13 Meeting Shifu
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My apologies for the late posting of this chapter. I had planned on posting it this past Saturday, but after a bout with a certain embarrassing health issue, and a bit of procrastination, it's finally here for your to (hopefully) enjoy.
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With two does staring at him, Judy being curious and Bonnie being slightly(?) suspicious, Nick begins a rather lengthy explanation.
"Okay … Fluff … Judy … you already know that I asked Lola to find and deal with your assailant-"
"Alleged …" corrects Judy with the arms crossed over her chest, ever mindful of the regulations.
"Yeah, yeah, alleged, whatever." reluctantly admits Nick, rolling his eyes while deciding to cut to the chase with the explanation. "That said, the remote she left is for a remotely triggered GPS tracking unit that's been discretely attached to a certain suspect's car. I'll need to trigger it to hunt him down when I'm well enough to be out of the hospital. I already have the frequency for it on a specific app on my phone. When triggered it emits a microburst transmission that's basically undetectable to anyone except me."
Addressing Bonnie, Nick continues. "As previously mentioned, Lola was my junior partner when I was at Precinct 1 in Zootopia. As we've already told Judy, Lola is fully mated with kits of her own and is as loyal to her mate as anyone I've ever met!"
When Bonnie again becomes extremely uncomfortable, Judy has to ask "What mom?"
"It … it's strange that that particular subject has come up since I came here …" admits the elder doe.
"Mom?"
"I, … Judy … the … the real reason I came here today was to set the record straight."
"Mom, we just covered that …"
"I know, I know, but I just feel so terrible that it took me so long to tell you!" she laments.
*DEEP SIGH* "So … with all of that out of the way, I actually have a few questions … for both of you." Bonnie hesitantly continues.
First addressing Judy. "Judy, from what I've gathered, you cooked this breakfast for Nick, correct?"
"Actually, both of our breakfasts, but yes." answers the younger doe.
"But you were never interested in cooking when you were just a kit. In fact if memory serves, you could mess up simply boiling water!"
*SIGH* "Yeah, you're right. But since Nick was hoping for some decent food after his prolonged stay in the hospital, I stopped by Gideon's a few days ago and Sharla volunteered to help me cook for him. Gid told me that it'd be needed if Nick and I were truly going to be together."
"Sharla … Sharla … you mean that black wooled ewe that you used to hang around with when you were a kit?"
"That's right. Didn't you know that Sharla and Gid were married, mom?"
"Really?" asks an astonished Bonnie "I had no idea. I thought that she was just working for him!"
"You REALLY need get out of the warren more mom!" said Judy with a bit more force than she meant to use.
"I know, but raising kits takes up all of my time …" she bemoans. "Speaking of raising kits, do you have any maternity clothes yet?"
Casting a quick glance at a now keenly interested Nick, Judy tells her mother "Yes, a few, but …"
Hopping down from the bed where she had been snuggling with Nick, Judy whispers in her mother's ear.
"What? Really?" glancing at the todd on the bed, Bonnie tells her daughter "Isn't that something that Nicholas might need to know?"
"Yeah … and I guess that now's as good a time to tell him as any."
Climbing back on the bed, Judy gives her soon to be mate a bit of space and begins. "Nick … ummm …"
"It's okay Fluff," he tells her "just spit it out."
"I – I know I don't have much of a figure to begin with, what with all of my training and all, and don't have much in the way of … breasts … but … ummm, you see, it's not common knowledge but especially prey females actually have more than one set of breasts. The extra breasts are hidden beneath a thin membrane of sorts until we get pregnant. Then, as the kits grow inside us, the extra breasts gradually work their way out so we can nurse more than two kits at once."
"Okay … and?" prompts the todd.
"Since I'm confirmed to having four kits, I'll … I'll probably have at least one or even possibly two extra sets of breasts to deal with until the kits are weaned." quietly adds Judy while looking down at her paws in her lap, ears flat against her back.
"So, where's the problem?" Nick asks.
"It – it doesn't bother you that I'll look like a freak?" she asks, a bit unsure why he's having such an unexpectedly positive reaction to the news. She also fails to notice the literal smirk that crosses her mother's face.
