Hey guys Price here and welcome to Chapter 5 of Tooth and Claw! I'm writing Chapter 27 of Zootopian Assassins at the same time I'm writing this, but I just have a bit more focus on this project at the moment. So it's obvious knowledge that Nick and Judy are going to die, and it's known how Judy dies. I am intentionally keeping Nick's death a secret to have as much shock value as possible. Yes, Lance's dream last Chapter was nothing more than stress and his own emotions catching up with him and expressing themselves. However, the Wolf who's laughter is mentioned is involved in how Nick will die, but that's it. Don't worry, that specific Chapter is a long way off, though I will drop hints randomly on it. Anyway, this is getting long enough, I think it's time to get...onto the story!
Blake sat in front of me, his expression unreadable as I finished the first part of the story. I waited for what felt like hours for him to say something.
"Sir, can I ask you something?" He inquired, and I smiled briefly.
"Of course, Blake. Anything." He nodded to himself at that, and he visibly hesitated before sighing.
"Do you ever think about that mammal? The one you...shot, on your first day?" He asked, and I sucked in a breath at the question. Of all the possible ones he could have asked, it was not one I had expected.
"I...can't say I have. Not many of the deaths I've witnessed over these thirty or so years have affected me, at least not in the long run." I answered, the younger Todd nodding slowly as he thought.
"That...dream you mentioned. Was it related to how Nick died?" I hesitated in my answer, wondering how I could answer it but not at the same time. I would get there, but not yet.
"Only a bit. I...found Nick like that. There was a Wolf's scent and a tape recorder, but that is it." Blake remained silent for a long while, and I glanced towards the windows. It was getting late. "You should probably go before it gets too dark." I stood, stepping past him to head to the bedroom to change when I felt something grip me.
"Sir...I don't need you to lie to me just to protect me any more." I smiled reassuringly at the Todd when I turned, and he just stared.
"In due time, Blake. In due time." Is all I said, the Todd reluctantly releasing his grip. I dipped my head in farewell as he stood and headed for the door, shutting it behind him. I smiled as I turned and stepped into the bedroom, pulling my dirty clothes off and changing into a loose shirt and pants. I lay down, closing my eyes and falling asleep quickly.
"Sir, stand down." Ordered Blake as he leveled his sidearm at me, and I kept my own pointed at the Wolf in front of me even as Blake pulled back the hammer on his own warningly. A pointless action, but designed to get the message across.
"I can't do that, Blake." I said simply, the Wolf staring at me with undisguised glee and begging.
"Yes, do it! Shoot me!" He begged, and I was only too glad to oblige him.
Three shots were fired in the abandoned warehouse. All three found their marks.
I jerked awake, my breathing ragged as I clutched at my own shoulder, expecting to find it sticky and warm. Feeling nothing but sweat, I let out a relieved grunt as I turned to the clock.
'Just...just a dream, Lance. You're fine.' I mentally said, my breathing slowly steadying as I hunched over and rested my head in my paws. This wasn't the first time I'd had a dream of such a sort, but it was the first time since Nick had died. I could only hope it wouldn't come to pass. Hopefully.
"Alright...what to do? Today is a work day, and I don't have any scheduled meetings or anything...I guess it'll be a lazy day." I muttered to nobody, trying to orientate myself a little.
'I am so going to eat those words.' I mentally said, and I let out a small laugh. That was highly probable.
I stood reluctantly from my bed, groaning as I opened my closet and pulled out a spare uniform. I got dressed quickly, stepping into the hallway and pausing as I made to pass the kitchen. I glanced around, despite knowing I was home alone, and pulled a small cut out from the island. I pulled the small container out, shaking it and counting how many rattles I heard.
"Three left. I need to get more." I said as I opened the tip and pulled one of the small sticks free. I stuck it in my mouth, holding it between my lips instead of my teeth, and placed the small container in my chest pocket as I exited the building and locked the door behind me.
