Findabhair walked back home after doing a few errands, a wicker basket on one arm while Yui held her other hand, swinging it as she hummed to herself. Findabhair smiled to herself at the young girl's cuteness. They continued walking for a moment in silence before Yui broke away from Findabhair, screeching. "Uncle Leon!!!" She yelled as she ran into the crowd that was just coming home for supper as they were. Fin yelled for Yui, running in the direction she had gone, unable to catch sight of the small girl. "Yuitama! Where are you?!" She shouted, panic stricken.

Leon was on a food run, for only noticed after Catrina had an unappetizing lunch, that it was time to restock his home. After taking Cat to the baker for a pastry, the two had browsed up and down the street, collecting food. He was even sucked in to buy the two year old a necklace with a tigerseye pendant shapped like a lion. Partially because she said that she wanted something to wear that was from him that she could take everywhere. Holding tightly onto Leon as they walked, both turned their heads when there was a distinct, high-pitched, excited scream for Leon.

"Yui..." Leon stated, a surprise look on his face as Cat looked over at her foster father. "Did you runaway from your mother again?" He asked quietly, kneeling down to embrace the younger girl in a small hug as a greeting.

Yui hugged him back tightly before pulling away like any squirmy five year old would. "Yes uncle Leon, sorry." She said, trying to look forlorn...and not doing a very good job. Yui then noticed Catrina and smiled at the younger girl, waving a greeting to her.

Meanwhile, Fin was panicked, still unable to find Yuitama until there was a break in the crowd. When she finally saw Yui, she sighed with relief that she was safe, and smiled when she saw who she was with. Fin walked up to them and picked Yui up, even though she was getting a bit too big for that. "How many times do I have to tell you to stay by my side?!" She asked, just thankful Yui was okay. "I'm sorry mommy. But I saw uncle Leon, and I had missed him and I wanted to say hi." She said, talking in run on sentences, for she hadn't yet learned how to do otherwise. Fin smiled as she looked at Leon. "She's right about one thing, it has been a long time Leon.. Too long." She said, observing the fact that he looked like crap, to put it bluntly. "Who is this little one?" She asked, noticing Catrina for the first time.

Leon let his arms fall down to his sides as Yui squirmed away, only to find Catrina quickly placing her face in her guardian's chest. Although she was active, she still refused to talk to anyone other than Leon. Truthfully, though, she didn't say much to him, but she was feeling much more at ease. The little girl smiled to herself as she felt Leon return the embrace, the smile widening as she felt her feet lift the ground. Firmly, she latched around his neck. His orange eyes then looked upwards, still the same vibrant hue even though they look sad.

"Yes, it has been awhile." Leon agreed, rubbing Catrina's back as she placed her face against his neck. He smiled slightly, "And I miss my nieces very much." It was true, though he could never find himself to venture back to the University, or find anyone; talk to them even. "This is Catrina... I saved her the other month from a fire... She's extremely shy."

Yui wriggled until Fin let her back down, only to grasp her hand so she wouldn't wander. "Well then, you should come to my house and see Miaka and the twins." She said with a hopeful smile, Fin was crushed at the deaths of her best friend and husband. Though it seemed as though Leon was taking it much harder, she didn't blame him, he had no one to cry with. Fin wanted to help him through this. "I think Miaka and Catrina here would get along well together." She said before her eyes filled with pity as she reached out a hand and massaged the small girl Leon was holding as well. "Leon, how noble of you. You truly are a brave lion." She said with a smile.

"Well, please say you'll come. We'll be having supper soon, I'd love for you to join us." She said as Yuitama began to jump up and down with excitement. "Please Uncle Leon! Miaka will be happy to see you! You make funny faces!" She said, grinning hopefully.

