After Invasion

Chapter 5

One week passes........

Swift pushed the last of the stuff into the bus compartment. Ari and Scarlet were chatting outside with sunglasses and comfortable clothes. Warfare stepped out with a tropical shirt, and Swift put his hand over his face snickering audiblely. Warfare just shook his head as Walice came out in a similar outfit. Micro was making a few last minute checks on both buses, making sure both had the ability to make the trip west. Conrad�s plantation was about two-four days drive from Swift�s. Swift smiled as they all huddled around him waiting for some of the last �official� orders he would give. The dragon was the last one out of the complex. He rubbed his eyes yawning wide.

�All right, everyone, let�s have one more briefing.� All of them groaned, but then smiled. They all knew he just wanted them to be safe. �Make sure you have your I.D.�s with you, I don�t want to lose any of you before we even get there.� He watched them all make a check of there pockets. �Next, seating arrangements. Those are up to you, but have some sense, don�t sit with someone that�s going to irritate you the whole time.� Looking particularly at Scarlet and Warfare, one ego and the other�s mass just didn�t fit in the same small space.. �And lastly, did everyone go, because there won�t be too many stops.� A few chuckles came from the group, the result Swift was expecting.. He took one last look at the group and checked his roster again. �Where�s Jade?� Everyone looked around as a black wolf with a deep royal blue shade of hair stepped out of the house. She was totting a computer notebook under her arm and was trying to balance her bags and the computer at the same time.. Micro stepped over and helped her with her bags. �You almost got left behind Jade.�

�Sorry, sir, I got caught working on something and......� Swift held up his hand.

�Sir, is not required until the day we step off these buses the day we get back.. Swift is what I will answer to. Are we ready to go?� A lot of nods came from the group. �You�ve all earned this, so feel free to live it up. Don�t hold back, and have fun when we get there.� Then they climbed into the buses. Scarlet, Ari, Swift, Walice, and Kale were in the first bus and they were going to take shifts on who drove. Draco, Warfare, Micro, Sly and Jade were on the second, and Draco was the permanent driver for that bus because he could go the required amount of time without sleep. Warfare slipped to the back of the bus, Draco took his spot at the wheel, Sly sat a few seats in front of Warfare, wanting to be able to talk to him, but also wanting to give him his space. Micro took a seat next to Jade, who was not too far from the front. They both sort of gave shy smiles as Draco waited for the front bus to move out.

Swift took the first driving shift, and Ari sat behind him. Scarlet took a seat by the window at about the middle of the bus, with her headphones on just getting ready to look at how much the scenery had changed. Kale took a seat across from her, but took out a sketchpad and started to draw something. Walice laid in the back seats.

�Walice, sit up, or fall asleep in one seat. I don�t want you to come flying through the front windshield.� Walice huddled into one seat as Swift turned on his CB radio. �Testing, Testing..... read me Golden Wheels..�

Draco shook his head at the trucker lingo. �I�m reading loud and clear, Black Mask, we gonna roll?�

�That�s a ten-fore, buddy, we are on our way!� Both buses took off, driving towards the setting sun.

Draco was actually enjoying driving. The first few days had passed with little to no trouble at all. Conrad�s plantation was only a day or so away, then he could relax and sleep the day away. Scarlet was currently driving the front bus and she was a good driver, not too fast not too slow. Draco looked over his shoulder.. Micro was going to stay up to try and keep him company but had passed out on Jade�s shoulder, Jade herself had fallen asleep about an hour before. Warfare was asleep and was able to drown out the road noise with his snoring. Sly was awake and just looking out the windows watching the night pass. Draco picked up the CB.. �Flying Fox, this is Golden Wheels, you doing alright up there?� Scarlet�s turn to shake her head.

�Ten-fore, but I see someone on the side of the highway, so I think I�m going to see what�s up, care for an assist?� Draco smiled as the vixen pulled off the trucker voice almost too well given her country accent..

