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Master's Pet

By: Ainoko Ironrose

Prologue: The Storyteller Appears

The vast room slowly filled with furs of all ages, as it did muted, excited voices began filling the void in anticipation of what was to come. It wasn't long before the excited chatter was replaced with the joyful screams of cubs playing, complaining, crying and whatever cubs and young do when in such places. Occasionally, a parent would be seen taking an unruly cub out of the room, only to hear the slap of a paw on the problem cub's rear followed by painful wails from their paddling.

"Kingdoms come... Kingdoms go." A soft voice intoned just loud enough to be heard over the din of the assembled furs. "We have all seen this through the course of time and will see again in the future. We have been witness to that many times in the course of our history."

Slowly but surely the noise quieted to a dull rumble as what appeared to be a wizened, tailless wolf slowly limp onto the stage, his staff clicking with each slow step he made. His meticulously groomed dark grey fur did little to hide scars from years past, scars from battles, scars from hunts and the like. By the time he made his way to the center of the raised dais before sitting in a sturdy rocking chair, the assembled crowd was silent and all eyes focused on him. As he sat down, he motioned to the young in attendance to gather around his feet.

"Today is a special day." He said in a soft hoarse voice, smiling sadly. "Once again we celebrate the freedoms that were stolen from us all those years ago. To celebrate those who were lost in the terrible battle that restored our freedoms, to honor those who gave their very lives defending what we cherish and love."

Looking down at the cubs around his feet, he grinned mischievously. "We also need to remember those we love that have left to parts unknown whether they did so freely or against their will. The celebration will begin shortly, but tradition also dictates that one of the Elders in every village, town or city start things off with a tale and tonight it is my turn."

He stopped briefly as he looked around at the assembled furs, his eyes glimmered mischievously. The cubs at his paws yelped in surprise, quickly backing away towards the adults as the elder slowly drew a beautiful but deadly blade from a hidden scabbard under his cloak. "I have thought long and hard about the tale you are about to hear tonight." He said as he brandished the blade for all to see. The blade glistened in the strong light in the room, the main blade was a clear blue that glowed with a faint aura, the two smaller blades flanking the main blade that curved out and back towards the weapon. "This blade I hold in my paw became my inspiration; it has a tale that goes back centuries. This is Nightshade the Dragonslayer, made eons ago from the very hearts of dead stars; it was handed down from father to son, looking for its destiny, its one true Master. It has found its Master, but as fate would have it, its Master has no desire to keep such a beautiful weapon for themselves, so I was tasked to take care of this blade until such time comes for its Master to reclaim it. Something that may never happen in this lifetime.

"Now this tale is long. It is full of adventure, good, bad and otherwise." The elder said as he sat down in the chair. "As I said earlier... Kingdoms come and kingdoms go, and you know what remains of kingdoms? Their history, their stories, their legends, and their ruins are all that remains, nothing else. A good story teller will tell stories about both the good and bad kingdoms so all will hopefully learn a lesson. The tale I am telling you today is about one who should have never been born, one who went through and is still going through challenges as I speak. Not only will the tale be about the one main character, our tale will also tell about those close to him as well.

"Now where to begin, that is very important you know starting a good tale always needs an intriguing beginning..." He said as he placed the blade point down and rested his muzzle lightly on it. "Should I tell you how they came to be?"

"NO!" Shouted the cubs around him.

"Do I start at the middle?"

"NO!"

"How this sordid tale got started?"

"YES!" The cubs shouted gleefully.

"I see." The old male said softly, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "Gather 'round then, and I will tell you of a young man who was given a chance to be a leader and chose not to be the king of our kingdom. How he grew up learning the ways of the common folk, learning the evils of the land as well as the good bounty it can offer as well. It was foretold that he was destined for greatness eons ago with this prophecy from a small, yet very insignificant wolfclan...

"The omens and the stars point to the one who will either save or destroy our clan. The one will be a part of us, and yet not one of us, forever alone. They will be a friend, an enemy, a lover, a stranger always alone, yet in need of companionship. Their friends, enemies, demons, angels and strangers alike will test them in ways that they will never expect. They will come to our clan on the harvest moon by the one who has rejected their own clans. The one's path has been set and they are already on it. Once the one has left the clan, they will find their destiny; they will also find their purpose after many trials. The clan's future rests with the one; they will test the one's resolves and convictions before the one departs us forever.

"Our story begins many, many years ago in the frozen northern wastes of our kingdom, where summer never shows its warm face having been driven out by the Ice Gods themselves. Very deep in an ancient forest that is said to be older than the world as we have known it has existed..."

Chapter One: Endings and Beginnings

_ Screams of pain emanating from a small, hide covered hut, shattered the quiet, peaceful night as a large, intimidating wolf paced worriedly outside. In the hut, his mate is deep in the throes of childbirth, after going into labor far later than the healer clan's healers and Elders had figured, not to mention, that his mate was not supposed to be able to conceive any cubs due to the difference between their two species. His pacing stopped when one final, soul piercing scream rent the night asunder. He then slowly, so as not to disturb anyone in and around the cabin, crept to the window to look inside at his mate, what he saw inside shocked him beyond all reason. _

The female feline lying in the room writhed and moaned in pain as a pair of midwives hustled and bustled around her trying to ease her suffering and bleeding after the birth. She had just given birth to a large male cub, a cub far larger than what her body was able to sustain. The sweat from her labored exertions on her fur glistened from the combined light of the many candles and roaring fire in the fireplace. The wolf sobbed softly seeing his mate lying in the this state, he whimpered softly wishing that he could take her place yet knowing that in reality he can't.

Hearing the soft whimpers, the healer looked towards the window just as the wolf starts to back away.

"Please come in from the cold my liege." The fox said to the wolf. "Your mate needs you by her side not outside. Please come in."

The wolf nodded before disappearing from view as the fox got up and went to the main room to greet the wolf as he walked in.

When the wolf entered the hut, the healer was shocked to see how worn the large male had become since his mate went into labor hours ago.

"My lord." The healer said as he bowed respectfully to the wolf. "Before you go to your mate, I have to tell you some troubling news about her. Sire, she is dying. There is nothing I can do at this time to save her life. She will pass from this realm by the time the moon reaches its zenith tomorrow night. Had we knew that she was carrying twins we could have done more to protect her, but..."

"Twins!" The wolf exclaimed in surprise. "Y-y-you mean we have twins?"

"Yes, er, no." The fox said sadly. "You only have one child, a son. Yes she was with twins, but the first cub was still born. The cub was most likely dead once she started to leave the womb. The little one would have favored your mate the way your son favors you. You cubs sister most likely saved him as both were far too big for your mate to easily give birth to.

"Sire, the stress from your mate's labors, not to mention the size of both cubs means that all this is robbing her of her life energy. There is nothing I or any healer in this clan can do to save her. All I can do right now is to give her a potion that will greatly ease her pain and bleeding and will only speed up her passing by a few more hours at best. It is your choice Sire, no one else's."

The wolf looked down at the healer as he thought about what he was told. "Give her the potion my friend, I want her to be able to see her cubs one last time before she crosses over. That is all I ask." The wolf said, clasping the foxes arm.

"Sire, please don't make your mate see her dead cub, it will only hasten her crossing. I would rather that she knows about her son as she will see her daughter when she passes. You and your son's presence will be what she needs right now. I have taken it upon myself to have your daughter taken to be placed with the other cubs who died at or before their birth."

Closing his eyes tightly, the wolf fought to keep himself from tearing into the healer over what he did. "I see your point my friend." He said sighing heavily before collapsing in on himself. "Give my mate the potion I will wait here until she is awake and ready to see me. I just ask that you give her our cub telling her that I wish for her to name him."

"I will do that, please sit and I will be back to bring you to her."

At that the fox turned and re-entered the room where the wolf's mate was laying. He went to a small cabinet and pulled out a number of vials, bottles and pouches then began mixing different amounts from each container into a small bowl, making a potion for the now resting female. It wasn't long before he made his way to her and gently raising her head he carefully poured the contents of the bowl into her muzzle. Once he was sure that the female had taken enough of the potion, he lay her head back onto the pillow, letting the potion do its work.

He sat next the female holding the cub in his arms, examining the boy as memories started to make themselves known to him. Never in his life had he seen something like this. He knew that it was possible for those in the same family of species can cross breed, but not those from two entirely species like these two. As he carefully looked over the sleeping cub, he took note of the bright blue slash across the cub's left eye, something that he has never seen before in any cub he helped deliver, the cub's retractable claws, how the cubs (and his dead sister favored their mother with their red spotted pelts (where hers was light grey), he gently opened one of the cub's eyes to discover that like his mother, his eyes were feline. He knew that in all outward appearances the cub took after his father, but he could tell that his mother's bloodline was there, in his eyes, claws and soft features.

'I wonder.' He thought to himself. 'If he is the one spoken about in the prophecies I have heard from the travelling healers then this child is in grave danger.'

So lost was he in his musings, he didn't hear the female stir at first. He nearly jumped out of his fur when she coughed softly as if not to disturb him.

"I-I-I'm sorry M'lady." He said turning towards her. "I was lost in thought waiting for you to wake."

"That is ok my dear friend." She whispered softly, shivering despite how hot the room was. "I know how you love to think things over especially when it comes to new things, and it seems that my cubs were the cause this time."

"C-c-c-cubs?" The fox stuttered in surprise. "You only had one cub a male>"

"Don't you know that expecting mothers know how many cubs they are giving birth to? Please tell me, where is my other cub?"

Sighing in exasperation, his ears lowered in surrender, the healer took a deep breath before replying. "I-I-I'm sorry M'lady, your first born was still born, we were unable to save her. One of the midwives took her to be placed with the cubs who were born dead."

The foxes ears twitched as the sounds of soft sobbing filled the room.

"Please M'lady; there was nothing we could do to save her."

"I know my friend, I know." She replied. "I grieve for her, yet I am glad that I will get to meet her in a few short hours when I cross over."

"B-b-but..." The fox looked at the female in surprise. "H-h-how did?"

"I know I am dying, I can feel my life force ebbing away." She said sadly, then with a sly grin and pointing to her ears. "Plus I heard you tell my mate everything."

"You never fail to amaze me." The healer said wistfully. "You have always been one of my best students in the healer clan. Then as you were aware of what your mate and I were talking about, then you know that he wants you to have the honor of naming your son."

The healer turned towards the female and gently placed the cub in her waiting arms, marveling that despite how weak she was, the feline still emanated great strength and love. He watched as his lady friend start to gently stroke her cubs head, tears streaming down her muzzle. A soft, deep rumbling purr filled the room as her cub instinctively made his way to one of her teats to nurse.

"You are beautiful, my dear." She said softly. "You are going to be a handsome young lad, one that will be sought after by males and females alike. No, you won't be a strapping man like your father, but you will be handsome in your own special way. You were given to us by the gods for reasons only that they know, something that I will learn soon.

"I do fear for your safety if the prophecies are correct. For that I hope that your father takes you away from our clans to someplace safe that hasn't heard of the prophecy so that you can have a cubhood that is trouble free. I know that you will never know your mother, but I promise you, I will be nearby in the other realm guiding and protecting you the best I can. Heed your father, learn from him. Heed to your inner voice that will be me talking to you. Now to give you your name, what shall it be? Your name needs to reflect who you are, who you will be.

"My darling cub I am naming you Ainoko Ironrose. In my clan, Ainoko means The Chosen Child of the Gods, of which you are. My darling Ainoko, you are destined for greatness; however, if the prophecies are true, your happiness will not come to pass for many years. I pray that you will be strong and never succumb to those who will do what it takes to keep you from being happy and meeting your destiny. My sweet, sweet cub, my time draws near and I must speak to your father."

She motioned to the healer to go and get her mate as she lay back to let her cub nurse. "My friend, please go and bring my mate in, I do need to speak to him one last time before I leave this world forever."

