FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Kuana looked at the redden sky as the monorail zoomed along its tracks in the setting sun. She could see the gas giant that Severa orbits eclipse part of the sky and plunge the planet like moon into its rough winter season. She wasn't sure how she felt about being stuck in the middle of a blizzard for four months... Or was it six? She sighed as she rubbed her forehead. Keeping things strait in her mind proved to be a challenge for the young girl. At the time, it was her only option. With limited funds, her choices were very limited and she had to watch what little she had left. She needed to get away from everything that she knew, the so called caretakers, the neglectful guardians, her so called people in general.

The Greedy bastards...

The feline brushed her black hair out of her face and looked at her reflection in the window. Two bright golden eyes in a sea of gray fur. The young Caushae studied her sad expression in the window for several long moments, trying to think back to the more happier times that ended a few short years ago. It was supposed to of been her and her younger sister's birthday, a day of happiness for both the teenage girl and the younger sister. Instead it was the end of better times for her.

She shook her head before checking her bracelet for the time, the last thing she had of her family. There was still another 12 hours before she'd reach the next station. Hopefully those greedy guardians that was supposed to take care of her would never find her on the remote human controlled world. She sighed again as she wiggled down into the seat, making herself comfortable and drifted off.

*

It could have been easily described as an ideal day. The local sun shown high in the mostly clear blue sky, basking the planet in its warm golden rays. The blue sky was broken up by little wisp of white clouds that idly drifted along on a warm spring like breeze. It was an ideal sky, perfect for a beautiful, ideal day that it should have been for the colony of feline Caushae.

Not the destructive chaos that rain down from the skies above.

She was so happy when the day started, the family had her favorite breakfast ready when she came out of her room and they had left for the park after everyone has had their fill. It wasn't quite midday when a low rumble like a storm was approaching interrupted everyone's day. Looking to the sky, an odd shape appeared above the city a large red hull of a Caushae dreadnought hung menacingly over head.

“The Killmonger..." she plainly heard her father say before fiery death descended from the sky.

Screams and shouts in the distance followed by series of explosions trailed after the family as they ran, driving them to keep going. The only hope for the family was to reach the local shelter and hope that it wasn't sealed off due to being filled to opacity. Fire rained from the red spaceships that hung in the skies above the Caushae settlements, the need to escape the hell storm that was being brought down upon them was ever present in the minds of everyone that was seeking safety.

*

Kuana gasp as she sat up from her slouched position in the seat. She could feel her heart race as she breathed heavily. She could feel her fur matted in sweat from the reoccurring nightmares. She didn't understand why she was having nightmares, but she would have them when she was alone. Which was more than she cared to admit.

A chime sounded in the car, “Attention, Attention. Next stop, Oslenor Settlement. Passengers please prepare to disembark."

It was just after mid-day as she got off the train. The cool air that she felt on her gray fur did feel refreshing but the dropping temperatures of the next week or two did bother her. She'd need to find some kind of shelter and soon if she had any hope to survive. She wasn't used being used to the snow, and she had heard that the winters here could be deadly.

Well... Forward and onward.

A commotion of what sounded like rattling cans drew her out of her thoughts. She stopped and listen at an entrance to a back alleyway. Being barely considered a teenager, she shouldn't of been left alone let alone walk around an unfamiliar city. When she turned to continue on, she heard more rattling and what could only be a cry of distress and laughter. Without giving much thought, she dropped the bag she was carrying and ran in.

She passed several bends till she spotted where the commotion was coming from, three teenage boys standing over a human looking boy and a Caushae girl? The girl was the oldest of the two and was standing between the three boys and the human that was on the ground.

“Just leave us alone Baru'inus." The girl yelled at the lead boy, a Lycain that was close to her age, maybe 15 to 16 years of age from his size.

The Lycan stared down his grinning muzzle at the girl that was a head shorter than him. “Who's going to make me?" Kuana growled at the cockiness in the boy's voice “You?"

“Ha," another boy spoke up “Like a half breed like her will be able to stand up to you. Phooey, she's not even a half breed, she's a mutt." The three boys laughed.

