On the brink of a small chasm, at the edge of the forest, a lone fox sits motionless, deep in thought. He was a most curious creature, blessed with the perception and sensitivity of a loving mother; the wit and somewhat disheveled appearance of a…loving father. Yet never had there lived a fox in these woods with a more somber disposition.

This was the one and only son of Tod and Vixey. Not six. Just a single child. Vixey was no doubt overjoyed, yet her mate feared the prospect of parenthood and this apprehension manifested itself in his actions. A seemingly neglectful parent?; or simply a man with love he struggled to divide? The boy often contemplated this.

The boy's name? Copper, in honor of a friendship long lost, yet never forgotten. At seven month's of age (about 15 human years, give or take) he demonstrated uncanny intelligence and creativity yet there was something holding him back. A subtle ringing in the ears if you will. Both captivating and enigmatic, it kept him awake in the nights and restless in the days. The songs of an unknown source.

But enough banter, We'll let the story speak for itself.

Chapter 1- Rude awakenings.

Copper sat upon the Cliffside overlooking the valleys below, his mind constantly wandering, a pensive pool of thought. The trees stretched their fingers in an umbrage over him, enveloping him in shadow. He gazed forward, looking past the grassy fields, the sun-kissed lake, those two miserable houses in the background. Yes, he knew them well. Since his early most childhood, this was his consolation. A place of refuge from his unfortunate reality.

His father was something of a disappointment, each day of his life; a demonstration of his neglect, his absolute ignorance. Tod's infatuation with his sweet lover, Vixey. How charming. How absolutely adorable, that those two are a proverbial match made in heaven, he thought. That he continued his frolicking courtship 7 months after Copper's birth. Did his existence mean nothing to him, a mere misfortune in the light of a beautiful relationship? Or was he in fact an accident? These muses were sporadic and hostile. Copper had to catch himself in the midst of a rage.

Mentally exhausted by his anger he rested his head on the ground. His eyes closed slowly, yet in the depths of his mind…there it was again! That strange noise, unlike anything he's ever physically heard in the forest. There was a pattern to it, various pitches both high and low. It was delightful to listen to though he knew not where it came from nor what it was. He out grew the fearful reactions from his youth and embraced the noise allowing it to lull him into a light sleep, relinquishing all his contempt.

In the nearby underbrush only a few yards from the burrow, Vixey stared at her son inquisitively. His sadness had seemingly infectious effect upon her. She felt a light pressure to her left. Tod slowly caressed her as he drew his head near to her's. It was only at this point that he realized he was not the object of her attention. He followed her eyes, finally catching a glimpse of his son near the cliffs edge.

Vixey stirred and coaxingly spoke to Tod,

"Perhaps you should speak with him? It's unhealthy for him to always be so depressed al the time." Her face expressed a sense of maternal concern, something with which he struggled to relate.

Tod smiled resting is head upon hers. "Vixey, you know it isn't your fault. It isn't anyone's fault," he leaned closer, "You can't let this get to your head now can you?"

Vixey was unconvinced, pushing Tod away from her. "Honestly, he isn't well. But you still just lazily meander about the forest, uncaring! It about time you took some responsibility!" Her tone was more commanding, her voice almost quivering. "You are his father."

Tod was silent. It wasn't so much the state of his son but rather the concern of his wife that carried him over to the Cliffside. He looked down, his son lay motionless, only subtle signs of breath every few seconds or so.

"Well, he's still breathing…" Tod chuckled slightly aloud.

"Not funny…" Copper was hardly asleep, "Had you taken the time to check, you might have noticed I was awake."

Words seem to fail Tod at this point, partially shocked by his own actions, the words of his son, or perhaps flat-out embarrassment.

"Have you come to console me father, to assess my sadness?" Copper avoided eye contact with Tod, focusing on the horizon.

"One of those man to man talks? You're 7 months late…" Copper was purposefully sarcastic in a most belligerent manner.

Tod's silence finally broke, "You mother and I.., well we are concerned about you." He stumbled clumsily over his words.

"Oh really?" Copper sat up. "This IS a new development."

"Honestly son, I just can't understand it. Your mother and I love you more than anything in the world." He inched closer to his son. "You know that."

"Apart from yourselves of course." Copper was suppressing his anger.

"Now stop that. You know I…"

"Honestly dad," Copper interrupted, "I have grown weary of your attempts to understand me, more than likely a product of mom badgering you to death... at least someone cares." Tod remained rather dumbfounded.

"If you really loved me you would have at least pretended to be concerned years ago. One of these talks would have showed me how you feel." Copper diverted his eyes to the valley below again.

"Maybe then you'd understand the noise, the strange thoughts, and the… the noise." "Maybe we would have been closer."

"You said noise twice." Tod tried to lighten the mood. "And by "years" you mean months. You're just 7…"

"Oh PLEASE just stop. You're not helping at all." Copper hardly appreciated the humor.

"Listen, if you'd just give me a chance to…" Tod struggled to explain.

"7 months dad, you had 7 months, that's a lot of chances." "An awful waste, don't you think?" he tilted his head to the side derisively.

Tod stared blankly, his mouth agape, the realization was coming to him.

"Seeing as you haven't anything else to say..." Copper picked himself up and stretched his legs. He then started towards the valley, tiring of the argument.

"Where are you going?" Tod attempted to coax him back.

Copper stopped for a moment, then continued on.

