Chapter 17

Twins: Takehiro

"So, how's Zoe?"

I shut my locker and looked at Cassie. She must have been worried about Zoe because she looked as if she hadn't had enough sleep.

"She's okay. Grandpa said that she could skip school today," I assured her. "She needed a day of rest after what happened last night."

Zoe had fainted that night and I had to carry her back home. When Grandpa saw her burns, I was about to come up with an excuse but he raised a hand and took Zoe to bed. I'm glad to have an understanding grandfather.

"Is it really okay to tell her everything?" Rachel asked.

"She should know," I replied. "We can't keep her away from the truth. She had enough of this. I'll bring her to your place, Cassie."

"I can't believe we're doing this," Rachel muttered. "And for the second time!"

I sighed. "It's best we tell her today. Rachel, just trust us on this. Is that too hard to ask?"

She shrugged her shoulders and looked away.

"Once you know her, you'll think of her as a friend," I told her. She and Cassie looked at me with surprised eyes. "Zoe has never made new friends since Sakura died. Not even one."

Rachel looked away but I saw a glimpse of guilt on her face. Cassie looked sad.

"I'm sorry to hear that," she apologized. She didn't have to though.

BRINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNG!

"Well, I'll see ya later...if I'll ever survive," I told them.

"Survive? What do you mean by that?" Rachel asked.

"Considering that Zoe may be in one of her moods today."

I rode off on my bike and went all the way back home. I was on my way to the door when I heard music. Calm, peaceful but fast-going music.

It was coming from around the corner of the bungalow. I walked there. There was a small overhang that suspended over Grandpa's koi pond and garden. There beside them was the living room. The door was opened for some reason.

I peeked in from behind the bushes on the overhang. In the living room was Zoe, dancing. I thought she was supposed to be resting!

She twirled in a spin and danced at the beat of the music. She raised her hands in the air before settling one down to her knee. She danced very gracefully. This was the first time I've seen her dance like this. And for some reason, it was like how mom used to dance.

Snap! I stepped on a twig. Uh-oh.

Zoe looked up in alert. She saw me! I waved at her nervously and laughed timidly. Her surprised face slowly turned to a face that sent chills down my spine.

"Takehiro...!" she growled, and I really do mean growl.

"Wait! It's not what you think!" I yelled, waving my hands.

"BAKA!" she yelled, ignoring my cry and fired-

-Watch out!- someone shouted. Tobias?

THUNK! The radio hit my face and clearly knocked me into the koi pond.

PAH-LOOSH! I hit the koi pond. I felt something cold and wriggling down my shirt though. I pulled out a koi and saw Zoe slammed the door shut.

"It's not what you were thinking!" I shouted but I knew she ignored me.

Twins: Kaoru

That jerk! That idiot! Who does he think he is?

I marched down to the front door with another radio in hand. Grandpa peered from his newspaper in the living room.

"Kaoru, where are you going?" he asked.

"I'm just going out for a walk," I told him.

"You know you are not well. Is it because you are trying to skip lesson today?" Grandpa asked with a fuming face, his glasses sparkled.

"N-No!" I shrieked. "I just want some peace and quiet! Geez!"

He laughed. "Sure, sure. Be back before dinner."

"Okay," I said, nodding. "And if you see Takehiro, tell him not to come after me!"

He nodded as I closed the door behind him. Just when I was about to take off...

"Zoe! Wait!" Zack yelled, running around the corner, soaking wet. "Would you please listen? I have a very good explanation for being there!"

I stared at him and smiled. "I know you do."

He looked at me with a face, "What the heck?".

"You do?" he asked.

"Sure," I told him, grabbed a bucket that was near the door, which was full of water and threw it at him. I smiled at the soaking not-amused brother of mine before grabbing him by the collar and flinging him to the ends of the sky. "I UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY!"

"YARRRGH!" he screamed, crashing into a tree. I took off, caring less of him.

I walked off for a few minutes and turned to a hidden path that no one has used for a while. I needed some time alone after everything that has happened last night.

I needed it before my life would be ruined for the second time.

In a much unexpected turn.

Twins: Takehiro

Swirls and stars were all around me and my world was spinning. When my composure returned, I found myself in a tree, hanging over a low branch, soaking wet. Few feet away from the ground. I heard laughter above.

-This place sure is lively everyday,- laughed Tobias, perching on a branch above me.

"Ha, ha. Very funny. Next time warn me sooner that she was going to throw THAT," I groaned.

-Well, you better go look for her,- he said.

"And why is that?" I asked.

-Because she just left a minute ago, heading to the woods,- he replied, pointing a wing to the woods.

I slapped my face. "Great! She must be real mad. Now how am I gonna talk to her to get her coming to Cassie's place without being killed first?"

-That, even I don't know the answer.-

I stared at him and sighed. "Can you help me locate her? She's probably somewhere where I can't find her."

