Noah felt someone pressing his shoulder. He gasped shock but was drowsy with sleep.
"Shh, shh, shh," came a soft voice.
His sight came clear and he saw Judy sitting on his bedside.
"You okay, sweetie?" asked Judy.
"I think so," said Noah as he yawned.
"I'm sorry, I woke you. But I thought I would just tell you what's gonna happen today; I'm going to work and Nick is going to take you for a check up and then you will have a nice afternoon with him."
"What's a check-up?" asked Noah.
"Well," explained Judy. "It's to make sure you're healthy. Nick will take you to a hospital and we will make sure that those whip marks and other things have not caused you any harm."
"But they don't hurt," protested Noah.
"I know," said Judy. "But it's always to double-check. Sleep some more and Nick will come and wake you up."
Judy kissed Noah's forehead as he closed his eyes again.

Noah rested sleepily in the warm of his proper bed. Soon he felt a tickling sensation on his face and up his nose, and he exploded with a sneeze. He made out a huge fox tail on him and it whisked away and where he followed it, he saw Nick leaving abasing the wall fully dressed and smirking at him.
"Allergic to sleeping, pal?" he joked.
"Good morning, Uncle Nick," Noah yawned.
Nick wasn't expecting that sentence but he was hugely moved for such a smart fox.
"Sleep well, son?" asked Nick sitting next to him.
"Very comfortably," said Noah. "The best bed I've ever slept in."
Noah clambered out of bed and unexpectedly hugged the tall fox who was moved again.
"Carrots has been giving you fluffitis, eh?" he smiled as he went with it.
"What's that?" asked Noah in curiosity.
"It's something anyone can catch," explained Nick. "It all began when bunnies roamed the universe. They were down for being cute and cuddly. They would snuggle innocent bystanders and there, a new plague spread. One hugged by the bunny, the animal passes it on and on the next person they hug and now you did it to me ..."
Nick picked him up and cuddled him tight making Noah giggle as they rolled on the bed.
Nick dressed Noah into his attire which was all neat and fresh (except faded blood stains were available on the green stripes) and found a spare toothbrush for him.
Noah was beginning to feel hungry but Nick told him they would have to skip breakfast for the moment.
"We need to do you check-up first, pal," he explained. "We might have to X-ray you and people aren't allowed to eat or drink before any of that. But I promise once it's over I'll treat to a nice bacon sandwich. How about that?"
"Okay," Noah agreed.
They left the flat, waited five minutes before the bus arrived, climbed aboard and set off. Noah began to feel some sort of jumpy feeling inside him, a feeling that he was going to have to be hurt once again, which he told Nick.
"Don't fret," he comforted. "A check-up is totally harmless. There is this small hammer they hit on your knee and believe it or not, it tickles you."
When they they arrived, at the specific unit, they sat down along with some other animals, a few kids looking calm others showing worry on their faces with their parents comforting them. Some of the issues of the patients looked obvious, eight young monkeys rubbing their heads with their mother scolding for jumping on the bed, a tiger cub with a limp paw, a hyena jolting every and now then with his mouth closed with his mother telling another person next to her that he persistently gets hiccups from laughing, a hippo whose feet were in dry cement (presumably mistaking cement for mud) and a bear cub rubbing his bloated belly and groaning in pain and complaining about his appendix (though he would rubbing the right bottom side of his belly) before his father reminded him that animals do not have appendixes.
Noah sat there very hungry but nervous about what was to happen.
Eventually, a honey badger wearing a while coat and aquarium clothing came up to them.
"Noah Sly?" she inquired.
The cub nodded.
"I will see you know," she smiled.
Noah got up, held Nick's paw and went into the surgery.
The first thing the doctor did was take Noah's shirt of to get a good idea of his skinniness. She was disgusted with his think appearance; so skinny his bones could be seen.
"Well I never!" she reacted.
"I'm sorry," said Noah quietly.
"It's not your fault, dear," she assured him gently. "Mr. Wilde told me about that so-called orphanage."
Noah watched as she brought something big shaped like a heart. She pulled the sides apart and placed them into her ears. Then she held onto another end shaped like a plug hole and placed it into his chest.
"What are you doing?" asked Noah curiously.
