"Wow Haruhi." Evelyn commented as she watched a young chimp cling onto the young Japanese school girl while she gave it a bottle. The two of them sat on a couch with monkeys of their own to tend to." He seems attached to you."
"Yeah. I am having a lot more luck then senpai. Besides, you seem to be doing well with her."
Evelyn looked at the small baby in her arms and smiled.
"I am animal behaviorist. This is my specialty. What do you mean about Tamaki though?"
Evelyn followed Haruhi's pointing finger to the kitchen table where Tamaki was making a hot pot of milk replacement. His eyes were captivated while he stirred the hot milk. It seemed like he was frying to fight off tears and a dark aura of gloom.
"Is he okay?"
Haruhi shrugged and adjusted the grip of the baby monkey.
"He was upset when all of the tiny animals bit him or ignored him. Mjomba told him that making the milk is as important as feeding it. Since then, he has been like that. But he will break out of it soon I'm sure."
Evelyn had to stifle a goggle when his eyes lit up as soon as he recognized the fact that the two girls were talking about him. He glided away from the stove top and headed towards the pair of curious eyes.
"How nice must it be for you two to have girl time! Wait, where's Mori-senpai?"
"I dumped him in the hippo tank." Evelyn answered freely. "They would be done ripping him to shreds by now."
"What?" the two Japanese teens looked shocked. Evelyn stopped and put her hands up in a surrender gesture. "I was teasing. They needed more muscle to help unload crates. He should be here soon."
"But hippos wouldn't really tear apart humans, would they?" Tamaki held two fists over his mouth as if he was afraid to find out.
Evelyn nodded.
"They could. They are considered as one of Africa's deadliest animals, much like the crocodiles and the lions. I wouldn't like to meet one up close and personal."
The monkey in Evelyn's arms started to squirm around and ignored the bottle. She was ready to play.
"Tamaki, are you even watching the milk? If it scorches, you will need to make another batch."
His beautiful face fell and he scrambled to the stove with a dramatic cry.
"No!"
Evelyn grinned to Haruhi as he kept continuing with his theatrics.
"Well, this little girl is ready to play. I am gonna let her back in with the others."
Evelyn stood up and set the baby on the ground. Holding her hand out, the small primate reached up and wrapped its small fingers around Evelyn's pinky finger. The girl turned around and flashed a meaningful glance to Haruhi.
"Would you like to join me?"
Haruhi nodded and readjusted her grip on the little monkey.
Evelyn held the door open for Haruhi and the two casually entered the room for the baby monkeys. Their cries of playfulness resounded off the walls, and the two babies the girls once held took off to play with their friends.
Haruhi studied Evelyn carefully as she watched the little ones bounce around in small trees and climbed on the play ropes.
"You have a question, don't you?"
A frustrated sigh was all that came from Evelyn for a few seconds.
"Is Takashi always silent?" She finally asked. "I mean, sometimes I feel like I'm talking to a brick wall."
Haruhi smiled in relief and bent over to a monkey that was holding its arms out for her to pick up.
"He is just like that."
"I just feel like he doesn't care."
"Because he's silent?"
Evelyn folded her hands and nodded her head.
"Yeah. I'm not used to the silence, though it can be awkward sometimes. Besides, it's already been a week!"
Haruhi had to keep from laughing as she stood up to face Evelyn.
"Trust me, he cares. If it's to do with animals or Honey-senpai, he cares."
The door opened and brought the end of the girls' conversation. Both of them turned to see Mori standing in the door way. Evelyn's face flushed pink a little, as if she was embarrassed about almost getting caught talking about him, but it quickly faded.
"Ah, you are back! Let's get to the Lion's Den then, shall we?"
Her hard eyes watched Mori carefully as they could. Her hands rested on her waist, and she was completely unmoving.
"Mori, I have had an epiphany." Evelyn stated firmly as she watched the guy in front of her. However, her posture was quickly distracted when the wind blew hair in her face, causing her feather to attack her eye. Quickly, Eve batted it away and regained her composure.
"I hope it didn't hurt." Mori replied, though slightly amused with her.
Evelyn stopped and felt a small smile play on her lips before she giggled.
