1Disclaimer: The Fox and the Hound is the property of Daniel P. Mannix and Walt Disney Studios, not mine.

A/N: WHOA, so sorry for the long delay, but I have had tests and exams running out of my ears lately, what with it being the end of the semester and all. Final exams in 2 weeks, ugh. Anyways, here's the long awaited update, and sorry for not leaving notes to the reviewers.

The Fox and the Hound 3: The Next Generation

Part Two: The Older Years

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Boy Meets Girl

"Gotta . . . eat . . . something," Swift panted as he traveled along the stream bed, gazing intently into the water. He had tried, and failed, to catch a fish numerous times and he was beginning to feel a little depressed. He had never actually had to fend for himself before, and it was difficult catching your own food. Also, the fact that he was all alone was beginning to drive him crazy—alone save for the fact that Smokey was hot on his trail and that a bobcat was somewhere out there.

Swift continued along his way, pondering on how he was going to get a decent meal in his condition, when the sound of water splashing reached his ears. At first he tensed, thinking it may be a predator lurking nearby such as a bear or maybe even that bobcat. He pressed himself forward bravely and came upon some nearby bushes where he could hide and peek out safely to see who was making the racket. He gasped when he got a good look at what it was.

A fox, a lady fox, was ankle deep in the water batting at a fish with her front paws, trying to capture it with her pointed claws. Her bright, healthy red coat glistened in the sunlight as it reflected on the water and her ears were pointed perfectly on her head as she concentrated deeply on what she was doing. Her fluffy tail swished back and forth as she kept her balance. Swift couldn't help but stare at her and watch her in action.

Wow, she is gorgeous! And a good fisher-fox from the looks of it. Wow, I wonder what her name is . . . maybe I should go ask her. No, I couldn't do that, she would probably say she has a boyfriend already and tell me to back off. A girl as pretty as that one would have to already have a guy. But of course, miracles happen . . .

With an air of confidence, Swift puffed himself up with a deep breath and walked out into the open behind the lady fox, who was still trying to catch her lunch. Not sure of how to get her attention, Swift nervously cleared his throat—causing the vixen to give a little jump and spin around to look at him.

Boy, she's got some bright blue eyes!!!!

The vixen stared at him in shock for a second, and Swift opened his mouth to say something but before he could utter a sound, the beautiful creature in front of him scowled and said, "And just who do you think you are, sneaking up behind people and scaring them out of their minds??"

Swift was taken aback. "Wha–?"

"Don't you have any manners at all? I mean, good grief, you don't just do that! You made me miss my lunch!"

"I-I'm sorry . . . " Sheesh, females!

"Just exactly what were you doing back there, spying on me? You pervert, don't you have anything better to do than sit there and watch me try to catch a fish? Men! The dumbest creature that Nature invented!"

Swift nearly dropped dead as he witnessed the object of his affection practically chew him out over something as little as merely observing her at work. What was the harm in that? Okay, maybe he should have spoken up sooner, and maybe he could have been more gentlemanly, but what the heck do females expect guys to do anyway?

"Look, I'm sorry, I didn't know," he apologized promptly. "I've never done this before."

"Done what before?"

Almost bashfully he responded, "Um, talked to a . . . girl."

The vixen blinked at him in silence as if trying to figure out what he meant by that, then her face seemed to soften up a little. "Oh."

"Sorry if I bothered you, or freaked you out . . . I'll just be on my way."

With heavy heart, and a feeling of humiliation creeping up on him, Swift turned away from her and continued to walk along the shore line in the direction he had been going previously. But almost as soon as he turned, he heard the girl say,

"Wait a minute!"

He turned to face her, a little curious as to what she wanted, and much to his surprise saw her trotting up to him. She looked rather apologetic.

"Listen, I didn't mean to snap at you like that, you just scared me is all. I'm used to being alone, not many people come up and talk to me like that everyday."

"So, you're like a loner?"

"Sorta. Yeah, you could call it that. Anyways, let's start over. My name's Loki, what's yours?"

Loki, what a pretty name . . . "Swift."

Loki's eyes widened a little bit at the sound of the name. This is the fox that the crazy old owl was looking for! She wondered briefly why this fox was of such interest, to be sought after in that way. Hm, a fox of mystery, I like that . . .

Hm, so Swift finally meets Loki! It may have been a rough start, but I suppose things will get better. Obviously. Lol. Anyways, what will these two be up to in the future? And what will be the update in the supernatural category for Smoky? You'll have to keep reading, and please review!