"Yes my lady." The fox said as he rose from his, making his way back to the main room.

As the healer entered the main roon, the wolf rose to his paws, his ears perked up in curiosity. "Your mate wishes for your presence my liege. She has named your cub Ainoko; it means Child of the Gods in her clan's language. Now go and be by her side."

_ Re-entering the birthing room, the wolf cringed as he saw how worn and tired his mate was after giving birth to their son. It hurt to see her fur matted from the labors of childbirth. But despite the rigors she went through, she was still beautiful in his eyes. Sitting on the bed next to his mate, he nearly jumped when she whimpered from pain as his weight shifted her towards him. Cradling their son in one arm, he began to caress his mate's fur, and grinning when he heard a soft, rumbling purr emanating from her._

"My sweet queen, what will I do once you are gone from our realm?" He said with tears staining his voice, "You have been my sole reason for living and now, I have lost that. How will I raise our son without his mother? He needs to be raised in the traditions of both our clans and those of our world if he is to survive into adulthood. I fear greatly that both our clans may not accept him as he is not fully a part of either clan. If that should pass, then I will flee my clan, and take him somewhere that he will be safe until he is old enough to be on his own."

_ "My dearest Wolf," the feline said softly, "I greatly fear for both yours and Ainoko's return to either of our clans. I do also wish for you to flee from here as soon as I am gone, never to return. I have the utmost faith in your judgment on how our son is to be raised. I have also promised our little Ainoko that I will be by his side in spirit guiding him the best that I can. Now I wish for us to talk about his future while he sleeps. Not to mention before I cross over to the spirit realm to dance amongst the Gods and Demons I wish to be in your strong arms."_

A few hours later and after the moon set, the wolf left the room carrying his son in his arms, crying softly.

"She is dead my friend." The wolf said to the healer. "She passed after falling asleep in my arms. Please go retrieve what all you need and take it to our hut as it will be yours after today, I will explain my reasons why once you are done."

Nodding, he rose to his feet calling to his midwives to move his essential property over the wolf's hut before going into the room to retrieve all of his supplies. He shivered from the oppressive smell of death in the room as he went over to the dead female to verify the wolf's claim for peace of mind. The healer fox wept silently at the loss of his friend and protégé as he looked at the smile that was frozen on her muzzle when she died in her mate's arms. The fox carefully piled piles of straw and wood around and under the bed before gathering up his supplies and leaving the room. When he walked through the small main room to the front door, he was not surprised to see that his midwives were efficient in doing their duties. Once he was outside, he made his way over to the wolf who was standing next to a small roaring fire.

"I know what you are going to do my liege, and I hold nothing against you for it. Let me take your son so that you can perform the ceremony properly." The fox said as he held out his paws for the cub. "I grieve with you over your loss and will be witness for all clans in these lands."

The wolf nodded as he handed his cub to the healer as he pulled a burning brand from the fire and walking over to the hut, he placed the firebrand on the ground slowly circling the hut, setting it on fire. As he was circling the hut he chanted a time honored ritual, his voice breaking as he fought back tears of grief.

" Angels come bear witness...

Time has ended early...

Your child returns...

Judge her honour...

Forgive her wrongs...

She loved the world...

She cherished all...

She hated none...

She gave from her heart...

She leaves with a smile...

Ready to start...

Walking that long glorious mile...

Rest my love...

On wings of Doves...

Never forget...

The day we met...

Guide those near...

Showing them how not to fear...

When you tell their story...

Give them glory...

Guide us through life...

Leading us through strife...

Teach us the right...

Through both day and night...

Let the Gods declare your glory...

Fly among the stars...

Be a dear...

And guide us down here...

Help us be brave...

'Til the day we die...

'Til the day we rejoin...

The heavens will be quiet...

Rejoice my love...

For you are now an Angel...

Fly strong and high...

For my time is nigh...

I sing your praises...

I vow my love...

I pledge my heart...

Never more to love...

Save those you left behind...

_We howl to the heavens above! " _

Once done the wolf stepped back to watch the healers hut burn as the flames reach for the sky, ashes climbing to the stars. When the hut collapsed into a shower of flying sparks, the wolf, fox and midwives all howled their grief to the stars signalling to all for miles around the death of a mate and loved one.

"My friend, I have promised my mate before she died to break ties with both her and my clans." The wolf said to the healer. "I ask that you don't say anything for a fortnight about me disappearing. If asked, I am in seclusion with our son mourning our loss. I know that I am forfeiting my life breaking away from both clans, and heading north to parts unknown."

"I knew you were going to do this my friend." The fox said sadly. "May the Gods and Demons protect you and your son on your journey. May you find peace where ever you go. Fair winds my liege."

At that the wolf picked up his son and what few treasures he possessed and headed off to the north as the fox watched in quiet contemplation.

Chapter Two: What Was Lost Wasn't Afterall

The healer prayed to his gods and demons as he watched his friend vanish into the inky darkness of the cold night. Turning hack to his smoldering hut to ensure that the embers were properly extinguished, his ears perked up in surprise as one of the midwives screamed in fright. He quickly dashed in the direction of the scream, only to run smack into the midwife that was calling for him.

"Gwyn!" He exclaimed in surprise. "What's wrong?"

"Tobias it's a miracle!" The small, petite shrew screamed at him. "She's alive!"

"W-w-ho's alive? Tobias asked not yet realizing what the shrew was talking about.

"The cub that was still born Tobias!" Gwyn exclaimed as she began pulling him towards the cold hut where the dead were stored until they could be properly buried. "Lady Xendara's girl cub is alive!"

"Impossible!" He said digging his heels into the dirt, slowing Gwyn down. "I declared her dead after trying for over a quarter turn of the moonstone. You must be imagining that the cub is still alive."

"Tobias." She said sternly. "Come let your eyes see the truth. The child IS alive. I walked into the hut to wrap the cub for burial only to see her sitting on the table. And the sight of her just surprised me."

By the time they got to the hut, a small crowd had gathered to see what was going on and Tobias raised a paw to both quiet and calm them down before he entered the hut. Once inside he stopped and stared in surprise at the sight of the cub looking at him as if what was happening was normal as the stars shining in the sky. He turned around and yelled. "Rotre! Get in here and take the cub over to my new hut so I can examine her after I go and bring Taulein back before he gets too far. Gwyn, show Rotre where my new hut is as he doesn't know that my old hut is gone, then get the cub some milk as she is most likely hungry. Ashir go and look for any female who can properly nurse the cub, preferably one who has no cubs."

No bothering to look back to see that his orders were being followed, Tobias ran down the path that his friend had walked down hoping to catch him to let him know the wonderful news. He followed Taulein's scent and tracks for hours until they stopped at a wide slow moving river. The fox ranged up and down stream and on both sides of the river trying to get an idea as to where the wolf went. After spending fruitless hours looking for his friend, Tobias gave up and began heading back to his clan's camp. Upon returning to his camp the following morning, he went to his cabin to quickly check the cub then calling for a clan meeting.

"Rotre. I need you to assemble everyone to my hut immediately." He said to the small male shrew. "Tell everyone that the meeting is over events from the night before."

"Yes Sire, as you command." Rotre said before running out the door.

Once the shrew was gone on his errand, Tobias turned his attention to Xendara's thought to be dead cub. He kept going back to the moment the child was born, how he and the midwives spent almost an hour trying to revive the cub only to resign to themselves that the cub was dead. He could not figure out why and how the cub was sitting in the burial room alive and breathing, as never before in all his years delivering cubs, he never saw anything like this. He prayed to the gods asking his god of good health for guidance in this matter and to help him understand what just happened. His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on his door.

"Tobias..." He heard Rotre whisper from the other side. "Everyone is here waiting for you lead the meeting."

"Ok, tell them that I will be out shortly. I am in the middle of praying to Laisre for guidance in what just happened."

"As you wish, sire."

"Laisre," He prayed softly."I need your council on how to proceed on this. Taulein and Xendara's girl cub is not as dead as we thought she was. I tried to stop her father to deliver the good news but he vanished. I don't know if I should send the little one to back to her mother's or father's clans or keep her here, Laisre, I need to know!" After he finished his prayer, he sat on the floor meditating on his pleas to his gods. No sooner had he started, he was filled with an overwhelming sense of peace as the answer to his question was found. Slowly he rose from the floor and made his way to his assembled clan. Before he left his hut, he stopped to make a special formula to give to Xendara's cub once the meeting was finished as he had much to do concerning the cub in the next few days. A few minutes later, he stepped out of his hut to address his clan.

"Everyone, please quiet and settle down!" He said raising his paws to get their attention. "I need to get everyone up to date on what happened to Taulein, Xendara and her cubs. First let's bow our heads in prayer for Xendara; she passed last night in her mate's paws after birthing her twins. Let's pray." Tobias said before intoning a ritual prayer for the recently deceased.

"We pray to all our gods and demons to protect Xendara as she travels the long lonely road to paradise while she guards and guides her cubs into adulthood. We will miss our favorite healer now that she is no longer with us. In this we ask and give our thanks."

After everyone echoed they prayer, he looked at his clan intently before continuing. "Second as some of you have guessed, Taulein and his male cub are no longer amongst us, where they are right now, I have no idea. I tried to look for them last night after hearing the news about the little lady that Aimi is caring for right now. Taulein's howling last night as well as the flames from my old hut have, by now alerted both wolf and cheetah clans that Xendara died after giving birth, and their alphas and betas will be here within three days.

"We can't let either clan take Xendara's cub as I fear for her safety and life. It is because of that I am going to be asking you all to do something that goes against everything that we stand for. I am going to be giving the cub a potion that will make her sleep the death sleep for about three days."

Upon hearing that the assembled furs reacted angrily over what he was going to do, shouting out each other.

"Why in all that's holy are ya going to do that?"

"Blasphemy!"

"You should give her to her mother's clan!"

"She needs to be with her father!"

"You are going to kill us all over this cub!"

Tobias patiently waited until the angry outbursts slowly died down before continuing. "Believe me, I agree with all of you on this. That is why I was praying to Laisre for guidance on this and he has spoken to me about what we have to do. I was told that the two clans are not to be told that Acmen-Met lived. That is why I will be giving her the potion. Both the wolf and cheetah clans will learn about her living after she is an adult and at that time, there will be nothing that they can do about what we did. Also for the next few years, Acmen-Met's fur will have to be dyed in order to hide her markings to appear as a black feline cub.

"In a few years, we will let her natural coloring slowly appear to give the appearance that she is finally getting her markings. As for her name, Laisre gave it to me, her name means 'The Lost One'. Once she is old enough, I will tell her about her father and brother and why they aren't here with us. Until that time comes, Acmen-Met must be treated as a regular member of this clan, even as far as training her to be a healer.

"I know that everyone here wants to celebrate Acmen-Met not being dead, as do I, but until Taulein's and Xendara's clans are satisfied that little Acmen-Met is dead, we have to play this charade. I don't have to tell you how important what we are about to do this is. I got the impression from Laisre that it is paramount that those around us think that she is dead, as she like her brother has great deeds to accomplish. Though her deeds will be much harder to complete if the clans knew that she was alive rather than thinking her dead.

"Now Rotre and Gwyn, I need you two to find one of the deceased female cubs and find one that closely looks like Acmen-Met and when you do, dye its fur to match hers as close as possible so that we can bury her for the clans should they ask. Now Aimi, you are going to be Acmen-Met's mother once the clans have departed to their territories, but for now, protecting Acmen-Met is paramount. I promise you that and everyone here that this little cub will come to no harm while I am leading this clan. have to give her this potion to put her in the death sleep.

Chapter 3: The Ne'er Do Well

Chapter 4: Home at Last?

