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It was quiet. The kid of quiet that must be experienced first-hand to really be understood. The woods were wrapped in the cloak of night, and the moon seemed as bright as the sun. The quiet was filled with crickets, falling leaves, and above all, the wind. The wind that gently rubbed each leaf lovingly as it passed through the wood unseen. The earth was at peace. But sadly, the beauty of this warm summer night seemed to go unnoticed. The calm was suddenly broken from its silent meditation as Figaro flew through the forest, seemingly oblivious to the obstacles about him.

The woods roared past his ears as he pushed himself harder than he had ever before. Around rock, root and river, his body pumped adrenaline by the gallon to keep him moving. Figaro Daniello was a 6-foot, 150-pound, deep gray slice of anthro squirrel muscle that had been known by many as the comic relief of the entire world. Wherever a joke was to be made, he was there, flexing his hilarity and making everybody jealous of his entertainment skills. He was fresh out of high school and a freshman in college at the age of 18, looking forward to a long and exciting future. But not now. His mind was consumed with to many thoughts for him to dwell on his future.

He was shaking hard, from more than just his physical exertion. His emotions seemed to batter him as he drove himself onward into the black of that sweet night. His mind reeling, he prayed the sweat he was generating would help purge his mind of all that consumed it. He felt too many emotions to describe accurately: sadness, anger, longing, fear, regret, confusion...just to name a few. He pushed his heavy thoughts aside for the moment. He was drawing near to his destination. He was shaking far more now, so he focused on just making it there without injury. His set his tail for ramming speed and continued doggedly into the quiet nighttime.

Finally, he saw it in the distance...moonlight. Knowing he had rounded the final turn, his run became a sprint. To the passer by, he would have seemed hell bent on escaping the clutches of some large and angry tiger. Finally, as he saw the woods end, he leaped up onto a log bent at a sideways angle and flew through the opening before him. The stars in the blue sky that enveloped the world contrasted profoundly from the green foliage he burst from. The difference took his breath away. High above the ground Figaro looked out at the meadows he had reached. As far as his piercing green eyes could see were endless hills and valleys of just grass. The sight his eyes beheld was made all the more wondrous as the rolling hills sat bathing in the lush blue moonbeams of that crisp summer night. Everybody called this place the Sound of Music. His eyes closed in rapture as he spread his arms wide and embraced the crisp perfume of nature. There is nothing in the world that compares to the scent of the natural world. Gravity then reasserted its command as he descended some 20 odd feet to the grassy floor. As he landed, he did a ninja roll to make extra certain he wouldn't hurt himself.

As he came to his feet, he stood still, trying to force all the oxygen he could into his tired lungs. His heart was thrashing in his chest, scolding Figaro loudly for making him work so hard when he should have been sleeping. His soaking wet shirt was witness to the true effort he had put forth to get here. He slowly raised his head and stared up at the moon. He had never seen a moon so big in all his life. So bright it scared away the shadows, and so big it awed any animal that happened to look up that night. He let his head fall back, and he slid to his knees. He began to shake uncontrollably. He placed his paws in front of him and gripped all the grass he could, squeezing it until his soft gray knuckles turned a pale white. Notorious for talking to himself, he began a quiet dialogue to the eavesdropping fields that surrounded him.

'What...is wrong with me?...Why?' He struggled to realize why he was shaking so hard. He felt like crying, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He then realized that that was the true reason. He hadn't cried in years. Not since the death of his grandmother. He felt there was a large dam holding in his tears, and no matter what he did, the dam held fast. 'If I'm forced to hold back any more tears, I'll break...'he thought to himself. He raised his quivering eyes to the heavens again and clenched his teeth as tight as he dared. He fought for control of his trembling body, but it refused to comply. All he could do was sit, and shake.

Suddenly, Figaro heard a branch break behind him. He leaped to his feet, his shaking momentarily under control, and scanned the dark edge of the wood that rose a short distance away. His beautiful gray tail swished lightly as he made no sound. He knew in the back of his head what had caused the noise, and he made another silent prayer it wasn't true. He turned back towards the winding grasslands and collapsed to his tired knees again. His breathing had almost returned to normal when behind him came the sound he feared. Breathing. Figaro closed his eyes and sighed angrily at himself.

'I know I was quiet when I left, I know it...How the hell can he run that fast?...' he thought to himself. Knowing his friend wouldn't disturb him without his permission, Figaro quietly asked, 'How far?'

The deep yellow lion smiled warmly and replied, 'Since you left camp...I've been behind you the whole time...'

Galileo Masters has been Figaro's friend for so long, they'd almost forgotten how they met. When they joined the Scouts, they were never really accepted by those who held seniority and the higher ranks. After forming a Cover Your Ass pact with each other, quickly became friends from hanging out with each other once a week for almost 7 years. Galileo stood at 6 foot 3 and was the envy of any male who wanted muscles. Track star and ladies man, he stood at a little over 160 pounds...all muscle. His mane began to come in nicely, and it made him look a few years older than he was. It was his pride and joy, just as it should be. He was 17, and only a few months younger than Figaro. If their friendship was to be described in one word, they would instantly answer in unison, 'Permanent.'

