OK. Here's the story, you guys. ;3 Hope ya'll like it. ;3

“Sole Mates”
A Short Story By
Angel B. and WolfN85

It was closing time at the Blackthorn Mall. Stores all around were closing shop, including the local shoe store, Pawesome Footwear. Arthur, who worked at the store, was just putting up the last sneakers up on the shelf, when his Manager came up to him.
“Good work, m’boy. You’re doing a splendid job. If you keep this up, I see a promotion in your near future.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Cunningham.” said Arthur as he put up the last box of Cheetah brand running shoes on the shelf.
“Now” said Mr. Cunningham “Close up the doors and turn off the lights. I’ll be in the Manager’s Room if you need me” And with that, he left.
Arthur went to the door to lock it, when a magazine of “Runners Monthly” caught his eye. He saw a very cute Wolf girl on the cover, posing for the cover, showing off her new Cheetah brand running shoes. Arthur sighed. He wasn’t very lucky when it came to romance. Most of the girls at his school didn’t even know he even existed. He was just too shy to ask any of them out. But Arthur put aside his emotions, and went back to the door to close the metal blinds inside.
Suddenly, he heard a noise. He heard someone running across the Mall, panting even. Arthur looked through one of the glass windows of the store to see who it was. Far off, he could see it was a cheetah. A GIRL cheetah! Arthur’s eyes widened as she came closer and closer, running straight to the shoe store. She stopped right in front of the store, panting and breathing heavily and covered in sweat. Her blue and white Cross Country jersey was drenched as well.
“DARN IT!” said the cheetah in frustration. “I can’t believe that I didn’t make it on time! What rotten luck!”
The cheetah then saw Arthur looking through the glass. “
“Hey! Hey you!” said the cheetah, waving her arms at Arthur. “Please please PLEEEASE open up! I REALLY need to buy some new sneakers! I need them for tomorrow morning!”
Arthur didn’t know what to do. He knew the store already closed. It was already 9:05. And he didn’t want to cause any ripples between him and his Manager. But he couldn’t help to see how beautiful she was. She was a little on the tall side. She was slightly toned figure with shiny rust colored hair and piecing green eyes. And it didn’t help that she pressed up against the window, giving him some of the saddest puppy-dog eyes he’s ever seen! That was Arthur’s weakness. He couldn’t stand it anymore!
“OK OK! I’ll let you in. But PLEASE make it quick. I really should be closing up already. And if my Manager sees this, I could lose my job!”
Arthur rose the metal blinds and unlocked the door, letting the cheetah in.
“Thank you so SO much!” The cheetah said as she gave Arthur a great big hug. Arthur’s eyes widened again, and blushed to a very bright shade of red.
“Now” said the cheetah “I really would like a pair of your new Cheetah Infinity sneakers with comfort gel insoles, ball and arch support and tough and sturdy design, please.” giving a little smirk at the end. “I need them for my High School Senior Cross Country tryouts, and these old sneakers of mine just won’t cut it!”
“Yes, Miss” said Arthur as he went to get the sneakers.
“Oh, you can call me Kira” said the cheetah
“OK… Kira.” said Arthur, still blushing. “My name’s…it’s…” Arthur couldn’t believe that that he actually forgot his name!
“If I’m not mistaken, you’re name’s Arthur” said Kira
“How did you know?”
“Your name tag’s a pretty good giveaway!” Kira said, giggling.
Arthur just blushed deeper and just went off to find the sneakers.
“Kira.” thought Arthur “What a beautiful name.” Arthur lost his concentration for a little while, but snapped out and went to retrieve the sneakers. And at least, he found them. On the back wall on a pedestal, there they were: The Cheetah Infinity running shoes. He remembered something and went back to Kira.
“Um, Kira”
“Yes, Mr. Salesman” Kira said with a giggle
“Um, I forgot to ask for your shoe size.”
“Oh!” Kira’s eyes gave a look like a deer caught in the head lights. “Um…They’re size thirte...” she mumbled and trailed off.