Staggering down a well-worn wooded path down in the southern hot-lands, fighting off both starvation and the encroaching darkness. The bed-raggled wolf pushed his body beyond its limits in a desperate attempt to get to the small village he had seen earlier in the week before nightfall. He knew that if he failed to make his destination, then the cub's and his lives were in grave danger. He had scouted the village from afar a few weeks back as a possible safe haven if things went the way they did a few days ago. He looked down at the unconscious cub in his arms praying to the gods that the he was not seriously hurt in the ambush and vowing revenge on those that injured the cub.

Rounding a bend in the path, the tattered an dirty wolf stared blankly at the small and unassuming village, barely recognizing it for his ultimate destination. He staggered out of the woods and into the center of the village before slowly collapsing from sheer exhaustion and hunger, as he fell to the ground a small bundle of fur fell from his grasp. He started to weakly crawl to the bundle of fur just out of his reach when a pair of legs stepped in his way, stopping his slow progress.

"P-please, help..." He whispered faintly as darkness frantically tried to claim him. "We need water...."

"ALERT! ALERT! THERE IS A STRANGER IN THE CLAN! ALERT! ALERT!" Cried the cub as he ran towards the village Elder's hut. Warily, the villagers began to appear slowly and cautiously to see what was causing all of the commotion. Seeing the two unconscious forms on the ground, the furs in the village began to slowly emerge from their huts to look at the strangers that were lying in the village center. A short while later the Elder emerged from his hut followed by the healer and shaman. Seeing the unconscious forms, the healer ran over to them to what was happened to them.

"These two furs are injured!" Cried the healer as she picked up the cub and heading towards her hut, "I need help getting the larger one to my hut so that I can get their wounds dressed and treated." Laying the cub on her bed, she paused briefly to admire his exotic features and checking him for any serious wounds before turning to assess his father's injuries. "Put him over here," She said indicating the cot in front of her. "Go tell Elder Iyami that his and the other Elders presence is requested once this Wolf is awake, now go."

Turning back to the wolf after making sure that the ones she sent to the Elder's hut were on their way, she checked him over noting that his injuries, though quite severe, were not at the moment life threatening, and could wait to be treated until after she treated the cub. Going over to the cub, she was surprised to see that the cub was already awake and watching her intently. "Well my little one, I see that you are awake and curious about where you are, eh?" She whispered to the frightened cub, "Let's see about your hurts and we will get them bandaged so that you can go out and play with the other cubs, that way I can tend to your father without you getting underpaw."

As she looked over the cub, she stared in disbelief at where faint, barely noticeable scars in the place of the cubs more serious injuries that she had taken note of as she carried him to her hut. Looking over the cub more closely, she was surprised to note that the azure blue slash across his left eye was a natural fur color, not a tribal or clan marking and the same went for the blindingly bright pink braids that he sported. As she continued with his examination, she noted that he was not a full wolf, like that of his father, he seemed to bear some feline traits. 'That's impossible,' she thought, 'felines and canines can't mate, it's just impossible. The gods would never allow something like this to occur.' Continuing with the examination, she confirmed that the cub despite him being a cross-breed, was in relatively excellent health. Once done, she led the cub outside to play with the other cubs she was watching. Soon she was deep into patching the wolf's injuries, when a soft cough interrupted her duties.

"Elder Iyami, I am glad that you have come." The healer said happy to have been interrupted, "Our two unexpected visitors are going to be ok. They were both dehydrated, with numerous cuts from knives of some sort. I only can tell you that much, the rest will have to come from the wolf."

"Sana," Iyami said, "I am not here by myself, the other four Elders are outside waiting to talk to the wolf."

"Well they are going to have to wait until he regains conscious. He is suffering from extreme exhaustion and blood loss from his wounds. The rest of the Elders will have to wait for another three hours, at least." Sana said angrily. "I have given the Wolf some healing herbs to help his body recover faster than normal. Both him and the cub have been through a horrible ordeal and will need time to fully recover."

"OK Sana, calm down, I will keep the other's at bay until later today. Please let me know as soon as the Wolf wakes, I do wish to talk to him before the other, preferably."

---

A few hours later after the Wolf regained conscious, the Clan Elders stopped by Sana's hut to pay a visit to the Wolf.

"Elder Iyami, it is a pleasure to finally meet you and the other Elders," Said the Wolf, "I do apologize for not paying you proper respect, but you little healer ordered me to move as little as possible due to my injuries. May I have the pleasure of learning the names of the other four Elders who have come to visit me tonight?"

"Yes you may," Said Iyami, "The quiet one in the back is Elder Sylden, the short, angry one next to him is Lintu, Garbin is the tall one at the door, and the lovely lady is Denara. Now, I would have wished to have met on much better conditions, but your appearance in our village has raised some concerns." Pausing for a moment, Iyami continued hesitantly. "To cut to the quick, my friend, we are curious as to why a Northerner like you is wandering in our lands sorely wounded."

"Before I answer you question, please answer one for me first." The Wolf replied with some irony. "What in the holiest of Hells makes you think that I am a Northerner. For all you know, I could be from this area."

"That has crossed our minds my friend, but," Said Iyami, "There is a thing or two that tells us otherwise. For one, your fur is far too thick and long for the grasslands. Another is that you are not accustomed to the heat. Lastly, to the best of our knowledge the only furs who have been sighted in this area have been those who are travelers, traders, and the wanderers. Now, let's cease playing games with each other and tell us the reason you are wandering though our territory."

"Well if you put that way, I will tell you. As you have already guessed, I am from the Northern Wastes, and was formally second-in-command in a Dire-Wolfpack. As for the reason that I am passing through your territory, that is a story for a later time, but I will tell you this, Last week, a party from my former clan ambushed me, sorely injuring my cub and I about a two days walk south of here. I managed to slay all but two before heading here to your village.

_ _ "DADDY!!!!" A young voice cried from outside, interrupting all conversation as a small bundle of black fur streaked into the arms of the Wolf.

"I apologize for Ainoko's enthusiasm; you see I have raised him since his mother died after giving birth to him. I have been the only..." The Wolf's voice trailed off into silence as he noticed the looks on the Elder's muzzles. The looks ranged from shock to anger to elation and to disgust. "W-w-w-what's wrong?"

_ _ "What's wrong?" Snarled Lintu savagely drawing a dagger from his belt before advancing towards Ainoko. "What's wrong is that you have the gall to bring that, abomination into our village as if it were nothing new... You should have killed the cub as soon as it was born. And to make thing even worse, you mated with a feline! Let me guess, there were no females in your clan for you to mate with."

_ _ "If you harm Ainoko in any way," Roared the Wolf in anger, his fur bristling as he drew his weapon, readying for any attack that Lintu might throw at either him or the cub. "You will quickly regret ever harming him."

During the commotion, a small, withered form slipped into the room, whereupon, he quickly took note of the situation. Then softly, he began speaking, reciting a few obscure verses...

The omens point to the one who will either save or

Destroy the world. The one will be a part of us

Yet be apart from us, a friend, but a stranger.

Friends, enemies, and demons alike will test them.

They have great powers they have yet to discover.

They will come to our clan on the harvest moon by the

One who has rejected their clan.

Their path has been set; they will find their purpose

And destiny after they have left the clan.

Slowly, the commotion died as the words he was saying began to register with everyone in the room as they noticed the small, aged but imposing fox.

"Aye, tis about time ye took notice of me," Said the fox as Iyami smiled secretly. "I was called tae this meeting by Iyami as he knew that me presence here was verra important tae all involved in this here room."

"Thank-you for getting here Garrou," Said Iyami, "Your timely arrival has prevented some unneeded bloodshed."

"Well, it seems that some of ye have fergootten yer lessons from yer cubhood." Garrou said sternly, "Ifn ye were tae think hard, ye would come tae realize that part of the prophecy has come tae pass." Turning to the wolf he continued, "My liege do ye know what tonight is?"

Looking at the fox with a puzzled look on his muzzle, the wolf replied, "Honestly, shaman Garrou, I have no idea as to what tonight is, and you don't have to call me Liege, my name Taulein Ironrose."

"Taulein Ironrose it is then. My friend tonight is the Harvest moon, and if I am correct in saying this," Garrou said, "Ye have rejected yer clan, right?"

"Aye, I have rejected my clan and my former mate's as well. She pleaded with me to break away from both of our clans, if not for her, but for Ainoko. That is why I was traveling through these lands. Why are you asking me all of these questions?"

"Tae tell the truth," The fox said quietly, "I believe that ye and yer son are supposed tae become a part of this clan. Ye have rejected yer clan and have arrived here today, which is, coincidentally the night of the Harvest moon. There are other signs that confirm this, signs that have been passed down from shaman tae shaman over the years." Going over to where the cub was hiding from the angry adults, the Shaman carefully moved him from his hiding spot and sat him on Sana's table. "As I said, there are other signs that only we Shamans know. Ifn it weren't fer Iyami knowing these signs, I would have never known about this. Ye see the blue slash across the cubs left eye? In me entire life, I have never heard of a cub born with fur that color not tae mention the pink fur by his ears. His eyes are the telling point fer the prophecy, there is also the fact that he bears some traits of the feline races. I can say that some of the traits that he has will show once he gets older. I can honestly say that yer son is the one that the prophecy has foretold many seasons ago. He holds the fate of our way of life not tae mention the world's as well in his paws."

"What idiocy is this Garrou?" Said Lintu angrily, "That prophecy is nothing but empty worlds and you know it. You know that the cub's fur was dyed to fit the prophecy and their arrival was also meant to fit in with the prophecy. I am certain that the story of the wolf rejecting both his and his mate's clans is a falsehood. This is just a ploy for this pitiful wolf to gain protection from those who tried to kill him and that abomination, nothing else." Lintu looked smug as a couple of the Elders nodded in agreement him.

"Ifn that is the case Lintu, how do ye explain the cub? I know that ye are aware that nae canine and feline species on our world can successfully bear a cub taegether as mates, tis impossible, yet before ye stands proof that it can happen. Only the Gods and Demons have the right tae say if such young as this cub are allowed tae be born, not us. This cub was given tae this wolf fer a reason and that is tae fulfill that prophecy. Ye know that our world is in the throes of a major change, and the fate of our world, not tae mention our way of life will one day be in his verra paws." Garrou said angrily, "I fer one, would prefer tae be on his good side." Turning towards the Wolf he continued, "Tell me Wolf, when was yer son born?"

Thinking the question as quite odd, the Wolf replied none the less, "My son was born two years ago today. Just why are you asking this?"

"As I stated Wolf, everything that is happening today, is due to the prophecy I quoted earlier." Said Garrou, "And everything in mentioned in the prophecy points tae ye and particularly yer son. It seems that yer son is tae determine the fate of our world some day."

The Wolf sat down and looked at the Fox and Clan Elders, as he pondered the implications of what he was told. "So, if what you are saying is true," Said the Wolf quietly, "Then me and my son coming to your clan today was not by accident, but fated to be by the Gods and daemons. If that is the case then I wish to speak to both Elder Iyami and Garrou in private later tonight. As for now, I wish to spend some time with my son before leaving in the morning to hunt the two remaining hunters from my clan and slay them, otherwise your village will know no peace until either I or they are dead. Until we speak again Elder Iyami and Garrou, farewell." At that the Wolf turned and limped away towards his son.

Later that night, the wolf found himself at Elder Iyami's hut with Garrou arriving shortly afterwards. "I do thank you for the chance to speak openly and candidly about what happened earlier and what will happen later." The wolf said quietly, "The reason I asked for a private conversation with you two, is that I do know about another prophecy, mine to be exact, it may in fact account for the reason I chose your village. It seems that I am not fated to survive past this year, I have known this since the day Ainoko was born. This is the main reason that I came to your village after the hunters from my clan attacked the two of us, not to mention how isolated you are from the rest of the world."

