A/N: Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Horton Hears a Who or its characters. I don't own the song that Tabby sings; it's from the Seussical so Dr. Seuss owns it. I do own my own character and my own plot.
JoJo grabbed his backpack off the floor and, with the help of the elephant, he got on Horton's back. Valerie, Tabby, and Zeke followed him and they disappeared into the forest with Kangaroo and Rudy hopping next to Horton.
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Kangaroo and Rudy was hopping in front of Horton, checking if it was safe to continue. On the way, they warned animals about Kevin and introduced JoJo to them. After ten minutes of walking around, a yellow puffball fell into JoJo's lap.
"Ahhh", it said as it turned its eyes went bug-eyed.
"Uh, Horton? What is that?", Valerie asked. He turned his head slightly to see what see was talking about.
"Oh, that's Katie.", he smiled, "She's one of the students I teach."
"Uh, hi. I'm JoJo.",
"I live in a world full of ponies who eat butterflies and poop rainbow.", Katie said as if it was perfectly normal.
"That's, uh, different."
"I live in a world full of unicorns and bunnies, but the bunnies are cutting themselves and the unicorns are acting all goth again.", Tabby said out of no where."
"And I thought Katie was weird.", Kangaroo whispered to Horton. Valerie then smacked Tabby upside the head.
"Ow! What the hell was that for, you stupid wanker?!", Tabby hissed.
"Stop acting emo, biscuit!, Valerie said. During their little fight, Katie climbed up on top of JoJo's and jumped down into Valerie's lap. She stared down at the little yellow puffball as it settled into her lap.
"I think she likes you.", Tabby said.
"Great, the weird one has to pick me."
"I don't really see a problem there. You guys have a lot in common.", Zeke joked.
"You are lucky, I can't reach you."
"As if, you won't do anything. You threaten, but then later you forget completely."
"Shut it."
They walked around the Jungle of Nool until the sun started to set in the distance. Kangaroo and Rudy went their own way home and promised to tell them if they see anyone suspicious walking around. Horton took the group of four to a near by cave for shelter as rain started to drizzle down. As soon as they safely got inside, the rain got heavier. They put their few possessions together in a pile as they set up beds for to night. Valerie set up firewood they found in the cave and lit it up with her lighter. As soon as the fire was on, they saw they cave stretched farther than the light would go. They set leaves on the floor as bed while Horton used his truck to grab some fruit from the near by bushes. No one really said a word while they sat near the fire. One little sound would make their head jolt, everyone that is, except JoJo. Whenever there was noise he kept his gaze into the fire. Later, Horton fell asleep a few feet away from the fire, while Valerie, Tabby, and Zeke left JoJo alone.
"What do you thinks wrong with him?", Zeke asked, looking at JoJo, who was still gazing into the flames.
"Who knows? His mind is complicated sometimes.", Valerie said, leaning up against the wall of the cave.
"I feel bad on him, ya know? First his dad's gets killed and later he finds out his real dad is out to kill him. It must really suck.", Tabby said.
"You, guys know I can hear you from over here.", JoJo said loud enough for them to barely hear.
"Sorry.", Valerie called back to him, "Do you wanna come and talk about it over here? Talking about it will make you feel better, ya know?" He shook his head, stood up, and walked farther down the cave.
"Where are you going?", Zeke asked.
Without turning around, he answered, "I just need to think." He then continued on his way. Valerie again hit Tabby up side the head like last time, just harder, once their cousin was out of view.
"Ow! Bloody Hell, Val, what was that for again!?", Tabby complained.
"He's now more depressed because of what you said.", Valerie accused.
"Not everyone can be a great comforter like you!", she snapped back, getting annoyed, "Besides I can't help it if I say the wrong things."
"Do you think we should follow him, just to make sure he is ok.", Zeke interrupted, before the two girls start to fight.
"Nah, we should just let him be for now. He must have a lot on his mind.", Valerie said, before she got up. She stretched her arms until feeling returned back into them. "Well, I'm going to bed. Good night, guys."
"Same here."
"Me, too." Zeke stood up first and held out his hand for Tabby. She grabbed it and pulled herself up. She muttered a very quiet, "Thank you.", before she headed for her leaf bed.
~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~Midnight~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~
Tabby woke up in a sudden jolt as she woke up from a nightmare. She couldn't remember everything that happened, all she knows was that Kevin found them and killed JoJo without a second thought. She looked to JoJo's bed and saw it was still empty. She looked to entrance of the cave and saw a small black figure sitting there. Tabby made a grabbed for her pocket knife as she approached it with caution. As she walked closer, the figure looked for familiar. She was for sure it was JoJo, so she tucked the knife into her hidden pocket and sat down next to him. He didn't seem to notice her as sat down. JoJo had his backpack to the left of him and had the small shotgun in his hands.
"Hey.", Tabby finally said, seeing he won't say anything first. He nodded his head, to say hello, and went back to staring out. "I might not be as good as a talker like Val, but I can listen if you want to say anything." Still no response from the little black and gray Who. "Ok, I know something is eating at you."
