FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Here is the second chapter in my story series. This one is meant to be bit more light hearted and fun (besides the fight) and to set up for a few chapters to come. But the first part is best if you're listening to certain songs from the Halo or Gladiator soundtrack.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it, and I hope the 'girls' chase at least earns a chuckle or two.

And of course if dragons or a bit of rather bloody fighting offends you, or if you are not of the proper legal age then don't read this.

******

Bullets ricocheted off of White's chain laden cloak and pinged off of Black's ripper blade as they dove in opposite directions. The first fur was pulped to a rather bloody mass of meat by the ripper blade. The next was hooked by several catch chains and was catapulted screaming into one of his companions. While an even sided arc formation offered the gang members a good field of fire towards the door, it left them easy prey if both lines were assaulted.

Both bounty hunters seemed untouchable as they wove through the outlaws like farmers scything down wheat. Bullet casings rained to the ground in a brass cascade. Another head was rent from a fur's shoulders with a twist of a blade chain while still another lost a leg and half their pelvis.

Black used the now crippled and groaning fur as a body shield, feeling impacts against soft flesh. She pulled one of her sidearms and planted a crimson hole in the hearts of two more foes. At the same moment White swept out low to the ground with all four of his weight chains, cracking ankle and leg bones of another three.

One managed to get a bit of luck with a shotgun blast straight into the chest of White. This was a very bad idea as two scythe chains and four blade chains came at the outlaw from different angles, cleaving him into several even chunks. He caught the gun before it fell and blasted across the arc to where a fur was readying a heavy machine gun, the slug caught the arm which was about to pull the trigger.

A lightning bolt flashed overhead as the ripper blade lived up to its name yet again by very messily smashing the now one armed gunner in half. Black used the momentum of the swing to carry herself forward, and pulp the head of the next one in line while dropping the now peppered corpse.

Thunder made the ground rumble in time with the slide being pumped. Two smoking shells joined the first before it even struck the ground, and two craters appeared in the chest of yet another gunman.

Not even thirty seconds had yet to pass as more than half of the force sent to retake Ruby were already laying on the ground, either dead, or unable to move. Grunting with effort, Black hurled her blade with a spin that sent it sailing to clip the side of one outlaw and bury itself in the chest of the fur standing next to the tiger, still holding a knife to Ruby's throat.

They slammed back to back once more as Black put rounds into the fallen gang members on White's side who were starting to train their guns again. It seemed that both hunters were one as he spun around Black's back and finished her side with slugs.

She ducked backwards around him, with both guns blazing down the last of the fallen. The final pair of outlaws could only stare as another flash of lightning rebounded and multiplied itself of White's scales as he abandoned the empty shotgun and flew towards them with claws spread wide. He was truly terrible to behold, with his eyes held wide with adrenaline and with an inner fire that was akin to that of the reaper himself.

When the tiger's sight at last cleared from the searing of the final bolt of lightning, he found himself staring at a ripper blade and felt a chain around his neck as well as the arm holding the knife. The last outlaw didn't even know he was dead until he watched his headless body fall to the ground.

"I think we may need to go wash again." Said Black as she looked at her gore encrusted blade and clothes.

"I agree, but lets bring Ruby inside." White picked her up and stepped over the bodies now strewn about the entrance to the broken down house. He set the fox down with care and untied her, and went back out to retrieve his things from the horse. He also checked the outlaws for bounties. As with all the others there were none issued, but all had with them the odd serpent icon.

Heavy rain was coming down by the time he came back again from salvaging weapons and ammo from the fallen retrieval party. Black was drying her now dripping spines, with her wings tucked comfortably against her back, and was in a blanket wrapped in a very revealing manner with her tail swishing contentedly. The trail of red left in his wake drew her attention.

"White, do you know that you're bleeding?"

"What, where?" He looked behind him then lifted off his cloak to expose the bloody bulge of a slug lodged in his chest. "Oh that, oops." Fortunately White didn't land on either of his wings as he fell backwards, knocked out as his battle rush wore off.

