"They came this way not long ago," Tiimo said, holding in his horse. "Three on foot, one riding. There's no telling if the boy's with them."

"I can't see how you can tell anything in this weather," Kari answered, spitting as his words were rewarded with a mouthful of snowflakes. He wrapped his scarf around his face, making his voice muffled. "Which way did they go?"

Tiimo leaped out of the saddle, his lithe feline body barely disturbing the snow as he landed. He crouched over the quickly vanishing tracks, then turned to lean against Kari's horse, raising his voice against the wind.

"They're going north. Put on their snow-shoes reversed to trick us, but they couldn't change the hoofprints. Unless they've taught their horses to walk backwards, they're going north."

"Into the wilderness? Aren't they sane?"

"My friend, I can't ask you to follow me any longer." The hint of sadness in Tiimo's voice was obvious, and Kari shook his head. "I'm serious, you should go back."

"Your path is mine, lynx." Kari leaned down to stroke the other's cheek. "We decided that long ago."

"So we did, but this is different. We're not talking the acts of lovers, but of warriors. You're no warrior, love."

"Correct, but I'm loyal, Tiimo. Don't try to sway me! Lead on!"

"All right. But if you get killed, don't come whining to me about it."

Kari's soft laughter followed Tiimo as he sat up once more, and began following the faint traces. They made good time, probably at least twice the speed of those on foot, but Tiimo still felt restless. Worrying about the boy was bad enough; the fact that his lifemate was now riding into danger almost got the better of him. Glancing sideways, he caught the occasional glimpse of white beneath the thick, dark brown elk hides Kari wore. Snows, how beautiful he was! Every time Tiimo spotted that brighter-than-snow fur, it was only his power of will that kept him from pouncing the fox, ripping the hides off him and taking him, there and then. Love-making in the snow was nothing new to either of them.

Duty beckoned, however, and he put such thoughts aside, running through watch lists and inventories inside his head until the swelling in his breeches started going down. Focus, cat! he told himself. Head cool and body focused. What kind of man are you, to let your lust get the better of you? Clearly, his troubles were visible, because there was a short laughter next to him, followed by Kari's clear voice.

"Where's your mind, snowcat? Is this how you keep the trail?"

"I'm onto them," Tiimo said, his voice indifferent while he scanned the ground for tracks. He found them, slightly more to the left than he had thought. "I'm onto them."

"I noticed that," Kari said, wryly. "I'll wager half my pay that you were thinking of molesting me, am I right?"

"Sly one..." Tiimo's deep growl was supposed to scare the other, but Kari laughed again. "Why do I put up with you?"

"Because you love me, of course! You can't wait to get back to camp, so you can start drooling all over my fur."

"Can you blame me? You're the first and only arctic fox I've ever seen. So exotic, so beautiful. So sexy..."

"The trail, love," Kari said, giggling softly. "Want me to ride behind you, where you can't see me?"

"I am focused. Really!" He pointed to the tracks, which were growing more visible the closer they got to their targets. "See? We can't be more than three or four kilometres behind."

"So why don't we speed up?"

"Why do you think, Kari?"

"To spare the horses." Tiimo nodded, smiling at his lover. "Should have thought of that. We won't catch them before it's dark, will we?"

"No. But you don't mind camping with me, do you? Most likely, they will stop for the night, too, so we won't lose much time."

"But the tracks will be gone, comes morning."

"Not gone enough to fool me!"

* * * * * *

The heavy snowfall began letting up shortly before dusk, and by the time Tiimo and Kari stopped to raise their tent it had almost stopped. Good news for us, Tiimo thought. Now there was no chance he would the trail. He fed and watered the horses, draping them both with blankets to help against the night's cold, while Kari busied himself inside the small, circular tent, unrolling their sleeping furs. Once Tiimo was done he joined his mate, closing the flap behind him.

Inside, Kari had lit a small oil lamp, which cast a soft light upon the fur-covered tent floor, as well as spreading some warmth. It would still be a while before their body heat had made the tent comfortable. From within a bundle of furs, a white head emerged, grinning impishly. Kari cast off the blanket he had been covering himself with, knowing fully well what the sight of his all-white pelt would do to his lover. True enough, Tiimo felt his body react, but he fought against it.

