over to my lap, then gently placed my hand on her head.  She cooed slightly and snuggled into my thighs.  I gently slid my finger under her eyelid.  She pulled away in shock.
"I just want to see," I said softly.
She gently eased herself forward and against my finger again.  She let out a soft whimper.  I gently slid my finger under the eyelid and lifted.  Indeed, her eyes were removed.  The deep marks and small lacerations indicated it was likely they were cut out.  She had a small bead inside -- it appeared her eyes were regenerating.  Amazing.  Not many creatures could regenerate their eyes.  The interesting observation would be how well she could see once they regrew.  So, a blind yukkuri who was regenerating her eyes, and a yukkuri who could generate flames.  An interesting pair.  Question was, were they pet-worthy?  I poked Nitori, who was still puffing at Rin.
"You can stop puffing her now.  She apologized."
She shrank her cheeks, but still looked irritated.
"Hey.  Be easy, Nitori.  Maybe we can be easy friends?"
Chen's tails ran up and down my forearm.
"Mmm... Chen would like that, yes yes..."
Rin peeked up from her apology bow.  I placed my hand on her head.
"Room for two, you know," I said, and motioned to my lap.
She hesitated.  Her tail curled around and hung in the air.  Was she going to trust me?  She looked up at my hand, then looked to Chen, who, for all I could tell, was asleep in my lap.  Her eyes welled up again.
"Mister... human..." she sniffled, "ish... eashy human?"
"Mommy is very easy mommy!" Nitori responded.
I rolled my hand over her head and down her cheek.  Her eyes closed and she rubbed against it.  The tears freed themselves from her eyes.  She let out a soft squeal.
"Mishter human," she started, "ish going to let Chen and Ran live eashy here?"
Here?  In the shed?  I lifted a brow.
"No, because it's not safe."
She jolted away from my hand and looked up at me.
"Not... safe?" she said, her slur receding as her crying stopped.
"Yes.  This isn't a safe place for you to rest."
"Mukyu!  What's going on?" Patchouli called from behind, and gently slid her way over.
She looked from me, to Chen, to Rin, then back to me.
"Chief Kei... two more?"
I nodded to Patchouli.
"I've got this.  Please tell the clan that there were two yukkuri staying in our shed, and Chief Kei is taking care of it right now."
She nodded, then looked between the two of them, then left the shed.  I looked over my shoulder.  A few of the adults were looking in.  Patchouli slid over to them and began to talk to them.  I looked down to Rin, and moved my hand back to my knee.
"Chief... Kei?"
I nodded.
"I'm chief of a yukkuri clan.  That was Patchouli.  She is also the chief."
She stared up at me for a moment.
"Why can't Rin and Chen take it easy here?"
Long story short: all the houses in my neighborhood sat on hills.  It was well-designed.  Even in the worst hurricanes, the water never reached anyone's doorstep.  Problem, though, was that in our backyards, there were spots where the hill was either worn down over years, or just simply sat lower.  That spot happen to be where we had this concrete slab, where we put our shed.  All the tools were hung up to keep from coming in contact with the water.  However, I had to break this down to a yukkuri...
"When Mister Rain comes and pours on us, sometimes this easy place won't keep all of Mister Rain out.  If that happens, your friend Chen may not be able to escape Mister Rain," she gasped in response, "And you may not, either, so mister human thinks you should find somewhere else."  I observed her reaction.  I wanted to see her hit this point.  If I just offered, she'd feel entitled.  If she spent a few moments considering her options, it'd feel more rewarding...  "Maybe mister human has room in his easy place?"
Her eyes widened, and she looked up at me.  By now, I was sure Chen was asleep in my lap.  She hadn't moved much.  Cats loved warm places.  I watched her, and waited for Rin to speak.  When she made the motion, I interrupted.
"But first, mister human has a few questions.  Not a lot.  Just a few.  Answer easy, and mister human will find an easy place for Rin and Chen in his easy place."
Confusion.  Fear.  Determination.  Her tails went up, and she nodded.  Good start.  She wanted it.  Nitori simply observed.  She was smart -- she knew when to be quiet and observed.  I think she just liked watching me.  Perhaps she inherited my introverted thought process?
"For Chen... Rin will answer mister human's questions."
"Alright, let's start from the easiest spot: the beginning.  Do you remember your parents?"
Her eyes became distant.  She looked up at me and shook her head.
"Rin... doesn't remember mommy or daddy.  As long as Rin can remember, she..."
"Where did you live before here?  Was anyone taking care of you?  Were you someone's pet?"
She looked up for a moment.  I listened to her story.  My mind drew the picture -- in crayons, from their lack of details.  From what I could gather, she lived down the street.  There was a house that had a lot of stray cats that lived outside.  I knew the one she was talking about.  From as far back as she could remember, she lived there, with those few strays.  They shared their food, and the people who lived there didn't seem to mind any of them.  She, however, verified that she did not know what a pet yukkuri was, only what Chen told her.
"Alright, so, when did you and Chen meet?"
Now, this is when things got a little more detailed.  Rin explained that Chen actually was a pet, but ran away because her human was uneasy. Of course, that could have ment anything from abyuse to not giving her enough sweet-sweets. I leaned towards abyuse -- it probably explains all the abrasions, cuts, and shoe dents on her.  Chen was Rin's first friend, and the cats even accepted her.  Things were looking up until the mister human who owned Chen found her again, and beat both of them.  The guy apparently took their accessories and burned them.
"Then, the uneasy human took Rin and told Chen he was going to make her watch as he made Rin drop dead easy..."
I nodded.  Her eyes welled up.
"Chen begged mister human..." she sniffled, "to... beat her instead..." she looked up at me, tears rolling down her cheeks, "Mister human... cut out Chen's eyes!  Then laughed!"
She let out a few sobs.  I peeked to Nitori, who was apparently crying as well.
"Rin got so angry... mister fire came and punished mister human!  It was then that Rin and Chen ran as fast as they could!"
