At the crack of dawn the sun peaks out from behind mountain tops. The first rays of the sun grace the Earth. As well as the clouds become lit with a fabulous, warm light as the rising sun announces the coming of a new day.

A new day. A hopefully good and promise day for Kotoha where he will come and play with her.

The little petite girl is crunching down by the same river she always go and grabbed the bucket she placed in the river to see if she got any fish. No luck. She put the bucket back inside the river and lay on its side so the fish may get in. Although she has to stay by the river and watch the fish going in and quickly take it but she can't as she's really worry about her new friend possibly coming.

'I wonder if he's actually coming...he pinky promised me....'

Kotoha has been waiting for him for at least half an hour now. At this time she could've been sleeping on her comfy warm futon. If today wasn't the day for her day with him. However, he hasn't shown up. She even woke up much earlier than she expected since she was really excited to hang out with him again. She couldn't wait to play with him after the fun they had yesterday.

But he isn't here.

'I wonder he's meeting with his worshipers at this time?'

The little Kotoha look up in the golden color sky and sigh.

"I guess he's really not coming. He must've not want to waste his time this early to play with someone like me. I am so stupid..." she took out her finger from the river and dry on her green kimono then stands up.

"I guess I have to go home then..." she began walking her way to her home wondering if her mother is up and hopefully making breakfast at this early morning.

Suddenly, she heard some small rustling coming behind her. She immediately turns around hoping it was who she think it is but to her disappointment it was a small squirrel with an acorn on its hand and nibbling it.

"Oh....I thought you're him." She said with a sad smile on her face. "I was really hoping you are....." she kneels down to meet the squirrel's level.

She takes a look on the squirrel who's still nibbling on the acorn. It looks a bit bigger than any other squirrel she encountered with. Especially in the stomach area.

"Hey there cute squirrel. Are there babies inside of you? Mama told me once you see a squirrel with a bigger stomach that means there are little more squirrels inside." She smiled brightly.

The pregnant squirrel pays no attention to her as she's focusing on the acorn.

"I wonder what is like having babies inside of your stomach? It must be heavy and a lot of work to carry people and make sure they are taken care of. I heard it is a lot more responsibility when are babies is out from the mother." She lay on her tiny belly with her legs sticking out while her arms laying on the ground to support her.

"I always wanted to know where babies really come from. Mama told me it comes from the mother but I asked her how did the baby got there in the first place. She told me she won't explain to me any further until I am old enough to understand." She pouts

"I don't know why she won't just tell me. I don't think I'm that dumb to understand. Yes I can be not smart but doesn't mean I can't learn. Kinda." She huffs as she closed her eyes then look at the pregnant squirrel.

"Are you nervous of becoming a mother? Or nervous of having your babies? I heard being the first time mother can be a scary experience to go through. You don't know what will happen with you and your babies and it can be hard to handling them. New motherhood would be 'chaotic', 'tiring' and 'stressful'. However, you will know what to do once they came out and you will protect them at all cost even your own life. Even if you're afraid. Remember, being brave isn't the absence of fear, it's being afraid and doing it anyway. That's what my mama told me when she had me." She gave a calm smile but a question pops out of her head. "Is there a father? My mama said there has to be two parents: mom and dad in order to have a baby."

"I wonder how they make a baby though if the father isn't here with you. Or why they are needed. I'm not saying they shouldn't be needed. I love my papa! But why isn't the father with you? My papa is with me and my mama but how come you don't?" She cocked her head in confusion looking at the squirrel.

"I was also told the father has to protect his wife especially his child...." she paused for a moment and smiled. "I don't think that's really necessary."

Than something came into her mind.

"When I'm old enough, I want to have a baby of my own. I enjoy looking at other animal's babies. They are so cute when they squeal, curled up into balls, and even snuggling their mamas. Just so beautiful to look at. But it pains me when I hear their cries. Heart breaking but their mothers will always be there for them. I always imagine of having my own with my dolls. I would pretend I am nursing them like feeding and changing them. Even give them my love. I know they aren't real but I couldn't help myself but love playing as a mama. My mama told me it will be a big job for having a baby. Although it maybe tough but I know I will find my way to help not only myself but my baby as well. I will love my baby more than anything. I will do anything even risk my life for my baby like you are."

She placed her hands on both sides her face with a smile, "I bet we both are gonna be great moms."

The pregnant squirrel immediately stops on the acorn and drops into the ground. It got into fours and ran to the other direction where the woods is.

