A/N: This story spans many years and flips back and forth from 7 years in the past to the present. The story begins as Leah returns to Konoha shortly after the Chunin exams where the 3rd Hokage was killed. The village is under reconstruction.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Naruto, but the character in my story, Leah, is all mine.
Rebuilding Konoha - Chapter 1
As I reached the gates of Konoha, I realized that seven years of travel had been good for me. The day I left, with only my mother and twin sisters, I thought it was the worst thing that could happen to me. I would be leaving a village I had known the entire 13 years of my life to go on a journey that I knew nothing about except that it would keep me from some of the most important people in the world-my family.
My family consisted of my mother, Akina, my four fathers-Lee Hyuga (a tailor), Ethan Yamanaka (a florist), Adrian Haruno (a dry cleaner), and Henry Akimichi (a chef) and my brothers and sisters.
Having four fathers, it should not come as any surprise that I have several siblings-24 to be exact. I am the baby of the family, an unexpected blessing. All of my 22 brothers and 2 sisters are older than me. I am closest in age with my sisters, who are only 5 years older than me. My oldest brothers are 20 years older than me. Quadruplet births are common in my family. As a matter of fact, I am the only child in my family who doesn't share a birthday with 3 other siblings.
My siblings have a multitude of talents, skills and hobbies. Many we share. One that everyone in our family shares is a love of music. Some play instruments, some compose, but all love to sing. Whenever two or more gather, you can bet it won't be long before music fills the air.
Common practice in many families is for each child to take the last name of their biologic father. However since I have four biological fathers, and is tradition on my mother's side of the family, I have no last name. When naming a child with multiple biological fathers, it was customary to use a combination of all the father's names to create the child's one and only name. My parents decided to call me Leah.
Crazy right? Well, that's the least of what makes me special. Of course, until age 13, I was oblivious to the unique circumstances of my DNA that would have such an impact on not only my life, but also an entire village.
Looking back, many of my physical attributes should have been a clue to me that maybe something about me wasn't quite the norm. My hair was naturally tri-colored since the day I was born. The upper 1/3 of my head was blonde curly hair, the middle 1/3 was wavy and pink, and the bottom 1/3 was black and straight. My eyes were also tri-colored with rings of sparkling blue, emerald green, and an iridescent white. Having such an accepting family, my uniquely colored hair and eyes were never brought up as anything to be concerned about.
I had a normal childhood with a very large family. We worked together, played together, shared every aspect of our lives and loved each other unconditionally. No matter the path chosen, my family supported each other 100%.
Three of my fathers came from large shinobi families but were not born with the desire to take on the life of a ninja. They were not however, born without the unique skills and bloodline traits that each of the clans held. Since these skills were not nurtured past the age of 12 when each had made the decision to take on vocations as civilians rather than ninja, the clan elders determined they were no longer concerned as to who each of the men would marry. Lucky for me they all chose my mom.
My mother is a woman, like me, with unique DNA and no last name. Unlike me, her hair is a single color—white, and her eyes are aquamarine. She is the strongest woman-mentally, physically and spiritually-that I ever met. I mean, come on. You would have to be strong to give birth, nurture and raise 25 children.
I learned so many interesting and amazing facts about my mother, as well as myself, during the 7-year journey. The first of which was the fact that it wasn't until my mother turned 16 that she began a very similar journey of training as mine. It soon became apparent to my family that I, on the other hand, was an early bloomer in more ways than one.
My mother promised that during our journey, our family would keep in touch by visiting and writing to us often. I was most concerned about being able to connect with my six-year old nieces: Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka.
Every day I would visit Shin at the dry cleaning store he taken over from our father Adrian, around my 10th birthday. It was always the highlight of my day. Of all my brothers and sisters, Shin was my favorite. He always had a smile on his face and could make what seemed like the worst day of my life instantly better. Maybe it was his smile, his kind heart, his sparkling emerald eyes, or maybe it was his pink hair that always cheered me up. Yes, my brother was born with pink hair. I think he is the only man in the history of the world that can get away with it too. He is so friendly, humorous, and warm hearted that I don't know of anyone who doesn't like him instantly. Sakura, his one and only daughter, shares both his physical and emotional traits. I had no doubt she would grow up to be a beautiful, caring woman. I also knew that no matter how long I was gone, we would have a close connection always.
As my family mainly consisted of boys, being around to help nurture a young girl born into my family was important to me. I was particularly worried about Ino, my brother Inoichi's daughter. She had the most beautiful blond hair and sparkling blue eyes. She was irresistible. Upon seeing the child, people would instantly be drawn to her. If for whatever reason she ever did come across someone who wasn't instantly mesmerized, a screech that sounded like a wounded animal would stream from her mouth that could be heard for miles. I was certain she would be the cause of numerous problems in the village by the time she became a teenager without my guidance.
Never before had I question my parents reasoning. The decision to have me leave my home seemed like the perfect time to start.
FLASHBACK
"But why do I have to leave Konoha?" I pleaded with my mother.
"You have to leave with your sisters and I so that you can learn all the skills required to continue our clan and one day return and help rebuild Konoha so that it is the strongest of the five nations. Besides, you can't be distracted by others during this critical time in your life." my mother explained.
END OF FLASHBACK
Thinking of that memory made me laugh. The "others" my mother had been referring to were three ninjas who had taken a more visible interest in me and I to them.
Being the youngest, I benefited from the teachings from my siblings. I quickly learned to walk, talk, read, write, and was a social butterfly. So it wasn't any surprise when at age 10 I began working at my family's hot spring spa. I worked every day after school from 3-6 pm. I was the receptionist/bookkeeper. I scheduled the appointments, greeted the customers, and maintained the books due to my meticulous organizational skills, friendly, outgoing personality, and most importantly living in a village with a large population of shinobi-I had a unique knack for accurately calculating how to best create a schedule that allowed quick use for shinobi returning from missions that sometimes ran later than expected. Our spa catered to civilians and ninja alike. The Hokage requested that shinobi returning from missions spend some time at the hot springs to unwind. He required any injured ninja, after being treated and cleared to leave the hospital, to complete a mandatory 1-hour physical therapy or medicinal soak at the spa. Having such a large family and having many family members who were Konoha shinobi, I was familiar with this world. This could have easily explained why I was good at calculating when to schedule certain frequently late ninja's sessions. The fact that I was accurate—100% of the time—made it seem like something else. That new skill was one of the first signs to my mother that my training would be uniquely different from her experience.
