It Should've Been Me

A Sad Truth

(Authors note: Hi all, sorry for the long wait. This chapter will be longer then the first. Enjoy. PS: My first ever first person piece of writing is in here, please don't kill me if it isn't the best)

Chapter 2:

As night approached, a cool breeze picked up and the long awaited reunion drew closer. Tod anxiously waited for Widow Tweed to open the door as she would every night. Creaking from the front door soon stole the foxes attention and set it on the darkening outside world. He knew that Big Mama's eyes would be on him, so once his paw crossed through the doorway, there would be no turning back.

Once he was outside, Tod gave his eyes a chance to adjust before he began his journey. He set off, but only managed a few paces before his attention was stolen for the second time. Only now, it was set on a rustling noise coming from a tree. A sound of fluttering wings could only mean one thing.

"Good evenin' Tod," greeted Big Mama as she floated down and landed on the fence. " I see you still think that hound dog is your friend."

"Please no. Not this again."

"Honey, I know I won't be able to change your mind, so all I want to say is good luck and be careful." The owl started to sound like Widow Tweed. "Just remember what I told you."

"Well, thanks for understanding. I'll see you later," Tod said as he vanished into the night. His impatience was getting the best of him, he didn't even wait for any sort of response.

The journey had taken very little time, and before Tod could even think of how he was going to approach his best friend, he had reached the fence. A closer look at his, now grown up, best friend brought up many memories. Usually they were all happy and about the two of them swimming, but a slightly darker memory seemed to dull the rest out.

Flashback:

Tod's P.O.V

Looking up at the various shapes, sizes and shades of fur dangling in the shed, I felt my young body fill with sorrow. I had yet to discover the world's cruelty, but the premature finding had made me think of a darker possibility. My mouth opened as the words seemed to effortlessly roll off my tounge, "W-Why that's awful. Those poor things." I lowered my head as I refused to look at the horrible sight before me. The next thing I know, my body was being gently squeezed by the owl beside me, "I'm sorry, Tod."

As I nuzzled into Big Mama's chest, I couldn't stop my ears from perfing up as she started to talk, "Honey, Copper's gonna come back a trained huntin' dog, a real killer."

I shook my head in disbelief, "Oh no, not my friend Copper," I stopped shaking my head to look sure of my statement, "He'll never change."

"I hope you're right, Tod"

"And we'll keep on being friends forever. Won't we Big Mama?"

Opening her wings and sitting me down in front of her, I got the indication of how serious this moment would be. Looking me straight in the eye, the old, wise owl recited words which would etch themselves in my mind forever.

"Darling, forever is a long, long time, and time has a way of changing things."

End of flashback

T.P.V.

Tod rounded the corner, unaware that Copper had heard and caught his scent. The fox tiptoed over to the hound, "Copper," he called out, trying to be loud enough to call get his friend and not his enemies attention. "Pst, hey Copper." Once he saw his friend stand up, he suddenly realized he looked different from their last encounter, "It's me, Tod."

A smile seemed to grow on the hounds face, "I thought that was you, Tod, I heard you comin'." Taking a second to look over his friend, the hound found his size a surprise, "Boy, you've really grown."

"You have too, Copper. I saw you come back with Chief and the hunter."

Copper's face the changed to one more thoughtful. He knew what he had to say, yet he didn't want hurt his childhood friend. He had no choice, "It's great to see you, Tod..." Snorts from the sleeping Irish Wolfhound cut him short, "but, yea know you, you shouldn't be over here." Copper's face changed yet again, but this time to one with more seriousness, "You-You're gonna get us both into a lot of trouble."

"Hey look I, I just wanted to see yea. We're... We're still friends, aren't we?"

The question surprised Copper. Now, he had to make a split second decision which would change his life forever, "Tod... Those days are over. I'm a huntin' dog now." Tod's mouth opened in shock and disbelief. His best friend destroyed a relationship which was as strong as Chief's rope.

Never before has the year-old fox been dealt such an emotional blow. His instincts were telling him to run, but he had become paralysed in pain. He lowered his ears as the broken friendship descended upon him.

Seeing Tod in such and emotionally vulnerable state intently put a mask of sorrow on Copper's face. He began to regret his decision, but knew it was for the best. Realizing that he had nothing left to say, he tried to scare Tod off, "You... You better get outa here before ol' Chief wakes up."

The fox did nothing to hide his pain, "Oh Chief, uhh, he doesn't worry me."

Neither of the two noticed that the old Wolfhound was waking up.

"Tod, I'm serious. You're... You're fair game as far as he's concerned."

Before Tod had a chance to reply, Chief was up and barking at the fox. The only thing holding him back was the rope tied to his collar.

All the commotion had reached Amos Slade's ears. He stood at the door with his 410 shotgun firm in hand. He looked in disbelief at the one fox who always evaded him, "It's that fox again!" Tod ran off into the forest as Amos lined up his target for a shot and fired. He missed. With that He untied his dog's and ran off in pursuit of the orange furred animal.

(Authors Note: So, what did you think? Sorry if it's a bit rushed, but I had a small break and decided to take it. I'm unsure of when the next chapter will be up, but I'm hoping it's soon. Please review.)