Mable: Here is chapter Eight! Wow, already at eight… Anyway, another thank you to everyone who has reviewed and read. Sorry to be short, I only had a little time to type this message before posting it. I don't own 9, Enjoy!
Forgotten
Chapter Eight: Of Aching Proportions
"Eight, what were you thinking throwing it that hard?" Nine could hear Seven's voice and tried to awaken himself only to be rewarded by an aching head. Then Eight's voice, "How did I know it would fly over and smack him in the head?" Then Nine opened his optics and immediately was rewarded with a face only an inch from his. He let out a quick cry and the Stitchpunk leapt back, "He's awake!" It was None and Nine could now see everyone over him. "How did this happen?" He could hear One demanding and everyone looked at Eight who sort of lingered away. Nine spoke up, "What happened?" He could see Two enter his line of vision with Five who explained, "Eight threw the marble so hard that the other was knocked through the air and hit you in the head."
The mere explanation caused Nine to feel worse and he attempted to sit up only to be pushed down by Two. "Don't sit up too quickly. Just rest some more." The male exhaled softly and gently touched his tender head. The others were still giving Eight exasperated looks, or at least One and Seven were, and Six spoke up, "It was an accident, I saw it. Eight wasn't trying to hit Nine." Eight looked at the Artist and simply stared; he was incredibly confused as to why Six defended him. One and Seven instead didn't see anything strange and listened to Six; One a bit reluctantly as he knew Eight could have been capable at this. Looking back at Nine, they could see Two attempting to help him up now. Nine almost sat up all the way only to start to fell back from dizziness.
Thankfully, Five caught him, and was soon helping him to his feet. "Can you see it?" Nine asked with a groan and Five reassured him, "No, not at all." He didn't feel better standing up, perhaps worse, but relied on the fact that soon the ache would go away. "Here it is." None handed over a random green marble, "This is the one that hit you." By the way it hit, Nine expected a crack of some kind, but the marble seemed to come out better than he had. The twins were looking over him with concerned flashes so he reached over and gave the one that was closer a pat on the head. Judging by the number, it was Three, and soon Four came closer to receive the same treatment. Now One saw the situation as being over so he turned and left, "No more marbles."
The command was purposely ignored as only seconds later Three and Four were trying to play marbles again. Nine tried to approach them but found that he was walking clumsily, as though he was the newborn instead of None, who looked concerned, "You're not walking right." He pointed out and his twin nodded, "I just feel a little… My head really hurts." The healer now spoke in suggestion, "Maybe some water would help. The cold could ease the headache." None perked, "Are you going to pour it over his head?" Nine smiled, amused, "No, he's not going to do that." Then he looked back at Five who had this blank look, as though he suddenly had no idea what he was going to do, then fixed himself, "Right, let's go see if the water will help."
He helped Nine to walk off and Two nodded at them, deciding that they were fine, and looked over to One before approaching him. Upon seeing One looking a bit agitated though he decided to go look for cloth for the cape instead of asking about the building he and Five would be doing. He noted that the twins would probably know where this would be and addressed them. "By any chance, do you know where there could be any stored away cloth?" The twins looked at each other and then nodded before beckoning him, leading him back into the library, Seven decided to follow, "How have your legs been working?" The Inventor smiled, "Very good! I feel as young as ever! How has your ankle been?" Seven blinked, "My… Ankle?"
"The last time we saw each other, before the incident, before you left, don't you remember hurting your ankle when tripping and falling the wrong way? I never asked you about it." The Warrior smiled at the memory, "Much better. You acted as though it was one of the most serious injuries you have ever seen." He patted her shoulder affectionately, "Well, you acted like it was. 'Two, I think it's broken, I can't move it'." He mimicked playfully and she countered, "How about; 'Just calm down, I think I can fix this, just don't move too much or it can fall off'." Two gasped in mock shock, "I would not say that!" The Warrior was quite amused and laughed a little bit, "It was close." Their voices began to fade away and the final three were left alone.
