I'm glad to see such positive feedback for my last chapter. It was fun to write that. and this one as well. I have a few loose ends to resolve, though my intent was to do so like this anyways.
I love that a lot of you also picked up on the Pocahontas references. when I wanted to come up with a good event to rescue Nicholas... that scene just felt like it fit so well.
Now then, pull up a stump, review, fav, follow, enjoy, and grab that weird snack. Today mine is deep fried cheese filled bananas. (No idea where i get these ideas from. I imagine these snacks would be the result of a Cards Against Humanity parody that paired foods instead of ad libbing stuff.)
It was accurate to say that the next three days were quite the flurry of activity.
For the day after being fed and rested, Bogo's group made for preparations to leave. Altering their original plan, they quickly raided and freed the predators in surrounding areas. For a full day, the mammals rescued from the Hopps manor waited while more predators were rescued.
Bogo's forces cut a quick path of destruction, using hit and run tactics, going full force to overwhelm other Lords. It was fairly simple, and debatably easy. Other Lords weren't so well protected or watchful as a large family of rabbits. The family may not have been the most skilled combatants in a real fight, but they worked well together. Other Lords simply used their wealth to hire mercenaries. It was easy enough for Bogo to empty his coffers to a certain point to keep them away for a day or two.
They saved another forty-two mammals from a collective five lords. After that, and Meeko's group procuring and storing goods and supplies for their trip, the entire crowd moved en masse from the Bogo estate and left it a burning husk.
It took a full day to traverse the distance from the estate to the borders of the northern forests. Once inside, travel became rather slow. Many were worried they would be followed and tracked, though Bogo had already taken care of that.
Sending Phillippe and several other enduring mammals in a different direction, they left an obvious track of hoof and paw prints to follow, doing their best to cover for the exodus of the rescued mammals and their escort. They would make for a different path and rejoin the main group further ahead. Hopefully, any pursuing forces would take the bait and press forward in the wrong direction. Once they make it far enough into the forests, it wouldn't matter much anyways. Even armies didn't like trying to circumvent the large number of obstacles that came with moving through the large forest. Aside from legends of cutthroat marauders and tribal groups, the forest was a difficult terrain to traverse for the unprepared.
Honey's written directions and coded reports made it much easier for them to travel without much delay and still avoid any spots that might prove difficult in many ways.
On this day, Nicholas took in the surrounding beauty of the forest and rising cliffs in the morning mist. Sunbeams pierced the mist and canopy, raking the soft loam with warming rays. The fox could feel his fur radiate warmth with each beam he walked through.
He wondered what Judith was on with now. Ever since her declaration of love at his near execution, the lovely doe had been 'busy' with doing her best to help his captain and everyone to get accommodated. He couldn't deny it was necessary nor inappropriate, but he did lament slightly at the lack of resolution with the boiling emotions that clearly spilled from her when she was willing to die with him.
He knew she was avoiding him. It was clear in the passing glances she gave when he entered the same room or passed each other while walking. He would have addressed it, but each time she found some way to busy herself and assist a mammal… any mammal with something they needed. That wasn't difficult to do since plenty of the mammals traveling had one trouble or another to need help with.
Nicholas also knew, she wasn't regretful of her actions. Embarrassed seemed a more accurate description. He could see it in those eyes. Those wonderfully vibrant violet eyes. She didn't know how to approach him after that unconventional admission of love and while he wished to respect her space… he also needed to resume some sort of rapport with her before she lost all her nerve to even be near him entirely.
He asked around and learned that Judith was going out to collect some kindling and nearby vegetation for provisions. So now, he was skulking around trying to find her.
Spotting a waterfall in the distance, he figured he could stop over and splash some water in his face before continuing. The fox took a swig of his canteen, noticing it was near empty, shrugging at the convenience of the moment.
Approaching the waterfall, Nicholas noted it was rather tucked in, nestled between two cliff edges and pooling slightly before spilling over into a stream. He dipped his canteen into the water and let it fill, bubbling as the air was replaced with cool fluid.
The tod looked over to the side and noticed there was a basket laying there, filled with small, dry twigs and various fruits and mushrooms. Judith must be nearby, if that was her basket. He dared to hope, especially since she wasn't the only one out and about gathering provisions.
