Extreme worry brewed stronger in the pit of Angel and Stitch's stomachs. They had been alone in the house for exactly four hours and twenty-five minutes. Both of them were so bored that they even cleaned the mess up in the kitchen. After their cleaning, the kitchen looked neat, but still needed more work. They didn't watch TV or napped. They paced around the house for what seemed like days until Pleakley opened the front door.
"What's wrong with you two?" He asked.
"Buchee-bu and meega worried." Stitch answered with a monotonous tone.
"Worried? About what?" Pleakley enquired somewhat nervously.
"About Lilo." Stitch responded once again while Angel stared off into space with a far away look.
Pleakley knelt down and placed his three-fingered hand on Stitch's shoulder. Stitch looked at him with shock evident on his face. Pleakley never touched him willingly like that. He was afraid that the little blue monster would bite his hand off or snarl viciously at him. Of course, Stitch would never do that unless the one eyed alien irked him. "Stitch, I still believe you and the pink monster are still little monsters, but I know you two care deeply for Lilo. Therefore, I will tell you what is going on, you just can't tell anybody. Promise?"
Stitch nodded as did Angel. Then, simultaneously, they both said. "Promise."
This was good enough for Pleakley and he sat down. "I'm not going to give you all the details because I don't want to lose Jumba, Lilo, or Nani's trust. Now, Lilo is very sick. I'm sure you've noticed her eating less and sleeping more. Her illness is making her weak, that's why she sleeps so much and rarely plays with you two. I won't tell you what, but what you could do, is make her feel loved until the time comes."
Pleakley then stood to head into the kitchen. Stitch and Angel looked at each other. Pleakley's words played repeatedly in their minds. The two experiments were getting tired hearing that phrase because of the fear that struck them. Once again, the two aliens paced as their concern grew stronger.
Finally, the front door opened. Nani strode through the door with Lilo cradled asleep in her arms. The tear streaked face of their friend did not go by unnoticed by Stitch and Angel. They knew she had been crying. They also noticed Nani had been sobbing too. She had an exhausted expression on her face and bloodshot eyes like Lilo's. Nani sighed as she carried Lilo up the elevator, which led her into her sister's room.
Angel stayed behind while Stitch followed them. Once up in his old room, he pressed a button beside his previous sleeping place to lock the dome. Nani heard a clicking sound and turned around to see Stitch with his hand on the red button, an angry look on his face, and a clenched fist.
"Nani, meega want answers." Stitch replied in a dark tone.
The woman sighed exasperated. "I'm sorry Stitch, but you can't know yet."
"Ih, meega can! Meega nota Lilo sick." Stitch replied, still keeping his dark tone. "Tell Stitch gaba wrong with her! Shoga mockcheeka best friend! Meega have right to know what wrong with her!"
His tone was too loud that it disturbed Lilo. She fidgeted under the covers until her eyes opened to see her best friend. She sighed. "Nani, it's time we tell Stitch. The doctors confirmed of what I have and they know there is no treatment for me. It's time." Her older sister nodded and sat down on the bed beside her. Lilo glanced at Stitch then said, "Stitch, I'm dy-"
A crash outside the house interrupted Lilo's confession. Lilo and Nani seemed to forget about telling Stitch what he wanted to know and exited the room via elevator. Stitch grumbled angrily as he rode down after them. Angel, Pleakley and Jumba were already outside, so the three went out there too. All of them gasped at the two figures outside.
One was a very tall and muscular whale/shark like alien with two tusks. He had robin blue eyes that used to gleam with anger and loathe, but were now sparkling with kindness and gratitude. He wore his same space suit that he had all those years ago. Stitch and Lilo remembered him as their foe in experiment catching. However, now he's their friend. They used to call him 'Stinky Head' or 'Stupid Head', and Lilo and Stitch's common one 'Big Dummy'. Now they call him, Gantu, captain of the galactic armada.
Beside him was an experiment. He resembled to Stitch, but was very chubby. He also had bright yellow fur with a small red nose, tiny black eyes, and cute short ears that hung on the side of his head. Stitch and Lilo before recognized him as a worthless sandwich eater that sticks by Gantu's side and would never earn the Aloha status. Much like Gantu, Lilo and Stitch had names for him, but they were only two. One name they didn't really use a lot was 'Sandwich Boy' and one they always use is '625'. However, after Lilo befriended him, he doesn't spend his whole life making sandwiches, but instead helps protect the galaxy with his overgrown friend and insists to go by the name of Reuben, Gantu's gally officer.
