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

Forever Young: Nope, he's not getting much sleep at all, poor thing! Yeah, but what do you expect from two brothers who practically hate each other? Keep reading!

The Next Political Dynasty: Not going to promise that they WON'T run into the lion! Keep reading!

Anonymous but Impressed: Thank you very much. I'm glad you like the building drama, and there's plenty more to come! Keep reading!

narfgirl: Yes, the mountain lion is making the story pick up pace, isn't it? Glad you like it, keep reading!

The Fox and the Hound 2: Friends in Need

Chapter Ten: Talking It Over

"You say you saw the mountain lion?" Copper asked Tod that night while they were getting ready to continue moving.

"Yeah, sometime during the evening," Tod replied. "Sure was big. I've never seen one around here before."

"That's what I was told. Everybody at camp sure got excited over it. Except the Master of course. I don't think he believes there's one out here."

"Well, there is one, I can tell you that right now," the fox told him. "Hopefully, nobody tries to go out and kill him. Those lions can be pretty dangerous, from what I've heard."

Vixey emerged with Autumn, the girl cub, in her mouth and Tod leaned down to grab Swift up. "Good thing you're here, Copper. I don't think I could beat up a mountain lion alone."

Copper smiled in return. He prayed that things wouldn't come down to him having to beat up a "devil cat", but if he ever did he was glad Tod would be there to help him. He wondered briefly what Belle would think if he won a fight against a over-sized kitty. He could almost see the look of jealousy on Buster's face when he drug home that trophy!

Tod noticed that Copper's mind was upon other things, so he asked (while holding his son in his mouth),

"So, how's things with you? You haven't really said much about what all's been gong on."

"Nothing really, I don't guess." Tod gave him a look that read "yeah right, I can tell when you're holding something back, so you may as well tell me".

Copper sighed. "Well, there is this girl..."

"Aw, does somebody have a little crushy-wushy?" the fox teased. "Just kidding. What's her name?"

"Belle."

"Does she know you like her?"

Copper shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe. Kinda hard to tell with girls."

"I know what you mean," Tod whispered, hoping his wife wouldn't hear him.

"I heard that!" Vixey said from the front of the line, still toting Autumn around.

Tod grinned innocently, then went back to conversing with Copper. "So, why haven't you told her yet?"

"Gee, it's kinda hard too. I don't know how to talk to girls. Besides, every time I get a chance to talk to her, this big guy named Buster always butts in."

"Buster? Who's that, her boyfriend?"

Copper managed to let out a little laugh. "Yeah, right. She hates his guts. They just have the same Master is all. But that Buster, he's such a bully! He thinks he's better than everyone, and likes to brag about it too."

"Sounds rough. I hope you put him in his place."

"Thanks." It helped talking all this over. Made the problems seem easier to handle.

Tod cleared his throat. "So, uh, how's Chief been doing? You know, ever since that accident. Hope he didn't get too banged up."

"He's fine, just had a broken leg is all. Still kinda limps though, but other than that he's doing all right."

Tod nodded. "That's good." He paused a few seconds before going on. "You know, I did feel bad about what happened to him. I was concerned when I saw he wasn't getting up, after he landed in that river. Thought he might of died."

"It's all right, it wasn't your fault," Copper assured him, growing sad as he remembered the events that happened that night. "I'm sorry I blamed you for it. It's just that...well, I always thought of Chief as being like a father to me. And seeing him getting hurt like that..."

"Hey, it's okay, I understand," Tod interrupted, seeing his friend was reliving memories that he would rather forget. "It's all in the past, so apologies accepted, and we can get on with our lives."

They gave each other mutual smiles, and continued through the night in silence...not wanting to attract a certain cat.

Aw, Tod forgave Copper for trying to kill him! So sweet, having them get all that out into the open. At least the "devil cat" didn't get to them! Next chapter will have action in it, I promise! Please review, and continue reading this!