A Monkey and a Cat, Who Knew? [Delilah]

[hypermonkeygirlx3]

Can you see the real me?

It was a bright and cool afternoon, with the sun high in the light-blue sky. The wind blew lightly over the Fallen Territory, picking up tiny bits of sand as it went. Oh, what a clear day it was; it was as if the Keepers decided that today they would give all of their little play things a break. Everything was peaceful and calm. Well...maybe not everything. Atop the box-cars that the Fallen had deemed their "home", a certain monkey shifter was having her own bit of fun, enjoying the fine day the Keepers had granted to her.

Isamu stretched her arms and yawned, standing on only one foot in an attempt to further practice her balancing. Boy was she exhausted! She had spent another night trying to find something to eat, wandering around the tracks for any type of eatable plant-life. However, as her luck would have it, she found absolutely nothing. All she found was sand, sand, and more sand. Had she always been this unlucky, or did this unfortunate streak start when she was brought here? Isa had always thought she was a very lucky girl. The teenager couldn't even count the amount of times she dodged a pencil, a rock, or a book that had been thrown at her just because she just happened to bend down to pick up something she had dropped. In reality, Isamu should have been sent to the hospital far more times than she did. It always seemed that there was someone out there watching her to make sure she was safe. Like her very own personal angel, protecting her from harm. But ever since she was brought to this place, nothing seemed to go right. Every day she would go out to find food and come back to the box-cars empty handed and tired. It wasn't really that much of a problem though, since Isamu was use to going for long periods of time without eating. She always believed it was sort of her fault for not hiding her lunch money better and for being such a klutz when it came to working with kitchen appliances at home. The only time she ever got to eat was when Madeline was there to stop their classmates from stealing her stuff. Madeline was always good with noticing stuff like that.

Isamu began to stretch her legs, her eyes scanning for any food she might have missed last night when she went gathering. That's when she noticed a small rabbit scurrying cross the sandy plain. Her stomach growled. Those little critters looked more and more appetizing every time she saw them. Isa scowled at herself. No, she refused to eat one of those cute bunnies. She had never really been that into meat, and the fact that her shifting animal was a herbivore didn't help. It just made it harder to think about eating the stuff. The teenager was about to look away when she noticed something odd. The rabbit seemed to be in a hurry, which was odd since she was the only person here. She looked in the direction that the rabbit was coming from, and found herself staring at a large sand-storm heading straight her way. Isamu wasn't an idiot, she new she needed to get some shelter and fast. If she didn't, she was pretty sure she'd get herself buried in the dessert sand. But she didn't want to barge into one of the cars. She had only been in the Menagerie for a little while and didn't really know how the sleeping arrangements work. Isa was terrified of running into one of the cars and finding it already occupied. Her gaze went to the fast approaching storm, and then to the box-car below her. Oh well, she was just going to have to risk it.

The monkey shifter jumped from the top of the car, landing in front of its entrance. She took one last look at the storm then looked back at the door, debating on whether to knock or to barge right in. I guess it's now or never, Isamu thought, quickly opening the door and running into the car. Isa just hoped that if anyone else was in there, they wouldn't get mad at her and kick her out. Isamu was sure that if it was her against the storm, the storm would win.

Can you see the tears behind my smile?

[Delilah Harper]

I'll keep smiling for everyone!

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Sitting in the box cart all day wasn't the best of times for Delilah. Sitting in the Menagerie wasn't fun to begin with for her or anyone it seemed. Sitting in the corner like she has been, she sighed to herself and looked up. This place looked like crap and there wasn't anywhere for her to sleep. All it had was a couch and that was basically it. Luckily for Delilah, she didn't mind it at all. Being in her Albino Bengal Cat form made her feel like the room was actually way bigger than it was. Also, the couch seemed a lot more comfortable in her shifted form and there was more room for her to sleep. The couch was a pathetic size and in terrible shape for a couch. Delilah knew it would have to do and she would strive through it even though she did miss her bed.

Back in Michigan, she had a big comfy king sized bed with her loving and handsome husband which she loved very much. Yes, he did throw her into the Menagerie basically by calling the Keepers on her, but she loved him anyways. It only made sense to freak out and send her away to this place. To Delilah, that was a normal reaction and she hoped to see him one day again and she'd smile and hope that he would take her back and life would be normal again. She dreamed for that day. They lived in a huge house and a room for a baby which she knew would come one day. Delilah prayed to have a baby still to this day and she knew God would bless her with a beautiful baby girl or baby boy. Either way, she would love that child for what it was. Thinking about her old life, Delilah, kept smiling to herself with her eyes closed and opened her arms and pretended like she was hugging her husband. I miss him so much...

Delilah hasn't eaten for a couple of days now since she hasn't been able to find any food. Eating meat wasn't a big deal to her but she felt bad of actually having to do the act as slaughtering a poor innocent animal. When she was home for the holidays, she'd cook ham, turkey, fish, steaks, lamb chops, all sorts of kind of foods! Never did she ever kill the animal herself though. It was always store bought but she always made sure to cook it to perfection. Sometimes, her husband would go out hunting with the men in the family while the woman in the family would sit around talking. That life was over and Delilah wanted it back. Believing it would be back comforted Delilah so she kept on believing that life would be back to the way it was. Now thinking about food, her stomach started to rumble and she hit the back of her head on the metal cart and closed her eyes.

