Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Battle of the Heart ❯ Exile ( Chapter 2 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Chapter 2

Rais tried to suppress a yelp as a stone hit him square on the cheek. He hurt all over, and cursed the hold on him that the fucking topaz created. He would have killed all these bastards by now if it weren't for that.

Suddenly, as if in answer to his prayers the stone stopped glowing. Two things registered in Rais' mind, the first was that he must have just been sold, the second was that his idiot master (whoever that was) had already managed to lose control of him. With a savage grin Rais leapt right through the wooden bars and at the humans that had dared to humiliate him. He collided with the one that had started throwing the rocks at the pup and him. He was just about to tear the squirming human's heart out when a firm hand fell on his shoulder. Rais whirled throwing the offending creature that had grabbed him off of him. The one who had touched him was a young human. Rais paused for a moment, studying the human that now lay on the ground in front of him. The creature had probably just turned of age and was here to get his first fox. One day he would be a spineless monster just like the rest of them, but for now he was an innocent, and as much as Rias wanted to he couldn't kill the human for future crimes.

“Get out of here kid. I don't have anything against you.” Rais turned back to the group of humans that were now trying to slip away.

The kid did not leave however. “I can't let you hurt them.”

Rais looked over his shoulder at the kid. “Stop trying to grow a conscience human. These men don't deserve to live. I'll be setting a lot of foxes free by killing them.”

The kid gulped visibly, “I can't let you, because I am not a kid. In fact I am your master now, and so you have to obey me.” The human held up a dull blue stone identical to the blue topaz around Rais' neck. Rais turned on the human, now giving him his full attention. He grinned savagely, “You shouldn't have done that human. You can't control me as long as that stone stays like that. Your wil's not strong enough, and now I will have to kill yeah. I was going to wait until after I dealt with these asses before I took out the idiot that had decided to buy me, but since you literally threw yourself at my feet I'll deal with you now. Sorry kid but I can't let you live while you're standing in the way of my freedom.

Rais struck out at the human but was forced to pull of when, much to his surprise he found Gabe blocking his way. It was than that he realized that the human held a glowing green stone in his other hand, Gabe's stone to be precise. Rais growled but stopped his advance. As long as that stone glowed Gabe would have to give his life to protect his master. “That's a cowards trick you asshole. Using a pup as a shield. Fine, I'll go along for now, but you can't hide behind him forever.” He smirked and added silently to himself, `then I'll kill him and take Gabe away from here. If I do this right we'll both be free before the moon is full again.'

~~**~~

Lamar shuddered and willed his heartbeat to return to normal and keep the fear he from his expression. He knew how close he had come to death, and though he didn't like using the younger fox as a shield he would prefer that to the alterative. He knew why the little fox had to protect him. As long as he held the kit's stone the fox would lay his life down for him. What he didn't understand was why the same wasn't true for the older fox. Why was the stone not glowing like it should? What was he doing wrong?

“Follow me,” Lamar turned and waked away, praying that both of the two foxes would follow. The younger of the two would have no choice, but the older fox would be harder to deal with. If he refused to follow orders Lamar didn't know what he would do. The silver beauty seemed to hesitate for a moment, but then he followed. The hunter winked at Lamar as he exited the market, "Enjoy your purchase's boy, and I wouldn't sleep to heavy if I were you. Lamar ignored the man, and only allowed himself to relax a bit once they were on the road toward his family's camp. It seemed that the immediate threat had past at least. Tomorrow would be the real test, when he would leave his parent's camp and start traveling on his own.

“So what are your names?” Lamar asked in hopes of easing the tension that had filled the air.

The older one continued to walk, not saying anything. The little fox peered up at him timidly through long silver bangs. “My name's Gabe, sir.”

Lamar smiled at him, “it's nice to meet you Gabe. My name's Lamar.”

The other fox snorted, “But he can call you master right? Drop the fucking act human, stop pretending to be half descent.”

