FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The Bandits

As usual it was a busy December the twenty third in the small farming town Wiltiing. 'Twas an ironic name for a village, yes. But none the less the crops were harvested quite finely this past autumn and many were looking forward to a great feast. Turkeys, chickens, tomatoes, potatoes, yellow beans and green beans just to name a few. This following Christmas was going to be a fine one just like the last.

And within this small little town the Farmers weren't the only ones which were busy. The few four law men who protected this town were all in the town office awaiting a message from the Captain himself. Despite there being oh so few guards parchments were scattered throughout the floors of the office and the smell of alcohol was very apparent. But could any of them be blamed? It was nearly the end to a fine year after all.

'We gave this town three hundred bloody days! Now all we need to do is hear a boring speech and get drunk, aye?' Kenneth commented. He was a German shepherd and the only canine in Wiltiing. All year round he enjoyed pushing his weight around as the strongest guard in Wiltiing and on Christmas he enjoyed getting drunk, being rude, and trying to seduce virgins.

'I sure do. Here's to betting the twat's gonna lecture us that the festival we have every year is tomorrow.' Keith replied. He was a rabbit with gray fur. He had a hole in his right ear, he was the best friend of Kenneth, and all the time he had his ears flopped behind his head. All year round he enjoyed boasting on how he was the strongest rabbit in all of the country and on Christmas he enjoyed getting just a tad tipsy, being sarcastic, and sleeping with a co worker.

Kenneth turned his head towards a rabbit a tad shorter then Keith and far drunker. He had a bottle of rum in his right paw and quite a few times he almost smacked the otter beside him right in the face with it.

'Hey, shit for brains. Can you stop swinging the fine liquor around before you hit Lawrence with it?'

The Rabbit nearly chucked the bottle at Kenneth's head in response but the Captain entered the office just in time. He arrived seemingly dignified with his medals and honors for a man that worked with such a colourful crew. The Captain's name was Hinger and he was a weasel. He had a habit of collecting things and he had a taste for wine and medals.

'Kenneth, show some proper respect towards those you work with!' The Captain paused as he looked over his four trusty lawmen.

'To all present I'm demanding silence in this facility at once and the sooner you all start acting like the lawmen you are the sooner we may go home. You're all shutting up now? Good, very good. Quite a great deal of towns have been pillaged as of lately and we may be amongst one of them. Yes, we may have bandits and on such a time as the holiday. Our king will be sending us some forces but they may not arrive until the twenty sixth. I understand all of us wish to go home and see our families but far more then our own families may need us tomorrow and the day after.'

'So basically, on the one day we can see our kids and wives we'll be working here instead?' The Otter commented.

'No, I'm making a proposal. Those that work tomorrow and the day after shall have their pay doubled. Those that don't show up shall be retired as an officer. As men of the law we have to make sacrifices and it just so happens this is one of them. Now, on to the rogues . . . The bandits are your typical blood thirsty vermin, Foxes and Wolves to be exact. They travel in a group consisting of six to eight men and in the past there have been casualties - don't bother reasoning with them or holding back other wise they'll take advantage of your gratitude. Is that understood?'

In unison all the guards replied. 'Yes, captain.'

'Good. Now which of you shall be keeping your jobs? Those of you that decide to back down please hand in your badge.'

Hinger looked over the four guards curiously and wondered which of them would stay and which of them would back down. Hirun, the other rabbit, was the weakest of the four guards. Each and every day he gave it his all but he just simply wasn't cut out for this line of duty. His parents were formerly guards of this small town and with failure they raised him to follow in their foot steps. If anyone was going to back down it was him.

It certainly wasn't going to be Lawrence the otter. He was the most dutiful and just of the guards. He worked the most, worked the longest, he made the most arrests and he never smoke or drank. Heck, it was even rumored that his prized saber was blunted on both ends just so he could avoid killing the lawbreakers.

And who would have thought that Hinger was wrong? In the entire office Lawrence was the only one to stand up. Without even a word he walked to the Captains desk and placed the badge down. It would have been an understatement to say Hinger was surprised.

'I can't be a good husband if I start breaking promises for the expense of being a guard.' Lawrence stated.

'Very well, have a good holiday, Lawrence.'

'Same to you Captain.' Lawrence replied and walked out of the office. Hinger looked down at the otters badge for a moment or two and once more returned his stare towards the three remaining guards.

'Hirun, are you staying or going?' Right on cue to the captain's question the rabbit hiccupped and Kenneth broke out laughing.

'Um . . . Can I have some time to think about this?'

'Yes. Get some sleep and be here tomorrow by noon if you wish to keep your job.'

The Rabbit stood up and walked out of the office without saying good bye.

Hinger didn't really have faith in Hirun so he assumed he was now down to two. And because Keith's answer was dependent on Kenneth's Luxir asked the German shepherd next.

'Will you be keeping your badge, Kenneth?'

'Double the pay for tomorrow and the holiday, right?'

Hinger nodded. 'Yes. Your pay will be doubled.'

'Then I guess I'm staying.'

'Good. And you, Keith?' As if Hinger had to even ask.