Hearing the cart door open, she got started and opened her eyes quickly. Blinking a few times, she noticed it was a young girl who was in the cart instead of some big scary man. Seeing the company of someone else, she smiled and got up on her two feet. Walking quickly to the girl she put her arm around the girl's shoulder and with a cheerful voice she said, "Welcome! Welcome! I'm so glad to see somebody else here! My name is Delilah, it's such a pleasure to meet you! Come! Come! Sit down! Let's chat!" Escorting the young girl, she sat down on one side of the couch and crossed her legs like a proper lady that she saw herself as. Thinking about it, the girl must of been the noise she heard on top of the cart but Delilah figured it was birds just landing on top of the cart over and over again. It just shows how clueless she really is.

Even though I'm crying for me.

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[hypermonkeygirlx3]

Can you see the real me?

"Welcome! Welcome! I'm so glad to see somebody else here! My name is Delilah, it's such a pleasure to meet you! Come! Come! Sit down! Let's chat!" It seemed that Isamu's luck had finally taken a turn for the better. After what seemed like an eternity of unfortunate circumstances, something finally worked out in the teen's favor. Isamu was in utter shock when Delilah wrapped her arm around her and joyfully dragged her in the cart. She had been so terrified that the person living there would be enraged by her interruption, that she never thought that they would actually be happy to see her. In fact, she was so surprised, that she wasn't able to fully comprehend what was going on until she was sitting on the torn up couch. Once she had pulled herself together, Isamu realized that she hadn't introduced herself yet. It would be rude to not inform Delilah the identity of her house guest. "Um...hi, my name is Isamu. It is very nice to meet you Delilah-san. Thank you for allowing me to take shelter in your home." Isamu looked down as she said this; her voice was flat and she sounded a bit rehearsed. The words seemed to flow out of her mouth on their own.

There was silence for a moment and for the first time since she arrived in the Menagerie, Isamu didn't know what to say. It was probably because Delilah was an adult. Throughout her whole life, the only two adults to ever show her some form of kindness were her parents. All the other adults looked down at her in disgust and hatred. Her teachers would never call on her when she raised her hand in class and excluded her from all the class actives. When they did call on her to answer, they would tell her that her answer was wrong even if it was correct. Not only that, but they would blame Isamu whenever a problem occurred, even when it was illogical to think so. Even outside of the classroom, adults would stare and whisper about her. To everyone one around her Isamu was an alien, a fish out of water, a freak. She never trusted adults, beings whose innocence and compassion seemed to be ripped from them as the years passed on. Now was no different, for, as she sat on the woman's couch, paranoia and suspicion begin to seep into her bruised and broken mind. Never had she been treated so kindly by a stranger, and the unfamiliarity of it frightened Isamu to no end. She supposed that she should be grateful that Delilah would let her enter her home so abruptly. But she just couldn't get herself to completely trust her. Not yet. Then again, would it really be so hard to believe that someone other than her parents had a good heart?

Isamu raised her head and took a good look at her host. Delilah looked so sweet and caring. Not only that, but Isamu realized that she was also very beautiful. Her smile was warm and inviting, making Isamu calm down a bit. Why would someone like her want any harm to me? The teen thought as she fiddled with her long, light brown braids. She knew that she shouldn't judge people when she knew nothing about them. On the other hand, best be wary, for even the gorgeous rose is not without its thorns.

The monkey shifter's eyes wondered around the room, looking for anything that she could use to start a conversation. It wouldn't be fair to the woman if she just sat there and didn't at least attempt to make polite conversation. Unfortunately for her, the room was completely empty except the couch they were sitting on. Isamu sighed, what was she going to do now? Plus how could she concentrate with the loud battering of the storm's sand against the metal sides of the box-car? Wait a second, Isamu thought. It wasn't the most exciting topic, but it was worth a shot, right? "So...this is one heck of a storm, huh?"

Can you see the tears behind my smile?

[Delilah Harper]

I'll keep smiling for everyone!

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Still staring at the girl, she seemed frightened by just being around Delilah. Children weren't often afraid by Delilah so it kind of worried her. One thought was that maybe from being here that she got torn up a bit on her face or that she was losing her warm glow that she's had her whole life. Delilah didn't want to believe that she lost her warm glow, there was no way that could happen to her. If she was ever going to have a child, she needed to be pleasant and warm-hearted. Well, that's what she convinced herself of anyways. She's a beautiful little girl... she thought to herself.

"Oh darling, you don't have to be so formal with me. I'm just like any other loving and caring parent might be. Well, kind of think of me as your mother. I serve to please!" she said like a parent would tell their son or daughter everything will be okay and that the big bad boogie man won't come and get you while you're trying to rest peacefully. Being a mother was in her blood since that was how she was raised, to be a mommy. Now, the chances of being a mother are slim to none due to the fact that her body won't allow her to have kids as well as being stuck in the Menagerie doesn't help the situation either.

The sand storm kept hitting the cart they were sitting in over and over again and it was annoying Delilah a little bit. For awhile, there was just silence between Isamu and Delilah. I hope the silence in here doesn't happen between my child and I. As the girl began to speak of the sand storm outside, Delilah figured Isamu was just trying to kill the silence. "Yes, it is quite a sand storm. It's been on and off for about a week now. I don't really mind it though. This cart seems to be keeping me safe from it for now so that all that matters. I'm really glad you decided to join me. I've been alone this whole week so the company is just really enjoyable. If we were back at my home, I'd be serving you marshmallow squares and juice."

