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[Edda]

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Edda's soft tabi padded down the paths of Zento. Even on this warm island, there was a slight nip in the air as of late, and she cast aside her worn black sandals when Casey made her a pair of warmer shoes. The cherry blossoms whipped and twirled around a little, before settling in the dewy grass. She pulled her jacket tighter, and headed to the tailor shop. Upon entrance, she nodded a hello to the tanners and fur traders, and headed over to Bess, who smiled when she saw Edda, and started counting bolts of cloth. Bess was small and soft spoken. She reminded Edda a bit of Ni'Xuin or Hikiko. Always kind and polite. Quiet and calm. Edda accepted the cloth and handed Bess a pouch of gold coins. Next stop was the Satori Healing Garden, where they would turn the cloth into bandages for her. She handed them over and watched them so carefully and delicately cut her cloth into strips and soak them in healing solution. She offered them gold, as she always did, but they just chuckled and shooed her away with her fresh bag of band aids.

She pulled up the collar of her jacket and tipped her kasa to shield her face from the wind as she left. Pulling into a run, she dropped into a wolf form, and felt warmer by the second. She ran through the blue gate to Isamu. To keep her skills sharp, she would come here to pick on the smaller hiryu, and elite ninjas, on the Hotaka plains. She ducked down low in the grass and ferns and crept along. Keeping her eyes peeled for the first sign of a hiryu, and her ears sharp for the sound of their discontented growls. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a flash of red, turned her head acutely, and noticed a tail disappear into the large building where the Army held important events. She grinned to herself and quietly inched closer. Within the building, in the direction the beast had gone, she heard the small wail of what could only be a human baby. At that moment, no one would have known she was not a real wolf, for she cocked her head and stared at the building. If she were to go inside, she would no doubt discover a very small child. She wondered if it was alone. Maybe it was lost, and scared. Cold and hungry. A fleeting thought told her to run in the opposite direction, as fast as she could, and pretend she never heard that helpless little cry. Instead she shook it off, as a twinge of maternal instincts and general empathy started to intrude her thoughts.

When Moreta found her as an infant out here, did she just leave her to fend for herself? No.. She made her parents take Edda in as their own. A creature of a different race, a little orphan, it didn't matter to them. They did what was right. And after arguing with herself in her own mind for a few minutes, she decided this was her chance to do the same. She rose into human form, stepped into the shadows, and crept in the direction of the beast and baby. Her stomach clenched a little, as she thought of what she might find. She suddenly wished she hadn't have taken so long in her decision. She quickened her pace the best she could while sticking to the shadows, and headed into the building.

[Edda]

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Everything seemed to be getting darker now. The clouds were moving in loudly, grumpily warning the world of a storm. When Edda got inside the building she saw the hiryu pacing around the bottom of the staircase, hissing hungrily. Upon closer examination, she could see it was huge and muscular with large claws. Not like the smaller ones she usually played with. She scanned the room in terror, trying to locate the, still crying, child. Her eyes stopped on a pair of bodies in the corner. She swallowed hard, and walked towards them. She stood over them, still sticking to the shadows, and looked down on them sadly. From what she could make out, it was a man and woman, laying side by side. But they were ripped to shreds, with multiple sized claw marks covering their bodies, and it was hard to be sure. She carefully slipped her fukiya out of her pocket and into the palm of her hand, where she grasped it tightly. Making her way as far around the hiryu as possible, for this beast was clearly not to be messed with. She heard the disturbing purr of an oni in the other room. She slipped quietly past the hiryu and headed upstairs. Under the table at the top, she saw a small bundle of blankets with little arms flailing around inside them. Quietly, she walked over and scooped it up, cradling it in her arms. She didn't hesitate, didn't even stop to look down on it, just slipped it into her empty quiver, dropped back into wolf form and fled the building. She didn't look back, she didn't slow down for anything. She just ran hard, the infant still screeching on her back, and didn't pause for a moment until she ran through the blue gate and her feet thudded softly down the blossom covered paths of Zento.

[Edda]

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Unsure of where to go next, she slowed to a walk and went back into human form. The crying had quieted as soon as she was safely out of Isamu. She put her hands in her pockets and casually walked down the road. She figured the temple would be quiet and empty, so she headed in that direction. When she reached the building, she headed inside and up the stairs to the place where Hikiko had once stayed. Slipping the bundle out of her quiver, she gently laid it across the soft bamboo floor and unwrapped it. She looked down upon its face for the first time and saw a beautiful, innocent pair of gray eyes, much like Takumi's. The baby looked up at Edda, wriggling and cooing at her. Her mouth split into a huge smile and she stroked its hair. Hardly taking her eyes off it for a second, she prepared a warm bowl of water and tea tree oil and laid it beside him. She gave him a bath and bundled him up tight in a fresh blanket. She decided she would sleep here with him for tonight, and tomorrow she would figure out a plan. She was sure she could think of something. She set up a small futon and warmed a small bottle of milk for him. After feeding it to him, she set aside all her weapons and armor in her backpack, laid down on her back and laid him on her chest. They both fell asleep within seconds.

