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No Matter How Small Chapter Seven

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I stared, dumbfounded at the tiny girl below me.  Leaf looked up at me with curiosity, wondering why I had stopped drying her off with the washcloth that I had now dropped on the table, so it was now lying in a clumped ball beside her.  "Zack?" Leaf asked, raising an eyebrow.

I tilted my head up so I was staring up at the ceiling.  Was this really happening?  Did I really find Kayla after so many years?  But why was she so small?  This couldn't be Kayla, could it?  But she had to be; she had the exact same mark in the exact same place that Kayla did when she was taken away.  But how did it happen?

All the questions made my head spin and my eyes lose its sight, as I felt myself suddenly feel light-headed and before I knew it, I had fallen sideways off my chair and onto the floor.  I heard Leaf scream as she ran to the table's edge, looking down at my fallen body.  "Zack!" She cried, as she jumped off the table and onto my chair before jumping off the chair and onto the floor; soon running to my face in a panic.  "Zack!  Are you okay?"

I opened my eyes, smiling.  "Yeah.  Just a little dizzy."

"What happened?  You were fine a few seconds ago and then you were talking about-."

"-you.  I know.  I was talking about you, Kayla."  I said, as I started to slowly sit up with Leaf looking up at me in confusion.

"What?  Me?"  Leaf asked.

I nodded.  "Yes, you.  Kayla."  I said, as I lightly scooped her up in my giant hand.  Then I lightly pressed her to the left side of my chest in an effort of a reuniting hug, sort of way.  "I'm so glad I found you."

Leaf pushed away from me a little to look up at me.  "Zack, what are you talking about?  Found me?"

"Yes.  Remember, when we were six, we were at the park and you were taken away from me and got those marks on your back."  I said, gesturing to the 'X' mark on her upper back.

Leaf turned her head backwards to look down at it and smiled.  "Oh, Zack, you must be confused.  I didn't get these from two men.  This is a birthmark.  I've always had them and always will."

"What?  No!  That isn't a birthmark!"  I said, frustrated.  What game was Kayla trying to play?  Was she really not Kayla?  Did she not want to remember the horrible memory again?  Or did she really not want to remember me and all the times we had together while we were young?

"Kayla, please listen to me.  That isn't a birthmark; two men gave you that mark with a pocket knife, I promise you."

Leaf shook her head, incredulously before looking up at me.  "Why do you keep calling me that?"

"Calling you what?"

"'Kayla'?"  

"Because that's your name."  I explained.

"No.  My name is Leaf, remember?  I'm not Kayla."  She said.

My eyes widened in shock.  What the hell?  Now she doesn't even remember her own name?  What was wrong with her?  Did she have a horrible case of amnesia and changed her name to 'Leaf' when she actually saw a leaf?  What was wrong with her?  None of it was adding up.  Why couldn't she remember?

I raised Leaf up away from my chest so she was in front of my face.  "But you are Kayla.  I know you are.  We used to be friends when we were little.  Your parents died in a car accident when you were two, so you had to live in an orphanage, but I still managed to come and play with you.  Our favorite spot to play was at the park on the swing set.  We would swing until sunset.  Don't you remember any of that, Kayla?"

"My parents weren't killed in a car accident; they were eaten by a giant raccoon.  And once again, I am not Kayla."  Leaf said, sternly, her hands starting to become tightened fists.

I narrowed my eyes at her in frustration.  "Yes, you are!  I remember!  Why can't you?"

"Because maybe it was all just a dream; a dream that you think is real but it's not, okay?"

"No!  It's not okay!  And it wasn't a dream, Kayla, do you hear me?  It wasn't a dream!"

Leaf let out a fierce growl deep within her throat, as her sharp teeth started to show.  "For the last time, I am not Kayla!"  Leaf screamed, growing her short nails into long, sharp claws and running toward my face, slicing my cheek with her claws.

