Renegade Rupture (17 page)

“Grandfield, I . . .” Shaved started.

“You were wrong,” Grandfield said.

“Um, what?” Shaved asked.

“What you said. You were wrong,” Grandfield said.

“I don’t know what you . . .” Shaved started.

“You said that my dad, and my Uncle was all I had. I thought that, I did, but I was wrong. I have you, Shaved. I have Gisbo, I have Knob, Rolce, Jack, and as long as I call myself a Renegade, I’ll never be alone,” Grandfield said. Tears streamed down his face, he continued.

“I, I can’t tell you how much that means to me. My dad, he was my hero, he’s all I ever wanted to be, and . . . it hurts, it hurts so much,” Grandfield said. Shaved got up and wrapped his best friend up in a hug and they both cried together.

“But I have no regrets; the slate is clean. I feel dignified; should I? Should I really? I hear it said so often that, that revenge, it leaves nothing but an empty feeling, that it’s ill gotten. Is it wrong that I feel at peace, Shaved? Knowing that I got that bastard? Is it wrong I feel satisfied?” Grandfield asked.

“I don’t think so,” Shaved said. “You threw it all out of you. You didn’t let it fester, you didn’t hang onto it long enough to let it change you, twist you. Your dad would be so proud of you, Grandfield. If anything, you put fear inside all those Strifes.”

“Shaved, I love you like a brother,” Grandfield said.

“And I you,” Shaved said.

“I’m ready, I’m ready, to say goodbye. Would you, would you come with me? To my dad’s grave?” Grandfield asked.

“It’d be an honor, pal,” Shaved said.

Gisbo walked alone through the snowy mountainside of Soaria just beyond Heaven’s Shelter, staring at the same briar patch that had once held a great white wolf possibly connected to the current white wolf trotting by his side. The briar bush had now grown into a massive claptrap of its former self.

“I still feel her here, girl, like I was here yesterday. I almost wonder if having the memory locked is better. If I grew up normally, would I remember this place, feel her presence like I do now, so closely?” Gisbo asked.

Fao looked up at him and grinned a happy dog face. Gisbo smiled and sat down, leaning up against a tree, taking in the smells of the forest and the slightly darkened sky, tasting and smelling snow on the arrival. Sure enough, it did. Slowly and quietly it hit and Gisbo smiled, taking it all in, enjoying the utter peace he had since Kennis came into his life. He had not had peace with Nina, which surprised him and hurt him deeply. He thought of Malik and her being together now and told himself that he ended things. He shouldn’t think about them, and to get his mind off it all, he started to do what he came out here to do in the first place: grow closer to Fao and train with her to possibly be included on the Boon Battle Renegade Team.

“All right, girl, I’m going to sleep, ok? Bring me to your world, er, my world. Let’s get stronger together, all right?” Gisbo asked. Fao nestled in closer to him, laying her head down across his lap. Gisbo stroked her fine, snow white coat as she moaned in delight. Moments later, they were asleep, but when Gisbo opened his eyes, he found himself back in the forest, cold, covered in snow, and not at all within his inner world. He then felt that something was deeply and utterly wrong. He thought of the black sludge enveloping his inner world, how Fao was nearly drowning in it.

Has it finally overcome her?
he wondered. The thought frightened him as he shook Fao awake, afraid she wasn’t going to wake up. She did, yawning, and immediately got in his face, lapping him. Gisbo breathed a sigh of relief, rose to his feet, and knew exactly who he needed to talk to.

“I know just who you need to talk to,” Kennis said. “I remember when we were trying to help my brother. One of the therapy methods to increase his willpower was getting reacquainted with his Boon, who he had all but abandoned. The Boon represents your inner self, and what is your inner self other than your morals, your values, your true strength, and most important for someone like you, your willpower? What are you smiling about?”

“Just that you know so much,” Gisbo said. Kennis smiled at that.

“Sorry,” Kennis said.

“What are you apologizing for? IAM knows I’m a dumbass. I need someone like you close by,” Gisbo said.

“Because Rolce isn’t enough?” Kennis asked.

“I think you underestimate my dumbassery,” Gisbo said.

“Dumbassery, right,” Kennis said.

“Anyway, who should I talk to?” Gisbo asked.

“My synergy mate Niffin, of course!” Kennis said.

“Why of course?” Gisbo asked.