“Shut up!" The girl yelled, taking a swing at the boys. She managed to connect with one of the human boys, making him stumble back and giving him a split lip before the Lycain back handed her. The girl landed hard against the wall, cracking the materials that the wall was made of at the impact and knocking the mixed breed girl for a loop.

“Ruma!.." The boy crawled over to the girl and gave her a light shake. “Leiko, wake up..."

The boys laughed. “Serves the half breed right." the boy that got the split lip said as he spit blood at the younger kids.

Kuana's blood started to boil as her fist tighten at what she just witness. With Fangs bared she stepped out of the shadows of where she was. “Hey!" She growled “<Why don't you bullies pick on someone your own size!>" She shouted in her native tongue. The three boys stooped and looked at the new interloper. The Lycain grinned at the Caushae and casually walked over to her.

“Look at what we got here, a lost kitty." He put his hands on his hips as he stared down at her, she only came up to his chin in height, but she still glared at him. “You are new here right? Well let me tell you kitty, I run this section of the settlement. And If you don't want me to pick on you, then I suggest you run along home or else I'll make an example of you along with these two."

“<Just try it, Fleabag!>"

Baru'inus smile faded and went to slap Kuana, but instead of connecting he only swatted air. She used her flexibility to lean under the Lycan's arm and did a cartwheel back, kicking the Lycain under his muzzle. He stumbled back as she landed on her feet and he rubbed his jaw. “Bicta!" He spat as he charged her again, this time throwing a punch. Again, using the advantage of her Caushae heritage of agility and flexibility, Kuana was already out of the way of the punch. She had ducked under the strike meant for her and slammed an elbow into Baru'inus' gut, dazing him from getting hit in his solar plexus. She grabbed the still outstretched arm and pulled it down over her shoulder as she used the momentum of his body to send him over her back. Baru'inus' world went topsy turvy as he landed on his back, knocking the wind out of him..

Kuana's ear twitch as she the noise of running shoes reached her. She ducked and twisted out of the boy's lunge and tripped the kid so he landed hard on the Lycain. Her smile that she had was short lived when another set of hands wrapped her around her waist and held her tight as the other two boys got back to their feet.

“Got you now, Fuzz ball."

“<Let go Jerk!>" Kuana spat in Caushae.

Oh, I'm going to enjoy this." Said Baru'inus as he walked up and cracked his knuckles. Kuana struggled against the boy's hold on her as Baru'inus readied himself and punched her hard in the face. Baru'inus pulled back to take another swing at her when both her legs came up and pushed against the Lycain's chest, knocking all three down. She twisted her way out of the boy's grip and got back on her feet. She barely had time to stand back up when a board hit her arm, knocking her down again as she yelped in pain.

“Stupid fleabag!" The kid said as he hit her arm again with the 4x4, making Kuana yowl in pain as she cowered back from the approaching boys. Looking over, she noticed that the siblings were gone. It was a bittersweet situation for her, the younger kids were out of harms way, but the three boys were now focused on her and getting the upper hand. They were gather around her, each with a grin on their faces. Cradling her injured arm, her eyes darting around looking for a way out. Her eyes looked at Baru'inus and almost lit up. She quickly spoke in her native language and the three boys looked at each other confused.

“I don't care who you are and I know what I done. Just like I know what I am going to be doing with you!" Baru'inus said as he kicked Kuana in her injured arm. He went to kick her again when a hand slapped itself on his shoulders and the Lycain kid was sent roughly fling into one of the piles of refuse scattered around. The two human boys looked up and seen the tall, adult Lycain standing there, or more specifically, his uniform as a settlement police officer. They turn to bolt down one of the alleyways.

“I don't think so." A human officer said as she came into sight. They tried to turn and run again until they seen that the last way out had two more officers charging towards them. They stopped and brought their hands up as the approaching officers came up to them and took the two into custody. The human came over to Lynnette, “Are you okay?" She asked as she held her hand out to the young Caushae.