I could only assume that the only reason the guy couldn't follow them was they made enough noise to disturb the home owner, who probably was none-too-pleased about the whole instance.  Pretty sure the fire served as a distraction.  I'd go and investigate later, if I remembered.
"So, you had to find somewhere else to go... How did Chen follow you if she couldn't see?"
Rin lowered her eyes and shook her head.
"Rin doesn't know...?"
Maybe her voice.  Who knows?
"So, you managed to find your way here.  How did you get in unnoticed?"
She shook her head.
"Rin didn't even see other yukkuri.  Was very dark out.  Rin and Chen were very tired.  This place was very easy, at least to spend one night."
Hm.  So they came really late the night before.  Possibly why they weren't noticed yet... and why Chen was still sleeping.
"Is Chen always so...?"
I pointed to the ball of yukkuri kitty in my lap.  She had her tails wrapped around her, and was happily napping in my lap.  Rin looked up to her, then to me.
"When Rin and Chen got away... Chen wasn't as..." her tail moved to her mouth.  It seems she sought the word...
"... energetic?"
She pointed her tail at me.
"Energetic!  She is... less easy."
Could be the injuries.  Or lack of food.  Or all the running.  Possibly could be anti-yukkuritis.  Hm.  I looked to Nitori.
"Well, what do you think?"
She gasped in surprise and pointed to herself with one of her pigtails.
"M-me?!"
I nodded.
"She seems pretty easy.  I think we could let her stay inside with us, don't you think?"
"A-ah... um..." she looked down for a moment, then looked to Rin.
Rin gave her an uneasy smile.  Rin was tense, as was Nitori.
"I mean, I know she bit me and all.. but she did apologize."
Nitori looked down again, nodded, then looked to Rin with a solid expression.
"Rin can take it easy with mommy and Nitori!"
Rin's mouth opened with a gasp.
"Chen, too?" I asked.
"Chen, too!" she replied.
"You're okay being with yukkuri that have no accessory?" I asked Nitori.
Nitori seemed confused by that.  Rin cringed.  Nitori looked up at me.
"But mommy takesh Auntie Reymoo, Coushin Marisha, Coushin Reymoo, Biggesht Shishter Ran, and daddy'sh mishter accessory all the time to do clean-clean?"
I smiled to her and gave her a light pat with my palm.  Rin seemed to calm.
"Well, you heard her.  Let's go inside."
I slid my hands under Chen and lifted.  She was out like a lamp.  I motioned my hands to Rin.  She slid into my arms, and snuggled her way next to Chen, pressing her tou the side.  Chen stirred.  She turned slightly to Rin.
"Oh, yes yes... Chen gets it... must be Rin... mmm..."
Chen smiled.  Rin returned the smile.  I looked down to Nitori, and opened my palm.  I motioned to her.  She hopped up into my hand.  I balanced them between my arms and exited the shed.
"Being a pet yukkuri is different from being an outside yukkuri, Rin.  I'm sure Chen mentioned that to you.  I'll have my other yukkuri teach you the rules of the house, so you can live easy with us all."
The clan had mostly scattered back to what they were doing.  Some of them were already setting about removing the weeds in the backyard.  I brought Rin and Chen inside.  The clan was already at work.  They were ripping up the grass and weeds.  Had to get them inside before I could make my next move.  I shifted my stance and opened the door to the bathroom.  I lowered myself down and let Rin hop out.  I gently slid Chen down next to her.
"You two wait in here for a bit.  I have some stuff I have to do first."
Indeed, I left them in my bathroom -- for the time being.  I had to get those books and tools for Patchouli.  I knew where my mom kept the gardening books.  I had to put Nitori down to grab them all.  I brought them outback, through the sliding glass door, and placed them next to her box.  Nitori came sliding up next to me.  I nodded to her and picked her up again.  Back to the shed, this time, with 100% less screaming!  Some of the yukkuri were gathering the grass and weeds.  Some food was better than no food, I suppose.  Tough Marisa was yanking on a sprout.  I came over, reached down, and yanked it.  Tough Marisa rolled back slightly as I pulled out a potato.
"Hey, not bad.  How'd you know that was gonna be a potato?"
She stared at the potato, then looked up at me.
"C-can Marisa keep?"
I looked down at the potato, then to her.
"Well, share it some with everyone," by then, the other yukkuri were already approaching.  "Better yet, if you like, I can have Ran prepare what you find into a meal.  It'll go further and you can all share it."
Tough Marisa looked to the other yukkuri that wandered up, then to me.
"Easy."
I nodded to her, motioned for a few of the yukkuri to come over and take it.
"No eating that just yet.  Miss Ran will prepare it into a munch-munch delicious meal!"
"Yu!" they replied, before dragging it off.  They apparently were in the process of building a small food shelter using what they could find.  Mostly rocks.  Not too ingenuitive, but they didn't have much to work with.  I moved to the shed and grabbed a handful of the smaller tools.  I brought them over to Patchouli -- small hoes, rakes, spades... stuff to help them get things ready.  Other yukkuri were finding other tubers that were still living in the yard.  Apparently, my mom and I must have missed some.  Patchouli was busy now -- she assigned tools and roles for different yukkuri while she, herself, was busy flipping through the first gardening book.  She was a pretty fast reader.  I gave her a light poke while she was diving through.  She jumped slightly.
"Yupi!  Oh, Chief Kei.  What is it?"
"Let me know what seeds you want me to pick up,"
She gave a nod.
"I'll be back later.  Lots to do."
"Are those two going to be in our clan, mukyu?"
I shook my head.
"Nah.  Think I'll keep them inside with me."
She gave me a puzzled look, shrugged, then returned to her book.  I'd have to help them later with plowing the dirt.  The dirt in our backyard should still be somewhat soft after all the time we spent working on it, and should still be rather healthy for producing crops.  I'd get the test kits and such later.  For now, I quietly closed the door to the bathroom.  Rin and Chen were both sleeping, nestled together on the floor mat next to the shower.  I looked to Nitori, who looked back at me.  I looked to them.
"Now, let's get the other side of the story, yes?" I said in a low voice.
I sat down in front of the two.  Their trip must have really exhausted them.  For me, it was about a minute and a half walk.  For them, it sounded like a few days' journey.  With the little bits of information, I'm sure they wanted to stay on the move to prevent the guy from finding them.  I knew there were ways into my yard -- I used to spot a raccoon or possum passing through on it's way to wherever.  I'd have to look in to either patching the fence, or investing in a new one.  Of course, now wasn't the time for that.  I lowered my hand to the ground and Nitori hopped off.  She knew me so well, after only one day.  I nodded to her, then gently reached over and poked Chen's cheek.  She stirred slightly.  I gave a light pinch, which made her shift.
