Author Notes: Okay people, here's the edit on chapter 2. Lefty has stepped out for a while so I can expect chapter 3 edited and up on monday, possibly tuesday. Anyhow, thanks again. ANd enjoy.

The Footsteps in the Darkness ~ SkullFOx


Chapter 2: Understanding

-Though it is not a direct force in existence, understanding is something that we all need. Something so very simple can give us an unknown amount of courage to go on, and not having it can alienate us from others, cause us to question our motive and ourselves. In the very end of things, understanding is a basis to life and love, and without it we are truly lost-

Fox refused to wake up, and yet couldn't sleep. His right paw was swollen, not horribly so, but noticeably. He groaned a bit a he climbed out of bed. His entire body ached, he'd gone overboard on the training. He was now painfully aware that his younger body was not capable of handling the powerful training routines he was familiar with from his dream. Every muscle felt as though they'd been pulled from the bone. It was as he sat there that there was a slight knock on his door…

"Come in…" he mumbled pressing his paws against his back causing several loud pops.

James slowly stepped into the room only to notice that Fox seemed a bit worn out. "Still feeling it from your little exercise last night?"

"I guess you could say that," Fox replied finding a clean shirt.

James noted a slightly irritated tone in Fox's voice. "You…aren't mad at me? About last night are you?"

Fox chuckled a bit. "No dad. Just confused, and a little sore," he said. "And a little irritated with myself…I really shouldn't have expected you to believe something like that right? So why don't we forget about it, alright? Last night never happened."

James stopped Fox on his way out the door. "Fox sit down…" he said pulling out the chair of Fox's desk and having a seat of his own. "I know I'm gonna regret this somehow but…let's hear about this dream of yours…and I promise not to say anything. I'll just listen, seems to be what you need right now," he said. "Then you can tell me what happened to your paw."

"Dad thanks, but I have to get to the Academy. Orientations are today."

"Fine, let's go…" James said. "We can talk on the way there."

Fox sighed just before making his way out toward his father's vehicle. It was a short ride to the Flight Academy, which was placed on the further end of the city. Fox was curious as to who would and wouldn't be there. He simply wondered what would be different than his dream. He hoped that nothing would be any different, but didn't count on the idea. As Fox and James headed into the city, Fox slowly explained everything that he could and wanted to. He found that he father was right; what he needed at the moment wasn't to have someone believe him, it was just to have someone listen. It wasn't until Fox stumbled into the details of his adventures on Sauria that his father stopped him…

"Krystal? Who's Krystal?"

Fox stopped himself. "I-I'd rather not go there."

James chuckled. "The one in the drawings? That blue girl?"

Fox sighed resting his paw over his eyes causing James to laugh out loud…

"That would be a yes," he said. "So…she a part of this dream of yours too?"

Fox simply remained silent…

"Your mother and I had no idea you could draw like that."

Fox sighed looking out the window. "I can't. I don't know how I did it, I just did," he said. "I needed some sort of reminder before I forget."

There was no more willingness for Fox to say anything else, he'd dug himself in deep enough already. He was happy to find that they'd finally stopped in front of the Academy…it seemed like forever since he'd actually seen the place. Regardless, it was still a massive complex. The place looked like a normal school for the most part, spare the fact that no books were ever used to teach. All teaching in the academy was done through the use of computers and hands on flight simulations. Fox wondered what the instructors' impression would be seeing as how he still recalled how most every ship he'd flown in the dream worked. He assured his father that he'd be fine getting home from the academy. Fox was surprised walking through the halls as there seemed to be nearly no differences at all. The place looked just as well kept as always, the halls of the main building were painted a dull white, and the floors were still their dull black and white checkered tiles. The building was three stories tall, and he still remembered where to find his first homeroom. It wasn't the slightest bit different than his dream, it was still a drab, boring place where everyone was told things they already knew. It was the single thing he hated the most about any kind of school. He found himself nearly falling asleep before a very welcome tone caught his attention…the sound of a bell…

Fox always made it his business to be the last one out of class, mainly because he hated being caught in the crowded halls when they were packed full of young animals pushing each other around. He sighed as he made his way out into the halls. He didn't think that he could make it through the years of doing this only to hope that when he finally did go to Sauria, Krystal wouldn't be there. It was as he headed through the halls toward a flight of stairs that he turned to look back over the area…he tried to remember what the place had fully looked like in his dream. It was as he stood there that a sudden impact knocked him forward, and he quickly turned in time to catch the paw of a young animal about to fall down the stairs, quickly pulling the animal back to its feet. He took a moment to pick up a small folder that the clumsy animal had dropped when something caught his attention…

"I am so sorry…" a feminine voice said. "You saved my ass. Falling down those stairs wouldn't have been too hot."

