For the most part the Kaicho had left Sedna to her own devices, knew that smothering here when she needed privacy wouldn't help at all. He kept his distance, kept himself busy with the knowledge if something had gone wrong he would have likely heard about it by now. The strands of this side of Hattori's family tree were wispy and distant, but despite it all these children were family all the same. He had no interest in seeing them harmed, the same applied to Sedna too he supposed.

Crossing over into the Bay area, it wasn't hard to locate her den. Her scent permeated the air, as did the smell of several wriggling bodies, all smushed together and held close. Hattori was polite and knew when to keep his distance. Standing a reasonable distance from the mouth of her den,  a rickety bamboo hut that would do for not but not long term, Hattori cleared his throat.

"Is there anything you need?" He said, in place of greeting.

Sedna loved her children. She loved them with every protective stubborn fibre of her being. But god help her if she didn’t manage to crawl out from under them for 5 minutes for some normal adult conversation she might just start ripping all her fur out.

Some of them, it seemed, had inherited her crystal spikes and they were starting to come through. Others were sprouting needle like fangs. They were forever hungry, and at least one of them wouldn’t settle when the others would. It was like a coordinated campaign to make sure she never got a solid sleep again. And now, before their eyes had even cracked open or their tiny ears had unfolded already they were starting to squirm about the tiny shack, grunting and whining. Her greatest fear was that she might accidentally step on one, especially Fuji who seemed to be failing to thrive like her siblings no matter how many extra opportunities she was given to feed.

Her plan was straight forward enough, she just wanted to put a length of bamboo in the way. Low enough not be an obstruction, but high enough the babies couldn’t quite clamber over it yet. It wouldn’t stop them for long, but maybe she could sneak out to pee without panicking about crushing one under paw on her return… but she really needed another set of eyes to keep the kids in order so she didn’t squish anyone getting it set up either.

As though sensing her predicament, Hattori called from just outside the door and she smiled. “Yeah, get in ‘ere.” She responded in kind, “Just try ter keep ‘em towards th’ back, I don’t wan’ Raijin comin’ home ter squished kids.” She ducked out the door and took a split second to relish the sunshine and the clean air, before grabbing a few short but sturdy lengths of bamboo to bring back into the den. If she used 2 or 3, she should be able to keep them towards the back of the space. At least for a few more days.

we wear red so they don’t see us bleed

Hattori wasn't sure what to expect, but he hadn't anticipated that Sedna would beckon him in to look after the children for a moment. He hesitated, a pause in his breath as he blinked slowly. He hadn't spent much time at all with his own children when they were this small, it was not a matter he was experienced in nor was he ever the nurturing type. But if it was only for a moment, he supposed it would not kill him.

Stepping over the threshold, Hattori eyed the squirming pile of puppies. He could see why Sedna needed someone spare to watch over them all, even at this young age they were squirmy, intent on wriggling forward despite their mother's wishes. Maybe just to spite what she wanted. Nudging them back with a press of his snout, Hattori started with a spuddy looking brown and orange pup, then moved onto one dappled with soft pinks and whites. He counted six, a larger than average litter it seemed.

"How are you?" Hattori then asked, raising his voice a little so Sedna would take note of his question from outside.