> My Little Pony: The Fox of Everfree
>  by Valtyrian
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1: A Misunderstood Meeting
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Everfree Forest was a wild place, untouched by ponies and inhabited by many dangerous creatures. Over the years, despite the efforts of the most powerful unicorns and the Tree of Harmony, the forest had grown larger and larger, encompassing the entire southeastern part of Equestria from the edge of Ponyville to the open sea, forcing many towns to completely relocate.

Within the deepest part of the forest near the coastline, where no pony dared to journey, wild sounds could be heard from every direction. Everything from the howling packs of Timberwolves to the cry of large wild birds. But the strangest sound was that of a gentle tune and the echo of something thumping against the base of trees.

The cause of the thumping and music was a fox, and a young one at that. His fur was the color of autumn leaves--tinted dark green with a shade of amber. His voice carried across the small section of Everfree he called home.

"Oh, little fishies swimming upstream,
you all look so yummy,
It's like I'm in a dream!
Large fish, small fish, fishies all around,
Oh, how many fish could ever be found!" 

The young fox's song grew louder as he danced back and forth amongst the trees. With his three tails he beat against their trunks, knocking down various fruits into a basket on his back.

A black chipmunk with brown stripes, sitting comfortably on his shoulder, started to tap on the fox’s neck. 

"Hmm? Oh hey, Chirpy, what's up?"

Chirpy stood up and started to gesture all about while squeaking.

"Oh yeah," the fox said with a smile. "Well I'm sorry, but I don't know any songs about nuts."

Chirpy continued to talk to his friend as the young fox walked onward.

"Yes, I know how healthy they are." The kitsune’s tails slammed into another tree. "I like them too, but not half as much as fish." He smiled at his friend. "What do you think? Enough for dinner?"

While Chirpy looked through the basket of fruit, the fox took the time to stretch. The chipmunk pushed at various fruits, pointing his little finger at them repeatedly as if counting. Once he had finished, he chirped a few times to his friend.

"Then let's head home," the fox said, nodding. "It's starting to get late."

As he strolled down the worn dirt path, the kitsune crossed a small river where beavers showed their two kittens how to build a dam. Closing his eyes, he let out a deep, drawn-out sigh as he lowered his head and kept on moving onward. His heart felt heavier in his chest and tears formed at the corners of his eyes, until he moved up to an edge of a small beach that surrounded a large lake with a waterfall.

The raging waters cascaded down in single sheet, interrupted only by a few trees that grew on the side of the cliff. As the water splashed into the lake, it sent up a spray of mist that created a perpetual rainbow. At the sight of the rainbow the heaviness of his heart lifted and a smile crossed his lips. This was his favorite place in the entire forest. Here he could feel like he was the king of his own little kingdom.

A loud chirping quickly brought him out of his woolgathering.

"Hmm?" he asked, looking up and seeing his chipmunk friend hanging from his bangs. "Oh yeah, I'm okay."

The chirping continued as Chirpy leaped from his head down in front of him.

"Am I that transparent?" he muttered as Chirpy continued to chitter and gesture wildly. "Okay, yes, I'm a little down."

The chipmunk hopped closer, patting the fox’s shoulder with his little paws.

"I guess I just want some companionship." Sitting down, he felt the basket slide down his back. He caught it by his tails and shifted off to his side. A few more chirps caused him to raise his head. "Yes, you're a great companion. No one doubts that, but I miss my family. And this time of year, a female would be nice to have around."

Chirpy put his little paws on his hips and squeaked out a few notes.

"Yes, your little sister is cute, but I kinda want one that I don't consider to be an appetizer." A soft chuckle escaped his lips as his friend swooned and stumbled backward, eyes wide in shock. "Oh, relax, will you? I'm not about to eat her, you are my closest friend. And she's rather funny. I don't eat funny creatures."

A few more chirps as the chipmunk ran up his leg and back onto his shoulder.

"Yeah, but finding someone my size isn't easy. I mean, it's not like beautiful girls just fall from the sky."

At that moment, a sudden high-pitched scream caused both the fox and chipmunk to look up at the waterfall. What they saw looked to be a quickly falling marshmallow with cotton candy hair. Two large broken branches plummeted along with it, sending a splash a few feet tall upon hitting the water. In the wake of the splash the marshmallow was swallowed into the lake.

The young fox blinked in amazement before gazing up at the sky.

"Large amounts of fish don't just fall from the sky," he said and looked around the waterfall for a moment. "Worth a shot. Watch the basket." Running to the edge of a small nearby cliff overlooking the lake, he jumped off and dove in headfirst, while his chipmunk friend leaped off onto the basket filled with fruit.

Once in the cold waters, the young fox looked about. He abandoned all thoughts save for one, the hunt. Swimming deeper underwater, his eyes focused like a hawk on the wing, outlining everything in his path with a sharp glow.

Okay, where is she? he thought as a large salmon swam across his focused eyes. Nope, that’s a fish. Looking left he watched two large bass fight over a half dead perch. Nope, more fish. His stomach started rumble as his mouth watered. His eyes scanned further down into the dark depths until the outline of a small sinking pony was as clear crystal. There you are. 

His tails swirling behind him, the schools of fish became a blur as he sank deeper and deeper. Colliding with the pony, his tails wrapped firmly around her body. Every curve of her well-developed teenage body was registered along the fur of his sensitive tails and sent a wanting shiver up his body. Thankful for the cold waters, he turned and started to dog paddle back up to the surface.

His paws pushed hard against the water as the weight of her body slowed his way up. Upon breaking the water, he brought what he now saw as a unicorn's head up to his and pushed her up against his back.

Breathing heavily, he used his tails to keep the unicorn against his body as he moved to shore as quickly as he could. Pulling the unicorn out of the water, he turned and looked at her.

She is beautiful, the young fox thought. As he examined her body, he took note of all the small, but deep, scratches. Shifting his eyes up at the four-hundred-foot waterfall, he took note of the trees that were now missing several large branches. It’s a good thing those were there to cushion her fall. 

A loud chirping broke the fox's thoughts. He turned his head and shifted his attention back to his chipmunk friend.

"Hmm?" he asked as he looked at Chirpy and was greeted with several squeaks and gestures. "Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me."

Leaning down, the fox rolled her over on her back and laid his ear over her chest. Closing his eyes, he listened carefully. Her heartbeat resounded in his ears and brought a smile to his lips. Listening closer, he heard gurgling of liquid in her lungs and a breath that was growing weaker.

“Okay, stay back,” the fox told his friend as he sat up and put his front paws together. Closing his eyes, he brought the image of his father to mind. He recalled with perfect clarity the day his father taught him how to do what he was about to do. Taking a long deep breath, he began to chant slowly, his three tails forming various gestures with each word.

“Rin, Hyo, To, Sha, Kai, Jin, Retsu, Zai, Zen!” on speaking the final word his paws ignited in an emerald smokeless flame. Swiftly placing his paws down on the pony’s chest, he exhaled slowly as the flame spread from his paws down over her. Moments later she began to cough up all the water she had breathed in. 

Leaning forward, he listened carefully to the sound of the pony who was now breathing a lot easier. Groaning loudly, he slowly stood up on all fours and immediately started to stagger to the side till he crashed into a tree. He looked up at his friend who looked about ready to laugh uncontrollably.

“Not one word!” the fox’s voice came out in a low growl. The chipmunk immediately pushed back against a tree and quickly became silent. “I just need a moment. And a mango.” Staggering over to his fruit basket, he tripped over his own paws and rolled headfirst into it. After a moment he lifted his head with a mango between his fangs. Rolling away from the basket, he lay on his back and began to devour the fruit. He started to purr as the sweet juices rolled down his throat. Once the fox had finished at least two mangos, he felt his strength return.

Moving up next to the filly, he wrapped his tails around her and pulled the pony up onto his back. He started to walk back to the path. 

"For somepony so small she's not light," he groaned. "You think I'd be a lot stronger, carrying all that fruit every day."

His chipmunk friend was chirping as he jumped onto his head and gestured back to the basket of fruit.

"I'll come back for it, my first priority right now is to get her someplace warm, dry, and safe. Hopefully, I can treat her wounds. It's a good thing I paid extra attention while in the Fox Scouts."

Chirpy gave a few squeaks, leaping atop the filly’s head and poking her horn, looking at it as if she was completely alien to him. Smiling, the fox turned his head and stopped at a fork in the path.

"I don't know, Chirpy. She’s definitely not from the village." The fox sighed. Shaking his head, he pushed aside a set of bushes next to him, exposing a new path that lead up behind the waterfall. "I just wish I knew who she is and how in the name of Amaterasu did she get way out here."


***


Sweetie Belle ran as fast as she could through the dark woods, loose branches from the low bushes cutting into her skin. Her designer blouse quickly tore, the silken fabric hanging off of her lithe body in tatters. Her bare white coat matted with streaks of fresh blood from the multiple cuts. Behind her the shadowy creature roared, its growls echoing in her ears. Her breath quickened as her heart began to beat as fast as she was running. 

Sweetie Belle quickly looked over her shoulder. The shadow-clad creature quickly flew toward her, its red eyes flaring, blood dripping from its claws. Shadowy tendrils snaked out from behind it, stabbing out toward her. Slipping, she tumbled to the ground as one of the tendrils bypassed her chest by a hair’s width. Wide-eyed, she watched as it speared into a rabbit that was running to a nearby bush, sending a spray of blood over her face. 

Her voice died in her throat. She scraped her hooves repeatedly against the ground as she forced herself up and ran as fast as she could. She shoved past a set of trees and slid to a halt at a small cliff overlooking a whitewater river. Turning around, her eyes widened even more as she came face to face with the creature. Blindly walking backwards, she slipped and stumbled over a single rock, tumbling over the cliff and crashing into the river below.

Sweetie Belle, panicking, reached out with her hooves, trying to grasp anything that she floated past. A sudden wave pushed her under. For several moments she saw nothing but white bubbles as her body rolled along the river bed. When her head finally broke free, she took a long gasping breath. Her ears swiveled forward to the roar of a waterfall. In the moments before going over, she closed her eyes and whimpered. After a moment of falling, her body struck a few large branches. The limbs shook and bounced under her weight, making her grip them tight with all four legs. Amidst the shaking of the tree under her, Sweetie Belle felt a firm pinching in her hind legs. Looking behind her, she found that they were pinned between a fork of the two branches.

Whimpering loudly, she lay there on the larger of the two branches, her head hanging down. As her tears streamed down her face, Sweetie Belle looked down at the lake below. Her breathing slowed as she just watched the waterfall crash into the waters below. 

Sweetie Belle’s gentle breathing quickly halted at the sound of two large cracks from behind her. In the time it took for her to draw a breath, the two branches broke free as searing pain shot through her hind legs and raced through her body. With her eyes widened, the young pony let out a feral, gut-wrenching scream that echoed in the valley below as she fell faster and faster. Her head struck one of the branches she was previously lying on.

Sweetie Belle gasped loudly as she woke up in darkness, a heavy weight over her whole body. Feeling around with her front hooves, she found a thick woollen fabric tangled all around her. Pushing out with her front legs, she kicked away at the heavy blanket covering her head. As the blanket slid off of her body, a flash of bright sunlight forced her to quickly close her eyes. 

Wheezing and breathing heavily, Sweetie Belle winced and slowly opened her eyes, letting them adjust to the lights. Wrapping her front legs around her chest, she felt thick bandages bound tightly around her. Looking down, Sweetie Belle saw the same bandages around her forelimbs as well, just not as tight as the ones around her midsection. Every breath made her feel uncomfortable as she slowly pushed the blanket off of her body.

What the? she thought. Reaching down, she felt over her limbs, finding them firmly bandaged with two padded curved bamboo boards that wrapped around each leg. Around the outside of the bamboo were braided silk straps keeping her legs immobile.

Feeling a slight chill, she pulled the blanket back up her body and looked about. The first thing Sweetie Belle noticed was the bed itself. It was huge, so large that her sister’s bed could fit on it three times and still have some space left over. Another design that she admired was the bed’s shape--a large circle. The far wall of the room looked to be made of thick opaque white paper lined with thin strips of wood, and an open sliding door in the corner. 

Through the open door she heard a pair of voices, one musical in nature, yet clearly masculine, and the other a series of grunts and growls. Two shadows were projected on the wall. The first a very large bear,  the other a smaller creature she couldn’t identify. However whatever it was, it had three tails. As she listened in on the conversation, she felt her blood run cold as her body started to tremble. Biting down on her lower lip, she tried to keep herself as quiet as possible.  

"I don't care. I'm not sharing," said the musical voice. "I found it, do you know how long it took me to catch that thing in there? I rarely find one that big, so I'm keeping it all to myself." 

Sweetie Belle listened as a series of grunts and a half roar came from the doorway. She guessed the other room was a kitchen, given the scent of spices and herbs coming from it.

"Well, if you must know, I'm going to gut it, clean it, and roast it whole. Making sure the skin is nice and crispy while the insides are tender and juicy." A light musical chuckle escaped the three-tailed creature. "My mouth is salivating just talking about it."

Sweetie Belle gulped and pushed herself back into the pillows supporting her. Her breathing started to get heavier as cold sweat ran down her spine. Looking about the room, she scanned her surroundings and tried to find some way out. Only two other doorways were in the room, one a double sliding door set in the center of the western wall. And the other a smaller portal directly to the left of the open door, both closed and visible to anyone near to the kitchen door.

With her legs bound she felt helpless and trapped. The very idea of being eaten made her heart pound more than when she plummeted off the waterfall. 

Throwing off the blankets, Sweetie Belle pushed herself hard and tried to crawl off the bed. Every movement she made sent a wave of pain shooting through her whole body. After several minutes of crawling she got only halfway across the bed before collapsing in pain. She saw her hopes of saving herself flying away like Rainbow Dash in a race. 

Oh no... oh please not like this. I don't want to be eaten, she thought as her grip on the blankets tightened while tears started to fall from her eyes. As she lay there, whimpering, she felt as helpless as a newborn filly. Trying to pull herself up, her limbs betrayed her, refusing to move any further than they already had. From the other room, she heard the sound of more grunts and growling. 

"Okay well, you have a good day," the musical voice said as a door opened. "We're still on for next week, right?" The bear answered with a quick grunt. "See you then, H." 

Sweetie Belle heard the sound of door closing and a gentle chirping, from what might have been a squirrel or chipmunk.

"Hmm? Oh right. Thanks, Chirpy," the voice said. After a few moments she heard the sound of a stone being moved aside. "Hmmm, heating up nicely. I'd say another half hour, then the oven will be perfect roasting temperature." 

Sweetie Belle could hear the voice getting closer to the room she was in. Pushing herself into the bedding, she gripped the edge of the blankets and pulled it up over her back, hoping that she could turn invisible.

"Which reminds me, I have to go get it. It's going to take me that long just to get it ready for roasting," the voice said hungrily, which made Sweetie Belle feel very sick to her stomach. "Particularly if it puts up a fight." 

Sweetie Belle closed her eyes and pulled the blankets up over her head, praying with all her heart that this all was just a horrible nightmare. Taking a long deep breath, she looked about the room again. She knew she couldn’t run, her previous movements told her that clearly. 

If I can’t run. I’ll fight, but with what? she thought in a panic as she scanned the room. There wasn’t much she could use. Large mats that would be very difficult to move when she had issues levitating even a broom. Her eyes turned to a bookshelf, which was filled with large thick tomes. Her gaze stopped on a very odd curved dagger. Struggling, she levitated the dagger over to the bed and hid it under the blankets. 

A weapon, okay, I have a weapon, but what else can I do? Sweetie Belle thought. Looking back to the bookshelf, she saw the largest book on it. Turning her gaze to the door again she saw a ledge above it. That's it, I’ll hit him with that. Lighting her horn again, she levitated the book up to that shelf and held it there, waiting for the moment the creature came into the room.

Watching from under the blankets, all she could see were his paws as he walked into the room. Canceling her horn’s magic, she heard the book fall from the shelf and the satisfying sound of it slamming down on the creature’s head. Her heart sank a little when it didn’t knock him out.

“Ow! What the hell...” the creature said as he stumbled and fell to the ground, rubbing his head. Picking up the book, he groaned. “That’s going to leave a mark.”

Sweetie Belle watched as the creature got up and grabbed the book from the floor with one of his tails. “Let’s put this back where it belongs. How it got on that shelf is beyond me.” His paws moved to the bookshelf and he just stood there for a moment. She watched as he stood on his hind legs, his front two paws vanished out of her sight up the wall.

“Okay, now where is my tanto? I could have sworn I put it here,” the creature said curiously. 

As she listened in carefully, Sweetie Belle heard things on the shelf being moved around. Her hooves gripped the dagger which she assumed was the ‘tanto’ he was looking for. Tears streamed down her cheek as her body trembled. Gulping quietly, she watched as all four paws of the creature landed again on the mats. 

“Damn, I guess I left it out in the forest,” he said in an irritated voice. “It’s a good thing Otousan isn’t around, he’d box my ears something fierce for misplacing it.” With a sigh she watched as the paws moved closer to the bed before turning and walking over to one of the other doors in the room.

"Okay now. Better get this over with," the voice muttered. Soon after a door slid open. "Don't worry, it'll be quick and painless. One quick snap, then it's all over. Now come here!" 

Sweetie Belle gritted her teeth. Her heart was beating out of her chest. She was about to scream when she heard something odd.

"Gotcha! Now come on, don't make a fuss. No, no, no! Don't do that." A loud thump on the ground. Then the sound of something flopping around on the ground. “Ahhhh, fox down!” 

What the... she thought when she heard the creature yell out.

Sweetie Belle opened her eyes and pushed her head out of the blankets. On the ground flat on his back with one paw raised up to the air was the creature she had been watching. Flopping around next to him was a fish half the size of the fox. An excited chirping could be heard from the shelf she had used to drop the book on him. Looking up, she saw a chipmunk rolling in apparent fits of laughter. She had to work hard not to burst into laughter herself. Keeping her head down on the bed and her eyes half open,

Sweetie Belle watched as the fox got up and leaped at the fish. Only to be met with an errant swing of its tail which caught him square on the snout. Biting her lower lip, she found herself rooting for the fish. 

"Now, I’m really glad my Otousan isn't around. Imagine my humiliation, bitchslapped by a fish."

The fox looked up at the chipmunk who was rolling around on the shelf laughing even harder now. "Laugh it up, fuzzball." He gave a low groan and pounced at the fish again. With a quick bite and snap of its head, the fish stopped moving. "There. Maybe that will show you who's the boss." 

Groaning, the fox rubbed his shoulder. "I'm so going to be feeling that in the morning. Now, let's get this fish into the kitchen." 

Sweetie Belle watched as the fox swiftly dispatched the fish. The sight of the large fangs sinking into the animal’s body made her tremble harder. She watched, wide-eyed, as he licked the blood off of his own muzzle. Looking at the fish, she could clearly see herself in its position. A young pre-teen filly lying there on the ground, her neck snapped and blood pooling under her from a large bite mark. Closing her eyes, she heard herself whimper louder than she wanted. She was almost positive that she had been heard, as the room got as quiet as a graveyard at night.

"Hmm? Oh, ya," Sweetie Belle heard the fox say. "Go get the spices, Chirpy, I'll be there in a moment." Then the sound of soft paw pads coming toward her.

Her hooves gripped the dagger between them. She was trembling so hard it slipped and rolled almost a foot away from her under the sheets. Before she could reach out for it, Sweetie Belle felt the fox pounce onto the bed and walk toward her. Closing her eyes, she half rolled herself into a small ball and whispered over and over again.

"Please don't kill me. Oh please don’t kill me." She felt the spot on the bed she was on shift slightly as the fox lay next to her. 

"Poor girl, she must be having one bad dream," he said. His voice soft and tender as she felt his paw on her head, caressing her mane gently. “Shh, it’s okay. It’s going to be okay.” He continued to caress her mane for a moment before stopping. “I wish I could do more for her, but I can’t save her from her dreams.”

Sweetie Belle kept her eyes closed, as she felt a soft bit of fur brush under her eyes wiping away the tears that she had been shedding. Her heavy breathing lightened a bit in her confusion. She felt those paws grip the blanket and pull it tight up around her shoulders. Then one of those paws pressed itself just under her horn. 

"At least her fever broke. That's one bit of good news." She felt him walk off the bed as the chirping from the chipmunk could be heard again.

"No, she still hasn't woken up." Sweetie Belle heard the chipmunk continue squeaking. "And yes, I'm still going to prepare a meal for her just in case she does. Just like I do every day, every meal time."

Sweetie Belle opened up her eyes and watched the fox move from the bed toward the door. Then she looked at the shelf and the chipmunk who was still chirping. Watching the fox, she could almost feel him roll his eyes in frustration.

"Are you stuffing those nuts in your ears rather than your cheek pouches? I just told you, she hasn't woken up. So no, I still don't know her name. I wish I did," the fox continued, but was shortly interrupted.

"It's Sweetie Belle," Sweetie Belle said softly.

“Thank you,” the fox said, looking over his shoulder toward her. Then he returned his attention back to the chipmunk.

"There, now you know her name, it’s Sweetie Belle and I..." the fox said, only to stop mid-sentence. Both him and the chipmunk turned to look at Sweetie Belle. "Hello."

"Uh, hi," the filly greeted back in a quiet voice.

"Hello there, Sweetie Belle," the fox said and rested his forelegs up on the bed. Whatever he was going to say next was interrupted by repeated chirping. "Excuse me, I have to take care of a pest problem." 

All she could do was nod as the fox walked over to the chipmunk. He snagged it with one of his three tails and walked out of the room, saying, "Okay, chatty Cathy. You’re out of here. See you tomorrow and give my love to your sister." The sound of a window opening, a few squeaks, and then the sound of a window closing. 

The fox then walked back into the room and to the bed. "Okay, now that the third wheel is out of the way, let's start again. Hi, I'm Kohaku."

"Pleasure to meet you," Sweetie Belle said in a soft voice, not really sure what to say to him at the moment. Her emotions all mixed up inside of her. She opened her mouth to speak again, but was swiftly silenced by a loud rumbling in her stomach.

Kohaku gave a soft chuckle. "That's a good sign, you’re hungry."

"I'm so sorry, I'm usually a lot more refined."

"Hey, that's okay. You haven't eaten for a while," Kohaku said with a smile on his lips. "Let's get you some dinner."


***


Sweetie Belle sat comfortably at Kohaku’s kitchen table. She had seen pictures of Asian decor from her sister’s fashion magazines, but it was a much better experience seeing it in person. The table was very low to the ground--while she sat on a plush cushion it came up to her belly. She took in the various old-fashioned designs of her host’s home. Including a very large stone and clay oven with a flat iron plate on the top that Kohaku was working at.

Watching him work, she felt herself grow even hungrier. Even munching on the rice cakes he had set out for her did little to settle her grumbling stomach. The spice-filled room was like culinary heaven, whatever it was he was making smelled great. She even had to admit that the fish he was roasting smelled delicious. 

Oh that scent’ is so wonderful, Sweetie Belle thought as she took a long deep breath. How could I have been so stupid, thinking he was going to hurt me? Taking a long deep breath, she winced a little in pain. 

She saw Kohaku turn from the stove as she sucked her breath in. She raised a hoof, trying to signal him that she was okay but watched as he strolled over to her.

“Does it hurt?” Kohaku asked as he stopped in front of her and placed a paw on her chest bandages.

“I’m fine, really.” 

“Nonsense,” Kohaku said as he felt around. His paw caressed over the bandages slowly, pushing in a little, he heard her suck in air through her teeth. “There it is. Now, just remain still.” Lifting up his paw, he pushed out a claw and with a swift jab struck three spots on her body. “How’s that? Better?”

Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened at seeing that pitch black claw. But as fast as her fears rose, her surprise went even higher at how fast he poked at her body and even more at how painless it was. She didn’t even feel the spots he touched. She took a deep breath, deeper than before, and let it out in with a sigh of relief. 

“How did you?” 

“Pressure points,” he said and sat on a cushion next to her. “I know half a dozen of them for pain relief.”

“You bandage me up. Cure my pain and cook me a meal that smells better than anything my sister’s probably ever made.” Sweetie Belle leaned into the table and took a bite from another rice cracker. “How did you learn to do all of this? You don’t look much older than I am” 

“Fox Scouts. My papa was the clan scout master,” Kohaku said as he got up and moved back to the stove. “He drilled this stuff into my head every day for three years since I was five.” Pulling a bamboo steamer from a large pot, he moved it back to the table and set it in front of Sweetie Belle. “Here you go, your dinner is done.” Lifting the lid, he showed off at least fifteen steamed little dumplings. “Vegetable Gyoza. There’s a dipping sauce in the little ramekin on the table.

“And for the record, I’m only twelve,” he said as his tails pulled the large platter with the fish on it from the oven. Placing it on the table, he took his seat on the opposite side of the table from Sweetie Belle. His paws picked up a pair of chopsticks and he started eating.

“Twelve?!” Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened as she dropped a half-eaten dumpling back in the steamer. He’s a year younger than I am! A year younger and can do more than most adults.

“Mmhmm,” Kohaku said as he swallowed. “Yeah. Papa always said I needed to learn these kinds of things, who knew he was right?” Munching on the fish, he let out a low purr.

“But putting that aside, there’s one thing I really want to know,” the young fox said as he continued to eat. “What’s a pony doing all the way out here?”

“That, is a long story,” Sweetie Belle said, slumping down on her seat. “Needless to say, my sister is a royal pain in the flank. I couldn't take it anymore, so I thought I’d go live with my parents. But one thing lead to another and the next thing I knew I was flying off a waterfall.” Reaching down, she rubbed her bound legs. “Speaking of which, when can I get these things off?” 

“I’d say about a week,” Kohaku said as he placed his chopsticks down. “I’ve been doing my best to speed up the healing, but I’ve never mended bones on any creature larger than a beaver.”

“That’s okay.” Sweetie Belle smiled as she continued to eat. “A week, huh? Well I’m sure my parents will worry, but a week’s delay is better than the alternative.”

“What do you mean a week’s delay?” Kohaku asked with a full mouth. Swallowing loudly, he leaned above the table. “You’ve been here for some time.”

“Well, I figured a few days already, right? From what you’ve said earlier?”

“You’ve been here far longer than just a few days.” Kohaku pushed his half-eaten fish aside and looked at his guest. 

“Uh, how long have I been here?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“You’ve been here just over a month now,” Kohaku said, smiling. His smile vanished quickly as her eyes widened. She swooned a bit in her seat. 

Reaching out, he tried to grab her hooves with his paws to keep her from falling backwards, but was too slow. Looking over the table, he watched the teenage filly lying there completely unconscious.

“Well, she took that better than I thought she would.”
> Chapter 2: Reflections with a Spider
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sweetie Belle lay on top of a flat cliff, looking down at the lake below. A pleasant moan escaped her lips as the warm sun beamed on her back. The waterfall nearby sprayed a mist of water over her, slightly damping the kimono that she was wearing, one of the many gifts Kohaku had given her. 

“It’s so beautiful here,” she said to herself. Shifting her body a bit, she let one of her legs hang loose over the edge of the cliff. A few fish splashed up out of the water, catching some small bugs in their mouths, and then dove back into the waters. “I can see why he loves it so much.”

Rubbing her hind legs together, she let out a low groan. It had been a week since Kohaku had removed the casts from her legs. They were healed, but severely weakened. The short walks she took daily to help strengthen them still wore her out. The furthest she could manage was the cliff she was now lying on. 

Her horn lighting up, she brought a beautiful silver quill up to a small journal filled with songsheets, both gifts from Kohaku. She started to write down whatever came into her head. The pen scratching along the paper mingled lovingly with a soft tune she began to hum. 

“Whatcha writing down now?” a soft voice asked near her ear. Shocked by the voice, Sweetie Belle shot her head up faster than intended. Without meaning to, she hit Kohaku directly in the chin. 

They both yelped in unison. 

“Kohaku!” Sweetie Belle said, sharper than she wanted to as she turned her head to look at the fox. A fox who was now rubbing his chin with his paw. “What did I say about sneaking up behind me like that.” 

“Sorry. I just couldn’t resist.” He chuckled loudly, which brought out a small giggle from her lips in return. “You know how I am with such things.”

“Yeah, I know,” she said, putting down her quill. “I’m working on a new song. I’ve never been so inspired before. This grove, the lake, the waterfall. It just brings out something I never knew was there.”

“Well, I’d love to hear you sing it when you’ve finished.” 

“Maybe I will.” Sweetie Belle smiled as she looked him up and down. He had dressed up in his rugged traveling attire--a thick leather vest and a woolen cloak. A worn denim rucksack was slung over his back, packed full. “You are heading out to the north side of the forest again, right?”

“Yeah, it’s that time of the week.” Kohaku stretched a bit. His three tails swished behind him. “Do you need anything before I head out? Something to eat or drink?” 

