Wolf Brother

Disclaimer: Star Fox and its trademarks are owned by Nintendo. Other characters are owned by me.

V. The Blue Moon

Big bro… what are you doing here on the roof?

Huh? Oh, nothing really… I'm just looking at the night sky… and it's so cool here, too.

Well, I couldn't sleep, so… Hey! Look at that, bro! It's big blue moon!

Yeah… My dad… I mean, my dead dad, used to show that to me when I was young…

Oh… Um… Can you tell me more about them?

Oh sure… Sit beside me, and I'll tell you a story about it…

"Happy birthday, big bro!"

Fox greeted his big brother with a warm hug. He quickly took his brother's hand and pulled him into the living room. There, he patted his shoulder and pushed him to a seat. "Since I'll be good to you today, I'll help you and your friends out!" He exited the room, leaving Wolf with a thought about the word friends.

"Hey!" Rufus suddenly dabbed the lupine's shoulder, startling him in the process. "Happy birthday, Wolf! Panther and I thought of coming here, you know, to greet our best buddy!" He showed his white teeth for a smile. Beside him was Panther, who then handed their gifts to the wolf.

"Gee, thanks guys," Wolf smiled with light feeling slowly developing within him. He shook the presents one by one, trying to guess what the contents were. "Say, what are these?"

"It's up to you to find out," Panther grinned as he slightly chuckled by the thought of the contents. "Anyway, Fox is uppity today. It looks like he's so excited about your birthday! How old is he? 16? Wow, it's rare for sibs at that age to care for their older siblings. You're one lucky wolf!"

"I can never say better than that," Wolf agreed about his comment. He was pretty sure that Fox wasn't like those bratty delinquents who never cared for older brothers, that he'd become so close in his heart.

The youth fox entered the room and beckoned them. He said, "Hey guys, the food is ready! Come and dig in!" The three stood up and entered the dining area, with Fox following his brother.

As they stood behind the chairs of the table, which were already fixed, James closed the lights and lit a candle on a medium-sized rectangular chocolate cake. The small light was powerful enough to reveal the writings "Happy birthday Wolf! from your father, mother, and little brother… and from your loved ones… too…" which were made out of white thin icing. It was the one standing out from the rest of the meals, too.

Everybody except Wolf looked at each other and nodded. They started to clap and slowly hum. They then began to sing. "Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!" The lupine glanced at the illuminating candle and the people smiling, singing, and clapping around it. He felt a warm feeling flaring in his feelings. He was about to go teary-eyed... However, he promised after his parents' death that he wouldn't cry anymore during his birthdays to come… "…happy birthday, dear Wolf!"

"All right, it's time to blow the candle!" James smiled at him. He nodded and blew the candle, swiping the flame off from the wick. Panther turned on the lights, and everybody clapped. They all looked at him once more and proclaimed, "Happy birthday, Wolf!"

Though he kept hearing that phrase, he never complained. He felt happiness within those words. There, he recollected and realized that there were people who cared for him. From those happy faces, he could see that there were those in which he could find compassion. With the birthday celebration celebrated, he felt that the incident that occurred years ago was but a painful memory. He felt the hands of people ready to carry him up and away from the nightmares of his fourth birthday.

"Say, it's time to eat," he told them with a smile revealing from his mouth. "Okay guys, take a seat and let's dig in…" However, before he sat, he closed his eyes and spoke to them softly. "Oh… and, I wanted to say that, that you guys are the greatest… Thanks for making this day feel important to me… Thank you for making me important to you." He then slowly took his seat, with everyone smiling at him. It was odd that this was his birthday that felt so warm and hearty.

Hours had passed, and Panther and Rufus had to leave. After giving close farewells and closing the gate of the house, James handed him the phone. He wondered who called to him, but then, he was able to guess it.

"Mom?" he answered back with a smile. "It's nice to hear from you! Oh, and thank you for the sweatshirt! I am wearing it right now."

Static was interrupting their conversation, but it was bearable. She replied, "Happy birthday, Wolf! I'm really, really sorry that I couldn't see you… It's been three years since I last celebrated your birthday with the family… I feel bad about it…"

"I understand," he shook his head with understanding. "You're working for us, overseas, so it's all right! I'm sure you didn't forget my birthday, so that's enough for me, and you called, so I'm happy about that."

"But it makes me downhearted not to do anything about it… I have an idea! When I return, what would you like to do? Please answer anything except 'it's okay'! I already feel bad about doing nothing!"

"Heh, mom! Okay, okay," he giggled from the request. He then looked at his company, his father and brother, who were watching and listening to him. "How about this… when you return, we, and I mean dad, Fox, and I, will go to Corneria Carnival. Does it sound okay?"

"Nice idea! I'll put it in one of my schedules marked with a notice so I won't forget. Otherwise, you three will burden me! Heh! Anyway, I have to go now. Happy birthday again, Wolf! Please say goodbye to your father and younger brother for me! Bye!"

"Bye!" he replied before the connection was cut. He then looked at James and Fox and said, "Well, that's a nice plan! A family outing would be nice… Oh, sorry, you weren't able to talk to her…"

"We've already talked to her," Fox explained, "but we told her that she should talk to you more! It's your birthday today!"

Wolf was out on the roof, looking at the night sky. He was focused at the stars and the blue moon, which was glowing very brightly that night. He was startled when the window of Fox's room, which was beside his, opened. Fox came out from the window and crept near him. They were now two.

"Looks like the moon is big and blue tonight," Fox told him as he too looked up at the sky. "I remember the story you told me when I was young…"

"Yeah, I remember," he nodded and slowly chuckled, "but after studying, I realized why it really becomes blue! Heh!" His companion laughed along and tugged nearer to him. "Still, it's fascinating… Blue moon occurs at rare times, and well, I could say that maybe I'm lucky today, for it showed during my birthday…"

"That shows how lucky you are," Fox added as he placed his head to his brother's shoulder. "Wolf, the happiest thing that ever came into the family… I wish that we could all live peacefully and normally… forever…"

Wolf took a glance at him, who was already half-asleep. He smiled and carried him back to his bedroom. He laid him to his bed, and left the room. He was also about to go to sleep, but before doing so, he glanced once more at the moon.