Akira’s Favor, The Ferret Trouble

Another Invidia tale by AMI MEITSU

A/N: It’s 2212 in this story, so Akira’s nine

“Okay, now make sure you take extra good care of her. Okay?”

“Okay!” Akira smiled at her friend. You see, her friend Tamara was going away the next week and the “her” was actually Tamara’s pet ferret, Nina. Akira has promised her that she’d watch Nina (With Arty’s permission of course.)

Tamara smiled at her. “I knew I could trust you! Have fun!” She left the classroom and Akira, who was holding an animal carrier. Inside was a brown and white patterned ferret, she was so cute!

“Hey you…” Akira said to her “You’re just so cute! We’re going to have the best time Nina!”

Nina gave her one of those ‘I have no idea what the hell is going on’ looks that Animals always have when you talk to them.

Akira smiled at her, picked up her stuff and left. Derek was waiting for her outside with Setsuna; he had said that he’d pick her up from school that day as a favor to Arty.

“Hi Derek!” Akira smiled at him.

“Hey Akira, Do your parents know you have that?” Derek looked at the animal carrier, it seemed weird that she’d have any sort of animal, Invidia hated them.

Akira nodded. “Yup! My friend is going away so I asked if I could watch her ferret and Dad said I could. He said it’ll teach me responsibility!”

“He’s right, caring for a pet is a big responsibility, you’re going to need to really work at it.”

“I know and I’m going to do whatever I can to make Nina happy! If Nina’s happy then Tamara’s happy!”

Derek smiled at her. He swore that Akira was defiantly serious beyond her years but at the same time he was glad that she could still act her age, like she was now. “Well then let’s get you home.”

“Right.” Akira nodded and climbed in the car.

When she arrived at her building she began to wonder what her Invidia-Mama would do about Nina, she didn’t like pets, she thought that they were filthy animals and wanted nothing to do with them. Arty said that he talked to her, but she doubted it. He was so busy these days! (Akira: No, not that type of busy you perverts!) She sighed as the elevator went up; it was way too late to let Tamara down and she did have permission…

‘Okay, this is it…’ Akira thought as she unlocked and opened the door.

Invidia didn’t bother turning around for a minute, she was busy on the computer doing something with the bills.

“Uh…Invidia-Mama?” Akira said.

“Hm?” Invidia turned around. “Oh hey Akira…What is that?!”

“Oh, it’s Nina; she’s Tamara’s pet ferret…”

“Oh, no, no, no, NO! You are not bringing that Weasel into my house!”

“Invidia-Mama, It’s a penthouse…”

“Not the point! You know I hate animals! Get it out of here now.” Invidia hissed.

“But Invidia-Mama! I promised! And Dad said I could!”

“WHAT?! Arty!” Invidia called.

“Huh?” He came out of their room and looked at her.

“Did you give her permission to bring THAT home?!” Invidia pointed to the animal carrier.

“Yes I did. She asked me a week ago if she could look after her friend’s pet and I told her she could. I’m sorry I never told you, but it’s too late.” Arty explained calmly.

“No! Take it back! Now!” Invidia demanded. She didn’t care what Arty said, she hated animals and wanted nothing to do with them.

“I can’t!” Akira said. “I made a promise! And Dad already has the cage set up and everything! It’ll only be a week and I promise that I’ll take care of real well! You won’t even know she’s here!”

Invidia looked at Arty.

He shrugged. “Sorry, Honey.”

Invidia sighed. She was defeated. “Fine, it can stay, but ONLY for a week and you are to take full responsibility! Understood?” Invidia asked.

Akira put the carrier down and hugged Invidia. “Thank you Invidia-Mama!” She said.

Invidia huffed. “Yeah, yeah…”

Akira smiled. ‘Maybe after she sees me with Nina she’ll get me a real pet! I know that’s not like her but I can dream!’ Akira let go and took her stuff, including Nina, into her room. Tamara’s parents had said that they’d drop off everything that morning so Arty could set it up for Nina’s arrival. In her room was a medium sized cage with food, water, a litter box and a small pillow for sleeping.With it, they’d also brought over some toys and ferret treats. Akira looked around at let Nina out of her carrier.