'Staying,' Keith swiftly replied.

'All right then. Tonight you two may party all you want, I don't care. Just keep in mind you have to be here tomorrow by noon. If you lay off the liquor for tonight you'll be doing your selves a favor. You may leave.

Keith and Kenneth stood up at the same time.

'Merry Christmas, Hinger.' Keith said sarcastically.

'Merry Christmas, Keith

'Good night, Hinger.'

'Good night, Kenneth.' And what followed was the slamming of the door and Luxir being left to clean up the place.

Kenneth and Keith both stepped out of the office and the change of scenery was certainly for the better. Out here there were no scattered parchments and the smell of liquor was gone. Snow covered the many farm lands and few buildings of Wiltiing, it was freezing out, and the cold sky seemed frozen into place much like a picture.

'So, are we going to actually listen to him or are we going to go bat shit with the liquor tonight?'

'By far there are eight of them and three of us. I say we should break out the liquor while we're still alive and pay Ralph a visit.'

'Ralph? You mean you still hang around with those fellows?'

'Yes. Playing cards and drinking is more fun then staying home and drinking alone. Yeah, we should do that, let's go see Ralph!'

'You sure he isn't pissed at you?'

Kenneth shot the rabbit a playful look. 'Sounds like you're awfully worried, Keith.'

'Worried? Quit flattering your self. I just don't want to be sitting around doing nothing while the two of you fight over nothing. Let's visit Ralph, but if the two of you get into a fight and waste my time I'll be taking some of your money.'

'Me and Ralph never fight, Keith. In fact, I'll be proving that tonight. We'll just have a few drinks, help Ralph share some money, and go home.'

The two of them fell silent for awhile as they walked to Ralph's.

'Hirun really downed that rum today didn't he?' Keith commented without really seeing the humor in the situation.

'He sure did. I bet somewhere in the corn crops or on the street he's laying down face first.'

'I never even thought he drank until today.'

'Oh he does. Trust me; I've smelled Vodka off of him before. Most times he's just really good at hiding it.'

'You think he'll be all right?'

'He's going to have a horrible morning . . . but I think he'll be just fine. All right, this is Ralph's house. You know how to act, right?'

'I sure do, mother.'

'Yeah, fuck you too.' Kenneth banged on the door about five or six times and Keith snickered. Ralph might have not even been home. And completely on cue and contradictory to that thought the rat named Ralph answered the door.

'Ahh, I was hoping you'd be here tonight, Kenneth. But I do wonder, how is it you always show up when me and my 'friends' play cards?'

'Sheer talent, I guess.'

** ** ** ** **

Just south of Wiltiing two shadowy figures were stalking about in the many snow covered fields looking for food. The figures were threatening, frightening, menacing and they certainly didn't belong to a mouse. The both of them were Foxes and they lived off of the food which others farmed and occasionally they fought for said food.

And these shadows had fearsome owners indeed. The two Foxes were no younger then twenty and no older then twenty eight. They had seemingly lived their entire lives this way. Running from the civilizations which were just looking to drag them into their ideal system and surviving through their god given instinct. All throughout the year they stole food with ease from the fields and around the Christmas season to get their food these bandits had to do far more desperate things, like breaking and entering. And the stakes were very high. Either you got the food and survived to steal again or you were killed and became just another dead bandit without a grave.

One of the two Foxes roaming around went by the name of Alsirn. He had pitch black fur to compliment the night and he had dark enticing eyes which drew you in. He may have been a bandit, but if you'd give him a moment to think you would probably find that he was thoughtful . . . Even if he was a bit conceited time after time.

After awhile of the two Foxes prowling around in the night they had found a modest looking house covered in a fair bit of snow.

'Looks a bit inviting, wouldn't you say Lida?'Alsirn whispered and Lida nodded in response. The lights were out and even outside she could hear them snoring.

'It sure does, something tells me they've even got a bottle of wine just waiting for us! You didn't forget your little hatchet did you?'

'Bloody wretch, you know it's an ax! And yes, I did bring the damn thing. You're not going to stop bringing that damn accident up are you?'

'Maybe, now shut up before you wake them up. I'm about to open the door, do you got my back?' Lida eyed Alsirn and Alsirn rolled his eyes. Yes, of course he did. Lida may have been a bit of a bitch but who else was he going to fuck if she died? Maybe that wasn't the most romantic or sincere way of putting it but still, Alsirn guessed he cared for her. Lida was nice when she wanted to be.

The door creaked a bit as it opened but neither of them really minded. You see, after the hundredth time you acknowledged the fact that the creak of a door wasn't going to wake anyone up in the house. The two Foxes sneaked around the house together and they had done so without separating. When they entered the kitchen they looked through cupboards, drawers and they even searched around for a trapdoor.

By far there was no luck.

'Bah, why do we always get the stupid farmers that put their food in the worst places? Do think you could stay here Alsirn and keep an eye on that staircase?'

'I'm not blind so I think I could. Just hurry it up and don't waste my time.'

