Mother Prophet

Nothing More; God Went North

5 months later;

A young officer Bogo curled his lip as he watched the monitors on the streets line with foxes, more than he'd ever seen. He'd been a street officer longer than he'd ever worked at a desk and his aspirations were high. He'd overheard Chief Snarlov and watched the wolf having a heated conversation with who knows who after having several arguments that left his commanding officer pinching the bridge of his nose. Chief Snarlov shook his head as he bit his lip, Officer Bogo stood outside his office waiting… "Sir, I am aware of that. I know… I KNOW!" The wolf closed his eyes leaning over in his chair as Bogo looked in and tipped a brow. He watched the wolf shake his head and resumed his stance at the door, listening to the chair creak. The Chief groaned as he tried to calm yet another angry citizen. "I can't stop it, Sir. It's a species law I'm …no. I can't reveal why it's being closed off, only that it is a species law that applies to every council and it is legal. I KNOW THEY'RE FOXES! THEY HAVE A COUNCIL JUST LIKE THE REST OF US AND THEIR RIGHTS ARE PROTECTED SO LONG AS THEY ARE NOT…"

Officer Bogo heard the phone click as the chair creaked and raised his head as Chief Snarlov stepped out of his office. "Officer Bogo. You are the highest-ranking officer under my command at the moment. Take the patrols over to the edge of Happy Town and make sure the main street is cleared. Make sure no one causes problems. This is a council member's last wish and has been cleared through the city." Chief Bogo looked back at the screen outside the wolf's office and shook his head. The wolf huffed as he rubbed his temple. "Don't ask because I have no idea how it got done. I wasn't even aware of the fact that there was a fox council in Zootopia until this came up and I've been trying to get the Happy Town Department to work with me because it's a legal request from the city. They aren't a cooperative group of officers down there and this is…causing some problems."

Officer Bogo sighed as his lip curled. "No one wants to be around this many foxes, Sir." He said sarcastically as he shook his head and looked to the monitor again. "You had this monitoring set up for this… event?"

Chief Snarlov nodded as he looked over the camera feeds. "I didn't have a choice. Whoever pulled the strings on this has pulled so many legal citations that if this goes south the City of Zootopia will be held responsible. One of their council members is dying and I guess in fox culture they are given final rights before death. It has something to do with her seat as the leader of their chapter or something like that here in Zootopia. I don't even understand it. I just know that if anyone interferes, we need to be on top of it. Take four squads with you. I have others stationed already. The fire department is on call along with an ambulance that will be following them. Don't interfere. Try to stay out of the activities, out of sight and out of their way. This isn't the only thing that's happening because of her being sick and I have fire crews on alert just in case. I still can't believe this is legal and how the hell this all got…." The wolf sighed as he shook his head and closed his eyes. "The main streets from the hospital all the way to Happy Town are closed off. All I know is that the foxes in attendance mean something to her and so do any others involved. Pay no attention to the fires that are burning and make no stops of any foxes tonight. I have other officers keeping an eye on things due to some of this because of the fires, but from what I understand, it won't be an issue. It's supposed to be a rather intense affair for them and they won't have their attention anywhere else. Follow behind the procession and make sure no one hassles any of them for any reason. The last thing we need is a whole community of pissed off foxes going crazy in the city…. I didn't even know there were that many of them here."

Bogo stood taller and nodded as the wolf stepped back to his office. He left the station with several others following his car, and made his way across town, shaking his head as he reached the street that led from the hospital to Happy Town. "Ridiculous that foxes are shutting down part of the city like this….." he grumbled as he parked the car on the main strip, blocking the street as he looked around and caught dozens of species of foxes standing along the sidewalks….

Nicholas closed his eyes as he stood on the balcony looking out the window. The fox ground his teeth as he heard the familiar footsteps behind him. "Mr. Wilde. It's Time." He sucked in a breath and barely turned his head enough to see Earl Weaselton cup his paws in front of himself.

"I don't know why she wants you here. But this, however you pulled all this together doesn't change a damn thing, Earl."

The weasel bowed his head and nodded as he averted his eyes. "No Sire, it don't. I only stays because she asks it of me."

