FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Jason stalked through the tall grass, listening, breathing the scents around him. His prey was nearby. Silently, he pushed forward, his stealthy movements barely rustling the grass. It could have been mistaken for a light breeze. His prey would never see him coming until it was too late.

Finally, Jason heard the sound of munching, his prey feeding on the very grass that hid him, that his prey thought hid it as well, but the grass couldn't hide it from Jason. Jason padded just a bit farther, and then he could see his prey's long white ears sticking up in the grass, swiveling to catch the slightest noise. But Jason didn't make any, and now he was within pouncing distance.

Jason crouched, and then he sprang. Flying over the grass, he stretched his claws wide to grab his prey. The rabbit's head shot up and her mouth opened in a squeal of terror, but it was too late. Jason had her. He would grab her as she tried to dash away, but then the rabbit leapt right at him! Her head collided with his belly, forcing his air out in a whoosh. Unbalanced by the blow, Jason landed hard on his side and scrambled to his feet. He saw his prey haring away through the grass and, with a growl, raced after her. The rabbit was fast, but Jason was right behind her. He could smell her fear, and the scent made his blood rise, made him push harder. She wouldn't get away! Jason saw a hole in the ground a short distance ahead; the rabbit was making for it, but he would catch her. He was almost on her heals. He could hear her gasping and sobbing.

"No, no, oh please no, oh Zeus!" she gasped breathlessly.

The rabbit dove for the hole, and Jason dove after her. She slipped through the opening, but the hole was too big. It should have only fit her, but instead it had foolishly been dug amply large to fit him. It provided no protection. Jason dove in after her. He would have to run on all fours to follow, but that's how she'd be running too. He'd catch her.

Suddenly, he tripped. A piece of string leapt up out of the floor and snagged his back right foot. Jason flopped hard onto his belly, but leapt in surprise as the tunnel rumbled behind him. He turned just in time to see a heavy stone roll into place, blocking the way he'd come and sealing out the light.

Jason pushed forward. He'd still catch the rabbit and force her to show him the way out before he ate her, but after a short distance, the tunnel narrowed sharply, forcing Jason to stop. He reached into the hole, groping, trying to see how long the narrow section was. At first, it seemed the section was long and too narrow to fit through, but then Jason realized he could actually squeeze inside. He pushed himself in and writhed forward. The tunnel widened as he went, and soon he was crawling easily again. It was dark, too dark to see, but he would still catch the rabbit. In fact, he could smell her close ahead. Perhaps she'd thought he'd been closed out behind the stone. Jason grinned; she'd be in for a big surprise!

Jason's hand slipped over a ledge, and he halted. He carefully felt around the edge of the now quite wide tunnel. He found he could even stand if he stooped slightly. He felt all along the edge but found nothing. He didn't know how high the ledge was, but it seemed the rabbit had made it down without trouble. Jason cautiously stepped up to the edge and vainly peered into the darkness. He'd have to jump and hope it wasn't far. He took a deep breath to fortify himself.

Suddenly, giant hands grabbed him pinning his arms to his sides. Jason yowled in shock as he was plucked from the ledge. Then a light flicked on. Jason blinked in the bright lights, trying to see who or what had grabbed him. His eyes adjusted, and he saw it: it was the rabbit! The somehow now enormous rabbit who was holding him easily between her gigantic hands! Jason squirmed in terror.

"Wh-what?! How?!" he yowled fearfully.

The rabbit grinned, "Got ya! Ha! The looks on you predators' faces are priceless! I wish I could sell those!"

"Wha-at?"

"'What, what, what?'" the rabbit mocked. "I got you, kitty. Or maybe I should say the shrink ray did."

She glanced up at an enormous metal ridged cone attached to the ceiling. The narrow end of the cone had a red glass bulb, and heavy black cords ran out of the room from the back.

"We're trying to figure out how to downsize. When we do, you predators are toast, but it's too big and energy intensive now. I can only zap one predator per day to give the power cell enough time to recharge," she explained.

Jason stared up at the strange machine. A shrink ray?! The prey had this technology?! What are they planning? "W-what do you mean we're toast?" he whined. "What are you going to d-do to me?"

The rabbit grinned, showing her large incisors. "Hmm, what should I do with someone who was trying to eat me?"

Jason's heart leapt into his throat, "N-no! Please don't eat me!"

The rabbit giggled, "Heeheeheehee, aww, poor kitty. Don't you want to be in a bunny's belly?"

"Please don't," Jason whimpered.

She smiled amusedly, "Don't be scared, kitty. I'm not going to hurt you."

"W-what are you going to do?" Jason whined again.

"Sometimes I sell predators, but I think I'm going to keep you as my very own. You'll be my little pet. How does that sound?"

"Y-your pet?" Jason whined.

"What? Don't you want to be a rabbit's little toy? It sounds better than her meal, doesn't it?"

"Y-yes! I-I'll be your pet! I'll do what you say!"

"Good kitty."

The rabbit tucked him in one arm with his head in the crook of her elbow and placed the other on top. Jason didn't try to squirm away from the looser hold. Where would he go even if he could escape? He was too small. What would he even hunt?! Maybe some other predator would have taken pity on him, but he was afraid to resist the rabbit. He'd been trying to kill her, and even if she hadn't hurt him yet, she didn't have any reason to show mercy. The rabbit carried him down a flight of stairs to a heavy oak door. She opened it to reveal a fully furnished house with wood floors, walls, and ceiling.

Jason started as a second rabbit, the same size but with different dark brown markings on her white fur rushed the door.

"Did you catch another kitty?!" she cried joyfully.

"I did," the first rabbit answered. "And I've decided this is the one; we'll keep this kitty as our very own."

The other rabbit let out a wordless squeak of pure joy. "Can I hold him?" she pleaded.

His captor handed him over to the second rabbit, who cradled him to her chest and beamed down as him with limpid brown eyes full of affection.

"I'll fix dinner," the first rabbit stated. "You can introduce our kitty to his new life." She strode away.

The second rabbit glanced after her and then beamed back down at Jason, "Let's go get your claws taken care of. I'm going to take such good care of you, kitty. I've wanted a kitty of my own for a long time, and you're gorgeous. I'm glad we get to spend the rest of our lives together: you, me, and Ellie."

Jason didn't reply but watched the rabbit disconcertedly. It was strange to think that prey had such covetous and seemingly affectionate feelings toward the predators that ate them. Jason felt he'd entered a surreal other world. Did these rabbits really not consider him an enemy, or were they simply responding to his helpless state? One thing the rabbit had said sank heavily in Jason's belly, "the rest of their lives." Would this really be how he spent the years and decades even that he'd likely live? As the helpless toy of a pair of rabbits?

The rabbit carried him down to her bedroom and set him on the bed. Jason watched nervously as she dug around in her nightstand. She pulled out a metal implement and plopped down on the bed beside him, bouncing him onto his side.

"Oops." She scooped him up. "Are you alright, kitty?"

Jason nodded.

"My name's Farida, and my sister's is Ellie. What's your name, kitty?"

"Jason."

A finger of her empty hand caressed his left ear and cheek. "It's nice to meet you, Jason," she crooned. "I know this all must be a little shocking and scary, but I promise I won't hurt you. Ellie won't hurt you either, but she does like to tease predators sometimes. She's the one they try to eat. I'm not allowed outside."

Jason wondered why that was, but he wasn't about to ask. However, the rabbit anticipated his question.

"I'm not allowed out because I'm not afraid of predators. I know I should run, but I just want to admire them. I wish you didn't have to eat us; then we could have been friends even when you were big. It's nice that you get to be our little pet now though."

"I, uh, I'm sorry that we have to eat you too," Jason murmured. "You seem like a kind person. I'm sorry I tried to eat your sister."

Farida caressed his ear and cheek again, "You don't have to be sorry, kitty. Everyone has to eat. We'll feed you all the bugs you need so that you'll stay strong and healthy. Now let's trim your claws so that you don't scratch one of us by accident. I don't think you'd want to hurt us, but Ellie insists it has to be done."

Jason felt very uncomfortable letting the rabbit take away his primary mode of defense, but she seemed so kind and gentle that he didn't want to fight her. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. He'd been captured by his prey, but they didn't seem to want revenge. Or at least, their idea of revenge didn't involve hurting him. He didn't want to live the rest of his life as a helpless toy, but he supposed having owners who were kind and gentle was the best case scenario for such an outcome.

