Pure as Snow

Part 1-Bound by blood

"Ow my head."

"That was quite a fall. Are you alright?"

"Huh? Who's there?"

The young wolf cub opened his eyes. "What's your name?" she asked him. "…Lupus. Who the hell are you?" he asked her rudely. "You can call me Vixen. I'm sure Lupus isn't your real name but if that's what you want me to call you then so be it." Lupus looked at her strangely. "Where am I?" he asked Vixen. "On my father's farm on the planet Fortuna." she answered. "Your father's farm?" he said. His head was killing him. "He went away on an expedition. He's an archaeologist you see so while he's gone, I'm in charge of what goes on here." she told him. "No way I'm staying on some smelly farm. Thanks for the help but I'm leaving. See ya kid." said Lupus as he tried to get up. "Oww!" he cried out in pain. "Oh don't strain yourself. Relax. I'll get you something to eat." she said as she gently pushed him back on the bed. "Why are you helping me?" he asked her. "I couldn't just leave you there to die." she told him. Lupus was quiet. She smiled at him as she left the room.

#-#-#-#

General Pepper was sick. Really sick. Fox and his team visited him in the hospital as well as a lot of other people that respected him greatly. Among one of the people was Fox's only living relative, his cousin Snow Vixen McCloud. Fox was surprised to see her. She had been travelling around to different galaxies with her crew known as Space Fox. A group of adventurers. She was accompanied by her two best friends a red bird named Suzaku and Amanda a kind hearted frog. "Hello sir. It's been a while." she said. "Who is she Peppy?"whispered Krystal. "That's Snow. Fox's cousin."answered Peppy. "Man she's hot. Ow!" said Falco as Fox kicked him. "Snow, you're here." said Fox surprised. "Well when you told me that the General was sick I had to return." she told him. "It's been nearly ten years since I saw you last. That last message you sent me was amusing my dear. But tell me, why have you come here?" the General asked her. "I came to see you of course. When I heard you were sick I dropped everything and came back here." answered Snow. "Everyone could you leave us?" asked Pepper. Everyone left the room so that he and Fox's cousin could talk in private.

Slippy went to get a drink of water when he bumped into Amanda. "Hey! Watch it!" said Amanda who was wet. "Oh, I'm sorry um…uh…" Slippy fell in love with her that very moment when he looked at her. "W-why are you staring at me? Is there something on my face?" she asked embarrassed. "N-no. I-I'm sorry." he said blushing and running away. "Weird." said Amanda. She returned to the waiting room where the others were. "Is Snow still in there?" she asked Suzaku. "Yeah. I wonder what they're talking about?" she wondered. "I still can't believe she's here. Ten years she was gone." said Fox. "So who are you guys anyway?" asked Suzaku rudely. "Princess show some manners." said Amanda. "Princess?" smirked Falco. "That's right. I'm a princess. What of it peasant?" she asked him. "What did you call me?!" he asked her. "Suzaku must you pick a fight?" asked Amanda. "He started it Amanda." she said. Snow stepped out of the General's room. She looked sad. "Snow what is it?" asked Suzaku. "I'm staying here for a while." she told him. "You are?" she said surprised. "I made a promise to General Pepper to do something important. So I'm staying here until it's done." she told them. "Really? And what did he ask you to do?" asked Fox. "Oh Fox, I forgot you were here. The General wants to see you now." she told him. "Ten years and still you haven't changed." said Fox. "Actually I've changed a lot. Listen Fox, I need to talk to you. Meet me outside when you're done talking to him." she told him. "Ok." said Fox. Snow left with her two friends. "Amanda's so hot." said Slippy. "What was that?" asked Falco. "Nothing." said Slippy.

Fox went outside to meet with his cousin. She stood there waiting. Her two friends were not with her. "Where are your friends?" he asked her. "They wanted to do some sightseeing." replied Snow. "I see. So what did you want to talk to me about?" he asked her. "Um…well…you see I wanted to apologise." she said. "For what?" asked Fox. "For everything. For the way I left things. I'll be gone in a few years time." she said. "Snow are you alright?" he asked her concerned. "I have something important to do for General Pepper. After that you might not see me again." she told him. "What? Are you going away again?" he asked her. "Yeah. You could say I'm going on a really long journey but for now I'm staying here to help the General." she said. "This is the first time I've seen you in ten years. I don't know or understand what's going on but if you're going away again then I want to spend as much time with you as possible. I know we weren't exactly on good terms the last time you left but all that is past now. While you were away I've been doing a lot of growing up and I came to realise that what you said that day was right." he told her. Snow smiled. "Are you sure you have the time? I know you're always busy protecting people and defending the Lylat system." Fox smiled and punched her lightly on the arm. "Hey come on, you're my cousin. I'll always have time for you. Besides I missed you. A lot. I know you sent me messages everyday but still." he said. "Fox…" she said as she hugged him. "So tell me, what have you been doing since the Aparoid invasion?" she asked him. The two of them went for a walk.

