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Journal Entry: May 8th

'It is difficult to write in my journal during stormy weather. Being at sea for so many days truly isn't for the faint of heart! Sailing aboard a small vessel for two weeks has reinforced my opinion on this. The crew is a friendly lot even as the ship constantly rocks to and fro. My seasickness has finally reared its ugly head and I spend more than enough time revisiting my lunch. On a more positive note, it's hard to imagine that my trip is only halfway complete. In the midst of a wide open ocean I feel lost and nostalgic; maybe even homesick. Leaving home isn't easy, and I miss my parents and family already. Despite this, I'm very excited to arrive at Sarousse and spend a year learning at its top university. I will be just as excited to lay in a nice warm bed that doesn't rock with the waves.'

Aaron stretched and stood up after having a surprisingly good, uninterrupted sleep. The soft glow of morning light illuminated the room in a cozy glow reminiscent of a summer cottage. The red fox could've been mistaken that he had woken up during a vacation back home. The male fox scuffed over towards one of the two windows that their rented room had.

Peeking outside, he could see the street below and other nearby buildings. The shadow of the inn covered the paved road entirely. It was still early, and the town was relatively quiet, but he wasn't the only one awake for the early morning.

One woman, a topless heavy set badger was sweeping outside of a modest shop with a faded red awning. She wore nothing more than a thin colorful silky garment around her waist that only covered her sides and rear, leaving her womanhood visible to those on the street. Except for a few necklaces, her heavy dark furred breasts were bare and freely swayed along with her body's motions while she swept.

Aaron could imagine her humming along to a rustic tune like so many would where he was from. A distant voice was heard calling out to the badger, who stopped to wave and say hello. Smiles were shared as a slim cheetah wearing nothing more than a thin white bandana around her head. There was no shame in partial or outright nudity since everyone on Ezo was a woman. Even after witnessing it firsthand for several days, Aaron still couldn't believe what he was seeing.

It felt like he had traveled to an exotic land or even a fantasy world that should've exist. Yet, there he was right in the heart of the female island capital. It was exactly what he had dreamt of experiencing when he set sail for Sarousse weeks ago. However, all of this was the result of a freak accident that could've killed him.

'For all I know, no man in hundreds of years has set foot on this island society of women.' He realized the significance of his predicament. 'I have to make the most of this opportunity and remember everything I see, because I will never get to do this again in my lifetime. No other man will either.' Aaron felt like the luckiest man alive, and the most cursed all at once.

'Although, I wouldn't mind returning home as soon as possible.' He feared the consequences of being discovered and caught. Aaron knew he wasn't supposed to be on Ezo, and he was fortunate enough to have received help from the ladies of the village where he washed ashore; albeit after a brief chase.

He stepped away from the window and turned around. The red vixen Lydia and two lioness sisters, Cassandra and Maragi were still sprawled out asleep on the provided bed mat. All three were naked and unashamedly so, like the badger shopkeeper and cheetah outside. They had lived that way their entire lives without ever setting eyes on a male before.

'Where's my journal?' Aaron looked around. Lydia's black tipped ears perked up as she heard quiet footsteps. The large breasted red vixen stretched awake comfortably. It was normal for her to feel her white furred breasts rolled out and resting on the edges of her chest. It had been that way since she finished growing through adolescence. Her eyes blinked open and noticed Aaron standing upside down in her vision.

"Hmm?" She rolled away from Cassandra and onto her side, letting her heavy breasts naturally rest on the sleeping mat.

"Aaron? What are you doing?" Lydia noticed the red fox was looking intently at something.

"Morning. I'm writing down what happened." He opened up the crinkly pages to his journal.

"Writing on what?"

"Well, if I could find something to write with..." He looked around without any luck. "I wanted to write down everything that's happened to me, all of the people I met, and what I've seen."

"I didn't even know you carried it with you."

"Elder Ampira had it."

"Are you afraid that you'll forget everything once you land on Inoki?"

"No, but I don't want to forget any details while I'm here either."

"Oh. Okay." The vixen gave a slow nod, understandingly.

"Hmmm." A grumbling voice beside her rumbled.

"Oh, sorry. Did I wake you up?" She looked over her shoulder as her mate Cassandra peeked an eye open.

"It's hard to sleep when two people are talking." She mumbled and blinked a few times.

"Heh. Sorry." Aaron gave a toothy grin as the lioness stretched.

"Is Maragi is still asleep?" Lydia whispered.

"I've been awake for a while." The other lioness calmly spoke up with closed eyes.

"Guess we are all awake then." The red vixen sat up and rubbed Cassandra's tummy.

"I'm awake." She smiled and sat up. "Did you sleep well, Aaron?"

"Yeah. I feel well rested." He nodded. "But weren't you sleeping with Elder Ampira, Maragi?" He looked at the small breasted athletic lioness.

"Yeah, for a while at least." She yawned. "The old leopard snores, so I snuck in here during the middle of the night." Her explanation made Lydia giggle.

"Can you get me my loincloth, Maragi?" The lioness mumbled to her older sister.

"Yeah, sure." Maragi got up and tossed the garment over.

"Thanks..."

"Mmhm." Maragi leaned against the wall and folded her arms while her sister looked over her only garment.

"Well, since you can't leave the island yet, what did you want to do today?"

"I don't know." Aaron glanced back at the window. "What can I do?"

"We can go to the bay." Lydia suggested.

"What's at the bay?"

"Ladies going out to fish or paddle or sail to the village of Nomira."

"We will have a nice view of Mount Gaia." Cassandra added and walked over to the window with her loincloth in hand.

"That sounds nice." The fox agreed with a nod. "I'd like something to write with though." He held up his journal.

"We can find ink and a small brush, or something." Lydia shrugged. "You can find plenty of odd things in the capital."

"Thanks." He felt optimistic.

"Can I ask what you were going to do at that place you were traveling to?" Cassandra curiously asked as she tied on her loincloth.

"Oh. You mean Sarousse?"

"Yeah. Is that a town like the capital?"

"Sort of." He gave a slow nod. "It's bigger than this town."

"I like the sound of Sarousse." Lydia grinned. "It sounds very dreamy, like there's plenty of rivers and streams."

"Uh huh." Maragi rolled her eyes at the idea. A sudden knock at the door made all of their heads turn as it quickly slid open. Elder Ampira quickly entered the room and closed her door behind her.

"Good morning-!" Cassandra began to cheerfully greet the old leopard only to be cut off.

"Everyone get ready. We need to leave here very soon." There was urgency in Elder Ampira's voice. The four looked at each other but didn't hesitate to prepare.

"What's going on?"

"Did something happen?" Cassandra and Aaron almost spoke overtop each other.

"I'll explain as we go." She waved for them to hurry up.

"Make sure this loincloth won't fall apart." Aaron looked at the funny garment around his waist.

"What about your journal?" Lydia asked.

"I'll carry it." Elder Ampira held out a hand.

"Thanks." Aaron handed it over and stood still as Lydia made sure his loincloth was tied tightly.

"I think we are ready." Cassandra spoke as her mate stood up.

