The past comes back to bite

by Nutcase friend

A story of Bucks past and present. The herd is only mentioned once, so aren't a big part of the story. Buck is faced with his old enemy, who happens to be going out with Bucks old love. A story of adventure, love and a whole lot of crazy.

1. Chapter 1

This is my first fan fiction, so could anyone please leave a review! I need to see what others think of it. I've read some really impressive fan fictions about Buck, so i hope mine is just as good. Please tell me if i have done something unrealistic or wrong. Also, Buck and Rudy's rights reserved to Blue sky, and i do not own Buck or Rudy as characters. The other characters are my oc's.

"Jai, the trap, NOW!" Buck yelled to his brother. Jai cut the vine rope, letting the trap fall from the tree tops, and land straight over the top of the saber tooth tiger. It roared loudly as he realized the confined space around him. Jai and Buck slapped palms. "Mad timin' skills bro." Buck said to his brother.
"Couldn't have tried it out, if you hadn't annoyed that saber." Jai returned.
"Hey, it's wha' I do." Together they quickly ran away from the struggling saber, for it would break out soon. They soon reached a hollow in the ground under a tree. Buck smiled at the familiar sight.
"Oh great, they're back honey." Exclaimed their mother in sarcasm as she saw the two brothers enter.
"Love you too mum." Said Buck, then winked at his mum. She rolled her eyes then smiled at both of them. Their father came in.
"So, what have you two been up to today, hmm?" He asked as he went and sat on one of the rocks that had been ground until it formed a chair.
"The usual." Jai exclaimed casually. Too casually. Their father laughed, spotting the claw mark on Bucks shoulder.
"You'll have to see Oma about that." He said to Buck.
"Dad, it's fine." Buck said with a groan. He could see Jai biting back a laugh.
"No, I won't have this argument again. Go see her, now." His father said, pointing to the exit. Buck cursed under his breath, then left the tree. He could hear his brother giggle behind him. Why were older brothers so mocking? They were a year apart, and Jai was the best brother in the world, but nonetheless, was still a brother. Buck walked a few hundred meters, reaching a small hollow in the ground. His father always sent him to see Oma, even when he had the tiniest little scratch. Admittedly, this one was quite deep, and stung a lot, but he would get over it. He had to get used to pain, if he wanted to survive in the wild. He didn't have a bad relationship with his parents (Jai was still closer to them than Buck was), but he liked taking off all the time, and he loved being independent, hanging with his friends, and doing everything that was crazy. What he was doing right NOW was crazy. He didn't need treatment…
He stopped dead at the sight of the caramel blond fur. His breath caught it his throat and his eyes widened. Lucy…the most beautiful she-weasel in the world. They had been great friends ever since they were kits, but recently, Buck had started feeling nervous around her, always acting chilled, or making sure he looked good when she was around. It annoyed him actually, because he had no idea what he was feeling these days about her. But he knew how he would usually act around her. As casual as could be. He almost strolled in, and when she spotted him, put on a mocking smile. She smiled back. Then she saw the scratch. Her face immediately changed to concern.
"Buck! What happened!?" she screeched.
"Calm down. Lucy, I get hurt all the time!"
"Not this badly."
"Not you too! Why does everyone think I'm gonna die! It's not even bad." he said annoyed.
"You tempt fate once too often." She said quietly, walking over to him. He stood still and let her come to him. When she reached him, she was barely half an inch away from his chest. He hoped she couldn't hear his heart beating faster.
"Lucy, you should know already, I'm invincible." He whispered, looking down into her bright green eyes. His were a bright blue. Weird…both of their eye colors were really rare in the weasel genealogy. God, her eyes. They were like emerald, the way they reflected light. There had always been a shine to them, even at night when there was no source of light to be found. She returned the whisper, saying,
"I just don't want you to get seriously hurt."
"Why not? Regal does, and his friends."
"But they're not me." She was now so close he could feel her warm fur pressing into his. He grabbed her shoulder softly, then leaned down, then whispered to her face,
"Thank God for that, too. If they were as beautiful as you, the world would fall apart." He then pulled away from her, afraid he wouldn't be able to hold in the feeling building in his chest. He knew what the feeling was now. It was…love. And not just sisterly love, but...romantic. He hadn't ever really been interested in dating anyone, guys as well as girls, and was only interested in adventure. But now…he had to stop himself from holding her in his arms and just kissing her! Buck was almost overwhelmed with the thought. He walked away from her, not tempting the thought to turn into action. He went to go down a tunnel, when something nagged him. He turned around and went back to where Lucy was.
"Hey, what are you doing here anyway?" he asked.
"Oh, I'm collecting herbs form Oma. It's kind of my new job."
"Well, that's kinda cool." He said, making sure he emphasized the kinda. "Also, do you know where she is?"
"Yeah, she's in her usual room."
"Thanks. See ya later." But before he turned to leave, he heard Lucy's voice cry out,
"Wait, Buck are you going to the waterhole tonight, to meet up with the others at the party?" she asked.
"Oh, I completely forgot. Yea, I am, so I'll see you there tonight then." He said.
"Cool." Then he left. She watched him leave.
Buck entered the room where Oma usually did her healing work.
"Hey Oma." Buck greeted. Oma turned, then groaned when she spotted the deep scratch on his shoulder.
"What was it this time?" she asked in annoyance.
"Saber." He replied smiling, but when he saw her stern face, frowned.
"You will get seriously hurt one day, having your stupid adventures." She said, shaking her head. Her grey fur slightly glistened when the firelight caught it. She was small, old, but extremely brainy. She had been healing Buck and other weasels for generations, and some said she worked magic. Buck believed it.
"Who's going to care?" he said, giggling slightly. Oma looked at him, clearly remembering that Buck had a low self-esteem.
"A lot of weasels." She said.
"Oh yeah? Name one."
