I always hate it when my recovery is slow because then I have to be stuck in one place and wait until I get well.

It also doesn't help the fact that Blue Eyes has been out for hours. I sighed and closed my eyes, the apes were slowly starting to pack their belongings.

Cornelius snuggled closer to me and I tightened my hold on my son. Caesar came in looking worn out but I saw something I never saw before seeping in his eyes.

Hate.

Pain.

Anger.

Rage.

I blinked when my mind flashed into a scarred Koba before I shook my head. Caesar pressed pur foreheads together and I hooted softly at him.

"You must rest"

Caesar stubbornly shook his head.

"Not safe here to live. Must go to Promise Land"

I smiled at him when Ryker and Livius came bounding in.

"He's Awake!"

"Who?!"

"Blue Eyes!"

As if something dangerous was chasing him, Caesar dashed out of our nest as I struggled to stand up, making sure not to wake sleeping Cornelius.

Ryker and Livius helped me walked towards Blue Eyes's nest and saw Caesar and Lake with a very much awake Blue Eyes smiling at them.

His eyes snapped to me and I saw his shoulders sag as if a huge weight had been pulled out of him.

I smiled and our palms touched before I placed my forehead to his.

"No apes were hurt?"

Blue Eyes asked and I stiffened up as tears began to cloud my vision.

Don't cry.

Do not cry.

DO NOT CRY.

Tears fell and I choked back a sob and shook my head before signing.

"Giovanni has passed away"

Blue Eyes's eyes widen before they darkened and I knew he was reliving the past when he lost his best friend and brother in arms, Ash, Rocket's son.

Cornelius woke up and squealed in happiness at the sight of his brother but I held him back in going over to him.

Lake touched his shoulder before placing her head on his shoulder as a sign of comfort.

Caesar pulled me up and signed.

"We must leave as soon as you have regained your strength"

Blue Eyes nodded before he tried to stand up. Lake hooted and softly shoved him back down.

Blue Eyes hooted out in protests but Lake glared at him and Blue Eyes finally gave up, knowing he did not want to end up fighting with his chosen mate as soon as he woke up.

I grinned, Lake sure knows how to handle Caesar like apes.

I taught her everything she knows.

Caesar led me away from Blue Eyes and signed to me.

"You should start packing. You have a long journey ahead of you"

I frowned. Why didn't he say we? Wait! He doesn't mean...

"Your going after him are you?"

Cornelius hooted in panic at that but I cooed softly at him and turned to Caesar.

Caesar didn't say anything but I saw how much his eyes spoke the entire truth.

"Caesar you can't go after him alone!"

"It is my fight Kira. I don't want you or any of the apes to get involved. I may never cone back after this"

My entire body froze in horror. I had half a kind to go after him but I knew I had to stay for my sons.

"Then in case you get lonely"

I took off my necklace made out of all kinds of animal teeth and wrapped it around his neck.

He didn't say anything nor did I sign anything. We nuzzled to one another before Caesar held Cornelius and led him away.

I bit my lip as I watched his figure disappear before I felt a hand on my shoulder and Livius and Ryker.

"We saw and heard what happened"

Livius signed sheepishly. Why does that NOT surprise me.

"He can't go out by himself alone. Get Rocket, Maurice and Luca. I need to have a word with them"

***

Turns out, Blue Eyes was healing very quickly than mine, though when walking he was staggering a bit.

Right now, we are now outside are home, preparing ourselves for the long journey.

Caesar came back and I saw Cornelius with puffy red eyes. I guess Caesar told him.

Cornelius ran into me and I scooped him up. Caesar and I shared a brief glance before he spoke.

"The rest of you head to the land. I will finish this on my own"

I didn't look at Caesar in that moment for fear I might start crying again.

Apes hooted and begged Caesar to come back but by the sound of horse feet pounding, I knew there was no stopping him.

Maurice along with Luca and Rocket rode up to me and my eyes went to them.

I smiled at them and signed.

"Tale care of him for me"

They nodded before they followed Caesar. I saw Blue Eyes looking at the direction on where his father left and I saw father hooting softly towards him.

"You are much more needed here my boy"

Blue Eyes looked at him and nodded, I smiled before looking at the apes who were still in shock that Caesar left them.

Their eyes went to me.

"I know Caesar left us but I know he will come back. Right now, we have to get out of here before the army of humans arrived"

Determination rose up in the eyes of every ape before we began to start the journey.

I looked back to the rode where Caesar took.

I hope you return safely.