Thinking about that, it was kind of depressing. Her whole life was gone away from her forever. It wasn't perfect like it should of been but it was what it was and she was just grateful to be alive and let God grace her with happiness, well, what was left of it. "By the way, you seem very sweet and you're a beautiful young girl. I really hope we can become good friends, don't you agree?"" she commented since that was all she could think to say from her mind. While saying it, she sounded all bubbly, happy, and truthful. Delilah hates to lie even though she is lying to herself on a daily basis.

Even though I'm crying for me.

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[hypermonkeygirlx3]

Can you see the real me?

"Oh darling, you don't have to be so formal with me. I'm just like any other loving and caring parent might be. Well, kind of think of me as your mother. I serve to please!" The way she said those sentences sounded so sweet and caring. Delilah sounded so much like a mother, as if she was born to care for children. It reminded Isamu of her own mother back in Japan. Her beautiful and wonderful mother who absolutely loved Isa to death. Isamu could still vividly picture her: her long, sleek, raven-black hair and her soft brown eyes. She had long thick eyelashes and plump pink lips that were always carved into a comforting and loving smile. Her voice as like music to Isamu's ears whenever she was down, and her touch was always soft whenever they wiped the teen's hidden tears away. Oh, what was her mother but an angel in this nightmare of a world that she was born into? What was she but a light and a guide in the everlasting darkness that was Isamu's mind? But now, Isamu would never see her again. The monkey shifter was stuck in this cold and sandy place without any one to care for her, for anyone to love her.

"My mother..." Isamu mumbled dreamily, her mind trapped in those memories of her life back home. Her mind was so lost in her past that she gasped loudly at the feeling of something warm and wet roll down her check. A tear? Isamu thought in utter shock. She quickly hid her face and roughly rubbed it off, along with the few that had trailed after it. Number one in the "Isamu Book to a Happy Life": never, ever cry. No matter what the circumstances are, you don't cry for anything. That was something her mother told her long ago: "Tears...anger...sadness...they bring down the sun before its time. They shorten your life Isamu, cause the night to take you away. I want you chase away the tears with your smile." So that's what she always did, she smiled and chased away all of her tears. It's what she did when she was done scrubbing the tears off her face. She turned back to Delilah and smiled, hiding her her hands behind her back, which were trembling from both sadness and from staying in one place for much too long. Plus, maybe it was better that she was here. Now her family would be safe from the wrath of the keepers for hiding a shifter. Isamu would never want her family hurt because of her. That was why, if she ever found a way out of the Menagerie, she wouldn't go back and live with her parents. She wouldn't put them in harms way like that.

"Yes, it is quite a sand storm. It's been on and off for about a week now. I don't really mind it though. This cart seems to be keeping me safe from it for now so that all that matters. I'm really glad you decided to join me. I've been alone this whole week so the company is just really enjoyable. If we were back at my home, I'd be serving you marshmallow squares and juice." Isamu giggled for a bit. What a wonderful image that was, to be sitting in a nice, warm home munching on marshmallows and sipping juice peacefully. That was one of the things Isamu missed about her home, sweet treats like marshmallows. Those sugary foods that delight the senses and full the mouth with yummy goodness. "Yes that would be fun," Isamu admitted to her host, "I love marshmallows. Especially when you put them with chocolate, squish them in between two graham-crackers and make s'mores!" The monkey shifter began to bounce a bit; a combination of her sudden desire for something sweet and all of her unreleased energy. She begin to giggle again, then abruptly stopped herself, realizing he probably looked like an immature weirdo. Isa shuffled in her seat, looking back down at her lap. "Sorry," she apologized, "I guess I got a bit too excited." A sheepish giggle escaped her mouth. Sometimes she didn't know what to do with herself. How was she going to make any friends if she keep acting like such a hyperactive freak?

"By the way, you seem very sweet and you're a beautiful young girl. I really hope we can become good friends, don't you agree?" Isamu blushed. "Beautiful", "sweet"? The teen had never been called "beautiful"or "sweet" before. People have called her "weird", "strange", "a freak", even some curse words she'd rather not repeat. But, she had never been complemented before. Of course her parents have told her how wonderful and pretty she was. However, they were her parents. They're supposed to tell her those things. After a while, she began to think that she was just average looking, maybe even a bit ugly. Apparently Delilah didn't think so. Her smiled widen at this. Oh how the smallest things can bring such joy to one's life. "Yeah," Isamu said, felling bit more comfortable, "I hope we can become friends, too." Isamu shifted herself so that she was sitting Indian-style on the small couch, trying to think of some things to talk about. Well, if she was going to try and become friends with Delilah, she might as well get to know her a bit. "So, if you don't mind me asking, where are you from?"

Can you see the tears behind my smile?

[Delilah Harper]

I'll keep smiling for everyone!

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Hearing the girl talk about s'mores made Delilah smile even more than she has in a long time. One of Delilah's very treats that she ate as a child were s'mores. Even though Delilah was very girl, Delilah's mother, father, herself, her cousins, and her aunts and uncles use to go out camping in the forest all the time. That's when they would make s'mores and they always tasted so good with the graham crackers, the marshmallows, and the delicious Hershey's chocolate. That was about ten years ago when they stopped doing that completely. After awhile, they just got too busy with other things.

