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Part 3

Mikael snarled as the nurse brought in his meal a thick meat stew.

Placing it on the low stool with a spoon near his lair, a pile of blankets where the snarling wild child had made his bed.

Torrents of conflicting emotions raced through the new pathways in Mikael's mind

Hatred at what he had become some sort of filthy animal, anger at who did this, rage at himself and everything but above it all heart rending grief about what he had done. Mikael had never had pets nor had he been permitted to watch TV unsupervised so he wouldn't know he was now one of the planets odder life forms.

"I'm a monster I killed them and now I look like one. It's what I deserve."

Using his grubby paw hand Mikael scooped the stew in to his gnashing maw.

Tears wetting his still human like eyes. Mikael sunk further into despair.

Burrowing into the mass of dirty blankets on the floor in the corner Mikael pulled out his knife. Snarling at it, Mikael began to yell at it blaming it for everything that had gone wrong, before hurling it away from him in disgust. as the blade flew off sticking into the wall.

Mikael leapt out of his lair, his body capable of moving in both bipedal and Quadrupedal motions, he bounded after it on all fours recovering his blade before walking back to the pile and sitting down amongst food remains and papers and all sorts of rubbish.

One Pair of prospective foster parent's were within earshot during this outburst having just heard Mikael's story.

"Sounds like that boy needs some counseling" The female said flicking her ears.

"Indeed but he's refusing help from humans saying he's a beast and doesn't deserve compassion or help. Would you like to meet him?"

The woman nodded as did the man beside her.

Opening Mikael's door they were greeted by a stench of unclean fur and rotten food.

The woman a Mrs. Pizarro stepped back and covered her nose with her pawhand.

"Yea he's not been bathing or allowing us to clean him or the room, his mind is messed up."

"He sees himself as a beast and monster and until he finds some worth and come to terms with what happened he's.... Volatile."

"The poor child, what did scabs do to him?"

Mrs. Pizarro asked her head cocked lightly to the side as she observed the child.

"Well thanks to the web we found out he's actually a morphic hyena now.

He's strong fast and has very very sharp teeth and terrifyingly strong jaws."

"Has he shown any inclination to use that blade?"

Mrs. Pizarro's husband asked concern evident in his voice.

"No that's the odd thing he loves and hates that blade, when we can get close to examine him we occasionally find small nicks and cuts. But I believe that's likely to him handling the blade while he sleeps, so I'm not going to mention it to his court liaison. We're looking in to getting a counselor for him but we need to finds someone who's non- threatening. As he refuses any touch from a human."

Mrs. Pizarro nodded to her husband who upon saying they had seen enough and would talk further upon it left the small filthy medical room.

Returning to their economical small car before driving back to their home town in Pennsylvania, Mrs. Pizarro spoke to her husband.

"I want him."

Her bluntness and anger caused Mr. Pizarro to briefly lose control of his vehicle fortunately it was relatively open road at this time and the incident went unnoticed by any others. "What did you say?"

"I said I want him that boy Mikael... I want him." Mrs. Pizaro replied.

"He's a killer, he's violent he's a total mess."

"He deserves a family. He deserves a second chance at life. He deserves a mother and a father who won't hurt him..." she continued.

"You sound like you want more then just to foster him Anne?"

He replied cautiously.

"Maybe I do but would be later... please Carl let us take him when he's ready I can't bare to see a child hurting like that."

"I know you cant you're too soft hearted. You do know what happened to him don't you?"

"Yes."

"I got to read part of his file....both his parents.. This boy is liable to break your heart.

But.... I want him too. So we will take him soon as they get him sorted."

Mean while back at the hospital the nursing staff had gotten fed up with Mikael's hygiene and had taken matters into their own hands and paws, one of Mikael's nurses was busy restraining him with one arm while another pair of orderlies bodily forced him into a hot bath. All three of the staff got soaked and sworn at until they released Mikael into the hot soapy water...

"Mikael sorry we had to do that but you needed a bath. Now I know you don't like being touched or handled and we're sorry but we're nurses and it's our job to make sure you're taken care of."

Mikael calmed down as soon as he was unhanded and began to take note of what was going on, sometimes a shock to the systems needed to help people see sense.

"Now are you going to wash yourself or are we going to have to do it for you." the younger nurse said her eyes smiling even though her mouth was stern.

"I'll wash, but not with them all watching."

The younger nurse nodded and putting on a disposable apron replied, "ok they won't watch but I will have to, you understand... don't worry I won't help unless you need it but pediatric patients like yourself must be supervised."

