The following proceeds after the events of Todd and Coppers' reconciling.
Todd and Copper gave each other one last farewell as the best of friends, then went on to continue their lives without destruction against one another. Todd limped forward and took a last glimpse at his friend leaving.
"Todd?!" Vixey called out in worry as she emerged from the shrubs.
"Todd!" Vixey gasped at the site of him beaten to a near pulp.
She acted quick and helped him to walk as far and long as it would take to get to safer territory. Which they did for nearly an hour until Vixey spotted a large den between two oak trees with soft patches of dirt and moss for the ground, roofed with the trunk of an old dead oak with thick moss that held it in place and sheltered the space inside, a depth large enough for a fawn. Carefully they settled in, Vixey eased Todd gently on the ground then placed a paw on his worn-out head.
"Gee whiz, what you do without me around," she heaved remorsefully.
Todds' only response was a smile, he no longer had the strength to move or talk.
"Don't worry Todd," she assured him "It's all over, now, just rest and let me take care of you,"
The sound of her velvet tone was enough to make him dreary, desperately trying to keep his eyes opened to gaze at her, but it was useless to fight so he rested his eyes.
"Todd, Todd," said Vixey as Todd's eyes shut tight.
The air stood easy while Vixey lowered her face above Todd's ears, and began humming a dulcet vibe to ease his pain the best she could.
"Dreaeaeaeaeaeaeaeam
When you're feelin' blue
Dreaeaeaeaeaeaeaeam
That's the thing to do
Dreaeaeaeaeaeaeaeam, while the smoke rings rise in the air
You'll find your shaaaare
Of memories theeere
Sooo
Dreaeaeaeam
When the day is thrououough
Dreaeaeaeam
And they might come trueueue
Things, never are as bad as they seeeem
Soooooo
Dreaeaeaeam
Dreaeaeaeaeaeaeam
Dreaeaeaeaeaeaeaeaeammmm,"
With that she put him down softly, though not easily since he shivered uncontrollably with each breath he took. Vixey laid her neck gently on the hackles of his back, then the southern belle gave a long yawn that meant it was time for her to rest easy too. Until morning may come.
...
And it did, the sun rose through all cracks in the forest and into the den where Todd was sleeping, though Todd didn't wake up until the late afternoon since his body was relentlessly sore that it made him a bit grumpy to be up at all. He looked around and realized Vixey wasn't in the den with him.
"Vixey?" he struggled to call out.
Suddenly she appeared running back, with a large bass in her mouth. Todd was relieved and set himself back down with a thud.
"Don't get up just yet," said Vixey, setting the fish in front of him "It'll be a few days before you're up again,"
Todd still didn't have enough energy to speak, only to lie there droopy.
"Here, I brought us some breakfast," she said modestly.
Todd sniffed the fish a bit, since he had never had bass growing up, but decided to eat it compliantly since she did what she could to bring it to him. Then Vixey joined in on the meal, but made sure to leave more for the injured fox.
Todd took his time working his mouth around the large fish, gnawing and prodding along its sides, Vixey couldn't help but giggle lightly at the site of his child-like behavior, she knew that Todd needed her absolutely, without her he'd be lost or in different kinds of trouble. He was an afflicted animal that she was committed to healing.
The male fox noted her humor and smiled at her with a mouth-full of fish scum that made her laugh.
"Not so handsome anymore?" Todd joked.
Vixey laughed even harder.
"Todd you shouldn't talk with your mouth full," Vixey giggled.
"Excuse my manners. Although you're stuck with this fool, looks like you better get used to it,"
She continued on laughing, both unaware that above them, through the thistles and leaves and branches was of course a wise old owl overlooking them with contempt.
"Not a day goes by you youngin's don't make us proud " Big Mama smiled to herself.
