FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

“Bidlington Manor, ten o'clock," Bulk said as he pointed at a map on a projector screen. He turned to face the gang, looking each one in the eye. The eight rodents nodded in response, their whiskers twitching nervously under the steely gaze of their boss.

“The main works of art can be found in the drawing room, while the library should contain a number of fine pieces. The kitchen has some exquisite 18th century porcelain while you can't go wrong with the food in the pantry. Berries, fruit, and cheeses from all over the world. Have you ever tried a Caciocavallo Podolico? Exquisite!"

Bulk smacked his lips together. The mice stared expectantly.

“I have given you a full itinerary and allocated one thing for each of you to steal. All the details are there. We'll drive the van around the back of the house and wait for the signal. We have our usual man on the inside. Once we have access, we have ten minutes to get what we need and go. Capeesh?"

The rodents murmured, before one of them raised a paw.

“Yes?" said Bulk impatiently.

“Isn't there an easier place to steal from? There were traps last time we were there. How can we trust your 'man on the inside'?"

Bulk glowered. The mouse gulped before continuing.

“A…a…and what about the cat? He's foiled our last three attempts. What's to say he won't kill one of us this time? Asklef hasn't been the same since the mauling."

Bulk's eyes flashed daggers for a second, before his stoic composure returned.

“Are you doubting me, Winch?" Bulk said, noticing the wince in the mouse's demeanour as soon as he'd said his name. Winch shook his head in response.

“Good. And don't worry about the cat," Bulk leered. “We have a very nice surprise for him. Once we're done, he'll be as timid as a mouse…"

--

Lune's ears pricked up as he heard a rustling in the corner of the room. His face broke into a grin. I've got you now, he thought.

He sidled towards the sound, his lithe frame hugging the cupboards so as to remain out of sight. His black form blended into the shadows cast by the light of the moon, but he didn't want to take any chances. It was his duty to keep the manor clear of vermin and he was on the job.

A squeak punctured the quiescence, a haunting sound made more so by Lune's knowledge that it would probably be his last. The cat's lips salivated at the prospect of the kill as he crept closer to his prey. He may be domesticated, but there was nothing like the thrill of instinct.

“Heaton. Over here!" the mouse hissed.

Lune's heart pounded in his chest. There were two of them?

“For fuck's sake, Heaton!"

Lune stayed rooted to the spot, rattling through the possibilities in his mind. This was a change in tactics. The gang usually sent a canary to scout out the scene before bringing in the heavies. It was all easy sport for Lune, but there was normally only one of them. He hadn't dealt with this before.

His breathing cut through the still air, heavy with expectancy. His mind raced through impossible calculations. He glanced up at the moon shining through the window before following its path down to the hunting floor. He heard a scuffle, then another, and instinct took hold.

He pounced, extending his claws to grasp at his prey. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a long tail disappear into the distance, followed by another.

The distraction was fatal. He looked back in front of him and yowled as he saw the open door of a cage that was about to swallow him whole. Lune could do little to change his momentum. He screeched to a halt, but as he clattered into the back bars, he knew it was too late. The shuttering of the cage door acted as mere confirmation of his fate.

Panicked, he turned around and clawed at the metal frame, but he knew it wasn't for budging. He still tried anyway.

“Well, well, well," a voice echoed from the darkness. “Look at what we have here."

Lune saw a glint in the distance as a rat loomed into view. The cat gulped as Bulk strode towards him.

“Ironic, isn't it?" he spat. “You've spent so long trying to catch us and now we are the ones who have caught you."

Bulk chuckled, sending a shiver down Lune's spine. He pressed his face up against the cage and leered at his prisoner.

“The rat has caught the cat – what do you think about that?!"

Bulk's laughter cut through the air, causing Lune to tense.

“Aww, poor poor kitty. Don't worry, we will look after you."

Lune stared at the rat, focusing on the scar that ran down his left cheek. This only made him tense more. He remembered administering it.

“We had a deal, cat. And you reneged on it."

Lune mewled as he felt a sharp pain shoot across his face.

“Shut it! I don't want to hear a sound!"

