Mama Fox

<Zuri>

Apex predators.

The very top of the food chain. With no natural predators, apex predators ruled as kings in their territories. Granted, that didn’t make them invincible to those trapped in their domain, but it did mean that most, if not all, were wary of their mere presence. Back in Zuri’s past life, creatures like tigers, crocodiles and bears occupied the coveted position of apex predator. Each lording over their own respective domains. Random, chance encounters with these fearsome beings often led to death. A violent, brutal death.

But.

If one were careful, they could hope to escape with their life. The saying ‘Knowledge is power’ rang true in such encounters. Surviving was simply a matter of how well you knew your enemy. In the case of tigers, your best bet was to try and look big while slowly backing away. Doing your best not to run and trigger the hunting instincts. Inversely, one should always run away from a crocodile if possible. Their forms were notoriously terrible at moving on land. As for bears, grizzlies only, it was best to play dead. Unlike their carnivorous cousins, the bloodlust they have wasn’t only born from a desire for food.

…All this to say, there were plenty of ways of dealing with an apex predator.

At least before they catch you.

Staring into the cold, detached eyes of his sister, Zuri took a deep breath.

In the event you ever find yourself in the jaws of an apex predator, there was only one thing to do.

Fight like hell!!

“Don’t you think you kids are being a little too arrogant?” (N)

Flames burst forth from Nori.

Pure, candescent white flames that symbolised her status as a member of the Royal Family.

They quickly coalesced around her, forming a layer of pure fire.

‘Shit! Shit! Shit!!!!’

Pushing away from her, Zuri swiftly hid his figure behind Cleodora, who had already moved to cover him.

An act that could be easily misconstrued as cowardly.

Zuri wasn’t a coward.

He merely knew his limits.

And considering he wasn’t the only one trapped in the jaws of this apex predator, there was no reason he alone should fight.

Watching bright red flames similarly extend forth from Cleodora, Zuri swallowed dryly.

To call the current situation bad would be the greatest understatement of the century. A fight between the Great Hero and the Second Kitsune Princess was bound to be calamitous. Cleodora was a walking Tsar Bomba and Nori, although substantially weaker and more akin to B83, wasn’t much different. Each held power capable of levelling cities and wiping out entire people on their own.

‘What the hell’

Zuri gripped the bedsheets.

‘She’s, she’s not seriously going to do this…?’

Despite thinking that, he couldn’t entirely convince himself.

This was the maddest he’d ever seen Nori.

‘I should’ve just yelled at her to leave…’

Deep regret set in.

If things were going to end up this way regardless, it would’ve been better to take it by the chin on the first day she arrived. Saving Zuri the humiliation he had endured up until now. But, it appeared that this was the consequence he received for trusting Cleodora with everything. His stupid, idiotic gamble hadn’t paid off. A sad truth that would likely result in the destruction of not only this house, but of the entire village.

An easy win for Nori.

With no house, there was only one place for Zuri to go.

The Palace.

As the two auras began to collide, Zuri tightly closed his eyes and waited.

He waited for the loud roar of an explosion.

He waited for the burning smell soon to accompany it.

He waited, and waited, and waited some more.

But.

Such a future never came to pass.

Peeking his eyes open, Zuri came to a rather calm sight.

Cleodora perched in front of him quietly, and Nori, a little way off, was equally quiet.

She politely coughed in her fist.

“Pardon me. It’s unfortunate to admit, but I let my emotions best me.” (N)

Nori gave a soft smile while stretching out her hands in a ‘what can you do about it?’ gesture.

Seeing the complete 180, Zuri gradually relaxed his tense muscles.

‘Ah…. Right, of course’

It appeared the momentary surge of emotion had gotten the best of him as well. Enough so that he had forgotten who he was dealing with. The Great Hero and The Second Kitsune Princess. For all their faults, they wouldn’t be so quick to endanger the lives of those around over a simple disagreement. No, they were much more likely the opposite. Shouldering the weight of the disagreement themselves. Their station in life demanded that so.

Nori laughed lightly, breaking the sobering silence that had descended.

She looked to Cleodora.

“You’ve grown.” (N)

Then focused her gaze on Zuri, who had jumped out of Cleodora’s shadow.

“Both of you have grown.” (N)

Nori sighed.

“A bit too bold but I digress…. Are you sure there’s nothing I could do to change your mind?” (N)

At that last shot in the dark, Cleodora answered back firmly.

“No.” (C)

Zuri stewed in thought for a moment.

Just a moment.

“…No.” (Z)

After that, Nori let out another sigh. A considerably much more dramatic sigh.

“Alright then. If you want to make decisions like adults… then be prepared for the consequences of what that entails.” (N)

…That, that was definitely a threat, right?

As Zuri was about to ponder those words, the next thing said made him immediately forget them.

“Well, I guess I shall take my leave?” (N)

‘Finally!’

The torment was over!!

Zuri turned to Cleodora with burning eyes.

‘I never doubted you for even a second!’

