I raced through the
regrowing forest,careful to avoid Lake Flaar.No way I was running into
that again.I had a slightly bad feeling about this. Just caution instincts
really.You'd really think it'd be easier to go in
and out of possible death.Far from true.You
may learn how to deal with it better,but it is always hard.Always.
I kept going,careful
to see other Andalites before they saw me.I could morph,but I truly didn't
like to do it,and I didn't much anyway.Andalites are scared of Sinia.Not
a kafit.
It was an in and out
spy mission.No big deal.Took me five minutes.I got back to the rebel base,gave
Jaradara the information,gave Halais his tags and had some small
talk,but mostly I wanted to go back to my quarters and fall asleep.I
admit that freely.I hadn't slept in over two weeks.When I got to my quarters.When
I got there there was a very young Andalite youth standing off to the side.And
a note.It read:
Dear Sister,
This is Fanali-Latrai-Collouganth,your niece.My wife and my land
were destroyed,and we were hoping you wouldn't mind taking care
of her.Your choice.We know you're a busy person.But we won't
be around to take care of her anymore.
Nalak-Gothrow-Leevasila
My brother?Alive?Niece?My
mind was reeling.I swiveled a stalk eye at the youth.She was young enough
to think of me as her mother.Maybe.
< Mother? >she asked
timidly.
Yup.
< Yes,Fanali? >
< Where are we?
>
< Our home,sweetheart,
>I sighed.< Home. >
< Jaradara,you are
not helping me here, >I yelled,pacing across the room. < How am I supposed
to take care of a youth?I canbarely keep myself alive!I can't be her mother.
>
< Sinia,calm down.If
she sees you upset like this,she'll get upset. >
I put my head in my
hands and leaned on the wall. < I don't know what to do, >I admitted.<
I don't. >
Jaradara came over
and put his arm around my shoulders in a protective gesture.< You could
always send her to an orphanage. >
< No, >I said firmly.<
No.I won't do that to her. >
< Well,it's not
a crime to ask for help,you know. >
< Yes it is, >I
said,walking away.I turned to face him.< For me,it is.I'm supposed to
be tough.Unbreakable.If word goes out I've been asking for help,I won't
be worth anything anymore. >
He thought for a moment.<
Where there's a will,there's a way, >he quoted. < Don't worry Sinia,we'll
get through this together. >
I nodded.< Thanks,Jaradara.
>
I spent as much time
as I could with Fanali.I did all the things with her that I could remember
my parents doing with me.We weren't that different,actually.Both of us
had become orphans at an early age.I'd had a different name though.The
term was 'slave'.I admit,I was probably a bit strict with her,because I
didn't want her to be in the way if a spy showed up,or in case there was
a mass attack on the rebel base,which everyone expected to happen soon.
Jaradara had been more
than fair,taking care of Fanali when I was out on missions,which I refused
to stop,and rumors spread like wildfire about Fanali.
So she grew up,and
I taught her tailfighting,technology,all the things I knew.It would still
be a few years before she could take care of herself,and Jaradara and I
were closer than ever.We both loved each other,but neither of us could
settle down,nor did we want to.
Jaradara was right.If
there's a will,there's always a way. And there will always be kafits for
luck.
[author's note:enjoy
the stories with Sinia while you can.She won't be with us for a while in
awhile.]