A.N: The pair had their meet cute, now we get to see them become friends.

Chapter Two: A Strange Pack

With all said and done, the sharpteeth traveled with the fastrunner family, venturing across the Mysterious Beyond. If anything, Chomper's parents were happy to see their son mingling with the young fastrunner and making friends with them. In fact, over the course of time, in some way, they began to understand one another, able to read the sharpteeth body langue and gestures, which was how the pair communicated with the fastrunner couple too.

Dad and Father ventured out for food, Father watching Dad hunt a slow and old crownhead. It was a real eye opener, for Dad wasn't wicked or took pleasurer in killing, simply doing what had to be down. It happened quickly, Dad lunging and chasing the crownhead, using one bite to end its life. With the meal for the sharp teeth, Father gathered a nice collection of food for his own.

Father glanced from the dead body in Dad's mouth, meeting the male's gaze. "How interesting you didn't let the guy suffer."

Dad gave a nod, gesturing for them to head back to their mates and young. Father spoke and Dad made a few grows, sharing a semi conversation. Back at the area they claimed, Mom stayed behind to provide the family with protection to Mother and the young. Mother stood by the fierce female, admiring her tough she was, having a few scars, one noticeable one along the side of her left leg. Mother was hesitant, yet patted Mom's knee, receiving a small purr from her.

The young fastrunners enjoyed having another playmate, Ruby liking how he was close to her age, given the twins were only three years old. When they weren't watching the twins, Ruby and Chomper talked, laying in the grass and watching the sky puffies flow by. Sometimes they wouldn't speak at all, Ruby humming and singing, while Chomper listened with a warm expression. Truth be told, he loved her voice, found it to be unlike any he'd heard before, treasuring each and every moment they spent together, for he never knew if she'd wake up one day to flee from him as several others had.

It was yet another gorgeous day, the sharpteeth watching the four kids play hide and seek, Chomper being it and finding the twins easily, making them laugh. It was cute to see, the pair of adults talking while the young played. "It's good to see he has new friends; I was worry he'd never have that. After all, most sharpteeth young find it odd when he mentions those leaf-eating friends of his. Even I must admit, the boy concerns me at times." Dad said, smiling at the sight.

"I sometimes think, he'd do better living in that Great Valley he talks about. Sounded like a safe place for young to grow up, without fear of Red Claw." She looked to her son with a tender gaze. "I want what's best for him, even if it means letting him go at some point."

"Is that not why we're heading to the Valley, to do what must be done?" Dad spoke coolly, receiving a nod from her.

Going not a great distance away, yet still somehow far enough from protection, Chomper and Ruby sat by a small creek, letting their feet dangle into the cool water. The twins splashed, laughing and chasing each other in the cool creek. Resting on the bank, Ruby found herself enjoying Chomper's company, especially since he was another set of eyes to help her watch the twins when Mother and Father were busy. Not to mention, he was interesting to talk to, telling her of his leaf-eater friends and how they once lived on a lovely island.

"So, tell me more about this island? To hear more about it would interest me."

"I don't remember how we found it, only that once we did, we stayed their till I got big enough to keep away from danger. Why, there was this one time I wanted to make friends with some swimmer who couldn't come on land. I think the fella's name was Mo, but don't hold me to that. Anyway, you would've liked it more than myself. It was thick with all the greens you could imagine."

"Sounds wonderful, if only I could see if for myself, gaze upon it with my own eyes."

"Maybe one day you could." Chomper moved his hand close to her larger one, gently letting his talon fingers brush her's. "I would love to share such a place with your family. I wonder why we don't just go back there?" Tapping his free hand to his chin, he wondered why they went in the direction of the Valley, recalling where it was, for some odd reason.

"Okay, another question."

"Shoot, I'm willing to answer anything you want to know."

"How good is your sniffer?" Ruby questioned, finding it amazing how he was able to pick up scents without any trouble. "You can find my brothers, no matter where they're hiding, it's an amazing gift."

"Not nearly as neat as how fast you can run or how lovely your voice is when you sing. You sure are remarkable, Ruby, really something."

The kind comment made Ruby blush, turning her red face from him. "That's very sweet of you say, saying that was all too kind."

