Zilant awoke one morning, noticing Fulu wasn't next to him. His head shot up, but he let out a sigh of relief upon seeing her wash out her mouth.
"Another bad morning?" He asked, watching her trot over and lay down next to him.
"Yeah... I'm getting used to it though." She smiled at him.
They both looked down at Fulu's belly. She was obviously getting bigger, the fawn was starting to take shape inside. She could feet it gain some weight. She smiled, making Zilant smile.
"Thought of any names yet?" she asked.
"Oh yeah... I was supposed to name it if it was a boy, right?"
"Yes. And I would pick the girl name."
"I honestly don't know... I've been wracking my brain for a while now. I can't seem to come up with one."
"Ask Skokey, he's pretty good with names." She smiled at him.
Zilant nuzzled her. "Did you think of any girl names?"
"I was thinking... Kailani... It's a nice little girl name, if you ask me."
"Kailani..." He repeated, gazing off for a while. "I like the sound of it."
"I still think we should name it Zilant if it's a boy."
He chuckled. "I don't know, maybe..." He looked at her, smiling. He nuzzled her. "Regardless of name, it's going to be one beautiful fawn."
"Yeah, because of you and your natural charm." She giggled, nuzzling him back.
"Maybe it's you, and your natural beauty." He started kissing her.
"Oh stop it, Zilant..." She giggled, and playfully pushed him.
He responded with more kisses, which led to nibbling on her ear playfully.
Fulu giggled, "Stop it, Zilant! That tickles!" He continued, and she laughed more. "Zilant seriously! Stop it!" He still didn't stop. "Zilant stop! STOP IT!" She moved her head and bit down hard on his ear.
"Ow!" Zilant pulled away, wobbling his ear. "Fulu..."
Fulu stared at him, at first a little angry, then turned to concern. "Zilant, are you okay?"
"Yeah, Fulu, I'm fine." He moved his ear back in place. "It just smarts a little."
It was cloudy. The morning was dreary, and it become worse when the rain started pouring. It wasn't dark, but there was certainly no sunlight. Most of the twelve rabbits remained inside, keeping themselves warm and dry. Others had differnet plans.
Danielle carefully crawled out of the burrow, looking for Clock. He was sitting there, staring out into the distance. She hopped over to him. "Clock, what are you doing out here? You're soaked!"
The buck took a moment before looking over to Danielle. "Were you talking to me?" His voice was different. It was hollow and solemn.
"Yes, your name is Clock, isn't it?"
The buck turned his head back forward, looking to the distance again. "No. I'm afraid you're mistaken."
Danielle lowered her ears. "What do you mean? You look just like him. I haven't seen any other rabbit like you."
"You are mistaken. My name is Down Town. And I have not met you before. The one you seek must be elsewhere, maybe dead and gone by now..."
"Don't say that! You are Clock! Is this some kind of joke?" Danielle angrily lowered her ears and glared at the brown buck.
"No joke. You are caught in some strange delirium, making you believe I am this 'Clock' you seek. But I tell you the truth, I am not him." He turned his blue eyes to her.
Danielle drew back a little. Those weren't Clock's eyes. It might have been him, but those weren't his eyes. His eyes were bright and sparkling. These were dull and pale. She remained there for a moment, then raced for the burrow.
***
Mercutio stared out the entrance, an intrigued look on his face. "And you say that it is not he?"
"Yeah. He's... I dunno, different."
"He appears to be the same..."
"But he's not! I saw it... Something's wrong with him, Mercutio. But I don't know what."
(Dec 20th)
(Dec 25th)
(Dec 30th) 
