A/N: I hope you all had a Happy New Year, I certainly did! Anyway, we left off after Katt and Wolf had a nice dinner with one-another. Now Katt has come back to Zoness and that means Shane has been suspicious of her for being gone so long. This chapter doesn't feature anything from Shane's diary; I've saved that for the next chapter. Anyway, read on and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of Starfox, Nintendo and/or Rare do. Any relation to my original characters in anyway is entirely coincidental.

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Chapter 10: Shane Visits

It was in the early evening when Katt had finally returned to Zoness. Shane's probably worried about me, she thought. A part of her was actually scared of what Shane would do. She knew she shouldn't be. Shane wasn't the violent type really those days were done.

She crept into the home and saw Shane wrapped in a blanket and holding his paws up against the fire. "Close the door, it's cold in here." He shivered a bit.

Katt did as she was told, but didn't make any eye contact.

"Where were you? I was getting worried." Shane asked.

"I went into the woods for a while." Katt answered. It wasn't exactly a lie, though not the truth either.

Shane smiled. "Just like her. You don't expect me to believe you were in the woods this whole time do you? You were gone for hours!"

Katt knew how bright Shane was and she knew she couldn't fool him. After all, she was talking to someone who outwitted Fox McCloud, and more than once. "I was at a friend's house. We had dinner and then I left."

Shane lit up at the mention of a 'friend'. In the woods, did she say? That struck something in his mind. Jade mentioned about someone who lived in the woods… that Wolf… "A friend? In the woods?" Katt only nodded.

Shane signaled her over and she slowly shuffled her feet toward him. He took her paw and pulled her down and wrapped the blanket around her too and held her close. "Well, then you must be cold." He said and nuzzled her nose.

The nuzzle made Katt shiver. Perhaps it was because her nose was too cold? Or because she was nervous… She eventually gave into his affection and rested a head on his shoulder. They had their moments liked this, but Shane could tell Katt was scared. Almost nothing got past him.

"I'm rather tired." Katt yawned. "I think I ought to go to bed."

Shane didn't say anything. He just watched Katt stand up and walk away. She's holding back. That was the first thought that had occurred. He turned to face the fire and he could suddenly see the image of a wolf branded into the flame. He shook his head quickly and when he came to, the image was gone.

"You shouldn't have to fear losing her." Mia walked in, dressed in a robe that matched her fur color. "You're starting to act more like Fox everyday." Mia pressed on.

Shane looked to her and didn't say anything. "That Wolf… Jade said he only had one eye. She also said that you and Katt saved him. I don't believe in coincidences, Mia."

Mia sat down in a chair and took out a book entitled 'The Vixen Princess' and gave Shane a cold look. "Don't worry so much about it."

"What am I worried about?"

Mia started rocking her body from side to side in the chair. "You're scared that because Katt has this so-called 'friend' that you're going to lose her."

Silence now echoed in the room. She was right. Shane knew she was right. "It's just that the thought of losing her…"

"…Is unbearable at the moment right? You need her and you feels she needs you is that right? Here you both are, heartbroken furs who need healing for one another, right?" Mia opened her book. "I can't help you on this one. I don't make furs fall in love. Love isn't something I can give you Shane. It just happens."

Shane was at a loss of words. "I'm not asking for help, I'm asking for advice."

Mia looked up at him and into his eyes. His crystal blue eyes that gave off the aura of a kit. They weren't crystal blue anymore. They were now…baby blue. She slowly closed her book. "My advice? Let Katt be. When she wants a relationship, she'll come out and show you."

Shane blinked a few times. "And what if she shows Wolf?"

"Katt wants you to meet him someday."

"Scary thought…" Shane muttered. "The same wolf that I…" He mumbled off.

Mia tried to make sense of what he was saying but gave up. When it came to secrets, Shane liked to keep them. He knew his secrets would always keep a fellow coming back to him.

"Well, I'm going to turn in for the night." Mia said. "I hope you find the answers you're looking for."

"Turn in? But you just came out here!"

Mia looked back and smiled. "I only came to talk to you for a moment."

Shane frowned and wanted to ask Then why the book? But he didn't. He knew he'd get some answer. Mia ALWAYS had a response.

