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Shadowdancer By Dracon [Notice: The characters and events within are inspired by the "Gargoyles" TV Series and as such credit goes to the creators of said series. If any characters appear in the story from said series, those characters belong to their creators. Should anyone wish to use the characters or events within in their own works, permission is hereby granted to do so. I just ask that you let me know if you are going to do so and provide credit in your work. Underage viewers should not read this series, and all readers do so at their own risk. The characters of Shang Hua, Shu-Lin Ming, and Xiang Tzao are copyright of Wren Silverfox (www.fur-affinity.com/user/wrensilverfox). Permission is not granted for use of these characters. Contact their player for permission.] Previously on Shadowdancer... Eckhart's refined, cultured voice rolled out like a thick fog. "No, my dear Logan, I'm afraid not. It seems to me that you've forgotten our little agreement, no?" Logan held his hands out, making sure to keep them where de Silva could see them. "It's not like that, Mr. de Silva. Business has been slow, and I told you I had to pay off some debts back home. I'll get you the money, I just need a little more time." - _ "Behind the Eight-Ball" _ Lin purred in a sultry tone, and when Logan turned back to look at her, he found himself staring at a humanoid fox, roughly the same height as her body. The vixen was reaching behind her, and let out a sigh as her pants slid lower on her hips, her tails coming into view. His jaw dropped as he took in her changed form... - _ "Of Fox & Wolf, Part I" _ Branson spoke up, disturbing Logan from his reverie, by telling him, "I sent some information on a sideband. The money in that account is yours, as I promised, for aiding Shang. I hope that'll be enough to cover your obligation to de Silva." Goliath gestured for Logan to look at the screen on the projector, and he grinned down at Branson, shooting him a thumbs up as he said, "Oh, I'm bettin' it will. Thanks, man, that's gonna help out an awful lot." - _ "Of Fox & Wolf, Part II" _ "Deceptions" ----Chapter I---- Ahh, good, good. I would swear that you were reading my mind, my love. Yes, I am feeling well enough to tell another portion of our tale. It is wearying to do so, but it must be done. I do know that I could not do it without you, Lin. If I have anything to say about it, you will be hailed as one of the saviors of our world for this... 1630 W. Lexington St., Chicago, Illinois December 13th, 2027 11:48 A.M. Slouching in my swivel chair comfortably, I examined the bill from de Silva Reality, sighing with contentment as I read that oh-so-pleasant legend on the bottom. It read "PAID IN FULL", and I hadn't seen anything more beautiful in some time. That is, other than you, my love, as you reminded me when you sashayed into office. You were wearing one of those clingy Chinese dresses you favor, and the styrofoam box you bore smelled powerfully of food, Szechwan, if I recall right. Smiling with apparent amusement, you reminded me, "It's lunchtime, Love." I inhaled deeply, taking in the delectable aromas of the meal, and my mouth began watering a little, involuntarily. Holding my hands out to take the box, I said, "Ya take such good care of me, beloved. How'd I ever manage before I met ya?" "From the looks of this place when we got back, not very well," you replied, sticking your tongue out at me, then ordered, "Now, eat." Hanging my head in a mockery of contrition, I conceded the point. Popping it open, I'm sure I did drool as I bore witness to the tempting contents, but then, my gaze drew to the utensils. I raised an eyebrow at the chopsticks, then scowled at them. I heard a beep from your direction, then saw you pull out a small earbud with a boom mic attached. "Hai?" you asked, then started rapping in that rapid-fire language you used. After a little while, you put the headset away, warning me, "Shang and Mother should be here soon." While you took the call, I broke apart the sticks and started poking at my meal. After your announcement, I gratefully took the chance to cover my lack of prowess by musing aloud, "I hope the Cast Iron Bitch didn't give 'em too much trouble on the way down. I gotta get her looked at. Wonder if Torao's got people." "Shang said they were stopping at a full service garage, and Mother is paying for a full overhaul from her expense account," you told me as you slid onto the edge of my desk. The side of your dress slit pulled clear up to your hip, showing off a good deal of gorgeous leg in the process. Absently, I noted the dull clink of the bamboo sticks striking plastic, but really didn't register it, my attention drawn to that luscious, golden flesh you displayed. I think I muttered something like, "I'm gonna hafta do somethin' nice for her. Ya think she'd like to see that new Jet Li movie sometime?" Of course, none of that exhibition was accidental, and you merely smiled indulgently at me as you asked, "Which one was that?" Shaking my head a little to clear it, I reached into a desk drawer and pulled out a plastic spork, surrendering to the might of the chopsticks. My voice was still a little hollow as I replied absently, "Uhhh, Nighttime in Shanghai, I think. That one he was directin'." I'm glad we never got around to taking her. I hear that it stunk, and I believe we found better ways of showing our appreciation, anyway. "Ah," you replied, favoring me with an amused smiled, then agreed, "I don't see why not. Mother doesn't get out much," as you moved around to my side of the desk, then slid into my lap, still smiling as you cuddled into me. I wrapped an arm around your waist and buried my face in your soft hair, deeply inhaling the faint, floral scent that clung to it, completely forgetting about lunch. I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could give voice to my love, I was interrupted by a loud knock from the office's door. Pulling my head from your shoulder, I saw a rather large figure silhouetted in the frosted glass of the door. Growling with irritation, you told me, "I'll get it, finish your lunch," as you slipped off my lap and strode to the door. Opening it just enough to look out, you asked tersely, "Yes?" The figure was revealed as a stupendously well-built blond man, who appeared as though he'd just been brought over from Austria, and had probably required a whole bulk freighter for himself. He looked down at you, his expression one of bewilderment, and his brows scrunched together from the effort of adapting to the new situation. In a subsonic, floor-rattling voice, he asked, "Ist... Starr he-ah? de Silva vants to tolk to hem." You continued to frown, but switched over to a lightly accented German, inquiring, "For what purpose?" He breathed a sigh of relief, causing the heavy scent of garlic and Garou to wash over your face, then replied, "The boss didn't tell me. I'm just here to fetch him. Something about a job, I think." About that time, as I recall, I broke into the conversation, recognizing our visitor's voice. Shouting loudly around the piece of carrot in my mouth, I said, "Hey, Olaf! If it's about the rent, yer too late! I already told Jabba I had his money. Now scoot, chummer," and I distinctly recall hearing you giggle at that declaration. Olaf's brows attempted to merge into a single entity as my words washed over him. I imagine that someone listening at his ear right about then would have heard the ocean. He decided to answer 'the nice lady', instead, and told you, "I... guess it'd be okay if he finished, first. Just tell him to hurry. The boss doesn't like to be kept waiting." "Ja, ich will, Olaf," you replied, smiling at him as you shut the door. Turning towards me, you explained, "He said something about a job. Hurry and eat." Frowning as I watched the mountainous silhouette still darkening my doorstep, I began to tuck in quickly with the spork, and quickly became irritated that I couldn't take my time and enjoy the excellent meal. "I'm going to be going with you, so I'm going to get changed," you told me firmly, giving the impression that you wouldn't take no for an answer. I hadn't intended on turning you down, though, so I merely replied, "Can I watch?" Allowing your tone to become a little more casual, you smiled flirtatiously at me and said, "If you finish eating in time." That proved to be all the inspiration I needed. As I dug in, I mused on how much you had changed me. I was the one, after all, that had been chased out of a caern cookout, back in Phoenix, for shifting to Glabro so that I could consume more of the grilled goodies. And, here I was, needing you to remind me to eat. You started to unbutton your dress slowly, giving me a few tantalizing glimpses of your gilded flesh, before you turned around, then let the dress fall from your shoulders, to your hips. Smiling broadly, I dumped my empty take-out box into the trash, sending the hated chopsticks to their timely end with it. Not taking my eyes from your body, I said softly, "Y'know, for once, I don't mind how cramped this joint is. It's... quite... intimate." You nodded as you shimmied your hips, allowing the dress to fall to the floor in a puddle of crimson silk, then dug into your bag for more clothes. When you'd finished, you were garbed in a pair of red leather pants and a black bustier, which you topped off with your trademark red leather jacket. "How do I look?" you asked as you turned around in front of me, letting me take a good, long look at you. It's a simple enough style, my dear, but I love how it makes you look. Though, I suppose it's only fair to say that it takes a most unflattering style to make you any less than achingly beautiful to my eyes. I grinned like a fool as I rose, I'm sure, then walked towards you, planting a quick kiss on your lips before saying, "Far too good for the likes of de Silva. Let's hope ya give him a heart attack, and be done with the bastard." Laughing musically, you pulled on a pair of black, ankle-high Converse sneakers to finish off the look. I squeezed your hand softly, once you had finished, then whispered, "Close your eyes, sugar. I've got something for you." I waited until you closed your eyes, feeling your trust as an almost palpable sensation, then stepped behind my desk, opening the small safe quickly. Reaching inside, I drew out a long, slender box, wrapped in white paper, with a silvery foil ribbon tied around it, then sealed up the safe. I felt my heart begin to pump rapidly as I placed it into your hands. Opening your eyes, you looked at the box, then looked up to me before you unwrapped it. "Just on a side note, white is the Chinese color of death. I don't mind it, but Mother