29 Return To Bunnyburrow Pt. I
AN: Ok, here's the rest of this chapter, waaaay long overdue. My apologies.
XxX
AN: This chapter was extremely emotional (at least the first part) to write.
XxX
With the impromptu powwow lasting well into the night, it is no wonder that the Zootopian guests sleep until late.
Waking to a persistent scratching sound, Nick soon realizes that someone at the teepee entrance.
"Just a sec" a groggy Nick says as he gently nudges his bunny awake. Then Nick clumsily reaches for the only clothing that seems to be available - his regalia from the previous night, with the same being said for Judy.
After a few minutes of fumbling with their regalia, the two are finally presentable for whoever their visitors might be.
"HI" says Nick, to allow their visitors to enter.
"Híŋhaŋni wašté Ista Maza … Sumanitu Tunka Wana Gi" (Good Morning Iron Eyes, Wolf Spirit) as Michael greets formally as he and Yvonne enter, followed closely by Long Fang and Sunshine.
"Híŋhaŋni wašté Wayate Tehal … Naji kici WA nape." (Good morning Sees Far, Stands With A Fist)
"Híŋhaŋni wašté Ista Maza … Sumanitu Tunka Wana Gi" (Good Morning Iron Eyes, Wolf Spirit) greet Long fang and Sunshine together.
"Híŋhaŋni wašté Haske Hi …Maste." (Good morning Long Fang, Sunshine) Nick and Judy answer formallyin perfect Old Tongue as well.
"You have done well to remember these things in such a short period of time, my brother" complements Michael.
"Pilamayaye Ciyewaye Ki" (thank you, younger brother) replies Nick, again in Old Tongue, still surprising all of the visitors.
Looking at Michael and the rest after glancing at Nick, Judy apologizes "Sorry, it just seems natural for some reason …"
"Do not misunderstand, it is really much appreciated, and perhaps not unexpected considering the circumstances" offers Long Fang with a small smile, setting the couple at ease.
"The purpose of our visit this morning" begins Michael "is to inform you that breakfast is ready at mother and father's home. After you eat, we thought that perhaps you would like to visit to visit your namesakes former dwelling place and their graves."
Looking at his mate, Nick answers "We would be honored to accompany you to these sites. However, if you would give us a few moments to prepare, we will join you at the dwelling of Nahtaka Zitkala and Sapa Sina." (Kicking Bird and Black Shawl)
"Mitiblo Ki, (older brother) it is wonderous that you and Sumanitu Tunka Wana Gi have taken to the Old Tongue so quickly." responds Michael. "Father will be overjoyed to learn of this I think."
"… I am not sure if it will remain with us, but for now it seems as if we have always spoken it. Forgive us if it makes you uncomfortable."
"By all means, please continue to do so. It will be fitting for when you visit your namesakes later this day." adds Long Fang as he again joins the conversation.
…
After gathering a few things for the anticipated journey, Nick and Judy rejoin their guests and walk the short distance to the home of Kicking Bird and Black Shawl.
After being granted permission to enter, Nick and Judy pleasantly surprise their hosts with a traditional formal greeting in Old Tongue –
"Híŋhaŋni wašté Thunkashila … Kusi" (Good morning Grandfather-Grandmother) says Nick (the males will normally perform the greeting).
"Híŋhaŋni wašté" returns Kicking Bird, obviously delighted at the greeting.
"Please, sit and eat. I understand that Sees Far and Long Fang will be taking you to Long Fang's village to visit with your spirit guides."
"It is so" answers Nick as he and the rest sit and begin to enjoy their first meal of the day. "We cannot tell you how honored we are to receive these things."
"The honor is ours" responds Long Fang. "To have you both commune with the spirits as you have, and to be gifted with the ability to speak and understand not only our ways, but to be fluent in the Od Tongue, even for a short time is wonderous. The spirits truly seem to favor you both."
