Ruby

Part 9

          I yawn. Then it all rushes back-the laughing, choking, and Dante's concerned look. I jerk my head upwards and my eyes fly open. Dante! I see that I'm in the medicine den. I look at Stoneflower. "I'm fine!" I tell her. Must get to Dante. I dart to the opening, but fall. My legs are weak. "What...Why?" I say. She smiles. "You were laughing so hard, you, a-almost, uh, actually..."  Her voice trailed off, and a frown washed over her face.  "What?" I demand. "W-well, see, you..." she stutters. "WHAT!?!" I yell. "Died! You almost died, alright!  We would of been leaderless, and well, don't get me wrong, but, Rainstorm's just not ready. I don't mean to be rude, like, uh, I'm not being disrespectful it's-" "Okay. It's okay." I tell her.  Relief washes over her face. "But I still don't understand, what- why aren't my legs, ugh," I grunt as I try-and fail-to stand, "working?" I finish. "Oh," -her face brightens considerably- "Well, when-er- you were, er, laughing, you lost all your strength so-you kind of have to sleep it out." She says. "Oh and this will help get your strength back!" She says and goes to the back of the den. She pushes some leaves forward. Then she peeks her head outside, and her body follows.  Then, an idea pops into my head. My wings-do they still have strength? I flap, and flap, and flap, and-yes! I am lifted off the ground. I swoop out of the den and see Dothan. "Hey!" I say. He always cheers me up. "Why hey ther, pritty un." He says. I laugh. "Tag?" I ask. He smile. "I'd be obliged!" He says, and I'm already shooting towards the sky calling, "You're it!"  I glance behind me and he's shooting up after me. I laugh, and loop back down, flying past him. I hear him grunt as he turns to follow me. I look back and he's gone. I know that trick, and I have my own to counter it. He hides in the forest, I hide in they sky-the clouds. I shoot up. Then stop, looking down. I can't see a thing. I see him shoot up, far away. Then I dive. Luckily, I'm the fastest flyer. Well, normally. Turns out  got a bit slower with this whole 'weak' thing. And Dothan spots me. He catches me before I reach the trees. "Nooooo!" I cry. He laughs. I frown. Turns out Dothan's not the only one who saw my dive.  Stoneflower, fly's up to me, an angry look on her face. She shakes her head. "Your out! Why? How? You can fly! You didn't tell me you were leaving the den! You need rest!" She splurted. I shake my head. "Talk to me l-" I begin but Dothan's got this covered. "I'm sorry, ma'am but yer addressin' the wron wegle, see I'n the un yeh shud be tok'n te . I'n the one tha' as' her, the pritty lady, tu play tag wit me. Very sorry, ma'am." He says. I smirk slightly. Stoneflower shakes her head disbelievingly.  "I really don't believe you" she says, but grabs my wrist and pulls me back to her den. "Hey can someone make sure she stays in here?" She calls. Dothan was up for the job, but she rejected him. "Not you!"  she says. She looks around, and finally persuades Garnog. "Ugh, not him." I complain. But she just stalks off. Fine if she wants sleep, I'll sleep. I look for poppy seeds in the back. Yep here they are! I eat some, then settle down for another sleep. A day without Dante. Sad, but he's still here, I can hear him talking to Rainstorm. "Yes, yes I kind of like her... Rubys quite pretty!" he says, and I fall into a cheerful sleep