Sweetie Belle shook her head. “No, I’m good. Silky will be here soon,” she said, closing her notebook and lying on her side. “She’ll help me with what I need.” 

“Okay then. You two girls have fun. I’ll be back late this afternoon.” Turning his back to Sweetie Belle, the young fox trekked down the worn path before vanishing into the shadows of the dark trees just beyond the small grove. 

“Have fun yourself,” she replied after he vanished. “I wonder who his friend is up there. Damn these weak legs of mine that keep me from leaving.” Flopping back onto her belly, she watched the brilliant sky reflect off the water. Looking up, she smiled as she saw her new friend and waved at her. 

A spider-pony the size of a full grown mare walked up the path toward her. Sweetie Belle still couldn’t believe the resemblance the spider-mare had to Fluttershy. The bright yellow coat and and flowing pink mane. They could have been twins had it not been for the bright purple stripes that lined her body and the fact that Silky had a bright, outgoing personality. 

“Sweetie Belle!” Silky yelled out as she came up the hill. “How’s my favorite little filly feeling today?” 

“I’m doing much better,” Sweetie Belle said, pushing herself up slowly. “I made it all the way out here.”

“Awesome,” Silky exclaimed as she reached out one of her eight legs to help Sweetie Belle get up. “Well, let’s get you inside. I’ll make us some breakfast and we can continue with your physical therapy. I even got us a special treat.”

“Sounds like a plan,” the filly agreed , climbing onto her friend’s back. “Let’s go.” She grinned as the pair moved up past the waterfall toward Kohaku’s dwelling. Sweetie Belle thought back to her first experience with this rather unusual creature.


******


“You are going where!” Sweetie Belle shouted, louder than she intended as she sat up in the large bed, slightly upsetting the tray set across her legs. Her breakfast, consisting of a tall glass of milk and a bowl filled with rice with an egg mixed into it, nearly spilled onto the blankets.

“I’m heading to the north side of the forest,” Kohaku said as he slipped himself into a dark-colored leather vest. “I won’t be back till almost sunset.” Shifting a few things along the mats with his paws, the young fox studied them for a few moments before sliding them into a rucksack. 

“It’s going to take you that long to trek there and back?” Sweetie Belle asked as she took a bite of her breakfast. The sun had just barely started to rise and he had woken her up early with a light breakfast. 

“No,” Kohaku said as he finished off his own breakfast--a leftover bit of fish from his dinner the night before. “It’s going to take me that long just to get there, I take a shortcut back.”

“Why don’t you just take the shortcut there?” she questioned, pushing her bowl aside. She crossed her forelegs together across her chest and looked at Kohaku

“Because as good as I am, I can’t scale a four hundred foot freefalling waterfall,” he said with a slight chuckle. “Wow, say that four times fast.”

“You can’t mean that waterfall that put me in this condition.” 

“The very same one, but unlike you I know how to dive off of it without hurting myself.” Kohaku leaned into the bed and looked at the filly who scrunched up her face a little and huffed. 

“Well, that aside. You can’t possibly leave me here by myself. What if I need something. A shower, something to eat, drink...” Sweetie Belle trailed off and blushed, “...the bathroom.” 

Shaking his head, Kohaku chuckled loudly.

“Will you relax, I’m not going to leave you all alone,” he said, leaning into the bed. “A friend of mine is going to be coming around to help you. In fact she’s going to be ecstatic that you are awake.”

“Really?” Sweetie Belle tilted her head a little. “So what kind of critter is she?”

“She’s not a simple critter,” Kohaku said, chuckling. “She’s a mare from a nearby village. I’ve known her for over a year now. And she’s been here every day looking after your needs since I brought you from the lake. Well, since the second day.”

“Was I too much to handle?” the filly asked with a smirk.

“No,” he started with a blush, remembering the experience, “it’s just that after I removed the ruined remains of your outfit to dry you off and bandage you up, I got several bloody noses, and passed out for an hour.”

Sweetie Belle smirked before starting to chuckle, which quickly grew into a full out belly laugh. A laugh that became so contagious that Kohaku started to laugh with her. After a few moments they just looked at each other.

“That’s the most hilarious thing I’ve heard in months.” Sweetie Belle continued to chuckle. So much that all the heaving in her chest caused her to wince a little. Rubbing her sides, she looked up at Kohaku. “So, what’s her name?”

“Okay, okay, okay.” Shaking his head, Kohaku took a deep breath and composed himself. “Her name is Silky Spinners.”

“Well...” Sweetie Belle looked unsure for a bit, turning her head to the side and then looking up into his liquid amber eyes. “Okay. But how will I know it’s her? If you are leaving, anypony could walk through those doors and say that she’s this Silky Spinners.” 

Rolling his eyes for a moment, he sat down and just looked at her. “That’s preposterous for two reasons. One, I’m going to lock the door behind me. And two, she’s the only other pony besides my Oniisan who has a key to this house.” Picking himself up, he walked to the large double doors in the center of the room that lead to the foyer.

“Now I really have to get going. I’ve already stalled here too long. You girls have fun,” Kohaku said, stopping at the door. Looking back over his shoulder, he smiled at Sweetie Belle. “Be nice to her. She’s really going out of her way to help me take care of you.” With that he walked out of the house. The lock clicked behind him.

Sweetie Belle lay there, alone. The silence of the room was almost deafening. Pushing her breakfast tray away, she rolled over and closed her eyes. Left alone with her thoughts, she went through the last few days that she could remember. Disowned by her own sister. Chased through the Everfree Forest and nearly killed. Now she was a guest of a creature who was as confusing as he was kind. Closing her eyes tighter, the young filly started to weep.

She didn’t know exactly when she had fallen asleep or for how long, but a loud sharp noise woke her. Looking around the dark room, Sweetie Belle sat up and looked for the source of what had woken her. She guessed it might have been Kohaku’s chipmunk friend. Looking around, she didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. Shrugging her shoulders, she closed her eyes again intent on getting some more sleep. 

It wasn’t too long before the sound of clanking dishes being dropped echoed in her ears. Shooting up into a seated position, she gripped the blankets. “Wh… who’s there?!” 

“Oh good, you are awake,” a sweet voice said. 

Looking around, Sweetie Belle gulped. She couldn’t see the source of the voice. 

“I was just taking your tray, by it I guessed you finally joined the land of the living again,” the voice said pleasantly. “Not to imply that you were dead, just dead to the world. And I… I… oh bother. I’m making such a lousy first impression, aren’t I? Here I go taking your tray, nearly dropping it and waking you up. And now I’m rambling like a nervous filly on her first date.”

“Um… that depends. Who are you?” Sweetie Belle asked as she looked about. 

“Didn’t Kohaku tell you I’d be stopping by?” the voice said with a sigh. “That silly forgetful boy, I’m Silky, Silky Spinners at your service.” 

“Oh… No, he did say you’d be coming by. But… where are you?”  Sweetie Belle said, peering into every corner of the room. 

“Hmm.. Oh, duh. Sorry, look up, deary,” Silky said cheerfully.

Sweetie Belle wondered if the pony speaking was a pegasus who just happened to be hovering overhead. She could kick herself for not thinking of that. But as she looked up, her eyes widened and a cold chill shot down her spine. Biting down on her lip for a moment, she soon let out a high-pitched scream. 

What she had seen was definitely not a pegasus. It was as if someone had crossbreed a unicorn with a spider. She dangled from the ceiling, sightly spinning counter clockwise, on a long thick piece of webbing that came from her large abdomen. From the abdomen down she was all pony, with two extra sets of legs and hooves. Six of those legs hugged her lithe form while the two closest to her chest held the bamboo serving tray. 

Her bright canary yellow coat was highlighted with thick purple stripes, and a long flowing pink mane framed her kind face. Bright amaranth eyes sparkled in the dim light of the room, with two extra amaranth irises on either side of her long unicorn horn. Her kind smile showed off a set of fangs that stuck down from her upper lip.

Amidst the screaming the filly was doing, Silky lowered herself down and stood on six of her hooves. “Now now, it’s okay, it..” Silky was quickly cut off as a plump pillow slammed into her face and then flopped onto the floor. “Oh bother.”

“Spider!” Sweetie Belle screamed, reaching out with her hooves and magic, for more of the numerous pillows that lined Kohaku’s bed. The young filly continued to throw them toward the ‘spider’ one after the other, with her eyes closed. It wasn’t until she was out of pillows, and breath, that her eyes opened and looked at Silky once more. 

The spider-mare stood there with a smirk on her face, which by was now spotted with bits of rice.

“Ya know. I like a good pillow fight as much as the next mare,” Silky said, brushing some of the spilled rice off of her silk blouse. “But this is overdoing it.” The spider-mare’s legs were half buried by the pillows. The tray she had been holding was now spilled all over the floor. “Have you finished with your little tantrum, my dear? It’s not as if I’m going to hurt you.”

Nodding softly, Sweetie Belle looked about at the bed, seeing she was now out of pillows and the mare was just standing there. 

“Good,” Silky said, bending down to clean up the mess on the floor. After picking up the tray and bowl, she set them down on a nearby table. “I’m sorry for waking you up that way, it’s the spider part of me. I like walking on the ceilings.”

“I… it’s okay,” Sweetie Belle said nervously. “I’ve just had a rough couple of days. At least from my perspective. And I’m sorry for throwing all those pillows, and making a mess on Kohaku’s floor.” 

“Oh, think nothing of it, hun,” Silky said cheerfully, waving one of her front hooves aside. “Now, how about we get you cleaned up and you can tell me all about your adventures.”

“That sounds wonderful,” Sweetie Belle said with a relaxing sigh.


******


“You’ve been very quiet,” Silky said as she lifted up Sweetie Belle’s left hind leg, helping the young mare stretch the muscle. “You hardly said anything during breakfast. Whacha thinking about?”

With a heavy groan the filly pushed that left hind leg out as hard as she could. “Oh, just the day we met is all.” 

“Well that was one wild day,” Silky recalled as she moved Sweetie Belle’s leg down and lifted the other one, stretching it out as far as it could go. “How does that feel?”

“A little painful,” Sweetie Belle groaned as her leg was slowly lowered to the ground. “But good all the same. It’s not as stiff as before.” Once all four legs were firmly on the ground again, the filly sat down and brushed the sweat from her brow with her foreleg. 

“That’s good. You are healing up quick enough.” Stretching out herself, Silky ruffled the filly’s mane a little. “Let’s go hit the showers and refresh ourselves. After that, we can enjoy a spot of lunch and dig into that special treat I brought. My neighbor, Frosty Scoops, has a new ice cream flavor that she just developed, Apple Acres Apple Pie.”

“Oooh,” Sweetie Belle cooed with wide eyes. “I can’t wait to taste it.”

“And while we eat, you can explain what happened between you and your sister,” Silky said as they walked to the shower room. “You promised that if I brought the ice cream.”

“Oh alright.” Sweetie Belle sighed. She hated thinking about it. “A promise is a promise. It started out just like this…” 


***


I was working peacefully in my room, lying on my bed where I write most of my stuff. Tried to work out some lines for a new song that will help promote the camp my fellow Cutie Mark Crusaders and I had formed. When all of a sudden the bedroom door just burst open.

"Sweetie Belle!" Rarity shouted as she stormed into my room, kicking open the door.

"What now, Sis?" I asked, rolling over onto my side. "I'm busy."

"Oh, are you?" Rarity asked as she stood there and tossed a sizeable ink-stained sheet of paper on the bed next to me, atop my various song sheets. "Do you care to explain this? Spilled ink all over my new design. I had intended it for my new spring line and now it's ruined!"

"Oh right." I sighed, looking up at my big sister. "I might have accidentally spilled a bottle of ink when I was looking for a quill earlier. I'm really sorry, Sis."

“You always say that,” Rarity said, her voice rather tight. “I’ll have you know I worked two days and nights on this design.”

“I doubt you worked two nights on it,” I said under my breath. “You are usually with Spike when the sun goes down, or should I say under him.” 

“Well, I never….” Rarity said, turning a few shades redder. I wasn’t sure if it was embarrassment or anger.

"I'm so sick and tired of this, Sweetie Belle," Rarity started as she paced back and forth. "You are continually borrowing my things without asking. Or you are somehow ruining my work. When you started living here with me, after our parents moved to Fillydelphia, we both agreed you would stay out of my personal workspace."

I groaned as I pushed myself up on the bed. "Your personal workspace!? This whole bucking building is your workspace, all I have is this little room." Moving off of the bed, I walked up to my sister. "All I did was take one little quill, the one I always use just broke."

"Then you should have just asked me if you could borrow one," Rarity fumed as she looked at me. "But no, you just decided to walk into my room and take something. And it's not the first time. I do believe that’s also my blouse you are wearing,” she said, looking at me. “I'm tired of this, Sweetie Belle. As of this moment, you're grounded."

"Grounded? You're not our mother. You can't ground me!"

"I may not be our mom, but as long as you live under my roof, you live under my rules. And I expect you to stay out of my workspace," Rarity said, stomping her hoof down on the ground. “And please return my blouse to my bedroom at once.”

"Fine," I grumbled, pushing past my sister. "You want me out of your workspace. I'll get out!"

Grabbing my saddlebag and slinging it over my back, I proceeded to storm down the stairs. I barely opened the front door when my sister came up behind me.

"Where do you think you are going, Sweetie Belle?" Rarity asked in a sharp tone. "I told you that you're grounded."

"You want me out of your personal workspace. I'm getting out of your personal workspace. I'm leaving!" I yelled, taking a step to the door. I had played this with my sister so many times. And knew what the response would be a quick token apology and possibly reduced punishment. I just stood there waiting for it.

"Fine. If you want to leave, then leave,” Rarity muttered through her teeth. “But if you walk out that door, don't even think about coming back."

I couldn’t believe my ears; this was not the response I ever expected. I just blinked back my tears and turned away from her.

"Fine!" And with that I slammed the door behind me and ran off.


***


“One thing lead to another and I just found myself running through the Everfree Forest. And soon after I woke up here,” Sweetie Belle said as tears streamed down her cheeks. Her chest felt tight at all the anger and pain that she didn’t want to deal with. Taking several deep breaths, the filly wiped her eyes with a napkin and sighed. 

Looking down into her bowl of ice cream, half eaten, the young filly just slumped down in her seat. “Now you know what happened.”

“Hmmm,” was all Silky could say as she finished her bowl and set it aside. The adult mare didn’t believe half of what was mentioned. Not that Sweetie Belle had told a lie, but youthful points of view rarely told the whole story. “Well, that’s quite the story. I can see why you didn’t want to talk about it.” Moving to the walk-in fridge, she put the ice cream container in the freezer. 

“Are you sure you didn’t overreact?” Silky asked as she sat back down next to Sweetie Belle.

“No,” Sweetie Belle said quickly, probably quicker than she wanted to say it. “Mind if we talk about something else now?”

Giggling a bit, the spider mare nodded. “Sure, what did you want to talk about?” 

“Well, what do you think Kohaku is doing?” Sweetie Belle smiled a bit.

“Well if I know him…” Silky said with a grin and giggled, which got Sweetie Belle to giggle as well.


******


Kohaku walked quietly down the worn path with a pony slowly trotting behind him. He looked over his shoulder and saw that her head was still down. Thick wavy purple hair flowed out from under her cloak, a cloak he had given her earlier that day to mask her scent from the various predators. Her marshmallow colored legs were still visible, semi-polished hooves kicking at the dirt.

With a heavy groan, Kohaku stopped by a tree to stretch his weary muscles. He had barely worked out his kinks before a new round of sneezes struck him. For the last few hours, ever since midday, he had been afflicted with fits of sneezing. 

Somepony is most definitely talking about me, he thought to himself. And I can only think of two culprits. I guess I should be flattered. 

“Bless you,” the purple-haired pony said politely. “Are you sure you are okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” he said, turning to look back at the mare. “Somepony’s just talking about me is all.”

A quick silent nod was all he got in return. 

Bringing around one of his tails, he sipped on a homemade fruit drink he kept in a bamboo travel cup. “You sure you don’t want one? I have plenty.”

The mare only shook her head. 

“Well, suit yourself,” the fox said as he continued on the trail, walking up toward a large tree with a door. Over the archway was a tribal mask, and many gourd bottles hung from the branches above the entrance. 

“Wait, this is…” The mare stopped in her tracks. 

Rapping a few times on the door, the young fox stood there comfortably and yelled out, “Oh, Miss Zecora!”
> Chapter 3: Pains of the Present
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kohaku leaned his back against a large oak tree. His head rested against the cool bark as the warmth of the midday sun filtered through the canopy above. His tail bringing up a bamboo travel cup up, he took a long sip before a few giggles escaped his lips. Two young martens were busy chasing his two free tails. On top of his head, a red-breasted robin had perched itself between his ears, intent on using his dark oak hair as a new nest, pulling on various strands of hair.

“Hey, careful up there,” Kohaku muttered to the bird. “That stuff is permanently affixed to my head, ya know.”

Looking up, he opened his eyes and smiled. The robin gazed back down at him and chirped a few song notes. It wasn’t long before a sneezing fit started to shake him up, startling the bird on his head who started chirp louder. 

“Thanks, and no, I don’t mind you up there. Just don’t pull out my hair,” Kohaku answered with a smile. A light tugging at his paw then caught his attention. Turning his head, he noticed his favorite yellow marten sitting there with a smile on her face. 

“Oh, hey there, Miss Marigold,” Kohaku said pleasantly. “How’s your day going? Just out for a walk or are you here to check up on your boys?” 

He listened in as the female marten gestured and voiced her day to Kohaku. The two smaller martens moved closer and nuzzled up against his sides. The tails they had been chasing earlier were brought up to petting them affectionately. After a few moments he felt their paws brushing against his own. Looking down, he smiled as they were both looking eagerly at the paw holding his lunch. Kohaku gave a light chuckle as he striped off a few bits of the fish jerky and handed them off to the two kits. 

It wasn’t until the mother marten made a trotting gesture and let out a pony-like whinny that Kohaku’s head shot up. Almost fast enough to dislodge the robin who was pecking at his ear affectionately.

“I’m sorry, can you say that again?” Marigold repeated her statements about the pony and pointed to the north east. Turning his head, Kohaku looked in that direction. “And how often do you see this pony?” 

He didn’t catch the response as a shrill scream and howling caught his attention. Marigold quickly snatched up her two kits and held them close as both her and Kohaku stared in the direction the sounds echoed from. 

Without saying a word, Kohaku grabbed his rucksack and slung it into a nearby bush. After tossing down a packet of jerky and cup of fresh seeds for his animal friends, the young fox dashed off into the thicket.

Flying through the bushes his thoughts drifted towards what he was doing. He knew what that howling was, what had made it and what it meant. With the news that a pony was seen in that area, along with the high-pitched scream, he came to only one conclusion.

A pack of timberwolves had found their prey and were moving in for the kill. 


*****

“Sweetie Belle!” Rarity called out as she walked through a heavily shaded section of the Everfree Forest. Stopping only for a moment to brush off her well-tailored vest, shorts and an explorer’s hat, which were now covered with leaves and bits of wood. “Sweetie Belle, where are you!”

Rarity sighed deeply as she kicked at the ground. Her normally well-cared-for hooves and coat were caked with several layers of dust and mud. She normally wouldn’t have let herself be caught dead looking like she was now, but after what had happened almost two months ago, she no longer cared. 

Tripping over a rock in the road, she fell to the forest floor and cursed out loud. Limping her way over to a nearby stump, Rarity sat down and looked at her now chipped hoof. 

“Blast it all!” Rarity exclaimed with a huff. Putting her hoof back down, she hung her head low, shaking it ever so slightly side to side, tears pouring down her cheeks. “What am I doing? Maybe everypony is right, I should just accept it. My Sweetie Belle is gone.” 

She sat there whimpering to herself with her eyes closed. It wasn’t until the stump she was seated on started to move that she looked up. She gazed into a pair of glowing pale green eyes. Her own widening at the fierce thorn teeth as the timberwolf’s mouth opened with a loud growl.

Rarity trembled, her breathing increasing rapidly. As the wolf growled even louder, the mare let out a shriek that echoed in the trees. As quickly as she could, Rarity leaped off the leg of the timberwolf. Landing on all fours, Rarity bucked a few nearby rocks toward the massive wolf’s face before dashing into the trees. Looking over her shoulder, Rarity smirked as the wolf stumbled backwards for a moment.

Running along between the trees, Rarity heard the heavy thump of her pursuer’s paws behind her. Her breathing grew heavier and more labored. As she entered a small glade, she tripped over a large root and rolled on the ground. Her vest tore as she slid in the dirt. Sitting up with a hoof to her forehead, she heard the timberwolf getting closer. Crawling backwards, she gasped as her back pushed up against a fallen tree. The timberwolf who was chasing her soon came into view, with two more emerging from the shadows.

Her breathing hard and ragged, she watched as the trio of wolves came closer, snarling louder as the lead wolf let out a howl that pierced her ears.

At least I’ll be with my precious little sister now, Rarity thought as she sniffled loudly. 

Just as the lead timberwolf lunged for Rarity’s throat, a pillar of emerald flame erupted between the wolf and its prey, to the surprize of both the mare and her attackers. The flame was then followed by a three-tailed canine that leaped out from behind a set of nearby bushes and landed in front of all three timberwolves.

Rarity watched as this small creature faced off against the trio, each one easily four times larger than him. 

“Back off!” Kohaku barked as loudly as he could. Lowering his weight slightly, the young fox assumed a crouching attack position, ready to leap out at a moments notice. His three tails fanned out as flames circled around them. His four paws firmly pushed into the dirt as his razor sharp claws extended. While growling he beared his fangs toward the larger wooden canines.  His gaze shifted from left to right. Sizing up his opponents, he gave a slight smirk as his eyes narrowed a little. Leaping forward the trio stepped back, inching away from the smokeless emerald flame that swirled around his four legs and three tails. Looking over his shoulder, he caught sight of the mare, half-cowering behind his wall of foxfire.

Turning back to the three timberwolves, he let out a soft sigh. What am I getting myself into now? I’ve already expended way more magic than I care too. It’s a good thing these moss-brains aren't too smart. I hope this foolish mare appreciates what I’m about to do for her. Oh, this is really going to hurt. Taking a deep breath, he extinguished all his foxfire and leaped toward the timberwolves.

Rarity watched as her young rescuer glanced over his shoulder at her. She caught a glimpse of his bright liquid amber eyes for only a second before his attention turned back to the wolves. Her breath slowed a little, but her heart pounded inside her chest. She watched as the flames in front of her flickered out just before the small three-tailed canine leap toward the timberwolves. 

In a matter of moments she saw her hope of rescue vanish. She watched as her young rescuer was swatted away by the the timberwolf’s large paw. His small body flew backwards past her right side and into the bushes. A loud whimper escaped her lips before she watched him leap out of the bushes on the left side of her and toward the wolves. Only to be caught by the throat by the lead wolf who swung the fox hard snapping his neck. The two other wolves quickly rushed in and sank their teeth into his young body. 

Rarity felt sick to her stomach as she watched as the fox was literally torn apart in front of her. She was about to let out a horrified scream when she felt a long fluffy tail wrap around her mouth as two more grasped her waist and pulled her into the bushes.

Blinking, she felt a hot breath by her ear. Turning her head, she looked into a set of the liquid amber eyes head on. 

“Keep quiet and follow me,” he said in a whisper, removing his tails from her body, and swiftly moved through the trees.

Her confusion growing by the second, Rarity didn’t hesitate and followed him. 

Can this day get any stranger? Rarity thought, her eyes watching her rescuer carefully. His movements were slow, almost to the point of struggling to keep moving. Moving closer, she caught the sound of his breathing, rough and strained. Is he injured? Oh dear, I hope not. He was so brave back there, and he doesn’t even know me. 

“I thought you were being torn apart, how is it nothing happened to you?” she asked, her voice a soft whisper.

“A simple illusion,” he said with a quiet voice, more from exhaustion than from the need to be quiet. And he did little to hide his irritation for the mare he just saved. “Those moss brains aren't too smart to realise it wasn’t me they were tearing apart.”

“So what were they tearing apart?” Rarity looked over her shoulder. 

“You don’t wanna know,” was all he said with a tone that made Rarity realise that some creature in the woods did lose its life for her.


***


The minutes passed as she was lead by the three-tailed canine through the dark woods. She could still hear the timberwolves behind her, but those sounds soon became more and more distant.

After what seemed to be ages, the two entered a large clearing with a dirt path. Rarity noted that three small critters dashed up to her rescuer. Once halfway into the clearing, she watched as he just collapsed and rolled onto his back with a heavy groan. Rarity moved forward see what was wrong, only to be stopped by the largest of the three martens, who stood on her hind legs and barked at her repeatedly.

“Marigold, relax,” the fox said as he weakly pawed at the female marten’s tail. “It’s not her fault”

Rarity watched as Marigold moved over to Kohaku. Standing in front of the young male, the marten put one paw on her hip. With a stern look, she started to wave a finger up and down at him like a mom scolding her child. The mare couldn’t help but let out a quick giggle.

“Alright, I get it. It was stupid,” he said and rolled over onto his back. His breathing grew more labored, his chest heaving up and down. He started to groan loudly as if every movement was agony for him. Lifting his head a little, he looked directly at Rarity. “You. In that bush over there. A rucksack. Inside, several bamboo segments with corks in the top. Please, bring one over to me.”

“Please don’t call me ‘you’, I have a name, it’s...” Rarity started, but was quickly silenced by his paw lifting up.

“Drink first… Name later,” he said, his voice sounding as strained as his breathing.

Well, I never. Treating me like I’m some servant, Rarity thought as she lightly narrowed her eyes. He could at least be a little more tactful in his request. I am a lady, afterall. Then again. if not for him I’d be in the belly of a timberwolf right now. Despite her reservations with her rescuer’s attitude, she trotted over to the bush and found the denim rucksack and easily located the bamboo segments. Her eyes took in how well-organized the sack was. Well, at least he’s not completely hopeless. Looks like he is certainly prepared for anything.

Moving over to the young male, she brought the bamboo segment near his paws, which swiftly grabbed it. Despite using her magic, she leaped back as if fearing losing of a limb. 

Rarity watched as he pulled the cork out with his teeth, spit it to the side and then started to guzzle the drink rather loudly. After a minute of drinking she watched as he just flopped his forelegs onto the ground. His breathing became smoother and far stronger as he took a long deep breath and let it out slowly.

“Oh, much better,” he said as he rolled up backwards and into a full standing position. Arching his back like a cat, he reached his tail out and grabbed the rucksack. Pulling out a large segment of dried food, he started to strip it a bit. “Thank you,” he said with a pleasant stronger voice as he slumped himself down at a nearby tree.

Rarity blinked as a red-bellied robin flew down off a nearby branch and landed on his head. She almost laughed aloud as she watched the robin start to nibble at his hair. 

“I’m sorry for interrupting you earlier, but I was near collapse. I’m Kohaku,” Kohaku said with his mouth half full of food. “Please, have a seat. We’re safe here. Those timberwolves won’t come this way. They’ll be too busy taking their dinner, which you were almost part of, back to their den. So you were saying what your name is. And what are you doing in my forest?”

Rarity couldn’t help but look over her shoulders, she couldn’t hear the timberwolves any longer. Turning her attention back to Kohaku, she took a seat on a patch of grass. “Well, I certainly didn’t care for being interrupted, young man, but I suppose I can overlook it this time. You did save my life. You may call me Rarity. I know it’s rather foolish of me, but I’m looking for my little sister Sweetie Belle. She vanished almost two months ago in these woods.”

Rarity smiled, mostly to herself. It wasn’t as if this fox knew who she was, but she did feel the need to announce her name the way she would to anyone who did. She looked at his wide eyes and mouth agape. Whatever food had been in his paws was now on the ground, being fought over by the two smaller martens. She had come across that expression so many times. It was then she realized he did know who she was.

Oh ,sweet Tsukuyomi, this is Sweetie-chan’s big sister! Kohaku thought to himself as he looked Rarity over from top to bottom. It’s funny though, annoying as she is, she doesn’t seem like an overbearing pain in the flank. Not that I doubt Sweetie-chan, of course. 

How? How could this small wild-looking boy know me, Rarity thought as she leaned in a bit. And why is he eyeing me, Not that I blame him, he probably rarely meets a mare as beautiful as myself. “Are... are you okay, Kohaku?”

“Hmm?” he asked as he looked up into Rarity’s eyes. “Oh yeah. I’m recovering quickly enough. One of these drinks and a bit of protein, and I’ll be just fine.” Pulling out another piece of fish jerky, he ripped a good chunk off of it and started chewing. After swallowing he leaned back as the mother marten ran up his foreleg and rested herself across his shoulders, staring fiercely at Rarity.

“I don’t think she likes me,” Rarity said as she sat opposite of Kohaku.

