A/N:Kind of a quick update bur Chapter 9 will be coming a little late so I gave you this one to keep you busy til then. Now that we know a little bit about Mia, lets go back to Fox and Krystal. Fox is now curious and all about Shane, but Krystal doesn't know that yet... things may actually get better....or are they just going to get worse? Oh, and this chapter is pretty lengthy and has a bit of religious content (but it is fictional....or at least I hope it is.) so if you're offended by any of it there isn't much I can do about it...this Chapter is actually a HUGE asset to the story. Shane actually begins to open up...but to an unlikely fellow. Also, you'll finally find out why the humans and furs hate each other!

Disclaimer: Don't own the characters of Star Fox. Mia and Shane are mine. Any relation to anybody else's characters in anyway is completely coincidental

Chapter 8-No More Secrets

Krystal was getting back to her usual days now. She got up early and was on her way to the fields to pick flowers like usual. When she opened her door she was surprised to see Fox. "Oh, good morning."

Fox smiled. "Care if I join you this morning?"

Krystal smiled and signaled him to come along. They walked to the fields, but the whole time Krystal was nervous about Fox being there. She sensed that he knew something. She walked with less of a sway in her step than usual. Being in Fox's presence was a little nerveracking. She was still debating about Shane.

When they reached the fields, Krystal actually didn't pick any flowers. She left them where they were. "I've got enough...I came because its the most beautiful time of the morning." And it was. The sun was still rising slowly. The atmosphere that filled the air suddenly grew warm. Krystal let out a small sigh. It was a sigh of relief.

Fox knew that now was a bad idea to break the moment. They decided to rest in the fields. Fox layed down on his back. The golden sunrise was probably one of the most beautiful sights he'd ever seen. Watching the sun come up from the mountains was wonderful.

Krystal watched and rested on Fox's shoulders. The first thought that came to her mind was that she wanted Shane to see this....and maybe do a painting of it. But if anything, this was a moment she wanted to share with Fox. "Its wonderful isn't it? To think, this is what I see every morning."

Fox put his arm around Krystal as they both sat in a flower bed and watched the sunrise. "It is wonderful." Fox said softly. 'Now why have you been avoiding me?' he wanted to say to her...but that wasn't 100% true. She hadn't been avoiding him really....just been more secretive than usual.

Krystal stroked at Fox's arm and could feel his fur getting warmer. "Do I make you nervous?" she giggled as she remembered the night she and Shane met.

Fox's fur began to stand in. The moment was actually perfect. He smiled and looked up at the sunset. Before he knew it Krystal had pushed him on his back and was on top of her. She layed her head down on his chest and sighed contently. Fox soon sat up with Krystal in his arms. He stroked her back gently. Though this time she was dressed in a a white shirt, which made her look like an angel to Fox.

Krystal snuggled into Fox's arms. His fur was softer than Shane's, yet he wasn't quite as comfortable. Fox also didn't have as beautiful eyes as Shane did. Still, Fox had a more outstanding color in his fur, and his voice was comforting to hear day after day. She was glad she was here with him.

Fox began to rock back and forth a bit and slid a paw up Krystal's shirt to rub her back. Her fur was VERY soft. Krystal shivered a bit at first, being that Fox's paws weren't as warm as they usually were. Still, it was relaxing. The breeze wasn't bad, and just made the moment more relaxing.

As Fox rocked he kissed Krystal on the forehead. Krystal looked up at her, realizing what could possibly happen. She snuggled into Fox's chest, but quickly but quickly pulled herself back. She stared into his eyes for a quick moment. His paws were still up her shirt. She couldn't do this right now. "Fox, please....just hold me right now."

Fox slid his paws out of her shirt and instead wrapped them around her. He was still rocking back and forth. He began to trace out small circles on Krystal's back. The moment was still glorious. The sky was still golden.

