Traded My Hero Father for a Tail

"The Kita family was the stereotypical normal family. Brendan's mom was a stay at home mother who cleaned the house, made dinner, did the laundry, etc.. While Brendans dad provided all the money for the bills. He was a huge highly paid scientist for some company that Brendan was too young to remember. Brendan was only just over a year old at this time. His dad would come home from work and complain about problems at work. Something about funding usually. Then he would pick up Brendan and all his problems would cease to exist. He would makes faces at him and tell him how proud he felt looking at him. Brendans mother would join in and tease his dad and they would laugh together. Then over dinner his dad would discuss breakthroughs in his research at work and she would discuss what naughty Brendan had gotten into that he shouldnt have earlier that day. Then they would lie down in bed with Brendan between them to keep an eye on him and they would sing him to sleep. Times were perfect. Destiny had other plans though. One warm summer day Father came home early, more excited than he ever did. Even more so than when he finished a project. Mother came downstairs holding Brendan with a puzzled look on her face. "A new breakthrough or did you finally get that promotion that you have been working you butt of for all year?" Dad shut the door behind him. "Better!"

"Setting down his brief case and throwing his coat up onto the coat rack he begins explaining. "Well you know how hard I have been working for that promotion right." He kicks off his shoes and walks over to his wife and son. He takes his left arm and wraps it around his wife pulling her closer and kisses her. Trapped between them Brendan fusses a bit and his father pulls back some. He smiles and touches the end of Brendans nose, causing Brendan to smile as well. "Andd... you know how weve been doing heavy research into spirits?" He backs away and retrieves his breifcase. Setting it down on the couch he opens it and fumbles through some papers. "Well weve finally tracked down one of the spirits weve been researching and we know its territory. The higher up want a team to go in and observe it." He finds what he is looking for and hides it his cupped hands. Turning around he walks to his wife and child. "Soo..." as he says this he takes his top hand off revealing a badge. "They've promoted me!! Higher than I was aiming for!" Brendan's mother's mouth drops open. "there is a catch... but I actually would of wanted it that way anyways. Ive been put in charge of the unit going into the forrest to observe the spirit. Basically they want me to lead an expedition of scientists to go in and stay for a month or two to observe this creature in its natural enironment. I will be leaving tomorrow."

Brendans mother closes her mouth. and smiles "Oh hunny Im so happy for you!" She then lowers her smile and lets her sadness display upon her face. "A month is a long time to not see you..." Father then hugs her again and looks down to Brendan. "Dont worry... I'll send for you when I feel its safe." "Darling we have a small child, thats no place for a kid. I dont feel comfortable about you going let alone bringing our 14month baby into the forrest" Father's smile faded a bit "I knew you would say that... Sweetheart, I am going in first to set up camp and establish a safe zone. There will be armed guards. Were not taking any chances." She thinks upon it for a minute and lets out a sigh. "A months time?" Father smile widens again "Yes a months time" The next morning he kissed his sleeping child on the forhead and then hugged his wife. "It wont be long. Trust me." He kissed her and said good bye. They days did seem to go by fast and she did have a sneaky lil rascal to keep out of cuboards and dishwashers. Brendan was a big help with passing the time and keeping her company. Oh how she loved her son. As promised in a months time she got the call she had been waiting for. Father had sent for her and Brendan. It wasnt long before they were loaded in the car and on their way. Mother had packed the night before in antisipation.

Arriving at the forrest edge was father and a two humvees waiting patiently. He led his wife and son to the second one. "See armed convoy... No chances. Well be safe." Climbing in right behind them he shuts the door and leans forward tapping the driver on the shoulder. The driver gives a quick nod and taps the horn. The first humvee peels away and they drop in behind it and into the forest they go. Trip only took about an hour and on the way father discussed all the most exciting events of the first month. About how the spirt appears to be in the form of a multi tailed fox and the first week it was the cause of some mysterious white fire that had broken out in camp. Regarding the white fire he had discovered that this fox can create this fire at will and can control it. Ariving at the gate to camp they had to pass a security check. Father showed them his ID and the with a nod from the guard the gate slid open allowing them acess. Inside men carrying rifles patrolled the top of the walls. Father led them into his makeshift hut and showed them where they could put their things. "Its not the most homey environment but its does its job." With that father left them to get settled in. Moments later he came back with another man with whom he was in deep conversation "Im just saying weve gotten most of the data we need and Im not sure it is a good idea that we stay much longer."