Seeing Isamu jump up and down ecstatically made Delilah laugh for a good ten seconds. It was good to see that the girl wasn't completely shy and wouldn't come out of her shell after awhile. "Oh, hon, you don't have to apologize to me. You're still young and active! You need to be running around having all the fun that you can have. You won't be a child forever. My childhood was great and I want you to be able to express yourself when you want to. To me, it has always been best to truly express myself when I'm happy, sad, or even angry. It's relieving to just be myself." Thinking about it, she wasn't taking her own advice but she didn't want to break the little girl's heart.

Isamu wanted to be her friend as well which made her so happy that she jumped up and down a little bit as well. Unlike Isamu, she wouldn't apologize for expressing herself. "OHHHHHH, I'm so happy that you want to be my friend as well. This is so exciting. We can stay in my cart and just talk about anything we want. Now, we won't be lonely in here anymore!" Her own words were comforting her already. Just to know that she won't be alone in this place anymore would just be like a dream come true. Hopefully, Isamu would want the same thing.

It was so sweet to her that Isamu would want to know where she grew up at. To relive her past would be a good thing so to tell her would be pleasurable. "Well, I grew up in a little town in Michigan. It was a religious Christian town so it was only destiny for me to become a Christian so it's all fine and dandy for me. Everyone there knew each other but I use to call it the gossip town instead of the gospel town as it was known for. It was beautiful since we were surrounded by nature. My God... do I miss it so much." she said as bubbly as she could possibly get.

Even though I'm crying for me.

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[hypermonkeygirlx3]

Can you see the real me?

Isamu's smile widened even more (if that was even possible at this point) at what Delilah said about living her childhood to the fullest. She had never thought of it that way. The teen had always figured that her hyperactive tendencies were a bad thing, a flaw in her being. But, the way Delilah said it made it seemed like it happened to everyone. For all Isamu knew, it did happened to everyone. I mean, she never really had any contact with people or culture outside of her village, excluding Madeline and the text books in school, of course. Maybe it was just that everyone else in her village was weird, not her. Isa pushed that theory out of her mind. She knew that wasn't true; she knew that she was the weird one. The doctors said so, and doctors never lie...right? Well, there was one thing she did know: she could be herself in this place. "Hai, it is relieving to be ourselves," the monkey shifter agreed, "To just be able to be who we want to be without people judging us. Wouldn't that be wonderful? To live in a world where we can talk, sing, dance, and even shift without people criticizing us?" Isamu leaned on the armrest of the torn up couch and dazed off for a second, "Sounds like heaven, doesn't it?" The teen shook her head and told herself to focus. She refused to disrespect her new friend like that.

Isamu giggled at how excited Delilah was getting. Her host was even bouncing a bit. That only proved to her that happiness is contagious. "...Now, we won't be lonely in here anymore!" Isa's eyes widened. She didn't have to be alone anymore? That was music to the teen's extremely lonely ears. She wouldn't be alone anymore! Now she she had someone to talk to, to play games with, to tell stories with when it got dark, and maybe even a new home. Her eyes sparkled with delight and she bit her lip to keep herself from shedding tears of joy. "Yeah! We could have so much fun together!" Isamu exclaimed, throwing herself into a giggle fit. Nothing could describe how much that overjoyed her.

She brought her knees up to her chest. So her new friend used to live in a place called Michigan. Michigan...Michigan...it sounded so familiar! Where was that again? Oh, yes, of course, Michigan was a state in the United States of America. "You're an American?!" Isamu said in shock, "My best friend, Madeline, was an American! She told me all about your country and what's it like." Isa sighed and rested her chin on her knees. "I wished that I lived in America." She looked down at her feet. In truth, Isamu wished she and her family could have lived anywhere other than that tiny Japanese village. Maybe if they hadn't lived there she could have made more friends. Maybe she wouldn't have gone to the hospital as many times as she did. Maybe...maybe her own sister would actually like her.

So Delilah was a Christian, too. It made sense, her happily-go-lucky attitude revealed that she was indeed with God. "So you're a Christian," Isamu said with genuine interest. The curious girl had never been to a church before. Her parents were never big on religion either. So everything she learned about God and Jesus, she learned from a dusty old Bible that her mother would sometimes read when things got really bad around the house. Isamu wasn't exactly sure what it was like being a Christian, or that she even was one because she wasn't even sure if she was doing it right. Isa always worked better with instructions. But, it never really bothered her though. The shifter figured that as long as she loved God, then He would protect her. Maybe that's what He was doing right now, making sure she had someone there to keep her emotionally safe. Could it be that the Keepers weren't the only ones pulling the strings around here? She smiled again and said, "Well maybe Jesus was the one who brought us together today, so that we wouldn't be lonely any more. Maybe He brought us this sand storm so that we could meet." Isamu snuggled deeper into the couch. God bless sand storms, she thought, God bless this weather.

Can you see the tears behind my smile?

[Delilah Harper]

I'll keep smiling for everyone!

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Wow, would it be nice not to be criticized about every little thing. A world like that would be God sent, wouldn't it? Delilah thought to herself. A world with peace would also please Delilah very much so. Anti-War was written many times in Delilah's journal back when she was in Michigan. In Delilah's eyes, people should be their own religion from Christianity, to Judaism, to Buddhism. All of it was God's gift to be able to give them freedom. All of it was relating to a higher power but it was just a little bit different. Just believing in a higher power to Delilah was an automatic stamp of approval into heaven.

