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Sanctuary Secrets

Chapter Fifteen

© Cederwyn Whitefurr

27th August, 2024.

All Rights Reserved.

Patreon reward story for Vincent Van Horne.

As the first light of dawn filtered through the dense forest canopy, it cast long shadows over the blood-soaked earth. Dr. Owen stayed hidden, while Rachel trembled uncontrollably. In her moment of greatest need, her senses faltered, clouded by her gentle nature and grief for the innocent life lost.

A dark shadow emerged at the clearing's edge, its malevolent presence thick and nauseating. “Foolish young doe," came a guttural grow, as the dark therian crawled into view, its eyes fixed menacingly on Rachel.

Rachel rose to her full height, her claws slightly curled and ears pinned back. “I'm not afraid of you!" she declared, her voice steady despite the fear gripping her.

With a menacing chuckle, the dark Therian flicked an ear. “Not yet... but you will be. Just wait until your blood and flesh feed my hunger..."

Rachel's Therian nature surged within her, steadying her resolve and relaxing her tense muscles. Dropping to all fours, she circled cautiously, assessing the threat. Despite his size and strength, she knew her agility and instincts gave her an edge.

It rose to its full seven feet, leaning back on its powerful tail, before it tilted its head back and sniffed the air, then rolled its powerfully muscled shoulders.

“Mmmm, human... delicious. I can smell you, little morsel. Perhaps I'll rip your hamstrings out, savour your screams as I take this foolish joey! I'll have her every way I want until she's broken and helpless..."

Rachel's eyes narrowed as she let the dark Therian's taunts wash over her. She refused to let its words provoke her into a reckless move that would only benefit her enemy.

“Really?" Rachel growled, shaking her head. “That human would be worth more to me than you could ever be!"

Dr. Owen unclasped his holster but kept the gun sheathed. He wasn't sure of Rachel's plan, but he had only one chance., The creature before them was too powerful for any human to face alone.

With a disgusted snort, the dark one turned its baleful eyes back on Rachel. “Oh, you like breeding to humans? Pathetic, you're an insult to your bloodline little doe! They're prey – like cattle or goats, meant to feed us and for our pleasure! Not..."

It struck without warning, going from crouched and mocking, to leaping forwards, its bloodied hind talons gouging the loam and soil.

Rachel shrieked and threw herself to the side, barely avoiding the swiping claws, before she rolled back to her hind legs and reassessed her opponent.

“You're going to beg me to die, little one..." it taunted her, then licked its lips in a manner that was partially sexual and partially pure malevolent hunger.

With a contemptuous snort, Rachel laughed mockingly. “Why would I fear that you are? You're nothing, you're worse than nothing! Your kind is an abomination, for my kind, centuries ago – learned to live in harmony with our Therian bloodline. You're just a dark, twisted echo – a spirit who seeks only to cause harm and so discord and satiate its endless hunger."

Again, it leapt, but this time, Rachel, quick and agile, leapt to intercept it, her powerful legs propelling her up and forwards. She collided heavily with the dark Therian, knocking it off course, but the larger, stronger buck was too strong. The dark Therian's claws raked across Rachel's side, slicing through fur and flesh with brutal efficiency. Pain lanced through her, sharp and immediate, but she bit down on the cry that threatened to escape. She couldn't afford to lose control – not now. The pain was agonising, but she forced it to the back of her mind, focusing instead on the enemy before her. If she faltered, she knew it'd be over for both herself and Dr. Owen.

Turning about, the dark one gripped Rachel's throat with its paws, cruelly dragging her upright as she choked and struggled in its iron-like grasp.

As the dark Therian's claws dug into her throat, Rachel's mind raced. Memories of the sanctuary, of Misty, of Dr. Owen and all her friends flashed before her eyes. It wasn't just her life at stake – it was the future of every Therian she loved. She couldn't let this monster win. With a surge of desperate strength, she fought against the suffocating pressure, clinging to the hope that somehow, they would all survive this nightmare.

The dark Therian's sneer deepened, eyes narrowing as it leaned in closer, its breath hot and fetid against Rachel's face. “You think you're strong, don't you little doe?" it whispered, its voice a venomous growl. “I see the truth, little doe. You're nothing more than a frightened joey, clinging to the delusions of strength. I'll rip away that facade, piece by piece until there's nothing left by your fear! When you cry and beg for mercy, I'll remind you, there's no one left to save you."

Dr. Owen's finger hovered over the trigger. His heart pounded in his chest, and for a split second, he hesitated. Could he really do this? Take a life, even one as twisted and corrupted as this? He knew he had no choice, the dark Therian was literally strangling Rachel to death before him. He knew what he had to do, but the finality of it, the cold, clinical act of pulling the trigger, weighed on him. For a heartbeat, he hesitated, a flash of doubt crossing his mind. Then he saw Rachel, struggling, bleeding, and the primal, instinctual fear in her eyes. His resolve hardened. There was no room for mercy – not now. With a determined breath, he squeezed the trigger, the gunshot exploding through the trees.

