By: K.Fox & B. Sun

"Everyone come quick! We have captives!" yelled Otter. The women who were harvesting berries dropped their baskets and hurried down to the village. "What's going on?" wondered Laughing Sunshine, shading her dark green eyes and peering down at the village. Her long black hair blew in the wind in unison with her white hide dress, carefully beaded with green, white and black beads. Her brother Otter, who was 11 winters old, 6 winters less then her, raced down the path ahead of her. Laughing Sunshine's best friend, Silver Fox, came trotting up beside her. Brown eyes sparkling, she cocked her brow and asked "Any good looking men in the heard of captives this time?" She laughed heartily as she kicked a stone down the hill covering her long boots in dust. "A fine wife you'll be covered in dust," giggled Laughing Sunshine. Silver Fox glared at her, turned quickly, and sped down the hill, lightly whipping Laughing Sunshine with her long black braid. "Hey!" yelled Laughing Sunshine as she sped after her friend.

The girls skidded to a stop a few cm short of crashing into two captives. The men looked up with a puzzled look on there face that quickly turned into a scowl. The Chief Warrior Cut Feather, who was also Silver Fox's uncle, declared the good news. "The war between the Sioux and Pawnee is over! These are the last captives!" The Buffalo Clan of the Sioux Tribe had been battling against the Pawnee for several moon turnings. Everyone hollered happily when they heard the news.

Lily, Silver Fox's 10 winters old sister, tugged lightly on Cut Feather's leggings. "Uncle, if the war is over, why must the captives stay with us?" "To teach the Pawnee a lesson." He glanced at the confused expression on her face. "You'll understand when your older." Lily pouted. "But you always say that and I turn older every winter and I still don't understand things!" Cut Feather picked up Lily and placed her on his shoulders. He headed toward his tipi and muttered to one of the warriors to introduce the warriors to the rest of the village.

The warrior lined the Pawnee warriors up to be introduced. He spoke ruffly to them to state there names. He kicked the first in the shin as he spat out his name; Black Raven. The next man was Kicking Bird, after him was Red Flint, then Ice Fire and finally the two that Silver Fox and Laughing Sunshine had almost run into Wolf Dreamer and Five Falls. "You five, Laughing Sunshine, Silver Fox, Chokecherry, Tanager & Elk Charm, go find lodging, food and drink for these men." Chokecherry, Tanager and Elk Charm waisted no time in choosing Black Raven, Kicking Bird and Red Flint. They led them away to some old tipis, as Chokecherry brushed past Laughing Sunshine she sneered, "You get the scraps." Tanager and Elk Charm laughed and walked away. Laughing Sunshine looked at Chokecherry with disbelief. Silver Fox placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, I'm sure the rest will clean up nice. Let's see what we have."

The two turned to face the remaining captives. Ice Fire was slim with starvation, he had a bloodied bandage on his left leg. Wolf Dreamer and Five Falls were covered with mud and dirt, illustrating that they must have struggled while coming to the camp. "Can we please untie them? They're not going to escape with all the warriors in the camp," asked Laughing Sunshine. With a sigh, Silver Fox pulled a flint knife from her boot and sliced at the ropes around their wrists and ankles. Wolf Dreamer attempted to spit on her, but only succeeded in slobbering down his chin. Silver Fox looked up at him. "Oh, I'm glad you like me, however try to keep your tongue in your mouth next time." "Silver Fox! I can't believe you just said that!" yelled Laughing Sunshine in disapproval. Five Falls didn't say anything and remained staring at the ground. "Where's your sense of pride?" asked Wolf Dreamer. "Why don't we just give up. We've been accepted into the tribe, the least we can do for them is be kind and show thanks." "Some Pawnee warrior you are," growled Wolf Dreamer. Sensing a fight, Laughing Sunshine gave Silver Fox a worried glance. "Okay children let's go to your tipis and get your bellies filled. Maybe a nap is in order too."

Silver Fox was in the lead, supporting Ice Fire. She turned to see how Laughing Sunshine was holding up, and saw her taking the ropes off their necks. "What are you doing?! They could still escape!" "They're people like us, we should not treat them like animals," protested Laughing Sunshine. "Just keep them on until we get to the tipis," Silver Fox said in exasperation. "Honestly, what side are you on?" Laughing Sunshine cast her eyes to the ground and followed Silver Fox in silence. The two girls led the men into the tipi, where Silver Fox's mother Red Star (also the village Spirit Woman) awaited them with a fire burning and the smell of herbal tea. Silver Fox lay Ice Fire in front of her to be healed while Laughing Sunshine removed the ropes from Wolf Dreamer and Five Falls. Wolf Dreamer sat cross legged and glared at Red Star. "He's fine, he doesn't need your help," he grumbled. Red Star ignored him and proceeded to sing the healing chant and clean Ice Fire's wound. Silver Fox sat down and declared to Wolf Dreamer, "You better shut your mouth or we'll sew it shut."