"No no... Chen wants to take it easy and sleep..."
She let out a large yawn.
"Hey, it's me."
She perked.
"Oh!  Mister human!" she said in her raspy voice, then wiped under her eyes with her tails, "Chen feels soft-soft under her, and best friend next to her... is Chen and Rin in Heaven?"
"Ah... something like that.  Not quite dead yet.  If you were dead, you'd have your eyes back."
Her tails drooped.
"Oh..."
"Hey.  Don't be like that," I said, and picked her up.  She let out a light yelp.  I placed her in my lap, "After all, you're my pet yukkuri, and I'm sure Nitori would love to have a big sister like you, right Nitori?"
Nitori's face lit up.  She hopped up and down.
"Big shishter!  Big shishter!"
I held up my hand to signal for her to stop.  She slowed, but her expression remained.  Upon feeling my legs, she snuggled in again and smiled her wide cattish smile.
"Mmm... Mister human is warm... Chen gets it... can sleep now..."
"Not yet," I said, and tapped her again.
Her tail perked.
"Mister... doesn't want Chen to take it easy and sleep?  Chen doesn't get it..."
"No, I want to talk to you first.  Then you can go back to sleep."
"Oh... before Chen talks, may Chen have drink-drink please?  Now is fine... Chen is very thirsty..."
Initial observation: she doesn't seem disagreeable.  Also, she said please.  Had to be at least silver badge.  Possibly gold.
"Sure.  Wait here, but no sleeping!" I said, and pointed to her.
As if she'd notice.
I got up and walked out of the bathroom.  I shut the door behind me.  The family was watching TV.  Ran was with them.  She must have finished her chores.
"Hey, Ran?"
"Yes, master?"
"The yukkuri are finding carrots and potatoes in the backyard.  Would you mind picking them up later, cleaning them, then cooking something for them with it?  You could just toss it into our meal and make a larger one for them and us."
Ran stared for a moment, then smiles.
"Okay, got it!"
"Thank you," I said, turned the corner, and went into the kitchen.
I made a glass of water, then took some OJ into another cup and brought a straw.  I moved back to the bathroom, slid the second cup under my arm, and proceeded through the door.  I shut it behind me.
"I'm back."
Nitori and Chen were chatting it up.  Mostly about me, and how easy I was.
"Mommy!  Mommy!" she exclaimed, and bounced up and down.
I lifted my hand, then brought my finger to my lips.  I pointed to Rin, who was still snoozing.  Nitori slipped both pigtails over her mouth.  I moved back to the rug and slid Chen into my lap again.  I slid my hand under her 'chin,' and gave some rubs.  She smiled about as wide as I figured she could.  Her lids lifted, and those holes stared at me.  I felt her rubbing herself against my hand.
"Chen could get to like mister human... Nitori says mister human is very easy..."
Nitori smiled at me and nodded.
"Mommy ish very easy!"
She closed her eyes again.
"I brought the drink-drink, and I brought some orange juice.  It'll help you feel better."
I placed the straw into the cup.  Chen opened her mouth and stuck out her tongue.  I brought the cup with the straw over and let her tongue touch it.
"Close your mouth around it and suck."
She did and began drinking the water.  I observed the level of the cup go nearly down to the bottom.
"Boy, you must have been thirsty.  Now, for the orange juice.  Gonna drip some of it onto you, then you drink some, okay?"
She nodded in response.  I took the straw and dipped it into the cup.  I placed my finger over the tip, then gently let it drop onto her, over the rough abrasions.  She shivered as the abrasions shrank.  The small cuts pressed closed, but didn't seal.  I'd have to fix her up later.  Next, I brought the straw around again for her to drink.
"So, you used to be a pet yukkuri, right?  Why don't you tell me about what happened?"
Chen's story was a little different from the others.  Seems she was bought as a present for a miss human.  But her owners fought a lot.  Lot of arguments.  Very loud.  Chen didn't like it, from how she told the story.  Eventually, she told me mister human and miss human got a divorce, and she was left with mister human.  It was around then that mister human started to bully her.  From the sound of it, he took his anxiety of the divorce out on her.  She told me of her escape, meeting Rin, and verified Rin's half of the story.
"Rin was Chen's first easy friend... when mister human found us, and said he was going to hurt-hurt Rin... Chen wanted to protect Rin.  It was Chen's fault... Chen doesn't get it... why are mister humans so mean?"
"Well, I'm not very mean, am I?"
She perked up in my lap.
"No.  Mister human is very nice, but..."
"Enough of that subject," and on with the game... "Mister human wants to adopt both of you, but only has room here for one of you," I wanted to be sure... "So!  It's either Rin or Chen.  You can stay here with me and Nitori, and live comfortably again, or you can let Rin live here, and maybe you can stay outside and try to survive.  I'm sure it'll be safer around my house than it'll be where Rin was.  Mister human won't find you."
Nitori's jaw dropped.
"M... mommy?!"
I looked to her and winked.  I brought my finger to my lips.  Chen squirmed.  Her tails curled and nervously picked at the edge of her lips.
"I'll let you stay for the time being until your eyes work again, and I'll get you a new mister accessory, so you can be easy again, but after that, whoever you pick stays, and the other goes."
She whimpered.
"Ch... Chen could be pet yukkuri again..." her head sank into my lap, "B... but..."
Her whimpering rose in tone.
"Chen gets it!" she exclaimed, "Please take care of Rin!"
Ha.  Guess I get to keep both, then.
"Oh?  You don't have to feel bad for her.  You can --"
"No.  Chen gets it... Chen was already a pet yukkuri, but Rin wasn't.  Rin should... get to take it easy with mister human as pet yukkuri.  Chen can live outside.  Mister human said Chen would be safe from uneasy mister human, yes yes?"
"Yep!"
"B... but, mommy..."
I looked to Nitori.
"Shush~ you," I said, and placed my index finger on her mouth.
"You know, your decision has helped mister human decide.  Mister human will find a means to let both of you live here.  But Chen will need to help teach Rin how to be pet yukkuri.  That's part of the deal, easy?"