"Yes, I am an American" she giggled. From what it seemed from Delilah's point of view, Isamu was raised in Japan from the way she ended people's names in respect. It was very cute to Delilah how respectful Isamu was to Delilah. "Yes, the United States is a very wonderful place to live but it does have its downfalls. It is very close-minded when it comes to different things such as homosexuality as well as all sorts of bigotry. Also, we think we are so big and bad and that is why so many countries dislike us so much. It's a really unfortunate thing."

Thinking about it, it really did make sense of why this sand storm was here. The ability to meet Isamu was not that just coincidental. It must of been Jesus who brought these two lonely people together. "Yes! Yes! It must of been Jesus who brought us together. Wow, this is just an amazing thing! I can't believe he would bless us like this. This is truly the handy work of Jesus. I am so happy right now!!! Delilah was shouting with joy. Seeing miracles like this really made Delilah excited all the time. This was truly a blessing and she could only imagine what other blessings might come to them.

Taking a few deep breath, Delilah was trying to calm down because she wanted to ask Isamu a few questions about herself. After she exhaled from the last time, she replied, "So... Isamu. You seem very excited about this Madeline. Tell me more about her, I'd love to get to know more about her. Well, if you don't mind telling me about her, that is." she said with a cute giggle at the end of her sentence. Being in the 'gossip' town, she still felt apart of the gossip sometimes. Delilah didn't gossip to other people but she heard everything about everyone so she was still use to hearing things of the sort.

Even though I'm crying for me.

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[hypermonkeygirlx3]

Can you see the real me?

Isamu smiled sadly at Delilah's description of America. Madeline and told her about those things, too. Well maybe not about the homosexuality, but she did tell her about the many faults of the country. But, everything has it's defects. Nothing in this world is truly perfect, for they will always be evil no matter where you are. No matter what a persons, does, nothing can change that. To Isamu though, those things really didn't matter; it's what you make of what you have that really matters. “That's true,” Isamu agreed, “But in America you do have freedom. Freedom to do what you want and be who you want to be despite what others think. It's true that others might might hate you for it, but at least you won't go into jail for it.” Isamu couldn't help to point that fact out to her new friend. The teen was a hopeless optimist and couldn't help but look to the bright of the situation. Even back home, where she was an outcast, she could still at least say that she had parents who loved her to death. Not only that, but she had two parents to look after her, which not all kids could say. Her motto was: “There is a silver lining to every cloud; all you have to do is find it. She just hoped that this motto wouldn't lead her into an argument, like it has so many times in the past.

The monkey shifter giggled at how excited Delilah was getting about her theory. But it did make sense in a religious sort of way. Isamu believed that everything happened for a reason. Maybe that's one of the reasons Isamu began to read the bible in the first place. The theory that the earth's entire existence was just a coincidence seemed so cold. To life a life knowing that everything was just a cosmic accident made it seem like there was no purpose in life. It sort of felt empty. However, to know that the earth was something planned, and was not just some sort of mix up, seemed to give everything a purpose. That way of thinking made it seemed that you did have a purpose on this earth other than to just suck up air. It was a way of pushing you forward in life, even when things got really bad. Because, you know that there is someplace better, a place of peace and happiness, just beyond that hole of darkness and despair. It gave people hope. Isamu used that hope to keep her happy, even though her life really sucked at the moment. For she believed that was a way out of the Menagerie, if not an earthly way, then heaven itself.

"So... Isamu. You seem very excited about this Madeline. Tell me more about her, I'd love to get to know more about her. Well, if you don't mind telling me about her, that is." Isamu's eyes widened. Delilah actually wanted to hear about Madeline? That was a first. Usually people ignored her mentions of her best friend, or think she was an obsessive stalker or something. Then again, as she already knows, Delilah wasn't like most people. “No I don't mind at all,” she said, just happy that Delilah was interested enough to want to know about someone who had been such n important part of her life. Isamu took a deep breath and closed her eyes, bracing herself for the emotional pain she knew was going to come. Though Madeline was her best friend, Isamu knew that with her came a lot of bad memories that she'd rather forget. On the other hand, the only way to full get across to Delilah just how wonderful a person Madeline really was, she needed to remember everything about her, even if that meant feeling all that pain again. She just wanted to understand why she was so desperate to find her again. Madeline was her hero. Plus, who knows? Maybe Delilah saw Madeline around somewhere and could help her find her.

“Madeline-chan was my best friend,” Isamu began, “No wait, she was more than that. She was like an onee-chan to me; like the older sister I never had. She was the only person who didn't hate me, other than my parents of course, because of the fact that my heritage is Hispanic and the fact that I was adopted.” Now that she thought about it, it was probably because she wasn't from the village and had spent her life around other people with darker skin like Isa. She wondered, if Madeline was born in the Japanese village, would they have still became friends? Or would she have grown up to hate Isamu like all of the other kids? Isamu pushed that depressing thought away. It would be rude to stop in the middle of her story and just space out. “Madeline used to protect me from the bullies who used to hurt me. And when everyone turned their backs on me, she didn't. She stayed by my side no matter what. We were so close that she used to even eat dinner with me and my family. My parents even thought of her as their third daughter. She has saved my life on countless occasions, and I don't think I could ever find a way to repay her for all the kindness she's given me.” Isamu's smile faltered as she remembered what happened next. “But, one day a kid threw a stapler at my head and it got stuck. They had to send me to the hospital just to remove it. Madeline...she was mad at the boy who did it I guess...and she shifted into a dog and attacked him. The next day I heard that the teacher had called the Keepers on her and that she was taken away.” Isamu sniffled, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. “I never even got to thank her, or say goodbye...” she muttered under her breath.