"Turn around you dumbass." She said. He obeyed. He spotted Lucy in the entrance of the tunnel, a frown on her face, and slightly shaking her head. She then turned and left as soon as they made eye contact. Buck hung his head. Would she actually care, if he got hurt? Would anyone? He was a crazy idiot, doing things that no other weasel does. He temps fate, gets chased, injured, and it's all for fun. Sure he gave the little kits rides on his back, and shows them cool places that were safe to hang and play. Sure he helps where he can for the less fortunate who don't know where to get food that none else knows about, but really, if he was injured or killed, he would just be another weasel. Dead or injured weasel. He did know that a couple of girls had crushes on him though. They thought he was caring. He got it from his mum. He had his mother's fur colour as well, a red-brown that helps him hide in rocky areas or trees. A lot of weasels don't climb trees because one, most of them are scared of heights, and two, they live in caves or burrows. But Buck loved heights, and feeling the wind in his fur as he breathed in huge gulps of fresh air. He found confined spaces bothered him, that he didn't like to be caged. So how was anyone going to miss him? He turned back to Oma, who was looking at him with…Pity?
"Come here," she said, "I'll heal that wound."
"Thanks." He went and sat on the pile of leaves that served as a bed. Oma started cleaning the wound. She had slightly taught him about herbs, and what he could use if he wasn't near a healer. They were silent, which was unusual for both of them. Buck couldn't take it any longer.
"Oma, do you seriously think that anyone would care?"
"As I said, a lot of us would. You're a very caring weasel, helping those you can. You are also quite attractive for a 15 year old boy like yourself, only a couple could match you for looks."
"Regal is better looking." Buck said with a snarl. Regal was a weasel older by a year, same age as Jai, and was always picking on them both. Sometimes he even hurt them. Regal had blood red fur. His father had the same colour, and his grandfather and so on, so on. He had their attitude too. Cruel, conniving, evil, bastards, only caring for themselves, always taking advantage of the unfortunate. It made Buck so mad. Jai was even worse with Regal, because the red weasel keeps hitting on Anna, Jai's girlfriend. Anna and Lucy were best friends, and always hung around each other, so Buck never got a moment alone with Lucy. This was good though, because he wouldn't know what to say to her if she got alone with him. Would Lucy care if he got hurt? He asked Oma this, who looked at him annoyed.
"Of course she would! She's been your friend since you two were kits."
"Well, recently I…never mind."
"You like her more than a friend, don't you?" She asked, smiling. Buck looked at her in shock. It was that obvious? Damn. He hung his head, embarrassed. Oma laughed. "Don't be ashamed. She is beautiful."
"Are you kidding?!" Buck yelled, "She's the most beautiful! And she's always looking out for others, even if she doesn't like them. She's an angel, a goddess!" Buck saw the look on Oma's face. "Did I say that aloud?" Oma laughed again.
"Boy, you are in love."
"So, you don't think it's just a crush?" Buck asked.
"There's a difference between them. But I know you're in love."
"How?"
"I just know."
"That's helpful. How do you stop it?"
"Why would you want to stop being in love?" Oma asked confused, starting to wrap his shoulder in a leaf bandage.
"I'm not the right guy for her. She's so…perfect. I'm too crazy, and she might get hurt, mentally or physically, trying to hang around me." Buck said sadly.
"You wouldn't hurt her." Oma said simply.
"I know, but I do dangerous stunts and get chased by sabers, snakes, wolves and an array of dangerous creatures. I would never forgive myself if she got hurt." He said. The thought made his heart tear. An image flashed in his head. Lucy was in between the jaws of a wolf. Buck shook his head of the thought. He had to stop being in love with her, but how?
You can't a voice said in his head. Damn. Once Oma had finished her work, he thanked her, then left. The sun was starting to set outside. It hadn't reached the horizon yet. Good. Buck loved to watch the sunset on a cliff by the sea. He started heading in that direction, running as fast as he could. When he reached it, the sun was just starting to touch the water out on the horizon. Buck sat down at the base of a tree, and sighed with contempt. He loved being away from his home, parents and…Regal. That red weasel made him so mad. His father, Dex, was even worse. He hunted every animal he could take on. Buck had even seen him slay a baby turtle for the fun. Sure, weasels were known for aggression, but only by defensive standards. Dex just went out and killed stuff, and letting his son come with him. Buck annoyed other animals, put sabers in traps and threw rocks at wolves, but never did he kill anything, he actually befriended a lot of the herbivores. It was fun, riding on the back of a gazelle, or just chillin' with a possum. Possums were probably the coolest animals Buck hung with. They had a boisterous attitude that Buck loved. But he still thought weasels were cool, well most of them anyway. Buck sighed again, the orange glow of sunset shining on his fur. He loved the sunset, and the night-time, and frankly loved the day time just as much. But sunsets were the best, the stars coming a close second. His whole body felt relaxed, his mind forgetting about the troubles of that day. Slowly, he could feel his guard going down. Not for long though. A rustling came from the bush behind him. He jumped up, ready to run, fight or just say hi, depending on who or what it was. Lucy stepped out of the bush. Her hair was a little ruffled from the leaves. He walked over, pretending his heart wasn't beating like a gazelle on the run. He reached up and smoothed her hair out, smiling. She smiled shyly back.
"Come and watch the sunset with me." Buck said quietly. It'd be awesome of she joined him, making the sunset even better. She nodded her head, but still didn't say anything. They sat down on the grass underneath the tree. Buck put his head against the trunk, and closed his eyes, letting happiness swirl around him. He listened to the crickets, and the sounds of the land he lived on. After the sun had gone down completely, the after-light starting to fade, Buck opened his eyes again. Lucy hadn't moved away, but had leaned against the tree like him. Their shoulders were touching, and Buck decided not to move, otherwise it would make things awkward. Buck looked up at the sky, the stars twinkling on the blue-black background. Buck then looked back at Lucy. Her eyes were reflecting the stars light.
"Whoa, your eyes look more beautiful than ever, if that's even possible. Come to think of it, it's not." Buck said. Lucy looked at him weirdly. Crap. "Umm…Did I say that aloud? Again?" Lucy tried to hide her smile, but was failing badly. She then just smiled and said,
"I heard what you said to Oma."
"More like what I yelled at Oma." Buck said automatically. Lucy laughed.
"Yeah, that. Did you mean it though?"
"'Course, why not. What I "yelled" back there was true. Every word of it." Lucy looked astonished. "You know," Buck continued on, "You made this sunset the best in my life…so far." He couldn't help saying it. She tried to not look more surprised, but she couldn't hide from him. He looked her straight in the eye, smiled and said, "Were you really worried? About me getting hurt and stuff?"
"Of course! If you got hurt, I'd be really upset Buck." She said quietly, then reached for his hand. She held it. Buck squeezed hers gently in response and said just as quietly,
"I ain't gonna get hurt. As I told you, I'm invincible."
