Chapter Ten: Country Pleasures:

*Earlier in the day*

Mosh sat up in bed.

�Let�s go out today!� he said. Noiz gave him a blank look.

�Why?� she asked. Her husband grabbed her by the hand.

�Just get dressed and come on!� he said.

�Whoa!� Noiz cried as he dragged her out of bed. �Slow down there!� The mouse didn�t listen. He kept pushing her to move.

Ten a.m. outside. Noiz looked around at the endless green. Hello spring morning. Noiz turned to Mosh.

�Okay,� she said. �Why are we out here?� Her pet giggled.

�You�ll see,� he said. He told her by the hand and led her down the path. Cherry trees had just bloomed for the season.

�Pretty!� Noiz gasped happily. Mosh enclosed her narrow waist with his right arm.

�They�ll lead us to where we need to go,� he whispered. Her eyes trailed over to him.

�Really?� she asked. He kissed her on the side of her head.

�Come along with me,� he whispered. The mouse playfully dragged her along with him.

�Ooo,� Noiz said, giggling. The cherry blossom petals floated overhead along with them.

�How much longer?� Noiz asked.

�You�ll see,� Mosh said. �Hang in there.� He nuzzled her neck after he spoke. His wife giggled. The couple walked down the cherry blossom petal-covered stone steps.

�Close your eyes for a minute,� Mosh whispered.

�Why?� his wife asked.

�Just do it,� he said.

�Okay�� Noiz mumbled. The kitty shut her eyes like so. Her young husband held her by her waist.

�What do you hear?� he asked.

�Wind and birds,� she said.

�Any singing?�

�No��

�Shhh. Keep listening. You�ll hear it soon.�

�Okay��

They went quiet for a long a moment. Then, Noiz paused.

�I hear it! I can hear singing!� she gasped.

�Very good,� Mosh whispered. Then, he moved in front of his wife and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips. Noiz smiled and kissed him back.

Cherry blossoms blew overhead.

End of Part One