Chapter 14: Drastic Measures

Nick and his group except Jill went to Clawhauser's house after the cheetah's shift was over. They wanted to reveal to Clawhauser the truth about Bunnyburrow. Jill was with Vivian since Vivian all but demanded to spend time with her. To his surprise, Jill put on what he thought was her bravest face and agreed.

They were outside of Clawhauser's house. "Can we come in?" Nick said after Clawhauser answered the door.

Nick saw tons of Gazelle merchandise when they stepped inside. It was so cramped, everywhere that they could barely move without tripping over something. The kits with them instantly took a liking to Clawhauser's extensive collection. Everyone else sat around a table while the kits busied themselves by playing with stuffed animals.

"What brings you here?" Clawhauser asked.

"It's about…" At first, going to Clawhauser, in an effort to win support seemed like a great idea, but now he struggled with what to say. "Bunnyburrow and courtship."

"Oh no," Clawhauser said. "Judy, how do you feel about all this? He was too late, wasn't he?"

"What do you think happened?" Judy said.

"Nothing. Never mind." Clawhauser sighed with relief.

"Oh, so that's something you can't talk about." Nick's ears lowered as he thought that Clawhauser wouldn't be able to help them. It was foolish to expect Clawhauser to do something in light of this. "We'll be going."

"Wait," Clawhauser yelled before they stepped out the door. "What do you need?"

"Look, since we're about to break laws by revealing secrets, why don't you tell us all about cheetah courtship customs. That was about what you're going to reveal before you decided to not. Otherwise, we'll be leaving," Janna said.

"Fine, not like it's going to change anything. For the benefit of the species, cheetahs claim what they want, when they want. Of course, I certainly hope there's consent involved with other species. The ones that try to talk get waylaid by the courts, and no one dares to admit this in public. The fathers can only hope their kits are their own. It's far worse for the females, not knowing when and if it's going to happen. This is how we become strong with the survival of the fittest," Clawhauser said that last bit with extreme mockery.

Nick knew all too well what a city can bury if it tried. He wasn't sure if that was better than what he witnessed in Bunnyburrow, but they were both horrible. Clawhauser's revelation certainly explained why there was an abnormal amount of cases regarding sexual assault and cheetahs. He figured Clawhauser must have pulled a few strings since Zootopia convicted them.

Interrupting his thoughts, Clawhauser said, "Now, it's your turn."

Bit by bit they revealed how horrible Bunnyburrow is as well as rabbit courtship customs. "There's not much that you can do. If someone were to reveal this to the world, can you think of the chaos that it would cause?" Clawhauser said. "Or worse yet, mammals know and turn a blind eye. This is beyond us."

"Chief Bogo is going to reveal Bunnyburrow to the world while we go into hiding," Nick said.

"The Chief hasn't even told me!" Clawhauser cried in outrage. "

The cry of "Timber!" interrupted their conversation. They turned their heads as a large stack of Gazelle plushies was about to fall on top of the table. The kits had managed to stack what seemed like every plushie within Clawhauser's collection on top of another.

Clawhauser didn't seem to mind at all. Adam and Amanda landed on top of Jewel who returned their affection by nuzzling them. After everyone calmed down from the commotion, Nick said, "So, we'll be leaving Zootopia soon. Chief Bogo will hold an announcement about Bunnyburrow."

"Going into hiding while you set the world on fire sounds like a brilliant plan." Clawhauser laughed. "The first rabbit and fox officers that destroyed Zootopia."

"Certainly, you're not suggesting that it gets buried like everything else?"

"I'd like to think smarter mammals already figured everything out and just don't care. Zootopia isn't strong enough to stand up against Bunnyburrow, and that's assuming that it will. I suppose I have to thank you for telling me so I can leave."

"Leave Zootopia?"

"One round of mass hysteria is good enough for me. I hope this turns out in our favor because I'm going with you."

Nick hadn't really intended Clawhauser to tag along with them, but he felt it would be unwise to persuade him not to. "Alright, we're going to Foxhaven because that's what my mother wants."

"Do you even know what that place is like? They cheat mammals out of their possessions and laugh. Hardly what I would call a friendly place. So many mammals go broke there, but I'm still coming with you since it's better than staying here."

"We'll be leaving on Sunday," Janna said.

Jill tried to keep her perpetual sense of unease in check since she was in the presence of not one, but two foxes. One was her mate, the other was her mate's mother, but it still made her fur bristle. Vivian treated her well enough by letting her hold on to her tail for comfort without demanding anything in return. Although, she couldn't help but feel a sense of dread when Vivian wanted to spend time with her when Nick and her littermates decided to visit Clawhauser. She wasn't brave enough to deny Vivian's request, ever fearful of some form of retribution.