Chen's eyes opened again and she looked up at me.
"Oh... okay!"
Nitori stared at me with visible confusion.  I winked to her.  I picked up Chen and placed her next to Rin.
"I'll bring you two some more food and water later.  For now, wait here while I arrange an easy place for you two."
I offered my hand to Nitori.  She slid in.  I stood up and exited the bathroom and closed the door behind me.
"Mommy... why did you..?" she started.
"I had to be sure," I responded, and looked to her.  She looked surprised.  "I wanted to make sure they were both good yukkuri.  Selfless things -- where one puts the needs of others ahead of themselves?  Those are good characteristics.  The kinds of things you think make mommy very easy."
"Sho... sho mommy wash just joking, right?"
I nodded to her and smiled.
"Mommy's gonna keep both.  They're easy yukkuri, and I'm sure we'll all get along."
I hope.  I was hoping things weren't going to become too claustrophobic.  Nitori nodded.  First stop was the kitchen.  Ran was cleaning the dishes from breakfast.  I gently poked the tip of one of her ears, which flicked in response.  She jumped slightly and turned.
"Oh, master!" she exclaimed.
"Hey, Ran.  Would you mind cooking another serving?  We're gonna be having two guests moving in with us soon."
She smiled wide.
"Are they easy yukkuri?!" she said excitedly.
I nodded with another smile.
"You'll like them.  They're nice."
"Eajy!  Eajy yukkuri!"
"They're in the bathroom for now, sleeping.  If you could bring their meal to them when lunch is ready?"
She gave a light bow.
"Of course, master!"
Head pat.  She loved it as always.  I gave her a light bow in return, then walked out of the kitchen.  Wasa Reimu and her sister were watching TV, but their mom wasn't around.
"Hey, where's your mom?"
"She's in our easy place, cleaning up," replied Sister Marisa.
"Ah.  Thanks."
I walked to the hallway closet and sat down.  I gave a gentle knock.  The door slid open, and Reimu was there with a small bag.
"Oh, hello Mister Kei!" Mother Reimu responded, "Would you mind throwing this out for me?"
She held up the bag.  I caught a glimpse of bean paste.  Must have been their toilet.
"Of course," I said, and took the bag from her.
Nitori began bouncing up and down in my hand.  I looked at her.  Her lips were puckered.
"What's wrong?"
"Nitori has to poo-poo!"
"Oh... uh, do you mind if Nitori uses your mister toilet?"
Of course, this was merely a formality.  I didn't have to ask for permission, but I always preferred to remain polite.
"Of course!"
I lowered my hand and Nitori hopped out.  She darted into the closet.
"Don't forget to wipe!"
Mother Reimu watched her dart in, then turned back to me.
"Did Mister Kei need something from Reimu?"
"Yeah, I had a favor I needed to ask of you."
"Lean to the right..."
"Oh?"
I nodded.
"See, Patchouli asked if it was possible to help her clan learn things.  You know, how to hunt-hunt, how to clean-clean, how to act with mister human so yukkuri can get along easy and just generally stuff to help them be easier."
"Lean to the left..."
"Y-yes?" she said.
"So, I was wondering, would you be their teacher?  You've done so well with Nitori and the other strays I've brought in, I thought you'd love this opportunity.  I could even help you with the lessons and such.  You know, make videos and stuff..."
"Shtretch towardsh the shun~!"
Her eyes lost focus.  She stared straight ahead for a moment.  I think I had her hooked, and she was fantasizing about it right now.
"Me... Reimu... a miss teacher... for a whole clan..." she looked up at me, "Mister Video?  Like, mister TV?  Is that why...?"
I nodded.
"I was thinking of using your children to help teach.  They can role-play scenarios, and Reimu can host it, since she wants to be a famous star."
"Pon pon, poka poka, yuwawa~i!  And mister poo-poo comes out!"
"You, myself, and Patchouli can come up with the lessons.  I'll direct the instructional videos.  We'll use the room down the hall.  Plenty of space for all the yukkuri to learn in there."
Nitori came sliding out.
"Refreshed!" she exclaimed.
I looked to Nitori.
"Let me see!"
She held up her anyaru.  I gently wiped off a tiny bit of her filling.  I wiped it onto my shirt, then held my hand down for her.  She slid her way back to my palm.
"Getting better at it!" I said, then turned my attention back to Reimu, "So, take some time to think about my offer, and I'll --"
"Reimu will do it!  Reimu will help all the clan take it easy!"
Well, that was easy enough.  She definitely was at least a silver badge, when she had one.  She still had the small fray in her ribbon.  I'd have to see if Ran could fix that.
"Alright, great!  I'll get in touch with you when it's time."
She nodded and slid back inside while singing softly.  I stood up, bag in hand, and walked to the kitchen.  I tossed out the bag of poop.  I felt my cell phone buzz.  I took it out and looked to Nitori.
"It's the guy who watched after Ran."
I looked over.  She was looking at me.  I answered.
"Yo."
We talked for a moment.  Ran walked next to me and watched.  It was a short conversation -- he wanted to come and pick her up and go out today, and wanted to make sure she was ready.
"Yep.  She's almost finished lunch, so she'll be ready soon.  Hey, if you're gonna buy her stuff, save the receipts.  I'll compensate you half.  Least I can do for ya."
I looked at her.  She was staring at me intensely.
"Be sure to let her pick out a few outfits."
She let out a cheer.
"Alright, I might be out when you get here, so it'll be fine."
Her wardrobe still consisted of my old shirts.  I still didn't even have underwear for most of them.  I hung up and explained the situation to Ran.
"So, yeah, he'll be by soon.  Finish up lunch, then I'm gonna go do some shopping."
"Yes, master!" she exclaimed, then darted back.  She quickly separated it into plates.  I took a plate and moved to the living room.  I placed my plate down and Nitori, then helped Ran distribute the few plates to the other yukkuri in the household.  Afterwards, we brought some plates out to the yukkuri clan.  It was only three, but they were grateful.
"This was as much as Chief Kei and Miss Ran can make.  Once we get the farm going, we'll be able to make much more munch-munch for everyone.  Just be sure to share it easy with everyone!  Also, Patchouli and I have a huge announcement for you all soon!  Please be easy until we're ready to tell you all!"
Ran stood next to me and smiled.  We both bowed and took our leave.  The cries of happiness and deliciousness followed us in.  I shut the glass door behind us.
"Now, for our lunch."