Looking around, lifting his now filled canteen to his muzzle, Nicholas raised a brow at seeing something he was rather not expecting.
A dress…
More specifically, a dress with no mammal wearing it. It was laying on a rock next to the edge of the water. The fox dared to pick it up, wondering who it belonged to and swiveled his head around to scan for the owner of the garments. Nothing.
He sighed and gently tried to place the dress back down on the rock….
The surface of the water in front of him erupted to shock the fox into dropping the dress… right into the water.
He wasn't too concerned with it at that very second as a blush flooded his cheeks and he stumbled back, with a very naked rabbit climbing her way from the waterfall's pool. Landing on his rump, the fox steadied himself as Judith slicked her ears back and shook her hips. Water dripped from every inch of her and even her tail shivered to shake loose droplets.
Judith wiped away the water from her eyes and froze. Noticing Nicholas for the first time, she saw him drinking in her form, a blush so powerfully filling her cheeks that she and the fox could have sworn the dampness in her face should have evaporated in a burst of steam. Her jaw worked open and close as she tried to find the words to address him.
Instead, she clenched her eyes shut, as if that would diminish her shame at being seen like this, and fell to the ground, her legs bent back at the knees and both paws covering her most vital areas. One paw darted between her thighs and the other covered her breasts. In the moment of shame, her ears flopped over her face and covered her eyes. A meek whimper escaped her, striking a chord within Nicholas that sent pleasurable shivers up his spine.
Turning to the side, he averted his gaze but the image was already burned into his mind. If he weren't already in love with the doe, he might have fallen in love with her all over again. He always noticed her beauty, but this was almost too much for him to take in.
"I'm sorry, my lady," he gasped, scrambling to a kneeling position and turning the opposite direction. "I did not know you were… uh… yeah…"
"Judith," her small voice came back. The fox dared to turn, seeing a most appealing and heart wrenching sight. Still naked and covering herself haphazardly, one of the grey doe's eyes peeked from beneath an ear, shining bright as her head was tilted down. Her breathing was ragged and strained from the shock of the whole situation. Her nose even twitched rapidly. Nicholas felt a savage mammal within him trying to claw its way out at the unintentional allure of the display that Judith exuded.
"What?" he asked after a moment's hesitation.
"You never call me by my name… always, my lady," the rabbit spoke in mild disappointment.
"I… I'm sorry," Nicholas said once more… "Judith."
The rabbit smiled slightly.
"Why have you avoided me?" the fox dared to ask, knowing the doe had no means of fleeing or avoiding him this time. Her eyes swayed from side to side as she seemed to be mentally mulling over a plethora of excuses to hand him.
While she sat there, gathering her wits, Nicholas got up and sighed, seeing the dress soaking at the pool's edge. He began to remove his vest, drawing a worried glance from Judith as her legs clenched together and eyes widened.
"What are you doing?" she squeaked, blushing further as the fox removed his shirt. Pulling it over his head, he revealed the creamy fur of his chest and belly. She couldn't find the courage to move from her current predicament as Nicholas approached, a pleasant chill running through her body.
The fox lifted the shirt in his paws over Judith's head and slid the oversized garment to her over her body. The whole thing acted like a loose gown and covered her whole body enough to allow her the comfort to stand.
Rising to unsteady feet, the red fox tod helped to keep her from falling.
"Don't run," he near pleaded. The doe's nose twitched as she looked down in shame once more. She knew what he wanted to talk about. Her confession was true but she didn't know how to follow up on something like that when she didn't know his feelings on the matter. They may have shared a kiss but everything between them seemed tepid and complicated at best.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, padded over to a sun warmed rock to sit. The heat felt pleasant as Nicholas collected her dress from the water and laid it out to dry.
"Now then," the fox spoke, drawing a breath, "I think you and I need to have a conversation that is long overdue."
Judith nodded a little numbly, fearing that she was going to hear what she hoped to avoid for as long as possible.
Nicholas stared at her for a few seconds before continuing, "I want to properly respond to that lovely declaration of love you so wonderfully laid for all to hear." The doe pulled her legs under the hem of the shirt and pressed her face to her knees, running her arms through the sleeves and hugging said legs. She couldn't look him in the eyes right now. She feared those emerald orbs might pierce her heart and leave it in shreds if she stared too long once more.
