Mizu (家族)

The sun lazily sank toward the horizon, painting the world with a warm golden light. Unloading your dried clothes from the bamboo slats, you glanced at the field where the horses—your family heirloom—grazed. Lacking male heirs, your father had passed the family business into your hands as the eldest daughter. Or rather, he had passed the family business into the hands of Mizu. That was the way it was supposed to be

You didn't mind, though. Your wife thrived when she was with the horses, and the horses gravitated toward her in return. She had a gift for communicating with them, finding common ground, calming and guiding them. Once, she spent half the night with a purchased horse that had been frightened by a thunderstorm, scratching it and whispering soothing words. It seemed Mizu had finally found inner peace, felt at home. In a world where there'd never been a place for her, there was at least one corner where she didn't have to constantly keep her ear to the ground and her hand on her katana hilt

Having led the horses back to the stable one by one, she finally returned to you

"Kumo will foal soon"

She announced casually, picking up a basin of dry laundry. Normally, after such news, you'd be treated to another hour of chatter about your precious horses, but Mizu leaned over and briefly touched her forehead to yours, rubbing against you like a cat

"I can't believe you still put up with me"