Land ho

“Would you look at that…..Home.”  Shanoa said standing at the railing of the ship.  “Good ol’ Himeji port.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been here.”  Chou said smiling at the familiar sight.

“Yeah, I think the last time that we were here, that one there was still in diapers.”  She said motioning to Hana.

“Just short of eleven years I think.”  Chou said pulling her daughter into a little hug.  

“So this is where we came from.”  Hana said looking out at the port as the ship started into the docking area.  The port was busy with people running around, other ships loading and unloading, people departing and returning from vacation.  Small street vendors scattered along the edge of a small park, and a large statue that looked like the handle of a pair of tongs.

“Interesting place,” Tabitha said leaning against the railing. “After this trip it’s good to finally see land again.”

“Does that mean we’re flying home when we leave?” Alexander said raising an eyebrow at his wife.

 “Yes, even if I have to get blind drunk before we take off,”

“I can help with that.”  Shanoa chimed in.  “I know several places around here to drink.”

“Sorry we’re late,” Randy chimed in as he and his merrit girlfriend came sliding to a stop behind his gathered family. 

“One last romp before we hit dry land there big brother?” Zeus asked with a snicker.

“How the hell are either of you even standing?” Shannon asked glaring at her brother and the mouse-ferret hybrid.

“Well being flexible and limber helps, as for him…..I don’t know….he’s a bit of a mystery.”  May said with a snicker.  “Have you been getting into the energy drinks?”

“The only thing I need for an energy boost is you fluffy butt,” the horse boy said pulling his girlfriend closer.  “Sis, kiss my ass, hate the game not the player. As for you little brother,” he added fixing Zeus with a knowing grin. “Like you’re one to be giving anyone guff about making noise and banging the walls.”

“Hey, we wernt that loud.”  Hana said with a little huff.  “Though there was that night that Zeus got me going, I think that I woke up a few people.”

“Yeah….you two were the loudest…..especially that night that you two were doing it just under my room…..It’s kinda hard to get sloshed when people are screwing…..loudly.”  Shanoa said with a little snicker.

“Yea, sorry about that again Ms. Shanoa, just can’t help myself when this little danger noodle gets started,” Randy said pulling his lover into a tight hug.

“Yeah…..you two are going to be in one of the guest houses…..I’m not listening to stompy hooves and noodle love…..That and if I find someone I don’t want to end up in a noise making competition.”  Shanoa said with a little snicker.

“I’m certain it won’t take long to get the sleeping arrangements settled,” Alexander said wrapping his arm around his wife. “Are there any special house rules we should be aware of?”

“Just make sure that you have clothes on when you're not in your room, shoes off in the house, slippers are provided.  Knock if a door is closed…..that kind of stuff.”  Shanoa said looking to Alexander.

“Clothes on when you’re not in your room, did everyone catch that ?” the palomino man asked as he made contact with each of his children in turn. “I expect all of you to behave yourselves, and that goes especially for you two,” he finished locking eyes with Zeus first, then with his older son Randy.

“Yes sir,” the two equine males said nearly in unison. “As long as Shannon doesn’t send any more of those gift boxes like on the ship… it won’t be a problem,” Zeus added hugging the raccoon dog girl in his arms warmly.

“Hey…..I helped with that…..well with one of them…..”  Shanoa said smiling.  “I’m still working on something for the merret and Randy.”

It was about then that a voice filled the air through the intercoms.  “As your captain, I would like to take a moment to welcome everyone to the port of Himeji.  Myself and the crew would like to thank you from sailing with us and hope that you enjoy your time here.”

“Well, we’re here.”  Chou said smiling as she watched the ship’s ramp extending.  “Um...Shanoa….how are we getting to the mansion?”

“Yes.”  She said smiling and motioning for the group to follow them, heading down the ramp.

“You know, that whole yes thing is beginning to kind of scare me,” Zeus said before kissing his lover on the cheek and taking her paw in his own. 

“You and me both little brother,” Randy whispered more to himself than to the others as he wrapped an arm around May. “Still can’t believe you got your dad to go for the whole you staying with me thing sweet lips.”

“Well it wasn’t to hard…..that and mom helped.”  She said with a snicker.  “I think that line was something along the lines of ‘she’s an adult and all that, she needs to get out there and live life….that and she has a phone, she’s not going to be far’.”

“Me saying yes isn’t a bad thing, if I ever say no, that’s when you need to worry.”  Shanoa said as they got to the foot of the ramp.  “Would you look at that….there’s our ride.”  She said as she started walking towards a feline man in a suit, holding a sign with Kiyomizu on it.  “Our ride.”  She said pointing to the limo that was being loaded.

“I take it this is a special ride for a special occasion right?” Alexander asked cocking an eyebrow at the cat wolf woman.

“Holy cow, that’s way bigger than your car daddy,” Brian said excitedly. 

“Oh the things I can think of doing in a ride like that,” Shannon said leaning forward and tapping her younger brother on the shoulder. “Just don’t get any ideas of your own there draft horse, no one in this bunch wants to see you naked or… busy.”

“And there will be no poking your head out of the sun roof as we go down the highway.”  Shanoa said with a snicker.  “And...as for the special ride for the occasion…..something like that….the family has a bit of money….and this is kinda how they get around.”  Shanoa said walking up to the driver, saying something to him in Japanese before he walked over to the door and opened it.

“Our family is a little….odd.”  Chou said smiling as she walked over to the limo, “you will get used to it.”

“This isn’t too different from what I have been in when I have been on trips with mom and dad.”  May said pulling her lover to big car.

“Nothing like grandma and grandpa.”  Hana said pulling her lover too.  “I wonder if they kept my room up like they said in all the letters.”

“Ummm, Miss Shanoa…” Zeus began as his lover all but pushed him into the back of the limo. “One question, I mean, I know it’s not an issue with mama Chou or my parents. But you said Hana’s grand parents were kinda old school, aren’t they going to have an issue with shean I…. sleeping together before the wedding and all that?”

