Disclaimer: See previous chapters..

Chapter Three- Utopia

RJ was struck dumb by the sudden appearance of this beautiful she-raccoon. She was built small with the mottled gray and black coat of a traditional raccoon. Her eyes were a sapphire blue and a large tuft of gray fur adorned the top of her head and was naturally styled in an alluring manner, falling just barely over her left eye. There was no feminine vulnerability about her that RJ had become so accustumed to when dealing the female of his species, and she seemed to exude the same kind of attitude that Stella prided herself on. For a moment, he just stared, not really hearing the words she'd just said, and only hearing, instead, the alto warbling of her voice.

Verne finally broke the silence. "Queen Xylia?"

The she-raccoon looked mildly puzzled. "Surely you've heard of Queen Xylia?"

"I didn't even know there was a monarchy anywhere in this confounded country," Tiger murmered aprehensively. "This is an odd development."

"You're tellin' me," Stella said. "I ain't never heard of no queen anything."

The she-raccoon gently massaged her temples. "Perfect. You're even more outsiders than I realized."

"Outsiders?" Verne said, rather indignantly. "Our home was destroyed and we came here hoping to find a new one, and this wasn't the welcome I was expecting, thank you very much. If you had even the slightest-"

"Verne," RJ said, finally shaking himself out of his stupor. "Let me handle this." He licked his palms and lasviciously smoothed back the fur on the top of his head, failing to note the look of aggravation on the she-raccoon's face. "I think we're getting off to a bad start. You see my friends and I are in the process of relocating the old homestead, and we were just looking for a nice little place near the campgrounds." He placed an arm around her shoulders. "So, my little moon pie, if you'd be so kind as to lead us in the direction of those aforementioned campgrounds, we'd be ever-so happy."

The she-raccoon removed RJ's paw from her shoulder with a hint of disgust. "First of all, I am no one's moon pie, least of all yours. Second of all, I can't fufill your little request because that's impossible."

"What? You don't know the way?" RJ said, mildly amused.

"No, I know the way," the female raccoon growled, obviously not enjoying RJ's overly flirtatious attitude towards her. "But you don't understand the situation you've found yourselves in. You're in the queen's territory now, and you have to abide by her laws. Her laws clearly state that once you pass those markers," she pointed to the red markers on the trees behind them, "you are forever bound to the queen's lands."

"You told us those were to make the trees more attractive," Verne narrowed his eyes at RJ, who was starting to get that same look on his face that he got whenever his conscience started to assert itself on him by outside means. Apparently, that expression could also mean that his ego had just been seriously undermined, which was the apparent cause for such a look.

"I-I-I," RJ sputtered. "I can be wrong sometimes, can't I?"

"So now what do we do?" Heather asked, a smidge of worry lining her words.

"You stay here and live in our community," the female raccoon said, suddenly sounding very congenial and friendly. "It's safe here and there's plenty of room for all of you. The queen keeps all the predators away so there's no danger anywhere as long as you never leave the boundaries."

"Are you serious?" Verne said. "That's almost too good to be true."

"It usually is," RJ said darkly, still nursing an obviously bruised ego. "If we're not allowed out of the boundaries, what do we do for food?"

"We have foragers who are allowed outside. They raid the campgrounds and bring us food. The queen also has private gardens and rations out food gathered there for us. They even bring extra food for the winter months, so you'll never have to forage again."

"Jeepers," Penny squeaked in happiness.

"I'm starting to like this place," Ozzie piped up. "Verne, we've got to stay here."

"Wait a second," Verne said. "Look, Miss..."

"Ruby," the she-raccoon cut in.

"Ruby, I think you've got a great thing going here and all, but surely there has to be something more to it? This queen of yours... What's she getting 0ut of this?"

"The joy of helping animals less fortunate," Ruby replied, matter-of-factly. "As her ambassador, I speak for her in our community and make sure she knows the pleas of all of her subjects. The system here has run smoothly for years, and I'm sure you'll enjoy living here."

"I think I preferred the suburbs," RJ muttered glumly. Obviously the thought of not getting to steal food himself was getting to him.

"The suburbs, huh?" Ruby said with a small smirk. "I thought as much." She turned to the other animals and smiled warmly. "I assure you that without the threat of predators, you'll be able to live much happier lives, despite not getting to spend your nights raiding garbage gans like common tramps."

