I thank God for all my inspiration.
This is a collab story with Cheshire lover so half of this is hers.
Nine Lives One Heart
A small shuttle hovers over a multi-region planet. The cadets shaking with fear about what happens when they run out of energy. A few of their hands shaking as they work on the shuttle.
"H-hurry it up R-Ranger." A cadet with wavy brown hair rubs his arms looking at another with blond hair in a small ponytail.
"L-leave him al-lone Sh-Shooter. W-we're all cold." Another with black clean cut hair fixes a blanket over an out cold and clearly hurt one with a bandage wrapped around his left eye.
"I… I think I got it." Ranger manages to get the systems on.
"R-right. L-let's get out of here." Shooter goes to take the helm.
"W-we won't make it f-far. B-best land o-on the p-planet." The clean cut one, Matches, motions to the planet.
Shooter nods steering them to the best of his ability. Trouble is they were all cold and had been working for hours before life support started to fail. Shooter was too tired to stay awake to land right.
Meanwhile in the forest colony of the planet…
"Come on Ruby we have to keep going towards the lake so I can fish." A woman with cat ears and tail called her friend.
Her fur was dark gray, the tail and ears black tipped with a few spots around them, brown hair and eyes, and yellowish tan skin.
She was known as a Chat.
'Just a few more Nicol.' The white haired and furred, with red eyes, Chat signs to her friend. A bag filled with herbs by her side.
"Fine, five more minutes. Then we have to get going." Nicol thumbs towards the lake. One of the rules of their people was to never go into the wild alone. There were a few dangerous creatures on their planet.
Ruby nods going back to gathering. Both looking up as they see a fireball heading for the lake. The two heading off to see what it is.
The pod splashes down steaming as it quickly cools. The girls arriving as the steam cloud surrounds them. Both glad ships are docked for the coming storm.
'There are cubs in there!' Ruby can hear them groaning and one checking worriedly for another.
"Then lets hurry!" Nicol shouts rushing into the water.
The two then make their way to the pod. They're careful with the door. Both grateful that it's cool inside, frigid really.
They then spot the cubs. All four guarding a hurt one.
'It's okay. We're here to help.' Ruby signs to them.
"Stay back! Don't come near us SITH!" The four call, ready to defend him.
'They can't understand me.' Ruby's ears droop looking over at her friend.
"We are not a danger to you, please come with us. It's not safe here." Nicol tries to explain but she knew her crystal, the one wrapped around all Chat's wrists, hadn't translated her words for them yet. But she lets her ears and tail down to look as less threatening as possible.
This seems to calm them, but they're also confused on what she's saying.
They all then felt the ground grow wet. They look down to see a crack in the screen. The girls motion to the opening and for the guys to follow them.
The leader, Matches, seems to get this handing off their injured brother to Ruby. Ruby gets him out laying him on the ground and starts looking him over. Meanwhile Nicol helps the rest of the cadets get out.
All are finally on the grass as the pod sinks to the bottom. The guys sighing with relief and tired. Unable to keep their eyes open at the shock.
"You girls alright!?" Calls a man's voice.
Coming to them is a fortish man with blond hair and fur comes running to them. His emerald eyes showing his worry as others behind him ready to help.
'These cubs need help.' Ruby sighs explaining what happened.
"Ones out cold and the others are freezing. We found them in the pod after it fell from the sky." Nicol explains
The others nod, each taking a kid. They bring them to the hospital to look them over.
Ruby insisted to look them over herself. Others may have done something for them but Ruby stays in the room looking them over.
"You need to get some rest." Nicol pats her shoulder.
'I want them to have a familiar face when they wake up.' Ruby shakes her head looking at the tired cubs.
"Sigh, alright but don't overdo it. I have to get back to my family before they worry." Nicol nods.
'Kay.' Ruby nods waving to her friend as she leaves.
Ruby stays awake for a few more hours. She took notes on their injuries and temperatures. Then went over medicine that could help them.
'Maybe I should get some sleep.' Ruby yawns about to turn out the light when the injured one wakes up.
"W-where am I?" The kid looks around scared and tired.
'Take it easy. You're okay.' Ruby motions for him to calm down.
'Red eyes? But… they're kind.' He looks into the color he was taught to fear yet felt warmth and worry.
"A-are the others…?" He looks at her with his eyes shaking.
Ruby nods moving so he can see the other four. The cadet smiles with tears falling before he falls asleep again.
The next morning the cadets are awake and can better understand them. Not fully yet but they can at least talk. The leader, Jacob Summers, brings them to his house to talk.
At the manor…
"I hope you boys like hot coco and peppermint." Mrs. Summer, a coco fur and hair colored woman, places down the warm cups.
The cups were steaming with whipped cream on and sprinkled with crushed candy-canes on top. Beside them are bowls of porridge that smelt just as good.
"Thank you." They nod sipping them slowly.
"Ruby is making up rooms for you five. Meanwhile we would like to know how you came to us." Jacob smiles at them kindly.
"They fell from some sort of escape pod from what we learned. They were cold from life support loss and one seemed hurt for some unknown reason. But we still don't know the whole story. Do you boys mind telling us?" Nicol looks at them worried.
Matches decided to speak up for them "I'm Matches, and these are my brothers. We're cadets for the grand army of the republic. We were going on a trip to learn about battle cruisers when the shuttle was attacked by a separatist fleet, as did our own. The ship took heavy damage and our Sargent, Wing, put us in a pod so we could escape safely. But as we were heading to the safe zone we were hit. Cricket accidently hit his head at that and Wing, he was named after sarge, had to bandage him up. After that we got lost and like Nicol said we lost life support and engines. So we had to fix the ship but when we came to your planet and tried to land we were all so cold and tired we ended up crashing."
"You poor boys." Lila, Misses Summer, hugs each of them crying a bit.
"Well you will have a place here. And if you'd like maybe even be Summers." Jacob looks at them sincerely.
'Does he mean that?' All of them look shocked.
'The rooms are ready.' Ruby comes down motioning to the stairs.
"Thank you sweetie." Jacob smiles at her.
"Going out?" Lila looks over at her.
'Just going to clean them up.' Ruby nods with a sad look to her.
"I'll go with you." Nicol calls as she smiles at the boys and nods before leaving.
"Your daughter looks sad." Shooter looks at them.
"She's had a hard life." Jacob sighs at that standing.
"Why don't we get you boys settled in?" Lila smiles motioning for them to follow her.
With the girls…
Ruby cleaned up leaves and weeds from two graves. She looks down at the two names her ears drooping as she kneels down touching them.
