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Hunter awoke the next morning, temporarily forgetting Sprout was leaning against her cheek. She lifted her head, causing him to tumble down into the dip in the center of the pillow. "Oh! S-Sorry, Sprout," she said, flinching.

He sat up, yawning and stretching. "It's alright... you know, a cheek makes a surprisingly comfy pillow,” he said in amusement, yawning again.

"Heh," she said, a bit bemused. "W-Well, I'm gonna go make breakfast... you... uh, want anything?" she asked a bit awkwardly.

"Oh, sure. Got any kind of berries?" he asked with a chuckle, sliding down the pillow and standing up.

"Um... no, actually," she said, a bit guiltily. "I was thinking just... basic toast. I don't really have anything much fancier around," she said, holding a hand out for him.

"Hah, I know it was a joke,” he said, stepping into her hand. "Remember yesterday's breakfast? Berries on leaves?"

"Yes, of course I remember. I just... I dunno, I didn't realize you were joking is all," she mumbled lamely, carrying him into the kitchen.

"Ah, well that's passable. Early morning after all,” he said with a laugh. "So... based on the general area, I've decided where I'm going to settle down."

"...Oh?" she asked, a bit nervously as she set him down on the counter.

"Yeah, I think I'll like it there too. Nice looking place, and the company doesn't look shabby at all,” he said, secretly having an idea in his head.

She put the toast in the toaster and gave him a bemused grin, having an idea of where he was going with this. "Oh, just say it!" she said, rolling her eyes good-naturedly.

"Alright alright!... If it's ok by you, I'd like to stay... here,” he said up to her with a smile.

She nodded. "Of course. I... was kinda thinking of inviting you anyway. I mean, I can't drop you in the wild, and I can't drop you with some random people who don't even want borrowers around… so... it seemed like the only choice, really," she shrugged.

"Hah... I see. Well, thanks for the invite then. I accept it happily,” he said, smiling up at her from the counter.

She returned the smile as the toast popped up. She buttered it, then tore off a small piece for him before biting into her own piece. She leaned back against the counter, looking contemplative, her brow creased in thought.

"Something on your mind?" he asked, munching his toast bit and looking up at her.

"...How many borrowers could live in a human house? If you built like... additional floors inside the walls it could be almost like a borrower version of an apartment building, right?" she asked curiously.

"Well, the thing isn't so much how many can, it's how many should. The most I've ever seen safely is ten,” he said, munching slowly to savor the real food after dealing with either no food or just berries.

"Yeah, but... that's mainly for safety, right? So they don't get caught? If being caught wasn't an issue... you think there could be more?" she asked carefully.

"Hmmm... I'd imagine if safety wasn't a problem about a few dozen could live comfortably... why?" he asked, tilting his head as he polished off his toast.

"Well... I was thinking... I still need a job. And what I said about people calling straight up exterminators if I quit wasn't a lie. Me up and quitting isn't actually saving borrower lives, when you get right down to it," she said grimly. "So... maybe I can just... bring them here instead. I know this place is small, but with the way business has been going I was going to upgrade to something better... I know there's a limit on how many borrowers I could take in, but... at least it would buy me some time to figure out a better solution," she said.

"Hmmm... It'd take some time, if anything for the borrowers, but that's... that's actually a great idea,” he said with a smile, patting her hand.

"Hm. Well, I still know how to catch them. Or maybe I could bring you along to talk to them for me. Explain the situation," she said.

"That's what I mean. Even with me coaxing, and then you bringing them here to live... they probably won't be too keen on the idea. It's still a great plan though, and I'm all for helping,” he said, nodding with a confident look. "Just um... well, expect them to be about as receptive as I was to you at first."

"That's different, I was catching you and taking you to the wild. Surely if they had another borrower explaining things...?" she said hopefully. Then she frowned. "If I bring them back here and they run off... then I'd better hope nobody finds out or it'll hurt my business, and that won't be good for me or them," she said.

"How would they? Not like they'd go telling a bunch of humans,” he said with a shrug. "I say it's a good plan fundamentally."