“Well normally they would, but I explained things to them and they are ok with it.”  Shanoa said smiling and looking to the horse.  “They know that you two are in love, so they are ok with it.  And they might be old school, but they are open to new ideas and the like, I mean there is a reason that the mansion is a mix of old and new.”

“Oh… okay,” the palomino boy said with a slightly shocked expression. “I just, don’t want to break any family rules or traditions and make people mad at me right off the bat. Is there, ummm, anything we shouldn’t do?”

“Just behave, be respectful and all that.  That’s about all that I can think of.”  Chou said smiling to the horse boy.  “Hana will make sure that your a good boy and all that.”

“They know that you’re not too well versed in the culture and all that.  Just remember, no shoes in the houses, slurping is a good thing, and that you will be on your knees a lot…..errr...you will be sitting on your knees.”  Shanoa said with a little snicker.

“Okay, everyone behave, no being stupid or wearing shoes indoors. You all think you can remember that?” Tabitha asked as she looked to each of her children. Getting nods of affirmation she settled back into the cushy seat of the limo. “Then let’s get this crew to where we’re going. Shanoa, Chou and I have a girls night out if I remember correctly, and I’m ready for a few hours away from the craziness and wrangling of kids, especially the older ones.”

“Yes….and like I said it’s on me.”  Shanoa said with a snicker, a moment or two later the sound of the trunk closing shook the car a little.  “Well it looks like we’re off.”  Shanoa said pulling a small bag into her lap.  “I have a little something for you lot…..like on the ship you will have cards that will be used to pay for things, and usable at ATMs.”  she said pulling out some envelopes and started handing them out.  “You can get most anything…..just nothing too big…..and if you get anything…..adult….remember….I can see the statements and all that.”

“Shanoa…..you have to much fun planning all of this.”  Chou said with a little giggle.  “Is there anything that you all want or need to know?”

“Like I’d care if anyone knows what toys I buy,” Shannon said, the blush in her cheeks not quite matching her statement.

“I think May would be more likely to buy those kind of thing than I would,” Randy said leaning over and nipping at the merrets neck playfully.

“God, you lot are pervs.”  Shanoa said as the limo started driving off.  “One more thing,” she said pulling out a small box, handing one to everyone.  “Phones….cause I know someone is going to need someone and all that, all the numbers are in them.”

“You’re one to talk.”  Chou said glancing over to her sister.  “What about that time mom got that package of your’s and opened it?”

“Shut up…..I told you that was a dream or something.”  Shanoa said shaking her head.  “Oh….and don’t buy the panties from the vending machines.”

“That’s like a myth or something….isn’t it?”  May asked, squeaking a little as she was nipped at.  “I mean I heard stories and all that, but I didn’t think that it was a real thing.”

“The only panties I have any interest in, ”Randy whispered into his lover’s ear, “are the ones you have on… and getting you out of them later.”

“I don’t think I would want my sexy pup in anyone else’s panties,” Zeus said cuddling his lover closer. “Damn sure I don’t want her finding underwear that isn’t hers in my laundry or anything either.”

“How do you know that I have any on?”  May said with a little smile.

“Like I said, I think that it’s all a myth or something.”  Hana said smiling for a moment.  “Speaking of myths…..we need a ghost story night.”  She said smiling.

“A night of a hundred stories.”  Shanoa said smiling and licking her chops.  “We all gather in the garden, light the fire pit and tell all of the good stories.”

“Just try not to freak them out too much.”  Chou said smiling, “And no matter what you think you saw that night...you didn’t have a run in with Teke Teke.”  She said glancing to her sister, “you were drunk.”

“I was not…..and how do you explain the fur that I was missing on the tip of my tail?”  She asked with a little huff.  “I told you, she chased me down and nearly took more than just some fur.”

“You had gum in your tail fluff…..”  Chou said shaking her head.  “You got drunk and forgot it…..”

“That sounds like an interesting way to spend a night,” Alexander said chuckling softly. “Now to figure out what to do with myself while the ladies are out for a little… relaxation therapy.”

“Who is Teke Teke?” the youngest of the equines asked wide eyed.

“They say that she was a high school student that fell onto some train tracks and had her legs cut off, so now she goes around looking for other people to share her fate with...the Teke Teke name comes from the sound that she makes as she crawls along.”  Shanoa said leaning in.  “So if you hear a teketeketeketeke, run fast.”

“O… okay,” Brian stammered, his eyes getting even wider and darting around.

“Any plans for tonight after we get settled in sweet lips?” Zeus asked his lover leaning down and kissing her softly on the cheek.

“Well I was thinking some snuggling time…..maybe some time in the hot springs.”  She said smiling and licking her lips.  “I think that I might have to drag a pony in with me.”

“Don’t worry little guy, Teke Teke only comes out at night and around train stations.”  Chou spoke up before shooting a glance at her sister.

The ride went on, the group talking and making plans for the first afternoon and night there, lots of flirting and teasing amongst the couples.  Soon the ride started getting a little bumpy, it was clear that the limo had pulled onto a dirt road, or one that was  little less maintained.  Soon the car came to a stop and they could hear the driver saying something in Japanese before the limo started moving again.

“Well it looks like we’re here.”  Shanoa said as she opened the sunroof and peaked out of it.  “Yup….we are home.”  She said glancing around the large, open grounds of the mansion, like she had said it was a mix of old and new, parts of the main house looking like something out of the Edo period, other parts of it looking like they were cutting edge.  “Welcome to Usui manner.”

Soon the car came to a stop, shortly after that one of the doors opened, the feline man smiling and bowing to the group.  “On behalf of the Kiyomizu family, welcome to Usui manner.  I will bring your bags and things to your rooms.”  