"She's listening to your heart," explained Nick.
She nodded happily.
When the doctor finished she allowed Noah to have a go with the stethoscope. He put the plugs into his ears as the doctor placed the stethoscope onto his chest. Noah was amazed with how loud his heart was.
"Wow!" he gasped. "Is it a drum? Do hearts like music?"
"Music is something that relaxes the whole body," explained the doctor. "Heart's in good condition. Now Mr. Wilde if you would kindly place him on the table.
Nick picked the cub off his feet and did so.
Noah watched as she revealed the hammer Nick described on the bus.
She gave his knee a gentle tap with it and Noah was shocked to find that his leg suddenly kicked. He giggled.
"That tickles," he chuckled.
"Yeah I forgot to tell you that," Nick smirked.
When that was over, the doctor asked Noah to go into the next room. She made him stand in front of a screen and told him to stand very still until they come back.
Noah obediently did so and they shut him in the room. After five seconds he was permitted to move again.
"Okay, Noah," said the doctor when he was brought back into the surgery. "I want you to be very brave because I'm going to give your paw a little prick."
"Will it hurt?" asked Noah with fear.
"I'm afraid you'll feel a tiny pinch but it will be just for a second."
"Come here, pal," said Nick as he placed Noah onto his lap and held his paw. "I'll hold onto you until it's over."
Noah gulped.
"You can look away if you want," said the doctor and Noah buried his face into Nick's chest.
"Here we go," said the doctor and Noah felt a little sting on the tip of his finger, Nick clutching as he winced.
"All done," said the doctor.
"Good boy," said Nick. "I bet not many handle it like you."
"Other patients create a real fuss," said the doctor.
Noah looked up at Nick who smiled at him and stroked his head.
"I'm quite used to pain," said Noah. "That's why I didn't cry much."
"Oh yes," said Nick "that reminds me, Doc."
He lifted Noah's top and revealed the whip marks on his back making the doctor gasp.
"I'm disgusted!" she remarked. "But we'll see what comes from the analysis. You can go and get a drink and a bit to eat. I will have the blood sample and X-ray examined in - say a half hour?"
"Thanks, Doc," said Nick. "We'll feed this kid into round furry pumpkin."
And he softly tickled Noah's belly which he giggled at.
"Not that fat," the doctor chuckled.
They went to the cafe and Nick bought Noah a big bacon sandwich and an apple juice. He watched him eat hungrily as though really need it, something to hide his dismal, skinny appearance.
"What was that about?" asked Noah with his mouthful.
"Just to make sure you're healthy, pal," said Nick and he sipped his cappuccino. "You're very brave, Noah. Many would seriously kick up a fuss but you only let out a few tears and did not fidget. I'll take you for ice cream soon."
"What's ice cream?" asked Noah.
"It's like cream," said Nick, "only it's cold, thick and very tasty. The most common favours are chocolate strawberry and vanilla. Why they haven't released blueberry flavour yet is beyond me. Zootopia should also be a place where anything can be anything."
"Is this really a place where anyone can be anything, Uncle Nick?" asked Noah.
"Of course, champ," said Nick. "The world is not perfect but Zootopia is a place where preys and predators alike get together and sing Kumbaya."
"What's kumbaya?" asked Noah.
"Some religious song," explained Nick.
"And what is religious?"
"It's a very complicated think to explain, pal. But that orphanage really haven't been giving you enough education."
"I can spell, read and count," said Noah. "I thought that was all of education."
"Oh, there's lots more," explained Nick. "Well have to find a school for you."
"What's school?" asked Noah.
"It's a place where kids go to learn things and decide what they wanna do when they grow up. Have you any idea of what you would like to do?"
"I think I'd like to be a cop like you, Uncle Nick."
Nick chuckled at his little admirer.
"Well that's no problem at all," he said ruffling his head. "Good boy, already planning your goals."
When they had finished, they returned to the surgery and Nick was ready to learn, a concern like he was his own kid - something that triggered what haunted him lasted night.
"How'd he do, Doc?" asked Nick worriedly.
"No panic needed Mr. Wilde," smiled the doctor. "He's just been underfed and simply needs fattening. As for the whip marks, they will heal in time. Children recover strongly than even doctors like me will ever know."
