Big Paw Hunters

Chapter 2 The Hook

Written by Irual

Nick, Judy and Ralph had met up without any hassle the next morning. The tandem stroller that held the sleepy kits was also doing double duty as the luggage carrier for the diaper bag but Nick was loaded up with two duffel bags and a backpack which made the wolf's eyes widen as he realized just how into fatherhood Nick was as he knelt to tuck the light blanket back around his daughter and son. Judy's ears perked as the train pulled in and she pushed the kit's stroller onto the train and strapped their car seats down using the built in straps while Nick folded the rest of the stroller up and put it under their row of seats.

The train was on time and they had no trouble stowing their bags in the luggage racks built along the rows. Ralph sniffed discretely and grinned at his co workers as they seated themselves side by side across from him. Judy's phone dinged a few times but she ignored the alerts to snuggle into Nick's shirt.

The fox looked only partially awake, which to be fair was how he usually looked before he had at least one cup of coffee. It was the satisfied and happy set of his ears and tail that made the wolf's grin widen as he prepared to make the fox squirm a little though. Judy lifted her head from it's place in the side of Nick's signature green Pawaiian shirt to glare at the wolf.

"Don't. Just Don't."

Wolfard handed Nick a tiger sized Snarlbucks cup and then handed Judy one with a bunny head drawn on it that was only slightly bigger than was comfortable for her to hold in one paw. Sniffing hers, Judy put both paws on the cup and sipped with a pleased hum while Nick savored his drink.

Deciding to put off the teasing for now, Wolfard asked, "Okay Judy, okay. You guys are really going to help me get at least one entry for the contest right?"

Nick perked up a little and added, "And there really will be all the fruit I can eat."

Judy laughed as she set her cup in the holder, answered some of her messages and showed one to Nick, "Yes you fruit fiend. SEE!"

Nick's tail flipped saucily as he sipped from his go cup. He felt worlds better as he tasted the special blend he and most of the Canids favored. The famous chain specialized in blends formulated for every branch of mammals and as far as he knew they never discriminated against any mammal, Predator or Prey. Snarlbuck's was the biggest drink chain in all Zootopia for several reasons and that was one of them. Glancing at his kits who were securely fastened into the seats across from him he saw that they had both fallen asleep again.

He slipped his sunglasses on and snuggled against the window as a happy hum came from his throat. "That looks like one of Gideon's pies carrots."

"Nope it's Sasha's blackberry pot pie from last night."

She swiped a soft pad-less finger over the screen and showed him a counter full of berry pints chock full of raspberries, blueberries and strawberries. These are waiting for you at home Slick."

She glanced up at Ralph and sent him a couple of photo's so he could look on his bigger screen. "Don't worry Ralph, everything will be ready right after lunch."

He looked at his phone and ginned as he sipped his own tiger sized cup and swiped through a series of pictures showing about a dozen rabbits clambering all over two ATV's.

In spite of his love of the Big Paw show, Wolfard WAS a police detective and he WAS just a little suspicious as he looked a little closer and saw just how well used those vehicles and such were.

Then he paused as another fact hit him, the one he was looking at was WAY to large for a bunny to handle safely, it looked...wolf sized! Shrugging off his surprise, Ralph decided to let things lie for now. It would be a couple of hours before they hit Bunnyburrow and a nap would be great. Setting his cup in holder in the side of the armrest, Wolfard set his alarm and pulled his ZPD hat over his eyes.

Wolfard looked around him and marveled at the sight of dozen's of rabbits going about their tasks almost like he wasn't even there. Of course it probably helped that Judy and Nick were married now and that she had brought the charming fox back home with her several times before they had married as well. On the train ride here Judy had explained several times about how her family was business partners with some baker fox called Gideon. But it was still quite a surprise to see how well the supposedly conservative and cautious warren of bunnies seemed to be handling his being here.

There were lots of sidelong glances and he could smell that most of them were wary of him at the very least but overall they had been very calm about having a timber wolf in their burrow.

He mentally winced and corrected himself Warren, the Hopps' had been very hospitable and it was only fair he try and be a good guest and part of that to his mind meant respecting their culture as much as he could.