�Roger that. I�ll notify everyone that�s awake that we�ll be making a pit-stop.� Draco saw the two as Scarlet pulled over. He pulled over himself and stepped off the bus. The fennec was kneeling beside his friend, a feline, and both looked like they hadn�t bathed in a while. The fennec looked to Scarlet.

�Gracious, senorita. Do you think we could be able to get some food? My friend and I haven�t eaten in days.� Draco looked at her, then back to the fennec. Scarlet got onto the bus to get some food, Swift, and some medical supplies, the feline looked hurt. Draco held up the feline�s head, pressing his paw gently to his throat. He�s just passed out.

�Are you runners?� The fennec shook his head.

�No, we were just released from ownership when our master passed. We could not get any work so we decided to walk to the next town. Senor, do you know of anyone that is looking for someone that can work?� Swift stepped off the bus as Scarlet brought the feline some water.

�I can help you out. Right now were about to go on vacation though, but I�m sure we could find a job for you.� It didn�t take long for the fennec to realize to whom he was speaking.

�Are you Senor Freeman of the Triumvirate?� Swift nodded smiling. �I would be honored to work with you, senor. Most honored indeed.� After the feline�s eyes opened, Scarlet knew who it was.

�Maxwell Manx. You managed to get this far too. Thank the maker.� Swift and the fennec looked over to her. �He was with the our group till the last battle. Him along with a lot of others. I didn�t know of his whereabouts until now.� The fennec smiled. Swift looked to him his head tilting to the side slightly.

�Well, we know his name, what�s yours?�

�That will not be necessary, Mike. We are on our way to the vacation spot.� Sly stepped off the bus to see what had happened then saw Mike.

�Mike, Mike Rockington is that you, you tequila chugging fennec?� Mike looked at Sly smiling.

�Sly you dirty lowdown grey fox.� The two hugged then broke it up. Scarlet smiled slightly.

�You two know each other too?� Sly nodded.

�Mike, here, was in the Force with me. Taught me everything I know about arms..� Mike smiled.

�And drinking.� Sly punched him gently on the shoulder. Swift looked at his watch then back to the group.

�Alright, we have to get moving. Mike you can get on Draco�s bus, Max will come with us.� Swift looked at Scarlet then Draco. �We�ll worry about introductions when we get to Conrad�s. Let�s move out.� They got back on the buses and moved out.

********

�ARE WE THERE YET?� Came the chant from the back of the bus. Knight just shook his head. They had been on the road about a day and a half now, but that chant had just started to work it�s way to Knight�s ears today.. The fact that it still grated on his nerves a bit didn�t pass with time..

�No and hasn�t the joke run dry yet?� Most of the people on the bus got a little bit of fun out of his slight ire. Alpha and Aeris, Knight and Alpha�s daughter, had taken the first two seats behind Fox. Red was about three seats back, his paws were bandaged and his guitar was in the cargo hull, so he concentrated on healing.

Katherine and Erica were passing the time by watching the scenery and commenting a few things here and there. Phenix and Xenif were a bit behind them and they were both asleep on each other�s shoulder. Phoenixs could sleep just about as long as dragons if necessary, and they clearly stated before they left they didn�t want to be disturbed unless it was about food. About this time, Fox hit a mile marker. There destination wasn�t even on it. Alpha�s phone rang, as she glanced at the caller id she noticed it was her main office.. �Alpha Raye?�

�Alpha, it�s Katrina. Listen, do you have any more new tech stuff. Onyx has been a non-stop drool fest on Zig and I can�t bring him out of it. It was like you took his leash off when you left.�

Alpha looked around the bus, to see if anyone was paying attention. Knight had his eyes on the road, but Alpha could feel his mind in hers, so he didn�t really matter. Aeris was looking at her wanting to start a conversation with her. Aeris and Alpha looked the same age, so many mistook them for sisters. Alpha leaned closer to her window.

�Tell him if he doesn�t work, there will be a fresh fire-ball waiting for his folf behind. As for your question, there should be a matter displacement thingamajig for him to play with so he at least looks like he�s working.. Kat, just give him someone else to think about, and try to keep calls to me at a minimum, I�m on vacation. Love ya. Later.� Knight looked into his rear-view mirror.

