Disclaimer: "The Fox and the Hound" is property of Daniel P. Mannix and Walt Disney Company, not mine...unfortunately.

The Next Political Dynasty: I highly recommend seeing the movie, it is awesome! And it will make this story make a lot more sense as well! Hope you keep reading!

The Fox and the Hound 2: Friends in Need

Chapter Two: Confrontations

Vixey was just starting to get worried when Tod finally returned to their home. She saw the look of distress on his face and her stomach got tight.

"Tod? Tod, what happened?" she asked softly, hoping nothing too serious was going on. She didn't want anything risking the lives of her children.

"Vixey, there's a problem," Tod told her quickly. "About two miles west is a large group of hunters and dogs camping out. I saw the smoke from a fire and I heard barking and mens' voices."

Vixey's ears laid back against her head. Hunters, here in this secluded area of the forest? She didn't think it possible! "But–Tod, they're not going to come close to us are they?"

"I don't know, but I have a feeling that they will," Tod admitted. He looked at Autumn and Swift as they slept together against their mother. He didn't want to lose them. "We have only one choice–we'll have to leave and find somewhere else to live."

Vixey stared at him in disbelief. "Leave? But, where would go? How are we going to travel with two newborn cubs? We'll only be endangering them, they aren't ready to leave the den yet!"

"Maybe you could carry one and I could carry the other," he suggested, not really having a plan in mind. "I haven't worked out all the details yet."

"Tod, if we both carry a cub," Vixey started, getting upset by the whole issue. "I mean, what if something happens, like we get attacked by a wolverine or a mountain lion or something? How are we going to fight it with a baby in our mouths?"

He hadn't thought of that. It would be difficult and dangerous to travel in that fashion. If only they had someone who could act as a look- out for them as they traveled through the forest. Someone strong enough to fight any dangerous predators that may approach as they carried the children off safely. Big Mama would be no help, besides she was back home where she lived in a tree beside Widow Tweed's farm. Dinky and Boomer were definitely of no use here, what with them so clumsy and all. What could they possibly do?

Copper lifted himself up from his seat and placed his front paws on top of the windshield's frame to look out better. He could see the smoke from what he thought might be a huge fire, perhaps a sign that they were close to this campground place. He still was unsure as to what this regional hunt was all about, but if it involved hunting then he was all for it.

Not long after seeing the smoke, the group drove into the entrance of what Copper recognized as a meeting place. Golly, he had never seen so many dogs and humans in one place before in his life! All kinds of dogs were scattered everywhere including retrievers, spaniels, hounds, even some terriers. He wagged his long tail in excitement. This was going to be fun!

Amos parked the jeep in an empty spot suitable for setting up a camp area for themselves. The two dogs jumped down, glad the trip was finally over. Chief was careful not to put too much pressure on his left hind-leg. Although it had been broken nearly two months ago thanks to an unsuccessful fox hunt and a train engine, he was just a little wary of applying force to it, in fear that it would break again. It was still healing up and it did hurt the slightest bit when he ran, but other than that he only had a hardly noticeable limp.

Copper still felt guilty about that accident, feeling that if he had not let Tod escape that night then Chief would have never started chasing him along the railroad tracks and gotten himself nearly killed by an engine. He remembered that night like it happened yesterday, it was the scariest five seconds of his life when he heard that blood-curdling yelp of pain and as he watched his old friend falling down from the bridge, ramming into some boulders along the way.

Copper shook his head to clear the horrible memory from his mind. He was going to have fun here at this camp and he was going to put the past behind him. Just as long as Chief didn't find out the truth of that night's events, everything would be fine.

Amos was starting to unload some of the boxes from the back of his truck when he got a tap on the shoulder. The middle-aged man hated being bothered, but he turned around anyway only to face a person he hadn't seen in years–his brother, Calvin.

The hunter lowered his eyes at his younger brother, who always seemed to enjoy starting an argument with him. Calvin was always the spoiled one, thinking he was better than anyone else. Amos wondered what he was doing here at a regional hunt meet. Calvin was always more of the town boy.

"Surprised to see, big brother?" the brown-haired man questioned in response to Amos' angry look.

"What are you doing here?" Amos growled, causing his two dogs to become interested in the conversation.

Calvin chuckled. "Is that anyway to say hello to the brother you haven't seen in–how long has it been? Oh yeah, thirty years. Talk about long time, no see, eh?"

"Just answer the question, what are you doing here? Aren't you some big-city lawyer somewhere?"

"Glad to see you remember my profession," Calvin grinned out of cockiness. "Well, Amos, I am here for the same reason you are–to hunt."

Amos didn't believe it. His brother had never liked hunting, even when they were little. While he was trying to aim a slingshot at a squirrel, Calvin would always scream for the little animal to run for its life.

"Since when do you hunt?" Amos asked him in distrust. "I always took you for one of those animal-rights people."

"I got into it a few years ago, thanks to a friend who insisted I go with him and a few other guys on a moose hunt," Calvin replied, still grinning. "Not that I live off the land like you do, but I have gotten in a few good shots. In fact, the very friend who got me into this sport–Wally Jones–is the manager of this shindig."

"Must be nice knowing someone on the inside," Amos commented dryly. "That way it will be easier to cheat."

Calvin's eyes narrowed. "I, dear brother, am not a cheater. In fact, I challenge you personally in this hunt. Whichever of us shows up with more game, the winner."

"And what does the winner get?" Amos wanted to know.

Calvin looked down at Copper and smiled. "I say, that's a nice dog. About the same age as my Blue-Tick. How about the winner getting the other man's dog, hm?"

Amos stared at him in disbelief. Give up his dog, his Copper? How preposterous! But, Calvin's offer was tempting, and besides he had faith in his hounds. They would easily beat the no-good brother at his game.

"You're on," Amos smiled crookedly as he shook hands with him.

The dogs had no idea what the two men were talking about, but they could automatically assume from the Master's tone of voice that he was not a guy to be friendly with. In fact, they each made mental notes to stay away from this man, whoever he was.

Hm, Calvin sounds pretty mean huh? Looks like the challenge is on, will this effect any future events that should happen? Will Tod get any help in moving his family? Keep reading to find out, and if you're reading, please review!