Chastened by the slap, Lune retreated into the cage. The silence was deafening then the rat spoke once again.

“I've quite enjoyed our little arrangement," Bulk said as he strode confidently around the trap. “I thought we understood one another. I bring you mice; you bring me cheese."

The cat looked desperately around the room, trying to find something, anything, that could aid his escape. All he got was the moonlight painting ghosts on shadowy walls. He shivered; his soul haunted by his predicament.

“And what wonderful cheese it was. Why, I can taste it now. The rich Bitto Storico, the creamy Blu di Morozzo. Delicious! Every morsal, every bite, was a little piece of heaven, like the salmon you enjoy every week."

Lune glared at the gang leader. Bulk continued.

“We're not that different, you and I. We both like the finer things in life yet, deep down, we both know our place."

The cat winced as he spied Bulk stroking a whip. He cowered behind his front paws, but knew they would do little to save him. Suddenly Bulk stopped still and stared directly at his prisoner, his eyes piercing through the darkness.

“And yet, over the last few weeks, things have started to change."

Lune cocked his head, but he already knew what was coming.

“The traps, cat. The traps. It's like they don't trust you no more. So, the question is, should I trust you no more?"

Lune looked down, desperately wanting this to be over. Before he had a chance to speak, the rat continued.

“I gave you your purpose, cat, your raison d'être. Every mouse I sent for you to chase, every chance you got to look good in front of your Master. I gave you everything; your life, your place, your luxury. All I wanted was mine. Yet this is how you repay me!"

The whip crackled through the air before bolts of lightning shot through the cat. Lune mewled, but the rat was quick to silence him once more.

“How do you repay me, cat? Tell me how do you repay me?!"

The whip cracked again, charging more sparks of electricity through the feline. He tried to cower from the stings, but they kept coming, over and over until he was forced to submit. Then everything went still and, in many ways, worse.

Lune heard his breathing punctuating the stillness, suffocations in the ether. Then the silence was broken once again.

“We're going to play a little game, cat," Bulk said, pressing his muzzle against the bars of the cage. Lune looked into his darkened eyes, reflecting tendrils of light in the cold grip of the moon. He knew he was trapped. He knew there would be no negotiation. He knew there was no hope.

He sighed.

“What do you want?" he mumbled.

“Sorry?" Bulk said.

“What do you want?" he retorted.

Bulk grinned, revealing his crooked brown teeth.

“I want you, cat."

Lune jumped back, digesting the four simple words.

“M…m…me?" Lune responded, “What do you mean?"

“I want you."

Bulk walked towards the corner of the room, eliciting a puzzled expression on Lune's face.

He didn't have to wait long before he got an answer as a ball of yarn clattered into the cage, coming to a rest a short distance from the entrance. Bulk loomed forthwith like an apparition.

“I want you to take this string and tie yourself up with it."

Lune blinked.

“What?" he said.

“You heard," the rat leered. “Take this string and wrap it around your front left paw. Then tie it to the bottom corner of the cage. Do the same for the right paw, spreading your arms as far as they can go."

“I… I… I…" Lune stammered, but Bulk just stared dispassionately back, slowly stroking the whip from base to tail. He nodded once and the cat got the message.

Lune sighed, aware of his weakness. Grudgingly, he started wrapping the twine around his wrist.

“Triple wrap it," Bulk barked. “Make it nice and secure. You won't want to miss this!"

Lune did as he was told before pushing his paw into the corner of the cage. He then wrapped the string around one of the bars, cutting it loose with a claw before completing the knot. It was only then that he realised his fundamental error.

The cat looked into the cold eyes of his Master, who, as ever, was a couple of steps ahead. He chuckled.

“Need some help, lil pussy cat?"

Lune blushed and nodded meekly, holding out his free arm to the rat. Bulk took a step forward then suddenly stopped dead.

“Hmm, how do I know you're not going to maul me? I'll be back in a second."

The rat walked off, leaving the cat semi-bound to the cage. He looked around the room once more, hoping to spy something, anything, to get himself out of this predicament. No luck. He knew his fate was sealed.

