Chapter 5 Holly's View
"Tina's the cook right?" I asked as we stepped out of Nick's room. He shut the door behind us.

"Yup." Nick answered, leading me down the hall in the opposite direction we had came from. Most of the doors we passed were, he told me, empty or used for storage (storage of dust most likely). After we went around a corner, we walked down a set of stairs that led to another hall. This one smelled much fresher than the one before, not that the previous one smelled off. As we walked down the hall toward a set of double doors, I saw where the fresh scent was coming from.

When we passed a door that was different from the others, it was covered in a pattern of vines, I stopped, examining it. They looked awfully real to me. I reached out and tenderly poked at one. My suspicions were correct. It was a door that was covered in vines. My curiosity swelled as a yellow flower suddenly sprouted from a vine about my eye-level. Not needing to lean in to smell its pungent aroma, I was nowhere near in range when the flower suddenly snapped at me.

"Hmm..." I wasn't even surprised by the snapping of the flower. It was too predictable for my taste. Not to mention it was an all-too-common practical joke the Mankey in the forest liked to play on the inhabitants of the woods (bugs weren't too amused by this needless to say).

"Eevee." I spoke to it in a gentle tone, cooing the flower until it closed into a bud. I slowly grabbed its stem, not wanting to awaken it, and yanked it off the vine, jumping back in the case that the planter had placed anymore carnivorous flowers. There were none.

"You're probably the first one that Holly hasn't gotten with that trick." Nick said. He had been watching me the whole time.

"Who's Holly?" I asked, flicking the dead flower bud up into the air and catching it in my mouth. It was a bit of irony that I liked to add to the equation.

"She's another maid. She's more of a gardener, though, as you can tell." He said, gesturing to the vine covered door. "She's a Leafeon anthro actually."

"Oh." I sighed, suddenly remembering that I was allergic to thinking about evolution. "Let's go meet Tina."

We went through the double doors into a large dining hall. Several other impressive sets of doors led out of the room, but at the head of the room, a pair of less impressive doors had a sign above them that said kitchen. The room was governed by a large dining table with ten chairs on each side and a chair at the head near the kitchen door. The room was mainly lit by those 'minisuns,' but decretive chandeliers hung from the ceiling as well.

I gawked because this was the most beautiful room I'd ever seen. Nick smiled at my awestruck face.

"My grandfather and I would rather have more modest accommodations, but since his father was the one that built the house, there's little we can do." He sighed, making me remember something.

"Nick, you know out on the street? When we were talking to... uh... Kevin I think his name was, what weren't you telling me?"

"Trinity, you already knew what it was that I wasn't telling you. I don't want anyone else knowing that you were supposed to be a sex slave." Nick said.

"A WHAT?!" Somebody shrieked from down the room. I looked to see a peculiar looking girl with a Mightyena at her side, no strike that; she looked just like the Mightyena only in human form. How I had not smelled either of them, I can't tell you. She had black hair running down her back while grey fur covered her front. Her legs from her knees down were black fur, same with her arms at the elbows. Her tail wagged behind her with suspicion. Her face had a youth in it, and dog ears were coming out from her dark grey hair. She had red eyes like mine and sharp teeth that weren't like my vampire-ish teeth. Her face had lines on it similar to that of the Mightyena next to her.

"Oh, uh... hi Tina." Nick cursed under his breath, heard only by me because of my superior hearing.

The two of them approached us, Tina looking confused. "Is she Trinity?" she was talking to Nick and gesturing to me.

"Yeah. How did you know?" Nick replied.

"Leah told me. She said something about an Eevee anthro and Babiri berries, and then she zoomed off to god-knows-where." She looked to me. "I'm Tina." She stuck out her hand.

"Trinity." I replied. She seemed shocked and quickly withdrew her hand before I had the chance to not shake it.

"You can talk!?!" She exclaimed. I figured that she was thinking the same thing that Kevin had been thinking.

"I taught her." Nick said right away. Tina calmed down.

"Okay. Anyway, what were you two talking about before? Were you really going to be a..." She blushed.

I felt uncomfortable for some reason. I didn't like the way that she was staring at me. I averted my eyes and they fell upon the Mightyena. Judging from its scent, it was a boy. He was curious, I could tell that it was pertaining as to what I would reply to Tina's question.