"Hey what's wrong!" Kotoha immediately stand up as she saw the upcoming mother squirrel running to the forest and disappeared when it enters.

"Perhaps she got annoyed by my talking." She giggled and look down on the ground. "Awh. It looks like she didn't  open her acorn. I wonder if she ate enough food for her babies." She picked up the unopened acorn.

"I hope she ate plenty good food for today." She said as she turned around but immediately jumped when she saw someone familiar standing few inches away from her which instantly made her heart beat.

"Douma!" She gleamy said as she quickly went up to him.

"I thought you weren't coming! You did keep your promise!" She was so relieved to know Douma actually came like he said he would. All her sadness had immediately disappeared which resulted to put a big smile on her smile.

"Yes I did. Sorry I was late, I didn't want anybody to wake up and see me sneaking out. I had to be real careful." Douma explained with his signature smile on his face.

"O-oh that is okay! I understand now but all that matters you are here!" She cheerfully said.

Douma noticed something inside of her tiny left hand. "What you got there, Kotoha?" He asked as he points her closed hand.

"This is just a small acorn the mother squirrel left here." She opens her hand that reveals an acorn.

"Oh. Why do you have that?"

"I don't know. I guess I want to take a look at it. I never seen an acorn before I mean I have but not in my hand since they always don't leave acorns behind." She laughed and look at the acorn.

Before Douma could speak, he immediately widen his eyes as she toss the acorn in her mouth.

Kotoha give a weird but bitter look as she's trying to taste the acorn all over the inside of her mouth. She immediately spit it out.

"Yuck!" She made a gross face with her tongue sticking out in disgusting. "I thought acorns will taste good! They're supposed to be foods since squirrel eats them yet it doesn't taste like one......."

'Hahah so she stupid it's cute. She actually thought squirrel's sources are edible for human beings. Why do you think only squirrels eat them? The fact Acorns have gained a bad reputation because they contain tannins. At least she was bright enough to spit it out immediately. "

She then picked up the acorn again which is covered in her saliva which Douma found it repulsive.

"I heard these acorns are some kinds of nuts but they don't taste like one." Kotoha said as she's wiping the acorn.

"Why are your drying it?" Douma asked.

"Because I don't want this acorn to go to waste! Plus I heard they are some kinds of seeds."

"Seeds?" Douma ask as he cocked his head to the right.

"You know seeds as an tree seeds. You can grow one on a good soil ground than plant them and wait until they become a tree."

Although to Kotoha, she thinks is the most incredible thing she ever believe. However to Douma, he found it the most dumbest thing he has ever heard. It is hard to contain himself from her ridiculous belief.

Impossible. An acorn is only for squirrels to consume. They are the main diet for them, not for planting. What a stupid thing to believe.

"What makes you think an acorn grow to a tree? Acorns are just the source of food for small mammals like squirrels." Douma told her.

"Well, my papa told me they aren't just foods but are also seeds since it's technically a fruit. There's seeds inside he said." Kotoha explained to him.

"However due to its hard outer shell it's classified as a nut." Douma pointed out.

"AND has the tough outer shell and the cap of the acorn that protects the seed. Also known as couple."

"Cupule." Douma corrected her.

"Whatever but the fact is they can grow. Because this acorn..." Kotoha shows him the acorn with her finger pointing on the outer shell.

"This acorn is mature since is in light brown which means it is ready to be grow and it is also means it's an oak."

Douma cocked his head, "Oak? As an oak tree? There's rarely any of these kind of tree here in japan. What makes you think the acorn is an oak."

She grinned, "because..." she run down her finger from the cap of the acorn to the middle. "....this acorn have a spiral of overlapping scales on the cup. The acorns of some species have parallel ridges running between the two points. My dad taught me. Although I struggled on what he's trying to say, the way he shows me helps the best."

Douma blinked his eyes at her wording.
He was shocked how much she knows for a mere nut that has nothing to do with human nature. Especially since how dumb she can be. But he still doesn't believe a small acorn can possibly grow a tree.

"Ah so you must know a lot of acorns do you?" Douma smiles as away to not continue reasoning of this ridiculous logic she believes.

"Mhm!"

Then an idea popped up from Kotoha.
"Oooh I know what should we do today!"

"What?"

"We should grow a tree!" Kotoha said excitedly with closed eye smile.

"With that acorn?" Douma asked as he cocked his head to his right side.

"Not this acorn. I'm keeping it! Besides this has already been chewed so the top has some broken pieces. We need a new one." Kotoha began to looked around.

