Author Fangirling: This chapter was inspired by those little gestures that can make your day so well. Thanks, Mom.

Because I wasn't old enough to work in the fields, I was encouraged to go fishing with the other boys my age. I have no interest in fishing, but was assured that they would show me what to do.

I accompanied three other boys. The freckled one passed out bait to the others, but I was passed by. "Excuse me?" I stepped forward. "May I have some to use?"

"Oh," he looked to the other boys. "For your first time, you have to find your own bait. It's a rule."

I could tell he was lying from the smile he was wearing, but I didn't feel like arguing. I could tell that they weren't interested in having fun with me. After all, I'm not fast, strong, or especially playful. I'm used to it by now, so I didn't mind excusing myself to go search for my own worms. Fortunately, I had studied worms before, and knew what kind of environment they preferred to inhabit. Unfortunately, the only damp soil I could find was at the bank of the stream. It looked cold. Sure enough, it was cold, and stepping in it send chills up my spine.

As I got used to the mud, I became engrossed in searching for the worms. They were such unique creatures, and I had never seen them very closely in real life- outside of a book, I mean. Combing through the ground to find them reminded me of combing through the pages of books to find juicy facts. I was so preoccupied with this connection that I never saw the other boy coming to push me in the water and jeer.

I gave up and returned home immediately afterwards. Amiboshi and Father had returned for a break, and they and Mother were startled at my soaked clothes. I excused myself to go clean up, and then crawled into bed to rest. Suddenly finding yourself underwater is never a pleasant experience, and yet it's one I've been finding myself in increasingly often.

Maybe I'd be better off as a fish if I keep winding up like this. I think I could most relate to a pufferfish. They seem fairly content, but it doesn't take much to startle them into a completely different form.

Starting a new life here can be exciting, but it can also be extremely lonely. After all, all these other people had known each other other for years, and I had just been placed in with them suddenly. At least for Amiboshi, it was like he was picking up where someone else left off. I thought we'd be very close, but he spends so much of his time out in the fields that I only get to talk with him when we're supposed to be going to sleep.

I wish I could go home. No matter how many streams or rivers I still might be pushed in there, I would still be home.

My musings were interrupted by Mother inviting herself in. With a gentle smile, she plopped a sweet dumpling in my lap. "There's more if you'd like it," she said and walked out just as suddenly as she had come in. I was startled, but overwhelmed with a sudden thankfulness.

She could probably tell how lonely I was feeling, and wanted to help me. We're still not close enough that we can talk very openly, but this gesture made me feel extremely loved.

It's funny how small gestures like that can change your mood so drastically.

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I was livid. Those little brats were horrible to Chiriko. After finding out what had happened, I set straight out to threaten them to stay away from my little brother. While he may be someone I've only known for a short time, and previously knew as my enemy, he's someone I'm extremely protective of now. It might be because I need to channel my concerns for Suboshi somewhere else, and he, although a polar opposite of Suboshi, is a perfect substitute for a little brother. To be honest, I don't know which one of us was born first, but I've always assumed the older brother role and he the younger. But I digress.

Father, little did I know, had been watching when I threatened the younger boys. He had a very bewildered look on his face when I noticed him. "Oh, Father, when did you get there?"

"I'm very impressed, Kaika," he said slowly. "When you want to, you can be a very frightening person. I never would have expected you to have anything hidden behind the friendly face."

"I'm sorry," my heart sank, afraid that my warrior-side had hurt the image he had of me as his son.

"No, you don't have to be sorry," he shook his head. "I think it's wonderful that you're so protective of Chibiko. But I do have one question."

"What is it, Father?"

"What did you mean when you said 'I'm the only one whose allowed to push him in the river'?"

I hadn't even realized I said that, so I only laughed nervously to answer him.