If Only, If Only - Unicorn Wars Fanfiction

Chapter Nine: Nerves

((Though, pains' rather tasty)

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The journey into the forest was fairly quick- though Azulin wasn't surprised by that fact in the least. It all started out so well- like last time. The forest was brimming with life- small creatures scattered around greenery- dipping in dens and burrows if they were of cautious nature.

Gordi spent a lot of time at the back of the group- seemingly enough, the pink bear was just an animal magnet.

Several hours of walking had passed- the sun high in the sky and raining it's golden beams down through the clusters of leaves on canopies of trees. The collection of soldiers had all stopped to have a snack. Either eating foods that they had been packed by their family members- or by themselves before leaving.

A lot of the other bears stood near bushes or trees- eating the safe fruits and berries that nature had to offer, whether it be before or after their own meals if it was applicable.

Gordi, taking time to himself, sat in the grass a little bit away- eating on a berry pie that their mother had packed for both of the boys. He seemed to spot a small shew on the ground- an took a small piece of the crust and berry filling from it- to give to the curious shrew. The shrew seemed ecstatic.

Gordi laughed a little bit and used his index finger to pat the shrew on the head before resuming eating his pie. The shrew was done before he was- running circles around the pink bears firm-placed foot on the grass.

Hesitantly, Azulin walked over to his sibling, before sitting down on his knees near the other with his own slice of pie. Azulin had yet to say anything, though- unsure of what to talk about. Maybe he very well didn't need to say anything- after all, there was no point ruining the serenity.

Noting his stand-offish disposition- Gordi stared at this brother a little bit before contemplating what he was considering. However, as a long shot- the pink bear crawled over to his brother and sat down next to the other, folding his legs under themselves as he got comfortable in the sunlight. The warmth was pleasing... a little bit tiring even. When Azulin didn't move away, the pink bear closed his eyes and fell asleep sitting up. He leaned forward a little bit, finding comfort at last.

The blue bear looked to the older pink twin, before a small smile appeared on his face. He felt a bit awkward, but it wasn't in a bad way- he was sure. Setting down his own pie, he moved it off to the side- sure some of the wild animals would find interest in it soon enough.

Replicating the way Gordi had sat, Azulin got as comfortable as he could, before resting his chin on his palm- staring around the bright scenery. The birds chirping overhead and the sound of a lightly bubbling brook nearby were almost like a lullaby of the forest. All stress and bad thoughts seemed to melt away from him- at least for a little while. With a deep exhale- Azulin too fell asleep- leaning into his sibling after completely drifting off.

~~~

Tired feet trudged the dampened grass of the forest as nightfall had been setting upon a humid path. Owls started to call out into the night- their haunting voices as comforting as concerning. The light banter of the bears walking a sunken path was eminent.

The early night sky was peppered in subtly glowing stars- luminous and wondrous. The lingering clouds sun-kissed in tones of warm oranges and cool purples as the darkened trees silhouetted any nearby view. Small orbs of glowing glamour accompanied the view- little buggies with a yellow hue. Sparkles dancing on night air with the sound of a breeze providing some sort of melodic flair.

Despite all this hectic serenity- Azulin was on edge. He had been trailing at the end of the group, keeping a look out for any of those putrid insects. He was almost paranoid- and the second he saw anything of color- he was almost ready to reach down and violently chuck the thing far off into the forest- where the others wouldn't see it.

However, it was around this time that he forgot something else had happened- a whole lot of commotion at the front of the line caught his attention- the bears in the squad scrambling to to stop the biggest of all of them from stabbing Padre.

Azulin had almost completely voided this memory from his mind- Padre started to talk about something prophecy related again- interjecting it into what could pass as a normal conversation... Sargento got angry or overwhelmed and lashed out... and-

"When I get nervous, my knife gets nervous!!" the rest of the words were muddled. A bit lost behind the clamoring exclaims for the Sargent to calm down.

It was easy to see the Sargent was stressed and despite all of the soldiers getting their breaks throughout the day- he was always stuck on lookout. On top of that, it was always just one thing after each other. One little action could turn 'enough' into 'too much'.

Sargento was still shaking and struggling- the knife he was holding was right next to Gordi- as the pink sibling and Coco were both the primary one to restrain him.

Azulin ran up to the front- and while the bigger bear was distracted he peeled the knife away from the other with little restraint. The Sargent laughing a little deliriously due to his spiked nerves. Some choice words were said- mumbled out between smaller curses and small babbles of incoherent nature.

Padre, not an instigator stood up- bringing his paw to his face to wipe the blood off of his cheek before picking up his tome and walking away.

It took another half an hour for the bigger bear to calm down, sitting in solitude near a set of trees as they set up camp for the night.