I know I promised this chapter sooner but I spent the last month and a half backpacking around Europe. I meant to put it out before I left but I got my grades back and instead of writing I spent the time laying on the carpet pretending I was never born. Anywho I am sorry for that and this chapter in general.
Prepare for sadness
XXX
Ace was mature for his age. At least that's his mom told him. Something about being part wolf sped up his development so he acted older than the not-quite-four year old that he really was. As such he got into all sorts of mischief and was often in trouble with his parents, especially Rouge as Rodger was more amused by his antics than anything else.
Today, like so many before it, had Ace sitting at the top of his favorite tree staring intently at the town. He could just about make out the rooftops way across the meadow. If he glanced behind him he could see the thick tangle of trees that was the woods. Ace was forbidden from both areas. His father sometimes took him into the woods so they could hunt but recently he had been too busy. Mostly he was trapped in the outskirts, not allowed to go beyond either boundary set by his parents. It felt like he was stuck between two walls. It didn't bother him so much when he was younger but the older he got the more he longed for freedom.
The meadow that their tiny cottage was situated in was extensive. It wrapped a good few miles around the town serving as the buffer between the human settlement and the woods. But by now Ace had explored every inch or the area more times than he could count.
His parents told him to be patient. But they didn't understand. They were allowed to go into town whenever they wanted. Rodger was there every day for his job.
His dad was a wolf. More than that he was the King of Wolves. He used to tell Ace stories of how he managed to rally the different wolf clans together. He had never told Ace exactly how he managed it aside from a few short bedtime stories over the years. It sounded like his dad used to be a badass wolf warrior. But the only friend he still talked to from that life was his best friend Rayleigh who would occasionally come over for dinner.
It was Rayleigh who finally told Ace the truth about why his father quite that life. It was around the time he had met Rouge and Ace was born that Rodger decided everything he had done wasn't enough. It was only half the battle. He wanted to create a world where his odd mixed race family could be free and accepted. And to do that he needed to work on the humans. So when Ace was just a week old he had cut many of his ties to the wolves. Asking them to be patient as he tried to fix the species feud. Wanting to understand both sides of the war the grand King of Wolves had taken up a small part time job working for the town's defense troops to protect the citizens from the creatures in the woods while he posed as a normal human being. There he had seen firsthand the devastated families who had lost a loved one to the 'monsters'. He worked closely with the hunters and the military working his way up the ladder step by step.
Ace had told him time and time again that he was a foolish optimist and it was ever going to work.
Rodger had only laughed, "You never know if you don't try. You will see Big Bad. I'm going to create a better world. One you can grow up in as yourself. Be patient. I just need a bit more time."
He had been saying that for almost four years. He was trying to gain the humans trust enough so when he eventually came out as a wolf they would accept him. As much as Ace liked to play the deadpan pessimist he was excited to see this world his father promised him. So he had tried his best to be a good boy for his parents. He stayed in the outskirts, didn't interact with humans or the creatures in the woods. No matter how mind numbingly boring it was.
"Ace come down from there," Rouge called. Her long blond hair tied up into a messy bun on her head and her arms full of pails of strawberries.
One look at the fruit was all the motivation Ace needed to come down. Sliding nimbly along the trunk he landed besides his mother, eyes fixed on food. But she held it away from him.
"Help me with dinner first and then we can make a tart with them."
"That will ruin them," he told her as he took one of the buckets. Ace didn't like things that were too sweet.
"I'll put some aside for you," she said tussling his hair affectionately. Ace gave her one of his rare half smiles as they walked home together.
"When is dad going to be back?"
"He's working late tonight so dinners just going to be you and me."
"Again?" Lately it seemed like Rodger was always at work. Ace rarely saw him anymore. And while Ace didn't always see eye to eye with the man when the only social interaction he got was two people he noticed when one of them was missing.
"Things are bad right now Ace, for everyone. Your dad is trying his best to help. One day you will understand."
"I understand now," He said annoyed. "I can help."
"Not yet sweet heart, you're too young. Give it some more time."