"Ah, now that does explain yer presence here in more detail," Said Garrou gleefully, "Iyami, my friend, this confirms the prophecy more than ever. It is our duty to raise this Wolf's cub as one of our own, knowing that Lintu and his supporters are going to make the cub's life here in our village a pure and simple living hell." Turning to the Wolf before continuing, "My friend do you have to leave this morning to hunt down the two remaining from your tribe?"

"No, it would be nice to be able to relax for a few days and spend some time with my son before hunting them down." The Wolf said, "I just ask one thing, do you have a weapons master here?"

"Yes we do." Said Iyami, "May I ask why?"

"The reason I am asking is that I would like to have a copy of this made." The Wolf said as he pulled out a beautifully crafted dirk. "I want to leave this here with you Elder Iyami to give to my son when he comes of age. This has been handed down to me from my sire after I came of age, this weapon has been in my family for untold generations. You may look at the weapon if you so choose sire."

Taking the weapon from the Wolf's paws, Iyami's eyes took in every detail of the exquisite weapon. He marveled at the thirty inch long tapered, barbed blade with a faint, fine, ornate script etched deep into it, with it's flanking twin ten inch whip blades. He gently ran his paw over the blade and the expertly wrought leather-bound, jewel encrusted hilt, lamenting over the loss of such skills over time. Holding the weapon in a defensive stance, he made a few tentative and imaginary attacks at an unseen opponent. The moment he saw the blood-red Emerald pommel, he nearly dropped the weapon in shock.

"I-I-I-Is this what I think this is?" He asked in numbed shock, "I must be imagining that I am holding a weapon of the gods. Is this really the Daemon-Slayer?"

"No it is not," Said the Wolf, "Legend states that the weapon resides somewhere with-in the forbidden deeps. This, Iyami, is the Sword of Destiny. According to legend, when the weapon finds the one that is destined to wield it, it will take it's owners hidden abilities and make them stronger, and nigh invincible. If Ainoko is the one mentioned in the prophecies, then this weapon belongs to him, not me. And speaking of my son, I do wish that your healer, Sana, raise him as her own were something to happen to me. I believe that she would argue against another raising him."

"That my friend is the truth about Sana." Said Iyami. "Sana has never been able to bear cubs due to an injury she received as a cub. As far as making a copy of this exquisite weapon, it can and will be done Taulein. Now before you take leave and head back to Sana's hut, Garrou and I wish to learn more about your clan and your mates as well."

Chapter 5: The Training

Chapter 6:

Chapter 7(?): A Taste of Slavery

a major event in Ainoko's life, an event that is critical in shaping him for his future role in life. The title of the chapter is called "A Taste of Slavery" and chronicles Ainoko's first taste of slavery when was still a cub at the tender age of 8. In this chapter Ainoko lashes out at another cub in his tribe after being teased about him not having a father or mother, even though everyone in his adopted tribe knows that his mother died after giving birth to him, and his father was found dead months after the two joined the tribe (2 or 3 years after Ainoko was born).

Ainoko flees the safety of his tribe afraid to face the consequences for unsheathing his claws and slashing the offending cubs face. Not long after he has left his tribes protection he is captured by a rogue wolf tribe that roams the wilderness snatching cubs from various tribes and forced into slavery. For the 1 - 2 years that he is a slave for the tribe, he quickly learns what his eventual fate will be when his captors eventually tire of him. He has witnessed many a young cub get brutally raped by every member of the rogue wolf tribe (male and female alike), before the cub is killed and eaten, their bones picked clean and discarded afterwards. [color=#00FF7F][b][i]Just as a heads up there will be nothing descriptive in this chapter about sex with an underage character, just hints as to what he has witnessed happening to the other cubs the first few days as a slave for the wolf tribe, since then he does what he can in order to avoid watching the fayes of those cubs, and not wanting to accept his coming fate.[/i][/b][/color]

It is about 18-20 months after his capture and enslavement that he learns that he will soon suffer the same fate of the cubs before him. Upon hearing that, he does anything he can think of to postpone his date with death. He succeeds for a couple more months before hearing that sometime in the next few days, he will die. Upon hearing that, he manages to flee the tribe, running as fast as he can towards some caves he saw days earlier. He somehow manages to avoid getting recaptured by the wolf tribe and to the caves where he hides praying to the gods for help unaware that the wolves are a few hours behind him and hot on his trail.

He doesn't learn that he is trapped in the cave he is in until the Alpha of the wolf enters followed by the rest of the tribe and narrowly recapturing him. He somehow manages to avoid recapture, fleeing deeper into the cave before getting cornered by the Alpha wolf. Unbeknownst to everyone the cave is filled with raw iron ore. It is when the Alpha grabs Ainoko, ripping the rags off his body that something extraordinary happens.

In his fear, Ainoko unleashes his latent powers, instantly wiping out a large portion of the wolf tribe and seriously injuring the rest. Unfortunately with Ainoko being so young, he is unable to control his powers, resulting in not only wiping out most of the tribe, but wiping out most of his memories from his captivity due to the iron ore in the cave amplifying his powers 10 fold.

It is after he is reunited with his tribe that he starts becoming the tribes omega, finding that he enjoys that role in his tribe, something that he also finds disturbing and does everything he can to dispel those thoughts and dispelling the suspicions of his of his tribe.

The sound from the explosion in the cave could be heard for miles around, including by those from his tribe that has been searching for him ever since it was discovered that he was captured after leaving the tribe's protection.

What happens in this chapter is Ainoko's first of three times as a slave, it is also the first time that he confronts something that he is not prepared to face.

Chapter 8(?): Rescued... Finally

Chapter 15 (?): A Lost Cause

The day's march was long and brutal for everyone, slaves and slavers alike. The slavers weren't happy that they would not be able to make the mountain pass tomorrow like they had planned, and they made sure that the slaves were punished harshly, beating the slowest and weakest ones nearly to death. The only saving grace they got was when the Slaver's leader turned the tables on his men. The leader was angry that they had to wait here for nearly a week longer and using precious resources in order to insure that the slaves and prisoners were healthy and able to make the forced march to the pass. He said that if any of his men harmed the merchandise without his permission, they would find themselves a part of the slave train.

Out of the hundreds of slaves under the iron thumb of the slavers, there was a small number that were treated and fed better. They were the slaves that were heavily desired and the bidders in any city they stopped at demanded, they were royals, mix-breeds, exotics and warriors, and he was part of that elite group. Thanks to G'Derash, he, his half brother and sister were now on their way to be sold as slaves. He lay in one of the tents with his siblings, holding them close, thinking of ways to escape and head back home to Frinlaire and avenge the deaths of their parents. Drifting off to sleep, Ainoko knew that any escape attempt had to be made before the caravan was in the mountain pass.

The soft sounds of sobbing from his brother and sister, coupled with the tortured moans from their fellow slaves roused Ainoko from his troubled, restless sleep.

"Sierlina, Eragol." He whispered softly as he carefully removed the shackle from his neck after managing to break the lock. "I am getting out of here to try and get back to Frinlaire to bring help. Hopefully there are those loyal to us that are willing to come and help. Please, whatever you do, play dumb if you are asked about knowing about me escaping."

He rose to his paws quietly as they nodded, and slowly making his way to front of the tent. Once there he made sure that the guard's attention was on the pens instead of the tent, before slipping out and taking his dagger and killing him. He did the same thing to the other three guards around the tent, making sure that he hid the bodies before slipping into the woods. He made sure that he covered his tracks completely, even wading through small streams to mask his scent. When the sun rose a few hours later, he found himself miles from the slavers camp, making his way through a heavy forest.

He used every trick that his father taught him for hunting, using the trails the animals use, leaving little or no trace of his presence, covering his body with the pelt from a dead carcass he came across to disguise his form. He knew that these measures would only slow the slavers don before they discovered his trail, and once they did, escape would nigh be impossible. He delved deeper into the woods, making sure that his paw prints were covered up, creating false trails and the like, before looking for a place to sleep for a few hours, preferable one that was easily defensible and hidden. He found such a place behind a waterfall while wading through a small pond. Upon a deeper inspection of the hidden cavern, he discovered that there was an opening deep inside that he could use to throw off any potential trackers. Before going into the cave, Ainoko waded to the far shore of the pond and forged a few hundred yards into the trees, making sure that his trail was masked before back tracking to the pond. Once he was back I the pond, he took a deep breath and ducked under the water, swimming under the surface to the cave where he curled up under the pelt to sleep.

When Ainoko woke from his sleep, the sun had long since dropped below the horizon and the moon was high and bright. He didn't bother leaving the cave the way he came in, but left through the opening that he had found earlier, finding the that he was near a massive, slow moving river. Rolling the pelt as loose as he could around a large leaf filled branch and wading into the river with his makeshift raft and floated throughout the night pretending to be part of a fallen tree. He repeated this pattern for the next three nights.

On the fourth night, his ears perked up at the faint thunder in the distance, his instincts telling him that there was danger ahead, he made for the shore as the pace of the water started getting faster. Letting go of the branch, he swam towards the nearest bank until the water was too shallow before wading to the shore and shaking the water off his fur. Once he felt sufficiently dry enough, he once again made his way back into the thick forest before him.

The following morning found him looking over a high cliff looking for a way down when he heard voices from behind him. Panicking, he frantically looked for a place to hide before taking a chance and hanging by his paws off the side of the cliff behind a small bush that would hide his presence from any pursuers. As he slipped over the side, he was surprised to see a shallow impression in the cliff side that seemed to run for a great distance along the face. Just as he managed to make the leap into the impression, the voices he was hearing got louder.

"What ya mean he not here?" Said one voice angrily. "Da trail we was followin twas his ye said. He no far from us ye said. Well den? Where is he?"

"I dunno." said another voice, " His scent is strong, he has to be..."

A terrified scream was the only clue that Ainoko had before seeing the flailing body of one of the slavers flashing before his eyes as the poor fool fell to his death far below. A soft, wet thud echoed from the base of the cliff signalling that the Hyena tracker's body coming to a sudden stop. Shivering in fright, Ainoko pressed his body as far back into the depression as he could and began slowly inching towards the waterfall in hopes that there was a way out of the spot he was now in. As he neared the falls, he noticed the depression he was in started to incline up to the cliff top. He froze in fright when the first voice started yelling.

"I know that ye are nearby me laddie! We have beena following ye fer tha past four days. Ya have no idée the trouble ye caused escaping like ye did laddie. If it wasn't fer ta bounty that Master paid fer ye, yer escape would nae have been so easily noticed. I kin promise ye that ifn ye give up quietly, ye will nae be pounished, otherwise ye will be pounished harshly once ye are back at the camp. Ye have one hour tae surrender yerself."

"One thing I will never do is surrender." Ainoko said quietly to himself as he once again started making his way towards the waterfall. "I just hope that there is a way out off this path that will not end with me getting recaptured by the slavers."

A few minutes later the pathway turned away from the cliff face and deeper into the cliff. It wasn't long before the path ended behind a small copse of trees, rocks and boulders. He was surprised as to how well it was hidden from view and that he had at one point come close to finding the path. What he found even more surprising was that there was one of the Hyena trackers nearby apparently taking a nap. Pulling out the dagger he stole during his escape a few days ago, he crept up to the sleeping Yena quietly, preparing to slit his throat so that the rest of his pursuers wouldn't learn of his presence until it was too late. When he got to the Hyena, Ainoko quickly sat on his chest and pressing the dagger hard into his throat, twisting the blade so that the Hyena's neck snapped like a dried twig. He had to use all his strength in order to keep the dying hyena from thrashing around in the brush and keeping the noise as quiet as possible.

"HEY!!! Wha ya doin tae me mate?" A surprised voice said from behind some bushes before stopping.