…
With their pleasant meal finished, Nick asks if it would be ok to visit the place where the young are crafting different tokens and articles that he and Judy would be purchasing for sale in the Bunnyburrow and Zootopia areas before they leave. After making their selections of two small items, they are ready for their journey to Long Fang's village.
The six mammals then take two vehicles to Long Fang's village. The short ride, with the females in one vehicle and males in the other, gives each set of mammals to connect on a more personal level.
Arriving at a spot just outside of Long Fang's village, Nick and Judy are somewhat surprised to notice a small crowd of mammals waiting to greet them.
"The mammals in the village are excited to see the mammals that have communicated with the spirits of those who rest here" explains Long Fang. You have both demonstrated that not all strangers are Wašíču. Many good things are hoped to come of this, so please do not take offense of this, it is all done in a good way."
"We understand brother" responds Nick, with Judy close by his side, wrapped in his long tail as a sign that she is truly his mate. "Perhaps we can aid your village as well as that of Kicking Bird with the purchasing and sale of craft items made by your young."
"Since we know that this is offered in a good way, we will speak of it later. For now, let us honor you and your mate by introducing you to the site of your namesakes and spirit guides."
Approaching the former site of the teepee, Nick and Judy notice that it, as well as the graves, is inside of yet another sacred circle.
After being smudged into the circle, Nick and Judy both stand quietly before the site where the teepee once stood, then silently and respectfully kneel beside the two graves, marked by simple stones, with the larger one marking Iron Eyes grave and the smaller of the two marking the grave of Wolf Spirit.
To the amazement of most of the gathered villagers, and even their Lakota guides, Nick and Judy each push a short forked stick into the ground at the head of their respective spirits graves and place a medicine wheel with four colored strips of cloth, red, yellow, black and white, attached to the wheels upon the sticks. The strips of cloth were brought from their teepee and the medicine wheels were purchased at the 'store' in Pines Ridge.
"Híŋhaŋni wašté, Ciyewaye Ki. Taŋyáŋ ománi pe." says a tearful Nick softly. (Good morning my older brother. Have a good journey)
"Híŋhaŋni wašté, Cuwe Ki. Taŋyáŋ ománi pe." says an equally tearful Judy softly. (Good morning my older sister. Have a good journey)
After a brief pause for silent prayers, Nick and Judy stand and prepare to exit the sacred circle, only to find that all of the villagers in attendance were in total awe of the couple, only now beginning to understand the deep connection that these two mammals have to their (the villagers) long-departed kin.
As the village chief steps from the assembled mammals, Nick offers his paw in a traditional Lakota pawshake and addresses him "Híŋhaŋni wašté, Mato Wikcemna." (Good morning Ten Bears).
With a brief glance at Long Fang who shakes his head 'no', Ten Bears returns the greeting "Híŋhaŋni wašté, Ista Maza … Sumanitu Tunka Wana Gi.Cante waste nape ciyuzapo" (Good morning Iron Eyes and Wolf Spirit, I greet you from my heart.) truly amazed. First of all, for the fact that Nick speaks Old Tongue with no accent, plus adding the fact that he knew Ten Bears name without being told before paw.
"We are honored to have you visit our humble village."
"Wolf Spirit and I are honored to be able to visit. Many thanks for allowing us to visit the site of our spirit guides dwelling and graves."
"Long Fang has told me of your visions in Inipi. My village and I are honored to receive you and hope that your stay is pleasant."
"It has been pleasant and will be long remembered. I believe that Long Fang has informed you that I would aid your village as I will attempt to do for Kicking Bird's."
"We would be honored, for we know that you do this in a good way."
"We will communicate through Sees Far and Long Fang when we are ready to purchase and distribute your items for sale in not only the Tri-Burrow area, but Zootopia as well. It may be a week or two, perhaps three at the most after we return, but as I'm sure that Sees Far has explained that we are moving and reestablishing our home and business at this time."
"Sees Far has explained these things to me. We shall have many things for you to sell for us. Be well and have a safe journey. May the spirits guide you and keep you safe. Mitakuye Oyasin!"