Nick sighed in relief.
"Thank you, Doc," he said gratefully. "But what his immune system?"
"Looks fine to me."
"After he had been with some kid who've been making him smoke and drink?"
"Of course," said the doctor. "He was new to it. He only smoked like once or twice judging from the analysis. He just simply needs to quit."
"I'm really sorry," said Noah.
"It's not your fault," said the doctor. "You didn't know better. It those people who gave you those things that should be sorry."
Noah looked calm now.
"Ciggies are for sickies, pal," smiled Nick.
Noah was told to wait outside in the lobby and look at some picture books.
"Stupid kids," remarked the doctor to Nick. "Allowing a little tod smoke."
"Parents," assumed Nick. "If they have any."
"So tell me," the honey badger inquired. "How did end up like this?"
"Long story," said Nick. "And no I'm no useless parent - erm, okay. I've only known himself yesterday when he was borough to the ZPD. He was arrested for apparently having stolen a purse. But he was promptly pardoned when our newest recruit, alongside an eyewitness, clarified the real thieves. We took him home, put him to bed and found those gashes. He said he was born in some orphanage ran by preys and they did that to him."
"Well I'll be," said the doctor. "And they say predators are the savage ones."
Nick could not maintain his inner thoughts about Noah so he told the doctor about his past mistake which the doctor took in patiently and he asks if there were any suggestions to find out the truth.
"DNA I'm afraid is out of a question," she replied regretfully. "Owing to the fact that animals of the same kind hold the same DNA. But my suggestion is to get more out of this kid and see if you can find any clues or evidence to piece of he belongs to you, starting with where the orphanage is."
"Sure," said Nick. "We need to get a better idea of this orphanage anyway - only he does not know the name or the place. We'll just have to solve it ourselves."

Noah was reading a book which he could not understand very well when he was called back in.
"Now, Noah," said the doctor. "I need you to be brave again. I'm going to give you little prick on the arm with a needle. After that, you will have to face it nine more times. I want to do the first today so you know how it feels - it won't much it will just feel like a pinch, but it it helps I can put some magic water over your arm and you won't feel much when the needle goes in."
Noah was a little alarmed but he trusted the nice doctor.
"Okay," he said shaking.
"You can sit on my lap and hold paws again if you want," Nick offered.
Noah nodded and they did so.
On Nick's lap and holding his paw, Noah was to look away. He was given a warning that it was ready and he squeezed his eyes shut as the pain occurred in his arm. It didn't hurt much but he could still feel it.
"All done, dear," said the doctor.
"What water is this?" asked Noah as she taped some white wool over where she jabbed the needle and taping it over his arm.
"It's called anaesthesia," she explained.
"What a long word," replied Noah.
"I know," she said. "Small thing, big words. So now you know what injections feel like. Will you be brave enough to face them nine more times?"
"I think so," said Noah who had gained a ounce of confidence from the first experience with a needle. "But will we have magic water?"
"Oh yes," she assured him. "We have plenty of it."
Soon they were ready to leave, Noah thanking the doctor who gave him a lion badge.
"But I'm a fox," said Noah in confusion.
"You are," said the doctor, "but the lion is a symbol of bravery."
"Oh," said Noah, his big eyes looking at the badge in wonderment.
"Come on, champ," said Nick. "We'll take you for ice cream and go to see Judy."

They were sitting in side the blue and pink coloured ice cream parlour, other customers enjoying their ice cream peacefully, even to the point of scooping up the melted remains when their bowls were empty.
"Deer Rose's," said Nick. "The best ice cream parlour in the city."
Noah was spoiled for choice with the flavours on offer so he decided to go for a scoop each of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry.
Noah sampled a spoonful and loved the taste immediately he tucked right in but Nick warmed him too late because the cub was clutching his head.
"My head's gonna pop!" he worried.
"No it's not, champ," said Nick. "You just ate your ice cream so fast it travelled up to your head."
It went away quickly and Nick showed him how to savour the ice cream and enjoy it slowly.
"That's it. Enjoy the tase so not to get another ice cream hangover."
"What's a hangover?" asked Noah.
"Forget I said that," said Nick quickly.
