FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Brilliant red embers stood in stark contrast to dimly lit office as they advanced along the pale white shaft of the cigarette, leaving dark grey ash it its wake as it filled the air with the pungent aroma of smoldering toxins. The acrid taste of smoke coated my pallet as it traveled to my lungs, sending a wave of tranquility through my body, helping to forget the stresses that often weighed on my shoulders. Times were chaotic in the metropolis of Effaye, but that was hardly a deviation from the norm. One would think that such an environment would be a treasure trove for a private investigator, but this is one German Shepherd shamus that clearly had misjudged the location of that big black 'X' on the tattered map of private practice.

My deep hazel eyes drift back down to the surface of my desk where the room's sole light source illuminated a handful of ivory pages littered with black markings that seemed to blend nonsensically among themselves; which served to only help accentuate the bold red stamp reading 'PAST DUE'. With a disdainful scowl, I reached forward and flicked the fresh batch of spent cigarette on the offending notice. In my current financial situation, I take whatever victories I can get no matter how petty or frivolous they may be. The typical low mechanical whirr of my lazily turning ceiling fan, the standard source of sound in my office was punctuated by a rapping on the door that caused my tan furred paw to halt in its trek to bring the smoke back to my dark muzzle.

Though my cynical half argued that the sound had to have been imagined given the hour of night, the silhouette projected on the glazed panel of glass on my door confirmed the presence of a visitor. A jolt of realization coaxed me into action before they could knock a second time, or gods forbid, leave. "Come in." I said in the best professional voice I could muster while I both stamped out the cigarette in the ashtray and gripped the brim of my hat to remove it from my head and set it aside. I had just finished running my fingers through my headfur to make sure it wasn't matted as the handle turned and door opened. At the last moment, I planted my elbows on the table and steepled my hands beneath my chin in an attempt to portray some sense of stoic patience to my game face.

It was a fortunate pose, for it prevented my jaw from landing in my lap upon seeing the rare beauty that entered my office. She was a hybrid that had the best aspects of both species, vulpine and some sort of leporidae as far as I could gather. Lush golden and white fur shown where her elegant black dress did not cover, which while formal in of itself, the deeply plunging neckline and a slit that went all the way to her hip alluded to a personality that was anything but prim and proper. Her headfur was black with traces of crimson at the tips, anteing up on what her body and attire suggested. The sway to her effeminate hips and plumed vulpine tail as she walked towards me was hypnotic. I was enchanted by her for but a moment before my mind spurred my libido into line so that I may meet her gaze rather than allow my eyes to wander any further. It was almost as if she had a knowing, self-satisfied smirk on her lips. Had she noticed? Come on Leo; get your head in the game. I berated internally.

"Mr. MacFinn?" She spoke in a smooth, sensual voice that was like music to my ears.

Remembering my manners, perhaps a beat later than proper, I rose from my desk and met my guest as professionally as I could muster. "Yes, though you may call me Leo. And you are...?" I let the question hang in the air as I extended my hand in greeting.

"Someone who might have some information of value to you." She replied, taking my hand briefly in hers. Her touch was soft and warm; disarming in many ways. At least it would have been had her election for anonymity sent a familiar tingle along my spine that warned me to be on my guard. It seemed likely that I was dealing with a femme fatale.

"Oh? What leads you to believe that?"

There was a quality to the smile that spread across her lips, something that was overt and yet difficult to read the meaning behind. "A little bird told me that you are looking for the Hinata-Rabbit. I know where you can find her."

That caught my attention; clearly evident in the way my ears snapped in her direction. I had been stalking out this particular mark ever since they first appeared in Effaye a few months ago. In such a short amount of time they had already garnered quite the reputation; one that continues to grow and spread like a wildfire if given an opportunity to do so. The Hinata-Rabbit was damn good at what she does, which made them a wanted individual. The only problem is that it was proving to be difficult exposing them; not that that ever dissuaded me in the past. They were one of the best, which only made the bounty and fame for catching them all the more enticing. Could this really be the big break I was waiting for?

I blinked as a part of my psyche was finally able to be heard over my moment of introspection.

"Her?" I said absentmindedly; more to myself than the woman before me. In all the time I spent looking for the Hinata-Rabbit, I never uncovered anything alluding to their gender. So how did she...?

"Oops." The dame replied in obviously feigned innocence as that smile upon her lips only became more devious. "Oh well, it's not like I was trying to hide anyways."

For a heartbeat my mind and body were frozen by shocked disbelief that the Hinata-Rabbit was not only standing before him, but openly admitted her identity even after knowing he was after her. In a motion that was part reflex and part conscious thought, I reached for the top drawer where I kept my gun and my cuffs only to feel something latch around my wrist and stop the motion short. Daring a glance away from my quarry, I checked to see what I was caught on and toppled back in alarm to see a tentacle binding me just above my hand. Panic was beginning to set in as I traced the tendril back to my office door only to realize the woman... no, the Hinata-Rabbit had left it open to set up this very ambush while whatever creature was ensnaring me remained out of view. She just watched in glee as I thrashed around, struggling in vein against more tendrils that slithered into my office with the intent to subdue me.

My mind raced with desperation in the need to escape or get help. This late at night the building would almost certainly be empty, but there is always the off chance a janitor or security guard might hear me. Just as I opened my mouth to cry out for help, a tendril looped around my muzzle and snapped it closed just before I felt myself hoisted off the ground. My arms, my legs, my torso... hell, even my tail was bound by whatever was in the service of the Hinata-Rabbit. Still I thrashed and fought. At least I did until the creature slammed me onto the surface of my desk, pinning me in place with my head forced towards the ceiling where I could only see the lazily spinning fan and the light from my lamp in the peripheries of my vision.

That impact had taken most of the fight out of me as my lungs struggled to reclaim the breath that was knocked out of them. At that point, the tendrils might have iron bands with as much give as they allowed me and I realized I was going to be the Hinata-Rabbit's next victim. No sooner had that dawning come to me than I felt a weight on my pelvis moments before her face came into view hovering only inches over mine with that smoldering smile of hers. It would be impossible to hide the confusion and uncertainty in my eyes as I realized the femme fatale was straddling me. "Looks like you finally found me, Leo..." I felt the warmth of her hand again, this time gently caressing the side of my muzzle. "And now it is time for your reward." With that, the Hinata-Rabbit put meaning behind her words as she leaned forward and pressed her smoldering lips against mine...

She truly is one of the best.