"Anyway, my nose is so keen, able to-" Chomper suddenly leaned up with a concerned expression, taking a few whiffs. "Oh, no somethings off. I smell danger, we need to head back to our family fast." Getting up, he picked one of the twins up.

Ruby did the same, her free hand taken and held by Chomper. Fleeing, Ruby glanced around with worry. "Why are we running, what is it we're running away from?"

"It's him Red Cla-ahhh!" Chomper was cut off, being tripped and tumbling head over heels.

The twin he held was released and landed, running into Ruby's other arm where he trembled with fear. "Chomper!" Ruby called, stopping short to find him struggling to stand. "I'm coming!"

A set of fast-bitters scampered out from the brush, quickly surrounding the pair, screeching back and forth. Chomper, despite being small, stood his ground and came between them and Ruby, who held her siblings close. Arms out, he glanced from one to the other, knowing Red Claw wasn't too far behind the duo.

"Back off Screech and Thud!" Chomper roared, baring his teeth. "If you're going to hurt anyone, let it be me, not them."

"Protecting food, you're a disgrace to all sharpteeth and should be ashamed." Thud snorted, glaring Chomper down.

"Step aside or be removed small bitter." Tapping his dew claw, Screech took a step closer. "We won't let you or your family steal our meal form us again!"

"Maybe if you took out the sick and old as my parents do-"

"How dare you tell us how to hunt. Besides, it's the thrill of the chase, the adrenaline, something you'd never understand."

"I won't let you hurt her." Bravely, he ran forward and threw himself into the pair, knocking them down. With the two focused on him, Chomper changed languages and looked to Ruby. "Ruby, take your brothers and flee!"

"I can't leave you alone, alone you should not be!"

"I'll be fine, long enough for you to get my parents." Avoiding a bite, Chomper continued. "Hurry, go!"

Not knowing what else to do, Ruby took a few steps and saw a massive shadow loom over her. It was him, Red Claw, a feared sharptooth who had a scar going down the left side of his face to his talon hand. His large jaw chomped, Ruby ducking under him to release the twins.

"Go to mother and father, I have to help Chomper." She saw them nod, running away.

With a breath, she went to try and stop Red Claw from going to Chomper, who managed to stay alive, moving from each nib the fas-tbitters made toward him. It was risky, but she went and grabbed Red Claw's tail, finding it was fruitless to hold him back, only to be lifted and swung about. The world spun, reaching out and managing to grab Chomper's hand, who was shocked yet held onto her for dear life.

Looking to him, behind him was a blur. "Nice idea Ruby!"

"I got you!" Ruby said, keeping a tight grip on him.

Red Claw went to nip them, only to pause, not wanting to bit himself in the process. "Great, how do I rid myself of these pests?"

"Lower your tail boss, we'll get 'em off for you." Screech and Thud were by his side, looking up to the pair who hung onto their leader's tail.

The young screamed when both leapt up and down to try and nab them, Red Claw shaking his tail a few times. The vibration was great, yet Ruby didn't let go, knowing if she did, she and Chomper would be in real trouble. Brought to the ground, Screech jumped at them, Chomper swiping his clawed hand. It caught him across the face, Screech backed up to rub the sore area, hissing loudly from the pain. Thud was up next, going for them and growling loudly. Quickly, Chomper bit Red Claw's tail, being lifted up for Thud to run right under them, crashing into a hedgerow, getting caught up in the brush.

"Nice one Chomper, very nice indeed!" Ruby declared, only to find them being lifted close to Red Claw's open jaw. "I take it back, ahh!"

Thinking fast, Chomper swung himself and landed on Red Claw's muzzle, digging his claws into the skin, forcing Red Claw to rise up and shake his head side to side. "Little brat, I'll teach you a lesson!" With that said, Red Claw went to slam his head into a tree.

Detaching, Chomper fell to the earth, landing with a thud on his bum. Ruby was still hanging on to Red Claw's tail, watching and hoping Chomper's parents would show up soon, not knowing how much luck they had left. No sooner had she though that, but a set of roars echoed, hearing a set of great footsteps head their way.

