"Keep your gaze focused on where you are going, not at your feet." Xian watched as Zhou Zan ran his laps through the agility course. The boy was still far too timid in his movements, constantly looking down at his feet whenever he got too high off the ground.

  "I'm trying!" Zhou Zan called back, leaping from one pillar to the next. He was still of the size where each jump was a complete action, landing with both feet before moving to the next step. When he got bigger, not to mention more sure of his movements, he would learn to take those pillars as steps.

  Once he was sure Zhou Zan would not fall and harm himself, Xian allowed his gaze to travel over the other children making their way through the course. Ibiki was moving a bit faster than her ability to balance, but Xian refrained from calling out and correcting her. That would only serve to spook her and cause the very thing Xian wished to avoid.

  "When do I get to run on the course?" Maelin asked, her hand grabbing a fistful of Xian's sleeve.

  "When you can prove you can balance on the board," Xian replied, giving the neglected balance board a pointed look.

  Maelin pouted, "But it's hard..."

  Xian nodded, "Of course it is, that is why you must prove you can do it before I send you through the agility course. I am not in the habit of maiming children."

  With a heavy thud, Ibiki made her landing from the end of the course back to the ground. Xian looked to the teen, then to the deer scare that sat in the nearby stream. As the water filled the bamboo once again, sending it tipping over in a hollow knock, Xian consulted the internal count he had been keeping.

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  "A new time," Xian nodded to Ibiki, "Though perhaps next time, we shall work on a soundless landing."

  Ibiki's fists clenched, but as she nodded, "Yes sir..." She muttered.

  "Do you know why I would like you to land without a sound?"

  "Yes sir, because agility and stealth mean nothing if I cannot be silent."

  "Very good," Xian nodded. He watched Ibiki for a moment more before continuing, "How are you feeling?"

  Ibiki shook her head, "I'm not hurt; the landing sounded worse than it was."

  "While I am glad for that, that was not what I meant," Xian said gently, "How are you adjusting?"

  At that, Ibiki stiffened, "I'm grateful for everything you've done for me--"

  "You're allowed to say you're still uncomfortable, Ibiki." Xian wished this was the first time he had this conversation, but he, unfortunately, couldn't. "Even though it has been a few months, this is an entirely new way of life for you."

  Ibiki nodded, though she said nothing more. Xian hadn't expected her to, but she would when she was ready.

  "Go wash up for supper," He said. No need to press the issue now, "I believe Verain was on kitchen duty tonight."

  Xian didn't smirk at the wrinkled grimace on Ibiki's face, he would never.

  "Why he is allowed in the kitchen, I don't understand," She muttered, making her way from the agility course, "the spice cupboard is right there..."

  "Ibiki."

  At Xian's call, Ibiki slowly turned once more to face him. He could see the stiffness of her posture, the twinge of regret in her expression. How many times had he worn that same expression growing up?

  Far too many times.

  "There is a jar of spicy kimchi in the root cellar. Red jar," Xian nodded, "If I recall correctly, it should be ready to eat today."

  If there was a bit more spring in Ibiki's step as she retreated inside, Xian was not about to comment on it. No need to tease, after all. But as Ibiki walked inside, Xian’s gaze was inevitably drawn to the greenery that had grown on that side of the house, and the flowers that framed the doorway.

  The roses were quite enthusiastic with their growth this year. Such a lovely red, too...