The Hidden Enemy

Part 6: Return

Maple gasped, not believing her eyes. Hazel. It's... Hazel! Her friend smiled at her. Using this chance, Ash heaved himself up and Hazel stumbled off. Maple yowled a battle cry and joined the fight.

Together the two she-foxes battled Ash side by side. Weeks of hunting together in the past had synchronized the two. They moved in perfect unison, slashing and dodging Ash. Poppy and Fire cheered for their mother and their friend once Fire was free.

With the help of Hazel, Maple finally defeated a worn out Ash. She stood across from him, looking into his gray eyes.

"Why?" Maple softly asked. "Why did you do it? Why did you steal my pup? Was this necessary?" She gestured towards the blood on the ground.

Hazel cut in. "If you didn't steal Fire, none of this would have happened. Did you want this bloodshed?"

Ash's eyes hardened. "I did what I had to. This is my territory."

Maple shook her head. "This," She pointed to the ground, stained red. "This was not needed. Had you just come to me for a fair fight, I would have left immediately. But you had to steal my pup." She shook her head again.

"Now-" Hazel began. The two foxes looked at her. "Now this is our territory."

"No." Ash growled. But fear was showing in his eyes.

Maple and Hazel exchanged a glance. Together they stepped forwards and flattened their ears against their head. "Submit." The two barked together.

Ash looked at the two of them. He raised himself high. "I will not submit to weak vixens." He said. "I will leave, Maple, and I will come back." With that, Ash left, head held high.

"I wouldn't worry about him if I were you." Hazel advised. The two vixens heard a distinct 'Ow! Stupid branch.' as Ash tripped and fell flat on his snout.

"Oh, I won't." Maple grinned at her friend. "Hazel, I can't believe you're alive! Tell me what happened."

"So, you see..." Hazel began. The two friends, followed by Maple's bouncing pups, padded towards Maple's den in the blazing light of the noon sun.