Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chap 1

A Zootopia fanfiction.

Authors Note:

This is based on an AU (Alternative Universe) where Nick and Judy meet as kits and are roughly the same age.  

*****

“Momma, I don’t like this place,” said Judy, adjusting the blue ‘Police’ costume hat on her head.  “It looks cold and mean and dirty.”

The usually bold seven year old bunny stayed close to her parents, following Bonnie Hopps and Stu as they walked down the grey hallway.  The huge windowless concrete building was far bigger than the three bunnies, being built for medium sized mammals.  The only illumination came from florescent lights on the ceiling.  They emitted an annoying buzzing sound, making their sensitive bunny ears twitch slightly.  The building smelled of the dirt and dust which had crept into the shadowed corners between the floor and the walls.   It was oppressive, making Judy feel like the tons of concrete around them were weighing her down.  The three walked by themselves, neither seeing nor hearing any other mammal besides the rhino at the gate and the bored looking sheep who checked their ID’s at the front door.

“We’ll leave soon, Little Bun.  Your father wanted to check for tractor and truck parts.”

The three briefly stopped at a map  hanging on a metal stand, Stu studying it for a moment, running his blunt claws down to a spot.  “Looks like ‘Auto Parts’ are down this hallway, take a left to into Storage Area Six.”

The three walked onwards, paw steps seeming to echo through the building.  As they got closer to their destination, Judy could hear movement and a humming whine in the distance, followed by a beeping sound then a heavy thump and creaking noise.

“Why doesn’t Dad order parts from Mr. Whitetail?”

Bonnie replied, “Because these parts are a lot less money.  Someone stole them-"

Stu interrupted. "Probably foxes. They steal and lie all the time."

Bonnie continued, "Some bad mammal stole them, or did something wrong, and the police took all the things.  Later, the police sell them here from the ‘Police Surplus storage lot’ when the bad mammals go to jail.”

Judy brightened up a little.  “So this is like a police building?” she asked as they turned left and continued walking.

Stu said, “Sure is, Jude the Dude.  Stay near us.  Some of the things they sell are sharp or dirty and you don’t want to ruin your nice clothes before we go out to eat.”  Judy was wearing a yellow sundress with a pink bow on it, instead of her usual overalls or jeans.  Today was “Judy Day” where she got a turn with her parents and a special outing with them.  Each litter had an assigned month, and each litter member had their day to shine and get individual attention from their parents.  They had decided to go out to eat at a restaurant for lunch, before a special trip to the ‘Law Enforcement Museum' near the train station for the Podunk County seat. It was an easy trip, two train stops up the line from Bunny Burrow.

Reflexively, Judy smoothed her yellow sundress out.  She had wanted to wear jeans, but Momma and Daddy said they would be going to a nice place to eat and they wanted her to look pretty.  When she complained that she needed to ‘be in uniform’ they allowed her to wear the police hat with it.

The whine grew louder and changed pitch.  The sound briefly stopped, then a ‘BEEP-BEEP-BEEP’ could be heard, followed by a metallic CLANK that sent vibrations through the floor and into their foot paws.

Up ahead a printed sign hung above the door proclaiming ‘Storage Area Six’ followed by a paw-written sign in black marker on printer paper taped to the wall that stated ‘Auto Parts, motorbikes, & tools’.

They walked inside the large room, with rows of pallets lining the walls, each loaded with an assortment of parts or tools.  Several other mammals, including some bunnies, several sheep and a giraffe were walking around looking at the items.  A rhino finished pointing to a pallet containing a set of medium mammal sized tractor tires.  A pig quickly rolled up on a forklift, lifted the pallet, and raced off towards a loading dock at the far end of the room, beeping the horn twice.

Stu broke away from the group. “Look!  A '52 Herd pickup bed!” he said, quickly moving toward a selection of pallets that held his interest.  

Bonnie looked around, and noticed a map hanging nearby.  She hopped over, checked and noticed that 'Housewares/Electronics' was in 'Storage Area Eight' across the hall.

Bonnie motioned towards the hallway, and began to walk that direction, as her cell phone rang.  The bunny mom flipped the phone open, noticed Judy was following her, and turned her attention to her conversation on her metallic ‘Grazer’ flip phone.

“Hello there, Mildred.  How are you and the lambs doing?  Great to hear.   Me, Stu and Jude are at the ‘Police Overflow Storage Sale’ today.  I’m hoping to find a washing machine to replace unit number six with the dead motor.”

Judy stopped following for a moment and looked at the sign herself. She didn’t care about tools or trucks or washing machines.  This was BORING.  She wished they could get OUT of here… A quick glance finally revealed ‘Police/E.M.S. and Temporary Holding (restrict) Overflow’ in ‘Storage Area 52’.  THAT looked a lot more fun.  Just out into the hall, take a right and go down all the way.

As Judy mapped her route, a  gray-furred teenage polecat in a bright yellow shirt walked past, following the same route as Bonnie.

Bonnie was hopping towards the appliances, chatting on the phone, half distracted by the conversation and half wondering what she might find.

“..So then Martha looks, and sees that old goat MacDougal coming out of the hayfield, trousers only half on, shirt unbuttoned.  The NEXT thing she sees is Mary-Kate McDonald following him, her dress half off! Mind you, she’s only half his age at twenty, with him mated to Mrs . MacDougal besides…”

“No! How sure are you about-“

“Mom, I’m going to E.M.S. in area 52!” called out Judy from behind her.  

Bonnie spared a half glance behind her, seeing grey fur and the yellow cloth, and distracted said “Okay, dear…” without really paying attention.

Turning back to the conversation at hand, the mother rabbit asked “How sure are you about all this?  Mary-Kate is a bit wild of a nanny, but I wouldn’t have thought about her doing the pump and dump with that old goat…”

******

Judy wandered down the hallway, a bit more used to the place now.  It should be safe, since it’s a POLICE storage, even if it looked a bit unfriendly.  She bounced down the hallways, occasionally stopping at the maps to check her way.

After about ten minutes, she found ‘Storage Area 52’ and noticed there was a paper sign on the entrance. ‘Out to lunch.’

“Moldy Cabbage! If I wait until lunch is over, we might have to leave before I can get in!” said Judy to herself.  She considered.  The sign didn’t say ‘KEEP OUT’ or ‘DO NOT ENTER’.  It wouldn’t hurt if she just looked around a little bit; maybe she could get Mom and Dad to buy her something if it wasn’t too expensive.  Maybe she could find some training manuals or a whistle or whatever.

With a glance to either side, she opened the door, and walked in.

Judy looked around, seeing a standard large concrete room, lined with metal shelving units.  She started walking the aisles, peering at the Police and Emergency Services items on the shelves.  She passed rows of old firefighter helmets, expired first aid kits, and stopped at some sort of keyboard machine without a screen.  Peering closely, she saw a piece of paper inside it, half wrapped around a long cylinder.

Pressing a key, she saw a metal piece inside the keyboard thing swing up halfway towards the paper.  She pressed harder and the metal leg swung up and a faint letter 'K' appeared on the blank 'Lost Property Report' form in the 'plaintiff date of birth' field. Stepping back, she was about to grab the 'Royal Zootopia Typewriter' but stopped when she noticed the thick dust on it.  Wanting to keep her dress clean, Judy made a note of where the 'typewriter' was, and the price ($5), moving on in search of police items.

*****

Stu looked over the motor on the pallet.  It was dirty, but didn’t seem to be leaking oil anywhere.  He wiped off a layer of dust and saw the valve covers had been changed from factory iron to shiny stainless steel ones.  Grabbing his handkerchief he swiped off the side, and noticed the motor had been painted red in some sort of custom job.  

He turned to the sheep standing nearby with a 'STAFF' badge around his neck.  

“Hey there…” Stu peered at the badge.  “…Terry…do you know how many miles this here motor has?”

The sheep looked at the pallet, flipped pages on his clipboard, and ran a hoof down the list.

“Dunno.  Just says it was seized for insurance fraud from a rebuilder.  Got it reported stolen, the shop collected an insurance check, cashed it, and kept the motor.”

The sheep turned to a goat standing at a table nearby.  “Hey Will!  You know anything about the motor on pallet ending 94872?”

“94872…lemme look it up,” said the goat.  He typed on a laptop keyboard, clicked a few times, and laughed.  “That’s the motor from that ‘Shepson’ case!  Stupid mammal was a motor rebuilder. He stole from the insurance company, then his mate caught him…getting real friendly with her own SISTER in their marriage bed.  She divorced him, got the house and custody of the kids.  He got five years for fraud.”

Terry turned to Stu.  “Looks like we officially can’t give an answer to the miles on the motor.  Might have two-hundred thousand.  Might have zero miles after a rebuild.”

“Looks like I’ll have to place mah’ bet on this one.  How much?” asked the bunny farmer.

“With unknown miles, say $650.  Credit cards, checks, or cash.  No refunds.  Cash and carry. No delivery.”

“How about $500?” countered Stu?

“I can settle for $600 on this one,” said the sheep.

“You got a deal,” said Stu, thinking they should wrap this up and get going soon.  His belly was feeling empty, and he was sure that Judy was going to drive Bonnie crazy before too much longer.

*****

Bonnie walked through the storage room, looking at pallets to find washing machines.  She found quite a few dishwashers, bread makers, and blenders as she walked around, still chatting on the phone.

”...so I'm baking, and all the sudden little Wendy hops up, grabs me by the apron and pulls, yelling I have to come with her.  I barely have a chance to put the last pan of biscuits down on the counter, and she is yanking me down the hallway.  The NEXT thing I know, she is pushing me into the hallway bathrooms before I can find out what’s going on.

I look up, and one of the shower stalls has a bunch of does crowding around it, laughing and taking pictures with cell phones.  I shove them out of the way and I find Darren in the stall, pawcuffed to the showerhead, ears back and close to tears, with heavy lipstick and eyeliner on.  I told the does to erase the pictures and videos; I told them anything posted would mean lost phones for 6 months.

He had pawcuffed himself to the showerhead, and was practicing picking the lock with a safety pin over and over.  He accidentally dropped the pin down the drain and was trapped.

 The does found him stuck there when he wouldn’t get out of the shower.  They decided to ‘make him pretty’ with makeup which you can guess a thirteen-year old buck did not appreciate.”  

Mildred laughed and asked “ How did you get him loose?  Did you need to cut the paw cuffs off?”

Bonnie grinned and gave a chuckle.  “No, I found him a safety pin and he got himself loose.  The first thing he did was scoop up Wendy and give her a huge hug. After that she needed to get changed ‘cause his wet fur soaked her overalls through to the skin.”

Mildred shared the laugh, then there was a crash of broken glass in the background, stopping the conversation.  “Bonnie, sorry.  Gotta let you go.  Sounds like the kerfluffle broke something. Might be the china.”

They said goodbyes, and Bonnie closed her flip phone, ending the call.  She examined her latest find, an industrial sized washing machine, with an attached but battered coin-box.  It looked like the box had been beaten with a hammer and suffered a failed attempt to pry it open with a crowbar.

She did a quick head-check, and noticed a flash of grey fur and yellow cloth down the aisle near the elephant sized console televisions.  Satisfied that Judy was within a reasonable distance she turned to the washer.  It looked used, but not excessively worn.

She looked around, finding a table with a lady hedgehog seated in front of a laptop.  Bonnie walked over.  The hedgehog was wearing a nametag reading 'Inspector 12', making Bonnie take on a bit of a puzzled look.

“Excuse me…’ Inspector 12’ is it? I had questions about the washing machine over there,” said Bonnie, pointing to the unit.

The hedgehog looked confused for a moment, then looked down at her nametag, hanging around her neck inside a see-through plastic protector.  She picked it up, looked at it, and then shouted “Jacob!  Did you mess with my nametag?”

A nearby beaver in a security guard uniform laughed.  “I told you I would get you back for stealing my peanut butter cookies, Nadine!”

The hedgehog opened the see through plastic nametag holder and removed the ‘Inspector 12’ printout, showing a picture and a name of 'Nadine R.'

Nadine turned to Bonnie. “There is a sticker on top with an item number.  Can you read it off to me?”

Bonnie looked and called out, “63152”.

There was a tapping of keys and a couple clicks on the mouse attached to the laptop.

“Looks like that was 3 years old, stolen from a laundromat in Zootopia.  Recovered inside an apartment a month later after a noise complaint.  Uniforms found a weasel trying to bash open the coin-box.  It works without adding money.  We have it listed for $400.”

Bonnie nodded and said "Sold!" with a smile. She pulled out a checkbook, quickly filled out a check, and handed it over. 

Nadine called over to Jacob, who walked over, and placed a “sold” sticker on the item.  

The beaver turned to Bonnie. “I’ll wheel it over to the loading dock for you.  Do you have a way to haul it home?”

Bonnie nodded. “It should fit in the pickup.”  This was turning out to be a good day.

“Judy, let’s go meet your Dad and get going!” she called out.    Turning her full attention towards her daughter, Bonnie headed towards where she last saw the gray fur and yellow of Judy’s sundress.

When there was no reply, she hopped over faster, and was shocked to see a teenage polecat male.   With gray fur.  Wearing a yellow shirt.  Instead of her kit, wearing a dress. Swiftly turning around in all directions, she raised her voice, calling for Judy.

*****

Judy had gathered a few items that were not too dirty, and set them aside. They didn't cost too much; a couple training books from the Police Academy, and a box of ink pens branded from the ZPD.

On her last pass she came near a door in the back labelled 'Overflow Custody - Restricted Area'.

On the other side of the door she heard a voice call out. "PLEASE! I won't cause any trouble, but I gotta go REAL BAD.  LET me go to the bathroom.  PLEASE?"

Judy stopped and called out. "Hello?"

A voice that sounded like a desperate cub called back.  "PLEASE let me go to the bathroom! I really gotta PEE so BAD!"

Judy looked at the sign, then decided if someone needed help, a sign wouldn't stop her.  She unlatched the thick bolt locks and opened the really heavy wooden door.

There was a dimly lit corridor, and a sign about ten feet down showed 'Holding Cell One'.

Judy walked down  quickly and came into sight of a red fox about her age.  He was standing in an empty cell, with nothing but a grey blanket on the bare concrete floor.  He was desperately dancing, crossing his legs, grabbing himself to keep from peeing his already dirty jeans.

"PLEASE let me out! I GOTTA GO!" said the little fox, glancing at the bathroom just down the hall, outside the cell.

Judy pulled on the door, but it was locked fast, needing a key.  "It's locked. I can't get it open." she told him.  She had an idea. "Just go in the corn-"

Before she could finish her sentence, the fox let out a last desperate moan and a wet spot appeared on his pants.  He managed to stop for just a moment, then sobbed as he soaked his jeans, as a flood happened.  His legs spread wide in a vain attempt to keep the gross wetness off his fur and legs as the puddle at his foot paws formed.

The red-furred kit closed his eyes and turned away.  "Please don't look at me." he said, voice full of shame.  He sniffed and sat on the floor, beginning to cry.

Judy looked closer at the crying kit.  He was wearing the now soaked jeans which had seen better days.  He had on a dirty looking t-shirt that was once brilliantly green.  His fur looked like it had not seen a brush in some time.

The crying stopped.  Judy's purple eyes met green that went from sorrowful to having a hint of defiance.  “Go ahead, rabbit!  Go ahead and just say it.  ‘Sneaky Dirty Fox’ or ‘Gross Fox’ or maybe just 'Pee-Pants Fox'.  Go ahead and laugh at me!"

“I’m really sorry I couldn’t get you out in time,” said Judy, ears dropping down her back.

He looked at her suspiciously…

The eyes of the fox kit softened.  “Thank you.  For being nice.  No one ever says ‘Sorry’ to me.”

“What’s your name?”

“Call me ‘Nick’,” said the small fox, pulling at his soaked pants, obviously very uncomfortable.

“I'm Judy,” she said.  “Do you have any other clothes to wear, Nick?”

“No. I’ve been stuck wearing these for two weeks.”

Judy considered the problem.  “Take those pants off.” 

“I can’t do that! I’ll be naked!”

Judy bent down and reached under her dress, and started to remove something underneath.  Nick closed his eyes and turned his head.  “I’m not looking! Don’t get mad!” he said loudly.

“Don’t be silly.  Here put these on.  If it bothers you, I won’t look.”

The fox opened one eye to peek.  Judy was holding out a pair of black gym shorts.

“Th-thank you.” He said gratefully, near tears again.  It had been a long time since anyone, especially a non-fox had been kind to him.

He took the shorts, and waited expectantly.  Judy was wondering what he was waiting for then realized he wasn’t a bunny.  

“Sorry.  I’ll turn away!” she said, to give some privacy to the fox.

In short order, Nick changed into Judy's shorts.  They stayed on, looking a bit odd with the fit, but far better than the soaking pants and underwear from earlier. Luckily the two mammals were similar in size.

“Why are you in there, Nick?”

“They don’t have any place to put a fox.  I’m in storage.”

****

Bonnie ran around the room, calling for Judy before deciding she needed help.

The rabbit-mom ran up to Jacob.  “Please, can you help me?  My daughter is missing!  She is only seven!  I thought she was right behind me, but now I can’t find her anywhere!”

The beaver gave Bonnie her full attention.  “OK, Mrs…”

“Hopps.” She offered.

“Mrs. Hopps, what does this little bunny kit look like?  How was she dressed?  When did you last have eyes on her?”

“She had gray fur, and is wearing a yellow sundress today.  I thought she was right behind me! I saw fur the same color and yellow… I was sure she was staying close and-“

“Mrs. Hopps, I need you to focus.  Did you check this entire room?”

“Yes.  I found a polecat wearing a similar color shirt but that isn’t Judy.  Her name is Judith Laverne Hopps.  She has on a yellow sundress.  And her blue ‘Police hat’.  What if she gets run over by a forklift?!”

“I doubt that will happen, Ma’am.  We have small sized mammals here all the time.  Now please think, WHEN you last lay eyes on her.  Not a flash of color, but HER.”

“We were in the automotive area.  My mate is looking for engine parts, and I saw this room on the map.  And Judy said…” Bonnie tried to remember. “She said she was going to some area, but I didn’t pay attention!”

Jacob got on his walkie-talkie. “We have a lost eight year old bunny-kit.  Girl wearing a yellow sundress.  Can Area Six check to see if she is there?”

Bonnie piped up, “Seven.  She is SEVEN years old, not eight. She has a blue ‘Police’ hat too.”  The beaver relayed the information.  After a few moments, an answer came back.  

“She is not with her father, or in the auto parts room.  Can you think of anything that might have interested her inside?” asked the beaver, showing Bonnie the map.  

Stu entered the room, with a goat security guard in tow.  Seeing Bonnie, he hopped over quickly, nose twitching in nervous reaction to Judy not being there.

“How did she get separated, Bon?” he asked, worried.

“It was my fault, Stu.  I was chatting on the phone and didn’t keep my eyes on her.”  

“It’s OK, Bon.  She can be a paw-full sometimes.  Could have happened to anyone.”

Bonnie quickly wiped a tear and concentrated on where Judy could be.   Looking at Stu she pointed at a section of the map, and he nodded in agreement.

“My little bun is in love with the idea of Police Officers.” He said, pointing out area 52 to the Beaver security guard.

*****

Judy was sitting on the floor next to the cell, talking with Nick when she heard Stu calling out.

“Jude, are you in here?” he loudly yelled from the storeroom.

She called back quickly.  “I’m back here, by the holding cell!”

Nick’s ears flattened.  It had been fun while it lasted, but he was probably going to need to give back his borrowed shorts and wear his nasty jeans again; maybe the guard would be nice and let him have some soapy water to soak them in.

He really hoped they would bring him a mop.  The cell was shameful.  A fox didn’t foul his own den. Even if it was a cage.  Mom always told him “Just because other mammals treat you like a feral, doesn’t mean you can live like one.”

The heavy door opened and Stu rushed in, grabbing Judy in a hug, before releasing her when he noticed the nearby cell had an occupant.

Judy started to say “Dad, this is my friend, Ni-“

“YOU stay AWAY from my daughter, Fox!”

Judy saw the brightness disappear from Nick’s eyes, and he took on a stiff defensive posture, backing away from the bars.

Bonnie ran in, followed by Jacob, who radioed in “We found the doe next to Holding Cell One, unharmed.”

Bonnie ran over to Judy, who had rounded on Stu, furious.

“Dad! Don’t talk to Nick that way! He wasn’t hurting anyone or doing anything bad!” she shouted.

Bonnie looked over and was shocked to see a fox kit, around Judy’s age, sitting in a bare cage, wearing girl’s shorts.  His shirt was filthy, fur unkempt, and from the puddle and wet pants on the floor, there had been a pants-wetting accident.

“Whatever are you doing inside there, little tod?” Bonnie asked in a gentle voice.

“I’m in storage.  They didn’t have a place for a fox.”

She turned on Jacob, who she had been thanking just a moment before for helping.  “WHY is there a fox kit in a jail cell?” she demanded.

“Probably career training.” Said Stu, dismissively.

The beaver had the decency to be embarrassed. “There was no place in Zootopia to take him.  The prey-class juvenile homes won’t take a predator.  The mainstream predator based homes don’t take foxes, with…history of issues.  The fox-homes are completely full.  Not even floor space in a sleeping bag.  Parents…are…not around.  He doesn’t belong in Cub-Lockup either.  We had a choice of taking him here, or putting him on the street.”

Judy spoke up. “They locked him in that cage and didn’t let him go to the toilet!”

“He STOLE JUDY’S SHORTS!” shouted Stu.

“No he DIDN’T!  I GAVE THEM TO HIM because he WET HIS PANTS because he was LOCKED UP LIKE A FERAL with NO BATHROOM!

Nick looked utterly humiliated and turned away.

Jacob got on the walkie-talkie. “Where in the hell is Morgan? He was assigned to watch and take care of the prisoner in Holding One.”

There was a pause.  The radio came back to life, a female voice answered.  “He called out sick at 9:30 this morning and left.”

“Why wasn’t someone assigned to take over?  We could get in trouble here.”

“We forgot about him.”

Bonnie piped up. “How does he get out of that cage?”

“When he commits a crime here, to go to Cub Jail. Or enough foxes leave the Fox-Home and IF they agree to take him.  Or someone takes him as a foster.  So far no-one wants to."

Judy asked Bonnie. “Mom, what's a foster?”

When she heard the answer, she asked a follow up question.

“Momma, can we PLEASE take Nick home?” she asked with a pleading look in her eyes. 

Nick turned to look.  His green eyes started to sparkle with life again, hoping.

“NO Foxes in my burrow!” said Stu.

Nick's expression fell, like a cub opening a Winterfest gift, only to find an I.O.U. for next year.

Bonnie became livid, ears up straight, foot paw hammering the floor like a jackhammer.  She drew breath to retort, and the smart mammals covered their ears to avoid hearing loss.

Stu Hopps soon felt his will wither under the assault.

The beaver grinned, after the shouting stopped.  He thought Stu should have known better.  From her expression, the MOMENT Bonnie saw that kit in the cage, Jacob knew that train wasn't stopping.

*****

They climbed into the truck, Stu driving, Bonnie in the middle, with the fox and bunny kits near the door, sharing a seatbelt.  Nick's pants were in a trash bag in the bed, needing a good wash.  

As they pulled away, the back loaded with an engine and washing machine, Judy asked "Are we still going out to eat?"

At the mention of food, Nick's tummy started rumbling fiercely.

"I suppose we gotta feed the fox now, too," grumbled Stu.

"Sorry," mumbled Nick, pushing on his tummy.

Bonnie looked over at Stu and said “Stop at the 'Gas N Gulp’, Stu. Bonnie leaned over and whispered something else in his ear.

Stu pulled off the road, into the gravel driveway of the convenience store.  The cab was getting a little ripe, smelling of unwashed fox and pee.  He had opened the window a mile back, to air out the stink.  Stu checked the sign on the truck stop, noticing it had showers.

The two does got out, and quickly hopped inside whispering to each other.

"Come on, fox.  You stink," said Stu gruffly, leading Nick inside.  He got in line, avoiding eye contact with the little monster.  

"Don't steal anything, or I'll drop you back in your cage, fox."

"No, Mr. Hopps.  I promise." He paused for a moment, remembering some of his fox-manners.  He bowed at the waist, starting to nervously recite "I, Nicholas Piberious Wilde, s-swear to bring hon-honor to-"

"Just be good. Or you'll be back in jail. I don't need no fancy fox speeches," said Stu, cutting him off.

Nick nodded and became silent, watching the grown-up bunny nervously as the line moved up.  They got to the truck stop desk and Stu hopped up on the counter.

"I need one shower fer a small mammal." he said, pointing to the fox.  He paid out ten dollars, and was handed generic fur wash and a cheap disposable brush and towel, along with a token.

"Put the token in the slot and go in.  If you're gonna wash the fox, go with him.  Water lasts 7 minutes then shuts off. The shower door will lock from inside."

Stu took Nick to the shower entrance, located between the males and females bathrooms and pointed.  Judy and Bonnie showed up and the little bunny handed a small bag to Nick.

"For me?" he asked, surprised.  He opened it, finding a pair of cub underwear (canid tail design), a pair of black unisex sweatpants, and a tee-shirt with 'What the Fox?!' on it.

Nick put the token in, opened the door and hesitated, before heading inside.  Bonnie nudged Stu. "Go on, he's just a kit. Go help him wash up."

"I'll do it!" said Judy, but Bonnie stopped her when she saw Nick's ears go back and tail tuck under.

"I think Nick might prefer a male helping. He isn't a bunny, remember?" said Bonnie. "Some cultures aren't as comfortable with nudity as bunnies are."

Grumbling, Stu entered the shower, turned on the water, cranked up the pressure, and started spraying Nick down with the attached paw-held nozzle.

Clumps of loose fur, mixed with dirt came off.  Stu added soap to the sprayer, and immediately sudsy water sprayed into Nick's coat.  His fur went from a dull, dirty faded color to a brilliant orange.  Finally near the end, Stu tried to spray Nick's tail, but found it jerked from his paws.

"Private!" hissed Nick, then cringing back, like he expected to be hit. “Mom told me only parents, doctors or mates are supposed to touch a fox tail."

Stu looked at the fox kit grimly.

"Sorry." mumbled Nick. 

"It's OK," said Stu, a little embarrassed. A thought occurred to him.  "Where ARE your parents?"

Nick looked a little sad and mumbled something.

This irritated Stu. He was getting his fur went in here, washing a FOX he wasn't related to, and paying for the privilege.

"Speak up.  Can't hear you."

"...Went...Rainbow Bridge." said Nick in a low sad tone.

The adult bunny considered the reply.  Where was 'Rainbow Bridge'?  He knew of 'Big-Water Bridge' near Podunk, but hadn't heard of 'Rainbow'.

"Well I guess I won't worry about that now…let's get you dry." said Stu, tossing one of the two towels to the fox.  Nick instinctively shook the water from his fur, sending drops in all directions, making Stu yell out.

"Sorry," said Nick.

They went through both towels before Stu admitted defeat, and swiped his bank card for the stand-in fur dryer.  In a few minutes, Nick was clean, fur dry, and looking like a very handsome kit. He got dressed and they exited the shower.  Bonnie looked over, reached out and scratched behind one of his ears.  "We found a very cute tod in the shower!" she said with a smile.

Nick grinned, then was shocked when Judy hopped forward and grabbed him in a huge hug.  He looked uncomfortable for a moment, then relaxed, tail wagging, eyes brightening again.

They loaded up in the truck, headed off towards the train station.  They pulled into a space and headed towards the ticket booth.

Nick paused. "Mr. Hopps, aren't you afraid someone will steal from the back of your truck?" He asked, pointing to the washing machine and engine in the bed of the pickup.

"Nope.  I got it underneath the camera and they are chained down with a lock."   He paused.  "Besides, I got eyes on the fox, so the truck should be safe."

Nick edged away a bit from Stu, and closer to Judy.

Bonnie purchased four round trip train tickets and they sat down on a bench, waiting for the next train, which should be in about fifteen minutes.  In spite of Judy's side trip, and taking on Nickolas Wilde, the day was timed well.

A middle aged hare sat down nearby, setting her purse down on the bench seat as she went to a nearby vending machine for a Koala-Cola.

Stu turned to Nick. "Don't even think about it, fox."

"Dad! Stop being mean to Nick!" yelled Judy anger boiling over.

Bonnie joined in. "Stu Hopps, you better stop that attitude with that cute little fox right now!  He is just a kit!"

"He was in jail 'cause he was caught stealing, Bon!" Stu turned to Nick.  "Tell her the truth."

"It's true," said Nick. "I was a dishonest fox.  I did steal, and got caught. I shamed my family name and my ancestors.  I'm sorry."

"You see, Bon!  He is a sneaky little thief!" defended Stu.

"What did you steal?" asked Judy, fiddling with her police hat.

Nick looked at Judy.  She didn't seem distrustful or nervous around him. Maybe that wouldn't change?

"Probably wallets, to get booze for his parents," said Stu.

"...I..I stole a bag of dried crickets from the Dollar store.  I was only able to…"

He paused, ears back, and he didn't meet anyone's eyes.

"Go on, it's OK…" prompted Bonnie in a kind voice. 

Judy watched Nick, listening to the story in rapt attention, breathlessly waiting for the answer.

Nick took a breath, then looked at Bonnie, right in the eyes.  Still ashamed, he said "...I was only able to find vegetables in the trash to eat. My fur was dry and itchy, I was tired all the time, thinking about fish and dried bugs."

Stu looked mortified, mouth falling open.

"I…tried…digging for…worms.  But that made me throw up after I ate one, so I felt even sicker. It was so gross."

Bonnie glared at Stu, who felt his tummy lurch sympathetically.

"… So I stole a bag of dried crickets and ate the whole thing in the aisle. They caught me licking the bag for crumbs and called the police."

"…I tried to pay, but I only had ninety cents. They said 'the store policy is to call the police on every little thief.  Especially dirty foxes'," said Nick.

Judy hugged Nick, tears forming in her eyes.  He accepted the hug, curling his tail around her.  He gave a contented sign and closed his eyes during the cuddle.

Bonnie looked right at Stu.  "Nick, Judy is seven years old.  Remind me how old you are?"

"I'm eight, Mrs. Hopps." said Nick, tail wagging.  He reflexively rubbed his neck on Judy's cheek.  Eyes closed he didn't notice the single tear running down Stu's face as the bunny looked from Judy to Nick.  Only a year younger than the fox.

Stu wiped his eye, shook his head, trying not to imagine Judy eating garbage.  He gritted his teeth.  Too bad foxes make terrible parents.

No BUNNY would ever leave their kit behind to travel anywhere.  If he ever found them, he'd give them foxes a piece of his mind.

Who goes on vacation and abandons their kits?  Even for FOXES that was low.  He hoped this "Bridge" place was worth it.

***

The train ride was easy.  30 minutes later, they pulled into Podunk Station, and exited the train.  Stu asked the station master and a taxi pulled up a few minutes later.  They gave directions to 'Cafe le Monde' and arrived soon after.  The cafe was a nice bright beige building of painted brick.  They entered and were met by a lady skunk at a podium.

"Welcome to 'Cafe le Monde', where the food of the world awaits you.  Do you have a reservation?" The hostess asked.

Bonnie smiled. "Hopps, listed as 'party of three' but we have an additional diner. I hope that isn't too much trouble."

"No worries, ma'am."

They were led to a table, and within a minute a badger waitress appeared.  "Hello there, I am Daisy, and I'll be your waitress today.  I'll start you off with some water with lemon, and I'll be back for your drink orders in a moment."

Daisy set down two adult menus for Stu and Bonnie and issued cubs menus with crayons for Nick and Judy.

Nick immediately grabbed the lemon from his water and gobbled it down.  His stomach growled loudly.  Bonnie opened the two cubs’ menus for them, then turned to her own.

Judy leaned over, seeing Nick look unsure. He whispered in her ear "Are we in the right place?  This is lots of money!"

"It’s okay, Nick.  Mom and Dad will tell you if something is too expensive."

"Judy…do you want the lemon from your water?"

"No. I don't ca-"

Nick snatched up the lemon, swallowing it whole.

"Did you have breakfast this morning, Nick?" asked Bonnie.  He wiped his muzzle repeatedly, and she noticed he was salivating at the pictures.

"N-no. I think I had half a granola bar yesterday. The guard didn't like me much."

Bonnie waved over the waitress and asked for a bowl of bread.  

Looking at the kids menu, Bonnie said "Nick, you order a double when she takes our order."

"But, this food is too expensive!" said Nick, wide-eyed.  Bonnie noticed he was only looking at the cheap appetizer side of the kids menu.

The waitress appeared, with a bowl of bread.  Nick locked eyes on it, and Bonnie tore off a piece of bread, buttered it, and handed it to Nick.  With a snap, he quickly bolted it down, before grabbing another.

The waitress appeared, and started to take orders.  Bonnie ordered the sawgrass salad. Stu ordered veggie lasagna.  Judy ordered roasted veggies, and Nick tried to order a small order of dried crickets when Stu reached over and took his menu.

"No.  Not at my table." Bonnie and Judy opened their mouths to protest that Nick was HUNGRY when he shoved his ADULT menu at Nick.

"Fo-...Uh…Nick, you listen to me real good, right now.  You order a full meal, right now, or I'm gonna order EVERY DISH on that menu at once and WASTE MONEY. If you don't eat well, that insults ME, understand?"

"Y-yes sir.  But these are all expens-" protested Nick.

"Miss…Daisy?" asked Stu, peering at the waitress, trying to remember her name.

"Yes?" she asked.

"If this fox doesn't order a full meal in 3 minutes, then you bring me every predator meal you have.  I'm guessing that would be about nine-hundred dollars?"

She smiled.  "Yes, sir,” and looked at her watch.

Nick's eyes frantically ran over the menu before ordering fish and chips.

*****

They left the restaurant, Nick finally full, risking a bit of a smile. 

"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs Hopps."

"Call me Bonnie, Nick." said the matronly doe with a smile.

"And you can call me 'Mr. Hopps'," said Stu gruffly, getting him a warning glare from Bonnie. 

They headed to the train station, waited a short time, and then boarded, Nick starting to yawn.  Stu noticed the large fangs of the fox, and shuddered a moment. They all sat in their seats, Nick and Judy sitting next to each other.

Just started off reading her 'Police Fitness Manual' as they started the thirty minute train ride.  Nick yawned again, his fluffy tail curling around Judy.  Warm, dry, and full, his eyes began getting heavier.  Judy, the warm, soft fox feeling like a cuddly heated blanket began to drowse off.  In less than five minutes, Judy and Nick were both napping.

"Bon, what do we do about THAT?" whispered Stu.

"About what, Stu?" asked Bonnie confused.

Nick kicked in his dream, muzzle showing teeth.

"That! What if he bites her?"

Judy sleepily dropped an ear next to his muzzle, which opened, making Stu gasp as he was sure those razor sharp teeth were going to maul Judy's ears.

Bonnie smirked as Nick sniffed, licked her daughter's ear, making Judy giggle in her sleep, before they shifted positions a bit and quieted down.

"She's in more danger from her littermates trampling her on the way to the dinner table, Stu."

*****

Arriving at the Podunk train station, Bonnie looked at the sleeping kits, still snoring.  Bonnie shook Judy awake who popped her head up, and sat up, blinking, an excited look at seeing where they were.

Stu reached across and shook Nick, who started up in a panic, tail bottle brushing out. His paws tried to guard his head and he blurted out "I'm sorry! Don't hit me!  I won't sleep here!" as he leaned away.

"Nick, it's okay!" called out Bonnie.  

Looking around him, the fox relaxed as he realized where he was.  "Sorry." He said, looking embarrassed.

Stu and Bonnie's eyes met, both shocked, wondering why he was so twitchy.

"Let's get goin' to the museum." suggested Stu.

A quick check of the 'Sights of Pudunk' pamphlet showed  the Police Museum was within walking distance and they headed off.

Once he was awake, Nick seemed happy, running alongside Judy, the two rabbit parents following behind, occasionally calling for the two kits to stop and wait.

Once they entered the 'Museum of Law Enforcement' Judy was completely enthralled by everything.  She ran from display to display, reading and touching everything.  Nick followed, not having much interest, until they came to the 'Police Ethics Display'. 

 Nick's eyes brightened when he saw a side by side set of statues comparing 'Robin of Loxley/Robin Hood' to the 'Sheriff of Nottingham'.   The little fox started telling Judy all about the heroic fox who stole from the wealthy, and gave to the poor.

"...and then he took the gold from the tax collector, and gave it to the poor mammals it was taken from.

"Stole the taxes? But the law says-," Protested Judy.

"These were EXTRA TAXES by the Evil Prince John," said Nick.

"Oh, okay” said Judy.

  The sheriff got mad, and sent his wolves to catch Robin…"

Judy put her paws up to her mouth in shock.

"But wolves can sniff you out!  What did he do?"

"Robin was clever.  He knew the wolves were tracking him.  He traded clothes with Maid Marion, so she could leave a trail in a circle."

"Robin put Marion's clothes in a bag, on top of a floating log, disguised by leaves.  He swam up the river, past the wolves.

The wolves found Maid Marion, but knew they had the wrong fox, going back empty pawed to the sheriff.  

Robin, dressed as Maid Marion, snuck in the castle.  He tricked the Sheriff into thinking he was Maid Marion's cousin, Matilda. 

Matilda tricked the Sheriff that she was "in love" with him.  She had the sheriff deliver a picnic feast for the two to a hillside spot.  When the Sheriff got there expecting 'Matilda' he found only an old cranky shrew.  She was old enough to be his grandmother, taking a nap on a blanket.  The feast and plates were gone to Sherwood Forest to feed the Merry Mammals."

As Bonnie and Stu watched the bunny and fox chatter back and forth it was clear a bond was forming quickly between the two.

*****

They got off the train in late afternoon and climbed into Stu's pickup for the ride back to Bunnyburrow and the carrot farm.

They rode in silence for a while, driving down the rural highway as Nick looked at the scenery, far different than Zootopia.

"You will like the farm, Nick.  There are lots of fields and streams. I made an exercise track to run on.  There is a creek to swim in when it's warm, and skate on in winter."

"What do you like to do, Nicholas?" asked Bonnie.

"I don't know.  Me and…" Nick looked sad, then continued. "I used to play chess.  I'm…I mean…I was learning guitar…from…" he stopped, and took a breath.

"And I want to be a ranger scout when I get old enough."

"I'm sure some of my kits will like anything you do, Nicholas."

"Oh.  Does Judy have brothers?  Or sisters? Or both?" He asked.

"Judy has two-hundred and thirty seven brothers and sisters."

Nick was speechless.

****

They drove for a while, the two kits falling asleep as Stu kept a steady speed, the drone of the engine a siren song to Dreamland.

Once they were sure the kits were well deep into sleep, Bonnie asked in a whisper "Stu, did he tell you anything about his past?"

"Yeah, Bon.  His so-called parents moved away on him.  Left him behind, I guess, if he ain't lying.  Said they moved to some place with 'bridge' in the name."

"That's horrible, Stu.  He must have been so scared."

"Well, I guess we got him for a while at least. So long as he behaves and ain't dangerous."

"He's just a little kit, Stu." said Bonnie, looking at the two kits curled up together.

"Maybe we can raise him up right."

****

The truck pulled into the gravel and dirt driveway, carrot and potato fields to the sides.  Nick woke from the relatively rough ride and looked around.

They drove a half-mile until they finally pulled up in front of a classic looking country farmhouse, built into a hill. 