The voice struck a tone that caused the young vulpine's ears to stand at attention. He slowly turned to see a young feline, who took a moment to brush back her slightly long hair. Her hair and fur were both a light pink color, she was slightly shorter than Fox, and hand a nicely proportioned form. She wore a red tee shirt with black tribal designs across it's left side, with a pair of tight fitting blue jeans, and her eyes were a light golden yellow. Fox took a moment to study her, he'd know Katt Monroe anywhere. He chuckled to himself a bit as he recalled his dream…this was exactly how the two had met for the second time, their first meeting being when they were both still very young living on Papetoon after Katt's family was forced to move from their original home of Zoness…

The feline stopped as she looked at Fox for a moment and smiled. "Fox?"

Fox smiled as he handed the feline her folder. "Huh…hi Katt."

Katt quickly leaped forward hugging him tightly. "I heard you were living here, but I didn't expect to find you like this," she said as Fox returned her friendly gesture. "I haven't see you in forever."

Fox slowly pushed himself away from his friend. "It's good to see you too. I could use a few friendly faces around."

Katt took another look at the vulpine as she stepped away from him. "Well you've grown a lot from the little guy I used to play with.'

Fox chuckled. "You haven't changed a bit," he said. "If you're headed there though…you missed orientation."

"Damn it to hell!!" the pink-furred feline shouted throwing her folder to the floor. "I'm always late."

Fox sighed with a slight laugh. "Don't worry you'll grow outta that," he reassured her.

"You think so?"

Fox thought back to his dream and the fact that every time he recalled Katt, she wasn't only not late, she was always early. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure," he said. "Come on…let's get something for lunch. Orientations are only half days so…looks like you missed pretty much everything."

Katt sighed picking up her folder. "Thanks for the encouragement."

The two made their ways out of the building where several animals were gathered. It was a small group that Fox had become familiar with some years ago. It was clearly led by a single rather large-bodied tiger. He was taller than Fox by a measurable length, and was slightly more muscular. The animal had made most of Fox's younger years miserable. He slowly turned to the feline beside him as he noticed the three animals approaching him…

"Katt…" he sighed. "You may wanna step back for a moment."

The tiger took a moment to look over Fox. "Well look at this…Fox McCloud," he said surprisingly extending his paw.

Fox remembered this day, it was supposed to be a nice one before the small group had attacked him, god only knows why. However, there was something different about it this time, he wasn't afraid at all. He smiled a bit as he took the tiger's paw, who began to apply as much pressure as possible in an attempt to bring Fox to his knees in pain. Fox only smiled as he replied in step. The tiger tried his hardest not to show it, but despite the fact that Fox wasn't all that strong at this point, the pain in his paw was almost more than he could bear before he found himself on one knee…

"Hey Robbie, how's it goin?" he asked with a smile.

The feline forced his paw out of Fox's grip. Not much of a fight at all. "Since when did you grow a spine?" he demanded shaking the pain from his paw.

"I think you'll find that I've grown quite a bit more than a spine," the vulpine chuckled.

Robbie's eyes suddenly began to roam over to Katt, seemingly scaling every inch of her body before he moved by Fox, who chuckled as he stepped aside. "And who might you be?" he asked stepping around the pink feline who's facial expression showed nothing but distain.

"Not even remotely interested," Katt replied in an annoyed tone.

Again Fox's actions had caused something that had never happened in his dream. He was supposed to be beaten into a bloody mess by now, but instead Robbie had turned his attention to Katt while the other two simply watched…

"I don't know why, but…." Fox cut in. "I feel I should warn you about the mistake you're making."

Robbie looked back to Fox for a moment. "Who the fuck asked you?"

Fox shrugged his shoulders. "Suit yourself…"

Robbie suddenly placed a paw on Katt's shoulder. The pink feline suddenly snatched his paw away by its thumb, twisting it away at a very painful angle that forced the tiger's paw back up over his shoulder. He yelled out in pain as he fell to his knees…

"Never. EVER! Touch me again!" she shouted. "Unless you wanna lose whatever parts of you that actually make you a guy. If this is your approach on picking up a girl, you've got a lot to learn asshole."