Once lunch was nearly done, a knock came at the door.  I nodded to Ran and let her answer it.  I nodded to him as he came in.  I didn't say much, just mostly added to the conversation.  He spent most of his time catching up with Ran.
"Now, don't stay out too late, Ran!  Everyone might worry!  In the meantime, have fun!  Be safe!" I said.
Once they left, I looked to Marisa.
"Would you please take care of the dishes?  I gotta do shopping," I said.
Marisa returned my glance, and nodded.
"Thank you," I said.
"Kei... can you take me shopping with you?" Marisa asked after collecting my plate.
"Uh... sure.  Not this time, though.  Gotta go to a hardware store.  Plus, I have to pick up some better clothes for you."
"Hard... ware?"
I nodded.
"Need to build a prototype of the housing units I want to make for the clan.  Gotta get some wood, nails, and screws.  Dunno if I have enough around here."
Couldn't even think of the last time I had to whip out my tools.
"Also, I have to pick up some tools and seeds for the yukkuri out in the backyard.  They're getting the soil ready.  I'll have to get some soil Ph tests kits and other stuff, too."
Her face went blank.
"... why does Kei say things I don't understand?"
"Ah... the Ph kit?  It's to test the soil and see if it's, uh... easy enough for mister vegetable to grow."
I sometimes hate having to downscale my language, but she seemed to get it afterwards.
"You know, if you're bored, feel free to help them.  They could use all the help they can get.  Patchouli will help instruct you on what to do, so make sure you listen easy to her.  Tell the clan you work for me and Patchouli and they'll be fine with you being there."
She blinked a few times, then nodded.  She collected the empty plates.  Lil' Marisa burped.  Wasa Reimu hiccuped then looked to me.
"Mister Kei said he was gonna make Reimu a movie star!" She flapped her bushy braids at me, "Reimu wants to be super famous now!"
I smiled to her and extended a finger.
"Be patient. Reimu.  A super easy star doesn't happen over night.  You have to get fans.  You have to be likable.  You have to have glamour."
Wasa Reimu seemed to get confused.  I winked.
"Don't worry.  Mister Kei will teach you all about it.  But I'm not ready yet.  Give me a little more time."
She puffed up slightly, then let out her breath.
"Reimu will forgive Mister Kei because he gives Reimu's mother and sister so much easiness.  But if Mister Kei is lying, Reimu will punish!"
Haw.  Whatever.
"Has Mister Kei lied to Reimu yet?"
She blinked.  She looked to one side and brought her bushy braid to her mouth.
"Mmm... nooo..."
"Alright, so trust me.  I just have some," lots, "other things I have to do right now.  Just take it easy until then, okay?"
She grunted, then stared up at me.
"Oh, come on, don't make a sour face like that.  You may get wrinkles!  Come on, smile easy!"
She looked away for a second, then looked back, and gave me a large smile.
"There ya go!" I said, and stood up, "I'll come and get you when I'm ready, okay?  So just be ready!"
"Easy!" she declared, with a nod.
I nodded back, and suddenly heard Marisa from my left.  I looked to her.  She had a plate in her hand.  An extra plate of food?  Oh, right!  I lowered my hand, and Nitori hopped in.  I walked to Marisa.
"Thanks," I said, and took it from her, "I forgot, we had new guests.  Also, would you mind getting me a fork, a spoon, my brush, my flour mixture, and a lighter?"
She blinked a few times then stared.
"Kei?"
"Yeah?"
"... Can Mar -- can I come with you?"
I lifted my brow.
"You want to meet our guests?"
She nodded.
"I want... to learn!"
I felt my brow lift again.  I smiled.
"Alright.  Get the stuff and come with me."
She nodded and moved into the kitchen.  All of the tools were kept fairly close.  She held the long tools in her left hand with the lighter, and her right hand held the jar.
I turned and walked to the bathroom.  I held Nitori to the doorknob.  She looked back at me, then to the knob.  She grabbed it with her braids and twisted it.  I pushed it open.  Marisa followed me in.  I blinked.  Empty.  I lowered myself down, and Nitori hopped out of my hand.  She looked around.  I stepped over her.  There really was only one spot they could hide... I gently knocked on the cabinet door.  I heard some muttering that I knew belonged to one of them.  Rin opened the door.  I gave her a smile.
"Take it easy, Rin.  We brought munch-munch for you two."
"Take it easy, Mister human!"
"Take it easy, Rin!" Nitori declared.
"Take it easy, Nitori!"
Chen crawled up.  She nodded to all of us.  Marisa leaned over and blinked.  She saw them, then looked to me.
"Come on out, you two," I said, and took a few steps back.  Rin crawled out, followed by Chen who, after hitting the bathroom floor, got slightly lost from Rin, until Rin poked her with her tail.  She crawled up next to Rin.  I placed the plate of food in front of them.  Rin's eyes went wide.  Rin suddenly noticed Marisa.  She took in a breath and smiled.
"Ooo... wow!  Bodied yukkuri!"
"Please share it with Chen, Rin.  Chen can't see the delicious mister food.  Do you know how to use one of these?" I asked, and offered the fork.
Rin looked at it and cringed.  She shook her head.
"Alright.  I'll show you some other time.  Dig in, you two."
I sat down.  Marisa remained standing.  I motioned for her to sit.  They made their delicious declarations.  I could already see they poo-poo'd in the corner right next to the cabinet.  Guess that's where they picked the toilet to be.  I looked to Marisa and pointed to their waste.
"Mind bringing me one of the extra yukkuri toilets?"
She looked down at me and nodded, then left.  Within a minute, she was back, and they were both nearly done with their meal.  Rin moved to the half-finished cup of water and pushed on it carefully.  I picked it up and placed it next to Chen.  Rin smiled and slid next to Chen, then helped push the straw into her mouth.
"First good meal in a while?"
They both nodded.
"Thank you, mister human!"
"Mister Kei.  And you should thank Ran, too, when she gets home.  She cooked it just for you two."
"R-Ran?  Ran-sama is here?!" sparked Chen, who's ears perked up.
I blinked.  There's no way this stray could have known Ran.  Chen bobbed back and forth in place.
"Um.  Yes, and no.  She went out for a bit, but will be back soon."
Chen rolled to a stop, then seemed to 'slouch.'  Her tails drooped.
"Oh... okay."
I looked over my shoulder and held my hand out to Marisa.  She placed the toilet in my hand, then moved over to the corner.  She took a handful of paper towels, wiped it up, then tossed it in the bathroom trash, then placed the toilet in the corner.  I looked up at her and motioned for her to sit.  She sat next to me.  Nitori rubbed against Marisa's leg.  Marisa scooped her up and let her rub-rub her finger.
"So, now that you're fed, and you're not thirsty, it's time to fix you two up a bit," I said, "I can't have yukkuri like you two living around here looking so uneasy.  Marisa, you wanted to help?" I said, and looked over my shoulder to her, "Then let's get these two to the other bathroom and give them a shower."
Marisa looked to me and nodded.
"Alright," she said.
"But I want you to wash them.  I'll supervise."
She nodded in response.  Rin seemed confused.  Chen seemed delighted.
"Shower?  What's a mister shower?"
Chen bobbed in place.
"Chen doesn't get Rin!  Shower is like clean-clean.  It's when a mister human does clean-clean to pet yukkuri and makes them smell easy!  Yes, yes!"
Rin looked to Chen.
"Really?  It sounds super easy!"
I nodded and smiled.
"It can be.  It's like mister rain, but can take it easier than mister rain."
Rin still seemed a bit confused.  I picked her up, and Marisa picked up Chen.  We stood up and I looked back to Nitori.
"Come along or wait here if you like, Nitori."


