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Replacement (Part 3)

Skyler let me sleep inside the house tonight. He said he was very sorry he had to put the shock collar on me. I asked him if he could have at least warned me. His response was I needed to see for myself. I didn't quite believe that. The fact that I got to sleep in the house was obviously a way to make up for it. Not that I didn't want to... I did. Skyler moved my bed out of my cage and was going to put it next to his bed. I told him I wanted to sleep in the spare room. He let me and set me up there.

It was getting late and Skyler was watching television. I sat on the couch opposite him and looked from him, to the screen, and back.

"Can I go outside?" I said suddenly over the lady in the commercial. He looked at me for a moment, then got up.

"Alright..." I sprang up, happy to be trusted with going out at night. "Here's the deal, okay?" He said, approaching the back door. I stood eager to smell the night air. "If I give you my key..." He took out his key ring and unhooked a brass key. "Will you let yourself back in and lock the door behind you?" I looked at the piece of metal quizzically. "Here" He walked back across the living room and rummaged around in the drawers of the kitchen. He returned shortly with a lanyard. "Put this on so you don't lose the key." The key was attached to the lanyard and he gave it to me. I held it in my paw, feeling honored to have such a privilege, but odd to be given such a high one... I was almost being treated like a human. After looking at the blue string of fabric in my paw for a moment, I put it over my head and let the key fall about my chest.

"Thank you, Skyler... This is great." He smiled and opened the door.

"You sure you know how to unlock it from that side?" I stepped out into the crisp air and took a look at the keyhole.

"I can do it." I said, fiddling with the key on my chest. Skyler regarded me through the crack of the door.

"How late are you thinking you'll be out?" I shruged.

"Till sunrise I suppose." Skyler raised an eyebrow.

"Alright. Just be careful out there. I don't want to hear about you losing your key, or getting hurt by an animal, okay?" I nodded solemnly. "See you in the morning, Friedel."

"You too." Skyler shut the door and I heard the bolt lock afterwards. Taking my paw off the key around my neck, I turned my gaze to the shadowed woods. I was filled with excitement at being out in the dark once again. The energy returned to my body and I ran for the trees. The wind brushed past my fur and my paws hit the grass in confident strokes. After getting past the first few trunks, I slowed to a stop. My eyes were now adjusted to the dark, and I was able to see deeper into the wood. I sat down with my back against one tree. The air of the wood filled my lungs and I was happy to breathe deep in it. I was suddenly struck by how absurd my shock collar was. I tugged at it, trying to get it over my head. Skyler had put it on too tight, and I could not loosen it due to a combination lock. I began to think about how long I may be here. Will I have to get used to this sort of limitation? The full force of my situation had yet to strike me. I stood and walked slowly out into the woods. I should mark where the shock line is. I walked until the shock buzzed on my neck. It startled me, but I was prepared for the pain this time. Getting down on all fours, I put my head on the ground. I wanted to know the exact position of the line. I pushed my head forward with one claw on the collar. When the shock came again, I drove my claw into the ground and withdrew my head. It's right here. I stood and regarded the hole in the ground. This was as close to my territory as I was going to get. I considered marking the border how I used to mark my territory in the old forest. For now, a line would do, just to let me know where it was. I dragged my foot-paw across the small hole and back.

"You take a lot of pride in your territory for a Pet." A voice spoke through the dark off to the left. I looked up and see the figure of an Orange Fox in-between the trees.

"Who are you?" I asked as the Fox came closer. I could see he was a male with a toned frame. His orange tail flicked from side to side, rustling the leaves.

"My name is Kyle. I live in this wood under The Lady." This wood must have a Druid protector like mine. I wondered what she was like, and if I was welcome in her domain.

"Oh... are you one of her familiars?" I asked him. It was a great honor to be chosen as a familiar to a Druid. I myself had been a lesser familiar to Catalina, but she rarely called on me for specific services. Seeing this Fox made me remember my tie to her had been severed.

"No... well, in a way, yes. More of a companion really. Many of us are in this wood. Lady Matilda is very caring to her flock." My ears perk up.

"Your Lady is named Matilda? That odd. My masters' wife was named Matilda, but she left yesterday..." The Fox covered his mouth with his paw to keep from laughing aloud. "What's so funny?" I demanded.

"The Lady recently left her current human mate. She's back in the forest now." The Fox stopped laughing and looked down. "Yet another failed mating... The Lady will never find a suitable mate, I fear." My eyes grew wide.

