After leaving Makoto's manor, Hajime planned to head back to the village and get some jobs done for the villagers. Natsumi waited outside the village gates like before as Hajime headed to town hall. Then of course he knew he had to check on Kana just to be safe. Sure enough when he got home she was up and healthy thankfully.

"Papa!" Kana said as she jumped into his arms. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," Hajime smiled and hugged her.

"Is Makoto okay?" Kana asked. "Did he like my flowers?"

"Yes, yes," Hajime nodded. "He's safe again and he really loved your gift."

"I knew it," Kana grinned with pride.

"Now if you're okay I need to go to town hall and do some jobs," Hajime said.

"But can't you do that tomorrow, please?" Kana asked. "I really want to go to the beach today with you."

"Kana…," Hajime tried to speak.

"Please, I promise I won't ask for anything else for a whole month," Kana said. "It's just been forever since we went to the beach and it's so beautiful today."

"Alright," Hajime sighed knowing he couldn't refuse his precious daughter. "I'll get the picnic basket ready."

"I already got it," Kana said, running over to get it.

'Looks like everything is going according to her plan,' Cain echoed in Hajime's head.

As Kana went to retrieve the picnic basket, Hajime grabbed his fishing hook. When she came back he happily lifted her up on his shoulders and picked up the basket. Compared to wrestling with shades, Kana was as light as a feather. Knowing Kana loved the wind in her face, Hajime ran ahead down the path making her giggle with glee. Once they reached the village beach they found it surprisingly vacant. Minus of course the dozens of fat seals just laying about in the warm sand. Kana easily found the perfect spot and eagerly laid out the blanket once Hajime put her down. As she did, Hajime noticed one of the nearby seals eyeing their picnic basket. Knowing how lazy the seals were he doubted it would actually charge ahead and steal their food.

"Done," Kana said proudly after laying out the picnic blanket. "Now we can eat."

"What's for lunch then?" Hajime asked as he sat down.

"I decided instead of making deer wheat stew, I'd make pork buns," Kana said before lifting said buns out of the basket.

"They smell delicious," Hajime said. "I'm sure Cain would love some."

'I'll pass,' Cain echoed in his head. 'After all this is just a father daughter picnic."

"Actually I think he can taste the flavor where he is," Hajime said.

"Okay," Kana handed him a bun. "Thank you for the food."

"Thank you for the food," Hajime said, mouthing watering from the delicious aroma.

Once he took a bit he was instantly hit with the tender and salty meat inside wrapped in a layer of bread. The warmth of the bun made it feel like heaven on his tongue. Kana also enjoyed her bun, her cheeks already full like a squirrel.

"Careful you don't bite more than you can chew," Hajime said.

"Mm finn," Kana talked with her mouth full.

"This is delicious," Hajime said after eating his third pork bun. "Where did you get all this pork."

"Chihiro gave it to me," Kana explained. "He said it was a gift from the village."

"I'll have to thank him the next time I see him," Hajime smiled until Kana burped. "What do you say?"

"Excuse me," Kana sighed. "I'll never get why I have to say that. Everybody burps and it's just the body's way of expelling gas so it doesn't get trapped inside."

"Sure, but that gas is stinky and loud so it'd be rude not to apologize for it," Hajime said.

"Okay," Kana groaned.

After eating, the two laid down next to each other to digest the food. The sunlight warmed their skin just as the sea breeze kept them from getting too hot. Now he understood why the seals loved to lay out here. Just as he was starting to doze off, Kana nudged him.

"Hey papa," Kana said, "can you catch me a fish?"

"Sure," Hajime yawned. "What kind."

"Any fish will do," Kana said.

"Alright," Hajime got up and stretched.

Kana eagerly watched as Hajime grabbed his fishing hook and walked to the shore. Although he kept his fishing hook in good condition, his actual fishing skills were not that great. Still, he knew he couldn't back out with Kana eagerly watching him. Putting his best foot forward, he swung a line out and waited. He watched the bob like a hawk until it submerged and he felt a fight. Instantly he tried to reel it in but the fish was a lot stronger than he imagined. Despite his efforts to pull the fish in it kept furiously swimming side to side. By the time he managed to pull the line back the fish was gone along with the bait.

"Damn it," Hajime growled under his breath and tried again.

Two more times he tried and two more times he failed to catch a fish. They weren't even that big, yet they kept escaping his hook before he could reel it in. He was just about to throw his whole fishing rod in the ocean until Cain leapt out of his eye.