The three ninja causing my family such concern were Genma, a 23 year old flirt with brown hair and chocolate eyes; Kakashi, a 20 year old ninja prodigy, with gravity defying silver hair and a habit of always arriving everywhere late; and Tenzo, a 17 year old with a quite, reserved personality, rusty-brown hair and who just happened to be my best friend.
Tenzo would often sit with me at the reception desk after his visit to the spa and then walk me home. He only scheduled his visits on days that I worked. During the four-block walk from the spa to my home, he would open up to me. I learned so much about his life during these walks. He shared his story of being kidnapped and experimented on when he was a baby. He had no one to love and nurture him as a child. A few months after he began walking me home, he became so at ease with my family that he would often celebrate holidays with us. More often than not, such holiday gatherings would turn into spending the weekend with us instead of returning to his lonely, studio apartment. My family didn't mind. Heaven knows we had the room.
Kakashi, like Tenzo, also had a rough childhood. He was a prodigy. A genius. And quite possibly the most emotionally scarred person I ever met. He lost his family when he was young. He never went into details, but I knew that he at least had remembered what the love of a mother and father was like. Maybe this was why he suffered more than Tenzo who had never known his parents. He would visit the spa routinely straight from a mission, covered in blood. More often than not, the blood was not his. I kept a fresh supply of handi-wipes and a first aid kit in a drawer at the reception desk. Before he would walk through the door, I would know whether to pull out the wipes or the kit and have a stool waiting behind the reception desk ready for him. I did this because I knew that only in cases of a life threatening injury and someone forcibly taking him, as he would never go on his own two feet, would he ever be seen in a hospital. I never pressed him to share his deepest, darkest thoughts, but after a year he slowly began to reveal little things about himself to me. He shared with me some of his hobbies—cooking, singing, dancing, cloud watching and reading—he says it's romantic literature but everybody knows he means porn. He also shared the reason why he visits the memorial stone every morning—to honor his fallen team members and ask their forgiveness. He would often turn up at our house around family gatherings and holidays—though he never stayed more than a couple of hours. He would give the excuse that he had to prepare for a mission, but I really think the openly affections my family showed would sometimes be too much for him.
Genma, unlike Kakashi and Tenzo, grew up knowing his parents. However, that didn't mean he had a happy family life. His father was an alcoholic and a womanizer and his mother allowed it. That is until the day he slapped her so hard across the face in front of a 12 year old Genma that blood splattered all over his face. She had reached her limit and reported him to the Konoha police. He was taken away, put in prison for 6 months and by the time he was released not only did she have a restraining order but a divorce as well. Genma never spoke to his father after he was released from jail. He would occasionally see him while walking through the village but by the cold stare he gave his father when their eyes would meet, the message was clear Stay the fuck away from me and my mother. You would think that growing up watching your father get drunk and cheat on the most important women in your world would somehow corrupt a child. However unlike his father, Genma loved and respected women. He was always faithful and openly affectionate to whomever he currently was dating. He only flirted when he was single. With the exception of when it was required in a mission, he never touched alcohol. He did however frequent the bars with Kakashi as he too enjoyed a night of singing and dancing.
As my relationships with Genma, Kakashi and Tenzo changed, so did my parent's view on monitoring my daily activities. A big change was coming and though they were helpless to stop it from coming, they were hoping that it would be a few more years before I had to begin my training.
Two days. It was a change in my evening routine over two days that brought about my parents unanimous and quick decision that I needed to begin my journey.
FLASHACK
Just as we were within 20 feet of my house, a warm tingle ran through my body. "Hello Kakashi." I said with a smile.
Kakashi appeared out of nowhere and stopped directly between us, facing me. He gave me a "Yo" with the very familiar eye crease that let me know he was happy to see me.
Kakashi turned his head over his shoulder and said, "Tenzo, I just received a message from the Hokage. You are needed for an important mission."
"Ok, I'll be there as soon as I get Leah home. Can you tell him I'll be there in a few minutes."
Kakashi turned his head back to me, with another happy eye smile, "No, the Hokage wants to see just you…and right now. It would be my pleasure to escort Leah home."
With a hint of irritation in his voice, Tenzo replied "Surely the Hokage can wait a few more minutes. We are almost at her front door." Puffing up his chest, he walked around Kakashi, gently took my hand, and guided me the few remaining feet to my front door.
Kakashi sighed, "Ok. But you are the reason we will be late. I'll meet up with you at the front gate after your meeting with the Hokage. We will leave directly from there."
Kakashi quickly darted between us again, taking my right hand into his, spinning me around, pulling me close to his body and looking deeply into my eyes, "Be sure to have a nice long spa appointment scheduled for me when I get back." His hand moved up to my face and gently traced my cheek, "Only that and seeing your lovely face will put me in a good enough mood to complete a report to the Hokage." and with another happy eye crease, he turned and darted away.
I stood there, somewhat shocked by the recent display from Kakashi. Tenzo, sensing my shock, reached out and gently squeezed my hand "I'm going to miss you. Will you promise me something?"
I snapped out of my frozen state, squeezed his hand back and said, "Of course Tenzo, I would do anything for you".
"Promise me that you will find someone trustworthy to walk you home at night while I am away on my mission. I worry about you."
Tenzo looked deeply into my eyes. He pulled me closely into an intimate embrace. It's not that I wasn't use to hugs from him. This hug felt like a current of electricity was coursing through our bodies.
Our electric hug was interrupted however when my mother opened the door with a look of shock and worry on her face.
"Ahem. Hello Tenzo. It was so nice of you to make sure my youngest daughter got home safely."
We released each other and turned to my mother. I stepped through the door and turned to give one last look at Tenzo before my mother abruptly shut the door in Tenzo's face.
END FLASHBACK RETURN TO PRESENT DAY
I turned to my mom and asked, "Do you think it would have come to blows if I had stayed?"