The other man gave a sigh "Leaving early would be a huge mistake we need every piece of data we can possible acquire." Upon seeing his bosses wife behind him "Ohh sorry I'll give you guys some space... A months worth of catching up to do." He gave a smile,turned, and left. Father turns to his wife. "That kid is one of the smartest people I know but he is so careless sometimes. He gets too caught up in finding imformation he forgets about saftey." He lets out a sigh. "Im thinking of calling off the rest of the research because we learned a ton but we arent really learning anything else about this creature. Weve learned a few things of other creatures aswell but its getting dangerous outside the camp. Things here are getting restless. They want us gone. Especially our little fox. It all has me feeling uneasy." His wife leaves Brendan in his carseat asleep at the foot of the bed and wraps her arms around her man. "Oh honey everything will work out it always does. Right now though..." She reaches up a bit and kisses him passionately, pulling him to her. "Its been so long." She slides the straps of her dress off her shoulders and squirms out of it. She tosses it aside and reaches around behind her to unclasp her bra alsot tossing that aside. She sits down on the bed and strikes a sexy pose. Smiling beckons him with her finger teasingly.

Brendans father smiles. "You have no idea how much ive been craving this" He undoes his pants and tosses them aside. Pulling his shirt off he climbs into bed and slides off his boxers. He rolls over onto his wife and she pulls the covers over them. Their lips meet adn they hold the kiss for awhile and he smiles again "Oh how I missed you. Well have to keep it down. These walls dont hold sounds very well." With that he reaches over and turns off teh bedside lamp. Sometime after that when everyone in the room had fallen asleep just outside the room there is a flash of white light and one of the guards ignites and falls from the wall. He lets out a scream as he ignites alerting the other guards. An alarm is sounded and the guard scan the trees for culprit. Theres another white flash and another guard falls from the wall screaming. Scared out of their minds the guards start firing into the trees hoping to hit whatever it is. The alarm is sounded. Suddenly a white fox the size of dumptruck barrels out of the woods and lets out a roar. White fire rains down upon the camp and several more guards turn into scream balls of fire. Several builidings ignite almost instantly. More shots fill the air now followed by yells for help and calling to the sleeping personel. Scientists with fire extinguishers attempt to put out the white flames but they didnt even seem to affect the fire.

There was a loud roar outside that woke up father. It took him a bit of time to come to fully around to his senses. Thats when he realized the noise he was hearing was gunshots and screaming. Startled he jumped out of the bed. He ran back and fourth across the room picking up the pieces of his scattered uniform. Mother moved in the bed and rolled over to see what was going on "honey?" My father pulls his pants on and slide his shirt back on. Tucking the shirt in he does up his pants. Mother can now hear the gunshots and the screams. "Honey!?" She asks again with more fear in her voice. Father pulls his ID off the bedside table. "Im going to check it out stay here." he turns and exits the room. Mother jumpes out of bed and goes to her suitcase. Tossing it open she dig through for some jeans and a shirt. She picks up her bra and undies puting them back on before puling on her shirt and her jeans. Brendan was crying in his bed. The ruckus outside having woke him up. She runs acorss the room and scoops him out of his bed. She rocks him in her arms "Shhh it'll be okay. Mommy wont let anything happen to you. I promise." Theres a few thuds on the roof of the hut. Startled she climbs back in bed under the covers curled up with Brendan how was no crying louder.