"You're hopeless," Cain said before running out into the water.

In just five seconds Cain caught a fish in his mouth. He lifted it up with such pride despite being all wet.

"This is how-," Cain gloated until the fish furiously slapped its tail in Cain's eye and he dropped it.

"You were saying?" Hajime asked sarcastically.

Not even dignifying his question with a response, Cain dove back into water. This time it wasn't so easy to catch a fish as his furiously splashing made them dart away. Eventually he resurfaced from the water with a bigger fish than before. Learning his lesson from before, Cain didn't speak with it still in his mouth. Instead he calmly walked back to the sandy shore and dropped it there. Fortunately the fish was already dead so it wouldn't flop about. After looking at Kana staring at him, Cain walked back to the water.

"What are you doing?" Hajime asked.

"I'm just going to have some alone time," Cain said. "Give the fish to your daughter, I don't care."

"Okay," Hajime said confused.

While Hajime picked up the fish and dusted it off, Cain dove back into the water on his own. Hajime took the fish back to Kana who seemed very eager to see it.

"It's scales are so pretty," Kana said.

"You want to hold it?" Hajime smiled.

"Yes!" Kana leapt onto her feet and outstretched her hands.

"Careful, it's still slippery so hold the tail firmly," Hajime explained.

"Okay," Kana nodded.

Upon Kana receiving the fish she ran over to the seal that had been watching them. Before Hajime could stop her, she put the fish down in front of its nose. A second later the seal sucked up the fish and happily barked.

"I'm glad you like it," Kana smiled.

"He better have," Hajime said.

Eager to show its gratitude, the seal actually flopped closer, extending its neck to nuzzle Kana.

"That tickles," Kana giggled.

"I hope he knows that's the only fish he's getting today," Hajime said.

"He does," Kana said, hugging the seal's blubbery neck. "But can we feed him again the next time we come? Please?"

Considering his daughter was currently hugging a seal like it was a puppy he knew the answer instantly.

"Okay," Hajime said. "If Cain doesn't mind. He's a better fisher than me."

"Yay," Kana cheered, even causing the seal to rejoice by slapping its tail and fins.

"At least he won't follow us home," Hajime said.

"Yeah it's too much of a climb," Kana said scratching behind the seal's tiny ear.

After petting the seal some more, Kana returned to the picnic blanket and sat on the edge. Cain was still out in the water probably struggling to catch fish. Turning his attention back on to his daughter, Hajime noticed she was beginning to build something in the sand.

"Making a sand castle?" Hajime asked.

"Nope," Kana said. "I'm gonna make a fox."

"Like Cain?" Hajime asked.

"Yep," Kana nodded.

"Need help?" Hajime asked.

"Nope, I can do it all on my own," Kana said. "Besides you already caught me a fish, so just relax."

"If you say so," Hajime said.

Halfway through Kana making her sand fox, Cain emerged from the water. To Hajime's surprise the fox had shrunken down into his kit form. Additionally he had a big conch shell in his mouth. Carefully, the small Cain approached the picnic blanket and waited for Kana to notice him. When she did, she physically jumped back a bit in surprise, so he laid down and nudged the conch forward. Timidly, Kana moved a bit closer and picked up the conch. It had to be the most beautiful shell they had ever seen with not a chip or crack and the white sparkling pink in the light.

"It's… beautiful," Kana said.

"What do you say," Hajime said.

"Thank you," Kana looked down and said to Cain.

Then, very very carefully, Kana extended her hand out to pet Cain. She hesitated mere centimeters from his ear but ultimately did pet him. Cain melted at her delicate stroking and moved his little tail side to side. If he were a cat, Hajime knew Cain would be purring now.

"I think Cain just gave me an idea," Hajime said. "I'll go get some shells while you keep building your sand fox. Cain, I can trust you to keep and eye on Kana."

"Very well," Cain said, "but don't think you'll find any shells as magnificent as the one I found."

"Sure," Hajime said.

Once Hajime found enough colorful shells, he returned to the shore. There Kana finished her sand fox which bore a striking resemblance to Cain in his kit form.

"That looks great," Hajime said. "Better than the real thing."

"Thanks papa," Kana smiled and patted Cain's head. "It helped having a model."

"Would you like to decorate it with these shells?" Hajime asked.

