A/N: I deeply apologize for keeping everyone in the dark for such a long time, but finally, here is the next chapter of the story! I've been busy with a lot of personal issues lately, but none too serious, mind you. But I appreciate the patience you've all had with waiting for the next chapter in the story. The next and final chapter after this will be short and I'm currently working on this moment.
Thanks again for your patience! Enjoy the read!
Ch. 4
Ariel paced back and forth anxiously. It would be sunlight in an hour. Where was Shade? And where was Chinook?
All she was told from Breeze, was that the two of them would be coming back. But she didn't say how long it would be. Ariel was greatly relieved that her son was safe, but would feel much better once Shade was back in her wings.
But that was hours ago. With the pre-glow of the sun beginning to rise in the distance, her worry was also beginning to increase. What if they didn't get back in time? Ariel wasn't sure how much longer she could handle being without Shade. As she continued to pace back and forth, Isis watched her with sympathy. Though she didn't show it much, but on the inside, she too was also worried for Shade. She remembered back at Tree Haven that she was heavily against the thought of Chinook being around the 'law breaker'. Especially after Shade had just caused the destruction of their home. Isis couldn't help but wince at how she had called him that, especially right in front of Ariel. Stepping forward, she carefully placed a claw onto Ariel's shoulder, lightly startling her out of her worried trance.
"Ariel," Isis spoke with a comforting smile, "I'm sure the Shade and Chinook will be alright. They should be back soon." Ariel only sighed, shoulders sagging as she seemed to relax a little.
"I'm sorry, Isis, but...I just can't relax until Shade is actually here. So I know that he isn't hurting anymore." She spoke as she looked out at the tree line again, "But I also apologize for being so worried."
Isis smiled softly, but it faded as she looked at the ground, "No, Ariel. I'm the one who should be apologizing. I never meant to be so harsh with your son when he...you know." She shrugged her shoulders, slightly avoiding her gaze, "But you have to understand why most of us would be so angry towards him. But that doesn't excuse the fact that he might've chosen not to return to the colony, especially with how most of us have treated him. Not to mention...you."
Ariel listened to every word, but not a single emotion flashed through her face. She was calm.
"I know things haven't been very easy for you ever since Cassiel disappeared. With...Shade being the only one you have left. But...still, that doesn't excuse me or any others who may have caused something like this. If there's a way I can-"
"Isis." Ariel's voice cut her off, the female immediately falling silent, "What happened with Shade isn't yours or anybody's fault. Though, Chinook I'm still thinking about forgiving. But you're not to blame here. Everyone in our colony has lost a home, most of us are still recovering from the loss. What's important is that some of you seem to be willing to give Shade a second chance." She turned to the few females, and Breeze and Todd, who she smiled at softly, which they returned happily, "Some most than others." She turned back to Isis, "But...thank you, for your concern. I appreciate it."
The female smiled softly at Ariel, before her gaze drifted to the side, and seemed to settle on something off in the horizon. Her eyes immediately lit up.
"Ariel!" Isis pointed off in the distance, the latter looking in the same direction. Coming in slowly, but surely, a familiar blue colored shape was coming towards the tree. As it got closer, both females' faces lit up as they recognized Chinook, but also the blonde hair resting on his shoulder.
He came in for a wobbly landing, almost stumbling as he landed on the thick branch, mostly because of the precious cargo he was carrying. Todd and Breeze were the first two to fly over and greet them. Chinook glanced at them softly, though he seemed to act a bit shy when the two teens came over. Turning to his sleeping passenger, he softly shook Shade's claw.
"Hey, Shade. Wake up." He whispered, smiling as the young bat began to stir, groaning tiredly, "Come on, little guy. We're home." He gave a few more encouraging shakes before Shade began to finally open his eyes. Yawning lightly, he rubbed his eyes with his wing, before he began to get a better look at his surroundings.
"Nngh…Chinook?" He glanced at the larger bat curiously, before focusing it on the two familiar bats standing a few feet away. Once he recognized who they were, the tiredness in his eyes went away. What was he doing back here? He didn't realize that his claws were beginning to quiver, squeezing handfuls of the crest around Chinook's neck, "C-Chinook? What...what am I doing back...?"
