UPDATE: The text problem has been fixed, sorry about this error :/

Welcome everyone!

Sorry for the long update, had some writer's block to deal with.

Once again thank you all so much for your support and reviews! You are fantastic!

There is a small reference sewed in this chapter. I wonder how many of you can spot it? ;)

Chapter 9

The warm rays of light shone through the large windows, settling on a group of sleeping rabbits. Then the oldest of the three opened her eyes and blinked in the morning sun. She had a very pleasant dream, where she saved her siblings from slave traders. Judy sat up on the enormous, by rabbit standards, bed and stretched her arms. She haven't slept this well for quite some time.

And then she felt movement next to her leg. Glancing down, she lifted the edge of the blanket and saw a pair of little rabbit kids, cuddled to her on both sides. Her face shined with a smile, as she remembered that it was no dream, but reality.

She gently stroked the fur of her younger siblings, enjoying the quiet, soothing moment. At some point the boy mumbled something unintelligible and opened a sleepy eye.

"Hueh?" He muttered, clearly not capable of any more sophisticated words.

And now both his eyes shot wide open when he noticed the doe.

"Judy?" He gasped.

"Hey there, sleepyhead." She smiled at him.

"Judy!" The boy was immediately wide awake and leapt to hug the doe. "It's you! It's really you!"

Due to the ruckus, their little sister groaned lazily and sat up, rubbing her eyes with both paws. "What?"

"Sheila, it's Judy!" The boy's cry had an instant sobering effect on the little bunny and she gazed at the doe with disbelief. She reached out, touching her sister's arm, as if still unable to believe her sense of sight and needed a confirmation.

"Sister…" She whispered eventually. "Sister! It's you!" All of a sudden, tears started flowing from her hazel eyes. "Thank the Lord!" She also jumped to hug her.

Judy could keep her balance when another bunny landed in her arms and all three fell back on the bed. The doe laughed, the situation reminding her of the family home and mornings with dozens of siblings, cuddling together.

"I'm here." She squeezed the kids in her arms. "We're all here."

Tommy snuggled even closer to her side. "We thought we'd never see you again."

Sheila did the same as her brother. "After you disappeared without a trace, the entire family was devastated. Mother feared that you were…" She swallowed nervously and gripped tighter.

Judy frowned slightly. "Didn't you get the message?"

Both siblings looked up at her. "What message?" Asked the boy.

"A messenger was sent…" The doe said, but had a creeping feeling that she won't like the answer.

Sheila shook her head. "There was no messenger. Everyone was looking for you. We snuck out to the market to see if we can find you, but a guard caught us and thought we were thieves."

Tommy nodded. "Yeah, they sent us to that weird place and cuffed us in chains. And then we got pushed onto some strange scene and there were mammals yelling prices."

Judy's sister trembled at the memory. "I was so scared. At one point I even thought that I heard your voice there. That made me think I'm going crazy…"

That really was me. Judy thought, but most of her mind was occupied with something else. She was told by the fox that a messenger was sent to her family. She stayed quiet and obeyed him because she believed it. Judy grit her teeth in anger.

He lied to her.

.

.

"Once again," Sir Nicholas said in a calm manner. "Who sent you after us?"

The cheetah before him was sprawled over a wooden table in the torture chamber. The torturer stood back, as ordered by his master and silently awaited further instructions. The interrogation has taken its toll on the mammal. He cast a tired gaze at the noble fox with the only eye left. The feline had burns and cut all over the body.

"Lo-lord… Wolf…ord…" He whispered with dry lips.

The vulpine slowly stood from the wooden chair he was occupying and approached the suffering bandit. He reached out and grabbed the prisoner's chin, forcefully turning the cheetah's face towards his. "You have said at the beginning that your name is Joshua Jurro, from the village of Cataria, is that correct?"

The bandit caught the gaze of merciless, cold emeralds.

"Wha… what of it?" He rasped.

"Because I know that you are lying to me. And I advise you not to do that, because it insults my intelligence and makes me very angry." His paw let go of the feline. "Now, I will ask you again and if I hear another lie, the village you spoke of will be wiped from the face of the Earth. "Sir Nicholas stated with the same, cool voice, to the growing terror on the bandit's face. "Of course, it would require a lot of influence, power and soldiers to commit such an act." The noble slightly leaned forward. "And it so happens, that I possess all three."

Joshua swallowed in panic and his eye followed the fox, as he slowly circled the table and approached the prisoner from another side. Once again, he leaned towards the tortured mammal. The pair of green eyes casting a gaze that would pin the cheetah to the table even if he wouldn't have any restrains on him.

"Who sent you after us?"

"I-i-it… I…I… don't kn-know… A guy..." He swallowed again. "A guy approached u-us, our… our chief was o-offered mo-money to attack so-someone. We… we were supposed t-to wear Lor-lord Wolford's mark." The prisoner stuttered, praying for the fox to turn away that terrifying stare.

"Good." Sir Nicholas straightened himself. "Now you're telling the truth." With these words, he left the dungeon. Benjamin, who was standing right next to the door, trailed after him.