He stared at the second hyena in muted surprise as he realized that he didn't count on the hyena having a partner, as he grabbed the hyena's sword

"AAAAIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEE!!!!" The second hyena screamed in fright upon seeing Ainoko frantically scramble off the dead hyena and fleeing into the forest. "Da escaped slave was here! He done kilt Voln and stole his sword! AAAAIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEE!!!!"

Ainoko cursed his luck as he began making his way back to the hidden path's entrance. Before he was able to get there, he found his way blocked by at least a dozen hyenas with their swords drawn. He fell to ground as he desperately changed his course towards the waterfall in hopes that he could find another escape route. Breaking free of the trees, he came to a sudden stop as his path was blocked by another half dozen pursuers. Panting heavily, he looked around trying to gauge a good plan of attack that wouldn't result in him getting seriously injured, let alone killed.

A quick look around confirmed that he had little chance of making a successful escape as his pursuers began closing in on him. He lowered his sword in surrender before suddenly charging into the hyenas nearest the waterfall determined that they weren't going to recapture him without losing a few from their ranks. Swinging his sword, he quickly decapitated one hyena before running it through the heart of a second as he began fighting them in earnest, using their reluctance to harm him to his advantage.

"Ye might as well give yerself up laddie while ye are still able ta." A familiar voice said from behind him. "I said that we would go easy on ye ifn ye surrendered, but seeing as ye don't wanna play nice, then I guess I will hafta teach ye a lesson. More so, since you have kilt a good dozen and more of me men."

Ainoko spun around striking out at the slave master behind him, only to stumble to his knees as his sword met empty air as the one taunting him deftly avoided his attack. Before he could regain his balance, the slave master struck his back with the flat of his sword, making Ainoko yelp from the stinging pain, and sending him muzzle first into the forest floor. Growling softly, he quickly got onto all four paws and pounced at the slave master, claws bared and extended, ready to rip out his throat.

"DIE!" He roared as he neared the slaver. Next thing knew was that the world began spinning madly as he was tackled hard by one of the other slavers before hitting a small tree hard. No sooner had he hit the tree, he was swarmed by the remaining slavers, and tightly bound to prevent another escape attempt.

"I hafta give ye credit laddie." The master slaver said grinning evilly. "Ye put up a good fight and lost. Despite what Master says, I will make sure thet yer return will nae be pleasant, but painful. And ye know what tha good thin is? Ye will nae be doing any walking."

The next thing that Ainoko knew was that the band of slavers viciously tore off what clothing he had on before roughly tying his tail, paws, feet and neck to a pair of stout poles, leaving him hanging by the bindings. Not only that, the master slaver tied a weight around his neck, effectively choking him into remaining docile for the return trip back to the camp. Once they had him firmly bound to the poles, four of the slavers picked up his makeshift 'carriage' and began heading back to the base camp at a quick pace.

"Don't try anythin stupid slave, we have ye surrounded and will nae hesitate tae use what force we feel is needed tae keep ye in line." The slave master said, laughing at his not-so-subtle joke. "Unfortunately fer ye, we are going ta be moving fast, only restin when needed. Ye had better be praying tae yer gods that Master is in a giving mood and lets ye keep yer hide intact, otherwise, yer punishment is gonna be harsh."

In no time, the sounds of the waterfalls faded into the distance as the band of slavers hastily forged their way back to the main camp, only stopping for a few hours to rest. To Ainoko, the journey back to the main camp was nothing but a painful blur with brief moments of clarity before finally succumbing to the darknesses welcoming embrace. The next time he woke, he found himself back in the main camp, shackled by his neck to a tree with his paws tightly bound behind his back and chains on his ankles.

"Tis aboot time ye came around laddie." A familiar voice said from behind as he felt the chain to his shackle fall onto his back. "Behave yerself boy. Yer presence is needed at the slave pens so that the rest of yer fella slaves know that escape is impossible."

Looking around as he got onto his feet, Ainoko saw over a dozen slavers standing around him with spears leveled making sure that he had no chance to run despite the shackles on his ankles. A sharp yank on the chain around his neck made him yelp in pain as his captors laughed and jeered at his expense. It wasn't that long before he found himself outside the slave pens and getting firmly tied down to a sturdy chair that was facing numerous poles dotting the grounds.

Once he was secure, the slavers released the slaves from the pens as they led nearly two dozen slaves to the poles before tying them to the poles with their arms and legs outstretched before having what little clothing they were wearing viciously cut off their bodies. Once done, the slavers stood next to the outstretched and bound slaves as if waiting for something or someone to conduct the forthcoming punishment. No sooner had the slavers, slaves and soon to be punished slaves were present, a deadly silence filled the campgrounds as the Master of the hyena slave runners emerged from his tent, making his way between Ainoko and the assembled, willing and unwilling spectators.

One look at the Slave Master was enough to make Ainoko loose his bowels in fright. The creature standing before him was straight out of nightmares. It was a cross between a dragon, serpent, feline and bird. He, it, stood about 9.5 feet tall, walked on four legs. Its two rear legs were small, powerful and dragon-like while its forelegs resembled that of a feline. The upper body looked like a hooded serpent with wings on its back. The creature made its way to the one set of poles with his half brother and sister in tow before tying his brother to it. It then turned back towards Ainoko before addressing him.

"Ssso..." It said in a soft sibilant voice dripping with venom. "Our mossst presssciousss possssesion has returned. You essscaping all thossse daysss ago hasss cosssting over a dozzzen loyal men their livesss and freedom. Your actionsss asss well asss of the ssslowessst ssslaves have cossst me dearly and for that everyone of you needsss to be taught a lesssson. Waaatch and learn my pet."

At that the creature motioned to the guards standing next to bound slaves, who then pulled out short ropes and began lashing the backs of the helpless prisoners. Ainoko whimpered from the pained cried of those getting lashed as he desperately tried to free himself from his bonds.

"Sssooo pressssciousss." The slave Master said grinning evilly. "You don't like what you are ssseeing I ssseeeee. Ssssit sssstill asss the lesssson isss nearly over."

Ainoko began struggling hard against his bonds as the guards stopped lashing the slaves and pulling out short, evil daggers and kneeling down to their Master , waiting for his next order.

"Please don't!" He cried out in desperation as tears streamed down his muzzle. "I-I-I'll behave. You won't have anymore problems from me. Please, I beg of you, don't harm them or my brother."

"Thisss lesssson isss not jussst for you, my little poppet." The fowl beast said as he nodded to the guards to prepare to finish the lesson. "Everyone hasss to learn what happensss to thossse who ssslow usss down, even you.

"Guardsss make sssure that our treasure here keeps watching. He needsss to have thisss lessssson driven home." The Master said as he sat on his haunches and pulling Ainoko's terrified and crying sister Sierlina close to him. "Now my pet, thisss isss going to happen everytime you try to essscape. Asss for the ressst of you watch watch happensss to thossse who fail to keep paccce."

At his signal, the guards almost as one plunged their blades into the bound slave's groins and slowly drew the blades up to the victim's throats slicing the bodies wide open. Once done, the guards then reached down and pulled the flesh apart, allowing the entrails to slowly spill out onto the ground, steam rising into the cool air. The air was filled as the bound slaved began screaming and gurgling in pain as the guards sliced their bindings and allowing the victims to fall to the ground to either try and scoop their steaming entrails up and back into their bodies or lay where they fell, twitching and spasming as their bodies started shutting down from the shock from being disemboweled. The ground as well as the dead and dying was soon covered by the spreading mist from the steam that rose into the cold morning air. After what seemed to be an eternity, the gutted slaves finally lay still on the grounds with only soft moans and sobs coming from all of the slaves.

NNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!" Screamed both Ainoko and Sierlina in unison as they watched their brother fall to ground, writhing in agony. They and the remaining slaves stood there in horror and shock as they watched their fellow prisoners die before their very eyes.

"Be glad that it wass not you out there but your brother my dear." The creature said as it held Sierlina tight against its body as if to keep her from either harming it or herself. "I am sssaying this asss I am under ordersss not to harm any fur on your body. Jussst remember, thisss isss what will happen everytime you try to essscape. But Jussst to ensure that and resssissstanccce from you isss gone, I have one more incccentive to keep you in line.

"Guards, take our 'guessst' to my tent with hisss sssissster. Asss for the ressst of you ssslavesss, enjoy your meal tonight. Thessse pilesss of meat will be the only food you have until we get to the mountain passss in three daysss. You have one hour to gather what you need from theessse dead slaves or you will not get any rations until we get to the passs. Get your ressst, we leave at firssst light." Turning around, the Master retreated back into his tent to tend to his prized slave's education.

Entering the tent it smiled evilly as it observed both its prized possessions cowering in the center, the male comforting his sister as she cried hysterically into his shoulder. The creature made its way over to the sobbing pair, roughly grabbed the male, stripping what clothing he had on before roughly tossing him face first into a set of iron bars.

"Now my pet," He said softly into Ainoko's ear as he began binding him to the bars, ensuring that the hybrid was unable to move much before tightly tying his tail to a shackle which was then clasped around his neck. "Behave yourssself asss I prepare your final lesssson or I will let my guardsss violate your beautiful sssissster asss you watch."

"Now my pretty little plaything." the creature said to Sierlina as he pulled her close to her brother, forcing her onto her knees at the same height as her borther's cock before tying her lead to the bars, ensuring that she would stay in her position. "You will help me with your brother'sss final lesssson in a few moments."

_ At that the Master began attaching rings around Ainoko's ankles, shins, thighs and tail, before affixing rods to each set of rings. The master then walked around to face Ainoko where he then affixed a soft leather muzzle and harness that was equipped with a pliable ring, onto his head and making sure that his muzzle was wide open before going back behind him. He yelped in surprise as he felt the Slave Master push something long, flexible, cold and wet deep into his tailhole, thrusting in and out a few times before finally pulling the offending object from his ass._

"Now my dear," The monster said softly. "I need you to take your brother'sss cock into your pawsss and muzzle and ssstroke it until he isss hard."

"N-n-no!" Sierlina cried in horror. "I won't! He is my brother."

"DO IT! OR YOU WILL FACE THE SAME FATE AS YOUR OTHER BROTHER!" The slave master screamed, scaring the girl into doing what he wanted. "Good girl keep sssucking him like that asss I give your brother a tassste of what hisss new role in life will be."

While Sierlina was sucking Ainoko's growing erection, she was treated to a view of what her brother was about to experience. Her eyes grew wide as the slave master began stroking and rubbing his sheath brining his cock to full arousal, before walking around and presenting it to Ainoko.

"Now boi..." The master said, hissing softly as he slowly stroked his long, pink shaft, before slowly pushing the fleshy rod into his open muzzle. "I know that you are an exxxtremely talented tail-raissser from what your so-called 'uncle' G'Derash hassss told me. Enjoy my tassste pet, asss it will be the firssst of many that you will enjoy."

The master grinned as he began thrusting harder into Ainoko's muzzle making him gag from each deep thrust before he pulled out and shook numerous fat drops of pre onto his head and snout. He then walked back behind Ainoko and started rubbing his dripping rod on and around the exposed tailhole.

"Brace yourself love." Was all the master said as he slowly pushed his length into his prized possession's ass, making him howl around his gag in pain as his tailhole was violently stretched wider than he was used to as the master reached down and pulled Sierlina further down on her brother's cock. "That'sss my pressssciousss pet. Your body isss enjoying thisss, I can tell. Relaxxx love, I am about to finish your lessson."

Tears streamed down Ainoko's muzzle as his mind and body started succumbing to the lesson the slave master was giving him while he stared blankly at the tent's far wall. He was brought back to reality as he felt the master pull his sister off his cock.

"Now my pretty rose..." The master said to Sierlina. "I want you to squeeze the base of your brother's knot as I put a special cage on it."

