I Am...

[Atsu]

I Am...

Prologue

The sky filled with the light snowflakes that seem to just appear. Streets filled with the joy and warm feeling of winter. The sun peeks through the fluffy white clouds adding just a touch of light to the street below. The people busily at work trying to get the final shopping done for the season. The few stores that were still open were very busy as well as the main bank of the city. Families making withdraws, deposits, and working out credit problems. A particular fox with his uncle however, was going to have one of the worst days of his life.


“Uncle how come we are at the bank again?” the young fox asks.


“I am making a withdraw from my savings account. I'm going to get you out of that house. Get you to a better place.” his uncle replies


“Oh...”


A few feet away a hybrid slaps shut his cell phone walking quickly towards the exit. The young fox, hopping around talking to his uncle, bumps into him. The hybrid nearly knocking over the fox turns his head slightly.


“Oops, sorry dude.” the fox says with a smile.


“It's okay kid” the hybrid replies kindly turning his head and continuing his stride.


As the hybrid walks out the fox puts his hood up and walks back to his uncle hugging him. A deafening boom followed by a high pitched squeal filled the room. In a cloud of dust and bricks shots ring out, taking the lives of many. The young fox laying over his uncles bleeding body let's out a loud cry as the screams of others swarm around as masked people rush in.

[Atsu]

Chapter 1 will be posted later today, this story is written by me and Drew. It's going to be a pretty long story, and we kinda already have most of the storyline done. So, ya be looking forward to the upcoming chapters. We just decided to give you a little taste right now

[Baby Jake]

LEGEND!

[Atsu]

Book #1

Chapter 1: Say Goodbye

"To the world you thought you lived in"



A sigh, the deep breath that represents thinking or depression. Slowly sliding the small mp3 player into his pocket the hybrid takes another deep sigh looking into the snowy sky. Snowflakes falling on his muzzle and nose melting from the warmness of his fur. He slides off the roof and continues walking as he watches the bank offenders being subdued and taken away by the police. Walking to the back alley a few streets down to his car he hears a pathetic whimper. Flipping up the collar to his pitch black denim jacket to keep his neck safe from the chilling touch. Breathing into his hands he walks by a shivering and crying fox. The hybrid looks down and gets the slight feeling of concern but continues on to his car. Getting in, his ego gets the better of him.

"****" he sighs as gets out of his vehicle


The small fox wipes chilling tears from his face fearing they would freeze on his cheeks and muzzle if he left them. Shivering he tries to cover his face and ears in the white hoodie. The hybrid kneels beside him putting one of his paws on his back. Shocked, with slight fear, the fox looks up to the hybrid.


“You okay kid?” the hybrid asks with care in his eyes that envelops the young fox in a slight safe mood


The fox says nothing but begins to cry again.


“Aww... Don't cry bro...” the hybrid gently wipes the foxes tears with a gentle thumb.


“Life is good, Christmas is coming, School is out, you shouldn't be crying it's a happy season”


The fox continues crying, slightly harder though.


“Oh, umm... You're Jewish? Shit...” the hybrid says looking down and slightly to the side


“So Sorry bro... I had no idea....”


“I'm... not... I'm not Jewish...” the fox replies sniffling and coughing some


“Oh! Alright. Well... What's your name?” he asks politely


“Atsu...”


“That's a nice name... Quite funny actually. It means “twin” right?”


The fox looks at the hybrid strangely with a sense of confusion.


“Well, my last name is Yammari. Which means twin as well.” the hybrid says with a hint of brightness in his voice


“ I didn't know my name meant twin... I... My... P-Parents” the fox replies bursting into tears again


The hybrid tilts his head slightly sideways and continues the conversation.


“Well, my name is Corri. How old are you? You look far to young to be outside on your own.”


Atsu tries to speak but can't and continues crying.


“Come on, sit up. You are gonna get hypothermia sitting on the ground like that ” he says wiping the foxes tears and pulling him up into a straight-up sitting position against the brick wall.


He throws his denim jacket over the shivering fox. Atsu smiles slightly from the warmth, making Corri feel better.


