Chapter Ten

"Play the bugle, play the taps and Make your mothers proud, Raise your rifles to the sky boys Fire that volley loud, News was bad on upland ave., metuchen mourn our loss Sons rebelled, while fathers yelled, and mothers clutched the cross..." - Charlie Boy, The Lumineers

"Is there any way of getting back home?" Jacob's question made me wince.

He'd found a new friend during our time here. That friend happened to be a Monstrous Nightmare known as Sniper. Since he'd spent some time with Hookfang, Snotlout's newly named dragon, he'd grown fond of the species. Sniper was a purple and red Monstrous Nightmare, with the same fiery spirit as Hookfang. The only difference was that Jacob seemed to have a stronger bond with Sniper than Snotlout did with Hookfang. They'd been spending more time together, getting to know one another since their bond began.

"I'm not sure that's an option now," I murmured thoughtfully. "Besides, I don't even know if I want to leave now."

Truthfully I'd been spending as much time watching over Hiccup as I could. Jacob had gotten a little annoyed with the fact that we got along so well. Plus I wanted to make sure Toothless was okay while his rider was still recovering. The Night Fury hadn't eaten since the battle, and he looked like a wreck.

Speaking of Hiccup, he'd lost his leg during the battle. Gobber had replaced it with a leg brace, similar to his peg-leg, only with a little 'Hiccup flare', as Gobber had called it. I wondered how long it would take for the poor kid to adjust. Losing a limb was never easy, especially when it was in the line of battle.

Most of the villagers had stopped by to check on him. His father, Stoick, had been stern about how many visitors he could have at a time. But surprisingly, Stoick had let me stay. He seemed to understand that there was a connection between us. I wasn't sure what that connection was, but I had a feeling it had to do with the dragons.

Toothless lifted his chin warily when I stepped inside the house. The Night Fury's eyes lit up when he realized who I was and crooned softly. I sat down beside him on the stone slab that Stoick had brought in. Toothless had been using it as his bed, and often liked to burn it before falling asleep for the night.

"Hey bud, you think he'll wake soon?" I asked as I scratched his chin.

Toothless only crooned in response. He just wanted his rider and best friend back, and understandably so. I hadn't realized until now how much I missed Hiccup.

The only other person who'd spent so much time in here was Gobber. I'd gotten to know him pretty well since than. Apparently Hiccup had been working for him before he started dragon training. His father had wanted to keep an eye on him because he'd gotten into so much trouble. But even Gobber could sense that there was something different about Hiccup. He'd never scolded Hiccup for being who he was. I actually found myself enjoying the blacksmith's company once I'd listened to his stories.

Toothless suddenly jumped onto one of the wooden beams as Hiccup stirred. He'd perked up almost immediately when his rider began to stir. I could see the hope in Toothless' eyes as he kept an eye on Hiccup. It really was a touching sight.

But I knew at that moment that it was time to go. The last thing I wanted was for Hiccup to know that I'd been watching him. Truthfully I just wanted to make sure he was okay before making a real decision about what to do next. I felt responsible for what had happened to him. Though Stoick had never blamed me for what had happened, I knew the others did.

Snowfire was waiting for me outside the house. Her scales seemed to glitter in the sunlight as she stirred from my approach. On her back was a newly made saddle that I'd put on. Thanks to a little help from Gobber, I was able to make a saddle that wouldn't feel uncomfortable during long flights. Snowfire had been reluctant at first when I put it on, but eventually she gave in.

'You are not staying,' she said in an accusing tone.

Her expression told me everything. She thought I was making a mistake by leaving. The only mistake I'd made was putting my friends' lives in danger. They hadn't asked to be part of this, and now they were stuck here because of me. My mind kept churning with anxiety as I wondered if there was a way to send everyone back home, including myself. There was a small part of me that desperately wanted to stay, but something kept telling me that staying would just be a mistake.

"Look, you and I both know that I'll never fit in here," I explained. "Jacob and Jessica may seem to fit in fine, but that's only because they didn't spend so much time with Hiccup."

People were already out and about, shooting us strange looks. I knew they probably thought I was crazy talking to a dragon, but if they knew what Snowfire was capable of, they wouldn't be thinking that. Then again, there was no telling what they thought of outsiders from a different world.

I pressed my hand against her neck as Jacob approached me once again.

"You're really doing this to yourself?" he asked in annoyance.

