The heavy low roar of church bells traveled far signaling the start of 8 year old Zenny Knightlingers fathers elegy. A heavy cloud of sadness hung over the family of people who filled the pews of the church. The sound of weeping filled the air as the terrible tragedy struck the family; however, no one at the funeral was more torn then the little Zenny himself. The little grey furred white haired bunnies face lied buried in his propped up legs. It felt like someone had ripped his heart out and yet for some reason he couldn't cry.Though sadness was clearly evident in his forest green eyes. The little hairs mother who sat next to him with her long white hair looked down at her son wiping the tears from her eye, and placing her hand on his back. She of all people knew how close the bunny was to his father, and she knew the sadness she felt was nothing compared to what he must be feeling. The little rabbit so desperately wanted to cry, but his eyes wouldn't bleed a single tear; however, he felt the pain in his heart begin to squeeze tighter and tighter as he realized more, more that his only friend in the world was never coming back. 
 
=1 Year Later=
 
      	As time went by The bunny's sadness only grew. His mother whom he never had much of a relationship with in the first place was never home since she now worked 2 jobs, and he didn't get along with any of the children at his school. The combination of loneliness, and morning often caused him to cry himself to sleep. So badly he wished he could have taken his fathers place. The first day of the new school year approached, and naturally he walked alone. He ignored everyone and even in class he sat at the very back corner trying to avoid being called on by the teacher. At about noon the loud ringing of the lunch bell broke the silence of the classroom. A small sigh escaped the hare. His green eyes shifted to his backpack, and after putting away all his things he left the classroom, and headed for the playground even though playing was the last thing on his mind. Thick clouds covered the sun causing the the sky to become an orange tint as he scanning the grounds looking for a place to sit free of other children. His eyes abruptly stopped at a large weeping willow tree atop a small hill in the distance. Making his way toward the tree he came to the realization that the tree wasn't as deserted as he had originally thought. As he got closer he heard on the other side what sounded like voices. Circling the tree his expression turned to anger and his since of justice kicked in as he saw a pack of wolves in a circle around another blue haired twintailed fox. His burnt sienna brown fur seemed to have patches of lighter brown which was obviously sand that had been kicked or thrown at him. His innocent starry eyes looked up at the boys as he pleaded with them to leave him alone.

Twintail: I... Im sorry! Please leave stop-

Wolf Boy 3: Shut up!
 
	Swiftly the wolfs foot swung forward into the ground sending a huge patch of dirt into the twintails face. The fox tried to shield his face, but some of the dirt went down his throat causing him to begin viciously hacking up. The cruelty of the pack mixed with his own since of chivalry, and his already built up anger blinded him to the fact that there were three of them, and pulling off his backpack gripping the strap he ran toward the pack. Before they even realized he was there he had knocked one of them out by smacking him in the head with his backpack and tackled a second to the ground. All of his anger all of his sorrow, and released as he pummeled the bully with one swing after another. Finally realizing what was going on the third pack member ran to his friends aid grabbing the rabbit from behind trying to pull him off of the other boy pounding on him. The choking fox looked up to see the events that were unfolding. Seeing the two boys double teaming the rabbit he quickly ran toward the one tried to attack the hare from behind and pushing him over with his shoulder he kicked at him. As he stood up the bunny struggled to catch his breath as he looked down at the beat up pack of wolves who lay unconscious in front of them. With a deep breath the rabbit reached down for his backpack and putting it back on he turned to leave; however the little kitsune he had just saved stopped him in his tracks.

Twintail: Um- please wait a minute!

Zenny: Yeah?

	A strange feeling came over the hare. Turning around he looked at the fox who's cosmic colored eyes now stared shyly at the ground and his burnt sienna face fur was now slightly red.

Twintail: Th- thank you...

Zenny: ...Don't worry about it... Are you okay?

Twintail: Y- yeah...

Casually the bunny walked over to the old willow past the fallen k9's and took a seat against the trunk. His deep green eyes traveled up to the withered canopy of the old tree. Following him the little fox took a seat next to him, and placing his hands between his legs looked over at the bunny with a smile.

Twintail: So... Whats the name of my new hero? 

A brief giggle left twintail; meanwhile, the bunny's forest green eyes met those of the the little fox. His silver furred cheeks turned slightly redder as he embarrassingly rubbed the back of his head.

Zenny: I- Im not a hero...

Twintail: Sure you are! Only super heros would rush in to save someone they don't know.

Zenny: ... My name is Zenny...