"Let's go." The old leopard led them out the room. Aaron noticed another female resident down the hall, but all five of them hastily went downstairs. They exited the lobby with only Lydia and Elder Ampira remembering to politely say goodbye. The shaded street was already starting to fill up with women. The outdoor showers across from them were in use by a few families, getting ready to start their day. The badger who had been sweeping earlier was now seated and talking to a calico feline. Even the faintly salty air smelled of breads being baked.

The group of five rounded the corner and passed by the inn's numerous phlox and flowering plants. They crossed a group of young seafaring ladies who were naked save for thin different colored bandanas tied around their foreheads as they carried out a large heavy net from an open warehouse. They chatted casually until one of them lost her grip and the large net partially unfurled out into the street before the group.

"Excuse us!"

"Sorry!" The women apologized as everyone navigated around them.

"It's okay!" Cassandra said without stopping. Elder Ampira led them up a side street where four ladies were unloading a handcart half filled with small jars and various clay pots. Turning onto another regular street, Elder Ampira made a hard turn away from two senior females and hurried past two little feline girls wielding sticks were chasing each other around a well.

"Look out!" A loud shout not too far away cried out as a woman knocked over a potted plant from a second story balcony. The subsequent shatter was followed by a loud apology and someone running over to help clean it up.

"Ok, let's stop so I can explain everything." Elder Ampira halted once they rounded another corner to catch her breath. They were at a quieter section in town bordering a small grove of palm trees. The sounds of construction were distant

"Good. I was losing my breath from how fast you walked." Cassandra smiled and bent forward.

"I would've stopped earlier, but I saw Elder Lucca and Flora." The leopardess waved her hand back in the other direction.

"I think a few people noticed Aaron yesterday, and there's rumors that-."

"Wait. Where's Aaron?" Lydia noticed that the red fox wasn't with them anymore.

"Oh no..." Elder Ampira's face turned into shocked dismay. All four ladies glanced around but the male fox was nowhere to be found.

"He was right behind us." Cassandra looked at Lydia.

"I don't know." The vixen was just as surprised.

"Hold on..." Maragi walked around the corner and looked past it. "Ok, I don't see him." She looked over her shoulder back at them.

"We lost him?" The old leopard couldn't believe it.

"Was it when the women going out to fish dropped their net?"

"Maybe?"

"Any idea where he could've gone?" Cassandra looked at her older sister who shook her head.

"I don't know. A brothel?" Maragi felt dumbfounded.

"Stop joking, Maragi." Lydia frowned.

"I'm sure he's hiding somewhere looking for us." Cassandra reassured them. "Around a quiet building wouldn't be bad."

"I don't know. He might be panicking." Lydia feared as her ears folded back.

"Stay calm. Let's split up and look around town." Maragi suggested. "He couldn't have gotten far."

"I think Maragi is correct." Elder Ampira nodded. "He doesn't know where to go around the capital, so we should keep our search focused, and please stay in the open so he can see us."

"Mmhm." Lydia worriedly nodded.

"It may be a good thing that he discreetly comes across the brothel, like you had mentioned Maragi. You know how men are... wait, none of you know from experience." The elder frowned. All three ladies shrugged helplessly much to the elder's dismay.

"Let's split up into two groups." Lydia suggested. "Cassandra and I will go this way, and you two go that way." All four gave a nod before separating, hoping that Aaron would stay out of sight long enough to be found by them, and no one else.

***

'Where did they go?' Aaron worried as he nervously walked down one of the capital town's streets. Local women calmly passed by, but he averted his gaze from any who noticed him.

'Don't worry, you'll find them eventually.' The fox told himself to not worry, but the anxious beating of his heart wouldn't calm down.

'I was behind them and adjusted my loincloth... They move so fast!' Aaron felt stupid for losing track of them. He kept his gaze as steady as possible despite feeling very nervous while walking past bare breasted and naked women.

'Why did we have to leave so suddenly? Does someone know that I am a man?' He glanced around suspiciously. 'Did one of the women from Clusina follow us, and tell somebody here?' Aaron didn't know, and he hoped that none of it mattered as he walked along several buildings with raised flower beds. Further along, he couldn't help but stare at a middle aged jackal using one of the open street side showers, contently rinsing off as others passed by.

"Hey! You're showering before heading out to the fields?" A younger naked ocelot ran up to the showering canine with a modest straw hat and basket in hand.

"Yep. I wanted to rinse off." The canine smiled and chatted as the water poured on her backside. She shook her wet body sending droplets everywhere causing the ocelot to jump back.

"Hehe! Careful!" The ocelot laughed and covered her face. "I'm not swimming right now!"

"Sorry if I got you wet, miss!" The jackal called out to Aaron. The fox politely smiled and waved, but kept a brisk pace as he walked down the sunny street.

'Should I go back to the inn?' He looked over his shoulder knowing he'd have to make a few twists and turns back.

'No, we had to leave. I just wish she had told us why.' His thoughts were full of confusion after a peaceful start to the morning. The fox hoped that no one was tracking them. He was in the heart of the capital for all he knew, and was all alone at the moment. The fox passed by a group of ladies, all carrying packs on their shoulders.

"Alright!" A cheerful red vixen clapped her hands together before a group of seated adolescents and their mothers, or possibly older siblings. "We're going to camp with a few hunters from the village of Nomira in the foothills to the north. Does anyone have any questions before we start walking?"

"Why couldn't we hike to Melos?" One young adolescent tigress asked, causing a puma beside her to giggle, but the last thing on Aaron's mind was what they were talking about. The male turned onto another street that was quieter than where he came from. No one was outside, but he could see a mother nursing an infant in her arms through an open window.

'What's this?' An open gateway caught his attention? Beyond the entryway was a pristine brick pathway led straight ahead between a wall that was maybe eight feet tall on the right, and two tight rows of shrubs to the left.

'A garden isn't a bad place to hide.' He imagined laying in wait until he spotted someone walking along the street. It would be ideal since no one else was walking by.

'At least I can wait to find Elder Ampira or someone else.' The fox felt confident as he approached the open gate, but failed to notice the red fish insignia on the building's sign hanging in plain sight. Aaron cautiously walked inside and stepped onto the brick pathway.

"Is this a private garden?" He whispered to himself. If so, then it would be the perfect place to hide temporarily. No one in the city would wander through like him, and he would only have to worry about the owner appearing.

'Only nobles can afford a luxury like this.' He crept along the brick pathway and neatly trimmed hedges to an opening. The scenery changed as the hedges gave way, but the new foliage was immaculate. Beautiful flowers, feathery tufted grasses, lavender, and other plants created an environment that enchanted all the senses. In the center of it all was a modest pavilion that connected all of the paths together.

Aaron wandered around, lost in what felt like an island of floral paradise inside an island paradise. However, he spotted something close ahead just as strange sounds reached his ears. White linen curtains were open revealing an open patio space of sorts connected to a two storied building. Aaron immediately realized that he wasn't alone.

