Book 3: Breaking the Ice
Me: Heyo! I was determined to update today before I left to go to my mom's. Felt like forever since I last updated, and I felt like updating today. Warning: There will be very mild swearing in this chapter. I do not own Ice Age or Buck, only my OC's. Enjoy!
Chapter 18: Nothing Like What Happened in Her Nightmares
Rosalina watched the heavy rain and little bit of hail fall down as she stood inside of their shelter. Man, the weather this evening is as miserable as a kit with no playmate. I hope it won't be this way tomorrow. We really need to return them from whence they came. A sudden groan interrupted the female's thoughts.
She turned instinctively at the sound, tearing her gaze away from the depressing weather, only to realize that Maryanne was starting to come to after three hours passed. Roxanne read her mind and slowly made her way towards the blonde. Rosalina carefully stepped over Lars's resting body to be by her twin's side.
They hovered over Maryanne, waiting for her to open her eyes, to say something, and to do something. "Mary, are you okay?" Rosalina awaited the female's reply, but received nothing. All she did was stare up at them with a blank stare, dazed. Rosalina looked over at her sister to see she was plotting something due to the sly smirk on her lips.
Oh, Roxanne, don't wake anybody up. They've had a long day, and so have we. Let them sleep, please. The cerulean-eyed twin pleaded mentally to her sister. Luckily, before Roxanne could do anything unnecessary, Maryanne sat up quickly. Rosalina was startled by this and jumped back before the female's head hit hers.
"What happened? The last thing I saw was a dinosaur with a tail that had a spiky ball at the end of it. Where am I?" The blonde demanded. Once Rosalina calmed down, she explained to Maryanne that Roxanne had found her unconscious by a river and thought it would be kind of her to bring her here.
Maryanne didn't know what to think. She has been disrespectful to them and they're still kind to her –Rosalina at least. That wasn't right to her. Surely, Rosalina was annoyed by her many times, but then again, she is the patient and kind twin.
Trying not to show any signs of gratefulness, Maryanne got back in her diva mode and huffed, "Well, all have you know, I could have found my own way to reunite with the rest of you. Anyway, I have a question for you,"
Rosalina felt her stomach drop as worry crept into her mind. She knew what the question was going to be and grew anxious. She turned to her sister with a pleading expression on her face. Rosalina hoped her twin would just butt in and give her something to devour, but she just sat there, waiting for the question to be asked.
Roxanne chuckled disappointedly. And…she's back, brattier than she was before. This should be fun. Oh well, at least we had some good times without her having to complain about every little thing. It was fun while it lasted. I can't wait to watch her leave when we get them back to that passageway they were talking about.
The hazel-eyed twin came back to reality when Maryanne asked Rosalina, "Did you and Jason do anything while I was trying to find you guys again?" Rosalina's body froze in her spot. She never liked being in the spotlight, and now Maryanne had her right where she wanted her.
The cerulean-eyed female swallowed the lump in her throat nervously. What should she say? Telling a fib would immediately be the eliminated choice. She was a horrible liar and she and Roxanne both knew that. Looks like I have to face the music. A sigh escaped Rosalina's lips.
She faced Maryanne, trying not to seem scared in the blonde's eyes. Here goes nothing. With a little more confidence, Rosalina confessed, "Yes, all we did was talk and cut up, though. Nothing intimate. I promise you." That was one less weight off the female's shoulders.
Rosalina exhaled in relief when Maryanne didn't ask her about anything else, but she would very shortly. However, the blonde did have a look of concern on her face. It made Rosalina wonder why she even cared if she and Jason talked to each other when Maryanne had no interest in him whatsoever. Rosalina's head began to ache as she tried to make sense of this situation.
She tried to stop thinking about it, but it kept coming into mind. Maryanne then asked, "What did he say to you?" Rosalina's head began to throb and she thought she was going to faint, but kept her strength up. The blonde was really beginning to get on her nerves, though she never really showed that when Maryanne was near.
