FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

It has been over two years now since I first posted my story. Since that time my life was shooken up quite a bit and I both lost interest in writing and found myself with little time. However, things have turned around and I have gone back and looked over the story that I had. I felt it needed some sanding down and a bit of polish. My wonderful boyfriend gave me the push I needed and has been helping me work my way back through them. I don't know where I would be without him. I want to say I regret dropping the story as I have missed writing and I have missed my readers. My partner and I have made changes, some big, some small, all of them we felt were important. I hope you enjoy reading the new and improved story as much as you enjoyed the old.

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The Gate-Way: Chapter 1 - A Bond Strengthened

"Man this place is far" panted Jake, as he leaned back against the trunk of a gnarled old oak tree. Bringing his water bottle up to his muzzle he took a long drink, feeling the cool water as it trickled down his throat. Wiping the back of his paw across his muzzle, Jake looked further up the forest trail to where his companion Matt, the one who had suggested this trip, was standing. The young arctic fox stood beneath a maple tree, his snow white fur clearly visible even in the deep shadows of the leaf cover. He grinned back at Jake.

"It's not that much further, just up over this next ridge" said Matt, lazily wagging his furry tail.

The shadows played across Matt's features, making him appear ghost like and faint, even though his ruffled green shirt and jeans stood out against the brown trunk of the tree. Looking around he took in a deep breath of the fresh forest air, off in the distance he could hear a waterfall over the sound of the wind whistling through the creaking trees.

Matt looked down at Jake, between his long grey ears with their tanned interiors lay his short black head fur, cut neatly to emulate the crew cut his father had sported during his years of military service. His eyes drifted lower over his friend's muzzle taking in the icy blue of his eyes, which were offset and enhanced by the light coloured fur of his muzzle and neck. A line of tanned fur ran from the tip of his muzzle up around his eyes to disappear into his head fur. Snow-colored fur covered the lower half of his muzzle. His light fur continued down, disappearing beneath the old combat fatigues he wore in memory of a wolf he barely remembered, his father.

Matt's ears drooped slightly, as he felt sorry for his friend. The sight of the service tags that dangled from Jake's neck on a long silver chain, reminded him of how much the young wolf missed the father he had never really known. Jake never spoke of his father, and when asked would say that the cloths and tags had belonged to his father and that he did not want to speak of it again. When pressed, Jake grew aggressive and moody, refusing to talk to anyone until the matter was dropped.

Matt watched as Jake crossed his arms, the grey wolf's muscles flexed and his shirt stretched over his toned chest, he had hoped this trip would get Jake out of the sullen mood he always seemed to be in. Jake sighed, returning his water bottle to its holder, he pushed himself off the tree and began marching up the trail once more. Dried leaves and sticks snapped and rustled underfoot as he made his way to where Matt was standing.

"So what is this place?" he asked quietly, coming level with Matt.

"Oh just some spot I found awhile back that I wanted to show you."

"Alright, and wasn't there something you wanted to tell me that had to wait until we got there?" asked Jake.

Blushing slightly Matt nodded. A pang of fear gripped him at the thought of what he would soon be admitting to his best friend. Jake gave Matt a confused glance as he saw the fear flicker in his eyes.

"You alright Matt?" said Jake, his voice filled with concern. "You look worried, is there something you want to talk about?"

"It...It can wait, there is something, but it can wait till we get there," Matt mumbled his gaze focused on the ground at his feet.

"Come on Matt, what is it you know you can tell me anything," said Jake forcing his brooding look from his face as he placed a large paw on Matt's shoulder.

Matt shuddered at the touch but brushed away Jake's hand.

"It's nothing, don't worry about it. I'll tell you when we get there." Starting up the trail he looked back. "Now hurry up or it's going to take us all day"

"Alright I'm coming."

Jogging up next to Matt the pair made their way up the trail in silence. Jake wondering what could possibly be bothering his friend, as Matt wondered how he was ever going to tell Jake the truth.

After another ten silent minutes of walking up the wooded trail, the roar of falling water replaced the sweet sound of birds chirping and leaves rustling. Cresting the top of the hill, the pair looked out over a large clearing. It was beautiful; the trees surrounded the clearing providing shade and shelter. In the center of the clearing was a large lake fed by a roaring waterfall that came pouring off the cliff opposite them. Its jagged surface had been pounded by wind and rain; the waterfall had dug itself a deep groove in the cliff surface crashing down on the jagged rocks below. The cliff was covered in a multitude of ledges and places where one could sit and enjoy the magnificent view.

