Chapter Seven: Somebody to Say

The pair that lay close faded, the past drifting off. An adult Ruby stood over the spot and sighed, slightly missing their adventures outside the Great Valley. She left and strolled among the tunnels, finding her parents, who were nibbling on some greens they brought inside. When they saw her, Mother patted a spot for Ruby to join them. With a smile, she went and sat, picked up a leaf and eating it.

"So, have a nice day, dear?" Father asked.

"Yeah, it was nice, my friends threw me a Giving Ceremony."

"That's nice."

Mother gave a soft sigh, glancing from her mate to Ruby. "That Hyp fella came by asking about you, again."

"Hopefully, you turned him away."

"We did, but Ruby don't you think it's time you try to find someone, anyone at this point." Father added cautiously. "I mean, Hpy's not a bad guy, quite nice looking at least."

"Oh, he's that for sure. And rude, full of himself, not sweet or kind the way Chom-" Ruby froze, swallowing a few times. "He's not for me, okay."

Mother always got the feeling Ruby harbored feelings for the sharptooth boy, yet kept it to herself, wanting her daughter to come to the conclusion on her own. "We only want you to be happy. Speaking of him, we bumped into him before we came here."

Eyes wide, Ruby looked to Mother. "What, and you never told me?"

"We felt it best to wait and he told us not to mention it." Father spoke, rubbing his neck. "Along with other things."

In the past, the pair were traveling alone after the twins went on their own, unaware they were close to the Valley. By a creek they were, dunking their heads under to find a clam and devour it, unable to find lush greens with the changing of the tree stars. When a shadow fell over them, they gasped, knowing it belonged to a sharptooth. Their minds were put at ease when they recognized the blue skin, seeing it was none other than Chomper, though he was quite tall then last they saw him.

"C-Chomper, is it really you?" Mother asked, squinting to get a better look.

"It sure is." Chomper walked to them, glad to see a set of familiar faces.

"Where's Ruby, is she with you?" Mother looked around, hoping to see her daughter again.

That's when his smile fell. "No, she's still back in the Valley, where I hope she'll remain. In fact, I'm sure she's pretty upset that I left without her."

"You don't mean they kicked you out?" Inquired Father, surprised the members of the Valley would toss Chomper out on his own. "Did you eat someone?"

"Dear!" Mother pushed him back, going to Chomper without fear. "Don't listen to him, he's gotten foolish in his older age. So, are you allowed to visit?"

"No, they won't be too happy to see me try to sneak back in. Anyway, I can lead you both there, that way you can be with Ruby." Chomper said, lighting up. "Yeah, she won't be lonely if you two are there for her."

"Shame you can't join us, Ruby would be even happier if you'd be there."

"If only." Chomper took the lead, the pair following him.

The fast runners shared a curious glance, finding it enduring that he cared such much for Ruby's happiness. "So, about Ruby, did you tell her the truth."

Arching a brow, he looked to the older male. "What truth?"

"Come now, it obvious you care for her." Mother added, smiling knowingly. "You can't hide it from us."

"Well, I guess I do care for her, more than I realized till she wasn't there."

Chomper paused for a moment, knowing words failed him every time he tried to tell her, tried to share his inner thoughts. Thus, he closed his eyes, taking a cool breath.

Chomper:
"Oh, what I'd do to just be able to tell her what its's like, when I see her,
It's something like…(Happiness?)
Something like..(Hunger?)
Something like…(Fear)
I'd give anything for someone to say,
All the words I don't have, and I can't put together,
I'd give anything for someone to say to her,
That's she all I can think about and I can't live without her,

My father told me, compassion and morals,
Weren't meant for the heart of killer,
Courage, and strength,
The trials of the real world are what matter,
And all that should mold you,
Oh, what I'd do to have one thing you both have, that I never will,
You have something worth giving, a reason for living,
All I do now is, kill!

I'd give anything for someone to say,
All the words I don't have and I can't put together,
I'd give anything for someone to say to her,
That's she all I can think about and I can't live without her,
I'd give anything for someone to say,
That they can't live without me, they'll be there forever,
I'd give anything, for someone to say to me,
That no matter how bad it gets they won't turn away from me."

The pair gave him a sympathetic look, touched by how he felt toward their daughter. Yes, he was a sharptooth, but under all that, he was still a being, one of them, someone who longed for love, for acceptances. Sadly, he'd never find it, being born a meat-eater, judged and hate for something he couldn't even help.

"We could tell her how you feel." Father blurted out.

"What, no, it should really come from me."

"But you just sang about how you wanted someone to say what you couldn't." Mother said in confusion.

"Yeah, and I do wish for that. However, this is no life for someone. Ruby is a nice girl and deserves better, someone like her. A relationship with a nice male fastrunner, who could give her a family, a home. Things I never could and never will, that's the truth and darn thing about it all." Chomper smiled at the kind gesture. "But I thank you, also, maybe don't mention you saw me, that might upset her."

"Very well, we'll keep it a secret, you true feelings hidden." Mother assured, a promise she didn't break when they united with Ruby on the opposite side of the wall.

Once the tale was over, Ruby was perplexed they withheld such information, though Chomper told them not to mention his name, for reasons she couldn't understand. It was a lot to take in, wanting to ask more till someone yelled from outside the cave's entrance. Rolling her eyes, for it was the voice of Hyp, Ruby rose.

"Ruby, are you in there?" Hyp called, listening for a response.

Ruby came out of the darkness, crossing her arms and looking him over. "What do you want Hyp?"

"Well, another chance to try and beat you, show that I'm the one."

"Why can't some guys take no for an answer." Ruby uttered with annoyance. "Look Hyp, I think you should spend your time elsewhere, maybe bettering yourself."

Hyp gripped Ruby's arm when she went to leave, meeting her gaze. Her eyes were lovely, standing out against her pink skin, long eyes lashes and equally attractive legs. There was no doubt Hyp found her pretty, wanting her and not excepting her rejection. He ran his free hand to brush her cheek, only for her to slap it away, yanking her arm from his grasp. When her parents came out, he stood back, acting innocent, that nothing happened. He smiled to the couple, who said nothing and simply waited, watching them.

"Ruby, we should finish dinner." Mother said, giving Ruby an excuse.

"Right, well, goodnight Hyp."

Ruby walked in, her parents glaring at him before vanishing. Hyp sighed and left, rubbing his arm, feeling the old marks. What did Ruby see in that sharptooth boy? He was short, well, before he grew, a real whimp for where Hyp stood. Hyp meet the little bitter once, yet held distrust for Chomper, especially after one innocent. An event that sealed his pure hatred for Chomper, a fire that couldn't be stuffed out, burning still, for even with Chomper's absence, Ruby wanted nothing to do with him. Curse the little bitter, with luck he was dead, killed once he left the Valley. Glancing to his arm, he saw the scares, teeth marks.