A/N: Though I know that there aren't any birds in Zootopia and even I myself have avoided putting them into any of my fanfictions, this fic will have birds in it. So just pretend for the sake of this fic that birds exist in the Zootopia universe but are not evolved like mammals. They're still normal animals as they are in the real world :)

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Raspberries Challenge #9: Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Bunny

In the wake of her sixteenth birthday, a lovely gray bunny with amethyst eyes strolled through the forest in search of berries. Briar Rose, the bunny in question sang a simple yet graceful melody with her angelic voice.

Aaaaaaa

Ha...ha...

Aaaaa...

Through her heavenly voice, she gained the attention of various little songbirds. Soon enough, a bluebird chirped the same melody as she did.

Cheeeep

Cheep...cheep…

Cheeeep...

The little bluebird glided down to her, settling on a branch just as Briar Rose repeated the melody.

Aaaaaaa

Ha...ha...

Aaaaa...

The blue bird attempted to cheerfully repeat the tune when a red cardinal joined it on the same branch and eagerly bounced as he chirped, causing the poor bluebird to fall off.

Luckily for the bluebird, Briar Rose placed her paw below the branch, catching the little bluebird before he could hit the ground. The grateful little bluebird gave her a bashful 'thank you' kiss on her cheek.

The happy bunny sang the melody once more as she helped the bluebird into the air.

Aaaaaaa

Ha...ha...

Aaaaa…

The merry bluebird and cardinal flew over to a tree to awaken some of their other feathered friends - two yellow birds - to join them in welcoming their bunny friend.

The two yellow birds happily flew over to help fetch their sleeping owl friend. Indeed the poor owl was still snoring within a thick tree trunk himself just as the two yellow birds pushed him out of his home, onto the tree branch, and down below. He spread his wings open just in time to allow himself to gently float down into Briar Rose's empty berry basket. Upon seeing the bunny, the owl didn't seem to mind being shoved out of his home and into the light of day. For he as with the rest of the birds, knew the bunny. She was their friend and a regular to the forest whenever her adoptive uncles and aunt would ask her to go out and collect berries.

Yes, Briar Rose lived a very humble and simple life. Though in truth her life was anything but.

For unknown to her, the bunny's name was not Briar Rose, but Judith Hopps. Princess Judith Hopps, daughter of the royal king and queen of the Zootopian Kingdom, King Stuart Hopps and Queen Bonnie Hopps.

Her peasant uncles and aunt were not who they seemed to be either. In reality they were not normal everyday mammals, they were in fact, fairies. Fairies who took it upon themselves to care for the young bunny since her infancy in order to protect her from an evil curse placed upon her by the cruel sorceress, Bellwether. A sheep with a heart as black as the long robe she wore.

Angered by the mere and petty fact that she was not invited to the presentation of the new princess, the vengeful sheep cursed the child - and declared that upon her sixteenth birthday, the young bunny would prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die!

Though Judith's fairies could do nothing to reverse the spell, they were at the least able to undo the result of the curse if it were to ever come to fruition. So that rather than dying, Judith would merely fall into a deep sleep until awakened by true love's kiss.

Fearful of taking any chances however, Judith's father, King Stuart ordered that all spinning wheels be burned as a precaution to protect his daughter.

As an extra means of precaution, Finnick, the leader of the three good fairies suggested to the king that they be allowed to take Judith to live with them in the countryside and raise her as an ordinary peasant girl. This way, Bellwether would not be able to keep tabs on Judith and force her to prick herself on a spinning wheel when she would come of age for the curse to take effect. The fairies themselves would also be left without magic for these long sixteen years in order to keep Bellwether from sensing their magic and locating Judith.

Though difficult at first, considering that they were unaccustomed to living without magic (particularly Clawhauser), the fairies eventually made do and successfully managed to raise Judith into a fine young doe. Now, on the day of her sixteenth birthday, it was a time to celebrate! For today was not only the young princess' birthday, but it was also at last the day that she would finally be returned to her parents.