Dr. Owen's heart lurched as he saw Rachel fall. When the dark Therian grabbed her and pulled her up, he could see how scared and powerless Rachel was in its grip... he had to act if he was to save her life...

As the shot rang out, echoing through the forest, the dark Therian stiffened, its eyes widening in shock and pain. It dropped Rachel immediately, staggering away as crimson spread through the brownish-grey fur on its back.

Wheezing, it regained its footing and panted heavily, before slowly rising back up and holding its paws out, in a mocking gesture.

“Stupid of you..." it choked and shuddered, then turned its dark, baleful glare on Dr. Owen. “You should have silver bullets if you really..."

Dr. Owen fired three more times in quick succession, a double grip on the pistol as it kicked in his hands with each shot.

The dark Therian struck in the right chest and twice in the abdomen. Each bullet tore through flesh, bones and organs. It staggered forwards, those ink-black eyes flickering between rage and something else – something almost human.

“I'm going too - “ it growled, voice choked with blood as it tried to hop, then collapsed onto the ground, before it once more, through sheer force of will, forced itself back upright.

Dr. Owen shot it twice more, the dark Therian screaming in unmistakable agony with each agonising bullet that tore into its body.

As the dark Therian fell, its ferocity seemed to drain away. Its breathing became laboured, and its gaze softened, focusing on Dr. Owen with a startling clarity. Its monstrous snarl faded, replaced by a look of anguish, of sorrow.

Dr. Owen cautiously approached, his revolver still trained on the beast. The dark Therian reached out with a trembling paw, its voice ragged and barely audible as it struggled to speak.

“Thank you..." it whispered, its voice a haunting echo of the human it'd once been. The words were filled with a profound sense of relief, as if in its final moments, the human spirit trapped within had finally been freed from its unending nightmare.

The dark Therian collapsed, its body quivering once more and with a final blood-choked cough, it lay still.

As the echoes of the gunshots faded, a heavy silence fell over the clearing. Dr. Owen remained frozen, his gaze fixed on the dark Therian's lifeless form. The adrenaline that had fueled him drained away, replaced by an overwhelming sense of weariness. Every breath felt like a struggle, the weight of his actions settling heavily on his shoulders. The forest around him seemed to hold its breath as if even nature itself was stunned by the violence that had unfolded. He lowered the revolver, his hands trembling, as the enormity of what he had done slowly sank in.

Rachel, bloodied but alive, struggled to her feet and crawled to Dr. Owen. She placed a trembling paw on his shoulder, her eyes reflecting pain and a sombre understanding. He supported her, and together, they gazed at the fallen creature – a tragic remnant of a human soul that'd been consumed and twisted into a dark mockery of therian-kind.

“You did what you had to do," Rachel wheezed, her throat raw, her voice trembling, partially from shock and partially from blood loss. “Yet, it doesn't make it any easier."

Dr. Owen shed his shirt, quickly folding it over, then over again and awkwardly tying it like a bandage over Rachel's deep wounds, trying to stem the blood flow until they could get back to the sanctuary. Rachel whimpered as he tightened it, making him feel even worse, knowing he was only exasperating her already significant pain.

They stood in silence for a long moment, the first rays of sunlight casting a warm glow over the clearing. The dark Therian was gone, but the scars it had left behind would remain forever.

*

The sanctuary was quiet in the days that followed. The news of the dark Therian's demise had spread quickly amongst their kind, bringing a mixture of relief and mourning.

Rachel and Dr. Owen returned to the sanctuary, where Rachel was rushed to the surgery, where her wounds were cleaned and bandaged. Their shared experience had changed them both, deepening their resolve to protect their beloved sanctuary and its precious inhabitants.

Misty, the Therian red kangaroo, greeted them with a quiet embrace, her eyes filled with understanding. She had lost so much herself, and now, she shared in their grief.

Life would slowly return to normal, though the memories of the dark Therian lingered in the hearts of all who had faced it. They knew the threat was over, but the lesson was clear: the darkness within could never be fully eradicated, only kept at bay by their vigilance and unity.

*

Their sworn enemies, the Hunters, claimed the dead dark Therian's body, and other kangaroo corpses, uncertain if they were their intended target or not...

They never found the location of the sanctuary...

*

Five years later.

*

As the first rays of the sun barely caressed the distant mountains, Misty stood alone on the dew-wet grass, her ears partially folded and her gaze distant. Deep in her introspection, she was unaware of the soft footfalls approaching her.

