And why did Lemon Leaf keep following Tulip Blossom everywhere? It was obvious she cared for him. He couldn't even focus on the mare that was right under his nose, begging for his attention! That was just—

     Snow Shine snapped out of his deep thinking when he heard Tulip Blossom yelling at Orange Blossom. No! he thought, his heart pounding. You can't do this to her!! He ran as fast as he could to the scene. I shouldn't have let her go... Lemon Leaf was making an attempt to calm Tulip Blossom down, but his brown eyes burned with anger. "Snow Shine told you to tell me this, Orange Blossom?!" "No," the orange guardian replied truthfully, her peachy mane shadowing her face, "It's true. I said no to you before, and I'm done!"

     Snow Shine's heart lurched as he watched Tulip Blossom shove her to the ground. Lemon Leaf gasped in horror, and she yowled, "For the Nature Spirits' sake, Tulip, stop what you're doing!!" He went over to Orange Blossom, asking, "Are you okay?!" She smiled weakly. "I'm alright, Snow. Would you care to help me up please?" Sending one last icy glare at Tulip Blossom, Snow Shine helped his mate get up again.

     When they were well away from the others, Snow Shine and Orange Blossom began speaking again.

     "Orange Blossom, I'm so sorry!! It's all my fault that you got pushed."

     "Don't worry yourself so much. I was the one who wanted to go in the first place!"

     "Quit bickering! What happened anyway?"

     The two unicorns turned to see Minty Swirl. "Sorry, Minty Swirl," they murmured in unison, looking at their hoofs. But the dark green mare smiled, shocking both of them. "I often quarrel with Violet Leaf myself once in a while." She went off to get some food to eat. As if he'd read his mind, Orange Blossom said, "I think Minty Swirl's changed a lot."

＊

     It had been a month since the incident with Snow Shine and Tulip Blossom, and their friendship wasn't any stronger. However, Tulip Blossom had kept his distance from Orange Blossom, and spent more time with Lemon Leaf. Snow Shine still felt concerned about Tulip Blossom, and decided to tell Queen Penny.

     "Queen Penny?" he mumbled as he stood in front of her den's entrance. "Enter," a gentle voice whispered. Snow Shine crept through the vines that acted as the gate of the den, and saw Queen Penny laying on her bed. As she looked at him, her green eyes held sadness and emptiness that she tried to hide behind her big smile. Queen Penny seems sad about something, Snow Shine thought, I guess Tulip can wait.

     "Are you sad about something?" he asked. Seemingly realizing that Snow Shine had guessed right, she sighed. "It's your father. Seeing all the families in this camp makes me miss him. And there's a decision I have to make, but I can't decide what to do—please don't tell Violet Leaf I said this...but he isn't much help either. It's like I'm being buried deep into the soil under the weight of everything!"

     Snow Shine was about to make a comforting remark, when suddenly, a shimmering image appeared in the corner of the dimly lit den. He flicked his tail towards it, gaining the unicorn queen's attention. It was a spirit unicorn. Snow Shine and Queen Penny squinted at it, and both blurted out, "Blown Water!" "It's me, alright," Blown Water replied. He bounced gracefully over to his old friend, no sound coming from his hoofsteps.

     "Penny Seed—Queen Penny, I mean—I noticed you were feeling sad. I came here with no other intent than to give you comfort." The unicorn queen got to her feet. "And I thank you for considering me so much to come!" Blown Water looked around the den. "It's about time I leave. Remember, the Spirits of Nature will be with you always." He and Queen Penny touched noses, and the spirit unicorn disappeared as swiftly as he had come. Queen Penny stood up again, saying, "I must take a walk to ponder my decision. Unless you want to tell me something?"

     Snow Shine gulped. Should he really talk about Tulip Blossom? What if he harmed Queen Penny? Despite her penetrating dark green gaze, Snow Shine mumbled, "I'm fine, thanks." After a word with her advisor, the unicorn queen turned tail and started into the forest. Snow Shine went out of the den, just to see Lemon Leaf waiting for him. "Hunting, Snow Shine? It's been a while since I've talked to you." The white guardian gave his agreement after telling Orange Blossom.

     For a while, the two unicorns didn't speak, for they were catching fish. Then Lemon Leaf finally said, "How's Orange Blossom?" Snow Shine looked up. "Good, I guess. She's been making herself busy lately." He paused for a moment before continuing, "I'm a bit worried that she's overworking herself." "Then maybe you should talk to her," Lemon Leaf replied.

     "She's too busy for that."

     "Too busy to talk to her mate?! Come on, Snow Shine!"

     "What if she yells at me?"

     "Orange Blossom? As far as I know, she'd do anything for you..."

     Snow Shine sighed in mock exhaustion. "You're too clever for me to win an argument with you!" His yellow-pelted friend giggled. "My mentor always said I was clever." Her expression suddenly turned serious. "Is it alright if I ask you: what happened with Tulip Blossom?" Snow Shine looked into the depths of the stream they were next to. "Well, it suddenly started one day—after me and Orange Blossom were mates. When I went to talk to him, he yelled at me just because of that. So—"

     He was interrupted by Lemon Leaf fussing over something. "Oh no, oh no, what do I do?! I just can't!!" she yowled. "Are you alright?" Snow Shine asked in concern. Lemon Leaf held his gaze, and he noticed that her cheeks were turning a bright pink. She replied, "Oh Snow Shine, I love him so much! But after what he did... I'm not sure." Her tail entwined Snow Shine's, a tight knot. "Follow your heart, Lemon Leaf. I can't judge your actions!" her friend reminded her. As Lemon Leaf's tail loosened, suddenly Dahlia Branch came rushing over. "Snow Shine, there you are! Orange Blossom—" She paused, panting.

     Fear for his mate flared in Snow Shine's eyes. "What happened, Dahlia Branch?" The young guardian's sky-blue eyes stared down at the ground. "She's fainted." Lemon Leaf gasped, "We must go there quickly!" Dahlia Branch ran, yelling, "Follow me!" When the unicorns reached the horse border, Orange Blossom was laying on the ground. Snow Shine ran over. He asked, "Orange! Are you okay?!" "I'm fine," she rasped. "You're overworking yourself!" scolded Lemon Leaf, "Let's get you back to camp."

＊

     It had been yet a week since Orange Blossom fainted, but she still felt tired. Snow Shine had gotten permission to stay with her for a while. "This way, I can keep an eye on you," he told her. "I'm going to talk to Queen Penny for a moment." "NO! Please stay, it's lonely here," Orange Blossom protested. Snow Shine sighed. His mate wanted more attention also. Is something wrong? he thought. "Okay, I'll stay," he agreed.

     Orange Blossom must have noticed his concerned look, because she said, "I'm fine... just a little downcast, I guess." Snow Shine replied, "Alright, then. Well, I'll tell Lemon Leaf to get us some lunch." The yellow guardian immediately agreed, and he went back to sit beside Orange. The two chatted throughout the day about random topics that came to mind. Eventually, they began speaking of the weather.

     "Autumn is coming. We'd better store up!"

     "Are you sure you didn't get sick from the cold?"

     "No... but that's why I worked so hard."

     "Orange, you know I could've helped!"

     The orange guardian sighed, her mane billowing in front of her right eye. "But you were occupied with everyone else. I guess I kinda hoped you'd notice me again if I worked harder." Snow Shine looked down at his hoofs. "I'm sorry," he murmured. Orange Blossom looked up at him, and their eyes locked. There was affection in her pale green eyes as she whispered, "It's alright."