Horton Hears A Who: 96 Sisters

Chapter 5

A/N: I'm guessing because the movie finally came out, people started reading fan fiction for it and since I was suddenly getting so many reviews I decided I'd finally kick my lazy mind into gear and update.

It seemed that Jojo managed to get away, without any complications.

He had run so fast upon his short legs that he doubted anyone even had the time to follow. Even so as he reached the tree he had escaped down earlier that night- he glanced backwards. There was darkness all around, Jojo could see nothing else and if he couldn't see anyone… he figured no one could see him either. Fumbling his fingers over the rough bark of the tree he found his handholds and climbed his way up. Swinging over the window sill and landing silently in his room.

He yanked his window shut behind him, just incase he was followed. It may have been highly unlikely but the possibility was still there. Jojo didn't want to take the chance.

Jojo turned and crept his way across the length of the room. Prodding his fuzzy feet across certain floor boards as he went along, counting out in his head. The fourteenth one sunk slightly beneath his weight with a soft creak… The sign for him to crouch down and pull it up. Beneath it waited a bundle of papers, which he quickly stashed the camera among.

Hearing a ridiculously soft knock at his door he shoved the board back down with a quick kick of his heel. Jojo opened the door to find a sigh leaving his lips at the sight of his sister, Tally. "Jo-jo, Wa'm wor-sty…" She whined, fresh tears just beginning to well up in the corners her bright eyes. "Wo one wisten."

Jojo couldn't just ignore her, as much as the part of him --that demanded sleep-- insisted he did. So he did what any good big brother would do and lead her down the stairs to fill her simple request.

Despite all the whos which lived in the mayor's house, the kitchen was well tended too and rather organized. Jojo had no trouble locating a glass, though he had to pull a chair in from the dining room in order to reach it. It was strange that while in that vast room of 99 chairs, he hadn't heard the causal thuds of footsteps approaching the house, a sound that usually echoed in the silence of WhoVille nights. He had simply returned to his sister, hopping up onto the burrowed seat and filled her glass at the sink.

Tally was waiting rather impatiently for her drink, pouting and whining, till he passed it down to her.

Jojo then proceeded to wave his little sister away, by showing her his own glass in explanation. He moved to fill it in the sink as Tally shuffled out. She was so delighted by her glass of simple water that she did not notice the green who standing by the doorway as she passed. Didn't think to mention it to her brother, that Jeff was leaning against the frame.

"Hey, Jojo." Jeff said causal manner, startling Jojo into almost dropping his now full glass. Instead Jojo hid his slip up well, by turning off the water and taking a sip out of his cup. This way it appeared he was simply ignored Jeff's presence as if he wasn't worth so much as a passing glance.

Jeff had dropped his voice a few levels before he spoke again, teasing the smaller Who as he crept forward. "Isn't it way past your bedtime?" Jojo had his back to him so Jeff missed the way that Jojo rolled his eyes at the lame mock. With a lazy hop Jojo jumped from the chair and began to make his way across the kitchen. While Jeff was beginning to think he should stop joking and get straight to the point of this little 'get together'.

"So how did you enjoy your nighttime stroll?" Jeff questioned, hoping to catch the smaller Who off guard with the suddenness of his statement. Jojo didn't even seem to realize Jeff was speaking to him though. He had already moved onto the fridge, retrieving a few items from it before making his way over to a different corner of the kitchen.

"You know, for the mayor's son, you really have no manners. Listen to me when I'm talking to you." Jeff demanded with a rather childish stomp of the foot. Jojo just waved his hand back at Jeff, to tell him he didn't care much for what he had to say. Jojo was preoccupied reaching for a nearby knife which threw Jeff in to abrupt silence.

Jojo pulled a loaf of bread towards him and heard a long breath whistle out. Had Jeff seriously thought he meant to finish him off with a knife? That was ridiculous. Jojo had simply missed dinner, so he needed something to eat so his stomach didn't devour itself.

