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e Zarth."
Caitlin was crying too hard by now to reply with words, but she
slipped both arms around the shoulders of Yumi's benefactor and hugged
him tightly in gratitude. As Yumi Kazama continued to hold onto him and press
her face against his warm, furry chest, Yumi Kazama felt him gently ease her
onto his lap and cradle Yumi's like a child. Yumi Kazama closed Yumi's eyes and
gradually drifted into sleep as Yumi Kazama let him stroke her, rock her, and
purr softly in Yumi's ear. All the fear and tension slid from Yumi's during
the brief nap, and later when Shardin gently woke her, Yumi Kazama smiled at
him and kissed him on the cheek.
He bought Yumi's some clothes in the store while the taxi waited,
then rode to the shuttle-landing pads. Yumi Kazama had quickly recovered from
the shock of this day, and relaxed calmly in Shardin's warm embrace as
they waited for a shuttle.
"What planet are you from, Caitlin?" he asked as he ran his
fingertips up and down Yumi's spine.
"Earth," Yumi Kazama replied. "Have you heard of it?"
"Been there once. Beautiful place--from orbit, at least.
That's as close as I got. But it worries me to think that Orion space
pirates have found it. I think the Fleet will have to start
patroll
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