Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from Monster Hunter, only how the story goes. The characters and world of Monster Hunter belongs to Capcom. The only thing that I do own are the OC's of the story. I do apologize for any errors in grammar and/or if I was not accurate in reference to something.

A/N: I know that the title doesn't make much sense, but hopefully the little time skip that I have in the chapter can explain.

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Chapter Thirteen: Some Time Later

The next morning came rather peacefully for Jacob and the Rath family. The rays of the New World's sun shone down through the cave just as the entire family started to stir. The teen was the last to rise and jolted in pain when he felt one of the hatchlings grab his hair with their teeth. Sitting up, he gently pulled his hair from the babies jaws, but felt that he might of last a strand or two. He looked at the hatchling in question and saw that Diana was looking up to him with what could pass off for a cheeky grin. Jacob narrowed his eyes and said, "You had better watch it little lady."

He was startled when Samson jumped up in front of him and tried to keep himself airborne by flapping his little wings really hard. Jacob watched as he fell to the ground and started to try again. When the little Rathalos fell to the ground again, he looked a little disheartened that he couldn't immediately fly like his mother. With a sympathetic grin, Jacob knelt down next to the boy Rath and gently scratched the back of his head. It startled Samson a little and he looked up to the human when Jacob said, "Don't worry. You'll get the hang of it.

"It just takes a little time." Jacob said, trying to encourage him not to stop trying. Jacob wondered where Verda was and saw the green Rath of the trio standing next to her mother. Mama Rath was watching over them all and glanced down to see her daughter remaining out of the group. Figuring that she might be a little shy, Jacob held a hand to her. Verda seemed to shy away a moment before stepping a little closer. She came closer and sniffed his hand before curling herself up on his lap. Jacob laughed from how comfortable she was looking.

He thought about leaving when all of a sudden Mama Rath took to the air and flew out of the cave. When she was gone he sighed, "Guess I'll wait here until she gets back."

The sounds of squawking made him look to down to the hatchlings as Samson and Diana both started hopping up and down. Even Verda gave a small squeal whe she looked up to him. Jacob looked up from the three hatchlings and said to no one in particular, "Why do I get the feeling that I'm not going to be getting back anytime soon?"

…

Jacob never thought that babysitting three little wyverns for five days straight would feel like a full-time gig to him. After spending the first night with Mama Rath and her three hatchlings, she basically asked/made him stay with them while she went out. He didn't go hungry as she brought back a piece of meat that looked like it had already been cooked. When he was thirsty he went to get a drink of water from the underground river. Though he was grateful to be taken care of and happy to at least help, he was starting to miss the Ancient Forest and the boat. Jacob didn't know how much longer he would have to help watch after the hatchlings, but he felt that if it were in human terms, it would be til they went to college. So on the fifth day, Jacob had had enough. He didn't want to be rude, especially when the mother could easily kill him, but he knew that he couldn't stay forever. So today he would try to talk to her about trying to change a few things.

He turned and looked to see her coming down the tunnel. In her mouth as usual after a hunt, a chunk of cooked meat was held. She offered it to the teen and Jacob cut a little with the dagger. But before he began to eat, Jacob said, "Mama, we really need to talk about something."

She tilted her head in confusion and he continued, "I don't mind helping to watch Samson, Verda and Diana. But five days in a row without leaving the cave, stretching my legs and eating meat for that long of time really kind of wears a guy down."

Mama Rath set the rest of the meat down and lightly growled at him. Even the trio looked up to him, wondering about him as they squealed or growled. Jacob then suggested, "I know that it isn't a good time for the three to leave the cave anytime soon. And I know that they can't be left alone for too long.

"I do wish that there was a way for them to stay safe while you're out. Too bad their dad isn't around." Jacob said, earning a startled growl from the mother. He looked up to her and saw her looking to the cave wall to her right. Knowing that something was up, Jacob wondered if it had anything to do with the father. But he decided not to press further. Shaking his head, Jacob got back on track, "There's gotta be a way."

He glanced around the cave and noticed a large hole in the wall. Pointing to it he asked, "What about that?"

Mama Rath looked to where he was pointing and saw the hole in the wall. Jacob climbed up a stalagmite to get a better look. From what he could see, the hole was big enough to not only hold all three hatchlings, but it was high enough to keep predators from having an easy meal. Climbing down he said, "It's a good plan for when I'm not around. As long as they behave and stay put, the three should be fine.

"And like I said, I'll come visit and watch them when I do." He promised again. Mama Rath looked into the human's eyes and it seemed like she trusted his word. With a nod, Mama Rath growled over at her younglings who were currently playing with each other. They stopped when their mother called to them. With a twist of her body, Mama Rath created a way for the trio to get up to the cave. Samson, Verda and Diana all ran up her tail and up to her head to reach the little cave. When all three hopped off of her snout and into the little cave, they turned back to her with small squeals. Seeing that they would be alright, Mama Rath looked to Jacob with a content growl. With a nod he said, "You're welcome. But now I've got to go."