Black rolled her eyes and muttered something about men being so tough. "Well at least now I can give him a wash without him complaining." She gave him a cursory exam and removed the bullet with her claws. "Ouch, three ribs, lucky shot." Still wearing nothing but the blanket, she hauled him down into the drying cellar, stripped him down to his boxers, and washed him along with all of their bloodstained attire thoroughly.

When she had dressed, and checked over the useful guns with her own picks set and ready, she hauled White back up to the main floor and bandaged him. "Hey, get up, we've got to go." She slapped him hard across the face.

"Alright! I'm awake!" He felt his rather tender cheek and glared up at her. "Easier wake up call next time."

"You'll be fine, but very soon this little refuge of ours will be quite swarming with gang members. It's also becoming wet rather quickly form your ceiling stunt."

With a grin White sat up and started to get dressed. "It caught you by surprise didn't it?" Instead of answering she harumphed and tossed him his cloak.

"Damn that thing is heavy, think you have enough chains on it?"

"No, its missing the two most important ones." He turned and picked up the rest of the arsenal arrayed on the floor and attached them to his coat.

"What are you missing?" Black asked as she checked out one of the broken windows. "And also, if your ready then lets get moving." He put on his hat, picked up Ruby, and nodded over to Black as she put her own hat on. They both swept out the door towards the horse, paying no heed as the rain washed away the blood and stench of death.

"Are you up for a run my dear dragoness?"

"Do the stars shine?" She said slyly. "Can your ribs take it though?" He sped the horse into a cantor and kept pace alongside even though each stride sent sharp pain through his chest.

******

An hour and a half went by as they ran to make sure that the city guard would be close enough by the time the outlaws caught up to them to make sure that they didn't dare follow. When they slowed down conversation began again.

"Well. You didn't answer my earlier question." Black was walking at an easy pace next to him as White led the horse.

"What question?" He looked over at her.

"The one where I asked what you were missing from that cloak of yours."

"Ah yes. I'm missing my master chains. They're the symbol that separates a chain master, from a chain adept."

"I didn't know there were any levels of chain mastery, the way I've been told is that you are or you aren't. So you've just become a chain master, but what do your master chains look like?"

"That's a pretty common error, though it is a forbidden technique after all. And no, I've been a master for a very long time, its just that an incident occurred which has forced me to commission a new pair. Don't worry, you'll see them, the smith is in the town we're heading to." White took a deep breath but let it out in a hiss from his ribs shifting.

Black noticed and scoffed at him. "Come on you little hatchling, its just a few cracked ribs. I've had much worse than that."

"This is nothing compared to when I had to take down the needle. By the end of it I had four cracked ribs, a torn wing membrane, lacerations on at least half of me, and a sprained ankle." He responded.

"The needle, that was you? I wanted that bounty. Though I heard he was a real brute of a bull."

"Had to have a good portion of my cloak remade from that particular encounter, it wasn't the one that has had me remake my master chains though. The payoff was well worth the giant axe nearly in my skull though."

"When this particularly well financed employer..." The traditional bounty hunter way of saying: A rich snob who just cares about his cash. "...hired me to escort his caravan and carefully neglected to mention that it was transporting some very lucrative bit of payoff to a local gang lord. The best part is that a rival boss decided to stake his claim."

"I wonder just how often that happens nowadays." White yawned and stretched as the storm broke at last.

"You wouldn't be surprised in the least bit. By the end of it the total damage was, a broken leg, two torn membranes, an almost broken tail. Let me think, what else. A collapsed lung, which broke five ribs, and a particularly painful burn from when some bastard got me from behind and I got pushed into the campfire."

"You got me beat. What about largest payoff for one individual?"

"Four hundred thousand."

"Ha, nine hundred."

"What individual pays nine hundred?" Black asked incredulously.

"The needle, remember."

"Ok hotshot, biggest group catch, total."

"Snagged the entire dirge family for one hundred fifty, each. Totaling at one point two million."

"I have you on this one." She said with a smile. "Grunge gang for a total of one point four million."

"The group ones are easier, less hassle, but less fun. What about long-term contracts?"

And so it went for some time. Both were still trading stories and comparing various accomplishments, when the sun rose to bathe the wheat fields now all around the road they were on, in beautiful crimson light.

Not until after they had past the sign reading 'Welcome to Trinity Town' did Ruby wake up. Even then she was only lucid long enough to see that everything was well, then drifted off once more.

