[kyoami is growing. kaede rarely thinks of his father -- his true father -- outside of moments when she realizes that her son might look like that man. a breath, drawn. i want a home for us. this will be that place. it is not quite an answer. kaede finds she does not know what to say. she is not happy because this is not about her happiness. she would live within the rotted bark of a fallen tree or inside a pit of dirt if it means that tatsuhime and kyoami will thrive. her happiness is not something kaede has considered for a very long time. before the birth of her children. she tastes the lie. kyoami. it is time i speak of your father. her mind pushes away the hunter's face and draws the faded planes of her first husband's eyes to her mind. his name was ichimonji taro, and he was son to a selfish father and brother to impulsive men. he was the best of them all, and for this he paid.]

kyoami is growing. kaede rarely thinks of his father -- his true father -- outside of moments when she realizes that her son might look like that man.

a breath, drawn.

i want a home for us. this will be that place. it is not quite an answer. kaede finds she does not know what to say. she is not happy because this is not about her happiness. she would live within the rotted bark of a fallen tree or inside a pit of dirt if it means that tatsuhime and kyoami will thrive.

her happiness is not something kaede has considered for a very long time. before the birth of her children.

she tastes the lie.

kyoami. it is time i speak of your father. her mind pushes away the hunter's face and draws the faded planes of her first husband's eyes to her mind.

his name was ichimonji taro, and he was son to a selfish father and brother to impulsive men. he was the best of them all, and for this he paid.