Meeting the Wife

[Tsedas]

The sunlight poured through the glass, curtains open to show a splendid view of the white sands and sparkling blue waters. The sun had risen a decent amount by now and a figure was beginning to toss and turn under the covers before a door opened and a voice spoke, muffled by a dividing screen. Sliding the screen to one side, the ever youthful Takamori Saigo stepped into the room, a bag in hand with the smell of food wafting from it. Walking over, he sat on the edge of the bed next to the sleeping figure and placed a hand upon them.

"I know you're awake by now and trying to fall back asleep." He whispered before leaning down. Brushing raven locks aside, Saigo kissed his wife Isane on the cheek and earned a huff of amusement from the seemingly sleeping woman. "It was hard to fall back asleep when I found you gone. Early morning stroll?"

"Of a sorts, I wanted to fetch you something for breakfast. Originally I got you that matcha shaved ice we missed out on yesterday but..." Saigo's eyes flitted to the other person who'd entered with him. "I got side tracked by a familiar face. So I opted for a real breakfast with them and then brought something back for you. I hope you're fine with company, because I have someone I'd like you to meet... and I have some news for you."

Saigo sat upright and after a moment, Isane rose from the bed as well. Her appearance was closer to their age as she looked like a middle aged woman should, her features aging gracefully yet holding more maturity to them. Aged like fine wine would be one way to put it. While her hair was a bit disheveled, the woman smiled up at Saigo before shaking her head at him doing something like bringing a person back to the hotel room for her to meet instead of opting for a later time when all parties would be decent and awake, most importantly dressed.... well at least look dressed. Turning, her gaze fell upon the guest and eyes widened. "Wow, they're tall."

"Oh that's only part of it dear. Care to introduce yourself?" Saigo asked, his green eyes turning to his guest.

[Das Kirb]

Katsu entered the room and looked around. Her shoulders rolled at the discomfort of the enclosed space. The smell was also strange, sterile and almost too clean. There was the scent of fake lavender everywhere. It was faint, but her sensitive nose squelched just a bit. However, it did smell lived in. The scent of Saigo and Isane had at least given it a "lived in" vibe. Latching onto that removed the discomfort of the nearly totally sanitized room the woman had once been strapped down in. It allowed her to find a spot nearby to stand.

Seeing her move was watching peace itself. Saigo's tenderness at her sireen grace pinged a longing for her own girly, wherever Arsa was. The kindness in her eyes, the tenderness in his voice. . . No, it wasn't akin to her and Arsa. At least not as it had been. The titanic woman had retained her brash and hateful ways. Always was she watching and waiting. Looking for a problem to come up. More than once Arsa had to cut through tension with her bubbly joy. . . It wasn't fair. Here sat a man who had a reputation perhaps not as bloody as hers but just as revered. A man who could cut down so many, and has. The gentle joy in his movements, her leaning into it. . . "Oh shit I am the fuck up. . ."

At Saigo's prompting the unbound took a step forward, extending her hand like Hide had. A custom that had rubbed off on her. "Heh, I get that a lot. I'm Artemisu, Katsu. I'm a hunter and warrior, kinda like him. He found me thinking through some things and kinda kidnapped me. Truth told. . . kinda glad he did, even if he wouldn't shut up about how lucky he is to have you." Katsu cast a side eye at Saigo with a non-comital grin. "Figured I'd tag along with him to see what all the fuss was about. Can't say he lied."

[Tsedas]

Isane thought for a moment as the name sounded familiar but the extended hand derailed those thoughts before reaching out and placing hers gently into theirs. "Oh he was talking about me? Oh dear, I hope it wasn't anything embarrassing. Do forgive his tendencies to gush and brag about his family." Isane chuckled before glancing sideways at her husband. "And dear, what have I told you about kidnapping people?"

"Whhhatttt?! I did nothing wrong!" Saigo exclaimed, tossing his hat onto the nightstand lazily. "Keep this up missy and I'll eat your breakfast." He pouted before Isane snorted, reaching up to ruffle his hair. "Oh poor baby, is someone being mean to you?" "Yes, and I'm apparently married to them." They made eye contact before smiling. The Doctor leaned over and planted a kiss on his wife's cheek before standing. "I'm going to go get this food laid out on a tray, breakfast in bed for a change!"

