Watership Down: Untold Legend [Fox!Reader]

Chapter four: Weak...Brave

The world is calm.

A field of overgrown plant life meets the edge of the shadowy wood and stretches far beyond that.

A nameless fox and a small squirrel move side by side into and through the meadow. The foxes black legs move at a light trot and the squirrel moves with small bursts of energy— leaping forward, tail twitching.

A strange pair, but one that brings a sight of companionship, friendship.

Still, there is an air of something...grey about them.

As if the warm sun that falls upon them is an illusion that hides some internal storm.

Ever since the two have left the forest, Treering's been quiet.

You hear the song of small birds, their names escape you just as other things do and you're left tilting your head, ears erect, listening.

You cannot see past the tall grass, but when you look up, you can still see the blue sky above.

A light breeze causes leaves to shift and glimmer...like— '...Ocean waves.'

You...yes you remember that.

A large pool...no a never ending expanse of water. Larger than any acer of land you have ever seen. Deeper than any hole that has ever been dug.

You inhale and the smell of sea air brushes against your nose. You can almost taste the salty beaches.

Your steps falter and you pause.

Your head raises up and you pay the action no mind, staring up at nothing.

The world leaves you and your mind drifts as the image in your mind sharpens, colors saturate and the sandy beaches become real. Your front paw shifts in the fine rocky grains of sand.

You hear it.

You—

"Red?" Sharp, sudden, a pebble thrown into a still body of water. It shatters the images in your mind and brings you back to the surface.

You gasp, pupils blown wide.

"Re-?"

Your head snaps down, Treering looks up at you, small hands reaching out to your fluffy chest.

You stand there and breath.

"....Red? You..." It's— Treering's ears flatten, "You're doing it again."

Your mind is awake, aware, but slow. Your heart is loud in your ears, it isn't racing.

You blink, and smile, look away, "Ah...sorry...this is the third time already..."

Treering sighs and you feel bad. This journey is supposed to be fun but...these memories...they keep popping up with each flowing thought. On one hand, you're glad to remember...on the other, your daydreaming leaves you acting like some...mindless thing. You're luck Treerings here to 'wake' you up each time this happens.

"S-sorry—"

"Hey."

You look back down and Treering is smiling. One of his paws rests on your own.

"It's okay, Sunset~" His nickname calms you and you lean closer, taking a seat. "It's a great thing you're remembering things~!" His energy is picking back up. The way he talks...it's like he's generating happiness itself.

Treering nods to himself, stepping back to really look at you with shining black eyes. He stands straight, with strength, with confidence. As if to assure you he doesn't regret this journey.