Jason had his gaze locked on Rosalina the entire time she and Maryanne talked. He couldn't sleep and he heard the girls talking, which made him interested enough to listen. When he heard Maryanne ask Rosalina about her and him doing anything, He wanted to help Rosalina, but with Maryanne here, he couldn't do that as to not get the blonde suspicious about his and Rosalina's relationship.
That would just make Maryanne ask more questions to the blue-eyed female. By the looks of it, it seems Rosalina already has a migraine from the blonde. Who could blame her, though?
"Well, we talked, we laughed, and he kinda said that…he liked me." Rosalina whispered the last part out in which Maryanne didn't hear.
"What? I didn't hear the last part. Would you say that again?" Maryanne asked in a sickening saccharine tone. She was hot on Rosalina's tail now! Whatever Rosalina was hiding, she was going to find out right now. If she refused, she would strangle the life out of her and probably end up with a broken arm caused by Roxanne. With that on her mind, she decided to be patient for once, feared by the thought of her being attacked by Roxanne.
Her attention went back to the defenseless Rosalina when she repeated, "H-he said th-that he l-l-liked me." Rage, burning and steaming rage, hit Maryanne like an oncoming train running over a foolish person. Her claws dug into her palms, her eyes darkened with anger and a pinch of jealousy, and a low, intimidating growl rumbled in her throat.
Maryanne knew she said she was going to control her anger, but this made her very cheesed off. She lunged at Rosalina, only to be caught by Rosalina's twin and thrown to the ground. The impact knocked the wind and daylights out of her, for she was now unconscious, yet again, and was gasping heavily for breath.
The twins looked around to make sure everyone was still asleep after that little scene. Fortunately, everyone except Jason was sleeping peacefully as if nothing had taken place. Jason wore the look of fear written all over his face. His mouth opened to say something, but then closed, feeling as if now was not the time to speak.
Rosalina drowned in the awkward silence among them until she leaned sideways until her lips were close enough to Roxanne's left ear. She whispered, "Sis, why don't you lay Maryanne down while I try to recover from what just happened." With a single nod, Roxanne did as she was told, keeping her mouth shut, in too much of a bad mood to speak.
"Sorry you had to see that. My sister can be pretty hostile." Rosalina turned to Jason again, her cerulean eyes gazing into Jason's emerald green ones. She nervously twiddled her thumbs, waiting for the male to respond. A smile played on Jason's lips as he replied that it was all right and he acknowledged the fact that Roxanne was a bit tough.
Suddenly, Rosalina began to feel uncomfortable, not because she was talking to Jason when Maryanne was here, but because she sensed something horrible has happened to her foster family. She shook her head viciously, trying not to think about it. No, they are safe and sound back at the cave, Rosalina reassured herself. However, she didn't feel that way. Knowing how adventurous Buck was, she knew him, Jenna, Celine, maybe even Chloe were around somewhere.
Jason's concerned tone interrupted the rest of the female's worries. "Hey, are you okay? You got quiet." Rosalina forced herself out of her train of thought to shoot a startled expression at the male. The green-eyed male flinched only slightly at the she-weasel's jumpy reaction.
"I'm sorry. I just had this weird feeling…" Rosalina's voice drifted off as she wasn't sure how to explain this to Jason. She pursed her lips before continuing, "I don't think my family nor Chloe is safe. Of course, I'm just being paranoid, being a worry-wart, being too anxious about them, whichever one you'd prefer."
Rosalina took a brief glance at Jason before quickly averting her gaze. Jason smiled sympathetically and reached up to place a comforting paw on her shoulder. "I understand what you're going through. I'm worried about my family, too. Mom and dad are probably worried about us –me, my brother, and my cousin. I'm sure Chloe is just fine, and so is your foster family. The way you described your foster dad makes me believe that he is going to do everything in his power to protect his mate, your and Roxanne's little foster sister, and maybe Chloe as well, even if he dies trying."
