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A Bond is Forged

Chapter Five â€" Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow -

© Cederwyn Whitefurr

7th October, 2009.

All Rights Reserved

Steve groaned, then rolled over and slapped away the annoying clock whose insistent buzzing tried to tell the exhausted equine, it was time to get up. Laying against his sweat dampened chest, Jess moaned and her eyes cracked open, before she closed them again and lovingly caressed Steve's furred chest.

"Well, good morning to you too - " Steve yawned, then cuddled his lover tight.

Jess moaned and squeezed her eyes tightly closed, content to lay with Steve on his bed and dream of the pleasures they had shared last night.

"I'm one well worn-out-mare - " Jess groaned and kissed Steve's left pectoral muscle.

"Mare?" Steve snorted. "A mare wouldn't have given up after only six orgasms - "

Jess blinked, then teasingly slapped Steve's chest and she rolled out of bed, dragging the bedsheets around her naked form. Steve moaned and shivered, feeling the cool morning air chill his still-sweaty body.

"Get your lazy bones out of bed colt - " Jess mocked him playfully. "Or you'll be having a cold shower."

Steve moaned theatrically, then rolled himself out of bed, and sat on the edge â€" his tail fanning out behind him, as he stretched languidly and yawned. Indeed, the sexual performance he and Jess had shared last night â€" whilst not the greatest â€" definitely had been in his top ten percent. Even as he glanced over his shoulder and watched Jess heading towards the bathroom â€" he felt the vague stirring of arousal once again. As Jess paused, then glanced over her shoulder at him, and raised an eyebrow â€" Steve rolled his eyes and snorted through his nostrils, then followed Jess into the bathroom, playfully rubbing his sheath against her firm buttocks and sliding his paws over her hips.

"Oh, promises, promises - " Jess giggled, as she rubbed her buttocks against Steve's sheath and smiled suggestively at him. "You think you could even think about it â€" let alone actually do it â€" after last night?"

Steve whiffled through his nostrils and as he tenderly pulled Jess close, she gasped â€" feeling the sheath bulging as Steve grinned and nuzzled the back of her neck.

"Think? No â€" Do? Yes..." Steve murmured and held Jess close, as she laughed and turned on the shower.

*

Lying in her own bed, Kelly clutched her favourite kangaroo plush tight to her body, as she rolled over and moaned softly in pleasure â€" feeling the gentle vibrations of the sex-toy inside her â€" held firmly in place by her modified plush. For hours, Kelly had been pleasuring herself like this â€" her imagination conjuring images that this in-animate plush toy â€" was a real, loving, gentle and gorgeous Buck â€" who was making love to her for the past four hours. Kelly raked her claws lightly down the plushies back, as she arched her hips against it and groaned in delight â€" yet another powerful orgasm electrifying her senses. Finally, she could not make love with her plush toy any longer, and she carefully pushed it away â€" feeling the vibrating sex-toy slide out of her body. The post-orgasm pleasure still tingled her nerves, and Kelly struggled for a few minutes, to turn off her toy and slide it from the plush.

Inhaling the scent of herself on the toy, Kelly moaned and lay back on the bed, dropping the toy to the floor and cuddling her kangaroo plush again. She knew that masturbating herself with her assorted sexual toys was one thing â€" but using a plush kangaroo that stood almost as tall as she did, to simulate a male â€" well, her parents often wondered why their young daughter kept her plushies from when she was a joey â€" and of all of them, this one was Kelly's personal favourite. She ran her paws slowly down her quivering belly, and she massaged her sweaty pouch, groaning in post-sexual pleasure.

Slowly, Kelly rolled back over, pinning her plush beneath her, and she playfully humped at it, grinding her hips against the soft artificial fur, before she sighed and rolled off it again, finally satiated. Rising to her feet, Kelly stretched and her blunt claws scratched her left flank, as she yawned and then rubbed at her tired eyes. Today, she realised, was the last day of school â€" and a sudden sadness washed over her, making tears sparkle at the edges of her deep, brown eyes. Indeed â€" today was a day of changes â€" a day, when she put behind her twelve years of school, and if she was lucky â€" would begin a new chapter of her life, in one of a dozen colleges she had applied to join.