"Acorns are all over the place so this shouldn't be a struggle!"

————

She was wrong and Douma already knew that the moment those words come out of her mouth.

"I-I don't understand....acorns should be all over on the ground. They are supposed to fall off from trees in this time of season....." Kotoha sigh exhausting.

Her little legs are starting to wear down as her head is getting a bit hurt from all the searching in the woods. She looked inside the bushes, trees, leaves, even under the dead branches but no luck. She rubbed her forehead and felt the need to stop looking. It seems like it is gonna be a big waste of time and Douma has to go home very soon so she has no choice but to give up.

"I guess we should give up. We have been looking for at least 30 minutes but no luck." Kotoha said with a disappointment on her tone.

Douma pretended to search for these acorns but he knew looking for them will be such waste of time. He already knew acorns don't fall of this time but the girl wants to look for them to prove her pointless theory.

"I'm sorry Douma that we spent our entire morning just to look for an acorn....we should turned around and go back to the stream before you leave." Kotoha began walk to the direction where the river is with a sad look on her face.

"Don't be sad Kotoha. Maybe there are acorns here but this is a big woods so it is gonna take very long time to find them." Douma told her as he patted her head lightly as a way to comfort her.

Kotoha smoked a bit, "you're right...so what do you want to do-"

She heard some little squealing.

As if there were coming from an animal.

A really really small animal.

Sounded like couple of tiny babies.

"Did you hear that?"

Douma stood still for a moment as he waits for the sound but there's none.

"No I didn't hear anything."

Until another squeal was made and it's not far from where they are.

"The noises are coming from over there!" Kotoha pointed the direction.

Before Douma could talk, Kotoha ran where the noises are coming from.

Douma sighed and rubbed his head. He should've not come today. He ran and followed her to find the mysterious sound. He's hoping the creature isn't dangerous.

Kotoha ran her little legs as she go through some bushes, hop over some big rocks or branches. But she had to make sure she doesn't make too much noises so the creature won't ran off and she can hear the squealing noises more better when she gets closer.

'The noises are getting louder. I must be getting closer!' She felt excitement rising up from her stomach. Whatever the creature is, she must see it for herself. She doesn't know why but she is one very curious girl. She wants to know and see everything even if it is just random, her curious journeys her to adventure which's what she loves about being a explorer.

As she's reached where the squeals are, she stopped.

There's nothing but just trees and grass around her.

"I-I don't understand....it should be here."

She's unaware that Douma has caught up to her and look around.

"Oh? Isn't the strange noises came from here? I don't see any animal."

"I know but...the noises lead us here but where is it?" Kotoha asked with a sad expression.

"Maybe it fled away when it heard us coming." Douma said.

"No. I made sure that I walked carefully...it even made noises when I came here...." Kotoha replied.

"You could've been so used of the noise to the point you may think it's still squealing in your head." Douma said.

Kotoha sighed and nodded.

He has got a point.

"Let's turn around and go back shall we?" Douma smiled as he placed his tiny hand on her shoulder.

As they were about to go, the squealing came back. Kotoha immediately stopped and listens again.

"Squeak"

She gasped loudly. "I heard it! It's coming from..." she turned her head as she's carefully listening to where the noise is which leads her to the tree that have spirally arranged leaves, with rounded edges in many species; some have leaves with jagged edges or entire leaves with smooth margins. An oak tree. This have her and Douma in shocked.

"That tree..."

An oak tree? I thought they don't exist here in this area?....

Douma still wondering how could an oak tree could be out here in the middle of the woods in Japan. His thinking was interrupted when Kotoha grabbed one of hand and pulled him as to lead him to where the noise is coming from.

"The squealing noises are coming from this tree!!" Kotoha said confidently with a big smile on her face.

Douma was shocked from not the tree but how Kotoha's touching his hand. He look behind her and saw how her hair is gracefully flowing from the air as she's running to the point it is almost touching his fast.

It look so beautiful.

And the way her hand touching his is so soft to him as if he's holding a soft sheep wool that one of his followers gave him when he's wondering around the temple.

He holds hands with her followers before but it means nothing to him. Not one bit. He only held hands with them to show comfort or pity and it worked on them as if they are desperate animals.

But for Kotoha is different.

She is the one who's holding his hand in the first place. Even if it to drag, to Douma it felt little comforting.

He doesn't know if he should like it.

"Let's climb!"

