Horohoro quietly entered Ren's bedroom the next morning, opening the door very carefuly and tiptoe-ing towards him.

He smiled as he approached. Ren always looked so cute and innocent in his sleep. His dark hair was a dramatic contrast to the soft white beadspread and sheets which had been pulled all the way up to his chin. His eyes were peacefully closed, and one hand rested on his large pillow.

The scene was too cute for Horohoro to resist not ruining. He bent down, put his lips by Ren's ear, and screamed, "WAKE UP!"

With a startled yelp, the Chinese boy shot straight up, clapping his hands over his ears. "Oh..." he yawned groggily, rubbing his eyes and stretching. "Good morning, Horohoro," he said as he blinked against the sunlight that flooded his room through his window.

"And good morning to you, too," Horohoro said cheerfully. "C'mon, Ren, hurry up and get out of bed. Breakfast is ready." He laughed, scratching the back of his head. "I never knew such an innocent looking kid like you could sleep like that."

"Oh..." Ren said quickly. "I...I'm sorry."

"No, no, no," The Ainu chuckled. "I didn't mean it like I was mad at you or anything."

After Ren had changed out of his pajamas, the two headed to the small table in the other room, where Horohoro had set out two bowls of rice, two sets of chopsticks, and two glasses of milk.

Horohoro shoved his breakfast into his mouth like a pig, spraying rice all over. Ren wasn't like that, he ate more slowly and with more neatness. Then, he was able to enjoy the milk he loved so much, delicately sipping the white liquid.

"You look cold, Ren," the Ainu commented, his mouth half-full with food.

"No...I'm fine," Ren said quickly, even though he was shivering slightly in the morning chill.

Horohoro went into his bedroom and returned carrying his blanket. He shook it out and draped it over Ren's shoulders, wrapping it tightly around him. "It's my lucky blankie," he explained, with a silly grin on his face. "I've had it since I was a really little kid, it was always my favorite."

Ren smiled. "Thank you, Horohoro," he said. "I feel warmer now." He traced the intricate Ainu patterning with his finger. "It's so soft," he remarked, "And the patterns are beautiful."

"You think so?" Horohoro asked as he took his jacket off its hook and put it on.

"Yeah."

"Cool," he replied. "Well, Ren, I'm going out for while for groceries. You just stay home, keep warm, and relax, okay?" He picked up the keys and headed towards the door.

"Okay. I'll see you later."

"Bye," he said cheerfully, exiting and closing the door behind him. The locked the door and left, waving at Ren.

He took the apartment complex's elavator down to the bottom floor, entering the main lobby area. He walked through the sliding doors, to be greeted by a blast of cold wind. "Gosh, it's cold!" he exclaimed to himself, stepping into the busy Tokyo street.

A single snowflake drifted down from the sky and landed on his nose. He smiled, asking himself, "It's already winter?"

Of course it was. Horohoro loved winter, everything about it. The snow, the atmosphere, and one of the best things was that Ren's birthday happened to be the season.

He thought hard to try and remember the date December 20. Just a few days before Christmas. He put the thoughts aside as he entered the grocery store.

After loading his basket with vegetables and milk (a lot, just for Ren), the Ainu made his way to the check out counter to pay for his goods. He did so, and started on his way home again.

As he walked, feet crunching in the thin layer of snow on the ground, he spotted a shop.

"It wouldn't hurt to buy Ren's Christmas and birthday presents early, I guess," he pondered aloud as he entered.

The faint scent of incense greeted his senses as he entered, a small bell on the door jingling merrily to welcome him. He looked around, searching for something that Ren might possibly want.

He finally decided that nothing was suitable. Everything was too material; none of it was worthy to be a present for Ren. H thought hard, racking his brain. What was a present he had gotten before that he had loved?

Ikupasuy.

That was it. He smiled to himself. He would carve Ren an ikupasuy.