I arrived at the station quickly, waving in greeting to Mike as I headed towards my office. I paused as I realized I still needed to do the roll call and give out assignments, letting out a groan in my throat as I headed towards the entrance.
The doors opened as I approached, just one of the many different technological upgrades the building had received in the thirty years I had been there.
I ignored the few glances I received as I headed for the podium. Everyone knew I preferred to use the main entrance and exit. As I passed Blake, however, he let out a confused noise.
"Uh, sir, what're you eating?" He asked, and I blinked in surprise when I realized I still had the small stick in my mouth. I remained silent, instead reaching into my pocket and pulling the container out, placing it on the table and continuing towards the podium.
"Dude, Blake, he never gives anybody a single stick of that stuff. You're lucky." I heard James Wolford whisper, and I ignored it as I hopped up onto the platform that had been added to the podium, just a foot and a half under the top. I pulled the stick free from my mouth so I could speak.
"Assignments; Delgato, Grizzald, Fangmeyer, you have Savannah S.W.A.T." The Wolf, Grizzly, and Tigress retrieved their folder and exited to my left as I continued. "Snarlof, Higgins, Jake, you have a possible Operator-level crisis and they need some beat cops there." The Polar Bear, Hippo, and younger Wolf glanced at each other nervously but nodded and exited nonetheless. An Operator-level crisis was never good, and held a high amount of danger to regular cops. "Whitetail, Wolford, Wilde. You have a patrol in Tundra Town." The younger Todd's jaw dropped open in shock as the Deer and older Wolf stood, heading for the exit.
"Hey, Wilde! You coming?" Whitetail called as he glanced over his shoulder, Blake snapping from his stupor and shaking his head.
"Yeah, just a second." He answered, the Deer and Wolford exchanging glances but exiting anyway. Blake approached me slowly, as if afraid it was a big joke. "Sir...this is...are you actually...?" I smiled at the younger Todd's skepticism, knowing it was well warranted.
"Go on. Tundra Town isn't going to patrol itself." I said, Blake's eyes welling with tears for a split second. He blinked them away, then saluted.
"Yes sir." I watched with a smile as Blake headed for the doors, an obvious spring in his step and likely a radiating smile on his muzzle. After a moment, my smile fell and I pulled my phone from my pocket. I selected the contact and waited.
"Lance? You need another spar session?" I chuckled at the question, then held the phone away as I let out a small cough and wheeze.
"No, sorry Lumi. But I do need a favor." I said, the Fox on the other end going silent for a long moment.
"It's about Blake." I was amazed she could tell, and even more so that she was so sure she didn't leave it as a hopeful question.
"I need you to keep an eye on him. I finally gave him a patrol with Whitetail and James, but I'd feel better if somebody I trust was there watching." Lumi caught on that I emphasized 'trust' and I heard a chair creak as she – presumably – stood.
"I'll need their route." And so I gave it, Lumi remaining silent as she made sure to memorize the information. "Okay. Blake will be safe." I let out a relieved sigh at that, but Lumi wasn't done. "You should trust your officers, Lance."
"I do, Lumi. I just mistrust the city more." I could tell Lumi knew what I was referring to by her sharp intake of breath.
"Lance, not all mammals are like that. And you will catch him, eventually. I know you, you idiootti." I chuckled at the insult, knowing she didn't mean it.
"I know. And I'll just deck Death in the face if he tries to come for me before I do." Lumi was silent for a moment, and I heard a door open and close, then the sound of the city infiltrated the call and I realized she had gone outside to begin her walk or whatever she was going to do to get to Tundra Town.
"I would honestly pay to see that. You're stubborn, Lance, so I could definitely see that happening. Not sure how he'd take it though." She finally said, and I laughed at the words. "Though I never did take you for believing in all that religious hoohaw."
"Nah, I don't. It was a metaphor that I refuse to die until I find that Wolf." I explained, Lumi letting out a hum of acknowledgement.
