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So she walks very close to him, very close, just to annoy him. Giggling she purrs happily anytime anyone makes a comment about it as well. Poor Kero, now everyone in town thinks he has a girl friend. that he's trying to pass off as his cousin.

She does a double take then grows very quiet. Realizing he may have pushed the wrong buttons but not knowing how to undo the the confusion, Kero simply follows a little behind her as they enter the market square. Ai leads the way to the meat pie booth and standing on her hind legs, is just able to see what is being offered.

"Hey there... shoo... strays aren't welcomed. I have enough mouths to feed back home." laughs the seller making a shooing moiton with his hands.

"But I'm hungry..." she moans plaintively. "And we have money."

"We?" says the man, then looking up he sees Kero hanging back, worriedly. "Kero, lad... don't be shy. You've bought pies form me before. Why didn't you tell me that she was with you?"

Ai stumbles , or so it seems... landing on top of Kero, hissing in the feline tongue. "Fool, don't lie... you will be in horrible trouble iffin you do.... don't..." suddenly she falls silent and sighs. "Let's get our pies and go, okay, Kero? You'll be late for class if you take too long."

Kero looks at her, wondering why she's so upset. But she doesn't say anything more, so he does as she says and orders them two meat pies, paying for them with the coins in the pouch.

She waits until they are away from the crowded market, finding a spot in the sun to sit down and eat their pies. "Kero, Tam goes away all the time and you are old enough to live by yourself from time to time... right? You really didn't have to say anything about it, but I've warned you before about lying... you can't do it... and not just because it's wrong. With you it can have serious repercussions. Can you still talk to your inner self? Ask him. Really, it's important you do so... now. That's twice this afternoon you've played a little loose with the truth. The first time was more in line with what he'd do, twist things about and use double meanings. I am a cousin... sort of, in that our breeds are distantly related. And I did ask you to give me a name, so you were safe there... that last tall tale was a little too dicy."

Ai sighs. "I know. It's a hard habit to break, so I've worked hard to help him avoid developing it. But he needs to understand this for himself. Can you talk to him about it? I don't believe he accepts what I'm saying right now... I mean, look at me. Who'd listen to something that looks like a toy or a cub about Salunia's age? And I really don't know how soon I'll get my old shape back... Heck right now, I'd be happy just to add a few years and remain as Ai to this... this... juvenile throwback."

"Look at me, I look to be a year or two younger than him. Why should he listen to me..." grumbles Ai testily.

"Um, in case you haven't noticed, he's bigger than me right now." sighs Ai testily. "Heck, he was even trying to get me to heel earlier. Can you believe it. Though that last suggestion might have some merit. Still I'd hate to become one of those "wait 'til your father gets home" individuals."