Nicholas gave him a funny look and pulled his lips over his teeth as he frowned. Fighting back the urge to growl and missing half what the weasel said as he looked back at the street, seeing foxes scattered here and there along a path he knew they would be taking. "I'll be there in a minute. Make sure Madge knows what she's supposed to be doing." Earl tipped his head and Nicholas heard the door close as he looked out again, closing his eyes and letting his shoulders fall as his eyes clamped shut. Freya, I've never really prayed, not once in my life. Your mate has no love for our kind. You are said to be the Goddess of life, of love. If you're there, please let this be done. I can't watch her suffer anymore. If you're the god of love, show her some, and take her….

"Why me?" he asked out loud as he opened his eyes, looking up at the evening sky as the stars began to light the night. "I'm not her son. Why does she want me to do this?"

He jerked as he felt a soft paw on his shoulder and turned his head as Rose tilted hers with a soft smile. He hadn't even noticed she had been standing there watching him. Her paws slowly moved as she gazed at him with a soft understanding, sighing as she signed. "Because you are her son, Nicholas. The foxes here know her as your mother, and it must be seen that way to those who don't know. You are her son, as much as I'm her daughter. A mother doesn't have to carry a child or give birth to be a mother. Even the Gods showed us that. This is a tradition among all foxes, but has been limited to the vixens on a council because of the fires. Do you love her like she's your mother?" Nicholas sighed again as she cupped his muzzle and leaned into her touch as he closed his eyes.

The silver fox nodded and looked back at her sadly as he smiled. "How could I not, Rose? She gave me…everything." Nicholas cupped her cheek as she nodded and leaned into his paw. He didn't understand what Cassie had planned and Rose had told him it would be explained tonight, only saying it had something to do with connections and a story she would share with them. When he looked back at her again, she had a patient look on her face as she tipped her head to the door. He nodded and followed her through the room, down another hall, until they stopped outside the door the vixen had been moved to from the nursing home. Nicholas had watched her wither away for months. The strength she had failed over time, her fur lost its shine and her steady movements became slower as her heart failed. He'd watched the woman who had taken him as her own, into her family after causing the loss of nearly all of it become brittle and frail. He wasn't sure he could handle anymore, let alone understand why she kept asking him to come to her side.

As he stepped close to the door Rose motioned for him to stay where he was as she went back into the room, grabbing little Nicky from Mrs. Hayward before she stepped to the bed. Madge, Tracy, and the vixens from the den had gathered around and stepped out of the room as Earl sat next to Cassie. The conversation they were having was low and quiet, kept whispered as they both smiled and laughed at whatever they were talking about. Earl stood from the bed bowing slightly and turned to leave as Cassie reached for Rose and Nicky. Nicholas sucked in another deep breath as Nicky sat in his mother's lap and was talking to his grandmother.

The little tod's ears perked up and Nicholas smiled as he giggled. "I'm going to get married someday?" he asked.

Cassie giggled again as she brushed her paw over his head. "Oh yes, you will someday Nicky, and you will think she is the most beautiful creature you've ever seen. She will be the most important treasure in the world to you, just like Loki's mate Sigyn. I wish I could see that."

"Are you going away, Grandma?" Nicky asked as his ears tipped slightly and Rose curled her arms around him as Nicholas closed his eyes.

"Yes. We all fade, Nicky. That is the way of the world."

"I don't want you to go away." He sniffled as she smiled.

Rose let him go as Cassie held her arms open. "I'll tell you why I'm leaving, Nicky. It's because there can be no light, without darkness. There can be no life without death. If we lived forever, we would never know the value of life. For every death, there is new life. I'll tell the story very soon. Will you listen?" Nicky nodded as Rose wiped the tears from her face and let him crawl back into her arms. She leaned close to her Mother and Nicholas watched as they dipped into each other, his mate holding her tightly with a gentle touch as Nicky hugged around both of them.

The silver fox squared his shoulder as Madge stepped close to him and tilted her head slightly. "She's ready, Nicholas." Nicholas nodded as Earl stayed just out of the way. Rose stood motioning towards him and he stepped to the bed, tipping his head at the Haywards as he stood over her. Rose and Nicky had spent nearly every extra moment they had with her, only leaving in the moments the older vixen asked for their absence when she was tired, feeling ill, or visiting hours had closed at the nursing home. The older vixen chuckled as he took hold of her paw and watched as they unplugged everything. The council members left the room and the weasel stepped out behind them just as quickly, followed by the Haywards.

