Copper and Tod tore across the forest floor rushing back towards Amos' place with all the speed they could muster. In order to make the trip as speed efficient as possible, Copper had placed Chipi on his back and there the little puppy just rode as they ran on through the forest.
Right now, the puppy just sat where she was on Copper's back thinking through the conversation she had just had with Binx's mom, Vixey before she had headed out with Copper and Tod back to the farm to make sure Binx was ok, Vixey staying to guard the other cubs in the den.
Vixey's mind had been in a whirl, the most foremost thoughts being utter and complete fear that something had happened to her poor young cub; yet along with these feelings, Vixey also found herself stealing glances over to Chipi. The female fox needed only look at the puppy's worried, scare face once and her heart contract in guilt. She felt she had to say something to the pup. What had Binx said the little one's name was again? Oh yeah!
"Ch-Chipi" Vixey said hesitantly. Chipi raised her head slightly and turned to look at Vixey curiously, "Yeah?". Vixey looked down a bit, "I--I believe I--well I think I misjudged you" she said, "and I just wanted you to know that I'm sorry for trying to chase you away back in the reserve, when you clearly didn't deserve it".
Chipi smiled, "Aww that's ok miss Binx's mom" she said. Vixey smiled at the little puppy and Tod found that even in his worried state he couldn't help but smile.
Chipi was brought out her remembrances as the brown fence of Amos' place suddenly appeared in front of them. The puppy leapt from Copper's back and rushed forward as Copper and Tod quickly followed. Chipi glanced around and noticed that Amos, Andy and Chief were no where to be found in the yard, and over in the corner where Binx had been injured the other two young animals, Midnight and Scuff were all gathered around the young fox.
"Guys" Chipi called, causing both of them to turn to look at her. Binx's head popped up from behind them and the fox smiled as he spotted Chipi. Midnight opened his mouth as if to say something, but Scuff cut the young raccoon off and stepped forward immediately. "Why don't you just clear out of here!" the young badger said to Chipi.
"Scuff!" Binx shouted, shocked and annoyed. Scuff turned and shot the fox a look, "You just rest Binx, I'll handle this" he said, turning to Chipi once more. "Pretty well thought out plan" Scuff commented as he began walking circles around the puppy. Chipi looked confused, "What was?".
"Luring Binx over here" Scuff answered, "giving him a false sense of protection, biding your time just long enough for your babysitter to sneak up on him!". Chipi looked shocked at the accusation, as did Midnight. Binx narrowed his eyes angrily and looked like he might say something, but Scuff began pacing around Chipi again as he continued; "You were going to get us one by one in the same way as Binx, weren't you!" the young badger said, "Yeah, that was your plan, make us think you were on our side, lie and make us think you were really our friend, then we'd trust you; trust you even as you lead us into the jaws of the other big hunting dogs".
"That's not true!" Chipi shouted, almost on the verge of tears. Scuff frowned as he stopped pacing and stood in front of the puppy, "Yeah?" he questioned unbelieving, "Then why did you run away the second Binx got hurt and leave him here for the hunters to finish off, afraid we would catch on to your little plan and suddenly know what you were really up to!".
"No" Chipi whispered, unable to actually talk as tears streamed down her face. Binx frowned, he had really had enough of this! "Scuff, back off!" the young fox shouted, slowly raising himself onto his feet. Midnight looked worried as Binx stood up, "Binx! Don't--!" he began worriedly, but Binx waved him off and continued standing. He then limped his way over to where Scuff was.
"For you're information Chipi stood up to that other dog who was her babysitter in order to save me, it just didn't work very well" Binx said, "but don't you dare question her truthfulness! She bit her babysitter on the leg and has possibly made him hate her forever, all just so he wouldn't hurt me! I don't deserve a friend like that, and I know you certainly don't!" Binx finished, with a hard look at Scuff.
From where he stood over next to the fence, Midnight smiled broadly at Binx's little speech in Chipi's defense. "Yeah Scuff" he said, "stop making stuff up about a really great puppy". Chipi smiled and felt like she might cry again, but not because of sadness this time.
Scuff didn't know how to react. "Well--I--" he stuttered, "then why did she run off!" he said. "Scuff" Chipi said, "I was getting Binx's parents, so they'd help him". Scuff looked confused and then, glancing back at the other end of the yard where the fence faced the forest, noticed Copper and Tod there watching the whole thing as they tried to figure out how to make it across the yard inconspicously. Well, actually no one noticed the fact that Copper was with Binx's father, or saw it that way, they just saw it as him being in the yard.
There was something about the fact that Scuff's little tirade had been seen by Binx's dad that made it especially embarrassing; it was always that way when you messed up in front of grow-ups. Scuff turned to look at Chipi, "So--you were really only helping?" he asked. Chipi nodded. "and you really are our friend?" Scuff asked again. Chipi nodded again, "Yes of course Scuff!" she said. The young badger looked down slightly and found that for right now all his pride would allow him was a mumbled, "Sorry"; but there was more behind the apology then just the simple word.
From where he had been watching, Tod shook his head, "I really shouldn't have doubted the kid after the quail incident" he said. Copper looked confused at this and glanced over to Tod, "quail incident?". Tod nodded, "Yeah, you see--" and the fox began to go into the tale of how he and Chipi had startled each other that day when Andy first took the puppy out to hunt.
Once he finished, Copper had only one reply. "That was you!". Now it was Tod's turn to look confused, "What?". Copper then admitted that he and even Chief had heard this story before, only they had heard it from the perspective of a little spaniel puppy. "Hmm" Tod chuckled when Copper was done, "and she told you I attacked her".
Copper grinned, "Well no, that's what Chief heard when she told the story". Tod nodded, "Oh, he would" he muttered. Copper smirked and decided to let the comment slide. He sighed and the smirk left his face as he looked over at Binx's cut leg that was wobbling as the young fox stood on it. "He didn't know" Copper said, "I mean--he didn't mean to--". Tod's face set hard and he just nodded.
Suddenly the two friend's conversation was halted as the injured leg Binx was wobbling on actually gave out, causing the young fox to fall. "Binx!" Chipi gasped. She moved forward and caught the young fox as he fell. Tod immediately didn't care about the best way to manage getting across the yard, he just rushed forward to his son's side.