Here's the latest chapter guys! Hope you enjoy! Please read and review!
The three boys were excited about their plan for lunch. The three of them were hurriedly getting ready to go to breakfast so they could tell Infinite about their idea.
Ace quickly ran a brush through his hair while Kinnley brushed his teeth and Fortune showered. He was looking forward to seeing Lilly again today. He really liked her. A lot. She was a different kind of girl than he'd ever met before, not that he'd met many. She was soft, delicate, angelic. And she really cared about him for him, not what she wanted him to be. His mother wanted him to be a certain way, and since he wasn't, she was upset with him.
Fortune hurried out of the bathroom, barely dry, holding a towel around his body. He quickly shook the water from his fur and fluffed it out.
Kinnley came out behind him with minty fresh breath. He grinned, "ready guys?"
They nodded and hurried down to the cafeteria.
Three pairs of gold eyes swept the room, looking for Infinite. He was nowhere to be seen. Fortune bit his lip, he hoped uncle was ok.
Kinnley sensed his little brother's nervousness and patted his shoulder, "I'm sure he's fine. We'll find him after breakfast."
The smallest jackal nodded and they all went to get their plates.
They seated themselves at the usual table, just in case Infinite showed up late.
Maybree joined them shortly. She sensed the excitement radiating from her friends. "What's up with you guys?" She asked while taking a sip of her water.
"Nothing really," Ace said, busying himself with his eggs.
She frowned, but said nothing. Blue eyes watched as Kinnley wasted no time tearing into the sausages and hash browns on his plate. He coated the fried potatoes in ketchup, and then shoved a forkful in his mouth.
A gentle voice cleared their throat. Maybree looked up to see the white fox standing at the end of the table. "May I sit here?" The blonde couldn't believe this girl had the audacity to approach them. Especially after what was said.
She didn't miss the way Ace's face lit up when he saw her. "Of course," he said. "Maybree, scoot over."
The vixen smiled and sat beside her as she did so.
"Are you anorexic or something?" Maybree asked rudely while wrinkling her nose. There was a small helping of eggs and some fruit on the girl's plate. Also a small pancake.
The three boys looked at their friend in shock. Kinnley almost choked on his food.
"No. Certain foods bother my stomach, and there's not a lot here I can handle today."
Ace admired how she didn't seem to let the comment bother her. He smiled apologetically at her.
"You're lucky your parents didn't hear you say that," Kinnley hissed as he leaned forward.
Maybree scoffed and shoved a bite of eggs in her mouth. She was not in the mood today. Or any day really.
"I don't think I've met you all," smiled the fox as she smoothed her yellow skirt. "You must be Ace's brothers."
"I'm Kinnley," said the larger of the two, "and this is Fortune." The little one with spiky hair waved. "He doesn't talk," clarified Kinnley.
She smiled, "Lilly."
"So that's where you were the other night," Kinnley grinned while elbowing Ace with a teasing tone.
"Shut up Kinnley," Ace muttered while trying to hide the blush on his face with his glass of juice by taking a sip.
Lilly just laughed. She liked Kinnley. He seemed well put together, but still had a good sense of humor. His mane was swept back between his ears and he was a little stouter in build than his brothers. But he seemed to love to eat if his plate was any indication.
"Ignore him," Ace muttered. Lilly just smiled.
Just then, Infinite walked up. He sat down across from Fortune, he didn't seem to notice Lilly sitting at the table. His eyes looked tired, and he looked like he hadn't bathed in a while. His mane was in a greasy knot, tied up off his neck.
Kinnley and Fortune exchanged a worried look. Then Kinnley turned to infinite, "we have a surprise for you uncle." His tail wagged slightly as he grinned.
Blue and gold eyes looked at him tiredly, "oh."
"Yes," Fortune signed, "But you have to wait till lunch."
Infinite just nodded. He didn't seem too interested in the surprise, but they were going to take him anyway.
