Changing Our Ways (KIRA)

[Lotus]

~~Saga Gregorio

I smiled at his words as more tears came to my eyes. He kissed me then. He kissed me! I kissed him back softly and when he pulled away I looked up into his eyes and saw every emotion I was feeling, reflected back at me. He was more than a life saver, he was my world.

I let my head rest back, close to the edge of the bed. I didn't want Ash any further from me than needed to be.

[Deleted]

Ash Faulkner~~

I kept close to Saga, resting my head against hers lightly. "I'll take you home Saga." I whispered.

~~ A few days later ~~

I held onto Saga's hand, trying to support her. She was still too weak to stand up for a long time. I smiled at her as we approached the front of the house. She looked a little worried. "It's going to be alright now. He won't be there." I said softly. Ace had been sent away, the trainers had found out what he'd done and decided that it wasn't right that he'd tried to kill another career outside of training so they had sent him off to a Capital camp. They hadn't seemed to have cared about Jaida or Saga all that much. Nor had they done anything about the gang that had attacked Saga. But at least it now meant that Saga could come home without Ace being anywhere nearby. And I was going to be here, all the time.

[Lotus]

I smiled up at Ash. He'd been there all along. The hospital had even put us in a room together so I'd calm down because when they took him away I had a panic attack. At least it worked that time.

I was better than I was. I was talking a lot more know, but my voice sounded a lot deeper than it used to be; well to my ears anyway. Ash assured me I still sounded like me. It'd take me a while to believe that. My face was healing up, as where my hands and all my other cuts and bruises were practically gone. The one thing I hated, truly, was the light pink scar that war forming under my right eye. People would ask questions and I was already self conscious enough as it was.

We got to the front door and I made Ash let go of me so I could walk in un-aided. My parent's had asked him to collect me, seeing as he'd been let out the day before I had. They were supposedly prepping things for my arrival home. I was still wary that Ace would show up but they all assured me it had all been taken care of.

I pushed open the door to my mum and dad yelling, "Welcome home darling! Welcome Ash!" They ushered us into the living room and hugged and kissed me so much that I ended up having to lean into Ash for support; again. They let me sit down after a while and told me of the plans they'd set for us.

They'd bought another bed for my room so that Ash could be in the same room with me; separate beds of course. Typical parents. They would have put him in Ace's room, but they hadn't opened his door since the incident. That's what everyone was calling it now; so they didn't upset me. I was thankful. Then they had a surprise for me and they told me to close my eyes. I did as I was told and held on to Ash's hand tightly for comfort.

When I opened them there was this fury thing at my feet. I looked down and there was a tiny kitten; probably not two months old. I remembered Jaida and tears came straight to my eyes. But this little kitten was different; she was completely white with black socks on all four feet. I reached down slowly and picked her up. "Mum... Dad..." I couldn't say any more because I was crying too much. It was wonderful!

[Deleted]

Ash Faulkner~~

I'd been on edge since I'd been discharged from the hospital yesterday. Saga's parents had told me all about their plans to welcome her home and I was pleased that they were doing so. I was going to be by her side to help her if she had any bad memories or relapses.

Last night had been the worse though, I wasn't allowed to spend the night at the hospital with Saga like I'd hoped so I had to go home. But I didn't want to be there, not with Lawson hanging around or because of the fact that my parents hadn't come to visit me in hospital. In fact, when I got home last night, rather than a welcome, I received a talking to about letting my training drop and how having Saga in my life was only going to distract me. They then went on to compare me to Lawson and how well he was doing now. I hadn't liked that as it was his friends that had started all of this. The only time they even brought up the fact that I had been hospital was when my dad told me how well Ace had done during our fight that he had been sent to the specialist training camp. They then went onto to tell me how disappointed they were that I hadn't won the fight.

I was so overjoyed when Saga's parents asked me to come and stay with them. Even if it was only to support Saga whilst she was recovering. I didn't want to be around my family any more.

I held onto to Saga's hand the whole way through her welcoming home. And when they gave her the kitten, I was there to hug her and wipe away the tears that fell for Jaida. I smiled at her.

[Lotus]

~~Saga Gregorio

I finally stopped crying and held my arms out to my parents after putting the new kitten in my lap. They came rushing to me and hugged me and kissed me again. They even included Ash in the moment. I really did love this guy. He'd saved me from so many things. He was my family now. Ace was gone and we were both safe; even my parents were safe.

When they pulled away I looked down at the new little kitten and stroked her behind the ear. She needed a name. "Does she have a name?" I saw my parents shake their head as they said, "We left that to you. You came up with such a good name last time, and sweetheart, we are so sorry. We did give her a proper burial."