"Gantu! Reuben!" Lilo cried somewhat gleefully as she ran up and gave Reuben a hug. Gantu knelt down and held out his hand. Lilo grasped onto his large finger and shook it as to greet and welcome him into her home.
"Aloha Earth Girl, 626, and Earth Family." Gantu greeted warmly. Even though he was friends with Lilo and her huge ohana, he still felt uncomfortable calling them by their real names. He doesn't insult them like he used to do to Stitch and Lilo, but he does use his nicknames for them.
"Aloha!" Everyone replied together as Stitch and Angel came forth. Jumba, Pleakley, and Nani didn't trust Gantu and Reuben completely, but Stitch and Angel were willing to give them a chance.
Reuben turned his head to see Angel. He noticed her and Stitch weren't holding hands, which sparked a bit of hope for him and slight curiosity. Since his last vacation on Kauai, he and Angel developed a fun friendship. He learned so many interesting things about her that just boosted his crush on her. Yes, even after all these years he still had an infatuation with her. At first, he thought it was only her beauty that attracted him in the first place, but as he spent more time with her, he realized he was starting to fall in love.
Stitch walked up to Reuben and held out his blue hand. The yellow experiment envied Stitch. Sure, he had a decent job and a great friend, but Stitch basically had everything. He had a suitable home, Lilo, a supportive family, and most of all he had Angel's love. Reuben secretly wished he was Stitch, but he would never admit it to anyone. After shaking Stitch's hand, Reuben smiled when Angel pulled him into a hug.
Angel had always liked Reuben since Lilo motivated him. Before, she thought of him as some fool who wastes his life with sandwiches. Now, she thought of him as a friend. After all, he was nice, funny, strong, and smart too. Since his last visit here, Angel could have sworn she had some bubbled up feelings for him, but she ignored them. The thought that she was with Stitch remained firmly in her mind, so she ignored her growing feelings for Reuben.
"How youga doing?" Angel asked as her heart almost leapt out of her chest because of his warm smile.
"Been doing good. Gantu and I are really working! Isn't that right buddy?" Reuben asked and earned a nod. He looked back to Angel. "How about you."
"Been okitaka. Why Reuben here?" Angel suddenly asked.
Instead of Reuben answering her, it was Gantu. "The grand council woman informed us that we needed to go back to Earth because something came up. She said she'll tell us tonight and that we must stay here until the time is right to leave."
"She said it was a matter of months. So, I guess I'm going to be living under the Aloha house for now am I right?" Reuben enquired.
"Reuben can come inside, but what about Gantu?" Nani asked meekly.
"Ah uhh, big whale could sleep in Jumba's ship. Plenty of room there." Jumba informed. "Little Girl and 625 will be handing him Earth morning meals."
Jumba led Gantu into his ship to show him where he would be sleeping. Nani, Pleakley, Stitch, Angel, and Lilo showed Reuben around the house. They took him into Lilo's room and showed him Stitch's old cot, which they told him he would be sleeping in. Reuben unpacked his things to settle in the small room.
After Reuben and Gantu settled down in their temporary environment, the day went by as usual with slight changes. Gantu took a walk around the island while Lilo, Stitch, Angel, and Reuben played in the forest. They played tag until everyone became exhausted. They collided in the grass, making a circle. The circle went from Stitch, to Lilo, to Angel, to Reuben, and back to Stitch.
Reuben suddenly reached forward, but stopped when his claws grazed across a velvet paw he knew had to belong to Angel. He grasped it softly and was very relieved when Angel grasped back. Both experiments had smiles on their faces as warmth flooded them from their joined paws to their hearts. Reuben slightly tugged Angel closer to him, which she acquiesced. Stitch felt a delicate hand placed in his own. He didn't need to glance at it to realize it was Lilo's soft, tan hand. His claws curled around the hand that held his. He let go a breath of air as she scooted closer and linked their arms as well.
As the quartet held hands, they all had their thoughts.
Angel is so beautiful! She's so sweet too. Oh how I wish I could be Stitch, even for one day! Reuben thought as his hand squeezed hers tighter.
He's changed so much. I remember him as an idiot who only cared about my looks. Now, he changed oh so much! Why didn't he show me his 'Reuben' side before I returned Stitch's love? We probably could've been together and I wouldn't feel torn between two guys. Angel thought wistfully as she moved closer to Reuben.
Why do I feel so safe when I'm with Stitch? What is this burning feeling I get when he touches me like this? He's such a sweetheart that I wish I could be Angel even for one day. Sometimes, I wish I were an experiment as lovely as Angel was, so I could feel what it's like to have his love. Lilo wistfully thought as her heart pounded in her chest.