He stared at the floor, studying the shadows of the pots and pans cast within the silvery moonlight. He looked up at the dresser and spied a couple of pieces of porcelain, illuminated like the ghostly portent of a winter's morning.

The seconds past slowly before he heard a noise in the distance. Then, from the shadows, a grey mouse emerged, the twitching of his tail betraying the confidence in his face. Bulk wasn't far behind, ushering him in with more force than was necessary.

“This is Asklef. You remember Asklef, don't you?"

Lune's mind raced back, but his face remained expressionless.

“Sure you do! You had such a special playdate."

Lune was sure he saw the mouse wince as he edged his way towards him.

“Anyway, he'll be going first so you might as well get to know each other. In the meantime, he can help you attach your other paw."

Asklef got closer as Bulk stood back and watched, the grin on his face becoming a smirk at the realisation of his plan.

'Going first'.

Lune's mind raced at what that could mean then his heart sank in realisation. They were going to use the whip again, weren't they? He yowled. Bulk's face solidified instantly and Asklef jumped back in terror.

“Leave it!" he barked, raising the whip once again. The moonlight licked the tip wickedly, reminding Lune of the pain it could cause. He did as he was told.

It took Asklef a minute to regain his composure before he edged towards the cat once again. The mouse looked down at his paw with claws unsheathed, before looking into the eyes of the captive. Lune returned the look and was broken by the uncertainty reflected back at him. It was clear the mouse was a prisoner too, a prisoner who was also resigned to his fate. In that instant, he almost felt sorry for him.

Lune retracted his claws and nodded softly. He held out his wrist to the expectant mouse.

“I'm sorry," he mumbled but he was unsure whether the mouse had heard. He might as well have said the same thing back.

Asklef was a diligent worker, too diligent in fact, and Lune soon figured he was a creature trying to run away from himself. Every few seconds, he noticed his head twitch in his direction, but then it snapped back to focus on the job in hand. It was as if his heart wanted to look, but his head thought better of it. He wondered what tortured conflict existed inside his mind.

A minute later, he felt his arm being pulled to the corner as the string was looped around the bottom bar of the cage. He looked down at the mouse tying it off and felt a sense of shame flooding his body. He wondered whether his timidity was caused by their previous encounter, or whether it had merely enhanced insecurities that had been there before.

He wondered whether Bulk could see the same thing. He wondered whether Bulk would even care. It was in the midst of these thoughts that the silence was broken as the ringleader moved closer to inspect his apprentice's handiwork.

“All done boss," Asklef confirmed as he stepped back to allow Bulk to take a closer look. He nodded a few times, uttering approvals.

“Pull on the rope, kitty," he said and Lune did as he was told. The bindings were perfectly tight.

“Good," Bulk said as his face twisted into a leer. “But we're not done yet."

Lune felt a sudden tug on his collar, the mourning bell timorously clanging in his ears. He glanced down to see another piece of twine being trailed through the D ring as his head was moved down towards the floor of the cage. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the rope being threaded through the bars before being tied to ensure he couldn't raise from this position.

Once secured, Asklef scampered to the back of the cage. Seconds later, Lune heard the cage door open, its rusted hinges screaming like he was screaming inside. One of his legs was yanked to the side and twine wrapped around it. The procedure was repeated for the other limb. Both were tied to the opposite sides of the cage, leaving the kitty spreadeagled and vulnerable. He pulled desperately on the ropes but knew there was no chance of escape. He just hoped there wouldn't be too much to endure.

“There," Bulk said, pushing his nose almost to the cat's. “Doesn't that feel better?"

Lune whimpered, but was quickly silenced as Bulk shoved the remaining yarn into his mouth.

“Keep that in. If you drop it, you get the whip! Capeesh?"

Lune growled through the gag, but knew better than to let it go. He felt his tongue drying with each passing second and wondered how long he could last.

Bulk clicked his fingers and a phalanx of rodents emerged from the shadows. Lune thought he recognised a couple from previous encounters, but he wasn't sure. All mice look the same in the thrill of the hunt. He counted them quickly - seven in total, with Asklef still loitering behind him. Bulk made nine.