I sniffed and held back the tears as I choked out, "Thank. You." Then I looked down at the new ray of sunshine in my lap as a small grin came to my lips. I turned to look at Ash as I said, "Hope. We'll call her Hope." I smiled and leant into him as I saw my mum clasp her hands together in admiration.

"I'll go get the cake!" She cried excitedly and that was thee first time laughter came from deep within me. It was true.

[Deleted]

Ash Faulkner~~

I smiled down at Saga softly. When they began to mention Jaida I moved closer to her side and gently rested my hand on her shoulder. I wanted her to know that I was here for and I was going to look after her, properly this time.

I smiled at the name. "Hope. It's perfect." I said to Saga, reaching down to let the kitten sniff my hand. "Right now, we definitely need Hope in our lives," I said, trying to sound positive but I could hear the sadness in my own voice. I hoped that Saga wouldn't hear it.

I beamed as Saga started laughing though, it made me laugh a little bit too. I hadn't heard her laugh like that before and it was such a lovely sound that I tried to drink it in and remember so that if things got bad again we would have something happy to hold onto. I grabbed a chair and pulled it next to hers. It wasn't because her mum had gone to get cake, I wanted to sit down so that I could stroke Hope gently and be closer to Saga. Even though her dad was still in the room I lent forward and put my hand under her chin, turning Saga to face me. I lent in and kissed her lightly.

[Lotus]

~~Saga Gregorio

I smiled at Ash. He truly was wonderful. My dad was sitting there with the strangest grin on his face, my mum had been baking and I had Ash living in the same house. It was as if a huge weight had been lifted from all our shoulders. We could be ourselves around each other again. It just felt right.

When Ash leaned in to kiss me I felt my cheeks flare up, but I kissed him back softly. I pulled away before him and covered my cheek. It made me so self conscious that I felt awkward around Ash. How strange was that?! Hope started purring in my lap and I smiled. "Yes. You're ours now and I'll never let you go." I smiled and kissed her little head.

[Deleted]

Ash Faulkner~~

I smiled even as Saga pulled away. I reached out and gently took her hand away from her cheek. I didn't know why she was being self conscious around me, she was still beautiful. "You're still beautiful to me, no matter what you look like. and anyway, right now, you look gorgeous" I whispered softly to her so that her dad wouldn't be able to hear. I was glad that I would be living here with them, but I was also on edge on what they might think. I just knew that her dad thought I was going to try and take advantage of Saga when I wasn't. But it made it awkward every time I went to kiss her.

I smiled at her and watched as she played with the little kitten. She really was adorable.

[Lotus]

~~Saga Gregorio

I felt my cheeks flare up again as I shook my head. He was wrong, but it still made me feel all warm inside knowing he thought that. I took hold of his hand and squeezed it tightly. I reached over for his other hand and laid it next to Hope. It was our cat after all. We'd both protect her this time round. He was a lot better than me at protecting something. He kept me alive whilst I couldn't keep a tiny, defenceless kitten alive.

I sighed and looked over to my dad. "Want a cuddle with her?" He smiled and came and knelt down next to us as my mum came back in with the cake and plates. I felt my eyes open wide at the delicacy in front of me. I'd been living on hospital food for who knew how long! This was a treat! A proper smile spread across my lips and then it faltered dramatically when she said,

"I'm going to have to take a family photo after this cake. All of us together, with our two new arrivals." She smiled and set the cake down on the table. I felt Ash staring at my mum and she felt it to because as she started cutting the cake she said, "Yes Ash. Family."

[Deleted]

Ash Faulkner~~

I turned my hand over under Saga's ad entwined our fingers so that I was holding onto it. I smiled at her. I stroked Hope at the back of her ears before Saga's dad came over. I smiled at him as well.

I saw Saga's face light up when she saw the cake. I laughed a little. I could almost read Saga's thoughts, it was evident that she was relieved to be off of hospital food and I felt the same. I hadn't eaten much at my own house yesterday and even then it hadn't been nice. I smiled at her mum. "It looks lovely," I said voicing what everyone was thinking.

But then I heard what her mum said and I saw Saga's face drop a little. I think I knew why; she was feeling self conscious about her appearance and the scar even though she was still beautiful.

But I then clocked what her mu said about two new arrivals? Could she really have meant me? I didn't think they would see me as family, I thought this was only going to be temporary - me staying here. I smiled at her mum. "Thank you." I said quietly, squeezing Saga's hand.