It wasn't long before Krystal soon fell asleep. Fox noticed her soft breathing. He still sat there rocking. He soon closed his eyes and fell onto his back. 'What's she thinking?' he began to wonder. He was wondering when he was going to confront her about Shane. He lay there on his back and watched a few blades of grass rustle with the cool breeze. It was comforting and tranquil.

Krystal rested peacefully on Fox's chest. Her breathing was so soft that it made Fox want her even more. Fox sat up and took Krystal in his arms and came to a stance. Krystal woke up for a moment, but only to wrap her arms around Fox. Before he knew it, Krystal was already asleep again.

Fox went back to the village. Some of the furs were already coming out, but Fox still made his way to Krystal's house. Just as he thought, Krystal's door was unlocked. The only time she ever locked her door was when she had occupied the house. As Fox set foot inside of the house, a black fox scampered off. Fox didn't notice him and proceeded to Krystal's room.

Fox placed her on the bed and kissed her cheek. He then left without making a sound. Krystal would be up later. Then, he would confront her.

***

Shane was in the village. He'd seen a quick glimpse of Fox. 'Did he notice me?' he thought to himself. Of course he wasn't noticed. He been through the village several times. He knew where most of the furs hung out. He'd even been into the pub once or twice. There were actually a few furs that knew him.

Shane was actually making his way out of the village. Shane didn't like to creep around during the day. He liked to creep around where it was dark and he could blend in. Thats why he always wore black. When the sun was out, which the sun was almost at a full rise, he didn't like to be in the village. With the reputation he had, he certainly didn't want anyone to notice him. So instead he stayed behind the houses as he scampered back to his woods.

The only problem was that thorughout this whole thing, Falco had an eye on him. Sure they were quick glances, but it wasn't enough to hide Shane entirely. Falco was probably the first to notice him. Shane moved swiftly actually. Shane was moving so fast that he only appeared in Falco's eyes as a shadow. That usually meant that others wouldn't really notice Shane at all.

Falco began to track him. He noticed Shane was heading for the woods. The perfect chance to cut him off.

Shane made his way into the woods. He thought he was home free now. He came down to a slow jog now and then eventually to a walk. He wasn't even panting. As he thought he was safe, he was tackled from behind. "Who the hell.......!?" He didn't get to finish as he landed face first into the ground. He came back up with dirt in his mouth and quickly spit it out. Only Shane was allowed to sneak up on others like that....or so he thought.

When Shane was finally let up he turned around to see a blue bird looking over him. "You're Falco if I'm not mistaken."

"And you're the so-called 'Dark Fox.'" Falco said.

Shane looked at him. He was wearing a black leather jacket and a white undershirt and that was it. "Why did you tackle me?"

"First you tell me what you were doing in the village. How do I know you're not a threat?"

Shane then came to a stance. He looked at Falco for a moment, then nearly as fast as he had done so from the village, he sprinted off. "Hey!" Falco gave chase. 'This fox can run!' Falco thought to himself. Shane was getting away and there was nothing that Falco could do. He was starting to pant harder now. At this rate Falco was going to lose him. "Shane stop!" He shouted, only using Shane's name this time.

As Falco though, it got Shane to come to a hault. Falco finally caught up to Shane. He was panting hard, but to his surprise, Shane wasn't panting at all. "How do you know my name?" Shane asked.

Falco had his head down panting hard. "Krystal......" he breathed inbetween almost every word he spoke. "Krystal....talks......about you." He said grabbing at his chest. Damn, Shane was fast. He let out a short stream of coughs. That was probably the fastest Falco ever had to sprint...ever.

"Krystal talks about me?" He was silent and yet nervous. He was afraid to ask but finally managed. "What does she say about me?"

Falco finally stood up straight. His throat was burning a bit, and he was still coughing, but now he could talk normally. "Krystal says your not a bad guy at all. That you're just looking for a friend."