Nicholas looked back watching an officer at the door and snapped his head and eyes back to her as she squeezed his paw. "Hello, Nicholas." He smiled softly at her as he took a seat on the bed, trying to make sure his breathing stayed steady as he fought not to tremble. "This is your part." The fox nodded and held his head high as she fought to keep her eyes open. "I'm not done yet."

"I know Mum. But I…"

"Stop." He looked back from the floor and let his face fall as her lips stayed locked between trembling sorrow and curling into a snarl. "Listen to me, Nicholas." His ears set and he kept his eyes with hers, helping her lean up as she struggled to catch her breath. "We know what comes after this life. Nothing but darkness awaits. We no longer exist and are free from all the troubles and woes of this world. It isn't death most people fear. It's the fear of not knowing what comes next, the fear of missing something, leaving things and the people they love behind, of never being remembered. These are things I have no fear of. This world is never as anyone sees it. Here, no matter what we do, no matter how much we plan, the only thing we truly know is that there is no control. No matter how much order you find, chaos can still rip it apart. Change is the only constant. The world and everything in it can go crazy and we're left wondering the land, confused because we can never make the connections between how we all fit together. The things we think may kill us and what tears us apart will only make us stronger. Do you remember the story you told Rose on the way here?" Nicholas nodded as she smiled. "We can't always see the sense in our own story, until someone points it out. Sometimes it's like a dream, and sometimes it's a nightmare you wish you could wake from. I want to get this finished. I want the fires to keep burning. I know you want this to be over, but…" Nicholas sobbed as the guilt of his prayer and the past set in and cupped a paw over his eyes.

Cassie pressed her paw over his and the silver fox looked at her through flooded eyes as his shoulders rolled. The vixen smiled and sighed, leaning forward as much as she could. "There's no shame in not wanting to watch someone you love suffering or letting them go, Nicholas. There's no shame in loving someone enough to wish they were no longer in pain. Today, I need you to be my strength. Carry me to the last fire of my life and learn the story of what we truly are."

Nicholas nodded as he wiped his face off and helped her lie back down. He turned to the door and nodded at Madge, who led all the other vixens back into the room. The silver fox gently positioned his arm under her knees and then the other under her neck before he closed his eyes and carefully picked her up. Waiting until she gathered the strength to wrap her arms around his neck and let her head rest on his chest as she kept holding on. He closed his eyes and felt a cold chill race through him when he turned to the door. Madge picked up the sheer strands of material that were attached to the long gown she had been dressed in. Something similar to the dresses the vixens from the council wore, but much more elaborate and lengthier. Several strands of wide ribbons attached to it she pulled over his shoulders before he walked out the door.

Madge tipped her head. "We'll make sure the path is clear." Nicholas nodded and waited as Rose and Nicky stepped behind him, watching the vixens walking a few steps ahead of them. Madge froze as her ears set.

Earl Weaselton was having a somewhat harsh argument with a nurse as Nicholas turned the corner with Cassie. She held up a paw and Nicholas stayed behind with Rose and Nicky as she stepped around the corner.

The vixen perked her ears as she caught Weaselton speaking in an irate whisper as he stuck his finger in a nurses face, barely letting the tips of his teeth poke over his gums. "It don't matter what you think lady. I don't give two shits what the policy here is. This is a Primal Law. A Council law. Aint nuttin you can do about it. And if yous cause any trouble before this is done. You's gonna have a heap a problems! You can ask that guy if yas don't believe me, he's from City hall." The little predator in front of him curled her lip as she puffed out her chest and blinked as another mammal grabbed her by the shoulder. The old moose shook his head and motioned for her to leave as Earl kept glaring.

"She won't. I'll make sure it's handled properly, Mr. Weaselton." He said as he let his antlers lift higher. The weasel curled his lip into another angry grimace and tipped his head before he turned.

Madge and the other vixens blinked as Earl came around the corner. "What in the name of the Gods was that about?"

Earl shook his head looking back at the nurse he'd been arguing with and looked around before he sighed. "Don't matter. You's got everything arranged?" Madge nodded as she sighed. "Good, I already gots the cars arranged. The driver has the directions to get to the site. I hopes everything else …." Earl sighed as he shook his head. "Even I gots limits." He handed her a card with the information before he turned.

