Wakko's Birthday

Disclaimer: I do not own any cast member of Animaniacs. They belong to Warner Brothers.

"What do you think about this one?" Claire asked holding up a journal.

Dot shook her head, "Nah I don't think it's him."

The girls sighed and continued to look through several different journals on their quest to find the perfect one for Wakko. It had been about two weeks since Scratchy's house was destroyed by an unusual fire. That also meant two weeks with an agitated Wakko, and restless Dot. Claire had taken Dot with her since it was going to be a gift from her. The girls were about to give up hope until, they found the perfect one.

The girls stumbled upon a leather bound journal on a discount rack. Looking at the pages they could see that it had a beautiful brown color, and all the pages were still crisp and neatly intact. They knew that this was the one, and Claire had an idea on how to make it even more personal. Why not get Wakko's name engraved in the front?

"Think it's a good idea?" Claire asked.

Dot nodded, "He would love it! I'm sure he would."

Then with that settled the girls quickly bought the journal, and later Claire took Dot to an old leather shop that her grandfather frequented. It was run by an old Austrian man who had come to know the Plotz family well over the years. He greeted Claire with a warm smile and made small talk with her, until he noticed Dot.

"Who's this young one?" He asked.

Dot smiled, "My name is Princess Angelina Contessa Louisa Francesca Banana Fanna Bo Besca the Thrid, but you can call me Dot!"

"My my what a name you have there, your highness." The man smiled and bowed.

Claire smiled and handed him the journal, "We need a name engraved into this. It's a gift for Dot's brother. Could you do it for us?"

The man smiled, "Of course I can! The name?"

"Wakko Warner" Dot smiled, "He's one of the best big brothers in the world!"

"Ah I see then I'll get this done right away. You two are more than welcome to hang around it'll only take a moment." The man called as he went to a work bench.

Claire looked at Dot, "You know that's the first time I've ever heard you say something like that about Wakko. Normally you're always comparing him to Yakko."

Dot looked down feeling guilty, "It's not fair to do that to him. Wakko's trying his best to take Yakko's place to keep me safe. So it's not fair to compare the two when Wakko's a few years younger and never had to worry about it. Yakko always took care of everything, guess he did it to protect us from having to grow up too fast."

"Knowing Yakko that was probably the case." Claire sighed and smiled at Dot.

The two looked around the shop and soon the man came back with the journal fully engraved. Dot was pleased with the look and asked the man on how much to pay. To her surprise he wouldn't accept any form of payment. Claire led her out in disbelief, but reassured Dot that she had left more than enough money to cover for the engraving. Now there was one last thing to do, get it past Wakko so they could wrap it.

When the two returned to the house they could hear Wakko playing the violin upstairs. Plotz and Scratchy where setting up the rest of the decorations for the party. Claire looked at Dot and hinted that maybe she should go keep Wakko company for a bit. Dot got the hint and hurried upstairs while Claire set to work on wrapping the journal up. Scratchy looked at it over her shoulder and seemed rather perplexed about it.

"You went and saw my cousin didn't you?" He asked.

Claire nodded, "As usual he refused payment but left him money anyways." She finished putting the journal in a box and wrapped it, "Has anyone arrived yet?"

"Not yet, and it starts soon."

"I hope some people do show up, not much of a party if no people come." Claire sighed and set the box with the other presents.

Meanwhile upstairs Dot sat next to Wakko and listened to him play, the music was sad, not like him at all. Thinking cleverly she turned to her dear brother, "Hey Wakko can you do the State's and Capitals song? I miss hearing it."

Wakko blinked at her, "Uhh sure."

Dot smiled and Wakko started to play the violin like a fiddle and sang throughout the Country. About a quarter of the way she joined in with him and the two continued to sing each State and Capital. Halfway through the song both where smiling and not paying attention to the smiling Scratchy in the doorway. Nor the fact that downstairs most of the cast had reunited, and could hear the two singing. Claire smiled as she listened to the tune, it sounded almost better as a duet to her.

"Very good you two" Scratchy applauded.

Wakko and Dot blushed, "Thanks."

"Now then come on downstairs the party is ready"

"Party?" Wakko asked.

"For your birthday, Wakko." Dot smiled, "It was my idea everyone helped me pull it together."

Wakko smiled, "Thanks Dot. Let's go then shall we?"

Wakko took Dot's hand and the two rushed downstairs. Everyone from the show was there waiting for them. Death apparently even made a short appearance as he approached Wakko, but showing no ill will.

"Happy Birthday Wakko." Death smiled and handed him a card with fifty bucks.

Claire then whacked the skeleton with a mallet, "We agreed nothing over ten bucks!"

"My bad." The skeleton mumbled as birds flew around his head.

Everyone laughed and the party continued. First thing served was a chocolate cake much to Wakko's happiness. No one was surprised though when the young boy ate the entire cake on his own. Thankfully Plotz had thought ahead and brought out another cake to serve to the guests. Wakko smiled sheepishly and apologized to everyone, but they all just laughed and smiled. Once cake was distributed and eaten the presents followed. Wakko received several gifts from the cast members. From Slappy and Skippy he received a book on top cartoon comedy scenes. Scratchy gave Wakko new gag bag since his had ripped while he was recovering things in the fire. Then came the last gift, Dot's.

Claire handed the box to Dot nodding, "Alright Dot looks like yours is last."

Dot nodded, "I hope you really like this Wakko."

"I'm sure I will if it's from you, Dot." Wakko smiled and opened the box.

His heart literally skipped a beat when he laid eyes on the new journal. Even more so when he realized that his name had been engraved ever so gently into the leather. He felt his eyes tear up and quickly he hugged Dot tightly to the point where he could have possibly hurt her. A strained sound from Dot was all it took for him to soften his embrace. Dot was extremely pleased that Wakko liked the gift, and was happy that Claire was able to take her to get it. The rest of the day went off without a hitch, and the party wrapped up as a success.

Later that night Wakko laid out his new journal and smiled faintly. Now he could finally begin to write again to Yakko.

Dear Yakko,

I know it's been awhile since I wrote to you, but some crazy things have been going on. Scratchy's house has been burnt down, and probably by the same person who tried to kill us months before. We're staying with Claire and Plotz for now. She said you had a chance of gaining your life back, I hope you can. Things still aren't the same without you, but I think we're doing okay. We're still trying to figure out who would want us dead, do you have any ideas? It's getting late I should probably get some sleep. We miss you Yakko.

Love Wakko

Wakko closed his eyes and felt himself fall back into a dreamlike state. He felt happier as he heard a familiar voice hum happy birthday.

"Yakko?" Wakko asked.

Yakko smiled and stole his brother's hat, "Happy Birthday Wakko."

"Thanks Yakko, wish you could have been there." Wakko frowned.

"I wish I could have been too, I miss you guys a lot. I'm glad you're able to write to me again though." Yakko grinned and messed with his brother's hair.

"Uncle!" Wakko yelled.

Yakko smiled, "Heh well I'll catch you later alright Wak? Also please know that I am very proud of you. You've grown up so much and so fast…I still feel that it wasn't fair to you."

Wakko hugged his brother, "But it had to be done. How about a deal? You get your life back somehow and I'll revert back to my old self?"

"Deal." The eldest Warner agreed.

For the rest of the night Wakko slept peacefully unaware of what he next day would hold for him. Little did he know that tomorrow the whole world he knew would be turned upside down. When he awoke Claire was waiting for him with several of the others.

"Wakko there is something you need to see." She stated.

Wakko blinked, "What is it?"

"Proof that your brother was murdered, and the one who committed the crime." Claire held up the video tape, "I say it's time we go find out who it is."

-End-