-1"LOST
HEARTS RETURN HOME
Chapter5
By TuckerCloudkicker
Even the righteous sinned, the wealthy beg, and the happiest of all have seen the sadness of this life. The strongest have fallen and the brightest of flames can often grow weak and threaten to go out. The heart is like that flame; even through the worst of storms…the heart will go on.
Taking a deep breath as he had left the bedroom of his somewhat happy home the little navigator known as Kit Cloudkicker put a grin on his face. Happy to see his friends again he knew he would have to make this excuse sound as real as he possibly could.
As he took the first step to make his way down to the main floor the cub cringed as he heard his name called by Miss Cunningham. Unsure of why the 12 year old couldn't help but feel a bit of dread as he noticed the slight worry in his employers voice.
Quickly taking the stairs as possible, Kit tripped a couple of times and had almost gone head first down the last turn. No need to worry them anymore than they seemed to be already he was sure.
"Hi Miss Cunningham, Hi Papa Bear…."
As the last few words faded from his mouth Kit stared nervously at the two adults standing just a few feet away. Baloo tapping his foot impatiently as Rebecca stood rather closely to the larger bear holding what seemed to be a stack of messages he had taken from this morning and last night.
With a confused look on his face the cub looked back and forth at the two and felt a knot form in his throat. A few beads of sweat started to form on his forehead as his voice returned to him.
"Uh…Hi guys how was the trip? I hope everything went okay. You look a little annoyed did I mess up on the messages again?"
That was when the larger bear and pilot of Higher for Hire had taken a slip of paper off the top of the pile Rebecca was holding and held it out for Kit to see.
"I don't know Kit did you? Or should I call you… Mouse?"
As quickly as the boy could read the small letters of the already spoken nickname on the sheet a gasp had escaped the boy's chest. Stepping back instinctively the pupils of Kit's eyes seemed to grow to the size of saucers as he himself seemed to shrink a bit.
Had he in his fearful state of delirium reverted to his old nickname and signed it on the sheets without realizing it? Had the dreams and memories of the past affected him that much?
Taking a few panicked breaths Kit realized his past was finally catching up to him and they would want to know what was going on.
Looking at the two like a cornered cat, Kit realized that once they found out about his life they would probably not want him around any more or Atleast their relationship would change drastically.
Looking to them again Kit realized Baloo had continued to watch him and couldn't tell if the big bear was upset, concerned or just being impatient again. Even though he knew Baloo was a hotheaded bear with little or no patience he still wondered how little it would really take to set him off for sure. He didn't want to find out.
Still…He wondered if he could he tell them honestly them what had happened to him? What if he did and they had become disappointed with him for being dishonest this whole time. There was no way he could go back to living the way he did than. There was no way he could survive that way of having those who took care of him looking down him like last time. Not again.
Finally speaking up Baloo tapped his foot again.
"Well Li'l Britches were waiting. Between this and keeping us waiting you have a lot to explain…"
Like Kit before his own words trailing off as the little navigator's shoulders slumped suddenly. Any confidence the boy was carrying before had seemed to suddenly disappear like a mirage.
Looking him over Baloo saw a boy he could not recognize though he knew him to be his friend and navigator. It was slightly disturbing to see the boy change so drastically and so quickly.
Where was his confidence and smiling face that he knew so well? Where was the fire like spirit that made Kit such a fighter? It had irritated him on occasion but at the same time it had made him come to love the kid as well.
Finally speaking Kit truly caused the two to be concerned as a small whimper escaped his chest. What came next was a voice so small both adults almost had to strain to hear. Both noticed the uncertainty that seemed to strike down each word.
"I-I-I'm…I'm sorry Miss Cunningham…Papa bear. I guess I got kinda tired last night and didn't really pay attention to what I was doing. I-I-I'm sorry…I'll try to do better next time."
Baloo could only stand there staring at his small navigator in confusion. Baloo had remembered hearing Kit like this before and had to strain to remember where at.
