"I think I can only go a couple more hours before I become completely dehydrated and starve to death," said Kylie.

Indeed, the opossum had looked better. The entire Fox family, along with Kylie, had all suffered quite a bit since they had had to dig for their lives. Ash's paws hurt from all the digging, and he too was very hungry and thirsty. The small group could not go on much longer as it was, and Ash began to fear for not only his life, but for the lives of those around him. Even Kristofferson looked bad, his eyes were red and his nose was pale. Ash felt a moment of glee at seeing his cousin suffer, but then quickly felt guilty. Kristofferson does not deserve this, he thought. Indeed, Ash began to feel very sad to see his younger cousin, who was normally so full of life, sitting against the wall looking dejected and totally miserable.

My dad dragged him into this situation along with the rest of us. It's not his fault.

Then Ash saw something on the far wall of the tunnel; loose pieces of dirt fell as if something on the other side was pushing against it. "What's that," asked Ash, bringing it to everyone's attention. As soon as he said it, Badger burst forth from behind the wall along with many other animals.

The lawyer looked directly at Mr. Fox and said "A lot of good animals are probably going to die, thanks to you!

"We've been digging in circles for three days. Half the woods have been obliterated, nobody can get out. Right now my wife is huddled at the bottom of a flint mine with no food, no water, and twenty-seven starving animal brats!"

Everyone looked at Mr. Fox, who seemed to shrink to half his size under their glares. Ash had never seen his father look so embarrassed or guilty. Normally his dad was so cool and confident, but here he seemed to wither under the weight of what his actions had wrought.

"Ash," said Mr. Fox. "You and Kristofferson go back over there," he said, pointing to a bend in the tunnel. "Let your mom and I talk to these folks in private, please."

"But dad..."

"Do as I say, now!"

The tone in Mr. Fox's voice brooked no argument. "C'mon," said Ash to Kristofferson.

=^.^=

Kristofferson was glad to get away from the angry adults. He had known Mr. Fox was taking stupid risks by robbing those farmers, and now that the chickens were coming home to roost he wanted to get out of the crossfire as soon as he could. He and Ash went to the other side of the bend, where they could still hear the adults but the voices were muffled and hard to understand. Then, Kris saw someone he'd hoped to never see again; Beaver stepped around the bend and looked right at Ash. The bully had manic, triumphant glint in his dark, beady eyes.

"We don't like you, and we don't like you dad," said the big kid, poking his finger in Ash's chest. "So pick up some of that dirt, chew it in your mouth and swallow it down."

"I'm not gonna eat mud!" protested Ash.

"Cuss yeah you are," said Beaver. The bully picked up a hand full of mud and stuffed it in Ash's face, covering the little Fox's entire muzzle and eyes. Ash stood there, face covered in filth, trying hard not to cry.

Kristofferson had seen enough.

The bigger fox removed his shoes. He looked straight at the even bigger Beaver and calmly said "don't do that."

"Why'd you take your shoes off," asked the bully.

"So I don't break your nose when I kick it," answered Kristofferson, as he pushed Ash gently behind him.

Then, before Beaver could even speak, Kris moved in lightning fast and kicked Beaver twice in the face, one of the blows landing solidly on the big kid's nose. Kris followed that up with several rapid-fire punches to the chest. Though stunned, Beaver made a clumsy grab at Kris, but the faster fox was already behind him; Kris kicked the bully in the rear end, then moved back in front with an elbow to the gut, a backhand fist to the face and then with a yell of triumph he threw the off balance and dazed Beaver over his shoulder and to the ground. All of this happened within a few seconds. The big kid got up and limped away, sobbing.

"I can fight my own fights," said Ash.

Kris looked back at the little fox, whose face was still covered in mud. "No, you can't," answered Kristofferson.

=^.^=

Ash was stunned by Kristofferson's actions. He wanted to be angry at his younger cousin for interfering, but all he could feel was amazement and gratitude. Kristofferson was a hell of a fighter!

And he'd cared enough to stick up for Ash, who thus far had only shunned his cousin, spread rumors about him and generally tried to make his life miserable.

His dad is sick, his entire life has been uprooted. And here I've treated him so badly, when all he's done is try to be friendly towards me.

Ash looked at his cousin differently from that moment onward. He now saw the fantastic fox that was his own younger cousin, the kind soul that he was and an expert fighter and natural athlete to boot. Yet he never takes credit for it, nor does he shove his achievements in your face.

Ash's thoughts were interrupted by his mother, who came over and licked the mud off his face.

"Ash, I know what it's like to be...different," she said.

"But I'm not different, am I" asked the tiny fox.

"We all are, him especially" she replied, pointing at her husband. "But there's something fantastic about that, isn't there?"

She left the question hanging, for she got up and left for the flint mine before Ash could answer.

No, I prefer to be an athlete.

"Alright everyone," announced Mr. Fox. "This time, we must dig in a very special direction."

(Hours later)

Mr. Fox had led them underground to all of the farmer's spoils, and animals took everything. They arrived at the flint mine in triumph. While everyone was celebrating, Ash sought out his younger cousin. He found him near the punch bowl, talking to Agnes.

"Hey, they say you're a natural, right," Ash asked Kristofferson.

"Well, I..." Kris began

"Just answer the question," Ash interrupted.

"True, I guess."

"Correct," said Ash. "Get out of here Agnes, I need a private word with Kristofferson."

"Wait a minute Ash, Agnes-"

"It's ok," said Agnes. "I'm just going to go talk over there."

"Ok, listen to me," said Ash, now that they were alone. "I've just had a brainstorm for something fantastic that I need to do, but I can't do it alone."

"I'm not interested," replied Kristofferson. "I think foxes on your side of the family take unnecessary risks."

"Only because they've got the guts in their blood," said Ash. He grabbed Kristofferson's arm and pulled him close. "And so do we. Was I a bit rude to Agnes just now?"

"Yeah."

"I should go say something to her...I'll say something in a minute."

"What's the brainstorm," asked Kris.

Ash ladled his cousin more punch. "In a nutshell, we're going to steal back my father's tail."

"Woah," said Kris.

The two young foxes quietly left the party, and entered the tunnels leading to Bean's kitchen. "It's not too far from here," whispered Ash. "Thanks for coming with me."

"It's no problem," answered Kristofferson.

Ash stopped and gazed at his cousin. "Kris...about that bully, and the rumors..."

"Say no more," said Kristofferson. "We're family, and we should be there for each other."

"Yeah...well, thanks anyway. I love you Kristofferson."

Ash gazed at his cousin's large, athletic frame. Even in the semi-darkness of the tunnels, Kristofferson was beautiful. I mean I really love you. But could I ever say it?

"I love you too, Ash."

"No, wait...Kristofferson. I mean...I really..."

"Hang on," said Kristofferson, putting up a paw to shush his cousin. "I think I see it up ahead. The entrance to the kitchen."

"Right..." said Ash. "Sorry, didn't mean to babble. Let's go!"

The two foxes made their way quietly through the tunnel leading to Bean's kitchen. This was where it got dangerous, thought Ash. They had to be extra careful here, because they had no idea what was above that could hear them making their way there. We could be walking straight into a trap.