Mama Fox

<Cleodora>

Lessons.

After Nori finished assisting Zuri in the bathroom, she led Cleodora to one of the free rooms. There she gave a brief overview of what she intended to teach. Most of which were things Cleodora was intimately familiar with. With the care of Zuri as her number one priority, everything involving that was her expertise. From basic cleaning to the preparation of meals, Cleodora was confident of her ability to do it all. It was no exaggeration to say she could single-handedly hold the house down.

“I’ll be right back.” (N)

Cleodora took a light breath as Nori smiled warmly and left.

In light of those facts, she wasn’t planning to learn anything new during these lessons.

No.

She was looking for a reason to get Nori to leave.

One that didn’t leave room for bad blood.

‘…Footsteps?’

Multiple of them going by the cadence of the noise. A muted conversation could be heard, and before Cleodora could properly make out what was said, they arrived at the room. Nori walked in first. One hand holding an assortment of several different types of hairbrushes. Tailing behind her was Zuri. Her whole form practically being dragged into the room by Nori’s freehand. She was fresh from the shower. Towels still loosely draped over both her head and tail.

The moment they entered the room, Zuri froze.

Nori, having let go of her hand as soon as they entered, sat down next to Cleodora.

Gesturing at the empty spot she created between the two of them

“Zuzu, sit.” (N)

A few seconds passed as Zuri blankly stared at Nori.

Her eyes travelled between the brushes in Nori’s hand and her face.

“…Why?” (Z)

A simple question was posed.

The implication behind it was blatant, as it was harsh: Why is she here?

“Cleo needs the practice.” (N)

At her name, Cleodora shuddered as Zuri’s accusatory gaze bore down on her.

Given the nature of the items around and Nori’s words, it appeared she intended to make this lesson more… practical.

‘Wasn’t this supposed to be a one-on-one theory!?’

If Nori was planning on what it was looking like, then trouble was bound to follow. The agreement Cleodora and Zuri formed was a sacred thing. Having it already once be violated on Cleodora’s account, its fragility couldn’t be higher. There was only so much abuse the agreement could receive before Zuri stopped believing in it. At which point, the dream of her becoming Cleodora’s wife in more than name vanished.

‘…Friends do each other’s hair, right?’

The vain hope was quickly shattered by Zuri’s next words.

“I don’t remember agreeing to this.” (Z)

The towel on Zuri’s head perked up as her ears raised.

She narrowed her eyes at Nori.

‘This wasn’t my idea, I swear….’

“Well, if you’re alright with staying like that, then it shouldn’t be a problem.” (N)

Indifferent to Zuri’s protests, Nori stood her ground.

The usual face-off between the two siblings resumed at her words.

“You said you’d do it.” (Z)

“No, I didn’t. I simply said that it needed to be done.” (N)

But.

Unlike usual, Zuri was quick to back down. After a moment passed in silence, the aggressive aura that had been building around her began to deteriorate before completely crumbling away. Gazing at the towels that covered Zuri’s ears and tail, it was obvious why. If those were in the state where she needed to hide them, then it was evident something happened at the baths. Something she couldn’t manage on her own.

Zuri shifted in place before looking off to the side and plainly asking,

“…Can you do it?” (Z)

The fiery energy that typically accompanied her sweet voice was absent.

She muttered the words reluctantly, as though they physically hurt to say.

“Come on, Zuzu. It’s not that bad.” (N)

Nori shot up from the bed and walked over to Zuri.

“And not to mention, Cleo has seen this dozens of times before. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.” (N)

“S-Still…” (Z)

Nori then grabbed both of Zuri’s hands.

She smiled pleasantly.

“It’s only family here. We won’t make fun of you.” (N)

The exchange between the two took on a new coat. Instead of the harsh and almost cold atmosphere from before, a warm, comforting air descended between them. Nori reassured Zuri over and over again. Sweeping aside all of her worries and fears with a profound practised ease. It wasn’t long before Zuri finally gave in and allowed Nori to pull off both towels. Exposing her furry ears and tail to the open world.

“See, it’s not so bad, right?” (N)

Feeling her cheeks redden, Cleodora averted her gaze.

The pristine white fur that coated Zuri’s ears and tail had expanded. Growing at least twice from their original size. Two puffballs rested where Zuri’s ear should be, while a puff cylinder extended from her rear.

“I-I’ll have you know that this doesn’t look ridiculous.” (Z)

“Nobody said it looked ridiculous, Zuzu.” (N)

Yeah, it didn’t look ridiculous at all.

It just looked so impossibly adorable!

Nori led Zuri back to the bed, sat her down and looked to Cleodora.

“Cleo, you need to make sure this one properly cleans these fluffs of hers.” (N)

A deep sigh emanated from Nori.

Zuri, hearing this, was swift in her defence.

“I’ve been cleaning them just fine—” (Z)

“Would you mind telling me what colour the bathwater was again? I think I may have forgotten." (N)

Zuri fell silent for a second before murmuring in an off tone.

“I’ve been trying, okay? The village dirt just clings on.” (Z)

“…This place is a fair bit dirty, huh?” (N)

Nori’s gaze briefly wandered to Cleodora’s own before looking back to Zuri.

“You don’t say?” (Z)

“I see someone is itching for a time out?” (N)

Flicking Zuri’s forehead, Nori turned and exited the room.

“I’ll be right back.” (N)

Left alone with Zuri, an awkward quiet descended down upon the room.

What was soon to happen was not lost on either of them.

