Decoe's side: A Great Change

Decoe head his father rummaging through the house. He made his way to him and looked over. "What are you looking for, Da?"

Ivo kept looking around, passing him. "I'm looking for an extra blanket. Coconuts is getting cold."

The name stabbed him like needles. For the last few weeks, Decoe's youngest brother, Coconuts, wasn't acting himself. He had been having headache after headache. He had lost all ways of warming himself. He wasn't so perky anymore, and didn't try to boss his older brothers around. Ivo has not left the little guy alone. Because Dingo was still getting use to his new left leg, he offered to stay by the little monkey's side.

Decoe helped his father find the blanket. Ivo bowed lightly in thanks and ran off to Coconut's room. Decoe sighed lightly and slowly made his way to the living room where his other 3 brothers were. Bocoe sat alone on the flood while Scratch and Grounder were being comforted by Sleet, Dingo's partner in watching over him and his brothers. Scratch and Grounder were so close together in birth dates that they were called twins.

He sat next to Bocoe and sighed. "Coconuts is getting worse." The others nodded lightly. "I'm worried for both him and Da."

He felt a hand on his shoulder. "Uncle's going to be fine." He turned his head to see his cousin, Snively. "Don't worry."

Decoe felt worse. Getting up, he dragged his feet on the carpet over to his youngest brother's room. Ivo had his close to his chest.

Dingo's ear twitched as he got closer, and gently pushed him out, limping lightly. "You'll be able to see him soon, Decoe. Let him be with his father."

Decoe looked over, wanting to help his father. "But-Da is upset! Why? Is Coconuts ok?" Dingo's pushing stopped. His father fell to the ground on his knees, his grip tightened. "Da! What happened?!"

Ivo started to shack his head, muttering, "No Ma, please don't take him."

Decoe felt his cousin run past him. Sleet stud next to his partner. "What happened? Why is Ivo crying…?" He paused. Dingo shook his head. He never saw Dingo so silent.

Decoe looked up at Sleet. He had the twins, on each side of his hips, his arms around their heads. Bocoe walked over to him and pushed his head into Dingo's chest. Decoe slipped over to his Da and Snively. Coconuts was motionless. "Da…He's not in pain…anymore."

Ivo nodded slowly. "Yes, Decoe. He is no longer in anymore…pain." He placed his head on Coconuts' forehead. "Please, Ma, take good care of my son."

Decoe turned to Sleet, for he too was muttering something. "Please watch over him, Hail…"

Decoe lowered his head. "Don't leave us, Coconuts. Da'll miss you."

He felt Dingo's hand on his shoulder. "Come now, Decoe. Let's give Ivo some alone time." He reached for Snively, but he slapped his hand away.

"Let him stay, Dingo. He wants to stay with his Uncle." Sleet spoke as easily as he could, but he was choking.

"Da…" Decoe whispered. "Will you be ok?"

Ivo didn't move, so Decoe quickly wrapped his hands around his father's waste. He was shivering. "I'm here, Da! I'll always be here! I'll always help you and-and-and-Da, please don't cry! I love you, so don't cry!" He started to tear up.

Ivo smiled as best as his body could let him. "Thank-you, Decoe. Daddy wants to be alone. And Snively: that means you, too."

Snively nodded, patting his uncle's back, and left the room. Sleet followed him with Scratch and Grounder beside him. Dingo gently placed his arms on Decoe's shoulder again. "Don't worry. Ivo will be fine. You can help Sleet and me around the house." He pressed Decoe close to his side. "And Decoe, please: don't let go of that love for your father. Can you promise me that?" He looked down at Decoe, who nodded. His green eyes started to shine from forming tears. "Love him. Be kind to him. Do everythin' I have never done for my father." He turned away, as though the words shot his heart.

Decoe wanted to speak, but the words were stuck. He just hung his head low. I'm going to be great for the both of us, Coconuts. I'll help Da more than any other. I will not sleep when he needs help. I will take great care of Da when he's ill…when he's mad, sad, or confused. If he wants something, I will give it to him. I will be the best son he has ever knows. Coconuts…I will miss you. Say hello to Grandma for me…and Da…

Coconuts' Side: A Journey You Take Alone

Coconuts started to shiver. "Dingo, I'm getting cold."

