Disclaimer: I don't own Namco or Tales studios so please don't make the wrong assumption that I own anything.

Notes: As suggested by SilentCat, I'm writing short chapters to make the updates a lot quicker. Considering how many girls actually get to play TOL, actually like slash, and appreciate Moses/Jay or even Moses at all, there are only so few of you who read my story until the last chapter. I just want to say how much I really appreciate you guys. Thanks so much!

(Don't worry, my ramblings and the notes are excluded from the 1500+ word count of the story content)

Chapter 6

As the bandits, with Aden, went to the direction of their camp, Moses went to the Item Shop to claim the customized item he bought as a gift for Jay. When the item dealer showed it to him, he could see no problem with it other than the fact that the ninja would probably just throw it back to his face. Moses mentally laughed at the thought, and asked for the item to be gift wrapped. He couldn't wait to see how Jay would react to his gift. Sometimes he can't just help but rile the younger teen, because the ninja's just so cute being so responsive like that.

As he stepped out of the item shop, he found himself surrounded by three small fur balls known as the Oresoren brothers.

"Yo!" Moses greeted with a smile.

"Ors!" the three greeted in return.

"Mission accomplished! Couldn't have done it without you guys! So, ya'll goin' to the party then?"

"Ors!" replied Pippo.

"But wait, we have something to ask you Moses." Poppo said. Moses noticed the seriousness of the other's tone.

"What's it?"

"News has reached us that there was a stranger with a monster aboard the ship that came in." Quppo explained.

"One of our people saw the stranger at the Port-on-Rage with a trained Peepit with him." said Pippo.

"So we came to investigate at the Port and were told that the stranger went to the direction of Werites Beacon." Poppo continued.

"When we arrived, based on the description of our people, that stranger was the one we saw with your men." Quppo ended, as all of them turned an inquiring gaze to Moses, waiting for the bandit's explanation.

"He's one of my boys and ain't nothin' to worry about. He's also from the MelOres (Silver Earth) tribe like me. We're beast tamers, and he's second best. Your people are safe." Moses reassured them with a smile and added, "Given your curious nature, I'm sure ya'll want to see for yourself, so tonight you may do so without harm from the Peepit." At hearing this, the three smiled in appreciation. But then, the expression on the bandit's face suddenly changed.

Pippo and Poppo almost gasped in surprise at seeing this. It was as if the happy-go-lucky bandit they got to know was replaced by a stranger in the blink of an eye. They felt like they were under a predators' gaze as Moses looked at each of them and said, "I just ask that whatever you might hear tonight, please keep it from Jay." The three could only nod in compliance at the underlying command.

To have anticipated that they would certainly do more than just 'look' at the stranger, Pippo and Poppo realized that there was more to Moses than what they see in the surface. As for Quppo, he had known it all along after all, as he said "Those eyes. You too have the eyes of a warrior, just like me."

This seemed to have broken the ice as Moses laughed good-naturedly and reaching down to pat otter's small shoulder, he said "Yeah! You and I are warriors through and through, Quppo!" Standing straight with his hands on his hips, he added "So now why don' we all head bravely towards Will's house to face Jay's fury together, huh? Let's go!"

As brave as they were, they felt a chill rise up at the back of their necks at the thought of the punishment that may await them at the hands of the ninja they all care about.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

After getting preoccupied thinking about the existence of one annoying bandit that made his life a living hell by threatening his sanity, Jay later found himself standing in front of Will's house, staring at the door.

"Hey Moses, you didn't exactly tell me what you meant by 'everyone'. Don't tell me the BB's were invited too? Or else I might as well change my mind." Hearing no reply from the bandit, Jay turned to glare at him but was surprised to see that the perpetuator of his current dilemma was nowhere in sight.

"Where'd he run off to?" A frown appeared in the ninja's face. 'I thought he was right behind me' At this thought, Jay felt a little twinge of sadness, as well as irritation for realizing that he must have gotten quite used to the bandit's presence these past few months to feel this way.

After leaving Giet in the Quiet Lands, Moses had become restless. More so during the first months of peace after the battle had ended and Grune left. The only person the bandit knows that can help get rid of his excess energy, as well as get his mind off from feeling lonely, was Jay.

