South (Crosspost from quotev)

Chapter 2

Rain pitterd down through the tree's lifeless branches, Chirp lay curled up in a hollow where it's roots met with the ground.His legs were tired from two days' travel and his fur was soaked through from the snow turned slush that refused to melt.He watched the grey sky pour out as he wondered how much easier it would've been to stay in the old forest.There would've been even less shelter for the two of them.Hariett huddled closer to him just as a raindrop fell onto his black nose.

"This is dreadful."He let his head lay on his paws and hummed."Maybe we could tell stories until the storm passes."

"You go first"The robin tweeted through Chirp's fur.

"Okay."He hummed."Once upon a time there was a little sparrow.He lived with his family in one big nest."He paused."Well they weren't his family by blood."His tone softened."As soon as he hatched his mother flew away but a very kind hawk came and scooped him up and have him a home.A little later she came back to the nest with a sister for him,a chick who'd fallen from her nest and barely escaped hitting the ground.They lived happily together even when the snow came and all the other birds left for the winter.And when the sun came back and the snow melted they met a new friend who promised to teach the sparrow about the world.When snow came around they all flew away together as one happy family."He sighed."I guess that's not a very good story is it."He looked over to find the little bundle of feathers slumbering softly curled up in his thick fur and he let his heavy eyelids slip lower as the pitter-patter of the rain dulled itself to his ears.

Peck.

Peck.

Peck.

His ear flitted and his eyes snapped open.

"Ack! It's alive!"Something shrieked before a streak of russet and green flicked across his field of vision.

Chirp was out of the hole in a moment and running after them as Hariett was fluttering behind,squawking about the rude awakening.His paws beat in perfect sync as the frozen-over grass crunched under the force of every bound.His eyes fixed ahead and details became easier to make out,spotted ruddy back with black and white spots,sort green plumage behind the neck.He was gaining on them and then on pure instinct he lept forward and landed with the pheasant right in front of his paws.

"Make it quick Mr.Fox thats all I ask,I know you can't understand what I'm saying but ple-"

"You wouldn't have happen to have seen a flock of birds come by here have you?"

The pheasant was quivering."What?Is this some kind of sick joke before you kill me?"He whispered meekly.

Chirp cocked his head in confusion."Why would I kill you?"His wide green eyes focused on the still shaking bird as he took a few steps back.

The pheasant turned to face him."You just chased me!Haven't you come to eat me?"

"No?"The bird looked at him quizzically."You ran away as soon as I opened my eyes so I chased after you."

The Pheasant took an annoyed step closter."Well it's a little rude to just go chasing after someone like that."

Chirp's ears lowered in shame."You're right,let's start over.What is your name?"

"Hemlock,now what would your name mappen to be?"The bird took a weary step closer.

"Chirp."He could feel a robin's weight on his head.

"And this is Hariett."

They began to walk together.To where?Chirp didn't know.

Hemlock then stopped in his tracks and turned to look at the pair."How can you understand me?I've only ever heard foxes growl and yip,nothing I understood.And why did you ask about a flock of birds?"

Chirp looked down at his dark paws."They're my family,I've been with them since I could remember.There was a blizzard and they had to fly south without me."

"So you're going off after them?"

The fox nodded.

Hemlock half turned and began to walk."Well you can't travel sick can you?Let's find you two some bedding or a better shelter If we can."Chirp hastily padded after the pheasant eyeing the landscape for anything dry.

It all seemed to look the same to him,washed-out shades of dusty green,orange,and brown.It was utterly dull to him but Hemlock was darting around every which way searching with enthusiasm.The bird stood up tall for a moment before streaking through the sopping wilted grass."Over here!"The fox bounded after him as Hariett fluttered along with him.

On first looking at it he wondered what was special about it,just a fallen down tree but then he noticed the space under the trunk.Thick branches made up a framework that was covered by a matrix of twigs and dead leaves.There was a small opening in the mess of sticks,he moved towards it curiously.Very little light shone down from gaps in the ceiling and dry grass covered the floor.The place felt safe,It reminded him of nights he'd be too excited to sleep in during the thick of summer.The stars would glitter above and he'd make up stories about them to tell himself,of a giant owl that protected sleeping animals or flowers that open up at night for moths to drink the nectar from."This is prefect!Thank you so much."There was a silence as hemlock stood in the entrance."

"You're not going to go out hunt?"Chirp looked at him confused."Not that I'd want to watch,but don't you need to eat?"

Chirp patted down the dried grass."I'll be fine for tonight and I wouldn't want to go around scaring anyone else."He turned around the patted trodden town grass before settling down and wrapping his tail around himself.Harriet nestled up in the thick fur of his tail.

"Well take care then.I wish you the best on your journey."With that Hemlock left them to themselves.

Chirp's stomach grumbled and his instincts told him to go find something to eat.He stayed in their little hole,he could go out and find food in the morning but now it was time to rest as fat raindrops pattered against the ceiling of their shelter.That night he dreamt that his teeth had fallen out.It was unnerving how sharp they were,dull but shaped in a way that suggested they could rip and tear,he had a predator's teeth.The sight made his fur stand on end.

When he awoke it was cold in their shelter,wind whistled and seeped through the cracks.That morning he ate cattail roots,the stinking black sludge from digging them up clogged the fur on his paws and face.The roots were ice cold and tasted of dirt but it was better than nothing and he was grateful.