FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

'Only another half hour of walking.' I told my achy legs. My shoes softly crunched over the dry dirt road hoping that I was correct. I was in the middle of the first of many forests leading into the lands away from the great sea. The meager road was once covered in short grass and young saplings, but those had been worn away with continual treading. Up ahead in the distance, I heard a commotion like that of a scuffle. "What's going on?" The dirt road that turned a wide right ahead was empty, and there wasn't anything to see through the dense trees to my right. The noise quickly faded as I continued walking. Bandits were very rare, especially this far out. A knife on my hip was adequate for that conflict. Newly fashioned pistols were fairly cumbersome and expensive.

'Something... From the forest?' I wondered and gazed wearily around me. The wild forests were home to many wild creatures that blurred the notion of what was human and what was animal. A single howl always brought chills to anyone brave enough to travel at night. I wasn't immune to such a terrifying sound either. But that didn't stop a few brave pioneers from exploring the woods and returning with even wilder accounts of human-like animals. They were treated as savage animals with only evil intent, and early accounts backed up those claims. Most people therefore avoided the forests and remained settled along the coast. If one thing was clear it was that no one was welcome in the other's world. Daytime belonged to humans, but nighttime belonged to them. I continued walking and reached the bend in the road. Nothing was out of the ordinary and my thoughts returned to trivial things. Out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of something, and on a second glance I froze on the spot.

"Oh my-!" I held back a gasp. A figure was practically hanging by its wrists with rope on a pole. I wasn't entirely sure what I was looking at. The body resembled that of a human, but covered in white and black fur. 'A skunk?' No other animal fit the description. A fluffy plume-like tail hanged idly to the ground. I cautiously stepped forward despite the potential danger that my mind worried about. The furry body was slumped forward, and the head hanged low. A female skunk! She clearly had breasts. Her breathing was shallow and her condition looked poor. Her white hair was disheveled and very messy. Whatever put her in this condition could not have been good.

"Hello? Who are you?" I asked but didn't receive a response. I cut the rope binding her wrists to the post. She immediately fell into my arms. I looked up and down the dirt road to make sure no one could see us. I stared at the mess of her white head of hair. I couldn't believe that this unconscious skunk lady was in my arms.

"Who are you?" I wondered aloud. 'Who did this to you?' Numerous boot and shoe prints in the mud indicated a group effort to harm her. I would likely never find out, and I didn't have time to wonder. She needed immediate help, and I couldn't leave her on the edge of the road. Leaving her in the woods wouldn't be any better. Whoever did this to her might return too. I didn't want to run into those people. I scooped her up the best that I could and resumed walking to town, but along the edge of the dangerous woods. We were less than a few minutes away now, and I didn't want to have to explain anything. After creeping through a little trail near the road, I spotted rooftops and the settlement's characteristic palisade wall. My house was inside the mostly stockaded settlement. There were five main entrances that were not gated, but guarded at night. Getting in and out was easy during the day, but the problem rested in being spotted. I'd have to reach my house with her undetected. Based on the greeting that she received just outside of the settlement, that was the best course of action.

I crept up to the wall and peeked around the corner. 'No one Is around!' My heart confidently leapt. Mostly everyone would still be working during the afternoon, but that didn't guarantee safe passage. I scurried through the entryway. I ducked through narrow alleyways and slipped by empty streets. Any sight or sound of someone forced me into hiding until an opening was available. With enough luck and maneuvering I reached my house unseen in broad daylight. I barreled down the door and closed it behind me. My home was a typical lodge styled building; a modest main room that acted as a living room and kitchen in one, a small bedroom, and a little half bath. The village had no electricity, but it did have running water and modest plumbing.

Out of breath, I took her to my bedroom. Something rough and sharp dug into my back I fell to my knees an clenched my teeth to hold back a yowl of pain. I felt her move and immediately let go. She was awake! The female skunk sat on the floor with a confused expression. Her head darted around before locking onto me.She pushed away with her legs until her back was up against the wall. I reached out to her.

"I'm not going to hurt-" I yanked my hand back from a sudden strike. The skunk painfully whimpered from the fast move. Obscured by messy white hair, eyes glared at me with anger. The skunk's fluffy tail curled around her body for protection. A second attempt resulted in the same response from her. I fell backwards out of her reach. She started to move, but winced and remained sitting against the wall. Something was hurting her, possibly a broken bone or simply a bad bruise, but I couldn't even touch her. 'There has to be something that I can do...' I though for a moment. With her legs stretched out she couldn't kick me. I cautiously approached the anthro skunk.

