Memories ||A BFB/II Crossover AU||

Chapter Ten - Broken bones

  X sat beside Four who was curled into a tight ball, sleeping. X had been awake for what felt like days. He was so unbearably tired, but he had to monitor Four's health, he had to make sure Four was okay. So, he sat there, eyes burning and eyelids drooping, watching over Four. He was sort of like a sentry,  he made sure Four was safe 24/7. X almost immediately shot up when he heard a slight creaking noise.

"X...?" Someone called, X knew the voice, it was Two.

"Yes, Two..." X sighed, less like a question and more like a tired statement. He turned around to look at Two.

"How's Four?" Two asked.

"Better, I think," X replied, his voice faint.

"Anyways, Seven's reported signs of Five and someone else close by. We've gotten two reports of death. A drowning near the river and another brutal one near the forest." Two said.

X simply nodded, cringing a bit. So much death and harm had occurred in such a little amount of time. He looked back towards Four, who had started to stir. X felt a small rush of relief, Four had woken to live another day. Every day X was worried that Four wouldn't wake up, would slip into an eternal sleep.

"Four, You're awake." Two's voice snapped X out of his small panic.

"Yes. I am. What do you want Two?" Four said, still half asleep.

"I think Five is coming back, with friends." Two hissed, this alone made Four jolt to full awakeness.

"We need to warn the contestants. Now." Four hissed, getting up.

"Now now now, do we really?" A slick voice sounded from the doorway, which Two had exited to walk closer to Four. X shivered in horror as he saw Five standing there, their eyes cold and a sinister grin was plastered on their face. X then felt a rush of anger that seemed to overtake his entire body. Without thinking, he sprung forward, barreling into Five, who hissed in surprise, but X was quickly pinned under the bigger cat. He saw Five getting ready to deliver a killing blow, but X wouldn't let that happen. He closed his eyes and pushed his head forward as much as he could, and felt a searing pain in his ear only a second after. It was as if he could feel every nerve and muscle and bit of flesh being torn from him as Five ripped their jaws back, taking X's ear with them. X let out a wail of pain, instantly feeling warm blood start to trickle down his face. He pulled back his head, laying it on the floor, then he felt vicious teeth sink into his throat, but X wasn't having it. He kicked his hind legs fiercely against Five's stomach, surprising Five for just enough time for Two to basically rip Five off of X. X could only feel the pain of his injuries as he lay there helplessly, listening to the fight going on. X just let himself lay there, bleeding from his wounds. Finally, he heard a loud hiss of rage and heard the sound of paw steps fading away as Five ran.

"X?!" He heard Four yelled, and felt the number's paws against his side.

"Back up, I can help." Two said, gently nudging Four away. X heard a slight whoosh, and then he didn't feel blood rushing from his wounds anymore, though the pain still throbbed in his head and neck, he could tell that Two had healed his open wounds. He sighed quietly, staring blankly ahead, and he felt so, so tired. So, he closed his eyes and drifted into a dreamless sleep.

X woke up, but he was in a different place, in the corner of the cabin. He looked around, puzzled for a second, before remembering what happened. He saw Two, Four, and Seven all sitting in a group, their voices hushed in what sounded like urgent conversation. X decided not to intervene, and stared at them, wondering. He finally got up and soundlessly slipped from the cabin, walking into the clearing, all the contestants were in different groups, but X saw one group that was particularly far from everyone. X felt his heart break as he realized it was Lollipop's old team, plus Gelatin, they were all huddled together in quiet conversation. X stretched, and started to walk around, drinking in all the scents around him, he hadn't had a good walk like this in a while. He watched everyone, studied their movements and expressions, most were happy, but some were sorrowful, sad, or just plain tired, he mostly saw the pained expression on the Iance members and others who were aquainted with Flower. Then he saw someone sitting alone, their fur was cherry-red and they had green stripes and swirls marking their fur, they looked exhausted. X walked over, but the cat didn't seem to notice.

"Hello...?" X said quietly, sitting down beside the lonely cat.

"Hm? Oh. Hi." They responded, and their eyes were hazel, but seemed to be drained of light.

"I'm X, what's your name?" X asked softly, his tone gentle.

"I-I'm Berry..." The cat said, then seemed to instinctivly look to the side.

"I know you... I-I heard about what happened. I'm so sorry." X said, feeling guilt well up inside him. He should have recognized the grieving twin.

"I-It was so horrible... I can still hear the screams, my brother's screams, the blood stained grass, the-" Berry seemed panicked, but X cut him off.

"Now now, It won't help to remember all of that, think of the good times you had with Cherry. Think of the good memories. I'm not saying forget, but don't let these bad memories plauge your thoughts. It will only make it worse." X said, this was what he always told himself.

"But... i-it's so hard to n-not remember..." Berry stammered, looking at X with a haunted look.

"I know, but you have to try, and if you can't forget, then come to me, I'll talk to you, I promise, I won't leave you alone to deal with this." X said, placing one of his paws on top of one of Berry's.

"...Promise...?" Berry whispered.

"I promise. I won't leave your side in these tough times." X confirmed. Berry smiled gratefully, tears starting to fill his eyes. He leaned into X and cried. Cried all the tears he hadn't been able to cry, and X just sat there, quietly whispering words of comfort. X felt as if he finally was needed, and had someone to really take care of. Yes, he had Four, but he knew Four was capable of taking care of himself, and if he was hurt, Two was always there. X finally felt responsible, finally felt as if he could really help. So, he and Berry sat there, chattin the hours away.

--

A/N - I wanted to update you all on everyone and how they doing, as you can see, they ain't doin' too well. And I wanted Berry and X to get alone like the friendly bois they are, so vibe w/ that is you want. Anyways, stay tuned for next chapter!