"So what is it? You couldn't sleep? Just thought you'd get some fresh air?"

Putting his sandwich together he turned around to face Jeff, using practiced skill to keep his expression indifferent. "I know you can talk, don't try playing stupid with me anymore!" Jeff proclaimed accusingly, stomping his way over. Jojo didn't respond to that, eating his sandwich rather slowly, as he watched the younger Who boy fuming before him.

Jeff snorted "I don't have to stand for this!"

Seeing that Jeff was getting rather loud, Jojo thought it be wise to quiet him down before he woke the whole house. Jojo put his finger to his lips before holding the same finger out and pointing it suggestively at the ground, he wanted to sit, then let him sit. If Jojo was lucky it would shut Jeff up.

"I'm not dog, you sit on the floor!" Jeff yelled as loud as ever but Jojo just shrugged at him, finishing up his sandwich. Jojo didn't say a word about his departure, but grabbed his glass and made his way towards the room's exit. Almost instantly Jojo found himself cut off though, by the taller Who. With a small sigh of annoyance Jojo attempted to slip past him but Jeff just stuck up his leg, blocking Jojo's path.

"Where is it?" Jeff's voice was calm but Jojo could see the impatience growing on his features, it was a clear sign Jeff would probably blow a fuse soon, if he didn't get what he wanted. As it lay now, Jojo could risk another episode of closet stuffing or he could just give Jeff what he was demanding.

Jojo decided it'd probably be safer to go with the later of the two.

"I've tried being a nice guy here." Jeff was saying calmly after taking a deep breath, "but you are making it extremely difficult… Now all I am asking is that you give me what I want and no one will have to get hurt, physically or emotionally."

Jojo could throw his water at Jeff, duck around him and run, but that did not seem to be the wise thing to do, so instead he went with plan B for the second time that night. Setting his glass on the floor by his feet he nodded loosely. Right… he'd give Jeff just what he wanted.

He strolled past Jeff as he stepped out of the way and Jojo ascended the stairs to his room.

After a quick check to make sure Jeff didn't follow him he paced over to his bed. Jeff wouldn't know any different. Jojo was going to give him a roll of film, just not the one he wanted. No this was the one that had originally been the camera and Jojo went back down stairs with it in hand.

Jeff would never know any different.

Jojo woke up early the next day, which was more out of force of habit than by choice. He stumbled out into the hallway and slipped into the bathroom. Determined to beat the other ninety-eight members of his family, which he did. At this point, he was glad he was use to a lack of sleep because it was the only thing keeping him on his feet at the moment. It was important he stayed awake today too, he had a lot to get done.

When he turned off the water and pushed down the puffball that was his damp fur --making himself appear slightly more presentable-- he stepped out of the bathroom and found a loud chattering line of his family members. Figures… and his father was at the front.

"Hey! Jojo!"

Had the day started already? Well it was official now that Jojo's father was trying to have a conversation with him.

"Why weren't you at dinner last night?"

Someone at the back of the line yelled, "DAD! YOU'RE HOLDING THE LINE UP! I GOTTA PEE!" Some manners Jojo's little sisters displayed. Shaking his head, Jojo turned to walk away only to find the messy footsteps of his father falling not far behind. Jojo should of expected that he wouldn't get away so easily.

His father called after him, "Jojo, wait! I'm just worried about you!" With a deep sigh Jojo stopped, allowing his father to catch up to him. After all, he expected this to happen, considering he had missed one of the most "important" times of the day. It was one thing to be late but to miss it all together-

Regardless of the fact he had a good reason. He was unconscious in a closet.

Jojo sighed, it was the best thing to do in one of these situations. He was just going to let his father talk.

"What if something happened to you?" Jojo tossed him a skeptical look. What would possibly happen? He was not going to give the mayor time to explain himself, he turned walk away once more. He had to find the two of his sisters that were involved with Jeff after all and get them in one place.

Trying to pick them out from the rest could prove troublesome though.