While Sierlina was doing what she had to do to keep her brother's cock hard, the slave master carefully pushed a long, thin tube down into the shaft and locking a tight, constricting cage around the cock, knot and balls before running the tube to the base of Ainoko's tailhole. The master's thrusting became fast and furious as he neared his climax, cumming hard into the young male's hole, filling him with hot serpent seed. Once the master's climax ended, he quickly pulled his shaft out of his ass before picking up a long, thick, heavily studded rod and pushing it deep into his tailhole before attaching the rods and tube to it. Once done, the master uttered something in a strange language, that sent ripples of energy through Ainoko's body, making him mewl softly as the rod slowly began to thrust into his tailhole.

"It ssseems that you are enjoying your lessssson my pressssciousss." The master said grinning evilly as he untied Ainoko from the bars, freeing him. "I have cassst sssome enchantmentsss on you to keep you will be pleasssuring yourssself during the march to the passs assss you are walking. Alssso, if you have noticcced, you have remained arousssed. Thisss isss sssomething that isss guaranteed to keep you from thinking about essscaping. I promisss you that by thisss time tomorrow, you will be begging for a releassse that will never happen until you are sssold to your new Massster or Missstresss. Get your ressst poppetsss, if you can that isss. We leave for the passss at firssst light."

"I promise you serpent." Ainoko said angrily as he tried to cover his body from his crying sister. "One day you are going to pay dearly for the evil that you have wrought today. And if you harm another fur, I promise you, I will die trying to defend them, you have my word."

"That isss sssomething that I look forward to, my lovely." The master said laughing. "But that will have to be for another day. Now I want you two out of my sight and back into your tent. GO!"

As Ainoko and his sister were led to their tent, he swore on the graves of his parents and now that of his brother, that he was going to get his revenge on the slave runners and those they did business with for what they have done, but first, he had to find a way to nullify the enchantments the evil one cast on his body, and bonds.

_ _

Chapter 11(?):On Stage

_ _

_ _ Deep in thought, Magistrate Nystra Hunnydhew nearly jumped in fright when his data center chimed indicating that he had an important message. Opening it, he sat up in shock from seeing who the sender was.

Magistrate Hunnydhew,

I know the cause of your problem and can fix it very quickly. All you need to do is this one thing and all your worries will be over. There is an object in your city that I greatly desire. I have included instructions for locating said desired object, where and how you are to display it so that I can get it legally. I am giving you three weeks to obtain the object and store it in the location I have specified. I am watching and will know when you have acquired what I am seeking at that time, and will keep my end of the bargain.

Deagon

_ Looking at the details the mysterious Deagon sent, Nystra once again felt the faint pangs of regret for making deals with Daemons, and wondered what would happen if he refused to do this little 'chore'._

Deciding that it wasn't worth the risk, he started working on the job at paw. "Aiton!" He called to one of his most trusted aides, "I need you to begin searching for this." He said handing him a piece of paper. "You are to get this via any means possible that won't result in damage to the any person or property, let alone to the item in question. Once you have the item in your possession, take it here, and give this data pad to our contact, they will know what to do after that."

_ After Aiton left, the Magistrate began sobbing, knowing that after tonight some lives were going to change forever because of his cowardice. "May the Gods and Daemons forgive me for this." He prayed._

***************

"GET UP!"

_ Looking at the blurred image looming over him, Ainoko_

Struggled to get up off the floor where he found himself, angry at having his sleep disturbed.

_ "GET UP!" Came the voice again, and was immediately followed by a well placed bucket full of ice-cold water was splashed onto his face._

_ Getting on his paws and stumbling to the rear of the small, bare, featureless room that he was in, he tried to figure out when and how he found himself in this strange situation. The black and red furred Cheolf (wolf/cheetah hybrid) shivered from his sudden immersion in water. Water was dripping off his pink braids and leaving wet splotches on the wrinkled and somewhat dirty clothes he was wearing. He looked up just in time for another bucket of freezing water was thrown at him, soaking him to the bone._

_ "I'm up! I'm up!" He yelped in shock from the cold water hitting him._

_ "Now that you're up," Said the voice, "You need to get yourself cleaned up and presentable. You are going to have to look your best to your prospective Master or Mistress, but first you have new adornments that those in your position are required to wear."_

_ Before he had a chance to protest, three large imposing furs, two black and white badgers and a white polar bear, entered his room and firmly, yet forcibly, removed all his clothing and jewelry. He struggled in anger, as his dignity was repeatedly violated. He felt degraded and ashamed, like he was nothing but a piece of property. Then as two of them held him motionless, the third approached and clamped a gold and silver band around his left arm, before attaching a metal collar around his neck, metal shackles around his feet, and another shackle with a ball on it onto his tail. No sooner than the band was clamped to his arm, a sensation like something digging through his arm began._

At first it was mildly painful, before starting to feel pleasant, then sending ripples of pleasure through his body. This lasted for the length of time it took the three furs to attach his restraints.

Once they were done with that, they took him to a room that contained a shallow tub, where they chained his collar to a peg hanging from the ceiling. Then they began to thoroughly clean him from head to toe, shampooing his fur with something that smelled like minty vanilla, making sure that his fur was clean and silky. He was surprised and annoyed when he heard himself purr from the warm, soapy water raining down on him, not to mention the hard scrubbing from the three furs. It was after the brutes were finished drying off his fur and brushing him down, he heard a low chuckle from behind him.

_ "I am glad to see that you are starting to enjoy your preparations, but unfortunately we have some business to conduct. Now Ainoko" Came the voice once again, this time next to him. There stood a femme; her fur was dark and light brown like the finest cocoas you would find in the markets, with a brown heart mark just above and between her eyes, she was wearing a purple suit with lighter purple stripes and highlights, like something from a carnival gypsy. She was about two heads shorter than him, holding a set of gold chains, and very intimidating. "All you have to do right now is do what I tell you and nothing else." She said as she clipped the chains to his collar._

It was then that he noticed his shackles change color from a dull grey to a bright, lively purple, nearly matching what she was wearing. "As of today, the life that you have known is no more, you are now a slave, to be the property of someone else for their pleasures." Looking at her in shock and dismay, he began to protest in anger, but she continued before he could say anything. "You are now my property for now and will be auctioned off to the highest bidder in fifteen minutes. Just to let you know, my name is Lady Kix. You may only address me as Mistress Kix and nothing else until after the auction and your new owner pays for you. While we are on the stage, you are not to move for any reason during the process, not even if and when your prospective Master or Mistress comes on stage to get a better look and feel of you. Now, Ainoko, do you understand what I have just told you?"

"No Ma-, I mean Mistress Kix, I do not understand." He said, before angrily continuing, "Just how in the holiest of the eternal hells did I wind up here? I am a free fur, not no cursed slave."

Chuckling softly, Lady Kix produced a data pad, with which she began reciting information.

"You, Ainoko Ironrose, being found guilty of the offense of living beyond your means and being in debt, you are hereby ordered into debtor prison. Upon further consideration, you will to be handed over to the slave market to be sold into slavery, and what you are sold for will be split three ways. 15% will go to you, 15% will go to the slave market as payment for your sale, and the rest will go to pay off your debts. If by any chance you are sold for more than what you owe, the difference will go to you. Once sold, you will be used in any way that your new owner desires.

Signed,

Nystra Hunnydhew, city Magistrate.

What this means Ainoko, is that You have no chance now or ever regaining your freedom."

Closing the pad she continued on, "Now you know why you are here being auctioned off as a slave. One more thing, there is a band that was put on your arm. This band is now a permanent part of your body, and cannot be removed without seriously harming or killing you. It's composed of a living metal, and when it was placed on your arm it began to form a lattice inside your body to keep it sitting from where it's at. It generally takes the metal three days to fully embed itself into your arm, at times it will be mildly painful or extremely pleasurable until it is completely embedded. The metal helps your Master or Mistress keep you healthy, both physically and emotionally. The band also acts as leash, it will allow you to roam your new owners home and the immediate property, but you won't be able to stray farther then that, or not far from your owner when they take you where-ever they go."

"B-b-b-but this is ridiculous!" He stammered angrily as he reached with his right paw to see if he could try and pull it free, "I have never lived beyond my means or have EVER been deep in debt! I am a respected member of this city. I want to know who did this to me! I demand to be released!"

"Ainoko" Lady Kix said harshly, "I am not the one to file a grievance with only you can do that; however that is no longer your concern. According to Magistrate Hunnydhew, your freedom is no more. I am not the one who sentenced you to be a slave for the rest of your life. You had the chance to appeal the decision when you first came here, but didn't make the claim." Looking back down at her data pad for some information, she continued. "From our records, you have been here three days, that means you had plenty of time to make your appeal but didn't."

"B-B-But I just woke up a couple of hours ago!" He exclaimed in anger. "How can I file an appeal if I am unconscious during the past three days YOU say that I have supposedly been here? I haven't had a chance to exercise my rights and you know it!"

"Look at this, and tell what you see." Kix said as she pulled up vids of the past few days. "See this? This is you, in your room talking to your legate about you charges, you sure don't look unconscious there. Here is Justice Aiton bringing you in, your were quite awake then, fighting him as he brought you in."

"I-I-I-I can't explain that." He said in protest. "I must have been drugged or under a spell, there is no way that I would have accepted this without a fight!"

"Ainoko, you had your chances to appeal this and you didn't. I'm sorry, but you are now a fur with no rights or privileges. Accept it. Now, we have to get out on to the auction block, you are the last one on the docket to be sold today."

"Mark my words Mistress Kix," He said vehemently, "By all that is holy, I will find out who did this to me and make them pay dearly. Whoever buys me, I will make sure that their lives are a living hell. They will regret ever getting me."

"You go ahead and do that Ainoko, but remember this, eventually you will come to accept your new role in life and come to enjoy it. As Magistrate Hunnydhew stated, your days as a freefur are over. Even if your auction nets enough gold to pay off your debts, you can never be free again." She said as she urged him onto the small round stage.

"Remember, you are not to move at anytime during the auction, unless I say otherwise. Failure to obey will not be tolerated and you will be punished accordingly"

At that, Kix activated a switch on her data pad, which turned on a set of lights on the outside ring of the stage turn on. A few seconds later, the stage began to rise slowly off the floor towards what seemed to be a small ring of light. At first it was quiet in the tunnel, but soon sounds began to drift down to the slowly ascending stage. Early on the noise was just a rumble, but the level of the sound increased in volume the nearer they came to the light.

In no time the indistinct voices began to separate into different tones. There was laughter, protests, and yelling from the furs bidding for the slaves that they wanted, as well as the wailing of children being ripped from their mother's arms as they were sent to ones who bought them. Then, before the stage was to rise through the hole above them, the stage stopped. After that all lights save for those on the stage went out.

"Ok Ainoko." Kix said excitedly as she made sure that both of them were properly groomed and ready for the last time. She then turned off all the lights on the stage, save for those on the outer ring and the ones under their paws. "Get ready, we are going up into the arena right about now." At that, the stage resumed its slow, steady climb up and through the hole above them, into a circular pit ringed with intense bright lights.

_ "And now my fellow furs... here comes our latest addition to the auction! He was just delivered a few days ago and is the last item on today's auction!" Boomed a voice from over the stage as it began to rise up from the floor. Ainoko cringed inwardly as he was greeted by what seemed to be a physical wave of cheers, catcalls and whistling._

"He is young! He is wild! He is untrained, unbroken, and outspoken, ready to be used any way you like. He will be the perfect addition to your harems, stables or as a valuable member of your breeding stock! Now without further ado, here he is with his handler, Mistress Kix!"

_ "Good evening my fellow furs! I am Lady Kix, and tonight I present for your bidding pleasure, Ainoko Ironrose!" She said right as the stage came to a stop in the midst of the bidding arena. "As you can see he is a young wolf/cheetah hybrid called a Cheolf and is extremely rare. I can tell you that he is attracted to males, so those of you who have females can be assured they will be safe from him, however, males might be a temptation for him until he is properly trained. He does have other talents that may make him a valuable asset to your slave stables, he knows his way around a kitchen and is an excellent cook as well. He is also good with cubs and can be very protective of your cubs. Before the bidding begins and during the bidding, feel free to come down and check him out."_

"Ainoko, will you please walk around the stage so that the audience can get a better view of what they are bidding on?"