He had never seen so many mice before. Instinctively, he unsheathed his claws.

“Ah, ah, ah. Put them away," Bulk said. “Or we'll be taking a short sharp trip to Whippington!"

Lune groaned, knowing he had to do as he was told. Silence hugged the room, which only emphasised where the balance of power now lay. Even if Lune could scream for help, he knew no-one would hear him. His Master's bed chamber was too far away and the scullery staff weren't due to start until dawn.

Bulk was nothing but a showman and let the cat stew for a while. He then crouched down to ensure his eyeline was level with the cat's.

“Ladies and gentlemen," he began, rising with a flourish. “It is said that cats have nine lives and tonight we will prove this to be true. Before you, we have nine of our kind, rodents from all over the land. Nine lives all different, all unique, yet all deemed inferior to the life of a cat.

“Well tonight, ladies and gentlemen, the tables have turned and we'll see whether a cat really does have nine lives. So, roll up, roll up, for this show of the ages as we see how many he can enjoy on this most special of nights!"

Behind him, he could hear the flipping of a lid followed by the unmistakeable sound of a bottle being squeezed. Seconds later, he felt a rough paw seize control of his tail, tying it to his back with another piece of twine.

Realisation hit him as he felt a cold wetness on his pucker, which twitched in haunted portent in the cool air of the kitchen. He then felt a pressure at his entrance before two claws dug deep into his sides. He braced himself, but he knew that no amount of bracing would ever be enough.

Bulk took a few steps forward until he was nose-to-nose with the cat, staring deeply into his quivering petrified eyes.

“Now, are you going to be a good kitty for us?" he said, his stale breath infecting the cat's senses. Before he could respond, he felt his star give way as supernovas threatened to explode in his mind. He groaned as he took each passing inch, his tailhole accommodating the mouse right up to the hilt.

“I'll take that as a yes."

He heard a slight shuffling behind him as Asklef repositioned to steady himself. He dug his claws deeper into Lune's sides and the cat shut his eyes, desperately hoping to blot out the pain. He heard Bulk laughing, cackles that haunted the depths of his mind, then the mouse started thrusting and he felt himself surrendering.

“So fucking tight," he heard behind him through jagged breaths. “So fucking tight."

With his eyes closed, Lune focused on the feeling, allowing his imagination to carry him away. It was far easier than focusing on Bulk's leering visage. He was glad it was Asklef who had gone first, at least he felt some form of connection, but he still couldn't quite believe what was happening to him. It was far different from the fantasies he had often played out in his mind.

The mouse started to build up momentum and Lune sensed a new-found confidence. Whether it was based on revenge or just being in control, he wasn't too sure. Maybe this was the first taste of power he had ever enjoyed.

Lune screwed his eyes tighter as he felt the cock pistoning inside him, pushing his button over and over. He felt his own cock rising, his body succumbing to the sensations even if his mind wasn't quite there. He heard titters in the distance and he tried to hide his shame, but the rope wasn't budging, leaving him exposed. The chuckling only increased as his cock became increasingly engorged, twisting and twirling to the beat in his tailhole.

He purred softly through the gag as his ass rocked to the rhythm, symphonies of ecstasy playing out in his head. He felt himself starting to float into the ether, but Bulk made sure he was brought crashing back to earth.

“Enjoying yourself, kitty?" he said and the cat's eyes shot open. He blushed as Bulk bent down to stroke under his chin.

“Don't peak too early, kitty. There's much more… to come."

As he said those words, Asklef plunged his cock right to the hilt before letting out an unmistakable squeak. Lune felt a wonderful warmth inside him; a warmth that soon permeated through the entirety of his body as he felt suddenly connected to the little brown mouse.

Bulk stood up and stepped back, chuckling as Lune revelled in the moment. Asklef gently removed himself and patted the cat on the rump, trailing a sliver of seed down his exposed taint. The cat smiled, shaking his ass in acknowledgement before sighing in contentment.

Despite his aching hole, he longed to be full once again, but he knew he wouldn't have to wait long for seconds.