"Mitakuye Oyasin!" as Nick again shakes Ten Bears paw, the six mammals prepare to depart.
Just then, a shy young wolf/coyote hybrid female steps from the crowd and stop in front of Judy "What are you called little one?" Judy asks as she kneels, bringing her eye to eye with the youngling.
Blushing furiously, the small female can only hold out a small token on a necklace, hoping that Judy will accept it.
Knowing that it would be a less than honorable and embarrassing for the pup to not accept the item, Judy accepts the necklace, admires it and then places it around her neck.
"Pilamayaye Wanji Kitala" (thank you little one) she says, taking the small pup (who is almost as large as she is) into a gentle hug.
With that, the pup smiles and returns to the crowd of villagers.
…
As the six mammals return to Pines Ridge, Sunshine asks Judy "Wolf Spirit, do you know what that is?"
"No Sunshine, I do not…"
"It is a whistle made from the wing bone of an Eagle … an item sacred to the Lakota. It belonged to Flower's Grandmother who was called Quiet Waters. It was passed to Flower when Quiet Waters went to the join her ancestors. It is only ever used during the Sun Dance ceremony."
"Grandfather touched on the Sun Dance briefly when we first arrived" remarks Judy. "Why was the whistle not passed to Flower's mother?"
"Summer Moon was in failing health at the time as well, and Quiet Waters knew of this."
"And the pup's father?"
"Killed in a raid by the ferals before Flower's birth. Please, do not concern yourself with Flower's wellbeing, she is loved and is being raised by the village. It is the Lakota way."
"I wish that there was something more that I could do-"
"You already have. She passed the whistle to you because she knew in her heart that you would treasure it and possibly use it if the time ever came. There is no greater gift that you could possible give to her than that."
Holding the whistle up so she could examine it more closely, Judy let a single tear fall 'Pilamayaye Wahca'. (Thank you Flower) she says softly.
…
While the return to Pines Ridge seemed to take a bit longer than the trip to Brown Butte, but not knowing the route and not really caring, it made little difference to Nick or Judy.
Arriving at the home of Kicking Bird and Black Shawl, Nick and Judy were greeted by Kicking Bird, and bade sit with him and Long Fang to discuss arrangements for the proposed sale of tribal items, as well as figuring out timelines for the inclusion of bringing Bright Eyes, Short Tail and She Always Smiles to Bunnyburrow.
While Nick and Judy wondered why this had become an agenda so suddenly, they both figured that now was as good a time as any.
After about three hours of negotiations, it was decided that the three tribal members that would take residence in Bunnyburrow would be ready to make the journey in roughly four weeks. Housing and duties for the young was a top priority, while Skye had readily agreed to lodge She Always Smiles until after she (Skye) and Josh married, at which point she should be well enough off and fully accepted by the community to have her own place.
Bright Eyes would be living with Stu and Bonnie in the main burrow, being lodged with bunny does her own age, while Short Tail was to stay with Lefty and aid the disabled veteran with normal household chores.
After talking to Bonnie over one of the few working land lines, it was arranged to place and sell the goods that were produced by the two tribes in an old grocery store in Bunnyburrow that had recently gone out of business, as well as lining up other sales points in the not only the rest of the Tri-burrow area, but in Zootopia as well. Nick had arranged to do a short-term lease with the owner, with the option to buy the store and property in six months' time. To make things simple, there would be no competition of products between the two tribes, since the Pines Ridge tribe would be producing necklaces, bags, pouches, knives and other such items, while the Brown Butte tribe produce beautiful paw-made pottery and stoneware.
All items would be trade-marked as Lakota Designs LLC® merchandise, with a small tag designating which tribe each item was produced by and which tribe member produce the item so the correct tribe and individual received the correct payment for their hard work.
…
Noticing the time, Black Shawl declared that all would remain for the mid-day meal, which furthered Nick's suspicions that something was up, but he decided that it would do no good to argue with the wolf elder.