The rabbit cut and filed his claws to blunt nubs. When she was done, she lay back on the bed and lifted Jason onto her chest where he rose and fell with her gentle breaths. She smiled at him warmly.

"This isn't so bad, is it?" she crooned. "We'll always be together, Jason. Ellie has to go out, but I'll be here with you all the time. You won't ever be lonely, and we'll play with your little kitty toys and cuddle. We'll be best friends."

"It's not so bad," Jason replied. "You could have been cruel to me, but you're very kind. If I have to be someone's pet, then I don't know who else I'd choose."

Farida smiled happily. "I'm glad you're not upset, and I wish we didn't have to make you so small. If we were the same size," she let the sentence hang embarrassedly.

Jason felt his ears getting hot too. Did this rabbit like him in that way too?

She smiled embarrassedly, "Like I said, I'm not allowed outside." After a moment she asked, "If we'd met before and you didn't have to eat me, would you have been interested, kitty?"

"I-I don't know," Jason stammered embarrassedly. "I've never considered it."

"What if Ellie shrank me to your size? You wouldn't try to eat me, would you?"

"I wouldn't," Jason averred. "I couldn't hurt someone who's been so kind to me."

"Maybe one day then," she murmured wistfully. "It is reversible, but I don't know if Ellie would allow it. I trust you, but she might not."

"You trust me when you've only known me less than an hour?" Jason asked curiously.

"Yes, I can tell you're a good kitty. You wouldn't want to hurt someone if you didn't have to. You'll have all the bugs you need here, so you won't be hungry enough to hurt me."

Jason wasn't so sure about the bugs, but he didn't think he could have hurt this rabbit in any case. She wasn't food; she was a kind and gentle soul. He felt bad about all of the prey he had eaten. "That's one thing I agree is good. I'm glad I don't have to eat people like you anymore. I wish we had another alternative, but maybe bugs are okay."

"I think you'll learn to like them, and maybe you'll like being our pet too. You'll be safe and comfortable. You won't be able to go outside, but I can't either. We'll find ways to keep occupied."

Some time later, Farida took him back upstairs for dinner. Her sister, Ellie, had prepared Jason an assortment of insects sautéed with spices. They looked disgusting but didn't smell that bad. This is all there is; I can't eat prey anymore. Jason managed to eat the insects, which were filling and palatable if not exactly delicious. The rabbits seemed to enjoy their grass and grilled turnips. When they were finished Ellie picked Jason up from his spot on the table between the rabbits.

"I take it Farida helped put your mind at ease," she commented teasingly. "You know some predators refuse to eat the first few days in protest, but their tummies always get the better of them in the end."

"Farida said neither of you would hurt me. I trust her, so I trust you too. I don't see any point in protesting because this is how things are now. Eating bugs won't be so bad when I have kind people to look after me."

Ellie smirked at him, "Perhaps Farida put you a bit too at ease. She's right that you're safe here, but we don't intend to merely 'look after' you. This isn't a kitty resort, nor are we your servants. We're your owners. We hope you'll learn to like it as our pet, but that presumes you get used to obeying us, to worshiping your bunny goddesses."

Worshiping them? Jason stared at the rabbit nervously, "I-I don't want to displease you. What do you mean by worship?"

Grinning, the rabbit held Jason with his nose pressed to hers, "I mean giving yourself to us, obeying without question, submitting completely to our will and desires."

Jason swallowed nervously, "I-if that's what I have to do, I'll, um, I'll do my best."

"You're scaring him!" Farida protested. "She's not going to hurt you, Jason. She's only teasing!"

Ellie glanced at her sister before grinning back at him, "You live at our mercy now, kitty. There's nothing we couldn't do to you. Farida's right that we probably won't do anything horrible, but if you disobey, you will be punished. Imagine what it's like being punished by your prey when you're too small and helpless to resist. Even just being confined when you know there's no one else who can let you free, only your goddesses."

"I-I won't disobey," Jason whined. "I'll worship you! I'll do anything you say!"

"That's a good kitty," Ellie crooned. "You'll be well taken care of so long as you submit to us."

Farida darted forward and snatched him away from her sister. She hugged Jason to her chest, "Don't be scared, kitty," she murmured. "I won't let Ellie be mean to you. I love you, and we'll always be together."

Ellie sighed grumpily, "You're too soft, Farida. He can be a little scared. Do you want to be bossed around by a miniature cat who thinks it's your job to please him?"

"Jason doesn't think that!" Farida shot back. "He wants to be a good kitty. You don't need to scare him to get him to obey! He wants to be good and make us happy!"

"I-I do," Jason mewed. "I accept that I'm your pet. I want to please you because you've been so much kinder than I deserve."

Farida nuzzled him between the ears, "You're a good kitty, Jason. You're not like some predators who are arrogant and mean; you're a good person who just happened to be born a cat. It wasn't your fault how you had to live, and I know you're grateful to be given a second chance."

Ellie sighed resignedly, "Fine. We'll try it your way. But if I find he's started running things while I'm gone, I'll set him straight, and it won't be pretty. Are you confident he's a good and cooperative as you say?"

"Yes," Farida answered.

"I hope so," Ellie replied darkly.

Jason didn't know if the entire conflict was for his benefit or not. It had seemed real, but perhaps it was a practiced routine to scare predators into obeying. Jason didn't let this question bother him however. He felt safe and secure in Farida's arms. It really was a second chance for him, and Jason would do his best to make up for the harm he'd caused prey. He wasn't afraid to submit or obey because he knew Farida would never hurt him. And Ellie might be fierce, but he wanted to trust and obey her too. Perhaps they were his goddesses, and perhaps that wasn't such a bad thing.

"Well, I did the cooking, so you need to clean up," Ellie declared. "I'll take Jason back for now."

"Jason can come with me," Farida responded anxiously.

"You've had him for hours already. He belongs to both of us, and it's my turn."

"You won't be mean to him, will you?" Farida whined.

Ellie sighed exasperatedly, "No, I said we'd try it your way. Now give him here."

Reluctantly, Farida handed him over to her sister, who tucked Jason in one arm. Farida returned to the kitchen, and Ellie took Jason and plopped down on the couch. She laid Jason in her lap and picked up a book.

"I'm going to read," she stated. "I'm in the middle of my book, but I'll read to you if you want."

"Whatever you want," Jason replied nervously.

Ellie regarded him probingly for a moment. "I'll read to you when I start something new. You might want to read this yourself sometime. You'll be stuck here, so you might need the entertainment. Just try to relax."

Jason obediently curled up in the rabbit's lap. She opened her book, and after a few minutes, her free hand stroked down his head and back. She continued to stroke him as she read, and gradually, Jason relaxed. Ellie was scarier than her sister, but maybe she really did want to be kind to him too. At length, Ellie set down her book, and her hand paused on his head, Jason nudged his head against her hand and then rubbed his cheek against her belly, letting out a contented purr.

"You really do want to be a good pet, don't you, kitty?" Ellie murmured.

Jason blinked up into her probing brown eyes, "I want you to like me. I belong to you now, and I want you to be happy with me."

"So you're not really enjoying it, and you're just trying to suck up?" Ellie asked.

"Th-that's not what I meant!" Jason yelped. "I appreciate how you've treated me, and I want to show that. I want us to be friends, or to be the pet you want me to be. I want to feel safe and wanted and to know that I'm pleasing you!"

Ellie smiled softly and petted his head, "We'll be friends, kitty, and you'll be our good little pet. You don't have anything to worry about: I'm already glad I chose to keep you."

Jason nuzzled her belly, and she stroked him again. This wasn't so bad. He might be a pet, but at least his owners were kind and gentle.

* * *

Jason didn't know what was going on, but he could sense Ellie and Farida's excitement. He asked them, but they only told him not to worry. However, the day both of the rabbits left the burrow, leaving Jason alone for the first time in over three years, he did indeed worry. What if they never came back? He worried daily for Ellie's safety, but at least with Farida home, he knew he would never be left completely alone. Now they had both gone, and he didn't know where. Even more disturbingly, they'd left him a pound of frozen bugs and told him he might have to take care of himself for several days. Were they doing something dangerous? Jason was certain they would have taken him if they'd been going someplace nice.

* * *

Katya huddled in her closet petrified with fear. She couldn't believe what was happening! She'd been outside with some friends after dinner when they'd heard a yell and turned to see a large group of prey flooding down the street. At first, Katya had been bemused but not concerned. It was like a buffet was marching down the road. She'd been contemplating whether to snag dinner for tomorrow when a wolf, apparently with the same idea, had charged the crowd only to be hit with some sort of beam and rapidly shrink away to nothing.