Madge tipped a brow as she watched him turn and walk away. She looked at the other vixens and nodded as Earl stepped closer and tipped his head, waiting for Nicholas. The silver fox sighed as he followed Weaselton out the doors, waiting as a large white limo pulled to the curb. Rose held Nicky close as she stood beside him, cupping one of her paws around one of his arms as he tried not to jostle Cassie in his arms. The vixens from the den stayed a step behind, carrying the long lengths of the gown and trailing fabric that swirled around Nicholas and Rose as a large bear parked the car and stepped out opening the door. The silver fox slid in carefully, waiting for Rose. His mate crawled in next, sitting Nicky on the seat next to another bear who grunted as she turned and took the long fabric the vixens from the den were holding before the door was closed. Nicholas tipped his head at Mrs. Big as he cradled Cassie in his arms and lap. Nicky hopped from one seat to the other, next to his father as the older vixen curled her head against his chest, giggling as Nicky pet her ears.

The silver fox pet his son's head as he tried to tip over his arm, looking at his grandmother. "Nicky, put your seatbelt on, Son."

Cassie giggled as Rose slid across the seat, helping their son get buckled in. Nicholas sighed as the little female shrew stood from her seat. "Hello Mr. Wilde. I know we haven't met, but my name is Ruth. Your mother asked if we could be here today." The silver fox tipped his head to her slightly and readjusted the older vixen in his arms when the limo lurched forward. "RAYMOND!" she growled in a high-pitched voice that had their ears tipping as she glared at the front seats.

"Sorry." The bear grumbled as the car moved forward slowly.

The tiny shrew rolled her eyes as she sighed. "He still gets a little nervous driving for something like this. Alonzo and Mamma Big wanted to come, but they had some pressing business to attend to, Cassie."

The older vixen smiled as she let her head rest on Nicholas' arm and barely waved a paw as Ruth retook her seat. Nicholas kept his eyes ticking between Rose and Nicky as Cassie tried to pull her legs closer. The tod moved his arms and helped her curl into a ball against his chest. She was smiling as she folded her arms into her chest, rumbling slightly as he kept her warm. Even on a warm spring day she still shivered, and it only made him hold her closer as she looked up at him. The fox chuckled as she leaned her head up as if she was trying to get his attention. Nicholas closed his eyes as she pulled his chin down and pressed her head to his. "We'll be there soon Mum." She let her head rest on his chest as he sat up straighter.

Officer Bogo ground his teeth as he watched more foxes than he'd ever seen line both sides of the streets. The limo moved slowly, following a small van the vixens rode in as it made its way from the hospital. A trail of foxes had gathered and started walking behind the slow-moving vehicles. Bogo stopped as they reached the edge of Happy Town, stepping out of his vehicle after the limo parked. He looked around trying not to growl as half the foxes seemed to rush forward, while another half seemed to scatter and vanish into thin air. Nicholas stepped out in front of the cars, puffing his chest as he lifted her higher and held her close, waiting for the vixens to move and Madge to take the lead. Officer Bogo stepped around the vehicles, watching another vixen step close to the black furred fox as she held up some kind of torch.

Nicholas and Rose stayed close together as Madge held the torch in front of herself. Cassie pulled a box of matches from her sleeve, lighting one that she used to set it on fire as she tried to raise slightly in his arms. Several foxes who had gathered along the side of the street that led to Happy Towns largest park, squared their shoulders as Madge turned and stepped forward holding it out. Nicholas tipped his head as each fox who had approached took part of the flame into smaller torches and rushed off, vanishing with many of the others who had already taken leave. "Nicholas."

He turned his attention away from the foxes who nearly ran and leaned into Cassie's paw as she tried to reach for his face. "This is the day you will be my strength and carry me, as every mother carries a child into life, the eldest son carries their mother to her final flame. I will tell you all the story of fox fires." The vixens from the den stepped away as Madge pulled the ribbons tied around Cassie's waist over his shoulders out, stepping behind him. His eyes closed as one was wrapped over his neck, while the end of the other two were draped over his shoulders and given to Rose and Nicky behind him. Rose held tightly to the end of one, while Nicky was clutching the other, giggling as it fluttered around him in his mother's arms.

Madge started walking forward, all the other vixens walked with her as they stayed in front of Nicholas. The silver fox took a breath as the parts of her dress fluttered behind him like it was dancing with the wind and started walking behind the vixens from the council. The foxes who had gathered followed them, staying with them at a slow pace until they reached the center of the park. They gathered around as Nicholas stopped, still holding Cassie. Madge handed her the torch and Cassie waited for all the foxes who had gathered to circle around them as Nicholas stepped close to a large pile of branches. He helped her place the torch under them as he knelt lower and stepped back as the fire began to grow.

