FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Author: Juna of SoFurry

Characters: Den (c) Juna of SoFurry; Sly, Luck, Maneki (c) Electricfox777 of Furaffinity

Comforting Bedfellows

Chapter One

The afternoon sun disappeared behind the rolling rain clouds wishing to cause a storm. A few rays of sunlight peeked from breaks in the gray masses only to be swallowed when the winds changed direction. A weatherman predicted rain, possibly thunderstorms later that night. Such was the weather. One minute perfectly predicted by the news station meteorologist, then changing the next just to spite a weary commuter.

People on the streets below paid little heed to the scatterbrain weather rolling between sunny and dreary. The one person who cared about these troubled events was Densetsu Tenspirits. Her blue eyes cast upwards to the gray filled sky. At a corner deli she observed the turbulent scene of mother nature and father sky raging on in their lover's spat. Den (as people knew her) acted the child caught in the parent's furious rage wondering who would win.

A clap of thunder rumbled further away from the city horizon. Looks like father sky was winning after all. Den barely registered the three teenagers zipping by on their skateboards, until a loud "Hey!" broke her concentration. She side stepped pressing her body against the deli window to avoid the reckless males. Her back pushed into the smooth glass surface knowing the distant grind on the pavement signaled the coast was clear.

Something fell from Den's shoulder. Upon inspection the strap of her purse slipped out of place. No thanks to avoiding the teenage ruffians causing havok on the busy city street. Den tugged at her purse strap adjusting the fallen rein.

"Please tell me this day gets better!" She rubbed at her temples in earnst. This week was a death trap. It seemed today represented a new flood of chaos to her job, her life, and God knew what else.

A sudden chirp from her purse distracted her inner turmoil. The sounds of her cell phone demanded attenion. The tigress fished through the contents of her bag to locate the furiously chirping device. Indeed, the mobile phone droned on for need till she pushed the answer key.

The digital screen showed a picture of a little phone marked out denoting a missed call. No signs of a voice mail. However, the name on the call was Sharma, her black tigress cousin. That was right. Dearest cousins Sharma and Juhi were visiting that month. Great! Chalk this up to another bad moment in the day of Den.

Suddenly a clash of thunder cracked through the mid afternoon skies. Den put her phone hurriedly into her purse and decided to slip inside West End Select Deli. That was the name spelled out in gold and black cursive on the window of the place she claimed as refuge. She scurried into the small eatery where a few bored faces glanced up pass their salami and tuna salad sandwiches.

An elder cat couple swapped gazes between each other and the confused tigress. Lovely. She thought. First missed call from family and now two old folks judging me. Joy. Den walked pass the staring Furs to the register. The tomcat behind the counter gawked at the feline. Her eyes followed his and from their angle they went directly to her low cut blouse. Target aquired? Dammit!

Den grabbed her purse frowning as the scenarios of the day crept from horrible to down right pathetic. Not like the tom was coping a feel, _but that wasn't the point!_Defeated, the feline slipped her purse over her shoulder leaving the deli in a rush. So much for grabbing a bite to eat.

A wet drop fell on her pink nose causing her to wriggle it. No.

Yes. A succession of wet droplets collided on the tigress. The storm front from earlier arrived. High above in the skies mother nature and her skyward husband fought like soldiers on the battlefield. Thunder struck across the dark skies striking off the city line to destination unknown. All about pedestrians ran frantically to by pass rain at all costs.

The awnings of the escaped deli provided shelter one last time. There came a sigh from her lips. She prayed this place served it purpose because time was against her. The feline was suppose to be heading to Sly's by now, or she was an hour ago. He'd probably think she'd forgotten. Who knew.

Den pinned her ears back. Her eyes winced fighting back the developing tears daring to weep. There came a short sob then like the rain tears cut pass her sapphire eyes running down her cheeks. She stood there paws covering her eyes feeling lousy, stupid, and pathetic. No matter the effort to make things right, all went wrong. She refused to budge from her spot.Please, someone help...

From the depths of her purse came a shrilling ring tone forgotten from her inventory of sounds. The tone's melody was from a particular anime a certain wolfox watched.Why is that tone playing? Unless? She wiped the straining tears from the corner of her eyes as she went for her phone. As predicted the screen indicated incoming call from, "Sly?" A shaking finger pressed the answer key but like last time it echoed "missed call".

"Oh, to hell with this! I am heading there!" Disregarding the downpour the tigress stalked to the corner hailing a taxi.

