Friendships and Adventures

A new friend pt2!

Esther awoke the next morning feeling the foxes fur against his. He looked about seeing the mouse asleep and the fox asleep too. Mini was still sleeping, but she looked like she was going to awake soon, Fern snuggled closer to Esther, he was very cuddly this morning - seemed like he didn't want Esther to go away. Esther felt the fox get closer. He couldn't help but smile pressing his muzzle into the foxes neck. The mouse yawned, the sunlight beating on her, " Morning Mini. " He said quietly smiling " Did you sleep well? " - She nodded “what about you?” she asked, " Yea I did. " Esther replied. She smiled at Esther. Getting the scent of fresh fruits, he could smell them too. " Mini can you fetch some food? Berries maybe, I don’t wanna wake up Fern " “Of course! Any particular kind?” - " not at all. Just nothing poisonous obviously " he smiled " Oh and thank you " , She nodded and quickly ran out of the den catching the scent. She got up on her legs to get more scents. Berries and other fruits. Esther smiled turning back to face the fox. Deers ran as she watched while getting some berries. She ran back quickly giving them to Esther, " Thanks Mini. Here help yourself just gotta save some for Fern of course " - “Thanks.” She chewed on some fresh berries. Esther took a few and chewed them savoring them.
“So.. is it just you and Fern?” Mini asked , " Hm.., oh no there’s also Tod. Fern’s brother, but don’t worry he is friendly " - “Where is he now? If you don’t mind me asking.” , He got up pressing his nose on the foxes. " Wake up Fern” , " Sorry I don’t know " he said. “He’s just probably tired from last night.” Said Mini as she ate the last berry and sat back down - " Yea " said Esther as he sighed listening to the birds call in the sky above. "mnnn..." Fern muttered a little , he didn't want to wake up yet, seemed like he didn't have enough energy, " Morning fox.” Esther smiled as he softly spoke - "mmmn.. " he took a big yawn "morning.." he said as he smelt something, "what's that smell?.. " he asked as he stood up and stretched, " Berries " Esther replied and smiled, “Yea, I got them.” said Mini - "no not the berries.." it's gotta be something else" he said as he sniffed in the air, he got confused sniffing the air. " What are you on about Fern?". "hmm.." he sniffed a little more "oh gee..." said Fern nervously, “What is it?” Mini asked tilting her head. "Err.." said Fern, he seemed uncomfortable to speak up - "I gotta go for a moment, sorry!!.. " he said and ran outside  jumping in the nearest river he found, Esther wondered if he did anything wrong, he padded out to Fern. " Everything okay fox? You seem off " he spoke softly smiling at the fox and he entered the water getting close to Fern and wrapping his tail around him. His fur soaked, "I'm sorry I ran off" he said not looking at Esther but looking down into the water - his ears were tucked down, " look at me. " Esther said in a firm but gentle tone. Mini tried to run over but she was slow, when she finally got over, she couldn’t speak because she lost her breath. Esther giggled and looked at Mini, he then turned his gaze back to the fox. She fell into the river but quickly came back up with her swimming skills, He got his tail under the mouse lifting Mini onto his back. " There u go little one " His tail wrapped around Fern once again. She quickly ran on top of his head. She was scared that she was going to fall back in to the water. " Fern look at me. " Esther said once again soft toned - "I am!" Fern said turning his face to Esther , not realizing they were too close, he met muzzles with Esther, so close that they almost kissed. Flustered he grew. Smiling " You don’t need to apologize for running away. You did nothing wrong its okay. " He looked at his muzzle hesitating to move . Fern moved back a little "I uh..I-I" he couldn't find his words, Mini lifted her head up - no longer scared of falling into the water. Esther took a step back too " I- uhm. " He let Mini get off onto the side of the river before diving under, Mini jumped off thinking she would do a backflip she ended up falling in – Esther pulled to the surface grabbing mini by the crook of here neck. He got out and put her down. Esther shook his fur before looking at Fern but suprisingly Fern had ran off while Esther and Mini weren't looking and had hidden somewhere. Esther sighed as Fern ran away. Using his nose he went to locate the fox, Mini sighed, she jumped up on Esther. He sniffed the ground reaching Ferns hiding spot. " His trail ends here. FERN WHERE ARE U? COME OUT IM NOT MAD. " he called out with worry in his voice, “I’m sure he will come out.” said Mini - " yea.." Esther replied, “Maybe he’s back at the den.” Said the mouse, " Doubt it. I would of scented him " Esther said looking all worried.