"Robbie…" Fox said as Katt released his thumb. "Why not just cut your losses and go home? I'm not the same kit you used to push around cuz of all the years you got held back," he said. "Always trying to prove something to yourself by pushing me around just because of my Dad….when you can't even defend yourself against my friend here."

Robbie quickly clambered to his feet. "And what do you think this little bitch can actually do to me?"

Fox looked away as Katt's sneaker swung up from behind Robbie into his crotch causing the tiger's voice to submit to a high pitched squeal before he fell to his knees. Katt then pulled his head back by a mess of his short hair…

"Bitch would imply that I'm a canine dumb fuck…" she hissed. "Try paying attention in biology once in a while."

The feisty feline sighed as she placed an arm on Fox's shoulder. "Let's get the hell out of here before he decides to hurt himself again," she said before the two headed toward Robbie's two friends who stepped to each side. "And for the record, you two might not wanna let him walk for a few hours…might make 'em swell."

***

Fox was happy to have another friend to talk to. He'd forgotten all about Katt. His dream seemed to have let her off with an easy enough life…she'd become a famous model…it made sense to Fox he'd always acknowledged the feline's feminine charm, though her slightly tomboyish nature offset it most of the time. Fox already knew the perfect place to take the pink-furred feline after they'd found their way to a fast food place that Fox had visited before a number of times. It wasn't a long time before Fox and Katt headed to the hospital where Fara was staying. Fox was certain that Fara would be happy to see Katt again after it being so long since they'd seen each other. Fox was happy to hear the vixen had recently started walking around, but even happier to see that she had been moved from ICU, which meant she was allowed more visitors for longer. Once they found their way to Fara's new room, which was located on the fifth floor instead of the second, the two stopped in front of the vixen's new room…

"Come in," the vixen called. Fox could hear a clear difference in her voice from the last time he'd visited.

As the two entered the room, Fara's eyes went wide. "Katt?" she asked. "What are you doing here?"

"I moved here silly," the feline replied leading over the vixen's bed to hug her.

"We brought you some real food for a change," Fox said holding up the bag of food they'd brought with them.

Fara sighed as Katt released her. "Oh thank god…the food here was gonna kill me."

After a short while of eating, Fox looked to Fara, "So, when are they gonna let you outta here?" he asked.

"Not sure," Fara replied. "The doctors said something about a concussion and wanting me to stay for at least another day or two. They said I'm fine to leave…they just suggested that it was for the better if I stayed."

Katt sighed. "This is exactly why I don't like doctors," she said. "Think they know everything…but trust me, the only reason they're keeping you here is to make sure you aren't suicidal."

Fara sighed deeply. "I'll be honest…the thought had crossed my mind, hard for it not to…but…feeling that hopeless is probably what people like him want."

"Well…it's good to know that piece of shit got what he needed."

"Deserved…" Fox corrected Katt taking a bite of his food.

The two females looked at Fox for a moment. "Fox are you feeling alright?" Katt asked.

"I'm fine, why?" Fox replied.

"I don't know…" Katt replied. "…you just really sounded a lot like a grown-up. You know, no offense."

Fox realized that instant that what he'd said was something he'd never have said. He was even beginning to act like the person he was in his dream. He wondered where he'd end up if he kept on this path. He already found that at this age he had no problem with taking a life, and justified taking it…when his mother had always taught him that there was nobody that had the right to decide whether or not someone deserved to die or live. Life was only meant to be taken when there was no other possible recourse…

Fox sighed. "Well one of my oldest friends was attacked," he said. "I think I have a right to be just a little pissed."

Katt chuckled a bit. "I can see where you're coming from, Fox. I would hope you'd be just as angry if I were attacked like that."

"You know I would…" Fox replied. "But Fara was never trained to defend herself like you were."

Fara wrapped her arms around herself. "Look you two, I'd really rather stop talking about this okay? Can we just finish eating and please talk about something else?"

Fox looked at the floor. "Sorry Fara. It's just kinda hard to let it go." He chuckled as his mind actually managed to shift to something else. "Well on the up side, Katt kicked Robert Matthius in the balls about an hour ago."

Fara covered her mouth to keep from spitting out her food. "What!?" She laughed after swallowing. "He clearly had no idea who he was messing with."

"No offense Katt, but I think you gotta be the biggest tomboy I've ever seen," Fox said.

Katt smiled. "Take it as a compliment. Not just any tomboy can look this good," she said holding out her arms.

