Through Tears and Fears

by Vampire_Pandora

"Can we go see the island mystic?" BabyJenks said as she trotted beside me.

"No! I want to go to the training school." _KamuiX spat. He held his head high as he walked in front of myself and his older sister. He swung his head around and looked at me. "I've found a lot of codestones so I'm sure to make it in!"

"We'll see, you too." I said with a smile. "We have two days before we leave for Maraqua. Remember, you two, this isn't a vacation for me. I have to sell this book."

"Okay," the two said, a little sad.

I smiled and patted BabyJenks on the head. We've been to Mystery Island before, it's where I bought BabyJenks and where we found _KamuiX. Once a month I bring them back so they can visit their birth place. They love the beaches and the forests. It give me a chance to spend some time with them.

The main reason for this trip, though, was to get my book sold to some stores. I'm not a well known author, you know. I've written two books and those were just children's books. Now, I've written a book on raising Kougra's, without breaking down.

"Mom, I'm hungry. Can we get some food?" BabyJenks asked.

I smiled at her. They both called me mom. It's strange, I never told them to but they've called me that ever since I've gotten them. That word makes my day seem brighter.

"Sure." I replied, "_KamuiX, are you hungry?"

_KamuiX looked at me. "Yeah!"

"Okay," I said. "Where to do you two want to go? Shall we go to a restaurant, a cafe, or buy fruit and I'll prepare it?"

"I like the way you make fruit" _KamuiX said.

"Yeah!" BabyJenks said with a nod.

I smiled and pulled out my wallet. I rummaged through it, counting the Neopoints I had. My gold card was at home. The last thing I needed was for it to get stolen on our trip.

"Well, I have enough money for some fruit, and I have all the cooking materials in my back pack." I looked at them. "Where to?"

"FRUIT SHOP!" the two cried.

BabyJenks took my hand into her mouth and led me into a mass of tourists. _KamuiX quickly bolted through them. All I could do was laugh as I saw the people scurry. The other NeoPets giggled and laughed, while a few shook their heads.

"Slow down _KamuiX," I cried as we caught up with him.

_KamuiX spun and jumped around. "No way!" He stopped and looked at BabyJenks with a smile. "I'll race ya to the Fruit Shop."

"You're on, fuzz ball!" BabyJenks said. She suddenly bolted from me.

"I'm not a fuzz ball!" _KamuiX cried as he ran after her.

I shook my head. Adjusting my backpack I hurried after them.

As I reached the Fruit Shop I slowed down. _KamuiX and BabyJenks were sitting beside the door, their eyes shinning. They both smiled and trotted towards me. The two rubbed their heads against my arm, purring.

"Enough you two." I laughed. "I'm not mad, so you don't have to suck up."

BabyJenks giggled.

I pushed open the Fruit Shop's door, holding it as BabyJenks and _KamuiX walked in. A few other pets, and their owners, were there, looking through the fruit and paying for them. _KamuiX stayed beside me as we moved by a Grarrl. I patted him on the head, reassuring him.

"Ah, Pandora! It's so nice to see you again!" Yumba Tumba said from behind the counter.

I smiled at the Techo and approached him. "It's nice to see you too. How is business?"

"Prosperous!" he said. "And what brings you here??"

"Business, as usual." I replied. "These two are hungry so I just wanted to drop in and buy something."

Yumba Tumba looked over the counter and at BabyJenks and _KamuiX, who were sitting beside me.

"My, my! We're growing into a nice young Kougra, BabyJenks." Yumba Tumba said.

BabyJenks smiled. "Thank you!"

"And who is this young man?" Yumba asked.

I patted _KamuiX on the head. "This is _KamuiX."

_KamuiX puffed his chest out as he looked up at the Techo.

"This young boy is going to grow and be very strong," Yumba said.

_KamuiX smiled.

"Okay, you two. Go and grab some fruit. We'll eat it at the beach," I said. The two nodded and disappeared down and aisle.

Yumba looked at me. "So, where did you find the little guy?"

I sighed. "BabyJenks and I found him about a month ago. He was hurt pretty badly. _KamuiX didn't try and defend himself, he was so hurt."

"He's apparently gotten better." Yumba said.

"Yes, he's very protective, but sweet. He gets a little depressed, though" I replied.

Yumba smiled. He reached into a pouch he had around his waist and pulled out a small piece of candy. "Here. Give this to him. He'll feel better."

I took the candy and smiled. "Thank you."

"MOM!"