Kelly wanted nothing more in life â€" than to become a veterinarian â€" preferably one who worked with horses, or failing that â€" out in the country. Her ears flicked too and fro, as she imagined herself out on some sprawling farm, diligently working a horse stud, or something equally enjoyable. Shaking herself out of her misery about the end of her schooling â€" a new thought hit her â€" her two best friends â€" who she loved with all her heart â€" would likewise be going to college, and Kelly realised â€" neither of the there of them â€" had discussed their post-high-school decisions.

It had all seemed so far away â€" an impossibly long time, between the start of the school year, and now â€" twelve months later â€" graduation day....

Shaking her head, her long ears slapping wetly with her sweat, Kelly hid her sex-toys beneath her bed and returned her plush toy to where it usually sat, before she hurriedly moved towards the shower, glancing nervously at the clock.

*

Kelly ran up to Steve and Jess, her breathing coming in short, ragged gasps, and just as she neared them â€" she stumbled and her armload of books, folders and assorted paraphernalia launched itself from her arms and scattered all over the grass.

"Here she comes â€" Captain Disaster - " Steve whickered, then rose and helped the breathless Kelly to pick up her schoolbooks.

"Be nice Steve," Jess admonished him, then moaned quietly, as she glanced at Steve's tight buttocks, that filled out his jeans nicely.

Steve seemed to sense Jess' gaze on his rump, and he playfully lifted his tail, then glanced back at her. "Like what you see missy?"

Even Kelly, as breathless as she was, tried to join in with Jess, who laughed and playfully swatted Steve's rump.

"So, Miss Butter-Paws," Steve smirked and kissed Kelly between the ears, then playfully ruffled them. "Whats got your tail in a twist today?"

"Steve â€" Jess..." Kelly gasped, then snatched her water-bottle from the satchel that hung at her left hip and took a few gulps.

Steve watched Kelly drinking, then he grinned and held out Kelly's schoolbooks for her. Kelly accepted them and began stuffing them haphazardly back into her satchel.

"You know â€" you could do away with that â€" and carry them in your pouch!" Steve smirked.

Kelly stared at him, then she groaned and rolled her eyes, before playfully slapping Steve's muzzle.

"You're...impossible - " Jess moaned and shook her head.

Steve, looking at them both with a look of mock-dismay, before he threw back his head and laughed just as loudly as the two females. When Kelly finally managed to regain her breathing, to a semblance of normality, she sprawled on the grass beside them, mindfully tucking her skirt along her slender, furred legs.

"Today â€" we finish high-school," Kelly began.

"Oh, thank the God's - " Steve grunted, rolling his eyes skywards. "I'm going to spend my time on vacation...mmmf!"

Steve winced as he bit his tongue, courtesy of Jess clasping his muzzle between her hands and snapping it shut, flushing in embarrassment. Kelly blinked, then looked at Steve, who grinned around Jess' palms and he playfully rolled his eyes.

"You just reign that thought in, colt - " Jess whispered against Steve's ears.

Steve chuckled again, then tenderly disengaged Jess' hands from his muzzle. "Yes, Ma'am!"

"I...I don't know what I'm doing this vacation â€" but I've applied to several colleges and - " Kelly began again, then kneaded her paws together.

"College? Who needs that â€" when you got a girlfriend, who will - " Steve nickered, then squealed and rolled away, as Jess playfully began pummelling him.

"No, seriously - " Kelly tried a third time, then sat patiently, watching the horse and human playfully rolling on the soft grass. When they'd finished their childish antics, Kelly sighed patiently and looked at them. "I...you two, are my most loving, trusted and adored friends - "

Steve opened his muzzle, then Jess nudged him in the ribs and Steve grinned, then shut his muzzle with a snap.

"Nothing will change between us sweety," Jess spoke, taking the nervous kangaroo's paws in her own. "If you move away for college â€" if any of us â€" move away, we'll always come back, visit each other on holidays - "

Kelly felt tears beginning to sting her eyes, and she bravely blinked them away. Steve smelt Kelly's growing distress, and he reached over, then cuddled her close, holding her in a friendly, comforting gesture.

"It...we've been together, for twelve years â€" and now - " Kelly sniffled.

"Honey?" Jess whispered, laying a hand on Kelly's trembling right paw. "Nothing...will change â€" between us. Please, believe me â€" we'll only be a phone-call away, and as I said, we will come visit, as often as we can. Come on, don't cry sweety â€" it'll be alright, I promise."

