Of Impulse and Fey: Spin Off Ed.

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Ch. 7

People Skills

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Kiyohime's birthday was now looming upon us. My goodness how much the time has flown by! In preparation for Kiyo's first birthday, I had Reito invite the women and children from his "Stroller Mom Cult". Every morning he and this group of mom's would meet up in the park for baby-time socializing. I attended this circle once and as soon as we got home, I was glad I wasn't the one having nursery songs repeat over and over in my head. Anyway, much to my surprise, Reito was reluctant at inviting the SMC group. "Shizuru," he stated hesitantly when I asked why, "She hates sharing."

"Reito, every child her age hates sharing," I deadpanned.

"No, like, she really, really hates sharing."

I suppose I wouldn't have believed as to the extent of the dislike until I had witnessed it myself.

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Finally, Kiyo's first birthday arrived and I was so excited! I made breakfast for everyone because I woke up at four in the morning. I couldn't go back to sleep because I was just so giddy with happiness. Our little Kiyohime was turning one year old!

It had been officially a whole year since the ordeal with Marguerite and a year and a half since I brought Natsuki home. I sang all morning much to Kiyo's delight and to Reito and Natsuki's annoyance. It wasn't that I was terrible at singing- I trained from the ages of six to eighteen, thank you- but that I was cheerier than the sun was a bright yellow and it was still around six in the morning.

Kiyohime was enjoying my company at least and the other two perked up soon after eating the spinach quiche I made for breakfast. Clearing the dishes, I eagerly awaited for 2pm to roll around. I had all the party games planned, some wine chilling in the wine cooler (although I don't particularly enjoy drinking in front of children), and delightful treats and party bags for the other kids. I couldn't tell you why I was so in the "mom zone" today, but I made sure to promise myself that I should be like this for Kiyo every day. I didn't want her growing up thinking that she was only special to me for one day out of the whole year. With that in mind, I plucked her up from her high chair and began to dance and sing with her in my arms while Reito and Natsuki watched on with gigantic grins on their faces.

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Everything started off smoothly. Mom's with strollers came with their kids, I helped Reito set up the finger sandwiches and other appetizers, Natsuki went to watch over the children while they played, it was going very well. Until Reito's warning came true that is. One of the other little girls brought a doll from home and Kiyohime wanted it. Really bad. A high-pitched shriek pierced through the conversation of gluten-free lemon bar recipes to turn our attention to our children. Kiyohime snatched the doll from the other little girl's hands- Nancy, as I was informed later- and pinched her when Nancy tried to take it back. Knowing she was in trouble now, Kiyo began to take off running through the courtyard as fast as her little legs would take her. Reito, carrying a tray of baked goods, was unable to chase after her, so I got up instead. Natsuki already in the lead, I merely caught up with them as they rounded the corner.

Now, Kiyo has wanted for nothing; sure, I may not get her everything she wants, but pretty close to it. I figured that she was jealous of the fact that Nancy had something better than she did, for it was a very nice looking doll.

As Natsuki tried to coax the doll from Kiyo's chubby fingers, Kiyo immediately took a big inhale needed to begin screaming. Natsuki flinched in preparation and waited for the baby to begin her banshee wailing near sensitive ears. However, it didn't come because I shifted into Kiyo's line of sight. I didn't know if she had telepathic capabilities, but I echoed my warning from last time anyway. If that didn't work, I hoped my stern look would. Whichever method it was, it worked. Kiyo expelled the air she was holding and instead dissolved into an upset fit of silent tears. Natsuki raised her eyebrows in astonishment and began to bounce our baby girl on her hip in an effort to settle Kiyo down. What did you do, asked the silk that caressed my mind.

Mama magic, I answered back.

"Whatever you say, tonzae. Give this to me, Kiyo."

Natsuki tried to pry the toy from Kiyo again, but the baby kept resisting. Kiyo shook her head fiercely and grumbled, "No mama. Mine."

I sighed.

As these were Kiyohime's first words, it revealed two very important things. One, our daughter is highly intelligent and two, she was also turning into a spoiled brat. Without another word, I reached for Kiyohime and brought her- still clutching tightly to the doll- back to Nancy who was crying more from the absence of the doll than the pain from Kiyo's pinch. Bending down to the ground, I brought my daughter level to Nancy. I began, "Kiyo can't you see that you've made her very upset? What you did wasn't very nice, but now you have a chance to make it right." The other mothers, Natsuki and Reito looked on curiously at my method of teaching Kiyohime how to make amends with others, puzzled why I didn't water down my language. "Give the doll back and tell her you're sorry."

I placed Kiyo gently on the grass and waited for her to step forward to do as I said. Kiyo looked back at me and then tried to look for an escape route. "No," I stated firmly while making shooing motions, "Go on." Kiyohime looked down at the petite doll in her hands, running her little fingers in its red hair, before looking back at the now sniffling Nancy. Another few seconds passed, I started to doubt my mothering instincts, but Kiyo walked back to Nancy, returned the doll and said a cute little "I'm sowwy." Everyone "awed" but Kiyo wasn't done yet.

When Nancy smiled with utter joy at having her beloved doll back, Kiyohime kissed her.

Full on the mouth.

A/N: I hope all of you enjoyed this latest installment of the Spin Off series to "Of Impulse and Fey". Hey, so, I'm starting to run out of ideas. Leave me any prompts you would like to see this wacky family overcome on my tumblr ask! (Link is in the bio.) Have an awesome week :)