CHAPTER: Forgotten
AUTHOR: IrishTomboy@attbi.com
RATING: R
PAIRING: Thorn/OC, Daphne/Freddy (of course)
DISCLAMIER: I own none of them except Jaguar and Cú and anyone else that aren't part of the original Scooby-verse, though I wish I did.
FEEDBACK: Welcome
WARNING: If love between two women bothers you then get out NOW!
Also. If you see any words encase by these ** ** it means that the person is speaking in a different language.
Jaguar took the piece of chalk from her bag and drew a large circle on the hard wood floor, leaving a small space open. "Everyone. Get inside the circle and don't touch the chalk." The Hunter sat down on the nearest chair, pulling out a spell book and glancing once more over the page. Her limbs felt like lead and she would have like nothing more to sleep and never wake up but she knew that she owed it to all of them that they were relieved of tonight's horrors.
This night had been hard. A battle of both strength and wills. One look at the others made Jaguar sure that, though tiered, they had won. What made the blonde envious was that she had lost the battle of wills. She had succumbed to her blood lust and almost killed her friend and her lover.
'More nightmares to plague me, I guess.' Jaguar thought dryly. 'It's not like you don't deserve them. How many times did you fuck up in your life?' She shook her head, dispelling the anger and refocused tiered eyes on the page.
That was when she felt a warm hand on her forearm. Looking up she saw Thorn.
"Thorn? What's wrong?"
"Jaguar. I've been thinking and...and I don't want to forget."
"What?"
"I don't want you to erase my memory or anything like that."
"Are you nuts? You don't want these nightmares." Jaguar replied.
Thorn chewed her bottom lip for a second. "I don't care. This was an important night for the both of us Jaguar. I got to see both sides of the woman that I love."
The last sentence threw Jaguar for a loop. Sure she had heard it while fighting but she wasn't really focused on what Thorn was saying, just that she was saying something.
"Thorn. Please. I don't have the energy to fight but if I have to I'll drag you into the circle myself." Jaguar growled, enforcing into her voice that she was in no mood to argue.
Thorn looked hurt but nodded and walked into the circle. Nichole closed the circle and walked over to Jaguar. She handed the blonde a small talisman.
"You might want to ware this. The others are going to start the spell soon. I don't know when but I know it's going to be soon."
"Okay." Jaguar nodded.
"If the spells going to be done to the whole town then why are you doing it to us?" Freddy asked.
"Because," Jaguar stood, wincing at the throbbing in her stomach. "I'm not sure how good the spell will be and I want to make sure that you guys above anyone else," 'Good job following the Code!' "Is free." She rummaged through her bag for a moment before pulling out a dagger, a candle, two small bowls and an incense burner. "Nichole. Go get me some dirt and water."
Nichole took the bowls and dashed off as Jaguar reached into her pocket and took out a miniature compass. Checking it quickly she found the four cardinal directions, put the compass away and placed the candle on the south point of the circle. "Smaek." A small spark bounced from her fingertip to the wick and the candle glowed softly. Taking the burner she lit the incenses, set that in the eastern point then backed away. Nichole came back quickly and placed the water in the western point then the dirt in the northern.
"Ready?" Nichole asked.
Jaguar let out a deep breath and nodded. She grabbed the dagger, stood with it strait out in front of her and began to walk clockwise around the circle, focusing her energy on strengthening it. Nichole joined in as well, so that when they were finished their trained eyes could make out the gold and dark blue auras. The Hunter took a deep breath and stood near the small bowl of dirt.
"**Alun. Goddess of Serenity. Sotawon. God of Protection. Versona. Goddess of the Dream World. Wipe away the nightmares of those that hath seen them. Give them thy peace where horrors would destroy them. Lay a spell upon their minds to protect them.** Horcat meran so la. **Protect them and let them know thy power.**" Both Jaguar and Nichole's voices were strong and bounced off all the walls as they finished the chant.
The group inside the circle looked around as they felt something tickle their minds. Like a thunderbolt a feeling of nothing struck them, followed by sweet comfort as the memories of that night disappeared. They slipped to the ground, eyes glazed over and goofy smiles on all their faces.
At that moment Jaguar and Nichole felt something try to get them but their talismans began to glow and protected them from the spell. The two took a breath and began to walk counter clockwise around the circle, pulling back the energy into themselves. Jaguar felt slightly light headed, as did Nichole but both ignored it and quickly cleaned everything up and put it away.
"So they won't remember anything of tonight?"
"No. And they won't remember anything that I had told them before tonight of Cú, Aamngreka or any of that." Nichole nodded.
As soon as they had gotten everything put up and changed so their bandages weren't visible the group began to come out of their trance and were looking around.
"What happened? How did we get here?"
"What do you mean?"
"The last thing I remember is going to sleep at the hotel." Freddy replied.
"Well you guys, we had gone to the festival and had such a good time I guess everything just flew by and before you knew it we were here." Jaguar replied easily, hoping they took the lie.
Most believed it, not sure what else to take, but Velma didn't seem convinced. Thankfully though she didn't say anything and Jaguar had a feeling that she wouldn't.
'I don't have a lot of time to waste. I have to go and clean everything up and by this time tomorrow I'll be,'
"Does anyone want something to drink or eat?"
"Yeah." Everyone said as one.
Thorn turned to Jaguar. "Jaguar. Will you help me?"
"Uhh...sure." The Hunter stood, biting back wince that wanted to rise, and followed her girlfriend into the kitchen. As soon as they were out of sight Thorn turned and looked at Jaguar. "Are you all right Jaguar? You look out of it."
"I'm fine, love. Just tiered is all."
"If your sure?"
"Yes. Now come on. We got some hungry friends that want food." They began to bustle around the kitchen. As Jaguar put the water on the stove Thorn piped up again.
"Hey. Where are Celeb, Nathaniel and Rose?"
Jaguar stopped. Momentarily her mind was flooded with Nathaniel's death and she almost dropped the teakettle but she quickly brought herself back. "They umm...h-had to back home."
"Really? I'm going to miss them."
"So am I." The Hunter replied sullenly. She closed her eyes and willed away the tears that wanted to break free.
Thorn noticed the change in her love's actions and walked over to her. Wrapping her arms around her waist and pulling her close she made the woman look at her; oblivious to Thorn was that she was rubbing against the wound that she herself gave the taller woman not seven hours ago. "Jaguar. Somethin' is seriously wrong. What is it? I want you to trust me."
"I can't Thorn. Not right now. Maybe never." With that Jaguar pulled from Thorn's arms and went back to work. Thorn stared at the woman, but seeing that she'd get nothing decided to go back to work, hoping that Jaguar would be able to talk to her.
"Hey! What's taking so long in there?" Freddy called.
"We're coming!" Thorn yelled back. She placed the sandwiches on the tray as Jaguar filled cups full of hot water then cocoa mix then placed the drinks on another tray and both walked out. The minute the trays were set down everyone dove for food. "Relax guys. We can make more."
"Yeah. But, like, we're really hungry." Shaggy replied.
"You're always hungry Shaggy." Freddy laughed. The group lapsed into comfortable silence, each mouth too full of food or drink to do anything else.
Nichole and Jaguar pulled away from the rest of the group.
"How are you holding up?" Jaguar asked.
"Fine. 'Cuz I'm not the one that got stabbed, fried and nearly killed all in one night."
"Hey. It wasn't orthodox but it was effective."
"When have you ever been orthodox?" Nichole countered playfully. Jaguar only shrugged good-naturedly and turned to look at the others.