"I won't hurt you. I promise." I slowly reached out and touched her foot. "See?" Her face frowned, but she didn't move. I started to realize that she couldn't understand me. Our languages were probably the furthest from the other's translation. If I tried touching her anywhere else, then teeth were bared and a warning growl was given. An occasional smack was attempted if I was really close. 'This isn't going well...' I worried. The female skunk was sitting against the wall, clearly in pain. I couldn't even move her to a more comfortable place. She only allowed me to touch her foot, and even that had its troubles. Imposing white claws resembling little daggers pointed up at me. A little lower I noticed a small cut on her heel. It wasn't life threatening, or even deep, but there was something that I could do about it. I retrieved a small cloth and rinsed it in the sink. The skunk watched my every move with a keen eye. She tensed as I sat down across from her.

I lifted her foot and cleaned what little she allowed me. I rubbed the dirt and caked mud off her pads and white fur. She silently bared her teeth for a moment but backed down. The large claws on her toes threatened to curl, but gradually relaxed as well. The fur returned to a clean white, and her pads a dark black. I could only guess how many more cuts and bruises that she had hidden underneath her fur. While she was in a good mood, I cleaned her other foot. 'Only four toes...' I noticed she only had that many blocky digits per foot. That was one less claw for me to worry about! I set the dirty cloth aside. Her mood hadn't changed in the slightest towards me. A scowl lurked beneath the white hair partially covering her face.

Without any new ideas, I simply sat with the female skunk and rubbed her feet. The supple pads reminded me of smooth leather, and they were warm. The skunk's intense gaze didn't waver, but her cold stare softened somewhat. There wasn't much that I could do if I was unable to earn her trust, and I didn't want a sudden scream or yell to alert anyone. Then we'd both be in dire straits. Her eyes lowered the longer I rubbed, but I couldn't keep it up forever. I put her foot down maybe an hour later when the room grew dark from the lowering sun outside. I stretched for a good minute, and cracked several joints. My back was sore from sitting hunched over, not to mention a day's worth of excitement.

'It's just about nighttime.' I noticed how much the room had dimmed. I tried getting close to her again. The skunk needed to be on the bed, but a growl stopped me. She wouldn't let me carry her so I had to leave her on the wooden floor. I handed her a pillow, but even that received a suspicious glare. She smelled it with her pink nose before deciding that it was harmless. I changed into some lighter clothes, and watched her until the room turned completely dark. I wanted to ask her so many things. Who harmed her? Where was she from in the forest? What was it like living there? Were all anthros like her? What did she think of me? It would've been too much to ask even if she wanted to answer. With some reluctance I laid down and went to bed. It was uneasy sleeping a mere few feet away from her, especially since I didn't know what she would try to do. I yawned anyway and rolled over. We both needed a good night's rest.

I rolled out of bed and found the skunk laying on the floor with her tail curled up like a blanket. The pillow I gave her last night was propped between her back and the wooden wall. Seeing her peacefully asleep brought some relief to me. I went over to stretch and dress myself. A different set of the same clothes helped me freshen up. My gaze returned to the skunk.

'Why am I helping her?' I asked myself. We were not family, friends, acquaintances, or even the same species! I am risking my life for what is considered a mortal enemy of humans... But no one deserved to be beaten like she had. I guess I just wanted to help, and learn a little bit about her too. I heard two kids outside playing before a parent yelled for them. The skunk's ear flickered, and an eye peeked open somewhere beneath the mess of white hair. She suddenly attempted to sit up, only to grit her teeth in a hushed whimper.

"Are you alright-?" I rushed to her side only to take a half step back. Her claw wielding hand raised threateningly, but it noticeably shook in the air. I could see every part of her body move with each breath she took. It wasn't a good sign. The skunk gradually lowered her hand and sighed deeply. She whined softly in resignation. I dumbly stared at her. The skunk pointed to her nose and then the little bathroom to the side. "Oh! Bathroom." I hoped I knew what I was doing. To my surprise she scooted forward and reached out with her hand, not to strike me but with her palm facing out! It finally hit me that she needed to go. I carefully approached her side and reached out. She didn't fight back and let me pick her up, but a hand held a fast grip on my arm. The skunk's fur was warm from being curled up. I set her down and noticed how much her legs were trembling. The skunk gladly relieved herself and then I carried her back to where she slept.

"Now that that is done..." My growling stomach interrupted me. If I was hungry then she had to be hungry too. I quickly left the bedroom. My eyes glanced at the door as I walked to a cabinet. The thought of someone knocking without warning became my biggest concern overnight. I ate while preparing a breakfast and lunch for the skunk. No one really knew what creatures from the forest ate, but I couldn't imagine it being too different from a human. I gathered a mixture of cooked and uncooked foods, mostly vegetables with some bread and dried meat, into a cloth. The female skunk looked up at me as I reentered the room.