Though Judith knew nothing about her true parentage, she still knew that today was a special day. Not only because it was her birthday and her uncles and aunt had obviously sent her out looking for berries as a means to get her out of the cottage so that they can plan something nice for her, but because she had a very special dream that she just had to share with her little woodland friends.

Judith continued to hum her happy tune as more little birds followed her on her berry picking venture. She crossed a log leading to the other half of the forest, just as a roofless royal carriage wheeled by in the distance.

The carriage was pulled by a middle aged grayish-white horse with a black mane named Samson. Within the royal carriage rode a young red fox by the name of Nicholas Wilde. Prince Nicholas Wilde to be exact. The son of King Stuart's best friend, King Jonathan Wilde and Judith's betrothed. Though this was a fact that Judith was ignorant to.

The laid back prince rode very casually - he had his arms rested behind his head, his back slouched against his seat, his feet up on the opposite seat, and his red cap flopped over his eyes.

"I do say sire," declared the horse, "We're making rather good time aren't we? At this rate we'll make it to the Hopps castle long before sunset."

"Mhm," the fox responded with a lazy and far too relaxed hum.

"Are you excited to meet your future bride, sire?" asked the horse.

"Huh?" Prince Nicholas lifted his cap to view the horse.

"I asked if you're excited to meet your bride today? She's expected to come home today, you know."

"Well, sure I guess," the fox replied somewhat uncertain, "I just hope I like her. I mean I haven't seen her in sixteen years. Last time I saw her she was still a baby and getting cursed by some sheep witch."

"Yes, I remember that day," replied the horse, "You were still very young yourself. I'm surprised you remember everything so well."

"I wonder what happened to her in all this time?" the prince asked himself.

Just then, Prince Nicholas' ears stood on end, catching sound of what appeared to be angelic singing in the distance. "What's that?" Nicholas asked as he looked toward the distance behind them.

"What's what?" asked the horse.

"That! Listen!" Prince Nicholas perked an ear to listen carefully.

Aaaaaaa

Ha...ha...

Aaaaa…

"Beautiful…" Prince Nicholas breathed, enchanted by the unknown voice.

Samson merely rolled his eyes, "Come now sire, we've no time to be chasing after phantom voices."

"Aw come on Samson, you can't tell me you're not a little bit curious to know what that voice is," said the fox prince, attempting to have his driver take him to the source of the mysterious voice.

"I don't much trust the unknown sire. What if it's a siren?"

"No siren can have a voice that angelic. Besides, that's just a myth. Come on, let's go see," Nicholas insisted.

"I don't believe we should sire, we're expected," argued the horse as he continued forward.

"Not even for a keg of oats?" answered the fox with a sly grin, knowing the horse's weakness for food. As expected, the horse froze in place and looked at the prince. "Followed by a month's supply of carrots? I know your wife loves baking you carrot cakes and we are going to a bunny kingdom after all. I'll bet they're just swimming in carrots and don't even know what to do with them or who to give them to."

The gluttonous Samson licked his lips, "Hold on tight sire! It may be a bumpy ride!" declared the horse as he turned the carriage around.

"Atta boy Samson!" cheered the fox, eager to find the source of the beautifully haunting voice.

Samson ran at full speed through the forest, dragging the carriage every which way in an attempt to pinpoint the voice. For a moment, he lost wind of it and stopped at an opening between a thicket of trees. Nick perked his ear to listen…

Aaaaa…

Ha...ha...

Aaaaa…

"Over there!" Prince Nicholas pointed ahead. Samson followed the fox's direction and headed there at full speed, failing to see the large tree root sticking up from the ground. The carriage wheels crashed into it, causing the carriage to fling the royal fox right out of his seat!

"WHOA!"

SPLASH!

