The morning light filtered in through a window as Shade groaned faintly in his sleep not wishing to rise just yet. He felt a light tugging on his ear and heard an odd sound, â€œHichiâ€¦ I told you silly dot. Iâ€™m not a female I donâ€™t have milk little one..â€ he whispered sleepily pulling the tiny white fluff ball off the lobe of his ear and sat her back on his exposed chest, her reply was simply a protesting mew. â€œOkâ€¦ okâ€¦ Ill see what I can doâ€¦â€ he held her in his palm and sat up stretching letting out a roar like a lion. His arms folders and expanded as his formed popped a hiss squeezing through his clenched teeth as he grabbed his side still holding Hichi in the other hand.<br/><br/>The door creaked open just then and Willow stepped into the holding a trey of grits, ham, orange juice, apple sliced and three pieces of toast. She also had a small bottle for the kitten too. â€œI thought I heard you waking up as I came to give you breakfastâ€¦â€ she frowned seeing the blood dripping from the reopened wound on Shadeâ€™s side. â€œI am so sorry Mrs. Willow, I forgot that I was still injured..â€ Shade lowered his head his hand trying to stop the blood but was to no use. The older woman just laughed and sat the trey on the bed so he could eat. â€œIll have no one apologizing for being hurt misterâ€¦ now eat up and Iâ€™ll replace those bandages for you. I have to out tonight with my husband to fetch some feed for the chickens and goat but, once I get back Iâ€™ll help you get washed up before super. How does that sound?â€ Shade only hugged her as he replied â€œYour kindness could never be repaid..â€ he smiled and looked to hichi as she crawled around on the pillow sniffing for food. â€œOk raga-muffinâ€¦ here you goâ€ he held the bottle to her lips rubbing her faintly with its nipple till she latched on and began to nurse kneading at his hand. He himself used the free hand to eat carefully keeping his arm up for the bandages to be replaced.<br/><br/>After she got the new cloth tied to his form Willow stood and carried the bloody one with her downstairs, â€œNow if you need anything young manâ€¦ feel free to get itâ€¦ make yourself right at homeâ€¦â€ Shade looked to her and nodded his head as he chewed all the toast together at once. Willow laughed and made her way down to her husband tossing the rags into some hot water she used for dished earlier that morning. â€œWillow you ready? We gotta get going if we wanna be back by mid afternoon.â€ Willow walked to him and put on her shawl â€œYes Dear, Iâ€™m ready.â€ Buck folded his paper and stood beside her escorting her out of the house and back to the market he had been to the day before.