A heartfelt Goodbye

It was raining heavily as Wakko and Dot stood next to an open coffin. Claire was at their side doing what she could to comfort them, though she was in just as much pain. Things were finally settled and Yakko Warner would be put to rest today after a brief viewing hours. Wakko and Dot were allowed to pick the outfit for their brother, but they also consulted Claire. The three of them decided on the costume from Cutie and the Beast. The three still wanted to believe that it was just an act and he'd jump up yelling surprise. That wasn't the case though as several of Hollywood's greats came by to pay their respects. Claire watched each one of them carefully, she still had a feeling that fowl play had something to do with Yakko's passing. She wasn't the only one apparently since Wakko kept watch too not trusting anyone that came near him or Dot except Claire.

Dot could only stand there and sob at the loss, she was hoping that it was all a dream. Wakko nor Claire could talk her out of that thought, but wish they could have. Scratchy watched over the three and felt horrible, Yakko, Wakko, and Dot had become to be like children to him. He felt worse knowing that maybe he could have done something to prevent all of this from happening. He pulled the two siblings aside and asked them as serious question.

"Do you two want to leave?" He asked quietly.

Wakko looked down, "As much as we want to, we can't leave Yakko. It's not right he was always there for us."

Scratchy nodded, "I understand. They're getting ready to head to the graveyard now."

Wakko nodded and took Dot's hand, "Let's go Dot."

Dot nodded and looked over to Claire, "You're coming with us right?"

Claire looked astonished at how quickly they had warmed up to her, "If you want me to, I will be more than happy to accompany you two."

"We wouldn't have it any other way." Wakko stated, "On behalf of the last Warner brother, and the Warner sister we want to include you into our family and make you a Warner as well."

Claire felt a few tears well up in her eyes and hugged the two, "Then I have no choice but to happily accept your offer."

The three followed the procession finding comfort in one another. During the ride Wakko and Dot curled up next to Claire finding comfort in her steady breathing and heartbeat. She would occasionally hum a small tune and play with their fur. Both wondered if she had done the same with Yakko during one of his bad days to help keep him calm and fighting. Wakko felt himself slowly drifting off to sleep until the limo stopped right where Yakko was to be put to rest.

Claire noticed that both of the Warners were rather tired and gingerly picked both up in her arms. She managed to get Wakko onto her back and his arms around her neck so she could carry him piggyback style. She kept Dot in her arms and carried her like a princess through the crowd of mourners. Everyone looked at the silent guardian who held onto the two siblings with awe. She carried a serene grace about her and brought comfort to two children who had suffered so much. There weren't enough chairs to accommodate everyone, but plenty were offered to Claire and the Warners. They declined and said they'd rather stand. Well Claire did, Wakko and Dot were comfortable holding onto her person. Both watched with remorseful eyes as the coffin was lowered into the ground. Amazing grace was played in the background which didn't help the kids feel any better. However, what Claire appeared to be humming helped them much more. Dot and Wakko caught on instantly as soon as they heard the first parts of the song being hummed.

"It's time for Animaniacs, and we're zany to the max" They both started out sadly.

As Claire continued to hum the two gained more confidence and began to sing the song like they used to. To their surprise Claire actually jumped right into singing with them. Eventually the entire cast of the show was singing along with half of the mourners.

"Meet Pinky and the Brain who want to rule the universe. Goodfeathers flock together Slappy whacks them with her purse. Buttons chases Mindy while Rita sings a verse. Our writers flipped we have no script why bother to rehearse!" Wakko, Dot, and even Claire sang.

Everyone instantly joined in at the last part, "We're Animaniacs! We have pay for play contracts! We're zany to the max. There's bologna in our slacks! We're animany totally insaney, Pinky and The Brainy! Animaniacs! Those are the facts."

Dot looked up at Claire, "Thank you. I think he would be much happier with that than bag pipes."

"Faboo!" Wakko replied grinning.

Claire laughed a little, "I couldn't help it, things just seemed too depressing you know?"

"Totally." Wakko and Dot agreed.

Claire set them down and allowed them to say their goodbyes. She then proceeded to set a bouquet of lavender flowers on the headstone. Apparently she knew that his favorite color was lavender as well and wanted to at least put something to let him know that he was missed. Wakko and Dot looked at Claire and could have sworn they saw her whisper something. Neither one of them could tell, but decided not to press the matter, toady was rough enough as it was.