The cab driver found his paw stuffed with a good wad of money. He rubbed the back of his neck. His fare didn't say much as she gave a mild thanks then slipped from his car. Whatever his cilent's issue she obviously was cold about it. When she was out and from ear shot he mumbled, "What's her deal?"

Den's collective problem could wait for all she cared. Right now she was late in meeting Sly for the afternoon. Reaching the door Den tried to correct her upheaveled hair, muzzle, and teary eyes. Before she could ring the door bell a petie feline with impressive golden eyes met her. Both felines glanced one another over. No calico coloring so this had to be...

"Luck?"

"Densetsu?"

Coming from behind Luck was the shorter of Sly's pets Maneki. She gave a smile, "Den Den! Here to see Master?"

Den nodded at the calico feline. Luck pushed gently at Maneki wanting to be on her way.

Luck smiled. "We'd stay and chat more but we're late enough in visiting Pearl and Sakura. Sly's inside by the by, see you!" She called from over her shoulder as she headed out with Maneki in tow.

Fear crept into the tiger's nerves. She froze half way through the doorway and the house. Inside she knew Sly lingered but where? Would he be in the living room? Or maybe in his office? Luck said the wolfox was inside and from the missed phone call obviously expecting her. She had to mentally slap herself to gain her composure.

"Come on, Den. He's expecting you, act right." She muttered entering the house. As she closed the door behind her a voice from within the home snapped her from her lull.

"Luck, is that you?" Male voice. Commanding. That was Sly.

From out of the hall way came the one and only author extradonaire Sly. He stood there with a confused look about his muzzle. Den expected it was from her being there and not his pet Luck. The tigress blinked few times shifting in her wet clothes as both parties had a stare down.

Den cleared her throat chuckling weakly, "No, but good guess. Just me, just Den."

The tigress tilted her head offering a half hearted smile to hide her worthless afternoon. She knew today meant much to the wolfox. He'd be showing off his latest story ready for publication. Den understood the importance, but failed to be there on time.

Sly quirked a brow ridge at his friend. "You all right?"

She rubbed at the back of her head laughing nervously. God, she felt like a girl from one of his anime's with the sweat drop behind waiting to expell a deep breath in frustration.

"Completely fine!" She said. "Now, let us forget my tardiness and see this new book you're writing, OK?"

The wolfox wouldn't hear of it. He placed a hand on her shoulder holding her back from entering his office. Den stopped dead in her tracks. Did I say something wrong? S_ly sighed under his breath. She blushed hotly beneath her striped fur. _Maybe, I did say the wrong thing. Please, don't make this the day the earth swallows me whole as well.

Sly placed both hands on her shoulders now. A light squeeze came next followed by, "You don't look it. I'd say you're far from it. What's wrong?"

"Nothing is...wrong."

The wolfox growled at her. He could tell from her nervousness the lie laced in her words.

"Den, you're not fooling me. Don't hide whatever's on your mind. You know I'd find out sooner or later." And he was correct on that matter. She turned her gaze to the nearby couch reaching out for it. Her body pulled from his grip as she poised herself on the couch cushions.

She sat on the couch hanging her head despite his offered kind words. Sly stood arms folded about his chest looking at his feline companion with concern etched into his muzzle. There came a long silence between the friends as they took turns deciding on what to say next. Den wrung her paws together squeezing them in her deep thoughts. She wanted to tell him all her troubles, but couldn't bring herself to do it.

Pain seared into her eyes. Fending off forthcoming tears hurt the most. She wanted to remain calm in his presence though she possessed no strength to do so. The tigress covered her face with her paws resigning to her fate. She sat there a good few momenents letting the tears flow. Her sapphire eyes shed sobs of guilt, fault, pain, every overwhelming emotion stress brought on. In the background the wolfox stood keeping guard to his guest.

"Sly..." She croaked through her tears.

"Yes?" The voice was close by. Den peeked through the blur of tears to see Sly mere inches in front of her. He knelt beside her a concerned look on his face. She hadn't wished to break down like a spoiled child upset over a toy gone unpurchased, but her day threw struggles at her she couldn't handle. Stress blanketed her from the very start.

He took her paws forcing them apart. The fingers unlaced from the constant worry. Den gazed up at the canine sadness in her visage. He'd always been a good friend to turn to in those time of need. Right now Den needed him more than she knew.