Figaro now realized it was foolish of him to think he could outrun Galileo, who was a state wide runner up for the Iron Man competition, and continued to pray he was the only one that followed him from their camp. He hated when he appeared weak, and right now he felt as frail as an old cheetah.

With arms crossed, Galileo stood leaning up against one of the many Maple trees about him, and said, 'It's tradition anyway...I'm just following protocol.' He continued to smile. At every campout they had been to, they spent at least one of the nights up walking around the camp and just talking about anything that crossed their minds.

Figaro forced a grin and said, 'Yeah...p-p-protocol...' Figaro cursed himself. Of all the times to be shaking uncontrollably, it had to be in front of his best friend. He fought hard to control his shaking, but it was no use. Galileo saw Figaro through the darkness and his smile faded. His tail twitched as he shifted his weight off the tree and jogged over to where Figaro was kneeling.

Galileo sat down to Figaro's left and leaned in close to him. 'Ro,' as Galileo called him, 'what's up man? Are you ok?'

Figaro responded, 'Yeah...I'm...I-I'm fine.'

'Liar,' Galileo said in a strong but caring tone. 'Don't think I'm blind because it's dark. I see you shaking life a leaf...Something is out of place. What is it?'

That was it. Figaro was ready to break even at that moment. He glanced up to Galileo and surprised him. Figaro's eyes were filled with tears, bottom lip quivering and tail twitching back and forth. 'I-I don't know G,' as Figaro called him. 'I just don't know. I haven't cried in forever, and I can't and...'

Galileo needed no more prompting. He swung his right arm around Figaro and embraced him tightly. 'Sshhh...' He said. 'Just relax...it's gonna be ok...don't fight it...'

Figaro was shaking his hardest now. 'I can't...' he said through clenched teeth, 'I just can't...I've tried, believe me...I've tried for so long, but it just never comes...' Figaro then growled at himself. Why could he not cry?

As Figaro sat in his own anger, he felt Galileo shifting his weight. Suddenly, Galileo stuck something around his friend's ear. Figaro's eyes widened as his hand shot to the top of his head. It was an earphone. He looked over to Galileo who had the other piece on his ear and was rifling through the files of music on his MP3 player.

Figaro cocked his eyebrow and asked timidly, 'W-what are you d-doing?' He didn't answer, but continued to search for something. Figaro was about to repeat his question, when the earpiece came to life in his ear. He listened to the music: 'Why are so many songs about rainbows, and what's on the other side?' 'Damn him' Figaro thought as he spun his head so hard it almost popped off his shoulders. He stared at Galileo in wonder. Galileo merely returned a warm smile. Galileo then leaned in so he was whisker to whisker with Figaro. Figaro looked away, embarrassed for some reason he couldn't understand. Galileo put his paw on his friend's chin and made him look up into his soft gray eyes. When their gazes met, he said in a whisper that not even the wind could hear,

'Just...let go.'

As Kermit began the chorus of 'The Rainbow Connection,' it was game over. Figaro broke down and began to weep uncontrollably. The dam that had held back the vast oceans of his tears had finally broken. Galileo pulled him close to his chest and gently stroked his head as he whispered occasional words of comfort to his dear friend. Figaro buried himself into the muscles of Galileo's arms and cried like he prayed for so long. Figaro's kryptonite had stayed hidden to all but a few, Galileo being one of them. His one true weakness? Music. To some it's just notes and words, but to Figaro, it was so much more. It was a story, an emotion, and a physical and tangible object. He could close his eyes and reach out to touch the notes that danced by him on almost any song. Finally, the sweet release of tears he had longed for poured down his face and onto the shirt of his friend. Nature looked on and grew quieter to give the two companions the space they had so rightly earned. The world had stopped spinning, and Figaro became lost in the sea of Galileo's comfort.

As the song progressed, Figaro continued to weep in Galileo's arms, and neither of them would have it any other way. Theirs was a friendship that went deeper than brotherhood. The kind of friendship that made Laurel and Hardy look like bickering old cheetahs. Each was glad they had this chance to bank on the companionship they had accumulated over the years. Finally, as the choir moved into the final verse, Galileo took a quick glimpse at the shivering form next to him. He saw Figaro, ears pulled back and eyes tightened against the onslaught of tears that fought to escape his body. His face was drenched and his jaw was set to try and make the least amount of whimpering he possible could. Galileo was moved greatly by the sight of his suffering friend. He slowly pulled him back to his chest and placed his chin above his head, still stroking his head and gently rocking back and forth to comfort him as much as possible.