"Misty? There you are!" Adam's voice called out, laced with a deep, touching anxiety.

Startled, Misty's russet fur quivered as she turned her head to look at Adam – a former human now transformed into a Therian red kangaroo. He approached her in his human guise, clad only in silk boxer shorts. Misty couldn't help but notice his well-toned physique. Her heart fluttered in her furred chest with emotions she was still grappling with. Her eyes, filled with love and turmoil, reflected the complex feelings she had for him.

Adam. Her mind reminded her. He is our mate. Formerly our caregiver, known as Doctor Mercer, a talented and gifted veterinarian who has helped and cared for our kind for years.

Twisting her upper body, Misty began gesticulating awkwardly with her dark paws, using the ASL she had been taught.

"Adam? I'm sorry my mate. I did not mean to disturb you," Misty signed, her claws clicking and clattering softly. "You were sleeping so soundly. I just --"

Her paws fell as she quivered again, her gaze drifting back to the horizon.

Adam moved closer, wrapping his arms around her waist and gently pulling her backward. He rested his chin on her head.

"You're afraid. I can sense it in you," Adam murmured, his touch tender as he caressed Misty's chest and slid his hands down over her pouch. "I know what I've asked of you, Misty. I feel it's something we need to do. You've been with us for years now."

Misty nodded slightly, resting her leathery paw pads on Adam's hands, gently squeezing them. Misty took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling with the effort to calm her racing heart. The outback – her home – she had only distant memories of it, and they were not pleasant memories at that. Yet she lacked the strength to tell her mate this, as through his words and scent, he thought he'd be helping her.

Adam's embrace was warm and reassuring, grounding her amidst the sea of uncertainty. She turned her head slightly, leaning into his touch, her thick pale furred tail brushing against his legs in a gesture of comfort.

"I know it must be overwhelming," Adam continued softly. "Your homeland is so different from the safety of the sanctuary. Yet it is a part of who, and what you are Misty. I thought... perhaps it's time for you to see it, to understand it, and to decide your own fate."

Misty twitched, one ear flattening as she gazed up at the distant mountains, the golden line of dawn interspersed with long shadows over the landscape. The familiar was comforting to her – yet she knew, instinctively, it'd truly never be home.

Adam's finger gently traced along the edge of her pouch, and she could feel the tenderness in his touch. It was a gesture that spoke of reassurance and understanding, of a bond that went beyond mere words.

"I want to support you, Misty," Adam murmured, as he nuzzled between her back-swept ears. "Yet I need you to be sure. This journey... it's not about exploring your past. It's about finding out where you truly belong. Do you want to stay with the others here at the sanctuary, or is there something that calls to you?"

Misty took another deep breath, her paws still resting on Adam's hands. The sanctuary had been her home for just over two years, her place of safety and love. It was where she found a new family among the eastern grey kangaroo Therian's, where she had built a life she cherished. Yet, the call of her ancestral land stirred something deep within her, a sense of unfinished business and a quest for a deeper personal understanding of who – and what – she was.

With a determined nod, Misty signed in ASL, her fingers moving with purpose. "I want to understand it. To see if it is a place where I belong. But... I'm scared. I still have nightmares, my mate and..."

Adam watched her paws, then gently took them in his hands and squeezed lightly. "It's okay to be scared. We'll take it one step at a time. We'll go out there, and face it together, I promise."

Misty glanced up at him from the corner of her eye, and in that moment, she felt a surge of confidence. Adam's support and promise of their shared journey made the unknown seem a little less daunting. She knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, united by their love and their shared commitment to discovering what lay beyond the bounds of their familiar world.

With a final, reassuring squeeze, Adam released her, and they began their final preparations. The path ahead was uncertain, but Misty felt a glimmer of hope. Whilst it'd be a long and quite uncomfortable trip, Misty would endure – as she would have Adam's love, comfort and support – every step of the way.

*

It took nearly a week, with Adam making regular stops at out-of-the-way places, letting Misty out of the van to hop around and stretch her muscles or to take comfort breaks. The journey had been long and wearisome, but the moments of respite had helped.

At last, as the sun began its slow descent towards the horizon, Misty crept out of the van. Her leather paw pads sank into the ochre soil of the great western desert, a land she had never imagined she would return to. The air was dry and hot, carrying the scent of spinifex and dust. The vastness of the desert stretched out before her, a sea of red and orange with scattered tufts of harder vegetation.

Misty paused, her gaze sweeping across the landscape. The desert was both mesmerising and overwhelming, after such a long time away. It was an endless expanse of arid beauty that seemed to stretch into infinity. The familiar feeling of the desert's warmth against her fur was oddly comforting, yet it was tinged with the echoes of her past, memories she had long struggled to bury.