"How much more time!" He asked his voice starting to raise. His entire life seemed to be a waiting game. A boring one at that. He wanted excitement. He wanted to see the town and meet people and even some kids his own age. He wanted to have adventures like his dad did at his age, fighting vampires and starting a pack. The most exciting part of his days trapped at home was his never ending fight with the stray barn cat that liked to wonder into his territory every now and again. Even the occasional trips into the woods with Rodger had stopped.
No longer feeling hungry Ace put the pail down storming off, despite Rouge calling after him. Little did Ae realize that he was about to get his wish. These boring peace filled days were coming to an end very soon. And when that happened no amount of wishing would bring them back.
XXX
It was nearly a month later that it happened. A day that started off like any other. Rodger was pulling so much over time it was like he hardly lived here anymore. Tensions between the forest and the towns people was reaching a breaking point as three days ago an entire hunter party had been found mauled and left on the town border. Everyone was tense. Even Rouge was feeling it as Ace often caught her staring out the window. He suspected she missed Rodgers presence more than she was willing to admit to him.
"It's going to rain tonight." She told him looking out the kitchen window.
Ace was laying on the living room floor half sleeping. He twitched one of his ears cocking his head towards her. He could have told her that. He had been smelling rain all day.
"I'm going to run to town real quick before it starts." She told him grabbing her rain coat. "And before you ask no you can't come."
Ace growled to himself as he put his head back on the floor. He heard the door slam as his mom left and far in the distance he heard the sounds of approaching thunder.
He was just about to drift back to sleep when he heard a knock on the door. His head shot up as an unfamiliar scent reached his nose. Feeling a sudden rush of adrenaline Ace sat up quickly changing back to his human form more on instinct than anything else.
He stayed half crouched on the carpet, his mind a complete blank of what to do. Who in the world could be knocking on their door? It had never happened before. At least not when he was alone in the house. That was kind of the point of living way out here.
Maybe if he stayed here they would go away. That was probably what his parents wanted him to do. He looked down at himself realizing he was quite naked. He scrambled onto the couch where some fresh laundry Rouge had been folding lay half finished.
Ace dressed quickly and silently before hugging his knees to his chest, his ears listening to the person just beyond the door. It didn't sound like they were going away.
Finally after another few minutes the handle turned and Ace felt his blood freeze. Had his mother forgotten to lock the door? Did she ever lock the door? He didn't know. It hadn't been an issue until now.
He watched as the kitchen door swung open and an unfamiliar man stepped inside. He was tall with long black hair and tattoos across the right side of his face. His dark eyes scanned the room quickly noticing Ace frozen on the couch. He looked as surprised as Ace felt.
"Errr…hello."
Ace wasn't sure what he was supposed to do? He was completely caught off guard. He had never met another human besides his mom.
"You must be Ace, Rodgers son," He continued.
Ace nodded confused what was going on.
"I was just… I work with your dad," he said. "I need to pick something up for him."
Ace swallowed down a growl. He was lying Rodger would never allow anyone into the house. No without telling Rouge.
"I'll just go grab it. I'm sure it's around here somewhere." He was still lying. Admittedly he was really good at it. But Ace could hear his heart beat and it was very strange. Fast like he had just run here. But it didn't seem like it was slowing down. And he was tense. Far too tense.
"No," Ace said his voice surprising the both of them.
The man turned his dark eyes on him and Ace felt his shoulders rise defensively. He stood up squaring his shoulders, painfully aware of just how much taller the man was.
"Where is your mom Ace?"
"She's going to town," Ace told him wearily. "She will be back soon." He was lying and both of them knew it.
The man crossed the tiny kitchen to the living room. "Can I ask you some questions Ace?"
Ace crossed his arms giving the man a glare. Something was wrong here. He could feel it. When he didn't respond the man continued.
"Have you been to town before? I've never seen you around."
Ace remained silent unsure of what to say. He wanted him to leave and for his mom to come back.
"Do you have a pet?"
"What?"
"A cat… dog maybe?"
He bit his lip confused. Finally he shook his head. He realized his mistake too late. The man was eyeing the carpet, specifically his favorite spot on the edge of the carpet which was covered in fur.
