Mama Fox

<Nori>

This was definitely the house.

Staring at a modest home nestled in the mountain woods, Nori paused.

Knock Knock

Yet, no one answers.

Why was no one responding?

Zuri was a light sleeper. There was no way she wouldn’t notice this.

Something felt… wrong.

Grasping the door, Nori pulled.

‘Unlocked?’

Instantly, the smell of something burning hit her nose. Raising her guard, she scanned the home in a flash. Despite the potent scent, there was a clear lack of visible smoke. A strong clue as to the cause of the flame. Travelling through the living room with a brisk pace, Nori entered the corridors. Following the scent, she abruptly halted as fresh noise filled the air. Moans, soft and gentle, sounded from the room right in front of her.

It was there she should’ve stopped.

It was there she should’ve turned back and left.

With the knowledge she had, it was obvious what was likely going on.

…Hindsight was really something, wasn’t it?

Letting curiosity get the better of her, Nori stepped forward.

She walked to the room, pulled the door and came to quite the sight.

The sight of a burning fox devouring its trapped prey.

Flames surged.

Zuri had imagined meeting his family again many times.

Naturally, it was hard not to, given his situation. Every day he awoke in this backwater nowhere place, he was reminded of the fact that they basically sold him off to an idiot. An idiot who forcefully impregnated him with three bloody children. On days where Zuri took it particularly hard and was reminded of all that he lost, he imagined the reunion fiery. One where he would chew his family up and get some well-deserved justice. But, on the other hand, on days where Zuri felt this life bearable, he imagined a quiet reunion. One where he would still chew them out but be gentle about it. Regardless of which, though, they all followed the core theme of him bearing the anger, him being the one annoyed.

Never in a million years did he expect to be on the receiving end of their anger.

“Look, I understand you’re newlyweds and all, but everything has a limit!” (N)

It was morning, late morning.

And, currently, Zuri was kneeling before his sister.

“This—” (N)

She pointed to the ruined bed.

The one that looked like it just escaped a house fire.

“Is too damn far!” (N)

‘…When did she get here?’

Dazed.

Dazed and embarrassed. Those were the only two things Zuri could feel kneeled on the ground. The memory of last night was muddled, but not enough for him to forget the face his sister made when she walked into the room. Zuri couldn’t remember exactly what he had been doing in the moment, but whatever it was, it had been enough to completely set off his most laid-back sister. She had ripped him off Cleodora and then… and then—

‘Ugh’

Zuri clutched his head.

It hurt badly, and not just from the head chop he received for refusing to kneel initially.

‘What’s wrong with me?’

Something was up… again.

‘Stupid pregnancy!’

The likely culprit was back at it.

Nevertheless, Zuri would have to deal with that later.

He needed to put this fire out… honestly, he couldn’t believe his sister could get this mad.

“I-I didn’t do anything wrong….” (Z)

“Zuzu! You better take that back and apologize, now!” (N)

At that sharp rebuke, Zuri looked away.

Right.

How could he forget? Everyone in this family just about adored Cleodora. There wasn’t a single thing he could say that would change their minds. Forget the fact that Nori had shown up unannounced in the middle of the night or that Cleodora needed his assistance in order to not go wild on him. All of this mess was already his fault. Zuri’s memories of last night may be muddled, but whatever he did, it could not be so bad as to provoke this reaction. A familiar bias was in play here. There was a reason why he was the only one kneeling while Cleodora got to stand.

Cleodora, the angel hero, couldn’t possibly be at fault.

She would never even think of such vulgar acts.

It was that trouble-making Iron-Mouthed Princess for sure.

“N-No way… She’s the one that started it.” (Z)

Zuri couldn’t stand the injustice.

And apparently Cleodora as she moved to speak.

“Uh, y-yeah. It was me—” (C)

“Don’t you cover for her!” (N)

Unfortunately, the attempt was shut down faster than it could start.

Looking to Cleodora, Zuri was about to step in and support her claim when he felt his mind abruptly slow.

‘…Is she wearing make-up today?’

Cleodora was beautiful.

As a Child of the Sun, that was already a given.

But.

For some reason, she was looking even more beautiful today?

There was also a scent wafting off her, a sweet, tasty scent.

Fingers suddenly snapped loudly in front of Zuri.

Nori glanced back and clicked her tongue.

“…Cleo, please leave the room.” (N)

Cleodora laughed awkwardly, pulled the door open and left while shutting it gently.

