Night

I wake with a start.

I am in the tub. The water is cold. I must have fallen asleep.

I get out. Drying myself off. I pull on my silk robe.

I step from behind the screen.

The boy is asleep. Moonlight bathes him, turning his golden hair into a shimmering halo.

He moans. Tossing.

I walk towards him. Kneeling beside his mat.

He mutters. A furrow wrinkles his forehead.

I push a lock of golden hair from his face. "Shhhh." I stoke the worry from his brow. "Sleep." My voice is quite, soothing.

He quiets.

I watch him a little longer. He doesn't stir.

' So young. Looks like Nakago, but he reminds me' I pause. His face is pale, relaxed. 'of myself.' I shake my head. Scattering that thought. 'I wonder what he was dreaming about.'

I climb into bed. Pulling up the covers. I slip into sleep.