Okay, normally I would summaries the following chapter and reply to your reviews, but I would like to say a few things to some1 u dont no before continuing. I would like to apologize to other reviewers who would rather I use this space to write more for my story, but I would first like to address some of the things this particular reviewer has written these past few days:

First of all: I completely agree that u r entitled to ur own opinion and that u r allowed to express it. If u believe that my character is a 'f #king female b #ch', then yes, that is ur opinion and we won't be able to change it. If there are any other viewers out there who also believe that my character is annoying and that I should 'pipe the f #k down with that s #t', and they outnumber the possible few who like this story, then please say so and I will delete it.

Secondly: I will not however just suddenly stop this story just because only ONE person reviews twice about how annoying my character is when I have 15 other reviews asking me to continue this story. I am not trying to sound cocky or anything, but if u think about it, that would be one of the logical reasons as to why I would continue.

Thirdly: 'Open and up front' does not mean cussing in every single sentence that u write and insulting other reviewers and the character of the story, because it certainly doesn't get ur message across more effectively and it certainly won't make me 'pipe the f #k down'.

And finally: And like I said before, if u really hated this story just as much as u say u do and prefer the Shira/Diego pairings, then please just do yourself a favor and go look at stories with Shira/Diego in them! Don't bother reading mine if you're only going to write hate reviews on it, because you would just be wasting ur time.

Again, I apologize to the other reviewers who waited patiently for this update and took the time to review this story, you guys are just the best! And as for the poll: so far the majority of you asked for the back story of Diego and Taura's time in the pack. I have officially posted the poll on my profile I think, but if it's not there, then just vote by reviewing or PM. I'll also wait for more reviews after this chapter and then give you my answer when I post the next one.

Btw, Italics means telepathic communication

Warning: OC pairing, Don't like, DON'T READ!

Disclaimer: Don't own the Ice Age franchise or any of the characters in it; that all belongs to Blue Sky

"Well, this is by far the most weirdest road trip I've ever had..."

Taura and Diego were currently scouting ahead on a large snow dune, beside them a large wall of ice that encircled the entire area and connected with the main monument for Glacier Pass. There was the occasional sharp edge of dark coal-like rock that jutted out of the marble-like structures every now and then. The sun was high in the sky, making the snow on the hills and cliffs sparkle like someone sprinkled a layer of diamonds on them.

After the awkward situation back at the springs, Diego just remained indifferent to it, as if nothing had happened. It only took a few minutes (and angry punches thrown at Sid) for the embarrassment to fade away for Taura, but she just desperately hoped that the rhinos wouldn't find it a good story to spread. She did have a reputation among her pack to uphold and the last thing she needed was some annoying Oscar humiliating her every chance he got.

And as for the 'weirdest road trip' comment...no one could have said it any better than Taura did. At first, it was just a boring walk through the valleys that started to coat with layers of snow, but they did stop at a random geyser to enjoy watching Sid fly up into the air after making the mistake of sitting on it. Then there was the annoying poke-fight in the back between Sid and the baby that Taura was assigned to stop, but then somehow ended up in her chasing after Sid whilst calling him the most colorful names that would've made a sailor blush. For those who might be wondering: How did such a thing happen? Well, let's just say that Sid involuntarily 'invited' Taura along in the poke-fight by accidentally poking her one good eye.

After that and the occasional snowball thrown at Manny (courtesy of Sid), Diego managed to convince them into moving forward into the same direction of Half Peak, but with an unfortunate obstacle: ice. They all had to try skating themselves across which didn't turn out so well for our three four-legged companions. Sid passed the challenge with flying colors, skating and spinning around them like a ballerina as he teased his stumbling friends, being the big showoff that he was. Of course, karma was able to come just in time and dealt with Sid like, as they all say, a bitch. The trio managed to get off the ice eventually and watched in amusement as Sid tried to get his head unstuck from the wall that he crashed into.

Taura thought that Diego would've memorized the way to Half Peak, but the quartet eventually ran into a crossroad. There was some weird half squirrel, half rat...thing that tried to bury its nut who was coincidentally in the area, but Diego didn't want to ask for directions. Not wanting to wait until one of those two big males decided to lower themselves from their male pride, Taura went and asked for directions from the weird...Scrat. Somehow, it went from asking directions to a game of charades that went downhill when Diego decided that the Scrat was giving away too much information and sent the poor nut scavenger flying away with a flick of his fingers.

And so, a snowball fight and a chilling blizzard later, Diego and Taura managed to stumble across the same humans that they fought back at the valley whilst scouting ahead. They were traveling down on a snowy hill below them, all walking in a single file with their dogs.

"Diego, we've gotta do something quick," Taura warned as she looked around desperately whilst trying thinking of some spontaneous plan. "If we don't, the guys will eventually spot them!"