“Excuse me, Kira, but I couldn’t hear what you said. Would you mind repeating it, please?”
“Uuuhh... My shoe size is….”
“Yes?”
Kira scrunched up her face, blushing and shedding a few sweat drops in the process. But she finally said what she needed to say
“They’re size thirteen, alright! 13!”
Arthur gave a bit of a shocked look on his face. He never heard of a girl with such big feet before. The biggest he ever tended to one time was a 9. Arthur then couldn’t help but give a little snicker
“What’s so funny, Arty?!” Kira growled
“I’m sorry!” said Arthur, trying to find the words to mend his new found acquaintance “It’s just that… well… are you sure you’re a cheetah? Or are you a kangaroo?” Arthur said right before he burst out laughing.
Kira wasn’t amused.
“You see! THIS is why I don’t tell anyone my shoe size. Why I rarely go to shoe stores. And if I do, I try to find the shoes I need by myself and leave as quickly as possible!” Kira’s lips started to quiver a little.
“You don’t know how much it hurts sometimes to be… a freak!”
Arthur’s heart broke as he heard her heart felt words.
“Gee…I’m sorry, Kira. I’m really, REALLY sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you. Please forgive me.” Arthur gave a little smile right in front of Kira’s face. Kira looked Arthur in the eye, and couldn’t help but smile and chuckle a little.
“Oh, I forgive you, Arty. I’m sorry if I was being over sensitive.”
“It’s quite alright.” said Arthur, setting the box with Kira’s new shoes right beside her.
“Here you are, m’lady.” Arthur said in a goofy British accent. Kira couldn’t help but laugh!
“Well, thank you kindly, good sir. Hehaha!”
Kira then looked at her sneaker clad feet.
“And not a moment too soon. These babies are starting to fall apart!”
Arthur looked down at Kira’s feet. She wasn’t kidding! The laces were split and frayed. The tops were a dull grey with mud and grass stains everywhere. The soles were even coming apart at the seams, forcing Kira’s toes to poke right through.
“Um, Arty, if you don’t mind, would you take these old things off for me, please? I’m a little sore right now.” asked Kira,
“Sure thing,” he said.
Arthur bent down next to Kira’s feet. He took a hold of one of her sneakers and gently slipped it off, revealing her dingy socked foot. She wiggled her toes a little, and Arthur could hear Kira give a sigh of relief.
“Ah, that feels MUCH better!” said Kira, with a big smile on her face. She then gave a little sniff, wiggled her nose, scrunched it, and blew out some air.
“Whew! Um... hehe… sorry, Arty, if my feet are a little... fragrant.” Kira apologized and blushed with embarrassment. “Running for hours a day can do that to ‘em. Especially with these ol’ stinkers!” Kira giggled as she pinched her nose.
“Oh, don’t worry; I don’t mind. I’ve smelled worse.” Arthur winked and chuckled a little. Actually, he found the scent quite nice. Like a mix of nacho cheese puffs and strawberries & cream paw lotion!
“There is one thing I do want to know, Kira”
“What is it, Arty?”
“Are you ticklish?”
Arthur then began to playfully drag his finger up and down Kira’s foot.
“OH! NO!” Kira screamed, jumping straight up on the bench. The poor cheetah didn’t see this coming!
“Don’t do… HEha... that! Hehaha... Stop that! Hehahaha...”
“Cichy cichy cooo!” Arthur said, tickling her foot a little faster.
“NO! HEHAHAHA… STOP! HEHEHAHAHAHAHA!”
Kira tried kicking her legs, but Arthur hung on to her ankle, tickling her toes.
“NO PLEASE! HEHAHA...” Kira slapped her hands over her mouth, falling back on the bench. She lay there, trying to fight back her laughter, but it was really, really hard! All that running made the cheetah’s feet nice and tender, vulnerable for any form of attack!
“OK OK. I’ll stop. Your laughter answered my question.” Arthur laughed a little as he stopped tickling Kira. She panted, catching her breath. Again, she was not amused.