Lida sneaked off furthermore into the dark house and as Alsirn waited he leaned against one of the counters. Selfish endeavors and stealing aside Alsirn found that tonight was a nice night. Sure, it was a pretty cold night but none the less the sky was beautiful, especially the moon and how it seemed frozen into place, as if the sky its self was made of some transparent thin ice.

It wouldn't be too long before five minutes passed and Alsirn began to worry about what had happened to his partner. What the hell was she doing? Then again Lida was a girl and god knows how they like to take their time. And yes, because she was a girl Alsirn found him self more annoyed then worried of her absence. Yeah, she was probably just wasting his time just because she found it amusing, that wretch.

And then five minutes became eight minutes. That's when Alsirn began to worry and his imagination started to take control of his judgment. What if she tried to search the cellar and accidently tripped on her way down, what if she broke her neck? What if the owners of this house kept an insane and strong man in the basement?

What? It's plausible. This world was pretty fucked up so basically anything could happen.

Finally after about ten minutes of waiting Alsirn heard the creaking of floor boards drawing closer and he saw Lida (Or more like her grass green eyes) in the darkness.

'What took you so long? Did you decide to steal some clothes and try them on?' Alsirn asked mock fully.

'The stupid bastards kept the food behind some bricks down in the cellar. It just took me awhile to find it, that's all. I got the food so let's go.'

The two Foxes left the home and neither of them bothered to shut any of the doors they had opened. Tomorrow the family was going to find out they had food stolen anyway so what was the point? The two foxes decided it best not to push their luck and they made their way back to the camp, covering their tracks in the process. During their trip back both Lida and Alsirn carried a moderately sized bag of food and they talked as they paid no attention to the mushing sound of the snow which followed their foot steps.

'You know, carrying a big bag of food and sneaking into houses makes me feel kind of like Santa Clause.' Alsirn commented. Lida cracked a smile and as did Alsirn. This was an especially rare moment because Lida wasn't the type of Vixen to ever show any favorable emotions.

'Do you think the others got anything?' Lida asked.

'Yes, and I think paw got the most.'

During their trip back the two Foxes didn't speak to each other and they arrived in the camp silently. And actually, the both of them preferred it this way. With the exception of a successful joke the two of them insulted each other very often. Yup, while some relationships were all about talking and getting to know each other this one reached its height when the both of them kept quiet and enjoyed the views which the night had to offer.

The camp its self was situated in a rather nice place too! In an effort to conceal their location the bandits choose their camp to be surrounded by pines with their leaves still in tact. Inside the said camp there were three foxes and four wolves. There were seven of them. No more and no less.

Alsirn and Lida were considered the couple of the group due to them always being partnered together and arguing or insulting each other. The other Fox in the group of bandits was Scott and he went by the name of 'paw.' At the young age of sixteen he was both the very youngest in the group and the most stereotypical. He was that kid the elderly seemed to think of when they thought of a teenager. He was Brash, reckless, rude, arrogant, and even around bandits that would bash his brains out he was mouthy. Amazingly enough even with him not knowing his place he was also fairly respected for he often took the most and ate the least.

And then there were the wolves. They were a completely different story. Each and every one of them was stronger and far more aggressive then the three Foxes. In the past innocent men had even died by these Wolves, some were devoured. The four wolves were Arkine, 'Sirius', 'Lunar', and Kirgul

Arkine was the most strongest of them all and he was the leader. He had black fur and his endeavors had gained him the name 'Black Death.' He didn't use a weapon and the gods knew he didn't need one. For him his own claws were more then enough. Besides, once you ripped someone's throat out using your own paws you just couldn't go back to swords, spears, or pikes.

When Lida and Alsirn arrived they were greeted warmly by their associates and they sat down at the fire which Arkine prepared. Besides being the strongest he also had a knack at starting fires at freeze-your-ass-off temperatures. Alsirn and Lida both sat down at the fire and sat their bags down at their sides. Alsirn was sitting in between paw and Lida, Paw sat between Alsirn and Kirgul, and Lida sat beside Alsirn. This was quite appropriate because Alsirn figured Lida had this certain discontent with others.

'You kill anyone?' Paw asked. Alsirn turned his head to the younger Fox and their eyes met. Paw was an interesting guy to say the least. One of his eyes was Green and the other was blue.

'No. Did you?'

'I certainly did, I got the victims head in my bag right now! Wanna see it?'

'Yeah, go ahead.'

Paw dug his . . . paw in the sack and brought out a chicken's head.

'You murdered a chicken? Kid, just one year to go and you'll realize how stupid your sense of humor is.'

'Keep talking, cock sucker.'

To that Alsirn did not reply.

'Nothing, did you even get the joke?'

'Yeah, yeah, I'm a Fox that eats chickens so that makes me a cock sucker. If you've really got any guts go ahead and say that to either Lunar or Sirius.'

Paw looked at the two black wolves. While the young Fox got away with being obnoxious to even Arkine even he seemed to know better then to offend either Sirius or Lunar. The worst crimes most of the bandits ever committed in this group was either stealing food or defiling the women. And even then Arkine appeared to be the only one that had a taste for town's women. Alsirn definitely didn't, Lida would probably beat him if he did.