“There we go, that's what I like to see a smile. So, I ask again, how old are you?”


“Sixteen...”


“Whoa... you are my age! Are you sure you're sixteen? You don't look it... well I'm seventeen.” Corri says with slight disbelief


“Oh...”


Rubbing his chest thinking to himself what to do next, Corri says, “What do you say we get you something to eat, and some warm clothes? You look freezing in those shorts and that sweater.”


“I'd like that” Atsu says with a slight smile


Corri holds out his paw to help Atsu up. As they both walk Corri's car the snow stops falling, and the sun breaks through the clouds shining a ray of light throughout the street.

~~~

Some time later after a Delicious meal, and some minor store hopping, Corri ever curious speaks to Atsu;


“So... where do you live?” Corri asks while putting the bag of new clothes into the back of his car that he had just bought from the mall.


“I...” hesitating at the first thought and shrugs continuing, “I don't know. I don't really have a home.”


“Oh... kinda like me. ”


A surprised look flew across Atsu's face as he said this.


“Well, I have a home now though.”


“Oh...”


“So, why don't we hang out there for a while? Get in touch with some of your family members, and get you where you belong. With them”


Tearing up and sniffling some Atsu says in a lowly tone, “ I don't have any family...”


“Oh... Well... We will work something out” Corri replies taking out his cell phone and dialing a number.


“Hello...?”


“Ultiva...” he says with a slight pause after words


“No... We couldn't...”


“I made it out... but... No... They didn't.”


“Mmhmm... Right.”


“Don't expect me to come back, I told you today was my last day. You can find someone else to fill my slot.”


“Alright. Bye..” Corri said quickly as he slammed the phone shut quickly shouting out a joyful, relieving “FINALLY!!!!” which left Atsu flinching.


Looking over confused Corri asked, “Something wrong Atsu?”


“N-No, I'm fine...”


Corri rubbed the side of Atsu shoulder as a show of care and comfort. But glancing up into his rear view mirror he knew this act of care was going to have to wait a while. Focusing with both his paws on the steering wheel once more he plainly and calmly said to Atsu, “Hold onto something.”


Accelerating to nearly max speed Corri drove the car as a large pile up moved forward. As Atsu covered his eyes with his paws and whimpered as the car was fishtailed. However afterwards, the car came to a gently stop.


“Ugh... Well” sighing and looking downward Corri said, “Today just isn't my day”


Quickly running out of the car, Corri went over to help the other people in the crash.


--------------------------------------------

~ Some understanding...~

"Umm... Corri" Atsu says nervously while walking over to Corri.

"Yeah?" Corri says while looking up friendly at Atsu.

"There's... umm..., Uhh... " Atsu mumbles while looking down.

"Whats wrong?" Corri says looking deeply concerned.

Atsu looking glassy eyed sighs "There's something... you gotta know... and I just hope you don't change your mind about everything after I tell you..." Atsu begins to cry slowly before saying; "I really appreciate everything you're doing for me"

Corri leans forward as Atsu continues,

"I-I'm incontinent... if you know what that means..." he sniffles and wipes his eyes.

Corri trying not to laugh, "Oh okay."

He smirks, and giggles. "I'm not laughing at you its just, I thought you were gonna come out to me or something. It's not a big deal."

Atsu sniffles a little bit, " So... it's okay?"

Corri puts his nose back in his book "Just clean up after yourself, and we'll have no problems."

Atsu begins to cry again "Thanks..."

"Why are you crying?" Corri says empatheticaly.

Atsu whines "It was always my fault... a bad thing" he cries harder.

"Ohh...." Corri sighs as he leans forward a little more to calm Atsu down.

"Don't dwell on the past... its the past... its over, and it can't hurt you." He says. Atsu tries to calm down but, fails. Corri places a gentle hand underneath Atsu's head, picking it up to his eye level and placing a finger on Atsu's lips softly shushes him. Atsu stares back with teary eyes and sniffles. Corri gently hugs Atsu, as he gets up.

Atsu softly says, "Thanks, for understanding everything"

Corri looks at Atsu inquisitively "Your welcome?"

Atsu looks down at a steady stream of warmth coming down his leg, "Uhh, Corri... we kinda need to..." he says.
Corri sighs and tells Atsu to change and get to the car.

"Can't have my leather seats getting wet! Damn shrinking cows..."

Atsu's eyes well up a bit "Ya"

~~~

As Atsu slides out of the bathroom he says "I really like cargo shorts"
"Well that's why we got them right?" Corri says with a smirk.
"Yea... can we get more... later on..." Atsu mumbles.
"Nah, I have got a much better idea" Corri offers as they exit the house and head to the vehicle.

