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I walked toward the hall, feeling my mother’s eyes onmy head “Never mind I knew that was stupid when I said it”
She laughed, both of us knoe still hadn’t seen one person who could take my father
“You’re coht?” I asked her
I saw her chest fall in a heavy sigh and her hooded eyes shoot , thank you”
“What do you mean? It’ll be calm”
Her eyebrow arched up, and I bit back h
Okay, okay
“Maybe,” she said, returning to her work
I shookcalht
I headed down the hallway, exited the sliding door, and stepped into the rock garden The miniature trees, bushes, and ponds covered with snow created a peaceful oasis in the open air at the center of the house Banks and I had created so like it at our ho she preferred the wild overgrowth and garden maze of our house here I favored the reith
Clouds hung low, proht, and I could sht was in our blood, but Fire Night was starting to become my favorite I loved this time of year
Co to the door, I slid open the panel and spotted the in the center of the dojo as I quietly slipped inside and closed the fusuma behind me
Festivities in town had already begun, and ere going to be late, but my heart swelled, and I couldn’t interrupt just yet I loved watching Banks andher spend time with my parents
“You’re looking ather kick
She charged hi in her eyes, and sweat covering my dad’s chest and neck
He blocked a punch, advancing on her “Stop looking at me,” he barked
She retreated when she should’ve circled hiain time
“When you watch ”
She growled, throwing a punch and then a high kick, the latter he caught and threw off without so much as a scowl of those severe black eyebrows of his Mads looked more and more like him every day
I foldedin the shadow of the bea as I watchedhard and already worn out
We trained at Sensou several tireat shape Or should’ve been
My father approached her, dressed in loose black pants withthe salt and pepper hair to his forehead
He pulled her back up and stared down at her “Close your eyes”
Her back was to ain
“Close your eyes,” he urged
She stood there, and after aeven out
“In,” he said, inhaling with her “Out”
A smile pulled at round outside the s