With that Saigo took the bag to the adjoining room and starting gathering up things from a cupboard, the screen door still wide open as he set about his work. Isane shook her head before bowing slightly to Katsu. "Apologies Artemisu-san, I'm sorry my husband can be a bit of an odd duck. I'm Takamori Isane, his wife. It's a pleasure to meet you. I may not have been much of a missing ninja myself but I have seen the bingo book entries on you long ago. I'm afraid I don't remember much about what I read but you were a real powerful person if I recall. I never would have thought you'd come to a beach gathering like this. Having some fun in the sun?"

[Das Kirb]

The sacerine sweet display almost made the bestial woman shake her head if it didn't make her chuckle and grin first. However, the introspection kept up. Saigo serviced the woman's needs before they were even voiced. Isane may want for one or two things here or there, but the two were a unit. They complimented each other emotionally and practically. They seemed actually, happy. Once more the sense of longing returned as she made a promise to herself. A promise to not just hang around and defend, but work on some problems. If he could do it Katsu would be damned if she'd be upstaged by a village git.

"Ye best be learnin, lass." The words spoken in her adoptive dad's deep baritone and beneath her breath. As it happened again she shook it off. She missed them so damned much. However, Katsu gripped the hand and gave it a firm shake before taking a step back to stand once more. "I was. The Beastia, the Unbound Titan, so many names. But wasn't strong enough not to get killed." Katsu said the last bit with a slight levity to it to downplay how grim the subject was. "Made meself a mistake and wound up getting double teamed. One shoved it up the ass and the other down my throat. Wish I could say I'm entirely joking. . . Though, to be fair there were two of me at the time. Came here to escape and regroup, recoup, and think. Truth told I had no idea there was an event going on. Didn't expect to see anyone who'd recognize me." She shifted uncomfortably. "Oh, and Saigo. Since we're hidden away from everyone else, mind if I drop the trick and unwind a bit? My tail is getting stiff, and considering we're all soldiers here figure no one will care." Katsu shifted her gaze from him to Isane. "Should be asking you too, actually."

[Tsedas]

Isane heard what the woman had to say and brought a hand up to her chin. Fingers curled around it in thought as she took this in. She mulled over their words and while colorful the whole 'dead' thing had he more confused before Katsu asked if they could 'drop the trick' to Saigo before including Isane in that question. Saigo poured something into a cup before making a noise like he'd forgotten about it. "Ah, dearest I should explain something. Katsu isn't much for clothing so you can imagine how I found them. But I think it might also explain why I was so quick to 'kidnap' you if you revert to how you looked overall."

Walking over, Saigo set the tray before Isane and gave her a look. The way his brow shifted and the change in his eyes made her own expression change. Closing her eyes she turned to Katsu and nodded. "Please make yourself comfortable. Saigo, could you draw the blinds? Wouldn't want people to have the ever waking world see something they shouldn't." With a nod, Saigo turned and started to draw the blinds and close the curtains. The room dimmed in light before Saigo got a lantern going and added a warm glow to the room. "Feel free to relax, Katsu."

"Yes, please... And Saigo, what was this about some news for me?" Isane asked as Saigo gave a clearly unsettled chuckle.

[Das Kirb]

Katsu let out a sigh and dismissed the illusion, allowing herself to flex finally be free of that minor, but noticeable in her state, drain. She groaned as the weapon of a tail unfurled from her waist and began to sway in the free space before resting over the shoulder, the dagger still coming down to her belly. "Thanks." the now comfortable woman said as she pulled up a chair, resting upon it and leaning forward, arms on her knees.

Katsu looked over at Saigo as he closed the blinds. The tone of Isane's voice told a tale unto itself though. More than once she had heard such a laugh. It was the laugh of someone who's world was being threatened. Considering what the good doctor had alluded too it was all too reasonable to assume so. "Perhaps I should mention the first part of the news. It is why he kidnapped me after all. But, better to show and then tell." With that her skin began to ripple and hair fell out. Muscle tone rippled and deflated as eyes became sunken and soaked in blood once more. Her lips cracked and pulled taught against the jaw, leaving jagged predatory teeth exposed without effort. Skin hung loose once more and the corpse had taken the place of the once proud creature.

