Waking up slowly,opening then closing your eye again,hearing your Foxes,trying to wake you up.
"Master,wake up.It's morning !" Kate says,slowly shaking you out of sleep.
"Oi,dummy,wake up.We are hungry." Katie says,you can hear her tail wag.
"Five more minutes Ladies,this is the first time i could actually sleep in weeks." you answer the Foxes calls to wake you up.
"We are sorry Master,but you have to wake up.We are hungry and so are you." Kate says,knowing that you will make them food.
"Owner,if you don't wake up...we will,have to resort to more aggressive means." Katie says,moving.
"Five more minutes !" you say,putting your pillow over your head.
"Last warning !" one of the Fox Girls say.
"Owner~ if you don't wake up we are going to fluff attack you." Katie says,playfully jumping on the bed.
"Ladies please,i just need five more minutes to snuggle with my Foxes" you say,without realizing it.
"Master~ are you dreaming of other woman then us ?" Kate asks.
"Yes,but the only ones i have eyes for are my fluffy Foxes." you answer her,in your sleep.
"Kate,ready ?" Katie asks her sister.
"Yup!" she answers.
After a some movement on the bed.You can feel something tickling your nose,you try to grab it,with no success.
"Fluff him!" you hear one of the Girls yell.
Suddenly...there are two huge pillows hitting your face,brutally awakening you from your sleep.
As you open your eyes,to see your Foxes,trying to wake you up with their tails.
You decide to grab both of them...they let out a surprised eek.
"Master,don't be so rough on me~!" Kate says,seemingly enjoying you grabbing her tail.
"Owner,d-d-don't pull it,please~" Katie says,submissively.
You decide to pull them both at the same time,the Fox Girls drop onto the bed instantly.As if you hit their sleep button.
Slowly standing up you look at the Girls,holding they'r tales as if trying to protect them from you.
"Sorry Girls,it was to tempting.I apologize" you say,petting they'r heads.
"M~Master~,that wasn't funny.It might've felt good for us.You are such a brute!"Kate says,slowly standing up.
"Ow~Owner,you are too aggressive,it felt good but you are - too aggressive !" Katie says,pouting,but at least they both enjoyed it.
"Food ?" you ask,they tilt they'r heads and look at you pleadingly.
"Get dressed,i'll wait downstairs." you say,opening the door leaving the foxes to their clothes.
Going downstairs,you go and put some water in the coffee machine.
"No Soldier can fight,without coffee in the morning" - this is,your squad's motto.
Pressing the on button on the machine,you go check on your ammo count.
It doesn't look too good,having 290 rounds left total,until the next supplies arrive from the Russians of course.The supplies should arrive today actually,hopefully the new experimental "shirokiy" ("wide") extended 50 round magazines for your AS VAL mod.4C are ready for use as well.
AS VAL mod.4C - a modernization of the AS VAL from the 1990's.It retains its integral suppressor with the possibility of changing the ammunition type to supersonic,the downside of that is that it produces a crack,when firing,from breaking the sound barrier.Other features like removable dovetail mount,adjustable stock and of course,the most notable,the possibility to install the new 50 round magazine.
"Shirokiy" ("wide") 50 round magazine - these magazines are experimental and are only meant for Special Forces operating at long distances from a supply points.The project got denied for use and was forgotten until recently,where you asked if they could make a larger magazine.
You are reminded by the calendar that is on the table,that Christmas is around the corner,you start to think,if you should get the Girls a Gift from the City or,ask the Russians for something nice.
Thankfully you could do both,see if you find something in the City and if that doesn't work,as the Russians.Regardless,you have to get them something.You decide to go on a Raid first,but...with or without the Foxes ?
"Master ! We are here !" Kate yells.
"And we are hungry !" Katie adds.
Leaving the Room towards the kitchen you try to surprise the foxes by sneaking up on them but fail...due to they'r incredibly good hearing.
"Master,not-funny." Kate says,arms crossed.
"Owner,you better make food,or we eat you~" Katie says,licking her lips.
"Sorry,you want some Coffee ?" you ask them.
"Yep,but move fast,i am hungry." Katie says,her sister nods.
"Alright,what food you want ?" you ask.
"Eggs.Sounds good Sis ?" Kate says,asking her sister.
"Yeah,but please hurry i am really hungry." Katie says,you can hear her stomach growl.
A few minutes pass and you present your Fox Girls with,Eggs.
"Master~ it looks soooo good ! Thank you !" Kate thanks you.
"Owner,you made me happy ! Thank you !" Katie thanks you.
