The Story of Tiberius

Chapter 59

"Why can't you trust me?!"

"Rosa, I did trust you until now!"

"Yeah, what's changed?"

"Maybe the fact that you fell in love with someone and didn't bother to tell me!"

"I can make my own choices!"

"Sure, you can make your own choices. It eventually leads to stupid decisions."

"If I wasn't chained right now I'd be strangling you by the throat!"

"Next time don't be super late!"

It was only one day after the catastrophic meeting with Rosa's lover Rufus. Both siblings were up on the rooftop with their beloved owner Alfred, who was currently taking care of some plants he had up there. Due to her being super late yesterday, Rosa was still chained, much to Alfred's reluctance. Though he wasn't on his chain, Tiberius had stayed to keep an eye on his little sister. He didn't trust her to be by herself anymore after what had happened. Who could blame him? If anything was to happen to her, the red tailed hawk would never forgive himself.

On the other hand, Rosa was clearly unhappy. She had done nothing but chastise her older brother all night long until she finally had worn herself out. Now here she was, limited to the chain's length while still fuming with anger. Tiberius had pretty much had enough at this point. Last night was probably their first argument and it was not a pretty one. Blood had almost been spilled. Luckily, Rosa had been too tired to continue her verbal assault on her brother and had fallen asleep. Tiberius had slept with one eye open, not wanting to be murdered in his sleep. But now that they were fully awake and the sun was shining high in the sky, the two hawks were back at it again. And with new vigor.

"He's the sweetest person I have ever met and he's kind, caring-"

"Are you talking bout someone else cuz this guy is an egotistical rat!"

"His name is Rufus!"

"Does it look like I care what his name is?"

"Maybe if you got to know him better-"

"You realize that he is an immature fledgling with the brain the size of an electron?"

"English?!"

"I'm calling him an idiotic mousebrain!"

"You take that back you son of a-"

Hearing the screeches coming from the two siblings, Alfred looked up from the rosemary he had been taken care of and, shaking his head quietly, muttered, "What has gotten into you two today?"

"Wow, ever heard of language? Plus, we share the same parents."

"Why can't you just see what I see in Rufus?!"

"And why can't you see that I'm only looking after you?!"

"I don't need a guardian angel hovering around me all the time Tiberius!"

"And I don't my little sister getting herself killed!"

"Rufus can protect me-"

"Oh, he can?! How bout ya move in with the pampered guy then?!"

"Maybe I should!"

"Go ahead! See if I care!"

"Fine!"

"And then when the spoiled idiot gets himself killed, don't try crawling to me for help!"

"You mother-"

"I'm just gonna get you guys some venison. Maybe that will chill your nerves," Alfred mumbled, getting to his feet and slowly backing away from the two screeching hawks before disappearing behind the door.

"You really need to wash your mouth."

"Stop changing the subject!"

"How bout you drop this whole argument?!"

"Rufus won't get himself killed!"

"Yes he will. He won't last five seconds against a chipmunk!"

"You don't know that!"

"And may I point out that you can't fend for yourself in the wild?!"

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

"Rosa, you don't like violence!"

"SO?! What's that got to do with-"

"EVERYTHING! You don't know how to hunt! You couldn't even win a fight against me when we were little!"

"You don't think I can take care of myself?! Watch your back cuz one day I will beat you!"

"Oh yeah, sure. I'm scared," Tiberius muttered sarcastically. His feathers were bristling in anger and his talons had left marks on the rooftop. Huffing in frustration, he turned away from his little sister, planning on a small nap in the shade of the metal exhaust that was out of reach for her. Dark brown eyes narrowed to slits, Rosa didn't know when to let something drop. A growl rumbling in her throat, she lunged forward with a hiss.