"Interesting." She remarked, and I could tell she was holding something back. "When you find him, Lance...give him my regards." I smiled at her words, knowing exactly what she meant. Every time she would pull the trigger on somebody back when she was an Operator, it was always "I gave them my regards."
"I never intended otherwise, Lumi. He isn't getting the chance to walk away on the insanity plea. Not after what he did."
"Good. Somebody who would do something like that...doesn't even deserve a trial." I chuckled, knowing Lumi could be...passionate when it came to this.
"Alright, thanks for helping me out Lumi. Talk to you later." I said, not really sure how to continue the conversation.
"Yeah, you better. You never did tell me about all those times you and Ni-"
"I told you I wasn't going to. I trust you, Lumi, but that isn't something you just talk about, even to close family which I have none of." Lumi snorted at that, apparently finding it amusing, and I rolled my eyes.
"You do have somebody, Lance. You just need to let them in." And with those final words, Lumi ended the call. I sighed, knowing full well what she meant, and pocketed the device as I placed the stick back into my mouth and headed for the doors.
'I need to get some more pocky on the way home...'
The day passed in relative silence, and I was only disturbed from my peaceful state by Lumi calling when the Tundra Town Patrol had ended to tell me nothing had happened. I waited for the inevitable knock on my door, and I didn't have to wait long.
"Come on in." I called at the first tap, the door opening after a few seconds of hesitation. I looked up from the picture frame in my paws, having been staring at it, but not. More into space while my gaze rested on it.
"Sir, I am both pleased and annoyed to report nothing happened today." Blake said as he stepped inside, and I let out a small chuckle at the words.
"It's been quiet today. I'm glad, honestly." I admitted, Blake nodding as he hesitated. After only a few seconds, he reached into his pocket and pulled the container free, placing it on my desk.
"Chocolate's bad for us." He remarked, and I scoffed.
"Technically it's just a chocolate flavoring. That brand was made with Canines and other mammals who can't have chocolate in mind." I said even as I took the container back, opening it. "At least you tried it." I said as I pulled the last stick free, holding it briefly in inspection.
"It was okay." I sent a playful glare at Blake for his words, pointing at him with the small chocolate flavored stick.
"That is blasphemy of the highest order." I said with an exaggerated accent, Blake snorting.
"Yeah, sure." He joked, inclining his head towards the chair briefly. I gestured for him to sit, and he did so quickly, but not too quickly. "So, I presume part two is tonight?" He inquired, and I shook my head.
"Sorry, but I didn't get as much sleep as I would have liked last night. I'm going to sleep as soon as I get home, but maybe tomorrow night or something." Blake nodded in understanding, and I absentmindedly nibbled on the small stick in my jaws. "Nothing really happened for a while after I got partnered with Hasan, though. Or at least, not something I'd like to talk about. But I'll tell you anyway, because it's only fair." Blake blinked in shock at that, and was quick to try and convince me otherwise.
"No, sir, you can omit it if you don't like to discuss it, really. I won't mind." I scoffed playfully, crunching a piece off the stick lightly.
"It's important to the story, Blake. Not something I can just skip over. If I do, a few things won't make sense." I explained, Blake sighing in defeat.
"Very well. Have a good night, sir." He said as he stood, and I hesitated in speaking up.
"Yeah...you too." I finally said, frowning slightly. Blake waved over his shoulder as he stepped out, and I leaned back in my chair as I pushed the rest of the chocolate-flavored coating part of the pocky stick into my mouth and bit down, crunching the biscuit as I tossed the rest away. Didn't really like the plain part of the stick, so I didn't ever eat them.
After thirty or so minutes had passed in relative silence, the door opened and Mike Clawhauser poked his head inside.
"Uh, Lance, the shift ended ten minutes ago." He said, and I nodded as I stood slowly.
"I know. Just...thinking about some things." I told him, Mike dipping his head briefly in thought.
