Moonwatcher's Last Year
By: SnowPuppy
When Moonwatcher awoke, it was time to start a new day. And, it was 
time for 
him to be going on guard duty again, once more.
He exhaustingly got out of bed and went out. 
When evening came to the island, Moonwatcher and Lyssa-Ra went on a 
date. 
They have gone on many dates since they met, and some day, they knew, 
they 
might even get married.
This was Moonwatcher's last year with his family;for when he turned 
eighteen, 
it would be time for him to start his own life, his own family. Though, 
when 
that day came, he would miss both his parents, and his brother Dylan, 
very 
dearly.
But he was thankful that he still had a year yet to stay with them. He 
wasn't 
up to leaving his parents now;he wasn't ready yet. But when the time 
came, he 
knew he had to do what he was suppose to... he just wasn't sure if he 
would 
ever be ready.
And one day, when Moonwatcher was out, he felt very sad. This year was 
going 
by quicker than he thought;six more months until his eighteenth 
birthday.
"What's wrong, Moonwatcher?" Asked Lyssa-Ra, noticing his frown.
"I was thinking, that, in six months, it'll be my birthday." Replied 
Moonwatcher.
"So?" Said Lyssa-Ra, not getting what Moonwatcher meant.
"So, I'll be turning eighteen. Thats when I have to separate from my 
parents;and start a family of my own. I would miss them so much, and I 
can't 
believe how fast time is going by." Replied Moonwatcher.
"Oh, I understand now. But Moonwatcher, you can always visit your 
parents." 
Said Lyssa-Ra.
"I know, but it still wouldn't be the same. I wouldn't be living with 
them or 
anything. I would miss it all." Said Moonwatcher.
"Yeah, but look on the bright side. You'd have a new home and a family 
to 
take care of. You would have new memories, yes, but that doesn't mean 
you 
have to forget about the old ones. You could have two homes;one with 
your new 
family, and one with your parents and your brother, in your heart." 
Said 
Lyssa-Ra.
"Thanks, Lyssy. I feel a little bit better now." Said Moonwatcher.
"Well, good. Just please, dont worry about it so much. Okay?" Said 
Lyssa-Ra 
to Moonwatcher.
Moonwatcher nodded. 
Lyssa-Ra had had her seventeenth birthday, and now she, two, had a year 
left. 
But Moonwatcher had less than a year. He had six months. And as each 
day went 
by, his eighteenth birthday got closer and closer.
And, finally, it was the day before his birthday. Moonwatcher just 
couldn't 
believe what was happening! Soon he would turn eighteen;and that means, 
that 
soon he would be living somewhere else.
And when Moonwatcher went to bed that night, he knew that when he awoke 
the 
next morning he would be eighteen. And, he had everything ready. He had 
already got the engagement ring for Lyssa-Ra, and he would propose to 
her the 
moment he turned eighteen the next day. 
When he awoke, and went into the living room, he saw an amazing sight. 
It was 
his birthday party, but it seemed more of a party this time than any 
other 
time. His mother told him that it was because this was his big day;he 
was 
eighteen.
And thats all he heard all day, about how he was now ready to live on 
his 
own, and he could move out whenever he wanted to. Thats when he decided 
to 
ask Lyssa-Ra to marry him, and he was very nervous about it. About what 
she 
would say.
When the party was over, he asked her the big question.
"Will you m-marry me?" He asked her very nervously.
"Marry you? Of course! I love you! And I will happily marry you!" 
Replied 
Lyssa-Ra with most delight.
The engagement ring was carefully placed on Lyssa-Ra's finger, and they 
both 
hugged and kissed happily, they were getting married!
Kay-Si and Steppenwolf both were very happy for their son, and they 
would 
both miss him when the time came for him to find a place of his own.
But until he found a place of his own, Moonwatcher would stay with his 
parents. 
"You sure you dont mind me marrying your son?" Lyssa-Ra asked Kay-Si.
"Of course not, you and Moonwatcher are grown echidnas and you should 
be able 
to marry who you want. But I think your a good person, Lyssa-Ra. I know 
that 
you will make my son happy." Replied Kay-Si.
"Thank you, Mrs.Echidna." Said Lyssa-Ra.
"It's true, I know it is. And I hope that you two will have a happy 
marriage. 
There will be hard times, yes there will be, but if you truly love each 
other, I know you can get through it." Said Kay-Si.
"Mom!" Said Moonwatcher, coming into the room.
"What is it, honey?" Asked Kay-Si.
"I was wondering... when me and Lyssa-Ra go and find a place of our 
own, will 
you still remember me?" Asked Moonwatcher.
"Of course I will, sweetheart! I will love you always! And I wont ever 
forget 
about you, I could never do that!" Said Kay-Si.
"Thanks, mom." Said Moonwatcher.
"I will miss you with all of my heart, sweety. Promise me you'll come 
and 
visit." Kay-Si said.