"Our friend has a dog," he lied. "He visits us sometimes. Please leave now." He was quickly running out of patience and politeness had never been his strong suit.
"Was it the same dog that chewed up the furniture?"
Ace glanced between him and the bite marks on the couch and the faded claw marks.
"Leave," Ace said louder. There was a bit of a growl in his words.
The man nodded, "Alright." He agreed as he headed out, casting one last look at Ace. His face stony and impossible to read. The second he shut the door behind him Ace ran over and locked it.
When he was sure the man was gone and a far enough away Ace ran from their bedroom and out the back door. He didn't stop running until he hit the start of the trail that led into town. There he stood waiting anxiously for his mother to return.
When she finally emerged with her grocery bag he flung himself at her and the story came spilling out.
"Can you fix it?" Ace asked much like the small naive child he spent so much time convincing his parents he wasn't.
Rouge looked very white as she put the bag down instead taking Ace's hand.
"Come on sweetheart we should head back and wait for your father."
Ace tried to tell her she was forgetting the bag but she told him it would be alright if they left it. Something about the way she said it made fear creep into his chest.
Rouge took Ace home, never once letting go of his hand. When Ace asked how she knew dad was coming home early tonight she told him she just knew.
He stayed at the kitchen table with her as the storm drew closer and the sky got darker. When his stomached growled loudly she finally snapped out of it long enough to make him something to eat but none for herself or Rodger.
"Shouldn't we cover up the garden?" He asked his mom. She had been staring out the window for the last five minutes as he ate.
She looked over at him her brow furrowed. "It's okay sweetheart." Ace put his spoon down all too aware that she wasn't eating.
"Mom did I do something wrong?"
Rouge shook her head as she leaned forward to kiss his head. "No baby you were perfect. Finish up alright." Ace obeyed reluctantly. He moved to take the dishes to the sink but she stopped him. "It's okay you can leave them. Just come here." He slid off his chair and climbed onto his mother's lap.
"Mom what's wrong?"
She stroked his hair with a sigh. "It's not something kids should worry about." She grabbed his chin turning him to face her.
"You know we would never let anything bad happen to you Big Bad?" Ace nodded. "And you know me and your father love you so much."
Ace nodded mutely again feeling slightly embarrassed at the emotion. But the unsettling feeling in his stomach outweighed all of that.
"Is something bad going to happen?"
"Maybe," Rouge said. "But it's going to be okay. Now go upstairs alright. Your dads going to be back soon and Mommy needs to talk to him alone." She set him back down but he hesitated.
"Please Ace, go upstairs." The tone in her voice was enough to make Ace turn on his heels and obey. But he didn't go past the top step. Instead he waited out of sight for Rodger to return. Outside the rain pounded against the windows loudly.
Neither of them moved for hours until there was a familiar click of the front door opening a split second before the first bolt of thunder struck overhead.
"Honey…" Rouge started only to be cut off by Rodger.
"He knows, Dragon knows."
Ace heard his mother sigh, "I know. He came by today while I was gone. He talked to Ace."
Rodger sucked in a quick breath. "Good lord?"
"How did he find out?"
Rodger laughed humorlessly, "He's not the Head Hunter for nothing. It was foolish to think I could trick him forever… he didn't threaten Ace did he?"
"I don't think so."
There was a pause from downstairs and Ace leaned forward in anticipation.
"Ace our bedroom now!" Rodger snapped with unusual aggression.
Ace stood, stalling for a minute before he raced into his parent's room.
"Shut the door!" Rodger yelled as Ace did as he was told. He lay on the floor next to it using his hearing to try and pick up the conversation down stairs. Only bits of it floated up to him but he understood the gist of it.
His mom was asking if they should leave. But Rodger was determined to stay. "I have to," he told her. "This is what I've been working towards. If I run they will think I am guilty and hunt me like an animal instead of resolving this with words like a human. Dragon is my friend. More than that he is one of my best human friends. We have fought side by side for four years. Surely he will see reason."
Rouge quietly reminded him that he wasn't the best at keeping calm in these kinds of situations. He had a hot temper, especially when it came to his family and his race.
