Author's note: Thanks for the great reviews, guys! I'm amazed that by chapter 5 of this story, I already had more reviews then all 13 chapters of my Twilight story. (Hopefully that means my writing skills are improving.) Sorry it's been a while since I've updated, but here is chapter 6, finally! Hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 6: Bruno and Ebony
"Hey, Jasper!" A voice called.
Jasper turned, only to be hit by a large spray of cold sea water.
Laughing, Sasha and Carmen bounded away into the shallows of the tide, enticing an all out water fight.
Marco watched from the shore. Kane and Zane had yet to fully recover from their injuries, and were still back home, trying to sleep off their humiliation.
"Come on in, Marco!" Carmen invited, but Marco shook his head.
"No thanks, I've had enough of the water." He answered.
"Yeah," Jasper mused. "I guess drowning kinda takes the joy out of water sports."
Carmen came back onto the shore as Jasper and Sasha resumed their game.
"You okay?" Carmen asked, concerned.
"Yeah." Marco replied surely, but his eyes drifted out over the ocean.
"You worried about your pack?" Carmen asked.
Marco sighed. "Honestly, I'm only interested in finding two members of my pack." He admitted. "My sister and my best friend. I don't really care about any of the others."
"Don't care?" Carmen repeated.
Seeing the look on Carmen's face, reminded Marco that she was not part of a pack.
"Pack life is different to herd life." Marco explained. "We act like a team on hunting trips, but that's about it. It's just a means to get food. Every-day pack life is all about hierarchy, where you exist in line." He became pensive, trying to think of a simple way to explain the pack lifestyle. "You prove your worth, you get better food and more respect. But all it takes is one mistake, and you could end up on the bottom, or dead."
Marco sighed. "You can't really trust anyone. Even your own family can turn against you."
Carmen's eyes widened. "Your own family?" She gasped.
Marco smirked. "Like I said to Nita earlier: Be grateful you're part of a herd."
"Hey, guys!"
Marco and Carmen turned to see Nita heading towards them.
"Hey Nita." Jasper called back, sending sea spray flying as he shook himself free of the cold water. "Didn't expect to see you at The Rock this morning."
"I nearly got trampled again." Nita muttered as she approached their group on the sand. "And when they apologised, they just said 'sorry Fluffy!' I'm really started to get annoyed." Nita scowled. "I mean, I get called Fluffy so many times. Can't people think of something more original?"
"That's a new way to look at it, Nita." Carmen commented drily. "You could be making progress."
"What's up, Nita?" Sasha asked as the small sabre rolled her eyes.
"I have news for Marco." Nita looked over at the black sabre. "I met a pack member of yours at Switchback Cove."
"Really?" Marco eagerly jumped to his feet. "Who was it?"
Nita thought for a moment. "Actually," she began apologetically. "He left before I got his name. Sorry."
Marco shook his head, disappointed. "No it's okay. If it was my friend Bruno, one of the first things he would've done is introduce himself. It's clearly not him. Or my sister."
"But, it's one of your pack." Nita repeated. "He said you don't get along, but-"
"I don't get along with the majority of my pack." Marco said firmly. "I'm only interested in finding Bruno and Ebony, and that's all." He turned away. "Sorry, Nita. Not interested."
~..~..~..~
Sid poked his head out from behind a boulder, scanning the small clearing. Creeping out, he turned his head back behind him.
"Okay, it's all clear." He whispered.
Cautiously, Sally stepped out into the open, Daisy holding onto her mother's paw.
"Are they here, Sid?" Daisy asked, her curious eyes searching the trees.
"Yep, they're here, but they're kinda shy." Sid told the little sloth. "So you have to be quiet, okay?"
Daisy nodded.
"Oh, look!" Sally whispered, pointing into the trees.
Ears and eyes had began to appear among the branches and rocks as the hyrax clan began to emerge.
"Hi guys!" Sid greeted, moving forward to meet the little leader they dubbed 'Half-pint'.
Sally watched, stunned, as Sid and Half-pint began performing some kind of crazy dance involving spinning, gibberish and blowing raspberries.
"Sorry, I just had to do the introductions first." Sid explained when he'd finished.
"O...kay." Sally answered automatically.
