The Second Memory

December 24th, Christmas Eve

It was Christmas Eve and it was a perfect afternoon, the sun shined and the snow was steadily falling. This day was just perfect for anyone. Even for our friends at Star Fox. Let's check on them right now.

Fox had talked to Kuro about the Christmas spirit that he mentioned before. Kuro felt quite sad that his lost friends were unable to enjoy such an experience. Fox decided to help Kuro in a way he would never forget. Even though his homeworld has been destroyed, he still had people on Corneria who cared for him. Despite being completely different to Corneria's species but that didn't matter anyway.

"Hey, Kuro?" Fox called over. Fox was wearing a white scarf, green sweater with blue jeans. It looked like he was about to leave somewhere. Kuro was inside the kitchen with Krystal and Marcus. They were baking cookies for the Christmas party the next day. Kuro heard Fox's calling and walked out of the kitchen. Kuro had on Fox's borrowed clothes, red scarf, blue sweater, and blue jeans.

"Did you call for me, Fox?" He said back gracefully. Fox told him about the party on the 25th. He even mentioned something about memories. A thing that sparked the Kuro's curiosity. He really liked to have his memories return to him. This was a different story, however, his first memory returned to him in a bad situation. Marcus decided to help Kuro create a fresh new memory, a happier kind of memory. Something he wouldn't forget ever again. Kuro's new first memory was Marcus hugging him to calm his heart down from terror. Kuro was beaming happily during that moment.

Fox continued to talk with Kuro. "We could go Christmas shopping at the mall if you like." It was merely a suggestion but Kuro didn't have any money or any currency on him. Kuro shrugged and said he didn't have anything when he arrived in this world. Fox handed over Kuro some credits, about 10000 credits. It was enough to last an entire month's worth. Kuro was excited but also very concerned. He just met Fox almost a day ago and he is already so generous. "Fox? Are you sure this is okay?" He didn't want to be greedy nor guilty of what he was holding.

"It's fine with me, Kuro, let's go to the mall together." Kuro agreed with Fox. Kuro then altered his form to red fox so he wouldn't look out of place when they arrived at the mall. They said their goodbyes to Krystal and Marcus and set off.

Upon arrival, it was a pretty busy day. The reason was that it's the 24th, the day before Christmas or known as Christmas Eve. The crowds were rushing to buy gifts for their families, friends or anyone. Kuro saw a massive amount of people. His eyes beamed with excitement. "Wow, so many people here, Fox." He exclaimed. The mall had an assortment of things like food courts to fun activities to shopping. Kuro just couldn't contain himself. His body was all jittery and excited.

Fox had to calm him down. "Chill out, Kuro, you don't want to go too crazy." Kuro apologizes for his actions but that's how it was. Fox didn't mind it at all. "Now what's the first thing we should do?" Kuro asked.

Fox made a suggestion. "Do you know ice skating?" Malls have this sort of thing and it was brand new to Kuro's ears. Despite being 300 years in age, he never knew about ice skating. Fox told him all about it. "It's really fun I tell you, you get to slide on the ice!"

Kuro heard slide on ice and beamed excitingly. "I like sliding on ice, Fox." The skating arena was just a few distances away from where they stood. Kuro tugged on Fox's arm and rushed over. "Slow down, Kuro, you're gonna make me fall." Kuro was too excited to stop and quickly entered the arena. He didn't wear any skates but he did take his shoes off. Everyone watched as he slid across perfectly from the entrance to the other side. The people were impressed, and some were astonished by his feet dexterity.

Kuro looked back at Fox. "I never heard of ice skating but I know how to slide on ice with my bare feet!" He was performing many tricks that many professional ice skaters knew how to perform. From spins to flips and many more, Kuro knew much more than the pros. Everyone saw his performance and applaud for Kuro. He smiled happily and bowed to the crowd. "Thank you," he waved to everyone. He got out of the arena and put his shoes back on. Fox's expression was indescribable, he felt surprised and impressed.

"You are insane, you don't know ice skating but what was that?" Fox stated.

"Back in my home, we always had events like this and we called it Ice Sliding," Kuro explained that it was competitive among his own kind. It existed every year during the winter as many different teams. Every team sent out one person to perform for their team. "I was chosen to perform for my team, Hyper Kits, and out of 6 teams, I came in 3rd place." It must have been a difficult competition if he astonished the crowd here but got 3rd in his homelands. Fox didn't expect such a competition to be that hard to win. The people were still cheering for Kuro as they left the area elsewhere.

As they left, they encountered Falco and Katt together. Falco and Katt met Kuro for the first time and they even recognized him on the media. Katt pulled her phone and showed photos and videos of Kuro's performance. It must have been that awesome for people to see. Fox then introduced them to Kuro. "Kuro here is a kitsune, he is actually just a fox like me but can transform like a human," Fox explained that he could transform but not right now. It would be a little crazy as people would go nuts seeing a human.

"It's alright, it's still nice to meet you, Kuro," Falco said. Kuro shook his hand and bowed to the avian. He also greeted Katt and bowed down again. Falco continued. "Katt and I are just doing some last day shopping before tomorrow's party." Everyone has plans to have gifts for anyone. Fox and Kuro were here for the same reason. What was Kuro going to buy? Fox said he could do whatever and Kuro decided to pay his debts back to Fox and the others. Kuro said to Fox, "I'll be back in an hour at least." He waved goodbye to Fox, Falco, and Katt and hurried away.