"At least they're safe. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to any of them."
"Especially Thorn."
"Yeah." They too lapsed into silence and watched. The two knew that this would be the last time they saw the group for a long time, maybe forever. Who knew? The only thing they did was that they had to leave tonight. "Come on. We gotta get packed then make it out to the site to clean up. I wanna cremate Rose, Celeb and Nathaniel then take them back to their home." Nichole nodded. They stole away upstairs and no one noticed their departure. It wasn't long before they crept back downstairs and stood by the door. Jaguar leaned against the doorway and sighed. "It ain't goin' to be easy to say good bye."
"Then don't."
"But I just can't pick up and leave." Jaguar snapped back quietly.
"Make up your mind all ready, jeez." Nichole threw her hands into the air in mock anger. While her hands dropped to the sides a figure moved into the hallway, scaring the two werewolves.
"Sorry to scare you guys." Daphne smiled. "What are you doing here?"
The two looked at each other then the red headed woman. "Uhh," But they weren't able to say anything as Daphne spoke again.
"Where are you guys going?"
"Now or never Becca." Nichole whispered under her breath.
"Wish I could op for the latter." The blonde whispered back before turning to Daphne. "Nichole and I gotta...go...see someone." Nichole slapped her forehead.
"This late at night?"
"Yes. Well they won't be here tomorrow." Nichole added easily.
"Oh. Well all right. See ya guys later." Daphne walked back into the front room.
Jaguar and Nichole stared after her in stupefied shock. "Becca. Is...brainlessness an after effect of the spell?"
"I think so Nichole. God I hope so." The two snuck outside and silently they made their way to the outskirts of the town then to the concert grounds. It had been roped off from the entire town. On first glance it would look as if no one was guarding it but in the bushes and trees the two werewolves made out the outlines of a few changelings that were looking out in the shadows.
Nodding to them Jaguar and Nichole stepped over the ropes and made their way to the center of the earlier carnage. The place smelled strongly of rotting flesh and bugs were all ready starting to feast on the mutilated corpses. The two set their bags down on a clear part of ground and inspected everything that was going on. A few of the changelings from earlier was trying their hardest to clean up the gore and fix everything but most were still beginners. The few that were quite skilled had their hands full trying to keep the less skilled from bumbling things.
A teenager, looking to be twenty winters, turned and trotted up to them. He had short-cropped red hair and large green eyes and he seemed friendly enough Jaguar thought.
"Hello Seamus." Nichole nodded.
"Top o' the evenin' to ye Nichole." The boy's accent left little to the imagination where he was originally from. Jaguar noted his lean form and the faint freckles across his face. The Hunter also noted that the emerald orbs were now focused intently on her.
"What?"
"Ye 're the famous Jaguar?"
"Didn't know I was famous?"
"O' course ye are. Famous as Cú was but where he was famous for bein' cruel, ye are famous for bein' helpful."
"Helpful?"
"Yes. You're really well known for all ye've done."
"And what have I done that is so great?" Jaguar asked. She didn't usually like people giving her credit, that's not why she became a Hunter. 'And you don't like it because you don't deserve it.' The Hunter sighed inwardly. 'Yeah. That too.'
Seamus' voice cut through to her. "Well ye bein' the only one smart 'nough to actually leave this hell is a good start."
"I wasn't smart. I just wanted to survive. Now if you'll excuse me. I got work to do." She brushed past him and walked towards the tattered stage.
Nichole noticed that Seamus looked hurt. She knew that the boy had a crush on the blonde woman and that little bite had been a strike to his heart. "Don't think anything of it Seamus. She's just under a lot of pressure right now."
"Ye think I got a chance Nichole?"
Nichole sighed and shook her head. "No. She's got someone and besides...she's battin' for the other team." The redhead looked at her confused but Nichole didn't feel like elaborating at the moment so she went to join her friend. The woman was all ready beginning three small fires that were undoubtedly the remains of Rose, Celeb and Nathaniel. Nichole stopped far enough away from Jaguar to give her space but close enough to examine her. The golden eyes looked at the three fires with a wash of emotions that changed so fast it made the Nichole's head spin. Broad shoulders were stiff as their owner hunched close to the flames, whispering a final prayer to the three long departed souls.
Jaguar fought back the tears that had wanted to fall for some time now. She had failed one again. She had also broken a promise. 'I'm sorry Alanna. I had promised to look after your sister and brother but I failed. And I'm sorry Dirk. Your only son is dead though I had sworn to watch over him.' Jaguar bowed her head and asked that the Gods bless the spirits of the three that had traveled with her and the spirits of the village that had been lost four years ago.
Nichole, seeing that the woman was done, or at least close to it, decided to step closer. She hesitantly set her hand on the Hunter's shoulder. "Jaguar?"
"What Nichole?"
"You want me to get some jars for their ashes?"
Jaguar only nodded, never taking her eyes off of the flames at all. Her heart was cracking but she knew that she had to keep her emotions in check if she was to get anything done.
Nichole ran off and quickly came back with three clay jars. "Sorry. There wasn't anything else."
"It's fine." Jaguar replied simply. As soon as the fires had burnt out she scooped up each pile of ashes and put them into separate jars. Thinking quickly she picked up a charred stick then wrote an R, N, and C on the jar that contained the appropriate powder. After placing them safely in the folds of her jacket and away from the hustle and bustle Jaguar turned to look at what needed to be done. "This is going to be a long night."
~*~
The sun had nearly come up by the time everything was cleaned. All of the blood was gone, the benches were fixed as was the stage and the stench of death had begun to waft away with the wind.
Fifteen tiered bodies plopped down on the wooden benches and relaxed.
"God. When I get back to Thorn's I swear I'll sleep for two days." Nichole groaned, popping her back.
"So would I but we gotta leave. Remember?"
"Damn." The older woman grumbled.
The others looked up at the Hunter who stared back at them, wondering what they wanted. It was Seamus who spoke up.
"Jaguar. We were wonderin' what ye wanted us to do."
"What do ya mean?" The Hunter asked, truly confused.
"Well we've been livin' under Cú for awhile and we don't know anything else."
"Go back to your families." Jaguar replied.
"Some of us don't have them." A girl replied sullenly. The Hunter looked at her and thought seriously for a moment, knowing full well what happened to their families.
"Then find someone that you know, friends, and stay with them."
"Can't some of us come with you?" Someone else piped up.
"Why me?" Jaguar asked.
"Because..." A teenage boy started but trailed off as he realized he didn't truly have an answer.
Jaguar raised an eyebrow, thinking again. "Let me think about it. I have to go finish some thing up and when I get back I'll give you an answer. If I say yes or no you should still go and get your things."
"What about Cú's house?" The girl from earlier asked.
"Good question." Jaguar replied. She scratched her chin. "I dunno. There are a lot of things in there that could be dangerous if it fell into the wrong hands."
"Like the **Metahari**." Someone replied absentmindedly.
"Who?"
"The coven that Cú was in." Nichole replied.
"Shit. And I didn't know this why?" Jaguar demanded, more to herself then anyone.
"Not everyone knew. How the hell did you know Jacky?" Nichole looked at the one that had brought it up.
"Umm..." The young girl gulped at being in the spotlight. "I had overheard him talking to someone else in his coven."
"Did you catch his name?"
"Desmond. Desmond...something or other."
"Desmond Cuutilini?" Jaguar asked.
"Yeah."