“Heaton! You're up!!" Bulk barked as Asklef backed out of the cage. Seconds later, another rodent replaced him and Lune could hear him slickening up. The fresh lube on his pucker certainly eased the throbbing, but its twitching betrayed any pain he was feeling.

The cool air of the kitchen was kissing it softly, but Lune desired something far warmer. His prayers were soon answered as a soft tip started probing his entrance. Angle secured; he breathed out heavily as his sphincter was stretched to accommodate the mouse.

His pucker pulsed as he took Heaton's cock. It was far thicker than Asklef's but slightly shorter in length. He bit down on the yarn as he was forced to open up, surrendering once more to a rodent's carnal desire. It wasn't long before the whole meat slipped inside, causing Lune to groan in contentment. Heaton paused for breath and the seconds hung in the air as the cat waited impatiently for his fate.

Lune gulped as the pounding began, far more earnest this time than the more delicate Asklef. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the young mouse shift into his sight, a warm smile spread over his face. He looked back at Bulk, whose cold leer was in sharp contrast, and decided the ringleader was now best ignored.

He turned to face Asklef and thought he saw a soft nod. Lune smiled and the gag dislodged in his mouth. His eyes flicked back to Bulk, whose narrow apertures were now glaring at him intently. Lune then felt a sharp thrust in his rear and he cried out in pain. The yarn dropped quicker than his heart and he looked around nervously, all too aware of the torment he was now due.

“Stop!" Bulk cried and Heaton did as he was told. Lune tightened his ring around his half-buried cock, hoping to conserve some of his heat. He tried to move his head to look Bulk square in the eyes, but the twine attached to his collar was holding him fast. He felt a coldness creep into his heart, knowing what was about to be unleashed.

On cue, more bolts of electricity shot through his body as the whip did its necessary work. Lune yelped, but he was ignored; empty screams echoing around an empty kitchen.

“Bad!" CRACK! “Bad!" CRACK! “KITTY"!" Bulk shouted as the lashes tore into his tender skin. Lune felt a warmth streaming from his wounds as the scent of blood permeated the air. The yarn was then stuffed back in his mouth before Bulk took a step back to admire his handwork.

“Let's try again," he said. “And next time, I won't be so kind."

Lune shuddered, whimpering into the gag as hot tears formed in the corners of his eyes. If this was his 'kind', he didn't want to discover what his 'unkind' could be. Fearful thoughts flickered through his head, but he had no time to dwell on them as the fire in his tailhole was being ignited once again.

“Avante!" Bulk said, cracking the whip onto the ground. Lune winced before feeling a slight shuffling behind him. Then the pounding resumed.

Lune closed his eyes once more, allowing himself to succumb to his increasing arousal. Forgetting the beating, he felt his cock starting to rise, but this time none of the embarrassment seemed to come with it. He heard laughter, but this was mere whispers in the breeze as he floated towards the heavens, an angel chorus greeting his holy ascension.

He became hypnotised with the rhythm, back and forth, back and forth, his cock twitching with each prod of his button. He could just about see it flexing underneath him, a bead of pre glistening in the moonlight. He groaned louder, yearning for release, but secretly hoping it would be denied him a while.

Claws dug deeper into his rump and he yowled once again, biting hard on the gag as the thrusting increased. Ragged breaths punctuated the air as the other mice watched on, spellbound at the power they now held over their nemesis.

The breathing became shallower and the squeaking became higher as Heaton descended towards ecstasy. Lune's purrs grew deeper as he enjoyed every inch of the mouse, his tailhole gripping tighter in the desire to milk every drop of his seed.

The squeal was tremendous as Heaton tipped over the edge, shooting ribbons of spunk deep into the cat. Lune thrashed against his binds as the familiar warmth flooded his body, the orgasm transcending the gap between predator and prey.

Then there was silence, punctuated by the odd rasp as Heaton struggled with the exertion. Slowly, he backed out, leaving Lune's pucker exposed once again.

The cat sighed, feeling even emptier than before as a small trail of semen dribbled down his taint. Heaton dipped down to lick up the fluid, wrapping a delicate tongue around the cat's tender entrance. Lune shuddered, surrendering to the embrace, the warmth on the outside perfectly matched with the warmth from within.