Before he could react, Rosalina wrapped her arms around his neck in a friendly embrace. He could hear the female's breathing catch as hot tears began to roll down her face and land on his midnight-furred shoulder. Not knowing what to do, Jason nervously hugged her back, running his fingers through Rosalina's silky, soft, black hair. He then stopped when he remembered Maryanne was here.
Well, she's asleep, right? So, it is okay for me to do this. Jason was brought back to reality when Rosalina pulled away, wiping away the tears that dampened her innocent face. "Thank you, and I'm sorry. It's just that I really miss them –my family as well as Chloe. It feels like forever since I last saw them." She sniffled softly, lowering her head to hide the blood red blush that faintly tainted her cheeks.
"No need to be sorry, Rose. Whenever you need to talk or need a shoulder to cry on, come to me." Rosalina's blush grew redder once Jason said this. He really does care. Is that a sign that he likes me? Uh, duh! He told you he did earlier, didn't he? Well, not me as a friend, but something more…No! I don't need to think about this. I'm just going to pretend I didn't have this inner conversation to begin with.
Jason felt his ears lift from his head to hear Rosalina very delicately singing to herself. He felt his compassionate smile leisurely fade from his face as he realized that she was singing a song that reflected her mixed emotions: anxious, indomitable, confused, and despondent.
"R-Rosalina…" Jason's eyebrows knitted in concern. The female responded to his hesitant call with a slow turn of her head. Jason couldn't bear the sight of his guide's puffy, irritated eyes from crying, her lips curved in a sad smile, and the hopeless look on her face.
He rested a caring paw on her shoulder, startling the cerulean-eyed female from her soft singing. "Just go back to sleep, Jason. I already feel bad that I'm telling about my messed up problems enough as it is. And, here I am, doing it again when you so much needed sleep. Please, get some rest. I'll keep watch." That was Rosalina's final request before standing up, leaving a concerned Jason behind.
Apparently, Roxanne heard their quiet conversation, for she made her way over to her twin after settling Maryanne in. There Rosalina stood, her cerulean eyes, puffy and red, watching as the rain fell on the moist ground. Roxanne sighed, "Sis, everything's going to be all right, you know?"
Rosalina didn't respond. She kept her gaze on the gloomy weather outside, wearing a look that told her twin that she didn't feel like talking. Sighing again, Roxanne nodded and left her sister to think.
Lars opened one eye to see their guides and Jason were awake. He propped himself up with one elbow to lazily turn his head to where he was facing Leah and Rico, who were sleeping peacefully next to each other. Rico's arm was wrapped around Leah's lithe figure, holding her close to him, and Leah had one paw on his chest as her head was nuzzled against Rico's neck.
"Hey, why are you awake?" A familiar feminine voice breaks the long silence and made Lars jolt. The male's gaze tore from the sleeping couple to meet Roxanne's eyes. One paw rested on her hip while the other one relaxed by her side, and her foot slowly tapped on the den floor, waiting for Lars to answer her.
I don't know what's going on, but something is up. "Um…I kinda decided to wake up when I saw you and your twin awake. Is something wrong?" For once, it seemed, Lars was worried about the twins and his expression showed it.
Since when did he care if something wasn't going right? Roxanne exhaled desolately before telling the male about hearing her twin and Jason's chat. She told him that Rosalina told Jason she missed her foster family and when Roxanne heard this, she had reminisced the exultant, heart-wrenching, tough, and affable times the twins, Buck, Jenna, and Celine shared as a family.
"I don't blame Rosalina for missing them, though. I do, too, even if I don't show it. Anyway, you didn't have to wake up to hear the explanation why we were awake, you know? It was all just the longing to return to our family members. It was nothing major. I guess you can go back to sleep, now." Roxanne was about to get up to get somewhere comfortable to sleep when she felt a paw rest on her thigh.