"About...?" He inquired carefully, and I sighed.
"Ghost." I answered, Mike nodding in understanding. Ghost was what I had started calling the Wolf I'd been after for just over ten years for his elusiveness. "And other things." I added, letting the Antelope know I wasn't obsessing over the Wolf. At least not anymore.
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow then, Chief. Have a good night." He said, and I nodded as I stood.
"You too, Clawhauser. Oh, and tell Ben I said hi, would you?" I questioned, Mike chuckling.
"Will do. Later, Lance." He said, waving one last time. I did the same even though I was already closing on the door. He pushed it open and I stepped out, closing it behind me.
We separated outside as the Antelope turned East to where he lived, and I headed North to my own home.
When I arrived – after stopping and getting myself another box of those addictive biscuit sticks, of course – I hesitated by the kitchen. I shook my head and headed for the bedroom, too tired to bother getting a small snack before going to sleep.
After changing, I laid down and closed my eyes, pulling the pillow on the other side of the bed into my arms and snuggling it.
I sat up slowly, my eyes blinking slowly and tiredly as I glanced around. I was quick to notice I wasn't in my bed.
'Hm. Strange.' I mentally remarked, my confusion growing.
"Hey there. Been a while." I froze at the voice, before slowly turning my head. My eyes welled with tears at what I found.
"Nick..." The Todd smiled at me, but my happiness was quickly replaced with more confusion. "Wait...am I...?" Nick let out a laugh at the unasked question, then smiled reassuringly.
"You're just dreaming, Lance. It's okay." I smiled weakly, both glad and saddened by the information.
"I see. Nick, I'm sorry-" Nick held up a paw, and I paused.
"Nothing to apologize for, Lance. I lived a good life. Just wish I'd listened to you and actually adopted some kits." I laughed softly, knowing Nick had only put it off because we had both been unsure if we would be able to handle it. Nick sat down next to me, his gaze fixated on the distance.
"I miss you." I said sadly, Nick letting a small, good-natured huff escape him.
"I know. But you aren't allowed to die yet, Lance. You still have to take care of Blake. Find Ghost." I blinked in surprise that he knew what I was calling that Wolf, but then realized he should know it considering this was just a dream. He was just a figment of creation made by my brain. It was a sad thought, but it explained a bit.
"I'm surprised you don't want to talk me out of what I plan to do." I remarked, Nick chuckling.
"Oh I want to, believe me, but I know it'd be pointless. Nothing will stop you. I just don't want you to focus on that anymore, is all. You have somebody you can count on again, Lance, but you don't even know it. Maybe not like me, but you need to let them in at least emotionally. You can't lie to them with these things." Nick said, and I formed a line with my lips.
"I will, Nick. Just...not ready to yet is all. Ten years is a long time to build up barriers." Nick scoffed at that, but passed the topic off in favor of other things.
"So, Blake's a cop now." He said, and I chuckled.
"Yep. Sorry." Nick smiled briefly, then turned his gaze to me.
"Ah, it's fine Lance. He'll make a good cop. I know he will." Nick said, making me snort.
"I can't help but feel like I failed to keep my promise to you, though. You told me to keep him safe, and now he's a cop. Today was his first patrol; had Whitetail and Wolford with him." Nick nodded, letting out a small chuckle.
"James or Jake?" He inquired, and I rolled my eyes.
"James, obviously. I'm not going to give a Green to somebody with the same amount of experience as them." I said, Nick arching an eyebrow.
"Pretty sure anybody in the Precinct has more experience at patrols than Blake did before today." I winced at the words, and Nick's tone softened as he continued. "Don't worry, thought you were doing the right thing."
"But was I really? I kept him from doing something he wanted for a long time, and I shouldn't have. I know how it feels to be kept from doing what you love, and I made a promise to myself I would never do something like that to somebody else. But I did. I betrayed myself because I was too selfish to risk losing the only family I have left. God, I'm pathetic." I said, Nick suddenly standing instead of sitting. He reached down and, before I could react, pulled me up by the shirt collar.