Kuana nodded as she took the officer's hand and was helped up. She couldn't help but to wince in pain as she moved the arm that took the brunt of the 4x4 assault. She held her arm close and felt the tender bruising on her arm, making a sharp hiss as her fingers brushed the area. It was then that she noticed that the officer that asked her if she was okay was still watching her.

“Come with me." She said as she started to lead her out of the alley.

“Wait."

The officer frowned as Kuana pulled away and started for another alley. Uncertain what was going on, she followed the Caushae through some of the twists and turns of the back alley and spotted the feline picking up a duffle bag that she had dropped before helping the two kids.

The officer smiled as she placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, “Come on, lets get our arm checked out."

Kuana nodded as she followed the Officer out to the streets where there was two police cruisers and an ambiance. She could see some humans looking over the two kids that she had rescued. The boy looked over and gave her a smile. “Valryke!" He brushed by the medic and ran up to her and wrapped her in a tight embrace. “Hero-ia!" He said in half Caushae and Sol Common. The officer looked over at the girl she was escorting. Kuana just shyly looked away as she rubbed her sore arm. Kuana was lead to the ambulance and after a quick discussion between the officer and another human, was checked out by the medic.

“Doesn't look like anything is broken," the human said as he gently felt her arm. “Though we'll need to get an X-ray of it to make sure. Does your parents live around here?"

Kuana's eyes grew large with the realization that she was about to get caught. “Uhm..." Her mind raced as she tried to think of an excuse “Yeah..." She said though not quite convincingly enough. “They live close. I go get them." As Kuana got up and made for her bag, she felt a hand clasp her shoulder stopping the feline in her tracks.

“<You're not from around here are you?>" Kuana looked back and seen the knowing look on the officer's face. Hesitantly, she nodded yes. The officer nodded thoughtfully before she turn to the Lykain, “Hey Dorna, would you mind escorting those three to Juve hall? I got some stuff to take care of."

Her partner looked from her to Kuana back to her before giving her a little snort of a laugh. “No problem Ashley, I'll see you back at the station then?"

“Sure thing." The officer now identified as Ashley said as she usurer the three kids over to a wheeled police cruiser and opened the back door for them. The two kids jumped in the back with practiced ease while Kuana hesitated. “<Its okay.>" Ashley said to her. “<Everything will be alright. You can trust me.>"

Kuana gave a snort as she turn to look up into the officer's eyes. How many times did she hear those lines over the last few years? It was just a line that her previous guardians used to lull her into a false sense of security. But yet... Looking into the human's emerald eyes, Kuana couldn't see any of the deceit that she seen in the others. Kuana relented and climbed in back with the other two kids.

Ashley smiled as she shut the door after making sure everyone was settled and got into the driver's seat. She drove them deeper into the settlement as Kuana looked out the window, trying to keep track of the way back to the station in case she had to leave like the last place. Soon they were pulling up to a modest building that looked liked it had some sort of establishment on the ground floor. Kuana was so focused that she nearly jumped out of her fur when Ashley open the door for them. Once she was out of the way, the two siblings had moved with such speed that they were nearly a blur as they went strait for the main door to go inside.

The gray feline stood still, wondering where she was brought to when she felt a gentle hand at her back to usher her inside. She looked up at the human's face, hesitant to move. Ashley just smiled at her and gave her a reassuring back rub before motioning her inside. A chime sounded as the glass doors swung open and the two walked inside. Kuana was surprised to see that the modest establishment had more than a few customers sitting at the tables and found the two siblings at the counter talking to one of the waitresses.

“Hey, Tynda." Ashley greeted the rabbit Almedhas behind the counter. “Is my mother around?"

“Hey Ashley." The dark gray rabbit said as she looked up form the two kids with a smile. Like I told these two, your mother is out back and should be around in a minute or so."

“That's good. I need to ask her a favor..."

“Ashley..." A firm yet soft voice said from the kitchen. “What have I said about asking favors of your mother?"

Ashley grinned as she looked at the source of the voice. “No asking favors before saying hello and giving her a hug." She said as she walked over to a light cream colored Caushae that had came out of the kitchen and wrapped her in a tight hug.