Reaching out and placing a finger under Judy's chin so can gaze into her beautiful amethyst eyes "It just means that the kits are gonna have to share them, all four or more of them with me!" he tells her, a slightly lecherous grin in place.
"NICK!" comes a horrified response.
"What? Would you deny your mate the honor of being able to pleasure his mate?"
"But … MOM! … A little help here?" the younger doe begs, all the while trying to hide behind her ears.
A still smiling Bonnie informs her seemingly clueless daughter "Judy, believe it or not, Nick is actually correct. Once your extra breasts appear, the pleasure you'll receive from the added attention paid to them shall we say … will be immeasurable. You might even be a bit disappointed when they disappear after the kits are weaned."
"But you-"
"Sweetie," continues Bonnie "the reason mine haven't completely disappeared is because I've birthed over 200 kits. I've come to expect the fact that they'll always be there. The fact that your fath - err, Stu doesn't complain is an added bonus."
Again letting out a sigh, Judy asks her mother for a favor. Now that she's totally embarrassed, what could it hurt?
"Ummm, since I'm gonna be kinda busy for the next day or two getting ready to go to the academy, would you please pick up a few extra maternity bras for me?"
"I sure will Bun-Bun, say a couple of each? Four and six cups?"
"Yeah, I guess … and you had to drag up my old nickname from when I was six … again … really?"
"It's a mother's duty to embarrass her kits when they're about to be mated dear. Sort of a tradition you might say!" returns Bonnie with a smirk on her lips and a twinkle in her eyes.
…
Finally turning her attention to Nick, Bonnie asks him "Now Nicholas, I'd like to know a bit about my daughter's prospective mate …"
"… As long as you don't mind a greatly condensed and highly edited version for the time being, I guess I can indulge you." Nick answers a bit hesitantly.
"Where to begin … I was born and raised in Happy town, which happens to be the predator slums of Zootopia, just in case you weren't aware." he added, seeing the uncertainty in Bonnies eyes and on her face.
"We lived on the border between the Meadowlands and Happy Town, where my father was tailor. Mom helped out with the bills working as a waitress in a decent café just up the street called Mel's, along with my aunt Alice.
"At around the age of about nine, I tried to joining a Junior Ranger Scouts pack, but was summarily beaten and muzzled by the other kits in the pack, all of which were prey mammals. When confronted by my parents, the scoutmaster figured it was because I was sure to be the one who caused the trouble – what with being a fox and all!"
"My word!" exclaims Bonnie, paws flying to her muzzle.
"After that," Nick continues "my attitude gradually got worse until at the age of 12 I ran away from home. I was picked up buy Kits Services but since I wouldn't tell them my name I was bounced from foster home to foster home until I ran away again and started living on the streets.
"I managed to hook up with another fox who was older than me and had been living on the streets for years. His name was and is Finnick. He's a Fennick fox and even fully grown only looks to be around nine or ten years old.
"Finn and I managed to eke out a sort of living until at the ripe old age of 17 I got caught by a rookie cop while I was doing a solo scam. The cop gave me a choice – straight to jail or the military. I knew jail would probably be a death sentence, so I opted for the military.
"I was basically recruited by special ops after my basic and before my advanced training was finished. Hell week as it was called was exactly that, and the advanced training wasn't much better."
"Jump ahead more than a few years and countless missions to my final mission – things went south and I lost one of my best teammates and was myself grievously injured. Things weren't going well with my recovery until one of the nurses contacted a healer. Shifu Mooney was his name. Under his instruction and with his ministrations I not only recovered but did so in record time. Shifu will be here shortly in case you're interested in participating in a short healing seminar.
"Okay, back on point … while I was healing, and afterwards, I was in a terrible mental state, Judy and her sisters know why and they can fill you in later if you'd like. When I was given a more or less forced medical retirement I went back to Zootopia and just wandered around for a bit when my friend Finn pushed me into reconnecting with my parents,
"Being with my parents managed to bring me out of a very dangerous frame of mind and I actually became the first fox officer in the ZPD. Years of being on the beat and plenty of experience later I ended up becoming a detective lieutenant in Precinct one.
"Just when I figured my life was finally on track my father passed away from a form of canid cancer, with my mom following him in death less than a day later. It's a kind of fox life-mate thing. In my grief, I just started walking and ended up being struck by Judy in one of your farm's trucks.
