Pestering the dolphins along the bay had not been a brilliant idea. Not that it was particularly his fault. They kept entangling themselves in his net and that was the last thing he needed. So, he had tried to shoo them away carefully. Unfortunately, they had had a different idea. Those mongrel creatures had bit him right on the paw! Sharp razor teeth shredded the tender skin enough that he couldn't fully stand on the front right one. Kuroo had been able to wrap it enough to stop the bleeding, but the pain still ebbed up his leg and into his shoulder. He needed to get it taken care of right away or the fish catch would go to waste.

Hobbling himself back toward the maze, he first thought to seek out Gin. She was nice enough and would be willing to help. As he walked, an idea came to mind. Sedna. That was her name, right? The dire man who they were building the hut for had mentioned his partner was a healer. Maybe she'd help and he could introduce himself to her and the pups. Making his way toward the makeshift area that she was staying in along the outskirts while he and Usagi worked to finish their official home, he called out in a quiet chuff to get her attention.

"Sedna? Uh, I need help," Kuroo's voice is a quiet baritone as he waits outside of the small hut. Quickly taking a seat and alleviating the pressure off of his wound, he couldn't help but frown. Boy, those dolphins had really gotten him good.

"Speech"

Already the small hut was getting cramped, with six rapidly growing bodies… or well, five. Sedna was still worried about little Fuji, but despite her demure height, she seemed to be holding her own and there wasn’t much else the Archer could do to speed up her growth to give her a chance of catching up. She was already extricating herself from the snuggly cuddle pile now the children were fed and napping again. In the next few days their eyes would begin to crack open and their tiny ears would unfold. She hoped that Raijin wouldn’t be too much longer in getting back.

She had been told a larger home was being built for them further in the Bamboo, and she felt terrible that the task had fallen to others. Honestly, she would be happy to do it herself, but with a shortage of babysitters and stores of medicinal herbs to build up before winter set in and even basics like slipping out to pee or grab a drink being a struggle at the moment, well, she honestly didn’t even have time to check on it’s progress.

At the mention of her name, she looked to the door questioningly. Otis grumbled possessively and placed himself between her and the pups. She rolled her eyes, “Come on in,” she called, catching the faintest tang of blood in the air, she started rifling through what she had on hand, growling a warning to her companion as Otis hissed at the door.

“Speech”

we wear red so they don’t see us bleed

At first, he heard some shuffling around that made his head tilt. Maybe she was too busy with the pups and that he would understand. About to turn around to go seek out Gin, he heard a low hissing noise before the woman told him to come in. Kuroo's ears perked up with a faint smile as he stood and approached the doorway. In the dim light, he noticed the bundle of pups hidden behind a rather sour appearing opossum. He couldn't help but laugh with a shake of his head. Not wanting to drip any blood near the pups or encroach on their space, the piebald boy stayed near the door.

"A bit possessive is he?" Kuroo said half-heartedly as he turned his gaze to the fiery appearing woman. It was no wonder the man had fallen for her. Just her appearance alone was beautiful. Taking a seat near the entrance, he lifted his paw in her direction. "I had a rather interesting interaction with some dolphins out by the bay," there was some embarrassment in his tone as his ears folded back. How could he have let those sharp-toothed mongrels get the best of him? Sighing under his breath, he still kept a warm smile on his face. "I'm Kuroo by the way. I'm helping build the new home for you and the pups," Kuroo's voice is cheerful as he hopes she will be pleased with his and his brother's handiwork.

"Speech"

“Ah, ‘e jus’ like’s ter make a racket,” she replied with a smirk. Otis’s heart was in the right place, even if they did spend most of their time grumbling at each other. She couldn’t imagine a better partner for her. “That, an’ I think ‘e thinks Fuji’s ‘alf possum, she’s so tiny and her front paws’re more like ‘is than ours.” The brothers had been so busy building a new house for her and the kids at Raijin’s request that they hadn’t really yet had a chance to meet the ones the structure was benefiting, and as if they could sense a new presence in their little hut, the puppies had begun to shuffle their way closer with small high pitched grunts and snuffles.

Otis appeased now realising the new addition was not a threat, he joined Sedna as she moved to the small stash of herbs she still had on hand, counting down the days until she could get back out and replenish her stores before winter set in, although the climate here was quite different to the Armada so maybe it wouldn’t be suck a concern.Dolphins? Well she supposed it was better than sharks. She clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth, “I always wondered what they’d taste like, looks like they think th’ same about us eh?” She had a look at the limb in question. “One blessin’ o’ salt water fishin’, ‘s probably th’ best remedy fer this one, but we’ll help it along with some o’ this.” Otis handed her a small jar they had acquired from the witches hut in the swamp, a mix of aloe, flax, and ribwort, just to keep infection out. “This might sting a bit, but at least yer won’t have ter worry about yer leg droppin’ off.” Just in time to distract the patched wolf, Fuji began to scale his back.

“Speech”

we wear red so they don’t see us bleed

Watching intently as Sedna moved about the small hut, Kuroo smiled. He enjoyed her welcoming aura and pleasantries. Even though the way she spoke was a bit difficult to understand sometimes, he did his best to nod politely. If anything his mother had taught him, it was to be nice to everyone he encountered. While Sedna was turned away to grab the herb mixtures, he noticed the bundle of pups scrambling their way toward him with grunts. A light chuckle left his lips as he tried to keep his distance, but stayed in the doorway as a sort of barrier so they wouldn't escape. Each one was different in size and a myriad of colors, but a couple stuck out to him. The one similar to Sedna, Roo knew would be pretty when she grew. Then there was one that oddly appeared just like he did but the fur was a deeper brown. Tilting his head out of curiosity at the similarity, he would have no time to question before Sedna was applying the poignant mixture to his paw.

Wincing for a moment before he felt the relief on his wound, he turned to look at Sedna. "Domo arigato Senda," he spoke softly in his mid-baritone like that of Raijin's. Uncanny, right? Before he could say another word, the grip of claws climbing his back made his eyes widen. "Oi! Little one, you must be Fuji," Roo said, humor in his voice as he turned his head over his shoulder to peer at the tiny little girl who was climbing his back. "Are you sure she's not part opossum?" The boy joked to Sedna as he looked back over at her mother.

"Speech"