would freak," you informed me as you tugged on the ribbon gently. My smile fell, but before I could apologize, you gasped as you saw a flash of silver within the rustling paper padding. You recognized it as pure, unalloyed, silver. It was shaped into a long dagger, its blade gently curved, like a small scimitar. You threw yourself into my arms in response, wrapping your arms around my neck. I struggled to catch you, nearly betraying you with the relative frailty of my Homid form, but my smile returned as I began to stroke your hair, or at least, as much as I could without dropping you, then said softly, "I'm guessin' ya like it?" "Very much so," you replied, before pressing your lips to mine tightly. I closed my eyes as I embraced you, my heart racing with the pleasures of the soft touch of your tongue... and the pleasure of being able to make you so happy. After a few long, pulse-pounding moments, we pulled away, and you took your feet again, telling me softly, "This will make an excellent focus, Beloved." With a chuckle, I smoothed back my Hawaiian shirt, then replied, "Oh, and if you happen to need to, y'know, stick it in de Silva's fat gut, he'll feel it. Oh yeah, he'll feel it. I wanted to save it for somethin' special, but, well, I just gotta feeling ya'll need it right about now." It cost me to have your klaive made; not financially, no, but... However, it was worth every effort. Rest assured of that. I'd rather that you had never had to wield it in anger, but there was little chance of that, I suppose. Not that I would have needed to wield it in anger. I just point you in their direction and that's usually enough. Smiling wryly, you slipped the bare blade into your bustier, between your breasts, then zipped up the jacket to reveal only the top of your cleavage. I panted softly as I watched, but my attention was drawn by the sound of stumbling and Germanic cursing from the hall. "C'mon, dearest. Let's scoot before Fat Olaf does somethin' we'll all regret, like come up with an independent thought." You laughed lightly as you took my hand, and we headed out to meet with Olaf. He led us to another of de Silva's Cadillacs, as the boss wolf seemed to have one for each day of the year, and shooed off the street bums that were drooling over it. At least one of them smelled of Garou, but it was hard to tell through the nauseating odors that wafted from their bodies. I was surprised to see Torao Tanaka, clad in a silver tuxedo, at the wheel. Grinning at him, I asked, "Hey, man. What'd ya do to get stuck with this job?" He chuckled as he replied, "I wanted to make sure neither you nor the ojii-san did anything too foolish." You allowed me to seat you in the back seat, then scooted over to allow me to get in. Torao glanced over the top of his mirrorshades into the rear-view, peered at you, and said formally, "You are as a pool of water to a man dying of thirst, lady. Logan, you have fine taste." Flashing him a billion-watt smile, you fastened your seat beat and replied, "Domo arigato, Tanaka_-san_." You leaned against my chest warmly, and I laid my arm around you as you closed your eyes, turning your smile towards me. After Olaf clambered heavily into the front seat, Torao took off smoothly, the car running as silently as a cloud, and drove to the Chase Tower, just a few blocks from the waterfront. * * * 21 South Clark Street 12:32 P.M. Its flanks were sheathed in reflective glass and steel, as we could easily see when he pulled into a designated parking spot under the skyscraper's wide, flared base. Torao climbed out, then led us to an express elevator, informing us, "de Silva_-sama_'s office is the 59th floor, if you would be so kind as to accompany me." We walked side-by-side into the elevator, which rapidly became cramped when Olaf entered, and I asked, "Don't ya mean his office is on the 59th floor?" I noticed you sizing up Olaf, and you stood as tall as you could, mustering up your full five foot seven height, but the immense Austrian dwarfed you. Torao looked back and smirked at me as he replied, "I mean what I say, Logan_-san_. You know me that well." The elevator swiftly ascended. Its doors slid open smoothly to reveal a hall decorated entirely in tone-on-tone silver, with a platinum blonde sitting at the secretary's desk, her expression vacant as she stared at her nails. The only thing that could have been worse was if everything was gold... That much silver made me sick... I believe that was the intention, my dear. You've no allergy to silver; imagine what that did to me and Torao! Just another sign of how twisted and cruel he could be. Torao waved dismissively to her as he strode past, seeming to ignore her beyond that negligent gesture, and led us down a side hall. Rolling your eyes, you opened your mouth, stuck out your tongue, and pointed at the back of your throat. I grinned at you, trying to act more courageous than I felt, as the décor was starting to get to me. No doubt that was de Silva's intention. Telling Olaf to stand watch outside, Torao entered a nondescript door on the right, motioning for us to enter behind him. You ducked ahead of me, slipping through the opened door, and began to look around with a critical eye. I followed you, rising from my habitual slouch to make my best showing, and began to look around. My eyes were drawn to the impressive sheets of plate-glass along the rear of the office, which took up the entire wall. Various architectural models were showcased along the side walls. But, as my gaze drew towards the window, it couldn't help but to roll distastefully along the rounded, jowly form of Eckhart de Silva. His face was florid, as though he had been drinking, but his eyes remained piercing as ever, and a frown curled his lips downward. Rising, he gestured towards us, motioning to chairs in front of his massive, ebony desk, and said, "Ahh, good, good, you came! Only twenty minutes late, but what's a little tardiness between... friends?" "You should have more respect for someone's mealtimes," you said as I seated you, and I noticed that your affected accent had vanished without a trace. I took the other seat, noting as Torao walked towards the right wall and blended himself inconspicuously into the shadows, his eyes going flat as he watched the meeting. I'll be damned if I had to figure out what his game was. I mean, I trust Torao to help us, even after all I've seen of him, but I've never really figured out what motivates him. Still, as much as he disliked de Silva, that's enough to make him good people, in my mind. Eckhart groaned softly as he took his seat back, replying, "Yes, well, time and money wait for no man, dearie, and I can hardly be asked to do the same." He smiled obnoxiously and winked at you, then turned to me and said cheerfully, "Well, sonnie, aren't you going to introduce me to this vision of loveliness? I'm certain that I'd have remembered if we'd met before." You crossed your arms over your chest, revealing your obvious disdain for our 'host'. I choked back a growl, then said in my most polite tone, "Mr. de Silva, this is my wife, Shu-Lin Ming," ending with the growl I had fought down. It felt good to throw that word in his face, my dearest Lin... To be able to show our love openly to him, without him realizing that you were more than you seemed... That was most satisfying. I wanted to throw something else in his face... Before de Silva could do more than shoot a surprised look at Torao, I bulled ahead, saying, "Okay, you wanted me for some sort of job. I'm listening." Eckhart took a moment to regain his composure, then told me, "There's a group of... diplomats coming to town. Today, if my memory serves, I've offered them lodgings at my hotel, the Hilton on East Monroe. I want you to meet with them, and use your," then gestured vaguely in my direction, "special skills to find out what you can about them." "What kind of diplomats?" you asked shrewdly. de Silva smiled at you, and I could see the way you twitched, unnoticeable to any eye but mine, obviously ill at ease with his gaze. Indulgently, he said, "Why, I believe they might be from your part of the world, dearie. They're from Hong Kong." "Oh? That still doesn't tell me what kind of diplomats they are," you replied. Later, you would tell me what it had cost you to stay in your seat and not vault over his desk to strangle the fat bastard. His smile broadened as he said, "Well, I don't see that you should concern yourself about it so much, dearie, but if you won't rest until you know, a trait that I admire, then allow me to indulge you." I kept my grin to myself as I watched your style of manipulation with pride. In a deadpan, you told him, "Of course it concerns me. I am Logan's partner." de Silva leaned back in his chair, causing it to creak with his weight, and chuckled as he opened a drawer, revealing an ornate humidor. "Cigar? Either of you? Ah well, indulge an old man." He lit up, puffed a cloud of fragrant smoke into the air, and said, "Now then, they're over here to discuss an interest I have with helping to develop the metropolis of Hong Kong. I want to clear out the slums and give the poor inhabitants good, paying jobs building condos. These two are my partners in the East, you see." I didn't need your experience to tell me that de Silva was lying through his teeth. "I see," you replied, not believing him for an instant, then asked, "Would you happen to have their names?" de Silva snapped his fingers and Torao stepped from his concealment, a pair of engraved cards in his hands. He handed one of them to each of us, but they both read the same. Two names in flowing, cursive script, "Shang Hua," and "Xiang Tzao Lee". You tossed a glance my way, and for a moment I thought I'd become a psychic, since I could easily read your meaning. It was a question: "What now?" Meeting your gaze, I thought for a moment, then turned back to de Silva and asked, "Do ya have a private room we could borrow? I wanna discuss this with my wife before we agree to anythin'." de Silva nodded to Torao, who led us to a small, empty office just down the hall, leaving us to ourselves politely. I shook my head once we were alone, saying just one thing. "This stinks." You leaned against the door, closing your eyes for a moment, and replied, "I want to know what he wants with them." Shrugging, I said lightly, trying to disguise my irritation, "He's the pointy-haired-boss equivalent of Mephistopheles. Does he need a reason?" Fingering the sleeve of your jacket, you noted pointedly, "He still has to have a reason to want to know more about them. And, how does he even know they were coming to town?" With a sigh, I confessed, "I was hopin' Washington Park caern wouldn't be involved in those secret meetin's Tzao talked