Jake stood there, maw agape, taking in the amazing scene before him. His gaze drifted up the cliff face and followed the rainbow that arced out across the lake.

"Why didn't you tell me about it sooner? It's amazing," said Jake with a smile, a rarity for him. Glanced over at Matt he was shocked to see tears running down through the fur of Matt's soft white muzzle, and his ears pressed against his head.

"Matt what is it, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" Jake asked, gripping Matt by the shoulders.

Matt shuddered, let out a sob, and dropped down hugging his knees tight to his chest. Pressing his head against his knees, tail tucked between his legs he said.

"This is where I come to think...and relax. No one else has ever been here with me. No one else even knows it exists. So please don't tell anyone about it."

"Whatever you want Matt. It's fine now please tells me what's the matter. Why are you crying?" Dropping down on his knees next to his sobbing friend, he put his arms around him still confused as to what could possibly cause his friend to feel this way.

"You...you promise no matter what you won't hate me or get mad or freak out?" Matt asked, weakly his head still buried between his knees, sobs wracking his small wiry frame.

"Matt are you kidding, you're my best friend no matter what I will always be there for you. You know that.Now please tell me what's wrong."

"Promise me no matter what you won't hate me?"

"I can't believe you even need me to," Jake said, both frustrated and concerned for his friend. "But if it makes you feel better, I promise that no matter what you say or do I will always be here for you."

Matt drew a deep breath, shuddering he said.

"I...I'm...I'm... gay," cringing he squeezed his eyes shut covering his head with his paws, waiting for the blow and the yelling he knew would come.

But it didn't, instead of a hard blow Matt felt Jake's arms encircling him. Squeezing Matt softly, Jake rested his muzzle against Matt's head, their fur blending in the soft light beneath the tree. With a weak grin Jake said.

"Is that all? You're gay?" letting out a soft laugh he continued. "I thought someone had died or you were moving away."

"Why are you crying?" he said, gripping Matt tight as he felt Matt let loose another wracking sob.

"I...I thought you would hate me and be disgusted with me," Matt said looking up, his eyes puffy and red. The fur of his muzzle streaked and wet with tears, staring into Jake's eyes for any hint he was lying. In all the scenarios and plans for this moment he had made, not once had he ever bothered to hope that his confession would be met with anything less than violence and revulsion.

"Hate you! Why would I hate you? And why would I be disgusted?" Jake said shocked and surprised at this. Pulling Matt closer to himself Jake squeeze his friend, both willing him to stop crying and to show him he meant it.

"But I'm gay, that doesn't freak you out? How could you ever possibly still want to be my friend?"

"Matt," Jake said, growing serious. "You're my best friend. We have known eachother since we were cubs.You're like a brother to me, no matter what I will always be there for you. It really hurts that you thought I wouldn't accept you."

Shuddering, Matt wiped away the last of the tears from his eyes; looking up at Jake he gave him a weak smile.

"Thanks Jake, I am never going to be able to repay you. I know... I know I shouldn't have doubted you, but I was just so scared."

Standing, Jake pulled Matt up and into a hug. Matt tensed up but then relaxed and succeeded in wrapping his arms partially around Jake's broad chest. He rested his head against Jake's chest, a feat made much easier for at six-foot two Jake towered over Matt who stood at a much shorter five-foot seven. Closing his eyes, he listened to the slow rhythmic beating of Jake's heart. Taking a deep, shuddering breath, he found himself calmed by the sound and the strength and security of the strong arms encircling him.

Jake squeezed Matt tight, resting his muzzle between Matt's soft ears, allowing relief to wash over him. He had been worried something terrible had happened, and that his young friend was gay was no big surprise. While not outright feminine in his qualities, Matt had always been softer spoken, and the most caring and thoughtful of his friends. Forever ready to listen and understand Matt had always been there for him, and standing there his arms wrapped around the young fox it somehow felt right.

While he knew he wasn't gay, there was just something about having Matt so close to him that felt good. It had been a long time since he had held someone like this, let alone allow someone to get close to him, and he had not realized how much he missed it. Looking down at Matt he felt his stern visage crack, and a smile form, as Matt looked up at him their muzzles close. Matt blushed, both because of the intimacy of the situation and the strange look Jake was giving him. He slowly and reluctantly pushed himself from Jake.

