Battle of the Heart

Wow, I am so sorry this chapter took so long to get out. I got hit with a ten page paper in one class and a six page paper in another and all other writing went out the window. I really wanted to that everyone for their support. I must say that with school and work pressing down so hard I almost gave up on this story, but I got so many reviews I just had to keep going.

Inugrl2004: I'm glade you like the story and thanks for the encouragement.


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Here you guys go!

It didn’t register right away that it was a knife at Lamar’s throat. He wasn’t used to waking up in such a predicament, and so at first he did not understand what the cold hard object pressing against his throat was. Then his world snapped into place and he realized exactly what was happening when he heard a voice mutter, “If you value your life you won’t make a move, vermin.”

Lamar blinked and looked into the eyes of the man holding the knife. The first thing he noticed was silver ears and almond shaped green eyes. This was a fox. The second thing he noticed was the absence of a stone hanging around the fox’s neck. So the creature was wild. Lamar felt his heart fill with dread. He knew how wild foxes viewed humans, and he knew his chance of making it out of there alive were slim to non-existent. Lamar dared a look around and saw about five more foxes, all free. They were in deep trouble.

“Where are your foxes’ stones?” Lamar blinked and gulped. Rias and the others were still asleep, and he knew that once the stones were out of his possession nothing would stop the wild foxes from killing him. “No,” he said in an unsteady voice. “If I give you those stones you’ll kill me.”

The fox laughed and pressed the knife a little harder against Lamar’s throat. “I could sever the bond by killing you just as easily as I can by taking those stones. We may have use for you, but if you’re going to be more trouble than you’re worth I’ll just kill you now.”

Lamar shook at the venom he heard in that voice. “The stones are in my left pocket. If you’ll let me more away from Rias I can get to them.”

The knife pulled away from his throat ever so slightly. “Roll away from him but keep your hands in sight. I’ll get the stones.”

Lamar slowly moved away, causing Rias to grown from the lack of warmth. The wild fox quickly reached forward, sticking his hand in Lamar’s pocket and removing a glowing silver stone and a dull blue one. He looked up at the human, his eyes flashing. “Where’s the third stone? The one that matches the child’s stone, and why is isn’t the topaz glowing?”

Lamar’s voice was quite when he answered, he didn’t expect the fox to believe either of his explanations. “I gave Gabe his stone . The kit’s free, but he wears the stone so other humans won’t try to claim him while he’s with me. Rias’ stone isn’t glowing because I’m not in control of him, I never have been.”
“Lamar, what’s going on? Is it morning already?” Rias’ tired voice came from beside him as he cracked his eyes open. His eyes widened and he sprang up, growling at the wild foxes. He seemed to be completely without pain, though Lamar did not know if that was the case, or if he was just hiding it. “What the fuck? What are you doing let him go!”

The fox that held Lamar smirked, “Man he’s got you acting like a faithful little pup doesn’t he? Don’t worry he can’t do anything to you now. Look, I got you stone.”

Rias blinked and then laughed, making Lamar wonder just what he thought was so funny. “You idiot he’s never controlled me. I’ve stayed with him because I wanted to, because he made a deal with me.”
The wild fox looked skeptical, “really, so that collar around your neck is just for looks right? You don’t have to defend him anymore, he can’t control you with that now.”

Rias shook his head, “he never used the collar on me. He had no reason to. We’ve been after the same thing.”
“Oh, so you’re a traitor then. Very well,” he turned to one of his companions, “hold him too.” With that a screaming, cursing Rias was held between two silver foxes. Gabe was woken up in a state of confusion and panic. He looked at Lamar with wide green eyes. “Master?” He called out in a pained voice. Lamar silently winced at the title. Now more than ever he wished Gabe had called him by name.

“It’s okay kit,” said the fox that had woken Gabe, “no one’s going to hurt you.”
“One you was hurting him to begin with! Let us go, we haven’t done anything to you!” Lamar began to feel panicked as he saw Aryan and Gabe pulled off into the forest. Gabe was in tears, pulling against the fox that held him. Aryan remained submissive, his eyes filled with fear. “Stop it, let them go!” Lamar barely got the words out before he felt something hard and fast hit him in the back. The last thing he heard as he fell to the ground was Rias calling his name.

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Rias growled as he fought with the rope binding his wrists, trying desperately to loosen them. He had been tied with his back to a tree for some time now. They had said he needed to calm down. A week ago he would have been perfectly happy to fall into foxes’ hands. Lamar changed all of that. He was happy with his new life, and he couldn’t bare the idea of Lamar dying. If these foxes hurt his human he would rip out all their throats.

“I have been told you are a trader, aligned with the humans, but I thought I would see if that were true myself before I pass judgment on you. We have always had our differences Rias, but I never saw you as a human sympathizer. Tell me you have some sort of explanation.”