His eyes widened as he saw a mature husky woman laid out on her back with her legs spaced apart. Between her thighs laid a heavyset Shiba Inu who was lapping at the fellow canine's womanhood. The husky groaned and writhed, even arching her back, as she rolled and pinched her hard nipples. Aaron's heart began pounding as he watched the Shiba's tongue dip between the mature canine's wet folds. Legs tensed as another groan escaped the husky's throat.

'I can't hide here, or I'll go mad!' Aaron quickly crawled away, but nearly tripped and fell over the loincloth. He crept low along the foliage and thankfully the passionate cries died down in the distance. Meandering a little further, he felt a sense of relief wash over him.

'That was... odd.' He wiped his face and collected himself only to hear similar sounds through the bushes.

'Another one?!' He tried holding his breath as his heart raced. This time it was an athletic dhole laid back in a unique wooden chair with the middle carved out. Between her spread legs a slender athletic Doberman was earnestly lapping at her furry sex, causing her to moan. A mature raccoon with a cut ear stood behind the dhole, whispering into her ear while tenderly massaging both perky breasts. Her own heavy sagging breasts rested atop the woman's head like an erotic hat. The dhole's legs tensed as she subtly writhed and moaned from the stimulation.

'Lord help me. This must be a brothel.' Aaron ripped his eyes away from the sight. Visibly shaking, the fox covered his ears and quickly eased away from the erotic scene. He swallowed and felt how dry his mouth had become. The flood of mixed emotions raging inside the red fox gave him dizziness. Worst of all, he felt arousal stirring stubbornly inside of him.

'Stop thinking about it!' He stared at his loincloth and gripped it out of frustration. His teeth clenched together tightly.

'If I get aroused then I'm dead for sure!' He feared and sought out the exit. The shaken fox quickly found the brick pathway once more close to the wall and hurried away. Aaron made for the gate, but heard two voices nearby and froze.

'Crap.' Aaron jumped back into the bushes as two women emerged along the end of the pathway by the open gate.

'That's my only way out!' He hid and peeked out at the gate. A striped figure appeared with a hand on the shoulder of a shorter pudgy canine. They stopped in the entrance of the open gateway before turning to face each other.

"I'd lay down with you all day if I could." The older tigress teased and traced a finger around the chubby Shiba's nipple. The younger canine grinned and gave her chest a little shake, letting her breasts naturally jiggle.

'I think I'll scream.' Aaron closed his eyes as they stepped forward, pressing their naked fronts together, and kissed. Seconds passed by as he kept his focus without any sight.

"Oh, I have heard some wild news this sunrise." Aaron heard the younger woman speak up. "There was a mysterious person seen in town... I know, there's always a crazy rumor that goes around every other year, but I think someone suspicious is in the town! Several people have spoke about it."

"Who is this suspicious person?"

"The rumors say it is a man." She spoke is an excited yet hushed voice that caused Aaron to open his eyes.

"A man?" She looked shocked at the idea, but laughed it off. "Goodness, I've heard it all now."

"I'm serious!" The shiba canine spoke earnestly, but smiled and giggled herself at the news. "I just said it was several people who are saying it."

"Some young women look similar to boys." The older tigress waved off any concern. "I've been to Inoki a few times, and I've seen the similarities."

"Well, if it is just a rumor, then I wanted to tell you first."

"I appreciate it. Take care."

"We'll meet again in two days." The Shiba Inu promised. They shared another kiss before the husky departed. Aaron watched the other canine return inside the gardens and close the gate shut. The fox slowly emerged from the bushes once she disappeared from sight. A bad feeling formed in his gut.

'Do the women know that I'm here?' He wondered if someone had seen him yesterday. He remembered someone staring at him when they went to the ball court, but they had been all over the capital. He peered around the corner but didn't see anyone. Aaron quietly opened up the gate and slipped out onto the quiet side street once again.

'I need a better place to hide.' He felt tired and it was barely mid-morning. Aaron paused by the adjacent street corner to observe his surroundings. All of the buildings appeared residential with plenty of foliage and flowers decorating entryways and windows.

A petite coyote was seated on a mat outside one home and reading a book by several potted flowers. She wore a few colorful beaded necklaces and a leather arm band with a little gem fixed in the center. A stocky raccoon emerged wearing only a leather belt around her wide hips.

"Hey." The coyote looked up. "Are you going to the fields?"

"Yep. My headache went away, thank goodness." She happily smiled. "Are you coming?"

"I will once I finish reading." She promised.

"You are the studious type." The raccoon nodded with a grin before setting out. Not far away, across the street, three little girls were kicking a small rubber ball like the women at the ball court were yesterday, but made up the rules as they went along. Their shrieks and screams filled the morning air. A trio of athletic women; a mink, pine marten, and dingo, all casually holding spears were talking as they walked past Aaron.

"I forgot to mention that I saw Salaku between the rice paddy and forest kissing someone." One of the ladies informed the other two.

"I knew she was seeing someone!" The second declared.

"It was very sweet. I felt bad for watching." She smiled as they walked. Aaron glanced over as a very pregnant silver vixen patiently walked alongside an older red wolf holding her arm. The expecting mother wore a strip of cloth around her torso that went under her breasts, and a flowing linen drew around her waist.

"As all midwives say, when your nipples rise up a strawberry red, you'll soon be feeding a healthy baby in bed." The red wolf smiled happily.

"They're already very sensitive." The vixen held the cusp of one breast. "My wife thinks it is funny since she had our first daughter."

"Hehe. I'm sure both of your mothers are very excited that it could be any day now."

"Phew. I'm ready right now." The silver vixen huffed a tired sigh as she sauntered along the street. Nearby, a busty Doberman slouched back onto a bench with her legs crossed and arms spread apart. A younger nearly flat chested Doberman joined the buxom sibling, and sat very close to her.

"Are you sure you're not pregnant?" The younger canine curiously prodded the older sister's large breasts. "I don't remember them being so big since you left our village to live here.

"Hehe." She chuckled while wearing a warm smile. "I promise I haven't left the island." She grinned and patted her modest tummy. "Some ladies are more endowed than others, that's all."

"Hmph!" The younger Doberman frowned.

'It's no different than a market town back home.' Aaron bought to himself and felt more at ease than before. He silently wished that he had his journal and something to write with though.

'I think I should keep looking for the others if I can't find a good place to hide.' The fox decided it was the only course of action he could take. He calmly walking along and kept a close watch on his surroundings. He came across a pretty mature husky was washing under one of the outdoor shower fixtures that lined a section of the street's edge. Her white fur was pretty like snow, even when wet. Her breasts had a noticeable sag that shook and followed her every motion. She had no care in the world as water dripped off her naked body in plain view of the public despite her age. It was a common everyday scene for the town of women, and yet he had never seen such a display before.

"Hmmmhmmhm." Aaron faintly heard her humming as he walked by, trying to take too many peeks at the mature woman. However, a strong feline figure luckily caught his attention.

'That looks like Maragi!' He felt relief wash over him as he quickly approached a naked lioness standing in the street. Aaron wondered where everyone else was, but it made sense that they had split up to search for him. His eyes widened as the feline partially turned around. Mere steps away in mid stride, he realized it was a mistake.