[Lotus]

~~Saga Gregorio

My smile came back again at what my mum said. I turned to Ash and smiled, resting my head on his; just as my mum looked up. "And obviously a photo with you two love birds." I instantly brought my head up and felt my face get hotter and hotter, but I couldn't help but keep the dumb grin off my face so I barely heard what my mum had to say,

"Of course Ash. Visiting you in hospital made me realise how much you feel for each other. Saga needs that and you give her that. She needs to feel safe, and with just us alone I don't think she'd feel that. So, family it is." My dad chirped in then with,

"Besides, it makes even more sense with you two being together." I stared at him with a shocked expression and he faulted, "You are together right?" I didn't know what to say. I hadn't really though about it in that way. It had just happened. I tried to say something and turned to Ash, hoping he'd be able to explain the reason for my shock.

[Deleted]

Aah Faulkner~~

I was stunned if I was honest. I felt so warm and happy. It seemed like her family really did want me around and I was so glad for that. I smiled at her mum, everything that she had said was true. I was going to be around to calm and protect Saga, I would train so that I could protect her. Train?! The thought just hit me, was I still a career?! I would still need to go to training if I was. But then I would have to face Lawson and the gang that had hurt Saga everyday. And even if I managed to beat them in combat training it still wouldn't make me less angry when I saw them. Besides, Saga wouldn't want me to be a career would she?! It would mean I wouldn't be here all the time. But then, training would also help keep me strong so that I could protect her.
I would need to talk to Saga about it.

I then clocked in to what her dad was saying. I was jsut as shocked as Saga's face. She was also bright red. But I also knew that what he had said meant that he couldn't be entirely disapproving of me either. I sensed that Saga wanted me to answer this one. I nodded my head, "Yes sir, that would be right." I said as politely as I could. Saga was still read so I lent in and kissed her lightly on the cheek.

[Lotus]

~~Saga Gregorio

I smiled over at him and then turned back to my dad, "I guess we are. How strange too." I let out a tiny laugh and then looked back at Ash, just as my mum dashed out the room and then came back in with the camera in her hands.

"Mum...! Nooo!" I grabbed a pillow and hid behind it as I heard the click of the camera. I groaned. "You didn't get me did you?" I heard my mum laugh.

"I have you're body with a pillow on your head, Ash grinning at you and your father shaking his head. Great photo guys." I peeked up from behind the pillow. "I mean it Saga. It's a nice photo, but would be nicer if your face was in it next time." She smiled and I just shook my head.

"Can we have cake now? Please?" I pleaded.

[Deleted]

Ash Faulkner~~

I laughed at Saga and tugged on the cushion she was clutching. I pulled it away from her and placed it back on the sofa where it had come from. I then turned back round and took her face in my hands.

"Saga, don't hide your pretty face away," I said to her softly, looking into her eyes. I felt more confident about being with Saga around her parents after our last conversation so I found myself leaning forward and kissing her, it was still only light though.

I pulled back and looked into her eyes again. "Now, beautiful. Will you let your mum take a photo? You're only going to make it even more lovely and we need your pretty face in it." I said to her gently. Grinning.

"Then we can have some cake!" I added.

[Lotus]

~~Saga Gregorio

I sighed and looked into his eyes, "You need to stop getting your own way." I stuck my tongue out like a child and turned to my mum, trying to cool my cheeks down. He always said the littlest things that meant the world to me whenever I heard them.

"So, tell me what to do for these photos then..." I huffed and tried to smile. Then I remembered, "Please don't send them off to the publishers like you did last time. Last time I looked kinda decent in them. Now, well...you know. I was okay with it last time; having the whole shenanigan with the photo shoot and whatnot. But not this time. You promise me?" I was serious then. I didn't want these photos going anywhere. I didn't even want to see them myself.

[Deleted]

Ash Faulkner~~

I smiled at the fact that I had persuaded Saga to have these photos. I knew it would be good for her and I hoped that her mum would appreciate me persuading her as well.

But as they carried on talking, my smile turned to confusion. I looked at Saga and her mum in turn before focusing on Saga. "What photo shoots were these?" I asked with a cheeky grin. I could tell by her voice that she wasn't too happy with the idea behind what she had said but I wanted to know what she was on about and I figured the best way to do that was to put Saga at ease.

[Lotus]

~~Saga Gregorio

I shook my head and counted down on my fingers. "I'll show you them later when Saga isn't around. She gets embarrassed to easily, but they're all so lovely." I looked up and sighed,

"You're so predictable mum." But she grinned and I couldn't help but smile back. I just prayed she wouldn't send them off. It would be so embarrassing! I saw Ash start to grin and I shook my head, "Don't go getting any ideas mister." I giggled and looked at my mum.

"Let's finish this so we can eat please?"

[Deleted]

Ash Faulkner~~

I smiled at her mum and then at Saga. "Thank, I would love to see them!" I told her mum before pulling Saga in for a hug. "What type of ideas would I be having now?" I whispered playfully in her ear.