But Mama Rath managed to stop him with another growl and he looked back. Before lowering herself from the cave, she growled to her babies once again. Hopping out of the cave and onto their mother's head, Samson, Verda and Diana all tried to stay steady as she lowered herself. When she was close enough to the cave floor, they hopped off and rushed over to the human. Jacob kneeled down as they crowded around him again and they all rubbed up against him. He laughed and kneeled down to lightly rub against their heads, "I know, I'll miss you guys too. But we'll see each other again.

"And maybe someday, your mom can bring you over to the Ancient Forest to pay me a visit." He thought, thinking that it could be possible. Mama Rath only gave a small growl as if to say that it might happen. Jacob stood up and made his way around the trio to say goodbye to the Rathian. With a giggle he said, "Thanks for having me over. And I hope all goes well with you guys.

"See you around." He said when she gently pressed her head against him again. Jacob then walked around her and started up the slope to head back to the Ancient Forest.

…

The smell of jungle air hit Jacob's nose the moment he made it halfway through the tunnel. Pushing past the vines, he walked out into the flowery part of the Ancient Forest. Jacob thought he nearly forgot the feeling of the ground of this place. He came down the wall of vines and started towards the shady tunnel that would take him to the boat. But just as he started to walk down the small slope, he suddenly felt a pair of eyes on him from behind. He slowly turned around and when he looked up, he screamed when he saw a shape leap down from a high spot and crash into him. Him and the creature that knocked into him rolled down the hill with it holding him tightly. They stopped at the bottom and they separated a few feet apart. Jacob hastily tried to get back onto his feet, but the creature knocked him flat on his back. He opened his eyes to see two sets of talons position themselves on both sides of his head and looked up to see Boltia standing over him. She had an annoyed look on her face and he figured that she must have been upset that he was gone for so long. Jacob said to her, "I'm sorry that I've been away for a while, but let's just say that I was helping some other friends of mine."

Boltia's expression didn't change all that much as she stepped away from him with a light growl. Sitting up, Jacob then said, "Hey, you weren't the one having to go up against six Kulu-Ya-Kus and a rogue Diablos to save a lot of eggs from being eaten.

"I mean, you probably wouldn't have liked it if a predator ran off with your own child, right?" Jacob asked her. Boltia only snorted in reply to this. Jacob got up and dusted himself off. He was a little startled when she came closer and started circling and sniffing around him. Jacob lightly pushed her back and said, "Stop, Mama Rath and her chicks were just being friendly. That's what you're smelling on me.

"There's nothing to worry about. I promise." He said and started walking. Boltia gave a small growl and started to follow after him. Jacob and Boltia neared the shaded part of the forest when they heard the sound of heavy footsteps coming from the entrance on the other side. From the sounds of it, they sounded big. He ushered her back, "Go, go, go!"

Both the human and the Tobi-Kadachi quickly doubled back. The water from the pond splashed as they ran through. When they came up to the fork in the road, Boltia grabbed the human by the hood of his cloak and pulled him into the path with the lush vegetation. When Jacob was following her again, she let go and they ran through the brush. They came to a spot and she jumped onto the wall before crawling through an opening. She looked back down to him and he waved her to go on, "Go! I'll find you later!"

Boltia whined in protest, but Jacob was already on the move. With a huff she moved deeper through the opening. Jacob found something to climb and started to make his way up. The sounds of whatever it was seemed to come closer as Jacob made it to the top. He stood on a walkway made by a branch before moving somewhere to hide. He went a little higher on the root and stayed out of sight as best as he could. The sounds of footsteps grew louder and he started to breath heavy from the sounds of the creature. Jacob became greatly confused as it sounded like an odd groaning sound. Taking a chance, he peered over the side of the root to see what it was. When he looked, his eyes widened from what he was seeing. This new beast stood up right on two legs, holding up a body like that of a human. The skin looked to be made of wood and covered in ragged clothing. From it shoulders grew a pair of tree limbs. The creature's head looked like an animal's skull that was topped with a pair of antlers. The hands at the ends of its long arms of the new creature ended in razor-sharp claws.

Jacob kept his breath shallow to avoid drawing the creature's attention. But almost as if it knew that he was there, it snapped its head up to him. The human jumped a little when he didn't see the creature's eyes behind the skull. It lifted its long arms towards Jacob and he tensed up when he thought it was going to attack him. But he was greatly surprised when the creature suddenly vanished into thin air before his very eyes. He rubbed his eyes from what he just say, "Wait, what?"

He looked around to see if it would reappear, especially behind him, but didn't see any signs of it. Jacob moved back to the tendril he climbed up and came back down. Moving to the spot where he saw it before it disappeared, Jacob was greatly surprised to see that it hadn't left any tracks. Keeping his eyes to the ground as he moved back down the path, Jacob wondered if there was anything to prove that it had been there. When he didn't see anything, he shook his head again, "I am so confused right now.

"What was that just now? And if it didn't leave any tracks, then was it really here just now?" He asked himself. He was brought out of his pondering when a worried growl came from above. Looking up, he saw that Boltia had returned and was looking down at him from the opening. Jacob shrugged and said, "It's all good.

