Bits of faded paint chips crumbled from the ajar barn double door. Outside, howling winds sent a disheveled group of chickens scampering across the patches of grass and dirt leading to their maple-built coop.

In the distance, thick, dark storm clouds slowly crept across the sky.

A handful of cows, full and happy from an afternoon spent in the grazing field, moseyed on over to a patch of oak trees for cover. They knew the rain was coming.

Everyone knew the rain was coming. Squirrels, goats, pigs...and Elsa.

Pale yellow fur, neatly groomed, and sporting a weathered, blue collar, Elsa meowed and flicked her tail impatiently.

"She should've been back by now."

Several agile jumps up a pile of haystacks landed Elsa neatly by the barn's lone second floor window. She pawed at a dusty spot until she could see through the dirty glass.

Another meow, this one low and laced with frustration.

"She wouldn't get caught. I mean...no...the vultures won't be back here for another month. But...the owls..."

In the distance, a dim crack of thunder accompanied a streak of lightning in the dark clouds.

Just then, a small, thick tumbleweed blew across the yard...and right up against the barn door.

With an exasperated sigh, Elsa shook her head, and chuckled.

About time.

With short, auburn fur filthy and knotted, Anna rolled right into the barn and let out an undignified yelp. Several more rolls brought her right to the foot of the haystack pile, and the poor hamster flailed on her back for a few moments.

"Big...clouds! BIG big! I...I can't...where's the ground?!"

Elsa tittered again, leapt to the barn floor, and nudged her nose against Anna's side. In a second, the little hamster rolled onto her paws...and sneezed. Blue eyes narrowed as Elsa took in the disheveled state of her friend.

"I was worried sick. Is it too much to hope you've got a good excuse for being out this late?"

At that, Anna brightened for a moment, but her smile quickly fell away as her top lip curled back over her two front teeth. "I...got you flowers?" She scuffed a paw against the dusty ground. "They, um...they all flew away."

Elsa sighed again, one paw already drawing Anna close. "Well...at least you didn't blow away."

Suddenly, all the dirt and tangles and twigs nestled in Anna's fur mattered little. She warmed up quite quickly and gave a little shiver as Elsa's scratchy tongue brushed between her ears. Eyes brightened again, and Anna jutted out her chin with an insistent chirp.

"Next time, I will bring you back a flower. Even if I get all soggy."

Elsa hummed idly, licked several more times, then glanced up as raindrops began to pelt the second-story window.

"If you say so. But in the meantime...shall we?"

Anna shook a bit more dust out of her fur, then grinned and lowered her head. "Please and thank you." With that, she went limp and hummed brightly as Elsa picked her up by the scruff of her neck...and headed upstairs. Carefully.

Anna's thoughts still wandered.

I will get you flowers. You're just the best.