“I hope you like it here…” she said. “I’ve got everything from home, see?” She rolled a ball toward her and Nina batted it off to the side.

“You’re cute!” Akira looked at her and Nina looked back. Akira smiled. Then, very gently, she picked her up and put her in her cage.

‘I hope she likes it here! It’ll be hard to be friends if she’s unhappy!’ Akira watched for another moment before doing her homework and as she did that Invidia continued her argument.

“I still don’t understand why you did it without my consent!” Invidia said to Arty as she typed.

“I told you, Akira seemed so set on it and I thought it was a good idea. I was going to tell you, but I never got a chance.”

“Whatever. Now we’re stuck.” Invidia mumbled.

“Come on! How much trouble could one ferret cause?” Arty asked.

How much? A LOT.

Over the next few days Nina had managed to escape Akira’s room three times, almost ruined one of Invidia’s dresses, and drove Invidia up the wall. She kept insisting that there was something wrong with it and need to be taken back, but Akira kept apologizing and saying that it was only a couple days. Fortunately Invidia held out until the last day but that was it. After that Nina was going! Thankfully that day was also one of the few times Akira’s class had show-and-tell, so she had an excuse to bring Nina to school.

“So you’re sure she’s back?” Invidia asked at breakfast, she was talking about Tamara. She wanted to make sure so she wouldn’t have to deal with “it” anymore.

Akira nodded. “I’m sure. I’m sure.” She said.

Ryou just looked at them, secretly, he was happy that Nina was going. While he liked her he didn’t like seeing Invidia mad all the time.

“Good, now hurry up and go!” Now Invidia was saying it so that Akira wouldn’t be late.

Akira nodded again and left within twenty minutes. She caught the bus at a corner at the end of the road, only a short walk from the building. Already there were two other kids there that she knew lived in the building, she didn’t know their names, but, then again Akira’s family liked minding their own business.

“Hey! What’s that?!” The younger girl asked.

“It’s my friend’s ferret! I brought her for show-and-tell!” Akira said.

“Wow…I wish I was in your class…”

“You’re not smart enough for the third grade!” The boy, her brother, said.

‘But I’m in the fourth grade…’ Akira thought. She wasn’t that short…was she? Her parents were always telling her that she was of average height; she thought for another minute and ruled against it, concluding that they didn’t know she was in fourth grade because they didn’t know her well.

After another minute the bus showed up and the little girl pushed her brother up.

“Hurry up, doofus!” she said.

“Hey! Rule number 2, don’t be horsing around, got that?” the bus driver said, he was laid back but a stickler for the rules.

She nodded and Akira got on or tried to.

“Oh no.” he said “You are not bringing that Weasel on my bus!”

“But Nina isn’t…” Akira started.

“Sorry, Miss. Sazuki that’s the rule, you gotta get off the bus.”

Akira solemnly nodded and obeyed.

‘It’s not fair!’ she thought as she walked back into the lobby. ‘Now I’m gonna be late! I wanted to get there early to give Nina back!’ She sighed as she came to her hall, almost glad for a second because she noticed that she forgot her key. So she knocked on the door.

Invidia came a moment later. “Akira?! What are you doing here? You’re gonna miss your bus!” she said.

“He wouldn’t let Nina ride the bus…” Akira told her.

“Oh, that’s just great!” Invidia hissed she walked back inside and Akira followed.

“You know that if we don’t go now we’re gonna be late and…”

Invidia turned around and looked at her. “I have to get ready before I go anywhere! I’m a mess!” she said; even though it wasn’t necessarily true. In fact, Arty thought she was cute in the morning, but Akira knew that she liked to look decent before going out. Currently she wore her black robe over her slip, the robe may have covered her but one of her straps had fallen and she was showing a bit…

“Just entertain yourself with a video!” Invidia said before she stomped off. ‘Why do these things always happen at the worst times?!’ She thought.