"Hey!" RJ snapped.

"Look, RJ, I think she has a point," Verne proffered before a fight could break out. "We're better off staying here. Who knows? It could be fun, and it has been awhile since we've interacted with other animals."

"But we're still gonna be a family, right Uncle Verne?" Quillo piped up. His two brothers shared his sentiments, judging by the looks in their eyes.

"Why of course we are," Verne said sincerely. "Moving to a new place won't change that."

"Then it's settled then," Ruby said sweetly.

"As if we had a choice," RJ muttered. Ruby shot him a dark look, but it vanished instantly as she turned back to the others.

"Perfect," she said. "Now, I suggest you find a spot in this general area to sleep. It doesn't matter where. You'll be safe, I promise. I'll bring you to the valley in the morning and let you meet everyone."

"Sleep. Now that sounds like a good idea," Ozzie said, yawning and stretching.

"I'm with you there, Ozzie," Lou agreed.

One by one the family found themselves comfortable places to sleep in the underbrushnear the trees and drifted off once again, finally able to sleep uninterrupted. RJ pretended to curl up in a tree overlooking his slumbering family, but in reality he kept one eye on Ruby who watched them for a few moments and then started to wander off 0n her own. Intrigued, RJ followed her. It only took her a moment to realize that he was behind her, and she whirled on him. The male raccoon made a futile attempt to look innocent as she stared him down. "What are you doing?"

"I'm a nocturnal creature," RJ shrugged. "I just thought I'd get a good look at the place that's going to be my new home forever and ever, amen."

"I told you I'd show you around in the morning," Ruby said, rolling her eyes.

"What can I say? I have no patience." He gave her one of his best "steely blue-eyed" looks that was meant to drive females wild, as well as charm his way into and out of just about anything. Maybe she had insulted him several times this night, but he wasn't one to give up a fight when it came to stealing hearts. She was a tough one, which made her all the more fun to pursue. However, she wouldn't bite. She simply scoffed and stalked off. Just when she thought she'd lost him, however, he appeared right in front of her, startling her significantly.

"What's the rush, beautiful?" He winked. She growled and pushed past him, but, like magic, he was right in front of her again. "I'm starting to get the feeling that you're trying to get rid of me."

"Maybe because I am," she spat. She took a deep breath and then started speaking again. "Look can't you take a hint? I don't go for males like you. You're the kind of guy who's looking for Marian the Librarian, and I'm just not her. The sleazy con man act doesn't do anything for me, frankly. Furthermore, I can already tell that you have the morals of rabbit, the character of a slug, and the brain of a platypus."

RJ stood dumbfounded in the wake of her rant. "The morals... Of a rabbit?"

"Yes," Ruby snapped, andthen attemptedto walk off again. RJ didn't bother to move in front of her this time. He just grabbed her by the arm before she could get too far. She paused briefly and then turned her head towards him, her eyes threatening heinous murder down to their very core.

"Unhand me," she said darkly.

"Well, I'll try but I don't think they'll come off," RJ smirked. Ruby jerked her arm out of his grip and made a noise of frustration. "I think we've somehow gotten off on the wrong foot."

"Really? You think?" The female raccoon snapped.

"Yes, so I think we should start over," RJ extended his paw to her. "I'm RJ."

She stared at him for a moment, sighed, and then took his paw and shook it. "I'm Ruby."

"There. Isn't that better?"

"No. I still don't like you."

RJ threw his paws up in the air. "Lady, can you cut me some slack here? Was that hospitable act just a front or do you just treat every male of your species like a rat?"

"Not all of them," she said. There was an edge of pain to her voice that made RJ pause. Obviously he had hit a nerve somewhere, and he regretted it a little. He rubbed the back of his head and sighed.

"Okay, fine. I'm going to go now. I'm just going to get out of your fur, and go my merry way. See you in the morning, Luby."

Ruby narrowed her eyes. "It's Ruby, you jerk."

"Ruby, Luby... Close enough," RJ shrugged with a small smirk.

"Go away... And wipe that stupid grin off your face," she snapped.

"This is the smartest grin I know," RJ chuckled before heading back towards his family.