This frightened her as she then remembered the images of her step-father laying a paw on the same thigh and giving her a twisted smirk. She struggled to not think about it, but only ended up acting insane to Lars. Roxanne quickly backed away from him, her hazel eyes widened in alarm.
Lars realized she didn't like being touched there and let his paw rest on her shoulder. This only seemed to calm her down just a tad. "I didn't know you disliked being touched somewhere uncomfortable. My bad. What I was going to say, before you got scared, was that I am always all ears if you ever need to talk to me."
Roxanne felt stupid now. She, surprisingly, nodded shyly and went off to find a place to sleep. Lars stared at Roxanne's hips as they swayed while she walked. He felt his perverted side slip into his mind. "Hey, did I ever tell you that you have a nice pair of hips and a cute butt?" Lars jested. He chortled when Roxanne turned her head with peeved look on her face and snarled lowly at him.
"Shut up." She said once she turned her back on him. Behind the Lars's back, Roxanne smiled and her eyes laughed kindly then closed as she shook her head. I'm gonna strangle him if he says something like that to me again. She burst into a fit of tiny giggles that she tried so hard to hold in. He thinks he is so funny, doesn't he? Well, he kind of is. Roxanne admitted in her mind.
Rosalina heard her sister's giggling coming from behind her and smiled very slightly. Hearing her twin laugh made her content, but at times like this one, it didn't really matter to her. Her mind was still on her foster family. I need them. I feel so alone when I have my new friends surrounding me with open arms. I feel as if I'm in my happy place when I'm with them. Then, why do I feel so upset?
Honestly, Rosalina didn't know why she felt so down all of a sudden. She turned her attention towards her friends and sister, the troubled frown still on her face. Her gaze landed on Jason, who closed his eyes swiftly as to not show the same look of concern he wore when she told him what was on her mind. Rosalina nodded understandingly; she already made him worried enough as it is, and she felt horrible about it.
She shook her head, trying to erase the conversation with Jason from her memory. She knew what to do when she was in doubt. Her lips opened as she began to sing softly to herself as she had done before with the same emotions she felt previously and still felt. A silent tear fell down her face then landed on the floor with a splash. I miss you Buck, Jenna, Celine, and Chloe. Please, be all right and still alive.
"Buck!" Jenna panicked at the sight of the male on the ground, bleeding from his side. She ran over to the downed one-eyed weasel, but then was blocked by the male who was accountable for Buck's pain. The female gasped out of fright and laid a shielding paw on her pregnant abdomen.
There stood Ben, his glare giving Jenna uncomfortable chills. However, the female was trying not to be intimidated by this monster. Growling angrily, baby blue eyes ablaze with rage, Jenna said, her voice unwavering, "Ben, move."
The insane male just laughed at her, the harshness of his cackling frightening Jenna on the inside. "I don't think so, dear. You don't need this freak of nature that lies before us all. Just think, I can be the father of your kits. We can raise them to be smart, respectful, and beautiful children."
Jenna writhed in disgust. Who did this stranger think he was? Never, would she allow this cruel male to be the father of her and Buck's unborn kits. "Over. My. Dead. Body." Jenna's heart almost leaped out of her chest when Ben hovered over her in a blur. The she-weasel felt herself being grabbed by the hands of fear, but she didn't dare show weakness to Ben.
"You leave mom alone!" Celine barked suddenly, her forest green eyes showing no signs of trepidation or intimidation. Chloe understood the kit's fury, but restrained the girl from charging over to the male only to get herself hurt, or possibly killed.
The ferret tried to remain tranquil, though she'd rather be at Jenna's side to protect her. Unfortunately, Ben ordered the ferret and the weasel kit to stay where they were unless they wanted him to impale Buck with his own Dino knife. Not wanting that for Buck, they obeyed him.