"Yes…" I paused as I looked at the clear blue sky. "I want to know why we were brought to this world. Why you and Jess can't leave. Maybe the answer's out there somewhere."

Jacob rose an eyebrow and leaned against a wall, he crossed his arms as he locked eyes with me. He knew me well enough now to know that wasn't the only thought on my mind. But I couldn't bring myself to admit the real reason behind wanting to leave. Not with so much at stake.

"Alex, I've known you since the day we started kindergarten," he started. "We've been best friends since than, and nothing is ever going to change that. But since I've known you, all you ever do is run away from the problem." I winced when he pointed that out. He knew me a little too well. "Maybe it's time you started fighting for what you wanted, instead of running away."

'The hatchling has a point,' Snowfire chimed in. I just glared at her before shrugging them both off. 'Perhaps in time these humans will learn to accept you, if you gave them a chance.'

"This coming from the dragon who wanted to rip their throats out a week ago," I grumbled with a roll of my eyes. The look Jacob gave me was priceless. I hadn't really told anyone what Snowfire had wanted to do with them. And that was probably a good thing. "Look, I'm going. And no one is stopping me," I added.

Before Jacob could say anything else, I hopped into Snowfire's saddle and she took off. Wind whipped past my face, and thankfully I had gotten used to the rush of flying through the air. Though it had only been a few days, I'd been flying with Snowfire as often as possible. It was good practice for what I was about to do.

I spotted Astrid and her newly named Stormfly flying nearby. Astrid had spotted me as well and flew in closer, her eyes narrowed. The two of us didn't exactly get along well. She was a lot like Jessica in a way, though she wasn't nasty or vein.

"Where are you going?" she demanded.

Snowfire let out a warning growl when Stormfly flew a little too close for comfort. The Deadly Nadder squawked in surprise and buckled. Astrid had to cling on for dear life until Stormfly had calmed down enough.

"I'm leaving," I explained without glancing at her.

I'd already seen the way she looked at Hiccup. It was obvious she had feelings for him. Astrid had done her best to hide them. But it wouldn't be long before she admitted she actually liked him.

"Oh, I thought you and Hiccup were…" Astrid struggled to find the right words to describe whatever was going on between us.

She blushed when she realized what she was about to say. I nearly rolled my eyes at the accusation in her voice. It was bad enough people saw me as nothing more than an outsider. I knew that was the case, but being reminded of not belonging only left me feeling worse.

"We're not," I snapped, realizing as well what she had suggested.

"But why spend all that time with him?" she suddenly demanded, sounding angrier than before. "You were with him more than anyone on the island."

Stormfly squawked once more as she realized that her rider was getting pissed off again. I held back a sigh of frustration when I guessed where this was headed.

"Look, I felt responsible for what happened to him," I explained as best as I could without losing my temper. "Hiccup didn't deserve to be treated the way he was by everyone. He's different, and in a good way. He was the only one who didn't think I was crazy. And maybe at some point we were more than friends. But he's the Chief's son, and I'm just some… random kid who was thrown into a world she knows nothing about."

For once, Astrid was at a loss for words. Her mouth opened and closed like she wanted to say something. I couldn't believe that I just opened up to her like that. Considering the fact that she probably hated me, she could easily use this against me. Luckily Snowfire had left before Astrid could find the right words to speak.

We continued flying for hours until Snowfire had reached her island. I couldn't remember the last time I was here. To me this place had become more like home than the world I'd grown up in. The familiar trees and beaches suddenly made me wish I had never left.

'Speak your mind, hatchling,' Snowfire told me. 'Holding in your frustration will only make it worse.'

I looked at her in surprise before sinking into the saddle. Even if that were true, there was no way I could shout my frustrations at her. If she knew the real reason behind me wanting to leave, she'd think I was even crazier than she and the others originally thought.

"I don't even know why I'm so angry," I muttered crossly. "She was just trying to help."

And so was Jacob. I'd pushed them both away when they were only trying to help. Jacob did have a good point when he said that I was stubborn. There were times when I found myself wondering why I was so damn stubborn. It wasn't as if I had any reason to leave the island, especially since they'd established a relationship with the dragons now.

Snowfire landed on our cliff and let out a sigh of contentment.

'You humans are such strange creatures,' she said thoughtfully. I was ready to defend myself when I thought better of it. Snowfire gently nudged my hand with her snout before I rubbed it affectionately. 'Perhaps you are lost and confused. This world has brought you here for a reason.'