Laughing Sunshine sighed at her friend. "Silver Fox, we should bring them down to the stream so they can wash." "Thank you," said Five Falls quietly. Silver Fox slid the ropes over the Pawnee warriors' heads and pulled them roughly out the tipi flap. The men jerked in surprise, but followed. About half way to the stream, they came across Chokecherry, Tanager, Elk Charm, Black Raven, Red Flint and Kicking Bird. Chokecherry grinned slyly and approached Laughing Sunshine. "So, Laughing Sunshine, which one is sharing your bed tonight?" she asked cruelly. Laughing Sunshine cast her eyes to the ground with a look of hurt in them, she barely fought back her tears. Silver Fox stepped in front of her in anger. She stuck her face inches from Chokecherry's and spat, "How many seeds have you forced them to put into your wretched body?" Chokecherry held her head high, trying not to show her embarrassment and strode away with Tanager and Elk Charm following. Silver Fox turned to see Wolf Dreamer staring at her admiringly. "What are you looking at pig?!" she yelled.

Five Falls walked beside Laughing Sunshine saying, "I'm sure there's more air then sense in her head." Laughing Sunshine giggled half heartily. Wolf Dreamer glared at Silver Fox's head, angry at her for her remark. "All women are good for is keeping a man's robes warm and giving him children," he muttered. Silver Fox spun sharply on her heel and kicked Wolf Dreamer in the back of his knee caps, forcing him to kneel before her. "What was that you said?" she asked through clenched teeth. Wolf Dreamer only smiled and got to his feet. Silver Fox snorted in disgust and splashed into the stream. She slipped the ropes from their necks and told them, "If you try to escape, you'll have a flint knife stuck in your back." she grumbled, pulling two sharp knives from her boots. She slipped them back into the hidden sheaths woven into the sides of her knee-high foot wear. With that, she marched to where Laughing Sunshine was picking berries.

Laughing Sunshine playfully flung a berry at Silver Fox and laughed when it collided with her unsuspecting friend's face. Silver Fox pulled a piece of driftwood that led behind her, tripping Laughing Sunshine so she fell face first into the water. Laughing Sunshine came up sputtering, and once she regained her breath, tossed a heavy stone in front of Silver Fox, causing a wave to wash over her. Silver Fox attempted to splash her back, but splashed Wolf Dreamer instead when Laughing Sunshine ducked. Wolf Dreamer looked outraged, and then grinned evilly. He toar through the water after Silver Fox, forgetting their differences. Silver Fox screamed joyfully and laughed, turning sharply so Wolf Dreamer ploughed into Five Falls. "Brother, I recall that we did this when we were ten winters old," laughed Five Falls. "Brother??" asked Silver Fox and Laughing Sunshine in unison. "Yeah...what are you, stupid animals?" he asked in a tone, glancing at their open mouths.

Before Silver Fox could make a remark, there was a crashing in the brush and a tall man accompanied by Otter walked out. Otter jumped in the water and swam to Wolf Dreamer and Five Falls. "That's my father, Broken Shaft. He's the Chief Hunter, so you better listen to him. And I'm going to be the next Chief Hunter, so you're going to be have to listen to me to." "Otter!" scolded Laughing Sunshine, "what have I told you about boasting?" "And that's my sister," continued Otter, "My mother said she needs to be married soon. She's 17 you know." "Otter!!" yelled Laughing Sunshine. "Your name should be Running Mouth or Lips Flap in the Breeze." Laughing Sunshine's face was beet red. Five Falls patted Otter on the head. He whispered something in his ear. Otter giggled and swam away.

