Love Struck Eternal
Chapter 1 - A humble start.
Char's POV, Seven years later, Iraq.
Pulling my car up to a stop outside of the school, I took a look at the building and contemplated my next move. With my eyes looking towards the main entrance, I spotted a teacher who was waiting for me to step out of my car.
I knew this man pretty well for the most part and that wasn't thanks to us being friends outside of our jobs. Slowly stepping out of my car and beginning my walk over, I took notice of how he was looking right now.
An older hedgehog. Male and had to be damn near his mid sixties. However he was typically one of the nicer teachers who worked here. A grayed coat of quills and two green eyes. Dressed in a pair of black dress pants and wearing a long sleeved blue sky dress shirt. He was typically hunched over for his age and as I reached his side he gave me his hand stating in a pretty disappointed voice.
"I'm sorry I had to call you Char."
"It's okay Phil. What's wrong? You said Sam was causing trouble?"
Shaking his head he replied.
"Not in the way you may be thinking she did. Samantha is….let's just say she has me worried. Come inside please. She's still in class but that gives us time to speak."
Nodding my head and switching my gears so I could now follow him inside the school. We began a long trip down the main hall towards his classroom. By the time we got there I realized he must have been on his break. No kids in his class and once he shut the door he encouraged me.
"Take a seat if you want. This shouldn't take long."
With Phil going back to his desk, I followed and took a seat just in front. With my right hand coming up to scratch at my chin, I asked him.
"So what's the problem?"
Giving me a strong glare he replied carefully.
"The reason I called you here today Char is simple. I've been Sam's teacher for the last two years and like we both know she's generally a quiet individual when compared to most kids her age. And I know for a fact you're more or less considered family to her."
He was right. I've been with this girl ever since she was born. She's been more or less my second daughter. However I was still concerned with where this could be heading. Sam was only seven. How much trouble can this guy see in her? I wondered to myself as he went on to personally tell me.
"Sam is a very smart girl, but I almost consider her intellect dangerous at her age. It's no secret she's had a lot of good come her way thanks to who her parents are, but I fear she's becoming a bit depressed."
"How so?" I asked him next as he quickly carried on.
"For the last few days I've had her, she's been slowly separating herself from her classmates. At times she's even been quite rude to them. There is this young boy Teddy who is her partner for most of the projects I assign. Their best friends, but even so she's been giving him the cold shoulder. I guess my concern is this Char. Has anything bad happened at home that you know of? Were there any fights with her parents?"
Shaking my head, I replied confidently.
"Not that I know of. I'm also pretty sure those two never argue. Let alone fight in front of her."
Phil seemed content hearing that leave my mouth. Enough so that he went on to say.
"Then maybe she's just been stressed."
"She's seven." I told him with a small chuckle. Looking me back in my eyes, he laughed out.
"I've seen it before though Char. Kids her age are very prone to emotional disorders."
"She's fine Phil. She's got two of the best parents known to man at her side. Her mother isn't oblivious either. If Sam was depressed; she would have sniffed it out already. And Raptor? Well you know how close they've been since he left the office. He's spent the last three years being that girl's father and I know him well enough personally to assure you he's never going to put her at risk. Physically or mentally Phil. Raptor won't ever hurt his baby girl. No matter how mad he may get. I think this is all just a phase for her at the moment. She's going through some fast years and without a doubt has been absorbing so much. She's probably just a little burnt out if that's the case."
"So what should I do?: Phil then asked me as I gave the question some thought. In about ten seconds I urged him.
"I hate to be that guy, but it might be a good idea to cut her some slack with the homework. Just for a few days. Enough to let her rest up and come back fresh."
Phil agreed to my suggestion and happily replied.
"I can do that. It might be a good idea. She does go overboard with showing her work. It's basic math right now for her, but she draws simple two plus two questions in the form that makes it look and sound like it's advanced algebra."
"She gets that from her mother." I admitted as he chuckled and offered his hand. Once I had it within my own grasp, Phil again replied.
"Again it's a good point to make. Hahaha."
