Thank you guys for all the reviews for the last chapter. They made me smile :D I hope you enjoy this chapter. Its a bit of track from the others but I have to say, I REALLY enjoyed writing this one. Enjoy!

Chapter Fourteen: Miki - The Lonely Fox

I was walking home with Miki when I realized something. It feels quieter than normal. But this is how it used to be, just me and Miki. I looked down at him. He had a content smile on his face. He seemed to be enjoying it here so far. That made me happy. His happiness has always meant a great deal to me. I frowned slightly, things haven't always been the easiest for him.

With steady pace and tapping of my feet, I began to remember when I first met Miki.

It was four years ago when I made it to the Red Valley. The reason it was called the Red Valley is because for some reason the grass is a deep crimson colour. I was in awe when I first saw it. I plucked a blade of grass, studying it. It was odd but beautiful. I ventured into the valley going deep, the grass growing taller and taller. 'I wonder if red glass is edible?' Being the glutton that I am, I was always curious if things were edible. I walked into a large patch and grabbed a long blade. I sniffed it and found nothing wrong with it. Just as I was about to take a bite, a voice spoke up behind the long grass.

"I wouldn't eat that if I were you." The voice sounded small. I looked around to see if I could find the person who had spoken.

"Where are you?" I asked, continuously surveying the grass. I heard a ruffle in the grass and when I looked I saw two shining eyes within the grass. "So there you are." I said and crouched down. "And why cant I eat this?" I said while holding out the blade of grass.

"It's poisonous."

"I see." I said and threw it away. "Can I take a look at my saviour?" I said with a smiling face, hoping that the little thing wouldn't be afraid of me.

I heard a bit of rustling and a little red fox came out of the patch of grass. Whats more, the fox was on fire, well in certain spots. He had the most solid, gold coloured eyes that I had ever seen. 'How cute!'

"Well hello there, thanks for helping me out."

"You're welcome." He said in a small voice while looking away.

Awe, he's a bit shy, thats adorable.

"I'm Annabel. What's your name, little guy?"

"Miki" He whispered.

"Miki, huh. Such a nice name. "

He slightly nodded.

I went to give him a pat on the head but he backed away.

"You cant touch me, you'll only get burnt." He stepped back and his face turned downcast. Why is he upset, I wonder?

"Don't worry about me, I wont get burnt." I began to reach out my hand and he started to hiss. I wanted to prove a point and continued, not deterred by his hissing. I patted his head and started to scratch him behind the ears. Miki looked up at me, his eyes wide open.

"Why aren't you getting burnt?" He asked, stunned.

I pulled my hand away, opening my palm and smiled again. "Look." I ignited my hand showing him my own flames. His eyes sparkled at the spectacle. "I use fire magic. Mine is a bit special and I don't get burnt by any other type of fire."

He looked at me skeptically for a moment but then I could see that his mood was lightening up and that he was actually leaning into my hand for another scratch. I grinned. What a sweet thing. Though, I wonder why he was so hostile before.

"Are there more foxes around here?" I stood up looking around the valley to see if I could spot some rustling in the grassy patches. Miki nodded his head and began walking away.

"If you want to come, you can." He said almost embarrassingly. I ran to catch up to him. We walked for a few minutes, reaching the edge of the flat valley and into some more hilly terrain. I noticed numerous small holes that lead underground. Miki stopped walking.

"This is where I live." He said solemnly. I frowned slightly, I want to help him but I don't know whats wrong. Suddenly, numerous foxes came in front of us. They were all red, orange, yellow or grey, but what I noticed was that none of them had fiery fur like Miki. I looked over at him and he head was held low, avoiding the gazes of the newcomers. As I looked at all the other foxes I noticed that they were giving off a bad vibe. They looked at Miki with disgust and annoyance in their eyes. Why?

I stepped in front of Miki to gain all the littles foxes attention so that Miki wasn't suffering under their negatives gazes.

"Hello." I put on a fake smile. "Nice to meet you all." I gave a slight bow.

"You are not welcome here." An older fox said as he came up from the crowd.

"I'm sorry? I was invited here by Miki." I said, curiosity evident in my eyes.

"Yes, but we do not welcome humans, let alone anyone that is in company with 'it'." He said 'it' directed towards Miki.

"Wait. Miki is not and 'it'. He is as much a fox as the rest of you." I said with a snap in my voice.

"We," He said motioning to his fellow foxes. "Do not agree." They all raised their snouts snobbishly. This fox was getting on my nerves.

"Why do you dislike Miki so much?" I almost yelled at them.

"Have you taken a good look at 'it' and at the rest of us? 'It' is abnormal. Not a fox at all." Miki slouched even lower and I could smell the saltiness of his tears that began to fall. That was the last straw.

"Is it because he has fire on his body?" I said, eyes closed to try and do my best not to go to town on these little foxes.

"Of course, 'it' is a menace to our home. That fire is a sign of evil."

"Evil, huh." I whispered. "You haven't seen the extent of fire yet!" In my rage, I surrounded my body in red-golden flames. The flames burst around me and some foxes ran away and some stepped back, shocked from what they were seeing.

The old fox took a small step back and began to yell. "You are evil. Begone! You are as bad as 'it' is!" Oh, I wanted to burn that fox then and there but that wasn't going to get my point across. I willed my flames to subside. Once they disappeared I spoke.

"I will not hurt you because I am not evil. Miki is not evil. But if you insist to continue to treat him this way I will not allow it." I turned around and kneeled in front on Miki. He was sobbing slightly into the red grass. I patted his head and then lifted up his tiny chin. "Miki do you want to come with me?"

He looked at me, tears still spilling out of his eyes. "Really? You'd take a fox that isn't wanted?

"What do you mean? I want you to come with me. You are special, and it's time you realized it." I smiled wholeheartedly at him. He moved to all fours and nodded.

"Okay, I'll go with you." Happily, I grabbed him and lifted him up into my arms. He nuzzled his face into my chest affectionately. As I turned to leave the old fox spoke again.

"Good riddance." He muttered. Geez, he just had to go and say that. I turned on my heel and made a fire whip and slashed it out at the grass of their grassy home. It wasn't in me to hurt any of the foxes but I wasn't about to let them off with the way they treated Miki. Their hills were now catching on fire and the foxes scrambled around trying to figure out how to stop the flames from spreading. Even if they weren't able to extinguish the flames, they will disappear once I am far enough away. I wouldn't want the whole Red Valley to burst into flames.

Miki stayed in my arms and silently slept, a small smile hung on his mouth.

"You are special. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." I leaded down and gave him a light kiss on the top of his head.

It's been a long time since the day we met. I looked down at him as we entered our apartment. He has grown so much. Well, not size wise, but emotionally. Once we got inside I picked him up and held him close.

"W-whats up with you all of a sudden Annabel?" He asked while struggling to get out of my grasp.

"I just love you." I said rubbing my face into his fur, enjoying the tickling of his fiery ears on my face.

"Shouldn't you be saying that to Natsu?" He snickered. My eyes popped open and I dropped him.

"W-w-what makes you say that?" My cheeks began to turn as red as the Red Valley grass.

"Just because I know you love him! Hehe, I cant wait to tell everyone!" He laughed and ran away.

"M-Miki!"

A/N: I would like to make a single name for Natsu and Annabel! If people have any ideas please leave them in the review or message me! The most common name idea will win!

Thanks for reading. I thought I should do a side story to talk about their relationship and I actually really liked writing this one. Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. It puts a smile on my face when I know people are enjoying my story. Again, please review and even add suggestions about what you might want to see happen in the future! Ciao! 3