Sweet Endings: Finding Security
Disclaimer: I do not own or take any credit for the original storyline and characters of the +Anima manga.
AN: OMG~! I AM ALIVE~! Although just barely... I survived strep throat which turned into mono and finally the common cold~! I'm still sick suffering from a horrible cough and stuffed nose but well enough to type~! I am super sorry for the terrible long wait~! On with the chapter~!
~Chapter Four~
(Husky's POV)
I opened my eyes expecting to still be in the river or at least outside but instead I saw a wood-paneled ceiling.
"Where?" I wondered... "The men!" I shot up intending to bolt to the nearest exit but I was pushed back down, "No!" I protested struggling against the person.
"Husky, sweetie, its ok, calm down, you're safe."
I looked to see Joelle's worried but soft expression.
"Can you hear me?"
I nodded.
She smiled and placed s damp cloth on my forehead, "You gave us quite a scare... I had to call in a doctor."
"Sorry," I mumbled.
"What were you doing?" she asked, "I've tried talking with Cooro but he's... not doing well."
My eyes widened, "What's wrong with Cooro? I need to see him!"
"Not until you explain to the rest of us what occurred."
"I promised not to tell," I explained.
"Keeping a promise is a noble thing but in this case, Cooro's suffering and we can't help him until we know what happened to cause this," said Joelle in her motherly tone, "Will you please explain what happened?"
I thought over it going back and forth between telling and not telling. I didn't want Cooro to suffer but would he be angry if I told? I doubted Cooro could stay angry with anyone and I really believed telling the truth would help... "Ok, but I'm only going to say it once."
"You've made the right choice, thank you," said Joelle checking my temperature, "Do you think you can make it to the common room?"
I nodded, "I don't stay sick long."
Not much later. We were all seated in the common room on the main floor of the Inn. Nana and I were on the couch, with Senri sitting on the floor leaning against Nana's legs. Neil sat in the love seat and Joelle in a rocking chair by the fireplace.
Cooro was in the bedroom; apparently he gave himself a panic attack and knocked himself out by hyperventilating.
"Husky, please explain to us what really happened to Cooro," said Joelle.
I took a deep breath, "Remember when Cooro ran out upset back when we first came to the village and I followed after him?"
Nana nodded, "I remember that and yelling at you, the day I twisted my ankle."
I sighed at Neil small chuckle, "When I found him he was..." I closed my eyes, the hatred I felt for those two men...
"Go on, Husky," encouraged Neil.
"There was this man and he... he had C-cooro pinned to the ground... he was going to... too..."
"It's ok Husky, we understand you don't have to say anymore," soothed Joelle, "I assumed you stopped it from happening?"
I nodded, "I brought my staff."
"That does explain the odd behaviour and the need to be close to you," noted Neil.
"I can't believe that... almost happened to Cooro!" exclaimed Nana, "I was so rude..."
"Nana you didn't know, don't blame yourself," I said, "I wanted him to tell you what happened but Cooro didn't want anyone to worry."
"Sounds like Cooro," Nana said, "Always putting on a happy mask."
Senri nodded in agreement, "Smiles."
"Did these men attack you Husky when you were in the forest?" asked Neil.
"Why were you in the forest anyway?" questioned Nana.
"They did. Cooro wanted to go to the meadow. I fell asleep and when I woke up he was gone, so I went to find him but when I was looking the men spotted me. I ran and eventually jumped in the river to get away."
"My word! I never would have imagined we would have people like that in our village," said Joelle a pained look spread across her face, "This is supposed to be a place of peace and security."
"People like that make it a career of blending in to stalk out their victims," said Neil, "Can you describe the men?"
"The one guy was taller then you and Senri and called Brett and has black hair and a large built. The second, Jolt is shorter than Senri, brown hair in a ponytail and is skinny. Oh they have these stupid red lollipops."
"The candy store! The men fit the looks of the owners. I knew it was a shady place!" said Neil.
"We don't know for sure Neil," argued Joelle.
"I'm going to kick them out of the village or feed them to the hounds."
"Neil!"
"Joe, they tried to force a child..."
"Enough!" I yelled, "Can I please see Cooro now?"
Joelle nodded, "Why don't all of you go? Neil and I will continue our discussion down here."
"Ok."
Senri helped me walk to up the bedroom. I was still quite sore from being tossed around in the river.
"Husky you really shouldn't have kept this form us, especially Senri and I."
"I'm sorry but it wasn't mine alone to tell."
"Cooro won't be angry with you. He'll understand," said Nana placing a hand on my shoulder, "He loves you."
"I hope so."
Cooro was on his side facing the wall when we walked in. I carefully made my way over to the bed and gently shook him, "Cooro? You awake?"
"Husky?" Cooro yawned, sat up and rubbed his sleep filled eyes, "I was so worried when I saw the l-lollipop... a..."
I hugged him, "Never leave me like that again, Cooro! Never!"
"I-I'm sorry!" cried Cooro pressing his face in my chest, "I-I saw this b-butterfly and it... it reminded me o-of you and..."
"It's ok. Your ok," I whispered softly, "It's ok."
"Cooro..." started Nana. I almost forgot Nana and Senri were in the same room, "Please don't be angry with Husky but he told us what happened to you... and him."
"Y-you told!" asked Cooro, his eyes widening, "B-but you promised you wouldn't Husky."
Before Cooro could pull away, I tightened my grip on him, "I know I did and I'm sorry but you can't keep bottling up your emotions. And also you now have Senri and Nana plus Joelle and Neil to help you."
Cooro looked at me, his eyes red and puffy, tear streaks on his cheeks, "I-I guess its better they know?"
"Yes," I assured.
"Were going to help you Cooro," agreed Nana.
Senri nodded, "Drink?"
"Yes, please," said Cooro.
Senri left to go and make whatever drink he decided would help Cooro.
"Do you think Joelle will let Nail go after those... pigs?" asked Nana.
"God, I hope so," I replied, "Joelle can't believe that there could be people like that in their village."
"They... know who they are? The men?" asked Cooro who had moved to sitting in my lap.
"Neil suspects the owners of the Candy shop."
"We've never been in the shop before," said Nana.
"Because Neil would never allow us, he mentioned he didn't trust the people who ran it," I explained.
"We can only hope for the best," sighed Nana.
Senri soon joined us in the bedroom again with mugs of hot chocolate, Cooro's favourite drink.
"Thanks, Senri!" exclaimed Cooro, the happiness back in his eyes, "It smells wonderful."
"Welcome," said Senri.
"Neil! You can't just barge in their home!"
"There is a high chance they'll go after our kids again!"
"You don't have any proof!"
"Husky gave us the descriptions! You think they would lie!"
Cooro cuddled closer to me, "They're arguing over us. You shouldn't have told! It's my fault!"
"Don't..." I started.
But Nana beat me to it, "Cooro don't say that! All couples argue. It is not your fault."
"But... what if they break up 'cause of it?"
Nana laughed, "Cooro, they won't get a divorce because they don't see eye to eye on one thing. Think of us we've had our fair share of arguments but were still a family, right?"
"Yeah," agreed Cooro, "You're right."
"Why is Joelle protesting?" I wondered, "Doesn't she want to protect is?"
Nana shook her head, "I think Joelle is worried that if they barge in and don't have any proof it would look bad and then they might not get the support of the villagers."
"True," said Senri.
I sighed, "What are we going to do then?"
To be continued or not to be continued...
That is the question...
AN: So that's it for now. Everyone's safe and together~! Poor Cooro though... I hate torturing him but it's just so easy~! So any thoughts to what could happen next? Till next time!