Chapter three- Brotherly Protection
Crash's eyes were drawn into a dark scowl. He was well aware the bilby sitting across from him was conscious of his glares, and in response the sheepish boy turned his head from side to side in attempt to ward away Crash's evil glares. Of course, there was no hope of that. Kieran Bilby was spending more and more time with his sister, and because of that simple fact he was Crash's most current enemy. From beside Kieran, Coco frowned darkly at her brother.
"Crash!" She hissed over her shoulder.
Crash ignored her warning, keeping his gaze focused on Kieran even as he lifted a bit of fruit from his plate and plopped it into his mouth. Kieran cleared his throat, took a drink of water, and then glanced around nervously. Coco tried to ease some of the tension.
"So, Kieran. Where exactly are you staying?"
"I built a house in one of the trees along the south side of the beach. It's not far from here, actually."
"That's a big surprise." Crash muttered bitterly between chews.
Crash yelped in surprise as he felt a sharp kick against his shin from beneath the table. He glanced at Coco, and she wore such a demonic expression he nearly trembled. He sighed. Although he didn't particularly like it, he supposed he punished the bilby long enough. He grinned, his expression fluidly changing from malevolence to camaraderie.
"Well, it's wonderful to have you in the neighborhood. Let us know the date of the house-warming party and we'll bring over a lamp."
Kieran furrowed his brow, and glanced toward Coco with a quizzical expression. Crash was still smiling. Kieran obviously wasn't privy to Crash's rapid alterations of humor. He seemed unsure if Crash was being sarcastic or not. Crash couldn't blame him for it, of course. After all, he wasn't sure himself whether or not he was feeling sarcastic. Coco offered a small laugh.
"Let me apologize for my brother, Kieran. He's a tad challenged in a few areas."
Kieran offered a small nod and half smile, but Crash could see quite clearly that he was not convinced. Coco sighed heavily and turned toward Crash with a serious expression.
"Crash, Kieran and I are going to search the island to see if there are any more of our kind living out there without a home. It shouldn't take very long, and you're welcome to help us if you want."
Crash furrowed his brow. "More of our kind? I think we've seen enough of that lot for a while now. Most of them moved to N. Tensity Island anyway."
"Not Anthrians our own age Crash. Children."
Crash's hand hovered in the air for a moment, the succulent bit of fruit momentarily forgotten.
"I thought Aku said kids couldn't be evolved."
"He didn't say they couldn't be evolved. Just at the time there were none that he knew of. They're probably hiding themselves in the jungle somewhere, and we need to find them."
Crash considered this. "Well, what if you do find them? What if you find a whole colony of little ragamuffins living out there in the brush. What are you going to do then?"
Coco's eyes glazed over with anger as she glared at him.
"Are you suggesting we do nothing?"
Crash shrugged. "No. I'm just saying you should think about what you're doing before you jump into another Good Samaritan mission."
Coco's fury was steadily rising, and Crash caught sight of Kieran slowly rising to his feet with an awkward expression. The room was beginning to become a little too hostile for the soft-spoken bilby. He cleared his throat nervously and reached for a piece of sliced pineapple.
"I'll just go and see if Jag's hungry." Kieran clarified quickly as he strode out of the kitchen and into the living room.
Coco's eyes followed Kieran's departing form for longer than necessary, but Crash didn't mention the fact. He would have enough to deal with without irritating his raging sister further. She turned sharply, and stared at him with an expression of utmost disbelief.
"How can you be so cold? Are you honestly going to let your laziness get in the way of helping creatures that can't protect themselves?"
"Hey, I don't want to look like the bad guy here." Crash said, lifting his hands in submission. "I'm just saying that if you come across a dozen or more of these kids, they're going to have to live somewhere. On that note, what makes you think you can take any better care of them?"
"You're unbelievable." Coco snarled.
Without another word Coco got to her feet and stormed out of the room, muttering angrily under her breath. Crash was growing more and more worried each passing day that Coco would lose her restraint and give him a good thrashing. Heaven knew he deserved it. He heaved a sigh and brushed his fingers through his hair. He regretted what he said at once, but he still could not help feeling a twinge of uncertainty. Yes, he was lazy. There was no debating that obvious fact. However, he had also forced himself to get off his butt and rescue the world countless times. He believed he had the energy to act when the situation warranted it. But this plan of Coco's worried him. He wasn't heartless. If any youngsters were in trouble he would step up to the plate with no questions asked. But what could any of them do for a group of kids? The thought of having to be counted upon for something like that sent Crash into a tremble. He didn't want that kind of pressure. However, he already knew before speaking his doubts that he'd help. He'd always lent a hand before, why stop now?
Crash got to his feet, feeling embarrassed for his conduct and intending to apologize to Coco. As he came into the living room, the sight he saw there made him stop in his tracks. Tawna was sitting back in the chair she frequently relaxed in, and she was glowing radiantly with a smile inspired by the small child beside her. The little panther's eyes were wide as he gazed at Tawna's swollen belly. Tawna smiled.
"Would you like to feel something?" She opened her palm. "Give me your hand." Wordlessly, he reached out a hand and placed it into hers. Tawna pressed his hand against her stomach. For a few moments, there was no reaction. Jag cocked his head quizzically to the side, and glanced up at Tawna. She put up a finger, urging patience.
"Just wait." She said.
A moment later, Jag's eyes grew as round as saucers and he pulled his hand away in fright. He jumped toward Kieran, who was kneeling close by, and grasped his arm. Kieran chuckled as he regarded the little boy.
"Know what that is Jag?" He asked.
Jag took his bottom lip between his teeth and turned back toward Tawna. She was still smiling softly.
"It's a baby." She said. "All you felt was a little kick."
Jag blinked, and uncertainly came forward. He glanced up at Tawna again.
"A baby?" Jag asked, so quietly that Crash could hardly hear him.
Tawna nodded. Tentatively, Jag reached out his hand and returned it to Tawna's tummy. He gasped when he felt another kick, but he didn't remove his hand this time. Carefully, he pressed his cheek against Tawna's stomach, his brow drawn into a stern expression of concentration. Crash felt a wave of self contempt curdle within him. How could he be such an idiot? Coco was looking on with an easy smile, her arms crossed over her chest and all evidence of past annoyance vanished from her face. Crash stepped into place beside her. She didn't look at him, and didn't speak at once. Crash snorted after a brief moment of silence.
"I feel like a jerk."
"You are a jerk." Coco corrected acidly.
"I'm not completely to blame though. Why do you let yourself get bent out of shape? You know I'm a bonehead."
Coco pursed her lips. Crash could tell from his side glance at her profile that she was trying very hard to remain angry with him. As usual, it couldn't last. She offered a small smile.
"You're not a bonehead, Crash. A little moronic, maybe. But, you always manage to do the right thing."
"What's another break from my vacation? We can make this work."
Coco grinned, and elbowed him in the side playfully.
"I knew I could count on you big brother."
Crash scratched his ear and offered a small shrug. The two of them turned back to the pleasant scene before them, watching Jag's young face light up with each passing kick of Tawna's baby.