This, my dear reader, is what happens when the idea planted by another author festers too long in my brain. This base concept is taken, whole cloth, from Rabbit Karma by OberonTitanicusRex. If you haven't read that, please do. It is brilliant, if incomplete. We can only hope that the author will someday be granted the muse to come back to it.

Now on to the story.

Sadly, I do not own and thus can claim no rights to Zootopia or its characters. They belong to Disney. Reservedly, but hopefully optimistic for Z2.

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Ursus Leporidae

Nick woke up with a start as Judy kissed him on the side of the muzzle. "Wake up, sleepy fox."

It took him at least a full five seconds to figure out where he was. Once his brain engaged, thanks to Judy's sweet scent of honeysuckle and a meadow just after a rain, he smiled. "Morning Carrots." Blinking to see her face, a smile there, but something else as well. Something darker, and worrisome to him. In an instant he was fully awake. "Judy? What's the matter?"

Judy's smile brightened slightly and the dark cloud in her eyes faded, although they didn't disappear completely. She sat on his bed next to him. Looking out of the open door to his room. They had shared an apartment, her shoebox, while he was in the academy. That had worked while he was training, but once he graduated, that wasn't viable. It's fine for a short stay, not so great full for roommate situations.

They had gotten a 2 bedroom place through a friend of his. Nick prefaced it that two cops would be moving in. He hadn't mentioned to his friend that one of those two cops was going to be him. The look on Daryl's muzzle when they stopped by on their lunch during patrol to sign the lease was priceless. The grilling he got later that week after they moved in was just as entertaining.

They had also gone in halves on a used fox sized crossover. It was a four year old Nisson Rouge. It had most of the bells and whistles, and more to the point, it had intra-district adaptive tires and suspension. Judy could drive it, and so could he, making it a perfect vehicle for them both. It got them to work and let them venture farther afield for a good place. It helped with the grocery shopping, and they had used it for two road trips to the burrow.

For six months, that was their normal, and then it happened. Some punk kit with too much attitude and not enough brains, trying to get in good with a gang. They both got shot. It wasn't bad, barely a graze to her when you think about it. A round that made a "through and through" to her ear, and embedded itself in his chest plate. It was a pea shooter. Didn't matter. Kit was going to go away for a long time.

Ater they were both looked over and sent home by Bogo, with strict instructions not to come back till Monday, and it was Tuesday. Which assumed they had the required sit down with the ZPD shrink before Monday and were cleared.

They went home, joking and everything until they got inside the house with the door closed. As soon as the lock clicked into place, they just fell into each other. Tears were shed. Confessions made. Going on about I don't want to ruin our friendship, and I know you don't feel the same. Followed quickly as they were seid at basically the same time, wait… What did you say?

A long discussion about culture, cultural expectations, parents, and a competition of who realized they were in love with the other first. Nothing else happened night, but they did sleep in Nick's bed, simply giving into the exhaustion.

They went on dates. Double dated with a couple they had met from the ZBI and well as Lizz and Mike and a few other couples they had met. Surprisingly, with a few notable exceptions, few paid them much mind. Everyone knew who they were. Happens after you put three mayors and five city council members in jail, even if Lionheart managed to get out after everything.

They had a few confrontations, but all in all, it was going great. Nick had saved up and bought both the needed ring for rabbits as well as the ear piercing for foxes. Judy clearly knew he was up to something. Nick was planning on proposing during the upcoming Carrot Day festival.

Despite the risk, he'd even gone old fashioned enough to speak to and get the blessing of Stu and Bonnie. Turned out Judy hadn't mentioned the fact that they were dating, though the two elder rabbits seemed to have already clued in on that it was probably going to happen at some point.

Thus the state Nick found himself. They were not sleeping together, every night, but it was happening more and more often. It was at the point that unless they had different shifts, which happened from time to time, they usually went to bed together. They had even had sex a few times, though he had not knotted her yet. They both understood what that would mean. Nick also felt it was time to take that step, thus why he had bought the ring and earrings.

XXXX

Judy took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Nick. I… We need to talk about something."

Sitting up and putting a paw on her thigh. "Judy. You can tell me literally anything. We learned the hard way that not talking is a recipe for disaster. I'd rather have a hard, painful conversation with you, than have something nearly, or worse actually break us up."