…What a coward.

“We’ve told you this a dozen times! This kind of behaviour is unacceptable!!” (N)

Kneeling on the ground, Zuri endured lecture after lecture on his behaviour.

It was funny, really.

Despite enduring it, he never once learnt what exactly he did to deserve them.

She danced around the topic like a certified ballerina, which led Zuri to believe it wasn’t as bad as she was making it out to be.

She was either equally embarrassed or too deep to back out.

“I thought you would’ve matured a little by now…. You know better than this, Zuzu.” (N)

Nori pinched the bridge of her nose.

“As soon as we are done here, you’re going to apologise to her, understood?” (N)

Silence.

Zuri didn’t say anything.

It was one thing to take the blame and a whole other to apologise for it.

He hadn’t done anything wrong to Cleodora; he wasn’t sorry.

“Fine. I guess I need to bring elder sister to sort this.” (N)

Zuri’s blood ran cold.

Unlike this joker, the future ruler of the Kitsune was damn scary.

Was she really going there!?

“I-I’ll apologise, okay!?” (Z)

“Apologise for what?” (N)

Pursing his lips, Zuri forced out the words.

“For… taking things too far.” (Z)

A quiet look was given.

‘Damn it’

“And for being immature about it.” (Z)

Nori raised an eyebrow.

…She was really dragging it.

“And for arguing with my older sister.” (Z)

“Good! So you do know what you did wrong, huh?” (N)

“W-Why are you even here?” (Z)

Frustrated, Zuri glared at her.

If her mission was to come and piss him off, she had royally succeeded.

“Ah, right!” (N)

After likely using her entire life’s supply of anger on Zuri, Nori’s true colours swiftly revealed themselves.

She got down on her knees.

All previous anger evaporating in a second.

“Zuzu… are you pregnant?” (N)

A playful tone coated her words.

‘Ah?’

That bastard told her!

No wonder she so readily left!!

“…W-What are you talking about?” (Z)

“Zuzu….” (N)

Nori spoke in a kind and annoyingly sagely tone.

A grin making way to her face.

‘Fuck!’

Her question was merely a formality. She already had her answer.

“…So what if I am?” (Z)

In cases like this, it was best to double down.

Anything other than that would see her angling for a way to make fun of him.

“Zuzu!!” (N)

Zuri was promptly tackled in a hug.

“I can’t believe it! For it to happen so soon, it’s so amazing!!” (N)

“Get off me, will you?” (N)

Nori snuggled closer and laid her head on his chest.

“I guess this is the fruit of your love?” (N)

“What nonsense are you spouting about!” (Z)

“Hehe.” (N)

Clearing his throat, Zuri continued.

“I don’t even like her, much less love her.” (Z)

“I see, I see. That must be why you are carrying her child.” (N)

The sarcasm that laced her words wasn’t lost on Zuri.

As he was about to raise his voice in objection, he paused.

Child.

She said child.

She didn’t know about the triplets soon coming.

“…Are you alright?” (N)

Ignoring the mischievous callings of the person cuddled up to him, Zuri glanced sideways.

Was this something he should tell her?

Considering how monumental this was going to be for the Kitsune, keeping it a secret without an actual good reason felt dirty. Especially given that it was his own sister he would be keeping the secret from. She may be annoying, pesky and downright irritating at times, but she was still someone Zuri deeply cherished. Like the rest of his family, she held a rather special place in his heart.

“Sister, I have something important to inform you about. It is imperative you don’t overact.” (Z)

Zuri pushed her slightly off him.

“I am not having a child.” (Z)

“Oh, come on. There’s no use pretending—” (N)

“I am having children.” (Z)

A long pause ensued as she digested his words.

“A-As in twins?” (N)

Zuri raised three fingers.

“H-How does that… How did that—” (N)

“She can be relentless when she wants to be.” (Z)

Zuri's words appeared to shock Nori right out of her stupor.

“Haaa… Do you expect me to believe that?” (N)

“I’m telling the truth, seriously! Ask her yourself!” (Z)

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say.” (N)

Her emerald eyes buried deep into Zuri’s own.

“You shouldn’t be too rough with her. She’s sensitive, you know?” (N)

“I’m sensitive too!” (Z)

“…Anyway, this is great news! Three!! Three new cute Kitsune!!!” (N)

Nori crushed Zuri with a hug once more.

“We must head back to the palace at once!” (N)