Rias’ eyes snapped up to meet fierce violet eyes. He growled as pure hatred ran through his body. Standing before him was a rather tall fox that he knew well. Not from personal relations, however. He had worked under the fox for some time, not just personally but by reputation. Every silver kit knew of Anni, the golden fox that had quickly rose to the top status of his people, taking his place among the white foxes, a breed so powerful their existence was kept hidden from humans. Aani had commanded Rias and the other silver foxes during the dragon wars one hundred years ago. Few had survived that war, but out of all the teams Anni’s had suffered the smallest number of casualties. This didn’t improve Rias’ option of the creature. He didn’t trust any gold foxes and he never would. Anni’s acts of kindness towards silver foxes were only a show. He was as selfish as the rest of his kind. Anni had tried to make friends with Rias, but the silver fox would have none of that. Now he would meet death at this fox’s hands, how ironic.

He smirked up at the golden blood, showing off sharp white teeth. “Long time no see asshole, still don’t have anything better to do then rub your face in my business? So what if I have aligned with the human. It’s not because I’ve developed a sympathy for the race. I still hate humans, just as much as I hate your fucking kind, just not this one. He’s different okay? He freed Gabe a week after he bought him, and he told me I didn’t have to fight. He wouldn’t have made me do it either, but there was someone I had to beat. For my own sake, not for him. He’s a whole lot more considerate of others than you could ever be.”

Rias scowled at the silent fox, knowing his words were likely wasted but not really caring. He had to get it out. “He even tried to stop me from fighting, saying he didn’t want me to get hurt. I won, but I was injured and he took care of me. He stayed with me the whole night. He blamed himself for my injuries, and he gave me his own shirt to bind them with. No master’s ever done that. He treats me like a partner, and that’s what I am. He’s giving me half of all the winnings from the fights. That’s why I’m doing it. I’m going to use it to buy and free slaves. Think whatever you want you gold fucker, but he’s a whole lot better than you are.”

Anni sighed as he looked down at Rias. He didn’t seem at all bothered by the fox’s harsh words, even if he hadn’t done anything to deserve them. He knew Rias hated gold foxes, and he suspected the silver fox had his reasons. Still, he had never known the creature to trust easily, and he had to take that into account when considering the human.

“I am not certain if what you say is true, or if you are being tricked yourself. I believe that you are allying with this human because you believe it will help your people, and I do not think you are a traitor. I will talk to this human, and judge for myself whether he is trustworthy. I cannot promise I will not kill him, but I will give him a fair chance to prove himself. We could certainly use a human ally, especially in the upcoming fight.”
Rias growled at the gold fox. He was certain that Lamar could prove himself trustworthy, but not so sure that goldie wouldn’t kill him anyways. To top it all off Rias wouldn’t be able to protect him. It was odd, he never would have thought he’d want to protect a human but this was different. If Lamar was killed than they might as well kill him too, because he would already be dead inside. “You hurt him and I swear I’ll kill you!” He growled out as Anni walked off. The gold fox did not turn, only looked over his shoulder with a smirk on his face. “In that case I’ll add your threat to the other threats on my life, and we’ll me who gets to me first.”

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Lamar looked up through hazy eyes when he heard someone approaching. He was met with a tall and gorgeous gold fox with piercing violet eyes. The creature made the gold fox Rias had fought look like a novice, and Lamar knew he would never want to have to fight him. The human shifted against his bonds so he could better look at this fox, quietly dreading what his purpose for coming over could be. So far all they had done was tie him to this tree, but that might not be the case now. That gold fox didn’t look like he was just going to ignore Lamar.

“Hum, so you’re the human that Rias speaks so highly of. Given his dislike of humans I must admit I am surprised by the effect you’ve had on him and the younger fox you were traveling with. I have to wonder if you are a master of manipulation, or if they see something in you I cannot.” The gold fox’s words sent chills through the human. It took him a moment to gather himself so he could answer.

“Are Gabe and Rias okay then? They haven’t done anything wrong. If anyone disserves punishment it’s me, not them.” Lamar knew his voice was pleading but he didn’t care. Rias and Gabe had become his family, and he was not going to let them pay for the crimes of his people.

Anni arched a delicate eyebrow, curiosity shinning in his eyes. “Do you crave death so badly that you would plead for it?”

Lamar gulped, oh course he didn’t crave death. “I just don’t want them hurt. I’ll do whatever it takes if it means they’re safe.”

In a flash Anni was on him, claws digging at his throat. Lamar froze as he felt blood trickle down his neck. “Do not play with me human. Do no talk as if your life is less important than theirs unless you mean it.”

Lamar shrived a bit, but lifted his head to better expose his throat. “I don’t want to die,” he said in a quite voice, “but if it’s the only way to save them then I will. Just promise me you won’t hurt them.”

For a moment Anni stayed there, contemplating the human’s words. Then he stood and released the human’s bonds. “Come with me, if you wish to prove your alliance than you and Rias will prove it to us all. We will attack the human’s settlement at dawn tomorrow, and you will be our key in.”

Well there you go, the next part shouldn't take as long since I don't have the papers from hell to worry about. Please let me know what you thought!