Scratchy managed to finally convince Wakko and Dot that it was time to go home. Claire said she would catch them later, and that her grandfather would be giving her a ride after everything was finished. Dot gave her a quick hug and said that they would probably stop by again tomorrow and check on her. They must have actually cared about her enough to do so. Nodding Claire watched the two walk off with Scratchy and sighed.

"I know foul play must have been involved." She breathed.

"Indeed there was" a cold voice echoed.

Claire felt her blood run cold, "You again. Hey I got my freedom back!" She turned around and glared at Death in the eyes.

Death smirked, "Oh I'm not here for you. I just wanted to see how the funeral turned out. Nice job comforting the kids, I'm sure that will put Yakko at ease."

"This isn't like you so cut to the chase." Claire snapped.

Death handed her a tape, "Watch this, it will help spark the investigation to find whoever did this. I guess you could say that it was Yakko's last wish before he was sent away."

"You're bluffing." Claire responded.

Death smirked and patted her head, "Not everyone gets a chance to win their life back Claire. You were fortunate enough to do so, don't make me revoke that."

Claire fell silent and looked at the tape, "I'm at least going to watch it with Wakko and Dot." She turned to Death who was leaving, "Oh by the way nice suit."

"Thanks, that little Warner girl hooked me up with it." Death responded and then vanished into thin air.

"Go fig." Claire snorted and looked at the tape, "I'll keep this for tomorrow then or maybe the day after. I need to get them out and away from this for a while."

With that in mind Claire decided that she would take the kids out for a day maybe to the circus or an amusement park. She wanted to see them laugh and smile, but knew it was a hard time for that. Looking back at the headstone she sighed. If she had only told him sooner, would things have been any different? Turning away she made her way for her grandfather's car not noticing the figure watching her from behind. Life was going to get a lot more interesting for her and the Warner siblings.

Meanwhile Wakko picked up his journal again and found a lavender shaded pen.

Yakko,

Today was really rough, but we pulled through thanks to Claire. I hope you heard our grand finale of the theme song. It really did beat the sorrow of Amazing Grace, and really uplifted everyone. Dot and I are getting anxious about the rumors of the murder, or what people think is a murder. A part of me really thinks that someone did try and kill us. Scratchy even agrees, though we can't figure out who would want to kill us yet. I may ask Claire to see if her connections can help us find any leads, whoever did this to you, I want to make sure they pay! I'll even kill them if I have to! It's getting late I should head to bed, goodnight Yakko we miss you.

Love,

Wakko.

Wakko started to doze off and found himself asleep, but in his dreams he was elsewhere. Looking around he noticed that he was in the old water tower. On the couch he noticed Yakko sitting there reading the paper. Yakko looked up from it with a sad look on his face and shook his head.

"Wak you shouldn't even say things like that." Yakko sighed.

Wakko got angry, "They deserve to die for what they did to you!"

"That wouldn't make you any better than them. I taught you better than that didn't I Wakko?" Yakko asked getting up and embracing his brother.

Wakko started to cry, "its not fair Yakko! Your killer is out there and no one is doing anything to find them! It's not fair that they can walk around with your blood on their hands I can't stand it! I want to find whoever did this and make them pay….and life in prison isn't enough…No it should be an eye for an eye."

"Wakko" Yakkos voice cooed, "Think about it. This isn't like you, what would Dot think if she saw you like this? Where's my sweet little brother who had nothing else on his mind but food and girls?"

Wakko looked down, "H-he died the same night his brother did."

"I don't believe that." Yakko shook his head and took Wakko's hat, "Not one bit."

He began to play with Wakko's hair and smiled softly, "You know I was like this when we were first on our own. I wanted to watch the world suffer like I did, but I realized that if I did that, you and Dot wouldn't have a place to call home, nor any friends. So lighten up Wak, they will be caught I promise."

"Yakko?" Wakko asked quietly.

Yakko looked at him, "Yes my little brother?"

"Claire whispered something, what did she say?"

"…..She said she liked me…"

"Did you like her back?" Wakko asked.

"Yeah I did, I regret not telling her" Yakko admitted.

Wakko smiled softly, "Then I'll tell her for you, she deserves to know."

"Thank you Wakko." Yakko smiled and pulled him onto the couch.

Wakko nodded and slowly drifted back to sleep and the dream began to fade away. When Scratchy came to check on him he noticed that Wakko really looked at peace and decided not to disturb him. He did however put the journal up and smile softly. The kid was a real softie once you got to know him.

-End-