Lani: Im Lani! Its nice to meet you!
***
	That day something changed inside Zenny. Slowly the two began spending time together, and before either of them knew it they were inseparable. There was nothing they did without each other, and suddenly without him realizing it the little bunny's depression began to slowly fade away. Suddenly he began looking forward to going to school everyday, playing tag, coloring and whatever else the two could think of to pass the time. Soon he found himself able to smile again. The two quickly found themselves growing more and more attached to each other. They would spend the night at each others houses for weeks at a time, take showers together and even sleep in the same bed. 

	The last day of the school year had finally arrived and the sky looked much like it did the day they first met. The thicket of clouds and the late time made the sky appear a deep orange as the two boy chased each other around the giant willow that sat in the center of the hill. Abruptly the two collided with each other falling over rolling down the hill. The two lay on there backs giggling hysterically turning there heads to look at each other with smiles that could light up a christmas tree. The happy moment soon died; however, as they realized what time it was. 

Zenny: Aww i guess its time to go home...

Lani: I guess we'd better be going home...

Zenny: ...

	The little fox let out a soft sigh standing up and wiping the dirt off of his shirt. Scilently he walked over to the giant willow tree. Its withered branches blew gently in the evening breeze and approaching the tree he placed his hand on the trunk.The huge tree towered over him as he looked up into its peaceful canopy. The hare soon followed approaching the fox from behind and looking into the fragile branches that swayed in the wind.

Lani: This tree is big! I bet you could see it from really far away!

Zenny: Haha maybe theres a level inside it like in our videogames.

Lani: It would be fun to have an adventure like that.

Zenny: We could fight monsters and find treasure!

Lani: I don't know if i would be all that helpful... You did have to save me from those bullies...

Zenny: Don't worry! Ill protect you from the evil monsters!

Lani: What if I got lost or we got separated?

Zenny: ...hmm..........Okay! I got it!

	Kneeling down and picking up a stone the hare walked over to the giant tree and in its large trunk began to scratch away bark. It took him a while but the fox soon realized that he was drawing a crude little picture of a bunny face. With a smile the bunny got up and took a few steps back.

Zenny: There! Now if we ever get lost or separated all we have to do is come back here!

Lani: Okay!

	Kneeling down and grabbing a stone of his own he began scratching away bark in the shape of a fox face. Finishing with a smile he looked at the hare.

Lani: Its a promise!

***
=7 Years Later=

	Years went by and the two's relationship reached a whole new level. The bunny found himself thinking more and more about the little twintail, and vise verse. One day about 7 years after th day of there meeting the two were revisiting there old elementary. Now in middle school on there way to highschool The winds of nostalgia blew strongly as the two stared into the distance at the old willow tree they use to play under. School was out for the elementary school children and silence envelope the deserted playground complemented by the orange tinted sky as the clouds blocked out the bright rays of the sun. A flood of memories came rushing back to them as they approached the old withered three, its branches blowing gently in the soft wind. Smiles overtook both of them as they looked at each other. Suddenly the little foxes attention was taken by the site of the small drawings at the base of the tree. Kneeling down on both knees the little fox put his hand next to the the crude little picture.

Lani:  I remember this! Wow I cant believe its still here!

Zenny: Yeah... it seems like it was so long ago

Lani: Yeah... 

	Suddenly it felt like someone had stolen the little foxes voice away as he struggled to choke out some words

Lani: I-...... I remember that day... You told me you would protect me if we ever went on an adventure...

Zenny: Hm?

	The little foxes starry gaze traveled downward to the lush green grassy hill below them. His voice went very soft to the point that Zenny had to strain to hear him.

Lani: Zen... Would you... If... I needed you... Would you still come for me..?

Zenny: I..-

Lani: Nevermind... It was a stupid question..

Zenny: Lani... I...

Lani: We should get going!

	Standing up the little fox wiped the dirt off of his pants and turned to the hare looking into his deep green eyes. As he began to walk away he stopped abruptly turning back to the rabbit who seemed to be entranced by the old tree. Curiously he stopped and turned back toward the bunny.

Lani: Zen..? Whats the matter?

Zenny: N- nothing. Hey buddy? go on ahead without me for a second. Ill meet you at the front gate. I gotta do something real quick

Lani: Huh?

Zenny: It'll only take a few seconds I promise!

Lani: uh... well okay.
 
	Reluctantly the fox began walking toward the schools hallway. His footsteps echoed through the old hall as he walked with his starry eyes pointed at the ground thinking to himself.

Lani: It was stupid of me to ask...

	Reaching the front of the school he became aware of another set of footsteps running in his direction. Quickly turning he saw the sillohette of his best friend running in his direction.

Zenny: Thanks for waiting for me buddy. We can go now

	And with that and an exchange of smiles the two headed for home.