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

His heart would pound in his chest as he saw him - the familiar shape of his horned father, a familiar figure emerging from the maze of the bamboo. The sight of the Hattori, as imposing and stoic as ever, sent a wave of emotion crashing over him. It had been so long and the journey had taken its toll on him both physically and emotionally, but seeing his father again filled him with a warmth that aided to push away the weariness.

His father's voice, calm and composed as always, greeted him. Keito swallowed hard, his throat tight with a mixture of relief and nervousness. Would he be mad he had been gone so long? He opened his mouth to speak, but right the words seemed to become trapped in his throat, tangled with the emotions he struggled to contain. Before he could gather his thoughts, he saw movement in the distance - Jiro! His brother! Barreling toward him with a smile that, though strained, was unmistakably genuine and overwhelmed him with his own happiness.

Keito barely had time to brace himself before Jiro wrapped him in a tight hug. The contact was comforting, grounding him in the reality that he was finally home and everything would be okay. Keito leaned into his brother's embrace, allowing himself a moment of vulnerability as he closed his eyes, savoring the warmth of his brother's presence against his own cold body. When Jiro finally stepped back, Keito met his gaze, a small, shy smile tuggling at the corners of his mouth.

"I'm... I'm home," Keito managed to say, his voice soft and slightly shaky. He looked from Jiro to their father, his eyes misting with his emotions as he continued. "I-- I didn't find her... but I needed to come back. I missed you both... so much."

The words hung in the air, heavy with his sorrow and longing that had driven him to leave in the first place. Keito lowered his head slightly, his tail giving a few tentative wags as he waited for their father's response, hoping that despite everything and how long it had been, he would be welcomed back.

"Speech"