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A short jog down the hill to the shore, Yamazaki giving Steve one last time monster spin around the world, and they were there. He set down the bag, letting the little kid roll out, quite dizzy from all the swinging and spinning that he just loved so much.

The magesmith took in a deep breath of that clean, country air, enjoying a moment where there were neither the sounds of the city, nor the sounds of the baby, as he was still trying to get his bearings after that last, monster spin.

Steve reached out, clinging to the older, larger man as he pulled him up out of the water. He could already see the signs that the child was preparing for one of those head splitting cries. Instead of waiting for that delivery of pain and suffering, he start to slip backwards, floating on the surface, belly to the sky, with the little ninja riding there like Huck Fin on his raft.

Steve cooed, falling forward and clutching onto the Guardian, fearing that he was going to fall off as Yamazaki started a very lazy butterfly type backstroke, heading off to the center of the lake, and farther from the safety of dry land.

"I'm told, when you're born, still riding within your mother, you are surrounded by water. That's why the water is comforting, reminding you of that dark, cozy place, where you were so closely connected to another living being, closer than you ever will be again..." Yamazaki told Steve, sure that the child couldn't understand what he was saying. Still he felt he had to talk as he stopped swimming, and merely floated on the surface. "That's why children float, being born in water like that. Not sure myself... but swimming, is something, almost mystical to me, a connection to the world... hope someday you can share it, feel that same connection... sigh... you don't understand any of this, do you?"

Steve's answer was to roll off Yamazaki, plopping into the water, flailing wildly and having a good time in the cold, clear waters.

Steve awoke from his nap, when the sun was low in the sky. Yamazaki shared the last half of the sandwich with the child, chewing for the child, since he wasn't quite up to solid foods yet. When they finished, the child looked refreshed, and just itching to do, something, anything.

Yamazaki smiled, taking him up in one arm, and starting a slow, leisurely walk around the lake. There were always interesting things, upon the shore, things that he was certain the curious child would at least show interest in. He tickled Steve along the way, listening to him giggle and his body convulse with laughter.

Halfway around the lake, was when Steve cried out, making grabby hands at something on the ground. Yamazaki stopped, looking over and seeing a four foot long stick, about one and a half inches thick, mostly arrow straight, with just one knot sticking out.

He smiled, bending down at the knees, and letting Steve down to the ground. When he was a kid he had a stick like that, pretending it was some mage's staff, or a soldier's spear, playing those simple, fun games a child does.

Steve crawled slowly towards the stick, reaching out, and clinging to it with arms and legs. He looked something like a giant caterpillar, inching his way along the stick, clinging to it, and laughing, his baby chub shaking like jelly.

Yamazaki picked up Steve, but the child refused to let go of The Stick. Laughing to himself, the magesmith resolved just to carry both child and stick, until they completed the circuit around the lake, at least.

Wolfey was pleasently surprised to get an invitation from Mr. Yamazaki for Ani and him to join in a camping trip. Ever since he told Ani they were going camping with Steve and his dad he was bouncing off the walls with excitment. Ani thought Steve was cool and he wanted to show him the new things he could do. Not to mention this camping trip would be the first big boy thing he had gotten to do since growing.

"Da-uh can I bring my fire gauntlet?"

"Now Ani I've told that is only to be taken out in case of--"

"An emergency, I know just wanted Stevie to see it!"

Wolfey ruffled his hair then put their packed backpack on. They made their way easily to the camping site. without getting lost for once, Yamazaki had given Wolfey some excellent directions. It was dusk but they could see the camp fire when they got into the clearing Wolfey waved "Hellooooooo Mr Yamazaki!"

Ani let go of Wolfey's hand and ran over as fast as his little legs would carry him then skidded to a halt grinning for ear to ear. "Hey Stevie, hello Stevie's da-uh... I mean dad! How are you doing?"

Wolfey soon caught up to Ani and set their backpack down and bowed slightly to Yamazaki. Then he sat on the sand getting Ani to calm down enough to sit as well. "I'd like to thank you for inviting us to go camping. This is a beautiful spot." He looked around and smiled then returned his gaze to Yamazaki.

(( *pokes you* Damnit you tricked me! *L* ))

Wolfey raised his arms over his head now realizing the two by the fire hadn't moved the whole time Ani and him had been there. Ani yipped and jump into Wolfey's lap when he felt the stick poke hm in the back.

"So do you stick up every person you invite to go camping or are we just special?"

Ani looked over Wolfey's shoulder than grinned. "Stevie is dat you?"

"I was right, I need to be more on my toes around you Mr Yamazaki." Wolfey chuckled then his belly growled. "So its hard to catch fish around here? I guess I'll go find two for Ani and I, if you don't mind having to watch both of the kids."

Wolfey walks over to the lakes edge and strips off his tartan kilt and shirt, being true to his Scottish heritage not wear a stitch of clothing under his kilt, he then dives into the lake going on a fish hunt.

Ani sat and giggled watching Steve spin his Stick, he remembered the Stick from their first meeting. "I learned some new stuff too! Show me what you learned I'll show you what I learned."