“Oh, don’t mind her,” the fox said with a chuckle. “She thinks of herself as the mother hen of the forest. But, let's not talk about Marigold here. Let's talk about you. You're looking for your sister who’s been missing for two months now. Give or take a week or so,” his voice trailed off into a barely audible whisper as Rarity nodded.

“You’ve been in my forest for how long now?” 

“Since dawn,” Rarity answered calmly. 

“And you almost became lunch for a pack of timberwolves in that time.” Kohaku smirked a little. “What makes you think she didn’t suffer the same fate? Ponies aren't suited for this forest. They most certainly can’t stay here long without becoming a meal for something.” 

“Well everypony certainly believes she did. Especially after the search party found my… the blouse she was wearing that day. Torn apart and bloodied in a timberwolf den.” Rarity bowed her head down as tears formed at the sides of her eyes. Looking up, her eyes were tear-stained as she sniffled loudly. “But I know she’s alive. I can feel it. I have to find her. I'll never forgive myself otherwise.” 

Finishing another bite of jerky, Kohaku handed the rest off to Marigold who eagerly started to eat it. Getting up, he stretched out again till he heard a few pops from his back and let out a deep sigh. “Well, I can’t argue with faith like that. And I wouldn’t even begin to try.” Getting up on all fours, he used his tails to sling the rucksack onto his back. “Well, you're free to go looking if you want. I’m certainly not going to stop you. Just please be careful.”

Blinking, Rarity stood up and watched Kohaku. “Well, thank you, I most certainly will be.” Turning around, she started walking in the opposite direction toward a path leading further southeast. Looking over her shoulders, she noticed that he had completely vanished from sight. 

I wonder if I’ll see him again. I’ll have to thank him somehow for saving me earlier, Rarity thought and turned around. She hadn’t taken two steps when she came eye to eye with Kohaku’s amber orbs. Letting out a small yelp, the mare fell onto her back.

“Just so you know, there are worse things than timberwolves out there.” Rarity heard him say as he leaped off a tree stump and onto the ground, only to vanish from sight. Even though she couldn’t see him, she heard him loud and clear. Rarity watched as he shimmered in and out as he stalked around her like a predator after its prey. 

“It is going to get dark soon. As the sun sets lower and lower,” Kohaku said softly, his paws barely making any sound on the ground. “That’s when the really nasty creatures come out to hunt. Things that you can’t even imagine. Things you can’t even see. Hunters that are so quiet, that the rustling of leaves in the wind is like a parade band compared to the sound they make. And just when you least expect it…”

Rarity’s chest heaved up and down as his voice trailed off. She no longer saw or heard a sound he made. Looking around, she pushed herself up slightly, only to be forcefully slammed back into the dust by a pair of bark-colored paws.

“...they pounce!” he grinded out, his sharp fangs glistening in the sunlight. “Going straight for your throat. If you’re lucky, very very lucky, you’ll be dead before they start to feast on your body.” Leaping off of her chest, Kohaku let out a deep purr. “You of course do have another option. You can come with me. I can safely lead you to my friend who can lead you out of the forest. I mean, if your sister is alive like you claim, you being dead won’t help her much, now will it? But like I said, you’re free to do as you like.” 

Rarity’s heart felt as if it was about to leap out of her throat, her breathing hard and heavy as she lay there on her back. Looking at Kohaku who was glancing back at her over his shoulder with a smile, Rarity nodded softly. 

“W… well you, do make a good point,” she said, pushing herself up on shaky legs. She was surprised at how quickly he moved toward her to assist her up on all fours. Rarity watched him with almost intense fascination. What just happened here? Just who is this boy, and why do I feel like I’ve been tricked somehow? she thought to herself, nodding at Kohaku.

“I think I’ll follow you,” Rarity said as her breathing became easier “You are right, my sister does need me alive.” 

“Great, here, put this on,” Kohaku said as he flung a woolen cloak at Rarity. 

Rarity caught the cloak with her magic. She looked over the faded worn and slightly tattered cloak. A heavy scent of musk came off of it. She scrunched her muzzle in disgust. “Ugh.. such a  musky old thing. You really expect me to wear this?”

“I know it’s old and a bit musky. It belonged to my big brother.”

“What was he, a warthog?” Groaning, she bit down on her lower lip, instantly regretting what she said. Opening her mouth to apologize, she was interrupted by Kohaku.

“No, he was a unicorn. A powerful one at that.” Kohaku’s voice held a slight edge of hurt to it. “It's one of the few things of his that I have left.”

“I.. I’m sorry. I...” Rarity stammered out

“Forget it,” Kohaku said, waving his paw, dismissing what she was about to say. “The point is, that cloak will hide your scent from any predator we might pass. I’m not up to using any further magic today. I’ve used more than I should have saving you. This trip is hard enough without the added fatigue from magical overuse.” Letting out a soft sigh, he turned his back and started walking north. Stopping after a few steps, he turned around and looked at Rarity. “Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound rude, it’s just…” 

“I get it,” Rarity interrupted and moved up closer to the young boy. She put her hoof on his shoulder. “I insulted your brother, that was very unladylike of me, and I’m truly sorry.” Rarity looked at the cloak he had given her a little closer. While dulled, she saw that it was dark blue with stars swirled about the tail end of it. Small silken spots all along the edge were indicators that something was once hung on them. Swallowing her pride, she put the cloak on and flipped the hood over her head. “Let’s go.”

Nodding softly, Kohaku moved ahead as he led Rarity north. Facing away from Rarity, Kohaku smirked to himself. At least now she won’t head to the southeast, toward my home and Sweetie-chan. Not that she’d be able to find them. But I can’t take that chance, at least until I’m sure how Sweetie-chan feels about it. I mean, if Rarity did kick Sweetie-chan out, why is she looking so hard for her, Doesn't make sense. Oh well, if Sweetie-chan doesn’t want to be near her sister, then I’ll just do my best to keep them apart. Not that it’ll be hard now. 

Rarity watched Kohaku from behind, the robin that was sitting on his head began to chirp which soon lead the boy into singing. This is going to be a very long day, she thought to herself.


***


It was late afternoon when Zecora opened the door to her home. A long drawn-out sigh escaped her lips as she hung her cloak on the nearby hat stand. Following her in were three other ponies, two pegasi, one with a bunny on her head, and an alicorn. Each one looked as worn and tired as the zebra was. 

“Why did we come back here,” Rainbow Dash asked in irritation. “She’s still out there. We have to find her.”

“Dashie, I agree with you,” Twilight said, moving in, and gave her wife a soft nuzzle. “But like Zecora said, it’s dangerous when the sun starts to set. And we’ve been looking for hours and have yet to come across any sign of Rarity.”

“It’s true, Miss Dash. With such danger about, you should not be so rash,” Zecora stated with a stern face. “Now you three sit and talk. I’ll get all something warm to drink.” With a deep sigh she walked into her kitchen.

“I’m not afraid of any danger,” Dash said confidently as she moved toward the door which was still blocked by Fluttershy. “You coming with me, Shy? Your animals will be a great help.”

“Oh... oh no,” Fluttershy said in her small voice. The bunny on her head grumbled and flopped onto his belly atop Fluttershy’s mane. “I’m not going to put animals in any more danger today.”

“Well then move. I’m going to keep looking for her,” Dash said, moving in to push past her shy friend. She had stopped only when Fluttershy put both her front hooves atop Dash’s chest.

“No please,” Fluttershy started as her wings helped block the closed door. “I don’t want to lose another friend.” She looked into Rainbow’s eyes with small tears. “It was hard enough losing little Sweetie Belle. And we don’t know if Rarity is still in the forest. She… she might have gone home already.”

“Or Applejack, Silverlay, and Pinkie might have found her while searching the other side of the forest,” Twilight stated, putting her hoof on Dash’s shoulder.

“I just…”  Rainbow started and closed her eyes, turning her head away from Fluttershy’s teary face. “I can’t stand to think of her out there in the forest.” 

“None of us do, Rainbow,” Fluttershy said calmly.

“Agreed,” Twilight said, pulling her wife into a hug and softly caressing her mane with the side of her hoof. “Let's go home. Check with the others and at the boutique first. If she’s still in the forest, we’ll go back in every day. I promise.” 

Rainbow Dash sniffled a little as she wrapped her forelegs around her wife’s neck and hugged her tight. Letting out a soft sigh, she practically collapsed, falling to her knees. 

“See, even your body is telling you it’s time to stop looking,” Twilight said with a smile.

“You’re right everypony. I’m sorry,”  Rainbow Dash said as she slumped on the floor.

Zecora walked into the room not long after with a tray in her teeth. Setting it down on a table, she walked over to the trio, smiling wide. 

“I’m glad to hear you’ve all made amends, your drinks are there so please help yourself, my dear friends.” Sitting down, she took her own cup of tea and closed her eyes. Before she could even take a sip, Zecora and everypony looked at the door when a heavy knocking came through it.

“Oh, Miss Zecora!” said a young voice.

“What was that?” Twilight asked, looking at the door. “It sounds a lot like Zebric. Only a little bit archaic.” 

“You are quite right, my dear Twilight. It is very old version of the language spoken in my homeland,” Zecora said as she stood up and started toward the door, only to stop with a shocked expression. “Oh my, I had completely forgotten.”

“Forgotten what?” Rainbow asked as she looked at her confused friend.

“That with all searching we have done in this dark nature shrine, I forgot that I was expecting a visit from a beloved friend of mine.” Zecora sighed out and looked at the door. 

“Please come in, Kohaku,” Zecora replied in the same Zebric.

The three ponies each gasped as the door opened. All of them expecting another zebra. What they got instead was a small canine creature with three tails. 

“Thanks, Miss Zecora,” Kohaku said with a smile, dropping his rucksack by Zecora’s hat stand, and stretched out a bit. “I’m so sorry I'm late. I got a bit distracted on my journey.”

“That’s quite alright, my friend. I only just returned home myself not too long ago, so I’m not actually ready for you this week,” Zecora replied as she reached down and hugged him close. “I’m also very glad you are still practicing your Zebric. But if you don’t mind, for my friends’ benefit, let's speak in Ponish.” 

“Oh great, now I get to hear you rhyme. It’s not as if I hear that all the time,” Kohaku said, switching to ponish, with a noticeable annoyance in his voice. Which got a giggle from Rainbow Dash and Zecora. Turning his head toward the three ponies, he blinked. “Wow, not often I see ponies in my forest this close to nightfall.”

Rainbow blinked and turned to Twilight, “What does this kid mean by ‘his forest’? And what is he?” but barely got a response out of the alicorn. Dash saw those wide sparkling eyes and knew what it meant. Only two things get my wife this excited, me in stockings and something new to study.

Twilight had never in her life seen a creature like him, only rumors and the off writing in very old scripts and books. Her excitement was rising. How she would love to spend a few minutes alone with him to study him. She was lucky Dash was up against her, or she would have leaped from her seat and pounced on him with a clipboard and a magical quill.

“I... I think he’s a fox. A multi-tailed fox… Oh wow,” Twilight said to her wife and friend, as her breathing quickened with excitement. “Were did I leave my notebook and quill set?” the alicorn said, searching frantically through her saddlebags.

Laughing aloud, Zecora ruffled Kohaku’s hair with her hoof. “Now, Kohaku, you know I don’t rhyme all the time.” Their laughter echoed in the room. “And as for why these ponies are in the forest, we’ve been looking for someone close to us.”

“Well, speaking of finding ponies... Do you think you can help lead a rather foolish mare that I met today out of the forest? She almost became a timberwolf’s lunch today,” Kohaku asked while motioning toward a shadowed cloaked figure that walked into the hut. Her head was down, but it was still easy to see those long purple locks flowing out. 

What ever Zecora had said was drowned out as three mares suddenly rushed the door yelling at once. “Rarity!”  

Kohaku barely had time to move out of the way as he soon found himself trampled under two mares. Blinking, he was about to say something when he looked up and his eyes went wide. Gulping, he quickly closed them tight and remained perfectly still. All the while everypony was talking at once.

“What happened to you? Are... are you okay”

“Where have you been? We’ve been looking everywhere!”

“Do you realize how badly you scared all of us?”

“Girls, please,” Rarity said softly, lightly shrinking away. “I... I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you all.” The mare flipped her head up, letting the hood of the cloak fall back. Her eyes already teared up. “I just… I had to find her.” 

“Rarity…” Twilight began, but was soon interrupted by Zecora.

“My friends, please I ask that you all step away from the young pup. And let my dear friend Kohaku up,” she said, moving toward the four of them, her hoof reaching out to the young boy.

“Oh!” all four exclaimed in unison as they looked down and noticed they were all standing over the fox.

“Now that you’ve given us the surprise of the day, I need to ask, are you okay?” the zebra held out a hoof to her young friend.

“Thanks, Miss Zecora,” Kohaku said as he took her hoof and pulled himself from under Rainbow Dash. “I’m just fine. I’ve been trampled over by mares before. Of course, it’s mostly fillies from the village. Of course I also never had one straddled over my face before, thankfully I closed my eyes, so I was in no danger of passing out.”

“Um, not to pry, but why did you need to close your eyes?” said a soft timid voice who moved in closer.

“Ask the mare who decided to go commando,” Kohaku answered with a grin. 

Fluttershy blinked as she looked over at her friends. Twilight then took a deep breath and turned toward her wife.

“Rainbow!” she shouted as Twilight looked at her wife. 

“Hey, you weren’t complaining about it this morning,” Rainbow Dash said with a soft smirk. 

Twilight sighed deeply and nudged Rainbow a bit, whispering into her ear. “We’ll talk about this later.”  Smiling, she heard Rainbow grumble a bit. They both knew what that talk would entail. The alicorn walked over to Kohaku and knelt down “I’m so sorry for my wife.”

“That’s okay, ma’am,” Kohaku said, sitting down on the ground, and straightened his vest. “It’s not like I haven't seen such things before. Only it has a far different effect on me now than when I was younger.”

“Right. Well, if you excuse us, my friends and I have some things to talk about with Rarity,” Twilight said, backing up a bit.

“Sure, I’ll just be over here with Zecora,” Kohaku said with a smile. Watching the three mares ‘talk’ to their friend. Which obviously included lots of yelling. 

“Are you okay, Kohaku?” Zecora asked, sitting next to the young fox. 

“Yeah, I’m okay. I just had to use more magic than I honestly wanted to.” Rubbing his shoulders with two of his tails, Kohaku yawned a bit. “I’ll be glad to get home and into my warm bed.” 

“Well, I’m sorry you won’t be staying longer, but neither of us were prepared for today’s events. Come over here, and I'll get what I can ready for you.” Zecora touched his shoulder before leading him to her potion cabinet. 

“Great. I have the plants you wanted, some got a li’l crushed, but they should still be good,” Kohaku replied as he grabbed his rucksack and followed his friend. 

Rarity sat there on one of Zecora’s chairs as her three friends stood around her. The heavy cloak was still wrapped around her shoulders. Over the last few hours she actually had gotten used to it. Apart from the slight musky scent, the cloak was very well made. Letting out a sigh, she looked up into Twilight's eyes. 

“So let me have it,” Rarity said plainly. “Tell me how stupid I am. How I’m holding out for false hope, how I could have died today. Believe me, I know that one all too well now.”

“I’m not going to lecture you, Rarity.” Twilight sighed and looked deeply into Rarity’s eyes. “What would be the point? As much as we all would like her to be alive, we have to face the cold hard facts. We all searched this forest for over a month and the only thing we found was your blouse. Covered in her blood, in a timberwolf den. Sweetie Belle is dead! No amount of searching will change that, as much as we all would want it.”

“Rarity, we all understand. We…” Rainbow Dash started, but was swiftly silenced by the deadly look she received from Rarity.

“You understand! You don’t understand anything, Rainbow!” Rarity shouted, tears falling from her eyes. “She was my little sister. Tell me you know what it feels like to know your sister is dead. That you’ll never see her again! That the last words you ever spoke to her were in anger!” Rarity’s chest was heaving up and down as she cried harder. A pair of yellow wings folded themselves around the fashionista.

“Rarity…” Twilight began, but like with Rainbow was silenced by Rarity who continued to rant.

“Or how about you? What if it was your brother, or Spike!” Rarity sank into Fluttershy’s embrace. She was thankful that at least one of her friends wasn’t saying the things the others were. She was also completely unaware of a pair of amber eyes looking directly at her. “None of you understand. Nopony understands how I feel. I would do... Give anything to have her back again!” 

If Rarity was going to say anything else, she never got the chance as Zecora’s voice caught everyone’s attention.

“Kohaku!”

The four mares suddenly looked over at Zecora, who was now holding the young boy who was coughing and trembling wildly. One paw clutching hard at his chest as he tried valiantly to push himself away from his zebra friend who refused to leave his side. His eyes, that were once bright and attentive, were now lost. Looking about as if he had no idea where he was.

“No… no... where,” Kohaku muttered repeatedly as he kicked himself away from Zecora. Looking about, he glanced at every shadow as tears fell from his eyes seeing things that only existed for him. “Oneechan….” was the final word he muttered before he coughed harder, blood spurting out of his mouth. His body swayed side to side before passing out on the ground.

All four mares looked on in total confusion while Zecora just sighed and shook her head.
> Chapter 4 - Ghosts of the Past
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zecora sighed deeply as she walked with Fluttershy, the two mares carrying Kohaku to a bedroom in the large tree. The young fox lay on Zecora’s back with all four limbs hanging off her flanks. Despite being unconscious, he was still moving. His legs twitched and shifted about as if running toward, or away, from something. Had it not been for Fluttershy’s wings holding him in place, Kohaku would have fallen onto the floor. 

The shy mare couldn’t help but let out a small giggle when Kohaku started to chew on the tail end of Zecora’s mohawk.

“Gak…” Was all the Zebra could say when the young fox tugged a little too hard. A swift swat of canary yellow feathers to his nose made him stop. “Oh, thank you. Carrying him during this time is always a chore. I’ll be glad when we get him through this door.”

“Oh, it’s no problem,” Fluttershy said as she pushed on Kohaku’s side as he rolled a bit. “But, um, I have to ask, why did you want me to help?”

Opening the door surrounded by a thick wall of leaves, Zecora looked over her shoulder.

“You were the only choice that I could see, the others would not let him be,” Zecora stated as they walked into the small room. “Twilight, while he would not mind her getting closer, she would be designed to study him all over. Rainbow, that girl might make him blush even more. Particularly since earlier she flashed him her back door. As for Rarity, what more can be said. She is after all the reason I’m putting him to bed.” 

Nodding a few times, Fluttershy followed Zecora into the room.

The room was small, but cozy. The floor was lined with a few bamboo mats, two of them positioned in the center with six more surrounding them. Along one wall to the left was a dresser, with a rolled futon beside it. Just opposite of the dresser was a small desk with a single drawer and an ink well, but no quills. Along the outside wall was an open picture window.

Standing upright, just under the window, was a yellow marten. Her forelegs were crossed across her chest, and her foot tapped impatiently. A large blue eagle with white wings stood on the window sill, half rolling its eyes.

“Oh my, I did not know he would be receiving guests,” Zecora said, stopping in her tracks. 

Fluttershy looked at the marten who seemed to be barking up a storm as she pointed at Kohaku. 

“Um, she wants to know if the marshmallow mare did this to him,” Fluttershy said to Zecora who only nodded slowly. “Are they his friends?” 

“Yes, he introduced me to them a few years back,” replied Zecora as she moved through the room. “This is Marigold, and the eagle is Skywings” 

“I see…” Leaning in to the female marten, Fluttershy smiled. “I... I’m Fluttershy, could you move please, so we can lay him to bed.”

Marigold looked at Fluttershy. Giving the pegasus a quick sniff and nod, she dashed over to the futon mattress and unrolled it for the mares. 

After the mattress was ready, the two mares laid him onto it carefully. Marigold quickly covered him with a heavy blanket.

Fluttershy watched as the marten fussed over Kohaku. Leaning in, she brushed her feathers along his forehead, moving aside a few strands of hair from his face. Her wing was quickly pushed away by Marigold who just barked repeatedly at Fluttershy.

“Oh no. I... I just want to help,” Fluttershy said weakly as the marten continued to bark at her.

“Mmm, what’s going on,” Kohaku muttered as he shifted and opened his eyes, staring up at the two mares, the marten, and the eagle leaning over him. Looking at Fluttershy, he blinked. “Silky? What are you doing here..”

“U... um, I’m Fluttershy. We met downstairs earlier.”

“Huh?” was all Kohaku could muster as he tried to get up, only for a striped hoof to push him back down.

“Kohaku.” Zecora’s voice was firm as she kept her hoof on his shoulder. Her stern eyes bored directly into Kohaku’s. “You had one of your episodes that gave us all quite a fright. It was so bad, you will not be leaving this night.”

Nodding, the young fox looked at his friend. “Marigold, what are you doing here?”

The marten rolled her eyes as she barked and gestured at Kohaku. Moving about the room, she hopped back and forth. At one point she made an overly dramatic reaction before scrunching up her face a little. Running back up to Kohaku, she then pointed at Zecora and Fluttershy.

“I see, you were worried about me being with Miss Rarity,” he said and reached up, touching Marigold’s soft fur. “Thanks. But what about your boys?”

A few swift barks and a wave of her paw made him chuckle. 

“I see, you conned your sister into watching them.” His quick chuckle soon turned into rough coughing. “Uh, Miss Zecora. Could I have something to drink?”

“Of course.” Zecora chuckled as she turned. “I’ll even add something to help you sleep peacefully.”

Leaning to Zecora before she left, Fluttershy looked at her zebra friend. “He can talk to animals? How?”

Smiling at Fluttershy, Zecora just shook her head. “I’ve never been entirely sure. I just know it’s a special gift of his. Watch him while I get him something with fizz,” with that the zebra closed the door behind her.

Fluttershy watched Kohaku converse weakly with both the eagle and the marten. A soft smile crossed her lips as her interest in the boy peaked. 

“Oh… could I get a piece of paper and that inkwell, please…” Taking a slow deep breath, Kohaku pushed himself up into a seated position, looking to both Fluttershy and Marigold. “I need to write a letter.” His voice was slow and labored, interrupted occasionally by a hard cough.

“Oh, yes of course,” Fluttershy said as she took the inkwell from the nearby desk with her teeth and brought it over. Marigold was far quicker as she opened the drawer to the desk and pulled out a sheet of paper. “You can use a feather of mine if you like, there are no quills.”

Taking the ink and paper with his paws, he smiled up at Fluttershy. “Oh, that’s okay, I don’t use them anyway.” Unsheathing a black claw, he dipped it into the ink and started to write.

Fluttershy took note that Kohaku’s writing consisted of symbols unknown to her. His paws moved from top to bottom, then right to left. After he was done he cleaned his claw on a scrap edge of paper and capped the inkwell. Rolling the letter up, he tied a small string around it.

“Skywings, could you deliver this to Silky tonight please?” Kohaku asked, his eagle friend cawed in reply. “And take Marigold home. I already have one mother hen in Zecora, I don’t need two,” he said softly as the marten kissed his cheek and shook her head. Moving up, she curled upon a plush cushion and just watched him. “Oh, alright. Stay.” He gave in as Skywings took off into the night sky.

“And what is going on in here, hmmm?” Zecora asked as she trotted into the room again, a small tray on her back with a glass that bubbled and fizzed. “Here you go, Kohaku. I put a powerful sleep aid in there, for deep dreamless sleep. By tomorrow you should be well enough to go home.”

“Mmm, thanks, Zecora,” Kohaku said, taking the glass with both paws, and started to drink.

Watching carefully, Zecora helped to tip the glass up with her hoof, so that Kohaku drank every last drop. After lowering her hoof back down, it knocked against the inkwell by the futon. Looking down, she raised an eyebrow questionably. “What is this doing here?”

“Kohaku was just writing a letter to his friend,” Fluttershy said, grabbing the bottle and putting it back on the desk. 

“Why did you need to write a letter?” Zecora took the empty glass from Kohaku. She watched as his eyes took on a dreamy look. His head slowly dropped to his chest, only for him to swiftly lift it back up. Gently pushing on his withers, Zecora lowered his body down till he was lying flat on his back. “You never needed to before.”

Yawning wide, Kohaku rolled over on his futon. As his vision blurred and became watery, he rested his head on the soft pillow. 

“I don’t want Sweetie Belle to worry when I don’t come home tonight….” Kohaku mumbled as he closed his eyes just before sleep took him. 

The two mares looked at Kohaku, their eyes wide with shock. Neither spoke as they turned to look at each other as a smile crossed their lips.

Sweetie Belle was alive.


*****


Sweetie Belle sat on the cliff edge by the raging waterfall, her eyes staring up at the highest part of the fall, particularly at the pair of trees that she had hung from weeks earlier. She groaned. She hated that view, a painful reminder of her accident. 

She did like one aspect of this waterfall though. When the light of the setting sun over the trees hit it just right, the entire waterfall looked to be made of liquid golden fire. It was during this time that Kohaku would leap from the top of the waterfall, his tails grabbing onto a vine as he bungee jumped down until his nose touched the water, the vine snapping him back up. Once he got a few feet above the water again he would let go of the vine, do a backward somersault and then swan dive into the lake. A sight that always made her heart pound and a flush come to her cheeks.

Sweetie Belle waited, counting down the seconds. It wasn’t until the sun had moved down past the trees, and the water returned to normal that she stopped. 

A sound of multiple hooves behind her caused her to shift her attention.

“He’s late…” Sweetie Belle whispered as she looked at Silky who simply nodded. “He’s never late. Why is he late?” She sighed deeply and lay down on the cliff. 

“I don’t know, Sweetie. It’s probably just a small delay,” Silky said as she looked up at the waterfall. “He and his friend up north must have gotten into another meaningful conversation. Or she cooked him dinner.” 

“Do you know who his friend is?” the filly asked as she looked up at Silky.

“Nope. I do know she’s rather eccentric and a bit odd.” Silky chuckled. “That’s all he’ll say about her. He never even mentioned what kind of pony she is.”

“He does like his secrets, doesn’t he,” Sweetie Belle mumbled as the two of them nodded in agreement and stood up. A sudden eagle cry from above caught their attention. “That’s Skywings. What is she doing here? She normally doesn’t come around till the weekend.”

Silky lifted up one of her front legs and caught the large eagle. She took the scroll that was in the bird’s claw with her unicorn magic. “Thanks, dear. Help yourself to whatever fish you can find,” the spider-mare said as she lowered her leg. The eagle dove toward the lake. Snatching a bass with one claw, she took off into the sky again. “She usually delivers letters for Kohaku if he’s delayed up north.”

Unrolling the note, Silky scanned its contents. Her face, which was previously cheerful, dropped like a sack of stones as she slumped down onto her rump. “Oh dear…” The scroll landed between her hooves. 

Sweetie Belle moved in to read the letter, but all she saw were symbols just like in almost all of Kohaku’s books. “Um, what does it say?” she asked, turning the paper, trying to figure out which way was up.

“It’s a note from Kohaku, he had one of his… episodes. A rather nasty one too,” Silky explained. Looking at the filly’s confused look, the mare tried to put on a smile. “Let me explain. You haven't seen it yet, but Kohaku is subject to panic attacks. Anything can bring it on. A sound, a smell. A word or a phrase. Something that will pull him out of the present and into his troubled past.” She put a hoof on Sweetie Belle’s shoulder. 

“Sometimes the episodes aren't much. And he’s well again in a matter of moments. Then there are those rare times when he becomes completely incapacitated. Sadly it’s the latter, according to this note. He will not be returning tonight.” With a swift brush of her hoof she knocked the scroll into the lake, the paper skipping several times before finally sinking into the depths. 

Sweetie Belle didn’t say anything. She just watched the scroll sink into the waters before looking up at Silky. The spider-mare’s eyes were closed as a few tears streamed down her cheeks. It was after a few minutes of slow methodical breathing before Silky turned her gaze back to the filly.

“Well, since Kohaku isn’t going to be coming home tonight, do you want to stay at my place? I’d hate to leave you all alone here,” Silky gave the filly a tender motherly smile and brushed the tears from her own eyes. 

“No, I’ll be okay. That little house kinda feels like home now.” Sweetie Belle smiled at her older friend. “It might be a little lonely tonight, but I can manage. It’s just one night after all, right? What could happen?”

“Well okay. If you insist,” Silky said, giving her young friend a comforting hug. “You got plenty to eat. There’s lots to read. And you have a radio in the bedroom. You should be well set. Just get some rest, I’ll come by in the morning.” 

“Thanks, that will help,” Sweetie Belle said, embracing Silky in return. After saying their goodnights, the filly watched her friend trot down the path toward the village. As she stood there alone on the small cliff, she wanted to run after Silky and take her up on the offer. But as she saw the mare vanish from sight, Sweetie Belle groaned a little. What am I so scared of? I’ve spent nights alone before. This is no different. Turning around, she walked past the waterfall and onto a dark cobblestone pathway. 