This caused the other two to laugh a bit. "That's very nice Katt," Fara replied. "I know what you mean though…I really wish I were as pretty as you."

Katt shook her head. "Fara, don't talk like that…you're as pretty as anyone I know. Maybe a little too pretty…if you get my drift."

Fara cocked her head to one side.

"I'm not kidding…" Katt said. "You never have given yourself enough credit."

It was as Fox sat by that he recalled something that was a bit off about today. He wasn't supposed to be at the hospital…

"Fuck…" he half shouted.

Fara and Katt both turned to the vulpine. "Fox? I've never heard you use language like that before."

"Sorry I was just a little shocked that I forgot…" he replied. "I promised Slip that I'd go to his place today…he hasn't been out lately, so I guess he feels pretty lonely in that lab by himself. He could probably use the help anyhow."

Fox said goodbye and kissed Fara on the cheek before heading out of the room only to be stopped by Katt just inside the hall…

"Fox…" she said. "…um look…I know it's a lot to ask."

Fox turned a lay a paw on Katt's shoulder. He wasn't certain about it, but he was pretty sure he knew what she was about to ask. "Katt, even though we haven't seen each other in a long time…you know you can still ask me anything."

Katt looked to the floor. "Look I didn't just come to Corneria because of the Academy, but to get away from Zoness itself," she said. "Every day I spent there just kept reminding me that mom and dad were gone…and those fuck off foster parents of mine really didn't help any," she added with a sigh. "I was just wondering if you could talk to your folks…cuz I really don't have a place to stay, and I just spent what was left of my money on a room last night."

Fox thought back to his dream. "No problem Katt. Even if they say no, I'll find you a place to stay, I promise," he assured her. "Just do me a favor and hang out here with Fara today…I don't like leaving her all by herself all the time."

"Don't worry about it…" Katt replied. "I got nowhere better to be…and Fox…"

Fox stood there for a moment. "Yeah?" he asked only to have the feline quickly hug him.

"Thank you," she said pulling away from Fox.

Fox made his way out of the building and down the street, heading for the familiar neighborhood where one of his oldest and dearest friends, Slippy Toad called home. He knew that the young amphibian was alone at the time being, his mother having died when he was incredibly young, and if his dream proved correct, his father was working on several special projects on the Orbital Gate Station. He wondered if anything was going to be any different, but couldn't help but stare up at the clear blue sky…why did everything have to remind him of her?

Outer reaches of Lylat……

Cerinia, a small planet, far from civilization located on the boarders of the Lylat and Krazoa systems. It was a peaceful place that has never known war. Its primary inhabitants were a race of vulpine who have evolved far beyond the grasp of the average Lylatian. Their unique appearance and lifestyles only rivaled by the unique abilities evolution has bestowed on their marvelous race. Cerinia itself was a lush, green, forest covered planet, full of life and color. A young blue-furred vixen scoured the forest floor for something, her fur marked by a multitude of white stripes giving her a nearly tiger like appearance. Like the other females of her village, the only clothing she wore was a top of golden brown cloth that covered her young breasts, and a similarly colored flap of cloth that hung from her waist over her loins and backside, matched with a small sort of undergarment made of similar cloth, while her feet were covered by small sandals that laced halfway up her slender legs…

"Krystal!" she called. "Krystal! Where are you!?! Your father is looking for you!"

"I do NOT want to see him right now!" a voice echoed back through the thick trees. "Tell him I will come home when he gives up on this stupid ideal of his!"

"Will you stop hiding from me!?!" the striped vixen shouted. "I am not your enemy Krystal!"

"I know Reena!" the voice in the woods echoed back. "But I refuse to play into his self centered plans for my future! Please apologize to mother for me! She is the only one that understands!"

Reena walked about the base of a very large tree where she found several orange-scaled fish hanging from the lowest branch hanging several feet from the ground. She nudged one with her finger only to test it. The trap was a familiar one, as females of the tribe were trained, both as fighters, and as hunters. The snare was made to catch a native flightless bird. The fish were its favorite food and being incredibly fast and surefooted, the birds could prove nearly impossible to catch on foot. The trap was proof that Krystal was willing to stay in the forest as long as it took for her father to come around, even if it meant she would be considered a rogue and excommunicated from the tribe…

"I will tell them!" Reena shouted as she turned back toward the village. "Please be careful though! The Cryn have been very active lately!"

"Do not worry Reena!" Krystal's voice shouted over the area. "This area is well defended!"

