FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

It has been 402 days since the last chapter. That equates to: 1 year, 1 month and 7 days. That worked out well x3

Wow, it has certainly been an interesting year. I may as well admit that the reason this story has taken so long to write is through the combination of many things. The main reasons being: I needed a break (a pretty long one it seems), I was being lazy, I got more into the fandom and writing time diminished considerably because of it and some other life things thrown in there as well.

I understand I have a duty to my readers so I would like to say I'm sorry for keeping you waiting a long, long, long time. But hey, it's finally arrived! So sit back and enjoy! ^^

Warning: The following story contains descriptions of an adult nature. Those under the age of 18 should not read this story, for fear of how it might affect your fragile little mind. Yes, I am patronising you but you know who you are so leave now, I'm not joking. This story contains incest and should more than likely be avoided by people who dislike such things that come under that title. I cannot be held accountable for you actions beyond this point.

**

Fate. It was a strange thing when Mark really thought about it. Overlooking for the moment the fact that nobody really knows if such a thing as fate exists, it could quite possibly play a much bigger part in life than any individual ever could. Mark couldn't help thinking there was some kind of grand design behind everything that happened, especially with recent events turning out how they have. Was it destiny that he was to love his sister and for her to love him? But then again, if it were meant to be, then why were there so many barriers to their love?

Of course it took Mark some time to discover what those strange feelings he had been having were, though after that, their relationship started out well. The whole world was against them, yet it seemed nothing would ever stop them. However things changed incredibly quickly and their peace did not last long. Their perfect hourglass of harmony cracked and the sands of time came bleeding out of the fissure. From that moment on their time together, unbeknownst to the siblings, began to slip through their fingers. Secrets are never kept secret forever.

The return of big brother Charlie caused a definite stir in the family and gave them yet another person to hide their love from. Thrown into the mix were the odd feelings Mark had been having for his brother. He knew what the feelings were as he had experienced them twice already. Nevertheless, he still denied that they were there at all.

The biggest problem came in the form of a beautiful misty catgirl that had strong sentiment for Mark and visa versa. Like the break-up and heartbreak weren't enough he also did something incredibly stupid that may very well destroy his and his sister's lives. When he really thought about it, why did he tell her that his heart belonged to his sister? How could that possibly make Mist feel better? It seemed like a good idea at the time... didn't it? He told her their secret to make her understand that it wasn't her fault that they broke up. He also hoped that it helped make her realise why he couldn't tell her before.

Mark just didn't see it ending so swiftly, but with each new event and mistake, more fractures appeared in the glass and more sand spilled forth. All this lead to the inevitable question... how much time did they have left?

**

She saw that his eyes were slightly wider than normal and she raised an eyebrow. He was looking out into the blackness of the room. Hazel watched as he tilted his head forward in the direction he was staring. She turned her head in the bearing indicated, only to have her eyes go wide like Mark's. A harsh silence befell the dark room as stunned faces were shared. A shadowy lithe form stood only a few feet away from the side of the couple's bed. They could each see the horror and disorientation on the figures face as clear as day. Panic and dread churned within Mark's stomach as the day he had most feared had finally arrived. There was only one single thing on both siblings' minds at that outstanding moment... ‘How long had Josh been watching them?'

Stares of unbridled fear and shock were shared between all three furs in the room. The overpowering scent of the siblings' sexual passion was heavy in the air. Every breath filled each of their lungs with a cocktail of amorous smells. Apart from frightened breathing there was complete silence in the room. None of them could find any words to utter. Even if someone did have something to say, they did not want to be the first to break the hush.

Little Joshua's jaw was hanging open slightly as he remained fixated on what he saw. Though the bedroom was dark, young Josh could easily make out hazy images and from where he was standing, they were not pretty pictures. The moonlight pierced through the thin curtains to help illuminate the darkened situation.

Mark lay still underneath his sister, watching his cousin watch him. He gave nerve racked glances towards Hazel once in a while, but she just remained gaping at Josh. He could feel that his cock had softened completely and slipped slickly back into his sheath. There was a huge sticky mess on his groin and his fur was matted downwards. Worst still, Hazel's body was not letting up with the flow of juices. He could feel the steady moistening of her hot slit pressed against his crotch. Now that the afterglow and desire had been briskly shoved aside, the stickiness was not all too pleasing. He could only imagine what it looked like down there right now, but he knew one fur in this room didn't have to imagine at all. Beyond the deeply flushing face of his cousin, Mark observed how his eyes would flick for a split second down to the sibling's most private areas.

Whilst the two boys stared at one another with faces as red as hot coals, Hazel's brain was ticking over madly. It didn't actually matter how long he had been watching because even a millisecond was enough to see what was happening. It would have been obvious to anyone that Josh had seen too much already because of his traumatised look. Obvious again was what, even now, Hazel and Mark were showing off to him. Their little cousin would have an adequately clear picture of her pussy coated in juices and cum, so there wasn't much use hiding that. He would also have seen Mark's cock inside of her and twitch madly in ejaculation. Thankfully the spurts of his seed were inside of her. There was little point in lowering her erected tail to hide their shame, as it would just show even more embarrassment on their part.

However, a reoccurring question she kept asking herself gave her a few ideas about what to do. Did he even understand what they were doing? That was certainly going to be a tough one to explain, although, if he was indeed susceptible to new suggestions, then maybe she could turn his innocence into a valuable cover-up tool. After all, he was only ten, how much could he know? Though her ideas did raise a big moral question: was it right to corrupt a mind so young?

"Well... it was fun while it lasted," Mark whispered into his sister's ear. Hazel finally looked away from Josh and turned to face him.

"You're really giving up that easily?" She said to him, raising an eyebrow quizzically.

Mark did not know how to respond to that. They had been caught in the act. It didn't matter to him who had discovered them because one was all it took. In his mind they were done for. Unfortunately, he hadn't had time to factor in Joshua's age and innocence into the equation and so had not arrived at the same conclusion as his dear sweet sister. He could have saved himself a lot of bother and worry if he slowed down and thought about it a bit more carefully. He was more interested in fretting about the future and trying to find some optimism in an otherwise bleak situation. Surprisingly, there was an upside. He had been worrying whether Mist would reveal their secret or not, and Hazel would be undoubtedly angry with him for telling someone. But now when word did get out, Mark did not have to admit it was his fault.

There was a shifting and Mark snapped back to the real world. He watched, still in frozen anxiety, as Hazel clambered off of him. The sheets were already a gooey mess so he was not surprised when she discretely cleaned her lowers on a dryer patch of the bed sheet. The wolfox was still motionless. He hadn't moved an inch, apart from his eyes that Mark could see were desperately trying to avoid looking at them or their privates, yet he was enigmatically drawn to both. Mark gathered that Josh knew enough to recognise that those bits of anatomy were to be kept concealed.

When Mark began to reassemble some common sense he decided that it was best he drag the quilt over his nakedness. He shakily latched his paws around the edge of the duvet, but another paw that wasn't his own stopped him. He looked up at his sister who was lightly shaking her head and mouthing the word ‘no'. He nearly asked her why but the look he was being given advised against it. He settled for a quiet whimper of complaint instead.

Hazel was making no attempt at covering up any part of her body and was in fact, to Mark's tremendous confusion, acting rather casually. To her it was like Josh wasn't even there at all. She was ignoring him and not even acknowledging his presence while she continued to tidy herself up. Mark observed as she smoothed down her fur where it had become ruffled. She licked a paw and removed as much of their combined fluids from her groin as possible. Finally, she sorted out her hair and fluffed her tail back to way she liked it.

Mark was astounded. There he and Josh were gawking with gaping mouths like some kind of brain-dead fish and there was Hazel acting normally at a time like this. He had to admire that level of cool she had going and wished he could be that relaxed.

He kept watching and she finally glanced over his way. He made sure to make his bewilderment clear in his expression. All she gave him in return was a wink and a small devious looking smile. ‘Oh shit!' Mark screamed inside his head. Hazel had a plan and it was definitely not something he was going to like very much. He should have been grateful that she had a way of getting out of this, but he feared that the cure was worse than the disease.

‘What the hell is she up to?' He asked himself. A perplexed look spread over his visage and for the moment he forgot all about Josh standing there. The only thing he could think about when he did give a fleeting look at the wolfox was: ‘His legs must be tired by now, poor little guy.' And then an epiphany like moment struck him where his synapses aligned and gave him the brainpower to workout just exactly what his sister had in mind. ‘Was she going to...? No of course not! No way!' His brain argued with itself. ‘She wouldn't do that... would she? Not to Josh! No way! That's just... just... wrong!' And there it was. That's just wrong. The whole reason this situation arose is because he had been doing something wrong, or what was considered wrong anyway. They had jumped a moral gap once already... what was to stop them doing it again?

Hazel was about to hop off of the bed when Mark grabbed her arm. She turned to him with a slightly frustrated expression.

"Are you serious?" Mark simply asked in a whisper.

"It's the only way," she replied plainly. She watched as her brother's appearance became even more shy and nervous than it already had been. "Hey, cheer up. You never know, it could be more fun than you imagine," she said in a soft alluring tone. She brushed a paw through his hair and smiled at him reassuringly. It served to both comfort him a little and mask her own fears and doubts about their circumstance. She slid carefully off the edge of the bed and faced Josh.

The young wolfox sprung to life and immediately tried to stammer out an apology. He stepped back fearfully as his elder cousin came towards him. He didn't know what to expect, but his mind was still in a state of panic so his first instinct was to run, hide or both. He had been so frozen with fright that all his natural instincts had been killed off, until now. Joshua couldn't form a comprehensible sentence as his jaw quivered. The rest of his body followed suit and he shook like an electric toothbrush. It seemed as if he was getting smaller and smaller as Hazel got closer. He did not take the time to study her expression because alarm was masking all else in his mind. The wolfox backed off so far that he bumped against the walls connecting into a corner.