After a slightly late but leisurely meal of Indigent tacos, Nick and Judy were ready to head to their teepee and get some well-deserved rest.
Rounding a corner, the pair are greeted by a welcoming committee of the young pups that they had saved earlier, as well as their parents.
Staring in shock at their dwelling, the formerly blank outside of the teepee was now fully decorated. The bottom of the structure was marked by a rendition of grass and flowers on rolling hills, with the upper part depicting sky and clouds. The remarkable things that stood out, were the fact that Nick and Judy were very accurately portrayed in the regalia that they currently wore, and that they were joined by five rabbit-fox hybrid young!
While Nick stood in awe, Judy dropped to her knees and freely wept, with tears of joy slipping from her eyes at the sight!
Approaching Judy and kneeling in front of her, Bright Eyes is deeply concerned "I truly am sorry if we offended you, Grandfather told us it would be alright to do this!"
"… No" began Judy "It is fine, really. I told you earlier that I had had a vision of my yet to be conceived kits … but … how did you ever decide how many kits and how they would look?"
"Several summers ago, when I was in a female only lodge, I had a short vision of these kits. Since we are told that visions can easily be misinterpreted, I told no one of the vision. After speaking with you the other day, I decided that these must be your kits, so I asked Grandmother if it was alright to place them on your tipi."
"These are exactly the same as how I saw them in my vision" taking Bright Eyes into a tight hug "thank you for sharing this with us. But … the teepee-"
"Belongs to you and Iron Eyes now" finishes Kicking Bird, who had arrived and stood directly behind the doe.
"You knew of this and the conference having to do with the stores and placement of Bright Eyes and the rest…" accuses Nick.
"Although the talk was much needed, it was used to delay you until the painting was finished, yes."
"Grandfather" choked out Nick "I have no words…"
"No words are needed Iron Eyes; you have already proven yourselves by your actions."
"And the tipi, does it remain here?"
"It is yours now, you may take it with you or leave it here, it is your choice. You have thoughts of this?"
"If you will allow me a little time to gather them, I would speak with you later of this."
"Take all of the time that you need."
Turning to the assembled tribe's mammals Nick speaks "Ciyewaye Ki, Cuwe Ki. Pilamayaye Cante waste nape ciyuzapo" (Brothers and sisters, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.)
"A'ho!" responds the entire gathering.
With that, the crowd disperses and Nick and Judy enter their teepee.
…
"Nick…" begins a physically and emotionally drained Judy.
"I know Fluff, I know. For now, let's just get a bit of shut-eye, there's a thing or two I want to run by you after a bit. For now, I just need to mull a few things over, ok?"
"Fine, let's …" and promptly nods off to sleep.
"Sleepy bunny" whispers Nick as he gently paces a soft kiss on her cheek and covers his bunny with a light blanket before slowly drifting off himself.
…
After several hours of restful sleep, Nick is awakened when his bunny stirs.
Opening his eyes, he looks into Judy's amethyst pools and smiles. "Hey there."
"Hey."
"Sleep well?"
"Yea, you?"
"Of course. About earlier-"
"Hold that thought, I'll be right back."
After Judy returns from relieving herself, Nick decides that discretion being the better part of valor and does the same.
Settling comfortably on their pallet, Nick explains "I know that the tipi is ours, but I though that we'd leave it her until we can arrange a better way to transport it home, possibly when we have some of the stuff from both tribes brough back to Bunnyburrow."
"That sounds logical, and I'm fine with it, what else?"
"I want to know how open you'd be to building an Inipi behind the house and asking Sees Far to conduct ceremonies in it from time to time. Of course we'd invite anyone into the lodge who might want to try the ceremonies with the same restrictions or conditions that we have here."
"That 'd be wonderful! Do we need to ask Grandfather for permission to build the Inipi? I know we need to ask Michael if he'd do the ceremony but the building of the Inipi…"
"I want to ask both Kicking Bird and Michael what hoops we need to jump through to both build the Inipi and to do the ceremony. I'm hoping that they'll be fine with both."
