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Chapter 18: Journey to Aquas

It was now the second day of their week-long journey from Corneria to Aquas. Fox and Krystal were strolling along the Promenade Deck of the Ocean Breeze. Krystal was wearing a purple midi dress with a white flora print over the front. Fox was dressed just as casually in a green polo shirt and beige pants. It was late morning, ship time on an extended day cycle that would eventually synchronize them with the local Aquas time at the point where they would land on the watery world.

They were slowly progressing along from the bow to the stern, on the port side. On their left were a line of one boutique after another, interspersed with passageways to the starboard side with lifts and stairs providing access to other decks. On their right side were floor to ceiling transparent palladium alloy windows that afforded them a panoramic view of the stars beyond. Already, Corneria had faded to a speck, lost in the see of interstellar light.

Fox though was not seeing anything beyond those windows. In that moment, nothing could compare to his beautiful, pregnant wife. Even the ongoing bouts of morning sickness he experienced through his telepathic bond with Krystal could not dampen the joy filling his heart. Despite the unpleasant nausea and inability to hold down food, Krystal shared that same happiness with her husband at the thought of the new life growing in her. "If my stomach stays settled down by this afternoon, how about we pamper ourselves to a nice spa treatment before dinner?"

"That is not a bad idea, Kurisutaru."_Fox withdrew his personal comm from his pocket and typed a message to their butler. "I'm sending a message to Gerald to see about reserving time for the two of us."_ Fox then became aware of Fara's presence through Krystal's telepathy. "Why don't you ask her if she and Kei would be interested in some pampering too?"

Both glanced to their left and caught a glimpse of Fara and her fiancé strolling along on the starboard side towards the bow. Something about Kei caught their attention though. "Did we just see what we think we saw?" Together, they cut across to the opposite side of the Promenade Deck and beheld a sight that neither of them could have guessed. "Well, this is unexpected," commented Fox.

Fara turned around and waved to Fox and Krystal. Fara was in a red tea length dress with black trim around the plunging neckline, sleeve ends, and hemline. Next to her, Kei was wearing a matching dress in the same style as Fara's, except his was pink with white trim. He also carried with him a pink leather purse. The McCloud couple approached Fara and Kei until they were standing face-to-face. Fox stood there and took in the effeminate tod's attire. "Wow! That dress actually looks good on you, Cousin."

Kei took his vixen's hand in his and kissed it. "You can thank Fara for helping me discover and get in touch with my feminine side."

Fox shrugged. "Well, I've seen Fara often in shirt and pants, especially when she was part of Star Fox during the Lylat War against Andross." He then laughed. "You wear dresses and she's the one to ask you to marry her, and gives you an engagement ring. You two really have your roles reversed. Next thing you'll tell me is that you'll be wearing the wedding dress!"

Kei looked down and played with the hem of his dress while smiling shyly. "Actually....yeah."

Krystal looked to her husband and laughed when she sensed Fox's surprised astonishment. "You've left your cousin speechless, Kei, but I can sense his amazement."

Kei laughed. "I am sometimes amazed myself at how it all began. When Fara and I first started dating, she took me to her family's private island. While we were there, she had this idea to have me try out one of her dresses." He shook his head in bemusement, recalling the day that changed him. "At the time, I couldn't believe she wanted me to wear a dress. I was so embarrassed. Then, she had me see myself in a full-length mirror." His arms went around himself in a hug when he recalled the first time he saw his reflection. "I was amazed at how pretty I looked. It made me feel special and I fell in love with crossdressing then and there. I ended up trying almost all her outfits."

Fara took over and went on. "He was so adorable in those dresses, and when I saw how much he loved wearing them, I had Madam Samantha brought over to the island where she measured Kei for his own feminine wardrobe. He was so eager to have his own dresses, including a beautiful pink ball gown that he adores wearing." Fara's eyes grew misty as she recalled that day. "This sweet tod loved me so much even then that he was willing to let me pick out whatever I wanted him to wear. When Madam Samantha saw this, she showed me on her tablet her designs for wedding dresses."

Kei smiled and wrapped his arms around his fiancée. "I didn't know it at the time, having not seen what Madam Samatha was showing her, but that was the first time I ever saw Fara blush."

"We....we were just getting to know each other then, even though we were already deeply in love." Fara confessed. "But as much as Kei was more than happy to wear whatever dress I wanted him to, that was one I felt was too important not to let him choose to wear."

"It just feels right, between Fara and me, that I will wear the wedding dress." Kei explained. "The way we've grown together, I seem to have found it more natural that I take on the feminine role. I prefer to wear dresses almost all the time. So she ended up being the one who proposed to me and gave me this beautiful engagement ring...."

Fara tweaked her fiancé's nose. "I proposed to you only because I knew you were too shy and afraid to ask me the question yourself, and I was not going to let you get away from me."

Kei nodded and leaned his forehead against Fara's. "Yeah. I know. But thanks to you, I've gotten over much of my shyness." Keeping his arm around his vixen, he turned to his distant cousin. "There was a time I'd have been mortified to be seen out in public in a dress, but not anymore. I am so looking forward to meeting Madam Samantha to pick out my wedding dress." He then revealed to Fox and Krystal something that did not surprise either of them. "In fact, I've asked Fara if I could be the one who changed my name instead of her when we exchange our vows, and she agreed. You are looking at the future Kei Phoenix."

Fox and Krystal nodded together. "Given everything you've told us, that is not unexpected." Krystal affirmed.

"But uncommon, since it's usually the wife who takes on her husband's name." Kei pointed out.

"Not among my people." Krystal countered. "Cerinia was a matriarchal society. The only difference is that we do not have family names. Instead, our clans are identified by the tattoos on our thighs, and it was the husband who took on his wife's family markings."

Fox explained to Kei and Fara. "We exchange our vows in the tradition of Lylat for the Chief Justice who officiated over our wedding and Krystal took on the name of McCloud since we are citizens of Corneria. But to me...to us...our marriage feels more real because we declared ourselves soulmates, becoming telepathically bonded, and I joined her clan in the tradition of Cerinia. We also wore loincloths instead of the traditional formal suit and wedding dress. We never even bothered with wedding rings."

"And you are not the only crossdresser we know, Kei." Krystal added. "Our art teacher does it so well that Fox at first thought he was female until he saw my mental impressions of him."

Kei laughed. "Want can I say? We girly boys look good in dresses. I've often been mistaken for a vixen myself. In fact, when Fara and I first went out on a date with both of us in evening dresses, gossip started circulating around that she was a lesbian."

Fox then asked. "Did you let Kei try on Mom's pink dress?"

Fara shook her head. "I never even showed it to him. At the time...it didn't feel right to let anyone else wear it."

Kei was naturally intrigued. "You have a dress that belonged to Cousin Vixy?"

Fara gave her fiancé's hand a squeeze. "Well, at the time, I did not know that you and Fox's mother were related. When Fox and I were still together, he had given it to me specifically." She then turned to her former boyfriend. "After we broke up, I had been meaning to ask if you had wanted it back, but life got in the way and I never got around to it."

Fox shook his head and placed a firm hand on his distant cousin's shoulder while gazing fondly at the tod. "Give it to Kei here. Who better to wear Mom's old dress than another Reinard. I think Mom would have approved." His expression then quirked. "Besides, it looks to me like my mother's third cousin here loves pink as much as she did."

Kei was deeply touched by the heartfelt gesture. "Thank you, Fox. I'll cherish that dress."

"I'll want pictures of you wearing it, Kei." Fox grinned.

"Sure thing, Cousin."

Fara laughed. She then brought to the fore Fox and Krystal's artistic interest. "So you two have been taking art classes?"

"Oh yes." Fox admitted. "We've gotten quite good at drawing too." He glanced to Krystal while he went on. "You could say that adage about 'putting our heads together' can be taken literally with us because of our telepathic bond."

"We haven't gotten to painting yet, but we could draw a sketch of the two of you together if you'd like." Krystal offered.

"Sure! We'd love that!" Fara nodded excitedly. "Maybe one of the boutiques here on this deck sells something that you can use to draw us with."

A search through several souvenir shops produced the sketch pad and graphite pencils Fox and Krystal needed. They then found a lounge chair along the Promenade Deck for Kei and Fara to sit on. The engaged couple sat still together and watched in amazement as both Fox and Krystal worked harmoniously together on the sketch. In only 15 minutes, two sets of hands worked seamlessly together to render an image of them sitting in their matching dresses and holding hands.

Once done, Kei and Fara gazed at the drawing of the two of them. "Wow Foxy." Fara said. "I never knew you were the artistic type."

"I'm actually not sure if that aptitude comes from within me or from Krystal." Fox shrugged. "What we are finding is that our bond allows us to share abilities and learn new ones more quickly."

Kei nodded to himself. "That's the 'putting your heads together' thing you mentioned, I guess."