-Flashback: 'Get water over here! Hurry! Daddy! Mommy!' she recalls everything burning around her as she loses sight of them in the smoke.-
'I miss you.' Ruby rubs her teary eyes.
"They are always in your heart Ruby." Nicol leans down next to her friend with lily's in her hands.
'Those for them?' Ruby looks at the lily's in her hands.
"You always bring these to them." Nicol looks sadly at her friend as she hands them over.
'Thanks.' Ruby stands looking at them.
The two stand vigil for a bit then "They would be proud of you. You are an accomplished healer and a devoted one at that. No one else was able to stay so long with those cubs. You'll be an excellent mother someday." Nicol smiles at her friend.
'Not likely with these males.' Ruby shakes her head with drooped ears.
Nicol huffs "They're all fools Ruby. You'll see, someday you'll find a true male who deserves you. One who better pay double for your bride price."
'I'll think about it if he pays triple.' Ruby holds up three fingers.
They both laugh at that and head off.
Two weeks later…
Kenobi, Anakin, Rex, and Cody were on a mission to find the missing cadets.
Kenobi said as he looked at the scans "If these are correct then the missing cadets should be nearby."
"They must have landed on the nearby planet for shelter if their pod was damaged. Or possibly to get more food and water." Anakin supplied as he pointed to it.
It was a strange looking planet, on one side it was covered in grassland fields, on the other was a huge forest, and right in the middle of it like a belt where large mountains.
Suddenly they are hailed by a ship coming their way.
"This is head defender Pierre Knot. State your business in our space." The said man with the blond hair, fur, and emerald eyes glares at them from a holo call.
"We apologize; we did not mean any disrespect. You see we lost some cadets around this area about two weeks ago after an attack." Kenobi explains.
"Are you part of this grand army the cubs keep talking about?" Pierre raises a brow.
"Sort of, we are the jedi. We serve as the generals of the army currently." Anakin explains.
The man seems to frown at them and crosses his arms.
"We don't like the idea of training children for battle." Pierre crosses his arms.
The two looked at each other, it seemed they had a lot of explaining to do.
"Sir, maybe we should go." Rex points to himself and looks over at Cody.
They look back at the two troopers and Anakin smiles "Go on ahead Rex."
"You as well Cody." Kenobi nods.
As the two came up Pierre eyes widened. "You two are family to the boys, aren't you?"
"There our little brothers." Rex nods.
"We'd like to see if they're okay. And explain things." Cody nods.
Pierre takes this in and nods saying "Very well. Since you two are brothers to the cubs, I must allow it. Follow me."
They all relax a bit at that and follow the ship to the surface to dock. They then start heading to the Summer's home with a few other armed Chat's from the planet.
"We apologize for the harsh welcome but we don't socialize much with off worlders so we have to be careful." Pierre explains.
"None taken, any sensible leader has to be weary." Kenobi smiles.
"Oh I am not the leader of this planet, just a defender. The head defender, but still. You'll be meeting the leader of the forest colony soon." Pierre explains as they continued.
'They have multiple leaders?' Rex ponders that a bit fidgety with his blaster taken.
Cody looked around a bit weary, the peoples' cat like appearance reminded him of Zeggarians. But they only had the tails and ears from what he could see. So far everything else looked human.
As they walked they soon saw a large home, it looked almost liked a castle, with a grand garden in the front. As they headed in they were soon greeted by a strange sight.
A male and female Chat sitting at an outside table drinking tea as the five cadets ran about and played in the garden with two females chasing them.
When they spotted them though the five cadets froze and stood at attention. This caught the adults' eyes and they looked over at who was here.
'Olders?' Ruby looks at them confused as she moves to block them.
'What, are they…?' Nicol looks to them and then the boys. They seemed somewhat afraid and her fur stands making her instincts kick in. She stood in front of them and growls.
"Hi there boys. You all doing alright?" Rex looks at them relieved they're fine.
When Nicol had gotten defensive Cody was shocked, he wasn't sure to either be offended or impressed. Then he noticed the scar over Crickets right eye "You alright there cadet? The scar not hurting?" Cody frowns sadly knowing the pain of a fresh scar.
"I… I'm doing okay." Cricket touches the bolt like mark that stops just before his eye.
"You're the brother's then." Jacob stands going down to greet them.
"Yes sir." They nod.
"And these are our generals. Skywalker and Kenobi." Rex points to each Jedi that gives a small bow.
"We're glad to see them safe. We'd like them to return with us so they can continued their training." Cody explain but…
'No!' Ruby growls blocking the cadets from them. Nicol doing the same, her growl turning into a small yowl.
"Is something wrong?" Kenobi looks at the up furred girl that still hasn't spoken.
'You're not taking my brothers.' Ruby hisses glaring at them.
"Our daughter has grown attached to them and frankly so have we." Jacob explains.
"The paper work to adopt them had just finished. We were planning on spending the day as a family." Lila adds.
"And anyone who tries to hurt Ruby or her family deals with me as well. Pluss I don't like the sound of this…training." Nicol growls.
"It's something we've all done ma'am we've meant no disrespect." Cody crosses his arms.
"Why don't we talk inside? The boys can stay out here with the girls and their older brothers. That way both parties are even. Fair?" Kenobi hopes they agree and calms things down.
"Fair." Jacob motions for the others getting ready to calm down. "But I'd like to add this is also up to the boys. If they wish to stay, they will stay." He stares at them a bit fiercely.
"We wouldn't want to force them either." Anakin shakes his head a bit.
"I'll bring some snacks out later." Lila looks at the boys lovingly.
"Kay." They nod still uneasy about this.
Rex walks over to the boys and the still on edge Ruby. She didn't trust him. Though it is hard to keep guard with that calming ocean scent of his.
"Your family took care of them for us. Thank you." Rex gives a small head bow trying to be polite and show their care is censer.
'It was nothing. We did what anyone would do.' Ruby thinks shaking her hands in front of her.
"I don't know if anyone would do that." Rex gives her a small smile.
'How did…?' Ruby freezes looking at him surprised.
"They did more than that." Shooter steps forward.
"Yeah they're the ones that saved us. And Ruby treated us." Cricket nods holding her hand.
"And Nicol has taught us fun games." Ranger smiles over at her.
"They also help teach survival and how to better use your skills, remember that." Nicol pats their heads smiling.
Cody was somewhat shocked and impressed with that, 'Not bad, the Kaminoans would never agree to such ideas.'
He then looks at the boys and asked "Boys, we just want to ask, we won't get mad but…Do you all want to leave with us?"
The kids look at each other, then their olders. They weren't sure what to say.
"It's okay boys. Whatever you say we'll honor." Rex bends down to insure them.
"W-we want to stay." They say with slightly sad eyes.