Her muscles tensed up as she snarled furiously. "Well... I think your bag is stupid!" She shouted, and then realized how ridiculous that sounded and rolled her eyes, watching RJ until he was completely out of sight. Only then did she proceed to kick a nearby tree multiple times in frustration, growling the entire time. "I've never met anyone so infuriating in my life!"

"He's even more infuriating than I am?" Tristan's all-too familiar voice spoke up. Ruby snarled and picked up a rock in the path and flung in the direction the voice was coming from. Tristan, however, caught it with one deft motion of his paws. He tossed it in the air and chuckled. "You missed."

"Don't you have anything better to do tonight than bother me?" Ruby growled furiously.

"Well I did, and then I saw how well you and the little ring-tailed vagabond were getting on, and had to stick around and watch the festivities. So tell me, my dearest, do you really dislike him or are you just trying to keep him emotionally distant so he doesn't wind up like Aiden?"

"It's none of your business," Ruby scowled. "But if you must know, I don't like him."

"You only just met him a few minutes ago," Tristan smirked. "You can't judge someone that quickly."

"Why not? I knew I hated you the moment I met you," Ruby muttered.

"Awww," Tristan feigned a dramatic faint onto his back, running a paw over his eyes. "And here I thought we were friends."

"If you ever once believed that, you're an idiot as well as a jerk," Ruby muttered. She moved past him and he instantly got back on his feet, trotting beside her on the path.

"Where are you headed?"

"To tell the queen about these newcomers," she replied and then added, "As if it's any of your business."

"Oh, that sounds like fun," Tristan smiled, his eyes sparkling deviously. "Maybe you should go ahead and feed your new friend to the queen and save yourself the heartbreak when you actually do fall for his devilish charms, and the queen decides she wants you to prove your loyalty to her by handing him. Just... Like... Aiden."

Ruby suddenly grabbed Tristan by the fur of his throat and pulled his face so that the two of them were nose to nose. She wasn't all that strong for a raccoon, but Tristan was particularly weak for a fox which made it all that easier to threaten him when he got unreasonably annoying. "Knock it off, Tristan."

"How many times have you gotten in this position with me, Rubes?" The fox said, his expression suddenly darker than she'd ever seen it. "You have the perfect opportunity to kill me and end all my taunting and teasing for good, and yet you never do it. You wanna know why? Because you need it. You need someone to keep you informed of all your sins, because otherwise you'd forget who you are. You'd let yourself believe you were just like them. Pure and innocent and confused to the way things are run around here. But you're not. You're a liar and a scoundrel, and if anyone knew who you really were, they'd turn their backs on you in an instant. You can't forget that, Ruby, because you know, once you do, it'll all just get worse. The better your life gets, the more Xylia demands of you. You need to have someone force you to remember what happened to Aiden, the last person that truly made you happy, so that you won't get comfortable enough in your own skin to allow it to happen again. That's why I'm here, Ruby. I make sure you don't forget who you really are, and that, my darling, is why you won't kill me." When she didn't reply, he went on. "Look me in the eye, Ruby, and tell me I'm wrong."

Again, she didn't say a word. She released him and stood silent, her eyes downcast because she honestly knew that he was right. His green eyes remained transfixed upon her and he took a step towards her, pulling her chin up to meet his green-eyed gaze. "Don't you remember what it was like for us before Aiden? You didn't hate me so much then."

"I always hated-" she tried to choke out, but her voice was strangled by suppressed tears. Too many bad memories were suddenly welling up inside of her.

"Shhh, I'm talking," Tristan whispered sensuously. "You're were so young and new to this game that the queen made up just for you. Back then, you hid the pain so much better than you do now. It was almost like it didn't hurt you, but it did hurt. That I could tell. You cried in your sleep for weeks after you worked your special art on one of those idiots, but you hada perfect poker face during the day. You hated what the queen made you do, as you still do now, but back then there was a side of you that almost ached for it." Ruby tried to shake her head in protest, but Tristan held firm. She closed her eyes and let the tears fall, not wanting to accept the fox's words that ran into her ear like poisoned honey. "You needed the acceptance from the queen. You needed to feel wanted, and you did back then, because you were needed to do the queen's dirty work. It felt horrible and good all at the same time when you brought those poor saps to their knees before Queen Xylia. And then Aiden came... Handsome, charismatic Aiden. Everyone loved him. He was a smart one, wasn't he, Ruby? He could've figured you out, so you seduced him in the hopes that he never would. Then the unexpected happened... You fell in love, and suddenly your heart wasn't in your work anymore. You suddenly knew what real happiness was. Obviously, the queen's feelings were hurt, since you'd forsaken her- the one who raised you and gave you everything- for the love of an insolent raccoon. He had to go, and well... You fill in the blanks, Ruby."