Noah finished his ice cream, his belly satisfied but his breath cold.
"Freezing," he shuddered but smiling.
"They don't call it 'ice' cream for noticing," joked Nick. "Now pal, I need to ask you a few questions."
Noah listened.
"You see, the tape that proved you innocent, Mr. Trunkworth played the camera a few moments back. You were scene talking to the real culprits when coming into the bookshop."
Noah looked worried.
"Listen kid," said Nick gently, "it's very important that you be honest with me. Do you know those kids?"
Noah thought back on the promise he made to Fury. But the contract only said not to betray Fury and these two kids he called them friends, yet they got him trouble yesterday. So it was with a heavy heart when he said, "The fox is Alex. And the rabbit is Skips."
"How do you know them?"
"Um, I met them that very day. They just took me with them."
"And they said about teaching you magic."
"I never really saw magic before, but it sounded like a nice word."
Nick was listening all these answers on his phone.
"Okay," said Nick. "That is all. Thank you very much, Noah. Let's go see Judy, hm?"
Noah left the table and held Nick's paw as they left.
Noah's heart was very angry with him for lying, but if he gave anymore further information, Fury will come for him and get Mr. Big to ice him - or perhaps take his heart out with that dagger he threatened him with, however he did say he was joking when he did that.

They walked down a street and passed some place which Noah read Jumbeaux's Cafe. Outside the establishment, was a fat elephant wearing a white apron and a white hat presenting the name of the cafe. He was very haughty-looking and wore it when he looked at Noah.
"What are you looking at fox?" he demanded.
"Nothing, sir!" said Noah in worry.
Nick turned and smiled at the elephant.
"Salutations, Dumbo!" Nick greeted. "Found some fox-joint ice creams after all!"
"I see you're not feeding him enough jumbo pops!" snorted the elephant. "Look at the size of him."
"Hey, kids his age can see their own feet," Nick winked and added "Also, we'll be inspecting the area soon - suspicions of ungloved trunks."
Whilst saying all this, he brought out his wallet and revealed his recruit ID at the elephant who seemed to keep his cool.
"You'll prove prove nothing!" said the elephant, but he quickly rushed inside.
They eventually reached the huge ZPD building, entering the same passage Noah was brought through yesterday, only this time free. All police officers were going about their business what with cases or arresting culprits. Noah wondered if there may be the circumstance of seeing Skips or Alex under arrest. However, he was hoping that it was Brent Stripes out of the others was to be taken in one day, so Patsy could get better treatment and visit that nice badger and hold her paw when it comes to her injections.
"Well, look who's here," said Judy coming up to them.
"Hello, Judy!" said Noah who hugged the rabbit.
"Hello, little guy!" said Judy very happy to see the adorable little pup before her.
"The doctor gave me a lion sticker for being brave," he said pridefully as he presented it to her.
"I bet you did really well through it all."
"Braved it like a real recruit," said Nick patting his head.
"When I grow up, I'm gonna be a police officer," he told Judy.
"I can see no problem with that," said Judy happily. "This is Zootopia, a place where anyone can be anything."
"Yeah," said Nick. "I was once a hustler but Carrots here helped me turn around. But hey, my great, great, great, granddad was a hustler himself. But ... yeah, in a good way."
"Hello, stranger!"
Noah turned to see the rabbit he met yesterday in the attire of a police officer. "Got proven guilty this time eh?"
Noah looked worried.
"Just kidding, buddy," said the male rabbit kneeling down to Noah's level. "You're a good kid. I should know because you saved my money."
"Thank you for speaking for me, Mr. Rabbit," said Noah gratefully.
"Any time, pal," said the rabbit. "But you can call me Blake."
"Judy and and Uncle Nick are gonna help find my family," said Noah.
"Ohhhh," said Judy with her paws over her heart at the sweetness hear ears had witnessed. "He called you uncle."
"And he also called me Mr. Fox," said Nick. "What else is new?"
"Daddy?" quipped Judy with a smile.
Nick's eyes seemed rather sickened and there was long pause.
Judy was just about to ask what's wrong when Wolford came to view which even Nick realised. He seemed rather apprised to see Noah and he wore a very disapprovingly look on his face as he advanced towards the group.