Trotting toward the small house, she stopped at the doorway and looked around. From any other area, the sight before her would be nothing but dense lush trees and the side of a large stone wall. But from here she could see an open valley. Within that valley sat a town that was nearly the size of Ponyville, albeit most of it now lay in ruins.

She just gazed at the town. At its center was a massive oak tree reaching nearly four hundred feet in the sky. Even from this distance she could see the red charm ribbons hanging from its base. Beyond the town towered an impressively large temple built into and atop a large hill. 

Letting out a sigh, she pushed open the door, making sure she locked it behind her. After a quick shower and a light meal, Sweetie Belle found herself standing at the foot of the large bed. Sighing deeply, she crawled up and lay out on Kohaku’s side. She hated to admit it, but she was going to miss him tonight.

Pulling a pillow he used close, she clutched it with all four limbs. Her muzzle pushed into it, and she inhaled the ever-present scent of petrichor. That sweet earthy scent that Kohaku always had about him. It was always so much stronger after he showered and clung to anything he touched. Closing her eyes, she imagined him purring deeply next to her until sleep claimed her. 


*****


Sweetie Belle had been sleeping for only a few hours when a sudden door slam shook her awake. She shot up into a seated position. Clutching the blankets, she pulled them up against her chest.

“Kohaku? Is that you?” she asked, looking about for any sign of movement. Giving her dry lips a light lick, she rubbed her eyes with a hoof, her sleepy vision quickly clearing.

A bright light filtered in through the paper walls and cracks in the door from the living room. Odd, I’m sure I turned those lights off, she thought. Sweetie Belle started to get up to turn off the lights in the other room. Once standing, she looked at the door and froze in place. As she looked at the door, two shadows started to appear, both slowly walking toward the bedroom door. 

Even from this distance Sweetie Belle could make out their shapes. The first was most certainly a pony. Maybe Silky came back to check on me. That’s sweet of her, but unnecessary. Especially at this hour, she thought as she opened her mouth to call out to her friend. But her voice died in her throat as the shadow’s form became more noticable. It most certainly wasn’t Silky’s profile she was looking at, but another adult pony. A cold sweat dripped down her spine as she shifted her gaze to the other shadow, one of a very similar shape to Kohaku. She was about to call out to him when she noticed that the fox shadow had not three, but nine tails.

Even through the walls she could hear their muffled voices. Watching them get closer and closer, Sweetie Belle used her magic to pile all the pillows around her. She lay as flat as she could among them, praying not to be noticed. The lanterns in the room suddenly came to life as the sliding door opened. Sweetie Belle trembled a little as the two strangers came strolling in. 

She wasn’t too comforted to know that the pony was an adult stallion. Her young body trembled under her mound of pillows. Looking at him, she had to admit that even from this angle, he was rather attractive. His long black mane flowed down his neck, pouring out from a large cone hat with a wide brim. She watched him move backwards, closer toward the bed, inching further and further away from the large fox strolling into the room. She even took notice of his muscular flank which was half hidden under a dark blue cloak that she had seen so many times. 

That’s Kohaku’s cloak… why is he wearing Kohaku’s cloak? Sweetie Belle thought as her eyes traced over to the large fox. 

Sweetie Belle looked at the large vixen before her. She seemed amazingly similar to Kohaku. She was so otherworldly beautiful, Sweetie’s own heart skipped a beat as she stared at this female. She had once been caught in a large thunderstorm with her sister and friends during a camping trip. The crash of the thunder shook her young body while the flash of lighting light the sky so brilliantly that the filly marveled at the sheer beauty of it. As she looked at this vixen, her body trembled the same way it did during that thunderstorm.

Sweetie Belle watched carefully as the vixen moved closer to the male, storm blue eye sparking with intense lightning as the vixen circled around the stallion. Several of those long nine tails softly caressed his flank. Shifting uncomfortably, Sweetie Belle bit down on her lower lip more as the vixen licked hers hungrily. 

She looked on as her heart pounded hard. Who were these two, and why did they break into the house? She was about to scream aloud when she heard the pony speak.

“Now, Stormy. Settle down,” pleaded the stallion as he backpedalled, doing his best to move away from the vixen. His eyes occasionally moved from hers to her shapely hips as her tails caressed his flank and backside. Gulping loudly, the unicorn stallion tried to move over to the side, only to trip over his own cloak. A loud giggle escaped the vixen’s lips, as he stumbled backwards and fell onto his back on top the bed. “You know how I feel about you, but we can’t do this. It’s too soon.”

Sweetie Belle blinked at the sight before she widened her eyes. And within the span of that blink, the vixen had leaped forward and was now standing over the stallion, one of her large paws pressed gently against his chest. 

“Oh, Starry. We’ve been dating for well over a year now,” Stormy said gently. Sweetie Belle’s heart started to beat faster as she watched the pair. The vixen’s paw lovingly unhooked his cloak as a tail flipped the hat from his head. “Don’t you find me attractive? You can’t tell me you are still a virgin who’s afraid of a little intimacy.”

“Well… no,” Starry said with a bit of a blush. Then blinked. “I... I mean no, I’m not a virgin. And you are very attractive… very very attractive, but my gods. If your father finds out we did something like this, I’ll lose something very important to me.”

Stormy smiled and blinked at him softly. “Your apprenticeship?”

“If I’m lucky.” Starry gulped nervously.

Stormy giggled as she crawled up and half-straddled him. Sweetie Belle whimpered silently at the sight in front of her. “Don’t worry about daddy, he’s a teddy bear. Now, as for us. I’ve been patient long enough. Just lay back and let me take control. I’ve been eager to see if what they say about stallions is true,” the vixen said as she leaned in and kissed Starry deeply on the lips.

“Um... hello... filly in the room!” Sweetie Belle shouted, pushing her head out of the pillows. Neither of them acted as if they heard her, or were even aware of her presence.

Sweetie Belle, groaning loudly, closed her eyes and pulled the blankets up over her head. Minutes passed by slowly as the room became deathly quiet. Perking her ears up, she listened in carefully and heard nothing. No heavy breathing, no moaning, not even the slightest bit of sexy talk.

Did they hear me? Are they waiting for me to come out? she thought to herself. With a light moan she pushed the blankets off of her head, only to discover the room was devoid of anyone but her. 

The door was closed, and all the lights were off. Pushing the blankets off, she got on all fours and slowly walked over to the edge of the bed. 

“What is going on? What the hell was that?” she asked herself as she looked around. She was about to shrug it all off as a dream when a sudden clash in the kitchen caught her attention. Gulping loudly, she slowly moved off the bed and trotted over to the open kitchen door. The lights were on. Peeking in, she saw Stormy standing in front of the stove. Sweetie Belle had watched Kohaku cook. He was good, but watching this vixen was on a whole other level.

Stormy sat there on her haunches, one paw on the handle of Kohaku’s wok, the other paw holding a bamboo spoon. With quick movements she was moving the wok back and forth, the spoon circling round and round. Her nine tails spiraled about the kitchen. Two swiftly chopped various vegetables, the knife dancing in her tail as the other continued to move one vegetable after another into the blade. Another two mixed broth in large pots. The other tails held various spoons, each one quickly moving to her mouth for tasting, or adding spices to the meal she was preparing. 

“Mmm, something smells good,” a masculine voice said behind Sweetie Belle. As Stormy turned her head a little, her storm blue eyes narrowed. Swift as a lightning strike, a flat steel lid flung from one of her nine tails directly at the unicorn stallion’s head. It struck the door frame with such force that it left a slice in the wood. Starry barely had time to duck as the lid had also took several locks of his mane. “You are still angry,” he stated as he walked through Sweetie Belle and stood at the table. 

The vixen’s eyes sparked with lightning as she looked at him. “You think?”

“Is it really that important?” Starry asked as he moved in closer, albeit a bit more cautiously. 

“Starswirl, how could you possibly ask that?” Her voice held a hint of anger and even more hurt. “This is one of the most important days in his life. And you are going to miss it? You know how he looks up to you.”

Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened. She moved around and looked up at the stallion. His face was youthful and framed by that long mane. A black fuzz on his chin looked as if he was considering growing a beard, but hadn’t committed yet. Starswirl? echoed in her mind.

“This is the naming ceremony. The day he earns his clan name,” Stormy continued, not giving the stallion a chance to reply. Her voice cracked as tears started to streak down her cheeks. “Tomorrow he will discover his element, the very driving force of his power. He will discover everything he is, who he might one day become. To us, this is as important as… as… as a pony earning their Cutie Mark.”

“Oh, Kazumi,” Starswirl said as he moved and hugged the vixen tight as she broke down in tears. Putting his hoof under her chin, he lifted it up. “I... I guess I never thought of it like that. A naming ceremony, huh. Has any pony ever witnessed this before?”

Kazumi smiled at Starswirl and just shook her head. “Never, outsiders are strictly forbidden. You have no idea the number of tails I had to pull. The promises I made to those old fossils just to get you invited,” she said, nuzzling his neck, which Sweetie Belle noticed had a red crescent-shaped scar now.

“Then I’d be a real fool to miss it,” he said and kissed the vixen tenderly. 

Sweetie Belle watched on as she slowly moved in closer. She shakingly reached out with a hoof to lightly tap against Starswirl’s leg. As her hoof passed through his rear leg, Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened. The pair faded until she was alone. As the two vanished, the lights in the room dimmed, leaving her in the dark.

Sweetie Belle shivered a little while looking about the room. Chewing on her lower lip, she carefully walked around the kitchen. She checked under the table, moving to and inspecting the stove, discovering that nothing was different from the night before. With a deep sigh she trotted over to the kitchen door and ran her hoof over the gouge in the wood. 

“So that’s how that got there. What is going on?” the filly whispered to herself as her hoof brushed over it. Gulping, she walked back into the bedroom, looking around in case anything had changed. “Kohaku, if this is some kind of joke, I’m not laughing.”

Groaning loudly, Sweetie Belle rubbed her hoof against her head. Getting up, she walked back to the bedroom. Her head hung low as she closed her eyes and yawned. Just before she reached the bed, her ears perked up. A muffled song drifted from just beyond the living area of the house.

“Oh, what now?” Sweetie Belle asked while stepping backwards. Sitting herself on the edge of the bed, she just watched the door. 

Go on, little one. You know you want too, a soft voice said in her ear. A cool breeze pushed on her back, ushering her to leave the bed and walk to the door. Taking a long deep breath, Sweetie Belle trotted toward the front door and opened it. 

The sudden flash of light flooding the darkened room forced the filly to close her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, the room was as bright as day. Walking outside, she saw it was still night, but the full moon shone almost with the brightness of the sun, bathing everything in brilliant shades of silver light.

As she moved outside the house, her eyes widened. The town was alive, more alive than Ponyville ever was. Standing there on the doorstep, she watched as foxes of every shape and color dashed, and in some cases danced, about in joyful abandon. Young kits were whooping out as they zig-zagged between their parents’ legs. Adults chatted about the excitement of the day as they all rushed toward the center of the temple grounds.

The grounds themselves had changed. The rundown old houses were restored to their full colorful glory. Walking through the crowd, Sweetie Belle noted that one thing was missing. The massive oak tree that towered in the center of everything. Where the tree had stood was a circle of thirteen stones, each one shimmering with a different color.

She moved in closer, pushing her way past the various kitsunes all around her, until she was at the head of the crowd. Looking forward, she saw that at the center of the stones stood a much younger Kohaku. His voice raised in a song, the very song that she was following, as the color from each stone circled around him in a rainbow of power. 

Standing just outside of the stones, directly in front of Kohaku, were four fully grown vixens and one stallion, each one grinning with pride as they stared at the young green fox in front of them. 

The rainbow began to merge into bright forest green all around him. Reaching up with a paw, Kohaku slammed it down into the ground. From under that paw a tree sapling began to sprout upward, growing until it was as tall as the the young fox. As his song ended, Kohaku slumped to the ground, panting heavily. 

The four vixens looked to each other before nodding in agreement. Their voices in unison shouted a name to the heavens, which was repeated by every fox present. 

“Forestsong!”

Before the image vanished, Sweetie Belle watched as Starswirl picked up the young Kohaku and was throwing him up in the air with excitement. No fox or pony for that matter was smiling as brightly as those two.

Walking up to the tree, Sweetie Belle put her hoof on it. Kohaku never mentioned that he was the one who grew this great tree. Looking about the temple grounds, she sighed. She took note of the ruined houses again, all the abandoned and broken down walls. Many looked to have been destroyed by something powerful. Her head hurt from all the confusion.

“Oh, Kohaku, what happened here…” she whispered, a little ashamed of not having asked that question before. The soft cool breeze soon pushed along her back again. The voice didn’t return, but she knew where it was drawing her. The massive abandoned temple just up ahead. Gulping loudly, Sweetie Belle started up the long set of stone stairs to the large double doors. 

As she stood there, Sweetie Belle remembered the day that Kohaku took her casts off and showed her around the temple grounds.

“You can go anywhere you want here, Sweetie Belle. Just please don’t go up there,” Kohaku said with a sigh as he turned around.

“What’s up there?” Sweetie Belle asked as she stared at the temple from the doorway of the small home they shared.

“Ghosts…” was all he said as he walked back into the house, a tear streaming down his cheek.

She never got much more out of him. Whenever she tried, he had always changed the subject. She never pressured him for answers, but now her curiosity was in full steam. She could feel something not only reaching out of the temple, but reaching for her specifically. Swallowing hard, Sweetie Belle pushed the large double doors, which were half open. 

With the doors now wide open, the soft inviting wind pushed her forward yet again. “Well, I’ve come this far,” she said to herself as she stood tall and trotted into the moonlight-illuminated halls beyond the door.


****


Sweetie Belle slowly walked the long hallway, her hooves echoing on the marble floor, stopping as she reached the entrance to the great hall. Her eyes widened at the vast open space, a shiver running down her spine at how small she suddenly felt. Stepping along the red tiled floor, she followed it up to a large three-tier platform set along the back wall. 

The bright silver moonlight along the upper story windows illuminated seven jade thrones that sat on the platform. Sweetie Belle stood there, looking at them, reminded of Twilight’s castle. Each of the thrones looked to be tailored for the one who sat upon it, each with a different color of silk cushion. 

Her legs felt like they were on fire, this was the most exercise she had in weeks. In her heart she wanted to stop and lie down, but something whispering just behind her ear kept her moving, promising her rest at the end of her journey  

Struggling her way up the platforms, she looked sideways at the aqua blue and fire red colored cushions along the bottom and the black earth and storm grey upon the next level. Reaching the top-most tier, she found herself in front of two thrones of gold and silver. Groaning a little, she walked up and stood in front of the smallest jade throne set between the two larger ones. The cushion on it was a vibrant forest green with amber decorations. She collapsed on it, panting. 

As she lay there on the small throne, Sweetie Belle smiled as she pictured the image of a young Kohaku sitting there. Her heart beat faster as her hoof brushed along the cushion. Pushing herself up, she turned around and saw the of the same four vixens she saw earlier now lounging on the thrones on the lower tiers. In front of them was a large grouping of well-dressed male and female foxes, all dancing along the marble floors. 

You are almost there, little one, keep going. Just past the curtain, the voice said in her ear.

“I wish you would tell me why I’m doing this!” Sweetie Belle shouted. When the voice didn’t answer back, she shook her head and with trembling legs stood up. Moaning a bit, she turned around and made her way to the curtains behind the thrones.

Pushing past them, she found a large staircase leading upward. “Oh come on! More stairs!” she whined as her eyes looked up several stories. Whispering words that would have issued a heavy spanking, she started to climb, her legs trembling with each step. 

Reaching the top, she pushed through a thin silk curtain into a large two-story open living area. “Finally,” she said as she stepped onto the massive interlocking tatami mats that lined the whole room. Incense burning in braziers in each corner filled the room and Sweetie Belle’s nose with the scent of cherry blossoms.

Looking around at the decor, a smile crossed her lips at seeing just how simple it was. Red bamboo cabinets lined one whole wall, some holding decorative plates, tea sets, and even weapons. Looking over to the other wall, she noticed hundreds of hoof-sized photos of various foxes set up like a massive tree. 

His family’s that big! I don’t even think the Apple family’s that large, Sweetie Belle thought as she flopped her rump down on one of the large cushions that took up the place of sofas. With a long deep sigh she lay there, squeezing the plush pillow with her limbs. Her weary eyes started to close when a loud voice echoing from the upper hallway shocked the sleep from her. 

“Get back here, you little three-tailed pain in the ass!” an angry female voice called out. Lifting her head up and pushing into a seated position, Sweetie Belle shifted her gaze up to the second floor. Running out of a door with a crimson flame on it was a pint-sized Kohaku laughing as loud as he could. A large red cotton towel was clutched in his tails, waving about like a flag. Within the span of a blink, a dripping wet crimson vixen came bursting through the door after him. 

Leaning back into the cushions, Sweetie Belle found herself up against the vixen she knew as Kazumi. Glancing out of the corner of her eye, she saw the vixen was lying comfortably on the same cushion she was, nuzzled affectionately against the flank of Starswirl. Turning her head to the opposite direction, she saw two more vixens, each one looked very much like Kazumi, save for the color and number of tails. 

Gulping a little, she watched as the the six-tailed black-grey vixen was holding a rock in her paws. Her voice hummed a pleasant melody as she used her dexterous digits to mold the stone as if it was clay. She lifted her head only slightly and looked at the commotion on the second floor. 

“I have five bits that says Kade catches him in ten minutes, Riko,” the dark vixen said as she went back to her work.

“I’ll take that bet, Mitsuko, and raise you another five that says Kohaku evades her for at least fifteen,” the aqua blue vixen stated, never once looking up from her work. Sweetie Belle lay there and just watched Riko, her eyes open wide as her jaw dropped slightly. Each of the vixen’s four tails held several spools of silk of different colors and shades. As the spools spinned, strands no thicker than a single hair all converged down to special rings on the vixen’s paws. All of Riko’s claws knitted and purled so fast that the action was a blur as she weaved out the four foot wide sheet of patterned silk in front of her. It was midnight blue with pink cherry blossoms that shimmered in a way to create an illusion of movement.

I think my sister would die of envy seeing skill of that caliber, Sweetie Belle thought to herself as she turned her head to look at the kimono she had on. The fabric was identical to what Riko was currently spinning. 

It wasn’t until Kohaku finally reached the bottom of the stairwell, launching himself by sliding down the banister and landing just shy of her hind legs that Sweetie Belle’s attention returned back to him and his sister.

She watched as Kohaku and Kade climbed over every cushion in a desperate game of cat and mouse. Only Starswirl seemed to take any notice of the pair and was watching them with the same concern that she was. She wondered just how often this kind of thing happened as the other vixens didn’t seem overly concerned. Eyes still closed, Kazumi swiftly moved aside her small cup of tea with a paw before it was trampled. Mitsuko, without even looking up from her work, lifted a plate of rice crackers up and away from Kade’s paws. Finally Kohaku had slipped on a loose tassel and fell onto his back. His elder sister then leaped atop him and held him down with two of her tails.

“Gotcha! Steal my towel, will you?” Kade said with a huff. “Maybe this will teach ya, you little rascal.” A devilish grin fixed on the vixen’s face as she lowered her head down and blew into his belly, making him wiggle side to side. As she continued to blow against his stomach, her digits tickled all up and down over her brother’s sides, making him laugh harder and harder until tears fell from his eyes. 

Just before the image vanished, Sweetie Belle watched Mitsuko toss Riko a pawful of bits. The scene she just saw made her heart ache harder than she ever thought it could. Getting up from the cushions, she looked around and sighed deeply.

Alone again, why does this still surprise me, she thought and took a step, only to have her hoof bounce against something. Looking down, she saw a small child’s ball which rolled toward the specter of Kohaku that was still there. What the… 

Though now he was dressed in a green night shirt. Stopping the ball with his paw, he smiled up at Sweetie Belle. Her breathing got heavier as she just looked into those ghostly eyes devoid of color. Stepping back a bit, she watched as he bounced the ball with a paw, knocking it up to the second floor with a tail before moving in closer. Affectionately, the half-sized Kohaku moved in and brushed against her the way Opal always would, his purring echoing in her ears. 

How… how is this possible? He’s just an illusion… Sweetie Belle thought as her whole body trembled. Then again, Kazumi sure felt solid as I was lying there. 

She watched him move away from her and toward the staircase leading to the second floor. Kohaku stopped on the second step and looked over his shoulder. He tilted his head with a smile. 

“Alright, I’m coming. It’s what you want, isn’t it?” she asked between heavy breaths. Without a reply she followed Kohaku, who bounded up the stairs faster than she could. Sweetie Belle stopped dead in her tracks as he walked through a half opened door. Carved in the smooth wood was an oak tree with a treble clef in the leaves. Pushing open the door, she stepped inside to find the vision of Kohaku had vanished.

To say that the room was a mess was an understatement. Toys and various books were tossed about everywhere. Drawers were open and clothing hung out of them. Smirking, she gave a little chuckle. Definitely the room of a little boy. Moving over to the bed, half the size of the one in Kohaku’s home, she found it all disheveled as if he had woken up in a hurry. 

Getting up onto to the bed, she heard a loud squeak. Blinking, she looked down and saw that she had stepped on a plush toy. Stifling a laugh, she lifted up the small pony doll with her magic and set it on the bed. Looking around, her eyes settled on a alcove at the head of the bed. In it stood a small pedestal with a child’s ball, forest green, but glowing with a faint amber light.

She couldn’t take her eyes away from the small sphere which looked to be made of colored glass. The amber light within pulsed with an audible thump no louder than a heartbeat. As she got closer, the light from the sphere became more intense. Looking deeper inside of the light, she gasped and fell back on her haunches, her front hooves held in front of her mouth as her eyes went wide with shock. Within the sphere, curled in a fetal position was the half-sized Kohaku she saw earlier.

Looking at him intently, she saw his body twitch back and forth. His eyes were closed tight as his front legs held onto his own chest. Even though she couldn’t see the tears, she knew he was crying. His mouth was moving, repeating the same voiceless word over and over. With a trembling hoof she reached out to touch the small crystal sphere, yearning to hold it to her heart. As her hoof came within a hair's width, an amber picture frame fell from the shelf above and struck her. 

“Ow!” she cried out as she looked down at her hoof. A small red mark was already forming on her creamy coat. With a sigh she looked back up at the sphere, which had lost the amber light and looked no different than any normal ball. Shrugging, she just turned to the picture. Picking it up from the bed, Sweetie Belle collapsed onto her belly and looked at it.

It was a family portrait taken in the gardens of the large temple. Her hoof lightly traced down the picture. At the very front stood young Kohaku, surrounded by his sisters. Sweetie Belle’s hoof lightly taped on each one, counting. Riko and Kade were lying on their stomachs in front of him with Kazumi and Mitsuko sitting upright behind the trio. Each one of them were laughing and affectionately holding him with their tails. 

The scene in that picture pierced the filly’s heart. She reached to her chest and lightly held her hoof there. A soft painful moan escaped her lips as she bowed her head down and closed her eyes. Family, sisters, love, she had watched it all unfold in front of her. Even when they were angry with him, she saw how much Kohaku was beloved by his elder sisters. Letting the picture fall from her magic and onto the bed, she let out a soft whimper.

Tears started to fall from her cheeks and splashed onto the picture’s glass cover. Only a few drops at first, but as the moments passed, the dam of emotions that had been built over the last month broke. 

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she cried harder than she ever had in her life, clutching the picture to her small chest. “Oh Rarity… I miss you, sister.”

“That’s good. One should miss their family when they are seperated,” a soft melodic voice said beside Sweetie Belle. The soft touch of a tail tip along the side of her cheek brushed away her tears. “I’m glad to hear that your heart hasn’t become hardened to her.” 

Sweetie Belle shifted and looked up to see a semi-transparent seven foot vixen sitting next to her. Her fur was as dark as the night sky, highlighted with a swirling silver pattern covering her whole body. She knew that pattern, it matched Kohaku’s perfectly, only instead of leaves, it was stars. Looking up, the filly stared into the the adult’s eyes which were a brilliant liquid just like Kohaku’s. But instead of amber, these eyes were the color of pure moonlight. 

“Good evening, Sweetie Belle, would you please follow me?” the vixen said as she moved up toward the door. “Come along, little one, best leave the memories of this room alone.”

“O-okay,” Sweetie Belle whispered as she got up again, her legs wobbling continuously. Once she settled herself, the filly trotted after the adult vixen. With the lights shimmering, she could see through the elder vixen. Sweetie Belle’s heart pounded almost as much as her head. Who was this vixen, and how did she know who she was? Almost as if to answer her thoughts, the vixen turned her head.

“Your answers will come soon, just follow me.” 

Nodding slowly, Sweetie Belle left Kohaku’s room and turned left, following the adult. Quickly moving into a trot, she tried to keep up with the long strides the vixen was making. As they moved closer to a set of grand double doors at the end of the hallway, a door with a thunderbolt on it burst open. Stopping dead in her tracks, Sweetie Belle watched as Starswirl crawled out of the room as quickly as he could. 

Looking at him for a moment, a deep blush came to her cheeks. He was naked, his back covered with deep long scratches, similar to the ones she’d seen on her own sister some mornings, stretching from his shoulders down to his hips. Standing there with her eyes wide, she watched as his hooves dug into the wooden floor, trying to get out of the room.

“Oh gods, help me.. She’s crazy,” Starswirl frantically called out. 

“Get back here, you!” Kazumi said, coming up behind him, and gripped his tail with a paw. “You vowed to make me howl for a week, now get in here and fulfill your mately duties!” 

“I take it back. I take it back!” he cried. As he was dragged back into the room, Starswirl grabbed the doorframe and tried valiantly to pull away from his mate. However, Kazumi yanked him back in without much effort. 

The large semi-transparent vixen pushed the door closed as she chuckled. “Best leave the lovebirds to their play, my dear. Follow me.” 

Nodding again, Sweetie Belle followed her to the grand double door. She blinked as the vixen literally walked through it. Gulping, she took a step forward and pushed the door open. Inside was the largest bedroom she had ever seen in her life. Kohaku’s little house could have fit inside of it with room to spare. The bed that the large vixen was lying on was almost twice the size of the one in Kohaku’s home and furnished with fine silk pillows and blankets.

“Greetings, young miss. The mistress has been expecting you,” said a crimson vixen in a maid’s outfit. 

Sweetie Belle blinked as she looked at the one-tailed vixen. She was no taller than her own sister and looked to be just as old. The maid gave Sweetie Belle a polite smile and a little bow before turning and facing the massive vixen resting on the bed. The filly’s eyes widened, the mistress was the very vixen the filly had been following.

“My Lady Kiyoko, Sweetie Belle has arrived,” the attendant said, bowing and remaining in that position.

Sweetie Belle looked at the large vixen. She would have to guess that even Celestia would have had to look up just to look into her face. But the one thing that amazed the filly was that the vixen was no longer transparent. She now wore a long flowing kimono, depicting various images of the night sky. The designs flowed as if they were alive.

“Thank you, Mika, you may leave us now,” Kiyoko said, nodding her head politely. She then turned her gaze to Sweetie Belle. “Oh yes, tell my daughters that I do not wish to be disturbed this night. Also, my husband will be arriving shortly, just let him pass.”

“As you wish, my lady,” Mika said as she got up and walked out of the room. 

Sweetie Belle stood there with her mouth open. She looked at the closed door and then back over at Kiyoko. 

“I know you are confused, my dear. It’s only natural. Please come and lie down on the bed. Your legs have carried you far indeed. And they must be tired by now,” Kiyoko said lovingly. 

Sweetie Belle noticed that her voice had the authority that she only heard from Princess Twilight. But her tone was calming and inviting, not unlike that of her own mother.

“Who... who are you?” she asked softly, moving up onto the bed, and collapsed on her belly. 

“Can you not guess who I am?” Kiyoko said as she wrapped a silk blanket over the small filly.

Sweetie Belle looked at Kiyoko up and down slowly. If not for the color of her fur, Sweetie Belle would have sworn that she was looking at Kazumi. Kiyoko had a form that was shared among all four of Kohaku’s sisters. Looking at the pattern on her fur, she was once more reminded how well it replicated the body of her own son. Her liquid eyes held such warmth and wonder, They were very same eyes Sweetie Belle had been looking into every day for a month now.

It can’t be, she thought. “You are his mom, but aren't you... He said you were...”

“Dead? I certainly am, at least by your time, that is,” Kiyoko said, smiling warmly. Her tender paws caressed Sweetie Belle’s mane, half fussing over it like her mother and sister always did.

“My time?” Sweetie Belle asked, looking up at the mother’s warm smile. “What do you mean by my time?”

“Well, how to put this gently,” Kiyoko said calmly. “You aren't actually in your own ‘time zone’ anymore.” 

“Um, if I’m not, then… where am I?” 