Sirius and Lunar on the other paw were the really bad ones. They're the ones that caused the murders in the past and time after time they seemed to have a taste for flesh. They were those kinds of fellows that you heard about every now and then. They were those silent fellows that never spoke, had cold dark dead eyes and they never seemed to move while you looked at them, not ever. Oh no, it always seemed that they just magically warped from place to place. The moment you'd turn your head you'd see them standing absolutely still somewhere else. You just had a feeling that their very existence was in bad taste.

And apparently, Paw actually didn't know better then to annoy them, stupid kid.

'Hey, cock suckers!' Paw shouted to the two Wolves and unluckily enough for him they both turned their heads, giving him a cold and perhaps murderous stare. Paw was just a bit intimidated. How was it they always did everything in unison like that? Whatever, Paw continued.

'Yeah, I'm talking to you! Which one of you faggots take it up the ass?'

The two wolves turned their heads to each other and smiled, revealing their rotted fangs. Just moments following they both stood up and walked into the same tent. It was not an exaggeration to say that every single one of the bandits was watching them.

'Uh . . . what the fuck are they doing?'

'They're probably blowing each other.' Kirgul offered playfully. Kirgul was the shortest and the youngest of the wolves. He was paws partner and a completely different person. Kirgul was shy and surprisingly kind when he was actually being him self. Most times however he had this habit of trying too hard to fit in with the rest of the bandits. He always tried to be something else. Be it tough like Arkine, bitchy like Lida, rude like Alsirn, or arrogant like Paw most of the time he was_trying_ to be a different person.

'Yeah, probably,' Paw replied.

'The two of them hate being stared at and you just drew everyone's attention to them. Right about now I bet they're actually in your tent waiting for you.' Arkine stated.

'You're getting old, Arkine. They went to their own tent.'

'You're getting brave, Paw. It's not what they did that should be on your mind, it's why they did it. They're probably just giving you a false sense of security, that's all.'

'I'm supposed to believe they're gonna murder me just because I hurt their feelings?'

'Hey, if you start begging to me I might consider asking them to spare you.'

'Right, I have a better plan. I'll go to my tent, go to sleep and if they think they can take me on in a fair fight I'll kill them both.' With that said Paw got up and walked to the tent alone soon to have Kirgul joining him along with two sacks of food.

Lida began eating, Arkine began drinking and Alsirn did neither.

'. . . You don't think they're actually going to kill him do you?' Alsirn asked two swigs later.

'No. But they probably are plotting their revenge though,' Arkine raised his goblet as if he were giving a toast, 'so here's to hoping the brat gets what he deserves.'

** ** ** ** **

In the town of Wiltiing Kenneth was the guard that often drank the most during his free time. So there was no surprise to find that yet again Kenneth drank too much and Keith was shouldering him back home.

'Keith.' Kenneth said drunkenly as he clinged to Keith in a un-Kenneth fashion. Keith didn't mind having Kenneth cling on to him the way he did nor did he mind too much having to shoulder him. Keith enjoyed being the dependable fellow that you could rely on.

'Yes, Kenneth?'

'I think I might have had too much to drink.'

'You don't say?'

'I just know it's that fucking rat, he gives me the heaviest stuff to fuck up my game!'

'Haven't I been saying that the entire time?' Keith shouldered Kenneth up the steps to his home and he extended his paw to Kenneth's.

'What the fuck are you doing?'

'It's going to be hard to open the door without your key.'

'Oh, right, heheheh.' Kenneth dug in his pocket and handed Keith the key and he opened the door.

'Do you think you can make it upstairs without breaking your neck?' Keith asked surprisingly concerned.

'Yeah, I fight criminals all the time so I don't think a staircase is going to cause the end of me.'

'Well, good night then.'

'Good night.' Very rudely Kenneth slammed the door on Keith's face and the rabbit walked down the streets of Wiltiing alone. It was getting late but he had no plans in going home, none at all. His walk through the snow covered streets continued for another four minutes before he reached a small modest looking house with only one floor. He knocked on the door and a rabbit with upright ears, far whiter teeth, blue eyes, and longer whiskers opened the door. They both gave each other a friendly smile.

'Hi.' Hirun replied shyly and Keith gave a nod before stepping into the house. He kicked off his shoes and put them beside the door. Inside the house the candles lit up the room very dimly, the walls were a dark red, and the floors were wooden.

'So, what the hell happened in the office anyway?' Keith asked and Hirun gave him a confused look.

'What do you mean?'

'I thought you didn't drink.' Keith said in a very firm straight forward voice. Hirun's eyes went from Keith's eyes to the window and to Keith's eyes once more.

'You're mad aren't you?'Hirun's blue eyes looked into Keith's in a very cutesy innocent kind of way.

'I . . . wait; you're still drunk aren't you?'

Hirun rubbed his head against Keith's as he wrapped his arms around the other male.

'I did have a glass of wine or two while I was waiting for you.' He smiled.

'Do you think you could lay off the drinks from now on, 'kay? You're acting kind of slutty.'

'Am I?'