"Will you tell Sir Wing for us? Tell him we're sorry." Cricket looks at them with shaking eyes.
"Sure thing Cricket." Rex rustles his hair.
"I'll tell the general and the Summers your decision." Cody nodded as he headed in.
"Oh the generals will honor it don't worry." Rex looks up at a worrying Ruby.
'Can he read my mind? The cubs can't.' Ruby eyes him curiously.
'He seems to know what she's thinking before she says it, even I'm not that good.' Nicol looks on wide eyed and she'd known Ruby since they were cubs.
"I would like to make a request. Can we stay for a bit? Make sure the boys are safe here. Maybe take photos to show Wing. Let him see his charges are fine." Rex looks at them a bit pleadingly.
'I'll ask Jacob.' Ruby sighs.
"She says she'll ask Mr. Summers." Nicol translates.
"Thank you." Rex gives a small nod.
Ruby does the same then goes inside.
It didn't take long for the Summer's to agree. They set up rooms for them to stay in while here. The boys helping their older sister set up the rooms.
Ruby playing with them while doing so. She bats them on top of the head with a pillow or they cover themselves in a blanket jumping out trying to scare her, but she catches them. All of them laughing enjoying their game.
"That's a nice sound." Kenobi looks up at the stairs.
"They're good for Ruby as well." Lila smiles handing him some tea.
"I'm a bit curious, but why doesn't Ruby speak?" Cody looks towards the room confused.
The three Chats look down at that. The memory hard for everyone.
"I'm sorry if that's invasive. He meant no harm." Kenobi tries to smooth this over.
"No. It's just… a touchy subject." Jacob stares into his cup with a sad look.
"So she wasn't born this way then?" Anakin can't fight down his question.
"We had a dry summer. A really dry one. Small fires happened all over." Jacob starts rubbing his warm cup. "A dry lightning storm came and… and the grass region was set a light."
He shuts his eyes tight at the memory.
"We all rushed to help. But it was too late to contain it." Lila places her hand on his shoulder rubbing it lightly.
"She was in the fire?" Rex eyes widen as he almost whispers.
"Ruby's father was the head protector there. He was trying to help but in the chaos the little one got separated from her parents. They didn't make it. And her throat was hurt due to the smoke and flames. She hasn't spoken since then." Jacob explains.
"We can't have cubs of our own so when Ruby was found we took her in." Lila explains looking at a photo of them with her as a cub.
"She still can't speak?" Rex looks down feeling for the girl.
"She's doing better but still no voice." Nicol sighs.
"You two seem close." Cody seems curious now.
Why was she so loyal to Ruby and the Summer's? Beside the Summer's being the leaders of her colony, why be so attached to Ruby?
"The two have been close ever sense Ruby came to us." Lila chuckles.
"Ever since school the two have been stuck like glue and running around. You could say they helped each other grow to the women they are today." Jacob chuckled as well.
Before more could be asked Ruby and the cubs came out.
'The rooms are done.' Ruby signs.
"She says your rooms are ready if you want to relax." Nicol translates.
"Thank you for this. We'll try not to intrude." Kenobi bows.
"It's no problem, perhaps it's best to see what's been going on out in the galaxy." Jacob waves it off.
"Well if you like we can get started on that." Kenobi smiles.
"I'd like to know about this whole cloning business. Who thought that creating men to fight and die in war was a good idea." Lila raises a brow.
The girls' fur stands at that and they glare at the Jedi, remembering what they boys had said on why they were made. The Jedi both feel the hairs on their necks stand. The guys come up to them.
"The generals have been good to us. Even encouraged names and picked a few." Rex stands ready to protect them.
"The generals were not the ones who made that order. The jedi who did has already passed. And the war has been going on for about a year now. So there's not much they could do about it." Cody tries to explain.
'It's still wrong!' Ruby hisses a bit.
"Ruby's right it's wrong! And for cubs to be trained for such things. Are there more?" Nicol glares.
They all look at each other and the Chats pale.
"Girls why don't you take the boys and their brothers' to look around the forest colony while we talk to the Jedi about our points of view on this matter?" Jacob tries to stay calm.
The girls nod and move the younger ones out. Cody and Rex look to their generals and they nod, knowing it was for the best.
Let's just say as they got out, they heard some sort of hissing and yowling sounds inside. The boys looked on worried, but the girls got them moving again.
"Trust me you don't want to be in the middle of that." Nicol shivers.
'It'll be fine. Just best we're not around for it.' Ruby smiles at the boys.
The boys nod, taking their word for it.
As they walked about a few Chats stared but other's come up and said hi, especially to the cadets, who smiled and nodded to the Chat. The ones that mostly came up were females who wanted to cuddle the young ones.
"This is… new." Rex looks at the others curiously.
"Is that normal?" Cody raises a brow. Maybe the females here were highly maternal.
"Well most Chat are maternal but it's mostly because it's late spring. And everyone wants cubs around this time." Nicol flushes.
'Yup.' Ruby nods.
"When the boys came, well let's just say it's a good thing the chief took claim of them or there would have been a fight over who would have kept your little brothers." Nicol chuckles.
'Jacob stopped an inner war at that.' Ruby had a small sweat drop over her head at that idea.
The boys looked on shocked at that and nodded, glad to know nothing serious happened.
They soon came to a park with many built toys and games. Some that they never seen or heard of before.
"Why don't you boys go on ahead?" Nicol smiles.
'Stay in eye view please.' Ruby pats their heads.
"Yes Ruby and Nicol." And they rush off.
Rex took out his holo cam to take pictures of the boys.
"This is kinda nice." Rex looks over the shot then takes another of the boys playing with other cubs.
Cody had to nod "Sure is nothing like Kamino."
They had never had the chance to play on such things or try such experiences. Cody may be the rules man and the grand marshal of the army, but even he had what if's roaming in his mind.
"Do you boys want to try them out?" Nicol looks at them smirking.
'It might be fun.' Ruby looks at them smiling.
The two shake their heads at that, feeling it a bit strange to be doing such things now.
Before they could try to convince them more though they heard "Oh look it's the freaks." A male with orange fur came up with a few other Chats.
Nicol growls at that as Ruby hisses making sure the boys can't hear this. Luckily, they're too busy playing a game of freeze tag with a group of other kids.
The boys seemed shocked at the sudden call out when "Take your alpha tood somewhere else stray!" Nicol growls.
"Come on Nicol seriously. You still mad cause we used to tease you as cubs." A black furred male sweeps his black hair back.
"Calling me names is teasing, trying to hit me with balls in the face is plain cruel!" Nicol growls loader her fur standing.
'You're not welcomed here! Go away!' Ruby hisses.