about, but here we are. He probably wants a leg up on the other caern leaders in the area." Smiling to you, I laughed roughly and added, "I wouldn't mind liftin' my leg for him, but I don't think that's what he wants." Chuckling at my meager attempt on humor, you told me, "Well, we should take the job, if only to find out what he wants with them." In response, I shot you a truly evil look and added, "Besides, how better to give him false info, huh?" "Exactly," you replied, matching my grin with one of your own, "The Japanese didn't call us tricksters for nothing." I'm very, very glad that you've never truly turned your trickster nature on me! Sure, you've played pranks, and ones I've enjoyed, but nothing like the unholy terror you can truly be. And, I mean that in only the best way, of course. Of course... Squeezing your hand, I made my grin become more pleasant, then opened the door. It was just in time to see a trio of lovelies, probably some more of de Silva's 'secretarial pool', saunter down the hall. Despite your presence right behind me, I couldn't help but to check them out, noting how similar they looked. You did a double take as they passed, noting that they seemed like identical triplets, except for their disparate hair colors, and tilted your head to one side like a curious fox would. Torao escorted us back to de Silva's office, when the obese magnate lurked, waiting. He asked as we approached, "Well, what do you think of my proposition?" I looked towards you as you frowned, and I sighed as thought it had been a hard sell, then said slowly, "Well, my wife would like to meet with them, if for no other reason than to ask about the old country. I guess we'll do it." Crossing your arms over your chest again, you sighed and began to stare out the windows. de Silva fairly leapt to his feet, surprising us with his agility, and clapped his hands together, crying out, "Excellent! I look forward to hearing what you find out. Remember, they're friends, and they like their privacy. You don't have to go to extremes, just show them a little of the town, and report what you hear. That's all I want. Friends, you won't regret this." Eager to get some distance between him and us, you rose to leave, telling him tersely, "I'm sure." Torao led us to the Cadillac, leaving Olaf behind, and waited until we were on the road before speaking up. "Look, Logan_-san_, we go back long enough that I want to give you a warning. These two... they're dangerous, a little. Watch your back." Understatement of the century, that. Saying they're a little dangerous is like saying that a Get of Fenris can get a little irritated. Rubbing at his pinky finger absently, he intoned, "I'd hate to report to the ojii-san of your failure," frowning as he drove. With an impish expression, you asked, "Can you keep a secret, Torao_-san_?" Smiling, he nodded briefly, almost imperceptibly. In a firm voice, you told him, "Those two that the Corpulent One wants us to spy on are my Kin," emphasizing the final word. Doing a fast double-take, Torao nearly swerved off the road, and barely avoided causing an accident as he gasped out, "Y-your... Kin! Logan_-san_, what have you done?" Shifting to your heart-breakingly lovely Koto form, you told him, "Worry not, Torao_-san_. We breed true." Torao adjusted his tie, loosening the collar, as he tried to slide back into traffic, keeping an eye on you in the mirror. He smiled uncomfortably and said, "Well, I'll assume you know what you're saying. Just... be careful who you tell. Many are not as... open-minded as I am. So, if may ask, why did you accept this task, if the delegates are so close to you?" You returned to your human form and snarled at him, "To feed your fat-assed boss disinformation." Throwing my head back, I began to howl with laughter, and barely managed to choke out, "I couldn't have said it better myself, my love!" In explanation, you told Torao, "There is nothing I hate more than being patronized by someone not even a quarter of my age." Torao grinned as he pulled in front of my office. "Well, if there's anything I can do to help in such a noble task, just contact me. I'd be honored to help the 'Corpulent One' fall from his position of grace. Little love is lost between the two of us." "We'll keep you informed, Torao_-san_," you told him as I opened the door for you, having climbed out during his speech. Extending an arm to you, as I was trying to work on my manners, I poked my head into the car, saying, "Hey, just watch yaself, man. Maybe lie low for a few days." As you stepped from the car, I heard Torao say, "Perhaps," before stepping on the gas. ----Chapter II---- Sighing, you pulled out your phone unit, then slipped it into your ear and placed a call. I heard a distinctive rumble approaching, and tapped your shoulder, then pointed towards a series of tracks, suspended above the ground. Just then, one of Chicago's famous "El" cars passed by on its inexorable route. Glancing at it, you held the bud to your ear and continued talking at full auto, filling in Shang and Tzao of de Silva's intentions. I listened to your half of the conversation, but for all the sense I could make of it, you might have been speaking in Elvish. Still, judging by your expression, you must have been coming up with some cunning plan. You were smiling quite evilly by the time you hung up, then stashed the unit in your jacket pocket. "There, now to run rings around that prick." Wrapping an arm around your waist, I drew you close to my body, then said with quiet intensity, "I hope I never end up pissin' ya off that badly... but, Mother Gaia, are you gorgeous when yer angry!" "Yeah, and I need a creative way to work off that anger, and that usually involves lots of sweat and squeaky bedsprings," you said, then wrapped your arms around my neck and hopped up to wrap your legs around my waist. Some people take up yoga or crochet to relieve their stress. I've got to say, your method seems much more satisfying to me, my love. In many of my people, their Passion drives them to extremes of anger or hatred... but you are blessed. Your Passion drives you to an intensity of love that many can only imagine. I placed a hand behind your head, locking my lips to yours, and kissed you deeply. After a few moments, we broke our embrace, and, breathlessly, I asked, "Think ya can hold out 'til we get to the apartment? We'll cause a scene out here, y'know." Murring into my ear, you slipped off of my body, then warned me, "You better get me there, quick." I grinned at you, then took off at a full run, weaving amongst the pedestrians as easily as wolf would avoid roots and rocks in the forest. An old greybeard of a man, elegant in his heavy, black coat, chuckled as he saw us run past. To no one in particular, he commented quietly in a voice heavy with the mists of Scotland, "Ach, good to see two young pups in love. There's anger enough in this world. Could use more like them." * * * #13, 720 W. Fillmore St. 1:11 P.M. Minutes later, we neared the apartment. You were laughing cheerfully, as your waist-length, obsidian black hair streamed out behind your back. You were chasing me through the crowds with as much as I ease as I had shown in passing through them. Twisting, I leapt over the decorative planters in front of the stairway. I checked behind me for a moment to make sure you were still tailing me, then took the steps three at a stride, hearing your footsteps draw even closer. A horrible squeaking filled the air as I dug my heels into the concrete floor, then skidded to a halt in front of our door. My lungs heaving for air, I reached out and laid a hand on the door, bellowing out a triumphant shout. Just then, I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. I only had a moment to brace myself, seeing your form as nothing more than a blur, before you struck me, knocking me to the floor with the force of your leap. I felt the back of my shirt tear as I slid back against the rough concrete. At that moment, I couldn't give a rat's ass. I merely laughed off the sound, watching the shimmering of your silver eyes contentedly. Smiling down at me, you said, "Tag," playfully, then rubbed your nose into mine. I grinned back at you, and as I placed my hands on the swells of your muscular ass, still warm from the exertions, I husked out, "Yeah, well, I still won. I think that deserves some sorta prize, doncha, sugar?" "Mmm, you do," you replied as you flexed your butt beneath my hands. "Let's go inside so that I can give it to you," you said with a lusty purr. I rose, rolling you off my body with a quick squeeze, and failed to notice the scandalized expression on Ms. Tokara's face, watching us through her open door, but I heard all about it from her afterwards. Rather than fumble with keys, I simply tapped the lock with my finger as I clicked my tongue, then opened it easily, grinning back at you. You smiled back as you replied, "Such useful gifts you have, my beloved wolf," then followed me inside. I slid the door closed, then chuckled, replying, "Especially in my line of work, eh?" Feeling at my back, I traced the tears in the shirt and the thin crust of blood on my shoulders, then tore the ruined fabric from my chest with an exaggerated roar. Grinning widely, I turned and flexed for you, and I assume that my scrawny physique made an amusing contrast to my bravado. You hid your laugh behind your hands, then slipped your jacket off, revealing the swells of your breasts, amplified so nicely by the bustier you wore. I slipped off my jeans more gracefully, watching your every move, since I figured they'd only be fit for the rag-pile if I didn't get rid of them soon, judging by the look in your eyes. Growling appreciatively, you tugged me towards the bedroom. Slipping the klaive from your cleavage, you set it carefully on the nightstand before unzipping your bustier and adding to the growing trail of discarded clothing on the floor. You approached me, then lunged forward to hug me, pressing your breasts into my chest. I shivered slightly as my eyes caught the light shining from the silver blade, but I quickly put it from my mind, reveling in the feel of your satiny flesh against my rougher skin. I pulled you onto the bed, pressing myself against you tightly, then slid down along the bed to lap at your nipples, panting against their moistened skin. Moaning softly, you guided my face back up to yours for a quick kiss, then began to kiss your way down my chest. Throwing my head back as I felt the whisper-soft touches of your lips against my skin, I felt a groan escape my throat as I felt my cock stiffen, aching for attention. I grinned as I watched you shift to your hybrid form. Your warm, softly furred hand closed around my shaft and gave me a few