Copenhagen Denmark, it was a former home for a certain city fox for as long as she could remember, And it had been years since Rita had seen her mother and siblings, ever since Conrad Cupmann and his men chased her and her boyfriend, Hugo away from their almost constructed den.
Following the train tracks, Hugo and Rita avoided oncoming trains and some stray cats until they finally arrived at the old den by the overpass, tired and relieved that they had make it back.
" I wonder what she would say?...What do you think, Love? " Rita nervously wondered out loud to her boyfriend, who was munching on an apple he stole from a conductor's lunchbox, along with a cookie.
" I'm sure she'll understand why you had to leave Besides, we had fun right? Traveling the world, fighting cougars and evil families, meeting Santa Claus..." Hugo listed off as he munched on the cookie.
" Getting captured and almost getting killed...helping a jerkwad gnome. " Rita added, snatching part of the cookie and started eating the rest, much to Hugo's displeasure. " Share!"
" Well, yeah but- We survived right? " Hugo shrugged.
Licking his muzzle, Rita then punched him playfully on the shoulder, much to his wincing at the sudden pain.
" Well * sighs * Yes, All because of our teamwork! " She smiled.
" Ow! " Hugo moaned, rubbing his now sore arm. " You got that right, Wulle Wulle Wap!"
" Wulle Wulle Wap..." Rita laughed a little, still feeling a bit nervous as the two of them finally arrived at the old den beside the train tracks, still showing signs of occupation despite the entrance being close to collapsing.
Swallowing her fears, Rita slowly walked up to the den and sniffed around, her mother's scent still lingering inside.
" She's still living here by the smell, Maybe she went out on her usual hunts." She confirmed to Hugo as she headed back down.
" You want me to hide? After all, It was mostly my fault you were gone so long..." he said somberly, feeling guilty.
" Hey, no it wasn't, don't blame yourself Hugo! " Rita snapped, pressing her nose against his. " Besides, it was that stupid Conrad's fault. "
Feeling a little better, Hugo kissed Rita on her nose, making her blush and return the kiss afterwards.
" Thanks Rita. " He said appreciatively.
Facing the den, Rita took a deep breath and released her embrace of Hugo, She then called out for her mother.
" Mom? are you in there? I'm finally home! " she said with some added yipping to let her mother know of her presence, Hearing her mother's yawn, Rita's ears perked up and her tail swished side to side. " She's here she's here! "
" Ugh...who the hell is waking me up at this hour? " Her mother complained tiredly as she stretched herself awake, clearly upset that somebody disturbed her beauty sleep.
Fluffing her tail, she cracked her neck and sauntered out side to greet whomever tolled outside her humble abode, rubbing her eyes, her face instantly lit up as she saw her daughter and her boyfriend standing in front of her.
" Ri-Ri-ri...Rita? RITA! " She exclaimed as she ran over and hugged Rita tightly, nearly squeezing the life out of her in the process.
" Umff! Hey,Ow Mom! " She tried to say through the pain as she struggled to get herself away from the tightening grip.
" I've missed you so much! I've waited and waited to see you again, I was so worried about you while you were gone! I thought it was because I was always hard on you...I'm so sorry Rita." Her mother said tearfully as she stroked her back.
" No, mom it wasn't that, it was this dumb guy...you see, Hugo was-" Rita tried to assure her mother, but upon hearing Hugo's name, Her mother's head suddenly snapped to his direction and she started to sneer and snarl at him.
" YOU..." She snarled as her ears flattened and suddenly lunged forward and pounced on Hugo, her teeth barring in his terrified face and her paws around his neck as she let out the trademark vixen screaming in his face.
" Mom Stop it! it wasn't his fault! " Rita yelled as she tried to pull her irate mother off her boyfriend, only for her to gently shove her away as she locked eyes with the terrified jungle animal.
" Wasn't his fault?...he took my baby girl away from me! making me worry for your safety seven years, Rita. Seven! " Her mother sobbed as she slowly applied pressure on Hugo's throat. " I knew he couldn't be trusted! "
" I'm..* cough cough * So...Gak!...Sorry...! " He apologized through hurried gasps.
Staring into his eyes, Rita's mother leaned forward and whispered into Hugo's ear something that Rita couldn't hear, but judging by his blushing face afterwards, it wasn't anything good.
" Get Up. " Her mother ordered, her eyes not leaving their icy stare.
" Mom...calm...down! I'm sorry that you're angry and scared for me, but choking my boyfriend isn't going to help! " Rita chastised.
Exchanging glances for a brief moment, Rita's mother pulled Hugo into a tight hug, forgiving him.
" I'm sorry Honey, I was just being protective. " She apologized. " I'm sure you've done the same for my little girl, Right? " She asked him.
" *cough* I guess so, *cough* " Hugo agreed as he rubbed his sore throat between coughs, it slowly starting to turn red.
" It was actually me doing all the babysitting..." Rita bitterly thought.
" That's good, you're responsible, I like that in a man. " Rita's mother winked at Hugo, her tail caressing Hugo's chin and started rubbing herself against him.
" Oh-kay Mom, let's not get weird here. " Rita laughed nervously at the awkward scene before her stepping between her mother and Hugo.
" Oh, relax Rita. I'm just complimenting him! " Her mother rolled her eyes at her daughter's assumption. " Now, come inside, I've got some left-over rabbit from yesterday! "
" You heard the battleaxe, Let's go! " Rita patted Hugo on the back and followed her mother inside the den, Leaving Hugo shaken up over the entire encounter.