“That’s going to take some explaining. But in simple terms, you are about twenty thousand years in your race’s past. Give or take a few centuries,” Kiyoko explained.

“Twe...twe...twe.. wah…” Sweetie Belle stuttered out as she started to swoon. Closing her eyes, she flopped forward, passing out. Her head hit the vixen’s large foreleg.

“Well, she certainly took that better than I thought she would.” Kiyoko giggled, still caressing Sweetie Belle’s mane.
> Chapter 5 - Secrets in the Night
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rarity stood alone in the darkened showroom of her boutique, head pressed hard against the closed door. She had shown her friends out only moments ago, but she could still hear all five of their voices talking and, in some cases, yelling in her head. Rarity closed her eyes tight as tears streamed down her cheeks.

I had hoped to wait at least until morning before the rest of my friends showed up. But no, they just had to come right away and drive the knife even deeper, Rarity thought as she pounded her head against the hard wood a few times. Well, at least Pinkie didn’t, she was just happy I was safe. Probably planning a ‘Welcome Back, Rarity’ party right now. As if that will solve my problems.

I wish Fluttershy had been here, at least she understands a bit how I feel. But, I get why Zecora wanted her to help with Kohaku. I wish I could have done something to help, but that venomous look Zecora gave me. Rarity shuddered. I can’t even think about what she might have done to me, had Twilight and Rainbow not stepped in and ushered me out the door so quickly. Moving back from the door, her hoof caught the edge of her cloak, and she nearly fell on her rump. Looking behind her, she chuckled. 

“I can’t believe I’m still wearing this thing,” Rarity said through a sniffled chuckle. Trotting into her back office, she turned on the lights before pulling the cloak from her back. Holding it aloft with her magic, she leaned in and examined it a bit closer. “Hmm. You know, I never did look at this properly. It’s very well made, I’ve never even seen stitching like this before. Whoever put this together was a master seamstress or tailor. With a few new touches here and there, it would be quite fetching on that boy. I’ll fix it up as a thank you. Maybe I can also get rid of that horrid smell.” Hanging the cloak on a nearby mannequin, she gave herself a little sniff. “Ugh, speaking of which, a bath is definitely in order before bed.”

Leaving her office, she walked through a back door to the mudroom of her home. Looking about, she smirked as her eyes landed on a large black and purple leather jacket hung up on its usual peg. “Well, looks like my dragon is back from the Crystal Empire,” she said to herself with a chuckle. After taking off her horseshoes, saddle bags, and hat, she walked up the staircase to the second floor.

“Agadoo doo doo, push a mango from the tree, Agadoo doo doo, push a mango, make toffee… Ugh… I’m never going to get that song from my head,” she groaned, rubbing her hooves down her face. “Why did he have to sing it for three hours.” 

Pushing past the upstairs door, she moved into her living room and just stood there after turning on the lights. Rarity couldn’t help but giggle at the sight in front of her. Spike was lying face down, unconscious on her sofa. One of his claws rested on the ground, gripping a broom. Looking about the room, she found everything neat and orderly. The mess she had left earlier that day was gone.

“Oh, Spikey,” she whispered and walked over to him. Levitating the broom from his grip, she put it away and then came back to sit down on the floor and just look at him. Her hoof lightly brushed aside his head spikes, one of which had loped down to his nose. He had grown up quite well. As he grew, the young dragon became more pony-like. He was even a quadruped now and stood only half a head taller than herself. 

Spike groaned as his eyes opened. “Rarity? Are you here or is this a dream?” Shifting, he felt those tender hooves on his shoulder and just rolled onto his side and gazed at his marefriend with deep concern. A look that was rewarded with a soft kiss to his lips. “Yup, you’re a dream.” Stretching out a bit, Spiked frowned, his eyes focusing on the wet streaks in her coat from her eyes to her cheeks. “You’ve been crying, haven't you? Does that mean… did you find...” The dragon sighed as he couldn’t bring himself to say the words.

“I’m sorry, darling, I have been crying, quite a bit lately.” Rarity shyly turned away and sighed deeply while shaking her head. “And no, I didn’t find any sign of her. Alive or…” Getting up, she walked to the hearth’s mantelpiece and looked up at the pictures there. Reaching up, she touched a picture taken at the last Sisterhooves Social.

“When did you get back?” Rarity asked, looking over her shoulder. “I wasn’t expecting you to return till next week.”

“About two hours ago,” Spike said, stretching like a cat and flexing his wings before folding them back to his sides. “When mother sent me that note about what you had done, I left my breakfast of gems just to get back here. My wings are killing me right now.” Collapsing back onto the sofa, he just watched Rarity. “I never expected you to go back in there, especially after our last conversation.”

Rarity kept quiet and just nodded slowly.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“I think I’m a little too wound up for that just yet, Spikey.” Rarity shook her head slowly as she ran her hoof across the picture of her and Sweetie Belle; the two covered from head to hoof in grape juice and eggs, laughing without a care in the world. She smiled briefly before lowering her head. “I think I’m just punishing myself for what I did and said, pushing her away like that.”

Looking over her shoulder, she gave Spike a small smile. “And I’ve pushed so many others away since then. My parents, my friends… even you.” A few tears streaked down her cheeks again as she sniffled loudly. “I hope you’ll understand someday and forgive me.”

“It’s okay, really. I understand, you just had to go looking for her.” Spike rubbed the side of his head a little. “And I do forgive you. How could I do anything less. I mean, you forgave me for that little incident with Ember a few years ago. And don’t worry, I have no intention of throwing half my library at you. Even though you did hurl half your dress shop at me at that time.” A soft grin crossed his lips as he looked Rarity in the eyes.

A soft chuckle escaped Rarity’s lips as she glanced over her shoulder. “Well, thank you, darling. I do appreciate the sentiment.”

Moving from the mantlepiece, she walked the length of the room till she stopped at the small desk under a window where she kept her mail. She took notice that Spike had organized everything. As her hoof fanned out a few of the open envelopes, quickly pushing aside the RSVP’s to her wedding and two postcards from her parents, her eyes settled on the ones with large red stamps on them. Two eviction notices, just wonderful. This is all I need. 

“Yeah, I noticed those too. The latest ones are from Canterlot and Manehattan,” Spike said as Rarity looked at the envelopes. Getting up, he walked over and sat next to Rarity, wrapping his tail around her waist. “You know I could…”

“No, Spike, I’d swore I would succeed or fail on my own.” Closing her eyes, Rarity pushed the bills aside and leaned up against him. “If this is the price I have to pay for chasing after a ghost, so be it. Even if we are engaged, I can’t have you bailing me out of my problems.” Reaching out with her magic, she gripped her favorite photo from her desktop’s secret drawer. Leaning up more into Spike, she looked at it as tears dripped down. 

“Hey, what’s the point of being the adopted son of a princess if I can’t help my own princess,” Spike said with a smirk, touching his nose to Rarity’s.

“Well, this is one instance where your princess has to stand on her own four hooves.” With a lick to his nose, Rarity rested her head under his.

“And Sweetie Belle?” 

Nodding softly, Rarity closed her eyes. “I just have to accept the reality of things. As painful as it is. There’s just a few things I wanted to tell her. Secrets that I’ve kept from her for thirteen years now.” Rarity looked at the faded photograph that nobody but herself, her parents, and Spike knew about.

“You mean about...” Spike started, but a hoof to his lips silenced him. 

“Yes, Spike. That’s one thing I just couldn’t ever bring myself to tell her. No matter how often I’ve tried. I still stand by my decision, that in some ways she’s better off not knowing. But most of all, I wanted her to know just how much I love her. And what she really means to me.” 

“How could she not know. You were always there for her, whenever she needed you.” Spike held Rarity close. “This wasn’t your fault, none of it.”

Rarity looked up at Spike and sighed, pushing her head into his neck. “I was always so generous with everypony else, why couldn’t I just be generous with her. It was just a stupid quill and one shirt. So what if she ruined my spring design, it wasn’t my best work anyway. She did me a favor by ruining it.”

Pulling on his black shirt, she dabbed her eyes and blew her nose. Meeping, she leaned back. “Oh my, I’m so sorry, Spike, I wasn’t thinking.”

“Oh, don’t worry, it’s my work shirt anyway,” he said, gripped the neck of his shirt and pulled hard, ripping it down the center, and bunched it up into a small ball. With a toss over his shoulder, he landed it in the trash can. “I have half a dozen of them back home, I buy them in bulk. Much cheaper that way.”

Rarity giggled a bit. Watching Spike show off, she let out a soft sigh and nuzzled up against him. “I think I’m finally relaxing a little.”

After a few moments of soft, tender holding, Spike lifted his marefriend’s chin with a claw. “Now, what happened to you in that forest, Rarity?” 

“Well, apart from almost losing my life and becoming a timberwolf’s lunch, I met a very unusual young boy.” Rarity chuckled, nuzzling warmly against her fiance while she recounted her day to him. “You know, he kinda reminded me of her. He has a very playful attitude, particularly with the myriad of small animals that gathered around him. Then there’s his singing voice. The best way I can describe it is it’s like that of a songbird. An annoying songbird who sings the same song for hours, but a songbird nonetheless.

“It’s kind of funny, when I talked to him after we got away from those timberwolves. He got this rather odd look when I mentioned Sweetie Belle’s name.”

“Do you think that maybe he saw her in the forest?” 

Blinking a few times, Rarity sat up and looked at Spike. “Come to think of it, I never asked him. I was just so… self-absorbed.” 

“Well, you did say he’s still at Zecora’s, right? Maybe you could go and ask him tomorrow?”

“Well, I was planning on going to check up on him. I guess I could ask.” Rarity’s face lit up for a brief moment. “Maybe… just maybe.”

“Rarity, don’t get your hopes up too much,” Spike said, shaking his head.

“Please, don’t tell me you're going to doubt me?” she asked with a soft pout.

“No, my love, I would never doubt you. I just don’t want you to be disappointed.” He caressed her mane with a claw, pulling her closer. 

“Well, you know how you can prevent that tonight. I’m done with ignoring my loved ones,” Rarity calmly stated. “Tonight I make amends with you, then tomorrow with my friends. Although I doubt it’ll be as easy.”

“Would you like me to carry you?” Spike asked, leaning in closer.

“Of course, first to our spacious bathtub. I think I’ll let you pamper me with a long, leisurely bath. I simply must wash that forest from my coat. I can’t promise anything else, I hope you understand.” Leaning up, Rarity met Spike’s lips with her own. With a soft tender caress to her cheek and the sparkle in his eye, she got her answer. He would be content with pampering her. On breaking the kiss, she lovingly slipped herself up onto his back with his help. Holding up the photo, she kissed it affectionately and tossed it back onto her desk as Spike carried her up to the master bathroom and her spacious tub. “Rest well, wherever you are, my little Sweetie Belle.”

As she turned out the lights, moonlight streamed in from the window, illuminating, with a soft silver glow, the photograph Rarity always kept hidden. Lying in a hospital bed was a teenage Rarity. Despite the fact that she looked as if she had been through the depths of Tartarus, she had a large smile. A smile that was mirrored by her mother, who was kneeling next to the bed beside the young mare. In Rarity’s forelegs, bundled in a knitted blanket, was a sleeping newborn foal with pink hair.


***


Fluttershy lay on her side on Zecora’s sofa, Angel sleeping soundly on a cushion next to her. With a few soft breaths, she heard the sound of a glass being set down next to her. Looking at the end table, she saw it was filled with a dark amber liquid. 

“With the night having been dragged out so long, I felt that you and I needed a drink that is quite strong,” Zecora said and sat down.

“Thank you, Zecora.” Nodding softly, Fluttershy took a sip of the beverage and meeped. The liquid warmed her cheeks and brought a flush to them. “Oh my, what is this?” she said once the feeling came back to her lips.

“Appleloosa Apple Whiskey, I keep a bottle or two around. It helps to ease the stress when I have to deal with a day that turns upside down.” Zecora took another long sip of her drink and leaned back in her large wicker chair. “And what we have tonight we cannot simply dwell, you and I have to talk about what we have learned about little Sweetie Belle.”

“I agree,” Fluttershy said, pushing the remaining whiskey away from her. Her feathers shifted uneasily back and forth as the timid pegasus got her wings comfortable. “I think it’s obvious what we must do. We have to tell Rarity.”

Taking another long sip of her whiskey, Zecora ran her hoof along the edge of the glass. “On this I agree.” Closing her eyes, the zebra sighed. “But there is something you do not see. Kohaku was with her all day, so why did he not tell Miss Rarity?”

“I… I don’t know.” Fluttershy blinked and slumped back into her chair. Turning her head, she looked at the stairwell to the second floor. 

“Well, my dear, the answer is just so. Kohaku simply does not want Rarity to know.” Shaking her head, Zecora finished her drink. Setting the glass aside, she abandoned her rhyming. “I have known him for some time, and I can say this. His telling us was a mere mistake. Brought on by the exhaustion of his breakdown and my potion.”

“So what do we do, we honestly can’t keep this from her, can we?” Reaching down, she caressed the Angel’s back.

“No, we cannot,” Zecora said and looked at Fluttershy, her face starting to look brighter. “But we must.”

“Why?” 

“I have known Kohaku for two years now. I have learned much about him and his people. Both from him and legends told by my own kind.” Zecora leaned back and looked at a small figurine on a top shelf. “They are very seclusive and careful to whom they give their trust, and are bound by the promises they make.”

“Do you think Sweetie Belle made him promise not to tell?” 

“I do,” Zecora said. “Or he made the conscious decision to keep her a secret. Either way, with him telling us, he has given us his trust. If we break that trust and told, Kohaku could become very vengeful to both of us. Or worse.”

“What’s worse?” Fluttershy couldn’t help but feel her voice quiver.

“He could become very suicidal. And I refuse to see him that way.” Zecora poured herself another glass and downed it quickly. “That is why we cannot tell. Though his telling us was a mistake, we are now bound to keep that secret or risk his vengeance, or his very life.”

“Isn’t there anything we can do?” Fluttershy murmured as she looked back to the stairs, her eyes tearing up. With her heart beating fast in her chest, she pulled her hooves together and held them up against her ample floof.

“There is one thing. We can encourage him, indirectly, to do the right thing. And hopefully we’ll have Sweetie Belle returned to us.”

“Do you know where he lives?”

“No, I have asked many times, but he never revealed it to me. But all the animals of the forest know his home location.”

“Really?” Fluttershy muttered as a smile crossed her face and a sparkle lit up in her eyes. “Hmm.”

“Indeed.” Zecora yawned and put down her glass. Getting up, she walked toward her first floor bedroom. “Well, I’m going to bed, sleep well, and I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Hmm, I... I’m going to go check on him,” Fluttershy said as she continued to look up at the stairs. Moving from the chair, she stumbled a little to the side and shook her head a bit before trotting up the stairs.

Zecora nodded as she watched Fluttershy go back upstairs. “Alright, feel free to use the spare room up there if you like.” 

I know that I can trust her. I know she understands my reasoning. However, that look she had in her eyes. I can’t shake this feeling she’s going to do something. I just hope that it isn’t anything rash.


***


Fluttershy groaned a little, silently cursing the lightest amount of alcohol she had. Moving through the darkened corridor, she felt herself stumble as she walked. Moving into the room Kohaku was in, she looked around. The moonlight filtering in from the open window bathed the room in a brilliant silver, brighter than anything she had seen from Luna’s moon before. Stepping in closer, she had to rub her eyes as she looked at how the light shimmered around the boy, caressing him in the same way a parent would. 

I’ve never seen moonlight do that before, Fluttershy thought, watching carefully. I’m either hallucinating, or that whisky hit me harder than I thought.

Quietly closing the door behind her, the mare moved in and sat down next to Kohaku, her wing lightly brushing aside his hair. She lay down on her belly and just watched him. 

He looks so sweet and innocent. I know I don’t know anything about him or his people, but I do know animals and what’s in their hearts. I can understand him keeping secrets and being bound to well-natured promises. But that bit about him becoming vengeful or suicidal? Fluttershy wiped a tear from her cheek. I can’t believe it. No! I won’t believe it. Not of any creature who has kindness in their hearts. Most of all, not from a child like him, she thought as she rested her head down on her crossed front legs and sighed deeply. I know Zecora said we have to do something indirectly. But maybe, with the help of the animals, I can do something more.
> Chapter 6 - A Mother's Vision
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sweetie Belle lay there with a small cup of tea between her hooves. She just watched as the liquid swirled around and around. The soft feel of the mother's paw lightly brushing back her mane sent a warm shiver down her small body. With a deep breath she lifted the cup and sipped the strong-flavored liquid. 

“Are you feeling better now, little one?” Kiyoko warmly asked while lovingly caressing the filly’s mane, fussing over it the way any mother could. 

“Yes... “ Sweetie Belle sighed, setting down the cup, and bowed her head. Taking a long deep breath, she looked up into Kiyoko’s eyes. “How… how long was I out?”

“No more than a few minutes, dear,” the vixen said while putting aside a tea set after finishing her own drink. “I would have let you sleep, but your time here is limited. And no doubt you have countless questions you wish to ask me. Of course, I’ll do my best to answer them. It is after all why you came here. So just ask me the one question that’s first and foremost in your mind.”

“Um… am I really twenty thousand years in the past?” A few tears formed on the side of her eyes, her heartbeat increasing slowly as she felt her throat go dry. 

A harmonious chuckle escaped Kiyoko’s lips. “Well, that has a very complex answer. I’ll try to simplify it for you. I wouldn’t want to overwhelm your mind with the complexities of temporal mechanics of spirit walking. Yes, you are in the past, but only your spirit is here. Your body is not. At the moment I’ve made a temporary astral body for you while you are here. Identical to your real one in every way.”

“I see. So where’s my real body?” Sweetie Belle trembled a little as she looked into those moonlight eyes.

“You are exactly where you were. But asleep,” Kiyoko said, gently taking Sweetie Belle’s half-finished drink and placing it on a platform along with her own finished cup. 

“I’m asleep? I’m dreaming? And I’m twenty thousand years in the past?” The filly groaned as she rubbed her temples with both hooves. “Ughh, my head hurts now.”

“Oh, little one. I’ll try and explain this better for you.” Kiyoko wrapped both of her forelegs around the small girl and pulled her in close, crading the filly as if she were her own. “You see, time travel has always been possible in dreams. Any good dreamwalker could tell you that. In fact, I believe your Princess Luna is somewhat a novice when it comes to this.”

Putting her hooves on the vixen’s floof, Sweetie Belle wiped her tears with her foreleg, half shrinking into that warm, motherly embrace. “So I never walked out of Kohaku’s little house? I’m still snug in bed?”

A soft, somber look crossed Kiyoko’s face as she shook her head slowly. “No, my dear. You didn’t fall asleep until you crossed those double doors. Well, your mind fell asleep, that is. Your body is still wide awake. But there’s no need to worry, I’m taking very good care of it, my dear little pony.” With a warm nuzzle she draped her nine tails over the filly’s lower half like a blanket. 

“Well, why couldn’t you just bring me here from there? Why did I have to strain myself to walk all that way?” Sweetie Belle sniffled and shut her eyes tightly. “My legs still feel like they’re on fire.” 

“The distance between us was far too great. Both physical and temporal, it would have placed too heavy of a strain on my mind.” Kiyoko let out a painful groan, a tail rubbing against her right temple. “It was all I could do to open your mind to my power from that distance. That’s why you could only hear a whisper of my voice. I had to bring you physically closer to a place where my power is concentrated and the crossing would be easier.” 

Sweetie Belle watched as a look of pain crossed Kiyoko’s face. Biting down on her lip, she was about to open her mouth when the vixen continued, “I’m sorry you had to travel so far on such weakened legs, the last thing I wanted was to cause you discomfort.” Kiyoko smiled down at Sweetie Belle. Her paw still tenderly caressed the girl’s back. “Thankfully that is one thing I can fix easily enough.” 

Sweetie Belle trembled a little as the paw stopped at the center of her back. A warm tingle ever so lightly waved over her coat as that paw was ignited in a brilliant, moonlight silver flame. Gasping loudly, she slumped into the vixen’s body as the flame spread over her whole body. She moaned lightly as the heat intensified around her legs. 

This is just like when Kohaku uses his flames on me… but so much stronger. I… I can’t feel my legs, she thought as she tried to lift a foreleg when the fire died out, but it failed to answer to her desires. “Wha… what did you just do?”

“Call it a mother’s gift, you’ll understand it better in the morning. I promise.” Kiyoko smiled and placed her leg back around Sweetie Belle’s body. “Now, let’s get onto the main reason you are here. Your… Come in, darling!” Kiyoko grinned as she turned her face to the double doors, which promptly opened.

“Even after all these centuries, it still surprises me that you can do that,” a deep, harmonious voice said with a chuckle

That’s Kohaku’s voice! Sweetie Belle yelled out in her mind as she turned her head to the entrance, half expecting Kohaku to come strolling in, but what she saw forever earned a place in her wildest fantasies. 

Entering the room was a massive nine-foot-tall golden kitsune, his nine tails fanned out behind him. Sweetie Belle’s mouth dropped open as she looked at him. It was as if some immortal hand had taken Kohaku and aged him to full adulthood, accentuated every muscle and feature of his body before chiseling it out of living solid gold.

Even dressed up in a short, but highly decorated kimono, Sweetie Belle could see his body was rippling with lean, powerful muscles under that short fur. She watched as each one flexed with his movements. His large paws barely made any sound on the tatami mats. The only thing she actually found off-putting was the green furry cap between his ears.

Looking up into his face, she wasn’t too surprised to find it was definitely Kohaku’s, but older, yet still just as playful. His solid golden eyes radiated both wisdom and a child's mischievousness. A smirk was affixed on his muzzle as those eyes stared deeply into Kiyoko’s moonlight eyes.

He. Is. Gorgeous! Groaning a little, she felt her breath get heavier as she watched him move. A soft paw finger lightly pushed Sweetie Belle’s mouth closed. Being shaken from her viewing of this male, the filly looked up and saw that sideways glance with a wink from Kiyoko.

“He most certainly is,” Kiyoko whispered to Sweetie Belle. “Five thousand years of marriage and he still gets my blood boiling and my hind legs quivering every time I look at him.” A low playful and slightly lustful growl emanated from the vixen’s throat. 

Gasping, the filly just continued to stare at this large male. Oh my, this is Kohaku’s father! Now I see where he got those good looks.

Sweetie Belle just lay there and watched the interaction between Kohaku’s parents, certain this was not something she should interrupt. Looking at the large male, she blinked when taking a second look at the small, green-puffed hat situated atop his head. Tilting her head a little, she saw that the hat was actually an even younger Kohaku lying sideways across his father's head, the small fox’s hind leg draped and swinging loose between his father’s eyes. She fought hard to keep from bursting out in laughter as Kohaku wrapped his front legs around his father’s large ear and was nibbling on the tip with both eyes closed.

“Good evening, my love,” Kiyoko said and leaned up, kissing her mate tenderly on the lips as he moved onto the bed. “When did he fall asleep this time?”

“Oh, the same place as usual. Just as we left the pegasus domain.” Kohaku’s father chuckled as his eyes lifted up to the top of his head. “A few of the colts there kinda wore him out in a game of tag.”

“And how are things in the pegasus domain?” Kiyoko asked as she continued to tenderly caress Sweetie Belle’s mane and giggle at her son’s attempt to eat his father’s ear.

“Oh, not too bad. There seems to be a bit of trouble with their leader.”

“The High General, the one with the rainbow mane? What was his name again? What kind of trouble is he causing this time?”

“Yup, Rainbow Star.” Kohaku’s father chuckled. “He’s the youngest ever to have been appointed High General. He’s an exceptional flyer, but a fair to middling administrator. He has this odd idea of forming a group of the best flyers around. Called the Wonder Jolts or something along those lines. I have to admit, I wasn’t paying too much attention by that time. I had something heavier on my mind.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, there’s been a shake-up on the Alicorn Isles. They have a new leader, King Solarus. They say he has the power to control the sun. And he’s been using it to extend the daytime around the isles,” Kohaku’s father started, his voice lowering into an audible mumble. 

“Darling…”

“I mean, it’s not like I have a problem with them controlling the sun. Them having some extra daytime might be beneficial. But then again, it’s going against the laws of nature, I mean why mess with something that already works, just because a few ponies want a few more hours of daylight? The night has its benefits too, after all. Right?”

“Dearest…”

“And then there’s the earth ponies. What will happen with them if their planting timetables get out of sync? How will they cope, will it be a problem I have to fix myself? Remember the last time I got involved with fixing a farming problem. I turned a perfectly good, open farm into a canyon they now call Ghastly Gorge.”

“Akihiko!” 

The sharp voice shot through the room like a clash of thunder, which caused the male to sit up straight and stare directly into her eyes without blinking. Leaning back a bit, he gulped loudly and gave a nervous chuckle. 

Kohaku’s ear twitched before he lifted his head up, having heard his mother's voice. The young fox yawned and went back to munching on his father’s ear.

“I was doing it again, wasn’t I?” Akihiko asked as his mate’s paw caressed his cheek tenderly.

“That’s what happens when you have too much work and not enough play.” 

“I know, and as much as I would love to play, I just don’t have a lot of time right now. The clan meeting is in half an hour,” Kohaku’s father said as he placed a paw on the side of his wife’s face, soothing out that desire he saw in those liquid eyes. “I just need a couple of things right now. I know you're tired and busy tonight, but could you watch Kohaku?”

“Why can’t you take him to the meeting?” 

“Well, the elders kinda... banned him.”

“What!” Kiyoko sat back as her eyes widened. “Don’t they know how much he enjoys being with his daddy? What could possibly make them ban our baby boy from spending time with you?”

“Well,” Akihiko blushed, “I think it had something to do with him turning their cushions into ice cream. Then made it rain hot fudge for about twenty minutes.”

“He didn’t?” Kiyoko snorted as a grin crossed her lips.

“He did.” Akihiko chuckled to himself. “I do wonder where he could have learned such a trick.” A soft smirk crossed his face

The large vixen leaned forward and giggled gleefully.

“Well, our son and Discord have been spending a lot of time together while his mother Catastrophe and I enjoy our weekly tea ceremony and book club.”

“I see, I should have guessed it was that teenage punk who taught our son that hot fudge spell.”

After collecting herself, Kohaku’s mother sat up again. “Speaking of which, why is it you didn’t come home covered in hot fudge? I would have enjoyed cleaning you up,” she said with a lick of her lips.

“Well, I saw the twitch of his magic and blocked it.” Akihiko chuckled, wincing a bit as his son’s fangs bit harder into his ear. 

“And being the oh so noble soul you are, you just happened to forget saving them?” Kiyoko purred as she nuzzled his neck.

“Well, I do need to get some entertainment out of those meetings.” Blinking for a moment, he got up. “Oh, speaking of which, I’m going to be late. I better be going.”

“Darling, the second favor you needed?” 

“Oh yeah. My mask. I can’t find it. He hid it rather well this week.” 

“Left side of his bedroom, middle dresser, bottom drawer.” 

“I checked there.”

“Under the false bottom?” 

“That little imp. Thanks, my love. I’ll see you when I get back.” Akihiko smiled and ran out the double doors, closing them with his tails.

Sweetie Belle blinked and looked up at Kiyoko, then turned back to the door. “Wasn’t he supposed to leave…” A paw lightly placed on her mouth silenced her.

“Three… Two… One,” Kiyoko said with a smile and pointed to the door which promptly opened with Akihiko walking back into the room, shaking his head. Kohaku was now resting square on his father’s muzzle, as his three tails swished back and forth along the large kitsune’s nose.

“Good one, my love. You were going to let me walk into that meeting with him like this.” He chuckled as his wife only smirked and shrugged, trying to look innocent. Leaning down, he flipped his muzzle up a bit, causing Kohaku to roll backwards off of his face and land upside down against his mother’s floof, never once waking up or stirring uncomfortably. Turning around, Akihiko stopped and sniffed. Moving back to the bed, he looked down and waved his paw which glowed with a golden flame.

Sweetie Belle blinked as the world seemed to shimmer around her for a brief moment. Feeling exposed, she pushed herself up against Kiyoko’s side a little. She trembled as those large golden eyes bore straight into hers. 

Looking to Kiyoko, he smiled. “Past or future?”

“Future.”

“Kohaku’s?”

“Of course.” 

Examining the young filly, Akihiko grinned wide. “She’s definitely a beautiful little filly. A little pudgy around the midsection, not all skin and bone like some girls desire to be like. Nice ample floof. He’s got great taste.”

“Just like his old man.” Kiyoko smiled before wincing and groaning in pain. A paw shot up to her temple.

“It's the headaches again, isn’t it? They aren't getting better.” Akihiko’s face went from joyful to concerned so quickly it made Sweetie Belle’s head spin. The young girl looked up at the vixen and bit down on her lip as the two adults continued.

