HEY EVERYONE! CHAPTER 13 IS FINALLY DONE! SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT! WITH THE HOLIDAYS, NAMELY THANKSGIVING, OR WHATEVER THE HELL DOESN'T OFFEND YOU, I WAS BUSY! ANYWAYS, ENJOY CHAPTER 13!

Chapter 13: Moving Forward

Jaxson had finally awoken from the battle, and he looked around. He saw the blood that was everywhere, and noticed a body missing. He tried to move, only to find that it pained him to do so. He remained lying on the bloody ground, and looked at the first face he saw.

"Is Éclair alright?" Jaxson asked the fox girl, who smiled.

"Éclair is doing fine. Her wounds were treated, and she's currently being taken to the hospital. How were you able to kill it single handedly though? It didn't seem like weapons worked against it?" Yukikaze answered.

"Simple biology is how. Human and animals can be killed when the neck is snapped. Nothing can change that apparently," Jaxson answered, seeing movement on a tree. He pointed to where he saw the movement, and everyone turned to bear witness to what he saw.

The salamander was alive. Its tongue left its mouth before returning. It moved off the tree, and over to Jaxson. It lied down next to him, and he smiled.

"Heh. I've always wanted a pet salamander," Jaxson smiled. Some of them rolled their eyes. "Can you help me up?"

Gaul and Shinku were on either side of him, and helped him up. Jaxson smiled at them, and they returned it, even though his back was covered in blood. He looked at the dead monsters, and the gears started to turn.

"Does anyone know how to prepare shrimp?" Jaxson asked, indicating the giant dead shrimp. The salamander walked next to Jaxson as they left the area, blinking every now and then.

/-/2 Hours Later, Biscotti Republic\-\

Jaxson and Éclair were both fine enough to leave, though Jaxson left the salamander and some bandages covering his left eye so it wouldn't become infected. Éclair had some covering the torso, and it wasn't very noticeable unless you looked closely. Jaxson wondered what he was going to do wit the salamander for now, since there wasn't much water in the area that he knew about. But right now, he had other problems on his plate.

How was he going to prepare the giant shrimp they brought back?

He had a few ideas, some might not be able to work out due to the sheer size of the so-called shrimp. He groaned in frustration, throwing his head back. He shook his head, and looked at his salamander.

"What do you think I should do?" Jaxson asked the salamander. It simply blinked in response. "You are truly a wise one."

"It didn't say anything," Éclair pointed out.

"Verbally, you are correct. However, this is one wise salamander. I might have to keep him with me for advice on food and other things," Jaxson said. "Can you get me a few things? I need to start preparations on the shrimp. I need about 50 pounds of corn. No, 75 pounds. I'll also need about 100 pounds of potatoes, around 75 pounds of preferably sausage links. As for spices, I can handle those. Make sure to tell anyone who can cook that I'll need them to help me. Tonight will be a feast. If you can't find anyone here who is good with seafood, try Galette. There has to be someone there who can cook seafood."

/-/6 Hours Later\-\

"Her voice is amazing," Jaxson commented, hearing Millhiore sing for the first time. "Extremely better than every pop star combined." Éclair punched him, Jaxson taking the hint and shutting up. He listened in amazement, letting the sound of the music calm him. Once the song was over, he was standing, clapping. He wasn't long, as he rushed outside, heading towards the kitchen. He had everything going in quite a few pots, and grills. He also had people attending to the food, since he had already made half, and needed the other half finished ASAP. He didn't deny them the concert though, since he had a few broadcasting machines put in the kitchen that were out of the way. Once in, he helped out even more, talking over five of the stations, letting them get everything set up. Making sure everything was running smoothly, he smiled, seeing the food starting to get out. He made sure that the pots he had taken over got out as well, serving up some Cajun style seafood. Once everyone who helped was in the kitchen he smiled.

"Everyone, I'd like to thank you for helping out today with the food. Some of you did mess up, and I'm no exception to that. But tonight's dinner was a success!" Jaxson started raising a glass. "To all your hard work." Everyone smiled and drank some, excluding Jaxson. He still wasn't too sure about the drinking age, so his was simply lemonade, as he thought it paired well with Cajun style seafood. Grabbing two plates, he headed out, and looked for Éclair. Finding her, he handing her a plate, smiling.

"I still can't believe you pulled it off," Éclair admitted, taking a bite. "And it tastes great."

"I'd like to see you try to remove the delicate poison sacks. Right now, with some help from Ricotta, I'm storing them behind the castle until I can properly dispose of them," Jaxson informed.