Mikael hesitantly started cleaning himself. The newly acquired fur and the lack of hygiene making this a novel experience. After about 15 minutes with Mikael unable to get anywhere near scrubbing hard enough, the nurse a nice young girl named Casie put on some latex gloves and said. "Come here I'll help you scrub your back you can't reach it with those new arms of yours."

Mikael's body while roughly human shaped lacked a lot of the flexibility of the human one. It soon seemed that a change in form wasn't all Mikael was cursed with by S.C.A.B.S. While Mikael was being bathed, his back ramrod straight during the process terrified of the girl bathing his nether regions yet fearful of being beaten if he refused.

Suddenly the girl stopped.... "Mikael I need to have a doctor check something I'll be right back don't move and don't get out."

Careful not to frighten the boy she double checked before withdrawing her hand and removing the gloves.

A few minutes later she was speaking to Dr. Dirkson

"Dr. I was bathing Mikael a few minutes ago and I noticed something he's a canid type correct and as such should have certain things..."

She trailed off hoping the doctor would get the point...

Dr. Dirkson was a cleaver and intuitive man and picked up on her meaning right away.

"So it appears that scabs hasn't finished with the poor boy then... Finish bathing him and I'll come examine him."

A few minutes later a floofly air dried Mikael was sitting in a modified hospital robe on the edge of his bed his lair neatly cleaned and replaced on the bed where it belonged.

Casie waited with him keeping her distance but remaining close at hand so as not to frighten the boy.

"Hello Mikael I am Dr. Dirkson I just need to do a quick examination of you real quick. I promise I won't hurt you."

Donning some rubber gloves the doctor pushed Mikael onto his back carefully as not to infuriate the boy. Pushing and prodding on Mikael's stomach and chest the doctor then turned his attentions to Mikael's groin area before taking a quick blood sample and departing mentioning over his shoulder that Casie should stay with him until further notice.

Taking the blood test to the lab a quick look at it under a microscope seemed to confirm his suspicions and Casie's finding.

Scabs was being utterly ruthless in its destruction of this poor child, one could no longer call him a boy, as he was slowly becoming a female.

Dirkson sat down before making a quick note on his computer before sending an email off to the court and the social services division updating them as to the new situation.

An old email caught his eye.

Coming from one of his friend who kept an weather ear out for interesting scabs news.

Rereading the article Dirkson hit upon an idea, the boy needed a counselor now more then ever as in 6 weeks at current rate of change the boy would be a girl. He needed one who was non-threatening and preferably had scabs...

Only one name fit the bill a rarely heard from scabs counselor named Phill Geuez.

A quick phone call found that Phil only worked part time at the shelter now, as he was employed by a high school in a Pennsylvanian suburb .

Tracking the elusive bunny down Dr. Dirkson explained his case and requested that Phil at least visit the child.

Phil sighed behind his desk not wanting to disappoint this Dr. Dirkson, and in truth the kid sounded like he could use some help. Hey if he could help out a hyperactive cheetah and a depressed elephant he may be able to help this poor kid....."

"Send me his file I'll see what I can do," Phil replied hesitantly. Before hanging up the phone and munching on a piece of carrot.

"Hyperactive cheetah now there's a thought I'll meet this kid and after I've talked to him if I can't help him perhaps I know someone who can...."

With that though Phil turned back to working on updating his student records.

A few days later Mr. and Mrs. Pizarro were called up again,

"Anne Pizarro I'm from social services child welfare section we understand that you would like to foster a child with scabs?"

"Yes me and my husband thought about it and."

The lady on the other end of the phone cut her off. "Yes well in a few weeks we may have a girl that needs fostering."

"A girl what about the boy Mikael? We want him."

"Ah yes that's the child I am referring to it appears that scabs isn't content to change his body..."

"doesn't matter he will need a family more then ever it will be a whole fresh start please let us take him or her or whatever."

"Ok we will contact you to perform home checks and run background checks on the both of you good to know someone doesn't back down from a challenge."

Breaking the news to Mikael was somewhat harder.

"I'm WHAT!" Mikael yelled darting into the corner of the room, "NO," he snarled "your lying I can't be leave me alone." he spat vehemently as he dived for the relative safety of his 'Corner.'

Casie the nice nurse who had been assigned to him almost as a carer, made shooing motions at the doctor and nurses as Mikael began to cry.

Pulling out a book and making a few modifications to its text Casie sat down and began to read.

"Corcuta corcuta, spotted hyena is a large mammal having in common more characteristics with the feline family while outwardly resembling dogs. The hyena, is one of natures most amazing creatures" she began hoping to draw him out and end his tears while he still wouldn't let anyone touch him if he could avoid it he no longer seemed to recoil from her mere presence.