Adam stood beside the van, giving her space but staying close. He watched her with a mixture of concern and encouragement, knowing this moment was significant for her.

"Misty, we're here," Adam said gently, stepping closer and taking her right paw in his left hand. "Take your time. We don't have to rush. Just let yourself take it all in."

A small smile touched the edges of Misty's lips, as she glanced up at Adam, whose blush crept from his shirt collar to the tip of his hairline.

After this unintentional word choice, Adam moved behind her and once again gently enfolded her in his embrace, watching the setting sun and radiating his love and compassion for his mate.

Misty stood with him for a few more minutes, before she flicked her ears and took a deep breath, drawing in the dry, earthy air. She took a tentative hop forward, each step bringing her into the desert's embrace. The ground beneath her was firm but uneven, a stark contrast to the grassy, gentle rolling hills and valleys of the sanctuary.

As she began to cautiously explore, Misty's eyes instinctively scanned the landscape, searching for any familiar landmarks or signs of her past. The memories of her early years in this land were fragmented, like a dream half-remembered, and the other half – was nothing but fear, pain and the stuff of the darkest of nightmares. She had been so young, so alone. The desert had been harsh and unforgiving to an orphaned weanling joey, a place where she had learned to survive rather than thrive.

Adam watched her closely, his presence a steady reminder that she wasn't alone in this journey. He noticed the subtle shifts in her posture, the way her body would tense as she navigated the terrain.

"Are you alright?" He asked softly, though he could see the strain in her movements.

Misty paused, turning to face him. She signed, her fingers moving carefully. "It feels both strange and familiar. Like I'm reconnecting with a part of myself that's been missing. This... is different to the land of the sanctuary."

Adam nodded, understanding her words, but not quite grasping the complexity of her emotions. "It's a lot to process. We'll take it one step at a time. If you want to rest or if you need anything, just let me know."

Misty offered a small, grateful smile, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension. The desert was as beautiful as it was desolate, a place that held the shadows of her past and the potential for new discovery. With Adam by her side, she felt a glimmer of hope that she might find what she was searching for, whether it was understanding her past or finding a place where she truly belonged.

Together, they ventured further into the desert, each step a journey into the heart of Misty's memories and the vast, uncharted territory of their shared future together.

*

The next morning, Misty awoke early, comforted by the gentle embrace of Adam, who yawned and lovingly kissed her chin.

"Good morning, sleep well?" Adam murmured, caressing Misty's left ear, in just the way she loved about him.

With a nod, Misty waited patiently as Adam extricated himself, then opened the side door of the van, letting her out into the cool, clear air of the desert's edge. Adam, naked as the day he'd been born, stepped out and then immediately hugged himself, quickly retrieving a thick blanket from the van to wrap around himself.

Amused, Misty turned back to face him, then gestured with her paws.

"You could shift, you'd be a lot warmer with a lovely fur."

Adam chuckled and nodded. "I could, but... well, I was born a human, Misty, some habits are very hard to break.

Misty, far from taken aback, merely flicked an ear and bounded around, warming her muscles and body before she skidded to a halt and circled back, looking peculiarly at a specific boulder.

Intrigued, Adam walked over to her, his bare feet crunching on the dry soil as he frowned, wondering what in particular had captivated Misty's attention.

"Misty? You alright?" He inquired, crouching down and gently placing a hand on her rump.

Misty frowned, looking at the stone, then walking around it again, then back the other way, before she looked down at her own left paw and then at the stone.

Confused, Misty frowned and then began to gesture again. "This... mark, it's like a paw print, roughly similar to my own and there's scratches... I feel almost like... like there are words, but I can't make them out. It's an instinctual feeling I have, not a memory, but more a...a..."

Misty dropped her paws, exasperated and giving a deep, frustrated sigh.

Adam looked at the scratches and the paw print, his own imagination wondering who or what had made these marks, and what they meant. They were old, very very old – almost completely weathered away by decades – centuries? - of wind and sand abrasion.

"Misty, it... it could be a culturally significant marker for your kind. You said you have feelings about it, could they be suppressed ancestral memories? Some... some genetic memory from your pure blood lineage?"

Leaning back on her pale tail, Misty scratched the back of her head and then finally dropped back onto all fours, shaking her head slowly in negation. She did not know what it was, but there was something – elusive and primal, that remained just out of her mental grasp.

Later that evening, as the desert sky turned to full darkness, lit by the silvery glow of the moon, Misty found herself drawn back to the stone. Adam was resting nearby, allowing her space as he sensed the importance of this moment. The desert air was cool now, the silence profound, broken only by the occasional rustle of wind through the spinifex.