Panther was in a café drinking tea when he saw Fox and Snow walk in together. Snow sat at a table and waited while Fox went to get some coffee. Panther walked over to her. "We meet again." he said. "Panther Caroso. Never thought I'd see your filthy hide again." she said. "So I see you're dating Fox now. Last I heard he was with Krystal." Snow looked shocked. "That's a disgusting thing to say! Fox is my cousin you bastard!" she told him. "I see, so you're still single then? In that case lets go out on a date. You and me. It will be like old times." he suggested. "Which is why my answer is no." she replied. "What? You're turning me down?" he asked her surprised. "What happened to your last girlfriend? Did she get bored of you already?" she asked him. "Your eyes still glow with passion. One of many reasons why I fell for you." he said as he brushed his hand across her cheek. "If that were true you wouldn't have done what you did to me." she responded coldly. "Why are you here? Did you not come to find me and kill me?" he asked her. "Don't flatter yourself. I came to visit General Pepper. If I wanted to kill you I would have done so already." she told him. Fox returned with two cups of coffee. He glared at Panther. "Are you alright Snow?" he asked her. "I'm fine. Panther was just leaving." she said. "Yes. I look forward to seeing you again Snow." said Panther as he smiled and walked away. "What did he want?" he asked her. "Nothing. Just trying to hit on me. Like I'm interested in a pompous ass like him." she told him. "I think that's wise. That guy is nothing but trouble." he said. "I can handle myself. Don't worry about me cuz." she responded just before she sipped her coffee.

Krystal was waiting for Fox. He was supposed to meet her so that they could go to the movies but he was running late. Snow drove by in her car and dropped Fox off outside the movie theatre. "Thanks for the ride Snow. I appreciate it." he said. "No worries." she replied. Krystal walked over to her. "Hi you must be Krystal. It's nice to meet you." she said as she shook her hand. "Hello Snow. I…like your car." she replied unsure of what to say. "So you're the last survivor of Cerinia huh? We must get to know each other sometime."said Snow telepathically. "I see you can use telepathy as well." said Krystal. "Yes as well as telekinesis." she replied. "Hey are we going to see the movie or what?" asked Fox. "I'll be going now. It was nice meeting you Krystal." said Snow as she drove off. "So you have a cousin? And here's me thinking you had no family." said Krystal. "I never said I didn't have any family and anyway, Snow is adopted. Though I think of her as a sister more than a cousin. Anyway she isn't a real McCloud." he told her. "You never mentioned her to anyone. Why?" asked Krystal. "Look lets just watch the movie ok?" he said as he went inside.

Panther went to a bar along with Wolf and Leon that same night. Wolf and Leon just wanted to relax and drink but Panther came for the girls. He went to the bar to get the drinks in when he saw her again. "This must be fate trying to bring us back together." he said. Snow ignored him and continued drinking her cocktail. Wolf saw the way he was shamelessly flirting with her. Though Wolf had to admit she was very attractive. He felt like he knew her from somewhere but where? "Will you not give me another chance?" Panther asked her. "Let me see…" she said as she began thinking. "Yeah. I would rather be infected with a flesh eating virus than go out with you again." she replied. Panther chuckled. "You are such a kidder and your eyes still have that spark." he said. Snow stood up off her stool and poured her drink over his head. "Not interested." she told him as she put the glass down. Wolf and Leon laughed. "You know there is only so much I can take." he told her. "Then leave me alone." she said. She took out her gun and pointed it at him. "You wouldn't really shoot me would you?" he asked her. Wolf and Leon were prepared to shoot if she tried anything. She saw his friends. "I'm gone." she said. As she left she brushed by Wolf. As she did so she flipped her hair back and made her exit. "She seems interesting." said Wolf as he went after her.

Amanda was all alone in the big city. Suzaku had took off without her and it was dark. As she walked down the street she saw Slippy. "Hi." he said. "Hi." she replied. "You're Amanda right? We met at the hospital." said Slippy. "Yes I remember." she said. "Um…so what are you doing?" he asked her. "Just taking a walk. Snow wanted to hit the clubs and Suzaku went off somewhere so I'm all alone. What about you?" she asked him. "Well I'm not doing much at the moment. Hey since we both have nothing do, lets see a movie." he suggested. "A movie? Are you asking me out on a date?" she asked him. "Um…well…if you don't want to you don't have to." he said. "Sure why not. Besides, I think you're kinda cute." said Amanda. "G-great! Well um…lets go!" said Slippy happily. They held hands and walked.