"I guess... I suppose if they do get caught, nobody would know I'd moved them to this area." She glanced at him, smiling. "Alright. So... that's our new business model, then?"

"Why even have one? Just advertise as you did before, as a humane borrower catcher... then bring em here without the human knowing,” he said, pondering it for a moment.

"No, you're right, I wasn't gonna change the marketing. But I'm just changing the way I do things internally," she smiled.

"Dispense with the cage,” he said almost immediately. "You want trust, of any degree, that's gotta go at least as soon as you get to the car,” he said, that being the first obvious step.

She frowned. "I dunno... maybe let them out as soon as we get here, but... you'll recall having nervous borrowers loose in the vehicle doesn't always end well," she said pointedly, though she smiled slightly to show she didn't bear any ill will against him for the incident.

"Hey, I'll be there to give a hand. I'm helping you with this however I can, no question,” he said firmly.

"Thanks... I'm glad. I don't think it would work without a borrower to vouch for me," she said.

"S'why I'm here,” he said with a smile, sitting against her hand.

She finished off her toast, smiling down at him. "So... is there anything else you need? I mean, I know there's already... some things in the borrower areas... but if there's anything else I can do for you..."

He paused a moment to think. Yeah, he had everything he needed... but she wanted to help. "Well... maybe set up a spot for me to sleep in your room? Stick close?"

"Sure, if you want. Heh, maybe I can get back into making doll stuff in my spare time. Make the inside of the walls more liveable for borrowers," she said, knocking on a nearby wall for emphasis.

"Hah, yeah! that's the spirit!" he said, standing up. "I'll search around the general area, get the place kinda mapped out and see what can go where."

"Cool! Maybe I can set up a place for them to have easy access to food, that's also semi-private. I'm guessing a lot of them won't want to be in the open or even talk to me all that much the way you are," she said.

"Well, some might... I wouldn't expect it though,” he said with a sigh. He was about to say something else when the phone rang, grabbing his attention.

Hunter sighed, going to answer it. "Hello?"

"Yes, you hunt down borrowers right?" asked a woman's voice on the other end.

"I do. Capture them and release them where they won't be a bother to anyone," she said, realizing that line was actually still true. Technically, anyway.

"Ah, alright then good. I'm not sure if I'll need your services, I've caught one already you see but I think there's more. I was wondering the best method of disposal?" she asked casually.

She froze, realizing she should proceed with caution. "Um... I can come pick it up, and see if there are any more. The pickup and the consultation is free," she said, hoping this would ensure the woman didn't try to dispose of the borrower on her own.

"Well, if you're sure... I just didn't want to bother you, figured I could do it myself you know? Here's my address," she said, rattling off her address with a smile. "How soon can you come?"

She bit her lip, considering. She'd have to get a rental car delivered since her truck was still out of commission... "I can be there in a couple hours," she said. "Don't do anything to the one you caught- it could help me figure out if there are any more borrowers in your house," she said.

"Alright, I'll just leave it on the counter then where I caught it. thanks for your help!" she said brightly before hanging up.

"... That didn't sound pleasant,” Sprout said, a bit worried.

"A woman's caught a borrower and wants me to see if there are more in her house," she said, dialing the number for the auto shop. She took care of arrangements to get her truck picked up and repaired, as well as setting herself up with a rental in the meantime. "They should be here with the rental in about half an hour," she said, hanging up the phone and going to get her supplies ready.

“But what about that business... I thought she said something about disposal,” he said with worry. "Think... think the borrower's ok?"

"They'd better be. I told her I needed it alive, and she said she'd leave it on the counter," she said. "Sorry, 'them', not it... she didn't specify a gender," she explained.

“It's alright, I get it,” he said, waving a hand as he headed for a door on the counter. "Well, just in case I'm gonna go grab my borrower bag then."

"Right. You'll be coming too," she said, putting her supplies on the kitchen table. "But the client's not gonna see you, okay? So stay hidden in my bag or pocket or something til I give the all clear."

"Right, right... I said just in case,” he said, waving a hand as he headed into the wall.