"You know, we're going to need some sleep..."

"Some, yes, but not that much." Kari winked, letting his tongue loll out. "We'll catch those slavers before midday, and little Jarkko will be back with his folks before evening meal."

"What's your point?"

"Aiming at you..." Kari purred, laughing as Tiimo blushed deeply. "Come now, it's getting chilly."

"I..." Tiimo tore his eyes away with a visible effort. "No! Not until after we get it done!"

"Bore."

"Totally so. Ever heard of duty?"

"It's down south, isn't it? By the sea?"

Tiimo tried his best to fall asleep, failing miserably. Kari kept up a variety of little sounds and movements, all designed to twist Tiimo's head. To make him so mad with desire that his lifemate would get anything he wanted. Usually, it worked. How did I end up with such a horny guy? Tiimo thought, not really ignoring the rhythmical flapping of the fox's sleeping furs, and the occasional grunt. Turning to face the other way, he closed his eyes, his mind focusing on the slave traders they were chasing. Traders, who had stolen the only son of the village chief. As captain of the guards, it was Tiimo's duty to bring the boy back. Kari had tagged along, as always refusing to leave his side.

The noise behind his back ceased, and Tiimo couldn't help drawing breath. The scent he got up his nostrils! It was almost enough to drive him crazy, and only with the aid of his stubbornness did he keep his cools. Then he felt the fur bundle next to him move, coming closer. Advancing on him, coming up from the back. Kari's breath was on his neck, the smell of arousal still heavy within the tent. Tiimo kept still, determined to at least make the arctic fox work for his fun. A hand sneaked its way into his sleeping furs, gently brushing against his side, reaching around his waist to grab...

"Aaaaaaaahhhh! Oooohaaa! Damn you, Kari!"

"What's wrong, love?"

"I've told you a thousand times, warm your hands before you grope me! Oooww, frostbite!"

"Don't be such a sissy, Tiimo!"

"Now I'll never be a father!"

"Like you would, anyway?" Kari snorted. "You've never even kissed a female."

"You laugh! At my misery..."

"You poor thing," Kari said, his voice softening. "Here, let me warm them for you."

Tiimo felt the fox's sleeping furs tossed over his own, and a second later, Kari wormed his way under, kissing his cheek as he cuddled up close.

"Hello, lover," he cooed. "Playing hard to get? Or should I say, playing to get hard?"

"Kari, you're incorrigible!" Tiimo tried to make his voice stern, but failed. A warm smile broke through on his lips, and he gladly accepted Kari's deep kiss. "I can't do anything, love, I'm frozen solid."

"I said I'd warm you up, didn't I?"

With that, Kari vanished beneath the pile of furs, slowly making his way down Tiimo's body, kissing and nipping as he went. Soon, the lynx felt hot breath on his crotch, and he grabbed at the fox, trying to make him move faster. Tiimo could feel himself stiffening from the sheer expectation, but instead of soft lips upon his straining member, he felt Kari's warm, wet tongue wrap itself around his sac, fondling his balls as he sucked them into his mouth. Soon, the chilly grip was forgotten, and Tiimo gasped and moaned, basking in the moist heat and thoroughly enjoying the oral massage. Meanwhile Kari let his hands roam all over his feline partner, stroking his abdominal muscles, caressing his buttocks and kneading his thighs. Then he grabbed the stubby tail, stroking it gently, while he let a finger reach up beneath it.

"Aaaaaaahhhooooooohhh!!!"

* * * * * *

"Look, I said I was sorry." Kari's ears lay flat against his head beneath the hood of his elk fur coat. "I've said it over and over again!"

Tiimo merely snorted, while he loaded the last of their packs onto his horse. Swinging himself nimbly into the saddle, he set off, forcing Kari to follow. He had kept the same surly look all morning, not responding to any of the fox's advances. Kari urged his horse forward, until they were riding side by side, following the now perfectly visible tracks of the slave traders.

"Won't you at least talk to me? Wasn't it punishment enough that I didn't get any, last night?"

"That you didn't get any?" Tiimo hissed. "As if I did!"

"At least you're talking to me again," Kari said, winking beneath the hood. "Hooray!"

