Shimiko took a deep breath as she walked out to the spacious backyard of her new mountain ranch. The Chinoike Clan was kind of enough to give her the biggest and most luxurious dwelling on Wangchuk Mountain. A token of gratitude for her many years of service in elevating the prestige and power of the family. It was the perfect place to raise a family. Shimiko stepped out to the small shrine that was built at the end of the acreage. She was wearing a flowing red dress with the borders patterned in the traditional Chinoike Clan style. Behind her, Shimiko's grandmother Nana Chinoike was doting on her newly arrived grand-babies. She had taken an instant liking to Chloe and Damien even though they weren't related to her by blood. Miyu Ryuutei was in the kitchen fixing the family a nice welcome home dinner. The Uzumaki was like the sister she never had and she was glad that she had decided to join Shimiko in retirement. The young woman's help would be invaluable when it came to looking after three children. If it takes a village to raise a child then it probably takes an army to raise three... Shimiko thought with a smile.
As she made her way to the shrine, Shimiko picked up a small stick and began to twirl it. The act reminded her of a scene from early on her career. Things were so different back then. She was different. The memories, fights, loves and friendships had all made her the woman that she was today. She had always assumed that she'd end her life on a battlefield somewhere, covered in blood and embedded with steel. Jashin had different plans for her. He had given her one last blessing. An opportunity to shape his Church, raise the next generation and be the mother that she had often dreamt of being. Shimiko sat down at the shrine and positioned herself Indian style. Overlooking ranch's edge was a beautiful mountain range. It filled her heart with hope for the future. Not just for herself and her extended family but for the world. She took in the view and then closed her eyes. She took a final deep breath before settling into a silent yet rhythmic respiration. It wasn't quite prayer nor was it meditation. It was something that she had been searching for for almost a decade. A feeling that settled on her like a warm blanket on a cold day.
As she made her way to the shrine, Shimiko picked up a small stick and began to twirl it. The act reminded her of a scene from early on her career. Things were so different back then. She was different. The memories, fights, loves and friendships had all made her the woman that she was today. She had always assumed that she'd end her life on a battlefield somewhere, covered in blood and embedded with steel. Jashin had different plans for her. He had given her one last blessing. An opportunity to shape his Church, raise the next generation and be the mother that she had often dreamt of being. Shimiko sat down at the shrine and positioned herself Indian style. Overlooking ranch's edge was a beautiful mountain range. It filled her heart with hope for the future. Not just for herself and her extended family but for the world. She took in the view and then closed her eyes. She took a final deep breath before settling into a silent yet rhythmic respiration. It wasn't quite prayer nor was it meditation. It was something that she had been searching for for almost a decade. A feeling that settled on her like a warm blanket on a cold day.
THE END