I spun around as I heard the scream. My eyes widened as I saw a group of island natives run from the store. I ran towards the door, knocking a NeoPet off it's feet as I did.

I burst out into the street and looked around. They were gone. There was no sign of BabyJenks or _KamuiX.

"BabyJenks," I cried. "_KamuiX."

Nothing.

I closed my eyes and fell to my knees. "Please, don't let anything happen to them." I whispered as I held my face in my hands. I began to cry.

"Pandora?"

I raised my head. Yumba Tumba stood in front of me. His eyes were full of concern.

I wiped my eyes. "Where did they take them?"

The Techo lowered his eyes. "They've taken the two to the Coconut God."

"Please tell me they're just going to go introduce them to the God," I begged.

"No."

I blinked and the tears began to fall. "They're gonna sacrifice my babies, aren't they?"

"Yes."

"Can I stop them? Neither of them need to be destroyed."

"I don't think you can."

"But why?" I cried. I climbed to my feet. "Why my pets? There were so many in that store."

Yumba shrugged. "The natives are very mysterious. They choose with the will of their God."

I wiped my eyes and looked around. A trail of foot prints were set in the dirt. They led off into the forest.

"Is the God that way?" I asked, pointing into the forest.

Yumba nodded.

I narrowed my eyes. "I'm going to get my Kougras back from those natives. I won't let them vanish."

Without saying good bye I ran into the forest. The limbs of the trees scratched my skin as I ran faster and faster. Vines broke and twigs snapped as I jumped through them. The market place was far behind me, and so was anyone that could help me.

The sound of chanting and drums led me the rest of the way. I could hear the sound of fire cracking and could smell the smoke. Shadows of the dancing and chanting natives were tossed by the fire and the sun onto the sand.

I knelt in the brush and watched them. BabyJenks was tied onto a pole, a rope around her neck. She was crying as she watched the natives. _KamuiX, though, was being dragged towards the statue of the Coconut God. His paws were tied together and his muzzle tied shut.

"Oh no," I whispered.

The chanting stopped once _KamuiX was laid in front of the statue. One of the natives approached him. He looked down at _KamuiX, and watched as he struggled against the ropes.

The native turned to the statue and said something. The others repeated him. This went on for a few minutes.

Slowly the native turned back to _KamuiX. He pulled out a sword. Saying something he raised the blade above his head.

"STOP!" I cried, bursting from the brush.

"MOM!" BabyJenks yelled.

I let my back pack slip from me as I ran towards _KamuiX. I dodged the native's grabbing hands. Nothing could stop me. All I wanted was to make sure my darlings were going to live.

When I had stopped running I had placed myself between the native and _KamuiX. The natives were stunned.

"I will not let you sacrifice my pets to your God." I cried. Tears were falling down my cheeks again. "You'll have to kill me too."

The native lowered the sword.

I looked back at the native. "Let them go." I begged.

The native said something.

"What?" I said.

"He says you're a brave woman." BabyJenks said. I glanced at her. She had chewed through the rope. She quickly ran to me. "He's never seen someone do this before."

I swallowed hard. "Tell him I'll trade him anything I have for you two. I'll give them plushies, books, food, toys or money. ANYTHING. I just want you two back."

BabyJenks looked at the native and began to speak in their language. The natives looked at each other and spoke.

"They want four plushies and six thousand Neopoints," BabyJenks said quickly.

"Okay then. I'll give them what they want," I replied.

***

I saved them. It took us an hour to get back into the market place. _KamuiX was a bit shaken up and didn't want to leave my side. BabyJenks stood beside him, making sure he'd keep up with me.

As we reached the Fruit Shop, Yumba Tumba walked out to greet us.

"I am surprised to see you all," Yumba explained. "The natives usually don't give up so easy."

I nodded. "I know. I gave them four of my plushies and six thousand Neopoints," I sighed. "It's a hefty fee but I'm happy I have my babies are back."

_KamuiX shook. "Mom, I'm hungry."

"I am too," BabyJenks said.

I looked down at them. "I have about five sandwiches in my back pack. They took most of our money, so I can't buy us much."

Yumba looked at me and took hold of my hand. "Why don't I give you some fruit?"

"Oh, no. I couldn't..." I said.

"Nonsense. You've been through a lot in just a few hours," Yumba explained.

"You've helped me out a few times too. I'll give you some Zeenana, Cocoa Juppie, and Tigersquash, free of charge."

I smiled and threw my arms around the Techo. "Thank you!"

The End