“Thank you.”  Shanoa said as she slipped out of the limo, bowing to the feline man before stepping to the side and pulling out her phone, typing a little message before slipping it back into her pocket.

“Wow, this place is….” the palomino boy said turning and offering his paw to his soon to be bride. I think you understated it a little bit Hana honey.”

“I…..I think that it got bigger.”  Hana said as she took her lover’s paw, the two taking a few steps towards the manner.  “It’s so big.”  She said pressing herself close to her lover.

“Crap,” Zeus muttered, stopping suddenly and turning them around. Bowing to the driver he said,”Arigato,” glancing at his lover with raised eyebrows. “That was the right one wasn’t it?” he asked.

“Yes sweetie.”  She said smiling and bowing to the driver.  “Arigato Watashi no yūjin.”  

“Hana, you would be surprised at how photos can make something look smaller….though I think that they have added to it.”  Chou said as she got out of the limo, bowing and thanking the driver before joining her sister.  “Mom and dad know that we’re here?”  

“Just texted them, they are getting the last few things together for dinner….so we need to kill about ten minutes out here.”  She whispered to her sister.

“This place is beautiful,” Randy said as he stepped from the limo offering his paw to the merret. “I’d love to see the formal garden, maybe spend a few hours just meditating with you May.”

“It….it is.”  May said looking around.  “Really beautiful.”  She said smiling and bowing to the driver.  “As for the meditation….I’m all for that….it’s been a while since I was somewhere like this…..I need to get some of that incense while I’m here.”

“I think that mom keeps all that stuff in a little box by the little sitting area in the garden.”  Shanoa said smiling, music, incense and all that.”

“This…. this is where we’re staying?” Tabitha asked as she peeked around her husband, the older equine stepping from the limo and bowing graciously to the driver.

“It would appear so,” Alexander replied turning and offering his paw to his wife. “I think this will be the most interesting and exciting trips we’ve ever taken.”

“Wooooooooow, that’s a really big house,” Brian said as he scrambled from the car behind his mother.Trying to imitate the older members of his family he bowed deeply to the felin man and said “arty cato.”

“Ok, mom and dad horse.  I know that you might be worried about your kids.  The grounds are walled in on all sides, and the phones that I gave you, they have trackers.  That goes for everyone here….so there is no getting lost.”  Shanoa said smiling and started to lead the group up to the house.  “Anyone have any last moment concerns or anything like that?”

“Only to remind this group to be on their best behavior, this trip is about Zeus And Hana, and I don't want or need anyone causing an international incident because of being dumb,” Tabitha said giving each of her children that look that only a mother can give. The one that said I will end you if I have to.

“We will mom, you can count on us,” Shannon said as she exited the limo and bowed to their driver. “We know why we’re here, and to be honest… it’s a chance to see things we wouldn’t have a chance to otherwise” Walking up to the rest of her family she added, “besides, I think most of us will have more than enough to do to keep us occupied.”

“You know...you might even find you someone too.”  Shanoa said smiling.  “I know that some guys around here have a thing for western girls.”

“Shanoa, behave…..”  Chou said nudging her sister.  “And everyone, I would just like to say thank you for agreeing to come out.  I would like to welcome you all into the family.”  She said bowing to everyone.  

“Now I think that it’s time to go in, meet the rest of the family, have dinner, and then the girls are going out.”  Shanoa said smiling and reaching for the door.  “Mom and dad have cooked…..well….the help cooked.”

“Ummm by girls you mean exactly who?” Shannon asked with a little smirk on her muzzle.

“Well it was going to be me, Chou and your mom, but if it’s ok with her, you can come….I mean, you're like twenty aren't you?”  Shanoa asked cocking an eyebrow as she stood at the door, holding it open for people.

“Yes ma’am, and I’d love to go with you three, see a few sights maybe and who knows, might just get lucky or something,” Shannon replied looking to her mother expectantly.

“As long as I don’t have to babysit your big behind, tonight is for me, time to relax a little and let my hair down,”the horse mother said as the rest of her family began to file into the huge house.

“Deal, as long as I don’t have to carry my drunk mother back to the house …” the younger horse female retorted.

“As long as none of you have to call me to bail you out of the hooscow I’m fine with most anything you lot do,” Alexander said ushering the ladies in before turning to his other two son's. “Randy, you… well you know what I expect from you, and you short stack,” he said singling out his youngest, “no sneaking off and falling asleep under a bush.”

“Don’t worry, the bail money is in the sock drawer.”  Shanoa said with a snicker.  “And don’t worry Mr. Longmuzzle.  We will have a driver and all of that so there is no danger of anything happening.”

“Yeah….and besides if it comes down to bailing someone out, it’s going to be that one.”  Chou said with a little snicker.  “As for the rest of you, we have drivers and all, so if Randy, Hana, or any of the rest of you want to go out, you can…..the ice boxes should be filled with the basics.”  

“There is a nice little all night store just down the driveway, on the corner.”  Shanoa said with a little snicker.  “And I don’t think that you will have to bail me out...I mean...I have grown up a lot since the last time we were here and I got wasted.”  She said poking her tongue out at her sister.

“I don’t think mom or dad would back you up on that one.”  Chou said as the last of them filed into the house, her leading them to the dining room.

“I think we’ll just take tonight as it comes, maybe try to get relaxed a little and maybe rested a bit,” Zeus said releasing his lover from his arms and taking her paw in his. “I have a feeling things could get a little hectic in the next day or so.”

“I think I might slip off to that hot spring Hana mentioned,” Randy said taking his lovers paw as well. “If that’s allowed and all, wouldn’t want to break any house rules or anything.”

“Long as you don’t get to…..adult.”  Chou spoke as she lead them through the building, slippers flopping a little.  “And...I’m sure that it’s not really something that I need to mention, but no being naked outside of your rooms and all that.”  She said as she lead them to a door and motioned for them to go in.