But in the end she had agreed. Telling him that when he did this she was going to be right by his side where she belonged.
They had come upstairs shortly after that, unsurprised to find Ace had been eavesdropping. Instead of getting in trouble like he expected Rodger just gave him a strong hug.
His parents weren't acting like themselves and it scared Ace. It was like they were replaced by different people who didn't get mad at him or take care of the house like they used to. Instead they just kept hugging him and looking at each other when they thought he wasn't looking.
"Dad what's happening?" Ace asked as his father picked him up and put him on his parent's big bed between the two of them. But the smile he gave Ace was the same crooked smile Ace was used to and it calmed him down.
"It's difficult to say bud. I know this is a bit confusing for you. But someone figured out your dad's secret."
"They know you're a wolf?" Ace asked and Rodger nodded.
"Are they going to be mad at you?"
Rodger nodded, "Yes, they will. People don't like being lied too."
"Then why did you do it?" Rouge had always taught him lying was wrong.
"You might understand when you're older." Rodger told him, "But you're still a little too young. Sometimes it's better to ask for forgiveness then permission. Especially when it comes to racism. People don't know better so they think things that aren't true. Because of this you have to show them that at the end of the day you are a person just like them. It's called empathy Ace and one day it's going to save the world. Do you understand?"
He shook his head and Rodger smiled knowingly. "No, I suspect not."
"So are they going to forgive you?"
"We will see kiddo. I wish I had more time. Time to show them that I just want to help." He let out a cold laugh. "But I guess you have to work with what you got."
"What happens if they don't?" Ace asked as he looked at his mom.
Rodger put his forehead against Ace's. "Don't you worry Big Bad. I would never let anything happen to you two. I know you're scared right now but things will be better tomorrow you will see."
"Now get some sleep." Rouge told Ace as she laid him down between them.
Ace nodded as he closed his eyes, all too willing to rest his overcrowded head by listening as the rain began to pelt their tiny house. For all he knew the next time he woke up sunlight would be streaming through the window and they would have already forgotten this whole thing.
If only it was that easy.
XXX
Ace was awoken hours later to bright headlights in front of the house. Rouge and Rodger were talking in hushed voices.
"Stay up here with Ace." He told her kissing her forehead.
"You need me," She reasoned. "I need to know you will stay calm and not let that temper of yours out."
He held up two fingers with the same dopey grin he liked to tease her with, "Scouts honor."
"Look after your mom Big Bad." He winked at Ace. "Both of you lock the door and don't come out until I say it's alright."
He turned to go but Rouge caught his wrist and kissed him like it was the first time.
He smiled at her. "How did I get such an amazing woman?"
"Stay calm." She reminded him one final time as he turned to leave. She locked the door behind him before rejoining Ace on the bed covering his ears so he didn't listen in.
And for a while there was nothing but muffled talking. Ace had just began to fall asleep again when the talking began to grow louder. He sat upright as it turned to screaming.
"Mom?" He asked as she stood pacing nervously. "It's alright," She told him. "Trust your father."
"Is it the man from today?" He asked and she nodded.
"He is your father's friend. His name is Dragon, they work together in…." She trailed off as a loud crash sounded from downstairs. It sounded like a window shattering.
Ace was up and running towards the door in a heartbeat but Rouge stopped him.
"Mom!" He cried as another one sounded. It sounded like they were fighting. He tried again for the lock only for her to stop him. The sounds continued for what felt like eons but in actuality only a few minutes. It wasn't until a monstrous growl shook the whole house did she decide things had gotten too out of control.
"Ace stay behind me," She said as she took his hand unlocking the door hurriedly.
They were on the first step of the stairs when a gunshot sounded and they froze. It felt like Ace's heart dropped to the floor. But it didn't stop there. It was followed by another and another. All of which seemed to reverberate off the walls, making them louder than they really were.
When the bangs stopped the house became silent again and Rouge was pale as a ghost. Her lower lip quivering as she pushed him further behind her as they made their way downstairs.