"Definitely." she chuckled, "After I shared that incident with your fathers and brothers, Inoichi, Kai, Seito, and Micah were ready to kill them both."
I giggled thinking about how protective my brothers were. "They were really that upset at Kakashi and Tenzo?"
"Sure. You were 13 and their baby sister. But they calmed down after a few hours. They did however keep an even closer eye on Kakashi and Tenzo anytime they came around you after that."
Gee, if they were that upset with Kakashi and Tenzo I wonder how they would have reacted to Genma.
FLASHBACK
The next day I was greeted by my most flirtatious friend, Genma. "Hey sweetie. How's my favorite girl doing today?" giving me a smile that could charm the birds out of the trees.
"Ok, I guess." I said unenthusiastically.
"What's got my sweetie down today?" he questioned as he leaned closer and put his hand on my cheek giving it a soft rub.
"Oh, I made a promise to Tenzo before he left yesterday on a mission and now I don't know if I can keep it." I sighed.
Genma raised an eyebrow, "A promise to Tenzo huh? Well is there anything I can do to help you keep your promise and put a smile back on your beautiful face?" his finger grazed gently across my lips.
"Well" my voice shook "I promised him that I would make sure that a trustworthy person would walk me home each night after work. Unfortunately, the only trustworthy people I feel comfortable enough asking are my family, Tenzo, Kakashi and you. Everyone is so busy or away on a mission and you I'm sure will be heading out for another mission too. I don't have anyone else to ask."
Genma gave me his most gorgeous smile and said, "Didn't you hear? I'm on vacation for the next month. The Hokage said I earned it after doing such a magnificent job on my last mission. I would love to walk a beautiful girl home every night. What could be better, a daily dip in the spa and being seen walking with the most beautiful girl in Konoha."
Lifting my head up and gazing into his chocolate eyes I hesitantly said, "Are you sure Genma? I don't want to be a bother."
"Never a problem, sweetie. Just cancel the appointment I have now and put me in for one later today." Genma tapped the appointment book in front of me. "Better yet, schedule me a daily appointment anytime you are working and I am in the village for the next year."
A mischievous smirk crossed his face "I'd be happy to give Tenzo a break…permanently."
I walked around the counter and approached him with my arms stretched wide to give him a hug. "Thank you Genma. You're the best!"
As I released him from the hug I noticed his arms were still wrapped around me. He whispered into my ear, "Don't you forget it." As he pulled away from me I saw him wiggle his eyebrows, " I am the best…at everything."
My mouth dropped open in shock. He chuckled as we walked to the door, "I'll see ya later tonight sweetie."
I spent the rest of the day thinking about Genma. His chocolate eyes. His beautiful smile. The touch of his warm hand on my cheek. His oh so sexy, deep voice. His tight ass.
WHAT? I quickly snapped out of my lustful thoughts as the man I was mentally ogling walked through the door. He gave me a wink with his usual, "Hello sweetie." greeting before he headed to the locker room to strip down and enjoy an hour-long soak in the spa.
I was mentally disrobing him when I looked up and was once again stunned into silence. It seemed like it had been only a few seconds, instead of an hour, and he was back at the reception desk waiting to walk me home.
I closed the appointment book, shut off the computer, and finished up the other routine tasks at the end of my day. As I turned and bent down to close the last desk drawer, I noticed out of the corner of my eye that his eyes were fixated on my rear. A smile crept across his face and a gleam appeared in his eye.
He held the door open for me and as I passed him, I felt his hand brush down my arm. My body gave a shiver. He wrapped my arm around his and we walked arm-in-arm the short distance to my home. With each step I could feel my heart flutter faster and my face flush.
Why was my body acting this way? I had routinely flirted with Genma but never had my body had this kind of reaction before. Having him this close to me caused my body to react in ways that I was not accustomed to. But oh how I liked it.
"It's incredible. You are even prettier when you blush." Genma chuckled. "I'll have to think of more ways to get that kind of reaction out of you."
We had finally arrived at my front door. My arm unwrapping from his. He pulled my hand up to his mouth and kissed it. "Until tomorrow sweetie." It wasn't until after I walked into the house and watched him walk away that I let the breath I was holding out.
END OF FLASHBACK
Little did I know, my mother had witnessed the entire "ways to keep me blushing" conversation as yesterday's front door interactions between Kakashi and Tenzo. She quickly walked away from the door before I opened it, whispering to herself, "definitely an early bloomer."
She would call an emergency meeting that night with my fathers to discuss why I needed to begin my training immediately.
After witnessing the reaction my brothers had last night regarding Kakashi and Tenzo, there was no doubt in my mother's mind. If the boys were to hear of today's interactions, Genma would be dead before sundown.
I looked over at my mother and smiled. "Mom, you were right. I have learned a lot. I just hope everyone hasn't forgotten me".
My mother returned the smile, chuckled softly and said, "I highly doubt that. I wouldn't be surprised if those three aren't swarming around our house as we speak. The way you can draw them to you, it's like moths to a flame. They really don't have a chance."
We walked through the gates holding hands and smiling. Finally home again.
First to greet us, as always, were Izumo and Kotetsu at the guard station just inside the gate.
Holding hands while walking with my mother who has such a unique look eliminated any chance of me not being recognized.
My hair had grown quite long and when traveling, I wore it in six braids that looped to the back of my head where they were secured by three clips. The top clip fastening my blond braid was decorated with a white stone with a cluster of leaves blowing in the wind painted on it. The middle clip fastening my pink braid was decorated with a black stone with a white lightning bolt painted on it. The bottom clip fastening my black braid was decorated with another white stone with a picture of an oak tree. In an effort to hide my very noticeable tri-colored hair, I wore a cloak with a hood that limited the view of only my blond bangs.
The cloak covered up most of my body, but from the side you could still make out the well-proportioned curves of a woman.
Izumo cheerfully greeted us. "Welcome back!"
"It's good to be back," I said as I pulled on my mother's hand. A silent plea to keep moving.
Too late.
Kotetsu rose from his chair, walked in front of us and stopped. His eyes wandered over my now 20 year old body. "My, my Leah. It's been too long since I've seen you." he said with a perverted grin on his face. "You've filled out nicely."