'Kind of,' Keith walked to the living room and sat down on one of Hirun's chairs (there were three of them in the living room alone) and Hirun followed. Keith rubbed his eyes and Hirun sat down beside him. 'According to Kenneth he's even smelled Vodka off your breathe time after time.'

'Well, you don't have to worry about that; you won't find a single vodka bottle here.'

Keith looked Hirun in the eyes. 'Do you drink vodka?'

'Relax, I don't drink vodka. You really hate drinking don't you?'

'I used to all the time and I did this morning. But yes, I hate liquor. Well, I do when it's overdone anyway.'

'What do you think of bunnies?' Hirun asked as he rubbed Keith's chest (and occasionally his nipples) with his paw.

'Rabbits? They're decent folk. I'm not sure I like the drunk and flirty kind though.'

'You're just not in the mood are you?'

'You want it so badly you can go right ahead and blow me. But, if you want me to stay the night however you're just going to have to sober up first. Either way I'm not having my dick smelling like two glasses of wine and a bottle of gin the entire night.'

'Good point. You think you could stay still for a minute or two while I use the bathroom?'

'Of course.'

Once Hirun made it to the bath room he splashed his face with a bit of water and brushed his teeth an excessive amount. After all, when you were a rabbit the first thing anyone ever noticed about you was either your long ears or your big buck teeth. And be damned if your teeth weren't perfectly white.

Well, Keith was an exception but that was only because he was Keith.

During the time which he used to brush his teeth Hirun also rehearsed how he was going to act, or how he usually acted. It was Funny how hard it was to be your usual self after a drink or two. Five minutes later Hirun emerged from the bathroom and he was greeted by Keith.

And why yes, the night did end up with Keith mounting Hirun.

** ** ** ** **

At around nine A.M the following morning Hirun had made it to the office. And to be honest, Hinger was quite decently surprised. Not at the fact that Hirun had arrived, but on how different he seemed today. He was already in uniform, his buck teeth were completely white, his posture was perfect, and it was as if he didn't have a hang over.

'You're quite early. I take it you decided to keep your job?'

Without saying a word Hirun nodded.

'Very well, yesterday you made an ass of your self, but that's not against the law so welcome back.'

Once more Hirun nodded.

'Now on to what you missed . . . Last night some homes had their possessions stolen. So from this we can acknowledge the bandits really do exist and they really are here, possibly all eight of them. The threat of them coming here at day is low but none the less we should be on our guard all hours of the day. Oh, right! And due to the possibility of them having doubled the men we have all officers are being assigned in groups of two.'

'Did Lawrence come back, sir?'

In response Hinger shook his head.

'Keith's assigned with Kenneth and you're assigned with me. I'm afraid it's just the four of us. Sit down because it's going to be awhile before we leave this office, I have a lot to do.'

Hirun was worried over the entire situation. There were going to be eight of them! And things only got worse when you kept in mind that they were Foxes and Wolves. Hirun really didn't want to be here and he was dreading the upcoming Christmas - there was going to be blood shed - but regardless he had to do what he had to do. He couldn't dishonor his family and he couldn't be a coward during these times. For better or worse he was just going to have to suffer in silence and see this through to the end.

'What is it you're doing anyway? Hirun asked.

'Military has sent me a lot of letters. Where they'll be stationed, which routes they're blocking, what they'll be armed with, and who's commanding them,' Hinger paused as he looked through the papers.

'Their days are numbered. But just because the military will wash out these bandits don't go thinking we're just going to do nothing and wait for them to arrive. The bandits have two days to run around in this city and if we don't bother to do anything civilians may be murdered.'

'And have you ever fought a Fox?'

'Foxes seem to have been the only thing's I've fought; it's practically in their nature to be criminals. They're strong but if it ever comes down to fighting one of them don't be afraid. Foxes are born cowards, they'll taunt you, insult you, and once things don't go their way they'll start running. Really, it's a lot easier to slay a Fox if you're a fast runner then a skilled fighter.'

'Have you ever fought a Wolf?'

'Only once and that Wolf survived.'

Hirun grimaced.

'What are you so worried about? We're facing a bunch of cowards and you've got me for a partner, those bandit's haven't a chance in hell.'

** ** ** ** **

Bandits or no bandits Wiltiing was a pretty dull place. It was around the busiest time of day during the busiest time of the year and still nothing was happening. Keith once said Wiltiing was the type of town that was too boring for even tumble weeds and that was probably a perfect summary for this place. Not that Kenneth really minded too much, after years of breaking his back in the city working in Wiltiing was practically like a dull vacation that you got paid for attending.

Kenneth didn't mind standing around and doing nothing but the same couldn't be said for Keith who seemed bored out of his mind. 'Just gnaw on a few carrots and I'm sure the time will just fly by, Keith.' Kenneth had said about a few hours back and Keith laughed.

'Do you think they're really stupid enough to come here during the day?' Keith asked. Ever since their patrols began the day had consisted of Keith asking questions to try and start a conversation and a long pause once following the conversations death.

'I don't but it wouldn't be the first time.'

Yet again the conversation had died and there was a pause between the two. Again Keith tried to come up with a question to ask. In their time that they were standing around doing nothing Kenneth had learned a few more things about Keith. Apparently Keith had never met a Fox before and he was anxious to meet one. Keith didn't seem to care whether the Fox in particular was a bandit.