Dingo looked down at him. When did Dingo get darker? He thought. "Don't worry. Your father's comin' with a nice, warm blanket."

Coconuts tried to nod but his head started to pound again. "When will my head finally stop hurting like this?" He asked weakly. It has been almost 3 weeks since his head started to have none stop pain. At first, he would be able to go out and play with his older brothers when his head would stop hurting, but now Ivo kept him with Dingo, who had lost his leg protecting him and Bocoe from wild dogs. It has been two years since that attack, and he was still not fully use to the new, mechanical leg.

He felt another sharp pain in his head. "I got the blanket." He looked up to see his father rushing in and wrapping him in the nice warmth. He placed him close to his chest. The nice beat of Ivo's heart made him relax. He started to feel a little numb.

"How is he, Ivo?" Dingo asked after a few moments.

"Everything will be just fine," He said weakly, "Daddy's here. Daddy loves you…"

"I love you too, Da." Coconuts said almost silently. "Thank-you." He closed his eyes, and felt himself drift.

"Ivo…" Dingo's voice echoed. "What's wrong?"
His grip tightened around Coconuts, yet the little monkey didn't feel much. He was going into a nice, deep slumber. "Don't go, Coconuts. Please…"

"Go? But he's a robot!"

"Yes, but he has a brain cancer that only robots get! It…it…"

Another, more gentle voice over powered his father's. "Are you ready to go on an adventure, Coconuts?" This was a female's voice.

"What do you mean? Can Da come with me?"

"No sweetie." A beautiful woman appeared. She was very white, and had a cloudy aura around her. "Ivo needs to stay here. He has something very special he needs to do."

"Well…can I say good-bye to him?"

She paused, but nodded after thinking. "Tell him that you love him. That's all the energy you will be able to muster up. Open your eyes, Coconuts. Look up into your father's eyes and say that you love him."

Coconuts nodded. Opening his eyes was very hard, but he did it. He felt a horrible pain in his body. "My baby!"

He smiled very weary as he looked into his father's crystal blood eyes. "Da…I love you."

"Yes, I know. You'll be fine."

"No Da…I'm going on an adventure. I'm going to make you proud…Da…"

Ivo nodded sadly, tears flooded his eyes. "Yes, Coconuts. I'm very proud of you." His grip tightened. "You'll be ok."

He felt a light gasp exit his chest. "Da…I'm not going to wake up…am I?"

Ivo started to hyperventilate. He shook his head lightly.

"Da…please say you love me…"

"I love you! I love you with all my heart!"

"Da…I don't want you to think…it's your fault…" He let out a light cough. "I was…never strong."

"Yes you were, Coconuts. You were very strong." Ivo cried out.

"Da…" he tried to lift his paw, but it felt like nothing but air. Ivo grabbed it, and squeezed it. "I'm sorry…I never…caught the hedgehog…"

"I don't care if you caught him or not! He means nothing to me…Coconuts…your my son. And that's what counts."

He smiled. "Thank-you, Da."

"Now…go on your adventure…go have fun…I love you…"

Coconuts sighed, and felt his heart slowly stop beating. "D-Da…don't cry…" A single tear fell from his eye. "I'll come back…promise…" He took his last breath, and he felt a gentle hand carry him up. He saw Decoe enter the room, but it was too late. "Grandma?"

The white lady nodded. "Yes, Coconuts, I am Ivo's mother, Hinawa."

Another figure slowly emerged. "Sleet?"

The creature chuckled lightly. "No, Coconuts. I'm his brother, Hail. Sleet wanted me to watch over you…so I am."

Coconuts buried his head in Hinawa's chest. "Grandma, don't make Da cry. Please don't make Da cry!"

Hinawa smiled. "I promise. I won't. Now come with me. Let's get your little adventure started."