Broken Shaft walked to the stream bed and asked, "Laughing Sunshine, have you checked your traps yet? You could have caught a wolf which has gone to waist now because the black flies have eaten it," he scolded. "No father, I didn't check my traps. I'll do so right now," said Laughing Sunshine guiltily. Broken Shaft tossed an old hide bag on the shore. "Here, you can put whatever you catch in it." Wolf Dreamer and Five Falls stared at her in disbelief. "A woman that traps?" asked Wolf Dreamer in amazement. "And hunts," added Laughing Sunshine. "Next thing your going to tell me is that your friend is a Sprit Woman," "Good guess, I'm next in line," replied Silver Fox slyly. The two men looked to be paralyzed with astonishment. "Now who looks like dumb animals?" asked Silver Fox. "If you don't mind my asking, what are your names? You didn't introduce yourselves." "My name is Silver Fox and this is my friend Laughing Sunshine." "Hmmmmm, Laughing Sunshine," murmured Five Falls, "good description." Laughing Sunshine looked at him sideways, having have heard him. Five Falls' cheeks flushed and he looked away.

"Well, I should go check the traps," Laughing Sunshine said finally. Wolf Dreamer raised his brow. "I'd like to come with you, I'm interested in seeing if a woman makes a trap the same as a man." "What are you expecting, flowers and beads?" asked Silver Fox sceptically. "No, I'm a hunter too. I'd actually like to see if they work," Wolf Dreamer said smirking. "Ha, ha, ha, getting a little bold are we?" Silver Fox sneered. Laughing Sunshine sighed. "We were getting along..." She picked up the hide bag her father had left and strode down a path into the forest. Silver Fox turned to the Pawnee warriors. "Well, I guess it's just the three of us. Come on, we'll go back to the shelter. You must have something better then this," she indicated their war outfits, "to wear." She walked down the path with the men following-without the ropes around their necks- to their tipis. After the men were settled in, Red Star asked Silver Fox to gather some herbs and other plants for her.

Digging up the last root she needed, Silver Fox rose and brushed her dress off. She gathered the plants and walked toward the path, almost crashing into Laughing Sunshine. "Whoa there! What have you got??" asked Silver Fox, slitting her eyes and looking at the bundle Laughing Sunshine carried. "I managed to catch two rabbits," she said proudly, opening the bag a crack so Silver Fox could peer in. "Nice work. Let's see how the boys are doing," Silver Fox said, grinning. They chatted along the short path back to the shelters of what they thought Wolf Dreamer and Five Falls would look like. They lifted the flap of the brothers' tipi and stared in awe. The men were seated a crossed from each other around a small fire, Red Star and Ice Fire sat in the back. Five Falls was playing a hand-crafted flute beautifully while Wolf Dreamer sang along in a wonderful voice. Silver Fox turned to Laughing Sunshine and whispered, "So his mouth is good for something."

Laughing Sunshine ignored her friend's comment and continued to watch Five Falls. Now clean and dressed in proper apparel, he was the most handsome Pawnee man she had ever seen. His hair hung loose between his shoulders, a raven feather sat above his right ear. As he played his flute, his face came alive, his almost black eyes sparkling in the fire light majestically. He wore a beaded, tanned deer skin shirt which bulged with his muscles, and buckskin leggings. Still Water, Laughing Sunshine's mother, slipped in behind her and smiled approvingly as she followed her daughter's stare. Laughing Sunshine placed the rabbits on the ground and sat beside them, mesmerized. Silver Fox handed her basket to Red Star, keeping her eyes locked on Wolf Dreamer. His long, black hair rippled down his back, a beaded white headband stood out against it. He wore a faded wolf skin vest which almost matched his deeply tanned skin, and deer leggings. Poking out from the hem of his leggings were worn, beautifully crafted moccasins. As he sang, he widdled at a piece of wood, strong arms tensing and relaxing. Silver Fox tripped over her untied- tied boot lace and fell roughly beside her mother, both her and Laughing Sunshine were enchanted by the music the brothers created.

The spell was broken when and angry cry arose from outside the tipi. Laughing Sunshine and Silver Fox shook their heads, as if awaking from a dream, and ran out the flap to find Chokecherry on her knees in the centre of the camp, sobbing uncontrollably. "Red Flint tried to rape me!" she screamed through her tears. Red Flint poked his head out of the tipi he was staying in, a confused look on his face. Chokecherry reached for her mother, Lonesome Star, and buried her face in her lap. Red Flint walked out in rage. "I didn't do anything! She was forcing me!!" he cried in anguish. Lonesome Star tugged her daughter to her feet and called for the Chief of the Village, Stone Calf. Stone Calf walked out of his lodge and to Lonesome Star. "I demand you expel this man from the village! He is a dirty Pawnee for raping my poor child!" she exclaimed. "What is your proof of this?" Stone Calf asked her tiredly. Lonesome Star was known for trusting whatever wild story her daughter came up with, she was terribly protective of her. Chokecherry could say that Raven had raped her and Lonesome Star would believe her. "My child's cries are enough proof!" she exclaimed.

