I did the same thing I did everyday. I woke up, tired and disoriented from another sleepless night. But the sight of sparrow next to me, purring and headbutting me for a pet, was enough to get me going. At least i had her. The rest of the day was auto pilot. A blur that looked like all the days that had come before it. Like clock work at 530, I walked through the door once again. I kicked off my shoes and bent down like I did everyday. But unlike every day, there was no sparrow running into my open arms. Just silence. The panic set in even before I knew what I was panicking about. And it only increased when I found her, curled and shaking underneath my bed. She tried to hide how sick she was, always thinking of me first. She tried to stand and meow but faltered and Colapsed. I couldn't disguise the sob that escaped my lips as she feebly purred and nudged her head in my direction. My baby. My best friend. My lifeline. I couldn't do this with her, I wasn't that strong. She was so good. So pure. I would give anything to take her pain away. Before I could think about it, I said the words I swore I would never say

"On my life, on my blood, I summon you to my aid"

For a moment nothing happened and I closed my eyes in defeat as I pulled sparrow in my lap.

"Please I need you"

The plea escaped in desperation.

"It's nice to see you again my darling"

The voice was low and rough and I felt a hand brush against my hair. Looking up he was exactly as I remember him. Tall and pale and beautiful. A true cliche.

"I know I swore I would never see you again but I need your help. Please"

I didn't look him in the face, I didn't need more pain.

"You can't let her suffer. She's too good for you to do that."

Ari wasted no time bending down and reaching out for sparrow. He picked her up gently, cradling her to his chest.

"I can feel she has a gentle soul, it makes sense that she would attach to you"

He holds her to his chest in a way that speaks of love and respect.

"Hello my sweet. I can see you fighting the pain for your human. Your so strong. Just hold on a moment longer and I promise to set you free."

He layed a single kiss on her head. Then turned to look at me. Out of instinct I went to look away but resistes and looked him in the eye.

"Her body is feeble and old. Even with my power I can't fix that"

His voice was so damn gentle I couldn't help the tears openly falling from my eyes.

"So I lose her"

I hated the way my voice shook.

"There is something I can do but it will come for a price."

He sounded so sad, so defeated, as he comforted sparrow.

"I'll do anything. Please help her"

I did my best to be strong.

"Come back to me. At least talk to me and I'll save her"

I let out a heavy breath. What he offered was a blessing and a curse. But if that was what it took for more time with sparrow I would take it.

"Save her and we can talk"

I rose from my place to lean against his chest. In a way it felt like I had never left his chest at all.

"Then we have a bargain"

he lowers his head to kiss my hair and I sighed. Maybe adding him to mine and sparrows space wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

"Close your eyes my heart."

I felt him pull away from me. I heard his footsteps and my window open. I heard him mumble something and a feeble meow followed by a strong one. I heard him singing and felt chills work their way across my body as he released his power. I heard him approach and this time I didn't pull way when he touched me.

"Open your eyes."

When my eyes part the first thing I see is a kitten in aris arms where sparrow had been.

"Her body wouldn't survive but her spirit would so I Gave her a new body"

Ari gave me a soft smile that always broke my heart and handed the small bundle of fur over to me. The moment the big brown eyes looked at me as the little head pushed against my chest I knew my sparrow was back.

"You don't have to talk to me if you don't want to. I'll let you out of the bargain. You deserve that much. I just miss you"

Ari sounded so defeated that I took a step toward him. I couldn't let him go. For better or for worse he was back and I couldn't help feeling complete as I waked to him and let him wrap me in his arms, hesitantly at first but more confident afterwards. With sparrow between us and my head on his chest, I was ready to face the world.