"Yeah, you think I haven't noticed?!" Diego growled at her in annoyance whilst looking back at Manny, who was coming into view now, in panic. Taura ignored his irked tone and spotted a large hollow entrance in one of the black rock walls. She nudged her panicking companion and nodded towards the entrance eagerly; Diego's mouth formed an 'O' shape in realization and quickly ran towards Manny to stall him.

Taura looked at his retreating form with a frown, "'Gee, thanks a lot Taura, I may not have been able to notice that!' Hey! No problem Diego, that's what pals are for!" She sarcastically said in her head with a roll of her eyes as she ran off to catch up with him.

"Hey!" Diego called out, catching Manny's attention, "Great news: we found a shortcut!"

The baby on top of Manny's head stumbled and slid down his trunk. Manny quickly caught it upside down and put it back on top while giving both sabers a skeptical look. "What do you two mean 'shortcut'?"

"I mean faster than the long way around..." Diego drawled while rolling his eyes, as if speaking to an idiot.

"Ow! I know what a shortcut is!" Manny winced as the baby somehow fell over his head again and tried to crawl back up his face by clinging onto random tufts of his head-fur.

"Look, either we slip through there and beat the humans to Glacier Pass or we can take the long way and miss 'em!" Diego explained, gesturing towards the hollow entrance on the cave wall.

"Through there?" Manny questioned, pointing his trunk at the entrance and then giving the two sabers a suspicious look, "What do you take me for?"

Diego ignored his comment and continued, "This time tomorrow, you could be a free mammoth," And then started to smirk slightly when he saw the baby tugging painfully at the poor mammoth's eyelid while said mammoth tried to peel him off. "Or Manny, personally I never get tired of Peek-a-boo." He remarked innocently with a shrug of his shoulders. Taura noticed that their favorite sloth wasn't behind the mammoth and found him walking towards them with half an icicle on each paw. "Where did he even get those?" Taura pondered with a tilt of her head, a look of disgust then came across her face, "Oh god, please don't make it the same icicles that he grew from his nose in the blizzard!"

"Hey guys, Hey guys, check this out!" Sid called out excitedly, placing both halves on either side of his neck, making it look like it was pierced by an icicle, and started to create faking choking sounds while stumbling around like he was on the verge of death. Normally, Taura would've laughed at the obviously fake act, but she was too exhausted from the really long walk and too worried about Manny catching sight of the humans below. (They should've been gone by now, but you can never be too careful)

Manny finally caught the baby and decided to hold it by its collar. "Sid, the tigers found a shortcut." Manny stated, pointing towards the entrance. Sid looked up at what he thought was the direction Manny pointed at and found large and dangerously low-hanging jagged stalactites hanging on the edges of the cliff.

"No thanks, I choose life!" He blurted while walking away, but was cut off by Diego, his nose a few mere inches from his.

"Then I suggest you take the shortcut!" Diego said in a dangerously low voice with narrowed eyes.

Sid narrowed his eyes at him too and wagged his finger at him, "Are you threatening me?"

"MOVE SLOTH!" Diego roared, his voice echoing throughout the entire valley. Suddenly, the four of them heard a loud rumbling and looked up to find the icy stalactites falling off the edge of the cliff and crumbling towards them.

"Way to go tiger..." Sid sarcastically congratulated with dry humor, while patting Diego's head.

"Quick, inside!" Manny ordered, running towards the hollow entrance, the other trio hot on his heels. They all went inside to find ANOTHER ceiling with dangerously sharp stalactites hanging above them and shaking alarmingly. When they turned back towards the exit, they found the entire crack covered with giant blocks of ice and rubble. Taura looked up in alarm at the ceiling and sure enough, the rumbling finally ceased and so did the shaking of the stalactites.

"Okay..I vote shortcut..." Manny muttered as he turned back into the tunnels, Taura nodding her head along with him. "You and me both!" She sighed. As they all turned back into the tunnels, they heard one last 'CRASH!' behind them before the last source of light behind them shut.

Since they had no idea where to go, the quartet simply took whichever path they fount first and stuck with it. Like the entrance, the cave was long and hollow. The entire chamber had a triangular shape to it and the two sides would meet together high above their heads. There were a few cracks here and there which let light seep through to the icy floors, lighting up the path while they wandered.

"C'mon guys, stick together. It's easy to get lost in here," Diego sighed as he eyed the cave walls cautiously and walked closer to Taura. She raised one of her eyebrows at his action and rolled her eyes. She could've sworn she heard Sid bump into something, but passed it off as one of his clumsy slips or something.

"I CAN take care of myself you know?" Taura remarked with an exasperated frown at Diego.

He looked over at her with impassive eyes and shrugged his shoulders, "I know, but no such thing as being too careful,"

Before Taura could reply with some witty remark, she heard Sid call out faintly: "Uh..Guys!", his lisping voice echoing around the cave walls. Taura twitched her left ear and tried to hear him again, looking at Diego with worried eyes. "Did you hear that?" Taura asked anxiously, "It sounded like Sid.."

Diego simply rolled his eyes, "Probably found some mushroom or something, don't worry about it."

