Mama Fox

<Zuri>

When will this nightmare end?

Lying in bed, Zuri stared blankly at the ceiling.

It was currently morning, early morning. The day had just begun, and he was already tired. His entire body felt ten times heavier than lead. Even the mere idea of pushing the bed covers off seemed insurmountable. A task that bordered on the impossible…. Given Zuri’s rather sorry state, he felt every bit tempted to blame the cause of it on being pregnant—a fact he hadn’t been able to forget due to being reminded on a damn near hourly basis. But, deep in his heart, he knew that to be false. The true cause (or should he say causes?) of his tiredness, his fatigue, was the trouble brewing around him.

First, there was that idiot.

Cleodora.

Supporting her had been a lot more tiresome than Zuri had initially anticipated. The hero, the shining beacon of the world, was… in a serious need of a heavy confidence boost. Double emphasis on the heavy. She doubts and second guesses every decision or action she takes! The Cleodora of now was a far cry from the arrogant muscle-brained fool that dragged Zuri here. She had reverted to her old ways. A behaviour amplified by the presence of his sister.

‘Ugh’

In order to counteract that, Zuri had been partaking in the most elaborate humiliation in his life.

From raining down endless compliments to allowing closer physical proximity, he did a great deal to support Cleodora. Making sure she had everything needed to fight Nori’s mental contamination. Unfortunately, in the process of aiding Cleodora in her own battle, Zuri faced a new kind of mental contamination brought on by his actions. There was something about willingly lowering and embarrassing himself that his body physically rejected. Even though he logically knew this was to his ultimate benefit, Zuri couldn’t stop his mind or body from growing weary of it.

A headache started to set in.

If dealing with Cleodora wasn’t bad enough, there was then his sister.

The worse of the two in regard to Zuri’s mental wellbeing.

After the fateful night they issued the challenge, Nori’s attitude completely changed. One could even say it evolved. No longer were her comments carefully dressed in flowery language. No, instead, they left starkly naked and nude for the whole world to see. She said exactly what was on her mind in the moment. And while Zuri was somewhat used to the biting tone, even he had his limits. He couldn’t withstand it all. A problem that mainly stemmed from Nori’s ability to hit exactly where it hurt.

All of Zuri’s flaws were shoved directly into his face.

From his allegedly weak body constitution that left him vulnerable to anyone with a negative thought to his allegedly poor personality that had left him without a single friend all his life, anything that could be said was said. Added to all that pain was Cleodora’s own. Zuri was shielding her from the worst of it at his admittedly great expense. Rebutting all of Nori’s words to his best ability.

‘…It’s just meaningless chatter anyway’

Nori’s words were just unnecessarily harsh in order to trick Zuri into second-guessing himself.

It was the same thing she was doing to Cleodora.

None of it was true.

Sure, he might be physically weaker than a few people, but it wasn’t a big deal.

‘It is when anyone of these villagers could subdue you. Tell me, Zuzu. If Cleo weren't around, what would you do if intruders came here? You can’t run ten steps without getting winded, nor could you cast a controlled flame longer than five seconds. The best you've got is illusions. Illusions you’ve hardly practised since you were a kid. Is that supposed to protect your children?’ (N)

Zuri closed his eyes.

Useless hypotheticals meant nothing.

Forcing himself to sit up, he took a deep breath.

Like the personality thing, none of it mattered. Not to mention it was all wrong.

…The only reason Zuri didn’t have friends was because he didn’t care for any.

‘That’s not how I remember it. In fact—’ (N)

A light touch on Zuri’s shoulder broke him out of his thoughts.

He opened his eyes.

“Are you okay, Zuri?” (C)

Seeing Cleodora shamelessly linger with her hand, Zuri scowled.

“Of course, I am.” (Z)

Despite being tempted to swat her hand away, he reframed from doing so.

Supporting Cleodora was his current number one goal. A goal that required terrible sacrifices. He needed to reassure her that not only was she capable, but so was he under her care. Beyond countering Nori’s words, Zuri achieved this through showcasing his dependable side. It was part of the reason he prepared her breakfast. An action that resulted in all household utensils being hidden and a lock being placed in the kitchen. It wouldn’t do to look as helpless as Nori was making him out to be.

Zuri gazed at Cleodora.

All the trials he's been put through were not without reason.