Lamar glared at the fox, “He can call me whatever he wants. What is your problem anyways? Why is it that you hate me so much? I havn't done anything to you. You would both be dead if it wasn't for me.”

The look on Gabe's face made Lamar regret his words at once. “They were going to kill me?” The boy's voice was tearful.

“I, no I wouldn't have let that happened. Look you're safe now so don't worry.” Lamar stumbled over his own words.

“Yeah, as long as he obeys you and I don't decide to try and kill you. What the fuck do you mean you didn't do anything wrong? You fucking enslaved us both!” The fox seemed relentless in his hatred.

In truth Lamar couldn't blame him, but he had to act the part of the strong master. “I didn't enslave you, I bought you. You were slaves before I came into the picture and you would have been slaves no matter what. Why do you want to kill me so bad anyways? You'd just get taken be another master, and I know I'm not that bad.”

The fox studied him with inquisitive eyes, “You really don't know much about us do you? Foxes hate captivity more than anything. I would die before I would willingly submit to a master.”

“But you did submit, you're following my orders even now.” Lamar pointed out. He was troubled by the foxes words, but at the same time he knew he could not free the creature. If the fox were free he would surly kill others, and Lamar wouldn't have that on his conscience. He also needed the fox if he were to achieve his dream of becoming a great fox fighter. But perhaps they could come to some understanding. “I know your only listening to me cause of Gabe. After I am sure I have full control over your stone I'll set him free. I don't think he'd make a good fighter, and I can tell you care about him. I can't give you your freedom but I can at least give the boy his.”

The fox snorted turning away. “Yeah right, I'll believe that when I see it you asshole.”

~~**~~

Rias followed the human as they entered a small camp. He tensed immediately as he looked around at the place that looked so much like where he had lived during his last period of captivity. His last master was dead so he knew it wasn't the same place. Still, the resemblance was unnerving.

“You alright?”

Rias blinked in surprise looking to see his new master standing in front of him. “Yeah, I'm fine.” He said in a faint voice, his mind still in the past.

Lamar blinked, surprised by the simple and non condescending response. “Okay, you and Gabe should go over with my father's foxes while I go talk with my family. I'll be back in a while and then we'll go into town for some supplies.”

Rias nodded and ushered Gabe over to join the half a dozen foxes that sat on the ground outside of a large tent. The foxes looked at him with such an air of hopelessness and fear that Rias shuttered. If these foxes belonged to Lamar's father, Rias figured his new master couldn't be that much better.

“Um, excuse me sir?” Gabe's quite voice floated into Rias' thoughts.

The older fox smiled down at him, “You can call me Rias kid, you don't have to call me sir. What is it?”

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay. You were acting a little weird. Is something wrong?”

Rias shook his head as he sat down. “I was just thinking that's all.”

“Oh,” Gabe sat down beside him, “what do you think of our new master? I mean he seems okay for a human, right?”

Rias snorted, “It's an act Gabe, he'll make us fight the same as any. I mean yeah he has been nice so far but that's cause he's new at this. Give it time, he'll be just like the rest.”

~~**~~

Lamar opened the tent flap and was instantly confronted with the faces of his mother Karine and father Baren. Lamar blinked, surprised at seeing them both right there. Baren had been on the road with his foxes for as long as Lamar could remember, and had taken little to no interest in his son. The youth was pretty sure this was the most attention his father had ever given him. Perhaps now he would have a chance at really getting to know the man.

“Did you get a fox?” Baren stared down at him and Lamar felt like a small child under his gaze.

“Yes sir, I did. Two of them actually.” Lamar said in a timid voice.

His father narrowed his eyes. “Two, how did you afford two?”

Lamar looked down, “well you see one of them is very young so he was real cheep. The other one is kinda hard to control. I kinda got a two for one you see.” Lamar smiled and looked up hope for approval. He didn't get it. “A waste of money. You should have gotten a gold fox like I told you to.”

