Mama Fox

<Cleodora>

“Miss Hero, could ya help me out over here!”

“Sure, no worries!” (C)

Cleodora walked toward the bald, burly man who was standing next to a precarious stack of massive logs. Without hesitation, she bent and effortlessly scooped up the entire pile into her arms.

“Where do you want this?” (C)

“Set 'er down right over there.”

As soon as Cleodora placed the massive pile down next to the cart, a voice, slight with panic, gave a frantic call out to her.

It was an older boy with his axe half stuck in a tree.

“I-I am a little stuck here, Miss Hero. A hand, please!”

“Alright!” (C)

Wrenching the axe free with ease, she handed it back to the relieved older boy.

He awkwardly smiled before bowing and giving thanks.

“T-Thanks, Miss Hero. I didn’t think it would get stuck so easily….”

Nodding with a grin, Cleodora roughed the hair of the older boy.

“Don’t worry about it, kiddo! It takes a good deal of practice to get good at any, and even then, mistakes are never in short supply.” (C)

With a laugh, Cleodora turned back and returned to her own assigned duty.

Her original duty.

Chopping wood.

Picking a log from a nearby pile, she got to work. Raising her well-sharpened axe and bringing it down on the poor unsuspecting wood. The wood seamlessly split in half, offering up no resistance. Taking each perfect half, Cleodora tossed them into the semi-completed pile before again reaching for another, fresh log.

This was Cleodora’s work.

Or, at least, her work for today.

As the designated villager helper, Cleodora didn’t really have fixed work. Her work was whatever the village elder decided it was. Be it assisting with the farms like yesterday or collecting and processing firewood like today. This work, this job she does, was nothing like her old one. It was much more peaceful and easygoing. No grand goal to achieve, no great evil to slay, but the calm, steady day-to-day musings of a villager.

The problems of today would not follow her tomorrow.

It was everything she dreamed of after her long journey around the world.

Sitting down on a stump and staring up at the clear blue sky, Cleodora took in a deep breath.

Inhaling the crisp air the mountains provided.

Look, after a few short moments, she was already done with her work.

Smiling to herself, Cleodora allowed herself to get lost in thought.

Naturally, the first person to occupy her mind was her dearest one, her love.

Her smile grew wider.

It was too bad she couldn’t tell her dearest one about the specifications of her job. If she were to find out, she would no doubt be enraged and try and get her to quit. Cleodora could already hear the string of disparaging remarks that would fly out of her mouth. Mentions of how that’s not a real job or critiques about its abysmal pay would not be missed. Going home later would be a bit of trouble, but, nevertheless, Cleodora was still excited to go see her beautiful wife.

‘Ah, she’s so cute’

Cleodora felt her heart begin to race again. Despite her generally harsh attitude and cold words, Cleodora knew of her love’s kindness and gentleness better than anyone else. One should never take her love by her words alone, for her actions speak louder. Even mad at Cleodora, she still prepared a warm bath, hot meal and fresh clothes for her, and that’s without considering the cleaning around she did.

For a person who wasn’t particularly fond of that kind of work, it was quite generous.

Cleodora sighed.

Maybe she shouldn’t have left so soon.

Her love must be feeling quite lonely after she disappeared for so long.

‘…I guess some things don’t change?’

Her love had always been quite the clingy child.

“What’s got you so happy, Miss Hero?”

Turning to address the boy, Cleodora glanced around to inspect his part of the work.

It looked like his axe got stuck again.

She decided to humour him.

“Why don’t you take a guess?” (C)

She sang a playful tune.

The kid didn’t immediately answer.

Instead, he chose to dive surprisingly deep into thought, a hand resting on his chin.

“…Are you remembering slaying the demon lord?”

“Nope!” (C)

“Leading the Salvation Army?”

“Nah!” (C)

“Exploring untold lands?”

“No way!” (C)

A frown appeared on the older boy’s face.

“Ain’t it obvious, kiddo? It’s that wife of hers!”

The bald, burly man appeared behind the boy and gave him a hard smack on the back.

“Who won’t be happy with her at home?”

He let out a loud laugh.

Cleodora smiled.

“O-Oh, it was so obvious….”

