Arrow was shipped out again, this time Junia and Jenette went with her, and they returned a few weeks later. Things had been different with her recently. Ever since the 4th I hadn't been able to stop thinking about what she had done for me. I knew she didn't go to Christin about my…episode…as he seemed completely oblivious to what happened. Don't get me wrong, I was glad she hadn't gone to him, once she found out about my shell shock, or PTSD as she called it. Sure, she had said I wouldn't be sent away for it but it was still humiliating.

And I knew she hadn't forgotten what happened.

Up until she had left, and even when she came back, I could see her watching me out of the corner of my eye. She had been very subtle about it. It actually took me a week to notice. While that was impressive enough, the looks weren't really the problem. It was the expression on her face. I didn't know how to describe it. Her face was an odd mix, of concern-which was understandable-confusion and strangely something that looked similar to fear.

Fear.

Needless to say, that scared me. Why would Arrow be frightened of me? My panic attack hadn't spooked her that much, had it? It shouldn't have, especially considering she had admitted to having gone through it herself. I wanted to ask her about it, but we hadn't really talked since that night. I was busy with Black Sheep and the other kids, and she was usually off training or with Junia.

Summer didn't last much longer, sadly.

August came and went with little issue. The craziest day I had that month was when Snowy took a day off to celebrate her birthday with her family and I was left with 15 little kids to look after. Or it could have been the day I accidentally blew up the toaster (Bread fell to far into the contraption. I didn't want get burned so I stuck my servo inside to rescue said bread. Things exploded.). Other than that, it was peaceful. Peaceful that was a word that only 5 and half months ago I'd thought I'd never get to use. Not with the war going on.

The camp ended, mid-August, and I was sad to say goodbye to all of the kids. We had some fun times. Though, I was grateful that Black Sheep was staying with me, and from now on it was just the two of us. Amira had been coaching me through how to care for a mutant child with mimic abilities. It was all part of the trial period, where the kid was sent to live with a potential family before being officially released into their custody. Now that Summer was over, Amira had to return to her duties on Nexus, so we could finally make it official. The papers were signed (Christin may have been the legal guardian, but I was still the only name on the relative list), and Black Sheep, or Adam S. Barnes, was officially my little brother. There was even a cake to celebrate the little guy's new birthday.

I started to help prepare for the autumn harvest. Christin's land was still a farm after all, and he needed the help as three of his kids had their own jobs and the younger ones spent the day with their tutors. Growing potatoes was much more fun than peeling them, and I learned a lot about agriculture. It was nice, but it didn't feel like something I could do for the rest of my life.

Soon it was the middle of September, everyone was back home. The house was full and it would stay that way until a few weeks into October. We played games, watched movies and just laughed that first week.

It was early one morning, at breakfast, when we got the message about Snowy's wedding.

Snowy's wedding.

I had completely forgotten about it. The vixen girl, had returned to her family's home on Nexus as soon as the camp ended. I hadn't seen her since. Not that I blamed her for that. She was getting married after all. Probably had a few things to get done before the wedding. The message was a last reminder to all of the guests, of the date, dress code, time, and an updated invite list. Which had my and Black Sheep's names on it. I guess she liked us.

The day before the wedding. We all got up early, and packed for an about two days stay. Junia brought us, along with his mother to the part of Nexus were Snowy's clan lived; in the mountains of Nexus's wilds.

The island was split in half by the mountain range, one side was the city and the other side being wild jungles, and canyons. Most of the clans were living on the city side, whether that be in the denser areas closer to the palace or in the more rural spots near the shore (with the exception being clan Antisha, they lived completely inland). However, Clan Shashla lived on the mountain range.

They had a small village built into the cliff side on the east mountains of the island. A number of round wooden huts and platforms that connected with many bridges of rope, all of it webbed across the mountain cliffs. It was very low tech, but this was how the clan had lived for centuries before coming here (it also explained why Snowy was just as amazed by modern inventions as I was), and this was one of the few reasons why they were allowed to settle on the nature preserve part of Nexus.

We arrived the day before the wedding, sometime in the afternoon. Snowy greeted us with a smile, and her family was just as receptive. It was easy to see where Snowy got her looks, she was practically a younger version of her mother; Same fur, same eyes, same cheery attitude. Her 12 siblings, were the same as well. When we entered their hut, we were practically assaulted with an army of fluffy puff balls of ivory fur.