A claw squeezed his own warmly, the shivers slowly ebbing away, turning to look into Chinook's surprisingly caring and much more gentle eyes.
"Shade, it's alright. I think they want to see you first." He used his eyes to point at Todd and Breeze, who seemed much more eager to see Shade. Though feeling apprehensive, the small bat began to let go, climbing off of Chinook's back, and standing on the bark of the tree. With a new shyness, Shade stepped forward, just as Breeze began to do the same. Todd remained behind, watching as the two bats stepped closer and closer until they were only a wingspan apart.
Shade looked up at Breeze, then focusing back on the bark of the branch. What was he supposed to do? Did he need to say something before Breeze? Taking a deep, and nervous breath, Shade prepared himself to say a casual greeting. But the familiar feeling of being wrapped in wings engulfed him again.
Breeze had wrapped him into a warm hug, squeezing softly as she rested her chin on his shoulder.
"Oh, Shade," She whispered softly, "I'm so glad you're okay." Her wings hugged him a little tighter.
Shade could only remain in stunned silence, looking at Breeze like he had never been hugged before. But as the seconds passed, he worked up the courage to return the embrace, "Thanks, Breeze." He smiled softly, letting her go just as she did, giving him a happy smile as she turned to Chinook. Shade noticed that her smile seemed to falter. He watched as she walked up to the larger bat, looking him in the eye. Chinook only looked at her for a second, his gaze wandering anywhere else but her. Knowing that there was no escaping this, he could only furrow his brow with closed eyes, letting out a deep sigh.
"Ah, Breeze. I'm...I'm sorry, I-"
*SMACK!*
Silence filled the air. The females had a claw up to their mouths in quiet shock, Shade and Todd looked on with slack-jawed stares. Chinook was facing off a little to the right, a bright red mark beginning to form on his left cheek. Breeze only stood still, her face frozen in a neutral stare, though her brow was slightly furrowed. With a soft hiss, he held a claw to his face in slight pain, grimacing as he turned to face her, "Okay. I deserved that."
"You did, Chinook." She hissed quietly, glaring at him dangerously, "That was for insulting Shade's dad before Tree Haven. And this-!" She whipped the back of her claw the opposite direction.
*SMACK!*
"Ah!"
"Is for saying all those awful things to him!" She yelled, looking at Chinook with utter disgust for his earlier actions. As the larger male began nursing both cheeks from the assault, he didn't notice her stepping closer to him. Chinook shut his eyes, waiting for another strike from his former friend.
"And this," He squeezed his eyes shut tighter, awaiting the slap that would follow after those words. But instead, he felt wings wrap around his neck, and a pair of warm and soft lips pressing against his right cheek. A new redness crept in on his muzzle and cheeks, as Breeze nuzzled his reddening cheek softly, "Is for finding him and bringing him back." She hugged him tighter as her own cheeks began to redden, smiling, "Thank you."
Chinook, his face as red as it ever been, only looked at Breeze as she separated from him, still smiling with a blush. He could only smile back, giving a bashful chuckle.
As Shade watched on with a smile of his own, Todd stepped forward to give his words as well, stopping in front of him. He obviously didn't seem to be used to situations like this, as he glanced from side to side.
"Umm. Well..." He muttered, scratching the back of his head, "I'm...not really the hugging type like Breeze, because, well...that would be kind of awkward." He breathed out shyly, which only made Shade smile out of amusement. It was only after a short light-hearted chuckle that Todd began to look a little guilty, twiddling his thumbs softly.
"But still, I'm...I'm sorry for not defending you when Chinook...you know. Said all that stuff about you and your father. I probably…" Todd quickly frowned, shaking his head, "No, I should've stepped in when I had the chance. Otherwise...none of these things would've happened." He said, looking off to the right, "But...I'm glad that you're alright. It's a relief knowing that we won't be losing a member of the colony." The chubby Silverwing looked up at Shade with a smile. Looking off to the right once more, Todd began to fiddle with his claws again, "So…can we…," He began, but seemed like he was having trouble trying to force the words out, "You know. Start over?" He looked up at Shade hopefully.
"It's alright, Todd. We're good." Shade smiled, "And thanks, I really appreciate it." He replied, the two teens shaking claws, clearing up the past between them.