“You shouldn’t be working tonight. You know each time you use this power, you just get worse. I’m worried that I’ll come home, and you’ll be…” Whatever else he had to say was silenced by a tender paw finger on his lips.

“You worry too much, I will be just fine. I have only two seeings tonight. The first with Sweetie Belle here and the second immediately after, which won’t take that long.”

“Just promise me you’ll get some rest.” Akihiko kissed his wife as she nodded quickly. He then dashed out of the room.

“Twelve thousand years of experience as the head of this clan. Five thousand years of marriage to me. The sum of the universe’s knowledge pouring into him. And he can still forget that our son is on his head chewing on his ear.” Kiyoko looked down at Sweetie Belle. “Learn how to deal with boys your age now, because they will never get any more mature.”

“Is everything okay, ma’am? He seemed really concerned,” Sweetie Belle asked as she looked up with worry. “And so am I.”

“Well, I won’t sugarcoat it, I’m dying, little one. I have only a few short weeks left,” Kiyoko sighed out. 

“Then should I really be here? You are going through so much.” 

“I appreciate the concern, but I’ll be just fine tonight. And would you really want to deny a mother the chance to meet her son’s first love?”

Blushing a bit, Sweetie Belle gave a weak giggle. “Well, no. But how can you be so sure you’ll be fine tonight? What if you...”

Hushing the young filly with a finger, Kiyoko smiled and just shook her head. “Because I am. You see, I am an oracle, my dear. I constantly see the past, present, and just about every possible future there is. I see it all fanning out in front of me like a vast ocean.”

“That sounds like…” 

“A gigantic pain in the ass,” Kiyoko said with a tender smile. “The blessing of it is I can see and talk to creatures I might not otherwise get to. The curse, is I know the precise moment and circumstance of my own death. You don’t have to feel sorry for me, little one. I’ve lived a very full life. I have four amazing daughters who all take after their father. And most of all a son, well, I don’t need to tell you what he’s like. He is his mother's child.”

Sweetie Belle could only nod as she felt Kiyoko’s paw resume its tender caress down her back.

“But, we aren't here to discuss me, we’re here to discuss your problems.” Kiyoko purred ever so tenderly as she looked down at Sweetie Belle. Kohaku groaned a little and crawled over, curling up between Sweetie Belle’s forelegs. “He likes you.”

Sweetie Belle watched as Kohaku nuzzled in close to her, his head pushing up against her floof. “He’s so tiny. Just how old is he right now?” Raising her hoof, she lightly started to pet along his back, which was rewarded with an all too familiar purring. With the image of Akihiko still fresh in her mind, she couldn’t help but picture Kohaku like that.

“He’s four. And yes, he will look that way,” the vixen said with a proud smile as she answered the filly’s thoughts, making her blush. 

Sweetie Belle continued to caress along Kohaku’s small form. A light giggle escaped her lips as she felt the trio of tails wrap around her hoof. “Can you explain something for me?”

“If I can, I shall, Sweetie Belle.” 

“Coming here, I saw various young foxes. All of them had just one tail.” 

“And you are curious as to why my son has three tails. Is that right?”

“Well, yeah.”

“Well, being born with more then one tail is very rare,” Kiyoko purred. “But it does happen. My own mate was born with two tails. It’s usually a sign that the child has great potential.”

Smiling, Sweetie Belle looked up at Kiyoko as she hugged Kohaku close.

“When our son was born, my mate took one look at him and said, ‘Oh lovely, thanks for the sparkly little girl.’” Kiyoko reached down and put a finger on Sweetie Belle’s mouth. “You see, Kohaku has my fur pattern as you well know. This pattern is sort of a signature of the vixens of my clan. Even my own mother thought he was a girl. It wasn’t until I told them otherwise that they laughed at themselves.”

“So Kohaku is a sort of rare all around.”

“That he is. When Akihiko saw those three tails, he strutted around the heavens like he owned them for a week. I know he likes to cloudwalk, but even I thought that was too much.” 

Nodding softly, the filly lightly twirled her hoof about Kohaku’s tails. Which wrapped around her hoof and leg affectionately. “It’s kinda nice, learning about him. His family. I’ve learned more in the last few hours than I had in the last month.”

“I bet,” Kiyoko purred out. “Speaking of family, did you truly mean it?”

Blinking for a moment, Sweetie Belle tore her eyes from Kohaku and looked back up at Kiyoko. “What?”

“What you said in Kohaku’s room. About your sister, Rarity. Did you truly mean it?”

“I…” Sweetie Belle’s voice died in her throat. Sighing deeply, she lowered her head and closed her eyes tight. She could feel her heart pounding harder as her stomach ached. It was only the soft touch of the vixen’s large paw along her back and the baby Kohaku’s body up against her that kept the filly from bursting into tears. Hugging Kohaku hard, she nodded. 

“Yes,” she answered in her weakest voice. 

“What do you want?”

“I... I want to go home.” Tears started to drip from Sweetie Belle’s eyes as she held onto Kohaku, who just slept on, nuzzling closer. “But she said I could never come back. She hates me.” 

“Look up, little one.” 

“Sweetie Belle!” a familiar voice called out.

Sweetie Belle’s head shot up, as her eyes went wide. “Tha... that’s my sister’s voice!”

“Watch.”

Looking forward, everything from the bed to the main double doors was replaced with a vision from the Everfree Forest.

“Sweetie Belle!” Rarity called out as she walked through a heavily shaded section of the Everfree Forest. Stopping only for a moment to brush off her well-tailored vest, shorts, and an explorer’s hat, which were now covered with leaves and bits of wood. “Sweetie Belle, where are you!”

Her eyes went as wide as dinner plates as she watched her sister continue to move through the forest. She had to admit that her sister was a mess, something Rarity never allowed herself to be.

“There’s more,” Kiyoko said and waved her paw. The vision shimmered and changed.

Rarity trembled, her breathing increasing rapidly. As the wolf growled even louder, the mare let out a shriek that echoed in the trees. As quickly as she could, Rarity leaped off the leg of the timberwolf. Landing on all fours, Rarity bucked a few nearby rocks toward the massive wolf’s face before dashing into the trees. Looking over her shoulder, Rarity smirked as the wolf stumbled backwards for a moment.

Running along between the trees, Rarity heard the heavy thump of her pursuer’s paws behind her. Her breathing grew heavier and more labored. As she entered a small glade, she tripped over a large root and rolled on the ground. Her vest tore as she slid in the dirt. Sitting up with a hoof to her forehead, she heard the timberwolf getting closer. Crawling backwards, she gasped as her back pushed up against a fallen tree. The timberwolf who was chasing her soon came into view, with two more emerging from the shadows.

Her breathing hard and ragged, she watched as the trio of wolves came closer, snarling louder as the lead wolf let out a howl that pierced her ears. 

Just as the lead timberwolf lunged for Rarity’s throat, a pillar of emerald flame erupted between the wolf and its prey, to the surprise of both the mare and her attackers. The flame was then followed by a three-tailed canine that leaped out from behind a set of nearby bushes and landed in front of all three timberwolves.

Rarity watched as this small creature faced off against the trio, each one easily four times larger than him. 

“Back off!” Kohaku barked as loudly as he could. 

It was there that the vision ended. The room quickly returned to normal as Sweetie Belle just lay there dumbfounded. “I don’t believe it,” the filly whispered unconvincingly. 

Kiyoko purred softly, holding both her son and the young girl close. “What you just saw happened today.”

“That was today?” Sweetie Belle gasped as she just held onto Kohaku. 

“It was. Now, do you still believe that your sister hates you?” 

All Sweetie Belle could do was shake her head slowly. 

“She loves you so much that she put her own life on the line looking for you.” Shifting herself, Kiyoko got Sweetie Belle’s cup of tea. Taking a small ceramic jar from a bottom shelf, she dipped a claw into a blue powder inside it. Once it was coated, she swirled her claw into the cup. “Here, drink this, Sweetie Belle. It’ll help you sleep easier in a little bit.” She handed it back to her, smiling as the filly nodded.

“Siblings often fight amongst themselves. My daughters normally have fights that go on for years on end, one almost lasted a hundred years. And it was another two hundred years before they spoke to each other again.”

Sweetie Belle listened as she just finished the cup of tea. “But what she said to me…”

“Were words said in anger, she didn’t mean them.” 

“So I can go home?” 

“Of course.”

Sweetie Belle felt as light as a feather. Taking in a deep breath, she slowly let it out as a sigh of relief. To go back home to a sister who loved her, whom she loved just as much. Just as she was about to speak out about how nice it would all be, a sharp stinging sensation came from her chest, causing her to cry out in alarm. “Ow!” Looking down, she saw the four year old Kohaku nibbling on her tiny floof, his sharp fangs accidentally scraping along her chest.

Ya little imp, watch those fangs, she thought with a chuckle and shook her head, only to stop abruptly. “If I go home… what’s going to happen to Kohaku?” she asked, looking up at Kiyoko, who closed her eyes and looked away from the filly, slowly shaking her head side to side.

“It isn’t for you to worry about, Sweetie Belle. My son’s fate is his own right now.” Kiyoko’s voice suddenly became very tired and heavy. “As a mother, I’ve done my best to help you with your problems. Helped you find your way home.”

“Please, I want to know what’s going to happen to him,” Sweetie Belle asked again. Biting her lower lip, she looked at the young boy in her limbs. “You saw something, didn’t you? Something… bad,” Sweetie Belle’s voice quivered.

“Why do you want to know so badly?”

“I care about him. I lov…” The filly’s voice died in her throat. Her whole body trembled.

Kiyoko smiled as she heard those words. Leaning in, she looked deep into the young girl’s eyes. “Be careful, little one, daring to know another’s fate has grave consequences. And is not a responsibility to be taken lightly. Now, do you still wish to know? Answer carefully, because once told, it can never be taken back.”

Sweetie Belle felt a cold sweat drip down her spine. Looking into those deep liquid pools of moonlight, she swallowed hard. Sitting up with her back straight, she felt her chest was slightly heavier. Looking down, she saw that Kohaku had a very tight grip on her floof. The young fox’s head was pressed up against her while his lower half swung back and forth. His hind paws barely touched the bedding as they kicked, as if trying to catch a footing on which to climb. With a sweet chuckle at Kohaku’s antics, Sweetie Belle looked back up and nodded slowly.

“Very well. I’ll tell you.” Kiyoko’s tender voice broke a little as she continued, “As you know, Kohaku is a very caring soul. Like many of our kind, he wears his heart out on his sleeve. I’m sure you’ve experienced it in certain ways. Gifts, little words, warm cuddles in the middle of the night.” Kiyoko giggled as Sweetie Belle blushed. “And you will continue to experience this for a while longer. You’ll come to understand just how much he truly cares about you. Probably just as much as you do for him.” 

Listening carefully, Sweetie Belle saw a tear streak down Kiyoko’s cheek

“But, as much as my son’s heart will be filled with all the love he deserves, he’s going to shatter his heart just to make your sister’s heart whole again. And it’s going to destroy him down to the core.”

“No… no why... Why would he do that?” 

“Because he understands how she feels. What she’s lost and the pain that she lives with every day right now. It’s the same pain he’s felt for the last two years of his life. To him, his sisters were everything. Parent, playmate, targets for his pranks. So you see, nobody can give him his sisters back, but he can give her you.”

Looking down at the young Kohaku, Sweetie Belle clutched him, holding him close to her body as he fell back asleep. “Then how do I help him?” 

“You can’t. It’s beyond your power to do so.” Kiyoko blanketed Sweetie Belle’s body with all nine of her warm tails. “But there is a mare in Ponyville who can. One who understands his pain, what he’s lost. One who can put his heart back together again by giving him what he needs the most.”

“I see,” Sweetie Belle whimpered as she nuzzled Kohaku’s head tenderly.

“Oh, don’t worry too much about it, my dear. You are not going to remember most of this. I’ll be surprised if you remember any of it.”

“Huh?” was all that Sweetie Belle could muster as her eyes started getting heavy. 

“That’s how it works in a dream. You never remember the details, only the feelings. And I told you all of this, to make it easier to accept it when it happens.”

Yawning wide, Sweetie Belle rested her head down on a nearby pillow. “This mare... do I know her?” 

“You do. But don’t worry about her or who she might be. You just get some sleep, and when you wake, everything will be just as it should be.” Kiyoko smiled as the filly’s eyes closed. As the girl fell asleep, Kiyoko held both Sweetie Belle and her son close before looking up at the double door, watching with anticipation as her next appointment walked into the room. 


***


The morning sunlight weakly streamed through the open window of Kohaku’s room in Zecora’s tree home. The young fox groaned as he rolled onto his side, kicking his blankets off his body to dissipate the gathered heat. He was completely unaware of a small white bunny who hopped through the partially open door.

Angel moved up toward the sleeping fox, stopping only when he reached the spot on the mats  his mother had slept on, signified by a few yellow feathers. Standing there on his hind legs, he crossed his arms and tapped his foot. 

“What’s so damn special about you? Making my mommy sleep up here all night. She should have been at home, cuddling with me,” Angel said to himself as he kicked Kohaku in the front leg.

“I wouldn’t go doing that, little bunny,” a harsh female voice advised from the corner of the room.

Angel turned his head and watched as the marten lifted herself up off of her cushion and sat up, lightly brushing her fur with a paw. 

“Oh, buck off, you ol’ hag, I’ll do what I want,” Angel grumbled as he kicked Kohaku in the leg again.

“You should really watch your language, it could get you in trouble.” Marigold smiled, coming in closer.

“I said buck off, you old bitch…”  Angel started, but was swiftly silenced by a heavy swing of Marigold’s paw across his face. A strike that sent him tumbling down to the floor.

“I told you, watch your language.” Marigold shook her paw a little.

“Oh, now you’ve done it,” Angel grumbled as he leaped from the floor onto Kohaku’s chest, his foot thumping wildly as he ranted. “I’m going to go get my mommy. Tell her what you just did. Then you’ll be sorry.”

“Oh, I wouldn't be doing that if I were you, it’ll end very badly.” Marigold grinned as she crossed her legs across her chest.

“Oh yeah? And who’s going to stop me. You!” Angel laughed as he continued to thump his foot harder.

“Him,” was all Marigold said as she pointed up with her tail.

“Huh?” Angel blinked as he turned around. A low deep growl finally caught his attention. His eyes widened as he looked up, his reflection staring back at him from a pair of narrowed amber eyes. “Oh, bunny beans.” Just before the darkness took him, his eyes fixated on a set of razor sharp fangs dripping with saliva. Coming closer and closer before finally closing with a bone-shattering snap.
> Chapter 7 - Promises Made
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fluttershy groaned a little as she walked downstairs. 

This isn’t my cabin, where… she thought and shook her head. Looking about, she took note of the large tree’s circumference and the masks up along the walls over shelves full of different colored potions. Turning toward the northern wall, she gazed at a large cauldron set up in the fireplace. Oh right, Zecora’s. Now it’s coming back to me.

Walking over to a window, she opened it and let the cool morning air in, taking note that the chirping from outside caused her head to pound repeatedly. Lifting the tips of her wings up to her temples, Fluttershy circled them ever so slowly. “Oh, my head. Why can’t these birds chirp a little more quietly?” 

Sitting down at the base of the window, she looked over toward Zecora’s kitchen. Her tired eyes were so blurry, that she didn’t notice Angel had hopped past her and up the stairs. “That is the last time I'm drinking anything so strong. I really should make something to eat. That does help, at least it always helps Mackie when he drinks too much cider.”

Giggling, Fluttershy thought of the last time her beloved stallion came over after imbibing too much during the last Apple family reunion, stumbling over the steps on her front porch. Once inside, he started to dance with her coat rack, while singing an off key version of ‘Only You’. As his dance came to a close, he finally collapsed on her futon. His head rested on her left shoulder as she draped a wing over him, suppressing a laugh as he asked why she never told him that she had a twin sister before finally passing out.

The thought warmed her heart as she touched her left shoulder with her right hoof. Once the pounding in her head lessened, she trotted off into Zecora’s kitchen. Stopping at the door, Fluttershy found the zebra already awake, standing in front of a stove. 

“Oh, um, morning,” Fluttershy said weakly.

“Well, someone sounds quite spry, good morning, dear Fluttershy.” Zecora smiled as she shifted the kettle aside. Pouring a small mug of hot water, the zebra then tipped in a small mix of spices and a few leaves. “Here, this will help from last night's blight. Drinking this will make you feel just right.”

“Oh, thank you,” Fluttershy murmured a little as she took a light sip. Not long after the hot liquid touched her lips, her head began to clear up. “Mmm, that does work. Thank you. My head doesn’t hurt so much now.”

“I’m glad to hear that, that concoction however won’t last. What is needed is a good breakfast.”

“Oh, that’s what I was coming in here to make. To help cure my hangover, and I was hoping to make something special for Kohaku, but I don’t know what he likes.”

“Making something for someone you don't know can be quite tricky. As for Kohaku, however, know he is not that picky.” Zecora chuckled pleasantly to herself. “Whatever you choose to make him will not be in dispute. But for mornings and snacks, he has a deep love of fruit.”

“Ah, a fruit salad, that’s what I’ll make him.” Cheerfully, Fluttershy turned on her hooves to get started. As she trotted over towards the pantry, she stopped. Standing there in the door was Kohaku, his head hanging low and his eyes half closed. A severe case of bed fur showed all over his body, several areas sticking up while the rest was matted down. Fluttershy smiled and looked into those tired amber eyes. “Good morning, Kohaku.”

Zecora turned and smiled at her young charge. “Kohaku, you're up. We were just making breakfast. Anything special you would like?” 

“Nothing really,” Kohaku said heavily. He yawned wide, a light meep escaping Fluttershy’s mouth at the sight of his fangs. “And speaking of breakfast...” with a swift motion his tails, he brought around a very limp white rabbit, “...why was mine thumping on my chest this morning?” 

Zecora’s eyes went wide as Fluttershy swooned and passed out in front of Kohaku.


***


Rarity trotted down the well-worn path in the Everfree Forest. Looking over to the side, she smiled at Twilight. Rainbow Dash hovered a few feet above the ground in front of them.

“I want to thank you girls for coming with me,” Rarity said pleasantly. “This really does mean a lot.”

“Hey, it’s no problem,” Rainbow said cheerfully while flying around her friends. 

“And it’s what friends are for.” Twilight bumped Rarity’s shoulder. “I’m just glad you're being yourself again.”

“You have your son to thank for that, Twilight.” Rarity stopped dead in her tracks and sat down. “Again, thank you for sending that letter to Spike. I know you wanted him there for the duration of the summit.”

“Yeah, but I thought if anypony could pound some sense into you, it would be him.” Twilight smirked at her friend. “And after your apology this morning, it’s clear that he did.”

“Several times…” Rarity whispered to herself when she thought Twilight couldn’t hear.

“I know I asked earlier, but if this boy hasn’t seen your Sweetie Belle...”

“Then I’ll just accept the reality and move on. As difficult as that will be.”

Placing a wing on Rarity's shoulder, Twilight moved in closer. “Well, you won’t be alone, we’ll all be with you.”

Flying backwards toward her friends, Rainbow landed and smiled. “What’s keeping you two slowpokes? I thought you wanted to get there before the kid leaves Zecora’s.”

Giggling, Rarity shook her head and reached out and hugged the two. “Thank you, girls. Now, let's get moving. Rainbow’s right, I need to get to that kid before I lose him in the forest.” 

Rarity smiled confidently. She’d get the answer she wanted, she was sure of it. Reaching Zecora’s home around mid-morning, she stood there at the door. “Well, here we go, girls. Cross your hooves.” 

With Twilight and Rainbow nodding, Rarity reached out to the door when a loud thump echoed from inside.

“Wha?” Rarity turned and looked at her friends.

Looking at each other, the mares silently conversed together for a few moments. With a swift nod all three burst into the tree and froze in place at the scene before them.

“Oh my Celestia…” Twilight murmured at the sight in front of her. Fluttershy was passed out on the ground as Zecora stood in the archway to her kitchen. There, in front of the pair, was Kohaku. Hanging by the ears, in one of the fox’s tails, was a very limp white rabbit. “Please tell me this isn’t what I think it is.”


***


Kohaku looked around, quirking his eyebrow at the sudden appearance of the three mares he met last night. One of his tails swung around back and forth, still clutching the rabbit. 

“What happened here?” Twilight asked, stepping forward. 

Kohaku watched her eyes look into his own. With a yawn he turned away and moved over toward Fluttershy.

Why me? he thought as he strolled over to her. Sitting down, Kohaku reached out and shook her shoulder as gently as he could. “Wake up, I want someone to answer me.”

“Mmmm, huh?” Fluttershy looked about as she came to. “Oh my, I had this horrible dream something bad happened to my bunny.”

“Yeah, about the bunny... why didn’t anyone answer my question?” Holding the bunny up, Kohaku groaned irritably. “Why was my breakfast thumping on my chest?” 

“Um, that’s not your breakfast.” 

“Hey, what did you do to my sister’s pet bunny?” Rainbow shouted as she pushed ahead of her friends and made a beeline toward the fox.

Kohaku watched her walk toward him and stood his ground. He locked his amber eyes on her cerise ones. He opened his mouth to answer, only to look to his side at Fluttershy. Her soft voice reached his ears.

“Oh, Angel...” Fluttershy whispered. “Is he?”

“Hey you, wake up!” With a swift slap with one of Kohaku’s tails, the bunny started to squirm. Lifting his tail to their eye level, Kohaku let them all see that the bunny was alive and well. Turning his attention back to Fluttershy, he sighed. “You call this thing Angel?”

“Um, yes,” Fluttershy said weakly. “I always thought it was a good name for a bunny.”

Kohaku looked at the bunny, who was chittering up a storm now. Angel squirmed about, but Kohaku’s tail had a tight grip around the bunny’s ears. Kohaku quirked his eyebrows again. “With a mouth like that?”

Angel chittered and hung limp, crossing his forelimbs. With a huff he gave a swift kick that spun him around, twisting his ears in Kohaku’s tails.

“Hey, watch it. Or I'm going to show you which one of us is at the top of the food chain.”

Angel sighed and grumbled

“Um, not to ruin the day, but what did that bunny just say?” Zecora asked, eyeing the bunny.

Kohaku looked over at Zecora and shook his head, his body giving a light shiver. “I don't use that kind of language. If I said half of what he just did, my otousan would have skinned my tails and tanned my hide. And to top it all off, he would ground me for two hundred years. Maybe three hundred.”

“Oh my. I am so so sorry, Kohaku. He’s usually very well-behaved,” Fluttershy murmured. “He keeps saying that he’s really ornery, and begs me to get him a girl.” Fluttershy’s wing tips rubbed back and forth against each other. “I just don’t want him scaring them away.”

Angel mumbled and squirmed a little, gesturing to his owner.

“Really?” Kohaku asked as he looked at the bunny, who just sighed and shook his head. “How long now?” 

Angel looked up at Kohaku and started to count on his paws till he held up three digits. 

“Wow. I’m twelve, and even I think that’s a long time. Especially for a bunny.” Turning his gaze over to Fluttershy, the boy leaned in and smiled. “Um, Miss Fluttershy, I hate to break it to you, but he hasn’t been telling you he’s ornery.”

“R-really?”

“Yeah, Angel’s telling you he’s… well, horny.” Kohaku meeped himself as he heard a near collective gasp. “What?”

“Uh, not to doubt your abilities, kid,” Rainbow said looking at the boy. “But we all know how good Fluttershy is at communicating with animals. Are you sure that’s what he said?”

“Without a doubt, you see, bunnies use the same word for both meanings.”

“So, how do you tell the difference?” Twilight’s curiosity peaked as she shifted her gaze back and forth between Kohaku and the bunny. 

“Um… yeah, how? I really would like to know.” Fluttershy kept her head down as she sat up.

“Oh, that’s easy,” Kohaku said, groaning a little as he lowered the bunny down and away from himself. “I can smell it on him. For the last ten minutes, I’ve been tempted to eat him just to get rid of it.” Looking over at Fluttershy, he sighed and swung the bunny over to her. 

Fluttershy reached out to grab Angel, only to be interrupted by the barking of the marten by the stairs. Both her and Kohaku turned their heads to Marigold.

“Really? You think they’d take him?” Kohaku asked, moving from Fluttershy who reached for Angel and missed, falling flat on her forelegs. Marigold nodded while continuing to bark and gesture. “Oh yeah, they would be good. Okay, I’ll do it. Thanks.”

Turning around, Kohaku smiled over at Fluttershy as he watched Rainbow help her back up. “You don’t mind if I fix your bunny’s problem for you, do ya?”

“Oh no, if you can please do. It’s rather interesting watching you work.” Fluttershy smiled back. Her gaze turned to the marten, who just smirked. Quirking her eyebrows, the pegasus began to wonder what was going on behind those eyes. “I’ve never met anyone else who’s so good with animals.”

“Well, okay then. Excuse me, ladies.” Kohaku moved his way past the mares who all parted for him. Opening the door, he held the bunny still at the threshold. “Okay, bunny boy. About a twenty minute hop that way.” Kohaku pointed north. “You’ll find a small babbling brook, near it is a hundred-year-old oak tree. In the burrow under it you’ll find four female snowshoe hares.” Leaning in closer, he whispered, “Not one of them has a male in their lives. And they just love little bunnies like you.”

Angel’s eyes widened, and he started to run as hard as he could, only to find he wasn’t going anywhere.

“Careful now, Romeo. A few things before I let you go. When you get there, tell them that Marigold sent you. Be very clear on that. They will know just how to treat you.”

Nodding, Angel looked at Kohaku, smiling.

“Now. Be here tomorrow at noon for your owner to pick you up. Promise?” 

Angel nodded again and saluted with respect. 

“Good luck, soldier.” Dropping the bunny onto his feet, Kohaku watched as Angel dashed into the woods. Sighing peacefully, he closed the door. 

“Oh, thank you ever so much. This means a lot.” Fluttershy smiled and hugged Kohaku.

“No problem. You can come back tomorrow to pick up what’s left of him.”

“What's… left of him?” Fluttershy trembled as she took a few steps backward. 

“Yeah, I conveniently forgot to tell him why they don’t have a male in their lives.”

“Uh, why is that? Are they... just into females?” Dash asked, moving over to Fluttershy, leaning in with a grin.

“No, but they aren't called the love cougars of the forest for nothing.” A sly, toothy grin crossed Kohaku’s face. He watched as Fluttershy and Dash slowly backed away as the other two mares joined them, their eyes watching him intently. “They’re the girls Marigold sends the troublemakers to.”

“W-will he be okay?” Fluttershy voice shook as she looked toward the door.

“Oh, don’t worry,” he said with a slight wave of his paw. “With his energy and enthusiasm, I have no doubt he’ll be fine. He’ll just come back a very broken, but very happy bunny. Who knows, his attitude might improve.” Kohaku chuckled, looking at all four mares. 

“I have to ask, darling, why did you do that?” Rarity moved up and quirked an eyebrow.

“Yeah, it seems to be kinda harsh.” Twilight’s eyes shifted over to Kohaku.

“Hey, he woke me up from a very lovely dream.” Looking up, he rocked back and forth with a dreamy look in his eyes. “Three beautiful, marshmallow-colored vixens were paw-feeding me fresh berries, all while they cradled my head and shoulders with their laps. Their free paws played with my chest tuft as their tails brushed up and down ever so slowly across my...”

“Yeah? Where?” Rainbow asked, moving in closer, her eyes hungry for the story the boy was telling.

Upon hearing Rainbow’s voice, he blinked several times. Brought out of his daydreaming, he rubbed his paw along the collar of his travel vest and let out a nervous chuckle. “Ummm... haha. Is it getting a little warm in here?”

“No, but that dream certainly sounds hot, you have to tell me the rest of it sometime.” Rainbow lightly bumped her shoulder up against his, leaning in closer.

His eyes locked on Rainbow Dash, he smiled. “Um, you're not going to tackle and straddle my face again, are you?”

“Naw, I’m cutting down to only one kid a year.” Rainbow smiled back. “Something I promised my wife.”

Kohaku and Rainbow looked at each other for a moment before both bursting into laughter.

“I am sorry about that, I wasn’t watching carefully enough last night.” Rainbow wrapped a foreleg around Kohaku’s shoulder as they both continued to chuckle. “But it was probably the highlight of your life. Being flashed somepony as awesome as I am.” 

“Eh, not really. I’ve seen stuff like that before.” 

“Really?” Rainbow smirked, looking at him. “You have to be one lucky kid.”

“Well, not really, but I did bathe with my four big sisters until I was ten.” Kohaku stretched and flipped his tails back and forth. “Every night they would take turns with me. Washing my hair, tails and back, basically fussing over me as only they could. I would probably still be bathing with them, if they were…” Kohaku sighed as his voice died.

“It sounds like you had a very close family.” Rainbow chuckled, ruffling his hair with her hoof. “So, what happened to them?”

