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

Anonymous but Impressed: Thank you, thank you, I'm glad this story has a feel of drama to it, I was starting to wonder if it did or not!

The Next Political Dynasty: No classes? You suck, lol. Just kidding! Keep reading!

Sunrise19: Thanks! Hope you stay with me!

The Fox and the Hound 3: The Next Generation

Part One: The Younger Years

Chapter Seven: 3 Pups Plus 2 Cubs Equals Trouble

The five youngsters had been cooped up inside the crate for what seemed like hours. After having seen the supposed death of his uncle, Smoky hadn't said much of anything, not in the mood to start another argument. Everybody else felt to uneasy to say anything either, so the journey was made in silence.

At long last, the vehicle carrying them came screeching to a halt. Marty, the man with greasy hair, stepped out of the driver's seat and began to talk to Jeff.

"Hey, when's that Calvin Slade supposed to call us?"

Jeff rolled his eyes as he exited the truck. "You dingy, he's in jail! He can only make one phone call a day, and he's already used it on us today."

"I know that, stupid. I'm just wonderin' why the heck he's wanting all these bloomin' animals for."

Jeff shrugged as he grabbed a hold of the crate containing the two foxes and three hound pups. "Beats me. I do remember him saying something about it having to do with revenge towards the huntsmen and all those folk. Because of their, how'd he say it? Stupid laws protecting wildlife. Said wildlife didn't need protection—it was humans that needed it."

"Oh, so he got throwed in the pen for shooting something he shouldn't have, so he's plotting to do away with all the wildlife, eh?" Marty summed it up. "Whatever, as long as I get paid."

They laughed evilly and began carrying other crates that held such animals as badgers, squirrels, skunks, a few porcupines, and even an assortment of baby animals. Including our pint-sized little friends.

The men didn't bother to look and see that they had accidentally poached a trio of hunting dogs, so they dumped all five of them into a bigger pen over in the corner of the huge warehouse they had deemed headquarters—which was in the middle of nowhere. The five children were roughly shoved into the gated area and locked in, unable to get out. They watched as the other victims of poaching were locked up into other pens and crates. Finally, the last of them were penned, and Jeff and Marty went on out to have a beer.

When they were alone, Ace gave Smoky a glare. "Well, I hope you're proud of yourself. You get us lost in the woods, set off a trap, and get us stuck in here! How are Mom and Dad going to know where we are?"

Smoky shrugged. He felt bad enough as it was without his brother adding to it all. "Maybe they'll see that we're missing and follow our tracks our something," he guessed.

"Yeah, like that's going to work," Swift snorted, sitting down beside Autumn, to whom he muttered, "Dogs. Think they're so smart."

"I heard that," Smoky glowered at him, his floppy ears pulled back against his head.

"Don't start anything with me, it's not my fault we all got kidnapped," Swift snapped, tired of the black-and-tan pup's hostility towards him and his sister. "And it certainly isn't my fault that your uncle passed on to the next—"

Before he could even finish, Smoky had suddenly turned around and pounced on top of the fox, pressing down on his chest and growling softly. "Don't you dare talk about that matter in front of me, do I make myself clear?"

"Smoky, get off of him!" Beulah squeaked, afraid that they were going to start fighting and hurt each other.

When he didn't do so, Swift tucked his hind legs underneath the pup's tummy and kicked him off himself. "And don't you dare think you can pick a fight with me."

Ace was beginning to get tired of this. "Look, why can't we all calm down and act like mature adults about this. Whether we like it or not, we're all stuck in here together. We have to figure our way out of here."

Neither Swift nor Smoky said anything. They didn't even look at each other. Ace rolled his eyes at them. "I swear, you two are acting like babies! Get over yourselves already!"

Smoky turned his head slightly at his brother. "You know, you're starting to sound like Dad now."

"Good. One of us has to, and it obviously isn't going to be you," the oldest pup retorted.

"Hey, nobody told you that you had to listen to me and follow me out in the woods. You could've stayed home like a good little boy."

"Somebody had to keep you out of trouble, but it looks like it didn't work. You always manage to get us in trouble, and you've really outdone yourself this time!"

"What is that supposed to mean?" Smoky growled. "Are you saying this whole shenanigan is my fault? Okay, so I goofed up when I suggested exploring the woods. But if those two men hadn't been around to set up a trap, nothing else would have happened."

"Including what happened to Uncle Chief?" Ace glared. "Because I don't blame them for what happened to him."

Smoky stared at his brother in shock. He had just obviously blamed him for the old dog's death. That was cold, real harsh. Smoky's ego deflated when he heard that verdict.

Beulah finally stepped in between them to keep them from arguing anymore. She hated it when they did this. "Stop it, both of you! Things are already tense around here without you two going at each other. Let's just all calm down and—"

"Get some rest," Autumn finished, yawning a little. "I don't know about everyone else, but I'm dead tired. Momma always says a little rest will calm your nerves."

Man, they sure don't like each other do they? Maybe after they "get some rest", things will start looking up. Or maybe not. It might get worse, and you'll never know unless you keep reading! PLEASE review!