Author's Note: Okay, I know I was evil last chapter and this chapter doesn't really help, but I promise, zebras next chapter, okay? And, hopefully, I'll have 16 up tomorrow.

Sharina: lol. At least this one's not too much of a cliffie?

SD: Well, I'm glad someone likes cliffies, since I seem to like writing them so much. O.o lol. Yeah, Graham would not be happy if Cassie found out about him.

Liaranna: Zebras next chapter! I promise! Full explanation!

Lady Aura: lol, I know, it was awful…O.O I posted…please don't bite me…?

Ojichristain: Thankies…lol. Yeah, finish the other 14 chappies. ^_~

Disclaimer: "Locksley! I'm going to cut your heart out with a spoon!"

Chapter Fifteen- Ax

aka Cassie! You Naughty Girl!

I was tired that morning. I spent most of the night searching for Tobias. I was very worried about him, especially when he didn't show up to greet me as I performed my morning ritual. I suppose I still had a small bit of hope that he had just been temporarily detained. Until then, that is. So that's why, even as tired as I was, I finished eating with the decision to start searching again. I don't think I'd forgive myself if I stayed in the forest while something happened to him.

I had intended to fly alone, but as I was finishing up my run, an osprey swooped down from the sky to perch on a branch off to my right. I slowed to a stop.

Marco? Cassie? I asked. Because they used the exact same osprey to acquire, I wasn't sure which one it was.

Cassie. She replied and began to demorph.

Cassie has quite a talent for morphing. Even for an Andalite, she would be gifted. Her human form slowly emerged from her bird. The last trace of bird to leave her was her wings, her feathers, and her eyes, so that for a few seconds she was almost entirely human, save for a feather pattern on her skin, wings instead of arms, and an osprey's fierce gaze. Then she was human again.

"I thought I'd join you today." She said, using the tone that I believe is called 'casual.'

Shouldn't you be attending class with Prince Jake and the others? I questioned.

She smiled, looked a little embarrassed, and shrugged. "I figure no one would mind if I skipped class just this once so I could look for Tobias. It couldn't hurt to have two pairs of eyes searching, right?"

I nodded. It is a human habit I have begun to pick up. I find it very useful. I suppose that makes sense. And I would like your help. I added, in case she had assumed I didn't want her searching with me. Sometimes I am not sure what offends my friends and what doesn't. I have started to be better at realizing, though.

Cassie nodded back. "Right. Okay. So, any area in particular you wanted to search today?"

I would like to search the buildings near the forest. Perhaps he has taken refuge in one of the alleys. I replied.

"Sounds good to me. You ready to go now?" She asked.

Yes. I have finished taking my morning meal. I replied as I began my flying morph, the bird called a northern harrier.

Cassie must have started morphing again, as well, for when my morph was complete I turned my harrier eyes over to her and discovered she had finished sometime before me. She looked at me as well.

Well. She commented. Shall we?

She spread her wings and took off, with me following closely behind. We searched the area around the woods for some time, holding what humans call 'small talk.' It involves talking about subjects that have no real importance except to fill the silence. I do not mind it so much. Sometimes it is quite enjoyable, especially with Cassie. I learn a lot about Earth animals from her.

About half a mile from the forest, we flew over a semi-large, rundown building. There were several human automobiles called trucks parked in front of them, with little designs on the sides. I believe many companies put them on their vehicles to be able to tell whether or not that particular car belongs. It is actually a good idea, since otherwise many human cars look alike.

The design on the side of the car, however, brought a curious reaction from Cassie.

What are they doing back in town? I thought I took care of them the last time they were here. She fumed.

I was puzzled. Is there something wrong with this Graham's Travelling Circus?

Something wrong with them? You should see the way they treat animals! It's disgusting! She replied.

I see. What did you do last time they were here? I asked.

She paused for a moment, then sounded embarrassed. Mmm…Nothing. I certainly didn't get Rachel to help me break in and steal all the animals, then leave them a note telling them never to come back.

I laughed, because I recognized this form of humor. Saying the exact opposite of what is true seems to be common in human jokes.

Don't tell Jake? She requested.

Don't worry, Cassie, I will keep your secret safe. I responded.

Thanks. Hey, wait a second. I just thought of something. She circled, coming closer to me and to the building. Remember our theory of Tobias getting injured and Samantha picking him up? Well, these guys get the animals for their acts by finding them helpless on the side of the road. What if they found Tobias?

Do you think they would have taken him here? I asked, hopeful that we might have found him.

I don't know. He might not even be here. It's just a theory. She replied.

Ahh. We should inform Prince Jake of this, though. I suggested.

She agreed with me, so we started towards the school where my human friends attended. I spotted Prince Jake walking around the grounds and started over to him. Cassie hung back, and I glanced at her.

Maybe you should just go tell him. She said.

Why? It was your discovery. I reminded her.

She sounded embarrassed again. He might be mad at me for ditching school….

Oh. All right, I'll go speak with him. I continued flying toward him.

Thanks, Ax. I'll fly around here while you do. She took off in another direction.

I met Prince Jake in a small room called the bathroom, where I tried to tell him our discovery but got interrupted before I could really give him any information. I had to leave so no one would see me in there, as there were several people on the verge of entering. I took off out the window, trying to find the cause of the panic that made the students wish to enter the bathroom. I couldn't see anything, but I heard lots of shouts, pounding footsteps, and what sounded like hooves.

Ax! Ax, you better get over here. Cassie called.

I scanned the sky and saw her form circling over one spot. What's wrong?

We've got some trouble here. I don't know how they got out from their habitats. They're probably gonna call my mom in…Crud! If they do, she's gonna go home to get her tranqs. She thinks I'm sick. I gotta go, Ax, tell the others what happened! Cassie turned abruptly and started flying in the direction of her home as fast as she could.

I had no idea what was going on here. I soared upwards on a thermal, then darted forward, heading for the spot Cassie had been. I was going to find out.