Misty approached the stone once more, this time with a sense of purpose. The moonlight cast long shadows over the ancient markings, and as she studied them again, she felt a deep, inexplicable connection. The scratches on the stone seemed to pulse with forgotten energy, something ancient and powerful.

She placed her paw on the stone, aligning it with the faint paw print etched there. As she did, a rush of emotion surged through her – a blend of sorrow, longing and a desperate hope she had buried deeply within herself. She closed her eyes, her thoughts drifting to Adam, to the life they had built together, and to the one thing she had always believed was beyond her reach: the ability to bear his joeys.

With her paw pressed against the stone, Misty felt the words forming in her mind, not spoken aloud, but resonating through her very being. Please... she thought, her heart aching with the depth of her desire. If there is any power here, if there is any way... grant me my heartfelt desire?

The stone beneath her paw grew warm, like an echo of the sunlight that'd somehow gotten trapped within its depths and she felt a gentle pulse, like a heartbeat, echoing through the rock and into her body. It was subtle, natural, and yet undeniable – a response, an affirmation that her heartfelt desire had been heard... and acknowledged.

Misty gasped, her eyes snapping open. The warmth faded, leaving behind a deep sense of peace and serenity within her. She couldn't explain it, but she knew, at that moment, that her wish had been heard. The ancient stone, with its mysterious marking and forgotten significance, had given her desire and intent – and found her worthy.

Quietly, Misty returned to Adam, who watched her curiously, his eyes filled with love and concern. As Misty carefully lay down beside him, he wrapped her in his embrace and held her close. Misty rested her head against his chest, feeling the warmth and love of her mate. Whatever had happened at the stone, it was no longer important to question. She simply knew something had happened – she had been given a gift – one she would cherish for the rest of her days.

“Misty," Adam whispered, gently nuzzling her right ear. “Are you okay?"

With a quiver, Misty wriggled slightly, moving closer and gently placing her paws on Adam's forearms, pressing his hands against her pouch as she nodded. Misty wanted to tell him – yet as she mentally reached for the words to describe what had happened, they faded and vanished, leaving her wrapped in her lover's warmth and comfort.

*

Misty and Adam explored the area, both in their Therian forms, until the heat of the mid-day sun grew too hot and they retreated back to the shade of the three-sided tent Adam had erected off the side of the van. Here, Adam shifted back to his human form and splashed his face and neck with some cool water the cool water, before Misty drank deeply of its life-giving comfort.

They slept together, sheltered by the shade from the van, Misty awakening just before the sun fell, and then she gently nuzzled Adam's face until he woke.

As the sun once more dipped lower in the sky, both Adam and Misty sprawled in the shade of the van, avoiding the worst of the scorching desert heat. They watched the sun descend towards the endless sand and hills – the land rugged and unyielding, with rocky outcrops scattered across its surface and sparse vegetation. Misty felt more and more attuned to the desert, where she'd been born and grown up – but it wasn't home... it could never be.

Both she and Adam admired the harsh beauty of the outback, it was undeniable. The deep reds and oranges of the soil contrasted with the vibrant blue of the cloudless sky. As it cooled enough for them to move about again, Misty gratefully drank from the water that Adam provided her.

After a few moments, Misty once again began to crawl, then hop, continuing her careful exploration. As Adam stayed within eyesight of her, Misty felt the land itself speaking to her in a way it hadn't before – this was more than just a place of survival; it was a place of stories, of life that had not only survived but thrived, despite the odds.

Adam, ever attentive, noticed the subtle changes in Misty's demeanour. Her movements became more fluid, less hesitant, as if she was beginning to remember how to navigate this terrain. The tension in her body eased slightly, and she seemed more at ease with her passing moment.

Without warning, Misty skidded and froze, her ears twitching too and fro, as she rose to her full height and then up onto her toes.

Adam was instantly on alert, knowing Misty's danger signs, yet he could not see nor hear anything that caused her alarm.

"Misty? What is it?" He called out to her, slowly rising. "What do you sense?"

Misty slowly dropped back onto all fours and began crawling, then hopping away. Quickly, Adam followed her, watching as she made her way towards a tall imposing outcropping of rock. Frantically, Misty growled and clucked, trying to make her discovery noticed by Adam. He ran over to her, and then to his surprise, he found a place he'd never imagined could exist in such a cruel, inhospitable landscape.

It was a small depression at the base of the cliff, only a few inches deep – yet clear water pooled here, presumably fed by an ancient underground spring. The sight of it stirred something deep within Misty, a memory of her mother leading her here as a joey, showing her one of a small number of places to find life-sustaining water.

Her heart ached with the memory, but it was a bittersweet ache, tempered by the presence of Adam beside her. She turned to him, her eyes softening as she signed. "This place... I remember it. My mother brought me here when I was barely out of her pouch."