Judy had explained several times that her family was much more open minded now than they had been. As they had disembarked from the train and into the organized chaos that was rabbit life. Wolfard suspected that not all of Judy's family was embracing the changes Judy was bringing home and he was determined to make a good impression on them if he could. He and Fangmeyer had been well received back when they had visited as on duty police officers, but this time he was here as Ralph Wolfard not Detective Wolfard.

Ralph's ears swiveled as the sounds of little kits trying very hard to be quiet as they giggled and shuffled behind him got closer.

He felt a now familiar tug and flipped his tail quickly around to his side as a burst of giggles and the pattering of nearly silent bunny paws sounded behind him.

The matron of the warren, Bonnie Hopps paused as she instructed some of the older bunnies and leveled a glare behind him that would have made Bogo proud. The part of the kerfluffle that had been shadowing him since he left his guest room retreated again in the face of her disapproval. Instinctively the large predator laid his ears back before flicking them up and gulped as he carefully sat his spoon beside his empty bowl.

Almost before he could blink his porridge bowl had been removed and a bunny sized serving bowl filled with the delectable scent of warm, tart, raspberry filling bobbing in buttery, flaky crust and sweet granola like crumble met his nose. Suddenly glad that regular bunny sized plates and bowls had been used to serve the breakfast porridge and toast Wolfard watched in bemusement as Bonnie nodded and smiled at his reaction to the cobbler.

Setting what was probably some kind of planter or small flower pot in front of him filled with fresh, hot coffee she sat a pitcher of real cream in front of him.

The matriarch offered sounding a little embarrassed, "I AM sorry about the younger ones."

Wolfard dipped his snout towards her carefully and let a small smile tilt the corners of his lips as he replied warmly, "It's not a problem Mrs. Hopps, I…."

A loud shriek sounded followed by outright laughter as a pretty gray and white doe bounded into the kitchen. For just a second he thought he was seeing his co worker Judy but her eyes were a lighter shade of amethyst than the bunny cop's and this bunny's fur was slightly duller and darker than Judy's. The wolf drew in a deeper breath and noticed the subtle differences between their scents and realized that this was probably one of her litter-mates.

Then Judy herself bounded into the room and Wolfard remembered which of her siblings this was as the first rabbit dodged Judy and gazed at the predator with a flirty smirk. He only had a few seconds to react and almost upset his bowl of cobbler as she tried to use the much larger Canid as a kind of hiding place/safe zone giggling all the while.

Wolfard sighed, it seemed that Judy's example had inspired boldness in more than just the little kits. Using his well honed reflexes, he caught both the full grown doe and his dessert. Casually he scooped a mouthful of warm cobbler into his muzzle and lifted a now breathlessly squeaking Jessica Hopps calmly over the bench styled seat next to him. Ralph paused to savor the delectable treat that hit his senses and almost absently dodged Jessica's kicking legs as he stood up so she wouldn't hit the table as she struggled.

He shook off the spell of the cobbler and breathed deeply to make sure that Jessica wasn't panicking and nearly froze as the sweet scent of aroused female tickled his nose. Jessica's ears flushed as she felt the wolf tense up before he set her down on the bench and shifted slightly towards Judy. He grabbed his coffee and settled in to watch as the rest of the kitchen began to clear out.

Judy took this opportunity to stomp over to her sister and demanded, "Jessica! If you value your fur you'll stop trying to mess with Nick. He's MY partner and…We are MARRIED."

The rather disheveled form of a familiar but cautious fox stepped into the huge kitchen and slid his arms around the furious bun whose right foot paw was trying to pound a divot into the smooth hardwood surface of the floor. Nick breathed deeply as his snout found itself sliding between Judy's ears. Mixed with his bunny's own special scent and her anger was the alluring aroma of warm berries and sugar and his ears swiveled alertly as Bonnie smiled and set a fox sized mug decorated with blueberry designs next to a bowl of oatmeal.

Fixing all of them in her gaze, Bonnie began, "Sit down Nick, you and Judy need to eat something nutritious before you charm your way to a belly ache from sampling my cobbler and Stu's ice cream. Jessica I warned you last time Nick was here about behaving properly around them."

Looking a bit abashed Jessica settled down in her seat beside Wolfard and appeared to listen.

Bonnie continued, "Sit down Judy. The sooner you finish breakfast the sooner you can make sure everything is ready for your little expedition. And don't think you can get out of helping with the kerfluffle Jessica. Officer Wolfard is here with Nick and Judy and I expect you to…."