�What�s up?�

�The folf thing is giving Katrina a hard time. If he isn�t drooling over some new tech item, it�s Zig. He should be thinking about her more often.� Alpha shook her head. Katrina and Onyx Snowfoot were the adopted siblings Alpha had never had. Onyx was a folf, a fox/wolf hybrid, and somewhat of a techno-nut. Katrina was a Siberian tiger. The two were wed rather recently, and Alpha and Fox both knew that they had the ability to go the distance. Onyx also had what could best be described as a �unhealthy liking� for Zig Zag, which also got him playfully punched by Alpha and Katrina.

�Ah well, he thinks about her too. He just doesn�t show it.� Aeris had been biting her lip the whole time waiting for an opportunity to arise..

�Is Maverick and Mallory going to be at Conrad�s?� Knight and Alpha looked at each other then Fox continued to watch the road.

�Not this time darlin�.� Alpha smirked.

�Redneck.�

�Damn straight.�

After a few more minutes of talking the bus quieted down. Knight was getting extremely bored so he looked in his rear-view and saw Red coming up to smoke with him and keep him company. Aeris, Alpha, Katherine and Erica, were in the middle of the bus just chatting at a low pace. Red sat down and Knight pulled out a cig and rolled down his window.

�So how goes it, Matt?� Knight looked at the speedometer.

�About 65 miles per hour. You bored too?�

�Yep, but I wanna get un-bored. Any ideas?�

�Just one. See if you can keep up.� Knight cleared his throat and hummed a few keys. Then started to sing a bit. �Day after day I�m more confused, but I look for the light through the pouring rain. You know that�s a game that I hate to lose. And I�m feeling the strain, ain�t it a shame?� Red joined him in the chorus knowing the song.. �Oh, give me the beat boys to free my soul, I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away. Give me the beat boys and free my soul, I wanna get lost in your rock n� roll and drift away.� Knight left the next verse to Red. �Beginning think that I�m wasting time. I don�t understand the things I do. The world outside looks so unkind. So I�m counting on you, to carry me through.� The rest of the song both of there voices mesh beautifully. �And when my mind is free, I know the melody can move me. And when I�m feeling blue, the guitars coming through to soothe me. Thanks for the joy that you�ve given me. I want you to know I believe in your song. Rhythm and rhyme and harmony, to help along, making me strong. Oh, give me the beat boys to free my soul. I wanna get lost in rock n� roll and drift away. Give me the beat boys to free my soul. I wanna get lost in rock n� roll and drift away. They end to an applause from everyone even, Phenix and Xenif had awoke during the performance and had also listened intently. Knight scratched the back of his head smiling.

�A little blast from the past. Hope you all enjoyed.� Red sat back and leaned his head back. The bus filled with a bit more conversation as Xenif joined Knight and Red at the front of the bus. The rest of the day and a bit of the night passed effortlessly. Till Knight felt someone tug on his shirt while he was driving.. �Food� was the word he got a dual blast of in each ear, signaling that Alpha and Aeris were hungry at three o�clock in the morning. �Most places are closed....� Knight�s cut off by the sight of a yellow sign with black letters. �Oh yah. I�m on it.� Knight made a few turnoffs from their course as he pulled into the parking lot of a Waffle House.

In the Waffle House, one of the employees was reading an old comic book. He looked rather irritated. �Man, nothing happens here. We hardly do any business. I don�t even see how this place is still open.� The door opened as a pair of gorgeous auburn haired women walked thorough the door. He looked skyward with an unspoken, �Thank you, God� and as the two sat down, he went over to take their order. �Hello, I�m Kevin, I�ll be taking your....oh my God, your Alpha and Aeris Craven.�

Alpha just sort of looked up with a half grin on her face as Aeris winked at the fairly large server. He had a pair of wire-frame glasses and a full beard, as he fumbled a bit with his pad of paper. �What cccan I get you?� Alpha smiled looking at the menu, and Aeris piped in her drink.

�Cherry coke, please.� Alpha looked at him and then out to the bus.

