What exactly is Shinjuro and Hatomi's life raising Kaiden and Homura and Senjuro happy to be a big brother?
Great question, I have so many headcanons on this, so forgive me as I post this word vomit! But here is my take on it!
. Shinjuro and Hatomi had talked about kids, she doubted she would be capable since she wasn’t exactly young anymore but they discussed in case it ever did. Despite his former shortcomings in not being present for Senjuro (It is still a process and he is making up for it, Senjuro encourages it as it helps both of them in their healing), Shinjuro was open to the idea of more children. A desire that also stemmed from wanting to give something to Hatomi, a sign of gratitude and of new hope for her to help grow the family. She is not materialistic, and the only thing she would have wished for is to bring a new life and nurture it. She would have been happy without it, but it was the only gift he could really think of that would bring her more joy. Besides he never doubted her capabilities of caring for children, considering she was a mother once, and the proof showed in how well she cared for both his sons in the past. He believed she was more than prepared if the opportunity ever arose…but he did doubt if he would ever be worthy of it.
. She had a condition when they were trying for children, that she would only agree to do it if he felt he was ready for it. Even if she wanted kids, she did not feel comfortable with conceiving one if Shinjuro did not feel adequate to help raise one. She pretty much said, “I refuse to raise a child alone. A child needs both parents and to bring one into the world without full dedication will spell disaster for them. I know you regret what had happened, but don’t let that regret consume what can be. Only when you feel you are ready to .” Not only did he respect that, he made sure to show her and give her the reason to trust he was ready.
. When Hatomi found out she was pregnant, the first one she told was Senjuro. Before Shinjuro and her agreed to try for children, she had a private talk with Senjuro to get his input on the matter. How he would feel about it mattered a great deal to her, and she valued his opinion on if they had a child. If he didn’t feel comfortable with it, his thoughts on it would play an important stance on if she would consider a child. Both in a way to reassure him in case he had any doubts, and to promise that no matter what, in her and Shinjuro’s eyes, he was and will always be their son they would love and support first and having another child will not change their priorities to him. Suffice to say, Senjuros reaction left her in tears….the good kind where Senjuro encouraged her. She was there for him when he was a child, and that he would be there for them to. So the day she came back from the doctor and confirmed, Senjuro is very emotional when he finds out that he’s gonna be a big brother. Emotional in the way he was so happy at the prospect of getting a sibling, already hyped on the possibility of what memories he can make with them just like Kyojuro had for him as a child.
. When Shinjuro found out she was pregnant, not gonna lie…..he did cry. Both from joy and the initial shock of possibly being a father once more. He was scared at first already having his doubts on if anything bad happens or if he messed this up again, he would never forgive himself. It took seeing how apprehensive Hatomi was the moment she told him, her sign of vulnerability helped him to snap out of it. He wouldn’t let his fear dictate this chance, and he vowed he would never let himself fall into that despair. It wasn’t just him, Senjuro and Hatomi anymore. Now there was a new future that needed protection, to be nurtured and to never be put in a place where they felt neglected ever again.
. Good luck trying to get Hatomi to stop working around the house even while pregnant.
. Due to her past trauma, Hatomi suddenly becomes more stubborn and protective due to hormones and the small fear of something happening to the baby, tho she is pretty good about keeping most of her outbursts in check. Only when someone threatens the house or tried to dictate how she is feeling is when you see Mama bear mode. Let’s just say it’s a good thing Shinjuro had experience when he was taking care of Ruka.
Shinjuro teaches something to Senjuro, one might be the strongest man in the world, but when a woman is pregnant, one has to learn how to choose their battles wisely. For nothing in this world is more immovable than a pregnant woman’s will….or their strange cravings
. When Kaiden was born, Hatomi gave him one look and said. “Oh I’m in trouble.” Was born with a natural rbf, didn’t cry a lot but looked angry and so serious, Hatomi blames Shinjuro for it, even without prompting gives her that rb face. He doesn't even do it on purpose, and She now finds it hilarious when Kaiden does that to Shinjuro. Before he could talk,Kaiden would argue in baby gibberish. And he didn't lightly giggle or always laugh, but the few times he did this kid cackled and put so much energy in loud bursts of laughing, but then went quiet after 5 secs. He was a strange baby in a cute way
. Kaiden’s fav First word was no. He likes to be right cuz he knows what he wants, and hence the first month of his first words was rough.
. Shinjuro one day was lying on his side, watching his boys interact, when he sees Senjuro trying to get the Kaiden to do something. The kid kept repeating no even for the simplest things , and while at first it was funny, as it went on for longer, it started to concern him. He decided to test to see how far it would go, he asked a couple simple questions, but got the same insistent response. From his spot, Shinjuro looked at Hatomi who was struggling to keep herself from laughing as his gaze held such disappointment. “See this? He might have my face, but he gets this defiance from you. No denying he’s yours.”