"Needless to say, I think everyone is enjoying themselves right now," Éclair pointed out, Jaxson nodding.

"Looks like it. Excuse me. I have to talk to Millhiore-sama for a second," Jaxson excused himself, making his way over to the dog princess.

"So," Ricotta started, making Éclair jump slightly. "How are things going with Jaxson?" Ricotta asked, a very obvious grin on her face.

"There isn't anything between us," Éclair spoke, Ricotta's ears twitching slightly.

"So you wouldn't mind if those two girls are hitting on him right now?" Ricotta asked, pointing at Jaxson, who seemed uncomfortable with two girls, who were too close for Jaxson to enjoy the food and party.

Éclair's tail, ears, and hair started to rise just how a dog's would when they are angry. "Hold my plate," Éclair requested in an angry tone. And the request was more of an order than anything. Éclair stormed over to Jaxson, taking him by the arm away from the two girls. He was fortunate enough not to drop the plate, and save the half ear of corn he had (as in it was cut in half, not half of an eaten one). Taking him outside, Jaxson put the plate on the stone railing.

"What's wro-" before he could even finish, Éclair pulled him into a kiss roughly, Jaxson happily returning it. When they broke, Jaxson looked at Éclair, who had tears welling up. "Éclair," Jaxson lifted her head up, wiping away the tears. "What's wrong?"

"You're a real idiot, you know that?" Éclair informed.

"But I'm your idiot," Jaxson smiled, earning a chuckle from Éclair. "Finally made you laugh. Thanks. For saving me back there. They didn't seem to know what personal space is. And they were trying to advance on me."

"That's because you're an amazing person. You can cook, fight, and hold your own against demons," Éclair spoke, feeling something against her leg. Looking down, she saw the salamander.

"Don't forget the salamander. I have a pet salamander now," Jaxson added, the salamander eyeing the plate. "Go in the kitchen. I've left some steamed seafood and raw seafood in there for you. One of the chefs should know where it is, seeing how it is marked "Salamander."" The salamander blinked, and Jaxson sighed. "You're like an Earth dog, you know that?"

"I don't understand why you let him roam the castle grounds," Éclair commented, seeing the salamander walking through the party, people moving to let it through.

"Look up at the stars," Jaxson started, Éclair standing next to him looking at the stars. "No matter how many times I see a night sky, it always feels different. Each star has a story to tell. But the one that I'll remember is the one happening right now. I love you Éclair."

"I love you too Jaxson," Éclair smiled, Jaxson pulling her into a gentle and passionate kiss. They broke soon, Éclair resting her head on Jaxson's shoulder, Jaxson holding her close. They stood there, enjoying each other's company.

"Jaxson!" Ricotta busted into the out, seeing the two glare at her. "Am I interrupting something?"

"Kind of," Jaxson bluntly answered.

"You're also blunt," Éclair added.

"Thank you," Jaxson smiled.

"That wasn't a compliment," Éclair informed.

"I'll take what I can get," Jaxson shrugged. "So, what is it Ricotta?"

"They aren't anywhere to be seen," Ricotta smiled, her tail wagging rapidly.

"I know I'm going to regret this, but what are you talking about?" Éclair asked, already knowing that it was trouble.

"I'm taking my corn," Jaxson informed, grabbing the corn before moving with Ricotta.

"That didn't answer my question!" Éclair called out to Jaxson, seeing the salamander return. "Men." She saw the salamander blink, and sighed. "We might as well follow. After you."

/-/10 Minutes Later\-\

"You have the equipment I gave you?" Jaxson asked quietly, Ricotta nodding, holding a duffel bag. "Good. Open the bag. Make sure you're quiet when doing it. Slowly."

Ricotta un-zipped the bag, revealing some equipment of their making, and two cups. "Why are there cups in here again?"

"You can never be too old for low tech," Jaxson whispered. "Besides, if these fail, cups work ninety percent of the time."

"Fair enough. So, what are we trying first?" Ricotta asked, Jaxson pulling out a tablet that had a miniature spider on the right side, and a controller on the left. "Ah. How are we going to get it inside though?"

