Double Rainbow

Spritz-8

I see Natrina's palace in the distance. In front of me on the river is a blazing flame and a lithe, smooth shape. Is that... Torch?

He jumps off the raft and shakes himself off. Flames sizzle and in the dim light I can see Riana. She's smiling and Torch puffs out his chest, looking way more impressive than he usually is.

"Torch!" I say, happy to see him even though we were supposed to split up. "What are you doing?"

"I was going to ask Natrina about my destiny. You?"

"How else was I supposed to get home without her? I hope she won't mind me asking for help again." I shrug.

"She'll probably be fine with it. I just wanted to see you guys off. I'll take care of the tree while you're gone if you want."

"That would be nice." mumbles Torch.

"Then it's settled. You can count on me." Riana puts her paw up to her face and salutes. "Well, guess this is the end of the line for me." She pads off the way we came, slowly at first.

She turns back, and says, "Good luck!"

"I'm going to miss her." I reflect.

"Me too." Torch says.

"I thought you hated her!" I tease.

He blushes violently. "What? No, I don't hate her! We're friends."

I snort. "Yeah right, then why are you blushing? Oooh, you like her, don't you? Come on, no sappy love triangles here. I really hate love triangles."

"Shut up, I don't like her! For crying out loud, be more mature!" Torch snaps, walking off towards the palace in a huff.

Even if it's mean, teasing Torch numbs the pain of my own love problems. I still miss her way too much. Snow Hare, dying and alone, will never know how much I love her. I never even got to say good-bye.

I knock on the enormous doors of Natrina's palace, and Torch and I walk in. Vines are draped over the halls, and little birds sing in the rafters. It truly is a kingdom of nature- a large orange cat-like animal with black stripes walks by me in the halls, and I stand still for a minute, waiting for it to pass. It's the size of me, and probably just as fierce, even without my epic water powers.

It walks up to me, teeth bared, and I blast it with water. It snarls, recoiling and then turns to me again. "I suggest you do not pick a fight with me. I am capable of more than you wish to know." It says angrily.

"Sorry, I'm not a big fan of large animals, unless they're Canira. They scare the heck out of me." I say nervously. I notice Torch's reaction is similar to mine, he's behind me with his tail flame burning bright.

"Why are you here, intruders?" purrs the tiger, looking down on us even though I'm his height.

I sound as dignified as possible, lashing my tail and staring into the eyes of the tiger. "We would like to speak to Natrina."

The tiger looks me up and down. "Spritz?"

"What?! How do you know my name?!" I spit, completely perplexed.

"You were Natrina's helper for three months. Do you seriously not remember any of her helpers? Because that is pathetic."

"No way, I totally do. You're Bob, right?"

He does a facepaw and leads Torch and I to Natrina. Natrina is even more radiant than last time I saw her. She wields a beautiful scepter in one hand and a bird perches in her other. A lily sits under her ear, crowning her glorious green fur.