"I just wanted you to know," the fox kept on, sliding closer to her, "that I'm touched you think of me that way."
"But you don't think the same of me," Judith stated, tears falling before she could stop them. Nicholas could only smile kindly as he took a breath.
"Actually," he smirked as the rabbit's ears perked, "I do love you as well, Judith."
The doe felt her heart soar, though instead of stopping the flow of tears, they renewed with newfound meaning.
"I love you too, Nicholas." The words left her before she could stop them, digging her face further into her knees as her toes curled over the stone. She felt so vulnerable and naked now… well more in an emotional sense now.
She felt a tug as her muzzle was lifted and she whined slightly upon seeing Nicholas's eyes staring deeply into hers as he stood in front of her and tilted her chin up.
Their lips met gently, a slow kiss sparking a torrential storm of emotions between the two of them. Their fur raised and stood on end as chills ran through them both and the kiss deepened. Opening their muzzles slightly their tongues intertwined in a heated display. Judith's smaller, smoother tongue was overpowered by the rougher one of Nicholas. She whimpered a bit into his mouth, making him press further against her and making her lean back, her legs wrapping around him for balance.
Judith's paws found purchase on his chest, her claws raking pleasantly up and down through his fur as he wrapped his paws around her waist and neck. They separated to take a breath, with the grey doe running a paw over Nicholas's muzzle.
"I'm really glad no one else found me," Judith whispered. "I think I might have actually died of shame otherwise." The fox chuckled.
"Careful what you say, my lady," the tod chided her, "there is still a chance someone may intrude upon the both of us yet."
The grey bunny looked around nervously, hoping he was wrong.
"I'm just teasing, my dear Judith," Nicholas laughed. "Now, would you like to explain why you were so… aversive these past few days."
His inquisitive manner might have ruined the mood any other time, but the rabbit was riding high on the knowledge that her fears were assuaged. She sighed happily but with a tinge of regret for her actions.
"I feared that you wouldn't feel the same as me," Judith divulged tentatively. She started to bury her head into Nicholas's chest fur, breathing in deeply of his musky scent. "I guess I didn't know what would happen… but the overwhelming idea that my confession meant nothing if you didn't return my feelings made me so afraid to face you."
"I'll bet you feel like a dumb bunny now, huh?" the fox teased, to which she rolled her eyes at him.
"Yeah, maybe I do," she sighed. "Just don't hold it over me too much, or I might be forced to beat you until you forget it."
"I wouldn't mind forgetting that, as long as I can keep the image of your beautiful…." the tod cut himself off before letting that thought leave his muzzle. Judith's face heated up once more as she realized what he might have been saying. "…your… beautiful… form…" Upon finishing the thought carefully, he looked down and saw the doe looking up at him, her buck teeth biting into her bottom lip.
"Just…" she started to murmur, "just don't… d-don't judge m-me too harshly…."
Nicholas looked confused now.
"Whatever do you mean?" he asked, perturbed.
"I mean… I'm not… that… that great… compared to other rabbits," she replied in a slight stammer.
"If I might be so bold," remarked the red fox, "I dare say you are the most ravishing mammal I have ever laid eyes upon. And that display earlier only solidified my claim. You were and still are the cutest female I've ever had the pleasure to know."
Judith tilted her head back down upon being called 'cute' feeling overly flush at the delightful accusation.
"You know…" she started, "it's a little…. Insulting for another mammal to call a bunny 'cute'." The doe looked back up to a smugly grinning fox.
"Oh? Really?" came his snarky tone. "I wasn't just calling a bunny cute though… I was calling YOU cute. There's a difference."
"I… fine." She wouldn't fight it nor did she want to.
Giving the bunny another quick kiss, he picked her up and set her down in a more comfortable position, sighing and lying next to her on the warm boulder.
"Do you think…" Nicholas's voice faded as he tried to collect his thoughts.
"Usually, but sometimes my mind decides to be take some leisure time," she sarcastically commented to his half-finished thought.
"Oh, har-har. No, I meant… would your father be a future problem? He seemed to turn around too quickly on the whole deal from trying to kill me to shaking my paw. Just a thought…"
Judith gave her fox a soft look as they both lay on their sides, half-dressed and reveling in the warmth of the sun with the sound of the waterfall nearby.