He snapped out of his thoughts not noticing they already stopped running and he look what's in front of him and it is the same oak tree they were supposed to ran to.

He looked at her confused, "on this tree?"

Kotoha shocked her head, "Yep! The noises are coming from this tree." And she pointed the small hole in the tree that's 3 feet's high. "In that tiny hole."

"Ah that is a bit risky...just look how tall the tree is...and we aren't tall enough to reach high places." Douma pointed out with a frown.

"Yeah...what if.....I climbed on to you?" Kotoha asked.

Douma blinked, "Excuse me?"

"You know? I will climbed onto your shoulders and I will try to tip toe carefully so I can hold on the edge of that hole." Kotoha explained with a bright smile as she thought it was a brilliant plan.

To Douma, that idea may slightly work but there is also a big chance she will fall off and get himself hurt when she fell on him. Which he will mind at all. Especially the hurting part.

"I don't think so." Douma said with hint of serious tone.

"Please Douma!" Kotoha begged. "Pleaseeee."

"I don't like being landed on as a fall on cushion if you failed."

"I won't Douma! Trust me I promised! Kotoha hold up her right hand and closed all her fingers but her pinky.

"Pink promised! I swear I won't fall especially on you." Kotoha said with a serious but cute expression.

"And if you did....."

"Then you know what happens if I broke my promised...you can break my pinky. That's the deal of the promise." Kotoha said.

Douma widened his eyes to believe she's still taking the promise seriously.

Why does the pinky promise have to be taken so literally to the point of physical harming someone's finger just because they couldn't make the promise?

Douma sighed and held his hand that's opposite to Kotoha's and connected his pinky with hers, "Alright if that makes you happy."

She squeezes his pinky with a wide smile, "Thank you!"

Douma let go of his pinky off her own as he took off crown and went in front of the tree. He placed the crown on the ground and make sure it's not close to the tree.

He got a feeling her plan won't go well.

He then went in front of the tree and stand and turned his head to her with his signature smile.

"Alright hop in."

Kotoha didn't hesitate to climbed on his back in a careful way as to avoid any dirt marks or damages on his fancy outfit. At first it was a struggle since Douma's shoulders are small and finding a good grip on the tree was not easy to find so she had to hold onto the tree's sides. As she did, she's finally got her legs to climbed on his shoulders. She gasped when her left foot almost slipped off from his left shoulder since his black cloak was loose. However, Douma immediately grabbed her ankles before her whole foot could fall off. They both sighed in relief.

"You said you're gonna be careful." Douma looked up to her with a frown.

"I am! It just your big cloak made my foot slipped." Kotoha reported.

"Okay but just focus on getting into the hole!" Douma heavily said. Even though her feet's are small, it is making his shoulders hurt a bit especially when she's tip toeing then stops tip toeing and tip toes it just bringing more irritation on his shoulders. He wished he declined to give her a lift.

"I'm sorry for this but will you tip toe so I will able to reach it more?" Kotoha grunted as she's trying to grab on the hole's ledge.

"You look like you're going to lose your balance. I don't think it will be a good idea for me to tip toe while you're also tip toeing." Douma said as he's trying to look up to her as he's avoiding her moving feet.

"I already told you, I won't fall! We pinky promised! And we already know what happens if I break the promise."

He groaned a bit. He grabbed onto her ankles tightly then slowly tip toes. With a huff, he pushes her ankles up with grunts .

She's kinda heavy....

Kotoha made sure her hands are attached to the tree barks and moving them upwards. She looks up and sees she now getting closer to the hole.

"That's it keep going, Douma! We are almost there!"

We? You're the one who's reaching to it. I'm just helping you getting there in aches from your foot stepping.

Kotoha have her fingers reaching, reaching and reaching until she finally touches the ledge.

"I got it!" She placed her other hand and jumped to help herself to pull up more.

Her jumped resulted to have her right foot accidentally kicked on douma's forehead and have him landed on the ground with a thump sound.

Kotoha didn't noticed as she's climbing into the hole but only the first of half her to enter.

"I got in!" She looked around to find the source of noise and widened her eyes.

"Hey...it's you..."

It was the same pregnant squirrel she encountered earlier. But the different is she doesn't have the big belly anymore. She's surrounded by her babies.

They are all being taken care from its mother as she's spending her time nursing them, grooming them, keeping them warm.

It was such a heartwarming sight.

It really touches Kotoha.

"Aww. So that's where the squeals are coming from. They were born. They are just being hungry." Kotoha softly smiled as she stared at the beautiful site.