"Like I said, I died. It wasn't a joke. I'm barely alive now and frankly. . . it hurts. It's. . . intoxicating smelling the fresh meat in this room and the energy in y'all. It's not easy to keep it down." Katsu hung her head in shame. "I think the thing that's got me sitting in this fucking chair is hungry. Remade me, like I rebuild myself. But it's. . . fighting like hell to build more. The good doctor." Katsu waved an emaciated hand towards Saigo. "Offered me a chance to make it go away. I accepted but truth told it don't feel right to take from him or you without repayment. I can't pay Ryo, after all skin don't have too many pockets. But I can offer a skill I have. It won't repay the debt owed, even iffen he aint charging. But makes me feel better, and I'll pay till that score is settled by my books. That help concerns the next part of the news, so when ye can speak again I'll let him tell that part, even I could smell it down the hall."

[Tsedas]

As the illusion faded, Isane stared for a moment before Katsu took a seat. Saigo stood on the opposite side of the room, leaned against a dresser where the lantern he lit was sitting. He was trying to find the right place to begin but the seated woman took it upon herself to speak first. Revealing her withered state, the Doctor's face was clearly shifting from jovial to contemplative as Isane raised a hand to her mouth. "Oh no, you look horrible. But I'm glad Saigo has at least offered to help, hopefully he can tend to whatever is hurting you." Isane said, her eyes shifting to her husband, both of them having seen their share of body horror in the emergency aid camps they ran during the twilight years of his Missing ninja days. However her words drew Isane's gaze, a puzzled quirk of her eyebrow making her flit her eyes back and forth before settling on Saigo. "Smell it down the hall.... Saigo, what is she talking about and what did she offer in return for your help?"

Saigo looked back to his wife and seemed to waffle and make some noises before going "Ah!" and gesturing to Katsu. "Katsu here has graciously offered to be the Godmother to our child!" He said, beaming brightly before Isane chuckled and shook her head. "A little late to pick a Godmother for Jubei, isn't it?" Saigo gave another unsettled laugh as he scratched the back of his head. "Not him, our other child!" He chuckled nervously as Isane sat there in silence, her expression seemingly masked in shadow.

"Saigo.... You-" Her hand grabbed a pillow and hurled it at his face, the impact having no impact other than a comical one as the soft object curled around the sides of his head and rested there. "Dummy! Seriously?! Am I pregnant again and this is how you're telling me! Your bedside manner with your own wife is lacking 'Doctor'!" She shouted in a flustered tone, her cheeks clearly flushed as she huffed and grabbed up her chopsticks, stuffing a piece of rolled omelet into her mouth. "If you spoil the surprise of the sex of the kid this time, I will ensure you need a doctor, you hear me?"

"Yes dear...." Saigo's muffled voice came from behind the pillow as he gave another chuckle. His pillow covered head turned toward Katsu as he continued to scratch at the back of his head. "I think that went well, don't you?"

[Das Kirb]

Katsu let out a husky chuckle before shaking her head at the display. "Poor girl has a corpse sitting in front of her and just now learns she's preggers. All before she's even had her morning meal and stretch. I'd say if all you got was an insult and a pillow to the face you're lucky. Fairly sure my momma woulda run the bear through in the same situation. Probably made a joke about roll reversal as he pulled the spear out too."

Since the air had gotten much more levity to it Katsu leaned back in her chair and stretched a leg out. "Anyway, iffen you don't trust a bitch like me around your kid I get it. My offer was to make the birth painless and quick. It'll be gross but easy. Since I HOPE it won't take too long to fix. . . this." she waved her tail in indication of her whole body. "I offered to help teach the kid. Y'all may be no slouches and can handle yerselves but there is merit in learning beyond the confines of a village and country. And my people, once I find them again, can teach far far more too. Hide is known as the Mercenary King. Varu may be annoying but does have a level head on his shoulders. Arsa can show the kid worlds far beyond ours. Once I'm back, y'all will have a second home. That's my promise if the pain goes away."

[Tsedas]

Isane gave a polite chuckle, not fully understanding the latter half of what Katsu was saying but understanding how lucky her husband was just getting away with a pillow to the face. "He's going to make it up to me later, he always does." She stated before tucking into the food she was given by Saigo. The Doctor stood there for a moment, pillow still wrapped around his face before finally lowering his arm and taking the pillow off. Walking over, he eased Isane forward a bit as she ate and slipped the pillow behind her back to give her something to lean back against. Isane and Saigo both gazed at Katsu as she spoke before the man looked down, his wife in thought as she chewed.