'That's a completely different lioness!' He felt his heart race erratically within his chest. Aaron caught them in mid conversation completely by accident.

"They say natural born athletes and warriors can stand while... excuse your eavesdropping ears, miss." The Australian Shepard frowned at the red fox.

"Sorry!" Aaron felt his ears lay flat as he walked away hastily, embarrassment and fear pulsing through him.

"Don't be rude like a man." The lioness sniped stirring more fear into the red fox's soul.

'I'm such an idiot!' Aaron angrily scolded himself as he walked up the street a fair distance. The red fox passed plenty of people, but slowed down his pace once he had walked more than enough away.

'I'm completely lost.' He wiped his forehead as a naked athletic otter carrying a harpoon walked by him. She wore a hand carved bone hook around her neck

'That's something Maragi would wear.' He huffed silently. They had mentioned going to the bay during the morning, but he had no way of knowing which direction that was. He feared asking for directions too. That was a sure way to become suspicious when there was a rumor of a "strange person" located in the capital town.

He glanced over at the closest building that had a wide open window to see inside. Two older women were kneading dough while another was hushing a crying infant. Their hands and forearms were dusted in flour as they worked. They laughed while constantly chatting, and their breasts bounced between their forearms. However, the wall space beside their home caught his attention.

"A map..." He looked at the wall curiously. A large map of the island had been painted across its surface, including the waters off the coast. Aaron studied the surface and wondered how accurate it was.

'I'm guessing the capital is the red triangle here.' He observed the marking in the middle of the island where a bay led out to the ocean. His eyes followed out towards the open waters that hinted at land on the edge. A phrase was written with an arrow pointing westward.

'The Fortunate Isles... Is that where Inoki exists?' He wondered. The rest of Ezo had smaller marks for its villages. 'Hydra, Melos, Clusina! That's where I washed ashore then?' He looked at the southeastern shore of the island. The fox briefly wondered if the same scenario would've played out had he washed ashore at any other location. Looking away from the map for a moment, a strongly build badger and jaguar caught his attention.

'They're armed guards.' He recognized the unique armor both wore, or lack thereof. Both females were strongly built with impressive physiques. Their breasts were naturally modest as a result, but didn't lack any femininity. The badger wore a pair of leather wrist gauntlets as well as a pair above her ankles. A sturdy leather belt around her bare waist left her womanhood naked but was adorned with thin tassels on one side. It also carried a small hand axe that appeared ceremonial, but also fairly deadly.

The jaguar was no less imposing. Her shoulder and inner thigh had scars. A sheathed knife was tied around the jaguar's lower leg. A turtle shell was fashioned over a shoulder as an oddly intimidatory piece of armor held in place with a few straps that didn't cover her bare chest at all. Her beautiful spots almost acted like camouflage, disguising herself in plain sight.

'Uh oh.' His gaze met the jaguar's and an uncomfortable pit formed in his gut. Aaron quickly looked away and felt anxious.

'I should probably just leave.' He reasoned and walked away. However, a brief glance over his shoulder made his heart race.

'She's following me!' He looked ahead with wide eyes as the imposing feline followed after him. Aaron kept walking but didn't want to run and attract anymore attention to himself.

"Hey, excuse me." A voice called out, but Aaron ignored it.

'Please, no-!' The fox pled.

"Hey!" A hand touched his shoulder. Aaron shuddered as he halted and looked over his shoulder. His ears fell back as the spotted feline guard looked directly at him in an unwavering gaze.

"I saw you looking at the map. Are you lost?" The scarred jaguar plainly asked.

"Oh, yeah, the map." His mind raced. "I've never been here before." He dumbly nodded.

"What village are you from?" She asked.

"Clusina." He managed to speak.

"Hmm. I don't have any relatives from there, but I know that Elder Ampira is Clusina's Elder".

"So you know Elder Ampira?" Aaron hoped she had just seen her.

"I know of her, but nothing personal." The jaguar explained. "My aunt is Elder Tenochca, one of the capital's elders. They know each other."

"We were separated this morning, and I can't find her."

"Sure, I can help you find her." The jaguar grinned much to the fox's surprise. "Mira and I were standing around and not doing anything yet." She pointed over her shoulder back towards the burly badger lady meandering towards them.

"Hey, what's going on?" The badger asked.

"Nothing much. She's lost and looking for Elder Ampira." The jaguar turned around. The badger looked at Aaron curiously.

"She's a leopardess, right?"

"Yes." Aaron nodded.

"Let's go back to the building. I'll ask Abby if she's seen Elder Ampira this morning." The jaguar suggested and led them back up part of the street. Aaron noticed the badger glancing over at him more than once.

"She looks... odd." Mira whispered causing Aaron's ears perked up.

'Should I run?' He felt unsure and knew it would immediately end any chance he'd have at walking around freely in the meantime.

"She's just nervous." The jaguar shrugged.

"Haven't you heard about the rumor?"

"What? Oh, that." The jaguar's tail swayed in annoyance. "There's always a yearly rumor about someone strange is seen in the capital." She mentioned.

"I know, but-."

"Hey, you wouldn't know anyone weird in the capital, would you?" The jaguar half grinned and looked back at Aaron. The badger quietly huffed without a word as he shook his head meekly.

"N-no, I haven't." Aaron stated.

"Hehe. I'm just joking." The jaguar hummed aloud. "What did you say your name was?"

"Aaron." He answered only to shut his mouth.

"Aaron, huh?" The jaguar wiggled her brusque nose. "That's a unique name."

'I should've said Lydia or Cassandra!' The fox scolded himself and felt nervous as the two guards walked to a building.

"I'm Azotl." She introduced herself and waved for Aaron to walk inside with them. The red fox found himself in a modest room of a multistoried building. The stone was cool under his paws, a welcome reprieve from the warm streets. A trio of colorful silk scarves hung on pegs by the door. Linen curtains were open by all windows allowing plenty of sunshine inside. A pair of handwoven rugs rested on the ground by the entrance. A funny wooden half mask of what appeared to be a ghostly canine hung on the wall. Poles and a shield rested in a corner.

'This must be like a police building or something.' Aaron guessed.

"Are you in here Irma?!" The jaguar called out before walking into another room. Aaron nervously looked back at the badger who was disinterested in him for now, and busily looked outside. A few wanted posters were spread out on a table against a wall. Aaron curiously looked over a few, and noticed they were all half body sketches, from the waist up; but none of them were red foxes like him. A petite skunk, a busty raccoon with a scar, and an older puma with pierced ears and sagging breasts stood out to him.

'They look more like pirates than anything else.' He silently thought.

"Heh, recognize any of those thieves or bandits?" Azotl mused as she returned to the room.

"Oh! Uh, no." He shook his head and stepped back.

"Sometimes we joke that they sail out to become pirates beyond the bay. Right, Mira?" She glanced at the badger gazing outside the window.

"Yeah..." The burly lady answered without turning around. Azotl laid back and left her legs spread out, unknowingly giving the male a very clear look of her downy white furred womanhood, and spotted thighs.