Kohaku bit down on his lip, wincing a bit as he bit harder then he meant too. His paws shifted back and forth nervously as he turned his face away from Rainbow. “Uhhh... I really should get going. I’ve been away from home too long now.”

Kohaku stood up and backed away. Picking up his rucksack off the floor, he slung it over his shoulder, then turned to the door. He quickly stopped dead upon hearing Rarity’s voice.

“Wait!” P-please don’t leave just yet.” Moving closer, Rarity sat down and looked at him. “I have to ask you something.”

Turning around, Kohaku looked into her azure eyes. “Um, yeah?”

“Yesterday, after you saved me from those timberwolves, I noticed you got this odd look when I mentioned my sister Sweetie Belle’s name.” 

Gulping, Kohaku took a slow step backwards, unaware that Zecora and Fluttershy looked at each other. 

“A-and?” His voice quivered a little under that penetrating stare. Shrinking back slightly, he watched her eyes start to flutter rapidly. Oh wow, I’ve only Sweetie-chan do that. I wonder if it’s a family trait. I guess she wants something, just like when Sweetie-chan does that.

“Well, I just had to ask. Have you seen my sister?”

Of course she would ask that. Why wouldn’t she, Kohaku thought as he pushed his back up against the door. Oh, sweet Amaterasu, what am I going to say to her? If I say yes, I’ll have to admit that I have Sweetie Belle with me back at my place. And then there’s Sweetie Belle herself and everything she told me. Taking a long deep breath, he closed his eyes and lifted his head. When he opened them again, he just sighed.

Oh, what is he going to say? Oh, please say you’ve seen her. Please do the right thing, Fluttershy thought as she shifted back and forth.

“Hey, sis? You okay there?” Rainbow asked, putting a wing on Fluttershy’s shoulder. “You're looking more anxious than usual.” 

“Um, yes... I’m fine, sis. Just... kinda nervous for Rarity. I don’t want her to be disappointed.” 

“None of us do, Fluttershy,” Twilight said, placing her wing on top of Rainbow’s. “That’s why we’re all here with her when she asks this. So if she gets the answer she doesn’t want, we’ll be here for her.”

Biting down on her lower lip, Fluttershy nodded and sighed. Oh, why did I make that stupid promise.

Kohaku shook his head and looked deeply into Rarity’s eyes. “No, I haven't.” 

“I see, well, thank you anyway.” Rarity sighed and hung her head low. Turning around, she walked over to her friends.

Kohaku turned around quickly and placed his paw on the door handle. He was about to turn it when voices behind him reached his ears.

“We’re so sorry, Rarity,” Twilight said, rushing in and hugging her friend close. “But you knew this was inevitable.”

“Yeah. I’m sorry too, Rares.” Rainbow Dash wrapped her legs around Rarity’s shoulders as well. “Even I hoped you would have gotten the answer you wanted.”

“I know, girls. You were right, Twilight, I just have to face facts now. My sister is dead.” Rarity stood up straight and tried to hold her head up high.

My sister is dead. The words echoed in his ears as Kohaku’s breathing became heavier. Gritting his teeth, he pushed his paw against the door. Leaning forward, he pressed his forehead into the dark wood and closed his eyes. “I’ll look for her!” he cried out, keeping his back to the mares behind him.

Fluttershy and Zecora looked at each other, their eyes wide and mouths slightly agape. Turning their heads back, the pair watched as Rarity hesitantly moved toward the shaking fox.

“W... what was that, darling?” 

He looked over his shoulder and into her eyes, his own amber spheres tearing up. “I said I’ll look for her.” 

“You would do that for me?” Rarity placed her hoof on the boy’s shoulder. Why is he crying?

“Well, yeah. I know this forest. And for the areas that I don’t know, my animal friends do.” Wiping his eyes and turning around completely, he looked at Rarity. “There are also a few villages hidden away. I could, well, ask around. Maybe she stumbled into one of them.” 

“Well, that’s...”

“Wonderful!” Fluttershy blurted out, and every mare turned to look at her in shock. She quickly moved in closer to Kohaku, nearly knocking Rarity over in the process. “You’ll really look for her? You promise?” 

“Well, I...” Kohaku swallowed loudly as he looked into those sparkling cerulean eyes. He watched as they bore deeply into his own. These weren’t the eyes of a simple friendly pegasus, no, they were something more. A deep, all-knowing, penetrating gaze that he only got from one individual in his life. The one individual from whom he could never hide anything. Oh boy. Only Kazumi Neechan ever looked at me like that. There’s only one thing I can say to those eyes.

With a sigh, Kohaku nodded slowly. “Yes, I promise.”

“Thank you, darling,” Rarity said, after finding her voice again. Reaching out, she pulled Kohaku close and hugged him tight. “You don’t know what this means to me.”

“Actually, I do,” he whispered quietly, gritting his teeth and putting his front paws on her chest. Slowly pushing himself away, he turned to the door. “I do have a condition or two.”

“Darling, anything you want, you’ll have it.” Rarity kept her hold on Kohaku, looking him in the eyes.

“First, no matter what I find, you’ll accept?” 

Rarity nodded slowly. “Yes, of course. And the second thing?” 

Nervously chuckling, Kohaku slowly rubbed his head with a paw, his claws tangling up in his hair. “Well, could you start up your mail order again? I know a bunch of mares and fillies who only order from you that way. All of which have been extremely vocal about not getting their orders.”

“I’ll get right on that the very moment I’m back in Ponyville,” Rarity said with a smile. 

“Right, well, I have to get going.” Turning back to the door, he took only one step before stopping. “Oh right, Miss Zecora. I wanted to ask you if your seamstress friend could fix up my Oniisan’s old cloak for me.”

Laughing aloud, Zecora just waved her hoof. “Oh, that is mere simplicity. You see, that friend is Miss Rarity.”

“Yes, and I already have your cloak back at my shop. I will be more than pleased to fix it up.” 

“Thanks, just one thing. No bells. I can’t understand for the life of me why he wanted bells lining that cloak.” Shivering, Kohaku recalled that day. “My sister Riko cringed when he asked for it. And the first thing I did when he gave me the cloak was rip off every single bell. I love my Oniisan, but he has a lousy sense of fashion.”

“No problem, darling, no bells.” 

“Right, well, I’ll see you in a week or two. I should know something then.” Swiftly turning on his paws, he made a beeline toward the door.

“I’ll see you out.” Fluttershy eagerly moved to his side and opened the door. Leaning in, she whispered ever so gently, “You're doing the right thing. Thank you.” 

As the entrance shut, Rainbow and Twilight looked at each other with similar expressions. Both mares had noticed everything Kohaku had said and the way he said it. They saw just how nervous he was when Rainbow had asked about where his family was. Together they felt their hearts drop as he only talked about them in the past tense. They both had seen behavior like this before, and that was with their adopted daughter Scootaloo. With a slow nod, Rainbow turned to Zecora.

“Hey, Zecora, since you know him so well, could you confirm something for us?”

“For my dear friends I rarely say no, so what would you and Twilight like to know?”

Rarity stepped in closer, having seen the look Twilight and Rainbow gave each other. “Am I missing something here?”

Shaking her head, Twilight placed a wing on Rarity’s shoulder. “No more than the rest of us, Rarity.” Looking back to Zecora, she sighed. “That boy is an orphan, isn’t he?”

Zecora sighed deeply as she nodded to her three friends.


***


Fluttershy sat comfortably by the window away from her friends. She barely heard what they had been talking about, although Rarity’s gasp did catch her attention for a moment. Her eyes watched the young fox like a hawk. Keeping her forelegs crossed on the windowsill, she rested her head down on them. She observed Kohaku sitting down next to a large, gnarled oak tree and staring up at the sky. Looking up herself, she noted how beautiful the moving clouds were here in the Everfree. 

“Smooth move, fish for brains. Now what am I going to do about Sweetie Belle?” the fox groaned.

Fluttershy’s ears perked at that. She watched with concern as he repeatedly hit himself in the back of the head with one of his tails. Then he gripped his worn rucksack and tightened it on his back some more. He looked left and right, Fluttershy ducking her head a bit as he turned his head back around to Zecora’s before dashing off into the thicket. 

With Kohaku finally out of sight, she stood up and stared in the direction he traveled in. Southeast, huh? I know a few animals from that area. One in particular comes to mind. And I’m sure I can get him to tell me what I want to know. Especially if I bring him his favorite honey treats.
> Chapter 8 - Sweetie Belle's Diary/Kohaku's Journal
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sweetie Belle lay on a park bench. The wind blew through her mane as the sun filtered down through the cherry blossom trees, covering her diary with a pinkish shadow. A diary that she had been writing ever since she was trapped in Kohaku’s bed, still bound by her injuries. Her right hoof slowly rolled her silver quill back and forth along the wooden plank of the bench. Leaning in, she took a sip from the straw in her soft drink and sighed a little. She turned the pages back and read what she wrote several days ago.

--
Hey, Diary, I hope you're doing well. Hehe.

As for me, I have no idea what happened to me last night, but I woke up, and there was no pain or discomfort. Something that I had been so accustomed to this last month. It seems like my legs are perfectly healthy again. I was even able to buck them against a heavy beam without wincing. Silky said it was a night miracle, but I think it must have had something to do with that dream I had last night. I only wish I could remember it. Did that dream have something to do with my sister? I’ve been thinking a lot about her now. I’m starting to think I want to go home. But does she want me back? Something inside me is telling me she does, but I wonder…
---

Turning the page, Sweetie Belle continued to read quietly to herself. A warm smile crossed her muzzle as she got to the part when Kohaku had returned home. She couldn’t help but giggle at that particular encounter.

---
Kohaku finally came home today. It was early afternoon, not morning like I hoped. I questioned him as to why he was so late. He told me he had been in the village. But he almost never goes there, so why now? He said that he had something for me. He looked quite nervous about it, like he was fearing rejection. I have often seen that look from the boys at school who wanted to take me out. I asked him what was up, and he surprised me with a bouquet of candied flowers. He looked so cute shifting back and forth, those paws practically fumbling over each other as he handed me the bouquet. I was so swept up in the moment I actually kissed his cheek. 

I never thought that he could ever blush so red. It was so adorable when all three of his tails puffed and stuck straight up in the air. I know pegasus ponies do something similar with their wings, I’ve seen it happen to Scootaloo a few times. But this is the first time I’ve seen it from another creature, and a boy no less. I did get something of a satisfactory thrill out of it.

His surprises didn’t end there though. Still shifting back and forth, he asked me if I wanted to go to a Full Moon Festival. Looking at him, I was almost in shock: a date! He was asking me out on a date. This was a change I never thought about. I know he always seemed rather gruff with me. Granted, I deserved some of it. I almost burned down his home by boiling a pot of water for tea. I mean, how was I to know you shouldn’t coat the inside of the kettle with oil and heat it on high before adding the water? 

As for the date, I told him the only thing I could think of. Yes.
---

Turning the page, she let out a contented sigh. A soft meep crossed her lips as the wind blew up the tail of her kimono. 

---
Kohaku just filled me in about our date. It’s a three day festival commemorating the first to last phase of the full moon. The village near here celebrates it all the time. He also told me something rather interesting. Apparently it’s the same type of festival his clan had so long ago. Same everything. I kinda wonder how that could be. Oh well, I’ll find out in time, I guess. It was rather depressing when he said that it’s tradition that we can’t see each other until the sun sets on the day of the festival. Which of course is a week away. I asked him if he was leaving, but he just looked sad and shook his head. Since the village is hosting it, I have to go there. 

Kohaku said that Silky was going to be housing me, not to mention teaching me about everything I need to know. There’s apparently a whole slew of traditions I have to follow. I asked if he could teach me, but he didn’t know all of the female ones. But I’ll fill you in on that later. I have to finish packing as Silky’s going to be here any minute to get me.
---

She lifted a nearby daffodil sandwich and took a quick bite while reading over her past few entries.

---
I simply can’t believe my eyes, Diary!

This is just like Kohaku’s village, every detail is identical! Well, save for the massive oak tree and temple. And in the center, where the big tree should be, is a beautiful pond.

I never knew so many different mares existed before. I’m used to seeing various creatures, Ponyville has their fair share with all the kirins, hippogriffs, gryphons, and even dragons that have made their home there. However, the ponies here take first prize when it comes to variety. Just in this last hour alone I’ve lost count of how many different types of mares there are. I’ve seen more arachnoponies like Silky, then some that look like snakes, trees, and even sharks. I could be mistaken, but I’m sure I also spotted a few that resemble octopuses. I know you’d think me crazy, but I could even see through a few mares. One of them just floated about while the other bounced and jiggled. That one really made my head spin, because she looked to be made of gelatin. I’m just not sure what flavor, she looked blue, so maybe blueberry?

Silky told me that this village was founded over thirty thousand years ago by a great sky lord. Apparently the ancestors of everypony here came from over the sea from the same place the foxes did. She said that the creatures they were descended from were all known as yokai. A kind of demon. They wanted a peaceful life, and the golden sky lord made this village and apparently a few others across the forest just for them. Only females are allowed in this village, and everypony here is born female. It was something this lord decreed and arranged. Some kind of spell, I have to admit by then I kinda zoned out, so I missed the rest. Way too much information.

Silky even showed me a statue that was made in the sky lord’s honor. I couldn’t believe it. It was Kohaku, or some fox who looked just like him. I can’t shake the feeling I've seen that image before. Only a lot bigger and way sexier.

Silky mentioned that that statue was of Kohaku’s father. Until she learned who he really was from Kohaku, he was merely known as the Golden Lord. I also learned why Kohaku doesn’t come around here. Apparently all the fillies and even a few of the older mares in this village think that he’s the second coming of the ‘Golden Lord’ and want to hook their various limbs on him. So every time he gets near the village, they all swarm him and chase him around. You’d think that any little boy would be thrilled to have so many good-looking fillies and mares after him. I’ll have to ask him why he never took one as his special somepony.

I also learned that coming here reminds him of how much he misses his father, his idol and best friend. That’s something I can relate to… Rarity.
---

“Hey, Belle, you doing okay over there?” a slick voice asked as Sweetie Belle nearly jumped up in shock. 

Looking up, Sweetie Belle watched a group of four fillies walking closer. The leader was a red and purple bat pony. That’s not too unusual, but also she had two tiny wings growing out of her head. Following her was a snake filly, a filly that looked to be part shark, and one who resembled a tree. Each girl was dressed in a short black dress, each accented with a different color sash.

“Hey, Batty, I’m doing well. Just reading through my diary.” Sweetie Belle smiled sweetly at her new friends. 

“The girls and I are planning on rehearsing our number for the festival. You feeling up to joining us? I’m sure Kohaku would love seeing you up on stage.” Batty leaned up against the bench’s back. “And you will most certainly need to learn the routine.”

“Yeah, I’ll be there, I just want to get today’s entry in before I forget. You girls go on ahead,  I’ll meet you there.”

“Hex Dolls forever?” Batty gave a large grin as she reached her hoof out towards Sweetie Belle.

“Hex Dolls forever!” Sweetie returned with a grin as she bumped hoof up against her friend’s.

“Great, see you there!” Bat turned around and walked toward her friends.

“Later, Belle!” the other Dolls said in unison as they waved to Sweetie Belle.

Waving in return, Sweetie Belle went back to her diary. Taking the silver quill in her magic aura and flipping to a blank page, she started writing.

---
Hey, Diary, 

I just saw my new friends, the Hex Dolls. The very same group who always chase Kohaku around, and apparently the ones who convinced him to invite me. I was rather scared when they cornered me on my first day here. Their leader is a mare named Midnight Bat, who also goes by the name Hex Bat or Batty. She wanted to know what kind of girl could steal away the heart of the boy they’ve all desired and that only a Hex Doll was good enough for him.

I don’t think I've ever been so worried or upset at the same time. They all reminded me of Diamond Tiara and her little clique. I can’t stand other ponies telling me that I’m not good enough. I won’t take it from Diamond Tiara, and I won’t take it from these girls either. I was about to open my mouth to tell them off when Batty stepped up and offered to make me a Hex Doll. I was so shocked I couldn’t speak. I had to ask her why. 

Batty told me that they all wanted to make him happy and declared only a Hex Doll was good enough to do so. So rather than make my life miserable, they chose to make me one of them. I just had to go through an initiation that night. Well, who was I to decline? I certainly didn’t want trouble, and it would give me new friends around my age. Something I miss as I don’t have Apple Bloom or Scootaloo here with me.

Last night at midnight was when it happened. How was I to know it involved a magical ritual binding me for life? Thankfully Leaf, Wave, and Scales told me all it will do is let everypony know I'm one of them. I’ll even get to join their band. Which I think is amazing.

The ritual was a little spooky. Here I am at midnight, dressed in a black silk gown, standing in the center of a pentagram drawn with what looked like salt. Dark-colored candles were set up in a large circle around us, making all of our shadows dance around. Looking around, I saw that each one of my new friends stood at one of the four cardinal directions just outside the pentagram. Attached to each of their tails was a censer, a type of incense burner on a chain, and they swung it back and forth while chanting in a slow, monotone voice. I couldn’t help but notice it was the same language Kohaku spoke. Batty took a small knife and pressed it on my cutie mark, drawing a little blood. It did hurt a little, but it passed. After the chanting had stopped, all of the candles flared up as Batty let that drop of blood drop onto the salt. I held my breath as the pentagram glowed with this bright crimson light before exploding in a flash. When the spots in front of my eyes finally cleared up, I saw a beautiful pendant floating in the air in front of me. It was a white lace choker with a blood red pentagram dangling from it on a thin silver chain. It was identical to the ones each of them had around their necks. It even had the same gemstones; red, blue, green, brown, and now all of them had a white one on the fifth point of the pentagram.

After I calmed down a bit from the excitement, they told me that they all went through this ritual. And the pendant I just got was special, linking all five of us together, marking us as sisters. They even gave me a name to use in the band, Hex Belle. A little odd, but I like it.

It’s only been a few hours now, but I feel like I've been one of them for years. I even told them if they ever come to Ponyville, my friends and I would make them Cutie Mark Crusaders. 

Well, I have to get going, Diary. I want to make sure I get my part in the show just right for Kohaku. I hope he likes it.
---

Closing her journal, she put it and her silver quill into her new silk saddlebag. Pushing herself up, she galloped down the path toward the park to meet her friends. 


***


Kohaku stretched out on the warm moss blanket he grew on the cliff overlooking his lake. A smile crossed his lips as he remembered the day that his marshmallow plummeted down into it and his life. His amber eyes watched one of the schools of fish circle around just below the surface. It wasn’t long before one or two small carp leaped out to catch a bug that got too close to the surface.

Chuckling, he turned back to his journal, reading over a few of his past entries. The letters on the pages were as sharp and crisp as the claw he used to write them.

---
I can see now why Sweetie-chan thinks of Rarity as a pain in the flank. Who would have guessed that with one phrase she could put me completely out of commission. That was the worst night of my life. What should have been a lovely time of moon gazing turned into a nightmare. One that I just can’t seem to forget no matter how hard I try. All I saw were dark shadows surrounding me, yelling and screaming as they ran back and forth in a panic amidst what looked like burning buildings. Then there was that crying voice in the back of my head again, I would have sworn it had disappeared. No matter how hard I try, I can’t recall what it was screaming, but I think it had something to do with my niisan Starry. 

Thinking about him now, I just can’t help but feel… angry. Why. why would I feel that way? I’m always so excited and happy when I think of him. Maybe it will pass.
---

Taking a quick sip of his tea from a bamboo shoot cup, a loud rustling coming from the thicket on the other side of the lake caught his attention. He looked at the trees across the lake for a moment or two before shrugging and turning his attention back to his journal.

---
That night would have been a rather frustrating experience, but I did meet a very interesting pony. Her name is Fluttershy. She reminds me so much of my Kazumi Neesan. How tenderly she took care of me that night. And the look she gave me as I was leaving. It was almost as if she knew my deepest secrets. Only Kazumi could give me such a look. I found it quite heartwarming. The only thing I didn’t like was that foul-mouthed bunny of hers. 

I still wish I had eaten him, I haven't had rabbit in years. But I guess Marigold’s idea was a lot better. Those hare friends of hers, I shudder to think what they are going to do to him in their bedroom. Marigold told me that they were rather heavy into whips and chains. I know Kade always liked the rough stuff in the bedroom as well. I long lost count of the number of times when I walked in on her when she was ‘punishing’ her lover. And I always thought she looked rather fetching in that black leather outfit. I wonder if Sweetie-chan will wear something like that for me? Or would she look better in white lace? Either way, I'd be the luckiest fox in the world.

Well, enough about kinky pleasures, back to Miss Fluttershy. I just can’t get over her ability to talk to animals. It was nothing short of amazing, who knew ponies had that kind of skill? I always believed it was exclusive to my kind. I kinda hope I see her again, I really enjoy how she took care of me. She had such a gentle touch, especially when she tucked me in after my nightmare. I felt like I was back home with my sisters. For the first time in so long, I didn’t miss them so much.
---

Wiping a tear from his eye, Kohaku sighed longingly. The rustling sound from the bush became louder, making his ears perk up. Lifting his head, he looked at the thicket again before tilting his head and watched the sky. After a moment or two pasted, he spotted what seemed to be a large yellow bird with a long pink tail circling high overhead before disappearing past the canopy. Letting out a sigh, he watched as the bird flew around again. As it drew a little closer to the top of the trees on that second pass, he saw it wasn’t a bird, but a pegasus.

What is a pegasus doing here, I thought they stopped coming this way months ago? And it’s too early for the usual muffin-craving mail mare to show up at the village, he thought. Taking a few long breaths and shrugging his shoulders, he wasn’t worried about being discovered as his fur pattern matched the moss he was lying on, making him virtually invisible from above. Shaking his head, Kohaku pulled his ink tray closer. 

Dipping his tail tip into a small bowl of water he kept with his ink kit, he swung it around and let several large drops fill the slanted ink tray. Picking up a solid black tablet, he rubbed it repeatedly against the textured base of the tray till it turned into thick ink. Placing the small ink block at the top of the slanted tray, Kohaku turned to a new blank page in his journal. Dipping his claw into the black liquid, he started to write, his strokes quick and sharp.

---
It’s been three days since Sweetie-chan went to the village. I can’t believe how quiet things are. Who could have guessed what an impact she has made on my life. But the Dolls were right, it was wrong of me to keep her sequestered in my home for so long.

I never thought my trip into the village would open up my eyes so much. I went there just to get Sweetie-chan something, a present, you could say. I didn’t think anything was different, but I’d be fooling myself. My first clue was when the Dolls came at me, and I just said hi and walked past them. Barely even noticed them until Midnight stopped me directly. 

Come to think of it, this was the first time I’ve looked at her without turning to run away at full speed. I’m not sure why I wasn’t running away. Then again, I have had a lot on my mind lately. They were just as confused as I was that we weren't playing our game of chase. Midnight even asked if the ‘harlot’ in my home was to blame. 

A harlot! How dare she call my Sweetie-chan that. I even yelled that at her. I was halfway through my little rant that I noticed all of their faces changed. I’m not sure how to describe it. It was something between shock and graceful defeat. It was after I went silent that they asked to meet her. And that I should invite her to the Full Moon Festival. 

I was a little taken aback, but I do think it was a good idea, but why leave my home to watch the full moon? They were all shocked. I barely had time to speak again before they asked if I had taken her anywhere outside of the house. Well, of course not. I’m glad they taught me that girls like to be out in the open, not kept away like a porcelain doll. Who knew females were so complicated. 

I wonder what it’s going to be like, seeing her at that gate at sundown. What is she going to be wearing? Will she be in a festival dress, or a decorative short kimono? Hmm, should I dress to match? I’ll have to see if my old festival kimono still fits. Perhaps I’ll…
---

His claw made a slight drag on the last word as the rustling sound he heard earlier returned. Looking up, he watched a large brown bear crash through the thicket and come skidding to a stop at the edge of the lake. 

As the bear looked up and saw Kohaku, he widened his eyes, a nervous smile crossing his large muzzle. He was not expecting this as his fox friend was usually not around this time of day. Offering a wave of his paw, the bear then sat down by the trees

“Hey, H,” Kohaku said as he closed his book and swished his claw in a small bowl of water set on a lower rock shelf. “I don’t usually see you till the weekend, what brings you around?”

Kohaku folded his forelegs as H groaned and growled several times. While the bear gestured behind him, Kohaku kept his eyes focused on his friend, taking note of how his gaze nervously turned to the sky.

“You don’t say. Bird watching, huh?” Turning his eyes to the sky, he blinked twice as he saw the large yellow pegasus from earlier coming closer and closer to the other side of the lake, only now did he notice that it was the one he had wished to see again.

“Harry!” Fluttershy shouted as she swooped down and landed in front of the large bear. “Oh, thank goodness, I thought I lost you in the thicket.”

Harry eeped as he gave a low nervous growl.

“I see, well, I’m glad I caught up, are we any closer to Kohaku’s place?” Fluttershy smiled, sitting down as her wings flexed up and down. She slowly tilted her head as Harry’s eyes widened and a look of terror crossed them. “Are you okay, is something wrong? Please tell me you're not going back on your promise to bring me there.”

Harry whimpered and shook his head while he pointed behind her with his claw. 

Fluttershy slowly turned around and looked toward the other side of the lake. I wonder what’s got him so nervous, I’ve seen Harry take down manticores. What could possibly make him so unhinged? There, lying on a small cliff, was Kohaku with a sly grin on his face.

He chuckled a little to himself as he closed his journal and waved his paw. “Yo.”
> Chapter 9 - A Storm's Request to the Heart of Kindness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fluttershy just stood there, dumbfounded. She could barely grasp what had just happened in front of her. She had come out here hoping to find Kohaku again, and hopefully convince him to do the right thing for both Sweetie Belle and Rarity. 

It took every ounce of persuasion Fluttershy had to convince Harry to bring her out here. And now here she was. Face to face with the young fox, who was simply lounging about on a overhanging cliff. At least until he leaped out over the lake and landed on lilies that just appeared out of nowhere.

Beside her, Harry had whimpered as Kohaku was walking closer across the waters of the lake. Once the boy was on land, Harry turned and dashed back into the thicket, running as fast as he could. Fluttershy only watched as her bear friend, who had once taken down a full grown manticore, ran from this small boy. Turning back around, she found herself face to face with Kohaku. His amber eyes brightly glistening in the sun's light.

“I guess I’ll just have to deal with him later.” Kohaku sighed deeply and lowered his head a bit more. His paws placed firmly in front of him. “I’m not sure what could make him break his word to me.” Looking up, Kohaku stared Fluttershy directly in the eyes. “But it seems I have you to thank for that. Why were you so determined to find me that you got Harry to break his promise?”

Fluttershy looked into those deep amber pools that looked at her. Her breathing on the outside was calm. But on the inside, her fear was running all over the place as anger and disgust tried desperately to catch it. Okay, Fluttershy, you worked this out. You know what to say; you know what to do. He’s just a child.

“I was worried about you,” Fluttershy said, reaching out with a wing and placed its tip on his shoulder. “I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have made Harry break his promise to you, but I couldn’t find you any other way.” She watched as his eyes widened a little. She smiled at him, taking a quick glance at her wing. “Please don’t be so angry with him. He really didn’t want to do it. He turned me down at least four times. I had to bribe him with his favorite Zap Honey treats before he agreed.”

“Well…” Sighing deeply, Kohaku shifted a little. “Okay. I can’t really blame him. I like Zap Honey too. It is rather addictive, but very hard to get.” 

“I have a special gift that lets me gather it. I might bring some by for you.” Fluttershy tenderly ruffled his hair with her wing. “If you promise not to be so hard on him and let him off gently.”

With a low groan, he shrank down a little, but did nothing to move away from her touch. His thoughts drifted toward his sisters. How much they meant to him and how much he loved them. Looking up into Fluttershy’s eyes, he bit down on his lower lip. Curious about how a simple female pegasus could bring out these memories.

“Fine…” Kohaku slowly turned his head away. How is she doing this to me? He thought as he looked back and into her eyes. 

“So, you said you were worried about me?” Fluttershy just nodded. “Why would you be so worried about me? You barely know me.”

Fluttershy looked carefully at him, studying his movements. Her natural animal care instincts taking over. She had to suppress a giggle as he shifted about. Moving closer, Fluttershy sat next to Kohaku and draped her wing about his shoulder and pulled him in close. She kept her wing loose, giving the boy a perfect means for escape should he feel trapped. 

“Well, do I need a reason to be worried?” She smiled at him. “Your a child all alone out here. How could anypony not be worried about that?” 

“I guess.” Kohaku purred slightly as he leaned into the warm embrace. Resting his head against her shoulder. Closing his eyes, he felt that warm wing around his shoulders. Several moments passed before the realization of what he was doing struck him. Ducking down, he half ran to the edge of his lake and looked up.

