"Wait, Foofers!" Melissa shouted as she and her clumsy friend chased the floppy eared bunny across the road, through the wheat field across the street, and into the forest in the back of the field.
As they entered the forest, they lost sight of Foofers, but didn't give up hope. Misuzu looked down and pointed Melissa's attention to where she was looking. There was a trail of broken twigs and crumpled leaves. It was undoubtedly Foofers' trail. Melissa took Misuzu's hand as to not be separated in the forest, and they set off following the trail that Foofers had left. The longer that they followed the trail, the more difficult it got to keep track of where they were, and where Foofers was going. They stopped for a moment when Misuzu ran out of breath.
"Haaaaaa... Foofers is fast. Nihaha," Misuzu laughed nervously. She felt bad that she had let Melissa's new bunny get away just as her friends were off buying supplies for him. She looked to Melissa, expecting to be yelled at or to see her crying. "Gao," She let slip under her breath, unsure of what else to say besides, "I'm So-"
"Don't be sorry, Misuzu," Melissa interrupted, "You didn't let Foofers run away, he ran away. It isn't your fault," She forced a reassuring smile and took Misuzu's hand again, "Let's just be sure we find him, okay?"
Misuzu nodded, still feeling bad, and then followed Meli as they set off at a walk, to follow Foofers' trail yet again. After what seemed to be about twenty minutes, the two of them found Foofers. He was in a small clearing in the forest, he was a she, and she was a mother. Melissa and Misuzu both squeaked in unison and slowly edged their way towards Foofers, the wonderful mommy who had only run away to care for, watch and feed her children, who were still so small and helpless. Melissa figured that the bunny they saw chasing Foofers earlier was probably the baby bunnies father who was grumpy for some reason or another.
The two of them successfully approached Foofers and her litter of babies. They kneeled down and alternated in gently rubbing Foofers' head to apologize to her, and then doing the same to her babies, one of which was smaller than all of the rest and wasn't feeding at the time like the rest were. Melissa smiled and softly said.
"I'm sorry Foofers. We helped you and then we took you away all the same. We didn't know you had babies to care for," She blew Foofers a kiss, "I'm glad you got away from us and back here safely."
Misuzu let out a gentle giggle. Smiling wide, she looked to Melissa and motioned for them to leave. Melissa nodded and got up, followed by Misuzu who then wrapped her arms around Melissa as a silent hug to say I'm sorry you lost Foofers. Melissa smiled at Misuzu and nodded, as if to say that it was alright and that she knew that Foofers belonged here. They started to walk out of the clearing, ready to walk back to the pet store, hoping it was not too late to stop them from buying the food and cage. Suddenly they heard a gentle rustling.
The two of them turned around so much in unison that it was as if they were sharing one mind. They looked to see Foofers slowly approaching them, holding her smallest baby in her mouth. She dropped the baby bunny at Melissa's feet and then walked back to her other babies. Melissa eyes began to swell with tears of joy and appreciation as she knelt down once again, leaving Misuzu on her feet, confused. Melissa however felt that she knew what this meant.
"Foofers," She said softly through tears, "Are you saying you want me to take this baby with me?" Foofers wiggled her nose at Meli as her babies finished feeding and curled up against their mother and each other. Melissa then understood completely. Foofers other babies were always pushing this little runt out of the way, and she was not getting enough food. This little runt was being pushed around and not fed enough and Foofers knew that Melissa was sweet and would properly care for him. She softly scooped up the runt and looked him in the eyes. He looked so much like his mother. White with brown spots, one of his brown spots was over his left eye. He didn't have floppy ears like his mother, and Melissa remembered that the bunny they thought was the father didn't either.
The little runt looked deeply into Melissa's eyes with his own, wiggling his nose. Melissa fell in love with this little guy instantly, as his innocent blue eyes looked into hers. She thought for a moment and almost instantly came up with a suitable name for the tiny rabbit she held in her hands.
"I'll name you Alphonse. A poor little guy with blue eyes, who just wants a happy home. I think Alphonse suits you quite well.
Misuzu let out her usual giggle, and they sat back out for the pet shop, while Melissa explained to Misuzu why Foofers gave Al to her and why she decided on the name Alphonse. After a much shorter journey then the way in, or so it seemed, they reached the wheat field and could see the others waiting outside the pet store for them, in the distance. The two of them smiled and quickened their pace, excited to explain everything to everyone.