"What is it I've always told both you and Jubei?" Isane asked, swallowing before giving Saigo a sideways glance. Grabbing her drink, she took a sip while giving him a moment to scoff and shake his head. "Variety is the spice of life. Honestly, I'm sure the kid will grow up and learn what they wants from us, but learning from Katsu presents a world of different view points, approaches to combat, philosophy It might do them some good. Besides, it would definitely be better for them to learn some real survival skills. What Konoha taught Jubei felt watered down compared to Iwa. And while I'm good at making do or improvising with medical stuff in the field, what I teach would pale in comparison."

"And I've long since hung up my shinobi tools. I still remember everything I was taught but I've devoted myself to working behind the scenes to support my family and friends..." Turning, Isane looked to Katsu. "And knowing that if anything was to happen to us, there's someone out there that can look out for her might be reassuring. Jubei is a capable boy but he's still a boy. I feel becoming a guardian to his sibling might be too much for a loner like him. Katsu," Isane shifted the tray away and shifted herself atop the sheets. Tucking her legs underneath of her, the woman placed both of her hands before her knees and bowed her head. Saigo looked surprised by the formal nature of Isane's pose. "I'd be more than happy to have your help and would greatly appreciate the idea of you becoming the Godmother to our child."

"Isane, I don't think super formal is really needed for this, right?" A hand yanked out from under Isane and grabbed Saigo by the back of his head, pulling him into a bow as she smooshed his face into the blankets of the bed. "I mean, yes! Please consider it.... honey, you're gonna suffocate me."

[Das Kirb]

The gesture made the primal woman uncomfortable. For a moment all she could do was shuffle uncomfortably in her seat. Formality was a tradition of families and society. For the longest time now her and hers had resided with a different set of customs. One of hardship and candid emotion. Closest they got were Arsa's rituals and Varu's various quarks. But, the nature of this situation demanded some level of custom. After all, Katsu had just expanded her family. Even if it was an exchange, one had many more years of commitment.

"I. . . dammit, get the fuck up already." Katsu barked with feigned irritation. "Fun as it is for the ego I don't deserve it. But you do have my word, and I don't break that. Just make the pain stop, the hunger to ease up for a minute." She took a deep breath before continuing. "Do that and I'll make sure the kid learns. How to do without tools and jutsu. How to hang onto life and fight like a beast cornered. How to do the one thing most fear. Stare down the shinigami and make that mother fucker flinch. Cause there's a rule even the gods must follow. It's never been survival of the fittest, but survival of the most adaptable."

[Tsedas]

Isane rose from her position, releasing the hold on the back of Saigo's head as he merely shifted his position to rest his chin on the covers. The words Katsu spoke made Isane's brow furrow with concern for the woman while Saigo just had this expression of a cat who ate the canary on his face. Mostly it was the part about never having to fear the Shinigami as he mentally made a comment, 'I don't think my daughter will ever have to fear me.' He almost snickered but he kept it quiet as he didn't wanna have to repeat it and risk slipping up a neutral expression and giving away the sex to his wife. He already damn well knew what they were having!

Rising up, Saigo walked around the bed and pulled the covers back on his side, earning a confused look from his wife. "I'm gonna need to lie down after this one, don't fret my love." He smiled before turning back to Katsu and interweaving his fingers. Shifting them, his fingers gave audible cracks and pops as he started to prepare himself. "Then without further ado, shall we begin treatment?" Saigo asked before sitting down on the uncovered portion of the bed. "Bring the chair over here and sit before me, I'd stay standing and keep you sitting normally but I don't wanna inconvenience you two by making you drag my dead weight onto the bed. Easier to flop on my side when I'm tuckered out."

A hand against his back made him look over his shoulder, Isane had that look on her face. He shook his head, he wasn't doing something stupid... at least not in his mind he wasn't. Instead he gave a small warm smile, one that spoke volumes to the confidence he had in what was to transpire. A huff and a shake of her head made the woman just give him a pat on the back, trusting her husband to do what was right, one way or the other.