Torn sighed as he sat on the steps of the throne. He really didn't want to get tied into some party with friends, but with the look Ashelin had tossed him before answering her com-link told him he really didn't have a choose in the matter at this point.
"Your transport is ready, m'lady." Brutter said over the com-link.
"Thank you, Captain Brutter." Ashelin said before tucking the com-link in her pants. She looked over at Torn, who met her gaze. Even if he knew what she was going to say it would be best if he gave her his full attention instead of brooding about the issue. "Come on…We'll be late for the party at Daxter's new place." Torn shook his head, he could try to weasel his way out of this one more time.
"I've got so much work to do. Besides, it's not my thing." Torn regretted saying that as he saw a familiar fire flash in Ashelin's green eyes.
"Ten hut!" She shouted, moving behind him. In all his years of training his body could never forget the commands that had been drilled into his head. Torn stood, his arms at his sides and his back ramrod straight. "As the new governor of this city, I order the Commander of the New Krimzon Guard to escort me to an official function. Is that understood?" Torn couldn't stop the warm chill her voice in that tone gave him, it was his pride and military training that killed the feeling quickly though. It was also because of that feeling he stumbled over his next few words.
"Yes sir! I mean yes ma'am. I mean…"
"We can continue to rebuild the city tomorrow. Tonight, we get to celebrate with our friends. Besides, tough guy" Ashelin purred as she put her arms around Torn and leaned over his shoulder to face him. "I'm dieing to see you dance." His face remained emotionless other than the slight quirk of his lips upward.
"Not likely." Torn said, a sly look crossing his coal blue eyes.
"WELCOME TO THE NAUGHTY OTTSEL!" Daxter yelled as Torn and Ashelin walked into what was once the Hip Hog Haven. Naruto chuckled and rolled his eyes, taking a sip on his drink. Precursors this stuff tasted nasty! He nearly choked on his drink when Jak slid up next to him a put an arm around him. "The hippest, happenest hoppingest joint in town!" Daxter continued walking up to Tess, who was knelt down on the floor. "Check out the new décor!" He said pointing at Metal Kor's head hanging over the bar as Samos took a long drink from the bottle, shocking his daughter.
"Ooo…what a big trophy!" Tess said in awe. Daxter laughed, loud and clear.
"As if size matters? I bagged that bad boy myself, baby!" Everyone present rolled their eyes, but it was Onin who 'spoke up' from her seat on top of the bar, wavering slightly but still holding on tightly to her drink.
"Onin says she doesn't know who has a bigger head. Him," Onin pointed to Metal Kor's head as Pecker spoke for her. "Or you."
"We must not forget Vin," Samos said. "And all the others who sacrificed their lives to defeat this evil and protect the child." Everyone raised their glasses, mugs, and straight from the bottle drinks and then took a long drink from it. Naruto's fox ears flinched back at the taste. What was this stuff? He checked the label, Godaime Hokage Sake Brew made by a Tsunade. A picture of a white pink stripped slug greeted him.
He looked over at Jak, whose free hand was holding the Seal of Mar. "I still can't believe …that little boy was me. Better times, huh?" Jak asked looking from the Seal to Naruto. The blond smiled at him and placed a reassuring hand on the green-blond's chest. That Godaime Brew sure was making him bold.
"You miss him, don't you? You know, that sweet little boy grows up to be handsome hero." Naruto said, feeling Jak's arm around his waist tighten its hold, his fingers gripping his clothing. The feeling they shared at the Stadium returned, stronger and more intense than before, even with a few pairs of eyes watching them. Now would be a good time to show instead of tell Jak how he felt.
Naruto raised his hand and tangled his finger's into Jak's long hair as the hero pulled him closer. Just as their lips were about to meet Daxter spoke up loud and clear, killing the spark that had been there. The fox teen never wanted to hurt Daxter before but now he did as Jak pulled away. Was the universe so intent on keeping him was making any progress with Jak?
