Hanako should have known better. Only a fool would have nosed around a den full of squirmy, if not adorable little pups, but there she was pushing her luck. As always. She didn't intend to go inside or be a bother, no no no! She just wanted...to have a little peek and maybe a quick sniff if she had the chance. The act of puppy making was still very much a mystery to the Wraith but there was one thing she knew for certain, these puppies were dang cute and that she needed to say hello before everyone else did. Sure, it wasn't a race or anything like that but she was the most excited to meet them, therefore it was only fair, right? Not really, but Hanako was trying really hard to excuse her silly actions and she wouldn't let a thing like logic get in her way. Thank you very much.

Using all of the skills she's practised as a Wraith, Hanako crept along, inching closer and closer to the den as she moved along on light paws. She wouldn't stick around for long, a quick in and out mission and she'd be gone long before anyone noticed her. As for her scent well, ah ha she'd come along prepared and smothered her scent with a quick dip in the sea. Her coat smelled like ocean brine and seaweed, not uncommon scents given the location of the den. Oh yes her plan was flawless, she was a genius for sure!

The Warlord was snuggling the tiny beans that were already both trouble and a source of great love for him. He had always felt giant beside his pack mates, but nothing made him feel quite so large as when he snuggled little beans the size of his toes.

Every movement was done with exaggerated cautiousness, with the knowledge that one wrong move could squish a little tiny life that depended on him. That fear was very close to the surface every day. He loved these tiny creatures so badly, so badly that it hurt. He would fight nations for these tiny beings if he had to.

The shape of Hana, who was scurrying along at the entrance like a little ghost caught the attention of Marshal. The watchful bird let out a soft, amused squark, informing the Warlord within. Sirius raised his head cautiously, just a smidge, and pointed it towards the entrance. “Come in and meet them!” he called to whoever stood beyond. If they were a threat, Marshal wouldn’t have sounded welcoming.

"EEP!" Hanako shrieked. Like a startled mouse she jolted up in the air, her fur stranding on end as though she'd been struck by lightning.

For a long and scary moment she thought she was in trouble, that Sirius would stomp out of his den and give her a good ear chewing. Her mind raced as she came up with all sorts of excuses but she knew if The Warlord was truly mad at her none of them would fly. Her ears flicked back as she stood up a little straighter, her shoulders hunched as she looked as apologetic as she could manage. She knew Sirius had a soft spot for her, maybe he'd go easy on her if he thought she was really really sorry. All of her worries were smacked aside when he invited her in and it was as though Hanako was born again, all bouncy and smiley as she nodded over eagerly at his request. Of course he wasn't mad! Sirius knew she'd never even dream of hurting his little family and that her intentions were-mostly- pure.

Hopping on over Hanako entered the den with dainty footsteps. It was dark and her eyes took a moment to adjust to the change in lighting but once they had she let out an awwwww as she took in the sight of the pups, safely nestled against Sirius' fur. There were five of them, a perfect blend of Sirius and Zee with a bit of purple thrown in for good measure.

"It's me, I wanted to say hi." She didn't dare speak above a whisper, in case she bothered the sleepy potatoes of joy.

He had to laugh as Hana let out a squeak at being caught. He knew who it was now, the sound of her startled cry giving her away. Clearly, she hadn’t intended to be caught, so why on earth was she sneaking about? Shaking his head at her antics, and jotting it down to curiosity and meeting the little ones, he watched her enter.

She looked as bouncy and bright as ever, and the Warlord patted the ground across from and the pups. “Come on, come cuddle with them” he encouraged her. He was never going to tire of showing off these little bundles of mischief. He waited for her to do so, and then gently pushed a couple into her face. “This is Zee one, and Zee two.” he whispered, his eyes dancing above the tiny forms of two little jelly beans.

Hanako settled down, all neat and dainty, her front legs extended out just as Sirius nudged two puppies her way. She let out a soft gasp as she scooted forward to pull them into the warmth of her fur. She didn't know much, if anything, about puppies but she knew they had to be kept safe and seemed at their most happiest in the warm embrace of a caregiver. In all honesty she hadn't put that much thought into it, but now she was huddled up in their den she quiet liked the thought of spending even more time with them, to be a big sis of sorts...If Sirius and Zee were okay with that, of course. She peered down at the two little bundles pressed against her chest, one was greyish with tiny little smears of turquoise in her pelt whilst the other was a bit larger, darker too with a dusting of white.