I shouted in pain, as I put both hands over my wound, making Leaf fall from my hand and into my lap, landing on my left thigh.  I winced as I drew back one of my hands, seeing my fingers covered in red blood.  I was dazed at my hand before looking down at Leaf on my thigh.  

She slowly started to sit up, breathing heavily, as she looked up at me.  I suddenly felt guilty at pushing her into believing she was Kayla when I noticed tiny tears perk in her eyes.  She also had a look of guilt as she turned away and hopped off my thigh and onto the wooden floor.

"Zack?"  Leaf asked with her back to me.

"Yeah?"  I answered.

"I think…I should go now."

My eyes were filled with worry when she said those words.  Was this the last time I was going to see her again?  Hopefully not.  But if it was, then it was completely my fault.

"I'm sorry."  I whispered.

"I am too."  Leaf responded.

"Will I see you again?"  I asked, looking hopeful.

Leaf rubbed her arm, still not turning around and looking my way.  "I-I don't know.  I need time to think this stuff through.  Okay?"

I looked down, my hopes of trying to get her back, shot.  "I understand.  Good bye, Kay-.  I mean, good bye, Leaf."

I could see her small shoulders start to vibrate, as she turned her head a little but still no good for me to see her face.  "Good bye, Zack Shepard."  She said with her voice choking up sobs afterwards.  Then she quickly ran away from me and into the hole in the wall, where I had removed the mouse-trap, so she could get in and out of it safely.  

I looked down, my body strained with all the guilt that I now felt inside.  I could feel tears start to come but none came out.  I can't believe it happened again.  I lost her.  I lost her again and probably forever.  I screwed up so bad and now it was my fault for Kayla leaving me.  I sniffled, my shoulders starting to shake as I brought my knees up to my chest and cried, sorrowfully.  I could hear Scooter walk up from beside me and lying down next to me, his face sad as he let out a low whimper.

***

Leaf sniffled and cried tears as she looked back through the hole, seeing Zack cry just as much as her.  She turned away from the hole, as she walked a few more steps before finally her knees buckled together, making her slide to the floor, as she broke down in ferocious tears that streamed down like giant waterfalls.

She tried to cover her face with her hands, her nails back to normal, as the salty fluid dripped from in between her fingers.  Leaf sniffled and hiccupped as she took her hands away from her face, seeing the tears that she had shed displayed all over her hands.  She didn't understand.  Why was she crying?  And so hard too?  Her heart ached with pain as she could feel herself want to cry even more.  The pain she felt like the pain you got after a horrible break-up with the one that you care so deeply for.  But she didn't think she was in love and Leaf definitely wasn't dating Zack.  Then why did she feel this way?

Leaf put both hands over the left side of her chest, feeling her heart beat under the skin; it beat rapidly like a thunderous drum.  It didn't make sense.  Why was her heart always like this when she thought of Zack?  This had never happened before.  Was it a condition that you got when you have contact with a giant?  No, because then wouldn't Met and Cred be feeling the same way?  

Leaf sighed.  Maybe, she just had to face facts.  Maybe, Leaf really was in love with Zack.  It seemed like every time she thought of him or even got a glance of his giant being, her heart skipped a beat.  It was embarrassing but this was one of the first times that she had ever really discovered love before.  During the years, she was always so focused on providing the food and protection for her clan, in hopes of becoming the next leader of the Feline clan.  But now, it was like all of it was gone and now replaced with a tall two-legged giant named Zack.  Now, Leaf didn't know what she wanted to do.  Did she want to still become the future leader or did she wish to be with Zack forever?

Leaf scoffed.  There's no way that would happen.  Besides, Zack thought that she was Kayla; a girl that she had never known or even heard of.  It confused Leaf.  How could he mistake Leaf for a female two-legged giant?  Or was it the other way around?  Well, it was the same thing.  The point was Leaf now realized that Zack wasn't in love with her; he was in love with this 'Kayla' girl.