She chose to follow us.  I set the two up the way I have with the last few guests.  I guided Marisa on how to properly clean them.
"Gentle.  Like, massage.  Like this," I said, and rubbed the shampoo into Rin's hair.
She giggled and coo'd slightly.  Marisa watched my fingers and proceeded to do the same to Chen.  Chen smiled.
"That's how you know you're doing a good job: your friend is happy."
"Ooo... yes yes.  Chen gets it..."
"Remember, you can't rinse them for too long, or they'll melt, so use just enough water to dampen their bodies so mister soap can get all bubbly..." I said, and looked back to Nitori, "When you grow up, I'll show you how to do this, too."
Rinse, wash, dry, then brush.  Marisa was a good student.  Nitori watched from afar.
"Remember to be gentle when you dry: dab, like this.  If you try to rub, you may accidentally rip part of their body off, and then they'll be very uneasy!"
"Take great care when grooming, too.  Their hair may be very knotted, like yours was.  If you pull too hard, you'll yank their hair right out of their head!"
Stuff like that.  She did fine, though.  Chen was a good subject, since she already knew what it was like to be a pet.  Rin was a little more difficult.  I could feel her nervous anxiety under my fingers each step of the way, until my hands went to work, and she'd slowly relax.  Having Chen there helped -- she never saw Chen panic, which helped her calm down.  Once we got to the combing part, she didn't resist at all.  Possibly because she was too relaxed.  With the hygiene done, it was time to start fixing them up.  We picked them both up and brought them back over to my bathroom.  We placed them down, just as Nitori hopped in.  I think she was enjoying all of this; she seemed pretty hungry for knowledge as of late, it was just a question of how much a yukkuri was capable of learning.  I sat down
I pointed to the bottle, then motioned towards myself.  Marisa looked at me confused.  I looked and pointed at the bottle again, then held my hand out to her.  With a start, she grabbed the bottle, then placed it in my hand.  I shook it up and took the lid off of it.
"Now, I can't fix Chen's eyes.  Those just have to heal themselves.  I can, however, fix up your bodies.  The orange juice made you feel better, but you still have all your cuts and stuff," I said, and took the paintbrush, "So, who wants to go first?"
Chen couldn't see the lighter.  It made Rin panic slightly.  I gave her a warm smile.
"Just trust me.  C'mon," I said, and patted my lap.
Rin's expression hardened.  She slid up to my shins, then up into my lap.  I placed my tools down and gently rolled her onto her back.  I took the paintbrush and dabbed the flower.  I gave a few soft pats to some of her lacerations.  At this range, I could examine them easily -- they weren't animal cuts, they were too sporadic.  Was probably just from branches while she was crawling around.  The deeper ones could have even been from a few fences.  I placed the paintbrush into the jar, then picked up the spoon and the lighter and heated up the spoon.  Rin, again, gasped in fear.
"Relax."
I could sense the other two getting nervous.  I tapped the spoon.  Couldn't be too hot.  I tapped it against her cheek.
"Not too hot, right?"
She winced at first.  I tapped it a few more times.  She shook her head.  I smoothed the heated spoon against the touch-ups.  Can't be too hot -- it'd burn their skin.  Can't be too cold either -- it has to heat-up the paste in order to bond it.  She coo'd a bit as I massaged her face.  Her tails flopped around behind her.  Ha.  Almost amazing that yukkuri tails knew feline language.  Or at least responded as such.  I turned her  and got her sides.  I heated up the spoon again then rubbed it over the touch-up spots.  Had to darken them a bit to match Rin's body.
"Hey, Marisa.  In the closet where Ran sleeps are some boxes.  Inside those boxes are some big sheets and little spindles.  Bring me one of the spindles and some scissors.  Preferably the green one."
Marisa looked to me, then nodded.
"Okay."
She stood up and left me behind.  I turned Rin around in my hands.  I very gently ran my fingers over the surface of her... well, dough I suppose.  All the small lacerations were gone, and the abrasions had shrunk.  Both glasses were empty -- they must have shared the OJ.  Good.  Marisa returned and held them out to me.  I took them and placed them on the floor next to me.
"So, I couldn't help but notice both Chen and Rin are missing accessories.  Chen, I'll get you a new one soon enough.  Rin, hold still for a second."
I laid her on her back, so her face was up at me.  I slid my hand under her bangs, then gently smoothed them out with my fingers.  I pinched them between my fingers, then reached over and drew a small length of the twine.  It was frilly.  The kind used for wrapping presents.  You never knew when you needed that stuff, and my mom had a bunch of it left over from the last Christmas we spent together.  I didn't like looking backwards.  I didn't like keeping things I viewed as, 'useless.'  This stuff?  For some reason, I just couldn't bring myself to throw out.  I motioned to the scissors.
"Can you cut it for me?"
She took the scissors and snipped a small length.
"Chen doesn't get it... what's going on?"
"Mister Kei is fixing up Rin's face.  Chen may not be able to see it, but when Chen rub-rubs Rin, she will feel it.  Also," I said, and began to braid her hair, "Mister Kei is going to retie Rin's braids."
"Ooh... thank you, Mister... Kei?"  Rin said.
"Yep.  Just call me Kei."
"Oh... Kei!" Chen said.
I think she was trying to make a joke, there.  With the first braid tied tight, I took the twine and made a small bow.  I then moved to the second bang and started to braid it.
"Mind cutting me another one, Marisa?"
She nodded, took about the same length, snipped, and placed it next to me.  I worked at the second strip of hair.  Even for good yukkuri, vanity was always an issue.  Or so they say.  There was always the chance with them looking too homely for too long that they could develop anti-yukkuritis.  I took the second strip and tied a small bow tie.
"That'll have to do for now, Rin," I said, and turned her towards me.
She opened her eyes.  Nitori looked over with a gasp.
"Rin looks so pwetty"
I nodded, took her between my hands, and stood up.  I held her to the mirror.  She stared at herself for a moment, and her mouth opened.
"Rin soars into the air like mister birdy!  Is that... Rin?" she asked
I forgot if she had another accessory... but I knew she had braids.
"Yeah.  That's Rin.  I know these aren't Rin's ribbons, but please take it easy until Mister Kei can find them, okay?"
Rin stared.  Her mouth opened.  I could see her eyes look to and from different spots on her body.
"Mister Kei... made Rin's face easy!"
"Yeah.  I'll get around to fixing your teeth, so just take it easy when you munch-munch."
I had to either make or buy some rock candy... well, I needed to visit the hardware store, anyway, and the grocery store was nearby.  Chen was hopping in place.
"Chen doesn't get it!  What is Rin and Mister Kei talking about?!"
I turned and placed her down next to Chen.
"Mister Kei made Rin pretty.  I fixed up her scratches and bumps, and now she's all smooth and nice.  Go ahead and rub-rub, Chen!"
