Mama Fox

<Zuri>

What a sly fox!

Replaying the events of the day, Zuri felt his blood boil.

From forcing him to get his tail brushed by that idiot to policing the type of food he could eat, the embarrassments he experienced today alone rivalled that of the entire last week. Nori’s strategy of pressuring him enough that he’d want to go back home had escalated rapidly. An overnight change that nearly caused Zuri to crack today. It had been beyond tough to play off Nori’s words. Especially when half of them, if not all, were thinly veiled insults about his ability to do just anything.

But.

Surprisingly, that wasn’t the worst the day had to bring.

Nori’s deviousness truly knew no bounds.

On top of increasing her targeting of Zuri, she had also switched gears and started focusing on Cleodora. Creating a two-front assault, they were somehow losing. These ‘lessons’ as she called them, were nothing more than rigged tests. Tests to make Cleodora fail and seem incompetent at taking care of Zuri. At which point, Nori would jump in and offhandedly point out how terrible it was they didn't have an expert at the ready… an expert who could only be found at the Palace. Comments like that, along with randomly pointing out where the village was lacking, had become common.

‘Damn it!’

Making the situation worse was the fact that it was all… true.

Of course, Cleodora didn’t know how to take care of Zuri like the expert. She had spent her entire childhood training to be a warrior. Of course, the village was lacking in resources compared to Palace. It resided in the middle of nowhere, far from everything even remotely important. Every time Zuri wanted to argue. He found himself at a loss. It was hard to argue with facts and win. Not to mention, the way in which Nori pointed these things out was often subtle. Almost like a whisper in the winds. If Zuri were to argue every time she did that, it would make him look bad. Feeding into the negative associations he already had.

A troubling truth given the effects it was having.

Glancing at Cleodora, who lay asleep in bed next to Zuri, he pursed his lips.

…Normally, he wouldn’t have dared to allow this to occur given their past, but extreme times called for extreme measures. Cleodora, the happy-go-lucky fool, was visibly depressed after conducting today’s ‘lessons’. Enough so that she skipped dinner. The constant subtle reiteration that she was fit to take care of Zuri was doing a number on her. Horrid timing considering she wasn’t at her most confident. If this had been perhaps Cleodora when they first arrived, she would’ve brushed everything off with a self-assured smile.

Sadly, since Cleodora started valuing opinions more after Zuri’s little meltdown, she wasn’t immune like before.

And the reality that the opinions were coming from someone she greatly respected couldn’t be underestimated.

Zuri glanced at Cleodora one more time.

…Honestly, he was glad she collapsed in his bed and fell asleep.

It was better to have her close than far away from his ever-watchful gaze. Only the heavens knew what Nori might say to destroy her confidence even more. After her plan to down Zuri failed, it was clear she decided to switch tactics. In the process of which, Cleodora started blows Zuri was meant to receive.

Zuri bit his bottom lip lightly.

It was already bad enough that he basically shoved the work of getting rid of Nori on her.

For it to then result in this was… it just didn’t feel good.

The bed groaned lightly.

“Zuri… are you awake?” (C)

Called by the unusually quiet voice, Zuri did his best to answer back calmly.

“I am.” (Z)

A short silence descended between the two of them.

One characteristic of a hesitant ask.

“Are you sure you want to stay here?” (C)

A silent ‘with me’ felt implicit in that ask.

Injecting as much strength and confidence as he could, Zuri answered back instantly.

“I am.” (Z)

Yet.

‘Nori…!’

The anger Zuri felt throughout the day came back with might. It was one thing to target him, but to go after Cleodora as well was plain wrong. Bringing someone down along with him wasn’t Zuri’s style. Behaviour like that was reserved for sorry, sore losers. An image of Zuri’s old family flashed in his mind. Much time had passed since then. So much so that he could no longer recall their faces.

Zuri balled his fists.

He was nothing like those sorry bunch.

“…You brush very okay, you know?” (Z)

“I do?” (C)

Seeing Cleodora turn, Zuri nodded affirmatively.

“Absolutely.” (Z)

“I see, hehe.” (C)

Finally witnessing her crack a wide smile, he sank into the sheets and looked away.

“Good night.” (Z)

“Good night, Zuri!” (C)

The door was left ajar.

Walking into the room, Zuri steadied himself.

It appeared his presence was expected.

“Not even one full day, huh?” (N)

Sat on the bed, Nori grinned the moment he stepped in.

All pretence dropped.