Steve, normally a stalwart and emotionally strong creature at heart, felt Kelly's warm tears spattering against his shirt, and he too began to feel tears welling in his eyes. He whuffled and blinked away his tears, then kissed Kelly between the ears again, and cuddled her against his chest, tenderly rocking her as she began to sob heart-brokenly â€" fearing she would never see her beloved friends again.

Having no further classes that afternoon, the three friends walked paw in hand back to their lockers and began cleaning them out. Steve's locker resembled a bomb-zone, with unwashed gym clothes, and other, even more mind-defying things, which Jess commented, would need a hazardous-materials team to come remove. Jess had pictures of Steve on the inside of her locker, and her own locker was moderately dishevelled â€" but Kelly's locker was as if she'd barely used it. There were no pictures of boyfriends â€" or anything, and the few books and folders in her locker were neatly placed.

"Gah girl," Steve grunted, as he glanced into Kelly's locker. "I'm glad I'm not your boyfriend â€" you're a neatness fanatic!"

Kelly smiled shyly, flicking her ears, and began pulling her few possessions out of her locker and clutching them to her chest, then slamming the empty locker closed.

"I â€" Mrs. Blackwood has - " Kelly began, then hung her head in shame, remembering that night, so long ago.

Steve's ears pricked forwards and he smiled weakly, then cuddled the nervous kangaroo against his chest. "Sweety? We talked about this â€" I...I mean â€" you talked â€" I listened - "

"That'd be a first - " Jess grunted, then laughed quietly.

Steve flicked a glance at Jess, then turned back to Kelly. "You love Alex, don't you?"

Kelly opened her mouth, then closed it again and sniffled, biting back the tears which once again threatened.

"Just nod yes, or no honey - " Steve asked, as he stroked Kelly's ears soothingly.

"I...I mean â€" he's sixteen now â€" and..." Kelly moaned in misery.

"Sweety? Then why are you acting like you are? You're going over there â€" I assume, to look after Katy â€" and if...well...if something â€" happens, then its between you and Alex. He doesn't need a babysitter any-more - " Steve sighed and continued cuddling the trembling Doe.

"I should think not - " Jess interjected.

"So â€" let...things be what they may be. You love him, and I am sure, in his own way â€" he loves you as well, well â€" maybe not the same way...but if no harm comes of it, and none has â€" why do you torture yourself?"

Kelly sniffled, then nuzzled Steve's chest and dried her eyes with her black paw-pads and nodded. She did love Alex â€" but a part of her, also knew the love they shared, was not true love â€" like that of Steve and Jess â€" Alex probably thought he loved his sweet, gentle Doe lady-friend, who had been the first to take his virginity, in gentle, loving ways â€" but true love, no â€" Kelly could not lie to herself â€" Alex would not understand true love, rather, he loved Kelly for what she had done with him â€" but it was not a relationship, Kelly could let continue.

Kelly and Alex had made love several more times, since that night â€" mostly after he had turned sixteen, and every time, Kelly had felt her love for her young, gentle lover grow â€" but even though there was only a few years difference between her and him â€" she knew it had to end, before their secret was revealed. Legally, Alex was sixteen, and of legal age to consent â€" but something about it â€" still made Kelly feel guilty and remorseful, even though she adored the lovemaking between him and her.

Steve cuddled Kelly close, then he kissed her once more, this time on the forehead, and he let her go.

"Go on sweety," Jess told Steve. "I'll catch up in a minute."

Steve glanced from Kelly to Jess, then smiled weakly and began heading towards the auditorium, where in a few hours â€" they would receive their graduation certificates, and a new life would begin for the class of 2010

*

"As we stand, here in these hallowed halls - " Steve Ashhoof's voice boomed out, as he blushed and gave his valedictorian speech â€" an award he had no idea was coming. "We look back at twelve years, of work, sweat and more than a few tears - "

Some chuckles rang out through the assembled students, and some of the teachers glanced at each other â€" one in particular, stared with malicious hate at Steve, from the second row â€" and that was his teacher, Miss Hendels... She despised the anthropomorphic students, her hatred well masked, but for the few students with heightened sense of smell, they caught one whiff of her scent, and made sure they did their best to stay away from her.