"I have no idea what you're talking about. Why would you think that?", JoJo said with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. Tabby ignored his tone and smiled, just glad to get a response from him.
"You have the gun out." JoJo looked down at said object and shrugged as if it was no big deal. "Are you worried he will find us?" She was again answered with a shrug.
"Not really."
"What about your mom?" He jolted up as if he forgot about his family back home. She smiled as she realized this must be what's worrying him. "You know, there's no need to worry, 'bout Aunt Sally. I mean she probably has police around the house and she has the family by her side, like Uncle Mevin. He can probably snap anyone into a twig. So I believe she's in good hands for now."
"No its not that.", he sighed looking at the ground, "I'm mainly worried about what I have to do if he tries to kill us."
"Use the gun, simple as that."
"I don't know if I can do it.", he admitted, "I mean, I know he wants to kill me, but he's still my dad. How would you feel if you had to kill your own father?"
"Confused."
"Exactly my point.
"When that moment, comes you'll know what to do." He sighed again and looked sad as if nothing happened.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!", she hissed.
"What?"
"Seriously, you're acting if nothing ever happened, like your dad didn't die.", she said, anger starting to build up.
"Are you sure you're not bipolar?", JoJo asked, seeing her mood changed quickly.
"Yeah, I'm sure. Why does every-.", she cut herself off and changed her tone back to how it was before, "Hey don't change the bloody subject! You're acting as if someone else died, not Uncle Ned. You're the last person I thought who wouldn't cry at the funeral."
"Not everyone cries at those, you know?"
"Well, everyone but you cried. Those who didn't even personally know him, were crying their eyes out. Even the priest had a tear go down his bloody cheek."
"Maybe, I didn't want to cry in public where everyone can see!", JoJo snapped, "They say when someone cries they show weakness. I don't want people to think their future mayor is weak and maybe I don't want to admit that my dad, the one that actually gave a damn about me, is gone. Forever!" Tears streamed down his cheek as he continued, "And my real dad is out to freakin' get me! You know maybe if I wasn't born, my mom would actually happy life."
"Now do say that! You know it's not true." She pulled him into a hug before he could argue back as he sobbed hard into her shoulder. She rubbed his back, in a failed attempt for him to calm down.
"Shh. It's going to be alright. You still have me, Val, and Zeke. Not to mention the rest of the family that would do anything to protect you.", she cooed. She knew nothing that she could say, could calm him down. She started to hum a familiar tune, a tune every Who in Whoville learns when they are young. She sang softly, once she notices he started to calm down a little bit.
They say breezes are warm there
And people are kind
Maybe it's something like Heaven
I close my eyes
And see in my mind
Skies of bluest blue
Solla Sollew
I've had so much trouble
Finding my way there
When I get close,
It disappears
If we can get there
We're gonna stay there
If it takes us miles
If it takes us years
High on a mountain
Or lost on the sea
Sooner or later, I'll find it
I have a picture
Of how it will be
On the day I do
Troubles will be through
And I'll be home with you
Solla Sollew
Solla Sollew
Solla Sollew
Solla Sollew
Solla Sollew
Solla Sollew
Solla Sollew
JoJo sang the last line with Tabby as she neared it
I'll be home with you….
He calmed down and pulled away. He also mouthed the words, thank you.
"Your welcome.", she whispered, "Remember Valerie, me, and Zeke are always there for you. 'Kay?"
"Yeah.", JoJo said barely over a whisper. They sat back in their old position before he asked in a childish tone, "Do you think he's there?"
"Who?"
"My dad, Uncle Ned?"
"Yeah, I believe he's there.", she answered, looking up to the skies, "I bet he's looking down at you right now, watching over you, in Solla Sollew. One day, you will see him again. I can guarantee it."
"Oddly, I suddenly feel sleepy.", JoJo yawned. He slipped the gun back into his bag and tossed it over his shoulder.
"I guess you got a lot off your chest I bet. You go on ahead; I'll go back to bed in a few minutes." He nodded his head and smiled sadly before he continued to his bed. Tabby stood in silence for a few minutes, looking at the stars.
"Why'd you have to go so soon, Uncle Ned?", she muttered, before she turned back to the cave where she saw Valerie watching her. "What?"
"Good job, Tabs.", Valerie said before going back to bed.
"Thanks.", she muttered back and headed back for her bed.
A/N: Ok, I couldn't help but use that song. It's called Solla Sollew from the Seussical. I was supposed to add on another part, but this was getting to long so I decided to stop the chapter there for now. If anyone wants to see, I drew a picture of one of the scenes and posted it up on Deviantart. I have a link to my pictures on my profile. Until next time! Read and Review, but please no flames. I hope you readers enjoyed this chapter! Since school is started in just a few short days, I won't be updating as frequently, so check up every now and then. It's going to get good in the next few chapters!