"I-I-I... d-didn't m-mean t-t-to," he stuttered uncontrollably as tears began to fall. He was backed into a corner with no escape and that just added to his terror. His heart nearly exploded out of his chest and he almost passed out from hyperventilation. The cub drew his knees close and buried his head in his paws covering his eyes. His whole body quaked like mad and no more sense could be made from him as his voice squeaked and whimpered.

Hazel wasn't sure if it was the fear that he had been caught watching them that had caused him to react like this or if it was what he actually saw that frightened him. It was most likely the terror of being caught peeping on them. The why was of no consequence, dealing with it, however, was. Hazel placed an orange furred paw between the poor youngster's ears and lovingly smoothed his head. He flinched rigidly, his shoulder blades clenching and hiding a good portion of his neck. She crouched down and sat on her heels. She repeated a calming shush while Josh took the time to recover some composure. If tender love and care weren't going to bring him out of his protective ball, she wasn't sure what would.

Fortunately, Josh was no brain-dead simpleton. He could feel and hear the comforting actions of his cousin and it was signal enough that she wasn't angry with him, at least, not very angry. He was never actually crying full force, which was lucky because he probably would have awoken the rest of the house. His sobs and whimpers soon turned to infrequent sniffles generating a rather unpleasant gurgling sound.

"There now, that's better isn't it," Hazel said in a motherly tone. She rubbed his right ear and beamed a smile down at him.

Josh hesitantly removed his paws from his face and lifted his head from the safety of his knees. His glazed eyes looked up into Hazel's and he could see clearly that she was not mad, quite the opposite in fact. It took him a long moment to compose himself, but he eventually found his voice.

"Y-y-you're n-not angry with m-me?" He asked quizzically.

"Of course not," Hazel grinned and poked his little black nose with a finger.

The cub found it difficult to look his cousin in the eyes and kept glancing away. Since he had stopped crying in terror, his embarrassment of the situation started to cultivate within him. He didn't really understand what he had seen because his knowledge of such things was very limited. He could only piece things together from classroom banter and what he had read in books and seen on the Internet. He knew about the basics though. For a start, he knew he should not be staring at Hazel's breasts.

"I'm up here, Josh," Hazel giggled. She placed her paw under Josh's chin and tilted his head up. He immediately snapped out of his reverie and blinked a few times now that he was staring into her eyes. When comprehension of what he had just been doing hit him, he blushed a deep shade of crimson. The wolfox averted his gaze bashfully and started a staring contest with the floor.

"I-I-I..." he stuttered once again.

"Aw, you don't have to be embarrassed. You don't see Mark being all shy do you?" She said.

Suddenly, the limelight was passed over to Mark and he was lit up like a Christmas tree. Both his cousin and sister were now gazing intently at him. He had been quite happy sat on the bed and being ignored with the covers bunched up over his groin. Now it was his turn to heat up under his cheek fur. He was under the impression that Hazel was going to handle most of this. He knew her overall plan, but why was she including him like this? Mark did not want to have that spotlight hanging over his head. He did not deal very well with these kinds of situations. The palms of his paws became clammy and hot when he realised they were still watching him. When he looked at Hazel he saw that she was giving him a ‘say something' kind of look. Josh's expression was more of avoidance more than anything, though Mark noticed his cousin was still waiting for some kind of response.

"Heh... um... no I'm not embarrassed," He said with steadily reddening ears.

Hazel turned her head back to Josh. "See?" The wolfox just nodded. "Come over here Mark and show your cousin there is nothing to be bashful about," she called, once again turning back to Mark.

The fox on the bed was dumbfounded. His mouth hung slightly agape and he felt a creeping tingle claw its way up his spine. It was one thing having to watch this perversion, but to have to take part was an entirely different thing. However, it appeared obvious that he did not have much choice after looking at the stern expression of his sister. He gulped and his eyes screamed out a nervous plea to Hazel, though it was no use.

The bed sheets were the only thing between him and his modesty and he so desperately did not want to have to lose either. He shot as glance at his underwear. They were going to be of no assistance half way across the room. He made a mental note not to throw his boxers away idly and instead place them carefully near the bed next time, if there ever was a next time. His vision flicked back over to his sister who was obviously becoming more and more impatient. He made a nervous gaze down at his covered groin and squeezed the duvet in his paw. He sighed through a breath so as not to disclose how uncomfortable he was to young Josh.

A magnetic force held his paw in place and it seemed to take a lot of strength to shift it. Agonisingly slowly he began to remove his protective barrier. He had never dreamed he would be exposing himself to another male, least of all his own ten-year-old cousin. It was like torture having to watch as the comfy quilt slipped off his naked sheath. Mark tried to focus on how nice the bedcovers felt running over his fur, but he found it no solace. Bit by bit more was revealed, until, finally, not one thread of duvet was touching his body. He was just thankful he spent some time cleaning himself up beforehand.

Mark lay there motionless for a while and burned a fiery red under the scrutiny of his cousin. He saw how Josh could barely tear his gaze away from his fuzzy privates. With a final discontented huff of disapproval, Mark swung his legs over the edge of the bed and slid off. As he walked over to Josh and Hazel, he urgently felt the need to place his paws over his genitals. When he got closer he noticed how his little cousin avoided eye contact completely and flushed an interesting colour of scarlet. His paws made tight fists by his sides and his claws dug somewhat into his pads. He wanted to wring his paws like he would a wet dishcloth, although such a simple thing would just show off even more nerves as if it weren't already plainly evident.

When he reached the vixen and her ‘disciple,' Mark stayed standing not knowing what else to do. Hazel patted the floor next to her and the fox gladly took to a seating position. He sat crossed legged, since his sister made it pretty clear she did not want him sitting with his knees up by his chest trying to cover up.

"There, you see? Mark and I are both okay with seeing each other naked and having you see us naked. Can you be a big brave boy and be okay with seeing us naked too?" Hazel asked her cousin sweetly.

Josh simply nodded his reply. He did not know where to look. To his left was a sizable pair of furry breasts and to his right was another boy's maleness not dissimilar from his own. It was not something his childish mind was prepared to cope with yet, though it was doing remarkably well at holding together so far. He would never want to admit it, he didn't even know it was happening, but something was stirring within him. Whatever this new feeling was, it was making something happen in his shorts.

"What were you doing earlier?" Josh blurted out. He wasn't sure if he had actually just said that or if it was an extended burp.

The two siblings looked anxiously at each other. In their own silent way they were saying: ‘Do you want to take this one, or shall I?' Of course, neither of them did, least of all Mark. It was bad enough that his sheath was on full display to his ten-year-old cousin, but now he was being asked awkward questions. Still, there was a silver lining. At least it wasn't cold tonight.

"You see, Josh," Hazel stepped up to the challenge, placing a reassuring paw on one of Mark's. "That was called mating and it should only be shared between two people who love each other very much."

"But won't you get pregnant?" Josh questioned Hazel. The siblings were naturally shocked at such a question coming from him. It made sense though. Josephine was not the type to be discrete about sex and educating her young.

"No, there are ways of stopping that." She replied simply.

"What ways?" He questioned further. He obviously had never heard of curiosity killing the cub.

"Well things like contraceptives." Of all the things she could imagine herself doing, explaining about pregnancy to a ten year old was not one of them. Anyway, where had all this newfound confidence in their little cousin come from? Was he even taking any of this in? It didn't matter really, as long as he wasn't crying anymore. "My own personal favourite comes in pill form," she chuckled a bit and nudged Mark's arm. He gave her an, ‘Oh very funny look' for her trouble. How was he supposed to know she was on the pill when they had their first time? It makes his condom question sound stupid, but he thought it was natural to ask. When he did some research into it he found out that no contraceptive is one hundred percent guaranteed, so he still felt it was right to ask, though the question of Hazel getting accidentally pregnant never did cross his mind. Likewise he didn't even think to ask Mist their first time; luckily he found out later that it was the wrong time of the month for her.

"But why do you do it?" Josh interrupted the fox's trail of thought. For a moment the two of them couldn't figure out what he was asking, though it came to them quick enough so they didn't look dim-witted.

‘So Auntie Joe left out a few things about mating, specifically, the pleasure involved,' Hazel thought to herself. "Because it feels good, Josh. It feels like nothing you've ever experienced in your life before and it's like making a special connection to the one you love most in the world," Hazel answered. She squeezed Mark's paw and smiled at him. Her lover returned the smile and she saw that same love she had always seen in him.

"Hey now, stop stalling Mr." she said. "Me and Mark are naked and fine with it, so why can't you be?" She said very matter-of-factly.

Josh discovered a brand new shade of red when the thin fur of his ears showed his deepening blush. "Mamma says that nobody should see that," he squeaked almost silently in a feeble attempt to make them see reason.

"Well we're not ‘nobody' are we? We're your cousins, so it's all right if we see," she said warmly.

Josh had to admit she made an odd sort of logic, though it really didn't seem right to him. He glanced between the two of them, looking for any sign of weakness but found none. He eventually nodded after a long pause. He was wearing a whitish grey, short sleeved pyjama top with matching shorts. The t-shirt had a picture on the front of a fox cub curled up and sleeping peacefully. He stripped off his top, yanking it up off his head and placing it down on the floor. He looked at Hazel and Mark again and then down at their privates. He squirmed where he sat and finally lifted his bottom off the floor so he could hook his fingers around the waist band of his shorts. He nervously pulled them down to just above his groin, then gulped and took a breath. He slid them down further to reveal he was not wearing any underwear. The whitish grey shorts quickly followed the t-shirt. The young wolfox couldn't look at the two of them and just chose to stare at the wall to his left.

"Ahem, very nice, but you might want to move your paw," Hazel giggled.