Just then, Fox's comm chirped. "Oh good. Gerald was able to reserve us three hours at the spa right after lunch. He looked up and nodded to Kei and Fara. "Which reminds us. When we came over to find you, it was to ask if you wanted to join us for these three hours of pampering."

"That sounds nice, actually." Fara replied. When she glanced to her fiancé, Kei smiled and nodded. "Yes, why not?"

*****

It was late afternoon and all four foxes were in Fara and Kei's Grand Phoenix Duplex accommodations, lounging on their private balcony overlooking the atrium. All of them were pleasantly relaxed after a long soak in a posh tub, followed by a 90-minute massage, which finished off with an hour in the grooming salon. Fox never thought his fur could end up being so soft and lustrous, but Krystal loved it and snuggled next to him on their shared reclined chair. Fara was equally amazed. "Kei, I think your cousin's fur may end up being just as soft and silky as yours."

"Maybe. One thing's for sure. Krystal loves it." Kei affirmed while watching the blue vixen playfully run her hands through her husband's chest fur.

Fox gave his vixen a smooch. "I can feel it through Krystal's hands. Both our coats are equally soft now."

Fara perused through the listing of on-board activities on her personal tablet. "There's a musical performance tonight after dinner we could go to." She continued to look ahead to the next day and perked at something that caught her eye. "Oooh. Kei, you might like this. There's a martial arts master tomorrow morning giving a seminar, including sword fighting techniques. He'll be giving basic lessons."

Kei perked up and glanced over at his vixen's tablet. "Oh nice! I can't miss that."

Fox picked up his own data tablet. "I admit. Neither Krystal nor I know much about sword fighting. Is that an interest of yours, Kei?"

"Yeah, you could say that. I placed third in the Havenwood Regional Fencing Competition during my college years, and am decent with the sword."

Fara rolled her eyes. "Decent with the sword, he says. You saved my life from that maniac by besting him in a sword fight."

"Pfff. Ducharme was an undisciplined amateur." Kei countered. "You didn't need to be a sword master to defeat that arrogant idiot."

Fox sat up in his and Krystal's chair and faced his cousin with ears swiveled attentively forward. "I've got to hear this."

Kei leaned against his vixen in the chair he shared with her and looked down at his hands. "It was this stuck-up fennec who had an overly high opinion of himself and thought nobody could be a better husband for Fara than him. By that time, I was openly crossdressing, and Fara and I attended a ball hosted by Charles, wearing matching ball gowns. When they finally figured out I wasn't a vixen, and that Fara liked a crossdresser like me better than him, he went berserk and grabbed a sword, intending to kill both of us with it."

"Damn. This guy sounds like a real piece of work." Fox shook his head. "I've had to deal with wackos like that during my Star Fox days, though I typically did it with my Arwing lasers or a blaster."

Krystal sat up next to Fox and asked, "Where at a ball could he have gotten a sword?"

"Did you ever see Charles' collection of old style weapons, Fox?" Kei asked in turn.

"Yeah, when Fara and I were dating, she showed me his armory."

"It turns out Chief Minister Frost, who was at the ball, also collected old-style weapons. He brought in a really nice-quality replica to compare with one of Charles original 3500-year-old swords." Kei explained. "They were still sitting on one of the tables near the dance floor, and Maurice Ducharme grabbed the replica. So William, Fara's cousin, grabbed the other sword and threw it to me."

Fox nodded, now able to fill in the rest. "And you caught it and defeated this Ducharme guy in a sword fight."

Fara kissed her fiancé on the cheek. "Yes, my beautiful, crossdressing girly boy of a boyfriend handily bested the cowardly, macho fox, disarming him in seconds."

Kei blushed at the adulation his vixen was lavishing upon him. "Yeah, well Charles was so happy I had protected his little girl that he gave me that rare thirty-five hundred-year-old sword."

Fox whistled. "That's a princely gift. I may never have had any interested in fencing, but even I can appreciate something like a well-preserved authentic pre-industrial age sword."

"And it was after..." Kei's voice became choked up with emotion as he recalled a moment he would never forget. "After that that Fara asked me to marry her and gave me this beautiful engagement ring."

Deeply touched by his distant cousin's recollections, Fox leaned against Krystal and both laid back down onto their shared lounge chair. "It seems that we are both incredibly lucky to have the love of our vixens, Kei." He went on to recount how he met Krystal, how he almost lost her because of his foolishness, and how he earned her forgiveness, won back her love, and ended up being engaged to her without even having to ask her to marry him.

"Wow. So you let her see your every thought and memory?" Kei shivered at the idea when Fox nodded. "I don't know if I could ever do that."

"Even for Fara if she were a telepath?" Krystal asked.

Kei faced his fiancée and contemplated the idea as he let himself sink into her eyes. "Actually, she knows practically everything about me already....I think that...maybe I could for her."

"Aww." Fara leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "You say the sweetest thing. Makes me almost wish I were a telepath."

"Almost?" Krystal asked with a playful grin.

Fara shook her head. "It's an interesting notion, but I cannot imagine living a life where I hear the thoughts and emotions of everyone around me."

Krystal shrugged. "Given that I was born this way, I cannot imagine a life without my sixth sense."

Kei took the tablet from Fara and read over the detailed description for seminar. "This martial arts instructor looks like he's the real deal too. According to this, Master Yun Bao trained at the monastery in the Yazhou Mountains where he has been teaching for the last 73 years." He registered his name for the seminar and handed the tablet back to Fara while addressing Krystal. "I wonder if being a telepath would give you an advantage in a sword fight."

Pondering the question, Krystal replied. "Maybe....but it depends on the opponent. If this sword master is the type who acts on instincts, then I might get little to no warning on his next move. Plus, I have no training in the sword. Also, Cerinian martial weapons tied in to our telepathy. My own training was in the staff which, in addition to close quarter combat, is capable of sending plasma bolts, freezing blasts, and can trigger ground quakes among other things."

"How do those things tie in to telepathy?" Kei asked.

In reply, Krystal reached inside a wide, well-hidden pocket in her dress, and withdrew her staff. "It can only be activated by a telepath." In the blink of an eye, the collapsed weapon extended to its full length. "Also, in the traditional combat forms, you had to keep a mental focus to guard against mental attacks while attacking telepathically as well. Some were also capable of telekinesis."

Fara eyed the exotic weapon, which crackled with energy as it gleamed in the artificial light of the atrium. "Ever figure out why Fox is able to make your staff work for him?"

Krystal shook her heard. "I still have no idea." She handed her weapon to her husband to demonstrate. Fox aimed out over the balcony. The spear-like head widened with a metallic snap while at the same time the large blue jewel at the center glowed. An instant later a freezing jet fired from the end which caused icicles to instantly grow down from the railings. Both Fara and Kei shivered, feeling their body heat radiate to the cryogenically frozen section of the balcony. Fox then willed the staff to collapse back upon itself and handed it to Kei. "Krystal and I tried everything we could think of to see if I'm even slightly telepathic. She even had me wear her focusing gem to see if that would help." He shrugged. "Nothing."

Kei held the Cerinian weapon in his hand, but no matter what he did, nothing happened. He passed it on to Fara, but she could not make it do anything either and handed it back to Krystal who slipped it back into its hidden pocket.

"My best guess is that my staff detected something in Fox when he found it in Thorntail Hollow, some affinity he would have with me when he eventually rescued me at Krazoa Palace." Krystal speculated. "For a non-telepath, Fox seemed to have a natural aptitude for the telepathic exercises I taught him to prepare him for our mind link on our wedding day."

"Well, maybe you can demonstrate your skills in the staff, Krystal." Kei said as he perused the summary of what Master Bao would be teaching. "It seems that in addition to swords, he'll be giving a seminar in other weapons forms, including staves."

"Interesting. I've always wondered how Lylatian martial styles might differ from Cerinian." Krystal mused. "I guess I'll find out tomorrow."

*****

After a light breakfast together, they had changed in comfortable work-out clothes and gathered in one of the large gymnasiums that was available to all the passengers. When Master Bao walked in, nobody would have been able to guess that this albino clouded leopard was 95 years old. The graceful ease by which he moved spoke of an inner strength and focus that had not diminished with age. "Good morning, and welcome. I am Master Bao of the Yazhou Mountains Monastery. I have been invited here to impart on you the wisdom of harmony and focus as a way of life...."

They all sat and listened to the master lecture about living in harmony with nature, other people and within oneself. He explained, "All things have two opposing aspects, both of which are necessary and that harmony can only be achieved through seeking a balance between these opposites." While he was explaining these things, two of his students had set up a large concrete block upon a wooden table. "Take water, for example. It is both soft and yet immensely powerful."

He then demonstrated by sparring with one of his students. His movements were fluid as he deflected and redirected the punches and kicks from the young civet. Their movements were prescribed by a set form that they were doing, but the message was clear. "Water is soft. It can flow and move aside the heaviest of objects." He then broke off and faced the stone block. "Water can also crash, and reduce to rubble what it impacts." Still moving in a fluid motion, Master Bao focused his inner energy onto his target and struck down upon the block. With a loud crack, the wooden table underneath the block fractured in two and collapsed. When it did so, the concrete block split apart as each half of the table fell to the floor.