After that, Tartarus had broken loose. More beams had started hitting predators nearest to the street, and those farther away had fled in panic. Katya had managed to make it into her house and lock the door. She'd tried to phone for help, but it seemed her cell phone had no signal. The Internet was down too.

Now Katya was hiding in her closet, praying to Zeus the prey wouldn't make a thorough search of her home. It seemed so absurd, but at the same time she was terrified. Who knew what the prey would do with her if they found her? She heard a muffled scream from the outside and then silence. The silence of the attack was one of the most horrible things. There were no explosions, no screams of agony, only fear and then stillness.

In the deathly silence, Katya heard the deadbolt slid in her front door and the door creak open. Soft feet padded into the entryway with the occasional click of claws. Katya listened, breathing as softly as she could, as they searched the downstairs. Her heart pounded in her ears, and Katya prayed it wouldn't give her away. Eventually, she heard the click of claws on the stairs, and then the little feet padded into her room over the thick tan carpet.

"Come out, kitty-kitty," a high-pitched voice squeaked amusedly. "I know you're in here."

Katya didn't breathe.

"You think prey can't smell too? I know you're in the closet. Come out for me, kitty. Don't be shy. I want to meet you."

Katya wanted to scream, but she bit her tongue, still not breathing. The little feet padded across the floor and claws scraped against the closet door. The sliding door gently slid open a crack and a tiny red squirrel padded in, barely a fraction of Katya's size but holding one of the awful ray guns. Katya squeezed her eyes shut with a whimper.

"Aww, it's okay, kitty. This won't hurt," the squirrel piped cheerfully.

Katya felt a warm sensation on her chest. Then she felt herself falling, like going down an elevator. She came to a stop and tipped over, dazed. An enormous hand scooped her up, and Katya only opened her eyes just long enough to see the opening to one of several metal canisters looped around the squirrel's hips like a belt quickly approaching. She let out a little yelp as the squirrel dropped her inside the foam-padded tube, and then the lid screwed into place, leaving Katya in near darkness with only a few points of light from the lid illuminating the narrow cylinder.

* * *

Farida followed Ellie as the pair broke off toward one the houses further off the main street. It was difficult to keep herself from doing binkies she was so excited. Just being outside would have been fun, but when they'd seen all of the predators outside enjoying the last of the warm evening sun, she'd wanted to cry out in joy. They were so beautiful! She'd felt a little upset when they'd realized what was happening and run in fear, but she knew this was what had to be done. They reached the house, and Ellie applied the lock pick to the door of their target's home.

"I still wish we could have big predators," Farida commented wistfully. "Don't you think they're wonderful, Ellie?"

"Oh yeah, especially when they try to eat me," Ellie returned with good-humored sarcasm. "You know, we're lucky predators don't think shooting prey is 'sporting', or this could be a lot bloodier."

"They have a sense of fairness!" Farida argued. "You know what a good kitty Jason is! He couldn't be that way if they were mean and cruel."

"Jason might be extra special, but I agree. They aren't evil. That's why we're doing this. If they were evil we would kill them, but they're not." The lock clicked open. "Are you ready? They might try to fight once they're cornered. You have to be fast."

"I'm ready," Farida confirmed.

They stepped through the door and locked it behind them. After a thorough search of the downstairs--they didn't want the predators running out while they were upstairs--they headed to the second floor. The first room they checked was a bathroom. The second had five small beds, small for the size of the house anyway.

"Aww, they must have kits," Farida cooed. "I want to see the babies, Ellie."

"We're going to, just be careful of mom," Ellie murmured under her breath.

They made it into the next room, which held a much larger bed. Farida could smell the fear as soon as they entered, and her heart clenched with guilt. Pausing to listen carefully, they could hear soft breathing from another room off of the one they were in. Ellie quickly checked the closet just in case; then they made their way toward what seemed to be another small bathroom. Ellie held out her arm to halt Farida as they approached the door.

"Come on out," Ellie called. "We know that you're in there. Don't try to fight. We don't want to hurt you."

After a few seconds, a yellow tabby crept to the doorway with her hands on her head. She was shaking with fear. "P-please, we don't, w-we won't fight you. Just please don't hurt us."

"We aren't going to hurt you, kitty!" Farida cried in distress. "It doesn't hurt, I promise! And we won't hurt you after either."

"As long as you come quietly, no one has to get hurt," Ellie confirmed determinedly.

The cat looked into the dark room and nodded. A few seconds later, a silver tabby ushered five silver tabby kittens to the door. The kittens, who must have been about five, stared at Farida and Ellie with saucer-like eyes.

Farida couldn't resist a delighted smile, "Aww, they're so cute, Ellie."

"Don't get any ideas," Ellie murmured. "We are not taking in a family of seven cats."

The cats stared at them nervously.

"W-what are you going to do?" the adult silver tabby whimpered.

"We're just going to shrink you," Ellie stated. "Like Farida said, it doesn't hurt." She gave Farida a sideways glance, "I can get them all as long as they stand together like that, but if any try to escape be ready.

Farida nodded in acknowledgement. Ellie adjusted her ray gun to the wide beam. The cats watched her nervously but didn't try to run. The wide beam spread out in a triangle, and the cats shrunk down until the largest was an inch in height. Ellie and Farida carefully walked the rest of the way to the door where the tiny cats were struggling to maintain their footing after the disorienting experience.

"Luckily, they made these in a few sizes," Ellie remarked as she slipped one of the larger canisters off of her belt. "I think you'll all fit in here." She twisted off the lid and laid the canister on its side on the tile floor. "Can you climb in for me? I'll try not to jostle you around too much," Ellie piped amiably.

"Where are you going to take us?" the yellow tabby mewed anxiously.

"That's a surprise!" Ellie quipped. "Don't worry; you're safe with us."

The cats didn't move toward the dark padded tube.

"We'll find someone to take care of you, kitty," Farida answered. "Some prey who'd like to take care of a big kitty family. I'd like to, but Ellie already said no."

"We already have one cat," Ellie returned. "You can't adopt every cat you see!"

"I see," the yellow tabby meowed uncomfortably. "We're going to be some prey's pets now. That's what you're doing."

"You spoiled the surprise, Farida," Ellie returned petulantly.

"I just wanted them to know they'd be able to stay together! Who cares when they find out they're going to be pets?" Farida looked at the cats embarrassedly, "It won't be bad, kitties. Whoever takes you will take good care of you."

"I suppose we don't have much of a choice," the yellow tabby meowed sadly. She hugged two of her kittens close and then guided them toward the tube.

The silver tabby followed with the other three kittens close behind, but she paused to look up at Farida. "Do you swear no one will hurt our babies?"

Farida nodded solemnly, "I'll make sure you go with someone nice. I won't let anything happen."

The cats climbed into the tube, and Ellie gently righted it and screwed on the lid. "Are you going to check in on every predator we capture?" she asked dryly.

"If I have to!" Farida averred. "I won't let anyone abuse predators! It's our job to keep them safe now!"

Ellie took her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze, "I know that, and I think most prey know it too. This is for the best but only if we can prove we're better than our fear. We can make the world a better place that's better for everyone."

* * *

Katya didn't know how long she'd been inside the canister, but eventually, the cold light of fluorescent bulbs flooded in as the lid was removed. Katya barely had time to blink at the light before her tube was unceremoniously upended, and she tumbled out. Sitting up and looking around, she found herself inside a rectangular glass case with an open top. She watched nervously as the giant red squirrel dumped another couple cats in with her before marching away without a word. Katya looked around her new prison: there were cats of various sizes. Though they all seemed to be small cat species, their sizes didn't correlate with their natural statures. Katya assumed it depended on what prey had caught them.

"W-what is this?" one of the cats, a sand cat, yowled in distress.

A bobcat, or maybe a very small lynx, scoffed in reply, "Isn't it obvious? They caught us, and they're going to eat us." He gestured to the other glass cases on the tables arranged in rows throughout the expansive room. "It's a predator buffet; take your pick."

"Th-that can't be right!" an ocelot cried. "Th-the mouse who caught me said we wouldn't be harmed! He was very considerate, given the circumstance. I don't believe they want to hurt us!"

The bobcat scoffed again, "You got caught by a mouse? Idiot."