Madge touched his shoulder and he tipped his head, lifting Cassie as she motioned to a chair positioned not far from the fire. He nodded and took a seat, wondering how they had managed to build something so high that looked like it belonged in the Den in Happy Town. Rose and Nicky came and stood next to him as he helped Cassie sit up in his lap. The older vixen looked around, curling her arms around Nicholas' neck as she smiled at all the foxes who had gathered. Many of them were still holding torches that were held high with the fire she had started as their ears trained on her.

All their eyes seemed to shift between her and Nicholas as Rose held Nicholas' other paw. Nicky latched onto Cassie's, giggling as she scrunched her nose. The vixen took a breath before she let her eyes wonder around and nodded. "The first fox in creation was born from fire. A fire that was created from two worlds colliding and sustaining all we depend on to provide the things we need to survive. From those fires life sprang forward as they both took parts of each other and stayed within each other's grasp. One cannot be without the other. Our father the Moon, who watches and guards over us as we continue to grow. Our mother Earth who still carries us as we change. Loki was created from the fires that began this world. He is with us, burning as a fire in every fox that has ever been born. From the flames that burn within each life, even as that fire dies, we hold onto every moment and cherish all that they have given us. Even in the darkest moments, that fire can sustain us. Even as it turns to dying embers that flee into the air, there is hope. For each ember that leaves us, there is the possibility that it will spark a new flame, and our fire will continue in the children we leave behind, in every life we touch. This is the legacy of a fox, the legacy Loki left us. This is the true meaning of the fox fire that has been passed down from Loki to all foxes. We burn Eternal, we live in the heart of all we have touched." Cassie giggled as Nicky tipped his ears to her with wide eyes. "We live in the fires we leave behind, and even the ashes that those fires create, we give back to our mother so she can continue to hold us."

The vixen huffed several times as Nicholas shifted uncomfortably. "Every moment we have is one that will burn with those we leave behind. I ask that you all keep the flame, let it burn until there is no more life within it, let it warm you and keep you in good company until the time has come when the last ember dies. Share your memories with those you love around its warmth, share your love and that warmth, even with those who have none for you. For every word you speak, every action you take, will send a spark, even as we cut the bonds that keep us in this word, our fire can still burn."

Nicholas sat straighter as Rose leaned forward, handing her mother a pair of scissors. The older vixen waited until Madge handed her the longest strands that had trailed from her gown and everyone watched as she cut them from her dress, tying one around Nicky, one around Rose, and one around the silver fox's neck as he watched with burning eyes. "There are some ties that can never be broken, even when our flame stops burning. But we keep holding on, until the last ember of our fire has faded, knowing that even in the pain of a flame dying, there is always a better day for those we leave behind. They are the embers that became a spark, starting another fire that brings us together. The embers and ashes left behind will allow something better to grow."

Cassie looked around catching the many eyes watching. "Take the fox fires to every corner of Zootopia! Let it burn in every fox as you tell the story of the fox fire!"

Nicholas curled around her as she pet the side of his face and the silver fox swallowed as she spoke. "Keep holding on, Nicholas."

"Until the end." He choked out as he watched most of the foxes rushing off, several of them carrying a small torch held high as her eyes closed. Rose leaned over curling around him as she held Nicky, the small Tod playing with the long strand of fabric that had been tied around his neck.

Madge turned, letting her face drop after Nicholas curled his lip up exposing his teeth as he pressed his brow to Cassie's head. Rose sat Nicky on the ground, watching as he stepped between his father's legs. Nicholas shook his head and Rose stuck both her paws to her cheek telling the older vixen Cassie had only fallen asleep. Madge sucked in a deep breath of relief and nodded. Nicholas pulled himself together and stood carefully with Cassie as Madge folded a blanket over her and watched them walk to an ambulance. She turned to Tracy and retook the torch she had handed off, looking it over as the other vixens watched Nicholas and Rose. The flame would be carried to the Den and left burning, as hundreds of fires from the torch Cassie had started sprang up all over Zootopia.