Akira sighed. “Oh well…” she said as she put the DVD in the player. “At least I can watch more of my show…” She sat down and watched.

Currently, she was watching this anime called Koneko Kiara-Chan and she loved it. It was about this girl named Kiara who was a member of this ancient cat clan with her mother and she was the Koneko or ‘Kitty’ of the group. She found this old book in the attic and it unlocked her power early, meaning she had a lot of fight training and if that wasn’t enough her boyfriend was part of the evil organization they were fighting! Akira loved it, Kiara reminded Akira of herself, she was perceived as a quiet loner to others but once she got to know people she could open up to themand be herself. She had all the DVDs up to volume four. Arty thought it was a little too violent for a nine-year-old but Invidia didn’t care because she knew that Akira knew that it wasn’t real.

“Watching your Koneko show again?” Invidia asked about fifteen minutes later.

“Yup!” Akira said as she continued to watch Kiara do battle with Hiratachi. (Her Evil boyfriend)

“Huh, I thought they were a couple…” Invidia said.

“They are! But Hiratachi doesn’t know that Kiara is the Koneko, and he’s possessed when he’s evil.” Akira explained. She then looked at Invidia. “You’re going out dressed like that?” she asked.

“Why? It doesn’t look wrong does it?” Invidia turned so Akira could see. Instead of her usual gown she wore a spaghetti strap black dress with a light white coat over it; the dress fell just above her knees.

“No, you look pretty it’s just…different.”

“Akira I don’t wear my gown all the times and it’s warm out, now let’s go.” Invidia said as she slipped on her black flats, this didn’t surprise Akira since she wore them almost every day. “You know…” Invidia started as they walked down the hall. “You’re pretty damn lucky that your Father rode with Derek this morning or you’d be out of a ride…”

Akira said nothing, but she was glad.

You see they only had one car so it was almost crucial for Akira to catch the bus on time. Arty left for work early so Invidia was often left to walk, even though she didn’t mind, she rarely drove anyway.

Akira stayed quiet the whole way to school, only talking when she got out. “Thank you Invidia-Mama!” She said.

“You’re welcome; just don’t miss the bus anymore!”

“Right!” Akira ran inside with her backpack and Nina, but as soon as she was out of sight Invidia noticed that she left two of her books behind.

“Oh Akira…” Invidia sighed as she picked up the books, and got out herself. “The things I do…” she muttered as she walked into the school and down the hall to Akira’s classroom.

As she walked all the teachers turned their heads. Some whispered, well, mostly because she was just there, an evil princess in an elementary school? After a minute or two she located the room and walked in, and she swore that Akira’s teacher was eyeing her… Then again that wasn’t as bad as the janitor who had whistled at her…

“Invidia-Mama?” Akira said.

“Invidia-Mama?!” half the class said. They were all shocked, well Akira’s friends weren’t but the rest of them were. They’d heard stories about Invidia so it wasn’t surprising that they were shocked over her being a mother…and Akira never talked about her family much…

“Here.” She handed Akira her books.

“Oh! Thank you…” Akira said.

“You’re just a mess this morning, aren’t you?” Invidia whispered to her.

“I guess” Akira laughed.

Invidia smiled at her. “I’ll pick you up later okay?” she said.

Akira nodded. “I love you Invidia-Mama…” she whispered so that only Invidia heard.

“I love you too, now I’ve gotta go…” She whispered and left.

“What was that about?” one kid asked.

“Is she really your mom?”Another asked.

Akira nodded and turned to them. “She’s my Invidia-Mama and I love her! Nothing you can ever say can change that! You don’t know her like I do! She may be evil but she’s a good Mama and always has been to me! So DON’T say anything about her! Got it?!” Akira crossed her arms and the kids nodded. She was proud of herself and knew that Invidia would be too, she meant everything she said!‘I doesn’t matter what they thing anyway…’ she thought. ‘She’s my Invidia-Mama and always will be. I love her! And nobody can change that!’