"I will, dont worry!" Said Moonwatcher.
And as months went by, soon it was Lyssa-Ra's and Moonwatcher's wedding 
day. 
They both were very uncomfortable.
But, soon, they weren't. And soon, they were married. Kay-Si cryed 
happily 
for her son, she just couldn't believe what was happening. Moonwatcher, 
also, 
couldn't believe any of it.
But it was true. Lyssa-Ra and Moonwatcher were married. And it was hard 
to 
believe, because of the weird way they met, a long time ago, up in the 
mountains(read the fanfic, "Vacation, Wish it Would Never End", for 
their 
meeting!), and infact, thats just where they went on their honeymoon;up 
to 
the mountains.
When they came back from their honeymoon, they decided to stay with 
Kay-Si 
and Steppenwolf until they found their own place.
And very soon, they did. It broke Kay-Si's heart to be saying goodbye 
to her 
firstborn son, but she knew the day was finally here.
"Goodbye, Moonwatcher. I'll miss you." Said Kay-Si.
"I will miss you, too. But I will come and visit like I promised." Said 
Moonwatcher.
Moonwatcher gave both his parents a hug before leaving. They all said 
their 
goodbyes, and then Moonwatcher and Lyssa-Ra walked out the door, to 
begin 
living their own lives, on their own.
One whole year passed, and news got around that Lyssa-Ra had given 
birth to 
her's and Moonwatcher's son, Harlan. 
And now Kay-Si and Steppenwolf had a grandchild. And thats when 
Moonwatcher 
and Lyssa-Ra came to visit.
"I'm very happy for you two." Kay-Si told them.
"Thanks, mom." Moonwatcher said.
"Hi, Moonwatcher!" Said four-year-old Dylan, coming into the room.
"Hello, Dylan. Want to meet your nephew, Harlan?" Asked Moonwatcher.
Dylan looked at his new nephew, and smiled.
"Does this mean your grownup?" Dylan asked Moonwatcher.
"Yes, I think it does." Replied Moonwatcher.
"Wow, your all grownup and I'm still a kid! Not fair!" Said Dylan.
Moonwatcher laughed at his little brother's words. "Well, if you had 
been 
born earlier, then you would've been grownup, too."
"Dont worry, sweety. You will be grownup, too, but it's better off to 
enjoy 
being a kid while you can." Said Kay-Si to her youngest son.
"Yeah, when you get grownup, you have to find a new home and 
everything." 
Said Moonwatcher.
"He's right." Said Steppenwolf.
"I dont care!" Said Dylan.
"You might not care now, but I bet you will later on. Moonwatcher said 
the 
same thing." Steppenwolf told Dylan.
Later on, about four months later, Moonwatcher came over to his 
parents' 
house. He had tears in his eyes, and Kay-Si and Steppenwolf asked why.
Moonwatcher broke to them the terrible news;that Lyssa-Ra had been shot 
and 
killed one night when she was coming home from gathering fruit. When 
Moonwatcher was told of the news that his wife was dead, it hurt him 
more 
than anything, and he had come to his parents' house for comfort.
Going to her funeral had hurt Moonwatcher even more. Now Moonwatcher 
was a 
single parent to his son, Harlan, whom Moonwatcher now knew would never 
have 
any brothers or sisters.
Moonwatcher would usually leave his son with Kay-Si, for Lyssa-Ra was 
now 
dead and Moonwatcher didn't know anything about taking care of an 
infant 
right now. 
Kay-Si gladly took care of Harlan, but Moonwatcher's sadness saddened 
her. He 
was very upset about Lyssa-Ra's death;they all were.
As days passed by, Kay-Si became very mopey. Not just about Lyssa-Ra's 
death, 
but about something else as well. She had no idea what, but didn't 
really 
care. Her husband decided to question her about it.
"I know your upset about Lyssa-Ra's death and our son's sadness over 
it, but 
I know something else is bothering you as well. What is it?" 
Steppenwolf 
asked his wife.
"I'm sorry, but I'm just as clueless as you." Kay-Si replied.
Days went by, and they all soon forgot about Kay-Si's moping. But it 
still 
went on. Steppenwolf asked her about it again.
"I'm sorry, but I still dont know why. It's just a feeling I have." 
Kay-Si 
answered once more.
Thats when Steppenwolf decided to take her to the doctor. Maybe they 
would 
have some answers about what was bothering Steppenwolf's wife.
"So... how is she?" Steppenwolf asked the doctor.
"She is fine." Replied the doctor.
"Do you know what's been upsetting her, besides Lyssa-Ra's death, and 
our 
son's sadness over it?" Steppenwolf asked, hoping that the doctor had 
some 
answers.
"Yes, but she wishes to tell you now that she knows. Come." The doctor 
replied.
Steppenwolf went over to where Kay-Si was sitting down, and she looked 
like 
she had mixed feelings about whatever it was that was bothering her.