Clutching his mother's hand tighter he looked at the damage. The living room was a mess. Tables overturned and bullet holes in the walls. But by far the most horrific part was the blood. It was sprayed over their once white wall and stained into the fabric of the carpet. Dragon had deep gashes in his face and chest and he was panting deeply, gun still held firmly in his hand. But that was all forgotten the second they saw the dark shape lying in the middle of the floor.
Rouge dropped his hand with a scream and she ran over to the wolf. Ace watched stuck in place as she ran her fingers through the thick black fur as if searching for injuries.
"No no no, honey can you hear me? Rodger!" She said softly stroking his snout with her free hand.
Ace looked between Dragon and his father his eyes wide.
"Mom," his voice was course.
When she didn't answer he tried again louder. "Dads okay right?"
Rouge froze her right hand still buried in his fur. She refused to tear her gaze away from his still form.
"Dad," Ace said taking a step towards them.
Dragon's sharp eyes fixed on him as he did so. That was finally enough to get her attention.
"Stay there Ace!" She snapped her voice sharper then he had ever heard it before.
But Ace didn't listen. Ignoring the glass covering the floor he made his way over to Rodger dropping to his knees on his father's other side. Dragon didn't move to stop him, but his eyes tracked every movement. But the only thing Ace was paying attention to was his dad.
He shook him gently, "Daddy." Ace had never called his father that before. But it was the only thing he could think so say.
He could see the tears on his mother's cheeks, smell the blood staining his father's pelt. Hear the frantic beating of three hearts but none of them belonged to Rodger.
Ace felt numb as Rouge finally snapped out of it enough to pull him towards her, hugging him to her chest and away from the body.
"Why?" She whispered to Dragon.
He had no more answers for her then the corpse held for any of them.
To this day Ace never knew what went on in their conversation. How it turned from talking to fighting and then murder. He didn't know who started it but he did know it hadn't been one sided. If he had to guess neither men managed to keep their tempers. Rodgers blind wolf rage had slipped out and in turn brought something nasty out in Dragon.
"Reinforcements are on their way," Dragon finally told her. "I have to place you under arrest for aiding and abetting the king of Wolves.
None of those words reached Rouge as she continued to stare at the wolf.
"He was your friend," She whispered.
"He was a war criminal, he lied to all of us." Dragon told her finally lowering the gun but still not putting it away.
"It was the only way to get you guys to listen. All he's ever done was try to help the humans. He wanted peace."
"What he wanted isn't relevant. This is how the law works."
"Oh god," Rouge brought up a shaking hand to her mouth. "You killed him."
"He came at me," Dragon snarled.
Ace, in a state of shock stayed obediently in his mother's arms feeling her tears fall into his hair. He heard the sounds of cars outside, lots of them. He could smell humans, dozens of them. As the door opened once more he peaked out looking over Rouges shoulder. There stood about twenty men all with heavy machine guns looking rather lost in the space of their once cheery country kitchen.
"Sir?" One of the men asked.
"Rouge did you hear me? I am placing you under arrest for aiding a known criminal."
When she still said nothing Dragon sighed, "Bring her to the trucks. The little one as well."
Rouge snapped at that, picking Ace up so quickly his head spun.
"Don't you dare touch my child." She spat at them her arms tightening painfully around him.
Dragon held out his hand trying to calm her. "He is a wolf and on top of that he's his son. You have to understand why we can't just let him go."
"His name is Ace," She snarled. "And you are the one who needs to understand". Her voice was thick with grief. "I would never let the man who just killed my husband anywhere near my baby. I will cooperate with whatever you decide. But he is a child. One who has seen far too much tonight. Ace goes free."
Dragon shook his head. "It's not our policy to let wolves roam free. Especially not the son of the most notorious wolf this town has ever seen. You have my word that if he behaves we will not harm him."
But they weren't listening. When one of the men approached intending to snatch Ace away Rouge screamed and lunged at him.
Ace watched in shock as the man punched her across the face knocking her backwards.
And then he snapped, breaking free of his mother's hold he flung himself at the man who dared to hurt her. He went for the face, feeling the blood on his claws a second before the screams of the man. He fell backwards shocked but Ace didn't stop there. Just like in hunting he went for the throat. Like Rodger taught him.