"Why don't we go for a swim? The water is always really warm, and it's deep enough that you can dive off some of the overhangs. I haven't tried yet it's really slippery and I'm afraid to fall, there are a lot of sharp rocks at the bottom it could be dangerous."

"Sounds like fun."

"Come on I'll race you," said Matt getting down in a sprinters stance, reluctantly Jake got down next to him.

"On your mark," Matt said. "Get set," Lifting his tail end off the ground flicking his tail back and forth. Matt couldn't help but stare as Jake's ass strained against his tight pants, shaken out of his daydreams as he heard Jake shout go.

The pair took off with a spray of leaves and sticks, Jake pulling off his shirt and pants as he attempted to beat Matt to the lake. Reaching the water's edge wearing nothing but his boxers, Jake dove in. Feeling the warm water surround him, he slowly allowed himself to surface. Treading water he looked back towards the bank. He laughed as he watched Matt; the arctic fox was hopping around on one foot trying to get his pants off, as his shirt hug from his ear.

Finally he managed to free himself and dove in after Jake, surfacing next to him he said

"Now that feels much better, just what I needed."

"Yeah, I can see why you come here to relax and think it's so peaceful," Jake said over the quiet roar of the waterfall cascading onto the rocks in the background. "So you said you've never been up there eh? But it's deep enough to dive from?"

"Yeah that side of the lake has to be at least twenty to thirty feet down, but the cliff is so slippery. I'm afraid to fall and hit my head on those rocks at the base." said Matt. He glanced nervously towards the jagged rocks that littered the ground around the base of the towering cliff.

"Well you wait here I think I'm going to try it," said Jake as he took off with a strong breaststroke towards the cliff.

"Just be careful," said Matt as he tread water, his voice filled with concern for his friend.

Jake quickly reached the far side of the lake near where the falls cascaded onto the razor sharp rocks, creating a sea of foam and mist. Looking up at the slick surface, he saw many ledges and outcropping that could be used to scale the rock face. Slowly and gingerly he pulled himself out of the water, the grey fur on his back, arms, and legs was matted down while the white and tanned fur of his stomach gleamed brightly in the sun, the strange swirls of black fur that ran along his arms and back like tribal tattoos stood out clearly. His boxers clung to his waist, his sheath, easily five inches, was clearly outlined by the wet material. His focus remained on the climb as the rock was slippery, and even with the thick pads on his feet he had trouble maintaining a grip.

Matt looked on with fear in his soft blue eyes as he watched Jake climb higher. He wanted to call out to his friend, to tell him to stop and come down before he hurt himself, but was afraid that any little distraction would cause Jake to fall. Treading water, he slowly made his way closer to the cliff; he felt his heart pounding in his chest almost too scared to look.

Unaware of the anxiety he was causing Matt, Jake continued his assent. He climbed from one outcropping to another, each coated with moisture and moss that came away in his hand.

Nearing the ledge he had picked for his jump, Jake felt a thrill of excitement; he had never climbed this high before. Almost thirty feet off the ground, the roar of the waterfall deafening and the spray made gripping the already slippery moss and rock all the more difficult. He reached up to grab part of the ledge, only to have it come away in his hand. He cried out, his yell drowned out by the falling water. He managed to hold on to the moss growing on the rock with his other paw as he scrambled to find purchase once more; suddenly he felt a abrupt jarring sensation.

Fear, colder than the water tumbling down the cliff gripped him. As he dangle from the outcropping, he did not so much hear as feel the moss slowly tearing. He cried out, trying to gain even a toe hold. His cry of triumph turned to one of fear, his toe had just found purchase as the moss gave way. Time seemed to slow down as he felt himself plummeting towards the lake, a dizzying thirty feet below. Suddenly, he slammed into one of the many outcroppings gutting from the cliff face. As the world went black and he felt himself lose consciousness, he felt himself slipping once more towards the water below.

Normally water would cushion a fall, but even from twenty feet it was like hitting a brick wall. Matt screamed when he saw Jake slam into ledge, letting loose moan of fear as Jake slipped off plunging, unconscious, into the water. Not knowing if his friend was merely unconscious, or dead, Matt took off propelling himself through the water.

When he reached the spot that he had seen Jake impact, he looked down into the dark waters. Feeling the current swirling and tugging at him, he knew if he did not find Jake soon he might be sucked under the waterfall.