"C'mon, Noah," he said. "I'll put with Clawhauser for a bit."
He took Noah to the reception desk where the fat cheater was munching on some doughnuts looking at his phone.
"What's he like, Uncle Nick?" asked Noah in worry. Looking at his cheater, he had so much in coming with Mr. Mudway with his his bulging and giant appearance and was a cat just like Mr. Stripes.
"He's as sweet as his doughnuts, kid," Nick assured.
They reached the desk as Nick got the cheater's attention.
"Hey, Doughnuts," said Nick. "Do you mind taking care of the kid while I listen to Wolford's howl memo?"
Ben looked over the desk down a Noah clutching his tail.
"Say, you look like a little fox cub yesterday who was brought he- O - M Goodness! It is him!" he cried in excitement. "You were sleeping like a baby when you left here with Officer Wilde."
"I only remember falling asleep in the bull's study," explained Noah meekly but smiling at this lovable giant.
"Buffalo, kid," Nick clarified as he placed Noah on top of the reception desk. "We're just gonna talk with the big bad wolf, Noah. Something about a kid in a red hood. Have fun with Clawhauser."
"Poor kid," said Clawhauser. You're as skinny as a monkey. Have a doughnut."
He handed Noah one with blue icing.
"Is it blueberry?" asked Noah.
"You bet," said Clawhauser.
Hearing this, Noah didn't need to hear it twice; he tucked right into the rich pastry, the sugary blue icing adding to his enjoyment of the dessert.
"I got another one if you want," Clawhauser offered.
"Yes please," said Noah.
He was handed another doughnut which he wolfed through and learning that inside was of rich blueberry jam.
"Wow," said Noah. "I've only had two and I'm full".
"Every little Dickens is filling even for such a small fox, but you need extra anyway for your size."
And Noah giggled as Clawhauser tickled his sides.
Noah could not resist; he reached out and cuddled this huge fluffy cat enjoying the warmth and comfort, like hugging a huge teddy bear in his bed. Ben shared his cuddle, which felt like he was cuddling his own kitten. This reminded him of his plush cheater he had as a toddler - only as a fox.

"Why is Clawhauser playing with a suspect?" the wolf demanded.
"Because he's innocent," replied Judy. "You where there when Ryo here proved him innocent."
They watched as the cheetah tossed Noah up and the air and catching him again.
"We still don't know for sure," argued Wolford. "Why did he run away in the first place?"
"He was frightened and confused," explained Judy. "He's a sweet little fox cub and very grateful too. He even started called Nick 'Uncle'."
"Flattery is typical of troublemakers," Wolford held strongly.
"Well if you want some real troublemakers," said Nick, "the three little pigs have been stealing, straw, sticks and bricks."
Wolford glared.
"What?" asked Nick. "Grandma got your tongue."
"I don't like fairy tale references," he said crossly. "Even Bogo still thinks he is suspect after that whole incident."
"Well you can tell Buffalo Butt that he gave those other kids away," informed Nick. "They took advantage of his innocence."
He looked at the cub and back at Nick.
"If that kid really sweet and innocent - and grateful," he added to Judy with a face, "I'll eat my own tail."
"In Zootopia," said Nick, "anyone can be anything - but a self-carnivore."
Wolford turned to leave.
"Unless you have a duck hanging on the end of it!" he added making Blake snigger.
Nick walked up to Noah whose mouth was covered in blue.
"What have you been eating?"
"Blueberry doughnuts," said Noah.
"I thought he needed two just to bring him to health," said Ben.
"Much obliged, Doughnuts," thanked Nick.
"Why is that wolf angry?" asked Noah.
"The Seven Goats still won't let him into their house," Nick joked.
"Does he still think I'm a thief?"
"Oh no," said Nick. "Don't worry about him. Just won't admit when he's wrong."
He didn't want to tell Noah the truth because he felt the little fox had been through enough for one year.
"We're going out tonight, pal. We're going to eat pizza. What do you say to that?"
"Pete Sah?" Noah pronounced.
Clawhauser giggled. "He pronounced the same way as Tim Furry!"
"Kind of like a plat cheese pie," said Nick. "But I think you'll love it."