The orange fur said "Oh did you hear that?"
"No nothing there if you can't hear it." A brown striped male said and then they chuckled.
"That's it!" But before Nicol can do anything…
"Ball throwing huh?" Rex picks up a soft ball that had been left with a few things. "You know the Kaminoans did something like that for training. Want to know the end of that training?" he lightly throws the ball into either one of his hands looking over at the guys sharply.
As they take a step back he throws the ball missing the orange by an inch as it gets stuck in a nearby tree. Seeing that Orange, whom had felt that wind go by him, falls on to his tail.
"Let's get out of here!" they run off.
"Wait up you traitors!" Orange runs after them.
"Nice one Rex. You always did know how to put others like that in their place." Cody chuckles.
Rex gives a small bow at that. The girls stunned.
'No one has ever…' Ruby almost cries at this.
"Did I do something wrong? Sorry if I scared you. I swear I aimed it at the tree." Rex looks worried.
'That's not it.' Ruby shakes her head rubbing her teary eyes.
"Hey we look out for our own. And we're family now right?" Rex pats her head lightly.
Ruby looks at him, her eyes still a bit misty but smiles. Rex felt his heart jump at that.
"What happened to my ball?" A cub calls.
"Sorry about that! I was messing with it, I'll go get it!" Rex calls heading off for it.
'What was that feeling?' Rex feels his racing heart as he goes to get the ball.
'Did he just, no Rex wouldn't, but still?' Cody looks over a bit worried but would leave it for later.
"What happened?" Wing comes over curious.
"Let's just say Rex was showing some toms how to play a real ball game." Nicol smirks.
"Oh yeah, the element squad was famous at the academy." Wing cheers.
"Elemental squad?" Nicol seems intrigued by the name.
"They have all the top scores. No one has been able to beat them even now." Wing nods proud of his brothers.
"Really?" The girls say in their own way looking over at Cody.
"It was a good way to keep busy." Cody coughs a bit embarrassed at the attention.
"Here's the ball. Sorry about that again." Rex tosses it to the gray tabby boy.
"Play a game with us!" The cubs all cheer with big eyes and slightly wagging tails.
"Um…" Rex rubs the back of his neck looking at them.
"We're not sure if that's a good idea cubs." Cody tries to explain gently.
The cubs' ears and tails droop. Soon after the two are playing a ball game with them. The girls taking photos of them.
'The singles are going to go crazy for these two now.' Ruby giggles snapping a shot of Rex tossing a ball lightly to a cub.
"You mean like you are for Rex." Nicol chuckles.
'I… I don't know what you mean.' Ruby flushes playing with the camera.
"Come on I can smell it off you. You so like him. And why wouldn't you, he's a looker and good with cubs. And why else would he scare off Chad and his goons." Nicol smirks tail waving slihglty.
Ruby's face is almost as red as her eyes as she looks at him. He's a good guy from what she can tell. He cares for the youngers and came to her defense. But then…
'H-he just sees me as a sister.' Ruby shakes her head feeling a bit down at that idea.
"I don't think he meant it like…." Nicol starts when…
"Ruby! Ruby did you see?! I caught it! I caught it!" Cricket cheers with a soft ball in hand.
Ruby claps getting up to go down and hug him. The others cheering and patting his head.
Nicol sighs and then gets an idea 'Well she has a best friend for a reason. Might as well help her in this.' She chuckles lightly before going out to play. She starts on a plan later.
Back at the manor…
"We're back!" The cubs shout as they get back.
All of the cubs a bit dusty and dirty from the games they played. The olders a bit similar.
"Looks like you made the most of the park." Jacob chuckles. "But best to wash up before dinner for mom." He whispers pointing to the stairs.
"Kay." They nod heading off.
"There are clothes waiting for you in your rooms." Jacob looks at the olders.
"Thank you sir." Rex gives a small head bow.
"We're grateful for your hospitality." Cody head bows.
"I better get going on before dark settles." Nicol smiles but before she can leave.
"Oh I was wondering if you'd stay. I feel a bit uneasy having two singles here with a lone daughter." Jacob does look a bit worried for her.
'Jacob.' Ruby's ears go up and her face redden.
"Sure you know I love to stay. And I can always use my special talent if need be." Nicol smirks.
Cody raised a brow at that, what did she mean by that?
"Thank you." Jacob nods heading back to talk with Kenobi.
Jacob and Kenobi seem to have bonded over a chest game. The two strategist able to talk as they make moves and get a read on what type of person the other is this way.
With the guys…
"What did she mean by special talent?" Cody crosses his arms a bit frustrated by an unknown factor.
"Maybe they have the force." Rex shrugs.
"I guess it's a possibility. But then why have the generals never sensed them here before?" Cody feels confused.
For the moment the two were given nice button up shirts to wear. Each in their battalions' colors. Slacks; Rex black and Cody brown and black shoes.
"This feels weird." Rex looks at his blue shirt in the mirror.
"It's a bit strange to be out of uniform. Speaking of which. I noticed something out in the park." Cody raises a brow.
"What's that?" Rex tries to play dumb.
"You flushed. The only other time that's happened was the first time you ever saw a woman." Cody lectures.
"It was just a reaction to being around a woman. That's all." Rex tries to keep from getting red again.
"Then why only her? She wasn't the first we saw on this planet." Cody crosses his arms.
"Can't you just leave this alone?" Rex sighs a bit annoyed.
"Sigh, look Rex I'm just trying to look out for you. One brother lost is too many." Cody sits down holding his head
"Listen I just think she's kinda cute. Not like I'm going to do anything. You trust me right?" Rex sits next to him.
Cody just sighs and nods. He trusted his brother he just had to show it more.
With the girls…
'I can't believe you said that.' Ruby sighs standing next to her friend.
Nicol laughed as she stood on the balcony letting her hand out towards the flock of birds that flew by the window.
"It's just a precaution Ruby. I don't expect them to try anything but it's just in case. And the only way my parents would allow me to stay." Nicol chuckles as she comes back in closing the windows.
'But to say that…' Ruby sighs again.
"Come on let's talk about something else. Like are you going to sit next to Rex at dinner tonight?" Nicol smirks.
'Why would I?' Ruby turns red looking at her dresses.
"Come on just try it. If you sit next to Rex I'll sit next to Cody." Nicol crosses her arms.
'Do you like him?' Ruby looks over a bit surprised.
"Not really, I don't feel ready for a relationship just yet." Nicol sighs.
'Well you do have a few after you.' Ruby recalls.