"Well, no time like the present. It's almost mealtime and we don't really have enough in the tipi to make a decent meal, so let's go to Kicking Bird's and see what happens."
"And since the cleanest clothes we currently have is our regalia, native is the order of the day I guess…"
…
The short walk to Kicking Bird and Black Shawl's home serves to further wake up our tired pair.
As they arrive, they are greeted by the sight of Kicking Bird sitting in a chair in the shade in the back porch of his home.
"Hau Thunkashila."
"Hau Ista Maza … Sumanitu Tunka Wana Gi"
"We would speak with you on some matters if you would allow it." begins Nick.
"Let us eat first" counters Kicking Bird. "Matters of importance should not be discussed on an empty stomach."
Knowing that any argument would be futile, Nick and Judy join Kicking Bird and Black Shawl for supper, with Sees Far and Stands With A Fist joining them.
After a light meal of porridge, all three couples retire to the living room where Nick begins "Grandfather, with your permission, we would like to leave the tipi here until we can make other arrangements to get it back to Bunnyburrow. Possibly when we come and pick up items from the two tribes to take back to sell."
"That will be fine, we have no issue with the tipi remaining her for any length of time."
"There is one more thing I would like to discuss with you and with Sees Far if I may-"
"You would like permission to build an Inipi at your home, and you wish to ask Sees Far to conduct lodge, would you not?"
"Y-yes Grandfather … how did you know?"
"Observing you these last few days, saving the pups, the Inipi, the trip to Brown Butte, the Hunkápi. All of these things led me to believe that you truly are Ista Maza and Sumanitu Tunka Wana Gi would not be my place to deny you permission to do these things."
"And it would not be my place to deny conducting lodge as long as proper traditions are followed." adds Michael.
"I – we-" begins Nick,
"No apology or any further conversation is needed Iron Eyes. The spirits have spoken through the two of you. Everything you have done and said and has been done in a good way from the very minute you arrived on the reservation. You have been respectful of our customs and of everyone you have met. You truly are Tiyóspaye."
"Thank you Grandfather." says Nick "In fact thank you all for everything, Grandfather and grandmother for hosting us, Sees Far and Stands With A Fist for believing in us. Both tribes for the honors that they have bestowed upon us. But unless someone has any objections, we would like to leave in the morning. As much as we would love to stay, there are matters that require our attention in Bunnyburrow."
"You have always been free to come and go as you please" responds Kicking Bird. "We realize that you have responsibilities elsewhere, and would not hinder you in your need to attend to them."
Looking at Judy to affirm his next statement "We will tell the others that we will try to leave after the morning meal. That will give everyone time to say their farewells."
"So be it." says Kicking Bird, indicating that the discussion is now closed.
"If you'll excuse us, we'll inform the others of our schedule. Thank you again Kicking Bird and Black Shawl, for your wonderful hospitality."
"Mitakuye Oyasin" say both Nick and Judy as they exit the home.
"Mitakuye Oyasin" comes the reply from all four mammals inside.
…
"Well, that went well" remarks Judy "now we just need to find everyone and let them know when we're leaving."
"I don't think that'll be too difficult" answers Nick. "I'm betting that most if not all of our little group will be around the bonfire by the sacred circle."
Sure enough, the entire Bunnyburrow crew is sitting around the huge bonfire, sitting in small bunches.
Skye and Josh are together, with Duane and Tiff close to them. Bolo and She Always smiles are flanked by Midnight and Lefty, who just happen to be giving the new couple a light ribbing.
With Nick and Judy's arrival, a whistle sounds from out of the dark, and the couple is surrounded by kits. All of the kits that they saved several days ago and their parents emerge from the darkness.
Seeing the confused, and slightly concerned looks, She Always Smiles offers a simple explanation. "Everyone knows everything around the rez" she states simply. "Evidently word leaked out that you will be leaving tomorrow morning and everyone wanted to say their farewells, including the little ones."