Krystal and Kei looked at each other. "Wow. This guy is good." Kei declared. Krystal and Fox nodded. "He reminds me of Elder Hoshi."

Still watching the martial arts master's demonstration, Fara asked Krystal, "Who is this Hoshi?"

Sensing that Krystal was focused intently on listening to and watching Master Bao, Fox replied for her. "Every village and town on Cerinia had an elder that provided guidance and wisdom. These elders were the ones who trained the young on how to control their telepathy. They also trained those who chose to become guardians for their village in mental and physical combat techniques and in the use of the staff, like Krystal and her father were."

They continued to listen to Master Bao's lecture. "With training, one can learn to combine instinct with control in harmony. My purpose in life is not so much to teach self-defense but to express oneself honestly, to not lie to oneself. That is not easy to do. It takes dedicated training and hard work to hone your reflexes to move with determination and focus, bending, stretching, and always flowing....like water."

He went on to demonstrate the use of various other pre-industrial age weapons, such as daggers, various swords, whip chains, axes, spears, and staves. Once he was done with his lecture and demonstrations, most attendees left to seek other entertainment. Besides Kei, only three others were interested in a brief introductory lesson from the revered master. Fara's fiancé was patient, wishing only to be last while the other three each had a turn at a personal one-on-one session. After an hour, it was Kei's turn. He approached the albino clouded leopard and bowed politely. "Master Bao, thank you for taking the time to come here."

Yun Bao regarded the fox before him, giving the soft-featured vulpine an appraising look. "So young one, what is it that you seek to know?"

"I seek to improve my skills with the sword, Sir."

The leopard's whiskers twitched and his ears swiveled forward at the unexpected reply. "Improve you say? Have you had prior training?"

"Just a few years during my time in college. I placed third in the Havenwood Regional Fencing Competition." Feeling conscientious in the presence of this master of martial arts, Kei looked down at his hands. "I'd be honored if you would impart upon me what skills you thought I'd be ready to learn."

The clouded leopard's pink eyes took in this humble fox, glancing briefly to his three friends. Yun immediately recognized all three and was impressed that this young vulpine before him did not let the company he kept go to his head. "What is your name?"

"Kei Reinard, Sir."

He nodded his head towards the rack containing various practice weapons. "Select a sword, and show me what you have learned."

Kei walked over and selected a long, curving sword that most closely matched the weight and shape of the ancient sword his future father-in-law had already gifted him with for saving Fara's life. While the handle, pommel, and guard had all the appearance and quality of a traditional sword, the blade was made of wood and the edge was padded with foam. He then began to go through the sword forms he already knew. When Master Bao interceded and began to correct him on his foot stance, posture, and techniques, Kei attentively followed his direction.

After 30 minutes, Yun Bao could see a marked improvement in his student's performance. "Better. Now your form is passable." The feline picked up a matching practice sword and faced a suddenly nervous tod. "Let's see if you can put those techniques to use."

Kei naturally lost each round, yelping a few times when he felt the stinging blow of the practice blade on a hand, leg, or arm, but he did his best against the highly skilled sword master, who further corrected and guided him on keeping his guard up, parrying, and countering blows.

After an intense 15 minutes that left him exhausted and aching, Kei bowed to his teacher. "Thank you, Master Bao. I will endeavor to practice each day and better myself."

"And what will you do with this skill in the sword once you've mastered it?"

"Hopefully never use it again."

"Again?" Yun Bao asked in concern. He briefly questioned his own wisdom in teaching this young vulpine even these basic sword forms. When Kei recounted his one and only brief sword fight to defend himself and his fiancée, the sword master was impressed. "Not many can claim to have actually used a sword in combat in this day and age. You have comported yourself admirably, Apprentice."

It was not lost upon Kei the title this revered master was bestowing upon him. "A...Apprentice?"

"Yes. If you are willing to dedicate yourself, I will continue your training."

"Thank you, Sir. I hope to be worthy of this honor, and of the sword Fara's father gifted me with."

Yun Bao for the first time smiled and nodded to his new apprentice. He then turned his attention to the McCloud couple. "And what about you, Mister McCloud?"

"Well, I've never had any training in the sword, but I've become as skilled as my wife in the Cerinian staff."

"Ah yes. I had heard of that world and its aesthetic culture," mused the aged leopard. He then nodded to Krystal. "I and a few other monks were in fact hoping to travel there to establish a cultural exchange with your elders when word reached us of your world's destruction." He sighed, closed his eyes, and shook his head slowly. "We were all truly saddened."

Krystal was deeply touched. She could sense that the clouded leopard was deeply affected. Nodding to her husband's thought, she hinted to Yun Bao, "Perhaps you will one day meet other survivors of my world."

The martial arts master regarded the azure blue vixen with an intense gaze. Old and wise as he had become, he immediately suspected that there was more to what she had said, but politely did not question her. For her part, Krystal felt like it was her mind being read by this Cornerian, even though that was not possible since he was no telepath. In that moment he reminded her very much of Elder Hoshi, who had trained her in telepathy and the staff a lifetime ago. The weighty moment was broken when Master Bao regarded Fox again. "So, Mister McCloud, care to show me how well your wife has imparted her skills in the staff? I'd be most curious to see this Cerinian style."

"Uh... Okay." Fox glanced to his wife and shrugged. He walked over to the weapons rack and went through the practice staves until he found one that came close to the length and weight of Krystal's staff. Once he was standing in the middle of the practice floor, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Tapping into the muscle memory he had gained through his telepathic bond with Krystal, he began going through the same sets he had done with his wife all those weeks ago at the CDF Headquarters gymnasium.

Master Bao remained impassive, never saying anything or doing anything to correct Fox McCloud's technique. Truthfully, the vulpine's movements were smooth and fluid and at times explosive, like water. He could see the similarities to his own style, as well as startling differences, such as how Fox would sometimes plant one end of his staff down on the floor and crouch close to it, as if he were taking shelter. There were also moves where he would slam the end of his staff down while at the same time leaping in the air. He also at certain moments seemed to be holding it with one end pointed at an unseen target.

When Fox finished his series of staff form exercise, he noticed that they had attracted a small audience. Over the last half-hour, other passengers passing by had noticed the goings-on inside the gymnasium and had come to watch. Fox and Krystal were naturally recognized by this small, but growing audience, which now watched with interest as this martial arts master went over to select a matching staff and faced the famed retired Star Fox leader.

Fox's attention was fully on his opponent, even while he thought to wife, "Kurisutaru, could you put up your mental barriers? I'm curious to know how I'll do without sensing Master Bao through my mind link with you."

"Alright Fokkusu, and then I'll offer to spar with him afterwards with my mental barriers down to see how I do." Krystal thought back while bringing up her mental barriers.

When Fox could no longer sense any other minds with the exception of his soulmate's, he knew that the playing field had been leveled and bowed to Master Bao, who bowed in return. The sparring match was intense. It was all Fox could do to keep his guard up and block the furious flurry of attacks. There was no doubt that his adversary was a true master in the fullest of sense, getting in a few hits against the younger vulpine. Because the Cerinian style was different, Fox did manage to get in two strikes against the master, but no more, especially when Master Bao was able to quickly learn and anticipate Fox's moves.

The matched ended when the aged leopard's practice staff connected hard against Fox's upper arm, making both him and his wife yelp at the same time. Krystal had of course felt every stinging blow through her bond with Fox, wincing each time the martial arts master had gotten through her soulmate's defense. Though the staves were padded, that last blow stung severely enough for Krystal to cry out when she felt it on her own arm through their bond.

"Krystal, are you okay?" Kei asked, wondering what had caused the vixen distress.

Fox's wife rubbed her arm, still feeling the sympathetic pain, but smiled ruefully to Fara's fiancé. "We'll be okay."

With their small audience of fellow passengers applauding, Master Bao bowed to his opponent who returned the bow, grinning to the master even as he rubbed his aching arm. "Your skills at the staff are quite impressive, Mister McCloud. You have learned well from your wife."

"Thank you, Sir. I suspect though that she would have fared better than me in this match." Fox confessed.

"Because she's a telepath?"

Fox shrugged. "It's something we've been wondering ourselves. Her powers do give her a tremendous advantage in sensing the intentions of her opponents, but we aren't sure if it would work all that well with an accomplished martial arts master such as yourself." He smiled ruefully. "I knew better than to underestimate you, despite your 95 years, and yet I was still surprised at how quickly you could move."

The leopard laughed. "It is an interesting thought." He bowed to the vixen. "Well Missus McCloud, shall we test this theory?"

Krystal smiled while Fox handed his practice staff to his wife. "Sure. Why not?" She stood facing her opponent and closed her eyes, taking slow deep breaths as she lowered her mental barriers and slipped into a semi-meditative state of mind.