Stu shut off the truck. "We're home," he said.  

Nick could hear the old engine making a ticking noise as it cooled.

In the late afternoon sun, Nick noticed they were surrounded by literally dozens of bunnies of all ages circling around the truck.

Nick felt his mouth go dry as he noticed they were all staring at HIM.

– End of Chapter One

Chapter Text

Misfits ch 2: Hares no place like home

Stu shut off the truck. "We're home," he said.

Nick could hear the old engine making a ticking noise as it cooled. In the late afternoon sun, Nick noticed they were surrounded by literally dozens of bunnies of all ages circling around the truck.

Nick felt his mouth go dry as he noticed they were all staring at HIM, and he began counting bunnies, in case he needed to run.

Nick stopped counting after 50.

He felt uncomfortable seeing so many strange bunnies, and without thinking he grabbed Judy's paw tightly. She helped him out, and he stood close to her, tail tucking under him on the gravel covered dirt lot.

Nick heard the dozens of bunnies begin talking at once and was able to make sense of some of what he heard.

“Is this fox gonna eat us?”

“Do we need to get the 'Fox Away' spray for dad?”

“Is he gonna steal my toys? Dad says ‘all foxes steal and lie.’”

“Is he gonna eat the new baby bunnies?"

Nick's ears folded back and he looked at the crowd, eyes wide with shock.

WHY would anyone want to EAT baby bunnies?

Bonnie stood and faced the crowd.

She pointed to Nick. “THIS little fox is 'Nick'. We are taking care of him now. Be nice to him," She said in a no-nonsense voice, making the crowd quiet down.

Shyly, one smaller bunny approached. He looked a year or two younger, maybe. Nick was not too familiar with bunnies.

“Hi. I’m Larry from the ‘L’ litter," said the bunny a little nervously. Nick caught a hint of talcum powder in the air, and nervous scents of bunnies.

A little uneasy himself, Nick replied “I’m Nick Wilde.”

“Do you want to play video games after supper?” Larry asked. “I have ‘Dance, Dance, Evolution’ now.”

Nick looked at Judy and she smiled and nodded. Nick decided Larry might be nice. “Okay. If Judy can play too.”

Larry looked at Judy, a little nervously, but nodded.

Bonnie smiled approvingly at Nick's seeming acceptance, and both bunny parents moved towards the back of the truck,coordinating the unloading of the motor and washing machine.

Judy led Nick towards the house, across a grassy field, opening the semi round wooden door partially in the hill. As she stepped into the entrance, she stopped, looking at some older teenage bunnies who were standing in the foyer and now staring at the fox and bunny pair.

A bunny buck with a similar fur pattern to Stu looked at Judy with a smirk. “Look, it’s Ossifer Weirdo, Jude the Dude!”

Judy stepped forward, letting go of Nick, put her paws on her hips and glared.

“Look, its 'dim-wit Derrick'. Fail any more classes today?”

"What's the matter, Ossifer? Other bunnies were too embarrassed by you, so you needed to borrow a fox for a friend?"

"What's the matter, Dim-wit? Fail reading again and need someone to teach you to sing the 'alphabet song' for extra credit?"

Derrick bounced forward and pushed Judy with one paw, sending her flying to the wooden floor, hard.

"Shut your muzzle, Jude the Dude!"

With his years and size advantage, the teenage bunny was far stronger than a seven year old. Stunned from the fall, she was slow to get up on her footpaws.

Nick stepped forward to get between them.

“Don’t hit Judy! Do you want everyone to think you are just a bully and a coward?”

“What did you call me, you rutting fox?” he demanded.

Nick thought quickly. He thought about his own parents for a moment. What things would have upset them when HE was bad?

“I didn’t call you anything. Do you think everyone will think you are brave and strong by hitting Judy? Will Mr. and Mrs. Hopps call their friends and tell them how proud they are of you?”

The teen stopped. His audience looked uncomfortable, starting to edge away.

“What the rut do you care what they think about me, you thieving fox?”

“I don’t care. But you do. If you hit Judy, you shame yourself and your ancestors."

Derrick just looked at Nick and shrugged.

The fox tried another way, before the angry teen started getting violent again.

"Judy told me you each need a special day to even get noticed by your parents. Do you want them to think of you as a bully to the younger bunnies? Do you want them to ignore you, too ashamed to be seen with you?". Nick saw the teenage buck flinch.

"Please just leave Judy alone,” continued Nick. He hoped this would work instead of earning him a beating.

“Whatever. You better watch yourself, Fox. You both better watch out, you and the freak wanna-be ‘bunny cop’. She’s an embarrassment to the Hopps family.”

“Judy will do it. Watch and wait.”

The buck shook his head and walked away.

Nick walked over to Judy and reached out his paw, helping her up off the floor, as she hopped to stand on her footpaws.

“Thanks, Nick." Judy paused, and she smiled. "Do you really mean it?” she asked.

“Mean what?” asked Nick.

“Do you really think I can be a police officer?”

Nick thought for a moment. What did Mom always used to say? He smiled, “Ab-absolute. One Hundred cents!”

The quote was a bit wrong, but the tone made Judy feel better.

“Thanks, Nick," said Judy. She looked at him, ears starting to droop a bit. Quietly, she continued. "No one ever believes in me.”

He hugged her, enjoying the warm cuddle, until his tummy rumbled again.

“Come on, Nick. Let’s go off to the kitchen and get supper," said Judy in a much more chipper and upbeat voice.

With the bully gone and food to be had, Nick thought life couldn’t get any better. Judy grabbed and held his paw tightly, leading the way to the dining room, speeding up as she went. The house transitioned from a wooden farmhouse to hardened clay tunnels as they ran.

They raced through a maze of hallways, Judy laughing as she guided him. He did his best to keep up, trying to keep track of the path they took as he was practically dragged off his footpaws.

They entered the dining hall and he stopped dead, pulling Judy to a halt. There were HUNDREDS of rabbits of all ages in there. It looked like every single one of them turned and looked at him, the murmur of voices dying down to near silence.

Then he heard a loud voice call out.

"Hey 'Officer Judy' did you make your first arrest?"

Both Nick and Judy were irritated at that speciesist comment. Judy’s ears went straight up. Nick felt her paw hold his tighter.

The next thing the little fox heard made his paws sweat in embarrassment, made his heart beat faster, and set butterflies loose in his tummy.

“He doesn’t have paw-cuffs on. That’s really Jude the Dude and her little foxy boyfriend."

Both Nick and Judy let go of each other's paws and moved a half-step away from each other.

"Nick is just a friend!" protested Judy.

"I'm not her boyfriend!" Nick cried out.

The only response was laughter.

Nick looked past the laughing bunnies.

This was crazy! The dining room was more like a busy school lunch room than a house. In the center of the room was a kitchen, separated from the diners by metal serving tables with a tray rail. There were white round tables all around the large circular room, with each sitting up to six bunnies. The lighting changed, and Nick looked up;daylight streaming from ports on the ceiling had faded. A large chandelier had turned on illuminating the room.

Judy grabbed Nick's paw again and dragged him to the food line.

Nick was so surprised when Judy shoved a tray in his paws that he nearly dropped it.

From around him Nick heard whispers:

"I heard Mom and Dad bought a fox."

"Do foxes still eat bunnies?"

"Do you think the fox will eat that gross creamed spinach?"

Judy looked over at Nick. "Don't worry about them; what do you like to eat? We don't have any fish or bugs…"

Nick looked ahead and the line had moved forward. Judy put her tray on the rail and slid it down the line. Nick followed suit, and soon came to a spot where a bunny was dishing out food from heated table trays.

The bunny on the other side of the table shook off her surprise at seeing Nick and looked at Judy.

"Number 1, 3, and 7 please," said Judy.

The kitchen bunny scooped out a pile of sawgrass salad, added potato salad and a small scoop of candied carrots.

Nick looked and saw plastic tent shaped signs next to the trays with the contents and a number. On the glass separating the food from the diners was a plastic sign stating 'choose MAIN MEAL, SIDE and SNACK by number'.

Nick looked around at the choices, wondering what to choose. After a couple minutes, he felt a hard poke in his side.

"Hurry up, fox. You're holding up the line!"

Nick turned and saw an irate buck, a couple years older in a straw hat and overalls glaring at him.

A doe behind the complainer smacked the buck on the back.

"Hey, be nice to him, Isaac! He's younger than you!"

Nick smiled gratefully, until she leaned over and whispered "He's a fox. They don't know how to read."

Nick kept his expression neutral, and turned to the food worker.

"Can I please have 2, 4, and 9?"

The server bunny dropped a spoonful of baked veggie ziti, side salad, and strawberries on Nick's tray.

Nick made a point of reading the name tag on the food worker's uniform. "Thank you, Miss Alecia."

He followed Judy, who had been waiting. She headed towards a round table with two open spots.

As the pair approached, Nick could see the bunnies facing them pointing them out to the rest of the table. A doe turned around and looked at the two.

"No, you aren't sitting with us, Jude. You and the pet fox sit somewhere else," she said scornfully.

"Hey, I'm not a pet!" protested Nick.

"You're hanging around with Jude, and you're a fox, so you aren't welcome either."

"Come on, Nick," said Judy, leading him away. Leading him towards the edges of the room, Judy found a table with a couple open spots, next to Larry, the bunny who greeted him earlier.

Larry seemed a little hesitant, but didn't protest when Judy sat down. The other bunnies stood up and left the table for another. Nick sat beside her, and started eating. Larry slid his chair further from Judy and closer to Nick.

As Nick ate his ziti, there was a gasp from the table across from them. Nick looked and saw bunnies staring at him…his teeth.

He quickly covered his muzzle, hiding his teeth with a paw.

"...sorry, forgot to cover," said Nick to the room, mentally kicking himself for forgetting his "around prey" manners.

He took a whiff, he could scent his and Judy's food, the fruit juices on the table. He closed his eyes as he chewed, processing the rest. The alkaline scents of old dank sweaty paws and burnt orange told him there was some fear-anger in the room. Closer, there was a mix of violets, burnt orange, and a hint of weeping-willow. Nick looked at Judy, her narrowed eyes on her tray, eating in a stiff, mechanical manner. When she took a savage bite, her expression looked more like a wolf tearing into a fish.

Nick finished the last bites of his ziti, hesitantly reached over and began grooming Judy. He gently scratched the fur under her neck with his claws, smoothing it.

She jumped for a moment, then relaxed when she realized what was happening. The gray bunny flashed Nick a quick smile of thanks as her scent changed a bit. The weeping willow disappeared and her expression looked happier.

"Are you okay, Judy?" He asked quietly.

"Yes. Thanks, Nick."

After a bit, Nick lowered his paw, and went back to eating, quickly finishing his strawberries last.

Larry moved closer, approaching the fox.

"H-hey, when you're done, put the tray over there," said the bunny-boy, pointing to a spot marked 'Dirty Trays' on a wheeled cart next to a bucket and trash can.

Nick watched as bunnies approached the cart, scraped uneaten food off trays into the trash. Unfinished drinks went into the bucket, and trays were neatly stacked.

"I'll get it for you," said Larry, a little nervously, taking Nick's tray and silverware.

Nick flashed a grateful smile, and Larry bounced off to the cart, with a slight rustle of plastic, starting to hum the theme song to 'Dance, Dance, Evolution'.

The young bunny came back quickly. Nick heard the rustling of plastic again as Larry sat down.

"Hey Larry, do you have a plastic bag in your pocket? I keep hearing-"

The bunny looked scared for a moment, making Nick cover his muzzle again, afraid he exposed fangs again.

Larry looked at Judy, then jumped up off his seat, racing off.

"I gotta get the game setup! Have Jude bring you to lounge three," he called behind him.

Nick looked at Judy, who focused on her meal again.

"Judy, is Larry okay?" asked Nick, worried. He didn't want to cause trouble for the only bunny NOT Judy who was nice to him.

The grey bunny at the fox, and thought before she spoke.

"Larry is worried you won't like him."

"Why? You, Larry, and Mrs. Hopps are the only ones being nice to me."

"Some bunnies aren't nice to Larry sometimes," said Judy, getting up to dump her tray. "We need to head down to the lounge."

Nick followed Judy as she dumped her tray, and was surprised to see a three-bunny cleaning crew quickly hop over to their former table.

With a bucket, sponges and towels in-paw, one bunny wiped the table for crumbs. Another bunny sprayed the table and chairs. A third wiped and dried everything In under a minute everything was cleared, cleaned and dried. The process looked more like a racing car pit crew changing a tire.

Before the fox and bunny pair made their way to the door, more bunnies were sitting at their former table with meals in paw.

Judy led Nick through the hallways, slower than the race to the cafeteria, the fox felt eyes on him. He looked, seeing fear, anger or surprise mostly, followed by mild alien fascination;like something under a microscope.

"When they get used to you it will be better," whispered Judy, giving Nick's paw a comforting squeeze as she led the way.

"Hey Ossifer Dude, got a third member for the 'Losers Club' now?" asked an older doe, giggling with a group of two others.

"Don't worry about her, Nick. She is mad 'cause no buck calls her back after a first date."

"Hey, take that back you little brat!"

"She's right, Eileen," laughed one of the companions. "Maybe don't let them pet your ears til the second date…"

"Shut up, Erica! At least I got a first date!"

The does started squabbling as the two kits walked away.

After a few more turns Nick saw a room with a sign saying 'lounge 3' and a picture of couch and TV with a paw holding three fingers up.

The room was a large rectangle, with green plush carpeting on the floor. Several couches were along the walls of various colors and designs. There were large older model glass tube televisions around the room. Plastic chairs, wooden stools, and beanbag chairs were scattered around. Under the ever-present scent of Hopps-family bunnies Nick could smell old cheese balls and popcorn oil coming from the older carpet.

As they walked in, they could see Derrick hopping away from Larry, moving across the green carpet that covered the ever-present hardened clay flooring.

"Please DON'T say anything, Derrick!" begged Larry, looking at Judy and Nick walking in.

"I'll think about it, Leeks," the older bunny sneered.

'I guess Derrick doesn't like Larry eating onions' thought Nick.

Nick and Judy walked past the nasty teen, without a glance.

Larry saw them, and began rushing to turn on the game system.

Judy pulled up a blue bean bag chair for Nick, tossing it next to the yellow one Larry already had out. Finally, Judy grabbed a green bean bag chair for herself and sat down. Larry unrolled a game mat on the floor that had paw prints on it, and plugged a cord into the older Ox-Box game system.

Nick looked at Larry, who avoided his gaze for some reason.

"Larry, is anything wrong?" asked the fox.

He needed to make sure he didn't scare Larry or something. Leaning his muzzle down, Nick took a quick sniff…no. He wasn't covered in musk. He reached up, and checked…no, fangs weren't visible.

Nick looked down. Nope, claws weren't extended…

"Nick, are you okay to play with me?" asked Larry. He sounded nervous and a little sad.

"Sure. If you are okay with playing with me. You'll have to show me how to play."

Larry brightened up, and started a tutorial. "When the screen shows, step on the paw spot."

The screen had a blue egg-shaped monster with big floppy footpaws and huge eyes. A series of scrolling footpaw marks went past the monster's feet.

Larry started stepping on the mat controller and the monster on the screen imitated the pawsteps. When Larry got the pattern right, there was a happy ding and the monster smiled. When the bunny stepped out of time or in the wrong space there was a low unpleasant "error tone" and the on-screen monster looked sad.

Larry turned on the beginner levels, and the monster sang a song about some "Zootopian Lady" with a chorus about "get away from me". The song ended with a happy monster doing a backflip.

"I scored a hundred!" said Larry.

Judy went next, the monster changing to orange for player two. She was dancing to an old "Fleetwood Yak" song. Nick watched as her footpaws flew across the pad at lightning speed. The monster's mouth flapped open and closed, singing 'If you don't love me now, you can't NEVER love me again!'

Judy missed a step, and the monster lost his smile, going to a frowny face. She tried to recover, but she missed about 5 steps.

The song ended, the monster clapped, leaving Judy with a score of ninety-five.

Larry smiled, ears straight up in excitement, and did a binky, hopping to face another direction, then back.

"Your turn, Nick!" said Larry.

Nick stood up, and got on the controller pad, and tried to get a feel where the buttons were. A green monster appeared on the screen. Music began to play, some old song with a chorus to "Dare to be stupid". Nick started out, making a few errors by mis-stepping on the pad, but began to get the hang of it. He continued on, paw stomping through the beat on the mat, until the song ended, accidentally smacking Larry with his tail during a twirl motion. As the song ended, Nick was panting from the exertion, and unfamiliar motions.

Larry was up again, and began dancing his next level, when Judy got up, went to a pile of beanbag chairs against the wall. She moved a purple chair, exposing a mini fridge against the wall, and pulled out three plastic bottles of juice. She tossed one to Nick, who snatched it out of the air and looked at it. It was a plastic barrel shaped bottle sealed with foil.

"Bug juice! I haven't had that in a long time! Thanks, Judy."

Nick slashed open the foil top to his purple colored drink, chugging half of it down.

Judy worked at hers, pulling the foil away from the bottle's top with her front teeth, while setting Larry's drink to the side with her other paw.

Nick turned back to watch Larry, as the bunny did a lightning fast leap up, landing with footpaws spread wide to hit two outer buttons. In an athletic feat, Larry bent down at the waist and hit a third button in front of him.

"Larry, you got half your tail sticking out. I think you need a belt, before you get arrested," joked Nick pointing at Larry's slightly saggy pants.

Larry did a double jump, leaned over to the left, and grabbed his drink. He did a leap with a backwards flip, hitting the rearward buttons, and hiked up his pants with one paw.

Judy looked up, and seemed surprised at the younger bun's exposure.

"Hey Nick, wanna grab us some snacks? Outside in the hall, one door down to the left. Marked 'lounge supplies'," suggested Judy.

Nick excited the room, slowly following instructions. He passed a couple bunnies in the hallway, younger than Larry.

"Who is the fox?" Asked the doe in a whisper.

"It's Ossifer Judy's new fox," replied the buck.

"My name is Nick."

"I'm Ned. Can you do the trick?" asked the buck.

"Yeah, on me too!" said the doe.

The doe and buck looked at each other, and blinked several times at Nick,then looked at each other.

"What trick?" asked Nick.

"You're supposed to steal our clothes!" said Ned.

"No, Ned, It's 'trick you out of your clothes 'afore you can blink' "

"Nuh uh, Nancy! It's 'Steal the clothes offa' your back before you know'."

"Who said I would do that?" Asked Nick.

"Pop-Pop did."

Nick's expression fell. His tail went down towards the floor. He headed down the hall to get away.

"Don't worry…I won't steal your clothes…" he said over his shoulder.

"He looks sad! Why are you making Nick sad?" whispered Ned.

"I didn't! You did! I said 'Trick' an' you said 'steal'!"

The fox got to the door, opened it and found a case of cheesy-balls. He grabbed a 'family sized' bag, closed his eyes and took a few breaths to calm down.

'At least Judy and Larry are on my side.' Nick thought.

Nick walked past the two younger bunnies, still arguing about who made him sad, and walked back into the lounge.

"...Judy, I won't need them, I promise! Please don't say any-" said Larry, cutting himself off when Nick walked back in.

"Any trouble finding the snacks, Nick?" asked Judy.

Whatever they were talking about must be private. I won't say anything.

"No, found it easy," said Nick casually looking away from Judy when he answered.

"...Nick…did anything happen?"

"...N-no…"

"Nick…?" pressed Judy.

"I ran into two little bunnies, Nancy and Ned. They asked me to 'do the trick' like someone called 'Pop-Pop' said…"

Judy's ears went a little droopy, and she looked a little upset. "Nick, Pop-Pop is my great grandpa, he's a little weird. What did he say? That 'Foxes are the Devil' or something?"

Your grandpa said I could 'steal their clothes off them' when they blinked. So they blinked at me!"

"Pop-Pop is just a kook, Nick," said Judy.

Larry came over. "Pop-Pop is crazy. He tried to set a trap to catch the Tooth Ferret to get his real teeth back. He caught Danita in it."

"Mom was mad. Pop-Pop woke the whole warren up in the middle of the night. Danita was caught in a footpaw-trap, upside down, yelling."

Hearing this, Nick felt a little better.

"Come on, your turn, Nick," said Larry, stepping away from the controller mat.

Nick started dancing, forgetting about his experience a little as Larry and Judy played, treating him like any other bunny.

–

Judy finished her turn on D.D.E. when her egg-shaped monster evolved and bat wings grew from its back, while a jingle of bells played during the evolution.

“I need a break,” said Judy, drinking down some of her bug juice.

“Hey Nick, catch!” said Larry, setting his drink down and tossing a cheese ball to Nick, who reflexively snapped it out of the air.

The fox chewed and swallowed, then stopped, covering his muzzle.

“Sorry, I forgot. Don’t be scared…” said Nick.

“You aren’t scary,” said Larry,

“Nick, you’re our friend now. We aren't scared,” said Judy.

“Try again!” called out Larry, tossing four cheesy balls, making Nick jump to catch them all before they hit the floor. In return, he tossed a couple each to both Judy and Larry. Judy managed to catch one of hers, while Larry was hit in the nose, and threw one back at Nick.

Soon the lounge was covered in cheese balls. The two boys threw cheese balls at each other, until finally, Larry leapt and jumped on Nick in a playful wrestle. The two rolled around, laughing while Judy gave commentary and instructions.

“Nick, spread your hindpaws, to keep from being rolled around.”

“Larry, do a leap-roll, to get away from the hold.”

Nick soon found that Judy gave great advice on grappling. Larry was following her advice to the letter, and every trick she mentioned brought the “match” one step further, with no winner.

The fox swung his tail out, giving Larry a gentle slap across the eyes, as the bunny was trying to work a hold on Nick’s right hindpaw for a submission.

The young bunny loosened his hold and Nick escaped, leaping and turning in a circle to sideways mount his opponent and pin him.

“Small bun, Larry!” called out Judy.

The bunny-boy grabbed Nick’s paws and rolled sideways, kicking from the floor, and ended up on top of Nick, laughing, holding Nick’s footpaws up to his shoulders, pinning the fox down. Nick kicked out of the hold, and Larry leapt up, sitting on the tummy of the red fox.

Nick locked his hind legs on Larry's footpaws, and his paws in the bunnies.

The three were giggling, when all the sudden Larry looked scared and tried to pull his paws away, which Nick held onto.

“Let go, please!” called out Larry, all of a sudden bending at the waist.

Before he could react, Nick felt warmth on his stomach, and saw Larry jump up, the bunny’s pants soaked.

“You peed on me!'' said Nick, shocked.

Larry burst into tears and raced from the room, running blindly away. "I'm sorry!"

*********

Oh no! He took them off! WHY?

Judy watched as Larry took another sip of his drink, then looked back at her, with a slight head shake.

She sent Nick to look for snacks, waiting until he was out of the room.

"Larry, where are your Camel Pants?! You know you aren't supposed to take them off!"

"I don't need them, Judy! And Nick heard them! Please don't tell him. I promise I won't have an accident!"

"Larry, you've been drinking juice. Get to a bathroom, then put your Camel Pants back on!"

Larry ran over to a small single-mammal bathroom in the lounge, and used the toilet, quickly returning to the lounge before Nick returned and started asking questions.

"Quick, run to your room and put some Camel Pants on, quick, before Nick gets back!"

"...Judy, I won't need them, I promise! Please don't say any-" said Larry, cutting himself off when Nick walked back in.

Nick seemed a little upset, returning with the bag of cheese-balls. Judy questioned him, and Nick told her what Pop-Pop was teaching the younger bunnies about foxes.

Judy felt bad for Nick, ears drooping. Talking bad about her was one thing, but picking on Nick for just being a fox!

Judy felt a little better once the fox realized that Pop-Pop was a loony and Nick didn't look so sad and alone.

They played for a while, until finally Nick and Larry started throwing snacks at each other, then started wrestling.

Larry never gets to play like this! He looks happy.

Unfortunately at the end of the match, Larry "let go" and soaked both his pants and Nick at the same time; the bunny ran off sobbing loudly.

Nick looked shocked, pulling his new 'What the fox?!' tee-shirt away from his fur, looking disgusted.

"He didn't mean it, Nick! Larry wears big-kit diapers 'cause he has pee accidents all the time."

"Why did I get peed on? Did he forget his diaper?"

"Larry was afraid you would tease him. He was trying to hide it from you. He said you heard it, so he took it off."

Nick took the shirt off;luckily the pants and underwear were still dry and clean. He held the soaked shirt away from himself by two fingers.

"Come on, Nick. Let's put that in the laundry so you have a clean shirt in the morning."

Judy led Nick down a couple hallways where a section showed a sign 'J Litter' on the wall. Walking past the open door of a large room full of beds, they came to a spot in the hallway with a wooden square on the wall. There was a sign above the square declaring 'Laundry Chute 4'.

"For regular laundry, you put it in your laundry bag and toss the bag down the chute. You get it back in a day," said Judy.

She walked further down and stopped at a small room at the end of the hall. A sign stated 'J Litter small laundry'.

They walked in and Judy flipped open a round door on the front.

"This is a washer and dryer. Put your shirt in so we can wash it."

Nick tossed the lone tee-shirt into the washer/dryer. Judy could hear his heart rate increasing as he looked at the mostly empty tub.

"Judy, we can't just wash one thing! That will waste detergent, water and power. It all costs money!"

"We will throw some other stuff in, Nick. I have some clothes I can wash too, come on."

Judy led Nick back down the hall, stopping at a round door with a taped on paw-written sign in blue crayon reading "Police Cheef Judy".

Judy opened the dark brown wooden door, and the two stepped from the hardened clay corridor into a small room. The thick blue carpet on the floor had a police badge painted on it. There was a bunny sized bed in one corner, completely covered in plush bunnies. Her desk had been moved from the opposite side to next to her bed, alarm clock on top.

Zootopia Police Department posters hung on the walls, and a small bookshelf held her books about policing and some 'Nancy Shrew' mystery novels.

The opposite wall (where her desk with alarm clock had been)now had a new small bed with a bare mattress;the foot of the bed contained a square stack with bedsheets, blanket, pillow and a clothing bag marked "Judy's Fox".

"Nick, look! They set up a bed for you; it looks like we're gonna be roomies!"

"Okay. Looks better than a blanket on the floor of a cell…so where is a place I can take a shower or bath?"

"Let's start the wash first, and then I’ll show you,” said Judy. She grabbed a mesh bag of dirty clothes, took clean clothes from a drawer, and led the way out, and down the hallway.

As they walked, Judy tried not to listen but couldn't help overhearing conversations between family members as they passed bedrooms.

"... She made Mom and Dad take her to a police auction…"

"...loser Jude the Dude got beat up…"

"...Ossifer Jude begged Mom and Dad for a fox 'cause she got no friends…"

"...lying fox will feel sorry and be her boyfriend…"

Judy tried to ignore the comments. Nick didn’t react, so it must be so low that only a bunny could hear. Deciding to try and be positive Judy told Nick more about the layout of the warren.

“Each floor has a bathroom off the main corridor. There are lockers inside for clothes, and supplies on a rack. the shows and tubs are in the front, the toilets are in the back,” said Judy.

"...Mr. Snowshoe said Judy needs to have a counselor…"

"...immy's Mom wouldn't let him come over cause of Crazy Judy…"

She continued to move along until they got to the main bathroom for the level. Her ears flicked and oriented; after a moment of listening Judy said “We’re in luck, Nick. The bathroom isn’t too busy right now.”

The grey furred bunny pushed the double door open and entered the bathroom, stepping onto the off-white tiled floor, the fox following behind. The entryway room was lit by recessed round lights mounted on the ceiling casting a soft while light on off-white tiles of the floor and walls. A series of shiny wire racks were against the wall, holding paw towels, bath towels, facecloths, bottles of liquid furwash, and washing brushes. Small plastic baskets were stacked to carry supplies.

Further down the wall, there was an open entryway to another room.

“Nick, grab what you need, and let's go to the lockers.”

The bunny grabbed supplies, an act imitated by Nick, and the two walked into the next room, with lockers, and wooden benches. As they were about to enter, several older bunnies were walking out.

“Hey Dude, can’t you just stop the ‘Police’ nonsense and just be a normal doe? Coach Skipperson almost wouldn't let me take Melinda out to the movies last night! He asked if our family was the one with a 'crazy sister'. He yelled that we were letting you believe' in moonbeams’ and were a terrible warren!”

“Sorry, David. He’s being mean. But I’m not going to quit. I’m gonna be a bunny police officer!” replied Judy.

There was some head-shaking and the bunnies walked out, laughing. Judy’s ears drooped a little.

"You aren't crazy," said Nick quietly. He reached out and hugged her at an angle, keeping the dirty fur away from touching the bunny.

"Thank you, Nick," said Judy. She was happy his fox ears weren't able to hear most of what was said.

They stood for a minute in silence, until Judy moved forward into the next room.

As they entered, they passed a row of bathroom sinks with bunnies washing paws.

Further in, there was a row of urinals on one side, and bathroom stalls on the other.

Several bucks finished using the urinals, flushed, and walked past Judy to the sinks.

Judy looked and Nick was staring at the scene, ears back, looking at the bucks, then back at Judy who barely seemed to notice.

“Sorry, Nick. If you need to go, then go ahead. I’ll wait for you.”

Finally Nick found his voice. "N-no. I don't need to…you know."

Walking down further, Judy heard a gasp. Nick's ears going back as several does exited stalls and started walking past the bunny, fox, and the various bucks.

Judy took Nick's paw, and lead him forward. "Okay, let's hurry up and get clean then. Come on, Nick."

"Why is Judy's Fox freaking out?"

"Heard the fox scared Leaks into peeing his pants."

"You kidding? Leaks likes attention. That's why he pisses his pants."

Judy's ears flicked for a moment, but the fox didn't seem to hear the whispers following them.

They got out of the restroom and to a locker room. Judy pointed out an open locker.

"Get undressed and put your clean stuff inside."

Nick looked around trying to get oriented with how this worked. His house only had one-mammal bathrooms. School always had one for males, one for females. There should be a sign to tell him where he should be exposed and not.

Finally turning around, he found himself looking at a bare bunny stripped to the fur.

"When you are ready the showers are down that way, Nick," said Judy, pointing.

Judy heard Nick gasp and stop moving. His heartbeat quickened

"Come on, crazy fox. You can't shower in your clothes."

"B-b-but you're naked!"

"Yep. How else do you take a show-".

Judy stopped. "Sorry! I forgot foxes were afraid of being naked. You can put a towel in front of your privates. Come on."

Hesitantly the fox removed his own clothing and put it in locker 'J 16'. The bashful fox had his tail between his legs, and a hand towel covering his private bits.

Nick tried to walk, eyes closed to follow Judy, bumping into lockers at a snail's pace until finally Judy said "It's okay Nick. I put a towel on."

The fox opened his eyes and visibly relaxed. Judy heard his heartbeat slow again.

They entered the next room, and Judy noticed Nick looking around. The room was, like the outer bathroom, done in off-white tiles.

The room was full of rows of shower stalls, recessed into the wall, with tiles giving privacy to the sides, and a plastic shower curtain in the front. There was an open doorway to another room. Several showers down the end were in use. The air was mostly clear as the ventilation system fought off the steam near the ceiling.

Judy hung her towel on a rack, hung her 'bathing bucket' on a hook inside the shower. Turning she saw Nick doing the same.

Judy was about to ask if Nick knew how to work the shower when he turned the water on. She washed herself quickly, rinsed off and was out of the shower while Nick was still washing. Judy wiped off with the small towel, to keep water from dripping on the floor. She approached Nick's shower stall.

"Nick, do you want me to wash your back?"

"N-no, Judy! I h-have it!"

The bunny waited, and Nick turned the water off and she waited a moment. A couple bucks walked in, starting showers of their own, while a couple older does walked into the next room.

"Looks like bath night for the Losers Club!"

"Ossifer Jude, did you teach the fox what 'soap' was? Did he try to eat it?"

Judy let out a growl. "Shut up, Eileen. At least he didn't eat a scented candle and pellet in her pants for a week!"

Janice covered a laugh and both Janice and Eileen walked into the next room, looking angry.

Nick laughed from the stall. Judy opened the curtain and Nick stopped and covered up quickly. His fur was still wet, so Judy tossed him her half dry towel.

"Just get dry enough to not drip. I want to show you the 'ewe-chew' bath."

Judy saw Nick starting to freeze up again. "Nick, everyone is naked in the bath. Don't worry. Just don't be rude and stare. With over two hundred bunnies you are going to see a naked bun sometimes. Stop worrying about it."

"B-b-but I don't want to get in trouble and go back!"

"You won't be in trouble. Come on."

They left the shower stall and walked in the next room, Judy reciting the rules of the bath.

"Okay Nick, you need to show respect to the warren and the other bunnies. The rules for the 'ewe-chew' are to never get in the tub without washing up first. Don't get your towel wet. Don't swim or splash. It's for relaxing."

"Hello, Nick dear. Is Judy helping you on your first night in the warren? Do you need anything?" asked Bonnie from her spot in the tub.

Judy heard Nick's heart begin to race wildly, his breathing quickened like he was running a marathon.

"Ah! I'm sorry, Mrs Hopps! I'm not looking at anyone! It was an accident!" shouted out Nick completely dropping his towel, covering both eyes, with tail between his legs."

There was some laughter for a moment from the twenty or so bunnies in the tub.

"ALL of you stop!" shouted Bonnie in a whip-crack voice. Immediately all the laughter died and an uncomfortable silence fell.

Bonnie got out of the tub, picked up Nick, and motioned Judy to get in the tub. Holding the embarrassed fox, Bonnie hugged Nick close and got back in.

"You tell me if the water is too hot, ok sweetie?" whispered Bonnie in Nick's ear.

"Please don't tell Mr.Hopps. He'll send me back!" Nick whispered desperately.

"No he won't, Nick. I know this is different for you;but bunnies do things a little differently than foxes. Besides, I will not let him send you away, I promise."

Getting back to her spot, Bonnie set Nick down on the tiled seat in the tub, against her side. She motioned Judy to get on his other side.

"Nick, I'm sorry if you are embarrassed. There are so many bunnies here that we see each other all the time in the baths, the bathrooms, changing, so we don't mind. It's okay for family, and you are family now."

Nick slowly relaxed, opening his eyes.

Bonnie addressed the group.

"Foxes have smaller families so they get more privacy. It might take Nick some time to get used to shared bathrooms. Don't tease him about it." The unspoken or else was well understood.

Nick started to relax in Bonnie's arms and laid his head on her shoulder. She scratched behind his ears. Under the surface, Nick's tail moved back and forth.

Judy saw him relax, and scratched the other ear, and Nick let out a contented sigh.

Quiet conversations around the tub started again, Judy tuning out most of them.

A small bunny came up to Nick.

"Fox, open muzz-el."

Nick blinked, then opened his muzzle, carefully hiding his teeth so he didn't scare anyone.

The bunny looked in. "Where bunny?'

"What?" asked Nick.

"Where bunny?"

"Petuna, fox is 'Nick'. Can you say 'Hi, Nick' to him?" asked Bonnie.

The little bunny yawned. "Hi Nick."

"Hi, Petunia," said the fox, yawning himself.

Bonnie eased Nick away from her shoulder, and over to Judy.

"Looks like this little bun is up way past her bedtime. Let's get you off to bed, little miss."

"I see Jude Fox, now I go sleep," said Petuna, yawning again.

Bonnie picked up Petunia got her out of the soaking tub. Handing the toddler off to another bunny, they were both dried off in short order, and headed back to the locker rooms.

Nick started to get up, seeming to struggle.

"My legs feel weak."

"That's because you're so relaxed. That's why we have this. Pop-Pop built it after going to the east and seeing an 'on-scent' bath."

Nick yawned, followed by Judy.

"Judy, I'm tired. I need to get to bed before I fall asleep right here."

The two got up, out of the wonderfully warm water, wiped down with towels then headed back to get dressed. In short order, teeth were brushed, last minute bathroom visits happened, and both were ready for bed.

Judy led the way back to her room, Nick following.

"...wonder if she is gonna freak out…"

"...her own fault…"

"...hope he eats her…"

Opening the door, Judy motioned Nick in.

"Make your bed, I'll check on the laundry."

"...feel sorry for her."

"...Don't! It's her own fault…"

Judy checked, the small load had finished washing, spinning, and was tumbling now, buttons hitting the drum and making a regular 'click-clack' sound. She turned around to head back to her room, when a buzzer went off.

Judy spun, opening the dryer and grabbed her bag of almost burning hot clothes, and Nick's shirt. Walking back to her room, Judy saw several bunnies look out their doors at her then go back in.

I better be careful. Something is going on.

Judy cautiously opened her door and walked in. Nick had finished making his bed, and it looked perfect. The sheets and blankets looked tight as a drum.

"How do you get the bed to look like that?" asked Judy.

"Mo-...someone taught me. She worked as a nurse's assistant once."

"It looks like an army movie bed. Can you show me how to-" Judy stopped mid-sentence. Her paws went up to her muzzle in shock.

"My plushies are gone!"

*****

Nick looked around, seeing Judy's bed was empty of the dozens of bunny scented plushies.

He walked over, and sniffed at the blankets. He detected an overall scent of 'Hopps Bunnies' with several variants. He dropped down, following a trail of footpaws to the door then stopped. He went back and found another trail leading towards the desk.

"Judy, look," Nick said, pointing to a note on the top of her desk.

He looked at the crudely paw-written note.

'Judy

We took back hour sented plushys.

You can be a polise bunny or a hopps.'

Nick handed the note to Judy. Immediately he scented burnt orange, then weeping willow.

Judy's ears went droopy, then her foot started angrily tapping on the floor.

"I don't care. Those jerks can't stop me! I'm gonna do it."

"Are you okay, Judy?"

"Yeah. But they won't be! I'm gonna let them know I won't quit! I'll grab those plushies back too."

"Judy, they might want you to get upset. Da-…someone always told me 'never let 'em see that they get to you.'

"Can't you just tell your mom and dad and get your plushies back?"

Judy stopped. "Well…they are loaner plushies. They are so you can scent your family if you are alone."

"So…you can't just take them back then, I guess."

Judy looked a little down. I think I'm just tired. Let's get off to bed."

Nick and Judy both crawled into their beds, Judy turning off the light from a switch over her headboard.

Nick lay quietly, tired, but something felt wrong. Judy's scent grew less burnt orange and more weeping willow. He heard her toss and turn, then sit still.

The fox drifted off to sleep but was awakened by a scratching sound, and continual sniffing. He opened his eyes and in the dim light of the alarm clock he could see Judy reaching for something.

Her paws continually searched for something, and she kept sniffing the air.

"Alone…can't find…any…one..." mumbled Judy. Nick realized she was asleep. He scented an acrid fear smell in the room.

He got out of bed and silently padded over to Judy. The gray bunny had rolled until the covers fell off, and her purple pajamas were all wrinkled.

Nick reached out a paw and gently touched her shoulder.

"Judy. Wake up, Judy." Nick whispered.

Her nose twitched and Judy jerked awake, footpaws drawn back and ready to kick out, eyes full of confusion, wet streaks drying in the fur around her eyes.

"Judy, it's Nick. You were rolling around in your sleep." He whispered.

"I'm sorry, Nick. Bunnies don't like sleeping alone, and my plushies are gone. I can't scent anyone near me. I'll go sleep on a couch in the lounge."

"Judy, does the scent have to be a bunny girl?"

"No, it can be any safe scent. Lots of bunnies sleep in piles."