Adam blinked, and then he smiled, his eyes filled with understanding. "It's beautiful Misty. It must have been a special place for you both."

Misty looked at the pool of water, feeling a mixture of emotions welling up inside her. This fragile oasis was a symbol of her past, the life she had lost, but also a place of renewal. The water was clear and cool, offering those who knew of its existence, a brief respite. It was a place where life could thrive, even in the most harshest of conditions.

Adam gently took her right paw in his hand, his touch warm and reassuring for her. "Would you... would you like to stay for a while? We can rest here, and enjoy the sunset together."

Misty glanced at the horizon, where the burning furnace of the sun was just touching the horizon, painting the sky with hues of pink and gold. Misty nodded, and together they walked over and lay down beside the spring, the two of them watching the sunset together.

As they settled, Misty felt a sense of peace she hadn't truly known in a long time. The outback was no longer a place of pain and survival; it was a place of beauty, of life, and of love. With Adam by her side, the land that had taken so much from her – all those years ago – now seemed willing to open itself up to her. It was as if a wayward joey had found its way back to its ancestral home.

As the air cooled and the sun dipped lower, Adam moved close against Misty's back, placing the blanket over both of them, then pulled her close. Misty leaned into him, feeling the steady, comforting beat of his heart against her back. The bond between them was strong, forged through years of shared experiences, both good and bad. In this moment, lying here with her mate, it felt unbreakable.

"Thank you, Adam," Misty growled in her marsupial tongue, causing Adam to take a moment to mentally translate the guttural noises. "For bringing me here. For everything."

Adam smiled, then gently kissed Misty between the ears and snuggled her closer. "I'm just glad we're here together, Misty. This place, it's part of who you are. I'm honoured to share it with you."

They lay in silence as the last rays of the sun disappeared behind the horizon, the sky transitioning from the warm colours of the day to the cool, deep blues of the night. One by one, the stars began to emerge, twinkling in the clear desert sky. It was a sight that Misty had long forgotten – the sheer vastness of the night sky in the outback, where the stars seemed almost close enough to touch.

Misty's wonder was shattered, as she squirmed then Adam's gentle chuckle reached her ears.

"Sorry, it's got a mind of its own..." He blushed, then went to pull away, embarrassed and awkward as he felt himself becoming sexually aroused.

Misty blinked then rolled over, dragging her long slender feet beneath her as she looked up into his eyes, adopting a submissive, cautious crouch before him, her eyes wide and curious.

"You wish too - " Misty began gesturing.

Adam blushed worse, then looked away. "Misty, I know we've made love before... it's always been, well, it's been awkward, me being what I am and you being you..."

Misty blinked and gestured again. "I know my mate, but we overcome these..."

Again she stopped, frustrated with her limited linguistic capabilities.

"Difficulties?" Adam gently prompted her. "Yes, we have, but it can not be pleasurable for you. I feel how badly your leg muscles tremble, being forced into holding that position and..."

Misty snorted and shook her head, before she frowned then looked from Adam to the rock, then back again. Curious, she crawled over and then up onto the rock. It wasn't very high, but to her surprise, brushing at the still warm stone she found another paw print on the other side.

Curious, Misty crouched down and placed one paw on the stone where the markings were, finding whilst her own paws were a little small, its rough surface gave her a surprising grip. Her hind toes slotted into other grooves and her foot naturally bent on the surface of the stone. It was almost as if it was specifically shaped to accept a kangaroo's physiology.

Adam, wrapped in the blanket, walked over and stared dumbfounded, watching as Misty relaxed her tense muscles and let her natural instincts take over. Her spine curved normally, until her forearms were relaxed on their paw holds and her head bowed.

"This is...it's almost like..." Adam murmured, as he shook his head and dropped the blanket, as he gently manoeuvred Misty's tail to the side. "Here...and here! There's two... they're like..."

Misty quivered, glancing over her shoulder at him, both frightened and intrigued in equal measure. Something about this stone, the way it so effortlessly seemed to be accommodating her stance – it was almost as if it was made for the idea that came into her young mind.

With encouraging marsupial growls and grunts, Misty slid her tail to the side and nodded at Adam.

For the first time in her life, Misty was truly ready to consummate her mating with Adam, she was safe, loved and comfortable – surprisingly – and she held her breath expectantly.

Carefully, Adam stepped up onto the two smaller stones, placing his hands on Misty's lower back. As he moved ever so carefully forward, he felt himself brushing tenderly against Misty's tail – then he shivered – partially in the cooling night air, partially in disbelief at what they were both about to do...

Misty exhaled and relaxed, adopting a calmness that seemed not of her own accord. It was... confusing for her.

