| \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFoxene\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Niamh enjoyed laundry day. She had found just the right spot by the river where there were acres of wildflowers, and where the birds sang sweetly in the trees. It was just the sort of place where a rabbit could idle away an entire afternoon. The actual work wasn't difficult. She had long ago mastered the art of keeping her clothes clean and Ciara never wore her clothes enough to get them very dirty. Scrubbing everything against the washboard made her arms ache, but there was a certain joy in that, too. She hummed quietly to herself as she worked, completely forgetting all the cautions her grandmother had hammered into her when she was a kitten.
She had just laid the clothes out on the grass to dry and was contemplating a dip herself, to escape the heat, when she felt the fur prickle on the back of her neck. Normally, she didn't have to worry about predators. If there was an advantage to being married to a fox it was that Ciara had taught her how to handle anyone who might be a threat. At 5'2”, Niamh was almost as big as any fox or wolf, and they didn't expect rabbits to face them down.
The forest was full of hiding places, but there was a thick cluster of bushes just behind her that looked perfect for stalking. She bit her lip to keep her ancient instincts in check and tried to think where the attack might come from. A section of bushes just ahead of her was shaking and she was sure she could smell fox on the breeze.
A streak of golden fur burst out of the undergrowth to the left of where she expected it and hit her square in the chest. A pair of arms wrapped around her and she lost her club as they fell. She scrabbled blindly, looking for anything else she could use. Then her attacker kissed her, and a familiar taste of peppermint filled her mouth. When she opened her eyes, Ciara grinned down at her.
“Hi, bunny,” said Ciara.
“Hi yourself. Are you going to do this every month?” said Niamh.
“I did say I'd be dropping by.”
Niamh slapped Ciara on the hip, but this just made the girl giggle and wag her tail.
“I didn't think you meant like this,” said Niamh.
“Would you have it any other way?” said Ciara.
Niamh did her best to fight back the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth and she gave Ciara the sternest look she could manage.
“You've had your fun, now get off me. I've got work to finish,” said Niamh.
“Maybe in a little while. You're very comfortable, you know.”
“I'm glad you approve. Now shift. Your butt--”
“My butt is perfect. Anyway, I didn't hear you complaining last night,” said Ciara.
Niamh smacked Ciara again, but she couldn't hold her smile back anymore. Ciara's habit of sneaking up and jumping on her had become a game between the two of them, and Niamh enjoyed it more than she was willing to admit.
“Stupid fox. You're lucky that I love you,” she said.
Follow up to Cunning Little Vixen