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Hey gang! Welcome to the third-ish part of the story! As a polite warning, I'm letting you know now there's a brief description of some of the abuse that our poor vixen Shadow has suffered, so if such things are too harsh for you, you may want to gloss past the first paragraph or so after the first line-thingie in the story. Have fun and happy reading! Comments and ideas welcome. :) ________________________________________________ Well, it's been a few weeks. It looks like Shadow's basically gotten comfortable here... well, as much as she can without having all her stuff moved in quite yet. We've been really careful about how we've been moving it- Shadow finds out when Will's at work, then we sneak by and pack a few boxes and drag them home. I can see in her eyes that she wishes we didn't have to sneak to her old home just to get the boxes, but if Will found out where Shadow was... I can't stand the thought of that greasy, violent tanuki getting his paws on poor Shadow again! It makes my blood boil... she deserves better. Well, I was helping Shadow move another box (the poor dear's ankle still hasn't healed yet. That bastard really hung a number on it!) when Shadow piped up. "Hey, aren't you having some friends over tonight?" "Yes," I grunted some as I hefted the box into the car, "What's the matter?" Shadow's copper eyes looked at me coyly, "well... it's just... I, guess, I've never met any of them before. Did you want me to meet them... if it's OK, I guess?" I wiped the sweat away from an old scar at my brow, "Well, it's just some old war buddies... like you'd ever want to hang out with old fogies like us.", and I gave her a little smile. "Well, I dunno", she cocked her vulpine head for a moment, "I mean, I guess it could be interesting. I mean, at least I could learn some of where all your scars came from, or something..." I grimaced for half a second... such dark stories, why would she even care why an old jackal like me was covered in scars? "You sure? It's going to be quite boring, just me and some old guys playing cards and yammering about life as it's been and all." "If I get too bored I can always go watch TV or something. Besides, it's not like I'm playing cards with you guys, I just want to sit in and listen a little while. Is that ok?" I sighed, wow, she is persistent... "I guess..." Shadow suddenly darted forward and wrapped her arms around me in a hug, "Oh thank you, thank you!" I was shocked for half a second, then started petting her soft headfur. As her white and grey face looked up at me, I swore my heart could've melted. When we got home I unloaded the boxes in the den and began to prepare for Cards Night. Shadow had basically been slowly taking over the den, first with a few of her boxes collecting, but, slowly but surely, her things began to appear everywhere, not that I minded! After all, I had offered her the den when she first arrived and it was one of the most spacious rooms in the house. While Shadow unpacked her boxes one by one, I gathered things I knew that the guys would like; jerky for Fish, those soy chip things for Aeris and Hammard, and well, I'd just grab a few pretzels and some beer. Sounds good enough for government work! At 7 o'clock, the guys started to arrive. Aeris was first, the old silver-grey ram was looking staunch as always with his chin fur grown long into a goatee. It was a good thing I'd gotten everything set up ahead of time or he would have demanded that he help... either that or tried to cook, and either would've been a disaster. Aeris leaned back in the wooden chairs around the kitchen table, rambling about how yesterday in the grocery section a pig offered him some free samples of sausage and what an indignantly is was that he, a ram, had to explain he's a vegetarian. Next up was Fish and Hammard, Hammard was driving. You'd almost think they were a couple from the way they arrived, Hammard's strong bovine arm draped over Fish's slender burnished red serpentine shoulders, talking and carrying on, but we all knew better: Fish was longtime married and not going to change teams anytime soon, Hammard, though, sometimes we wondered about... let's just say he was always known for spending a little *too* much time with the guys. Hammard took his seat next to Aeris, Fish sitting across from him. Hammard's short, stocky muzzle parted into a grin and his hoof-like hand boxed Aeris' shoulder. "Aries, Goat of war! Heya man, long time no bleat.", he said with his chesty voice. "Cram it or die, old cow. I may be Vegan, but the wife isn't." There was an uneasy silence, but the two broke into laughter, the silver ram and the brown and black ox. The ruddy serpent across the table from them smirked to himself for a few moments before speaking up, his soft voice like sandpaper. "Sooo... Jackal, got the stuff ready? The gang's all here..." I carried in