Cute Trouble

by Evowizard25

Our Diets Are Different

Pizzelle just thanked the sun above she could feel safe in her own home. It gave her a little bit of sanctity from everything outside. Well unless the Priestess stopped by, but she was sure she was safe from her. At least, for a little while. Cheerilee would surely talk Bon Bon out of blowing up on the baker. Pizzelle knew well enough how level headed and stern the teacher could be. Any teacher worth their salt could only hope to be half as good as Cheerilee was. Which was why she had been adamant about her teaching Hikaru.

That ordeal not but a few hours ago had shaken her resolve. She wasn’t going to give up on keeping Hikaru, but it was getting increasingly clear the Priestess was growing sour on the idea. Pizzelle couldn’t really understand why though. Bon Bon had seemed pleasant enough when she was picking up Hikaru the first time.

‘Has something changed? Did I do something to upset her? Well, I haven’t had the best of luck these past few days. Nightmare Moon really made a mess for Ponyville, so I can’t be the only one having such terrible luck. Is it because of my great uncle Pick Pocket being a renowned pirate? No, he was estranged from the family. That couldn’t be. No it couldn’t.’ Pizzelle kept on pondering as she baked her second batch of cookies. Baking really did help with her nerves.

Pizzelle used her mitten covered hooves to place the tray on the counter. She blew lightly over the raisin cookies, helping to cool them off a bit. While she wasn’t an ice elemental, she knew a few cooling techniques to help her baking. They were little tricks she’d picked up on her travels. Still, her mother’s baking skills were second to none in her own opinion.”Hikaru, dinner is ready.”

The cute little bundle of fur raced into the kitchen and hopped onto a stool by the counter. His tail wagged behind him in such a way that Pizzelle couldn’t help but giggle. She found it so cute. “What’d you make, Miss Pizzelle? It smells yummy.”

Pizzelle nuzzled his little head. “Oh just some raisin cookies. Nothing that special. Not really, unless you count that fiasco several years back in one of the outlying cities. Somepony burnt the cookies so much that we were able to use them as ammunition against Diamond Dogs. It’s almost hilarious in hindsight, if you forget about the blood.” Her eyes widened as she realized she was going on about violence in front of Hikaru of all creatures. He’d had enough of that sort. She quickly grabbed the cookies and rotated a plate towards him. “Since you’ve been a good boy, I thought you deserved your own plate.”

“Really?” Hikaru smiled. “All these are mine?”

Pizzelle nodded. “But don’t eat too much. I don’t want you to get a tummy ache.” She lightly tickled his stomach with a wing, causing him to giggle. She laughed in turn and pulled away. She wanted to keep tickling him. His laugh was so precious, but he needed to eat. Besides, he earned just a little peace.

She’d tickle him before his bedtime.

“Now,” Pizzelle started, taking a seat next to him. “How was your first day at school? Exciting? Very exciting?” Hikaru’s mouth was full of cookies, so he just nodded. Pizzelle sighed in sweet remembrance. “I remember my first day. It certainly wasn’t as exciting as yours. Not very exciting indeed, but it is one of the best days I have ever had. Why, I can even remember my teacher, Golden Snitch, who...Hikaru, slow down.” Pizzelle chuckled as the kitsune stopped shoving cookies into his mouth.

He swallowed what he had and smiled sheepishly. “Sorry, Miss Pizzelle. These cookies are really good.”

She nuzzled him, keeping a protective wing around his side. Even if this was her home, it didn’t mean she couldn’t feel a tad bit...anxious given the past few days. “I know, but these cookies aren’t going to run away.” She tapped her chin. “Now, where was I?”

“Golden Snitch.”

“Very good,” Pizzelle smiled at him, earning a smile back. “Now, he was a quick flyer back in the day. A retired Wonderbolt even, but he thought it was his time to hang up his suit and teach. Strange in a way, but he was an excellent teacher I’ll tell you that….”

___________________________________________________________________

Something was wrong with her little fox. It had been a few hours since dinner and she was going to tuck him in soon. Yet, he’d been in the bathroom for a while now. She couldn’t stand hearing him wretch over and over again. “Dearie,” Pizzelle knocked on the door. “Are you alright? You’ve been in there for a while.”

“No….” Hikaru groaned, which triggered a bit of fright within her. “I feel terrible.”

Pizzelle quickly opened the door. Thankfully, it was unlocked. She’d have broken it down if it wasn’t. She gasped. Hikaru was hunched over the toilet, shaking like a leaf. His eyes were glassy and it seemed like he was trying to puke his guts out. “Oh my dear little boy,” she rushed over to him and started rubbing her wing gently over his back.

“Miss Pizzelle,” Hikaru groaned. “I’m…” He was cut off by another series of lurches. He didn’t hurl up anything this time, because she could very much tell he had already thrown up everything he had. “I want this to stop. It hurts.”