“…Hey.” (Z)

He made a bet. A rather foolish, idiotic bet on a moron.

“Are you close?” (Z)

Aware of his inability to deal with Nori on his own, Zuri had hoped giving the task out could work. Hence his support of Cleodora through this.

Honestly though, he wasn’t sure how more of this he could take.

Cleodora smiled brightly.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it today.” (C)

At those words, Zuri jerked in surprise.

“T-Today?” (Z)

“Yep, today!” (C)

A few moments passed as Zuri observed Cleodora’s form in total silence.

She was in quite the good mood compared to the last couple of days.

He then slowly nodded.

“Fill me in.” (Z)

It appears he will awake up from this nightmare a lot sooner than anticipated.

“It’s a secret.” (C)

Zuri felt his eyebrow twitch.

Perhaps a depressed Cleodora wasn’t the worst thing in the world?

“Let’s stop.” (C)

‘N-Now!?’

Zuri’s mind immediately descended into chaos.

Despite knowing it was coming throughout the entire day, for it to happen now filled him with a dread like no other. Adrenaline flooded his system. His heart beat like crazy. Everything he had suffered through had accumulated to this final moment. Whether or not it would prove to be worth it was a truth only the Gods knew. Hopefully, whatever plan Cleodora had concocted was devious enough to defeat this centuries-old foe.

“…Why?” (N)

Nori didn’t stop brushing Zuri’s tail despite Cleodora’s earlier call.

Continuing with a relaxed pace of an expert.

“We need to have a conversation." (C)

Cleodora’s voice carried an excessively heavy tone.

Not that Nori seemed to notice.

“Stopping is not necessary. It is not as though we are working with our mouths.” (N)

It was only after Cleodora spoke in a soft and subdued tone that the gravity of the situation dawned on Nori.

“The importance of the conversation demands our full attention.” (C)

The brushing on Zuri’s tail abruptly stopped.

Facing forward, he couldn’t see the expressions of both of them, but it wasn’t hard to imagine what they were.

“I have learnt a lot from you, sister. Your lessons have helped me greatly but…” (C)

Cleodora carried on, likely gesturing with her animated self.

“I do not desire for this to go on.” (C)

A pause hit the conversation.

It was then filled by the calm, almost cold voice of Nori.

“And do tell, what exactly is—” (N)

The shuffling of clothing sounded behind Zuri.

“—This?” (N)

“Everything.” (C)

Hearing Cleodora’s answer, Zuri dryly swallowed.

He was waiting for some grand plan to kick off right about now. Surely, surely, Cleodora didn’t plan on trying to talk and outwit his sister? She knew better than that. With all the time Zuri spent suffering, she must’ve been productive with it. Maybe she was out there creating some fake emergency that would require the likes of his sister. Something grand that would get her to leave and leave quick.

“Everything? I hope you are aware that’s not an answer." (N)

“Your treatment of Zuri and… me.” (C)

Zuri glanced back.

Cleodora coughed.

“Is there a problem with my treatment of you?” (N)

“…Perhaps not, but there certainly is with Zuri.” (C)

With a deep breath, Cleodora exhaled all the nervousness that laced her voice.

“You are hurting her.” (C)

‘Huh?’

Looking at Cleodora, Zuri couldn’t believe his ears.

Was that seriously her reason?

…This was a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black.

“I am merely administrating proper care. If she’s in pain, it’s simply because she’s resisting.” (N)

“If she’s in pain, how proper is this care?” (C)

Nori sighed deeply.

“…That is about the dumbest thing I’ve heard in a while. It goes without saying, but not all treatment is going to be all sunshine and rainbows. Pain is a natural part of the healing process and is to be expected in delicate situations. Delicate situations such as these.” (N)

Her eyes briefly glanced at Zuri.

He swiftly turned his head.

“But, I believe that is not what you truly wish to discuss…. So, tell me, what are you trying to get at?” (N)

A long silence took the room.

Like a really, really, long silence.

It got to the point Zuri started wondering if they had already claimed the loss.

“…I wish to take care of Zuri myself.” (C)

That is until Cleodora spoke again.

“I wish for you to leave.” (C)

Nori responded instantly.

“I see.” (N)

‘Oh no…’

A crushing pressure filled the room.

…This wasn’t going to end well.