Ben turned to the kit, a smirk playing on his lips. "What are you going to do if I don't? You defenseless, weak, silly bitch. You think you're so tough, do you? Think that you can save your precious momma, do you? You're weak, and so are your ferret friend and your excuse of a father!"
"Don't you dare talk to Celine that way? She's stronger than you think, and so is Chloe!" Jenna shouted, stomping a foot in anger, her paws balled in tight fists. She wanted to beat the life out of this male for calling her foster daughter that. So much she wanted to swipe that knife out of Ben's paws and pierce him with it. But she kept herself from doing so, for that would put her and her kits' lives in more danger then they already were.
Ben simply laughed at her again. The drama was cracking him up. He loved it, but his other self didn't like it at all. "Stop! Stop, stop, stop, stop!"
Yeah, and what if I don't, hmm?
"Just stop! You've done enough damage to them as it is! I think they've had enough. Please, leave them alone!"
Underneath that buff figure of yours, you are a weakling when it comes to someone's life being in danger.
"That's because I have a heart, and you don't, you coward! Screw this! I'm leaving the stage! I'm done torturing them!"
Oh, ready to die already? It was just getting good. You were about to receive something wonderful out of this.
"By force? I never asked for this, and neither did they! I don't want to make Jenna's and the others' lives a living hell anymore!"
All right, since you think you've had enough, go ahead. Do what you've wanted to do at this very moment.
"I will."
An aggrieved shout erupted from Ben as he fell to his knees in front of Jenna, alarming her and Chloe. Jenna didn't know if she was supposed to rush to his side to see if he was the real Ben or if she should stay where she was to be safe. That would probably be best, she suggested.
Celine was slightly shaken up by male's sudden action, but was determined not to express it. She felt Chloe's arms wrap around her unexpectedly tremulous form. The kit knew she was terrified now that she realized she was trembling in fear and welcomed the ferret's somewhat reassuring embrace.
"B-Ben…?" Jenna took three steps back when the male finally stood back up, Buck's knife in hand. His blank expression hid the culpability, pain, and sadness he felt in his heart from the females as he stared at them.
He looked into the pregnant female's light blue eyes and whispered, "I'm sorry for all the pain and suffering I've caused you all." What she didn't know was that was Ben's last words before he positioned the knife at his chest. Knowing what was going to happen next, Jenna signaled Chloe to cover Celine's eyes.
With one last, bleak glance, Ben forcefully shoved the knife through his torso. He left it in for five seconds before feebly pulling out the bloodstained weapon from his body. Jenna squeaked in horror at the sight of the male collapsing to the cave floor, blood spilling from his chest to the cool ground they stood on.
This all happened so fast! Her head was spiraling and her heart was pounding as if it was trying to punch its way out of her chest as she stared at the bloodied male that lied lifeless before them. She then remembered Buck. Panting from the scare, she rushed over to Buck to examine the stab wound on his side, being careful not step in Ben's blood and his corpse.
Much to her relief, the stab wound wasn't deep, but it wasn't shallow either. It had stopped bleeding some time ago. Luckily, Buck was still alive. The stab in the side Ben had given him wasn't enough to execute him; it was just to prevent him from protecting Jenna. His lonely blue eye stared up at the horrified female that hovered over him.
"Buck, oh, you're all right! Does it hurt?" Celine and Chloe scampered over to the couple, sitting on either side of Jenna. Celine made an uncertain move to gently hold her foster father's paw in hers while her foster mother held his other one.
"I'm fine, love. Hurting a little less now, but I'm fine. You really shouldn't panic like you did. It's no' good fo' our kits' health." Buck beamed weakly up at Jenna, releasing his grip on her paw to rub her stomach. He felt a one of his kits gently kick at the contact, making his smile wider. I neva' thought I would have kits of my own until now.
Buck vigilantly sat up with Chloe supporting him. He winced as a jolt of pain ran up his wounded side then relaxed once it went away. His blue eye stared into a pair of light blue ones as he and Jenna stared at each other. Buck saw the sadness in Jenna's eyes and decided to cheer her up.