As Adam gently guided himself between her tail and hips, he stroked her back lovingly as he ever so carefully manoeuvred himself against her cloaca folds.

"You are my buck, my mate - " Misty's quiet growls reassured him.

Misty quivered as she felt Adam slip inside her. Never had their mating – lovemaking – Misty mentally reminded herself. Never had it felt this... perfect. His gentleness, his warmth, and his love washed over her in time with his careful and considerate penetration.

"Misty, oh my..." Adam growled, slipping his hands over her hips and gripping her flanks. "Does this... this is..."

Misty hung her head, her instincts seizing her as Buck claimed doe in this ancient and powerful way. Her body responded as it'd never done before, powerful vaginal muscles contracting, the slickness of her folds adding a natural lubricant with each movement of their shared bodies.

Sure, they'd made love before – often with Misty straddling Adam on his bed – an awkward and frequently difficult mating, especially for Misty, but this – this was how she'd always imagined it could be. As he moved within her, Misty trembled and began to pant in rising arousal and pleasure. It was almost beyond anything Misty's mind could conceive of.

Adam gently rocked forward, and then to her surprise, he found their lovemaking to be comfortable for them both. He would withdraw, his penile head brushing her slick, furred cloaca then ease his way back inside her – the warmth of her body arousing and sensual. He almost hilted himself inside her – but retained enough sense to realise whilst this was incredible for them both – he was in his human form and Misty was in her feral-like Therian form..so he had to exercise caution...as hard as it was, with the incredible sensations he was experiencing.

For nearly forty minutes, their lovemaking continued, Misty's body growing increasingly pleasured and aroused – until at last Adam growled and pulled her tight, Misty's mouth falling open as she felt the strong, powerful ejaculation of his Therian seed flooding into her.

“Nnngh!" Adam growled, more animal-like than human, his scrotum tightening as he gave Misty his full length and his hips slapped sharply against her tail.

Misty gasped and panted, a long, ropy strand of her saliva oozing from the tip of her tongue to splatter on the stone before she grunted in passion and her own craved release sent her young mind reeling.

For an indeterminate time post orgasm, Adam remained deep within Misty, their ragged, panting breathing loud and ragged. Misty had no words, no way to describe what she felt, nor express her love for her mate. It had taken years, but at last, truly, they were bonded on a deep, spiritual level – a truly mated pair at last.

*

For a few days since their return, Misty had been feeling unusually tired and nauseous, but she brushed it off as stress and anxiety from their long trip home from the distant desert. Her life slowly returned to a semblance of normality, she resumed eating regularly and would spend time socialising with the other Therians and sometimes – quiet nights with her lover, just laying enfolded in his embrace.

Nearly a month after their return, Misty awoke, as she always did, before dawn. Adam slept, blissfully ignorant as Misty shuddered and wrinkled her leathery nose, inhaling the scent of the world around her... and the lingering scent of what she and Adam had shared the previous evening.

Awkwardly, Misty crawled off the bed and gently nosed open the door, quietly moving on all fours out onto the patio. Once she reached the ground, Misty rose and shivered, before she began her morning ritual – a slow, cautious hopping to warm her body, before she at last retreated to one of the numerous feed dishes scattered around the sanctuary.

As she hungrily devoured the marsupial mix – never taking to eating human food, like the others, Misty began to feel... unsettled. It was a strange sensation, one she'd never experienced before. It wasn't her usual discomfort and cramping – this was something completely different.

Confused and alarmed, Misty made her way over to her best friend's bungalow, where she nosed open the door and crept inside. Thankfully, Rachel was awake, and she sat up in her bed, then frowned and looked at Misty's concerned and distressed expression.

“Misty?" Rachel's sleepy murmur come. “What's wrong? Are you alright?"

Misty clucked and growled, too distraught to use the ASL before she shivered and stood upright, placing her paws on her lower stomach and making a strange coughing sound.

“Hey, easy, easy!" Rachel yelped, then climbed out of her bed and took Misty's quivering paws in her hands, holding them gently. “Easy Misty, take some breaths, that's it, nice, deep breaths, you're okay..."

In growing distress and panic, Misty snatched her paws back and wildly gestured. “I feel...sick, something... wrong."

Quickly, Rachel threw on a light nightgown, then took Misty to the surgery where she sat her down on a comfortable mattress and began monitoring her.

“You're not feverish, did you have something unusual to eat? Can you describe what you're feeling?" Rachel gently prompted her.

“I'm scared - “ Misty gestured.

Rachel frowned, then not knowing what else to do, she went over to the intercom and called Dr. Owen, who was listed as the attending Veterinarian that day. It took him a while to attend, and when he did, garbed in his white robes, gloves and face mask – all precautions as to minimise the risks, he frowned and then crouched down beside Misty.