"It may not seem like it, but Judy actually saved my life that night … I would have probably simply kept walking until I laid down and died …."
Hearing a quiet sob, Nick looks up and sees Bonnie with tears in her eyes. "Mrs. Hopps, I'm okay now, I promise."
"Such … such a sad tale. I – I don't understand how one mammal can take so much abuse and still be sane." she admits softly. Nicholas, I-"
"Please Mrs. Hopps, please call me Nick."
"NO!" she replies with an amount of conviction that Nick has rarely heard. "You have a powerful name and have earned the right to be called by it fully. If you insist, I'll honor your request, but I would dearly love to be able to call you by Nicholas! And I would request that you call me Bonnie … please!"
"Well … Bonnie, I would be honored to have you call me Nicholas if that is truly your preference. If you have the time, please stay for the seminar with Shifu Mooney. If nothing else, it can give you a brief respite from raising so many kits. Judy, Darci, Debra and her mate will be here so you'll be in good company."
"Not to mention a certain vixen if the invitation is open to anyone." comes a familiar voice from the doorway.
"Trixie?" comes from a slightly confused Judy.
"Ummm, my real name is Theresa. I – I'd really appreciate it if you'd call me that … really!" quietly asks the now slightly embarrassed red fox vixen, now dressed in civilian clothes.
"Only if we can as well!" responds Debra and Darci as the two does and Debra's mate enter the room, followed closely by Danni, Debra's mate.
"I – I'd really like that, actually …" responds the vixen.
"Ummm, aren't you scheduled to work today?" Deb asks Theresa.
"Yeah, but I managed to get Derpy to cover for me until I'm done with the seminar." Theresa answers.
"Derpy? Who on earth is that?" asks a now bewildered Deb.
Laughing, it's Darci who answers "Derpy, whose real name is Dianna Hoofs, is the young mare who keeps dying her mane and tale different colors, usually a light purple. She usually works swing shift but will pick up an occasional day shift for extra money!"
"Yeah," adds Theresa "She looks and usually acts kinda goofy, but is top notch when it comes to patient care."
…
When Nick's phone suddenly pings he reveals the substance of the text message to those gathered in the room.
"Shifu says he's about 30 minutes or so out, so I guess we need to head towards wherever you've go set up for us to meet."
"You're not going anywhere without washing up first!" firmly states Deb.
"I … I think that maybe I need to help him?" shakily suggests Judy.
"Are you sure Fluff?" asks a concerned Nick.
"No, not really. But at some point we're gonna see each other naked and … and since I've already seen your ummm…"
"Package … male genitalia …" suggests the now amused todd.
"Yeah, that … what you said." murmurs a now furiously blushing Judy. "I kinda already kinda saw it the other day when I helped you to the bathroom."
Looking around at the other occupants of the room, Judy sees only faint smiles of acceptance, not the judgmental looks she was expecting.
"We'll leave you two alone …" says Bonnie as the other females head for the door.
"We'll be in conference room one on the main floor. You can let Shifu know and join us when you're finished here. I'll send a wheelchair and a set of size appropriate scrubs for Nick while you two are … occupied. Patients must be moved from location to location by wheel chair, hospital policy." adds Debra, who secretly enjoyed seeing Judy blush - again.
…
"So …" begins Nick.
"C'mon, I'll help you to the tub," begins a still more than slightly embarrassed Judy.
"Fluff … Judy, you know you really don't have to do this, right? You can help me into the tub and-"
"Nick, please … let me do this!" the young doe practically begs. "We both know there won't be any … umm … you know …"
"Fooling around … amorous activity …" suggest Nick.
"Yes, that … at least for a while yet, but I really need to do this, please!
"All right then, let's get to it." as Nick leans against his doe for support.
…
Entering the bathroom, Nick sits on the edge of the tub while Judy first places a small stool in the tub for him to sit on and begins to run some water "How hot can you stand it Nick?" she asks "I don't wanna have to worry about burning you with so much exposed skin on your back …"
"Just make it so you can tolerate it Fluff, I'll be fine, I promise."