"I wonder if you guys name your children just like we humans do." She placed both of her hands on both of her cheeks and leaned forward.

"Coming up a name is not easy at it sounds. It took me few months to come up good names for my dolls. But the difference is they aren't real. And she won't have to worry giving them a perfect name for the rest of their lives.

However, if she wants a child of her own. She's gonna make sure the name is meaningful that her child will love to be called for the rest of their lives.

She roamed her eyes around family's comforting home. She never seen or even been in a squirrel's home. But she found it amazing how so many babies will fit in one small place. Her eyes landed on something next to the mother on the left.

She gasped quietly, "Acorns."

Bunch of fresh acorns have been piled up neatly to store food for her children. Kotoha figured gathering her own food, and ensuring that the nest is safe from predators. She smiled at the thought how a mother will do and risk anything to keep their babies healthy and happy.

As she's staring at them, the mother turns its head and noticed the little black bluish haired girl is looking at them. Which makes Kotoha immediately gasped and getting out from the tiny hole.

"I-I am sorry mother squirrel I didn't mean to break in like th-that! I will get out and give you private time with your babies!" Kotoha laughed nervously with a closed eyes smile.

When she got the first half of her body out, she lowered herself feeling her fingers grasping on the ledge tightly but slowly getting a bit tired. She uses one of her foot to find a right spot on Douma's shoulder.

But there's no shoulder.

She shake her foot left and right to find him but his presence isn't there.

"Douma...Douma?"

No response.

"If this some kind of joke, it's not funny! My fingers feels like they are gonna slip off!" Kotoha tried to look down but she couldn't see but her feet. She placed her feet on the tree as to hold on but it only slightly help. Her fingers are slowly coming off.

"D-Douma...please!..." she panicked as she's gasping.

"If I fall! You can't break my finger because it will be your fault—"

Before she could finish her sentence, her fingers could no longer hold on. She felt her body coming down and nothing to hold on to but air. Her hair flowing up along with the hem of her kimono. Looking up seeing how taller the tree is getting. All she could think about is how badly is gonna hurt or if she's gonna at least survive the fall.

She shut her eyes tightly and brace the hurt as she's falling close to the ground.

She fell.

But it didn't hurt.

In fact, she didn't fell any of the green grass or dirt on the ground.

But in small arms.

She opened her bright blue eyes and look up to see two pairs of beautiful rainbow pastels wide eyes.

"I gotcha." Douma brightly said with a smile.

Kotoha felt her eyes tearing up and whimpers.

She hits him on the chest few times having Douma responds with a ow.

"That wasn't funny! Why did you do that?" Kotoha's tears coming down and covering them with her small hands.

"What was funny? Saving you?" Douma said confused.

"No! w-when...I was calling-g.. fo-for you...you didn't respond! You pretended you-you...weren't there...just to see me fall for a laugh...." Kotoha began to cry hysterically.

Douma's eyebrows furrowed. "I wasn't pulling a prank on you. I was unconscious for a bit because your foot hit my forehead. I woke up from your wailing and I saw you a second before you fell luckily I caught you on time."

Kotoha took a look on Douma and to her horror look there was a small mark that is slowly forming into a purplish bruise on his forehead. Guilt has suddenly rise to her subconscious and began to cry even more.

"I-I am sorry!!" Her tears began to grow and fall down.

"What? About this?" He pointed his head.

"It's nothing. I already knew where I was getting myself into besides this is just a small bruise. Nothing to serious it will go away very soon!" Douma have her a reassuring smile telling to not make a big deal. Hoping it will ease her down.

Which it did but she's now weeping.

"Bu-but I broke my promised...I wasn't that careful like I thought I was...and you got hurt because of me..." Kotoha wipes all the tears on the back of small palm. Opening her eyes even though she can see Douma a bit blur from all the tears. She brought up her pinky in front of his face.

"You can...break it."

Douma shook his head.

Honestly the pinky breaking thing is a bit too much. Who has the heart to do that?

"No like I said don't worry. Plus the deal was for you to be careful NOT to fall. And you were. If you asked me. To be honest, I had doubts about this and knew I was gonna get badly hurt. But I was wrong. Sure maybe some minor injuries but that was because I wasn't careful. You were the actually done a well job on keeping your promise. So you shouldn't be worry."

With those words, it made Kotoha felt so much relief and better. Not only he won't break her finger but the fact he praise her for the way she did. She could tell from the tone of his voice that he is too amazed on her actions. She felt even more proud of what she accomplished. She placed a triumphant smile on her.