"I doubt it, honestly," she bluntly replied. "My father didn't like anything that happened. That much was clear. Even having to let us go, but… he's no fool. My father is many things but I've never doubted one thing… he loves his family. As vindictive as he might have been and possibly still is…. He wasn't going to risk the safety of his children in a fight where he would have lost many of my siblings in battle."
"That's… great to hear," the fox sighed. "I can't say I haven't been worried that your father would pursue us himself and try taking you back by force."
The doe chuckled.
"It's not something to entirely rule out. I'm very sure though… that we won't have to worry over him for a long while."
"Just in case," Nicholas said, running a paw over her head and raking his claws along her long ears, eliciting a shiver from the doe as her toes curled, "maybe you should go by a different name. Hopps isn't well received and easy to follow should others hear it and share that knowledge."
"What did you have in mind?" the rabbit asked, guiding the fox's paw to a spot on her ear she wanted scratched more, making her foot thump the air as he took the hint.
"Well you called me Silence… which is what I'm going with from now on, excepting a few mammals that can call me Nicholas, but I've been thinking… and I believe Valiance suits your radiant spirit."
Judith could have melted under his loving gaze as he gave the base of her ears a good scratch. She returned his gaze and let out a soft purr of approval at his actions.
"I like it…" she whispered.
"Good," the fox chirped, pulling her in to press their noses together in an endearing display, nuzzling his wet nose against her smaller, twitching one. "So, it's settled… we are Silence and Valiance."
While taking longer than they expected, it was no less unwelcome that the dress Judith wore took a while to dry properly before she donned it once again and the two traversed back to the main camp.
Bogo and Gideon were making preparations for lunch for many of the mammals, graciously welcoming the introduction of more ingredients. Nearby, Heather and Rose had taken to help cut up the things that various mammals had acquired and made sure to cut away anything hazardous or dirt laden.
Meeko had made it an annoying habit to lick his chops and try stealing a taste of certain things now and then, only to be promptly and properly chastised by Gideon by way of a wooden spoon to the head, much to Bogo's approval and subsequent laughter. The two happened to become fast friends with such a common ground between the two being their culinary leanings. Despite them being predator and prey, they were able to agree well enough in their dietary decisions concerning cuisine. It didn't hurt that Gideon wasn't really much of a meat eater, even before his indenture as the Hopps cook.
Luckily for most involved, the predators of the group kept any such requests for meat to a minimum, knowing full well that even trying to ask that bugs or chicken be cooked might make the prey unnerved, despite their obvious acceptance of them.
Nicholas saw the wondrous smiles on mammals faces and the intermingling of predator and prey. Everyone was getting along well and any rifts that might have formed seemed to be healing.
He spotted Nathan, the rambunctious wolf energetically chatting with every new face he could find and barely hiding his newfound excitement at being free. His tail swished behind him in such a blur that the fox couldn't tell if it was swaying or vibrating.
Judith found her way back to Nicholas, after having dropped off her helping of supplies. Her paws were in front of her as she fiddled with them, drawing a look of bewilderment from the fox as he wondered what she was getting her heart strings tangled around now.
In a flash, one of her paws darted out to slip into his own and held on. She did a double take, looking up into Nicholas's emerald pools before settling on sliding next to him, still holding his paw, and leaning her head against him.
"Bout time!" came a deep voice with resounding laughter behind the duo. They jumped and turned, their paws separating with a delayed tug. Finnick had at some time padded behind them and admired the view of their fumbling romantic leanings, much to both mammal's embarrassment.
"Oh, don't mind me," he stated with a growing grin, reeking with a smug attitude. "I wouldn't want to intrude on all that sickly sweet lovey dovey stuff."
"Aren't you supposed to be gathering certain herbs and such for medicinal uses?" Nicholas jibed at the small fox, a little annoyance creeping into his tone as his eye twitched. He was less than enthusiastic at his rabbit's courageous intimacy being cut short by the diminutive creature.
"Yeah yeah… stupid, gross plants," he grumbled. "Why do I always get stuck with the icky jobs?" The fennec begrudging stomped off into the forest, groaning and whining until he was out of earshot.