With all of this water under the bridge; we soon parted our ways. He was going back to teaching while I was going back to the capital for training. Hopefully by the end of the day I could forget this even happened.
Six years later.
Phil and I were just staring at each other. This time we were standing by his desk. With his eyes locked onto mine, he told it to me straight.
"Sam moves on to high school next year Char. It's gonna be a big change for her. Hopefully one she can adapt to. But it's also a big change for me. She's been a figure in my life and I'm proud to call her one of my students. However with her age getting closer to an adult's, she's demonstrated a clear knack for working on her own. She's become less talkative and more fixated on whatever task she's working towards completing. I'm worried she may not be prepared for the emotional change of pace the next four years will take on her."
Nodding my head and taking a moment to clear my throat, I replied.
"She's going through a lot of things at home right now. Between her mother working out of the country and her father getting pressured to potentially run for his second term as president, there hasn't been much room for parenting."
"Is her mother coming back anytime soon?" Phil asked as I nodded my head and replied.
"As of right now she'll be back here within the next two months or so. She's very busy at the moment helping ease over the tension between Iran and the rest of the middle east." With Phil nodding his head to my answer, I went on to add to our line of excuses.
"Sam is also at that age Phil. She's starting the long process of becoming an adult. Puberty will shake up anyone's world. Even someone as smart as her."
"She's just distant to me. I'm only concerned about her life going forward. I don't want her to have to go through a reality check."
"I'll talk with her pops and see what he thinks. Till then though I suggest leaving her alone for a bit. She'll come around soon, she just needs to adjust her way. Even though she may be a bit quiet, Sam's probably one of the nicest kids I've ever known."
"Okay Char. I just didn't want to not say anything. You know how I am."
"And I appreciate it Phil. I really do and so does her family. If you ever need anything you just let one of us know. You know you're welcome to it."
"Thank you." He replied as I smiled and shook his hand before leaving the school once more.
Four years later.
Letting out a sigh as I stepped into the high school, I immediately got recognized by the staff and the few young adults who were moving between classes. With two men stationed at my back wearing full M.E.A.F uniforms, we proceeded to the principal's office where I was greeted by the said principle. A very large black bear who offered me his hand the second we locked eyes; stating in a respectful tone of voice
"It's an honor to meet you sir. I'm a big fan of yours. Voted for you and everything last year."
Chuckling a bit, I replied.
"I appreciate that. I really do. I'm still getting used to the whole idea of being in charge, but in time I'll adjust to it. So what seems to be the problem? Is Sam okay?"
Nodding, the bear made a short and brisk pace for his desk where he proceeded to sit down. I grabbed a seat right in front of him as he came forth to tell me.
"No problems. In fact, this is more of me saying congratulations. I wanted to have this conversation with her parents, but as we both know it's a little hard to reserve both of them. With her mother and father both working in tandem for the next election."
"Surprisingly it's easier to reserve the current president. Haha." I laughed as he gave me back one big chuckle to continue.
"As crazy as that is, I know Sam wouldn't want me to say anything to them either. You know how she is."
"So what exactly is going on?" I asked him as he handed me a vanilla folder that was sitting on top of his desk. I took it in my hands and opened it to find a long and bold font letter. As I went to look it over; the bear told me happily.
"Sam has been granted a full scholarship to a school of her choosing thanks to her current grades and her commitment to learning. This comes from the top. Approved and paid for by G.U.N and it's retired president Hecan Moore."
With wide eyes, I saw the scholarship for myself and gasped in disbelief.
"No fucking way."
Laughing now, the bear replied.
"Like I said…..congratulations."
"What does this mean now?" I asked him with some concern as he took a moment to gather his thoughts. After a moment or so, he replied.
Well for now she still has to finish the rest of her senior year. However after she graduates she'll be commended and given the scholarship. It's then out of my hands. What she decides she wants to do with it is her choice. She doesn't have to take it if she doesn't have an interest in school after school. But if she does, she has free reign to go to any school of her choosing and anywhere that might be. The scholarship covers everything. Including housing, supplies, tuition, and even the travel costs she may have to get there."
"Wow." I muttered in a happy sense as he went on to ask me.
