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Next chapter of this old story!

___

At about six-thirty, Ember woke Phoenix up again, and they sliped and slid on the table untill someone finally got up. Little Dexter sleepily stumbled up the stairs and sat down at the table. “Good morning.” He said.

“Mornin,’ dear.” Phoenix repeated.

Ember mewed and let Dexter stroke her fur.

About a minute later, they all heard Marion call to Ember, meowing for her to come over for breakfast.

Phoenix watched Dexter make himself a bowl of cereal. The second he sat down to eat it, Auto and Falco came upstairs, followed closely by Fox.

“Good morning you guys!” Dexter smiled.

Falco high-fived Dexter, and then ruffled the fur on his head. “Mornin’ kiddo.” He said.

Dexter giggled.

“Morning!” It was Denali. She raced up the steps, two at a time, and joined Auto and Falco in the kitchen. The three of them had oatmeal while Fox rumaged around in a cabinet.

Phoenix perched on the edge of the cabinet door and watched Fox carefully.

After a few minutes of searching, Fox found what he was looking for. “Phoenix, do you see Sonic or Ash anywhere?” He asked in a whisper.

Phoenix looked around. “No, dear. Why?” She said.

Without saying anything, Fox took out a box of chocolate chip poptarts and quickly took out two of the toastable pasteries. He shoved the ‘tarts’ in a toaster, and turned to Phoenix. “Don’t tell Sonic.” He warned.

“Don’t tell him what?” Dexter asked as he put his bowl in the sink.

“That I’m eating poptarts.” Fox replied.

Dexter looked a bit puzzeled. “Why not? It’s just a few poptarts.” He said.

“Right, but I’m not supposed to eat poptarts.” Said Fox.

“Why?” Dexter asked.

Geez, he asks a lot of questions! Fox thought.

“True, but give him an answer anyway. That is how they learn.” Phoenix whispered, now on Fox’s shoulder.

Fox jumped a bit, but then remembered Phoenix’s ability to read minds. He turned his attention back to Dexter, who looked up at Fox with pleasing eyes. Fox hesitated.

“Oh for Glaux’s sake!” Phoenix joked. She opened her beak to speak, but was beaten to it.

“Your Uncle Fox is on a very strict diet, and isn’t allowed to eat junkfood.” Said Sonic. He was at the top of the stairs, his arms crossed, Ash panting heavily next to him.

Fox’s ears drooped.

Busted, dearie.” Phoenix whispered sadly.

“Busted is right. Give me the poptarts.” Sonic comanded, and helded out a gloved paws.

Fox took the poptarts out of the toaster, and reluctantly handed them to Sonic, his tail between his legs and his eyes lowered.

Sonic took one disgusted look at the poptarts, and tossed them to Ash, who gobled them up like they were merly tiny crackers. “Now come on, we’ve gotta run first before we eat anything.” Sonic grabed Fox’s arm, and draged him downstairs and out the door.

“Why isn’t Unlce Fox allowed to eat breakfast?” Dexter asked as he watched Phoenix flew around, stretching her wings.

Denali knealt next to Dexter, and gently turned his face towards hers. “Because Uncle Fox can’t eat before he runs.” She replied.

“Why?” Dexter asked again.

“Because, if he eats before he runs, he’ll get a tummy ache.” Denali answered.

“Ohhh.” Dexter said.

“Hey, that reminds me; dude, we should so totally run today, too.” Falco told Auto.

“Totally.” Auto agreed.

“Well, if y’all don’t mind, I think I’m going to go watch them run.” Phoenix anounced.

“I’ll come, too.” Firefox said as she came in from the balcony outside.

“How long have you been up?” Phoenix asked as they walked downstairs.

“Six.” Firefox replied.

“Oh. Hey, did you see the incident that happened with the poptarts?” Phoenix asked her.

“How Fox got busted? Yeah.” Firefox answered.

“Poor lad. Maybe you could bring him one later on, when Sonic’s asleep.” Phoenix suggested.

“I should. I will.” Firefox said, and smiled at the thought of seeing the joy on Fox’s face once she brought him the poptart.