Five Falls stormed to the centre of the camp. "Listen to me," he began as everyone turned to look at him, "I've known this man all my life, he is the most gentle Pawnee I have ever seen. He would do no such thing to your daughter." Whispering went through the crowd. "You'd trust what a Pawnee has to say over one of your own Sioux?" yelled Lonesome Star. "Silence! We leave it for tonight and wait for the new day to make judgement," declared Stone Calf. Everyone nodded and left quietly for their tipis. Silver Fox and Laughing Sunshine turned to Five Falls and Wolf Dreamer. Five Falls' eyes gleamed hatred at Lonesome Star. "I can't believe her..." he muttered with anger. "Hush and get some rest," said Still Water, emerging from the tipi, "his fate will be decided tomorrow." Five Falls nodded and ducked under the tipi flap, Wolf Dreamer followed in silence. Silver Fox and Laughing Sunshine gave a sigh and headed toward their own tipis. The village slept.

The next morning, Silver Fox and Laughing Sunshine arose early to do their daily chores. After they finished, they headed toward Wolf Dreamer and Five Falls' tipi to find they were not there. "Oh great. The little maggots ran away," muttered Silver Fox. "Oh stop it, don't jump to conclusions. They might have just gone for a walk. People do that sometimes," said Laughing Sunshine. Before Silver Fox could make a comment, Still Water approached them. "My daughter, I have something important to tell you. Your father has become restless. He wants you to marry. You are the proper age, Two Smokes has asked for your hand." she said grimly. "But he has five wives already!" yelled Silver Fox in disbelief. "But Silver Fox, none of them are hunters or daughters of any importance. The Sun Dance is coming soon. If no one asks for your hand by then, I'm afraid you'll be forced to marry Two Smokes." Laughing Sunshine's face went pale. Still Water shrugged helplessly and walked away, you could tell in the way she walked that she was saddened by the whole ordeal as well.

"I do not want to be Two Smokes' wife. I've heard he beats his wives," Laughing Sunshine said solemnly. "Then we'll just have to find you and eligible man," said Silver Fox brightly. Her friend sighed. "How about Bear Claw? He's handsome." "He's never happy." "Singing Wolf?" "He'd have me and sever other wives." "Jumping Hare?" "He's too lazy." "Sage Ghost?" "Possibility. He's kind but I don't know him well." "How about One Who Cries?" "He's too cruel." "And you're too picky," muttered Silver Fox. Lily ran up to them. "Did you hear? Red Flint was expelled from the colony, Chokecherry got her way." Silver Fox clenched her fist and punched the nearest tree. Surprisingly, it said 'Ow!'. Silver Fox jumped away from it. "Have I angered you Great Spirit?" she asked, kneeling before the tree. Wolf Dreamer's handsome face poked out from behind the trunk. "No, you just hit me." Silver Fox jumped up and playfully punched him in the stomach. "Don't do that, you scared me!" Wolf Dreamer laughed. "So, I finally scared you. So much for being the strong one." He turned and ran, Silver Fox hot on his trail. Five Falls came from behind the tree and playfully poked Laughing Sunshine in the ribs.

"What's wrong?" Laughing Sunshine told him of the marriage to Two Smokes if someone else didn't ask for her hand. Five Falls looked away, something was obviously on his mind. They stood in silence for a few moments before Five Falls sighed heavily and walked away. Wolf Dreamer and Silver Fox ran up laughing. "Where's Five Falls?" they panted. Laughing Sunshine downcast her eyes. "He went to his tipi...I think I said something wrong," she replied. "What did you say?" asked Wolf Dreamer sceptically. "I told him what mother just said to me," Laughing Sunshine responded. Silver Fox placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'm sure it's just the fact that Red Flint was outcast that has him upset," she offered. Laughing Sunshine nodded hopefully.