“Ooh! I ought’a scratch ya’ to pieces for that, you little…!”
Arthur noticed the look in her eye and quickly made a mends. He looked down at Kira’s feet, her toes still wiggling in her sock, one of them poking out through a hole.
“Um…well, if you don’t like tickles, how about a paw rub?”
Her tone changed instantly!
“Are you kidding?!” Kira exclaimed “I’d pay a fortune for one of those right now! I’ve been running for three hours today, including my little sprint at the mall! Go for it, Mr. Salesman.”
Arthur plucked off her other shoe and took hold of her paws. He began by gently massaging the balls of her feet, then worked up to the base of her toes and back down her arches to the heel.
“Oh my gosh!” Kira sighed “That feels sooooo good!”
Kira smiled, purring a little, as she lay down on the bench. “Your doing a great job!”
“Aww, thank you.” said Arthur, kneading his fingers up and down her tender soles.
“Say, Kira.”
“What, Arty!”
“Your feet..they’re..”
“They’re what? Big? Ginormous?!”
“No….Beautiful.”
Kira’s eyes were the size of dinner plates. She never heard anybody say that about her feet before.
“They’re…beautiful?” asked Kira, blushing a little “Aw, Arthur. That’s really nice of you to say!”
“It’s true.” said Arthur, peeling off her socks, revealing Kira’s perfectly pampered feet. He saw her lovely pink pads, a little shiny from perspiration. Kira wiggled and flexed her toes, showing off her velvety white soles. And her toe nails were a lovely shade of sparkly green nail polish. Arthur gently massaged Kira’s feet again.
“They’re so beautifully taken care of. They’re so cute, full of life and full of character. Your feet aren’t freakish. And anyone who says so, well, to heck with them! Your feet are genuine and one of a kind! They’re gorgeous!”
Arthur bent down a little and gave one of Kira’s big toes a kiss! Kira couldn’t help but blush even more. A great big smile spread across her face!
“Oh, Arty! That’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me! Well, said about my feet, anyway! Thank you, Arthur, for making me feel a lot better about myself and my feet. Heahaha You really know how to make a girl smile!”
“You know I do!” said Arthur, wiggling his fingers near Kira’s feet.
“Oh, no! No, no, no! Don’t you dare, Arthur!” Kira said with a fear stricken look on her face.
“Oh... I dare!” Arthur said, putting Kira’s legs in an arm lock, as he scratched his fingers up and down her feet
“NO!” Kira screamed “HEHAHAHAHA…CUT IT OUTHEHAHAHA!!”
“My, you’re the ticklish one!” said Arthur, tickling in between her toes.
“NOO! NOT THERE!! HEHEHAHAHAHAHA!! PLEASE STOP!”
“Um…nope.” said Arthur as he began nibbling on her toes.
“OH MY GO..EEEEEEE…BWUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!” Kira couldn’t hold back her laughter anymore. She just lay down on the bench, weak from all the tickling, beating on the bench with her fists and laughing like there was no tomorrow!

“What’s going on here?!”

Arthur recognized that voice! It was Mr. Cunningham! He was hovering over him and Kira with a suitcase in his hand. Arthur quickly let go of Kira, while Kira quickly regained her composure, still panting a little from all the tickling.
“I’m completely disappointed in you, Mr. Kat!” said Mr. Cunningham with a stern look on his face. “First you didn’t close the door and let this young lady in. And then you and her get together, getting fresh and…and…tickling her?!”
“But sir..” Arthur said, trying to get a word in edge wise. Mr. Cunningham beat him to the punch!
“No buts! This kind of behavior won’t be tolerated in my store! Arthur…I’m sorry to have to say this to you…but you’re fired. Effective immediately!”
Arthur couldn’t help but look down at his feet, completely embarrassed with himself and in front of his new found friend.
“Now hold one a minute here!” Kira said, rising from the bench she was sittig on, with a look of fire in her eyes.
