A red blur shot through the forest, leaving dust clouds in its wake and startling a few of the other animals. Tod ran as fast as he could, tongue flopping out as he panted. His lungs were hungry for air and his paws ached from being cut on thorns and brambles, but still he did not stop. That is, until he reached his destination. He paused outside the den briefly, catching his breath and making his ruffled fur look more presentable. Smoothly he padded in, a smile spreading on his muzzle as he caught sight of the two tiny furry bodies laying beside his mate Vixey. Tod had been out hunting when he heard news that Vixey was giving birth from a few birds in a tree, and he'd wanted to make it back in time to be there for her. But it looked as though she had been fine the whole time, completely healthy and content as she leaned back on her side and let the fox kits suckle. She smiled up at him. "Twin girls." She told him, sounding a little tired.

"They're beautiful." Tod complimented quietly as he crouched down and gingerly gave one of the pups a gentle nuzzle. The tiny she-kit gave a few whimpers and yips as she blindly stumbled around a bit, making Tod and Vixey chuckle. Next to her, her sister remained quiet apart from the occasional yawn or startled yip whenever her clumsy twin stood on her tail or paw. Before long the twins were asleep again, curled up next to eachother in a sisterly embrace. Tod lay down opposite from Vixey, shielding his mate and pups from the curious eyes outside the den. He didn't mean to seem rude, but it was just instinct...Pure instinct that made him want to protect his kits from everyone and everything.

The sound of wings got Tod's attention and familiar scents entered his super-sensitive canine nose. "Huh?" He turned and saw Big Mama just landing, along with her two pals Dinky and Boomer. Tod smiled warmly and Vixey waved her tail in greeting. Big mama waved her wing back and waddled into the den, followed closely by her two sidekicks. "My, my," she gasped, "what wonderful babies." She commented, smiling down at the twin fox kits and giving them each a gentle pet on the forehead with her wings. "They're so precious, such darlings." She cooed. One of the twins gave a sneeze, and then slowly opened her eyes. They were revealed to be a nice shade of blue. When she saw Big Mama she curiously crawled up to the owl, pawed at her feathers a few times, and then rolled over into a fit of giggles.

"I think we'll call her Skye." Vixey decided, and Tod gave a small nod. When the second she-kit opened her eyes, they were a deep shade of violet. "And Juniper." Tod said.

Vixey grinned. "I love it...Sky and Juniper."

At Widow Tweed's house...

Widow Tweed sat at her coffee table, drinking tea and eating biscuits. Amos Slade was joining her. He took another big gulp of coffee, then munched on a scotch finger biscuit. Copper sat obediently beside the old hunter, looking slightly saddened but otherwise fine. "I'm sorry about Chief, it's always sad to hear about old dogs passing away." Tweed said, breaking the silence between the three.

Amos ran a hand through his grey hair. "Oh h-he was gettin' old...I s'ppose I should've known he'd pass on sooner or later." He replied, trying not to look upset. Tweed smiled and placed her hand on his. "Now, now...You know you can always visit if you have any troubles or anything you want to talk about, I'll always be here to listen."

The man smiled back. "Thank yer Widow." He murmured. Copper woofed lightly, expressing his gratitude as well. Amos and Tweed laughed a bit, then Amos stood. "Well, thank yer for the coffee an' biscuits...I have to get goin' now, gotta back for my next huntin' trip."

Widow Tweed nodded. "I understand...And Amos?"

"Yes?"

"Stay safe."

A month later...

"Juniper, no fair! I'll tell dad!" Skye whined as Juniper ran out of the den. "Come back, we can only play Tag in the den! Momma said it's too dangerous, so we can't go out there on our own 'til we're bigger!"

Juniper rolled her eyes, a cheeky grin appearing on her face as she smoothly shook her russet pelt. "What's the matter Skye? Too scared? Rules are made to be bent." She said coolly.

Skye frowned and firmly planted her bottom on the ground. "I'm not going out there, I'm not playing anymore." She grumbled. This earned a laugh from Juniper. "Oh come on Skye, just this once? We'll be back before mom and dad even get back, I promise they won't find out." She told her sister.

The little red kit stared at her brownish paws for a moment before finally smiling and jumping to her paws. "Okay, just this once!" She said eagerly. Skye giggled and ran out, tackling her surprised sister. The two started a playful wrestling match. It seemed no matter how mad they got at each other, their sisterly bond could never be broken and they couldn't stay angry long. Juniper ended up winning and the two ran off, further away from the den. "Race you to the pond!" Skye challenged.

Again, Juniper won. She jumped around and played in the water, splashing Skye a few times. "This place is so much fun, I remember when dad first took us here." Skye barked. Suddenly Juniper stopped and sniffed the air. "Skye, quiet...The air smells weird, and it's gotten too quiet." She whispered. Skye quietened and then joined her sister in sniffing the air.

Chhk! Chhk!

Skye gasped. "Did you hear that? What was that sound?"

Her question was answered when a hunter with a double barrel shotgun came out of the bushes with a brown hunting dog. The dog snarled at the fox kits, his hackles raising.

Juniper's fur bristled and she stood in front of Skye bravely. Before the dog could attack, their father leapt over them and tackled the dog to the ground. Tod pinned the dog, baring his teeth and narrowing his eyes. Then he recognised the dog...

"Copper?"

Copper's eyes widened and he stopped baring his teeth. "Tod?"

Amos seemed surprised too. "It's that fox."

Tod got off of his old friend and let him up. "What were you doing Copper? Those are my kids." He said, standing over the two of them. His stance was neither hostile or friendly. As glad as he was to see his friend, he was still wary of the dog since he almost attacked his cubs.

Copper's expression softened. "I didn't know," he replied "sorry."

Tod sighed and relaxed a bit. "I guess it's nice to see you Copper."

"You too Tod."

Two weeks later...

Tod and Vixey decided to move to a den closer to Widow Tweed's place so they could visit the old woman and Copper with their cubs. The twins were excited, because they would get to meet Tod's foster mother and get to know their 'uncle' Copper. When Widow Tweed saw Tod she ran over and embraced her old pet fox. "Oh my little Toddler, I've missed you." She said, holding back tears. She gasped when she saw the cubs. "Oh they're just adorable, this one looks just like you (She pointed to Skye) and the other looks just like her mother."

After the reunion, Tod took the cubs over to see Copper. The two jumped on the bloodhound and played around on his head and back. Copper laughed. "Woah, watch those little paws that tickles."

To put it short, life got better and everyone was finally living together in peace and harmony.