As she continued to read out about Mikael's new 'race' she downplayed its less desirable traits as a scavenger and highlighted its strengths finally when she heard he had stopped crying she went on about how they were a matriarchal society with the females leading the groups. Weather this was true or not was besides the point, as it served to get his now slightly more effeminate muzzle poking out from what had been designated his safe place, filled with clean soft blanket he would flee into them if frightened or upset, and as this reclusive behavior was preferable to him harming himself or others and as it did no harm such behavior was allowed for the time being.

A few days passed since Mikael's folder had been passed to Mr. Geuez and the white rabbit made his first appearance. After meeting with the boy in a mutually agreeable location Phil had the door open and a clear route of escape Mikael had his safe corner and his blade.

Phil was understandably nervous about meeting with a predator after all early experiences

of being hunted tend to jade ones view.

So Mikael, I understand you've had some bad experiences and to make matters worse your now what was it a hyena?"

'I know how you feel would you believe I was once 5'10 and 200 pounds,

Now look at me I'm the Easter bunny." Phil made a joke at his own expense to try to get the petrified kid to relax.

"Its not so bad being a scab. That's what were called you know people like me and like you. You aren't a beast you're still a human being you just look different."

Phil stopped a moment to let his words sink in

"Yea but people like you you're all white and soft and nice.... I'm...I'm a monster." Mikael roared out pulling on his own very tender ears and leaving a tiny rivulet of blood from his claws.

"Your not a monster Mike can I call you Mike? At Mikael's head shake

Phil continued "you're not a monster Mikael you're you and everyone one of us scabs has felt this way...

"I killed my parent's rabbit. I murdered them I'm a beast then and a beast now I'm evil I wish they would have let me die."

Phil could tell he was in dangerous territory Mikael was getting agitated and although he knew an armed guard stood less the 5 meters away that 5 meters seemed a very long way.

Quickly Phil sought an end to this discussion as he could feel his fight or flight reflexes tensing up.

"I'll tell you what I'll make you a deal. You think about what I said and ill see if a friend of mine can come visit you."

Taking Mikael's silence as agreement Phil made his escape shaking and disturbed.

"Poor boy he's a real mess kind of like Jube was before he got his treatment... now I wonder if that hyperactive kitty is available." Phil thought as he was driven home.

Later in a ford Extremis at about 2:30 am, a certain hyperactive kitty was hard at work

Typing away at his laptop at around 1000 words a minute.

The cats phone rang, barely registering in the cats accelerated ears Jubatus answered the phone his own words streaming out faster then any normal creature could produce.

Juuuuuubbbbeee dowwwnnnnsshhhhiiiiiftttt ppllleeaaasseee. Phil's words came across slowly but understandably.

Hearing the message Jube automatically adjusted his speed to that of the normal world as opposed to the six times speed he usually worked at...

"Phil hi sorry bout that caught me working, How can I help you my friend."

Briefly Phil outlined the situation and his thoughts on the matter.

Jube on the other end of the line grimaced and winced sympathetically.

"Double trouble from scabs huh gender and species poor boy, and the family situation I'm not surprised he's despondent."

yea I can visit him I suppose since he's in denial and hating himself someone he can't physically hurt could be useful... unless scabs has given him my ability.

Sure Phil I can visit him tomorrow you make the arrangements."

For the next hour Phil and Jube discussed the child and how best to help him or her as it was becoming increasing difficult to determine weather the child was male

As Jube hung up he already had begun researching how he could help the child, even though it was early morning Jube had hours if not days to track down the information he would need to help the kid...

Researching the original court case and tracking back along the data trails Jube jotted down a few legal facts that could be needed. If he was forced to deal with the courts

Something Jube had near infinite experience with often acting as his own counsel in the courts....

Finally with all his preparation complete Jube took a brief nap. Brief in terms of time taken but hours in terms of effective rest he received.

A message from Phil at about 8 am told him he had a appointment with Mikael at anytime from noon onwards with a 3 hour drive or a 15 minute run if he up shifted to his max. Upon brief consideration Jube split the difference deciding to run the 300 miles in about an hour . Driving his Extremis to the west end shelter and asking the snake lady who ran the place a Mrs. Splendor to keep an eye on it Jube took his light weight rucksack limbered up and up-shifted.

Seeing Jube run was akin to watching the wind you could see its effects its passing but not the cause running at just short of the speed of sound tended to blur ones belongings fortunately even with his speed Jube had the advantage of knowing the terrain and running along the motorway shoulder kept his path relatively clear..