Kana nodded and selected the shells she wanted. When she was finished the sand fox looked even better. Hajime noticed Cain was rather proud of his artistic replica. Seeing they had leftover shells, Kana took out a needle and thread and began to make a shell necklace.

"You're really good with a needle and thread," Hajime said. "Did Usami teach you that?"

"Nope, I just practiced on my own," Kana said, tying the thread. "There!"

Kana lifted up the completed necklace of white and brown shells, some with green algae on them.

"Here Papa, it's for you," Kana lifted her creation.

"Are you sure?" Hajime asked.

"Yep, I made it with your colors," Kana said.

"Alright," Hajime said.

Like a knight, he took a knee and bowed before Kana as she put the shell necklace around his neck. When he rose up he heard the shells rattle and could smell the scent of the ocean under his nose.

"How do I look?" Hajime asked.

"Like a king!" Kana smiled.

"Then that makes you a princess," Hajime said.

"No, I want to be a knight," Kana said.

"In that case Cain can be your noble white stead," Hajime laughed.

"Very well," Cain said, acting surprisingly docile.

"Would you like that Kana?" Hajime asked.

"Sure," Kana smiled.

Cain transformed back into his normal size without any fuss. Carefully Kana got up on his back and held onto his neck fur.

"Alright, don't go too fast," Hajime said. "Hold on tight Kana."

"We'll be fine," Cain said. "If she's your offspring she can handle a little acceleration."

"Yeah," Kana said.

Before Hajime could get another word in, Cain sprung ahead, kicking sand up beneath his paws. Kana squealed joyfully just like any kid would in her position riding an animal. She really was cute riding a big white fox up and down the beach. After a few laps, she got off and hugged Cain before running into her father's arms.

"That was so fun," Kana smiled.

"I'm glad you liked it," Hajime smiled.

"Thank you Papa for bringing me to the beach today," Kana hugged him.

"Of course, I'm so happy to spend the day with my little girl," Hajime said.

"I'm sorry…," Kana suddenly went weak.

"For what?" Hajime asked.

Suddenly Kana's body went limp in his arms, her violet eyes turning glossy.

"Kana?!" Hajime shouted

"I tried… to fight it…," Kana forced herself to speak.

Soon after Kana closed her eyes. Her body was burning up and her skin was turning pale.

"Stay with me Kana!" Hajime held her close. "I'm here!

Cain watched wide eyed as Hajime ran home, abandoning the everything they brought to the beach. While Cain stayed behind, Hajime kept running till he burst his way into their house. There he laid Kana down in bed and desperately made a wet cloth to bring her temperature down. By now her rosy skin had turned as deathly pale as a sheet.

"Hold on Kana," Hajime kept wiping the wet cloth on her skin. "You are stronger than this."

Cain returned with another shaman fish in his mouth. Like before, Hajime cut the fish while Cain watched over Kana. Soaking his tail in a bowl of water, Cain was able to use his tail to the same effect as the wet cloth. By the time Hajime finished cutting up the fish, Kana's temperature hadn't gone down one bit. Worse, her unconscious body could not eat even the smallest piece of the fish.

"Damn it!" Hajime shouted. "What do we do now?!"

"I don't know," Cain hung his head in defeat.

Almost by some miracle, Usami entered the house. She was carrying a basket of herbs.

"Hajime?" Usami asked. "Is Kana alright?"

"No," Hajime said. "What are you doing here."

"Chihiro sent me," Usami said. "A blind boy collapsed outside the village not too long ago and now he's asking for you by name. He says it's urgent."

"Makoto," Cain said. "What could be so important he'd run blind through the meadow?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't leave Kana's side while she's suffering like this," Hajime said.

"I brought herbs that can help," Usami said. "Just leave it to me."

"It's possible Makoto's news is shade related," Cain said. "In which case we can't ignore it."

"I know… but…," Hajime bit his lip and looked at Kana's pain stricken face.

"I promise you she'll be fine once I give her these herbs," Usami said.

"Alright," Hajime sighed then bent down to Kana. "I'll be as fast as I can and then I'll come right back."

With those words Hajime kissed Kana's forehead and hugged her.

"I love you so much," Hajime said.

"She's strong, just like you," Usami said.

"Even stronger than that I hope," Hajime said. "Come on Cain."

Cain nodded and leapt onto Hajime's eye. Hajime took one last glance and Kana before he ran out.