That was when he finally remembered. It was on the way back home after he had saved Kit from that nut pilot Dan who almost got his friend killed. Kit had been so remorseful in that moment when he had said he was sorry for leaving. All he could do was forgive him. He had loved the kid too much not to. Of course Kit had instantly cheered up in that instant.
In the here and now things were very much different. Kit had seemed to fall back into that mode and appeared unable to snap out of it at all. With a sigh the big bear stepped forward and kneeled down in front of the cub that suddenly bolted over and partially behind the overstuffed arm chair.
"I…er…wha?"
Baloo stared blankly now as he had quickly turned to see kit peeking out from behind the chair. Confusion had completely set in as he watched quietly.
There had been times when Molly had gotten into one of these moods where she would get bashful around him and kit but…Never Kit himself. Kit was never the bashful or shy type though there were the times he had flinched or moved away from Baloo even though the kid had seemed to always trust him.
Looking up to Rebecca finally Baloo had remembered she was there as well and from the looks of it she seemed to be confused as well.
"You'd think he was scared of us." Rebecca murmured to Baloo as she had decided to give it a try slowly making her way to the chair.
"Kit? We're not mad at you. We…Just want to know what's going on is all. You know we wouldn't hurt you. Now come on over and…"
Before she could finish the cub had let out a whimper and hid farther behind the chair. That was when she heard the angry growl from behind her and watched as Baloo sped past her and up to the chair picking kit up by the back of his sweater and placing him in the crook of one of his arms.
"That's it kiddo I'm tired of waiting for you to come out and tell me what's going on. I tried to be patient and figured you'd tell me on your own time but this is getting out of hand! I've never seen you so anxious and uptight as you have been lately. Now you're going to tell us and you're gonna tell us now!"
Neither of them had expected what happened next.
A startled yelp left Kit as he suddenly bit the grey bear causing him to yelp as well letting go of the now scared cub that fell to his feet and let out a feral growl.
"You don't understand! You just don't understand! Neither of you do! I…wouldn't expect you to. You have no idea what I've been through. Living on the streets in the cold and…The orphanage. You have no idea what I had to do to stay alive!"
Standing there panting and gasping for breath the cub was about to go off again when Baloo stepped closer.
"How could we understand? You're so quiet about your past we know nothing about you except for being an ex pirate! When we do try to find anything out you run off using the excuse of finding someone to teach you to fly!"
Kit himself had begun to protest that if he had been willing to teach him he wouldn't have when Baloo cut him off.
"Yeah sure that was one of the reasons you left but that's not the point!! You leave when things aren't going so well and when you do stick around you keep quiet about your problems!! When are you finally gonna trust me!!"
Standing there quietly he waited for the cub to respond. He had hoped that finally he had broken through to the cub that stood struggled to get the words out or Atleast maybe finally realize he could trust Baloo.
Looking up finally the boy grimaced and shook his head speaking in that quiet weak voice again.
"I-I'm sorry I can't…"
Before the big bear could speak again Kit had bolted for the door and was gone Leaving both adults speechless and confused.
"This is not good Baloo. Maybe you should go after him. The way he's acting right now he may get himself hurt. I'd hate it if anything were to…"
Turning to speak to the larger bear she stopped in mid-sentence seeing the angry hurt look on the pilot's face.
"Forget it Rebecca I'm tired of chasing after him! He'll come back when he's ready. Me I'm headed to Louie's to take a break. I've been stuck in that plane for 9 hours with you lady I need to relax!"
Heading off to the door Baloo had already expected Rebecca to start in on him about being irresponsible lazy and every other name she generally called him. He was quite surprised to find that he had gotten to the door and silence still seemed to hang in the air.
Shocked that she had not said anything Baloo turned to give her a look of disbelief.
"What's a matter boss lady too tired to yell at me again?"