A bit later there was a knock on the door, and the rental truck was dropped off. She went back onto the house, jingling the keys nervously in her hand. "Hey, Sprout, you ready?"

He emerged in the initial door he'd found by the front door, nodding. "Let's go save some borrowers."

"Right!" she said, gathering her bag of supplies and holding out a hand for him. Once he was settled, she headed out to the truck, tossing the bag in the passenger seat and setting him in the cupholder. "Is this okay? I figure the actual seat is a bit too... open," she said.

"Yeah, that's cool,” he said, getting comfy. As they drove along, the lady was waiting in front of her house with a wave.

“Hello! Are you the hunter lady?" she called.

She quickly picked Sprout up and put him in the pocket of her coat before getting out of the car. "Yes, I'm Hunter," she said, shaking the woman's hand. "Now, where's the one you caught?" she asked, getting her bag of supplies out of the front seat.

"Just this way, there's no way it escaped," she said with a casual wave, leading her inside. On the counter was no visible borrower, however there was a pot lid with a number of books stacked on top. "Just under there."

"Alright... would you mind waiting in another room? It'll be easier for me to get this one into a cage that way," she said, taking one of the small cages from her bag and setting it on the counter.

"Oh, of course,” she said, grabbing a magazine and heading off into the living room.

Sprout poked his head out of the pocket when he heard her leave, jumping to the counter with a gasp. "What the-... T-they probably can't even breathe!" he said with a dismayed whisper.

"I know, I know!" she whispered, quickly taking the books off the pot lid. "Hopefully they weren't under here very long before she called..." she said, slowly lifting the lid, ready to catch the borrower if it tried to run.

No such thing happened, as the young borrow boy had completely passed out from lack of air. He still looked to be alive, just unconscious.

"Stupid bitch... he's just a kid,” he said, propping the kid up over his shoulder.

She frowned worriedly at the sight of the unconscious borrower. "So you think his parents are around somewhere?" she asked quietly, lightly nudging the kid's shoulder.

He stirred slightly, but otherwise remained unresponsive.

"Most likely... Ok, I'm going to search for them while you take him back to the truck for a second before coming back here. Ok?" he asked, angling the limp borrower boy towards her.

"Okay," she said, nodding. she gently picked up the young borrower. "Ma'am, I'm going to my truck for a minute, I'll be back in shortly," she called to the client before returning to her truck.

"C'mon, little guy, wake up," she said quietly, lightly shaking his shoulder.

Once in the truck he stirred a bit again, looking up in her hand for a moment before yelling, trying to scramble away as he started to tear up.

"Sh-sh-sh, it's okay, I won't hurt you," she said gently, cupping her hands so he couldn't fall off. She rubbed his shoulder soothingly. "It's okay," she repeated. "You were caught by the human in the house... but I'm going to take you somewhere safe, okay?"

Not trusting her but having no methods of defense, he curled up into a tight fetal position for what he was sure would be a fatal blow.

She frowned. "Look... I have a borrower friend named Sprout in there... he's trying to find the rest of your family... if there is anyone besides you," she said.

At the mention of another borrower, he shakily peeked his head up. "... R-Really?..."

"Yeah. Does your family live here? My name's Hunter, by the way," she said.

"... E-Elm,” he said, still clearly shaking and nervous, but coming out of his ball. "I'm Elm... And Momma and Pappa are back in there... y-you're really taking us somewhere safe?"

"Of course," she smiled. "But I need you to wait here for me, alright? I need to go back in and check on Sprout," she said, setting him on the passenger seat. "Can you do that? I'll be back in a few minutes," she said.

"O-Ok..." he took the opportunity to finally back away from her, confused by this... this so strange human..

She closed the door to her truck and quickly made her way back inside, just as Sprout was making his way into the kitchen. "Did you find them?" she whispered. "I think it's just his parents," she said, keeping her voice down so the client wouldn't overhear.

He nodded and slowly led them out, distrust and even a bit of contempt was showing in their eyes. "You're a cruel woman, taking our son." The father said, eyes firm and angry, clearly misunderstanding the scenario.