The area soon became flooded with dozens of little furry bodies as the hyrax came forward to meet Sally and Daisy.
"Hi." Daisy said as a couple of hyrax came forward to place a flower necklace around her neck. "Thank you! I love yellow."
"Oh, thank you." Sally said as she was offered some fresh fruit.
Sid watched with pride as his little friends welcomed the two newest sloths.
"They're so friendly." Sally commented as four hyrax gave her a hug. "How did you meet them?"
"Well, we had washed up on this Island after escaping from a band of pirates." Sid began dramatically. "And we noticed that the pirates had washed up too, forcing these poor little guys to build them a new ship."
"Oh no!" Daisy said. "Did you save them?"
"Yes we did." Sid answered, and Daisy sighed in relief. "We were able to distract the pirates, rescue Half-pint's friends and take the ship in order to get back home!"
"Where was your home, if it wasn't here?" Sally asked curiously.
"It was the continent." Sid replied. "But when a rock wall destroyed it, we had to bring the herd here."
A burst of laughter alerted them to Daisy having a large tickle fight with some of the hyrax. Giggling, they chased each other all around the small clearing.
Gasping for breath, Daisy sat up, spotting something out on the ocean.
"What's that?" She asked, pointing.
~..~..~..~
The sabres turned their heads at the sound of a commotion from the teenage herd at the Rock.
"What's that? Sasha asked.
Laughter rippled through the heard as whatever it was made its way toward them, and eventually, Sasha could see her two brothers emerge, heads hung low.
"Hi guys." Kane sighed as he flopped down next to Marco on the sand.
"Well well." Jasper mocked. "Look who's shown up with their tails between their legs."
"C'mon, Jas." Zane whined. "We've had enough of that on our way over here."
"Told you we should have stayed home." Kane muttered to his twin.
"I couldn't stand to hear you whinging." Zane shot back.
"Alright!" Sasha interjected, seeing the look on Kane's face. "You screwed up, you were punished, you apologised, let's move on now."
"Thank you!" The twins said together in relief.
Marco shook his head. 'Definitely different from a pack,' he thought.
"So...fancy a rematch, Nita?" Zane asked. The little sabre looked at him incredulously before snorting softly.
"No," Nita said dismissively. "I think I've slashed your face enough for this week, Zane."
"Hey guys." Carmen stood up, gazing out to sea. "What's that?"
All eyes turned towards the ocean.
"It's just an ice flow." Zane said quickly.
"No, there's a tree growing on it." Kane added.
Marco got up quickly and began to climb up one of the many piles of boulders that were scattered along the shoreline, trying to get a better view.
It was an ice flow. And it did have a tree growing out of a rocky section at the back, like the mast of a ship.
But he also saw something like...
"Animals!" Carmen announced. "There're animals on it!" Standing up next to Marco, she roared. The others joined in, their roars calling to whomever it was on the ice flow, that they were heading towards land, and other animals.
Slowly, the ice ship drifted closer, and the sabres on the shore could see that there were two animals lying on the small ship.
Marco could feel hope building in his chest. They were black sabres! Definitely members of his pack, but were they the ones he hoped?
Eventually, the small ship came close enough.
"Hello!" Sasha greeted. "Welcome to the Island!"
"Are either of you injured?" Jasper called out.
"No, just starving!" A voice called back in relief.
Marco jumped forward. "Bruno!" He yelled. "Is that you?"
"Marco?" Bruno queried. "That you, Buddy?"
"Marco!" The second sabre greeted. "You're alive!"
A grin spread across Marco's face. "Ebony." He laughed in relief. "You okay Sis?"
"Yeah, we're fine, no thanks to Bruno!" Ebony called out. "He's been a terrible sailor!"
"Hey!" Bruno objected as Marco laughed.
As the ship came closer, Marco and the others noticed that it was beginning to crack and crumble. Fissures had formed in some places along the edge, and even as they watched the ship drift to shore on the current, pieces of ice were breaking off.
"It's lucky that they found this island when they did." Jasper commented as their group came forward to help the newcomers when they reached the shore. "I doubt that thing would've lasted much longer."
As the small ship got closer to the shore, a great crack was heard as it hit the sandbank. The small fissures visible became larger, splitting the ice flow in many pieces.