“Hello Misty, now my dear, what seems to be the problem?" Dr. Owen asked, as he gently began feeling under her chin, checking her lymph glands.

Misty twitched and awkwardly gestured, once more using her ASL. “Dr. Owen, I feel... it's not like I've eaten something I shouldn't, it's... I feel so... I can't describe it!"

Dr. Owen frowned, then gently stood back up and turned away, lowering the operating table and with Rachel's help, they lay Misty back on it, her heavy tail between her feet and the rear of the table adjusted so she was slightly sitting up.

“Okay, let's give you a checkup, shall we? It has been a while and..." Dr. Owen chuckled. “One advantage you have Misty, you've got the finest pair of veterinarians who are very knowledgeable about Therian's – in part, thanks to you and your patience!"

Misty sighed, her breathing slowing to a deep and steady rhythm. The sterile scent of the hospital mingled with the subtle earthly aroma of eucalyptus that'd been introduced to help calm her. The room was reasonably quiet, the heart rate monitor bleeping softly and the occasional rustle of fur as Misty shifted uncomfortably on the bed.

Rachel, in her human form, stood by Misty's side, her hand gently resting on Misty's fur, offering silent support. Her dark eyes were filled with concern and empathy, knowing how much distress the young Therian was in. Rachel had been with Misty through so much – and she was Misty's closest friend, outside her mate, Dr. Mercer.

Dr. Owen, calm and composed as ever, stood at the foot of the bed, his gloved hands gently exploring Misty's feet – looking for any evidence of infection or injury.

“Not... sick - “ Misty's claws clicked and clattered. “Not like that, more... here."

Misty placed her paws on her lower belly, gently pressing downwards.

Rachel's gentle stroking paused, as a deep frown crossed her face, then she moved slightly and placed her fingers down near Misty's tail base. When they came away slick and sticky, Rachel blinked and her mouth fell open.

“Something I'm missing here?" Dr. Owen frowned, then watching Misty, he gently also touched her tail base, feeling the slickness and viscosity of the liquid. His professionalism prohibited him from chastising Misty about what he thought_ _it was, but when Rachel sniffed it, her eyes widened.

“Dr. Owen? We need to get Misty sitting up, now!" Rachel gasped.

Hurriedly, they adjusted the table and Misty frowned, concerned and bewildered.

“Misty? Listen to me – I know this is frightening, you don't understand, but I need you to listen – to trust me. You understand? You need to start licking a path from your cloaca to your pouch."

Misty blinked, not comprehending, but something in Rachel's urgency compelled her. Awkwardly, Misty hunched over, doing as best she could, her supple tongue leaving her lower belly fur in a glistening, slick line that moved up to her pouch.

“Rachel - “ Dr. Owen began.

Rachel ignored him, her attention only on Misty. “Good, good girl – that's it, alright, now – any minute now..."

Misty twitched then gasped, as there was a sudden gush of fluids from within her, that soaked through her tail and something wriggled against the base of her tail.

Rachel tightened her grip on Misty's paw, her own heart pounding with nervous excitement. She knew how important this moment was – not only for Misty, but the sanctuary itself. This was only the second birth of a Therian joey within their safe haven, a symbol of hope for their future.

As the tiny, pink, hairless joey, no bigger than a jellybean wriggled and used its surprisingly well-developed front limbs gripped the slick fur and it began its arduous climb, following the trail of Misty's saliva.

“You're... pregnant?" Dr. Owen gasped.

Misty watched, her eyes wide and focused, as the tiny joey instinctively began to climb towards her pouch. It was a slow, arduous journey, but Misty remained perfectly still, her breathing shallow, as she watched her baby make its way to the safety of her pouch.

Rachel wiped away a tear that had escaped down her cheek, her heart swelling with pride and relief. She glanced at Dr. Owen, who met her gaze with a small, triumphant smile. This was what they'd fought for – the safety, the future, and the continuation of the Therians.

Finally, the joey reached the pouch and disappeared inside. Misty let out a long, relieved breath, her body relaxing as the tension of the birth and the Joey's ascension slowly faded. Rachel leaned down, pressing her forehead against Misty's in a tender gesture of friendship and solidarity.

“You did it, Misty," Rachel whispered, her voice filled with warmth. “You're a mother now."

Dr. Owen gently patted Misty's shoulder, his heart overflowing as he watched the two friends share this precious moment. “You're going to be an amazing mother, Misty," he said softly. “You've given all of us hope today."

Misty trembled, then leaned her head back, a smile tugging at her lips. She was frightened, being a first time mother, but she knew herself and her new, helpless offspring would be in the safest of hands. She was protected, loved and ready to face the new challenges of motherhood, come what may.

END