"I have an idea. Here," whispered Nick, pawing his shirt over to Judy.

After a sniff, Judy changed into his shirt, and smiled. "Thanks, Nick," she whispered.

Nick curled back up in the blankets and fell into a fitful sleep;the room was a little cooler than he preferred. Sometime later, he felt a peaceful warmth next to him. Hugging the warmth he relaxed to gentle snores, a warm bed, and the scent of violets.

*****

Nick heard a tapping somewhere.

He ignored it. The guard was a jerk. Why wake him early if they weren't going to feed him again?

The tapping got louder. "...go 'way Morgan…"

Nick jumped awake when Judy's door slammed open and the lights came on, near blinding him. Next to him he felt something move. Turning his head he saw Judy. In his bed.

Nick felt his tummy lurch as he saw an angry Stu Hopps in the doorway, holding a long thin bag. With the barrel of a shotgun sticking out the top.

Oh no! He had a girl in the same room. In the same bed! Stu was going to send him back to Jail!

"Judy! What are you and the fox doing in bed?" Stu said in an angry voice.

–End of chapter 2.

Chapter Text

Misfits chapter 3: A Bottle for a Fox

*****

( Sunday morning )

Nick’s tummy lurched as he saw an angry Stu Hopps in the doorway, holding a long thin bag. 

He grew even more nervous when he saw the bag had the barrel of a shotgun sticking out the top.

Oh no!  Stu was going to send him back to Jail!

"Judy! What are you and the fox doing in bed? " Stu said in an angry voice.

Judy looked at her father in surprise, and hopped out of bed, wearing Nick's shirt.

Stu's expression darkened.

"Nick, were you and Judy up all night, fooling around in here?"

Karma, no!  He was in for it!  Dad said 'fooling around with vixens' got you in big trouble!  Maybe it's really bad with bunnies too!

"Sorry, Dad. I had trouble sleeping; Nick helped me sleep, but my alarm didn't ring."

Nick looked at Judy's alarm.  It was blinking 12:00 now.

"Judy, you get a move on, get clothes on, quick!" Judy quickly stripped off Nick's shirt, replacing the single garment she had been wearing with jeans and a t-shirt.

The fox closed his eyes waiting for the explosion of justified anger from a father.  She's not my sister! I don't have any excuse!  I've shamed the Hopps Family now!

"Nick, get your fuzzy butt out of that bed. I’ve got a gun all ready for you!"

Nick froze.  He looked at Judy.  Was Mr. Hopps crazy?   A fox would have told everyone to shame him.  Maybe hit him, not use a gun !

Judy smiled at him!  What? Why?  

" Get up, Nick!   We're already running late for the gun range this morning.  I already had to swap a favor and a bottle of carrot hooch for this longer time slot," explained Stu.

Judy hopped over, "Nick, I forgot to tell you, Dad and I are going skeet shooting this morning!  Don't you want to come?"

Nick was relieved the gun wasn't a threat for him , but this was puzzling.  Bunnies ate plants !

"Why do we have to kill skeet?  Do bunnies eat them?"

Stu and Judy both laughed. 

"Skeet are clay targets, Nick.  A machine throws them and you shoot them.  For practice," said Stu.

Nick got up, took his shirt off the floor where Judy dropped it, and put his shirt and shoes on.

"Let's go.  Hit the bathroom, brush your teeth, and we're gone.  We'll stop for breakfast at Vera's."

The two kits rushed to get ready and out into Stu's pickup.  

Vera's was actually ' Vera's Donut Shoppe and Bakery '. Stu pulled the truck up to the diner, swung around back and into a drive through window.

A bunny in a blue dress and apron came to the window.

"Hey Stu.  What will ya have?"

"Hey Wendy.  Can I get a 'blind six shooter' and–hey Nick, do you like hot chocolate?"

Nick shook his head furiously.  "Canids can't have chocolate."

Stu tried again. "Wendy, make that a 'blind six shooter', two hot chocolates and and…" 

"Apple juice, please, if that's okay, Mr. Hopps."

"...and an apple juice."

"Got ya, Stu." The bunny disappeared back inside, returning with a box, and some drinks she pawed over.  

Nick sniffed his juice, detecting only apples.  The fox looked at Wendy, and asked "Mr Hopps, would you taste my juice?"

Stu looked puzzled and took a sip.  "Tastes fine to me."

When there was no reaction, Nick said "Thank you, Miss Wendy.  Thank you, Mr. Hopps."

They pulled away, Judy opening the box, finding a mixed box of doughnuts.

"Why is it called a 'blind six shooter', Mr. Hopps?" asked a curious Nick.

"That's when the shop grabs a half dozen doughnuts without looking, puts 'em in a box."

"Nick, why did you have Dad taste your juice?"

"To see if she would tell Mr. Hopps not to drink it. Sometimes bad mammals put nasty things in drinks for foxes. Mo- somefur told me instead of blue juice I got a cup of blue toilet cleaner when I was five."

Stu dropped his hot chocolate on his lap in shock, only the sturdy lid keeping his crotch from a nasty burn.

"That won't ever happen again!" said Judy. "We won't let anyone treat you like that any more, right Dad?"

The farmer could only nod in reply.

*****

The gun range had a roofed-in section for target shooting pawguns, and some flat grassy areas for rifles and shotguns.  Mounds of dirt, as high as an elephant surrounded the range. No bullets would be able to go off the range and hit anyone.

Mr. Hopps set up a machine that used a spring to "throw" clay disks in the air.  He gave Judy a string.  Stu passed out earplugs to everyone, then took out a couple shotguns from the bag.

"Nick, come on over.  You ever shoot a gun before?"

"No, Mr. Hopps."

Stu went over the safety rules for guns to Nick. 

"Always point it in the safest direction . 

Always treat all guns as if loaded .

Never point a gun at anything you don't want to shoot.

Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire."

Nick spoke with Stu and found out he had a different shotgun, called a "four-ten" that only held one shot.  Judy and Stu would use one that shot 3 times.

Nick was nervous, but with some pointers from both bunnies he squeezed off a shot, while stiffening his shoulder and closing his eyes.

The little fox missed the flying target, but discovered the shotgun wasn't a cannon like in the movies.  No three wide foot holes were blasted through anything. He actually needed to aim it to hit.

Judy and Stu took turns with another gun, showing far more ability than Nick during his shots.  The fox took turns loading clay disks or pulling the rope to release the spring loaded throwing arm.

"Maybe if you get good enough you can do some shooting in the contest come Spring Solstice; it's too late for you for the Autumn Solstice."

I forgot about the Solstice!

"When is the Solstice?" 

"It's Wednesday, three days from now.  It's when the Bunnyburrow Autumn Festival is held."

Stu moved the front handle of his shotgun, making a "chick-chick" noise.

"Nick, grab me that other box of shells from the bag," said Stu. "I gotta reload."

Nick opened the bag, finding several boxes of shells next to a glass screw-top bottle of clear liquid.  He pawed the cardboard box to the elder bunny, earning a smile.

"Thanks, Nick," said Stu.

"What's in the bottle, Mr. Hopps?"

"That's called 'vodka' Nick. Not for kits.  If you're thirsty," Stu said, pointing to a small snack hut near the pistol range "go grab a Koala-Cola or something over there.  Tell them to put it on the Hopps tab."

"Thanks, Mr. Hopps! Do you two want anything?"

Nick went over, coming back with three drinks, pawing them off to the bunnies.

"Nick, grab the fur-wipes from the bag and wipe your paws and the bottle.  You don't want to eat lead dust."

'Sorry, Mr. Hopps', thought Nick, reaching into the bag when no-one was looking. 'I don't mean to be trouble.'

*****

Stu pulled back into the yard.  They had all had a fun morning.  Nick was a bit nervous at first, but seemed to warm up to shooting.  Stu told the kits to go wash up; no one wants lead on their fur.  Nick was still a little nervous around him, but Stu figured the fox would shape up in time.

Taking the fox shooting had been like taking any of his other kits, except Nick was more polite.  He even offered to take charge of the trash from the range visit without being asked.

I should keep Nick and Judy together as much as I can.  That little fox seems know a bit 'bout the world.  Maybe he can talk some sense into Judy to stop this 'Police Bunny' nonsense.

*****

When they got back home, the two kits washed up, only to be met outside the bathroom by Bonnie.

"Nick, we're going out to get you some clothes," said Bonnie.  "You can't just have only two pairs of day-wear."

"Mrs. Hopp-"

" Bonnie ," insisted the doe.

"Bonnie, I'm okay with just jeans and sweatpants.  You don't need to spend anything extra."

" I insist ," said Bonnie with finality.

*****

Nick followed Bonnie into a garage full of old cars, Bonnie grabbed the keys to a bunny sized station wagon and took Nick for a short trip to the middle of Bunnyburrow's Main Street.  

As they entered the 'Targoat Express' Nick looked around.  The store has the same symbol as the ones in Zootopia but this one was smaller.  Bonnie led the way towards the 'kits clothing' area, being familiar with the layout.

A lot of bunnies were there, staring at him as they walked the aisles.

"I wonder where the 'canid' section is," said Bonnie, as they wandered the the store. "I'll have to ask one of the employees."

"Excuse me, sir.  Can you please tell us where the canid section is?" Nick asked a bunny behind them.  Bonnie noticed the buck was not wearing a Targoat polo, and had no name tag.  

The  ripped jeans, and six-pack of cheap beer in paw should have told anybun this was a customer, and not a Targoat employee.

"Sorry, he's a young kit, and he-"

"But he does work here.  He's one of the ones who follows you in the store."

"What do you mean ?"

"When you go in a store somefur always comes out to follow you.  He isn't really buying anything. It's a trick to fool bad furs."

The embarrassed bunny looked at Bonnie.  "Uh…aisle six b." he said before walking away.

"Nick, how do you know that?" asked Bonnie.

"Oh that happens in stores. Like the cameras.  If the cameras can move then they watch you, so you gotta be careful to not put your paws in your pockets."

Bonnie looked up, surprised to see the cameras inside the balls hanging from the ceiling pointed at them. At Nick actually, since they didn't move when Bonnie hopped down the aisle.

They went to aisle  six b, but what little they had was for adult wolves.

"Okay, looks like we try on the other side of town, Nick.  I think there is a store or two in 'Little Predville' to check."

*****

They drove down Main Street before turning off, towards the more run down parts of Bunnyburrow.  As they traveled, Nick noticed a change from almost all bunnies to a mix of stoats, leopards and coyotes.

Bonnie pulled into a small parking lot with a sign for 'Pride-Lands End'.  Bonnie got out, a bit hesitant, nose wiggling, then got a defiant look on her muzzle and led the way inside.

Nick followed right behind, and they entered through the heavy wooden doorway, Bonnie half expecting the faded and scratched brass door handle to come off in her paw.

Once inside, Bonnie was immediately put at ease.  The store was worn, but kept clean.  The inside had old but well-maintained vinyl floor tiles, probably from the nineteen-seventies, and a pressed metal ceiling covered in designs from the nineteen-twenties.

Most of the shelving racks were mismatched and older, in various shades of white, off white and gray.

"Welcome to Pride-lands en-" said a surprised weasel.  She was reading a magazine, wearing a blue dress with a red vest.

The weasel looked at seeing Bonnie.  "Can…can I help you, miss bunny?"

"Thanks, yes indeed, Miss," Bonnie peered at the name tag of the employee. "Sorry…Miss Wendy.  I am fostering Nick here, and he needs some new clothes."

The weasel looked between Bonnie and Nick for a moment and said, "We have a fox on staff to help, let me call her for you."

Picking up the old phone, she pressed a button and got on the intercom.

" Vera Kitcheck to the front please, for special mammal assistance. "

A middle aged fox in a red vest and jeans came out from the back. She smiled at Nick, and gave a friendly nod to Bonnie.

"Hello there, I'm Vera, and I'd love to help you shop today.  What's your name, you handsome tod?"

"I'm Nick, Miss Vera. I'm here with Mrs. Hopps."

Bonnie spoke up. "I'm fostering Nick now, so he needs some clothes to wear.  Pants, shirts, underwear to start."

Vera led Nick towards the clothing racks while the weasel then picked up a form.

"I can get you a discount on purchases today if you join our discount club.  Can I get your information, Mrs. Hopps?"

Nick followed towards vixen to the clothing racks, until she took a turn to the changing room.

"Let's get you measured first, Nick," she said, leading him into a room and closing the door.

Bowing at the waist, she addressed the tod formally.

"I am Vera Alecia Dogtree, of Skulk Dogtree, allied with the Seeker clan.  I swear to hold honor and peace with you."

Nick bowed.  "I am Nicholas Piberius Wilde… of…no skulk.  No clan. I sw-swear to do honor for my… in my name."

"Why are you with the bunny?  Are you safe?  Did she take you as a thrall ?"

"No.  I was with the police.  I sh..shamed my family by stealing food. I was in a cage.  She took me home as a foster. No one makes me work.  I have a bed and food."

"Where are your parents, Nick?"

Nick's tail tucked under and a sad whine could be heard.

"They…left me. Somefurs are going to… Rainbow Bridge."

"Do they know the way?"

"I don't know.  I think Somefur said something about the Solstice before they left… but I don't remember ." Nick started to tear up a little.  

 "What can I do Miss Vera? I don't want them to be lost ."

The vixen scratched Nick's ears.

"Listen carefully, I will tell you what to do, Nicholas Piberius Wilde of no skulk, no clan.  I, Vera Alecia Dogtree, do this without debt.  Unus vulpes familiae ."

"Thank you, Miss Dogtree." Nick bowed formally at the waist. "I-I mean 'I Nick Piberius Wilde, of no skulk, th-thank you'.

Unus vulpes familiae ."

*****

Bonnie finished dictating the form when Nick and the vixen reappeared.  Vera gave Bonnie a piece of paper.

"Mrs. Hopps, here are the sizes for Nick.  You can find pants in aisle 7, shirts in 5 and underwear in 4.  If you need anything a little more fancy, aisle 8 has dress shirts, pants and belts."

Pulling another piece of paper out, Vera wrote something on it.

"Nick will need higher protein than bunnies, at least once a week.  Across from us, ' Simon Says Groceries ' carries predator foods that will keep him healthy.  When you go tell them 'Vera sent me' for a discount."

Vera lowered her voice.

"If you ever need to know anything about foxes my phone number is on the back."

*****

When Nick left, Judy checked the chore chart, and headed down to the ' Main Laundry '.

Judy walked up to Brenda, the Laundry Team Lead today.  

"Hi, Brenda. I'm ready to do my part to help out."

"Go sit over there, Ossifer Judy ." said the older bun, indicating a chair in the corner.

"But I'm trying to do my chores!" protested Judy.

"We don't want your help.  You can sit, or you can go find someone else to work with.  I don't care."

"But I have to help-"

Brenda held out the chart.  It marked Judy as 'Present' and ' finished work '.

"Your work is done here, ' Police Bunny '.  Just like the Police, we don't want you ."

"But-"

"Go play 'pretend police' where nobun can see you.  Don't you know how much you embarrass us all?  The Bunnyburrow Library wouldn't let me volunteer because I had a 'crazy little sister' and they were afraid you might visit and make other kits act crazy."

Judy walked away slowly.  Without Nick she didn't have much to do.  Usually she could find a chore and do that to take her mind off things.

She checked with the kitchen, dish-room, even bathroom cleaning and was told they didn't need her.

Droopy eared, Judy headed for her exercise course around the old barn to run.

*****

Nick climbed out of the station wagon, holding several large plastic bags.  Bonnie tried to take them, but Nick decided she did enough already.

"Thanks, Mrs–ummm, Bonnie !"

"You're welcome, Nick.  Now, go put those new clothes away in your drawers; ask for help if you need it."

The tod ran to his shared room, putting the clothes away in the drawers on his side.  Judy didn't seem to be around, maybe she had chores to do.

He heard a massive movement of bunnies outside in the hallway for a few minutes, headed towards the dining hall.

As the last item (fox sized underwear!) was quickly put in the top drawer, Nick's tummy rumbled a bit.  He listened carefully, then cracked the door open, taking a sniff.  No bunnies.  Sliding out of the door, Nick started to explore the house while he had a bit of privacy.

I don't have a lot of time before the Solstice.

He headed towards 'Playroom 3, shared'.

*****

Stu finished his lunch, and decided to make a quick call.

"Hullo?"

"Hey Billy, Stu Hopps here…I wanted to try to swap range times with you, permanent like.   And wanted to see if I could buy  the long barrel single shot .410 you loaned me today."

"The single?  Why you need that, Stu?  I thought all your young-uns used your 20 gauge pump from the start?"

"Long story. We're fostering a fox kit. City fox, eight years old.  Before today he probably never seen a gun wasn't on TV.  

The single shot means he can't short-stroke it or miss from a slide moving when he's aiming.

He did fair well for the first time. Didn't hit any skeet, but he followed well.  He just needs to get in front of it.  With the three of us, I'll need more than 45 minutes to get him some real trigger time."

"How'd you end up with a fox, Stu?"

"His lousy parents left him behind, and went off somewhere.  Poor kit near starved, ended in lockup for eatin' a zoo-dollar bag of dried bugs with only ninety-cents in his pockets."

"Stu, I'll be straight with you: I used to work with a fox fella, between harvests, for the trains.  You don't have to worry none about your kits being eaten… but them foxes is as slick as an underwater otter selling used flood cars.

They can be great folk, but you gotta be firm raisin' em up.  If you let 'em, a fox will take to lyin' and stealin' like a starvin' bun to a prize vegetable patch.  You keep 'em on the straight and narrow and you won't have no fox problems."

"Thanks, Billy.  I'll keep that in mind.  So what about the time swap and the gun?"

*****

Judy finished her third lap, walking towards the house to cool off.  She could see bunnies assigned as field hands coming back out to work.

I guess I missed lunch.

Judy walked up to Uncle Matt.

"Hey, Uncle Matt, can I help with anything?"

"Sorry, Judy.  Not til you're older.  We need full grown bunnies here.  Not kits right now."

At least he didn't complain about me "Embarrassing the Family".

*****

At dinner, Nick looked, but didn't see Larry anywhere.  Judy showed up, and Nick pulled out a chair for her.

"Judy, have you seen Larry?  Do you know if he is okay?"

"He will be okay.  He is probably embarrassed. He might think you are mad at him."

From across the room, Derrick shouted over. "Hey, Dirty Fox ! Are you pissed off or just pissed on ?  Does that count as your bath for the month?"

The other bunnies across the room heard and laughed.

Nick considered.  What did Mom used to say?  'Turn the insult on its head, to the other one instead.'

Derrick was trying to make him feel small.

"I feel sorry for you, Derrick.  Instead of being a bunny everyone wants to be , you try to squash the younger kits down. Are you too scared to do anything but try to bully smaller mammals?"

The crowd was shocked. Nick heard a collective "Oh!

A few catcalls erupted from the crowd.

"He got you , Derrick!"

"Vicious Burn !"

"Shut your mouth, trash eater fox!"

Nick thought for a moment.  His parents had taught him a little 'verbal Judo' to use.

Insulters try to get ahead by pointing paws at you instead; turn the light back onto them, they will soon haw and hem.

"Calling names doesn't make you, better. Besides, I'd rather eat trash than be afraid like you."

"I'm not afraid of anything , fox!"

 Nick considered the next thing to say.

Those who boast they have no fear, a cowards heart beats in theirs.  Some fear others some themself, pull their fears up off the shelf.

"I didn't say you were afraid of me ."

The hint of hidden fear spoken can be victory awoken.

"We both know what you're really afraid of, Derrick."

Derrick got quiet and sat back down,with most of the eyes of the room switching to him. Derrick looked very uncomfortable, head down slightly, ears twitching.  

He got up and walked out. " Whatever , I have stuff to do, loser ."

Judy whispered, "What is he afraid of?"

"Sorry, Judy, can't tell you right now. Later."

*****

That night Nick was surprised to see Judy had pushed both beds together, and her alarm clock was moved.

"We both slept better together so I moved the beds.  Is it okay?"

"B-but Mr. Hopps was mad this morning… isn't he going to make me move to a different room with only males?"

"No… Dad said to try moving the beds together so I wouldn't oversleep.  He told me to use another plug for the alarm clock too."

Nick shook his head and decided bunnies were just weird .

The two curled up together, Nick falling asleep quickly.  Judy asked some sort of question, and he mumbled an answer, drifting off to dreamland.

*****

( Monday, two days to Autumn Solstice .)

Nick woke suddenly, and threw his arms up to guard himself. He yelled out, "Leave me alone! I'm sorry!" 

Heart thumping hard, he looked around, realizing an alarm clock had woken him.

"Nick, are you okay?" asked Judy.

"Yeah, I think I'm fine."

Judy turned off the alarm, and reached over grabbing him in a hug and holding the fox until she heard his heart slow. Nick, now more aware, squinted and looked at the alarm clock.

"Why did your alarm wake us at five in the morning?!  Do you crazy bunnies get up before the sun?"

"You said you would go running with me this morning."

"Huh?"

"Last night, you said you would go jogging with me in the morning, before I go to school," said Judy.  All of a sudden the room smelled of weeping willow. "It's okay, go back to sleep, Nick. I'll go.  You can go another time."

The groggy fox got up and put on his sweatpants and a shirt.

"Forget it, you crazy carrot-muncher ; I'm going.  But you owe me a big glass of orange juice," said the grumpy tired fox.

*****

After the run around a homemade running track, Nick was exhausted.  Judy half-carried the fox to the dining hall for a light breakfast of toast and jam. Once he ate, and guzzled his orange juice, Nick's muscles started to stiffen up.  Once more, Judy pulled him up, and nearly dragged him to the showers.

He barely noticed anything more than the nice hot water. After the shower, he dried off, staggering back to the bedroom and slipping under the covers to sleep.

*****

Judy got home and stopped her school bag off in her bedroom.  Nick wasn't there, so she headed to the small kitchen for a snack.  She grabbed some cookies, and headed back to her room.

As she started down the hallway, a younger bunny ran up to Judy.

" Ossifer Judy , can you please help me ?  Someone stole my purple Play-Doh! All the buns are blaming me but I put it in the jar! Now it's gone!"

"Keep looking, Marianne.  Your Play-Doh is probably where you left it."

"You aren't gonna even look? I thought you were gonna be a police."

Judy stopped in her tracks.

I have a case!

“You're right, Marianne! I'll help you find the missing Play-Doh!  Come with me!"

Grabbing the younger bunny, Judy raced down the hallway to her room.

What do police do on TV?  They talk to everyone.  Notes! I have to take notes!

*****

Nick walked into the "library" where the Hopps books were kept.  In one corner of the large room was a thick grass green rug, with a large group of younger bunnies sitting in a circle.  In the center was an adult bunny holding a large picture book.

He wanted to check on "arts and crafts" books, but moved closer to the circle, curious what they were doing.

"...one more bunny came out of his house. How many is that?"

There was a pause, and the vast majority said "Nine!"

A page was flipped and the next number was "TEN!" shouted at max volume.

Nick turned away when they started doing subtraction.

"We have TEN bunnies who meet a….what?"

"FOX!"

"Right, kits, good job!  We have TEN BUNNIES!  The fox goes…?"

"CHOMP!  CHOMP!" shouted the kits.

"The fox eats one of the bunnies!  How many do we have left?"

"NINE!"

'What?' thought Nick in shock.  A memory clicked.  A toddler bunny. "Judy Fox open muzzle.  Where bunnies?"

Nick turned and walked away…

*****

"Okay, Marianne, when did you have the purple Play-Doh?"

"I was making purple bunnies 'afore lunch.  Kevin wanted to play with cars and grabbed the can.  I kicked him and took it back then he was gonna tell Charlotte.  We were arguing and the lunch bell rang.  I put the purple bunny I made back in the can an' closed it.

"Did you see anybun when you went to lunch?"

"Merrie, Mal, Melanie, Kevin, Kate and Cousin Lawrence were playing and went to lunch."

"What did you have for lunch?"

"I had a watercress sandwich with  coconut milk."

"Did you sit with anyone?"

The kit listed off a list of table mates.

"Did any bunnies come to lunch late or leave early?"

"Leaks stayed home, saying his tummy hurt again.  He was late.  An' Kevin left lunch early.  He had a different shirt on when he came back."

Judy went off and found Kevin sitting on a blue sofa in 'Lounge 2' watching a cartoon with talking fish.

"Kevin, Marianne says her purple Play-Doh is missing."

"I don't know where it is."

"Did you take her purple Play-Doh? Fess up!" snarled Judy, imitating a mean, tough detective from an old cop drama, 'Pack Street Blues' .

"I did not take it, Ossifer Judy," insisted Kevin. " She lost it again, not me!"

"Then why did you leave lunch early ?"

"I had to do 'number two'! So I went to the bathroom!"

"Did anyone else see you go to the bathroom?"

"Leaks bumped into me running out of the bathroom."

"Why did you put a new shirt on?"

"When Leaks bumped into me I had to change."

"Why?"

"Cause everybun knows if you touch Leaks then you smell like pee !"

"No you don't.  Don't be mean to Larry," said Judy.  She thought for a minute. "Don't leave town."

That's what the police always say!

"Okay," said Kevin, walking away, looking a little confused.

"What? 'don't leave town?' Are we on TV now?  Is a five year old gonna run away from a pretend cop ?" asked Derrick.

"What do you want, Dim-wit?" demanded Judy.

"I want you to stop embarrassing the family! You're getting too old for 'pretend'. Mammals in Bunnyburrow think you are crazy. You won't ever do anything but embarrass yourself."

"I'm gonna find the missing Play-Doh, Derrick!"

"Did you check your fox?  He probably stole it."

"Did you see him steal anything?"

"No.  But foxes always steal and lie."

"No, he didn't!" challenged Judy.

"Yes, he did. They always do . That's what Pop-Pop says!"

"Pop-Pop is crazy.  No species always does anything."

"Your fox is a dirty thief and you're a crazy pretend cop and you'll never figure anything out!"

"I'll prove you wrong.  I'll solve the case and prove Nick didn't steal anything.  I can do it!"

"Wanna bet?" Challenged the teen.

"Yes! I'll take your bet, and make you tell everyone I can be a cop! And that Nick is Honest!"

The older bunny grinned an evil smile before setting the terms.

*****

Stu tossed the throw blanket off and sat down in his easy chair, letting supper settle in his tummy.  The door to his study was closed, giving him some peace and quiet.  He had a small wooden folding table next to him with a bag of white cloth patches, a spray can, and his teacup.

Stu pulled out a cleaning rod, and looked down the barrel.  Pretty dirty. He could see burnt powder residue, not just from today.  The bunny ran a rounded metal brush down the barrel, clearing most of the gunk out.  He switched to another end rod attachment, placing a small cleaning patch on the rod.

Stu reached in the range bag and pulled out the clear bottle.  He doused the cloth patch with the 190-proof vodka, then ran it back and forth.  He repeated twice more until the patches came out clean.  Dropping the rod on the table, Stu reached for the can of 'Hopps brand Gun Oil' Bonnie's cousin produced, and accidentally knocked the vodka off the table.

Wincing, and expecting a shattered bottle and a big mess, Stu was happily surprised when there was only a dull 'thud' of the bottle landing on the throw blanket he had casually tossed off the chair.

He picked up the bottle to check for cracks and stopped dead.

This is a new bottle.  It should be near full!  

I only picked it up last week, and I only cleaned one gun with it!

Where the heck did the rest of the pint go?

Stu thought for a minute;a small voice came to mind and his ears went straight up.

"What's in the bottle, Mr. Hopps?" asked an abandoned kit , left by a pair of garbage fox parents.

"Wormy cabbage ! If he drinks this stuff at his age, he's gonna ruin his whole life!  You gosh-durned lazy foxes! How dare you let him come to this! That tod deserves better !

*****

Before supper Judy told Nick she was 'trying to find witnesses for a police case'.  She asked him to help find some missing Play-Doh but he said he wanted to explore a bit.  Nick looked around the playroom, and found what he needed, and spent a few minutes working with his paws.

I'm glad the school had art class last year, he thought to himself.

Setting it aside, Nick poked around for his next project, but found no wax anywhere. 

One (sort of) quick stop in the restroom, and Nick decided to keep exploring.  He made his way to the top level, and into the small private kitchen.  The wooden countertops were older, clean but well-used.  Faded and chipped brown ceramic containers held flour, sugar, and other staples of a country kitchen. 

Nick had been listening and had an idea where a lot of bunnies spent their time.  It looked like Bonnie was elsewhere right now, Stu was probably in his study, so there were a few minutes.

Finding himself alone, Nick was poking through the drawers when he heard a voice behind him.

"What are you looking for, Nick dear?"

The tod jumped in surprise, tail proofing out.  

"Nu-nothing! I'm sorry, I was just looking!"

Bonnie looked at Nick and smiled. 

"Nick, you don't need to lie to me.  I've been a mother too long to not know when I'm not getting the truth from a kit."

Bonnie went over to the kitchen table and sat down in a chair.

"Now, Nick, you know lying is bad, right?"

"Yes, Miss Bonnie."

"Well, please tell me what you were doing."

"I was looking to see if you had…a…candle," said the tod nervously.

"Why do you need one?"

"In case the power goes out.  There isn't any moonlight underground."

"Nick, lies hurt my heart.  You know what not telling the truth means?"

The tod's ears folded back.  He took a step backwards, then stood up tall, like a Zootopian soldier.

"Yes, Miss Bonnie," said Nick, eyes on the floor, tail tucked.

He walked over to the wall, next to the stove, and took down an old wooden rug beater paddle, handing next to a silver engraved hand bell.  He shoved the paddle in Bonnie's paws, and she took it, surprised.

Before she could say anything, Nick dropped his pants and bent over, and seemed to be waiting.

Bonnie's paws went up to her mouth in shock, and put the paddle down.

"Nick, pull up your pants and come here," said Bonnie.

The tod hesitantly approached.  She motioned and he came closer, Bonnie sitting Nick on her lap.

"Nick, I'm not going to beat you with a paddle. You do need to learn that lying is bad.  Now, please tell me why you need a candle."

I'm sorry, Miss Bonnie.

"I…I can't tell you.  I am really sorry ."

"Nick, do you want me to punish you?"

"No, Miss Bonnie."

"Please tell me why you wanted a candle."

Nick closed his mouth, looking at her, eyes wide, with a slight frown, head and tail low.

"Sorry, Miss Bonnie. I want to tell you. But I can't ."

"Nick, promise me you will not touch any candles until I say you are old enough."

"I, Nicholas Piberius Wilde, promise I will not play with candles or fire until I am old enough."

"That is good enough for now, Nicholas."

Bonnie stroked his ears, and the tod smiled, tail wagging.

"Thank you, Miss Bonnie," said Nick, giving a surprise hug.

Bonnie cuddled for a few minutes with Nick before sending him on his way with a cookie and a concerned look.

*****

Judy had finished questioning the last bunny who would talk to her.  She had asked to hear news about anything strange in the burrow.

The purple Play-Doh was missing.  Half of the bunnies blamed Nick.  They claimed they "saw him steal the Play-Doh" at the exact time he was with Judy and Stu at the shooting range or with Bonnie shopping.

Others claimed he stole it the week before he was in the warren.

One said Nick opened the front door and one of the Gray family foxes stole the Play-Doh.

Other bunnies came forward with strange things.  Cousin Melvin's clay was missing.

Leanne says her bedroom smelled funny and now her EZ Bake Oven was broken.  Her cake was raw.

Helen said she saw Nick was washing his paws and had red and blue coming off him.  She knew because she was on bathroom duty and washed the sink after he left.

Maybe Nick was painting.  Who cares? I'm looking for stolen Play-Doh.

Judy let out a jaw cracking yawn.

Tomorrow.  I need to grab Nick and sleep.

*****

( Tuesday, one day to Autumn Solstice )

Judy twitched awake.  It felt too early to get up.  Why was she awake?

She heard a whining, and in the darkness heard Nick mumbling in his sleep.

"Mom, Dad...don't… be LOST!... help you." 

"NICK, wake up! It's a bad dream."

"...find the way!.."

"Nick! Wake up!"

The little fox sat up, eyes wide.  Judy hugged him and he started weeping on her shoulder.  She awkwardly held him, but didn't know what else to do.  A quick glance at the clock showed 3am.

"...They are gonna be lost… Have to help them find the way!"

Judy started rubbing Nick's ears, which seemed to calm him down. After a few minutes he fell asleep, and Judy drifted off herself.

"Who is going to be lost?" Judy wondered, as she fell asleep, still holding Nick.

*****

Nick woke once when Judy's alarm went off. Through bleary eyes he saw her shut it off, before she curled up again and they both went back to sleep.

When Nick woke again, Judy was gone.  He got up, dressed for the day, and decided to grab a quick breakfast before starting his mission.

Nick made it to the main kitchen, grabbed a doughnut and a cup of orange juice.  He ate quickly, guzzled his drink before tossing his trash.

The older bunnies were at school but Judy said they only had a half day so he needed to hurry.

He was about to leave when a paw grabbed his shoulder.  He turned to find an angry looking Stu.

"Nick, I'm very disappointed.  We took you in, but Bonnie says she caught you rifling through drawers and lying.  It's time to stop acting like a regular fox, and be a decent fox!  Do you understand me?

Nick frowned.  Stop being a 'regular fox' and be decent?

"Don't get that frowny face with me, Nick!  You best fly straight for now on.  We won't let you turn out like that.  We ain't gonna leave you behind.  We're here for you, son.

But you gotta try , do you understand ?

We can see you like it here, with Judy. I'd hate to send you away."

Nick nodded wordlessly.

All the fun he had with Stu at the range had been wiped out with that one comment.

"Nick, I know about the Vodka!  I ain't told Bonnie yet, but you're too young for that.  I won't stand fer you drinking at your age! 

That's wrong and it's disgusting.  I don't even drink that firewater myself! It's only good fer cleaning guns!  No more drinking, fox!"

"Yes, sir." Nick said.

I'm 'just a fox' and 'regular foxes' are bad.

I don't even want to tell him anything now.

Stu went on his way, leaving Nick feeling even more like an outsider than when he woke up.

He went back to wandering, avoiding as many bunnies as he could. 

*****

Nick crept into the empty kitchen, and found a dishwasher marked "babies only".  He opened it, mid-cycle and steam came out.  The sloshing noise stopped and he found what he needed.  Quickly closing the door til it 'clicked' and started washing, he dried his prize off. He pulled what he needed out of it, and was about to replace the item in the dishwasher when he changed his mind and pocketed the whole thing.

"Excuse me, what are you doing, fox?"

Nick turned and found himself facing an adult doe.  

"Just looking."

She grabbed him and hauled him off, calling for someone to "Tell dad the fox was stealing from babies".

*****

"Nick, I just told you to behave decent two hours ago! And now you're stealing from baby bunnies! Why in Frith's name did you need to steal a baby's toy?"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Hopps, I can't tell you."

The bunny growled in anger.  "Nick, I'm not one for corporal punishment, but you best fess up now to all you done wrong or I might be tempted to whoop your bottom!"

Nick dropped his pants and bent over, shivering a little.  Stu was angry!

"I'm sorry, Mr. Hopps!"

"Pull up your pants, boy! I got a better idea.  Come with me.  My pa always said 'idle hands are the devil's playground' so we're giving you chores."

*****

Nick found himself in a roadside stand helping to sell produce.  He was surprised to find so many predators stopping by.

An older bunny did the math, and Nick helped by wrapping veggies up in old newspaper and bagging them.

"Thank you, little one," said an old skunk walking with a cane.

Nick came around, carried her bag to the car for her.  She pawed him a hard candy and a zoo-dollar, which he jammed in his pocket quickly.

He got back behind the counter, and felt something jerked out of his pocket.  He turned and found a furious Stu Hopps holding the dollar.

" I've had it with you, fox ! I'm gonna send you over to rainbow bridge to your parents!"

There was a collective gasp from the crowd. 

A voice called out. "Tod, get away from that crazed bunny! Get safe."

Nick went around the counter and ran for the Hopps Warren.

Immediately the old skunk hobbled over, and threw her produce on the table, screaming for a refund.

Stu was frozen in shock, prompting the skunk to swing her cane, just missing his head when one of the kits yanked him out of range.

A female voice shouted she was 'Calling the sheriff' on Stu as he was smacked in the back of the head with a fast moving tomato.

One of the bunnies quickly started refunding everyone to get them away from the stand.  Those waiting pulled out flip phones and started making furious phone calls.

*****

Stu walked back inside, completely puzzled.  He had half the crowd cancel standing orders, and a fox told him she'd drive to Podunk for her produce if she had to, to stop buying from a 'filthy Hopps'.

When he walked in, bunnies ran off towards the small kitchen.  Twitching his ears, he heard Bonnie talking, apologizing to someone on the phone.

" Stu Hopps , you get in here NOW !' she shouted.

What in the heck is wrong with everyone today?

He walked in the small kitchen, where Bonnie had been drinking tea, and looking at the mail.

"Stu, What in the hell did you just do ? I have half of the predators in Bunnyburrow calling to cancel every order they have with us!  The Swanson's told me they aren't gonna let us use the cornfield for a maze anymore!"

"I just caught that fox stealing again and told him I was gonna send him to his parents and everyone flipped out."

"Why are they telling me you threatened him, Stu?  That isn't like you!"

"I didn't. I just told him I was sending him back to his parents over at Rainbow Bridge-"

Bonnie dropped her teacup, which shattered on the floor, bringing her paws to her mouth in shock.

"What's the matter, Bonnie? He ain't ours, sending him back is a reasonable threat to straighten him out."

" You Frith-damned idiot! Don't you know what you've DONE ? Where you were threatening to send him ?" screamed Bonnie.

"No.  I assume it has foxes.  Do you know anything about this 'Rainbow Bridge' place?"

"Yes, Stu, I do!  We call it a different name."

"So what do we call it? What's the big deal here?"

"The predators call it 'Going Over the Rainbow Bridge'.  Bunnies call the same thing 'Running with the Black Rabbit'.  Does that give you a clue, Stu?"

*****

Nick came out of Judy's room, quietly.  He crept around, trying to remember the name of the bunny.  Her room should have the last thing.  He went up and down until he recognized the name.  

He crept inside the room, finding a small scented candle on a desk.  He pocketed it, then sniffed under the door.  No immediate bunnies.  He cracked the door, and stepped outside into the corridor.  His pants pocket was bulging, so he decided to make a drop.  Creeping around, Nick made it to Eric's door and listened. Nothing inside.  He snuck in, finding the room empty of life.  The opened chest of failed wood-working projects was there.  He dug down, adding the candle to the pile inside the small crooked chest:

Formerly empty Koala-Cola bottle with foul smelling vodka inside.

Clay bowl.

Wrapped protein bar. 

Small jingly-bell from a baby rattle.

He just needed a way to light the candle and the chest.  Listening to conversations told him the chest would be burned at the end of the year anyways.

He stepped outside after carefully arranging the contents of the plastic container labeled 'projects -burn pile' so it looked untouched.  As he stepped out he heard someone coming.  He turned the other way down the corridor, and stopped. Pawsteps coming from that way too!

If I say "I'm Exploring" again they will take me to Mr. Hopps!  

Nick quickly opened the next door and ducked inside.  Closing it ever-so-slowly to avoid noise, he looked around.  There was a bed, table, dresser, and unlike Judy, there was a stand-up wardrobe.  Pawsteps outside the door made him duck inside the wardrobe.

He heard the door open, and a single bunny girl talking.