"They haven't hurt us so far," a caracal pointed out. "What makes you think they're going to eat us?"

"It's what I would do," the bobcat stated flippantly.

"Well, I'm glad you're not the one who caught us then," the caracal returned pointedly.

The bobcat snorted derisively but didn't argue further.

Katya wasn't sure who to believe, but she certainly didn't want to imagine being devoured by a prey. "Maybe they're using us as hostages," she suggested. "To get something they want from the King."

"That could be true," the ocelot replied hopefully. "King Philip will find a way to negotiate for our release, I'm sure!"

Katya wasn't sure she was right, but she hoped she was. If the red fox ruling class was good for anything, it was negotiations.

A pair of white and dark brown rabbits stepped up to the case, and all of the cats turned to eye them warily as one of them carefully lowered a canister and tilted it onto its side. A family of tabbies, one yellow and six silver, climbed out.

The adult silver tabby looked up at the rabbits anxiously, "You're going to stay and help us find someone, aren't you?"

The other rabbit nodded, beaming down at the tabby family. (Katya found it creepy.) "We'll stay right here until we find someone for you! Besides, we were thinking about getting another kitty ourselves too."

The yellow tabby nodded with a nervous smile, "Thank you for your help. I know you're doing everything you can under these circumstances. We're very grateful."

The bobcat scoffed under his breath, and Katya cringed as well. These prey had taken them prisoner; they weren't helping them in the slightest!

"We are going to get another kitty, aren't we, Ellie?" the second rabbit pleaded.

"I said we would if there was a nice one," the first rabbit stated.

"I'm sure they're all nice if we give them a chance," the second rabbit replied. "They're just scared, but they'll see we won't hurt them."

"Alright, but try to pick another Jason rather than one we'll have to convince," the first rabbit returned.

The second rabbit stared down into the case and then reached her massive hand inside. With horror, Katya realized she was reaching for her, and she cursed her orange tabby fur. The rabbit placed her cupped hand on the bottom of the case.

"Can you climb on, kitty?" she requested. "I don't want to squeeze you by mistake."

Every fiber of her being screamed at Katya to run, but she knew there was nowhere to go. She didn't want to be crushed between this rabbit's fingers or skewered on her claw, so she forced herself to comply. The rabbit slowly, at least from her perspective, lifted Katya out of the tank and then placed her hand on a gram scale Katya hadn't noticed before.

"Can you climb off so I can weigh you?" she requested calmly.

Again, Katya complied, but the bobcat's insistence that the prey were going to eat them flashed through her mind. Why does she need to know how much I weigh?

"Zero point four-nine grams," the rabbit read. "Jason's a fifth of a pound, right? How much is that?"

The other rabbit punched at a calculator that was also lying on the table. "That's one hundred and eighty-five times." She smirked down at Katya, "They really made you tiny, huh, kitty?"

Katya didn't find it at all amusing. In fact, she was more and more sure the bobcat was right. One-fifth a pound sounded like a nice meal for these rabbits. The first rabbit adjusted a dial on the ray gun and aimed it at Katya, causing her heart to leap into her throat. Were they going to shrink her even smaller?! She clamped her eyes shut. A warm sensation washed over her, and she felt herself rising. She stopped, and she opened her eyes. The scale she was sitting on was suddenly a lot smaller, and the rabbits, while still enormous compared to her, weren't the towering giants they had been, more like large animals, like she were facing a puma. However, these pumas had large incisors and long ears, the former which the second rabbit showed off as she reached for Katya.

"There you go; that wasn't bad," the rabbit cooed.

Katya flinched away from her huge reaching hands, "N-no! Leave me alone!"

The rabbit stopped, but the other rabbit plucked her up without a moment's notice, holding Katya's arms pinned to her sides. Katya let out a moan of distress as the rabbit held her tightly.

"Don't worry, kitty," the rabbit piped cheerfully. "We aren't going to hurt you."

"Ellie's right. I know this must be scary, but you're safe with us, kitty," the second rabbit added.

"W-what are you going to do?" Katya whimpered. "Eat me?"

"Of course not!" the second rabbit cried. "You're safe, I promise. We'll take care of you, kitty. We've had another kitty for a few years now. He's very happy, and I'm sure you'll be happy too!"

Katya felt like a stone had dropped into her stomach, "What do you mean?" she asked nervously. "You're going to keep me? For years?"

"You'll be our pet," the rabbit holding her declared. "That's how it's going to be between predators and prey from now on. We aren't your food anymore; you belong to us."

Katya felt woozy like she might pass out. This was a nightmare! It couldn't really be happening, could it? Maybe she'd hit her head. Maybe this was all a terrible dream! "Y-you, this can't," she choked. Tears burned in the corners of her eyes, and with a sob, they were streaming down her face. She couldn't be a rabbit's pet! She couldn't!

"You're scaring her, Ellie!" the other rabbit scolded, clearly upset.

Katya felt herself scooped out of the first rabbit's grasp, and then she was pressed close to something furry and warm. She opened her eyes to find herself gently hugged against the second rabbit's chest. The second rabbit tucked Katya into the crook of one arm, still holding her close against her chest, and began to stroke her with her other hand. Seated on the rabbit's forearm with her back against her upper arm and her right side pressed close against her torso, Katya didn't struggle against the doe's tender ministrations. The rabbit's hand caressed her, running Katya's ears between her fingers and massaging her head and cheeks.

"It's okay," the rabbit murmured softly. "It's okay."

Katya wanted to reject the rabbit's attempt to comfort her, but from a pit in her stomach, she knew this was all the comfort she was going to get. This rabbit believed she was Katya's owner now, and there was no one here to rescue Katya from her. Gradually, her tears dried up. She sat uncomfortably in the rabbit's arms, sick with dread but resigned to her fate.

"It's okay, kitty," the rabbit holding her murmured. "We're going to take good care of you. We want you to be happy. It won't be bad."

The rabbit shifted Katya in her arms to lie her on her back. The rabbit smiled down at her softly as Katya stared up.

"We'll be friends," the rabbit stated. "Tell me your name, kitty. I'm Farida, and that's my sister Ellie."

"Katya," Katya answered uncomfortably.

"It's nice to meet you, Katya. You'll see. I know it's scary now. You don't know us, and you're not used to the idea of prey being in charge. But we'll all be happy together: you, me, Ellie, and Jason."

Katya didn't believe the doe, but a tiny part of her wanted to. Despite herself, Katya didn't entirely despise being held in this rabbit's tender embrace. She didn't want to be this rabbit's pet, but she did believe one thing at least: this rabbit wasn't going to harm her.

* * *

While they waited by the cat table for a suitable adopter for the tabby family, Farida cradled her new kitty in her arms. Katya didn't protest or struggle and even had turned her head to burry her nose in Farida's fur; however, Farida could tell she was sad. That was alright; it was okay for the cat to mourn the life she'd lost. Still, Farida wanted her to be happy, to see, as Jason had, that this was a better life than the one she'd had. Freedom was nice, but how could it be worth killing others? Farida wished there was another way, but she also liked having her own little pet kitties. If she couldn't have a big predator who would hold her without sinking in their teeth, then holding her own little predator was the next best thing.

"I'll do my best to make you happy, Katya," she murmured.

The ginger cat looked up at her with despondent green eyes.

"I know it's hard," Farida murmured sympathetically. "But it was hard for prey too. I had to worry everyday that Ellie or another of my loved ones wouldn't come back, and sometimes, they actually didn't. Ellie has been lucky, but it will be such a comfort to know that she's safe, that we all are."

Katya looked uncomfortable, but she didn't respond.

"I don't blame you, kitty," Farida reassured her. "You only did what you had to do, but maybe you can understand why we had to do this."

"I get it," the cat muttered. "Of course I do. We eat you; to you, we're monsters."

"I don't think you're a monster, kitty!" Farida protested. "I want you to be happy, really. We want predators to still be happy. This way we both get to live. Isn't that better?"

"For you."

Farida frowned disconcertedly, "Do you really believe it would be better if you could eat me?"

"I didn't make the rules," the cat grumbled. "I didn't choose to be a carnivore."

"I know you didn't. That's why we want to take care of you, kitty. We'll feed you bugs so that you can stay strong and healthy without killing prey."

"I wondered what you were going to feed us. Can't say I'm thrilled to hear the answer."

"You'll get used to them, and you'll get used to being our pet. Jason's very happy being our kitty. He knows we love him."