A soft squeak was the sign for Heaton to step back and Lune felt his tailhole was even more exposed than before. He wanted another, no needed another, but he knew that another was not far behind.

“Winch, it's you."

“Yes boss!" the timid mouse replied, getting into position. Lune sensed a nervousness in his gait as he disappeared from view. The wait seemed like an eternity as Lune heard Winch fumbling behind him, the noise from the bottle suggesting an excess of lube being deployed.

The cat jumped as he felt firm paws stroking his sides, wiping the liquid deep into his coat. The paws then went back to pleasuring their master as the air dispensed glacial kisses down Lune's matted fur. He could hear the unmistakable sound of masturbation behind him and he wondered how long it would take for Winch to be prepared.

“Well?" Bulk inquired. “What are you waiting for?"

Lune cursed his selfishness as he felt a small flash of pity.

“S-s-s-sorry boss," Winch said. “G…g…give me a minute."

Lune turned his gaze towards Asklef, who was slumped in the shadows, his eyes set on the cat. He smiled weakly and Lune returned it as best he could through the gag. The mouse nodded.

“Come on!" Bulk demanded as Lune sensed an increasing frustration.

“I'm trying boss," Winch replied, the desperation clear in his voice. Lune's pity turned to sympathy as seconds hung like minutes, but he knew little could be done to overcome the exasperation.

“Tag out!" Bulk demanded. “We don't have time for this."

Lune winced as he heard Winch shuffle off, the chatter from the others sounding like cackles in his head. He knew it must be worse for the poor mouse.

He heard a sigh as Winch scuttled into the shadows, with another rodent emerging from another part of the room.

“A slight hiccup," Bulk leered, “but normal service will resume. And don't worry, he will be disciplined accordingly."

Lune's heart fell, scared at what that discipline might entail. He looked back at Asklef and could see the fear in his eyes. Maybe it was best if he didn't find out.

He heard the next mouse slickening up behind him with much greater confidence. He didn't know his name, but it didn't really matter. He bit down hard on the gag as he felt a couple of fingers probe into his tailhole. It didn't take long for a cock to replace them.

Lune sighed in contentment as his star widened to accommodate. His eyes lidded as he waited for the inevitable, but the inevitable never came.

A loud squeal ripped through the silence, making Lune jump. He opened his eyes to see Bulk falling theatrically to the floor. Once the showman, always the showman, he thought.

He looked up and saw Asklef riding on his shoulders, with another mouse moving swiftly to pin him to the ground. The other gang members all swarmed around him, planting themselves on his back, raining fists down upon him.

The mouse in his tail swiftly pulled out and rushed to join his comrades in battle.

“Insubordination!" Bulk shouted. “You'll pay for this!"

The mice didn't say a word, their fists doing the talking. A couple moved off his back to try and constrain his arms, while two others did their best at holding down his legs.

“You'd be nothing without me! Nothing!!" Bulk ranted. “Release me at once!"

Still there was silence from the gang. Bulk's increasing shrieks punctuated the air as the mice twisted the limbs of their former leader. Despite his struggles, the mice were many, and doing more than enough to keep him at bay. They knew it couldn't last forever though.

Asklef looked at the cat and a wide grin broke across his face.

“Quick!" he said. “Get the twine!"

Lune instinctively dropped the gag as one of the mice ran towards the cage. The cat moved his mouth up and down in an attempt to bring back some moisture. The mouse stopped dead and stared. It took Lune a few seconds to realise why he was scared. He clamped his mouth shut and nodded an apology.

The mouse sniffed the air tentatively, still frozen to the spot. It took a few seconds before he acquired the confidence to dart forward. He quickly scooped up the twine and scampered back towards Asklef with the prize in his paws.

“Good work!" Asklef commended as he shuffled off Bulk's back. “But we're going to need something to cut it with."

Asklef strode up to Lune and crouched down, looking him in the eye. The cat returned the gaze.

“Can you help?"

“Yes, I can help," the cat said. “But you're going to have to release one of my paws."

There was a gasp before Winch piped up.

“Asklef? H…h…how do we know we can trust him? He's a cat!"

