Seasons The Fox Heart (Book one) Redfire

Chapter 3

Boom!

Redfire eyes flickered open in alarm as the last sounds of the horrid memory faded away. He breathed in and out rapidly as he scanned his surroundings. He let out an exhale of relief when he realized that he was underneath a bush that he and Peony had encamped in yesterday. It had been four moons since the loss of their Tribe, the death of Tribemates including Peony's mother Silverflower, and Redfire's mother Featherfire. He and Peony were searching for the Tribe so they could lead them to the Fox Heart. Redfire stared down at his paws as he thought of his mother, Featherfire. I miss you so much, mother, he thought, I hope I'm making you proud. Slowly, he rose to his feet shaking his fur to clear way dirt, leaves, or dew. He glanced over at the sleeping form of his friend, Peony. The silver vixen's chest rose and fell as she breathed. I'll let her sleep longer, Redfire pondered, she was very tired. The two moons Peony and Redfire were wandering around looking for their Tribe, Peony had been trying to coax Redfire after the loss of Featherfire. She would stay right by his side all the time and never leave him. Redfire smiled as he stared at her silver fur. She's so beautiful, he thought, so precious to me; she empathized me deeply. Redfire's belly growled in hunger. 

"Famished," said a drowsy voice. "As usually."

Peony blinked at him with drowsy amber eyes. Despite still looking tired, she couldn't hide a gleam of amusement from her eyes.

"You heard that," questioned Redfire. "I thought I was the one with good hearing."

She smiled and slowly pushed herself onto her haunches and began washing her fur till it became immaculate again.

"Uh, yeah," she said when she finished. "Foxes have a good sense of hearing."

"Oh, yeah," said Redfire embarrassed. "I forgot."

Peony tipped her head to one side confused. "But when we were kits, you would always remind me about that...Redfire, what's going on with you, you're acting really delirious."

Redfire dropped his gaze to his paws. "I guess I'm still suffering from the trauma of that day...I had a nightmare again." 

Peony gasped and her eyes went from amusing gleam to a sentimental gleam. She brushed up against Redfire and licked his cheek. Redfire licked her head and the two twined tails. Her sweet flowery scent drowned out Redfire's anxiety scent. She loves me, Redfire thought, and I love her too. 

"Don't worry," she whispered. "I promise you will never fight a battle without me by your side."

Redfire touched her nose with his nose and said "Boop."

Peony smiled while tears streamed down her face. "You remember." 

"Sure do," replied Redfire. "We did it all the time."

Peony eyed him thoughtfully, "Maybe you're not as delirious as I thought you were."

Redfire laughed as Peony wiped away her tears with her forepaws. Suddenly she impetuously raced passed Redfire knocking him over and pulled through the bush's branches trying to make it outside. Redfire grinned as he got up then he butted Peony with his head knocking her over while he pulled through the bushes trying to extricate himself from them. Dark clouds and thunder rolling across the sky greeted him as he padded out. 

"Aw man," exclaimed Peony. "It's going to rain." 

She rose back to her feet and eyed Redfire as he came over to her. 

"No sudden maneuvers," she said. "You won't escape without a couple scratches."

"Yes Peony," replied Redfire.

"I'm really hungry," said Peony. "Let's go find a rabbit or a squirrel before they all go hiding from the storm."

Redfire nodded in agreement. "Yes, let's go..."