"Good for Jason."

Farida could see she wasn't going to get through to the cat at the moment. She tucked her closer to her chest. "You'll see," she murmured. "This is better. We'll make the world better for everyone."

* * *

Late in the evening five days after they'd left, Jason heard the lock in the door. He ducked behind the couch nervously and peered around. Would it be his owners or someone else here to take possession of him because they'd died. His heart leapt with joy as the familiar white and dark brown splotched rabbits stepped through the door. Held securely in Ellie's hands was another cat, a ginger female! Jason raced toward his owners with a yowl of joy. With a powerful leap, he flew into Farida's arms. The rabbit caught him and nuzzled the top of his head affectionately.

"I missed you too, kitty," she murmured. She lifted him in front of her face and grinned wide, "Say hello to Katya, Jason."

Jason smiled happily at the ginger cat, "Hi! I'm Jason! I don't know how long you've been small, but I promise you'll like living with Ellie and Farida!"

The ginger cat stared at him miserably, "I see you've been thoroughly brainwashed. Do you even understand what's been going on? How long have you been here?"

"About three years," Jason replied. "I know it seems scary being a pet now, but you'll see that it isn't bad. Ellie and Farida are really nice, and they like predators."

The cat scoffed, and didn't respond further.

"Perhaps we ought to tell him," Ellie remarked. "It's done now; he'll find out sooner or later."

Jason gave the doe a puzzled look and then looked back to Farida, who looked worried.

"I don't want him to be sad, but maybe it is best," Farida allowed reluctantly. "We shouldn't have accepted Katya if we wanted to really hide it."

"What happened?" Jason asked worriedly. What was it that the rabbits wanted to hide from him?

"We perfected the shrink ray, Jason," Ellie answered. "It's over. There are no more big predators; they're all pets."

Jason stared at the rabbit flabbergasted, "Really?! In all of Vulpineva?!"

"In the whole world," Ellie corrected. "Or if there are any, there are only little pockets left, but they'll be found and shrunk too. We didn't want to be at war with the rest of the world, so Vulpinevan prey coordinated with those in other countries. It was actually a pika in Peru who finally perfected the ray."

"So all of the predators are small," Jason repeated. It was a lot to take in.

"And they're being distributed to their owners," Ellie confirmed. "They'll be taken care of just like you and Katya; you don't need to worry about them."

"Are you sad, kitty?" Farida asked concernedly. "I know it might be hard to think that your species lost, but I promise they'll be well cared for. It's what we prey agreed: once it was over, we wouldn't let our past fear turn us into monsters. Predators only ate us to survive. If we hurt them now, we'd only be cruel."

"If other prey think like you, then I'm sure they'll be happy," Jason replied. He smiled, "The thing I'm really happy about is that both of you are safe, and now I won't have to worry about Ellie!" He turned his smile to the other rabbit, who smiled back.

"That's right. We shouldn't pretend that prey can't be violent too, but you won't have to worry about me getting eaten anymore. I'm glad you're taking it well. It's a big change, revolutionary, literally," she smirked at her pun. "But I hope that now prey can build a better world, for everyone."

"If other prey are like you, then I know they will," Jason returned passionately. "This is for the best."

"How can you say that?!" the ginger cat yowled in horror. "Don't you understand what they said?! Every predator is going to be a slave to prey! There's no one to save us! If they even allow us to reproduce, every generation will be their slaves forever!"

"We're not trying to get rid of you!" Farida yelped. "Of course you'll be allowed to reproduce!"

"Of course," Ellie added mischievously. "We'll decide who gets to reproduce. We'll control your species' evolution. Jason might already be the perfect pet, but after a few generations of our selection, you'll all be as compliant as he is."

The ginger cat moaned in distress.

"Don't scare her, Ellie!" Farida scolded.

"By telling her the truth?"

"She doesn't need to think about it! Besides, I thought it was only the really mean predators who were going to be sterilized!"

"That's basically what I said," Ellie returned matter-of-factly.

The ginger cat glared at Jason, "Do you still believe your eugenicist friends are going to make the world better?!" she demanded.

Jason blinked back at her unconcernedly, "It's better if predators are happy being pets, don't you think? If they can help make sure future generations are happy, then it's probably for the best."

"Of course the perfect slave thinks he's something to emulate," the ginger cat hissed.

"I'm not a slave," Jason returned placidly. "I'm a pet, and I'd rather be a pet than a killer. I wouldn't give up the last three years for anything. That's what you're ignoring: we ate them. If we have to be their pets now, it's not really unfair. Besides, they treat us well, so overall it's better."

The ginger cat turned away angrily.

"Even if you think Jason is wrong, you ought to emulate him," Ellie teased. "You want to please your goddesses, don't you? It can only benefit you." She looked at Farida, "You should take her for a while and try to calm her down. File her claws while you're at it. I already trimmed them, but it's better to get rid of the edges too."

Farida set Jason down and then accepted the ginger cat. She looked down at Jason, "You come too, Jason. You can help comfort her. She's been through a scary few days, so it only makes sense that she's upset. Tell her about how we live here so that she'll know it'll be alright."

Jason obediently followed Farida downstairs, but he was skeptical that he could comfort the cat. She didn't seem to like him.

Farida closed the door behind him, and nodded to the bed. "Hop up and give Katya a nice tight hug while I grab the file," she instructed.

Jason jumped onto the maroon bedspread, and Farida lowered the ginger cat onto the bed in front of him, her back toward him. Jason felt awkward about it, but he dutifully wrapped his arms tightly around the other cat. As soon as Farida released her, she started thrashing and squirming.

"Let me go!" she hissed.

Jason clung on tight, "There's nowhere to go!"

Quickly grabbing the nail file and tossing it onto the bed, Farida grabbed the cat between her hands again. "Thank you, Jason."

"Fucking collaborator," the ginger cat spat.

"It'll be okay," Farida soothed. "I promise we won't hurt you. Tell her what we do together, Jason."

"Lots of stuff," Jason replied. "We play. We read. We cuddle, and they pet me. We fix dinner and do chores. The only thing we can't do is go outside."

"We'll be able to do that now," Farida amended. "You'll have to help me keep an eye on Katya if we take her, but we can go out. We'll also visit other prey and their predators. We'll do our best to find your family, Jason. I know you want to see them." She smiled down at the ginger cat, "And yours, Katya. Now that all predators are pets they won't have to be isolated like they were when it was only a few."

Jason smiled happily, "It'll be nice to see them. I love living with you and Ellie, but I would like to see my family."

"I'm sure they'll be impressed with what a good slave you are," Katya growled. "Ow!"

Jason stared at Farida in surprise: she had just flicked Katya on the nose! She'd never done that to him!

Katya sniffed and blinked, tears dripping from her eyes. Jason hurried over to the cat in Farida's lap, wrapped his arms gently around her, and hurriedly lapped her head to comfort her.

"It's okay," he soothed. "I know you're just upset. We'll be friends and take care of each other, won't we?"

"Whatever," Katya muttered angrily.

"I'm sorry, kitty," Farida apologized contritely. "I shouldn't have let you make me angry, and I shouldn't have hurt you even if you did. I won't let it happen again. Are you okay?"

"No," Katya growled.

"Did I hurt you? Can I look?"

"I'm a slave to rabbits; I'll never be okay. Why don't you just kill me and get it over with?"

"We don't want to kill you!" Farida yelped. "We want you to be happy, really! I'm sorry I got angry. But I love Jason, and I didn't like hearing you being so cruel to him. He's missed his family, but he truly loves it here. He's not a slave; he's a beloved member of our family. You will be too! Predators and prey can be friends now; we can care for each other. Isn't that worth giving up a little freedom when that freedom meant you had to eat us? You have to understand why we had to do this. If we didn't, prey would have continued to die."

"You didn't even give us a chance to negotiate," Katya grumbled.

"What would the negotiation have been?" Farida pressed. "There's no middle ground. We didn't want to be eaten, and predators wouldn't have submitted willingly. Maybe one day, there could be another solution. We can negotiate then."

Katya scoffed, "As if you'll negotiate with your slaves!"

"I don't know what future prey will do, but I promise you won't feel like our slave. We're done with your claws. Do you want me to pet you? It feels good, right, Jason?"

"It does!" Jason meowed. He lapped Katya's ear tenderly. "Or I can groom you if you want."

"I'd rather the doe pet me than your tongue," Katya replied dryly. "You're not exactly my type, even if you weren't these rabbits' sycophant."

