Kaz: you're weird. But I bet you already knew that.
Nobody: I definitely won't stop in the middle of the story, unlike some ppl *glarez at Kovu*
I did not type it in 5 minutes. I used a nifty little tool called "Cut and Paste". Rrr.
Def: Thanks.
Did I miss anyone? No? Good.

Kitow was the exact opposite of Shador. The Kitowri were not precisely hostile, but they were anything but friendly. They eyed the newcomers dangerously, as if daring them to approach. Kitow was not noted for tourism.
The brightly colored buildings, decorative pennants and gaily designed ornaments served to make Kitow bright and cheerful. Even if the natives weren't friendly, the surroundings were. Within a few minutes of their being there, the Assassin was bedecked with paper and flower chains, despite Copper's efforts. Her friends smothered grins and tried to look stern, but only partially succeeded. Kaz was busy dropping buckets of flowers on the young Kitowri who were not as unfriendly. Curiousity did wonders.
The Kitowri were a lot like mice. Tufted tails and large, slightly triangular ears were their identifying characteristics, and were unique. They were inquisitive but standoffish. The good thing about this was that a stranger would stand out immediately. This was also the downside.
Fortunately, due to a sudden brainwave by Copper, they weren't staying for long. Rather, they would be heading back to Carrotus in a short time, much to Defalcon's dismay.
"We won't be there for long. I promise," she said with a grin. He sighed and accepted with ill grace.
They were there for, as Copper said, "advice". Who was going to advise them, nobody knew. But any advice would be welcome.
So, when the Assassin lifted off later that day, shedding bright blossoms everywhere, it was with a sense of curiousity.
Carrotus was only half an hour away. Defalcon endured, and despite himself could not help but be relieved at the sight of Carrotus, hanging in space like a green and blue jewel on black velvet. Copper set the Assassin down near some ruins, which (as Claw knew) were the remains of her hometown. Ten minutes away in the woods lay her hideout, and a cliff that was not all it seemed to be. But they would not be going there this time.
A faint, overgrown track was all they had to follow. Copper led them out, surefooted and confidant from countless walks along this path. Still, her hand did not stray from Shale, and the rest remained wary. The woods seemed quiet ... too quiet.

"Na'amba, quellrin. Venrop alkez kaidu?"
The sudden voice ringing through the trees made almost everyone jump, except for Coppertop, Claw and Radium. Perhaps Radium had read what was going to happen in Copper's mind; certainly he was not surprised. Copper definitely wasn't.
"Nah, none of that today," she called. "Come, now, you know me!"
"Efren dalar ghafi. You take the fun out of everything!" the voice replied, and a curtain of shrubbery suddenly parted and a small, slender rabbit stepped out. Her fur was deep green, almost black, and her eyes were lighter. Her hair was a shock of white, very long, and in ringlets. She grinned at them.
"Newcomers, Coppertop? Why, I'm honored. Come in. I'm sure she's gotten you all in trouble. That is Coppertop, ko?"
"Guys, meet Skiye," Copper said quickly. "She's a seeress, and can probably help us. Right, Skiye?"
"Right. What Coppertop here won't tell you is that I'm also her grandmother. Hah! Thought so! Been acting the homeless wanderer again, no?"
"Skiye! That's not necessary," Copper protested indignantly. Her grandmother laughed in a way that said complaints were futile.
"I live for the look on your face," she chortled. "But, on a more serious note, I can indeed 'probably help' you. Come on, what are you waiting for?"
They followed her off the path, and through the trees. Defalcon muttered to Copper, "how many more relatives have you got stashed away?" before getting an elbow from Crystal. Copper merely rolled her eyes.
"No more, I assure you," she replied. "Nightshade and Skiye are it. The rest are gone. Don't lose sight of her, or you won't find your way."
"Oh," Crystal said, a look of glee in her eyes. "I see. Follow the little green grandma ..."
"Shut up," Copper told her, almost laughing. "If she hears you, the 'little green grandma' will wring your neck!"
"Got it," Crystal said immediately. Defalcon snorted.
"Don't let Kaz hear you either," he said. "Else we'll be hearing, "round and round the mulberry bush, the grandma chased poor Copper ..."
"If you aren't quiet, I'll chase you round the mulberry bush," Copper hissed, horrified. "Both of you!"
"Aye aye captain," Defalcon replied, straightfaced. Then, at Crystal's smothered laughter, he shot her a look of warning before he, too, could no longer hold back his mirth. Kaz landed beside them, demanding to know what the joke was. Defalcon controlled himself and replied evasively. Copper didn't stay around to hear what he said. She hurried her pace to catch up to Skiye.
"Thanks a lot, Skiye," she said dryly. "I won't hear the end of this now."
"You're too serious," Skiye replied. "You need to lighten up. You're letting sorrow and responsibility drown your sense of humor."
"What am I supposed to do, ignore the fact that I've killed innocent people, and even my friends?"
"No. Not that, Coppertop. But they're gone, and you can't do anything about it. Don't let it eat you up. Get on with life. Remember them, yes, but don't dwell on them."
"I know," she said quietly. "Maybe I will. But right now I can't. Another of my friends has been turned to the enemy, and I may have to kill him too. What am I supposed to do? Now he's hunting me, my friends, and people I'm responsible for. If he succeeds, I'll have more people I know to fight. For him not to succeed, I have to kill him."
"Knock him out and tie him up," Skiye suggested. Then, at the warning in her granddaughter's eyes, she sobered. "You've already thought of an answer. Why come to me?"
"I can't be sure it will work. If it doesn't, what do I do then? I don't want to always be looking over my shoulder, knowing that someone who knows me well enough to predict the way I think is after me."
"You speak of the Ninja, Shinyso, ko? A ruthless enemy, to be sure."
"He wasn't always that way," Copper said, slightly downcast. Skiye sighed and looked up at her tall granddaughter.
"I will do my best. Come now. We must get out of the open. Strange things prowl these woods."
"Lead on," Coppertop said quietly. "You know where we're going."
"I do?"
"Skiye!"

Hah. Read that.