A wave of guilt washed over the distressed girl. She had always figured hat it was her fault that Madeline was sent here. If she would have just ducked like she had so many times before, of if she was actually strong enough to be able to protect herself, then maybe Madeline wouldn't have shifted and been taken away. With the back of her hand, Isamu rubbed the tears before they had a chance to escape. “That's why I need to find her,” she told Delilah, “So that I can thank her for all that she's done for me. So that I can make sure that's she's safe.” And apologize for what I've done, she added in her head. But sometimes she wondered if she ever be able to see her again. The Menagerie was so big, and she was so small. The chances of finding Madeline at all were slim to none. But she wouldn't give up. Isamu was determined to find her friend, no matter what it took she'd find a way. There's always a way.

Can you see the tears behind my smile?

[Delilah Harper]

I'll keep smiling for everyone!

[/color][/font][/left]

"Oh darling, don't you see the bright picture? Madeline is here, in the Menagerie! What if she wasn't taken away then? Then you would never be able to see your best friend anymore. Yes, it will be hard to find her but now it is only so much easier to actually be able to find her. Think of this as a blessing. Now, you have two friends in the Menagerie. The only difference about it is that you need to go searching for your friend. I'm sure if you pray to God, I'm sure you'll find your best friend in the whole world. Just trust in God." she said very optimistically.

The poor little girl had so much baggage, it just broke Delilah's heart. Delilah wasn't going to tell her depressing story to Isamu unless she asked. In Delilah's mind, she felt if she told it to her then her new friend would think she was trying to do a battle of the depressing stories to see who has the most depressing story. Shaking her head, she decided to comment, "Your friend sounds like a wonderful little girl. A friend to be able to defend you when you're down. A friend to cheer you up when the world seemed to be crashing to your feet. That to me is a true friend, and you are blessed to have a friend like that which not everyone has."

Thinking about her own best friend, she did truly miss her. Bethany was a truly great woman to be able to call her friend. They seemed so different in some ways but yet they both got along. Bethany was more into rock music and Delilah was more into Christian Gospel. Her friend liked chocolate cake and Delilah liked vanilla. Even with their differences, they compromised with everything and were truly great friends. Delilah was there for Bethany when her mother died in a car crash and Bethany was there for Delilah when she found out she couldn't have a baby. One major difference to them was the fact that Bethany grieved for her mother's loss and Delilah stayed in denial.

Sighing, she pushed those thoughts away since there was no use in making herself depressed. "I'm so glad that we were able to meet. Now this place won't seem like such a terrible place anymore. You're more than welcome to stay in this cart with me. I'll just shift into my cat form so I can lay on top of the couch while you lay on the couch itself. I don't want you to feel homeless." Delilah said very suggestively yet very sweetly at the same time. Right now, Delilah only wanted what was best for Isamu and she hoped that if stayed with her, then she'll be okay in this place.

Even though I'm crying for me.

[/color][/font][/right]

[hypermonkeygirlx3]

Can you see the real me?

Isamu thought about what Delilah said. It did make sense. At least now her and Madeline wouldn't have to worry about the thick, glass walls of the keeping them away from each other. That was a blessing all in it's self. "Yeah," Isamu responded after she whipped the tears away again, "You're right, all I have to do is fine her and then we can be friends again." The teen's famous smile once again graced her face as she thought about being reunited with her friend again. I mean, how hard could it to be to spot a purple-headed teen? It's not like Madeline blended into the crowd. Even in this crowd Isamu was sure her friend would stick out. Then, when she finally found her, everything would be alright again, and then she would have no more regrets. All she had to do is find her, and maybe her new friend could help her look. Madeline couldn't that far away...could she?

"Your friend sounds like a wonderful little girl. A friend to be able to defend you when you're down. A friend to cheer you up when the world seemed to be crashing to your feet. That to me is a true friend, and you are blessed to have a friend like that which not everyone has." Isamu nodded her head in agreement. "I know, she is the bestest friend I've ever had," the monkey shifter concurred. Madeline was all those things and more to Isamu; she was always the shoulder Isa knew she could lean on. The teen knew that not many people had that same kind of friend, and for a weirdo like herself to find someone so special made it all the more amazing to Isamu. The way that Delilah said it, though, (and the way she kind of dazed off for a second) made Isamu think that maybe Delilah had a friend like that, too. That maybe somewhere on the outside, Delilah had a friend mourning over her. But, she decided not to push the subject. She figured that if Delilah had wanted to talk about it, then she would have said something. Isamu giggled, seeming to be back to her normal, cheery, sun-shiny self again. She was just glad that she got to vent a bit without totally breaking down.

"...You're more than welcome to stay in this cart with me..." Isamu's eyes widened and her mouth almost dropped. Delilah wanted to be roommates with her? She was going to allow Isamu to share a house with her? The concept completely baffled her. Everyone usually wanted to be as far away from her as they could passably get. Oh how the world can change in the blink of an eye! Isamu grinned the biggest grin she's grinned since...well...forever. "Oh my gosh, Yes!" She yelled, absolutely overjoyed, "I would love to be your roomie!!!" She just about jumped out of her seat and embraced Delilah. She was so excited that she didn't even realized that she had, only thinking about the fact that she now had a dwelling. A place to curl up after a long day of scouting and finding food. A place to lay down and relax when she got tired. A place where she could hide from the terrible weather that the keepers gave them. Isamu had a place to call home. She giggled and then said, "Don't worry about the sleeping arrangements, Delilah-sama! I can sleep in my shift, too. That way you can sleep on the couch as well." Isamu didn't want her new "roomie" to be uncomfortable. Plus, it was her cart to begin with. Isamu would feel like she was taking too much if she took Delilah's bed as well. Sharing the the car was more than enough for her.