Trailing off the big bear watched his now teary eyed boss and friend as she wiped away a tear. Sure he had seen her cry a few times but still it surprised him when he did see her cry.
Not to say that he thought she was heartless or only cared about making money, even if he did say that to her from time to time.
"You know…I really don't understand you at all Baloo", she started as she wiped a few tears from her eyes.
"You tell me how much Kit means to you one minute and than when things get rough you act like you don't even care. Not to say I've been too helpful but you two have been through a lot are you willing to risk him not coming back this time?"
Stopping to think the big bear thought for a moment and knew she was right. The biggest thing on his mind was that he had also been guilty of not airing out his closet either. Unfortunately he was never too good at admitting his flaws.
With a slight growl Baloo waved dismissively at the bearess and walked out.
Having fallen into a state of complete tears Kit had picked a direction, any direction and had bolted away from Higher for Hire as fast as his legs could take him. Not knowing how long he had been running or where he was the young navigator only knew that his legs were starting to hurt immensely and were soon to go out on him.
Finally realizing he had ended up in one of the many cities parks Kit had collapsed to the ground and lay there unmoving as he tried to catch his breath. Not sure if it was fear or the distance that he had run that was causing the pain in his chest Kit tried to calm himself down afraid that he would start to hyperventilate.
Louie's place was often considered one of the best places all over for a great party or even just to forget your troubles for a little while. Unfortunately it had seen an oncoming storm that did not affect the place he called home but the hearts of a few of those who made this night club a sanctuary.
It was sad to see his greatest of friends in the state they were in. Both Baloo and kit had seemed to take on a state of denial of how they felt even though I could be plainly seen of both of them. Shaking his head Louie sighed as he heard the engines of the Conwing slowly make its way up to the dock and wondered if the storm hadn't already arrived.
Once again the bartender looked back at the picture wall behind the counter to gaze at his favorite picture of bear and cub and gave a little chuckle. It was amazing how the two were so much alike. If it weren't for the color difference between the two Louie would have thought the two were…
"Come on Louie get a hold of your self it can't be him. He's been dead for years" He whispered to himself or Atleast thought he did when the front doors creaked open.
"Who's been dead for years?" That familiar voice asked as he slowly made his way to the bar and looked at his longtime friend curiously.
Looking over the Orangutan's shoulder he noticed a familiar picture in Baloo's hand and looked back to Louie.
"Louie…Who's been dead for years? There's something you aren't telling me."
Wincing slightly Louie felt that all familiar tingle up his spine and slowly turned around a grim look on his face.
"Cuz…We have to talk. With all the things that have been going on, I've been thinking about what happened and I…well… We there is something I gotta talk to you about concerning Kit."
Sometime had passed and Kit had finally regained his breath and finally got his feet again. Having somewhat composed himself Kit had realized exactly where he was for the most part.
Franklin memorial park. One of the older parks in Cape Suzette had been closed due to a few wells that had scattered the park making it dangerous due to a hand full of fall ins. Even though all of them were said to be covered the city did not want to take any chances.
From the looks of it the place had stayed unoccupied for quite some time. To Kit that seemed like a blessing as he realized he would have to do a lot of thinking before making a decision as what to do. Taking a few deep breaths the cub started to move through the park as his mind forcefully moved back to his old days before he had met Baloo and ….
"Hey look guys it's a little scared mouse!"
A startled yelp escaped the cub's chest as he spun around hearing a voice that sounded so familiar.
"Hey mouse afraid of your own shadow? What's a matter? Scared they won't like you?"
Where were they? He had heard the voices but no one was there. Trembling now the cub spun around hoping to catch sight of anyone who could be hiding.
"Come on Mouse! Of course nobody likes you you're just a scared little runt who's afraid of his own shadow"
Moving backward the cub was now shaking like a leaf in the wind. Tears started to weld up in his eyes again as he put his hands over his head.