How is Lilo doing this to me? She makes me feel more special than Angel does. I think I still love Angel, but could I start loving Lilo too? Stitch asked to himself and began to tug Lilo closer.
The four laid there for a while until they noticed the sky turning orange. It was sunset. Angel and Reuben released each other's hand and looked to Stitch and Lilo, who still had their hands and arms entangled. Angel bent down to wake Stitch while Reuben went for Lilo. However, Angel's paw latched onto his arm and shook her head with a worried expression. Reuben, confused, stepped back and watched as Angel shook Stitch awake.
The blue experiment opened his eyes then looked to his right side to see Lilo's hand still clutched in his. He let go of her hand, swerved his arm out from under hers, and walked over to her. Reuben was about to tell him not to wake her up since Angel wasn't doing that, but he was mildly surprised when Stitch just bent forward and scooped her in his arms. He glanced at Angel with a distraught look on his face then started to head home, knowing Nani didn't want them out after dark. The two experiments followed Stitch as he carried Lilo towards home.
When they reached the house, Reuben opened the door for Stitch who thanked him quickly and went up the elevator to lay her down. Reuben looked suspiciously at Angel who just shook her head. Suddenly, he heard Gantu calling his name from outside. Reuben turned towards Angel, who had her eyes focused on the dome. Gathering his courage, he leaned forward to kiss Angel's cheek. The pink experiment, bewildered, yet bashfully, smiled at him and returned the same kiss on his red nose.
Reuben grinned at her just before leaving to see what Gantu wanted. Angel remained in her spot until Stitch came down the dome with a tired face. His ears drooped, his shoulders slouched and he staggered towards her. Angel knew he was very worried about his best friend and she opened her arms for him to embrace her. He accepted her offer and pulled her close to him. Even though he appreciated Angel being there for him, he started to feel uneasy around her.
After they separated, Reuben raced inside the house. Angel raised her ears in surprise as he enveloped Stitch in a tight embrace. "Stitch! I'm so sorry! I know this is hard, but you have me and all the other experiments to go to for comfort."
Stitch quickly pushed Reuben from his chest. "Gaba youga talking about?"
Reuben didn't answer, but instead took Angel into his arms too. "I'm always here for you Angel. Whenever you need me. I'm so sorry."
"Reuben! Gaba youga talking about?" Stitch enquired once again as he pulled the yellow experiment away from Angel to look at him.
"Stitch, Angel, I know it can be hard to accept what's happening, but pretending not to know about it is not the way to heal your pain. All you have to do is make Lilo feel loved until the day comes. You'll feel better knowing Lilo left this Earth knowing how much two experiments loved her." Reuben whispered with a sad voice. "I'm sorry she's dying Stitch. Really, I am."
"Gaba!" Both Stitch and Angel screeched together as Reuben walked away.
Angel remained rooted to the ground as Stitch went up the elevator. This time, he was going to get Lilo to tell him everything. He won't care about any interruptions; he will get her to tell him what was wrong.
When he reached the tower, Lilo was still asleep in her bed. A part of Stitch told him to wake her while the other part told him to wait. He had no patience for the latter and ran over to her. He shook her vigorously as Lilo started moaning in protest. He licked her cheek with his tongue, attempting to slime her so she'll rub her cheek. When she raised her hand to wipe the saliva, he grasped her hand and pulled her up to him. Her eyes opened at the tug, but when they did her eyesight was blurred.
"Stitch?" She asked in a feeble voice. "What are you doing here?"
Stitch jumped off the bed, reached for the red button and pressed it. A clicking noise sounded the whole room, assuring Stitch the dome locked itself. He turned to Lilo and crossed his arms, his eyes glistening with the emotions he showed before, pain, worry, and frustration.
"Stitch wants answers."
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Lilo and Stitch or their characters. I only own the story, plot, and Kira who will be appearing soon.
Note: The next chapter is where you learn what Lilo's sickness is and whether she'll die from it or not, but it's pretty obvious she'll die from it. Now, before any of you reviewers pass out from suspension (Xoverguy) then I'll give you a little bit of information. It's nothing I created, but it's a very plain disease. So, if you think Jumba accidently did something to her or this disease was passed on from something creative, then you're wrong. Also, this story is far from over. If you think chapter ten is going to mean that the story is almost over, then you are wrong. I had thought about ending the story like that, but that would be pretty boring don't you think? That's why Kira is going to show up soon and I hope you guys find her very surprising. This storyline is not where Lilo-has-this-very-bad-disease-and-she-and-Stitch-fall-for each other-but-she-dies-in-the-end. Trust me, I have some ideas to make a subplot for this so stick with me after you hear of Lilo's disease.