The air was cool and crisp, freshened by the evening rain. It was a small, unexpected rain shower and was just enough to take away the heat from the day. As the storm clouds rolled away into the distance, the setting sun appeared casting the day's last rays of light, lighting the sky on fire with shades and bursts of oranges, yellows, and purples. As if the heavens were painting on the dark blue sky canvas. Fireflies emerged from their slumber spots under the leaves; taking flight, their lights dotted the air. Birds sang lullabies high in the trees while the frogs took over to sing a welcome hymn to the approaching night. The atmosphere of the forest felt magical and to Castor, it was.

Castor stood majestically in the flowery meadow. The wet petals brushed up against hist long, slender legs as they danced in the evening breeze, thanking God for the rain. The fireflies danced above his head as if they were making a crown of light, for tonight was the night...

His head was held high; his body ready to run; his ears pointing forward listening carefully for his name to be called. It is only a matter of time, he thought to himself, Just a matter of time... His stomach growled as it twisted and turned; he had hardly grazed today. He was too nervous to keep food down and he feared that if his head was lowered, he would not hear the news.

The wind died down. Small creatures of the forest scurried to their borrows. Owls spread their wings, stretching before going off to hunt. Night was approaching fast; most of the wildlife was settling in to wait for morning, but Castor's night was still very young for today would change his life forever.

"Castor!" A doe's voice cried out over the hills. "Castor, come quickly! It has begun!"

The voice echoed around him as a grin came to face. He jumped on to his hind legs and let out a cry of excitement. "I'm coming!" he called back.

Without hesitation, he sprung forward into the dusk. His dark pelt seemed to glisten in the fading light as he dashed madly through the thicket, showing off the patches of dark blue and purples that made up his black fur. Dodging trees and jumping over fallen logs, nothing was going to stand in his way.

"Castor! Hurry!" a familiar voice cried out.

"Serenity..." Castor said under his breathes. "I'm coming...Hang in...there..."

Splashing through the creek, he headed at full speed towards his home. The cool water felt good on his hot, muscular body. He panted heavily as he gave it his all to reach his top speed. With a mighty leap, he jumped out of the creek bed and once again was darting through the trees. His mind was set on thing: getting home.

He did not notice the low branches of the trees and whack! A chip of his black, left antler was hauled to the ground bouncing in the dirt behind him. Though it did not stop him. He only shook his head as he continued onward.

His legs ached as he began to climb the steep hill side. They shook beneath is weight, but he did not give up. With great steps, his hooves dug into the soft earth, as he lifted himself to the top. He then slide down the rocky side of the hill with his destination in his sight: a brushy patch of bushes near a small cave. He came to a halt as he began to gasp for air. His view into the cave was blocked off by a few does tending to his mate.

A slender doe, much like himself in resemblance, approached him, "You made it," she said softly before gasping. "Castor, your antlers!"

He looked up to see the broken antler, "I did not...even notice..." He said in between pants.

"Are you hurt?"

"No...I'm fine...Serenity...How is...she?" Castor asked with fear in his voice. His gray eyes wide with concern.

"Do not worry, she's fine." the doe ensured.

"And the fawn...?"

"Just born moments ago. It's a beautiful little doe."

A smile came to Castor's face, "A doe...I have daughter." He took a few deep breathes, "May I see Serenity now?"

"In a moment," the doe glanced back to see a few other does helping to clean the fawn. Serenity's silhouette could be made out; she was laying still in the grass. "She's still exhausted from labor. Give her a few minutes to catch her breathe. Then you can see her."

"Thank you, Freya, for being here to help her."

Freya smiled, "Of course, what else are little sisters for?"

Freya and Castor stood there for a few moments, watching the sun slip away under the horizon when an elderly doe, gray and wise, stepped out from the cave, "You can see her now, Castor. She's tired and needs rest, they both do, but you can be with them now."

Castor lowered his head with gratitude, "Thank you, Mother, for caring for them until I arrived."

All the does who had helped Serenity with her labor were now standing outside of the cave, creating a path for Castor. He slowly and proudly entered. A small hole was in the ceiling of the cave, casting moonlight down into it. There in the dim light, Castor saw Serenity laying with her head on a tiny fawn. She was a lean, gorgeous doe. Her pelt was as black as night with an unique pattern around her eyes in the shape of hands. She looked up when she heard his footsteps, "Castor..."

He walked over to her and nuzzled her gently, "I'm sorry, Serenity, that I could not be here sooner."

She returned his nuzzle, "I knew you would come as fast as you could. It does not matter when you arrived, all that matters is that you are here now." She gasped at his antler. "Castor, are you...?"

"I'm fine. It will grow back and I'm not worried about it. I only care for you and the fawn."
She looked down at the fawn beside her, "Well, this is her, Castor. Your daughter."

The little fawn's vision was still blurred but she knew his smell. Even though she had only been in the world for a few minutes, there was an unspeakable connection between her and her family. She lifted her head; her nose touched his. Yet due to weakness, she yawned and rested her head back down on the soft grass.

Castor had never felt such joy as he had in that moment, "What shall we name her?"

"I was thinking of Lyra after the constellation or Luna after the moon. Do you have any suggestions?"

"Well...Sort of." Castor rolled his neck a bit, trying to decide if he wanted to bring it up or not. "I had heard some traveling birds talking about their journeys to distance lands near the river today. They were talking about other birds they had met on their travels and one of them had talked about a bird they met named Kumiko."

"Kumiko?"

"Yes, it means 'long time beautiful child' in a language I have never heard before. I figured the name was nice since any fawn born from a doe like you would grow to be just as beautiful."

Serenity smiled, "Kumiko...? Kumiko...I like it."

"Then is it settled?" He cocked his head to one side.

"Yes," Serenity rested her head on the fawn and closed her eyes, "We shall call her Kumiko."

Once again he smiled. Castor then laid beside his new family and there he watched over them as they slept, all throughout the night.