"Great." Jaguar grumbled. "You know how dangerous they are? These **Metahari**?"
"Supposedly real dangerous."
"Who knew about it?"
"In our clan? Other then Cú there was Dredge, Ryan and...Arabella."
"Well. Dredge is dead. I saw to that. Ryan and Arabella must have got off when they saw Cú die. Fuck." Jaguar leaned back. "Well now I got another group to find. Great!"
"You don't have to do it right at this second Rebecca. They aren't planning anything."
"How do you know, Nikky?"
"Because I was someone else that knew about them." The woman replied quietly.
"What?"
"I was another person that knew about them." She lifted up her shirt to show a mark that would normally be hidden. It was an eye inside a pentagram. "This is the mark of the **Metahari**."
"Can we even trust you?" Jacky asked.
"I've seen what they do. And I don't want to be apart of it anymore."
"What about that mark?" Someone snarled.
"It'll be a constant reminder of the fuck up I had become."
"All right." Jaguar raised her voice above other protests to stem them, cutting her friend some slack. But she threw her a 'we are going to talk' look, which Nichole nodded to. "I'll take the things from Cú's house that we'll need to look for the **Metahari** then after that burn the house."
"Won't people notice?"
"The house is far from town. I don't think they will, but if they do then we'll just make it up. For now just get what you'll need and we'll meet up with you later."
They all silently agreed and split up. Jaguar retrieved her jacket and together she and Nichole made their way back to Thorn's house. They noticed as they walked up the front walk way the lights were out and the Mystery Machine was still in the driveway. "Guess the gang's stayin' over again." The blonde noticed. The two quickly walked up the front door. Thankfully it was still unlocked so they snuck in, closed the door silently and moved upstairs. Inside the room they flopped down on the beds. "Now the fun begins."
~*~
Scooby, Shaggy and the others were fast asleep, curled up in blankets on the floor, couch or chair. Thorn, Dusk and Luna were upstairs in Thorn's room asleep.
Or at least Thorn was trying to get to sleep but her mind was wondering greatly. Why couldn't she remember anything of today? The last thing she could recall was falling asleep upstairs. Usually she remembered a concert day but for some reason she was drawing a blank.
And what was wrong with Jaguar? The woman seemed distant, almost haunted, for lack of a better term. There was something that her love wasn't telling her and she wanted to know what it was. But would the Hunter ever tell her?
The singer stopped her pondering when she heard footsteps outside her door. Getting up and quietly exiting she noticed a light under Jaguar's door. Creeping towards it she knocked softly. There was a quick shuffling of something then silence before the door opened to show Jaguar.
"Thorn? What is it?"
"I just wanted to see if you were all right?"
"Yeah. Umm," The Hunter gazed back behind her to Nichole who nodded somberly. "Thorn we gotta talk."
"Can't this wait till,"
"No. No it can't." Jaguar replied.
"All right." The two stepped out into the hall, Jaguar closing the door behind her and crossed to Thorn's room. Inside Thorn sat on the bed as the blonde leaned against the door, eyes down cast and body stiff.
"Jaguar? What is it? You've been acting really strange. And where have you been the past couple hours?" Thorn's voice was low as not to wake her friends.
"I was working somewhere. But that's not what I want to talk to you about." The Hunter let out a deep breath and crossed the floor to sit next to her girlfriend. 'This ain't goin' to be easy.' Letting out a deep breath the woman began, praying to any God to make this easy. "Thorn. I...care about you and wouldn't do anything to hurt you if I could prevent that." Thorn nodded. "But I know this is going to hurt you and I'm incredibly sorry for it."
Thorn felt her throat constrict at words. 'This is going to hurt if she says it like that.' "What is it?"
Jaguar watched as Thorn steeled herself before diving ahead. "I have to leave."
"All right. When?"
"Well. As soon as all of our things are together and a few more things are done, hopefully before sunset."
"Why?"
"There are things that I have to make up for. I've been running from a lot of things in my life and it's about time that I face them."
"Where will you go?"
"I dunno." Jaguar turned away from Thorn, wincing and leaned forward. The wince didn't fall on blind eyes but Thorn had other things on her mind. "I'm going to go bur-visit Rose, Celeb and Nathaniel. Then after that I'll be trying to redeem myself."
"For what?"
"Like I said, I've done a lot of things in my life Thorn. Things that can never be forgiven and on this little journey I hope I can at least find peace."
Thorn nodded. "Like, will I see you again?"
"Dunno." Jaguar looked down at the ring on her right hand and an idea popped into her head. Slipping it off her own finger she slipped it on to Thorn's right ring finger. "Here. Even if I don't see you for.fifty years," Jaguar joked, trying to lighten the mood slightly. It worked. "You'll have this. Inside there's an inscription that mean 'I'll always be with you.' which is true. No matter where you go you'll always have a part of me with you." Thorn looked down at the simple band. It was a little big for her finger but comfortable. "Ya know. People could get the wrong idea about this." The singer smiled.
Jaguar smiled back. "Yeah well, you're mine. And I'm yours."
Smiling green eyes met warm golden ones. "Don't want it any other way."
~*~
Nichole raised her head from the pillow that it had been lying on and watched a sad but less worried Jaguar walk in.
"Everything set?" The woman yawned. Jaguar smirked at her friend and nodded.
"Yeah. Time to go." They gathered up their bags and walked silently out the door and out of the house. No words were passed between either woman as they made their way to 143 so. Maverick St. Being the still early twilight hours few things stirred except the cool autumn wind and the occasional small animal.
"Hey Becca?" Nichole asked quietly, barely breaking the morning stillness. A grunt from the Hunter was the only given evidence that she was listening. "Where will we go? After we go back to the fort?"
There was a silence that was as quiet as Jaguar's mind was loud. Thoughts were racing around her head, making her dizzy and a headache start to creep up. "I'm going to go to back to China, then England."
"But I thought you didn't ever want to go to those places again."
"I didn't. But I don't want to keep running." The woman looked up at the stars. "Too long I've always had to keep checking over my shoulder to make sure that no one was there, no vengeful spirits wanting to destroy me. Not anymore."
Nichole looked at the younger woman in shock. She never knew the kinds of things that Jaguar went through, none of it showed. Not until now anyways. Golden eyes that usually burned like fire were cold and haunted. Up till now Nichole didn't understand how much last night's fight had taken out of the Hunter until she saw the woman's eyes. If it were true what they said, that eyes are the windows to one's soul, then Jaguar's soul would need a miracle to be saved. 'I hope on this little trip she'll find just that.'
The rest of the way was spent in relative silence, each too busy with their own thoughts to do anything else. Seamus, Jacky and the others were standing outside, looking up at the large house as the two women came up.
"You guys got your stuff outta there?" Jaguar asked.
"Yeah. All that's left is the things that Cú owned." Jacky said.
"'Kay. Wait out here while we go look around." The Hunter replied. The teenagers nodded as she and Nichole made their way up the walk to the front door.
Jaguar took a deep breath and opened the door. Nichole laid a hand on the Hunter's forearm, offering silent support as they stepped inside.
"Here we go." They split up and began a search of the main level. Nothing there except some bills and a few letters from friends. Jaguar copied down the names and addresses of the friends before moving on.
"Find anything Nichole?" Jaguar asked as they met up again.