"Now now,go on.Dig in.We got along day ahead of us.At least i do..." you say.
With tails wagging happily around,they start eating.Enjoying every last bite.
"Master,are we going into the City today ?" Kate asks playfully.
"Kate,i-i don't know if you two will come with me this time,i am too afraid something is going to happen to you." you tell them,trying to hide you'r growing fear.
"Owner,we'll be fine with you by our side,nothing can happen to us." Katie says,you hope she is right.
"You two,have no idea how important you are to me..." you say,mumbling...
"I don't know Owner,you don't seem to like us as much as you say." Katie says,still eating.
"My Sister is right,you don't show how much you like us." Kate adds.
"You two really like playing with my emotions don't you ?" you ask,as if it isn't obvious they want to spend more time with you.
"Master,we just want you to be with you more.That's all...we don't want to make you mad or upset..." Kate says,making a long face.
"We have our ways of getting what we want from you.But we also want you to keep us,not just t-throw-" Katie adds,before she can finish her sentence you stop her.
"Never,think that again ! I will not throw you away,never....i don't want to.I want you two to be happy,even if i am sad.If you smile,i am happy.Okay ?" you tell them.
"Okay Master.Can we do something now,i am bored ?" Kate says,tail wagging
"Owner,t-thank you.For keeping us.That aside,can we go now ?" Katie says,her tail wagging unpatiently.
A few minutes pass,while you where cleaning the dishes.You get a knock on your door,it's Sergey
"Morning Chief,Russians will be here soon.With some Gifts they said." Sergey says standing outside,smiling happily.
"Morning Sergey,i will be there.Ready for a special Raid today ?" you ask him.
" 'Course,will your Foxes join us ?" Sergey asks.
"Why does he asks Master ?" Kate asks.
"Girls...you two,are very special.No matter what others tell you.." you say,letting your head down.
"You two remind not only me of my purpose and what i wished for.But you remind my men of the Family they have here,and how much they'r Family misses them." you say,holding back tears of the past.
"O-Ow-Owner that is nice to say,but what do we remind you of ?" Katie asks,wanting to help you.
"Master,we want to help.Please,tell us !" Kate adds.
"Sergey,sdelan(get ready)" you tell him.
"konechno(certainly)" he answers,you close the door.
"Girls,do you really want to know ?" you ask them,not knowing you can't change their mind.
Quickly,they come and hug you,as if they sensed fear in you.Trying to help you with it.
"Alright so,when i was younger,i was sick...a common cold,nothing serious.I sat by the window in my apartment,not going to school.It was a great day..." you start to tell them.
"But Master,you where sick.How could it have been a good day ?" Kate asks.
"I didn't have to go to school.I hated it like the pest." you tell her,slowly petting her head.
"And then ?" Katie asks with pleading eyes.
"All i wanted was having someone to take care of,i didn't care if it was little Sisters or bigger Sisters,just someone i could take care of,even if i was in bad shape." you tell them.
"Master,we can be your little Sisters if you want to,we'll even call you Big Brother." Kate says,trying to get you to feel better,happier.
"That's nice of you to say,thanks.But i have to decline.I want you two to be yourselfes,not someone i want you to be." you tell her.
"Owner,can we please go.I don't want to see you cry." Katie says,practically predicting the future.
You do feel like crying...
"Of course,go get your gear.I'll wait here,alright ?" you tell them.They nod and are off to get geared up.
You do the same,putting on your armored vest is harder now then before.
The Foxes are ready and enter your Room,without saying anything and seeing they'r beloved Owner struggle they help you put on the vest.
"Thanks my fluff balls" you say with a smile.
"Oi ! Don't call us that.It's embarrassing." Katie say,arms crossed,with a hint of happiness.
"My Sister is right Master,it's embarrassing." Kate says,with a straight and elegant posture,compared to her Sister's dominant and bossy posture.
"Alright,time to go." you say,grabbing your Gun,checking your magazine count.You left two slots empty for the new 50 round magazines,in case they arrive today,that is.
Going outside,locking the door.Finally...you put on your Helmet.Your persona changes...
"Master,what's wrong ?" Kate says,walking in front of you with her Sister,looking back at you.
"Nothing really,when i put on my Mask,i change my way of thinking.By now it's common practice for me.Don't worry a bit about me." you say casually.
"Owner,what part of the City are we going ?" Katie asks,excited for some action.
"The Mall,there is plenty of stuff to loot.Hence why you two will carry some of it.While i carry the most." you say,pointing at your backpack and then they'r backpacks.