"But I'm not really sure what it even was." He shook his head. Boltia took this as a sign to jump down and Jacob quickly moved out of the way when she landed. The worried looking Tobi-Kadachi came up to him and started sniffing him all over again. Jacob gently pushed her head back and reassured her, "It's okay, girl. I'm fine.

"Let's get out of here." He suggested while looking around for that odd creature. Boltia agreed by moving off through the forest. Jacob quickly followed after her while commenting, "I was going to say perhaps I just stayed out in the desert sun for too long.

"But that wouldn't make any sense. 'Cause you heard it too." He shook his head while pointing to her. Boltia only glanced back but seemed to be a little on edge about it as well. They came to the shaded part again but stopped in case they heard the creature again. When it seemed to be good for them, they walked through the mushroom covered trees. The two friends made it to the opening, but tensed up once again when they heard something. This time it was the flapping of wings that made them nervous. Looking back they saw a large draconic shape descending from the tree tops on the far side of the area. Jacob started moving when he said, "Rathalos. Come on, girl."

Boltia didn't need to be told twice as they both started moving quickly down the slope. They came to the fork in the road that would take them on different paths. Boltia and Jacob stopped at the paths and the boy looked to the Tobi-Kadachi. She gave a small growl before looking down the path that would take her to her nest. Deciding to stay out for a little longer before heading back to the boat, Jacob followed her down the path. They walked along the rising path before turning right to come to the wall of vines. Boltia managed to hop up to the top in one go and Jacob commented, "Show off."

But he still followed after her by climbing up the wall of vines. When he made it to the top, he found Boltia waiting for him at the intersection. Quickly moving to not be left behind, Jacob was soon walking side by side with her. They came up on the arena made of branches that stood over Boltia's nest. The Tobi-Kadachi went down the level to her nest and Jacob followed after her. Boltia hopped up into her nest and Jacob was right behind her up the wall of vines. The Tobi-Kadachi was sitting on one side of the nest while Jacob moved to sit next to her. The human pressed his back against the wall of branches and sighed. Boltia looked to the human with a confused growl and tilted her head. He looked to her and waved it off, "It's nothing. I'm just lost in thought is all."

Boltia grunted, as if wanting to know what was troubling him. Deciding to just go ahead and talk about it, he traced his finger against the wood of the nest and said, "I've been in the New World for about two weeks now. I have no idea of how I'm going to get back home, if there even is a way back. I've come close to dying a good number of times. And my family must be worried sick about me.

"It's just- I'm at a loss." He sighed again. Boltia surprised him when she gently wrapped her tail around him, pulled him a little closer and placed her head atop of his. Jacob laughed as he lightly scratched her chin, earning the brushing feeling of her tail against his back as it waved up and down. The Tobi-Kadachi lightly growled when she sat up straight and Jacob said, "I guess there have been some plus sides of being here.

"Meeting you, Mama Rath and her trio, Nana Diabla and Valiantops. Even that Anjanath, if we could be friends." He said with a shrug, earning a small grunt from Boltia. A growl came from both their stomachs and Jacob said, "I guess it's been a little while since we both ate.

"I probably should get back to the boat anyway." He said as he got up. Boltia got up too and lightly nudged him with her head. Turning to the Tobi-Kadachi Jacob said, "Don't worry, girl. I'll come back around. Just be sure to keep out of trouble."

The Tobi-Kadachi gave a light growl before moving past Jacob and jumping off the botanical platform. Jacob jumped down after her and the two looked to each before parting ways.

…

Jacob was thankful that he returned to the boat with no mishaps. He came down the stairs and removed his cloak, his weapons and his bag. Setting them down, Jacob thought about what food that there was left. But when he turned to the kitchen, he was shocked to see a piece of parchment sitting on the counter. Not remembering anything when he left the other day for his expedition, Jacob walked up to it. He looked around in case whomever left it was around, but didn't see anything. He carefully picked it up and opened the parchment. He recognized the handwriting as the person from the caves underneath the Grand Spire. Jacob read the new note aloud to himself, "Well done surviving as long as you have, but your journey is far from over. While the friends that you've gained will help you, you must be more reliant in yourself as well.

"You are not in tune with the world around you as the creatures of this world. Only by training yourself with the tools you have gained and in the ways of those around you will truly stand a chance." There was nothing else after that. But Jacob didn't truly understand what this person was wanting him to do. He noticed movement out the window and looked to see that the Anjanath had returned to the cliff.

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Author's Note: What a way to make a return to the Ancient Forest. The whole hideaway in the wall was something that I had thought of. Our surprise guest star of the chapter is actually a little foreshadowing. And the ending is a bit of truth. Sure Jacob has weapons and friends in the creatures around him, but he isn't fully in tune with his surroundings. That will be addressed in a future chapter. I look forward to reading your reviews. Be sure to leave a comment either about if I've done something wrong or if you want something specifically to happen. See you next time.