Leaf looked down, sadly, feeling fresh tears start to form.  But her crying was cut short when she heard a firm 'ahem' in front of her.  Leaf gasped, startled, and looked up.  Standing before her was Grandpa, his stick firmly planted to the wooden boards below them while his other hand was at his hip.

"Grandpa, what are you doing here?"  Leaf asked.

Grandpa's eyes narrowed, angrily.  "I should be asking you the same thing.  What were you doing with that giant?  I thought I told you not to make contact with it ever again?"

"I know, but-."

"But what?  Leaf, this is the second time you've broke my orders and it's getting disrespectful.  Now will you tell me the reason behind all this madness?"

"He rescued me, Grandpa."

"He, what?"

"He…he rescued me.  He saved me from drowning in the big lake.  Grandpa, that giant you're referring to is a hero!"

Grandpa growled.  "It is not!  It was definitely not a hero!  You were just being careless and it might've mistaken you for a tiny bug on its property and decided to fish you out!"

"Why do you keep using that word?"  Leaf asked, frustrated.

"What word?"

"'It'?  Grandpa, his name is Zack; Zack Shepard and he is my friend and my savior."  Leaf answered.

Grandpa flinched at Zack's name, as if just saying it were some kind of bullet shot through the air.  His hand tightened a little around his stick staff, as he suddenly looked nervous.  Leaf noticed this, as she asked, "Grandpa?  Is something wrong?"

Grandpa coughed to clear his throat, before turning his back to Leaf.  "No, nothing at all.  You will be punished for this crime you've committed.  Because of you, we may have to move to a different spot, away from 'Zack Shepard'."  Once saying that, Grandpa started to slowly walk away from Leaf.

"Wait!"  Leaf said, stopping Grandpa, as she quickly ran up to him and put a hand on his fragile shoulder.  "Grandpa, he's safe."

Grandpa shifted his body sideways.  "What are you talking about now?"

"Zack is harmless.  He'd never hurt us, just as long as we don't hurt him.  Trust me."  Leaf tried to persuade.

Grandpa scoffed.  "Trust you?  Last time I tried to do that, you went behind my back and started to form a secret love for this-this giant!"

Leaf blushed, wildly at Grandpa's words.  "N-no, I'm not!"  She said, defensively, before quietly whispering to herself.  "At least, not anymore."

"I heard that.  I can't believe you would fall for something as ugly and horrific as that thing!"

"Zack is none of those!  He's-."  Leaf felt her cheeks burn like wildfire, before she heard herself continue her sentence.  "Zack is the most handsome, nicest, and bravest person I have ever met."

"Silence!"  Grandpa yelled.

"No!"  Leaf yelled back.  "Zack wouldn't hurt a fly!  You're just too stubborn to see that!  He might've mistaken me for someone else but he's definitely ten times better than you'll ever be-!"  Before Leaf could finish her remark, Grandpa slapped her clear across the face, sending her falling down onto the floor with a loud thud.  Leaf slowly sat up, raising a hand to her stinging cheek, feeling the heat rise as she looked up at Grandpa with shock showing in her green eyes.

Grandpa's face was red with anger as he raised his staff and slammed it against the wood.  "Enough of this nonsense, Leaf!  I don't care if in your eyes, it is better than me.  I don't care if it mistaken your name for 'Kayla'.  All that I care about are the Animites that are now in pure danger because you had to let your mind wander where it shouldn't have.  Now, come along!  We're moving tonight!"  Grandpa was about to walk again when Leaf quickly stood up and grabbed his staff, stopping him and looking her way, as she pointed it at his chest.

"What are you doing?"  Grandpa asked; his cat ears perked up in confusion as he looked down at his staff as it was now used for a weapon against him.

Leaf narrowed her eyes.  "You always told me to listen to every word you spoke and I have."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"How did you know that Zack mistook me for 'Kayla'?  I never told you that.  All I said was that he mistook me for someone else but I never told you a name."  Leaf explained; her face scrunched up in suspicion.