Josh gave her a fleeting look then gazed down at his crotch. His paw was indeed cupping over his boyhood obscuring it from sight. He made a pathetic whine though it was clear he wasn't getting away with this. He sighed and shakily let his paw slip off up over his thigh and down to the floor. He nibbled his lower lip, not being able to look again.

Hazel smiled and felt her heart beat a little faster when she looked down on her young cousin's small sheath and balls. Her tongue involuntarily licked over her lips. She found herself more and more wanting to do what she had planned for him.

Mark was nearly as embarrassed as juvenile Josh, but was also nearly as interested in this other boy's bits as his sister was. He felt a prickle of vanity that his own sheath was bigger than his cousin's, yet he knew the age difference made that a blindingly obvious occurrence.

"There you are. See, its not so bad is it?" She asked pleasantly.

Not wanting to seem as if he was overly shy he just nodded at her. He couldn't help but let his eyes drift once more down her body. He had heard about breasts a few times in school, though he knew very little about them only that females have them and they were on their chests. He found himself staring at his cousin's for a long while though. He felt something very odd in his sheath. It was the smallest of twinges and he decided immediately that it was nice. Hazel did not interrupt him this time and just allowed him to look. His gaze travelled down further over her white tummy and down between her legs. He made a sort of gasping noise when he saw Hazel's slit. He tilted his head a little and his curiosity flourished in his young mind. Hazel cupped his chin making Josh flinch.

"Like what you see?" She asked with a grin.

Josh just giggled and nodded embarrassedly yet he was very keen to know more.

"Do you want to touch me there?" She said, pointing her muzzle down at her sex.

Josh just blinked dumbly and nodded again, very much wanting to explore this new piece of anatomy, not merely because of his curiosity but also because his sheath with swelling up with excitement and something urged him on in the back of his head.

The vixen smiled again and suppressed a wicked giggle as the plan was unfolding well. She sat back and spread her legs for him, revealing even more for the cub to see. He gasped again, his eyes growing wider as he shuffled forward with his legs crossed, his eyes locked between her legs. He gulped and didn't wait for any further conformation before reaching out a shaky paw. He leant forward and very tentatively rested his paw pad over her cunny. Hazel shivered and moaned lightly, making Josh look up at her to see she was wearing a pleased smile. Josh's embarrassment was easily being replaced by his curiosity and sexual desire which was a totally new experience for him.

With the utmost care he stroked his paw pad down the length of her slit making Hazel shudder again. It felt kind of strange to his paw, but he quite liked it. Hazel just sat there with her arms behind her to prop her up, letting her cousin investigate her as much as he liked. Josh took his paw away a moment and replaced it with his index finger. He meeped as his furry finger sank a little way between her fleshy lips. Hearing Hazel's calm murr of pleasure told him he was doing something right. He did the same as he had with his paw and stroked his finger tip down the inside of her lips. He meeped yet again when his digit slipped even deeper within her disappearing up to the first joint.

Hazel now gasped, shivered and moaned all at the same time. The taboo of having her younger cousin doing this too her and his slow and soft nature heightened the experience tenfold.

Feeling adventurous Josh pressed his digit just a tad deeper wanting to see how far in this hole went. He started to work out that this was where Mark had his thing inside her. The thought made him gulp as another naughty twinge could be felt in his engorged sheath. He ran his finger tip all around her inner walls in a circle, just testing to see how it felt. He concluded that it was an enjoyable sensation for his finger tip. The cub then tried pulling his finger out and pushing it back in as far as he was comfortable. He had seen Mark do this with his thing, so he supposed a finger wasn't much different. Hazel's groans and murrs grew higher in volume and her eyes fluttered.

Meanwhile Mark just sat near Hazel's left side as an onlooker. The spectacle had caused his pink tip to appear from his sheath, his paw was idly stroking around the base of his fuzzy package. He was still incredibly embarrassed by the whole situation and what shamed him more so was the fact that he was so unbelievably turned on. It was just the forbidden nature of it all. The taboo of mating with his sister was wearing off a smidgen and it was becoming more like making love to an actual partner each time they did it. But this ‘playtime' with Josh brought back those gut wrenching but wonderful feelings of forbidden lust. As he was concentrating too much on his sister and cousin he didn't really notice when his paw gripped around his tip and started rubbing over it, pulling back his sheath.

Josh tilted his head the other way as he noticed a small pinkish nub hooded by a fold of flesh at the top of her sex. He had no clue what that was yet it looked interesting to him. Not wanting to stop moving his finger in and out of his cousin he brought his other paw over from his lap. Again with another digit he clumsily fiddled with the nub, rubbing over it and pressing it to one side then the other to see it clearer. He jumped as Hazel let out a cry of bliss.

"You're a quick learner," she mumbled.

Something else Josh had noticed was that the whole time he had been exploring, her cunny had become redder and much more engorged. He shrugged and just kept up what he was doing, becoming more enthusiastic as time passed.

Hazel was thoroughly enjoying herself clearly as much as the boys were. She knew if Josh kept up his fine work that she would be climaxing anytime soon. She was quite surprised that for a newbie to the world of sexual pleasure he was actually rather good at it. ‘He's going to make some girl very happy one day,' she thought to herself.

"Okay, hun, that's enough now," she eventually announced.

Josh looked up at her and gave her his best puppy dog eyes, throwing in a pout for good measure. Hazel smiled reassuringly at him and petted him between his ears.

"You did good sweetie, but I think it's about time I made you feel good too," she said.

Josh didn't fully understand but he quite liked the sound of it. He pulled his finger out of his cousin's sex and oddly enough it felt wet and sticky. He brought it up to his nose and sniffed the mysterious fluid on his finger. The scent was very unique and nothing like he had ever smelt before. He did not realise that it was the mixed fluids of both her juices and Mark's semen. Hazel giggled and leant over and licked the stuff off his finger with one clean slurp. Josh pouted as Hazel licked her lips and made an ‘mmm' sound.

Without warning Hazel stood up and bent over, scooping the wolfox up into her arms and cradling him. He meeped and pawed her nose which proved to just make her giggle again. She padded over to the bed and placed him down in the prime position, right in the centre with his head resting on the pillow. Josh just looked up at her enquiringly as if silently asking what she was doing.

Hazel ignored him for the moment and glanced back over at her brother who was now standing at the foot of the bed. She grinned as she saw his paw rubbing a steadily erecting cock. He couldn't help but grin back, rolling his eyes. Hazel mouthed the words ‘I told you so' and Mark just stuck his tongue out at her as his reply. She turned her attention back to the cub and sat up on the bed with him at the bottom of his feet. She reached out a paw and started to rub his soft and fairly fluffy tummy.

The wolfox murred and closed his eyes, pushing his head back into the pillow. She rubbed it in circles, moving out from the centre and around to his sides. She allowed her claw tips to drag gently over his belly, her other paw smoothing its way up his thigh. Josh just murred deeper and squirmed a little, guessing this was what Hazel was on about. Her paw on his tummy stroked all over, going lower with each pass of his belly button. Her other paw had smoothed its way around to his inner thigh, stroking up and down narrowly missing the boy's fuzzy sac. The young cub's right leg lifted and began to kick at the wonderfully pleasant feeling. He had always loved tummy rubs.

Hazel grinned as a wisp of pink peeked from the young boy's sheath. Josh had no idea what was going on with his boyhood though he didn't much care right now either. The vixen couldn't resist it any longer. He looked so cute and aroused she just had to feel him. The paw on his tummy slowly rubbed lower and lower, until finally it brushed over his little tip. His hips bucked and he gasped, looking immediately up at Hazel and whining.

"Shhh, it's alright cutie, just relax" she said. Her fingers easily cupped around his whole sheath. She massaged it with her fingers and used her paw pad to tenderly grind along his tip. "Have you ever touched yourself down here before?" She giggled

A new wave of shame washed over him at such a personal question. "I.... well um... I... a few times..." he said meekly.

"And how did it feel?" Hazel asked still using her motherly tone.

"Good," was his simple squeaked reply.

She smiled and said, "I promise this will feel even better," she leaned over and kissed his tummy.

Josh was in no position to argue with her and although his heart was thumping like the speaker from a high bass stereo he knew he wanted her to continue. He tried to relax like Hazel said, getting comfy again in the bed. His muscles were still tensed, though over time they too began to loosen up.

Hazel could feel the cub's member stiffen beneath her pad as she worked her paw over it. She watched as her cousin's eyes slipped closed and he made submissive whimpering sounds which she knew to be noises of pleasure. She made sure that he was as firm as he was going to get before curling her paw around his shaft and start stroking its length. It was pointless comparing it in size to her brother's since Josh's hadn't started to fully develop yet. Hazel hummed as she examined it. She estimated it was around three and a half inches which wasn't bad she supposed, not having a clue what a normal size for a ten year old was anyway. It was nice to hold since it fit into her paw perfectly. She had to push his sheath down further in order to get decent strokes on it but it didn't seem to affect his pleasure at all.

The youngster writhed diminutively on the bed, his paws gripping at the sheets and balling up into fists. His whimpers soon turned to moans as the feeling in his groin became more intense. He had played with himself a few times like he said, but nothing like this, this was wholly different. The most he ever did was squeeze and move his finger tips around his sheath a little. Most of the times he did this his pink tip would protrude and he would gasp and shiver whenever he touched it, yet he was too embarrassed to go any further. What his cousin was doing was easily the same as a hundred tummy rubs and it was about to get even better.

The vixen kept her paw stroking at a moderate pace, not getting any faster or even slowing down. She waited until the right time to weave the final thread in her tapestry like plan. She could feel his member twitch in her paw and hear a loud moan from him. He was assuredly getting close now and she wanted to give him a night to remember.