Red Star approached them from the tipi. "Silver Fox, Laughing Sunshine, could you do me a favour and gather some more herbs for the Sun Dance? Oh, and could you take Ice Fire with you? He's in need of some fresh air, and he needs to use his leg a bit before it goes all stiff on him." She turned to Wolf Dreamer. "Get your brother and hunt please, we need much more meat for the Sun Dance." Wolf Dreamer turned to Laughing Sunshine. "Where are the best hunting grounds?" "We're all going to end up going to Broken Stone valley, it has the best herbs and game," she replied. Red Star walked back inside the tipi, none of them saw the hidden smile on her face. "Wait here, I'll go get my brother and Ice Fire. We can go together," he offered. Laughing Sunshine nodded and gathered some baskets from her tipi. When she returned, the men were ready. Five Falls cast his glance away from her. She felt a pang of guilt for him and sighed. "Well, come on, let's go," said Silver Fox hurriedly. Ice Fire talked the whole way to the valley, of the wars he'd been in and how he'd received the wound on his leg. He was a very kind man in Laughing Sunshine's opinion.

When they finally reached Broken Stone Valley, Ice Fire went to rest on a large rock while the others went about their business. From his pouch, Wolf Dreamer pulled out a magnificent bow. "What a wonderful bow!" Laughing Sunshine exclaimed. "It's made of strong willow, braided horse hair and a buckskin grip. It took me nearly a year to make it," he stated proudly. "Five Falls, show them your knife." Five Falls reluctantly pulled from his beaded pouch a well crafted bone knife. "How extraordinary!" gushed Laughing Sunshine. Five Falls gave a quick smile before Wolf Dreamer tugged him into the bushes. "Don't get lost now!" yelled Silver Fox. Wolf Dreamer poked his head out and flashed his best smile at her, which made her heart melt.

An hour later after working in silence, Silver Fox spoke up and asked, "So, what do you think of Five Falls?" Not making eye contact, Laughing Sunshine replied, "He's very kind." "That's all you have to say?" asked Silver Fox before continuing. "Well, the way I see it, you're looking for a husband correct? Why don't you marry him? I've seen the way you act around each other," she said slyly. Laughing Sunshine looked up from where she was digging roots. "I'll ask my father....I doubt if I'll get his permission." Silver Fox looked curiously at her friend. "Do you wonder why he wants you to marry Two Smokes?" she asked. Laughing Sunshine sighed. "Two Smokes is a rich man. He'll trade many horses, beads, skins, and even a copper kettle in exchange for my hand." "So your father doesn't care for you? Only wants to be rich? He has no concern that you'll be beaten? What a worm," Silver Fox spat. "My father and Two Smokes are friends, he refuses to believe that he would harm me." Silver Fox sighed and shook her head, there were a few minutes of silence between the two friends.

Silver Fox's eyes went blank suddenly and she fell to the ground. Laughing Sunshine dropped her basket and shook her friend. "Come on! Wake up!!" Silver Fox awoke and grasped Laughing Sunshine firmly by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. "At the Sun Dance, a man will save you from Two Smokes. He will be your husband. However your father does not think highly of this man and he must prove himself." Her eyes went blank again and she fell into darkness.

Wolf Dreamer, Five Falls and Ice Fire ran up to where the young women were. "What happened?!" gasped Wolf Dreamer, casting a panicked glance from Silver Fox's unmoving body to Laughing Sunshine. "She had a vision," replied Laughing Sunshine, still stunned from the prediction. "Will she be alright?" asked Ice Fire. "I'm not sure..." Laughing Sunshine poured a trickle of water into her friend's mouth. Wolf Dreamer bent over Silver Fox and lightly kissed her lips. Silver Fox's eyes shot open and she kicked Wolf Dreamer's stomach. "Trying to get a girl while she's down? How 'bout I kick you down..." "Silver Fox!!" Silver Fox ruffly pushed Wolf Dreamer away, grasped her basket and with a small 'Humph!" walked to another bush. Wolf Dreamer watched her in a daze from where she's shoved him down. "What did I do?" he asked innocently. Laughing Sunshine shook her head and watched her friend muttering curse words under her breath as she worked. "Forget about it," she replied. "You told us she had a vision Laughing Sunshine, what was it about?" "It was just about the Sun Dance, Five Falls, nothing to worry about," she sputtered, having been caught off-guard by the question. Ice Fire gave her a sideways glance. "I think your hiding something," he said, and limped away. "We should head back, it's getting dark," offered Five Falls. Laughing Sunshine nodded and collected her basket, Silver Fox followed, taking care to avoid eye contact with Wolf Dreamer.