"It feels so weird.." Atsu says entering the car.
"What does?" Corri inquires.

"Riding in the car... in the seat" Atsu says gently.

[Corri_aka_Drew]

This will be epic..!

[Unfused...]

Yay! 'Tis great so far! I simply cannot wait to hear more.

[Colonel Brome Teks]

oh, this looks like a great story coming along.

[LinusBlueSnow]

Wow, this story is great, keep it coming, I want to see more.

[Corri_aka_Drew]

~ Some understanding...~

"Umm... Corri" Atsu says nervously while walking over to Corri.
"Yeah?" Corri says while looking up friendly at Atsu.
"There's... umm..., Uhh... " Atsu mumbles while looking down.
"Whats wrong?" Corri says looking deeply concerned.

Atsu looking glassy eyed sighs "There's something... you gotta know... and I just hope you don't change your mind about everything after I tell you..." Atsu begins to cry slowly before saying;
"I really appreciate everything you're doing for me"
Corri leans forward as Atsu continues,
"I'm..."
"I'm incontinent... if you know what that means..." he sniffles and wipes his eyes.
Corri trying not to laugh, "Oh okay."
He smirks, and giggles. "I'm not laughing at you its just, I thought you were gonna come out to me or something. It's not a big deal."
Atsu sniffles a little bit, " So... it's okay?"
Corri puts his nose back in his book "Just clean up after yourself, and we'll have no problems."
Atsu begins to cry again "Thanks..."
"Why are you crying?" Corri says empatheticaly.
Atsu whines "It was always my fault... a bad thing" he cries harder.
"Ohh...." Corri sighs as he leans forward a little more to calm Atsu down.
"Don't dwell on the past... its the past... its over, and it can't hurt you." He says.
Atsu tries to calm down but, fails.
Corri places a gentle hand underneath Atsu's head, picking it up to his eye level and placing a finger on Atsu's lips softly shushes him. Atsu stares back with teary eyes and sniffles. Corri gently hugs Atsu, as he gets up. Atsu softly says;
"Thanks, for understanding everything"
Corri looks at Atsu inquisitively "Your welcome?"
Atsu looks down at a steady stream of warmth coming down his leg, "Uhh, Corri... we kinda need to..." he says.
Corri sighs and tells Atsu to change and get to the car.
"Can't have my leather seats getting wet! Damn shrinking cows..."
Atsu's eyes well up a bit "Ya"

As Atsu slides out of the bathroom he says "I really like cargo shorts"
"Well that's why we got them right?" Corri says with a smirk.
"Yea... can we get more... later on..." Atsu mumbles.
"Nah, I have got a much better idea" Corri offers as they exit the house and head to the vehicle.

"It feels so weird.." Atsu says entering the car.
"What does?" Corri inquires.

"Riding in the car... in the seat" Atsu says gently.

[Atsu]

%%%Six Months Pass%%%

Chapter 2: Falling

The panther-fox hybrid Corri and and the now slightly bigger, less starved and skinny fox Atsu, walk out of school for the last time. Leaving behind a sense of pride and accomplishment. The sky was empty of everything besides the bright yellow sun resting in the baby blue sky. Such a peaceful day.

“So... How does it feel to graduate early Atsu?”

“Heh, great!” Atsu replies with a sense of overcoming joy

“I wouldn't know...” Corri says lowly looking down at the gray sidewalk playfully

“Aww... Don't be sad! You helped me graduate early and now we are both finished with school! This isn't the time to be sad!” Atsu replied happily but continuing with a slightly different tone that had a small mix of sadness in it, “I'm really thankful you know... School isn't very fun for me”

Corri looks over to Atsu with a glazed look in his eyes.