"Yet as we give thanks, for the education that was provided to us â€" some of us actually may have learned something, over these past twelve years..." Steve droned on, and half the faculty began to fidget and exchange glances, wondering how long this equine would talk for.

Jess sat next to Kelly, holding the Doe's left paw in her right hand, and giving it a gentle squeeze, as Jess began to snicker quietly. Kelly flicked an ear, then glanced at Jess, wondering why her friend was laughing as she was. When Kelly began to open her muzzle to ask, Jess merely touched her hand to Kelly's lips and shushed her.

"It is with great humility â€" and honour, I accept this award for valedictorian â€" and I leave with a glad heart â€" but with only one last thing to say..."

Jess began giggling quietly, and Kelly glanced back at Jess, who winked and nodded to herself. Kelly shook her head slowly, then as Steve stepped away from the mike and lectern, he seemed to be about to give a bow â€" when he suddenly tore his gown off â€" revealing the surprise hidden beneath. He and Jess had planned this only today, Jess having known that Steve was to be awarded for his efforts at establishing better relationships between the anthropomorphic and human students and teachers, and other things â€" but this still struck her as hysterically funny.

Steve was naked, except for an extremely tight pair of cowboy chaps, that in many a persons mind, left absolutely nothing to the imagination â€" and he turned about, revealing the chaps had the buttocks cut out. Steve wore a costume saddle on his middle-back, and he bent over, raising his tail and as the students erupted into hysterical laughter â€" he called out.

"Miss Hendels â€" this is for you! Come ride THIS pony!" Steve shrieked, then burst into laughter and hurriedly disappeared off the stage, before some of the more outraged and embarrassed faculty could get to him â€" the screams, cheers and laughter from his fellow students threatening to lift the roof off the auditorium, as they laughed, clapped and cheered his cheeky display.

Kelly stared at the stage, her eyes wide and jaw hanging loosely, as Jess sat beside her, tears running down her cheeks and shrieking with hysterical laughter, until she could barely breathe.

*

That evening, Kelly stood dressed in an ankle-length skirt and a deep midnight blue blouse, and she stood on the footpath outside Mrs. Blackwood's home. It was a cold night, and Kelly hugged herself, her breathing making small, foggy clouds around her head, as she summoned the courage to go to the door and knock. Tonight, if Alex wished it, Kelly would take him as her lover â€" but it would be for the last time, Kelly promised herself that...

Steeling her resolve, Kelly smoothed down her blouse and slowly walked up the path, then rapped her knuckles against the door. She waited patiently, then heard the lock click, and the door opened up, momentarily dazzling Kelly's eyes with the bright glow from the hallway light.

"Kelly, please â€" come right in, you must be half-frozen!" Mrs Blackwood exclaimed, and stood aside.

Kelly blinked, then smiled weakly and stepped inside, hearing the door close behind her.

"KANGA!" came a piercing squeal of delight.

Kelly barely blinked away the purple spots before her eyes, when she gasped and Katy crashed into her, burying her head in Kelly's pouch and making Kelly gasp with surprise and pain.

"Oh...hello Katy," Kelly gasped, when she regained her breath. "My, you're growing up so fast!"

"Alex â€" Kelly's here!" Mrs Blackwood called out.

"Be right there!" Come Alex's response from the upstairs bedroom.

"You â€" you don't mind, sitting for us, do you Kelly?" Mrs. Blackwood asked, as she looked into Kelly's dark, soulful eyes.

"Not at all Mrs. Blackwood â€" Katy is a real pleasure, to look after, aren't you?" Kelly smiled, and playfully ruffled Katy's hair with her paws.

Tenderly disengaging Katy, Kelly went over the last minute details with Mrs. Blackwood, details, which as always, Kelly knew off by heart â€" but these two humans paid well for Kelly's services â€" very well indeed, and Kelly genuinely loved Katy â€" but after tonight, they would have to find another sitter...

"Hello, Ms. Greytail - " Alex said formally, as he come to the top stairs, and looked down at Kelly.

"Hello Alex," Kelly replied, looking up at him.