"Here's some food and water." I laid out a few things on the section of cloth and edged it towards her. She shifted her leg somewhat, but otherwise didn't move. It must've been demeaning for an independent creature roaming the forests to suddenly find herself dependent on a human. A distrust of humans in general probably didn't help either. I held up a few items towards her enticingly. The pink nose on the end of her petite muzzle flared occasionally, but she remained disinterested. I looked around the well lit room. How much of the morning had I spent with her? I was afraid to leave her alone in the house to her own devices, but I couldn't suddenly shut myself off from other responsibilities either. I wished that my job was inside the settlement for the next weeks so I could check on her periodically.

"I have to go, but I will come back later. Don't leave." I motioned with my hands for her to stay. The skunk numbly watched me back out of the room. I readied myself and silently prayed before leaving.

The arrival of evening seemed to take an eternity as I returned home. I stepped inside my house and quickly closed the door behind me before latching it. No need to risk a sudden intruder. The main room was empty, but a distinct odor caught my nose by surprise.

'It's her.' I looked towards my bedroom. The skunk had a distinct smell. It wasn't unpleasant, but it reminded me of a wild spice. I set my belongings aside and peered inside the bedroom. I sighed with some relief seeing the skunk sitting in her usual spot. Her gaze immediately looked up at mine before sinking dejectedly to the floor. Her ears were folded back, a puzzling feature of her anatomy. I quietly stepped inside. She hadn't attempted an escape to my knowledge, but it did look like she had explored some of the house. Scratch marks along the floor indicated she tried moving, but didn't succeed in standing. The food carrying cloth had been moved into a pile. Some of the food had been eaten, and some untouched. The cup of water was empty. I made a quick note of what she liked before taking it all back into the kitchen. When I came back into my room a distinct crunch beneath my shoe startled me. I stepped aside and looked down. "Where did this come from?" I picked part of a crumpled leaf. My eyes searched ahead and found the culprit.

"Ah! Your tail brought in all the dirt and debris." I noticed the disorganized fluffy appendage with plenty of things stuck in its thick fur. She curled the tail between her legs as if to hide it from any guilt. I approached and sat down beside her. It was the closest I had been to her yet. She didn't attempt to cover herself even though we were mere inches apart. I cautiously reached out and touched her black furred shoulder. A pained grumble gathered in her throat. She did not let her guard down, but carefully watched me. I looked over her messy form. There was plenty of mud, dirt, and the occasional stain of blood. It was easier to see the stains on her white fur rather than her midnight black fur. "You could definitely use a bath." I mentioned. The skunk didn't seem too concerned that the only thing on her body was her own fur. I left and retrieved the large bathtub from outside. It was the same as a wooden baby bathtub, but larger for an adult to use. Since all of the water the settlement used came from small underground sources there were no showers or communal places to adequately bathe. I drew up a bath and dragged the tub to the middle of the room. She curiously looked at the wooden item from her seat, but made no movement.

"You're getting a bath, even if it kills me." I knelt down beside her. Her ears pinned back and she shied away from me. I was able to touch her, but she grumbled and bared her teeth at me. 'Alright. Don't rush anything.' I told myself. I backed away and tried again after a moment. The skunk tensed a little and made an occasional nip at my hands, but with some coaxing I made progress. I carefully scooped her into my arms and carried her to the tub. I grimaced feeling her claws dig into my arm. "Ok. Here you go." I clenched my teeth and carefully placed her into the tub. Those dangerous claws released their clingy grip.

'That will leave a mark...' I winced where she had held me. The skunk watched me wet the cloth before cleaning her legs underwater first. Her muscles occasionally tensed under my touch. For a female, anthro or human, she possessed a fair amount of physical strength. But it wasn't enough to escape the people who had harmed her so cruelly. The skunk held onto the sides without a fuss while I washed her. She seemed to understand what was going on. I checked every wound that I could find. I finally cleaned her body free of dirt and old crusted blood properly. The once clean water quickly turned into a brackish color. She only had a few minor cuts and plenty of dirt, but most of the trouble came with her numerous bruises.

"Grr!" She grimaced and growled when I touched a tender spot on her side.

"Sorry!" I gently washed the spot before moving on. For someone living in the unknown forests she had a lithe and nimble body, although her little claws and teeth probably could convince me otherwise. Her tail took the longest with only my hands to comb through the thick fur. I washed over her arms last with caution. Her wrists concerned me because of how they had been tied to the post. I felt over them with care next. "No broken bones." I sighed with relief. "You are one lucky lady." It did not take a doctor to figure that one out. I rubbed over her hands next. The pads on her hands were an odd feature. Supple, leathery, and warm just like the ones on her feet and toes. I finished and took a moment to simply hold her warm hand. It was smaller than my own, and even dainty despite the claws on each finger. My gaze wandered up her arms and elsewhere.