I gave him a fake smile, "Why thank you Kotetsu. I wish I could say the same to you."
Izumo laughed.
A wounded look appeared on Kotetsu's face. "What? Don't tell me that you are still mad about that. It was an accident."
"Sure it was." I said in my most sarcastic tone. "And it was an accident that happened not once, but three times?"
FLASHBACK
It was a Friday night and since there was no school tomorrow, I was working the last shift at the spa. I was getting everything ready for tomorrow morning and I headed into the men's locker room to tidy it up. I turned the corner to walk down the third row of lockers and froze. I was greeted by a drunken Kotetsu stretched out, lying on his back, naked on a bench, wiggling his hips and singing.
"Friday night no one in sight and we got so much to share; Talkin's fine if you got the time, I ain't got the time to spare; Do you wanna touch? - Yeah! Do you wanna touch? - Yeah! Do you wanna touch me there? Yeah!"
"Oh my god! What are you doing?" I screamed. I turned and ran from the locker room. As I made it to the door I screamed, "PERVERT!" I slammed the door, turned around and bumped into the firm chest of Izumo. With a look that was a combination of terror and disgust on my face I pleaded with him, "Please, get him dressed and out of here …and never mention this to anyone!"
END FLASHBACK
Izumo was a great guy. He never mentioned that incident to anyone. Kotetsu took this silence, along with the fact he never got his ass kicked from any of my brothers, Tenzo, Kakashi, or Genma, that no one besides he and I were aware of it ever happening. This also, unfortunately, encouraged him to "accidentally" stay late in the locker room for the next two Fridays. Those times he wasn't drunk nor completely naked-once wearing only his boxers singing "I'm Too Sexy" and the other in a towel singing "Naughty Boy". Not wanting to hear anything else from the musical pervert, I gave my mom's hand a tug and we walked around Kotetsu. Not looking back, I raised a hand in the air and gave a wave to Izumo. "Bye Izumo."
We had walked halfway through the village and were almost to our home when I spotted my favorite spandex wearing ninja, Gai. Just as I was about to shout hello, a pain ripped through my stomach. I screamed and grasped my stomach as I fell forward. In a flash, Gai caught me before I hit the ground.
The pain momentarily eased and was replaced by an image flashing through my mind. Kakashi was strapped to a cross. A man in a cloak with red flowers was stabbing him. My voice shook, "help...Kakashi."
Gai gently lowered me to the ground so that I could rest on my side. "What's wrong?"
"Kakashi...torture."
My mother fell to the ground beside me, "Gai, find Kakashi and help him. Leah has a connection with him that lets her know when he is in need. She will be ok. Go find Kakashi."
Over the years I had experienced this connection with Kakashi many times. None however had been this terrifying and physically painful. Instances like this would provide me with images and after a few minutes, the pain would vanish. I was now able to speak clearer, "He's with Azuma and Kurenia and they are near water. Two men in robes that have large red flowers on them are there. Please Gai, you need to hurry."
Gai quickly left us in search of Kakashi.
My mother placed her hand over her heart and closed her eyes. "Loves, we need you." My mother's gentle plea reached my fathers. Within minutes, all four of my fathers were by our sides. No words were spoken. It wasn't needed.
We walked silently to the house. I was worried about Kakashi but my body was exhausted from the long journey and I knew there wasn't anything I could do to help. I excused myself and retired to my room. It looked exactly the way I left it.
On my dresser were numerous memories from my childhood. Scanning the various pictures of my family and friends, I paused when I reached a snapshot of Tenzo and me sitting by a fireplace. Our smiling faces covered with marshmallow and chocolate. I smiled remembering the night I introduced Tenzo to smores.
FLASHBACK
"What's a smore?" Tenzo asked.
"Come on. With all the outdoorsy stuff you do, don't tell me that you have never heard of smores?" I stated in disbelief.
"The outdoorsy stuff you are referring to were missions. We either were sleeping or on watch." Tenzo explained.
"Well, I will just have to show you what fun smores can be." I took his hand and led him into the kitchen. I began pulling out marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate from the cabinets. "I've got this. You can be in charge of starting the fire and getting a stick." I giggled as we walked back into the living room.
After he started the fire, he sat down on the floor by me, made a couple of hand signs, and a thin stick began growing from his right pointer finger. "Will this do?"
"Perfect. Here let me just get the marshmallows." I replied as I reached into the bag, pulled out two marshmallows and slipped them on the end of his stick finger. "Now place them over the fire and let it cook a little until it's a nice golden brown. Don't let it burn." I instructed.
While we waited, I opened the graham crackers and chocolate and laid everything out. I broke off a small piece of chocolate, took a bite, and offered the rest to him, "open up". His lips parted and I slipped the bit of chocolate into his mouth. "Don't chew. Just let it melt in your mouth."
Tenzo swallowed the melted chocolate "Mmm. That's good. Hey I think these are ready" he said while he removed the marshmallows from the fire.
I picked up two graham crackers, placed a piece of chocolate on the bottom cracker and said, "Ok. Place the marshmallow on the chocolate and I will pull them off."
As he did this, I placed the other graham cracker on the top of the marshmallows and helped slide them off his stick finger. I smashed the crackers together and broke the smore in half. The sticky mess oozed out and covering my fingers. I handed him one half and kept the other half for myself. "Enjoy," I said as I licked around my smore.
As we sat by the fire, finishing our snack, I turned to Tenzo and said, "So what do you think? You like them?"
"I do. That was fun…and messy. You have some on your face. Let me help you get that off." The stick finger he used to roast the marshmallows with had once again become a regular finger. He ran it across my cheek, smearing more of the marshmallow mess on me.
"Gee thanks. Let me help you now." I giggled as I smeared my marshmallow & chocolate covered fingers over his face.
We "helped" each other until both of our faces were covered. I grabbed a camera that was lying on a table and sat back down beside him. I wrapped my arm around his back, leaned my head against his shoulder and held the camera up to take the picture, "Say cheese." Click.
END FLASHBACK
It would be good to see him again. But first, a nap.
I pulled back the covers on my bed, took off my shoes, and climbed into bed. Within seconds, I was asleep.