"For christ's sake, Lance, will you just stop!? You are not weak, you are not pathetic. You are one of the best mammals I've ever known, Lance. You would give your life if it meant saving somebody el-" I tore away, my eyes welling with tears.
"No I wouldn't!" Nick stared in shock, and I continued. "I wouldn't give my life for somebody else, Nick! Yes, I would have gladly traded places with you that day, but that's different! You were my mate, Nick." My voice softened, and I collapsed to my knees. "You made me happy. You gave me something in life. You gave meaning to it. Ever since you died, I've been nothing but an emotional wreck with a countdown raging inside of me. I keep it hidden, but that only makes it worse." Nick had squatted down and wrapped his arms around me comfortingly at some point during my spiel, but I just stared into space even as he spoke.
"I'm not dead, Lance. Nobody truly dies until they are forgotten by all." I just stared into space, trying to get my emotions under control, when I gasped as a familiar song began to fill the air.
"Os iusti meditabitur sapientam, et lingua eius loquetur indicum. Beautus vir qui suffert tentationem, quoniqm cum probates fuerit accipient coronam vitae. Kyrie, fons bonitatis. Kyrie, ignis divine, eleison. O quam sancta, quam serena, quam benigma, quam amoena esse Virgo creditur. O quam sancta, quam amoena, o castitatis lilium. Kyrie, fons bonitatis. Kyrie, ignis divine, eleison. O quam sancta, quam serena, quam benigma, quam amoena, o castitatis lilium." I smiled at the song, resting my head on Nick's shoulder.
"I love you, Nick." I said, wrapping my own arms around him.
"Love you too Lance. See you later." I felt myself lean forward, and I blinked as I righted myself. I looked around, finding nothing but an open – though extremely beautiful – field in all directions.
I jerked up, glancing around briefly as I panted. I wiped at my eyes to get them clear, and my paw came away wet. I experimentally licked it, wincing at the salt. I'd been crying in my sleep.
I glanced at the clock, groaning when I saw it was only three in the morning. I flopped back down onto the bed, thinking about going to sleep.
After a few minutes, I decided against it. One dream was good enough, I didn't want to risk another.
I stood, shaking my head to clear it and stumbling out of the bedroom and into the living room. I sat down on the couch, letting out a contented sigh as I noticeably sank into it.
'God, I love comfy couches.' I thought, groaning in delight as I felt myself drawn into the foam. Sooo comfy. With a sigh, I pulled myself up and stepped over to the movie rack. It was small, though that was mainly due to it being for my favorite movies. The rest were in a floor to ceiling rack a few feet away.
Picking up one of my favorites, I popped open the case and pulled the disk free. Sliding it into the DVD player, I sat back down on the couch as it loaded.
Forty five minutes later, I wiped a sad tear from my eye as I stood up. God, I loved that movie, even if it was technically marketed to female kits and teenagers.
Knocking at my door caught my attention and I approached it, wondering who it was. I blinked in surprise, then smiled as I saw who it was.
"Hey there, Blake." I said, stepping aside so the Todd could enter. He stepped inside, and the tv's glow caught his attention. He tilted his head in curiosity at the symbols that flashed by, then turned to me.
"Uh, what were you watching, if I may ask?" He questioned, and I smiled sadly.
"Hotarubi no mori e. Into the Forest of Fireflies' Lights in English." I answered, Blake catching the sad tone in which I answered.
"I'm presuming it's a sad movie...?" He inquired, and I scoffed.
"I cried for ten minutes my first time watching it. Cried myself to sleep that night." I said in answer, Blake blinking at that.
"I find that difficult to believe." He remarked, and I arched an eyebrow. I glanced at the clock in the kitchen, finding it to only be three fifty, and turned back to Blake with a grin. "I don't like that smile."