"Thanks, it was nothing!"

Douma lightly chuckled.

"Oh! Guess what? I found the creatures of who were making those squealing sounds. And guess who they are."

He cocked his head to the side, "I can't guess if I don't know the creature."

"Well they were baby squirrels! And the mother squirrel was there nursing them! I met the mother earlier today. I met her when she was pregnant by the river before you came. She was nibbling the acorn but ran away. She must have ran because she was going to give birth. You should've seen them, Douma. The scene was absolutely amazing. They look like such a beautiful family." Kotoha exclaimed in delight. She couldn't help but think of the special moment the mother is having with her babies.

"You mean the kits?"

Kotoha gave Douma an odd look which it Douma already knows she doesn't understand.

"Kits are short for kittens."

"But they are squirrels."

"No my friend it also means baby squirrels. That's what they are called in the nature world."

"Oooh ok that's weird to call them." She giggled.

"I'm assuming you took your time on looking at them. Because I'm sure I went unconscious for at least five minutes. You would've fall earlier since I didn't woke up." Douma pointed out.

"Hahaha that is a good thing. But yeah it was such a sight to look at: mother taking care of her children is such the beautiful thing to witnessed. It just makes me so happy." Kotoha looked up at the small tree hole with a big smile.

"Really how come?" Douma asked curiously. Form the look of her face, she seems to be so content and somehow excited. Which makes him be more curious of what is going on in her thought.

"W-well it just...just..."small form of red appeared on her small cheeks.

"I like idea of being a mother bonding with their younglings...it must be like a very special thing to be: a mother and a great thing to have: a child...it just looks so happy to have a life like that...."

Douma found her reasons to be quite strange. Why she thinks being a mother is such a beautiful thing to be as if it's an honor to be? As well as having a child. He doesn't know where babies come from exactly but he does know it has something to do with a mother. He also know how much of a responsibility and time consuming including sleep deprivation could be once you're being handed to by a mere fragile infant. By yourself. He sees that to be lonely and toughest job. How could a baby be a "bundle of joy" to mothers? He never experienced with his mother nor his do all the nurturing things like she claimed mothers supposed to do for their kids. Frankly, he doesn't mind if his own mother doesn't show any affection or nurture to him. In fact, he doesn't care. She just helps him on his leadership rearrangements and sometimes rewarded him with break time or fresh fruits but most of the time she leaves him alone to do his duties as a Eternal Paradise cult leader. He sees that as normal thing his mother doing that to her own child.

"Don't you think it's nice giving her babies a lot of love?" Kotoha has took him out of his thinking as she's smile.

I don't know, "Yeah."

"I can tell the mother squirrel already loves her babies. I bet the babies also loves her since she's their mother. When they see the one who is nurturing, they will automatically know it will be their mother and will love them regardless because she's there for them and will protect them. I know my own mother is the same! Does yours too?"

He shrugged, "I guess."

Eh, no not really.

Kotoha furrowed her eyebrows at his response. Before she could asked, a squirrel noises occurred to them. They both turned their head where the squirrel appeared in front of them.

"Hey it's you!" Kotoha immediately got out of Douma's grasp and sit on her knees in front of the mother squirrel.

"I'm sorry that I broke in your home earlier...it won't happened again.." Kotoha apologized as she placed both of her hands and lowers her head.

Why is she apologizing to a squirrel? It doesn't have human feelings or even cares.

"I didn't mean to interrupt your special moment with your babies! Me and my friend will leave." Kotoha stand up and was on her way to Douma until she felt a tiny tug. She looked down and saw the mother squirrel grabbed the hem of her bottom length of her light green kimono in a way to stop her.

"Eh? Do you need something?"

The mother squirrel pulled away and immediately climbed up back to the tree house.

Both little kids look up with confusion in their faces.

"I think she's going to give us something." Kotoha guessed.

"What makes you think that?"

Not even a minute longer, the mother squirrel came out and climbed down from the tree and headed towards Kotoha, siting up in front of her tiny feet. With bunches of fresh light brown oak acorns on her tiny arms.

"Are they...for me?" Kotoha bend down and picked up the acorns gently from the mother's hand.

"Thank you...." She softly said with content on her face.

Douma walk up by Kotoha with astonishment look. She turned to her side and immediately showed him the oak acorns on both of the palm of her hands of the source they have been searching.

