Friends...

"I will be." Star assured her, nuzzling Tomorrow's shoulder.

Tomorrow forced a slight smile, and then glanced over her shoulder at the one who had hurt her best friend...making a memory.

Star made his way slowly into his stable, and gently lipped at Tomorrow's hair.
"I'll see you tomorrow in lessons." He said.

"Ok..." said Tomorrow slowly, "see you then...goodnight, dear pony."

Star snorted gently in reply before painfully lying down and clsing his eyes to sleep.

Tomorrow sighed as she slowly walked back to the castle.

*the next day*

Star got up slowly, the pain in his chest from the kick manifesting itself. The cut on his shoulder had healed into a neat, hoof shaped scar. The kick to his chest had left two ugly welts, again hoof shaped and the few bites on his neck sported large clots of dried blood and scabs.

Tomorrow walked into the riding stable with causion.
"Star...you here?" she whispered.

Star deftly opened his door and walked out slowly.
"I'm here." He nickered.

Tomorrow gasped.
"Look at you...oh my poor horsey..." Tomorrow ran and hugged Star around his neck.

"I'll live." Star assured Tomorrow, putting his head over her shoulder in a horsish hug.

Tomorrow released Star.
"You can't fly in our lesson today...I won't let you...you need to rest," ordered Tomorrow.

"I'll be fine!" Star grumbled.

"Don't you shout at me Midnight-Star!" snapped Tomorrow angrily, tears forming in her eyes. Couldn't Star see that she was concerned for him?

"I'm stronger than this!" Star said, laying his ears back. "This is nothing!"

"But I'm not strong enough to see you in this kind of pain..." said Tomorrow quietly, looking away.

Star tossed his head.
"You don't have to worry about me." he said, "I can look after myself."

"I know...it's just...I hate seeing you in pain..." said Tomorrow, turning back to Star.

"The vet gave me a painkiller." Star said. "I feel fine!"

"Fine...then we fly," said Tomorrow quietly, reaching for Star's reigns to lead him to the courtyard, where the flying teacher was waiting, as happened every day they had a flying lesson.

Star willingly followed, his head bobbing as he walked.

The class of five (Not many people took this class) went to collect their pegusis, and Tomorrow waited with Star for class to start.

Star rested a back hoof, dozing as he waited. The teacher examined his chest, shaking her head.

"I didn't do that..." said Tomorrow quietly, "I tried to stop him getting hurt...I tried to stop him flying today."

"I know you didn't Tomorrow. We'll see how it goes. Keep an eye on him." The teacher said. She touched one of the welts on his chest, but Star squealed, biting the teacher who in turn slapped him deftly on the nose. Star reared up on his hind legs, tossing his head.