'Blind me.' Aaron felt his cheeks redden and he averted his gaze from the casual, yet lewd display.

"We can wait here and relax for a little while until Irma comes back." The jaguar suggested. "If she hasn't seen Elder Ampira, then we can go looking for her if you'd like."

"Thank you, I appreciate it." Aaron gave a deep, thankful nod despite his blush remaining persistent. The fox kept his eyes averted, and hopefully wished that she'd show some modestly for him.

'At least I'm not at the brothel.' He thought to himself only to squeeze his eyes shut for a moment to block out the thoughts of what he witnessed earlier in the morning. A loud flapping sound suddenly interrupted his thoughts.

"Huh?" Aaron blinked and turned around as a blur of brightly colored feathers abruptly flew in through the open window.

"Irma's bird is here!" Azotl happily exclaimed as a parrot flew to a perch close to her.

"I can hear it." Mira spoke as soon as the bird squawked.

9That better not be the same stupid bird from yesterday!' The fox clenched his teeth and bit back a growl. The parrot made a few clacking sounds and looked at the jaguar.

"Isn't he such a sweet bird?" Azotl smiled and reached up with a finger to the bird.

"Y-yeah." Aaron quietly said.

"Noisy pain in the butt." The badger itched her back.

"Oh hush, he's a sweet little thing." The jaguar whistled at it. Aaron looked away, happy that the bird wasn't interested in him, or talking like the one from the marketplace. However, the fox felt a noticeable looseness around his waist as he shifted his stance.

'My loincloth is not tight enough.' He worried and began fidgeting with the garment while Azotl was distracted by the bird. Constantly glancing around, the fox felt nervous as he tried working with the garment.

'I wish someone had shown me how to tie this thing properly!' He stopped just short of panicking.

"Forget? Missing it?" The parrot suddenly squawked at Aaron in incomplete phrases. The fox glanced up at the bird with fearful eyes.

"Hehe. Silly bird." Azotl giggled and then looked at Aaron. "Do you need help with that?"

"N-no! I'm fine." Aaron's voice fearfully rose in pitch at the idea.

"You're definitely having trouble with it." The jaguar pointed out. "I'll help." She stood up and approached the beleaguered fox.

"W-wait-!" Aaron would've leapt backwards, but the table stopped him cold. Pain shot through his lower back, helping to keep him still.

"My sister ties them like this, but I think it's easier to wrap it around the waist and leave the rest hanging down." The jaguar took little notice of his nervousness and bent down to fix the garment for him. Aaron held onto it tightly as she started tugging and adjusting dangerously close to his manhood.

'If she touches me, I'm done for!' His heart pounded inside his chest. He didn't know what to do as Azotl was practically bumping into him. Aaron's grip suddenly slipped and the back of his hand brushed right over the jaguar's sex. His mind vividly registered the details of his middle finger brushing up against the jaguar's labial cleft in that split second. Aaron held his breath and couldn't even utter an apology as his face burned bright red.

"S-sorry." He audibly squeaked.

"You're fine. It was an accident." Azotl bashfully stated with a subtle blush of her own. The jaguar finished adjusting his loincloth while he held a death grip in hold hands. Aaron couldn't believe she, the badger, or the chattering parrot hadn't noticed anything amiss

'I'm the luckiest man alive!' He breathed the fullest sigh of relief in his life and let go of the garment. His heart stopped as the loincloth unraveled and fell to the ground. The faint thought of forgetting to properly tie the cloth around his waist briefly shot through his mind.

'Oh no...' His mind drew a long and dark blank as his heart thundered within his eardrums. His body was frozen in place as he stood wide legged and completely naked before the jaguar guard. Time seemed to slow down to a near standstill.

"Oops. Guess I should've... uh." Azotl's voice cut off as she started to bend forward only to see Aaron's naked groin in full view. The jaguar's golden eyes nearly popped out of her skull as her jaw dropped. Aaron could've mistaken that he had become deaf in that very instance.

"Mira!!!" Azotl's voice cried out to catch her fellow guard's attention. The parrot flew over to the table and noisily cried out, mimicking the jaguar, scattering several wanted posters onto the floor. Adrenaline flooded the fox's body as he finally reacted. Aaron nearly tripped over himself as he grabbed the garment and turned to flee only to run into Mira the badger. Despite her size, she was quick and a swift heavy hand caught the fox with enough force to wind him. Aaron coughed and nearly fell back.

"You're a man!!?" Mira yelped in shock as she realized Aaron wasn't a woman. Aaron's took advantage of her shock and bolted out of the house. The red fox darted across the street, holding the loincloth in hand the best he could while evading anyone he came across. However, nearly everyone stopped to watch as the jaguar and badger hastily ran after him from a slow start.

Knowing it was pointless to run in the capital without knowing how to leave, Aaron ran to the closest large building that had a wide entryway. An otter lady screamed and jumped out of his way as he ran inside. He skidded to a halt on a slippery floor, knees bent, barely managing to stop himself from bumping into a raccoon woman right in front of him.

'This is bad!' Aaron blinked and found himself in a humid room full of naked women, chatting as they were undressing or grooming their fur. Steam faintly wafted in from two separate entryways leading further into either a bathhouse or gymnasium.

"Oh, I cannot believe that, Margaret-!" The raccoon turned around and her large breasts gently smacked the red fox in his face.

"Goodness! Haha!" An Akita covered her mouth and laughed.

"Sorry miss. Are you-?" The raccoon's apologetic facial expression quickly turned curious to concerned.

"Sorry!" He turned around to flee only for the badger and jaguar to charge in after him. Aaron jumped and dodged the jaguar head on, but a hand grabbed him swiftly. His loincloth flew into the air and the raccoon gasped in surprise at his nakedness. The room turned into a frenzy

"It's a man!" She screamed causing several of the women to panic. However, just as many cornered the red fox. The Akita delivered a swift kick to his torso.

"Ack!" Aaron fell over as he was restrained by several naked women.

'How many of them can fight?!" He coughed as a flurry of voices shouted, whispered, and called out, echoing against the humid walls.

"We've got him!"

"It's a man in the capital!"

"A man!" So many were in disbelief as he ceased struggling. He had been found out and captured!

***

Aaron was hastily taken away with a crowd following them before being placed in a cell. The jail cell was spacious, the size of a medium room, and remained cool from the constant shade. Despite the grim reality he faced, the cell had a feminine touch to it. The walls had a floral pattern that mimicked the tropical foliage and beach scenery. Shells, waves, and palm trees were included.

The male laid back on the large mat provided, completely resigned to his fate. It was almost a blessing not having the anxiety of being found out anymore. For the moment, he wasn't concerned about the consequences either. Aaron was glad to have a moment's peace regardless. However, it wasn't much of a time to rest. The noise around him was like the busy marketplace.

The bars lining the border of his cell would've had a view of a street, but naked and half naked women were lined up at every inch, young to old, pressed against the metal to look and gawk at him like an exotic caged animal. Onlookers and crowds were frequent, but nearly constant. Even the four armed guards spent a fair amount of time staring at him.

"I've never heard of a man ever reaching Ezo before."

"Neither have I."