"Douma! Look at this! Isn't so generous of the mother gave us these special acorns! She must've knew we been searching all over them! And is willing share some with us!" She said brightly with a closed eye smiled and a small blush.

Douma pointed the acorns with a still surprise look, "They are...."

"Mhm oaks! I told you!" She look back down to the mother squirrel who is still there.

"Thank you so much for this kindest gesture you gave me. But...." she kneel down as she still looking down to the squirrel. She placed the acorns on the ground between them but kept one.

"I just need one. You and your babies need this more than I do." She placed her hand on the squirrel's tiniest head and began petting which the mother responded by leaning in the gesture. Kotoha could've swore she felt a pur.

When Kotoha stood back up and waved to the squirrel goodbye right after the squirrel picked up all the acorns and climbed back to her home.

"Now we can finally grow our own tree!"

—————-

"Okay Douma places the acorn into the hole now." Kotoha said as she stood up with dirt all over her fingers.

Douma nodded and placed the acorn on the hole gently and take a step aside as Kotoha covered the hole with dirt. The sun is already up. It took them a while to plant the acorn. The digging didn't took too long it was just Kotoha wanted to find a perfect spot to plant the tree and make sure it is noticeable that way they won't lose their plant.

And also he kinda argued with her to see who do all the digging in, planting in, watering all stuffs that he doesn't want to get dirt or mud on any of his skin or shoes. He doesn't want to touch or hold his follower's hands with filth on them. How are they gonna see him as their trustworthy leader if he doesn't keep himself clean?

"One last thing..." Kotoha grabbed a small bucket and poured some water.

"Good thing I brought a bucket!" She said.

"Even though it was a long walk to get the bucket..." Douma added.

"At least we don't have to walk more since the river was already there!" She cheerfully said.

"There all done!" Kotoha stand up and placed the bucket on the floor. She patted her hands and her lap to get all the dirt off from her. She took a stand back and look at their small garden work.

"I'm glad planting wasn't so bad as finding the right spot huh?" She grinned at both the plant and her friend.

"I guess but almost the entire morning we spent was looking for the acorn and where to plant. We didn't get much playtime as we thought." Douma said.

"It's okay! We spent so much time together didn't we? All it matters that we are with each other even if we didn't play, at least we hung out." Kotoha have Douma a pat on his back lightly which Douma kinda flinch at her sudden action.

"Really? Even if today was a bit boring?"

"What are you talking about boring? We had so much fun! We got to explore the wilderness, we were finding the sound, I have found the beauty of mother nursing her children and gave us an acorn which we planted."

"More like you had fun." He mumbled.

"And we will wait for our precious tree to go....do you know how long trees grow?"

"Ten years." He responded nonchalantly.

Kotoha face went paled.

"But if your talking about an oak tree usually takes about 4-6weeks for it be germinate. The planted tree will become fully established in about three years. Until that time, water and fertilize is needed."

"Oh ok good! Well then I guess we will wait 4-6 weeks to see a sprout from our tree." She smiled brightly at the thought of a growing tree will be happening. She's gonna be so proud of their work.

"You got to make sure sure we watered. Properly and timely." He reminded.

"Yeah yeah I know. I already poured few water so we are good and you're gonna water tomorrow." Kotoha said.

"And don't forget your turn on tomorrow's next day."

Douma looked at her happy facial expression. One thing he could understand of is gardening will bring you joy. The sense of accomplishment that comes with garden allows to focus on the beautiful things in life. He has a huge garden backyard in the temple. When he has a spare time, he will go to the yard and enjoying seeing  seeing field of beauty lotuses blossoming on the ground. He loves being surrounded of enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature, as an ideal setting for beauty and solitary human life. One good thing about his world.

He's gonna make a mental note of himself to go back to the garden again.

"Well I'm glad we were able to spend together but I got to go before my followers noticed I'm gone." He smiled at her and was about To make his way.

"Oh you have to go so soon." Kotoha frowned as she's watching him walk away.

"Yes I do. I have to go meet with my followers or they will be worried. Like yesterday." He said with a hint of annoyance on his voice.

"Oh you're right! We don't want that happened again." She said as she's scratching the back of her head.

"Wait!"

Douma stopped on his tracks and turned his head with one eyebrow raised.

"What is it?"

"Your forehead! The bruise...." Kotoha walked up to with one hand raising.

"I know. What about it?" Douma asked with a blank face.