With deft ease she got onto her knees with her muzzle between his legs and removed her paw from him. The wolfox cub made a whimper of protest, his hips bucking upwards trying to find the pleasure giving paw. What he felt replacing the paw was utter bliss. It made him gasp breathlessly and tilt his head right back, his back arching and lifting off the bed. The divine lips of the femme fatale slipped freely over the rigid pink flesh below her. She moved ever so slowly, taking him in as if worshipping every morsel of his cub cock. She made those few inches last a long time, the poor boy's body tensed up so much he still had his back arched. His mouth hung open but no sound was produced.

Finally her lips pressed against his furry groin and she murred around her cousin's little boyhood. Like when it was in her paw his member fitted perfectly in her maw. Her tongue was able to curl up each side with no trouble. She moved faster this time as she drew away from him, her tongue holding his shaft tightly in its muscular grip. At last Josh relaxed and flopped back to the bed, panting hard like he had just been on a four mile run. Hazel set to work at sucking the boy's cock, bobbing her head along his whole length and suckling it gently, not going too hard yet.

The bed behind her began to sink. Her ears swivelled round as much as they could, though she already guessed that her brother had got bored of standing and had to sit on the bed. What she didn't expect however was to feel the soft placing of paws on her hips. Before she could even try to comprehend what was going on a very familiar sensation powered through her and made her shudder. She groaned around the wolfox's member, making Josh groan also. Her cunny automatically clamped down on the very welcome invader inside her nether regions.

Mark smiled as he heard his sister's pleasured cries, gripping her hips just a bit tighter. He started to pump his hips and bury the full length of his cock inside his precious sister's sex. She was already soaking wet from having her ‘playtime' with Josh which made things much easier for him to build up a good speed swiftly. He humped her gently, only his quickness proving to increase over time. He would grunt softly when his groin bumped against her rear. The familiar heat and snug tightness of his sister's tunnel was simple ecstasy every time he made love to her. It was so magnificent to know that he had this special place he could return to whenever he liked.

The fox lay down on top of his sister's back, nuzzling at her neck and giving it a slow lick, making her shiver with exhilaration. His hips pumped away with a gentle and calming rhythm that was at the same time passionate and lustful. He growled amorously and nipped her neck. Hazel whimpered and bobbed her head faster, feeling the delightful burning sensation that only Mark could provoke from her puffy slit. He reached down a paw and pressed two fingers firmly against her clit. He rolled and rubbed the small nub in circles, tickling it every so often just to hear her whimper again.

Josh's eyes flickered open half way and he looked down at Hazel, letting out a loud moan as he watched his member slip speedily between her wet lips. He cast his gaze upwards and saw Mark resting his muzzle on Hazel's shoulder. He observed as they both bucked forward towards him in unison. Josh had seen enough tonight to allow him to realise exactly what his cousin's were doing. For some reason it only proved to stimulate him further and amplify his first sexual experience. The bulging pressure he could feel in his lower stomach was building to a worrying level. He had no idea what was happening down there but he knew it felt like he was going to burst. The only way he could ignore such a powerful feeling was because of the intensely blissful feeling down the length of his cubhood.

Hazel was back in her own fantasy world where only pleasure existed. She had visited this place many times before with Mark, but now she was bringing Josh along for the ride. The pulsing of the stiff shaft in her maw became more urgent and she knew her little cousin was about to have his very first orgasm. She sucked him as hard as she could, drawing him into the roots and going as fast as she could.

The little cub couldn't hold back the pressure any longer and with a sudden burst it released. For a moment he thought he really was about to pop, then something happened. The strain in his lower belly travelled downwards and seemingly went into his privates. It started off as a tingle along his cock, but it grew and expanded and within a second the tingle had transformed into a mighty earthquake. His back leapt off the bed and his hips bucked hard hilting his member inside his cousin's maw. His whole groin and shaft made an almighty spasm and a potent ripple of pleasure rocketed down his cock. He grabbed the pillow behind him and forced it over his muzzle screaming loudly into it. His hips bucked with each tremor and each tremor sent a new wave of bliss through his groin.

She was a little disappointed Josh wasn't producing sperm yet, though it was satisfying to know that she just gave him a fantastic climax. She watched as Josh went totally limp, his body shaking, and his boyhood still twitching in her maw as she slowed down her suckling. He pulled the pillow unsteadily from his face and put it back behind him, flopping his head back down upon it. Hazel could now concentrate more fully on her brother and making him peak too.

Mark was panting now yet he wanted to keep the pace quite fast and not as hard as he usually would go. Every inch of his foxhood was being stroked and gripped by his sister's cunny. He could feel her sex clamp down around him whenever he tried to withdraw. She would then loosen up when only his tip remained inside, almost taunting him to come back in. His fingers kept working over her clit, stimulating the sensitive nub, teasing and tickling it making his sister squirm beneath him. His balls slapped lightly against her crotch. He was fast approaching the zenith of his bliss, the electric shocks of pleasure shooting up his spine. With each buck and each new hilting the intensity of his delight engorged further and his cock throbbed within her deepest depths.

Hazel muffled her moans around the cub's leisurely retracting member but inevitably it was not enough as she groaned even louder. The slippery cock flopped from her maw allowing Hazel to pant hurriedly. She nuzzled her way into the bed sheets just below Josh's prepubescent balls to properly quieten her cries. She could tell her brother was moving at this fast yet soft pace as a sign of his love. This wasn't just sex to him; this was love making the kind a couple should be doing. Even though Hazel was so desperately horny she couldn't have been more satisfied by any other style right now. His shaft felt so incredible yet so tender at the same time. She could hear his panting and his hot breath on her neck. She loved him so much and he knew exactly how to satisfy her every urge and need.

As if on cue Hazel could feel Mark make a few harder bucks into her and with a loud groan she felt it. His hot seed shot deep inside her. She could feel every single pulse of his cock and every single thick rope of her brother's cum. It was glorious. He filled her so flawlessly and so completely. She savoured every drop, clamping down around him and milking his shaft for all he was worth.

Mark humped less frequently yet now he was pounding harder. Each bump against her rump sent another spray of seed inside her and another moan from his maw. He held her tight with one paw, the other pressing rigidly against her clit.

With her brother's semen flowing into her deep regions Hazel was unable to hold off her climax. With a shuddering groan of utter ecstasy she howled into the sheets. Her cunny tightened around her brother's cock so much so that she could feel even the slightest of quivers down its length. Every sliding thrust from his deeply hilting and spurting shaft sent another tremble through her body as she exploded into orgasm. Her claws dug into the bed either side of Josh, piercing the weak, yielding fabric. She tensed up and let out a silent open mouthed scream, only broken when she had to gasp in a lungful of air.

For a long moment they were stuck like that, Mark hilted within his sister as she milked his balls empty. With a grunt and gasp from the both of them the collapsed onto the bed. Each of the pair panted as if they had not been breathing for several minutes. The two lay there for a while, one on top of the other just basking in the warming afterglow that swirled around their bodies.

Mark was the first to move as he lifted his muzzle from his sister's shoulder and kissed her cheek. He raised his head and began to groom affectionately between her ears. Hazel murred through her steady pants, her eyes closing as sleep began to fill the gap of orgasm. He groomed over her ears too, lapping his tongue over the tips.

The fox then shuffled a little bit, making him grunt as his cock moved within her. He grasped her gently round her tummy and rolled over on the bed, bringing her with him so she was laying on her back on top of him now. He remained hilted inside her sex, not ready to leave yet. He scooted up the bed still hugging her around her belly until his head came to rest on the pillow. Hazel did the same, tilting her head back over his shoulder and snuggling it down onto the pillow. Mark looked over at Josh who had rolled onto his side facing them and curled up slightly. He was sound asleep not having the energy to stay awake after such a powerful first orgasm.

"Admit it, you enjoyed this more than you thought you would," she said sleepily making sure to grin knowingly.

"Mmm... yes, as usual, sis, you were right," he admitted with a similar grin to hers.

"No, I just know my horny little brother is all," she giggled lightly, a yawn following. Mark chuckled and petted his sister's tummy.

"I love you, sis," he smiled, kissing her cheek again.

"I love you too, bro," she murred.

And within only a few minutes the two of them had joined Josh in a peaceful sleep, having spent all their energy on an active evening of bliss.

**

Mark carried the load of clean and ironed clothes he had been ordered to collect up the stairs. The stack in his arms was quite tall. So high in fact that he had to peek out from the left side of the linen to make sure that each footfall was upon solid ground. He carefully ascended the staircase, taking each step in his stride. He started to regret taking the whole load in one, instead of making two trips. Then again, it seemed pointless to him going into the kitchen and coming back upstairs only to go back down again. He decided his choice was the right one, even after he nearly lost his footing and a sock fell from the summit of the stack. With a breathy sigh of relief he reached the top of the stairway.

"Only one casualty, not bad," he mumbled a little proudly to himself. He carried the heap down the hall and into his old room, which had been given over to two different furs by now: brother Charlie and Auntie Joe. Mark couldn't really see what was going on but there was enough commotion to be heard. Everyone was so busy that he somehow managed to get to the bed on the other side of the room and place the clothing down and not get noticed.

"Oh, thank you, Mark," came his mother's voice from his left side.

"No problem," he said as he turned to face her. She smiled warmly then looked down to inspect the pile Mark had brought. She examined it closely for a few seconds then took off a couple of blouses from the top, pulled out some underwear from the middle and a pair of women's jeans from the bottom.

"It's a good job I'm skilled in the art of picking out specific items of clothing from an overly large mountain, isn't it," Liz said in a playful unimpressed tone.

"Yeah, that's a real specialty you've got there," Mark retorted with a smirk.

At that moment Auntie Joe piped up and said, "Can you neatly fold twenty shirts per minute, young man?"