Shane sat down. He curled up a bit and looked up at Falco. "Well, she's somewhat right. I'm not a bad guy, but I don't really know about friendship." He rocked back and forth, still nervous. 'Who else knows about me?' He thought. He hoped for the love of God that Fox didn't know about him. He could only hope though.

Falco kneeled down next to Shane and stared him deep in the eyes. If there was one thing Falco could do, it was tell what kind of person you are by staring into your eyes for a moment. "You're just confused. Something happened to you years ago and you don't want anyone to know. So you hold back." Falco said. "You're not sure if this incident is for the good of you or for the bad." He continued to stare into Shane's eyes. "You're very secretive, but since your incident you've been kinder and gentler than you once were. That's all I can see about you." Falco stopped and came to a stance. They must've been about halfway through the woods by now.

Shane only blinked. "You don't know the incident right?"

"I can only tell that something happened to you years ago that changed you."

Shane was quite impressed by this. "I'd rather not talk about it. But I'm almost certain its a good thing. I mean if it hadn't happened, then I wouldn't have met Krystal."

"What exactly happened to you?"

"It happened four years ago." Shane sighed. "There was an old women...or at least I thought she was a women." He was nervous again. He wasn't sure if he could trust Falco with his secret. "But I won't say anymore than that." He suddenly stopped.

"Why not? What happened? Who was this old women you speak of? And why were you in the human village anyway? That's not right!"

Shane sighed. "I wasn't in the human village. Not ever. I'd never go there...even.....even if I was a human being!" He stood up and started to walk off.

"What's the rush? You still didn't tell me why you were in the village."

Shane stopped and looked back at Falco. "I was there because I wanted to see Krystal. You wouldn't understand."

Falco chuckled. "She means a lot to you huh? Sorry to disappoint you, but as far as I'm concerned, she's Fox's girl."

Shane's ears lowered. Falco realized that wasn't the right thing to say, but it was the truth...or was it? "I'll worry about Fox later. I've got to get home."

"There's no need to rush off Shane. Why don't you come back to the village with me. It's better than going back to the humans."

Shane sighed. "You don't know much of anything about me. Why don't you do your little eye trick. I don't live with, or near the human village. I live just north of here in my own private home. I don't want to go back to the village with you anyway. Because of furs like you and this Bill, I've got a bad reputation there. I'm the 'Dark Fox' remember!?"

Falco shrugged. Obviously he'd misjudged what kind of fox Shane was. "We can set that all straight. Come back with me. You don't seem like you'd hurt anyone." Falco extended his hand in offering.

Shane was nervous at first. He didn't know whether he should go or not. "I'll be back later. I'll come back in the night. I need the night to roam around."

To Falco, Shane really was a "Dark Fox." He wore all black, he had black fur and preferred to lurk around at night. "Just one question. Do you turn out all the lights at your house?"

Shane actually managed a smile. "Well, I am the Dark Fox after all." Even to him it was now getting old, but it was still fun to be looked at in a false way. "I'll be back tonight. I'll be at the chapel in the village. Meet me there, and don't bring anybody with you."

Falco nodded. He didn't know why Shane had picked that meeting place. But Shane knew why he did.

***

It was near noon now. Krystal was up and making her cup of afternoon tea. She hadn't picked any flowers. She thought she had enough actually. The day was perfect so far. There was then a knocking at her door. When she answered it was no other than Fox. She greeted him a let him in. She'd made enough tea for both of them.

Fox came in and sat down in a chair. "How's life?"

"Life is good." She said, as she got down two cups and filled them with tea. She added a bit of peppermint flavor. Just the way that Fox liked it.

Fox sat peacefully as Krystal brought him his tea. He was thankful, but didn't come to see Krystal for a cup of tea. He took a sip and was right down to the point. Regardless of what happened earlier in the morning, there wasn't any sort of "mood" now. "Who is Shane?"