But just like Breeze, Todd's face melted into a slight frown as he looked at Chinook. Shade could tell he was waiting for his chance to talk, too. After exchanging a few words with each other, Breeze and Chinook shared comforting smiles, before she took flight to head back into the tree for some much needed rest. It was then that Todd's gaze locked with the larger bats. Instantly, Chinook's ears folded back, but he managed to hold his eyes with the shorter bats. He had felt guilty, just from looking into Todd's eyes. The short, tense and cold words he had said before the came to the island still rung clear in his head. Finally relenting to the judging stare, Chinook hung his head down in a respective gesture.
"Go ahead. Just...say what you need to say."
Taking in a deep breath, Todd prepared to say what was on his mind, knowing that it needed to be said. Otherwise, it would bother him later on if he didn't.
"You were stupid." He stated rather bluntly, Chinook flinching at the brutal honesty, "That night when Shade dared you to see the sun, all you could've done was ignore it. If you just left it alone, he would've never tried to look at it in the first place. Also adding those insults about his father before...that was just a shallow move. I mean, really?" Todd asked in an exasperated tone, glaring right into Chinook's eyes, "You already made fun of him for his size! Now I may not have known him myself, but you were insulting someone that our colony lost! Didn't that mean anything to you before?" Todd tried to contain himself from yelling out the last statement. All the while, Chinook took in the harshly truthful words easily, though not without the occasional wince and flinch from the chubby bat's tone.
After a few seconds of silence, Todd took in a deep and calm breath, scratching a claw through his orange hair as he exhaled. Rubbing the back of his neck, he looked up to Chinook.
"But, another thing," Fixing a stern gaze on the larger male, Chinook preparing for another verbal beating, "The reason why I hung out with you before...was because you were cool. I mean...before all this, you were the best and fastest flyer in our whole colony," He quickly turned back to Shade, giving an apologetic look, "No offense, Shade."
The blonde bat simply responded with a small grin and a shrug.
Todd turned back to Chinook, "But after what happened with Tree Haven...and what happened just now on this island...I finally saw what you really were." Hardening his gaze again, he stared directly into Chinook's eyes.
"A bully. A show-off. A downright...heartless and unfeeling bat."
Chinook's ears lowered, grimacing at the words that were very much true, but also slightly hurtful. As he looked down at the bark, Todd turned and looked back at Shade again, noticing that he was watching them both with a worried expression. But he was mostly looking at Todd the most, as if the words that were just spoken might've been too much.
With a soft sigh, the portly Silverwing's face softened up, but only a little, "But...if Shade and Breeze are giving you a second chance...than I suppose," Todd breathed out, "I should, too."
With slight apprehension, Todd slowly held his claw up and out to Chinook, his face remaining stern. Despite the expression, Chinook gave a small smile as he reached forward, and softly took the claw in his own and shook it. Todd gave a curt nod, turning around and spreading his wings. But before he got himself ready to fly, he turned and looked at Chinook one more time,
"You know things will be different with us from now on right?"
Chinook, his hopes of getting things back to normal with the shorter bat falling, could only nod slowly in understanding. With one last look, and a small encouraging grin, Todd leaped and took flight back into the tree. After a few moments of silence, Chinook let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, feeling relieved. But he also couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
The first reason, him being relieved, was that Shade and Breeze had forgiven him for his actions, and were willing to give him another chance. The disappointment part, was when Todd had said that things would be different between them. Even if it was just showing off for the shorter bat, Chinook had considered Todd to be his best friend, even if he didn't actually say it when they hung out together.
As he stood silent, lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice Shade stepping up beside him to his right. Chinook glanced at his little brother, smiling as he got down on one knee, so that he could at least be at the same height.
"Hey, Shade." He breathed out, his voice tired and cracked.
"Hey, Chinook. Uhh…you okay? That seemed a little…" Shade wanted to say, but remained silent with a wince, gesturing to his cheeks with a claw. The larger male only chuckled softly, but lifting a claw to rub his sensitive cheeks. Getting slapped wasn't exactly pleasant, but the pain had only lasted for a few seconds, though leaving them a bright pink color.