The room that the mother raccoon dog lead was the dining room.  Like Shanoa said, there was a small feast laid out before them, more than enough to feed the big group and have enough leftovers to do it again.  At the far end of the table sat a male wolf and a female cat, both dressed in kimonos, smiling and nodding to the group. 

“Welcome, come in, sit, sit.”  The female said smiling and waving for the lot to come in and find a place at the table.  

“Welcome to our home.”  The male said smiling.  “It is nice to meet the family that our grand daughter is marrying into.  I am Ren and this is my wife Izumi.”  He said motioning to the feline next to him.

“Mom, dad, it’s good to see you again.”  Shanoa said as she walked in and took a seat near the head of the table.  “It’s been a lot of work keeping your other daughter out of trouble.”  She said smiling and snickering a little bit.

“Other way around.”  Chou said rolling her eyes.

“We know….we know that Shanoa can be a…..handful.”  Izumi said with a knowing smile.

“Thank you, it is our honor to be welcome into your home. Though it pales in comparison to the honor of marrying your grand daughter,” Zeus said before bowing deeply to the family patriarchs.

“Quite a fine young man.”  Ren said smiling and bowing to the horse.  “I have heard many wonderful things about you….and the way that you two met.”  The wolf’s expression softening, “not all that different from the way that Izumi and I met.”

“Hana has told us a lot about you, and from the way she speaks of you, you will be quite the addition to the family.”  The older feline said nodding.

“Thank you sir, I hope that I can continue to live up to her expectations, I certainly intend to do my best to be worthy of her,” the equine boy said sincerely. “As for the way we met… I deserved the lesson she was so gracious to teach me.”.

“Much like the way that Izumi and I met.”  Ren said smiling.  “We grew up in the same class…..and a little bit of a rivalry grew….and as we went through school, it grew and changed into love….and well the rest is history.”

“Hana is an amazing girl, I am very lucky that she came into my life. Even more so that she has accepted me as her mate,” Zeus continued.

“What a suck up,” Shannon muttered under her breath..

“You must be single.”  Izumi spoke up, glancing to the horse girl.  “Don’t worry, you’re young you will find someone that will make you feel the way that Hana and Zeus do for one another.”

“Much as their mother and I did,” Alexander chimed in. “Zeus has found a wonderful young lady to share his life with. We’re pleased to welcome Hana into our family, and to have our son welcomed into yours Ren and Izumi,” the older horse male concluded bowing to their hosts.

“Ok, I think that’s enough sucking up to one another, I think that it’s time for dinner….I have been dieing for a good home cooked meal since we got on that ship.”  Shanoa said with a little snicker.

“Well there goes the people well and proper.”  Chou said shaking her head.

“Oh sweetie, there will be a lot of time for that later….tonight….we all enjoy one another without having to be all stuffy and what not.”  Ren said smiling.

“Yes.  To family, old, new, one and many.”  Izumi said holding up her cup of tea. 

“Cheer’s”  Shanoa and chou said lifting up their glasses, Hana joining them.

“To family,”  the horse matriarch added as she raised her glass, the rest of her family doing the same.

BREAK   

“You never did say what bar we’re going to.”  Chou said as she glanced over to Shanoa as she was finishing up getting ready.

“The same one that I go to when I’m here.”  The catwolf said smiling.  “The Fishbowl.”

“So the one that you said that you would take me to how many ages ago?”  She said with a little snicker.

“Well now it’s finally happening, now lets see if the rest of our little group is ready.”  Shanoa said grabbing her wallet and slipping it into her pocket, before leading Chou out of her room and to the guest house.  “Hey long muzzle, y’all ready?”  She asked as she knocked on the door.

“Almost,” the mother horse said swinging the door open as she turned back towards the bathroom. “Just waiting for Shannon to stop teasing her hair… I keep telling her it’s already scared to death of her.”

“I’m not even messing with my hair,” the younger equine female called out from behind the closed door of the bathroom. “I just need another minute.. these damn jeans, I’ll be there in a minute.”

“I still bet you ten bucks she’s trying to get into those two sizes too small pants I keep tossing in the trash and she keeps rescuing,” Tabitha said rolling her eyes as she passed the door.

“”I’ve already said I’m not taking that sucker bet Tabby,” Alexander piped up from the kitchen as he leaned his head through the doorway into the hall. Raising his voice just a bit he added, “and before you ask Shannon, no they don’t make your butt look big, but they do show off more of a camel toe than should be legal.”

With a scowl on her face Tabitha asked,” and exactly how do you know that?”

“Laundry room a few weeks ago. The night you jumped her ass about leaving the laundry in the dryer just as she was about to go out for the night,” the horse girl's father said shaking his head a little. “More of an eyeful than I wanted from my own daughter… now her mother I would have been an entirely different story.”

“Well I know what we need to do after we get over the hangovers in the morning.”  Shanoa said snickering.  “Clothes shopping and all that…...and suck it in, in there….we got places to go…..booze to drink.”

“Don’t worry Alexander….I will do my best to keep her out of trouble and your wife and daughter safe….”  Chou said as she nudged the catwolf.  “But….yeah…..do you need one of us to come sit on you so you can fit in them jeans?”

“All three of you can kiss my furry ass,” Shannon said as she finally emerged from the bathroom. “They’re not that damn tight dad…” she added scowling at her father. “Do you have any idea how creeperish it sounds that you were even looking at my crotch in the first place by the way?”

“Bent over, ass in the air and your tail hiked to the ceiling… kind of hard to miss a display like that little girl.” Alexander said disappearing back into the kitchen. “Okay short stack,” he could be heard from the kitchen. “Time for us guys to zap up some hot pockets and popcorn and veg out. Television, or video games?”

“Damn girl…...You look like you were poured into them.”  Shanoa said cocking an eyebrow.  “If you don’t find someone to come home with tonight…..I would be worried.”

