Koty's 'ow!' came right on the heals of Killian's, because being struck by the branch did sting a bit. But he was still laughing and he used the opportunity to poke the other boy in the belly with the end of his stick. "A-ha!" he said triumphantly and then dropped the stick and lurched forward, fingers primed to tickle Killian's sides. He dove in for the attack.