"I'm so glad you agreed," Vivian said.

"Now that my mate and littermates are out of the way, you can get rid of me," Jill uttered those words even though it was her choice to remain with Vivian.

"We're going to go to Foxhaven soon, and you still have your fears. I have a plan that might help." Vivian's voice implied threats even though she said none. "Follow me."

Vivian led Jill to a place that she hadn't gone to before. Jill trembled as she took in what was on the walls. It was disturbing, there were shock collars as well as muzzles. Her senses picked up the faint scent of blood.

"I'm scared." Jill still clung to Vivian's tail as they advanced further into this foreboding place. She wouldn't be able to run away as the vixen was faster and stronger than her.

"Good, that means you know how this works." Vivian took out a muzzle, a pair of gloves and a shock collar.

The sight of all this was enough to make her turn tail and run despite knowing that she wouldn't get away. There was the faint hope that she might. It was just like she feared that Vivian pinned her to the ground within mere moments of her attempted escape.

"Wouldn't it be better if I were in everything you saw? I couldn't hurt you then." Vivian whispered in her ear while towering over her.

"Why would you want that?" Jill knew enough that the equipment would leave Vivian helpless. "It's a trick isn't it?"

"No tricks. You're free to use everything in that room on me. I noticed that you fight your instincts when you're here, wouldn't it be nice if you didn't have to? If used properly, I would be helpless. Surely, you can't be scared of a helpless fox. Don't forget how sharp these claws are." Vivian used a claw to poke Jill's cheek, deep enough to draw blood.

Jill thought she had no other choice, but to use the room's equipment on Vivian. She had to hope that Vivian kept her word. Her paws trembled with every movement. She helped Vivian into the devices one by one. Thankfully, Vivian was cooperative every step of the way. Next, Vivian directed her attention towards the leashes and whips hanging on the wall.

Jill was unwilling to even hold the leash or the whip.

Vivian said, "I'm going out on a walk. Would you like to join me?"

"Wearing all this? What would everyone think?"

"I'm sure you'll get in trouble after I tell them how you forced me into everything."

"But that's a lie."

"The truth won't matter until it's too late."

"Can't you take those off first?" Jill pleaded.

"You know what you can do." Vivian kept walking without turning back. "Just think of everything that I know."

Her paws were shaking as she watched Vivian leave. "I don't want to hurt you. Please don't do this."

"What do you suggest?"

"Anything."

"You hold my life in your paws, and you're still afraid of me," Vivian stated.

"Because I care about you." Jill embraced Vivian.

"Not how I expected this would go." Vivian sighed. "What's it going to take for you to become less afraid? Giving you all the power didn't work. You're fighting your instincts again with your fur on edge. Do you realize how much of a problem this will be once we go to Foxhaven?"

"You are scary. Remember, Nick explained to me that you have ties with the mafia. Not only that, without you, I'm sure Bunnyburrow will kill us." Jill helped Vivian remove all the equipment.

"What about other foxes? Can you act normal in their presence? Let's go for a walk in the park."

"Of course," Jill said. She wanted to avoid what Vivian wanted to do before.

They set out on a walk towards the park. Vivian was adamant that Jill walked beside her without holding her tail every step of the way. Every step was a struggle because she had to resist grabbing Vivian's tail for comfort. It certainly didn't help matters that she had to walk in front of Vivian. With every step, she had to resist the urge to look backward.

Once they arrived in the park, Jill's struggles didn't escape her notice. It was fare more evident now that there were other predators nearby. "Well, you're still tense as ever even though we've arrived."

"Other predators frighten me too," Jill admitted. What Vivian wanted seemed impossible in such a short time span. Vivian expected her to be at ease around foxes when it was against her upbringing. "Maybe I shouldn't go to Foxhaven."

"And where will you go instead? Zootopia which might crave bunny blood, Bunnyburrow where they exiled you? You need to get your fears under control to the point that other mammals can't see that something might be wrong with you. Foxhaven is both ruthless and caring."

"I should've gone with Nick, but I was afraid of you."

"Be honest with your desires, it's one thing if I don't grant them."

"Can I hold your tail on the way back?" Jill asked. The fluffiness of the tail made the presence of foxes more bearable for her.

Vivian granted this request of hers. They walked back home at a much faster pace this time. Jill was no longer frightened every step of the way. Vivian's tail gave her a sense of security.