"Hey!" Daxter yelled, now on the bar and looking at Onin. "That's enough for you, lady! I'm cutting you off!" A shot of blue powder shot from her hand sending the ottsel on his back. Pecker shook his head as Onin took another long drink.
"Trust me, she gets real mean when she's like this." Pecker said as both he and Daxter looked at the soothsayer, who was 'talking'.
"What's she say?" Daxter asked angrily as Pecker's face morphed into a look of horror at what Onin 'said'.
"Something about rubber tubing and certain parts of your mother…You don't wanna know." The moncaw said as everyone close enough to hear the conversation looked at Onin with the same horrified expression. The door opened and Daxter screamed, loudly and high pitched. Everyone cringed, only deciphering 'METAL HEAD!'. From the darkness of the Haven night in the doorway stepped out Sig. Naruto felt a desolate feeling wash over him as Jak pulled away to greet their once dead friend. The blond offered a large smile to the elf before taking a drink of his sake, the colors blurring together for a moment.
Wait, that should be a clear sign he was getting drunk a little. Naruto placed his sake down before it could cause any weird thoughts as Jak and Sig talked. The sake bottle was snagged up by Onin, who quickly downed the drink without even blinking. The fox teen gasped as he found himself being lead outside by Jak, the desolate feeling escaping him as they went out to see the fireworks going off over the walls.
Naruto couldn't help but grin at the sight of the fireworks exploding over Haven. And having Jak's arm around him again probably had something to do with it…that and the sake. The blond rested his head on Jak's shoulder as Samos, Pecker, and Sig joined Jak, Daxter and Naruto.
The hero smiled as the Crocadog bounded up to them, sitting proudly next to Jak, not even caring that Naruto was so close to him. "You saved the city and more Jak." Samos said proudly. "Metal Kor and his menace are history, and somewhere out there, an ancient race has begun again." What was Samos going on about?
"I'm just glad to be back home." Jak said as Daxter climbed up to his free shoulder. The green-blond rubbed the back of his Crocadog's ear and placed a soft kiss to the back of one of Naruto's fox ears. A faint red dusted the blond's checks and his tail betrayed him by wagging.
"Yeah, well rest up. We've got a lot to do and so much time to do it in!" Samos said earning a groan from Jak.
"Don't say time. The Rift ring was destroyed, remember?"
"You know," Sig said causing everyone to look at him. "My momma used to read bedtime stories about Mar when she'd tuck me in…She'd give me a nice glass of warm Yakow milk…and my little Poopsy Bear…"
"Bedtime stories…" Daxter said in disbelieve. "Warm milk? Poopsy Bear? Buddy, ya just blew your image!"
"I've got a feeling we'll meet Mar someday." Naruto rolled his head over to actually look at Samos. Mar was dead, how would they meet him? "He may be closer than you think."
"You're the designated driver!" Sig said, holding out the Ruby Key.
"Oh no… I am done with adventures." Jak said. "Besides, you'll tell us before something happens next time, right Samos?" The Green Eco Sage made a point to look away and whistle innocently. "Right, Samos?" Jak asked more firmly.
"Arrrk! You never know what the future may hold." Pecker said. Daxter narrowed his eyes at the moncaw.
"Wait! You know something, don't ya feather breath?"
"Who? Me? Ah…No…We're just, ah…guessing! Right Samos? Today…Tomorrow…Only time will tell!"
"No! You're gonna tell…RIGHT NOW!" With that as his battle cry Daxter lunged off Jak's shoulder at Pecker. The two rolled about fight, feathers and fur flying as the Crocadog innocently watched them. Pecker was yelling something about Daxter being a little…something and Daxter claiming the moncaw was fighting dirty. Sig glared and grabbed them both by their tails. Naruto smiled and looked up to see Jak staring at him.
Daxter smirked as Pecker covered his eyes with his wings, though it was clear that the moncaw was watching the two kiss between his feathers. "I knew it all along! AH!" Daxter yelled as Sig let go of his tail. The ottsel face-planted on the ground with a weak 'thud!'. Daxter looked up at the Wastelander and glared at him. "Are you two going to stand for this treatment of me?" He asked as he looked to where Jak and Naruto once were, only to have the spot vacant.