Surrounded by pups of all ages, especially Bright Eyes, Turtle and Short Tail, Nick and Judy begin their drawn-out and tearful farewells.
Reassuring Bright Eyes and Short Tail that they would be seeing them in the near future, and saying good night to everyone, Nick and Judy head to their tipi to settle down for the night. Taking advantage of the situation, of course they extend their second honeymoon by one more night.
…
Rising earlier than expected to the sound of a tribal drum, Nick and Judy hurriedly dress in their travel clothes to find out what the commotion is all about, only to find that many of the tribe and several of the Bear Butte tribe are having an honoring ceremony for them.
"What's all this?" asks Judy as the drums stop, alerting everyone to their presence.
"The tribes wish to send you on your way with a gifting ceremony" states Michael.
"But we-" begins Nick, only to be interrupted by Ten Bears.
"You have brought with you something to the reservation that has not been seen in many summers."
Seeing the confusion on both Nick and Judy's faces, he quickly answers their unasked question "Hope. You bring hope not only to the villages of Pines Ridge and Bear Butte, but to generations of us who have given up. This is something that can only be given from the heart. It cannot be done with words, but with actions. You offer hope in the form of jobs and income for those without means to travel beyond the borders of the reservation. You offer an honorable life for those who wish to pursue it, especially for the young. This can only be done in a good way, and we wish to thank you the only way we know how…"
With that, first kits from both villages step forward and each present the couple with pawmade items ranging from small medicine bags to beaded bracelets and such.
Then the parents of the kits saved from the ferals gift specially sized regalia such as fancy dresses and shawls for Judy and breeches, leggings and shirts for Nick as well as trade blankets and pawmade dream catchers.
Totally overwhelmed by all of the attention and gifts, the couple is totally stunned when Kicking Bird and Black Shawl step forward.
"When you build your Inipi" begins Kicking Bird as he paws Nick an object covered with a red cloth "you will need a proper Chanupa. This Chanupa was made by my paws many summers ago, but I had no one who deserved for it to be gifted to. This Chanupa is to be use whenever times permit, Sees Far will teach you the proper ways of the Chanupa."
Then Black Shawl steps forward, pawing Nick three bags of dried plants "In this bag is kinnikinnick, it is to be used in the Chanupa. In this bag is Sage. Use this to smudge your home to aid in keeping out evil spirits and to purify you home. Finally, in this bag is sweet grass, which can also be used to smudge. We will send bags of each every time that trade goods are sent to your village for sale."
Not having the slightest idea what to say or how to act, Nick and Judy simply stand there, eyes brimming with tears.
Sensing their indecision, Yvonne and Michael then take them by the paws and lead them to the fully stocked Wupulla tables to join the rest of the Bunnyburrow mammals for a good breakfast.
Finishing their meals, the entire Bunnyburrow group crowd into the once spacious van, which is now loaded to capacity with not only three more mammals than made the original trip, but all of the gifted items as well.
"This is gonna be a loooong trip!" sighs Nick as he starts the van and pulls out of the village of Pines Ridge and onto the poorly maintained road.
"We'll be fine!" says Judy, trying her best to reassure her husband.
…
After several miles of uncomfortable riding, being jostled due to the various pot holes and other obstacles, Nick turns onto Zootopia Route 34.
As everyone tries to get comfortable in the slightly cramped confines of the van, Judy spots something unusual in the ditch on her side of the highway.
"NICK STOP … STOP QUICK!"
"What?"
I thought I was something in the ditch. We need to go back … please!"
"Ok Fluff, no problem."
First stopping, then backing up on the shoulder of the road, Nick finally reaches the spot where Judy thought she saw something.
"Ok, stop here."
"Oh, my gods, I think it's a body!"
"WHAT?" A body?"
As everyone piles out of the van, Judy is first to get to the nearly naked mammal "Wait … I think she's still breathing … Snow, get a blanket out of the van, quick!"