Krystal put her cup down and started to blush a little. She was hoping that it wasn't showing. At least she wasn't a tomato, but it was still obvious that something was up. She put her paws over her face. "Shane is a fox that I meant in the woods. He was the one that was playing the song. It was him Fox." She whimpered a bit. She didn't know how Fox would react.

"Why did you lie to me then? I was worried about you."

"I lied to protect Shane. He's lonely Fox. The only thing I can say is that he lurks in the woods from time to time."

Fox raised a brow. He took another sip of tea. "Will I ever get to meet him?"

Krystal's eyes grew large. That would be a blessing and a curse. She WANTED the two to meet. She wanted Shane to meet more furs. What she didn't want, was for Fox to be in Shane's mansion. "Maybe someday you will."

Fox set his tea down. "You don't have to be scared of me you know."

Krystal nodded. "I know." Then it hit her. "How did you find out about Shane?"

"Falco told me a bit. Said you went into the woods and met Shane. I'm going to assume he's the one the rumors are talking about. I told you there was no Dark Fox."

"No, he's not dark....he's just lonely." Krystal sighed. Then she went over to Fox and sat on his lap. Just as she had done to Shane the other night. His fur was getting warm again. "Don't worry about me Fox. Shane wouldn't harm a fly."

Fox nodded and began to stroke her fur. It was softer than it was this morning, as was his own. Fox had a strong heart, especially for Krystal. He only worried because he cared. He didn't feel he had everything, but at least he knew who Shane was now.

Krystal did her usual thing, snuggling into Fox's arm. She sighed with content. She didn't say anything about Shane's mansion. But Krystal knew in her heart that she'd be back to the mansion. Her reason was that she was still curious to the lower section of the east wing.

***Later that night

Shane was at the chapel. Waiting for Falco. He was actually dressed in something other than black. He had on a black shirt with a white leather jacket over him, and even wore some white pants. No one in the fur village ever wore shoes, which is why he didn't either. The floor in the chapel was clammy and cold. He stared up at the statue in the chapel. It was of the Great Fox. He'd heard about it, but never heard the tale. A mural above the statue showed the Great Fox and Andross. Andross, the "God of Destruction" as he was often called.

Shane heard the chapel doors open behind him. It was only Falco. Falco was dressed in the complete opposite of Shane. Falco had a black leather jacket with a white undershirt. He still refused to wear pants.

"Why did we meet here?" Falco asked.

Shane turned around and sighed. He looked up at the mural. A perfect way to begin. "Who was the Great Fox?" He asked.

Falco tilted his head. Everybody knew about the Great Fox. He was the God of all furs. He battled Andross and saved all furdom from destruction. He gave Shane an awkward look. "You really are alone aren't you? Every fur knows who the Great Fox was." Falco looked up at the statue of an extremely tall fox that had two tails. "And the mural? That's Andross on the right half."

Shane nodded and looked up at the mural. "Andross looks like an ape. If Andross is a fur...why is he so bad then?"

"Have a seat kid." Falco said as he sat down in front of the stature and patted the ground next to him. The chapel was only a place for prayer and spiritual guidance. It was all that it was used for. Shane had a seat next to Falco and looked at him for a while, waiting for Falco to begin.

Falco cleared his throat. "It was about 1000 years ago. The Great Fox was the first fur ever to enter this world. Him and Andross. They first formed an alliance to create a race in the world. Great Fox wanted more furs. Andross created apes. At first the alliance was good. Apes and Furs together. Then Andross decided to evolve his apes into a race called Humans. Great Fox disagreed with this and said that we needed to keep the races equal. Andross was all about who was stronger. Thus, the alliance was broken. Great Fox felt that Andross had made the human race too strong. As a result, Andross decided that he only wanted humans to inherit the earth. Great Fox decided against that and wanted to show Andross that the furs were every bit as strong as humans. That's when the battle of Furs vs. Humans began. The furs obviously emerged victorious since we're here now. Andross was defeated, but Great Fox suffered a mortal wound in the battle. The furs tried their best to heal Great Fox, but in the end they couldn't stop the bleeding. Great Fox died, but left his mark right here in this village. Since there were still humans left, they went off and formed their own colony. The humans still thought they were better than the furs, even after losing that battle. To this day, the furs and humans have been enemies eversince."