"I-I didn't... he's just in the car!" she said. "Sprout, tell them!" she said, knowing she'd have to coax them into the cage to get them out to the car.

"I tried... they'll just have to see,” he said, looking exasperated, the family clearly giving him trouble. "Ok, it's simple. Get in the cage for now, and she'll take you to your son and let you out. Easy."

The mother shot the glare this time, stepping towards the cage first.

"Sprout, you may as well get in too. As a show of good faith," she said, holding the cage door open. "I know it sucks, but... I promise I'll let you guys out once we're in the car," she said. "Your son is safe, I promise."

They were wordless, though confused as Sprout climbed in along with them. They sat against the bars, staying near each other while Sprout almost looked like he was lounging, knowing there was no danger to be had,

"Ma'am, I've caught the rest of the borrowers. They're contained now," she called. As much as she wanted to rush out to the car to reunite them, she still had to do the 'business' side of all this.

"Oh, fantastic!" she said with a relieved smile, walking out towards her. She smirked down at them. "Honestly, why you little things think you can just mooch is beyond me... How much, Miss Hunter?"

"I'll only charge you for two since they came fairly easily," she said. She felt odd charging for the 'capture' of Sprout, since he had come with her. Actually, she felt strange charging money for this at all, in light of things. Still, she supposed the money was ultimately going to be used to help the borrowers, and that money had to come from somewhere. She quoted the woman the usual price for two captures. "This should be all of them, but if you think you find evidence of anymore, give me a call," she said. Another line she often repeated to customers, even though in this case she was absolutely sure there were no more.

"Oh, no thanks. No more of those little buggers here I hope,” she said, walking of and muttering something about them laying their eggs.

Sprout watched her go, blinking. "... Eggs?"

Hunter rolled her eyes, carrying them out to the car. "Just one of the weird rumors people have made up about you guys," she said, setting the cage in the passenger seat in front of Elm and closing the car door before opening the cage.

They ran out, embracing their son in relief.

"Momma, Pappa! Wow, you really are nice!" he said up to her, having been thinking the situation over while she was gone.

"Nice as they come," Sprout said with a smile, walking out.

"... Where are you taking us?" the mother asked simply, perplexed very clearly.

"Back to my house. I know it's not ideal, but... nobody will call the exterminator on you and you'll have food and shelter, at least," she said, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly.

"W-What?" the father asked, standing up. He glared after a moment, huffing. "Hoping for an exotic pet of some sort then?"

"N-No, nothing like that!" holding up her hands. "You're not forced to stay, I guess, but... if you move you'll run the risk of being caught by someone who doesn't like borrowers," she said.

"What, and you do?!"

"Yes, she does!" Sprout spoke up in defense. "Listen... just for a second, listen. Hunter here finds borrowers that people call to get rid off. Instead of killing or releasing them though, she's going to take them in... like those things humans have... hotels,” he explained.

"Really?... So we still get to have a home?" Elm asked with a bright smile.

“Yes, of course! My home is your home," she said, smiling reassuringly at him.

"Well... I still don't like it,” the father said with a sigh, sitting against the back of the seat.

Elm looked up at her with curiosity, climbing across to her seat and up onto her lap. "How come you're nice?"

"Cuz... Sprout was nice to me first," she said, smiling a bit as she started the car. "Now, let's go before she wonders why I'm still sitting out here," she said, slowly backing out of the driveway so they had time to settle themselves without being jostled by the car movement.

As the car moved Elm was unprepared, rolling and bumping her stomach so his legs stuck up and he looked straight up. "Heh, you're fun!"

The parents barraged Sprout with questions, confused as to why they were helping. He told them the whole story, the mom totally going for it with the dad apparently more skeptical.

Hunter cringed a bit, worried how they'd feel about her knowing that she used to actually release borrowers into the wild. Still, they deserved to know. They arrived back at her place and she pulled into the garage. She held her hands out for them to take them inside.

Sprout and Elm climbed on first, followed by the mother and father. "So... what will our new living arrangement entail?" he asked, arms crossed as he refused to sit.