Yun Bao observed the blue-furred vixen with interest. Though not a telepath himself, he was well aware of the practice of meditation and waited for her to be ready. When she opened her eyes and bowed to him, he return the bow and immediately went on the offensive. It quickly became apparent to the martial arts master that her telepathy was indeed an advantage. She unerringly was able to anticipate his every move, blocking or deflecting each sweep, thrust, and strike, be it from above, below, or from the side.

Krystal though was not able to score any blows either. Just from observing her husband go through the practice forms of the staff and his brief sparring match with him, the martial arts master had become familiar with the Cerinian style. Sparring to a stalemate against the clouded leopard, she knew that it would be a test of stamina where one would eventually drop his or her guard due to fatigue.

After blocking mutual blows, both stepped back to catch their breaths. Though he could not feel any alien presence in his mind, Yun Bao had an even more profound respect for this vixen's abilities, both physically and mentally. While his moves were instinctive and with little forethought, she was still able to pick up on his intentions so quickly that he could not get past her defenses. He knew then that he must act without any thought. Closing his eyes, he took a slow deep breath and cleared his mind.

Fox's wife mentally observed her opponent. While she avoided reading his surface thoughts, she could still sense that he was evaluating her. What happened next was the most startling impression she ever had from a non-telepath. When he had closed his eyes and slowed his breathing, her perception of his mind vanished. It was as if he had become a still pond on a windless day. She could sense immediately near them her friends and the other passengers who had wandered in to watch them, but if it were not for her sense of sight, hearing, and smell, she would not have believed that there was someone standing in front of her.

Their audience gasped when Master Bao's staff struck out in a flash as if it moved on its own, taking Krystal completely by surprise as it delivered a stinging blow to her arm. It then reversed in an instant to strike her neck, coming to a stop only a centimeter from making contact. Krystal and Fox yelped in surprise at the brief pain, but the discomfort was quickly forgotten. The telepathic vixen had a look of wonder upon her face. "Incredible....I have never met a non-telepath who could clear his mind so completely as you have, Master Mao."

"It was necessary....given your abilities." He gave the vixen an evaluating regard. "I presume that all Cerinians went through such mental training as I have seen you display."

Krystal nodded. "Yes. We all needed to, in order to control our mental powers. Combat exercises also involved mental attacks and defenses against opponents, which was part of our telepathic training."

"Mental attacks as was seen in those archival footages you presented at the senate hearing?"

Krystal's ears flattened against her head and she looked away from the old leopard in shame. "Those were dark times where my people committed such unspeakable acts....That presentation to your senate was a demonstration of what depravity is possible if such powers were gained without the wisdom of restraint and the shame we all felt from that dark period in our history." She lifted her gaze to meet Master Bao's. "By my generation, committing such acts was unthinkable and training exercises entailed only forcing yourself into your opponent's mind. Even then, we did so only with both participants giving the other permission to attempt such a thing."

"And given that I am not a telepath, you refrained from using such abilities against me."

"That is correct." Krystal confirmed. "At most, I allowed myself to passively sense your intent without reading your surface thoughts. When you cleared your mind, the only way I could have anticipated your move would have been to probe your mind deeply where your intent still lay hidden, and that is something I will not do."

Yun Bao then bowed to the vixen. "Thank you for indulging this old leopard with a demonstration of Cerinian staff techniques, Missus McCloud." Instead of getting a return bow as he had expected though, he saw her eyes widen in a faraway gaze and breath quicken. Before he could ask what was troubling her, she turned to her husband.

"Fox, something's wrong. I am sensing intense fear." Her eyes closed, and she reached out with her mind. Searching through the background cacophony of the minds from over eight thousand passengers and crew would normally have been very difficult for Krystal, but the concentration of fear and anxiety shown out like a beacon to the telepath. "It's coming from the bridge."

"We need to notify Security," Fox thought out loud, "but we should avoid the comms. If the bridge has been compromised, we can't let anyone up there know we're onto them."

"Then we notify them in person." Fara declared. "Follow me."

Fox, Krystal, Kei, and Master Bao followed Fara at a fast walking pace up several decks to the ships security office, two decks below and forward of the bridge. Fara was about to depress the switch to open the door when Krystal placed a hand on her arm, stopping her.

Fara looked back and made eye contact with her telepathic friend and heard Krystal think to her. "Something's wrong. I'm sensing anger and panic just as we arrived. Let Fox and me enter first." She stepped back from the door, drawing her fiancé with her, and stood quietly next to Yun Bao on one side of the door. They watched Fox withdraw his blaster and Krystal pull out her staff, which immediately extended to its full length.

The McClouds crouched close together with the staff planted vertically between them and Fox depressed the switch. Just as the door was sliding open, the large blue jewel in the center of the spearhead-shaped end of the staff glowed and a shimmering energy field extended like an umbrella down around them all the way to the floor.

Multiple blaster bolts impacted harmlessly against the staff's energy shield while Fox returned fire with his own blaster from within their shared protective barrier. Several cries of pain were heard from within the security office. The retired Star Fox mercenaries then charged in, firing their blaster and staff. More shrieks were heard, but the brief fire fight was over in seconds.

When Fara, Kei, and Master Bao followed them, they found four dead simian in the security room and two more injured, being interrogated by Fox and Krystal. "Where's the security staff?" the telepathic vixen growled. Both apes looked back at the vixen, utterly terrified by the aura she exuded. When one glanced nervously to a door in the back of the security room, Fox immediately went to it. Depressing a switched revealed the bodies of three security officers within. Two were dead with blaster burns in their forehead, looking back with vacant eyes. The third had a blaster wound on the neck. His breathing was shallow.

Fara immediately went to one of the security consoles and depressed a switch. "Emergency, this is Security. We have officers down, one still alive in critical condition."

"This is Emergency. Medics are on their way. Who is this?"

"Your employer." was Fara's only reply before she terminated the call. She glanced to Kei and answered his unasked question. "Given who I am, I'm not about to announce myself over a comm that may be compromised."

Krystal knelt down next to the critically injured dog and lightly placed her fingers against his temple. "I can feel his mind, but barely... He might not make it."

"Is there anything you can do, Missus McCloud?" asked Yun Bao.

"My people's telepathic code of conduct would normally forbid me from invading his mind without his permission, but this is the one exception." Krystal murmured. "If he does not resist me, it is permitted for me to probe his thoughts to communicate with him." She then closed her eyes and slipped into the canid's mind.

Krystal went deeply into the mind of this dying canine, desperately trying to reach him even as he was beginning to drift away to the next life. When she finally reached him, Krystal looked up to see his spirit which was looking down on them, and knew he was close to dying. "I've heard of stories from others like this." he said.

"Stories?"

"Yes. Of out-of-body experiences from those near death." He locked eyes with the vixen and smiled to her. "And for the record, you have my permission to read my mind, in case I don't make it."

Because of how deeply she was inside his mind, Krystal inevitably knew his name and everything about him. The telepathic vixen was deeply touched by his trust and acceptance. "We'll do our best to bring you back to your wife and son, Jimmy."

"I know you will, but in case I don't make it, you should know what is going on. Even though I was unconscious, I could still hear them. They are pirates....or at least wannabe pirates from the way they were talking....I think they are hoping to draw the attention of Venomian organized crime to impress them."

"Do they know about Fox and me, and of Fara Phoenix?" Krystal asked.

Jimmy laughed. "No. That's the irony of it. They had no idea you were here. Their target was the Ocean Breeeze and her passengers in general. In all their chatter between here and the bridge, there was not a single word mentioned of any of you until they saw you on the security camera outside the door and then began to panic."

"You mentioned others on the Bridge...."

"Yes. From what I gathered, there are eight more who have hijacked the bridge and are intending to alter our course to Sargasso where they plan to call Venom and let them know what they accomplished."

_Just then, Jimmy saw medics come rushing into the room and to his astonishment, Fox McCloud looked up and spoke directly to him. _ "Hang in there, Jimmy. We're going to do everything we can to make sure your wife and son see you again in this life."

Fara gaped and looked up at the empty ceiling where Fox was gazing. "Wha...?"

Fox glanced to his former girlfriend. "He's having an out-of-body experience and is watching us. Krystal's with him." He then noticed a tall black jaguar standing walk up next to Fara and Kei. "You are one of Fara's shadows?" When he nodded, Fox said directly to him. "There are eight hijackers who have taken over the bridge. They intend to divert this liner to Sargasso and turn it over to Venom organized crime."

Knowing who was addressing him and his reputation, the black jaguar did not hesitate to take out his communicator. "Shadow 1 here. Code 7500. Repeat, Code 7500. Teams 1 through 4 to the bridge. Eight known targets, possibly all simian. Teams 5 through 7 to Engineering. Teams 8 through 10 to hanger bays, Teams 11 and 12 to me in Security for Active Protection Protocol of Phoenix 1 and 2."

Fox nodded with a grin. "Nice. So you guys all keep Fara safe then."