Ebony was stranded on a piece just big enough for her to stand on, but Bruno fell into the water.
"He can't swim.' Marco gasped. He was going to see his friend only to watch him die.
"I'm on it!" Nita said, running into the waves. Paddling out, she could see the black sabre struggling in the water, trying to find something to grab hold of, to keep him afloat.
"Hold on, Bruno!" Ebony called from her small ice burg as she continued to drift toward shore. Kane and Jasper raced into the waves to push the ice to the beach.
Spitting out salt water, Nita reached the black sabre, just as he began to sink under the water.
Gritting her teeth, Nita dove under the larger sabre, pushing his head above the water, and allowed the waves to carry them back to shore, paddling only to steer.
After what felt like an age, Nita could feel sand beneath her paws, but the black sabre, Bruno, was too heavy for her to carry onto the shore.
Carmen and Sasha rushed in to help
Dragging the unconscious sabre ashore, the three girls collapsed on the beach, dripping seawater.
The ice burg carrying Ebony bumped onto the shore and Marco helped his sister get safely onto the sand while Kane and Jasper shook themselves dry.
"Marco" Ebony gasped with relief as she hugged her brother. Then the black sabre turned warily to the two tawny sabres beside her.
"Thanks for getting me to shore." She said reluctantly. "You guys can swim?"
Jasper nodded. "My dad taught us." He answered. "All the sabres on this island can swim."
"Really?" She asked. "That sounds useful."
"I could teach you, if you like." Kane offered. "My names Kane, by the way."
"I'm Zane." His brother added quickly, stepping forward.
"Ebony." Came the curt reply. "Not interested."
Marco chuckled at the look on the twins' faces as he and his sister went over to check on Bruno.
Coughing up seawater, Bruno slowly opened his eyes. Looking up, he realised he had somehow made it ashore, and, spotting two wet sabres in front of him, he guessed how.
"Bruno!" Marco greeted, arriving on the scene. "About time you made it!"
"Yeah, well if it weren't for these lovely ladies, I wouldn't have." Bruno gestured to his rescuers.
"Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Bruno," he continued, bowing graciously. The white sabre laughed, catching Bruno's attention first. "What's your name, beautiful?" He asked.
"Her name's Carmen." Marco did the introduction with a gentle, but firm warning in his voice: off limits.
Taking the hint with good grace, Bruno turned to the second, tawny sabre. "And you are?"
"Sasha." She replied, "And this is my boyfriend, Jasper." She added as Jasper came to sit beside her, giving a warning glance of his own.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Bruno continued smoothly. At that moment, Bruno felt a shower of water droplets and he turned to see a small, sand coloured sabre he hadn't noticed before, shaking herself dry.
"Don't mind me." Nita sighed in resignation as she moved further onto the dry sand. "I'm just the one who swam out to get you. My name's Nita, by the way." She added over her shoulder.
"Whoa, wait." Bruno swiftly got ahead of the smaller sabre, cutting off her exit. "You were the one who saved me?" He queried. When he'd woken up to see Carmen and Sasha dripping seawater, he thought they'd helped him.
"Yes, it actually was her." Carmen put in. "Sasha and I helped carry you onto dry land, but it was Nita who swam out to you."
"Really?" He asked the tiny sabre in front of him.
"Yes." Nita said slowly. 'Why was he questioning her' She thought. 'He'd had no trouble thinking Carmen and Sasha had done it. Unless...'
"Sorry, it's just that..." Bruno shook his head, smiling. "You're so tiny."
Nita's thoughts were confirmed. "Very observant of you." She answered tersely. "And you're welcome."
"Thank you." Bruno amended quickly, but it was too late.
"You and Ebony must be hungry." Nita said firmly. "You guys should take them hunting." She called back to the others gathered on the beach.
"What about you?" Sasha asked. "You must be hungry too."
"And we could use your help on the hunt." Carmen added.
"I'm sure that, between the seven of you, you can get a decent meal." Nita said as she stepped around Bruno to resume her course. "Don't worry about me, I'll find something."
As Nita ran off, Bruno was confused.
"What did I do?" Bruno said aside to Marco. He hadn't expected her to leave.