Pizzelle was beyond frightened. ‘It hurts? He can’t stop throwing up? What sort of bug did he catch? I know kitsune can handle pony diseases well enough, being immune to quite a few of them, but what if he caught something that does affect them. What if there isn’t a cure? What if-’ She shook her head. She wasn’t going down that road. Hikaru was going to be fine. In fact, she personally knew Ponyville’s best nurse. “We’re going to the hospital, Hikaru. Do you think you can walk?”

Hikaru shakily nodded. “I...I can.”

“Good,” Pizzelle nodded and gave him an earnest smile. While she would have loved to have carried him herself, he might get even queasier sashaying on her back. Still, if the walk was too much, she’d pluck him up on the spot. “Then let’s go.” She flushed the toilet quickly. “But not before we wash our hooves, I mean paws. Hygiene is always important for ones health.”

_________________________________________________________________

“Alright,” Redheart calmly and slowly said. “Now take slow and small steps.”

“I’m not a foal,” Inquisitor Time Turner wasn’t wearing his usual uniform today, which was something of a rare occasion. Like most inquisitor, priests, and those of Celestia’s order, they liked to keep their uniforms on as much as possible. Redheart wouldn’t have that in her hospital. “Minus one time jump and a few missed centuries and I’m almost as old as Equestria.”

“Age doesn’t matter here,” Redheart snorted. “You’re my patient. That means you have to listen to me, not the other way around.” He opened his mouth. “So no, you can’t go home yet.”

“But I’m a Time Charger,” Time Turner snorted. “We heal quickly and I’ve been in here for days.”

“You’re doing remarkably well for someone who had multiple bones broken and bent out of shape,” Redheart nodded. It was a true testament to modern medicine and time charger biology that he was still living. “However, I can’t in good conscious let you walk about now. Give it another day or two and then you’ll be free to go.”

Time Turner growled in agitation, before sighing. “Very well, Redheart. I’ll stay, if that is what you wish.”

“I wish it very much,” Redheart narrowed her eyes. She knew time chargers were hard to deal with, but Time Turner just had to be the worst of the bunch. He was a nice stallion and all that, but when it came to check-ups and medical attention, he seemed to fight it with all he had. ‘I’m just lucky he hasn’t pitched a fit or something yet.’ Grown ups could do childish things when they’re upset.

Redheart’s ears perked up as they heard shouting coming from the hallways. ‘Perhaps some of the other injured soldiers got antsy.’ Her eyes widened as she watched Nurse Coldheart thrown across the doorway. “What the-”

Pizzelle raced inside, carrying Hikaru. “Help. Sick. Fix. NOW!”

Redheart blinked in surprise. “Pizzelle, what is going-” She gasped as she looked at Hikaru. He seemed thin and had a glazed and pained expression on his face. He was retching, but nothing was coming out. The nurse guessed well enough that he had already emptied himself. She took him in her hooves. “Oh, Hikaru.” He was slightly shaking in her hold. She knew he hadn’t taken well to stranger, but she could tell it was more to do with what ailed him. She went and gently placed him on a bed. She glanced at Time Turner. “Out.”

“But you wanted me to get back in bed,” Time Turner said in agitation.

“I did, but I don’t want you to catch what Hikaru has.” Redheart stated. “Well, if it is a disease. It could be something else. Still, it’s best you go find a room close by. I’ll be there for you shortly.”

“Oh joy,” Time Turner mumbled as he walked away. He turned and gave Hikaru a sympathetic look. “Be strong, little one. You’re in good hooves.”

Redheart smiled at the compliment. “Now,” she turned to Pizzelle. “What are his symptoms and when did this all start?”

“He’s been throwing up constantly for the last hour or so,” Pizzelle kept her gaze on the little kitsune. “He’s been shaking a lot and he said his tummy hurts.”

“Hmm,” Redheart frowned. Then an idea hit her. “What did he have for dinner?”

Pizzelle smiled and looked at her. “Oh just some raisin cookies and milk, a speciality of my mother-”

Redheart grabbed the baker’s shoulders. “You fed him raisins? You’re not supposed to feed a kitsune grapes of any kind.”

Pizzelle’s eyes widened in fear and she stuttered, “But it’s just raisin cookies. I thought….He liked them and….” She started to shake. “What have I done? I’ve poisoned my little boy. Why? Why? I just-”

Redheart shook the mare, getting out of whatever rant she was about to go on about. “Pizzelle, listen to me. It’s nothing serious. He’s just going to have really bad stomach aches for a while. I have some supplements which should ease the pain and other symptoms. Hikaru will be fine in no time. He just needs plenty of rest and liquids.” She sighed. “You didn’t know, Pizzelle. This isn’t your fault.”