"F.A.T.A. was selling her to be a... well you know." Nick answered for me, probably noticing my discomfort. "Trinity's sweet, though, and nothing like one, okay?" the way Nick said it, I could tell he was making sure that neither one of them would breathe a word of it to anyone.

"I don't doubt it." The Mightyena said, surprising me as he was speaking English. "But she smells... sort of like you, Nick."

We both blushed.

"That's what Leah was talking about when she said Babiri berries." Tina said, smiling at us like she had just won the lottery. "You two are a couple aren't you?"

"It matter's how?" I asked, felling like I needed to defend us somehow.

"It doesn't to me. I just like the smell of young love in the air." She laughed. "Anyway, about the Babiris, we don't have any right now, but I'm going to check in town if there are any around so, bye." She walked around us, the Mightyena following her.

I was disappointed, but hopeful. Nick took me back to his room after a quick lunch of berries from the kitchen, and he started to teach me how to do normal stuff. It was mostly governed with how to go to the bathroom, because that was a pretty drastic change from my normal manner of going outdoors. I still really wanted him, but I managed to contain myself for the afternoon.

Either way, I was relieved when Leah interrupted us by barging into the room. She sighed as she floated over to us. "I'm bored." She said lazily. "And all Melly wants to do is play with dolls... or fly, but I keep telling her that her wings aren't big enough to fly yet."

I rolled my eyes at her, getting that from all the times I saw Nick doing it to me after asking a question.

Leah groaned. "So what are you two doing?"

"Boring stuff." Nick replied. I'd just like to point out that he was the one who said it, not me.

"Uhg!" Leah groaned, plopping upside-down onto the couch beside me, her legs hanging over the back while her head hung over the edge of the cushion. She crossed her arms and looked over at Nick on my other side.

Nick made it obvious that he was annoyed with her. Leah smiled, obviously getting joy at annoying him.

"Hey, do you want to see me transform into Nick?" She suddenly asked me.

Not waiting for an answer, or maybe she read my mind, she began to glow and her body shone white. When the light faded, Nick was in place of Leah. I jumped off the couch, surprised. Looking back from Leah and Nick, I smelled that Leah still had her own scent, and her eyes were still that deep blue you see just before the sky turns black at night.

"That's... disturbing." I said, shivering at the likeness. The fake Nick flashed and I thought Leah was turning back into herself. Instead, I gasped as I stared back at myself.

Cool right? Leah's voice resonated in my head. She even had my collar on, the little everstone looking like a grey jewel.

"It's weird having two Trinitys." Nick remarked.

I reached out toward myself, and Leah reached for me, too. When we touched, it felt just like my own hand. I shivered.

The more I see a person, the more accurate the transformation is. Leah told me telepathically. She flashed again and Nick was once again in her place. I blushed, pulling my hand away. My heart actually went out for her. Leah finally transformed back into herself, smiling. "Transforming is fun. Too bad I can't talk while in another form."

"Yeah too bad." Nick said, sarcastically. "After all, you could go around saying things you shouldn't under another person's identity."

"That's exactly what I should do!" Leah smiled.


A couple of hours later a bell resounded throughout the whole house. Nick said that it was the supper bell, and I smiled, knowing I'd get to finally meet his grandfather. I followed Nick and Leah down to the dining room where I immediately smelled a scent worthy of a five-star meal. Ten plates were set on the table, silverware glinting on either side or each plate. Some people were already sitting down. I recognized Terry and Jane. Melly was jumping up and down while bothering Tina who was busy setting food on the table from a cart.

A woman who was obviously Holly sat near the head of the table. Looking like a picture of Mother Nature, she was surrounded by a fresh, lush smell that reminded me of home. She had tan skin and light green hair. Ears that looked like they had the texture of leaves were on top of her head. What looked like a large blade of grass was brushed back on top of her head. Her hands darkened to form brown and her long leaf tail was under the chair to prevent being stepped on. She wore no clothes but her breasts were shielded by leaves that sprouted from her collarbone. Her ankles and wrists also had leaves wrapping around them. She looked at me with little curiosity.

Nick sat across from Holly and, not knowing where else to sit, I sat next to him. Leah sat by her mom. Nick's grandfather sat at the very head of the table. He looked like what you'd expect from a grandfather. He had a wrinkled, pale face. His hair was gone, washed away by time, and he was thin with arms like toothpicks. Even with all those qualities, you could tell that he wasn't through with life yet. His pale blue eyes sparkled the same way Nick's did. His smile glowed and lit the room better than the lights.