[Takumi Fujiwara]

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walking slowly towards the center of town Takumi took in the sights and sounds of a city beginning to awake from its slumber. Before heading into town Takumi head to the meditation pool and kneeled on a small square pillow.

Takumi began to close his eyes slightly and focused his attention on to his breathing. he began to breathe natuarally through his nostrils. Each breath began to drown outward sound and distractions.

With his meditations out of the way takumi strolled towards the moongate. Arriving on Homare-jima, Takumi headed to the north towards the Kitsune Woods on the west end there lay a forest filled with any number of Tsuki Wolves that could be used to help him feel the sharp end of his weapon. spending several hours training Takumi made his way home. "im sure Edda will be home already" he thought to himself.

Arriving home Takumi looked around knowing full well that Edda was sure to be hiding ready to jump from the shadows. "Edda! Edda! i know your here" Takumi began to call out. There was no answer Takumi was concerned but at the same time knew she was well capable of taking care of herself.

As the Evening rolled around Edda still had not returned. "it is tavern night" he remembered "it is not like her to go alone, perhaps she went on with the rest of the clan." he began thinking

Entering Hanses Hostel he looked around and was a little concerned that Edda was not there. he made what little conversation he could but his mind was distracted "its not like her to be gone for so long" Takumi kept repeating in his mind. upon returning home Takumi was anxious and concerned at the same time but his worst fears were starting to repeat itself.

Edda where are you........
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[Edda]

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The Tokunan sun began to rise and streak through the windows of the temple, allowing light designs to play on the walls. Edda felt it on her face and smiled, eyes still closed. She went to cuddle closer to Takumi ,realized he wasn't there, and opened one eye to investigate. She looked around.. and thought 'Where the hell am I?' It took several minutes and a quiet coo from her new friend, to remember. She looked down at him, his tiny fist full of her jacket, his little nose snuggled into her. She smiled warmly at him, he looked so peaceful and small. She was happy until she remembered that today she was supposed to find out what to do with this little guy.
She was sure there were many suitable people in Zento, who would gladly take in an orphaned baby. Maybe he could be adopted. It couldn't be just anyone, though, Edda thought. They would have to be approved by her. She was trying to ignore how attached she was already growing to him. But something nipped at the back of her mind, told her this was her only chance to have a child of her own.
Whenever she had a problem, Takumi was always the first one she went to. She trusted him the most, and he always had great guidance. But this situation was more difficult. Children were a sore spot for him. He always thought of his own children, and she could see the sadness in his eyes. He had already fell in love and become a husband again. She couldn't ask him to become a father again, too. Yes, that was asking too much. There was one more person she knew she could confide in.. She cleaned up the temple, and packed her backpack. Changed into her dress and put her quiver back on, tucking the baby back inside. Popped her kasa on the top of her head, and went down the steps to the bottom floor of the temple. She looked around for a moment, her eyes pausing on the spot where her and Takumi had once exchanged wedding vows.
She turned and headed out the front doors. Today was a much milder day than yesterday. The sun shone on her shoulders and sparkled off the ocean to her left. She took the long way around town and strolled into the teahouse. The room appeared to be empty this early in the morning, but she had a feeling the one she was looking for wasn't far away. Deciding this little guy must be hungry again, she went behind the bar and found some more milk. He didn't look old enough to eat anything else. She slipped him out of her quiver with her back to the door, shielding him from view and he slurped it hungrily.
"What have we here?" a voice suddenly asked. It was such a calm, low voice that neither Edda or the baby were alarmed. Both were taken by surprise, though, and two sets of eyes immediately scanned the room for the source. Soke stepped out from a darkened corner and came to settle on the barstool in front of Edda.
She looked up at him with relief. He was just the person she was looking for. He would know what to do. She told him the story and read his face for expressions. He looked the baby over and Edda swore she saw a twinkle of fondness in his eyes. He looked at her, it was obvious what she was looking for was guidance.
"Well.. What did Takumi say?" he asked. Her chin fell to her chest.
"You didn't tell Takumi?.. Oh Edda, tell Takumi. Trust me, you will have no problem trying to find a home for this child after you tell Takumi"
"But Soke, he will be upset. This baby will remind him of the children he lost" she blinked away a tear and looked down at the baby. He was now sleeping in her arms with a round belly.
"He has come a long way since then. He has learned not to dwell on the past. Otherwise he would not have remarried, Edda. Now, what are we calling this child?"
Edda shrugged. She didn't know his name. She had just been calling him 'little guy'. "You name him, please"
"Shinto"
She tilted her head to look at Bishimi, 'Quick response' , she thought. But she nodded and slipped the baby in her quiver, still sleeping. She thanked Bish and bowed her head low to him for a few moments. Heading onto the front steps she threw her rune book open and let it take her to 'Imperial Retreats'.
Her feet hit soft desert sand, and she scuffled up to the front porch. She removed her tabi, set them down, and hit the closest teleporter. She was brought to their kitchen, where she tossed aside her pack and kasa, while yelling out to Takumi to see if he was home. She hoped he hadn't been too worried about her absence. She yelled out his name once again.
"There you are" she heard from behind her. She turned and saw his worried face split into a smile. "I was getting worried"
"Takumi.." she walked to him and took her hands in his "I have to tell you something" and with that a tiny sneeze issued from her quiver.