"Alright!" Katie says with a smile.They really seem to have adjusted to you.
Moving through Town,greeting known faces.You three arrive at the gate,where your Men are waiting...but,something is off...
"Sergey,Dima,Boris sitrep.Why are your Wives here ?" you ask,knowing something has to have happened.
"Dan,please tell my Husband he is going to hurt himself going to the Mall,please" Sergey's Wife says to you,hoping for the good news.
"Why do you three really want to go to the Mall ? It's very dangerous there.Didn't you hear what the Russians said ?" Dima's Wife says,knowing something you don't know.
"Dan,you are not going to go with your Foxes there,your not that heartless yet,right ?" Boris's Wife says,fearing for her Husband's life.
"Master,what does she mean by,not that heartless ?" Kate asks.
"Owner,we still want to help,we will come with you...r-right ?" Katie adds to your concern for your Fox's well being.
"Please,calm down.In this case i will leave my Foxes here.I have no choice." you say,it feels like...a stab in the heart...with a burning blade.
"Master~ you can't just...leave us." Kate says,disappointed.
"Owner that's unfair~! You can't just leave us because of danger !" Katie says,angered.
"Girls,Dan is...he just wants the best for you two.He lost a lot of people in the past.Please be gentle with him." Dima's Wife says to the Foxes.
"Sisters,i am sorry.I really,but please,please.Stay here today.I promise i will make it up to you." you say kneeling in front of your Foxes,holding they'r hands.
"Master,what if something happens to you and we never see you again~" Kate says,slowly starting to cry,holding a hand to hide her tears.
"Owner,you can't leave us here.Y-y-you...it's not fair." Katie says,letting her head down.
"I fucking hate myself for this....i hate...myself." you say,mumbling...slowly remembering your past,the days you spent in your room.Having no one to care for and now...when you have someone to care for,you hurt them.
The Fox Sisters look at each other and start to calm down.
"Master,w-we understand *sob*.We are important to you,please be careful." Kate says,trembling.Giving you a surprise Hug.
"Owner,we want a gift from the Mall,if you don't take us with you.Please be *sob* careful,you idiot." Katie says,hugging you tightly.
"Can i ask you three *point at Dima's and Boris's Wife's* to take care of them,'till i am back.Please...." you say,letting your head down.Clenching you fists,hoping it's a good choice...
"Certainly....please come back home.All four of you...or else,you are going to sleep outside like dogs."Boris's Wife says.
"Yes Ma'am!" all four of you say.
"Chief...you made the right choice.They are basically like daughters to you,right ?" Boris asks.
"No,they are like sisters to me.Sisters i never had,until now." you say,standing up ready to go.
"None of us,and i mean none of us.Have the balls to say no to our Children wanting something.We would go out and kill thousands of infected...if it only meant that we would see our Children happy." Dima says.
"Chief,you have our eternal respect and gratitude,you protect all of our families.And not even accepting Gifts from them,all you want is a simple,thank you.That's what i would call a good person." Sergey adds.
"Thanks.Guess i have to take this pain in,not like that's something new for me." you say with a sigh.
Looking at the time you all choose to move quickly..wanting to be back before dinner.
Finally outside the walls that surround the Town,you head towards the City.
Thankfully the Mall is at the outside's of the City,meaning easy access and exit,if needed.The best part of the Mall is,it is the largest one out of the entire Region.The only one beating it,is the one in the Capital City of the Country.
Knowing your target's,those being Toy Shops and Book shops,mainly.It's easy to save time,as you know what you are looking for.
A few kilometres until you reach City Outskirts.
"Sergey,the reason why i didn't leave your Wife with my Foxes,is that i know she has already a full table.Plus a Husband with high demands." you say with a laugh at the end.
"Ha,couldn't have said it better myself.I really hope i find some gifts for my Children." Sergey says,with a smile.
"Chief,the Russians called,they want to know where we are,what do i tell them ?" Boris says over the radio.
"Where did they call from ?" you ask quickly,concerned it may be a fake call.
"Nearby Outpost,just North West from us" Boris says.
"Right,check the maps,as far as i now there is no Outpost this close to Towns" you say getting more and more sure that it is a fake caller.
"There is one,Outpost Pravda,shall we go there ?" Boris says,holding the map open.
"Sure,let's go.I really would love those new mags they have for me." you say,telling your Men to move out.
"My skoro budem tam(we'll be there soon)" Boris tells the caller.
"Chief,it's a brand new one as well.Who know what they have there.I really could use a coffee." Sergey says excited.
"This new,Neko,GPS is really cool Chief.Get's the stress out from using the physical maps all the time." Dima says.