Bushes rumbled and leaves fell everywhere, a big loud roar was heard - “I heard something.” said the mouse, Esther turned to the bush. Hearing the roar." FERN ARE YOU OKAY?! "He lept towards the fox worried and scared. "E-easy there.. please don't h-hurt me.." Fern's voice was heard coming from a bit far away, Mini lifted her ear. She was trying to find out where the voice was coming from, " Fern who are u speaking too are u okay!? " Esther was really worried about his friend. Fern ran out of the bush as he screamed "BEAR, THERE'S A BEAR , RUN!!" , the ermine had just woken up from the loud roar, as soon as she heard her friend’s voice, she immediately jumped up on his back, not really knowing what to do. Esther ran with Fern not looking back." Hold on tight Mini " , “Esther you gotta run faster than that!” she said holding tight into his fur. He ran faster signaling for Fern to do the same, ”Fern! Are you okay?” the ermine asked as she sat on her big friends back, holding his long fluffy fur with her claws hoping she don’t grip to far in. Fern couldn't answer any questions , he was scared of the bear that was chasing them, he was scared so much that he tripped and the bear caught up to him, “FERN!” Mini shouted for her friend, " MINI ERMINE RUN WE WILL CATCH UP. GO!!! " Esther shouted as he turned back towards Fern picking him up and flinging him onto the dogs back - " I got you bud " He began to run in the direction Mini and Ermine had. ” Hey there! It may be the wrong time for this but I haven’t seen you before. I’m glad you joined our pack! We small ones gotta team up, haha” the ermine smiled to the little mouse - “Thanks!” she said.
There was some type of sound that came from the forest “Is the bear gone?” Mini asked - " Yea I think. Fern is hurt. And did you all hear that? " Esther said, his ear flicked, “I heard it but I cannot explain what it sounded like… I’m tired.” She said and Esther replied " Lets rest here we can find the noise later " - “That sounds like a good idea.” . He put Fern down curling up next to him, “How is he? “ Mini asked , she was worried about her friend, " I don’t know. His paw is hurt that’s for sure.” Esther replied as he brushed his head into Fern’s coat – he was really upset for him. “That bear came out of nowhere.. you should try asking him about it.” Mini sighed. She was too tired to talk, " Fern you okay?” He rested his head on Ferns neck. They were about to reunite with a friend, the cat they had met earlier is back. Th cat soon saw Fern in a bad condition "FERN IS THAT YOU??? WHAT HAPPEND?! Where have you been this whole time" she asked in a worried voice, "Hm oh we went to see my brother Tod. There was a b-bear and I tripped " Fern said with a shakey voice. “When will we be returning back to the den? We can’t stay here..” the mouse said - "I don’t know. Esther is asleep and I’m not in the best condition to travel far. We must stay here for now" , “We can’t stay for long. We don’t have any food, and we have no idea when we’re returning back to the den.” The mouse was really worried, but there’s no one to blame accidents happen.. She didn’t know what to do. "Indeed. Plus we can hunt what we can for now but we can’t stay longer than a week. We must head back to our den soon." Fern spoke quietly not waking up Esther.  "I see.. I wish I could help but i just tripped and my paw hurts, also I'm sorry that time you ran away, I was just trying to be nice" said the cat as it seemed sadder than usual - "It’s alright Shirau." . “I don’t see any berries around.. I can’t eat deer!” said the mouse in a squiky voice. "I have some berries, little mouse!" Said the cat, feeling happier now, "right of course. I believe there’s blueberries not so far away but.. I’m not sure where exactly" , “I hope.. If there’s any fruits or seeds I could eat those as well.” - "Don’t we all." The fox replied to the mouse being a little annoyed, he was worried about his friends , he couldn’t forgive himself for putting them in danger. "We don't have to go to the blueberries, but that's an option to! And I don't think I introduced myself to the other people aswell" said the cat as it gave there berries to the mouse - “Thank you.” She quickly ate the blueberries that the cat has given her, "You're welcome, My names Shirau! What's yours?" asked the cat with excitement – “My name’s Mini, it’s nice to meet you” the mouse squeaked happily.
In the mean time Fern fell asleep against Esther. In his mind he was blaming himself for running away from the river and putting his family in danger, he could bever forgive himself for such a thing..

Poor little fox.. Let’s hope they are feeling better in the next chapter… Will Esther and Fern sort what happened out? What will happen between them now that this had happened? Wil they become more than friends? We’re gonna find out, but for now we should let them rest. See you soon fellow readers.