I woke up refreshed.
I walked down the hallway to the living room and just before I reached the entrance, I heard voices.
"It's not that we aren't glad to see you, it's just that we are surprised you are back so soon. Your journey took 10 years." Adrian said.
"I know darling, but you have to remember she has always learned at a quick rate. Believe it or not her actual training only lasted 4 years. The last three we roamed from town to town helping out wherever we could. I just wasn't ready for her to come back when she was only 17. I wasn't ready to let her go just then. But when we heard about what happened at the Chunin exam and the death of the Hokage, we had to return." My mother explained.
"We understand. But why didn't Kia and Jade come back with you?" said Henry.
"Kia and Jade have found their soul mates. Last year in the Land of the Moon, Kia met a nice young man named Aaron who is a veterinarian. A few months later, Jade met Sean, a doctor. The girls are living in an apartment together and helping each other plan their weddings."
"How long until the weddings?" said Lee.
"And will it be a double wedding?" asked Ethan.
"They are planning to both get married in two years. Yes they are planning a double wedding. A date hasn't been decided on yet. They promised to send a letter to us when they have all agreed on a date. I'm certain they will be wanting both of you to help them with their dresses and flowers." My mother explained.
"Well, Ethan are you ready for a trip to the Land of the Moon?" asked Lee.
"I've already had my little chat with Leah's boys on the basic history of our family and I know that Lee has shared the more detailed insight into Akina's clan history." Said Ethan. "Has Henry had a chance to give them insight as to what may happen when Leah returned and Adrian the chat on the importance of commitment?" asked Ethan.
"I have" said Henry.
"Not yet" said Adrian, "I was waiting until she returned. We were certain about those three but there could have been someone else. She could have picked up another during her training. You remember she had quite the following. It just so happens that we were aware of those three before she left. I wanted to save that final conversation until we were sure of all parties involved."
"So Adrian, just how long until you do have that conversation?" asked my mother.
"I want to see how they interact with her for the next 6 months. If no one else appears to need to be included, I'll give them that talk then."
I walked into the room. "Thanks Dad. I appreciate you giving me a little more time before you marry me off. But don't worry. I know for a fact that it will just be Tenzo, Kakashi and Genma." I stated confidently.
"And how do you know that?" asked Adrian.
"Because of this" I said as I pulled the neck of my shirt down and to the side, exposing the skin above my left breast. There on my skin were three hearts that overlapped each other. In the middle of the first heart was a "T"; the second a "K"; the third a "G".
"And when did those appear" inquired my mother.
I smiled, "The day we started our journey home." And with that, I turned and left the room. I was going to visit Kakashi, as my mind knew exactly where he was. Konoha hospital, Room 204, in a coma.
As I walked into Konoha hospital, I saw Sakura standing at the information desk. I waited until she finished talking to the receptionist and had turned to head down the long hallway to the patient rooms. I reached out my hand and touched her shoulder. She turned around, recognized me, wrapped her arms around me and pulled me into a strong hug. "Aunty Leah. It's so good to see you. You came back just at the right time."
"Good lord girl, what are they feeding you to give you that kind of strength? Are you here to check on Kakashi?"
"Sort of. I'm here visiting several injured friends."
"Who?" I asked as I released our embrace.
With sadness she replied, "Rock Lee who was injured during a Chunin match and Sasuke Uchia who has injuries similar to Kakashi's."
I remembered from her numerous letters that Sasuke was the boy she had a huge crush on and that he, along with Kakashi, were on her team.
The times I would feel my connection with Kakashi the strongest were when he had been injured on missions. It was nice being able to have someone fill in the blanks as to what had happened. Sakura wrote to me just about every week.
"Hmm. Similar injuries huh. A coma?"
"Yes. Kakashi-Sensei fought Itachi and several hours later Sasuke was also brought in. Gai-Sensei brought Sasuke in and said that he was injured fighting Itachi also."
I remembered she had a third teammate. A loudmouth blonde-headed boy. "So half of your team is in the hospital? What about Naruto? Is he ok?" I questioned.
"He is fine. In fact, he is on a mission to help bring Tsunade back to Konoha. I know he will find her. I just hope he finds her sooner rather than later so she can help them. He was there when Sasuke was injured also."
"If he's trying to find Tsunade he may be gone awhile. She's hard to track down. Not to discredit Naruto, but please tell me he has a more experienced shinobi helping him."
"He does. Master Jiraiya is with him."
I gave a small shudder, "Ugh…that pervert. Do you know one time he propositioned Kia, Jade and I to pose naked for him. He gave us some excuse about us being such unique and inspiring beauties and that it was needed research for his next great literary masterpiece. He only left us alone after mom showed up and reminded him that it was unwise to perform "research" on Tsunade's god daughters."
"Wow." Sakura giggled, "I would be interesting to see Kakashi's reaction when he read an installment of Icha Icha with you plastered all over the pages."
"Speaking of Kakashi, do you know if he can have visitors yet?" I asked.
"He can and they are encouraging friends to visit and talk with him to try and bring him out of the coma. I was going to visit him after I spent some time with Sasuke. He is in room…"
"204. I know. I'll let you go visit Sasuke and I'll see you later in Kakashi's room." I said as I pulled her in again for another hug. "Don't worry Sakura. They are going to be fine." I gave her another smile. She smiled back and walked down the hall the other direction in search of Sasuke's room.
I entered Kakashi's room silently to find Tenzo and Genma on each side of his bed. "Good. All my boys are here." I said cheerfully.
Both men turned to face me. "Leah. Your back!" Tenzo cheered as he walked towards me. He wrapped his arms around me from my left side and pulled me close. "Everyone has missed you so much." He gave me a quick peck on my cheek.
I gave him a hug with my left arm, the side of my breast smashed against his chest, and felt an electric pulse surge through my body.
A few seconds later Genma wrapped his arms around me from my right side, "Hey sweetie. You've finally come back to me." He placed a kiss on my cheek. A blush ran across my face as another surge ran through my body. "Ah, I knew I would come up with more ways to make you blush." He gave me a dirty grin.