"Nothing that'll help. Let's check upstairs then down." Jaguar nodded and together the two made their ascent up the flight of stairs. A memory bombarded the Hunter of only a few nights ago when Rose, Nathaniel and Celeb were still with her. Now they were gone, their life fire snuffed out in one of the worst ways. Her wandering mind made the Hunter falter but she quickly caught herself and continued up the stairs. If Nichole noticed the slip she didn't say anything for which Jaguar was grateful. 'I forgot how it was to spend time with her. Five years really is a long time.'
When they reached the top landing they stopped. "I know what's in this room." She pointed to the closest door on the left. "But I don't know what's in the others."
"Well, in those two," Nichole pointed to the two next to the one that Jaguar had indicated. "Those belonged to Arabella and Ryan, that one," She moved to across the hall. "Belongs to me."
"You huh? All right. Go get your things and I'll go check in the study." Jaguar said. Nichole nodded and the two went their separate ways.
The Hunter opened the door and this time instead of seeing an empty room she saw the study in all its glory, or whatever would be left after a small tornado ripped through. Papers were strewn everywhere, chairs and lamps were knocked over and statues were broken.
"Either Ryan or Arabella went through this place, and grabbed everything important or this room just got hit with the world's smallest tornado." Jaguar sighed but decided to look around anyway. Walking over to the desk and began to shift through the debris. Nothing jumped out at her. All there was were bills, notes he made for Aamngreka and just various letters that would help her in no way with finding the Metahari. "Damn." She began to search the bookshelves, cabinets, and anything else but came up with the same results. Nothing. "I knew there was a reason that I didn't like Ryan. Never met Arabella but I don't like her either."
"Guessing you didn't find anything?" Nichole asked as she walked back into the study and set her bag at her feet.
"There's nothing here that can help."
"You wanna check downstairs?"
"Nothin' up here. Might as well." They walked out of the room and down to the basement. There Jaguar took out the brick, put in her own necklace and waited for the door to open. When it did the two were met with a big surprise.
"They didn't touch a thing."
"No. I'm not even sure they could get in."
"Why?"
"Because the one you got...was the only one that Cú gave out."
"Then how did Ryan get in here earlier?"
"Got locked in. The dude was pissing me off so I decided to keep him in there."
"God Nikky." Jaguar smirked.
"What do we do?"
"Get everything that we could use against the **Metahari**." Jaguar replied. The two set to work into getting the things out of the room quickly. Nichole began to grab the books and items that she knew would help with the Metahari as Jaguar searched for other things.
That was when she came upon the wall of cages. Some of the animals were simply rats, bats, cats, and couple dogs, nothing big. But a few of the animals weren't normal. Some were splices of animals in the other cages or animals that few had seen.
"Jesus. These things shouldn't even be alive." Jaguar replied, looking in on one creature. It was gruesome looking, with the snout and body of a cat, ears of a dog and tail of what looked to be a fox.
"What are we going to do with them?" Nichole asked.
"The regulars we'll simply set free but the rest of them...we'll keep them here and, well,"
"Kill them." Nichole finished.
"Yeah. These things shouldn't be alive. Even look at some of them. They're suffering."
"All right." The other woman nodded. "You're right."
"Take the bags upstairs while I start stacking these cages outta here." Nichole nodded, grabbing the bags and moving upstairs while Jaguar took the cages and loaded them outside.
'Jaguar.'
The Hunter stopped dead in her tracks and looked around.
'Jaguar.'
"No. No." She shook her head and worked faster to get everything outside. She didn't need this now.
'You can never run from me Jaguar. I'll always be with you.' The voice said.
"Leave me alone. I don't want you here."
'I'm never leaving you. I'm apart of you.'
"You may be apart of me. But that doesn't mean it'll stay like that."
'You can never get rid of me. You do and you will die.'
"I die. You die. No big deal."
'We die so you spend all eternity in Limbo.'
"But you spend all eternity in hell. Nice trade off in my opinion."
"Jaguar?" The Hunter turned to see Nichole.
"What?"
"You're talking to yourself."
Jaguar smirked. "I know. Come on. We gotta hurry up. Don't want everyone to see the bon fire that we're about to create."
~*~
When all of the cargo had been placed out of the house Jaguar and Nichole set to work on burning it up. The flames flew high and was a sure bet that someone from town would see them.
But just incase someone came then the students would hide with the bags while Jaguar and Nichole watched over the blaze, making sure it never strayed too far.
The two werewolves looked up at the orange and red pillar as it destroyed the vile home. On the winds that were sweeping over the grass the two could almost here the howls of the animals that had been left inside. It made their hearts tug and break but it was for the best...right?
Right.
"What now Rebecca?" Nichole asked once the flames had begun to shrink.
Jaguar was silent for a moment, trying to decide before taking a breath. "We clean this up then leave."
"That it, huh? Thought there'd be more."
"Nope." Jaguar gruffed.
They stayed in silence until the flames were completely burned out and all that was left was ash.
"I was thinking we'd use a wind spell. Just blow all this away." Nichole suggested.
"No. Just let them take care of it. We gotta go."
Nichole nodded and together the two gathered up the things that they had taken and moved over to where the other changelings had been hiding.
"Ready to go?" Nichole asked. The kids, teenagers and assorted young adults nodded.
As she looked at the Jaguar realized that the oldest person in the group was no more then 24, which was Nichole. But she herself was the leader; a twenty-year-old Hunter with more baggage on her shoulders then an airport. How was she supposed to find these kids homes and keep them alive until she does?
Jaguar turned back to look at the wreckage. Determination took place of the fear and uncertainty. "I'll do it anyway I can." Came the quiet reply. "Let's go guys." She said. With quiet but calm chatter the band of changelings picked up their things and walked to the outskirts of town and from there...the world.
~*~
Scooby and Shaggy devoured their breakfast so quickly the others feared that they would choke but as always the duo cleaned up every single crumb and graced the others with a rumbling belch.
"Ahh. That was, like, tasty. Right Scooby?" Shaggy asked, patting his bulging stomach.
"Reah." Scooby licked his lips then burped again. "Roh! Ruse re." He laughed.
"It still amazes me how much you two can eat." Mr. McKnight laughed along with the others.
"Well with as tasty as food as that it's just, like, begging to be eaten." Shaggy offered with a smile.
After lunch Freddy helped Thorn and Dusk to clean as the others started to pack up.
"Hey Thorn. Can you, like, hand me that dishtowel?" Dusk asked.
"Sure." Thorn handed her friend the towel. That was when Dusk caught sight of the ring.
"Whoa. Where did you get that gold, Thorn?"
"Oh umm." Thorn smiled.
"Hey. Wasn't Jaguar wearing a ring that looked like that?" Freddy asked as he put up a stack of plates.
"Yeah. She asked me to wear it."
"Where did she go? I didn't see her, Nathaniel or anyone else of their group this morning."
"Rose, Celeb and Nathaniel had already left earlier and Jaguar and Nichole...just left." Thorn replied sadly.
Dusk cocked her head at her friend's sadness. "You going to be okay Thorn? You and Jaguar were pretty close."
"Yeah. I'll be fine." The raven-haired woman offered a smile. Dusk and Freddy accepted it and turned back to cleaning up. Thorn looked out the window towards the town. The ring on her finger was slightly heavy and warm and the singer couldn't help but smile and think of what she and Jaguar had said about it.
'You're mine. And I'm yours.' Thorn smile grew sad as she thought that she might never see her love again but at the same time she knew that fate wouldn't allow their paths to stray to far from each other.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~*~*
So that's the last chapter! Or is it? Okay no it's not. I'll have the next, and last, chapter up soon.
Until then review and tell me what you thought about this chapter.