Once they returned, Vivian said, "You know the room I took you to earlier, those are free for you to use on us if you need it. I will help Nick into those if he struggles."

"I won't do that to Nick."

"It's an option because we don't have much time. You need to be comfortable around foxes."

Everyone returned to Vivian's house after eating at Clawhauser's. The kits had their fill with Gazelle merchandise that Clawhauser had laying around everywhere in his house. Jill greeted Nick as soon as she caught sight of him. "There's something I need to show you. Alone."

Nick thought it was serious due to her tone. "Can't it wait?"

"No. Follow me."

Jill led him away from his mates and the two kits with them. After several minutes it was apparent that Jill was leading him in circles. "Are you lost?" Nick asked.

"I don't want Jewel to find out. Here we are," Jill said. They went into that room with muzzles and shock collars as well as other stuff. "Your mother showed this to me, and allowed me to use those on her, but we didn't do anything."

Nick had many questions once he saw the room. It was strange that his mother had such a collection of these items. "What else is she hiding?" he said aloud.

"She even said that she'll help me put these on you if the need arises, but I won't do that to you."

"Just not the muzzle," Nick said. "I'm fine with everything else if you think it'll help. I'm going to show this place to my other mates."

"Even Jewel?"

"Yes, I trust her enough. She'll certainly appreciate everything. It's better than her finding this room on her own. It'll be okay." Nick gave her some time with his tail since that made her feel at ease. Even though he knew he had to show Jewel, he also knew that his life would be more complicated afterward. First, Nick went to ask Vivian why she had this collection.

"Why are you so surprised?" Vivian said. "I'm sure you would've figured out why by now. We do have a problem with Jill though. Foxhaven as it is, won't be good for her but we can't leave her behind."

"Are you hiding anything else?"

"Nothing that concerns you. Your top priority before we leave is to make Jill comfortable around foxes, or at least yourself. I don't care what you need to do to make that happen. Even now she clings to your tail for comfort. It's only an issue because she wouldn't function without it."

"I am right here," Jill cried indignantly.

Since Vivian wasn't forthcoming with the answers, Nick assumed it had to do with her relationship with Mr. Big. He decided not to pry further but still asked for permission to show his mates that room. With her approval, he proceeded.

Everyone except Adam and Amanda gathered within the room full of torture devices. Jewel, as predicted, had a gleam in her eye. "Nick, can we please play with these sometime before we leave for Foxhaven?"

Oh, sure she was nice now, but if he denied her, he was certain that she would take him by force. "When we have time," Nick said, to prevent any hostilities. He also felt embarrassed that she had no shame, asking him while his mother was right there. It was awkward at best.

He couldn't help but flinch as Jewel moved to pick up a shock collar as well as a leash even though she hadn't tried to put one on him yet. To his surprise, she put those on Janna. Janna offered minimal resistance from what he could tell.

"So, you can leave unless if you want to watch me torture Janna," Jewel said, seemingly not caring who else was in the room.

"What? Why?" Nick cried.

"To vent some frustrations. Are you going to stay and listen to her cries of agony?"

"Why don't we do something normal as a family? Like, watch television. Don't forget, you can finally have fun with the two kits that came with us." Nick hoped that he could persuade Jewel from torturing her littermate.

"Fine," Jewel grumbled. Janna kept the shock collar as well as the leash as they left the room.

On one paw, she heeded Nick's suggestion but on another, she didn't. Jewel and Janna went to find the two kits instead of agreeing to his plan.

He thought he imagined it at first, but he heard a cry for help. Nick and Judy and his mother rushed towards that sound. They found a grey rabbit buck within the grasp of a polar bear.

"Please let me go!" the buck pleaded.

It was a reminder yet again that his mother was in league with Mr. Big's mafia.

The bear tossed a dart gun at Vivian. "He had this." The gun contained what seemed like Night Howler pellets.

"Why are you here?" Vivian asked.

"Janna sent me." The grey rabbit panted for breath.

"Sent you?" Judy narrowed her eyes.

"What do you want?" Nick asked.

"I'm looking for a black doe named Jewel. This bear just attacked me for no reason."

"Please explain to me why you are inside my house," Vivian said.

Vivian was polite, but Nick had a feeling the buck would die if he didn't speak.

"Look, why don't we arrest him for trespassing?" Nick didn't want someone dead because of it.

"That's going to get me killed," the buck said flatly. "My boss won't be happy."

"And who is your boss?"

"Janna."

A/N: Anyone else disappointed in the Game of Thrones ending?