A/N: Hey again! I know I said this would be a oneshot, but I had a suggestion and I decided that it would be best to just make this a twofer. I welcome any and all ideas, for this story or a new one! Also, I can reply to reviews from the first chapter here.
Book girl fan: Glad you liked it! I don't have experience personally, but I know what it's like to have a friend like that.
TadPole11: Thanks for that awesomely long review. I am aware that Kemosabe does mean other things. But for the sake of the story, because it was from John's view, I made it seem like it only meant 'wrong brother'. But thanks for giving me that info about the word! I'm glad you liked it and thanks for that idea. It really had me thinking about a second part to this, so I hope you like it.
Heraldtalia: Glad you liked it! If I get more ideas for more stories, then more shall arrive
Okay, so the format for this might be a little bit different since it has more dialogue and it's kinda from both Tonto and John's point of view. I hope you like it! I tried to write it like how I think they would talk, but I'm not quite sure if it matches well enough.
Kemosabe.
It echoed through both men's minds as Tonto and John rode side by side along an old, worn trail near a swiftly flowing stream that cut through the dry grass like a twisting snake. The word prompted different feelings in them both.
For John, it reflected feelings of bitterness and jealousy from his past and even now, in the present. Though he was the only living brother now, he still felt like he was the wrong choice. Hearing those words his whole life had convinced him that they were true. He had tried to overcome it, but with Tonto's continual address of 'Kemosabe', he knew it would never fully disappear.
For Tonto, it brought him memories of guilt. He could see in John's eyes the full effect of the word, even though he carefully hid any outward signs of his turmoil. It was true that he had, initially, believed that the Spirit Horse had chosen the wrong brother to bring back from the other side. But now, after getting a fuller sense of who John was, he began to realize that he was wrong. The horse had actually known what it was doing after all. At first, he appeared to be a weak warrior who had no idea what he was doing, and while that was largely true, Tonto was beginning to get a better grasp of the big picture. John was the type of man who would stick up for what he truly believed to be right. His sense of right and wrong was strong and pure, giving him courage to turn from the easy way of just accepting things and going along with what others were doing. Tonto knew he was doing his companion a great disservice by not letting the true meaning of 'Kemosabe' be known, and he realized that it was time to right that wrong.
"Stop, Kemosabe. Here we must rest. Let horses get water," he called out, leading his horse to the stream to drink. John led Silver to stand alongside Tonto's horse, and they both dismounted simultaneously. Tonto took a small metal cup from his saddlebag and dipped it into the stream. After taking a deep gulp, he passed it to John who nodded gratefully. By silent consent, they both sat on a cluster of boulders a little ways away from the horses.
"So where to next?" John asked, breaking the silence.
"We ride west, where sun meets earth," Tonto replied solemnly.
"And then?" the ranger prompted impatiently, fiddling with his mask again. Tonto shot him a disapproving look.
"Patience, Kemosabe, patience. Our path forward will be revealed, in time," he said, closing his eyes against the noon sun's glare. John muttered something under his breath and turned aside, dropping his hands from his face.
"Listen, I've been meaning to ask you. Do you still consider me to be the wrong brother?" he asked suddenly, leaning forward. Tonto looked up, startled at the sudden change in subject that eerily reflected his own thoughts. He knew the fates were presenting him with an opportunity to make things right, and he took a deep breath.
"At one time, yes, I believed you were not the right choice. But the Spirits knew what they were doing. We are still here, yes?" he began, holding up a hand to cut off John's reply.
"You, listen. I have not been entirely truthful. Kemosabe… does not mean 'wrong brother'," he began, watching John's eyes widen slightly with hurt and hope mixing in a tight competition.
"I only told you that, because I was unsure of how far you would go. If you could stay strong under the meaning I had given you, you would be worthy of what it really means," Tonto explained quietly.
"What does it really mean, then?" John asked, his voice cracking ever so slightly. Tonto raised his head and looked him in the eye.
"Kemosabe, a word used often among my tribe, was to address good friends. In your tongue, it means 'faithful friend'. You have earned that title now," he answered.
John just stared at him, mind whirling with his thoughts. Here was a man who he had thought was like the rest of the people he knew, looking for his brother and having to settle with him instead. A man who would always expect to see another face where his features were. But instead… this man saw him. John Reid. Just John, not John, brother of Dan. He blinked, not expecting the sudden moisture to well up in his eyes. He cleared his throat and nodded.
"Well, I… I appreciate that. That means a lot, that you consider me that. I believe the feeling is mutual," he stated, nodding his head.
"This does not give you permission to address me that way. It is your title now," Tonto said firmly.
John chuckled quietly. "Of course, of course. But really… thank you," he murmured, his emotions clear in his voice. Tonto nodded and leaped to his feet, ending the moment.
"Enough chat! Time to chase the sun," he declared, striding towards their horses. After a moment's hesitation, John followed him. They quickly mounted their horses and rode towards the sun in the far distance.
This time, different emotions were going through their heads than had been there before. Happiness, gratitude, relief, to name but a few. Something in their relationship had changed at that point, a new layer of trust and friendship that hadn't been there before. It was a new beginning of sorts for both of them, and they would begin this new chapter together.
A/N: Ta-da! I hope you guys liked it. I love hearing your comments and ideas about it, so don't hesitate to review! For now, this is a twofer but we'll see if it stays that way.