Jason blushed. At least she hadn't called him a slave.

Farida giggled. "Oh? So am I more your type then, kitty?"

"You're a rabbit and huge!" Katya protested.

"We can change one of those things," Farida teased. "If I was your size, what would you do with me?"

"Assuming I wouldn't go for your throat?" Katya growled.

"I don't think you'd do that," Farida replied calmly. "I've considered it with Jason, but I think he likes Ellie better that way. He loves me too, but I've seen how he looks at Ellie. He likes that she's a little mean to him sometimes."

Jason thrashed his tail. Why was Farida telling the new cat all of this?!

Katya snorted in amusement, "I bet. He probably prefers her bigger too."

Jason blushed, mortified at the perspicacious remark. He loved Farida, but she was too nice. Ellie let him know he was her toy.

"If you could trust me to be alone with you at the same size, there are some things I'd do," Katya stated lewdly.

"You know I'd be big again after we were done," Farida teased. "But maybe you could have your moment before you'd be mine again."

Katya growled lasciviously, "Until the next time you were mine."

Jason's ears were red hot with his blush. Should he leave? Farida picked them both up, pinned together, and flopped back before laying them both on her chest and stroking them both at once with her hands.

"We'll have fun, kitties. We'll all be together for the rest of our lives, and that will be a good long time."

Jason relaxed on Farida's chest, pressed beside Katya, and sighed contentedly. Prey were in charge now, but he was comfortable with this brave new world as long as such people were in it.

* * *

After Katya finished her first dinner of sautéed bugs, a nutritious but unappealing diet she assumed she'd be subsisting on the rest of her days, Farida carried her out to the living room to sit on the brown microfiber couch. Ellie followed with Jason in arms.

"Did you read any of our book while we were away," Ellie asked the brown tabby.

"No, I didn't want to get ahead," Jason answered. "Plus, it's a little big for me to handle," he added embarrassedly.

The rabbit giggled. "Poor kitty. Well, I'll read to you then. Katya can listen too if she's interested. I'll see about getting you some books you can read soon."

"I-it's okay. I like you to read to me," Jason replied bashfully.

Ellie collected the book from a shelf to the right of the kitchen doorway and sat beside Farida and Katya on the couch. She lay Jason in her lap along her thighs, and he gazed up at her shyly from on his back. Ellie smiled, showing off the tips of her large incisors and petted his exposed belly.

"You like to rely on me, don't you, kitty? You like to be my little supplicant and worship your goddess well," she teased.

"I missed you, Ellie," Jason replied with a happy sigh.

Her earlier repartee with Farida notwithstanding, Katya was still a long way from accepting that, for the rest of her life, she would belong to these rabbits as their toy, and she felt a bit disgusted by the other cat's sycophantic display. Doesn't he have any dignity left? Maybe being the plaything of prey was so degrading that he'd had to abandon his dignity. While far from a comforting thought, it seemed plausible if not likely. Cats were supposed to eat rabbits. Katya had never so much as bothered to talk to prey before she killed them before now. What would have been the point? There was nothing to discuss with your meal. These rabbits still looked and smelled like prey, but instead of being the cats' meals, she and Jason were at their mercy. Not only could they make the carnivores eat what they thought appropriate, but they could control every other aspect of their lives as well. It was something almost too horrible to even contemplate, and Katya could only pray that they'd continue to show compassion.

Despite all that, Katya had already grown accustomed to viewing these rabbits as people rather than merely prey. They'd briefly been monsters destroying Katya's world and way of life, but as they had treated her kindly, it was hard not to see their perspective. Katya didn't have to like or even accept what had happened to recognize that Ellie and Farida were just people who wanted to live their lives in peace without the fear of being killed and devoured. Still, that was a long way from worshiping the rabbits, as Jason apparently did. Would they demand the same level of devotion from her, or was Jason just weird? Maybe he really just liked being the rabbits' toy. Katya wasn't sure which would be more disturbing.

Farida's hand stroked Katya's head, "What are you thinking about, kitty?"

Katya looked up at the rabbit whose arm she was cradled in. "Nothing."

Farida massaged Katya's right cheek with one finger then stroked her from neck to belly and ran Katya's tail between her fingers. It was an extreme violation of Katya's personal space, but what did her personal space even mean when she was Farida's toy? Still, Katya drew her tail in close to her body and tucked up her legs over her belly. She wasn't ready to give herself to these rabbits like Jason did.

"Aww, aren't I allowed to touch there, kitty?" Farida crooned. "That's okay. I'm sure you'll learn to trust us before long."

She petted Katya's head, and Katya turned her head to glance down at Jason, who was squirming around gleefully as Ellie's fingers darted in to tickle this and that spot on his body. He didn't seem at all concerned by his vulnerability or by the fact it was a rabbit teasing him. He really is happy as their pet. Katya wasn't sure she wanted to be happy to be a pet, but if that was her fate, then it was probably better to make the best of it.

"I can tickle you if you want," Farida offered.

Katya looked up at the rabbit, who was looking down at her questioningly. Katya shook her head, "Not yet," she paused. "But maybe soon. I think I can trust you, Farida. I feel safe with you."

Farida smiled happily, "You'll like living with us, Katya. We'll be good friends." She paused and smiled slyly before lifting Katya up by her mouth to whisper ever so softly in her ear, "And if you like me like you said, we can do other things too."

Katya's ears were hot as Farida lowered her back down. One thing was certain: life was going to be radically different now, for her and for all predators.

Katya had finally managed to relax and was dosing in Farida's arms when she was jolted awake by some very disturbing words.

"I think it's time to give these smelly cats a bath," Ellie declared. "I'll take Jason in with me, and then you can do Katya."

Ellie scooped up Jason and promptly headed off downstairs. Katya stared up at Farida anxiously. What did Ellie mean "a bath?" Surely, Jason had explained how felines washed themselves by now! This had to be some sort of joke!

"Y-you aren't really going to make me get wet, right, Farida?" Katya asked nervously.

The rabbit looked down at her with a gentle smile, "It won't be bad. We'll only make you take one every week or so, just so you won't get too smelly."

"B-but we don't; I'm not smelly!" Katya protested desperately.

Farida wrinkled her nose, "You are a little. Don't worry. Jason got used to them after a while. It isn't so bad."

Katya wanted to protest more; she wanted to fight or run away. But there was nowhere to run, and she had no chance in a fight. She didn't even have her claws! She should have known these rabbits were lying. They meant to torture her! She knew this would only be the beginning too. They would find more ways to torment her, subtle ways they could pretend were in her best interest, but they would know they were trying to break her until she submitted as their obedient slave as Jason had.

"Please don't make me," Katya whined. "I, I'll wash myself really well. You won't notice any smell at all."

Farida blinked down at her sympathetically, "I know you kitties don't like it, but you'll see it's not so bad. And it isn't that often. I want you to be happy. But Ellie would say that you're still our pet, and that means you have to follow our rules. We'll try not to be unfair to you, but you can't get your way all the time."

What could Katya say? Farida was right: she belonged to these rabbits now. They could make her suffer any indignity. Maybe the bath won't be so bad. The thought made Katya want to vomit. Was this really what she was reduced to? Bargaining with herself because her captors had her completely at their mercy? Farida lay Katya across her thighs and stroked her back for several minutes, but Katya just felt limp and helpless. She really was a toy, merely something for these rabbits to cuddle or torment as they pleased. Would she ever escape, or was this how she'd live out the rest of her days?

After listlessly waiting for an indeterminate amount of time, Katya felt the doe's paw pause on her lower back.

"It sounds like Ellie is out. That means it's our turn, kitty."

Katya didn't even bother to struggle or protest as the rabbit scooped her up. Farida carried her down the stairs and into the bathroom, which was still steamy and smelled of rosemary shampoo from Ellie and Jason's shower. Katya wondered how the brown tabby had learned to endure this torture, but it didn't matter now. Farida locked the door and set Katya on the sink while she prepared the water. Katya flinched when the pounding streams of the shower began to pour down, but she didn't have time to change her mind about trying to escape as Farida quickly scooped her up, holding her under the arms, and stepped into the torrent.