Wincing slightly from the small stings of pain, Chinook only grinned at Shade, "Yeah, I'll be fine. Nothing I can't handle." He said, not noticing Ariel stepping up to his side. Turning to look, the grin on Chinook's faded lightly as he went from confident, to shy and nervous in a second. The effect seemed to double when Isis stepped up to him first. There was a moment of a tense and uncomfortable silence between the two, until Chinook's mother gave a soft smile, and hugged him, one that Chinook was happy to return, with a small calm smile of his own.
"I'm so proud of you, son." She whispered, giving him a loving squeeze.
"Thanks, mom. But…it was something I needed to do. Not just because you and Ariel told me to." Chinook spoke, "I had to find him to make sure he was okay."
Isis separated from him, "I know that, Chinook. I could see it in your eyes when you left to search for him." She gave him a knowing gaze, "You were afraid you did something that would have lasting consequences. You took responsibility and you did your best to fix things with him." After keeping her son in her wings for a few more seconds, she turned and looked at Shade, the teen regarding her with a shy and unsure posture. What was she going to say to him now?
Isis slowly walked up to him slowly, not wanting to make the Silverwing nervous as she knelt down to his height. Shade wasn't expecting her to have the expression that was currently on her face. Before Tree Haven and after he had looked at the sun, he remembered that Isis had practically despised the idea of Chinook being around a lawbreaker. When he thought about it, her exact words were, 'Keep that lawbreaker away from my baby'.
He had scoffed at her words before. Thinking about them again would have made him laugh, but after so much happened in a single night he couldn't find the energy to.
But the way she was looking at him now, was a look that was apologetic and sincere. The serene face that any mother would display to their own child. Isis seemed to look unsure of herself, just as much as Todd was when he apologized to him. Was she…?
The older female took in a breath.
"I know…I haven't been treating you well for the past few months. Especially after what happened to our roost." Isis made herself to keep her eyes locked onto Shades', "But that still doesn't excuse the words I've said to you after you saw the sun. You did break the law, after all. But…calling you a lawbreaker in such a judging and hateful tone was inexcusable of me. I know you were just curious like all the other pups." She continued on, beginning to look more remorseful and guilty as she kept on going, "But I was just scared of what would happen to us when the owls found out. I'm sure most of us were. Not only for our home…but for our pups, especially Chinook." Isis glanced back to her son, before looking back at Shade. She could see him in deep thought, no doubt remembering and thinking about her words and the events that transpired.
She took another deep breath, "But all I want to say to you, Shade, is that I'm sorry for being so harsh to you. If you don't want to forgive me, that's fine. I wouldn't blame you."
He wasn't exactly sure what to do at this moment. Chinook wasn't so sure either. But he was more focused on what Shade would choose to do. His brow furrowed in deep thought, eyes focused on anything but Isis, Shade fidgeted with his claws. Before he could get the right words out, Isis stood up, he happened to look up and saw a much more solemn expression on the older female's face.
The next words she spoke made him realize that he remained silent for too long, "I understand."
"Wait!" Shade hurriedly called out, "Sorry, I…was just thinking. Uh…," He found himself fidgeting again.
Why did it feel harder to forgive an adult?
"I understand why you would act the way you did." He continued, the words beginning to flow easier, "Like you said, you were just looking out for Chinook. I…really didn't like being called a lawbreaker, well, at least the way you said it, but you were right. I did just break, like, our most absolute law." Taking another breath, the words continued out of him like water, wanting to let out his remaining emotions, "I…actually considered at one point to find the owls and…hand myself over to them."
He could have sworn he heard Isis gasp quietly, "I know it wouldn't bring back Tree Haven, but…the least it would have done was give me the feeling of at least redeeming myself to entire colony. Maybe…I should've done it when I had the chance. That way no one would have to deal with a runt that causes nothing but trouble."
Shade locked his gaze on his feet, not noticing the tender claw laying on his shoulder as he took another breath. Ariel and Isis gave a soft glance at each other, waiting for the young bat to continue his speech, though both were now worried of his well-being. Had he actually considered doing this when he found the chance? Ariel was about to tell Shade that he didn't have to do such thing. But then he spoke,
"But someone…helped me to see that it wasn't the thing to do. That I shouldn't have to deal with this alone and not to take the entire blame." Shade turned to his mother, who smiled at him proudly and in relief. Then…he turned his eyes to Chinook. He smiled.