�We�re going to have a few people.� Kevin just sort of nodded.. �A few of them are anthro, I might want to discuss this with your manager..� Kevin smiled a bit.

�You are. That�ll be just fine. We serve anyone.� The rest of them started to file in and in close vicinity, Knight sat down and looked at the server�s wide eyes again. �Um, my help went to the gas station to pick up some things for us. It�ll be a little slow to get all of you..�

Alpha nodded again. �That�ll be fine, I�ll have a vanilla Sprite.� Knight took an menu from the rack.

�I�ll have coffee.� A �yuck� in stereo, proceeded as he got up to join Red at the jukebox. Kevin got the rest of the drink orders and served him as best he could. The group settled in letting the music take the place of talking. As they did, a tall thin man with long blond hair burst through the door.

�BONG!� Kevin just happened to be sitting next to Alpha as the gentleman did this.

�Your �help� is a real pair of clown shoes, you know that?�

�After five years of working with him, yes I do. Jason, I got some orders here I need your help.� Jason stepped over to the booth.

�Damn, bunch a fine looking pieces of ass in here tonight. So what can me and tubby here get you?� Knight looked at Jason with a pair of glowing red eyes as Alpha quickly spoke with a sarcasm that shut the skeevy stoner up. �First, Kevin, wrap a piece of duct tape around Goldilock�s mouth,� she told him, grinning.

Then Alpha started to order like a kid with a dollar in a penny candy store. �I�ll have some bacon, some hash browns and a waffle. Oh and this will be all� she circled a finger around the entire place, �on one check..�

They all ate slowly not being in a hurry and most of them being only being half awake.. When they left, Alpha left her cell phone number with Kevin so they could discuss getting him and Jason out of the dead-end Waffle House. She also left a note telling him not to call for about a month, so she could enjoy her vacation.

Alpha decided to take a turn driving given she was up, and had nothing better to do. Knight took a seat behind Erica, whom had fallen asleep after the meal. Knight noticed she was tossing, turning and even sweating, so her dream couldn�t be pleasant.. He shrugged and looked into her mind......

�You will do what I tell you, slave!� Knight watched as Darren held Erica up to the wall with a single hand. He started to caress her breast through her shirt, then ripped it off to get the full effect. Erica had tried to fight him off but had failed miserably, what was left of her knee was proof of that.

�Please master, don�t do this.� Watching this made Knight�s blood boil. �That rat-bastard, he tried to rape her. If I ever get my hands on him again, I�ll.....� that thought ended abruptly as he watched Darren�s hand start to go for her undergarments when he heard someone knock on the door. He heard Darren�s sarcastic voice answer the door. Then he watched himself step onto the scene.

�I came to discuss the....� he looked at Erica shaking his head as she tried to cover up and move out of the room. �Troubles with the slaves?�

�This one in particular seems to have trouble recognizing authority.� Knight looked at her knee. She started to weep. �I don�t have pity for garbage like this one. I�ll have her eliminated.� Knight kneeled down and removed his jacket laying it over her. When she looked up she saw his red eyes, but somehow knew they weren�t directed at her but at the asshole that stood behind them both.

�I don�t believe that will be necessary.�

�Excuse me, furball?� Knight stood knowing not to irritate this one or his head would be on a pike faster then he could use any of his powers.

�I was just wondering if you wouldn�t mind Lady Alpha Raye, and myself taking this one off your hands. I could compensate you for your loss.� Knight reached into his pocket and pulled out a card, and handed it to Darren. Darren stepped to the wall, and swiped it, then smiled broadly.

�She�s all yours. A lot good she�ll be to ya though.� Knight wrapped up the wound and lifted Erica carrying her to the car.....

Erica awoke with tears in her eyes. She reached down and felt the cybernetic replacement knee that Alpha had had made for her. She looked out the window leaning her head against the glass. Knight got up and sat down next to her.

�You all right?�

�Just a bad dream. One of a little earlier in this life.� Knight sighed..

�It must be hard to have your demeanor about life, even after that happened to you.� Erica looked over at Knight on the verge of tears, and her words were barely above a whisper.