"...But Peter, I really like you.  I promise I'm not teasing you, like the other does do.  You can come over here and meet my mom and-"

There was a pause.  "Will you please go to the Harvest Dance with me?  No, I told you, I don't care if you're an albino.  No, I'm not teasing!"

She lowered her voice, and even Nick's canine hearing had trouble.

"...if you promise to dance with me, where everyone can see us , I'll… I'll let you pet my… ears."

A pause.  "No, not at the dance.  In private."

"No, I don't let everyone pet them .  Wait!  I'll pet yours two times, anytime ! No, in private…"

"No, I want to go to the dance with you. Not just pet… no.  Peter, please take me to the dance? Hello?  Hello??"

'What is the big deal about ears?  Not like it's a tail,' thought Nick.

Nick heard a bang of something hitting the wall.  He waited.  The room got dark after a 'click'

Maybe she will leave so I can get out of here.

The bunny girl whispered, "You're just an ugly, dirty doe and nobun wants you !" then there was a strange snapping sound, over and over.

"They only want a dirty bun to pet ears with.  Even Peter doesn't want to be seen around you cause you're so ugly !"

The snapping sound happened again, and Nick peeked through the crack in the door.  In the dark his sensitive eyes could see a teenage doe with a rubber ear-tie on her wrist.  She kept snapping it hard against the sensitive skin underneath her wrist, next to her forepaw.

That's weird. It must hurt a lot!

The tod waited.  The teenage doe stopped snapping her wrist with the elastic, and lay down on her side, eyes closed.  He watched silent tears turn into sleep before he was able to sneak out.

*****

Judy's case had changed.

Kevin told her he found the missing purple Play-Doh.  Someone had squished the bunny into a ball and left it out and it got dry.

More purple Play-Doh was found in the shape of a cracked and broken bowl in the kitchen trash.  There was no more missing purple Play-Doh, but someone opened the new red and blue Play-Doh and took some out.  Judy didn't know who did that or why. No bunnies admitted it, but she was on the case!

Judy took her notebook and took notes about the Play-Doh.  She watched kits play with it, listened to the sounds it made, sniffed it, and even touched her tongue to it.  She immediately wiped her tongue off and ran to rinse her mouth out. Way too salty!

Going back to the Play-Doh, Judy examined the can.  She picked it up, and ran to her bedroom.

Going to her shelf, she grabbed a 'Nancy Shrew' book and started flipping pages until she found the half-remembered technique.

Paw prints!  I'll check for paw prints!

The bunny quickly coated the can in baby powder, brushing it off carefully with a soft makeup brush to look for a pattern.

*****

Nick didn't dare go near the small kitchen or the workshop; Stu might be there.  At every corridor he passed he listened and sniffed.

He had already checked the laundry, but nobun had a lighter in their pockets that went into the wash.  

Nick decided he might have to leave the Hopps Farm and walk to town to find a store.  He carefully made his way outside and crept around the porch.  There was an odd smell…

"I can hear ya skulkin' around, fox! Ye might as well come on out," said an elderly voice.

Nick hesitantly came out and around the corner.  He found himself facing a very old bunny with thick square glasses on, smoking a pipe.

He bowed at the waist.  "Hello.  I'm Nick Wilde, sir."

"Don't remember askin' ya, you pint sized burglar.  What you creepin' around fer?"

"I'm trying to stay away from Mr. Hopps.  He wants to kill me."

"Does he now?  Why's that?"

"He said I was a thief and said he was gonna send me to my parents."

The old bunny considered, pulling his pipe from his mouth and pointing.  

"So, your parents gone over the Bridge, boy?"

"Maybe.  I don't know, sir."

"You foxes might be the Spawn of the Devil, but I can't abide Restless Spirits wandrin' around. You best fix it.  Where was you headed?"

"I was gonna walk to town for something."

"Somethin' fer the Solstice, I expect?"

"Yes, sir."

"I'll tell you what, you tell me what you need for your foxy Witchcraft and you swear not to rob me."

"I, Nicholas Piberius Wilde, swear to keep honor in my name, and not take your stuff."

"That's a terrible oath , fox. I don't accept it. Use the word 'steal' otherwise I can't give you so much as a roll at the dinner table."

"I, Nicholas Piberius Wilde, swear to keep honor in my name, and not steal your stuff."

"Ya ain't too bright, are ya?  Well I accept that oath.  You keep track, I only said 'My stuff' so if you need to take from that dunderhead Stu you go on."

"Sir, I need a way to light a fire."

"Stop callin' me sir.  I'm called 'Pop-Pop' or 'Otto' around these parts."

"Mr. Otto, I need a way to light a fire."

"Well good fer ya.  I only bargained to know what you needed, not to help.  You need to be a little quicker on the uptake, ya little hell-spawn!"

"Yes, sir." Nick started walking away, towards the long driveway.

I should have known better to trust anyone but Judy.

"Nick, you come back over here."

Turning hesitantly back towards Otto, Nick slowly approached the crazy bunny once more.

"I'll make ye a bargain, fox.  You owe me a favor.  I give ya my lighter fer the Solstice."

"What kind of favor, Mr. Otto?"

" Ha ! I see yer learnin' already ! Yer already smarter than Stu.  I want a small favor.  Nothin' criminal or serious."

"I'll do it! ...uh…I mean…'I, Nicholas Piberius Wilde, d-do agree to one small favor for your lighter.'"

"Done."

*****

Nick snuck past the kitchen crew eating an early lunch and passed through the main kitchen doors.  He looked right and left, not seeing anyone.   He heard the clink of dishes off to the side, and a sprayer occasionally going off.  Nick checked the clock, counting by fives on the big hand.  Eleven-fifteen in the morning.  Sniffing the air, there were several large steaming pots giving off scents.

Sneaking towards the "simmer" station, Nick noticed the small pot he was looking for.   Climbing on a stool to reach the pot, the fox dumped an angry red powdery substance from a tiny envelope in it.  The spraying sounds stopped as he took the huge ladle and mixed the pot with the giant serving spoon until the powder disappeared. He put the lid back on the pot, and took the ladle with him.

Mister Hopps deserves to eat all of that.

Climbing down, Nick threw the paper packet in the trash, mixing the garbage to hide it.

He approached the closest hand sink, and started washing his paws carefully, making sure no trace was on him. He washed the ladle off with paw soap, making sure nothing could be seen or scented.  He dried his paws, ripping a paper towel off the rack and tossing it in the trash.

"You buns done with lunch already?" called a voice from the dishwasher area.

Nick froze, realizing no dishes had been clinking.

Nick dove under the counter, hiding in a cabinet, squeezing in next to rows of extra pans. He held his breath and tried to listen.

"Did you leave me any dessert?" called the voice, coming closer.  There was a pause.

"Hello?  Where did you go?"

Nick heard pawsteps heading away, towards the entrance.  Nick tried to squeeze in tighter, but accidentally knocked a pan over onto the floor.  Pawsteps came closer, and he was pulled from his hiding spot by an adult buck with a name tag reading 'Benny'.

"What are you doing here, fox?"

"I-I was going to look for a snack and I heard you coming…"

The bunny let him go.  Nick relaxed.  If he ran it would be suspicious.

The bunny walked over, grabbed an apple from a table tray and tossed it to Nick.

"Lunch is in a little over a half hour.  Kitchens aren't for kits. Lots of sharp, hot things here.  Go run along, Ned."

"Thanks, Benny.  I'm actually 'Nick'."

"Well, you run along, Nick.  Next time ask.  We don't want kits getting hurt in the kitchen."

*****

Before supper, Judy received a message that Nick and herself were to eat supper with Mom and Dad in the small kitchen.

"Nick, look!  We get to eat with Mom and Dad tonight!  It says they have a special meal for you!

The fox didn't smile or wag his tail.

"It's okay, Judy.  I'm gonna eat like normal. In the cafeteria."

"But we never get to eat with them!"

Nick's reply shocked the bunny to the core. 

*****

Judy entered the small kitchen.  Dad was sitting at the table, while Mom was puttering at the stove, finishing up a dish.  There was an odd smell in the air she couldn't place.

"Jude, where is the fo- er.. Nick?" asked Stu.

"Nick said he doesn't want to be near you!

 He said you told him you wanted to kill him! "

*****

Bonnie took a pan off the stove and put a lid on it.

"Come on, Judy. Let's go find Nick," said Bonnie.  

They walked down to the cafeteria, and found Nick sitting alone, with a tray in paw.  He popped a blueberry muffin in his muzzle, eating it in two bites before Bonnie got to his table.

"Nick, please come with us; Stu did not understand when he said what he said."

Nick turned and looked at Bonnie, a little distrust in his eyes.

"I made you a special meal , Nick.  Come on.  Stu really wants to apologize for what he said."

"But I already have my supp-"

"Don't you worry, Nick.  Someone else will eat it, or it might go to the ostrich farm next door," said Judy

Bonnie reached out, and scratched behind Nick's ear.  He lost a bit of the distrustful look and Bonnie led him out of the cafeteria.  They went back up to the small kitchen.

When they got to the doorway, Nick stopped, looking at Stu, seated at the table.  Seeing Nick, Stu stood up and approached, droopy eared.

"Nick, I'm real sorry about what I said.  I didn't mean to scare you.  I didn't know what the 'Rainbow Bridge' was!  I would never say such a hateful thing to a kit!"

Nick looked at Stu, with a thoughtful look, but stayed silent.

"How can I make it better, Nick?" asked Stu.

Nick bowed.  "I-I don't remember the right words…but I accept your apology after tonight.  But I need to stay awake tomorrow after midnight."

"I guess it's okay.  We all stay up late fer the Solstice anyhow."

They all sat down. Bonnie tossed an eye mask to Nick.

"Put it on, Nick. I want you to be surprised and really taste the food."

The tod put the mask on, and sniffed a few times.  Bonnie took the pan out of the oven, and removed the lid.  Nick's nose twitched.

"Mom, can I try a little?" Asked Judy.

"A little bit should be okay," said Bonnie, putting a small portion on Judy's plate.

"I'll stick with the veggie chili," said Stu.

Food was dished out.  Bonnie saw Nick fumbling for his fork and stopped him.

"Open up, I'll give you a few bites, Nick."

In short order, the fox ate half of the fish, crunching away on it.

"That's really great , Miss Bonnie!" said Nick.

Stu took his third spoonful of chili and stopped dead.  His eyes widened and he desperately reached for his glass of water.

Eyes beginning to water, nose running, and his ears turning beet red.

" Rotten radishes ! That chili is boiling hot spicy! "

Stu grabbed Bonnie's water and a pawfull of crackers and started desperately munching to get the fire from his mouth.

Nick took his blindfold off and watched Stu with a small smirk. Serves him right!

Then he looked at the dish he was eating and froze, dropping his fork.

"What is this?!" He screamed at Bonnie, his eyes wide, pushing the plate halfway across the table.

"Nick, it's a nice piece is salmon I found-"

The fox leapt across the table and smacked the fork out of Judy's paw and onto the floor as she was about to take a bite.   His other paw flung the bunny's plate into the wall, shattering.

Nick backed away, tears starting to flow from his eyes, head twitching side to side, ears folded back.  He started breathing frantically, tail puffed out, claws extended.

"Please don't make me eat it!  I don't want to die!"

The panicked fox leaned over at the waist, making a strange noise, and some foul looking and smelling liquid shot from his muzzle onto the floor.

The fox coughed and wheezed, not able to catch his breath and collapsed.

*****

Stu jumped out of his seat, grabbing the house phone.  He dialed and started yelling for the resident nurse and doctor of the warren to come to the small kitchen, immediately.

Bonnie was on her cell phone, dialing a number off a piece of paper from her purse.

Not knowing what else to do, Stu went over to the little fox and started shaking him.  Stu heard furniture moving and glanced to see Judy pulling chairs around whatever came from Nick's mouth.

*****

Bonnie dialed the number for Vera, the fox from 'Pride-Lands End' tapping her foot furiously while it rang.

"Come on, pick up, pick up…" said Bonnie, impatiently.

"Hel-"

"Vera!  It's Bonnie Hopps!  The bunny with the fox kit…I need your help, it's an emergency!"

"What's wrong?  It's Nick hurt?"

"I don't know what's happening!  I made him a piece of salmon.  He ate half while blindfolded and liked it.  He saw what it was and started panicking.

He knocked a plate of fish off the table, begging us not to make him eat it because he didn't want to die.

He started hyperventilating, then something nasty came out of his mouth and he collapsed!"

Bonnie described the substance, and was told by Vera that Nick "Threw up" or "Vomited".  It wasn't fatal.

Doctor Bob arrived and began checking Nick over.  Soon after, Nurse Caitlin arrived to assist.  While Caitlin checked the vital signs of the vulpine, Bob listened to the history and symptoms and spoke to Stu.

"Dad, it looks like Judy's Fox went into a panic and experienced ' emisis' or 'throwing up' his food."

"Is it fatal?" asked Stu, worried.

"No, Dad.  It's something non-lapines do when they get sick or upset. It looks like he hyperventilated and passed out afterwards."

"Do you know why Nick would be upset about salmon?" asked Vera.

"No.  I thought it would be a nice treat for him…"

"Do you have any family history on him? I can have the fox community check if something happened."

Bonnie opened the mail packet she received from the Zootopian Cub Protective Services and found the names and location of Nick's parents.

"I will check with the community on this right now. Somefur will know something.  We have family members in Zootopia to work with.

How late can I call back, Bonnie?"

"Vera, I don't care if it's 3:30 in the morning. You can call anytime, kick down my door, throw rocks through my windows, whatever you have to do."

*****

Doctor Bob took a sample for testing before Stu cleaned up the mess on the floor.

"Dad, I'm taking Judy's Fox to the infirmary for observation overnight."

Judy ate some of the spicy chili, then went off to the infirmary to stay with Nick.

*****

Stu was woken up just after midnight by Bonnie talking on the phone.

"No!  I cannot believe somefur could do that!  They should be in prison! For life!"

"Maybe it's the 'Way it is' but that doesn't make it right.  Thank you, Vera.  Goodnight.  We owe you."

"What's the news, Bonnie?"

Bonnie reached out and hugged her mate.

"It's the most terrible thing I've ever heard, Stu!

Nick's parents died from something called 'Salmon Disease'.

They ate donated smoked salmon infected with something called a 'flatworm'.

They went to the doctor after they got sick. It took six days.  The sickness is fatal in eight days.  They only had two days left!

The fox that cleans floors at the pharmacy said the owner wouldn't take their medical insurance.  

Because ' foxes are liars and thieves '.  

They wouldn't take a check until it cleared because ' foxes write bad checks '.

They only had enough cash to pay for Nick's prescription.

Nick's parents took off before the fox could try to make some calls to help them.

All they needed was a lousy bottle of penicillin, Stu!

The pharmacist killed Nick's parents. All for waiting on a ten-dollar check to clear, and he knew it would happen the minute he turned them away!"

*****

-- Chapter 4 will continue Judy's investigation, Nick's mysterious behavior and whatever is so important about the Solstice.

Chapter Text

Chapter 4: The GOOD, The BAD, and the BUNNY.

*****

Nick ran to his parents bedroom, holding Grandma Becky's teapot.  He carefully set the family heirloom down on the scratched old wooden dresser and poured hot water in a cup.  He dunked a teabag in the water a few times, turning the liquid brownish.

The wooden floorboards creaked underneath the ancient blue carpet as he stepped towards the bed. 

Even huddled under the blankets, the foxes’ teeth were chattering.  The mated pair had been suffering from fevers and chills.  He moved the blanket away and tried to hold a cup to mom's muzzle.  She turned her head away before looking at him strangely.

"…Cousin Edward, I can't find the jump rope…"

"Mom!  Mom!  It's Nick!"

"Huh?...who…No..not Nick," she replied in a daze.

"Mom!" shouted the little fox.

A moment of clarity hit. "...Nick?"

"Yes, Mom.  Drink this tea."

He had her drink a little tea, getting half of it down before she turned her head away.. 

"Nick…if we don't get better…don't forget an offer-"

"No!  You have to get better!" yelled Nick.

"...will…try…" she said, falling unconscious again.

He covered his mother with the blanket, and from the scent, realized he needed to clean his dad up again. 

He grabbed the wet-wipes, apologizing over and over as he scrubbed his unconscious father clean. He changed dad's pajama pants to a new pair, happy to find he didn't need to change the sheets.

Nick grabbed the teapot and a clean cup.

"Dad, wake up and take a drink."

When there was no response, Nick set the cup down and shook his father, trying to wake him with the other paw.

Dad's breathing was ragged, like thick soup bubbling in a pot. 

When he wouldn't wake, Nick tried to ask Mom, but she only mumbled nonsense in reply.  Nick switched back to his father, wiping the muzzle of the sick fox with a handkerchief after a severe coughing fit.

Nick stepped back into the light and looked down at the handkerchief.  It was stained with blood.  The teapot slipped out of his paws and shattered against the ground.

Shaking his mother in a panic, Nick screamed.

*****

Judy woke from a fitful doze on the convertible couch next to the dazed fox in the hospital bed screaming for his mother.

"Mom! Dad's coughing up blood and not waking up! Mom! Please help me.  Mom! I need you!"

The fox looked around him, his old home fading as he woke, finding himself in the burrow’s small medical room, his parents gone, and started to cry.

"They went away! They went away to the Bridge and now I'm all alone!"

Judy jumped into the bed and held him close, the vulpine's runny nose soaking her shoulder as he cried.

I'm all alone and I'm scared!" He said between ragged breaths.

"You aren't alone anymore," said Judy, tightening her grip, patting his back.  "I'm here, Nick."

"I'm not even a real mammal here!  Everyone calls me 'Judy's fox' like I'm a thing," whispered Nick.

"You are a real mammal.  You're my friend, Nick."

The sobbing fox continued like he hadn't heard her say anything at all.

"I'm not a thing!  I'm not a pet turtle! I'm a fox but my skulk is all gone and I'm alone now and everywhere are mean bunnies that hate me!"

"I don't hate you, Nick."

"They were…they…w-" Nick hiccuped" were re-reading-" (hic) …a…story (hic)to the small bunnies…"

Judy waited.  Sometimes you need a good cry.  Nick continued to hiccup so hard Judy had trouble understanding him.

"...An (hic)…the (hic)…f-(hic)fox (hic)EATS bun(hic)nies (hic)to (hic) count down!"

Not knowing what else to do, she tried to pull Nick onto her lap like Mom did, but Nick was too big.  Then she got on her knees and held Nick, facing him, and started to hum "Brahma's Lullaby".

The tod slowly began to calm down, wiping his nose on a paw, breathing more even.

"Thank you," he whispered.

Her arms grew tired.  Judy kept holding him.  He seemed to slump a little, and Judy rocked back and forth a little with him, not knowing what else to do.

Nurse Caitlin came in to check, and saw Judy.  Offering a hug of her own to both, she laid them down and covered the bunny and fox with a white blanket.

Within minutes they both fell fast asleep cuddled up together, sharing the same blanket and pillow, mixing scents, breathing the same air, finally content enough to sleep deeply.

*****

Judy woke up, cuddling Nick as Nurse Caitlin entered.  Sitting up slowly to not disturb the sleeping fox she waved a greeting.

Her older sister smiled and motioned her into the small office, and put a finger in front of her own lips.

The two bunnies entered the tiny attached office with a near-silent 'click' of the door latch.

The nurse leaned over to Judy's ear.

"Let him sleep, Jude. He's gonna be plum worn out from last night.  I think something really bad happened to that fox, and the fish reminded him of it."

Judy whispered back. "I think his parents are real sick.  He said 'dad was coughing up blood' and called for his Mom.  Then he started crying."

"Did he say where his parents are? It's important."

"He said they went to a bridge and left him all alone.  Do you know where he means?"

Caitlin looked shocked for a moment.

"Jude, that means his parents…are gone.  Like Ezekiel and Donna.  I'll tell Mom and Dad.  I'm gonna let him sleep as long as he needs today.  Make sure you don't wake him before you head out for chores."

*****

Judy checked the chore chart and let out a sigh. It was laundry duty again.  She made her token effort to help, and was rejected again.

Judy was wondering what to do next, when a small paw grabbed her arm.  Judy turned to see Lina, one of Larry's littermates. 

"Ossifer Judy, I know something strange in the burrow!"

"What is it, Lina?" asked Judy.  "Just the facts."

"Derrick was up real late.  A really bright light was coming under his door when I got up to use the bathroom. When I looked in he hid something under the covers and yelled at me."

"Thanks, Lina. I'll check it out." said Judy, headed towards the 'D Litter' levels of the burrow.  She raised a paw to knock and stopped.

'Dim-wit isn't going to let me look if I ask.' she thought.

She looked left and right; nobun was in the hallway at the moment.  She put an ear against the door, listening for Derrick. Hearing nothing inside, Judy quickly opened the door, and slid inside like a "private eye" on a mission.

She flicked the lightswitch on, filling the room with eye-watering levels of light, forcing Judy to turn away.

She turned the light off, and looked at the bulb.  It was brighter than her desk light, and had something stuck to the bottom.

Judy examined the lamp, and unscrewed the now-cool bulb.  Opening several drawers Judy finally found a box with two bulbs left in it.  She swapped the bulb, put the used one in the box, and pocketed her evidence.

Judy was about to head out when there was a  noise in the hallway.  She listened closely, hearing Derrick.  The door started to open, but  stopped part way.

"...upid fox went crazy in the kitchen. I heard he broke dishes, and tried to bite Mom.  Dad needs to kick him out!" said Derrick.

"I heard he dropped a plate and spat something on the floor.  Mom told Dad he needs a muzzle," said Erin.

Judy slid under the bed, getting as far back as she could, ignoring the dirty paw coverings around her.

"When he gets caught stealin’ I’m gonna call the sheriff.  If Jude lies to protect him, she’ll get in trouble. Lying to the police is a crime, and they don't hire criminals as cops. No more bunny-cop talk!"

********

Nick woke slowly, reaching out and finding himself alone.  He sniffed, seeking Judy's scent and finding it strong but fading. He opened his eyes and was surprised to see himself in a hospital-type bed, covered with thin white sheets. 

An adult doe looked inside the room then pulled her head back out. A door closed, and there was a short, muffled conversation on the other side. A minute or two later,  the doe, dressed in a nurse's white uniform, walked in and smiled at him.

"Hi, Nicholas.  I'm your nurse, Caitlin.  How are you this morning?" she asked brightly.

"I'm okay, Miss Caitlin," he said through a large yawn.  She looked at his muzzle nervously for a second, then smiled again.

"How is your tummy today, Nicholas?  You vomited last night.  Do you think you can eat something this morning?"

"I'm sorry, Miss Caitlin.  Can you tell Mrs Ho- uh, Bonnie that I'm sorry…"

The door to the small room burst open and Bonnie raced over to Nick.

"Don't you dare apologize, Nick.  I'm so sorry, I didn't know about salmon…it's all my fault!"

Nick froze, not sure what to do as Bonnie Hopps reached out in a flash, picking him up under the armpits.  He closed his eyes, turning his head away, expecting harsh treatment. A strong scent filled his nose, as something dragged against the fur on top of his head..  He opened his eyes, to see Bonnie rubbing her chin all over him.  He scented a strong Hopps mark with undertones of Mine!

He took in her scent, and had a flash of memory of his mother marking him.t a bittersweet moment.  He relaxed and hugged Bonnie, tail wagging.

"I'm sorry, Miss Bonnie.  I didn't mean to throw up or break your plates. I just didn't want Judy to get sick and die!"

"Shhhh.  Nick, don't you worry.  It's just a plate.  I promise we will never allow salmon here again.  Next time I'll ask you what you want."

"Thank you, Bonnie."

Bonnie marked him again, and Nick closed his eyes and marked his mother back, tail wagging furiously as he let out a contented sigh.

'I love you, Mo-' thought Nick before catching himself.

"What's wrong, Nick?" asked Bonnie, seeing him stiffen up.

"I'm sorry, Mrs Hopps, I didn't mean to mark you!"

"You can mark me anytime Nick,"said Bonnie.

'Ancestors, I'm sorry.  Mom, I'm sorry!'

Nick closed his eyes and curled into a ball.  Bonnie covered him, kissing his forehead.

"Get as much rest as you need, Nick.  It's the Solstice tonight."

******

Judy waited under the bed.  Dim-Wit had come in, dropped a soccer ball in the corner and sat on his bed.

Come on, get up and go somewhere so I can leave!

Judy's wish was not granted.  Her teenage brother removed his soccer socks, dropping them on the floor, attached shin pads clunking on the hardened clay.  Instead of leaving and heading for the showers, more clothing dropped on the floor, and was kicked under the bed.

Judy held her nose as a stinky shirt and gym shorts were shoved under the bed towards her face.

'Putrid Potatoes!  This can't be happening to me!' thought Judy as Derrick lay down, the bottom of the mattress bowing, forcing her to lay flat and wait.

******

"Get up and start yer day, ya lazy sharptooth pad-footpaw!"

There was a loud 'Clang-clang', and a harsh vibration went through the metal bed frame.

Nick opened his eyes and saw the ancient pipe-smoking bunny swinging his cane again at the bed.

There was another 'clang' as the cane connected with the guard rail.

"Get up, I sez!" yelled the elderly bunny.

"Stop hitting the bed!  I was sleeping!" shouted Nick.

"I know you was.  Nothing like a lazy thieving fox to steal half the day away in bed when honest folk are working!"

"I'm not a thief!" said Nick resentfully. "I'm being honorable like I told Mr. Hopps!"

"Then why ain't you up working on your fox-Devil worship?"

"Because I did a bad thing and hurt my Mom's Ka and the ancestors will hate me! That's why, you stupid zombie!"

"But yer Ma's about ta cross the Bridge.  How'd you hurt her?"

Nick sniffled.  "I marked Mrs Hopps and I had a bad thought."

"What bad thought did ya have? Ya gonna bury Stu in the back 40 and marry Bonnie?"

"No. I thought 'I love you, Mom' when I marked her!"

Pop-Pop laughed. Nick bared his fangs, hackles rising.

"Hold on there, young feller.  I know you're just a fox, but I want you to try thinkin' fer a change.

What would yer Ma do if she were alive and you accidentally called Bonnie 'Mom' during a hug?"

"Huh?  She would laugh and tease me."

"So, you think she done turned mean on ya? You thinkin' being a spirit makes her angry 'bout stuff she woulda laughed at before?"

"...No…"

"Then I think she'll understand, ya long-toothed galoot.  Now get on up and chase yer tail in circles or sacrifice Stu to Cat-Thulu or whatever suits ya.  Take care o' them fox spirits.  Ain't fond of live foxes none, and don't want no restless dead ones hauntin' the place neither."

*******

Judy nearly dozed off when she was startled awake by a filthy noise, a worse smell, and  a loud snore.

'Gross! I thought his footpaws smelled bad; I gotta tell the kitchen to stop making beans!', thought Judy.

She struggled, digging her claws into the floor and dragging her body free from the bed.  A quick glance back showed her older brother and tormentor had earbuds in, fast asleep.

Judy made her way to the door, listening carefully.  She didn't hear anyone in the hallway, and carefully opened the door.  The young bunny was about to walk out when there was  a creaking noise from behind.  She froze, barely daring to turn her head to look.

"...en you add the 'H' after the 'T' it makes the 'TH' sound like the first part of 'there' or 'then'...

Derrick had rolled over, with one earbud falling out.  The teen buck let out another snore, scratched, and rolled the other way, facing away from the door, towards the wall.  Judy slipped out quickly, silently racing down the hallway. She needed help and she knew the bun to talk to.

–

Judy burst into the room without knocking, surprising the bun sitting on a stool. The adult,  facing away from the door, jumped in surprise.  A stream of fluid shot through the air, hitting the wall behind the workbench.

"Darn it!" shouted the brown furred bun as he turned.  "You buns know you need to knock!" He slapped the table top in anger as he turned.

"Sorry, Barry. I need help with-"

Judy stopped and stared, making the angry bun look down too. 

The brown bunny opened his paw, then shook it.  The blue ceramic spoon stayed stuck to his paw.  His other paw had a piece of brown paper stuck to it.  He shook that paw too.  Naturally that stayed stuck as well.

"Judy, look what you did!  Now go fetch me some claw-polish remover and be quick."

A bit later, two favors owed, Judy had the polish remover dumped on Barry's paws freeing him from the super glue.

Setting the decorative broken spoon aside for regluing later, Barry finally turned to Judy.

"So what was so important you needed to burst into my workroom, Judy?"

"I'm working a case.  I need to know why this bulb is so bright," she said, removing it from the package.

Barry looked at it, checked the end.

"Hold on."

He went over to an EZ Bake Oven in the corner and unscrewed the back, removing a piece with a light bulb screwed into the ancient avocado colored plastic toy.

He put the two bulbs side by side,pointing towards the top end, opposite the metal screw in part at the bottom.

"You see the number here?  That's the number of 'watts' the lightbulb uses.  The higher the number, the brighter and hotter.

The lights all use 40 watt bulbs.  This one here," he indicated the bulb from Derrick's room. "This bulb is a '100 Watt' we only use for the 'EZ Bake Oven'.  The reason the oven wasn't baking is because someone swapped it with a 40-watt which doesn't get hot enough to bake with.  Leanne came crying just after lunch on Monday that her cake was 'yucky and gross'.

Barry grabbed the box the bulb came out of.  "The box is for '40-Watt' bulbs."

He opened it and checked the remaining three. "All the other bulbs are 40-watt, so it's not the wrong box."

Judy grabbed the 100-Watt bulb and  peered closely at it, staring at the gunk on the bottom.

She ran over to the desk, turned on a bright light attached to a magnifying glass.

The bottom part of the bulb had a hardened purple substance on it.

Barry touched it, and asked "What is that?"

Judy took on a determined expression, eyes grim. 

"It's Play-Doh. It's the missing Purple Play-Doh, and I'm gonna catch my first crook!"

*****

Stu found Bonnie in the small kitchen, opening a plastic package with pinkish lumps the size of his paw.

"Hey, Bon…can ya ask your pred friend from last night if she knows where Nick's parents are buried?  Might do him some good to visit them sometimes."

His mate sliced the pink lump lengthwise to make it thinner.  Putting it on a wooden cutting board, she began pounding it with a small hammer.

"Oh, that sounds like a great idea, Stu! It might make him feel better.  It will take me a few minutes."

Bonnie pounded the other half, then looked over her shoulder.

"Stu, can ya dump those crumbs in that bowl?"

Looking around, Stu found a canister labeled 'Panko bread crumbs', and dumped it in the flat bowl.

Bonnie dunked the pink thing in some beaten eggs, then buried it in breadcrumbs.

"Push down on that, Stu."

The bunny pressed while Bonnie put oil in a frying pan, heating it up.

"What is this stuff, Bonnie?"

"Chicken meat."

Stu gasped and pulled his paws away.

"You're having me touch a bloody torn up dead chicken?"

"Stu, get over here."

The buck approached the countertop.  Bonnie slid a plastic container towards him."

"Stu Hopps, do you see any feathers in there? Blood ? Body parts? Is the meat looking at you?"

"N-no."

"So are you trying to tell me you've never touched one of our chickens that died?"

"Of course I have…anyone who keeps chickens does."

"Well, this is a clean, non-bloody piece of meat, all butchered properly.  You can take the meat out now."

Stu gingerly pulled the encrusted chicken out of the breadcrumbs and pawed it over to Bonnie.  She put it in the heated cast iron skillet, frying it, then flipped it.

Stu was expecting some nauseating smell, like a tragic house fire, full of trapped bunnies, but it smelled good as the breadcrumbs and meat seared.

The oven beeped, and Stu watched Bonnie remove the chicken from the frypan, and pop it in the oven on a glass baking dish.

"What are you making?"

"Chicken Parmesan. He should enjoy it. For the rest of us the kitchen is making eggplant parmesan sandwiches for supper."

Bonnie grabbed the house phone, dialed, and waited a moment.  After about five minutes of small talk, updates on Nick, and promises to visit 'Little Predville' again, Bonnie got to the point.

"Vera, do you know where Nick's parents' gravesite is?  We thought he might want to pay respects."

"...Bonnie, foxes dead over a ten-dollar bottle of penicillin don't have money for fancy gravesites.

A pauper's funeral means foxes go to the fire, and whatever is left after burning gets dumped in an unmarked hole.

A lucky fox gets a shrine before they are completely forgotten."

***************

Judy walked into Derrick's room, slamming the door behind her, startling him awake.

"Huh!  What are you doing here, Jude? I'm taking a nap! Get OUT of my room!"

Judy shoved the light bulb in his face. 

"WHY did you have the light bulb from the EZ Bake oven in your lamp?  Did you steal the Play-Doh ? FESS UP!"

"What are you talking about?  Why would I want Play-Doh? Do I look like I'm five years old?"

"You look like a buck with a stolen light bulb covered in stolen purple Play-Doh Derrick! You better start talking before I tell Mom and Dad!"

"I don't know!  I came home from school and my light was brighter one day. It gave better light for my comic books so I didn't tell anybun."

"When did this 'Magic bulb swap' happen?  Who did it? Was it the Tooth Ferret?"

"It was probably your crooked fox, Ossifer Judy!"

"So, Nick found the bedroom of somebunny who's been mean for no reason to give the bully a better light for his comic books?"

"I don't know.  Maybe."

"Why did you take the bulb from the EZ-Bake oven?  You ruined Leanne's cake!"

"I didn't take any bulb!  I don't know! I got home at Four-Thirty after school and soccer practice and it was brighter!"

Judy reconsidered the time frame.  'Four-Thirty? That means it couldn't be-'

"I'll look into your story, Derrick.  I'm gonna get to the bottom of this!" said Judy.

–

Judy went back to her room, grabbed the broken purple bowl, and the round dried out lump of purple Play-Doh.

She went back to Barry's workshop, knocking this time.

"Now what, Judy?" he asked as he finished installing a new 100-watt bulb in the old EZ-Bake oven, moving it from the 'Broken' pile to 'Fixed'.

Judy jumped into the chair next to the lighted magnifying lamp and started looking over the bowl.

Not seeing anything interesting in a cracked and broken bowl, she switched to the lump of purple dried out Play-Doh.

She examined all sides, but didn't see anything interesting. The lump was smooth, with no paw-prints or fur.  No patterns showed up after using dust to check for paw-prints.

Judy set it down, a frown on her face.  This wasn't how it was supposed to work!  Nancy Shrew always found a clue!

"I can't see anything useful for clues!" said Judy in frustration.

"Maybe you need to look deeper," said Barry.  He grabbed a plastic bag, put the Play-Doh broken bowl in it, and sprayed it with water.

Judy stared at the bag then asked,  "Why did you put water on the Play-Doh?"

"It makes it soft when you leave it out." replied the older bunny.

He went to the dried out lump and used a screwdriver to break it up.

Judy grabbed the three chunks and put them under the magnifier.

"Look! The Play-Doh was made wrong!" said Judy, pointing to the inside, where there were streaks of red and blue.

"Let me show you something, Judy," said Barry.

He grabbed a small watercolor paint set from a drawer.  He wetted the red and blue colors, pulled out a piece of paper and passed Judy a brush.

"Wet the brush and paint red here," Barry said.  Judy did as instructed.  He handed her a fresh brush and indicated another spot on the paper.

"Paint blue here."

She painted in the other spot, then impatiently asked "why am I doing this?"

Barry grabbed a fresh brush and painted in the middle with red and then blue.

She gasped.  "It's turning PURPLE!" yelled Judy.

"Red and Blue make purple, Judy."

"That's where the extra purple Play-Doh came from! Plus the missing red and blue!"

Judy went back to the broken bowl.

It had started to soften and she carefully pulled parts off.

Peering under the magnifier she found a new clue.

Grabbing a pair of plastic tweezers, she pulled it from the Play-Doh  and held it up to the light.

*****

Nick walked the hallways of the burrow, trying to ignore the bunnies that sprouted like weeds in an unattended garden.

"Fred, look, it's Mom's favorite pet fox!"

"I thought Judy's Fox died!"

Nick kept going; they weren't even trying to talk quietly about him.  No point in listening. 

He didn't even need to say anything and it would get them even more upset.

He needed to hurry up; tonight was the night.  He'd grab all the stuff he Gathered for the ceremony and move it somewhere safer.

This is stupid!  Why can't they just let me b-

Nick rounded a corner headed for the back stairwell, only to find Larry hunched over and distraught.

He was holding his stomach and looked to be hurting.

"Nick, I'm sorry!" said Larry.  "I really didn't mean to have an acc-" said Larry as he bent over in pain.

Nick picked Larry up.  "Come on, you look sick, Larry.  Let's see the nurse."

"...They won't care.  They think I'm faking."

Nick kept half-helping and half carrying Larry down the hallways.

"Look, it's a Losers Club parade!"

"Hey Judy's Fox, tell your boyfriend to stop looking fer attention!  He can quit faking."

When they got there, Nick handed him off to Caitlin, who rolled her eyes.

"Larry, it's not even a school day. You don't need a note to stay home today."

The timid buck turned to leave but Nick stopped him. 

"Miss Caitlin, he looks like he really hurts.  Can you please look at him?  I'll owe you one if you do. He smells like he has a infection."

"Goodness me, a fox favor to cash in? Well I guess I'll check him.

Larry got up on the table and lay down. Caitlin started an examination, checking his ears, eyes, and sticking an in-ear thermometer and pressing the button.

"Your wastin' one of your favors on Mr. Crocodile Tears here.  Everybun knows he is a fak-"

*BEEP, BEEP, BEEP*

The nurse stopped and stared at the thermometer like it grew a second head and started line dancing around the room.

She read it, then checked her own temperature, which only beeped once.

She rechecked Larry and received three harsh beeps again.

"105 degrees! Larry, you have a fever!"

Caitlin grabbed the phone off the wall and hit a button, then hung up without speaking.

"Go to that drawer and give me two ice packs, quick!" said the nurse, pointing.

Nick opened the drawer and found a white plastic bag.  He hesitantly handed it to Caitlin, who squeezed it until there was a loud  "Pop".  She gave it a quick shake and held it against Larry's ear.  She looked at the other ice pack and nodded, Nick activated the  second cold pack and gave it to the nurse.

"Quick, second drawer down from the ice packs, ear wraps!"

Nick handed the wraps over, and Caitlin inserted the packs and slipped the whole thing over Larry's ears.

The younger bun reached for the packs and started to pull them off, only for the nurse to stop him.

"Larry, how do you feel?  Does anything hurt or feel funny?"

"...too cold! Please, it's too cold!"

Larry started to shiver, teeth chattering.

"Please, I promise to be good.  Please don't make me cold anymore!"

"I know, Larry.  Please tell me if it hurts or feels funny…"

"It hurts, like always.  Like I gotta pee bad but don't finish."

Nick watched in shock, not knowing what to do.  He reached for a blanket to cover Larry but was stopped by the nurse.

"Nick, we need to cool him off. His fever is really high."

"Nick, come here, please!" begged Larry.

He approached, carefully trying to stay out of the way of Caitlin, who had pulled a needle out and tied off a rubber hose to Larry's arm.

"Please, I'm so cold!"

Larry pulled Nick in close, using the fox like a heated blanket for a moment.

Caitlin pushed Nick away, and Larry started to cry, teeth chattering.  Nick looked on helplessly, backing up when Doctor Bob came in, dropping a pager on a table.

"Doctor Bob, the patient was brought in complaining of acute lower abdominal pain.  Is presenting with a temperature of 105, measured tympanically.  Patient states recurring bladder pain, possible symptoms of cystitis.

I have applied ice and ear wraps to cool the fever, and taken a blood sample."