Marco shook his head. "Well, in case you hadn't noticed, Nita really doesn't like being called tiny and cute."
Comprehension dawned. "I screwed up my first impression, didn't I?"
Marco nodded sympathetically.
~..~..~..~
Kyron was picking his teeth clean with a claw, having just finished feasting on a couple of beavers that he and Chitza had chanced upon by a nearby river.
A slight rustle of leaves was the only indication that Chitza approached from the trees.
"This place is bigger than how it first looks." Chitza reported. "There's a great herd of animals that seems to live on one side of the island."
"Did you see any sabres?" Kyron asked. "The family that Nita spoke of?"
"Only two." His mate answered. "They're very different to us. The male is a tawny brown and his mate is white and grey."
Kyron considered this as he continued to clean his teeth and claws of meat and blood.
"There must be more cubs than just Nita and Marco." Kyron mused. "But these two sabres are the leaders of this island pack?" He queried.
"That appears to be right." Chitza answered.
"You need to be sure." Kyron impressed on his mate. "I am not going to continue to follow in this new land. I am going to lead. We are going to lead." He corrected, standing up. "And if we are going to lead the pack on this Island, we need to know where the power already stands."
"Nita could help." Chitza suggested.
"Yes, and I have planted the seed of 'friendship' in her head already." Kyron reminded impatiently. "What we need, is more information. I need you to observe these two sabres you spotted, find out how big the pack is and what their weaknesses are." He smiled coolly. "Only then can we find a way to divide and conquer."
~..~..~..~
"Precious!" Granny called out. "Where are you? Come on, sweetie!"
"Granny," Ellie said patiently. "Precious isn't here."
"It's her feeding time!" Granny said firmly, continuing to search the clearing. "Precious!"
"Oh, someone make her stop!" Manny whined, massaging his head with his trunk. "Diego, Shira, could you –"
"Manny!" Ellie admonished.
"Sorry Manny." Diego apologised. "Even if she wasn't family, we wouldn't."
"Yeah, there's not much meat on her." Shira added drily.
"What's up my mammals!" Sid greeted as he, Sally and Daisy entered the clearing.
"Hey, where have you guys been all morning?" Ellie asked.
"Sid took us to meet the hyrax!" Daisy announced excitedly before launching into a detailed description of the encounter.
"Oh, and we saw some new sabres arrive!" Sally added when Daisy finally finished describing the tickle fight in great detail.
"New sabres?" Diego repeated.
"I saw them first!" Daisy waved her paw in the air.
"How many more?" Manny asked.
"Two." Sid answered confidently. "We saw them wash up by the Rock. The kids found them, I think."
At that moment, Nita arrived on the scene.
"Hey Nita." Shira called to her daughter. "Do you know anything about two sabres who washed up at The Rock earlier?"
"Yeah. Marco's sister Ebony and his friend Bruno." Nita answered as she took a seat by her father. "The others are taking them hunting, as they haven't eaten for a while."
"And you didn't want to join them?" Diego asked.
"I caught a couple of fish on my way here." Nita said proudly. "I'm fine."
"But that was on your way here." Diego prodded gently. "Why didn't you want to hunt with the others?"
Nita was silent for a moment, but Diego knew his daughter, and could see the frustration building up until...
"How rude is that?" Nita said indignantly. 'You save a guy from drowning, and instead of being grateful, he completely ignores you before insulting you."
"Wait. What?" Diego asked. Not another guy problem!
"Start from the beginning, Nita." Shira said.
"Well, we were all at the Rock, when Carmen spotted an ice flow in the water." Nita began. "When we spotted two black sabres, we knew they were from Marco's pack, and as they floated closer, Marco found out that they were his sister and his friend. But, as the ice got closer to the shore, it started to break up. Ebony stayed on a small piece of ice, and Jasper and Kane swam out to push it ashore. But Bruno fell into the water. He couldn't swim, so I swam out and brought him to the beach, but he was unconscious and too heavy for me to carry onto the sand, so Sasha and Carmen helped me carry him."
"That was really brave of you, Nita." Ellie said, causing Nita to look up.
"Well, what did you expect from her?" Diego said proudly, causing a small smile to hover around Nita's mouth.
