Flames of Jealousy

Chapter One: Bunny Banquet

Clover the bunny hopped across the castle grounds, following his nose. He was on the trail of some delicious-smelling food. As he rounded a corner, he found himself on the outskirts of the castle zoo. There, he encountered a familar-looking female bunny feasting on some carrot slices, which had been stacked on a silver platter.

"Well, hello, Clover." The female smiled demurely.

"Hey, Ginger." Clover waved. He hadn't seen her since the village fair's pet contest; She had approached him just before the winner was announced, expressing her admiration for his dance act.

"And to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" Ginger asked.

"Not much, really." Clover shrugged. "I was just followin' the scent of some food. Didn't know I was homing in on your food."

"You're quite welcome to have some." Ginger offered.

"Nah, I couldn't." Clover countered. "That's your food."

"It's quite alright." Ginger chuckled. "I need to lose a few ounces, anyway."

"Weeeelll, if you insist." Clover grinned, hopping over to join her at the platter.

As they ate, Ginger brushed against Clover's side, the touch of her soft white fur sending a tingle through his own.

"So, Clover, how are things?" Ginger asked.

"Pretty good." Clover replied through a mouthful of carrot. "Just doing my usual thing, helping out the princess..."

"Ah, yes." Ginger smiled. "Princess Sofia. She thinks ever so highly of you, you know."

"Really?" Clover replied, failing to keep a smug smirk from appearing on his face.

"Indeed she does." Ginger tittered. "Not long after we arrived at the fair, she decided to go back for you. She was willing to give up the 'best pet' award, just so she could enter the contest with you."

"Yeah, that Sofia's a great kid." Clover nodded. "I'm lucky to have a friend like her."

"And she's lucky to have a friend like you." Ginger winked. "You are quite the bunny, Clover."

"Who, me?" Clover replied with false modesty. "Nah!"

"Yes, you are." Ginger whispered, her blue eyes shining like sapphires as she moved even closer to her dining partner. "Quite the bunny, indeed. Faithful, talented, handsome..."

Clover gulped nervously. Just then, the two bunnies heard the sound of whinnying from above them. Looking up, they saw a pair of winged horses pulling a carriage.

"That'll be Sofia, back from school." Clover said, half-relieved, half-disappointed. "I gotta hop, Ginger. See you around?"

"I certainly hope so." Ginger winked again.

Laughing goofily, Clover almost tripped over a pebble as he stepped away backwards, unable to keep his eyes off Ginger. Recovering from his embarassing stumble, Clover made his way to the castle, going up to Sofia's room through the castle's secret passageway that only the woodland creatures knew about. Just before Sofia entered her room, Clover squeezed through the hole in the wall, and took his place on the window seat, just across from Whatnaught the squirrel.

"Hey, Princess." He smiled, just barely hiding how tired he was.

"Hi, Clover." Sofia replied cheerily.

"Where have you been all day?" Asked Robin the robin, who had been perched on the open window alongside Mia the bluebird. "Normally, you're either eating, or asleep on a cushion right about now."

"I was just hanging out with a fellow bunny, that's all." Clover replied.

"Would that 'fellow bunny' happen to be Ginger?" Sofia asked knowingly.

"...Yeah, it would." Clover replied, shuffling uncomfortably.

"Ginger, huh?" Robin smirked, having heard of Ginger through Sofia. "The show bunny?

"That's her." Clover confirmed.

"And it was just the two of you, alone?" Robin asked.

"Yeah." Clover shrugged. "Just sharing some carrots, that's all."

"Ooh, a romantic dinner!" Robin crowed. "Who knew you had such a way with the ladies?"

"I think it's sweet." Mia added.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Clover yelped. "Who said anything about romance? We were just eatin'!"

"Sure you were, lover boy." Robin winked, while Mia and Whatnaught chuckled.

"Come on guys, leave Clover alone." Sofia stepped in. "If he says he and Ginger are just friends, I believe him."

"Thanks, Princess." Clover sighed with relief.

"Although you would make a very cute couple." Sofia smiled playfully.

Exasperated, Clover groaned loudly.

"Aw, come on!" He yelped. "I'll admit the gal's a looker, but there is absolutely nothing going on between us. Nothing!"

"Whatever you say." Robin said, clearly unconvinced.

"Just don't forget to invite us to the wedding." Mia chipped in, followed by a fresh batch of laughter.

That night, Clover experienced a problem he'd never had before: He couldn't sleep. He was still annoyed at the others, and their comments about himself and Ginger. His thoughts soon drifted to Ginger herself, and Clover found a smile appearing on his face, in spite of himself. Falling asleep suddenly became a lot easier, the snow-white bunny staying on his mind as he slipped into slumber, and long after.

To Be Continued...

(Sofia The First and all associated characters are the property of Disney.)