Tannin

Kai instructed Rose and the twin sisters to take the bear cubs away from their mother's body. They needed to bury the mother bear. 

After the three of them left, Kai turned to Vix. 

"Vix, you can pluck the bear's fur. We can use it to make blankets for your daughters. Later, I'll tan the fur to make it more durable and soft." 

Vix, though not entirely sure what Kai meant, followed his instructions. 

Vix then took a knife and made small, careful cuts along the bear's hide. It was important to cut gently to avoid damaging the fur.

He held the fur at the root and pulled it off slowly but firmly. The process took quite a while, but Vix was patient, ensuring that the fur remained intact.

Once the fur was removed,

They dug a hole after removing the bear's fur and buried the mother bear with respect. 

Once the burial was done, Kai and Vix worked together to prepare the fur. 

Kai explained, "Tanning the fur will make it last longer and keep it soft. It's a bit of work, but it'll be worth it." 

Vix nodded, trusting Kai's plan. 

Kai then invited Vix to search for natural tannins. He explained further: 

"Tannins can be found in various parts of plants, including: 

- Bark ( oak, acacia ) 

- Leaves ( tea, mango ) 

- Fruits ( pomegranate, grapes ) 

- Nuts ( acorns ) 

But for now, we'll focus on finding bark from oak or acacia trees. In our world, oak trees are mostly found in the Northern Hemisphere, but acacia trees are easier to find because people often plant them as decorations. 

If you find a tree with leaves shaped like a hand (lobed, like fingers) with serrated edges, it's likely an oak. Oak bark is thick and wavy, often gray or dark brown in color. Oak trees produce small, round fruits called acorns, which have a cap on top. Oak trees can grow very large, reaching heights of 20–40 meters. 

As for acacia trees, their leaves are small and pinnate (feather-like), and their flowers are white or yellow, growing in clusters. Acacia bark is usually light brown or gray and sometimes has thorns. Acacia trees are moderately large, typically reaching heights of 5–15 meters." 

Vix nodded, understanding the instructions. Together, they set out to search for oak or acacia trees, their mission clear: to find the tannins needed to tan the bear fur and create durable, soft blankets for the group. 

As they walked through the forest, Kai pointed out the characteristics of the trees, helping Vix identify the right ones. 

"Over there! That looks like an acacia tree," Kai pointing to a tree with small, feather-like leaves and clusters of yellow flowers. 

They approached the tree, and Kai carefully peeled off some of the bark. 

"This should work perfectly,"

After returning to their base as instructed, they continued with the tanning process. 

Vix cleaned the fur with fresh water to remove dirt, blood, and fat. Then, he laid the fur out in a shaded area under a tree to dry, making sure it wasn't exposed to direct sunlight, which could make it brittle. 

Once the fur was dry, Kai took over the next step. 

"Now, I just need to boil the bark until it's hot, then place the bear fur in the solution and let it soak for 2-3 days," Kai explained. 

He prepared the tannin solution by boiling the acacia bark in water, carefully monitoring the temperature. Once the solution was ready, he submerged the bear fur in it, ensuring it was fully covered. 

"Are you really going this far just for the bear fur, Kai?" Vix asked, curious about everything Kai was doing.

Kai shook his head.

"It's not just for making blankets for the kids. I also want the bear cubs to feel like their mother is still close to them.

We, as humans, can't bear to throw away the belongings of our late family members, so this is a gift for them too."

Vix looked at Kai with admiration. "Why do I feel like you've lived for hundreds of years and know everything that needs to be done? I'm proud of you."

Kai stayed silent, also wondering why he was gifted with so much knowledge. It felt like everything was stored in his head, ready to be used when needed.

They then turned their attention to Rose and the twins, who were playing with the bear cubs. The kids looked happy, chasing each other around and laughing.

Vix, watching the scene, suddenly asked a question that was difficult for Kai to answer.

"If you had to leave your sister one day—maybe because she found someone or you found someone—would you do it?"

Kai paused, his expression thoughtful. He looked at Rose, who was laughing with the bear cubs, and then back at Vix.

"That's a tough question," Kai said slowly. "Rose is my responsibility, my family. But if the time comes when she finds her own path or someone who can take care of her, I'll have to let her go. It's part of life. But no matter what, she'll always be my sister, and I'll always be there for her, even if we're apart."

Vix nodded, understanding the weight of Kai's words.

"You're a good brother, Kai. She's lucky to have you."

Kai smiled faintly, his eyes still on Rose. "And I'm lucky to have her. She's the reason I keep going."

Then, everyone ran toward Kai and Vix. The twins hugged their father, while Rose hugged her brother. 

But the bear cubs stayed in their place, perhaps still feeling the absence of their mother. Kai noticed this and extended his hand, calling out to them. 

"Come here." 

One of the three cubs approached, sniffing Kai's hand before rubbing itself against him, as if his scent reminded them of their mother. 

Eventually, all three cubs nestled between Rose and Kai, and the group shared a warm, heartfelt hug. 

The moment was filled with a sense of unity and compassion, as the bear cubs found comfort in the presence of their new human family.