“Don’t you know? Her grandmother was influential in Boon improvement and Boon training. She had the Gift, if you could call it that. All Naforians can understand animals, but she had an uncanny way of not only understanding them, but improving them, along with the humans their souls were tied to. It could help you out immensely. I know that because of Niffin, Lenox and I have grown so close, which has improved every aspect of my life, along with my Aquarian skills. She should be at our tree house; go see her,” Kennis said.

“I will,” Gisbo said.

“She’s a little shy though,” Kennis said. “Just be nice to her.”

“I’m always nice! Well, to those who deserve it, like you,” Gisbo said as he moved in and kissed her gently on the forehead. Kennis smiled and blushed and then hugged him close, burrowing her face in his chest.

“I rather like you, Gisbo Falcon,” Kennis said.

“Oh, and why’s . . .” Gisbo started. Kennis leapt up, causing Gisbo to catch her, and the two of them fell over, wrapped in each other’s arms, kissing as if it was their last time.

Gisbo and Fao arrived at Niffin’s tree house and knocked upon the door.

“Just, just a minute!” a small voice squeaked from behind the door. After a creak, Gisbo saw one green eye peeking at him.

“Gisbo?” Niffin asked.

“Niffin?” Gisbo answered.

“Um, hi, uh, Kennis, she isn’t here, she . . .” Niffin started.

“Um, I’m actually here to see you. Do you mind if I come in?” Gisbo asked. Niffin’s eye went wide and she slammed the door.

“Um, hold on! I, I’m just cleaning and, and . . .” Niffin started when there was a loud yowl and the door crashed open. A massive creature the size of baby water buffalo leapt out of it, landed upon Gisbo, and flattened him to the floor, fiercely licking his face. Fao joined in as well.

“What the, gah, Niffin! Help! Get this, this thing off me!” Gisbo said, trying to shove the big creature aside, but to no avail. It must have weighed hundreds of pounds. After licking him, the big creature lifted his massive, droopy face with thick slobber all about the edges of his jowels and looked down at him with one blue eye and one brown eye. A mass of hair about its head made it look like a giant overweight lion, and its hair was brown, black, and spotted with grey spots.

“So sorry! So sorry! He’s, he’s never done that before! Kimjow! Kimjow, off, off!” Niffin said in a cute, authoritative voice that the dog responded to immediately with a low whine that sounded like a generator engine. When Gisbo stood up, he wrapped his Renegade cape across his face and wiped off the thick, booger-like drool. He looked at the creature which, on all fours, easily came up to just under his chest.

“What the hell is that thing!?” Gisbo asked.

“Um, I don’t really know,” Niffin said.

“Don’t really know?” Gisbo asked.

“Well, um, he’s just Kimjow! He’s my Boon,” Niffin said.

“Your Boon? What the hell kind of Boon is that?” Gisbo asked. Niffin’s face turned red as she shuffled her feet, clearly embarrassed, and Gisbo immediately changed his tone. “I’m sorry, I just meant, where does he come from?”

“They say a Boon arrives right when you need them, right? You save their life and they in turn save yours? Well, Kimjow . . . I guess I needed him far earlier than anyone else. He has been my best friend since I was just a little kid. I don’t know what breed of dog he is; he’s a mutt,” Niffin said.

“He’s pretty spry for a big fella. Hey, boy,” Gisbo said as he ruffled the giant dog behind its ears as it cooed softly. Niffin laughed and smiled.

“I’ve never seen him like this. He’s usually quite shy,” Niffin said. “He burst out of that door as if you had bacon in your pocket. Do you have bacon in your pocket?”

“Um, can’t say I do . . .” Gisbo said. Niffin smiled.

“Then that means that you are a kindred spirit, Gisbo! Kimjow, he has a way of reading people, reacting to what they’re like inside. He must trust you,” Niffin said. Gisbo then thought of the Zookoo.

“Yeah, well, maybe,” Gisbo said.

“So, um, what are you here for?” Niffin asked.

“Well, we have the Boon Battle coming up and I’ve been having some problems with Fao,” Gisbo said.

“What kind of problems?” Niffin asked.

“Um, this is sort of hard to explain, but I’m having trouble connecting to my inner world. If I can’t get access to it, I can’t train with Fao and get her stronger,” Gisbo said.

“I’ve never heard of something like that unless . . .” Niffin started.

“Unless what?” Gisbo asked.

“Unless you have the Drakeness,” Niffin said.

“Um,” Gisbo started.

“But why come to me?” Niffin asked.

