IV Chapter 35: Growing Up

Tod and Vixey watched, as their children played with their hound friends down below. Now in the safety of the Slade's yard, the kids had nothing to worry about.

Widow and the Slade's watched the critters from Liam's new patio. Chief, Daisy, and Copper were sitting on the edge, making sure to step in if the children got too rough.

Cap was the happiest kit in the world. Now, his sister and Shadow join the two boys for their daily shenanigans. It had been a couple weeks since the incident, and Cap's leg was fully healed. He could run circles around his friends! They couldn't catch him! He donned a new hat, this time it was black. Alex asked Widow to make him another one, and she happily obliged. On the front of it, in white letters, spelled "COPPER".

It was still a couple months until the hunting season began; the time when. Scoot and Shadow would leave for their trip.

As the two kits were playing, Amos noticed his old enemy on the hill. He decided to get up and walk to him.

Tod watched, as Amos made his way toward him. He was a little startled, when the hunter sat next to him. After a while, Tod realized Amos was being peaceful, so he laid down next to him. The hunter put his hand on the foxes upper back. The two glanced at each other.

Amos sighed. "Seems like even though we're supposed to be at each other's throats, we still have one thing in common. Family. You're just makin' sure those kits of yours are safe, while I'm makin' sure I got enough money t' provide for them."

Amos put his hands in his lap, and watched the pups playing down below. "You seem to care about Copper's kin too. If it weren't for you, Alex's puppy would be dead."

The fox put his paws on Amos' lap. The man chuckled. "Don't get all cuddly with me. You're still a pest! But I see no value of killing you anymore. You don't deserve it."

The hunter got to his feet. "I know you can't understand me, but I'll say it anyways: I won't hurt your family, as long as you don't hurt mine."

Tod watched Amos slowly walk away. He couldn't help but smile.

Scoot was exhausted from running around.

Cap stopped in his tracks. "Aww come on, hunting dog!" He mocked. "How ya gonna outrun those animals ya gotta catch, if ya don't have enough energy to keep up with a little fox?"

Scoot panted. "Not. Everyone. Is as fast. As. You." He collapsed next to Chief. The old hound chuckled.

The two girls were also laying down. Chief didn't seem to mind Lily, as she was mostly calm.

Copper noticed Tod watching down him, so he trekked up the hill. It was a lot farther then it looked! He sat next to his old fox pal. They shared a mutual smile. Both of them stared toward their kids.

"Whoever knew this would happen?" Copper asked. "I mean, our kids are playing together, and no one cares! The foxes and hounds aren't enemies!"

Tod sighed. "But I'm worried about the future."

"Whaddya mean?"

"Scoot and Shadow are going on a hunting trip soon, yes?"

"Uhh yeah, why?"

Tod turned to his friend. "You changed after the hunt."

Copper groaned. "Oh, come on Tod! Scoot and Shadow aren't going to hurt Copper and Lily! They've known each other for a while, trust me!"

Vixey was keeping a close eye on her daughter. "She's going to be a target when she's older."

Copper shook his head. "Nah, Alex isn't gonna let any harm come to your children. He loves them."

Down below, Alex could be seen holding Cap. "He also vaccinated her, so it would be a waste to kill her." Copper continued. Alex picked up Lily and put her on his other shoulder. "Your kids love him too."

Vixey started to calm down, when her kits fell asleep in Alex's arms, and he started to bring them towards her.

When Alex got to the top, he was exhausted. "Gee, Tod- you really+ picked a far spot to- scout, huh?"

He placed the two kits on the floor, who ran to their parents. The boy sat in the edge of the hill, next to the mother fox.

Vixey was anxious. "Uhh... This guy thinks he can just sit next t-"

Her words were cut short, when Alex started scratching her head. She rolled next to him.

Cap giggled. "Feels good, doesn't it mama?'

Vixey rolled her eyes. "I guess."

The six of them didn't notice the two puppies who snuck up on them.

Scoot tackled Cap. "Hey wha!" The fox cried.

"Scared ya, didn't I?" The puppy jeered.

Cap stuck out his tongue. "Maybe!" As he kicked Scoot off of him.

"Calm down guys!" Yelled Copper. "Just sit down and shut up!"

"But daddy!" Whined Scoot.

"Shut up!" Shouted Tod. "We're trying to talk without you yahoos interrupting us!"

Eventually, the younger animals laid down next to Alex, who was gazing down at his grandfather's farm. A new home was being built for him.