"Seems like you need a leather strap around your wrist Yui.." Leon commented, attempting a small joke for the first time in awhile. At the suggestion, which in short terms was asking for him to socialize, he thought about it. He kept a firm hold of Catrina, as he bounced her a bit. Quietly, he whispered in her ear, asking if she would like to have dinner at Auntie Fin's. A brown eye looked over at the pretty woman with blonde hair. She then buried her face again, trying to ignore the contact, even though she was avidly eavesdropping.

At the compliment, Leon wished nothing more than to scratch the back of his neck, as he spoke. "Well, I couldn't help it... And she took to me, and me to her, and it just sort of... happened. I love her very much though..." The last part was said quietly, as he looked down at Yui and smiled a little. "Yes, I shall come to supper, gladly." His attention turned back to Findabhair, "Do you need help preparing the meal?"

Yui scowled at Leon, her hands on her hips when he said she should be 'leashed'. "Mommy wouldn't do that!" She said smartly, gaining a scowl from Fin before the woman giggled. "Sorry, she should be punished for her tongue but since Sai's death, I haven't the heart. She reminds me of him..." She said softly. Yui frowned as she hugged her mother's leg. She didn't like making her mommy sad, especially since she was sad so much lately.

Fin smiled at his obvious affection towards the little girl. "Good...I'm glad you had someone for the past ...few weeks."She said, unable to state exactly why, though it was quite obvious to both.

Fin smiled as he accepted her offer. She began to walk towards her home, expecting he'd follow. Fin couldn't help but scoff at his offer. "Oh please, the yamani servants that were given me since the next emperor is in my house don't let me lift a finger. I think they believe me only capable of giving my children food poisoning...I only did it once." She said with a sarcastic smile, Fin was joking of course. "Though thank you for the offer, but I'm sure supper is all ready to be put onto the table." She said as they came upon the house and smiled when she saw a flutter at the window, seconds later Miaka came running out. "DADDYY!!!" She came screaming..before stopping dead in her tracks. She had seen a male figure with her mommy and that's all her little brain processed. male with mommy= daddy.

Fin winced as she let go of Yui to walk up to a now sniffling little Miaka and picking her up. "Where daddy?" The little girl whimpered, wrapping her little arms around her mommy's neck as she layed her head down on Fin's shoulder. "Daddy's with your aunt Ruvie, my sweets." Fin whispered in her daughter's ear, smoothing her hair down as she walked into the doorway and turned to Leon. She gave a pathetic attempt of a smile. "Well, Leon ready for some supper?" She asked, falsely cheery.

Leon smirked a bit, bending over to light pinch Yui's cheek when the little girl scowled at his suggestion. "No need to bite, little lady. Uncle Leon was only kidding." Standing up straight again, arms still wrapped firmly around Catrina, he slowly nodded his head. He could hardly talk about Ruveila, let alone say her name. The man would do anything to have everything set right; Ruveila by his side and Saihitei by Findabhair's. The loss depressed him in another way as well; just as he was finding and fully accepting love, it was gone.

"I am too." The orange-eyed male replied to the blonde noble, both listening to her and letting his mind wander. He hadn't even a chance to prove to Ruveila how much he loved her by conquering his fears. It wasn't fair; the only ones he has not lost that he loves are his siblings. It only dampened his belief of being able to find some to love again, since the gods did not think his love should be for Ruveila.

Truthfully, Leon was a little disappointed to hear he could not help with dinner; cooking seemed to get his mind of things. A smirk played across his face again at the mentioned, oh-so-fearful, food poisoning. Almost everyone gets food poisoning, so to him it wasn't a big deal. He never understood how others could do it; being constantly waited on by servants and being told what to or what not to do. True, commoners didn't have much freedom, having to obey nobles and the law, but there was no strict code of conduct.

Orange eyes looked up slowly when he heard the excited screech of the little girl Miaka, whom mistakened him as her father. He could feel his heart physically drop and break when the girl took a look at him and started to cry. Catrina had picked her head up at this point, to watch the other girl. Taking a piece of blonde hair, the other girl played with it. She watched the scene infront of her, before turning her brown eyes to her father.

