Mama Fox

<Zuri>

The path up the mountain was arduous.

Walking slightly behind Cleodora, Zuri felt disappointed. He shouldn’t have been expecting much considering where they live, but he did so anyway. After all, Cleodora was on a mission to impress him, and given that she knew what he liked, he had hoped for something nicer. Something like a quiet evening at a nice inn or even a professional meal back at the house. Granted, Zuri didn’t know how she’d manage that, but it wasn’t really his job to think about that. He wasn’t the one that asked for the date.

He pursed his lips.

Instead of any of those options, he was treated to a long walk up the mountain carrying a basket of goods he baked himself. Cleodora hadn’t exactly said where they were headed but promised repeatedly it would be ‘Amazing!’. Naturally, Zuri didn’t buy it. Her repeated insistence caused him to believe it would not only be something bad, but it would definitely be something he wouldn’t traditionally like. The long walk was already proving that theory true.

Zuri sighed.

Idly looking around, he sought to comfort his disappointment.

…At least the scenery around them was of high quality.

Same with the crisp, clean air.

This place could actually serve as a popular tourist spot in his old world.

“Are you okay?” (C)

The voice leading the way called to Zuri with a smile.

Cleodora stopped and offered a hand to the basket.

“It’s not too heavy, is it?” (C)

Zuri continued walking.

He may not be the strongest physically, but even he could carry a basket for longer than an hour.

“I’m fine.” (Z)

To suggest the opposite was plain insulting.

It didn’t matter if his hands were trembling; he would carry this to his grave if need be.

“Very well.” (C)

Cleodora resumed walking, caught up, and continued leading the way.

So far, they had mostly moved in silence, but it appeared she was eager to change that now the ice had been broken.

“…Do you remember how we used to play?” (C)

Cleodora’s soft gaze met Zuri’s own.

A hint of nostalgia lacing her words.

“I can’t help but think of the palace garden when we walk here.” (C)

Zuri broke eye contact and studied the surroundings again briefly before replying in a monotone voice.

“Here cannot compare with the Palace. It utterly pales in comparison.” (Z)

“True… but it’s still beautiful, don’t you think?” (C)

Words brimming with tender wonder met his steep rebuttal.

Zuri paused speaking but eventually conceded.

“In its own way.” (Z)

Cleodora chuckled.

“I still remember our play rather fondly…. You were always so terrible at hide and sneak.” (C)

At those words, Zuri furrowed his brows.

“I always let you win.” (Z)

And that was the honest truth.

Zuri was a Kitsune and not just any Kitsune. He was of royal blood and a direct descendant of the royal family. His magic was potent to a degree many failed to comprehend. And, what kinds of magic were the Kitsune known for? Beside their scorching flames, there were also their illusions. Powerful illusions that were not a mere trick of the light but tools for true deception. From sight to sound to even smells, there was nothing a Kitsune couldn’t mimic.

As a ‘kid’, it was the only power he ever seriously trained.

The main reason being it was the most fun.

All this to say, if Zuri didn’t want to be found back then, Cleodora wasn’t yet strong enough to catch him.

“You let me win? That’s not what I remember.” (C)

Cleodora flashed a grin.

Zuri immediately shot back.

“The truth does not care for your memory.” (Z)

Back then, Zuri hadn’t cared much about playing outside. Unfortunately, his family hadn’t been of the same opinion and forced him regardless. Most days, he didn’t earnestly try when playing and allowed Cleodora to ‘find’ him. The reason being he would only be allowed back in after at least one game…. Though, there had been that one time Zuri played earnestly. Out of boredom, he hid for real. Cleodora had been left wandering the garden for hours, completely unable to find him. The isolation had been so absolute that she’d eventually broken down in tears, crying for the rest of the day.

After that incident, Zuri’s mother had stepped in, sternly demanding he promise to go easy on her. Even his siblings had joined the effort to protect her feelings; from then on, whenever they sensed Zuri’s illusions becoming too seamless or his "cheating" too clever, they would physically drag him out of his hiding spot to level the playing field.

Turning to Cleodora, Zuri was about to make his case when he noticed her smile.

…Of course.

The conversation between them lulled as Zuri faced away.

He really shouldn’t be falling for the conversation bait.

“We’re here!” (C)

Cleodora stopped.

Her hands grasping at the two branches that blocked the abruptly ending path.

“After you?” (C)

Zuri rolled his eyes but still stepped forward.

What greeted him wasn’t anything he could’ve expected.

Tucked into a natural hollow of the mountain was a small, circular pond. The water was unnaturally clear, shimmering with a soft, crystalline light as if the pebbles at the bottom were made of stars. Above, the canopy of ancient, silver-leafed trees that knit together in a circle to create a natural cathedral, filtering the sunlight into dancing beams of pale gold. The air here was still and cool, smelling of damp moss and sweet nectar.

It was unusually calm.

‘There’s! No! Way!’

Zuri held his breath and then walked forward and touched a tree.

…That confirmed it.

The bushes behind Zuri rustled.

“Surprised?” (C)

Sitting on the floor, Zuri eyed Cleodora with full suspicion.

“Is something wrong?” (C)

And like usual, she played the fool.

Taking a bite of the pastries he had so painstakingly made.

“…I suppose not.” (Z)

How was it that a human managed to create a grove full of Albacus?

The scared tree found only at the Palace garden.

Zuri endlessly racked his brain.

Even assuming she got permission from his parents to collect its seed (a very, very unlikely event), the conditions required to maintain the thing were impossible. Beyond that, the thing required a few hundred years to grow to such sizes. By all means it should be impossible, yet Zuri couldn’t deny what was quite literally in front of his eyes. A grove full of Albacus trees.