“…Don’t bring her into this.” (Z)

Zuri gently shut the door.

Doing his best to make sure the noise wouldn’t wake the sleeping Cleodora.

“Why not? I thought you didn’t even like her?” (N)

“That’s not important.” (Z)

Nori gestured to the bed, inviting Zuri to sit.

He did not.

“At any rate, if you dislike this much, I’ll stop immediately. I don’t derive pleasure from seeing my sisters so disheartened… Of course, you’d have to agree to come home.” (N)

‘This again!’

Frustrated, Zuri posed a question.

“What’s so wrong about staying here?” (Z)

It wasn’t like this was a dangerous place.

Sure, it was not luxury, but everything Zuri actually needed was available.

Nori assumed a mock thinking pose.

“I could give you thousands of reasons. Those I have at the ready… but, if I’m being honest, only one of them is important.” (N)

Her eyes levelled at Zuri.

All playfulness around her faded almost instantaneously.

“…Zuzu, do you know the significance of pregnancies?” (N)

“I am well—” (Z)

“No, you are not. If you were, you wouldn’t be fighting me on this…. I don’t fault you for not understanding though. You and Cleo are very, very young. It would be wrong of me to expect more of you.” (N)

Nori sighed.

“Frankly, part of me still can’t believe you are pregnant despite bearing witness.” (N)

She then stood up, walked to Zuri and took his hands.

A sombre gaze in her eyes.

“I am incapable of bearing children.” (N)

Her voice was quiet now.

“Elder sister does not desire for another partner.” (N)

Nori’s grip tightened slightly.

“The future of our people is in a precarious position, Zuzu. You are all we have.” (N)

Zuri slowly looked away.

Despite the war with the Demon King being over, the scars it left couldn’t be forgotten.

The consequences of over a thousand years of war were still present everywhere one would look.

His family, as powerful as they were, hadn’t been spared.

Their aunt and her child were a prime example.

They hadn’t been spared at all.

“For the sake of peace, we need to do our best to make sure the Royal line continues." (N)

The formation of the Kitsune Kingdom.

Zuri was reminded of an old story from childhood as Nori spoke. Once upon a time, the Kitsune were divided. Split into warring factions based on region of origin. Pain and suffering were abundant, as not only were they fighting amongst themselves, but they also faced threats from the outside world. The result of which was the near extinction of their people as a whole.

Luckily, Zuri’s ancestor, whose name was long lost to time, rose and somehow managed to unite the warring factions. With their signature white fur and emerald green eyes, they were said to possess a charm and might like no other. The new, united coalition possessed a strength capable of delivering them from the jaws of defeat. Overcoming the outsiders and establishing a legacy that persisted until today.

“You know why we rule.” (N)

There wasn’t a Kitsune alive that didn’t.

The Royal Family was the sole thing that united them up until this day.

Nori, perhaps sensing the heaviness of the conversation, chuckled lightly before pulling Zuri into a hug.

“I should be asking the questions, you know? Why do you want to stay here? What do you see in this place? There’s nothing here.” (N)

In her embrace, Zuri froze as Nori started her honest plea.

“…Zuzu, please, come home with me. Everyone would be overjoyed at your arrival. The Palace will no doubt sing praises, dress you in the finest of garments and fulfil your every desire.” (N)

Imagining the fate that awaited him, Zuri couldn’t help but involuntarily shiver.

Something Nori was quick to pick up on.

“It won’t be forever. Just until the kids come, and then you’ll be free to do anything.” (N)

She petted his head.

“Mostly, anything, at least.” (N)

How terrifying.

Zuri pushed Nori off him.

“I will not journey with you, sister. If you won’t accept that, then so be it.” (Z)

It may be considered selfish, but Zuri had no desire to remain trapped for who knows how long.

Not only that, but he refused to live in the terrible past for the sake of others.

Times had changed.

He eyed Nori with a harsh glare.

“I will not let you rule over this house.” (Z)

He took a step forward.

“You are not the only person with tricks up their sleeve. Prepare yourself. I won’t hold back anymore.” (Z)

Nori smiled.

Then tilted her head to the side.

“I gladly welcome your challenge. May the best win.” (N)

“I intend to.” (Z)

The fact of the matter was simple.

Zuri needed Cleodora in order to rid himself of Nori.

So, until she completed her plan, he would do whatever was in his power to support her.

And right now, she needed her confidence back.

He would give that to her, no matter the cost.