"It's not real. It's all in my head it's not r-r-r-real… I'm just dreaming awake. But why won't it go away I…"
"Hello mouse….Hello mouse….hello mouse hello….Cloudkeecker"
Standing up straight Kit spun around and felt all blood drain from his face as he stared into the face of Don Karnage.
"No!! Noooooo!! You can't be here you can't!" Spinning around the terrified cub burst off as fast as his weak legs could take him. He knew this couldn't be real. Don would never be able to get into Cape Suzette.
Sobbing the cub screamed into the air begging this nightmare to give him some peace.
Standing a little closer now Baloo felt his stomach do flips after his friend had told him that they needed to talk about Kit. The funny thing is that's exactly why he had come but he didn't understand why Louie needed to talk to him about the kid.
"Louie You've been acting kind of strange since we left. I've noticed you look at that picture more and more these days. What's going on buddy? I know you had a long talk with Kit the day we left."
Baloo wasn't sure he wanted to know and had regretted the moment the words escaped his mouth as he saw Louie hop up onto the counter and take a seat.
Baloo…I know how you asked me not to talk about him again but…Have you ever thought about your son since the day he well. Since the day he passed on?"
Plopping down on one of the stools Baloo took his hat off and dropped it on the counter and growled slightly. This had been a sensitive spot for him for years and Louie had brought it up only once after it happened. Their friendship had almost ended that day.
"I…I don't remember the last time I thought of him. I haven't even visited the site where they placed his marker. I just figured I'd let the past go. I don't understand. What does this have to do with Kit?"
Hopping off the counter and back behind the counter, Louie pulled out a shoe box. One that Baloo had seen before. A box full of memories that had longs since began to gather dust.
Pulling out a picture Louie lovingly set it on the table and blew the dust off.
"T-that's the picture of you, me, Elizabeth and…my baby boy a few weeks after he was born. I remember that. We had a huge party celebrating the opening of the delivery service and the birth of my son. I can't believe you kept it. I still don't understand buddy what does this…"
Baloo's words faded as Louie set the picture of kit and Baloo next to the old one and realized just what Louie was implying.
"Louie if this is some kind of joke I'm not laughing. This isn't like you. Why would you make a joke like that? You know my son is gone."
Looking up he realized Louie wasn't joking.
Having stopped running Kit gasped for breath his legs felt like they were on fire. No matter where he ran the voices in his head would not give him any solace. Spinning around frantically Kit could no longer take it. As he placed his hands over his ears he stumbled about in scared confusion only to find no comfort. Blinded by his tears the cub spun around again and before the sound of splintering wood could register Kit found himself falling into the vast darkness of one of the many wells and before the cub could let out a gasp of breath a sharp pain stuck the back of his head and all went silent.
"Baloo haven't you ever wondered why the kid looks so much like you? Why he's got that same blasted stubborn attitude and an ego to match. That and why is it they never told you what was reason for his passing? Did you even see your son when they told you?"
Baloo shook his head trying to ignore his friend. He had already thought this himself but knew it was crazy to think that kit and his son had anything to do with each other.
"Even if my son were alive there'd be no way of him finding me! It's impossible! Hell there's no way! You've got no proof that he's alive I'd know my own son if he…"
Baloo once again stopped as Louie pointed to kit's leg in the picture.
"Your son had a birth mark on the back of his leg didn't he? A little heart shaped birthmark?"
Baloo gave the old friend a curious look as if he wasn't sure.
"Remember when Kit hurt his leg that night old short stuff tried to take over my Island?"
Baloo nodded and swallowed nervously. His heart started to race as dread started to fill him.
"I thought it was a bruise at first but it looked to light to be a bruise. I remember looking closer. I…I remember now. It …It was a birthmark in the shape of a…"
Baloo had fallen silent as realization hit like the Seaduck on the ocean from a mile up.
"Baloo…Your son is alive…Kit is…"
Baloo could no longer deny it. The facts were staring him in the face.
"Kit is my son………"