I walked into the dojo, still wearing one of my maternity gowns. While I had had the baby, I still had a bit of a belly. Akisame had smiled when I tried to hide it from him and kissed me thoroughly then dropped to his knees and kissed my belly, telling me he thought I was beautiful no matter what.
"Your home!" the Elder boomed which scared little Kimiko who began to cry.
"Oh, Kimiko," I cooed.
"Opps," the elder said, sheepishly. "Sorry." He walked over and knelt down so he could get a good look at my daughter.
"Come now, little one," he said, gently. "I didn't mean to scare you. I'm sorry." Kimiko sniffled and looked up at the Elder. He held out his hands and I forked her over. Even though Kimiko was a hearty baby, Elder could still hold her in his hands. He settled her in the crook of his arm and wiggled one large finger in her face.
"How…are you?" Shugure asked me, dropping down from the ceiling.
"Sore and tired," I said.
"Why don't you…rest?" she asked, ushering me into the main room where my cushion waited with a hot cup of tea. I sighed in content and gingerly eased myself down to sit on the cushion. Akisame and Hayato followed, sitting around the table as well. I took a sip of my tea and allowed Shugure to fuss over me for a minute.
She then sat at my side, content to watch Hayato coo at Kimiko. I pulled Akisame to sit on the cushion and curled up in his lap. Everyone soon began to trickle into the room and Kimiko was passed around from the Elder, to Sakaki, to Apachai, to Kensei, Miu and finally Kenichi. When she came back to my arms, I offered her to Shugure who looked at the little girl uncertainly.
"I don't…know…" she said.
"Come on, Shugure," Kensei urged. The elder reached over and adjusted Shugure's arms, then I placed Kimiko in them. Shugure stared at Kimiko nervously. Kimiko looked up at her and reached a hand out, grabbing her Kimono. Shugure smiled and relaxed, reached over and ran a finger down her rounded cheek. Kimiko sighed and stuffed her fist in her mouth, gumming it.