Nicol nods. Even if some boys still teased her still, and she used to be teased a lot more as a cub, she now seemed to have a lot of suiters. Manny being old bullies, but she always refused them no matter what bride price they would bring. Her parents wouldn't accept anyone that didn't make her happy. Especially if they had hurt her.
'Maybe you'll find you like him.' Ruby ponders.
"Maybe. It will be interesting to get to know him. See what's going on out there." Nicol ponders herself.
Nicol finishes up her hair. For now she just brushed it out. As for cloths she was wearing a simple lavender dress to her knees and hung around her neck. A teardrop necklace and some jasmines on the side of her hair. And finally, black flats.
Ruby brushed her hair out then put them into two braided tight buns held by pink ribbons. As for cloths she's wearing a red dress to her knees and slightly long sleeves. A pink teardrop necklace and white flats.
With that they headed off to dinner.
Everyone was dressed up well, the boys surprised at it all, their younger brothers coming down in similar outfits. Each in their own favored color. Even the generals were dressed up for the occasion. Then they saw the girls.
'Wow.' Rex eyes widen and feels his heart almost stop seeing her. 'Stop that.' He shakes the idea away.
'That's different.' Cody had only seen Nicol in her defenders uniform so far.
(Uniform: A one strapped dark purple shirt and boots, with brown pants and black belt.)
She looks very different in a dress. It wasn't bad on her though, well neither did her defender uniform but…
'What are you thinking?!' Cody shakes that thought out.
"Well time to eat." Jacob calls as everyone sits down.
'Why did I agree to this?' Ruby fidgets in her seat.
'Is she wearing a perfume? It smells nice. Like roses.' Rex glances at her from the side.
Ruby glances at him as well. The two turning a bit red as they look away from one another.
'This is interesting.' Jacob ponders smelling the attraction between both of them.
Nicol sat on Ruby's other side and next to Cody. "I hope you don't mind." She looks over at him smiling.
"Um no it's fine." Cody is surprised for a moment but composes himself as he looks forward.
They then all start to eat; things seem to be going well. They all talk about their homes and ways, their differences in culture and people. The Chat all found themselves interested in this.
"I must say this senator Amidala is quite a fast forward thinker. Perhaps I should meet her and talk trade. It might be best for our people to know more and prepare themselves in case this war gets too close to Chat." Jacob frowns.
"Oh Jacob let's not talk about such things at the table." Lila scolds him slightly.
"I apologize that is rude." Jacob nods.
"No it's okay. Perhaps we can talk about trade and protection tomorrow." Kenobi smiles.
"And if you want to speak to Senator Amidala I have no problem introducing you two. She's a good friend to the jedi." Anakin smiles kindly at that.
'I wonder if that's his mate he's talking about. But they have different last names?' Nicol ponders.
'His mate? Or no?' Ruby looks confused.
"So um… you've been helping the boys study?" Rex looks over at Ruby.
'Yes. They're making a lot of progress. They're already really good at Neko, our language.' Ruby explains. 'And each has a subject they just shine in…' She tells where each is and what they seem to have a skill in.
'She really loves them.' Rex smiles at that.
'I'm rambling. Sorry.' Ruby flushes placing her hands down on to her lap looking down at the table.
"No I think it's nice. And it's amazing to see them doing well in something other than battle strategy." Rex tries to assure her.
As they ate Cody asked "What exactly is it that the Defenders do if you don't mind me asking?"
"Of course not. What would you like to know?" Nicol smiles.
"Well are they just the protectors of your planet or are there other unites?" Cody asks.
"Well being a Defender is more than protecting people. We help to train cubs in survival. You know basic rules, never go into the woods alone, what berries not to eat, such like that. We also have basic hunters for foods and furs. We keep poaching at bay. There are healers like Ruby who do a great job at keeping everyone in shape. She's actually one of the most advanced healers for her age." Nicol smirks at her friend as she takes a sip of her soda.
"Really?" Rex looks over at her a bit surprised.
'I'm not that amazing.' Ruby shakes her head almost as red as her eyes.
"Don't underestimate yourself Ruby. You always come back with double the herbs and you always stay by your patients till they are well again. A dedicated healer indeed. I hope you'll all be able to stay for the girl's advancement ceremony." Lila smiles.
"What is the advancement ceremony?" Kenobi raises a brow intrigued.
"Oh can I explain it? Please." Wing jumps excitedly at that.
Jacob chuckles and says "Of course."
"And advancement ceremony is sort of like a clone graduation ceremony, or when he becomes an ARC, or even promoted to a captain or commander. Basically there stages of being a Defender besides the head defender. Knight, count and countess, and finally before anyone can become the head defender if there is no family to take his place, duke or duchess." Wings explains with a large smile.
"Very good Wing, you've been studying." Lila smiles.
"That is interesting. What positions are you two gaining?" Anakin asks.
"We'll both be countesses for now since no one usually under the age of 23 gets that statues. Ruby's 24 and I'm 25 so not too bad." Nicol explains.
'Barely anyone under the age of 30 gets to duke or duchess. There's a lot of trails and qualifications to reach all of them. But that one is really difficult.' Ruby explains.
"I suppose it would make sense since you all need to work so hard just to achieve a new title and…" Kenobi starts.
Suddenly the doorbell rang and one of the aids of the house came in and said "Sir and Lady Summers, we have a guest…"
"Oh welcome cubs! I'm…going to go out then come back in." The orange tabby clears his throat seeing the others heading back out.
'He never changes.' Ruby giggles.
Nicol can't hold her chuckles in and thinks 'Seriously again.' She flushes though not able to keep her eyes off the orange tabby male. 'Why does he have to make me feel this way.'
"Sir and Lady Summer. Grassland colony heir, Dimitri Hunter is here." The aid says as he reenters.
"Hello all." Dimitri bows his head, red up to his ears.
"You'll never change, will you?" Jacob chuckles.
"I'm guessing their presents are out in the other room. Correct?" Lila looks at the sea blue eyed young man.
"Yes." Dimitri nods. "And I'm sorry, I didn't hear about the other guests." He looks at the others.
'That's what happens when you ditch your guards and travel alone.' Ruby lectures a bit.
"Ditch is such a harsh word. I'd say taking a break." Dimitri rubs the back of his neck.
"Really Dimitri you're not a cub anymore." Nicol crosses her arms.
"Come on Nic. I just need to get away at times. And besides I came with other gifts." Dimitri takes a small bag of chocolate balls out of his bag.
"You think that's going to get you on my good side." Nicol glares.
"So you don't want them?" Dimitri waves them in front of her.
"You're such a cheat." Nicol rolls her eyes taking them.
"Don't worry I got your sugar stars." Dimitri laughs lightly tossing a little bag to Ruby.