"Wait a minute! You're not saying that the Matilda that used to live in that house..." I point back to the house, my mind reeling in disbelief. "Is the Lady of this wood?" Kyle nodded slowly.

"She certainly is."

"And she left Skyler because he was not a suitable mate?" He continued to nod.

"Mhmm."

"Why is he an unsuitable mate? They seemed so happy together... They were going to get married." Kyle rubbed his forehead with a sigh.

"That's quite the story... You see, the Lady desires a child. She takes human lovers that show promise. Most humans cannot give her a child, but she knows that some can... She is having a hard time finding any around here..." It was all starting to make sense now.

"So the baby died because..."

"Skyler cannot produce a child with her... It's sad, I know. I had my chance with the lady myself... Another failure." He sat down against a tree with another exasperated sigh. I sat next to him.

"Oh, so not just humans can be a mate to her? I wouldn't mind giving it a shot." Kyle smiled.

"No. Only humans can become the Lady's mate." I narrowed my eyes in thought, giving Kyle a good look.

"I thought you said you had a chance with her?"

"I did."

"Then how-"

"I was human until eight months ago." I was put into a stunned silence. Come to think of it, Kyle was a very odd name for a Fox. After a moment to collect my thoughts, I inquired further.

"Al...right." I stammered. I didn't see Kyle the same way as I did before. "So, I assume the Lady turned you, yes? Why?" Kyle rubbed his snout, his ears flicking.

"Sorry, I still get a little self-conscious when I think about it... the Lady gets attached to all her mates. She doesn't want to let them go. She takes us with her into her flock so she can have us forever. But after mating with her unsuccessfully, you can never be with a woman again." I look down at his crotch at back up to his face.

"You look healthy to me... I know the Veterinarian's talked about taking my Foxhood off... She wouldn't do that would she?" Kyle shook his head, then glanced over at me.

"It's not that... You just don't want to. You never desire another woman after the Lady, and... well... the Lady is no longer eligible to me. That's why she takes so much pity on us. She is trying to compensate for our loss. Sometimes she sets us up with male mates... But I was not so lucky. All the interested males in this wood have already been paired with the Lady's failed mates." Kyle shifted nervously against the tree. I turn away, not wanting to encourage any feelings that may not be mutual.

"What about Skyler? Why hasn't he been taken yet?" Kyle looked up in thought.

"Well... I suppose the Lady got you from the shelter for him. That would make the most sense... That or... no... That's not it." I was almost too stunned to ask anything more, but I managed to get a single word out.

"What?" Kyle batted his paw in the air, dismissively.

"No no. It's alright. I just thought... Perhaps the Lady got you... for me..." I couldn't help but meet his gaze.

"You think?" Kyle licked his lips, tense.

"I'm not sure... I've been waiting longer than Skyler... why not? You're really cute you know that? We don't get Fennecs around here." There was a long pause where we just looked into each other's eyes.

"Thanks..." I say after realizing I should say something. "You're quite the specimen yourself... where you a handsome human, or did the Lady just do a good job on you?" Kyle and I giggled briefly.

"Yeah, you know, I guess..." He lunged forward and put his lips on mine, throwing his arms around my shoulders. I fell backwards. He was on top of me then, his body pressed against me. I had not returned his affection yet, but neither had I resisted. I was in a daze. I awoke from it when he pulled off me suddenly, falling back into place beside the tree. We were both taking heaving breaths. I was disappointed. I had been a split second from falling for him. I pick myself up to my knees.

"What's wrong...? Sorry, you just took me by surprise." Kyle shook his head.

"That's not the issue... no, I'm sorry. I haven't told you everything. I lied about something..." His gaze shifted away from me. My arousal was fading and curiosity took its place.

"What did you lie about Kyle?" He didn't want to say, but after a few moments, he met my eyes again.

"I know who you're meant for... and it's not me..." I cocked my head quizzically.

"But you said you didn't have a mate. You've been waiting longer than Skyler. Why not?" Again Kyle was uncomfortable.

"The Lady got you for Skyler... I'm... I'm taken care of in another sense..."

"What do you mean?" Kyle got up from the tree and moved past me. "Hey, are you leaving?" Kyle stopped and turned his head.

"Yes... I can't tell you that now. You'll figure it out soon enough though. Just know that it's Skyler you're meant for." I jump up to my paws and call after him when he tries to leave again.