Doing as he was asked, Ainoko began walking around the stage, only stopping when someone came on the stage to get a closer look at him. He growled silently to himself, embarrassed about being paraded in naked front of hundreds of strangers, as well as finding himself being forced into slavery.

"Now, let's start the bidding at 150,000 Gold... Ainoko, please go back to the center stage now that the auction can begin" Doing as he was told, Ainoko stared angrily at a spot on the stage in front of him, trying avoid looking into the assorted furs for fear of seeing familiar faces. 'I will find out who did this to me, and make them tell me why I am here.' He thought to himself as the auction began and went into high gear.

Chapter 12(?): Happy Endings

"SOLD!" Ainoko looked up in surprise at the announcement. "The last item in today's auction has been sold to our Mystery bidder for a total of 15,500,000 gold."

It was degrading standing there naked letting those who were bidding on him come up and feel him down like a cursed beast of burden. Even worse was those who pawed around his sheath, tail and tailhole, it was as if they were seeing if he was going to used for breeding.

"Ainoko, your new owner wants you to go to the staging pens," Said Mistress Kix, as she retrieved her leash, "They wish for you to go through training before the two of you meet in person. Follow me."

As Kix led Ainoko off the stage to the staging pens, he shuddered at the thought that his life as he knew it was now over. Looking around, he saw that all the collars and shackles that the slaves were wearing were different colors. "Mistress Kix, I have a question. Why are all the collars and shackles different colors?"

"That will be answered once your training begins." Kix said, "All I can say is do what you are told and your life will be easy."

All too soon they arrived at the pens and he was handed over to the fur in charge. One look at the fur made him nearly collapse in shock. It was one of his friends and lovers, Jheremie! He hung his head in shame in the hopes that his friend wouldn't recognize him, but those hopes were dashed. "Well Ainoko, you are the last fur I would have expected to see here." Jheremie said in surprise, "Whose paws did you step on this time, eh?"

"JHEREMIE!" Snapped Kix angrily, "If you wish to find yourself in his position as well, keep your muzzle shut. Your job is to process Ainoko for his trip to the education facilities."

"Yes Miss Kix." He said in apology, "I will get him ready. He will be on the next run in two hours. So I take it that he needs the full preparations?"

"That is correct." She said as Jheremie took the lead and paperwork from Kix. "Well Ainoko, I hope that you enjoy your new life and Owner. You have made me quite a lot gold today, and don't forget, you earned some gold as well. Now it is time for you to get ready to leave for your training." At that Lady Kix turned and headed back to where they came from.

Suddenly, Ainoko was roughly jerked into the pens by Jheremie. "Well my friend, it seems that you are going to the slave camp for a few months. And I get the pleasure of getting you ready. This doesn't take long, but at least I will get some fun out of this."

Ainoko shuddered as he was led into a rather large room and was chained to two poles. He was starting to get frightened now that his now former friend and lover was in charge and getting him ready for some kind of slave camp. Before he could say anything, his muzzle was firmly wrapped in a soft leather binding, and his tail was raised and hooked to his collar.

His eyes widened in shock and tears started falling, as he felt something enter his tail hole briefly and exiting before a rather large object was inserted and knotting in inside him. "Now don't cry Ainoko," Jheremie said in amusement, "This is just the first part of getting you ready for you re-education. Hold still this is may hurt you if you move." Standing as still as possible, he felt something cold and tight click around his sheath. "There, now you are nearly ready. I just need to do a couple things and then you are ready to go. Now, the devices that I have put in and on you are to be used for your training. Your teachers at the camp will tell what they are and how they will be used." Then the leather wrap was removed from his muzzle, and before he got a chance to say anything, a ball gag was put in place keeping him from talking, followed by a hood that left him in completely blinded. He knew the reason for the hood; it was to prevent him from seeing where he was going and the route taken as well.

He felt his arms getting released before getting bound behind his back. Then he was forced onto his knees feeling whatever what was in his tailhole go even deeper making him whimper from both pain and pleasure. Then, he felt Jheremie wrapping something around his body from his neck down; making him totally unable to move, save for only his head. After he was finished being wrapped up a few minutes later, he heard his old friend leave the room and close the door. How long he sat in the room with every sense save for his hearing and smell cut off, he couldn't tell, but the next he knew, something slid under him, and he felt his bound body slide back into a container of sorts.

He was then moved through the slave stables, changing directions many times making him lose his sense of direction, before feeling his container finally being deposited into a different room where he heard someone talking to Jheremie in a muted voice. He strained his ears doing his best to discern what was being said, but to his dismay, he couldn't tell what was being said, just that Jheremie was not happy about something judging by the tone of his voice. Soon the voices stopped and then he heard either Jheremie or maybe it was the unknown fur that was talking to him head to where he was sitting. Once again he felt his container tilt back and start to move, but this time he sensed that they were moving away from the room where he was at to a new location.

*Wake up my pet* Came a voice from in his head, making him jump in surprise. He looked around before realizing that he was no longer wearing the hood or ball gag. "Wha-wha? Where am I and who are you?" He asked, as a small, lithe three-tailed Snow Leopard entered his field of vision.

"All you need to know right now Pet is that I am your new Master, Neromyr." The Snow Leopard purring, "You belong to both me and Anira, to be used as we see fit. As you have obviously noticed, I have removed the ball gag from your muzzle, the hood and the plug that was in your hole, but I have left the cage on your sheath. The reasons for that will be revealed in the future."

Reaching behind him, Ainoko gently rubbed his tailhole, both happy and upset that the large object was no longer in him. He then looked down at his sheath taking, Taking note of the finely crafted wire cage that was locked around his sheath. "But what did I do to deserve being sold into slavery?" He asked angrily. "I mean, according to the false information from Magistrate Hunnydhew, I was supposedly deep in debt and living beyond my means. That is far from the truth, and I need your help proving that I was framed for something that I would never do."

*Yes Ainoko, you were framed, but not by who you think.* Neromyr said to himself with a sly grin. *You see, I have spent the past few months working on making you mine and mine alone. Of course, I will have to share you with Anira, but that is a small price that I am willing to pay. Although come to think about it, sharing you with Anira is going to be fun!*

"But as for me helping you prove that, well it will not be from me. Now, it is time for me to take you to your new home and life."

"No, I refuse to go with you." He said vehemently, as he turned and started to walk away. "I am no one's property. There is nothing that you or anyone can say about that! Good-bye!"

"If you are sure about that, I will escort you to Magistrate Hunnydhew and we can get this matter sorted out quickly. Ok? You are going to need my help getting to the Magistrates office as we are no longer in the city proper."

Stopping short of the door, Ainoko thought about his situation for a few seconds. "How can I trust that you will keep your word on this and not double cross me before we get to the Magistrates office?"

"You have no choice but to trust me," Neromyr said with a grim smile. "All I can do is give my word. Now, do you want me to take you to the magistrate's office to clear things up or not?"

"I-I-I don't know," Ainoko said nervously, "You did purchase me, which in theory, does make me your property. Although, through an improper, if not illegal slave auction. Before you say it, I know that slave auctions are legal, but how I got here is in question. I am, or I should say, was a person of good standing in society. The only thing that I can think is that someone has a grudge against me. Whoever that person, I would like to know what and why they are doing this to me. I can't help but feel that way."

Looking at Ainoko with amusement, Neromyr idly wondered if Ainoko knew how right he was. "Well Ainoko, I need your answer. Shall I take you to the magistrate's office or not? If so, then we need to go before it gets too late."

Looking over at his Master, Ainoko thought hard before replying. "As you have said, I have no choice but to trust you. I would like to get there while the day is young if that is ok with you."

"Good, then we need to start right now." Said Neromyr, "But for now you need to play the part of my faithful slave until we arrive at the magistrate's office, understand?"

"One thing, Master," He replied in anger, "I will not play the part of your willful obedient Slave! Not now or ever! We will go together side by side as friends to see Magistrate Hunnydhew. But first, I need some clothes, it won't look right for others to see me as a slave."

"Fine by me." The Snow Leopard said as he produced a non-descript set of clothing seemingly out of nowhere and gave the clothes to Ainoko. Just remember that until Magistrate Hunnydhew says otherwise, you are still mine."

"No, I am nobody's slave, pet or whatever." He said breathlessly as he quickly donned the clothing, not even thinking about where they came from. "There is nothing that you, Magistrate Hunnydhew, or anyone else can say that will change my view. Now that I am properly adorned, let's go."

At that Ainoko proceeded to walk out the door, followed by Neromyr shortly afterwards. "Ainoko, do you mind if we walk in the shade?" Neromyr asked an hour later with a worried note to his voice. "I tend to suffer when the sun is out like it is right now. Let's go and find some shade to rest in."

"Ok, but only for a few minutes, I want to get this matter resolved as soon as possible." Ainoko said as they walked over to a small copse of trees in the center of the small bazaar. "So tell me, what possessed you to buy a slave, especially me?"

"Well I have always wanted to own a slave, but I have never found the one that appealed to me." Neromyr said thoughtfully, "I came to this auction because I heard that there was going to be some rare items up for sale. When I saw you, I pretty much fell for your exotic looks and body. So, basically, I started bidding on you."

"And to tell the truth," He said after they entered the shade from the trees, "You have by far, exceeded what was expected of you."

Looking at him in total surprise, Ainoko wondered where he was going with his story. "What do you mean?" He asked.

"What I mean is this Ainoko" Neromyr said as he stopped suddenly and turned towards him, his green eyes glowing, making Ainoko stop in his tracks. "You see my dear pet, I was the one who set you up with the Magistrate. It was I who has had designs on you for while now. I wanted you, but I had to find a way to get you for myself and non-other, except for Anira of course, but you will get to meet her later. Now that I have you where I want you, I think it is time to show what kind of Master that I am."

Before he knew it, Ainoko found himself on his paws and knees, shackled to the ground and attached to a strange bar and able to move again. "W-what? You are mad! I told you, I am an honest citizen of the city, I am nobodies pet or slave!" He said both in shock and anger. It was then that he noticed that the clothes he was wearing were no longer on him. "Where are the clothes I was wearing?"

"What clothes Ainoko?" His Master purred in glee, "I only made you think that you were wearing clothes. But I was merely waiting for the opportunity to teach you a lesson about who really is in charge." Walking around Ainoko, Neromyr grinned as he slowly removed his robe, revealing to his slave that he was wearing nothing underneath it. "You see, I bribed Magistrate Hunnydhew, to collect and put you in the slave pens to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, which was going to be me. I told you, I wanted you for me and I meant it. It hurt to see you with others and not with me."

"Why me, why not some other fur?" He asked frightened. He yelped as his Master roughly grabbed his tail, exposing his tailhole, pulling it towards his head, for everyone to see. "Don't do this!" He pleaded afraid of what was about to happen.

*You know what?* Came a feminine voice in his head, making him briefly forget what was about to happen. *This is going to be fun watching as my brother tries to break you to our will. Enjoy your training pet, I will have my turn with you soon.* At that the unfamiliar presence in his head left, but not without leaving a parting gift. As she left, it seemed that she ran her paws through his insides making him shudder in both abject terror and blissful pleasure. Her last assault on both his mind and body, was a firm squeeze on his caged cock and balls, making him drip copious amounts of pre under his spread arms and legs.

"HELP!" He yelled, hoping that someone would come to his rescue, but getting none in response. "Please why are you doing this to me? Don't do this out here, it's not right!"