"Do you want to try and contact her parents? I'm sure they would be thrilled to know."
Nodding my head, I replied while closing the folder.
"I'm actually going to see both of them tonight for dinner. This will be one hell of an icebreaker."
Giving me one more big chuckle, the bear offered me his hand again and shouted out in joy.
"It sure will be! Again, congratulations sir. I'm happy I got the opportunity to meet you and I'm grateful for Sam. She's an inspiration and no matter what it is she decides to do; she'll be a benefit to whatever field she pursues."
With my guards ready to leave, I stood back up and responded to the bear before leaving back the way I came.
"She's certainly an inspiration. I can attest to that. It was nice meeting you too and thank you again. This is great news."
"Your welcome. Stay safe out there." He urged me as I nodded and began my pace out of the school. Once back outside and at our convoy, I got inside the truck and proceeded to text Sam. My message went like this.
"You're in big trouble. I hope you know that."
In about a minute she replied.
"Excuse me? What did I do?"
Laughing to myself, I carried on by texting back.
"Can't discuss it over the phone. Will you be home for dinner? Your father and I are getting together tonight."
Taking her time to come up with a response, Sam soon replied back.
"Well I guess that all depends on what I did. Am I really in trouble?"
Breaking character, I texted on by stating.
"No. I'm just messing with you. Everything is fine. So will you be there tonight?"
In about another minute, she replied.
"Yes, I'll be there Uncle."
Bringing another smile to my face, I texted.
"Good. Well I'll see you later tonight then hun. Stay safe."
Just like her mother would, she replied.
"I'm always staying safe. I'm not my dad."
Finishing my end of the conversation, I laughed over text.
"Good point. I nearly forgot. Hahaha!"
Sam then sent me back a mix of happy emojis. Putting away my phone, I looked back at my driver and ordered.
"Take us back to the capital now Yoga!"
Yoga was my driver. Used to be one of the many recruits I helped train over the past decade. He excelled at training and was quickly moved over to special operations. He's been with the unit for the last damn near twelve or so years. Around my age; I'm pretty sure too.
Yoga was a pretty built brown ferret. Had two deep blue eyes and came in at about five foot seven inches tall. As far as his uniform went, it partly resembled the standard attire of our typical soldiers; and thanks to G.U.N we got a good line on uniforms. It resembled their own to be honest. Except the M.E.A.F all were dressed in brown and black digital camouflage BDUs and brown and black chest rigs which held spare ammo and extra plates for their vests.
Yoga however was mainly my driver; so he's allowed to ditch the rig and just wear the vest. Of course he was armed and that was in the form of an M16A2 which he kept on the passenger seat. But besides that, he was armed with his personality which he kept turned on the whole time since we first met. A mix of humor and quick wit. Giving me a thumbs up, he replied.
"Be my pleasure! It's about time we got out of this fucking car for today! Pardon my language!"
"Consider it pardoned! Because I couldn't agree with you more!"
A few hours later.
"Knock! Knock! Knock!"
Standing outside Raptor's home, I waited patiently with my hands behind my back and my eyes pointed at the moon above. Inside I heard some movement, but I couldn't focus on anything other than the smell. Zeta was an amazing cook when she wanted to be. I smelled nothing but steak and baked potatoes. Some butter and seasoning and I think rice of some kind. Before I could pin it down, the door opened in front of me revealing the man himself. Dressed down for the night with a pair of blue jeans and a button down red plaid shirt, Raptor pulled me into a hug and said with a smile.
"Good to see you Char. How was your day? Heard you had to run around again for me."
Raptor was a very special man to me. Over the years I've considered him more or less my father, but it's been seventeen years since I've had the pleasure of working with him personally and he still somehow looked the same. Made me kind of mad actually, but who am I to argue? I know what he is. Same as Zeta; who I spotted in the kitchen making her rounds.
Focusing back on Raptor, I replied.
"They had me stop a few times for you, yeah. Mainly for Sam."
Giving me two wide and confused eyes, Raptor questioned.
"What happened with Sam? I didn't know about this. Is everything okay?"
Nodding my head, I replied with a smile.