"Well, he makes jokes! That is new! Anyways, I am fine and perfectly sane." Shaking her head, she moved on. "Anyways, I think I have found a way to make you journal for your school a little more exciting. Would you like to join me when I visit Nala and Simba? Besides, we're rotating environments today, and I think it'll be a good experience to the pride if I introduce another human."
Mori raised a curious eyebrow. 'Nala AND Simba? Disney should really not influence this girl.' Mori thought to himself, though he said instead; "And you want that someone to be me? Why?"
"Because you are inexperienced with working the lions or any other large, ferocious animals. Besides, I'm not worried about you; that Honey Badger took a great liking to you, and those things are fearless. If that was easy to approach, then these guys will be nothing. Come on!"
Her excitement was almost contagious as she turned on her heels and flipped a lever on the gate. It swung open silently, inviting the two teens inside to its mysterious domain.
Large trees stood protectively all around the environment, the large leaves were practically blocking out the sun to their best abilities. Vines dangled from the tree tops, and rocks lounged lazily next to the fence.
Evelyn glanced around and frowned.
"They're not out an about." There was a small hint of worry in her voice.
Her eyes flashed up to the tree tops, and she studied them closely, looking for lurking shadows or hints that the lions were watching them. Mori was watching too, looking hard into the darker parts of the habitat, but to no avail.
"I have an idea."
Evelyn pushed forward into the thick brush and listened closely. The frown on her face turned into a scowl.
"We're being hunted." She spoke gently as she scooted herself closer to Mori for his protection. A grumble filled the silence followed by a loud roar.
"Don't make any sudden movements. They smell you and are trying to decide if you're a friend or foe."
And then, a nose poked through the tall brush and sniffed. Behind it was a pair of golden eyes that studied Mori. He didn't seem surprised at all; he had heard the male approaching long before Evelyn could.
The King moved out of the brush and approached Mori with a very purposeful stride. The lion walked a circle around Mori, sniffing and trying to decide whether this was a man to be trusted or not.
It was not long before Nala stepped out of the brush to greet her human. The lioness shoved her head in Evelyn's open hands and proceeded to purr in delight. Evelyn giggled, and complied to rub the feline's head.
Simba, as Mori had decided, sat down in front of Mori, watching him expectantly. Mori straightened up and slowly approached the lion with his hand stretched out. The lion was unmoving, and allowed the strange human to touch his large mane. Another hand joined his first one, and soon, Mori and Simba were bonded. It was not long before the remaining members of the pride joined the two humans, curious as to the new comer. They all crowded around him and instantly begged for his affection. Evelyn sat down comfortably on the grass with Nala next to her, both of them watching the scene before them. At the time, everything seemed perfect.
Nala heard them before Evelyn did, but both of them saw the clouds of dust coming from afar. A frown scowl appeared on her face as she stood up.
"I'll be back." Evelyn spoke. "Stay here with them, please Mori?" A nod was her answer.
Nala stood up and followed her human out of the pen to help greet the new comer. When the jeep got closer, Evelyn recognized it to be Mjomba, and he did not look happy at all. The driver was her aunt Robin.
'Something must be wrong.' She suddenly assumed, and went to meet them at the parking spots with Nala following close behind her. The other lions acknowledged the presence of the vehicle and some moved to the fence line to watch the scene. Simba stood up, only to walk closer to Mori, rub against his leg like a giant cat, and lay down next to the Japanese teen.
"What's wrong?" Evelyn asked as soon as the jeep neared them.
"We have an issue back at main." Robin spoke first.
"There's been a raid on one of the smaller tribes south from here." Mjomba continued.
"How far south?" Evelyn quizzed.
"Far enough for us to not worry about it. We're in the right district." Robin soothed.
"Anyways, there are only seventy five refugees, searching for somewhere to stay until the army comes to retrieve them and help them rebuild." Mjomba continued.
"We are the only place they thought they could turn to." Robin added in. "Besides, you're father left you in charge, so you get to call the shots."
Evelyn sighed and looked back to the lion's pen, to find Mori and the others watching her. She waved Mori to come out and turned back to the adults.
"I'll be up there in a few. Until then, tell the kitchen to prepare meals for these people."
"This is a bad idea." Mjomba
"It's an idea for me to decide." Evelyn replied slowly as she sat down in her chair. A frown creased across her face as she studied the nine faces that were watching her. "What are you guys doing here?" That question was directed to the Host Club.