Even though the Eren gang is a 'family' that each of them belongs to, everyone has someone closer to them than the rest. Senel has Shirley, Norma has Will and Harriet and he has them, Chloe has Elsa and even Alcott, while Jay has the Oresoren brothers; and as Moses would insist, Jay has his "big brother" as well. The only one Moses had is Giet, and with him gone, he liked to think that he has his "lil' brother" as well. Jay knew this too, which was why he got to expect the bandit coming to the Oresoren Village often in the future to annoy him with his presence, which Moses did. Loath he was to admit it; he had come to look forward to having the idiot's company no matter how annoying and stupid the beast tamer was.

Moses came almost everyday, but even though Jay lets him know how unwelcome he is and how the younger boy just tolerated his presence, he knew the ninja well enough by now to see past through his surliness enough to realize that Jay never once did seriously turn him away. As to why he didn't, Jay still asks himself the same question over and over, especially when the bandit does something irritating, like now.

'Seriously, the stupid bandit is SO going to get killed! The nerve of him to leave me here! After sending me to the gallows, he could have at least stayed beside me through my execution! What a "Big brother" he turns out to be.' At this thought, Jay let out a sigh of exasperation.

Not that he actually knows how the role of a "older brother", or "younger brother" for that matter, actually goes without any experience in growing within a family himself, but by watching how Quppo is to his younger siblings, Jay knew that Moses is doing a good job of it so far when it comes to him. He actually perfected the role of teasing and annoying his "lil' brother" as well as being quite unbearable when he gets too overprotective. Still, he can be quite caring and considerate, with the exception of present circumstances of course.

Turning around to face the door, Jay steeled himself as he reached for the door knob and pushed it open. He was startled by a popping sound which made him shield his face reflexively and open them when he heard his friends shout, "Happy Birthday Jay(-J)!!" amidst the showers of ribbons and confetti.

As Jay witnessed at the genuine smiles in their faces as they greeted him, he can't help but smile in return as he said, "Thanks." feeling gratitude towards them which he was surprised to notice was what he truly felt at that moment. Jay then found himself ushered inside by Chloe and made to sit in the living room sofa as they all sat opposite to him. Feeling happy and shy all of a sudden at their attention, Jay tried his best to accommodate all of them by telling them about what he had been up to and the likes, catching up after not being able to see them for quite some time because of his job of gathering confidential information for Lady Musette and being cooped up in the Oresoren Village with the brothers and Moses during his spare time.

It was only then that they noticed the absence of a certain rambunctious bandit, and Norma asked, "Where's Red, JJ?"

"Now that you mention it, wasn't he supposed to fetch you?" Shirley asked.

"He did. But isn't it fine and dandy without him here?" Jay replied insouciantly.

"I heard that!"

At the sound of the familiar voice, everyone turned to look at the door to the foyer where the beast tamer emerged.

"Speaking of the red devil…" Norma drawled.

Moses stomped his right foot and said, "Did you say somethin', Bubbles?"

"How can you dare to be late when you're the one who told us about Jay's birthday and even planned this party, huh?" Norma retorted scathingly.

Jay looked from Norma to Moses, his eyes wide in surprise as his mind digested this information. Suddenly, he felt warmth flow through his veins until it settled around his heart.

Looking chastised, Moses scratched the back of his head and said, "Sorry guys. My boys just got back and made their report so I was held up a bit…" Then, his countenance changed as his face broke into a smile as he announced, "But look who's just decided to crash the party!"

A scuffling sound can be heard behind him until three fluffy bodies appeared from the foyer, revealing the three Oresoren Brothers.

"Ors! Ors! Ors! Happy Birthday Jay!" they said in unison.

Surrounded by the people who care about him, Jay thought that having an occasion celebrated for him every year like this may turn out to be not bad at all.

Still, some people won't go unpunished for planning this without him. It's his birthday after all.

A/N: Wow! I can't believe I really update this fast. I guess I'm just bored and can't think of anything else to do than write at the moment so be glad. Please read and review! That way I can recognize your existence even if I don't mention your names one by one in my thanks. Just know that I appreciate you all the same D