His cries were interrupted when his Master's face came into view. "I'm sorry Ainoko, but like I said, I am your master and owner now. I can't allow my slaves to disobey me at all. So now I am going to have to punish you in a way that will ensure your obedience to me at all times. I know that punishment by whips or abuse won't work with you, so I am going to show you how you will get punished every time you disobey."

Getting up, Neromyr quickly attached a light green cable to Ainoko's collar, before slowly walking around to his rear. He nearly screamed in shock as his Master rammed his cock deep into his tailhole as his head was pulled back nearly choking him. He felt his blood rush to his head as both his vision and hearing seemed to dim. For a moment, he thought that he heard his Master say something either to him or someone else. He then knew it wasn't him that was being addressed, when his vision was blocked by another male. Before he had a chance to say anything, he found his muzzle filled a different cock.

He found it hard to breathe as the male in front of him was pounding his muzzle roughly, forcing him to deep throat the offending cock. *Don't let any of the juices from this male leak Ainoko,* His Master said in his mind, *for if you do, then this will continue for as long as I see fit, or until you submit to me willingly.*

Just as his Master finished talking, the male who was pounding his mouth cried out as he finally released his load deep into his throat. Doing his best, Ainoko tried his best to keep the other males seed from escaping and dripping off his muzzle but failed.

*Well, well, well,* Came his Master's voice once again in his mind, "You failed. That just means we are going to do this until you do what you are told, my pet. And just to make it more fun for you, I am going to deny you your release until you can do as you are told and you submit to me as your Master.*

"I will never submit to you!" Ainoko exclaimed in anger as he spat out what was in his mouth.

*Trust me pet, you will be begging for release soon, and I would rather have you submit to me willingly, instead of me tinkering with your mind.* Neromyr continued in his head, *But, I may or may not do that. Either way, when you finally submit to me, you will be wondering if I really did alter your mind.*

Before Ainoko could say anything to his Master, he found another cock being fed into his muzzle. Once again he failed to keep this male's seed in his muzzle and had to repeat the process again. This went on for hours, one male blending into another male. He began whimpering from his Master's constant thrusting into his tailhole and the near endless line of males filling his muzzle with their cocks, He knew that he couldn't last much longer before he was begging for release. Also, his pride wouldn't allow him to admit to Neromyr that he was ready to admit that he was nothing but his Master's slave and pet.

*You're breaking pet, I can feel it!* Neromyr said gleefully in his mind as he finally released his load, filling him with his hot seed. *You do want to submit to me, but your foolish pride won't let you just yet, but I will give you the release that your body is craving so badly my pet. Just relent to me as your Master and we will go home together so that you can begin your new life.*

As soon as the last male released his load into Ainoko's maw and pulled out, he hung his head in shame, knowing that he was beaten. "I-I-I am yours Master." He whispered as he shuddered from the shame of his total defeat to his Master. "My mind, body and soul is yours to do as you wish, my loyalty belongs to you and no one else."

"And here Anira thought that breaking you to my will was going to be boring!" Neromyr said with glee in his voice as Ainoko finally submitted to him. "I am so glad that she is wrong! Now we can go home and get you cleaned up. It won't do having a dirty slave to show off to my friends, who knows; maybe I will invite some of your former friends over for your pleasure if you behave yourself."

Finally, Ainoko felt his Master pull out of his abused tailhole followed shortly by copious amount of his seed. "Master?" He softly asked, "Am I going to get my release that you promised me?"

"Yes you will but when we get home and you get cleaned up." Neromyr said grinning, "You can now get back on your feet and walk behind me like the obedient slave you are."

Doing as he was told, Ainoko started walking behind his Master as they wended their way to his new home. In no time they arrived at the home, where Neromyr then led Ainoko to the central baths. "Get in the bath pet, the water is ready for the two of us." He said gently pushing Ainoko into the bath after removing the cage from his pet's sheath. He removed his robe and followed Ainoko into the large tub before sitting on the side and picking up a handful of soap and handing it to Ainoko.

"Start washing your fur, I want you clean for when Anira meets you." He said with a sly smile.

"Master," Ainoko said as began doing what he was told to do. "Who is Anira? I thought that I belonged to you."

"You belong to both Anira and I." He said as he rinsed the soap of his slave's fur. Then he leaned back against the wall spreading his legs, "You will get to meet her shortly. Now, I want you to use your muzzle to clean my cock, and you better do a good job."

"Yes Sir," Ainoko said as he began to lick and suck his Master's cock clean. He felt Neromyr brush his back before starting to stroke his growing erection. He began purring in pleasure as his Master started stroking him faster and harder. He was so deep into sucking his Master's cock, he didn't notice that it was slowly receding into his body, and in its place a vagina appeared. It wasn't until a husky female's voice interrupted his ministrations that he noticed something was amiss.

"Well, well, well!" She said laughing gently, "So you are my new pet and slave! Nero does have a good taste in choosing our pets, doesn't he!"

He froze in terror not knowing where, when or how his Master went and this female came from. "W-w-w-who are you, where is my Master?" He said frightened.

"Oh, he is still here," She purred happily, "Now don't stop, it is my turn to play with you."

"NO!" He yelled as he recoiled in fight, "I can't! I won't! I have never been with a female my entire life, and it won't happen now!"

"Now now Ainoko, you have no choice." She said annoyed, "I am your Mistress, you will obey, or the punishment I give you, will make what my brother did to you seem like a walk in the park. You will do as I say, or else!"

To be continued...

Chapter 15 (?): Final Submission

Master's Pet - Terradyne

Details about the world and life in Master's Pet

The world in Master's Pet is set in an alternate universe/dimension that is highly advanced yet agrarian in nature.

Details:

Terradyne is an Earth type, class M planet that is approximately 2 times the size of Jupiter. Terradyne is located in a binary star system named Velora, the two suns are named Vaverde (the largest a class A sun that is 100 times the size of Sol) and Valishade (a blue dwarf twice the size of Sol). Terradyne is the 6th planet of 20 and the 4thlargest of all planets.

Terradyne has a mean tilt of 45 degrees with a planetary mean temperature of 28c or 85f degrees at the equator and -54c or -66f at the poles. Terradyne has 4 moons: Altair (the smallest), Demos (the largest habitable moon), Sangria 2nd largest) and Ozo (2nd smallest). Terradyne takes 1245 Earth days to orbit Vaverde and Valishade and is located approximately 15AU from its suns. Terradyne has a rotational period of 45 hours.

Demos is 3 times the size of Earth has a hot tropical climate with a population of 10 billion people. The gravity on Demos is ¾ that of the mother planet Terradyne and its orbital time is 398 Earth days with a rotational period of 20 hours. Demos' elliptical orbit brings it within 5 million Km to Terradyne at apogee and 32 million Km at perigee and is on a 15 degree inclination to Terradyne's tilt.

Sangria is Earth sized with 1/6 the gravity of the mother planet and airless. Sangria takes 210 days to orbit Terradyne. At apogee, Sangria comes within 1.5 million Km of the home planet and 16 million Km at perigee with a 5 degree inclination to the home planet's tilt.

Ozo is the size of Mars and like both Sangria and Altair is airless and devoid of any life. Ozo is contrary to the three other moons as it orbits the home planet pole to pole at a distance of approximately 26 million Km from the planet. Its orbit takes nearly 15 years and the moon's rotational period is non-exsistant.

Altair is the smallest and the size of Earth's moon. It is similar to Ozo in its orbital pattern except that it is located on the equatorial plane. Altair is also unique in that its orbital track as it has the same orbital time frame as Ozo, though with one major difference, Altair's rotational period is 2 hours, making any surface landings all but impossible. Altair's orbital distance from Terradyne is 20 million Km.

A full lunar/solar eclipse when all four moons, both suns and all 20 planets are in alignment is very rare and celebrated when it occurs.

The Population of Terradyne is 80 billion of which, 2.6 billion are slaves (which will be discussed later in this presentation). Terradyne is home to 50 sentient species Lions, Tigers, Cheetahs, Wolves, Foxes, Coyotes, Rabbits, Bats, Humans, Badgers, Nagas, Dragons, Horses, Zebras, Dogs, Cats, Leopards, Frogs, Dolphins, Whales, Mice, Rats, Voles, Weasels, Ferrets, Apes, Chimpanzees, Monkeys, Fossa, Gazelles, Deer, Wolverines, Sharks, Octopi, Bears, Shrews, Lemurs, Otters, Sergals, Skunks, Squirrels, Ocelots, Lynxes, Panthers, Cougars, Kangaroos, Mongoose, Minks, Pandas, and Hyenas.

At one point in Terradyne's past there was over 1000 sentient species, ut due to predation and retaliation the number of species was reduced dramatically until it stabilized at the current count. What stopped the decimation of sentient species was a covenant that was instituted centuries ago that prevented entire species from being wiped out by predators or prey when they retaliated.

The covenant dictates that should a predator species raid a prey species, they are only allowed to kill no more than three family lines of any prey, not to mention that in order to keep a family line form disappearing completely, no less than two young from what line is being killed for food is spared and left to rebuild that line for 6 generations.

Lifespan:

Due to the numerous sentient species the lifespan varies. For example the lifespans for the major species...

Dragons: Lifespan eons (unknown at this time)

Rabbits, Lemurs, Otters and Foxes: Approximately 2500 years.

Wolves, Cheetahs and all canid and felinid species: Approximately 1600 years

Nagas: 500 years

Humans, Mice, Rats, Weasels, Lemurs, Ferrets and Shrews: 250 years

Dolphins, Whales, and Octopi: 700 - 750 years

All equine, bovine type species are the 2ndlongest lived on the planet living up to approximately 2800 years

All other species lifespans vary between 250 - 1000 years

World economy: Terradyne's economy is platinum based

1 Platinum round = 1000 Gold rounds

1 Gold round = 250 Silver rounds

1 Silver round = 100 Copper rounds

As stated earlier, Terradyne has a population of 80 billion people, of which 2.6 billion are slaves. Slavery on Terradyne is a major aspect of the economy. There are two types of slaves, Nareh and Udai.

Nareh slaves are those citizens who choose to live life as a slave. These citizens sign contracts that last from 100 years or until the day they pass on. They are held in high regard and treated with respect. Nareh are not immune from hard labor even though they can be found performing more of the lighter tasks, street sweeping, housekeeping, pleasure houses, some governmental duties, etc. Nareh are allowed to wear clothing but only at a bare minimum to be comfortable.

The Udai slaves are those who have been forced into slavery by committing crimes against nature, crimes against civilization, prisoners of war, etc. Udai are rarely seen in public, and usually only when being led to the mines for hard labor. Udai are not allowed to wear clothing of any type.

_Both the Nareh and Udai are allowed to marry and bear children, cubs, etc. But if they marry a free citizen, they will remain a slave until their contract expires. When either a Nareh or Udai gives birth, their young belong to both worlds. When the young become adults (usually at the age of 50), they have to choose which life they want to live. _

When the Nareh enters the slave market, they are sent to auction houses to be sold as property to their new owners. 20% of the final sale price for any Nareh is put into an account that they can access to purchase needed necessities. Nareh can purchase a slave or two themselves and are wholly responsible for that slave's care and well being.

The Udai on the other hand don't receive the benefit account that the Nareh receive upon getting sold. Udai slaves only attain freedom on the day that they die.

The only thing that both the Udai and Nareh slaves have in common it an intricate gold and silver band of living metal around their left arm. The living metal is a parasitic entity that relies on the slave's bio-electric rhythms to survive. The Nareh and Udai have said that during the process when the metal works its way into their arm and bonds with them, is similar to ones limb falling asleep and waking up, pins and needles.

Technology:

Terradyne's technological level is 1000s of years ahead of Earth's. One can find the tech all over the planet if they were to look hard enough. The vast majority of Terradyne's technology is integrated into everything around them, plants, homes, everything. The technology there would be considered biological/technical, high tech but agrarian.