She looked up, a frown gracing her pretty features at the mention of their names. Zee one and two? Her brows rose as she knew dang well that Zee wouldn't allow that but an amused smile soon forced it's way through as she let out a soft laugh, quiet as to not disturb the little ones. It was lovely to see Sirius so happy, for all his rough and toughness as a Warlord he truly seemed to be in his element as a father.

"Of course." She agreed with a wry smile. "I was wondering...you know diplomat stuff aside, I wouldn't mind helping look out for them, if you'd like. I know everyone will love them and-" She wasn't sure why she was stumbling through her words so much, maybe because she knew just how important these little beans were.

His Hanako stretched out in the den, enveloping the little beans as he pushed them towards her. Her little gasp of wonder only encouraged Seer’s grin. His eyes were light with laughter, and his tail wavered gently behind him with contentment. “It’s only right they know the scent of this pack, and its people. Their family. “ He said softly, gently nudging a few more pups into her.

As she stumbled awkwardly through her question, his grin softened and he placed a paw over hers, looking at the beans in her grasp, and the last two curled into his armpit. “I trust you, Hana.” he said, conveying much with those four words. With it, his encouragement for her to be in their lives, and to help with the difficult task of keeping them safe.

It was all so much, close to too much, as Sirius continued on being as sweet as she'd ever seen him. He'd always been so soft and kind to her, never once baring his teeth or speaking to her harshly, that she found herself idly wondering if this who he truly was. That the rough and tumble was just a facade to hide the soft squishy centre beneath. Honestly, he was the closest thing she'd never had to a father-aside from Shrike anyway- and it was a look that suited him wonderfully! She welcomed the additional puppies with a soft and adoring coo, wiggling closer so that they all had an equal opportunity to get warm and cosy against the floof of her chest. Two out of three of these newly offered pups looked more like Zee, though one had streaks of purple in her coat, reminding Hanako of Indigo. All in all, 10/10 cute puppies. Hanako would recommend snuggling.

She glanced away from the pups, her brows smushing when Sirius, with a surprising amount of sincerity insisted that he trusted her. She knew it meant a lot, she could feel the weight of his words baring down on her like an unstoppable force. She smiled and glanced away, suddenly feeling a little bashful. Did she truly deserve such a trust and responsibility? She wanted to say yes but what if something happened to the little beans on her watch? She'd never be able to livr with herself nor would Sirius allow her to, probably.

"I'll...do my best. Promise." At least for now that's all she could offer, a vow. But now the mood was a little too heavy for her liking. "Really though, do they have names yet?"

Hana seemed as overwhelmed with the little beans as he had the first time he had laid eyes upon them. It brought him memories of the times when Azure, Aslatiel, Indigo, and Mortis had all been this size. Tinsy tiny little nuggets, that he could cuddle any time he liked. No of course, pinning them down for a cuddle pile was almost impossible. He had come to realise how much he had taken it for granted. He had no intention of doing the same with this litter. He would cuddle them so much they were going to forget how to lie on a blanket without him.

He expected that Hana would be part of the furniture as well in this den. With the way she looked at the little puppies with such delight. “I know you will, and your always welcome in here.” and then, with a twinkle in his eye he began to say. “Zee three, Zee fo- No…. this is Kotori, Ari, Briar, Ophelia, and Gossamer Fatalis” Since, despite his amusement, she would need to know their actual names.

Hanako stared pointedly at he began to list off the various Zee named puppies. Surely his wife wouldn't allow that, if anything Hanako could easily see her knocking some sense into Sirius the moment he suggested such a thing. Sure enough he dropped the joke and went onto list their names, one after other and each enthused with unwavering love and affection. Sirius had always been real kind to Hanako but it was now clear to her that he was made to be a dad, to be that protective father figure for anyone who needed him. She glanced down at the litter once more, folding her front limbs a lighter tighter as the rested in the crook of her legs. They were good names, strong ones and easy to remember. Zee-not Sirius- had chosen well.

"That's more like it. They're pretty." It then dawned on her that there were four girls and one boy, polar opposite of their previous litter. The irony wasn't missed on her, Hanako smiled. "My gram once told me girls are much harder to raise them boys, guess you'll find out huh?" She said it in jest but the thought of watching Sirius skitter back and forth as he tried to keep his girls in line brought a big grin to her face. The Warlord had a way of making everything seem easy, effortless , watching him struggle would be new for the Wraith. And she wanted to sit back with a serving of fish and enjoy the show. Obviously.