Once Mia was gone Shane went back to staring into the fire. Then the thought occurred: Meet this Wolf huh?

***

Wolf always read books late into the night. Tonight he decided to read the story of The Great Fox and Andross; the way his mother read it to him when he was a kit. He always loved that story.

He sat in his library, beautifully lit. A glass of wine rested on the table with a bottle next to it. Soon he set the book down and began to let his thoughts drift.

Katt Monroe. She was different than most any fur he'd met. She followed him into the woods, and then followed him home. Then she had the nerve to sneak into his home and look around. And I did nothing! Wolf thought. Why did I do nothing? Wolf wasn't always the nicest fur around but he wasn't mean either. At least it wasn't a human. If it were then things would be bad.

There was a loud knocking on his door. Someone was standing outside. "Who would come to visit now? And in this cold?" Wolf asked aloud. He grabbed his glass of wine and the bottle and made the trip to the front door.

It felt like it was taking longer than expected. When Wolf finally opened the door he was in shock. "State your business!" Wolf demanded.

The black fox only smiled. "Wolf, I should imagine?"

It was tempting to slam the door in his face, but Wolf believed in being a good host and invited him in. "How in blazes do you know my name?" He wanted to know. "And how did you find this place hidden in the moss? Lastly, what's your name?"

The black fox looked up. "I'll answer all three of your questions. Firstly, I found this place because you missed a spot when decorating it with the moss. Second, I know your name because I know a certain Katt. Thirdly, my name is Shane, and the pleasure is all mine."

Wolf looked at him for a moment. "You know Katt? She did mention you, but she didn't say you'd be showing up at my doorstep. Now I'll ask you once more; what business do you have here?"

Shane looked at him fancy eyed for a moment. "I came to meet you. Katt had been gone all afternoon and she came back saying she was with a guy named Wolf and he lived in the woods." Shane was taking a moment to study him.

"I see… well, since you had the decency to knock and you're one of Ms. Monroe's friends, I suppose I should welcome you with open arms. You at least didn't break in and start snooping around."

"Believe me, I know how that feels. Say, I didn't interrupt anything did I?" Shane asked.

"No, you're just another unexpected visitor. Would you like some of my wine while you're here? We can talk in the library if you like."

Shane wasn't really expecting any type of hospitality. But he nodded and followed Wolf anyway. He noted his one eye and wanted to ask what happened but something told Shane that he already knew.

Wolf grabbed a glass and another bottle and motioned for Shane to follow him.

***

Down in the library the two sat down drinking wine. Shane kept staring at his eye but hadn't said anything about it yet.

"So why did you come to visit me? Looking out for Katt?"

Shane nodded. "She's… like a sister to me."

Wolf nodded and smiled. "That's good, you both look at one another as if you're family. She thinks of you as a brother."

Wolf noticed that he hadn't taken his eyes off his one. "You're probably going to ask about the eye now aren't you?" Wolf questioned. "Everyone who finds his or her way here always ask about the eye."

Shane nodded, "I'll have to be forward, the patch does look good on you."

Wolf raised a brow. "Not something I'd expect from someone like you."

"It gives off this sort of mystery look. I like mystery." Shane said.

"A fan of mystery huh? Here's a mystery for you: What's the human who did this to my eye call himself?"

That's a mystery indeed! Shane thought. "So are you going to tell me the story?"

Wolf took one last sip of wine. "Well, it was five years ago. I was lost in the woods just north of Corneria and found a mansion. Well, I figured that whoever was in the mansion would be kind enough to give me directions to Corneria, but it just didn't happen. I knocked on the door and a human answered. I didn't get to say anything before he started chasing me down with a gun in tow. He eventually ran out of ammo but he still had a hunting dagger.

"So there I was pinned to the ground and trying to avert the dagger away from me. But it failed… and miserably too. He… or should I say 'I' ended up slashing my own right eye. He dropped the dagger and ran away. I've kept that hunting dagger ever since."

Shane was shocked. It's HIM! "I'm terribly sorry Wolf." He apologized… and he actually meant it too.

"You don't have to be sorry. You're not the one who slashed my eye out, Shane." Wolf wanted to talk on. "That's when I met… her."