Widow glanced up, and saw Alex with the fox family. She smiled when she saw Tod, who turned to face her. She could of sworn that he winked at her.

Alex picked Cap up, and held him in his arms. The Kit's green eyes were open wide, staring at the boy's face. Alex closed his eyes, as he held the fox closer. "I'll never hurt you guys. Ever. You're part of my family now."

Scoot leapt into his owners arms, covering his face in slobber.

Until the sunset, the young Hunter and his hounds sat with the foxes, of whom was supposed to be their prey..

Two months later. It was time for Scoot and Shadow to learn how to properly hunt. Scoot was pacing by his friend. "Cap, if you don't want me to go, I won't! Alex will understand!"

The fox just smirked. "Scoot, No! This is who you are! I'm not stopping you!"

The hound gulped. Well I wasn't expecting that!

"Scoot!" Alex's voice called.

Both the fox and the hound ran out toward the hunter's truck.

"Wait!" Cap shouted.

The hound stopped, and turned around to face his friend. "What!?"

The fox pleaded. "Remember me."

Scoot was confused. "I'm not going to forg-". He realized what his friend meant now. He gave Cap a reassuring smile. "I will remember you. Our encounters in the future will be no different than they are now!"

Alex and Liam were in the car with their puppies, Copper, Daisy and their hunting equipment, ready for the next couple months of training. The boy gave a quick wave to the foxes, then the truck sped away.

As Scoot watched his friend wave to him as he left, his words echoed in his head. Remember me.

Time has a way of changing things...

It was now the end of winter. A grown up fox emerged from his family's burrow. His new brothers and sisters were still asleep. He perched himself on the hill, waiting desperately for the day his friend would be back. The old hound down below woke up. Cap decided to run down to him.

"Hey buddy!" The fox exclaimed.

The hound looked none too happy. " Is that... you, Cap!?

Cap smirked at Chief. "What gave it away? It couldn't have been the hat I've worn for all eternity, could it?"

Chief groaned. "You're much brighter than your meddlin' father, actually. What are you doing here, anyway?"

"Waiting for my old pal, what do you think."

Chief processed what he said, then proceeded to roll on the floor laughing.

"What's so funny?"

"You- think that Scoot- won't tear you- up? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

The fox frowned. "Uh... I know he wont!"

The hound ended his giggling. "Whatever, kid. You're fair game now. You aren't the cuddly kit you used to be!"

Cap was about to respond, when he heard a noise in the distance. Chief smiled. "Let's see how this goes now!"

The sound of Alex's engine roared from the street, as it eventually parked in the yard. As the boy for out, he saw Cap on the other side of the yard. He wasn't smiling though.

Liam lifted the large case that held all the skins from the trip. He set it in his garage. Copper and the now grown up hounds exited the vehicle. Scoot faced his master. Until he heard a voice.

"Scoot!"

The hound turned in the direction of the sound. He saw the fox, and growled, before he he sprinted towards him at full speed.

Remember who your friends are...

Cap was getting nervous. His old friend didn't take to kind to his call out. The fox attempted to escape, but it was too late!

Scoot pinned Cap to the ground. The fox closed his eyes. "You don't remember me... do you?"

The hounds breathing stabilized. He got a closer look at the fox "Of... course I remember you.. Copper!" He hopped off of his friend. "Scared ya! Didn't I?!"

The fox got to his feet. "Not cool!"

The sound of high pitched barking made the two of them turn, as two young puppies ran toward them.

One of them was a light brown color. It bumped into Scoot.

"Hey!" Scoot shouted at the . "Tod! Knock it off!"

The fox stared at his friend. "You just called him... Tod!?"

Scoot chuckled. "He's my brother. Amos named him!"

Suddenly, a dark red kit jumped out of the woods, straight at Scoot. The hound growled, before the kit reconciled. "Oh, please I'm sorry. Don't eat me mister hound! I didn't mean to..."

"Can it Buster!" Cap yelled. "You're fine!"

Now, it was Scoot's turn to be confused. "His name is... Buster?!"

Cap giggled. "He's my brother. I named him!"

Now, Alex was approaching the four of them. "Some things never change! Long time no see, Cap!"

Cap wanted to show Alex something. He called to Copper and Shadow. "Follow me, guys!"

As they followed him, Alex ran with them. What did Cap want them to see?

A/N: Like I said, I want to rewrite this story in a more darker tone if I have time. There's still 2 more chapters to go!