"You see that, Koto?"
"I did, Daddy!"
He lifted her in his sweaty arms, and she nuzzled his face affectionately.
"Damn," her father's sparring buddy panted from his doubled-over position yards away, "it still gets me how someone so short can pack such a wallop."
"'Cuz my dad is the strongest man ever!" the little kit piped. "Daddy, when are you gonna fight again?"
He snorted. "This isn't enough for you, you little fiend?"
She shook her head emphatically. "I like it when you fight for real!"
"Your daughter's a bloodthirsty thing, isn't she?" The two adults laughed. "Maybe one day she'll end up kicking my ass, too."
"Anyone can kick your ass!" she cried.
"Oh yeah? Bring it on, little girl!"
She squirmed out of her father's arms, rushing over to his friend and kicking him as hard as she could in the shin.
"Aaaaagghhh!" he screeched in mock-pain, collapsing to the ground. "I'm dying!"
Her father's laughter and exclamation of approval only encouraged her, as it always would.
It was her older brother, Taro, that broke the news, and now he held their weeping mother. Her four little sisters and brother were wailing, too, and now it was only he and Koto that remained silent, the fog of disbelief and the need for normalcy smothering them both.
Somehow, they'd have to find a way to live without him.
"The human world?"
"Yeah," she affirmed. "You know, it's secluded. Perfect place for regulated face-beatings, I guess."
Taro frowned at her. "Don't get in trouble."
Koto laughed. "That's like telling me not to breathe."
"I know," he said, grimacing. "When will you come back?"
Her shoulders lifted.
"Ugh, you're just like Dad."
She laughed again, leaning over and nipping at his cheek. "Thanks, Ro-ro."
"I really hate that name."
"I know."