Sorry it's late guys. Before you complain, I must say one thing: College. Also, I was getting the story down a bit more. I just had a rather interesting idea about the universe in general; it's often taken for granted that every animal is attracted to those of their own species. I mean, besides several references to Wearets- the less I think of that the better- the only example was the two shrews in Loamhedge who seemed to have a bit of a thing for Fenna. Bragoon and Saro, might be another example, if only because they were male and female.

Anyway, leave my ramblings alone. I think we should be back at Redwall now, right? hey, look! Filler!

Burard stalked down the dormitory steps past Great Hall, lantern in paw- the sun wouldn't be up for another hour. He was headed toward the kitchens, where he had hidden a blueberry pudding, made especially for his early morning snack. Even though he made the trek almost nightly, he could never get over the creeping fear that he was being watched. Of course, it was entirely likely that he was. Every so often he turned, as if to catch somebeast in the light of his lantern. As he was passing through Great Hall proper, he felt the fur on his neck prickle, and spun, holding the lantern high.

"Ha!"

Staring back at him were two familiar eyes, lovingly sewn into the great hall tapestry hundreds of seasons ago.

"Oh, 'tis only you Martin. I wonder if you ever get tired of watchin' over us and all that other nonsense your spirit's supposed to do."*

That's when he heard it. Like the snap of twig in the forest, the sound of a tail sliding along the ground caught his ears.

"You're gettin' sloppy, Mykal!" Burard gloated, illuminating the space under the table before sticking his own head under.

He was not prepared to see a red-furred squirrelmaid waving back at him.

"Clivia? Why're you there?"

"'Mornin' Barrels," a voice whispered in his ear.

Startled, Burard leapt up, roaring as he knocked his head on the table and dropping the lantern, which was deftly caught before it could shatter on the ground. His assailant's grinning face and thick glasses were illuminated by the lamplight.

"Rae? Then where's Myk-"

"RIGHT HERE!"

"WAAH!"

Burard leapt back and clutched at his rapidly beating heart. Mouse, squirrel, and fox rolled on the floor in fits of laughter.

"Easy, you'll have the whole abbey up early!"

"You shoulda seen your face!"

"What's that about me gettin' sloppy, now?"

"And what is the meaning of this!"

All four young beasts bolted upright at the harsh voice. A massive she-badger stood before them, arms crossed in front of her chest and looking murderous. Burard recovered first, throwing himself at her feet.

"Oh, Mother Ubala! These three miscreants are tryin' to scare this poor innocent soul to death! Little me, only on his way to enjoy the fruits of 'is own labor!"

His loud imitation sob fell on deaf ears.

"You haven't been little a day in your life," Ubala replied dryly. The other three had to bury their heads in their paws.

"Hurr! Wut be the noisyness 'bout yurr? Somebeasts tryen ta be asleepen' this toime o' day."**

All five turned to the newcomer, a pudgy middle-aged mole with a stripe of grey fur at eyebrow level.

"Father Abbot!" They all exclaimed together.

"Yurr, tis Oi, ole Abbot Rummag. A beast carn't get toired of ee callin' im boi 'is toitles. Wot be the probbem?"

"Father, these four are trying to wake the entire Abbey!" Ubala charged.

"Hey now," Burard interjected, still in his dramatic mood, "I'm just the victim of a mean-spirited prank. I was just gettin' the pudding I made meself last night. 'Twas those three hooligans what caused me to shout, with their sneakin' around and causin' beasts to hit their heads an' scarin' 'em. Especially that mouse there. I'd have thought her too mature for such petty things."

"Listen here youngster," Raelyn begin in a harsh croaky voice, "I've got a good three days worth of living more than you, so you'd better respect yore elders. Not to old to lay out on mah knee and paddle yore tail. Besides, a good bit o' fun keeps the mind from going idle."

The other two youngbeasts were currently laughing so hard that they needed to lean on each other for support.

"An' wot be you two up to noaw?"

Mykal regained his composure first.

"Y'see Father," he began, indicating the sack that Clivia carried, " the infirmary was runnin' low on supplies- bindweed, dock leaves, and such- so I got in touch with Clivia and we went out and foraged some up. Rae was up studyin' in the gatehouse, so she let us out and back in. We heard the big tubby one stumblin' about lookin' to fill that stomach o' his, and couldn't resist scarin' 'im. It was all in good fun, though. Ain't we all good friends?"

He wrapped both of his long arms around all three for effect; all four gave huge imitation smiles in the Abbott's general direction. Rummag's severe glower softened.

"Awroight. Be gudd li'l beasts and head up ta bed noaw."

The four of them, still embracing, marched up the steps together, backwards, and still grinning.

"You're way too soft on them, you know that?"

"Oh, do oi."

Out of earshot of the two authority figures, the four unwrapped themselves and bid each other goodnight at an intersection of two hallways. Mykal and Burard headed north, while Clivia and Raelyn went south.*** As if forgetting something, Clivia turned around to plant a kiss on the tip of Mykal's nose.

"'Night Mykie."

"G'night. or, Good Morning, I guess." This was met with a giggle.

As they headed to their dormitories, Burard gave a huge snort.

"What?" Mykal inquired.

"Nothin'"

"That don't sound like nothin'."

"Oh, you just seem to have a maid interested in you. 'Night my sweet Mykie!'"

"Clivia? Naw, she's just really... affectionate."

"Sure. And I've got a bit of an appetite."

"Come on, she's like my sister. Besides, she's a squirrel."

"What's that make your kids, then? Squoxes? Fuirrels?"

Mykal was not amused.

"Burard, I mean this in the friendliest way possible. I'm going to rip off your rudder and beat you to death with it."

"That's a new one. Quite creative. Can't help but think I'm forgettin' something important."

"Your pudding."

Burard turned back around, and Mykal called out "Don't worry, I already ate it for you."

"That's why I made two."

"Well played."

*I can't be the only one who's grown to hate having this forced down my throat every book. WE GET IT JACQUES! GAWD!

** I might possibly need to work on my Mole.

*** I'm assuming that there are girls' and boys' dormitories, at least for the teenagers. For... obvious reasons.