C-ya later!
AUTHOR: IrishTomboy@attbi.com
RATING: R
PAIRING: Thorn/OC, Daphne/Freddy (of course)
DISCLAMIER: I own none of them except Jaguar and Cú and anyone else that aren't part of the original Scooby-verse, though I wish I did.
FEEDBACK: Welcome
WARNING: If love between two women bothers you then get out NOW!
Also. If you see any words encase by these ** ** it means that the person is speaking in a different language.
Jaguar took the piece of chalk from her bag and drew a large circle on the hard wood floor, leaving a small space open. "Everyone. Get inside the circle and don't touch the chalk." The Hunter sat down on the nearest chair, pulling out a spell book and glancing once more over the page. Her limbs felt like lead and she would have like nothing more to sleep and never wake up but she knew that she owed it to all of them that they were relieved of tonight's horrors.
This night had been hard. A battle of both strength and wills. One look at the others made Jaguar sure that, though tiered, they had won. What made the blonde envious was that she had lost the battle of wills. She had succumbed to her blood lust and almost killed her friend and her lover.
'More nightmares to plague me, I guess.' Jaguar thought dryly. 'It's not like you don't deserve them. How many times did you fuck up in your life?' She shook her head, dispelling the anger and refocused tiered eyes on the page.
That was when she felt a warm hand on her forearm. Looking up she saw Thorn.
"Thorn? What's wrong?"
"Jaguar. I've been thinking and...and I don't want to forget."
"What?"
"I don't want you to erase my memory or anything like that."
"Are you nuts? You don't want these nightmares." Jaguar replied.
Thorn chewed her bottom lip for a second. "I don't care. This was an important night for the both of us Jaguar. I got to see both sides of the woman that I love."
The last sentence threw Jaguar for a loop. Sure she had heard it while fighting but she wasn't really focused on what Thorn was saying, just that she was saying something.
"Thorn. Please. I don't have the energy to fight but if I have to I'll drag you into the circle myself." Jaguar growled, enforcing into her voice that she was in no mood to argue.
Thorn looked hurt but nodded and walked into the circle. Nichole closed the circle and walked over to Jaguar. She handed the blonde a small talisman.
"You might want to ware this. The others are going to start the spell soon. I don't know when but I know it's going to be soon."
"Okay." Jaguar nodded.
"If the spells going to be done to the whole town then why are you doing it to us?" Freddy asked.
"Because," Jaguar stood, wincing at the throbbing in her stomach. "I'm not sure how good the spell will be and I want to make sure that you guys above anyone else," 'Good job following the Code!' "Is free." She rummaged through her bag for a moment before pulling out a dagger, a candle, two small bowls and an incense burner. "Nichole. Go get me some dirt and water."
Nichole took the bowls and dashed off as Jaguar reached into her pocket and took out a miniature compass. Checking it quickly she found the four cardinal directions, put the compass away and placed the candle on the south point of the circle. "Smaek." A small spark bounced from her fingertip to the wick and the candle glowed softly. Taking the burner she lit the incenses, set that in the eastern point then backed away. Nichole came back quickly and placed the water in the western point then the dirt in the northern.
"Ready?" Nichole asked.
Jaguar let out a deep breath and nodded. She grabbed the dagger, stood with it strait out in front of her and began to walk clockwise around the circle, focusing her energy on strengthening it. Nichole joined in as well, so that when they were finished their trained eyes could make out the gold and dark blue auras. The Hunter took a deep breath and stood near the small bowl of dirt.
"**Alun. Goddess of Serenity. Sotawon. God of Protection. Versona. Goddess of the Dream World. Wipe away the nightmares of those that hath seen them. Give them thy peace where horrors would destroy them. Lay a spell upon their minds to protect them.** Horcat meran so la. **Protect them and let them know thy power.**" Both Jaguar and Nichole's voices were strong and bounced off all the walls as they finished the chant.
The group inside the circle looked around as they felt something tickle their minds. Like a thunderbolt a feeling of nothing struck them, followed by sweet comfort as the memories of that night disappeared. They slipped to the ground, eyes glazed over and goofy smiles on all their faces.
At that moment Jaguar and Nichole felt something try to get them but their talismans began to glow and protected them from the spell. The two took a breath and began to walk counter clockwise around the circle, pulling back the energy into themselves. Jaguar felt slightly light headed, as did Nichole but both ignored it and quickly cleaned everything up and put it away.
"So they won't remember anything of tonight?"
"No. And they won't remember anything that I had told them before tonight of Cú, Aamngreka or any of that." Nichole nodded.
As soon as they had gotten everything put up and changed so their bandages weren't visible the group began to come out of their trance and were looking around.
"What happened? How did we get here?"
"What do you mean?"
"The last thing I remember is going to sleep at the hotel." Freddy replied.
"Well you guys, we had gone to the festival and had such a good time I guess everything just flew by and before you knew it we were here." Jaguar replied easily, hoping they took the lie.
Most believed it, not sure what else to take, but Velma didn't seem convinced. Thankfully though she didn't say anything and Jaguar had a feeling that she wouldn't.
'I don't have a lot of time to waste. I have to go and clean everything up and by this time tomorrow I'll be,'
"Does anyone want something to drink or eat?"
"Yeah." Everyone said as one.
Thorn turned to Jaguar. "Jaguar. Will you help me?"
"Uhh...sure." The Hunter stood, biting back wince that wanted to rise, and followed her girlfriend into the kitchen. As soon as they were out of sight Thorn turned and looked at Jaguar. "Are you all right Jaguar? You look out of it."
"I'm fine, love. Just tiered is all."
"If your sure?"
"Yes. Now come on. We got some hungry friends that want food." They began to bustle around the kitchen. As Jaguar put the water on the stove Thorn piped up again.
"Hey. Where are Celeb, Nathaniel and Rose?"
Jaguar stopped. Momentarily her mind was flooded with Nathaniel's death and she almost dropped the teakettle but she quickly brought herself back. "They umm...h-had to back home."
"Really? I'm going to miss them."
"So am I." The Hunter replied sullenly. She closed her eyes and willed away the tears that wanted to break free.
Thorn noticed the change in her love's actions and walked over to her. Wrapping her arms around her waist and pulling her close she made the woman look at her; oblivious to Thorn was that she was rubbing against the wound that she herself gave the taller woman not seven hours ago. "Jaguar. Somethin' is seriously wrong. What is it? I want you to trust me."
"I can't Thorn. Not right now. Maybe never." With that Jaguar pulled from Thorn's arms and went back to work. Thorn stared at the woman, but seeing that she'd get nothing decided to go back to work, hoping that Jaguar would be able to talk to her.
"Hey! What's taking so long in there?" Freddy called.
"We're coming!" Thorn yelled back. She placed the sandwiches on the tray as Jaguar filled cups full of hot water then cocoa mix then placed the drinks on another tray and both walked out. The minute the trays were set down everyone dove for food. "Relax guys. We can make more."
"Yeah. But, like, we're really hungry." Shaggy replied.
"You're always hungry Shaggy." Freddy laughed. The group lapsed into comfortable silence, each mouth too full of food or drink to do anything else.
Nichole and Jaguar pulled away from the rest of the group.
"How are you holding up?" Jaguar asked.
"Fine. 'Cuz I'm not the one that got stabbed, fried and nearly killed all in one night."
"Hey. It wasn't orthodox but it was effective."
"When have you ever been orthodox?" Nichole countered playfully. Jaguar only shrugged good-naturedly and turned to look at the others.