"Mori came in with you." Robin spoke up for the silent teen.
"And wherever you find Mori, you find Honey." Kyoya added. "Besides, when I heard what was going on, I thought you'd need an advisor, and I volunteered myself."
"And I was dragged here by these three idiots." Haruhi mumbled, waving her hand at Tamaki and the twins. "They were curious as to what was going on."
Sighing, Evelyn leaned her elbows on the desk she was sitting at and propped her chin in her hands.
"Everyone but Aunt Robin, Mjomba and Kyoya needs to leave. The kitchen is in need of help."
Tamaki's eyes grew wide and tears sprang to them instantly. He stuck his lower lip out and made it tremble pitifully.
"B-but why does mommy get to stay?" He managed to finally wail.
Narrowing her eyes, Evelyn glared at Tamaki.
"Kyoya gets to stay because he is another opinion that could be needed."
And like that, the group left, Mori being the last to leave. He even managed to cast a glance over his shoulder to make sure everything was going to be okay.
"We can not possibly decline anyone shelter and a home, especially a time in need." Evelyn spoke first.
"This is not a wise decision, Evelyn." Mjomba fought back, this time a little more frustrated.
"Please explain to me why this would be bad, Mjomba?" Evelyn gave her full attention to her mentor, though at the moment she was not agreeing with him.
"We do not have the funds to buy for these people. Besides that, our deadline won't be reached either, or did you forget? Not only that, but we have no idea as to why the rebellion attacked these people in the first place."
"The rebellion doesn't need a reason to attack people. They are bullies, looking for riches and women." Robin argued back.
Evelyn bit her bottom lip and turned to Robin.
"Well, what do you have to say?"
"It's your decision here, sweetie."
"Kyoya?" Evelyn turned to him.
He shrugged.
"Financially, you could support them, though your budgets will have to be revised. Besides, they could return the favor to you some day."
Evelyn turned silent and stood up from her chair.
"We will not deny people their refuge. We need to get them set up in tents and whatever else they need. I will make a list and run into town for supplies. Aunt Robin, please see to the people and if any of them need any medical attention, grab a vet or two if you need to. Mjomba, help locate spots to set tents up. I will be back soon, so until then, please look after this place. I have the radio. Meeting dismissed."
Grabbing a notebook, Evelyn was the first to leave her office and step out to the conservation. She stopped in her tracks when she studied the scene before her. The refugees were scattered everywhere in different sized groups, looking shell shocked and at a loss for words. They were not like any of the other Africans she had encountered, but a true tribe. The clothing and piercings told her all she needed to know. All of the eyes instantly went to her small figure, and they fell silent. One man stood up tall and started to approach her.
"Are we allowed to stay?"
She could only assume he was their chief from the spear in his hand and the markings all over his bare, dark skin. His piercings were far greater than the others, and a hint of wisdom shone in his eyes.
Evelyn nodded as she felt the presence of someone behind her. She knew all too well that it was her aunt.
"You are free to stay here until someone comes to retrieve you. This is Robin, and she will see to it that your people are treated for any wounds or sickness. The cafeteria is currently open, and I will return tonight with tents, blankets and supplies for you all."
Those dark eyes, if they could be any lighter, lit up.
"We are most grateful to you."
Evelyn shook his hand and smiled again.
"If you need anything while you are here, come find me or my aunt, please."
Right now, she was not going to trust Mjomba. It was not like him to oppose the idea of helping people, especially his people. She would send a letter out to her father while she was in town and inform him of their current state.
A/N: I would like to personally thank my one, strong reviewer, The Midnight Shadow Star, who has reviewed every single chapter relentlessly! I appreciate your support throughout all of this madness, and your offer to beta for me, however, I have found someone already, but I must thank you again and again! And to the others, Rose Thourn, Vivid, and the oh-so wonderful and loyal reader, Ayjah (who has followed me since I started writing everything), XxSilentHostessxX, and JapaneseClute thank you all. I hope I haven't run anyone off yet. Anyways, I am going to warn you all now, this might be a bit longer than I intended because I have a bazillion ideas running through my head as of now! .
Love,
Jazzy