"Come on. We got plenty of time, and it's only forty five minutes long." I said, jerking my head towards the couch. Blake hesitated, then nodded as he approached. He sat down, and I did so next to him as I restarted the movie. When the first scene showed up, he glanced at me.
"It's a cartoon." He remarked, and the glare I sent at him was completely genuine.
"Anime. Not a cartoon." I said sternly, Blake arching an eyebrow.
"Okay..." He said, turning back to the tv. I did so as well, already dreading the end even though it was only two minutes in.
When the ending rolled around, I felt my eyes moisten.
"Come, Hotaru. I can finally touch you." As the two characters embraced, I wiped a tear from my eye. Blake glanced at me, then shook his head. As Gin disappeared fully, I looked to my left and away from Blake to hide the sudden flow of tears.
"This isn't really that sad, sir." Blake remarked, and I sighed.
"It is to me." I said, the Todd glancing at me.
"Oh." Was all he said in response, apparently realizing just why it was so sad to me. I glanced at the clock, then sighed as I stood and turned the tv off. I stretched, my back cracking loudly. "Hey, when was this made?" He suddenly asked, and I smiled briefly.
"Two thousand eleven." I answered, Blake letting out a surprised hum.
"Wow. This has been out for a long time." He said, and I chuckled.
"And it is still so impactful. God, I love this movie." I responded, turning off the DVD player and heading for my bedroom. Blake gripped my forearm and I froze as he slowly slid his paw to my wrist.
"Sir..." I sighed, gently pulling my arm free from his grip.
"It was a bad time, Blake. I'm passed it now." I said, continuing towards the bedroom so I could change.
"Clearly." I paused at the word, knowing full well what he meant.
"Yeah. Clearly." I stepped into the bedroom, coming out two minutes later with my uniform on. "Let's go." Blake dipped his head, following me out as I exited the building, and I stepped aside so he could move past. I locked the door, then set off towards the Precinct. We had more than enough time, really, and I was going to use that time.
"Hey, wanna get something to eat before we go in?" Blake asked suddenly, and I whipped my gaze to him. I had been about to ask the same thing.
"Sure thing. No Bug Burga, though, please. Don't like that." I said, Blake snorting in amusement but nodding nonetheless.
"Understood. Any preferences?" I shrugged, not really certain I did have any.
"Not really, but I am partial to McClawnolds." I answered, Blake chuckling at that. "One of the few fast food companies to stand the test of time."
"Jeez, I forget how old you are sometimes." Blake remarked, and I rolled my eyes playfully.
"And I'm still going strong." Blake chuckled again at that, and I smiled briefly before letting it fade. "So what were you doing up this morning?" I inquired, turning to the Todd questioningly.
"I just woke up. Couldn't go back to sleep so I decided to walk the town. Saw light coming from your window and figured you were up. Guess I was right." I snorted in amusement at the answer, shaking my head. "You?" I hesitated.
"...Dream." I finally answered, Blake tilting his head.
"Good or bad?" He questioned, his expression curious.
"I'm...not really sure. It felt good, but it wasn't entirely good." Blake just looked even more confused at that, so I elaborated. "Nick was there. But it wasn't a memory dream, more like...a hallucination but also kind of not. I don't know, it's difficult to explain." Blake nodded in understanding, and I awaited the answer I could tell he wanted to ask.
"What'd you two talk about, if anything?" I blinked in surprise, not expecting that particular question.
"Not much, really. He just wanted to know about you. Gave me a little pep talk." Blake frowned in thought at the last bit, then turned to me.
"So much for being fine if you need a pep talk from a ghost." He joked, and I stopped. Blake continued for a few paces before he seemed to realize something was wrong, and he turned. "Sir?" My eyes were closed, my right paw clenched and shaking slightly, and I took a deep breath before opening my eyes.