Far beyond the canopy of the forest, a light blue vixen stood on the upper most branches of a large tree, looking up at the sky. Her blue fur, unlike Reena's was nearly flawless, aside from being parted by a large patch of white that scaled from her muzzle down her front ending just down her inner thighs. There were small bands of white around her biceps as well made up of small symbols. There was a small circular design of white on her thigh marked by a smaller solid circle inside, and four small triangles giving the pattern a somewhat compass-like appearance. Her light blue hair was only just past her shoulders, and she wore a small golden trinket that held a red gem between her eyes, and wore another green gem around her neck. A long golden staff covered in tribal writing rested in her paw, topped by a round headpiece housing a bright red gem.

The young vixen sighed as she watched the skies as though looking for something, before her staff shortened at both ends becoming little more than two feet long, placing it into a small pair of loops that held the staff at the small of her back, she quickly dropped from the limb of the tree. She caught the same limb in her paw swinging from branch to branch around the trunk on her way down the towering wooden giant, scaling down until she was only so far off the ground, where she ended swinging around one final branch into a crouched position resting on her ankles. Everything seemed so tedious to her. For some of the young vixen in the village things like this all came with utter difficulty, but for her it was all so simple. A possible reason was that she had no worry about getting hurt. If she did, unlike the others, she could simply heal herself. It was a rare ability that her mother encouraged her to use as much as possible. She looked back to the sky before walking toward the trunk of the tree where she lay down leaning against it. Once her eyes were closed she seemed to drift off. Her sleep however was soon interrupted by a rather familiar sound, a horrible squealing from a rather large bird whose neck was caught in a small noose below. The trap Krystal had set was in such a manner that the animal was forced to lift its long neck through the looped rope to get to the fish, which when pulled, tightened the noose around the animal's neck. It was not a pleasant way to die, but it did supply an adequate meal for any Cerinian, several meals in fact. The vixen didn't waste her time in finishing the suffering animal off. After all, the bird's cries could attract unwanted guests to her camp, which was not located very far away. It was as she headed toward her camp that a familiar voice rang in her ears calling her name…

"Krystal?"

The vixen didn't bother to stop. The owner of the particular voice would have no problem finding her no matter where it was she went. It was as she sat down at her camp and began cleaning her kill that a familiar vixen emerged from the foliage. This vixen's fur was nearly all blue, spare a single upside down triangle of white beginning across her collarbone and scaling down her chest ending just short of her abdomen…

"Hello mother," Krystal welcomed the older vixen.

"May I join you?" she asked. "Or are you angry with me as well?"

"No mother…I am not angry at you," Krystal replied. "It's father and this obsessive idea of making me take a mate. He won't even listen to what I have to say."

The older vixen sat and began to help her daughter clean her bird. "Krystal…I want you to hear this yourself. I…never went through the Courtship either. I met your father by accident." She chuckled. "He wanted to prove that he could be as much of a hunter as any of the females of the tribe and nearly got himself killed. I tried to keep away from the village after that, but for some reason I couldn't stop thinking about him. I started visiting him on a regular basis, and one day, I never left the village again. That was the day that we learned you'd be coming."

Krystal sighed. "I know what it is you're saying mother…but I have my own ideals for my future. I do not expect you to understand…but I cannot choose a mate from the village."

"Krystal have you met another outside of the village?" her mother asked.

Krystal smiled. "Not exactly…no. I just have no interest in choosing a mate at this point in my life. I made this decision a long time ago."

Krystal's mother sighed. "I understand Krystal. Though I would have loved to see your children."

Krystal blushed a bit. "Mother." She chuckled. "Just because I will not choose a mate now, doesn't mean that I have no interest in one at all," she said trailing her claw across the flesh of the bird they still cleaned. "I just haven't found him yet. I just want the same thing you found…"

"And what did I find?" her mother asked.

"You didn't choose father to make your parents happy, or to fit in…you did it because you loved him."

"That's right," her mother replied. "I did stay because I developed feelings for him."

"If father wishes to listen to reason…then I will come home in the morning," Krystal said. "But only when he agrees to listen to what I have to say."