'She's a young woman.' That much was clear. I peeked at the water's murky surface. Her wet fingers coiled around my idle hand and gently squeezed. "Huh? Oh, sorry." I kept my gaze controlled and finished cleaning her. "There." I wrung the cloth out and turned to hang it over a chair. "That should do it." Either she understood me, or was tired of sitting in a bucket of water. Probably the second of the two. When I turned back around she was halfway standing up on her own. "Woah! Hold on." I quickly grabbed a towel and held onto her. She gradually stood up in the tub with my help. Water dripped off her fur into the bucket like rain. A hasty sigh escaped her lips as she tried stepping out of the tub. Her foot caught the side and unbalanced her. "Easy. I'll get you." I lifted her out. Water dripped on the floor as she carefully stood upright. I helped balance her until she was standing by herself. I instinctively wrapped the towel around her, but she simply stood there dripping wet. The female skunk looked pitiful standing in the middle of the room, fur soaked to her naked body.

"Maybe you don't have towels..." I dried her off completely, making quick work of any private areas. I received no complaining growls from her. The skunk's damp fur was left spiked out in every direction. For an anthro from the woods with a fearsome reputation the appearance was very funny. "Pff-Hahaha!" Her ears wiggled around at the sudden sound of my laughter. "I'm sorry, but you look..." I looked at her and couldn't help myself from snickering. "Spiky skunk!" She patiently waited while I let the rest of my chuckles out. "Sorry." I sighed and flattened her fur with the towel. I was a pioneer, not a gentleman. She smacked me with her wet tail when I finished.

"You're hair is kind of long and shaggy..." I combed the messy white hair away from her face and found two bright blue eyes staring back at me. We stared at each other for a silent moment. "Pepper." I whispered. Her ears turned at the sound of my voice. I had suddenly decided to name her based off the vague spicy smell that was solely hers. She was beautiful. The sudden realization flustered me. I took a step back and focused. "Uh... I'll start a fire for you." I went over and put some wood in the hearth. Flames were crackling in little time, and Pepper sat down on the floor by the fire to dry herself. In the meantime I started cooking a pot of stew. It was only plain with a few ingredients, but her pink nose took great interest in what I was cooking.

"We have enough potatoes and barley in this village to satisfy any hunger at the expense of taste." I half joked and watched the mixture simmer. Luckily I had some venison to spare for it. When everything was finally ready I ladled a bowl. I knelt down and held up a spoonful to her. "You need to eat something hearty." I urged her to taste it. Her hunger gained the upper hand over her timidity. She took a small taste and her expression changed in an instant. Her ears perked up and the she eagerly brought her muzzle to the bowl. The skunk's nimble hands took control of the bowl. I soon had to fix her a second helping before I could make one for me. I watched her eat from the table. Her ravenous appetite was healthy. She set the bowl down and licked her muzzle clean. I dared to think that I saw a hint of a grin emerge on the corner of her mouth. The skunk stretched her legs out towards the fire. The orange and yellow lights from the fire danced across her fur. Never in my life would I have expected a naked lady to be sitting in my house, especially one that I recently bathed! It was still a lot to take in.

'She's a skunk and I'm a human.' I told myself. Under any other circumstances we would avoid each other at any cost. Yet there she was, sitting in the floor of my house inside a stockaded human settlement. She seemed just as human as me. "All dry?" I approached and sat down beside her. Pepper looked at me with a blank stare. 'Oh. She can't understand me.' I remembered. Without any other way to tell, I trailed a hand down her arm. The black fur was very soft and silky now that she was clean. Her white fur that now resembled a blanket of fluffy snow probably felt the same way. Pepper didn't shy away and returned her gaze towards the hearth. I simply stayed beside her, and we stared at the fire together. Nighttime settled in and I took care of the dishes and empty pot. Pepper remained by the fire. I returned and tapped her on the shoulder. The skunk looked up at me. "Bed?" I pointed to the other room. She shifted and curled her legs up, ready to move. I made sure the fire would safely burn out, but Pepper started to stand without me. "Let me carry-" A hand smacked me from interfering. She was determined to walk right now. I steadied her as she slowly stood up on her own before making a careful step across the floor. The skunk bumped into my side.

'Where do I hold her? Side? Shoulder?' She didn't wait for me to decide and took another step forward. I quickly grabbed onto her hip and stepped with her. Pepper held a fast grip on my shoulder and took a moment to stand. The sound of a ragged breath drawn through clenched teeth signaled pain. My hand held her safely. I looked at the mess of white hair beside me. She was half a head shorter than me, and I wasn't even six feet tall. I couldn't see her as a threat, and I didn't know why anyone else would have harmed her so. My feet shuffled nervously. Her body heat warmed my side despite the layer of clothes between us, and it was hard to ignore. Pepper regained her bearings and started walking again, step by step. I helped her into the bedroom. She started walking towards the wall where she slept the other night, but I stopped her.

"Here." I scooped the female skunk up and placed her on my bed. "I don't see how sleeping on the floor is going to help you heal." I lifted her legs up. The skunk looked around the different perch, but remained still. "Go on. Don't be shy." I encouraged her. With a hesitant hand, she curiously felt over the soft material. She laid down and a hasty sigh left her lips as she relaxed, probably the first time in days. I laid down on the floor with a different mindset.