Ruby smiles looking at the little treats. Taking one out to watch it sparkle in the light.
'So he knows them then.' Rex feels a small pring at that.
'They all seem close?' Cody's raises a brow and can't help but feel something in his stomach, maybe he ate something off.
"You're still a rambunctious cub." Lila giggles at his antics.
"Forever Lady Summer." Dimitri gives a small bow.
"Um… presents?" Ranger speaks up slightly.
"My parents heard of the adoption and wanted to send something for each of you. I just happened to get to the carriage before our head defender." Dimitri scratches under his nose looking to the side.
"I'll let Greta know her young sir made it safely along with the gifts." Lila stands.
"I think HE can do that. Meanwhile we'll open those gifts." Jacob looks at Dimitri a bit scoldingly, him nodding, and then looks at the boys gently.
"Can we?" They pipe excited.
"Of course. But afterwards it's time for bed." Lila adds smiling at them.
"Kay." They jump down running into the living room.
Stacked in a small pile are five presents. They seem to be about the same size but wrapped in different colors with their names hanging from tags on the bows.
Inside are model sets. For Matches it is a train set. Ranger has a starship. Shooter a boat. Wing has a hover car. And Cricket a hover motorcycle. All of them able to go around by remotes when finished.
'Those will be so much fun.' Ruby's tail wags a bit looking at them.
'They'll never get to sleep now.' Nicol chuckles ears bouncing.
"These are so cool." They look at them excited.
"Glad you like them. We weren't sure what to do but we thought these would keep you busy and help with making friends once you start school." Dimitri leans in the doorway smiling.
"Thank you so much." Their eyes alight at their first toys.
"Can we start making them know?" Shooter looks over at his dad with big eyes.
"No. No. Teeth brushed and in pjs." Lila points to the stairs.
"I can help you boys with these in the morning if you want." Anakin looks at the detailed models.
"That'll be fun." They nod.
"Alright boys. March." Lila motions to the stairs again.
"Yes ma'am." They nod placing the boxes on the table before heading up.
"We'll be lucky if they sleep tonight." Jacob rubs the back of his neck with a small chuckle.
"Nicol would you mind singing to them?" Lila looks over at her.
"Sure I'd love too." Nicol smiles as she heads off with the boys.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to rile them up." Dimitri looks at the gifts.
"There will be others coming soon. Including the defenders' gifts." Jacob shakes his head a bit. "Speaking of. What did Greta say?" he looks over at him.
"I'm to stay put until she comes to get me in the morning." Dimitri sighs at that his ears drooped a bit.
'Serves you right for worrying them.' Ruby lectures.
"Yeah." Dimitri drags outs his answer.
Upstairs…
Rex and Cody had decided to head upstairs now. Rex not wanting to see Ruby interact with Dimitri anymore and Cody just feeling it was better to leave.
Then they heard something and couldn't help but fallow the sound. They soon found themselves outside the boys' room with the door cracked open and their eyes widened at what they saw inside.
On one of the beds, Nicol sat as she was singing to the still wide awake boys.
"How does a moment last forever? How can a story never die? It is love we must hold onto. Never easy, but we try….."
"Wow." Rex whispers.
Cody shushes him, he didn't want her to know they were there and he also kind of wanted to hear the rest.
"Maybe some moments weren't so perfect. Maybe some memories not so sweet. But we have to know some bad times. Or our lives are incomplete…"
The boys seem to start yawning and the older brothers seem to feel that part hit them. How many bad times had they known in their lives?
"Through the darkest of our troubles. Love is beauty, love is pure. Love pays no mind to desolation. It flows like a river through the soul. Protects, proceeds, and perseveres. And makes us whole…"
The boys seemed to snuggle up in their beds at that thought as Cody and Rex looked on, wondering on those words.
'That's really something.' Rex reflects on the words.
'Protects, proceeds, and perseveres. Sounds almost like an old Mandalorain song only not as calming.' Cody looks on intrigues but also feeling something else, calming yet strange.
"Minutes turn to hours, days to years then gone. But when all else has been forgotten. Still our song lives on."
At that point the boys where finally dozed off and she smiles as he kissed each of their heads singing the last verse.
"How does a moment last forever. When our song lives on."
Nicol turns off the lights at that and starts to move out. At that Cody grabs Rex and head to their room.
"So why the rush off?" Rex eyes his brother.
"I didn't want to scare her that's all." Cody tries to hide the flush.
"Right." Rex chuckles a bit.
"If you want to start on this then let's talk about you and Ruby." Cody glares.
"That tabby seems to be more her taste." Rex feels his heart drop remembering it.
"He seems to be close to both of them Rex." Cody just sighs and heads to bed, just wanting to forget all this. But as he slept the song kept running through his head.
'I wonder if Ruby's voice would be like that.' Rex closes his eyes dreaming of a voice he would most likely never hear.
The next day…
Nicol found herself waking up before everyone else that day. It was strange. Usually she was last. She shrugged it off. She did fall asleep early last night.
She got dressed and decided to go check on the boys, when she got there though she found Cody already there checking on them.
"Checking in on them?" Nicol smiles.
"I just wanted to make sure they slept through the night. New places can be hard." Cody closes the door again.
"It was like that for them for a bit but Ruby and I helped them out and they've had two weeks to adjust. But I'm assuming you haven't?" She raises a brow at him.
"I suppose not. We're not used to sleeping in places like this." Cody sighs as they walk down. Then thinks 'Why did I tell her that?'
"Being a soldier I guess you have to sleep on tougher stuff. I guess I can see why this might be strange for you." Nicola wonders as they head for the kitchen.
Cody is unsure if they should go in there but since it seemed she was okay with it then he guessed it was fine.
As he walked in he saw the large kitchen and was somewhat shocked. Then "Want a snack before breakfast. No one will be up for a bit and trust me breakfast here is worth the wait." Nicol smiles.
"No thank you I'll be fine." Cody nods.
Nicol nods and grabs a bar to chew on for now. Cody just stood there unsure of what to do.
Nicol wasn't sure what to do then "If you're restless the garden has a sparring course. Ruby and I practice on it."
"You do?" Cody looks surprised.
"We are defenders Cody. We need to be ready for anything. Come on I'll show you." Nicol smiles as she takes him out.
The two find a sand like square arena. Cody looks confused, but Nicol explain "So you don't get hurt when you fall." She explains.
They get in and Nicol grabs some wooden training staffs. "Good thing you found your casual clothes or you wouldn't be able to fight properly." Nicol chuckles.
"I still feel a bit off in these." Cody was now wearing a v neck short sleeved shirt, in his orange gold color, dark brown pants, and black combat boots.
