Chapter: Toshiro

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A Couple Weeks Later

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Never before had anyone seen pure panic on Ujio's face. Usually everyone saw Ujio as the calm, patient, and serious sword master. On the battlefield, in his intimidating samurai armor, Ujio was emotionless and showed no fear. But the sight of a panicked Ujio was a new sight for everyone.

Ujio paced back and forth outside on the back porch of his home. Nathan, Katsumoto, Nobutada, Higen and Magojiro watched Ujio pace. Although Ujio steps in his pacing would falter or he would come to a halt every time a painful scream from Ana came from within the house.

It had been early morning when Ana had shook Ujio awake and informed him about being in labor. Ujio never ran so fast before until he heard those words from Ana. He had got Taka, who then informed Nathan to get the healer. Now, a few hours had passed, and Ana had been in labor for a good amount of time.

When there was another scream from Ana, Ujio misstep from the porch and fell off it. He landed on the ground, staggering a bit and facing away from the rest of the men. The others stared at the back of Ujio with concern or worry. They have never witnessed Ujio in this state before.

When the scream came to an abrupt stop, Ujio whirled around to stare at the house.

"Ana?" Ujio said softly.

There was no sound from within.

"Ana!" Ujio said a little louder.

Ujio jumped back onto the back porch to make his way toward the door, but Katsumoto stood before him.

"You cannot go in there yet."

"I need to know if she is okay." Ujio said quickly, trying to move around Katsumoto but Nathan stepped forward to stand beside Katsumoto to block Ujio too.

"Ujio, let the women—" Nathan was cut off as there was a loud cry of a baby from within.

The sound of the baby loudly crying made them relax a little. The men patted Ujio on the back, congratulating him for becoming a father. Ujio gave a small grin, but he needed to know if Ana was okay. He noticed Katsumoto and Nathan would not move from the door until someone came out for them.

Ujio stared at the door, listening to the crying of the baby. But soon, the baby's crying became silent. Ujio tensed up. He heard the sound of feet thudding across the floor to the door. He hoped it was Taka to deliver good news. He hoped Ana and the baby were fine.

The door slid open causing Katsumoto and Nathan to step aside to let Taka step out. She stared at Ujio with a gentle grin.

"Come. Meet your child."

"What about Ana?" Ujio asked while he stepped into the house to follow Taka.

"Both are perfectly well. Ana is a bit tired, but she is awake and feeding the baby." Taka explained as she came to stand by the door.

The healer congratulated Ujio and gave a small bow. Ujio thanked the healer before he stepped up to the closed shoji door. Slowly, Ujio slid it open and stepped in. He simply stared at the sight before him, not paying any mind as Taka shut the door behind him.

There were pillows to help Ana lean up against. Her arms were around a small moving form, wrapped in a blanket. She had been staring down at the baby feeding before she was looking up to stare at Ujio with a smile.

"Ujio."

Ujio took a small step forward and then another. He knelt down beside Ana, staring with a sense of awe. His eyes could not peel away from the tiny human being in her arms. Ujio sat up straighter as the baby pulled away from Ana, who adjusted her top and set the baby upon her shoulder to rub the back.

There was a small sound from the baby, and Ana pulled the baby from her shoulder to press her lips against the baby's forehead. Ana turned her head toward him and held the baby out to him.

"Hold your son, Ujio."

"A son." Ujio whispered.

At first Ujio would not hold out his arms. He was afraid he would mess up. Ana did not let him be afraid or be hesitant anymore as she placed their son into his arms. Ujio quickly adjusted his hold, listening to Ana as she was telling him how to properly hold the baby. He could not take his eyes off of the newborn boy.

Ujio sat himself down beside Ana, allowing them both to stare down at the baby boy. Ana reached forward to brush her right pointer finger along the baby's rosy red cheeks.

"Isn't he perfect, Ujio?" Ana smiled.

"Yes." Ujio nodded, not taking his eyes off of the baby boy.