"Are you sure you needed to be snippy with him?" the doe asked with a raised brow. The tod turned his head with a 'hmm'.
"Uh... I suppose not…" Nicholas remarked, scratching at the back of his neck. "I was a little annoyed he ruined the moment. Foxes are pretty possessive over their mates… just warning you now. Besides, I think he's a tough guy. He can handle it."
"Possessive huh?" Judith inquired in passing with a digit to her chin. "Would you believe a rabbit is too?"
The red fox raised an eyebrow and responded, "If you're asking the question as if you don't know… I doubt I should think so either. But, yes, I could believe it. Though I must say… foxes are rather…." he flourished a paw as he tried to come up with the words to properly convey his next thought, "unusually attached to those they chose to be mates with."
"How's it unusual compared to any other pairings of mammals?" she inquired curiously, the duo finding a log to rest upon while waiting for the supposed meal to be finished and distributed.
"Well," he began to explain, taking a sip of water from his canteen, "foxes tend to spread their populations out in a nomadic fashion, making finding mates difficult. So, when we do find one… we're usually very protective and attached, more so than other mammals with more populous options."
"Foxes don't have homesteads or close knit communities?" Judith asked in confusion. She hadn't really looked into too many social structures concerning other mammals but this one seemed out of place.
"We do… though they are few. Certainly none around here. Most foxes don't like to stick around populous areas due to stereotypical tropes that follow them around, so many take to the road as nomads and traveling merchants."
The small doe mulled those thoughts over as she looked out from her relaxed position and spotted Rose smashing a few raspberries in Heather's face, laughing as the rabbit looked confused then made a mocking gesture of being a savage rabbit with blood on her muzzle. A few other around her laughed, taking in the display, making Heather suddenly self-conscious in knowing others besides the vixen had seen that.
Judith smiled. Despite her sister's obvious displays of contempt and lording her elder sibling status on her, she couldn't help but be befuddled, yet happy, that her sister had this other side to her that seemed far freer and kind than what might have been a façade all these years.
Meeko took a break from getting twacked on the head by a wooden utensil and padded over to the duo, holding a small package in his paws. He was rubbing a smarting pain on his head, likely from a fresh hit to the head, as he approached Judith specifically.
Holding out the package, the rabbit and fox both stared in wonder and curiosity.
"What's this?" the doe asked simply, pointing to the package.
"You dropped this in your desperate attempt to reach us," the raccoon replied, dropping the package gently in the bunny's waiting paws. She unwrapped it and found it to be the book she was clasping to herself for dear life when she ran away. It was frayed a bit at the binding and the cover looked to be cleaned but still stained with dirt.
"I'm sorry I couldn't do better," Meeko said with an apologetic shrug. "Joseph… one of the tigers from that night, found it when we made our way back to Bogo's estate and I wanted to make sure it was more presentable before giving it back."
Tears filled the rabbit's eyes as she hopped down and hugged the raccoon. He looked surprised and gave Nicholas a nervous stare, to which he rolled his eyes and gestured for him to get on with it. He returned the hug and patted the doe on the back before separating.
"It's wonderful, thank you," she breathed. Sitting back down on the log, she opened it and flipped through the pages, reveling that she now had something to read.
"I'll leave you to it then," Meeko said with a bow and slipped away to follow his twitching nose.
"I wonder how that mammal gets anything done sometimes when his stomach seems to do all his thinking for him…" Nicholas mused aloud to Judith. The grey bunny didn't look up from her book as she kicked her legs and let them sway back and forth.
"I'll bet some lucky girl will sweep him off his feet with the most marvelous cooking imaginable," she mentioned in passing, still focused on her book. The fox couldn't help a certain thought crossing his mind as he barked a few good laughs, drawing Judith's lopsided gaze.
"If that's the case… I think Gideon is already ahead in that race." Nicholas clutched his sides as he laughed harder.
"I doubt Meeko is into that," the doe said, rolling her eyes.
"Want to make it into a bet?" her mate inquired with a teasing stare and roguish smirk.