tight strokes as your lips worked down over my abs. Knowing from past experience that, if I had anything to say, I'd best say it before we really started up, I screwed my eyes shut in concentration and asked, "When are Shang and Mama gonna be gettin' into town?" "Later tonight, around midnight," you replied as your gaze turned to mine, then stroked my engorged member a few more times before turning your attention to it more fully. Grinning widely, I began to shift to my Crinos form, tapping my Passion to give you what I knew you wanted, and barked out roughly, "Well, perhaps we shall be done by then." Leaning over, I started licking at your muzzle with my lengthened tongue, then rubbed my hips against your thigh, scratching the very base of your tail with one hand. Your rump raised high in the air as your tail shot straight up, and I grinned and began to kneed harder at your sensitive tailbase, adding yet another spot to my list of places that needed attention on your sleekly curved body. Shuddering against my prodding hands, you moaned loudly, a wordless urging. Pleased to be able to indulge you, I began to rub the tip of my blood-red shaft against your nether lips, not driving it in just yet, but merely teased you with it as I continued to massage your rump. You were panting hard, and I distinctly recall hearing a few plaintive yiffs emerging from your throat at my relentless teasing. Not that I was doing much better, with my tongue lolling out, panting with the intensity of my lust. I screwed my eyes shut, then howled out as I thrust my shaft into your soft folds, nearly hilting myself with a single stroke. You stiffened up around me and gasped as a minor climax ran through your body. I nuzzled against you as your fluids ran down my shaft, soaking into the fur of my crotch. I squeezed one of your hands with my other hand, holding it tightly as I began to thrust into you, slowly at first, but I quickly picked up speed as I felt my control erode. The bedsprings began to creak alarming beneath our writhing bodies. It didn't take you long to begin counterthrusting against me, filling the air with the wet, squelching sounds of our passion. Panting in time with my thrusts, I threw myself against you with reckless force, and I groan each time my heavy, roiling balls slapped into your hips, their thumps matched by the thuds of the bed frame against the wall. You were panting loudly, yiffing as you could, and slammed down with tremendous force, meeting each of thrusts with all of the passion you possessed. I felt a little dizzy as yet more blood flowed into my maleness, collecting in my knot, and with a sharp bark of warning, I thrust a final time, locking your body to mine. The sensation of my knot, held so tightly by your silken inner grasp, was proof enough to me that Mother Gaia blessed our union personally. It simply felt... right. The sensation of your rippling inner muscles along my achingly swollen shaft was the last catalyst I needed to push me over the edge to my thunderous climax. With my face buried into you fur, I heard you stop breathing as the first jets of thick, ropey seeds splashed onto your cervix. I leaned more heavily into you, feeling a sense of lethargy pass through me as I came once, again, a third time, but it passed, allowing me to run my hands across your shoulders. I pressed my palms flat against the heat of your body, and it seemed to me that your fur was almost hot enough to burn. Panting hard with your exertions, you nuzzled into the fur of my broad chest, your expression one of total bliss. As the initial fury of my climax passed, I changed my posture, slouching some to lay my head on your shoulder without pulling your face from my pec, and started to stroke your rump again, grazing the sensitive cluster of nerves at the base of your tail with my thick, blunt claws. That seemed to hit the spot for you, as you arched your back and moaned aloud, trembling around my shaft. I bared my teeth at the sensation, and a low rumble emerged from my throat, a basso accompaniment to the high tone of your lusty cry. "Oh, Looogan," you moaned, making my ears perk up, "That feels sooo... uuuhhhnnnn..." In response, I ground my hips against yours, trying to drive my maleness even further into your inner depths, and began to howl. The lustful exultation was a simple melody consisting of nothing more than the name I had crafted for you, but I thought it was a fitting tribute. You released your own passionate cry into my chestfur, which only became higher as the tip of my shaft grazed against your cervix, then began to press against it. I gasped, my roar faltering, as I felt a sensation that I had never experienced before, a second ring of intense pressure squeezing tightly around my shaft, and almost immediately, I felt another sizable release push its way up my member, barely able to trickle free past the vice-like grip you had on me. Relaxing a little, to relieve some of the delicious tension, you pressed yourself against me tightly as I filled your womb directly, and began panting even more furiously from the pleasure that wracked your body. *panting* You'll need to give me a moment, Lin. These are such fond memories, and yet, in my weakened state, they are painful as well. May the Mother take my hard-headedness! And yet, if I could do it over again, I'd do nothing differently, my dear. Then, rest for now beloved, I will get you something to drink, your mouth must be dry after all of that. Insistently, I tugged our laced hands towards the bulge running along your abdomen, gasping with need and hardly able to see straight, much less say what I desired you to do. You were just as lust-addled and unable to do much more than cling to me as you tried to recover. Nipping at your ear gently, my instinct to protect you flared before I could do more than graze that supple flesh with my teeth, I finally felt my climax begin to ebb, long minutes later. Murring softly, you snuggled around me, working to catch your breath, and asked in a dazed voice, "What were you trying to ask earlier?" I'm sure I sounded just as unsteady as I rasped out a broken mixture of English, Wolf, and Garou, "Earlier... my beloved... caressed... maleness... from outside. Wanted... needed!" A sense of frustration broke into my voice when I couldn't find the right words to express my thoughts, but I pushed it aside to watch as you sat up slowly, running your hands along the flesh of your belly, stroking my shaft through your skin, while you rippled your inner muscles in time. My eyes crossed as you caressed me in this seemingly impossible manner, and it didn't take long before I was brought to, then hurled over, the brink of another release, spraying more of my essence into your innermost self. Minutes later, I lay very still against the bed, completely limp except for the steel rod of my shaft, and could do no more than gasp for air as I felt my climax break like a wave against a beachhead, finally feeling sated. Moaning as I filled you to the brim, it seemed like, you purred loudly as your collapsed onto of me, hugging closely into my chest. I showed a small sign of life, beyond the twitching of my weighty maleness, as I felt for your hand, clasping it gently with the small amount of strength I could muster. You purred in response, nuzzling under my chin. I bean to stir as my breathing returned to its normal, even rhythm and my heart slowed to a more leisurely pace. In a dry whisper, I told you, "I have... never felt the like." "Me either," you replied in a soft tone, running your hands along my shoulders, "I've never actually had anyone large enough to push through my cervix and fill me directly. It was a real rush. I... like it." Opening my eyes, I raised my head a little, smiling at you as I barked shortly, a wolfish chuckle, and said, "Now we must figure out how we accomplished that, yes?" Purring into my fur, you moaned, "Mmmmnnnnn... if you ever go down, anyway." My eyes crossed again as I felt another spasm of release, my abused balls doing their level best to keep up with the demand, and grunted, "That... might be a problem..." "Well, if you keep cumming, I'm going to pop," you said softly, then tried to pull away enough to remove my head from your womb. With a sharp yip, I warned you to grab hold, then pushed away from you with all my might, crying out loudly from the feeling of intense pressure against my delicate knot. I was barely able to hold out long enough for your womb to seal itself to me, and a low, mournful howl escaped my throat as I did so. You collapsed onto me again as we both gasped for breath, and started licking at my throat lovingly. "My Beloved Wolf, you have given me something that no one has ever been able to give me before... thank you," you said in a soft, loving tone of voice. Looking upon you with undisguised pride as I felt the swell of your womb, slowly rubbing the taut, furred flesh with my paws. I returned to proper Garou speech, now that I could think straight, as I said, "I take much Honor from this gifting, my beloved. I have never, ever been with a woman such as you." Relaxing slightly, though it was hard to tell with my ultra-formal education in the Tribe, I added, "Not that there have been many others..." "And I hope you'll have no need for any others," you replied quietly as you rose slightly, purring as you rubbed at your distended belly with me. I growled softly at the thought and said fiercely, "Never again, lest you were to meet your end before I meet mine. And, never will I allow that to happen." Purring even louder, you said five little words that made my heart soar. "I love you so much..." Laying my hand against your neck, shifting slightly to allow you to continue to caress your swollen womb, I started to growl very softly, trying to imitate your purr, and hoped fervently that you would sense the love I held, only for you. Nuzzling your face, I tried to catch my breath, and after a few long moments, I felt my knot finally begin to soften. With as intensely as I had ached for you, I hadn't been to certain that it would before. You licked at my muzzle in response, whispering, "By Luna, Logan... That was something else!" My face must have lit up like a sparkler on the Fourth with my pride as I smiled, replying, "I am just happy that I could please you as much as you have pleased me, my love." Smiling in a mirror of my own, you playfully licked at my nose, whispering, "That you did, my Beloved Wolf." Slowly, carefully, I pulled my shaft loose from your exquisitely tight depths, then hopped over your body, which made the bed wobble alarmingly. I pressed myself into your back, laying my maleness along your spine, and allowed my fingers to roam across your sides gently. Murring