'How did she sleep here?' I struggled to find a comfortable spot. At least I had a pillow...

Over the following days, and after a fair amount of practice, Pepper regained the ability to walk. The skunk no longer growled at me when I approached or touched her. She was friendly towards me now. Despite my lack of medical supplies, situation, and a lot of luck Pepper was doing well. But I wouldn't let that ease of success lower my vigilance. There was talk within the town about an anthro that escaped nearby the settlement. I didn't ask if anyone meant Pepper the skunk, but it was very likely. The thought of them finding out was more than enough to motivate me to help her. I entered my house and softly closed the door behind me before latching it. I looked around but didn't see the skunk anywhere.

"Pepper?" She wasn't in the room with me. I found the skunk in my room looking over an overcoat that had been folded on a shelf top. I only had a few clothes: two or three pairs of undershirts, pants, overalls, and a pair of sleeping clothes. It was enough for me. Pepper caught sight of me and her ears fell back. The skunk backed away from my limited wardrobe. Her steps were slow, indicating plenty of tenderness still afflicting her body.

"What? You're looking at my clothes?" I approached her. The skunk's bushy black and white tail covered between her legs. She bashfully looked to the side and held her tail. "No, it's fine." I touched her shoulder and motioned to the clothes. Her tail fell back, and she loosened up. I showed a plain overcoat to her. Pepper curiously explore the fabric with all of her senses. It came as no surprise that someone with a full coat of beautiful fur had no knowledge of clothing. I had to hold back a laugh when she tried forcing her head through one of the sleeves.

"Here. Let me help." I pulled the garment off her head. It took a few tries but I managed to fit her arms through the sleeves. "There. How's that?" I stepped back. The skunk lifted her arms and looked at herself. The unbuttoned garment hung open, not even covering her snowy front in the slightest. Pepper's innocence only added to her sweet look. "That's a good pose." I half grinned. Many pioneering men out here would trade a week's worth of food for a sight like that, human or anthro. The skunk stepped around and swished her tail before deciding it wasn't something that she like wearing. Pepper shimmied out of my overcoat and flattened her fur.

"You need something more lady-like though." I thought aloud as I put the overcoat back. There was a seamstress in town that carried plenty of simple dresses and other women's apparel.

I awoke to the sound of scratching.

"Who's there?" I immediately sat up. It was still pitch black, the middle of the night. The scratching continued. My fears were assuaged when I heard a soft voice grumble in frustration. "Pepper?" I spoke into the darkness. The noise ceased, but I heard claws click over the wooden floor. I reached over and struck a match. With a lit candle I could see Pepper standing at the entryway to the main room. "What's wrong?" I slipped out of bed and followed her to the front door. Pepper stopped and placed a hand on the wooden surface. She felt around and tugged on the door handle. The skunk was unaware of a latch above her. She stepped aside and looked at me expectantly. I unlocked the door for her. Starlight filtered into the open doorway, casting the floor in a silver glow. Pepper peeked her head outside but quickly ducked back inside.

"You're used to roaming around with a lot of space." I acknowledged and looked back at the small rooms she had been confined to. "Come on. It should be safe if we are quiet, and stay away from the gateways." I extended my hand to her. Pepper looked at me with hesitation before lightly grasping my hand. I stepped outside with her. The air was cool, even more so in my night clothes. The crescent moon above was partially obscured with lingering clouds, but there was plenty of starlight to see by. The skunk's tail flicked up as a breeze ruffled through her fur. She hadn't felt such a sensation in quite some time. I held Pepper's hand tightly because I had a slight fear that she would suddenly bolt away and try to escape. But the skunk had to realize that escaping on her own would be nearly impossible. Besides, letting her walk around more would help more than it would harm. Pepper didn't run away and stayed beside me.

We slowly walked up the little dirt road. Her feet silently stepped over shoe prints and tracks in the packed bare dirt. The skunk observed the exotic human world around her. The lack of trees and grass was already a big enough change to the skunk. She curiously looked up at the two story buildings and little homes that towered above like massive elm trees. She examined the odd smells that hung in the cooler air. The oddities of hay, ditches, small livestock, and fresh cut wood bombarded her flared pink nose. She touched the new textures of brick and stone on walls. A broken wheelbarrow leaning against a building drew her full attention next. The shape and moving wheel all perplexed her. Beneath the fur and timid exterior was an inquisitive person. Despite the mood of discovery, both of our ears remained vigilant to the dark world around us. The slightest noise had our full attention. A sudden coughing sound made my heart jump. Pepper and I froze in our tracks. I held her close and stepped back into a shadow. A round of coughing ensued nearby, but no footsteps. I feared that the town watch had suddenly began patrolling the streets. However, the marching of footsteps never reached us. The sharp sounds of a glass bottle clinking as it rolled over the ground confused me. Pepper scrunched her nose at a smell that I could not sense yet. A hiccup gave the mystery away.