"Might need a fresh urine sample.  Nurse, prepare two sample containers.  One for standard UTI rapid and one for lab culture test."

Caitlin walked past Nick, grabbed two sample jars sealed in plastic and opened them.

"Nick, we'll take care of Larry, you need to clear the room, please."

Nick walked out, closing the infirmary door behind him, Larry's misery and chattering teeth fading.

–

Nick walked back on his original route, hoping to get this done quickly.  He made his way to the 'E' section and casually walked down the corridor, past the laundry chute. 

A teenage doe was there with a clothing bag, full of dirty laundry judging by the scent.

"Hey, Judy's Fox, shouldn't you be with Mom and Dad again?  Stealing somebun's day with them that you haven't earned?"

Nick kept going, trying to be casual.  He wasn't terribly startled when he was hit in the back of the head with a dirty crusted soccer sock.

"Hey…Ellen..you dropped this dirty sock," said Nick.  He took a sniff, then turned his nose away quickly, before tossing it back.

"Whew! You should go to the clinic. Smells like you might have ringworm on your footpaws.  That's too bad, itchy paws are no fun."

Nick walked away, as the doe started scratching her footpaws furiously at every imagined itch.

Leaving her behind him, Nick turned a couple corners and approached Eric's bedroom.  One or two bunnies eyed him curiously but kept going; he made it a point to sniff around everywhere so the buns started ignoring him.

He got to the door and listened.  After a silent minute he sniffed, then opened the door.  He ran to the pile of scrap projects and grabbed the crooked chest.

He stuck the small wooden chest in the pocket of his hoodie, and made for the door.  He opened it quickly and stopped short, nearly running into the chest of the bunny who the room belonged to.

"What are you doing in my room, Judy's Fox?"

'If they put you in a bind, flattery works to cloud their mind.'

"I'm 'Nick'.  Sorry, Eric.  I just wanted to look at your wood projects.  Judy and Larry said you made stuff."

The teen smiled for a second, then his eyes narrowed.

"Why do you care about woodworking, fox?"

'mix the truth in with your tale, the story told shall never fail.'

"I wanted to see if you could make a small table for me," he said, his paws about six inches apart and four inches high.

"Why do you need a small table?  That sounds like a doll toy," scoffed Eric.

"So I can remember…my…dead parents," said Nick, before going past the shocked rabbit and out of the room.

—

Nick walked into the shared bedroom, closing the door behind him.  He slipped the box out of his hoodie pocket and underneath the mattress as the door opened and Judy entered.

He straightened the blanket, pretending like he had been making the bed, as he felt eyes on him.  He casually sniffed the air, scenting weeping willow, burnt orange and a scent he associated with disappointment.

"Nick, why did you steal the Play-Doh?"

The fox looked at his only friend, took a breath, mentally preparing a story, then stopped. 

I shouldn't lie to Judy.

"I'm sorry.  I didn't want to, but I had to Gather items to help my parents Ka join the Ancestors.

Judy lowered her voice to a whisper. "But if you get in trouble you'll need to go back to jail!"

"I know.  I'm sorry.  I had to collect stuff for the Crossing."

"I have money from chores and my birthday. I can just buy-"

"No!" said Nick, startling himself from his own reaction.  "It stinks but I can't buy it, I need to Gather! That means I have to 'find it', 'make it' or 'take it' but I can't BUY it."

"Derrick said when he finds you were stealing, he'll call the Sheriff to arrest you."

“I’m sorry, Judy. I have to help them get to the Ancestors."

"Nick, don't you want to stay here?  Don't you like Mom? And Larry?"

"Of course I do, Judy.  I want to be honorable and trustworthy.  I don't want to leave you, or Miss Bonnie. But I have to do this.

My mom and dad…died because…No one cares about a fox!  Dad spent all their money on pills for me.  He tried to give a check.  He tried to trade great grandpa's gold watch. He even offered to work for free for a whole year.  The pharmacy sheep laughed and said 'No'.  He wouldn't give them medicine without money.

They saved me. Now I have to save them, Judy."

"I'll save them, and admit what I did afterward. I swore an Oath to Mr. Hopps that I would show honor."

*****

Judy left the room, not knowing what to say.  She briefly considered asking Mom and Dad then dismissed it; they never had time anyways.

None of her siblings were likely to know anything about spirits, fox or bunny.  She needed to know the truth, did Nick really need to do something to help foxes who were dead already?

What happened if he didn't?

What do I do? 

If I am a good friend and try to protect Nick by telling a lie then I would be a liar!  The badge has the word 'Trust' on it.  Liars don't get trusted. I might even get arrested?  Then I can't be a police officer!

If I tell the truth, then I'm a bad friend.  I don't want to hurt Nick!  If I  hurt Nick, then he goes away, and he gets stuck in a cage again.  Then I'm all alone! again!

Judy thought for a moment, then was hit by inspiration:

She needed to talk to a fox for answers!

–

Judy ran outside, went to the old barn, and grabbed a blue, wide-seated bicycle from the rack.  She wrote her name on the form with a half-worn pencil on a string, then raced off down the dirt driveway.  Judy's teeth chattered from the bouncing of the tires on the washboard dirt road.

'Dad needs to grade this again' she thought as she pedaled as fast as she could towards the public road.  The vibrations from the handlebars were starting to numb her paws from the pounding.  Reaching the main road Judy turned west, thankful for the paved surface now underneath her.

Judy went down the road, away from the larger farms, speeding towards "Share-Cropper row". 

As the bunny got closer, fields became smaller, tractors got older, and homes became more ramshackle and ill-kept.

She started down the driveway, pulling up to the house, stopping when a matronly fox stepped onto the porch with a broom in hand.

"Wha'chu want here, bunny?  Whatever happened, Gideon and Julius didn't do it."

"Mrs Grey, I'm Judy Hopps. Can I please ask you-"

"Oh! You're that crazy bunny!  Are you here to play cops n robbers n such?  Gid ain't here…"

"Please Mrs. Gray!  I need to help my fox friend!  He's gonna get in trouble 'cause his parents died and he's gonna go to jail for collecting stuff!"

In less than a minute, Judy found herself pulled into the house, sitting at a worn out table with a two-by-four nailed in place of a leg.  Much like her own Mom, Mrs. Gray began to fuss over her unexpected guest, and Judy found herself with a chipped cup of hot apple cider in paw.

"Bun-...ah…Judy you tell me what's going on and I'll see if I can help."

Judy explained the whole situation, how Nick came to live with them and that he’d been Gathering objects for some unknown purpose.

Judy ceased talking, raised the cup to her muzzle, and stopped, peering at the cup closely.  Her own family would have thrown it away.  Deciding it was clean enough, the bunny blew on the cider, then took a careful slurp. 

Her throat eased, she continued.  “Why can’t I just buy the stuff that Nick wants to get?”

“Oh?  You like to ‘lord it up’ over your family when you got more money than they do?  You like to ‘show off’ how much better you are? Like going to a relative's house and saying how much better your house is?  How their furniture is broke and can’t feed you naught but old carrots and porridge?”

“N-no..”

“THAT is why you can’t buy for a ceremony.  The fox Ancestors didn’t have nuthin’ ta spend!  It would be like making lotsa noise about whatever fancy thing you have that they never could have in life.  Even though they gave up more for ya to be born and cared for.  Shows disrespect for the Ancestors.”

“Why does Nick need to do all this anyways?  His parents are already with the ‘Black Rabbit’ and they don't need to eat.”

“Maybe bunnies go and run around with some rabbit…Foxes go and join the Ancestors.  IF they can find their way there.  They need to get an offering, some food and drink to tide them over for the journey.  They need a fire to point them to the North Star, and a ringing bell to guide them to the fire.  If they don't get that…well they’ll wander aimless in the Void between worlds.  Maybe for one hundred years, maybe forever.  OR they might walk in the world of the Living, lost souls growing corrupt, trying to get back at the living who couldn’t spare a poor fox a crust of bread, and a cup of warm water.

So, unless you want to risk a haunting, they need the ceremony, little Miss Bunny.

Besides…showing Disrespect fer your ancestors will bring ya Bad Luck.”

“Can we please have Nick’s parents just go with the Black Rabbit instead?” asked Judy.  That way he doesnt get in trouble and I can get to keep my friend.

“So they can maybe spend Eternity not with their own kin that passed, but with a buncha bunnies lookin down on ‘em?  Like a guest served cider in the only clean cup in tha house lookin like it was dug from under an outhouse and put on the table?”

Judy felt her ears turn beet red.  “I’m sorry, Mrs Grey! I didn’t mean to-”

“Nevermind, Judy.  I know that cup shoulda been thrown out and replaced.  I’ll have you know, we wasn’t always sharecroppers scrapin’ by on rocky soil.  My great-grandpappy used ta have a farm five times this size, growing barley, and raising chickens.  The grain fed the chickens, chickens fed the foxes and the chicken droppings got sold to bunnies fer fertilizer.

Then some bunnies decided they would raise their own chickens an’ stop needin’ ta pay some ‘shifty foxes’ and buy fertilizer from other bunnies instead.  Soon enough the Grey farm was sold off piece by piece ‘til we ended up here, sharecroppin fer beets…but nevermind that…Yer friend needs to do a Crossing Ceremony.”

“Do…do foxes go to jail when someone dies?” asked Judy, before drinking deeply from her cup.

“Nuh…if this were a fox town then every one of the neighbors would accidentally ‘leave out’ stuff that could be used fer a Crossing Ceremony.  No one would ever see where it all went if it was ‘lost’.”

“...if I pay you, can you leave stuff around?  Please?”

“Has Nicky already Gathered his stuff?”

“I…I think so. He didn’t show me but he told me he would admit everything tonight so he was honorable to Dad.  They are gonna put him back in jail!”

“Why do you care, bunny?”

“...he’s….Nick is my fr- my only friend…” admitted Judy, ears turning almost purplish-red, not meeting the vixen’s eyes.  When the silence stretched out, uncomfortably, Judy took a breath and continued.

“I don’t want Nick to go back to jail cause it’s nasty there. But I need him.  I don't even have plushies and almost nobody talks to me any more! They won’t even let me do chores with them!”

"You tryin' to help him fer him or just fer yourself ?"

Judy stopped and thought.  She felt embarrassed. Was she being selfish? She wanted to help Nick, but she wanted to help herself too.

"Is it bad I'm thinking about me too?" asked Judy in a low voice. 

"No, little bunny.  It's not. Yer still a kit.  You should be thinking about yourself; just not only yourself."

“But how can I fix it?  If I tell a lie to the sheriff then I can get in trouble, then that means I can’t ever be a police officer.  If I tell the truth then I’m a bad friend and then I’ll be all alone again.”

“Don’t know what ta tell ya, Judy. Maybe ask yer brother to not call the sheriff?  If that don’t work, I guess stop tryin’ ta be a cop, or get used to bein’ alone.”

Judy finished the last of her cider and carefully set the cup down on the table, absent-mindedly running her finger across a deep claw-scratch in the wooden surface. 

“You aren’t going to tell me that ‘everything will work out’ or something like that?” asked Judy.

“Nope.  Maybe you bunnies get used ta somefur blowin’ sunshine and rainbows up under yer tail.  Foxes know different.  The world ain’t nice, and there ain’t no-one gonna help most of the time.”

“But my Mom always tells us that things will come out fine, just have faith,” protested Judy.

“Maybe a bunny-mom does, Judy.  But she ain’t talking about foxes.  ‘Specially foxes who got arrested fer bein’ hungry.  Besides…yer talking to a dirty lyin’ fox what had her family driven to the poorhouse when your great-grandpa Gerry Hopps took up chicken-raisin’ ta spite them lyin’ cheatin’ foxes.”

Judy’s eyes opened wide, her ears shot up in shock.

“What!” she exclaimed.  She had never heard of such a story about her family.

“It’s true.  Gerry Hopps was the first bunny around these parts to take up chicken raisin’.  It used to be just a fox thing; but your Great-Grandpa got madder than a wet hen at our family and started trying to drive us out.”

“I’m sorry-” said Judy.

“Nope, none of that, Judy Hopps.  You ain’t yer great-grandpa.  He would never have come to a fox family to try and help another fox. He woulda left that fox in the jail cell, wet pants and all, fer a laugh and a story."

The conversation was suddenly interrupted when the front door flew open, and a fox a couple years older than Judy ran in.

"Ma! Looks like Pa hit the mailbox with the truck again when he was comin' home after drinkin' with-"

The fox stopped short and stared, wide eyed at Judy sitting in his kitchen.

"Ma! Why is that crazy bunny doe at our tab-"

"You hush that, Julius! Judy is our guest right now.  She had some questions about foxes.”

The fox just stared, muzzle open.

“Why does she care?  She’s just a breeder!”

Judy’s ears turned burning red andshot up straight, while her arms dropped stiffly straight towards the ground.  Her footpaw thumped angrily, hammering on the floor.  She drew breath to retort, but was cut off.

“JULIUS CAESAR GREY! We do not allow such language IN THIS DEN! You WILL apologize RIGHT NOW or I’ll WHUP your tail so bad you won't be sittin’ fer a week!”

The fox, withering under his mother’s verbal assault, turned to Judy, eyes downcast, tail tucked between his legs.

“Judy, I’m sorr-”

“NO! I SAID ‘APOLOGIZE’ and that means APOLOGIZE PROPERLY!”

The young fox looked a little unsure, cocking his head to the side in confusion , before he bent down  in a low bow.

“Judy Hopps, I apologize fer using bad language and sayin’ bad things ‘bout rabbits.  I swear on Skulk Gray I won’t say it no more.”

Mrs Gray looked at Judy expectantly.  The bunny turned to Julius, and replied, “I accept your apology, Julius.”

Mrs Gray looked satisfied with this, and answered. “Julius, Judy has a fox-friend staying with her.  A fox named ‘Nick’ who lost his skulk.  She had the Hopps take him in.  Nick is trying to do a Crossing tonight. She wanted to see how she could protect him.”

The young fox looked at Judy.

“Nuthin’ ya can do but stay away from the sheriff.  If ya blink your eyes wrong them bunnies will call on ya fer-”

Julius stopped, realizing who he was speaking to.

“Sorry, Judy.”

“No, you’re right.  One of my brothers said he was watching Nick so he could call the sheriff. He’s a jerk!  Nick has been nothing but nice to him, too!”

“Maybe tell yer Ma and Pa, Judy.  Maybe they can help keep the law out of things?” suggested the vixen.

“I don't know if I can.  They are really busy today with the Solstice and with whoever is on the schedule today for them.  I’m not supposed to see them again until next week,” said Judy.  “I dont get real time with them until next month.”

The foxes looked at each other then back at her; Judy felt a wave of unexpected emotions come over her as the foxes, barely scraping by, den filled with items she would have taken to the trash long ago, staring at her with an open look of pity.

********

Derrick exited his room, earbuds safely on the desk, and walked into the hall.  He went past a few buns in the hallway, and stopped to listen to a rumor about Natalie Whitepaw; she had finally broken up with Jared Leaperson after finding him with another doe.

He started to move quicker, his mind on how he would try to ask her out when he accidentally bumped off of another bun holding a small wooden table in paw, about the size of a small, thick hardback book.

“Hey, Derrick, be careful!  I just made that, and the coating is still curing.”

“Who wanted a giant doll table?”

“It's not for dolls.  It’s a religious table for Judy’s Fox,” said Eric. Lowering his voice a bit, the woodworker continued. “He’s here ‘cause his parents are with the Black Rabbit. It's for remembering them or something.”

“So why did you make it for him? Is he paying you or something?”

“No, he just asked.  He walked into my room and when I asked him why he was there, he told me he heard that I did wood work, and-”

“So WHO told him that?  How do you know he wasn’t lying when you caught him sneaking in? How do you know he hasn’t been in before and stole your stuff?”

Eric looked shocked at this idea. “Well…Umm…”

Derrick pressed on.  “Check your stuff.  I’m willing to bet he stole something. They can’t help but steal.”

“Derrick, I know you hate Judy and Judy’s Fox but his parents are both dead. I asked Mom and she said it was true.  She said he’s only eight years old!”

“I’m telling you, that lying fox stole, I’ll bet you five bucks.”

“I'll take your money.  I'm gonna drop this off in their room, and go back to mine. Meet me there in ten minutes.”

***********

Judy pedaled back to the burrow as fast as she could; it was growing dark out and even with the headlight on, it was hard to see given how few street lights were out this way.  Judy made sure to follow her older siblings' instructions and rode against the (non-existent) traffic for fear of “Good Ole’ Buns” having a few too many drinks after work and flattening you from behind with a rusty pickup truck.

She got to the washboard dirt driveway, and relaxed a little, slowing just a bit as she pulled into the yard proper.  Judy signed the bicycle back in, and made her way inside as she heard the crackle of static from the speakers carrying the ringing of the Hopps Bell.

I need to find Mom and Dad! Maybe they can just GIVE whatever he takes to him after he does whatever with it.

Judy raced towards the door, but found the way blocked, by literally dozens of  bunnies jumping in front of her, trying to rush in for Solstice Dinner.  Judy started to try and push her way through, starting protests from the other bunnies.  As she tried to force her way forward, the wave of determination crashed and faltered like a wave breaking against rocks on the shore.  The combined force of all the other bunnies, shoved her back.

“Wait your turn, Jude the Dude!” said a voice followed by many other voices raised in agreement.  Being forced to wait, Judy was near one of the last bunnies inside the door, snarling in frustration at the ‘Traffic Jam’ in the hallway blocking her progress.

Finally when the crowd turned right to head towards the dining hall, Judy turned left and raced down the hallway at full speed.  She got to the doorway of the small kitchen, and ran into Stu, bouncing off his belly and back onto her tail on the floor.

She got up slowly, Stu grabbing her paw and pulling her to her footpaws.

“You okay, Jude?”

“I’m okay, Dad, but I need to talk to you and Mom abou-”

“Hold on, Jude.  I know we’ve been generous with you, but today is not your day, this is for Jane.  You had  ‘Judy Day’ already.  You need to eat in the dining hall.  We can try and talk to you later.”

“But this is about Nick! He has a ceremony he nee-”

“We know all about it, Jude.  He’s eating with us tonight, so we’ll talk to him.  Now run along.”

“But DAD! He grabbed a bunch of stuff-”

“LATER, Judy!” said Stu insistently.  “Later, or never!”

Judy stopped talking.  I need to leave or they won’t listen to me at all. 

*******

Nick exited the bedroom, the small chest containing all his Gathered items hidden under his shirt.  He needed to move it all outside;he didn’t have a choice. He had to do the Offering tonight or…somefurs might be stuck or get Lost.

He paused, looking back at Judy’s bed. His ears folded back, tail tucked under, Nick suppressed a whine.  He would miss her.  He would miss Bonnie.  Larry had been a good friend, too. Even Mr. Hopps wasn’t too terrible.  Nick felt guilty, like he was trying to replace his own father, but he had enjoyed target shooting with Stu.

It doesn’t matter.  I have to help Mom and Dad.  I have to save them!

Nick closed the door behind him, making sure the latch clicked firmly behind him.  He caught the scent of a bunny mixed with wood and lacquer.  The fox turned to find himself facing Eric, who was holding out a small wooden table, dark stain on top with red legs below, shining from the hard lacquer coating.  Nick reached out, taking the table in paw, careful to press his elbow into his side, pinning the hidden chest under his shirt to his side.

Looking closely at the table, Nick gasped; tiny fox heads were carved on all four corners, with matching fox tails behind them..  And on the underside was a full fox, outlined in orange.

Nick looked up at Eric.  “It looks great!  Thank you, Eric! I don’t think any fox ever had anything so nice before.”.  Tail wagging, Nick smiled.  “I’ll pay you when I get some mon-”

“No,” said Eric firmly.  “I’m sorry your parents died. Wouldn’t be right to get paid for that.”

“I owe you, Eric.”

“It’s okay, fox.  Just don’t get in trouble and embarrass the Hopps name,” said the teen bunny.  “Gotta hop, Judy’s Fox.  I’m meeting with Derrick.”

Feeling the wooden chest digging into his side, Nick wasembarrassed, but knew he couldn’t say anything.  Stupid fox traditions!  He’s sorta being NICE right now.  If I ever get mated, I’ll tell my kits they can just buy stuff for the Offering!

—

Nick made his way through the maze of hallways , trying to reachthe outside.  He needed to stash the chest somewhere.  He turned away from the crowd, and away from the dining hall. He was  almost outside when a voice called out to him..

“Hey, fox! Mom wants you in the small kitchen.”  Nick tried to go around, but she blocked him. 

Raising her voice, and starting to look at him with suspicion, the bunny yelled “HEY FOX!” making heads in the hallway turn to look at him.

“Mom says to go to the small kitchen!” she yelled, pointing.

Nick nodded. “Thank you.”  He turned back the other way, knowing the rabbit was following him with her eyes. 

He moved ahead a bit faster, dodging past bunnies headed for the dining hall, until he came to a cross corridor on the left. He spotted a small bathroom and ducked inside.  Unlike the normal gigantic bathrooms, this one was a single occupant toilet, reminiscent  of a gas station bathroom.  There was a generic gray-tiled surface everywhere, one toilet stall and a urinal against the wall.  To look a bit more “fancy” a small table with a large pot of flowers on it was in the corner.

The suspicious bunny was still approaching, but he clicked the door shut right in front of her face.  The little fox quickly pushed the round “lock” button just as the door started to rattle just a bit.  He scoured the bathroom, looking for a place to hide the chest.  He opened the toilet tank, but it was full to the top with water that would ruin the chest; it might not burn as needed.

Looking up, there was no drop ceiling, so he could not hide the “swag” there.  There was a banging on the door, as the bunny started demanding entry.

“What are you doing, Fox?  I can tell you are up to something.  You let me in this minute!”

Nick looked under the table, behind the toilet, desperately seeking a spot to stash the goods.  If she searched him and found the chest, the ritual would be ruined!  He briefly looked at the plunger, then dismissed the HOLLYWOOL idea of “knocking out a pursuer”.  Nick grabbed the table, moving it towards the stall, and the pot of flowers fell over.

‘Why is this happening NOW? ANCESTORS, please help me!’

He bent over to pick up the mess and stopped, a grin on his muzzle.

—

Beth-Anne pounded on the door again; she was considering calling for the keys.  Then there was movement inside the bathroom, followed by a thud..  She pounded even more loudly.

Then more movement inside, a flushing,then the sink started running..  The door opened, and the fox looked at her.

“Excuse me, can I get by?” asked the little thief.  He even had a smirk on his muzzle.

“What have you been doing in there, fox?”

“...ummm…that's a very personal question…don’t you know your manners?”

Beth’s ears folded back in embarrassment.  “I’m not…I wasn’t asking…”

The bunny’s ears fell back, then shot straight up. “What were you DOING in the bathroom?”

The fox looked embarrassed. “Using the toilet and washing my paws.  Why?  Are you a doctor?”

“N-no…”

“Then why are you asking? That's a very weird question.  I’ll have to tell Miss Bonnie.”

“Hold on, fox!  You aren’t going to trick ME!”  Beth-Anne ran her paws over the fox, checking his pockets.  When she didn't find anything stolen hidden on him, she held his paw while checking the bathroom.  There was nothing on the floor except a dirty spot.  The toilet tank only had water in it.  The bowl was clear, except for what looked like a soil stain inside the bowl.  Nothing taped under the sink. Even the floor under the plunger seemed clear of anything suspicious.

“Can I go now, please?  You told me Miss Bonnie wanted me in the small kitchen and I don’t want to be late.”

Beth-Anne let the fox go, closing the bathroom door behind her as he ran off.

—-

Nick walked into the small kitchen and found Stu and Bonnie sitting at the small table with a bunny that looked the same age as Judy.  He stopped, unsure of what to do.  Bonnie noticed and waved him over the open chair.

“Hey, Nick, come on over there, son.  We made something special for you,” said Stu proudly.

Bonnie rolled her eyes, as Nick sat down, took a sniff, and found a plate with a large bread roll shaped like a submarine, with something bread-coated on it.  Nick took a sniff.  Chicken, Mozzarella cheese….and marinara sauce.

Nick bowed a little bow, paw over his heart.  “I thank the cook and the Ancestors for this meal.”

The other bunny looked over and watched Nick pick up the chicken parmesan sub sandwich and take a delicate bite, trying to hide his teeth. As he chewed his tail wagged happily.

“This chicken parm is great, Mr. and Mrs. Hopps!”

“Gross! Judy’s Fox is eating dead chickens at the table!” she shouted, making Nick put down the sandwich quickly, and hide his muzzle under his paws.

“And YOU are eating vegetables that were grown in dirt, bugs, and covered in chicken poop!” replied Stu, irritated.

Bonnie frowned. “Jane,  I do not allow bullying at my table! You will apologize NOW or I will find myself too ashamed and disappointed to sit with you again.”

“I’m sorry, Judy’s Fo-” Jane started to say, when Bonnie slapped her paw on the table, loudly.

“NO! His name is ‘Nick’ and you will use it.” demanded Bonnie.

“I’m sorry Nick,” said Jane sullenly, while looking at Bonnie.

“It’s okay…” said Nick.  He looked at his sandwich and left it on the plate, pushing it away from him, only a single bite taken from it, sauce still steaming.

Taking a drink of water, the fox started to push away from his seat, but Stu stopped him.

“Nick, come on, sit with us a bit.”

Bonnie reached over and took away Jane’s plate.

“Mom? What are you doing?” protested Jane. “I wasn’t finished!”

“You embarrassed Nick.  So now if he doesn’t eat, then you don't eat.” said Bonnie firmly.

Jane turned to Stu in protest. “Dad! Mom is trying to starve me!”

“I didn’t see that.  I see you trying to make Nick leave.  Maybe if you showed some hospitality and acted like a good bun then you could eat.”

Bonnie looked at Nick.  “Nick, me and Stu made this just for you.  Can you please try and eat some more?”

Nick picked up his sandwich and went to take a bite, awkwardly keeping his teeth covered.

“Nope.  You use those teeth.  Don’t you worry about hidin’ em when you're home,” said Stu.  “If someone is nervous, then they can get over it.”

Nick took a good honest bite, enjoying the mixed flavors of the chicken, breaded spices, the sauce and the mozzarella cheese, in his mouth, chewing slowly.

Jane made a mumbled comment that Nick missed.  Stu and Bonnie’s ears shot up, and Nick noticed Bonnie looking at him.  He stopped and swallowed.

“Is something wrong, Miss Bonnie?”

“No, nevermind, Nick.  You just enjoy your meal,” said Bonnie.  Stu pushed the plate back over to Jane, who continued eating.

Nick stopped for a moment.  “Bonnie, what was the ringing I heard earlier?”

Jane mumbled something again as Stu replied. “It's the Hopps Bell.” He walked over to the wall and took it off the hook, bringing it over to Nick.  The small fox grabbed the bell, and examined it.  It was shiny, looking polished. Engraved on the bell, in fine script read:

‘The Hopps Bell-

Ring for Love, Ring for Birth

Toll on Holy-Days to mark the Worth

By the Bell, Rings my Heart

Side by Side, we’ll do our Parts’

“I thought it was a decoration,” said Nick.

“Sort of,” said Bonnie.  “My great-great grandfather gave it to my great-great-grandmother as a wedding gift.  It gets passed down to the firstborn daughter of each generation.  We only ring it at holidays, marriages and births, after it was dropped.”

“There is a small chip on the back that was filed down smooth,” added Stu.  “The old handle came off when a kit during great grandma’s time was ringing it for supper and it hit the floor hard.  After it was repaired, everyone stuck to keeping it safe and only ringing during special times.”

Stu took back the bell and hung it up on the wall again.  Nick went back to eating, ignoring Jane who was mouthing cuss words at him when her parents were not looking.  The bunnies munched on their own sandwiches, looking similar to Nick’s.

Wondering what the bunnies were eating, Nick paused in his meal to sniff the air.

Bread, marinara sauce, spices…something ‘earthy’, but not mushrooms…eggplant.

Another scent…

The fox finished his sandwich, belly full of delicious food.  He finished his water, and stood up.

“Thank you for the meal,” he said, smiling at Bonnie, Stu and Jane.

“You let us know if you need anything…you know, for tonight, if that's allowed,” said Stu.

“Thank you, I will.” said Nick, walking back down the hallway.

Stu got up and approached the sink, and grabbed something.

Jane finished her drink, and stood up, pushing back her chair.  Bonnie turned to look at her daughter, anger etched across her muzzle and reached out, grabbing her paw in an iron grip.

Jane struggled to remove her paw, and failed to get free.

“Mom, What are you doing?” she asked, shocked.

Stu held up the dish soap with a grim look. “We usually let you buns work things out between each other…but we do not allow that language in this warren, especially from grade-school kits!”

Bonnie and Stu dragged the hapless bun to the sink, orange colored dish soap in paw.

“Mom! Dad!  What are you doing?  That thing is just a lying fox!”

Stu grabbed the bottle and flipped the cap open, as Bonnie turned on the sprayer hose at the sink.

“Jane, you’d best open your muzzle before we do it for you,” said Stu.

*****

Judy sat down at a table in the corner, her food tray in paw.  The few buns sitting at the corner table got up and moved to spots at other tables, or sat on the floor against the wall, leaving her alone.  She had looked around, but did not see Larry or Nick anywhere tonight.

Grabbing her eggplant parmesan sub sandwich Judy started eating, and was surprised how good it was; the sandwich was a new dish Mom had the kitchen try since taking in Nick.  Eating and concentrating on her sandwich since there was no-one to talk to, Judy was startled when someone sat down across from her.

She looked up to find Derrickglaring at her.  Finishing the last bite, the doe took a drink of her lemonade as he pointed a finger at her, and took on a demanding tone.

“Where is your fox, Jude?!”

“I don’t know.  He’s not here.”

“Your pet fox has been stealing from the Burrow!”

Judy froze.  Her ears shot up straight, eyes went wide.

“Wh-wha-what do you think he took?” she asked, feeling her tummy lurch.

“It doesn’t matter!  He’s been stealing just like I knew he would!”

“How do you know?” asked Judy.

“Eric’s scrap-pile is missing a few things.  He is missing a chest and I’m gonna get it back and send that dirty fox back to jail!”

*****

Nick walked out of the bathroom, the chest safely tucked under his shirt again.  He had hidden under a couch sunset; the bunnies who came into the lounge area were excited and started chattering about a bonfire and fireworks as they exited the room.

He sniffed, moving slowly down the corridor, trying to avoid bunnies. He got to a closed doorway, took a sniff, and paused.  There was a strong bunny scent from the woodworker bunny…Eric?  So, was he nearby?  Or did he just walk through?  Or was this a place he went to a lot?  With all the bunny-scents saturating the hallways right now it was impossible to tell.

Nick opened the door slowly, peered in, and noticed a few bunnies, but no-bun he was familiar with.  He walked forward, trying to be casual, when  the doorway behind him opened.

“Hey! Judy’s fox! Stop right there!” yelled Derrick, from behind.  Nick risked a quick look; Dim-Wit was coming through the previous door and the fox then raced forward, slamming the door behind.  The bunnies in the room stared, but Nick raced forward past them, choosing a random door in the next room, running down a hallway and breaking left.

Derrick shouted some more , and a few bunnies told him what direction Nick had gone.  He started running through passages, closing doors behind.  Nick turned, found a set of double doors and ran forward. Entering the rear of the kitchen, the little fox eyes scanned the room, finding a  mop and a yellow wheeled bucket nearby.  Derrick was closing in behind him and Nick jammed the mop handle into the metal ring door handles, barring it to keep it closed.

He ran to the front of the kitchen, towards the serving tables, and the exit doors beyond. The rear doors made a loud BANG as Derrick yelled a few muffled curses.  The little fox raced forward, past the front of the kitchen, and slid under the steam trays, whacking his head on the frame.  Paws went up, Nick grabbed his forehead, and it took him a moment to recover.

There was more banging of the kitchen doors at the back of the large room, and an adult bunny from the kitchen area yelled out in surprise, demanding to know who was hitting the doors.

Nick got to his paws, and groaned.  A large bruise was quickly forming on his side where the wooden chest smacked him as he slide across the floor..  He got up and ran out the exit, and down the hallway.  From behind there was more yelling, and frantic racing towards him.

“Fox!  I’m gonna catch you and call the sheriff to put you in a cage!”

The little fox was running out of breath.  He ducked into a doorway to his left and was reaching for the handle when it opened.  He stopped dead in his tracks when he recognised the teenage bunny barring the way.

Nick didn’t know what to do and froze as Eric grabbed him firmly in paw.

********

Judy ran to the small kitchen, looking for her parents to help with Nick.  He’s just trying to honor his parents! He shouldn’t get in trouble!

She ran inside and found the kitchen empty of her parents.  There were a couple younger buns raiding the cookie jar, having climbed onto the counter with a stool and taken the ceramic panda bear shaped container off the top of the refrigerator.

“Where are Mom and Dad?”

They turned quickly, accidentally dropping the ceramic cookie jar cover on the tile floor, shattering it. 

“We didn’t do it!” shouted Ned.

“It was like this when we got here!” agreed Nancy.

“I just want Mom and Dad!  It's important! I don't care about the cookie jar!” yelled Judy, getting impatient.

“Ossifer Judy, we don’t know.  Ask Judy’s Fox, he is always with them. He steals days from buns!”

Judy ran back out of the room, yelling at the two buns to “clean up the mess” as she exited.

Judy started roaming the hallways, stopping to ask any buns she ran across where Mom and Dad were.  She was mostly ignored, told to check the small kitchen, or insulted.

Finally she ran across Caitlin, who was walking towards the main exit. 

“Nurse Caitlin! Nurse Caitlin! I’m trying to find Mom and Dad!”

The warren nurse turned to Judy.  “What’s the matter, Jude?”

I’m trying to help Nick, he is being forced to do a ritual for-”

“SHHH!” said Caitlin harshly.  She grabbed Judy, pulled her into a small ‘common room’ along the corridor with a small round table, four chairs and a pink round trash can.

The adult bun indicated the chair. “Sit down, Jude.” 

Judy sat down, and took a breath to start asking what the issue was when Caitlin spoke up.

“Judy, until the Ritual of Offering is complete, you need to be very careful with how you speak about fox spirits.  You can’t use their names too often.  If you talk about the Uncrossed Ones by name, they may decide to stay and not rest.”

“How do you know about foxes?”

“When I went to Nursing School I was an intern at Zootopia Central Hospital.  They had all kinds of species come in for treatment, including foxes.  You had to be very careful if a fox passed…you know, ran with the Black Rabbit.  Especially in front of the family.”

“Caitlin, I need to help him! Derrick says he’s calling the Sheriff!”

The older bun nodded. “Maybe offer to buy whatever was taken?”

“No…it can’t be bought.  They have to find it, make it, or take it.”

“Well, maybe to talk to Mom and Dad.”

“But I can’t find Mom and Dad!

*****

Nick started to apologize. “I’m sorr-”

“SHHH!” said the teen bunny, glaring, grabbing the fox, and pushing him behind and through the doorway.  Nick was forced into the room; there was nothing buttables full of woodworking tools along the walls. No exits.

Nick turned his head towards the door and listened carefully.

Running pawsteps approached, then Derrick asked loudly “Did you see that trash eater fox run by?!”

The fox suppressed a scared whine, and waited for the worst to happen.  Even one of the teens could grab him and hold him down, with two he would likely stand no chance to escape.

“No. Nobun came past here.  Maybe down towards maintenance?” said Eric.

Pawsteps faded into the distance outside. The door opened, and Eric entered, closing the door behind.  Nick backed away, holding onto the chest under his shirt.

“Did you take that practice chest from my scrap pile, Judy’s Fox?” asked Eric.

“Nick,” said the little fox.

“Nick, did you take the chest from my scrap pile?” repeated Eric.

“Yes.  I’m sorry.  I didn't have a choice.  I need to do a Crossing for the Ka, the Spirits of my parents.”

“Why didn’t you just ask me?” asked the irritated bunny.  “I would have just given it to you.”

Nick bared his teeth in irritation.  “It’s stupid! I can’t! I can only ‘find it, take it, or make it’ so I’m not allowed to buy it or ask for it,” said the young fox.  “So it doesn’t look like I’m showing off to the Ancestors!” Nick said in an angry voice.

“I was going to burn it anyways,” said Eric.

“Eric?  How about I pay you a bribe to forget I took the chest?” suggested Nick, pulling out three zoodollars from his pocket.

Eric nodded.  He accepted the money.  “I’ll try to get Derrick to leave you alone. He might not listen, but I’ll try.”

“I just need to get outside.  I need to find a place to light a fire to burn at midnight.  This is the last chance, so it needs to be perfect.”

“Come with me.  I’ll get you to a place,” said Eric.

Nick relaxed, allowing himself to be guided through some of the more obscure passages in the warren.

******

Judy and Caitlin split up as they both looked for Mom and Dad, with little luck.  Judy knew they usually spent time with each litter then chose one litter to spend the night with until midnight, different each Solstice.  This was not the year for the J litter. 

As she walked through the hallways, went outside to the big hill, she ignored the whispers around her.

“Ossifer Jude is trying to find her Fox.  It decided it didn’t like her either…”

“I hope what I heard was true.  Judy is moving away to Podunk with the Fox.”

“…watch for Judy’s Fox.  It stole stuff and Derrick is gonna catch it and give it to the sheriff! He said he’ll pay five zoodollars to whoever catches him!”

Moving along quicker, Judy searched every corner of the burrow, hoping to find Nick hiding somewhere.

******

Derrick found Mom and Dad on the front porch, talking with Mr. Whitetail, who came visiting with a bottle of dandelion wine.  They were sitting in folding chairs, watching as the older buns set up instruments to play for the Circle Dance on Big Hill.

The smaller buns had sparklers, and a team was setting up a fireworks display.

The teenage bunny raced over shouting, “Mom! Dad! We need to find and catch Judy’s Fox! He’s been-”

“Derrick Ephasias Hopps! Where are your manners?!” demanded Bonnie.  “You can see adults talking right now! I don’t care HOW BIG of a bun you think you are, you will show respect!”

Billy Whitetail, tried to smooth things over. “It’s okay, Bonnie.  It wasn’t that long ago we were all teenagers, thinkin’ we were all growed up too.”

“Sorry, Mom, Dad, Mr. Whitetail,” said Derrick. 

“What was so important you needed to hop over here like your tail was on fire?” asked Stu, taking a sip of the amber colored fluid.

“We need to grab Judy’s Fox! It’s a thief and-”

“Hold on, there, son,” said Stu.  “If you have a problem with Nick then you two work it out. That’s the last I’m gonna say about it.”

“You are too old for this, Derrick.  Now go run along.  Maybe…go join the Dance later and see if Mary-Lou Softpaw is willing to take a twirl with you?” suggested Bonnie. “The Softpaws will be coming over tonight.”

******

Nick found a secluded spot,  next to an older wooden barn that looked well used and in need of as coat of paint with scraps of junk around the side.  There was the concrete basin of a bird feeder broken off the stand half buried in the dirt.  Nick pulled it up from the earth, and set it on the ground, on some rocks to make a fire pit.

He opened the chest, setting aside the baked clay bowl and protein bar.  He grabbed the cola bottle and pulled out the lighter, when a shout rang out and Nick slammed against the hard ground.  The chest went flying from his paws.

Nick groaned as he opened his eyes.  Derrick was sitting on top of him, , glaring with his  ears straight up, and bunny buck teeth bared. 