In the past few months â€" Alex had begun to grow with an almost frightening rate â€" and his body had gained considerable weight, filling out his hollow, almost gaunt skeleton. Kelly inwardly sighed, imagining the man Alex would grow to become, in a few more years. Kelly was distracted in her thoughts, as Mrs. Blackwood and her husband thanked her again, then left, closing the front door behind them. Kelly waited patiently until she heard the car drive away, then she locked the front door.

"Come see my new dolly?" Katy asked, clutching at Kelly's paws.

"Sure sweety - " Kelly smiled, then let the eager young girl lead her upstairs and into her bedroom.

*

An hour later, Katy had been bathed and tucked into bed, and she lay there beneath her covers, clutching her new doll, and Kelly smiled at her, then tenderly kissed her forehead.

"Goodnight, princess - " Kelly whispered, stroking away an errant lock of Katy's hair from her forehead, then stroked her cheek with the back of a black, velvety-furred paw.

"Night Kanga â€" I love you!" Katy smiled, then rolled over and closed her eyes.

Kelly sighed to herself, then smiled and quietly walked out, closing Katy's bedroom behind her. Walking downstairs, Kelly saw Alex sitting on the couch, flicking idly through channels on the television. She nodded to him and he gave her a weak smile, before going back to channel surfing. Kelly walked into the kitchen, then began making herself a warm cup of tea â€" then as she turned about, she seen Alex looking at her â€" and Kelly very nearly dropped the cup she held in her paws.

"For the love of the Gods - " Kelly gasped, feeling her heart thundering in her chest. "You scared the tail off me!"

"I...I'm sorry Kelly," Alex blushed, then sat himself at the table.

Kelly resumed making her tea, then when it was ready, she sat down at the table and shyly, reached over and laid her paw on Alex's hand, and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"I..." Alex began, then coughed and blushed.

"Alex - " Kelly stammered, then swallowed and hung her head. "I love you, I always have â€" my sweet, gentle and loving Buck - "

"I'm not a Buck - " Alex laughed weakly, then began tracing the ridges on Kelly's paw with his fingertips.

"What...what we have shared â€" my love â€" I...I do love you, but after tonight - " Kelly sighed and felt her tears pricking her eyes.

"You...what do you mean, after tonight?" Alex frowned and suddenly squeezed her paw, making Kelly wince. "You...you like Katy, and you...you love me - "

"I love you both, you, my kind, gentle lover...I love with all my heart. I'm sorry Alex, I truly am, but I â€" we â€" can not keep going the way we are. What I shared with you â€" I will never forget, and I know â€" you will never speak of it. It must...be forever...our secret."

Alex stared at her, then the tears began to flow, and Kelly gave into her own sadness, but knowing in her heart â€" she had to break off this relationship â€" before it destroyed them both. Kelly gave up any pretences of staying aloof and distant, and she rose, then pulled Alex tight to her breasts and held him there, gently rocking him back and forth, as he clutched her and wept like a scolded Joey. For nearly an hour, both human and doe wept in each others arms, both neither wanting to give up the love they had shared, for the past two years â€" but as Alex come to realise, Kelly did it to save them both.

Finally, Alex's tears broke to choking sobs, and he held Kelly's paws in his hands, and looked into her eyes.

"Please Kelly - " He gazed into her eyes, his own wide and pleading. "May I...we...you know - "

Kelly sniffled, then she nodded weakly, and stroked Alex's damn cheeks with the backs of her paws. He took her paws in his hands, and led her upstairs to the bathroom. Here, he looked into her eyes, and she gazed back with a look of love tinged with sadness, then looked at the bathroom, then back at Alex.

"I...I've always..." Alex stammered, then blushed and hung his head. "Can we...you know â€" in the shower?"

Kelly scratched at the back of her head, then she laughed shyly and nodded. As she slipped out of her blouse, Alex watched her, then he moaned softly as Kelly glanced shyly at him, then batted her long eyelashes. Alex struggled out of his own shirt, and Kelly could already smell Alex's scent changing â€" as his thin pants began tenting. Alex moaned and blushed deeply, then Kelly giggled and twisted her paws up behind her back, unclasping her bra and letting her ample breasts free. As her slender paws slid down her skirt, revealing only her skin-tight panties, Kelly heard Alex gasp â€" and she thought her beloved wouldn't last long enough to get into the shower â€" let alone into Kelly's eager, willing sex.