'A drunkard.' I sighed thankfully. It wasn't easy living in a settlement away from the coast. Fears of an anthro attack, a bad crop, or an accident had a way of putting many on edge. The everlasting comfort of numbness helped those less adventurous tangle with living such a dangerous world. It wasn't uncommon for someone to take drinking a little far. In a minute or two soft snores replaced the other sounds.

"Let's get back inside." I kept her close and walked back home. Even though it didn't last very long, it was good to let her roam outside. I let her linger in the doorway for a minute before closing and locking it all up. Pepper crawled into the bed and burrowed under the cover. She made several attempts to lay down in funny positions before finding one that was comfortable. I could imagine her sleeping in a bedding of leaves the same way.

I could smell her spicy scent from across the room. It was warm, wild, and welcoming all in one.

I came home during the end of the afternoon as I always did, although this time I was a little late. In my arm was a long garment that I would never wear. A dress. I borrowed it with the word that I planned on engaging a woman from one of the coastal settlements. However, I actually wanted Pepper to wear it. The skunk was fascinated with clothing, and it seemed natural to give her something more feminine than what I wore. All I had to do was return it and explain that the imaginary engagement fell through.

"Looks like you found the two ears of corn that I bought yesterday." I picked up the remains of one. Not a single kernel remained on the cob. "And the strawberries..." The dozen red berries were also missing. They grew everywhere in the countryside and coming across a ripe group wasn't too difficult. 'You cleaned the plates...' I was surprised at the stack of clean dishes on the countertop. I noticed that a few other things had been moved. The skunk had become fairly adventurous and curious since we first met. I walked her around the village at night for an hour when no one else was awake to let her get some fresh air and exercise. It was a humbling and quiet experience. But she rarely spoke directly to me because we didn't have a common language. I heard claws lightly clicking on the floor behind me. I barely turned around and Pepper was already upon me trying to find out what I had brought home. The skunk reached and tried to investigate the strange new garment. She was giddy, and so full of energy now.

"Wait a second!" I held the fabric out of her reach. "I can't let you wear it yet." The skunk had a curiosity with everything that was new, but that occasionally led to something breaking. I set the garment aside and nudged her shoulder. Pepper wiggled her nose at me as if to pout before walking into the bedroom. I followed hearing an impatient foot tap. She laid down on the bed and let me comb through her fur. The slowly rising and falling tummy of hers was first. I thumbed through her white fur to peek at the hidden skin below. It was hard to find undamaged healthy skin when she first let me look her over. Blotchy, deep purples and angry reds gradually healed into faded colors. I clearly remembered a hand swatting at me several times. Now a healthy pink was the main color. Every cut and bruise on her body had faded with time, although some tenderness remained. The rest of her body was healing just fine as well.

"Ok. You're good." I patted her knee. She swiftly jumped off the bed and went for the black dress that I had brought. Her hands explored the silky material, finding many folds and openings inside. Unlike my clothes, however, the skunk didn't know how to put on the long garment. Her brow knitted in thought before she decided to pull the garment over her head and tied the sleeves around her neck. Pepper had clearly never seen a dress, and no idea how to wear one. I had to hold back a laugh. She started tying the sleeves around her neck when I stopped her. "Just stand there and I will help you." I offered and untied the loose knot. Her blue eyes blinked as I held up the fancy garment. She stood still as I pulled the whole thing over her head. The dress slid into place over her body and arms furrowed through sleeves. Her head poked out and shook back and forth. "Just hold your arms out like this." I lifted her arms up and started buttoning the back. She stood up straight, but had to adjust. With the last button looped I took a step back. Pepper was an incredible sight to behold, female skunk and all. She wore the dress beautifully. It hugged her slender body comfortably without mashing her fur down. The black fabric matched and accentuated her two colors perfectly. Even her messy white hair couldn't have looked better. For a moment I believed we were in a lavish city at a noble's ballroom.

"You look stunning." I managed to say. The grin on her muzzle agreed. Her hands drew all over her body where the dress hugged her form. The bottom reached her ankles and gracefully enshrouded her steps. The tail sticking out awkwardly in the back was amusing, yet sobering. My smile faded slightly. It reminded me that Pepper was from the forests, and I was only keeping the skunk away from her home the longer she stayed with me. I had to let her go. It pained me to think about it, but there was no other way around it. Pepper twirled around a few more times before crouching down to the floor. The skunk slowly stalked around the room as she was hunting a deer. She jumped up and the dress followed with a light ruffling sound.