"And her future husband as well." The black jaguar affirmed while nodding to Kei who fidgeted nervously under the feline's gaze. "As skilled as I've seen him with it, a pre-industrial age sword is no match against multiple assailants with blasters at range." He then bowed to the martial arts master still among them. "Though I am quite pleased to see that Master Bao will be training Phoenix 2. The old melee weapons are still superior to energy weapons in close quarters."

The aged master bowed back the feline warrior. "Well said. And if my suspicions are correct, you were trained by one of my disciples."

"We were indeed trained in the ways of the intercepting fist." The black jaguar known only as Shadow 1 replied, bowing with a heartfelt deference to the 95-year-old albino clouded leopard.

Fara though was not paying any attention to the very brief discussion on martial arts. Krystal had moved to one side to let the medics work on the downed canine security officer while keeping her hand against his temple to maintain telepathic contact. While she was comfortable with the fact that Fox's wife was a telepath, Fara was unnerved by this display of Krystal's powers.

Krystal still remained with Jimmy's spirit who was looking down at the scene and saw Fara kneel next to the vixen and take his hand. As he watched, the intermittent beep of the heart monitor that had been connected to him began to steady and he felt himself get heavy, being drawn back down to his body.

Fara watched the vixen she considered a sister as her gaze drifted down from the ceiling to the dog whose vitals were being stabilized and knew he was going to make it when Krystal broke telepathic contact with the canid and smiled while wiping a stray tear from her eye. "Krystal, that was amazing!" Fara said in a hushed voice. "You were actually talking to his spirit...his soul."

Krystal looked down at the unconscious canine as the medics moved him to a stretcher, feeling humbled by the praise from her friend and sister. "I just wanted to be there for him, whichever way he went."

"Whichever way? What do you mean?"

Krystal briefly made eye contact with Fara and then looked off to the side. "I've never experienced it myself, but from what I was told, those of us who touched the mind of one who died saw their soul being drawn into a light just before losing telepathic contact."

Both vixens glanced up to Shadow 1 who just at that moment announced. "Teams 1 through 4 have reported that the eight hijackers have all been dispatched and the Bridge is secure. The other teams have cleared Engineering and the hanger bays and are sweeping the ship for other possible hostiles, but we expect that none are left based on your intel, Missus McCloud."

Just then, a group of eight more felines and canines of various species appeared at the door to Security. Shadow 1 then instructed. "However Miss Phoenix, until we have confirmed that the ship has been secured, I respectfully request that you and Mister Reinard consent to being escorted back to your quarters under the protection of Teams 11 and 12."

He then glanced down at the only two surviving would-be hijackers and gave them a feral grin, showing his long, sharp feline teeth. "As for myself, I'm going to escort these two to the ship's brig." He reached down and effortlessly lifted each injured simian by their collars until their feet were dangling off the floor. "We are going to have a long talk and they are going to tell me everything . Isn't that right, boys?"

Fox chuckled at the look of utter terror in the two apes. Seeing that the situation was well in hand, he tucked his blaster back into its hidden holster and Krystal collapsed her staff and slipped it back into her shirt's pocket. Fox nodded to Fara and Kei. "Krystal and I can come along and keep you company if you'd like."

Fara linked her arms with her boyfriend, who was shaken by the violence and death he had witnessed. "I'd like that. We can order room service and have lunch together."

Krystal smiled as she watched the medics lift the unconscious security officer up on the stretcher and carry him out. "That's a wonderful idea, though I'll want to check up on Jimmy when he wakes up."

*****

Kei sat close to Fara in the living room of their suite, nursing his whisky while glancing at Fox and Krystal McCloud. Witnessing them in action, seeing them actually go in with blaster, and staff, blazing to take down these would-be hijackers had been exhilarating and terrifying. The aftermath of the violent battle left him feeling troubled though. Intellectually, he knew that fatalities were to be expected. These were pirates intent on doing them harm. It was kill or be killed.

But knowing these things and actually seeing dead bodies, maimed by hot plasma that had ripped through them, were two different things. Kei didn't know if he'd ever be able to expunge from his mind the horrifying sight of those glazed, unseeing eyes looking out from faces frozen in shock and fear. Then there was their armed escort. Four surrounded Fara protectively, intent on ensuring her safety from any would-be adductor or assassin, and the other four surrounded him for the same reason. The thought that these ex-special forces bodyguards were ready to put down any who might harm him left him with mixed feelings.

"Kei, look at me." he heard Krystal say to him. When he looked up from his drink and met her eyes, he felt like she was looking into his soul, and realized that she probably was. Her gaze was penetrating and even though it left him unable to turn away, her countenance was kind and gentle.

"I can sense from your emotions that you've never been confronted with such violence. Even without reading your surface thoughts, I can tell that it's left you feeling disturbed."

"How do you do it?" Kei asked in a quiet voice. "I know you did what was necessary, but how do you so easily kill others like that?"

It was his distant cousin who answered. "Killing is never something we take lightly. We're able to live with what we've done by remembering that these pirates would not bat an eye at killing innocents. They are the type that would torture, rape, and kill the innocent passengers aboard this ship. All you have to do was look at the two dead security guards whose only crime was being at the wrong place at the wrong time. If we had not done what we did, that third security guard would be dead, leaving behind a widow and son."

Kei nodded and sighed. "In my mind, I know what you say is true, but I don't think I'll ever get over what I saw today...." He looked up and met Fox's green eyes, so much like his own, when he felt the tod sit next to him.

"You are a kindhearted soul, Cousin. In some ways, I envy you. I led Star Fox and fought in all those wars so that nice guys like you wouldn't have to deal with the things I've had to." Fox's expression then turned from rueful to joyful. "In fact, that is one of the big reasons why I've retired from Star Fox, and was quite happy to let that Shadow 1 fellow and his folks take care of the rest. I want to live the happy, quiet life like you have been, Kei. Krystal is now pregnant, and as nervous as I am about it, I'm very much looking forward to being a father. I'm looking forward to spending my days doting over my first-born and my nights making love to my soulmate."

Krystal then giggled while making eye contact with a blushing Fara. "Don't worry, Fara. I won't pry into the details, but your emotions of desire for your fiancé are truly wonderful." She winked to Kei. "I can sense that Fara has some very sexual thoughts about you."

When Kei began to stutter, Krystal was quick to reassure him. "Don't worry Dear. I may read Fara's surface thoughts, but I'll never peek at those particular ones I sense she's having about you." Her expression softened. "Whatever she has in mind for you, I'm guessing that she'll make sure you forget about today's unpleasantness by filling your mind with much more pleasurable memories."

Fox stood up and took his wife's hand. "In fact, I have the impression that Fara wants to get started with you right away."

"Oh must certainly." Krystal smiled to Fara's blushing fiancé. "We Cerinians have for a long time believed that nothing soothes a troubled heart better than the love of a mate." She and Fox headed to the door. "So I think Fox and I will leave you two alone and do our own thing."

Kei smiled, already feeling his heart renewed by the love of his fiancée and the promise of intimate pleasures to come. Added to these feelings was embarrassment when Krystal said over her shoulder as she and Fox walked out the door, "I expect to feel strong emotions of sexual fulfilment from you tomorrow morning at breakfast, Kei."

Fox winked to Fara, enjoying seeing his ex-girlfriend blush. "Better make that lunch, Krystal. I don't think they'll be up for breakfast."

*****

Fox and Krystal were having a quiet meal together at the Verandah Restaurant and mentally communing as they always did when it was just the two of them. That morning, their shared thoughts were on Jimmy Barker, the security officer who had survived the hijacking attempt the day before. He had awakened in the infirmary that morning just after breakfast, and the McClouds had immediately come to visit him when they had been notified.

Because of his being near death, it had been necessary for Krystal to penetrate his mind almost as deeply as she was in her husband's. The inevitable result was that Fox and Krystal had become intimately familiar with all of Jimmy's private memories and thoughts, much to his embarrassment. At Krystal's insistence, the entire nursing staff had vacated the ward and the three had a very private conversation. She explained to the canid that normally, she would never have probed his mind so deeply. She had done so only in order to reach him when he had been on the cusp of departing this life. The telepathic vixen went on to assure him that she was bound by her people's telepathic code of ethics to never disclose the personal things she knew about him.

For his part, Jimmy remembered his out-of-body experience and telepathic encounter with Krystal, and laughed in relief to know that his personal memories and thoughts were safe, joking with her that he had after all given her permission to read his mind. The two had engaged in friendly small talk for the rest of the 30-minute visit, which had ended with an incoming holo comm from one Missus Barker. The McClouds wished Jimmy well and excused themselves so that he could speak with his wife.

They were distracted from their shared musings when Krystal became aware of more familiar minds that were aglow with happiness. The McClouds looked up from their lunch to see Fara and Kei walk towards them. The happiness of fulfillment from the engaged couple was a bright aura to Krystal's empathy. When they reached their table and sat opposite of them, Krystal planted her elbows on the table and rested her chin in her hands. She fixed her gaze on Kei and grinned. "You are positively glowing."