Chen opened her mouth and looked from side-to-side in a slight panic.  Rin reached over with a tail and poked her.  Chen jumped with a slight start, then immediately rub-rubbed against Rin.  She rubbed quickly at first, then slowed with each rub.
"Ohh... yes, yes.  Chen gets it now... Rin feels like soft-soft now!" she said, then stopped for a moment, "Is Chen turn next, yes yes?"
I smiled and reached over for her.
"Yes, yes.  Your turn, now," I responded, and placed her in my lap.
I looked to Marisa and nodded.
"Now, I'm gonna explain to you how this works, so maybe you can do it next time for me.  I'll show you the proportions of the mixture of flour-to-water later, but for now..."
Chen's face had worse abrasions.  I ran my fingers over her form and felt the bumps.  She let out soft sounds of enjoyment, until my fingers would touch an abrasion.  Those caused her to wince a bit.  I looked at Marisa.
"Bring me some orange juice, please.  Half a glass.  Use one of the small glasses."
Marisa got up and left the bathroom.
"I'll start fixing you up in a minute, Chen.  Just waiting for some more orange juice before I start."
Marisa returned and offered me the orange juice.  I took the glass and placed it on the counter.  I shifted over to Rin, whom moved out of my way.  I opened the drawer and took out a cotton ball.  I grabbed the glass of OJ, brought it down next to me, dabbed the cotton ball in it, then gently rubbed it around the bumpy spots on Chen's body.  She shivered slightly at the cold OJ against her pasty body.  Her tails flopped around, similar to Rin's when she was undergoing the treatment.
"See, she has a lot of bumps.  Must have been because of mister bully human who hurt them.  So, the orange juice will help shrink the bumps on her body and make it easier to fix her up."
I looked to Marisa and Nitori.  Both nodded in response.  I took the rest of the orange juice and gently poked Chen's mouth with it.  She opened her mouth and I let her slowly take it in.  A little of it got on my pants, but it was fine.  With that, I set the glass on the counter again and picked up my brush.  I dabbed a little more into the bottle.
"I'll show you two the mixture later. but for now, you gently apply it to the spots where they have cuts.  Don't glob it on," I said, and wiped off the excess, "you're just coating.  Like so:" I said, and gently brushed over the few deep cuts she had on her face.
I dabbed around her cheek and her sides, then touched up under her eyes.  She winced, then let out a whimper as I got close to her eyes.
"Shh.  It's okay.  I'm gonna make it better, alright?  Just open your eyes for a minute," I said, and looked to the other two, "Make sure your patient is comfortable.  This can be an uneasy process for some yukkuri."
Chen cracked her eyes, then opened them the rest of the way.  I dabbed as close as I could to her filling.  With that done, it was the spoon's turn.
"Now, I know you two saw me do this last time.  The point of this is is to heat up the paste I just applied to her.  See, if we leave it as is, there will be some discoloration.  This will help bond and darken the color to match Chen's skin."
Or dough.  Or... whatever it was called.  I took the lighter and heated up the spoon.  I tapped it against my arm.
"You have to make sure it's not too hot.  You'll burn the poor thing.  She's been through enough.  If it's too hot, you can blow on it to cool it off.  If it's not hot enough, you can just keep heating it."
I took the spoon and gently began to roll it against her form.  She let out a low chuckle as her tails flopped about.  Rin watched intensely.  I rolled it around each of the areas with the paste, re-heated, then continued to the next area.  I circled around until I saw it darken enough to match her body.  Once I was done, I held the spoon out to Marisa.
"Well, you may not be able to see the results now, but when your eyes recover, I'm sure you'll be happy with the results.  In the meantime, Rin?  Rub-rub test?"
I lifted Chen and placed her next to Rin.  She went to rub-rubbing Chen almost immediately.  They both let out low laughter, and Chen returned the affection.  I looked to Nitori and Marisa, who were both smiling.  I offered my hand to Nitori, who slid over and rubbed against my hand.  I looked to Marisa and nodded.  I looked back to the duo.
"So, I'll get your teeth fixed up later.  For now, Chen, I'm counting on you to make sure Rin goes poo-poo in the mister toilet Marisa brought," I said, and pointed to the small, opened box in the corner, "No more poo-poo and pee-pee everywhere, please.  In the meantime, get comfy, as I see you've picked your own little easy place under the sink.  I'll move in some amenities later for you, like a mister soft-soft."
They both gasped in delight, both smiling.
"So, just take it easy for now.  You follow Mister Kei's house rules, and everyone can take it easy together.  Reimu, Marisa, and Nitori will help you with all of that."
Rin and Chen looked to one-another... well, Rin looked at Chen.  I assumed Chen was looking at her.  Their eyes began to well.  They turned to us.
"Thank you, Mister Kei,"
"Yes, yes, thank you."
They then turned to Marisa.
"Thank you, Miss Marisa."
"Yes, yes!  Thank you, too!"
Nitori watched and blinked.  She looked to me, then back to them.
"W... what about Nitori?" she asked
"Ah!  Yes, yes..." Chen said, and followed Nitori's voice.  She moved close, then swept around with her tail to catch her, then pulled her to her.  Rub-rub, "Thank you, little sister Nitori!"
"Yes!" Rin exclaimed, "Thank you, Nitori!"
"We're happy to have you," I said.
Marisa didn't appear to know what to say... she simply smiled.
"Now, we all have other things to do.  I've got some shopping, Marisa has some more cleaning, and Nitori..." I said, and looked to her, then to Marisa, "I believe wants to come shopping with me?"
Marisa looked to me.
"But... when are you going to take me?"
I placed my hand on her shoulder.
"Unfortunately, Ran isn't here to watch the house.  Don't worry.  Next time you can come with me.  For now, keep an eye on the house, and on the clan.  Make sure they have water to drink."
Marisa looked to me and lifted her brows.
"Just get a short bowl from the cupboard, and I'll show you what to do," I said.
There was a faucet out back for a hose.  I could just simply leave a bowl under it, fill it up, and let them all drink from it.  Simple idea.  Eventually, I'd have to teach them how to use it.  Would probably have to spray it with some WD-40.  It was a little tough to turn.  I noted that in the back of my mind.  I held my hand out to Nitori.  She slid into my hand.
"I only have to get a few things.  I'll be back within an hour or so.  I promise," I said, and placed my hand on Marisa's shoulder.
I stood up, and she followed.  Nitori looked to Marisa.
"Take it easy, daddy!  Nitori will make shure mommy makesh it home tonight!" she said with a confident-but-nearly-smug-look.
Marisa smiled.
"Okay, little one.  Daddy trusts you.  You better make sure mommy makes it home!" she said, leaned in, and exchanged rub-rubs.
Once she leaned out, Nitori gave a salute with one of her pigtails, then turned to me.
"Let'sh go, mommy!"