Neko - coming from the word "Cat" in Japanese,it is a inner lower arm mounted GPS with a 3,4inch (~8,3-8.4cm) display.Connected to either Satellite or local network it shows every marked location and every ping made by squad members or by an entire nation's armed forces.
Local Network - refers to the access point mounted on the squad leaders back that allows access to the Geo-location and pings of all squad members.
This entire System,developed by the Russians,took an entire decade to develop and produce,converting satellites to be used in this way took the most time.
Advancing towards the Outpost you notice signs,written in Russian.With fair warnings in English written below.
Entering the Outpost you are greeted by elite Russian Spetsnas Operatives,dressed in different clothing...with armbands,you've never seen before or,so you think.
"Dan Walker one of you ?" a Soldier asks,noticing his lack of patience you step forward.
"Good,come with me.The rest of your Men,can have a drink" the Soldier says pointing at a Tent.
You start remembering the armbands these Soldiers wear,it is the Armband of the "Zashchitniki"(Protector) Division,a branch of the Spetsnas that is completely independent of the actual Spetsnas,serving none other then the Wife of the Minister of Foreign Conflicts,of which's Daughter's you saved from an NATO attack on one of the Main Russian controlled Towns.
"Dan,darling.Do you remember me ?" the Woman asks.
"Miss,of course i do.I would never forget you." you answer,feeling like a gun is pointed at your head.
"Let him be.Bring the Gifts and leave us alone." the Woman says.
The Woman,remained the same since the attack a month back.With Blonde Hair,as is typical Russian Woman,with a rather...attractive body and voice.Her name is Katya.
"Miss Katya,how can i be of service ?" you say,kneeling as if she is your Queen.
"Oh Dan,stand up,your not my Lap Dog." she says,as if disappointed in your actions.
"I apologize." you say,slowly standing up.
Suddenly a Soldier comes into the Room,with two crates,one in each Hand.
Miss Katya points at a nearby table,the soldier leaves the crates there and leaves the room.
"Vozlyublennyye(Sweethearts),can you please come here ?" Miss Katya yells out,but what does she mean by...sweethearts ?
A few minutes pass and a door opens,exiting it,are the three Daughters of Miss Katya: Anika,Tina and Lena.Each of different age,19-20-23 respectively.
"Girls please greet Dan Walker,the Man which saved us." Miss Katya says..presenting you to her beautiful Daughters.
"Miss Katya,i am not worthy of such praise,especially in front of your Daughters" you say,hoping this pampering stops.
"Mom,why is,he~,here ?!" Tina asks,expressing her unwillingness to look at you.
"Tina,what is this-" Miss Katya starts to scold her daughter but is quickly interrupted by you,this could very well...cost you your life.
"Miss Katya,i beg you forgiveness but,your Daughter has every right dislike me.After all,me and my Men are not popular." you start explaining,hoping to keep your life.
"See ?! Even he knows i hate him!" Tina goes on to say,making her Sisters uncomfortable.
"Miss Tina,i might not understand your frustration but i will leave your sight at once." you tell,Miss,Tina.
"Mother,can you at leave give him a seat,i bet he's exhausted..." the oldest Daughter,Lena,says.
"I apologize Dan,i completely forgot your seat,here *points at a Chair beside her's*" Katya says.
"Miss Katya,i must not make your seat's dirty.On the contrary,i am here to keep them clean.Not as a cleaner but as a,Guard." you start to say.
"Mister Dan,may we know more about your nickname,set by your actions.Made known by our Father ?" Lena asks kindly.
"Mister Dan,please let us know about it.We are so very curious about it." the youngest Daughter,Anika,adds.
"Why would i want to know about his name,his just a creep and pervert!" Tina yells.
"Dan,please take a seat...*points at another chair,still beside her*" Katya persists in you sitting beside her.
Knowing that you can't refuse her offer twice,especially infront of her Daughters,you have to accept.Which you do.
"Thank you for the seat Miss." you say,taking a seat.
The Daughters from a circle in front of you,almost like children ready to listen to a fantastic story.
"My nickname,Cerberus.It came from the defense of one of the Town's you where staying in for.Which NATO attacked and ultimately failed due to a larger number of Russian and local forces,including my squad." you start your story.
"It must be rough in this conditions,why not take a drink ? Energy drink ?" Lena,the oldest Daughter asks,kindly and respectfully,just as one might expect from her.You accept her offer.
"When the battle was finished,how and why did you get the nickname,Cerberus ?" Anika asks,expected from the youngest Daughter.