"Everything is fine. I'll tell you about it when we sit down. Is that cool?"
Escorting me into his home, Raptor went on to state.
"Yeah that's fine. Zeta's almost done. Should only be a couple of minutes. Take a seat wherever."
"Thank you." I replied as I left his side to go for the couch. By the time I had my seat, I heard from behind me in the kitchen.
"How's the presidential life treating you Char?"
Looking back, I found Zeta standing alongside the oven asking me that question.
Zeta herself was still this extremely gorgeous and jaw dropping wolf Raptor met a long time ago under extreme circumstances, but at the same time he found one of the smartest and most dangerous women on the market. Zeta makes anything look easy at first glance. She could put together a full cargo plane with her eyes closed. Hell she's even been working with G.U.N to hopefully put together a few prototypes for M.E.A.F. She's also probably the sweetest woman on the planet. For being as smart as she is; she was never a cunt about it. She loved everyone and it was clear her life had come around full circle over the last decade. She's done just as much as Raptor has if not more by now. A very valuable asset to have and like I said a very dangerous asset to go against.
Looking her in the same pair of gold eyes that she gave her daughter, I replied with another smile.
"It's not what it's described to be if that's any hint leading into how I feel about the position. Lots of bullshit meetings, tons of paperwork, and barely any free time for myself. Apart from now, but I had to put my foot down even to get that."
Both her and Raptor let out a small chuckle to each other as they heard my answer. I could only question them by asking in a shaky tone of voice.
"What?"
With himself getting seated at the table, Raptor replied still with a faint laugh behind his words.
"What do you mean what? I know all about that life. Don't you come to me complaining you get no time to yourself. You remember what this world was like back when I served my term? When I tell you Char that I was lucky if I got five minutes alone with Zeta during the first few weeks, I'd be lying to you. I had nothing. And that was in the beginning when Sam was just an infant. Tell him Zeta!"
"He's not lying." She informed me as I went into trying to defend myself.
"I'm not used to this kind of work! I was a grunt before all this political crap!"
Both Raptor and Zeta then shouted out in disgust.
"Excuses!?"
All I could hope to do at this point was to shut my mouth and take their ear beating like the man I knew I was. And just as I went to put my head down, I heard from the stairs getting called out to me.
"Are you making excuses again Uncle?"
By the time I turned around I was being confronted by my inherited niece with a look of fire in her eyes.
Sam was almost a perfect combination of her mother and father. She had her mother's body almost down to a tee. A very beautiful black and gray furred eastern wolf, but all that color was mixed together into an almost perfect salt and pepper styled look. She did however only get her mother's eyes, but I knew for a fact she got that mean look she could throw around from time to time from Raptor.
What made matters worse is for some reason this girl grew up to be two inches taller than Raptor himself. It made him look small when compared side by side, but I suppose she had that advantage from her mother's species. Which was also directed to her near perfect form. She was extravagant and if she wasn't my best friend's daughter I'd even consider hitting on her if I was ten years younger and interested in other women. Luna would kill me if she even knew I said that, and it was at that moment that I remembered the magic Raptor could perform. Widening my eyes when I recalled, I flicked my head back to see he was now giving me that infamous glare I just mentioned.
With a red face and a scared expression coming to me. I looked back as fast as I could to reply to Sam; out of fear her father was about to beat my brakes in.
"I'm not making any excuses Samantha!"
Shooting me a playful grin, she questioned.
"Oh really? Last time I checked you made an excuse for missing my science fair and when you said you'd take me out to help teach me how to drive. Oh now that I'm thinking about it, didn't you also make an excuse for missing my middle school graduation? Oh and didn't you make one up for not making dinner last night with us at Valentina's?"
Now completely fucked, I just looked over to Zeta for help. Thankfully seeing that I was getting abused, she urged her daughter.
"Sit down with your Uncle Samantha. He's not going anywhere and I'm pretty sure I overheard something about him having news about you for us all to hear?"
With Raptor and Sam falling back with their offensives, I replied while reaching under my jacket to grab onto the vanilla folder I had waiting for this moment.
mT Shadow.