Mochi wasn't sure how to process her mother's absence. Keeping mostly to herself as it was, it wasn't a huge change for her siblings to struggle to track her down. Now she found herself driven into the open, small critters and insects seeking warmth from their frozen surrounds among the pelts that lined her den.

The girl scowled as she dragged the bedding out to throw over the makeshift frame. Usually it would be used for tanning hides, but now she used it to air the furs, while she beat at them with a length of bamboo to chase the little invaders off. Her owl and fox were having a field day with the easy pickings, while the yearling paused to try and scratch some of the bugs from her own fur. Perhaps she would need to seek a remedy from Fuji, if the bracing cold wasn't going to be enough to freeze them off.

"speech"

Mochi looked like her Mother the most. Hattori did not like that fact, even if reasonably speaking he knew he couldn't blame the girl for that. He moved with impatient strides, not in a particularly sour mood but not in high spirits. He just was, eternally and forever, always frowning. The bugs were indeed a problem, but Hattori had something else in mind. His children were no longer pups, as far as he was concerned he would test their fighting skills one by one if need be.

It was Mochi's turn.

"Spar with me." He said in place of a greeting.