Disclaimer: See chapter 1

Part 3: One Point For Me

Dusk.

It had been really hot all day, even for the villagers, because everyone had stayed in their huts as much a possible. Most of the Wolfriders had slept all day and began to wake up at the upcoming moons. Clearbrook was busy combing her hair, while One Eye cleaned up his knife with a piece of leather. Scouter had yet to awake, but if he could predict the future, he knew it wasn't going to be long.

Where Strongbow had situated himself, was a total mystery. He hadn't come back since he left and, though Moonshade had had a nap herself in the afternoon, she knew he hadn't been around while she was sleeping either. She had been with him for such a long time, and yet he occasionally was still a mystery to her. She couldn't penetrate to his way of thinking. She wished she could sometimes. She even regretted yelling at him, earlier. She didn't want to be angry with him, nor did she want him to be angry about anything. But Strongbow had a fierce temper and sometimes he frightened her. So he did this time.

"Shade and Sweet Water!" Shenshen stood in the opening of the grotto, a pile of blankets in her small hands. "I thought you might want to have these, because it gets colder every night."

Moonshade smiled and nodded. "Well, thank you. That's very nice of you," she said in a voice almost as cheerful as Shenshen, and the small female blushed at the compliment.

The smile faded as she heard a groan coming from Scouter back in the grotto, "Can't you be quieter," he said a little grumpy. Shenshen rushed to him, leaving the blankets on the ground.

"Oh Scouter, Scouter, forgive me. It's just that it's such a beautiful day and I thought to cheer you up!" The way her voice echoed through the grotto made Scouter laugh and he tapped the maiden on the head.

"You're forgiven, but only because you are such a good laugh." Shenshen pouted, which made Scouter laugh even harder, not able to contain it this time.

Moonshade watched them, still smiling. Scouter was so young and full of innocence. He'd play with all maidens in the village, but still spending enough time with Dewshine, who was about the same age. And though Shenshen was much older (from what the tanner had heard), she was as playful as every youngster around, even playing with Newstar and Dart, and occasionally even with little Wing, who really seemed to like her very much.

Now One Eye had interfered with the two and tickled Shenshen, who was laughing uncontrollably, unable to remain standing. Scouter jumped in and the three of them rolled on the ground like wolf cubs fighting for a scrap of meat.

Moonshade's thoughts went back to her life mate. He had never been really playful, not even towards Dart. Of course he was affectionate, especially when Dart was just born. He'd made sure that nothing could happen to him. But as Dart grew older, Strongbow started treating his son like an adult, not a child. Strongbow loved his son, and was of course very proud, but sometimes he didn't act as a father, but as a teacher. And a very strict one, and sometimes even a little harsh. But the fact was he only wanted Dart to be the best archer, better than he was. Though that was practically impossible, because Strongbow had never missed in his entire life, from what the tanner could remember. But he didn't have a bond with the youngster, not like he used to have with their deceased daughter, Crescent.

Suddenly a shadow fell over Moonshade and she looked up, seeing Strongbow standing just a few feet away from her, his features drawn into a scowl, but face still mostly expressionless. He didn't say anything, just glared at Scouter and Shenshen, who were oblivious to the change of atmosphere.

Suddenly Shenshen looked up, noticing the dark figure in the cave opening. Normally she wouldn't be able to see who it was, but the bow around the body gave him away.

"Hiya, Strongbow," she cheered, not able to see his expression on his face. But Scouter did, his vision adapted to the dark surroundings.

"Um, Shenshen," he started. "I think we'd better go now." The auburn haired maiden looked at him, puzzled. "I'll explain later," he told her as he pulled her upwards and with him.

Only when they were outside Shenshen noticed Strongbow's face like a thundercloud and understood why Scouter's sudden 'retreat'. Strongbow's scowl was one she'd never seen before, one she couldn't make herself, not even when she was really angry. It was obvious he was not happy.

She snorted; "What's the matter with him?"

"Like I said…" Scouter replied, "I'll tell you later."

As the two elves drifted off, Strongbow didn't even bother to watch them go. He just went inside without a word, getting eyed by One Eye and Clearbrook. He settled against the wall somewhere inside and picked up an unfinished arrow, clearly not wanting to finish it.

"And where were you?!"

Angrily Moonshade stood up and moved towards the archer. She had enough of this situation and him being so stubborn and so ill mannered.

"Why do you care," was his cold reply. He didn't even look up to face her as she stood in front of him. He just kept on standing against the wall, fiddling with the arrow without any real interest.

"I just want to know where you are and I don't want you to run off like a stubborn cub!" The tanner was furious. But so seemed Strongbow and glanced briefly at her before his outburst.

"I won't let you tell me what I can and what I can't do! I'm NOT a cub anymore!"

"Then stop acting like one!" The bomb had burst. "You're acting like a baby, that doesn't get what he wants!" He almost lunged at her, but somewhere in the back of his mind something said he shouldn't. So he didn't.

Without a warning Clearbrook stood, once again, between the two life mates, hands against Strongbow's chest, and this time One Eye was standing right behind her. They had seen the fire in both elves' eyes. Clearbrook shook her head.

"Ok, you big babies. I think this is enough for now. Or do you want to draw the attention of the entire village?"

"Who is a baby?"

All four Wolfriders looked up at the sound of the healer's voice, Moonshade and Clearbrook, genuinely surprised, One Eye a little suspicious and Strongbow utterly outraged.

"Oh, Leetah," the silver haired elf elder said, but was interrupted by Strongbow's snarl.

"And what are you doing here?!" His mental voice burned like liquid in her mind. It almost hurt and she winced at the power of it. She didn't like what she saw on his face. But confidently, as she always wanted others to see but what was really not her at all, she walked in further with head up and shoulders straight.

"This is none of your business. Go away." The mental tone was threatening, but she wouldn't let him scare her away.

"Well, if it's about babies, I think I would be qualified to know what you are talking about," she said, her voice more steady than her heart said she was.

Clearbrook let go of Strongbow, hoping he would behave himself around Leetah. She had learned to like the healer, though she had to admit, she didn't comply with many of her visions. Though Leetah had lived a fairly long life, it was barely half of the life Clearbrook had lived, and it had been a safe life, here in the Sun Village. And sometimes it seemed like she always came at the most terribly wrong times. And this was one of them.

"I said, go away."

Well, at least Strongbow wasn't happy with her presence. And he was getting more annoyed with each second. Leetah seemed to sense that and turned to leave. But Moonshade didn't agree with that and called out to her.

"Don't go, Leetah." Leetah turned back again and saw the apology in the tanner's eyes even before she actually apologized. "I'm sorry. There are just some issues that shouldn't be a problem."

"Really? Then, won't you tell me about it?" She tried not to let her curiosity get the upper hand, but wanting to know what was going on. Moonshade hesitated for a moment, looking from Leetah to Strongbow, not knowing what to say.

Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, Strongbow interrupted. "I'll tell you"… he started and Leetah didn't like the tone in his mentalvoice. "…to get out of here, now." He seemed deathly calm, but Leetah decided not to be intimidated by it.

"I will not allow you, a youth, tell me what I must." She turned to face Strongbow. "When you are old enough to have your say, I will listen. But for now, please grow up."

And with that she left, not waiting for the archer's response. One point for me, she thought, satisfaction apparent on her face as she left the cave for what it was…