Judy nodded, the darkness returning like a storm cloud. "I know, Nick. That is kinda why I want to have this conversation with you. We… We…" Giving a sigh. "I know you want more. I'm pretty sure you have bought a ring at the very least, probably the earring for foxes too. You hinted as much last week. I also appreciate the fox thing about the vixen, or in my case, the doe, leading. It gave me the time to get my own head on right. I'm ready to give you your answer."

Nick nodded and closed his eyes with a deep breath. Letting it out slowly, he shifted so he was fully facing her. Taking her in, the tension, the dark clouds in her eyes. Nick felt that knew what the answer was going to be, and felt his heart starting to crack in his chest. "Judy. I see something clearly bothering you. If you are worried about me, don't be. If you don't feel the same way, for whatever reason. Those are your reasons. I don't need to know them, though I would like to, so I can understand. Nothing beyond that needs to change. Like I told you when I let you know of my feelings to begin with. I know we have enjoyed ourselves the past few months. But if the next step is not something your heart is there for. I'm still your fox. No matter what."

Judy's smile warmed again, chasing a bit of the dark clouds away. Taking his muzzle in her paw to shut him up. It never ceased to surprise him how strong she was. "Nick. Shut up. I'm not rejecting you, but there is an entire conversation we need to have, and it is not one we can have here. You need to get up because we're going to the burrow. We have the long weekend off, so we are going to use it. So get dressed, pack a bag for the weekend, if you have bought a ring or anything like that, make sure you don't forget it, and let's go. Our train leaves in three hours."

Nick nodded, afraid to use his voice. It didn't sound like she was rejecting him, but there was something, probably something with the family, that she felt he needed to know. Probably some dark past, abuse of predators or foxes specifically. After a moment he found his voice as she reached the door to his room. "Judy. I will always be here."

Judy nodded as she turned away. He almost didn't hear her, but what she said, clearly meaning it to be herself, cemented in his mind that it was something dark about the family. "No secrets, no matter how small." He just prayed that whatever it was, it wasn't something where she shared his feelings but couldn't reciprocate. He was serious when he told her he would always be there for her, that he'd never leave her again. Though he also got the feeling that whatever this was, it was big.

XXXX

Two hours later they were at the train station waiting. He had tried to get her to play their favorite mammal watching game. She was too inside her own head to participate, though he did manage to pull a few weak chuckles out of her as he pushed the absurdity of the story about what X or Y mammal was doing, where they were going, etc…The Gnu in the gabardine hat and trenchcoat, was a spy and he was so nervous because he had missed his contact.

The train ride itself was quiet. Judy stared out the windows, something clearly on her mind and not something she was ready to share with him. Nick knew her well enough to know she wanted him near, but otherwise needed to get out of her own head, and until that happened, he was on his own. Which left him to watch the scenery or his phone, tail in her lap and being mindlessly petted.

When they arrived at the Bunnyburrow station, there was no one waiting for them, although there was a pickup in the lot for them. Ever since he started visiting with her, there was just always a vehicle in the back of the train station lot waiting for them. The fact that the keys were in it was never a concern. This wasn't the city. The risk of the truck being stolen was minimal. Nick did his duty carrying the bags and putting them in the back of the truck. Judy of course drove. He knew his way around the burrows at this point, but she always drove. Plus, something told him that trying to do the driving wouldn't go over well.

It was late afternoon. The sun was still reasonably high in the sky, but the hottest part of the day was past, not that it was all that hot being early autumn. The trees hadn't turned yet, but a few had the hints of it on the edges of their leaves. All in all, it was a beautiful, clear, sunny day. Nick knew something was going sideways when they drove past the burrow turn off without slowing. Glancing at Judy, she was focused on the road and he dared not say anything. He just kept a watch on where they were going so he would know for the future.

She drove up into the hills. Still Hopps land he knew, but the part they didn't use for farming. Supposedly they had a few old mines up there where it bordered on the federal park, and when she turned off a road, he figured that was where they were going. A distant part of him worried he'd find himself chained up at the bottom of some mine shaft to be forgotten about. A fox that no one would look for. He knew better, but it was still there in the back of his mind.

Pulling to a stop in a small parking area, there were a few other vehicles there and Nick was truly curious where they were. It felt more like a trail head than anything. Seeing the sign proved it to be just that. The name of the trail made him chuckle. "Caerbunny trail?"

Judy managed a weak chuckle. "Yeah, it's a bit on the nose, but what can you do. We didn't name it. Come on. We're not going far, so no need to take anything."