Grandpa's cat ears slid down to the sides of his head as he muttered, "Crap."

"Tell me the truth.  How did you know that?  Is what Zack said, true?  Am I really 'Kayla'?"  Leaf asked.

Grandpa's eyes looked down as he let out a deep sigh.  "Lower down the staff and I shall tell you the truth."  

Leaf did as she was told and withdrew the stick, her eyes continuing to stare, intently on Grandpa.  The old man brought a hand to his head, ruffling his hair and scratching behind his cat ears.  "Let's see…how do I put this?"  He wondered out loud, before saying, "You weren't originally born an Animite or you haven't always lived the life of one."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean that what Zack said is true.  You were a born a human by human parents; you were once the same size as Zack."  Grandpa explained.

Leaf's eyes widened.  "What?  You're…you're lying!  That's impossible!"  Leaf stormed out, pointing the staff back at Grandpa's chest.

Grandpa shook his head.  "Leaf, I know it's hard to believe but it's the truth.  At first, you weren't an Animite, but the daughter of one."

"The 'daughter' of one?"

"Yes; your mother was originally an Animite.  She actually looked a little bit like you except with shorter hair.  But when your mother turned sixteen, a giant moved into this house with his family and found out about us and your mother.  That giant turned out to be your future father.  He kept our existence a secret to the giants around him but he continued to see your mother and soon, she fell in love with him and he fell in love with her."

"But that still doesn't explain how something so little could suddenly grow into something so big.  If my mother was an Animite, how did she become human?  Did she drink a magic potion or something?"  Leaf asked.

"No, no; nothing like that.  Your mother simply decided to quit being an Animite"

"'Quit'?"

"Yes."

Leaf scoffed.  "So my mother just decided to 'quit' and she instantly became a human?"

Grandpa shrugged.  "Well, there's more to it than quitting.  You have to prove that this is something that you really want; that this decision won't make you regret it in the future."

"Seems fair.  What did my mother do to prove herself?"

Grandpa shrugged again.  "To tell you the truth, I have no idea.  It seemed like when she quit, her wish was instantly granted."

Leaf looked down.  "I see.  So other than that, you're trying to tell me that when I was little, I was Zack's friend, but you took me away and made me become one of you?"

"Well, yes, because when you're parents passed away, your mother had assigned me to be your legal Godparent.  I had to take care of my granddaughter."  Grandpa looked at Leaf and slowly tried to smile.  "But enough of this, you're here where you belong and that's all that matters.  Now let's go."  Grandpa made a motion to grab Leaf's hand but she quickly pulled it back.

Grandpa was stunned, his eyes looking at Leaf.  "Leaf?"  He asked.

Leaf's shoulders suddenly started shaking as her eyes were covered with her black bangs.  "You…you expect to go back there?  Back to where you think I belong?"

Grandpa didn't answer, when Leaf's head looked back up, her face red with anger and frustration while her green eyes were partly red with all the tears that were falling from her face.  "Well, you're dead wrong!  If you think that that's where I'm supposed to belong, you've got another thing coming!  I don't belong there!  I did belong with Zack, where I was probably happy every day, but you decided to take it all away.  Grandpa, you took my whole life away!"

Grandpa took a step back in shock.  "Leaf, I think you're exaggerating a little bit."

"Exaggerating?  No, I am not exaggerating!  You literally, took everything away from me!  You changed my name from 'Kayla' to 'Leaf' and made me a part of the Feline clan!  You took away my life as a human; my life with Zack!  How can you even live with yourself?"  Leaf yelled at Grandpa.

"Leaf…"  Grandpa whispered.  Leaf had never talked back to him so filled with anger.

Leaf was breathing heavily, as she slowly whispered something to herself, to which Grandpa leaned his head forward and asked, "What?"

In response, Leaf snapped her head toward Grandpa and yelled, "Make me human, damn it!"
Chapter Seven! Read it and like it. Hope you enjoyed it. ^^
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