Donkey woke from a pleasant dream, one in which he had been frolicking carefree in a meadow and never had to think about getting up until he felt like it. As he wearily opened his eyes, he saw Dragon sleeping on the other side of the barn, just visible through the early morning gloom. Now if I just move quietly enough, he thought, maybe, just maybe I can get out before...
"Dada, dada, dada!" screeched one of his babies. He wasn't sure if that was Francoise or Rasputin, but it wouldn't be long now before the other five woke up. Within seconds, Donkey was flat on the floor, his children piled on top of him, all shouting "Dada!" Dragon groaned grumpily then looked pitifully at Donkey, aware that he would need to go to work in a moment. Donkey worked as a tour guide to the rich and famous of Far Far Away by day and as a pizza delivery donkey at night. On his rare days off, their mutual friend Puss would baby-sit to allow Dragon and Donkey to go out on a date. Their dates were few and far between however, Puss usually needing some time to recover from babysitting duties. Last time one of the girls had eaten his trademark hat and the couple had arrived home to find the babies flying around the barn while Puss stared wide-eyed at the remains of a feather, lip quivering. It had taken the combined efforts of Shrek, Fiona and Donkey a whole week before Puss could stop shaking long enough to mew plaintively, "My Hat!!!" Fiona had found a suitable replacement within hours, but Donkey found himself unable to ask Puss to baby-sit again. Maybe next week, he thought. It's been three weeks since the hat got eaten, and it will be four weeks by the end of next week. He can't hold a grudge that long can he?
Dragon called the kids off their father and, after some considerable effort, fed them and growled them to sleep as Donkey got ready for work. She plodded over to the door of their barn and rubbed her snout against Donkey's as he left. Dragon purred a goodbye and smiled at Donkey.
"See you later, little lady!" he brayed, bounding off towards the city. As he made his way to work, Donkey thought back over the last few months since the ball where he had discovered he was father to six unique offspring. The months had been filled with work but Donkey had really not minded – he enjoyed working as a guide and the crazy world of pizza delivery was practically made for him. Pounding top speed through the streets of Far Far Away's capital city was always interesting, but add into that mix the nightlife of the city and a donkey on a mission to deliver within thirty minutes (or your money back!) and you could easily satisfy Donkey's need for adventure.
Donkey slowed as he approached the city and started dancing to a tune in his head. Today he would be guiding a group of tourists around the sights of the city – a walking tour around the castle, shops and famous houses of famous people. After that he'd stop for lunch, pick up his second group at the tourist office and take them on a shopping tour. Donkey had become almost as famous as the city itself – where else could you be shown around a city by a talking animal? He was so lost in his thoughts, he didn't see a shadow following him. In fact, until a flash of ginger spun in front of his face and a rapier was held to his nose, he didn't see or hear Puss in Boots at all.
"A-ha!" said Puss, smiling behind the sword.
"Hey man, what you at with the sword and all?" replied Donkey. Puss grinned and sheathed the rapier. He threw a mock salute at Donkey.
"Good morning signor! How is your charming lady today?"
"What charming la... Oh dragon? She's fine. So are the kids. Uh, sorry about the, um, you know," Donkey couldn't quite say hat, embarrassed as he was by his children's behaviour. He pointed vaguely upwards with one hoof. Puss ran his right hand along the brim of the new hat and laughed.
"Don't worry about it! When will you be requiring my services again?"
"You want to baby-sit?" asked Donkey, amazed by the feline's tenacity.
"Si! I have some ideas that may help me to control them. Besides, it's fun." Puss shuffled his feet and looked down, letting a softer side of his personality show through his cool, assassin exterior. He enjoyed playing with Donkey's children and had often told his friend that he hoped to have children of his own one-day. Donkey laughed.
"Hey – how 'bout next Wednesday? Me and Dragon can go to that new tequila bar on Broadstreet!"
"It would be a pleasure! But for now, I must get back to my patrol!" Puss jumped into the air and within moments he was out of side, hidden somewhere he could watch the road into the city and keep it safe from danger. Donkey shook his head, smiled and continued into the city. Puss watched him go from under a bush. Unlike Donkey, Puss did not find his job wholly satisfying. There was something wrong from Puss' point of view with stopping a merchant's carriage, asking for his papers, then allowing it to pass with the gold still inside the carriage. On top of this, no-one ever tried to invade the city, so he never had a chance to duel with enemies. He was becoming bored with guard-duty. On the plus side, many noblewomen travelling along the road found a talking, swash-buckling cat too cute to resist and he was frequently fussed and cuddled, often receiving kitty treats as well. Must watch the kitty treats, he thought. I'm not getting as much exercise as I used to. Puss yawned and rested his head on his paws, lazily watching the road for signs of danger.
"Me-ow," he whispered softly, before starting to purr in the warmth of the summer sun.