Phoenix Maplewood love as if you were a child

noise in the brush caught his attention, followed by the smell of a stranger--god, what now?--and then--

"merbani!" he exclaimed in a wheeze, rushing toward her while noting her singed appearance. he embraced her gingerly, his heart pounding against his ribcage, awash in the flood of emotions the sight of her had given him. joy, excitement, irritation--god, she hadn't ran, she'd gone back to the fire--

"kitten," he gasped, blinking down at her with misty eyes. "god, i'm so glad--so glad you are okay. and have come back to us." he pressed his face into the ruff of her neck, letting the tears flow freely. aditya had started to lose all hope of seeing the girl again; to have her once more by his side was more than he could handle. he wept, forgetting himself, before remembering that another had accompanied her.

adi lifted his head and stared at the woman, countenance suffused with gratitude. "thank you for bringing her home," he said, giving her a nod and wag of his tail. "i'm so grateful." something seemed familiar about her--but what?