"Entail?" she repeated, wondering at his phrasing. "Nothing, really... you just... live here. I guess if you really wanna leave, you can, but... You're safe here. If you move you run the risk of being caught all over again," she reminded him.

"I meant, where are we staying. What are we sleeping on. Things like that,” he said with a sigh. "As much as it pains me to say... you do seem kind in a way, and I don't think we'll be leaving."

"Oh, there's rooms and supplies already here in the walls," Sprout explained.

"Yeah, and if you need anything else just let me know. Or ask Sprout and have him tell me. You don't have to be out in the open if you don't want- you can just stay in the walls if you'd be more

comfortable," she said amicably.

"Hmmm... well-"

"Thanks Miss Hunter!" Elm said with a smile up to her, cutting his father off. "You're nice, can we stay out here if we like?"

"Well... sure, I guess," she said, a bit surprised. She had sort of expected most borrowers she brought back to stay hidden. "As long as you stay near the walls or let me know where you are when I'm nearby... for safety, of course," she said.

"Right!" He turned back to his parents. "Momma, Pappa, can I stay out here please?" he asked.

"Not now... at least not yet. I want us to get settled into a real place,” his father said down to him. "Once we get situated in the walls, then you can come out here when you like... as long as you ask."

Hunter set them down where she remembered one of the doors was. "Well, I guess Sprout'll have to take it from here. I can give you a tour of the main house later, but I'm don't really know where things are inside the walls. Even if I could fit in there to show you," she said with a weak laugh.

“Thank you, Miss Hunter. We truly do appreciate this,” the mother said, bowing her head slightly as Sprout lead them in.

"Hey, not a problem!" she smiled. Once they were in the wall, she stood and went to the closet, looking for her boxes of doll supplies.

Sprout returned sometime later, walking up to her. "Hey, our new guests are getting comfortable, but I got em to agree to joining us for dinner."

"Dinner? Hmm... whatd'ya think I should make? Is there any type of human food borrowers are fond of but have trouble actually getting? Or I could order something... pizza maybe..." she said thoughtfully. Normally that would seem like a cop-out when hosting dinner, but for the borrowers it might be a real treat.

"Honestly, any hot food is a major score for borrowers,” he said with a shrug. "We don't exactly get to cook very often."

"Yeah, I guess you wouldn't... Well, pizza it is, then! I think Elm would like that, at least," she said. "Oh! And I found some of my old doll stuff, if you guys wanna use any of it," she said, removing some of the items from the box. There were a few outfits, and a bit of borrower-sized furniture. Fortunately she had been into the kind of dollhouses that looked like miniature versions of real houses; not cheap plastic in pastel shades.

"Wow... those look great!" he said with a smile. "And... you can make em?" he asked in surprise.

"Yeah, I used to make this stuff but I sorta fell out of the hobby. Didn't really have a good place to set up a full dollhouse and making stuff just to shove it in a box somewhere wasn't overly satisfying," she said with a shrug.

"Heh, well you can practice on me. None of the spare clothes left here fit me, so this is it wardrobe wise,” he said with a chuckle, motioning to himself.

She sighed, frowning a bit. "Sorry I took you away from everything you had," she said. Before he could answer, she held up the few pieces of furniture, which consisted of a bed, a few chairs, and a nice-looking table. "What entrance should I put these by?" she said. "I still don't know which part of the house is your main living area," she said with a weak laugh.

"Would you be surprised if I said pretty much the same? The food storage is by the kitchen, the living room just under this living room, etc etc... and it's alright, I've forgiven you,” he added with a kind smile.

"Thanks," she said, smiling weakly. "And I guess I shouldn't be surprised... at your size even a house this small is a pretty big area to explore," she said, setting the furniture by the main borrower entrance for now.

"I'll get this stuff set up. And Hunter?" He paused at the door, looking up at her.

"Yes? What is it?" she asked, a bit nervously.

"I've forgiven you. Slate’s clean for you and me, honestly,” he said with a smile, sincerity behind his voice.

"Th-Thanks... You're... you're a really courageous person to be able to forgive what I've done," she said, smiling a bit.

He nodded with a smile, and began moving the furniture inside.