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For Falkren!

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It all felt so surreal, even now.

Osamu - married.

Married to Izumi.

Izumi, the Empress.

Which made him - he shuddered inwardly. The thought made him almost nauseous with worry, the new title an unfortunate requirement of his enduring affections for Izumi.

Emperor. There had as yet been no official ceremony (and secretly, he wondered if it never occurred at all he could simply ignore the situation altogether), but no doubt his wife was already planning such an event to set it in stone. For now, Osamu was perfectly content to act as the Samurai he'd always been.

Whatever that meant.

Weaving between the wisteria trees of Queen's Rest, his mind drifted toward another, more pressing thought: fatherhood. After so many years spent hiding their feelings from one another, it was almost jarring how quickly everything had happened once he and Izumi had reunited after her disappearance - starting with their passionate night spent together within the borders of Tianlong, where, for perhaps the second time in his life, he had lost control. Despite her protestations otherwise, Osamu had dishonored her, and now she was pregnant with his children.

At least he would be her husband when they were born.

An unfamiliar scent came with the breeze. Immediately his hackles were up, and Osamu stalked across the grounds toward its origin; even if he would be forced to discard his title as Samurai, he would only become even more fearsome knowing he was now protecting not just his packmates, but his family, too. Lips curled just enough to expose fang as he eyed the silhouette of an unknown wolf, and he announced his presence.

I would ask your name, he said through the darkness. And I assume you are here by invitation.

Hearing the stranger's justification was a relief. With one less worry on his plate, Osamu allowed his bristling fur to settle, the tension easing from his shoulders as his expression appeared momentarily exhausted. The last thing he needed was a loner to run off.

Forgive me, he said, dipping his head by way of apology. You are welcome here, Falkren. My name is Osamu, Samu-

He hesitated, and suddenly the wolf looked terribly distressed. Was he a Samurai, at present? Or should he introduce himself as Emperor? But there hadn't been a coronation yet, and he didn't want to overstep prematurely; however, Falkren deserved to know, and it would only be even more awkward for the both of them later without proper context.

... I'm in a strange situation, he admitted. The Empress Izumi and I have recently wed, and I... believe I must acquire the title of Emperor as a result, but it still feels foreign.

Osamu sighed.

I fear the awkward impression I am leaving, he continued, tail flicking. But, tell me, what brings you to the Fujiwara clan? Do you seek temporary shelter, or are you curious as to our way of life?