"At least they're safe. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to any of them."
"Especially Thorn."
"Yeah." They too lapsed into silence and watched. The two knew that this would be the last time they saw the group for a long time, maybe forever. Who knew? The only thing they did was that they had to leave tonight. "Come on. We gotta get packed then make it out to the site to clean up. I wanna cremate Rose, Celeb and Nathaniel then take them back to their home." Nichole nodded. They stole away upstairs and no one noticed their departure. It wasn't long before they crept back downstairs and stood by the door. Jaguar leaned against the doorway and sighed. "It ain't goin' to be easy to say good bye."
"Then don't."
"But I just can't pick up and leave." Jaguar snapped back quietly.
"Make up your mind all ready, jeez." Nichole threw her hands into the air in mock anger. While her hands dropped to the sides a figure moved into the hallway, scaring the two werewolves.
"Sorry to scare you guys." Daphne smiled. "What are you doing here?"
The two looked at each other then the red headed woman. "Uhh," But they weren't able to say anything as Daphne spoke again.
"Where are you guys going?"
"Now or never Becca." Nichole whispered under her breath.
"Wish I could op for the latter." The blonde whispered back before turning to Daphne. "Nichole and I gotta...go...see someone." Nichole slapped her forehead.
"This late at night?"
"Yes. Well they won't be here tomorrow." Nichole added easily.
"Oh. Well all right. See ya guys later." Daphne walked back into the front room.
Jaguar and Nichole stared after her in stupefied shock. "Becca. Is...brainlessness an after effect of the spell?"
"I think so Nichole. God I hope so." The two snuck outside and silently they made their way to the outskirts of the town then to the concert grounds. It had been roped off from the entire town. On first glance it would look as if no one was guarding it but in the bushes and trees the two werewolves made out the outlines of a few changelings that were looking out in the shadows.
Nodding to them Jaguar and Nichole stepped over the ropes and made their way to the center of the earlier carnage. The place smelled strongly of rotting flesh and bugs were all ready starting to feast on the mutilated corpses. The two set their bags down on a clear part of ground and inspected everything that was going on. A few of the changelings from earlier was trying their hardest to clean up the gore and fix everything but most were still beginners. The few that were quite skilled had their hands full trying to keep the less skilled from bumbling things.
A teenager, looking to be twenty winters, turned and trotted up to them. He had short-cropped red hair and large green eyes and he seemed friendly enough Jaguar thought.
"Hello Seamus." Nichole nodded.
"Top o' the evenin' to ye Nichole." The boy's accent left little to the imagination where he was originally from. Jaguar noted his lean form and the faint freckles across his face. The Hunter also noted that the emerald orbs were now focused intently on her.
"What?"
"Ye 're the famous Jaguar?"
"Didn't know I was famous?"
"O' course ye are. Famous as Cú was but where he was famous for bein' cruel, ye are famous for bein' helpful."
"Helpful?"
"Yes. You're really well known for all ye've done."
"And what have I done that is so great?" Jaguar asked. She didn't usually like people giving her credit, that's not why she became a Hunter. 'And you don't like it because you don't deserve it.' The Hunter sighed inwardly. 'Yeah. That too.'
Seamus' voice cut through to her. "Well ye bein' the only one smart 'nough to actually leave this hell is a good start."
"I wasn't smart. I just wanted to survive. Now if you'll excuse me. I got work to do." She brushed past him and walked towards the tattered stage.
Nichole noticed that Seamus looked hurt. She knew that the boy had a crush on the blonde woman and that little bite had been a strike to his heart. "Don't think anything of it Seamus. She's just under a lot of pressure right now."
"Ye think I got a chance Nichole?"
Nichole sighed and shook her head. "No. She's got someone and besides...she's battin' for the other team." The redhead looked at her confused but Nichole didn't feel like elaborating at the moment so she went to join her friend. The woman was all ready beginning three small fires that were undoubtedly the remains of Rose, Celeb and Nathaniel. Nichole stopped far enough away from Jaguar to give her space but close enough to examine her. The golden eyes looked at the three fires with a wash of emotions that changed so fast it made the Nichole's head spin. Broad shoulders were stiff as their owner hunched close to the flames, whispering a final prayer to the three long departed souls.
Jaguar fought back the tears that had wanted to fall for some time now. She had failed one again. She had also broken a promise. 'I'm sorry Alanna. I had promised to look after your sister and brother but I failed. And I'm sorry Dirk. Your only son is dead though I had sworn to watch over him.' Jaguar bowed her head and asked that the Gods bless the spirits of the three that had traveled with her and the spirits of the village that had been lost four years ago.
Nichole, seeing that the woman was done, or at least close to it, decided to step closer. She hesitantly set her hand on the Hunter's shoulder. "Jaguar?"
"What Nichole?"
"You want me to get some jars for their ashes?"
Jaguar only nodded, never taking her eyes off of the flames at all. Her heart was cracking but she knew that she had to keep her emotions in check if she was to get anything done.
Nichole ran off and quickly came back with three clay jars. "Sorry. There wasn't anything else."
"It's fine." Jaguar replied simply. As soon as the fires had burnt out she scooped up each pile of ashes and put them into separate jars. Thinking quickly she picked up a charred stick then wrote an R, N, and C on the jar that contained the appropriate powder. After placing them safely in the folds of her jacket and away from the hustle and bustle Jaguar turned to look at what needed to be done. "This is going to be a long night."
~*~
The sun had nearly come up by the time everything was cleaned. All of the blood was gone, the benches were fixed as was the stage and the stench of death had begun to waft away with the wind.
Fifteen tiered bodies plopped down on the wooden benches and relaxed.
"God. When I get back to Thorn's I swear I'll sleep for two days." Nichole groaned, popping her back.
"So would I but we gotta leave. Remember?"
"Damn." The older woman grumbled.
The others looked up at the Hunter who stared back at them, wondering what they wanted. It was Seamus who spoke up.
"Jaguar. We were wonderin' what ye wanted us to do."
"What do ya mean?" The Hunter asked, truly confused.
"Well we've been livin' under Cú for awhile and we don't know anything else."
"Go back to your families." Jaguar replied.
"Some of us don't have them." A girl replied sullenly. The Hunter looked at her and thought seriously for a moment, knowing full well what happened to their families.
"Then find someone that you know, friends, and stay with them."
"Can't some of us come with you?" Someone else piped up.
"Why me?" Jaguar asked.
"Because..." A teenage boy started but trailed off as he realized he didn't truly have an answer.
Jaguar raised an eyebrow, thinking again. "Let me think about it. I have to go finish some thing up and when I get back I'll give you an answer. If I say yes or no you should still go and get your things."
"What about Cú's house?" The girl from earlier asked.
"Good question." Jaguar replied. She scratched her chin. "I dunno. There are a lot of things in there that could be dangerous if it fell into the wrong hands."
"Like the **Metahari**." Someone replied absentmindedly.
"Who?"
"The coven that Cú was in." Nichole replied.
"Shit. And I didn't know this why?" Jaguar demanded, more to herself then anyone.
"Not everyone knew. How the hell did you know Jacky?" Nichole looked at the one that had brought it up.
"Umm..." The young girl gulped at being in the spotlight. "I had overheard him talking to someone else in his coven."
"Did you catch his name?"
"Desmond. Desmond...something or other."
"Desmond Cuutilini?" Jaguar asked.
"Yeah."
"Great." Jaguar grumbled. "You know how dangerous they are? These **Metahari**?"