"What happened next?" Shira asked.
"Well, Ebony got to shore okay, and Bruno woke up once he was on the sand." Nita continued. "He actually bowed in gratitude to Carmen and Sasha, but he didn't even see me until I shook myself dry. Then, when he found out that I was the one who swam out to get him, it was like he didn't believe it. He didn't even say 'thank you' until I said 'you're welcome'."
"Well, pack sabres are different with manners." Diego commented lightly.
"Yeah" Manny added. "We saved your mother from drowning and she didn't thank us at all."
"That was because you were an enemy at the time." Shira explained.
"You, know, we never did get a thank you." Sid added.
Shira rolled her eyes. "Thank you."
"You're welcome!" Sid said brightly.
"Getting back to the topic..." Ellie said before gesturing for Nita to continue.
"Well, he didn't have to bow," Nita said. "But it would have been nice to have had a little acknowledgement and gratitude."
"Strange that he bowed." Diego commented. "I mean, pack etiquette is about respect, but bowing is a bit over the top."
"I don't think it was respect." Nita mumbled. "He called Carmen 'beautiful' when he asked her what her name was."
"Ah." Shira commented, thinking they'd finally reached the real reason why Nita had avoided the hunt.
"And he looked so disbelieving when he found out that I was the one who had swum out to save him." Nita continued, seeming to be talking more to herself now. "He actually asked for confirmation twice, and even then, he seemed shocked."
"Why?" Ellie asked. "I mean, I realise that most sabres can't swim, but-"
"He said 'Sorry, it's just that you're so tiny.'" Nita quoted.
"Well, you are tiny, pipsqueak." Granny said as she walked passed, still searching for her pet.
"So what?" Nita asked, exasperated. "What does my size have to do with anything?"
"Well, sabres are meant to be big and scary." Daisy said innocently. "But you're not big and scary, you're small and nice."
Nita wasn't sure if that was meant to be a compliment or an insult.
A rustling in the trees prevented Nita from having to find a comment and Crash and Eddie appeared, hanging by their tails above Ellie's head.
"Status report." Eddie began. "New sabres arriving with the teen pack."
"They should be here in a few minutes." Crash added.
"Good." Diego said, standing up. "We'll need to get the measure of these new guys."
After a few moments, the teen sabres arrived in the clearing.
"Wow, did you see me take down that gazelle?" Zane cheered. "It was brilliant!"
"Yes, but not as entertaining as when it kicked you in the head." Carmen commented, causing laughter amongst the girls.
"I was impressed that you stayed conscious." Sasha said to her brother. "Those gazelle have a hard kick."
"Come on, Zane's got a pretty thick head," Kane added cheerily "a gazelle's not gonna do much damage."
"I take it the hunting party went well?" Diego asked, his gaze landing on the two new sabres arriving at the back of the group, who eyed him warily.
"We got food." Jasper confirmed. "It was a success."
Shira stood at her mate's side. "So, these are the new sabres we've heard about."
"Yes. Diego, Shira," Marco began. "I'd like you to meet my sister, Ebony and my best friend, Bruno."
Diego and Shira came forward and began to circle the two newcomers, who kept their eyes lowered respectfully.
The rest of the herd watched, curious at this rare peek into a pack sabres' culture.
"We've explained the hunting rules." Carmen told her parents after a moment or two.
"And we will obey." Ebony spoke up.
"That's good to know." Sid commented with relief.
"So now that you've had something to eat," Diego began. "Let's see what you can do."
"Should we go to the training area?" Sasha asked.
Diego turned to his friends. "Would you mind if we had a sparring match here in the clearing? It's big enough."
"I've never really seen a sabre sparring match before." Eddie said excitedly. "This could be a great show!"
"Anyone got popcorn?" Crash added.
"Hold on," Sally said firmly. "I don't want Daisy watching this."
"Good idea," Sid agreed. "Fighting isn't something a little sloth should see." Sid took Daisy by one paw and Sally took the other. "Come on, Daisy I'll show you where some blueberries grow."
Once the sloths were out of sight, Manny gestured to Diego. "Go ahead."
"Alright, ladies first." Shira gestured for Ebony to step forward as the other herd members retreated to the sidelines.