Nicholas stepped into the ambulance looking back at Rose as she shook her head. "We will follow you back, Nicholas. We have spent so much time together the last few months, she asked that you be with her now." The silver fox tipped his head as the E.M.T checked Cassie and tried to lay her down. Cassie curled her arms around him tighter as she rumbled lightly. The attendant shook his head, smiling as he motioned for Nicholas to take a seat and keep her with him. He held her until they reached the hospital again, carrying her back to the top floor of the room she had been in. The silver fox looked out the window as Cassie stayed curled in his arms, jostling her slightly before she opened her eyes. "Mum, look." Rose stepped in with Nicky as Cassie tuned her head, smiling as she watched the fires burning on rooftops that could be seen from every direction. The vixens from the council returned with Earl, all of them standing outside the door as Rose leaned into her mate with their son. Curling around the older vixen before he gently laid her in the bed again.

Rose stood smiling at the side of the bed as Nicky crawled closer to the older vixen. Cassie lifted the sheet over her nose and he giggled as she flicked her ears several times. When she pulled her nose out and snapped her teeth at him, he fell back laughing. "You're silly Grandma!" he giggled as she tipped her head.

"Yes, I am silly, but you know you love me."

Rose sat behind Nicky and Cassie's eyes fell as she shook her head. "I can't…"

Rose nodded and started signing in front of Nicky. "Grandma has to go, Nicky." He looked up at his mother with a curled brow as she tipped her head to him and sighed.

"Grandma are you coming back?" he asked softly as Cassie shook her head. The little tod scooted forward and next to her head as she wrapped an arm around him.

"I will always be right here." She said as she tapped his chest. Nicholas sucked in a breath and tried to keep his chest still as the burn from his eyes threatened to start a fire he wouldn't be able to control. Nicky pulled his arms around her neck and Cassie dipped her head into him as he closed his eyes. "I love you, Grandma."

"I love you too." Rose picked him up and had him on her hip as Nicholas stayed at the door. She dipped into her mother and pulled away with tears in her eyes as Cassie signed the same message. The older vixen motioned to the door and Rose dipped her ears back as she came to Nicholas with Nicky on her hip. Earl stood outside the door keeping his distance as Rose stood with Madge, Tracy and the other vixens from the Den. Many of them dropped their ears as Cassie waved Nicholas to the bed where he took a seat beside her in a chair. She curled her paw around his as his blurry eyes spilled over and the vixen smiled as she squeezed his paw.

The silver fox shuttered as he leaned his head over her, and the vixen smiled as she ran her other paw along his face, pulling him closer. He fell apart as she ran her muzzle along the side of his cheek and over his head. Rose pulled Nicky closer as Clara and Richard stood behind them in the hallway. She looked back and saw Weaselton dip his head and turn his face before he walked away.

Nicholas sucked in a breath of air, trying to keep from sobbing anymore as Cassie pulled his muzzle closer to her face. "Nicholas." He fought the trembling of his lips as he locked eyes with her. "Every end is a beginning." The vixen smiled as he shook his head.

"How do I keep doing this without you Mum?" He laid his head on her chest and she pet his muzzle looking back at the door.

"You didn't need me to do any of this. I haven't doubted you once since we arrived in this city. A window can become a door, if you look at it right. I know who you are, Nicholas. You are greater and will be greater than you know."

The vixen closed her eyes and Nicholas lifted, looking at her as she took a deep breath. "Mum?"

She held onto one of his fingers as her eyes opened on him and glazed over. "You will rattle the stars if you believe. Look at me." Nicholas looked up and locked eyes with her as she smiled softly. "Sometimes, the only way to get to any kind of heaven, is to crawl through hell. No one is truly lost, if they are remembered." She ticked her eyes to Nicky and Rose and he glanced the same way before turning back and finding her as she seemed to lose her focus. " Find the shadow. Don't let Captain Hook steal the fairy dust…. You must believe, Nicholas. Believe…" she trailed off as he sat up.

"Mum?"

Her eyes barely opened on him with a whisper he almost didn't catch. "I love you." The silver fox sucked in a deep breath as her paw fell from his and curled over her in a deep whine after her eyes closed. Clara and Richard cringed as all the vixen's ears tipped back. Rose covered her mouth with a paw as Nicky buried his face in her neck. Nicholas stood shaking his head and heaved several times as he backed away from the bed. His paws were trembling as he turned and rushed out the door, nearly falling over his feet as he shot down the hallway….