Azuki swept a dusting of early snow off the gallery of her home with a twig broom. Winter was almost here. Down in the village, she could see the school where Shota even now resented studying Confucian precepts with the other boys. By the stream, she saw people working on the irrigation system and the foundations for the new bathhouse. She so looked forward to that, especially during the icy mountain winters. She smiled as she saw Blackie prance up to Red Wind, who kicked at him and squealed. Red Wind clearly liked Blackie. Azuki thought she'd choose him for her mate come the New Year.
A pot clanged. Hanako-san had stayed with them. Azuki wasn't sure why, after the encounter with the DaiTengu and the Dragon King, though she was happy for it. She lavished both Shota and Azuki with loving a