Snow got in her car when Wolf approached her. "Hey!" he said. Snow looked at him. "Huh? What do you want?" she asked Wolf. Wolf looked at her car. "I like your wheels kid. You doing anything tonight?" he asked her. "I know of your reputation O'Donnell and I don't think us hooking up is a good idea." she told him. "I saw the way you rejected Panther. I can tell you're a woman with style so why not spend the rest of tonight with me?" Snow laughed at him. "Are you sure? I'm a very dangerous woman O'Donnell." she asked him. "I like women who are filled with danger. I bet you offer all kinds of thrills." he replied. "I doubt my cousin would approve of me dating you." she told him. "You're cousin?" he asked her. "You know him. Fox McCloud." she told him. "You're a McCloud?!" he said surprised. "It was nice meeting you O'Donnell. I hope we meet again some day." And with that Snow smiled and sped off. Wolf became even more intrigued by her. Wolf memorized her licence plate and made a phone call to one of his subordinates.

It was morning and Snow was getting ready to look for apartments in the city. She was undressed and ready to take a shower but someone was already in there. "Amanda are you in there?" she asked her. Amanda came out of her room. "Did you call me?" she asked her. "Huh?" said Snow surprised. "Suzaku I need to use the bathroom! Get out already!" she said banging on the bathroom door. The bathroom door opened and Falco stepped out. "Sorry." he said. "What are you doing here?" she asked him surprised. Suzaku was in there with him. "Sorry. It's all yours now." she said. "Ugh! Ok. I'm getting ready to go so…whatever…" said Snow as she went in the bathroom to have a shower. As she closed the door Slippy snuck out of Amanda's room. "You two better go." said Suzaku. "Right." said Falco as he got ready to leave. "Are we still on for tomorrow?" asked Slippy. "Wouldn't miss it for the world." said Amanda as she kissed him. The two Star Fox members left. "Snow is so gonna lecture us." said Suzaku. "Quick lets make a break for it." suggested Amanda. "We might as well get this over and done with. You know Snow. She's not going to drop it. We don't even have to listen." laughed Suzaku. Snow stepped out of the bathroom. "What happened to my shower gel?" she asked the pair of them. "Sorry I ran out and I…we had to use yours." answered Suzaku referring to herself and Falco. "You two know the rules. No bringing guys back to the hotel room. Remember last time?" she asked them. "I'm sorry." said Suzaku. "What the hell were you doing with him anyway? I thought you hated Falco?" she asked her. "I do. But I was horny and he is like so cute." Snow looked at her with a confused look. "Princess…never mind. I don't want to get into this. Amanda can I borrow some of your shower gel please?" she asked her. "Sure. It's in my room." she told her. Snow went in her room and came back out with a pair of men's underpants. "It's safe to assume that these do not belong to you?" she asked her. Amanda giggled nervously.

Wolf managed to get some information on Snow McCloud. The information he found on her was very interesting. He became more interested in the girl. He had to find her. Maybe he could recruit her as a member of Star Wolf? Leon noticed the way he kept looking at her picture on the screen of the computer. It was obvious that he developed feelings for her. "Leon, I'll be gone for a while. I'm leaving you in charge." he said as he set out to find her.

Snow was looking for apartments in the city. Wolf kept on monitoring her for days trying to figure out who she was. Panther had told him all the information he had on her and he read her personal file but still he found no real answer as to who she was. "I swear I know her from somewhere." Wolf said to himself as he watched her. The days came and went and Snow was finally moving into her new apartment. He waited until it was dark. Snow was getting ready to sleep when Wolf tapped on her bedroom window. She was shocked to see Wolf. "Oh for fucks sake! What the hell are you doing here O'Donnell?" she asked him as she opened the window. Wolf climbed through and entered her room. "I couldn't stay away." he told her. "What? Ok I have no time for this. I'm tired and I just want to go to sleep." she told him. "I know a lot about you. You lived on Fortuna with your father Sam McCloud, you became the youngest female pilot at just thirteen, you worked for the Cornerian military at the age of sixteen as a spy and quit when you turned eighteen. You see I know a lot." he told her. "How did you come by this information?" she asked him. "That's for me to know and for you to find out Snow." Snow looked mad. "What do you want?" she asked him. "One date." he answered. "Did Panther put you up to this?" she asked him. "Panther doesn't know I'm here. I like you Miss McCloud and I always get what I want." he told her. "Up yours you prick. You honestly think that just because you're hot that I would seriously fall into your arms? As if!" she replied. "You're different from most girls. Now I'm even more attracted to you. Look I'm only asking for one date and if by the end of that date you should still hate me, I'll never bother you again." he said. Snow thought about this. "Why are you so persistent?" she asked him. "Because I think you're hot too." he chuckled. "Grrr. You've been spying on me for days and you choose now to ask me out?" Wolf looked surprised. "You knew I was watching you?" he asked her. "Well you're no ninja. You need to work on your stealth." she replied. The two laughed together. "One date?" she asked him. He nodded. "Ok. Deal. Don't disappoint me O'Donnell." she said as she pushed him through the window and shut it. Wolf looked at her through the glass as she waved him farewell and closed the curtains. Wolf was happy. He now had a new plan to get at Fox.