"Like this," Jaxson smirked, moving the spider around a bit to test its mobility. Looking at the tablet, he saw what the spider saw. Moving it under the door, he looked around seeing the two they were watching in the room. Carefully and as discreetly as possible, he moved the spider next to the bed. He followed it up by making it climb the bed post. He then had it upside down on the ceiling, and had it move to the corner that it could see everything. Digging each set of legs into the ceiling, Jaxson gave a thumbs up. "Headphones," Jaxson spoke, Ricotta getting out the two headphones, Jaxson putting his around his neck, and took out a micro sized wireless microphone, and another spider. "Switch to spider two," Ricotta nodded, letting Jaxson control it. Jaxson pushed the mic under first, and then moved the spider under the door, taking the mic with it. Moving it to under the bed to hide it, he moved it up the wall, the spider creating a small hole next to the bed, slipping the mic in so it was hanging a bit.

"Headphones on now. I'm turning the mic on," Jaxson informed Ricotta, both putting the headphones on. Jaxson had the spider push the power button, and then fully pushed it in. He moved the spider around to the opposite corner and dug it in there. "Spider-cam 2 is in place. We have eyes on the entire room Time to hear what they are saying," Jaxson finished, turning the wireless function on, hooking it up to the same network as the mic and tablet. The two looked at the tablet, and were watching Spider-cam 2.

"I think we've waited long enough. No one has noticed that we left," Shinku informed, the two trouble makers hi-fiving. Millhiore opened a draw, the two wondering what she was grabbing. Jaxson switched to Spider-cam 1 to save what little innocence Ricotta had since he caught a glimpse of what she had grabbed. Ricotta switched it back to Spider-cam 2, and saw Millhiore whack Shinku with the whip, leaving a red mark on his rear. She switched it back, and took her headphones off. Jaxson took his off, putting his in the bag.

"I tried to save you," Jaxson apologized.

"That's what she wanted it for?" Ricotta asked, her tone sounding scary. "I'm going to give her a piece of my mind."

"Wait. Switch to Spider-cam 2, and just watch. I think this will be hilarious to watch. Wait five minutes," Jaxson informed, standing up, turning the corner that they were hiding behind.

Éclair had just seen Jaxson turn the corner, Ricotta looking intently at a tablet. Walking over, she looked at the tablet, shocked to see how she was watching the two.

"What the hell Rico?" Éclair nearly shouted, Ricotta handing her a set of headphones.

"Watch and listen," Ricotta spoke, Éclair putting the headphones on, regretting the choice almost instantly. All she could hear was Shinku producing a mix somewhere between a moan and a scream after each time he was whipped.

"Where did Jaxson go?" Éclair asked, Ricotta pointing around the corner. Watching the video, Éclair was wondering what Jaxson was up to. Next thing she sees is Jaxson opening the door, looking at a clipboard.

"Millhiore, did you forget that you were to," Jaxson paused, looking straight at the two with a serious expression. As if he hadn't just walked in on the two he continued, "be in the main hall to make an announcement. Also, Leonmitchelli is looking for you, along with Couvert. When you see Shinku, tell him that Nanami and Rebecca are looking for him too. I shall take me leave now. I'll let you two enjoy yourselves now," Jaxson said with the cheekiest grin, slowly closing the door. He walked over to Ricotta with a victorious smiled.

"Jaxson one, Millhiore zero," Jaxson announced, seeing Éclair. "Great time to tune into the program. But I think we should move out now." Jaxson informed, packing everything into the duffel bag, moving quickly down the hall, the other two wondering why he was in a rush to leave. They heard a door open and close, with an angry Millhiore passing by them, going straight towards Jaxson, who was now booking it. A few seconds later, they heard it open and close again, seeing Shinku with a red face upon noticing them. He simply walked away faster, hiding his face in his hards.

"I'll take that as a victory," Ricotta smiled, Éclair wondering how she was surrounded perverts. "So, you and Jaxson? I was wondering when it was going to happen. I have been waiting for it since he came here. Just make sure that he doesn't hurt himself too much."

"If anyone hurts him, it's going to be me," Éclair commented.

"Kinky," Ricotta smirked, giving Ricotta a perverted look.

"Not like that," Éclair informed.

"One can only dream," Ricotta smiled, walking back to the party, the salamander blinking at Éclair.

"Shut it lizard," Éclair spat, feeling as if the salamander was judging her. Éclair wondered how she was going to handle her boyfriend of hers, since he is quite the loose cannon.

FINALLY, RIGHT? THEY TWO LOVE BIRDS ARE FINALLY A THING! BUT WAIT! THE STORY ISN'T DONE YET.

TO BE CONTONDERED...-

(That is not a spelling error. Look up To be contondered and you'll understand)