When they reached the sidewalk behind the house, they both stood in the sand of the vollyball court to watch Fox run. Sonic jogged by with Fox, both walking at the same steady pace.

“Run!” Sonic yelled at Fox.

“Holy Glaux!” Phoenix exclaimed as she watched Fox run.

Fox ran down the sidewalk like a speeding bullet, and soon was out of sight.


“Whew! He’s a fast lil’ bugger, ain’t he?” Sonic asked as he joined the girls. For the very first time, he was impressed by his trainee.

“Oh yeah, hon!” Phoenix gawked.

Firefox only nodded her head in agreement.

“Almost as fast as me. Almost.” Sonic said.”Welp, I’d better get back to runnin’. See ya later!” Sonic exclaimed before he ran off again.

“Since the boys are running on the other sidewalk, how about we take a walk down to the beach?” Phoenix asked once Sonic was also out of sight.

Firefox turned to Phoenixm, and smiled. “Yeah, that’d be great.” She replied.

So, the two of them hiked down the long sidewalk to the beach. At the ocean, they sat down on a bench overlooking the whole beach.

“This place sure is breath taking.” Phoenix said.

“Dito.” Firefox agreed.

A while later, they decided to walk down to the water’s edge. They both had lots of fun splashing each other with sea water, and searching for cool shells along the slanted shore. An hour later, Falco called them and invited them to come check out the reccenter on the other end of the street their house was on. They agreed, and met the rest of the group at the large rec center to check it out.

Afterwards, everyone walked down the street a while. The rest of the day passed by fairly quickly. They had lunch, swam in the pool, and went on a hike down the beach. Later on in the evening, Firefox and Denali hung out in the room they shared, and watched the Discovery Channel. That’s when Firefox remembered the poptart in her pocket she was saving for Fox.

I hope he’s still up! Firefox thought as she made her way to Fox’s room. Firefox gently pushed the door open. She found Fox reading a small book in his bed.

“Hello.” Fox said once he looked up from his book.

“Hiya.” Firefox repeated as she sat down on Fox’s bed next to him. She took out the banged-up poptart from her pocket. “Here, it’s a little crumbled up ‘cause it’s been in my pocket all day, but, uh, it’s still we edible!” She explained.

Fox chuckled. “Thanks, but no thanks. It’s kinda late, and I prefer an apple myself.” He said.

Firefox blinked in disbelief. “Who are you, and what have you done with Fox?” She asked.

“I dunno, he just ran off.” Fox joked.

“Seriously though, whats gotten into you?” Firefox urged. “Gee, I hope it’s nothing I did….” She added, more to herself than Fox.

“Well….in a way….” Fox began.

“How so?” Firefox asked him.

“Firefox, you are one of the….no, the most beautiful fox I have ever met. And I feel tha, to act right as your boyfriend, I must make myself close to being as attractive as you are.” Fox explained.

“Fox, you don’t have to change for me. I love you for who you are, and you know that.” Firefox said.

(Meanwhile, Falco had come down to say good night, and now was outside the door, evsdroping, unoticed by the foxes on the other side.)

“Really? You mean that?” Fox asked.

“Of course! Bit I mean, its your decision.” Firefox placed the crumbly poptart in Fox’s paws.

(Pause for dramatic effect….)

Finally, Fox tossed the poptart in the trash can. Firefox was amazed. Fox was actually going through with this….for her! She remembered growing up with Fox, who was (to her) the pudgy little runt always stealing someone’s doughnut. And now, because of her, he was going to become a health-nut like Falco? No offense to Falco of course. These confusing thoughts actually brought a tear to Firefox’s eye.

As a child, she’d always wondered what love tasted like, and now, here it was on her tongue; sweet and salty, yet a bit bitter and bland. Firefox put her arms around him, and out her ear on Fox’s stomach, secretly listening for that growling noise she had so gotten used to. “Oh, Foxy.” She whispered.

“Argh! I knew it!” Yelled a familier voice outside the door.

Firefox looked up. She knew that voice. “Falco?!” Firefox asked.