Can you see the tears behind my smile?

[Delilah Harper]

I'll keep smiling for everyone!

[/color][/font][/left]

It pleased Delilah that Isamu started to look on the bright side about her friendship with her best friend Madeline. To do it so quickly was also a fascinating thing for Delilah as well since all the teenagers she has ever known that she would try to help them look on the positive side of things would either totally fight against it or ease into it. From Delilah's post of view, Isamu, was a very special girl needed a lot of love and attention but who also deserved a lot of love and attention which she didn't find from a lot of family and peers.

Feeling Isamu grace her with such love put a smile on Delilah's face as well as a bit of shock into it as well. Delilah was shocked that Isamu jumped out of her seat so quickly to hug her but she was also very happy that Isamu finally lightened up and decided to stay with her for awhile as well. "Oh hon, I've slept on top of the couch plenty of times. It's more comfortable to me anyways and I'd rather you sleep in human form on the couch. I'd feel so much better if you would sleep on the couch part instead of me."

Delilah had a bright idea and she decided to do it. Shifting into cat form, she rubbed and snuggled against Isamu's stomach and purred while doing it. Having a mother's instincts, she could tell that Isamu would love precious kitty cats and just luckily for the both of them, Delilah was able to turn into a cat. Well, a good thing about it too was that she was a very rare kitty cat with not many cats of her kind exist. Looking into Isamu's eyes, Delilah was showing off her beautiful pink and blue eyes that she had.

Getting off of Isamu, she moved off of Isamu and back onto the couch. Shifting back, she had a huge smile on her face. "I want to tell you a little story about myself. When I was learning to cook as a little girl, I was still young and barely knew how to read yet. I was making cake with my grandmother and one of the ingredients was to mix flour. When my grandmother wasn't looking, I ran outside and picked a whole bunch of flowers outside. I put them in the bowl and we made the cake. I told her I put flowers into the bowl and she laughed and said that was the wrong flour. I laughed with her afterwards too. I miss my grandmother."

Even though I'm crying for me.

[/color][/font][/right]

[hypermonkeygirlx3]

Can you see the real me?

"Alright, if you say so," Isamu quickly gave in. It was a habit of her's, not to argue much with an adult. She learned the hard way as a child to do what you were told. One could first offer a suggestion, but if it is turned down, Isamu knew not to push it. The teen just wanted her new friend to be comfortable was all. But if Delilah wanted to sleep on the top of the couch, then Isamu would not discus it anymore. Confrontation was one thing she did not want right now, especially since Delilah could kick her out anytime she wanted. The box car was Delilah's after all. Even though something told her that Delilah would never do that to her, she decided not to take the risk. You never know. She just hoped that she wasn't taking too much from her roommate.

Isamu was happy enough as it was, hugging her new roommate. But she even got more excited when she saw Delilah shift into a beautiful white cat. Her emerald green eyes sparkled as she awed at how absolutely adorable her shift was. "Oh my gosh Delilah-sempi, your shift is so kawaii!" She squealed happily. Isa's small delicate hand lightly petted her friend's snow white fur. The teen was surprised at how it was to the touch. Her own monkey shift had messy, and sandy fur from being in the desert for so long. Didn't Delilah live in the desert as well? How then did she get her fur so soft? Isamu shook the thought out of her head, deciding to exchange tips on how to keep one's fur so fluffy and shiny later.

The teen giggled as Delilah purred. She had never accutally meet a house cat before, just because her family couldn't afford the bills that came with getting a pet. Not only that, but not many of her neighbors had cats; they mostly had dogs. Oh what Isamu would give to have a pet of her very own. When she was little, she used to catch spiders and lizards and would try to keep them as pets. But her mother wasn't too fond with those kinds of creatures, so if she ever found them, she would release them outside. Even if her mother didn't find them, they sometimes still manged to get away or die within a couple of days. The closest she would ever get to a pet now, though, was the shifts of her friends. But nonetheless, Isamu was thrilled to pet her very first cat. It even got better when Delilah looked at her with her shifts blue and pink eyes. She's an albino cat!! Isamu gasped. What a rare treat this was, to pet her first cat and to have it be an albino cat as well! Could this day get any better?

Isa smiled sadly when Delilah talked about her grandma. Isamu's grandparents had died when she was very young, her father's parents even died before she was adopted. She never really got to know either side and always wondered what it would have been like to have grandparents. Would they have loved Isamu and did things with her, like help her to cook? Or would they be like the rest of her adoptive relatives and shun her? Isamu shook her head, not wanting to fill her head with sad thoughts again. Instead, she decided to talk about something else. "Oh, so you know how to cook?" Isamu asked, "I wish I could cook. I mean I know how to make different dishes and stuff, but I'm such a klutz when it comes to kitchen appliances. One time I almost set the house on fire when I was trying to cook something on the stove." She laughed sheepishly at the memory. Her parents had practically banned her from the kitchen. "I guess I'm just not meant to be a cook. On the upside though, no one got hurt and my mother was going to throw out the towel that burned anyway. So it wasn't that bad."