“Cleodora.” (Z)

Zuri was the one to break the silence.

“I-I promise this wasn’t my—” (C)

“Don’t take me for a fool… I know that. I know her.” (Z)

Zuri sighed while gazing at the ground.

Seconds stretched on into a full minute until she decided to speak again.

“Is this necessary for your plan?” (Z)

Her voice was full of trepidation.

Turning to her, Cleodora answered as honestly as she could.

“…I need to get closer to her.” (C)

She needed to find that reason.

“Alright.” (Z)

A seemingly casual answer was muttered soon after.

Cleodora bowed.

“Thank you.” (C)

Soon, Nori arrived at the room.

Her hands full of pillows.

“Let’s get started with the first lesson then!” (N)

“That’s too rough. If you keep that up, all her fur will break and fall off.” (N)

“Too gentle. Nothing will change if you keep that up.” (N)

“Deep, slow strokes. This isn’t a race, remember?” (N)

Staring at the bushy, soft white tail in front of her, Cleodora felt a piece of her mind slip.

She had been brushing, combing and grooming this delicate equipment for the past hour. And, despite this, it looked no more arranged than when she first began. In fact, one could argue that her meddling had actually caused the tail to look worse. No matter what Cleodora did, it felt like she was making no progress. Adjusting to match the instructions given was a total burst. Cleodora was struggling hard to keep up.

‘She must be so furious…’

Work that should’ve taken at most fifteen minutes had expanded to more than three times the time.

Slowing her brushing, Cleodora peeked up at Zuri.

A task that got harder the longer she worked.

'Ah-huh?'

Contrary to the angry expression she expected to greet her, Cleodora came face to face with a happy smile.

A sweet, drunken kind of happy smile.

“…Zuri?” (C)

“Yeeees?” (Z)

Sadly, Cleodora wouldn’t have the opportunity to really take in that arresting smile.

“Oh, dear. Cleo, leave the room. I’ll finish up here.” (N)

Pushed out of the room by Nori, Cleodora now sat in the living room.

Emptily staring at the ceiling.

‘…I messed up, didn’t I?’

That was the only thing on her mind.

After confidently starting the lesson, she completely failed to achieve the end goal of tidying up Zuri’s fur.

A truth that shouldn’t have happened.

‘The next one for sure…’

Cleodora balled her fist.

She wouldn’t fail.

“Second lesson, Diet!” (N)

Sitting in the living room, Cleodora sharpened her focus.

With Zuri back to normal, it was finally time for her next lesson.

“A pregnant Kitsune’s diet changes depending on symptoms.” (N)

Nori gestured to the foods displayed on the short table in front of them.

“If she becomes irritable, increase sweet fruits. If she becomes fatigued, more protein. If her body overheats, avoid spicy foods entirely.” (N)

The longer Nori went on with her explanation, the stronger a certain feeling welled up in Cleodora. She hadn’t ever seriously considered Zuri’s diet. Merely feeding Zuri whatever she wants when it was her turn to prepare a meal or source ingredients. A truly terrible oversight on her part. Zuri, the mother of her children, wasn’t receiving the best care Cleodora could give simply because Cleodora, herself, hadn’t thought that far ahead?

As Nori came to the end of her explanation, Zuri rolled her eyes.

“I’ll eat whatever I please.” (Z)

“You’ll eat whatever you're given.” (N)

Nori gazed at Cleodora.

“Don’t listen to the barking of that grumpy fox. She doesn’t know what she needs.” (N)

“…Understood.” (C)

Cleodora’s agreement came out quicker than she intended.

The result of which immediately caused Zuri to pout.

“Lesson three! Mental care.” (N)

With the fruits now put away, Nori continued to the next lesson.

“A pregnant Kitsune experiences emotional shifts.” (N)

She raised three fingers in the air.

“Moodiness.” (N)

“I am not moody.” (Z)

“Irritability.” (N)

Zuri’s tail flickered.

“And the occasionally territorial behaviour.” (N)

“Territorial behaviour?” (C)

“Pregnant Kitsune often become rather possessive of things they view as theirs… especially their partners.” (N)

…Cleodora paused.

There was no way that was true, right?

“H-Hey!” (Z)

And it looked like he wasn’t the only one to share that thought.

Zuri stood up and filed a direct complaint.

“I don’t know what you’re playing at, sister, but I’ve had it up to here for today!” (Z)

Nori glanced at Zuri… before brazenly ignoring her and turning to Cleodora.

“You don’t have to listen to everything she tells you, Cleo.” (N)

Her voice adopted an uncharacteristic serious tone.

“If it’s important enough, you need to make the right call.” (N)

“Sister!” (Z)

Zuri turned to Cleodora.

“Don’t fall for her petty words. They’re merely a trick! A falsehood!” (Z)

Zuri took a deep breath.

Taking a moment to calm herself.

“Think about it. Like, seriously think about it. Have I ever behaved in such a manner even once?” (Z)

Unfortunately, Nori was present with a word able to thwart Zuri’s own.

“Is your memory so short, Zuzu? I remember our first meeting to be quite… spirited.” (N)

“C-Cleodora, come here with me. We don’t need to sit here and listen to this!” (Z)

Zuri tagged at Cleodora’s sleeve.

At her instance, Cleodora got up and followed Zuri to her room.

Gazing back once and seeing Nori’s smile.

Today hadn’t been fruitful.

A reason was not found.

And the longer it ran, the more Cleodora doubted herself in a way she never had.

…Was she really able to take care of Zuri on her own?