“ I would like to think he is my child, I didn’t spend 6 hours in labor just so that he wouldn’t get the best traits from me.”
. Shinjuro makes it his mission to break Kaiden’s habit, and so whenever he is in the fit of just repeating no, he would use reverse psychology so that the baby would think before yelling no. Over time it worked.
. Hatomi had heard from both sons, before Kyojuro died that their mother Ruka performed a ceremony while they were in the womb, and she was curious. Not a superstitious person so when she pressed Shinjuro what it was since he didn't say anything about it, so he reluctantly explained. He of course reassured her she did not have to if she didn't want to. Because she didn't believe staring at a flame for two hours would result in a flame haired child, sheerly out of spite to prove it wrong cuz her genes were strong too, performed the kankagari . She treated it as an experiment as she at first thought she couldn't have kids anymore due to her age, yet here she was so she went with the kankagari for shits and giggles. 9 months later, the baby pops out with that familiar hair, Shinjuro holding her hand while she is in a half delirious state, starts rambling about "What kind of deal with the devil did you make to have clones of yourself?" Before she passes out.
. She accepts that maybe there is one superstitious thing in this world that has merit. Didn't do the kankagari with the second as Homura was a surprise, and strange enough did look more like her....but the color of the eyes were distinctly more like a sunset then just gold, and the hair a brighter shade of blonde than her dirty blonde. Shinjuro is grateful, while Hatomi wouldn't have minded to see a girl with such bombastic eyebrows.
. Homura was all smiles as a baby, her laugh was infectious. Shinjuro loves his kids very much, but you bet that when Kaiden and even back when his two older boys were born, he would lay down his life for them. But for Homura, he would kill for her and lay down his own life just to see her happy. Totally not favoritism, it’s just the protective dad mode for his only daughter. Rip future boyfriend.
. She does cry unlike her brother who would only fuss when he didn’t like something, but it was usually when she hurt herself or if she was hungry. Kaiden fussed and got nervous around strangers, Homura the complete opposite. She even laughed when people were angry, she would laugh in hysterics in their face, which unintentionally made others become less angry. Infectious happiness
. Homura is curious about everything, even would try to touch fire with a smile. Kaiden was sort of a dare devil, and would do accidental dangerous things just to see if he could. When he got hurt, he actually wouldn’t cry a lot. He would keep it to himself and try to conceal it cuz he doesn’t want anyone to worry about him. He gets embarrassed quite easily, just like dad. Extremely blunt.
. Senjuro started to study to become a doctor, and even with the age difference, he always tried to spend time with his younger siblings. Often times Homura used him as practice for learning braids, a thankful break for Shinjuro who was often her test subject. Hatomi had the longer hair, but Homura had a strange fixation with their brighter hair. Yes she has tried to practice on Kaiden but Kaiden gets pouty about it.
. Admittedly, becoming a big brother twice was very exciting at first, and it is still something he is happy about…but now he understands what Kyojuro might have gone through when he was a child except he has to handle two. And he’s pretty sure he wasn’t this rambunctious, the good thing is it isn’t malicious when the kids get into Hjinks. Kaiden has the most spitfire, while Homura just goes along for the ride, and since they are only a year apart they are as thick as thieves. They are for the most part good kids, sometimes there is the occasional fit for not eating certain foods or wanting to play outside a little longer, if anything the most worrisome thing is their curiousity….and Kaiden’s obsession with bringing home frogs.
. Homura would often pridefully show off random sticks or pretty rocks as if they are her most prized possessions, and when she sees her mother gardening, she does try to “help”. Usually it’s just uprooting weeds or when she finds pretty flowers outside she runs up and asks if they could plant it in the garden.
. Kaiden did not have a sweet tooth, in fact he preferred cooked vegetables since his taste preferences were liking savory foods over sweets….which made feeding him fruits a lil difficult.
. Shinjuro started tying his hair back more, since Kaiden liked to test out his grip strength on his hair. His son didn’t laugh much, but when he did it was his parents reactions to him being sassy. First learning to talk, his gibberish paired with his mannerisms either made both parents laugh and he laughed with them. He was smart, and said the most outrageous things when in conversation.
. Kaiden as a baby would get cranky sometimes and would just be fussy, flailing his arms towards his parents wanting attention. And whenever he had nightmares, he always sought out Hatomi whether to sleep in their bed or for her to stay with him until he could sleep. When he was feeling nervous around new people or just scared of lightning, he would seek out Shinjuro, fully believing he would protect him. When he got older the more stubborn he got. Would play as if he didn’t need his parents doting on him….. but secretly always hoped they would insist.
. He gets quieter and more reserved with age, and while his temper is better than dad, just like his mother, when you get her angry, no going back.
. Since Hatomi taught Senjuro about Archery, Kaiden also took interest and when he was old enough she also instructed him.
Here is some art I did of what they look like as young adults!
Thanks for the ask, hope ya like and if there are any more questions lemme know!