Alex struggled out of his pants, and the large bulge in his jockeys was quite noticeable. Kelly made an effort not to notice, but her furtive glance kept creeping back â€" as she imagined once again, how much pleasure Alex brought her â€" when they made love. Turning away, Kelly adjusted the shower until it sprayed a warm jet of water, then she slipped in and turned her muzzle into the water, letting it cascade over her nose, muzzle and face. Moaning softly, Kelly groaned and twisted her neck too and fro, letting the warm water soothe her tense muscles. Within a few moments, Kelly felt Alex shyly reach out and touch her hips, so she twisted about and rested her forehead against his, his nose pressed to her upper muzzle, their eyes gazing adoringly into each others faces.

Kelly felt Alex's nervousness and inexperience â€" as his firm erection probed and rubbed against her thighs, then her lower pouch â€" and she smiled at him â€" before reaching down with her left paw and carefully grasping his penis between her curled fingers.

"Oh...oh..." Alex gasped, and bucked his hips against Kelly, making her paw slide up and down his penis.

"Hey, easy my boomer - " Kelly admonished him lovingly. "Be...gentle, alright?"

Kelly guided Alex between her thighs â€" then as he tried his hardest to resist his youthful exuberance, he rested his arms on Kelly's shoulders, then she eased herself forwards, sliding herself onto Alex's eager, throbbing length. Kelly gasped and tipped her head back, her arms going around Alex's back, as she clasped him tightly and growled in marsupial delight â€" feeling Alex's impressive member part Kelly's vaginal walls â€" and push its way into her eagerly receptive body. Alex screamed breathlessly, then with one short, sharp buck of his hips â€" he pulled Kelly tight and began pounding his hips against hers.

"Oh...oh god - " Kelly grunted, each wet slap of their bodies meeting, sounded like the crack of a summer lightning strike.

Soon, Kelly was raking at Alex's spine with her blunt claws, her head thrown back and tongue lolling, as Alex gasped, bucked and thrust like a wild animal. For an hour, the two gave up any pretences of a gentle, affectionate lovemaking â€" their sex was almost violent, in the rough and forceful way that Alex slammed himself in and out of Kelly's eager body.

"Yes...oh my god â€" yes...my buck!" Kelly panted against Alex's right ear, as she clutched at him hungrily, her body shaking with each bone jarring lunge.

Alex needed no encouraging, even though Kelly's muscles tightened each time he slipped out of her hot, wet folds â€" and when he thrust back in, the sensation was incredible. Again and again and again, he withdrew then thrust back into her, before Kelly squealed and sank her claws into Alex's shoulders â€" as her orgasm exploded with violence within her body, her muscles squeezing and rippling along Alex's member, driving him into orgasm a fraction of a second after Kelly's. Kelly come again and again, each one more earth-shattering than the last, as she felt Alex's semen flooding into her willing body â€" and neither of these two young lovers had any idea â€" that the Blackwood's had returned home â€" Mrs. Blackwood feeling sick to her stomach and having cancelled their dinner date with friends, had returned home...

Kelly felt her post-orgasmic body almost floating away with the pleasure Alex had brought her, and she clung to him, her chin resting on his shoulder and the water washing over her head, as Kelly quivered and groaned, each time Alex moved, his half-erect penis inside her, squirming against her tight walls. Doe and human were both sexually exhausted â€" their lovemaking having been close to the finest they had ever had â€" yet their post-coital bliss was to be broken, as Alex's eyes snapped open, when he heard the car horn from downstairs.

"Oh...no...no...it...it can't be!" Alex shrieked, then Kelly's eyes widened and she shook the water from her eyes.

Slapping her wet, soapy paw to Alex's mouth, Kelly violently dismounted, and Alex gasped â€" before she threw open the shower-stall door and all but threw Alex onto the tiled floor.

"No time!" Kelly gurgled, as she coughed and blinked away soapy water from her eyes. "Just grab a towel and get to your room â€" now! Hurry!"

Alex didn't know if he had time to even get up, let alone grab a towel and rush from the bathroom to his bedroom, fearing that at any second, his parents would suddenly appear, and his secret sexual liaison with Kelly would be known. Alex grasped a towel, then hurriedly wrapped it around his waist, before he fled the bathroom and ran to his room. Kelly, almost on the verge of outright panic, grabbed two towels and wrapped one tightly around her slender waist, the other she used to enfold her upper body. Her head still dripping water, Kelly had little time to think, as she heard footsteps coming up the stairwell through the closed door.