Manny looked at the two with a confused expression while trying to keep the baby from wiggling around too much. What was it with those two? He did find out eventually that Taura was a mute of some sort, but how was Diego able to tell what she was saying? It was like he can tell whatever question she had to ask just by looking at her facial expression or something.

Manny coughed conspicuously to grab their attention, "Ahem-Ahem...so, what is it with you two?"

The two sabers looked up at him questioningly, having no clue what he was talking about. Manny rolled his eyes and continued, pointing his trunk at Taura "You don't talk at all..." then pointed his trunk at Diego "So how can YOU understand her? It's like you two are psychic or something..."

Taura chortled a bit at what he just said, "And he doesn't know that he hit the nail right on the head!" She giggled to Diego while he smirked with an amused expression shaking his head. Manny glared at them for a bit, having no idea what was so funny to the two felines until he remembered a while back when they first met; how Diego read Sid's mind to accuse him of thinking that he was a liar.

"Ah," Manny grumbled, "So you are psychic..."

Taura didn't reply but turned to look at him with an amused grin and shook her closed fist three times as if saying: 'Ding Ding Ding! We have a Winnah!" Diego rolled his eyes at her childish antics and continued walking ahead, making sure that he was still close to her. Taura suddenly heard the familiar shuffling footsteps of their favorite sloth and let out a relieved sigh. "For a minute there, I actually thought the idiot got lost..." Not that she would care or anything! Just that he was a...loveable idiot...who might be missed...just by a smidge.

"Will you keep up please?" Manny snapped at Sid exasperatedly, "It's hard enough to keep track of ONE baby!"

As soon as Manny said that, it seemed like the forces of jinx-ing decided to be cruel to them at that moment. They all found themselves on some form of ice slope, when they suddenly saw the baby slide across them, leap up, wave at them and hopped back down. They all stared at the blank space in silence until suddenly screaming in surprise: "AAH!"

They all looked down to find the baby spinning and sliding down the tunnel and soon all followed after him, screaming and yelling in fright. Somehow, whilst sliding down the ice, they ended up being separated into three different tunnels: Sid and the baby together, Diego by himself and Manny and Taura together. They both slid down a really steep slope, flew up into the air and fell back down with Taura clinging onto Manny's back in fright, her fur on end and screaming at the top of her voice.

Suddenly, Sid fell on top of Manny's head, followed by Diego who clung onto Manny's behind, causing Manny to yell out in pain. They all saw an incoming slope that suddenly rose up high, Sid yelling into Manny's trunk "Captain, ice berg ahead!" Taura gave him an incredulous look, "WHY THE HECK IS HE DOING THAT NOW!? LIKE IT'LL MAKE A FREAKIN' DIFFERENCE!"

They sharply rose up along the ice slope, slowing down at a very fast rate. Manny and his passengers all started to breath out and sigh in relief, until they heard the ice beneath then crack.

"Oh no..." Diego said, before they all started yelling at the top of their lungs again and crashing and sliding down onto the floor on the ice block, riding it like a sledge. Up ahead was a large area covered in spikes and jagged icicles that was coming towards them very fast. Taura widened her eyes in fright and then shut them tightly, waiting for the pain of falling to come until she heard a large scraping sound. Apparently, their ice block was smooth enough to glide through the spikes, melt into nothingness and cause the four of them to go back into sliding by themselves again. This time, they were all in their own separate lanes, with Manny last, Diego third, Taura second and Sid being the first closest to the baby upfront.

It made sense considering that the order was put in the same order of mass within the group; Taura was bigger than Sid, but only reached Diego's shoulders in length. She noticed the other two behind her started to crouch to reduce the air resistance hitting against them, and followed their example, trying to reach the baby before Sid. Sid tried to grab the baby, but missed by a mile, causing him to snap his fingers in frustration.

Suddenly, the baby went flying up in the air, squealing in delight. Manny shifted his large body so that he was turning his back to the giant wall that was incoming. Sid hit it first, followed by Taura, then Diego and finally Manny, resulting in a huge explosion of ice and snow.

When the ice and snow cleared, Manny and Sid were finally sitting still in the rubble, the baby now safely tucked in Manny's trunk, still giggling with mirth. Both of them had a ridiculous pile of snow on their heads with irked and exhausted expressions on their faces. Suddenly, Diego and Taura both hopped out of the snow, both grinning like idiots.

"Woah! Woohoo!" Diego whooped in excitement, punching Manny's shoulder and holding out his paw while exclaiming "Yeah! Who's up for round two?!"

Taura hopped up and down as she nodded her head with enthusiasm while wearing a shit-eating grin on her face as if saying 'Me, Me, Me!'. "That was so awesome! Let's go again!" She giggled, before they both looked up to find their other two companions with expressions that clearly stated that they were not amused.

"Uh...ahem!" Diego coughed awkwardly, whilst looking away bashfully and suddenly finding the snow walls very interesting, "T-t-tell the kid to be more careful..."