When the tub gets full enough, Judy turns off the water and tells Nick "Okay, turn a bit so I can untie your gown." which the todd does, and the garment slip to the floor, revealing him in all his naked glory, scars and all.
"Fluff, are you gonna be okay?" asks Nick as Judy is a bit stunned at seeing him completely naked for the first time.
"Ye-yeah, I guess …" comes the barely discernable response from the furiously blushing doe.
"I'll just-" begins Nick as he turns slightly, trying to give his doe a bit of privacy.
"N-no, please Nick …" Judy pleads as she reaches out for his arm, stopping him from turning away.
"If you insist Fluff."
"Let me help you into the tub, then I – I can … undress."
"You do realize that you don't have to undress to do this, right?"
"Nick?" asks the now confused doe.
"Look … I can do most of my bath myself. You can do my back while sitting or standing on the little seat, stool, whatever. Less embarrassment for you, at least for now. When I'm finished, you can help me out of the tub and help me towel off, then I can use that severely underpowered fur dryer to finish up. okay?"
"I – I guess. Are you sure?"
"Yes Fluff, I'm sure. I'm a lot stronger that y'all are giving me credit for, but I still need help with my back."
"Fine then, let's get this over with so we can get downstairs in a reasonable amount of time."
…
After a fairly uneventful (albeit more than mildly embarrassing time for a certain doe) Nick is bathed, dried and dressed in a properly fitting set of scrubs (green bottoms and purple top) our pair hurriedly sets off to join their little group, hopefully before Shifu Moody arrives.
Passing by the nurses station, Judy has to smile as the young multi colored mare truly lives up to her name by giving the couple a goofy smile and wave.
After leaving the elevator and making their way to the aforementioned conference room, Nick and Judy hear "As I live and breathe … the infamous Nightstalker, in a wheelchair again, this time with a bunny as a nursemaid!"
While Judy freezes, not recognizing the voice, Nick is hardly surprised.
"Shifu, it's about time …" the todd replies, turning so he can greet his mentor.
"Nicholas. I'd ask how you're doing, but it's a bit obvious."
"Har, har. Anyway, introductions – Shifu Mooney, please say hello to my beautiful mate-to-be, Judy Hopps. Judy, Shifu Rich Mooney."
Trying and failing miserably to not blush, the young doe quietly tells the new arrival "Shifu, welcome."
Looking the apparently middle-aged coyote up and down, even as he removes his light jacket, Judy observes nothing out of the ordinary about the mammal. But as she reaches to take the proffered paw, the energy he possesses is almost palpable.
While the smile that Sifu gives her seems to be genuine, there is also a slightly quizzical look to it.
Quick to understand, Nick intervenes "Ummm, we can talk later if you don't mind. I know the look but it's Judy's tale to tell and no one else's … respectfully …"
Quickly looking between the todd and doe, the coyote knows better than to push the matter. "As you wish. Onward then shall we?"
"O-of course," responds Judy as she resumes her course towards the conference room.
…
As the trio enters the conference room, all of the rest of the participants take notice and stand.
"Everyone, your attention please!" announces Nick. "I am honored to introduce the mammal who will be conducting the seminar, as small as it is! Please say hello to Shifu Richard Mooney. Shifu Mooney is one of the foremost instructors and practitioners of Usui Reiki in the world. He is a member of the Reiki Association, a tenth-degree red belt in White Crane Gung Fu, and is a charter member of the Dragon Society which includes Torite Jutsu.
"Shifu, the mammals here to take part of the seminar are from left to right, Darci Hopps, who is a level one Reiki practitioner, Dr. Debra Hopps-Leaps and her husband Danni Leaps, Theresa Redd, Bonnie Hopps who is the mother of all three Hopps does, and finally Judy Hopps, who you have already been introduced to. As you might guess, Darci, Debra and Theresa are all professional caregivers."
"You may want to include Mrs. Hopps as a professional caregiver as well, as I detect a certain energy about her that tells me that she has taken care of a great many kits during her lifetime. She has the energy of a well-practiced user of Reiki, even though she may not have had any formal training." responds the coyote with a gentle smile, causing the elder doe to blush slightly.
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All of the above credits for Shifu Richard Mooney are correct. I received my master's level attunement from him personally. He is a truly great individual.