Mark just stared blankly at her, and then shook his head as a definite no. Josephine grinned at him and continued to fold up the clean clothes she was being passed by Liz, finally placing them in her suitcase.

"Go on, take these into your sister's room, she'll sort them out for you," his mum said passively.

Mark let out a tiny huff at the thought of having to move the pile once again. Though when he saw the look Liz was giving him he snapped immediately to it. A minute later he carefully kicked open Hazel's door and stepped in. Having had a few things removed from the stack he could see over the top of the pile in his arms. Hazel was busying herself with packing up Josh's sleeping things, rolling up the sleeping bag and putting the borrowed pillow away.

Hazel obviously hadn't noticed anyone enter as she was bent over picking up the sleeping bag. Her rump and tail was held high in the air facing her brother. Mark murred quietly at the sight of her jeans being stretched smoothly over her firm rear. He watched as her fluffy orange tail swayed like it was being blown by a breeze. He found it difficult to tear his eyes away from such an enticing view. Eventually he made his presence known by letting slip a meaningful cough.

Her tail flicked and her ears perked up at the sound. She flipped her head back over her shoulder and smiled up at her brother. She looked at him as he cast his eyes at her backside. She smirked and gave her hips a playful shake. Mark grinned back at her and licked his lips hungrily. Hazel giggled girlishly and shot him a lusty look.

"You should be careful with that rear," Mark commented softly.

"Oh, we both know you love it," his sister replied with a wide grin.

Mark held up the washing in his arms and stated, "Mum said you'd know what to do with these."

Hazel simply nodded her response and stood up, ending her brother's little show. She padded up to him as he held the linen out to her. Her chest pressed against the clothing and her paws stroked down both of his arms before she took the clean clothes. Mark shivered a little and he let go another delighted murr. At that very moment the patter of small foot paws came from outside the door and seconds later a gentle knock echoed.

"Come in," Hazel called cheerily.

The juvenile wolfox stepped in reluctantly. He was staring directly down at the floor as if he were on a beach scanning for shells. His paw loosely gripped a single black and blue striped sock. No matter how hard he tried there was no way he could hide the flushing in his face. From the two siblings point of view it almost looked like he was cowering.

"I... um... found this... mummy said you need it," he said to the carpet.

"Thank you, Josh. Could you bring it over, please?" Hazel asked kindly.

She could see him bite his lower lip and his eyes dart nervously around the floor. For the briefest of seconds he looked up at them, but quickly looked ashamedly down again. Josh tensed then relaxed before padding his way over to the orange foxes.

Neither of the siblings had managed to find the time to talk to their cousin, since he slept in late that morning. The foxes themselves were even doubting what they did was a smart move. Yet, it wasn't really like they had much choice, better he learns about the pleasures of sex from someone who loves him rather than some drunken teen. They just hoped they hadn't screwed him up for life.

Josh continued to stand dumbly in front of his cousins as if he were too frightened to move an inch. The eerie silence was almost tangible as a chilled draught wafted through the room. Eventually and not a minute to soon, Hazel reached out her paw to grasp the wayward sock, although it was not the only thing she grabbed. The grey furred boy timidly looked up at his elder cousin. Her smooth paw was gripped loosely around his and she smiles down at him. The wolfox's blush grew in intensity like the flame of a fire when more fuel is added.

"Come take a seat on the bed," Hazel urged. She tugged a little at his paw, not a forceful pull; it was more encouraging than anything.

The young boy didn't really seem to have much choice in the matter. With a heightened feeling of apprehension that seemed to weigh him down like wet clothes, he followed the vixen over to the bed. Josh hopped up onto the springy surface and watched Hazel take a seat next to him. He put his paws in his lap as soon and they were both free and went back to staring at the floor.

"Mark?" Hazel called out to her brother. "Could you get the door, please?"

Mark swiftly complied and closed the door up, knowing this was not something they wanted to be heard by anyone else. He rejoined the others and sat on the other side of his cousin trying not to make it seem like an intimidating move now that the wolfox was trapped. Mark was nearly as embarrassed as his cousin at this point because this bit wasn't going to be easy.

"We need to talk to you about last night, Josh," Hazel said boldly. She heard Josh gulp heavily. "I think it is for the best that we explain why you can never tell anyone about what happened between us three," she went on. Not only did they want their cousin to feel okay about it, but they also didn't want him blabbing to anyone. "You see, a relationship such as ours is not generally considered acceptable to most people. Most people look down upon brother-sister relationships because it's believed not to be normal. But what you have to understand is that we care a lot about each other."

Mark looked over at his sister and he could see that she was on the brink of tears. Her emotions were playing havoc with her mind and she lost all focus on what they were trying to achieve. For a long while the two foxes stared deeply into each other's eyes as if reaching in and touching the other's soul. A blanket like warmth curled around the siblings and heated them to the very core. An overwhelming passion boiled like a volcano.

Hazel finally managed to pull away from her brother and clear her throat, speaking groggily to her cousin. "So you see, Josh, if you were to tell anyone about us then it would break our hearts because nobody would allow us to be together since they think our love is wrong."

Mark continues for his sister. "We just wanted to share our love with you and help you understand why we do this with each other. I mean, telling you is one thing, but showing you was a considerably better way, and I think you agree."

The young boy's flushing reached a new peak of redness because he only had one answer to that. It did feel incredible, like nothing else he had ever felt before. He felt a little twinge in his sheath as he thought back to last night. He inwardly wished he would get another chance to do it again with his cousins.

"You okay, hun?" Hazel asks the wolfox rather worriedly.

He looked up at her and a small smile cracked along his lips as he said timidly, "I understand cousin and I promise not to tell anyone."

With that said, the vixen wrapped her arms warmly around the small boy's body and drew him into a warm embrace. Josh got over the initial shock quickly and melted into the hug, his arms draping around her back. He nuzzled her neck and murred quietly as she kissed the top of his head. Josh looked over at Mark and saw that the fox was smiling brightly, reassuring the cub that he was safe and loved.

After a few minutes of silence and affection, Hazel broke away from the cuddle and ruffled the youngsters head fur. He giggled girlishly and beamed a grin.

A call from seemingly nowhere erupted around the room. "Mark, Hazel, Auntie Josephine is leaving now. Make sure Josh is ready to go and come downstairs." Liz shouted up to the three of them.

A collective sigh was shared between them and sullen expressions replace the happy ones. The wolfox let out an accidental whimper at the thought of having to leave. Not only did he love to be with his cousins, but they had also shown him some wonderful things and he wanted to stay and discover more. Alas, like all good things, they must come to an end.

"You all set, Josh?" Hazel asked trying to sound comforting.

He just nodded sadly and hopped off the bed. The sibling foxes follow suit and they all head downstairs. Liz, Derek, Charlie and Joe were all waiting for them in the hallway. Thankfully, Josh had managed to bring his blushing under control and was now practically unnoticeable.

The lingering sense of sadness was almost material. The light shed by the slowly setting sun cast dark foreboding shadows in the hallway they all resided in. It was as if they were at a morgue or funeral since there was no happy face to be seen. Then again, nobody had a reason to be cheerful at this particular point in time. Even Derek looked sombre.

When the three youngest reached the bottom of the stairs there was a palpable silence. Josh let slip the quietist of whimpers, fortunately only heard by Mark and Hazel. The vixen stood to his right and placed a paw behind his ears, petting him gently, looking down with another reassuring smile, though she was incredibly cheerless inside. He looked up at her and gave a weak smile in return. She mouthed two words to him, unheard and unseen by the rest of the family. He grinned a little shyly as he watched her lips form the words, ‘love you.'

"Give your cousin a proper goodbye then kids," Liz said humbly, sounding just a little chocked up.

The three of them felt a bit embarrassed at that moment, but it did not stop Hazel from crouching down to Josh's height with Mark swiftly duplicating her. The wolfox was suddenly engulfed in fur as his two foxy cousins closed in around him in a three-way hug.

The grownups weren't really paying much attention, as they were busy giving their own farewells. Liz and Joe embraced in a hug.

"Goodbye, Elizabeth, take care of yourself won't you," Josephine said.

"Goodbye, Josephine, make sure to come and visit again soon," Liz said, glancing over at her husband.

The brief hug ended with a squeeze from both vixens and another sigh. Josephine stepped away from her sister-in-law, Liz, and looked over at Charlie. He seemed as if he might break down into tears, yet he was strong enough to hold it back. The blue fox opened his arms and brought his aunt into them, placing his paws on her back. Neither of them cared about the look Derek was giving them and continued to hug in peace.

"I'll come and see you whenever I can, okay Joe," Charlie mumbled solemnly.

"You are always welcome in my home," she replied. "And stay out of trouble wont you," she said, trying to sound like it was a joke.

"I will, auntie, I will."

The embrace ceased when they heard an irritated cough come from Derek. "It was nice seeing you again sis, drive carefully," he spoke up and ushered some sort of movement.

By that time the three relative youngsters had finished with their goodbye hug and had exchanged words of farewell. Josh padded over to his mother and stood by her side, bending his knees to pick up the handle of a small, black, box shaped suitcase. Liz opened up the front door and the wolfox and artic vixen stepped out, turning to face the family.

"Goodbye all," Josephine called, receiving a response in kind.

"Bye," Josh said as he padded down the driveway next to his mother, waving at the foxes in the doorway.

Mark watched as his cousin and aunt embarked their Ford Mondeo. The doors clapped shut and sealed them inside. Josh was sat up front and still waving. Mark, Hazel, Charlie and Liz all waved back as the engine kicked into life and the car reversed off the drive. They pulled up along side the curb and the window facing the house dropped down. The wolfox boy leaned out and waved even faster, shouting out his final farewell. The car drove off with a slight whine from the engine.

