A/N: This first chapter is, for all intents and purposes meant only to be about Fox and Krystal and their love for each other. It does not do anything for the story besides establish the first setting. And though there is smut it is done as tastefully as possible and is meant to be romantic if not thrilling. Now that said please read it and review it, and no that very soon things will be happening. I simply felt the need with this story to being with a bit of romance as it will be prevalent throughout the story. Oh, and before you start reading the artwork that serves as the "cover" for this story was done by Frenzied Insanity, known around Fanfiction as Katalicious. I hope you all like it, she's a very talented artist and Krystal lover, and her writing is as brilliant as her artwork. Now, do read on.

And in a single day and night the Krazoa hid an entire people beneath the World...

-Krazoan Inscription

CHAPTER ONE

LOVE

Saurian sunsets were beautiful, especially when viewed at the entrance to the Ocean Force Point Temple overlooking the pacific waters of Cape Claw. And perhaps even more so in Fox McCloud's opinion when you had someone to share the moment with, someone who was special to you in every way, someone who you wanted to spend your life with. Fox looked beside him at Krystal, she was wearing her linen loin cloth and brass bra, revealing and titillating attire to be sure, but then Fox was always distracted by her image. Her soft blue and white fur, her lustrous short hair, her bushy tail, her shapely curves, how could Fox not be titillated by her? he was fairly certain, no, completely certain, that he was in love with her.

Krystal looked at him and Fox knew she was looking him over as well, his runners build, his own fur made softer by the conditioner she insisted he use, his own bushy fox tail, and the muzzle that she had once told him was so very noble looking, and that she had always told him was handsome. "Fox?"

Fox just smiled a little and took her hand, he brought it to his nose and breathed in her scent, not for the first time, and certainly not for the last. She had such a wonderful scent, musky, strong like all vulpines, but gentle and reassuring in its own way. "Just enjoying the view."
Krystal giggled a little, "Flatterer. The view is the sunset."
Fox kissed her hand and looked into her eyes, "No, the view I want to see is the one of the vixen that I want to marry."

"What?" Krystal's eyes widened, Fox was fairly certain he had caught her by surprise, maybe he had been sly enough to hide just one thing from her telepathy. "Did you say..."

"That I want to marry you? Yes. I did."
"Fox..."
Fox just smiled a little more and kissed her hand again before turning to rummage through the little backpack that had been sitting next to him. A moment later he pulled out his prize, or rather hers, a black velvet box. He turned back and opened it, enjoying the shocked look on her face as she drank in the sight of the ring. Sterling silver with three small stones: two blue sapphires and a single diamond. "Do you like it?"

Krystal nodded, "Yes, I love it. But you haven't asked me."

Fox blushed, maybe he had been a little forward, well, there was a simple enough way to fix that. "Krystal, will you marry me?"
Krystal smiled and replied with that one magic word, the one word Fox had been waiting for all these years, "Yes."

Fox grinned like a kid with a new toy and took the ring out of its box before sliding it onto her finger. "So, date?"

Krystal admired the ring on her finger for a moment, and Fox could have sworn he saw tears in her eyes, then she said "We can talk about that later. For now, just kiss me."

Fox smiled and kissed her, taking her in his arms and pulling her close to him, their tongues ran across each other, tasting the other, Krystal was very sweet to Fox, the sweetest thing he had ever tasted. When they broke off Krystal looked at him and said "Fox..."

"Yes Krystal?" She had a strange look in her eyes, very desirous.

"I want to mate with you."
Fox's eyes widened and he said "Uh..well sure. But, don't Cerinians mate for life?"

Krystal's lips curved into a smile, "Yes Fox, we do. Why would that matter though?"
Fox blushed, she had something of a point. "It's just that we aren't actually married yet, and I know that most people on my world wait until marriage if they intend to mate for life. I just want you to be absolutely sure."
Krystal put a hand on his muzzle, fingers gently running through his cheek ruff, "Well Fox, on Cerinia two people mate when they're sure they are in love. Marriage comes after. Are you willing to be my mate? Forever?"
Fox smiled and kissed her, "Yes Krystal."

Krystal smiled a bit more as she stood up and led him inside the atrium to the Temple. The inside was lit by the two glowing Fire Stones resting in the Krazoa statues. Fox and Krystal had made a little camp inside, it offered the most privacy and the Fire Stones kept it warm at night. Fox watched as Krystal unbuckled her top and then slipped out of her loin cloth. Fox felt the tips of his ears warm up, he had never seen her like this, though he would admit that he had always wanted to, it was a part of love. Fox noticed she was looking at him expectantly and he said "You're beautiful. There's no other word for it."
Krystal smiled "Thank you Fox. But, unless I'm wrong this sort of thing requires us both to undress."

Fox blushed even more, had he really forgotten that? It wasn't like it was his first time, though somehow for Fox it felt like it was all over again. "Oh yeah." He offered weakly, he was fairly certain he had never felt this nervous in his life, though he was doing his best not to be the most awkward he had ever been in his life, he was probably failing miserably. Krystal didn't seem to mind.

Fox undressed, thanking the powers that be that he didn't stumble over anything. He tried not to blush when he saw Krystal's eyes run over him, she said "Handsome as ever Fox. Now, take a girl for a ride?"

Fox couldn't help it, he just laughed, the joke was so bad it had to be intentional, and he could hear Krystal laughing as well. When the giggles had subsided Fox said "Yeah, why not?"

He took her in his arms and laid her down on the little makeshift bed they had made inside the room. Little more than a few blankets and cushions, as he positioned himself she looked at him and said "Be gentle?"
Fox smiled down at her and met her gaze, his nervousness was being replaced by an eager anticipation, "Of course. I would never want to hurt you."

Krystal kissed him and Fox entered her slowly, being as gentle as possible, she yipped suddenly and he stopped, "Are you all right?"

Krystal nodded, "Yes Fox, I'm just new at this."
Fox nuzzled her and replied, "I can tell."
Krystal giggled a little and nuzzled back, "I'm sure."

After that there were no more words beyond whispered I love you's; just movement, touching as each of them explored the other's body, kisses and licks and gentle nips. Fox kept a steady pace, making certain not to go too fast or thrust too hard, but eventually there came a point where he knew he was close, Krystal looked at him and said "It's all right Fox, so am I."

Fox began to thrust more quickly and forcefully, still careful not to hurt her, though he had a feeling that it was somewhat unavoidable. And then... "OH KRYSTAL!" For Fox it had never been like this, the pleasure and the release had never felt quite so powerful. Then...

"FOXXXX OOOOH!"

He felt as if it all happened again, he could feel what Krystal felt, the same feeling of release, of pleasure, of near euphoria before it ended and all Fox was aware of was his own panting and sweat covered body. He looked down at her and said "I love you."

Krystal looked up at him and said "I love you too."