-Hey, a hawk can find anything. A person is easy to find in these woods.-

"Thanks. Give me a minute before we take off."

Crack!

Oh no.

SNAP! The branch snapped and I was on my way down to the hard ground.

"ARRRRGGGGGHHH!"

Sure, my life is lively everyday.

Twins: Kaoru

I found a comfortable spot near a cliff. It was peaceful and the scenery was nice. I placed my radio between some bushes and the cliff and sniffed the fresh air. This was much like what Japan looks like. Mountains, forests and sunset. Except no cherry blossoms. I miss being in Japan

I turned on the radio. It played the only song I ever danced to. And this style of dancing was taught from my own mom. It's silly though. I, a tomboyish girl, like dancing.

"Su na tra ke ya oh to. Mo ye ka mo to ko. Reki ho ma heyo ko se ja va ho no."

I sang out the words that my mom told me to say to rhyme my moves. They were just made up, like a song in a different language.

I have always dance and sang, even after my mom became blind and stopped teaching me. She taught me the moves and rhythm. But that was okay. I continued to dance, even today. It made me forget everything. Well, maybe not everything to be exact. But just made me relaxed.

I felt at peace halfway through the song, when my ears picked up sounds not far. In the bushes.

Someone was here.

I wasn't alone.

Twins: Takehiro

-See her yet?-

-No.-

-...See her yet?-

-No.-

-...See any plump juicy mice?-

-Tell me that's not the goshawk talking.-

-Sorry. I lost control for a while.-

It's been ten minutes since Tobias and I went to look for Zoe. I was in a goshawk morph. Kind of like a favourite bird since Zoe and I seen one in Japan.

-She should be around. She couldn't have gone far,- Tobias said.

I scanned the forest below. With these eyes, we were sure to see a speck of her even under all those branches. It was then I noticed something.

-Are you sure you saw her heading east from home?- I asked.

-My eyes never deceive me.-

-Then do these grounds look familiar to you?- I asked.

-Yeah, they do look pretty fami – Uh-oh...-

I could guess.

-Don't tell me. This i's where Ax is, right?-

-Yup.-

-And my sister's heading that direction?-

-Most lucky.-

-...I can see her walking that long way to the mental ward right now.-

Twins: Kaoru

"Who's there?" I demanded. No answer. Well, I wouldn't expect an answer. Even if it was Zack looking for me. But for some reason, I knew it wasn't him.

Calm yourself. There's nothing to worry. Probably an animal.

Calm myself? And what if it's really a wolf or something? I heard in these woods there are wolves but not near where Grandpa's house is.

I was cautious though. Slowly, I switched off the radio, my eyes still looking at the bushes. I turned back to the bushes.

"Come out," I demanded. I clenched my fists, ready to attack in case it was indeed a wild animal.

Slowly, a figure emerged from the bushes, led by a familiar face. I was startled. It was Ax. How'd he find me here?

"Ax?" I muttered, looking shocked at him.

"Hello, I didn't expect to see you here. X-pect," he said kindly.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him, puzzled. I hoped he didn't see me dance. Or heard me singing.

"I was walking around here when I heard this melody. Me-low-de," he replied.

"Melody? You mean my music?" I asked. Guess he really was from a far away place. Literally.

"Music. Mu-syc. It was very pleasant. Pla-send," Ax said. "Different from all the melodies I have heard. Hear-d. Including that movement you were moving. Move-ment."

I blushed. He saw me dance! Oh my god!

"Y-You saw my dancing?" I asked.

"Dancing. Is that what you call it? Dan-sing," he said.

I weakly smiled at his word-playing but frowned as I looked away.

"Are you all right?" Ax asked. This time, no playing with words.

I took a moment before sighing. "Is...is everyone angry at me about what happened yesterday?"

I rubbed my arm uncomfortably. I wanted to know if everyone, including my brother, were angry with me. He didn't answer so I guessed I had to tell him why I asked.

"After last night and the day before, I feel like I don't know anything anymore. I felt...unprotected. Unsecured... And yet, I still want to fight. I was fighting to find out what was going on..."

I paused.

"I figured...that if I find out what was going on, I wouldn't have to be afraid..." I started to laugh softly. "I must have been insane... To go to a place that was filled with aliens...just to find out the truth."

I looked back to Ax, then turned away.

"You might think that was all my imagination. Maybe it was. Maybe all I was seeking for was a lie..."

I was beginning to believe that was just a nightmare last night. That the vision was absolutely nothing. That what happened to me didn't happen at all.

"I guess...I can't expect the things I always have expected to happen," I said, before looking down.

"...You were seeking for the truth?" Ax asked.

"...I guess so."

"...Since Prince Jake did suggest telling you everything, I guess it is all right. As humans say, 'It wouldn't hurt', it wouldn't hurt to show you."

