Chapter Twenty-two
When Little Fox and Sky Chaser exited the teepee, Little Fawn slipped in. She made her way to Buck’s side and knelt. She watched as he tried to bring his breathing under control. When he opened his eyes, she smiled at him. “Can I help you in any way?” she asked.

Buck shook his head. “I need to get home,” he said. “I must rest so I can talk to your father in the morning.”

She stroked his cheek gently. “I will just sit here until someone comes to move you,” she said. “You should not be alone.”

Buck smiled at her and once more closed his eyes. He was so tired, and the pain was beginning to make it difficult to focus on anything else. He knew that he should mention Little Fox’s plan to her, but couldn’t find the strength at the moment.

Little Fawn noticed that Buck was a bit warm to the touch. She waited until he closed his eyes and then moved to find a cloth she could dampen. This done, she began to bathe Buck’s face with the cool rag.

As the coolness of the water settled on Buck’s face, he once more opened his eyes. Little Fawn stopped moving the cloth and smiled at him. “I am so happy,” she said. “I wish it were possible for us to get married tonight; I don’t want to wait a minute longer.”

Buck smiled at her. “Your brother suggested something similar,” he said.

Little Fawn sat back. “He did?”

Buck nodded. “He said you should just move in tomorrow, and that we should probably leave the village as soon as I was able.” He watched her closely as he said the last part.

Before Little Fawn had a chance to answer, the entrance to the teepee was pulled away and Laughing Crow entered. “I thought I’d find you here,” he said as he pulled Little Fawn away from where Buck lay.

“Let her go,” Buck said as he tried to sit. The pain in his back caused him to collapse back to the skins.

“Or what?” laughed his tormentor, “You’ll bleed on me?” He tightened his grip on Little Fawn and pulled her with him as he moved closer to Buck.

“I wonder,” he said as he threw her down next to Buck, “which would be worse for you – should I take her myself while you watch, or take you while she watches?”

“You should leave them both alone,” said Red Bear as he entered his home.

Laughing Crow tensed as the older man’s voice washed over him. He turned to try and talk his way out of this situation; he wasn’t really worried because he’d always been able to do so before. He smiled. “I…”

Red Bear grabbed his shirt and pulled him away from Buck. “I said leave; I’ll deal with you later.” He pushed the younger man toward the opening where Ike stood holding the flap open.

When Laughing Crow exited, Ike told him. *I’ve decided not to go hunting with you tomorrow; maybe I’ll just take Little Fox and Stands Tall with me instead.* He then turned his back on the shamed warrior and went to help Buck.

Red Bear glanced at Little Fawn as he knelt next to his brother. “Are you both alright?” he asked.

Buck nodded, trying to hide the pain he was in.

Red Bear shook his head. “Why do you continue to lie to me about your well-being? You are not fine; you are in pain.”

Buck took a deep breath to steady his voice. “I do not wish to worry you,” he said. “You have enough things to think about without me adding to your burden.”

Red Bear smiled. “It is not a burden to care for you,” he said. “It never has been.”

Ike made his way to Little Fawn. *Are you alright?*

She nodded, and started to sob as relief at being unharmed overtook her.

Buck tried to move so he could see her, but had to stop as the pain washed over him. “Please,” he said to Red Bear, “help me to her.”

Red Bear shook his head. He signed to Ike. *Help her over here. Move slowly.*

Ike nodded. He slowly placed his hand on Little Fawn’s arm. When she looked at him, he said, *Let me help you to Running Buck. He wishes to see you.*

She nodded and allowed Ike to guide her to Buck’s side. As soon as she was near him, Buck reached up and pulled her to him. As she cried, he stroked her hair and spoke quietly to her telling her, “Everything is alright; it’s over, and we’re both fine. He won’t hurt anyone ever again.”