with pleasure, you arched your back, pressing back into me with a strength that belied your slender frame, and asked huskily, "You ready to go again?" I moved my hands to your belly, cupping its seed-swollen curve with my palms, and replied, "I might be able to be convinced... but, I do not wish to harm you." Rolling over beneath my bulk, you looked up to me, your eyes filled with warm, heart-felt love. Drawing your hands onto my muzzle, you pulled me into a gentle kiss as you ran your fingers through my hair and my cheek ruffs. My eyes became half-lidded with happiness as my tongue darted against yours. I started stroking your silken hair with one hand, moving my other to the warmth of your womb, massaging it gently. You began to purr softly as you joined my lower hand with one of yours. That is always something that I loved in you, my beloved. I have seen you in the depths of your Rage, and the sight would terrify even the strongest of minds, I believe. Yet, you could also be so tender and caring... and that much, at least, we can still share. Pulling away from your mouth as the warm contentment that filled my mind darkened with concern and worry, I said in a low, urgent tone, "If ever you were to become laden with young, it would be now. Have... have you given thought to that?" "It would be an honor to carry your progeny, my Beloved Wolf," you replied without hesitation, your voice soft and filled with love. I tried to speak, but my voice became choked, and I could do little but bury my face into your obsidian mane. I started to weep openly, happiness moving to tears, and made no attempt to hold it back. I wrapped my arms around your shoulders and squeezed you into my fur as tightly as I dared, moved beyond the capacity of any words that I knew to explain. You snuggled into me, soaking up the warmth of my embrace. As I regained my composure, I whined a sad tone into your back, explaining, "I had begun to think, before I met you, that I would leave this world without a mate, without being able to leave a legacy." Cooing softly, you replied warmly, "Your fears will not come to pass, Beloved. Trust me, when I come into season, you will have your legacy. And, a fitting legacy she is. If I were to pass on today, I could do so happily, knowing that you would raise Triana properly. It is my fervent hope that this day will be long in coming. I would not harm you, Lin, not if I could stop it. I know, my beloved wolf... Raising my muzzle from between your shoulder blades, I began to lap at your neck, barking softly in a staccato rhythm, to show my pleasure. Even your sweat was sweeter than anything I had ever tasted. In a reverent tone, I replied, "That means the world to me. You mean the world to me, my lovely Lin. I can never emphasize that enough, I hope you know." Purring contentedly at my affections, you wriggled your hips, and stroked at my maleness with your tail. I barked out a laugh, then moved my hands upward along your slim body, resting them upon your bosom. I shifted my hips a little, rolling the semi-hard column of my maleness onto your leg, then gazed into your eyes, vowing quietly, "I promise not to go so deep this time. You'll help me remember, I trust?" "I'll try," you replied as you parted your legs, granting me access to your sodden, slick womanhood. Wrapping my hands around your breasts, I squeezed their firm flesh as I twisted again, pressing the tip of my shaft gently into the folds of your sex. We moaned together, harmonizing unintentionally, as I slid my first few inches into your slick passage. Thankful for the apartment's soundproofing, I threw my head back and howled again as I plunged into you, checking my thrust before I had even entered halfway, forcing myself to hold my promise foremost in my mind. You yiffed loudly, and I could tell what degree of effort it took you to keep from thrusting back hard enough for me to completely impale you. I tried to vary my technique more this time, changing up the speed and depth of my thrusts as I ground myself into your body, feeling full of a tremendous energy. I closed my eyes as I continued to howl, guiding my member by feel alone, grinning widely as I felt you tremble around it, panting hard from your driving passion. With a sharp rush, I felt your juices soak into my fur again. By now, the pungent scent of our combined lust was nearly overpowering in the small room. I inhaled deeply, filling my lungs with the heady aroma, then leaned over to begin to nip at your ears as I settled into a pattern of slow, shallow strikes. You tilted your head towards your chest, making it so that I didn't have to lean quite so deeply, and murred your approval as you settled into the ancient rhythm. I started to run my thumbclaws along your engorged nipples, flicking them in time with my strokes as I tried desperately to hold out, walling away my passion to hold back the coming climax. Panting and purring, you pulled my thumbs away and laced your fingers into mine, holding my hands softly. It was obvious to me that you were enjoying the slower pace tremendously, and that made it all the more alluring to me. I brought my right hand up, laying my head softly on your shoulder, and began to lap at your fingers gently, holding your other hand tightly. Rubbing your cheek fur against my muzzle, you closed your eyes and lost yourself in our lovemaking, moving your hips slowly in time with my own. I knew that I was holding out longer than I had managed before with you. You always were so good at pushing me to a fast, earth-shaking release, but I didn't want to hurry things along too much. I found that I was enjoying this more leisurely pace just as much, and judging by your soft murrs and occasional yiffs, it seemed that you were, too. Growling quietly, I nuzzled your face affectionately, not wanting this to end, but the urgings from my weighty sack warned me that I would not be able to keep up much longer. I whispered into your ear, "I am almost to the brink, beloved. Be ready." "I am ready," you replied softly as you reached up and stroked my muzzle, pressing it a little closer to your cheek. I began to speed my thrusts, throwing myself against you with a sudden, impassioned force, but I forced myself to strain my senses, wary of the first stirrings of my knot. You yipped in surprise, but quickly changed the pace of your bucking hips to match me, purring loudly. Grinning at your startled exclamation, I gritted my teeth as I felt my knot start to swell with white-hot blood. With an inhuman roar, I pulled myself loose from the warm embrace of your squeezing, trembling folds. Shaking a little with the effort, I pressed my hips to yours, laying my engorged member onto your silky fur, pumping feverishly. Panting with pleasure, you slipped around and brought your head down to lick at my shaft, squeezing my knot gently with a dexterous hand. I gasped aloud as I felt the caress of your soft, wet tongue, and I would swear that my shaft swelled just a hair larger from that tight grip. My balls pulled tight into the my hips, then grudgingly surrendered their precious bounty in a thick rope of wolf-spunk, draping across your lips, face, and neck. Opening your mouth widely, you tried to catch as much of the spraying seed as you could, then began to rub my cum into your fur slowly. I bucked hips atop yours as I blew again, adding another layer to the already copious spray that had begun to drip onto your breasts from its own weight. My breath came in short, rough pants as I felt my body tense for a third time. You giggled at the copious mess I was making of your body, then wrapped your lips around the end of my shaft, sucking on it gently. I ceased to breath for a moment as I felt time stop the moment your lips locked around my sensitive head. For an instant, I felt as though I could see and feel everything with a preternatural clarity, then the crystalline focus shattered with the force of my thunderous release, pushing the air from my lungs in a loud woof. You gulped down all of my copious pulse of seed, not spilling a thick drop, then sat back. Your fur was starting to stick up into short spikes where you had massaged my cum into it, as I recall. I slumped against you, pressing your body into the bed with my weight, but I brought my head around to lick at your neck, tasting the mixture of your sweat and my spunk. Murring, you laid back languidly, allowing me to tongue-groom you, which I did, eagerly. I knelt above your hips, grinning at the image we presented, with my maleness still standing completely rigid above your body, leaking seed slowly. Between passionate licks, I barked with mirth, "My mother always told me to clean up my messes." Purring back to me, you ruffled my ears lovingly, then smiled as you replied in an amused tone, "Always good advice." As I finished grooming your face, I started to move down your body slowly, teasingly, and lingered on your right breast for a moment, kissing my way down to your sodden womanhood as you scritched my ears, giving me the not unpleasant urge to kick my leg playfully. Smirking as I inhaled the intoxicating aroma that exuded powerfully from your well-soaked crotch, I chuckled, "It would seem that I made a rather large mess," then made a mock whine of contrition, adding, "I am such a bad wolf..." Grinning, you waggled a reproving finger at me, telling me firmly, "You'd best get to cleaning it up, then." My ears laid back against my scalp and I lowered my head as I replied tamely, "Yes, my beloved," then began to lick at the encrusted fur, nipping at the worst spots. By accident, of course, my cold, wet nose kept brushing against the lips of our womanhood. You just laid back on the bed, keeping your legs spread widely to allow me room to work, breathing deeply. When I felt that I had gotten it all, I climbed back up the bed and laid down, leaning into your softness, and threw an arm over your chest as I nuzzled your face gently. You closed your eyes and snuggled into my body, large by Human or Kitsune standards, and purred. It seemed that I could feel love washing from your body, the way shadow did when you allowed your Rage to flow unchecked. Scratching at your ears with my other hand, I stared contentedly at your feminine form, eyes drawn towards your abdomen. In a whispering tone, I asked, "Have I ever mentioned that you are the most beautiful bitch," then winced at the indelicate Garou term, "that I have ever seen?" To my surprise, a blush ran up your ears as you replied, "Not that I can recall." Smiling widely, you leaned into the scritching. I frowned slightly as I worked the soft, sensitive flesh, then declared softly, "Know that I say that as a Philodox. Know that it is truth as pure and sacred as the silver in your