"It doesn't matter does it? Tell mom I'll be back before dark."

Tod contained his pain and confusion, desperately seeking to console his son he called out, "We both love you,… I love you. No matter what you think, and nothing will change that…" he slowly lowered his voice before finishing.

Copper continued, feigning to be out of earshot. Not once did he look back.

Tod slumped back to the old shady burrow; a new sense of paternal guilt overwhelmed him.

"Maybe…maybe Copper was right…" he thought aloud. Tod for the first time began to acknowledge his less than perfect parental abilities.

"But it wasn't like I expected the pregnancy. It was a surprise to both of us...for me at least. A…pleasant surprise no doubt…"

"Who are you talking to dear?" Tod, deep in thought, was unaware of Vixey resting in the burrow.

"Um…myself I guess…" he was somewhat embarrassed by her inquisition.

She turned around, vaguely searching with her eyes. "Where's Copper?"

"He took a walk." In his guilt ridden state, Tod hoped to change the subject.

"What, he just up and left? You let him just walk off?" Her agitation mounted. "You know about…oh what's his name, that hunter in the area, and those dogs, or other wild animals..." Vixey's mind was a torrent of anxiety.

"I sure he'll be fine. He said he would be back here before dark." "I did talk to him though." Tod quickly exclaimed.

"So…how did it go…?" Vixey questioned him, half sighing.

"Oh, you know. I mean…he's just having one of those "teenager things." "The raging hormones and what not…I guess…yea." He tried to remain short with her. She didn't need ALL the details.

"Is that what he said?" Vixey continued to question him, facing him directly now.

"Well…" Tod searched for the words. "No, but it was just plain obvious, it's something we all went through…you know."

"Funny…I can't recall a time when "I" went through that "phase"." She playfully pantomimed quotation marks with her paws.

"You can't recall much of anything when you don't want to, can you?" Tod teased. His tone changed as he regained eye contact with Vixey, seductively running his paw along her side.

"Do you remember when we first met?" He made his efforts to redirect her attention clear; continuing to advance, not once losing sight of her.

"Heh...how could I forget." She attempted to push him away. "What with your pathetic flirtation, stumbling over words, staring blankly, FORGETTING YOUR NAME." She was making an obvious effort to sabotage his mood with sarcasm. Yet Tod continued, his paw now running down her tail, along the outside of her leg. Tiptoeing…slowly…

"Stop it!" she commanded, half giggling. "Now's not the time." Though the shy smile on her face spoke to him otherwise.

"I seem to remember something else…" Tod shook his head. "…the most amazing night of our lives maybe?" Their noses were now nearly touching. Vixey's breath grew heavy; beads of sweat ran trails down her forehead. Her eyes darted desperately, searching for an escape.

"Shall I…jog your memory?"

Tod took another step towards her. Their lips met in a brief kiss, yet Vixey pulled away in a snap. She turned her head, diverting her eyes to the exit of the burrow, her heart raced.

"No…we shouldn't…" she begged gently.

Tod pulled her closer, covering her lips with his paw. "We can…"

Copper wandered aimlessly through the country-side. The landscape was indeed beautiful, however his mind was elsewhere.

"Love…is he serious?" he felt silly even considering his father's words, yet he couldn't help but ponder. Truth is, that was the first time he had ever heard Tod use such words used to address him.

"Oh honestly, it was so… superficial…but still." He tried to rebuke such thinking from entering his mind. It didn't matter anyway. He had his chance. Too many in fact.

The memories of neglect, the pains of being ignored, they had taken their toll indefinitely. Since…well…as long as he could remember he never had been the center of his attention. Tod would waltz about the forest with his Vixey, carefree and ignorant, usually leaving Copper behind in the burrow.

Yet, Vixey did try her best. Copper always acknowledged her parental efforts, even on those occasions when she seemed less than perfect. After all, it was always Vixey who attempted to console him, to pick him up when fallen. The love was there, no doubt, she loved him. And she rarely hesitated to show it.

Tod however, was another story completely. He loved Vixey, granted. Perhaps a little too much. Secretly, Copper always believed his existence was something of an accident, at least in the perspective of his father. He strongly doubted Tod anticipated a pregnancy, much less desired one. It was painful, living with such a mindset.

But that was enough self-pity. He knew too well the results of such an attitude. He continued he walk, his mind slowly quieting. But it was then that the noise resumed, louder than before. But there was something different about it. It was no longer coming from his overactive subconscious, constantly playing tricks. This was real. It had a presence.

"Nope, forget it." Copper attempted to ignore these sounds. "You're going mad. There's nothing there." But the sound persisted, a most beautiful sound.

"No, this can't be a figment. This is real, it is." Copper was more intrigued by the noise. In his curiosity, he began to walk towards the source. His senses overwhelmed, his vision became blurry, his eyes slowly beginning to tear. It was horrifying and beautiful. As he walked the sound became more distinct with greater definition. It cradled his ears. His pace quickened. He could wait no longer. This had plagued him for the extent of his life, this clandestine beauty. He had to know, he had to at least understand what creature could produce such harmony. He was sprinting now, the sound growing ever louder. He stumbled over fallen branches, deadened leaves. Overcome with passion he closed his eyes, guided only by his ears, nearly reaching the source.

Suddenly he was halted dead in his step, his head colliding with a blunt object. It threw him back to the ground. The sound had ceased. Shaken and mortified, Copper feebly opened his eyes…