A/N: My computer erased all my files and I had a wonderful plan in store. I can still do it but it'll feel different seeing as how I can't remember what I wrote, entirely, anyway. This chapter is a rather short chapter, and I guarantee Chapter 20 is a moment you've all been waiting to see since I first began.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Characters of Starfox, Nintendo does. Any relation to my characters in any way is entirely coincidental. If you would like to use my characters, Shane, Mia, Jon, Jade and the like, please ask me first. I almost always say yes so don't be scared to ask!

Chapter 19: Unfinished Business

Katt awakened the next morning in a weary way. As soon as her eyes released from her slumber Wolf was hovering above her with a tray. He set it on the table and then had a seat at her side.

The feline sat up in a daze. "I'm still here?"

Jade walked in moments later, her nose in a tome. The tome had golden rod pages and a golden bookmark. She sat down opposite of Wolf, dazed and unyielding to any voices heard. Among closer inspection the tome read "The Will of Great Fox."

"Are you OK?" Wolf asked.

Katt nodded slowly and took a sip of the tea on the tray. "I've been thinking."

"About Shane?"

"Is it that obvious?"

The lupine merely nodded. "Last night you began to speak of Shane and why he left you for a vixen. Why did he leave you? It seems to me that someone like him isn't worth falling for again."

Katt knew he was right, but was unable to admit it. "I can't say why."

"Why not?"

"That's my little secret and his. If he wishes to tell you, then he can. But I won't say a word."

Wolf smirked a little bit. "So why did YOU leave HIM just now?"

Katt swallowed a sip of tea and thought for a moment. "Because I loved him once, and thought we had something special."

"You still could." Wolf said and looked to Jade. "Things aren't always lost. What often times gets lost ends up being found."

"You really think so?"

"Of course." Wolf stammered a bit. "So why don't you tell me more about the black fox. There's something I'm rather curious about."

"I won't say much." Katt said. "I don't really know much about him since he's been here."

"Does he have a scar across his chest?" Wolf asked. "Does he look at you with his eyes and seem like he's holding a deep dark secret?"

"Shane doesn't have anymore secrets." Katt said.

Wolf stood up and smiled. "Of course he doesn't. At least that's what I would be saying were it a secret he himself knew nothing of."

Katt put the cup down for the last time. "What do you mean?"

"According to this book," Jade joined in, "Shane is the messiah. He's come to spread furry peace and love. The description fits him quite nicely."

Katt had seen Shane's body before and knew he had the scar. Mia also told her of it, but why did that matter? Katt was never of the religious type. She believed in Great Fox sure enough, but not quite to the point where she read the will.

"If Shane has the scar across his chest and travels with a platinum vixen, he's the one. The one who's come to save us and bring about the calm." Wolf said. "The Will also describes a human at his side and I believe that's Jon. He's got the scar. Everything else fits and I know that fits too."

"Sure it does." Katt said. "But there could be several black foxes of the same description."

"That's what I said, but Shane fits EVERYTHING. How many black foxes have the red slits over their eyes, blue eyes AND a white tail tip. I've never met a fur ever with red slits over their eyes." Jade began. "Read it for yourself and even you'll begin to believe."

"I believe if I find the platinum vixen, I've found what I'm searching for. So I ask you Katt; where is the platinum vixen?"

Fox and Shane entered the pub in a rather joyous mood. Krystal stayed with Mia and let Fox and Shane have their "boys day out", as she called it.

The two sat down at a table ready to get some breakfast. It would take a moment for them to get situated, but this is what gave the two a bit of time to talk for a moment. Maybe to even catch up.

"Are you here long?" Shane asked.

"I don't know how long we'll be here." Fox answered and then a moment of silence was kept between the two. It was as if they were a couple on their first date, nervous and wondering if they'd say the wrong thing.

Moments later a waiter came by. He was a rabbit dressed in red. "Would you like anything to drink?"

"I'll take some orange juice." Fox said.

"And I'll have a glass of milk." Shane said.

The rabbit was gone and once more the two were in silence. In each other's mind they really were nervous. After all, Fox had once tried to kill Shane and Shane was out to get the love of his life. What better terms could you go off of?

The waiter then came back with their drinks, "and would you like anything to eat?"

"Short stack." Shane ordered

"Likewise." Fox agreed.

Once the waiter was gone the two were back in silence. Shane took a quick sip of his milk and watched Fox take a sip of orange juice. "Don't you hate this?" Shane asked.

"Hate what?"

"The uncomfortable silence between us?"

Fox nodded, "Why is it that we're both afraid of each other?"

Shane set his milk down and thought for a second. "We left with a handshake and apologies to each other and that was about it. We didn't develop much of a friendship… unless you call what we had in Corneria a friendship."

"Too true." Fox said. "I could apologize a million times but it would never make up for what I did to you."

"You shouldn't have to apologize. I was in the wrong and arrogant." Shane admitted. "I like you Fox, and I like you most because you're someone who's willing to step up for what you believe in, and you won't take crap from others. You were doing what was best for Krystal, even if that meant harming me in the process."

