It Should've Been Me

The Results

(Author's note: Howzit going. As I promised, a chapter in the space of seven days. Thanks to the guest for the review, I just hope this chapter answers your hope. Last time, Chief had chased Tod before losing him. His old friend Copper had thrown Amos off his trail. hen Tod tried to make a break for it, he was confronted by Chief, whom he later saved at the near cost of his life. Warning: This chapter can be seen as saddening and contains graphic descriptions that may upset younger viewers (not smut). If you don't mind gore, you can continue. If you do, you can still continue but then please don't complain to me. PS: Tod is a smaller animal compared to Chief, so please don't tell me that he would've only had a broken leg.)

Chapter 4

"You know, You've got one lucky fox, Widow. His injuries should've passed him on," said a man dressed in white and green. The man was well known around these parts for caring about wild animals, and he was particularly fond of the old ladies pet. Widow Tweed gasped at the new information, causing Tod to wake up.

His eyes were a flutter of blinks before they adjusted to his new, yet old, surroundings. He was back in his home, and was laying on the kitchen table. He tried to lift his head to get a better view, but was abruptly halted by an unbelievably scorching sensation in his neck and upper back. Instead of trying to ride the pain out, the fox gently lay his aching head down again and decided to listen in on the humans.

"Dr Mulligan, do you mean to tell me that my fox should be dead?!" Widow half shouted in disbelief.

"Yes. I mean, its quite obvious. He has a broken leg, a badly sprained paw and a few torn muscles. He even has a gash on his head." The pair stood up from the living room and made their way to the kitchen, where they found Tod's eyes were open.

"Oh Tod," Widow said in relief as she leaned down to hold her fox. A pained yip escaped Tod's muzzle as his adopted mother squeezed him too tight for comfort. Letting go of him, the widow thanked Dr Mulligan and showed him out.

Meanwhile, inside, Tod's mind was an undesirable mess of confusion. He had many questions, but his vague memory only answered a few of them, 'This... this is a mess. Looks like I'm stuck for a few more weeks at home. Broken leg, sprained paw torn muscles and a hole in my head. No wonder why I smell blood. How did I get here? I remember being cornered by Chief, but that's about it. Argg, Copper. No, no, no, what have you done? I need to... Ouch!... ow-ow-ow-oowww, that hurts'. Tod found himself being lifted into the air, his muzzle was a blur as he yipped in pain.

"Oh, oh, it's alright dear," Widow said in the hopes that it would comfort him for the short journey to his basket, which it didn't. It wasn't long before Widow gingerly lay him down in his basket. moments later, the fox's exhausted body fell asleep.
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Back at Amos Slade's farm, the mood was nothing short of gloomy. Amos may have been glad that he had finally bid good riddance to Tod and Chief may have been glad of no longer having to chase the fox down, But Copper felt completely overwhelmed with guilt. Not only had he destroyed his friendship with Tod, he also did nothing to help him.

While Amos celebrated inside, Chief and Copper lay bitterly in their respective bails. Neither one of them wanted to look at one another, yet they knew they had to work this out. If not, it would only make things worse.

Copper lay with dams in his eyes. He knew his friend was either dead, or close to it. 'Why? Why does it have to end like this?'  The tears built in his eyes had now begun rolling don his tan brown cheek. 'Tod, I-I'm so sorry. I-I shouldn't have said the things I did.' His nose became runny and sobbing hiccups filled the air. 'He'll never forgive me.'

As Copper's weeping became louder, Chief's attention shifted to the bloodhound. The Irish Wolfhound had been quiet since the incident, purely out of shock. Never had he witnessed a hunting dog's quarry ever saved their hunter, that is, until now. What really stunned him, was not the fact that Tod had sacrificed himself for the safety of his hunter, but was the fact that his worst enemy had save him.

Turning to face the bloodhound he had come to call his own, he couldn't help but feel like the source of his pain, 'Sonny, this ain't how it was meant ta' be. There ain't nobody who could'a told us 'bout that train.'

Chancing a comforting chat, Chief decided he would see what he could do, "Sonny?"

Without turning to face his adopted father, he coldly responded, "What do you want?" By this time, his tears had subsided.

"Look, I gotta few things I need yea ta' know. Copper, I wanna say sorry. I didn't see how close you was to that fox. Had I know, I wouldn't 'ave given chase."

"Yeah, right"

"Second, there ain't no way we coulda' known 'bout the train..."

"Oh would yea stop lying!" Copper said as he looked over at the Wolfhound, "I could hear it commin' from where I was, I-I even heard Tod warn you!" His voice showed anger that Chief had never witnessed before, "You keep trying to treat me like a pup! You tell me what I can't do and who I can't be friends with! And do yea know what the worst part is?" Copper asked as he stood up with tears rolling down his cheeks again. He looked Chief straight in the eye.

"You're never satisfied. Yea always got this disappointed look in your eyes, as if all I ever do is disappoint you. But don' worry, it won't be a problem anymore."

Without thinking twice, Copper turned around and ran off into the night. Chief just sat there, his soul marinating in guilt. He never knew the full extent of his actions. The only thing going trough Chief's mind, was a thought he had only had once before. The thought was the one thing he would've hoped to never ever have again.

'It Should've been me'

(Author's note: Well, now. Time for some unfortunate news. The next chapter will take a while, as I am trying to complete my other Fox and the Hound story. I know there will be some people out there who will be saying, 'it's not hard to do a few stories at the same time'. I don't have complete access to my computer, so I write a draft the old fashion way. Pencil and Paper. Please fave/follow and even better, review. Until next time.)