Chapter Twelve: A Budding Bond
He woke with a start, the soft warmth beneath him a comforting surprise. The dagger was gone from the man's shoulder, replaced by a neat bandage. Relief washed over him. He had done it. He had saved a life.
He carefully examined the man. His breathing was steady, his skin less pale. A surge of pride filled him. This was his first real accomplishment. But his stomach rumbled a sharp reminder of his own needs.
With a newfound sense of purpose, he ventured into the forest. He couldn't stray too far; the man needed him. His search led him to a familiar tree. With trembling limbs, he climbed, his body still weak from the ordeal. He managed to snag a few of the yellow, curved fruits before losing his grip and tumbling to the ground.
Returning to the man, he found him sitting up, his eyes filled with a mix of confusion and wariness. He placed the fruits at the man's feet. The man's gaze flickered between the fruits and the little fox cub, his expression unreadable. Then, with surprising speed, he grabbed a fruit and peeled it.
As he ate, he watched, his tail wagging involuntarily. A sense of camaraderie was growing between them. When the man finished, he broke a piece of the fruit in half and offered it to him. Cautiously, he took a bite. The sweet taste was a welcome change from the taste of fear.
The man reached out and gently patted his head. A purr escaped his lips without his control. The man's eyes widened in surprise. He reached out again, this time stroking his fur with gentle hands. A wave of contentment washed over him. He purred louder, rubbing his head against the man's hand.
The man's face softened. "How about I take you back with me?" he asked.
He tilted his head, unsure of what "back" meant as it was a different language he didn't know, but the warmth of the man's touch was undeniable. He decided he liked it here. He didn't want to leave.
As the man continued to stroke him, he closed his eyes, feeling safe and protected for the first time in his life.