"That Meeko will fall for Gideon? Because of his cooking?" she stared at the raccoon, who was happily hovering near the pot that the portly fox was stirring. She shrugged. "As much as that would be fun… I don't doubt that little ringtail might actually not care as long as it gets him delicious food as a bonus. So… no. I won't be betting against that."
"Boo…" Nicholas groaned, "you're no fun."
Judith giggled.
"Relax, Nicholas," she comforted him with a small pet down his back, "I'm sure you'll find something else to turn into… 'fun'."
The fox tod smiled deviously.
"I already have a few ideas," he stated, looking down at Judith, who stopped reading long enough to look back at him and grow a bit disconcerted at his stare.
"W-what?" she lightly stammered.
"Well, I was just thinking… you might want to acquire some skills that might benefit you in the future."
"Like what…?"
"Archery, swords, daggers, medicinal aid, etc. Take your pick," Nicholas explained.
Judith's eyes became a brilliant pair of beacons as she took quickly to loving the idea.
"Yes!" she exclaimed, bouncing on the log and thumping the air with her feet as she set down the book.
"To which one?" the tod asked, feeling he already knew the answer.
"All of them!" was the immediate reply. She threw her arms around her fox.
"Of course," Nicholas chided himself, deigning to pet the bunny latched onto him as she purred with excitement. "But just so I'm clear… which one first?"
Judith seemed to mull that decision over for a minute or so in silence, with the fox waiting patiently, until…
"Swords?" came her tentative decision, to which he nodded.
"Good, we'll start after we eat and let ourselves digest," he told her.
After having eaten a very filling and savory stew, the duo found a few practice swords to borrow from a cart hauling their weapons and armor.
They found a secluded spot near the camp but out of clear sight to practice as they wished. Judith tossed her wooden sword between her paws, testing its weight and smiling at being able to train with her newfound mate.
He took his own stance a few feet away from her, holding his sword two-pawed and letting the tip point downward as he stood sideways and pulled the handle close to the side of his muzzle.
A glint shown in both of their eyes as the rabbit became excited at the prospect of becoming a swordsmammal and the fox felt a renewing surge of energy he hadn't felt in years at having an opponent he was happy to spar with.
"Let's begin," he said.
Judith let loose a yelping battle cry and lunged forth with her sword, a grin evident on her muzzle.
Nicholas could only smirk in return at her vigor, her ferocity… her valiance.
This was going to be entertaining.
Don't worry... I'll finish the fight, but i had to find a cut off point and I'm making something for my Mom that needs finishing touches before I head out to visit my parents for dinner. Don't forget your mothers today. XD
REVIEWS!:
Venomheart the Dreamer: Thank you very much. and I'm glad you think so. I do like odd circumstances for a rescue, thus throwing Meeko at an angry rabbit. hehehe. but having some sort of divine intervention seems lazy. (I honestly didnt know what Deus ex machina meant until i asked my girlfriend. i only knew the latin translation. lol.)
judithwildehopps: haha love the enthusiasm. and glad you liked it.
Fannyfan: Thank you and great to see your reviews once more. always great to see return viewers. love your reaction as well. I was hoping to create a good suspense with the last chapter and am very proud of it.
Guest (after Fannyfan): I thank you for saying so. I do my best to create a plot that entertains as well as defies conventional predictions.
Matri: I love Meeko. he's so funny and such a glutton. Can't wait to keep developing his character.
Fox in the hen house: Lovely to see your reviews once again. and HA. i suppose you're right about Heather and Rose. (Hint... Rose's full name is a Beauty and the Beast reference. it's French for Enchanted Rose.)
I'm not really one for same-sex stuff but I do accept they exist and felt obligated to acknowledge them as every form of love is well and truly accepted in our world.
Also, I do agree I gave Stu quite the turnaround, but it was either accept his daughter's decisions... or risk losing them and more children in a battle they would likely lose. he chose the smart, if not reluctant choice.
SomeoneSomewhereAtSomePoint: Love the name and yeah... the site failed to notify anyone about new releases of chapters on pretty much anything for a good week. I'm glad you were able to catch up though and thank you for saying so.
snoopyontop: Thank you very much to you as well and here it is. hope you liked it. XD
DONE!
Now i'm off to be the creepy, crazy, convoluted soul that I am and wish you all a fond farewell.
Until next time, It's been a hustle, Sweethearts.