Lil'blackie wanted to comfort the boy, to tell him that everything would be okay, but she felt uncertain, even powerless.
She wasn't used to dealing with emotions like this—her role had always been one of strength and protection. Yet, seeing the boy so vulnerable, something inside her stirred.
Her instincts told her to be gentle, so she hesitated only for a moment before stepping closer.
She carefully nuzzled the boy's cheek with her soft, white paw, feeling the warmth of his skin against her fur. It was a delicate gesture, one that surprised her as much as it seemed to soothe him.
"You… shouldn't be here?" she repeated telepathically, her voice gentle, trying to coax more information out of him. "What do you mean? Where are you supposed to be?"
The boy's face twisted in agony, as if the very thought of answering her question caused him pain. He closed his eyes tightly, trying to block out the world around him, but the sadness in his heart was too strong to ignore.
His small hands clenched into fists, and he whispered, "I… I was supposed to stay with her. I was supposed to protect her, but now… now I'm here, and I don't know what to do…"
His words were a jumble of confusion and guilt, and Lil'blackie felt a pang of empathy for him. Whoever this "her" was, it was clear that the boy felt a deep responsibility toward her.
Lil'blackie's mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle. The connection she felt with this boy, the way he called her "sister"—it was all so confusing. But one thing was clear: this boy was lost, both physically and emotionally.
"Who is she?" Lil'blackie asked softly, her voice full of concern. "Maybe I can help you find her."
She was so focused on the boy's well-being that she momentarily forgot about the fainted people around her.
The boy's eyes flickered with a hint of recognition, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. He hesitated, as if weighing his words carefully. "I don't know if you even can," he finally replied, his voice tinged with doubt.
But there was something else there too, something he was trying to hide. "But thank you. You're kind… just like she is."
Lil'blackie tilted her head slightly, trying to decipher the emotion behind his words. The boy's tone was sincere, but there was a subtle undercurrent of something more, something he wasn't fully revealing.
It was as if he was testing her, seeing how much he could trust her without giving away too much.
The boy's guarded expression didn't escape her notice, but she chose not to press him. He was clearly holding back, and though Lil'blackie's curiosity was piqued, she sensed that pushing him too hard might only drive him further into his shell.
"Whoever she is, she must be very special to you," Lil'blackie said gently, trying to offer some comfort without prying too deeply. "If you ever feel like talking about her, I'm here to listen."
The boy's eyes softened at her words, and for a moment, the walls he had put up seemed to waver.
But just as quickly, he pulled them back up, masking whatever emotions had briefly surfaced. He gave her a small nod, his expression unreadable.
"Thank you," he said again, this time with a touch of finality. It was clear he wasn't ready to open up further, but there was a quiet gratitude in his voice that told Lil'blackie she had made a difference, even if just a little.
Lil'blackie didn't push the matter any further. Instead, she curled up next to the boy, offering him what little comfort she could.
The mysteries surrounding this boy were far from solved, but for now, she was content to stay by his side, hoping that in time, the answers would reveal themselves.
The boy in black remained curled up on the feather, with Lil'blackie nestled next to him. He glanced down at the white cat, her soft snores now filling the quiet room.
His eyes then drifted to the black cat and Lin Xiao, both still unconscious nearby. A bitter smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
With a slight wave of his hand, he made sure Lil'blackie stayed sound asleep, her breathing deep and peaceful.
Satisfied that no one would wake up, he slowly pushed himself up, wincing as pain shot through his chest. "Ouch," he muttered, his hand instinctively going to the wound that was still bleeding.
As he pressed his hand against the injury, the feather beneath him began to glow softly, its light growing more intense with each passing second. The boy watched in mild surprise as the energy from the feather seeped into his wound, knitting the torn flesh together. The bleeding stopped, and the pain began to fade as the injury visibly healed before his eyes.
He let out a sigh of relief, though his expression remained somber. He flexed his fingers experimentally, feeling the strength return to his body. Despite the rapid healing, the boy in black knew he wasn't fully recovered. The ordeal had taken its toll, both physically and mentally.
His gaze returned to Lil'blackie, who was still snoring softly beside him.
The boy in black leaned back slightly, careful not to disturb Lil'blackie. He knew he couldn't stay here long; the longer he remained, the more likely it was that someone would discover his true identity. But for now, he needed to gather his strength and plan his next move.
His thoughts were a tangled mess of memories and regrets, each one pulling him in a different direction.
He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as he tried to clear his mind. There was much he needed to do, but the weight of his mission bore down on him, reminding him of the dangers ahead.
And yet, despite everything, a small part of him was grateful for this brief respite, for the chance to rest and heal at home.