Jessica took this chance to cling to Wolfard's arm and ask with an almost wistful tone in her voice, "I can't believe that Judy is going BigPaw hunting. She never used to do much of anything that didn't involve learning about police work and such growing up. I on the other paw know a lot of good places to look for things around here. How did you convince her to loosen up anyway? She usually doesn't come home unless there's a festival or holiday much less to BigPaw hunt."

Nick's nose quivered and he glanced worriedly at his partner and then at Wolfard's swiftly emptying bowl before coaxing Judy to sit beside him.

"Come on Carrots. The quicker we eat breakfast the sooner we can get to the good stuff."

Gesturing with his spoon Wolfard pushed Jessica gently away from him and shook his fur to settle it, "So, what exactly is this competition this afternoon all about anyway?"

Judy glared at her litter mate before absently eating some of the warm cereal her mother had placed in front of her. An annoyed humming sound was her only reply before she suddenly lunged towards her sister and pointed at her chest as she emphasized her words.

"Listen here Jessica Lynn Hopps. The LAST thing we need is your help. I know just as much about BigPaw as you do. Harley, Brand and Cole are getting things ready and if it wasn't for Dad and Pop Pop we'd already be scouting around."

At this Nick actually paused in his quest to finish his breakfast in record time and warily he asked, "Wait a second Fluff. What…."

Just then Stuart Hopps came into the kitchen holding a frosted five gallon container in his paws. "Bonnie, I think this batch is ready."

He glanced at the table and both predators recognized his eager look as he sized them up. Bracing himself and making sure to look eager and slightly submissive, Wolfard offered a paw to the heavy set Bunny buck.

"Here Mr. Hopps, let me help you with that."

Taking the container he was surprised at it's weight and even more surprised as it was quickly grabbed by an eager pair of rusty brown, foxy hand paws. "Here Ralph, I'll take that for you. Carrots, can you…."

"Here you silly, fox you."

A familiar gray paw handed Nick a large serving spoon and a smaller spoon joined his as they dug into the smooth, creamy ice cream. Bonnie laughed and set two more servings of cobbler on the table, "Here you two. Finish these and Bun Bun be sure your friends tell your father if he should tweak his recipe."

Stu rocked slightly on his foot paws and grinned proudly as he watched the two predators clearly slowing down to really taste his newest batch, this one was vanilla with a subtle ribbon of hazelnut spread and dotted throughout with fresh whole raspberries to compliment Bonnie's cobbler.

Answering Wolfard, Stu settled in his chair at the table with a cup of coffee and his own bowl of fruit, "You see here in Bunnyburrow we take a lot of pride in our produce."

Judy and Nick both exchanged grins at this understatement and Nick scooted a little further over on the bench as Stu paused to look at the 'innocent ' duo. Nick quickly settled into enjoying his sample of the cobbler and then some of the ice cream as Judy gave her dad a quiet look and scooted right next to her fox. The baby monitor clipped to her shirt chose that moment to let off a series of whimpers but before either parent could so much as twitch Bonnie's eyes lit up with the zeal of a holy warrior on a mission.

"You two just stay right there and enjoy yourselves. I've been wanting a little time with those two ever since you got here on the train. Jessica, I'm holding YOU responsible for keeping an eye and BOTH ears on the kerfluffle while your father gets the truck loaded."

Hurrying out the doorway she added, "I've got the cobbler ready in the warmer Stu, just put it in the cooler and I'll bring Ella and Ridley I can't WAIT to show them off at the contest."

Stu grinned a little and continued, gesturing with his fork between bites. "We Hopps' tend to get along with most all our neighbors but…between the Stumptails, Coneys, Leaps and Hopps we all tend to feel the sting of healthy competition more than some of the other folks 'round these parts. This being the case, it's become something of a 'friendly' contest to taste test our crops before sending them along to the city."

Jessica snorted and added calmly, "Oh Dad, the last time you and Cyril Stumptail had a 'friendly' contest Sheriff Prongs had to threaten both of you with a citation! That's why he and Deputy Wolften are officiating this time!"

Wolfard offered,"Mr. Hopps, I wouldn't change a thing this is some of the smoothest, creamiest ice cream I've ever eaten."