The man was mumbling senselessly beneath him. But he was too far gone to care anymore. He had transformed without even realizing it. There was a loud bang and Rouge screamed.
Ace whirled to her as his senses returning. Had they shot his mother? No, her horrified gaze was fixed on him. He felt wetness trickle into his fur as the pain finally caught up to him. Ace fell back with a yelp.
"Stop!" Dragon commanded and it was only then that Ace realized everyone's guns were trained on him.
Ace froze, looking to his mother unsure of what to do.
"Don't you dare?" She breathed between clenched teeth. "You are supposed to protect people not hurt them. What kind of hunters are you."
"It wasn't supposed to be like this." Dragon told her, regret heavy in his voice.
"You killed my husband. His father. And now you threaten my child. You are not in the right here and you are no hero. Lower the god damn guns and we will come with you."
Dragon nodded to the men and they reluctantly took the guns off Ace. He looked over as he Mom crouched besides him.
"Baby listen carefully." She whispered in his ear as she stroked his fur. "I need you to run as fast as you can on my signal. I will be right behind you but you can't look back. Do you understand?" He looked up at her his eyes a liquid grey.
"Enough whispering." Dragon said.
When one of the hunters reached for her Rouge whirled around and pulled her fist strait into his nose.
"Ace go," She screamed as Ace sprung into action. Knocking down two unprepared hunters as he made a dash for the door.
He heard the crash from inside and felt a bullet graze him as he charged through the door. It was still pouring outside making it hard to see much except for the split second where lighting flashed and the world was lit up and then plunged into darkness once more.
Ace tore across the grass as fast as his limbs would carry him. He felt something slam into his hind leg with enough force to knock him down but he couldn't afford to stop. They were shooting at him. They were trying to kill him. They had killed his father. He had just left Rouge with them. He howled in despair as he flew through the meadow.
Ace glanced behind him to see that three of the four trucks were hot on his trail. Rouge said she would protect him. That they would protect him. He didn't feel protected. He felt like he was about to die. This day had started off so normal. What had happened?
He could see the headlights, blurred by the rain all trained on him. A third bullet hit him in the haunches making him stumble to the ground. But the next second he pulled himself up and kept running.
They were gaining on him but it didn't matter because even through the rain he could see the dark outline of the woods in front of him. With a last desperate sprint he tore into the tree line fully aware that the cars couldn't follow him in here. They would be forced to pursuit him on foot. And there was no question who was faster. The only problem was that Ace couldn't go far. He had a location in mind and it was near the border. Changing directions Ace ran across the tree line careful to stay deep enough and out of sight. He continued forwards even though it felt as if the wounds in his legs were tearing apart from the inside. He didn't stop until he hit a massive oak tree. Only then did he take a breath.
He wasn't sure he had lost them but Ace refused to head further into the woods. If he did his mom would never find him. A small part of his brain told him that she had lied, she was never going to meet up with him. They had her, the hunters had her. If Ace wanted to survive he needed to move. At any second they could find him. But the thought of going on without his mom hurt more than the three bullets in his legs. So instead he collapsed down on the forest floor, his head on his paws, and waited.
He could hear the hunters shouting to each other as they grew gradually closer. But he couldn't afford to move. This was the spot he knew she would find him at. After all it was where Rouge and Rodger had met. Pain shot through his heart like ice at the thought of his dad.
Every time Rodger would take him into the woods he would show him this spot, under the elder oak tree and tell him the story of the foolish woman who wondered too far from her village in an act of defiance and stumbled across an injured man. Instead of leaving him there she tended to his wounds and stayed with him through the night. It was only much later did she learn he was no man at all and rather a wolf. But by then it was far too late.
She was already in love with him.
Rouge would come for him. Ace decided. He would wait for her to find him. And if she didn't come and the hunters found him instead so be it. Ace didn't think anything they did to him could be more painful then never seeing his mother again. So he waited as the hunters drew nearer and nearer until he could see them moving a few meters up. But it was dark and the rain was showing no signs of stopping so they did not see him huddled up against the oak tree. Slowly bleeding to death. He heard them give up but instead of joy he felt numb.