klaive, my beloved fox-kin." I have had the pleasure of meeting many beautiful women, of several races, since I we met on that fateful day... And, I still believe this to be purest truth. Regardless of what my remaining time will bring, There will never be a woman as lovely, and loving, as you in my life, except, I hope, for our Triana. *Blushes* Your feet worked the soft sheets absently as I played with your ears, but a tickle of thought occurred to me, and I glanced at the clock, growling softly. Releasing you, I began to rise, though I stopped at the edge of the bed and placed a hand onto your distended womb, which had only gone down slightly in this time. Mournfully, I said, "I would like to do something nice for Shang and Tzao, so, as much as I desire to stay with you, I must leave." Clasping my hand for a moment, you also began to rise, as graceful as ever, then said, "Okay, I'm going to go get cleaned up," as you headed for the bathroom. I waved to you, hypnotized by the sway of your rump as you strode away, then padded to the kitchen, retaining my Crinos form. I pulled out a truly impressive quantity of food, having worked up something of an appetite. My hands shifted from human to bestial an back effortlessly as I worked, whichever I felt was more useful at the time. Hearing the shower turn on after a little time and some rather intriguing sounds, I wished fervently that I could go join you, but steeled myself, focusing on the marinade for the roast. Everything in the kitchen was just a step away for my oversized form, and I assure you, that was no accident. ----Chapter III---- Some time later, you strode from the bathroom, your fur still slightly damp, and joined me, watching the preparations intently. I looked up as I stirred a large mixing bowl, full of a thick batter, then smiled as I took in your sleek body. I nodded approvingly, then asked, "Would you object to watching the meal while I attend to myself?" "Not in the least," you replied, your nose twitching at the intriguing scents, then asked, "Anything you need me to finish?" Grinning as I placed my hands on your wiry shoulders, I inhaled the fresh, clean scent of your body, then teased, "I liked how you smelled before," then asked you to watch the potatoes and the roast, and to pull out the cornbread in a few minutes. "I will attend to the rest, but I just need these to be minded." Nodding, you padded to the stove, replying, "Okay, I'll keep an eye on things." With a quick lean forward to nuzzle your face, I slipped into the bathroom, then shifted to Homid as I washed the accumulated fluids from my body, working quickly but thoroughly. After a reasonably short time, I stepped back into the kitchen, dry, smelling faintly of patchouli, garbed in a pair of sweats. "How's everythin' doin', Lin?" "Just fine," you replied as you gestured to the counter, revealing the food that had finished cooking. I placed a hand on the soft fur of your arm, smiling widely as I said, "Thanks, sugar. I'll take it from here. Why don't ya go relax awhile?" You nodded, then stepped past me, lick-kissing my cheek, now much closer to your level, as you passed by, replying, "Okay." Heaving a sigh as I placed my hand against the spot of moisture, I threw myself into the work eagerly. A few hours passed as I busied myself with the meal. I wanted to give our family a proper Southwestern spread, in memory of my homeland. The apartment's comm began to beep, indicating an incoming call. I shouted, "I'll get it!" then picked up a wireless headset from the wall. I slid it on before returning to my work, answering, "Logan here. Wazzup?" A familiar voice replied cheerfully, "Hey, Logan, it's Shang. We just came into town." Smiling merrily, I replied, "Great! Hope ya two are hungry, 'cuz I put together a little somethin' earlier. We'll be watchin' for ya, bro." "We'll be there soon," he said tersely. Nodding out of habit, I explained, "Door's open for ya. Just come right on in. See ya then," then heard the click of a cut signal. Hanging the headset back into its cradle, I shouted into the main room, "That was Shang! They'll be here any time now." "Great!" you said from the front room, over the low babble of the TV. Given that there wasn't much more to do for dinner, short of warming a few dishes back up when we were ready to eat, I stepped out into the living room and slid onto the couch, curious as to what you had found to watch. I found that you weren't paying any attention to it, focused instead of a few colorful sheets of paper, folding them into little cranes and dragons. Grinning as I watched you work, I stayed silent as I tried to avoid disturbing your concentration. But, after a few moments, you turned around and handed a piece of folded paper to me. I looked at it curiously, then realized it was little, stylized wolf. I turned it over in my hands, carefully, then said honestly, "This is sweet! Y'know, I used to do paper airplanes, but never anythin' like this. Where'd ya learn to fold like this?" "From Tzao," you replied, then elaborated, "Origami plays a central part in Kitsune magick." Staring at the wolf for a moment, respectfully, I replied, "Whodathunk it? Paper's just somethin' for books to be put on," then gestured at the heavily laden bookshelves flanking the couch, "in my mind, I guess." When we lost the apartment, I will confess that it weighed heavily on my mind, the loss of all of my books. I am happy that we were able to rebuild the collection in time. It may seem trivial, but they comfort me. Everybody needs something to comfort them from time to time. For myself, it is your unreserved love for myself and Triana. And, it is yours for the taking... now, and for all the eternal ages that will follow. That much, at least, I can still do for you. You smiled indulgently, but before you could make a response, a soft knock sounded from the door. I carefully set the wolf sculpture onto the shelf closest to me, then rose as I said, "I'll get it," then dashed over to the entryway. I was quite eager to see them again, after all. "Come in, come in!" They did. Shang punched me in the shoulder playfully, provoking a mock growl from me, then Tzao placed her arms around me, hugging me closely. I hugged her back, though a little more formally than I would have with you. Shang replied with his usual economy, "Smells good, Logan." Grinning at Shang, I replied, "I hope so! C'mon in. Got somethin' I wanna talk to ya two about before we gets to the grub." "Okay," Tzao said as she entered, then pushed at the door. As soon as it had slid closed, they both changed into their Koto forms and wandered into the front room. They began to speak in their babbling, machine-gun fast dialect. You seemed quite happy to see them, unsurprisingly, and hugged each of them in turn as you replied. I stayed back a few steps as I watched, feeling a pang of regret in my heart. I was proud and pleased to see such undisguised love, but it brought back some unpleasant memories. My 'family', and I use the term loosely, was nowhere near as caring for each other, I'm afraid. I am very happy that you were able to teach me how family was supposed to behave. Well, seeing as who your 'family' is, I'm not surprised. But I told you then and I'll remind you now, family means the world to us. You looked over Shang's shoulder, then waved me forward, hugging me closely when I approached. With a righteous fire in your eye, you whispered something to me, but I wasn't able to understand it. It wasn't hard to understand your gesture, though, and I placed my arm around your waist in response, smiling with bittersweet feelings as I replied, "I didn't catch that, beloved." "It's not really translatable," you replied, pulling me in a little more, "But, the general gist of it was: Don't worry, we are here for you now." Turning to place a kiss upon your furred cheek, I said, "Thank ya... all of ya. Yer showin' me a whole 'nother world, one I never thought I'd get to see..." You and Tzao smiled softly, sensing the sincerity in my heart despite the roughness of my speech, then Shang grinned and said, "I heard there was gonna be food here. So, how about we eat?" Returning his grin, I released my arm from your waist and nodded, answering, "Yeah, why don't we. Be back in a minute. Hey, bro, ya wanna pull the desk chair over here? Sorry that I don't have a more formal dinin' room, but what ya see is what ya got." "It's fine, Logan," Tzao said with soft, amused smile, then sat on the couch with Lin, starting up in your staccato speech again. When I reached the kitchen, I took my Crinos form again, chuckling softly as my sweats became skin-tight with the sudden influx of mass, emphasizing my maleness well. After I adjusted myself, I started heating several of the entrees, then propped two pitchers and a large bowl against my beefier arm. I returned after a few moments, then set the goodies on the table, explaining, "Lemonade, corn whiskey, and a three-bean salad. I require a short time to warm the rest of the meal." Despite the quantity of food I had produced, it didn't take us to look to polish it off, and by my judgment, it seemed to go over quite well. I insisted that you take it easy, clearing the dishes away myself, then returned after loading the dishwasher. Amusement in my voice, I asked, "So, did Lin tell you about our little business opportunity?" "She was filling us in while you were doing the dishes," Shang replied, sitting back with a tumbler of whiskey in his hand. I sprawled on the floor, given that none of my chairs were large enough for my expanded form, and that our guests occupied the couch, then said, "Good. The way I see it, this could be an excellent opportunity for us to interfere with de Silva's plans," then grinned as I noted, "Not to mention, it ought to be a lot of fun, too." You all grinned quite evilly at the idea, making me pity de Silva just a hair, then you moved to the floor to cuddle with me. I nuzzled into you for a moment, then said slyly to the others, "I would imagine that you two were so exhausted from your run that you went to the Hilton and passed out for the night? Is that not correct?" Chuckling, Shang replied, "Yes, I believe that you are right." Tzao rose from her seat, then nodded in agreement. "Contact us tomorrow. We'll make some public plans to go out for coffee." Smiling, I held up my hand to get their attention, then said, "I believe I know the perfect place. But, before you leave, there was one other matter I wished to bring before you... all three of you." I came to my knees, felt my bravado vanish in an instant, and I clutched you to my side, as close as I could. I knew that I could use all the reassurance I could get. With a trembling voice, I said, "It would seem that I