“I’m so, so sorry miss Fluttershy, I.. I just…”

“It’s okay, I really didn’t mind.” Fluttershy folded her wing in and sat there as still as a tree. “I have this natural ability to make any animal feel comfortable. It makes working with them so easy.”

“Well, it works. I felt really cozy. I haven't felt that way sense…” Kohaku’s head dropped slightly. His gaze looking toward the lake as his voice lowered into a soft whisper.

Fluttershy leaned in a little, trying to catch what he had been saying, but quickly shot back into a sitting position when he looked up at her. 

“So you're good with animals? What about pets?” 

“Oh yes, I’m very good with pets,” Fluttershy said with enthusiasm. “In fact, I run my own pet clinic and adoption agency. I also teach classes in the proper way to care for your pets.” 

“C.. could you help me with my pet? I just don’t know what to do with her.” Kohaku got up and paced back and forth slowly. “Lately she just lays in her bed moping around.”

OH please tell me he’s not referring to Sweetie Belle. She thought, holding her breath. “Why doesn’t she jus tell you what’s wrong?”

“Well... it would be easier to just show you.” Kohaku stood up and walked up the pathway and waved his paw. “Follow me.” 

Fluttershy tilted her head a little and bit down on her lip a little. Taking a deep breath, she stood up and followed him. Looking around, she wondered where his house might have been. She couldn’t see anything beyond the thick tree lines and bushes. She nearly tripped and fell when the boy stopped so suddenly from a large tree. 

“I’ll take you in, but you have to swear you’ll never reveal what I am going to show you without permission from myself or another member of my clan.” Fluttershy was about to answer with a quick yes when she saw the seriousness on his face. 

“Do.. do you mind if I ask why?” Fluttershy leaned in and looked at him.

“It’s a guarded secret. No outsiders may enter without invitation. My clan has kept this place hidden for generations. And I will not have that broken.” 

“Oh, I see. Well then, yes, I promise I will tell no one.” She watched him eye her for a moment. With a nod from Kohaku, he pushed himself past the thick bush far easier than she thought was possible. Shrugging her shoulders, Fluttershy followed. 

Pushing past the bush, she lifted her head up and gasped loudly. Looking around, she marveled at the village before her. 

“Ya know, I never tire of seeing that reaction.” Kohaku chuckled. 

“How? I flew all over this area.” Walking back through the bush and then back in, she turned about and then looked at Kohaku. “I didn’t see any of this. How is that possible?”

Kohaku just shrugged his shoulders. “Kitsune magic. I’m too young to know how the spell works. I just know it does. My great-great-grandfather made this place for our clan. Before then, it was just a dense forest with a deep connection to the spirit world.”

“You would think I would have seen that enormous tree. It just towers over the trees around here.” 

“You’d think. But no. it hides the tree too.” Starting down the stone walkway, he looked back up at Fluttershy. “Kind of shame. That tree is the first thing I ever grew with my magic.” 

Fluttershy simply stared at Kohaku for a moment and then at the tree. The pegasus pushed herself forward and moved to keep up with the boy. She walked beside him for a while as they strolled down the pathway. 

This place would be amazing if not for all the burned out and decimated buildings. Looking up, she saw Kohaku turned off the path toward the massive temple and onto another path made of small stones leading under an archway made of cherry blossom tree branches.

She watched as Kohaku moved up to a multi level pond and stretched himself out on a small bamboo bridge. Leaning over the side, he let his paw hang loose, swirling it around and around. 

“My pets are here.” Fluttershy heard him say as a black koi fish poked its head out and suckled a little on the young fox’s paw finger.

“Fish? Your pets are fish?” 

“Yeah, this is Yang. Yin is the one I was telling you about. She’s the white one down there.”

“Can’t they tell you what’s wrong?”

“Unfortunately, I can’t speak fish. My sister could. But not me. I never learned.” Playfully, he flipped the black Koi up to a higher pond level, only for it to swim back down and circle around his paw again. “And it’s a good thing, too. Fish are some of my favorite foods.”

“Um, you eat fish, yet you keep them as pets?” Fluttershy laid down next to Kohaku watching the black fish being played with.

Kohaku looked up and smirked. “You eat flowers, do you keep a decorative garden that you lovingly attend and care for?” he had the pleasure of watching her head nod in understanding. “Besides, we don’t eat Koi. They are very noble fish. If times are ever lean and food is scarce, we do, and they are brave enough to lie on the block without fear. Thankfully, we have never had to do so.” 

Nodding silently to herself, she watched and noticed the large white fish slowly moving along the bottom of the shallow pond. “Well, I can’t speak fish, but I can understand them a little. Let me see what I can do for her.” 

“Please do. I’m really worried about her.” Kohaku watched as Fluttershy smiled and then leaned down and stuck her head under water. He couldn’t help but chuckle as she poked at Yin with her hoof for a moment before pulling her head out of the water. “So? What did you find out?” 

“Good news. She’s not sick. She’s pregnant.” 

“Oh, wow.” Kohaku turned away and looked down at his fish. “Did you hear that Yang, your going to be a daddy.” He chuckled as he just swirled his claw back and forth as his Koi pet followed the movement.

Fluttershy couldn’t help but giggle at the sight before her. The young fox amused himself by playing with his fish. Reaching down, she hovered her hoof over him for a moment and then pulled it back. Taking a deep breath, she put on her best smile.

Now or never Fluttershy.

“So how is Sweetie Belle doing? Is she okay?”

Kohaku sighed as he played with his fish. “I haven't seen her lately. But, unless she’s eaten her own home cooking in the last three days, she’s just fine.”

“Good, I’m very glad to hear that.”

“Mmhm.” was his only response. Yawning, he swung his paw back and forth along the top of the water. 

Minutes passed before Kohaku’s head shot up so fast that his fish scurried away. Turning toward Fluttershy, he saw she was looking at him with a sweet, yet sly, smile on her face. Her hoof caressing down his back kept him from running away. 

“Who told you?” He sighed and crossed his front legs before laying his head down on them. 

“You did.” 

“What? I did not. When did I do that?” a suspicious look crossing his face.

“Back at Zecoras, you talk in your sleep.” putting her hoof over the other, she looked into those amber eyes. “And then there was the ‘dream’ you had. Marshmallow colored vixens, I believe you said.” She giggled out loud, seeing him blush. “Rarity thought you were talking about her. Had I not heard you talking in your sleep? I might have thought the same thing.”

Kohaku opened his mouth to say something, but quickly closed it. Here it was, his secret laid bare before this pegasus. Under her knowing gaze, he felt completely defeated, just like when he was with his eldest sister. Turning his head down to the side. “Does anypony else know?” His voice was barely over a whisper.

“Nope, just me.” Fluttershy kept her smile. One little white lie would help keep his trust in Zecora.

“Oh. Okay then.” Kohaku’s paws fumbled over themselves slowly. Letting out a deep sigh, he turned his head back up to her and gave a weak smile. “I’m hungry. Would you like to join me for lunch?”

“I would love to.” 


***


Fluttershy walked about Kohaku’s home, taking in all the decor. The boy had walked into the kitchen and she had watched as he heated his unique cook top. With a smile, she turned away from the door and looked about the room. Shaking her head at the mess all about. Clothing scattered everywhere. He’s definitely a little boy, can’t keep house to save his life. I should introduce him to Mackie. They have a lot in common in that. 

Picking up several articles of clothing, Fluttershy deftly folded them and laid them in one of the open drawers of a nearby armoire. As her eyes lifted, she noticed four stuffed dolls. Each one of a different color sporting a different number of tails. And just like Mackie, he even collects stuffed dolls. 

“I’m sorry about the mess. I really wasn’t expecting company.” Kohaku shouted from the kitchen. Sounds of pots and pans being shifted echoed into Kohaku’s living slash bedroom area.

“Oh, that’s perfectly okay. I don’t mind.” Fluttershy returned as she finished up by deftly making up the one side of the bed that was completely disheveled. As she finished, Fluttershy heard a few sour choice words coming from the kitchen.

Fluttershy shook her head as she walked to the door. “Is everything okay, Kohaku? I can help you know. I’ve been told I’m a wonderful cook.” 

Kohaku sat on the floor looking rather defeated and just shook his head. “No, I just noticed that I’m out of tea powder. I’ll have to go into our family store room and get some later. Pitty, as it goes rather well with what I’ve prepared.” Gesturing to the table, which was filled with an assortment of freshly steamed dumplings.

Reaching out, she lifted his head up with a wing tip. “Oh, that’s okay, anything you offer will be just fine.” 

“Really?”

“Really.” 

Looking over at the table for a moment, he smiled. “Okay, have a seat. I know just the drink for this snack. I just have to get a few chilled glasses.” Getting up, the young fox dashed under Fluttershy and into the walk-in pantry.

Lifting a front leg up to give him room to run, Fluttershy let out a soft giggle as she watched him. Shaking her head a bit, she moved over to the table and sat comfortably on a silk cushion. Less than a minute later, Kohaku came back out with two frosted mugs hanging from his tails.

“You know I could just kick myself for not thinking of this.” Kohaku chuckled out as set the glass down. “This drink is perfect for such warm day. An old friend of mine taught me this trick when I was much, much younger. And I had a lot of fun with it.” 

Fluttershy gave a surprising gasp as she watched him create a large pink cloud between his paws. Sucking in her breath, she leaned back. This can’t be… Oh my! Fluttershy gasped as the cloud bounced between Kohaku’s paws before floating over her glass and filled it with a thick chocolate milk before moving over Kohaku’s glass and did the same. 

Kohaku reached out and plucked half the cloud out of the air and took a bite from it. “Please don’t be shy, it’s only cotton candy. And the chocolate milk is really sweet.”

“That’s quite the trick.” Fluttershy said softly as she took a sip from her glass. She nodded at the familiar flavor. “You learned this from a friend of yours?”

Nodding softly, Kohaku leaned back, resting on his front limbs, which were resting on the ground behind him. “Yeah, his name was Discord.” Looking up at the ceiling, he failed to notice Fluttershy’s astonished look. “His mom and mine were close friends. They’d meet every week for a book club and spell reading. During that time, he and I would play games. Together, we would make our own little worlds and go exploring. He was the coolest teenager I ever knew. He taught me a lot of fun tricks. Many of which I still enjoy using.”

Fluttershy stuffed a dumpling into her mouth and answered with a soft “mhmm” She couldn’t believe it. The idea of Discord being a teenager and that this boy was around during that time. This is becoming so surreal. I thought I was Discord’s first real friend. But here I am sitting at a table. Eating the most delicious cookies with a boy who knew him long before I did. I’ll have to talk about this with him, he might give me advice on how to better handle Kohaku here. Fluttershy, munching on a cookie, was so enthralled with her thoughts she failed to notice Kohaku looking at her oddly.

“Is everything okay, miss Fluttershy? You seem a bit distracted.”

“Oh yes, I’m fine, Kohaku. I was just thinking about a friend of mine. Nothing to worry about.” She smiled and took a sip from her glass. “You just remind me of him, is all. And you don’t have to call me Miss, just call me Fluttershy.”

“Oh, I’d love to meet him someday.” Kohaku smiled rather excitedly.

“Well, I will let him know that.” she smiled in return. Although you already know him.

“Miss… I mean Fluttershy.” Kohaku held his two front paws around his half full glass. “I have to say thank you for coming here today. I’ve been kind of lonely. What with Sweetie Belle not being here.”

“Where is she, by the way?” Fluttershy watched him tenderly.

“In a village about a mile away to the east. She’s being preparing for the Seasonal Full Moon Festival. It’ll be another four days before I can see her again. When I meet her at the gates of the village. Tradition is I can’t have contact with her until then. It’s one that goes back longer than recorded memory.” With a sigh, he pushed his glass aside and lowered his head.

“Would they mind if I go see her in your stead?” 

“You don’t want to do that.” Kohaku half stood up with his front paws on the table. His voice trembling as if worried about her safety. “Outside mares are forbidden from entering. They would tear you apart, literally, before you got close.” 

“But Sweetie Belle…”

“I’m well known in the village. Some of those mares are my friends. And they invited her as my chosen… partner”

Fluttershy nodded softly. She caught the slight change in tone at saying partner. She was certain he was going to say something else all together. “I see. Well then, I won’t try going there as long as you're certain that she’s safe.”

“Yeah, she is. There is only one outside mare has frequented there. And they pay her in muffins for her silence. Plus, she delivers all their mail. I never met her myself, but I’ve been told she’s kinda sweet.”

Fluttershy nodded. She knew that particular pegasus well. Everypony in Ponyville did. Getting up, Fluttershy moved next to Kohaku and wrapped her wing around him. “Well, I’m glad I could be here for you.”

Nuzzling into that warm wing, he rested his head on her shoulder. “It’s more than just having somepony around. And I know you may think it sounds silly. But when I’m around you, I feel like I did when I’m around any of my four sisters.”

“Oh.” Fluttershy gasped and blushed a little as she watched his head lower. She felt his small body trembling slightly and tightened her wing’s grip around him. “That doesn’t sound silly at all. I’m rather flattered, in fact.”

“Would you like to see what they look like?”

“I would love to. But you don’t have to trouble yourself.” Fluttershy smiled, watching as Kohaku moved over to a nearby shelf. 

“It’s no trouble,” Kohaku said as he pulled out a storm gray crystal that shimmered like a storm cloud in his paw. Flicking his finger up the crystal, paw sized pictures filled and floated around the room.

Fluttershy looked at the photos. All of them contained one of three female foxes of a different color. In each photo, they were chasing down a pint-sized Kohaku. She had to rub her eyes when realizing that the images in the photos were actually moving. “How? Am I dreaming, or are those images actually moving?”

“Hmm? Oh yeah, it’s a special photography spell.” 

“Oh wow. That’s amazing.” Turning around, Fluttershy gasped. The largest photo floating about was of a storm-gray vixen with a stern look yet amused look on her face. The look of somebody who rather be doing anything else, but pleased by the actions of her young charge. Leaning in closer, Fluttershy saw that one of those huge paws placed firmly on the tail of a very young Kohaku. Who at that moment was snapping his jaws, trying to catch a one of many butterflies flying around his head with his teeth.

“She’s beautiful. Is that your mom?” 

Kohaku ran his paw down the picture and sighed deeply, “In a way. That’s Kazumi, my eldest sister. When mother passed, she took over raising me. So when ever I picture mom, I see her. I could hide nothing from her. When she looked at you with that intense gaze, you would know to ether talk or get struck with a lightning bolt.”

“Oh my, that sounds scary. Did… I really give you that look?” 

“Mhmm. yeah, you did. That stare was really intense.”  

“I’m so, so sorry.” Fluttershy muttered out, grasping his paw with her hooves. “I never meant to use my stare on you like that.”

“Please, I didn’t mind.” Kohaku chuckled a bit. “I kinda liked it. For the first time in years, I didn’t miss my sister so much.” Leaning in, he nuzzled against her for a moment. 

Fluttershy blinked and looked down at Kohaku. With a smile, the pegasus wrapped her forelegs around him and held him close. “To tell you the truth, it felt kind of good from my end, too.”

“Really?”

“Really. Especially after Zecora told me you're an orphan.” Fluttershy watched as his head dropped and nodded slowly. “It made me feel like a big sister again taking care of you. You see, I had a younger brother once. He was always a bit of a rascal, kinda like you are.” 

“What happened to him?” 

Kohaku watched as Fluttershy’s face seem to cloud over as she looked away.

“I… I’ll tell you some other time. It’s difficult to talk about it.”

“Okay, I understand.” Kohaku sighed and rested his head up against her floof. “So, why tell me about him at all?”

“Because I wanted you to know I understand what it feels like to not have your siblings with you. And how good it made me feel to care for you that night.” 

“Oh.” fumbling his paws a bit, he looked back to his floating photo album. “You.. want to see more pictures?” 

“Hehe I’d love to.”

Kohaku felt as if time had stopped for the two of them. Flipping through the hundreds and hundreds of photographs of him and his sisters. Over time, he found himself seated between her legs as her wings wrapped about him. He explained who each one was and all the fun pranks he played on them repeatedly. Finally, he stopped at a picture of all four of his sisters, singing to him as he laid across their tails.

“OH, that’s adorable. Did they sing to you often?”

“Every night, usually the same song. It always worked.” Looking up, he smiled. “Would you like to hear the song?” 

“I’d love to, but you don't have to trouble yourself if you don't want to.”

“OH, it’s no problem. I just have to turn the audio on.” Placing his paw on the photograph, his markings shimmered. “Ongaku O Saisei.”

In seconds, the room was filled with a soft harmonious song that she recognised instantly. It was the same song many parents sang to their young foals.

Hush now, quiet now,
It’s time to lay down your sleepy head
Hush now, quiet now,
It’s time for you to go to bed.

Drifting off to sleep you go,
The exciting day is you had is now through
Drifting off to sleep you go,
Let the wonders of dreamworld come to find you.

Fluttershy smiled, listening to the song, when she heard a loud purring. Looking down, she found Kohaku nuzzling his head up against her. She suppressed a giggle when she felt him turn around and push himself up against her more with a little snore.

“I guess still works. Let’s get you to bed” Wrapping her front legs around him, Fluttershy pushed off with her hind legs and hovered above the ground. 

“OH wow, who knew he weighed so little?” Holding Kohaku close, she flew into his main bedroom and laid him out on his bed. Gripping the edge of the sheets with her hooves, she pulled the covers over him. “He looks so sweet.” Leaning in, she kissed the top of his head and landed down beside the bed.

As Fluttershy turned to leave, she heard a soft clink on the floor. Turning about, she saw that Kohaku’s crystal had tumbled from his paws and onto the ground. Leaning down, she took it with her mouth and lifted it up to the bedside table. Her whole body trembled and froze when a crash of thunder exploded behind her. 

“Starswirl! You insignificant, misbegotten son of a leprous donkey!!!” The storming voice echoed through the entire household.

Turning around, Fluttershy found herself surrounded by thick, dark storm clouds. Each one swirling about as they thundered and flashed a dark blue. Her breath quickened as her pulse raced. Quickly, Fluttershy dropped to the floor and guarded her head with both of her front legs. Silently praying for it to all go away as each word thundered in her ears. The voice growing louder and louder until it was directly over her head.

“How dare you make him wait two years for you!” the storming voice grew louder as it grew closer. The thunder outside literally shook the house. Fluttershy heard breaking glass and dishes from the kitchen. “I’m going to flay you out on the bed. Take that pride of yours between your legs. Rip it off and shove it up your…”
Curling into a smaller ball, to hide from the surrounding sounds. Fluttershy trembled as the room became deathly silent. A light tapping on her head quickly quieted her whimpering. Slowly moving her hooves down, and opened up one eye. Staring down at her was a pair of deep storm blue eyes. A set of eyes that were sparking with tiny lightning bolts. 

“Your not Starswirl.” The voice said with all the gentleness of a mild rainfall.

Fluttershy simply shook her head from side to side wildly.

“Your not even a Stallion,” As the eyes moved back, Fluttershy saw the storm was now in the shape of a massive vixen with nine tails. “Great. I spend two years comprising just what I was going to say to him and it gets waisted on some random mare.” Reaching out, she offered an enormous paw toward Fluttershy.

“I’m so very sorry, my dear. I meant the words of death and destruction for my mate.” The storm vixen pulled Fluttershy up onto her hooves. Looking over, the vixen took notice of Fluttershy’s cutie mark and groaned. “Your name wouldn’t happen to be Fluttershy, would it?” 

Fluttershy caught the slightly painful annoyance in the vixen’s voice. Pushing herself back against the wall she just whimpered “y… yes.. That’s okay, isn’t it?” 

Fluttershy blinked as she watched the Vixen grow even more annoyed and storm back and forth before lifting her head up.

“Seriously Mother!!! You couldn’t have told me it was a PONY I was looking for!” One of the vixen’s paws pointed directly at Fluttershy. “Ugh. I’m sorry.” the vixen groaned over at Fluttershy. “But mother once told me to be on the lookout for the Butterfly Fluttershy. I spent over six hundred years chasing butterflies getting to know each one on a first name basis. Mother has to be enjoying the greatest laugh in the universe right now. She has a rather bizarre sense of humor.” 

“O… okay.” Was all that Fluttershy could. Her eyes kept watch on the storm vixen as she watched the large fox move up on the bed and reach out to caress Kohaku’s hair. Her heart thumped wildly as she flew out and covered Kohaku with her body, yelling out at the top of her lungs. “Don’t Touch Him!”

A soft harmonious laughter caught Fluttershy’s ears, making her look up. “Relax little one, he’s my baby brother.” The vixen chuckled lightly as the storm inside of her body became a light shimmer of clouds. “The name is Kazumi.” 

“Kazumi, the eldest sister? I thought you were… were…” 

“Dead? Yes, quite so.” Kazumi smiled as she stroked her brother’s hair tenderly with a paw finger. She looked up and chuckled at watching Fluttershy push herself up against the back wall. “Nervous?”

“Y… yes… I’m scared of ghosts. Please don’t hurt me…” Fluttershy’s voice whispered out. 

“Relax, I’m not really a ghost. More like an Echo. A living magical message created for one purpose. I have all of Kazumi’s memories, feelings, emotions. But no substance.” Kazumi showed by flipping her tail through Fluttershy’s body. 

Fluttershy patted her body where the tail had passed through her. Looking up at Kazumi, she let out a deep sigh of relief. “Oh, I’m sorry.”

The Echo of Kazumi just shrugged as she motioned toward the kitchen. “No worries dear, lets go to the kitchen and let my little brother rest. I’d rather he not wake right now.”

“I’m surprised he didn’t wake from your entrance. As loud as it was.” Fluttershy’s voice was still meek but growing stronger.

“Ha, it’ll take more than that brief outburst. He’s slept through one of my category seven storms and that’s while he was on my back as I created it.” Kazumi chuckled out giving Fluttershy a motion to follow her. “He can sleep through any storm, but can wake from a mild conversation. Go figure, huh?” 

Fluttershy just looked at Kohaku and back at Kazumi. This day was definitely not turning out how she expected. Tucking the blankets around Kohaku’s shoulders, she trotted after Kazumi.


***


“Second time today I find myself here.” Fluttershy sighed out as she sat at the table, Kazumi directly across from her.

“True, but at least this time you’ll get the tea he promised you.” Kazumi said, waving her paw over two teacups. With in a second a steaming cup of green tea appeared. Sliding one cup over to Fluttershy, she sipped on the other. “I suppose I should really explain my purpose here. It would speed things along, as my time is quite limited.”

“Oh um, okay. If you want to, that is.” Fluttershy sipped on her tea. “So um.. Why are you here?”

“Well, long story short, Mother told me I would impart something precious to the butterfly Fluttershy. Having never found one, on my last day in this world, I created three gems. Each one containing an echo of my soul and each one to impart a message and fulfill a last piece of unfinished business. I had meant it for my beloved, but in reality. The universe decided they truly meant it for you. And I’m glad it did.”

“Well, I could.. You know, find your Starswirl and give him the gem.” Fluttershy held her half-empty cup of tea.

“As lovely as that would be, it’s impossible. Once my task is finished, the gem becomes inert and I cease to exist.” Raising a paw up, she quickly silenced Fluttershy from speaking. “Don’t feel sorry for me. I’ve been dead for a very long time. So I’m not worried about myself, but for him.” Kazumi looked over at her sleeping brother and sighed.

“I take it your last business is about him… and me?”

“Your quick on the uptake. Yes.” Kazumi smiled at Fluttershy. “He needs someone who can love and care for him in the way I used to and no longer can.”

“Well, um, he has Zecora. And this mare he knows I’ve never met.. Silky, I believe it is.” Her head was spinning at what was being asked.

“I know of them, but they are merely friends. Yes, they care about him, but they aren’t family.” Closing her eyes, Kazumi took a long, deep breath. “My brother needs a big sister. Someone who can reign in his more wild tendencies.”

“Sounds like he needs a mom more than a sister.” Fluttershy looked a way out a nearby window. Watching two birds flutter about in a cherry tree.

“I was that too. I had to be after our mother died.” turning Fluttershy’s head toward her own, Kazumi smiled. “And I have a feeling you need this, too. I watched as you threw yourself over him. For that one moment, he wasn’t some strange boy. He was the brother you lost so long ago.”

Fluttershy turned back around and looked at Kazumi, her eyes wide as she bit down on her lower lip.

“I will not force you to answer now. You know your heart better than I. Take your time.” Kazumi stretched before walking over to the door. On opening it, there was a long brightly lighted hallway. “Think things over. Nothing needs to be said tonight.”

“Your leaving already?”

“Yeah, it’s best that I do. My job here is finished. I’ve stated my request, and in doing so, discharged my duty.” Looking over her shoulder, the large vixen smiled at the small pegasus. “All that’s left is for somepony to pick it up, if she is brave enough to do so.”

“Say I do, how will you know?” Fluttershy pushed herself off the bed and walked halfway between the sleeping Kohaku and his ghostly sister.

“It doesn’t matter if I know or not, only that he knows it.” Turning back around, Kazumi stepped into the hallway, which erupted into a violent lightning storm. “After all, he’s the one who needs a big sister. Take care Fluttershy. And goodbye, little brother.”

Fluttershy watched as Kazumi dashed off into the storm. Within the span of a lightning strike, the room erupted in a blinding light. 

Fluttershy half screamed as she sat up. A dark gray crystal dropped onto the floor and shattered before vanishing completely. Rubbing her eyes with the side of a hoof, Fluttershy looked around. Walking over to the large sliding door, she pushed it open and saw the main room. Letting out a soft sigh, the pegasus walked back to the bed.

He looks so peaceful. Fluttershy’s thoughts itched in her head. She let out a long giggle as she watched the boy hug his tail just before chewing at the tip. 

“I best get going. My animals are probably worried about me.” Fluttershy stood up and took two steps and half tripped on a shirt. Looking about, she let out a deep sigh. “I can’t leave his home like this. Little boys.” Giving Kohaku a soft smirk she usually saved for her red stallion when he left his stuff on the floor. Shaking her head, Fluttershy just picked things up.


***


Kohaku groaned as he sat up, rubbing his head. “Where?” Seeing that he was in his bed, the boy let out a soft sigh. “Oh yeah, that song. I forgot how it puts me out.” Standing up on the bed, Kohaku looked about and noticed how clean his room was. Everything was tidied up and put away. As he landed on the ground, a spicy scent caught his nose. Heading toward the kitchen, he saw Fluttershy at his stove stirring something in his cast-iron pot. “That smells wonderful.”

Fluttershy smiled as she looked over her shoulder. “Oh, good, you're up. Your timing is perfect. Dinner is almost ready.”

“You didn’t have to do that.” Sitting at the table, he sniffed again and let out a long purr. “What is it?

“Vegetable medley with a hint of spice. After cleaning things up, I thought you might get hungry if you woke up.” Gripping the ladle with her mouth, she dished out a large bowl for the boy and pushed it over to him on the table. “Now eat up.” Fluttershy smiled as she sat down opposite of Kohaku. Watching him produce a spoon from thin air by flicking his wrist. 

A cold itch traced down her back as she watched him eat. A quiet thought continued to roll through her mind. He’s the one who needs a big sister. Could she do it? Be his big sister. Take care of him? Well, it’s not like she wasn’t capable of doing so. She took care of so many animals. She even took care of her niece occasionally. “How is it?”

“It’s delicious.” Kohaku said as he took another mouthful. “Mind if I ask why? Why did you do all this for me?” Kohaku set down his spoon and looked up at her. 

Looking into those bright liquid amber eyes, Fluttershy just smiled. “Never you mind now. Just eat up. I have to get going. My animals need me.”

“Oh, okay.” 

Fluttershy would have been less of a mare if she had missed the depression in his voice. She opened her mouth to reply to that, but never got the chance.

“Will… will you come back?” Kohaku looked up into her eyes. He wore a light blush on his face as his tail tips twitched nervously. He missed her giggles as his voice picked up in octane. “If you want to, that is. I mean, you don’t have too but I… Well, having you around is kinda nice. And I just feel a little less lonely and I.” Kohaku would have continued, but a soft hoof touched his lips.

Fluttershy just shook her head and sighed with a smile. She couldn't leave him. She enjoyed spending time with him. And perhaps she could learn more, share their love of animals together. And perhaps they could both get something out of it. “Yes, I’ll be back tomorrow. Be sure to get a bath in and scrub behind your ears.”

“Hai anechan.” Kohaku groaned out as he half crossed his forelegs over his chest. Doing his best to avoid those all-knowing eyes. 

“Good. Till then otoutochan.” Fluttershy returned with a smile before walking out the door. She had taken only a few steps before stopping. “Otoutochan? Where did I learn that?” Looking behind her for a moment, Fluttershy looked up at the sky and saw several streaks of dark blue storm clouds. Gulping loudly, she spread her wings and took off. Eager to get back to her cabin.