A/N: Thank you for the awesome and endearing support you guys have been giving me! I apologize for only updating now, but I just got a new work and things are a bit busy. I plan on making my chapters longer when I have more time. Thank you for you patience and I hope you enjoy!

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"I need the bloody shotgun, woman!"

Nick's heart slammed against his rib cage, threatening to steal the breath from his lungs. The imposing man was right in front of him on the outside, pure anger showing on his wrinkled face. The small fox could only cower in fear in a corner of the rabbit cage, while waiting for his destiny.

"You better not kill the damned thing on my yard again, Albert!" - said another voice from a distance.

An equally old but fatter woman made her way towards them, a long fearsome looking machine in her hands which was promptly delivered to the man named Albert.

"A little blood won't hurt your precious plants. On the other hand, this little rascal will kill all my chicken if I take my eyes away for even a second."

The human pointed the gun right at Nick through the cage bars, and all he could see was the seemingly empty dark tube staring at him. His back to the wall, the fox braced himself, any last thoughts leaving his mind entirely.

A clicking sound was heard.

Followed by another.

Nick was still breathing.

"Marie, where are the shells I told you to buy last week?" - Albert was clearly frustrated.

"You ain't told me nothing, old man! Buy your own damned shells if you wanna paint my yard red!"

The defeated male human let out a sigh, muttering angry curses under his breath while he took the useless gun out of Nick's face.

Marie finally looked at the fox, as if acknowledging his presence for the first time. She took a long look, her eyes devoid of any sympathy whatsoever. Until she finally spoke to her husband again.

"Why don't you give the creature to me? I'll make a nice scarf out of it that will earn us some money. Old Joe down the road always fancies some nice fox fur."

That disgraceful old hag. Nick had to find a way out of there before Finnick came looking for him and the humans could decide that he would make a nice hat, or that Carrots would make a nice stew.

"Well," - Albert coughed – "good luck taking it out of the cage. Don't count on my help."

Alright, they were going to open the cage. Now was probably his only chance of escaping.

"Didn't ask for it, 'ya big doof."

Both humans left for a moment, and only one of them came back from the house. Marie was coming in Nick's direction with something on her hands. What the hell was that?

The red fox immeadiately snarled at her and whatever it was that she was planning to do.

"Now there, 'ya filthy rat." - she spat - "Don't try to fight the muzzle".

The hutch door was finally opening, but only to be replaced by a wrinkled hand, reaching for him quickly and grabbing his scruff with a vice-like grip. Nick could only squirm and bare his fangs, but a kit like him was no match for a grown human. Something then enclosed tightly around his head and he could no longer open his mouth. The smell of metal immediately hit his nostrils. What was happening? His instincts screamed at him to bite but his jaw was locked in place. He was having difficulty breathing, he had to get away.

It was at that moment that Marie screamed, a squeal so loud it made Nick's hears hurt. He felt the release of the old woman's iron grip on his neck and was instantly dropped to the ground.

"Carrots!" - the fox couldn't believe she had gotten out of the hiding place.

He managed to see that she had successfully bitten the human's leg, leaving one bloody puncture wound on her calf. All at the same time the chickens had gone mad in their enclosure for no apparent reason. Any sound was drowned by their crazy cries and flapping wings. Feathers were flying all over the place. Albert's voice could barely be heard in the middle of that pandemonium.

"MARIE! A TINY FOX IS DESTROYING THE CHICKEN COOP!"

Nick didn't have to think twice. Carrots took the lead as he ran as fast as his legs would take them, back to the security of the bushes and trying to forget the feeling of restriction the muzzle was providing. The wench made to go after them for a moment, but thought better of it and turned to the opposite direction to help her husband. Nick still heard her yell while going under the fence, back to where he came from.

"I'm getting too old for this shit, ALBERT!"

Surprinsingly, Finnick was already there when they arrived. The house was far in view yet the chickens could still be heard.

"Are you alright, Nick?" - the fennec fox immeadiately asked - "I see you brought a souvenir with you."

Now in safety, Nick's first instinct was to try to take the damn thing off his head. He put his paws in the metal bars, scratching at it furiously but it wouldn't budge.

The device was driving him claustrophobic to the point that the fox started clawing at his own face desperately trying to take it off, hurting himself on the process.

"Whoa there, kid." - Finnick had to interrumpt - "No need to get stressed, alright? We'll take care of that another way."

Nick could barely talk because of it but managed to get out a few words.

"No!... Need to... Take off... NOW..." - he said as he continued to struggle with it.

A small furry paw landed on his nose and the fox momentarily freezed before sitting down. Silent as ever, Carrots looked him in the eyes as Nick's breathing evened. She then proceeded to chew at the rope glued to his cheek and a few seconds later he was freed from the torturous instrument.

"Heh, whaddya know?" - Finnick was clearly surprised - "Looks like bunnies are useful for something."

Nick was so relieved to get rid of that, and eternally grateful to his little rabbit.

"Thank you, Carrots." - he smiled honestly.

Carrots smiled back, her little bunny ears perked. And to both foxes surprise she talked for the first time.

"I should be the one thanking you. And my name's Judy."