I was too shy to introduce myself as I sat next to Nick.

"Hi Grandfather." Nick smiled.

"I take it that this is the girl you had the impulse to buy?" He said, smiling.

"Yeah, this is Trinity." Nick introduced me.

"Hi." I said shyly. Nick obviously had a very good relationship with his grandfather.

"I'm not surprised she can talk already. You had Melly reading when she was three." He said to Nick. "My name's Garter, young lady. I'm charmed to meet you."

"Sorry guys." Tina said as she came by, pulling her cart to a stop so she could set food on the table. "I couldn't find any Babiri berries in town, but Ricardo's'll have some tomorrow. I don't understand how they can get stuff delivered on a Sunday."

"I'll pick some up tomorrow. Thanks anyway." Nick replied. I was once again disappointed and hopeful.

"Why do you need Babiris?" Garter asked.

Nick blushed. "Me and Trinity... well Babiris prevent pregnancy..." He blushed harder.

I thought that Garter would somehow resent that his fifteen year old son would be having sex, but instead he smiled. "Your Grandmother and I used the same berries when we were young. It's an inexpensive and failsafe way to avoid having kids and showing you love someone." I sighed, relieved. Then Holly spoke up.

"Wait a minute." She said. "You're allowing them to sleep with each other? Nick is only fifteen!"

"As long as he is responsible for his actions, I will allow them to do what they wish. I trust Nick that he is sure that he feels this strongly for Trinity. Besides, whether I give them permission or not, they will show their love for each other. I'd much rather they feel okay about it and not rush than getting sloppy and making a mess."

"But still. They're just kids!"

"Trinity used to live in the wild." Nick said. "She's old enough for it." I nodded. I had gone through a couple uncomfortable heats.

"And I haven't thought of Nick being a kid for awhile now." Garter added.

Holly looked like she wanted to argue more, but instead just glared at us. I squirmed closer to Nick.

Supper was some sort of cooked bird and berries. It set fire to my taste buds and I could barely restrain myself from dropping my silverware and acting like the animal I was. Nick must've noticed that I was having trouble because he held my free hand for support. I didn't want to disappoint him so I managed to ignore my instincts mostly. The time I didn't was when Tina accidentally stepped on my tail when she was walking by. Reacting with instincts born in the wild, I nearly skewered her with my fork, missing by less than a centimeter. Nick quickly stopped me before I could strike again, and, almost in unison, Tina and I let loose with apologies.

After supper was done, everyone said their goodnight's and headed off to their rooms. My mind was still on fire as Nick led me back to my room, and, when I noticed the halls were empty, I quickly grabbed Nick and pulled him into a kiss. He resisted at first, but I needed an outlet.

After awhile I let him go, not fully satisfied.

"I guess you're more pent up than I thought you were." Nick said. He looked at me with his pale blue eyes and I nearly forced him out of his clothes right there. "I'm proud of you, girl."

He hadn't called me that since I'd learned to talk. I felt happy that I hadn't disappointed him despite my outburst. "Thanks."

"Tomorrow after work we'll get some berries." Nick said, kissing my cheek. "Good night." After I returned the good night, he began walking down the hall, and I entered my room.

An hour later I lay awake staring at the ceiling. The bed was more comfy than the grass, but that wasn't it. I was tired, but I couldn't get to sleep. I needed Nick. For the past couple days, I had always been with Nick. But now I was alone. Alone again. I needed Nick. Something inside me told me that I needed to make sure that he would be there when I woke up.

I hopped out of bed and quickly exited my room. The house was quietly breathing, creaking as if it was alive. I shivered at the thought. Quickly padding down the hall, I stopped at Nick's door, listening to see if I'd woken anyone. I looked at Leah's door, the one across from Nick's, wondering if psychics could tell if you were awake.

I opened Nick's door and crept into his room. His quiet breath told me he was asleep. Closing the door and quickly hurrying up to the second floor, I stopped at his bed, unsure of myself. Timidly reaching out and touching him, I softly called his name. He stirred in his sleep.

"Nick?" I whispered louder.

"Mmm." He moaned in his sleep.

"Nick?" I whispered louder and closer to him.

"Wha?" He asked sleepily, his eyes finally opening half way. "Trinity? Is tha' you?" He asked sleepily.

"I can't sleep without you." I whispered quietly. "Can I sleep with you?"