Katya shut her eyes tight as the streams of hot water assaulted her. Fortunately, Farida was careful not to keep her face in the streams too long, but Katya was still miserable as the water soaked her front, her fur clinging uncomfortably to her body. Farida turned her around, and the process was repeated for her back. Once she was fully soaked, Farida set her in the bottom of the tub. Katya dared to open her eyes to look up at the rabbit nervously, and her eyes fell on the doe's round rear and, now damp and less fuzzy, scut. Katya felt a little shot of embarrassment that didn't make her feel any less awkward when Farida turned around to crouch down in front of her with some of the gooey shampoo in her hand.

"Let me wash you, kitty," Farida requested.

The rabbit didn't wait for a response, so it was less of a request than a demand, despite the tone. Farida shut her eyes tightly again as the doe's gooey fingers wiped slime over her. Farida's blunt-clawed fingers began to gently knead the shampoo into Katya's fur, and Katya couldn't help shifting her feet embarrassedly as the doe's fingers invaded every centimeter of her personal space. This was more invasive than being petted by far. Katya felt totally vulnerable and exposed as Farida's blunt-clawed fingers explored everything from her ears down to the tip of her tail. Katya held her breath as on of the doe's fingers slipped between her thighs and then another scrubbed the shampoo in under her tail, the finger moving in little circles over Katya's more dorsal hole. Finally, Farida picked her up again and repeated the soaking process to rinse away the shampoo.

However, Katya was a little surprised when Farida pushed aside the curtain and stepped out of the shower. Cradling Katya in one arm, Farida retrieved a pink towel from under the sink. Then she wrapped Katya snugly in the warm, fuzzy towel, tucking the end over Katya's head before setting the entire bundle on the soft mauve rug.

"You wait there, and I'll be done before long," Farida instructed.

Tucked securely in the sweet-scented towel, Katya didn't object to the rabbit's instructions. She was just glad the terrible shower was over.

Sometime later, Katya heard the shower stop. She watched as Farida claimed another towel and began to wipe the water from her fur. Next, Farida dried herself with a blow dryer. Then she extracted Katya from the towel and blew her dry with the toasty air too.

"See, that wasn't so bad, was it?" Farida commented as she put the blow dryer away. She didn't let Katya reply before scooping her up and nuzzling her between the ears. "You smell nice now, kitty. Isn't it nice to feel clean?"

Katya hadn't felt dirty before, but again, she didn't think Farida was really looking for an answer. The rabbit shifted her to cradle her in her arms and smiled down at Katya fondly.

"I'm glad I picked you, Katya. You're a good kitty, and I know you'll be happy being ours, even if it's a lot to get used to at first."

Part of Katya wanted to protest. Part of her wanted to say something hurtful to burst the naive rabbit's bubble, but she couldn't do it. She knew Farida hadn't wanted to torture her with the shower, and maybe it hadn't been as terrible as she'd imagined. Katya didn't want to be this rabbit's pet, but she also didn't want to hurt her. As a predator, Katya had been proud of her hunting ability. She felt satisfaction in making a successful kill. Of course, part of a successful kill had been minimizing the prey's suffering, but even so, it all felt so cold to her now. It had been a ruthless existence if not a cruel one. A little part of her was glad that Farida was safe now, that people like Katya couldn't harm her.

"It's not so bad," Katya murmured. "Thank you for being kind to me. I know that you want to do what's best. I trust you, Farida, even if you make me take a shower."

Farida smiled, showing off the tips of her large incisors. "Let's go to bed, kitty. I want you to see how nice it can be curling up with your bunny, even if she makes you take a shower."

Farida carried Katya to her bedroom and reclined on her bed with Katya across her thighs, the rabbit's head propped on a powder blue reading pillow. Katya looked up at her from her lap with a little nervous excitement. While she was beginning to trust Farida, she didn't know how serious she'd been about the two of them doing "other things." It made her a little nervous, given their size difference, but Katya couldn't deny that the rabbit was attractive. She trusted Farida not to make her do anything like that against her will, but what if she wanted to? Would she enjoy being this rabbit's little toy? The idea gave her butterflies in her belly. She wasn't sure she wanted to give herself to this rabbit in that way. If there were a way for them to be the same size, then she could see it, but otherwise, it might be too much.

"Are you sleepy, kitty?" Farida asked.

Katya blinked up at her. It had been a stressful few days. Maybe what she really needed now was rest. "A little."

"Let's go to bed then. I think Jason is spending the night with Ellie, but he might join us sometimes. Or you can sleep with Ellie sometimes if you like. I know she can be a little scarier than me, but Ellie loves Jason. And she'll love you too. We're both going to take care of you."

Katya nodded in acknowledgement. It was still strange to think she'd belong to these rabbits for the rest of her life, but she could at least accept their intentions toward her. This wasn't a punishment so much as a new beginning. Her old life was over, but this new one wouldn't be terrible.

Farida moved her reading pillow and slipped under the blankets, guiding Katya underneath as well until she was beside the rabbit's belly. Farida gently pressed Katya into her warm fur with one hand. Immersed in the sweet scent of her prey turned owner, Katya soon drifted into a pleasant slumber.

* * *

"So I want you to shrink me like Katya," Farida concluded a few weeks later.

Ellie regarded her skeptically, "I'm not sure it sounds safe, Farida. I'd feel more comfortable if I were watching."

"I don't want you to watch!" Farida rebuked. "Besides, Katya might not do it if you're there."

"We can make her do it."

"I'm not going to do that! That wouldn't be consensual! I want to show her I love and trust her, so has to be just us!"

"If that's what you really want," Ellie reluctantly agreed. "Maybe Jason could stay instead."

"No!"

"It's not like you're usually modest with him," Ellie argued. "When did you have his head between your legs last? Yesterday?"

"Only because you neglect him!"

Ellie rolled her eyes, "You're the one he worships."

"He worships you more than he worships me," Farida rejoined. "You just don't ask him to do what he wants, and he'll never ask on his own. But he loves you the most of all!"

"Did he tell you that?" Ellie asked awkwardly.

"I can tell just by how he looks at you!"

Ellie seemed to contemplate this a moment, "I can't really shrink myself at the same time, but I think it would be safe to make Jason bigger."

"I'm sure he'll be happy even if he's small."

"I might prefer him bigger," Ellie returned meaningfully. "Besides, it's Jason. If it wouldn't take so many bugs, we'd be safe with him even at his full size."

Farida let out a gasp, "Could we make him that big for a while? Could we please?"

"I thought you wanted to be with Katya!" Ellie scolded.

"I can want them both! Besides, he could cuddle me either way if you're too greedy to share!"

"Fine, I'll think about it. We're not making Katya big though, not yet anyway."

"You'll make me small though, right?"

Ellie nodded. They went down to Farida's room where Katya was taking a nap. Ellie got the shrink ray gun out of her room, and Farida climbed onto the bed. The Ellie aimed the gun and pulled the trigger. Farida felt like she was falling in slow motion while the room swelled up around her. The beam cut out, and she fell over onto her butt.

"Have fun," Ellie said dryly. She left the room and closed the door.

Farida bounded over to Katya and rubbed her ginger fur. "Katya! Ellie said it was okay! I'm all yours until dinner!"

Katya opened her kelly green eyes and blinked at Farida. Her expression changed to one of bemusement. She stood and looked down at Farida curiously: the top of Farida's head only came to her shoulder. She wasn't Katya's size; she was the size of a rabbit to Katya!

"Sh-she must have shrunk me by the same percent instead of adjusting to make me your size," Farida squeaked nervously. She'd never been this close to what, for all intents and purposes, was a full-sized predator.

Katya wrapped one arm around her and pulled Farida to her chest. Her other hand petted Farida's head. "You know," she purred amusedly. "You look just like every little bunny I've ever eaten now, except none of them ever walked into my arms. Maybe I should eat you."

"N-no!" Farida cried. She tried to pull away, but the cat's powerful arms grabbed her tight.

"Ssh, I'm not going to hurt you; I thought you wanted to be mine."

"Y-you're not going to eat me?" Farida whined.

"Of course not; I like you. Besides, Ellie would definitely kill me if I did."

"W-what if you could get us both?"

"I still wouldn't. There's no place in the world for predators now, and I consider you friends even if I still don't like that every predator is a pet. I don't know if what prey did was right, but I understand why they did it."

Farida nuzzled Katya's chest. "I wish there were another way too. I don't mind being smaller. I wish we could have full-sized, gorgeous predators without you needing to eat us."

"So you still want to do it then?"

"I do if you do."

Katya smiled softly, "How can I say no to my little bunny owner?"