"Um, sir… It's always scary, when you act like that." He commented about the scene he witnessed in the torture chamber.

"You can't convince everyone with kindness." The fox stated while walking along the corridor.

The plump steward scratched the back of his head. "If you say so, sir. But it still gives me the chills."

"Some things have to be done and there has to be someone to do them, Benjamin."

The feline wanted to say something, but noticing the grim expression on his master's face, he kept silent. Deep down he knew that his master was a far more caring mammal than he showed outside. But especially after his return, he seemed to try to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. The feline kept wondering what exactly he had to experience in those three years for him to change like this.

They proceeded to Sir Nicholas' quarters and after passing the guards and a knock on the door the noblemammal entered the room where rabbits spent the night.

At the sight of two predators, especially an aristocratic fox, the smaller bunnies squealed and hid behind their older sister.

"No need for panic." Sir Nicholas said to them, keeping his distance from the bed. "You are safe here and nobody is going to hurt you."

"We don't believe you!" Sheila cried out from behind Judy's back. "You're a fox!"

"Yeah!" Her brother dared to join in. "And all foxes are liars!"

Both kids peeked nervously over Judy's shoulders.

The fox raised an amused brow. "Are we now?" He looked at the grey doe and noticed her dark expression, along with her stare. It wasn't the usual I-hate-you-and-I-hope-you-die-a-miserable-death gaze, it carried a fresh portion of despicableness. The noble vulpine folded his arms and addressed the kids again.

"There is breakfast, waiting to be eaten. If you do not believe my words, you can ask this staunch gentlemammal behind me." He pointed at Benjamin over the shoulder with his thumb. "He will guide you there and make sure that you can eat whatever you want and return safely to your sister's side."

The bunnies did not move.

The fox showed them a smirk. "Or you can go with me, but who knows where I will lead you from this room." The kids hid behind their sister again.

Judy frowned at these words. So, that's how you want to play it. Still, Benjamin took good care of them earlier… After a bit of thought she made her decision.

"Sheila, Tommy. It's okay, you can go with Benjamin." She reassured them gently. "It's really fine, I'll be here, waiting for you, okay? Go on." The little bunnies reluctantly peeled themselves off their sister and, casting worried glances at the fox and Judy, headed to the feline's side.

The cheetah put both paws to his cheeks and squealed happily. "Awww, you're so sweet, you little ones! Come on, we're going to have something great to eat!" And before they could respond he leaned down and scooped them in his arms, big friendly grin plastered on his face. And he had this unexplainable aura of cheerfulness that made the two bunnies at ease. Benjamin went out of the room and Sir Nicholas went to close the door behind them. But before the noblemammal did so, he raised a paw and snapped his fingers at guards. When the armed foxes turned their heads, Sir Nicholas pointed at the cheetah walking towards the kitchen. The guards nodded and followed the feline.

After sending an escort with the kids, he closed the door.

And heard a click behind him.

The fox slowly turned around and saw Judy standing on the bed, her gun pointed directly at him and ready to fire.

"You lied to me. You liar!" She exclaimed, her finger squeezing the trigger. She should've thought this out better, she knew that. But seeing his smug expression, Judy really couldn't contain her anger anymore.

"I did? Why would I do that?" He said carefully, his gaze fixed on her eyes, searching for the tiniest sign of her intention to pull the trigger.

"There was NO messenger! My family thinks that I'm already dead!"

These words irritated the fox. "If not for that you would really die. Is that what you want to achieve?"

"I'm not listening to you anymore!"

He scrunched his face in annoyance. "Well, you not listening to any advice is the very core of your problems here." This left his mouth as a growl.

"I've had enough! I can't believe that even for the shortest moment I thought that you have some decency in you." Her finger trembled on the trigger.

The fox folded his arms. "You realize what will happen if you fire that gun?"

What? Even with all the anger boiling in her, the doe paused for a moment.

"Do I need to remind you that currently two members of your family are dining in my kitchen?" He said this with that exact smirk that always made her furious. She immediately caught on what he was suggesting. The doe had to use every bit of her self-control to not fire the pistol.

"You… bastard! You gave me this gun but already knew that I won't use it!" She huffed through gritted teeth.

His smirk grew wider. "I am a fox after all."

"Ghh…" Judy wanted to shoot him. She wanted to do it so bad that she could taste it. But it was not an option. She had to restrain herself. With great effort, she lowered her paws and let the gun drop on the bed. This… this is just too cruel… She thought, staring at the grinning fox before her. How much he wants me to be his plaything until he's satisfied? Tears of helplessness started forming in her eyes, just as all energy and hope left her body.

Seeing her reaction, the noble vulpine's expression has begun to change. But before that happened, the door swung open and a new fox walked in. He was older than Sir Nicholas and carried himself with an aura of pride and power.

Judy felt a shiver as soon as she recognized him.