Leon looked rather distant; he did not like upsetting children, and although he was not the cause of Saihitei's death, he was mistaken for the man. When Fin tried to smile at him, the mage could hardly return it. Once, he nodded his head, inquiring after, "What is on the menu for tonight?" Catrina then turned her eyes from her father to look at the distraught girl, then back down to the five-year-old Yui. Slowly, she leaned her head against Leon's taking in the furnishing of the room, small finger still holding onto a chunk of hair.

Yui smirked at her silly uncle Leon, as they had reached the house, Yui had run inside. Fin frowned as she walked into the house. It seemed as though Leon had gone into a major depression, she felt obligated to help him, not only because he was a friend of hers, but because she feared Ru coming back from the dead and kicking her arse if she didn't.

As Fin walked in and putting Miaka down after whispering in her ear to run to her room to get some dolls for herself and Catrina to play with, a Yamani servant walked up to her. "Mistress, we did not make enough food for another." The woman said, wiping her hands on her apron as she eyed Leon.

Fin scowled at the woman. This was enough, she had had beyond enough of the servants pushing her around. She would not let them push Leon around too. "Achika, we both know that is a lie. The cooks make more than enough, I swear they wish to fatten me up." She said as she straightened her back, trying to make herself look authoritative, though her life hadn't taught her much about that subject. "I have put up with the lot of you thus far for my son and daughters' sake, not to mention the fact I wouldn't doubt if the lot of you were spies for the emperor regent." At this Achika looked at the floor."I would like you to make another table setting for my friend here, please." As the woman looked like she were about to object, Fin cut her off. "This is Leon Tegacis, princess Ruveila's love and one of my best friends." She said, shooting an apologetic look at Leon for even mentioning her name. "You would do well to be kind to him." Fin finished, only a little proud of herself for asserting herself for probably the first time in her life. The servant looked from Findabhair to Leon before silently bowing to him in typical yamani fashion and walking swiftly into the kitchen to yell at the cooks and a servant- girl to set the table.

"Sorry Leon, I'm just not used to having so many people around.." She said letting herself trail off as she directed Leon into the sitting room to have some tea (of her own making). Lucky for her, the servants knew of her intent and there was already a kettle on the hearth. Fin picked out which tea she wanted from the cabinet filled with all of her own herbs and teas, choosing a calming/ soothing tea. "Well, please, have a seat." She said, indicating for him to sit as she prepared the tea and placed it on the small in-table by the chairs and sat herself. "Miaka will be down with a few dolls, would you like to play with some pretty dolls, Catrina?" She asked the small girl with a warm smile.

Leon was in a horrible depression, but he would never admit it out loud, because he did not think any one could help him out of it. After accepting that fact, he decided to move on in life being as upset as the day the before, hiding it with solemness. Catrina frowned as the servant spoke, and Leon starred blankly ahead. He considered leaving, but Fin had started to speak before he got a chance.

Slowly, he turned his eyes to watch Fin, a surprised look on his face. He never considered Findabhair the type to be an authoritive figure. The man blinked a few times, understanding why she bursted out; he couldn't blame her for not wanting to pushed around. Not to mention, he practically froze as his connect to Yamani's was revealed. As the name rolled off Fin's tongue, he felt his heart break again. For once, he wished he had not journeyed out of the protective walls of his home. He hardly noticed the apologetic look, but Catrina had, meeting Findabhair's blue with her own brown.

As Fin began to walk towards the sitting room, Leon was still in a daze, and was brought back when Catrina tucked on her gaurdians mahogany hair. Softly, he followed still holding the girl, whom he had lightly kissed on the cheek as a thanks for bringing him back to this world. "It's all right. Neither am I..." He responded quietly, taking the seat whilst switching Catrina to his lap, which the mage began to relax in. However, the girl sat with a straight back, gazing at the woman silently, brown eyes serene.