Fara's fiancé could feel the heat rising to his face even while he laughed. "Yeah. I guess I am." His expression softened upon glancing sideways to his vixen. "I have to keep reminding myself that this is not a dream....There are days where I want nothing more than to wallow in her arms." He took Fara's hand in his, brought it to his muzzle, and tenderly planted kisses upon her fingers. "You are so good to me, Fara. I love you with all my heart."

Krystal closed her eyes and sighed while smiling, soaking up the emotions of love and happiness from the engaged couple sitting in front of her and her husband. Fox said nothing while he mimicked his wife by placing his own elbows on the table and rested his chin in his hands to gaze at his third cousin once removed and former girlfriend in their own public display of affection.

Fara became aware of their audience and laughed. "You're acting just like Miyu."

"Don't stop on our account." Fox replied, saying what their feline friend would say.

"Yes. Please do go on." Krystal added, also sounding like the lady lynx in question.

"What? You want us to make out right in front of you?"

"Yes!" they replied in unison.

"Oh you two!" Fara replied with amused exasperation. Her expression then turned mischievous while she grinned to her telepathic friend. "Since we are on the topic of bringing happiness to our tods, I'd like to invite you along to an adult sexuality seminar they are giving this afternoon."

Fox perked and his ears swiveled towards Fara. "You don't say!"

Fara shook her head. "Sorry. This seminar is for ladies only."

When Fox grinned to his wife and nodded, Fara closed her eyes and groaned. "And of course, you'll be listening in on all the girl talk through that mental bond you two share."

Fox glanced to his distant cousin while asking, "Should I tell Kei what I hear and see through Krystal?"

"No. I'd like to keep any ideas I get a surprise for him." Fara replied, and then stuck her tongue out at Fox. "There'll be no surprises for you, you eavesdropper."

Fox laughed. "Oh, we find ways to surprise each other."

"Riiiight..." the fennec said, entirely unconvinced.

*****

Fox and Kei were relaxing together in the shallow end of the swimming pool. Fox's eyes slowly drifted around their surroundings. They were in the First Class section of the Ocean Breeze, and there were only a few others among them. Almost all of them belonged to the wealthiest tier of Lylat society, and none were star struck by the presence of Fox McCloud. The two exceptions that were not from the affluent class were dark-furred canids lounging nondescriptly at opposite corners of the exclusive pool deck.

Fox's keen eyes and experience allowed him to discern that both were in exceptionally fit condition, befitting of soldiers who had served in Cornerian Special Forces. It also helped that he recognized both of them from the security detail that had showed up to escort Kei and Fara back to their quarters after the foiled hijacking attempt the day before. Kei though did not seem to be aware that two of his shadows were keeping an eye on him, and Fox was not going to remind his cousin about the unpleasantness from the previous day.

"You seem pensive." Kei observed. "What's on your mind?"

The retired mercenary let his gaze rove around him. "Despite my fame, I've never demanded or expected special treatment, but I find myself appreciating the relative seclusion of traveling in First Class." He glanced sideways to Kei. "I mean, I still go out in public, but it's only where there are not many others. Krystal and I did go with some friends to River Rapids waterpark a few weeks ago. There was the usual hoopla that happens when we are seen by large groups...fans, well-wishers, and so on, but it was all spread out and everyone was there for the waterslides."

Kei then understood what his distant cousin meant. "I can only imagine what it'd be like for you if we were on the Third Class pool deck. I hear it's huge and usually has over a thousand passengers milling about." He shivered at the thought. "You'd have been swarmed." It was then that he made eye contact with the dark-furred canine in the corner of the pool deck. "I doubt my shadows would appreciate having to keep track of me in such a throng."

"Don't look at him." Fox quietly admonished. When Kei glanced to him questioningly, he explained. "It's his job to keep watch over you, not the other way around. He'd want you to act like he doesn't exist so that his cover isn't blown."

Kei sighed and glanced down at the water around him. "I still don't know how I feel about the idea that I now have bodyguards. I wonder how long they've been protecting Fara."

"Probably since Fara and I broke up a few months after the Lylat War."

"She didn't have bodyguards when you met?"

Fox shook his head. "No. At least, not that I could tell. I hadn't even taken possession of the Great Fox back then, and we didn't have Arwings either. We were actually based on Papatoon and had stowed away with the freight aboard a star liner going to Corneria. Falco, Peppy, and I got out of our freight pods after liftoff and heard the sounds of battle. We confronted a squad of Imperial Troops, with the leader holding a blaster to Fara's head. Slippy happened to be hiding in a cryo-mud bath canister right behind Fara and her abductor and popped out to slam the canister's lid on that lizard."

"Damn! Talk about good timing."

"Yeah, and Fara's father witnessed the whole altercation and rescue of his daughter. He was so grateful that he got us First Class tickets then and there." Fox mused and looked around at their surroundings. "Though I have to say that the accommodations were nowhere near as nice as they are here. Anyhow, it was sometime after that that Fara and I started dating, and I guess with the war and me being who I was, there was no need for a protection detail for Fara."

"I guess Charles only started hiring those Special Forces guys after you broke up with Fara and was no longer there to protect her."

Fox nodded. "That's my guess too." He then squirmed and discretely slid his hands over his crotch to hide the outline of his growing erection.

"Are you okay?"

"Huff....yeah...." Fox's current wellness was a matter of perspective. The discussions at the female-only adult sexuality seminar that he was seeing and hearing through his mind link with his wife had become distinctively erotic. "The ladies are talking about all sorts of sex toys."

Kei grinned, slapped Fox on the back, and whispered to his cousin, "You peeping Tom, listening in on the girls talking about such things." He laughed when he saw the light red tinge glowing through the tod's white muzzle fur.

Fox shrugged and laughed, whispering back. "My mental bond with Krystal is not something we can turn off and on at will. Besides, she wants me to see and hear what is being discussed, and it's given us ideas."

After the initial excitement by the other attendees that naturally resulted in the two famous vixens joining them, Krystal and Fara had both been enjoying the stimulating lecture on sexuality. The she-wolf, whose fur was even blacker than Panther Caruso's and who called herself Mistress Saeva, proved to be exceptionally knowledgeable on sexual techniques for females. Krystal though could sense through her empathy that the lupine exuded an air of self-confidence and feminine superiority that was slightly off-putting to the vixen.

Saeva was now passing around a wide variety of sexual toys that had both Krystal and Fara giggling at the possibilities. Krystal was aroused at the thought of what she could do with some of these toys, and knew her husband was just as excited. "I can sense how much the idea of using some of these toys on me appeals to you."

"Damn right. I'd leave you a puddle of pleasure while recharging between love-making sessions and when I am able to get it up again, I'd make love to you before you could recover from your latest orgasm."

Krystal whimpered quietly at the idea and thought back, "But would you be able to endure my multiple female orgasms through our bond?"

"I'd do my best." Fox mentally assured her even as he panted while Kei watched him.

"I wonder if Mistress Saeva has any toys I could use on you...." Krystal thought both to herself and her soulmate. She looked up from the vibrating dildo she had been examining and addressed the she-wolf. "Do you have anything that could be used on a male?"

Saeva nodded with a self-assured smile. "I most certainly do." She produced a metal object which she handed to Krystal while declaring. "That little beauty is something every male should be made to wear."

Fara looked on with a grin while her friend examined the contraption, which comprised of a steel cylindrical cage with a harness at the base that would go around a male's testicles. It was obvious to her that the Cerinian vixen had never seen or heard of such a thing. Fara herself personally disagreed with the she-wolf though. This was one toy she'd never use on her fiancé.

Krystal looked up from the object whose purpose eluded her. "What is this?"

Mistress Saeva laughed. "Why my dear, it's a chastity cage."

"A...chastity cage?" Krystal asked. She looked down at the device in her hand, still unsure of what it was supposed to do. "I don't understand."

Smiling condescendingly, Saeva took the metal cage from the naïve vixen and demonstrated it by locking it around an expanding male canine dildo. "It fits over a male's sheath and locks onto his ball sac. With the end closed off, he cannot get erect and his knot will have no room to expand." she explained, handing the caged dildo back to Krystal.

When the full implication of what this she-wolf was saying sank in, Krystal was horrified. "By all the spirits of my ancestors, why would I do such a cruel thing to my husband!?"

"Oh my dear silly vixen, every male must be put in his place. You can't just let him pleasure himself whenever he wants to."

"That is ridiculous!" Krystal was finding Saeva's sanctimonious admonishment to be outright insulting. "Why wouldn't I let my husband have as much pleasure as he wants!?"

"Deary, he needs to learn self-control to..." the she-wolf began, but was cut off by an increasingly angry vixen.

"My husband has plenty of self-control. He was chaste of his own choosing in the month before we got married and again in the week before I went into heat so he could save up his essence to get me pregnant!" Krystal stood up and threw the offending contraption at the she-wolf's feet. "I'll never put such a horrid thing on my husband. The only place he belongs is here!" she declared while groping her crotch brazenly in front of everyone.