Crow spun a silver chain around as he leaned against a building in the industrial area. Both he and Jewell were late for the celebration for this meeting. His hazel eyes scanned the city as his free hand dropped to his side, brushing against his Eco pistol. Jewell followed his movements, a lot more relaxed than her friend. A smiled pulled at her lips as Sig walked towards them.
"Hey cherries, it's been a while." The Wastelander said as he stood in front of them. The whirling sound stopped as Crow put away his chain, looking a lot more relaxed now that he knew who was in the shadows.
"It has Sig. We didn't know you were in Haven until a few days ago." Jewell said. Sig nodded as he shouldered his Peace Maker.
"Damas sent me to get something, but I haven't found it yet." Crow frowned at that statement, their king knew what he was leaving behind and didn't have any problems leaving it behind all those years ago. "But now I've got to go back, and the transport isn't there." There was an unspoken question in Sig's voice.
"We'll like, totally tell Eika to like, pick you up." Crow said then fidgeted slightly before asking the question both he and Jewell wanted to know. "How are they?" Sig looked away from the redhead's gaze, readjusting his Peace Maker.
"Stressed, but other than that Damas is fine." Jewell's bright blue eye narrowed at the elf's statement.
"What about Lina and Mar?" She asked with a growl. Her harshness softened slightly at seeing Sig flinch at her question.
"Mar's gone missing."
"WHAT?" Crow and Jewell yelled, their voices bouncing off the walls of Haven.
"He was taken, about two years ago."
"And we're like, totally in the dark about this. Is this like, why Damas sent you back?" Crow asked, feeling ruffled about this new information.
"Yes, but if we could have we would have contacted you. But, with Eika being watched it was too risky. Damas sent me for that reason and-"
"He trusts you, and so do we. I wouldn't want anyone looking for Mar but you." Jewell spoke up. "We were pinned down and under the Baron's eye, it was a miracle we managed to escape and join the Underground…But what about Lina?" Sig again seemed nervous about answering the tall woman's question.
"She's…not doing to well."
"Like, give us a totally clear answer Sig." Crow said as he walked over to the darker skinned elf. "We're like, worried about them and like, totally need to know the truth."
"She's ill, and no one is sure if she'll live or not. All the healers and monks are trying to find a way to help her, but…we're not sure." Sig said, watching as Jewell looked away. It was a known fact that Lina was the closest to her of all the guards, who remained loyal to them after the Baron took over. The two acted like sisters and it was she who shared the title of godparent to Mar with Sig, the one who was closest to Damas.
"Crow, contact Eika. Tell him that Sig needs to go back." Jewell said before turning and leaving the group. Crow looked torn between chasing after her and doing as she said. With a sigh he dug out his com-link. He'd have to tell her later.
Duhon smiled warmly at Peter and Sharon as he tugged a blanket over their sleeping bodies. He was getting too old for parties and Sharon was too young, as for Peter he just wanted to be with his little girl. The elder man walked over to the shelve and picked up a yellowing photo in a small frame, his smile growing at seeing his family there; him, his wife, their handsome son, his wife, and their beautiful baby girl.
How did Jewell go from being that smiling child to the reserved fighter she was today?
"I want to be a hero!" A young seven year old Jewell said as she climbed onto her grandfather's lap. He chuckled and ran his hands through her growing pale blond hair.
"You don't want to be a princess?" Jewell shook her head angrily.
"Princesses are useless! They always need to be saved and aren't strong! I want to be like dad, he was a hero. One day I'll join the guard and protect the royal family." Jewell said proudly. It was true. Her father was a hero, staying behind to fight off Metal Heads as his comrades escaped; sadly it also ended his life.
"But heroes get hurt."