Taking a deep breath, he dove pushing himself against the current. He saw Jake sinking slowly, floating towards the waterfall being pulled by the current. Swimming harder he reached Jake, wrapping his arms around his unconscious friend, he used his legs to kick and fight the current that sought ensure Matt did not steal its prey.

His lungs burned and screamed for air, muscles aching, he struggled to reach the surface. Jake had been so deep when he had reached him he did not know if he had the strength to save them. Just as the need for air became too great and he could no longer hold it in, his head broke the surface of the lake. Greedily taking in great gulps of fresh cold air, he panted as he made his way to shore.

He dragged Jake up the sandy beach as far as he could until his legs collapsed under him. Panting he pressed an ear to his friend's chest, fear like he had never felt before gripped him. He couldn't hear Jake's heart beat, feeling panic rising, he took a deep breath and tried to remember the CPR lessons he had taken at camp the previous summer.

Grabbing hold of Jake's muzzle he tilted his friend's head back, prying open his maw he pinched Jakes nose closed and blew air into him. Quickly he began pumping Jake's chest, counting under his breath, before once more tilting Jake's head back and blowing more air into him. He continued performing CPR, feeling panic rising in his chest as he got no reaction from Jake.

Hot tears fell from his eyes trickling down is already dripping muzzle onto Jake's still form.

"No...Come on Jake breathe please...please just breathe," he cried weakly "All you have to do is breathe."

He sobbed resting his against Jake's chest lightly pounding his fist against his chest. Suddenly, he felt the weakness and fear within him turn to rage.

"No!," he yelled suddenly slamming his fist down on Jake's chest. "Jake breathe!"

Screaming he forced harder on Jake's chest blowing, more air into him. "Jake come on just breathe!" he shouted forcing more air into him.

"You can't leave me like this Jake, I...I," Suddenly, what he had wanted to admit ever since he had realized he was gay, came pouring out of him. "I love you Jake and I'm not losing you like this !"

"I love you!" he yelled angrily.

Slamming his paw against the large wolf's chest, trying to get his heart and breathing to start. Then he felt something. Jake's eyes flew open and with a great heave he began throwing up all the water he had swallowed.Pushing him onto his side, Matt waited anxiously as Jake continued to heave, clearing his lungs of water.

Taking a ragged breath that turned into a sob Jake looked up at Matt; tears in his eyes he drew his arms around Jake. "I thought I'd lost you," Matt cried into Jake's shoulder

Taking another ragged shuddering breath, Jake began to sob. He had almost died; he had died he realized and Matt had risked his own life to save him.

"You...you saved me...I...thank you...Matt," gasping tears ran barely visible through his water logged fur. Reaching up he wrapped his arms weakly around his best friend, his saviour.

"You risked your life to save me..."

"I love you..." mumbled Matt.

"What?"

"I love you," Matt repeated weakly, fear returning to his eyes once more.

Jake lay back stunned at Matt's admission, looking up at the young arctic fox. His mouth worked without sound as he struggled to find a response. A moan escaped Matt's lips as his balled paws covered his eyes, his body shaking as he began to cry.

"I shouldn't have said anything," Matt sobbed, "I should never have taken you up here at all."

"I just ... just don't know what to say," Jake said, his mind racing, "I'm ... I'm flattered, but I'm straight, I've always been.

Jake sat up and pulled Matt's paws away from his face, revealing the fox's shimmering blue eyes swimming with tears. Pulling the sobbing fox to his chest Jake rocked them back and forth humming softly as he scrambled for something to say.

"I'm flattered, I really am, but I'm not the man for you, he's out there and I can help you find him, but he isn't me, and he can't be me." Jake shivered as a cold breeze brushed across his wet fur.

"I'm stupid, I shouldn't have said anything," Matt said, trying to calm down, "I'm sorry,"

"Matt, you have nothing to be sorry for, you're a great guy, and you'll make someone very happy and very lucky one day."

Ears lowered, Matt slowly nodded. "I don't know about you but I've had enough swimming for one day."

"Agreed," Jake sniffed the air and looked up as a shadow passed over them. "It looks like there is a storm rolling in. I don't know if we'll have time to make it back before it hits."

"There's a cave not far from here that we can hide in until it passes."

Jake nodded standing up, his legs shook beneath his weight. Matt yipped in surprise when he felt Jake grabbed his shoulder as the wolf tried to steady himself.

"Lead the way."

The wind picked up, whistling through the trees and the pair's fur as they struck off towards the cave.