The water soaked his fur and the rain mixed with his blood leaving a puddle of pale red around him. No longer able to lift his head up Ace closed his eyes glad for any kind of relief from the pain as he slipped away.
XXX
He woke up hours later to the feeling of being carried. Ace sluggishly opened his eyes trying to get his blurry vision to focus. A familiar scent hit his nostrils and he began to yelp.
"Shush my baby." Rouge told him as she gently pet his fur, stumbling as she did so. Ace leaned up as far as his injuries would allow to lick her face making her smile delicately.
"You came back."
"Of course I did Big Bad. I would never leave my little wolf child alone."
Ace felt some pain in his chest release as he snuggled into her. She was warm and dry… at least dryer then him. But she smelt like blood. A mix of his, others that he couldn't place and her own as well.
"There's a cave here," She told him. "I took your father there when we first met. We can get you out of the rain."
Ace was only half listening. He hardly cared anymore as long as he was safe back with the only person he had left.
True to her words there was a small cave a few miles up. There wasn't much space and it was freezing but at least it was dry. Rouge put the little wolf down as he looked up at her.
"What did those hunters do to my beautiful baby boy?" She mused more to herself as she ran her hands through his fur looking for injuries. Ace whined as her probing fingers found the bullet wounds. She shushed him.
"I need you to be brave for me Ace. Can you do that?" He nodded as she pulled one of the kitchen knives from her waist band. He didn't even realize she had it.
She saw his surprised and gave him a sad smile. "For hunters they aren't very smart are they?" She asked as he shook his head. "They even didn't know that you never mess with a mom and her cub."
Rouge took off her wool socks and tore them up into make shift bandages. Ace had been shot three times. Two of those bullets had gone straight through his leg. But the third was stuck against a bone. Putting one hand on his snout to keep him still she dug it out carefully. Stopping every time Ace cried. He tried to be brave. He really did but it hurt.
Just as black dots began to cloud his vision Rouge shook him to keep him awake as she bandaged his wounds. He sniffed as she continued to pet his head telling him that he did a good job.
"Will you do one thing for your mother Ace?"
He nodded fighting the sleepiness that still plagued him.
She shook off her coat smiling at him. "Will you change back so your mom can see her beautiful baby?"
Ace hesitated. He didn't want to move let alone transform. It would hurt so much. But one look at his moms face and he knew it would be worth it. With a half howl half scream he shifted back into a very scared and injured little kid. She wrapped her coat around him and pulled him into her arms as she leaned against the cave wall.
They were silent for a while. Each wrapped up in their own thoughts.
"Mom?" Ace finally asked breaking the silence.
"Yes?"
"What are we going to do?"
Even in the darkness he could see tears on her cheeks. "Don't worry about that right now." She told him hugging him closer to her chest. "One day it's all going to be okay Ace. I know it doesn't feel like that right now but you have to believe things are going to be okay again someday."
He snuggled deeper into her arms listening to the rain and thunder outside.
"I'm sorry me and your dad couldn't protect you properly."
Ace nodded softly, accepting the apology. "Just don't leave me again." He told her.
He felt her chest shutter as she tried to hold back a sob. "I'm not going anywhere Big Bad. I am going to stay right here. But I need you to do one last thing for me alright."
"Anything mom," He told her laying his head on her shoulder.
"You've been so brave Ace but I need you to keep being brave for a little bit longer. I wish I didn't have to ask this of you. I know it's too much. But I know you can handle it. After all you are our son."
Ace nodded again feeling his eyes begin to droop . She shifted her hold on him to stroke his hair.
"Don't you dare let anyone tell you what you are, because they aren't your mother and I know exactly what you are. You are the strongest and kindest kid I have ever met and nobody can take that away from you."
"Why are you telling me this?" Ace asked softly.
"Because I need to hear you say that you will keep fighting no matter what."
Ace blinked up at her. "Will you stay with me always?"