"I know." Jewell said, sounding older than she should. "But if I don't become a hero then someone else will. That means someone will have to die and no one else is going to die for me because I'll be their hero!"
A hero, not a princess. Duhon remembered when she came back home when she was eleven covered in bleeding cuts. All her friends proudly told him that she had gotten in a fight with a crazy Worker Rat that had escaped. They even said that Jewell was hero for saving them. When she turned seventeen, the youngest age qualification to join the guard she did without second thought.
Duhon sighed as he sat down and held the picture frame on his lap. Then he got news that Jewell had lost her left eye to a vicious Metal Head while protecting the Queen of Haven. Being a doctor, the elder man knew there was no way to replace her eye other than putting wires and an Eco scanner in her empty eye socket. He chuckled remembering what she told him to that option.
"Scars are to be worn like medals. They show your valor, besides an Eco scanner would look weird on me." He repeated then looked over at Sharon and Peter, his eyes going to the scars on his neck. The younger man never said how he got them and acted coldly to those who did ask.
Sharon. She was just like Jewell was before Damas was killed. But, Sharon wouldn't follow in Jewell's footsteps because of one thing. The little girl loved to be pampered, unlike his granddaughter who would run from any sort of dresses or formal wear. Duhon chuckled, knowing now she was refuse to admit to the fact she would avoid bathing when she was younger since now she loved nothing more than to relax in a tub of hot water.
So much has changed.
Yule gasped as Quix pounded her fists on her chest. "How could you? I was so scared and alone! You never called or visited! I thought you were dead, Yule!" The silver-blond yelled as she sank to her knees, fisting her older sister's clothing painfully in her fist. Yule followed after her, wrapping her arms around Quix. She softly placed a kiss to the top of her head.
"I'm so sorry. I wanted to and tried to numerous times, but the Baron wouldn't let me. You have no idea how I felt seeing you at the Stadium. You were so brave and I-" Quix looked up to see light pink eyes glazed over with tears. The younger of the two held onto her sister tightly.
"It's okay Yule, I'm here now." Yule chuckled through her tears.
"And look at you. You've grown up so much, both mentally and physically, and I missed it." Quix shook her head.
"You missed nothing. Do you know how many horrible sibling fights we were able to miss out on? Now we don't hate each other like normal sisters." She said, earning a laugh from the burette.
"I love you Quix, you're my sister and even if we never had any fights I would still love you even if we did." Yule said holding Quix closer to her.
"Even if it was me that broke your lucky hair band when we were little?" A silence entered the conversation for a moment before Yule laughed loudly, getting a confused look from Quix.
"I knew it was you, but truthfully it wasn't my lucky hair band. The boy that gave it to me was a little creepy. You just thought it was my lucky hair band because you thought I liked him in return."
"You didn't?" Quix asked sounding shock. Yule shook her head, smiling.
"No. And my lucky hair band was the one you made me when you were four."
"But it wasn't as pretty as your others. It was just a bent piece of wire wrapped with a worn piece of orange cloth."
"Yes, but you made it." Yule said proudly, earning a shake of the head from her little sister.
A cold puff of air escaped Rucah's lips as he played with the object in his overly large pocket. He could do this. Just as he took his first steps towards the two blonds on the bridge in the Port a yell stopped him.
"Rucah!" The blue-black haired man turned, stumbling backwards as long tan legs wrapped around his waist and a hand jerked down his blue bandana, the other grabbing a hold of the hair on the back of his head. Trying to balance himself he wrapped his arms around the silver-blond latched onto him
"Quix? What are yo-" Rucah's sentence was cut off by Quix kissing him full on the lips. His jade eyes went wide with shock before holding her closer. She giggled and pulled back.
"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that!" Quix said, before pulling him closer with the hand that had a grip on his hair. A faint pink dusted both of their cheeks as they pulled away from their second and longer kiss. Before Rucah could say anything the busty woman detached herself just as quick as she latched on. "Come by the garage and we'll…talk more." With a flirty wink the dark pink eyed Underground member was gone.
