Aoshi looked at his father who was covered with sweat right now. He was going back and forth in the room and was like searching for something.
"Father? What are you looking for?" he asked him. The forty year old man stopped and looked at him.
"The wife of the commander's son has just given birth." His father answered him. Their family is a member of one of the most famous ninja groups in Kyoto. And one day when he will also become an adult he will be an official member of the famous group.
"Aoi-san and Hiro-san will have a baby?" he asked again.
"Yes. Aoi-san gave birth to a healthy baby girl. That's why I'm getting ready now. I will go there to congratulate the new parents. Do you want to come with me?"
"Hai!" he answered and hurriedly followed his father.
Makimachi's Residence
Aoshi followed his father as they were walking fast toward the last room of the huge mansion which also served as the headquarters of the Oniwaban ninjas.
The door was opened before his father could even touch it. They were welcomed by the fresh scent of cherry blossoms. And on the center of the room laying on the futon was Aoi-san, holding a baby.
"Good evening Kazue. I didn't expect that you will be coming." Hiro-san greeted his father. And then his eyes focused on him and smiled. The family of the current leader was really kind and also treated them as a family.
"You also brought Aoshi with you. Please sit. I will wake Aoi." He said gently and touched the shoulders of his wife. Aoi-san's eyes slowly opened. She sat up so and kissed the baby's forehead.
"Oh hi, Kazue-san and Aoshi-kun. I'm glad that you are here." She smiled weakly. The small child on her hands started to cry. Aoshi was very anxious to know if the baby was a girl or a boy. If it's a boy then surely he will have a play mate. But if it's a girl… then…
The cloth covering the small baby fell away and Aoshi's world seemed to stop as he looked at the baby. It was a girl. A cute and chubby baby girl with soft brown eyes. Same as her mother's. It seems to be looking at him.
"Do you want to hold her?" Aoi-san asked him as she noticed him looking intently at the baby.
"I- I don't know how." He answered.
"Here, I will show you." Aoi managed to help him hold the baby.
"What is her name?" He asked. Aoi and Hiro looked at each other and laughed.
"Well, actually, we got too excited that we forgot to give her a name." Hiro laughed. His father also laughed. Then he looked at the smiling face of the beautiful baby.
"Ayumi. Her name is Ayumi." And he could hear the baby laugh.