"Supposedly real dangerous."
"Who knew about it?"
"In our clan? Other then Cú there was Dredge, Ryan and...Arabella."
"Well. Dredge is dead. I saw to that. Ryan and Arabella must have got off when they saw Cú die. Fuck." Jaguar leaned back. "Well now I got another group to find. Great!"
"You don't have to do it right at this second Rebecca. They aren't planning anything."
"How do you know, Nikky?"
"Because I was someone else that knew about them." The woman replied quietly.
"What?"
"I was another person that knew about them." She lifted up her shirt to show a mark that would normally be hidden. It was an eye inside a pentagram. "This is the mark of the **Metahari**."
"Can we even trust you?" Jacky asked.
"I've seen what they do. And I don't want to be apart of it anymore."
"What about that mark?" Someone snarled.
"It'll be a constant reminder of the fuck up I had become."
"All right." Jaguar raised her voice above other protests to stem them, cutting her friend some slack. But she threw her a 'we are going to talk' look, which Nichole nodded to. "I'll take the things from Cú's house that we'll need to look for the **Metahari** then after that burn the house."
"Won't people notice?"
"The house is far from town. I don't think they will, but if they do then we'll just make it up. For now just get what you'll need and we'll meet up with you later."
They all silently agreed and split up. Jaguar retrieved her jacket and together she and Nichole made their way back to Thorn's house. They noticed as they walked up the front walk way the lights were out and the Mystery Machine was still in the driveway. "Guess the gang's stayin' over again." The blonde noticed. The two quickly walked up the front door. Thankfully it was still unlocked so they snuck in, closed the door silently and moved upstairs. Inside the room they flopped down on the beds. "Now the fun begins."
~*~
Scooby, Shaggy and the others were fast asleep, curled up in blankets on the floor, couch or chair. Thorn, Dusk and Luna were upstairs in Thorn's room asleep.
Or at least Thorn was trying to get to sleep but her mind was wondering greatly. Why couldn't she remember anything of today? The last thing she could recall was falling asleep upstairs. Usually she remembered a concert day but for some reason she was drawing a blank.
And what was wrong with Jaguar? The woman seemed distant, almost haunted, for lack of a better term. There was something that her love wasn't telling her and she wanted to know what it was. But would the Hunter ever tell her?
The singer stopped her pondering when she heard footsteps outside her door. Getting up and quietly exiting she noticed a light under Jaguar's door. Creeping towards it she knocked softly. There was a quick shuffling of something then silence before the door opened to show Jaguar.
"Thorn? What is it?"
"I just wanted to see if you were all right?"
"Yeah. Umm," The Hunter gazed back behind her to Nichole who nodded somberly. "Thorn we gotta talk."
"Can't this wait till,"
"No. No it can't." Jaguar replied.
"All right." The two stepped out into the hall, Jaguar closing the door behind her and crossed to Thorn's room. Inside Thorn sat on the bed as the blonde leaned against the door, eyes down cast and body stiff.
"Jaguar? What is it? You've been acting really strange. And where have you been the past couple hours?" Thorn's voice was low as not to wake her friends.
"I was working somewhere. But that's not what I want to talk to you about." The Hunter let out a deep breath and crossed the floor to sit next to her girlfriend. 'This ain't goin' to be easy.' Letting out a deep breath the woman began, praying to any God to make this easy. "Thorn. I...care about you and wouldn't do anything to hurt you if I could prevent that." Thorn nodded. "But I know this is going to hurt you and I'm incredibly sorry for it."
Thorn felt her throat constrict at words. 'This is going to hurt if she says it like that.' "What is it?"
Jaguar watched as Thorn steeled herself before diving ahead. "I have to leave."
"All right. When?"
"Well. As soon as all of our things are together and a few more things are done, hopefully before sunset."
"Why?"
"There are things that I have to make up for. I've been running from a lot of things in my life and it's about time that I face them."
"Where will you go?"
"I dunno." Jaguar turned away from Thorn, wincing and leaned forward. The wince didn't fall on blind eyes but Thorn had other things on her mind. "I'm going to go bur-visit Rose, Celeb and Nathaniel. Then after that I'll be trying to redeem myself."
"For what?"
"Like I said, I've done a lot of things in my life Thorn. Things that can never be forgiven and on this little journey I hope I can at least find peace."
Thorn nodded. "Like, will I see you again?"
"Dunno." Jaguar looked down at the ring on her right hand and an idea popped into her head. Slipping it off her own finger she slipped it on to Thorn's right ring finger. "Here. Even if I don't see you for.fifty years," Jaguar joked, trying to lighten the mood slightly. It worked. "You'll have this. Inside there's an inscription that mean 'I'll always be with you.' which is true. No matter where you go you'll always have a part of me with you." Thorn looked down at the simple band. It was a little big for her finger but comfortable. "Ya know. People could get the wrong idea about this." The singer smiled.
Jaguar smiled back. "Yeah well, you're mine. And I'm yours."
Smiling green eyes met warm golden ones. "Don't want it any other way."
~*~
Nichole raised her head from the pillow that it had been lying on and watched a sad but less worried Jaguar walk in.
"Everything set?" The woman yawned. Jaguar smirked at her friend and nodded.
"Yeah. Time to go." They gathered up their bags and walked silently out the door and out of the house. No words were passed between either woman as they made their way to 143 so. Maverick St. Being the still early twilight hours few things stirred except the cool autumn wind and the occasional small animal.
"Hey Becca?" Nichole asked quietly, barely breaking the morning stillness. A grunt from the Hunter was the only given evidence that she was listening. "Where will we go? After we go back to the fort?"
There was a silence that was as quiet as Jaguar's mind was loud. Thoughts were racing around her head, making her dizzy and a headache start to creep up. "I'm going to go to back to China, then England."
"But I thought you didn't ever want to go to those places again."
"I didn't. But I don't want to keep running." The woman looked up at the stars. "Too long I've always had to keep checking over my shoulder to make sure that no one was there, no vengeful spirits wanting to destroy me. Not anymore."
Nichole looked at the younger woman in shock. She never knew the kinds of things that Jaguar went through, none of it showed. Not until now anyways. Golden eyes that usually burned like fire were cold and haunted. Up till now Nichole didn't understand how much last night's fight had taken out of the Hunter until she saw the woman's eyes. If it were true what they said, that eyes are the windows to one's soul, then Jaguar's soul would need a miracle to be saved. 'I hope on this little trip she'll find just that.'
The rest of the way was spent in relative silence, each too busy with their own thoughts to do anything else. Seamus, Jacky and the others were standing outside, looking up at the large house as the two women came up.
"You guys got your stuff outta there?" Jaguar asked.
"Yeah. All that's left is the things that Cú owned." Jacky said.
"'Kay. Wait out here while we go look around." The Hunter replied. The teenagers nodded as she and Nichole made their way up the walk to the front door.
Jaguar took a deep breath and opened the door. Nichole laid a hand on the Hunter's forearm, offering silent support as they stepped inside.
"Here we go." They split up and began a search of the main level. Nothing there except some bills and a few letters from friends. Jaguar copied down the names and addresses of the friends before moving on.
"Find anything Nichole?" Jaguar asked as they met up again.