"Kelly...Its Mr. Blackwood â€" we...Mrs Blackwood isn't well and - " Come the voice.

Moaning in fear and panic, Kelly kicked Alex's clothes into the corner, and hoped it would look innocent enough, before she snatched up her own and looked for somewhere to put them â€" hoping against hope â€" that her squeals had not been heard...when she was making love with Alex.

"Kelly - " come a more insistent voice from nearby.

Tears coursing down her cheeks, Kelly bowed her head, knowing there was no way she could escape what was coming. Hurriedly dressing, her fur still wet with the shower, Kelly put in her bravest expression, then stumbled out of the bathroom, her knees still quivering from the multiple orgasms Alex had brought her. Kelly staggered, almost drunkenly, to the top of the stairs, and looked down. Mr. Blackwood took one look at the wet fur and Kelly's dishevelled clothing, before he sighed and walked into his study.

"I..." He spoke quietly, yet the tone of his voice set Kelly's blood to ice-water. "We need to talk â€" now."

Sobbing, Kelly crept meekly down the stairs, then she thought about making a run for the door, but taking the cowardly way out â€" would never work. She knew, somehow, she had been caught out â€" and it was time to face the consequences. Kelly made her way into the study, and without being told, closed the door quietly behind her, before she crumpled to her knees and clutched her head in her paws â€" and began crying helplessly. Through a haze of tears, she saw Mr. Blackwood standing beside his desk, his hands clasped behind his back and facing away from her. Slowly, he unclasped his hands, and reached down to his desk, where his fingers brushed the edge of a glass, containing some tan coloured alcoholic drink. He picked it up, then took a long swallow, before setting it down again.

"Mr. Blackwood â€" sir, I â€" please â€" I can explain everything..." Kelly wailed, clutching her paws before her, in a begging gesture, the tears streaking down her cheeks and spattering to the floor.

He didn't say a word, only raised one hand in a shushing gesture. Kelly sniffled and dabbed at her eyes with her skirt hem, and bravely tried to stop crying, but she was so scared â€" she knew the reason why she had been called in here, and she mentally tore strips off herself, for allowing the sexual advances of Alex in the first place.

"I...we...know, Kelly - " Mr. Blackwood's sibilant whisper reached her trembling ears.

"Please â€" sir â€" I...I can - " Kelly burst into fresh tears.

"I...have known...for some time Kelly," Mr. Blackwood sighed, then slowly turned about and sat on the edge of his desk, clasping his hands around his drink glass, and favouring the sobbing kangaroo with a look of grief, compassion and confusion. "I am...I should be angry with you â€" yet...I know, in part, it was not all your fault. I'm disappointed Kelly â€" very much so, as when I first met you, as a young, yet surprisingly mature, lovely young lady â€" and you offered to sit the children for us â€" I..."

Kelly bowed her head, then buried her muzzle in her paws and sobbed heart-brokenly, knowing the trust she had long fought to earn, had been irrevocably shattered.

"Please...do what you will to me - " Kelly pleaded piteously. "I was responsible â€" I encouraged Alex too - "

"Yes, he shares equal responsibility, yet it is you â€" who I am concerned about Kelly. I â€" we trusted you...but if anyone is truly to blame, it is me. Alex has...long held a strange â€" affection, for your kind. I thought, it was just a simple, childish infatuation, all children have them â€" but I never â€" we never thought â€" he would actually try...let alone do...what he did with you. Yes, I'm disappoint â€" I can't deny that, and a part of me wants to slap your snout that hard...I'd probably put you in hospital for a month â€" yet I only want one answer from you..."

"I'll never do it again â€" not ever â€" it...it's over, please sir â€" please don't punish Alex for my own selfish betrayal of your trust!"

Mr. Blackwood took another sip of his drink, then he sighed and set it down again, before he stared at the hysterical kangaroo, who all but threw herself at his feet and grovelled for mercy.

"Kelly â€" what...what you two done...I can not condone it, it was wrong â€" you know that, and I had hoped â€" it would never happen between you two. I was wrong â€" you're both young, still quite â€" naieve and...well â€" I promise you one thing, you walk out of here, when I tell you â€" and we will never speak of this again, but you promise me â€" and I mean promise â€" that it ends, here and now."