“We don’t need no thieving foxes in the warren! I’m takin’ all this back and calling the sheriff-”

“Please! You CAN’T! Let me finish before you call!” said Nick, struggling. The older mammal completely overpowered the small fox; he might as well have been trapped under a dump truck.  He flailed desperately for something, anything to free himself.  Nick’s paw passed over Derrick's pocket, there was a small, hard cylinder inside and he grabbed it as they struggled.  .

“No way, Judy’s Fox!  I’m taking it all now!” said the teenage bunny, letting go of Nick and reaching for the wooden chest.

“If you do, I’ll tell Mary-Lou you can’t read!” Nick shouted , as Derrick picked up the wooden chest.

The teen bun leaned forward with a snarl.  Nick turned his head in fear, and recognised the item in his right paw.

Derrick grabbed Nick by his shirt and pulled him up a few inches before slamming him back into the ground.

“You’re not gonna tell any-”

Derrick let go, grabbed his face and started to scream.  The teenage bunny’s eyes turned red and bloodshot, as the Fox Away pepper spray soaked into his corneas.

Nick rolled aside quickly and made some distance, as the bunny’s nose started to run, he ran away coughing.

Nick grabbed the chest and laid out the items.  He soaked the chest in the vodka, putting it inside the concrete basin. He pulled out the lighter he borrowed from Pop-Pop, and lit it, touching the flame to the pool of vodka, blue tinged flame rising up with a poof.

The young fox fell to one knee, clapped loudly, and pressed his paws together in prayer.

“Honorable An-Ancestors, please help guide Mom and Dad!”

From behind him, Nick could hear the commotion of approaching bunnies.

“...got sprayed in the eyes by Judy’s Fox…”

“...fox got caught stealin’...”

“Judy’s Fox, why did you spray Derrick?”

Nick shakily poured the vodka into the bowl, spilling a little.

“John Amos Wilde! Vivianne Joyce Wilde! I pour you this drink for your journey to the after-life!” called out the little fox.  He sniffled a little, wiped his nose on his sleeve, wiped his eyes with the back of his paw.

The crowd behind stopped and stared.

Nick looked at the chest, which was beginning to char and blacken.  The surface fire of the alcohol had caught the wood of the chest.  Nick put a “borrowed” piece of charcoal inside the chest, which flared up.  Closing the chest halfway, the flame started to scorch the underside of the wooden cover.

Unwrapping the protein bar, Nick tossed it inside the chest and it too caught fire.

“John A-Amos W-wilde! V-V-Vivianne Joyce Wilde! I offer this f-f-food,” Nick sniffled again, swallowing against the lump in his throat.  “ F-for your journey to the after-life!”

He took a deep breath, suppressing a whine trying to escape.  Nick put the bowl with the vodka in the chest, dropping it to avoid getting burned.  The liquor in the bowl instantly caught fire, and the entire clay bowl sat in the flames.

“Take your offerings! I-in the s-silence I call out!”

Nick grabbed the jingly-bell and shook it.  It didn’t ring.  He shook it harder, but it only made a dull ‘tink’ sound. Nick looked at the bell. It had been crushed by the fall when the chest slammed into the floor.

Nick looked at the bell, which remained silent.  “Ring! please ring!” begged the fox.  “They HAVE TO HEAR IT!”

From behind Nick heard a pawstep and whirled around.  It was Judy, holding the Hopps Bell.  She held it out to him, but his paws wouldn’t take it.

“No, Judy!  I can’t! I need to BURN A BELL for this!”

The clock started to chime out the hour as midnight approached.  Stu grabbed the bell from Judy, and shoved it into Nick’s paws.

“Nick, you ring that bell, NOW!” he insisted.

Nick rang the Hopps Bell, the bell loudly tolling in the night air.

“DING-DONG, DING-DONG, DING-DONG!” The tolling of the bell rang out times three.

“What do I do?” Nick asked Stu. “If I burn it, the bell will break!”

Bonnie grabbed the bell, and threw it in the heart of the fire.

The wood of the chest popped as it burned.  As the chiming clock struck midnight, the wind picked up and the flames consuming the chest rose up higher.  Nick saw the bell crack, and a dull ‘PING’ came out, followed by a loud cracking as the ceramic bowl shattered from the heat.

The flames turned blue, and shot up above everyone’s heads before dying back down to the red-orange of the wooden chest being consumed.

“Goodbye, Mom and Dad.  I’ll see you again someday,” said Nick, before he put his head in his paws, and cried, sitting on the ground.

Bonnie put a pawful of fresh blueberries in the dying flames. “We’ll take care of Nick for you.”

Judy hugged the fox, and held him.  As they watched the flames die down, flashing red and blue lights began to shine across the landscape.  The crowd of staring bunnies parted, and a badger in a khaki sheriff’s uniform with a large brimmed hat stepped forward.

Judy looked at Nick and whispered “Don’t say anything!” in his ear.

Derrick stepped forward, shirt soaked, splashing water from a bucket in his eyes and nose, a doe holding a towel.

“Sheriff McGrath, there is the fox that has been stealing our stuff and sprayed me with the fox away spray when I grabbed him!”

“Okay fox, what's your name and your story?”

Nick stood up, Judy still trying to hold him.  He pushed away for a moment, gave a formal bow.

"I-I'm Nick Wilde.  Mr. and Mrs. Hopps took me in as a foster when I was in…jail storage."

"He's a THIEF! And he SPRAY-" yelled Derrick.

"DON'T INTERRUPT!" the sheriff yelled at the teen. "You'll get your turn."

In a kinder voice, the officer said "Go on, Mister Wilde."

Nick stood up straight.  "I…I had to do a Ceremony f-for m-m-my p-parents-".  He stopped and took a breath to calm himself.

"I took stu-"

"No. I took things and gave them to Nick! It was me," yelled Judy, interrupting.

"No, it was me!" insisted Nick.

"Hold on.  What was unlawfully taken?" the sheriff asked.

"Don’t say anything!” yelled Judy to Nick.  Turning to the sheriff, she said “I took play-doh, clay, and a wooden chest!”

Nick spoke up.  “Sheriff, I took purple play-doh, red and blue play-doh, modeling clay, a wooden chest, and stole some whiskey to make it all burn.”

“Does that sound right to every-bun?  Play-doh, clay, a wooden chest, and whiskey?” asked the buck, confirming the list.

“The chest doesn’t count,” said Eric.  “It was scrap I was going to burn anyway.”

“What about me getting sprayed?!” yelled Derrick.

A doe walked up.  “Derrick, what’s going on?  Aren’t you going to dance with me?”

“We’ll get to the spraying in a bit.  So I’m here because some play-doh and clay was taken for some sort of ceremony?”

“Yes, sheriff,” said the little fox.  He approached and held up his paws in front to be pawcuffed.  Judy hopped forward and shoved her own paws forward.

“Sheriff, it was me who took it all. I should be the one arrested.”

“What’s your name, little bun?”

“Judy Laverne Hopps,” she replied. 

“Wait, aren’t you the bunny who wants to be an officer?”

Judy’s ears drooped back.  A tear ran down from one eye, soaking the fur of her face.

“Yes, sheriff,” she said sadly.

“So why are you committing crimes?”

“She didn’t! it was-” said Nick.

“Hold on, Nick.  Let her talk,” insisted the sheriff.

Judy ignored the question. “HE didn’t!  Please don’t get him in trouble!”

“You know, by admitting to a crime, you might not be able to be an officer, Judy?”

“Y-yes,” she said, holding tighter to Nick.

Bonnie stepped forward. “Sheriff, play-doh only lasts so long. We aren’t going to worry about that, or clay, or some scrap wood that was going to be burned.”

“BUT the fox admitted he stole it!” yelled Derrick.

“Let’s move on,” said the sheriff.  “What about this fox-away spray?”

“He sprayed me with it! He’s a sneaky thieving fox!” said Derrick.

“I sprayed him,” admitted Nick.  “I was setting up the altar for the offering when slammed me into the ground-”

“See! He admits it!” yelled the teenage bunny.

“Hold on,” said the buck, holding up a paw to  Nick and turning to Derrick. “So did you grab the fox and throw him down?”

“Yeah, he’s a thief.  I pinned him and he threatened me, so I slammed him down and-”

“How did he threaten you?” asked the sheriff.

“He-,” there was a pause.  Derrick’s eyes flashed to the doe standing next to him, before going back to the sheriff. “He was just telling some lies,” he said, eyes turning up to the sky.

The badger sheriff turned to Nick.  “So how did you threaten…Derrick, is it, in any way?”

Nick looked at Derrick.  The teen bunny looked back, eyes going wide.  Nick breathed in, scenting fear radiating off Derrick.  The eyes flicked to the doe hanging on the teenage bunnies’ arm before going back to Nick.

“I asked him to let the Offering finish before calling you.  He said 'no' and was going to stop the Spirit Offering for my parents.  I told him-" Nick looked at Derrick who gave a…pleading look.

"It's okay, Sheriff.  I knocked him down, and he sprayed me.  It's all over…' said Derrick quickly.

“Nick, you finish up,” said Sheriff McGrath, taking Nick aside, and moving about ten feet away from the rest of the crowd. 

Nick looked over, saw the group of bunnies' ears rotate towards them, and realized that just about every bunny there would be able to hear what was said at ten feet.

‘The fox that gives the fight an out, has Something they can Brag About.’

“Sheriff, it was just an argument. I grabbed the fox away from Derrick’s pocket and sprayed him.  I have nothing more to say.  Can I say ‘goodbye’ before we go to jail?”

The badger approached Stu and Bonnie.  “So far, I have your fox on ‘Possession of Alcohol by a Minor’.  The USE of fox spray seems to be self defense.  I have Derrick on ‘Possession of Fox Away by a minor’ according to the fox,” said the badger, pointing at Derrick.

“Finally,” he said, looking at Judy. “Do YOU want to change your story about who stole all these items?”

Ears droopy, Judy said “No! I DID IT and Nick should not be in trouble!”

“You do know that I get lied to all day long, right?  And I can tell a lie when I see one?” asked the Sheriff casually.

Judy sniffed. “Yes.”

“And you know, lying to Law Enforcement means you can get a criminal record, and be banned from even going to the Police Academy? or even being a licensed Security Guard?”

“Yes.” said Judy.

The badger looked harshly at Judy.  “Are you going to keep lying to me?! Should I take you to Jail?”

Wiping away a tear, Judy held her paws out to be pawcuffed.  “I’m not changing my story!”

The badger smiled.  “Good.  YOU will make a good officer some day, Judy.”

Sheriff McGrath looked at Bonnie and Stu again. “It seems there really isn’t any reason for me to hang around.  You said you weren’t interested in pressing charges about some old play-doh or clay.  The wooden piece was scrap due to be burned, and the spraying was in self-defense.  The fox isn’t even pressing charges against Derrick for assault.”

Bonnie and Stu looked at each other, then back at the officer.  “What do we have to do, Sheriff McGrath?”

“Well, I’ll let you handle discipline of your burrow.”

Everyone is free to go.” The badger turned to Derrick. “You got LUCKY this time. Keep your paws to yourself for now on.”

The sheriff turned around, and headed for his cruiser as Nick was slammed into by a gray form.  The breath was knocked out of him as he lay on the ground, being crushed by a bear hug from his best friend.

In the background he heard a chant start up, making his ears fold back in embarrassment.

He saw Judy’s ears go straight up, and turn beet red as she let go.

“Nick and Judy, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G…”

“We’re JUST FRIENDS!” was the shared response.

– end of chapter 4

Chapter Text

The Misfits of Bunnyburrow:

Chapter 5: Getting Schooled - part 1

Judy blinked back tears of frustration as she ran cold water over her aching right paw from a small dirty sink of the neglected “Predator” bathroom in a back hallway of Bunnyburrow Public School.

Above the sink was a battered and scratched metal paper towel dispenser, with only a single ragged sheet left. Below that was a cracked and empty liquid soap dispenser hanging on the wall by a single screw and enthusiastic application of gray ZooDollar-store duct tape.

The gray-furred bunny examined her paw, noting the claw on the smallest finger had broken off during one of her wilder swings.

“ I hope it got stuck in one of them!” said Judy to herself, sniffling and wiping her nose with the back of her other paw, gritting her teeth. She was NOT about to cry; she would not give them the satisfaction.

“ Why won’t they just leave us alone? ” she whispered to herself, sniffling again.

“ Crazy Judy?” asked a voice behind her, using the nickname the bunny quietly hated.

Judy jumped, gasping in the stink of the urine soaked bathroom as she spun in midair. She had been so upset that she hadn't heard anyone else coming into the bathroom behind her.

She let out a low growl as she landed on the faded, formerly off-white broken tiles of the bathroom floor.

She had been expecting to see one of her bunny attackers when she locked eyes with a younger skunk doe in pink overalls.

“ Are you crying?” asked the skunk.

“ No, I'm not!” said Judy defiantly, wiping her nose again with the back of her left paw, wet right paw dripping water on the floor, generating a slightly cleaner spot where the drops hit the dirty tile.

“ You got a nosebleed. You should see the nurse.”

Judy looked down at the back of her left paw and was surprised to see bloodstains trailing across. She turned around and looked up above the sink for her reflection but the broken glass was missing and never replaced, leaving just an empty mirror frame.

Judy grabbed the last scrap of paper towel, emptying the dispenser completely as the skunk ran past her and into a stall. Judy held the paper towel in place, trying to stop the bleeding. 

A few minutes later the skunk exited the stall, wet her paws with the water from a dirty sink, avoiding the mold, and wiped them dry on her overalls.

“ Are you really the bunny who wants to be a police officer?”

Judy nodded, closing her eyes, hoping to get the next round of abuse over with quickly.

She adjusted the paper towel, which was getting saturated with blood. This little skunk wasn’t likely to attack her, and Judy couldn’t start hitting other mammals because they were mean to her. That would be criminal behavior.

There was rustling of plastic, and Judy heard “Take these, bunny.”

Judy opened her purple eyes in surprise, and saw the little skunk pulling a small plastic packet of tissues from the front pocket of her overalls. Holding her arm out straight, keeping herself as far from Judy as she could, the black and white striped first grader offered the tissue packet to the bunny.

Judy slowly reached out, then hesitated, worrying about “skunk reek” getting on her fur. The little skunk doe looked irritated for a second and waved the packet at Judy.

“ It’s okay, they don’t stink . I didn’t spray . I just went to the bathroom.”

The skunk continued to hold the tissues out, and said “When you are a police bunny you gotta be nicer to skunks!” 

Judy, ears heating up from embarrassment, took the offered tissues.

 “ -ank you,” replied Judy, opening the tissues quickly and applying one to her nose with her good paw.

“ I gotta go, ‘afore I get in trouble. Bye, bunny.”

Judy considered going herself, but figured it would be safer to wait until her nose bleed stopped, and most of the other bunnies were in class.

*********

As the class filed out into the hallway and headed towards the cafeteria, Nick approached his locker. He grabbed the lock to open it,  but stopped. He could tell it had been opened while he had been in class. He sniffed as the class went to their own lockers or went directly towards the lunchroom. 

There was a not-fox scent, but NOT an expected Hopps scent. It might have been nothing, but the dials on his lock were no longer set on ‘0,0,3,1’ where he always left them.

Nick bent closer to the lock, bringing his head closer as though he was trying to see the faded numerals. He sniffed quietly. His own scent was there. He sniffed again, familiar scents easier to recognize, bringing up associated memories and images. Fresh-baked carrot-cake in the small kitchen, the warm embrace of Mom- no! Of Bonnie Hopps.   

Then there was… shopping ?

No, a plastic bag and ink . Someone tried to cover their paw with a plastic bag to turn the dials. 

Looking around, Nick didn’t see anyone watching, he was the only one left in the hallway now. He took a deep sniff of the top of the shackle and sneezed, several times. Nick shook his head to clear the scent of paw sanitizer from his nose.  Someone had placed a dab of paw sanitizer, thinking to defeat his nose. He moved his nose off to the side.

Leaperson scent. One of the few Old Families in Bunnyburrow with property and money. Not only a Leaperson, but Mary Leaperson , daughter of the Assistant Principal. Trying to tell on her would be stupid .

An honest fox that points the blame

Is called a liar to his shame.

Nick thought for a minute then tried to remember how to change the combination again. He did it once, months ago, before school started for him, with help from the Hopps handy-mammal. Barrett? Barney? There were too many names to remember in the warren.

He unlocked his lock, and pulled up the shackle, turned it ninety-degrees counter-clockwise, pushed down. He tried to turn it again, in the same direction, but it wouldn’t move.

Nick pulled it up and randomly spun the dials, giving up for now. He would take it home and have that maintenance bunny help.

The only ones who knew his combination were him and Judy. Except the school office made him write it down . He had always made sure no one was watching when he unlocked it.

A thought came to him. Mary Leaperson volunteers in the school office .

Grabbing his lunchbox, Nick closed his locker and took a sniff of the metal container. Nothing gross. Paint. Oil for the hinges . No saliva or worse, but he knew the strong scent of his peanut butter and jelly sandwich, through the closed dented metal container and the sandwich bag.

He walked down to the cafeteria, catching up to the rest of the students who already had been hopping or walking that way.Nick sat at his usual table, at the edge of the room, next to the trash cans.

He pretended not to notice several tables of bunnies watching him opening the lunchbox, revealing the sandwich, snacks, and a thermos. He pulled the ziplock bags out, noticing Mary’s scent on top of the expected Hopps kitchen staff.

Nick removed his thermos full of fruit juice, set it aside and grabbed his sandwich, carefully peeking under the bread to make sure there were no nails, tacks or hurtful things.  

He could only find the added ingredient he recognized by smell, mixed with scents of peanut butter, grape jelly and the bread.

“ Harassers have no mercy, they want to see your fears

Wise foxes bury anger, cover tears.

Tricksy bullies follow, from birth unto the grave,

Reverse their tricks upon them, Teach them to Behave.”

He took a big bite. He heard giggling, and from the corner of his eye saw a couple dozen bunnies staring at him.  

He pretended to not notice, and tail wagging, with a grin he took another bite, covering his teeth with a paw as usual to show good manners, while in mixed (prey) company.

  He heard whispers from the bunnies around him talking to each other as they stared.

“ He’s eating it!”

“ Just watch. He’s gonna start crying!”

He paused to toss a couple grapes in the air and catch them in his muzzle before switching back to his sandwich. Tail wagging, he pushed his drink away and took a third bite. He heard murmurs of whispered comments from the tables begin to rise to a higher volume.

“ It didn’t work!”

“ Did Mary really do it?”

“ I saw her put it in!”

“ Did she add the wrong stuff?”

“ Shhh! He’ll hear us!”

“ Nah, foxes can’t hear like bunnies.”

At the fourth bite Nick heard a voice right next to him.

“ What are you eating, fox ?” demanded Mary.

Nick swallowed the bite he was chewing on. “Peanut butter and jelly with Sweet Honey! It’s great! I’m going to ask Mom- I mean Mrs. Hopps -to add it again.”

The popular bun flicked one of her sparkly ear loops and leaned over with a cruel smile, and whispered “Mrs. Hopps isn't your mom, pelt! Your mom is dead .”

When they try to make you sad

Fake a smile to make them mad.

Nick responded by calmly taking another bite of the half of the sandwich he had in paw, and smiling.

The brown and white bunny looked surprised, and snatched up the other half of Nick’s sandwich still sitting on top of the “Zoo-lock sandwich bag”.

“ Hey, what are you doing?” asked Nick, loud enough to be heard. “You didn’t ask!”

Smirking, the brown doe in designer jeans flicked her ears and took a huge bite of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich and began chewing.

“ Don’t be so selfish!’ she said around the stolen lunch, swallowing. She started on a second bite then stopped, eyes wide, ears shooting straight up. Spitting out the chewed up sandwich on the front of her own shirt and started screaming, orange, purple and brown covered tongue sticking out.

She began to drool, and sneezed, her nose starting to run fiercely.  

She waved her paws at her stuck out tongue, still drooling, runny nose making a nasty mess down her face. Eyes watering, the bunny let out a wordless scream, and wiped her nose with a silken shirtsleeve.

Mary desperately looked around, and shrieked “Peas! Wa-er! WA-ER!”, tongue still out, as the other bunnies backed away. None of them offered any help at all.

Nick grabbed his thermos and took a drink of his red fruit juice as the bunny’s eyes looked around for anything at all to cool her burning mouth. The fox swallowed, then took a second drink in his muzzle, before “Miss Popular Bunny” Mary Leaperson spotted the thermos in his paw.

He slowly and openly spat his mouthful of fruit punch back in the thermos then held it out to her. The bunny quickly took it with both paws, and urgently started drinking. In her rush to cool her mouth, she spilled half of what she tried to drink down the front of her white shirt, staining it red.

Several bunnies, seeing her drinking from his thermos, yelled out “Gross!”, “Nasty!”, and the ever popular “EWW! Fox cooties!”

Before long, the thermos was empty, and she dropped it carelessly on the floor, adding another dent to the green metal container that had been used by generations of Hopps bunnies.

“ Pease! ‘Ore WA-ER! ” begged the brown furred bunny, looking around, starting to cry, while she waved a paw at her tongue to fan air to it.

She looked at Nick. “Pease thox! WA-ER!”.

When Nick did not reply, she yelled out, “ ‘M THORRY!”

A large number of students, mostly bunnies, staring at the spectacle had formed a ring around the scene, half a dozen bunnies deep at every point, blocking movement towards or away from the table and trash cans.

Nick tossed a half filled water bottle pulled from the trash can to her, before casually taking another bite of his peanut butter, jelly and hot buffalo sauce sandwich.

Mary caught the water bottle, ripped it open, and started to drink the contents to try to cool her burning mouth.

The doe ignored the disgusted “Ewwww!” noises from the other bunnies and drank deeply, squeezing every last drop from the plastic bottle.

Nick finished his sandwich and watched the laughter start as the drooling bunny wiped her nasty nose on her sleeve and curled up in a ball on the dirty floor.

Feeling sorry for her, the fox tossed his plastic bag of tuna and cheese-flavored “fish crackers” to the wailing bunny.

“ These will scrape the spices off your tongue,” said Nick.

The mewling bunny started desperately chewing the predator crackers, holding her tummy as she scarfed them down, eyes watering.

Shoving his way past the crowd that was more interested in Mary, Nick ran up to the lunch line and pulled out a zoo-dollar from his pocket. He dropped it in front of the matronly lunch-doe and grabbed two bottles of water. The cafeteria worker nodded but remained on the phone, calling the office.

As the lunchroom got louder and louder with yelling, laughter and a gathering crowd starting to encircle the bunny on the floor tighter, the fox gave the “fancy pants” brown furred bunny one of the water bottles and sat down, saving the plastic sandwich bag and finishing his grapes.

*****

“ Tell me why I should not be expelling both of these…troublemakers right now, Mr. Hopps!” demanded Mrs. Leaperson.

“ Well…they…I'm sorry Mrs. Leaperson. I know they are weird oddballs and don't fit in, but can't we just make them write sentences?”

“ Sentences, Mr. Hopps? Do you think Writing Sentences is appropriate for poisoning another student? Or an assault on multiple bunnies? What about YOU Miss Hopps? Do you think it’s appropriate to write sentences for assaults and poisonings?” demanded the Assistant Principal.

The doe responded. “I don’t care. Do whatever with the freaks.”

“ That's not fair! I didn’t try to fight them ! The four of them tried to beat me up!”, yelled Judy.

“ I didn’t poison anyfur Mrs. Leaperson! Someone broke in my locker and put hot buffalo sauce in my lunch; I was just eating it.I saved the plastic bag for proof.  Mary took my sandwich and ate it herself. I even gave her drinks and crackers.”

“ Is this going to affect my wood shop club?”, asked the Hopps buck.

“ My daughter had to go home sick today after lunch!” shouted Mrs. Leaperson.

“ I’m sorry she pelleted her pants in class, but I didn’t do it,” said Nick.

“ Both of these troublemakers are expelled from Bunnyburrow Public School, effective IMMEDIATELY!”

“ Whatever,” said Miss Hopps. “I don’t care what happens to these two losers.”

“ No. The Student Paw-book says you need a PARENT or GUARDIAN meeting to expel, not litter-mates!” said Judy. “It’s Regulation 12a, section 4, page 43.”

“ That's right, so you need to call a meeting with Mom and Da-”, said Eric.

“ Mom and Dad aren't coming for this! Our names came up in the hat this week fo-” said Ellen.

“ ENOUGH!”, shouted the angry adult doe, slamming a paw on her desk, cutting off all conversation. She glared at Judy and Nick.

“ Five days suspension! Which goes on your Permanent Record! ”

***

Raymond Hopps set down his lunch tray, and was about to bite into the eggplant lettuce and tomato sandwich when he noticed Larry trying to edge his way past and find a table at the edge of the room.

“ Larry, come over and sit here with us!” he called out, pointing to the single empty seat next to him. Raymond heard Larry’s heartbeat speed up, and his breathing started getting shallow and fast.

He waited for a moment, then waved over Larry again to the empty seat.

Cautiously, Larry hopped over, looked at the other buns, and seeing no objections, sat down.

“ Th-thanks for letting me sit here…” said Larry, meekly.

He kept the arms of his forepaws close to his sides, staying as small as possible.

“ You’re a Hopps, you can sit at a Hopps table,” replied Raymond.

“ Everybun else here agree?” he asked the rest of the table, looking at the other Hopps bunnies intently, almost daring them to disagree.

The other eight bunnies at the table paused eating or talking and either nodded silently, gave a thumbs up, or verbally agreed, and went back to their own meals.

From the right side, Eric leaned in close, and said quietly “The doc fixed you up; you aren’t pissing your pants any more, so you’re okay now. Besides, you beat the pants off the Brownfurr team in ‘Dance, Dance, Evolution 1 ’ last week. Makes us all look better, Larry.”

Larry started to eat, heartbeat slowing just a little bit, though he was nervous.

As he chewed his sandwich, he paused.

He leaned forward, his mouth closer to the most senior buck at the table.

“ Raymond, did you hear about the fight in the back hallway? It was four Hackles on a Hopps bun, and Lisa Hackles had to have a claw removed from her leg by the nurse!”

“ What?!” said Raymond in shock, lunch forgotten. He leapt to his footpaws, seat sliding back. The other buns at the table looked up, and seemed to be waiting for Raymond to give an order. One or two started eating quickly, in case they needed to run off to do something and abandon the table.

“ Who did they go after? That ain’t fair!”

“ One of the Otterly’s saw it happen; Crazy Judy got jumped coming from the library, just before 3 rd period bell.”

Raymond sat back down, picking up his lunch again and starting to eat. The rest of the bunnies looked relieved.

“ You had me worried for a minute. I was about to call for a Defense Fluffle, but we don’t need a war going on with the Hackles.”

Three years earlier, the Softpaws and the Hackles had nearly shut down the school when “Handsome Harry” Softpaw had broken up with Patricia Hackles at the Homecoming Dance. Patricia Hackles found Harry had been two-timing on her with her littermate Melissa, going out with both does at the same time. She confronted Harry, slapping him across the muzzle for the embarrassment.

He pushed Patricia away, dumped fruit punch on her brand new dress, and kissed Melissa Hackles right in front of her.

When Harry refused to apologize and pay for the ruined dress it turned into a claws out swinging and kicking brawl that broke three folding tables, two chairs, and a large soap bubble machine owned by the DJ.

It took nearly a week to get the brawling to stop in the hallways, busses, and on Main Street of Bunnyburrow as several hundred school age bunnies clashed on sight of each other.

After that, fights between the larger bunny families became rare. It was understood that going after a family member would invite all-out conflict. As a result, physical fights and bullying involving the larger burrow family members were rare.

Except for the outcasts.

******

“ Why aren't you angry?!” demanded Judy, plopping down on her bed in their shared bedroom.

“ Getting mad won't help, Judy,” said Nick.

“ This isn't fair! We didn't do anything wrong!”

Nick took Judy in a hug. “I know. That's what happens. And If you get mad or sad they get happy.”

Nick paused and recited:

“ When they try to make you sad

Fake a smile to make them mad.”

“ What's that?” asked Judy, looking curious.

“ My Mom and Dad would say things. They are s’posed to make you a wise n’clever fox. It's from the ‘Magnet Vulpes’. It protects you from other mammals.”

“ Does it work?”, asked the doe.

“ Yep. Before she started eating the spicy sandwich Mary was real mad when I smiled, and kept eating when she said mean things about my mom and dad.”

Judy moved next to Nick and scratched behind his ear, making his right footpaw wave in the air. The reaction created a small smile on Judy’s face, like always.

“ I'm sorry she was mean to you, Nick. She's not a nice bunny,” said Judy.

“ It's okay, Judy. Some buns are the worst, and some are the best,” said Nick, flicking an ear towards Judy.

The two sat in comfortable silence together, grooming each other. Judy heard the heartbeat of the fox slow as Nick scented Judy’s changed scent, and was reminded of warm summer days, relaxing on a grassy hillside in the sunshine, while a cool breeze went past.

Judy remembered a rumor  from hearing hallway talk in school, and accidental eavesdropping in the burrow dining room.

Judy paused, then leaned in close, and in a conspiratorial whisper asked “Did she really pellet her pants in class?”

Nick grinned a foxy grin. “Yep. Mary came back from the nurses office, and didn't say nothing to nofur. A few buns were laughing and whispering about her drinking from a fox-drool thermos, and water from the trash.

Mary got upset and went to the bathroom, and came back with her face washed and her fur brushed. I think she was crying ‘cause I could smell salty tears and her scent was sad.

Halfway through class when one of the bucks offered to grab her a drink from the trash can for later, the entire class laughed, and Mary started crying again, and ran out a second time. While she was gone, the teacher yelled at the class for being disruptive and ordered them to stop distracting from the lesson.

Then the last time Mary wasn't crying and asked to go again, twice, but Mrs Greenbrush said ‘No’ and to stop asking.

Then Mary jumped up, started to run for the door in the middle of class, grabbed her tummy, then pelleted, in front of everyone!”

The two laughed, then sat quietly.

Judy’s expression changed. “But we still got suspended! it's going on our Permanent Record!”

“ What does a record do?”

“ I don't know. But it sounds bad.”

“ The police said I have a record ‘cause I got arrested.”

“ No, Nick. Mom says when you turn 18 the stealing food doesn't count anymore! So you can have a good job and live in a nice house.”

Nick remembered his parents trying to find a place to live when their old apartment was being torn down. It took a long time. They would go to a place and just weren't quick enough. When they would go to look at the apartment, Nick heard some landlords say the place was 'Just rented out' before they got there. Another landlord found problems they needed to fix before they could rent it. Finally a couple rabbit landlords apologized, but only five minutes before a relative with a new litter called and needed a place to live or they would all be out in the street.

Nick started running during recess so they would get to an apartment in time. While waiting, the fox family stayed with friends a couple times before landlords threw them out for not having a “leash”. Dad had the idea to go 'Car Camping' in the closed campground just before winter started. Finally another fox told them of an apartment. It wasn't as nice as the places they were too slow to rent, but it was better than sleeping in the cold car.

Foxes were always too slow to live in the nicer places, or they always cost too much.

“ I can't have those things, Judy.”

The bunny gasped. Images of all the ‘True Fox Crime Spree’ stories from Pop-Pop ran through her imagination 

“ Why not? What else did you do, Nick?” she whispered, conspiratorially.

“ I’m just a fox,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone.

**********

The next morning Judy woke at the usual time, and dragged a miserable half-asleep fox around the running track before breakfast and morning chores. Once the two of them finished trash collection, Nick went back to bed, instead of rushing off to school as usual.

The bunny approached Ellen and Eric. The two older buns were randomly picked this week as “School Captains”. The “Captains” took care of parental tasks when Stu and Bonnie were too busy to go to the school for issues with their hundreds of kits.

“ Ellen, me and Nick need someone to pick up our missing work from school, so we don't fall behind.”

“ Too bad. I’m not wasting my time on you two.”

“ But I need to keep my grades up to get to police school!”

“ Good. We’ll all laugh watching you fail. Even Mom and Dad think you are a useless embarrassing freak!”

--

Judy was hit by a huge wave of sadness, and she stiffened her expression, feeling tears threatening to well up in her eyes. Judy forced herself to smile as she felt her mouth start to twist with sadness.

Why do you have to be such a witch? I just want my school-work!

Ellen walked away, rolling her eyes as she headed towards the line headed to the school bus.

Judy went back to her bedroom, quietly slipping into her bed, and pulling the blanket over her head. Pain in her throat forced her to swallow, as she held back a sob threatening to break loose by chewing on her pillow. Aggravation overwhelming her, Judy punched the pillow several times, sending shock waves through the pillow and into the mattress.

Judy buried her face in the pillow, feeling silent tears start to fall and soak into the cotton pillowcase, when Nick groggily rolled over in his sleep and wrapped a paw around her, hugging her tight.

Eventually she also fell asleep, next to the one reliable source of warmth and comfort in her life.

--

Mary approached her locker, removing her new pink Hanna Antlerson sweater. She had “accidentally” left the price tag on, the three figure price tag prominently displayed for everybun to see.

She approached her locker and found a brilliant red gift bag was there, hanging on an ‘S hook’ attached to the vent holes. The tag had “Mary” on it, from “Scott Greyfurr”, who was the top player on the Junior Munch team. He was one of the most popular bucks in the whole grade.

Mary turned around and looked, finding Scott watching, while a group of slightly less popular buns watched them both from the sidelines. Mary smiled, flipping her right ear back, the way the Preyda models did, and took the gift bag off the coat hook inside the locker’s interior.

“ For me?” she asked, making a big show of receiving the gift. She was one of the most popular does in the fourth grade after all.

Scott nodded. “I got it just for you, Mary. Hope you like it.”

The doe pulled out the red tissue covering the top of the gift bag and dropped it on the floor. The raccoon janitor could pick it up in between eating trash from the dumpster.

Mary reached in the bag and felt something light weight and sort of cotton-like. She grabbed it and pulled it out to display it to everyone in the hallway watching.

When she pulled a “Panther” brand bunny sized diaper out of the bag she stopped and stared, then looked at Scott, dumbfounded.

“ They have scent blockers so you don’t skunk out the class next time you pellet your pants.” he said, grinning, as all the other buns in the hallway startled laughing.

Mary’s ears drooped, and she let go of the gift bag, and ran, the world getting blurry with tears as she raced off.

The next thing she knew, Mary found herself in a bathroom she had never been in before. She had started running away from the cruel buns laughing and pointing at her. She tried to get to the school office, but every time she turned herself towards that direction, she found a bunny crowd blocking the way.

She had headed away from the other bunnies, and ended up here, in the most disgusting bathroom, ever . The dirty floor hadn’t been mopped. One of the stalls was missing a door, another had a nasty yellowish puddle in the center of the floor.

The whole room stank, the sinks were dirty. There wasn’t even a mirror to check her appearance in!

While Mary started looking around to try and figure out what part of the school she was in, the door opened and in walked a pair of skunks! Mary reached up to cover her nose, when one of the skunks turned the tables on her.

He was approaching the urinal on the wall, and turned to his friend next to him and yelled out “Hey, watch out! Somebun needs a diaper change and is stinking up the bathroom!”

From behind, the bathroom door opened and closed again, the hinge making a clicking sound.

The other skunk responded, “Hey, Miss Pellet-Pants, couldn’t make it to the stall in time? Have the nurse change your diapey for you!”

Mary looked down at her own paw and saw the Panther brand bunny diaper “with pellet scent blockers” still there. She threw it down on the dirty floor, and thumped her right paw on the floor in irritation.

“ Do you know who you are talking to, reeker?”

“ You, Pellet-Pants!” said the skunk. Both of the skunks turned their heads, making a point of holding their noses.

Mary heard a voice from behind her, and her ears shot up in surprise.

“ Don’t be mean to the bunny, Roger! It’s not nice!”

Mary looked behind her and saw a little skunk in pink overalls, who turned and looked at Mary. “Don’t be sad. Everyone has accidents sometimes.”

The bunny stared at the little skunk in shock.

“ I’m Maria,” the skunk said, grabbing Mary’s paw. “I’ll be your friend.”

Maria leaned forward, and whispered to Mary “Lets go to the nurse to get you changed a’fore anyone notices!”

“ I didn’t pellet my pants!” screamed the frustrated bunny, yanking her paw away.

Mary heard laughter from the skunks at the urinals, giggling from whatever was in the end stall, and the hallway on the other side of the bathroom door.

***

Eric finished his multiple choice worksheet on Modern Lapine History, and after asking permission, hopped to the wing for the lower grades. He waited until the bell rang, and fighting the flow of traffic, entered the classroom past all the exiting bunnies.

“ Mrs. Coneyton, Can I please get the schoolwork and homework for Judy Hopps that she will miss out on this week?”

The elderly rabbit had started with a neutral-grumpy expression that changed to full irritation when Judy’s name was mentioned.

“ Your embarrassment of a relative doesn’t come to my class, then I am expected to do extra unpaid work for her benefit? After that I expect you want me to accept her late assignments and then grade them?”

“ Sorry, Mrs. Coneyton, Judy was suspended and sh-”

“ Then she shouldn’t have gotten herself suspended. It sounds like her poor grades will be part of her punishment. Do you know how much extra time it takes to grade papers that are different from the rest of the class? I have to search out answer sheets just for her, and do it individually instead of in a batch.”

“ Mrs. Coneyton, I know Judy is an oddball, but she will be really upset if her grades go dow-”

“ I am through speaking on this subject, young Mr. Hopps.”

Eric got up and walked out, thanking Mrs. Coneyton for her time.

He was not terribly surprised when Nick’s teachers gave similar responses.

***

Barbara Leaperson was looking over budget requests for the next quarter, finishing up the usual ritual of reassigning a quarter of the building maintenance funds towards the cheerleading and munch programs when she heard a noise in the outer office.

She was about to click the ‘SAVE’ icon when her office door suddenly flew open and her daughter Mary ran in, and landed in her lap, face pressed into her new pantsuit. rocking her chair back, making her mis-click.

Irritated, Barbara pushed Mary back from her, and noticed the tears and snotty nose had stained her shirt.

Looking up at the screen, she had accidentally clicked on some arrow that went up and reversed course, back down to the left. The entire three paragraphs she had added were gone!

“ J-J-Jean-Jeannie Whitefoot was passing notes that I p-pelleted in my p-p-pants again!” said Mary in between her blubbering. “Everyone is laughing at me behind my ba-”

The whining was cut off immediately as Barbara issued a head rocking open palm slap to Mary’s face.

“ You are a Leaperson and you will act like one and stop your bawling. Compose yourself!” said Barbara in a fierce whisper.

Mary tried to force herself to quiet down, clamping her muzzle shut, small sobs escaping from her between her lips, drooling like a disgusting canid on her mother’s shirt front.

Irritated, Barbara grabbed Mary’s ear and twisted it, making her kit freeze from the pain.

“ I said stop your blubbering. Do you understand me?”

The younger bun held her breath, reddened eyes wide with fear. Mary wiped the tears from the soaked fur around her reddened eyes, and wiped her mouth with her sleeve. Eventually her breathing calmed so she appeared to have a little dignity.

“ Now, tell me calmly without whimpering about what you were trying to say.”

“ Jeannie was supposed to be my friend ! She is saying things about me that aren’t true! I didn’t pellet my pants again, Mom! She is telling lies!”

Barbara released her grip on the ear of the smaller bun, and started to stroke Mary’s head gently. The younger bun relaxed and lost some of her skittish expression.

