white pelt, brighter eyes

Sunlight traced its way through the bamboo and Kina focused her gaze on the stippled patches of light. As she watched she continued to focus on her breathing. In through the nose, out through the mouth. Whenever she felt herself drifting to the pain and the worry she drew her mind back to her breath as well as her father's words. She believed him, that she would get stronger. Thought when he stated that he'd been a sickly child she gasped in surprise. Her ruby eyes tore away from the dappled light to meet his. It was hard to imagine her father ever being sickly. He'd always been so strong in her eyes. It was hard to think of him struggling. He explained that many of his siblings had passed away young.

"I see… It is hard for me to picture you being sick. I am glad you recovered and I hope you do not fall sick again." She leaned her body toward his, hoping to take comfort in the closeness.