"Me and your Father,have different views of the event.I beg you to listen to his part of the Story as well.Going back,i got it from stopping the slightly successful NATO infiltration of the Main Building,where you and your Mother where in.I killed every last one of them,without realizing it i had i killed 3 squads of 5 elite trained NATO spec-ops troops.I have no idea what they are or where called." you go on with your story.
"Where you hit ?" Lena asks casually.
"I passed out shortly after,i woke up in your private treatment center.Where the nurses told me i had fought for a extended period of time with high blood lose...and that i could've died." you say,the last part very casually.
"Dan,my Husband has never told me that.And how can you talk about death so casually ?" Miss Katya remarks.
"Once you start at death twice,you stop fearing it.It becomes your friend,along the way." you say,as if it's a life lesson.Which it is.
"Can we see your wounds ? Even if they are on your chest.Please ?" Tina says,seemingly having changed her attitude towards you.
"Ladies,i beg your pardon but i will have to go afterwards.I have someone special to me waiting at home." you say,determined to go see your Foxes.
You take off your armored vest and shirts,revealing gun shot wounds,mainly on your abdomen and some around the chest.Thankfully these are fragmentation wounds,from rounds that didn't pierce the armored vest completely and got stuck,but still sent fragmentation through.
After some time of letting Miss Katya's Daughter,admire,your wounds.You dress up again and finally open the crates,you've eagerly been waiting for to see what is inside.
"Dan,my Husband and i have rewarded you as per your respectful request.And i also heard you had a pair of Fox Girls waiting at Home for you~?" Katya asks,as if she was there.
"Yes i do,what about it ?" you ask,looking at the other crate.
"I decided to give you something extra,for such a loyal Cerberus." Katya adds.
"I wholeheartedly thank you Miss Katya for the Gift.I'll be sure to deliver it to them" you say,bowing towards Katya.
"Dan,i also know why you bare the name,Cerberus,you didn't pass out after the fight.You were extremely exhausted.As far as the Guards go,that where behind the very doors you kept closed,goes...they heard every word you said.It was horrifying for them,as if hearing a demon,protect them." Katya adds,proud and dissapointed.
"I see,thank you again for elaborating." you thank her.
The other crate contained two necklaces with the names,Kate and Katie, written on them.As if Katya knew about them.
You leave the Room and hope that your Men had the same luck.
Fortunately they had.They even got what they'r wife and children desired.Bags of Toys in each of Boris's,Sergey's and Dima's hands.Together with a container,assuming each had a necklace in them.
Together you head back and enjoy the rest of the day together with your Family.
Arriving at home you put the necklaces in your pocket carefully.And knock on your door,knowing that the Foxes at home from Dima's and Sergey's Wifes,which of course you thanked them.
"Master ! We missed you so much !" Kate jumps in your arms,tail wagging like never before.
"Owneeeer ! Why where you gone that much,you idiot,we missed you" Katie says,tail wagging like it never seen before.
"Missed you two,my fluff balls" you say,hugging the twins tight,they pout.You forgot they don't really like it when you call them,fluff balls.
You tell them that Christmas is near,and together you have to decorate a entire House and a Christmas Tree.
Spending the next few hours decorating everything.Including your weapon's chamber,the room where you store all your guns and armor.
The Foxes decide to make a few Christmas Snacks on Christmas Day.You not being involved,but it's fine,as long as they have fun,it doesn't matter if you are involved or not.
The evening comes quickly,having fun with your beloved,flu-...Fox Girls,it is expected of time to pass.
You tell the Girls to wash themselves,to get the flours out of they'r Fur and Hair and head to bed.You have some work to do and will join them when you are done,and to not wait on you.
What you didn't tell them you would do is...checking your equipment for any flaws.And finally arrive at the new 50 round magazines.
They look smooth,light even with ammo to the brim,which is simply perfect.
Pondering over what happened today,must simply be a Christmas miracle...but then.The Shadow appears that isn't yours.Seeming to not be hostile towards you,the shadow stands still.
Seeming to observe you without action.Deciding to eventually disappear,you'r heart feels light now,as if it was chained before and now free.
Before heading to bed you think of visiting the "Sacred Fox",as the name suggest,she is a Fox as well.Therefore she might be able to help you understand your Fox Sisters,but also...the Shadow that keeps appearing at seemingly moments of inactivity.
Laying beside your Foxes is simply a fabulous sight,they cuddled up against each other.As expected from Sisters,you decide to take a different blanket and leave them with they'r own one.
Slowly but surely you fall asleep...