“I know you didn’t, Mary. We all know it happened because the fox poisoned you. I will deal with Jeannie and her friends. We will have to teach them ALL what happens when you cross a Leaperson.”

“ So I need to pay back the fox?” asked Mary, expression starting to brighten up. “I can have Big Darryl beat him up!”

“ No, Mary. Beating up that vermin won’t hurt him. He’s a fox and probably gets beaten all the time. If you really want to get back at him, hurt him where he is weak.”

“ I already made fun of his dead Mom. He didn’t care!”

“ No, the trashy vixen is already dead, and filthy preds don’t care about family. But he seems to only have one friend. The rest of the Hopps hate him. You hurt his friend and you’ll see him care!

If we get her to abandon him that filthy pelt he will wither on the vine like a rotten tomato.

We need to make an example of Judy Hopps.”

***

[Nick permission form schedule scene]

Two days into their suspension, Nick had finished his assigned chores and tried to find something to do. Without schoolwork to complete, Judy kept trying to drag the fox to the “training course” she was creating on a brush-filled trail on the edge of one of the fields.

Nick tried to avoid the area after he got too close to a batch of weeds and needed help to get the dozens of burrs out of his fur. Nurse Caitlin nearly needed to cut some of the fur off his side and tail to remove the painful round fuzzy hitch-hikers.

Bored, Nick started to go through his school bag, and while searching found the sign-up form for the Ranger Scouts. He quickly scanned the form, and found a deadline for signing up was coming up within days. If the form was not submitted in time, he needed to wait for next year.

He pulled out a pencil and started to fill it out. He paused at the “Species” column and wondered what to put there. They didn’t even seem to have a predator choice. He put down name, address, age, and paused at the height, weight, allergies, and medical conditions spots.

Nurse Caitlin can help with those.

Nick got to the bottom of the sheet, noticing it needed parent or guardian signatures. His normal scheduled time with Mom and Stu wasn’t for another 3 months.

Occasionally he would be invited for a casual meal by Bonnie, usually after she received an advertisement from the Pride-Lands End, or had spoken to Miss Vera, the fox from who worked there.

Since the last time was three weeks ago, he wasn’t likely to be invited for supper before the deadline hit.

The fox kit checked the schedule on the bulletin board for both Bonnie and Stu. He started to check when he could schedule in time with either one of them and found even the 3-5 minute “free time” blocks were listed as “N/A”(Not Available).

He thought this was very odd, they usually had early evening times set aside for casual conversations. You just needed to be quick enough to schedule time before the slots were taken up. These scheduled times were highlighted in red, and the slots were crossed out with a red highlighter, with the comment “B.MOON”.

What bun is B.Moon?

Not seeing any other option, Nick looked around to see if any of other buns near could help out. He saw a doe nearby he vaguely recognized from somewhere. “Ellen” or something.

“ Ellen, can you help me?”, he asked.

The doe ignored him completely as she kept walking. He tried again. “Hey!” he called out, and reached out to tap her on the shoulder. She turned to look at the younger fox with a sneer.

“ What do you want, Judy’s Fox?”

Nick pointed to the schedule, and asked “Who is ‘B Moon’ and why have they taken up all the time for Mom and Stu?”

“ There is no-bun named ‘B Moon’, you idiot fox. Its blocked off because the scheduled time is under a bad moon. Duh! No wonder you foxes have such bad luck!”

“ Ellen, if you help me, I’ll owe you a favor. I’m trying to get permission to join the Ranger Scouts, but I have to get it signed off by a parent or guardian.”

“ It’s not ‘Ellen’ it's ‘Eileen’, Judy’s fox. Can’t you foxes learn names?”

“ My name is ‘ Nick’ not ‘ Judy’s fox’. There’s only one fox to remember, not over two hundred. Can’t you remember one fox?”

The doe glared at the fox.

“ Eileen, if you help me, I’ll try to help you.”

“ Help me what, pelt? Why do you think I need help from you ? You are just an abandoned fox kit Mom took in. You aren’t special . She’s ashamed of you, and nobun really wants you. They only care about what you do for them. Nothing great about you, you are just a new project til Mom gets bored, and dumps you.”

“ I’m not a project,” protested Nick.

“ Then why aren’t you eating in the small kitchen with them three days a week? That sounds like a project Mom got bored with to me, fox. You were just a worthless hobby .”

Those who knock a fox’s worth

know none themselves, to now, from Birth.

They hide themselves by...by…

Nick tried to remember the “Fox Wisdom” that applied to this situation but it was one of the longer passages. The Wilde family copy of “Magnet Vulpes” was long gone, abandoned when Nick had been locked out of his parents’ old apartment and forced onto the streets at eight years old.

Nick hadn’t heard the book read in over a year, and his Mom could no longer help him recite the passages any longer.

When Nick froze with indecision Eileen walked away with a smirk on her muzzle.

Larry dropped off his schoolbag in his room, grabbed a snack, then quickly finished the homework he had started in class, which only took about half an hour.

Finishing the last bites of his yellow cupcake, Larry licked the vanilla frosting from the fur around his muzzle. He exited his small bedroom, and walked down the hallway towards Lounge 3. As he turned the corner, he noticed Nick in the hallway next to the bulletin board, holding a piece of paper in his paw, ears folded back, eyes downcast.

“ Hi, Nick. Do you want to play ‘Dance, Dance, Evolution’ with me again?”

The fox’s ears quickly went back to their normal position, and Nick turned to look at him, a friendly smile instantly on his muzzle.

“ That sounds fun, but I’m trying to get Mom and Stu to fill out a form for the Ranger Scouts. How can I get them to sign it when they don’t have time?”

“ Just take it to the Scribe,” he replied.

“ What’s a scribe?” asked Nick.

“ The Scribe,” said Larry. “She is the bun who signs off on things for Mom and Dad. So you can get your paper signed. I’ll show you where her office is, then we can go play.”

“ Do all bunny families have a scribe?” asked Nick as they walked down the hallways past groups of bunnies.

“ All the bigger families, like the Hopps do,” Larry said proudly.

“ So Mom and Stu never know what their kits are doing?”

“ Why do they need to know?” asked Larry.

“ My parents always knew what I was doing. Either Mom or Dad would go to my things. When I did a play in 1 st grade they both got to see me be one of Robin Hood’s Merry Mammals.

I was ‘Merry Mammal 6’ and I got to carry the stolen plates from the Sheriff of Nottingham away to give to the poor. Dad said I did great remembering my line.”

“ I wish Mom and Dad would watch me play for the Hopps,” said Larry. “Foxes are lucky.”

****

At the beginning of third period half a dozen bunnies found themselves unhappily pulled out of class, and standing in front of Assistant Principle Leaperson. The adult sat behind her desk, saying nothing, making them silently sit there for ten minutes while she filled out paperwork.

Finally, Mrs. Leaperson reached down, pressed a button on her phone, which emitted a beeping noise, and the crackle of a speaker could be heard.

“ Yes, Mrs. Leaperson?”

“ Bring in the treats, please.”

Within a moment, the secretary brought in a plastic plate with some bunny shaped chocolate treats on it, each held by a paper mini-muffin paper sleeve.

Looking up at the group of nervous bunny students, waiting to find out why they were in her office, Mrs. Leaperson pointed to the plate.

“ You will each take ONE TREAT and eat it now.”

The bunnies shuffled over, each taking a single piece of the chocolate bunny candy and ate it quickly. Seeing them all swallow the chocolate, the Vice Principal set a timer on her desk.

“ Thank you, Doris. Please lock the door behind you when you exit my office.”

Turning back to paperwork, the Assistant Principal began reading and filling out forms again, ignoring the students standing in front of her.

“ Mrs. Leaperson, if this is about Mary, we were just kid-” started Jeannie Whitefoot.

“ Did I ask you to speak ?” demanded the adult doe to the nervous kit, who closed her muzzle immediately.

“ ALL OF YOU, wait until I am ready for you.”

The silence began again, stretching out, for another 10 uncomfortable minutes, broken only by tummies that began to embarrassingly rumble in the silence from the group of students.

Barbara Leaperson smiled, and pressed her phone intercom again.

“ Doris, please bring in the other two items.”

A few moments later, the middle aged bunny entered the room and set down a plain cardboard box on a side table. She came back in the room with a yellow wheeled mop bucket and mop and left, locking the door from the outside.

“ It seems you all find Mary’s recent... illness... to be funny.”

Nancy Lopp snorted, then laughed, setting off giggling from the other does and a poorly hidden smile from Scott.

“ Not only did you find it funny that a bunny was poisoned, but you decided you would make things worse, instead of sticking by another bun.”

“ We didn’t do anyt-” Scott protested.

“ SILENCE!” Mrs. Leaperson. “When I need you to spout a lie I will tell you.”

Nancy started to squirm. “Mrs. Leaperson, can I please use the restroom ?”

Sitting behind her desk, Barbara Leaperson looked at the timer and smiled, picking up a piece of paper. She peered at it and her gaze angrily swept the group.

“ It seems you have ALL been reported for bullying, harassment, and unfair treatment.”

She reached down, opened a drawer and pulled out the Student Pawbook, and looked up at the buck, who was also starting to squirm.

“ Come over here, Mr. Greyfurr. Take this, and open to page 5.”

“ Mrs. Leaperson, can I please go to the bathroom?” he asked, while taking the soft covered booklet from her.

“ No,” she said with finality.

Barbara pressed the intercom button again. “Doris, please go grab Ed from maintenance, and the two of you go off to an early lunch. My treat. I’ve informed Marilyn down at the ‘Happy Hopper’ to put your meals on my tab. Order anything you like. Take a full hour .”

“ Thank you, Mrs Leaperson!” said the secretary. “I’m leaving now.”

Now, Open the booklet to page 5. Begin to read,” said the Vice Principle.

The timer on the desk beeped, and was quickly turned off by the smiling adult bunny.
One of the does, raised her paw high in the air. “Mrs. Leaperson, please, I really need to use the toilet! Can I please go? Just give me detention!”

“ No, Miss Hazel. If you ask again, you will wait even longer.” Turning back to the squirming Scott, she simply stated “Read. Now.”

“ No student or staff member shall be harassed or intimidated. (Refer to Tri-Burrows County Code of Conduct Handbook).” he stated as one of the others noisily passed gas, the inside of her ears bright pink with embarrassment.

“ Continue.”

All the students were squirming desperately. Nancy began to cry.

“ Please, I really can’t hold it any longer! PLEASE! Let me go to the toilet!” begged Jeannie Whitefurr.

Scott looked back at the booklet, and read “Each individual is expected to show-” then stopped, grabbing his stomach, and dropped the book, running for the door without asking permission.

He grabbed the door, and pulled, finding it locked. He grabbed for the lock but his paw found only a keyhole.

“Sorry, Mr. Greyfurr, this office now has a ‘double deadbolt’ lock installed. You need the key to unlock from both sides of the door. It is locked and I do not have the key in the room. In fact, the two mammals holding the key and backup keys just went to lunch.”
He started to pound on the door, yelling to be let out.
“ The outer office is empty. No one can hear you. Yell all you like.”
Nancy turned to the adult doe. “ Please! I am about to have an accident !
“ Go open that box, Miss Lopp,” she replied, pointing.
The box was torn open and she stopped, staring at the contents in shock.

Barbara got up, walked over and dumped the contents on her desk.

“ You will all need these for the remainder of the school day.” she stated, showing off half a dozen pairs of ‘Panther’ brand bunny diapers, rubber gloves, wet wipes, and a trash bag.

Don’t worry. We have a mop if you make a mess, and a trash bag for your soiled clothes.”

“ But there is no privacy here! We can see each other! A Buck will see me!”

Barbara just smiled.

“ I’m going to tell my Daddy!” screamed Jeannie Whitefurr.

Go ahead. Do you want to use my phone?” the Vice Principle replied coolly.

The angry doe was reaching for the handset when Mrs. Leaperson continued,

“ By the way, It would be tragic if your parents' loans at the Leaperson Bank were all called in, before the harvest happened. Your whole family would have to leave your warren. Maybe we will turn the warrens into a new dump site. The Bunnyburrow garbage dump is getting full.

She leaned forward and whispered “Who do you think your family would blame for that, Miss Whitefurr? How popular would you be then? ”

The doe pulled her paw away from the phone as though it were made of molten metal instead of plastic.

***

Before the hour was up, half a dozen bunnies knew how embarrassing an “intestinal issue” could be, and were terrified how being forced to wear a “big kid diaper” at school would lower their social status.

When the secretary got back, Mrs Leaperson called for the two randomly assigned “custodian Volunteer” students who removed the trash bag full of soiled clothes and the well used mop head from the office, holding their noses.

“ I wonder how long it will take for the entire school to know you all just had a toilet accident and you are all wearing diapers for the rest of the day,” she said conversationally.

“ Please, I need to go home!” said Nancy.

The other bunnies started to agree, all wanting to go home instead of walking the halls wearing diapers badly concealed under shorts.

“ Sorry. Mr. Greyfurr, please read page 19, section 8, out loud.”

“ Absenses and Early Dismissal – Students under the age of majority needing to leave the school early must show a signed form from their parents or guardians. Alternate signatures such as “School Captains” are not acceptable.

Leaving due to illness, must be verified by the school nurse. Vomiting or exhibiting a fever require student to go home. All other non-emergency symptoms are at discretion of the school medical staff or the parents/guardians.”

“ Sorry, buns. None of you have a note to leave.”
“ I need to see the nurse!” said Scott.

“ Sorry, I am afraid she has left for the day. Today she is only here for a half-day, and goes to one of the other schools for the second half of the day.

“I should have gym clothes I can change into!” said Scott.  “They went into the school gym wash yesterday afternoon!”

The does all began brightening up; this would conceal the diapers better than the stupid ugly “medical shorts” from the nurses office.

“Certainly, as long as they are clean, we can allow that,” said Mrs. Leaperson, with a smile.

Pressing the intercom, she made the request, only to find that the batch of laundry had accidentally been mixed with an accidental skunk sprayed towel and baked in the dryer.

“We are waiting on replacement gym clothing, so you will all be forced to wear the shorts.  Health codes forbid you going without undergarments or wearing used ones.”

Just before letting all the students out of her office, the Vice Principal turned to the group.

“ Consider this a Life Lesson, all of you. Such behavior when you are older could lead to serious problems and ruin your whole lives.

It’s a good thing that an Honest Doe had the courage to report your behavior when Mary refused to , in spite of your bullying.” she said showing the paper reporting form from her desk.

“ Miss Judy Hopps did the right thing. She said she wanted to ‘Serve and Protect’ the school by reporting your misbehavior, just like a police officer.”

***

Larry sat down at the table next to Raymond and Eric, a “Veggie Surprise” wrap on his tray. Opening the wrap, he added a tiny bit of soy sauce from a packet to the grated carrots, lettuce, and bell pepper mix. He rewrapped the sandwich and took a crunchy bite.

He added a little more soy sauce, then took another bite, and found it satisfactory this time. He alternated between the wrap sandwich and the potato chips, while relaxing over his lunch.

Eric and Diana were discussing the differences between wood-carved jewelry and air dried clay jewelry that he tuned out after a while.  As he finished his lunch, Larry noticed from the corner of his eye an attractive doe looking his way, and he turned to look in her direction. She averted her eyes when he looked, then looked at him again shyly.

Larry automatically looked behind him, and didn’t see anyone else there she could be looking at.

He heard a whisper. “That’s Maggie Brownfurr. I think she likes you.”

Looking, Larry Hopps was surprised to see Eric had turned from his conversation was the one speaking in his ear.

The younger bun’s ears started to heat up and turn red.

“ Go talk to her, Larry,” encouraged Raymond, who had overheard.

Larry turned away, looking embarrassed and shy.

“ She wouldn’t like me ,” said Larry.

“ Just go talk to her, Larry. It’s easy,” said Eric.

Larry sat rooted in one spot and wouldn’t move. The other bunnies could hear his heartbeat speeding up again in fear.

Eric looked at the younger Hopps buck. “It’s easy, Larry. Just be nice when you talk to a doe. Watch.”

The older bunny leapt up, approached the younger doe, and started talking to her.

Larry heard Eric tell say the word “pretty” ,before background noise interfered. The doe smiled shyly, and pulling out a small purse, extracted a pen and small notepad and wrote something on it. Larry her heard say “Phone num-”, as she handed it to ERIC!

Larry’s ears drooped down, and he pushed his lunch away. He wasn’t hungry any more. For a minute, the younger bunny thought maybe he wasn’t being teased again.

Eric came back, and sat down. Larry tried to ignore him;of course the doe didn’t want to be seen with ‘Larry Leaks’ . She wanted his older littermate. Not ‘Leaks’ known for accidents and wearing diapers. Even if the doctor finally fixed him.

Larry stood up and went to push away from the table, to go find an isolated corner where he might be left alone until the lunch bell rang so he could go back to class.

Eric noticed Larry’s droopy ears and looked concerned. “What’s wrong, Larry?”

“ Nuthin’,” replied the younger bun in a monotone.

“ Well, try to cheer up before you call your new girlfriend.”

Larry looked at Eric with a furiously hurt expression and said “You don’t have to rub it in, Eric. I get it. I’m just smelly ‘leaks’ and you can get a bun’s phone number in half a hop and I can’t. Leave me alone. Please!”

“ Larry, I just told her you were too shy to ask, but you wanted her phone number. This is for you.”

Eric handed Larry the phone number of the doe; of Maggie.

“ Larry, you aren’t ‘Larry Leaks’ with the wet pants anymore. You are ‘Larry LEAPS’ who is the King of ‘Dance, Dance, Evolution’ with that secret double jump move who wins for the Hopps. Your status is WAY UP.”

****

In the Lopp warren, the landline in the kitchen rang, just before dinnertime. The assigned bun on phone duty answered, placed the phone down, and pressed the button on the wall for the intercom.

“ Nancy Lopp, to the kitchen for a phone call. Nancy Lopp to the kitchen for a phone call.”

A few minutes later the doe appeared, and grabbed the pawset, and put it to her ear.

“ Hello?”, she said, sniffling a little. Her eyes were red from crying. All day she had been harassed in the hallways of the school for wearing a diaper, called a baby, and “Pellet Pants Nancy”.

Nancy, its Jeanette. Me and Valerie Hazel were talking. We’re going to get Crazy Judy back for what she did. Make sure you have witnesses that you were home.

“ How can we get her back? She is suspended and stuck in the Hopps warren.”

We have a bun who will kick her tail inside out, who can get in the Hopps warren. Its Crazy Judy. No one will care, except her stupid pet fox.

****

Nick entered the Ewe-Chu bath after a quick shower to rinse off, and a respectful bow to the hot tub. He placed his towel on top of his head, nodded respectfully to the bunnies, who ignored him, and slowly entered the steaming hot water.

He walked slowly to his usual spot that was always left open, and the bunnies nearby moved away, leaving several spots open on either side. He ignored the mild insult and just sat back to relax. He was about to drift off in a nap, when he heard a scream, and opened his eyes to see Petunia, a toddler aged bunny, falling into the water, which was over her head.

He leapt off his seat, and pulled her from under the water, slightly panicked.

She coughed a few times, and threw up water on his shoulder, but was otherwise unharmed.

“ Thank Frith you’re okay!”, said Nick, hugging the little tiny bunny. She started to cry a little bit, but once he grabbed her in a hug, she settled down quickly, clamping onto his fur with dull bunny claws.

“ Goo’ fox!” she said. “Nick help ‘Tunia! Nick not eat bunnies!” she said, grabbing his pointy ears, and hiccuping from the excitement.

“ Yes, I’m the good Fox”, he agreed, sitting her on his leg. “I don’t eat bunnies.

She surprised the fox by kissing the side of his snout. “Now Nick ‘Tunia’s fox” she said, gravely.

A few minutes later an older doe came over. “Petunia, you were supposed to stay with the other little buns!” and took charge of Petunia.

Nick lay back again relaxing in the warm water, closed his eyes, and listened to the other buns chatting around him. As he started to drift off again his groggy mind started to say a silent prayer. ‘ Lord Frith thanks for saving Petuni-’

Nick startled himself awake. What was that? Was he praying to a Rabbit god?

He clapped his paws together, closed his eyes, head lowered.

‘ Honored Ancestors, I atone for my mistake, and offer no dis-respect!”

He ignored the sounds around him.

“ Hey, Judy’s Fox is acting weird again.”

***

Larry sat down in the lunchroom at the Hopps table next to Raymond.

He leaned over, and quietly said, “Raymond, did you hear? Someone is gonna go after Judy. Because of the diaper thing yesterday.”

“ Not our problem.”

“ So, Judy doesn’t get protection?”

“ Nope. If she wants to embarrass us, Crazy Judy is on her own.”

They sat in silence for a moment, and Larry picked up his own sandwich, and started to chew, the paused.

“ But she is still a Hopps!” protested Larry.

“ Judith Laverne Hopps who isn’t embarrassing the family in front of the whole Tri-Burrows gets protection. ‘ CRAZY JUDY pretend cop ’ doesn’t. Just like ‘ Larry LEAPS Hopps’ , the ‘ Dance Dance Evolution’ Champion gets protection when he sticks by the family. His status is UP. He sits at our table. Talks to cute does on the phone, and carries her books. Maybe go to a dance with her this year.

‘ Leaks’ who sticks up for Crazy Judy and her pet fox is LOW STATUS. LEAKS doesn’t have a girlfriend. He sits by the trash can. No-bun backs him up if he has trouble. LEAKS is on his own .”

You need to decide who you are, Larry. Scared lonely ‘LEAKS’ , a target for anybun who wants to bully you, OR the popular Larry ‘LEAPS’ who everybun wants to be.”

***

Judy ran all out, holding nothing back as she raced down the winding dirt trail, tall brush blocking her vision to the sides. She raced along, ignoring the pain in her side, and her throbbing right paw where the claw had been torn out. Her finely tuned ears could barely detect her pursuer over her own pulse pounding through her reddened ears.

She leapt over a rock, and side-stepped a small hole threatening to trip her. If she didn't keep up the pace, she was caught for sure. She didn’t dare turn around to look.

Gasping for breath, the doe forced herself to run up the hill, keeping to the brownish dirt path. As she pushed over the top, she could see where the narrow path went down, past more shoulder high grass and scrubland and ended at an unplanted field.

Beyond the fallow field was safety, one of the back doors to the Hopps warren. As she expected, there were no other Hopps bunnies in sight. Nobun would be doing anything but occasionally dumping fertilizer on this field until next year.

If she could make it to the entrance, and get to her room, she was safe.

From behind there was the sound of footpaws running through brush and over small sticks as they chased her.

From the distance she heard “You not…getting…away!”

Putting her head down, Judy poured on the last of her “steam”. She was tired, almost completely spent. Her ears were blazing hot, her body desperately trying to quickly vent away heat. Overheating, Judy began to drool, the mess running down her chin, and she wiped it away with her sleeve.

She gave up staying on the longer but cleared trail, and started running straight through the brush. Judy leapt off the path and through a patch of golden brown dried up grass. Pushing branches out of the way she raced down the hill, parallel and across the path, nearly falling but recovering her balance with a forepaw.

Behind her the sound of paws racing over sticks and kicking up rocks got closer and closer. Judy leapt again, and back onto the path gaining back more distance.

Hopping from spot to spot in a straight line, Judy broke through the end of the trail and onto the field. Behind her, the footpaws got closer, all four beating against the dirt now, really trying to catch the bunny.

She felt a paw make contact with the edge of the hoodie flailing behind her head and dropped down to run on all four paws and raced ahead, ears flopping behind. Getting to the door Judy tore it open and raced inside, slamming it behind her.

Her pursuer was determined and wouldn’t stop at the outer door.

Moving through the mostly empty hallways, she quickly made it to her room, easily avoiding other bunnies and almost fell inside. Panting heavily, Judy staggered, slamming the door shut behind her. She fell against the wall opposite the door. Her paw fell onto the wooden display case hanging there, accidentally pulling the facecloth sized curtain off, exposing the wooden fox figurines standing in a wooden house.

A wooden dowel from the top of the miniature curtain fell to the floor with a clatter, and Judy wiped her chin clean of drool with the cloth. She put the curtain back on top of the small shelf in front of the house, and grabbed her water bottle, shaking it to find it empty.

On the shelf was a small bottle of water, which she grabbed. Twisting the plastic cap off, Judy drank deep of the warm water inside and sat on her bed.

In less than a minute, the bedroom door flew open, and Nick staggered in, panting hard, a small branch stuck to his fur after his pursuit.

I almost…had you…this...time... HEY! What are you doing?!” said the fox, angrily.

Nick grabbed the water from Judy’s paw. “This ISN’T FOR US TO DRINK, JUDY!”

“ Nick, I was thirsty! It was going to be wasted!”

The fox looked at the “ Fanum ” hanging on the wall, and quickly fixed the curtain.

“ Judy, you can’t leave it open! The Ancestors will be upset from the constant light shining in their faces!”

“ Nick, it's just a decoration! Those wooden foxes were made by my brother in shop class.”

“ What about the scarves you tied over the eyes of the Inlay for New Year's?”

“ That's different! That's to keep us safe! So nobun will die this year. And it's not ‘inlay’ it's 'Inle ' “

“ So covering the eyes of a plastic Death Rabbit is real but the ‘Fanum’ is fake?”

“ Dad says his cousin didn’t cover the eyes of the Inle` one time, and there was a car crash and two buns died. The Bounder Warren had the scarf fall off and somebun got run over by a tractor!”

“ Judy, it's just a stupid piece of plastic!”

“ Your fox table is just a shop class doll house toy!”

“ At least the table was paw-made! For my parent’s Ka! Your plastic death-rabbit came from the zoo-dollar store! Don’t be crazy, Judy!”

Judy stopped dead. She stared at the fox in shock.

“ YOU don’t get to call me ‘CRAZY JUDY’!  I TRUSTED YOU to be my friend!”

In her hurt, she yelled out the worst insults she could think of.  You are just like the rest! You’re a lying pelt!  I HATE YOU! Get Out! GET OUT OF MY ROOM!”

“ Who wants to be YOUR FRIEND, you STUPID BREEDER?” Nick screamed, all his ‘fox wisdom’ completely forgotten.

The mammal he trusted more than any other in the world had gotten ‘under his armor’ and stabbed him in the chest.

“ You are just like all the rest of the bunnies!” he said, grabbing his schoolbag, throwing in some clothes, the wooden carved fox-figures representing his parents, and ran out the door, slamming it behind him.

Judy jumped on her bed, buried her head in the pillow and cried.

She cried herself to sleep.

When she woke the next morning, Nick was not in the shared bed or the room, and all his things were gone.

- end of chapter 5.

Chapter Text

The Misfits of Bunnyburrow

Chapter 6: Getting Schooled – part 2.

Nick ran out of Judy’s bedroom, slamming the door behind him.  The hallway went blurry as his eyes filled with tears, which he roughly wiped away with his sleeve. Turning a corner, there were bunnies headed his way, so he went right, avoiding them. 

He didn’t want anyone to know he was crying; he wasn’t a little kit anymore.  He was NINE AND A HALF YEARS OLD now and he didn’t need anyone to think he was a weak little six year old.   He slung the straps of the backback over his shoulder and then looked up to see where he was.  The closest sign on the wall showed he was in the ‘H’ litter section.

The fox reoriented, towards the G section, and spotted an empty guest bedroom at the end of the hallway; the door was locked to keep smaller kits from getting in and making a mess. Nick grabbed the master key off the wall and unlocked the door.

Entering the darkened and musty guest bedroom, he turned on the lights and flipped on the ventilation fan to pull in fresh air.  Nick removed sheets off the unused furniture, checked that the bed was clean, and dropped his bag in the corner.

Finding the medium mammal sized desk respectfully clean, Nick placed the two wooden daruma dolls of his deceased parents on top, placing a wrapped hard candy as an offering.

He clapped his paws loudly, fell to one knee, and bowed to the two figures.

“M-mom and Dad, f-forgive my tresspass.  I needed to move you...that B-B-Bunny is w-w-wicked!  S-Sh-She- pretended to be m-m-my f-f-friend and-”

Nick stopped talking and tried to control his breathing but failed completely.  He gave up, throwing himself on the bed and weeping into his pillow so no one would hear him.

He was ‘Too old to be crying’ now.

*** 

Nick opened his eyes a few hours later when the hunger pangs and thirst woke him.  The fur around his eyes was itchy and matted from the dried salt of his tears.  He stood up, gave a cursory bow to the dolls, and walked to the door. He stopped and listened, sniffing the air for signs of any bunnies.

Pretty quiet.  There was no clock in the room, and Nick had no idea what time it was.  He walked to the nearest bathroom, which was easy to find since the burrow had a standard design.

He attended to his needs, washed face and paws, and then headed off towards the kitchens.  It must have been late, since there were no preparations for a large meal.  He looked up at the clock near the ceiling and saw it was after 11pm.  He walked up to the steam trays, finding them all empty and washed.

He turned to leave when somebun whistled from the kitchen.  “Hey, Judy’s Fox, you sleep through supper ?”

Nick turned, automatically saying “My name is Nick,” following up with “I’m not a pet and I’m not hers!” he said.

“Sorry, Nick,” said the cafeteria worker.  Nick looked closer and noticed a name tag stating ‘Charlie’ on the front of the bunnies’ shirt.

There was an awkward silence, then Charlie said “We have a few things back here for late night snacks or meals for third shift workers.”

He waved Nick over and opened a steam tray at the end of the line.  The heating element was off, but there were a selection of cookies, crackers, sandwiches, both cold, and nomally heated ones, wrapped in wax paper.

“If you want the breakfast sandwich, I can heat it up in the microwave.  Its chicken egg and cheese on toasted bread.”

Nick nodded, and was quickly served a sandwich and a bottle of water.   Charlie sat across from the tod, with a cup of half-caff coffee the bunnies seemed to prefer, and waited a moment before speaking.

“So...did you and Crazy Judy have a fight?  Or are you just avoiding her like everyone else until she comes to her senses?”

Nick glared, tried to show an angry face, then realized his face was twisting, not into anger, but something else, and he shook his head to clear his expression before tears started flowing again.

“Hey, it’s okay, Nick.  You don’t have to talk about it right now.” said Charlie, patting Nick on the back.

He leaned closer, and lowered his voice, though they were the only two animals in the room.

“Your status will go up without her, anyways,”  whispered the bunny.

Nick, puzzled, just thanked Charlie for the food, and half-bowed before leaving the kitchen. 

He yawned, and silently made his way back to Judy’s bedroom, sniffing and listening at each turn.  He managed to open the door and grab the rest of his property without waking IT up, silently closing the door behind him.

*****

Judy was half-awake again, keeping reddened eyes closed, sniffing and reaching out, but could not make contact with the usual warm ball of comfort that was Nick.  Rolling around, she grabbed something cool, but a little comforting, hugging it tightly and drifted off again, taking in the scent, finally able to sleep after tossing and turning all night long.

Judy woke, finding herself hugging Nick’s pillow!  She looked around, confused for a moment, not seeing her fox friend in bed as usual, his wooden fan-whever thing missing from the wall and remembered him insulting her!  She threw the pillow across the room and glared.

She thought she had one mammal she could trust not to make fun of her and she was wrong!  It was bad enough to hear the whole school call her ‘Crazy Judy’, worse to have some of her siblings say it too...but for NICK to call her that was unbearable.

She wondered how long he thought that about her before admitting it.  Besides, if anyone was Crazy it was NICK! He was yelling at her for drinking water! Water that was going to sit there, going to waste.  The last bottle got old, the label fell off, and Nick threw it in the trash, unopened!

Judy got dressed, brushed her teeth, and went down to the cafeteria.  She was surprised when she walked in, finding few bunnies there.  Looking up at the clock, Judy saw it was almost eight-thirty in tme morning!  She overslept!  Grabbing a quick bowl of Oaty-O’s, Judy gobbled her breakfast down and headed towards the bathrooms, where her chores were assigned this week.

Judy walked up to the Chore Captain, who was working on assignment sheet updates.

Doris looked at Judy, rolled her eyes, and looked at the clock.

“What do you want, Ossifer Judy?  Are you going to arrest yourself for being Late for Chores?”

“I...I’m really sorry, Doris.  I didn’t wake up in time.”

“Good for you,  Now you are ‘Lazy’ and ‘Crazy’.  Now get out!  We don’t want you!”

“But, I was going to help scrub toilets and mop the bathroom floors!” protested Judy. “Nobun likes doing that anyways.”

“No.  Go play ‘Pretend Cop’ with the other babies.  Don’t worry, the rest of the Hopps will take care of Little Ossifer Judy.”

***

Judy walked away, ashamed for not being allowed to help the rest of her family.  Everybun else was lending a helping paw to get the work done, but not her.  Only babies, sick, or elderly buns weren’t assigned chores. All were expected to help out in some way.

Judy wandered into the nursery next to the burrow doctors office, and noticed a group of buns were all changing diapers, feeding the baby bunnies, changing bedding in the cribs and other needful tasks.

She hopped inside, a bright expression on her face, as she approached the diaper changing table.

“Hey Deloris, can I please help out?” asked Judy hopefully.

“No, thank you.  We will manage.  We are hard workers.    Even Edna is using her Study Hall time to help care for the baby buns, with a sour tummy this morning, WE don’t waste time pretending to be police officers.

Judy left, walking down to the garbage collection.  She asked if they had any chores they needed help with, and was again told ‘No’.  Judy looked at the garbage being sorted into piles, and offered to assist with breaking down components.

“I...I can separate the rotten pile from the trash” she said hopefully.  One of the absolute worst jobs  was separating mixed trash.  Occasionally lazy bunnies would add non food trash, like dirty diapers, broken glass, plastic items in the food waste, which was boiled to kill germs and turned to ostrich feed.

It needed to be gone over by paw, which was careful, dirty, hot and miserable work that no one ever wanted to do.  

The answer was still “No.” and Judy was told to leave.

Walking out, downcast, the grey bunny had a thought:

“I’ll go see if I can help out Ni-” then stopped herself.  She couldn’t do that now!  Her usual ‘Go-To’ work around for not being allowed to help with chores was not an option any more.

“Stupid Fox!” grumbled Judy. “I don’t want to help him anyway!”

****

Eileen walked into her second period class, ‘Keyboarding 101’ throwing away the used band-aid from her arm.  Today was going to be a Good Day for her.  She had her annual checkup this morning, so her litter got to sleep in a bit.  The ‘E litter’ had a ride to school in the van, arriving just before second period.  Her fur and ears were easy to style this morning, and best of all, it was Eileen Day today! It was finally her turn to get some one-on-one time with Mom and Dad!  It’s too bad it didn’t fall on a weekend, but at least it was her time.

The teenage bun inserted her assigned sheet of paper into the top of the old ‘Royal Zootopia Typewriter’ and the electronic dinosaur fed the page into the platen, ready to type.  Looking at the chalkboard she noted the assignment was on page 194, assignment B.

She cracked open the textbook and smiled.

‘Assignment B:

Draft a personal letter inviting an animal-of-interest to attend an upcoming free dance lesson you won in a contest as your dance partner.  This will be for formal dancing, proper attire required (Dress slacks, button down dress shirt and tie/formal dress.)  Do not forget to request that the potential partner RSVP in time.’

The bun daydreamed about a handsome faceless buck agreeing to formally dance with her, dressed to the nines, publicly showing interest in front of all the other buns in Bunnyburrow.

A hesitant but gentle kiss to her forepaw, a bow, asking if she would honor him with this dance as the music began to play.  Being taken in the arms of the buck, paws in appropriate spots, never wandering, as the dance began and they twirled for everyone to see them toge-

“Eileen Hopps, are you going to begin your assignment or just stare into space today?” called out Mr. Braunstein.

‘He is in a mood today,’ she thought. The badger was known to be a bit unstable.  Rumor had it he kept a bottle of moonshine in his desk drawer since getting divorced.

“Y-yes, Mr. B!  Sorry,” she replied, ears heating a little.  Eileen quickly started typing, keeping eyes on the source and not on the keyboard.  She typed away, paused and shook her forepaws, her wrists stiffening.  

“Eyes off the keyboard!” yelled the badger, hitting a student with a thrown rubber ball.

Eileen put her paws back on the home row, and typed furiously.  She followed the generic format for a letter, copying the text and filling in the blanks with her own custom info.  She worked quickly, trying to catch up with the rest of the class before the teacher came by to review her work.

Mr. Braunstein started walking the classroom, checking for unfortunate students making mistakes.  He turned down her aisle, swaying a bit as he walked, and stopped at the second row.  Mr Braunstein made a show of dramatically holding his nose as he leaned over a skunk doe who was typing furiously, looking only at her source material as she keyed in the letters.  The teacher flipped the power switch on the back, turning the typewriter off.  Kara Stankey hit a few more keys, but the daisy wheel had stopped striking the paper.

The teacher grabbed the paper, yanking it out of the electric typewriter and held it up close enough to read to the class.

“Miss Stinky, can you tell me what ‘suw’ or ‘dpt’ spell ?”

“Thats ‘Stankey’, Mr B. and I don’t know.  Those aren't words…”

“Thats because your paws are off position on the home row!” shouted the angry badger teaching the class. “How hard is it to understand?  A-S-D!  J-K-L!  Now I expect you want another piece of paper, your High Stinkyness?”

Eileen looked down and noticed she had done the same thing, her paws were out of position for one paragraph and she had not noticed!  She quickly reached down in her schoolbag for her correction tape to ‘white out’ the mistakes and hide the error, and but she didn’t have it with her!

“Y-yes sir.  Sorry, Mr. B!” said the skunk doe meekly.

None of the other students dared to laugh, not even the most popular bunnies.  When he got like this, Mr. B was completely unpredictable.

She felt a tap on her shoulder, and turned.  A nerdy bun, Donny, or Denny or something was holding something out.  Eileen shook her head, pointing with her chin towards the teacher.

The embarrassed skunk was given another blank piece of paper.  She thanked the teacher and began typing again as he crumpled the original paper into a ball, and threw it at her, which she ignored when it bounced off the side of her head.

The student behind Kara stopped typing as the teacher approached.   Eileen could hear the bunnies' heart speed up as he looked over her work, and grunted, moving to the next student.

At the third student, named Nichole, he stopped and peered at her paper, grunting in approval, as other bunnies around began to look very busy, all typing furiously.  Mr. B. began to step away, nodding with approval then stopped short, frowning.

“Miss Proudpaw, you are a very pretty bun.”

“Uh...thank you, Mr. B…” Nichole said, unsure.   Mr. B was not known to be a pervert. This was odd.

“I guess if you are pretty then the rules don’t matter?” he asked, running a finger from one of her ears, down to the side of her neck, to the opening of her hooded sweatshirt.

“N-no,” she protested, leaning away from him. “The rules apply to me, sir.”

“Then what is this, Miss Proudpaw?” he demanded.  The badger reached down the neck of her sweatshirt, making the bunny shriek in surprise.  He pulled on a previously hidden wired earbud going from Nichole’s bunny ear down inside her hooded sweatshirt.  A hidden ‘Disc-Bun’ bunny sized CD player came free, dangling from the earbud cord pulling it out of her ear.

The badger threw the portable CD player back towards his desk, missing  the trash barrel.  It shattered on the white and black tiled floor.

“Scat.  Missed my two points.”  He turned to the shocked student and whispered.  “If you complain, I will have you suspended and fail you for the year.   Then we can do this all over again.”

Eileen felt another tap on the shoulder and jumped in her seat.  The nerd shoved something in her paws before she could object. It was HIS correction tape!  She started trying to open the cap frantically, looked up, and noticed Mr. B was headed her way. She was OUT OF TIME!