One paused before going off on his own and Eight was prepared to follow only to stop as he noticed Six acting strange. The Artist was gripping his head as though he had a headache. "What's wrong with you?" Eight asked and Six looked up at him, there was this strange look, and he shook his head, "Nothing." He stood and began to head back to his crevice, moving quickly, almost as though he was frantic. The bully played with the idea of letting him go, but finally decided that whatever this was, he wanted answers. "Did you get hit with a marble too and just won't tell me?" Six spun around, practically ran over, and grabbed Eight's hand desperately, "Promise me… Promise me it… You see it, it's there, you think you should stop it, but you can't. You have to run!"
"Listen, I don't-." Eight couldn't get the words out before Six continued, "Listen to me! You can't fight it alone! If you do, you will be hurt, you could die! Please, promise me, on your life, because if you don't you could lose it!" The Artist tried to get the words out in a way that the Bully would understand but couldn't get past the visions plaguing his mind. It was a horrific vision and he didn't want it to happen again, his hands desperately gripped at Eight's front, and then his wrists were both caught by Eight's in a desperate attempt to keep those sharp hands from injuring either of them. "Alright, calm down, I'll run!" At those words Six calmed down enough that he stopped babbling, his head dropping, "Something… It's something… I keep seeing it."
Eight used to bully Six about these episodes, but unlike the continuation of tearing pictures, the visions were no longer something taken lightly. They all started to catch on to the fact that perhaps Six actually was seeing something and not just insane. "What was it?" Six was staring down at the ground, eyebrows furrowed as he tried to remember, "I don't…" He suddenly became terrified, "I don't know. A shadow… On the wall… That was the first one. The second one had you in it. The shadow was near you and you…" He fell silent, but Eight was beginning to catch on, "I tried to fight it and it got me." Six nodded, "You went towards it and it was on you. It was all dark then…" He looked upwards to Eight, "I'm scared."
The guard didn't want to do what his body was doing on its own, slowly letting down Six's arms and releasing them to fall where they hung unused, "It won't happen again. It's not coming back, it's gone, and if something does come then we're going to stop it too." Then the artist spoke up, "But you still promise?" Eight nodded, "I promise. Just warn me if you see anything else, like me doing something stupid." This seemed to put Six in good humor and he smiled, feeling relieved that someone had listened to him. "Got to go after One." Eight came up with an excuse as soon as possible to leave because he felt a little uncomfortable. "I'm… Going to find the others." Six responded, his hands clutching his key nervously, and gave a small smile.
"We're heading to the same place, I'm just going the longer way." Eight then found his hand reaching out to ruffle the yarn on Six's head like the affectionate pat Nine had given the twins. Six noticed this until he felt something different; instead of the hand immediately retracting it slid down over his cheek, like it was feeling his fabric. Then it was gone and Six realized he had let his mismatched optics close during the event. Eight was leaving now, obviously in a hurry and Six assumed to find One, but he couldn't shake this feeling. Strange enough, it wasn't fear of what was to come, it was that warm feeling that turned to tingles. It felt very good, and apparently only Eight could make him feel this nice. Perplexed, he headed after the others.
"This will do. It is absolutely perfect." Two was impressed by the red fabric that Three and Four showed him after he explained what it was for. "I should be able to sew it in a very short amount of time. It might get him out of this dreadful mood." Seven seemed exasperated, "I don't know what is wrong with him now." Then she suddenly sounded solemn, "I suppose it is hard getting over the loss of a home." Now Two finally admitted his true feelings, "I'm very concerned about One. The way he was talking made it sound like he is depressed and that is the last thing I would ever want anyone to face." Then he muttered, "Even if he doesn't let me work, I just want to put a smile on his face, even if only a small one." But Seven heard at least part of it, "What work?"
"Five and I were thinking of making some rooms above ground for safety. Sleeping up high at night would be much safer than sleeping down at beast level." The female nodded slowly, "And it gives you and Five something to do." She had that knowing smile and Two chuckled, "Exactly." Then he remembered Five, "I should go find him now." He started to the pool, soon followed by four other Stitchpunks, he noticed Six suddenly appear and sent a friendly smile. Meanwhile, at the water's edge, Nine was leaning over and felt as water was again poured over his head. "Five, this isn't really working." He pointed out and the healer decided he had dumped enough water over him, "At least we tried. Would you like to sit down?"