Black Sheep clung to my shoulders with an iron grip. He didn't like all these strangers.

"You, okay?" Taiga asked coming up to me, one of the smaller pups had apparently climbed up onto his head.

"Yeah, just a lot of people," I said, rubbing Black Sheep's back.

"The pups are harmless, even with the claws and fangs. Come on, you and Black Sheep are sharing a room with me and Timothy."

I nodded readjusting my hold on Black Sheep and on my backpack, as I followed Taiga through the hut. A set of thin stairs lead the to the second floor. Through a small door on the left was a room with two bunk beds. However, the beds looked more like nests to me, taking on a more oval shape rather than a rectangle.

Black Sheep scrambled out of my arms, and ran over to the ladder of the closet bunk.

"You want the top?" I asked.

He smiled and nodded at me.

"Okay, you can take the top, just no rough housing up there," I said, putting the bag on top of the lower bunk.


The music was loud in my ears, but not painful.

We were on the main platform in the middle of the village. A large wooden stage that was built in a way that made the floor look like it was braided together. By evening everyone was already celebrating, the band was in full swing, and everybody joined in a group dance (which I tried to join, but didn't know any of the steps, so that didn't really work). It was kind of funny, as Snowy and Caid weren't even married yet.

Speaking of Snowy's husband to be, he wasn't so bad. Caid was a tall, and lanky, but graceful and silent when he moved. I could immediately tell that he was trained in some form a of espionage, however, it was clear that he was more of a gentle giant rather than a soldier. His mannerisms were quiet, polite, and very respectful to everyone around him, especially Snowy. His pitch-black fur was well kept, smooth and shiny, and one of his ears seemed to permanently flop down at the tip. His face was pale, and held bright red eyes, that looked like a pair of blood rubies.

Eventually things died down though, the night ending with a toast, that had close friends and family giving wishes to the happy couple. And we all went to bed.


"Come on!" Something shoved my shoulder, hard.

Sleepily I picked my head up, leaning my weight on my only hand, "What?" I slurred.

"Come on, get up! All of you!"

I looked up, finding Arrow standing over me. She looked amazing. The mutant girl was dressed in a long gown of pale violet silk. The top of which was a V-neck low cut, with ruffle along the straps. There was a slightly darker mask with golden and white details on the edges, on her face. Butterfly earrings hung from her ear lobes, and a flower necklace of what looked like sapphires rested on her upper chest. I had to stop myself from staring.

"Don't gawk, come we needed to get ready," Arrow said before turning towards the bunk above my head, "wakey, wakey eggs and bakey," she said gently to Black Sheep.

I laid back down and rubbed my eyes until the edges of my vision weren't foggy. Once that task was done, I looked towards the only window in the room. It was still dark outside. It was dark when we went to sleep. How was Arrow physically awake? Especially with all the dancing with Junia she did at the party.

"What time is it?" I mumbled, looking back at Arrow who now was holding Black Sheep.

"Little passed 4:00," Arrow said, placing Black Sheep down on my bed before walking out the room, "Come on."

"Four?! 4:00 AM!"

"Shashla weddings happen at sunrise. Which is in about an hour, come on you need to get dressed," Taiga said slowly rising from his bed.


I fiddled with the caller of my suit. Formal wear for mutants was weird. It was worn tight, but instead of restricting movement it was stretchy enough to allow you to bend in all sorts of directions; like a second skin.

I was wearing a blue jacket that seemed to be made of a leather like material and only had one sleeve, exposing my metal arm. The sleeve I did have, there was a detailing on the shoulder and cuff, swirls of lighter shades of blue that appeared like clouds or rolling waves. I wore black pants, and boots that matched my jacket.

Black sheep was dressed similar. Only, he had both of his sleeves, and he was black and gold, rather than blue and black. I ruffled in the little boy's, who was sitting in my lap, hair.

We were sitting in the crowd waiting for the ceremony to start. The set up was a little different then the weddings I was used too (at least the ones I had heard about, I hadn't really been to many weddings). There were two isles rather than one, in a sharp 'v' shape. At the point where the isles met there was an arch of sparking icicles, with globes of different colored fire floating around it, like a sea of fireflies. People were sat on the outsides of the 'v', while the inside of the isles was reserved for flowers, candles and gentle pools and glass jugs of glowing water.