Hesitantly, Catrina nodded her head, though she did not return the smile, being the shy, serious girl she was. She stayed seated, hand now admiring the carving of the pendent she received earlier this afternoon. Meanwhile, Leon had spoken, "I don't want to be a burden... If you needed a head's up, I would've come at a later time." His eyes hadn't looked up at Fin, but rather watching her make the tea.

As Fin sat and passed him his cup of tea, she looked towards the doorway as Miaka walked in, her arms full of dolls. Miaka knew the drill, she had her own designated corner to play in and went straight to it.

Findabhair looked at Leon and frowned, he looked even more solemn than before. She could guess why. She quickly took a sip of her tea before setting it down, measuring it too hot to drink just yet. "Leon you have to talk about her." She whispered with a sigh. "You have to let the hurt bleed, you can't just let it sit on your chest like some heavy burden just waiting to topple you over." Fin was going out on a limb here, she knew. She had no idea how he would react to this but she had to do something. Fin hated to see him sad, gods it seems as though some of Rik had rubbed off on her. Findabhair's eyes became distant as she started to reminesce. "She was so beautiful, inside and out. She had such a wonderful personality, so many dimensions. She could be so shy one minute then turn to ice...sometimes literally, the next." She said with a smirk that was from the past, during happier times. "She could light up a room then bring it down with her anger if you do something to really piss her off..which never happened often." Fin sat there a moment, silent before coming back to the real world. "She was my best friend. She saved my life." Fin stated before looking down at her lap.

"I never told anyone this but..when my father came here, after I got pregnant with the twins, he had every intent to kill me. Ruveila stopped him, she didn't know that was his intent, nor did I until I spoke with my old nursemaid from back home. But, if she hadn't come when she did, I nor the twins would have.." She couldn't continue, the tears that were falling were threatening to turn into an all out sob.

Meanwhile, little Miaka had taken it upon herself to entertain te other girl in the room while her mommy had a tear fest. She walked up to Leon and Catrina and placed one of her dolls in Catrina's lap. "Pretty?" She asked the other girl's opinion with her small whisper of a voice. Sometime during Fin's reminescing, Yui had come back into the room, and noticing her other upset, she walked over to her and sat in front of her legs. It was her favorite spot to sit at and it provided Fin with comfort from her daughter's warmth.

Leon took the cup of tea with a quiet thanks, and gently brought it to his lips, orange eyes gazing over to Miaka as she brought the dolls over to a different corner of the room. Catrina's eye, likewise, followed, and even though it was tempting she stayed where she was. Her father was upset and she wanted to be there for him, like when he was when she was so upset after he rescued her.

The hot tempature of the tea did not bother Leon as he took a sip, and kept it in his hands. His grib tightened when Findabhair confronted him about the situation of Ruveila's death, and how he hasn't spoken anything... to anyone. Leon's figure slumped and he looked my like small pomeranian than a lion. Then suddenly, the handle broke off the china, as did the rest of the cup, and the tea landing on his lap. At this point in his emotional state, it didn't register that he broke expensive china and that the hot, sticky liquid was all over his robe. Cat noticed, and she tugged on his pant leg to get his attention but it failed.

"Why would you think I do not honor her memory? I honor it every day." He responded, sounding as miserable as he felt. "I write down every day before bed the times I've had with Ruveila. The good... and the bad... who she was to me. That's all I can do. To talk of her freely... I can't.... I just can't. She's alive in my mind... a fantasy. Thinking of it... without the comfort of Catrina in my arms, and the sheets wrapped around me, within the safety of my home... It's safe."

Leon started shaking his head, until it fell into his hands. "Not now.. Not here. I can't.... handle it. It will be like loosing her... I always there to save her, and now I couldn't. She's dead when I'm awake, but alive when I sleep. Alive in my journal." Catrina had tilted her head up, listening intently to her father speak. She stayed silent, hands on her knees, whispering quietly to him. "Papa, I'm right here." After she sad that a heavy hand landed on her head, as Miaka came over.