It was full of gratefulness.
It was full of admiration.
"Chinook helped me to see that." Shade finally said, looking between his mother and the other teen.
Chinook's mother turned to him, "It seems that a lot has changed between you two." Isis said with gentle pride, smiling at her son, as did Ariel, looking at Shade who smiled back at her.
"Definitely for the better." The female said with a loving grin.
Chinook felt his cheeks begin to burn again, averting his eyes to his right bashfully, not used to this much positive attention. But they were right. Things were beginning to change for the better. Chinook had made some new friends. Not ones out of popularity, or fame, but out of honest circumstances. Breeze and Shade were his first two, and Todd could possibly become the third with time and patience.
Shade let out a long and tired yawn, the action being quite infectious as Chinook felt the urge to do the same thing, holding a claw up to his mouth to cover it. Both the older females looked at their respective pups with knowing smiles.
"It seems that all the excitement has drained the energy right out of them, Ariel." Isis giggled, watching Chinook as he tiredly rubbed his eyes with a claw.
Ariel smiled and patted Shade's shoulders, "Seems that way, Isis. Why don't we all head on inside? It will be dawn in a few minutes. It looks like the both of you need some well-earned rest." Both teens shared relieved and exhausted sighs.
"Sounds like a good idea to me." Shade said, stretching his wings out tiredly.
"Mmmm, sleep. Perfect." Chinook only muttered, his eyes almost fully closing due to how exhausted he was, both from the flight over the ocean to the island, but also from the events that brought them there in the first place. Ariel and Isis lead the way as they flew inside the tree, the two newborns following close behind so that they knew which roost they would be sleeping at. Turning to fly straight down, Shade and Chinook stayed further back, giving themselves some space from the older females. The blue haired bat turned to his smaller friend, and gave a small smile as they flew.
"Listen, Shade," He spoke up, catching the latter's attention, looking at the bigger teen with a raised brow, "I know you already forgave me for what I've done for all these past months, but…I still want to say that I'm sorry. For everything. Even for what happened tonight with…Tree Haven."
Shade's gaze focused back forward, his brow furrowing lightly in concentration, but gave a soft nod to let him know that he was listening. Chinook went on, "I know I was complete jerk to you, and I never meant to be, but I guess I was just…too self-centered to notice. Right?" The teen exhaled with a soft chuckle.
Shade only gave a small grin, still facing forward, "Yeah, you're right about that. No offense, Chinook, but you really were sort of a jerk." Chinook blinked at the truthful tone. Though they didn't hurt, it was slightly surprising to hear the smallest of the colony to admit such a thing. "But still," Shade continued, "You already apologized, and I forgave you. And I still forgive you, Chinook, okay?" The small bat smiled softly at the larger male, "Everything's good with us now."
Chinook looked at the small teen with a calm face, but then it slowly formed into a peaceful grin, facing back forward as the navy-colored Silverwing found his roost. Shade stopped and remained hovering close by. After getting comfortable, Chinook turned to his friend with a yawn, then giving one last smile, "Good dawn, Shade." He said softly, wrapping himself up and nuzzling his nose under the canopy of his wings, "See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow, Chinook. Good dawn." Shade whispered, gliding down to his own roost where his mother waited for him. The female smiled as he gripped the wood firmly and shimmied over slowly as not to lose his grip and fall. As soon as Shade was close enough, Ariel hugged him close to her chest, her wings providing the warmth he was looking for. With a content sigh, Shade nuzzled into her soft hair and crest and immediately closed his eyes, sleep slowly taking over.
Ariel kissed him on his forehead, nuzzling him lovingly, "Go ahead and sleep, son. You deserve a good days rest." She whispered softly, slowly closing her own eyes as she whispered, "Good dawn, Shade."
Yawning once more, Shade rested against his mother's breast, then tiredly muttering the same, "Good dawn, mom." Both mother and son drifted off into a peaceful slumber. Tomorrow, they would awake a new and better life. A life of new friends and new adventures.
A whole new life that Shade couldn't wait to start.