Asklef turned to face Winch.

“Do you trust me?" he said.

Winch thought for a while then nodded.

“Then you can trust the cat."

The mouse didn't seem assuaged, but he didn't object either, instead slumping back down on Bulk's convulsing form.

“Now, I need one of you to help me gnaw at these binds. Any volunteers?"

There was a squeak and Asklef turned to face Lune.

“If I see your claws, you'll see the whip. Understood?"

“Understood," Lune said, his wounds bristling at the prospect of the lash.

Asklef scampered towards the corner of the cage, eyeing up the rope wrapped around Lune's left paw. He took the left side while Heaton joined him on the right. They started chomping furiously, motivated by the shouts of encouragement coming from their former boss.

“Stop this now!"

“Cease immediately!"

“Wait until I get my claws on you!"

His protestations became muffled as Winch scrunched Bulk's face into the floor. Asklef breathed a sigh of relief, but still he kept nibbling, determined to free the cat's paw as soon as he could.

Lune stretched his arm to try and loosen the binds. Initially there was nothing, but with each passing second, he was granted more and more freedom. Soon, he could stretch out his paw and a short while later, the rope was torn free. He moved his arm forward, flexing it to get the feeling back.

Asklef squeaked in triumph and Heaton grabbed the ball of twine. Meanwhile, the gang started dragging their leader towards the side of the cage. Lune looked down as he was presented with the string before searching for permission in Asklef's dark eyes.

The mouse nodded and Lune unsheathed his claws. Heaton jumped back.

“It's okay," Lune said. “I'm not going to attack you. Just tell me what you need."

Bulk was hauled onto his feet and pinned to the cage while Lune cut the string to length. Heaton passed this to Asklef, who started binding the rat to two of the bars. Once the wrists were attached, he started on the legs, with the other rodents holding him tight to prevent him from squirming.

With the ankles fastened, Asklef tied a long piece of rope around his chest. As a final flourish, he wrapped some string around his muzzle. Bulk tried to lash out with rabid fangs but Asklef dodged the attacks with ease. He finished it off with a neat little bow.

Once he was done, the mice took a few steps back, with Asklef doing the same to admire his handiwork. Bulk pulled against the restraints, but he knew it was futile. He scowled at the gang, but he just looked ridiculous; spreadeagled and vulnerable against the side of the cage. For the first time in a while, everyone relaxed.

“At ease!" Asklef said and the mice scuttled back into the shadows. The mouse looked over at the cat and smiled. Lune returned it.

“Well, that seemed to work well," he said as he moved back towards the cage. Bulk's eyes widened as Asklef strode towards him. A muffled sound punctuated the air, a single word uttered in anger.

“What was that?" Asklef said, going eye-to-eye with his former boss. “'Traitor' did you say?"

Bulk yanked at his binds but they held fast. He tried to scream, but his muzzle remained clamped. All he could do was jerk his head down; a move that Asklef easily dodged. He then delivered a swift kick to Bulk's balls, forcing him to buckle over in pain. The ropes ensured he shot back up quickly, forcing him to look his subordinate in the eye.

“I wouldn't say that," Asklef chuckled. “Not in your situation. You're in no position to make threats now, Sulk."

Bulk glowered but Asklef ignored him. The mouse looked across at Lune, who was struggling to cut his other paws free.

“Here, let me help you," Asklef said as he strode to the back of the cage. Nibbling at the twine around his ankles, the mouse made quick work of the binds. The cat was soon able to pull himself free, having untangled his other wrist during the previous melee.

He paused for a second to compose himself. Thoughts of the evening rushed through his mind, then his heart swelled with adoration for the plucky young mouse.

Asklef stepped back as Lune edged slowly out of the cage. He sighed heavily at his new-found freedom. It was matched by Asklef's sigh of contentment.

The duo embraced.

“You were wonderful," Asklef whispered in Lune's ear and the cat fell in love all over again.

“You were pretty special too," Lune replied, pecking Asklef on the cheek.

Seconds stood still as the world turned around them, but a distant grunt saw the warmth of their love replaced by the frozen grip of fear.

