She found her father kneeling next to the pond, exactly where she knew he'd be.

"Anri?" he called without looking up, voice hoarse. She'd learned over the years that her father was the only person who could sense her presence even when she was stepping lightly.

She stepped out of the shadows and crouched next to him. He seemed to have aged a decade since their conversation at dinner last night, and his face was overcast by a dark shadow. Still, he felt warm as she leaned into his shoulder, and she relaxed.

Lin Kwei Jun fiddled with his daughter's hair, absentmindedly. Neither of them spoke.

I'll miss you, she thought. From the way he tucked her hair behind her ear, she knew that he felt the same.

"I have something for you." Her father broke the silence and reached to his side. He handed her a long parcel wrapped in a dirty coarse cloth that seemed like it used to be white.

With eager fingers, she unwrapped the gift and gaped at the sight of the blade. It was a pretty thing, with a small jewel at the centre of the cross-guard and an inconspicuous dragon winding up the side of the scabbard. The white stone winked at her mischievously in the night. "Ba, it's beautiful."

"I'm glad you like it," he smiled, "by this, they will know who you are."

General Lin took the blade and spun it in a few large arcs around then. Pleased with the balance, he handed it back to her.

"Thank you." Anri cradled the sword to her chest with both hands. Its hilt felt familiar, and was a reassuring weight in her hands.

Her father motioned to the water wordlessly. "What do you see?"

"Lilies," she listed, "the new tea bush Ma received. Water. The moon."

"It's beautiful tonight," he smiled. With a quick upwards glance, Anri disagreed.

Her father continued. "While we might be miles apart, the moon that we see each night is the same. Every time you see the moon, remember that I'm thinking of you."

It was a comforting thought, to know no matter the distance between them, they were looking at the same thing at the same time.

"I should check on your mother." General Lin got to his feet, but not without shooting her a quick smile. Anri stayed there for a long time after, listening to the hollow wind with the blade on her lap.

—~—

☆ AUTHOR'S NOTE ☆

Thank you for reading "Of Fang and Feather"! Bit if a shorter chapter this time, but I'll make up for it next chapter :) I appreciate all your support and I hope that you will continue to enjoy this novel.