"You know, I'm suddenly not hungry." I said coldly, turning around and heading back to my home.
"Sir, wait! I didn't mean it like that!" I whirled around at his words, Blake barely stopping himself from running into me.
"How else could you mean it, Blake!? You have no idea what I have been through! What I've been forced to do!" My voice broke at the last part, and I barely kept the tears back as I continued. "No mammal should have to do what I was forced to do, Blake." With that, I turned around and left a stunned Blake behind as I headed home.
After arriving home from the long day at the Precinct, I locked the door behind me, then paused and leaned against the wall next to it as my head fell. A glint of metal caught my eye, and I looked up. My gaze rested on one of the knives in the kitchen, not fully inside it's container, and I felt that familiar surge of regret boil up.
I hadn't lied when I had told Blake it had been a bad time in my life. I'd lied when I said I was over it. I wasn't that bad anymore, but I definitely wasn't over it.
A knock at my door made me jump, and I glanced at the clock. I blinked at the time, not having realized how long I'd been there. It was already eleven. I'd been where I was for almost two hours already.
Another knock, and I sighed. I didn't bother to check, I already knew who it was as I opened the door.
"Sir." Blake said by way of greeting, and I kept my gaze cold as I stared at him, making sure to cross my arms.
"Something you need, Lieutenant?" I inquired, Blake sighing.
"I...I'm sorry about what I said earlier today. It was wrong and unthoughtful." I let out a small huff of amusement, finding the scene strangely funny.
"Just...don't say it again, Blake. I understand that I appear fine, but I need some time before I let you see everything there is to see about me. Ten years is a long time to construct barriers." Blake nodded at my words, and I could see genuine regret in his eyes.
"I understand, sir." Blake said, dipping his head respectively. I stepped aside and waved him inside, Blake hesitating before entering. I closed the door behind him, locking it as I headed for the couch.
Sitting down, I felt genuine relief at the feeling of the soft sofa basically enveloping me.
"Mmmm, yeah." I groaned out, Blake chuckling in amusement. He sat down as well, and I awaited the question or statement or whatever he was going to say.
"So...what made you stop?" He inquired, and I could already tell what he meant.
"I set my sights on a solid, tangible goal. I stuffed down my pain and used my anger to help fuel my quest. Still haven't found the bastard." Blake nodded at my answer, already feeling awkward if his cough was any indication. "So I suppose I should continue the story, huh?"
"Please?" I let out a soft laugh at the softly spoken question, and I glanced at the Todd.
"Alright. Where'd I end it again?" I asked, not quite sure where I had left off. I'd had a lot on my mind since then.
"Um...you cut away from you and Nick..." Blake trailed off and I snorted in amusement.
"You are so awkward with that I swear." I said teasingly, Blake just sighing.
"And you weren't before you found your mate?" I smiled briefly at the Todd.
"Fair enough. Alright, so I'm gonna skip ahead a little bit, since not much really happened for a while. Not too far, just like a year or so. That's about when things began to pick up." I said, Blake nodding.
"The floor is yours." He said, and I rolled my eyes in amusement.
"Why thank you, kind sir." I said with an offensively bad attempt at a British accent, Blake chuckling. "Alright, alright. Enough messing around. So, it was just a normal day in Precinct One..."
And that does it for Chapter 5 of Tooth and Claw! Whew, that was fun to write, especially Lance's little dream sequence. The only reason it's not in all Italics is because, while a dream, I figured I'd only do Italics for things related to future or past events. This dream was nothing more than a little way for some character development on Lance's part, as well as some emotional release for him. He's kept a lot of things pent up over the years, and once he gets emotional it just keeps going unless he can get a grip on it before it gets too bad. And yes, I actually did watch Hotarubi no mori e. And yes, I really did cry myself to sleep after watching it. That was just so horrible that I couldn't help it. Gin and Hotaru didn't deserve that. Anyway, this is getting long enough, I'll see you guys...next update.