"Her?"

"Her name was Jade, she had nursed me back to health after I was saved by a pink cat and a platinum vixen."

Shane was silent and took another sip of wine. "Jade is still in Zoness you know…"

Wolf sighed, "I know. But there's nothing I can do anymore. You see, after I was attacked by that human, I devoted my life to learning about them."

"Why?" Shane asked but he probably knew why.

"Well, when someone is running at you with a weapon you've never seen before… you'd want to know what the hell it was too."

"Strike true."

Wolf crossed his legs in his chair and pointed to a bookshelf. "I have several books on humans, most of which were banned from the markets in Corneria and Zoness. Macbeth is the only place in which you can find them."

Shane looked at the archive. "You feel you know a lot about them?"

"Oh yes. I learned that they have more than just one gun. In fact, that hunter was harsh. I looked at a picture of the gun that most humans prefer to use. It's said to be the greatest handgun ever made…"

"…A Colt Single Action Army. It's the most preferred handgun but not quite the greatest one. It holds six bullets and it packs quite a punch when you fire." Shane finished.

Wolf looked at him in awe. "How did you know that?"

Shane smiled. "I do a little research on humans myself." He didn't tell Wolf that he actually HAD one.

"Then you must know other traps to look out for?"

Shane nodded. "I've had my run-ins with humans. But they can't catch me. I'll always escape."

"A thrill seeker?"

"You might say that. So tell me more about Jade." Shane suddenly spoke, trying to get off the subject of humans.

"What do you want to know?" Wolf asked.

Since he'd already heard Jade's side of the story, it was time he get Wolf's. "How did it end?"

Wolf sighed, he feared that it would be that question. He took another sip of his wine and set the glass down. "Jade was no ordinary fur. We started off great, but throw in a little Will of Great Fox and what Jade was and you've got a problem."

"Explain." Shane wanted him to continue.

"Jade was a human… I told you I don't really like humans, and I couldn't deal with the fact that Jade was this… animorph, or whatever you want to call it."

"I'd call it a shape-shifter." Shane interrupted.

"Well, in that case, it was something I couldn't deal with. I told her that it defied what the Will of Great Fox stood for. She told me I was taking the Will of Great Fox too seriously. Maybe I was."

"Do you ever think there can be a peace?" Shane asked.

"There can always be a peace. The questions isn't can there be one, but how long will it last." Wolf sighed. "Let me ask you something Shane. Do you believe in the Will of the Great Fox?"

"I have a loose interpretation of it. I don't take it seriously. One of my best friends is a human and he doesn't believe in the Will of Andross. I don't like being separated by differences."

Wolf nodded. "Agreed."

Shane looked at him poised for a moment. "Do you?"

"I used to have a strict interpretation of it. But the story in his will taught me one thing." Wolf paused. "Have you heard the story?" Shane nodded and Wolf continued, "Then you know Great Fox was killed by a furry, one of his own kind. That taught me that we're all different and that everyone believes in something different. That fur was a lackey for Andross."

Shane didn't say anything. "You say you dislike humans?" Wolf only nodded. "For someone who dislikes humans, you sure have a lot of research and such devoted to them. You don't seem as if you hate them…you seem as if…"

"….What!?" Wolf snapped.

"You seem as if… you're scared of them."

Wolf didn't say anything, because he knew that Shane was right. Absolutely right. "And how do I cure this humaphobia?"

"By being with a human of course." Shane insisted. "Come to Zoness one day. You should meet my friend Jon. He's not such a bad guy. In fact, he believes in a furry peace and love.

Wolf nodded. "We'll see."

The clock went off and Shane noticed that it was getting severely late. "Well, I best be going now. It was nice to meet you Wolf."

Wolf shook his paw, "Likewise. Give Katt my greetings when you get back."

***

When Shane was finally outside the door and it was closed behind him, he didn't get very far before he turned back. "Poor, wolf." Shane sighed. "I'm so sorry I did this to you."


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A/N: I really liked this chapter. It sheds a bit of character on Wolf, I think. Well please R+R. The next chapter goes into more details of Shane's past, so we'll be jumping back to Fox and Krystal.