She desperately tries to quiet him. She coos to him and when that doesnt work she bounces him and starts singing quietly to him. Outside father now realizes how dire the situation. Everything was on fire. He notices the flames are pure white and instantly knows the culprit. "That fox... I knew this would happen if we stayed much longer. I just didnt think it would be this soon." Around him were charred bodies and scientists trying to put out the flames. Glancing over his shoulder he notices the roof of his hut was on fire aswell. "Shit!" turning around he barrels back through the door. "The buildings on fire get out!!" She jumps out of the bed and hugs Brendan tightly to her body and runs out of the building into the chaos ensuing outside. As they rush outside there is a loud crashing sound and some more screams followed by a momentary break in the gunshots. In the middle of the camp, A giant white fox stood snarling. It had just crashed through the east side wall. This fox was beautiful. Mesmerizing! "Such a sight." father says caught up in its beauty. It could have been even more beautful if it didnt have all the blood in its fur from its bullet wounds. The fox looked all about at the remaining people and let loose another roar. Instantly the gun shots resume and more blood appears in its snowy white coat. Brendans father feels sick seeing such cruelty and wishes there was something he could do.

Before he has a chance to think about how to save this creature from anymore harm while securing everyone elses saftey the creature vanishes in a poof of smoke. There is a scream to his left. As he turns he sees the fox swipe across the mans chest and the yelling stops. Another poof and another set of gunshots come to an end. Father realizes this is very bad and tells himself the fox can handle itself. He turns and grabs his wifes hand and they flee towards the humvees. Several other scientists already had the same idea and are piling into the other humvees. The man from earlier hails to Father "Seems you were right afterall... I armed the beacon help is on its way. Should only be a few minutes away. Unfortunetly I dont think I fox plans to let us live that long." With that he climbs into his humvee and slams the doors and it peels off. Father pulls mom into the closest one and does the same. He mashes the gas pedal to the floor and the tires let out a little squeal before they rocket out of the encampment. Ahead of them they could see the other humvees. Behind them there was an ocassional flash of white flame. Father looks over to mother and places his hand on her lap. "Im sooo sorry Janice. Can you ever forgive me?" She places her free hand on his and looks over to him. She was shaking and her voice betrayed her. "Im just glad were all safe. I love you soo much."

Just when they thought they had gotten away safe there was a loud crash behind them as a few trees explode and when they turn their attention behind them theres another explosion infront of them and the humvee is tossed on its side. As the dust settles father lets out a loud cough and unbuckles his seat belt. Against him his wife starts to move. "Brendan? He asks his voice full of fear. She coughs and replies "Hes fine I feel his breathing but I think hes unconcious" Father lets out a deep sigh and lets the wave of relief wash over him. He is the first out of the vehicle and helps the other two out. Over head a few more helicopter go wizzing past. Some object drop away from them and they go rocketing off into the forest where they explode. "They're bombing the whole damn area!! Those basturds." Back in the direction of the camp there is a whole cascade of explosions. Father looks to his wife and on up the road. Not one person had stopped to see if they were alright. He shakes his head in dissappointment. Suddenly behind him the explosions begin again this time closer. "They must not have gotten it so they widening the area. Shit we have to move or they will catch us in the blast zone!" He grabs his wifes hand and pulls her along with him as they rush on forward down the trail in the direction the humvees were headed.

As they reach fallen trees he tosses his wife up over the first and tries to hand her Brendan but as he goes to the forest behind them explodes into flames and the fox comes leaping from the flames. Rockets begin raining down upon the area. The fox reaches the logs and on the way over grabs Brendans mother in its mouth and bounds on over to the other side and slides to a stop dropping her to the ground. Startled she scrambles backwards and tosses a worried glance to the log pile where her husband was just breaching the top with Brendan in his arms. "RUNNN!!!" He yells. The explosions were right on top of him. She was in too much shock to move. The fox bounded back over to the log pile and locked eyes with the father. "Save my family please" He pleads with the fox. It seems to understand and puts its head forward. Brendans father cant hold back his tears anymore. Wrapping Brendan up in his coat he kisses him goodbye and tells him he loves him. The fox bits down on the excess coat material and turns to run. Just as the fox bounds away the next rocket hits the log pile and throws the fox sideways and off balance. Brendans mother watches on in horror as the rocket explodes. Her legs feel week and her eyes fill with tears. "NOOOO!!" She screams. She is completely unaware of the fox as it comes up behind her and bites down on her jacket and throws her up over its shoulder onto its back.