"Nothing that'll help. Let's check upstairs then down." Jaguar nodded and together the two made their ascent up the flight of stairs. A memory bombarded the Hunter of only a few nights ago when Rose, Nathaniel and Celeb were still with her. Now they were gone, their life fire snuffed out in one of the worst ways. Her wandering mind made the Hunter falter but she quickly caught herself and continued up the stairs. If Nichole noticed the slip she didn't say anything for which Jaguar was grateful. 'I forgot how it was to spend time with her. Five years really is a long time.'
When they reached the top landing they stopped. "I know what's in this room." She pointed to the closest door on the left. "But I don't know what's in the others."
"Well, in those two," Nichole pointed to the two next to the one that Jaguar had indicated. "Those belonged to Arabella and Ryan, that one," She moved to across the hall. "Belongs to me."
"You huh? All right. Go get your things and I'll go check in the study." Jaguar said. Nichole nodded and the two went their separate ways.
The Hunter opened the door and this time instead of seeing an empty room she saw the study in all its glory, or whatever would be left after a small tornado ripped through. Papers were strewn everywhere, chairs and lamps were knocked over and statues were broken.
"Either Ryan or Arabella went through this place, and grabbed everything important or this room just got hit with the world's smallest tornado." Jaguar sighed but decided to look around anyway. Walking over to the desk and began to shift through the debris. Nothing jumped out at her. All there was were bills, notes he made for Aamngreka and just various letters that would help her in no way with finding the Metahari. "Damn." She began to search the bookshelves, cabinets, and anything else but came up with the same results. Nothing. "I knew there was a reason that I didn't like Ryan. Never met Arabella but I don't like her either."
"Guessing you didn't find anything?" Nichole asked as she walked back into the study and set her bag at her feet.
"There's nothing here that can help."
"You wanna check downstairs?"
"Nothin' up here. Might as well." They walked out of the room and down to the basement. There Jaguar took out the brick, put in her own necklace and waited for the door to open. When it did the two were met with a big surprise.
"They didn't touch a thing."
"No. I'm not even sure they could get in."
"Why?"
"Because the one you got...was the only one that Cú gave out."
"Then how did Ryan get in here earlier?"
"Got locked in. The dude was pissing me off so I decided to keep him in there."
"God Nikky." Jaguar smirked.
"What do we do?"
"Get everything that we could use against the **Metahari**." Jaguar replied. The two set to work into getting the things out of the room quickly. Nichole began to grab the books and items that she knew would help with the Metahari as Jaguar searched for other things.
That was when she came upon the wall of cages. Some of the animals were simply rats, bats, cats, and couple dogs, nothing big. But a few of the animals weren't normal. Some were splices of animals in the other cages or animals that few had seen.
"Jesus. These things shouldn't even be alive." Jaguar replied, looking in on one creature. It was gruesome looking, with the snout and body of a cat, ears of a dog and tail of what looked to be a fox.
"What are we going to do with them?" Nichole asked.
"The regulars we'll simply set free but the rest of them...we'll keep them here and, well,"
"Kill them." Nichole finished.
"Yeah. These things shouldn't be alive. Even look at some of them. They're suffering."
"All right." The other woman nodded. "You're right."
"Take the bags upstairs while I start stacking these cages outta here." Nichole nodded, grabbing the bags and moving upstairs while Jaguar took the cages and loaded them outside.
'Jaguar.'
The Hunter stopped dead in her tracks and looked around.
'Jaguar.'
"No. No." She shook her head and worked faster to get everything outside. She didn't need this now.
'You can never run from me Jaguar. I'll always be with you.' The voice said.
"Leave me alone. I don't want you here."
'I'm never leaving you. I'm apart of you.'
"You may be apart of me. But that doesn't mean it'll stay like that."
'You can never get rid of me. You do and you will die.'
"I die. You die. No big deal."
'We die so you spend all eternity in Limbo.'
"But you spend all eternity in hell. Nice trade off in my opinion."
"Jaguar?" The Hunter turned to see Nichole.
"What?"
"You're talking to yourself."
Jaguar smirked. "I know. Come on. We gotta hurry up. Don't want everyone to see the bon fire that we're about to create."
~*~
When all of the cargo had been placed out of the house Jaguar and Nichole set to work on burning it up. The flames flew high and was a sure bet that someone from town would see them.
But just incase someone came then the students would hide with the bags while Jaguar and Nichole watched over the blaze, making sure it never strayed too far.
The two werewolves looked up at the orange and red pillar as it destroyed the vile home. On the winds that were sweeping over the grass the two could almost here the howls of the animals that had been left inside. It made their hearts tug and break but it was for the best...right?
Right.
"What now Rebecca?" Nichole asked once the flames had begun to shrink.
Jaguar was silent for a moment, trying to decide before taking a breath. "We clean this up then leave."
"That it, huh? Thought there'd be more."
"Nope." Jaguar gruffed.
They stayed in silence until the flames were completely burned out and all that was left was ash.
"I was thinking we'd use a wind spell. Just blow all this away." Nichole suggested.
"No. Just let them take care of it. We gotta go."
Nichole nodded and together the two gathered up the things that they had taken and moved over to where the other changelings had been hiding.
"Ready to go?" Nichole asked. The kids, teenagers and assorted young adults nodded.
As she looked at the Jaguar realized that the oldest person in the group was no more then 24, which was Nichole. But she herself was the leader; a twenty-year-old Hunter with more baggage on her shoulders then an airport. How was she supposed to find these kids homes and keep them alive until she does?
Jaguar turned back to look at the wreckage. Determination took place of the fear and uncertainty. "I'll do it anyway I can." Came the quiet reply. "Let's go guys." She said. With quiet but calm chatter the band of changelings picked up their things and walked to the outskirts of town and from there...the world.
~*~
Scooby and Shaggy devoured their breakfast so quickly the others feared that they would choke but as always the duo cleaned up every single crumb and graced the others with a rumbling belch.
"Ahh. That was, like, tasty. Right Scooby?" Shaggy asked, patting his bulging stomach.
"Reah." Scooby licked his lips then burped again. "Roh! Ruse re." He laughed.
"It still amazes me how much you two can eat." Mr. McKnight laughed along with the others.
"Well with as tasty as food as that it's just, like, begging to be eaten." Shaggy offered with a smile.
After lunch Freddy helped Thorn and Dusk to clean as the others started to pack up.
"Hey Thorn. Can you, like, hand me that dishtowel?" Dusk asked.
"Sure." Thorn handed her friend the towel. That was when Dusk caught sight of the ring.
"Whoa. Where did you get that gold, Thorn?"
"Oh umm." Thorn smiled.
"Hey. Wasn't Jaguar wearing a ring that looked like that?" Freddy asked as he put up a stack of plates.
"Yeah. She asked me to wear it."
"Where did she go? I didn't see her, Nathaniel or anyone else of their group this morning."
"Rose, Celeb and Nathaniel had already left earlier and Jaguar and Nichole...just left." Thorn replied sadly.
Dusk cocked her head at her friend's sadness. "You going to be okay Thorn? You and Jaguar were pretty close."
"Yeah. I'll be fine." The raven-haired woman offered a smile. Dusk and Freddy accepted it and turned back to cleaning up. Thorn looked out the window towards the town. The ring on her finger was slightly heavy and warm and the singer couldn't help but smile and think of what she and Jaguar had said about it.
'You're mine. And I'm yours.' Thorn smile grew sad as she thought that she might never see her love again but at the same time she knew that fate wouldn't allow their paths to stray to far from each other.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~*~*
So that's the last chapter! Or is it? Okay no it's not. I'll have the next, and last, chapter up soon.
Until then review and tell me what you thought about this chapter.
C-ya later!