Isamu titled her head, noticing something odd. Something was missing. She strained her ears for the familiar sound of the sand battering against the metal sides of the car. Her head quickly turned toward the box car's window. Isa's eye's widened at what she saw, or rather what she didn't see. Where was all the sand that was flying all about a few minutes ago? The monkey shifter quickly scampered up to the window, pressing her small hands up to the glass barrier. "The storm!" Isamu shouted over her shoulder, "It stopped! Look, the sand storm is over!" A wide smile spread on her pink lips as she stared out at the now clear horizon. I guess this day can get better, she thought joyously. "It's finally over..."

Can you see the tears behind my smile?

[Delilah Harper]

I'll keep smiling for everyone!

[/color][/font][/left]

Laughing on the inside, hearing Isamu say her shift was so cute in Japanese was adorable for Delilah to hear. One good thing from this shift was that she was absolutely adorable to teenagers and younger which was good but she would of preferred not to have been a shifter so she could of stayed home. Delilah was just grateful that she met Isamu through this time and that both Isamu and herself wouldn't have to be alone in this place. Well, Isamu would never have to be alone ever again.

Listening to Isamu talk about how she wasn't a good cook made her smile. Delilah figured this would be a good time to tell her a little secret of hers. "I have a little secret for you. I wasn't a very good cook till I turned 16 years old. I was such a klutz and I was always setting things on fire. Once, I decided to put plastic on the stove because I thought it would be okay. The smell of the burning plastic was so disgusting! When I finally was able to cook just right, I was allowed to cook by myself!" Delilah said while laughing through it. It was nice to share her secret like that so maybe on day Isamu will realize that talent doesn't come perfectly in a short a period of time. Being as good as she was took a lot of time and patience from everyone around her. Smiling again, Delilah hoped that Isamu would learn this.

Yes, Isamu was right, the storm was over. They've been talking for so long that Delilah totally forgot about the sand storm completely. It was amazing how the storm was finally over and time seemed like nothing happened. Deciding to look outside, it was dark outside and she gasped a little bit. Delilah wasn't expecting to see that it was dark outside. Looking back at Isamu, she smiled as it seemed it was time to finally go to bed since they really had nothing better to do and they had no idea what time it actually was. "Alright Isamu, it's dark outside and I think it would be a good time to go to bed!"

Shifting into her cat form, she jumped up on the top of the couch and scratched her paws into the couch picking it up to make herself feel comfortable. After feeling comfortable, she laid down and looked at Isamu. "I'm so glad we met Isamu and I really hope you know that. I love you like my own daughter already and I want you to think about that every time you go to sleep. We will never have to be alone in this place ever again. Okay, I've said enough. Good night and I'll see you in the morning." Closing her eyes and nuzzling into her body, she started to doze off and in a few minutes, she was fast asleep.

Even though I'm crying for me.

[/color][/font][/right]

[hypermonkeygirlx3]

Can you see the real me?

Isamu smiled at Delilah's story about when she first started cooking. It gave her just a little bit of hope that maybe she'd be able to improve. Well, when it came to cooking at least. "Well, I guess one of these days you're going to have to teach me then." Isamu giggled, the image of them cooking together forming in her head. It would be something fun to when they got bored or had nothing to talk about. They could just go outside, start a fire and Isamu could learn some tricks on how to cook an actually eatable meal. Not only could it bring them closer together and be extremely useful for when she goes exploring, but it could also be loads of fun! Or at least, it would be fun in her point of view, and probably Delilah's, too. The idea of actually learning how to cook excited Isamu and made here more hyper than she already was.

"Alright Isamu, it's dark outside and I think it would be a good time to go to bed!" Isamu also noticed the blacked sky. She stared at the fake stars twinkling in the fake sky before turning to her roommate. "Hai, I think you're right," she agreed as she stretched a bit. She hadn't realized just how tired she was until Delilah had mentioned it. The teenager watched as her new friend shifted and snuggled up at the top of the couch. Isa followed her lead and plopped on the cough, ready to get some real shut eye. It was a whole new feeling to her, to be sleeping on something soft and comfortable instead of the other places she used to sleep before. A smile crept on her face as she remembered that she would never have to live like that again. Now she had a home and a roommate. How could things get better for this once unfortunate little girl?

"I'm so glad we met Isamu and I really hope you know that. I love you like my own daughter already and I want you to think about that every time you go to sleep. We will never have to be alone in this place ever again. Okay, I've said enough. Good night and I'll see you in the morning." Isamu's smiled even wider as Delilah gave her little good night speech. Delilah was right, neither of them would be lonely ever again, because now they had each other. It seemed like that terrible place that she used to live in was a complete life time ago. Who knew that in the end, Isamu would finally find some sort of happiness in her life outside of her home? And, who would have guessed that she'd find it here, in this terrible place. The keepers meant the torture the little girl by bringing her here, but instead they gave her the thing that she craved most. A place where she could be accepted and loved for who she was and nothing less. How ironic is that? Isamu smiled at her albino cat friend, her eyes already drooping closed, "Don't worry Delilah-sama, I know, and I'm glad I met you, too. Goodnight and sweet dreams!" With that said, Isamu curled herself into a ball and let sleep overtake her, knowing that sweet dreams awaited her.

-THE END-

Can you see the tears behind my smile?