Samson stopped in his tracks upon hearing the splash. Whoops…

The horse turned to see the young fox prince soaked to the bone and sitting in the middle of a small lake. The horse cautiously approached him and lifted his red cap. "Going for a quick swim, sire?"

The grumpy fox splashed some water in his face, "No carrots."

.

Back in the woods, Judith picked some berries as she sang a new little song:

I wonder

I wonder

I wonder why each little bird…

Has a someone

Two of Judith's little feathered friends cuddled together. The bunny smiled, happy for them.

To sing to

Sweet things to

Judith's owl friend settled on a branch with a small flower in his mouth - a gift for his bunny friend. Judith gave him a bow, graciously accepting his gift.

A gay little love melody

The owl smiled happily as he and Judith's other feathered friends followed her as she slowly approached the cliff edge overseeing the Hopps castle in the distance.

I wonder

I wonder...

If my heart keeps singing

Will my song go winging

To someone…

Who'll find me

Upon reaching the cliff edge, the bunny settled her basket and arms on a low hanging branch as she gazed longingly toward the castle. She didn't know why, but as long as she could remember she had always felt some strange connection toward that castle. If not for anything else, but because she just wished to interact with more animals. Her entire life she's been isolated in her family's cottage. It's not that she didn't love or enjoy her uncles' and aunt's company, but she did at times wish that she could interact and make friends with other mammals, preferably those more near her age.

And perhaps even, one day finding that special mammal just for her...

And bring back a love song

To me...

Alas, Judith knew all that was just a dream.

She sighed miserably as she walked back into the forest with her head low in disappointment. "Why do they still treat me like a child?"

Her concerned owl friend flew over to her, "Who?" he curiously hooted to her face.

"Uncle Finnick and Aunt Fru-Fru and Uncle Clawhauser," Judith said with a somewhat resigned shrug. The bunny sat by the lake's bank, casually dipping her toes in the water. "They never want to meet anyone. They say it's too dangerous for me to be outside, because you can't be too careful with strangers."

Her bird friends chirped sadly for her. Judith giggled kindheartedly and touched by their concern, "It's okay, I understand why they do it. They aren't wrong, but sometimes I think they over do it. They just seem so terrified of every mammal I might come into contact with as if they were to be literal monsters in disguise. I don't know why."

Judith's bluebird friend chirped with a shrug as if saying: 'beats me?'

"But you know what?" Judith began as her melancholy expression faded and a secret smile formed. "I've fooled them," she whispered with a proud grin, "I have met someone!"

Her bird friends chirped with delight at the news.

"Who?" hooted her owl friend. Judith happily got up from her seat at the bank, creating suspense for her friends' curiosity. "Who? Who?" hooted the owl again, dying for details.

Finally giving in, Judith responded, "Oh no big deal. Just a prince," she grinned cheekily. How exciting! Her bird friends chirped ecstatically, wanting more details about Judith's new royal friend.

Judith giggled happily, "Details? Okay let's see. He's tall and handsome. And believe it or not…" Judith looked around as if wanting to make sure no one else was listening in on their conversation. "He was a fox!" The birds chirped in surprise, but excited for Judith. "Although he wasn't a fennec fox like Finnick, he was a red fox. And he was so romantic," Judith sighed dreamily as she picked another berry from a nearby branch.

The birds chirped eagerly, wanting to know about her and the fox.

"Well, we walked together and talked together...and just before we say goodbye, he takes me in his arms…" Judith said hugging herself, "And then…"

Chirp, chirp, chirp!

The birds chirped eagerly! Desperately hoping that what came next was a kiss!

"I woke up," Judith said, horribly disappointing both herself and bird friends who became as deflated as she did to hear it was all a dream. Judith sighed, taking a seat on an elevated tree root, "I guess my dreams are the only place I can ever meet someone." Judith gazed at her birds, noting how sad they were for her. Feeling bad for upsetting the mood, the ever hopeful Judith took one on her finger, "But don't worry, they say if you dream something more than once it's sure to come true! And I've seen him so many times." Judith blushed at the thought of her dream prince.