The bald man continued.

“I can’t lie… She is quite the Princess.”

He let out an impressed whistle.

The boy then chimed in, his voice low and holding a soft reverence.

“…I still can’t believe she’s here.”

He locked eyes with Cleodora.

“J-Just how did you manage that?”

Swaying lightly, Cleodora responded.

“I won’t share my secrets… But I can say it wasn’t easy. She’s quite something, you know?” (C)

The bald man laughed once more.

“So even the great Miss Hero struggled against the Iron Princess, haha!”

Standing up, Cleodora took both persons under her arms and grinned.

“Well, what can I say? Nothing good comes easy!” (C)

“Fair enough!”

The bald man looked at the cart before declaring a simple statement.

“Let’s head back. I think we’ve done more than a day’s work.”

The village was lively.

“““Miss Hero, Miss Hero, Miss Hero!!!”””

Trapped in a sea of children, Cleodora couldn’t help but smile.

They were such a lovely bunch.

“Miss Hero, when is the pretty Princess going to come back!?”

“I must have another meeting with her Royal Highness.”

“…I-I would like to see her again… if it’s possible.”

In the vast sea of children, three stood out: an energetic, short-haired dynamo girl, a clever but clearly arrogant little boy, and a gentle, soft-spoken shy girl. They were the only ones bold enough to actually grab onto Cleodora as she planned to leave. Their bravery was commendable, and to reward their efforts—

“How about instead of her coming, you come visit tomorrow? I’m sure she’ll be excited!” (C)

“Really? Like, really, really!?”

“Tomorrow is soon, but I can work it into my schedule.”

“I-If you insist….”

Patting each of their heads, Cleodora looked to home.

“It’s a date then!” (C)

And jumped.

It took serious guts to do what they did.

Most of the villagers were still (understandably) somewhat intimidated by her despite her kindness, though they tried to hide it.

Her presence, even when subdued, was too much for some people.

"I’m ho—" (C)

Cleodora stopped dead in the doorway, a bright smile overtaking her face.

"Oh, hello my love!" (C)

Already waiting there with a towel, robe and change of clothes was her dear wife.

The love of her life and the future mother of their children.

“How have you been?” (C)

She seemed a little annoyed.

‘Ah, right’

This morning hadn’t been left on the best of notes.

Racking her brain, Cleodora analysed her love’s body language.

Having known her for long, it's more than easy to gauge her true current mood through them.

‘Ears, check’

Not perked up was always a good sign.

‘Tail, check’

Calm with no movements, another good sign.

‘Fangs, check’

No sight of them was the final good sign Cleodora needed to confirm her current mood.

She wasn’t that annoyed.

Just holding on to her anger from earlier.

…Something good must’ve happened.

“If you plan to pull that little trick you did in the morning again, don’t ever bother showing your face back here.” (Z)

The gorgeous emerald green eyes of her love narrowed at Cleodora.

“Got it?” (Z)

She was so beautiful it hurt.

“Ah? Um, yes! I got it!” (C)

Her love handed over the items she held with an eye roll before departing, presumably to the kitchen. Walking into the house, Cleodora threw off her shoes and then paused. Her eyes fixated on the piece now hanging over the fireplace. It depicted an idyllic, colourful location. The stuff of dreams. Serene and elegant, there was no mistaking that location for any place other than what it was.

The grand royal palace.

The home of the Kitsune.

Touching the piece, Cleodora felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her.

It had been the place she called home for many years.

It had been the place she felt most connected and loved.

…It had been the place she abandoned for war and bloodshed.

Entering the bathroom, Cleodora didn’t take to the warm bath prepared but instead stood in the cold shower washing up.

As the old feelings stirred within her and washed away, a smile climbed onto her face.

It was good her love had found the art supplies.

Kitsune were a people in love with the arts after all.

That without a doubt raised her spirits.

Turning off the shower, Cleodora let the droplets of water roll off her body.

Her love might need the boost in spirits for what will happen soon.

Staring down at her swollen member, Cleodora took a hand and lightly rubbed at it.

She had waited long.

Very, very long.

Today they will consummate the marriage.

Today her love was truly going to become her wife.