"How will Skyler be turned then? Will Matilda come back?" Kyle didn't stop this time. He just waved a hand in the air without turning around. I couldn't follow. He was past the line. I was left in a stupor of feelings and thoughts. None of them made much sense. I fell back against the tree Kyle had sat at and let myself fall down to the ground. His scent was still here... He must have really liked me... poor Kyle. I didn't know Kyle though. I felt like I knew Skyler. He was so good to me. But poor, poor Kyle... I felt my arousal return. I reach over to bite my fur again, but stop as my teeth touch my arm. After a few moments of thought, I lean farther back against the tree, getting as comfortable as I could.

The key slid into the lock of the back door. I turned it the wrong way first, then unlocked it successfully. Once I was inside and I had shut the door behind me, I was able to think again. My mind started racing as I flopped down on the couch. I felt guilty for what I did during and after my encounter with Kyle. Matilda got me for Skyler? Would she be mad if she found out we kissed? It would make more sense that she got me for Skyler. The two of them got me together after all, and she didn't take me with her when she left... Perhaps I should learn to love Skyler. I would be happy with that... assuming Skyler makes for a handsome Fox. He wasn't much to look at as a human, although I had to admit I was becoming attached to him. When was he going to turn into a Fox? How? I was tired, and the sun would rise soon. I curled up on the sofa, my worried thoughts slowly giving way to sleep. I won't tell Skyler anything yet... I'll just wait and see what happens.

"Hey sleepy." I woke to Skyler's voice. I raised my head up off the comfy fabric of the sofa and looked at him with bleary eyes. He was in his blue bath robe again. I thought he had to work today... "You forgot to re-lock the door last night."

"Oh... I thought I forgot something." Skyler reached down and pulled the lanyard off my head. He regarded me up and down. I felt ashamed of myself, almost like he knew what happened last night. He went and sat on the opposite couch with a sigh. "What's up? I thought you had work today." I asked him. He nodded.

"I do." I give him a funny look. "I just don't feel right today... Not sure what it is." I had decided before going to bed that I would say nothing until the time came. Of course, it may not just be that... It could be something more natural. I decided to test it.

"Are you sad because of Matilda?" His expression didn't change.

"Maybe a little... But it's weird... I feel like I don't love her like I used to. I know that's a terrible thing to say, and I should feel bad for the way she left... but I don't think much of it now. No, it's..." He looked up at me. There was something in his eyes that was different. "It's something else..."

"Like what?" His face lightened.

"You look like you rolled around a bit out there." He said in a joking manner. "Look at you! You've got dirt in your paws, bits of leaves in your fur..." He stood suddenly and made for the stairs. "Come on. You need a bath." I slowly got up off the couch and follow him upstairs. I heard him turn on the water in the bathroom. I was not in the mood for another bath. The last one I had was enough for me, although Skyler would be the one bathing me this time... I entered the bathroom, my claws clicking on the linoleum. Skyler knelt by the side of the tub, letting the water run over his hand. "Hop in. I'll take your collar off." It would be nice to be rid of this collar for a bit. I climbed in and gingerly eased myself down into the shallow water. The dirt in my claws soiled the white bottom of the tub. "How's the temperature."

"It's fine." He pulled the lever and the water started to rise. He took my collar around the back and fiddled with a small combination lock. It clicked and I felt relived as the strap loosened. After setting the collar down, he reached for a bottle of strawberry shampoo above me. "Oh, no." I said, looking in dread at the red bottle. Skyler laughed.

"You don't like shampoo?" I shook my head.

"I had a bath at the veterinarians, and the shelter... they got soap in my eyes."

"Aww..." Skyler poured some of the red gel-like liquid into one hand. I cringed a little when he put in near my head. My lips curled back into a small snarl. "Now don't bite. Close your eyes the whole time and you won't get any soap in them. I'm going to do your head and shoulders." I saw his hand come for me again. I trusted him. My eyes closed. The wet, gooey feeling of the shampoo seeped into the fur between my ears and down the back of my neck. It got better after Skyler started scratching it into me. It actually felt good. He took some of the water and rinsed my head off. It ran over my snout and I rubbed my nose.

"Can I open my eyes now?" Another wash of water coated my face and back.

"Now you can." I opened one eye cautiously, expecting the sting of the harsh soap. I was happy to find that not all baths had to be so uncomfortable, and the other eye popped open. I looked up at him expectantly. "What?" He said with a confused, almost nervous face.

"That was nice. The rest of me is still dirty, though." His gaze shifted down my body for a moment before coming back up. He seemed like he was just remembering that he was washing me.