The four foxes were left standing in the doorway staring out at the front garden. Derek had left a while ago to read the rest of his newspaper. Hazel only just realised that Mark had been holding her paw in his the whole time they had been standing. That was not like him at all, he was usually far too cautious to do that outside of the bedroom. Fortunately he had well disguised the gentle hold from prying eyes. His hip was pressed up against hers, having had to squeeze into the doorway for everyone to see out, and their paws were held behind them. Nobody was looking behind them, therefore it went unnoticed.

Hazel looked down at her paw and then back up to her brother. He smiled at her and gave her paw a soft squeeze. She smiled back, albeit it a puzzled smile.

**

The house seemed to have an ethereal presence whistling about the hallways as if it were snowing inside. The silence reminded Mark of the town at night when most were in their beds asleep. Everything was incredibly dull now; even the paint on the walls seemed to turn a shade darker. His room appeared larger than he remembered, though he supposed that was because he didn't spend much time in it nowadays since Charlie moved into it. From time to time he would stare at his Gamestation, yet his lethargy was so great he couldn't even be bothered to play on it to cure his boredom. He was only a few feet away from it being that he was sat on his bed and the Gamestation was on the floor near the foot of his bed.

With a heavy sigh he turned his muzzle back to the window and peered out. He quite liked having a window over his bed because it brought in the light and made it easy to look out of. He watched the street outside the house in his utter boredom. As usual there was little going on. It could seem like time had frozen when looking out on his street as all things were at a standstill.

It was still considerably early in the afternoon and the sun was still fairly high as it loomed over the earth. Mark didn't fancy ringing any of his friends to see if they wanted to go out and do something. And there was no point in calling his two former best friends. That thought depressed him further. Mark wished someone was free to talk to him, but alas, they were all busy in their own little worlds. Liz was out in the back garden performing various maintenance tasks and Hazel was helping her, even though Liz did not ask. Derek had gone down the pub early to watch the rugby with his friends. Charlie had gone off to spend his Saturday earning some extra cash a few streets away doing some repair work on a wall. And with Josh and Josephine out of the picture that just left him all alone with his thoughts.

Sometimes Mark enjoyed being alone and having that peace and quiet all to himself, but today was different. His mind was firmly set on the tedium of life. He supposed he could go out for a walk in the fresh air, yet he just couldn't be bothered. Anything he could think of to take the monotony away was quickly pushed aside as his body refused to move off that bed.

His eyes flickered and his lashes blinked as a sparrow soared cleanly through the air and past his window. He watched as its wings dipped and flapped before extending and cutting the wind like there was no resistance at all. It chirped happily and it weaved around invisible obstacles simply taking pleasure in this flight. Mark looked on in quiet contemplation as the winged creature of the sky flew away into the distance, free to go whether it liked. He sighed again; wishing life could be that easy; nothing to worry about, free to do whatever he wanted and nothing holding him back or impeding his way.

With a heavy heart he slumped down onto the bed and lay with his back resting against the sheets. His gaze drifted to the ceiling and he slowly went inside his own head and listened to his thoughts. There were all kinds of things going on, every brain cell seemingly had a voice of its own and was talking to him. He found it hard to make sense of the cataclysm raging in his mind. He eventually clung to one path and the thousands of other thoughts melded into the background of his subconscious. This one trail took him through many different avenues of the past. He remembered back to a time when his life was considerably more carefree only having school to worry about back then. He wondered what things would have been like if he never fell in love with Hazel.

That was when questions started flurrying and clouding his thoughts. Would he give up love if he could? Would he go back in time if he could and change things so his life stayed the way it was? It would certainly be a lot simpler. He wouldn't have to keep secrets. There would be no more lies to friends and family. He could have had a "normal" relationship with Mist and not have to conceal his love. When he really thought about it, his sister in actuality screwed up his whole life. He had it made before they fell for each other. And what's more she was the instigator behind his lust and love for her. She had been plotting and planning for who knows how long. She selfishly snatched his life away from him just for the cause of love. Without her things would be perfect...

He shook his head a little and furrowed his brow, getting angry at himself. ‘Why would I think such things? I've always loved Hazel and I don't regret a single moment I've spent with her. I don't care how tough it is, we're meant to be together.' He concluded to himself.

He never really thought how mature he was for his age, so young and yet so ready to make a near impossible relationship work. He would probably be proud of himself if he could see how developed he was.

The unmistakable sound of the front doorbell chiming brought Mark abruptly from inside his head. He blinked, not quite sure what he heard. As the noise sounded out again he rolled his eyes and groaned irritably. With no one else around to hear the bell go he slid leisurely from the bed and placed his feet on the floor, stretching out his arms and yawning before standing up and striding out the room.

A short trip later brought him to the front door. They weren't expecting any deliveries or anything of the like so Mark wondered who could be at the door. He was always a bit apprehensive when answering the door to a complete stranger; after all it could be just about any lunatic going door to door. He mentally prepared himself and opened up the portal to the outside, which was basically an invitation to a whole world of trouble in his mind.

"Hey, Mark," a voice said sheepishly.

Mark didn't quite register who it was at first considering it was one of the last people he expected to have ringing his doorbell. He stared a little dumbfounded at them for a moment.

"Oh... Mist... hey... erm... what are you doing here?" He stopped and stuttered intermittently.

"Do you think we could talk, you know, somewhere a bit more private?" Mist got straight to the point of her visit.

In Mark's eyes she looked rather ashamed and sorry for herself. "Um... sure... just let me go ask my mum," he replied. "You can come in and wait if you want," he mumbled.

"No, that's alright, it's a nice day, I think I'll stay outside," she muttered back.

He gave her a nod before turning and leaving her on the doorstep. ‘What the hell does she need to talk about?' he found himself asking on the way to the backdoor. The double doors were open wide and he merely stepped out. Neither of the two vixens had noticed him as they were facing away. Liz was standing up with a pair of hedge cutters clutched in her paws. She was hacking away at a bush trying to make the overgrowing shrub look neat and tidy. Hazel was on her knees a few feet away from Liz. She was bent over a patch of earth digging out some dead pansies that had perished in the heat. Mark glanced over at his sister and felt a shiver go down his spine. He had seen her in that position quite a few times and he couldn't help but picture her without her clothes on. He shook his head and refocused on his objective.

"Mum?" He called from behind her.

She turned and smiled at him, "Yes, Mark?" She said pleasantly.

"Is it okay if I go out with a friend?" He enquired.

Liz instantly clocked the fact that her son had neglected to mention who he was going out with and like a good mother, she asked "Which friend would this be?"

"Oh, just Mist," he answered, feeling slightly awkward about it.

Hazel's ears twitched as she listened. She had not turned around but had stopped picking at the dirt so she could hear clearer.

"Sure, just be back for dinner" she smiled again and turned back to her work.

"Thanks" Mark said gladly. He padded back through the house to find Mist was still standing there on the doorstep. He hadn't been any longer than two or three minutes, yet Mark did not like to keep people waiting. "She said its fine, have to be back for dinner though," he told her.

"Cool," was her very simple reply.

"Where do you want to go and talk then?" He asked as he stepped out the house and closed the door behind himself.

"I was thinking that café on Philips Street, it's not exactly a change of scenery but at least its quiet in there and we shouldn't be bothered."

"Sounds good," he responded, feeling even more awkward than before.

The walk to the café was almost made in complete silence; only the ambient noises spiralling around the streets were of any comfort. There were a few gauche glances made between them but eye contact was rarely made. Mark cleared his throat as if he was about to say something though when it came to actually uttering even a single word he failed to do so. He couldn't decide which was more unsettling: the fact that his ex-girlfriend-turned-enemy was with him or the fact that she knew about him and Hazel. Either way he could think of a thousand places he would rather be.

They arrived at the door of the café after only a five minute walk, though it seemed longer to them. It was on the outskirts of the main town so it wasn't far to travel to from Mark and Mist's side of town. The café was another favourite hangout for Mark and his friends. It was always quite quiet and very cosy. Prices weren't bad either, considering it was a small-time business. Mark was surprised that they were still in operation being that they didn't get many customers, not since the new ‘Coffeebucks' moved in only half a mile away. He was glad though. This place always had such great produce and wonderful service.

Mark opened up the door and let Mist go in first as a smile was exchanged between them. The familiar waft of deliciously fresh brewed coffee and tea hit his sensitive nostrils. His nose twitched as a mix of aromas filled his senses. The fox murred pleasantly as he could almost taste the scent in the air. His keen sense of smell picked out various items being kept warm under the sneeze guard. He tried desperately not to salivate when he smelt they had apple pie. He patted at both his pockets and felt a pang of shock and disappointment, so much so that he couldn't help exclaim it.

"Ah shoot! I forgot my wallet..." he whined.

"Hey, no worries," Mist smiled over at him. She padded over to the counter and peered through the plastic convex semi-dome.

An elderly lady stood up from behind the counter having only just realised she had customers. The old badger woman beamed wide as she saw who it was. She shuffled more than she walked, adjusting the position of her glasses atop her grey and black muzzle. At this point Mark had joined Mist at the counter.

"Well hello you two, I was wondering when I would see my favourite customers again." She spoke in a wizened craggy tone, a few coughs following her words.

"Hey, Lucille, sorry we haven't been in much, it's great to see you again," Mist said cheerily.

"Likewise," Mark chimed in.

"How is the family Maria?" The badger asked. Lucille was about the only person in the whole universe Mark knew that could get away with calling her Maria.

"They're fine thanks. Dad's being his usual militant self and mum is spending even more time making herself look pretty each morning, but they're otherwise okay." She chuckled.

"Oh now, Maria, you're mother is a beautiful woman and shame on you for mocking her for it," she winked and turned to face the fox. "And Mark, It's been an awfully long time since I've seen Elizabeth in here. She did mention something about young Charlie returning home for a little while," Lucille said inquiringly.