"I wasn't doing what was best for Krystal, I was only thinking of myself. I just didn't want to lose her. Face it, we were in competition."

"And we always will be." Shane smiled.

Fox shot back a smile, knowing it was the truth. "You missed Krystal a lot?"

"I did." Shane nodded. "But I think I may have found someone else. Problem is, she's as scared as I was when wanting a relationship with Krystal."

"Anyone I know?"

"Of course you know her. Katt and I have been friends for years. I knew here before Krystal."

"I know you have. You think she's another love of your life?"

Shane lied back in his chair. "She could be. But she's scared. She thinks I betrayed her in the past… and I admit I did. I played her for a fool. We've all been played for fools every so often, but this one really got to her."

"What the hell did you do?"

"It was back when I had the curse." Shane said. "I could only break it by falling for a vixen. I fell for Katt, but then I saw Krystal and that was it."

Fox gleamed a little but he understood Shane's reasoning in doing such an action. "Give her a moment. She's as lost as you are, I'm sure of it."

"I hope you're right." Shane said. "I've had some bad luck before but this would be the worst if she never spoke with me again."

Fox felt now it was time to change the subject. "So why did you leave Corneria? Why didn't you stay?"

"I told you, I wanted to go with Jon on his quest. Now I've found out its what I have to do." Shane said. "Believe me, I wanted to stay in Corneria, but I felt I'd only cause problems between you and Krystal. So I left."

Fox nodded. "I see your point. So you're all set on leaving with Jon on this 'mission' are you?"

Shane nodded. "It's something I have to do. I can't explain why, I just know its what I'm meant to do. It's my purpose in life."

"What if you don't fulfill this purpose?" Fox leaned in. "What if this is a waste of time?"

"Then I'll know I've tried." Shane said.

"I don't want to sound forward or anything but, I don't think you and Jon will succeed." Fox admitted. "As long as the world is populated, there will always be social unrest. The world will never get along as one, you of all furs should know that it's virtually impossible."

"I'll succeed in some ways." Shane said. "I know I will. Even if it takes me... one thousand years! I'll get somewhere, you know?"

"Even if you lived one-million years… I don't think you'll get by." Fox admitted. "But I'm with you all the way. So when do we leave?"

Shane's ears perked up. "What do you mean 'we?' You have a job to do. You need to stay with Krystal. You need to take care of her and whatnot."

"Shane, she needs you and I need you. You've taught us more than you think. A journey like this is good for us. Don't worry; we won't be with you forever. Along the way we'll find what we're searching for. But we know you'll take us to it. You know you'll take us to it."

As Fox spoke his words the waiter came by and set their pancakes down. The waiter said nothing as he walked of and once more Fox and Shane were in utter silence.

"Fox… have you… read the Will of Great Fox?" Shane asked.

"I read some of it… but not all of it. Why?"

"I met a Wolf… and he's read it all. Mia has read it all… and I found out a few things." Shane stammered.

"What did you find out?" Fox pressed him on as he took a bite into his pancakes.

Shane hadn't touched his pancakes yet but he sighed. "My journey with Jon and Mia is no coincidence. It was what I was made to do… no matter what. My story couldn't end any other way."

Fox put his fork down and looked Shane in the eye. "I don't believe in Fate anymore Shane. You coming to me and Krystal, proves that."

"But my going on this journey DOES prove there is such a thing as fate." Shane said.

"What did you find out?" Fox repeated.

Shane sighed once more. "According to The Will of Great Fox, I'm some sort of messiah that's supposed to travel the world, spreading peace and love among humans and furs. I'll be on this journey for the next one-thousand years."

"How do you know its you?"

"I… heard the description from Mia. A black fox with a white tail-tip, blue eyes, red eye slits, white muzzle and a scar across his chest. This black fox was born in the light of a human and turned into a fox. I am that fox. As far as I'm concerned… this wasn't my choice… I was born with this assignment. I killed the Great Fox for reasons explained in the Will and I will continue his legacy."

"What do you mean you 'remember' killing the Great Fox?"

"I was there. It was after I talked to Mia that I remembered it all and I had a moment of clarity. A moment to realize that THIS is who I am and what I'm meant to do. I can't take you and Krystal with me. I'm cursed to live for over one-thousand more years."

Fox wasn't sure if he should trust Shane or not, but as Fox learned… if Mia said it, it must be true. "I believe you." Fox finally decided. "But you're still taking Krystal and me with you. You can't deny it. You showed me that humans aren't bad already. You're one step closer to your goal."

The two went back to eating and silence went between them again. Soon they both looked up and at the same time said, "Don't you hate that?" Then they smiled and muttered, "Exactly."

A/N: See? Short chapter. The next chapter has A LOT to say and is perhaps the most plot driven chapter in the entire fic. If there is any chapter you should read and not skip around in, it would be Chapter 20.