“You better not fire this fine young man from your store! I was the one who insisted that he open the doors for me. I REALLY needed a new pair of sneakers for school tomorrow morning. Any other employee woulda’ given me the cold shoulder and not give a care in the world for me. But not Arthur!”
Arthur raised his head up a little, smiling because his new friend was standing up for him.
Kira continued
“He was just the sweetest thing letting me inside, and going through all the trouble of finding the perfect pair of shoes for me! And here they are!”
Kira picked up the box of her new Cheetah Infinities. Mr. Cunningham knew that these were worth a lot, and one of his biggest sellers.
“Would you DARE fire such an awesome young man as this guy right here?! And you wouldn’t want to lose a brand new customer, would ya’?!” said Kira, grabbing Arthur and putting him under her arm.
Mr. Cunningham was at a loss for words.
“Uuuh…well, uh...”
“I didn’t think so! He’s too cool a guy for you to lose to someone else, sir. He even made me laugh after I had such a hard day! Hehahaha... silly lil’ kitty!” Kira said as she noogied Arthur.
“Ouch!” Arthur said under his breath. “That hurt!”
“That’s for tickling me, you lil’ stinker!” Kira said under her breath with a little sassy tone to her voice.
Mr. Cunningham stepped back a little and cleared his throat.
“Ahem. Well, Mr. Kat. It seems that we have here a very satisfied customer. And that is what we strive her at Pawesome Footwear! And I do believe that I did overreact a bit. So…*sighs*…I’m giving you one more chance. Don’t let this happen again!”
“Oh! It won’t, sir! I should say that it won’t, sir! Thank you so, so much, Mr. Cunningham”
“Yes, yes, boy. Stop groveling! Now get out of here. It’s already going to be 10:00! Arthur, please ring in our newest customer’s new Cheetah Infinities, please.”
“With pleasure, sir” said Arthur as he walked behind the register, scanned the shoe box’s code, take the money Kira gave for the shoes, put it in the register and put Kira’s new shoes on the counter.
“Oops! Almost forgot something!” said Kira, running to the sock aisle. She picked out a green pair with paw print designs and brought them up to the desk. She gathered up her old sneakers and socks and threw them the trash.
Arthur rang up her new socks for her as well, and waited while she slipped them on.
Mr. Cunningham sighed as the two walked out of the backdoor of the store.
“Ah, young love. They make a nice pair. Weird… but nice.”
He then began to smell something in the store, with a perplexed look on his face.
“Is…is that, nacho cheese puffs with strawberries & cream?”

Arthur and Kira walked outside into the Mall parking lot.
“Kira,” said Arthur.
“What is it, Arthur?” asked Kira.
“Um…thank you so much for sticking up for me in there.”
“Aww, it’s no problem, Arty! Anything for a cool guy like yourself. But I DO have some advice for you, Arthur. Stand up for yourself when you have to. I saw that fire in your eyes when we talked and had our little fun back in the store! There’s a bigger Arthur inside of you that you just don’t know is in there. You just gotta’ find him... here.”
Kira poked Arthur’s side
“Hey! Hehaha...”
Kira saw this and a wicked look came across her face.
“Sooo… Mr. Tickles is ticklish himself!” Kira wiggled her fingers in front of Arthur.
“No! Don’t!”
“Tickle attack!”
Kira lunged at Arthur, tickling his sides and his stomach
“Cichy cichy cooo!”
“NO! HEHEAHHAHAHA!! I GIVE! HEHAHAHAHA! I GIVE!”
Kira stopped.
“Alright, alright. Get up, ya’ silly kitty!” Kira said, picking up Arthur from off the parking lot concrete floor. Arthur and Kira couldn’t help but look each other in the eyes. Both of them smiled at each other
“Arthur”
“Yes, Kira”
“I don’t think I can walk another step. Dya’ think you can... carry me home?”
“With pleasure, Kira. With pleasure.”
Arthur picked up Kira in his arms and started walking off to who knows where.
It was one heck of a night!

THE END