"Please, just stop," she whispered.

"Tell me, my dearest, what ever happened the girl I knew before Aiden? Don't you remember all of those days full of restlessness and that hunger for glory? I do. So where's my girl with the blaze in her eyes? I think I almost saw a trace of her when you were berating the poor little fool of a raccoon back there. Where's the girl who was burning for life and would take the life of another just to feel the power and the control forone moment before she let the grief overtake her and spoil it all. I know you recall how fearless it felt to take off with the wind at your heels, knowing that you were stronger than everyone around you. That girl's still inside of you, somewhere. Let her out, Ruby, and bring your renegade heart home to the one who truly understands it. Break free of this coil that binds you to your grief and loss and pain. Bury the dead, Ruby... Even Aiden. Forget any of them ever existed and just live. You could be better than you were, and I could help you. Don't forget, I know who you are, and no one else will ever know you like I do. We were cut from the same surly star, like two jewels in the night sharing fire. We're the same, Ruby."

"No," she finally pulled away, jerking herself free of his spell. "We're not the same. Aiden changed me, Tristan. I will never go back to forcing myself to not care about everyone I hurt, and I will never be your girl." She bristled and turned away, stalking off towards the mountain.

Tristan smirked as he watched her walk off. "That's what you think."


Morning sunbeams peered through the canopy, casting shafts of ethereal light on the little family as they lay sleeping among the shimmering dewdrops hanging like ornaments off each blade of grass that eneveloped them. The sweet smells of summer air wafted in a gentle morning breeze, stirring them all awake. Trembling in anticipation of what the new day would bring in this strange new place they'd found themselves in, they all stood and surveyed their surroundings better. The place had simply been a foreign, yet generic, woodland to them at night, but in the daytime it was just as the picture in RJ's brochere had described it- a paradise.

"Jeepers," the entire porcupine family chorused.

Hammy looked like he was about to burst with excitement. Squealing with joy, he began to dart about, climbing from tree to tree and jumping about madly. RJ climbed down from his own tree quickly to avoid becoming victim to Hammy's manic energy and joined the rest of the family in watching him zip around their beautiful newfound home.

"Uncle RJ, it's even better than the pictures," Bucky exclaimed.

"You're telling me," the raccoon replied, obviously transfixed by the beauty as well. Never in his short life had he seen a forest like this. It was almost worth not being able to steal food from humans anymore if he could live out the remainder of his life in a safe haven as glorious as this.

"Morning!" A cheerful voice spoke from above them. Ruby was perched in a nearby tree and she made a graceful leap onto the ground in front of them. Hammy sped by her, ruffling her fur a little as he rejoined the rest of the group. She brushed herself off and continued. "Did you all sleep well?"

"Good morning to you, Miss. Sunshine. I see you got up on the right side of the tree this morning," RJ said with a sardonic smirk.

Ruby flashed him an equally sardonic grin. "I'm not talking to you." She turned to the rest of them and produced a leaf wrapped around a rather large supply of nuts and berries. "A welcome gift from the queen," she added with a charming smile.

"Hey, this is my family and if you're going to hate me, then they're not going to want anything to do with you, Missie," RJ said, crossing his arms definiatly over his chest. Seconds later, his family contridicted his words by diving into the food with fervor. His face fell and he scoffed a little at the blatent insult.

"Thank you, Auntie Ruby!" The triplets squeaked in delight as they nibbled the berries. "These are delicious!"

Ruby chuckled nervously. "Auntie Ruby... That's, uh, real cute, kids."

"My compliments to the queen," Verne said through a mouthful of berries.

"Verne, isn't your tail tingling about now?" RJ asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Not in the least bit," the turtle shrugged. "You should really try some of this."