"Will you stop it!"

"All I did was fondle you a bit..."

"Fondle? I thought you poked me with an icicle!" Tiimo shivered at the memory. "I'll never be able to sit comfortably again."

"I did offer to warm you up..." Kari said, grinning. The lynx found it increasingly difficult to keep up his sour act. "...there, too."

"Only to freeze some other part of me off. Some part I couldn't live without?"

"What, your sense of duty?"

"I ought to beat you up," Tiimo growled. "I ought to tie you up and spank you purple."

"Is that a promise? Honey, you really know what I like!"

The unexpected reply, as well as the mind image it induced, made Tiimo finally lose his strict composure. Seeing this, Kari steered his horse closer, and nudged his lover in the ribs. Catching his eyes, the fox grinned broadly, relishing in the slight flicker of a smile that played over Tiimo's muzzle.

"I knew it!" Kari mused. "You can't stay mad at me for long. I'm just too cute."

"Smug now, are you?"

"Definitely! Love, I really am sorry. I swear I'll make it up to you. With warm hands, a warm heart and a scorchingly hot, hard..."

"Ssch!" Tiimo held in his horse. "I can hear them, up ahead."

"How's the boy," Kari whispered, all thoughts of teasing gone. "Is he there?"

"Stay here." Tiimo eased his way to the ground, unsheathing his sword. "This won't take long."

Nodding slightly, Kari swallowed nervously. Tiimo was a warrior and he wasn't, so this was his time to sit back. As always when the lynx drew his sword, a cold lump seemed to settle in his lover's stomach. What if he gets hurt, or even killed? Kari tried to dismiss the thought, but to no avail. The fears would always be there, and the worst part was that he couldn't help. In any fight, a non-fighter would be a liability, something to be used against Tiimo. The fox absent-mindedly chewed his thumb claw, straining his eyes to see through the undergrowth separating them, meanwhile trying his best to stay hidden. Then there was a scream, abruptly cut short, and followed by furious snarls and shouts. A few seconds of clanging steel and more screams ensued, then there was a ghastly silence.

"Kari, will you bring the horses?"

"Coming, love."

* * * * * *

"For the life and health of my son, you have my deepest gratitude." The chief hugged them both, shaking their hands, then returned to his seat of office. The huge wolf cracked up into a wide grin as a little pup climbed up to sit on his lap. "From the bottom of my heart, I thank you both!"

"My chief," Tiimo said, holding up a heavy bag. "The wealth of the slavers..."

"To be distributed to their victims' families, as you requested. It's a fair decision, that well does justice to my guard captain."

"Distributed? Are you insane?" Kari whispered, receiving a kick to his leg. "Ouch!"

"Have you no sense of honour?" Tiimo hissed back. "Greedy one!"

"You just gave away enough money to buy us a gold mine!"

"What's that you're saying?" the chief asked, for a moment ceasing the game he'd been playing with the pup. "Do you have something to add, Kari?"

"Oh, nothing," Kari said, shrugging. "Just wondering if we should visit the sauna before or after evening meal."

"Why not before, so you'll be sure to remain long at my table tonight. The feast will be grand, and I will see to it that you're both rewarded."

"Gracious thanks, my chief." Bowing, Kari grabbed a hold of Tiimo's sleeve, pulling him out of the chief's office. "To the steam baths!"

"But evening meal is hours away!" Tiimo objected, as he was dragged down the main street of the village. "Why do you..."

"A sauna is a good place to get steaming," Kari said, licking his lips. "Don't tell me you've got other plans?"

"Nothing I couldn't cancel," Tiimo said, grinning.

* * * * * *

They sat on the top bench of the small, floorless hut, watching as a young girl placed heated stones into a water-filled hole in the ground. Steam rose into the air for every stone she laid in, and soon the hut was almost unbearably hot, the air saturated with moisture. Tiimo had a hard time keeping still, as Kari had him in a tight embrace from behind, licking and nipping his ears. Crossing his legs to avoid embarrassment, he smiled at the girl as she got ready to leave.

"This should keep you warm for at least an hour, sirs" she said, winking. "I doubt you'll need it, brave heroes, but call for me if you want more stones."