Though she was hopeful, one of her little feathered friends atop the branches didn't feel like her having to settle was good enough. The sad little brown bird looked to the distance and saw something that immediately caught his eye - it was Prince Nicholas' red cloak and cap! An idea formed within the little bird's mind and he picked out a berry to toss it at the owl.

clunk, clunk, clunk

The berry hit and bounced off the owl's head, then onto the bluebird's head, and then onto the cardinal's head. The looked up to the brown bird and saw that he was bouncing excitedly. They flew up to him and he pointed out the cloak and cap to them. The owl's eyes shined with an idea! He gathered his fellow woodland friends closer and hooted orders to them. They seemed to agree to whatever it was he told them and they all flew into action.

The six birds gathered the cloak and cap just when they heard a male voice speak. "You know what Samson?" Prince Nicholas asked his driver as he wrung his fluffy red tail dry. The horse meanwhile just snacked on some alfalfa he had brought for the trip. "There was something strange about that voice. Too beautiful to be real. Maybe you were right and it was some mythical creature like a wood sprite or something."

"I did try to warn you, sire," answered the horse.

"Yeah," the prince scoffed, "And all I succeeded in was falling into the lake. Courtesy of you Samson. Glad I can count on you to warn me about that elevated tree root," the fox said sarcastically.

"I already said I was sorry, your grace. You've already taken away my carrots as punishment."

Prince Nicholas sighed, "Yeah, I know. I guess I was just too excited to know what that voice was-"

"Your grace!" Samson shouted as he lifted his gaze and saw the birds flying away with Prince Nicholas' belongings.

Surprised by the horse's shouting, Nicholas turned around just in time to see his clothes taking flight. "What the-?! H-Hey! Stop!" Prince Nicholas and Samson bolted after them in an attempt to catch up with the fox's runaway clothes.

After losing the fox and horse, the owl and birds settled on a branch to put their plan into action. Though they were not mammals themselves, they would give Judith her prince charming so she wouldn't have to just dream of him.

The brown bird settled himself on top of the owl's head with the red cap over him, while the bluebird and cardinal tied the cloak around the owl. The bluebird and cardinal each took a side of the cloak to give the impression of arms.

It was perfect! They looked just like a prince! The birds nodded to one another, satisfied and elegantly made their way toward Judith.

Judith, who had remained on her seat at the elevated root, caressed a paw over one of her bird friends when she noticed them. She gasped in exhilarated shock, "Why, it's my dream prince!" She giggled happily and felt absolutely touched that her feathery friends would go to so much trouble just for her. "Your highness!" she curtsied to her 'prince' and he bowed to her - the cardinal flying and arm forward in a low bow, just as the brown bird elevated the hat in a formal manner.

Judith swayed her skirt playfully while humming a melody. She approached her 'prince' and pressed her back against him, just as the bluebird and cardinal wrapped 'his' 'arms' around her. "You know I'm really not supposed to talk to strangers, but we've met before."

Feeling all too gleeful at the notion of dancing with her dream prince, Judith couldn't help but to break into song and dance with 'him'.

I know you

I walked with you

Once upon a dream

Judith twirled toward her 'prince' and took his arms to lead him into a waltz.

I know you

The gleam in your eyes

Is so familiar a gleam

Judith playfully bumped noses with the owl's beak. The owl smiled, but he and the other birds lost their grip and fell.

Just as the birds struggled to get back up to rejoin the waltzing bunny, two familiar faces peeked their heads in from behind a tree. They found Prince Nicholas' clothes, but that proved to be the last thing they focused on at the moment. More so for Nicholas. His jaw instantly dropped the moment he saw the gray furred bunny. He could swear his emerald eyes were witnessing a living, breathing angel right before them. She's so beautiful...the fox thought upon laying eyes on her - fully unaware that the peasant bunny in question was in fact his promised bride.