The baby moved a little in his hold causing Ujio to tense up. Yet a comforting hand by Ana being placed on his arm made Ujio relax. He kept his hold on the baby, taking in the sight of his son.

"He has a lot of hair."

"Yes, he does." Ana agreed.

There was a head of dark hair on their baby boy's head. He had rosy red cheeks from crying and entering the world. Ujio adjusted his arm to hold the baby in one arm while he brought up his other hand to pick up one of his son's hands, awing over the tiny fingers. Ujio eyes flicker to his son's face, seeing the dark tiny long eyelashes.

"What will you name him?"

Ujio looked at Ana with raised eyebrows.

"Remember our deal? If it is a girl, I name her. If it is a boy, you name him."

"Yes, yes, I remember." Ujio nodded and turned his attention back at the baby boy in his arms.

Ana rested her chin on Ujio's shoulder, waiting for him to announce the name he had chosen.

"Toshiro." Ujio said with a grin.

"Toshiro. I like it. It suits him." Ana smiled.

The two new parents stared down at their newborn son Toshiro with proudness.

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A Week Later

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Ana looked at the bassinet beside her, smiling at the peacefully sleeping Toshiro. She looked back down at the sketch she had before her on the low table. The sketch was of Ujio holding Toshiro in his arms. The sketch was halfway complete. She had started it yesterday when she watched how Ujio spent quality time with Toshiro after dinner.

Her attention would move off of the sketch more often than usual, since she now had a little one to take care for. Although, her attention also wandered off as she thought about the others; the samurai. She knew they had been making plans to figure out how to go after Omura soon. They wanted to put a stop to any surprise attack on the village. There was no doubt in her mind the plan would be dangerous, but Katsumoto wanted to put an end to any more threats to the village.

There was a small gasp and gurgle which made Ana to clean her hands off before she reached into the bassinet to pick Toshiro up. She cooed down at him, smiling as he opened his eyes and was staring up at her with greenish brown eyes. Ana laid her lips against his forehead before she pulled back, watching as he opened and closed his mouth a few times.

Ana stood up from the low table and walked into the house, walking into Ujio and her bedroom where she would feed Toshiro. She uncovered the left top half of herself from the kimono and began to feed Toshiro. She found herself staring down at Toshiro with a small grin, not able to get over how adorable Toshiro was.

When Toshiro finished up and he gave a small burp, she adjusted her top. She held Toshiro close as she stood up and walked out of the bedroom. Although she halted in her steps as she watched Ujio step into the room. His left hand gently rested against the hilt of his katana. His attention turned to her, and a grin came onto his lips upon the sight of Toshiro and her.

In a couple of steps, Ujio was before her. His right hand rested against her lower back and his lips pressed against her forehead. He pulled back a little to stare down at Toshiro in her arms. A grin came onto her own lips as she was watching Toshiro trying to keep his eyes open, but he ended up falling asleep. Usually after Toshiro was fed, he would fall asleep.

"How has Toshiro and you been today?" Ujio questioned.

Ana walked with him to the back deck of their home and sat down. She glanced down at the sleeping Toshiro in her arms before her eyes flickered to her left, where Ujio sat down beside her.

When he held out his hands, Ana could not help but smile while she passed Toshiro into Ujio's arms. The sight of Ujio holding their son always warmed her heart. It was a beautiful sight. Ujio stated many times to her how he could not help but watch her take care of their son because he found them a beautiful sight too. There was a great amount of sketches Ana did of Ujio with their son. She wanted to catch every moment.

They sat in silence until a small sound escaped Ujio. Her eyes moved to Ujio, where he stared down at Toshiro and then he turned his attention onto her.

"We talked more about Omura."

"Has a plan been made?" Ana questioned.

"There was talk about going to the place Omura is staying at."

"But?" Ana knew there was a but to this plan.