“Madi!" The two kids both said at the same time as they jumped off their stool and tackled hugged the feline causing their mother to give a light oof. She knelt down to give her younger children a hug when she noticed the split lip and bruises on her youngest daughter.

“Oh my gods... Leiko what happen?!?"

“Baru'inus tried to bully us." The boy said before anyone could say anything “Leiko tried to stand up to him, but he hurt her."

“What!?!" Their mother exclaimed as she started to look over both children. “Did you stop him Ashley?"

“Err... Kinda..." Ashley said sheepishly as she took off her hat to scratch the back of her head.

Kuana's eye's grew big as she spotted the two triangle ears on the top of the human's head. In all honestly, she had thought that the four were refugees that had adopted each other as a family. It wasn't unheard of, specially from human space where they were. But now... Where the four actually related?

Before anyone could say more, the boy spoke up again. “Valryke came and tried to stop the mean wolf before big ruma came."

“Oh?" The mother asked as she brushed one of her blond locks back out of her face. “Is that who is slowly inching back towards the door?" Kuana gave a meep at being found out and stopped her slow slide to the door. The older Caushae gave the gray feline a smile as she came over and surprised her when she made a bow to her. “Thank you for watching out for my children. Sesillu yema."

“Uhmm..." Kuana was caught off guard. While she had partly expected a thank you, but not a formal one like the one the mother just did. “K-koh... Koh-mra."

“She's actually the favor I wanted to talk to you about." Ashley said, getting her mother's attention again.

“Oh?" The mother asked as her daughter pulled her away from everyone to talk to her a bit more privately.

Before Kuana could even wonder what was going on, she felt someone pull on her uninjured arm. She looked over at the boy who looked up at her with a gleeful glint in his eyes. “Do you like dessert? Torrie and mommy makes some of the best sweets around."

Next thing she knew, Kuana was sitting in on one of the stools as the younger daughter daughter came over and sat next to her. “I'm sorry about my ruma, he can get a little too excited meeting new people."

“Its... Oh kay..." Kuana said rubbing her still sore arm.

“I'm Leiko, my ruma is named Satoshi."

“Kuana."

“Where are you from?"

“Uhm... Tophiri."

“Tophiri?" Leiko repeated with a confuse tilt of her head. “Where's that?"

“The C..." Kuana's voice faltered for a moment. “Corgel system."

“Corgel system? Is that in Caushae space?" Kuana nodded as tears started to form in her eyes. Memories of her home started to flash through her mind in a flood of emotions. “Hey, are you okay?"

“I think young Kuana needs time to adjust to a few things..." The mother said as she placed a comforting hand on the crying feline's back. “Leiko, why don't you take Satoshi home and start on the homework I'm certain you both have."

“Aww... do we have too?" Both kids whined in unison. However, one look from their mother and both kids gave a sigh as they relented. They quickly gathered their belongings and quickly disappeared into the kitchen.

“Thank you for doing this mom." Ashley said as she put her hat back on and started to head for the door.

“Its no problem." The older Caushae said before stopping her daughter and giving her another hug. “Be safe."

“As much as possible." Ashley winked as she left.

“So..." The mother started as she turned to Kuana. “<My daughter tells me your name is Kuana?>" The gray feline nodded as she sat down next to her. “<Do you have a family name?>"

Kuana closed her eyes tightly. Buried feeling were starting to come back to her and it was trying not to simply break down and cry. “<N... Not any more...>" She said flatly. A paw hand came up to wipe at the gathering moisture under her eyes. Kuana looked up at the cream colored feline that was wiping away her collecting tears like any mother would for their child.

“<You lost them, didn't you?>" Kuana could only nod as she sniffled. “<Its ok, You might not think it, but I know what it was like.>" Kuana looked up at her questionably. “<I lost my family several years ago. I was an outcast until I was found my my mate and he gave me my new family.>"

Kuana wiped away more of the tears that were under her eyes. “<Wh-who are you?...>" she managed to sniffled.

“Oh my... Where are my manors." She sheepishly said before placing a hand over where her heart was. “<My name is Xlilith Price'ir, But please just call me Xlilith."