Aru had never stood in a meeting circle before. Mostly because he never had friends… or a circle… or a meeting. But there he was, surrounded by Rella, Tiko, and the giant buffalo Bolo, all sitting under the shade of the old fig tree.
Tiko dramatically cleared his throat."Attention! I, Tiko the Magnificent, shall now present our master plan to stop the hunters."
Rella facepalmed so hard it echoed."You don't have a plan, Tiko."
"I do!" Tiko insisted. "Step one: don't die. Step two: run. Step three: snacks!"
"That's not a plan," Rella said flatly."That's survival," Bolo corrected."It's both!" Tiko beamed.
Aru raised his hoof. "Um… can we talk about something important? The hunters saw me. What if they come back?"
"They will," Rella said seriously, her ears drooping slightly. "And they won't stop."
Bolo stomped the ground, making a loud BOOM. "We protect our forest. That is our duty."
Aru swallowed hard. He wasn't used to words like 'duty.' He was used to words like 'beautiful' and 'majestic' and 'perfect angle for sunlight reflection.'
"But… how?" Aru asked. "They have weapons. I have… legs."
Tiko jumped onto Aru's back again. "And those legs are FAST! You're our speed guy!"
Rella nodded. "We need a scout. Someone to spot danger early. And you're ideal."
Aru blinked in surprise. "Me? Useful?"
Bolo grunted. "Not much, but yes."
Aru puffed out his chest proudly—then winced as his antlers hit a branch.
Rella twitched an ear. "Speaking of those antlers… we need to do something about them."
Aru gasped. "They're my best feature!"
"They're a hazard," she countered.
"They are art!"
"They nearly killed you."
"…Fair point."
Before the debate could get any louder, a tiny voice shrieked from above.
"WILL YOU ALL BE QUIET?! SOME OF US ARE TRYING TO NAP!"
A small, furious squirrel stormed down the tree trunk, tail puffed like a cotton explosion. His eyes were narrowed, his fur bristled, and his energy screamed chaos.
"Oh no," Tiko whispered. "It's him."
Bolo groaned. "Not the squirrel."
Rella covered her face. "Anyone but him."
The squirrel stomped right up to Aru and poked his leg."YOU! Big, bony, leaf-cruncher! You almost crushed my acorn stash when you fell earlier!"
Aru blinked. "I… I didn't mean—"
"'DIDN'T MEAN' doesn't fix my cracked acorn, buddy!"
Tiko whispered loudly, "Squirlo hates everyone."
"I DON'T!" the squirrel snapped. "I only hate loud monkeys, giant hooves, rabbits who judge me, and buffaloes who breathe too loudly."
Rella sighed. "So… everyone?"
"YES! EXACTLY!"
Aru looked at the others helplessly.
Bolo shrugged. "We don't choose him. He just exists."
"And complains," Tiko added.
"And steals food," Rella said.
"I heard that!" Squirlo barked, crossing his tiny arms. "Anyway… I came to warn you useless furballs. Hunters. North side. Lots of them."
The group froze.
"How many?" Bolo asked.
"More than usual," Squirlo said gravely. "They brought nets, traps… and metal boxes. Big ones."
Rella's ears drooped. "They're expanding."
Tiko gulped. "Does that mean… they're trying to take over the whole forest?"
Squirlo nodded. "And you four are sitting around arguing about snacks and antlers! Pathetic!"
Aru's heart pounded. The hunters weren't just after him now—they were after the forest. His home. Everyone's home.
Bolo stepped forward, eyes fierce."Then we act now."
Rella nodded. "We need a plan. A real plan."
Tiko saluted. "Operation Save-The-Forest-but-Also-Maybe-Find-Snacks begins!"
Squirlo rolled his eyes. "You're all doomed."
Aru took a deep breath. A few days ago, he would've run from danger.
But now?
He had friends. He had purpose. He had a forest to protect.
And maybe—just maybe—he had courage after all.