He placed one paw on her bloated stomach that held their children and said, "Hello there, sea monkeys," He smirked at Jenna as she began to chuckle quietly. "Your motha and I are awaiting your arrival, little ones. Convince your motha ta' calm down befo' one of you get hurt." As if on cue, he felt more kicks meet his paw.
Jenna groaned in pain. "Ow…thanks a lot! They took it seriously. After they're born, I'm going to hurt you so bad." Buck chuckled apologetically. He reached up to cup Jenna's cheeks, feeling the she-weasel's cheeks already heating up at his touch. The female knew what he was wanting and leaned in to plant a long, tender kiss to the male's lips.
Celine smiled at the couple then stared at Ben's dead corpse, her brief grin slowly disappearing. He killed himself and he apologized? How does he expect us to forgive him after everything he had done? He did seem as if he meant it, but I don't know how I can forgive him.
"Celine, is something on your mind, sweetie?" Chloe startled the kit from her thoughts. Celine's big green eyes met Chloe's as she turned to look at her. She made a cute face and smiled harmoniously, "I'm just fine. My mind just drifted into space."
The ferret gave the girl a nod and began to converse with Jenna once the couple had pulled away from their passionate kiss. Celine glanced down at Ben's body one last time before starting a conversation with Buck. I wonder how Rosalina and Roxanne are going to react when we tell them Ben committed suicide. Of course, Rosalina would be in denial. The girl shook her head, not wanting to envision the images of Rosalina yelling at them with tears in her eyes.
"Rosalina, you haven't said anything for I don't know how long. Are you sure you're going to be all right?" Rosalina turned to face Jason. He should really be getting some rest, not worrying about me. I'm a tough girl! I'm going to tell him that I'm okay and that he should get some sleep. That's what she did.
Jason didn't listen to her, however. Instead, he got up from where he laid, walked over to Rosalina, and wrapped his arms around her like he did before. He felt Rosalina tense vaguely, but then immediately relax. "J-Jason…" Finally, the cerulean-eyed female turned around completely to return the hug.
Hot tears drenched Jason's fur again as Rosalina silently cried into his shoulder…again. Jason held her closer, shushing her and whispering reassuring words in her ear. "I'm sorry you have to worry about me tonight. I am feeling down."
Jason's paw slowly moved up and down on Rosalina's back, a comforting gesture. He could have sworn he heard her shudder from this and continued. "You don't have to apologize. It's absolutely okay." Rosalina lifted her head to meet Jason's kind, emerald eyes.
He's so nice. That's why I love him. W-wait! I mean, like him. No! I do love him. I wish I had the courage to tell him how I feel. Well, I heard someone say, back when I was little, that a kiss expresses the love you have towards that special someone. Should I…? No! Yes! No! Ugh! What should I do? Rosalina averted her gaze to the ground sadly.
"I think it's time for you to sleep now." She pulled away from the hug with a forced smile playing on her lips.
"I will once you cheer up for me." Jason flippantly nudged Rosalina on her forearm, which made Rosalina phony smile wider. She was determined to conceal the melancholy and nostalgia she still felt. She didn't want him up all night because of her. It just wouldn't do if one of them grew tired during their adventure.
Playfully shoving Jason, Rosalina replied, "I'll feel better in the morning. Now, get some shut-eye." Giving up, the male did as told and went back to his resting spot. He decided that he's done enough to try to make Rosalina feel better for one night. He closed his eyes, hoping that everything would be okay tomorrow.
Me: Sorry about the ending of that chapter. I was trying to make it longer. Good news: Buck is all right! Guess that makes two injured characters now. Chloe with a broken leg and Buck with a stab wound on his side. They'll recover eventually.
Other than that, I hope you have a great Fall Break, if you are out of school this week or will be soon, and I'll see you in the next chapter. Feel free to leave a review!