"Don't take that thought too seriously." She said. Buck laughed, but the frown still remained on Lucy's lips. Why was everyone so worried? He had been getting in danger and getting hurt since he was a small kit, and all of a sudden everyone was making sure he was Ok. Even Jai had looked at him a little concerned when Buck had copped the sabers claws to his shoulder. Usually Jai would put on a cocky smile. Why were things different now? Through Lucy's hand, Buck could feel her heart beat. It was a nice pace, and her smooth paw felt soft against his rough palms. They were rough from the years of running from danger, on two legs and four. Buck closed his eyes, trying to concentrate on what he was feeling right now, so that he could remember this moment for years to come. He wanted to remember all the great things in his life, and this was one of them. Suddenly Lucy gasped at something. Bucks defensive system kicked in right away. He was up, eyes wide open, Lucy held close, and his eyes were scanning the brush-land for a danger. Lucy laughed at his response, then Buck realized that he had gotten the wrong idea about her gasp completely. Buck smiled, relaxed a little, but still didn't let go of Lucy. She didn't pull away either.
"What were ya gasping at if it wasn' danger?" he asked, smiling.
"We were going to the waterhole tonight, to meet up with the others." Lucy responded. Buck suddenly felt like he didn't want to go. He just wanted to be here…With Lucy in his arms. She was facing him now. His arms were around her back, and hers were around his neck.
"I don' want to go. I just…Don' feel like it." He said to her.
"I don't really feel like it either. It's nicer here." She said, then looked nervously away from his face.
"What is it?" he asked.
"It's just that…well, I'm worried about you."
"You always are."
"But recently, I think you're in more danger." Buck didn't know what she meant.
"How so?"
"Well, Regal's getting madder at you and your brother."
"So?"
"I think he'll try to hurt you, because he's getting sick of being outwitted by you. I heard him plotting it the other day. That's why when I saw you with the scratch, I freaked out more than usual because I thought it might have been him."
"That's all ya worried about?" Buck laughed, and she looked at him darkly, then pulled away, but that still didn't stop Buck from laughing.
"You think it's funny?!" she yelled at him, "This is serious Buck!" Buck shut his mouth immediately, seeing her concern. He then tried to talk without giggling.
"Lucy, I'll be fine. Don' worry about me."
"What if he does try to hurt you?"
"Then I'll break his bloody neck." Lucy looked shocked at his dark response. "He's hurt with Anna, Jai and myself since we were just' small kits, he deserves a good knock to his fat head." Lucy still looked concerned. Buck sighed. "I'll be careful to avoid him. You know me, nothin' can sneak up on me from a mile away. I'll know he's around before he knows I'm even nearby! He'll never get close, I promise" Lucy looked as she might cry. Buck smiled in a comforting way, "Come here." He said, and she walked into his arms, put her head on his chest, and put her arms around his neck again. He smiled, and put his head on hers. He then heard her whisper into his chest,
"Can you keep that promise?"
"Haven't I always?" and they stayed like that for a minute or two. Then Lucy lifted her head, her nose almost touching his. At the same time, they both closed their eyes, and leaned forward to each other. Just when their lips touched, a voice rang in Bucks head.
She deserves someone better
He pulled away quickly, opening his eyes.
"What's wrong?" Lucy asked.
"It's just, you deserve someone better Lucy." He said, still not looking at her. His ears laid back against his skull, feeling the emotions rising up inside him.
"What? No Buck. I want to be with you." She said quietly, trying to reassure him.
"I'm just too wild. I can' be controlled, an' I'm a stupid lunatic." He said, while he reached up, and gently pulled her arms from around his neck. He looked at her once again. She looked hurt, but he ignored it. "I'm just not the right guy."
"I thought that, well, that you liked me." Buck pricked his ears up and stared at her while he said,
"Lucy, I friggin' love you. You're the most caring, funny, chilled girl I've ever met. You're beautiful." He said, but then added, "But I'm not. You're perfect, I'm the opposite."
"Buck, you have the lowest self-esteem, and yet you're the most caring weasel out there." she said, smiling. He tried to smile back, but it failed. "Look, you just have to look at the others around you. Do you see Regal giving a child his own food? Do you see my cousin Steve give little kits a ride on his back? Do you see anyone else help that mole hog family whose burrow got flooded during the monsoon? No, because you do all that. You take care of everyone, even if you don't know them. This is why I like you so much. This is why…I love you." She said nervously. Bucks heart skipped a beat. He knew he loved her too, but she could do so much better. She was just so perfect!
"Lucy…"
"No Buck. I won't hear it. You're the most selfless person I know, always helping others…" Buck cut Lucy off. He knew that what he was doing would break both their hearts, but it was the right thing. It would stop Lucy from making a terrible mistake.
"You need to find someone better." He said simply. Lucy looked hurt at first, then started to get angry.
"You just don't know how great you are! You need to see that Buck! Even right now, you're trying to do this to protect me. But what is there to protect me from? You are not a monster that lurks in the dark. You just have the lowest self-esteem. Please, just try to think about yourself for once. What do you want?" she asked the last bit quietly. Buck decided to be honest. He took a deep breath, and readied himself for giving a speech.
"I want to just hold ya in my arms and just kiss ya. I want to swing through the trees with you by my side. I want to wake up every mornin' and see your beautiful face looking straight back into mine. But…" he trailed off. He turned away from her and faced the sea, his voice getting bolder "I want you to be safe. I want to know that you will be in no danger. But if you have fallen in love with me, there is no guarantee of that. That's why you have to not fall in love with me." He said the last bit sadly. He wanted them to be together, but she couldn't be safe with him. "If you got hurt, I'd be so depressed, I have no idea what I would do…"
"Buck." Lucy came up next to him, and tried to grab his hand. He slowly pulled it away, closing his eyes.
"I'm so sorry Lucy. This is to protect you." Lucy frowned. She started to hear the sounds of the party at the waterhole. Her best friends Jessica and Sasha would be looking for her there. All of a sudden, Lucy wanted to go there and cry in their arms. They had known for a long time that Lucy had liked Buck, and now that Lucy had been rejected by him, she needed their support. No, he hadn't rejected her. He had rejected himself. He was trying to protect her. She was disappointed and sad, but she knew that Buck loved her back, because of what he was trying to do.