“Shanoa….you’re not helping.”  Chou said shaking her head a little.

“It’s my job to make sure that you all have fun….and you and little long muzzle there get some or something like that...I’m sure that you could use some love or something…..you seem….pent up.”

“God damn it Shanoa…...Shut up.”  Chou said shaking her head a little.

“Love you too.”  She said smiling and poking out her tongue.

“Well if you’re waiting on me now you’re backing up,” the younger equine female said stuffing her phone into her bra. “I say we get this show on the road, see how long it takes for mom to be on the floor drooling.”

“We’ll see who ends up on the floor first pony girl.” Tabby said patting down her pockets and their contents. “Just try not to toss your oats on anyone panty waste.”

“My money is on the youngling.”  Shanoa said smiling.  “Your mom has a number of years on you when it comes to drinking…...and I have the best…..I will out drink all of ya.”  The catwolf said shaking her head a little.

“I don’t know…...If I drank like you I would be able to beat you.”  Chou said as they started walking out of the house.  “I might be able to out drink Shannon.”

“Light weights.”  Shanoa said as they walked up to the car, this time not being a limo, something a little smaller and easier to drive around but big enough for the girls.

“Ladies.”  The driver said smiling as she opened the back door.  “Ready for a night out Ms. Shanoa?”

“We all are.”  Shanoa said as she nodded to the driver, getting into the car.

“Thank you,” Tabitha said as she followed behind the catwolf woman,. “If the youngest one gets to messed up, you may want to strap her to the roof.”

“Love you too mom,” Shannon groused as she poked her mother on the shoulder as the older female got into the car. “I haven’t gotten car sick in like, forever.”

“I’m sure that we have some of the elastic luggage bands in the trunk.”  She said smiling and looking to the younger horse.  “We have some car sick bags in the car…..I’m sure that you can get her to hit one of them.”

“Don’t worry.  I will make sure that we keep the car clean and all that…..if not….the one that ralph's has to clean the car…..”  Chou said smiling as she got into the car.  “So….Shannon….when you barf….hit the bag.”

“Yea, yea, yea,” the horse girl muttered as she relaxed into the seat of the car. “So this place you’re taking us to,” she asked looking their hostess for the evening in the eyes. “Is it safe or do I need to worry about waking up in another country tomorrow?”

“Well….you’re going to be waking up in another country…..I mean this is Japan.”  Shanoa said with a snicker.  “But no…..we’re not going to do anything too…...wild.”  She said turning and looking the driver and muttering “Fishbowl.”  

“Don’t worry…..the driver isn’t going to let us end up anyplace too far.”  Chou said smiling.

“We are just going to go to a bar and then to sing some karaoke….maybe a little drunk shopping.”  Shanoa said smiling as the driver started the car and started driving off to the destination.

“As long as I don’t end up someones permenant sexslave I’m good with a few drinks and maybe some shopping,” Shannon said grinning broadly.

“Just let me get one or five drinks in me before she starts singing,” the  horse mother said giggling a little. “What?” she responded to the displeased look her daughter shot at her.”I’m your mother, I’m supposed to tell you you’re not that bad… even if it is a bald faced lie.”

“You don’t have to worry about anything like that, I’m like a ninja or something.”  Shanoa said with a little giggle.  “And she can’t be that bad…...Chou sounds like someone stepped on a cat’s tail.”

“You know…..I have heard the sound that you make when someone steps on your tail….or the times that you have closed it in a sliding door…...I sound a lot better than that.”  Chou said snickering.  “Y’all know the Teke Teke story that she told…..well she got her tail caught in a door and that’s what happened to the fur….she was drunk and trying to sneak back into the house….”

“Love you to.”  Shanoa said shaking her head.  “You know, I’m going to have to look for the christmas party photos.”  She said smiling to her sister who just blushed.   

“So, ladies”, Shannon piped up rubbing her paws together and grinning almost maniacally, “how long does everyone give them before my dork of a brother screws up and gets Hana knocked up? I say six months tops.”

“Well I know that mom there has Hana on birth control…..so….barring Hana forgetting to take it or an act of god happening…...two years to two years, a month and three days.”  Shanoa said snickering a little.

“I give them till like right after the end of school.”  Chou said shaking her head.  “It’s going to be weird being a grandma…..”

“As in the end of this year or by the time Hana graduates?” the mother horse asked with a bit of a scowl. “With the way that pair fell for each other… I’m seriously thinking I may need to start planning a baby shower when we get home from this trip.”

“I don’t think that it will be that soon…..I’m saying at the end as in when they graduate…..maybe.”  Chou said pausing to think a moment.  “Yeah, that’s my bet.”

“I hope you’re right Chou,” Tabitha said rubbing her temples slowly with her fingers. “I’m not even close to ready to hear one… or more little cubs calling me grandma.”

“Well you got that one there on the pill right?”  Shanoa asked looking to the younger horse.  “Or do I need to get her some rubbers?”

“Gee Shanoa…...just jumping right in like that.”  Chou said shaking her head a little.

“What….I’m a doctor after all…..it comes with the job.”  She said shaking her head.  “Public health and all that.”

“Yea, mom hasn’t had to worry about me making her a grandmother for a long time,” Shannon said with a smirk. “IUD four years ago, regular check ups and checks to make sure it stays put. Besides any guy that’s to big, to hot, or too special to use a condom, yea those guys get kicked to the cur faster than a month old burrito.” 

“I don’t have a problem with being a grandma, someday,” Tabitha said shaking her head slowly. “Just not in a hurry to get there.”

“Hehe I think that it’s like that for all of us.”  Shanoa said smiling…..then again I have to have a kid first.”  

“You being a mom….that’s a little worrisome…..”  Chou paused for a moment.  “Then again I don’t think that you would be a tiger mom…..well not like the ones that you hear about….one in your own way.”