Who would’ve guessed this direct method would be best?

“But before I go… I do have one small, tiny request.” (N)

Goddamnit!

Nori crept closer to Zuri, held his hands and earnestly looked him in the eyes.

Instantly, Zuri felt a terrible premonition take a hold of him.

Something bad was about to happen.

A fact supported by the mischievous smile his sister was failing to hide.

“Say, Zuzu…. Why are you so keen on staying?” (N)

What a deceptively simple question.

Zuri felt tempted, very tempted, to ignore this request and insist she leave.

“I don’t desire to be held captive at the Palace.” (Z)

But, ultimately, he answered. Knowing Nori, this ‘request’ was more of an order.

One, that if he failed to abide by, may result in her staying longer over that nonsense reason.

“Zuzu, I want you to tell me the real reason you are so keen on staying, okay?” (N)

At those words, Zuri grimaced.

It appeared his sister was eager to play one last game before she left. Biting back a retort, he decided to humour her. If indulging her one final time was all it took to get her to leave, Zuri would gladly sacrifice a little more of his sanity. To that end, he started listing every single reason he could possibly think of. Ranging from this being a great place to raise young, to enjoying the secludedness provided from being far from the Palace. Lie after lie flowed from Zuri’s mouth as naturally as he breathed.

Sadly, Nori didn’t buy it one bit.

Merely shaking her head at one of every Zuri’s answers.

‘What do you want from me!?’

At his wits end, Zuri fell silent.

Something that seemed to amuse Nori to no end.

“Do you really have no idea?” (N)

To say Zuri had absolutely no idea would be a lie. After running through everything he could think of, there was only one option remaining. An option so outlandish and stupid he refused to utter it. Given Nori’s usual targeting of his embarrassments, Zuri couldn’t bring himself to allow her the satisfaction of making him say it. And, in the event it was somehow wrong, uttering those words would haunt him long after his death.

“Want a clue?” (N)

Zuri nodded slowly.

Nori’s gaze briefly switched to Cleodora before returning to Zuri.

“…No.” (Z)

Instantly, Zuri hardened his gaze.

As expected, it was something utterly stupid.

“Oh, so you do know?” (N)

“…I think it would be best if you left now, sister.” (Z)

Nori waved a hand dismissively.

“I will, I will.” (N)

She then leaned in close to Zuri.

“I just need you to—” (N)

Getting near enough in order to make sure only he heard her words.

“—declare your undying love for Cleo.” (N)

Zuri immediately pulled away with a force he didn’t know he was capable of generating.

“How, how dare you say such a thing to me!?” (Z)

Cleodora, who had fallen silent after Nori started engaging Zuri, suddenly spoke up, bewildered.

“W-What is it?” (C)

“Shut up!” (Z)

A hot mixture of shame, anger and embarrassment flooded Zuri. It was one thing to suggest and hint at those things, but to outright state it was brazen in every negative sense of the word. Despite not wanting to give Nori the pleasure of his reaction, his knee-jerk instinct already allowed her a great, big smile.

‘Goddamn it!’

“Ehhhh? Can’t do it, huh? What a shame. I guess I need to stay a little longer until my dear Zuzu is certain about her reason to stay.” (N)

Why did she have to keep forcing this issue!?

Zuri gazed down darkly, feeling somewhat defeated.

After coming all this way, would this be the thing to hold him back from total victory?

Memories of the past few weeks poured.

Stopping here wasn’t an option.

“…Leave the room.” (Z)

“H-Huh?” (C)

Without facing Cleodora, Zuri issued a simple order.

If he was going to go through with this, the very least he could do was control the damage it was bound to create.

“I. Said. Leave!” (Z)

Unfortunately, the conductor of this madness was not merciful.

“Now, now. No need to be rude, Zuzu. It’s not like this is confidential information. Feel free to speak your mind.” (N)

Nori hugged Zuri, preventing escape while facing him to Cleodora.

“Tell me, why do you want to stay?” (N)

Irritated, he refused to mutter even a single word.

But, when it soon became clear Nori had no intention of letting him go until he did, Zuri relented.

‘Just once’

That was all.

Just once and he’ll finally get rid of this thorn in his side.

“…Because I like her.” (Z)

“I couldn’t hear you there.” (N)

‘You!’

Pursing his lips, Zuri spoke as audibly as possible.

Forcing the words out much to his chagrin.

“I said because I like her.” (Z)

“…Just like?” (N)

“Because I love Cleodora! Happy!?” (Z)

“Very much so. Make sure you say it so she doesn’t forget.” (N)

‘Grrr’

Nori proceeded to plant a kiss on Zuri’s forehead.

“Take good care of her.” (N)

As she got up and exited the room, she paused and briefly petted Cleodora’s head.

“See you later!!” (N)

The bedroom door shut, and shortly after, the main entrance sounded.

She had left.

She had finally left.

Yet, looking up and seeing Cleodora’s blushing face, Zuri cursed.

…His troubles had only just began.