If Only, If Only - Unicorn Wars Fanfiction

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Father Hope

(("Dad look, it's the good kush!" :D -> "It's the dollar store, how good could it be?" =.=))

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"I see that you and your little party are back from the mission you were sent out on. I am surprised to see you back so... soon." The gray furred bear seemed to have a smirk playing on his lips- somewhat both between surprise and a slightly growing distaste.

Caricias was not surprised by this one bit. His yellow eyes seemed to stare down Otto- not bothering to be phased anymore by Otto's status or even just the feeling of malice that the general always had around him. The more round bear huffed, before tucking his clipboard under his arm- and speaking in a way that was directly mocking the general.

"Why- you say that as though you didn't plan on having us come back at all." Caricias stepped closer to Otto, seeming to reply with the same gritty smirk. Dripping with sarcasm and annoyance. "Dare I say you were so ready for us to not come back, you were floored the second you saw all of us walking through the front gate. Surely that's not the case though, now is it?" The sergeant instantly dropped his act, falling to more of a subtle, annoyed demeanor.

Otto was taken aback- his normal frown turning into what could arguably be taken as an offended sneer.

"Are you trying to accuse me of something.. SERGEANT?" Otto leans down to the shorter bear, the claws on his paw unsheathed. "It seems you have something you would want to say to me, Caricias. I normally don't have the time, but go ahead. I am ALL EARS..."

Sargento Caricias looked at the older bear, and his face didn't seem to shift any from the lack of amusement and annoyance it had before. With a deep sigh, he took the chance to stand up and distance himself from the other bear, who was surely quickly on his way to becoming fed up with the dismissive nature from him. At this rate, it was much better to say nothing, than to make up an excuse. At least it didn't seem like he was hiding his intentions.

Before Sargento could get up and walk away from the general, though- Padre came walking around the corner, carrying the book of prayer with himself the entire way.

"General, I may be mistaken- but I heard whispering's of General Fluffy and General Hocicos may have been looking for you." The purple bear let his hands loosen around the book before tilting his head. "I wouldn't swear to that, though. I was just passing by. If you do not mind, I need to hold conference with Mr. Caricias. It is of important matters. I would simply like to chat about the broken seats in my place of... worship. Where his subordinates usually place their attendance."

For at least another half a minute, Otto didn't break his gaze with Caricias, who maintained the unfriendly stare right back at him.

With a scoff, and an adjustment of his suits tie- General Otto sneered before putting his hands behind his back formally and clearing his throat. "Very well, I suppose a meeting is indeed in order." The gray bear started to walk toward the building of the generals- before turning his head back to face Caricias- with a warning glint in his eye. "I suggest you watch your back, Caricias. We don't need you making any enemies here- now do we?"

Caricias just stared back at the general, before letting out a dry laugh. "Oh come now. We already know that it's a bit too late for that warning- don't we?"

Otto scoffed, and turned his head. "Very well. I suppose we can't beat a dead horse for too long- before it falls apart. Just know damn well that you are already in hot water, Sergeant." Otto let out a very low chuckle- before continuing on his path to walk away. "You can only stay in hot water so long, before you are boiled alive."

With that, the high-general of the camp was away in the darkness- the only thing able to be heard was the dried grass and dirt crunching under his boots.

Caricias was annoyed, pulling his clawed paw up to his temples. He had more important things to worry about- and that would be all of his soldiers and the lingering remnants left of the now halfed troupe that they all had found. He was nearly positive that the generals would not get around to doing anything about them for a long time.

"It seems you are troubled, Caricias." Padre sighed, before looking to the darkness that made up the now quiet military camp. Most of the troupe houses even had their lights off at this point- the glow from only a couple of them illuminating the area. "I am sure you would rather going inside now, no? It's not cold, but it's better than having our conversations in lingering air where unwelcomed ears can hear us."

The Sergeant looked at The Father, and he grunted, before adjusting the collar of his uniform to make it more loose.

"I suppose you do have a point. Thought I do so pry the question- why do you want to talk to me alone? The last I checked, we are still on rocky terms. I do not want us to press our luck having these conversations here, let alone when we can't be trusted alone in the same room." Caricias sighed. it was clear there was still a lingering feeling of guilt that came from the bigger bear.

Padra watched as the yellow eyes of the other bear fell on the scar on his cheek- and he pulled his hand up to the mark- before sighing himself.

"What you did wasn't right and I am not going to act like it is acceptable in any way. However, I do forgive you."

Caricias looked over, before huffing a bit and standing up. "Why, is it because you feel like you need to? You really should just settle with hating me- I have held nothing but animosity toward you. Especially since you became a practicioner of the faith."

Padre sighed and shook his head.

"Caricias, I am not forgiving you because I have to or because it will give me ease of mind. I am forgiving you, because, like it or not- I still consider you as my friend. I will always consider you my friend- no matter how much you try to deny it." The purple bear snorted a bit, and sneezed- before shaking his head. "But my question is... do you hate me that much, Caricias?"

The bigger bear grumbled, before looking away- his light eyes concentrating on the ground.

"I could never hate you, I am just unsure how to react to how much we changed over the years. I remember a time, back when- when existing with our differences was a lot easier. But times change and so have we. It seems that everything that has happened has placed us in each others shoes... in a way."

Padre seemed to laugh a bit at the remark, before sighing and bringing his glasses off of his face to clean them of all the dirt and dander.

"Maybe... it doesn't have to be that difficult, Caricias. It will just take some time is all. Like most things, including change, do."

The sergeant laughed, before adjusting his hat, and taking it off for a while. He looked out into the darkness, then back toward the medical building.

"I'm going to head inside, Padre-" He was cut off.

The purple bear looked toward Caricias, revealing his deep red eyes. Something that was hardly seen from him. Especially in recent years.

"Caricias. You know my name- use it." the statement was matter-of-fact, but in a more or less playful way.

Taking the bait, the sergeant only chuckled again, before walking toward the medical building with everything he had on him within his arms. He was in for a long, and stressful night. He might as well attempt to get comfortable with everyone else.

"Goodnight... Esperanzo."

((To Be Continued))