I blinked, puzzled at Ax's comment. Since when was Jake a prince? And what on earth was he talking about? I turned back. And nearly gasped.

He began to change. I repeat that: He began to CHANGE!

Hooves began to grow on his feet. His arms became thinner and weaker. Extra fingers emerged on his hands. His lips slowly sealed together and then the colour of blue fur covered his skin. Stalks with extra eyes began to grow out of the top of his head.

Front legs began to emerge, growing straight out of his chest. His human knees were reversing direction. I imagined my own knees breaking and cracking.

His spine elongated and a tail appeared. Along with the scythe-shaped blade. I shivered, seeing that sharpness. It kept on reminding me of the sword. The sword that nearly ruined my life.

I quickly shook the feeling when I saw him tumbling forward. His front legs were, um, 'slow in progress'. Without even thinking, I rushed and grabbed him before he fell. I was startled of what I was doing without thinking. I blushed when he looked at me, but I looked away quickly.

Just calm down, Kaoru. Calm down? I'm holding an alien who was once a guy I almost liked, for crying out loud! Wait! Did I just say I like him?

Once his front legs finished growing, I quickly let go of him and looked up. I nearly trembled but I had to shake it off. This was the alien at the mall and the warehouse. Standing right in front of me. In the flesh.

"Y-You're still Ax?" I asked.

-Yes. But my real name is Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill.-

My soul felt like jumping out of my body. He just spoke to me! Without a mouth! Or was it telepathic?

"W-What are you?" I asked, trying to feel a little fearless. "Wait, that didn't come right."

I think he laughed softly. -I am an Andalite.-

Andalite? That was what that cop called him back in the mall.

-I must thank you. For giving me this gift.-

I was puzzled at first, but when I saw someone shiny around his neck, I figured it out. Around his neck was the necklace with the ring. The necklace I gave to him at the mall.

I gave a necklace to an alien. And he was still wearing it.

-And for the distraction that day. It was you who distracted those humans 'mall cops', wasn't it?-

My eyes widened with surprise. He saw me. Throwing that bag to a shop to distract the mall cops away from them that day. I looked away, rubbing my arm more uncomfortably.

-If it wasn't for you, I would have been captured...and Prince Jake, Marco and your brother, Zack would have been taken.-

I cleared my throat and managed to speak. "I-It's not a big deal. Considering that my brother was involved in this."

I looked up to him. He had that smile in his eyes. Kind of strange to tell an Andalite's expression from his eyes. I looked down.

"Is it okay...if you become human? I-I'm still a little shaking about all this... I'm not trying to be...offensive."

My grip on my arm that was nearly burnt with scars tightened. You would feel the same if you were staying in front of an alien who you've met as a kind human.

-I understand,- he said. It didn't take him long to turn back to human. I felt a little comfortable. Just a little. Really.

"This is just a little of what you know, Zoe. But know this. Everyone is not angry with you. Even though Rachel is still cautious of you, we are all not angry," Ax said, once his human mouth appeared.

I looked astonished at him and nearly cried. But this time, I forced myself not to cry. Instead, I smiled.

"That's good to hear... That's good to hear," I said, smiling, although I was starting to cry. "Maybe now...I can face everyone...including Zack..."

I wiped my eyes with my sleeve, but I kept on crying, soaking my sleeve. I calmed myself down, stopped myself from crying.

"Thanks," I told him.

He smiled and said, "You are welcome, Zoe. Zo-ee."

I laughed when he played with his words again.

"...Since you told me this...I guess it doesn't hurt to tell you something," I said with a sigh and a smile. I wiped my eyes with my sleeve again and slapped my cheeks before looking up to him. "My name isn't Zoe... It's Kaoru."

Twins: Takehiro

-Well, I guess you can talk to your sister, now that Ax finished proving to her that he isn't what he seems,- Tobias said, perching on a branch beside me. -I'd thought she would scream her head off just like what David did, but I guess not.-

Thunk! -Ow!- Thunk! -Ow!- Thunk! -Ow!-

-Uh, Zack, why are you hitting your head against the trunk?- he asked, looking at me as I continued to hit my head, including my beak at the tree.

Why? Easy.

One: Ax changed into an alien right in front of my kid sister.

Two: Zoe told him her real name.

Three: I'm going to be killed by her once she finds out I kept this secret from her since the day it all started.

Is my life supposed to be plain crazy, or just life-threatening?

tigerlily-2250 – Thanks for the advice. I'll be sure to avoid sugar while I'm bored. Thanks for reviewing.

John – I'll call you John if you call me Vickie. Fair's fair. And don't cry. At least you'll feel better after reading this one. Thanks for reviewing.

INTERESTED – You're right on that chapter. I guess I should redo that part to make it a little more clearly. Thanks for pointing out and reviewing!