"Oh. Yeah." He noticed the water was still going and turned it off. After that he poured another glob of shampoo into his hands. He got under my arms, my paws, my chest and lower back. I really enjoyed it. I wanted him to keep petting me, and scratching into me. Now came time to wash lower. I had a feeling he was avoiding it. My lower stomach remained untouched, so was the base of my tail. Again, I looked up expectantly.

"Umm..." His eyes darted around the room briefly before settling back onto my face. "Can you get below yourself?" He said extending the bottle to me. I cocked my head to the side.

"Why not you?" He shifted his position on the bathroom rug nervously and griped the side of the tub.

"I... well you... I don't... just... I don't really feel comfortable with..." His gaze went down my body again. This is the kind of thing pet owners do with their pets is it not? This sort of thing happens all the time. It would be over in a flash. He didn't have to touch me everywhere. I was just a Fox when he picked me up from the shelter. What am I now? I took the bottle from him.

"Alright then." I was almost disappointed, but now I was forced to wash myself in front of him. I should make it quick. I squeezed a little onto my paw and sat up higher. The bottle went on the side of the tub and the shampoo ran along my fingers. Reaching down, I massaged the gel in-between my legs. I made sure to get under my tail. Skyler shifted uncomfortably. I expected his eyes to be averted, but he's staring at what my hands are doing. I looked back at him. He seemed as if he was going to stand up, but decided against it. Instead, he looked down at the floor. His right hand moved up to his left arm. I could see he was pinching himself hard. "Do you like me, Skyler?" His gaze darted back up to my face.

"No... I mean yes, of course I like you. You're my little fox, right? My pet. Of course I do" I placed on wet paw on the hand he was pinching with. He was doing exactly what I did the first night I was here. He wanted to hurt himself to distract from his arousal. He liked me. Now that I was sure of this, I felt so comfortable.

"Don't do that. I used to do that sometimes too, but neither of us has to anymore." Skyler licked his lips.

"I... Don't know what's going on..." I grabbed hold of his hand tighter.

"It's okay, Skyler." There was a long pause.

"I had a dream last night..." He said, as if admitting something bad he'd done. I listened with interest. "I dreamt that you and me... We were in the woods... and I... I was a Fox too. We laughed together. Then we kissed, and rolled in the leaves." There was a tear in his eye. "And then... Oh God... I'm such a sick person. I'm sorry." He almost cried, but managed to maintain composure. I was so happy. I was meant for him... Kyle? I didn't love Kyle. I love Skyler. My paw moved from his hand to his face that was now buried in his left hand. He looked up and our eyes met. I got up to my knees in the soapy water and kiss him. He was stunned for a moment, and then with a deep sigh, he melts into my arms. His hands caressed my wet fur and his mouth moved all around my muzzle, trying to find the best way to kiss a Fox. Our breath pounded on each other's cheeks. In the throes of my passion, I received a vision in my mind's eye. Matilda's face beamed at me. She held up a mirror. I saw me and another handsome Fennec Fox at my side. We looked so happy. I knew as long as this moment was true, Skyler would become the handsome Fox I wished him to be. Then, with a start, Skyler jerked back, doubling over in pain.

"Skyler, what is it?" His hands were shaking and he gave a convulsion.

"I... I feel really weird...Ah!" I climb out of the tub and knelt beside him, holding his head in my paws.

"It's okay, Skyler. You're going to be alright."

"Help! Ah... Help me... Friedel!" He gasped as his body gave another spasm. I had to hold him tighter.

"Shh" Fur began to sprout all over his body. His ears moved up his head and widened. His nose and mouth stretched forward into a snout. I held him to keep him from thrashing about too much. It was like a birth. Soon a handsome Fennec rested in my arms. He breathed heavily out his new mouth, his tongue lolling out to the side. He snapped bolt upright and touched his face all over.

"Ma gob." He tried to say. He covered his mouth in shock to find he could barely speak. I took him by his head and turned his eyes to me.

"You haven't gotten the hang of speech yet. You'll get it with practice. Oh!" I threw myself at him and hugged him. "I'm so happy! It worked!" I held him at arm's length. "I'll explain everything later. It's a complicated story. For now, let's get dried off." I stepped up and grabbed a towel from the rack. I threw it at him but he didn't try to catch it. He just sat on the linoleum, flicking his ears, wagging his tail, and rubbing his snout.

"Whapt deu ie deu nawa?" I got another towel for myself.

"What do you do now?" He nodded. "I thought we might run away."