the snacks and drinks "Don't I always?" Soon, the game was in full swing with chips all around and cards called and played. As always, Hammard called Aeris a cheater, but, the one you've really got to watch is Fish... he got his name for a good reason, slick fella. We were deep in a betting war when Shadow approached the table. She was a beauty, grey fur brushed and shiny, headfur tousled but somehow charming, brass-rimmed glasses perched on her muzzle with copper eyes shining behind them, two-toned jean shorts clinging to her form with a blue men's shirt with the sleeves cut off serving as a tank top. Aeris stopped and froze, his weary eyes traveling upwards in shock, "Well hello! And what do we have here?" Hammard slapped my shoulder, "Well, jackal, I didn't know you had a daughter!" I tried to hide my blushing, "She's not my daughter. She's... umm... my room mate." Fish grinned, his thin lips slipping back to reveal small, sharp, teeth, "Hey, it's all right... it's modern times.... some guys *like* them like that... she's legal..." a slight hiss escaped as his tongue flickered out in an almost lurid fashion. "So, honey, how old are ya?" "I'm 22." Shadow replied meekly, smiling a little. Hammard glared at Fish, "Stop it, Fish, will ya? I mean, the girl's got a right to her own and who knows, maybe Jackal needs the spare cash and had the spare room.", his eyes softened a little, "After all, she's probably still in college and he has that gigantic den that he never uses open, and like this, everyone wins. Besides, she may need it more than it looks, the poor thing's got a broken ankle... it's got to be at least cracked if it's wrapped like that." Shadow began to blush, the pink of her skin showing faintly through the soft white fur of her cheeks. "Well, if he needed money he shoulda just asked us for it.", Fish hissed, then took a draft off a bottle of beer, "He shouldn't have gone taking in random girls from the streets." Aeris yanked away Fish's bottle of beer, "I think you've had enough, Fish." "It's only my fourth and I'm not the one driving; give it back." "But when you start getting like this you've had too much. Now, stuff it and sober up.", the silvered ram growled. An argument quickly ensued... yeah, it got pretty ugly. Fish never likes when people take his alcohol, and, I imagine Aeris was sick of his mouth. By the time I could even get out of my seat Shadow was hurriedly limping out of the room. Hammard walked up to me and placed a great hoof-hand on my shoulder. "It's ok, I'll get her. Someone's got to show her we're not all freaks and tyrants." Hammard said with a weak smile and, with a deep sigh, he followed Shadow into the other room. * * *

I can't believe it- he called me on it. Does he know? The old ox... If anyone knew... oh god, I don't want to be the one jailed over this. I just know Will would tell the cops I was stopping him from leaving... I dunno, maybe I was. I just stepped in front of him and told him to calm down. He was quiet for about 5 minutes, so I reached out to him... and he picked me up and threw me. I don't even know why he was angry, it was just so quiet then suddenly he started screaming at me. Oh no, the ox followed me... Shadow slumped into the couch in the den, surrounded by her boxes. Hammard walked up slowly to Shadow with a cautious stride and reached down towards her. "Err... it was Shadow, right? Are you ok?" his voice rumbled. Shadow looked up nervously, eyes darting around her as if looking for an escape. Hammard slowly withdrew his hand. "Hey, now. I know what Fish said was wrong so I came out here to say we're sorry. Aeris, well, he's got a harshness to him; he doesn't well put up with Fish when he's been drinking or at all, generally. And Fish, I don't have any excuse for him and I ain't gonna make any, but..." In the background fish shrieked in pain as there was a crashing sound. "Maybe it was best that you went running off. I mean, damn it. Do you need me anymore? I mean, Fish isn't going to put up well under Aeris and you don't want to see Jackal when he gets into it- he was our squad leader for a reason." Shadow seemed visibly calmer, "I... I'm ok." Hammard smiled and patted her shoulder, "That's good. Call me if you need me... Hammard, that dumb ox, whatever- I'll come running. For now, I'd better make sure Jackal hasn't got a knife." Shadow smirked a little and Hammard gave a warm, fatherly smile, then turned to walk away. By the door, he paused. "You know, you really aughta get that ankle looked at. If you've got to tell them you tripped while carrying boxes, tell them. My sister... she... well, she was just like you. I see it in how you're looking to run away. It's ok, I'm not going to tell. Just know we're not all that way- Jackal's not, and I hope I've shown you I'm not. Anyway, time to go get them before someone gets killed. See you later, Shadow." You know... maybe he's right...