"Yeah, he is staying round; he has only got a week left though before he has to move on. It's been really great seeing him again..." he trailed off, odd thoughts he once considered discarded returning with vengeance.

"Aw, well that is lovely to hear," she said.

"I'm surprised he hasn't popped around to visit you!" Mark exclaimed. "I guess he has been kind of busy, but I'll give his backside a kick in the right direction," he said. Lucille just smiled and nodded.

"So what can I get you two then?" The badger asked.

"Um... apple pie for two and two regular teas, please," Mist said.

"Oh it must be fate; there is just enough left for the two of you. My apple pie goes the quickest out of any of my sweet foods," she smiled.

Mist placed the exact amount of money on the counter and slipped her purse back into her pocket. Lucille took the money and smiled again.

The fox and cat turned together to go to their favourite table. It was in the left hand corner of the café up against the wall and the window, which looked out onto the street. This place kind of reminded them of a botanical garden since Lucille was quite green thumbed. In all four corners hung plants neither of the two could identify, but they looked nice regardless. Lined up uniformly along the window ledge sat potted plants of various colours and species. They made the café smell fresh and somehow the scent of lavender mingled perfectly with the aroma of apple pie to create a unique nasal sensation.

For a moment the lewd scrapping of wrought iron chairs filled the hushed café as Mark and Hazel took their usual seats. A little tingle travelled the course of Mark's spine as the piercing cold of the metal back to the chair touched against his thin t-shirt. He was glad that the seats were padded as he didn't fancy having to sit on freezing metal. The café stayed remarkably cool considering it was an exceptionally hot summer.

Having looked around Mark realised that the café was completely empty with the exception of the hard of hearing Lucille. This would be a perfect place for them to talk quietly and discuss whatever it was Mist had dragged him out for. He was just glad she wasn't crying or trying to tear his throat out this time, although she had cause to do so.

Within a matter of minutes the old badger woman was setting down the pie and two teas which both contained milk and one sugar.

"There you go my dears," Lucille said.

"Thank you," both Mark and Mist replied in almost perfect unison. Lucille smiled at the two and shuffled her way back to behind the counter.

The quiet that had gripped their journey once again geared up for another lengthily stay. Silence can indeed be golden, but this was certainly not one of those times. In this instance silence was coal black and sooty to the touch.

"So... how have you been?" Mist finally perked up the courage to say.

Mark was a little stunned and pulled from his daydream and only managed to simply answer, "Um, good thanks... how are, erm... how have you been?"

"Not too bad, just been hanging out at home, you know," she replied.

Mark could easily speculate why that was as one ear gave a nervous solitary flick at the thought. He did find it quite odd that he would be seeing her just one day after he told her why they had to break up. ‘Perhaps she has a lot on her mind and needs to get things straightened out?' He supposed to himself.

"I'm sorry... I should have said something before all this happened... I just..." he sighed and his ears drooped low.

Mist looked at him solemnly and said, "Yes, you should have said something... you hurt me in a way I never thought possible, in places I never knew existed. Nobody in my life had ever caused me that much pain before and to think it was my best friend who did it...? It makes it sting even more." She took a deep cleansing breath and continued. "But I was the one who forced this upon you. You told me there was someone else and I ignored that. I know you love me like I love you... I guess I was just too late. I'm sorry, Mark. I'm sorry this happened and you're not too blame, we both are. We went too far too fast without thinking."

Mark was in shock at this surprising turn and found it difficult to fathom words comprehendible to those who speak English. "Thank you, Mist... I'm so glad you realise it was not my intention for it to get this far," he said.

"I always knew you never wanted to hurt me. I simply couldn't believe what happened and I lashed out childishly."

"I didn't know what or even how to tell you until everything crumbled around us." He paused and met her gaze. "I won't ever stop loving you, Mist... but at least now you can see what a predicament I am in." Mark could feel a blush rising through his fur.

"I love you too... but I'm not going to wait and hope you chose me over her. Your sister will always come first to you. I've seen the way you two are and have always been when you're together. I suppose I just never thought about you and her in that way." Mist's own little blush sparked under her fur. "I always had this weird fantasy that my first kiss would be with the person I would share the rest of my life with.... heh, stupid me." For the first time in a long time, Mark saw her smile. "The time we spent together was wonderful and I just want things to get back to normal; me, you and Jimmy as best friends again and put all this behind us. I will never get in the way of you and your sister. You love her more than you ever loved me and that is something special." She reached out a paw and placed it on Mark's, letting her thumb rub across his knuckles.

Mark could physically feel a great weight lifted from his heart and a new sense of joy overwhelm him. He matched her smile and rested his other paw on top of the one on his and said, "It will be really weird having you as a friend again, but you've no idea how happy that would make me." Mist giggled and Mark's heart fluttered with glee at that merry sound he had missed so much.

"To tell the truth, I hated every second of being so angry at you" she admitted.

"Are you sure, Mist? I mean, take as much time as you want," he said pessimistically.

"Yes, I really just want to forget everything that happened and move on... I've taken as much time as I need... maybe more." She picked up the fork on the plate and sliced through the corner of the pie watching as the juicy innards flowed out.

"You know something I realised?" She asked not needing a reply. "I'm a teenager for crying out loud! Why the hell I am looking for love and a proper relationship? I'll save that for when I'm twenty-one thank you very much." She laughed.

Mark's expression suddenly turned very bleak as a single tortuous thought resonated throughout his mind, ‘What the hell have I done?' It ate at his conscious being like a moth chewing on his favourite jumper. He tried to block it, destroy it, send it back to the deepest reaches of his psyche from whence it came, but it was useless. The thought had already bloomed into a nightmarish vine of entrapment that clung and twisted to every corner of Mark's poor compressed mind.

"Hey, Mark, you still with me?" Mist questioned.

He blinked and looked at her for a moment before shaking his head and blinking again. "Uh... yeah... sure," he replied meekly.

"It can't be that big of a shock can it?" She grinned toothily.

"Huh?" He said dumbly.

Mist just rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Same old Mark. Now come on, eat some pie before it gets cold." She gestured towards the scrumptious looking dessert with her fork.

Mark no longer felt like food and the short-lived feeling of weightlessness had mutated into a vile sickening feeling. He hadn't really expected Mist to forgive him, but then again it was a sign of true friendship so there was a good chance she would have. What he had expected was the feeling of relief and he got that very vividly. What he had not planned for was her comment. 'Is she right?' Was another question Mark found himself asking. 'What am I doing in a relationship when I'm only thirteen! And with my sister of all people!' The tingle of unease grew ever stronger as his dark revelation made itself comfortable and gave a sinister hiss.

However this was not the time to think it over although it was exceedingly difficult not to. He needed to focus and keep his wits about him since he was in the early stages of repairing a friendship. Remembering there was still uneaten pie on the table he picked up the other fork and started taking frugal chunks.

The two stayed like that for a while, eating the rest of the pie then talking liberally with each other. It felt like old times to the both of them even if there was an air of discomfort. Eventually the time to get up and go came which was somewhat an alleviation for the fox. They both thanked Lucille for the wonderful food and drink, placing the used plate and cups on the counter for her to take. They exchanged a friendly smile between each other before going their separate ways.

The whole walk home Mark had been stuck inside his head and only realised his feet had carried him back home when he closed the door behind himself and it made a putting sound. His fox ears perked up and swivelled listening out for sounds of life. The television was definitely on in the lounge and he suspected it was his dad watching the news. A peek through the ajar door confirmed his suspicion. The next thing to hit his senses was the smell of dinner cooking so that was where his mother was. Charlie was more than likely still out working which just left Hazel.

No sooner than it had passed his mind did his sister appear at the top of the stairs. She rushed down to meet him and wrap her arms around him tightly. She knew very well it was dangerous doing this in the hallway but she knew they'd be safe. She kissed his neck tenderly and rubbed the small of his back.

Mark did his best to return the hug but found it hard to muster up the will to do so. He felt a great distance between them at this moment because of his worrying thoughts. Thankfully, she didn't notice since she was too pleased to see him.

"I'm so glad you're back, I've been waiting for ages," she whispered and licked slowly up his ear.

The fox's ear flicked madly a few times and Mark gulped soundlessly. Hazel was very clearly in the mood and they had the perfect opportunity. This was the last thing Mark wanted. Not only was he sorely unable to rally even a smidgen of testosterone fuelled horniness, but he also needed time to think about this relationship. A hungrily sexed up sister was not at all going to help his current situation. In fact, it was only proving to make it increasingly difficult. Even a youngster like Mark could foresee his immediate future laid out before him like an vacant street.

"How about we retire to the bedroom. Charlie is out, Mum is cooking and Dad's watching the telly. As long as I don't make you moan too loud... I'm sure we can find something fun to do, alone," she growled huskily in his ear.

"Sis," was all he managed to utter before sighing. "I'm not really in the mood," he cast his eyes downwards as if he had just told her he was a serial killer.

She pushed him away slightly and look him over with a curious furrowing of her brow. She took his paw and lead him upstairs. All Mark could think was 'oh great, she's not going to take no for an answer.' Fortunately she stopped just to the right of the stairs out of earshot of their parents.

"Are you okay, hun?" She questioned, slightly worried.

"Yeah, I'm fine, sis," he lied.

She placed a paw on his forehead and made a humming sound. Her brow wrinkled further inwards as she took the paw away.

"Well you're not sick," she concluded.

"Can't I just not be in the mood?" He said hopefully.

"You're my little teenage hormonal brother, of course not, you're always in the mood," she grinned slightly.

"Ha-ha," Mark said sarcastically. "If you're done giving me an examination I would really like to just be left alone."