“Mr B!  My typewriter stopped working!” the nerd yelled out.

The badger turned and looked at whatever-his-name-was, and walked unsteadily that way instead.

Eileen pressed the tip of the correction tape dispenser over the spots with the typing errors, ‘painting’ over them.  She worked quickly, then covered the tape dispenser with the plastic cover, and shoved it in her shirt.  She hit the button to roll the paper back to typing position again, backspaced to the correct spot and quickly retyped the paragraph.

Mr Braunstein bent over the typewriter that whats-his-name was using, and started yelling that the nerd was stupid.  The power cord came loose from the wall, and a three year old could fix it!  In under a minute the typewriter was “working” again.  Mr B tested the typewriter by typing “The Lazy yellow-bellied fox jumped over the quick brawny hog” quite a few times, then ordered Donnie or whatever to redo the whole assignment.

When the badger leaned over to check her page, he grunted with approval, his breath smelling of carrot hooch strong enough to strip paint off a tractor.

The rest of the class went well.  Mr Braunstein sat down at his desk quietly, drinking “coffee” from a mug.  The other students continued on with their assignment, and the nerd started furiously typing like a mad-bun.

Within five minutes, he had completed the assignment perfectly, without using a correction tape once and turned it in.

While they were waiting for the bell for next period, Eileen leaned over while Mr. B looked like he was nodding off at his desk.

“Thank you for helping me, Donnie.” she whispered.

“Daniel,” he whispered back.

“Huh?”

“I said my name is ‘Daniel’.  Daniel Shortears.”

“Sorry!  I’m Eileen Hopps.”

“Yeah, I know, everyone knows who you are,” he said flatly, without a lot of interest.

Eileen paused, then tried again.  “Daniel, your typing is fantastic! You are so fast. How did you get so speedy?”

“I type a lot.  I play older computer games like ‘Zork’ and ‘Colossal Cave Adventure’ where you type what you want to do to solve puzzles and finish the story.”

Eileen didn’t know anything about them, but Daniel sat up straighter, and became more animated when talking about these games.  It was kind of cute.  In a nerdy way.

‘-with Zork the mailbox is a gag.  They used it again in another game called ‘Wishbringer’ where it acts like a pet and later runs away.”

“Tell me more about ‘Zork’?  What do you do with the mailbox?”

Daniel opened his mouth to reply, then stopped, looking at her, like he realized who he was talking to.  She heard his heartbeat speed up, and his breathing changed for a moment.  The buck looked around the room to see if anyone else was watching him.

The bell rang, and he grabbed his bookbag, headed quickly towards the door.

Eileen grabbed her own books, and asked, “Daniel, so what were you saying about the mailbox in Zork?”

The bun paused.  “I gotta go to my next class.”  When she didn’t turn away Daniel continued, “You don’t need to pretend you are interested. I just felt bad, so I helped you out, thats all.”

“What do you mean pretend to be interested?”

“I’ve been sitting next to you for the whole year.  You didn’t know my name.  You called me ‘the Nerd’ when you were talking to the other does.  If you were interested in talking to me you would have done it before.”

“I’m sorry, Daniel…”

“I gotta go,” he said, hopping away when she started to get close.

“Why bother, Eileen?” said Edna Hopps, one of her littermates, coming up from  up behind.

“I’m asking him about a game.  He is an expert at ZORK!,” said Eileen.

“He’s just a geeky DORK!” said Edna, loudly.

Daniel hopped away faster.

In the hallway a couple animals looked over, but it wasn't interesting enough for most of them to care.

“You seriously have NO standards, Eileen.”

“Come on, he's not a bad looking bun.”

“He has weird hobbies.  He was talking about games that were new when Pop-Pop was a teenager.”  Edna lowered her voice to whisper.  “He’s not very popular. And his family is small! They only have one litter!”

Eileen silently nodded, turned and walked away, headed for Art 102.  She didn’t want to be late either.  It looked like Daniel didn’t even care if she showed interest in him or his games.  He wasn’t her usual type, but she thought for a moment there was a connection starting. Like in a movie.  But he didn’t even wait around for anyone else to notice her with him in the hallway!

‘Or maybe he doesn’t want to be seen with a dirty bun like me,’ thought Eileen, pulling on the ear-tie wrapped around her wrist.  She pulled the elastic back and released it with a painful snap into her sensitive flesh.

Even the nerds didn’t want her.

It’s what I deserve.

****

Bonnie was going through the Daily Kit Reports when she stopped, noticing a pattern.  Before she could do anything, her Cats-io electronic scheduler went off.  She silenced the alarm, and immediately went to the magnetic board hanging on the wall.  Cross checking her list, she swapped the name for the bunny from yesterday to Today's special Bun.  

Bonnie pulled Eiliana and replaced it with Eileen, and made a call down to the School Welcome Home crew to have the bun reminded it was her day.

She signed off on the menu for next week, following Chef’s suggestions, then moved on to block off 2 hours to play with the baby bunnies tomorrow, 30 minutes with the toddlers, and fit in 1 hour for a soak in the hot bath.

Bonnie turned to the small kitchen, started looking in the indexed files of ‘Favorite Foods of the Kits’ and looked up Eileen’s favorites.  She cross checked the last time it was verified, to be sure it wasn’t outdated, in case Eileen’s tastes had changed.

She started to pull out ingredients when there was a DING sound from the pneumatic tube system.  Bonnie ran over, opened the tube labelled ‘Mom – eyes only’, and read the letter.  She paused and re-read the letter again.

Picking up the walkie-talkie she pressed the button.

“Stu?  Its Bonnie.  Need to talk to you.”

There was a pause.

‘Can it wait until after supper?” came Stu’s voice through the static and background noise of a tractor engine.

“No, Stu.  This can’t wait.”

******

Nick was bored and lonely.  He didn’t want to read any more books, take any more hot baths, or deal with any more nasty bunnies attacking him for just being a fox.  It was one thing when he thought Judy was actually his friend, but alone, it was ten times worse.  The only ones who were actually friendly had been a few of the very young buns, Bonnie and…

Nick jumped up and headed out of the bedroom he had taken over, locking it behind him with the key. He made his way through the hallways towards Lounge 3, where he was surprised to see Larry with a doe, holding paws in the hallway.

Larry and the doe stopped short. Both their ears went straight up in shock.

“Hi, Larry.  Do you want to play something with me?” asked the fox hopefully.

“Larry, why is Judy’s Fox talking to you?  Is he your friend?” asked the doe, letting go of Larry’s paw and moving a couple hops away.

“Maggie, can you go in and turn on ‘Dance, Dance Evolution’?  I'm going to grab some snacks for us,” said Larry, walking away from Nick without saying a word. The doe hesitantly nodded, then walked past Nick, giving him a look like he was chicken droppings on her footpaws as she went into the lounge.

Nick started following Larry, confused.  The bunny walked down the hallway and entered the storage room where snacks were kept.  Nick followed behind him.

“Larry, what’s wrong?” asked Nick.  “Aren’t we friends anymore?”

Larry closed the storeroom door and locked it. “Leave me alone. Please. Before someone sees us.”

When the bunny didn’t say anything else in response, Nick repeated the question, “Larry, aren’t we friends? We’ve always been friendly since I moved here.”

The bunny looked at Nick, ears droopy.  “Nick I can’t. I can’t be your friend anymore!”

Nick grew angry.  Ears went back.  Eyes wide.  Claws started to extend. “When everyone was calling you ‘Leaks’ and laughing at you I was your friend!”

“SHHH!  Don’t let anyone hear us talking! Please!”

The tod exposed his teeth, not bothering to keep his fangs hidden any more.

Larry’s ears turned pink, and his expression grew sadder as Nick advanced.  Nick scented weeping willow in the air.

“I carried you to the Nurse and I WAS THE ONE who made them find your enfection!  I tried to keep you warm when the ice packs made you cold!”

Larry started to cry and fell to his knees.  “Please Nick.  I’m sorry!  I’m sorry! I want to be your friend but I can’t!”

“What do you mean ‘you can’t’? Why not? You pissed you pants wrestling me, got me soaked, and I was still your friend!”

“PLEASE, Nick! I was so scared before and nobun liked me!  The buns at school kept beating me up and no Hopps bun ever did anything!  My whole family made fun of me!

Nick stopped and listened to the weeping bunny.

“Now they told me I can sit at a Hopps table at school!  At home I can sit at a table with the popular buns. I don’t get stuck sitting on the floor or next to the trash cans!”

They don’t call me ‘Leaks’ anymore!  Maggie Brownfurr wanted to be my girlfriend! She holds my paw where everybun can see!

They told me if I was your friend, I’d be just piss-smelly LEAKS again.

Nick, PLEASE don’t make me be ‘Leaks’ again!  Please! I can’t go do it anymore!”

The door to the storeroom rattled.  “Larry, are you in there?” asked Maggie.

“Nick, please hide! I don’t want to be caught with you!” said Larry, looking around for someplace for the fox to go.  There WAS nowhere.  No other exit, nothing to hide behind, just lots of boxes of snacks.

Nick didn’t have “Fox Wisdom” to guide him here, but he knew what he needed to do.

He dragged Larry to his footpaws, and whispered to the cowering bunny, “Larry, do what I say.”

The knock at the door grew louder, like more than one paw pounding on it.

“Larry, are you in there with Crazy Judy’s Fox?  If he is your friend, I can’t be seen with you anymore!” said Maggie.

From the other side of the door Nick and Larry both heard Maggie calling for a Hopps bun to unlock the door with the master key.

Larry looked at the door, fear filling his eyes. “It’s all over. It’s going to happen again!” he whispered to himself.

“Larry, when I say ‘Now’ I want you to close your eyes, yell ‘stay away from me’ and jump up and kick the air right here”, said Nick in a whisper, pointing 6 inches to his side, chest high.

“Why?” whispered the bun.

“I’m going to help you.” whispered Nick.

“Larry, that filthy pelt better not be hanging around with you, or I’m going home!” said Maggie.

The lock on the door clicked.  Nick whispered “Now!” to Larry.  The bunny, eyes closed, moved to the right about a foot over.  The doorknob began to turn, and the fox silently moved over in front of Larry’s new position.

The bunny leapt up in the air, kicking hard, just as the door opened, and ‘Larry Leaps’, eyes still closed, shouted in a flat and unconvincing voice, “Stay away from me!”

Nick timed it just right, the double bunny kick hitting him in the chest sending him flying back, knocking the wind out of him as he hit the clay floor.

Larry, eyes wide, mouth hanging open in shock looked at Nick on the ground, and said softly “Oh, my Frith!”

One of the buns at the door yelled out. “Whoa!  Look at Larry! He just whooped Judy’s fox!”

A loud cheer went up from the hallway, cutting off anything else Larry might say.

Maggie ran over, grabbed Larry and kissed him on the cheek, making his ears go straight up in shock and turn reddish pink.

Nick got up and left the storeroom, hiding a smile.

Any fox can make a friend,

On crooked fox do not depend,

Honored Fox, be not a Knave

Defend your friend unto the Grave. 

***

Eileen was making her way towards the buses headed to the Hopps warren, when she spotted Daniel hopping in the other direction.  He lived closer to the school, and was a “hop to school” student.  She turned to follow, and try to talk to him; with the line of Hopps just starting, she had at least ten minutes.  As Eileen took a breath to call out, she heard somebun call out “Eileen!” and turned.

A bun one grade higher was looking at her ...Baron?  Barry?  He was a goalie for the soccer team, one of the more popular buns.

“Hey, Eileen.  Did you catch the game last week where I made two saves?”

“N-no.  I missed it, sorry ...Baron?”

“Nope, ‘Barret’ he corrected.  You must have misremembered, I guess.  Happens sometimes with does.  No big deal, since you're pretty,” Barret said with a smile.

Eileen’s ears started to flush red, and she smiled.  “You think I’m pretty?” she asked.

“Of course you are.  Do you want to go grab something at ‘The Spike’ with me?  My treat, and I’ll gve you a ride home afterwards.”

“I’d love to go!” said Eileen, surprised when he took her by the paw, right in front of the school!

He moved forward, almost pulling her off balance  until her brain started working again.  He led her to an older sedan, rust beginning to eat away underneath the brown paint, and got in, unlocking her door from the inside.

Eileen climbed in the passenger side, sliding onto the large brown bench seat, her heart racing as he turned the key, and after a couple tries got it to start, black smoke belching from the exhaust.

Grinning at herself in the small makeup mirror, Eileen fixed her ears and smiled over at Barret.

This is a great EILEEN DAY!

***

Stu walked into the small kitchen, touched the recast Hopps Bell for luck, and walked into Bonnie’s “sewing room” that she used as an office.

“What’s wrong, Bonnie?” he asked, seeing her droopy ears and worried expression.  The doe leaned forward from her comfortable chair, and pushed a piece of paper across the desk.

Stu picked it up, and looked at it, squinting.

‘Patient: E. Hopps (3), DOB: 01/01/1984, MRN: 1234567 

Age:16
Test: Urine Pregnancy Test (Qualitative)
Method: Dipstick
Result: Positive
Interpretation: Positive for , suggestive of pregnancy.
Reference Range: Negative <5 mIU/mL, Positive >25 mIU/mL
Reported by: Dr. Robert Hopps, MD 

Patient hormones show signs of early first trimester pregnancy.’

*****

Nick walked up to the small kitchen where Bonnie could usually be found mid-day.  Surprisingly, he did not see her in her normal spot at the table, or cooking at the counters.

He sniffed, and could detect her scent, as well as Stu.  He took another whiff, and he could tell they were both upset.  There was the tiniest scent of weeping willow, nervousness/uncertainty, and a bit of anger.

He knocked on the door, and entered when Bonnie called him in.

“Mom...Can you help me?  Judy desecrated the shrine, and called me a lying pelt, but no one else will play with me or talk to me.”

Stu looked at the fox kit.  “Nick, I know things can be tough sometimes, but it all gets better with time.  Just try to get along.”

Nick turned towards Bonnie.  She looked tired, and he could scent they were both upset over something.

Bonnie looked over at the little fox.  “Nick, please work it out with Judy...Ya know, sometimes to stop a fight you have to settle a bit.  Its better to be wrong about something with a friend by your side than right all by yourself.” 

“But she called me a lying pel-”

“Nick, this isn’t the time, son.  We’re dealing with a serious issue here, so you and Judy go make up,” said Stu, looking at a piece of paper in his paw, and ready to cry.

‘Stu always cries over something.  Somebun probably got a bad grade’,  thought Nick.

Remembering his manners, Nick thanked the two bunnies formally, and a half bow and left the room.

****

Eileen got back into the old car that Barret was driving.  She put her seatbelt on, happy to have been seen with the older bun in public.  He bought her ice cream, and they chatted for a while (mostly about him and his ‘fantastic plays’ as soccer goalie).

She had been told that he maneuvered the other players around to defend his own goal and get the ball to the other side, and once managed a kick from his own goal all the way into the goal of the other team and scored a point that won the game last month.

They pulled away from “The Spike”, a diner run by a hedgehog family that specialized in ice cream sundaes.  She had her snack, while quite a few other buns walked by to notice her with Barret in public.

That should raise her reputation a little bit in school and move her closer to the ‘top of the heap’ socially.  Plus he was a good looking bun. He knew he was good looking and let you know but lots of bucks did that.  At least the high status ones who weren’t plain looking.

Halfway to the Hopps burrow, he pulled off in a secluded wooded area, just like Eileen expected.  She brushed her ears with a soft furbrush from her purse, and hoped he would be nice.

He shut the car off, and turned the radio on to a popular station, music set to a low background volume.

Taking his seatbelt off, the buck reached over for her ears.

“Barret, I know bucks only want to touch ears and stuff.  Can you just hold me for a while?  And talk?” asked Eileen.

They never do.

*******

Nick walked up to Judy’s bedroom, and hesitated.  Am I supposed to knock? He raised his paw up, and stopped.  Should I just walk in ?  Would that be rude ? As Nick shuffled his feet back and forth, a bunny in the hallway yelled out.

“What's the matter fox? Don’t know how to open a door?”

From inside the room he heard, “Come in, Nick.”

He opened the door, and stepped inside, looking at the bare looking room.  Judy had her police decorations and books, but no plushies.  The only change was that the bunny had stolen his pillow and blankets, which were strewn across her side of the two pushed-together beds.

He closed the door and looked at Judy.  She looked back, awkwardly.

“...Hi,” said Judy.

“Hi,” replied Nick.

The two waited for a moment, then Nick decided.  He needed to act like a Big Fox instead of an overgrown baby.

He took a step forward, and took Judy’s paw.  “Come with me, Judy.”

She hesitantly followed him outside to the hallway where a group of bunnies had all been passing by, or talking, and all looked in their direction.  This was not normal for either of them, and everyone could tell.

Nick released Judy’s paw.  He whispered, “I’m sorry, Judy,” in a low voice.

He took a step back, clapped his paws together loudly, twice.

“Judith Laverne Hopps, hear my words!”

Nick fell to both knees, bowing low, and reaching up to take her right paw.

Catcalls started from the other bunnies watching.

“Judy’s fox is trying to MARRY HER!”

“Hey Crazy Judy, are we invited to the wedding?”

“Jude The Dude, is anybun wearing the dress at your wedding?”

“The stupid pelt doesn’t even know she isn't a real doe!”

Ignoring them, Nick continued.  “I, Nicholas Piberious Wilde, of no skulk and no clan, have given insult without proper cause and I-”

“Nick! Stop it!” hissed Judy, trying to pull him up on his footpaws.

“Judy, I am trying to apologize,” said Nick, indignantly.

“Nick I feel bad about what happened,” said Judy, looking around at all the bunnies watching them, ears red with embarrassment.

“You ‘feel bad’ and that's it?” asked Nick, irritated. 

“Yes.  I feel bad about what happened.  But you don’t need to put on a big show for attention!”

“It’s not a big show!  I’m trying to apologize to you!”

“You are making a big deal for nothing, just like the water and your stupid dolls!”

“Looks like divorce before they get married!” yelled a bunny, prompting laughter.

“I wish I never met you, Judy Hopps!  I wish I was still in the cage instead of near you!” yelled Nick, turning and running away.

*****

Eileen sat in silence in the passenger seat as Barrett drove down country roads leading to the Hopps Burrow.  Ears droopy, she waited, barely noticing the fields and farms they passed.

She brushed her ears back, making them look presentable again; he had petted her ears gently at least.  The doe would not let him go any further than mutual ear touching no matter how their teenage hormones demanded it or how much he pleaded.

It didn’t really matter.  She knew what always came next: he drop off, the disappearing act, and the “shared stories” at school that always went way further than what really happened.

He pulled up to the front of the burrow, and she took her seatbelt off, reaching for the door handle.

“Hey Babe, what's wrong?” asked Barrett, as he reached over for her!

“N-nothing…” said Eileen, shocked.  This was where they told her to get out and just left. Unless…

“I’m sorry, Barrett, we can’t do that here...too many buns around.”

“Huh?  No, I just wanted a hug if that's okay.”

She reached over, and received a warm gentle hug from the buck.  He turned his head and stole a kiss! 

She was shocked, and just sat there.  He opened his mouth again and she braced herself for the bad news. She could already hear “I’ll see you around, sometime…” before radio silence.

“Eileen, can I get your number?  I was thinking we should go out Friday night, if you can.”

Grinning, she handed off her phone number, and kissed the buck back, grabbing his ears, not caring who saw them now.

Somebunny finally wants me!

*****

Nick ran down the corridors, and back to the small kitchen, finding Bonnie there alone, sitting at the small table, looking over some papers.  He sniffed the air, and scented a bit of weeping willow, some anger, and confusion. 

“Mom, I tried to apologize to Judy and-”

“Nick, this isn’t your scheduled day.  I don’t have time for you right now!  Wait your turn. Please!” said Bonnie without looking at him.  The scent of stress and irritation got higher, and Nick took a step back.

Nick turned and left the kitchen without a word.  It was clear Bonnie didn’t want him there.

He thought of his real mom and dad.  No matter what happened, they always acknowledged him.  No matter what was going on, at least one of them had ten seconds for a hug or a touch on the shoulder, even if a disaster happened.

Eileen was right. It was just a hobby.  No-bun here wants me.

********

Grinning like a drunken bunny at a dentists convention, Eileen walked back in the burrow.  She watched the last members of the daily ‘Welcome Home Crew’ about to finish up.  They had the job of passing messages to school aged buns coming back from Bonnie and Stu or department heads with announcements.

“Eileen,” called out Brian.  She turned to look at him, checking his clipboard, and smiled.  He was about to Officially Announce her Day!

“Eileen Day has been cancelled for today,” he said.

“What?  WHY?” Eileen asked, shocked.

“Until further notice, all planned dates you have with bucks outside the burrow are cancelled.”

****

The phone rang in the burrow, and was handed off to Nancy.

“Nancy, It’s Valerie. We might have a bun who can get into the Hopps Burrow now.  Make sure everybun sees you at home this weekend!”

Nancy smiled.  “That bitch Judy Hopps is getting her butt beat!”

****

Judy sat alone in her room, staring at the walls.  Outside in the hallway she could hear other buns gossiping about her and Nick.

The current theory is that ‘That fox’ realized she was crazy and broke off the marriage.  

She also overheard that “Nick was breaking off their friendship” and raising his status by learning professional wrestling.

Judy didn’t bother listening any more, but she didn’t want to sit here either.  Not knowing where to go, she got up and exited her room as an announcement played over the PA system in the burrow.

“ALL UNMATED FERTILE DOES – Required meeting in Meeting Hall A in 10 minutes!  NO EXCEPTIONS!  No younger buns allowed.”

All the older buns started shuffling around the hallways as they headed down to the meeting hall.  Judy waited a few minutes, and wandered to the kitchen, to grab a snack.  She chose a small cardboard cup of ice-cream, eating it with a wooden ‘stick spoon’ that was included in the package.

Tossing the empty cardboard cup in the trash, Judy turned down several hallways, just walking aimlessly, wondering how everything with Nick had gone so wrong.

I just drank some water! Now I am all alone again.

Blinking away tears, Judy turned a corner, bouncing off an older bunny in the hallway.  She was pushed away, hard, and fell back onto her tail.

“You get away!  Ain’t no-bun gonna steal my wallet!  Don’t you go thinkin’ imma soft target!  I remembers my training from the Army Days and I’ll wallop you!” yelled Pop-Pop, looking around wildly.

“Sorry, Pop-Pop!  Are you okay?” asked Judy getting to her footpaws.

“Oh, its you, Trudy!  You be careful now!  There’s a pick-pocket in the burrow who just tried the ‘Bump and Lift’ on me!  When I catches em, I’m gonna feed em to the Rabid Fox we keeps in the Hopps Burrow!”

Judy’s ears drooped lower.  Pop-Pop stopped yelling and looked over at her.  “Whats the matter, Trudy?  Did the pick-pocket get your purse?”

“It’s Judy, Pop-Pop.  And No.  Nick isn’t my friend anymore, since we got in a huge fight!  He said he wished he was still in jail and never was near me!”

“What happened?  Why you fighting?  He steal your stuff?”  Pop-Pop lowered his voice.  “I hear them foxes collect treasure and bury it by the end of a rainbow.”

Judy explained what had happened during both fights.

“I see, so you ‘pologized proper?”

“Yes!  I said I felt bad about what happened!”

“Judy, I can help you, but I need you to go put on your favorite fancy clothes and come right back, lickety split.”

Judy agreed, completely confused, after Pop-Pop would not change his mind and just tell her.

She left and came back with her yellow dress on, complete with bow tied around the waist.

“Hold on, just a minute, Judy.  Be back in a second.”  Pop-Pop walked into his bedroom and came back out, paws behind his back.

“Okay, Pop-Pop, how are you going to help?” asked Judy.

“Close yer eyes, Judy.”

When Pop-Pop refused to continue or explain, she closed her eyes and waited.

Judy felt something hit her chest, and she was completely soaked by cold water!  She looked down and found the remains of a red balloon that burst open, drenching her and the floor.

“Pop-Pop!  What are you doing?!” asked Judy in shock.

“Oh, I feel bad about what happened.”  The elderly bunny tossed a towel to Judy, who started drying herself off.

A few minutes later, Judy was mostly dry, and she started wiping down the floor, when she was smacked in the face with another balloon, knocking her over.

“Pop-Pop!  I JUST CLEANED THAT!”

“I feel real bad about what happened,” he replied.  Then he threw another water balloon, hitting her where she sat on the floor, making a bigger mess, soaking her, the floor, and the wall.

“Are you Crazy?!  STOP THROWING WATER BALLOONS!”

“Why are ya mad, Judy?”

“You soaked my dress!  You soaked the floor and the wall! You didn’t even say you were sorry!”

“What ya mean?  I said I felt bad about what happened.”

“Saying you ‘I felt bad about what happened’ doesn’t mean ‘I’m sorry!  Thats all you said and then you DID IT AGAIN!”

Pop-Pop looked at Judy.  “What?  Tell me that again.  Didn’t hear ya. Tell me why yur upset.”

“SAYING ‘I FELT BAD ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED’ then doing it AGAIN isn’t an apology!   How do you expect me to-” Judy stopped short, eyes going wide, paws covering her muzzle. 

“Well, it’s his fault!  He was putting on a big show and embarrassed me!”

“Judy, ya really want me to apologize for the dress and the mess?”

“Yes!”

“How about I apologize in front of everybun, so you know I mean it.”

“That would make me happ-” Judy stopped again.  “But why did he have to clap and act like he was marrying somebun?  It looked weird! And everybun was laughing!”

“Maybe you need to ask you some foxes.  They got Strange Ways.  All witchcrafty and weird.  Keep yer ears up!  They makes Terrible enemies, all smiles, til they eat ya!  Or commit devilry on yer soul!”

*****

Bonnie sat in the chair in her sewing room across from Stu, a pawful of papers on the table in between them.

“Bonnie, is the doc sure about all this?  The pregnancy was one thing, but this is a whole different bag of turnips!”

“He checked it twice.  Then had Caitlin check it twice. No question, Stu.”  Bonnie swept the papers off the table, accidentally knocking her teacup onto the floor with a clatter, the empty cup bouncing, and the handle snapping off.

The Grazer cellphone in Bonnie’s purse began vibrating, making her growl in irritation.  Stu picked up and disposed of the teacup as she looked at the phone, seeing her fox friend calling.  “I don’t have time for you, Vera!” grumbled, Bonnie as she hit the power button, sending the call to voicemail.

“You want another cup of tea, Bon?” asked Stu.

“No.  I need something a lot stronger.”

Stu left and returned a few minutes later with two mason jars of moonshine distilled from Hopps sugar beets. The pair picked up their glasses and took a small sip, with Stu coughing a bit.

“Well, at least Banishment isn’t required, Bon.  This isn’t like the Bad Old Days.”

“Stu, I just want to know how this happened!  This isn't great grandma’s time where you were expected to marry early, and hope the medicinal tea gave you time to live as an adult for a few years before you started popping out litters!”

There was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” said Stu.

Nurse Caitlin walked in, looked at Bonnie, and said “This is the one I just filled for her.  I found it in her top drawer, with the last three all looking the same.”

The Hopps nurse set down a round plastic container, told her parents she had patients scheduled, and quickly left.

Bonnie picked up the round container and tossed it to Stu, who caught it easily.

The middle-aged buck looked in his paws and saw a completely full 30-day supply of birth control pills.  By the date on the package, she should have only five pills left.

“D-did she report any problems taking the pills? Side effect or somethin’?” asked Stu.  This confused him.  Bunnies being prolific breeders, all the kits were taught from the time they could talk about body parts, safety, proper behavior, and pregnancy.  As a precaution, all does were placed on birth control at puberty.

There were no “baby bunnies found in cabbage patches” to avoid accidental overpopulation by hordes of experimenting teens.

“No,” said Bonnie. “None of the does in the E litter had problems with the Pill. Doc said she doesn’t even know she is pregnant yet.”  Bonnie paused.  “Should we keep her in the burrow?”

“Doesn’t matter.  She's already pregnant, Bon.  I’ll have the message passed on.  She might as well have her freedom for now.  We have time to decide if we claim the litter is ours.” 

*****

Eileen didn’t know what to do with herself.  Her first thought was to call Barrett ...but you are supposed to wait to call.  Or you seem desperate.

With ‘Eileen Day’ moved to tomorrow her plans for today were a mess.  She already did her homework.  She didn’t want to soak in the bath. 

Laying back on her bed, the doe stared at the ceiling, imagining Barrett taking her to the dance...then wondered all the sudden ‘What happens with the Mail-box by the house in Wishbringer?’

She got up, went to the ‘computer room” where all the computers were and found one of her geekier brother’s there and asked about the game.

A few minutes later, she was typing ‘enter the post office’  and starting her quest to rescue a pet from ‘The Dark Bun’.

****

Nick walked cautiously through the Burrow hallways, always listening, pausing to sniff the path ahead.  His backpack was loaded, all his important things inside carefully wrapped in clothes to avoid noise.

He stopped often, peering into the darkness of the dimly lit hallways, better able to see than any bunny in the dark.  The whole burrow should be asleep now.  He’d waited until just before midnight, when almost no-one was awake.  He wasnt tired, having taken a nap earlier, though his body was used to sleeping around this time.

Finally, Nick made his way to a side exit, and cautiously left the burrow.  All he needed to do now was make his way past the wrap around porch, and get down the gravel driveway; he had hidden one of the small mini-bikes in the bushes.  Once he got down the road, he could start it up, and ride all night.

Foxboro is only a couple hundred miles awa-

“Ahhhh!” screamed the tod, as his footpaw was grabbed, and he was lifted off his paws, dangling in the air upside down.

- End of Chapter 6.

Chapter Text

The Misfits of Bunnyburrow:

Chapter 7 – The School of Hard Knocks

Begin:

Judy lay in her bed, staring at the ceiling, reddened eyes burning with weariness. The room was cold, gray and joyless. It was past her bedtime, but she couldn’t fall asleep, tossing and turning. Without her loaner plushies, the room was empty. Without Nick’s warmth, she was cold, no matter what the temperature was, or how many blankets she used. She missed the warmth and the scent that had faded from his old pillow. She missed her friend.

He called me ‘Crazy Judy’. Was he really my friend?

Judy sniffled, and grabbed a tissue from the small packet.

The little skunk called me that too, and she was nice. None of the BUNNIES helped me with a nosebleed. Even the ones who don’t say ‘Crazy’ Judy.

Judy got out of bed, throwing a nightgown on, to find Nick. Maybe if she listened close enough she might hear him. She still needed to find out how to fix things from the Gray’s, but maybe hearing him would help her sleep?

As she made her way through the burrow, Judy stopped and listened often, hoping to not get caught out of bed, wishing her nose was as good as Nick’s. He could smell another bun before they came into sight. Her ears swiveling, Judy moved slowly then stopped in the middle of the hallway. Paw-steps were getting louder! Spying a doorway, Judy hopped through into the main bathrooms in this section. Silently letting the bathroom door close, she held her breath and put her back aganst the cold tile wall.

Judy listened, heart pounding as the paw-steps walked by, barely able to hear over the sound of blood thumping in her ears. She let out a breath and turned to leave when a whisper from behind made her jump in surprise, eyes wide, paws flying open.

“Judy, what are you doing awake in the E hallways?”

Eric had exited one of the stalls behind her.

“I-I needed...to...go to...the bathroom,” she whispered back while looking up and to the side.

“You have a restroom in the ‘J’ hallway. If you are looking, Nick isn’t in the ‘E’ section. Go back to bed so I don’t have to report you,” said Eric.

“I can’t sleep,” whispered Judy, ears getting warm in embarrassment. “Not without Nick or the loaner plushies.”

Judy turned to leave, but her older sibling grabbed her shoulder, stopping her. He pulled off his pajama shirt, and handed it over to her.

“Hide that under your nightgown. Don’t get me caught, Judy. If some-bun sees you with it, then you stole it from the laundry chute.”

Overcome by happiness, Judy tried to hug Eric but he stepped back, blocking her with a paw.

“Sorry, I cant have your scent on me, or we will both be in hot water.”

Eric approached the exit, and looked out, before motioning her to head out. He scratched Judy’s head between her ears, making her purr for the first time in days.

Judy heard Eric running to the sink and washing his paws as she made her way back to her bedroom. She hid the nightshirt inside her pillowcase and fell asleep as soon as her eyes closed for the first time in days, comforted by a Hopps scent as she drifted off.

***

Eileen yawned, looked at the clock, and was surprised at the how late it was. While playing Wishbringer she at last managed to not fall off the cliff-side path when the fog rolled in. She saved her game twice so to avoid using ‘restore to a save point’ to start at the top of the hill again.

Now she didn’t know what to do with the bridge troll blocking the way. Trying to fight the troll didn’t work, and it would not accept the Festeron gold coin or the note from Miss Voss.

She saved her game again, exited and stood up, her back stiffened from sitting at the computer so long.

Eileen hurried off to bed. She would ask Daniel how to get past the troll next time she went to class.

***

Nick crept through the burrow hallways, listening, pausing to sniff the path ahead. His backpack was loaded, all his important things inside wrapped in clothes to avoid noise.

He stopped often, peering into the darkness of the dim hallways, better able to see than any bunny in the near darkness, broken only by night lights. The whole burrow should be asleep now. He’d waited until just before midnight, when almost no-one was awake. He wasn’t tired, having taken a nap earlier, though his body was used to sleeping around this time.

At long last, Nick made his way to a side exit, and walked through the door, easing it closed behind him. All he needed to do now was make his way past the wrap around porch, and get down the gravel driveway; He had hidden one of the small mini-bikes in the bushes. Once he pushed it down the driveway, he could start it up, and ride all night. He’d put two gallons of gas in the tank, filling it.

Foxboro is only a couple hundred miles awa-

Nick screamed in surprise as his foot-paw was grabbed, and he was lifted off his paws, dangling in the air upside down.

Nick put both paws over his muzzle, trying his best to not make any further noise, while he looked around, desperate to see what was happening.

From behind he heard the crunch of approaching paw-steps in the gravel; being upwind, he couldn’t tell who it was by scent.

The wind changed direction, and he smelled the strong odor of tobacco from a pipe, and the scent of whiskey on the air.

“Well, Young Master Wilde, I sees I done caught a fox sneakin out of the Burrow long past his bedtime. Are ya trying to frame Stu fer kit-napping ya? Or you just on a Spirit Quest ta Summon Devils ta harry yer enemies with a wailin’ and a gnashin’ of teeth?” asked Pop-Pop casually.

Nick did a quarter-sit-up, and saw a rope snare was around his right leg, holding him off the ground, the other end tied to a large tree branch.

“Get me down, you crazy old breeder!” hissed Nick.

“Only if you swear an oath to tell me what yer doing with no lies, no half truths, Mister Fox.”

The tod struggled, but could not get himself free. The weight on the loop made it too tight to slip a paw out; doing a ‘sit-up’ with the extra weight of the backpack was impossible.

“I’ll swear if you swear that we keep this secret.”

“Hah! Yer learnin’ well, Young Nick! Was a time when you woulda just swore to me. Agreed.”

“I, Nicholas P Wilde, of no skulk and no clan swear to tell you the truth IF you agree to keep it private.”

“Done. I so swear to release you from the trap, keep yer foxy secrets, and don’t tell no-bun without yer permission.”

Otto cut the rope, sending the young fox towards the ground. He tried to roll, and felt something hard dig into his side from the backpack.

The old bunny helped the fox up and led him into a chair on the porch, indicating a chilled bottle of fruit juice in a cooler. The exact flavor juice that Nick preferred.

Nick stared. “D-did you know I was coming?”

“Had me a suspicion when I was tole you and yer friend Judy was feudin’ somethin’ fierce.” said Pop-Pop before sitting in the chair to the side of Nick.

“She’s not my friend! She’s just a lying breeder. She was never my friend!”

“So, you was planning on running away just because Crazy Judy is a liar? No other reasons?”

Nick stopped. Eyes downcast, tail tucked under, and quivering lip until he shook his head, trying to clear the expression.

“It doesn’t matter,” he said in a low monotone voice.

Otto reached over and stroked Nick’s ears gently. “Sorry, little tod. You swore to tell me. And I know

yer an honorable fox, and ya wouldn’t want to disgrace yer parents and yer Devil Worshippin’ ancestors.”

The fox took a deep shuddering breath before speaking.

“Judy disrespected the shrine for my parents’ Ka. I told her she was wrong, and she said the shrine was just a bunch of dumb dolls. We got into a fight. Then today when I tried to apologize, SHE DIDN’T apologize and then disrespected my apology!”

“I see...anything else happen? With any-bun else?”

“...Nuh...N-”

“See here, ya long toothed galoot! Don’t you go lyin’ ta me after ya swore!”

Nick looked at Otto, trying not to cry. “I was just a hobby for Miss Bonnie. No one really wants me here. Judy was the only one who PRETENDED to care.”

“I think yer wrong about Bonnie and Judy, and even that dunderhead Stu.” said Pop-Pop. “Ya think Judy would be so powerful upset if she hated ya?”

Nick looked unconvinced, glaring, eyes narrowing at the mention of the names.

“I can help ya, fox! Instead of ya running away and hopin fer the best…”, Pop-Pop stopped talking and looked around for any witnesses. He leaned over close to Nick’s ear and whispered, “I can get you in the Bunny Underground. They can get ya work and a place ta stay.”

The fox brightened up, smiling, eyes wide, paws opening in excitement. “Really?”

“Really. I swears on Bunny Honor that I will help ya out. All we need to do is get you familiar with Bunny Culture. Can’t have the Bunny Underground stuck with foxes who don’t know the Secret Bunny Ways.”

“What secrets? Bunnies take baths together and grow up and have lots of more bunnies they never see.”

“Yer missin’ a few things, fox. You come see me every night after supper, Nick. I’ll train ya up. Now you get yerself back off to bed ‘afore some-bun notices you missing.”

Nick finished his drink, and approached the elderly bunny.

“Thanks, Pop-Pop,” he said, hugging the old bunny. “I know you don’t like foxes, but you’re nice.”

“Don’t ya go ruinin’ muh reputation now. Ya just happen to be one o’ tha Good Foxes, ya pint-sized red burglar,” said the older bunny, hiding a smile behind a grumpy expression.

The tod headed off the porch and started walking towards the direction of the driveway.

Pop-Pop called out “Don’t worry about that moped, Nick. I rode it back ta the barn as soon as I saw it in the brush.”

***

“Donnie, what’s eating you? You been glaring at your drinks all night long,” asked Louie as he emptied the ice behind the bar.

“Work stuff on my mind, that’s all.”

“Work stuff? I figured maybe you and Lilly had a fight or something. How’s janitor work on your mind?” asked the raccoon tending bar.

The janitor looked around, and seeing no one in earshot, waved Louie closer.

“Don’t tell anyone I said it, or I could lose my job...but the Vice Principal...she had a bunch of buns in her office. Fourth graders. Both does and bucks. All of them pelleted their pants at the same time in there.”

“That's really weird...You would think at that age they could get to the can in time.”

Donnie leaned closer and whispered “These were all the little brats who bullied the VP’s spoiled daughter after SHE had the shits and pelleted her own pants.”

“That's some Karma,” said the bartender. He stepped away, handed a patron down the other end of the bar a bottle of beer, and came back.

Donnie motioned him closer. “That's not what’s bugging me. The VP had her office door locks changed to double-deadbolts. They were all locked in there with her when it happened.”