"We will," Tiimo said, blushing. The girl closed the door behind her, and the lynx let out a long held-back sigh. "You could wait until there aren't children present, you know."

"Raisa works here, she's seen naked men before, you know."

"Naked men making out?"

"The sauna's a good place for that," Kari said, moving his attention to the other's muzzle, nuzzling and kissing him. "Don't be embarrassed, my love. Did you hear what she said? We're brave heroes! Feels good, doesn't it?"

"Yes, it does," Tiimo said. "Ooh, keep doing that."

"No, you silly snowcat, I mean being heroes. Feeds your confidence."

"Oh, that. Yes, it's okay. But what matters most is that we brought child safely home."

"No, what matters most is that we are here, right now. I want you, Tiimo."

Turning to face the arctic fox, Tiimo let his eyes wander all over his lover's naked body, the white fur glistening with steam and sweat. His gaze centred on the bit of skin that broke off against the whiteness. Touching it, he felt a shiver run through Kari's body, escaping his lips as a soft moan. Tiimo sealed those lips in a deep kiss, letting their tongues meet while he intensified his caresses. As the fox's breathing turned heavier, he got down on the lower bench and began licking his way up those pure white thighs. Returning the touch from the other night, Tiimo used his lips and tongue to play with the other's balls, before he set his sights higher. Nuzzling the rock hard shaft, letting his whiskers tickle it, he earned a gasp from Kari. The fox shivered and moaned with pleasure as Tiimo finally pulled his foreskin back, then let his lips close around the tip, suckling lightly. The lynx moved his head down until he had taken in all of Kari's length, and could feel his lover's heartbeat through his stiff maleness. The sharp taste that filled his mouth told him that it wouldn't long, now, and he started moving again, sucking harder while his hands caressed the fox's sac. Closing his eyes, Tiimo let himself enjoy pleasuring his lover, taking in the beautiful smell of his arousal, relishing in the soft whimpers the fox let out. Suddenly, Kari grabbed his hair, holding him in place.

"Tiimo! I..."

Whatever he had wanted to say, it was lost in a groan as Kari emptied himself, the strong orgasm making his entire body jerk with pleasure. Salty liquid filled Tiimo's mouth, and he swallowed as much as he could, letting the rest run down his chin. When he felt sure there was no more to get, Tiimo stood up, pulling the arctic fox into a tight embrace and kissing him passionately. Slowly, he guided Kari down from his peak, as they lay back on the bench, letting themselves get wrapped up in the steamy warmth of the sauna. A few minutes passed while they lay there, not talking, just cuddling and kissing. Then Kari sat up, catching Tiimo's eyes with a gaze burning with love and desire.

"Make love to me, Tiimo!"

This was not a plead, Tiimo sensed, but an order. Good soldier that he was, he obeyed. Kari moved over to lie on the bench, while the lynx got on top of him. Tiimo began rubbing himself against the other's rear, finding that special place beneath the bushy fox tail. Slick with moisture and the fluids of his own excitement, he made an easy entry, and was rewarded with Kari's sigh of pleasure.

They embraced tightly, and Tiimo began to move inside the fox, thrusting slowly, gently, finding a steady rhythm that worked wonders for them both. Kari half sat up, nuzzling the other's neck, kissing him, nipping his ears, trying to get as close to him as possible. The hot length inside him was a source to such pleasure it almost brought tears to his eyes. Watching Tiimo as if through a veil of passion, he matched the lynx's movements, squeezing his buttocks together to heighten their pleasure. He felt Tiimo speed up, the feline face twisting into something akin to a snarl. Getting close himself, Kari reached down to stroke his own erection, needing just a slight persuasion to come. Crying out, he shot his seed, covering both their stomachs, while his buttocks clenched down with the orgasm. Tiimo gasped, lowering his head to lock them both in a kiss, as he came inside his lover.

Spent, they lay back, almost going to sleep as they snuggled up to each other. Half-hearted caresses and kisses from one were barely noticed by the other. They didn't talk, feeling that words would just shatter this perfect silence they had. Soon, however, they began to stir once more, their kisses becoming more intense. When Raisa brought freshly heated stones, neither of the brave heroes even noticed her.