Red Claws loomed over Chomper, mouth open in mid-bite. Suddenly, Mom came from the side and slammed her head into Red Claw, who lost his balance and fell to his side. Dad stormed in fast, scaring off Screech and Thud with a few snaps of his great jaw, turning to face Red Claw while his wife got Chomper to safety. Ruby let go of Red Claw's tail, finding herself flying through the air, flailing her arms and crying out. Then, she hit into someone, who tried to catch her, only to fall backwards to the ground. Pushing herself up, she was face to face with Chomper, who tried to hold her in his arms, though being smaller than herself, it clearing didn't go as he planned.

"Chomper, thank you."

"No problem, I'm here to help."

"Hurry kids, get up." Mom said.

"Mommy." Chomper nuzzled her, looking to Dad who fought Red Claw. "Daddy, he needs our help!"

"Chomper, listen to me, you must take your new friend and go to the Great Valley. Do you know how to find it from here?"

"Yes, Little Foot told me how to get there. But why do I have to remember, won't you come?" Chomper asked, feeling his eyes grow moist.

"No matter the distance, we'll always be together. I love you, Chomper, more than you could ever know. I love you so much, that we'll letting you go, to live the Valley, to be safe."

"What, but why not take them back to the island? We'd be safer there, be able to stay together."

"The island is not safe either, for the land path comes and goes. Remember that guy who came on and couldn't figure out how to get off?"

"I suppose, but-"

"No buts young male. With a plant-eater by your sider, they shouldn't be too leery of letting you into the Great Valley." She spoke to her son, looking to him with pleading eyes. "You must go, not time to waste. I'll help your father distract Red Claw and his goons while you flee."

"Mommy." Chomper said weakly, seeing her dash in to attack Red Claw with a sweep of her tail.

Unaware of what was said between them, Ruby spoke. "Hurry Chomper, let's go." Taking his hand, she led him away from the waring sharpteeth. The pair looked to Ruby, eyes pleading, fearful for their son. It was odd, but for a moment she almost heard them, understood what they wanted her to do. She called back, keeping a tight hold on Chomper's arm. "Don't worry Chomper's parents, I vow look after him, swear on my life to keep him safe!"

"Mommy, Daddy!" Chomper's heart raced, ached for fear of his parents. There was nothing he could do, only seeing them fade behind the forest while roars and growls shook the very woods. They were strong no doubt, hopefully able to fend off Red Claw.

When they arrived back to Ruby's parents, Dad spoke. "Kids, hurry, this way."

The adults led the way, assuming once the sharpteeth were finished, they'd catch up with them, after all, they were excellent trackers. They searched for a safer area to talk in depth of what to do next without their protectors, thinking it was odd the pair didn't show up once the night circle appeared.

When it was clear they were separated for good, Mom inquired aloud. "If only there were a place that was safe."

"There is such a place, the Great Valley." Chomper said, looking to them. "It's where my mommy told me to go, where'd I'd be safe, without fear of Red Claw."

"Why does he hate you so much?" Ruby asked, finding she still held his hand. Offering him comfort given he might not see his parents again for a long time.

"Because I warned the leaf-eaters he hunted."

"The Great Valley, I thought it was simply a wise tale and nothing more. Are you saying it's real?" Father pondered.

"I know it's real, sir, I hatched there. It's where my friends live, the ones I tell Ruby of."

"Perhaps, Ruby should go with you." Mother spoke, understanding the hard decision Chomper's parents made before they traveled together, one she and her mate would have to make too. "If it's safe enough, I think that'd be our best option. That Ruby should join you in the Great Valley."

The following day, which also happened to be Ruby's starday, they prepared to part ways. It was bittersweet, for it should've been a day for celebration, yet it was one of sadness. Chomper saw Ruby joined her family in a creek, walking away to find some bugs to eat. Sniffing the earth, Chomper caught a scent on the wind, knowing who it belonged to and rushing back to the fastrunner family to warn.

"It's Red Claw!" Chomper yelled, knowing Red Claw would be upon them shortly.

Ruby went to Chomper, he family fleeing themselves. For a moment, she paused, wondering if she'd ever see them again. But a promise was a promise, one she'd not break. Taking Chomper's hand, they took off just in time, for Red Claw and his fast-bitter friends came across the horizon. The roars were loud, booming and terrifying. Gasping, they ran away, the trio choosing to follow them over Ruby's family.