Another Dream

By: biacebaolck

Lash was like any other hare his age; adventurous, smart, strong, troublesome and full of attitude. But, despite all his faults, he was well liked among his comrades: as a friend to those his age, as a teacher to those who wished to learn to fight and as a student to those older than him, learning the customs and laws of his village.

He watched the sun rise and smiled. Watching the sunrise and sunset were two of his favorite pastimes and he wouldn't miss them for the world. "Hey, Lash!"

Without bothering to turn, Lash replied, "What are you doing up so early, Marko? I know for a fact that you sleep in late and that you snore." Marko scowled, and even though Lash couldn't see him scowl, he smirked. It pays off to have a friend who you know really well…

"I will cherish the day you get married and leave," Marko muttered.

"Married?" Lash exclaimed, turning to look at the brown furred hare. "You're referring to Raganark law # 984, right?"

"I thought it was rule # 935."

" 'Do not back talk to your elders'? I don't think so."

"Ok, ok." Growled Marko. "I'm stupid so ignore everything I just said." Then, he smirked. "But I know you like somebeast…"

"Who says?"

"Nobeast. But how do you explain that blue ribbon on your upper arm?" Marko asked, pointing to the ribbon tied around Lash's upper arm, keeping the dock leaves and herbs in place.

"Shut up!" scowled Lash, but he didn't contradict his friend. He remembered fondly meeting the owner of the ribbon.

He closed his eyes, indicating that the discussion was over. Marko left to do his morning chores while Lash remembered his newly acquainted interest.

It was a bright sunny day. He was taking a walk. Sometimes, it felt good to walk away from your problems, just for once. Suddenly, a spear came out from nowhere and struck his upper arm.

Gritting his teeth, Lash pulled it out, sticking the spear point into the ground and stumbled off into the cover of the forest.

He had left a trail of blood, he knew that. The big hare who had thrown the spear came and tugged his spear free, with a little difficulty (Hey! It rhymes!). His fur had painted markings on it (sort of like the Native Americans that painted their skin).

Lash held his breath. It would only be a matter of time before the hare found his trail of blood and finished him off. "How're you doing, Oa?" a female voice rang out.

He saw a silver furred and sapphire eyed female haremaid, the same markings of paint on her fur like the male. This meant they were of the same clan.

"I'm fine, Selena." Answered Oa in his husky voice. "Is it time to change my bandages yet?" Lash noticed that Oa's left paw was bound in bandages. Before Selena could answer, a group of brown furred haremaids, the same markings of paint on their fur, came.

"You've worked too hard for one day, Selena," one of them said. "We'll take care of it for you."

Lash suspected that the haremaids only wanted to be with Oa and it was easy to see why. Oa was strong looking and seemed 'handsome', whatever that meant.

"Ok," agreed Selena, smiling. "Thanks."

"It's nothing." Another one said. "You better get back to the village."

"Bye." She waved to them and walked away. When she was gone, the haremaids ushered Oa somewhere else.

"It's too noisy here." One of them complained. Then, they were gone. Lash let himself breath again.

"Are you ok?" He jumped. Selena was beside him, looking worried. She was looking at his upper arm.

"Why do you care?" he said haughtily. "After all, I'm a Raganark and you're a Torquoi. And our races have been enemies for countless seasons."

"True." Selena agreed. "But I know for one thing that there' s no law that states that a Torquoi can't help a Raganark or vice versa." Lash had to agree. It was, after all, true. "Now stay still."

He watched as she took some herbs from her haversack, crushed them in her paw, applied it to his wound and put dock leaves over it. "You'll still need something to hold them all together." Lash said.

"I know," she smiled, and removed a blue ribbon that had been tied around her right ear. She bound the dock leaves and herbs together and warned, "That's my favorite ribbon so don't you dare lose it."

After she finished, Lash stood up and tested his upper arm. It felt as though it had never been injured. "Thanks."

"No problem. I'm Selena. And who are you?"

"Lash." He smiled. "I'll see you again, right?" Selena smiled.

"Of course." She said mischievously. "You'll have to return the ribbon or else I'll push you into the river where the pikes live." At the horrified look on his face, she laughed. "I'm just joking."

"Warn me next time." Lash chuckled. They said their goodbyes and both of them went their separate ways, still thinking of the other.

Lash looked fondly at the blue ribbon. Perhaps he should go back and give it to her before she pushed her into the river where the pikes lived. Laughing at this thought, he stood up, and looked at the shell he had found when his village had traveled to their summer home.

Selena would love it. He was sure of it. If she didn't, well, who cared?

Backlash woke up, smiling. 'Mom and Dad, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G.' she thought and laughed. She didn't use her normal laugh but the laugh she had heard her father use.

Romance…. She looked up at the two stars still twinkling in the sky. Would she ever have it? 'What about Bucko?' her consciousness asked. She grinned.

'Maybe, just maybe he likes me…' she thought. Then she sighed. 'I bet he doesn't like me, just thinks me as a friend. That's how boys are, right?'

'But how do you know?' her consciousness pestered. Backlash didn't have a reply. She stayed silent, watched by two bright stars in the sky, wondering what she should do next.