Chapter Twelve
Buck woke back in the safety of his teepee. Ike was sitting beside him, reading the book he had brought back for Buck. Buck rolled onto his side and smiled up at his friend. “You get any rest?” he asked.

Ike nodded. *I only woke up a few minutes ago because Little Fawn brought us some food. I think she was disappointed that it was me who woke up and not you.*

“Why?” Buck asked as he absent-mindedly reached to check to make sure he was covered.

Ike grinned. *Because I think she fancies you; she keeps trying to catch a look at you when you’re not looking.*

Buck blushed as he remembered the times he’d caught her trying to peek under his covers.

*Did you know her before?* Ike ventured as he handed Buck the bowl of food that had been left.

Buck accepted the food and nodded. “She’s Little Fox’s sister. She’s just a little younger than I am.” He took a bite.

Ike decided to push this conversation just a bit further. *So, if you hadn’t left, could you have…*

Buck shrugged. “I’m not sure,” he said. “If I had been allowed to finish my trials, it’s possible. I am fairly certain that her family would not have approved, but then again…” he paused.

Ike waited, and Buck finally continued, “Due to the fact that Red Bear is war chief and Little Fox isn’t allowed to be a warrior…” he again paused. He took a deep breath and indicated that Ike should hold his question. “The Kiowa don’t frown upon that type of relationship, but the men who chose it are not allowed to be warriors. They help the village by tracking, hunting, and doing other things, but they aren’t allowed to be warriors because…” once more he fell into silence, unsure of how to explain why this was so.

Ike waited. When Buck didn’t start speaking again, he tried, *Is it true that captives are broken by using them in that way?*

Buck hesitated a few seconds before nodding.

*Is that so for all tribes?*

Again Buck nodded.

*I think I understand then,* Ike said. *The Kiowa can’t risk a man like Little Fox wanting to be captured; it would weaken the defense or attack.*

Buck once more nodded. “So," Buck continued, “If I had stayed, been allowed to attempt my trials of manhood, and passed them so that I was considered a warrior, it would be possible that I would be allowed to marry into such a family.” He smiled as he shook his head. “I’d never thought about such a thing before; funny how things turn out.”

Ike nodded and turned his attention to the meal they were sharing. As he sat eating, Ike once more contemplated the possibility that Buck may decide to stay. Things would surely be different after the events of the day before. Ike thought about asking Buck about exactly how, and then changed his mind; he wasn’t sure he was ready for the answer.

The flap over the entrance was pulled back. Red Bear and Sky Chaser entered. She quickly gathered their bowls and placed them aside. “I need to check you back and leg,” she told Buck.

Buck nodded and moved so she could examine him. While she worked, Red Bear sat watching. He kept glancing at Ike, but said nothing. Ike could sense that the older man wanted to ask him something, but decided to not venture a question of his own. He wasn’t sure he wanted to have the conversation that any questions from Buck’s older brother might bring about. To keep from letting it bother him, Ike studied the expert way that Sky Chaser tended Buck.

As Sky Chaser finished up her exam, she smiled at Buck. “You are healing well,” she said. “Do you think you can stand?”

Buck shrugged. “I can try,” he replied. “I think it might be a good idea for Red Bear or Silent Wolf to be here to help just in case.”

Sky Chaser nodded. She turned to her father. “Could one or both of you please help?”

Red Bear nodded. “What do you need us to do?” he asked as he rose to his knees.

“I wish to see if my uncle can stand,” she explained. “He has asked that one of you be here in case he needs assistance.”

Red Bear moved to his brother’s side. He gave Buck his arm to pull up on. Just as Buck stood, the light at the door flickered and Little Fawn crawled in. She glanced at Buck, but dropped her gaze when she noticed that Red Bear was there beside him. She quickly and quietly gathered the food bowls and backed out.

Buck had felt her gaze on him, and again wondered why it bothered him that she should look at him. It didn’t faze him when Sky Chaser saw him, or even touched him.

Ike had noticed the exchange of glances and the fact that Buck had tried to hide his nakedness and had even blushed as the girl looked him over. He was certain that she was attracted to Buck; he was now beginning to think that Buck was also attracted to her. He once more felt the dread that he was losing Buck back to the Kiowa.

Buck managed to hide his unease and hold onto Red Bear until Little Fawn had slipped back out of the teepee. He then moved so that he was putting weight on his injured leg. He tested it while still holding onto Red Bear. When there wasn’t a lot of pain, he released his hold on his brother’s arm. He managed to stand a few minutes before he felt the need to sit.

Sky Chaser and Red Bear helped him back to the ground. “I think you need to do that a few times a day,” she told him. “It will help you grow stronger.”

She turned to her father. “He will need clothes,” she said. “I do not think it would be a good idea for him to be seen the way he is now, and he needs to be out and about as much as possible.”

Red Bear nodded. “Speak to your mother. It is possible that she can adjust some of mine to fit.”

Buck turned to Ike, “Tell them I have clothes.”

*I brought him some,* Ike said as he indicated the small bundle sitting inside the teepee.

Sky Chaser went to the bundle and opened it. She pulled the clothing out and studied them. “These will not fit over his splint,” she said holding up his pants. “Perhaps we could cut them.”

Buck reached up and took them from her. “I’d rather not cut these if we can find something else,” he said. “I will need them when I go home.”

Ike released the breath he had not realized he was holding. Buck had mentioned going home – he wasn’t planning on staying here any longer than he needed to. As this information sank in, Ike wondered why it didn’t make him happier.