The forest was alive with its usual symphony—birds singing, leaves rustling, and the faint murmur of a stream nearby. Fox weaved through the trees, his steps light and purposeful, his golden eyes scanning the world around him. He wasn't running from Kindred this time. No, something else had caught his attention.
Fox first noticed her near the edge of a meadow. A young girl with a serene presence, her hair catching the sunlight as she tended to a patch of wilting flowers. She hummed softly, her melody weaving seamlessly into the rhythm of the forest. He paused, tilting his head, his tail flicking behind him as curiosity sparked within him.
Fox: (to himself) "How curious… a soul so devoted to giving."
The girl moved with a quiet grace, her hands gentle as she poured water from a small jug onto the thirsty soil. A pair of birds flitted down from the trees, perching on her shoulder without hesitation. She laughed softly, the sound carrying like a breeze, unburdened and free.
Fox followed her from a distance, always careful to stay hidden. She didn't seem to notice him, too engrossed in her task of caring for the world around her. He watched as she fed the animals, repaired a broken bird's nest, and even carried a basket of fruit to a nearby village, offering it to a family in need.
Each act of kindness fascinated him. She didn't just live; she nurtured. Life seemed to bloom in her presence, responding to her gentle touch and unwavering compassion. Fox had seen countless lives in his existence, but none quite like hers.
---
Hours later, the sun began its descent, painting the forest in hues of gold and amber. The girl returned to the clearing, where she knelt beside a wounded fox, its leg caught in a cruel hunter's snare. Her brows furrowed in concentration as she carefully removed the trap and tended to its injury.
Fox crouched in the shadows, his golden eyes glowing faintly as he watched her. A rare stillness settled over him, his usual mischievous grin replaced by something softer, almost reverent.
---
It was then that the Kindred arrived.
Lamb and Wolf stepped into the clearing silently, their presence unnoticed by either Fox or the girl. Lamb's silver gaze immediately locked onto Fox, who remained transfixed by the scene before him. She raised her bow slightly, her voice low and quiet.
Lamb: "We found you at last."
Wolf snorted, padding closer with a low growl.
Wolf: "Took you long enough to stop running, Fox. Are you finally ready to dance with death?"
Fox didn't respond, his gaze unwavering as he watched the girl bandage the fox's leg. Lamb followed his line of sight, her expression softening slightly as she tried to understand what had captured his attention.
Lamb: "What holds you still, Fox?"
Fox turned to them then, his usual grin returning, though it carried an uncharacteristic tenderness.
Fox: "Ah, Kindred. Come to chase me again? Or perhaps you're here to witness a miracle with me."
Lamb tilted her head, her tone measured.
Lamb: "You speak of miracles as though they belong to you. What do you see?"
Wolf grunted, glancing toward the clearing.
Wolf: "What's he staring at? I see nothing but trees and shadows."
Fox chuckled softly, gesturing toward the girl.
Fox: "She's not prey or hunter. She's something else—something life rarely offers us. Look closer, Lamb."
Lamb stepped forward, her ethereal gaze finally falling on the girl. She watched in silence as the young caretaker gently lifted the wounded fox, cradling it in her arms as she whispered soothing words.
Lamb: "A mortal girl. That is all I see. What makes her extraordinary to you?"
Fox's grin softened, his voice quieter now.
Fox: "She lives for others, Lamb. Look at her—every action she takes is a gift to the world. She doesn't know I'm watching, but her kindness ripples through life itself. She gives without expecting anything in return. How rare is that?"
Wolf growled, his sharp teeth flashing.
Wolf: "You're enchanted by her. It's disgusting."
Fox's laughter danced through the clearing, light and playful.
Fox: "Perhaps I am, Wolf. But can you blame me? She reminds me why life is worth protecting."
Lamb's grip on her bow tightened, though her voice remained calm.
Lamb: "She will age. She will die. Her kindness will be forgotten. Why invest so much in something so fleeting?"
Fox met her gaze, his golden eyes unflinching.
Fox: "Because it's fleeting, Lamb. That's what makes it precious."
---
The girl, still unaware of her divine audience, finished her work and stood. She carried the wounded fox in her arms, her steps light as she walked toward the village. Fox watched her until she disappeared from view, his attention lingering long after she was gone.
Lamb's tone grew sharper, though her words were measured.
Lamb: "You admire her, yet you cannot save her from me."
Fox's grin returned, mischievous and bright.
Fox: "True. But she doesn't need saving, Lamb. She's already done what most can't—she's made life better, even in her small, mortal way."
Wolf snarled, pacing impatiently.
Wolf: "Enough talk! Let's chase him already. I'm tired of his riddles."
Fox stepped back into the shadows, his laughter echoing softly.
Fox: "Not today, Wolf. Life's too beautiful to end it just yet."
And with that, he vanished, leaving the Kindred alone in the clearing. Lamb stared after him, her thoughts clouded with unfamiliar feelings.
Wolf, ever observant, let out a low chuckle.
Wolf: "You're quiet, Lamb. Thinking about him?"
Lamb didn't answer immediately, her gaze falling where the girl had stood.
Lamb: (softly) "Perhaps."
Wolf grinned, his teeth gleaming in the fading light.
Wolf: "Interesting."
The Kindred turned and melted into the shadows, leaving the clearing silent once more.