"I'm glad that you like it." A little modesty wasn't a bad thing for the normally nude skunk. She stood up on her toes to my height and bopped my nose with her pink one. I blinked at the damp sensation remaining. "What was that for?" I found myself grinning back at her. The skunk's fluffy tail swished side to side. Pepper pointed to herself, and then me. "What?" I tilted my head at her. She tugged on the dress and then pointed at me. "No." I held up my hands. "You should keep the dress." I patted her shoulder. Somewhere in the back of my mind I already imagined lying to the shop owner about "losing" the garment. Technically if Pepper escaped without a problem then she also "stole" the dress. She also stole my heart.

The final night arrived in a quiet descent upon the human settlement. I planned out her escape with care. It should've been a moment of relief, but I secretly dreaded it. Even though she was a skunk, I grew to enjoy her company into my otherwise lonely life. It wasn't easy to sever such a strong bond, but I knew the alternative consequences weren't remotely better for us. For each day Pepper stayed with me then it would be increasingly likely that someone would find out she was in my house. I had to help her escape.

I crossed my legs at the table. I felt uneasy, and Pepper could sense it. The skunk was standing on the other side of the table, leaning against the wall. Her silence mirrored my own. She was wearing the black dress that I had recently bought. Maybe it would become a parting gift if she wanted to keep it. The fire in the hearth died out, leaving only the light of a single candle flickered between us. Little trails of wax melted down as the first hour of darkness passed, and then the second. Only when midnight approached was I certain that no one would be outside. I stared at Pepper who was idly waiting beside me, and then the door. It was time. I motioned for her and blew out the dwindling candle. The skunk seemed to understand and followed me. I unlatched the door carefully and took a deep breath. Hopefully the house would still smell like her for a while.

'This will be the last time I take her outside.' I held her hand and peeked outside. Her warm fur and supple pads instilled me with confidence. The half moon above shined brightly above, illuminating the dark village in a silvery glow. Luckily, the streets were clear. "It's safe." I whispered and led her into the open. I quietly closed the door, and we hurried through the town for a final time. The air was cool, but still tepid. An occasional breeze silently blew through the streets. We stopped at every corner to make sure no one was around before proceeding. Not another soul was out perusing the town. The palisade came into sight soon enough. We hid in the dark together. Torches were lit at distant intervals along the top of the wall, but the open gateways themselves were usually the centers of activity. A handful of watchmen, no more than three or four wearing rugged uniforms, guarded and oversaw the area. Anthros from the woods were not common sightings along the wall at night, but robbers and thieves were occasionally caught. It looked impossible to breach without being seen, but there was a flaw within the meager defense. There weren't enough watchmen to guard every gate, so two of the five were always left unguarded.

'The next gate.' I led Pepper away and down a dark street. Our steps quietly pattered over a small section of stone. A window shutter creaked as we passed a haystack. We stopped and hid behind an empty cart. A small breeze cooly passed us. The neighboring gateway a dozen meters away was lit, but clear and empty. We carefully clung to the shadows and slipped outside without a trace. I led her around the wall a short distance through the sedge grass. We stopped a short distance away to catch our breath. The naked fields were laid out before us, a moonlit coated ocean. The tree line was a mere two hundred or so yards away.

'I guess it's time to say goodbye...' I thought. Pride welled inside me for helping her heal and recover. Before I could say anything, Pepper stepped forward and her hand didn't let go of mine. "What?" I stumbled slightly as she tugged me forward. The skunk didn't relent and I hastily followed her through the field. Her fluffy black and white tail bobbed beside me as we ran across the grassy plane. Every step further guaranteed her safe passage. The crickets and spring peepers surrounded us in their natural chorus. We approached the tree line and took a moment to rest. The second hardest part was over. My eyes glanced at our joined hands. I didn't want to let go of her, but I had to. I released her, but our grip remained tight. Her hand didn't let me go! Pepper stepped forward and tugged my arm. I glanced over my shoulder at the human village far behind us. She was already far enough away to run.

"What? Further?" I hesitated, but another tug on my arm urged me to follow her. I walked into the woods behind her. A hooting owl chilled my skin. The trees gradually blocked my view of the field, and the sky above. Being in the woods at night was more than enough to worry me, but Pepper dissipated those fears. She led me a little further into the trees, but still within view of the fields. It smelled woody from an earlier rain and very fresh, but it was the world that the female skunk lived in. Our footsteps lightly crunched over dead leaves and the loamy soil to a small opening in the treetops above. Pepper suddenly stopped and turned around to face me.

Her beauty struck me into silence. The moonlight illuminated her black and white face with a silver hue. The skunk and her black dress appeared to glow like the celestial body in the sky. Even more noticeable, she was smiling.