“We gotta celebrate! Let's go to the park” Atsu said smiling widely

Snapping out of his gaze Corri replied, “Huh?”

“The park... We should go celebrate. You know, have some fun. Let's go”

“Eh... I was thinking about seeing that new movie Twenty-One” Corri said rubbing his own shoulder

“Ugh, we can do that afterwards! I wanna go to the park, and then like go get some Jaguar Juice” Atsu said with another wide smile

Pursing his lips and looking upwards at the clear blue sky, “Alright” Corri says

Atsu hops into the Corri's car. Before getting in himself, Corri puts the top down to the Jaguar convertible. Nodding and starting the car Corri says, “Alright, let's go.”

~~~

They head off the campus and drive down the slick new black asphalt of the road to the park. However, Corri was going the wrong way. After Atsu mentioned it he pulls a really fast U-Turn throwing Atsu onto his shoulder. Giggling he keeps driving towards the park.

“Grawr...” Atsu mumbled as he sat up off Corri's shoulder

Corri Laughs loudly and gently taps the back of his paw on Atsu's chest. Atsu forces a smile.

“GHOST RIDE THE WHIP!” Corri screams excitingly

He throws the car into neutral and tells Atsu to hold the wheel. Atsu holds it just as he was told and Corri climbs out of the seat and stands on top of it in a surfing position! Atsu is giggling as he holds the wheel yelling, “You're so wild!” with a brightness in his eyes and a wide smile.

“Yeah I know...” Corri replies hopping back into the seat and throwing the gear back into drive. Atsu lets go of the wheel still giggling some and lets Corri take control again. Pulling up at the park stopping the car Corri says, “ We are here...”

Atsu undoes his seatbelt and gets out slightly as Corri takes the keys out of the car and puts them in his pocket leaving the panther imprinted lanyard hanging out of his pocket.

“What are we gonna do?” Corri asks inquisitively

“Well play of course” Atsu says while tapping Corri's nose, “And you're it...” he finishes as he runs off playfully.

“Heh... Not very bright are you?” Corr says. And as he watches Atsu playfully run off he counts down. 3... 2... 1... Taking off at a full sprint he appears quickly right beside Atsu screaming, “Hi!”

Atsu looks awkwardly at him saying with a slight frown, “You're not supposed to catch me.”

Corri tags him saying, “You're it!” and runs towards the play gym. Jumping from one small step onto the slide and then over into the small encampment above the slide; he stands over the slide, taunting Atsu with a playful dance. Atsu tries to run up the slide but slips and slides back down to the bottom. Looking back up at Corri, now sitting down, he giggles. Again, he attempts to run up the slide this time making it up and tagging Corri on his bottom paw. Sliding back down and giggling slightly he screams, “You're it!”

However, before Atsu could even stand up to take off, Corri jumps down quickly and gracefully saying, “Nuh-uh” And tagging Atsu.

“Cheater” Atsu says with a wide smile.

Corri turns around with a sly smile to walk away, but Atsu pounces on his back as trying to get a 'piggy-back ride'. With a slight meep Corri falls to the floor. Rolling over onto his back Atsu is still sitting over him smiling brightly. Corri smiles back slightly feeling somewhat awkward. Atsu eyes begin to glaze over... Corri tilts his head in a wondering look. “Umm...” Atsu says slightly to himself.

He gets up off of Corri and looks an unrelated direction. Corri scratches the back of his head before he gets up. Smirking he says, “Race Ya!”

They both run off after Atsu's small growl and run at about to the car until Atsu stops breathing heavily. “Forget it! You can win all you want” he says while still breathing quickly somewhat.

Smiling and walking back some, Corri stands on the sidewalk waiting for Atsu to catch his breath so they could continue on to Jaguar Juice. After catching his breath Atsu walks up beside Corri and the both begin to walk across the street. Corri randomly loses his balance and slightly bumps into Atsu. Atsu smiling playfully bumps back into Corri somewhat. Giggling, Corri smiles and looks forward. Atsu, slyly looking down without turning his head down so Corri would notice, looks at Corri's loose paw swinging slightly as they walk grabs it. Corri's expression changes violently and he flushes a light shade of pink around the cheeks. Atsu quickly comes up with an excuse, “Umm, gotta hold paws while crossing the street!” he yells smiling.

“Yeah...”

