*Osamu*

"Goo," Rosa said as she nibbled on a cracker.

I smiled as she tried to eat it. She only had a few teeth. I wouldn't have given it to her but she had snatched it from me.

"Is my little rose struggling?" I asked as I raised her up.

"Goo," Rosa said, taking out the cracker. She pouted, frustrated with her futile attempt at biting it.

I chuckled. "Don't worry, you'll be able to nibble on them when you're as big as your sis!" I said.

"Goo?" she said.

I nodded. "Yeah. Goo!"

She giggled.

I hugged her tightly. She was so cute!

"We're back," Sofia said as she returned from taking Setsuko to the ship's bathroom.

"Feel much better," Setty sighed.

"This is why I told you not to drink too much water," I said, sighing.

She jumped into the seat next to me. "I'm a growing girl."

"Yes, you are. But you should learn to spread out your fluid intake," I said, poking her tiny nose.

"Wahh!" Setsuko said, slapping my hand away.

Little Rosa and I chuckled.

"Goo! Goo!" Rosa said, holding her cracker to her.

"Ahh, thanks!" Setsuko said, taking the slobber covered cracker.

"Don't eat that!"

"Why not?" she asked, puffing her cheeks like how her little sister had earlier. "I'm hungry."

I sighed and held out my package of crackers to her. "There, eat these."

Setsuko smiled and nabbed the pack of cheese crackers away.

"You know, you could afford to say thank you little girl," I said, narrowing my eyes at her.

"Thank you," she said, rolling her eyes.

I grumbled. I had better make sure that Rosa didn't turn out as rude as her.

Rosa suddenly hugged me as if reassuring me that she wouldn't turn out like her. "I know, little one. Your big sis is slobby."

"Hey!" Setsuko said, glaring at me

I snickered and ruffled her hair. "Just playing around, princess."

Sofia chuckled. "Seems thst the little ones like you."

"I do not! Papa is mean to me!" Setsuko said, pointing at me.

I smiled and poked her chubby cheeks. "Only because you are rude to me."

Setsuko glared at me. "Nah uh, you started it first!"

I turned and and snickered. "Such a kid."

"I am one!" she protested.

I sighed and stared at the the shimering waters. They were the waters of lake Itsumo, the largest body of water in all of Kuroriku. Though its northern and eastern shores partially touched Mizu no Kin and Kasai no Ki as well.

Staring at it reminded me of the dream my forefathers had long held, reaching the seas and oceans. Sadly the only one we did border was a frigid one which ice over during the winter.

As such Kuroriku was forced to act as a landlocked nation, relying on the other three major powers for access to the world beyond. Sure we angels could fly but crossing continents was a difficult feat even for the most talented ones.

Though we did have planes to aliviate the lack of sea ports. Though if the time of another great war ever came, we could find outselves at the mercy of the other three great nations. Mizu no Kin and Amadeus both had the capabilities to shoot down planes while Kasai no Ki were developing their own anti-aircraft technology.

That would leave the great deserts to the south as our only alternative but those nations were allies to Amadeus as well.

I sighed. I could only hope to maintain the peace to avoid that. My father's actions against Kasai no Ki years back had rattled the nerves of the other two great nations, though. They feared that we would turn our eyes on them once we dealt with Kasai no Ki.

Though their fears weren't without reason. Kuroriku had nearly taken all the continent at one point in time. Some called them the glory days, but they were also a dark time.

I turned back to look at Setsuko. One day she would be the next heir. If she continued to act the way she did, she could end up making enemies.

Though part of me did admire how she had the fortitude to stand up for what she believed in. Even though currently they were only silly things...

"What?" Setsuko snapped as she eyed me.

"Just thinking of how tanquil you look while eating."

Her face reddened. "Mommy, Papa is teasing me again!"

Sofia hugged her. "Osamu, don't tease her."

I rocked Rosa lightly in my arms. "Well, if she can't take it then she shouldn't dish it."

"Papa so immature."

Sofia nodded. "Yeah, he sure is."

"Huh?" I said.

"Goo, goo, goo, goo," Rosa mumbled.

I patted her fluffy head. "Yeah, I agree," I whisper.

"What did she say?" Setsuko asked, tilting her head at her little sister.

I turned away. "Not saying, it's a secret between me and her."

"Aww, no fair!"

"Setty, he can't speak baby," Sofia said, chuckling. "He's only pulling your leg."

"Huh, really? Papa!" she yelled, her face turning as red as a beet.

"I don't need to in order to understand my little girl," I said, raising Rosa toward the ceiling. "Right, little one?"

"Goo!" she said, giggling.

I sat her down on my knee and handed her her plushie to play with. Though it was covered in her drool...

"Boo woo!" she cried out, snatching it from me. She looked up at me with those big hazel eyes of her. "Too too papa."

I gasped. "Hey, you two heard that?"

"Too too?" Setsuko said, leering at me.

"No, well yes. But she also said 'papa'! PAPA!" I exclaimed, jumping up and down.

Sofia chuckled. "Wow, never thought you would be this excited to hear her say that. Setty said it too, though you weren't around."

I smiled at her. "Really? Your first word was Papa too?"

"I don't recall," she said, turning away.

I looked back at Rosa who was nibbling on her plushie's bear-like ear. She noticed and smiled at me.

She was the cutest thing ever, my bundle of joy!