Warriors: The Lone Buck ||Book 1||

Chapter 4

    Dappling the floor of the den, golden rays filtered through the small gaps of the nursery roof. They kept the den warm, despite the cold that swarmed outside. Stretched out in his nest, Buckkit was staring at the branches of the shallon bush, watching as little particles floated into the sunlight. His gray eyes slightly glowed from the light that poked into the dark den. The buck felt bored just laying in his nest, watching the light. The caretakers had left the den, presumably helping with the finishing touches of the camp barriers.     

    Three sunrises had passed since Grayflight's fight and, since then, Buckkit chose to stay well away from the elder. Many believed he was doing it just to avoid getting into more trouble. Secretly, however, the buck had been coming up with a plan. One that would make Grayflight leave him and his mother alone for good. After several moments of laying down, Buckkit looked around and pushed himself up. He stretched each of his legs, then curled his back in an arc.

    Giving his pelt a hard shake, he hopped out of his nest and hurried across the den, peering into another one. Fast asleep, nestled within the moss, was Redkit. Her legs were splayed out and she was snoring loudly. Whiskers twitching, Buckkit shuffled away from the sleeping fawn and checked the other nest. Hollykit's gold eyes were already tracking him, her right forepaw sticking out with her claws unsheathed. When he approached, she lifted her head.

    "What're you up to?" she asked innocently, while giving him a sly look. Buckkit chuckled, glancing back at Redkit, before murmuring,

    "I have a plan to get back at Grayflight... But I need you and Redkit to help me out." Hollykit smirked, pushing herself up and jumping out of her nest.

    "A plan to get back at her? Ooh, what is it?" she asked excitedly, her eyes glinting. His whiskers twitched and he purred.

    "I'll tell you after I wake up Redkit. Just wait over by the entrance." He nodded at the opening of the shallon bush, before turning and padding back to Redkit's nest. Silently, Buckkit climbed into the moss beside the fawn and prodded her with his forepaw. "Hey, Redkit. Wake up!" he hissed into her ear.

    She continued to sleep, however, causing the buck to frown. Pressing his paw against the doe's shoulder, Buckkit shook her. "Redkit, come on! Get up, please." Redkit groaned, rolling away from him.

    "Go away, Buckkit. I'm trying to sleep," she huffed, moving a forepaw to cover her face. Snorting, he shook her again.

    "Aww, but I need your help, Redkit! Please?" he pleaded, head tilting cutely. Slowly, she moved her paw away from her face, using it to cover her muzzle. She opened one eye, glared at him for a few seconds, before huffing.

    "Fine," she grumbled as she rolled onto her belly. "But you owe me!" Buckkit beamed at her, eyes twinkling in the sunlight.

   "Of course, Redkit," he reassured her. "Now, come on." Turning, he jumped out of the nest and trotted back over to Hollykit. She was waiting beside the entrance, watching them impatiently. The smokey gray doe was kneading the ground with her paws, ears twitching anxiously. Redkit shuffled after Buckkit, yawning loudly.

    "What is it you need help with, anyway?" The younger fawn asked as she followed him.

    "To convince Grayflight to be on our side," Buckkit replied as he reached Hollykit, sitting beside the doe. Redkit paused, her eyes narrowing in confusion.

    "But why would you?" she demanded after several heartbeats. "She's a massive jerk to you! And to your mom." Buckkit twitched an ear, sighed, and looked away at the den wall. His eyes closed half way and his ears partially flattened.