'Do you think Hirun came back?'

'Probably, do you think he's going to be useful if any bandits actually come?'

'Yes. He had to be good at something to be accepted into this job.'

'You mean good at something like standing around all day?'

And then there was yet another awkward pause.

'We aren't going to have a solid conversation today are we?'

'Nope, we're probably not.' And then just as Kenneth was speaking Keith had seen a short Fox with red fur behind Kenneth darting through one of the streets.

'Is something interesting happening behind me or something, Keith?' Kenneth asked.

Keith nodded. 'No joke, there's a Fox running through the town with a sack of food. He's running from where the bar is towards the direction of where the green grocer is. I'll try and cut him off from the front!' Keith instantly ran off meanwhile Kenneth stood still just for two seconds to take that all in . . .

A Fox was actually stupid enough to enter a town during the day?

Kenneth too began the chase for the Fox all the while wondering why Keith hadn't just said that the vulpine thief was running from the West to East. Keith could probably catch this Fox; he was a fast runner and a pretty strong guy.

And he did, Keith jumped in front of the vulpine and there was a thud as the Fox fell down on his ass into the snow and dropped the sack he was carrying. To Keith the Fox appeared around 15 or 16 years of age and he had two different coloured eyes.

And speaking of eyes, he was shamelessly using the first trick in being a convicted minor; the puppy eyes.

'Tell me; are you young or just very short?' Keith asked the Fox. Bandit or not Keith found his first encounter with a Fox an amazing one. Two different coloured eyes, colourful fur, a long poufy tail, and for the love of god he had ears that weren't as long as your feet.

'I-I'm just s-si-sixteen s-sir.' The Fox replied shyly. Keith was practically going out of his way not to out right laugh at the Fox; it was clearly an act and a very badly played one.

'And what are you doing running through the town like a criminal carrying a sack which a criminal would use to carry all the stuff they stole?' The Fox shot the rabbit a confused look. Keith found the expression was a cute one, actually.

'I had to get a lot of things for my poor parents who are deathly ill, sir. Naturally I was only in a hurry so I could be home before they get worse.'

'That's a heart warming story, but how could your poor parents ever afford so much food?'

Around then the Red Fox showed his true colours and he dropped the weak act all together. He was pissed off and Keith too found that expression cute if only because of how pathetic it seemed. Keith chuckled without bothering to conceal the smile.

'You think I'm an idiot, don't you!?'

'Well, I just can't seem to take you seriously for a moment and you're an awful actor. You're definitely not what I was expecting to face when I took up this job. Just for lying to me alone you'll be spending a big portion of your life in a cell so I'll offer you something, are you listening?'

'You seem really confident that you actually caught me.'

'Well, what's your master plan in getting away? You already tried running and look where that got you. Your ass is down in the snow and you're making yourself look like an idiot. But fine, if you think you can just get up and run away I'll be glad to actually draw my sword.

'What's this offer?' The Fox had both of his eyes looking away from Keith's.

'If you can actually tell me the truth before . . . lets say, a German Shepherd arrives; I'll let you leave. If you lie to me - and trust me, I'll know when you're lying - I'll have your sentence extended. If you fight back you'll receive whatever charges you've had in the first place. Oh, and if you ever commit another crime here again regardless of how minor you'll face the capital punishment. Do you accept this offer?'

The Fox didn't reply and Keith wasn't given the impression that he was going to. He must've had a lot of pride in what he was and that was probably damaged too much already. Keith quickly scanned everywhere around him to ensure Kenneth hadn't arrived and he once more looked down at the Fox. Keith sighed and folded his arms.

'Just tell me the truth.'

'Why's it so important that you have to actually hear it? You already know how it goes.'

And the Fox was right, Keith did. 'Well, that's good enough for me. Get the hell out of here and if you value your paws you won't touch that bag.'

The Fox got back up on his feet and he gave Keith a final look before running off. Funnily enough the expression was just as thankful as it was resentful. When Keith saw the Fox disappear off into the tree's he half expected Kenneth to show up just in time, even thought he didn't.

And being left alone Keith was reminded again and again on how the choice he had made was a bad one. Before he even found out that the fox had two different coloured eyes Keith knew letting the vulpine escape would be a horrible choice. He knew by instinct, through his own judgment, and even morally. In every single way it was a bad choice and still Keith took it.

Just by the Foxes attitude Keith had known the damning fact that he wasn't going to change. Keith's imagination even had a good idea of what was going to happen in the future. The Fox was eventually going to be taller and stronger then Keith, he was going to remember this day for how humiliated he was, and Keith was probably going to be killed by the very Fox he spared . . .

Yup, that would be a pretty decent and dramatic way to end a career, wouldn't it?

It took Kenneth two more minutes to arrive and it didn't take a genius to find out that he walked the entire way here.

'I decided to walk here just to make sure you weren't being followed, that's all!' Kenneth shouted. Keith just responded with a nod. Good friends didn't bring up their friends back problems. Keith waited another five seconds before Kenneth was beside him eying the sack which Paw dropped.