“I tried father, but the only gold one was already taken, and I really think my new fox can fight!”

“Hum, I'll be the judge of that. Where are they?” There was a hint of announce in his voice.

Lamar pointed out the door. “I have them waiting with your foxes, later we've got to go get some supplies.”

Lamar's father didn't reply, he just walked out past his son. Lamar ran out after him just in time to see his father grab Gabe by his tail and lift him into the air. An act that sparked rage in the older fox's eyes. This would not end well. “This is your new fox? What the hell were you thinking boy? This creature could never win a fight!”

Lamar could only stare in speechless shock as his father held the crying, terrified fox out in front of him. He knew his father was a harsh man, but he never thought he would be so cruel. It's true that in half form Gabe was only the size of a human five year old, but it still had to hurt like hell.

“Please stop.” The strained voice came from the dangling pup. Lamar heard his plee but had no idea how to help. The other fox did not seem to have this problem. He was up and coming at Lamar's father with a murderous rage in his eyes. “Let him go you fucking monster!”

Baren didn't even look at his would be attacker. He held up a hand, singling to a golden fox that had been sitting with the others. This fox stood imetatly and came at Lamar's fox, hitting him square in the temple. Lamar's fox fell and the gold fox stood over the moaning creaure, a foot on his stomic to keep him down.

Baren laughed, a sound that held no warmth “So, you got a child and a wild beast you can't even control, and they're both silver too. This really is pathetic boy. What where you thinking buying these two?”

Lamar shook his head to clear it as he looked at his father with pleading eyes. He had hopped to make this man proud, but now all he felt was disappointment, and anger. “Put the pup down father, you don't have any right to take this out on him. He's young, but he'll grow into a strong healthy fox.”

“In about fifty years you stupid boy. The only thing that creature is good for is hard labor and personal pleasures, neither of which you need. He threw the fox at Lamar, who managed to break his fall only by having the fox crash into them so that they both toppled over. Gabe whimpered from his spot on his master's chest, burying his face in the human's breast. “You and your foxes get the hell out of here. Don't bother coming back until you've learned to act like a proper fox fighter.” Baren turned and went back inside without another word.

Lamar lay where he was looking up at his mother in desperation. Surly she would not allow this. His mother took a step forward but then stopped, tears threatening to let lose. “Do your best Lamar, and be careful. I-I love you.” And then she too ran inside, her face colored with shame and grief. Lamar closed his eyes, leaning his head back. He had just lost his family, now he had nothing. Nothing but these two foxes. He would teach them. He would become the greatest fox fighter ever known. Lamar looked up at Gabe, who was still perched on his chest. “Are you alright?”

Gabe lowered his eyes, quickly getting up off him, “yes master, I'm fine, I'm-sorry.”

Lamar frowned as he stood. “You don't have anything to apologize for. This whole thing is my fault. Come on, lets get out of here. I don't have money for a room, so it seems we'll be camping on the road tonight”. Gabe nodded and Lamar turned to gather his less agreeable fox, but gasped when he realized that the fox was still on the ground. “Hey, you okay?”

The silver fox didn't respond, and it was only then that Lamar realized that there was blood coming from the creature's forehead. “Shit, what the hell did that gold fox do to him?” He ran over to his fox, kneeling down beside him and shaking him gently. The fox came to violently, snapping at Lamar's arm with enough force to draw blood. The fox's eyes opened, wild and full of fear. That fear only doubled when he looked up and saw blood running from in between his teeth and he immediately released the appendage and scooted away. Lamar had felt shooting pain in his arm, and had struggled not to cry out. But one look at the uncharacteristic fear on the foxes face made him forget his own pain. “Are you okay?”

The fox blinked looking at him with great uncertainty, his face then snapped back into its usual mask. “I'm fine,” he said wiping the blood away with a swipe of his hand, only to have more run down. “Where's Gabe, if anything's happened to him I swear I'll-“

“I'm right here, don't worry, Master Lamar saved me.” Gabe appeared beside Lamar, a worried look on his face. “You look horrible.”