"Excuse me," I said as I moved away from them both. "I've got to give Kakashi a hug." I bent down and leaned over his body, wrapping my arms around as much of him as I could. This placed my rear in the air hiking my skirt up to reveal more of my thighs, "Are you enjoying the show" I grinned slyly as I could feel their eyes firmly fixed on my rear.
"Encore, encore" cried Genma.
Just then a nurse walked in the room, scowled at Genma and said, "Gentlemen you need to leave. You're making too much noise."
I turned my head, gave them a wink, and a "see ya later."
"Definitely" replied Tenzo as he pushed Genma out the door. The nurse followed behind them.
Alone with Kakashi, I sat down on the edge of his bed. My left hand stroking his silver hair, my right holding his hand in my lap. "I'm here Kakashi. I came back to you. Now you have to come back to me." As my eyes scanned his lifeless body, I found myself gently singing,
"I need you like water, like breath, like rain; I need you like mercy, from heaven's gate; There's a freedom in your arms, that carries me through; I need you, Oh yes I do."
When I finished singing, I leaned over him again and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead. I heard the door open. Sakura walked in. "I've got to go now Kakashi. You have another visitor. I'll be back tomorrow and sing you another song." I promised him. "Maybe when you wake up, I can finally give you a kiss that will be worth taking that mask off."
I rose from the bed and walked to the door. "Will I see you tonight Sakura? I'm sure the family will be having a big dinner. We can catch up some more then."
"Sure." Sakura said. "I'll be sure to bring Ino with me too."
"That will be nice. Until then." I replied and walked out the door.
Seeing Kakashi laying there lifeless made my heart ache. I placed my hand over my heart and whispered, "I love you three more than anything." As I did this, across the village in their separate apartments, Tenzo and Genma heard my emotion filled words in their minds. Unnoticed by Sakura, Kakashi's eyelids flickered. He too had heard my declaration of love.
After walking out of the hospital, I decided to make a quick dip at the spa before I headed home to help prepare dinner. I walked through the oh so familiar doors and saw my brother Micah behind the reception desk, strumming his guitar. "Hey baby sis."
"Hey Micah. Were you the lucky person that was chosen to fill in for me while I've been away?
"Yep. It has given me lots of time to practice. I've gotten pretty good."
"So are you going to be sad when I take my old job back?" I asked.
"No. I don't know how you did it. The cleaning up, the last minute changes to the schedule. It gave me a headache. But on the bright side, I did get a more up close and personal look at your three fiancées."
"Micah" I gasped, "they are not my fiancées."
"Maybe not yet, but they soon will be." He smirked, "You know it, I know it, and I'm pretty sure two out of three of them know it too. The other one is just a slow learner, but he will come around too."
"So you have gotten over the need to kill Kakashi and Tenzo and are now ready to accept Genma too. I'm so proud of you." I chuckled.
"Well, you're not 13 anymore and I have seen for myself how much each of them love you."
"What makes you think one is a slow learner?" I inquired.
"Come on. All of us have been keeping a pretty close eye on all of their activities while you have been away. I paid particular attention after they received the little chats from Ethan, Lee and Henry."
"Who is the slow learner Micah?" I asked firmly.
"You don't have anything to worry about with Tenzo. He's been in love with you since day one. He would do anything you asked of him, including sharing you with others. Kakashi on the other hand keeps everything to himself. At first I couldn't tell how to read him. But eventually he let it slip that he loves you. I overheard him tell Tenzo that he understood our unique family dynamic and could see himself with you, Tenzo and Genma."
"So that leaves Genma." I sighed, "I guess his flirting was just something fun. Not love."
"No. Quite the opposite. He loves you so much that he doesn't want to share you with anyone else."
"Ah. That makes sense. His father cheated on his mother. He must be worried that if I would be with Kakashi and Tenzo then who's to say I would stop there. He's worried that I won't be committed to him."
Micah smiled, "Once Adrian gives his chat about the importance of commitment, I think his fears will be put to rest and he will fall in line with the rest of them."
"Do you mean the fact that sex with anyone who is not bonded with us, whether on my part or theirs, will result in death by electrocution to said new lovers?"
"Yep. He knows that you would never take another lover because you would never want to cause harm to anyone else."
"But that doesn't mean that he will be able to accept me being with two other men also."
"I disagree. Knowing that he must become bonded with you and the other two in order to ever be with you will change his mind."
"How can you be sure" I inquired.
"He hasn't flirted with anyone in seven years. He loves you. He wants you. He probably is going to burst if he doesn't get to be with you soon. And I know of a couple of songs that when sung by you will drop him to his knees. Now go hit the spa and relax. You need to feel your best tonight when you knock him out with a song."
"You're so devious. I'm glad you're on my side." I giggled.
"Always baby sis."
"So Micah, is private spa 1 open?
"It is. You want me to put you down for an hour?" he said as he began scribbling my name in the appointment book.
"An hour sounds just right. Thanks."
I walked through the doors to the ladies locker room. It appeared that the spa was crowded today. I wasn't able to find an empty locker so I decided to grab a couple of towels and undress in the room of the private spa. I opened the door to the spa and turned the sign on the door handle to Occupied before walking in and closing the door.
Walking over to a bench along the wall and dropping the towels on the bench, I began to disrobe. Sliding my shoes off and pushing them under the bench as I lifted my t-shirt off over my head and hanging it up on the first of four hooks above the bench. I removed my skirt, placing it on the second hook. I removed my red lacy bra and matching thong and placed them both on the hook with my shirt. Picking up a towel from the bench, I walked over to the edge of the spa and placed it on the ground near the steps leading into the water.
As I slowly walked down the four steps into the warm water I could feel my body begin to relax. While standing in the middle of the spa, the water came up to just above my bellybutton. I submerged myself completely and when I came back up for air, I realized I was still wearing my hair up in braids. I walked back over to where I had placed my towel and removed the clips from my hair. As I gently placed them on the towel, I thought about the special meaning each one represented. The clips were something I had picked up in a little shop in Suna the year my journey began. As I unbraided my hair, my thoughts returned to my first visit to Suna seven years ago.
FLASHBACK
"Mom, can we stop in that shop over there. I want to buy something to help keep my hair off my neck?" I asked.