“Uh, Falco ain’t here. Leave a message and he’ll get right back to you.” Falco said bitterly, before walking away.

“Falco, get in here!” Firefox demanded.

Falco stopped at the foot of the stairs, and sighed. He slowly walked back into Fox’s room, looking quiet disguststed.

“Falco….it’s not what you think!” Firefox exclaimed.

Falco lowered his eyes to squints, and glared at Firefox. “No, it’s exactly what I think. You two are together.” Falco growled, and twirled his index feather in the air, his sign of anoyance.

“Yeah, we are. What’s it to you?” Firefox asked.

“Well maybe, just maybe, there was another guy who wanted to be with you, too. Someone who’s….too shy to ask you out….” Falco softened his stare, and looked away.

Firefox stared at him and cocked her head. Then, something clicked in her head. “Falco! I’m so sorry! I didn’t know you….liked me….you shoulda asked me!” Firefox exclaimed.

“Yeah, well, I guess it’s too late now. So, good night.” Falco cursed silently to himself, walked out of the room, and slamed the door behind him.

Firefox jumped up and followed Falco. She caught up with him on the top stair. Firefox reached out, gently grabed Falco’s tail feathers, and pulled him back.

Falco’s eyes oipened wide, and he squaked loudly.

“Shhh!” Firefox whispered, and dragged Falco downstairs and into the game room. Falco stood still, crossed his wings, and turned away.

Firefox sighed. She reached up and slowly turned Falco’s head towards her own.

“Whadaya want?” Falco asked.

“Falco, don’t be a stick in the mud. There are more fish in the sea!” Firefox replied.

“Oh yeah? There ain’t no fish as beautiful as you!” Falco said.

Great! Firefox thought. She was caught in a love triangle between her two best friends!

***

The next morning, Firefox was the last one to wake up. After an hour of aurguing with Falco, she’d finally convinced him he was an attractive bird, and was bound to find someone someday. But she didn’t get much sleep after that. Once Firefox got dressed, she made her way out of her room, and up the stairs.

Fox was waiting for her at the top of the steps. “Hey, you’re up!” He said.

“Have you been waiting here for me the whole time? You coulda been running with Sonic so you could eat breakfast with me….” Firefox began.

“I’m way ahead of ya.” Fox said.

Firefox giggled, and walked up to the kitchen with Fox. Everyone greeted her with a cheery smile. Phoenix hooted excitedly.

They know something I don’t…. Firefox thought. She shrugged that off, and picked up a plate to put toast on. Firefox was startled to find a note underneath her plate. She read it aloud. “Firefox, would you like to go horseback riding with me? Check yes or no.”

It’s from Fox! Firefox thought. “Hmm….yes!” She exclaimed, surprised beyond belief. Riding a horse was expensive here!

“Ah, young love.” Titanic said for the second time.

Falco snorted. “Young love, my….”

Phoenix nudged Falco in the ribs to silence him. “Be happy for them. They are your friends.” She said.

Falco sighed.

Poor Falco…. Firefox thought, guilty for making him angry.

“Well? Are you ready to go?” Fox asked.

Firefox turned her attention back to Fox.

“Yes.” She replied, and followed Fox to the beach.

Two beautiful horses were waiting by a bench. Melody, a brown and white speckled mare, neighed as soon as she saw them approaching. Fox smiled and petted the other horses neck. This horse was black and brown, and was known as Lighting Bolt.

Fox helped Firefox onto Melody, and then stood by Lightning Bolt. Firefox laughed as she watched Fox struggle to get on his horse. Whenever Fox tried to hoist himself up and onto his horse, Lightning Bolt walked forward.

“You’ve never ridden on a horse before, have you?” Firefox asked.

“How’d you know?” Fox asked sarcasticly. After five minutes of strungling with Lightning Bolt, Fox was on the sadle and they were in their way down the beach.

“Hey, Firefox?” Fox asked a little while later.

“Yeah?” Firefox asked him.

“How would you like to….go on a date with me?” Said Fox.

Firefox hesitated. “Yes.” She replied.

***