"My aunt can't believe it. I couldn't even believe it when I told her. Can you believe it?"

"I hope everyone from Naxos village comes to see this."

"She, er he looks a lot like a vixen."

"They say some men and women don't look too different."

"That's what they teach us at the academy. Uh, right?"

"What are you hiding between your legs?!" One shouted.

"Men don't look like women down there."

"Really? I haven't seen a man before."

"Do you think he swam here all this way?"

"Maybe the man was stowed away on the last ship from Inoki?"

"Are there any others that invaded the island?" A cheetah wondered aloud.

"I don't know..."

"Is he a spy?"

"Hey! Are you a spy?" One voice called out to him, but Aaron ignored it. Several jeered at him when he made eye contact, so he usually avoided it.

"Did he come here to impregnate everyone?" Another asked, causing more than one other woman to laugh.

"Even the old ladies?"

"Hey! Can't you talk?" A red panda asked with annoyance.

'They don't stop...' He sighed.

"Such a rude man."

"Aren't they all?" One joked.

"I'll say..."

"I've heard they have such lecherous eyes."

'I'll get chastised for talking or remaining silent.' He didn't bother responding to anyone. Aaron stared at the ceiling and thought about Elder Ampira, Lydia, Cassandra, and Maragi. He felt guilty for involving them with trying to get home. Although, they wanted to help, and he couldn't do it alone.

'I suppose they're okay. I only mentioned Elder Ampira by name, so they'll be fine.' He thought of the vixen and two lionesses while his observers talked noisily. Unbeknownst to Aaron, two familiar figures had been watching him for a while before weaving out of the crowd.

"Excuse me."

"Sorry." Naked bodies brushed up against the busty vixen and slim lioness to fill the void and look at the strange man in their midst. They walked a full block away to escape the noisy chatter from so many people crowded into a single space.

"I have never been in such a crowded place before." Cassandra looked over her shoulder and back at the edge of the crowd. Lydia was silent and misty eyed as three women hurried by them out of an alleyway.

"Cmon! They have the man locked up in the jail!"

"This is so exciting!" They were all giddy but the red vixen and lioness took little notice of them.

"I feel like this is all my fault." Lydia somberly whined and slumped down with her back against a wall.

"No, don't say that." Cassandra consoled her mate. "It happened, but we will think of something." The lioness promised.

"I don't know what to do. I wish Elder Ampira was with us." She placed her face into her hands. The red vixen's head and heavy breasts hadn't hung so low before.

"Look. I know it's bad right now, but we can get through this tough moment. Aaron needs our help, even if we can't do anything at this moment." Cassandra consoled her mate.

"We can't help him, Cassandra." The vixen whined.

"Don't worry." Cassandra hugged her mate, but was unable to do anything else to console her.

"Hey." Maragi walked up to them.

"Thank goodness you're back." Cassandra looked up as her older sister returned.

"I heard some news from two older women. I don't know if they're elders or not." The naked lioness informed them.

"What did they say?"

"All of the village elders are being assembling to decide what to do under these extraordinary circumstances." Maragi recited what she had heard. "They'll probably arrive tonight if couriers have already been dispatched."

"I thought I saw familiar faces when I heard someone say courier." A voice spoke up from behind them. The three were greeted by a fennec vixen smiling politely. Covered in light dusty golden fur and a soft cream front, she wore a black scarf around her neck and a short black loincloth around her waist. She had large well endowed breasts with a soft pink nipple in each center. Her black nose matched her lips as they curled into a pleasant and friendly grin.

"Olivia!" They were surprised by the fox's sudden appearance. The buxom fennec was Clusina's courier who had been absent from the village when Aaron happened to wash ashore.

"Hey! Funny seeing you three here, but I can understand why. Can you believe a man somehow set foot on Ezo and was found wandering the capital?" The fennec told them. All three looked at each other silently. Lydia frowned and stared bleakly at the ground.

"Oh. Do you three know something that I don't?" The fennec's large ears wiggled curiously.

"It's a long story." Cassandra looked up at the fennec.

"What happened?" The fennec was eager to know.

"You heard that he was found in Clusina, right?" Cassandra asked.

"Oh! No. I thought that was just a rumor!" Her soft brown eyes widened in surprise. "I thought he had come on board a ship from Inoki."

"He washed ashore there a few days ago. My sister and her mate found him." Maragi nodded over to the two."

"Wha-? What did you two do? How did that happen?" Olivia couldn't believe it.

"We couldn't believe what happened either..." Lydia sniffled and rubbed her nose.

"Like Maragi said, it's a long story." Cassandra reiterated. The fennec almost didn't know what to make of it all.

"Let's go to my place. We can talk more privately there." The fennec offered.

"Thanks. We need to rest." Cassandra nodded and helped Lydia up to her paws.

"Cmon." Olivia waved and led them across the street and down a fair distance. All of them could sense the excitement in the air. Everyone they saw outside appeared excited, and yet, there were a few women, particularly ones who were older who acted like it was a normal day.

"They're assembling all of the village elders to decide what the man's fate is." The fennec courier whispered as a few ladies walked past them on the street.

"That's what Maragi told us." Lydia spoke up.

"Ah, how did you hear that?" Olivia placed her hands on her hips and looked at the athletic lioness.

"Gossip travels faster and further than paws." Maragi grinned.

"Eh, gossip is the greatest courier." She giggled. "But did any of you hear that the man's trial should happen tomorrow or the day after then."

"There's going to be a trial?" Cassandra was surprised.

"Oh no..." Lydia frowned.

"I didn't hear that." Maragi admitted.

"I think so, or at least that's the gossip I've been hearing about." Olivia nodded. "No one ever said that gossip was an honest courier." She winked.

"Heh. I've known that for quite some time." Cassandra grinned.

"You three already know, but everyone in the capital is talking about this." She added. "I have never seen the jail's street so crowded before in my entire life. People are arriving from the coastal village of Nomira and Hydra to see for themselves that a man is on the island. I know there'll be plenty more from the other villages by tomorrow."

"It's pretty hectic." Cassandra agreed as they approached a house with a bright blue and white awning over the entrance.

"Hi moms." Olivia cheerfully smiled at two older women inside the house's main room. An athletic older fennec vixen with large sagging breasts was sweeping the floor. She only wore several purple strings tied around her waist decorated with little sea shells and beads that softly slacked as she moved. A pudgy sand cat with small breasts was sorting bundles of firewood before a dormant hearth. She wore a pretty loincloth that draped onto the floor and a necklace that matched it.

"You're back so soon from the jail?" The feline looked over her shoulder.

"Friends of yours?" The fennec smiled at the two lionesses and vixen.

"Yep! They're from Clusina. We just came back from there." Olivia mentioned and waved everyone else to follow her upstairs once hellos were done.

"How long will all of you be staying?" The older fennec called up to her daughter.

"A while!"

"We'll make something for dinner then!" The sand cat mother added.

"Thanks!" Olivia called back before getting everyone else into her room. The fennec vixen's personal space was quaint yet modest given how little time she normally spent at her home in the capital. A small bed rested by the wall between two open windows facing the bay. A pair of mats flanked the top and bottom of the bed. A satchel hung on a peg by the door with a simple loincloth.

