Gurri.

"What're you doing here?" She asked calmly.

"Me? I was on my way to go train a little before The Rut. This is my shortcut. What're you doing here?" Geno retaliated.

Syndica considered her answer, but remained silent. The truth was not an option. So she lied.

"Just...hanging out."

Geno raised a suspicious brow. "Really? Because from where I'm standing, it looked like you were hiding. If I'm not mistaken, it looked like you were trying to avoid the Rut. And I can't help but think to myself, Why?" He came closer.

Syndica quickly backed up. It was obvious Geno was not going to fall for anything but the truth. Syndica was stubborn, though. With a snort, she turned and began walking away, up the trail from where Geno had just come.

"It's none of your business. So forget it and get lost." She hissed.

Geno watched her go, but was quick to follow her. She walked away a little ways, then stopped to lean against an old cedar tree. Geno stood by her side. He could see the hurt in her face. The big, bad doe was sensitive and fragile, that was obvious. Geno took a deep breath and lightly nudged her side with his muzzle. She jumped and stared at him intently.

"You know, Gurri isn't the only one who grew up with you. I did, too." His voice was soft. "I know how bad the others picked on you and I know it's not easy to forget things like that. But you can't believe what they say, because it's not true, Syndi."

Syndica slowly lifted her head. She smiled coyly.

"You called me Syndi." She laughed a little. "Usually everyone calls me Moose."

"I never have." Geno said proudly.

Syndica smiled again, but turned away.

"It's not that easy. Even if I did let go of what the others say about me, it won't change anything. No buck would fight for me."

"Why do you say that?" Geno inquired gently.

Syndica felt her face burning with embarassment.

"You know...because of the way I look."

Geno squinted his eyes. "The way you look?"

Instantly, he began circling her, eyeing her from every angle. Syndica's insides tightened, and the burning she felt in her face intensified. The buck she had been crazy for all this time was finally looking at her! Before she had time to over-analyze the situation, Geno returned to her front. He held his head up and smiled.

"I see nothing wrong with the way you look." He finally assessed.

Syndica shrunk back once more, inadvertantly stirring up a small swarm of fire-flies. The luminecent insects danced around the two deer. Syndica swallowed her fears and took a step towards Geno.

"You...really see nothing wrong with how I look?" She inquired innocently.

Geno smiled again.

"I think you're kinda good-looking."

Syndica's heart leapt into her throat, and her legs suddenly felt very rubbery. She was speechless.

"And you know what else?" Geno stepped closer to almost whisper in her ear. "I bet if you show up at the Rutting Grounds, you'll have a buck fight for you."

Syndica suddenly found it very difficult to breathe.

"Do you...really mean it?" She managed to gasp out.

"Guaranteed." He finished with a wink.

With one final grin, Geno casually stepped around the awe-struck doe and continued on his way. Withing moments, Syndica was once again alone in the forest. She stood still as a statue, breathing laborously through her mouth. She was still in a state of shock; so much so that she didn't even notice Gurri's voice carrying on the wind.

"Syndi! Syndi? Syndi, where are you?" The voice was coming closer until Gurri finally hopped into view. She sighed in relief after spotting Syndica. "Syndi, there you are! I've been looking everywhere for you! Look, I know you don't like attending the Rut, I get it. But you need to understand that there's nothing wrong with you and it's time you forget about the past and just step up and be you! Alright? Now let's go!"

Gurri stopped and waited, but recieved no emotional response from her big-boned friend. Gurri furrowed her brows.

"Syndi!" She barked, causing the larger doe to jump and snap back to reality.

"Huh? What?..." Syndica looked around, confused. "What'd you say?"

Gurri groaned and rolled her eyes. "Seriously? I just made a heart-felt speech in order to make you feel better!!!"

"Speech?" Syndica scoffed. "What're we doing standing around here making speeches for? We got a Rut to get to!"

Gurri's jaw dropped in shock at the sight of Syndica prancing around excitedly.

"But...but, I thought..." Gurri stuttered.

"Hey, this is not the time to stand here and think." Syndica came to a stop and stood tall over her buckskin-colored friend. "Do you really want to waste time here to think, or do you want to get to the Rutting Grounds and show the bucks what we're made of?"

A massive smile crept over Gurri's face. She didn't know what had gotten into Syndica all of a sudden, but whatever it was, it was thrilling to see her friend genuinly happy for once. Now more excited than ever, Gurri gleefully reared up on her hind legs.

"Absolutely! This is a boring spot, let's head to the Rut!"

"To the Rut!!!" Syndica screamed at the top of her lungs. "WOOOOHOOO!!!!!!!"

With that, both love-sick does bolted out of the dark, cold forest and straight towards the Rutting Grounds.

The Rut had begun!!