The Secret Of F.O.X. {Book 1 of the FireTail Family Series}(UNDER MAJOR EDITING)

Chapter 4

When F.O.X. came back she had 3 mice, 2 squirrels, and 1 big, fat, rabbit. Ranson was still sitting in the small clearing, his light brown eyes sparkling for some odd reason. She just ignored it and put her fresh-kill in front of her and said, "Well, let's go and get this over with." He nodded respectfully and F.O.X. picked up her load and they both trotted off, F.O.X. in the lead. She sniffed the air and smelled her father's scent, wafting through the air. She broke into a run and Ranson immediately responded. They whizzed past trees, shrubs, and other burrows that belong to other creatures. All of a sudden, she halted to a stop, using all four as brakes. But Ranson didn't see it coming, so he slammed into her, making her drop her cargo. She whipped her head back. He said quietly, "Sorry." She respectfully nodded and picked it back up. "Why'd you stop?", he asked. F.O.X. pointed with her nose. Their, behind the tree they was standing behind was FireHeart, cleaning himself thoroughly. "Oh..", he whispered quietly. "Whaddya gonna do now?" F.O.X. pointed her paw to her, then back to her dad. He got it. He slowly gulped and nodded slowly. She got up and trudged into the small space. When she got in front of her dad, he looked up and said, "Well, you are the first one here. Congrat-Well, well, you have been quite busy, F.O.X." She dropped her load at his paws and replied hastily, "Well, it wasn't easy." But before FireHeart could speak another word, she blurted out, "Dad, I have something to tell you." He straightened himself and his ears pointed up. "Well, spit it out. We wouldn't want Flame nor Maple to be nosy." She took a deep breath and barked out, "Ranson, come out, please." There was a rustle, then he jumped out of the bush and walked toward them, head hung low. He sat in between them and raised his head, eyes glinting in the sunlight. FireHeart looked interested and spoke. "There should be a good explanation for this, F.O.X." She cleared her throat and begin the whole story of her seeing the paw swipe from the bush to when they were behind the tree in front of the burrow. FireHeart listened intently, sometimes nodding, smiling, and frowning. When she was finally finished, FireHeart said, "Well, Ranson McCaw, I hadn't heard of the McCaw's in a long time, since you are a very wealthy family, generation after generation." F.O.X. turned her head toward Ranson, face filled with surprise."Wait a second. If you are a very wealthy family, then why are you a stray?" Ranson sighed and replied. "Well, when I was born, my mother and father was filled with joy, considering I was the first child." Both F.O.X. and FireHeart looked surprised and strained their ears to hear his story. "But, as I was growing up", he continued. "I was starting to get a little bit rowdy. I guess my parents didn't want my brothers and sisters for me to be there role model. So, one relaxing summer day, my parents gave me away to my grandmother. There, I stayed most my life. Life was good. But one day, my grandmother became gravely ill. There was no cure for the sickness she had back in those days. On the day before she died, she told me something I would never, ever, forget. She said, 'Remember, Ranson. You can never change who you are. You are the best you can be. You are you, my dear.'" Ranson turned his head for a minute. F.O.X. started to feel bad for him and walked over to him and nuzzled under his head comfortingly. He turned his head back and fell still. FireHeart watched them for awhile, just in cast he was to pull any tricks. Out of the corner of his eye, he thought he saw Ranson's mouth curve into a smile. He shook his head. There is nothing wrong with him, he thought. Or is it? F.O.X. pulled away and looked intently at him. He continued. "After that day, I was on my own, living in the harsh, dangerous, place of Maple Forest. Then, voila! Your excellent daughter here found me." He cleared his throat. FireHeart just stared in disbelief for a second while F.O.X. licked at her paw awkwardly. Finally, FireHeart said, "Well, for the first, F.O.X., you have done the right thing. I'm proud of you to help a fox, whether it's a McCaw or not." F.O.X. nodded solemnly. "And, as for you," He said, turning his head to Ranson. "You are going to stay with us, for the time being. "Thank you, FireHeart.", Ranson replied. FireHeart said, "Now, lets wait for the others."

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 A.N. Um, what should I say? Well, I dunno. I'll come back when I feel like it. Byezzz!