Chapter 34 - 34

With Jin gone, Saera did all she could to keep busy. She raised and began to train Emi, who was rapidly growing in size and strength. A small group of Tae workers arrived to help Saera with animal care, handpicked by Shisui. The sight of the dusty pink robes around made Saera smile. Word began to spread of her sanctuary, and slowly, Saera began to have more work - the kennels and stables began to have more animal occupants, varying in health. Through it all, Akira stayed true to his word and was there: in the background when she took Emi to the fields, in the training grounds with Jin's soldiers and friends, and sometimes sharing Saera's company, proving himself to be a better companion that she had initially expected. Time was required to break past Akira's hard exterior, and he doled out affection to only a very select few.