"Honey I will always be with you." She promised kissing his forehead clumsily.
Ace smiled at that. "If you're with me then I can always be brave."
"That's my boy." Rouge told him, "Me and your dad love you more then you could possibly know."
"I love you too mom." Ace said as he closed his eyes. Feeling sleep overtake his mind as he drifted off in his mother's arms.
He felt her rocking him gently like she used to do when he was a baby. One hand stroked his hair while the other hugged him to her. The last thing he remembered was her humming the tune of Let it Be. Her favorite song. Before unconsciousness took him and he knew no more.
When he awoke hours later the rain had finally stopped. The sun hadn't risen yet but he could tell from the way the light had begun to seep into the cave that the storm had finally broken.
Ace was still cradled against Rouges chest. Her soft hand buried in his hair. But her body was cold.
The dim light of mourning showed the truth he hadn't realized last night. Just like him she had been shot, four times at least. He could now see the bloodstains on her clothes that were finally beginning to dry.
Ace slid her jacket off his shoulders and wrapped it around her. He didn't want her to be cold anymore. He left her lying alone in the cave as he went back to the oak tree.
Using nothing but his bare fingernails Ace dug her grave. Not stopping even when they splintered and bled. It was here that he buried her. Under the tree that had brought his parents together. Where she had first met the love of her life. The very same life that she would lose for loving a man like Rodger. When he was done Ace covered the grave with wildflowers.
And as the sun began to rise over the tree tops he finally turned away. It was a new day and there was nothing here for him anymore. He would not visit this place again and he would not look back.
As he went Ace shifted back into his wolf form, his fur already matted with blood and twigs. He didn't want to be human anymore. He would stay as a wolf for a very long time. Forever if need be.
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So there you have it. Part of the reason that Ace is like he is. But his life doesn't get any easier after this. Things just go downhill further. I hope at least somebody thinks this was sad because I balled my eyes out writing it. It got so bad I couldn't even see the computer screen. So he is not quite four here and he meets Sabo sometime when their five so he still has one and a half years of loneliness before anyone else comes into his life. Sabo's chapter will come out soon and not to spoil anything but his life sucks as well.
Anyway tell me what you guys think because this chapter was really hard to write. Partly because it was so long and partly because it was so tragic. So tell me if it was sad for you guys too or if I am just a dork-muffin who is in desperate need of a day job.
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The Eternal Empress: I'm glad evil Sabo had the desired effect. It gave me goosebumps to write as well. Doflamingo is going to take a chill pill for a sec so the hunters and Dragon can start messing things up for the boys more than they already have. I think Sabo is more broken up about it then Luffy who understands Sabo would never hurt him on purpose. I think when we get more into Luffy's backstory it will become clear why he will never willingly go back to Dragon. But Dragon has had it out for Ace for a while. Hopefully you liked this chapter as well. Thank you for the review
Rin27: You might not feel the same way after this chapter. But to his credit I don't think Dragon is evil. At least he has been trying to do the right thing. Poor Luffy indeed. As bad as this was for Ace Luffy is going to have a much harder time losing his mom because of how close to her he was. Thank you for the review I hope I did Ace's backstory justice.
lostdog200: More on Bluejam later. We have not seen the last of that little fruit cake. He is not done tormenting Luffy. To answer your question Dragon had zero dad sense. Which is why he just forgot about his three year old and went to work. Hopefully this chapter makes it a little clearer but Rodger doesn't live in the village he lives on the outskirts with his family. He is going undercover in the human village to try and unite wolves and humans together using his power as the wolf leader and whatever connections he made in the village. I think that after four years Dragon had enough to figure it out, he is quite smart. But seeing that their home was full of wolf hair and teeth marks gave him the last confirmation he needed. As always thank you for reviewing
AnimeAngel2692: Unfortunately I'm not that good of a writer so the kid Bluejam was talking about was just some random dude, not connected to the story. It was just to explain his interest in Luffy in this chapter and his resentment towards him later. I'm glad Dragon is coming off as a sympathetic character like I was aiming for. But I don't know if you will still like him after this. Especially not later on. Thank you for the reviews