Stu smiled benignly and nodded as the wolf continued, "I just wanted to thank you for letting us come and…."

His ears flicked and spayed back as he felt a slight tremor under his hind paws.

He turned towards Judy and Nick who were bracing themselves against the table. Just then the Hopps kerfluffle charged the room in a flurry of fluffiness. At least six different little bunnies began to chatter as the fox was swarmed with dozens of kits that were all under the age of five or so.

"Uncle Nick. Can we come with you and Judy? Ooooo I want to play sheriff next! Read us a story Uncle Nick!"

The smaller predator grinned at his Bun before dramatically swooning into the sea of little bunnies. Judy laughed and began to try and excavate her fox but was quickly pulled into the swarm as a pair of larger foxy paws tickled her and his nose blew puffs of air into the ears of the little bunnies to tickle them.

Wolfard's ears twitched as a second swarm of slightly older kits rushed the room and began to move towards him. Bracing himself, Wolfard went limp and flopped to the floor dramatically curling his limbs in and swishing his tail back and forth. Every kit not directly engaged with Nick and Judy focused on the large, furry predator but their reaction wasn't at all what Wolfard thought it would be.

Every little bun made what he could only think of as cute noises before they all went almost eerily silent. Peeking through his half closed lids the wolf was woefully unprepared for the sheer fluffiness that swamped him in waves. The older kits all worked together to lift him and smaller bunnies began frantically tucking soft toys under him and crawled all over the large Canid.

Chattering frantically, while the wolf hid his laughter as they continued to fuss over him, "Oh NO! I think he's broken. Do you think Mama can fix him? Judy fixed Uncle Nick. We are going to miss out on dessert for SURE if he's broken!"

Stu laughed outright and signaled to some of his older children who began organizing the rest of the bunnies and carrying things towards various vehicles.

"Alright everyone, lets get this show on the road. Nick, Judy and Mr. Wolfard will be here later on and we have a contest to win! You three be careful out in the woods. Judy, the Eastern fields have had a lot of run off and the clover we planted is keeping the top soil steady enough, but the undergrowth was burned back so if you check that way be careful in case there is bad footing."

Judy nodded and offered, "we'll be careful Dad." She kissed him and he teared up before grabbing Nick in a crushing hug.

"Darn these old water works. We've sure missed you Nick. I'm glad you and the young ones came out to see us."

Patting Stu carefully Nick offered, "I'm glad we came and I know Carrots, I mean Judy and I are very grateful that you and Bonnie are so good to me and the kits."

Pulling back a little Stu shook his finger at the fox in an almost comical manner but his voice was serious as he said, "Now then Nicholas, you are part of our warren and the sooner you get that in your head and heart the better."

Just then a very, very old rabbit wearing brown pants held up by suspenders and an off white shirt shuffled into the room. He peered around through his thick glasses and raised his cane like a general directing his troops to ask loudly, "Is that Trudy's fox or the pie one?"

Nick grinned as Stu sighed. Wolfard got to his feet in a smooth motion as the last of the kerfluffle scattered to find their way to one of the outdoor play-sets or to pester some of the older bunnies. The older bunny paused as he settled into a seat at the sight of the much larger predator rising to his feet on the backside of the table.

Wolfard wasn't sure exactly what to say but Nick stepped in and smoothly offered, "I'm Judy's fox Mr. Hopps, My name is Nick. Remember?"

The old bunny made a show of adjusting his glasses as Nick went a little closer, gesturing with his cane Bonnie Hopps' father stated, "I see you brought reinforcements this time. I knew you were a smart one. But...Look here boy, you make Judy happy and as far as I can tell you're the only one who ever got her to think of anything but that police business. She has two sweet young'uns now thanks to you. So you jest keep up the good work and be a good Dad and husband and we'll have no problems."

As Nick staggered back a little in shock and Stu picked his jaw up off the floor the ancient bunny snorted and demanded, "WHAT? I'm old, not stupid."

Judy laughed and hugged her grandpa, "I got my brains from your side of the family Pop pop."

Grinning and settling in to enjoy his breakfast, Otto 'Pop pop' Hopps smiled at his most adventure oriented grandkit he offered gently, "Of course you did Trudy. Basil and Timothy are in the main vehicle shed waiting for you. You go have a bit of fun now and don't worry for your little ones. Stuart, I'm going to go into town with you. I don't trust that Cyril Stumptail after the last stunt he tried."