[-EXHALES-  Okay, so, I didn't have to cut it off here (matter of fact, I just cut another page of material off and am gonna save that for a 'sub-chapter' I'm gonna do as soon as this post gets approved.]
[So, better?  Or much better?  :P I -really- liked the way it came out this time.  Also, Poweryoga, mind deleting that abomination of a chapter 4 after approving this one?]
[Lots more to come.  I just thought I'd post SOMETHING before this chapter wound up becoming an entire story onto itself, and this seemed like a good spot to pause.]
[Enjoy!]

[P.S. Thanks for motivating me to not accept that previous chapter.  I shant disappoint again.  <3]

[Baron Mind]

H... huge! Mister chapter is awesome and mister (or is it miss?) should feel awesome for writing it.

...except for one thing.

mister possum

PUFFFFFFFF!!! Get out of Cirno's easy place and mister story too!

[Саша]

keep at it :D

your work is amazing

[Hitosura]

Don't be a bully to mister possum!  Look how easy he can take it!

Anyway, I've been trying to think of a way to add Cirno to the story, but it's kind of hard, considering where I live.  xD Being in these HOT FREGGIN' TROPICS, Cirnos wouldn't survive very long, even at adolescent age.  Was trying to think of a situation that would get me one.  Maybe later on after winter time, and it starts to warm up (though, full disclosure: we only had about a week of -actual cold days- around here last year).

Hmm.  :3

[Baron Mind]

Don't be a bully to mister possum!  Look how easy he can take it!

Interrupting Cirno's super sleep-sleep time can't take it easy at all! Puff!

Anyway, I've been trying to think of a way to add Cirno to the story, but it's kind of hard, considering where I live.  xD Being in these HOT FREGGIN' TROPICS, Cirnos wouldn't survive very long, even at adolescent age.  Was trying to think of a situation that would get me one.  Maybe later on after winter time, and it starts to warm up (though, full disclosure: we only had about a week of -actual cold days- around here last year).

Hmm.  :3

I spent most of last summer sleeping in 40°C heat. That's even worse than the possum, but I'm not dead yet! XD

According to my headcanon, adult Cirnos don't mind the heat, but kos need to be kept cold, so they can only breed in places that get reliable snowfall in winter. The Cirnos of my "Uneasy Clan" raise their babies in a deep, well-insulated burrow, kept frozen by at least one adult 24/7. It does actually snow in the area, and the Cirnos are a big boost to the clan when it's too cold for any other yukkuri to go hunting, so they make up for the time they spend keeping their kids cool.