Chapter Fifteen
The next morning found both men sleeping soundly. Sky Chaser and Little Fawn did not disturb them as they quietly placed bowls of food inside. Sky Chaser frowned at Little Fawn as the other young lady crawled all the way inside the teepee. “What are you doing?” she hissed.

“They will need fire,” Little Fawn whispered. “I’m just going to start a small one so they can eat more quickly.”

Sky Chaser nodded. “Hurry,” she said. “You don’t want anyone to see you.”

Little Fawn turned her attention to the small fire circle in the middle of the dwelling. She smiled to herself when she noticed Buck’s state of attire. When he shifted in his sleep, she quickly went back to the task at hand – starting a fire from scratch when the coals had been allowed to grow cold.

She managed to complete her task and exit the teepee before either man awoke. As she accompanied Sky Chaser back across the village, Little Fawn hummed quietly.

Sky Chaser shook her head as she watched her friend. “You need to be careful,” she said. “I heard Father talking to Running Buck last evening; your father was wondering if you needed to be punished for your behavior.”

“I know,” Little Fawn replied as her smile grew, “and your uncle replied that I should not be punished.” She stopped walking and studied her companion before confessing, “He was not upset last evening when I kissed him; I think he finds me of interest.”

Sky Chaser stared at her friend. “You did what?”

“I kissed his cheek as I gave him his food,” she said. “He did not object; I see no reason for you to.”

Sky Chaser shook her head. “I do not object,” she said. “I just hope you don’t get in trouble with your brashness; I also do not wish you to be hurt.”

“How would I be hurt?” Little Fawn asked.

“He speaks of going home,” Sky Chaser reminded her. “He has another family away from us. He and Silent Wolf will be leaving as soon as Running Buck is strong enough to travel.”

“How long is that?”

“Not quite one moon.”

Little Fawn smiled at her companion once more. “That is plenty of time to change their minds and convince them that they wish to remain with us. I have heard them talking also; while they have family, they do not have women.” She laughed and once more started humming as they approached the cook fires.

<c>* * * * * * * * * * * *</c>

The warmth of the fire caused both Buck and Ike to wake. Buck glanced around the teepee and discovered the bowls of food. They were still warm so it hadn’t been too long ago since they’d been delivered.

Buck rolled over and crawled to the entrance. He poked his head out as he pushed the flap covering the opening back and attached it to the outside wall. He noticed that Sky Chaser and Little Fawn were talking as they walked back across the village. He shook his head as the feeling of embarrassment at knowing Little Fawn had once more seen him naked.

As he moved back to his sleeping area, Buck noticed Ike watching him, smiling. *I think you should see about evening the score,* he teased as he noticed the flushed look on Buck’s face.

“What?”

*How many times does this make that she’s seen you without clothes?* Ike grinned at his friend. *I just think you need to see about getting a glance at her, at least once; it’s only fair.*

Buck shook his head. “If I want to get myself killed,” he said, “I think I can find better ways of doing it.”

*Really?*

Buck nodded. “The only way I’m permitted to see a girl in such a state is if I’m part of her family, I’m a medicine man, or she’s my wife.”

Ike nodded. *I guess it’s important that I know that little bit of information,* he said. *I’d hate to get myself killed just because I acted inappropriately without knowing it.*

Buck smiled. “I’ll try to guide you in the customs of my people,” he said. “I am certain that you will be granted some leeway with small indiscretions, but bedding one of the girls would not be tolerated.”

Ike nodded. *I didn’t say bed her,* he pointed out. *I said it was your turn to see her naked.*

Buck laughed softly as he moved to get dressed. “They are thought of as one and the same,” he then explained. “The only reason you would have to see a woman that way is to bed her, unless…”

*I was in her family, or was the medicine man,* Ike finished for him.

Buck nodded. He pointed to the food bowls as he settled back onto the skins he slept on.

Ike handed him one and then got dressed before picking up his own. He settled back down next to Buck. *So how did you sleep?*

“Fine,” Buck replied. “You?”

Ike nodded. *I haven’t slept that good in a long time.*

Buck smiled. “I’m glad.” He finished his meal and waited for Ike to finish also. “You think you could help me outside?”

Ike nodded. *You need me to carry you?*

“I’d like to try walking. I just want to sit outside here; not go anywhere else. I’d like to watch the workings of the village undisturbed.”

Ike once more nodded and moved to where he could support Buck as he stood. They made their way outside and settled on the ground outside the teepee. They sat quietly talking to each other as the rest of the village continued its life around them. Buck would explain how some of the things that were going on and why they were done as they were.

About mid-morning, Red Bear came to join them. *I was wondering, Silent Wolf, if you would like to go hunting with me. I wish to get some fresh meat to celebrate my brother’s recovery; we should not be gone too long.*

Ike glanced at Buck.

Buck smiled. “I think it would be good for you to get away,” he said. “You’ve spent way too much time here. Hunting will do you good.”

*You sure?*

Buck nodded. “I’m sure. Go, good hunting.”

Ike smiled and went with Red Bear. No sooner had they left than Buck was joined by Little Fawn. “Do you wish anything?” she asked with a shy smile.

Buck returned the smile. “I wish many things,” he said, “but unfortunately for me, you cannot give them to me.”

“Why is that?” she asked as she sat next to him.

Buck glanced at the people passing by before answering, “Because we would both be in trouble if you did. We need to do this the right way if it’s going to happen. You understand?”

She nodded. “I understand,” she said as she too glanced around the village. She then leaned over and once more quickly kissed his cheek. “I just don’t want to play by the rules anymore; it is too boring.”

Buck pulled away and moved to stand. His leg was unable to support him so he collapsed back to the ground. A small groan of pain escaped his lips as he landed.

Little Fawn moved to help him, but he held up his hands. “No,” he said, shaking his head. “We have to do this the right way,” he repeated. “If we don’t, we’ll both be punished. I do not want to be the reason for that happening to you.”

Little Fawn nodded. “Will you be alright?” she asked as she stood.

Buck struggled to a sitting position and nodded. “I’ll be fine,” he said. “Please, leave now. Come back in a little while with some food.” He smiled as he added, “Be sure to bring some for yourself also.”

She looked at him in confusion.

“It’s still allowable for me to eat with you if I plan to talk to your father about making an offer, isn’t it?”

Little Fawn smiled. “Yes,” she answered. “It is still allowable for a man to take a meal with a woman if he is entertaining the notion of making an offer for her.”