Another great work from this time showing a snipet from the latest resil chapter.

...“Kisho,” Chihiro breathed. The toddler pulled at her tunic again and a chubby hand beckoned her down to his level. Chihiro crouched down and could not help stroking the child’s midnight black hair. It had got longer and it was now standing up all over his head in a series of soft spikes. It was like the finest silk under her hands. “What are you doing here?” asked Chihiro, concern leaking into her voice.

“You must be careful in this place,” said the child in a hushed tone. “It’s not the place your sister remembers and she is still legally his... You will come to no harm, but her...” The child shook his head. “My brother wants you to come to him without support; he will strike at those close to you and remove them.” Chihiro’s heart chilled for a moment. She looked to her fellow travellers and back to the child. “My mother had no advice for you so did not come; this meeting, she says, is fated.”

Chihiro sighed. In other words as it was not Chihiro herself that was in direct danger the goddess could not intervene.

“Thank you for the warning, Kisho,” murmured Chihiro. “But your mother is right, we have to go there.” The little boy frowned, shuffled forward and placed his hands on Chihiro’s belly.

“You must be careful,” he said seriously, “both you and my mate.” Chihiro nearly threw up all over the child.

“Mate?” she queried weakly, hoping the child did not mean what she thought he meant.

“Your daughter,” said the child as if it was obvious, blinking his violet eyes. “When she grows up she will be my mate.” Chihiro continued to stare incredulously at the child.

“Did your mother tell you this?” she whispered.

“No,” the child replied with a winning smile, displaying two teeth in his gums. “I decided. I like the way she feels when I talk to her.” He rubbed his hands gently up and down Chihiro’s stomach. “She’s warm and strong, I like her,” he announced. Chihiro closed her eyes for a moment and concentrated on not yelling at the child. He was still a baby, even if he could talk; he probably did not understand what he was saying. Her daughter was not even born and she already had admirers. She could guess what Haku would say about all this.

“That will be my daughter’s decision, Kisho,” said Chihiro as gently as she could. “And she won’t be ready for anything like that for years. When you are grown up, you will feel differently.” She patted his head again.

“No, I won’t,” argued the child. “Your daughter will be a half breed; no one will want to bond with her, but I like her as she is. There is no one better for her than me.” Chihiro raised an eyebrow. There it was, even in one so young. That spirit arrogance that assumed they were better than those of human breeding. Chihiro stood, getting away from the child’s grasping hands. Who knew what he was saying to her poor little girl? She would be jaded and cynical before she was even born. Chihiro rested a hand on her stomach.

“My daughter will choose who is right for her when she is ready, child, not before,” snapped Chihiro, emphasising the word ‘child’ as she spoke. “That may be you but it may be a human or even no one.” Chihiro’s fingers tightened on her stomach. “For her sake, I hope she chooses better than to join your dysfunctional family, small one,” she half growled. With that she turned and left the child standing in the road. When she heard the sob behind her Chihiro’s heart melted.

“Auntie is mean!” the child bawled. Chihiro turned back to him, ready to comfort the child. For half a second she saw the gorgeous blue skinned figure of the goddess flash into being beside him, her midnight black hair trailing over the rough stony ground. She was holding her child and stroking his hair, soothing him. She realised Chihiro had seen them. She beamed at Chihiro, apparently unconcerned that she had insulted her child. Chihiro realised that the goddess was pleased with her. She was fulfilling her role as aunty. She was keeping Kisho humble and making him realise he could not have everything he wanted. The pair faded into nothing, leaving Chihiro staring at the road. She felt a faint tickle of warmth at the back of her mind. Was her daughter laughing at her?

“You and I are going to have a chat as soon as you can talk,” Chihiro muttered. “No betrothals before you are past puberty or your father may lock you up for half a century.”...