There might be some sense to your knocking if we had a door between us

Jiro is pruning dying plants from the garden when the solitary call rings out. At first, he doesn't move to heed the call. His ears twist, eyes glancing upward for a moment, paws paused as dirt falls from his toes. Familiar... Why was that howl familiar? His brow scrunches, paws continuing to move through the dirt with little help from his feline companion.

It is the shadow of his father that further catches his attention. The Kaicho was moving to answer the call at the border? Not Akito or another who could intercept a loner? But... Jiro racks his brain once more, memories from seasons ago bubbling up until the sound becomes clear. Keito. If Keito had returned, did that mean he had found mother? Or was he bringing bad news? Either way, Jiro knew he must find out.

Abandoning his task, the thickly-built Hattori son stands with a shake of his coat before taking off through the bamboo. Though he's never been one to be known for being fast, his paws do hurry in that moment. Never slowing until the sight of his brother appears standing before their father. A smile breaks out that doesn't quite reach his eyes as he rushes past Hanzo and wraps Keito in a wordless hug. After a few seconds, he steps back, his tail hanging low and wagging gently as he stands between Keito and their father. Head tilted, eyes bright with curiosity.