Another story about Barnaby Jazz, following events involving Bobby-Rae Brine posted here: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/11332524/ (by )
----
Barnaby looked troubled. He’d known the guy for several years now, and he’d never seen such an expression on the massive shark’s features. The sawfish sighed and moved to kneel down behind his friend, mindful of his long rostrum as he leaned over a broad shoulder.

“You okay Barbie? You’re not actin’ like yourself...” The shark glanced towards his friend and offered a weak smile that didn’t reach those bright aqua eyes that were usually alight with a joy for life. Right now, they looked rather dead. It was eerie to the sawfish, but he didn’t budge, tightening his arms around his friend instead.

“It wa’n’t my fault, Tamati...but why th’ fuck do I feel loike this?”

“What d’ya mean Barbie? What happened?” Tamati hadn’t heard the recent news of a shark attack up the coast, but Barnaby had. And it was more than just a shark attack to him; it was evidence of his ancestry, and it was a terrible ordeal for a man that he’d looked up to ever since the stingray had first gotten into the FBA. Sure, Ryan Malone had started his passion, but it was the sight of a strong rookie like Bobby-Rae Brine that really drove him to be good. And it had him struggling.

Every time he heard of another shark attack in the country - sometimes on the coast, sometimes up a random river or tributary - it felt like a kick to his gut; he’d rarely admit it, but he couldn’t help but feel a little more self-hatred at every attack, every death caused by feral sharks. One would never believe the cocky, confident shark ever felt this way, but his friends could read him like a book.

“Barnaby...? Was there...?” Tamati didn’t even have to finish his sentence as he watched Barnaby nod his head ever so softly, the shark still staring out over the water from where he sat in the sand on the beach. The sawfish should’ve known; the only time Barnaby withdrew like this was after word of a shark attack. “It’s not your fault Barbie, you know that. Being like this...it doesn’t help anything...and it doesn’t change anything either.”

“I know Tamati! But...! Gah!” Barnaby quickly got to his feet, Tamati forever amazed by how quickly his friend could move when he wanted to. The shark had begun to pace almost immediately and the sawfish sighed, texting a couple of their other friends to let them know what was going on before he stepped up in front of Barnaby and pressed his hands against that massive chest.

“Barnaby.” The shark looked down into his friend’s eyes for a long moment before he shook his head and brushed those hands away. “I’m goin’ home Tamati.” He murmured before heading up towards his car and heading back to his apartment near campus. His roommate was waiting for him when he got there, and the frilled lizard had an expression of concern written on his features; Tamati had texted him.

“Don’t even bother, Ben.” He muttered as he tossed his beach bag down by the door and headed for his bedroom, but he could hear Ben following him. Shrugging it off, the shark stripped to his boxers and slipped into bed; not long after, he felt the bed shifted and he knew Benjy had joined him.

“I know ya won’t do nothin’ stupid, but I don’t wanna leave ya alone neither.” The frilled lizard stated calmly from behind the big shark, and Barnaby merely shrugged and figured that if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

And a few hours later, as he still laid awake in his bed with Ben curled against his side, Barnaby sighed. He still felt guilty, and on days like this he hated being a shark, yet he knew he wasn’t a bad guy. He wouldn’t keep friends like he did if he wasn’t. But it didn’t make him feel any better right then. By morning, he’d probably be back to his old self, but as it was he shifted and hugged Ben closer to him, closing his eyes with a sad sigh.

It ain’t my fault...but ‘m still sorry...’n’ that’s what makes me better than those ferals. Hope you’re okay Bobby-Rae...and ‘m sorry ‘bout your friend...

-FIN-