"Don't worry these aren't made to hit hard." Nicol explains showing him the foam at the edges.
He nods and then the two take battel stances. They seem to dance around each other for a bit trying to see who would make the first big move, dodging and blocking as they did. It took a bit but Nicol finally made that move, charging at Cody.
Cody used this to his advantage to swing at her but she suddenly did something strange, she bent down and then jumped over his head.
He then felt the staff at his back as she said in his ear "I win."
Cody felt his face heat up at that, then they heard cheering as they saw everyone at the patio clapping.
"Thank you, thank you, but really it wasn't a fair fight. He didn't know Chats could do that." Nicol pats his shoulder.
Cody looks on shocked and asked "When you meant special talent, did you mean this?"
"Oh no, all Chat can do this. Then it wouldn't be a special talent. My special talent is having animal connection. Or do you prefer my singing?" Nicol chuckles.
Cody looked shocked as he stared at her, but she tapped her nose and ears and that's when he realized it. 'Advanced senses.' Now he felt like a fool.
"If you want to hear me sing again there's a talent show tomorrow." Nicol smirks as she twirls her staff and sits it back down. Cody looking on shocked as she walks off.
A while before, that same morning…..
Ruby found herself in the flames. Running around looking for anyone. Seeing a cub she tries to run over to her but a tree crashes down separating them. She wakes up then dripping in sweat.
'Again.' Ruby curls up crying into her knees for a bit.
Since that horrible day on the anniversary she has the same nightmare for a week. The flames all around and unable to get to the faceless cub. Sadly, this was just the start of her restless week.
Getting dressed she comes out in enough time to almost get run over by freshly up cubs. They were ready for breakfast and then start working on their models.
(Outfit: a white button up long sleeve shirt/ sky blue skirt just short of her ankles/ black tights/ brown ankle boots.)
"Sorry sis!" Shooter calls, unaware of his words as he races after the others.
'Sis huh?' Ruby smiles at that.
"They're wild in the morning." Rex yawns coming out of his room, which she had been standing in front of.
Ruby's ears go up at that jumping back a bit. She turns to him to see he hadn't gotten dressed yet. His tan cargos pants on but shirtless at the moment. Flushing she gives a small head bow heading off.
'What's with h-' Rex starts then realizes.
Rex sighs hitting his head against the side of a fist lightly. Red, he heads back to finish getting dressed.
Outside during the spar…
"H-hey Ruby. Mind if I join you." Rex rubs the back of his neck.
Ruby shakes her head looking out to the show. Rex standing close to her to watch the match.
'He's so close.' Ruby flushes smelling the ocean scent again.
'Is she wearing something? Or is that her?' Rex can smell a faint scent of roses and he's pretty sure it wasn't from the garden.
"Um about this morning… sorry about that. I'm used to a ship of guys so…" Rex tries to think of what to say.
Ruby shakes her head not looking at him still a bit red. The two watching quietly again. Both fighting down a blush.
Once the fight ended…
Dimitri came up to Nicol at that moment and said chuckling "That was amazing. You always know how to make a fight interesting."
"I try." Nicol flushes.
Cody glares at this feeling that strange sensation in his stomach again.
'Oh Cody…' Rex sees the hurt in his brother's eyes.
"How about a picnic for your victory?" Dimitri smirks.
Cody felt like his heart hit his stomach then. But why?
"Don't you have to stay put till Greta gets here mister?" Nicol crosses her arms.
"We can have it in the garden." Dimitri smirks.
"I don't think so young sir." At that they all turn to see Greta, a gray female Chat with some white spots here and there.
"Oh hello Great." Dimitri sweat drops.
"You, inside, now." Greta points to the manor like a scolding mother.
Dimitri groans and does the walk of shame as everyone laughs.
As they laugh Rex turns to see the morning sun making her eyes shimmer. Rex heart jumps at that.
"They're like real rubies." Rex mutters.
Ruby turns to him shocked. Rex covers his mouth unaware he said that out loud.
"I… I'm going to go see Cody." Rex heads off not even daring to glance her way.
'Rex what are you doing?' Rex lectures himself trying to calm his racing heart.
'D-did he mean that as a…' Ruby flushes even more her knees feeling a bit wobbly as her heart threatens to jump out.
Then Nicol looked at the two and said "Hey Ruby a picnic sounds fun, we can have it out by the lake."
'What about the boys? Or Dimitri?' Ruby flushes coming back to reality.
"We can bring the boys along, they'll love it. And besides Dimitri's getting what he deserves." Nicol chuckles.
'Kay.' Ruby nods.
With that the girls go in to make a picnic but before they do Nicol looks over and says "You two are invited as well. The boys would love to have you around."
Rex and Cody look at each other and Anakin said, "They'll love to, it will be hard to take care of five cadets all on your own."
"Pluss we have a few more things to go through." Kenobi explains.
The girls nod as do the guys in understanding and head off to help.
In the guys' room…
'I can't believe what I said.' Rex sighs getting ready for the day.
"Something happen?" Cody looks over with a raised brow.
"Nothing really." Rex fixes his shirt. "You want to talk about you and Nicol?" he glances over at him.
"What about?" Cody looks away not wanting his brother to see his face.
"Come on I saw your face. You liked sparing with her and didn't like Dimitri talking with her." Rex turns to him.
"You don't like him talking to Ruby." Cody counters.
"Of course I don't like I…" Rex caught himself. "I don't want anyone messing with family." He turns away not wanting Cody to see the heart break on his face as he pulls the words out.
"Rex…." Cody shakes his head as he starts.
"I… I'm going to cool my head." Rex heads out a torn look on his face.
With the girls…
Ruby was out of it as she cut strawberries. His words playing in her head.
'Did he think they were pretty?' Ruby ponders chopping.
"Watch it!" Nicol grabs her hand saving her finger.
'Sorry.' Ruby flushes putting all of them in the fruit bowl.
"It's fine but you shouldn't be cutting when you're out of it. What's on your mind?" Nicol looks over worried.
'Well…' Ruby tells her what he said. 'What do you think he meant?' she looks over at her friend.
Ruby's face was flushed like a fever and her eyes hopeful. Something that hadn't been there in a long time.
"I think someone likes you." Nicol grins and feels giddy for her friend.
'You think so?' Ruby's ears bounce a bit.
"Of course, you can smell it a mile away." Nicol chuckles.
"Hide me." Dimitri comes in trying to hide behind the counter island.
Before the girls can ask Greta comes in. She has a scolding look to her.
"Where?" Greta looks at the girls.
Both step back pointing to the island. They felt bad for him, but they've had her as a teacher. You didn't want to get in her way when she was mad.
