Gazing up at the ceiling -so close overhead that as I rolled over I could rest my feet on its flat, rough surface- I was unsure whether it was the cool stillness of the air around me or that throbbing sense of unease that had settled within me tonight, but a slight shiver stirred my plumage softly, sending echoes of doubt through the otherwise cozy peace.

"We're safe here," I remembered Brissa's reassurance when I'd confessed my disquietude, as we sat, talking shoulder to shoulder, at the edge of the loft bed. We'd often spend such minutes this way ..with each others' soft clucks whispered close and our legs dangling over the toasty kitchen below.. before finally holding wings to say our prayers and settling in for the night.

Presently, the walls of the tiny coop seemed to embrace me snugly and, knowing she was right, I allowed myself to relax into Brissa's warmth, feeling her soft orange feathers pressed close against mine as her sleeping form curled gently around me.

Throughout the night my friend's head would occasionally lift in her sleep -her concern never leaving her, even in slumber, as she'd anxiously give my hackle a comforting preen before falling back into deep rest with my flank as her pillow.

This time, however, her eyes flickered open as she stirred, and her shivering feathers assured me that it really was rather chilly in here.

"I had a dream you were lost," was the first cluck Brissa murmured through a chattering beak, blinking drowsily with a glance towards the trap-door leading outside as she snuggled in closer for warmth, then touched her comb affectionately to my shoulder, "I'm glad you're actually okay."

"Would you have rescued me?" I wondered with a glance up at her, my cluck half-casual half-serious.

"Of course.." her soft blue gaze met mine, "I'd search the whole field to find you -always- I love you!"

Brissa's cluck shook with emotion and deep down I understood at once the sincerity in it- the kindhearted hen had been one of my closest friends for a long time, and she was like a sister.

"Anyways," She blinked thoughtfully, glancing around the dark room as her beak chattered slightly, "Is it freezing?"

(A/N: This story is a work in progress; I'd say It's about halfway done- I'm planning to add more to it so stay tuned! :D )