"Nek, what is the important thing that you wanted to talk about?" I asked.

Her mother sighed before saying "Our chief wants you to go on the hunting trip instead of your sister."

"Nek, why? Is she okay?"

"Kupi. She's fine. Turns out that she's in the early stages of pregnancy and the chief and her husband don't want to risk her or the baby so they wanted someone else to go instead. At first no one could decide on who should go but then little Wolf who was to observe the meeting asked if you could go as a way to learn since you're so close to your womanhood celebration and thought it might be good practice for in the future." She explains to me.

"Nek, are you sure that I am ready for it? What if I let everyone down?" I say with uncertainty. My face frowning at the idea of letting everyone down.

She grabs my hand and holds it close to her chest with both hands. Her face calm and certain. She always had that calmness about her.

"You'll do fine. I am sure you'll make everyone proud."

I couldn't help but smile at her words. Her words always had a way of making me feel easy and calm whenever I felt unsure or down about something.

You could say that she had a motherly presence to her or maybe it came from her being a mother to me and my sister for so long that it felt natural to her to want to reassure me that I could do my best during the hunting trip.

"Nek, I promise I'll make you and our village proud. Don't worry." I said, still having a small smile on my face.

I could see her face filled with relief as she sighed and then nods to my reply, happy with my choice. She lets go of my hands and tells me to finish weaving with the other girls and then start getting ready for the hunting trip along with Little Wolf who had been on a few hunting trips before.

I did as I was told and went back to where the other girls were weaving.

None of the other girls wanted to ask me what Nek and me talked about at first until Cloud that blows in the wind asks "Did something happen?"

I gave her a smile. She was a nice girl who was only a year older than I was and normally pretty shy but sweet and caring to anyone who knew her. Her black hair was tied in a braid and wore a band that painted with many different colors on it like red and blue. Her skin garments hugged her small and curvy body as she stood, looking at me waiting for me to say something.

"Kupi. I was asked to join the hunting trip since my sister is with child." I said. Not wanting to let them know that Little Wolf had asked the other tribal leaders if I could attend it since I knew some of them might get jealous and think that it was unfair for the chief's son and the chief himself to pick favorites.

The other girls all looked at each other and smiled. Each one congratulating me for being able to allowed to go and for being chosen.

It excites me that I got to go on a hunting trip and see beyond what I was used to. But at the same time I was scared. I didn't know what to expect when we did set out on it.

Would I get hurt? What happens if I somehow get attacked by a wild animal and die?

These thoughts whirlwind around in my head as I continued to weave after the other girls were done congratulating me.

I knew Nek said that I would be fine, that I would make our village proud, but I couldn't but think those things even after she reassured me.

Dusk was starting to set, the sun, a bright orange and red color as it sank below the tree line. Stars began to twinkle as they appeared one by one like diamonds in the sky. The grass swaying in the breeze bringing a coldness to it as night set in. Crickets begin to chirp along with the sound of frogs croaking in the distance. The quiet and open plains were peaceful and calm. Nothing stirred except for a few a coyotes moving in the overgrowth nearby.

A couple of woman in the tribe began to start a huge fire near the edge of the village while everyone else was getting the food ready and settled near the fire to keep warm.

At times like these our shaman would tell us stories of the past and of mighty and great warriors who fought countless wars or of wise and kind leaders who saved the entire tribe during drought or famine.
It was a way for us to feel connected not only to each other but to our ancestors as well.

I had gotten some food after the men had gotten theirs and sat next to Little Wolf who had called me over to him. Once everyone had gotten their food and was settled, the shaman began to tell the story of Kicking Bird and how he fought in countless wars and drove his enemies off of the lands where his people lived so they could live in peace.

Everyone always listened closely to what our shaman said, not saying a word aside from a few gasps here and there as he spoke with a calm and loud voice that echoed throughout the surrounding area that we were in.

Once he was done speaking, everyone decided to head back to the wigwams to sleep and get rest for tomorrow. As everyone was getting ready to leave the camp fire, little Wolf says to me as we stood to leave, "Are you excited for the hunting trip?"

"Kupi. I am excited but I am scared since it's my first time." I replied.

"You'll be fine. Plus I'll be there to keep an eye on you." He says with a small smile.

I smiled back before Nek shouts "Little Feather, time to go sleep."

"Kupi. Be right there." I shout back.

"Night Little Feather." Little Wolf said before quickly turning away and leaving there alone in the dark with nothing but the camp fire flickering brightly in the dark, like a star.