"Yeah? Well if that's the case, than this world can suck it," I snapped.

I sat down and leaned against her, folding my arms in annoyance.

My shoulders slumped as I thought of what my life would be like had this not happened. We'd be back home by now with the camping trip far behind us. Life would be back to normal. I wish there was a way to turn back the clock so that I could spend more time with my mother. It was only than that I realized how much I missed her.

'Why are you so concerned about finding a way back to your world?' Snowfire suddenly asked.

"Because… I just don't belong here," I replied, struggling to find the right words to describe it. "I want to see my mom again, I want to pretend that this never happened."

'Why?'

I flinched at her question, realizing too late what I had said. It's not like I regretted meeting her. And I had no regrets meeting Hiccup or the others as well. But my heart ached at the thought of losing my mother. We'd always been closer than most families, and that was because of what had happened to my father. His disappearance had affected all of us in some way, and I could only imagine what she must be feeling if she realized I was missing too.

"I don't know," I admitted.

'Your home is here,' she reminded me.

I was ready to answer when the familiar call of a Night Fury sounded. Snowfire stood up when Toothless landed on the cliff nearby, crooning in excitement as he spotted us. Her sudden movement caused me to fall over flat on my back. I only rolled my eyes when Hiccup helped me back to my feet.

"He just wanted to say hi," he explained sheepishly.

Toothless scurried over to his side as I dusted off my shirt.

"I can see that," I replied once I'd regained my composure. Guilt suddenly washed over me when I realized that I had left without saying goodbye. It only worsened when Toothless nudged Hiccup towards me. He was leaning against Toothless for better support. "I-I'm sorry about what happened," I added.

"I know." Hiccup rubbed his arms up and down in embarrassment, as if he was afraid of what to say next. Truthfully I'd been dreading this conversation since we got back from the battle. I'd gone over the scenario as many times as I could. Each time it only ended in either shame, or embarrassment. "Astrid told me what you said to her," he added.

I couldn't hide the furious blush that followed even if I wanted to.

"Remind me not to spill out my feelings to her," I grumbled crossly.

Hiccup only smirked at that. I'm sure Astrid had told him how crazy I sounded when I told her everything. But his expression was impossible to read as he glanced at me. I suddenly felt self-conscious as I glanced at the ground, unsure of what to say next.

"But are you really leaving?" he asked.

"Well… I don't really belong here with your people," I admitted with a shrug. "I was planning on finding a way back home. Jessica and Jacob don't belong there either."

'Home is where the heart lies,' Snowfire reminded me.

I tried ignoring her as Hiccup looked at me in surprise.

"You're more than welcome to stay on Berk," he suggested.

"Would I be?"

I thought back to the way everyone had looked at me. They had accepted Jacob and Jessica for the most part. But everyone was still wary of my presence. I had a feeling that it had to do with the fact that I was closer to the dragons than anyone else.

'Oh, just go with him already,' Snowfire snapped.

She suddenly shoved me forward. Once again, heat rose to my cheeks when Hiccup caught me before I could fall.

"You'd fit in perfectly," he reassured me. "You have just as much right to stay here as Toothless and the other dragons."

Toothless made a crooning sound in agreement.

I looked at him doubtfully, wondering if he was right. Snowfire nudged my arm gently. Finally, I thought back to what she had said about home being where the heart lies.

"I guess I could stay for a while," I decided after thinking it through.

I rubbed Snowfire's chin as I gave the idea more thought. Staying on Berk wouldn't be too bad of a thing. I just hoped that I was making the right choice.

AN: There's the next chapter :) Yeah, last chapter was kind of rushed, but I did sort of rewrite it from the original. So... yeah. Anywho, onto review replies!

Sil - Yeah, he really does care about her, though they would never admit it XD Jacob's more of a brother to her than anything else, or at least that's how I see them. And thanks for the offer, I actually do have the story saved on a backup file, but I might just rewrite the whole thing and turn it into a crossover. Thanks again :)

CartoonLoverBecky - Thanks, I appreciate your review :)

The Silent Fury - XD That would be fun to watch, though like I said, they are more like brother and sister than anything else ;)

Drunken Hamster - Yeah, I apologize for that. Unfortunately there really isn't much else I can add... at some point I will probably have to rewrite it, but for now, I'm sticking with the original story in this case.