"What's wrong?" I managed to ask. Pepper didn't answer. Her little muzzle suddenly leaned closer and brushed against my cheek. She drew back slowly, letting her whiskers tease me until our noses touched. The warmth of her breath filled my soul as our lips joined next. Hands rested on my waist and pulled me a little closer. The kiss that we so desperately wanted deepened. We had to tilt our heads to accommodate the difference in anatomy. Soft moans and hums buzzed between us. When we parted from the sensual kiss our noses remained intimately touched. My green eyes remained locked to her sapphire blue. In the little wooded hideout all I could only see Pepper, and she was perfect.

My hands slid to her lower back, just above the base of her tail to the buttons on her dress. One by one my fingers unclasped the little barriers, physically freeing her. The dress slid down her body where it pooled around her ankles. A hasty sigh passed her lips while she worked to undo my clothes next. Articles fell and were kicked aside all while we kissed above. I gladly let her dainty hands slide my boxers down my legs. They were licked aside as well. Pepper stepped forward and pressed her naked body to mine. We embraced without any clothing between us. The warmth of her body was simply divine. I nuzzled her neck and took in the spicy scent that I named her after. Pepper's back arched and her hands encouragingly pressed me further to her chest. I nuzzled her tuft of white fur and breasts with equal treatment. A churring growl of approval escaped her throat. My hands tenderly rubbed her silky black and white fur wherever I could reach. Her tail swished enticingly when I grabbed her rear. After a moment, she nudged me to stop.

In a single motion, without a word we knelt down to the ground. We resumed our curious touches and intimacy without pause. Without further ado, Pepper leaned back and sprawled out in a bedding of leaves. Her ears folded back somewhat nervously, but the skunk's intent was clear. I scooted forward and she helped guide me inside. I softly gasped. The sensation was hard to describe, but the silken heat enveloping me was incredible. I leaned forward and lowered down to her. Pepper reached around and held my back. Her legs crossed behind me. Even her big fluffy tail attempted to hold me, enveloping me into her touch as much as possible. I felt every inch of her body that I couldn't see. It was the warmest embrace, and I felt protected from the forest around us. Her pink nose rubbed over my nose, drawing my attention back to her. I kissed her fuzzy lips while her hands ruffled through my hair. Her mouth parted and caught me off guard. Teeth pressed against my skin and nibbled lightly before a smooth tongue washed over me. More nuzzles and nips were exchanged before fur and skin rubbed together in unison. Our passionate voices reached the heavens and moon above. I shuddered as the plateau of pleasure was reached all too soon.

"I love you." I told her with a final push. Her entire body clutched me at the same time. Claws dug into my back as she sweetly cried out. Pepper reached the same blissful plateau. I eased down onto her. We rubbed noses and shared a sensual kiss. With a little effort I shifted some of my weight off her, but we remained in each other's intimate embrace. It was the greatest feeling in the world. I listened to the sounds of our deep breathing among the soft songs of crickets and other insects droning into the night. I wished that it could last forever. I blissfully fell asleep despite feeling whiskers tease my ear as she whispered to me.

I woke up from the best sleep of my life. Early morning sunshine warmed my skin, but something was missing.

'Pepper-' My hand grasped empty air. "She's gone?" I blinked and stared at the empty bed of leaves beside me. Her dress was laying nearby without any sight of the owner. Traces of black and white fur remained on my skin, but the skunk was gone. I sighed and looked up at the sky. I couldn't help but feel sad that she was gone even though it was the right thing to do. Pepper was where she belonged, and if I had selfishly kept her with me then that would only risk both of our lives.

'It's beautiful out here in the morning.' I gazed into the early morning blue. The soft chirping of birds made it all the more serene. Why couldn't the forests be this inviting all the time? We'e all of its inhabitants like Pepper, or was she the exception? A figure suddenly blocked my view. "What?" I stared up in disbelief at the person proudly standing by my head. Two gracefully sleek black furred legs led to snowy white inner thighs, and the simple line of her womanhood. Further up was her slim white midriff, and beyond the gentle swell of her white furred breasts was a petite muzzle smiling down at me. 'Pepper!' I blinked. The female skunk crouched down directly above me. The messy white head of hair almost obscured her sapphire resembling eyes that smiled back at me. But her hair looked more beautiful, more natural like her nakedness. Happiness filled me knowing that she was still here, but there were so many questioned that I wanted to ask her!

"Pepper! Why are you still..." I hastily rolled onto my side and started to sit up, but I froze. Hidden in the undergrowth behind Pepper I spotted several faces watching us, rather me. Ears atop heads, long and short muzzles, vivid eyes, and plenty of fur. I could see seven, but more were likely. A female raccoon, two male red foxes, a mountain lion, two grey vixens, and a stout female badger. All of them were anthropomorphic like Pepper. Their eyes curiously and intently watched me. My eyes returned to Pepper's face. Her kind face didn't waver at their presence. She extended an inviting black and white hand down to me. I hesitated for a moment before grasping her hand firmly. We broke into smiles. She helped me up and we walked together into the woods. There was only one way to find out.