Saeva was taken aback the vixen's vehemence. She did not like being lectured to in such a way either and tried to assert herself. "And will he be able to be chaste in the last two months of your pregnancy?"

Krystal would have none of it though. She glared back at the she-wolf and growled, "Then he can have my ass, you stupid female!" She turned her back to Saeva and made her way to the door, taking a moment to glance back at her fennec friend. "You can continue listening to her lecture Fara, but I've had enough of this nonsense and have other things I'd rather do."

Fara got up and joined Krystal at the door, showing her support and agreement. "I'm with you. What did you have in mind?"

Krystal gave Saeva one last glance. Her countenance turned into a sneer that was defiant and outright feral. "It's been more than a day since Foxy's last blowjob. So he's overdue for another one."

When Fara saw the she-wolf's draw drop at her friend's blatantly sexual remark, she burst out in laughter and followed her out of the small conference room. In the hallway, she slapped Krystal on the shoulder. "There's a formal dance this evening that Kei and I will attend. Maybe you can join us then when you're done with Foxy."

Krystal briefly had a faraway look, but quickly snapped out of her apparent daze to smile to the vixen she considered her sister. "We'd love to. I'll make sure Fox has recovered by then. Kei is on the First Class pool deck. You can tell him what happened here."

Fox had gone quiet, becoming absorbed in the heated discussion his soulmate was having with Seava. He was as upset as his wife was by the she-wolf's presumptuous assertions, but Krystal's unequivocal declaration against any enforced chastity being imposed upon him left him both aroused and deeply moved. When he whimpered and swallowed the lump in his throat, Kei grew concerned. "Cousin, what's wrong?"

It took a nudge from Kei for Fox to snap his attention back to where he was. He glanced down at himself and the water he was wading in. After a brief moment, he exhaled in one long, blowing breath before he replied. "Krystal got upset with the lecturer when she tried to tell her how to treat me."

"That's a bit vague, Fox. What did she say to Krystal?" Kei asked, but before he could get a reply, his distant cousin abruptly stood up and got out of the pool.

"I...I have to go....Krystal wants to see me in our penthouse suite." Fox replied evasively. He then laughed giddily while blushing and glanced to Kei. "Fara is on her way here. She'll explain what happened." After quickly toweling himself off until his fur was only damp, Fox left to meet his wife.

*****

Within two days into their voyage to Aquas, it had become known among the passengers that the heiress to Phoenix Corp was on the star liner. In the week since she had proposed to her fiancé, news media and tabloids had also run rampant with rumors and speculations about who Fara was engaged to. Some said that she was in a lesbian relationship. Others avowed that she was pregnant with a love child and the father was being forced into a marriage to ensure the legitimacy of the offspring. Even more outlandish speculation abounded, such as her fiancé actually being her love slave which Fara ordered to marry her.

Then there was one tabloid article by Pricilla Kane who in an ironic twist had actually reported the facts by happenstance: that Fara Phoenix was engaged to a male, crossdressing fox and that it was her that had proposed to him. Said reporter was even now attending the formal dance with a hidden camera imbedded in gaudy angled glasses encrusted with rhinestone perched on her short, puggish snout. She wore a lime green strapless evening dress with bright yellow elbow-length gloves. Her fur was back to its natural cream color since Pricilla did not feel the need to hide her identity from a certain pair of foxes that she had no inkling were also onboard the Ocean Breeze.

Pricilla Kane's primary interest was Fara Phoenix. The heiress had been a rich source of scandalous gossip that she had gleefully embellished in the articles she had published. Her contact from inside Corneria High Society, Constantine Vulpenhoven, had been the one who had first divulged to her that Fara was engaged to a crossdressing tod who he affirmed was hardly a male at all. The red fox had his own sources which had informed him that Fara and her fiancé had booked the top accommodation aboard the Ocean Breeze for this voyage to Aquas, information which he had passed on to Pricilla. Constantine had even paid for her first class accommodations aboard the Ocean Breeze, which was well beyond her means to afford.

The reporter was standing in the corner of the ballroom, milling about with other guests, listening for any juicy gossip, when she spotted her main quarry. Fara Phoenix was the epitome of wealth. The fennec vixen wore a long, flowing yellow ball gown with red drapery over her hips and rear. Her dress was trimmed in white lace at the ends of puff sleeves and around her collar. The lower portion of the dress was in two layers, with red trim along the bottom hems. A swirling pattern of red diamonds was sewn into the top and lower portion of the gown and bordered the edge of the drapery. Fara wore large sapphire earrings that matched a dazzling tiara with large sapphires embedded in an ocean of diamonds. Her attire was completed with white elbow-length gloves.

Her betrothed was in a matching dress that was pink with the drapery and trim in magenta, with white lacing around the puff sleeves and collar, and matching white gloves. The same swirling pattern adorned his dress, but with even rarer dark pink diamonds. He also wore an equally dazzling tiara comprising of countless pink diamonds into which were embedded five large, grape-sized diamonds in a darker pink hue. His facial features and muzzle were soft and rounded, and his figure was impossibly feminine. If Constantine had not assured her of the fact, Pricilla would have sworn she was looking at a vixen standing next to Fara.

Kei's heart was filled with a giddy happiness. He loved any occasion where he could wear one of his favorite dresses and see his beautiful fiancée in an equally beautiful attire. He also carried with him the pink leather purse Fara had gifted him with the evening she had proposed to him, the purse in which he had found his diamond and sapphire engagement ring which now sat proudly in his finger.

He and Fara had just arrived at the First Class ballroom. Several of the other guests were already there, also attired in their best finery. Many of the males wore intricate coats and tuxedo jackets in various colors and styles, with matching pants and shoes in black or brown shined to a mirror polish. The females though had the most elaborate and wide variety of beautiful dresses.

Each ball gown came in a wide variety of unique design and style, from single- to multi-layered affairs, long straight sleeves to short puff sleeves like his and Fara's, and in a various different colors. Many had intricate patterns of lacing and thread woven into them. Several even had pearls embedded into the patterns and borders of their gowns. None of them glittered to the extent that his and Fara's did though, with precious stones actually sewn into the fabric of the dress. The fact that he and his fiancée were also crowned in the most dazzling tiaras in the room reinforced the feeling like he was to become part of a royal family.

Kei's musings though were brought to a rude, abrupt end by the intrusion of a female pug in bright green dress and the gaudiest of eye spectacles he had ever seen. "Miss Fara Phoenix, what a surprise to be seeing you here?" she simpered with a falsely pleasant smile.

Fara though was anything but pleased. "Pricilla Kane, you are as genuine and sincere as always, which means never."

Pricilla's smile faltered only slightly. Fara's barb did not surprise her, given what she knew of the Phoenix heiress, especially given the foul epithets she had hurled against Maurice Ducharme that had made headlines in the tabloids months ago. So she decided to change tactics and try to goad a sensational reaction out of her by focusing her attention on her partner. "Mister Reinard, or should I say, Miss Reinard? When did you get Miss Pheoneix pregnant?"

Kei though was unused to dealing with such a pushy reporter, let alone any journalist for that matter, and was caught completely off guard. "Uh...Fara's not pregnant..." but before he could get another word in, Miss Kane began to barrage him with more questions that went from ridiculous, to embarrassing, to outright insulting.

"Were you threatened by Father Pheonix into marrying his daughter? How long have you been her love slave? When are you going in for your sex change operation? Have you told your parents you'll be becoming their daughter? Do you enjoy being Miss Phoenix's foot stool? Is she mad at you for getting her pregnant? Is that why you are being forced into becoming female and being made to wear dresses?"

Fara's expression began to darken quickly. She was about ready to actually murder this obnoxious tabloid journalist for implying those horrid things and insulting her love. She had no doubt that her father's influence would be enough to keep any criminal charges from being pressed against her.

Pricilla Kane's life though was saved when both Fara and Kei were startled by a voice echoing in their minds. "Take out your comm unit and start recording Pricilla Kane."

Fara quickly did as Fox's wife had telepathically instructed her to. Kei though froze in shock, having never been telepathically spoken to before. For a moment, he thought he had lost his mind until he heard what he finally realized was Krystal McCloud when she mind-spoke to him again. "Trust me, Kei. You'll want to record what happens to that bitch harassing you and Fara." No longer paying any heed to the tabloid reporter's insipid questions, he opened his purse and withdrew his comm unit, pointed it at the pug bitch, and started recording.

Pricilla, oblivious to her impending doom, smirked at the couple who she was doing her best to goad into some spectacular response that she could sensationalize. "Oh? So you two want to record my questions for my audience?" Her smirk faded to a look of horror when she felt a hand clamp down on her shoulder and heard a voice she had hoped to never hear again in person.