"Alright. Make yourselves comfortable." Olivia offered. "Are you alright Lydia?" She noticed the vixen's sullen expression, as if she was on the verge of crying.

"It'll be okay." Cassandra tried consoling her mate.

"Don't feel sad. Big breasts are supposed to be full of happiness." The fennec hugged Lydia, and hoped to cheer up the somber vixen.

"I know." She mustered a brief smile only to wiggle her nose sadly. "I'm scared that something bad may happen to Aaron." She admitted.

"Aaron?" Olivia's big ears wiggled as she glanced at the two lionesses.

"That's the male's name. The red fox." Cassandra explained.

"Oh." Olivia gave a slow nod. "Can you tell me what happened?" She quietly asked.

"Sure. Let's sit down." Cassandra suggested. "There's a lot to tell." The four naked and half naked ladies settled down close together for the rest of the afternoon to share their stories.

The sound of iron clanging noisily together stirred Aaron from a light sleep. It was getting late in the evening, but the fox hadn't been able to sleep well since his capture yesterday morning. Every waking hour the cell's bars were full of women young and old staring at him.

"Get up, man." A firm voice ordered. Aaron found himself lying in the cell as a flat chested German shepherd and Doberman approached him. There were many guard changes while he had been imprisoned, but all of the ladies watching over him had been intimidating. The shepherd was naked save for a sheathed knife on her lower leg and one sheathed on a leather belt around her waist. She had two noticeable scars on her torso and waistline, which only made her muscular build all the more intimidating. The Doberman was more petite by comparison, but was armed with a spear and only wore a loincloth.

"What's going on?" He sat up as they loomed over him. Aaron noticed that the surrounding bars were quiet as several onlookers watched him. Other guards were stationed to keep the civilian women back as his cell door was left open.

"You're following us." They simply grabbed him by the arms and pulled him to his paws.

"Okay! Easy, please." He walked along with them and out his cell. A buxom wolverine guard led the way with a spear in hand, clearing a path through the islanders who watched intently. A few taunts and jeers were thrown at him, but most of the women simply eyed him up. Even fewer covered themselves before him, yet wanted to still see him.

'Where are they taking me?' He barely had time to think as they maneuvered along the crowded street to a large building complex where a life sized statue of a middle aged lioness and cougar standing together. The fox wasn't too surprised that both were naked and all of their feminine traits were detailed naturally. A pair of fountains flanked both, and numerous flowering plants grew in terracotta pots and baskets. It gave a very wild sensation in the middle of the urban environment, a reminder to the island's natural interior.

However, the crowd of women didn't follow him any further. He was taken up a flight of stone steps and through a corridor. The architecture was impressive for an island society. Columns stood tall, and small statues of naked women, young and old lined wall.

'This reminds me of a small palace.' The quieter hall felt very regal to Aaron as their steps softly echoed. He was led through another entryway. Several old women were assembled in the large meeting hall, seated on mats in a semi circle.

'They must be the fourteen elders.' He counted them. Not a single one appeared under the age of forty five. The different species were certainly old from their appearances; sagging breasts, some pudgier arms or torsos, and plenty of white ticked hairs. Despite their nakedness revealing their aged bodies, each woman looked dignified and sagely with their well groomed fur and ornate jewelry.

'That's Elder Ampira!' Aaron recognized the old leopardess seated amongst the group. However, the spotted feline made no eye contact, or gave any indication that she knew him. The other thirteen keenly looked at him. The red fox was kept standing before the elders with both guards standing just behind him

'What do I do?' Aaron stood silent before the old women, afraid to say anything.

"The man is finally here." One murmured quietly.

"We need to discuss what happens to this... man." An elder snow leopard spoke seriously, and cut her sharp pale gold eyes towards Aaron. "He has broken the ancient law of a man stepping onto Ezo, the island of women." She declared. "No man has set his eyes upon this island in many, many generations."

"Not since the founding of Ezo as the Island of Women." An elder cheetah added.

"Elder Ampira," she addressed the aged leopardess, "this happened in your village. You should explain the circumstances first. How did any of this happen?"

"Thank you, Verona." She nodded. "Despite the prevailing rumors that I have heard, this man did not enter Ezo with his own free will." The leopardess began. "He was victim to a strong storm at sea and washed upon the southeastern shores of the island unconscious. He was found and immediately tended to by two women, but unfortunately had lost his memory upon waking up. Very few of the ladies in Clusina had seen a man before, and did not recognize him as one at first. His absent memory contributed to this misunderstanding." She explained as they all patiently listened.

"When I first saw him, I immediately knew that he was a male. I've seen many men before, and it was plainly obvious for me. The male seemed to understand that he was in a place he shouldn't be, and regained his memories at that time. There was a chase, and he was brought out of the forest by one of the ladies who had cared for him. Inside the assembly hall, every one of adult age was in attendance. He pled that he wished to return home, so it was agreed upon that I would take him here to quietly stow away on a boat."

"Oh!" The old ladies began murmuring.

"You brought him into the capital on your own?"

"And in secret!"

"Please." The snow leopard held up a hand for order.

"I thought it would be the best way to resolve this." Elder Ampira sighed causing several elders to scoff at the brash and secretive behavior.

"How did the ladies in your village not recognize him as a man?" Elder Tenochca, the jaguar, asked.

"Clusina is the smallest and furthest village from the capital. Very few of the women living there have been to Inoki." Ampira explained. "No one even noticed in the capital, which is shocking to me."

"No one expects a man to walk anywhere on this island." Tenochca stated. "My own niece, a guard in the capital, didn't recognize that the fox was a male."

'Is she Azotl's aunt?' Aaron wondered if the aged jaguar was related to the guard who had tried assisting him earlier yesterday.

"Even Clusina has expecting mothers." Another elder pointed out causing another to nod. "It sounds like a conspiracy."

"That's simply ridiculous." Elder Ampira frowned. "Their instincts to nurture and care for are as true as any woman's." She flatly pointed out.

"So no one saw this male naked? Wasn't that suspicious?" An elder Mightyena named Pechcaro spoke up.

"It's like I said before." Elder Ampira stated. "Very few women living in Clusina have been to Inoki. Most of the mothers there only have one daughter. It is a small village."

"As far as I see this," an elder skunk named Marigold spoke in turn, "this was an accident under extreme circumstances."

"Exactly-."

"I personally don't care if he did not want to come ashore, because that's exactly what happened. We are in this situation right now because he is seated before us. This man has broken the law, and he must be punished for his transgression." An elder jackal named Dido stated.

"Elder Zourafa..." Elder Verona turned and a lioness who had aged with sleek grace in her toned body. However, three scars along her shoulder, thigh, and torso indicated that it was anything but easy. "You have frequented the port of Inoki more than most women of Ezo. What do you think?"

"My daughter is the best ball player in all of Ezo, and she wouldn't feel threatened by this male." The lioness outrightly dismissed Aaron's presence without giving more than a glance at the red fox.

