After reaching his house the fox split up with curcit who decided to head home himself. The twintail couldn't stop thinking about the His friend. Faith suggested they get help and go save him, but the kitsune knew that that building was probably filled with those gaurds. Assuring his sister that he would be alright he stayed up with her until she fell asleep. The light of the television flashed in the dark room and faiths soft breathing was the only sound that could be heard. the kitsunes eyes were fixed on the livingroom carpet. Letting out a sigh his mind was on Zenny. He couldnt keep himself from worrying. Suddenly he found himself standing up and heading out the front door. As he walked the dimly lit streets his mind went back to when the two were children.
***
The sky was clear and the sound of children playing in the background filled 12 year old Lani's ears. The kitsune was on his way to the lunch room intending to meet up with Zenny like they always did, however as he neared the door to the cafiteria he overhear. some children talking about him.
Child 1: That kid is so weird.
Child 2: I dont know but i hear he doesnt have a family. Leave him alone hes a creep.
The harsh words werent new to him however they always hit him deep like an arrow. His family were all killed a long time ago. He lived with his little sister and there old teacher as well as a couple of other children who escaped the catastropy however his quiet shy nature always made him a target for other children. The twintails eyes had drifted down at the wrong time because at that moment he had accidently run into a large round human boy sporting a ponytail. Quickly he took a step back looking up at the boy and shyly and slightly afraid he apologized. however the older boy looked down at him angerly.
Child 3: What do you think your doing kid!
Lani: Im s- sorry!
Child 3: Watch were your going!
Lani: O- okay...
A familiar voice quickly broke into the conversation looking up the kitsunes heart jumped as he saw his best friend standing behind the big child with his hand on the bullies back.
Zenny: Do we have a problem here?
Child 3: Mind your own buisness!
Zenny: This is my buisness your picking on my friend.
Chibi 3: I think you need to learn some respect!
Immediately the kid rose his fist to swing at the bunny but quickly the kitsune lept on the boys back wrapping both arms around his neck. The bunny dropping his backpack and charged toward the bully but his good intent went bad. knocking the boy backwards as intended the boy hit a wall knocking the fox off his back. The bunny raced toward the bully however the boy was quite large and with his large stomoch he knocked the rabbit backwards then turned his attention to the fox. who lay knocked out on the floor. Again the bunny made a mad dash however this time instead of rushing the bully he threw himself between the bully and the fox.
Child 3: Youll get yours soon get out of my way!
Knocking the hare to the side he again started toward the motionless fox but again the hare stopped him grabbing the boys leg and sinking his two large front teeth into the boys leg. The bully let out a cry in agony as he kicked and beat on the bunny to let go but his jaws were glued to the boys leg determined not to let him get to his friend. Only when the yard duties and some teachers arived and coaxed him did he let the boys leg go. As the teachers took the bully to the nurse the bunny pushed aside all the teachers and immediately ran to his friends aid.
***
It was now about midnight and Lani had been walking for about a half hour before he finally approached his destination. The twintail was looking up at the old now closed down elementary school that he and Zenny had once went to. Entering the hallway he knew exactly where he was going and as he entered the playground he made a direct line for the old weeping willow tree. The promise he made with his best friend kept repeating itself. taking a seat under the tree It was to dark for him to see the doodle that they had once drawn but somehow he knew it was still there. wrapping his arms around his knees he sat and waited while his mind was again flooded with more memories.
***
The blazing sun glare down at 9 year old Lani as he ran to get out of the way of a stream of water aimed towards him. The two boys laughed chasing each other with water guns shooting blast after blast of refreshing h2o at each other sheltering them from the inferno eye in the sky; however as it got darker the weather got chilly and deciding to head inside the two friends grabbed a drink of water and something to snack on, after which they sat in front of the television watching cartoons until finally they had wore themselves out. reaching into his bag the kitsune decided to pull out the blanket he had brought since Zennys family only had the few for the people who lived there. A look of dread crossed the foxes face as he frantically searched his bag but saw that his cover was nowere to be found. Not saying anything the fox turned back to the television and placed his hands between his legs shyly. The bunny wrapped in his blanket looked over at the twintail asking what was wrong however the little kitsune simply said nothing and layed himself next to the bunny. After a few more minutes of television the hair turned to the fox noticing he was shivering. his hands were clamped between his legs as if he was trying desperately to gather warmth. Without a second though the rabbit scooted himself closer to his friend and threw some of his cover over him. the fox seemed to immediately stop shivering and his sleeping body turned to face the hare. The bunny smiled and after a while felt himself start to drift to sleep.
***
Minutes past, then hours. The only thing on the foxes mind was Zenny. Though his head was down and burried in his legs he wasnt sleep. he couldnt sleep. all he could think about was there promise. more hours past and finally the sound of birds chirping filled his head. the sun peaked over the horizon. it was daytime but still no sign of the bunny. Time seemed to go by agonizingly slowly however without knowing it the fox had waited out the entire next day still no sign of his friend. The sun dropped below the horizon and unknown to him the sirens he heard every so often driving past the school were the result of his sister reporting him missing. again the sun lowerd and raised. He hadnt eaten, or drank anything since the day of the cult building however at the preset that wasnt on his mind. Again memories of his best friend came rushing back to him.
***
Lani and Zenny each sat in chairs next to each other while the sound of a heart monitor filled the room and The stench of sterilizing agents and sanitizer filled there noses. The 16 year old foxes face was in his hand. His eyes filled with tears. His teacher lay in a coma on the hospital bed next to them in the small room with only one large window. consolingly the rabbit rubbed the foxes back trying to calm him down. The teacher had been the only real parent he had known and now she was laying in a hospital bed a victim of an attack by the very same people who took his birth parents. His whimper tore at the little rabbits heart strings. Through the tears the little fox tried to speak his shaky voice getting the better of him.
Lani: Shes leaving... Just like everyone else... my mom... My brother... Uracil.. and now her.. There all gone... Everytime someone becomes important to me they always leave!
Zenny: Thats not true..
Lani: Zen! If she dies what am I going to do!? I have to take care of my baby sister... but i cant do anything right now! Shes... she leaving just like everyone else and theres nothing i can do... I feel so helpless...
The tears continued to fall from the little foxes eyes. Standing up the hare walked over and knelt down in front of the kitsune and moving the foxes hands away from his face wrapped his arms around the little fox drying his eyes with his shirt.
Zenny: No matter what happens... Ill be here for you. I promise Ill never leave you. if you ever need me I promise Ill be there. And if we ever get seperated-
Lani: Well come back to... this spot... our spot...
Zenny: I dont care how long it takes. Ill make it to you some how.
Lani: Zen...
Wrapping his own arms around the hare he squeezed him tightly. Tears still fell from the foxes eyes however now he had a smile on his face.
Lani: Zen... Please... Dont ever leave me...
***
Without warning the foxes ears seemed to purk up on there own coaxing him to lift his head. Facing the hallway to the school he could see the shilloette of someone coming toward him. The person grew closer and the foxes eyes began to tear up. he could make out the outline of the his best friend. Immediately he stood up but his exausted body fell to the ground. His energy was spent. He tried to push himself up but the task was like lifting the earth itself. A pair of hand placed themselves around his body. Lifting him up he saw that his friend had gathered him up and leaned him against the old tree. The foxes arms locked around the bunnies neck. The rabbit smiled and sat in front of the kitsune
Zenny: Lani... You remembered our promise...
Lani: I knew youd come back...
Zenny: Didnt I say id never leave you?