~~~

Arriving at the smoothie shop Jaguar Juice, Corri opens the door. And stands slightly to the side allowing room for Atsu to walk in.

“Umm...” Atsu sighs letting go of Corri's paw and entering the store. A blast of cold air greets his face. He smiles slightly and walks up to the shiny, silver counter where a pink bunny cashier awaits him. Corri sighs walking in. Atsu's ears perk up and he looks over asking, “Which one do you want Corri?”

Opening his wallet he kinda looks at it awkwardly. “Well... I Only have five bucks so you're gonna have to choose one for yourself.”

“Well, can't we share?” looking up at the choices for the fruit to be in the smoothie he thinks out loud, “Umm.... Let's get...”

But before he could choose Corri took the words out of his mouth and grunted, “Pomegranate... And Strawberry...”

“Okies!” Atsu said while walking up to the bunny at the counter, “One Extra Large Pomegranate and Strawberry please!”

“Large Atsu... I only have...”

Atsu cut him off before he could finish his sentence, “It's Friday, students get 25 percent off remember!”

“Oh yeah...”

“Can I see your student ID please sir?” the cashier asks.

Atsu hands his ID to the bunny and she looks at it quickly after which handing it back. “Okay so... Your total will come to” pressing buttons on the small electronic cashier she comes up with the reduced total, “4 dollars and 88 cents”

Corri hands Atsu the 5 dollar bill and Atsu hands it to the bunny cashier saying, “Change is tip” with a wide smile.

“Oh and can we have two straws please?” Atsu asks politely

A few minutes later the cashier places the smooth, thick, red smoothie onto the slick reflective silver counter. The clear plastic cup clearly showed all the delicious red smoothie. The cashier says peppy like, “Thank you, have a nice day!” while placing a bendy straw into the cup.

“Umm... Two straws lady” Atsu says slyly smiling widely

“Err...” she says sticking another one into the cup, “Enjoy...?”

“Thankies!” Atsu says quickly grabbing the smoothie

“You two... have a good time...” the bunny says weirdly.

Turning around smoothly by sliding his foot paw across and over the other, Atsu walks towards the door. As him and Corri walk out of the store Corri takes hold of Atsu's paw. Atsu doesn't say a word but looks at him. As they walk out together they are greeted by a friendly warmth emanating from the sun. They walk over to a small picnic table outside the shop and sit at opposite ends as Atsu places the smoothie in the middle of the table. He works the straws so they point in direction to him and Corri. Corri bends his head down to the smoothie and takes a sip of it feeling slightly awkward then pulling his head back. Atsu bends down taking sips of the smoothie smiling. Corri bends down taking a sip at the same time and gets that glossy look in his eyes. He tries to look away but he can't. Lost in Atsu's eyes he stares. Into the emerald green swirls he fell. Somewhat subconscious he sucked slowly on the straw filling his mouth with the lovely taste of strawberries and pomegranates, but not taking his eyes off of Atsu's. But it isn't just him, Atsu's eyes are locked with Corri's. But before Atsu gets that glossy look he looks down, then he glances back up. Corri places his paw on the table as Atsu takes his mouth off the straw and looks down. “I Love Jaguar Juice” Atsu says rubbing the back of his head.

“Yea me too...” Corri says slowly taking his mouth off of the straw as well.

Atsu takes another sip of the smoothie glancing up at Corri who is shaking his head.

“Is it me, or is it REALLY hot out?” Corri asks

“Eh... It's not really that hot. It might just be your denim jacket” Atsu says pointing at it

Pulling out his knife, Corri takes off the jacket. He flips open the knife and quickly cuts the sleeves off. Tossing them in a nearby trashcan he puts the jacket back on. “Oooo, Tough guy?” Atsu says teasingly, “Bad ass Cowwi?”