Just as she lands on the back of the fox it takes of and she has no choice but to hold onto it for dear life. So grabbing two handfuls of fur she cries into the back of its neck. The rockets come down to all round the area. One lands to the right of the fox and it bounds a little more to the left. The fox was insanely fast and the helicopter overhead was struggling to hit it. Angry the fox spins around and changes direction completely. It bounds through the burning foliage. Through the smoke the pilot struggles to see the fox. "Damn thing is pretty smart." he says to his co-pilot. Inspite of this the rockets continue and over heard the sounds of a second chopter could now be heard. As the second chopter joins the chase the barrage of rockets intensifies and the fox now struggles to avoid them. Fatigued, the foxes amazing dodge become narrower and it starts recieving a bit fo shrapnel. Suddenly a lucky rocket hits too close to dodge and the explosion tosses the fox sideways. This wounds the foxs front right paw and throws Brendans mom onto the ground knocking her unconscious. The fox struggles to get up and limps away still carrying Brendan.One of the choppers happens to see Brendans mom and begins circling overhead to double check if she might be alive. The other continues persuit of the fox. After deciding it was safe the chopper touched down and the pilots rushed over to Brendans mother.

The remaining chopper quickly hunts down the limping fox. It being wounded it stood no chance at getting away. Still the the fox kept on limping away. The pilot couldnt help but admire the foxes determination. He held off firing anymore rockets just yet. His curiosity getting the better of him. Over his radio he hears a transmission from the other chopper saying they have rescued an unconscious female and that they had her safely on board with them. Below the fox had slowed its pace a bit as it got into the more dense woodland. It was heading somewhere... but where thought the pilot. They were approaching a small ridge along side a river. The fox knew the only way to save the kid was to get it to its den and it wasnt much further. Rounding over the next hill the fox could see the opening in the ground. Unfortunetly so could the helicopter pilot. "Oh no you don't" He says before he start with the chain guns. A line of bullets tears up the ground all the way to the fox and tears into its rear disabling another leg. AS the bullets hit the fox it nearly drops Brendan from the pain. It falls to the ground and drags itself a little closer. Overhead the helicopter had passed by but the fox could hear it coming back around for another shot. With on big heave the fox forces itself up onto its legs with the wounded ones quivering.

As the chopper comes back around the fox tosses Brendan into the den and turns around to face the chopper. It stand there defiantly glaring down the pilot. The pilot could feel a couple shivers go down his spine at the sight. Such a beautiful animal making a last stand even with two legs almost useless. The pilot almost wished he didnt have to kill it. It earned his respect and he would never forget it. Unwillingly he pulled the trigger and unloaded two rockets directly at it. The Fox threw itself backwards into the mouth of the den to block Brendan with its body. The rockets were a direct hit and the whole area exploded. Overhead the helicopter circled around waiting for the smoke to clear to confirm its kill. In the den the fox opened one of its eyes and let out a bit of a whimper. Infront of the fox Brendan was stiring, awaking from his unconscious state. The fox whimpered once more and extended its head forward and nudged him and closed its eyes one final time it had done its job. As it takes its final breathe the body starts to break down into a bunch of glowing particles. Once the body is fully broken down the all scramble together in the air forming a spiritual ghost of the fox. It cocks its head down at Brendan as if looking him over like it would one of its cubs and extends its nose towards him.