Krystal's mother stayed long enough to share a short meal with her precious daughter. She was very proud that the young vixen would go through such elaborate lengths to get her point across, she was definitely a clear image of her grandmother. The older vixen sighed a bit as she made her way toward the village, stopping briefly to look back to the lonely cerulean vixen that sat at the small camp. Krystal in the mean time found a place on a limb of the tree above her camp to sleep. It was a very thick limb, more than twice her width in size, where she lay still, staring up at the stars. Nobody could understand that in truth what she wanted most was someone to be at her side, but none could understand why she refused any male that approached her. It was the female Cerinian's responsibility to choose a mate in their society. A male could do such a thing, but such was a rare happening, as female Cerinians were simply stronger, faster, and much more skilled fighters and hunters than males. With a final sigh the vixen rolled onto her side and slowly drifted to sleep…

***

The bright light of the early morning caused Krystal to sit up stretching her back. It was after hearing several light pops that her nose curled against a faint smell. She sniffed her arm only to recoil at a horrible stench. It wasn't until she looked to her chosen sleeping spot that she noticed a green film on the surface of the tree's limbs. She ran her claw through the sticky substance, and sniffed the end of her finger…

"Ew…Barkmoss." She cringed.

Barkmoss was something most Cerinians tried their hardest to stay clear of, even though its pungent smell often caused most large predators to steer clear of an area. She was happy to know it was near her camp, but wasn't very happy to find it on her fur. She reeked, but getting clean gave her another idea about the small lake that she often visited when out in the woods. The light-blue vixen gathered up what she needed to keep with her and headed for the small lake. It wasn't very far and for the most part it wasn't a horrible idea to pick up camp and move out to a different location. On a safe note she scooped up some of the moss wrapped in some large leaves she'd picked. It would prove useful in keeping her camps safe from predators, simply having it with her would mask her scent. Krystal was able to hear the sound of the small waterfall that fed the lake from a small stream. It was a famous place for the village, many of the young Cerinians favored it as a place to cool off in when the heat was near unbearable. She soon found herself in the large opening that housed the small lake. It was always loved for its sparkling clear water. The serenity of the isolated place was soothing to the young vixen, but there was something that she had gotten used to over the years, something that became very clear as she dipped her toe into the water only to quickly withdraw it…

Krystal sighed. "I really miss the village hot springs."

Her first mission was to clean her clothing, and though she didn't like the idea of being half nude, being out where she knew she was alone made her feel a bit better. After taking it off, she smelled her top and quickly recoiled…

"Clothes smell worse than I do," she said as she began to wash the length of cloth. "Now that I think about it, this thing has been a little tight around the chest lately," she said to herself looking at her bare chest for a moment. "They look a bit bigger," she thought out loud. "Guess it's impossible for me to tell," she said as she continued washing the piece of clothing. "Either way…I need new clothes," she said pulling at the waist of her bottoms. "This thing's a little tight too. I don't look forward to repairing them at all," she told.

As she continued to wash the smell from her clothing, Krystal thought back. Her clothes had fit just fine when she'd left the village. How long had it been for her to have grown this much? At the moment she didn't care, as she now washed her bottom piece. It was as she did this that she gathered she would have had to do this soon enough anyhow. It wasn't long before she could no longer smell anything in her clothing and hung them on a nearby tree's lowest limb to dry before stepping under the stream of the waterfall to take her turn at getting clean.

At the time, unknown to Krystal, a young blue-furred vulpine had been sent from the village as a messenger from Krystal's father. He was well built for a male Cerinian. His hair was long and unkempt, with two streaks of white along its sides, his blue fur was parted by a perfect stripe of white one either side of his collarbone that scaled down his chest and the length of his legs in a perfect line, and a small necklace he had bore a slightly large yellowish colored tooth. His only piece of clothing was like the bottoms that females wore. He'd checked for Krystal where her mother had recalled seeing her, but to his dismay, there was no vixen to be found. Luckily he followed his common sense and followed the nearby stream, when something caught his attention…

"Barkmoss?" he questioned himself. "Barkmoss doesn't grow in this area." He shrugged. "Might as well check it out."

After the young vulpine headed toward the smell he eventually found himself near a tree where there was a small bundle of leaves that smelled horribly of the foul smelling moss. He looked about near the lake's edge before he found what appeared to be Cerinian clothing hanging from a tree branch. It was a light splash that drew his attention to the lake where he found himself mesmerized by the sight of the gorgeous blue vixen. He found himself making his way slowly toward the lake's edge. However, an odd sound caused him to suddenly turn around. He quickly turned back toward the lake only to find that the lake was empty. It was then that he felt something press into the back of his skull…

"Mahlay…" a light voice said. "You'd better have a very good reason for being here."

"I do, your father sent me," he quickly replied.