Arriving at Saint Bernadine's general hospital an hour or so later Jube came to a stop his legs and arms pounding and in need of energy a quick trip to a burger joint solved the energy concern while a quick nap and soak in a local fountain solved the foot condition.

Checking the contents of his rucksack Jube walked into the hospital and headed to the pediatric ward.

"I have an appointment to see Mikael Thornwood name of Jubatus."

"Ah yes Mr. Geuez's friend I do hope you can help her, poor girl is a real state no one has the heart to tell her. Her recent DNA test shows over 51% female and the rate of change is increasing. She's in room 212 the guards outside if you get into trouble.

"Hmm seems the rest of my research may be useful, Jube replied as he walked off, "No matter what don't let anyone in until I say so ok?" he added.

Nodding to the sleepy guard outside 212 Jube informed the guard of the same warning he had given to the nurse's station.

Opening the door Jube walked in, body ready to up-shift in an instant.

"Hello Mikael how are you?" Jube asked his voice light despite the dangerous child lurking somewhere within.

I have some interesting news for you. Jube began intending to provoke a reaction from the child as soon as possible.

"Our mutual friend Mr. Bunny rabbit or Phill sent me to talk to you," Jube trailed off inviting the poor girl to speak.

"Oh and whys that you a counselor also? He sent you to tell me it will all be ok ?"

"Cause it wont I don't care what you say I'm doomed I'm worthless and I am a monster."

With the response as he expected, Jube smiled, "Actually no I'm here to tell you that you are now officially a Girl. Jube stopped and waited for the response he knew was coming.

Instead of the attack he was expecting he was met with a flat refusal "liar." Mikael said quietly. Her paws fondling her knife.

Jube nodded believe what you will I have the proof.. now this brings up a question. If your not a boy anymore and your not a man anymore what are you.

"A killer and a monster" came the tear filled reply.

"Well Yes You ARE a killer and you are a type of monster."

Jube replied as his body began to up shift as a rush of movement from Mikael lair indicated an immanent attack

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" Mikael yelled at the top of her lungs dagger in hand she rushed the lying cat man forgetting her promise to the judge and everything else that she had been warned about

Outside the guard snapped to and drew his pistol.

You ok in there he shouted heeding the rather slight cheetahs' words he stayed outside hoping he wasn't making a mistake.

At a rate of 6 times human perception Jube waited until Mikael's blade had reached full extension, a point at which it would have hit him had he not had effectively several minutes warning and more then enough time to react. Calmly coolly Jube sidestepped the thrust and placing his arm on the girls, gently took the knife from her before sitting her down on one of the scab acceptable chairs in the room. And sitting himself down on the other.

Mikael screamed her mind raging at this man thing a monster like himself who dared lie to 'him'.

When the blade should have met flesh and fur she instead found herself seated in a chair disarmed and facing the strange cat man.

"Nice workmanship Mikael well made and very artistic, I'm impressed."

Jube said as the young girl got to grips with someone who was capable of not only dodging but also rearranging the situation and without showing any fear.

"WH what are you??" She gasped out her rage temporarily gone at the sheer power this cat person had.

"I'm a scab just like you. And it's precisely why I was asked by Phill to talk to you. you can't hurt me. However, that stunt you pulled just now would have killed another person and you don't want that.

Carefully he handed the blade back to the girl who accepted it quietly.

One thing you have to learn GIRL I don't lie, nor do I like being attacked I'm here to talk to you because I know what its like to believe yourself a killer.

In a fraction of an eye blink Jube had Mikael pinned up against a wall her own blade pressed against her throat.

In fact I have reflexes so quick it is instinctive to kill I can calculate how much food I could get from you your chance of escape and your probable resistance factor

another eye blink and the were both back in a chair. The blade resting across the girls lap.

"Your scary mister", Mikael gulped as she felt her fur pricking up along her arms.

"I know your scary too, a girl who was a boy, a boy who was human who killed his parents, and mastered blade smithing that's scary. The last part however is something to be proud of."

"Kid think on this Mikael you killed your parents and now you feel like a monster because of what happened to you. Thats GOOD. Imagine if you didn't feel like a monster they wouldn't find a nice foster family for you, nor would they actually care about you, the judge more or less let you off."

"And more importantly there's one other issue it may not seem much in the light of this,

but as your no longer a male your technically not able to inherit your great grandfathers estate."

This brought a reaction from the poor child tears seeping through her eyes... "So I have nothing..... but dad had no brothers no one is left..... th the estate is gone." She looked up at him tears streaming from her eyes , it wasn't the money though 5.9 billion dollars wasn't a trifle it was the fact that it was her grandfathers legacy the Thornwood estate was one of the oldest intact land plots in the U.S.A.

