Animal Adventure

Chapter 20: Happiness is with You

Aka lets out an exaggerated sigh as she gets off the phone. A headache slowly forms. Aka did not like how this turn of events is happening on her day off. Aka decides to take some medicine, so she goes inside. The headache comes almost full force when she sees Cecil playing with the boys. Teresa is also with them, but she looks up at her twin. Without saying a word, Aka nods her head towards the stairs. Teresa nods and quietly tells the boys that she has something to talk to with Aka. The twins make their way to the multi-purpose room, but not before Teresa going to the bathroom to get Aka some painkiller. Once Teresa locks the door, Aka puts her head on the desk, almost slamming it.

"What happened?" Teresa asked as she drags one of the chairs to be next to Aka.

Aka straightens up. Teresa gives Aka the painkillers. With some difficulty, Aka swallows it dry. Teresa sits down and Aka immediately lays her head on Teresa's shoulder.

"This is much bigger problem than we have to deal with before." Aka said. "As you can already guess, Cecil is a prince."

"So? We can return him home, right?"

Aka's face tightens. The pain is shown in her eyes.

"We can't."

Teresa can hear Aka's voice tighten. Teresa's heart break to hear Aka sounding so exhausted and defeated. Sounding so sad and regretful.

"Why?"

"Just like Prince and Fighter. Just like Knight and Trickster. They can't go home. Cecil can't go home."

Aka turns her head, her face presses against Teresa's shoulder. Aka grabs the edge of Teresa's shirt and grips it tightly. Teresa couldn't see her sister's face, but Teresa can feel a wet spot forming where Aka's face is. If Teresa's heart shatters into pieces before, it is now.

For her whole life, Teresa knows that Aka is a strong person. Aka would never let her weaknesses show to anyone. Anyone but Teresa. Teresa makes Aka let go of her shirt and instead holds Aka's hand in her own. Aka tightens her grip, almost painfully, but Teresa ignores it.

"What do I do?" Aka asked, her voice strained. "They are all so young. Too young to be apart from their families."

Teresa leans her cheek against Aka's head, feeling her soft hair. Teresa didn't answer. She didn't know how to answer.

"I don't know." Teresa said softly. "I don't like how they are separated from their families too, but there is nothing we can do. What you can do is take care of them until they can go back to their families again."

Teresa uses her free hand and begins to pet Aka's head. Teresa strokes Aka's hand with her thumb. This gets Aka to relax a little.

"And you are not alone." Teresa continued. "You have me to help. And have Andy and other people to help us."

Hearing this makes Aka relax completely. The two sits in a comfortable silence. Teresa starts to hum, rocking them back and forth. With the combination of the humming, rocking, and the painkiller, Aka almost falls asleep. What makes Aka jump out of her dozing is the knocking on the door.

"Teresa?" Otoya's voice called. "Aka? Are you okay?"

"Yes." Teresa answered back. "Please wait a minute."

Aka reluctantly gets off of Teresa so she can open the door. Teresa purposely blocks the doorway so the boys can't see Aka.

"Are you sure?" Otoya asked, trying to see Aka.

He unfortunately can't see her. Teresa looks behind her, watching Aka. Aka motions Teresa to get out. Teresa nods and steps out. She closes the door before any of the boys can look in.

"Sorry. Aka is busy right now. She wouldn't be able to play with us." Teresa said with an apologetic face.

Otoya and Natsuki's ears droop down in sadness. Cecil looks confused and the rest looks concern. Teresa sighs.

"Aka promised she would play with us all day." Otoya mumbled.

"Aka really wants to play with us too, but this is really important." Teresa said. "Hey. Why don't you show Cecil around the house?"

Almost immediately, Otoya and Natsuki perk up and practically drag the kitten downstairs. Syo and Ren follow close behind, either to stop them or to watch. Teresa knows this is only a temporary distraction but for now this should be enough for Aka to be composed. Teresa looks down when she feels someone tugging her shirt. Tokiya looks up at Teresa with Masato next to him.

"Can we do something to help Aka?" Tokiya asked.

Masato nods, also eager to help in any way he can. Teresa softly gives them a smile and ruffles their hair.

"For now, we can leave her alone." Teresa said. "Don't worry. Aka will be with us before we know it."

Teresa gently pushes the two winged boys to the stairs. Understanding her wordless command, Tokiya and Masato go down to search for the missing hybrids. Teresa watches them disappear down the stairs. She stands there for a while before going back into the room. Teresa finds Aka still where she is but with her head on the desk. Aka picks her head up when she hears the door opening.

"You should talk to them after you figure out what to do with Cecil." Teresa said.

Aka nods before putting her head back down. Teresa sighs as she makes her way to Aka. Instead of sitting down, Teresa grabs Aka's upper arm and gently pulls her up.

"If you are tired, go to bed."

"I don't want to." Aka mumbled in her arms.

"I can't carry you." Teresa said.

"Yes, you can." Aka argued back. "You just don't believe in yourself."

"Aka." Teresa firmly called. "I am not carrying or dragging you to bed."

Teresa has her hands on her hips. Aka groans dramatically but finally gets up. Teresa lets go of her sister and guides her to their shared room. As Aka gets ready to take a nap, a thought comes to Teresa.

"We should get the boys proper beds." Teresa said.

Aka nods. She crawls under the blanket.

Before she can fall asleep, Aka said, "Let's plan a day so we can surprise them."

With that, Aka is out like a light.

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