"I'll just wait and make sure you don't all keel over dead first," RJ muttered. Ruby rolled her eyes and produced a ginger snap and held it out to him. "What's that? A peace offering or is that one really poisoned?"

"Just take it," Ruby said coldly. RJ coolly took it from her, studied it briefly, and then shoved it into his mouth. "Now you can't say I didn't at least attempt to be nice."

RJ swallowed the cookie, refusing to allow how much he enjoyed it to show on his face. "Fair enough," he muttered. Satisfied by that, Ruby turned to the others who were just finishing the last of the treats she had brought with flourish.

"Are you guys ready to see the valley?" She asked.

She didn't need a verbal answer. The expressions on their faces said everything that needed to be said.


Several minutes later, Ruby led them all the way into the valley and not even the forest compared to the marvel that they now found themselves staring at as they entered. Trees taller than any of them had ever seen before in their lives seemed to touch the sky and flowers bloomed in copious amounts all around them. Most importantly, standing in a large area in the middle of a group of trees formed in a circle was a gathering of various animals all waiting for them, it seemed. As they entered the circle, there came a great cheer of celebration and the family instantly felt at home in the embrace this warm reception that greeted their arrival in this new place. Even RJ couldn't deny that he enjoyed this feeling of instant acceptance. At least, he thought, the rest of the valley residents seemed kinder than Ruby.

Ruby... There was something about her that wouldn't let him go. There was more to her than her obvious disdain for him, which seemed to come without merit. He wouldn't get a good night's sleep until he knew what was hidden inside of her heart that made her so cold and distant, but at least allowed her the benefit of a semi-cheerful facade... To everyone but him, at least. He knew unconsciously that the only reason he really wanted anything to do with her was because she was so unattainable, and knowing what made her tick would make her less so. He'd flirted with females all his life and all of them had easily succumbed to his charm, but not her. It was like that awkward moment in a thief's life when he realizes that there really is something he can't steal, and he becomes obsessed with that one thing... And then once he gets it, it's nothing to him. That was just how it would go with this situation. He'd pursue her unrelentlessly until she gave in and then she'd be nothing to him. It was shameful and cruel, but he knew romance was something he dared not touch. He thought having a family like the one he had was out of bounds for someone like him, but he had quickly learned the error of his ways. A family like his didn't demand certain things out of you, but a lover or mate would. He couldn't have that, at least not right now. He just wasn't ready to share the part of his world that only he knew about with anyone.

A part of him spoke up and said gently, But you want to share it with her.

He pushed the thought away. No... If he could ever get her to like him or even love him, that would be it. It would make him out to be a jerk and he knew Verne would probably find it horribly distasteful, but it would keep him safe. The last thing he needed, besides someone to share his past with, was yet another person that he was afraid to lose. He had his new family to worry about, after all.

"Okay, move it. Move it, I said! I'm coming through!" A nasally, feminine voice called out loudly, as the crowd parted revealing a very pretty female skunk that gave off an air of attitude and self-confidence that rivaled even Stella's. She approached the newcomers and surveyed them warily. "They look like a nice bunch, Rubes," she said. She addressed the group and began to speak slowly, clearly, and loudly (much to everyone's distaste). "Hello, and welcome to our valley!"

"They're not deaf, Val," Ruby said, rolling her eyes. She, too, addressed the group. "This is Valerie, or Val, rather. She's sort of our society leader. She knows pretty much everything about everyone." She leaned over and whispered in the nearest ear, which just happened to be Heather's and added, "Which is just a nice way to say she's the nosiest one of us all."

"I heard that," Val muttered. She was about to speak again, but another voice called out through the crowd and once it again, it parted, revealing a oddly tall and scrawny rabbit with mottled brown fur.

"Newcomers! I welcome you!" The rabbit said, bowing theatrically as he reached the group, upstaging Val. "My name is Reginald, and I am the mayor of this community."

"Self-proclaimed mayor," Ruby and Val said in unison, their voices deadpan.

"Schemantics, ladies, schemantics!" Reginald said, huffing a little.

"I think I like that guy already," Ozzie chuckled.

"He definitely has your flair for the dramatic there, Ozzie," Lou agreed.

"Okay, Reggie," Val said, patting the rabbit on the shoulder. "Go back to your rose bush and ponder the meaning of life or something for awhile. I've got work to do."