“H-How did you do this?” (Z)

Trying to keep his voice even, Zuri posed a simple question.

Many attempts to cultivate these trees by his people had failed. The trees that had once stood as a symbol for them gradually disappeared after the start of the war. It had gotten so bad that the once completely private Palace gardens were sectioned off and opened to the wider public. A method used to boost failing morale. If word got out that Cleodora achieved this, she would be a hero… a greater hero than she already was to his people.

The moment that thought passed, Zuri shuddered.

The celebrations to come would be unimaginable.

“How did I do what?” (C)

Seeing her reach for another pastry, Zuri smacked it out of her hand.

“I’m being serious…!” (Z)

This would mean a lot to his family!

Cleodora smiled at that reaction, took the pastry that was knocked over, and placed it in-between her lips.

“…If you want to know so badly, you have to give me a kiss.” (C)

Zuri froze.

It was clearly a joke, but the second he heard that, he seriously considered entertaining that idea.

That knowledge was valuable in ways words couldn’t describe. So much so that neither the acclaim Cleodora would receive nor the celebrations he would no doubt be dragged into would waver his determination. Zuri did sincerely love his family despite all their flaws. Gifting this would bring them a joy like no other, and at the meagre cost of a kiss, it was very affordable. More than affordable; in fact, it was cheap. And since Cleodora didn’t specify the duration or the location, Zuri could do it in the least uncomfortable manner and claim his prize.

‘Right. It’s not that hard.’

It wasn’t like they hadn’t kissed before.

“Okay, I will.” (Z)

Contrary to the joy Zuri expected, Cleodora shied away.

Physically putting more distance between them on the not-so-big blanket.

‘The hell!?’

“O-Oh, no… I was joking.” (C)

Zuri stared on incredulously.

Her acting like some kissless, hugless virgin after so roughly and forcefully breaking his silent vow of abstinence bordered on levels of ridiculousness he failed to comprehend.

He was pregnant with her children, for Gods sake!

Just when Zuri couldn’t believe the situation could get worse, the next words Cleodora uttered proved him wrong.

“You don’t have to kiss me unless…” (C)

‘Unless what, huh!? Unless I want to!? What a joke!!’

Another very unfunny joke.

As a barrage of flames was about to burst from Zuri, Cleodora continued talking.

“I can’t go into detail, but this was a one-time thing.” (C)

Seeing as it pertained to what he desired, Zuri quickly buried his anger.

Shoving it deep down in his gut before it got the chance to really get going.

“It’s not possible to replicate what happened….” (C)

Cleodora’s voice adopted a sad, almost longing tone.

“I’m truly sorry.” (C)

The atmosphere of despair that suddenly surrounded her was thick, heavy and likely not leaving anytime soon. It clung like an unwanted musk, content with remaining exactly where it was. The happy, light air Cleodora normally carried around was sucked into the sudden abyss. Disappearing without leaving even the faintest of traces behind.

Zuri stared quietly at her.

“You really haven’t changed, have you?” (Z)

Although phrased as a question, it was more of a statement.

Cleodora perked up slightly at Zuri’s words.

“I think I’ve changed… a little, at least.” (C)

“Really? I could’ve sworn you were about to cry.” (Z)

It was a familiar cycle.

Cleodora would cry, and Zuri would always be forced to comfort her.

Times like this often remind him of her old self.

The one who would cling to him and follow him around like a lost puppy.

“Heroes don’t cry.” (C)

“Then I guess you are not a hero?” (Z)

It was often Zuri questioned if he was really talking to the same person. At a glance, Cleodora looked completely different, brand new, some would say. But, it would appear she was wearing a tighter façade than many realised.

“What are you doing?” (Z)

Watching Cleodora get up and roll up her sleeves, Zuri passively examined the odd behaviour.

“Look! I’ve changed.” (C)

She started flexing her muscles.

Posing to showcase her triceps, biceps and well-developed upper traps.

“Like what you see?” (C)

“…I prefer a more petite body. Muscles are gross.” (Z)

Unimpressed, Zuri flatly answered.

Deciding to give a response from a conversation he once overheard.

“R-Really?” (C)

And like a moth to a flame, Cleodora flew.

Zuri struggled to hide his rising grin.

“Maybe? I really don’t know.” (Z)

From there forth, the conversation drifted aimlessly.

Complaints about the climb, discussions about the snacks, debates about the clearness of the water…

Nothing was off the table to talk about.

But.

At the end of the day, most of it was useless idle chatter.

Feeling the conversation lull once more after a rather heated deliberation on the benefits of exercise, Zuri lay down on his back and half-closed his eyes.

… Honestly speaking, this wasn’t as bad as he thought.

The date wasn’t too hard, and now he won’t have to do anything for her for a while.

An easy win-win.

“…I used to dream of times like this, you know?” (C)

The voice that joined Zuri was accompanied by a cheeky grin.

He gave a short groan of acknowledgement.

“There were times… there were times I thought I would never get to see you again.” (C)

The cheeky grin had temporarily faded but was then swiftly replaced by a genuine smile.

“Zuri.” (C)

Hearing his name, Zuri turned his head, opened his eyes fully and glanced at her face.

A happy, childlike glee was present.

“I swear I’ll make you the happiest woman in the world… no matter what it takes.” (C)

Zuri and Cleodora held each other’s gaze for a moment.

Sky blue eyes meeting emerald green.

“Alright.” (Z)

Zuri faced away.

Closing his eyes and embracing its darkness.

This was the correct thing to do, right?

So why did it feel so wrong?