"What's going on?" Peaches asked curiously as she arrived in time to see Ebony and Shira squaring off in the centre of the herd clearing.
"New sabres." Crash explained, munching on a berry with anticipation.
"Diego and Shira are gonna fight them." Eddie added eagerly.
"And we finally get to watch!" Crash finished.
Shira and Ebony circled each other warily, searching for a point of attack.
Ebony suddenly sped up, darting to the side, before attacking Shira's flank. Shira dodged at the last minute, lashing out to cuff Ebony around the head.
"You've got good speed." Shira complimented her. "But make sure you keep moving if you're in range. The moment you stop is the moment they attack you."
Ebony began circling again, faking a couple of lunges before attacking in earnest. Soon, she was pinned to the ground.
"You shift your weight differently when you're faking or attacking." Shira told her. "You can't let your opponent know what you're going to do. Keep your movements as consistent as possible."
Ebony's sparring technique was different to Marco's. She tried to distract, deceive and she darted around the clearing nimbly.
Manny, Ellie, Peaches, Crash and Eddie watched in fascination.
Soon, Shira called a stop to the match. Like Marco, Ebony had proven responsive to the lesson and a competent fighter.
"Nice work, Ebony." Shira congratulated the younger sabre. "You're adaptive and quick thinking. Welcome to the herd."
"Thank you." Ebony said in relief, lowering her head.
"Alright, time for the next round." Diego said, gesturing for Bruno to step up.
"Wait, Dad."
Eyes turned to Nita as she stood up.
"I want to spar him." She announced.
Bruno looked questioningly at Diego, and was surprised to see he looked impressed.
"Are you sure?" Diego smiled, knowing what his daughter would say.
"Yes I am." Nita answered, stepping forward into the ring. "Besides," she continued. "You'll getter a better idea of his ability by viewing from the sidelines."
"True." Diego granted, stepping aside.
"Wait." Bruno couldn't help it. "I'm not fighting her."
"Why?" Diego asked calmly.
"Because I need to prove myself to the pack leader." Bruno explained. "So I need to fight the pack leader, not his daughter."
Diego stood at his full height and brought his face close to Bruno's. The younger sabre shrank away slightly but held his ground.
"Listen kid."Diego growled. "I heard you insulted my daughter this morning, even after she saved your miserable life."
This time Bruno backed away, lowering his eyes. "I apologise for that, sir." He answered humbly.
"Good." Diego continued coolly. "But it's my daughter you insulted, so she gets to spar you." He smiled at the black sabre. "Let's see how well you do against one of the best fighters on the island."
Nita eyes widened as she looked at her father. "Really?"
"Really." Diego assured her as he backed off, leaving Bruno in the ring.
"Go Nita!" Carmen cheered.
"Kick his tail, Sis!" Jasper added.
Slowly, Bruno squared off against the small, sand-coloured sabre. This little sabre was one of the best fighters on the island? Bruno wondered if that was just a father's pride talking.
"Are you ready?" Nita challenged.
'Well, she seems confident.' Bruno thought, crouching in anticipation.
"Ready."
~..~..~..~
After a few minutes, the black sabre became frustrated. No matter what he tried, he couldn't catch Nita, yet she continued to toy with him. Darting, circling and weaving, Nita could attack and be out of range before he had time to think.
"Can't you stay still?" He yelled in frustration as she jumped nimbly away again.
"Why?" Nita cocked an eyebrow."Can't you keep up?"
Bruno growled. Then he realised something.
That was what she wanted him to do. Nita was baiting him, getting him frustrated, so he would make mistakes. That was why she kept hitting him.
'Well', he thought 'two can play at that game'.
Loosening his shoulders to free the tension built up, Bruno began to circle slowly.
"You know, for someone so tiny," He began, "you're actually pretty fast."
"Thank you." Nita said flatly.
Bruno grinned. Even though he'd complimented her speed, he could tell Nita hadn't liked the jab regarding her size.
"But speed can only get you so far," he continued, pretending he couldn't see the questioning look in Nita's eyes at his sudden change in attitude. "And honestly, you just seem too small to be very strong, Kitten."
Snarling, Nita had Bruno pinned to the ground in seconds.
