Always Be Appreciative of Opposable Thumbs

Chapter Thirty-Five: Vegetarians Drive Pumpkins

 When Hugo's eyes fluttered open, his immediate reaction was to look over at Willow. Except she wasn't there. Panicking, he sat up and searched the room. Sera and Jyoji were still asleep in the mountain of pillows and blankets, and there was a snoring lump beneath the largest quilt that sounded like Okami.

But no Willow.

Just as he was about to go find Yuuka and demand she tell him what she had done with Willow, a door creaked open. He looked over and saw Willow peeking her head out. She flashed him a smile and waved her fingers at him.

"Morning," she whispered.

Relief washed over him, and he rose to his feet and tiptoed around his friends' slumbering bodies. "What are you doing?" he asked once he reached Willow.

"Helping Yuuka with breakfast. Come on."

She ducked back inside and opened the door for him to follow. He was welcomed by the smell of fresh bread as he stepped into the kitchen. Yuuka was at the stove with an apron tied around her ball gown while her tree-mother sat in a chair at a table that appeared to be a giant stump.
"Good morning, Hugo," Yuuka said in a sing-song voice.

"Uh, good morning," Hugo replied as he scanned the plates of food on the table. "You two have been busy."

Yuuka pulled a pan off the stovetop and laid it beside the other dishes. "Mama and I like to start the day nice and early. Isn't that right, Mama?"

The tree sat silently in its seat.

Chuckling softly, Yuuka shook her head and smiled. "Oh, Mama, you are so funny."

Hugo and Willow exchanged looks, and Willow gave a nervous smile. "I was awake when she came downstairs, so I offered to help."

He turned his eyes to the plates and bowls of food once again. Rice and eggs and bread and berries—it all looked delicious. However, with the memory of the pine needle tea still fresh in his mind, he was hesitant to believe it tasted as good as it appeared.

"You really didn't have to do all of this for us," he said.

"Oh, it's my pleasure," Yuuka said. "Especially after all you've been through."

"I told her about the trouble we've had trying to get to Elaric," Willow said.

Before Hugo could object to her telling a complete stranger about their quest, she gave him a covert wink.

"Trust me, if anyone understands how important a party can be, it's me," Yuuka said.

Hugo's eyes darted to Willow. "Ah, yeah, a party."

"Pixies throw the best parties, too," Yuuka continued as she pulled down some plates from a stone shelf. "I can only imagine what a Pixie wedding would be like!"

"Right, right. Weddings are," Hugo stole another glance at Willow, and his stomach twisted into a knot, "delightful."

"Delightful?" Willow repeated with a hint of a smile on her lips.

Clearing his throat, he turned back to Yuuka. "But I fear we may not get there in time at this rate."

"Because of your cart?"

"Yeah. How did you—"

"Willow already told me. I can have my woodland friends try to fetch it for you. It could take a while, but I may have a solution for you in the meantime." Yuuka untied her apron and hung it over one of the chairs. "First, though, let's have breakfast."

She picked up several of the bowls and scooped up her mother before heading out the door. Willow smiled at Hugo and grabbed some plates herself. He did the same and followed her back into the den.