The fox smiled, a sight that caused Lamar's breath to catch in his throat. “I got on the wrong side of a fist, but don't worry, I'm okay.”

Lamar shook his head, and tore a piece of material from his shirt. “Your still bleeding, here use this to bandage that.”

The fox blinked in surprise as he caught the strip of fabric. “I can take care of myself, besides don't you need this for your arm?” Lamar blinked and looked down at the two bite holes that were oozing blood. It didn't really hurt that bad now, but he was rather surprised that he hadn't noticed it, and even more surprised that the fox had brought it up. “When you bit me you looked scared, you didn't think I would hurt you did you? I knew you were just caught off guard.

The fox shrugged, “It was your fault for waking me up that way, and no it wasn't you I was scared of. I was just caught thinking about other things that's all."

Lamar smiled, surprised that the fox hadn't tried to deny his fear. Maybe in time the fox would let him help him through it. He hadn't liked seeing that look on the face of his bold stubborn fox. If he could help to alleviate some of the pain he had seen there them he would. He tore another piece of fabric from his shirt to use on his arm. He looked up when he heard the silver fox snort. “You look ridicules like that, you know.” The fox had fashioned himself a headband out of the strip, and looked quite silly himself, though in a sexy way…

Lamar shook his head and tied the strip of cloth on his arm, hoping his blush wasn't too obvious. The last thing he needed was for the fox to realize he was attracted to him. Not that he would ever act of it. The hatful murderous kind just were his type. Still the fox was dashing. Lamar pulled his shirt off and stuffed it in his small bag, knowing he didn't have money to waste by throwing it away. It would take at least two pensives for another shirt, that only left eight for supplies, and he had three bellies to feed.

“Oh, Lamar?” Lamar smiled at hearing his name from the foxes lips. So he had gotten upgraded from being call `human' or worse, `boy.'

“Yeah?”

“My name's Rias, since you wanted to know earlier. Call it a thank you for saving the boy.”

Lamar smiled, knowing he had just passed a large milestone in earning the fox's trust. “Thank you Rias, now come on, we got to get to the market before it closes.”

~~**~~

"Why the hell are you wasting money on food when I can hunt for us?” Rias was surprised by his own offer, but he had to admit that this human had been exceptionally kind. When he had heard how little money the human had he had known he had to help out if they were going to survive. Lamar was clueless, and though Rias still planed to escape, he could at least make the best of things until that happened.

“How do I know you wouldn't just use that as an excuse to run off?” Lamar's eyes were guarded. The human had been acting oddly since they had left his sire's dwelling, but then again he had acted oddly from the start.

Rias snorted in answer to the question. “If I had wanted to run off I could do it just as easily in your site as out of it. I won't leave Gabe. I know how you humans are. You'd make him fight if I wasn't here, even if he is way too young. I also have this damned stone to deal with. If you ever got it to work you could use it to kill me even from a distance. The only way I could get rid of it is to destroy your half.”

Lamar looked at the stone, eyeing it curiously. Rias wondered if he was giving the human too much information. “Look, you said you don't have much money so don't waste it on food.”

Lamar nodded, and than went about purchasing a pair of cooking knives, a couple of blankets, some flint, and a new change of clothing. Rias looked over all the stuff, actually rather impressed by what the human had chosen. The knives and flint were essential, and though Rias would have just used the skins of his kills to get clothes and blankets he could see why the human needed them. They were furless after all. “How much money do you have left?”

Lamar looked in his pouch frowning as he did so, “just three and a half pensives. Why do you ask?”

Rias shook his head, “Cause a minimum wager in a fox fight is two pensives, and I won't have you wagering Gabe.”

“I wouldn't!” Lamar looked appalled.

