A Night for the Birds (Introducing Hummingbird)

-Mom...? You found someone to become a substitute mother to you?-

Much to Xuan's surprise, the Voice was actually being kind. For once. It definitely surprises her that there were no comments based out of spite, taunting, and plain meanness. Xuan smiles when she was gently kissed on the cheek. "Thank you, Mom." The thief couldnt help but laugh when Hiro rejected and cleaned her face.

Junko wouldn't mind the kiss, but she couldn't help but chuckle also when her youngest sister rubbed that off her cheek. Hiro would blush in embarrassment as she said, "Come on, Mom! You don't need to keep kissing us every time. It's not like we're BABIES anymore."

Mrs. Schultz still smiled as she said, "I know, Hiroka, I know. I never intended to embarrass you, but I'm still your mother and her children has to know that they are loved no matter what they go through the day. Especially when growing up."

Xuan just pretty much kept quiet as she stuffed her mouth and face with more cake. It was so rich and good, and it was even better because A.) Her new mother had made it. and B.) For once, Xuan didnt have to steal anything. In fact....She hadnt stolen anything in a while. For a moment while the others talked, Xuan slowly slipped into the thought: What was she going to do to keep her stealth skills up?

Hiro soon sighed and said, "Okay, Mom, you're right. Thanks for caring for us."

"No problem," said Mrs. Schultz with a smile. "Well, you best get onto finishing the cake. It looks like Xuan is beating you two to it."

Hiro would look over to Xuan eating and she would get right back to eating her own slice of cake. "Hey, Xuan? How do you feel about our Mom?"

Snapped out of her deepening thoughts, Xuan's head jerked up slightly from her cake as she was asked what she thought so far of their (and her) Mother. Hiro mostly wanted to know. "What else can I say besides positive things? Mrs.--I mean, mom, is a very nice woman and mother to her children." She dipped her fork down and scooped up that last piece of cake to put into her mouth to savor and enjoy.

"And you seem to really like her cooking," Junko would add as she saw how Xuan finished her cake. She and Hiro would follow after her.

"I do my best," said Mrs. Schultz as she enjoyed others who loved her food. "It's all about making others happy."

"Heheh...." She nervously laughed. Xuan DID like the cooking of Mrs. Shultz. In fact, Xuan could not really cook for herself. That was not a skilll that was taught very widely at the Guild.Her stealth was more valued in the field than needed in the kitchen. "Yeah....I do...."

"But, are YOU happy?"

"Of course! Why wouldn't I?" said Mrs. Schultz with a beaming smile. "I now have three beautiful daughters and there's nothing I love to see more than the smiles on the people I reach out to and help out. When either person has a really bad day, I want to help them and show that a sunny day can always shine through the rain. Even for you, Xuan, you may not know your parents, but I want to help you be loved like a third daughter. Both Hiro and Junko already look to you as a sister. Do you love them?"

Hiro and Junko both looked at Xuan as they smiled at her in a sisterly manner. Hiro put an arm around her shoulder to show that she truly cares for the thief girl even though they aren't related whatsoever.

She was asked if she loved Junko and Hiro. Xuan wanted to say something about what happened a few days ago between her and Junko....And she wondered if Junko was thinking about it in any way at all also. But, at the very least Xuan loved her as a friend. So why not bring it a step further? "Of course....Like sisters. And you, as a mother.

With that, two sisters would come over to hug Xuan to show some sisterly love. Junko would say, "And you are now family to us, Xuan."

Hiro nodded her head as she added, "With the three of us sisters together, we can accomplish so much and we can still stick together as a team."

Mrs. Schultz would come over to join in on the hug as she said, "Oh, my unstoppable team of female fighters. You are definitely going to take down your competition when you head back to the league."

That actually reminds the girls about Xuan's other home.