With that she got out of the truck without waiting for him. Nick shook his head and quickly followed, catching up with her at the beginning of a trail. About a hundred meters in, after several turns around massive boulders that would dwarf a dozen elephants, they came to a barrier. The sign made very clear, you were not welcome beyond that point. Nick looked it over, then at Judy as she glared at it. "Uhm… Fluff? I'm happy to take the other trail. I'm sure there are issues such as a slide or something to make it unsafe."

Judy glanced back at Nick and gave a frustrated huff. He could tell she wasn't mad at him, but her moody behavior was confusing him. She pulled a key out of her pocket. "Yeah, well. You'd normally be right, Slick. However, that's just the impression that we are trying to give." Unlocking the gate, she motioned him through then locked it behind them. She then motioned him to follow.

The trail was well tended and an easy hike, even if the slope added a little effort. Nick smiled at how easy it was. Judy's work out regime was proving itself as they walked. A good thirty minutes in, Nick finally spoke up. "Judy…" She didn't turn, though her ear twitched indicating she did hear him. Giving a deep sigh, Nick stopped. "Judy. Stop a second."

She did and turned to him, a weird look on her muzzle. "Yeah."

Nick looked her over then up at the crystal blue sky beyond the trees. It was reasonably cool thanks to the shade from the trees and being a bit later in the afternoon, the breeze picking up. "Judy. I'll be honest here. I'm really worried about what this is about. I don't understand what is going on, you are not talking to me. You've barely spoken to me since you woke me up this morning, save to give direction. The dumb fox in me is wondering if I'm going to find myself falling to the bottom of a mine shaft, or you're just bringing me here to this beautiful wilderness to leave me and my heart here.

I know you said it isn't what I'm thinking, but it's hard to not think it. I trust you Judy. I trust you with my heart. I trust you with my truth. I trust you with my very life, and if you are going to reject me. I only ask that you just do that. Will things change, yes. But that's my fault, not yours. If I am just being a dumb fox, then say so."

Judy looked down, her shoulders falling with a deep, tired sigh. "Nick. I'm not rejecting you, but there are things you need to know. You exposed the last of your secrets, as painful as that was, as part of revealing your feelings for me. Well… That's what I'm doing. It's time to reveal my final secrets to you before we both cross that bridge. So please, we are almost there. So bear with me, okay?"

Nick wasn't sure what to make of the momentary smirk that passed across her face, but nodded. "I told you, Judy. I trust you. I just needed to let you know where I am at right now."

Judy nodded, her smile warming. "I appreciate that. It's what you said. No secrets, no matter how small."

Judy motioned for him to follow as she turned and continued down the path. "Exactly. Well, no secrets except birthday and Solstice presents."

Judy laughed lightly. "Of course. I still do not understand your penchant for wrapping."

Nick huffed. "What's the point of wrapping a present if there isn't a challenge to it? And you're a shaker, so I have to throw you off the scent."

"I can appreciate that, but you take it a bit far sometimes, Nick. I'm still not sure how you managed to suspend a present, using ribbon, within a much larger box. And then wrapped that in yet another box. I wanted to strangle you!"

"But getting to that center was worth it, wasn't it?" He grinned seeing the ear bangle in question adorning her ear. It was the second part of that bangle, the actual earring section, that changed its meaning. He did a quick check and confirmed both boxes were still on his person.

Judy clearly rolled her eyes and shook her head, even if he could not see the eye roll, he knew it happened. "Fine. It was. Still aggravating, just like the fox doing said wrapping."

The tension seemed to have dissipated and they continued their hike. They found themself soon enough at the end of the trail, or what Nick assumed was the end as it stopped right at the mouth of a large cave. "Well, Carrots? Time to head back?"

Judy shook her head, glancing back at him with a smirk. "Not quite yet, Slick. This is exactly where we are headed. Into the cave of the Caerbunny. This is an ancient and important site for my people. Look. I mean that literally, Nick. My people. Not just my family, but my people. My species. My actual species." Turning, Judy led him into the cave.

Nick furrowed his brow. He was feeling especially thick at that movement because he knew she was dropping hints, but he was just not getting there yet. Inside the case there were actually lights that Judy turned on and Nick found himself facing another gate, this one blocking all the way to the cave walls and ceiling. There was no getting past it without a key. A key that Judy produced.

Past the gate, Nick followed Judy down a twisting passage that was clearly worn smooth by the steps of untold mammals over centuries. Passing through one more gate, this one locked like the previous two, only with a complex combo lock made of odd symbols. Once through, Judy paused at a turn in the passage. Nick could hear and smell fires burning in the chamber some distance further on.

