Safely within the forest's green foliage, Vixen settled down near a tree stump to eat her dinner. Too long had she been surviving on tart, unripe berries and the roots of plants, even the occasional cricket.

Today was a good day.

"Hello Vixen!"

Vixen flashed a winning smile at the little hedgehog. "And hello to you Hedgehog. Can I tempt you with a bite of my steak as compensation for your indispensable services?"

Laughing like a child, Hedgehog gladly complied, taking a small nibble. "Quite delicious. Which one was this one from?"

"The Six Swans."

"So you have a title? What about the rest of the song?"

"Things like songs take a long time, Hedgehog," explained Vixen, nuzzle deep in the steak flesh, "I'm working on it."

"Oh, by the way, did you see the flash of green-"

"In the sky?" interrupted Vixen, "Of course."

"I've never understood why humans couldn't see it," mused Hedgehog.

"Because they never look for it," replied Vixen simply, "The only group of humans I've met who look for this are sailors and they believe that it means that a soul lost at sea and locked in Davy Jones' Locker has been released and sent back to live once again."

Hedgehog seemed confused. "So which is it? Transformative magic being performed or the whole Davy Jones', soul thingy?"

"Could be both." Vixen licked her lips, having finished the first of three steaks. "Maybe Davy Jones uses magic to release those souls."

"Oh, Vixen, surely you don't believe in the Legend of Davy Jones?"

Vixen laughed harshly. "I don't know what to believe in, considering that I've been turned into a fox. Honestly, Davy Jones doesn't sound that farfetched after all."

Hedgehog giggled along with Vixen and they continue to eat in satisfied silence.

"Ah," Vixen suddenly said, mid-chew, "I think I've got it."

She started to sing.

White wings on blue skies

They beat to the song on my tongue.

Seven Swans of the Swan Family

Free children of Faren,

But alas, who once was kin

Was only enemy inside

Seven Swans became six swans,

One sister missed.

Many rosebuds she stitched

Into fine jackets of red.

But silent was her boast,

Though her heart wept.

Mouth shut tight,

She could only sew

Until six jackets were complete,

One missing a sleeve.

With a whirl, six swans

Became six sons once again,

Save for the youngest,

A single wing evidence

For their terrible trials.

Hedgehog clapped eagerly, if light tapping could qualify as clapping. "Beautiful as always."

Vixen bowed almost mockingly before returning to her dinner.

"But why do you always leave yourself out of your songs, Vixen?"

Vixen thought about it for a second.

"Perhaps because I do not wish to disappear into legend. I am a helper of people, real, tangible. I once was part of the simple and honest folk. I help all and make myself available to all. Were I to become legend, people would put on a pedestal, and I've learned the hard way that I do not belong on there."

Vixen took a gulping bite of delicious steak, savoring all the flavors that exploded on her tongue. A thought occurred to her.

"Besides, no one would believe a fox the true hero of these stories."

Together, they snorted in laughter.

"Thanks for the laugh, Hedgehog, but I must be going. If the flash of green was any indication, there's a beast in need of help."

Steaks finished, Vixen got up, stretching and arching her back, front paws out. Hedgehog also got up on her tiny feet, shaking herself awake from a coming food coma.

"How do you know where to go?"

"Oh, I don't know," Vixen causally replied, "I just trot in whatever direction I please. It seemed that fate works in my favor, and one way or another, I run into the beast."

"Be careful, Vixen. Fate is twisted, and you could run into trouble."

Vixen winked mischievously at Hedgehog.

"What is more troublesome than me?"

With that, Vixen took off, leaping into the unknown green of the evergreen forest. As far as she was concerned, all of this would just be another typical case, one she would most assuredly crack, and move on to the next, and the next, and the next...

Vixen shook her head, breaking her storm of thought. Although she had lost track of the precise days, times, and months, she knew that she had been in this endless cycle for over six years. As much as she enjoyed some of her work, another part of her wondered what it would be like to walk on two legs again. Yet another part of her wondered if society would ever let her back if they knew she had been a four-legged beast before.

And another part of her wondered if she ever, really wanted to go back.

To go back into a society that valued men over women, appearances over personality, war over peace, and riches over happiness. What was there to go back for? Why, she could just stay a fox forever, only concerned about when her next meal was, when the seasons change, when to sleep and wake, and so on.

Yet inside, there still was the intense longing to be human.

"Ouch!"

Lost in thought, Vixen had slammed headfirst into something grey, fuzzy, and hard. Stumbling, Vixen fell back on her rump, legs in the air. Rubbing her eyes, she shook herself up back on her feet, an apology ready on her lips.

A very angry grey wolf, hackles raised, growled deeply at her. Vixen bit her lip gently, apology lost. The wolf snarled

Must be wild.

Quick as she could, she turned on her heel, leaping over a bush. The thumping behind her confirmed that the wolf was right on her tail. Before she could dash into one of her favorite hiding places, a hole in a tree, Vixen was jerked back.

The wolf stood victoriously over her, paw on her tail.

Ughh, damn tail.

Vixen struggled under the wolf's paw, but it only encouraged another paw on her shoulder. Pinned to the ground, Vixen was in a bind. Snaring, Vixen desperately swiped at the wolf's snout, drawing blood. The wolf emitted a low growl, sharp teeth showing.

Vixen was going to die.

Closing her eyes tightly, Vixen turned away from the wolf, hoping he would make quick work of her.

At least I got to eat one last decent meal.

Another paw pressed into her other shoulder. Pants of hot breath blew on her neck, a strain of drool dripping on to her shoulder. Vixen shuddered, letting out a little whine.

A low rumbling sounded from above her, hacking.

The wolf...was laughing.

"Pah, you're pathetic!"

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A/N:I love hedgehogs. They're so cute.