Fifteen month old Brendan was surrounded by nothing familiar, just watched a giant fox die, doesnt see his parents,and now has a spirit floating over head. Everything thing in him is commanding him to scream and cry but for somereason the gaze of the fox has him mesmerized and is washing a calming affect over him. As the fox extends its nose towards him he can feel the feelings of warmth the spirit is emmiting to show him it means no harm. Brendan reaches out with his tiny hand and smiles a bit as he cups the foxes nose. The spirt fox closes its eyes and then burst into a bunch of glowing particles again but then the particles are drawn to Brendan. They shower him landing all over him. They sit there for a second before the start to sink into his skin. This shocks Brendan and he finally starts crying again. With the particles come images of the night like a new memory and he sees all the events play in his little head. This makes him cry even harder. Over head the chopper is still hovering in a circle around ground zero. The smoke has started to clear but the pilot still is unable to see anything. Suddenly there is a huge explosion and white flames consume the area, even shooting high into the sky. Hunks of rock and earth are expelled from the gound. The pilot veers the chopper but it its too late and its is swallowed up in the blinding white fiery explosion.

The second chopper was on approach when its sees a white fiery explosion rise above the treetops and consume the other chopper. Instanty the chopper dips its nose to pick up some speed. As they get there the see the area is now nothing but a crater and there are no trees standing. The trees the surrounding the crater are still on fire. Off to the sid of teh crater was the firey wreckage of the other chopper. Brendans mom had started to come around on the way and was now up and looking out the windows they had explained the situation. Upon seeing the fireball he was so woried she had lost her baby aswell but then one of the pilots notices something in the center of the crater. They set the chopper down and pile out. As they rush over they come across a smaller less tailed version of the white fox. Brendans mother drops to the ground and starts to cry again. "Whyyy?" she manages between sobs. The pilot takes out his pistol and takes aim at the fox when its glows faintly and its shapes starts to change. The pilot steps back dragging Brendans mom with him and gives his copilot a nervous galnce. As the glow fades there in its spot is a baby Brendan now with small nubbed fox ears and tiny little fox tail. Other than that he was the same ole unharmed Brendan. Seeing his mother he coos a bit. Brendans mom lets out winded "Omg Brendan!" and wrestles free of the confused pilot.

She rushes over and scoops up Brendan in her arms. She looks at his litle fox ears and gives them a little tossle with her fingers. To her surprise they are real! "That must mean the tail is too" she realizes. She is a bit confused but all the really cares about is that she has her baby. She hugs him close to her and cries both tears of sadness and relief. For she has lost a husband but she had her son was returned. She opens her teary eyes and look down at Brendans ears once again. Forever a reminder of his fathers death and forever a reminder of the foxes act of kindness. During the next few months Brendan and his mother took many trips to his fathers old workplace to gather his things and have Brendan looked at. Apparently the foxes soul bound to Brendan in an act to save him and that he would live with this the rest of his life. The doctors reassured her that Brendan was a normal boy otherwise. Research into the incident showed that there were two foxes a male and female. The male was killed in the first explosion at the camp. The female had somehow avoided the scientists and therefore never knew she existed. The Female was the one who had come from hiding to save Brendan and his mother. Despite what people might think of Brendan his mother told him to be proud of his ears and tail. They were symbol of the two very important people who gave their life for him. Besides she told him they make him very cute.

As Brendan grew older and bigger so did hit tail and his cute little fox ears. He also showed at an early age that he had his fathers brain. Constantly he was jumped grades in attempts to get him the best education. They almost bounced schools as much as they jumped grades though. Because not only did he inherit his fathers brain but he also got his mothers will and the foxes playfulness. And the whole child prankster thing teachers tended not to like. Knowing how well Brendan had a knack for getting into trouble so on his 8th birthday she got him a Solirealm Pendant whom the store owner told him would keep him safe from evil spirits. Now Brendan was 16 and a senior in highschool. She was always worried about him but she knew the fox would be watching over him and protecting him. Besides with his cunning brain he always knew the answers to pretty much every problem that presented itself to him. He would be able to handle himself. She was more or less worried about the other kids and how much trouble he would get himself in. She knew he couldnt help but be a prankster but she was affraid it would jepradise his education and chances of him making something great of himself. He had all the intelligence and motivation. He even had the energy. It was just the kid in him holding him back. Once he grows up he will be a great man on that his father would be proud of.