"Hello Miss Kane. This is an unexpected and unwelcomed surprise." Fox McCloud said in a cold and contrastingly jovial tone that sent a chill of fear into the heart of the tabloid journalist. That fear was multiplied a hundred fold into utter terror when she was quickly spun around against her will to come muzzle-to-muzzle with Krystal McCloud who snarled quietly to her. "You are harassing my friends, bitch."

For the second time in her life, Pricilla Kane suffered the worst possible humiliation when she again lost control of all bodily functions by wetting herself and loudly defecating into her panties. That humiliation was magnified even further by Fara's comment. "Damn girl. You need to wear a diaper."

Kei's eyes began to water at the noisome stench coming off of the tabloid reporter. "Ugh! I don't know if a diaper could contain the load she just dropped." What he said next utterly destroyed Pricilla Kane. "Glad our comm units don't record the stink. It would bring down the Lylat networks when we post this."

Though he knew it wasn't right, Kei couldn't help but feel a sense of vindictive satisfaction at seeing Kane lose all composure and run out of the ballroom screaming while many nearby laughed at her well-earned misfortune. Several distinguished couples even approached them, shaking his and Fara's hands, both to congratulate them on their engagement and for "showing to all that the quality of her publications was no better than the mess that had filled her panties" as one so aptly put it.

Soon, the commotion had abated and the odor of Pricilla Kane's soiled panties had dispelled. Kei and Fara grinned to the McCloud couple, both in gratitude for their timely rescue and at the relaxed, fulfilled contentment in Fox's disposition. Kei leaned close to Fox and Krystal and smiled knowingly. "I don't need to be a telepath to see that you are feeling as fulfilled as I was this morning, Cousin."

Fox laughed while rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah....Maybe I should send this Mistress Seava a 'thank you' note for motivating Krystal into doing what she did to me." His features softened and he met his wife's gaze with bedroom eyes while he continued to speak to Kei. "Though my Kurisutaru hardly needs motivation. I said it before, and I'll say it again. We are both incredibly lucky to have the love of our vixens. May we never take their affection for granted."

"Oh definitely." Kei affirmed. "And they bring out the best in us too."

Kei's cousin grinned while taking in the way he was dressed. "I'll say. You and Fara make quite a pair." He then winked teasingly to his ex-girlfriend. "If anything, you are looking even better in your ball gown than Fara does." While Fara laughed at his comment, Fox stood back and traced an hourglass in front of his crossdressed cousin. "And that's some nice figure you have there too."

Kei curtsied to Fox. "You can thank Madam Samantha for her corset-making skills."

"You make quite a beautiful pair too." Fara nodded to the McClouds.

"Thank you." he replied. Fox was wearing a dark green tuxedo over a white shirt, with black collar, bow tie, and black shoes shined to a mirror finish. Krystal's ball gown was a shimmering light violet and was strapless, leaving he shoulders bare. Around her neck hung the heart-shaped blue jeweled necklace given to her by her father and across her forehead were the pearls with the ruby focusing gem in the center given to her by her mother. And atop her head, Krystal was crowned with the diamond and ruby tiara that had once belonged to Fox's mother, Vixy.

Just then, they heard the orchestra begin to play a catchy tune. Fox turned to his wife and bowed. Wordlessly, Krystal took his hand and the two let themselves be carried away by the melodious notes now filling the ballroom. Kei and Fara soon followed. Each couple would often steal glances at the other, seeing the same joy mirrored in them that was in their own hearts. For Fox, his happiness was all the greater knowing that his wife was now pregnant. It was a joy that drowned out for the moment any unease he had about what he would experience through his telepathic bond with his soulmate in the coming months.

When the orchestra paused for a respite, Fox again glanced at his ex-girlfriend and felt his heart swell with happiness at seeing her in the arms of her fiancé. He made eye contact with Krystal and the two shared a thought before nodding to each other. Together, they approached the engaged couple and to Fara's surprise, Fox bowed to her and extended a hand just as the orchestra started up again with a slow melody. "Fara, would you honor me with a dance?"

Kei quietly giggled when he saw his vixen blush demurely at her ex-boyfriend's invitation. He would have been content to sit back and relax while watching her and his cousin dance except that, to his surprise, Krystal extended a hand to him and asked the same question. "Kei, would you honor me with a dance?"

Krystal smiled down at the crossdressed tod, sensing his bashfulness. She waited patiently with hand extended until, after a moment of hesitation, he took it and stood up. His continued shyness when she led him onto the dance floor was endearing to the empathic vixen. Slipping her left hand around his narrow, corseted waist, and taking his left hand in her right hand, she led him into the slow, sedate dance.

For Fara and Fox, it was the first time they had danced together since they had ended their relationship, and it evoked a sense of nostalgia in them, of the happy times they had shared. Both snickered when they saw Krystal lead a very bashful Kei in the same slow dance. "Poor dear," Fara murmured to her former boyfriend. "He's as nervous as he was when he literally bumped into me when we met."

"Though I think it's for a different reason....He's never been in close physical contact with a telepath before." Fox observed.

"That may be the case, but I've gotten to know your wife well enough to know that she'd never invade his personal thoughts." Fara replied.

"True, but I see why you love him so much."

"Oh? Do tell." Fara asked coyly.

"Seeing Kei through Krystal's eyes and empathic sense from her female perspective, his feminine features and face make him look cute and his bashfulness and honest, gentle disposition are very attractive. It's no wonder you love him so much."

Fara's gaze focused back on her fiancé and Fox could see her expression soften. "I do. He's so much like you, and yet so different in ways I find even more attractive."

When Fara looked back to him, Fox locked his gaze with her and shared how deeply he had gotten to know his ex-girlfriend. "Krystal also could sense that there was not the least shred of jealousy from you towards her, that you still love me and were overjoyed that Krystal and I reconciled."

Fara's eyes became moist with unshed tears. "I could never begrudge you the happiness you found in her. You two go so well together, better than we ever did."

"I know....and yet our hearts ached when she also sensed how lonely you were....and how hopeful you felt when you were first dating Kei."

Seeing that lonely tear trickle down the side of her muzzle nearly broke Fox. "Fara..." He whispered hoarsely with barely contained emotion. "When we broke up....we both knew it was for the best....but for a long time, I felt like I had let you down....that I should have found a way to make it work between us."

Fara sniffled at hearing her former boyfriend confess his lingering love for her. "Fox, please. We can't think that."

"I know, but I can't help it. I felt like we had missed our opportunity. In another time and place, where I had never met Krystal, and we had gotten back together now when I was ready to finally settle down, I think we could have made it work and become happily married."

Before Fara could protest, Fox silenced her with a gentle finger against her quivering lips. "But seeing how much Kei makes you happy...how happy you two are together... It brings me such incredible joy. I'm finally able to let go of the guilt I've kept buried deep inside me."

Fox gently cupped her head in his hands and held her gaze. "My heart may belong completely to my Kurisutaru, but I will always love you as a dear friend, Fara Phoenix." He then brought her muzzle to his in a slow, tender kiss that melted her heart and made her weep tears of happiness. When their lips parted, they rested their chins on each other's shoulders. "And I love Kei deeply for filling the void in your heart that our parting had left. He is the best thing that could have happened to you."

Fara felt a great weight lift from her heart, knowing that her former boyfriend was not burdened by lingering romantic feelings for her. That relief turned into a fit of silliness when she giggled. "If you are not careful, you may find yourself challenged to a sword duel by my fiancé for kissing me like that."

Fox chuckled at the notion but shook his head. "I felt a very brief flare of concern mixed with jealousy from Kei through Krystal's empathy, but it quickly went away. Because of how deeply our minds are intertwined, Krystal has known of these buried feelings I've had for you, and was quite sympathetic. She's mentally conversing with him now as they are dancing, and giving him a telepath's perspective of how I feel for both of you."

They turned to watch Krystal and Kei just in time to see him kiss Krystal soundly on the lips and then tightly embrace the telepathic vixen. Fox smiled and then winked to Fara. "Mmmm. I have to say that Kei is a very good kisser too."

"Oh my stars!" Fara gasped. "I keep forgetting that you share senses." She then blushed and groaned. "And that means she must have felt like she was kissing me through your bond."

Fox laughed. "Come on. Let's get you two back together." he said while leading Fara to her fiancé. Both his heart and Krystal's were warmed by watching Kei give his vixen a loving smooch while they held each other. When they parted, Fox stepped forward and gave his crossdressed cousin a heartfelt embrace. "Thank you so much for bringing happiness to Fara."

Kei returned the embrace and murmured in Fox's ear. "I'd be surprised at seeing this emotional side of the _Great Fox McCloud_if Krystal hadn't shared with me your conversation with Fara while you were dancing."

"Yes. I wanted her to share with you what I was thinking and feeling." Fox confessed. He drew his wife into his arms and nuzzled her affectionately. As one, they turned to look at Fara and Kei also in each other's arms. Fox felt a renewed sense of joy and happiness. He was happily married to his soulmate, who was pregnant with their first child, and his old girlfriend was no longer lonely, having found her own love to whom she was engaged. It was as if it was meant to be.