• * * I haven't seen Fish that mad in a long time. The bastard almost took out my kitchen table! Beer and broken glass are everywhere. I just lost my cool: I threw Aeris off Fish and into the kitchen cabinets onto a pile of broken glass. Aeris shook it off and was crawling up from the broken glass on the floor with rage in his eyes and a broken bottle, ready to tear Fish apart. It's a really good thing that Hammard came in when he did, or else I wouldn't have been shy to grab an equalizer to take them both out before they killed each other. What a mess... if I ever invite Fish back, I'm forgetting the beer... At least Aeris helped me clean up. Cards ended early that night as Aeris had to pull broken glass out of his hooves and fish needed to go make sure his jaw wasn't broken. Serves him right, it's none of his business what I do with Shadow, the freak... wait, why am I getting all defensive about this? I mean it's not like we're doing anything at all with each other, we just sleep next to each other and we're even wearing clothes. Damnit Jackal, keep yourself together! It's kinda funny; a guy can fight all kinds of battles and survive a couple wars, but send a girl his way and watch him fall to pieces. Now I see why Hammard hangs out solely with the guys. At least Shadow didn't seem too effected by the whole fight, if anything, she seemed a little more... cuddly? As soon as we went to bed she just started laying her head on my shoulder and snuggling me. Maybe she was still scared from earlier, maybe she just felt sorry for me and was trying to comfort me due to the fight, I don't know. Either way, all I know for sure is as soon as I drifted off those dreams were coming again.... ___________________________ It's early summer and the warming breezes blow dry through the trees in the garden. Though diplomats come frequently to the palace to speak with the king and, indeed, the king always attempts to impress his guests, something is different this time. At first, it was almost like a shift in the wind, like the scent of far off smoke, but it caught on with the rage of a fire. Someone important was coming. From across the sea, a prince of cats was visiting with his most trusted attendants and on his head rested the potential for a powerful alliance. The entire palace was abuzz with rumors of his full intentions. Was he truly to become an ally to the king and, if so, at what price? There was word of it being anything, from merely a ruse to learn the secrets of the kingdom, to a plot to kill the king, to a thought that made me bristle- the prince of cats could be seeking a mate in return for an alliance. Though it could be a boon for the kingdom and certainly she would be well treated, how could she just leave with a total stranger for distant seas and strange skies? My beautiful princess, she never could be taken away from me, I would duel to the death for her, I would spill endless blood just to see her smile, her gentle face, her bosom as she bounces up to greet the morning.... What am I saying? I'm not supposed to think such thoughts! I am sworn to guard and protect the princess, nothing more. Never... never could I obtain such pleasures as that unworthy cat could obtain. ...but who am I to determine who is unworthy? Though her father may differ in this thought, in my eyes, the princess decides for herself and I am but an agent of her will, an extension of her being, the thorn to her beauty. Yet, still, a part of me still finds myself seeking a closer meaning. Stop it, Jackal; you are becoming confused between your loins and your duty. If only she weren't so enchanting, then I might not have this difficulty. Ahh, there she is! In the late afternoon sunlight her silver fur flows about her, almost glowing with a haze of gold. Her soft headfur tumbles about her face, cropped short in strict defiance to her father's wishes, but, as he always says "She's young. Besides, between me and Jackal, we'll have her a woman in no time! All she needs is the steady hand of an older man to guide her." She moved steadily, but clumsilily, tugging at the hems and edges of her new soft purple robes, carefully decorated in gold embroidery with satin edges. Though soft the fabric, she seemed uncomfortable and nervous. "What's wrong? Does it not fit?" Shadow cautiously looked up at me, tilting her head just slightly. She tried to smile, but her eyes showed how truly ill at ease she was. "It's not that... it's just..." "It's OK. I've taken care of you since you were a girl, you know you can tell and show me anything." Shadow quickly glanced about her, and then tilted up her head and yapped, "I feel like a piece of meat dressed up for a feast! Just look at me!" she panted heavily, her ample chest heaving under the thin veil of fabric. He voice fell to a breathy whisper as her muzzle fell, drooping down towards her breast. "I... can't stand it. I just feel it... their eyes..." "It's OK, Shadow. Just let it all out..." Shadow darted up to me, her robes trailing behind her, wrapping her arms about me as she lay her head against my chest. Softly, I could smell her faint perfume as her tears began to fall. Cautiously, I wrapped my arms around her to comfort her, gently stroking her back, running my fingers through her headfur. "...I... it's just that I... I don't want to be what Father's wanting. It's so... wrong. I just can't live underneath another; I don't want to bear children just to be heirs. I don't want to be just thought of for my body..." Suddenly there was the clack of footsteps down the marble hallway as, too soon, the heavy wooden door opened, revealing a nursemaid. "SHADOW! What are you doing!", the slender brown and black cow cried in shrill lowing. Thinking quickly, I responded, "The poor dear tripped and fell, stubbing her toes. I was comforting her from her crying." The nursemaid's heavy lips parted into a smile, "Why, that's very kind of you. You really are her father's best servant, aren't you?" A hoof-like hand quickly was drawn up to her hip in a defiant gesture as her thin tail swished briskly at her thighs. "I keep telling them that though Shadow has become a woman, she just isn't ready for women's clothes! They should move her up in steps, not just throw her into finery just because diplomats are coming. Poor thing, here, come along my child, and I'll tend your foot. Thank you, Jackal." I gently wiped away Shadow's tears with a warm smile, and she attempted to hobble away as if hurt, which wasn't as difficult as it sounds considering that she was not used to such clothing. I followed quietly at a distance as the old cow and the young vixen meandered slowly down the hall, past the heavy doors and out of sight.