2. Lost Innocence

The cubs had returned from the hunting trip exhausted but content in the knowledge they had pickup an important life skill. With the exception of Red, he had been continually frustrated by Fangs actions during the trip. Every time Red had the drop on his prey Fang would arrive and interfere causing him to come up empty pawed. All five of the other cubs had caught and eaten something during the hunt whilst he now ached with hunger. He was just about ready to explode and let the seething anger he now felt out. The only thing he could do to stop it was to slump himself down in the corner of the den and close his eyes.

Night turned to day as the family slept. He awoke with a start to the sound of loud voices coming from the entrance of the den. He looked around in the dim light, his two sisters and Rage were still sleeping. Pulling himself upright he decided to investigate. Looking out through the entrance he could see it was late afternoon and the sky had begun to darken, straight ahead were his parents. He strained to hear what they were arguing about.

"I don't understand, you promised me" said his mother "we were going to treat them all the same"
"I said I would try…… but I just can't do it" his father turned away "you know the reason why, Ill never be able to accept the two of them as my own" On that note he made his exit leaving his mate in tears wondering what had happened to the understanding Fox she once knew. She turned to follow but noticed Red through the corner of her eye.
"Red go back inside and rest I need to go after your father, don't worry about Fang or Brawler they're with him" barked his mother "Ill be back soon"
She turned and ran into the trees.

Red re-entered the earth to find his sisters and Rage wide awake.
"Where is everyone" Asked Rage. Red just blanked him, he wasn't interested in a long drawn out conversation with someone he didn't like right now, besides he didn't have an answer to that question. "I asked you a question" snarled Rage. Again Red took no notice and just slumped to the floor in his usual spot. He needed to think, what did his father mean when he said "Ill never be able to accept the two of them as my own". Which two? He guessed it must be himself but who else. His mind swam with unanswered questions.
"Don't ignore me" roared Rage as he bounded over to where Red lay and proceeded to growl loudly.
"I don't know ok" Red said coolly
"I heard voices up there, tell me what was going on or you'll regret it" warned Rage
"No, and the only thing Ill ever regret is having to grow up with filth like you around" barked Red angrily.
"Me filth, ha-ha-ha" laughed Rage "I take it you've never seen your own reflection then, because you're the only filthy beast around here"
Red stood up at last and faced down his adversary.
Rages smile broadened.
"So that got your attention did it, truth hurts huh?" sniggered Rage "You bring shame down on the whole family, your brothers, sisters, father and worst of all even your mother is ashamed of you"
"That's……that's not true" stammered Red "Take it back" tears began to form in his eyes.
"It's true, clear as the nose on your face, well it is to anyone with half a brain at least" said Rage "We'd all be much better off without you"
By this time Flame and Siren had taken major interest in the exchange. It was getting seriously out of hand.
"Stop it Rage, leave him alone, you've taken it too far" shouted Flame
But it was too late the damage had been done. That last comment had registered as true in Reds mind, it crushed him. All he wished for now was to fall into a void where no one could taunt or ridicule him anymore, he just wanted it all to stop. Then it happened, his anger which had been building up over his entire short existence boiled over. He charged full tilt into his brother, knocking him back into the wall of the den. Before Rage could recover Red leapt onto him and taking his brothers neck in his jaws he bit down with all his strength. Flame couldn't believe what she was seeing. Red had turned from a quiet friendly fox into a wild hate filled monster, and if she didn't act fast she would likely loose a brother maybe even two. She had to divert his attention. Red was now on top of his brother using his body weight to pin Rage to the ground. His jaws still firmly wrapped around his brother's neck. Blood began to pour from Rages wounds.

"Siren go find help quickly" Ordered Flame.
Siren hesitated for a second then ran with all the speed she could out of the den and into the trees in the hope of finding assistance.
Once Flame was sure Siren was out of danger she jumped onto Reds back in order to divert his attention and cause him to let go. It didn't work Red continued to grip Rage and merely shook her off like drop of water. "Well that approach isn't going to work" she thought to herself. Words were not having the desired affect either no matter what she said Red continued to squeeze the life from Rage. He just wasn't listening.

She circled the two foxes looking for some kind of opening she could use to break up the fight, all the while continuing to try and calm her enraged brother.
"Please Red….you have to stop this, you've got to listen to me" pleaded Flame
She moved into a position where she could look into his eyes. Red met her gaze and was suddenly hit by a moment of absolute clarity. He saw the fear and determination in her expression. But there was something else too, a deep and undeniable affection. Rage had been wrong after all, someone in his family wasn't ashamed.

Then he tasted the blood. He quickly released his grip on Rage and backed away. He looked down at the still body of his brother. It was too late Rage was gone.
"What have I done?" said Red shakily. Tears began to stream down his face.
"He…..he……just wouldn't be quiet, I just wanted him to leave me alone…..I…." quivered Red. He knew it was no excuse.

Flame looked between Red and the body of Rage a number of times, she knew what she had to do. She needed to control herself "I've got to hold back my tears, I need to be strong so I can convince Red of what he needs to do" Flame thought to herself.
She managed to get her voice under control. "You need to leave Red, and quickly you don't have much time"
"But…..but……why" stammered Red
"Siren has gone to find help, she will no doubt return with father any time now" she said seriously "And once he finds out what you did he'll……" she lost control and broke down into tears "I just couldn't bear to loose another brother today" she cried.
Red saw the truth in this remark. Flame had been the only member of his family ever to take a serious interest in him. He owed it to her to comply with her wish. He pulled him self together.
"I'm sorry you had to witness this Flame, it was the last thing you deserve" he said meaningfully "take care of yourself"
"What about you?" replied Flame
"Don't worry about me, after this I'm already dead" and with that he darted out of the earth and ran as fast as he could south towards the river.