Rias smirked, he knew the human wouldn't do that, if only because he wouldn't have any leverage on Rias if he did. Still, it was fun to see the look on his face.

“Well I think we're done here, can you and Gabe wait in the center yard. I've got an old friend I want to say goodbye to.” Lamar didn't wait for an answer, but just went off towards as shop that had a banner naming it, `Candise's Pet Accessories.'

“I swear if that human dare comes back with a fucking collar for me I'm going to kill the bastard.” Rias growled as he steered a giggling Gabe out toward the center of the market. “What the hell do you think is so funny?”

Gabe smirked looking up at him, “just the idea of you in a collar! I wonder what color he'd get you.”

“He's not buying me a fucking collar! If he were to collar anyone it would be you. You're the one that acts like his fucking pet.” Rias regretted this the moment it came out of his mouth. He had not meant to be so hard, but the boy did act just like a pet. Of course Rias had acted that way with his first master too, and it had landed him in the worst experience of his life. He just didn't want that to happen to Gabe too. At least that's what he told himself.

“Your mean Rias,” lucky the boy hadn't seemed to take it too hard. “You're the one who told me I had to obey him.”

Rias sighed and kneeled down in front of the boy, putting a hand on each of his shoulders, “I did tell you that, and I mend it. But obeying him and being friendly with him are two different things.”

“But he's nice! He isn't like the other humans!”

Rias growled his eyes flashing with pent up anger. “He's just like them, understand? They're all alike. He's being nice now but that will change. He'll show his true colors soon, and I don't want you to be to close to him when he does. Trust me alright, don't let him get to fond of you.”

Gabe nodded, though he looked as if he had just lost a dear friend, “Okay Rias, I won't.”

~~**~~

“So what do you think Candise? Is there anyway to make it glow?”

Candise looked up at Lamar after studying the stone for a moment. She was a local crafter, and she knew all there was to know about the crystals. Lamar had known her since he was a young child, and he prayed she could help him.

“Well the way you normally do it is by overpowering the will of a fox. If you can't do that maybe you're not meant to be a fox fighter.” Candise handed the stone back to him. “That topaz is fine, it's the owner that's the problem.

Lamar sighed, “please Candise, isn't there anything you can do?”

Candise smiled rather deviously, “Well there's one thing but-“

“What, look I'll try anything!”

“Okay here you go then.” She handed him a black leather collar and a small black device. Lamar eye'd them wearly, “how's this going to help?”

Candise smiled, “It's an obedience collar. It's really quite simple. You give an order and if your fox doesn't listen you push the button. It gives him a reminder of who's in charge. A type of persuasion you could say.”

Lamar fronded, he didn't like the sound of that, or the gleam in Candise's eyes. “It's not going to hurt him is it?”

Candise shook her head, “Of course not silly. We wouldn't sell something that harms perfectly good foxes. It uses magic you see.”

Lamar sighed, he really didn't have a choice. Not considering Rias' wish to kill him. He felt bad considering the resent improvement in the foxes behavior, but he couldn't risk it either. “Alright I'll take it Candise. How much does it cost?”

Candise smiled, “I know you can't afford it, so I'll say it's on loan. Return it, with interest once you're a successful fox fighter with full control of your pet.”

Lamar blushed despite himself, “Rias isn't my pet.”

“Ahh how cute, you already named him.”

Lamar coughed his eyes widening and his cheeks reddening even more. “I, I didn't-“

Candise laughed and ushered Lamar out of the room. “Oh come on lets go have a look at your new pet. I'm dieing to see him now.”

“He's not my pet.” Lamar said as he grabbed up the collar. His words feel on death ears however. Then again who could blame her for not listening to him, he was about to collar Rias. `That doesn't make him my pet.' He thought desperately as he left the store with Candise in tow. He was already feeling like this was a big mistake.

Well I hope you enjoyed it. Next time the group will head out on the road, and Rias and Lamar will get to know each other better. Please review and tell me what you think!