Arrow took her place at the bride's side of the arch, while some other fox person stood on the groom's side. In the middle, behind an odd bowl of paint and some kind of crystal staff, was Clan Leader Prowler. The vulpine man was obviously younger than the other clan leaders, maybe late thirties at the most, but I was told he had been in charge of the Shashla for over half of his life. His youth showed in the ungrayed golden fur that covered his body and the bright green eyes that he possessed. Though, in the formal robes he was wearing made him appear very wise.

The gentle music began to play, a harmony of flutes and whistle-like instrument, along with harps. It had a joyful, yet calm and peaceful feeling to it, unlike the wedding march that I had heard which had a grander expression. The crowd soon joined in, softly singing an old tune. I felt a little out of place; I didn't know the words.

Then they started walking. Snowy came up the isle on the left (the isle I was sitting closest too), while Caid walked up the right, both of them walking with their parents. My eyes widened at the sight of Snowy, suddenly the image of a cheerful 16-year-old girl vanished from my mind, and it was replaced the vision of a beautiful young woman.

She wore a long-sleeved, A-line dress, that had a simple sliver skirt with a darker grey upper top and sleeves. It had a modest square-cut neckline, that was lined with platinum colored ribbon, as was the cuffs and hem. A belt of what liked like diamonds was tied around her waist. She didn't wear a veil, only a spider web of pearls that sat on her head. A mask covered her mouth and nose. I tried not the chuckled when I saw her paws; she still wasn't wearing any shoes.

Snowy and Caid arrived at the end of their isles, and after a tearful yet joyful goodbye from their respective parents, they took each other hands and nodded to Clan leader Prowler. The audience grew quiet as the music hit its final notes.

"Brothers, sisters. Ladies, gentlemen. And all creatures great and small. We are gathered here today, to celebrate the bonding of Snowylane Cluster and Caid Clawhowser, or as they are now known, Blizzraid and Blazestone.

"Our people have had been delt a harsh hand in the past decade. Our first joy when we gain sanctuary here, was the birth of your generation. The first lives who were unharmed by the war that ravaged our pervious home. Looking around at this crowd I see all of the lives you've touched, and how many who care enough to come and witness you next step in life. We've watched you grow into people that the ancestors can stare down at with pride. And now we watch you begin the next generation of the Shashla.

"Now, I suppose we should actually start the ceremony."

The crowd chuckled.

Clan Leader Prowler reached for the staff next to him, and handed it to Snowy and Caid. The couple holding the scepter with one hand, the other hands hovering close to the raw cut crystal at the top. They each pierced their middle finger on the sharp edges on the gemstone, drawing blood. They turned to the blow of black paint, and each let a drop of blood fall from their fingers into the black ink. Then dipped their indexs in the bloodied paint.

"Caid repeat after me," Prowler said, "Through the threads of time and space she had brought me you."

Caid nodded and went to paint something on Snowy's forehead, "Through the threads of time and space she had brought me you."

"A gift that can never be returned or replaced."

"A gift that can never be returned or replaced."

"I vow you love and protect you with my life."

"I vow you love and protect you with my life."

"And with this marking in our blood, I claim you as my other half."

"And with this marking in our blood, I claim you as my other half."

"My partner."

"My partner."

"My family."

"My family."

"And my wife."

"And my wife."

Prowler nodded, "Snowylane, repeat after me. Through the threads of time and space she had brought me you."

Snowy nodded, and began painting on Caid forehead, "Through the threads of time and space she had brought me you."

"A gift that can never be returned or replaced."

"A gift that can never be returned or replaced."

"I vow you love and protect you with my life."

"I vow you love and protect you with my life."

"And with this marking in our blood, I claim you as my other half."

"And with this marking in our blood, I claim you as my other half."

"My partner."

"My partner."

"My family."

"My family."

"And my husband."

"And my husband."

Prowler looked at the young couple in front of him and smiled, "Then by will of the ancients, and the lost queen herself, you are no longer, bride and groom, you are husband and wife. Let your love remain strong throughout all ages, times of peace and prosperity, and times of pain and suffering. You may kiss."

With sparkling smiling eyes, the couple pulled down each other masks and with the sun rising behind them, shared their first kiss as husband and wife. The crowd erupted with cheers. For a moment everything was right in the world again.


A/N:

I needed to write about something happy. Especially after the nightmare my finals, and school applications. Having mental breakdowns is not a hobby to pursue kids. Now I'm going to go, to work on either a math test that I failed twice or ASW update as I finally figured out what I want to do with that series.

Peace!