The weather was hot and dry. We were not planning on staying long in Suna but we would be in weather similar to this for at least a month. Mom decided it would be in the best interest of all of us to either cut our hair short or keep it up off our necks. None of us chose to cut our hair.
"Sure. I will pick up some extra bottles of water too. We don't want to get dehydrated," she said.
Looking at the various hair clips, I first spotted a clip with a black stone. I turned the clip over to reveal a lightning bolt. My finger traced over the image. I immediately thought of Kakashi, "I definitely want this one."
Jade offered a clip to me. It had a white stone on it. I took it from her "This one reminds me of all the beautiful trees we no longer see." she said.
"It reminds me of my best friend, Tenzo." I said as my finger traced over the image of a tree.
Kia picked up another clip with a white stone, showing it to me she said, "If you want something to remind you of Konoha, try this one. The leaves are blowing in the wind."
I took the clip from her, tracing my finger of the image. "You're right." What I kept to myself is that it also reminded me of Genma, who uses the wind element fighting style.
END OF FLASHBACK
After loosening all my braids, I ran my fingers through my damp hair and rubbed my scalp. It felt so good to let my hair down again. Since we wouldn't be traveling, I wouldn't need to wear the braids. My hair was long and layered so that all three colors were visible. I would still use the clips to keep the hair out of my face. I wondered if anyone else would notice the symbolism in the clips.
As I thought about each of the men I love, my hands began to wander over my body. A naughty smile crept across my face as I walked over and lowered myself onto one of the benches. The water now up to my nipples. I leaned back against the edge. Now would be a good time to practice one of the many training techniques I learned during my travels.
I closed my eyes, placing my hand over the hearts on the top of my breast. I began to sing, my right hand brushing the skin under my breasts:
"Like a moth to a flame, Burned by the fire, My love is blind, Can't you see my desire? That's the way love goes. Like a moth to a flame, Burned by the fire, My love is blind, Can't you see my desire?"
…moving in a circle over my stomach…
"Come with me, Don't you worry, I'm gonna make you crazy, I'll give you the time of your life; I'm gonna take you places, You've never been before and, You'll be so happy that you came"
…stroking up and down my outer thigh…
"Oooooh, I'm gonna take you there, Oo-ooh hoo-ooh oo-ooh, That's the way love goes; Hoo; That's the way love goes, That's the way love goes, That's the way love goes"
…my legs spreading as a single finger began gliding its way up my inner thigh…
"Don't mind if I light candles, I like to watch us play and, Baby, I've got on what you like; Come closer, Baby closer, Reach out and feel my body, I'm gonna give you all my love,"
…my middle finger reaching the neatly shaved, small strip of tri-colored pubic hair…
"Ooh sugar don't you hurry, You've got me here all night, Just close your eyes and hold on tight; Ooh baby, Don't stop, don't stop, Go deeper, Baby deeper, You feel so good I'm gonna cry"
…rubbing the inside edge of my folds…
"Oooooh I'm gonna take you there, Oo-ooh hoo-ooh oo-ooh, That's the way love goes; Hoo; That's the way love goes, That's the way love goes it goes it goes, Oooh that's the way love goes; Reach out and feel my body, That's the way love goes, Dontcha know, That's the way"
…rubbing my burning clit…
"Like a moth to a flame, Burned by the fire, My love is blind, Can't you see my desire; Like a moth to a flame. Burned by the fire My love is blind, Can't you see my desire? That's the way love goes"
As I let out a deep moan, I heard the door open.
Genma walked through the door, followed quickly on his heals by Tenzo. Apparently my training was successful. "I was wondering how long it would take you two to find me" I said as a naughty grin wiped across my face.
Genma and Tenzo stopped instantly, eyes wide, looking directly at me.
"I would have been here sooner but slow poke over there made it difficult" Genma said as he unbuttoned his shirt.
"Oh?" I said, "How did Tenzo slow you down?"
"I insisted that your song was for both of us and we both should be here." Tenzo smiled as he slipped off his shoes.
"Actually it was a song for three. I guess I'll just have to try this again when he isn't in a coma. You both can hang your clothes on the hooks next to mine over there by the bench." I raised my body out of the water, my left hand pointing to the wall, my right hand lowering and resting on my hip, giving them a clearer view my breasts. Genma and Tenzo froze, mouths open, the only movement was their eyes grazing over every inch of my wet body. "By the way, I only have two towels. Tenzo could you go grab a couple more?"
Genma remained frozen. Tenzo hearing his name snapped out of his stunned state and said, "Towels. Sure. Be right back". He was out the door, back, disrobed and entering the water by the time Genma finally regained the ability to move. Tenzo wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close. "What are these" Tenzo said as he raised his hand and it brushed across the three hearts located above my breast.
"I thought my father explained this to you?" I replied. "These marks appear when women of my clan reach maturity and their body becomes aware of their soul mates."
"Hey, don't start without me" Genma cried as he quickly moved over to the bench, removed his remaining clothes, and hung them up next to mine. "Red. Nice." He said as he made his way toward the water.
"Before we go any further, I need to place a few ground rules." I stated, "You can look, but don't touch."
"What?" Tenzo asked as he released me from our embrace and stepped back, "What about kissing? I mean surely being allowed to see each other naked is a step beyond kissing?"
"Kissing would be ok I guess." I said reluctantly.
"I don't know about you Tenzo, but I can't kiss without hugging and touching." Genma stated.
"Fine, looking, kissing, hugging and touching…but you will not go below the waist. Are we clear?" I stated firmly.
"Agreed" said Tenzo wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me towards him again.
"That works for me." said Genma who was now in the water and moving towards us. He stopped behind me, pushed my hair to the side with his right hand, placing kisses on my shoulder and neck as his other hand reached around and cupped my left breast.
I gasped, "ahh" as each kiss felt like a little jolt of energy shooting through me. With my mouth slightly open, Tenzo caught my bottom lip in his mouth as he moved his hand up to the side of my right breast, gently stroking me with his fingers.