* * *

Ellie closed the door behind her and went to locate Jason. She found him curled up in the corner of her closet on a dirty blouse. She set the shrink ray gun on her bed and scooped him up.

"Hi there, kitty," she murmured as he yawned and stretched.

Jason blinked his pretty sea green eyes at her and nuzzled her chest. "Hi, Ellie."

"I've been talking with Farida, and she suggested I've been neglecting you," Ellie told him. "You wouldn't have any secret kitty desires where it came to your goddess, would you?"

"I only want to make you happy," Jason responded adoringly.

Ellie smirked, "That's nice. How would you like to make me happy between my thighs?"

He smiled excitedly, "I'd love to do that, Ellie!"

"How about if I made you big first? Would you like that?"

"I like being your pet, but I'll be anything you want me to. I love you, Ellie."

"Alright then. It will only be until dinner, but I'm going to make you as big as me. Then we can have some fun."

Ellie sat him on the bed, switched the mode from shrink to grow, and pulled the trigger. Jason grew and grew, and then he kept growing. We he stopped he wasn't her size but his full size like the day he'd tried to catch her, three times her size.

Jason stood and looked down at her confusedly, "I'm a little big."

"I, er, must have forgot to alter the setting before. Maybe I should check on Farida. You wait here."

Jason obediently sat back on the bed, and Ellie bounded down the hall to throw open Farida's door: Farida was sitting in Katya's lap while the cat gently groomed her head.

"Go away!" Farida yelped.

Ellie quickly shut the door. She crept back to her room and peered through the door at the full-sized cat. Farida seemed fine, and Jason's much safer than Katya, Ellie tried to reassure herself. Still, he looked like a predator, one who would try to eat her, not the little kitty she'd gotten used to cuddling. Fortifying herself, Ellie slipped into the room and shut the door. She looked at the shrink ray gun in her hand and decided to hold onto it for now.

"Ellie?" Jason meowed worriedly.

She looked up.

"Are you afraid of me? You know I won't hurt you, right?"

"I know," Ellie replied hesitantly. "It's just that, that you look just how you did when you tried to catch me."

"I'm different than I was then; I'm yours, no matter how big I am."

Ellie crept across the room, and Jason stood. She looked up at him nervously.

"Can I give you a hug, Ellie?"

Ellie hesitated for a moment but then nodded. Jason wrapped his arms around her and gently squeezed her to his chest. After a second, Ellie wrapped her arms around his middle to hug him back. She shouldn't be afraid; this was Jason. He was the perfect devoted pet; he would never hurt either of them. Ellie pressed her cheek against his chest, and he nuzzled her between the ears.

"I love you, Ellie," he breathed. "I'll always belong to you."

It was a bit strange to think that this powerful cat still thought of himself as her pet. He could easily grab the gun she'd tossed on the bed and wreak havoc, but Ellie knew he would never do anything to upset her. She stroked his back.

"Let's do it, Jason," she murmured. "If you're too big, I'll make you smaller, but if not, we'll make love like this. I love you too, whether you're my pet or something else."

"Can I pick you up, Ellie?"

Ellie nodded, and Jason hefted her to cradle her across his arms. He smiled down at her lovingly, "The day you caught me was the best day of my life," he murmured affectionately. "I'm glad a little bunny got the better of me and made me her pet."

"You're a good kitty, Jason," she murmured. "I'll let you take the lead for a change. Make love to me at whatever pace you want."

Jason sat down on the bed and set her in his lap, wrapping his arms securely around her. "First, I want to groom you. We'll see where it goes from there. I know that later I'll be small again, and maybe that's how I'll be for the rest of my life. But I want you to remember this one time or first time for the rest of your life. I'll make it special, Ellie."

Jason's rough, warm tongue stroked the top of her head, and Ellie relaxed in the cat's strong arms. He was her kitty, and he always would be.

* * *

Farida was pressed close to Katya's chest with the cat curled around her. They were both dozing after their afternoon of fun when the sound of the opening door woke them. Ellie stepped in followed by Jason, the cat at his full size.

"Jason! You're so big now!" Farida squeaked excitedly. "I want you to hold me! Will you, please?"

With a glance at Ellie for permission, Jason stepped over to the bed and carefully scooped her up into one arm.

Farida squirmed happily, grinning up at the giant cat, "Now I'm your pet! Pet me!"

Jason gently stroked a hand over her long ears. Farida nuzzled him happily.

"Don't get too comfortable. I need to change the two of you back so that we can have dinner," Ellie stated.

"Can't we keep Jason big longer?" Farida protested.

"We don't have enough bugs to feed him at this size," Ellie returned.

"We could make him big again right away after dinner," Farida argued.

"Maybe tomorrow," Ellie allowed.

Jason set her back on the bed. Ellie grew her and then shrank Jason. Farida picked Jason up and cradled him in one arm.

"You're the pet again! Isn't this fun, Jason?"

"Being with you is always fun," Jason replied sincerely.

Farida flopped Jason over one shoulder and then picked up Katya to flop her over the other shoulder. "I've got our kitties. What's for dinner?"

"It's your turn to cook. You tell me," Ellie replied dryly.

"Um, I guess I'll have to see what we have."

That evening, Farida tucked Katya under her chin. Jason often slept with her too, but tonight he was with Ellie. Farida stroked the cat from head to tail.

"You're all mine again," she murmured. "It's not so bad being our pet, is it?"

"If it was, I could have eaten you," Katya murmured.

Farida scooted back to look down at the little cat, "I know you don't like that your species are all pets now, but if it's not so bad for you, then maybe it's alright for them."

"It's bad even if they're happy. Predators shouldn't belong to prey," Katya grumbled.

"But if you could hurt us, you still wouldn't," Farida pressed.

"Just because I don't want to hurt people I care for doesn't mean I think their species are always right."

"But you also don't think it would be good if predators still ate us, right?"

"I don't, but two things can be bad. There doesn't have to be a good solution for something to be wrong."

"If there were a solution, would we still be friends?" Farida asked worriedly.

Katya scooted close to her again, "Yes. We'd always be friends. That's why this is better than before, even if it's still wrong. I'm glad we can be friends, and more than that, I love you, Farida. I'd want to be with you no matter what."

Farida stroked the cat, "I love you too. I'm glad we got to meet, and I'm glad you're our pet even if there could be something better. I'll always take care of you, Katya."

"I know," Katya murmured. "And I'll always take care of you."

Farida wrapped her arm behind the cat to gently hold her to her chest, and soon they both drifted into contented sleep.

* * *

Ellie sat against her pillow with Jason curled in her lap. She stroked him from head to tail as he purred contentedly.

"Still happy as my little pet," Ellie commented softly. "You didn't get any urges earlier, did you, kitty?"

Jason opened his eyes and looked up embarrassedly, "Urges?"

Ellie smiled teasingly, "You finally caught me, but you missed your chance. You could have eaten me--and Farida if you wanted to. You could have made Katya big, and the two of you could have tried to start a revolt."

"I-I wouldn't want to do any of that! I like being here with you!"

Ellie rolled him onto his back and tickled his belly, causing him to squirm. "Even if that means you're our helpless little pet."

"I trust you, Ellie. I'm not afraid to be helpless."

"Still, you have to be your prey's toy. Didn't being big remind you how it used to be?"

"It did, and it made me glad that I belong to you now. I didn't like it when you were scared; I didn't like feeling like a predator."

"You liked it when we made love though," Ellie pressed.

Jason smiled embarrassedly, "Yes."

"I've been thinking, Jason. We could use the ray on the bugs. You would have all the food you'd need. You could be my size or your proper size, and we could live together as partners instead of owner and pet. Would you like that?"

"I like being your pet, Ellie, but the only thing that matters to me is that I'm with you. If you'd be happier with me as your partner, then that's what I want to be."

"I'll have to consider it more then. I'm worried Farida would want the same, but I'm not sure we can trust Katya."

"I think you can. She loves you too. She wouldn't hurt you."

"She might try to escape though," Ellie pointed out.

"I don't think so. She wouldn't want things to go back to the way they were; she wouldn't want you and Farida to be hunted again. And maybe if we can live together as partners, we can show that predators and prey can live together in peace. Maybe once predators see what prey are really like, they won't want to go back to how things were."

"I don't know if every predator would be as amenable to the idea as you, but maybe some could. They would have to accept that the others were still our pets though, so that may be harder."

"Whatever you decide will be fine. I'll always be yours, Ellie."

Ellie petted his head, "I'll always be yours too, kitty."