The Future Depends On The Present

The Other Side

(Author's note: Hi all. I'm extremely sorry about the long wait but it's finally here. The third chapter to my second installment of the "Present" series. Well, we seem to have the one half of the characters, but what about the other?"

At the Slade Farm, a blanket of snow had been laid upon the land, rendering it almost unrecognizable. The once lush, green trees no longer bared leaves. The grass, now covered in white, was believed to have retreated back into the comfort of the slightly warmer ground. The homely brown barrels lay vacant as the cold air drove the inhibitors into their master's warm wooden house.

Inside the winter shelter were two dogs, lying sprawled out in front of the fire for warmth. The master, Amos Slade, was perched on the couch a small distance away. In his hand sat a large cup of coffee, from which he took occasional sips as he watched over his two best friends on the floor.

As Amos fixed his gaze on the pair of retired hunting dogs, he couldn't help but feel satisfied with how the events had played out. If it was not for the childhood friendship that should have not come to be, the two farms would not have united in peace. Their inhabiters would never have found a truce wherein they found friends.

The fresh snow falling on the tin roof collected and fell to the ground, causing a thud loud enough to awaken any form of life. Chief was the first one up. His curiosity had increased, as well as the undeniable infatuation he had found in his old enemies long lost mother. The mere thought of her gentle face was enough to bring his old heart to skip a beat. And if this was not enough, the way in which her body swayed and the soft voice only angels could use was more then enough to bring him to his knees. His past may not have been the brightest, but his future certainly was.

Copper was up soon after. His mind seemed to think of his adopted father as frail, not that he was. Chief's mind may have had it's fair share of days off, but that was of no consequence. The Bloodhound had found himself growing more fond and understanding to the way in which life worked. Thanks to Rose and Big Mama, he had found something completely unknown. The way in which life should cycle.

Unfortunately, that didn't prepare him for everything life could through at him, especially when it came to more subtle yet life changing events.

Before any trace amount of noise was made, the creaking of a door grabbed the trio's attention. The frosty breeze and light flurry of snow was an indication of what was next to come. "Uncle Copper!" the sound of six fox kits dulled any other noises as they screamed, racing to the Bloodhound they found laying with his eyes firm on the scurrying orange fluff. Their young bodies flew into the air, sending them crashing into the tan brown hound's warm body.

As the kits greeted Copper in the usual fashion, the three adult foxes entered. The orange of their fur now slightly whiter, having forged a path for the kits to follow in. Tod and Vixey shied away from Rose and headed straight to the fire to catch the warmth emitting from it's yellow flames. "Copper, how yea been?" Tod asked the bloodhound as he retreated to his spot having finally escaped the mountain of fox kits.

"Oh same as yesterday, cold and tired. And what about you guys?"

Tod smiled as he looked over to his mate, hoping that Vixey would be the one to answer. "We've been better..." She said.

"Whata' do' yea mean?" Chief said as he found his position as close to the fireplace as his hair would allow.

"It's been quite busy without you folks to help us out," Rose said as she slowly lay down next to her new love, "Keeping the kit's calm has been a mission."

"Well, it's been harder not bein' round my love to help," Chief said as he leaned over and gave Rose a long lick to her muzzle.

"Please, not now..." It was not the fact that they were once enemies that brought Copper to stop them, but the fact that the kit's may see and ask questions they are not ready for was plenty. Rose soon shifted her muzzle away from her loves, blushing as if she has her first kiss.

"Oh, com' on Rose. That couldn'ta been your first kiss, now," Chief said in an effert to try and bring the already red vixen to blush even more. The sight of his new love blushing as if she were having her first crush ask her out seemed to place the old Wolfhound under a trance.

"Hm... Tod. Should we ask them about..." Vixey whispered to her mate, trying to prevent them from hearing, but it was just to loud and Copper's sensitive ears seemed to pick up the question, spiking his curiosity.

"Ask us what?"

(Author's note: I'm sorry to leave you all with a cliff hanger, but this is where I need to check where I stand. Please leave a review and Fav/follow if posable. I have other things I need to attend to for a while but I'll see you all soon."