He sat up and looked at me. The moonlight was streaming in through the window, allowing him to see me. "Do you think you can control yourself?" he asked me.

I nodded, saying. "I think so."

"I guess you can." He made room for me, and I slipped under the covers with him. He reached out and grabbed my shoulder, rubbing in the direction of my fur. I murred happily. He wasn't going to make it easy to resist. He ran his hand down my arm, past my elbow, and to my hand.

"It's going to be fun sleeping with a girl that has fur." Nick said. I know what he meant by 'sleeping with,' but I wanted the other kind of 'sleeping with.'

I scooted closer to him, running my hand up his arm, and started to rub my leg against his. I really wanted him. I stopped and moved away from him.

"What's wrong?" Nick asked me.

"I don't want to get carried away." I replied.

He smiled and pulled me back to him, bringing me into a hug. "Then let's not let it get that far." I yawned, enjoying the hug. "Sleep Trinity." Nick said, kissing my forehead. I closed my eyes, and I started to dream.

In the dream I was lying on Nick's bed, he was standing at the end smiling at me. I smiled back. "Take me Nick." I panted in my feral language. Sex was all I could think about.

He laughed at me.

"What?" I asked.

"I won't take you." Nick smiled cruelly at me, and I didn't notice he was speaking my language as well.

"What?!" I shrieked I tried to get up, but I was restrained by invisible ropes. "Why not?"

"Because you want me to." He said simply.

"I thought you loved me." I cried.

"Why would I love you?" Nick growled. "You're nothing!"

"That's not true!" I shrieked, pressing against my bonds.

"You don't believe that." Leah stepped out from behind Nick, keeping with the pattern of languages. "You think that you're nothing without him." She laughed at me.

"You're wrong!" I cried, tears streaking down my face.

"You're pitiful." Leah smiled maniacally. "Why would either of us like a girl whose head is as empty as a knothole?"

"I don't love you, Trinity. I never did." Nick smiled, turning to Leah. He kissed her on her lips, and I screamed in rage and sorrow.

"No, this can't be true!" I wanted to look away but I couldn't. I watched as Leah returned the kiss, her hands exploring Nick's body as he explored hers.

Finally I closed my eyes. Voices ran through my head. Nick, Leah, Boss, my mother, they all called me worthless, and I kept seeing Nick with other girls, telling me that he didn't love me, or worse, that he hated me.

"Trinity!" a voice pierced my dream, but I went on with the torture. "Trinity!" Still I continued with the nightmare. "TRINITY!"

I shot up like a piston. My cheeks were wet. I looked to see Nick looking at me with a worried expression at the side of our bed. I pulled him toward me and wrapped my arms around him, crying heavily. "Don't ever leave me." I whispered in his ear.

"Can't breathe." He choked out. I gave him some slack, remembering that I was much stronger than him. He took a deep breath and hugged me back. "That must've been one bad dream." He said. "You were crying all night and woke me up with your screaming."

"Promise me that you'll never leave me." I ordered him. "Promise!"

"I promise." He said. I calmed a bit. "Was that what your dream was about? I'd never leave you. I'll always love you. Even if our relationship doesn't work out, I'll never stop being there for you."

"Thank you." I cried into his shoulder. I knew that he would hold onto that promise until his death ended it.

"Do you want to tell me what it was about?" Nick asked.

Feeling better, I really didn't see the need. "I-I'm good." He kissed me, making me feel much better. Suddenly, Leah was in the room, looking around worried.

"I heard screaming." She said. "And not the good kind."

"Is there a good kind?" I asked, regaining a bit of my humor.

"Yes there is." She noticed my wet cheek fur. "What happened?" She asked. I avoided her eyes, but my nightmare still came to mind, along with the memory of what Leah had done with Nick. Leah, if you're reading my head, you'd better get out or I'll kill you. I thought angrily. It yielded no response.

"Nothing." I finally answered.

"Trinity just had a nightmare." Nick said.

"What was it about?" Leah asked.

"Nothing." I insisted. Now that I thought about it, Nick and Leah did seem to be really good friends... What am I thinking? Nick would never betray me like that...

"C'mon Trinity, let's get some breakfast." Nick suggested.Chapter End Notes:Tell me what you guys think! We're also getting pretty close to the sex, too. I think I'm starting to get too much into Trinity's character, too. lately, I've been thinking in similes like she uses...
I'll get back to work, so don't forget to reveiw so I know if I'm doing a good job