"Kay-Si, how do you feel?" Steppenwolf began.
"Wonderful." Kay-Si said with a half-smirk coming to her, showing that 
part 
of this was wonderful and part may not be so wonderful.
"So, what is it that you wanted to tell me?" Steppenwolf questioned 
her.
"Well... it's kind of shocking news." Kay-Si replied.
"That's okay. Tell me." Steppenwolf said.
"Well... the doctor says that he's not for sure, but... I may be 
pregnant." 
Kay-Si told her husband, not wearing her half-smirk anymore.
"Pregnant?!" Steppenwolf said, shocked at what he was hearing from his 
wife.
"He doesn't know for sure," Kay-Si replied, "he just said I might be."
"Well, still, Kay-Si..." Began Steppenwolf.
"What is it?" Kay-Si asked.
"I'm just worried about you." Steppenwolf replied.
"I'm okay, Steppenwolf. And besides, the doctor doesn't even know for 
sure," 
Kay-Si said, "he said for you to bring me back later on, when he can 
tell for 
sure."
"Okay... but I'm still worried." Steppenwolf said.
When they got home, they noticed their son Moonwatcher was still there, 
and 
he was holding his newborn son, whom now was motherless, in his arms.
Moonwatcher looked up to see his parents entering the room.
"How was it at the doctor?" Moonwatcher asked.
Kay-Si and Steppenwolf stared at each other, as if to decide who was to 
speak 
first.
"Well, we have good news, kind-of." Said Kay-Si, finally deciding what 
to say.
"And whats the good news?" Asked Moonwatcher, looking at his parents 
with a 
what-good-news kind of look, shocked that there could actually be any 
good 
news.
"The doctor said that your mother might be pregnant." Answered 
Steppenwolf, 
noticing that his wife couldn't find the words to say.
"Pregnant?" Moonwatcher asked, going back in shock.
"Yes, I might be, thats what the doctor said." Kay-Si managed to say.
"Well, mother... I thought you said that to be on the safe side of 
things, 
you shouldn't have any more children after Dylan, because your getting 
older?" Moonwatcher said in confusement.
"I did... but I can't help it if I am pregnant," Kay-Si answered, "but 
we are 
going to go back to the doctor later on, to get another test, to see if 
I 
really am pregnant."
"Okay." Said Moonwatcher, not really knowing what else to say.
About a couple months later, they went back to the doctor to get 
another 
test, to see if Kay-Si was pregnant for sure. When the doctor came back 
with 
the results, Kay-Si and Steppenwolf looked at each other nervously.
The doctor was silent for awhile, as if he didn't really want to tell 
them 
what the results were.
"Well...?" Kay-Si said, starting to get impatient and anxious as to 
what the 
results were.
"Is she pregnant or not?" Steppenwolf asked the doctor.
The doctor nodded at them. "Yes, she is indeed pregnant."
Kay-Si bit her lip. She did want another child, but would she live or 
die 
while giving birth to it? That what the terrifying question.
Steppenwolf was speechless. He looked at his wife. She just looked back 
at 
him, without saying a word. What was there to say?
Kay-Si and Steppenwolf, after that then went home, really not saying 
much on 
the way. It seemed that both of them were shocked, and it was hard for 
them 
to find the right words to say.
When they got home, Moonwatcher looked at both of his parents, as if to 
say, 
"how did it go"? He didn't say that, or anything else for that matter, 
but 
his parents could tell that that was what he was trying to say to them.
"It was positive." Kay-Si said, breaking the silence.
"It's true. Your going to have another brother or sister." Steppenwolf 
said.
Moonwatcher was very speechless. The words that he wanted to say just 
wouldn't come out. But it seemed that his parents understood what he 
was 
trying to say.
And, so, yes, it became very clear for everyone that Kay-Si was indeed 
pregnant. As days went by, even a stranger could tell Kay-Si was 
pregnant(after all, how can someone not notice a pregnant person?:P) 
yes, it 
was true.
Kay-Si bit her lip as she noticed that she was getting closer and 
closer to 
her ninth month. Though, right now, she was only on her seventh month.
She knew this would be her last child, and she would treasure every 
moment of 
it's childhood... if, that is, she didn't die while giving birth.
Moonwatcher was overjoyed that he was going to have another sibling, 
but he 
was very concerned about his mother as well. He had just lost his wife, 
and 
he didn't want to lose his mother too.
Steppenwolf felt the same way as Moonwatcher about Kay-Si's pregnancy. 
He 
didn't want to lose his wife, and he hoped that she would live through 
this.
Will Kay-Si live or die while giving birth to her new baby? Will she be 
able 
to watch her new child grow up? Will Harlan ever know his grandmother? 
Stay 
tuned for these answers and more, in my next fanfic!
THE END
To be continued in the fanfic, "The Birth of Lynz-Si".