Ujio adjusted Toshiro in his arms and he brought his right hand up, brushing Toshiro cheek with his fingertips. Toshiro's face crinkled a little in his sleep but then his face relaxed. There was the smallest grin upon Ujio's lips. His attention turned away from Toshiro to stare out at the forest behind their home.

"Nathan stated how if we do not know the layout of the place and know how many men Omura have, then Omura has an advantage over us. We might be walking into a bloodbath." Ujio explained.

"So, what was suggested after Nathan's said this." Ana asked with a small tilt of her head as she stared at Ujio.

"We talked about sending two men to scout out the area to learn about how many men Omura have, but also, how the place he is staying at runs. If we can pick off the men out of the compound Omura is staying at, we lessen their power. Or we wait until Omura makes a move."

Ana made a small hum sound at the plan. She looked toward the forest, thinking about how they could pick up Omura's men, but then she knew it would be noticed.

"But the missing ones will be noticed."

"Yes, and this is the downside of the plan." Ujio spoke with a small shake of his head.

"Unless, you lured a good amount out of the compound to be able to have enough numbers to fight the rest inside. Or another possibility would be to cut off supplies to the compound. This could draw a group out or Omura would leave the safety of the compound." Ana explained while she ran her right hand through her long hair.

When there was no response from Ujio, Ana glanced at Ujio. He stared back at her with a serious look before he stood up with Toshiro in his arms.

"Ujio?"

Ujio walked into the house causing Ana to stand up and she followed after him. She caught up to Ujio as he started to walk out of the house. With quick feet, Ana walked alongside Ujio with a questionable expression. The direction Ujio walked was the pathway which either led to another part of the village or to the temple where Katsumoto resides.

"Ujio, answers would be nice." Ana suggested.

"What you had said made me think more about it, which we did not talk about in our group conversation."

"Such as?" Ana questioned while her eyes flickered down to Toshiro, seeing the little one was still asleep through this whole ordeal.

"As you said, by cutting off supplies causing them to investigate, but it could also lead Omura out of the place he is staying at."

Ana blinked slowly, slowing up in her steps but she quickly sped up her steps to stay by his side. She walked close to Ujio while she occasionally looked down at Toshiro. She could not help but laugh a little because the whole time Toshiro was asleep.

The two arrived at the temple where Katsumoto stayed. Katsumoto was outside, staring up at one of the cherry blossoms, but turned to face them upon their presence. Nathan stood nearby also. Ana knew Ujio had been up here a bit ago, discussing plans with Katsumoto and Nathan. It appeared Nathan did not leave at all.

"Hmm, a surprise visit?" Katsumoto said as he stepped closer and he stared down at the sleeping Toshiro.

Katsumoto held out his arms, but he took a quick glance at Ujio before most of his attention was directed onto Ana. Ana gave a small nod, which Ujio carefully set Toshiro into Katsumoto's arms. Toshiro fidgeted a little, but he stayed asleep, much to all their amusement since it appeared Toshiro was definitely a deep sleeper.

"I wanted to inform you of a possible plan about Omura."

"Oh? An idea came to you on the way home?" Katsumoto questioned while he gently rocked Toshiro in his arms.

Ujio glanced at Ana. She gave him a small smile. Ujio looked back at Katsumoto.

"Ana and I were talking, and she said something which captured my attention. It has to do with cutting off Omura's supplies." Ujio explained with a short outline of the idea.

"You are talking about luring him out?" Nathan stepped forward with his hands clasped together behind his back.

"Yes, by cutting off his supplies. It could lure him out or whoever he has working for him. This could also lead to weakening their defenses, which could lead them to come out of the compound and face us." Ujio explained.

"It is cunning yet there is strategic thought to this." Katsumoto spoke in a low tone.

Nathan, Ujio and Ana stared at Katsumoto as he sat down on a stone bench beneath the cherry blossom tree. He stared down at Toshiro with a gentle smile, and when he looked up, his facial expression became serious. His arms still moved in a soft rocking motion, helping to keep Toshiro asleep.