"Yes." Nine immediately begged and was helped into a sitting position even though he really didn't need the help. Five sat beside him and only then did Nine hear None's voice from in front of him, "Feel better?" Nine looked up and was a bit confused to find None standing half submerged in the pool. "Why are you in the water?" He asked with a smile and his twin seemed confused, "I don't know." He somewhat batted the water around in front of him playfully, and then had a mischievous smile as he sent a little bit Nine's way. It didn't reach its target and he decided to be more direct, "Nine, come play with me." It was as though Nine never heard the words before, he stared at None in shock, "You want me to get in the water?"
"Yeah." None smiled and grasped Nine's hand, tugging him expectantly, only for the twin to feel a wave of dizziness. "Wait, None, I just need a little longer. It's almost gone though." None had mixed feeling and was obviously upset that nobody was going to play with him. Five started to take off his bag, "If you want I could-." None grabbed his hand with a wide smile, "Yes!" Then tugged the healer in, almost causing the male to fall in. Once in, Five was bombarded with questions. "Have you ever been in water before? Why does it rain? Did this water come from the sky? What's that over there?" Now, as he was looking at something Five couldn't see, Five ducked under the water and hoisted None onto his shoulders.
After a brief cry of alarm, None was amazed to be lifted this high and began to smile again and laugh a bit. Five managed to maneuver around in the water and let Nine watch. That was when Two appeared, "Hello Nine, why aren't you in the water too?" He asked and Nine seemed a bit discouraged, "I still feel off balance." He felt a hand stroking his head, "And your head?" Nine smiled, "Better. No headache. It's just the off balance feeling." Two also smiled, "The dizziness is natural, it will subside soon." He sat beside him with some red cloth and removed some equipment from Five's bag to use to sew it. Seven also approached and watched the two in the water. None eventually came up with an idea and tried to stand on Five's shoulders.
"Okay… Okay…" Then None suddenly jumped out of Five's grasp and plunged into the water. He popped up a second later, laughing as though it was the most thrilling thing in the world, and unnoticing to how the Stitchpunks not in the water were splashed by his fall. By now Five noticed Two though and approached, "Did One say yes?" Two decided to angle his answer, "We'll start work tomorrow morning." Five smiled joyously before having to ask, "How did you get One to allow it?" A short pause, Two had that look that said he was hiding something, and Five understood, "Did you tell him?" Two sort of cleared his throat, "It didn't come up. However, after I fix his cape he should be willing to agree with it." Five wasn't positive, but trusted Two.
None headed to Nine, "Are you feeling better now?" His twin waited a second before nodding, "I feel better. I think I can play with you now." A complete lie, Nine didn't feel any better, but he wanted to just be able to play with him. None noticed Nine was still a bit unbalance, even when in the water, and decided to slip around him and lift him like Five had. Soon after being lifted, Nine was surprised at first but denoted that None had to have the same strength as him even though he acted younger. He decided to do as None asked, but instead ended up falling back and toppling of the other way. The sudden rush of the cool water did feel good and he stood as quickly as possible. Then he lifted None and the male soon leapt off his shoulders the correct way.
They took turns for a bit and soon Five was brought in to play as well. Two soon found himself close to being finished, "Now I just need something like that jewel. Do you two-?" The twins were gone the second he went to ask them and he smiled after them. "They're quite helpful." Seven nodded as she watched them lovingly, "They would work without rest if I didn't make them take breaks." Then looked at Two, "One isn't going to take it lightly when he catches you building off the ground with Five. He still thinks you need to recover." Two nodded slowly, "Yes, I know, but maybe if he sees the cape complete it will make him a little more pliable."