A few minutes later, Chokecherry emerged from a bush ahead of them. She looked at them and said, "You can all go but I need to talk to Five Falls...alone." "Alright," said Silver Fox slyly, with a fake smile spreading across her face. She lead Laughing Sunshine, Wolf Dreamer and Ice Fire down a separate path, which doubled back through the brush to where they had left Chokecherry and Five Falls. They crouched behind a large sage bush and listened. "Well Chokecherry," began Five Falls, "I remember you calling me a scrap." "Me?" asked Chokecherry innocently. "I was referring to your brother." A 'grrrrrrrrr' came from behind a sage bush. "Wolf Dreamer, be quiet!" hushed Laughing Sunshine. Chokecherry cast a sideways glance at the bush before turning to Five Falls with a sweet grin. "How would you like to come with me for a while?" she asked. Five Falls spat on the ground. "So you can do the same with me as you did Red Flint?" he countered. Chokecherry sniffed as if she was going to cry, and then laughed. "He deserved it. I asked if he would marry be but he refused." Five Falls shook his head in disbelief. "You had no right to do that," he stated. "I'm a prize for any man. He had no right to refuse me," she said, guiltless. "Besides, my eyes are cast elsewhere," he remarked. "And who has captured your gaze other then me?" she inquired. "Why would I tell you, you'd get her outcast from the village like you did Red Flint," he snapped. "I don't believe you," Chokecherry whispered, stroking his hair.

Behind the bush, Wolf Dreamer and Laughing Sunshine were restraining Silver Fox from throwing a stone at Chokecherry's turned head. Five Falls pushed Chokecherry away in disgust. "I could never marry anyone who has made my friend an outcast," he said in loathing tone. Chokecherry turned and walked away. "You'll regret this!" "Oh Chokecherry!" yelled Silver Fox as she emerged from the bush with a hand filled with mud. She dashed after Chokecherry and caught up with her quickly. Chokecherry's scream was heard through the night, followed by Silver Fox's laughter.

As they returned to the village, Silver Fox spotted Red Star and ran to her. "Mother! The spirits have granted me with a vision!" she said proudly. Red Star smiled. "You're on the way to becoming a very powerful Spirit Woman, I didn't have my first vision until I was 19 winters old. Tell me daughter, did you understand it?" Silver Fox ran the vision over again in her mind. "All but one part that's blocked out." "Come, we'll discuss it in the sweat lodge," said Red Star, putting an arm over Silver Fox's shoulders. Five Falls, Wolf Dreamer and Ice Fire ducked said good evening to Laughing Sunshine and went to settle in for the night. Laughing Sunshine shivered and gave a worried glance to the heavens. "Who will save me?"

"Tomorrow's the Sun Dance!" sang Lily as she danced around her older sister and mother while they tried to take down the tipi. Laughing Sunshine worked on her tipi beside them, when Broken Shaft approached her with a grin. "Laughing Sunshine, there have been two men that have asked for your hand, but I have turned them both away. You will marry Two Smokes." Laughing Sunshine looked up from removing a pole from her tipi's hide. "But father, I still have one day left to find a husband," she protested. Broken Shaft looked at her thoughtfully. "Nonetheless, they still have to pass my expectations. Unless someone offers who is appropriate, you will marry Two Smokes." With that, he walked away to where Two Smokes took down his tipi. After the village's tipis were all down, they loaded their belongings on horses and left for the Sun Dance grounds. Laughing Sunshine's family and Silver Fox's family rode side-by-side, Laughing Sunshine told Silver Fox about what her father had said that morning. "Your father is a lowly maggot. We have to find you a husband!" Silver Fox said with a clenched fist. Laughing Sunshine sighed and nodded, wondering if that would be possible. By chance, she spotted Five Falls mounted on a beautiful white horse. Two Smokes kicked his dark black horse in the side and rode in front of Five Falls, trying to draw Laughing Sunshine's attention to him, he grinned with a triumphant smile as she turned away in disgust.. "That's a bad omen, Laughing Sunshine." whispered Silver Fox. Wolf Dreamer rode up beside them (he knew of the marriage arrangements) and as attempt for a joke said, "Laughing Sunshine, we'll have to name you Black And Blue from now on." Silver Fox made an un-impressed face and poured her pouch of water on Wolf Dreamer in response. Everyone burst into laughter. Red Star walked her horse over to them, chuckling. "You hurt the ones you love," she said slyly. Silver Fox stopped laughing, stared first at her mother and then Wolf Dreamer before snorting and riding ahead of them. "Do you and Five Falls have any new clothes for the Sun Dance?" asked Laughing Sunshine.

The Story Continues Here!