The town watch was just changing out as they came through the city gates. Several of them tipped their hats, but most were looking with odd expressions at seeing both of them together. They were a rather odd pair, him with the few blinding scales visible, contrasting against his black outfit. And her, with black scales that seemed to suck the light in, against her all white clothing.

Both were covered to the fullest extent as the sun was now fully visible. As they passed the Unicorns Horn, one of the better taverns in the town, the owner was opening it when he spotted Black and ran inside. When he came back he tossed her a bottle of red wine with a wink.

"Since when does the owner of the Unicorns Horn give out free drinks. Isn't he very strict about that?" White blurted out.

"Yes normally. But that rule was bent a bit for me when a particularly drunk group of friends decided to have some fun. A few had knifes and things got out of hand." She uncorked the bottle and took a swig. "This is a good batch too."

They turned a corner to get to Ruby's house and White grinned with mischief glinting in his eyes as he spotted the purple canvas overhang of the brothel he knew so well. A few were already out trying to catch one of the stay-up-all-nighters. When they came close enough he called out to them.

"Oh girls!" He waved his claw high in the air and gave the reins to the horse over to Black. His cloak and vest came off in a hurry and was put on the horse before he called again. "Girls, I'm back!"

"It's Daddy Sun!" One of them cried. They all turned towards him, yelling and screeching in delight.

"Well what are you waiting for, an invitation? Go get him girls!" Yelled the matron of the brothel, an ageing phoenix. With another chorus of cries, the whole dozen piled after him, some just waking up and dressed only in their undergarments.

"Don't worry I'll handle this." He said in as serious a tone he could manage to Black, who just huffed and folded her arms. White ran forward in glee towards the onrush of women. Just as it seemed they were about to collide, he leapt against a shop wall and rebounded over their heads. "Can't catch me girls!"

They all reversed direction and pelted after him. For a while he would slow down and then speed up just as they got into arms reach. He quickly came to his usual spot and flew up to a protruding pole which he was sitting on moments later. The girls crowded around under him.

"Oh no, I seem to be slipping." He said in a matter-of-fact voice. Everyone bellow him giggled. With a low cry he fell backwards and spread his wings to slow himself. The girls caught him and lowered him to the ground where they eagerly jumped on top of him. After a while they let him up and were busy hugging or kissing as high as they could reach, which normally wasn't high as he towered over them.

"Careful of the ribs girls." He grunted after a particularly tight embrace, after they had gotten back under the brothel's overhang.

"What happened Daddy Sun?" A couple asked in concerned tones.

"Oh, just a shotgun slug." He forgot who he was talking to and let that little bit slip, and couldn't help but cringe a little from the resulting cries of concern. "Now now, don't fret. Lets go see Mother." He reached down and picked up one of the girls and set her on his shoulders.

They all came back with him to the brothel where he set down the one on his shoulders and talked to them for a while. One of the younger members went up to the matron. "Mother! Daddy Sun got shot!" The old phoenix walked up to him, wrapped her wings and arms around him and laid her orange and yellow head against his bare chest and felt the strong beat of his heart.

"Don't you worry girls, Daddy is ok." She said to the gathered throng. A few more gave him a hug or a kiss and dispersed. Still holding him, she looked up at him. "You know that you shouldn't be in the sun." She said in a scolding manner, then softened. "How are you doing White?"

"A bit of sting in my wings is worth it to have a bit of fun with the girls. And I'm just fine Agatha. How are you, and our girls?"

Agatha laughed and looked up at him. "This old bird still has some fire left. Nothing major has happened, just the occasional drunk who tries to take things a bit further than what he payed for." She laid her head against his chest again and spoke softly. "It's good to see you again White. Take care of yourself, even though I know you'll get back into the heat of things."

"I always do. But now I have someone to help me." White turned to Black.

"Well come over here miss, lets see if your good enough for Daddy Sun." Agatha called over to her. While a little confused by the scene on front of her, she complied and let the phoenix look her over. "And a fine mate you have chosen. She is strong and burns with passion in what she does. I have heard many things about the reputable Black Star."