"It's alright Buck. I understand." She said. Buck looked as if he was about to cry. But he wouldn't. He never cried, and was never scared. He was a rock. He was a rock, but Lucy still loved him. She started to turn and walk off.
"Lucy?" Buck said, and Lucy turned back to him.
"Yes?"
"Please don't hate me for this. I love you…and that's why I'm trying to protect you."
"I know. Don't worry. Nothing will change. We'll still hang out, and act as if nothing happened." Lucy said. She would like for them to still be best friends. Buck smiled.
"Thanks. See ya Lucy."
"Bye Buck." Lucy turned again, and started walking to the inviting sounds of the party. Buck watched her go. Her fur was rippling in the breeze, and it reflected the glow of the moon. She looked as if she had been dipped in silver. It made Bucks heart pump faster. She was so beautiful. He had to let her go. She had to forget about her feelings for him, and he had to do the same. If what Lucy said was true, and Regal was planning on hurting him, then that was more of a reason for Buck to protect Lucy. If Regal found out that they were dating, Regal would go straight to Lucy and try to hurt her. He was just that kind of guy. Pure evil, wrapped in blood red fur. Buck climbed the tree he was leaning against. He could hear the sounds of the party. He felt like going now, but he couldn't. Lucy was there. He couldn't turn up and all of a sudden look happy. He didn't feel happy. His heart was torn. Besides, Lucy would have told Sasha and Jessica about what just happened…Crap! They'd be after him. Especially Jessica. They'd kill him for upsetting Lucy!
Great! I'm dead meat. Jess is gonna skin me and use it as a throw rug. He thought, but still he smiled. They wouldn't really. Jessica and Sasha were great friends, to Buck as well as Lucy. Still, they would like to have a little "chat" with Buck, asking him why he hadn't just kissed Lucy. Buck laughed at the thought of himself being tied to a tree, fire all around, and Jessica standing over him with a whip in hand. She was really overprotective of those she loved and cared for. Buck remembered and incident where another female weasel had started being mean to Sasha about her blond fur. Jessica had tackled the female to the ground, and slapped her. That female had never bothered anyone since. Buck looked up at the stars, wishing upon them, that Regal wouldn't hurt Lucy, or Jai, or Anna, or anyone. That's what he wished anyway.

Lucy had arrived at the party. She wasn't crying, and she didn't think she would. Buck still loved her, and was trying to care for her. Maybe it was for the best. But she still felt sad. Jessica spotted this straight away when Lucy found them among the other weasels.
"What happened girl?" She asked, her almost black eyes staring anxiously at Lucy. She had the darkest brown fur, hiding her easily in the dark. Sasha was the opposite. She was as blond as could be, but not mentally. She was quite shy, but really brainy. She was also looking at Lucy with concern. Jessica led them away from the party, to small hang over of a rock that was sitting at a weird angle. "Come on girl, tell us what happened?" Jess asked again.
"Well…" Lucy started.

Buck woke with a start. He had fallen asleep and was still in the tree. Pale grey light told him dawn was just a few minutes away. Something suddenly hit him in the back of the head. He didn't bother turning, but just sat there. He had suspicions of what it was. Another thing hit him in the head.
"BUCK! Wake up!" Damn! Buck turned to find Jessica staring at him from the ground. She had a pebble in her hand, ready to throw. So that's what had hit him. Buck could feel the pain in the back of his head from where the pebble had hit its mark. She had a real good aim. Buck knew what was coming next.
"I'm awake." He groaned, rubbing the back of his head.
"Get down from there." she snarled. Buck sighed.
"How do I know you won't rip me limb from limb if I come down."
"You'll just have to find out yourself won't you." She said, dropping the pebble and putting her hands on her hip. Buck smiled and called,
"Maybe you should come up!"
"You now that's not going to happen." Buck swung off the branch and landed neatly on the ground near Jess. She looked at him, unimpressed. She'd seen him do better stunts than that. "Are you going to explain to me why you didn't kiss Lucy?" she asked smugly.
"Did Lucy tell you?" he asked, trying to copy her attitude.
"Well, she said that you were trying to protect her, and that she might be hurt going out with you. That's what you said to her." Jess said.
"And she's right. She will be hurt if she goes out with me. You know how Regal wants to have a go at me?" He asked, and Jess nodded. "He would get Lucy and hurt her if he really wanted to hurt me…mentally. That's why I didn't kiss her." He said strongly. Jess looked defeated. She knew that he was trying to save Lucy, so gave in and let the topic drop.
"She still loves you." She said quietly. Buck turned away, and said.
"I know. I still love her too, but if what everyone says is true, and Regal does want to hurt me, then I can't get too close to Lucy."
"You're right. I'm sorry I threw a rock at your head."
"No sweat. Now, I better get home, mum won't like that I stayed out all night."
"Alright. See you later Buck."
"Seeya Jess." And with that, Buck ran in the direction of home. He wasn't looking forward to getting there. His mum would be so mad, and his dad annoyed. Jai would just snicker, but he would try to make Buck feel better by telling him that something funny happened. Jai always did that. He knew that one thing that made Buck feel better was a funny story. When Buck saw the hollow he stopped. He took a deep breath and walked in.
"Buck! Where have you been?" Screeched his mother.
"Sorry mum. I fell asleep in a tree." He said the wrong thing. He'd completely forgotten that is mum hated him climbing trees. She gasped.
"A tree! You could have fallen out!" she said worriedly.
"Ah, but I didn't." Buck said smiling. He always used this excuse. When his mum would say, you could have drowned, he would always say, but I didn't. He used it for everything. He used it right now.
"What if a bear had seen you!? It would have climbed up there and snatch you!"
"But one didn't." Buck said trying not to laugh. Just as his mum was about to come up with another 'you could have…' story, Jai walked in.
"Oh, there you are. I just went out looking for you." He said to Buck.
"Sorry for the trouble." Buck apologized.
"Don't apologize. Mum was having a fit, so I used it as an excuse to get away." Jai said with a smirk. Their mother put her hands on her hips.
"Just don't do it again, ok?" she said to Buck.
"Yes Mum." He said, and walked to his room. Jai followed him.
"Buck, I need to tell you something." Jai said.
"Yeah? What is it?" Buck said, flopping onto the leaf bed that was suspended from the ground by a rock.
"Well, Regal's planning to hurt us I think."
"I know."
"Should we tell Mum and Dad?"
