She had been correct, there was more than met the eye when it came to this strange cat. He was a changeling. Why he was masquerading, hiding his nature from them, was beyond Neera. Pucas do it to hide their ugliness. What each did with this ability depended on their personality. Pranks, defensive, aggressive, or even passive, their natural talent was used in all kinds of situations. Neera herself was a defensive personality, a fierce guardian for such a naive child.

Coco explained his race, his two forms, and inquired as to the true nature of the puca. Taking his invitation, the tiger stood and planted her tush next to Tibbit. In his arms, Akira marveled up at him, a curious hand reached out. Gentle, fingertips ran through his hair, and lightly touched his ears. She hadn't seen anyone else with animalistic features such as her own, so this was a unique situation for her. "I am a Puca. Ugly creatures. Why be ugly when I can be this gorgeous form you see now? Or the majestic dragon, cute pixie?"

"Akira fox. Pretty white fox." she chimed in, primarily to have something to add to the conversation. "Akira no know how change form yet. But one day! I will! Akira show you!" Giggling, the confident child stood and darted back down the path, stopping and beckoning to the two shifters. "Come! Maze to finish! Akira want see end." With that, she continued down the path, a little ball of energy. The puca sighed as she stood. "Might as well catch up. It would take forever to find her if she got lost. The child doesn't know when to sit still." With a chuckle, she lumbered behind the child.

His pure form was now visible. The child had not freaked out, and instead sat on his lap. The tiger was sat there watching him cautiously for a few seconds. After some time she moved over, and sat on the ground next to Cerberus. The child's hand ran through his hair then came to a stop at his ears. Cerberus purred very lowly, though he appeared human he still had the habits of a cat. He reached down, and rubbed the child's head gently. He was half expecting to be torn apart, instead of being here still bonding with the two.

The tiger told the story of her true form. Cerberus had heard of Pucas in passing, but to be honest he never really learned much about them. But the puca seemed to be very honest, and open with him. This was just fine by him, beats dieing he thought. The nervous smile disappeared from his face. In it's place was a truthfully joyful one. This trial just got a lot less awkward, now that he didn't have to hide his form out of fear.

The child spoke next, adding to the conversation. It turns out Akira was a fox shape shifter, but she hadn't learned how to change yet. Cerberus rubbed her ear gently, “Don't be in such a rust to grow up little one,” he giggled slightly, “I'm sure you will learn to when the time is right.” He reached over, and pet the tiger cautiously. To his surprise she only growled a bit. He smiled at the tiger, and nodded.

Akira stood up, and hurried off toward the next turn of the maze. She was very eager to finish this challenge. The child had way to much energy the Tibbit thought. But that wasn't necessarily a bad thing, he thought. The tiger stood up, and started following Akira. He kept up with the two as they continued forward. The girl was in good hands he could tell, and Neera was a strong protector very dedicated to the child left in her charge. He had never had a companionship like that, mostly he was just left to do whatever, sometime petted, and coddled, but over all spoiled.

The maze ahead came to smaller entrances. A large wall in front of them, with small holes on either side. At first the child had attempted to fit in the hole, only to get fussy when she couldn't fit. Cerberus changed back into a cat, and squeezed through the opposite hole, “I'll scout ahead.” On the other side was a narrow path with a very sheer drop, for sure he would die if he fell. He crept carefully not wanting to be a pancake, hopefully the other two were having better luck. As he continued his foot slipped slightly, and he stared to fall backwards, his paws struggling to find a hold.

If Akira had a toy for every time someone told her not to rush to grow up, she’d have no room to even sleep in her room, let alone walk in there! Yet, she had spent her entire life alone, a whopping six years. It was a long time to be alone for any child. She was lucky to have two loving women take her in, not to mention all of the friends she had made in her journeys.

The wall she came to had holes she was sure she could fit. Akira even attempted to squeeze inside. Her head could get through, but she was having difficulties with everything else. She had seen enough to know that there was a long drop and a very thin path. When Coco went through, Akira practically begged her puca to protect him, she was so sure something bad would happen.

Begrudgingly, Neera agreed and shifted to something smaller, a cat very similar to Coco, just more sleek. She padded along silently behind the cat, thinking of some chastising line to give him. This surely could not be the path they should take, Akira would certainly fall. True to her conclusions, Coco slipped and attempted to stop himself from falling.

With a sigh, Neera changed into a relatively large eagle, swooping in and catching the cat-shifter in her talons, careful not to puncture him. She turned away from the ledge, flapping her wings to gain altitude before her flight circled around and she could drop him on the ledge. Landing next to him, tucking her wings against her body, glaring at the feline.

”Akira would be devastated if you had fallen. You do anything to break her heart… Come, let’s find an easier path.” When the pair made it back to Akira, the child threw her arms around the cat, sobbing into its fur. ”Akira was so worried you fall! Don’t leave me, Coco! Thank you, Neera.”

A long time ago Cerberus had run into a situation such as this. He was exploring an ancient library. Excited to find treasures beyond his own knowing, he set out with the daughter of a goddess. They had ended splitting up at one point, and he found himself in a dire situation. The thing about ancient structures is that they aren't one hundred percent intact. They seem to crumble in some places, and in other pathways, flooring are already missing. He ended up falling due to the poor condition of the library. He can't really remember much after that, but the slipping was still very vivid in his mind. Now he was in the same situation.

His life began to flash before his eyes again. As he felt himself began to fall he closed his eyes, and accepted his fate. He had lived a long comfortable life for a cat, might have a few regrets, but he would face his death. To his surprise though he wasn't falling, instead he was soaring. He opened his eyes, and saw the abyss below him. Neera must've changed into, an eagle to save him. She set him down on the ledge, and chastised him. His head hung low, as he felt embarrassed of what happened, and knew she was telling the truth. He vowed he would be careful, as he followed her back towards the entrance.

On the other side he was met by Akira. She wrapped her arms around him, and cried into his fur. He wasn't aware just how much of an impact he made until now. He nuzzled back against Akira, and purred loudly. Maybe he had found another owner, maybe they would part ways after the maze. Only time would tell, but for now he would stay with the child, and her protector. “I'm sorry Akira, I didn't mean to make you worry, so much, let's look for another path,” he glanced up at Neera, “ I know you did it mostly for her, but for what it's worth Thank you Neera.” He glanced up, and Akira, and mewed. His indication, he was ready to go brought back Akira's adventurous side, and they were off to find another path. Preferably it was to be a safer one, with less life risking on any of their parts.

Neera approved of the apology, and gave a deep bow of the head to his gratitude. Akira dried her tears, rubbing them on the back of her kimono sleeve. With a smile, and Coco still in arms, the child stood and started walking once more. The puca had chosen to slip into a more travel friendly creature, returning to her tiger form and padded silently behind.

As they walked, Akira began talking about her mothers and their kindness. ”Akira don’t like all ghosts, but love all animals. Will Coco stay with me? Always? We can make place for all to live! Dragons, horses, feeshes, birds, and everything!” Neera rolled her eyes, knowing that if Akira was given the means to do so, she would create a zoo. Still the child prattled on, not paying a lick of attention of where she was going as she cradled that cat protectively.

’I’ll accept you, cat, if you promise to take care of her.’ the puca relented to herself. It was something the two of them needed to work out, but so far, the Tibbit seemed to prove himself intelligent enough to realize his impact upon the child. If he can prove to her that he was up to the task that was this child and her safety, then Neera would accept him as part of the pack that Akira calls friends and family.