At the comment from the little girl, Catrina slowly turned her head to gaze at the doll. Slowly, the golden haired girl brushed the back of her hand against the doll's face. Her fingers than traveled down the beautiful outfit the doll wore, before pulling it back as if she might break it. Cat than nodded her head in a agreement, not touching the doll again, as if afraid. Her eyes were only diverted for a brief second when the other girl sat at Fin's feet.

Fin looked at her friend, sick with worry. It was much worse than she had thought. Poor Leon...she knew exactly how he felt, but she was forced to deal, she had an entire country making her move on and worry about the political side of things. But Leon...all he was able to do was stew in his misery. That was just no good, no good at all. She jumped as he broke the coffee cup, mumbling a thanks to one of the servants who had heard the ceramic break and brought a towel and cleaned up the remnants of the cup.

Grasping Leon's hand and squeezing it tightly, wishing she could convey the pity/ sympathy and sadness she carried for her friend to him. "Leon, she will always lie in our hearts. But this...this isn't healthy my friend." She said sighing before she continued. "Look at your little girl. No child should have to bare the burden of keeping their parents sane. Which is exactly what you've got her doing." She looked at little Catrina then pointedly at Leon. "She needs to be a child Leon. You've got to move on, for Catrina. I'm not saying go out on dates just...live your life man!" Fin knew she was using tough love, but this definitely called for it.

Little Miaka didn't like the tension in the room, so since Catrina barely seemed to acknowledge her, se went back up to her room, humming to herself.

"Why don't you two stay with us? We won't annoy you, we'll leave you to your daily life only then Catrina would have other children to play with..." She left the proposition open, hoping he'd mull it over atleast.

Miaka wasn't the only one disliking the tension in the room either, Catrina was as well, and feeling more uncomfortable as the conversation turned to her. The little observent girl also noted the distinct change in her father. It was true, only at night he seemed the saddest, which was why she never left his room; after all, he never left hers when she would go into her own emotional breakdowns. She didn't think he was going insane at all either. Her annoyance then turned to they younger woman in the woman - it was the Lady's fault Leon was in such a wreck. Findabhair mentioned this Ruveila... didn't she realize she wasn't helping her father.

Catrina, out of annoyance, gathered some courage, and spoke before Leon, almost ready to cry, had a chance. "Stop making papa want to cry! He takes fine care of me. Look, he bought me this!" The little girl held up the orange stone pendant. "Because I asked him. We shared pastries. He tries to get me to play with other children, but maybe I don't wanna sometimes. I'd rather be his companion. You don't know what you're talking about. You don't even look like you're one to speak!" Catrina's ears and nose had turned read as she half-shouted.

Leon sniffled, pulling himself together with great mental strength, realizing Catrina was going way to far, and he abruptly grabbed the girl and pulled her back into him. "Catrina, love, she's just trying to help, come here. It's okay... Shh." The mage could feel the little girl shaking in his arms as he held her close. Then, she was sobbing, and he gave an apologetic look towards the servant whom was just trying to do their job.

"I'm sorry, Fin..." Leon replied quietly, as Catrina turned her head out from his chest to breathe away from Fin, now embarassed to look at her. "Now isn't the best time for us to stay at your home for the week. Thank you for the invintation, though."

Had Fin been standing, she would have stepped back, she was so taken aback by the sudden outburst. Her hand flew to her chest, covering her heart as she stared at her with shock. Some of the things she said hurt...partly because they were true and partly because she was getting yelled at by a little girl. The fact that these true things were coming from a little girl who knew almot nothing about her gave Fin the heebie-geebies. "I...I'm sorry Catrina.." She whispered, near tears. Fin looked at leon as well. "I'm sorry...I shouldn't have forced this on you so fast..this is the first time we've seen each other in months. I shouldn't have brought it up..I'm sorry." She mumbled meakly, turned to her old shy ways by a little girl.