have... fallen madly, passionately in love with She-With-Eyes-Of-The-Umbra's-Veil." My gaze slid along the three of you slowly, then I intoned, my voice hollow, "I wish for you to know who it is that wishes to become a part of your family." Shifting back to my Homid form, since I knew that the Garou tongue would be too unwieldy for what I wanted to say, then began, "Starr ain't my real name. I took it to distance myself from my family... the Family. We're from Las Vegas, and frankly, my father's one of the greatest crime lords in the country. My mother, my Garou parent, married him to bring his money into the Glass Walker coffers." I looked down to the floor, but my voice was clear and unhesitant as I declared, "My true name is... Logan Dracon." Shang stayed silent, leaving me to wonder if he recognized the name, but Tzao merely seemed confused by the declaration. You sat up next to me, then looked into my eyes as you said, in a quiet, confident tone, "I don't care who you are related to, my Beloved Wolf. For I fell in love with you, not your relations." I threw myself against your slender, but strong, form, and wrapped my arms tightly around your body as I replied, in a small, fearful voice, "I know that. But, I'm afraid that they'll gonna come after me someday. I want ya to be ready, if that happens." Steadying myself with the unwavering love that poured from you, I elaborated, "I think they could find me easily, with a Kin-Fetch," then felt rage flare in my mind, flowing into my voice, "if only my mother cared enough to try!" "Don't worry, cousin," Shang said as he walked next to me, speaking reassuringly, "We will be here, beside you." I smiled at Shang and Tzao, continuing to speak from my heart, "Thank ya... I'd hoped ya'd say that, but I wouldn't have thought worse of ya if ya hadn't. The Dracons are powerful. de Silva's just a punk, next to 'em." "That is good to know," Shang replied with a nod, "Now, we need to get to our hotel. Oh, and your truck has been... fixed." Grinning, I told him, "I'm lookin' forward to seein' it in the mornin'. Get some sleep, ya two. Eight-ball says we're gonna need it." Chuckling under his breath, Shang nodded and set the keys on the coffee table, then he and Tzao took their leave, wishing us a pleasant evening. As soon as the door closed, I slumped to the floor at your feet, feeling completely drained. "Oh, merciful Luna. Ya took that better than I'd feared. I gotta say, love, that was the second most terrifyin' thing I've ever done." You silenced my words by placing one finger to my lips, then told me firmly, "Don't worry. We will not judge you because of your bloodline. We judge you for who you are." I closed my eyes as I felt the whisper-touch of your finger, then smiled gently as I replied, "I gotta get used to that. Live at a Silver Fang caern long enough, it's all ya can think of." Laughing sympathetically, you cuddled into me and began to purr loudly. I moaned softly at the sensation of your fur rubbing against my bare chest, and silently thanked Luna that I wasn't overly ticklish. Hugging into your fur, I placed my lips on your cheek. Returning my hug, you began to caress my back with slow, even strokes. Thinking quickly, I broke away from your embrace, then pulled off my sweats as quickly as I could, not wanting to risk ruining one of my best pairs. I kicked them aside, then pressed myself tightly into your silky fur, slowing shifting back into Crinos form. "I do not know what I do if you or your Kin had turned me away, just now." I want you to know, if you or your family had decided I was too much of a liability, I would have respected that, and left you in peace. It would have been terribly difficult to do... but my love for you would have left me no other choice. You needn't worry about that, Beloved. They may have thought that some of the things you have done were... unwise, but they would never have tried to separate us. You murred from the sensation of my fur pushing out of my skin, sliding into yours, shuddering as you said, "That would be horrid, Logan. I... it's just not the way Kitsune are. Family means a lot to us, and you are family now..." Of course, the feeling of your fur sliding into mine felt pretty nice, too and the shag carpet didn't hurt any, either. I replied, "It is not the Garou way, either, my beloved, but... I still worried terribly. However, it is behind us now, and I am glad of it." Purring gently, you rolled atop me, nuzzling into my broad chest, then asked, "So, my big, strong wolf, care to carry me off to bed so we may rest while we can?" As an answer, I nipped at your ear, then placed my arms beneath you, grasping you by your shoulders and knees. Your trim, feminine body seemed almost doll-like next to my bulk, but it felt right to me. You wrapped your arms around my neck as I stood, cuddling into me as I took you to the bed. As we opened the door to the bedroom, our noses were filled with the heady aroma of our combined lust, given how thoroughly we'd soaked the sheets. I grinned down at you as I walked to the bed, feeling a tremendous pride in our accomplishments. Clinging to my body so pleasantly, you told me in a soft, purring tone, "We're going to have to change the sheets later, beloved," then wriggled your hips against my sheath, "Or, we'll never get to sleep." *a soft laugh* Not an uncommon situation was it, my dear? We were hard on the linens! A small price to pay for your love, though, and one I gladly paid. *giggles* And the mattress, and the box springs, and the frames and sometimes the wall when you really got going. As usual, you are absolutely correct. *another laugh* I don't remember when I wrecked a wall, though. Perhaps you'll need to remind me? It wouldn't surprise me if I was... not in my right mind at that point! Grinning widely, I suggested softly, "Then, I would suppose we ought to get the most use that we can from them, first?" You growl-purred your agreement, and I laid you on the driest part of the bed that I could find, as lightly as a feather falling to the ground. Leaving you for a painful moment, I closed the door, then doused the lights before returning to you, kneeling by the side of the bed to lick playfully at your muzzle. You licked back at my lips, making me growl with pleasure. Holding my tail stiffly behind me for balance, I hopped onto the bed, then knelt above you. The first few inches of my shaft were already poking loose from my thick, grey-furred sheath. In a husky voice, I asked, "How do you wish to accomplish this, dearest of my heart?" Smiling lustily at me, you slowly pushed on my chest, urging me into a seated position, my legs folded beneath me and slightly spread. "Just like this," you replied as you licked my exposed flesh, caressing my sheath to urge more of the quickly swelling meat out. I groaned with pleasure, and the feeling of your soft, agile tongue against my hardening member only heightened my arousal. The skin of my shaft darkened to a rich crimson as more of it poured into the open air. Coaxing me to my full length, you climbed onto my lap, then squatted over my maleness, using one hand to guide it towards your waiting sex, sinking down onto my length slowly. My tongue lolled along the side of my muzzle, then locked one of my long, burly arms around your body, gripping the foot of the bed with my other hand. Then, with agonizing slowness, I started pumping my hips, thighs bunching with effort to drive my shaft into your depths. As you began to ride me, building a counter rhythm to mine, I slid my arm down your body to squeeze the firm curve of your rump. My eyes twinkled with mirth as I uttered, in halting English, "I... gots... the booty!" I checked at bucking of my hips, feeling for a moment that I had gone too fast, too soon, then began to thrust at a more leisurely pace. I wanted this pleasurable moment to last the whole night, even though I knew it couldn't. Smiling widely, you licked my muzzle as you pumped your hips leisurely. I watched the city's lights play across your fur with a sense of wonder. The open curtain provided the only illumination in the room, though it was more than sufficient for our night vision. I tried to keep my rhythm steady, but the kneading of your inner muscles threatened to send me over the edge already. You licked my chest passionately as your heat built, and I could feel by the tension within your womanhood that you were drawing close to your own release. Placing my chin between your ears, I started rocking my head in time with our tempo, to keep from bruising your scalp, and slowly accelerated my pace, hoping to cum at the same time you did. You began yiffing passionately, and squeezed every time I pulled out, opening up again every time I thrust. There was no mistaking the sensation of my blunt head bumping into your cervix with each lengthy thrust. Trying to catch my breath, knowing what I wanted, but uncertain of how you felt about the idea, I asked urgently, even as I continued to thrust, "Can you... will you take me to your womb, my dearest vixen?" "Yesss..." you replied, licking the underside of my muzzle. My heart soared as that low moan caressed my ears, and I gave full throat to my howl in response. Pressing my throat to your muzzle as a sign of my trust, I began to drive my shaft into your slickness even more vigorously as you spread your legs further apart. You stretched as widely as you could, grazing my throat with your teeth before licking it with loving touches of your tongue. Small climaxes started rippling through your body, soaking my fur once more with your nectar. My blood ran even hotter as I realized that you literally held my life in your muzzle, but thought only served to strength my love for you, and the trembling of your womanhood around my shaft, the sensation of white-hot fluid rushing down my sensitive flesh, nearly set me off right then and there. Then, with a surprising swiftness, you slammed down onto my pelvis, and I could feel my head press into your cervix. It held for a moment, then parted around my impaling member. Your breath stopped for a moment as you tensed instinctively. That sudden, crushing tightness was all I needed, and my balls pulled tightly to my pelvis, seeming to defy their own impressive weight, and my breath caught as I hung on the claw-tip of climax, not quite able to release or relax. Apparently, you could feel that tense hesitation, and you gently bit down around my throat, growling with terrible need. I felt trickles of blood run blazingly hot down my fur, and I would swear that I could track those droplets as they trickled down your muzzle. Bellowing at a deafening volume, I reached my release, my shaft filling with seed, then bottle-necking against your cervix for a