�What did we do to the humans? I�ve never hurt one my entire life. Why was I treated like that, just because I look like this...?� She wrapped her arms around Knight and started to cry into his fur. �I wish I knew where Sly was, I wish he was here.� Erica cried herself to sleep against Knight. He nuzzled the top of her head gently wishing he could comfort her.

�One day, we will all be equal. One day soon.�

********

Conrad was up early again, this time though he had taken to a pair of shorts and a tank top because he was vacuuming the pool today. He made all the necessary requirements to get started and then began the painfully slow process of actually cleaning it.. He looked up and realized he wasn�t alone. Alexis was laying out by the pool with a pair of sunglasses and a two-piece bikini trying to catch some early morning sun. He also watched as Theo stepped over with a bucket of water in his paws. He got a step more towards her before he got busted.

�You do it and you�ll regret it.� Conrad smiled at Alexis�s comment as he kicked the nozzle for the water hose up into his hand without Theo noticing. He also had caught Blazer and Catrina on opposite sides of the pool with large water guns. Theo just shrugged but before he could get the bucket a half a centimeter up, he got drenched from two different direction and hosed from another. Conrad set down the hose waiting for Theo to get up, and slowly pulled the vacuum from the pool. The signal that he was done and all was well. Pandora walked out into the patio area also dressed in a one piece bathing suit she walked over to Theo looked down at him.

�Tried to get Alexis wet one to many times I see.� Theo stood up.

�Yeah, yeah they got me. You all better know though before this day is out I�m getting all of you back.� He was going to say something else when Pandora poured his own bucket of water on him. He stood there with his mouth open a second and heard snicker and Pandora twirled a small tuff of his head fur into a spike. �As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, your first..� He turned to Pandora quickly and caught her in a bear hug then dove into the pool. They both came up, about a second later when Pandora splashed him..

�Jerk.�

�I know.�

He dove under her but she still had hair in her eyes she couldn�t make out what direction he was going. Then something splashed into the water, but couldn�t be seen but Rad had his hand up like he had just dodged a bull.

�Ole`!� Everyone chuckled at the joke, as Catrina came for air.

�Funny, very funny.� Theo came up from behind Pandora again wrapped her up in a big hug again, but this time gave her already drenched checked a wet lick. Cat pulled herself out of the pool, shaking off a bit, as Blazer walked over and sat next to Alexis. She smiled at him as he sat down on the seat next to her and laid back himself.

Rad noticed that a few people were missing, about that time CeeCee walked onto the opposite deck, that had been made into her own personal studio. Mindswipe was an artist and Rad didn�t want to take that release away from her. She nodded, smiling to Rad, whom waved at her, then she started to draw something in charcoal on the paper that was on the easel. Rad regarded the pool area again, Cat had went invisible again, Theo and Pandora were cuddling in the pool, and Alexis and Blaze were holding paws enjoying the sunlight. �Now where is Artica, Rachel and Gwyn?� He cupped his chin gently in thought as he walked to the back door to enter the complex, and heard Cat purr gently into his ear.

�Gwyn took a walk around the outer grounds to enjoy the day, Rachel�s in her room and Artica I think is still in the gym.� Rad smiled running his hand over his hair. �I just wanted to let you know, I appreciate you letting me vent like that the other day. I really needed it. I don�t want to sound ungrateful but... I..� Rad knew this story all too well. He caught the scent of her paw and took it gently then managed to kiss her on the muzzle while she was invisible. This caught her completely off guard as he pulled gently from the kiss.

�Hey, no big deal, just like you said, no strings.� He felt her purr as he walked toward the gym.

