Part Two Chapter One-15 Years Later

“And so Heracles tricked Atlas into taking back the world and went on his…” Bright Heart trailed off on the lesson as he noticed his pupil wasn’t exactly paying attention. He sighed.

Chibi gazed out the window at the beautiful blue sky, her mind clearly not where she was. This wasn’t the first time this had happened. In fact, it was happening nearly everyday now.

And it wasn’t like he didn’t know what was wrong. Everyone did, well, almost everyone. There was one who refused to admit it. He sighed, “Chibi…” he called.

The young girl shook her head and looked at the scholarly raccoon who was her tutor. “Sorry Uncle Bright Heart, I guess I wasn’t paying attention. I’m sorry.”

Bright Heart shook his head, “No, don’t be. We’ve been at the books pretty hard today. Why don’t you go and play.” He was well aware how odd it sounded to tell a fifteen year old to go play. But Chibi did it. She got up and left.

Chibi walked out of Bright Heart’s little home. She didn’t know why, but for sometime now she’d been feeling a strange longing to go to Earth, to be with other humans. But she didn’t dare voice what she desired. She didn’t want to appear ungrateful. The Care Bears, especially her Papa, had been so kind and good to take her in, to raise her as their own. She sat at the Rainbow River, looking in at her reflection.

“What’s wrong with me?” she said to herself. “I love it here. Why would I want to leave?” But she knew it was useless. She did the same thing every day and night now. Trying to quell her wish. But it was never effective. She sighed and dipped a hand in to brush away her reflection before standing. “I think I’ll go see if Hugs wants to play.”

Meanwhile,

“True Heart, Noble Heart,” Bright Heart caught the two of them before they went into headquarters. “Can I talk to you for a few minutes, it’s important.”

True Heart replied, “Of course Bright Heart.” The two of them followed the violet raccoon to a spot where they wouldn’t be overheard. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s Chibikan.” he started. The other two nodded knowingly. “She was daydreaming again. I don’t think my lessons are enough anymore.”

Noble Heart nodded, “Yes, we were talking about it last night. She needs to be with other humans. But Tender Heart is very stubborn about this. He’s insistent that it’s too dangerous for her.”

“Except keeping her here is even more dangerous. No, No-Heart can’t get to her here. Yes, he can get to her there. But, eventually she has to return there. And there are people even more dangerous than No-Heart. Humans can be cruel, she needs to learn that and be prepared for that.” True Heart explained. “I know we all want her to stay. She’d be a great Care Bear. She has the heart for it. But…that’s the problem. She’s not a Care Bear. She’s human. She’d do better where she can spread the caring that she’s learned here.”

Noble Heart put a hand on his mate’s shoulder, “I’m not disagreeing with you True Heart. You’re right. The question is how do we what’s right by her, without undermining Tender Heart. He is her adoptive father. He should have the choice.”

Bright Heart sighed. It was always hard to make this decision. “I don’t want to undermine Tender Heart. He should have the choice. But…the time is gone for him to make that choice. He chose not to. So we have to make it for him. He does care for her, he’s just been very protective since he saved her. Remember, he saw her mother die. I think he blames himself for it. And he’s doing everything in his power to keep ANYTHING from happening to her.”

“Well, what do we do then?” Noble Heart asked, “Go over his head?”

“I think that’s the only choice, Noble Heart. Tender Heart needs to realize that she’s a person, and not a pet he can keep locked up in the house.” True Heart said, “She needs to be free to grow up and live a human life. Living in Care-A-Lot is just setting her up for the pains of Earth. We do what we can, but we can’t fix everything in time for it to be just like Care-A-Lot when the time comes. We have no other choice.”

The horse sighed in agreement, “I’ll make the arrangements. Tomorrow, we tell him.”

AN: What sort of arrangements are going to be made. Will No-Heart get her?