"Judy?"

Judy didn't turn as she spoke. "Nick. Beyond this point you have to promise me to be serious. Not just that, but take what I'm about to show you and tell you seriously. There is no joke here. This is not a getting or anything like that. This is completely serious."

Nick could tell she was nervous, scared even, and tense. He put a paw on her shoulder and she tensed up more for a moment. "Judy. I just don't understand, and I'm scared. I'm terrified that I'm misinterpreting what you have said. I also trust you and understand the gravity of the situation, even if I don't get it yet. Lead on."

With the slightest nod, Judy stepped forward, then turned to face him. "Nick. My species are not that common. We keep to ourselves. We hide in plain sight, because we look like rabbits. I'm not actually a rabbit, though. I'm an Ursus Leporidae. A caerbunny, a Hugbear, or sometimes called a Bunbear. My species is actually part of the bear family. I have more in common, at least genetically, with Sargent Kodiak in precinct 2, than I do with an actual bunny. Beyond this point, you are accepting this fact."

Nick smiled. "Is that so? So be it then. Would explain a few things." Giving a dismissive shrug. "Bunny. Bunbear. Whatever. That doesn't change who you, Judy, are. That doesn't change who I fell in love with. I only know of this species you claim membership to, from that Wikipawdia page you showed me. So… Do tell."

Judy managed a weak chuckle. "I don't know why I was so damn nervous. Come on, dumb fox."

Giving a bright smile, Nick did just that. "I may be, but I'm your dumb fox."

"Yes. Yes you are, and I'm your caerbunny."

They entered a cavern that could easily hold the entirety of precinct one with lots of room to spare. The space lit by a combination of LED lights and traditional fire sconces spread around the space. Judy greeted her parents who then greeted Nick.

Bonnie smiling up at him. "Nick! It is so good to see you. There are a few things you need to learn before you go proposing to Judy. So please, follow me so I can show you a few things."

Nick did as instructed, following the bunny? Hugbear? Caerbunny? She described their culture as mimic ambush predators. How they had always lived around bunnies because it's how they hid, and rabbits, at least in the distant past, were happy to have them there because having a caerbunny terror in your area meant fewer predators and large hostile prey to deal with.

However, several centuries prior, just before the accords, there was a sickness that took out many terrors. It had been brought by foreign predators and prey. Those that survived banded together in a few terrors, helping to found Bunnyburrow, and took advantage of their omnivorous nature to complete the illusion that they were just rabbits. Their raising of chickens was justified as a way to buy off predators, something they did do, though they kept back some of the meat for themselves as well.

Finally they came to some cave paintings, from truly ancient stick drawings to actual paintings, all depicting caerbunny history. Nick looked it all over and nodded. "Well… I'm surprised, to be sure, but at the same time, not. I always knew Judy had to be part predator, though I meant it as a joke at the time. Her ability to growl. Her love of shrimp. He lack of fear of large predators. It all makes a kind of sense."

Judy spoke up. "So… This isn't a bridge too far, Nick?"

Nick flashed back to seeing her medical chart. She was listed as . He hadn't at that time thought anything of it. "So you are a recognized species, otherwise your medical chart would not list you as . The addition of the U at the front never clicked."

Judy nodded with a blush in her ears. "Yeah. We're just uncommon, being as we stay out here in the sticks and remain hidden amongst the sea of actual rabbits."

Nick nodded, thinking back to the Wikipawdia article. "So, you must be of the Lure cast then?"

Judy laughed with a nod. "Yeah. That's me. Luring a defenseless fox to his doom."

Nick smirked as he followed them to a small buffet. "So, when is it okay to propose then?"

Judy shrugged. "Whenever you feel it is the right moment. This was just that last big secret before I could let you do so."

The dozen or so rabbits, or rather, Caerbunnies, gasped. Nick having knelt down behind her, ring box in paw. "Judy." She turned, paws flying to her muzzle. "I love you more than life. More than anything. So long as you will have me, I am yours. Will you make me the happiest, luckies fox in all the world? Will you marry me?"

Tears flowing from her eyes, Judy nodded rapidly, throwing herself at him. "YES! Yes, you stupid fox. That was the whole point of this."

Nick caught her as the assembled hugbears cheered, and roared. A sound Nick realized really was pretty close to a bear, just from a smaller mammal.