Krystal exhaled angrily. "Alright…" As she said this something powerful struck Mahlay in the back of the head knocking him to the ground…

"What was that for!?!" he shouted.

"For watching me, and don't turn around before I say so…or else."

Mahlay wasn't about to turn around now. "I apologize…I…"

"Go home Mahlay…tell father I will be there shortly."

As Mahlay stood, he averted his eyes. "Krystal…I…I meant no disrespect. I apologize for my behavior."

"Nothing can be done about it now…" Krystal sighed. "Just go, and I will be along in time," she said. "And Mahlay…there are thoughts in your head right now that had better not be there when I see you again."

Mahlay quickly headed off. He didn't bother taking the time to apologize again, and Krystal wasn't exactly patient when it came to this kind of situation. She was still brooding over Mahlay's actions while she got dressed. She sighed slightly before heading off toward the village, where it would be much easier to adjust her clothing to fit her growing body. Her mother had always kept an ample supply of the cloth around for such an occasion when she was growing up. Krystal was happily aware of how close she was to her village. It wasn't a horribly long walk, and her uncomfortably tight clothing was more than enough motivation to keep a steady pace. Nevertheless she would be happy to see the villagers again. She dearly loved the villagers, especially those of her own family. Though she was still a bit miffed with her father, she still longed to see him again. As she approached the village, she could hear some of the normal commotion that went with life in the village. Most paid no heed to her presence as she entered the village. The place was composed of small huts of bound wooden bundles and planks. Some of the huts were huddled among the leaves and trees of the forest canopy, where there was little chance of predator attacks. Every hut had its own individual structure and appeal being that it was built in the image of its own family. Krystal recalled growing up among the trees, as most families with young kits lived in the tree huts to keep their young safe from what predators lured the grounds. She quickly moved through the village, as a rogue was often treated not with eye contact, but with complete ignorance.

Krystal slowly found her way to her family's hut. It was slightly different than most huts, as it was more squared in shape than normal, which her father had always believed made the place bigger than it appeared. She pulled back the cloth that hung over the door, and the place was just as she recalled it, clean floors covered with a mass of cloth that her mother had woven from many types of cloth. There were many Cerinian symbols that lined the cloth, which Krystal had always loved. She was greeted by her mother's smiling face…

"Krystal…." she said hugging her daughter. "It is good to see you home again," she said turning her attention to a beautifully carved table where clothes similar to Krystal's lay. "I noticed that your covers were getting too small…I was going to bring these to you today, but I was not expecting your father to give in so quickly."

Krystal quickly removed the top she was wearing, replacing it with the newer one. "That thing was making it rather difficult to breath," she said sighing with relief. "This one is much better, thank you mother."

Her mother smiled. "Your breasts have grown a lot in the time you have been gone…" she said. "You are at that point in your life. You are growing much faster than Reena and most of the others in the village. I am very proud to see you've grown into such a beautiful young vixen," she said. "Your father should return shortly, he is discussing matters of some importance with some of the other villagers…he always had a way with words that I could never really match."

It was as the two decided on sitting down to a small meal that Krystal told her mother of what Mahlay had done, and was slightly irritated that her mother could only chuckle in response…

"Krystal…you cannot hold him responsible for his actions," her mother said. "Mahlay was simply…being a male. You are yet unaware just how pleasing your body is to them. Even your markings are attractive to the males of our village. Put yourself in his position, as a male. Could you say you would react any differently?"

Krystal frowned. "No…" she sighed. "Which is one of many reasons why I refuse to choose one of them," she replied. "I understand that Mahlay could not control himself, but that does not make me any less angry with him," she said. "I suppose it matters little now anyhow…from what I see in the village the others have already marked me as an outcast."

"You never really gave them much of a choice did you now?" her mother replied. "You chose the more difficult of two paths." She smiled. "And I couldn't be more proud of you. You stood up for what you believed in…even if it meant disobeying your father. He is very proud of you too you know."

Krystal smiled but could do little else, she didn't want to sit around and do nothing, but for the most part that was all she could do…her father was honored in the village for his wisdom and was looked onto for guidance by the others. Some would consider him a chieftain of some kind, had the Cerinian society worked that way. Some simply preferred to follow the wisest animal in the village, and in most respects that was her father. It wasn't long after Krystal and her mother had eaten their small meal that there was a familiar sound outside the hut. They could both feel that he had returned…

The older vixen could see the concern of her daughter's face. "Do not worry. He is not angry with you, he just misses you," she said. "I will leave the two of you alone so that you may talk."