"It's a pleasure to meet you but we must be going." Black said through half gritted fangs, trying very hard to be polite.

"Ah yes the Spyridon girl." Agatha said, looking over at the semi-conscious Ruby. "Well if you don't take care of yourself, I'm sure that she will." She leaned towards him. "You know that my offer for you to stay with me and the girls has not been retracted."

White laughed and gave her one last hug and a kiss on the forehead. "And I hope that offer will always be open. You take care of yourself, and our girls as well."

"I will, and when have I not?" She turned and went back inside. White turned to where Black had her claws on her hips and an expression that was clearly demanding explanation.

"To keep a long story short, when I first came to this town I was starved and half dead. Agatha found me laying out in the street, kind thing that she is, she brought me in. And with the help of the girls, nursed me back to health. For a long time I was like a personal bouncer to them. Saved more than one on occasion." White paused long enough to put his jacket and cloak back on before continuing.

"They became like family. And since I was always protecting them I became known as 'Daddy Sun'." They started to walk again and rounded the final street to the manor district of the town. "But I couldn't stand staying in one place for so long. So they all chipped in and got me my first full cloak."

"You need to tell me this story in full, but for now, we have business to attend." Black took her free arm and wrapped it around his waist. "And don't forget, we are mates now." She leaned far up and kissed him, long and deep. "I do love you, White Sun."

"And I you, Black Star." He returned the kiss and looked up at the approaching manor. White only glanced at the marble steps and columns. A servant opened the large brass double doors, while another led the horse away after Black picked Ruby up.

Mr. And Mrs. Spyridon were waiting in the entry hall and rushed to them. Mrs. Spyridon, a much darker fur than her daughter in an expensive dress, took Ruby and rocked her gently to the ground. Mr. Spyridon, a taller fox in a well tailored suit who clearly gave his daughter both her fur and eyes, bent down with worry.

Once he was satisfied that his child was fine, he gestured to the pair of bounty hunters to follow him. He brought them through a long corridor to a locked and reinforced steel door. The key around his neck turned in the lock with a series of clicks. Still without a word they continued down a ways into the house's armory.

They had to hold one another up as they gazed in abject wonder at the seemingly infinite reaches of the armory from heaven. The room was easily seventy yards long and twenty wide, the ceiling towered above White even. Every inch was pure munitions and firepower. Their sight was riveted upon the racks around them as they came to a medium sized vault at the end of the room.

Mr. Spyridon opened it and pulled out a large case. "There. Five million in cash, as per the fulfillment of our contract for the safe return of my daughter." This brought their attention back to him. Black stepped forwards a bit and challenged him.

"Now hold on. You hired both of us without telling me or him that you had. And you hired each of us separately at five million, that totals to ten million." He growled at realizing that she was right and went to retrieve another case.

"My wife and I would also like to speak with you about another contract up in the terrace, please follow me." With a mutual smile they trailed after their employer with one last look at the armory.

When they arrived at the terrace, Mrs. Spyridon was already there, sitting at a metal table under an awning that was on level with one of the manor's gardens. Mr. Spyridon sat next to her and indicated for the pair of dragons to do the same.

"As I said, we would like your services again." He turned to his wife who continued.

"Since these are dangerous times in which we live, the kidnaping of our daughter has opened our eyes that she needs to learn how to protect herself. There have been several attempts to take other children from wealthy families. Many of these are friends of ours, and we are speaking on behalf of all of them, when we ask you two to train our children."

They both stood, picked up their money, and prepared to leave. "You will be payed five million per child. Each." She added as they continued to move. "And you will have fine suites here in our home as well as all you can eat for as long as it takes."

Both were almost out the door when the last addition by the husband, froze them mid-step. "And you will have infinite access to our armory." With a knowing look to one another, they turned and smiled.

******

Once more I hope you enjoyed this.

And as one of my favorite author here does, I shall pose a question.

In the battle scene at the beginning I tried to have them both take down an equal number of badies and then have Black ask to have the 21st. But I changed my mind about what counted as 'take down' and switched it to whoever gets the kill. It turned out rather well anyways so I went with it. So if you message me with the answer that I got with who got how many kills then you get to make one (or two depending if I like both of them) of the kids who they train in the coming chapters.