***Hey! I finally got more reviews! I'd like to thank MelodyK, Anonymous, and Rho for the inspiration for this chapter! I hope it turns out well, because I'm having a HUGE writers block right now... So, 12!***
**Piko POV**
It was six days ago that Gumi came home from the hospital, and she's finally back to her normal self. Her temperature's back to normal, and she's back to being, well, Gumi. Not really any other way to describe it, just wonderful Gumi.
"Hey, Piko, let's take a walk after lunch." I turned around to see Gumi smiling, munching on a carrot.
I smiled back at her, nodding. "Sure, got nothing else to do." I turned to Haku. She was still throwing rasins in the air, trying to catch them in her mouth. I giggled, as every time she threw one in the air, it went far to the right or left. I dug a rasin out of the box, tossing it into the air, and catching it skillfully in my mouth.
Haku had seen it, and still couldn't get it. I giggled, finishing my box, then turning to Gumi. She put the last bit of carrot in her mouth, then smiled. I returned it. "Ready to go?"
She nodded, getting out of her seat, then heading to the door. I followed quietly, and just as she was opening the door, Mom yelled, "Gumi! You're forgetting to take your medicine!"
A lightbulb flashed over her head. "That's right." She hurried over, swallowing the pills, then dashing back to my side, smiling at me as she slowed down.
We both yelled, "Thanks Mom!" as we headed out the door, closing it behind us. It was warm, but not unbearable. A breeze from behind us kept us cool while we walked through the woods. About halfway through the walk, we came to a fork. One way would send us towards the school, the other where her surprise was.
She stopped, looking down each path, then at me. "You probably know these woods better than I do." She pointed down each path. "Which way?"
I took the hand that was pointed down the path to the left, away from the school, then jumped in front of her and smiled. "At the end of this path is a surprise. Are you ready?"
She nodded quickly, but her face looked confused. "What kind of surprise is it?"
I used my free hand to put a finger on my lips. "I can't tell you that! That's why it's a surprise!"
She smiled, then started to run ahead, my hand still in hers. "Then, I guess I'll have to find out for myslef!"
**Gumi POV**
I hate surprises. They never fail to amaze me, but not knowing scares me.
"Mama! I wanna throw a party for my birthday!"
"You can't do that! You're too young! And the house isn't clean."
"Pleeeeease Mama! I'll be good!"
"Go ask your father."
Yeah, THAT worked out real well. My dad said no too, and I didn't even imagine asking him twice.
Behind me, Piko abruptly stopped. The momentum I had suddenly stopped too, and my arm popped. "Piko!" I whined, rolling my shoulder and letting go of his hand.
"Ah, sorry. But, we're here."
I looked around. There wasn't anything but trees. "What are you talking about?"
"Surprise!" Everyone was there: Rin, Meiko, Lily, and Luka. Mom led them inside and to the table, where she offered them drinks.
When I finally was out of my daze, I gave them all hugs, and thanked them, "Like a proper lady should."
In each of their arms were colorfully wrapped gift boxes. I opened them one at a time, thanking them and smiling the entire time. When they were all open, I glanced up, and they were all blurry from the tears of happiness in my eyes. "Th-Thanks everyone!"
I followed Piko's gaze up, to find a little house-like place in the trees. From what I could tell, the house was all wood, with a little door, and two windows. It's base rested on two tree branches, and it looked pretty sturdy, despite the old wood.
"Ah, Piko. How do we get up there?" I looked down at where he was, but he'd moved to the tree.
"Over here. There's a ladder." He leaned over from the other side of the tree, smiling and waving. I jumped to his side, scaling the ladder just behind him.
The house was about half-way up the tree, but it was still a pretty impressive height off the ground. I assumed about 20-30 feet. From the house, the forest seemed so small. You were in the midst of alot of leaves, and couldn't see much over the layers of them.
Piko extended his hand out to me from the other side of the tree. I took it, using the branches to leap to the other side. We sat on a big branch for a while, until a few drops hit our head. I didn't even notice before, but from up here, you could see the darkening sky.
**Piko POV**
I'm glad that it's just supposed to drizzle today. Enough to get us a bit wet, but not enough to completley drench us, even if we do sit outside the entire time. It was pretty warm outside, so the cool rain felt nice. The breeze that came with it was pretty good too.
My hair, however, doesn't like to agree with me that rain is a good thing. Last time I was outside in rain like this, Haku told me I looked like a porcupine. That was pretty interesting.
I constantly fixed my hair, trying to keep it under control. I was envious of Gumi, who's hair had gel in it to keep it under control.
"Why'd you bring me here?" Gumi's legs kicked simultaneously, her knees locked in place.
"I just thought this would be a nice place to show you. I found it just a few days after we moved here, but haven't been here since."
Gumi leaned over, her head resting on my shoulder. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, leaning my head on hers gently. She sighed calmly, stopping her legs from moving. "It's so pretty up here. I'm glad you found it."
"I am too. I'm glad we found eachother too. If you hadn't dropped your folder that day, you might've been dead today."
"Why are you so nice to me? I'd almost forgotten what it was like to be happy. When you saved me that day, I felt like there was something there. Something like an-"
I pulled her off my shoulder and leaned so that my forehead was against hers. "Something like an invisible string connecting us. Everyday we're together, the string gets shorter, and we get closer together."
Gumi, I love you, but I just can't say it yet.
*** I finally got around to finishing it. I hope you like it! Review as always!
I'd also appreciate it if you'd check out my new story, "Command:Protect." Only the first chapter is up so far, but I'll update ASAP! Tell me what you think of it!***