'That's the ball player's mother!' Aaron recognized the strong resemblance to the lioness who terrified him.

"That isn't the issue, Zourafa." The mightyena said. "He's come onto this island, and now we have to deal with him."

"We have had incidents before where men visiting Inoki have tried secretly boarding the trade vessel to visit Ezo." The scarred lioness reminded them. "But all of those few attempts were successfully stopped before disembarking. I say we should do what Ampira had in mind. Have him sail out on the next merchant ship, and be done with this matter."

"Elder Kakawa?" Verona asked an old female husky with a pudgy build. Her breasts were large and heavy from age, and wide areolae indicated that she was almost certainly a mother who nursed hungry infants.

"I have also heard reports from the officials at Inoki that men have bribed large sums to ferry their own vessels to Ezo. None have succeeded, in large part thanks to our close relationship with Inoki." The canine calmly spoke.

"Those concerns are normal, given the unique position Ezo holds." The jackal stated.

"I certainly hope that this incident wouldn't increase the risk of a male trying to stow himself away into one of Ezo's ships." Kakawa noted.

"He should be punished for arriving on Ezo." Dido the jackal stated. Her eyes cut to the male fox seated before them. "At the very least he is inconveniencing all of us."

"How so?"

"He could work in the fields for all-."

"That wouldn't help, and what would the farmers think? It would become a silly attraction." The elder beside her dismissed the idea.

"What if this happens again?" She countered. "How can anyone here so easily trust this strange man?"

"He isn't evil."

"I did not say that he was evil, however, man committed the original sin of rape onto a woman. All men have this potential for evil. They are born with it. That's why I don't trust him."

"We are getting lost in silly arguments!" Ampira interrupted them. "This man has committed no crime willingly on this island of women. He washed ashore unconscious, and has never harmed anyone since waking up in the home of two women. I have yet to see any evil from this man. We shouldn't talk as if he is here to cause trouble."

"Are you saying that he has not committed any other crimes since coming to this island?" Elder Oura, an Akita curiously asked.

"Yes, that's correct." She nodded. "Every woman in Clusina can confirm that."

"Simply having a man visit Ezo island will cause instability." She pointed out.

"How so?" The leopardess questioned.

"Look at all of the women who are in the capital to gawk at his mere presence!"

"He seems to have your favor, Ampira." The snow leopardess remarked with folded arms."But either way, we need to do something with him right now. We cannot keep him in an open jail," she recommended, "because many women are simply gawking at him like a caged animal."

"The capital is crowded too. The streets are like a frenzy with everyone talking about this." Elder Kakawa added.

"We should hide him until our flagship is ready to depart to Inoki." Elder Lucca, a marbled fox suggested. "It would be best to quietly remove him from Ezo. There is no need to kill someone and cause a mess with a foreign country."

"He has already caused trouble on the island." Elder Tessuru, a middle aged mountain lioness spoke up. "And who would think he has survived a shipwreck at sea?"

"No one would ever find him." The elder mightyena beside her muttered.

"I don't like this subtle idea of punishing someone who can easily be deported." Elder Marigold the skunk stated.

"If we let him leave peacefully, then who's to say he won't tell everyone in whatever land he is from? The entire island might have to contend with crazed men who see themselves as adventurers wanting to sail to and explore Ezo."

"Would many people believe him?"

"The island of Ezo isn't a secret mystery to the world." Elder Ampira argued. "Inoki is our contact with the outer world, and on a fair and friendly agreement. No one in Inoki swears an oath of secrecy about knowledge of Ezo. Women have immigrated to this island and women have emigrated to Inoki. We aren't a mystery."

"The dangerous waters around Ezo are a protective barrier from naval threats." Elder Zourafa the lioness wasn't concerned.

"I believe there is a fear of foreign intrigue to our society." Another elder mentioned. Aaron listened but the old women deliberated at length. Lanterns were lit as the sun began to sink to the horizon. The discussion was long and heated without a clear consensus emerging. He feared that wouldn't bode well for him.

"Please." Verona the elder snow leopardess raised a hand. "It is late, and this council is at an impasse. We will need to rest well to help reach a conclusion." She received a few murmurs of agreement, but also disgruntled silence from others. They began to stand up and some retrieved walking sticks. Jewelry from necklaces and anklets quietly jingled or made noise. Aaron looked at Elder Ampira, hoping for something from her, even a word of encouragement or acknowledgement, but received neither.

"You can take him away to the hidden guest house." The snow leopardess instructed the guards. Aaron was taken away by two different guards; a tigress that reminded him of Augusta back in Clusina but with two scars on her torso, and a jackal carrying a spear in hand.

'They must be more warriors of Ezo.' He thought to himself as the two armed ladies led him out of the meeting hall. Another pair of guards were ahead, carrying lanterns, making sure that no one else was within eyeshot. Aaron was carefully taken down another corridor and outside an unknown patio. They walked across a small stone bridge that covered a walkway below to what looked like the entrance of a small home on a second story level. The tigress opened the door and revealed a spacious room connecting to a smaller side bathroom.

"Where am I?" He asked the two female guards as they ushered him inside. They glanced at one another before the tigress answered.

"A secret house." She answered.

"You are to stay here and cannot leave without permission." The jackal explained.

"We will stop you if you try to escape." The tigress warned him.

"Okay." He understood it was essentially house arrest.

"Someone will come by soon to give you food and water." The two women exchanged glances before backing away and closing the door altogether. Aaron heard what sounded like a lock sliding into place, but the last thing on his mind was trying to escape the heart of the capital.

'It's better than the jail cell.' He liked the peaceful atmosphere and slowly walked around. The room was circular and the white walls were painted with a mixture of brightly colorful scenes ranging from the capital's bay, dense tropical foliage, buildings, and a busy marketplace scene.

'Fancy.' He observed a hanging curtain that could be used to hide the bed from the rest of the room. There were cushions for guests to sit on, and two large flower pots gave the room a more sensational floral touch.

"I think I'll get a good night's sleep." He meandered to a large window that possessed bamboo bars rather than iron bars. Aaron couldn't slip through them, but the breeze that came through felt pleasant. Despite the encroaching darkness, he could see stars faintly beginning to twinkle in the sky. Straight ahead, large palm trees obscured much of his vision, but he could detect a stone wall ahead. Down below, he saw a courtyard where filled sacks were placed beside archery targets. An athletic cheetah was quietly talking to a strongly built wolverine. Both carried spears in hand, wore a single shoulder pad apiece, and wore belts with sheathed knives.

"This must be above a courtyard barracks or training guard for their soldiers." He assumed and backed away from the window. With heavy steps he laid down on the bed and closed the curtain for good measure. Despite getting in a nice nap earlier in the day, he still felt tired from his whole ordeal; not just arriving in the capital, but everything since he washed ashore at Ezo.

'I wonder if Cassandra, Lydia, and Maragi are headed back to their village yet?' He thought and closed his eyes. Aaron wanted to thank them and Elder Ampira for helping him get so far, and observing so much. The sound of the sea breeze through the open window helped him drift off to a much needed deep sleep.