Onyx whinnied softly and shook herself. Her coat nearly had it's old healthy shine to it and the white on her face was visable without all the mud. She pressed her nose against Nathan's cheek then playfully nibbled at the ends of his hair.

He laughed. "Good girl."

Onyx snorted and nudged her head against Nathan's arm. The storm had stopped. She trotted over to the barn doors and pawed at the ground, wanting to go outside.

He pushed the doors open to dreary sunlight. The river had calmed, back to its slow, gently path. The birds tweeted, and the sky was clear. The only remnants of the storm was the damp grass.

Onyx walked through the doors and quickly found some tall grass. She lowered her head and began to graze. She was happy that the halter was off so that she could eat without it rubbing her skin raw. Cheveyo opened his eyes sleepily when he heard the barn doors open. He whinnied and looked around for Nathan and Onyx.

Nathan opened Cheveyos stall doors, letting sunlight flow in, and smiled. "Hey boy." He sat down next to cheveyo, offering a thick cunk of grass.

Cheveyo ate the offered grass and nudged Nathan's hand in thanks. He suddenly looked out of the stall doors when he heard Onyx let out an angry whinny and snorted in amusement. Onyx had gotten to close to a bird's nest when she was grazing and the bird thought she was a threat so it flew out and started to peck at her. Onyx was currently trying to get away from the bird and its sharp beak, her head down low and her ears pinned flat to her head.

Nathan laughed as he stood, coming out to see the jay that had nested in its tree for years launching an attack on Onyx. He came over, gently waving a hand at the bird so she knew it was alright, Onyx was okay. "Come on, girlie. Away from Mama Jays tree." He stroked Onyx's nose.

Onyx snorted and stood behind Nathan, watching the angry bird warily. Cheveyo struggled to stand up and finaly managed to get his three good legs under him. He looked back at his sore leg, the bandage making it heavy, but he knew better than to pull it off. He limped out of the stall toward Nathan and Onyx. He snorted in amusement at the wary look in Onyx's eyes as she watched the bird. The black mare stomped a hoof and swung her head around to nip at Cheveyo, who backed off slowly, the amusement still clear in his eyes.

Nathan laughed, patting Cheveyo's gold neck, and Onyx's bl9k one.

Onyx snorted and turned away from Nathan and Cheveyo. She flicked her tail angrily and walked down to the river, completely ignoring the boy and stallion. Cheveyo watched Onyx storm off and flicked his ears, confused. He shook his large head, rolling his eye. He'd never understand mares.

A confused look passed across Nathans face. "Hopefully she'll perk up." He gently stroked Cheveyos neck again.

Cheveyo nodded and tossed his head, his black mane falling over his eyes. Onyx walked along the edge of the river, feeling slightly insulted and embarrassed. She had been chased by a bird, and the boy and the stallion thought it was funny. She snorted and stomped a hoof before she began to graze, pulling up mouthfuls of grass a little stronger than needed.

Nathan walked over to the river. "Oh don't you worry girl. That bird has done more than chase me of quite a few times. She's scratched me up before, when I first started working on my barn. But now she doesn't mind me so much. She'll get used to you."

Onyx snorted and lifted her head, looking at Nathan. Amusement in her eyes at his words. She walked over to him and pressed her nose against the boy's hand.

He smiled, and stroked her cheek. "There ya go."

Onyx suddenly tossed her head and spun around. She flicked her tail and hit Nathan against his side with it. She spun again and took off into the trees, swerving around them and circling a few almost like a barrel racer.

Nathan frowned slightly in confusion, rubbing his side as it slightly stung.

Cheveyo tossed his head and snorted when Onyx hit Nathan with her tail. He remembered when they where young, whenever Onyx forgave him for something he did to upset her she would hit him with her tail and run off. Even though it stung as if a whip hit him, he knew it was her way off telling him to chase her. He remembered chasing her everywhere but never catching the fast mare. He limped over to Nathan and nudged his side gently. Onyx slowed down as soon as she could no longer see the barn and hid in the trees, her black coat helping her blend in.

Nathan stroked Cheveyos neck. "I am so confused right now." He mused to the horse.

Cheveyo nickered and slightly shoved Nathan towards the direction Onyx had ran. He tossed his head, trying to tell the boy that he needed to follow the mare.

"Ohhhh." He laughed softly. "Alright."He walked into the trees, following hoofprints.

Cheveyo snorted softly and limped over to stand in the shade. He watched as Nathan disappeared into the trees and then began to graze. Onyx heared the boy walking into the trees towards her. She waited until he was farther into the trees before racing around him in a large circle, making sure to stay out of sight. She weaved through the trees, whinnying every once in a while, trying to trick Nathan.

He laughed. "I can hear you Onyx. He pushed through the bushes, glancing her through the trees. "Boo." He smiled.

Onyx whinnied, tossed her head, and moved faster. She sometimes made sudden turns and ran in the opposite direction or made loops through the trees. She crossed her own tracks several times, making it difficult if not impossible to follow them. She was determined not to lose at her favorite game of chase.