Fox wondered where he was going but he didn't want to ruin the surprise. Fox went with Falco and Katt to the food court to have lunch as they waited.

An hour later,

Kuro met up with the group at the food court within an hour. "Hiya, guys." He panted from running. In his arms, he carried 3 perfectly wrapped gifts. He handed them over to Fox, Falco, and Katt. "Happy Holidays!" He said happily. They thanked him for his gift giving and Kuro set off once more.

"Where's he going?" Katt wondered. She shook the box, "I wonder what's inside?"

"Who knows?" Falco shrugged as he also shook the box.

"I know what's he's doing, it's quite simple really but I really shouldn't say." Fox knew everything about what Kuro was attempting. The 3 stayed and chatted the entire day and saw Kuro come back with 2 more gifts. "Goodness gracious, these 2 were difficult to think about." It took him the entire day to get these two specific presents.

"Who is it for?" Fox asked Kuro.

"It's for Krystal and Marcus. They both deserve something too, right?" He wasn't entirely wrong, Krystal assisted Fox by saving Kuro and Marcus reassured him. They both did deserve something. Fox had an idea, the mall activities and shopping would create his second memory of happiness. It was all started when Marcus calmed him down, a memory of calmness. Who knew what the third memory could be.

Falco and Katt thanked Kuro for the gifts and left the mall. Fox was shocked to see Kuro actually do something like this. "So what did you get those two?"

"Well it wouldn't be a secret to you, it's not your gift so I'll say it," Kuro whispered into Fox's ear. "Falco's is that new game system, I don't know the technology's name and for Katt's gift, it's a lucky necklace that superstitiously provides good luck when worn."

"Wow, those are some great gifts you got them, and how did you know that's probably what they wanted?" It was a simple instinct to Kuro's intelligence.

"I used my superior wisdom to determine what they value and the surroundings they were in," Kuro mentioned that Falco was located in the electronic section and had his eyes on that new gaming system. For Katt, she was interested in all the jewelry but Kuro stayed focused on a particular one, the good luck charm necklace. "I hope they like it."

"I'm sure they will," Fox said back to Kuro.

Meanwhile,

"Mom?" Marcus called to Krystal. They were just finishing up with the cookie dough and were cutting them out into different shapes and figures.

"What is it, Marcus?" Krystal answered back. She easily could've used her telepathy but she wanted to hear the words personally. Marcus whispered into her ears. "Can I get Kuro a gift too?"

Krystal wondered what it could be but it was a secret she couldn't understand when she tapped into Marcus' mind. When Marcus finished explaining the entire process, Krystal agreed with his choices. "Let's finish up in the kitchen before we move on okay, Marcus?" He nodded and hurried away to finish up what was left of his work.

The house door opens up and there entered Fox and Kuro from their mall adventures. "We're back you two, " Fox exclaimed. Krystal and Marcus saw Kuro holding two different wrapped presents. He walked closer to them. "These gifts are made especially for you guys." Kuro handed the brightly colored one to Krystal and the mixed colored blue present to Marcus. "I hope whatever I got you guys is the best you ever receive from me. Think of it as a thank you present for saving me."

"Aw, thanks, Kuro." Krystal hugged the kitsune, "I hope whatever you got is fantastic."

Marcus followed Kuro's polite gesture as he bowed just like him. "Thank you, Mr. Kuro, I hope this gift is also the best gift for this Christmas!" Marcus felt a warm emotion pulsing off the present. He too also hugged Kuro and a lovely gesture.

"I would like to thank you guys for being the greatest friends to help and enjoy life with." Marcus also mentioned the gift he got Kuro but everyone was bound to the same rule. The ruling of Christmas, to not open the present until Christmas Day. Suddenly, Kuro's eyes glowed as he said his second memory was the excitement of shopping and ice skating fun. Fox was there with him when he saw his feelings rise for happiness. His actual memory visioned inside him as he said this.

"The younglings I rescued are safe on another world, and the portal they were sent through went to a world called Cerinia." It felt like the best news for the kitsune. Not only are the younglings safe, but it's on a world where Krystal is familiar with and is near the Lylat System. It was something great to remember for Kuro's life. He was speechless when he remembered about it.

They congratulated Kuro for remembering and Fox bragged about him. "Krystal, Marcus, I kid you not, Kuro is amazing with all his heart." Kuro blushed happily that he flipped back to human form. Marcus pulled Fox over to the side. Fox wondered what he could need with himself further away from Kuro. Krystal already knew about Marcus' plan for tomorrow.

He whispered into Fox's ears, "Dad, I wish to have Kuro apart of this family, as an older brother or uncle. I don't care which, I like Kuro a lot, and he is the best person I've ever met." Fox knew that as Marcus' Christmas wish for tomorrow. It seemed like a lot but Fox agreed. Fox's idea was that Kuro could spend time with Marcus and have fun with new friends and family. Krystal didn't mind having another family member, it was the least they could do for Kuro, he lost his home and family to power hungry humans.

He and Krystal talked about it all through the night before coming to an agreement with a certain plan. "Okay, Krys, this will work, I promise."

Krystal acknowledged and they said their goodnights to each other and slept through the night. Krystal kissed Fox on his lips and told him good night and they slept through the starry night.

Unfortunately for Kuro, for every memory he got back from amnesia, there would be a nightmarish portion right after the good one. His entire family died at the hands of the humans and he cried to himself. That's when Marcus heard and walked over to his room and hugged him to sleep. "Thank you, Marcus, you're just the kind of guy I need forever. Good night."