Chapter 5: Practice Makes Perfect

Vixen was standing behind the stage curtain, listening in on Tika, Base, and Junior practicing the songs their parents sang every day for the children. Base played, well a base guitar, while Tika played the keyboard and Jr. sang the songs. Vixen thought that they sounded good. She only got to play the drums, but on these songs, she didn't get to play. During practice, Vixen stayed behind stage so the camera wouldn't lock her up if it turned on the stage.

At the end of one of the songs, Vixen heard Base arguing with Junior. "I just think, that it might not hurt if we switched up the lead for a song or two." Base said as he looked at Junior, who held his own microphone.

"No Base, we have gone over this. We have to sing the songs just like our parents." The brown bear with the light brown hair hanging down between his eyes and a miniature top hat on top of his head said.

"Alright, then let's write some new songs. These are old and we could use a new song or two in the line up." Base said and then noticed the angry twitch in his friend.

"We have to follow the rules or we won't ever be allowed to perform." Junior said and then his voice dropped down to a whisper so a certain fox girl couldn't overhear from backstage. "We are already bending them for Vixen to be allowed to perform." He said in a hushed voice as he didn't have the heart to tell Vixen that Foxy had never actually been part of the band.

"I know that. But don't change the subject! What if we made our own songs, but we only sang them after closing." Base suggested as he tried to reach a compromise.

The yellow dog with a pink bow in her ear simply sat back and watched the two boys argue, this sort of argument was common between the two when it came to the band. Tika honestly couldn't care less if they added extra songs or not. She had already grown tired of the songs they practiced, and they weren't even allowed to perform for children yet.

Tika decided that she should go see the Night Guard. She got to the door and she looked inside. "Hey, could you keep the cameras off the stage for a while. We are practicing and we won't be coming after you, as long as you keep the cameras off." She said and the Guard nodded in slight fear of the kids, though when they did jump out and scare the Guard. The kids simply tagged whoever was on shift. It was their parents the Guards had to worry about, especially after midnight when the kids were all powered down and the adults were active.

Tika went back to the stage and saw Base and Junior were still arguing. She sighed and went behind the stage to go see how Vixen was doing. Tika noticed the young fox was singing one of the songs. Vixen had a really nice singing voice, but there was no way for her to ever share that gift with anyone; and even less of a chance that she could ever try singing for the band since Base and Junior were so stubborn and took up all the practice time with their arguing.

Vixen looked up and saw her friend standing there. "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to be loud with my singing." She said even though she sang in a quiet whisper.

"It's alright, those two idiots keep arguing about the set. By the way, I made a deal with the guard so you can come out on stage with us." The yellow dog said as she smiled at her fox friend. Vixen smiled and got up from her spot.

The two of them walked out on stage just in time to see Base storm off. "I'll go calm him down..." Vixen said and she jumped down off the stage and went to follow the bunny.

Base was hiding in the Janitor's Closet, Vixen went over and opened the closet and went inside. "Hey... what's got your ears in a twist?" She said as she knelt down next to the sulking bunny.

"Junior won't even let me practice a new song. I know we can't ever perform them for anyone, but these old songs are old and we still have yet to perform them for the kids." Base said as he was frustrated.

"I'd like to hear your songs." Vixen said and smiled. "I can be your audience." The young fox said as she wanted to help all her friends feel better.

Base blushed a little as he realized just how nice Vixen was. Then he realized how close they were in the closet. He could feel her fur against his. "Uh... why don't we go join the others! I'm feeling a lot better!" He said as he stood up and opened the door and moved into the hallway to move away from her and keep from reveling his new found crush.

Vixen was oblivious. "Alright then." She said with a smile as they headed back to join the band.

Author's Note: Looks like we have something of a love interest developing! Who else ships Base and Vixen? Hope their parents don't get between them.