"Valerie, I am-"

"Reggie," the skunk narrowed her eyes and for awhile they stared each under down. Finally, Reginald gave in and turned to go. "Make yourselves at home!" He called back to the family before hopping off.

"Oy, that rabbit," Val rolled her eyes. "Now let's get down to business, shall we?"

"What business?" Penny asked, cocking her head in confusion.

"Well, to get you aquainted with everyone here and fully integrate you into our community, I'm going to assign you each a buddy. Your buddy will be responsible for showing you around and introducing you to everyone as well as finding you a place to stay." She turned to the residents of the valley behind her. "You all got that?" They all murmered their agreement and Ruby smacked her head and groaned a little in response. Val ignored her and went on. "You," she pointed to Hammy. "What's your name, precious?"

"Hammy!" Hammy said, bouncing excitedly.

"A little wound up, are we?" Val grinned smugly. "I know just who to pair you up with. Oy, Sammy!"

There was a sudden blur in the air and suddenly a gray squirrel appeared beside Val, bouncing in a manner very reminscent of Hammy. "Yeah, Val? What is it, Val? Huh? Huh? What is it?"

Val jerked the tiny squirrel's head in Hammy's general direction. "Sammy, meet Hammy."

Sammy stuck out a tiny paw to the over-zealous brown squirrel. "Hi, I'm Sammy!"

"I'm Hammy!" Hammy accepted the handshake and the two of them shook each others' paws vigorously.

"Hey, I've got some nuts hidden under a bush right over there," Sammy pointed excitedly. Hammy's eyes lit up.

"Really? I love nuts!"

"Great! Let's go!" In a flash, the two squirrels were gone. There was a stunned moment of silence, which was broken by RJ, who looked at Val with an expression of genuine approval on his face.

"You're good," he said.

"What can I say? It's a gift," Val shrugged. She added, more to herself than anyone else, "Though I better get an insurance policy to make sure those two don't destroy the entire valley. Bianca!"

"Right here, ma'am," a small voice belonging to a tiny chipmunk right beside her spoke up.

"Oh there you are," Val said absent-mindedly. "Would you mind keeping an eye on Sammy and his new friend for me? Make sure they don't destroy anything or... Die... Or whatever."

"On it, ma'am," the chipmink replied before scampering off. Satisfied, Valerie moved on, looking over the rest of the group with a appraising eye. "Porcupine family," she finally said, gesturing with a movement of one slim finger. Lou, Penny, and the kids stepped up. "Sara," Val called over her shoulder. "I think you can make this lot feel right at home."

A female hedgehog with three tiny children stepped up just beside Val and smiled gently, though her smile was obviously forced for her eyes told of some deep sorrow. "Hello," she said swetly. "I'm Sara, and this is Bristle, Prickle, and Thorn."

"Hi!" The kids waved in unison.

"Oh, aren't they just the cutest things," Penny said. "I'm Penny, and this is my husband Lou, and our children, Bucky, Quillo, and Spike. Say hello there, kids."

"Hi," the triplets said, though nowhere near as enthusiastically as Sara's children had done. They seemed to be mildly untrustworthy of the other children, having never been around anyone their own age before, but there was a glimmer of hope in them that seemed to suggest that would change soon once they got to know the trio.

Sara lead them away from the group which was growing smaller by the minute, with Penny talking animatedly with her about how much she already loved this place and how she hoped she could get to know her better, while Lou rolled his eyes good naturedly, listening to his wife jabber on endlessly.

"Wouldn't it be easier to just take us around yourself?" Verne asked, not entirely fond of how the family was being split apart under his nose.

"That would go against Val's logic," a voice belonging to a female turtle spoke up, suddenly beside Ruby. Verne stared blankly at her for a long time, dumbfounded.

"They have everything here, don't they?" RJ chuckled, nudging Verne and winking suggestively. "Huh? Huh? Don't they?"

"Shut up," Verne replied, but his tone and expression betrayed the words.

"Why don't you take turtle-boy around, Velma," Val said dryly, crossing her arms over her chest. "No one knows more about this place than you, right?"

"Aside from maybe Reggie if he knew as much as he says he knows," Velma said, equally as dryly. "What's your name, handsome?"

Verne blushed. "V-Verne, Miss."