"I believe we found your clothes sire," whispered the horse to the prince.

"Yeah…" he breathed, completely smitten with the bunny.

"Should we just go in and get your things?" asked the horse.

"No, I think, I've got a better idea," the fox said with a smile. Judith meanwhile simply continued to dance and sing, completely lost in the moment.

Yet I know it's true

That visions are seldom

All they seem

Judith's owl and bird prince managed to gather himself together again and flew back over to her.

But if I know you

I know what you'll do…

You'll love me at once

Judith twirled her prince and backed up against him once he faced her again, wrapping his 'arms' around her and swaying happily side to side.

The way you did

Once

Upon

A dream

La da, la da

Ha, ah, ha, ah, ha, ah…

Judith hummed, simply dancing with 'him' and twirling.

But if I know you

I know what you'll do

Judith twirled toward her 'prince' and twirled away with her eyes closed, just as a black paw came forward to grab the so called 'prince' and pulled him away. Prince Nicholas set himself in the feathered 'prince's' place just in time for Judith to twirl back to him with her eyes closed.

She sang just as...

You'll love me at once…

A male voice took over, causing her to open her eyes in shock. Who's voice was that? What came to be a greater shock was when she saw that her bird 'prince' was away from her.

"Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo," the owl hooted with a shrug as if saying 'oh well'.

The way you did

Once

Upon

A dream…

"Oh, oh!" Judith quickly backed away with a surprised gasp to see that a young red fox was standing behind her with a friendly smile.

"Sorry about that," he apologized sincerely, "I didn't mean to scare you."

"Oh, i-it wasn't that," Judith stammered, a little frightened, "It's just that you're uh...uh…"

"A fox?" he asked expecting that his species may have been a factor in startling her.

"No! No," Judith corrected, not wanting him to get the wrong idea, "My uncle's a fox."

"Really?" Nicholas asked in both disbelief and amazement.

"Yes, he's a fennec fox and…" Judith paused for a second, remembering that she promised said uncle that she wouldn't talk to strangers. "Oh no wait, I'm not supposed to tal-I'm sorry," she attempted to flee, but Nicholas quickly and gently grabbed her paw.

"No wait, please," he asked as politely as he could in an attempt to not frighten her anymore than she already was. "Please, I don't mean you any harm."

"I'm sorry," Judith apologized, "It's nothing against you, it's just that I promised my family that I wouldn't talk to...um…"

"Strangers?" Prince Nicholas asked, finishing the sentence for her.

"Mhm," Judith nodded.

"Even devilishly handsome ones?" he joked.

Judith giggled, humored by him. "Well, I don't know about those." She looked up at him in an attempt to read his intentions within his soft emerald eyes. Though she had never really interacted with anyone, nor known any malice, she had a gut feeling that his intentions were sincere and honest despite his cocky grin, "I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude."

"That's okay," he smiled understandingly. "But there's no need for you to be afraid. After all we've met before."

Judith raised a confused brow at him, "We-We have?"

"Of course! You said so yourself, once upon a dream!"

Judith walked away with a half amused scoff. Nicholas smirked playfully and followed her as he sang the song she had been singing earlier.

I know you

I walked with you

Once upon a dream

Judith pressed her back against a tree, her ears were down and she had a noticeable blush on her cheeks. Clearly touched by the charming fox's serenading voice. Nicholas gently touched her paw, startling the bunny. She smiled immediately right after however, evidently falling for him and his captivating demeanor.

Judith's bird friends also appeared to approve of the young stranger. Perhaps he could be the handsome prince from Judith's dreams! He'd certainly make a much better candidate than them that's for sure. Plus he was a mammal and Judith did appear happy! Which is what mattered most of all.

I know you

The gleam in your eyes

Is so familiar a gleam

Judith ultimately gave into the charming fox, allowing him to take her paw and lead her into a waltz as the very same melody they'd both been singing, rang in their minds.