"B-but you're followers and your parents are gonna freak.....You be in big trouble if they find out...." Kotoha slowly began to panicked. She's running out of time and she can't come up with a good plan to get rid of his bruise. The last thing she want is him to be in major problem or yelling from his parents. She took a look of his face. Luckily the bruise isn't that big but it is noticeable. Then came up with an idea.

"Can you come closer?" Kotoha asked still looking at his face.

"Why?..."

"Just come here." She said moving her fingers for him to come forward.

Douma hesitate as he step forward, not knowing what she's gonna do to him. Hopefully not tackling him down again as a joke. He already have been hurt.

He stopped as he's now in front of her. His face is now up close to her's, feeling a bit uneasy as she's still staring him with the look of determination. He turned his face away to feel the less intense than he already was. Staring at their planters tree until he felt similar warm sensations on both of his cheeks. He widened his eyes and have his mouth in gape. His face turned back to Kotoha and their eyes met.

"Let me move your hair a bit if you don't mind." She raised her one hand forward to his head. She gently comb the yellow oak hair across his forehead. Comb through hair piece bangs so they are brushed straight down the middle of his forehead.

It almost tickles Douma, feeling and watching the tips of her finger touching the skin of his forehead however it also felt somewhat nice. Along with the same warm sensation that he still has no idea where it is coming from. It all came to stop when he felt some wet and little slimy on his head.

"Okay little of this...." Kotoha took her finger back and licked it then fixing his yellow oak hair again as she's moving some of his hairs into his forehead to cover the bruise.

"Gross! What are you—-stop!" Douma immediately took a big step backward with a disgusted and crunched up look as he's trying to wipe of the saliva.

"I was trying to make sure your hair sticks in together to hide your bruise...so they won't come part." Kotoha tried to explained as she trying to fixed his hair with her salvia.

Douma held up his hand indicating for her to stop and started to gently combed his hair.

"I will do it okay. No need for you to do it." He closed eyed smiled as he finishing her work.

After a few seconds, a big point length of his yellow oak hair has covered the minor injury which have Kotoha sighed in relief.

"I now can't see your bruise! But... I hope your followers and your parents won't noticed..." Kotoha kept staring at his yellow oak bangs in his forehead with a worried expression. "I felt so guilty for causing your bruise. You weren't supposed to get hurt... but because of my careless action for my selfish need...." she lowered head with tears coming up on her eyes.

He walked up to her which have Kotoha jumped a bit as she his feet, lifting her head up. Staring at each other. He slowly took her hand with his own and lifted them up as he's caressing her soft knuckles.

"Don't worry, Kotoha. I will make sure my hair is in place. Besides bruises don't last forever. It will go away in a few days. Like I said, I am already aware where I was getting myself into and I know you didn't mean it. You were trying to be careful. You wanted to know who were making the noises. Having curiosity makes your mind stronger. It makes your mind observant of new ideas. Even if it may sound ridiculous, you are persistent to go search for it. You even proved me that I shouldn't underestimated your mind." He gave her one more reassuring and bright smile of his.

The sudden touch and the smile just completely put Kotoha off guard. She listened what he said but the comforting gesture is making it hard to comprehend. It even make her lose her focus when she's staring at those rainbow orbs. His eyes, touch, and his sweet smile and words have Kotoha be in amazed. She's lost in those things which is making her feel something more.

"Are you okay? You look like you have a fever?" Douma took out one of his hand from hers and placed them in her forehead.

Kotoha's focus has brought back and blinked couple of times. She felt her face warm especially both on her cheeks. It got even more warmer when he placed his hand on her forehead.

"I-I am just feeling warmer than usual..." she backed away as she hide her face hopefully he didn't see it and her embarrassment flush is going down.

"Oh ok." He could obviously tell the lie.

It is like 60 degrees outside especially when mornings can be colder than the evenings. She can't even come up with a good lie.

"Well, I got to go then. I better go back to my chamber before my parents noticed I'm not there." He gave her one last smile.

"See you tomorrow, Kotoha-Chan." With that he turned to the direction of his temple and head off.

The little Kotoha watch him walking away as his figures disappeared into the further trees and bushes.

Kotoha-Chan?...

She widened her eyes. She cannot control her face as it turns into even more scarlet. The name he gave her, made her feel an awkward self-consciousness...from what happened moments ago...from Douma...As if it was something she never experienced the sensation before.

She has no idea what it is that she is feeling or if it something she needs to be concerned about, however she does know being around or even just thinking of him makes her heart skips a beat.