It Was Not Your Fault

by AnimalHumanFriend

The fifth Chip 'N Dale Rescue Rangers oneshot. In ReadingsWorthSharing's story "Leadership and Consequences", after attacking Chip and almost killing him with a pen, due to being hypnotized by Fat Cat into believing that Chip was his enemy, Dale is depressed and guilt-ridden, and fears that his relationship with Chip has been damaged. But is it true? Done as a request for Dargur.

It has been 20 minutes since the Rescue Rangers came home. Dale is in the living room, sitting on the sofa and staring down at the wooden floor with a sad expression. His eyes are bloodshot red and his red and yellow nightshirt is stained with tears, due to crying a lot. He has stopped crying, but he is not feeling any better, due to hurting Chip and almost killing him back in the woods with the pen, when he was hypnotized by Fat Cat into believing that Chip was his enemy. At that moment, Chip walks out of the kitchen, having a sympathetic smile and holding a timble of water with his right paw. He sits down on the couch to Dale's right and holds out the timble of water to him.

"Here you go, Dale." Chip says softly.

"Thanks." Dale whispers, taking the timble of water, while still staring down at the wooden floor.

Dale takes a sip of the water and heaves a sigh.

"There, there, it's alright now." Chip assures his little brother and best friend, while wrapping his arm around Dale's shoulder.

"I'm so ashamed of myself, Chip. I had hurt you and almost killed you with that pen and all because I had let myself be manipulated by Fat Cat." Dale replies with a hint of sorrow in his voice.

Chip gives him a brief hug and tells him "Stop beating yourself up. It wasn't your fault for what had happened. It was Fat Cat's. Besides, if it's someone I should be mad at, that someone is not you, but him.". Letting out a frustrated sigh, he adds "I still can't believe what Fat Cat did. One of these days, he will go down."

Dale takes another sip of the water. "Even so, I'm very sorry for what I did."

Chip smiles again. "Don't worry about it. It's over. I am still alive and well, you are back to normal and, above all, we are all home where we belong."

Dale slowly nods a few times, but continues to avoid eye contact with Chip. "You know? While running away and hiding in the woods from you and the others, I felt something in my soul."

"What did you feel?"

Taking another sip of the water, Dale explains "I felt a struggle. A struggle between my love for you and the thought that you were my enemy. First, I thought we were enemies, then I thought we were brothers and friends, then enemies again and so on. I was so confused that I really did not know what to believe." Finally looking at Chip, he adds "Only after seeing that photo of yours with us was I finally convinced that you were my brother and friend, and not my enemy."

"I knew that I could get through to you with that photo of mine. As our parents, God rest their souls, had always told us: 'A picture helps us to get the message'."

"Yeah. Oh, Chip, please forgive me for attacking you and almost killing you. I really didn't mean to do those terrible things."

"Dale, there is no reason for me to forgive you. Like I have said before, it was not your fault, it was Fat Cat's. He was the one who tricked you. And if you believe that this has ruined our relationship, you are utterly wrong. Our relationship is stronger than ever. And do you know why? Because you don't rebuild a relationship with someone by mending the past, because the past is already done. You rebuild a relationship by fortifying something better in the present, which thus builds the future outcome. Always remember that."

After what feels like an eternity, Dale finally smiles and his eyes fill up with tears. However, these are different kind of tears. Tears of joy, rather than tears of sorrow.

"Thank you, Chip. I'll try to remember what you have told me."

The two brothers and friends hug each other with all of their might and close their eyes. Little do they know is that they are being watched from the living room's doorway by Gadget, Monterey Jack and Zipper. Seeing the pleasant sight of the two chipmunks hugging each other, the three friends smile. They then stop spying on them and look at each other.

"I sure am glad those blokes have worked things out." Monty says.

"Me too. Dale is still traumatized, but Chip will help him get over this bad experience." Gadget explains.

"It won't be easy, but it will be a worthy effort." Zipper squeaks.

With that said, Gadget, Monterey Jack and Zipper walk away, or fly away in Zipper's case. The oneshot ends with a view of Chip and Dale hugging each other and shedding tears of joy for each other and the relationship they have.

The End!