Stu nodded, still a bit surprised at his father -in-law's speech to Nick and offered, "I'll have Bailey and Jessica bring you to the town hall when you're ready Pop pop."

Before nodding to the Z.P.D.'s finest and adding, "The contest should be over by about three or so and we'll be back in time for supper, you just make yourselves at home and if you need anything before we get back the kitchen is always open so help yourselves. Keep in mind though that my Bon bon made something special for dinner so don't make yourselves sick with too much desert alright?"

He laughed at the dazed look on Nick and Wolfard's faces as Judy boxed them both and demanded, "I thought we were here to hunt for Big Paw not bigger uniforms for you two greedy guts! Let's go," before dragging both larger predators out the door in her wake.

Bonnie Hopps cooed at the two bundles of adorableness who were watching her with wide eyes. The Much foxy-er looking boy was sucking on the tip of his tail and Bonnie frowned as she remembered reading that fox kits often hugged their tails when anxious or stressed. Reaching for him and cuddling him close Bonnie offered gently, "Hey there little guy, no need to be upset, I'm your Grandma Bonnie, don't you worry now…. Ridley stared at her for a minute before breaking into a grin that was already devastatingly charming and grabbing for her paws. Little Ella squealed and shrieked since Ridley was getting all the attention and was swept up into Bonnie's other arm and carried over to their car seats. Strapping them in with some teething biscuits to occupy them Bonnie carried them out to the cavalcade of vehicles headed to the town hall. She paused at the sight of her Dad getting into one of the trucks and hurried over to see if he was alright. Otto smiled at his favorite doe and to her delight he reached for Ella and clucked her under her chin. "There now you sweet thing you. Your Mum and Dad are off to have a bit of fun with that city wolf so you stick with the warren now and you'll be fine."

Smiling at Bonnie he added, "I recon I threw that fox off his game a bit this morning, so score one for us bunnies. Hehe I think he'll do though seeing as how he's gotten our Trudy to lighten up some. When we get there I'll sit with those two young'uns while you get your cobbler warmed up."

Ridley watched wide eyed as Otto angled an ear towards him and chuckled as Ridley grabbed for it. Otto swung his cane at Bailey don't jest sit there youngster! Time's a waste-in' and I don't have any to waste."

Bonnie shook her head and got in the big truck with Stu so she could secure the kits, as Bailey answered , "Yessir Pop pop."

Wolfard meanwhile was listening raptly as Basil and Timothy finished showing him the controls for the ATV he would be using and then showed him several pictures of disturbances along a trail that they said were likely from other groups of Big Paw Hunters.

Judy snorted, "WOW, laying it on a little thick aren't you? He's a city wolf, but he's also a friend of ours."

Nick was already mounted on his ATV and flipping his sunglasses down over his eyes he offered, "Which way then Carrots?"

Let's head out to the Eastern fields and check some of the ravine, that way we can circle around and head towards the blueberry fields before it gets too late if we don;t find a lead."

Wolfard's tail wagged as they headed off across one of the dirt packed trails between the fields and neither he nor Nick seemed to notice that Bailey and Timothy were not headed towards town with the rest of the Hopps as both Bunnies went to the main barn and shut the door.

Looking and sniffing carefully Wolfard's ears pinned back a little as he admitted, "I can't find anything unusual anywhere around here. Other than us three I don't even smell any fresh signs of mammals on this trail."

Nick offered, "Well isn't that actually a good thing Ralph? If We could smell or see other mammals signs on the trail it might mean we were just wandering where Judy's family usually is, or even where some other Big Paw Hunter group had gone. But here in undisturbed wilderness…."

Judy laughed at their antics. "Come on you city animals. We are still within a stone's throw of our working fields. Don't even bother yourselves until we get past the ravine in about twenty minutes ride. Now come on!"

Both Canines flushed under their fur before mounting their ATV's and following Judy further down the trail. A few minutes later, two familiar bunnies followed them racing down the trail and then into the brush to reveal a much smaller but clearly used foot trail that lead slightly away from the ravine but paralleled the larger trail taken by the vehicles.