When Applebloom was born I hated her. I know that sounds awful. Yes, I was a bad, awful big sister. But you have to

understand my mama died giving birth to her and my coward of a dad had already run off weeks before so I wasn't the

nicest pony to be around back then. I didn't want anything to do with the newest addition to the family. Or anyone really.

I reckon I didn't talk to anyone for a good month or two. Well, everything changed one night. Applebloom was hollering

up a storm .Big Mac couldn't soothe her.

Granny Smith couldn't seem to. Out of a combination and exhaustion and desperation I volunteered to try to get her

to sleep.

"Are you sure?" Granny Smith asked cautiously as she handed me the sobbing foal.

"I'm sure. I could at least try." I told her.

I held the little foal in my arms and patted her back. She vomited on my mane. Granny Smith and Big Mac started

laughing. My baby sister snuggled onto my shoulder and went to sleep. And I fell in love with the helpless, innocent

bundle in my arms. Now don't ask me how a foal's mind works cause I don't know. What I do know is she got attached to

me after that. When she was upset or frightened she'd cling to me and I'd hold her tight. At night she slept with my tail

curled around her.

I reckon she was around four when we finally got her to sleep in her own bed, but every now and then I'll feel a familiar

tug on my blankets and wrap my tail around my baby sister, protecting her from all the nightmares.

It just about killed me to let her stay home by herself and I guess I went a little bit-alright a lot-crazy. I even put pillows

on the rakes so she wouldn't hurt herself on them. But all that protectiveness drove her away and I almost lost her

forever. She went on my route to deliver some pies-the EXTREMELY dangerous route. My heart near about stopped when

I saw her about to get devoured by that monster. And through all that-past the fire geysers, past the monster-she kept

the cart safe. My heart swelled with pride when I saw what she'd managed to do.

Which made me realize she's not a little baby anymore. My baby sister's growing up.

I just don't know how I feel about that. After me and Applebloom nuzzled and made up I took her back home. Granny

Smith hadn't noticed her absence, but I still gave her a punishment and told her she was doing all my chores tomorrow.

She accepted it with a minimum amount of drama and I headed over to Rarity's. I wanted to talk to someone that might

understand sister issues. Rarity greeted me at the door, Sweetie Belle at her side looking awful ashamed of herself (and

she should!).

"Hello, Applejack. Is Applebloom alright?" Rarity asked.

"She's fine, I got to her in time."

"I'm glad. Sweetie Belle has something she'd like to say to you."

"I'm very sorry for helping Applebloom sneak out." Sweetie Belle said.

"And?" Rarity gave her younger sister a glare.

"And good friends don't let their friends get into dangerous situations. I did not behave like a true friend nor a proper lady and I promise to do better in the future."

"Don't worry about it Sweetie Belle. We all make mistakes." I assured her.

Sweetie Belle nodded. "Sweetie Belle, go to your room. I'll call you when supper's ready. Since you did apologize properly I'll let you have dessert." She patted Sweetie Belle's head and Sweetie Belle trotted off looking pleased.

"I'm really sorry about all this." Rarity began. "Trust me I gave my sister a good scolding."

"Well, I reckon she earned it." I said. "But you know it was kinda my fault."

"How so?" Rarity asked.

"I...I was being overprotective. I pushed her away."

"Maybe so, but that doesn't excuse their behavior. One must accept responsibility for one's own actions."

Wow. Good advice from Rarity. That's a rarity.

"She's growin' up. She doesn't need me anymore." I said, my voice breaking a little.

"Oh, Applejack." Rarity gave me a quick hug. "She's still just a filly. I'm sure she still needs you. You're her big sister."

"I know, but it's just...she's growin' up so fast. It seems like just yesterday she was an itty bitty foal in my arms." I wipe away tears forming in my eyes.

"I know how you feel Applejack. Just yesterday Sweetie Belle made toast without burning it. I was so proud, though it's strange watching them grow. But, if you don't

mind me saying so, you sound more like you're talking about your daughter than your sister." Her eyes widened at my expression. Is she your daughter? Your love child from a youthful affair with an itinerant farmer? Oh, you must tell me all the details!"

I rolled my eyes. "All them romance novels you read have turned your brain to mush. No, she ain't my daughter. But...she kinda is. I practically raised her."

"And you raised her so well that now she's ready to start raising herself. It sounds like you did a good job."

I smiled. "I never thought about it like that."

Rarity and me talked some more over some cider than I returned home. It was getting late so I crawled in bed. Just as I was started to unwind I heard the door open.

I sat up. "What do ya need, Applebloom?"

She pawed at the ground and lowered her head. "Sis...Can I sleep with you tonight? I had a nightmare."

"I thought you didn't want me fussing over you anymore." I teased.

"Sometimes It'd be okay if you fussed over me...when I really need to be fussed over." She said a slight whimper in her voice.

Oh, God. Break your sister's heart why don't you?

I pulled back my blanket. "Come here, Sis."

She practically leapt into my bed. I wrapped my tail around her as she snuggled into my fur.

"Goodnight. I love you."

"Love you to..." She murmured as she drifted off.