"Nah. It would just make them worry. We'll wait for him to make the first move. If he does hurt us, then we'll tell them. He hasn't done anything yet, so we'll wait."
"Ok." Jai still seemed troubled.
"What is it Jai?" Buck asked.
"Well, he's been flirting with Anna quite a lot lately. She's told him he's a jerk, and he got mad. I'm worried he'll try hurt her."
"Yeah I'm a bit worried about Lucy too." Buck said without thinking. Jai perked his ears up and looked at Buck.
"You mean, you and Lucy are finally going out?" he asked excitedly.
"What? Oh. Well, no. We were about to kiss last night, but then I was worried Regal would hurt her, like you said, so I pulled back. Wait…what do you mean by finally going out?" Jai looked at the ground and said,
"Everyone has been waiting for you to ask her out. We all know you like her." Buck growled a little. Great, now everyone's going to know about himnot asking her out. Hooray.
"Well, we're not going out." Buck said. Jai frowned. "That's not the point though. The point is, how we are going to protect Ann and Lucy."
"We'll just have to stay around them. Always making sure that someone's with them, so that Regal can't get to them."
"Good idea. Let's go find them now." Buck said. The two brothers ran out of their home to get to their usual hang out place. It was a small pond next to some boulders. When they got there, Anna, Lucy, Jessica, Sasha, Steve (Jai's best friend) and Trevor (Buck's best friend) were there. Buck and Jai looked at each other in relief. Lucy and Anna were safe…for now.
"Buck, Jai, catch." Trevor said, and threw the brothers each a berry. They bit into the sweet fruits, smiling with delight. Jai used the red juice as lipstick, and swung his hips as he walked, trying to imitate a feminine figure. Everyone laughed. Anna jumped down from her spot on a boulder and said,
"You're doing it wrong. It's like this this." She said, and started walking towards Jai in a flirting way. She fluttered her eyelids when she reached him. Jai tried to go in and kiss her, but Anna turned and flicked his nose with her tail, then walked back to Lucy. Everyone went oooh. Jai's draw dropped as Anna said, "That's how you do it."
"Yeah Jai. You make a terrible girl." Mocked Buck.
"I suppose you've had experience." Trevor shot at him with a laugh. Everyone cracked up. Buck went along with it and flicked his hair with his paw and fluttered his eyes like Anna had.
"He sure looks like one." Said Steve.
"Hey Jai, you have a little sister!" yelled Jess.
"Just because you're more male than female Jess!" said Sasha.
"Um, offended!" said Jess with a joking gasp. This joke went on for several minutes. They were all laughing and insulting each other. The best thing about weasels was that they could take a joke. It was all a joke until Regal turned up. He stepped out from behind a boulder, with his best friend Jeremy by his side.
"Frankly I think all of you look like girls." Regal said, a smile creeping across his lips.
"Try checking your reflection." Jai shot back. Laughter erupted around him. Jai looked triumphant.
"Why? Do you like my face?" Regal said, trying to make the joke on Jai.
"No. I hate it. If I punched it, it would make it look better." Returned Jai.
"Maybe you should look at your reflection." Regal said.
"Oh please, Jai's a million times better looking than you." Said Anna, getting down room her boulder again to stand next to Jai.
"Yeah. He gets it from me." Buck said, lifting his head with a smirk. Everyone apart from Regal and Jeremy laughed.
"That's disgusting. It also proves you are a girl." Said Jeremy.
"Heck yes!" yelled Buck, who raised his eyebrow and flicked his hips from side to side.
"Hey sis. Don't interrupt. Regal and I are having a hatred competition." Jai said to Buck.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought I was flirting with Regal." Buck said in a high pitched voice, trying to sound like a girl.
"You could do a lot better than Regal." Lucy said.
"Yeah. I guess I could." Buck said in the same voice, and went and sat in Trevor's lap. Trevor turned to him and said,
"Hello darling." Laughter got louder and louder as Buck and Trevor pretended to make out. They didn't actually meet lips, but made sounds that made all their friends laugh. Buck eventually jumped off Trevor's lap.
"Just a bit gay." Said Regal.
"It's hard work." Buck said laughing. Lucy had fallen off the rock from laughter.
"Man down!" Yelled Sasha, then jumped on top of Lucy. They giggled until Steve helped them stand. Buck shot a look at Regal and Jai. They were both staring at each other in hatred.
"Hey bro," Buck yelled, trying to divert Jai's attention. Buck could feel the tension between Regal and Jai grow, and didn't want a fight to start. "You should take Steve on a date someday. I think you guys would be a great couple."
"Yeah. Go make out with your crush Jai." Spat Regal.
"Oooh, what's wrong? You jealous?" Said Lucy to Regal.
"Nice one!" said Buck, and gave Lucy a high-five. They both started laughing at Regal's look of hatred.
"I've got better things to do than stay around here and listen to you guys." Said Regal, then he started to trudge off, but not before he gave Buck and Jai the most malicious look he could muster. After he disappeared, the group of friends cracked up laughing. Lucy fell off the rock again, but this time Buck caught her.
"Nice catch." She said, trying not to make it awkward.
"You're light enough." Buck replied, then put her down.
"Yeah, she's bloody anorexic!" Yelled Jess.
"Just 'coz you've got a fat butt." Steve said.
"Would you like some?" she said, then stood up and slapped her butt. Everyone laughed.
"Did you guys see the look on Regal's face when I told him Jai looked a million times better than him?" Said Anna loudly.
"I thought he wouldn't be that surprised." Buck said.
"Oh, Buck, just to tell you. You are a fantastic kisser." Trevor said.
"Why thank you." Said Buck, who fluttered his eyes.
"Too bad Lucy didn't get some of that." Said Jess, who narrowed her eyes at Buck. She was still mad about that? Buck saw Lucy roll her eyes at Jess.
"Kind of is a bit sad, yeah." Said Buck, who climbed up the other bolder and sat next to Trevor, not looking at anyone. Jai climbed up next to him and gave him a pat on the back and said,
"You'll get your chance, don't worry."
"Bloody hope so." Said Buck. Buck saw out of the corner of his eye that Lucy looked a little shocked. Soon the friends started talking about everyday stuff, and nobody mentioned the thing between Buck and Lucy again. It grew late, and sunset was almost upon them.
