The filly lay curled up inside the cramped chicken coop, the cape around her neck snagging on a splintering block of wood as she tried to make herself comfortable, causing her to choke and cough slightly. Though the cold darkness inside alone was enough to make her shiver, the thought of being caught was even more unpleasant- that was enough to ensure she remained absolutely silent. But she quietly told herself to remain calm. While she lay in the one place where no-one would ever think to look, she was invisible.

Stretching her front leg out just a few inches in front of her, she flinched as one of the hens shrieked as she touched it. It flapped its wings about furiously before waddling to a more secluded corner. The pony cursed her luck, because she knew what was to come next.

"Is everything all right in there, Mrs Feathers?" a soft voice called from outside. The filly began to sweat as she backed away further into the corner. But it was no use. A grating roar echoed throughtout the coop, light flooding in through the entryway to the outside. The occupants sprang to life, creating a cacaphonous symphony of cackles and squawks as they rushed to escape from their housing. The one who opened the way looked inside and jumped at what she saw.

"Apple Bloom?!" she gasped. The filly slowly turned towards the door, her eyes shifting from side to side as she tried to force a smile.

"Uh... um... hey there, Fluttershy! What brings ya to the coop today?"

"Oh, well... I... what are you doing in there?" The pegasus pushed her head inside and looked around.

"Who, me?" Apple Bloom gulped. "Ah'm jus'... ya know... playin' hide an' seek!"

Fluttershy offered a hoof to the filly. She grabbed it and pulled herself up, her eyes aching as they adjusted to the sunlight. A warm air washed over her as she stepped from the coop, and she felt relief on her hooves as they tasted soft ground for the first time in hours.

"You know, it's not nice for a mother hen to be woken up when she's expecting." The pegasus shook her head. "Who are you hiding from?"

"Oh, ah'm jus' havin' a nice lil' game with-"

Fluttershy tilted her head up, looking past Apple Bloom. "Applejack?"

The filly's heart froze. She turned slowly on the spot, her eyes screwed shut. A bead of sweat rolled down her forehead. She thought that maybe it was just a false alarm. Maybe she was just mistaking somepony for the one she did not want to find her. Maybe-

"Apple Bloom."

The voice caused total silence to envelop the scene. The chickens who had fled from the coop were motionless like statues. The warm breeze had completely died, leaving an eeri chill. The heart of the filly twisted as she opened her eyes, her lips quivering as she recognised who was standing before her.

"Applejack... ah-"

"Not a word. Home, now!"

Apple Bloom hung her head, walking slowly from Fluttershy's garden. When she reached the dirt path, her cape became loose and fell from her neck. She didn't look back to where it landed, nor did she turn back to get it. Fluttershy floated over to the garment, picking it up. It was torn in several places.

"Applejack, what's the matter?" she asked. The orange mare walked over to her, snatching away the scarf with her mouth.

"She jus' ruined everythin', that's what."

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"C'mon Applejack, ya can't work all day long!"

Apple Bloom leapt from the kitchen table, almost tripping on her backpack. She grabbed hold of her sister's tail, slowing her march towards the door.

"Knock it off, will ya'? I gotta get to work. You should too," she said, barely louder than a whisper. The filly released her grip, sighing loudly.

"Sis', you're too panicky this family gatherin'! Jus' relax fer a day an' come crusade with me or somethin'." Apple Bloom trotted over to the bag and fished out two red scarfs. She dropped one of them and wrapped the other around her neck, but her eyes saddened when she saw her sister walk out the door. She grabbed the other garment and rushed after her. Applejack turned her head towards her, but then turned back, walking towards the back of the house.

"Apple Bloom, there's more to life than crusadin'. Ah jus'... ah got bigger things to worry 'bout than that, so jus'... jus'... ah wanna be alone." Next Chapter: Ok, I think I have it Estimated time remaining: 4 Minutes