Ryuji leaned back in his chair, balancing it on it's two back legs. In one hand, he clutched the morning paper and in the other he held a cup of coffee. He never particularly enjoyed reading the paper, or drinking coffee for that matter, but he did so anyway purely because he felt that's what fathers do. He laid the paper on the table and pinched the bridge of his nose. This was nonsense. He lifted the cup of hot coffee up to his lips and drank.
A large clatter from the kitchen caused him to jump and sling coffee onto his shirt. He narrowed his eyes at the stain and then stood up. "Taiga, what are you doing in there?" he called. He waited a few moments for an answer that never came. He gave a long sigh and walked towards the kitchen, crossing his arms when he came upon the reason for the sound.
A little girl, no older than seven, sat in a pile of pots and pans that almost completely enveloped tiny figure. Her bluish hair fell over her eyes and her hands wiped at her eyes. "I'll clean it up..." she sniffled, making no move to get up and still wiping at her eyes.
Ryuji shook his head. "Misaki, are you okay?" he asked, walking over to the clutter and bending down. He picked up a pan that was on her leg and set it on the counter next to him.
Misaki nodded her head and then looked up at her father with a faltering smile on her face. A few tears escaped her eyes and fell down onto another pot. "I'm fine, Daddy." she said, hiccuping a bit.
He set a hand on his daughters head. "What are you doing in here? Were you hungry? You know I would make something for you if you are." he said, using his other hand to pick up the cookware and setting it aside or on the counter.
Misaki shook her head. "I wanted to make something for you. I've seen you cook before, it looked easy enough. I thought I could do it too." she said, more tears falling onto her now visible skirt.
Ryuji blinked and then softened his gaze. "Cooking is easy with enough practice. Would you like me to help you?" he inquired, standing up and reaching his hand out to her to help her up.
She looked up and then nodded, taking his hand as he pulled her up.
The sound of a door slamming made them both jump. Taiga stomped into the kitchen with a loaf of bread in her mouth and a few bags of groceries in her arms. She halted when she saw the two of them and even dropped her bread. "Ryuji! What did you do to my baby?!" she yelled, setting her groceries on the floor and flying over to her daughter. She pulled her away from him and wiped away some of the tears in Misaki's eyes.
Misaki shook her head. "I'm fine, Mommy," she said, "Really, I"m fine."
Taiga sighed and patted her daughter's head. "Well, I'm glad." she said. She then turned her attention to the clutter on the counter and on the floor. "Ryuji, I'm shocked you leave a mess visible for this long." she said.
Ryuji scowled. "But..." he said but was cut off by his wife.
Taiga waved her hand. "No buts, clean up it." she said, putting her hand on Misaki's back and directing her out of the kitchen.
Ryuji shook his head. "No buts, clean it up." he said, mimicking Taiga's voice.