"You can't legally inherit unless I were to speak to the judge and lawyers on your behalf."

Jube continued his dark eyes smiling as he brought a ray of hope to the despondent girl.

"Wou would you," Mikael sobbed... the impact of her changed reality finally sinking in.

"I might, but if I do I want something from you in return...." he broke off as she stood and bent over the bed saying "take what you want then..."

Jube went white his mind reeled " how badly was this child abused for her to offer herself like this , was this what her father and mother expected of 'him'".

"STAND UP!" Jube yelled, "I don't intend to have you pay me like that nor anyway your family may have used you!"

"Arghh wait here!" Jube yelled before up shifting and blasting out of the room and enjoying a high speed run to calm his nerves including a brief visit to the judge to inform him that Jube would be assisting Mikael in maintaining his claim to the Thornwood estate.

Returning after a 10 minute absence Jube had written out a quick but legally binding contract

"Right Mikael here's the deal I'll see what I can do to keep you in your inheritance in exchange I want you to abide by this contract. You violate it and I'll make sure your family's home is sold to a developer With proceeds going to charity."

At the girls whimper Jube softened.

"Don't worry kid this contract should prove mutually beneficial, Beneficial to me because I get to pay off a debt to the bunny rabbit. Beneficial to you because it will give you direction."

Holding her paw out unsteadily Mikael took a copy of the contract and read it,

a simple contract less then four pages in length outlining Jube's plan provided she obeyed.

Reading aloud to make sure she understood Mikael began.

"I Mikael Thornwood, former male hair of the Thornwood line agree to abide by and uphold the following conditions. "

"The condition in the first is to treat my self now and always with respect and dignity as befitting a human being and not as a beast, I will sleep in a bed and take care of my body and mind as best as I am able."

"The 2nd condition is I will continue to practice and enhance my skill in the art known as blade smithing in the understanding that no blade I make will be used to harm another with reasonable provision for self defense or blades no longer in my possession. In addition I agree to accept Mr. Acronix as co counsel in the company of Thornwood Artifice Blades which is and will be a company held in trust by him and myself until the final conditions of this contract is fulfilled."

"3rd I will accept and treat with respect any family that takes me in and take the counseling and help offered me."

"4th I will accept that I am no longer male and will make any and all changes to embrace and accept my new life."

"Fifth I will continue to meet with and integrate with people of my new kind (scabs) and will find acceptance in my life and understanding in the fact that what happened to me is in the past I need not live it in the future and can learn to tolerate people again."

"6th in the event that Mr. Jubatus finds I have not maintained this contract within reason I authorize and agree to the final liquidation of my namesake estate

"7th upon reaching my 21st year if having fulfilled all conditions of this and the conditions of my release Acronix will sign over his share in the business leaving me as majority shareholder and sole owner

signed and witnessed ."

"You want to help me, you think I can make a living from this." Mikael said waving her blade around."

Jube nodded. "I'm a business man in fact with your permission I will recover and find a buyer for the rose blade , I reckon I can get at least 3000 dollars for it. Which will be split 70-30 your favor."

Taking a pen Mikael signed the document and the copy tears leaking from her eyes at the idea someone actually wanted to help her and not hurt her..

Jube signed on his line as he smiled his ploy had worked threaten and offer a reward. Now all she had to do was accept it.

Over the next few weeks Jube continued visiting occasionally taking the now fully female girl out teaching her what he could about control. True to his word he secured her inheritance based on the precedent of scab bank accounts being released when they no longer were that person based on DNA or appearance.

The judge agreed and approved of Jube's dealing with Mikael.

Finally the doctors agreed she wasn't in any danger and allowed her to be placed with her new foster family, wearing her old male cloths she made a much better second impression on the Pizarro's then she did a first..

Bearing in mind her contract and obligations to the judge and Jube, Mikael had been working on her behavior and indeed her attitude the nice nurse Casie and Mr. Jube helped in this regard. While still detesting being touched by men and fearful of being struck she was a little, with emphasis on the little, more accepting of females.

Dressed in a her old cloths now modified crudely for a tail and with the lower front legs slit to make it easier Mikael waited in her room fiddling with her ever present knife. For the Pizarro's to complete signing some paperwork making them her legal guardians for the time being.

The fox like woman, her foster mother Mikael corrected herself smiled and made a beckoning gesture not commanding as her late parents would have done but a more gentle its time to go message.

Sighing Mikael stood and sheathing the knife in a simple leather sheath about her waist, left the room and walked out into her new life.

End part three