�Ten...� Artica growled through her teeth as she set the weights back on the holder. She took a brief break wanting to give her muscles some time to relax before she started back up again. She had been doing this since she had gotten her paws back. She had promised herself that she was going to be stronger, and it was time to keep that promise to herself. Still, breathing a bit heavy, she looked at her paws. They were quivering with the work she had put them through in the past week. �But that isn�t the first time I�ve seen them shake like that.�

It was just outside the old Fela house. Artica had been using it as a hideout for herself.. Hunters weren�t as apt to look in the same place twice so she figured it be a decent hiding spot. One night she was trying to sleep, when someone came upon her little hideout. Artica�s heart jumped as she saw a black shape move to the door. �Let it be Duncan, please.� When she opened the door she was disappointed to see a pair of brown eyes looking at her instead of Duncan�s faithful greens. She ushered the fox in and turned on the lamp she was using for light. She was slightly shocked at the fact that he was a midnight blue shade, instead of black as well. She gave him what food she could spare.

�Well, guess we�re stuck here. My name�s Artica, what�s yours?�

�Name�s Midnight. I deeply appreciate your hospitality but I have no intention on staying here.� Artica sort of chuckled in her throat.

�Don�t like the company already.� Midnight waved his paws in front of him.

�Not at all. It�s just I can do more good out there, then I can in here..� Artica tilted her head at this.

�People like you are rare these days.� Midnight flashed a brilliant smile.

�Oh there are quite a few like me, even in these troubled times, and not all of them are anthro. I hope you get to meet them one day. Again, I thank you for the hospitality and letting me stay, but I must leave.� Artica got up and looked out the windows. No obvious signs of hunters. The door creaked open as Midnight stepped out onto what used to be the front lawn.

�Before you go, please. I have a message for you, should you ever run into a Duncan Alexander. Tell him I miss him so much, and I can�t stop thinking about him.� Midnight gave a graceful bow then when Artica checked the area briefly again he was gone. She closed the door, let her back slide down it and looked at her paw.

�I�m even more alone now.� She tucked her head between her knees, and started to weep.

Conrad called to her from the door, pulling her from her train of thought. As she stood she glanced briefly at her paw, it had stopped quivering. She looked to Rad. �What�s up?�

�We were all out by the pool and were wondering if you�d join us?� Artica shook her head as she stretched a bit. The form fitting garment almost made Rad�s eyes wander, but he kept his gaze on her eyes. �Also, I came to let you know, not to leave your room tonight. Hunters will be sweeping the area and they don�t take to kindly to a wandering anthro.� She nodded taking in the information.

�I�m going to finish up here, then I may join you all.� She gave him a smile, and he turned to leave her to her workout.

�Don�t push yourself too hard, Artica. See ya later.� Artica finished up her workout, and walked around the complex, it was rather large, and found herself coming up on her room, when she heard a brief bit of crying across the hall. The door to Rachel�s room was open, and she poked her head through soundlessly to see the girl sitting on the edge of the bed looking at a picture in her paw.

�Hey, you all right in there?� Rachel jumped as she tucked the picture back in her pocket like she was staring at something that was classified. She tried to dry her eyes, as she waved the white vixen in.

�I�m doing ok. How about you?� Artica saw through that lie almost as if she was as clear as Catrina. She put her arm around the young hybrid�s shoulder�s, trying to comfort her.

�A picture of your boyfriend?� Artica smiled at her. Rachel blushed slightly, as she pulled the picture back out.

�No, it�s just a picture of my half-brother, Duncan.� Rachel showed the picture to Artica and her eyes widened. �Do you know him?�

�You could say that, we were both in the Force, he helped me out in some of my toughest times.� Rachel nodded.

�That sounds like him. He�d always rather be felt then seen or heard.. He was helping to put me through college before all this happened. He always talked very fondly of a vixen that looked like you. He always wanted to be with her, but he said she was hung up on another guy, so he said he�d protect her from a far.� Artica let this seep in.

�How long did I go before I realized he cared about me? How long did he believe I was strung out with Red and Scarlet? Oh, Duncan, I�m sorry. I was completely ignoring you. By the time I realized I may have had a chance with you.....you....� She clenched her paw as she closed her eyes, realizing now, she had failed twice at love. Rachel set her head on Artica�s shoulder.

�So it was you, your Artica?� Artica nodded not really saying anything.. �Do you think he�s really gone?� Artica opened her eyes, looking at Rachel.