“A somali mom…..”  Shanoa said with a snicker.  “And I think that I would make a good mom….I mean...I’m going to have someone there with me to be the other mom or dad.”

“And a pretty litter of eight.”  Chou said shaking her head.

“Dear God don’t let Zeus hear that,” the older equine woman said wide eyed. “Grand kids is one thing,a litter of eight….” she started, trailing off a moment. “Exactly what the hell would Zeus and hana’s cubs be anyway?”

“Well…..this family has never been much for spitting out multiples.”  Shanoa said pausing for a moment.  “I can’t speak for Chou’s side of things…..and as for kids.”

“I don’t think that they would end up with a litter like that….I think that they might end up with twins at the most.”  Chou stepped in.

“Yeah something like that.  And as for the kids….they would be fluffy little horse dogs…..knotted and flared…..long muzzles…..”  She paused again.  “Yeah I think that we would have to shave them in the summer…...but in the end I think that they would be a cute little abomination.”

“Good way to talk about your family there sis.”  Chou said shaking her head a little.  “Don’t mind her, I think that she has gotten into the booze already.”

“Na….Hell most of our family are abominations….I mean hybrids….”  She said poking her tongue out.  “Myself included.”  She said turning to Tabby.  “If you want….when we get back to the mainland I can look into genetics and all that.”

“Now that we’re discussing it,” Tabby began, pausing for a moment. “I would like to find out a few things. Like would it be possible? I mean they are vastly different species, and would it be safe for Hana to carry a… hybrid of their making? And what the hell would one even call a horse dog hybrid?”

“Well….”  Shanoa said pausing a moment.  “It would be possible for her to….it might get a little hard for her if she ends up with twins or something liket hat….but the thing with bodies is, they are…...smart….for lack of a better way of putting that.  At the worse she might need a C-section.”  She said pausing for a moment.

“Just so long as that dingo is in there…..he knows kids better than you.”  Chou said shaking her head.

“Yeah if you want your baby taken by a dingo.”  She said shrugging.  “But I can see the pregnancy going off without a hitch or anything….That and the baby when it’s born isn’t going to be the same size as a cub that you would give birth to….mom genes will see to that.”

“As long as you’re sure Shanoa, the last thing I would ever want to be a problem between them is an issue with having cubs when they’re ready to take that step.” As the quartet of women took seats at the table they had been led to she added,”I give the boy shit, always have. But the one thing I want most for my little boy is for him to be happy and find a good woman, that part I think he’s taken care of already.”

“Well if it ever came down to it….the hospital I work at has a good breeding program.”  Shanoa said looking at one of the menus.  “Errrr. I mean surrogate program.”

“I guess we’ll just have to wait and see with that pair,” she said nodding slightly. “We need a waitress, or whatever they’re called, I need a drink.”

“Pick out a drink and we will get started.”  Shanoa said as she waved her menu to the closest waitress.  “We need some booze here cutie.”

“Well hello Shanoa…..I didn’t think that I would see you around so soon.”  The waitress said walking up to the group.  “What can I get you lot?  I know that you want your laser beam.”  She said looking from Shanoa to the group.

“Long island iced tea,”Tabitha said leaning back in her seat. “No make that two of them, save you an extra trip in five minutes.”

“I’ll have a creeper,” Shannon said reaching into her bra and extracting her ID.”Here,” she added passing the card to their waitress.

“And I think that I will have a salty bad dog.”  Chou spoke up with a little snicker.  

“Ok.”  The mercat said smiling.  “You lot going to want something to eat to?”  Jaelyn said as she looked over the id that she was handed before passing it back to the younger horse girl.  “I’ll be back with the drinks.”  She said slipping off.

“So ladies…...food?”  Shanoa said smiling and picking the menu back up.

“Well yeah….and Shanoa just what are you planning for the night….I know that you're up to something.”  Chou said glancing to her sister.

“Nothing to wild…..mostly.”  The catwolf said looking up from the menu.  “And the basil fried chicken is good…..but I was thinking drinking….then some karaoke and then maybe some shopping.”

“Other than this one,” the mother horse said tilting her head towards her daughter briefly, “my crew is out of my hair for the night. As long as no one gets hurt I’m up for about anything.”

“Love you too mom,” Shannon said rolling her eyes.

“Don’t worry.  I….errrrr Chou….will make sure that no one gets hurt or anything.”  Shanoa said looking to her sister.

“Well...me and the driver….cause I plan on getting drunk to.”  the raccoon dog said as the waitress came back with a tray of drinks.

“Ok. We have a laser beam for the pain in my ass.”  Jaelyn said as she handed Shanoa her drink.  “Salty bad dog for you, long island ice tea for you and a creeper for you.”  She said as she handed out the last of the drinks.  “Did you all want something to eat too?”

“Hey…..I can’t really be a pain in the ass….I’m married now.”  Shanoa said lifing up a paw and showing off the ring.  “And even got a kid.”

“The fuck did that happen?”  Chou asked, cocking an eyebrow at her sister.

“Yes….and I will have the basil fried chicken.”  Shanoa said snickering.

“The salmon for me.”  Chou said turning her gaze back to her sister.  “I still want to know about this kid.”  

“Me too.”  Jaelyn said giving the catwolf a look.  “I thought that she might settle down one day...but a kid…...that’s like a sign of the end of the world or something.”

“Pork chow mein and some pot stickers as an appetizer I think,” Tabitha said before turning to the catwolf. “Days on a ship, and this is the first time you mention you have a kid?”

“Bok Choy,” Shannon chimed in settling back in her seat, a grin spreading over her face as she watched the other three women.

“Yeah…..none of you asked.”  Shanoa said poking her tongue out.  “But yeah. I have a wife….and a kid….is that, that weird?”

“With you, just a little….I mean, I could see you having a wife or something...hopefully one that will keep you in check….but a kid…..”  Chou said cocking an eyebrow.