Quickly returning with blanket in paw, Snow and Judy wrap the unconscious form in one of the blankets that had been gifted to Judy and Nick, and hurriedly return to the van.
"She appears to be a squirrel/chipmunk hybrid" announces Skye as Nick pulls back on the road "and she appears to be in shock. No telling how long she'd been lying out there."
Powering down the highway, Nick manages to scare everyone in the van "Good god Nick, slow down or you'll kill us all!" shouts Judy.
"Hurry up or slow down, make up my mind please" whines Nick as he slows to a respectable speed.
…
After about fifteen minutes, their guest begins to regain consciousness.
"What … where …!" and begins to panic as she sees so many different faces, with most of them being predators.
"Shhh – shh – shhh, it's alright, you're among friends here." says Judy, trying to calm the frightened mammal.
"Wh-who are you? Where am I?"
"I'm Judy, the lunkhead driving is my husband Nick-"
"I heard that Fluff…"
Ignoring Nick, Judy continues "The artic fox is Skye and the bunny in her lap is Josh, who happens to be one of my brothers. The sand fox is Tiffany and her bunny is Duane, another of my brothers. The bison is affectionately named Bolo, then there's Midnight (indicating the panther) and finally Lefty."
"But … preds and prey … married and couples? Am I dead or just hallucinating?"
Giving a bit of a giggle, Judy answers "No you're definitely not dead, although you might have ended up that way if w hadn't happened along when we did."
"Oookkkkaaayyy, that's who. Now where?"
"Just outside of the Pines ridge Reservation in the Hills region."
Seeing the building confusion on the hybrids face, Judy asks "Please tell me who are you and where are you from?"
"Ummm, my name is Sally, Sally Acorn, and I'm from Purdin Oaklahoma."
"You're a long way from home Sally" admits Judy "What in the world are you doing way out here, and umm, you know that you're almost naked … right?"
Looking under the blanket, Sally discovers to her horror that she is for the most part, almost totally naked. The only article of clothing that she actually has on is a blue vest.
As panic again begins to set in, Judy leaves the front seat of the van and joins the hybrid. "It's ok, really. There's a truck stop just up the road, we'll stop and get you a few things … ok?"
"But … why would you do that for me? For someone you don't even know?"
"It's kinda what we do!" comments Nick, with everyone else in the van nodding in agreement.
"I don't understand…."
"Every one of us has been broke in some form or another" admits Judy. "I had dedicated my life to becoming a cop, but the failure of the Mammal Inclusion Initiative took that dream from me. Before that I had been clawed in the face by a fox … a red fox!"
Seeing Sally's eyes dart to Nick, Judy was quick to clarify "And no it wasn't Nick. it was a kithood bully named Gideon Grey. I was working in one of my parents gas stations when I met Nick, who actually offered me a job as a mechanic and a model. Nick, that is to say we, own a custom car shop. It was located in Zootopia, but the rabbit who raped me in high school – he's in prison by now by the way – has some brothers who blew up our shop. We decided to move it lock, stock and barrel to my folks farm, which Nick and his crew saved from total destruction and bankruptcy not once, but twice.'
"After we were married, I lost an entire litter of kits to miscarriage. The only reason I'm alive today is because of Nick."
"It's the same for everyone here" affirmed Skye. "Nick is responsible for almost single pawedly saving each and every one of our lives in some shape form or fashion, as well as every one of the mammals employed at the shop."
"Which brings us back to my original question." says Judy "What in the world are you doing way out here?"
"I-I … I was kitnapped…"
"WHAT?"
XxX
AN: Nick and Judy's speech is stilted due to the fact that they are still recovering from their experiences in Inipi.
Again, the Lakota used here is as correct as I can make it.
There is no actual Brown Butte, I just needed a village close to Pine Ridge.
Whistles made from the wing bones of an eagle are indeed sacred, and only used during Sundance.
