It Should've Been Me

Chapter 12: Bittersweet

(Author's note: Hi everyone, I'm back. I may not be back permanently, but this is still better than nothing. I am sincerely sorry about the wait, but I have been having a busy year. I hope you all enjoy the latest chapter.)

You keep a lot to yourself because it is difficult to find others who understandAuthor unknown

As the barking drew closer, the sound seemed to drown the sounds surrounding the young fox. The sheer memory seemed to slip though his injured body, hitting its target in his mind. Tod's head was bringing back the moment he wished he could forget, but he now knew who he was, what he was and who his true enemy should have always been.

Mere moments before the howling of hunting hounds boomed throughout the bard, Big Mama shook Tod awake and ushered him and Rose out of sight before flying outside and landing on the roof, with Dinky and Boomer in toe.

A few seconds past before a pair of dogs came into the large owls sight. She had a plan and was willing to execute it, even if it would cost Tod his one chance at making amends.

"Well, if it ain't the hunting howlers. What are you doing on the wrong farm?" Big Mama's voice seemed to echo as the running pair came to an abrupt hold. Their eyes scanned around for any sign of the animal calling them, but without success until the sound of ruffling wings stole their attention, casting it toward the barns roof.

Copper started, "We mean no harm. We just...?"

"You mean no harm!? How can you do any more than what you have already done?" Big Mama replayed shortly, waiting impatiently for a reply. "You not only hurt your best friend, you disregarded him."

"I never did that!" Copper shouted out. Tears began welling up in his eyes, yet none trickled down the tan face once full of joy and excitement.

"Can yea prove that?"

Copper opened his mouth to try and bring something to his defence, but his voice seemed to disappear into thin air. His mouth no longer able to form the words he needed to say. His lungs emptied, yet nothing seemed to flow out.

Tod and Rose could hear and see what was unfolding before them, but never thought they would ever witness what was happening. The idea of their worst enemy being able to show compaction for the animal they were trained to kill.

Tod tried to step forward to talk to the pair of hounds, only to feel the scruff of his neck being pulled back by his mother. He had no other option but to oblige and sit down.

"Yea see, I know you don't feel sorry, you were just doing what..." Big Mama continued before Copper intervened.

"I don't feel sorry!?" The young Bloodhound shouted as his adopted father cautiously stepped back a few paces to a safe distance. He realized that Copper would have done anything to keep Tod safe, even if it meant having to disobey his master, or put himself in harm's way instead.

"I did everything I could! I wasn't the one who chased him. I'm not the one who forced him to save Chief. You still want to label me as the animal responsible?" Copper finally stopped. It had taken its toll on not only him, but the one whom he needed to apologize to.

Tod sat hidden away, his soul in shock of what his ears had just heard.

"I have tried so hard to make this work. Yea must have seen us when we were small. You think I would leave 'em to die there. I..." His throat had dried, leaving him with nothing more than a pained voice to console the release of his long awaited feelings.

"I wish I could have taken his place," Copper said as his eyes could no longer hold back the tears he had been suppressing for far too long. His cheeks had turned into a valley, where between the mounds of fur, a small yet irreversible stream had descended.

His face hung low, facing he opposite direction to hide his pain, although it was far too late. The trio of birds could see what had become of him. Their faces may have been out of sight to the hound, but surely enough he could feel the shock emanating from them. The atmosphere of the air had changed as even Chief could not bear to hide his disgust caused by nobody else but himself.

Copper turned his front half to retreat back home, when an all too familiar voice mouthed words he would never forget. "Do yea really mean that, Copper?"

The hound froze as he tried to comprehend what he had heard. It was not possible, an inconceivable thought of his imagination. However, when the words had been repeated, Copper felt a sharp pain full his body as he turned around to face the fox leaving his hiding space.

His mouth gaped open as he examined the figure limping closer to him. How tragically awful he looked. His unsteady footing openly showing what had happened. His orange and white fur with a slight crimson tinge to it, a clear indication of the blood he had lost which was never truly cleared. It was as if he had seen a ghost.

(Authors note: I was thinking about something like this for a while, but never had the time to do it. However, I'm extremely happy with the way it has turned out. A massive thanks to all my readers, faves and followers for the continued support, and to those whom take the time to write a review. Until I can do more, I hope you are all appeased.)