As the song drew to a close, Figaro still had plenty of cry left in him. He shifted to ask Galileo to play the song again, but before the words could even form on his tongue, Kermit began his soliloquy again. Figaro began to cry even harder now, both because of the song, and also for his compassion for his friend, who knew him far more then he could have ever imagined. Their friendship was deeper than verbal communication. Their connection went to a much deeper level. They just knew what the other wanted, at any given time. Galileo smiled up at the host of the heavens and thanked God he remembered to push Repeat. They continued on for the next few verses, Figaro starting to show signs of slowing his tears.

Galileo knew he had to at least try to cheer him up, so as the third and final verse began, Galileo picked up the melody. 'Have you been half asleep, and have you heard voices?...' He paused and looked down to Figaro, sending him unspoken request to join his serenade.

Figaro sniffled loudly and began shyly, 'I hear them calling my name...'

Galileo began to beam as he saw the light begin to dawn on Figaro's face. He pushed him a little farther. 'Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors?'

'These voices are one and the same...' Figaro added with a little more gumption. They let the next line slide as Galileo and Figaro prepared for the chorus. As it came, the best friends that the Sound of Music had ever seen sang in unison,

'Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection. The lovers, the dreamers and me.' Galileo fell silent and Figaro finished the final do-do's of the song.

As the song ended, Figaro wiped his eyes and sat back up. Galileo looked down at his shirt and laughed quietly. His chest was soaking wet from Figaro's tears, and beginning to drip towards the top of his pants.

Galileo sat back from Figaro and said, 'You know, I've never seen you cry before.' Figaro sniffled and merely replied, 'Hopefully it will be the last.'

Galileo glanced over at Figaro and said caringly, 'Well, I hope not.'

Figaro returned the glance at his friend and said, 'Yeah? Well, I guess...this was pretty nice...' Figaro glanced at the ground shyly and then slowly met Galileo's gaze again. 'Thank you...so much.'

Galileo pulled Figaro over to him and embraced him tightly. 'That's what friends do,' he replied with an affectionate grin.

Just then a conveniently timed event occurred. As Galileo hugged Figaro, he began to jump through the songs in his MP3 player without knowing it. As the two finally released their grip, the MP3 player finally settled on a song and began to play it.

'I can see what's happening. 'What?' And they don't have a clue. 'Who?''

Galileo's eyes widened as he began to flush red under his deep yellow fur. The Lion King was his favorite movie, and no matter what age he became, it would always work wonders on his imagination.

Figaro shifted uncomfortably and forced a nervous grin. 'Heh, what are the odds of that, huh?'

'They'll fall in love and here's the bottom line, Our trio's down to two. 'Oh''. 'Yeah,' was all that Galileo could say.

Figaro cleared his throat and said, 'Um...you can change it if you want.'

Galileo nervously looked off towards the moonlit hills, 'I'm ok with it, if you are.' Figaro offered no answer, but began to play with the grass in front of him. In both the minds of these two friends, the cogs began to spin. Was this love? They had been friends for so long, but was there more to be had? Slowly, and deliberately, each raised their eyes to each other and stared. Figaro became lost in the swirling, deep grayness of Galileo's eyes. For some reason, beyond both of their comprehensions, they felt at home, and at peace.

'The sweet caress of twilight, There's magic everywhere, And with all this romantic atmosphere, Disaster's in the air.'

As the verse progressed, Figaro slowly shifted toward Galileo, who in turn began to shift back toward him. As the chorus made its sweeping crescendo, the two friends who had only love in their hearts for the other, committed to the moment and exchanged a brief kiss.

'Can you feel the love tonight?' The kiss was not long, nor was their any opening of the lips, but so much more was done with that one kiss than with any other they had given to another. As their lips separated, Galileo sat back and began to look around him. Figaro saw right through his distraction. Galileo had a girlfriend, and she was hot. He completely understood how this moment could ruin both his girlfriend's and their own relationship.

Figaro looked over to Galileo. 'G?' Galileo raised is eyes, but not his head. 'It's ok...I understand...' Figaro then sat back and stared into the vast unending plains that lay before them. Deep in his heart there was disappointment, but his love for Galileo overshadowed any resentment that dared show its face on his heart.

They sat and listened to the song in silence.

'So many things to tell her, But how to make her see The truth about my past. Impossible. She'd turn away from me.'

At this moment Figaro turned slowly and gazed at Galileo, who was lost as well in the world that lay before them. This was it. If anything was going to happen, it was now. The song would be the catalyst. But Galileo didn't react. He simply stared ahead. Figaro sighed to himself and looked back toward the moon. The verse continued.

'He's holding back, He's hiding. From what, I can't decide...Why won't he be the king I know he is. The king I see inside?'

As this verse advanced, Figaro felt a strong arm wrap over his chest and slowly push him onto his back.

He turned and saw Galileo, eyes full of compassion and care staring down at him as said, 'Ro...I...' Figaro pressed a paw to his lips. He then slowly caressed the soft pink edges and lines of Galileo's slightly quivering lips. Figaro then wrapped his hand around the back of his friend's head, lightly stroking his thick, smooth mane, and pulled him down close to him. The heavens seemed to rain down the dust of the stars as their moonlit faces approached their final end.They began to kiss.