�Every part of me tells me he is, but my heart won�t believe it. I think he�s still out there, looking for both of us.� She smiled at Rachel, who had been thinking the same thing too. �Now, come on, I�ll meet you by the pool.� They hugged gently, then both got ready to go poolside.

That night Conrad watched as all of his help went to bed. Most of them very worn out by trying to straighten the place up a bit. Although most of the cleaning he had done himself he was happy that some of them had volunteered to help. He stepped out of his room when he was certain everyone was asleep then, his body began to change. His skin was replaced by grey fur and his face stretched, extending into a muzzle. He had compensated for tonight�s run not wearing a shirt, but he did put his wallet in his jeans.

He looked around smelling a feline scent in the air. �Catrina, you do have to sleep too, right?� The feline came into visibility right in front of him.

�I always knew you were more then meets the eye, but this I was not expecting..� She looked up at his muzzle, her paw gently sliding down it. �What are you?�

�A werewolf. A man that can become wolf, some people reason that we are the reason you are here.� He started to walk away, Catrina chewed on this a moment.. �I�m going out, I�ll be back in a few hours.� Catrina yawned then walked over to her room and went to bed herself, but as her door closed, another opened.

Conrad stepped out onto the front lawn and smiled, he was glad that he could do this but sometimes it didn�t feel right lying to the others about it. He shrugged gently. �Nothing I can do about it for the time being.� He thought out loud. He dropped to all fours and dashed into the forest. All of the wolf�s instincts were returning as he did, but the man was not gone either. He was about to head to his favorite spot, when he heard gunfire. One sniff with his muzzle to the air and we was gone.

Elaine kept running, she had made it onto someone else�s property and she just prayed to the Maker that it was at least someone benevolent enough to halt her pursuers. She darted left as a bullet that was eye-level with her dug into a tree.. When she did she caught a scent. Odds were good that here current owners couldn�t smell it. She was were, and they hunted her for this reason. She would never bow so they continued, hunt after hunt to break her will. She leaped up for a tree and hid in the brush then remembered that because of the collar she could not hide, or shift to her were-form. She looked about when her owners came from three different directions. She saw one of them look at a device, and then point into the tree. She caught the scent again, then as one of them pulled back on the axe they had brought with them, a man stepped out of the shadows into the light of the hunter�s moon.

�Hold on. Might I ask what you�re doing to my tree?� She had not seen him before, but he was a bit sweaty and not wearing a shirt.

�This is no concern of yours stranger, just move along.� One of them said as he take a swig from a mason jar, a old Colt Python in the other hand. �Just hunting a some vermin that tried to slip away from us.� The man with the axe smiled, as the third who had smartly remained silent, put a fresh clip into his pistol.

�It�s takes three men to catch one vixen, would it be the devil himself, let me see.� He looked directly at Elaine. �Such a small creature, a truly dangerous animal.� He couldn�t help the smile curving his lips.

�Just get out of here, stranger.�

�I think not. This is my land and my tree, so whatever is in it also belongs to me.�

�You got guts saying that, boy when we paid good money for that slave.� The word slave bit into Elaine�s gut. �What�s yer name, so I can piss on your tombstone?�

�Conrad Mathyas.� All three of the men�s eyes widened. The third, whom had remained silent until now, showing the most intelligence of the three as well, spoke up.

�Come man, let�s get out of here. He�s one of the Triumvirate members. He could have use all killed.� The first pushed the younger out of the way.

�I don�t see anyone here to stop us from taking him out.� Conrad shook his head.

�If this is the only way you�ll be satisfied so be it.� He started to walk behind a tree, where there flashlights aren�t showing. �Lunaris , spare there lives if you can.� He steps out from behind the tree on the opposite side in his wolf form. �Of course, Master Mathyas..�

�Oh shit!� The first one shot�s only air as his pistol is knocked from his hand, and then the large wolf throws him into a tree, while the other two trains their flashlights on him.

�You gonna pay for that, shit-heel.� The second had long since dropped the axe and picked his rifle and aimed. A moment before he pulls the trigger, the flashlight is struck by something. While the humans wait for their eyes to adjust, Lunaris has already moved into the one with the rifle, disarmed him and kicked one of his knees the other way.