[Takumi Fujiwara]

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Takumi was about to head out to look for his wife when he heard her calling out to him. He face began to form a smile as he walked towards her. "Takumi.." Edda walked to him and took her hands in his "I have to tell you something" and with that a tiny sneeze issued from her quiver. Looking a bit confused he looked at the quiver and then towards her.

She began telling him of the happenings of the previous day and all that took place. she gently held the baby as she pulled him from her quiver. I want you to meet shinto she said. Takumi smiled and put out his pinky finger as the small baby wrapped his hand around it.

as he stood staring at him he began to think back to a time long ago. he was a father once before, seeing the baby made him miss what if was felt like to be responisible for a child. suddenly another little sneeze was heard snapping his attention back to the present. "Can i hold him?" he asked.

grabbing shinto and wrapping him in a blanket takumi began pacing back and forth just staring into the babies eyes. he began whispering to the the baby as a tear began to fall down his face.
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[Edda]

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Edda sat quietly and watched Takumi and Shinto in surprise. She wasn't sure what to do next. She had not predicted this reaction from him. In her mind, she had been preparing for a whole different conversation.

It seemed like Shinto fit perfectly in his arms, and Takumi smiled down at him in the same warm way Edda kept finding herself doing when she held him. It suddenly occurred to her how much this would change their lives. Shinto would be a huge responsibility. They would need a nanny to care for him during trainings and meetings. She couldn't neglect her Lotus work. She'd get less sleep, she'd have to teach him things. She'd have to learn how to make food fit for a baby. It would be exhausting and never ending. But she couldn't worry about all that just now. She was starting to believe that she found him for a reason, and she was determined to give Motherhood her best shot.

[Edda]

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The first couple nights, Shinto slept in their bed with them, but they knew that couldn't go on forever. So they got out an old futon and made him his own spot next to their bed.

Now the three seemed to be working out a routine. Shinto had his feeding and napping times, and his new parents worked well together, doing an even share of the work. It seemed like every time he let out a cry, Edda would go to check on him and Takumi would already be tending to him, and vice versa. Takumi seemed to be happier than ever, even with the lack of sleep. Edda would still just sit quietly and watch them interact. She was amazed by Shinto. The way he studied things that he was seeing for the first time.
Edda was finding skills she had picked up from Yuna over the years very handy now. And she was getting great advice from people in the teahouse. Especially Rei, who had looked after her little sister, a long time ago. She never would have expected to be able to handle something like this. A year or two ago, she would have taken on the hiryu, just to prove she could. If she had rescued the baby, she would've handed it off to someone else the first chance she got.

Now she was looking forward to his Blessing and Naming Ceremony.. She had a secret she couldn't wait to tell the Soke.

[Takumi Fujiwara]

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being a father again felt good. takumi made a silent promise not to make the same mistakes he did so long ago. "this time will be different" he thought to himself. who would of thought that someone so little could change the lives of two people the way he has. Takumi often found himself smiling more often now as he would watch Edda caring for shinto. everyone around were helpful in giving advice and being helpful. Takumi knew with the clans help shinto would never been in danger again, life was definatly headed in the right direction. Takumi was Excited for the days to come. as takumi thought about what edda had planned he couldnt help but to smile and think to himself "hopefully the soke will be happy with what edda has planned to tell him"
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