“I want to see photos.”  Jaelyn said as smiling, “and I will be right back with your food.”  She said turning and heading off to the kitchen.

“From what I’ve seen during the cruise I take it that you’re the wild child Shanoa. I assume that’s why it seems strange. In which case I’d have to agree, pictures are in order on this one,” the mother horse said with a little wicker.

“I am the wild child…..”  She said taking a sip from her drink.  “And well I have kinda settled down a little…..just a little.”  The hybrid said as she pulled out her phone and started flipping through her phone.  “Here you go.”  She said showing off her phone, a photo on screen of a female deer and Shanoa holding up a young blossom bat.  “That’s Love Nubs, Curio and me.”

“Wow…..I didn’t think that I would see the day.”  Chou said looking at the photo.  “You make a good little family….it’s kinda scary.”

“Yup. Been like two years with Nubs and nearly a year with the bat.”  Shanoa said smiling warmly.

“Good looking group,” Tabby responded, taking a sip of her long island ice tea. “I wonder though what the story is behind you and that cutie in your arms there.”

“It’s a little bit of a long story.”  Shanoa said taking a long sip of her drink.  “I kinda…..well….plucked her off the street….on christmas eve…..and kinda how I got this.”  She said pointing to a long scar on her right, upper arm, going from her shoulder down to her elbow.  “Man did Anna freak out when she got home that night.”

“I can see why she freaked out…..I mean….coming home on christmas eve and suddenly a kid.”  Chou said shaking her head a little.

“Well...it didn’t last long, Anna fell for her just as fast Flapper fell for her.”  Shanoa said smiling and leaning back.

“I don’t think anyone could keep from falling like a brick for a sweet face like that,” Tabby said with a little chuckle. 

“Aww, she’s adorable.” Shannon chimed in. 

“To think that someday Zeus and Hana will give us cubs that are that adorable too,” Tabitha said with a sly smile on her lips.

“A beautiful litter of two….equinines.”  Shanoa said smiling and snickering a little.  “Won’t that make me like a great grandma or something?....I’m not old enough….I’m just old enough to be a mom.”

“Yes.”  Chou said smiling and sipping at her drink.

“You’re food.”  Jaelyn said as she walked up with a tray, starting to pass out the food.  “Soooo did you all find out who’s kid Shanoa kidnapped?”  She asked with a little snicker.

“Nope….I’m too good to get caught.”  She said poking her tongue out and showing her the photo of her kid.  “She even looks like me.”

“Goof.” The meerkat said as she looked at the photo.  “Well I will be back to bring more drinks and all that.”  She said turning to head off.

“Make mine another double when you do,”the equine woman said tossing a paw into the air as their waitress walked away. “So what else is on the agenda for tonight? Someone said something about karaoke.”

“Heh, don’t get to drunk to fast…..”  Shanoa said licking her lips a little.  “Yes….there is a nice little karaoke bar near here that has separate rooms….and more booze.”

“Oh god…..I’m not going to sing...I’m going to need more liquor.”  Chou said starting to eat.  “Shanoa got the voice in the family.”

“No I didn’t”  She said shaking her head.  “So eat up, drink…..this is just the start….”

“I need to make sure to get a video of you drunk and singing.”  Chou said smiling.

“Totally something that my wife has seen….I mean that’s kinda how we met.”  Shanoa said nudging her sister.

“Drunken singing from a wolfcat and a racoon dog, throw in two shit faced equines and add booze. Sounds like a hell of a fun night to me,” Shannon piped up. “How much shit do you think dad will give us if there is video evidence?”

“Probably not half as much as your brothers will,” Tabitha said snickering a little,

“Ill call ahead and make sure to get a room and tell them that we want one of the rooms with a camera setup.”  Shanoa said with a snicker.  “Be something to play at your wedding one day.”  The hybrid said giggling.

“Oh god…..You know, I’m sure that, that can be used against you too.”  Chou said smiling, “I’m sure that your wife will like more things to pick on you with….Make sure that she calls you and wakes you up.”

“She always does….she has like a hangover sense….I think it’s cause she’s a bartender.”  Shanoa said shaking her head a little.

“We all need to get together sometime in the states, I’d love to meet your wife and child in person,” the equine woman said between bites. “That little one might get hugged half to death though.”

“Well, I’m sure that I can talk her into coming to the mountains for christmas or something.”  Shanoa said smiling.  “All I really need to do is let the hospital know that I’m taking some of that vacation time that I never use.”  She said smiling as the waitress brought them more drinks.  “And I’m sure that she would enjoy getting hugged to bit…...do you know sign language or anything like that?”

“Sign language? So the little one is deaf?” Shannon asked tilting her head to  the side.

“That would be a no, but I think we may need to change that. Besides it’s not like it would hurt any of my bunch to learn it,” Tabitha said before taking a longer sip of her tea.

“It’s not that hard to pick up.  You’ll get to meet my other sister….she’s deaf that’s how I learned it.”  She paused a moment.  “Oh and Curio doesn't talk a lot….or at all, she’s mute. but...thanks to technology, I got her a tablet that does all of that for her.”  Shanoa said smiling as she went back to sipping her own drink.  “Other than that, Flapper is a little shy.”

“Oh much of the family did you invite?”  Chou asked glancing over to her sister.

“Yes.”  Shanoa said taking a big swig of her drink.

Many a booze later.

“This is the other bar.”  Shanoa said as she lead the group up to a building.  “This is one of best.”  She said as she led them up to the receptionist, and started talking to her.

“Oh man….I remember coming here for my birthday.”  Chou said smiling as she looked around the room.  “Hasn’t changed a lot.” 

“Why change something when it works.”  Shanoa said motioning for them to follow.  “I got one of the good rooms.”  She said pressing the button for the elevator.  Once the group was on the lift, she hit the button.