�Please don�t kill me.� He bumps into something and turns to see a white figure behind him. He starts to back up the other way, as the figure grabs him by the scruff of his neck. Conrad returns from the shadows.

�We�re not going to kill, actually this is you and your friend�s lucky day. Here.� Hands him a few of the cards he had in his jeans.. �This should cover any of the medical expenses any of you have, and the second is for the slave. I�m easily paying triple if not more then what you paid for her. Now, collect your friends, and get off my property.� After the fool scurried off, Artica looked at Rad with a half-grin.

�Lunaris and you are the same person.� Rad just nodded.

�Yep, but I didn�t want them to know that, and I appreciate you disobeying me.� Picking up the flashlight to find an ice shard jammed where the bulb usually is. He tosses it aside, then looks up into the tree. �You can come down, now. We mean you no harm.� The fox came down the tree; Rad noticed she was wearing a collar.

�Thank you for saving me.� She said it with an extreme sadness in her eyes. Rad walked over to her and removed the collar with key he had picked up from the redneck he had thrown. She smiles as she shifts. �Thank you.�

�You are free to move about the area as you wish.� He turns to Artica.. �You might wanna go back and get some rest, busy day tomorrow.� He shifts as well. Artica looks back at them both.

�You gonna show her around?� He nods as the two disappear into the woods.. Artica just shakes her head walking back to the complex.

Rad and Elaine run through the woods, as he veers off giving a short bark to follow him.. She agrees and the two come upon a clearing where there is very short grass, and few trees. He runs into the middle of the field and takes it in, then looks to Elaine whom is enjoying the same luxury. �So what�s your name?�

�Elaine La Forge. Who did a human become what I am?� Conrad smiles.

�A genetic experiment, gone wrong. I was aid to a brilliant scientist. One day I cleaned I was cleaning up one the beakers that had accidentally fallen when I cut my hand on the glass. The next morning I found myself stark naked in the woods near where I lived, and blood covered my hands. I went to the scientist, and he told me I could take control of the wolf inside, and the wolf would disappear. Thing was, I didn�t take control, the wolf and I are one now, and I don�t think I�d change that decision even if I could. What about you?�

Elaine adjusted uncomfortably. �Well, to be honest, I believe I was born this way. I was a tracker for the humans. One day I got sick of the corruption that I was supporting, picked up one of the more recently captured anthros and ran. The captured anthro, Micheal and I met up with a few others, and we fought against the humans till the final battle. I haven�t heard from any of them since..� She looked at the ground, closing her eyes. �To be honest, this is the first time I�ve ever seen, someone like me.� She looked at him. They continued to talk the night away and then when morning arrived they returned to the complex and he got a room. Both fell into a blissful sleep that wouldn�t last too long but, finally realizing that neither would be without someone who could reason with each others problems.

********

A cybernetic paw sat next to a black one as they both tapped out the beats to the song they were listening to on the radio. The black fox shook his head, annoyed slightly as the DJ came on.

�Lady Alpha Raye is still searching for the writer of this song, if you step forward, Alpha will give you a contract, but now, number one on the charts for a fourth week in a row, here�s �If You Could Only See.��

The fox smiled as the song started to play, and sang along perfectly. �If you could only see the way, she loves me, maybe you would understand. Why I feel this way about our love, and what I must do, If you could only see how blue, her eyes can be when she says......when she says she loves me. Seems the road less traveled, shows happiness unraveled, and you gotta take a little dirt to keep what you love.. That�s what you gotta do. Saying you love but don�t, you give your love but you won�t. Your stretching out your arms to something that�s just not there. Saying you love where you stand, give your heart when you can. If you could only see the way, she loves me, maybe you would understand.. Why I feel this way about our love, and what I must do, If you could only see how blue, her eyes can be when she says......when she says she loves me.�

The black fox whipped a tear from his eye, as the song ended. �I�ll find you Artica, let this song comfort you till I get there.