Heavenfall

"I do wonder if they've ever all gotten together to have that sort of conversation. No spouses, no hangers-on, just the Kami..."

"Before the tournament, I think they did, but I can't say I've seen them really have a big family meeting just them. But maybe that will happen now, with Hisomu returned to the fold." Of course, that meant Ryoshun would be left out unless Nazo was there just to relay, and that would already make the situation unfair to her...

"You should certainly bring it up to Shiba. That it might be time to do something like that with his siblings... set down his expectations with them as Mother Sun did favor him to become their leader."

"I think I will. If nothing else... it will help create a sense of unity in the leadership, whatever else we do."

He turned a sardonic eye on her.

"You just make sure Uncle Baldy turns up!"

Her fingertips pressed to her lips as she surpressed a laugh. "If Shiba wants it, he will be there." If it was just his siblings, she felt certain he would go, even if she knew he wasn't a big fan of social gatherings.

"Hisomu's return makes for a good reason for such a get-together- and letting them coordinate is probably also wise in light of the coming war. They should make plans for that as well."

Another nod of agreement. "It seems like we have a lot of thoughts for the future... we'll certainly be keeping busy! And that's not even considering all the other things that will be keeping us busy as well."

She knew family life would also be keeping her busy.

"Children to see to again, stories to tell, libraries to set up, a wedding to endure, a marriage to enjoy, a war to prepare for, and noses to tweak... I think I'm going to need to remind myself to take breathers when I can get them..."

He grinned.

"But what a time to be alive, hm? The only possibility we can rule out is boredom!"

"And children of your own too, Sora," she pointed out with a grin. "Your hands will be even more full then than you can imagine."

"Oh, I'll just throw 'em in a pit with a badger. That'll sort 'em out in a hurry!"

She held her sides as she laughed. "I think you'll find your wife's reaction to that scarier than the badger."

"You've watched over Shiba's children, but have you had the real responsibility for them?"

"Killed a grand total of seven assassins while they 've been in my care. Got stabbed with a poisoned knife once doing it. Taught them to build a fish trap. Changed all of their nappies. Got food together for them. Teach 'em what I can when I can. Chased them out of trees and kept 'em away from venomous snakes..."

He shrugged.

"I think you'll find that being a father involves more than that," she smiled knowingly and gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "But you'll discover that yourself."

"Can't possibly be worse at it than my father was, so I'll learn by doing. As usual."

"I don't think you've talked to me before about your parents..." she assumed it was with good reason, of course. A lot of the Hikaru lifestyle didn't seem like it was made for good parenting to her.

Or a good place for a child to grow up.

"Nope. They did their best. But their best was pretty fuckin' terrible, so I've got plenty of examples of what not to do."

"Mm, and you'll have good people around to help you too. Tsubo is a great caretaker and he'll probably give you some good pointers."

She gave him a playful smirk. "And if you need to get away from it all sometime, Dragon mountains are pretty far away from others."

"Oh, be careful what you offer, I fully intend to descend upon you guys, just so Kinyoubi can get a break."

She seemed rather unconcerned by such a threat and just gave his shoulder another friendly squeeze.

"You're welcome any time, friend. You're among those I trust to never hurt my family in any way."

"Good, because I would sooner die than let that happen. You'll be seeing me."

He met her shoulder squeeze with a hug.

She said nothing at first and returned the hug in full.