"What…just happened?" Rucah asked himself as he turned back to the two blonds on the bridge. He hid his face at seeing them kissing. Did killing Metal Kor release all the pent up romance and sexual tension between everyone?
Naruto smiled largely at Jak. "Go on. She wants to talk to you and you guys are friends." The hero looked from the fox teen to Keira, who had yelled and waved him over from the front of the Naughty Ottsel, the glow of the massive Daxter replica lighting up the entire block. The blond gave him and encouraging push causing Jak's arms to fall from their previous position of being around Naruto. "Go." A grateful smile formed on the green-blond's face before he placed a quick kiss to Naruto's lips.
"Thank you Naruto." Jak said before running to Keira, ready to repair their friendship. With a sigh Naruto sat down, letting his legs dangle over the black waters. He gasped in shock as something was placed over his ears, muffling the sounds of celebration going on all around him. His hands shot up and pulled the object off his head, sapphire eyes widening as they took in the worn red hat. Softly, Naruto traced the familiar tears and the teeth impressions on the bill.
He looked over to the person who claimed a seat next to him. "Rucah." Naruto said seeing the blue-black haired man with his bandana off his face. It was like looking in a twisted mirror. Here sat the same bounty hunter that gave him to Krew, but he didn't look or feel like that man.
"I'm sorry Naruto. I was keeping my cover, and didn't know how important you were. I swear I went back to find you. If you don't for-"
"I forgive you." Naruto said, shocking Rucah thoroughly, who showed it clear as day on his face and in his eyes.
"Why?" He asked, watching the blond caressed his hat. The blond sent him a beaming smile.
"I forgave you the moment you left me alone at the Hip Hog Haven."
"But because of me you lost your ears." Rucah said, almost pleading with Naruto to hate him.
"No, that was Krew who made me loose my ears but see," The fox ears on his head twitched and his tail wagged subconsciously. "They grew back, somehow. It's okay Rucah. I forgive you." Rucah placed a hand over his eyes as his body shook with hidden sobs. Naruto looked shock and slightly panicked at this, having no clue how to help.
"Thank you Naruto. You have no reason to forgive me but you do. I see why everyone sees you as a beaming light." Rucah said, his voice wavering with his emotions. Naruto titled his head, one of his ears twitching a little. How was he a light?
Keira felt a large weight removed from her chest after she finished talking with Jak. She smiled softly at his retreating back as he went back to find Naruto, who was no longer at the bridge. She placed one of her hands over her heart and frowned slightly.
It hurt. It hurt a lot to no longer think of Jak as hers or to think he'll never be the innocent boy she once knew. But, it didn't hurt to know that Naruto was there for him where she and Daxter couldn't be. With a sigh she turned to rejoin the party. It was all for the best. Keira paused as Sig passed her.
For a few moments she watched him go to the opposite pillar in the Port from where Jak was walking to. Briefly she wondered where he was going before chiding herself. It wasn't her business. Keira froze in the doorway and cast one look at Sig's disappearing back, wishing him a safe trip to where ever he was going.
Just because it was quiet Sig could hear Eika's loud rock music from the hold. He fished his com-link out and dialed the long complex code. There was a moment as it was sent through in which the wastelander took a deep breath.
"Sig." A voice said causing a bittersweet smile to form of the elf's lips.
"Damas, I'm returning to Spargus. There's so much to report in."
Well readers this is the last chapter of A Fox in Haven. I hope you all enjoyed it and that I'll see all my reviewers in the next one Wasteland Fox. But, I must tell you now that I do want to update my other stories before I do so. It might be a while till the next fanfic story for this is up. Rest assured though I have the first five chapters of Wasteland for typed! And now that my laptop is working again I can typed more of it! Though I should tell you all after chapter five I might be slow with posting chapters for it since I'm a high school senior with graduation this spring and I have college this fall plus my trip to Europe this summer so I'll be busy busy come spring!
Long, AN is long...and rambly...
So yeah, end of A Fox in Haven guys and gals!