Corri flushes slightly pink again as Atsu giggles smiling widely. Corri finishes off the smoothie but Atsu grabs the cup taking out the straws and the top. He sticks his muzzle in it licking the sides getting the last bit of smoothie. Corri licks his teeth just as Atsu pulls his muzzle out of the cup, which is now slightly covered in pomegranates and strawberries. Atsu smiles widely licking his teeth as Corri quietly says, “Uhh... Atsu..”

“Ya?” Atsu replies continuing to lick his teeth

“A question...”

“Shoot”

Sighing slightly Corri says, “Never mind... Let's go see that movie.”

“Umm, Okies” Atsu says with that wide smile again.

Yawning and stretching Corri stands up saying, “Come on”
Atsu stands and looks over at Corri. Corri motions over Atsu with a slight paw movement. They walk across the street, as Corri grabs hold of Atsu's paw. They both walk over to the car getting in their corresponding sides. Corri flips on the radio. Music begins playing...

``~ Such great Heights, postal service~``

The music continues on as they pull up to an ATM. Corri exits the Jaguar and walks up the ATM while Atsu waits in the car. He withdraws $150 and walks back to the car. Getting in he turns the dial of the radio, changing the station.

``~And I have to speculate that God himself... Did make us into corresponding shapes like~``

Corri turned the dial quickly before the song could finish.

``~This is the way you left me, I'm not pretending.
No Hope, No Love, No Glory,
No Happy Ending.
This is the way that we love,
Like it's fore-~``

Corri slams the button to turn off the radio. “Eh... Let's just ride to no music.” Corri says quickly

“Grawr Fine...” Atsu says with a slight frown

~~~

They pull off again down the road to a busier, main road. The wind blowing in Atsu's hair as he sticks his head over the door. Having the top down to the convertible added to the messiness of his hair after they got out . Corri looked at him and chuckled. Atsu grabs his backpack before Corri locks the doors and puts the top back up. They both walk up to the ticket booth. Corri buys the two tickets and they walk into the theater, which is surprisingly nearly empty. Atsu whispers into Corri's ear, “I kinda need to change first Corri...”

“Alright”

They both walk into the bathroom and Atsu enters a stall. A few minutes later and after a few loud bumps Atsu comes out freshly changed and holding a dirty diaper. He quickly runs to the trash can and tosses in it. He then walks up to the sink and washes his paws.

“There now we can go” Atsu says smiling.

Corri nods walking up to Atsu. He takes hold of his paw, “Stranger Danger you know...” he says awkwardly.

Atsu giggles and replies, “Ya!” with that bright smile.

Corri swiftly turns his head and licks Atsu's muzzle. Atsu stands there in shock and Corri looks down and to the opposite direction, badly embarrassed. They stood there for a second or two. Atsu staring straight ahead in shock and Corri looking downwards with a pink shade. After a while they continue on to the theater. They take a right and walk down the neon lighted hallway filled with numbers. They walk all the way to the back and enter theater number twelve. Which was the movie Twenty-One. They sit down in chairs next to each other, but Corri looks slightly stressed and about to cry.

“What's wrong Corri?”

Corri looks the other direction still. Atsu sits upwards some and puts his face in front of Corri's. Beginning to get teary eyed Atsu asks, “Did I do something? Corri, talk to me...”

“No... you didn't... I'm... I'm sorry...” he says looking down a bit

“Co... Corri...”

“For back there...”

“What do you mean?”

“Licking... Licking you... I shouldn't have done that...”

Atsu stares into Corri's eyes which are somewhat glazed and slightly filled with tears. Corri stares back. Atsu leans closer to Corri... Corri leans back slightly in his chair... And they kiss. Atsu kisses Corri for a few seconds and then leans back into his seat staring straight forward into the movie screen. Corri puts his paw on the armrest. He turns his head and stares at Atsu. Atsu creeps his paw up to Corri's who takes hold of it. Atsu turns facing Corri... Corri smiles and leans near Atsu's ear. “I... I...”

Atsu finishing his sentence says quietly, “I love you”

The theater lights darken some and the movie begins as Atsu leans onto Corri's shoulder.