Her tears choking her, Kelly raised her wet muzzle to stare up at Mr. Blackwood, and she nodded an affirmative, before dropping her head back onto her paws.

"Do...you love him - " Mr. Blackwood asked her simply, his voice still mild and calm, but Kelly knew there was a deep rebellion of suppressed emotions, just below the surface.

"I..." Kelly stammered, then her throat locked.

"Answer me Doe - " Alex's father growled, his voice deepening as he struggled to hold back his anger. "You have already lost my trust â€" I had for you â€" now, speak â€" tell me the truth â€" do you love my son..."

"Yes!" Kelly wailed. "He is kind...gentle...everything â€" I had ever dreamed of my future husband to be! I...I would gladly take any punishment you have for him, to protect him from the pain â€" I love him so very much!"

Rolling the glass between his palms, Mr Blackwood stared down at Kelly and he sighed, then stepped towards her, placing his glass on the table behind him. Kelly cringed in terror, thinking she was to be brutally beaten for her misdemeanour's, but he just crouched down beside her â€" and took her paws in his hands and held them gently.

"Thank you...Kelly, for your services â€" you will no longer be required â€" ever again. I promise you, this never happened â€" and we will not speak of it again. Now, leave! Walk out of here â€" whilst you still can, and do not ever come back here again." He whispered, then squeezed her paws agonisingly tightly.

Kelly broke into fresh tears, and she crept to her feet, then turned and fled the Blackwood house, tears streaking down her muzzle and leaving freezing cold tracks down her furred cheeks...

*

Two weeks later, Kelly received a letter from the Blackwoods' â€" she took it up to her bedroom, and nervously opened it â€" and out fell a letter and a folded piece of paper. Kelly held the folded letter at arms length, like it was some poisonous reptile that would sink its venomous fangs into her body at the slightest provocation. Summoning up her courage, Kelly sniffled in fear and misery, before her fumbling paws managed to unfold the letter â€" and she saw it was actually two letters. One, was an acceptance from a very exclusive Veterinarian College â€" two states away â€" and the other was a letter, signed simply, K.

It read...

"Ms. Greytail,

Please find enclosed, a cheque to cover your severance pay, for the next five years, your services would have been required. The remainder of your money, is to buy your silence, on the matter that was discussed in my presence. My lineage is strong, noble and untainted â€" please, do not view it as an insult to your own, I'm sure, lineage â€" but if word got out, my eldest was the boyfriend of an anthropomorphic Kangaroo â€" the fallout and disgrace would destroy my son's future endeavours. I bear you no ill-will young Miss â€" I merely express my intentions, that you are to have no further contact, with myself, my children, or my wife. Your tuition fee's have been paid at the Veterinarian College â€" a very prestigious and expensive place. I can but pray, my faith in you has not been misguided. May you succeed at your life-goal and achieve the job you have always told my son, you wished to one day have.

Yours,

K."

Kelly sniffled and bit back her tears, as she unfolded the second letter, and scanned it numerous times, before she began quietly sobbing and clutching it in her paws. Indeed, the letter was one of acceptance and notification, that for the next six years, she was to be considered a full-fee paid student, and to live on-campus. Kelly felt sick to her stomach, knowing what this must have cost the Blackwood's, and having no idea, they were indeed â€" so comfortably well off, that they could buy Kelly off the way they had. Unfolding the check in her paws, Kelly felt her heart skip a beat, as the amount written on it, was far more than she had any right to expect. Thinking it was some elaborate and cruel joke, Kelly grasped the original letter and re-read it, slowly coming to understand â€" that she would never see her beloved Alex again â€" and it was â€" in the Blackwood's way â€" for the better, for them both. He truthfully meant her no disrespect, but he was proud of his lineage, and obviously come from a wealthy and powerful family â€" and scandal like this...well â€" Kelly knew the law well enough, to know if it ever become public knowledge....

She sniffled and put aside the letter and the accompanying acceptance note and cheque, before she rolled over on her bed, clutched her favourite kangaroo plush â€" and buried her muzzle against its lifeless chest â€" and began to cry in grief, pining for her lost lover...

END