Shane nodded and held onto every word that Falco said. "I don't think that humans and furs are all that different." Shane said. "They may have lost the battle then, but don't you think there can be a peace?"

Falco shook his head slowly. "Nobody wants peace. Everybody is happy being separated like this it seems. The humans don't ever come here, and we don't ever go to the humans."

Shane sighed. "What about those that can change from a human to a fur and vice-versa?"

Falco looked at Shane strangely. "There is no such thing as a fur OR a human like that. They don't exist, thats just a myth."

"No Falco, there really is someone out there like that. Its not a myth. I've met her. She's a platnium vixen that turns into an old women."

Falco slapped Shane. It wasn't too hard but it was still enough to hurt. "I don't know what stories you've been reading, but thsoe are fairy tales that you tell to kits."

Shane shook his head and recovered from the slap. "Falco, I believe in this peace. But you've got to believe me that there is someone out there like that."

"How are you so sure?"

"I just told you I SAW her. Thats the only reason for me being here today!"

Falco was confused. "You're dreaming Shane."

"Maybe I am...and if this is really a dream then I don't want to wake up. I like what I am now. I'm proud to be a fur now!"

Falco was still confused. "You've been a fur all your life, why wouldn't you like it?"

Shane sighed. "I was once a human."

Falco's eyes bulged and he slapped Shane again. "Don't EVER say something like that. You could defy the will of Great Fox."

Shane recovered from the second slap quickly. He then pinned Falco to the ground and stared at him with his piercing eyes. "Look into my eyes and tell me that I'm lying!" Shane screamed. "You tell me I'm lying! I was turned into a fur by a platnium vixen named Mia four years ago!" He began to dig his claws into Falco's jacket. Falco stayed silent. "TELL ME!" Shane demanded.

Falco stared deeply into his eyes. Shane didn't blink, nor did he take his eyes off Falco's. Falco stared deeply and intently. He felt Shane's grip soften. "You....you are telling the truth." Falco said and watched Shane's eyes become a little teary. Shane started to whimper a bit as a tear ran down his cheek. "What's wrong? Isn't this better than being a human? Don't you like it?"

Shane slowly climbed off Falco and curled up in front of the statue of the Great Fox. "She was at first an old women. I didn't like the sight of her, then she revealed herself to be the platnium vixen. That's when she turned me into this fox." He sniffled and then buried himself in his arms and actually started to cry. Shane had never cried before.

"But what makes it so bad?"

Shane was still crying. "Because its a curse...I wasn't too different from your typical human when I was one. I didn't like furs much...but I also wasn't much for humans. She said the only way I could break the curse was to love another vixen."

Falco understood. "That's why Krystal is involved?"

Shane nodded slowly and buried his face back into his arms. He sniffled more.

"Does Krystal know?"

Shane rose his head again. "No, Krystal doesn't know and I'd prefer she didn't."

"Why not? Don't you care for her?"

Shane sniffled again. "With all my heart...but If I really do grow to love Krystal and she loves me back...then I'll turn back into a human. She wouldn't love me anymore if that happened." He curled up into a ball now. "I'd like to be alone now."

Falco stood up and started to walk off. He stopped and turned back to face Shane. "Perhaps this isn't really a curse Shane. But a blessing in disguise."

____________________________________________________________________

A/N: What a long chapter huh? I thought so. I REALLY like this chapter actually. It really ties some of the story together. Yes, that whole religious thing about Great Fox was made up. Any of you like it? And please, don't get upset because I did say that this would have NOTHING to do with the Star Fox timeline, and thats why I decded to make Great Fox and Andross two opposing supernatural forces.. Oh well, please R+R!