"I knew it." That voice suddenly appeared and while Seven turned back, Two sort of stiffened, hoping that it was just in his mind. Of course it wasn't and he now looked back, still trying to cover the cape, "One, this isn't what it looks like." One looked close to furious, "But it is most certainly what it sounds like! You are trying to make me more pliable with my cape so that you can build something! Must I remind you that you lost your legs?" The center of it wasn't that though, Two knew it, "The cape wasn't just a bribe, One. I was planning on doing it anyway. I just meant-." The leader turned, "It does not matter what you say you meant when I know what you meant." Then he left, leaving a saddened Two, an annoyed Seven, and now a confused Eight.
The sound of soft footsteps alerted Two that the twins were standing nearby, afraid to approach. He beckoned them, "It's okay, girls. He's not mad at you, he's mad at me." Three and Four continued closer cautiously in case he appeared. They never did like fighting, it frightened them, and most of the time it sent them fleeing the room. Four had something gripped tightly and handed it to Two who examined it. It was another red stone, shaped like a diamond from one of those cards he sometimes saw about and matched its color. "This is perfect. Perhaps if I can give him this cape it will calm him down." This was wishful thinking and it only took a little longer to finish the cape. Then he headed off, leaving the others to themselves.
Nine, None, and Five had heard the fight, but didn't know what to really say. None of the Stitchpunks there did. That's when Eight spoke, "Wait a minute…" He turned towards the twins, "They're girls?" Seven decided to pointedly ignore him.
One was a good leader. He kept his head high with dignity as he led his group along. His mind was always alight with thoughts of how to keep his family secure. Even now there were thoughts, of course he was vocally releasing them, and they weren't exactly about his group. "How could he do this?" One demanded, "He is willing to manipulate me to build something! How dare him! Manipulating me!" He found a quiet place in the back of the library that seemed secluded enough to vent his frustration. He now found some sort of cushion in the corner, torn yet useable, and settled himself on it. One's looked ready to attack anything that would appear, "Why doesn't he just usurp me off my throne now and get it over with?"
"Because I much prefer biding my time." Two's voice broke out in the teasing comment and he came out from somewhere behind One. He had somehow caught up with him after One had stormed around the Library angrily. "We are not speaking about this." One stubbornly commanded and Two came closer before holding the cape out. "I finished your cape." Still One didn't look back, "I don't want it." The Inventor exhaled patiently, "One, I know you are upset, but it's simply a miscommunication on my part." He sat down beside One and hung the cape over his shoulders, securing it in the front. "To show that I didn't mean it…" Two exhaled almost sadly, "I won't work on the project. I'll cancel it. Just… I don't want to fight again." A second passed and Two touched One's hand, "Please One-."
"You will stop every hour on the hour for a rest." One suddenly spoke, "And you will not lift anything heavy, no exceptions." The Inventor was confused, "I don't understand." One huffed in annoyance to repeat himself, "I'm not willing to fight either. You can work on your project as long as you do as I say and take precautions." Two agreed, nodding to show it, and then smiled happily, "Thank you, One. You won't regret this. Soon we will have…" He cut off and One suddenly slid his arms around his waist to move him closer. "We will have a safe place to retreat to at night…" now that mouth was on his neck, kissing, and Two sighed a bit, "Not now One; I have to go tell Five the good news." But One tugged him down onto the cushion with him, "It can wait."
Their mouths were together, massaging in warm strokes, only for One to suddenly pull back. He sat up and looked around almost as though something disturbed him. "What's wrong?" Two asked, sitting up a bit, and the leader looked around slowly, "I heard something… I heard a scratching noise." Two listened before chuckling, "It must just be the rain." He removed One's crown, "You know I don't like you covering yourself with a broken bottle." It was an attempt to rile him up, followed by playing with his headknot. One was too distracted to pay attention to the sound that disturbed him. He was soon back to Two, and that wall all that mattered. But that noise disturbed him, because it was strange, it was something he couldn't understand.
It was a scratching noise that made it sound like someone, or something, was in the Library.
Mable: I'm starting to think One and Two like fighting. :) Also, 27's Fury was the one who suggested calling One's thing a 'headknot'. I have to admit, it's a lot easier than just calling it a 'thing'. A lot less confusing too. As for the twins, I usually always make them girls, because really it is hard to tell with them being young and unable to speak. Anyway, I hope everyone enjoyed, the next chapter will be up soon!