“Yes it is,” Pizzelle sniffed, using her hoof to wipe away a tear. “I went to Japox myself once. I met quite a few nobles and common kitsune. I even traded a few recipes. I just forgot to bring up grapes. I should have. They would have warned me and Hikaru would be fine. This is my fault.”

“You didn’t know,” Redheart stated. “Don’t beat yourself up over this. Hikaru is going to be fine and you know now.”

“But-”

Redheart cut her off and took her hooves off the mare’s shoulders. “I have a book on kitsune dietary needs. Yes, I like to be prepared for anything so it’s no surprise I have it. You can take it with you once Hikaru’s better. It’ll help make sure that this doesn’t happen again.”

Pizzelle nodded. “Thank you.”

Redheart smiled. “Anytime,” she turned to the door. “I’ll be right back. I just need to get the supplements.” She paused in the doorway. “Pizzelle?”

“Hmm,” Pizzelle smiled.

“You do know I have to make a report to Bon Bon, right?” Redheart gave her friend a concerned eye.

Pizzelle gulped. If she didn’t have that almost white coat, Redheart was sure she’d be pailing. “I’ll deal with her when the time comes.”

‘I hope so,’ Redheart frowned as she trotted off.

Author's Note:

Yeah, grapes and raisins aren't the best foods to give to foxes.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please leave a comment. They are much appreciated, help me get the next chapter out sooner, and are just nice to read.

This story is coming to a close soon.

Comments

[HB_DS2013]

I didn't know grapes are bad for foxes...

[Skyeheart]

Then why was there a fable about the fox and sour grapes?

[Dramon Creator]

I find it interesting that while Sun priests are supposed to be fonts of kindness and mercy among Equestria's religious crazies, Bon Bon still manages the most terrifying being in Ponyville.

[Evowizard25]

6321907 Perhaps foxes can handle them in really small doses, or, like most fables, the reality portion of the tale is stretched.

[Evowizard25]

6321697 I didn't either, but I found out about it when I researched what foods they don't like.

They also don't take well to avocados.

6273553 Thanks for taking a look at this too. I really appreciate it and I hope you enjoy the rest of it. Hopefully, I can get some more 'episodes' out soon. Perhaps I'll even get to work on the season one finale sometime early next year. I'm sure it'll be worthy of a review of it's own....well, this is probably just me gloating.

Still, thank you.

[ChangelingNumber32]

6322550 I just read the new chapter and for some reason, this is the first thing that I thought of.

i1.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/075/870/Raisins.png

See you in a few weeks!

[HB_DS2013]

6322550 I found out that dogs can't have grapes either. I wonder if the chocolate rule also applies to foxes... Can foxes eat sugar?

[howard035]

For a while there, I was sure Hikaru was going to cough up a furball.

[Evowizard25]

6323756 I can't wait. I never thought I'd get a review. Oh, so exciting.

6325091 If Hikaru was a type of cat, I'd be tempted to do it.

[Festus]

Ech, raisins! Sure, I'm okay with eating them on their own, but raisin cookies?! Are you trying to murder his taste buds?! Wait, foxes can't eat them... ARE YOU TRYING TO MURDER HIM WITH RAISINS?! Oh Celestia, that would be horrifying! 'Aki Hikaru, murdered by raisins'. But on hindsight, everyone would have a kick out of it in Heaven.

I like how Time Turner hates doctors or medical officials for that matter. Considering that he's this universe's resident popular Time Lord The Doctor. I could probably make a mythology gag or something about it considering my knowledge on the series, but eh. He just hates them. Like pears.

And hey, I didn't know misfortune is hereditary! Must be a recessive gene. Although, I don't know how being estranged could actually stop the gene from passing. Shade must have some unlucky ancestors to land where he is now.

[Honeytongue]

6322550
Well then. No Guacamole for him either, eh?

[NobodieZ]

“You do know I have to make a report to Bon Bon, right?”

I'm so not looking forward to the next chapter.

[way_2_spooky_4_u]

I'm calling it now, the Blood-Magi is going to attack Bon Bon while she's marching her way over to Pizzelle to take Aki and the Kitsune-Pony mother son duo is going to save her sorry flanks from being milked for blood.

[Efadd]

“Golden Snitch.”

Hahahahahahaha nice one!

[PinkDragonJr]

I thought i had read earlier that Pizzelle knew Kitsune were obligate Carnivores. why is she giving him so much plant based food?

[Evowizard25]

11817132
I guess I didn't go over it as well as I could have. Most carnivores can eat plants and fruits to an extent. They can't just digest it as well. Not to mention that Pizzelle would have been feeding him meat since pegasi are natural omnivores who like to eat plenty of meat. If I had to go back, I'd have probably shown that a bit more but yeah.