I pulled back and looked at her mum. "ok then, where would you want us?" I asked, grinning.

"Lets just take a few of you two together first, however you like." Her mum replied with a smile. I smiled back.

I wrapped an arm around Saga so that she could rest her head against my shoulder. I would let her choose how to pose.

[Lotus]

~~Saga Gregorio

I laughed at his comment and said, "'Cause I don't want you to embarrass me over them okay?" He chuckled and moved away. I groaned, but nonetheless put my head on Ash's shoulder. I felt my dad pick up Hope from my lap and move to go and stand next to my mum.

I felt my cheeks flaring up again. I was facing the camera with the side of my face that was scarred. I reached up and hand to cover my face and groaned. "Muuum...this is so awkward... Why?"

[Deleted]

Ash Faulkner~~

I smiled at Saga and reached out to pull her hand away from her face. "Don't hide your pretty face." I told her with a smile. I wanted Saga to be confident again. I stroked her hair absently with my hand.

"Because I want to capture this special moment of the two of you," Her mum then went and said in reply to Saga. I couldn't help but smile at that, so I reached and placed my hand under Saga's chin. Turning her head so that she was facing me and I was looking in her eyes. Just then I heard the click of the camera and I smiled before leaning in to kiss her on the lips.

[Lotus]

~~Saga Gregorio

I sighed, but his words still made my cheeks feel hot. When he lifted my chin up I very nearly got lost in his eyes, but then I heard the click of then camera and he smiled at me. I groaned, but he leant down and kissed me. I kissed him back softly and I heard another click. I pulled away and stared at my mum, completely shocked. I groaned again and hid my face in Ash's chest, wrapping my arms around him. "Stoooop..."

There was another click and I stared at my mum. "Why...You had your photo..." She shook her head. "Not the one I want. I want to see you at least try to smile Saga. Ash definitely was in that last one." I felt my cheeks flush again and I nodded my head reluctantly.

"Okay. Last one, and then cake?" They all laughed and I couldn't help but laugh as well.

"After the family one my dear." I sighed and nodded my head again. It was as if all those things I remembered from the photo shoot came back to me in that moment. I placed a hand on Ash's shoulder and then leant my head on the hand, smiling at the camera. I felt him rest his head on mine and both our hands entwined with each other. I heard the click and I found the pillow, hiding again and groaning.

[Deleted]

Ash Faulkner~~

I had loved those moments with Saga, in between the photographs. It had almost felt as if we were just us two alone. That was so nice. I wanted to keep hold of her like that, forever. She was just so beautiful to me that I hated the fact that she thought that she wasn't. I really hoped that she liked the photos. The last one her mum had taken seemed to tell me that Saga had done this before, just from her body language. I smiled at the thought of seeing those photos.

I laughed, along with Saga's parents as she hid behind the pillow again. I reached over and plucked it from her grasp with one hand whilst lifting her chin up with the other. "Come on beautiful. We still need a family photo." I said, grinning at her.

[Lotus]

~~Saga Gregorio

I groaned and looked up to him, eyes pleading. "Noo..." I wailed like a child. I didn't want more photos, I hated the ones I just had taken and I hadn't even seen them yet. I picked up the pillow and hit Ash round the head playfully with it, "Stop grinning." but I couldn't help but smile back at him.

My mum grinned at the two of us and even my dad was smiling. My mum then went into action at busying us into different positions for the family photograph. In everyone I either had Hope or Ash did. After every one my mum wanted another and I kept saying, "I thought it was just one! I want cake..." I pouted and they all just seemed to laugh more. Then I had an idea. "Okay...can we have a photo where we all have cake?" That made them laugh even harder.

[Deleted]

Ash Faulkner~~

It made laugh to see Saga like this. She was acting a little like a small child and I had only ever seen her as serious when teaching, vulnerable when she was hurt or all engrossing when we were together. I liked seeing this fun side to her. It made me smile.

Yet, I could tell that Saga was beginning to become irritated with all of the photos. I figured it was mainly because she didn't want all the attention; even though she deserved it. But I knew it wouldn't be good for her to stay irritated. So I smiled and tried to relent with the photos. I looked at her mum. "Actually, cake is starting to sound really good."

[Lotus]

~~Saga Gregorio

"Thank! You!" I sighed at Ash. I wanted this over. I just wanted to eat the cake that was so temptingly placed in front of me. My mum, thank goodness, relented and all handed us a plate with cake on it. She set the camera up and we have our last photo just looking like we were talking and enjoying ourselves over cake. I heard the click and I sighed, relaxing back in Ash's arms.

"It's over. For now at least." A smile spread across my face and light chatter built up between everyone as I laid down on the couch with my head on Ash's lap, trying to eat cake and stroke Hope who was on my tummy.