'I see a sack of food but no Fox. What happened here?'

'I let him get away. He was a rather young fellow and . . .'

'You have a soft spot for children?'

Keith shook his head.

'He was the first Fox I ever met and well; I don't want my first memory of meeting a Fox involving me chopping a sixteen year olds head off on Christmas eve.' Keith lied.

'Well, good job in not letting him take the food. Now we have to waste our time returning all this to the office.' Kenneth crouched down to pick up the sack. When his paw touched it so did Keith's and he looked up at the rabbit.

'Do I look old to you or something?' Kenneth asked.

'No. I'm the one that got the sack from the kid so I figure it's only fair I get the credit for returning the food.'

And so Keith picked up the sack of food and carried it on his back. He may have been a lawman but as he carried this sack he was a far more convincing criminal then Paw ever was.

'So, what was it like meeting your very first Fox anyway?' Kenneth asked as they walked through the snow covered roads of Wiltiing.

'Odd. He had two different coloured eyes, he was a brat, and I can tell he's not ever going to have a career in acting. I guess I'll give him the nickname Cocks the Fox, since cocky doesn't rhyme.'

'Cocks the Fox?'

'Because unless you've got something better its best you keep your mouth closed.'

** ** ** ** **

Evening

A lot of the time Hirun was inside the office taking care of all the internal infrastructural issues. If anything, he was more like a custodian or a safety inspector then an actual guard. So standing around keeping a watch for bandits all day wasn't something he did often. It was 12:35 late at night and it was Christmas.

Hirun was tired and each time Hinger looked at him he could see that the rabbit was trying harder and harder to stay awake. Not a single bandit was slain and each and every one of them was still lurking about. Hinger hated the very thought of this and there was another thing bothering him, one which he didn't share with anyone.

It was about that one Wolf he fought in the past. It was probably a long shot, but he had a feeling in his gut that this wolf was roaming around with these bandits. By far it seemed that these bandits were only lowly thieves with no interest in killing. Therefore, Hinger's theory was that maybe the recent few murders in the other towns were caused by that Wolf he had faced years ago. His theory was that the Wolf was now roaming around with the bandits

And finally at around 12:40 Hinger decided it was time to stop including Hirun in his own personal crusade. The poor guy should have been done working an hour and forty minutes ago. And so Hinger wished Hirun a good night and the two of them separated. Hinger made his way back to the office in hopes that maybe Keith and Kenneth might have slain one of them meanwhile Harun made his way back home.

On his way back Hirun was imagining all the foods he'd be eating and the wines he'd be drinking on Christmas day if he didn't have to work. And you know, he was actually tired enough that he could practically taste the imaginary food he had in his mind. Oh well, one day at a time. For now at least he could look forward to having Keith over for the night and having a glass of wine or a cup of tea.

And maybe see that gift Keith mentioned.

Hirun smiled at that thought. At least he was going to be able to spend some of his Christmas with Keith.

** ** ** ** **

Keith found it amazing that such a strong man like Kenneth who was only twenty seven years old had so many problems with his body. The guy had problems with his back, his right leg, his chest, and even his tail. Keith figured that the scars and bruises you gained as a lawman either made you stronger or they tore you down, and Kenneth was a good example of the latter.

Keith considered him self lucky because at the age of twenty five he didn't seem to be going down that same road as Kenneth. He may have been a rabbit but he was a damn strong one. Keith was a strong rabbit that wasn't going to break down. Not yet anyway.

And after a long days work Keith was anxious to see Hirun. As usual he was in his uniform and his ears were pulled back behind his head but something was different. In between his two paws he was carrying a Christmas present for Hirun.

Keith was just hoping that Hirun was going to be his usual sober self tonight. He hated it when the guy was drunk. When Keith reached Hirun's home he knocked on the door and there was no reply. He waited awhile but there was still no answer and so he knocked once more.

Where the hell was he?

** ** ** ** **

On his way back home Hirun had seen a Vixen and for quite a long while he had been chasing her around the town. It was fair to say that they were practically running around in circles. Lida didn't want to risk having him follow her to the camp and so she was hoping she could lose him. By far the plan was failing badly. She was getting tired and he was gaining on her.

From earlier on she could recall Paw telling her of how a very fast rabbit had caught and spared him. This rabbit must have been the same one and he was getting on her nerves. If he had been a rabbit other then the one that spared Paw she may have drawn her ax blade on him by now but she was pretty sure he was.

He was a fast runner and he was persistent enough to be him anyway. Finally the two of them began to follow a more linear path and Hirun realized they were reaching the outskirts of the town. Now she was probably planning on ambushing him. With the expense of hurting his chest and over exerting him self Hirun quickened the pace, panting all the way.

When the two of them reached the edge of the town the vixen turned around and drew her ax blade. Hirun stood deathly still and as he eyed the Vixen he found that he felt a certain lust for her. Not sexually though, for as Hirun stared at the armed vixen he had realized just how close he was to finally being respected, to finally being a step closer to what his parents were. With greed clouding his mind he did feel lust for blood indeed. Be it killing or arresting if he could just take her down he'd be the very first officer to stop one of the bandit's.