As her mother left the hut, a taller but much weaker-built male entered. He was taller than her mother or Mahlay, though his physique could, to some, seem nearly malnourished. His fur however carried the same healthy shine as his daughter or mate's. His darker blue fur was parted by a white spot that covered a side of his face, circling down and over his right breast. It covered his right shoulder and bicep as well as a small portion of his back. He carried a staff much like the one Krystal herself carried, which he collapsed just before reaching the room where Krystal stood before him. He examined the vixen for a moment before extending his arms to her. Krystal quickly embraced the old vulpine…

"I've missed you father."

Her father sighed. "Oh Krystal…I am sorry for being so cross with you," he said. "I simply did not want you to go through what your mother did when we were young."

Krystal shook her head. "No, I shouldn't have yelled at you before I left…or said what I did. I do not know why I said it…it was not true."

The older vulpine lay his paw on the side of his head. "I'm sorry child…but I need to sit."

Krystal helped the old one to his seat. "Father, is it the pain again?"

He winced as he sat. "Yes…I fear this could be an illness of some grim bearing."

"Stop saying that…you will be fine."

Her father smiled a bit. "Krystal, You are more like your mother than you may ever realize. The path you've chosen for yourself is not an easy one. Others may look down on you, some will hate you. You must understand that of all the vixen your age, you are the strongest and the only to bear your makings in a long while. There are males that will fight, and likely kill for you. The suitors will not stop because you simply tell them to. They will keep coming hoping that you will give in, some will try to trick you, while others may even challenge you, some may even go as far as to force you."

"Father…mother has taught me everything she knows about fighting and hunting," Krystal replied. "Your concern for my wellbeing makes me very happy, but this is something that I have to do. It is what I believe in…and if a male cannot accept me for that, then I cannot accept him for what he is."

Her father chuckled a bit. "I understand…and I can sense what happened with Mahlay." He smiled causing Krystal to look away as her face took on a light purple hue. "He meant no harm. I was in his head when he came to me with your message…he fears that he has lost your friendship and your trust."

Krystal sighed. "Mahlay could never lose my trust…even after what he did. I read his mind father, I know he is sorry for what he did. It will simply be a while before I can speak to him."

"Perhaps…" her father replied. "I can see why it is he did what he did though. You've grown into a beautiful young vixen in your absence from the village. When she was your age, your mother's body developed faster than the others her age as well…it got her a lot of…unwanted attention. Like her, you have a pleasant form, you are very strong and skilled, and on top of that you have one thing that your mother never had…the healing touch."

Krystal took a moment to look at her paws…

"The Healer's Paw is a very rare ability in our people Krystal…it means that you are destined for great things," he said wincing again. "I fear that these pains will eventually claim me."

Krystal thought for a moment. "Father…I…" She bit her lip for a moment. "…I think you should get some rest."

"I think you are right," her father replied. "I will feel fine in the morning," he said kissing her forehead on his way out of the room. "I have missed you."

Krystal sat there, wondering how it was that she would keep her situation in as good a standing as it was. In the village right now, she would have to fight, possibly even kill if she had to, but there were things in play now that even she did not fully understand. It would be days still before she would realize the true severity of her situation…

Corneria City……

5 days later……

Fox's parents had been rather quick to accept Katt into their household. Vixy had always loved the young feline and had no problems at all with the idea. She was set up in the guest room, which the family had seldom the chance to use, and at the Academy things seemed to go at a normal enough speed, though to Fox they seemed all too slow. Like everything else that had happened after the dream he felt as though he knew everything that they were trying to teach him, about the new vehicles that were called Arwings. Huh…new. As far as Fox was concerned he'd been flying them for years. His first simulated flight was only two days ago and his instructor was still freaking out by his instant prowess with the so far untested vehicles. The claim so far has been that Fox's prowess was due to his family line and all of their amazing proficiency with all types of ships…and best yet, a familiar face had showed up at the academy only a day or so ago…a familiar blue-feathered avian with a headstrong, cocky attitude. One who, like in his dream, became quick friends with the young fox. Fox knew what needed to be said and done to assure himself the avian's friendship, and as he expected, the day after they met, Katt started with her idealistic pursuit of the blue-feathered avian. At the very most Fox was simply happy to see that his old family was falling in the way it had in his dream. Slippy, Falco, this time even Fara and Katt…and if everything panned out right, he swore that he'd make certain it stayed that way…