~I know about girls needing their beauty sleep, I didn't realize thieves needed theirs as well.~ Lisa's voice rang into my mind. ~Are you really going to sleep the rest of your sentence away?~
I would if she would quit talking.
I jerked awake with a squeak, my hands...paws coming up defensively as something tried to pick me up.
~Oh come now, don't be like that.~ The warmth of her hands continuing to burrow underneath me and pick me up. Why did she sound relieved?
I forced my eyes open, nearly rubbing them though the action didn't feel normal in this form. ~What's with the pick-me-up treatment?~ I complained, flinching away from her hand running down my back. That did not feel normal!
~I'm making sure that you're alright, Fishy Thief.~
~I'm fine, what's with the concern?~ I said, shaking the last of the sleep from my eyes. Cautiously I crouched on her hands looking up at her face.
She raised an eyebrow. ~You've been asleep for the past four days.~
I didn't believe her for half a second. ~FOUR DAYS!~ My ears laid back. ~Why didn't you wake me! We had a dea-~
~I tried, Fishy Thief,~ she cut me off. ~Multiple times. You were out like a light. This is the first time you actually gave me a coherent response and woke up.~
I groaned. That was three days I'd missed out on searching for my crew when I'd been trying to get out early. ~You sure you didn't put a sleeping spell on me or something?~
She laughed. ~I'm sure.~ Her fingers trailed down my spine once more. ~Are you okay though? You were beginning to worry me.~ 
~I would be better if you'd quit doing that.~ I complained. ~It feels weird.~ 
She raised an eyebrow. 
~I'm fine, Lisa. Really.~
~Then why did you sleep for so long!~ She burst out. ~It was like you'd gone into hibernation!~
~How am I supposed to know?!~ It wasn't like I'd planned to fall asleep for so long. ~Maybe my lack of real sleep as a fish had something to do with it!~ I shot back. ~You're the one who deals with shape shifting people into animals. Not me. You can figure it out.~

#Henry