Hirun drew his sword and while most officers that ever served Wiltiing ended up using a sword of bronze or iron all their life Hirun held in his hand a silver falchion with a very well decorated hilt. This sword had served his family for two generations and it was currently serving its third. The Vixen's weapon had absolutely no unique features. All that could really be said about it was that it was an ax blade and that's all.

'To prowl around this land under the light of moon and run . . . I would expect nothing less from your kind. Drop the axe before I taint the ground with your blood, Fox.'

The Vixen glared at him. 'Oh, so you're implying I'm the coward? I was running for your sake, snowball. Can't let you officers get too fat otherwise things get a bit too easy. Now why don't you go hop back to your little hole, while you still can?'

The two of them eyed each other. Very slowly as he watched the Vixen Hirun took a few steps forward.

'Come on bunny, you called me the coward and here I am waiting for you. Hurry it up before I get bored and run off. It's getting late after all.' Lida taunted.

Hirun stood completely still. He was completely aware that if he lost patience and charged at her recklessly he was going to get him self killed. He would have expected a fight to include a lot more blocking, slashing and parrying but this wasn't that type of fight.

That Vixen had a plan. And if Hirun were to do her a favor and kindly walk into her trap he knew what would follow wasn't going to be a duel. Whatever was going to transpire here it was going to be decided in very brief time.

The Vixen suddenly took a step back and broke off running. As a reflex Hirun too ran but just as quickly as the chase began a second time it had ended. The vixen spun around and nearly chopped Hirun's head off but he ducked and she was completely open. He lunged forward at her to slash upwards and . . .

Hirun had felt an instantaneous jolt of pain in his forehead and he flew face first into the snow. The vixen was still standing perfectly intact and she was no less surprised then Hirun was. The first of her strikes had missed, but the second one with the blunt end . . . that had hit him. When the Ax blade made contact with the rabbit's forehead there wasn't a thwap nor was there a thud, Lida had heard a sickening crack and just as soon as she heard it she found him lying face down in a combination of snow and his own blood.

And Lida did not a single thing more then look down at the rabbit's body. Hirun let out a few last panicked weak breathes and by the fifth all the sound of the night became ominously quiet and perhaps non existent. Lida continued to stupidly look down at the body and finally it came to her that Hirun was dead and that she just cracked his god damned skull.

It was an odd feeling to kill another . . . but damn it, Lida was just too impressed with how hard she had hit him to really care. What a shame that Alsirn wasn't around to see it, he would have been quite impressed as well. Lida crouched down beside the rabbit and reached her paw under his uniform and felt his heart. It was better to always make sure your victim was dead as opposed to assuming they were and having a sword shoved up your ass the moment you turned your back on them.

And no longer was there any doubt. At the age of twenty four and only thirty minutes into the Christmas day Hirun was dead. Lida unbuttoned the top part of the rabbit's uniform and took it from his dead body. Alsirn liked uniforms so why not? It would be the perfect make shift Christmas gift, especially since it had no blood stains! Wasn't it funny how perfect everything turned out some times? After robbing the rabbit of his shirt the Vixen also took both his sword and it's sheathe. This sword would probably be worth a small fortune but she figured she'd hand that to Alsirn as well.

After looking at the dead rabbit a final time Lida turned to leave and walked away from Wiltiing. Finally after robbing the rabbit's corpse and walking for an entire minute Lida began to have the rabbit's death replay in her mind again and again. There were three things which she just couldn't stop thinking about. How fast he died (Though for Hirun it probably wasn't soon enough), how hard she had hit him, and his last few breathes.

Sounded like he was scared, very scared, for all Lida knew those could have even been cries. Whatever the case, she wasn't going to let him haunt her in the least. She was alive and she was going to give Alsirn two presents. And speaking of Alsirn, once she entered the forest she saw him running towards her with only concern written on his face. He may have called her a bitch, a wretch and at times even disgusting on a daily basis but he cared for her none the less.

'What took you so long you slut? Have you been sleeping around with all the town folk?'

Lida handed him the uniform and the sword, punching him in the chest as she did so.

'Nah, I just murdered the rabbit that spared Paw. Nice uniform though huh?'

'You're giving these to me?'Alsirn asked and Lida rolled her eyes. Well, that was a stupid question. Alsirn put on the uniform without buttoning it up. He then unsheathed the sword and inspected it, seemingly pleased with the gifts he had acquired.

'I never thought I'd end up wearing a uniform again in my life.' Alsirn commented as he offered his paw to Lida and the two Foxes walked back to camp. There was a silence.

'So you killed a bunny today huh?' Alsirn asked.

'Yup, I smacked him right in the face with my axe and his skull cracked open like a nut.'

'Oh well, with a little luck maybe he was an alcoholic that beat his wife and kids on a daily basis.'

'He seemed kind of young.'

The rest of their journey back to the camp was done in silence.

** ** ** ** **

This story is being released in two halves. I started this project rather late in the month (because I couldn't decide what to write for a Christmas story) and this is my submission. I can't really think of much to say . . . um . . . cake!