I walk ahead of the pack, leading them towards our generation old den.

“Are we there yet?” the small kits howled, We just started our adventure through the icy expanse and they’re already complaining about it.

“Almost” I howled back, knowing we’re nowhere near our den yet.

The snow storm is getting worse by the second. Our long thick coat shields us away from the sharp snow hitting us over and over again.

“We need to pick up the pace!” I howl looking back. I couldn’t see anyone. Our long fur blended in with the sparkling snow. I heard a few responses back. They’re still following behind me. The thick layer of fur on our feet acted like snow boots, helping us through this.

“Wait up, I think we’re being followed!” I heard another one of the foxes howl. We all freeze, searching the area around us. My ears perk up, listening around me.

“I don’t think there’s anything, but we should keep going if we wanna make it there before sunset.”  I howl back after making sure it’s safe to continue our trip home. After many hours of walking and complaining, we’re almost to our destination. I started searching for some lemmings to take with us. Those small things aren’t easy to catch! Good thing I’m an expert. 

“I think I can hear them” The fox behind me howled. I tilted my head, my super senses helping me pinpoint their location. I pounce three feet in the air, head first into the snow. It’s not easy, especially when you can’t see your prey. The small foxes stared, impressed by my moves. 

“When will you teach us to hunt like that?” The small kits howled, praising me and my hunting skills.

“One day,” I ensure them.

A boxing match of matchmaking already began, and the rest of the couples were in the line. Except two hares. Astro, who was wearing a moon mask, slumped shoulders and eyes staring into nothingness. But there was another female hare on the other side of the stadium, Celeste. She was the weakest contestant in the whole stadium. A shout of disappointment erupted from the ring made up of shining and translucent ice. Knocking Astro into his senses but the first thing Astro saw was a female hare, standing alone. Her beautiful, BEAUTIFUL eyes just sent Astro to a magical land of fantasies. Something was lacking for his imaginations, her awe-striking face that was hidden behind an astronaut mask. Astro had to fight one female hare and get a partner his first breeding season. Which was determined now! 

“Uhm- hi! I saw that you didn’t have a partner yet. Do you mind becoming mine?” Astro shaked his head side-to-side, his moon mask was almost about to fall off. “I mean, my partner for this mating season?” He corrected himself and sighed. But her weak physique made Astro doubt whether she would win against him and whether they would end… He was going too far! 

“Yes, may I know your name?” Celeste kept her eyes glued to the floor and never made eye-contact with Astro. 

“I’m Astro and this is my first season-” She finally looked up, it made Astro feel weird in stomach. 

“I’m the same age as you then, but I can’t really win against you in boxing, I beg your pardon.” She again dropped her head down in an apologetic way. Astro scratched the back of his ear. 

“I thought of something, don’t worry! I will go get us both a ticket for the match, also you know that we can’t skip it. There might be a price we can’t pay so… believe in me!” Astro left Celeste dumbfounded, as he hopped so fast across the stadium on uneven snow. But his mind couldn’t stop thinking about that feeling of, uh. Worms in his stomach? Astro’s urge to rip that mask of hers grew more and more. As he was returning, he spotted something which made his blood boil like the sun during the summer solstice. 

“You know you can’t deny me, so just come. C’mon! You have to get a partner and you should be thankful that I AM asking you. You should be honor-” A green masked hare was leaning too close to Celeste and almost dragged her. Astro felt a ting of kindness that he should save her, because she is his partner this season. Or was it jealousy? Astro almost flew to Celeste and grabbed her wrist and dashed towards the queue line of the boxing ring. They both didn’t say anything but Astro noticed how Celeste was shaking her leg, continuously. 

“I forgot to ask your name, may I?” 

“It’s Celeste.” She barely mumbled it. But something weird happened to Astro. To his eyes! 

“Celeste, why is your sweater red? I- Arctic hares can’t see red but what’s happening to me?” Astro started rubbing his eyes and freaking out but Celeste was speechless.

“Everybody look here! We might have found a true couple! The male can see red, which is on his beauty’s sweater only!” Somebody eavesdropped! But what are they blabbering?! 

“Let them have the match first! YEAH! But the astronaut mask won’t be able to win and choose her partner. Yeah… she looks weak. What if another female chooses this moon mask?” Both of them heard all the gossip as they were being pushed through the whole line and were in front of the ring and forcefully onto the perfectly leveled ice.

“ 3… 2… 1… Start!” Was heard around the whole stadium. Celeste threw weak punches, light kicks but Astro acted like he was being crushed and beaten up to pulp. Everybody witnessed that, even the green mask. Astro couldn’t think straight as he kept seeing red on Celeste’s sweater when he was only able to see green or blue. Berserk, was he at the moment! Celeste knew how far he went to make her win and make her able to choose her own partner for her first breeding season. So, at the end of the day how could she choose anybody but Astro?