The Bonds of Fate

Chapter 1

"Ack! Oliver! I told you to wait a bit."

"Then go faster." Giving a pout, the child turned to her best friend.

"Oliver! You know I have to finish gathering these fruits or I'll get in trouble." The nine tailed fox let out a grumble, settling himself down.

"Hmph, so? It's rude to make me wait." The child's frown turned into an amused grin. Anyone would have given up on him; not because he was a Kitsune, but he was stubborn as a mule.

"Well, you could help me pick these then I could play with you!" The fox lookalike stared at the girl, taking her choice in consideration before giving out a snort.

"It's your job, just pick them faster." Felicity gave out a giggle. He always pretended to be stubborn, even when she was younger. In all truth, he really wanted to help her but didn't want to swallow his pride down to admit it.

"I know, I know! You're just gonna have to be patient!" Giving out a snort of protest, Oliver lays down in the shade that is under the many towering trees.

"Wake me up when you're done" Giggling towards her friends usual behavior, Felicity continued to do the task at hand.

➳

After hours of picking apples, Felicity wiped her brow. She was almost done with the harvest; she only had one tree left. Oliver tried to sleep several times, but he was more intrigued by the girl's actions. He watched her careful hand of grasping the fruit then twisting it to ensure the stem came off when she picked it. She brings the fruit up to her face and twirls it, giving it a thorough look to see if it is good or not then throws it in the basket. With the pace she was doing, it was no wonder it has taken her the whole afternoon. Oliver watched her for awhile before he grew bored. Deciding that he could not wait any longer, he got up from his spot and padded over towards his companion.

"So, why are you picking Apple Trees?" Felicity let out her childish laugh for the umpteenth time that day.

"Isn't it obvious? Cause it's one of the few excuses I have to come into the forest to see you!" The fox's eyes glinted with curiosity at the girls answer, almost asking her to continue.

"Well, you know my position in the village, I have to be ready to be one of the protectors! I have to study the history of this realm and the past wars to pass down to the next protectors and such. Because of that, I don't have enough free time to see you. I overheard Lady Merino talking with one of the other elders about the Magnolia Festival, and how they needed someone to go harvest the trees. I offered immediately since I knew it was something I could use as an excuse to see you while contributing to the community!" Felicity turned towards her friend who gave a curt nod.

It's true he had noticed she's been more busy lately. He would wait for her under their meeting spot at the base of the sacred tree for an hour or so then she would show up, babbling many apologies. He would complain playfully to lighten the mood to instead receive more apologies. Even with her busy schedule, she made time just for him; someone who shouldn't get any attention, let alone from one of the 'purest' of souls.

"Hey, you want one?" Snapping out of his bitter thoughts, he turned to his only friend with a small hum. She fidgeted for a second then held a cream fruit out for him to take.

"I said, do you want one? You've been here the entire afternoon, so I assume you must be hungry." The stubborn creature gave his partner an innocent smile; a very rare smile for him. He knew she had so much to do, yet she makes sure he is comfortable while she is working. She always did.

"I'll have one. How about you take a break? You have been working all afternoon." The girl was about to agree but stopped herself to weigh the options in her head. She had to deliver the fruits to the village to prepare for the upcoming event. But she had been working for a few hours now, and she just finished with the last tree to harvest. She was also tired, maybe she deserved a small break but she might get in trouble..