"YOU are coming home with me. Your tutors have special lessons waiting. You'll be lucky if you can come back for their ceremony now." Greta grabs one of his ears standing him up.
"Greta stop! I'm not a cub! Please stop!" Dimitri calls as Greta pulls him off like a disobedient child.
'Sorry Dimitri.' Ruby holds her hands together as if praying with an apologetic look.
Nicol flinched at the sight but also had to hold a chuckle. 'That tom.' She shook her head, but she guessed that's why she liked him. He always made her laugh.
At the picnic…
The boys run about playing tag with Ruby. She was really good at freeze tag. She was also good at hide and seek.
"Okay everyone time to eat!" Nicol calls them over to the blanket.
The boys looked disappointed as it was their turn to find and they still hadn't found Ruby. Ruby jumps down from a branch she had been sitting on very pleased with herself.
"Show off." Ranger sticks his tongue out playfully.
Ruby does the same giggling. Then dug in to some waffles with fruit on top.
'She's really something.' Rex smiles over at her.
As she looks over though he looks away a bit red. Ruby turning back to her food slightly red herself.
'Oh no, this is trouble.' Cody frowns not sure what he could do.
'Yes it's working.' Nicol smiles happy to see them getting close.
'Are they playing a game?' The boys look confused.
But shrug it off as they eat then head off to play again. They had energy to burn.
As they run about Ruby yawns. She didn't really have a restful sleep with that nightmare.
"You look exhausted. The cadets run you ragged." Cody looks over.
'Didn't sleep well.' Ruby doesn't go into detail but has a sad look to her.
"You should get some rest back home. Get your strength back up." Nicol suggests as she pats her shoulder.
Ruby looks at the cubs a bit reluctant to leave this for what will be little sleep. But she agrees. She could always go to the library and try to chase it away with a book. Once in a blue moon that worked.
The rest of the picnic Rex played with the cadets, Nicol joined in a few times but wasn't too into it after that mornings spar.
"You okay?" Cody looks over to her.
"Guess I'm just as tired. The spar took a lot out of me." Nicol smirks.
"You want to get back then." Cody asks.
"In a bit, I like to enjoy the sun on my fur." Nicol sighs at this.
Cody nods not able to help but stare, then shook it off and said "So you and Dimitri seem close."
'Of all things you had to ask that?' He scolded himself.
"Ruby and I have known him since we were cubs and he was one of the few toms that never pick on us. He was always making us laugh even at his own expense. He really respects Ruby for how strong she is. Especially after what happened to her. And since they were both from the grassland colony, he felt it was his duty to be a good friend to her." Nicol looks on with a smile at how kind he had always bean.
"So that's why they're so close, what about you two?" Cody didn't know why but he just felt he had to know.
"Us well, first I was always around Ruby and second, he was one of the few to understand my quirks." Nicol frowned at this.
"Quarks?" Cody asked confused.
"I have a disability that makes some things a bit hard for me. It took me quite a while to read and write along with other things and that lead to me being bullied. Dimitri instead would try to help me or read to me. And then there was my fascination with nature. Like if there was an ant hill I'd lean down to observe the ants and what they did. Some cubs would mock me for it and stomp on then ants and get me so mad. Or they chase off the birds I was trying to look at or even talk to just for fun. Then he come around and chase the bullies off. It was nice having someone who didn't see you as an outcast." Nicol sighs.
"That must of bean tough. Is that why you and Ruby have so many issues with some of the other Chats." Cody frowns wondering why they would all act that why.
Though he also felt his heart fall again, knowing for sure now who Dimitri liked. 'At least Rex can stop worrying.' Even if they couldn't have relationship at least his brother didn't have to worry about that.
"Part of it, some hate Ruby for being voiceless, which is stupid to me. Others don't like her for being an albino. Pure white fur Chat have a high tendency to be deaf which makes the guys not feel attracted to her. Which is also wrong." Nicol huffs.
"That's not right." Cody frowns. The way the treat Ruby wasn't acceptable, it somewhat reminded him of what some brothers would do to others that had come out with a mutation, like 99.
"What about you then? Why do they keep it up with you?" Cody raises a brow.
Nicol rolls her eyes and says "I'm very chatty and hyper at times. And then there's the part where I offend them." She smirks.
"Really?" Cody smiles, wanting to hear this.
"Turns out my interest in animals wasn't just one of my talents, it was the begging of my force ability to have animal connection. Then I became a defender with high rankings at fighting and hunting. Let's just say they felt the egg on their faces at that." Nicol chuckles.
"I can believe that." Cody chuckles.
"But what really go them mad was that when they tried to ask for my hand, I told them all no." Nicol chuckles.
"They what?" Cody looks shocked.
"Well you see on our planet a mate that can hunt, protect, and has a special ability is very desirable. I have all three, many try to be nice to me to get me to like them but all I could see was how mean they were and I could tell they weren't sincere so I rejected them. Even if they paid a large bride price." Nicol explains.
"Bride price?" Cody's eyes widen.
"Don't worry it's not to sell the brides. It's our way of seeing if the male is well off enough to care for a wife and family of his own. Sometimes being a good defender, hunter, healer or even a high ranked member will help toms in getting a wife. We also do this so they don't fight between themselves. Before we did this there used to be lots of tom fights. They still occur once in a while, but it's mostly frowned upon." Nicol explains.
Cody took that in and nodded, interested in all this.
As they walked back, and Nicol was busy wrangling up the cadets, he told Rex all he found out. He could see how happy his brother looked at knowing Dimitri wasn't after Ruby.
At the library…
Rex had gone to find something to read. His head was filled with thoughts of Ruby and he wanted to try to chase them off. Going to the second floor he finds her curled up on a sofa with a book dangling from her hand.
'I shouldn't interrupt her.' Rex flushes planning to leave.
"No. No wait. Mommy. Daddy. No." Ruby calls in a trembling voice.
"Ruby?" Rex turns to her shocked.
"No. Run. Run." Ruby fidgets in her sleep as if fighting something.
"R-" Rex starts about to try and wake her when a hand grabs his.
Turning he sees Nicol. She motions for him to be quiet and go down stairs. Rex nods doing as told.
"Mommy. Daddy." Ruby has small tears hanging on the edge of her eyes.
"Oh Ruby." Nicol shakes her head, then she goes to cover her friend with a blanket.
Ruby hugs the blanket whimpering with pinned ears. After making her friend as comfy as possible she heads down to a clearly confused Rex.
"What's going on? I thought you all said she couldn't talk." Rex whispers confused.
"It's complicated to explain, it best that everyone's together for this." Nicol replies.
Rex eyes her wondering if she's just stalling. But agrees. It would be best they all hear the answer.