"Hey, who wants to go watch the sunset on my favorite cliff?" Buck asked. All of his friends raised their paw. He led them quickly through the snow to the cliff he had sat on the night before. When they reached there, the sun was just touching the horizon.
"I've never actually watched it like this." Anna said in wonder. Jai wrapped his arm around her shoulder and said,
"Well, this is what it's like."
"It's amazing." She said. Buck watched them with a smile on his face. His brother was really happy with her. Buck and Jai started singing their favorite songs. They both had wonderful voices. The group of friends watched the sunset in a certain kind of happiness, with Buck and Jai singing to the horizon. It's hard to describe, but they all felt calm. That's where the saying, 'the calm before the storm' comes in.

It had happened a month later. Buck and Jai were with their friends, when Steve's father had come walking through the snow.
"Jai, Buck, I need to talk to you." He said. The brothers looked at each other with worry. Steve's father (Craig) looked deeply upset. When Craig had brought them aside, he had had said in a low voice that the brother's parents were dead. Evidence pointed that they'd been taken by a saber. Craig had been on his way to Buck's family's hollow, when he saw the saber dragging Buck and Jai's parents bodies away. Buck didn't know what to say. Neither did Jai.
"Hey Buck, Jai, what's wrong?" asked Lucy when Buck and Jai went back to their friends. Buck explained what had happened. He was still in shock, so the tears didn't come yet. All of their friends gasped at the story. Anna gave Jai a hug. Lucy did the same for Buck. Buck held her as if she meant everything in the world. He didn't want to let her go. He felt torn. He'd never said goodbye to his parents. All he wanted was to stay like that with Lucy forever, surrounded by his friends. When Lucy let go, Buck looked at her. She looked just as sad as him.
"Hey. I know what will make you feel better." She said.
"Your hug already made me feel better already." He said, trying to smile, but failed.
"Well, I know what can make you feel even better than that." She said back. She then picked up some snow and threw it at him. Bucks jaw dropped in surprise. When he gathered his thoughts though, he picked some snow up and threw it back. She squealed as the cold white stuff shattered on her fur.
"Snow ball fight!" cried Trevor. He picked some up and threw it at Jessica, who returned the assault by kicking some in his face. The fight broke out, and soon they were all squealing and laughing. Buck threw some at Jai, who tackled him to the ground and shoved Bucks face into the snow on the ground. They were both laughing so much they had trouble standing up. Buck kicked Jai in the gut, then ran off to hide behind a boulder. Lucy was behind it as well, hiding from Anna.
"You were right! This does make me feel better." He said to her.
"Told ya!" she said back. Just then, Jessica and Trevor appeared around the boulder.
"We'll do an alliance attack." Said Trevor. Buck nodded, smiling. Jai, Anna, Steve and Sasha were hiding behind the boulder opposite them. Buck, Lucy, Trevor and Jessica made a many snow balls as they cold. Clearly the opposition were doing the same, because none of them were firing shots. When Bucks team had made as many as they could, they raised the snow balls and popped their heads over the boulder. At the same time the other team had done it as well. Snow went back and forth across the two boulders. There was screams of joy and shock as each team got pelted. Jai's team ran out of snow balls first, so had to surrender.
"We triumph!" Yelled Trevor.
"Oh, great Lords. Please show mercy." Said Jai. Buck had lined up Jai, and the rest of his team mates along the front of the boulder.
"ready." Said Buck, who raised his right arm. In his paw sat a huge snow ball. He was aiming for Jai's head. Lucy was going for Anna's, Jessica for Sasha's, and Trevor for Steve's head. "FIRE!" yelled Buck. His team threw the snow balls at the other team. Jai pretended to die, so flopped over onto the snow. Buck said in a deep God-like voice, "Pathetic mortal." All of his friends laughed, including Jai's corpse.
"You guys look like small children playing around." Said a voice all of them recognized. Regal appeared with Jeremy and Zac, another one of his friends.
"Just because you never have any fun." Shot Lucy.
"I have plenty of fun thank you." Said Regal.
"I don't think feeling yourself counts." Said Jai, with a thoughtful expression. His friends around him tried to hide their giggles.
"Well I bet that saber had a lot of fun clamping his jaws around your parents." Regal said. He hadn't expected Jai to turn around and punch him in the face. Regal yelled out in pain, fell over and clasped his nose.
"Hey Jai. You were right, it does make him look better." Steve said, laughing. Jai cracked his knuckles. If Regal said anything, he was ready to throw another punch. Jeremy and Zac started walking towards Jai, but they took one look at Steve (who was about twice the size of both of them combined) and hesitated.
"Think you're so tough don't you Jai?" Regal said, standing up.
"Well I have a reason to. I just punched you in the face dipshit." Jai said. Regal launched at him, but Jai sidestepped the attack and kicked Regal in the back. Regal face planted in the snow.
"Jai, stop." Buck said. Jai looked at him, confused. "He's not worth it."
"what is he worth then?" Jai asked, through clenched teeth.
"Nothing. The jackass should just drop dead where he stands, but Jai, don't be the one responsible for his death or pain."
"Why? Would it make me as bad as him or something?" said Jai, sounding a little annoyed.
"No, but you don't want to be like him. It won't make you worse than him, or as bad, but just ignore him. He's a bastard and a son of devil. He doesn't know what it's like to have your parents ripped from you, so just leave him. One day karma will catch up with him." Buck said.
"I hope karma's got something good planned." Jai growled. Buck giggled, and said,
"Don't worry, I think karma has got it all covered." Jai smiled, and gave his little brother a pat on the back.
"You always showed more mercy than me." he said.
"I'm not exactly sure if that's a good thing." Lucy said, pointing towards Regal. Regal was mad.
"I'll get you for this Jai." He growled.
"That's what they all say." Said Steve. Jai, Buck and all their friends walked away, leaving Regal and his anger behind.
