Snippet #2534489

Zoozoo-um sat on a tree stump away from the others, she felt numb and helpless. Her sister had been captured and tortured, while the rest of the story she was told was questionable, that much was definitely true. The herrings lost their nation, the rhino beetles lost their nation, and the crocs aren't safe in their own nation. Too much is happening at one time, too much stress and guilt for lives lost.
"Zoozoo-um, what's wrong?" Tezecan came out from some bushes.
"I couldn't save Ah-quaz. I couldn't save so many people... I'm just brooding, Tezecan."
"You can't save everyone, right? You saved me at least. Nobody's perfect."
"You're right... Why were you hiding in the bushes?"
"Nobody ever tells me anything , so I was just listening to everyone talking."
The grand commander chuckled.
"You're a lot smarter than you look."
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Tezecan's eyebrows furrowed. Zoozoo-um felt herself smile again.
"You're a kid, that's what I meant. You wouldn't expect to see a kid lecture an adult like me, would you?"
"I guess not."
A smirk formed on the croc's face.
"I heard that you and Vyjaxmen..." He said vaguely. The peacock could definitely see him blush.
"Wait! What?!" Zoozoo-um was almost offended that the croc thought she would do anything with that irresponsible rhino beetle. What kind of example would Vyjaxmen set for his younger sister? If Ah-quaz is really gone, -The thought made Zoozoo-um shiver- she at least didn't want Tezecan to think of her the wrong way.
"Nothing happened between us. Who made you think that lie?"
Tezecan looked down at his feet in embarrassment.
"Vyjaxmen told everyone in the group."
The grand commander narrowed her eyes.
"And you believed him?"
"Yes..."
"You can't believe everything everyone says. Some people aren't trustworthy these days."
The croc nodded in agreement. Tezecan grabbed the peacock's hand for comfort.
"Sorry. I guess I'm too naïve."
Zoozoo-um's dark brown eyes met his green eyes as she replied.
"Nobody's perfect, right?"
The two walked back to where the others were. Vyjallen and Arrianonna were chatting and Vyjaxmen was leaning against a tree. Zoozoo-um let go of Tezecan's hand and rushed up to Vyjaxmen, enraged.
"What did you say about me?!" She demanded, pinning the rhino beetle to the tree he leaned on. Vyjaxmen simply smirked.
"Nothing that isn't true, Ms. Peahen"
Zoozoo-um audibly slapped him across the face, leaving a mark. Everyone in the group must've heard it. Vyjaxmen smirked again, this time with a glint in his eye suggesting mischievous intent. The grand commander could hear footsteps from the rest of the group approaching. Suddenly Vyjaxmen leaned down and kissed Zoozoo-um much too passionately. Everyone was probably looking, but the peacock did nothing.