A Fox Journey

Chapter 1: Everyday

I was crouched low against the barren snow, practically covering ever inch of myself trying to stay in one spot.

I had been waiting since the sun came up which was now positioned dead center of the sky. And I was still here, waiting, hoping more like, that some poor and unsuspecting creature would come across my field of view.

I stayed frozen to the same spot, not daring to move and ruin my possible chance of prey.

Come on. I thought. Give me something.

Just as the thought had crossed my mind, the tiniest slight of a scuttle reached my ears. My ears momentarily twitching in alert. Then again I heard the same sound, but louder, closer.

Eventually a small field mouse emerged from the small sprouts of grass that were popping out of the slightly melted snow. Scuttling around the base of it before settling down and deciding to take a look around.

I locked up my body and tried to stay as still as my body would allow. Slowing my breaths to slight puffs, keeping my ears up and erect listening to the tiny creature, never letting my eyes stray from my prey.

The mouse paused in it's investigation of a small seed that seemed barely edible. I felt dread start to sink into the pit of my stomach as he started scanning his surroundings.

Please don't see me. I prayed to the provider.

But it seems my prayers went unanswered. As the second the small mammal noticed my darker shades of fur against the pure colored snow, he promptly made a dash towards his borrow. 

Unlocking my muscles, I felt myself almost fly through the air in my attempt to get the runaway prey. I was almost on top of it when it quickly dived into safety leaving me scratching at the entrance in an attempt to dig down to him.

I sat back and let out a sigh when I realized that my attempts at this point were futile.

"Oh way to go Mist, if there was a way to mess that up any further than I'd be more impressed than I already am." Frost, my adoptive brother, remarked coming from the tall grass.

I pinned my ears back and hung my head.

"It's not like I tried to let it get away." I defended. 

He let out a snort.

"I'm sure you don't have to try to chase away prey with your, oh so subtle, fur color." He sneered.

"Frost, knock it off. I'm sure she's  beating herself enough as it is, without your help." Ivory, our sister barked at Frost. 

Frost sniffed haughtily before picking up his snow-hare, that he was able to successfully kill, and trotting towards the den with his tail waving in confidence.

Ivory glared at his backside before coming over to me and poking my muzzle with her nose. She was looking at me with cheerful eyes and I couldn't help but start to feel better around her already. 

"Hey!" I laughed as she playfully nipped my ear. 

I tackled her and we wrestled around the ground with soft shoves and playful yips. Eventually we broke away laughing.

"Don't listen to what Frost says okay? You know winter is stressful for him. He's worried about us in his own way. You know?" Ivory stated.

"Yeah, I know." I mumbled.

"Good." She smirked. "Now let's go home."

She went and retrieved her snow ferret before coming over to me and walking back together.

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Papa sighed in agitation as he watched Ivory and I walk in. I hung my head slightly and didn't meet his gaze and he started moving our way.

"No catch today either Mist?" Papa questioned.

My ears drooped slightly as I gave a small shake of my head.

He pinned his ears back in irritation. 

"You realize that everyone needs to contribute to the den, right?" He growled.

"S-sorry papa, I wont mess up next time, I promise." I whimpered.

"See to it that you do." He replied menacingly. 

He looked at Ivory's Ferret and gave a nod of approval before going back to den mothers side.

She gave me a small sad smile before laying her head down. Den mother had been the one to take me in, when she had found me abandoned in the snow. At the time she didn't think it would hinder us since my pup fur was completely white, like everyone else. That's right, everyone here, except me was pure white. And during  the warmer seasons, their coats turned to a dirt brown. So no matter what season they were in they always blended into their surroundings and catch prey easily.

I, am a different story. My  coat for one, does not change with the seasons. And It's the worse possible coat color I could have. My dark trimmings made it hard for me to blend in with the snow. And it was too light for the warmer seasons. In short, my fur color made it impossible for me to hunt efficiently if I ever got anything at all.

Ivory knocked me out of my thoughts as she bumped our sides together and we headed together to drop off the food.

Frost gave me a pointed look as we passed him and I promptly looked away.

"Ivory, I think I'm going to actually go to bed. Okay??" I asked.

She looked concerned for a moment before nodding and continuing on her own.

I sighed as I walked to the sleeping area.

Going to the grass patch that Ivory and I share, I circled it four times before deeming it warm enough to rest.

Laying my head on my paws I thought of today's events, and couldn't help but groan. I've definitely had better days.

Closing my eyes I started day dreaming of another world, or another life where I was surrounded by people who would welcome me.