That night was when Buck really cried. Craig and his wife offered Buck and Jai to stay with them, but Jai had refused. He may be only sixteen, but he could take care of his little brother and himself. Buck had crawled to his room, curled up on his bed, and had begun to cry, long and hard. He did it silently, jus incase Jai heard him, even though Buck was sure Jai would be doing the same as him. Crying. Buck regretted so many things while he could. He had never had the greatest relationship with his parents. He was never a mummy's boy, being really independent at a young age. He'd been getting his own food since he was seven years old. His mother had always offered him food, but he'd refused. Even Jai hadn't started finding his own food at that age. Only recently had Jai started breaking away from their parents. He'd always told their mother his problems, while Buck had been secretive, dealing with his problems on his own. Jai had always told their father about Regal's bullying when they were younger, and when their father had asked Buck if it was true, Buck had merely shrugged. That's why Jai had wanted to tell their parents about the recent threat of Regal. Buck had said they wouldn't be needed, so they hadn't said anything. Buck remembered the last thing he'd said to his mum was,
"We'll be back before sunset." And had simply left. Jai had given her a kiss on the head at least, while Buck had never done that since he was six. Now he regretted it badly. The regret wouldn't last long though, or the grief. Buck would quickly get over it. He wasn't sure Jai would though. He'd always been closer to their parents. Buck just hoped that Jai didn't do something stupid.

Lucy felt so sorry for Buck. She herself had a great relationship with her parents, and knew that Buck had been independent since they were just small kits. He would be feeling so guilty right now, she knew it. She wanted to comfort him, but he wouldn't like that. He'd never been soft. That's why Lucy was surprised he hadn't let Jai hurt Regal today. Lucy had admired Buck for that. Frankly, she'd always admired him.

Days, weeks, and months passed. Buck was already back to his usual self, the death of his parents behind him. He was still annoying sabers, getting chased by wolves, and riding gazelles. But Jai came with him not as often. Jai would always take long walks alone in the afternoons. He didn't laugh as often, and he sometimes took a joke seriously, and would get mad. That wasn't like him at all. He'd also stopped singing as much, and when he did, it was always sad songs. Buck was still singing things like 'come on Eileen,' and 'dreaming'. These were upbeat songs that always made Buck feel energetic. He ignored Regal's taunts, and made his usual jokes. One day he came across his possum friend, Isaac.
"Hey. What's up man?" Isaac asked, and slapped palms with Buck.
"Not much."
"Dude, I heard about the incident. You look fine though." Said Isaac.
"Yeah, I got over it. Still miss 'em though."
"Naturally. Hey I found these." Isaac held up too sticks, but they were hollowed out. Buck looked at Isaac, and Isaac looked right back. A smile crept across both of the boys lips. They both had the same crazy idea. They both found a whole bunch of tiny pebbles, and filled some pouches they made with the tiny rocks. Then they headed towards the path that Jai usually took his walk on in the afternoons. They climbed one of the trees. Isaac had been the one that had taught him to climb. They loaded the sticks with a few pebbles, then waited patiently. They didn't have to wait long, before Jai appeared through the branches. His head was hung, and he dragged his feet.
"Target sited." Isaac whispered.
"Target locked." Buck replied just as quietly.
"Aim…"
"Fire!" they both raised the pipes to their mouths and shot at Jai. Jai looked up in surprise as the pebbles hit him. Buck hit him straight in the forehead. Jai cried out in pain, then yelled up the tree,
"Stop that!" Isaac had another shot.
"It's just some fun Jai." Said Buck. He took a shot, and hit Jai in the arm.
"Grow up!" Jai yelled angrily. Both the possum and weasel stopped shooting, then looked at each other in surprise. Jai ran off down the path.
"Jeez. He overreacted. We used to do this all the time to him, and all he did was throw rocks back what at us and laugh." Isaac said.
"Don't worry about it. He's changed a lot since Mum and Dad died." Buck said with a wave of his paw. "Come on. We'll go find a gazelle to ride." They jumped down from the tree and ran off towards a clearing where one of the gazelle's grazed.
"Hey Buck. Sup Isaac." Said the male gazelle.
"Not much aye, Fitz." Said Buck.
"Feel like going for a run?" asked Isaac.
"I'm up for it, yeah. Get on." Isaac and Buck climbed onto Fitz's back. As soon as they were on, he leaped into a gallop. He wasn't going his fastest, but it still made Buck yell in excitement.
"Yaaaa-hooo!" he yelled. Snow sprayed up from under the gazelles hooves. Soon, they reached a path that went into a pine forest.
"Go faster!" yelled Isaac to Fitz. The gazelle made his legs go faster. Everything was a blur. The white of the snow sped past them. They came out the other side of the forest, then turned around and headed back home. When they reached the clearing where they started, Fitz was panting slightly. This was unusual, but they had gone further and faster than usual.
"Sorry if we pushed you hard mate." Said Buck, looking up at the gazelle with concern.
"Nah. Probably did me some good."
"As long as you're alright. We'll head home now. Thanks for the ride." Isaac said.
"No, thank you. You know I love going for a run. It's even better when you guys are with me."
"Seeya Fitz." Buck and Isaac said in unison.
"Bye guys." Buck and Isaac soon reached Bucks hollow, and the sun had started to set.
"You wanna stay the night?" asked Buck.
"No, it's all good. I'll head home now. Seeya Buck."
"Seeya." And with that, they parted ways. The next day, Buck was hanging with water rat friend, Alex. They were having a swim in a stream, when Lucy came crashing through the bushes. She looked panicky and upset.
"Lucy!" Buck waved. "Over here." He hadn't seen the panic on her face.
"Buck!" she yelled, running over to him. When she got closer, Buck started to see the concern on her features.
"What's wrong?" Buck said, jumping out of the water and crawling onto land.
"It's Jai. Regal tried to kiss Anna. She kicked him, so he slapped her. She ran off and told Jai. Jai went nuts, then went and found Regal, and now their having a fight." She said fast. Buck wasn't too alarmed by this. Jai could win this fight easily.
"Jai can win that fight, so why are you so distressed. Let them fight it out." Lucy looked at him hopelessly, and said,
"Their fighting near the cliff." Buck's eyes widened.
"Come on!" he yelled, then grabbed Lucy's hand and started running off. Alex had heard the conversation and was following them. They started running towards where the cliff was. A million thoughts were going through his head. If either Jai or Regal made the wrong move, one or the other, or maybe even both, would be flying over the side of the cliff. Jai was Bucks best friend, not just his brother. His wingman of mayhem, his drake of destruction. They'd had so many memories, and if Jai got killed…Buck didn't want to think about it. If they got there fast enough, they might be able to save Jai and Regal from doing the stupidest thing in the world.

Jai punched Regal in the face, but Regal turned around and kicked Jai in the side. Then Regal leaped and pinned him to the ground. Jai rolled and landed on Regal. He put his face close to Regal's and spat,
"If you ever touch her again, I'll hurt you so bad."