And I know it's true

That visions are seldom

All they seem

Prince Nicholas and Judith moved with a perfect motion. Flowing as gracefully and calm as the lake reflecting their every move and twirl.

But if I know you

I know what you'll do

You'll love me at once

Prince Nicholas and Judith culminated their waltz with Nicholas leading Judith in a circling motion around him. Judith leaned forward to him, bringing both body and face to him. They stared lovingly into one another's eyes and held paws as they walked toward the cliff edge overseeing the Hopps castle in the distance.

Judith's feathery friends followed them and perched themselves on the low hanging branch.

The way you did

Once...

Upon...

A dream….

Prince Nicholas wrapped an arm around Judith's waist and gently brought her closer to him. Judith, now relaxed and feeling completely safe around him, rested her head against his shoulder. He leaned his head down to hers as they gazed toward the castle in silence.

Prince Nicholas felt a little conflicted. He still knew that he had to go to that very castle to meet his intended, but…

How could he now? When his heart told him that the bunny meant to be his bride was not the princess waiting for him at the castle, but the peasant girl snuggled comfortably in his arms.

Though she herself was stranger to him just a few minutes ago as well, something told him that no matter what, he belonged to her. He knew that he just had to know who she was and everything about her! Without a second thought he asked, "Who are you? What's your name?"

"Mm?" the bunny asked, perking her ears and slowly coming out of her dreamlike stupor, "Oh my name? It's-it's…" As if literally waking up from a dream, Judith's eyes widened as she remembered that along with never speaking to strangers, she had always promised her uncles and aunt that she would never under any circumstances ever share her name. Why that was she didn't know. In truth, it was because her uncles and aunt didn't want to take any chances in identifying her to Bellwether, despite her being given a new name to begin with. "No, no! I can't! I-Goodbye!" Judith ducked under the low branch and began running away from him.

Prince Nicholas was flabbergasted. What just happened? Weren't they just enjoying themselves a few seconds ago? "Wait! But when will I see you again?"

"Oh, never!" Judith called back and feeling conflicted herself. She had already broken her promise by interacting and developing feelings towards a stranger, but she wasn't sure if she should break another by giving him her name and seeing him again. But how could she not want to see him again, if he had been nothing but gentle and loving to her?

"Never?!" Prince Nicholas echoed back broken hearted.

Hearing the disappointment in his voice, Judith changed her mind, "Well, maybe someday!"

"When? Tomorrow?" Prince Nicholas asked with a growing hope.

"Oh no! This evening!" Judith replied, changing her mind yet again and surprising herself. She knew her uncles and aunt would be disappointed that she broke her promise, but figured that perhaps it was time for a change. After all she was sixteen and though she knew many mammals could be dangerous, this red fox proved not to be. He was nothing but kind and honorable to her, so why shouldn't she be allowed to have one friend in her life? Especially one who appeared to be affectionate and have noble intentions with her? Besides, she wasn't going to meet him in secret again. She was going to ask him to come to her cottage so that her uncles and aunt could meet him themselves and see that he was a nice tod. She only hoped they would approve of him.

With a renewed hope, Prince Nicholas felt his heart skip a beat. She wanted to see him again! "Where?" he called with a big smile as she continued running forward.

"At the cottage! In the glen!" she replied back as she picked up her shawl and basket of berries. Her feathery friends followed her, while Nicholas stayed behind watching her go.

Samson came up behind Prince Nicholas with the prince's belongings in his hooves. "Shall we be on our way, sire?"

"Yeah…" Nicholas breathed dreamily, watching the bunny disappear into the distance. "You can have your carrots back by the way." Prince Nicholas took his red coat and cap from the stunned horse.

"Oh, well thank you sire," the horse replied politely yet somewhat confused. "May I ask what brought about this change?"

"Because I have you to thank for accidentally tossing me into the lake and indirectly introducing me to my Carrots." The fox winked confidently. For now he had come to his decision - he would marry that peasant bunny, whatever her name may be.