“Sometimes I worry about how you know all of the strings that you know to pull.”  Chou said snickering as the lift soon came to a stop, opening to a mostly empty floor.

“No need…”  She said leading them to a room near the end of the hall and opening the door.  The room was bathed in a soft light, a tv and karaoke system against one wall, a nice glass table sitting in the middle of the room with fine leather chairs around it.  “Here we are.”  Shanoa said slipping in and into a chair, flipping through the song book.  “Someone order us drinks.”  She said pointing to the phone on the table by one of the chairs.

“I got this,” Shannon said flopping into the chair and taking the phones handset in her paw. “So same as the last round before we left or what?” she asked holding it to her ear.

“For me yes, already in deep enough now that changing drinks could be a bad idea,” her mother replied. “Okay ladies, what’s the first song we’re going to slaughter tonight?”

“Surprise me….I’m a professional.”  Shanoa said with a snicker as she kept flipping through the book.  “Hmmmmm.  Ooooh I think that I found it.  I Love Rock and Roll by Joan Jett and The BlackHearts.”  Shanoa said smiling as she got up and started fiddling with the karaoke machine.

“Same ol same for me.” Chou said smiling and half rolling her eyes at her sister.  “You always pick that one…...I’m going to get you to sing something different someday.”

“Alright, then I’ll take care of this while you ladies make asses out of ourselves… so where’s the remote for the camera thing or whatever?” the younger equine female asked with a snicker.

“Yes.”  Shanoa said smiling and pointing at the youngest one.  “And no, you’re not getting out of this….order the drinks and get up here little long muzzle.”  She said snickering.

“Yeah….come on.”  Chou said smiling and waving to the younger horse.  “You know that you want to…...live a little….think of the stories that you can tell all of your friends and all that.”

“Yea, yea, yea, just a minute,” the younger she answered then going back to getting their drinks ordered.

“Good.  I will get this started.”  Shanoa said smiling and turning to the machian behind her and pressing play.  “Here we go.”  She said as the opening to the song started.  “I saw him dancing there by the record machine, I knew he must have been about seventeen.”  Shanoa started out, before nudging her sister.

“The beat was going strong, playing my favorite song.”  Chou started singing between giggles and blushes.

“And I could tell it wouldn’t be long, till he was with me, yeah me,” Tabitha followed with, a few giggles and a bit of a blush in her cheeks

“And I could tell it wouldn’t be long till he was with me, yeah me.” Shannon chimed in as she nearly springing from the chair and walked over to join the other women.

“That’s it.”  Shanoa said laughing.  “And I could tell it wouldn’t be long till he was with me, yeah me.”  Shanoa picked up.

“Singing I love, rock and roll.”  The group of women got into the song, starting to sing and sway a little.  The group had gotten into the song to the point that they missed the waiter coming in and setting down their drinks.

“See….I told you, you could sing.”  Shanoa said looking over to her sister, nudging her.  “And we got our drinks.  “So….we going to do some solos?  Or just sit around and drink a little more before shopping…..or passing out?”  She said with a little snicker, scooping up her drink and taking a swig.

“I say we do a few solos,” the youngest of the group said grabbing up the song book and flipping through it. “You ladies relax and have a drink, I got the first one,” she added as she started fiddling with the karaoke machine. After a few moments the song started to play, the equine girl dancing around a little as she started singing again.

“I come home in the morning light. My mother says when you gonna live your life right
Oh mother dear we're not the fortunate ones
And girls they want to have fun
Oh girls just want to have fun”

“Oh I got this.”  Shanoa said giggling as she sat down her now mostly empty glass, getting up and switching places with Shannon, poking at the machian.  “This one goes out to Anna, and the night that we met….”  She said giggling as the music started up.

“Bar tender I really did it this time
Broke my parole to have a good time
When I got home it was 6 a.m.
The door was locked so I kicked it in
She was trippin' on the bills”

Even before the song ended Tabitha has on her hooves and snagged the song play book, quickly flipping through the pages. Her eyes went a bit wider, the song she had been searching for catching her attention immediately. The moment the catwolf woman was out of the way she fiddled with the karaoke machine starting to sway with the rhythm of the music the moment it started to play and singing along with the kyru=ics as they appeared on the tv screen.

She sits alone waiting for suggestions
He's so nervous avoiding all the questions
His lips are dry, her heart is gently pounding
Don't you just know exactly what they're thinking

If you want my body and you think I'm sexy
come on sugar let me know.
If you really need me just reach out and touch me
come on honey tell me so
Tell me so baby

“That’s a nice set of pipes.”  Chou said smiling, “it looks like I’m singing next….something about the best for last or something.”  She muttered as she picked up her drink and finished off what was left of it.  “Here we go.”

“Words like violence
Break the silence
Come crashing in
Into my little world
Painful to me
Pierce right through me
Can't you understand?”

“Oh wow,” Shannon said a little wide eyed. “I didn’t think someone your… ummm”

“What…..my age?”  She said with a snicker as she sat back down.  “I think that I need another round of drinks…...Fluffy butt….order.”  She said looking to Shanoa who pawed at the phone and started ordering the next round.  “I got the singing….I think that Shanoa was the one that got the instrument playing.”

“Well yea, kind of” the horse girl said blushing a little. “But it was more about the song in particular more than your singing really. I didn’t think you would know a song like that is all?”

“What….you think that we don’t get American music here?”  She said poking her tongue out a little.  “We get most if not all of the same music that you lot do….that and I have been living in the states for a while too.”

“Yeah….you know.”  Shanoa said smiling.  “We need to get her to listen to some of our music.”  She said leaning back in her chair.  “Maybe take her to a concert or something.”

“Well I think that I have had my fill of singing….I think that it’s time to go shopping….Shanoa’s treat.”  Chou said smiling and getting to her feet.

“To the dildo store.”  Shanoa said as she got up and started leading them out of the room and back to the car, and off to the next adventure.