“Because I heard that as far as Boons go, you’re the best girl to see!” Gisbo said. Niffin immediately blushed at this.

“I . . . Really? Who said that?” Niffin asked.

“Like, everyone. They say you have a natural knack for it,” Gisbo said.

“Oh, I don’t know about that. I just really love animals,” Niffin said. She walked forward, bent down, and ruffled Fao’s chest and stroked the back of her head.

“She’s beautiful, Gisbo. This coat is, like, the purest white I’ve ever seen. It glistens like sun on crusted snow,” Niffin said. “You’ve taken very good care of her.”

“Believe me, she’s taken more care of me than I do her,” Gisbo said.

“I like that logic,” Niffin said, smiling. “Why don’t we go on down to the picnic table and I’ll do what I can to help you?”

“Thank you so much, Niffin!” Gisbo said.

“But first,” Niffin said. “Gisbo?”

“Yeah?” Gisbo asked.

“I’ve heard some things. About you,” Niffin said.

“Let’s go down to the picnic table,” Gisbo said. Together they went down the stairs. Kimjow and Fao followed and they all sat down.

“You’re Kennis’ best friend, right?” Gisbo asked.

“Well, Kinny is. I came to Heaven’s Shelter and I was paired with them, that’s all, but yes, we’ve become great friends,” Niffin said. “As far as best friends go, all I’ve had is Kimjow,” Niffin said.

“I didn’t grow up with any friends either,” Gisbo said.

“Really? But you’re so . . . how could you not have friends?” Niffin asked.

“I was picked on a lot for my name, and I fought back. It’s not a great way to make friends,” Gisbo said.

“I wouldn’t have picked on you,” Niffin said. “It’s, it’s the worst thing, ever.”

“Kids are cruel, especially those given everything,” Gisbo said.

“But you fought back. I, I couldn’t do that. I don’t like fighting, but I do it because it makes my mom proud,” Niffin said.

“And you’re good at it! For Foxblade to recognize you and to say something other than a growl means you have incredible skill! You helped save us all in that battle last year. I saw you fight. You didn’t go after people at random; you went after the ones who caused the most immediate threat to your friends. You watched their backs. If it wasn’t for you, who knows who wouldn’t be here with us today,” Gisbo said. Niffin smiled.

“I . . . Thanks, I think,” Niffin said. “But, Gisbo, it was, it was you who gave me the courage. To be honest with you, I was so afraid. No one around me knew what to do, nobody could move, and then you came. I don’t know what it was, but the way you moved, the way you spoke, it was as if you truly weren’t afraid. In that moment, I remembered my father. He, he was a lot like you, able to leap without looking, but . . .” Niffin said.

“But what?” Gisbo asked.

“Um, let’s talk about you! So sorry, I’m just not very good at, um, talking. I just . . .” Niffin said.

“No, don’t be nervous! It’s fine! You’re doing fine,” Gisbo said.

“So, you can’t get in touch with Fao? Even when you sleep?” Niffin said, getting to the point.

“I don’t know what’s wrong, but yeah,” Gisbo said.

“I’m going to try something with Kimjow here,” Niffin said. “I told you he was special, and he really is. Come here, boy. I know I’m shy, it’s sort of become my trademark, but when I was little, I was much worse. My mom wanted to send me away, but my dad wouldn’t allow it, so, to prevent an argument, he ended up coming with me, out to a settlement in Naforia called Green Acres. It was a beautiful place. The grass out there grew in giant clumps and was the greenest hue I’ve ever seen and the fields just went on for miles. Every time I smell fresh cut grass, I’m taken back there, and I can’t help but smile,” Niffin said.

“My mom and dad fought a lot trying to raise me. She kept telling my dad he was weakening me, staying out there with me. It got to the point that they weren’t even on speaking terms anymore. He understood I needed him and he couldn’t bear to leave me alone in a strange place to grow stronger. Because of it, he went against the tradition, putting him at odds with everyone. But my dad didn’t listen, and if it weren’t for him, I probably wouldn’t be here today. I was so shy, so scared of people that I would break down into panic attacks. I couldn’t even say my name when asked. I was terrified and hated myself so much because of it and hoped that if I ignored people, they would just go away. My dad was the only one I could speak to, and to take my mind off of things, he homeschooled me, trained me in the ways of the Shininja since I was a small child. So, I’ve sort of been ahead of the curve for a while,” Niffin said, suddenly stopping and smiling.