"Call me Velma." She jerked her head in a general direction and urged Verne to follow her, which he did without a trace of reluctance. RJ couldn't help but smile at this. The one thing Verne definitely needed was a girlfriend. He turned back to Val who had called forth Ozzie and Heather and was introducing them to a female opossum and her son, who looked to be about as old as Heather.

"Well, what a coincidence," Ozzie was saying, taking the female opossum's paw in his. "Both of us single parents."

The female opossum. "Oh no, I'm not single. My husband is just off somewhere. He'll be back soon."

"Well, I'd love to hear more about him," Ozzie grinned, offering her his arm as they started to walk off. "So how good was he at playing opossum?"

"There he goes again," Heather rolled her eyes. The female opossum's son grabbed her paw and started to lead her away.

"Come here, I'll show you something neat," he offered. Heather looked mildly reluctant and cast a furtive look at RJ, who gestured for her to go on, smirking slightly.

"Okay," she finally agreed, still somewhat hesitant, and allowed herself to be dragged off.

"Okay, as for you," Val continued, pointing out Stella. "You're mine. It's been a long time since I've seen another female of my species. I know a few males who'd be dying to see some new fur around here, so-"

Stella cleared her throat, cutting Val off. "Actually, uh,Val, I'm spoken for." She gestured to Tiger, who grinned proudly.

"Honey, I'd hate to be the one to point this out, but... He's a cat."

"And what if he is a cat?" Stella snapped, narrowing her eyes.

RJ winced. "You've just made Stella angry."

Stella was suddenlynow nose-to-nose with a rather shocked Val. "You some kind of speciest or something? Huh?"

"You aren't gonna like Stella when she's angry," RJ added.

"If you weren't a skunk, I'd gas you into next Tuesday, you-"

Val grabbed Stella's shoulders. "Honey, honey! No need to get violent! I've got no problem with your choice of a mate, really. It's just not something you see everyday... Although, I'm kinda curious about one thing. Are the rumors true? I hear once you go cat, you never go back."

A smile spread across Stella's face and she grabbed Val by her chest fur and started to lead her away. "Oh, you wouldn't believe it, darlin'. Come on, Tiger!"

"Coming, my love!" Tiger said, happily following Stella as she led Val away, leaving only RJ standing where once the whole family stood.

"Hey... Hey, uh," he struggled to figure out the skunk's name as she was being lead further and further away by a suddenly very talkative Stella. "Val! Yeah, Val! What about me?"

"I figured it'd be obvious!" Val shrugged, calling over her shoulder.

RJ suddenly looked towards Ruby who looked back. Realization suddenly hit the female raccoon, and she groaned. "Valerie!" She screamed.

"You'll thank me for it!" Valerie yelled back in reply as she, Stella, and Tiger vanished into the crowd which was starting to disperse in order for the residents of the community to get on with their daily lives. Ruby watched them all and proceeded to beat herself repeatedly about the head in anguish. RJ watched her for a few moments and finally broke the awkward silence.

"So... Do you really think my bag is stupid?"


(A/N: Yeah, that probably could have been a much better chapter, but it's late and I needed to get everything set up for the events in later chapters pretty quickly, and that doesn't always mean stunning work. Don't kill me! ...Okay, I'll stop self-deprecating now seeing as everyone who's been kind enough to review has been very generous with the compliments despite my obvious flaws. I just don't want to let you guys down with drivvel where there should be gold. Some stuff's harder to write than others though. I promise there'll be more and better character development/interaction and action next chapter... Didn't I promise that last chapter? Oh well... Sorry...

I apologize for shoving the OC's down your throat in this chapter, especially the overabundance of Tristan, but that part needed to be done in order for everyone to get a better understanding of Ruby's character. Initially, I wanted to do that later, but I felt it needed to come out earlier so there was at least a hint that there's something of a reason behind Ruby's attitude towards RJ. Not to mention, it also established something very important about Tristan's character that's important. (Did you catch it? Tee-hee... As if it wasn't glaringly obvious.) I also apologize for a lack of description and all that jazz.

Okay, I'm going to stop putting myself down before I start getting on everyone's nerves. (Oops) I hope you enjoyed this chapter! As usual, I crave reviews. So please drop me a little something in the box!)