"We will still need a layout of the compound."

A nod from Nathan drew all their attention.

"Two scouts will still go to learn about the layout for us to go through the place easier. Also, to know the layout of the routes leading to the compound. However, if cutting off the supplies draws Omura out, he will move with a good amount surrounding him. We could attack them on the move. Or if his compound weakens at any point, we surround the compound and deliver nonstop attacks."

"Bring the battlefield to him." Ana blurted out, which earned all eyes on her.

"Exactly." Nathan nodded.

Ana bowed her head a little when the eyes lingered on her before they pulled away. The three men began to converse about Omura and his reinforcements working for him. Weapons were brought up, which Nathan mentioned the reason behind the scouts.

"We will need two of our finest, quietest, trustworthy, and stealthiest men to do it." Katsumoto said softly.

When Toshiro let out a small cooing sound, the motherly alertness overcame Ana. Unconsciously, Ana took a couple steps forward causing a small grin to appear on Katsumoto lips while he stood up and stepped toward her. Ana held Toshiro against her and she stepped back as Katsumoto faced Nathan and Ujio.

A brush against Ana's lower back made her glance at Ujio, who came to stand close by her. Her eyes moved back over to Katsumoto.

"We need to gather more information about the compound before the next steps." Nathan stated.

Wiggling in her arms made Ana look down at Toshiro in her arms, wide awake now. She fixed the blanket around him. Toshiro wiggles around causing her to adjust her hold on him.

"We will continue to discuss this new plan in further depth tomorrow. For now, let us clear our minds and enjoy this sunny day." Katsumoto stated before he turned away from them to walk through the temple grounds.

An arm came around her waist causing her to move along with Ujio. Nathan stood there until Ana called his name softly.

"Right behind." Nathan turned on the heel of his feet and started to walk down the pathway with Ujio and Ana.

"How is my little nephew?" Nathan questioned as he peeked down at Toshiro.

Toshiro eyelids flutter when Ana brushes the blanket away from the side of his head. Toshiro began to move his lips and his left hand escaped the blanket, clenching and unclenching his hand in the air. Nathan reached out to touch Toshiro's hand causing Toshiro to grip Nathan's thumb.

"Someone has a strong grip. Must get it from his mother." Nathan glanced at Ujio with a smirk.

Ujio eyed Nathan with a natural expression. His eyes flickered down at Toshiro, who unclenched Nathan's finger to grip the blanket wrapped around him.

"Indeed, he is strong like his mother." Ujio agreed with a nod.

Ana held back a small laugh at Nathan's disbelief expression. Usually Nathan and Ujio would throw small jabs at each other, which would lead to more insulting comments. But this time, Ujio went along with what Nathan said. Nathan clearly thought Ujio would say something snarky. When Ana looked at Ujio, Ujio eyes flickered off of Toshiro to stare her straight in the eyes. Right then and there, she knew Ujio clearly meant what he said. Ana gave him a small grin.

"He has both his father and mine strength." Ana added in softly causing a small twitch of Ujio's lips to go upwards into the tiniest of grins.

There was a small cough from Nathan, which drew Ana and Ujio attention to him.

"What?" Ana questioned Nathan.

"You two are making me sick." Nathan tried to hide his smirk but he failed to do so, thus he began to walk faster ahead of them.

This time Ujio did make a comment back.

"What is the matter, you can't get Taka to react to one glance? Jealous?"

When Nathan turned around to say something, Ana glared. Nathan paused in what he was going to say and he pointed right at Ana.

"You already have the motherly look of being in trouble down. Whoa…" Nathan shook his head while he dropped his hand down.

Ana smiled and walked by Nathan.

"Quiet?" Ujio smirked as he walked by Nathan too.

There was a loud sigh from behind Ana and Ujio causing the two to glance at one another, trying not to laugh as they heard Nathan mumbling behind them all the way back to their homes.

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Hi Everyone,

Here was a new chapter.

Thank You!