Nathan woke up with a jump out of bed; he wanted to see his friends again. He quickly did everything he needed to and headed downstairs. On his way out the door, he caught sight of his mother, who looked like her mind was elsewhere; she had a big smile on her face. He decided to ask "Something the matter?"

"Nothing."

"You're not doing a good job of hiding it then."

She giggled "Sorry, it's just that, I'm considering about letting Manny move in with us."

"Are you know?" he said with fake enthusiasm. She nodded slowly "I think he might propose to me also."

"Great."

"So I want you out of the house for the day."

"I was heading out anyway."

"Good, see you later sweetie."

Nathan closed the door to his house and let out a sigh. He ran into the woods.

"Big brother!"

"Oh big brother."

…

"Big brother!" birds went flying away. Thumper's sisters met at a log "Every time we turn out backs, he's gone," one of them complained.

"Leave no stone unturned, one other said, causing the others to giggle. The four ran off in all directions. Suddenly the log began moving.

"Why are we hiding from your sisters?" Flower asked from inside the log, only to be hushed by Thumper.

"I think they're sweet," Flower asked blushing a little. Thumper looked back at him "Well you don't have to live with them."

THUD

"Back up!" Thumper called out to Flower.

THUD

"Watch it!"

THUD

"C'mon push harder."

They advanced, they both let out a sigh.

THUD

"Ow!"

'Oh for crying out loud!" Thumper called out while getting out of the log; Flower followed shortly after.

"Watch where you're you big-" Thumper stopped himself when he caught sight of Nathan.

"Oh, Nathan, you came back."

"Yeah, what are you doing?"

"Hiding from my sisters."

"Oh, hey Flower."

"Hi."

"So where's Bambi?"

"I think we ran into him back that way." The three hid behind a bush and spotted the Great Prince and Bambi talking.

"You're going to stay near the den where it's safe." the Great Prince began.

"But I'm ready for danger, for adventure, for…for-"

"The den?"

"Yeah, Yeah good idea, I'll stay and guard the den." when the Great Prince was out of sight Bambi dropped his head in disappointment; he began walking back towards the den. The three emerged from the bush and startled Bambi.

"Oh, hey guys."

"Is something the matter?" Thumper asked Bambi.

"Nothing." he responded blandly.

"C'mon, you can tell your bestest friends." Flower and Nathan nodded in agreement.

"Well, my father never takes me with him anymore. I guess I'm not what prince should be. If I could just show him."

"Show him what?" Flower asked.

"That I can be brave, like him," Bambi said with confidence.

"Bravery? What happened?" Nathan asked Bambi. Bambi explained what happened to him last night.

"Oh-no," Nathan sat down in the wet grass. Though snow was still around, spring was starting to show itself. "Is something the matter?" Bambi asked. "I think you ran into my step-father, he's a hunter."

"Step-father? But I thought-" Bambi bit his lip. Nathan didn't seem to notice his slip of the tongue; He sighed.

Thumper tried to redirect the conversation about bravery "If that's all it is…" Thumper hopped onto a nearby rock "…being brave is easy, we could teach you."

"You can?" Bambi smiled.

"Sure, watch this," Thumper puffed up his and growled. Bambi, Flower and Nathan got close as Flower whispered "I think he had a hairball."

"No, I'm being brave. The trick is to be scarier then whatever is scaring you."

"I don't think it works like that Thumper," Nathan said.

"Oh what do you know…" he looked at Bambi "…try this," Thumper made a scary face. Bambi attempted to mimic him. Thumper fell backwards laughing "You look like a squirrel."

"Oh let me try, let me try," Flower insisted as the other three watched. Flower made a face but then suddenly let out gas. "Eww," the three said in unison "You just found your inner strength," Thumper said with tears rolling down his eyes from the smell. Flower giggled at the remark.

"Okay now stand very straight," Thumper said while adjusting Bambi into some position. "Stick out your chest, take the deepest breath you ever took, then let it out."

'This ought to be interesting.' Nathan thought to himself.

What came out of Bambi left everybody speechless. Nathan was holding back a grin as Thumper looked un amused "You're going to be a lot of practice."

Oh, well what did you think Nathan?" Bambi asked.

"I'm not going to lie, that sounded like a goat." Nathan was laughing partially. Bambi looked disappointed.

"You just gotta keep practicing is all. I'm a mountain lion," Thumper said jumping away. Bambi perked up "Oh, yeah, I'm a bear." Bambi trotted off, following Thumper. Flower and Nathan looked at each other before getting up and following the two.