"I only wanted to help." Hazel felt a mixture of anger, confusion, worry and sadness. The most predominate was worry. Since yesterday she had been mulling something over with great concern. It seems that her worst fear was becoming reality. What Mark's friend, Jimmy, had told her yesterday both shocked and frightened her. And now Mark comes home after spending the day with Mist and appears distant and hostile. No. She wouldn't believe it. 'They broke up... I accept that Mark was cheating on me but I love him too much and I know he wouldn't ever do it to hurt me... And now they are back together.' The swirling vortex of her swarmed mind flowed with notions of only disappear. 'Why didn't I see this coming? Why did I have to be so selfish and make a move on him so soon. I didn't even give him a chance to experience love and relationship with anyone else... this is all my fault.'

"I just want to be alone for a bit," Mark repeated himself.

"Sure..." was all Hazel could say.

Without another word Mark almost fled down the hallway and towards his old room. Maybe if he had been paying more attention he would have heard the sad sobs of his sister as she disappeared into her own place of solitude.

**

Mark was laying on his bed lost inside his own head. He had no knowledge of his sister's misery and didn't realise just how much damage he had done. The one thing he didn't want to do was upset her through all this, although with the conclusions he was drawing it seemed inevitable. Again, little did he know that Hazel had already jumped to her own conclusions, which ironically had the same outcome as Mark's, even if Hazel was wrong about Mark and Mist getting back together. The horrid judgement that Mark had arrived at was that he shouldn't be in this relationship with his sister. Oddly it wasn't simply because they were family, but more so because he was too young and naïve to be in love.

"I'm a fool," he whispered despairingly to himself. "I shouldn't have done this... now I've ruined both my life and the life of my sister." He wanted to grab the pillow his head was resting on and just hold it over his face until he starved his feeble mind of oxygen to force it to stop thinking. Alas, temporary asphyxiation wasn't going to solve this enigma.

"Mark, Hazel, dinner," his mother called from downstairs.

Maybe food would help. He knew very well that he needed to keep his growing body fuelled up in order to stay focused. It may even provide some sort of distraction from his thoughts, but he doubted that very much. He could plainly hear the calm footsteps of his sister traipse downstairs to the dining room. Mark sighed and flopped off the bed quite shocked that the idea of food wasn't doing anything to cheer him up.

It of course did not take long for him to meet up with the rest of the family in the dining room, although noticeably Charlie was missing. Mark smiled at his father and mother and they both smiled back in a friendly, family way. He tried to acknowledge his sister with a smile but she didn't seem at all interested in returning it. Looking carefully he thought he could almost see slightly bloodshot eyes.

Mark sat down in his usual seat facing the doorway out into the hall. Liz was at the opposite side of the table sat next to her husband, which left Hazel sat right next to Mark. The teen fox chose to disregard this unfortunate seating arrangement and instead concentrated on eating. Liz had prepared a juicy rib-eye steak for each of them, garnished with various vegetables on the side and topped off with a steaming mound of mashed potatoes. On any ordinary day Mark's plate would be clear within minutes since he loved his mum's steak, but this was not one of those days. The knotted feeling in his gut felt very real and he worried that putting food inside it would cause an internal intestinal implosion of some sort. Biology was not one of his stronger traits.

It was a full five minutes later and barely a quarter of Mark's steak had been eaten. His arm propped up his cheek as he rested his elbow on the table. There was conversation going on, mainly piloted by the adults, Mark merely didn't cared nor listen. Some words like "school" and "rain" entered his ear but they immediately vacated out the other ear, not going through the normal synaptic procedure of being processed by his brain into recognisable word of meaning. His brain had more important things to work on.

"So, Mark, what did you and Mist get up to today then?" Liz piped up and questioned.

Mark was thrown for a second yet managed to deftly swallow the hunk of meat he had been chewing for more than a minute to come out with an answer. "Oh, same old stuff really, we went to see Lucille and had a drink there for a little while." In the very corner of his peripheral vision he could see Hazel glance at him. He glanced back at her.

"Bet that was nice. I really should get over there myself," she said.

"Yeah, she did say she hasn't seen you in a while, nor Charlie," Mark continued. Unwittingly he slipped back inside his head. 'Jesus, what if mum and dad really did find out about me and Hazel? That would be the end for both of us.' This was a new, but no less unwelcome thought. He had had a similar one many times before, though somehow the consequences of being caught seemed so much more concrete now than they ever have. What right did he have to endanger them in that way? And for what? Love? Relationship? It wasn't fair on either him nor her.

"Son, don't ignore your mother," the familiar booming voice of his father broke him from his thoughts.

Mark blinked back to reality long enough to say, "Huh?" He turned to his dad and then Liz.

"I said, are you alright? You've hardly touched your food."

Mark stared down at his rather full plate of delicious looking dinner. It was of course now a little on the cold side since it'd be sat there unattended for some time. "Uh, sorry, I guess I'm just not hungry," he answered.

"Is everything okay, Mark?" Liz asked again, getting a little worried.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine..." he tried to think of something to back up such a wild and untrue statement and came up with, "I had some pie and Lucille's, and Mist insisted we have some." He was at least telling a half truth and it would explain why he wasn't eating, plus it acted as a good diversionary tactic.

"Well that wasn't very clever was it? You knew that dinner wouldn't be long and you go stuffing your face with sweet foods," Liz scorned her young.

Mark didn't really want even more trouble, but at least now he could pretend he was upset because he was getting told off. "Sorry, mum," he replied meekly. His ears hung a little lower than usual and he was already wearing his depressed face so his expression need not change.

"Well at least he bothered to show up for dinner," Derek said coldly.

Liz turned her muzzle to her husband and Mark suddenly felt relieved that the pressure was now off of him. "He is working, Derek, trying to earn an honest bit of money," Liz said.

"He should have a proper job that pays a decent wage, instead of gallivanting off to who knows where and acting like a total down and out," he said. The old fox kept eating and didn't seem to notice his wife staring at him.

"How can you even say that?" She held back a growl in her voice.

"He's twenty one, he's had years in which to settle down in one place and get an actual job he can support himself with," he said.

"He's still young; things aren't what they used to be when you were his age. He's getting plenty of experience doing everything he's done," she spoke as calm as possible.

"Experience? In what? Being completely useless. You know as well as I do that just because he's done hundreds of odd jobs here and there it does not make him employable material," Derek fired back as her.

"You're the reason he's even out their all alone!" Liz abruptly blurted out.

There was a clattering of cutlery as Derek dropped his knife and fork onto his plate. Hazel had practically shrunk away in her chair as if trying to make herself invisible. Mark was now regretting feeling relief that the conversation had turned away from him. He didn't know where to look so he just stared nervously at his plate. He made frequent glances to the rest of them. Hazel was chewing her bottom lip suddenly seeming very hungry. He could see that his mum was trying to stand her ground but she knew she had screwed up by saying that. And finally he glanced at his father. Derek looked surprisingly blank. No expression, no movement, no sign of any emotion. Was he thinking? Was he broken? It would certainly help prove Mark's ‘parents are robots' theory.

He eventually stood up and gave his daughter a very hard look. Hazel gulped and looked back at him, she couldn't help it. It came across as almost some kind of warning or maybe deep disapproval. Whatever it was meant to convey, Mark could see his sister's bottom lip begin to tremble.

"I'm going out for a drink," Derek said. With not another word he turned and left the room, the front door clacking shut as he left the house all together.

For the longest of time the rest of the house fell into a dark silence. Nobody moved or said anything. Knives and forks were firmly set on plates. Even the refrigerator had sensed the atmosphere and stopped its irritating humming or at least it appeared to. There was more mirth at a funeral that there was around this particular dinner table right now.

"I'll um, do the washing up," Liz braved saying.

"I'll help," were the two words Hazel managed to croak.

Selfish as it sounded, Mark truly detested washing up and besides, he had some more thinking to do. He did at least clear the table of anything his mother and sister left behind. All three avoided any sort of eye contact which gave Mark the opportunity to slink away. He returned to his old room in good time laying back down on the bed thankful for a little peace and quiet. The interlude between his thoughts was not at all welcome and only proved to shake him up further and send his mind deeper into the chasm of empty hopelessness.

**

Whoa! No cliff-hanger? No proper big bad boldly brutal cliff hanger to build up tension for the next chapter? Short answer = No. Long answer = Nope. I felt mean always ending on a cliff-hanger and its bad penmanship to overuse one writing technique in the way that I probably already have. So in order to redeem myself a little I have no included a cliff-hanger. I'm hoping that the tension will be kept alive by me telling you that the next chapter will be... THE FINAL CHAPTER!!! X3

This chapter was actually going to be a few pages longer though I decided to cut it short. I had actually written the few extra pages but I came to the decision that there needed to be more time between the events in this chapter and the events in the next. All will become clear in the final chapter. What I have written didn't go to waste, it's just going to be the beginning of the next chapter.

The critics among you will have noticed the little bit in this story I inserted about the use of protection. It has been pointed out to me *cough* numerous times that in the first story I suggested the use of protection blah, blah, blah. Some of the more "eyes open" readers noticed the flaw in my devious scheme. This is for everyone who cares and I have explained this more than a few times already. The first story was meant to be a standalone story, no sequel or series was planned so actions really didn't have consequences and I thought the bit about contraception would be hot. Of course, when a sequel was demanded, erm... requested, I forgot all about it and clearly some of you guys didn't. Well, to the point then. I decided it was about time I came up with a way to fix the mistake (proof that I am not entirely living the sin of sloth). Anyways, hopefully that is satisfactory for you, if not, tough! =P

Please do not ask when the next one will be coming out. I know you want to know but I honestly don't know myself! It may come as a shock but I do have a life (well, sort of) so please have patience. Even if I worked between an hour and two hours a day on it everyday, it would still take me a month to finish. Okay, sure, if it takes me another 402 days to complete chapter ten then you have permission to hang me.

As usual I hope you all enjoyed ^^