moment before stretching it just a little wider. My cum sprayed into your womb with incredible force, fueled by my need, as great as your own. Arching your back, you howled a soprano harmony as I filled your innermost chamber, distending your stomach a little with the sheer volume of my climactic release. My mind was wrapped in an enveloping haze of Passion, and I tried to thrust even more deeply into your body, but was stopped by my own knot. The intense pressure against that sensitive bulb of flesh proved sufficient to urge another release from me, making you gasp loudly around my throat, then collapse backwards, lost in your own Passionate frenzy. My howl turned into a scream as I felt you pull my engorged shaft around, compressing the taut flesh alarmingly for a moment, and I fell forward with you, unable to brace against the sudden movement. I thought for a moment that I had harmed you with my thunderous release, or my weight as I crushed you into the soft mattress, but your loud purr told me otherwise. Gasping for breath, my chest heaved into yours as I lay atop you, rubbing your diamond-like nipples into my fur. My shaft twitched with the tail-end of climax, pouring more of my thick, steaming seed into your womb, though more slowly than before. In an instant of perfect clarity, I realized that I had yet to begin the gentle, secondary release that came with being knotted to a lover. I panted, voice filled with worry, "Can... can you take more?" My heart soared as I heard your terse, loving response. "For you? Always..." Groaning as I felt the last surge of my proper release jet into your womb, I marveled at how much of my thick wolf-spunk you had taken within your body, and tried to still the raging of my heart, the heaving of my chest, in the hope of forcing my knot to loosen early. Though, a small, greedy part of my mind wanted this loving embrace to never end. Gasping again, you arched your back powerfully, and the motion pulled my shaft loose, just enough to close your womb to me. That accomplished, you went limp, luxuriating in my warm, massive presence. Finally regaining sensation from the rest of my body, my single-minded focus on my maleness fading, I gritted my teeth and rolled over, using my knot for leverage as I placed you atop my body, hoping to lessen the pressure on your womb. With a voice that was ragged, but filled with bliss, I moaned, "You are truly amazing, my beloved." Purring gently, you took my hand and placed it over your stomach, right above your distended womb. In a voice as hoarse as mine, though far more musical, you replied, "The same could be said of you, Beloved." Growling with pleasure, I nipped at your ear playfully, as I stroked your belly softly, allowing its sizzling warmth to soak into the short fur of my palm. You clutched my hand tightly, purring from my gentle massage, then sighed. Speaking in a very, very soft tone, you told me, "I... I want you to know something, Logan. There is a good chance that I will die when I give birth to your child. I guess you can call that the curse of the Kitsune..." My breath caught for a moment as my shaft went instantly limp, a sharp spike of fear digging into my mind, then I cried out a denial, my voice thin and ragged. "You... you said you had many upon many years ahead of you! You cannot give that up! Not for me, not for anyone," then trailed off into a soft, sibilant whisper, "I could not lose you... I will not give you up, not even for a child of my own." Pulling my body into yours tightly, a task made easier by my shell-shocked disbelief, you replied, "I said that there was only a chance of it, Beloved," then hurriedly rubbed your cheek against my chest. I felt your face become damp as tears rolled silently down your cheeks, but you explained in a sorrowful voice, "That is the price of bringing another Kitsune into this world. One must die so another may be born." My own tears began to flow freely, falling into the onyx strands of your hair as I rocked my hips, pulling my flaccid length into the open air. In a frail, hollow whisper, I declared, "Then, I shall be the one to pay that price, if I have to beg it of the Wyrm itself. You and yours would be the only ones to mourn my passing." Shaking your head, you matched my tone as you spoke, "It doesn't work that way... And, who knows, maybe a Fox who has lived a good, long life will be ready to pass on, and their spirit will be the one to kindle the life of any child I might bear for you. I... I can't lose you, Logan, you mean too much to me." My hand came to your scalp, though I couldn't recall raising it, and I clenched a fist in your hair. I spoke sadly, slowly, as though every word tore a section of my heart out with it, vowing, "We cannot take that chance, my beloved. By Luna's shadow, I know that I am far too greedy to countenance the chance of... losing you... forever." If you had not been able to bear our Triana safely, I would have contended myself with adopting a child... but, despite the price I paid for her, I would take no other over our daughter. She is ours, and that means more to me than anything else. Giving birth to our daughter wasn't the most painful experience of my life, but it did rate fairly high up there. Take my hand, my love. Would that I could take your pain into myself, as I have before... but, I cannot. All I can do is to be here for you, to give you someone to brace yourself upon. You shed your tears freely as you turned your head to gaze at me, but I saw pride mixed with sorrow in your silvery eyes as you conceded, "Then again, this would be the first Garou-Kitsune child I've ever heard of..." I'm sure that inspiration must have shown in my eyes as I replied, "Beloved, this is beyond my ken. I shall admit that freely. But, I think I know of someone who might be able to help, at least with the decision." "Oh? Who?" you asked as your tail began to wag, showing that your mood was changing for the better. Lowering my hand from your hair, I placed I onto your shoulder, then embraced you, even more grateful now for each moment we had together, and replied, "Karma Keplova. You must understand, this is the woman who tried to create an herbal, all-natural, vegan substitute blood for vampires. She is brilliant, if erratic, and she's the only one I know of who might even have heard of such a mating." "Then, we must seek her out," you replied as you started to shift off my body, then added, "After I drain off some pressure," as you walked towards the bathroom, slightly bow-legged. I grinned as I rolled over onto my chest, watching the sway of your hips, but then scolded myself soundly. I told myself firmly that I would have keep it in my sheath until we could figure out some solution to this dilemma, difficult thought it would be. I heard the toilet flush after a few moments, then the sink started running. Some ten minutes later, you returned, thoroughly cleaned off. "There," you said as you ran a hand down your smooth stomach, "Much better." Rising to my feet, I swept you from your feet, rubbed my muzzle against yours, then said wryly, "That would see to be a matter of opinion." "How about I pump a gallon of liquid into you and see how you like it?" you replied with a grin, nuzzling back lovingly. Licking at your cheek, I said, "We will have to think about that in the morning," then lowered my voice, trying to emphasize my concern, "But, we must be much more careful from now on. I do not believe they produce, um, skins in the size that I would require. I know that you said that this is not your season, but I will not lose you to a fluke accident." Hugging into my chest, you told me, "Okay... but it's impossible for me to get pregnant when I'm not in season... But, we could cut back to make you feel better, if that is what you want." An insistent growl emerged from my throat as I reiterated, "I will not lose you! It just seems a wise precaution, to me. You will be happy to know that I have Karma's address, however, so we can contact her first thing in the morning." "Then let's change the sheets and sleep in the living room. The scents in here," you growl-purred, gazing into my eyes as they glimmered with emotion, "are getting me horny all over again..." Snuggling your face again, I released you and strode to my side of the bed. "This seems an excellent idea. You should take the large seat," I said, referring to the couch. "If you are to sleep on the floor, Beloved, then so will I," you replied firmly, smiling as you added, "You make a comfy cushion as is." Sighing as I realized that I wasn't going to win this argument, I finished pulling my side of the bedding loose, then walked over to the window, opening it to help air out the room. "I would be honored to help you rest," I conceded, emphasizing the last word. You covered the end of your muzzle as you yawned, pausing in your task of stripping the bed. Chuckling softly, you replied, "Good, because I don't think I have the energy to go again." Smiling, I bundled up the sheets, taking the corners from you, I said, "I shall leave these here until break of day. I simply can not work up the ambition to handle them now. Shall we, my beloved fox?" "Yes, my Beloved Wolf," you replied, taking my hand to lead me out to the living room again. We cleared the center of the floor so that I would have enough room to stretch out. I took a glance at the pitcher of whiskey on the table and, very deliberately, took it into the kitchen to eliminate temptation, before sprawling out of on the floor of the front room, already finding it difficult to keep my eyes open. You cuddled into me, laying your head on my firm bicep, and yawned again before whispering, "Good night, Beloved..." I placed an arm around your waist, wishing that my fur was just a little bit softer or longer, to serve as a better blanket for you, then closed my eyes. I knew that, tonight, my nightmares would be back... * * *

*breaks down into tears* I-I can go no further, not now. Even after all that has passed, this is still too raw for me. I felt such a blind terror, and I tried to keep it from you, but it cost me. The thought of losing you, so soon after I had found the other half of my soul... Beloved Lin, the thought crossed my mind that I should leave you that night, to just walk away with the fur on my back and start anew, anonymous, to keep from, as I believed it to be, 'murdering' you. I came very close to that... If you had tried, I would have scoured all of Gaia to find you, for like you said, you are the other half of my soul, and I could not have been whole without you, and now we have Triana. I am so happy with the two of you, happier than I have ever been, my Beloved Wolf. *Wipes tears from eyes* I'm glad you decided to stay. ----The End----