All food had been eaten. It wasn't fit for a mouse.
And though the house was in a state of lack of care,
it was only because hordes of orphans were there.
The residents of the house were exhausted and worn,
After fixing everything that was broken and torn.
The cause of the house's state were human children, you see,
They were orphans being cared for by Tina and Zee.
Many kids came in as a shabby mess,
But all were welcomed as honored house guests.
When they left house, they were images of perfection,
Seems like it does a child well to be under cat girl protection.
None the less, the children were happy, all except one
She sat in the corner while the others had fun.
Tina was excited about having the children with her,
And Zee was even happy as they tugged at her fur.
As the new year came in, the children all left,
All except one, the first one Tina kept.
The same one that sat in the corner with a scowl
the same that answered everyone in a growl
the same one that kept to herself every sundown and sun rise,
She was in for a bit of a surprise.
I'm never doing rhymes like that again. That was stupid."
"Oh but you did fine, hun. Believe me."
"Shut up! I know I sounded stupid..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tina, Zapook, and Zee spent several days after the new year cleaning up and fixing the house again. Seems as though the orphans they took care of did a number on the house itself. Yet, the three of them were in the best mood ever. Zapook and Zee learned to lighten up around the kids, while Tina was happy to help those children have a Christmas they wouldn't forget. Also, for helping out, Zee and Zapook got all the eggnog their bellies could handle, as well as any of the children that 'just didn't work out'.
As the holidays drew to a close, and the house returned to normal, everyone in the house were back to doing their normal things. Zee's attention went back to the eggs she has been watching over. Zapook had been grooming her new pet which formed from the vial she carried around on her back. Tina however...
Her mind was only on one other thing...
The only orphan that was still left in their house...
Pepper...
Pepper was sitting in the lounge room, slumped down on the couch with her arms folded as she watched TV. Wolven trotted in, pushing a yarn ball with his snout, and noticed her sitting there alone. He pushed the yarn ball to Pepper's feet, and sat there with the cheeriest expression on his face. Pepper smiled, and stood up, then punted the yarn ball through the nearest window and sneered down at Wolven. Wolven stared up with tears in his eyes before he ran off crying.
Hearing the glass breaking, Tina ran into the room, saw the window, then glared down at Pepper, who only rolled her eyes and went back to watching TV.
"Pepper, hun, I understand you are in bad spirits, but you can not be this upset this for months on end."
"Oh yeah? Watch me.", Pepper sneered, "And My name ain't even Pepper. That's just what they called me at the orphanage. Geeze..."
Tina sighed, "Alright...how about I make us a nice little batch of cookies?"
"How about you take those cookies and stick them where the sun don't shine? Can't you see I'm busy?" Shaking her head, Pepper went back to watching TV, mumbling to herself.
Tina, now in her enraged naga form, moved in front of Pepper with her arms folded. "Listen, I understand you have not had the love and care you needed when you were young, but that does not excuse your behavior. Now I expect an apology over these rude mannerisms, now."
Pepper glared up at Tina, "Fine. I'm sorry you're rude enough to interrupt me watching my shows. Now move. They're getting to the best part."
Tina turned red with anger, but tried to keep herself together as she spoke once more, "You are truly trying my patience young one. Now, please, behave yourself or I shall-"
"Or you'll what?" Pepper interrupted, "Are you going to wave a finger at me? Have a stern talk with me? Is that it? Or are you going to actually try to bluff me with empty threats, yet again? We both know you won't actually let me get hurt, so why don't you save the lectures and let me get back to my movies? Got it?"
At the point, Tina lost it. With one flick of her naga tail, she swiped the the tv remote out of Pepper's hands and launches it into a nearby wall, shattering it into pieces.
Pepper shrugged, "Fine. I'll get up and turn the channels by hand then."
Tina growled as her naga tail slammed directly into the tv screen, cracking it in two. Pepper was so shocked, she didn't have time to react on Tina reaching out and grabbing her. As Pepper's feet left the floor in Tina's grip, a jolt of electricity shot through her body, making the young girl tremble greatly.
Tina snarled and slightly shook Pepper, "I have welcomed you into into my home, fed you, cared for you, and did my best to keep you out of harms way. I do not ask much of you but for you to show us some respect. So help me, if this continues, I shall throw you into my sisters open jaws and watch as she consumes you while you scream for mercy. This is not one of those human homes where you think you can get away with anything you desire. Do you understand?"
Pepper nodded, and Tina released her and looked back at her TV with a sight. "I guess I'll have to get a new one...again."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Few days later, in a town far north of Tina's place, Zapook met up with Yinxao. They hung out as they usually did, nothing out of the ordinary for them, until Yinxao asked Zapook a strange question.
"Say, when can I meet this family of yours?"
Zapook whirled toward her with wide eyes, "What?! You wanna...meet them!? Are you serious?! They're all crazy!"
"Please? Let me see them? Just for a day! I want to see that cute albino one again...and meet your family..." she nudges Zapook's arm.
Zapook grins, pushing Yinxao away, "Ha! ....No you don't."
"Oh come on Z.P. ...Pwease...?" She stares at Zapook, her bottom lip quivering.
"...Ok. Fine. I'll arrange for you to visit. For one day. That's it. For now, wanna head to that restaurant with the pork burgers? I've been dying to visit that place again."
"Sure!"