"I'm stronger than you think." She told him. "And don't call me Kitten."
Bruno grinned. He'd got her mad.
"Whatever you say," he said. Then suddenly it was Nita pinned to the ground.
"Kitten."
"Are you trying to make me mad?' Nita snarled.
"Yeah," Bruno answered smoothly. "You are so cute when you're mad."
Snarling, Nita rolled to free herself before jumping back to her feet.
"What is it with people thinking I'm not strong enough to be able to do anything?" She asked, exasperated.
"Well," Bruno began "you give the impression of being cute and fluffy more than strong and fierce."
That's it. Nita had had enough.
"Don't." She warned. "Call me cute."
Bruno smiled slowly. "Cu-ute"
"Uh, Bruno-" Kane began to warn, before being shoved into silence by his brother.
Next thing Bruno knew, he was flat on his back, with Nita's claws digging into his throat.
Leaning down, Nita lightly brushed her sabre teeth against his neck.
"I win." She whispered.
Meeting those bright, green eyes, Bruno could barely breathe.
He had underestimated her so much.
Nita slowly let the black sabre up, her family and herd cheering her victory.
"That was totally awesome!" Crash cheered as Eddie whistled.
As the cheers died down, Bruno turned to Nita.
"I believe I greatly underestimated you.' He said graciously. "I thought I could turn your size and quick temper against you, but it appears that strategy backfired."
Nita's proud smile turned to surprise as Bruno bowed low before her.
"Can you forgive me?" He asked, lifting only his eyes to meet her shocked gaze.
"O-Of course." Nita replied.
Slowly, Bruno stood up and turned to Diego, who was eyeing him suspiciously.
"Have I proven myself?" Bruno asked respectfully. "Am I worthy?"
Diego considered a moment before answering.
"Although you lost the fight, you were strong enough to admit your mistake, and take responsibility for it." Diego answered. "Welcome to the herd."
"Thank you."
"Wow." Peaches said. "That was exciting."
"You wouldn't really refuse him just 'cause he lost a fight, would you Diego?" Ellie asked.
"In a pack, you might." Diego granted. "But, this isn't a pack, is it?"
"Okay," Zane stepped forward as Nita went back to her seat. "My turn with the new guy!"
Seeing the slashes on the larger sabre's face made Bruno wary.
"I dunno if I want to fight you, to be honest." Bruno said.
Zane was indignant. "Why not?"
"Well, clearly someone with that many scars has won a lot of fights." Bruno said, keeping his eyes respectfully low.
Zane's expression went from indignant, to surprised, before turning to smug.
"Well-" He began proudly.
"No." Carmen interjected before Zane could begin a bragging story. "It just means he's survived a lot of fights."
"They don't fight to the death, here, Bruno." Marco told him.
Bruno raised his eyes, studying Zane again. A smile tugged at his mouth for a moment before he chuckled.
"So someone did that to you, and then let you live?" He asked incredulously. "I would've preferred death to that disgrace."
Zane growled. "I gave as good as I got."
"I doubt that, somehow." Bruno said.
"You have good instincts." Sasha complimented, smirking at the glare Zane directed at her.
"So, who did that to you?" Bruno asked Zane, gesturing to the numerous slashes that marked his skin. "I'd sure like to have a lesson."
Carmen smiled. "You just fought her."
Bruno's eyes widened. "Nita?" He asked, "The Kitten did that?"
"What did you learn before about calling her 'cute'?" Marco asked.
Bruno took the point, remembering how she had just danced rings around him in their sparring match, and his expression became thoughtful.
"So she can swim and she can fight?" Bruno looked to the others for confirmation.
Carmen's smile grew wider. "Very well, on both counts," she nodded.
A corner of Bruno's mouth tugged up in a half smile.
'I wonder what else she can do,' he thought.
Author's note: So, what did you think of Bruno and Ebony? I had wanted to add more of what Chitza and Kyron are up to, but I thought that would fit better in it's own chapter. This way, I was able to give us more time with Marco's favourite members of his pack. I also tried to add more of Crash, Eddie and Granny, as I realise that I hadn't really mentioned them.
Please read and review! I'm always open to constructive feedback.