Tempest walked up holding the baby. The frown on Maybree's face vanished when she saw her baby brother. She hopped to her feet and went to kiss him.
Her mother laughed and let the boy go to his sister's arms. Maybree smiled and held him close to her chest, one arm under him and one on the back of his head. She was rocking him slightly and he nuzzled her.
Lilly raised a brow, she seemed like a completely different person than she was a few seconds ago. Her blue eyes were full of love for that little boy. Lilly just watched her baby talk him and kiss his little face, slightly puzzled. She decided not to worry about it and shoved a piece of melon in her mouth.
Tempest looked over at her brother-in-law, "hi Finn." He looked rough, and could barely meet her eyes.
"Hi," he mumbled.
"You ok?" She asked tilting her head.
He didn't answer, just sighed heavily.
She rested her hand on his shoulder, "you know it's not your fault right?" She said gently. "Jay and I don't blame you for what happened in the desert. Even though it hurts it was for the best. We appreciate you doing that for us Finn." She knew he was feeling guilty about the loss of their first pup.
He nodded, still staring at the table.
Tempest squatted down to be at his eye level. "Look at me Finn," she tilted his face towards hers. A pang of sadness welled in her chest when she saw the look on his face. His lower lip trembled and his eyes were moist. She hugged him, "it's ok." Her hand rubbed his back, "we love you."
She drew back and gave him an encouraging smile. "Hang in there." He nodded and she stood to get Spade.
Infinite absently reached up to touch the baby, then hesitated, looking at Tempest as if asking permission.
She smiled warmly, sitting beside him. Spade was awake, staring at everything with wide eyes. "Meet your uncle Spade," Tempest smiled, turning him to see the other jackal.
Infinite held his hand out, and Spade grabbed his fingers, babbling happily. A small smile spread across his face as the boy looked up at him.
"I think he likes you," smiled Tempest.
A calm feeling spread through Infinite, and melted away the tension at the table. Babies tended to have that affect on people.
After Tempest left, Kinnley noticed the sadness settle back over Infinite. He turned to his brothers, "Fortune, you help uncle get ready, Ace and I will get everything else set up. We'll meet you outside the base at noon."
Fortune grinned and gave a thumbs up.
Ace turned to Lilly, "I'll have to hang with you later this evening." His face looked apologetic.
She waved her hand, "don't worry about it. Have fun with your surprise."
He grinned. Then he and Fortune grabbed the dishes and hurried off.
Fortune went over to Infinite and took his hand, "Come on uncle," he signed, "I'll help you get ready." He pulled Infinite up and they left the room.
Once they were gone, Maybree turned to Lilly. She had done another complete one-eighty and was scowling again. "This isn't over."
Infinite stood in the bathroom, watching numbly as Fortune fiddled with the shower faucets. He was trying to get the water the right temperature.
"You'll feel better after you're clean uncle," he signed and led him to the shower.
Fortune took the elastic out of infinite's hair. He grimaced at how greasy it was. Gently, he brushed all the tangles out. He pulled back the curtain and gestured for Infinite to get in.
After a heavy sigh, Infinite stepped into the tub. The curtain fell shut and Fortune left to give him some privacy.
Blue and gold eyes looked at the soap and shampoo that Fortune had set out for him. He picked it up and sniffed at it. It smelled nice.
After letting the water pelt his fur for a few minutes, he squirted a large amount of the shampoo in his hand. Then he washed his mane. It was so dirty he had to wash it three times. He sighed, he shouldn't have let it get this bad. He just hadn't had any, motivation lately.
Once finished, Fortune was there to help him get dried off. The young man was happy to help his uncle in any way he could.
By the time he was all clean and dry it was time to meet the others. "Come on uncle," he signed, "let's go."
Ace and Kinnley were waiting for them right outside the base. Fortune waved happily when he saw them.
Kinnley waved back with a grin. "Are you guys ready?"
Fortune nodded and gave Infinite's hand a squeeze.
Infinite almost smiled at the boys' excitement. Almost.