Path of the Hunters [PART 4] (NSFW)

"You went exploring?"

Trip blushed, nodding. "Uh-huh..."

She snuggled, grinning. "I'm so proud of you."

Cross laughed, ruffling the girl's hair more. "So, howdid you manage to get him to go with you?"

"I dunno, I just did."

Star smiled. "Nice job." She hugged Yue, then rose, still cuddling the kit.

"Did Cross tell you that I said he could be my dad?"

The hedgecat laughed. "Yeah, he did. After some prompting."

"Are you gonna let him?"

"Absolutely."

"It'd be my pleasure." Cross smiled, started to rise, but the migraine returned, with a vengeance! He fell back to his knees, gripping the area over his right eye tightly, groaning.

Trip blinked. "Cross...?"

Star moved over, nuzzling the echidna softly.

Cross shook his head, hand still over his eye. He reached into his pack, grabbed a syringe, and stuck himself in the arm with it. With that, his groaning stopped, replaced by labored breathing. His hand left his eye, which was now green instead of its usual violet.

Star stroked rubbed his back softly, frowning while Trip looked on, baffled.

"...Uncle Cross," Yue asked, obviously concerned. "Did you get mad, out there?"

Cross nodded weakly. "Even still, it shouldn't be affecting me like this... It's progressing faster than I thought..."

Damien spoke up, concerned, "Is it something to worried about in the very near future? Like during the next op?"

Star frowned deeply, setting Trip down to hold the echidna close. "Fight it, love."

"...I'm trying..." The echidna steadied his breathing, and slowly, but surely, the discolored eye returned to it's normal violet. He sighed heavily. "...There won't be a next op for me... Not so soon, anyway... That shot I just took-it's a powerful suppressant, meant to shut out my... violent events... Unfortunately, because of it, I'm out of commission, for at least ten hours..."

"Interesting. Well, you get some rest then. Nothing more to do now outside of that mission..."

"It is a ten hour flight to London - at the very least. Do you think you could manage it?" Aurélie queried.

Star shook her head. "I know how important it is to just go... But I think it'd be better for everyone to wait until morning."

"Mm..."

Cross sighed. "...Damn." He struggled to get to his feet, but managed to keep himself steady. "I lost a year of my life to that human, and this... Damn it all."

Star slid an arm around him, to keep close and to help him stay on his feet. She nuzzled him gently, purring.

"Thank you, Star. At least someone here has a bit of common sense and tactical logic..."

He smiled at her, weakly. "...Sorry. Didn't mean for you all to see that, especially you, Trip... Guess I'm just nothing but trouble, sometimes..."

Nova scoffed. "Oh, please, do not start that trip on us! Shit happens, man; stop taking things so seriously."

"You're not the one who has to take a shot every week, to suppress your bipolarity..."

"Yeah, but that's because I got my shit under control. Stop relyin' on those damn needles; you're stronger than that!"

Her smile was sheepish. "It's not really that so much as everyone seems dead tired and sleeping on a... whatever that thing is or a plane wouldn't help much." She nuzzled the echidna softly. "I think you could do it, love, but don't try right now."

Trip hugged his leg, gazing up at him. "You're not trouble..."

"Yeah, Sunny here looks like she's ready to drop, though I have to admit, she's pretty good at hiding it. Must be that stubborn pride I see so often with my ODSTs." He chuckled. "Get so rest people, you've earned it."

Yue smiled at her surrogate uncle. "You're a great person, Uncle Cross. Don't let no one tell you different, not even you."

Cross chuckled, smiling. "I'll keep it in mind, kiddo. You know, for a cute little thing, you sure are smart."

"I'm not cute!" she said, pouting.

Shaking her head, Aurélie went to Elesis to get her babies. She had to admit that the thought of being an entire ocean away from them terrified her. Anything could happen to them if she wasn't close by...

She nuzzled them both, Aurora cooing and Dart letting out a pleased woof.

Sunny stretched. "Yeah. I didn't get enough sleep on the way here with you assholes arguing so damn much."

Trip blushed. "I think she is."

Nova went over as well, pulling Dart into his arms. He was just happy that his family was together again. It was as if something was missing inside him, the entire time they were gone.

He nuzzled his son, who gave a bout of happy yipping.

"Seriously," Briggs said, scratching his head groggily. "I ain't never had such a restless flight. Shit!"

Yue blushed deeply. "Trip! Don't say that around them!"

"Shit happens. Would've been quieter if someone had actually explained it to me sooner. I'm not an idiot." He chuckled and walked off.

"I wish we could take them with us," the dog murmured, stroking her daughter's head gently. Aurora let out a soft bark, straining to press closer.

"I'll see you fuckers later," Sunny grumbled and started down the hall. "Wait... fuck. Somebody wanna show me how the hell to get to my room?"

His own blush deepened. "Sorry..."

Damien gestured for Sunny to follow him.