"Don't worry. I'll let you call out her name when I throw you over that cliff." Regal replied.
"Ha, says the one who's pinned to the ground!" Just when Jai said this, Regal yanked his foot free and kicked Jai in the gut. Jai recoiled, and Regal knocked him aside. Jai stood up, and Regal hit him with a large rock, right in the chest. Jai fell back, but thought quickly. He closed his eyes and laid on the ground. Regal laughed, and Jai could tell Regal was walking over to Jai's body. When Regal was right next to Jai, Jai kicked out with his leg and tripped Regal over. Regal fell to the ground with a thud. Jai jumped up and kicked Regal in the side. Regal gasped for air. Jai then realized that there fight was barely a meter from the edge. Maybe they should move somewhere else…Bang! Jai felt a huge weight knock him towards the cliff, and he fell to the ground. He was now barely a foot from the edge, and he could hear the waves crashing on the rock wall. He looked up, and managed to roll out of the way just in time, before Regal's foot came down where he'd been five seconds before. Jai got to his feet, and kicked out at Regal. Bingo! Hit him right in the stomach. Regal staggered for a moment…but only a moment. He was getting madder and madder with every hit he received from Jai. This gave him strength. While Regal was just going to launch at Jai and push him over the edge, something grabbed Regal from behind and threw him to the ground. Regal looked up to find Buck standing there, his bright blue eyes glaring at Regal.
"This isn't your fight, Buckminster." Regal spat at him, standing up.
"No, it isn't, but I have to stop you two from making a huge mistake."
"Like what?" Regal asked.
"Throwin' each other over a cliff." Buck said simply. "Would you like to be responsible for someone else's death? D'you want…" Regal hit Buck in the gut before Buck said another word.
"Buck!" Jai said, then threw himself at Regal. The two boys tumbled and rolled, closer to the edge. When they were barely an inch away, Regal pinned Jai to the ground and said maliciously,
"Now you die." He then stood up, grabbed Jai's arm and swung him towards the edge. Regal was knocked aside and Buck had launched forwards and grabbed Jai's arm before he fell to his death. Jai was hanging over the edge, and Buck had Jai's arms in a monkey grip. Buck smiled with relief down at his older brother, who smiled back. Then a look of alarm crossed his face.
"Buck look out!" Warned Jai. It was too late. Regal had grabbed Bucks shoulders and ripped him back. The monkey grip failed, and Jai's hand slipped out of Buck's.

"JAI!" Buck screamed, and looked over the edge. He just saw a brown dot fall into the ocean, and get crashed up against the cliff wall. Buck stood up, with shock taking over him. Then the anger came. Buck whipped around to find Regal standing there. He looked just as shocked as Buck, only realizing now what he had just done. "You bastard! You killed my brother!" Buck yelled, then launched at Regal, pinning him to the ground. His anger gave him strength, and even with Regal fighting back as hard as he could, Buck pinned him down like an ant. Buck punched Regal right in the face. There was a crack, and blood came out of Regal's nose. It was clearly broken. "You killed him! I hate you!" Buck was about to take another hit at Regal, when some words echoed through his head. Don't be responsible for someone else's pain or death. His own words, and he was about to ignore them. He stood up, still glaring at Regal, then stormed towards the forest. Lucy was standing near the edge, some snow caught in her fur. Anna was behind her, and Alex standing next to them both.
"Buck…" Lucy started, but Buck turned away. He walked away to the clan.
"Buck! Buck what happened?" Steve asked, coming up to him, seeing the expression on Bucks face.
"He's gone. Regal killed him, fell off a cliff. He's gone…" Buck said, quietly.
"What do you mean? Who did Regal kill? Who's gone?" Steve asked.
"Jai's dead, Regal and him had a fight. I caught him before he fell, but Regal pulled me back and Jai's hand slipped. He's gone. Regal killed him." Steve looked shocked, then angry.
"Regal killed Jai?" He almost yelled. Some weasels around them looked their way. Buck nodded his head. Gasps and whispers spread through the crowd, some accusing Regal, some shocked at the death of Jai.
"Yes. Regal killed Jai, only because he was jealous." Buck turned around to run away, but someone was standing in front of him.
"I didn't mean it. I'm truly…" Regal started to say.
"Save your breath!" Buck yelled in his face. "I could have saved him, but you stopped me! I hate you. I'm the last one left of my family, because of you!" Then Buck turned away from everyone and headed to the woods. He didn't stop, but kept running. Being extremely fit helped, and Buck just kept running. He ran until the sun went down, then picked a tree and climbed up it. There was an unoccupied hollow in the tree, so Buck crawled in, and fell asleep, with tears running down his face.

After Buck had stopped yelling at Regal he ran off into the woods.
"Buck!" Lucy yelled, but Buck wasn't going to stop, and she knew it. She would have to track him and find him. She started running off after him. She eventually reached the edge of the woods. Buck must have gone in there Lucy thought, because his footprints and scent went in that direction. Buck had taught her a little about tracking, so she knew the basics. Lucy walked into the woods, following every move Buck had made. Sometimes he'd just turned in a random direction. He mustn't have been thinking when he was running. Lucy then reached a tree hollow, and the sun had gone down about an hour ago. She hadn't been paying attention to how much time had passed. All she thought about was finding Buck. Lucy went to the tree with the hollow, it must have been unoccupied because the only scent near it was Buck's. Lucy climbed up the tree slowly. She then leaped into the hollow yelling "Gotcha!" There was no reaction. Lucy saw a ball of rusty brown fur lying on the bottom of the hollow, but yet it hadn't moved. Lucy found out why five seconds later.
"I could smell your scent about ten minutes ago. You were upwind." Buck muttered into the wall of the hollow.
"I tried." Lucy said, smiling at the typical attitude of Buck. She went and sat down behind him, with her back against his.
"Why're ye here Lucy? You should be back with your friends."
"I am with my friend. I'm just making sure he doesn't do anything stupid." Lucy replied, giving Buck a poke with her claw. He didn't move. Lucy leaned with her back against his, and put her elbows up in his sides. Buck was still lying down, so this was easy. "What are you going to do?" Lucy asked quietly. She turned her head to try and look at Bucks face, but he merely turned it away again. "Well?"
"I'm gonna run away." He said shortly. "I can' live here anymore. Not with Regal around."