“What do we do about him?" Lune said, his eyes darting towards Bulk. Asklef followed his gaze and grimaced.

Surveying the room, he formulated an idea.

“Do you think you can move one of those over?" he said.

Lune followed his eyeline and nodded. “I think so."

He walked over to one of the mouse traps and inspected it. Unlike the barred cage, this one was smaller and made of mesh.

Asklef scampered behind him, keeping a healthy distance between himself and the device. A slight shudder betrayed his nerves as he knew the grizzly fate its occupant would endure. In another life, he also knew that it could have easily been him.

Lune got behind the trap and nodded.

“Push!" Asklef said and the sound of scraping metal upon tile filled the room. “Push!"

The cat strained against the cage; his front paws clasped around its edges. He only managed to get it a couple of metres before he was forced to plant his head on the mesh, the rough slate floor putting up considerable resistance.

“Almost there, you've nearly got it!" Asklef shouted, spurring Lune on. The cat couldn't help but force a weak smile, despite the increased burning in his muscles.

“To the right a bit, a little bit more. Now PUSH!"

Lune let out a low growl as he crashed against the trap, hoping this would be the final exertion required. He felt nothing but relief as it buttressed up against the cage from which he had just been released. The two enclosures lined up perfectly and he allowed the giddy elixir of exhaustion to overwhelm his body.

He reflected on the evening, but was snapped out of his reverie by the excitable mouse. It wasn't over yet.

“Set him free!" Asklef shouted and Lune re-entered his cage. He held Bulk fast as Asklef began to release the former gang leader.

Bulk's wriggling made things more difficult, but it did little to break Asklef's resolve. He freed the left leg with ease and had just started on the right before he felt a sharp crack to the side of his head. He whimpered as a warm trickle of blood flowed down his cheek. He grabbed at the wound and felt moistness seeping through his fingers, his temple throbbing with the ferocity of the attack.

Lune unsheathed his claw and placed it against Bulk's neck.

“One more move like that and I'll slit your fucking throat," he said. “Capiche?"

Bulk glared as Lune increased the pressure, dancing pin pricks of pain across the rat's delicate throat. Bulk's eyes widened but he knew he was beaten, his head slumping down in dyspeptic submission.

Lune held him tighter, mesmerized by the ease with which Asklef was untying him. His fingers were like a guitar player dancing across the strings while his mouth was a vocalist singing sweet songs of freedom. He felt a wave of admiration for the young mouse, knowing it mustn't be easy being this close to your boss, let alone one who had ruled with such a formidable grip.

He shook his head sharply to snap himself out of his musing. With the chest and third limb unbound, Bulk was stirring once again, writhing in an attempt to break free from his grasp. He knew that this was his final chance to escape while Lune was aware this was the last chance for the plan to go wrong.

The cat pulled his claw closer to Bulk's neck, a steely look making it clear he was in no mood for games. But with nothing to lose, Bulk's protests continued, and Lune hoped he could summon the strength to finish the job.

A tap on the paw and the cat knew it was time, confirmed by the fourth limb almost being free.

“Ready?" Asklef said as he positioned himself just behind Bulk.

“Ready," Lune returned, praying this would work. Asklef undid the last knot and the final tress fell from Bulk's wrist. The rope hit the ground with the dullest of thuds as the progress of time seemed to pass incredibly slowly.

Lune lifted his paw to give Bulk his last moment of freedom, but it was much too short-lived for him to do anything about it. With one swift shove, Asklef pushed him into the trap; the metal door clattering down behind him, sealing his fate.

Squeaks of indignation punctured the air as cat and mouse stepped out of the cage and embraced once again. The squeals sailed away in the ether, mere feathers in the breeze, as the two lovers floated away on the most tranquil of seas.

Seconds past. Minutes, until the hug was finally broken.

Lune looked at the mouse and smiled.

“What do we do now, Squeaky?" he asked.

“I don't know, Kitty," Asklef replied. “But we never did get the loot."

He sighed.

"I'm hungry. Maybe we should eat. Have you ever tried a Caciocavallo Podolico? I hear it's exquisite."