It was the fox that sent her to the torture chamber. He was wearing a suit that served as a reminder for everyone about the position and influence of its owner. Meticulously decorated, but not overflowing with details. It symbolised elegance and was a testimony to the skills of the tailor. At his side, a sword with a richly engraved handle.

"Father…" Said the surprised younger vulpine.

Father?! Well, that would mean that cruelty runs in the family.

The elderly noble was about to answer his son, when he noticed Judy on the bed. His eyes widened in shock and he raised a trembling finger to point at her.

"What… what in God's name is that thing doing in you chambers, Nicholas?!" He yelled with a mixture of disbelief and anger. "And on your bed?! Explain this!" The noble turned to Sir Nicholas.

"She's my slave, father. And she's here because I ordered her to be here." To Judy's surprise, his voice lost a lot of smugness and confidence that it was usually full of. It seemed that he adorned a defensive attitude in the presence of his parent.

The elderly mammal took a step towards him and gave him a scolding, superior look. "The place of a slave is in the dungeon! Remove that sorry excuse of an animal this instant! Its presence here soils our name and as the head of the family I will not stand for this!" He demanded and, even with the new wave of anger regarding the fox's words, she was amazed to see her so-called master to hesitate. It wasn't that he was cowering before his father, but rather unsure what he is supposed to do.

The elder noble noticed that too. "Nicholas, I gave you an order!" He snarled at the younger fox, who flinched under his voice, but didn't move. "Get that lump of trash out of here this instant!"

And that was the last straw for Judy.

"Hey! I'm right here!" The bunny slave screamed at the head of the Wilde family.

The elegant predator turned his head to her and his eyes were wide open. His ears fluttered, certain that they couldn't have heard what was just said. Surely, no slave would ever talk back to an aristocrat, it was a commonly known fact. But the noblemammal decided to ignore her and focused on his son again. "I am disappointed in you, Nicholas. You have failed to train your slave properly. This is inexcusable!" The younger fox didn't respond, his teeth gritted and one palm gripping tightly the handle of his own sword.

Meanwhile, infuriated by the lack of reaction to her words, Judy omitted the entire rational thinking process and leaned down to grab the closest object to her. Her arm moved back and did what it was trained for. She sent the gun flying towards the elderly fox. It hit him at the side of his head, eliciting a short yelp from the noblemammal. Sir Nicholas' eyes shot wide open and his jaw dropped down.

His father clutched the hurt part of his head and turned his furious gaze towards the doe. "How… HOW DARE YOU?!" He roared.

"I am NOT a THING!" She yelled back with determination. "My name is Judy Hopps and I am not anyone's property!"

At this point, the head of the Wilde family looked like he was about to explode. He took a step towards the bed, but before he was able to do anything else, something totally strange happened.

Sir Nicholas Wilde exploded with laughter.

The other two mammals in the room looked at him, completely surprised by his behavior. And the fox was laughing uncontrollably, clutching his stomach with both paws, unable to stop himself. He bent himself double, tears falling from the corners of his eyes and there seemed to be no end to his cheerful act.

Is he insane? He must be…

The elder Wilde shook his head to recompose himself and headed towards the bunny. "This has gone too far!" He unsheathed his sword with a practiced move. "To think that I would have to soil my paws with blood of some garbage." The fox raised his weapon against the doe and this time she didn't even blink. She had enough of this kind of situations. Sheila, Tommy… I'm sorry…

But suddenly the laughter stopped and Sir Nicholas jumped forward, reaching for his own sword with lightning speed. The two blades collided with a metallic 'clang' and the elder predator's weapon was forced out of his paw and it landed on the floor.

"NICHOLAS! ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!" The elegant predator bellowed at his son.

"Haa… hahah… I apologize, father." Sir Nicholas said, steadying his breath after the fit of laughter he just had. "Hah…But my mind is clearer than it was ever before." He cast a quick, side glance at Judy. "And regarding my slave… Surely it is a matter that we should discuss in private, would you not agree? I am certain that it is a far better solution than staining my bed with blood of a rabbit slave."

Judy was already opening her mouth to give a response to that, but the fox spoke again.

"It is somewhat disgraceful for noblemammals to be seen arguing in front of their servants, have you not told me this once?" He leaned down and picked his father's sword. "May I suggest a shared dinner this evening and we could discuss this matter in detail then, like proper mammals of high birth?" It was his usual, smooth and smug attitude, back in full swing. Sir Nicholas smiled and offered the sword to its owner.

His father eyed him for a moment, but eventually huffed disapprovingly and grabbed the weapon. He headed towards the door, while sheathing the sword. "I shall expect you at the dinner then." The elderly predator opened the door and disappeared in the corridor.

The two mammals left in the room remained silent for a long while.

Finally, Sir Nicholas let out a chuckle. "Now that went well." He sheathed his sword and also directed his steps to the door.

"Hey!" Irritated Judy called after him and the fox stopped by the door-frame, only to send her a wink and a smile. "You really are something else." He stated in an amused tone and closed the door behind him as he went out of the room.

The doe was left alone in the vast room and she dropped on her knees, repeatedly punching the bed in frustration.