I moved my left hand up to Genma's head and ran my fingers through his hair as my right hand grasped Tenzo's hair, pulling him away to release my lip, "more" I said pulling him back with my mouth open to receive a deeper kiss. His tongue sliding into my mouth. Each place our bodies connected felt like energy was being sent into my body. The energy was slowly creeping through my body down to my crotch. The buildup was becoming more and more intense. My legs parted, my clit burning to be touched. I removed my hand from Tenzo's hair, lowering it below the water to my aching clit.
Tenzo noticed the sudden removal of my hand, pulled slightly back from our kiss and said, "I thought you said no touching below the waist." He lowered his head down so that his lips could brush across my nipple all the while watching my hand slowly rubbing myself.
Hearing this, Genma stopped his kissing to take notice of my finger now rubbing faster across my clit. "Are we changing the rules now?" he asked as he moved slightly to my side. I released his hair and he returned kissing me. He trailed kisses down my side and his hand stroked my skin down from my breast to my stomach.
I continued the quick pace of rubbing my clit, finding it harder to speak, my body coiled tight and ready to explode. "I never said I couldn't go below the waist."
"So that only applies to us huh?" said Tenzo.
"Yes!" I said as a shiver ran through me causing my body to jerk forward slightly and lower down into the water. I placed a hand on Genma's shoulder to keep my balance. My reaction was not to his question but to the fact that my body finally receiving its much needed release.
Before I could continue our conversation, we were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Hey baby sis, your hour is almost up. I'll be needing that room in about 15 minutes." Micah yelled through the door.
My body regained enough clarity to say "Ok Micah. I'll be out soon."
"Looks like we need to go. Maybe next time you won't take so long getting here and we can spend more time having fun." I pulled away, walking to the edge to pick up my towel and hair clips. I reached the steps out of the spa stopping briefly to wrap my hair up in the towel. I climbed up the stairs and out of the spa giving them a great view of my rear before turning back around to give them a clear view of my tri-colored strip of hair, asking them, "are you going to soak a little while longer or are you going to help me dry off?"
Tenzo still confused by my enthusiastic response and dazed at the view he had been given, gave Genma enough time to push his head under the water, climb out of the spa, grab a towel and say, "allow me to help you with that" all before Tenzo could pull his head back up, coughing and spitting water out of his mouth, to catch his breath.
After letting Genma dry me off, I wrapped my towel around me, grabbed my clothes and decided it best that I change in the women's locker room. As I walked out the door I said, "There will be a family dinner tonight. I hope to see you both there."
After getting dressed, I walked out to the reception desk to say bye to Micah. He had just hung up the phone and was writing a note on a small note pad. "Feeling better?" he asked as he tore the note from the pad.
"Yep. That was just what I needed." I replied.
He grinned and jokingly asked, "I'm not going to find two dead bodies floating in the water am I?"
"No." I laughed. Why did I ever think that he wouldn't know that Tenzo and Genma had joined me in the spa? "You won't say anything to Mom & our Dads will you?"
"Of course not. Like I said you are no longer 13 and they love you. It would be stupid for me, or anyone in our family, to not recognize that this kind of stuff is going to happen. I'm just glad to see you have things under control." He paused for a moment, "You do right?"
"Yes. I gave them very specific guidelines and no one overstepped the rules. You will see for yourself the happy but frustrated look on their faces when they walk out of here."
"Adrian better have that talk with them as soon as Kakashi wakes up. They need to know the consequences of plucking your cherry to keep them from getting killed."
"Yeah. Well I'm outta here. See ya later Micah."
He handed me the note, "Here, this is for you. Henry needs you to pick up some last minute items for dinner from the vegetable stand on your way home."
I took the note from him, giving him a "Thanks. I will." and then walked out the door.
I arrived at the vegetable stand and picked out the carrots and bean sprouts that were listed on the note. Henry always made the greatest meals out of the simplest ingredients. He could make anything taste great. I paid the woman at the register and made my way home.
"Hey Dad!" I said as I walked in the kitchen door on the backside side of our house. I placed the bag of vegetables on the counter. "What can I do to help?"
"Hey sweet pea," my dad Henry said as he gave me a hug, "how about you wash the veggies you bought and then you can start chopping up the carrots."
"Ok. Are you gonna let me know what we are having for dinner or is it a surprise?"
"With the large number of people expected, I'm just going to have lots of vegetables arranged in bowls along with a couple kinds of meat on the table in the small dining room and then I will barbeque whatever combination each person wants with my secret seasonings."
"Sounds perfect. You're making rice too?" I asked as I began washing the vegetables and placing them in a colander resting in the sink to drain.
"Yes, but it's too early to start that right now. Did you forget all the times you helped me with dinner? Rice is one of the last things you make."
"No I didn't forget. I just wanted to be sure to be the one to help you." I smiled as I dried my hands on a towel.
"Don't worry. You know you are my #1 helper when it comes to cooking. I wouldn't dream of asking anyone else to help with the rice when you are around."
I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around him, "Thanks dad. I've missed being able to talk—just the two of us—while we made dinner." He returned the hug and placed a kiss on the top of my head, "Me too sweet pea."
A couple hours later, all of the vegetables and the meat had been chopped, placed in bowls, and neatly arranged on a long table in the small dining room right off the kitchen. This room was often used as a prep/display area. With a family as large as mine, we always used the large dining room located on the other side of the kitchen when we were all together. Every room, except the bathrooms, on the first floor of our house had a door leading outside.
The industrial size rice steamer my family used was cleaned and filled with water. Dad placed the large bag of rice he carried from the storage room onto the floor beside the steamer. I grabbed two large scoops from a drawer as he pulled the string to open the bag of rice. Now was the part I enjoyed the most, when we had our heart-to-heart discussions.
"So, what do you think about Adrian's 6 month plan?" I asked.
"He's fooling himself if he thinks that conversation can wait 6 months. I think he is in denial and having a hard time letting you go. I, along with Lee and Ethan, accepted the idea quite a while ago because after we had numerous conversations with the three of them, it was easy to see. They all love you. They react so much like we did all those years ago when we were courting your mother. Your brothers accepted the three as your soul mates long before they knew you had your marks. I'm sure now that Adrian knows you have them, he will come around sooner. Don't worry sweat pea, you know we all will help him adjust."
"Thanks dad. You know just how to make me feel better."
"Always sweet pea. Now, how about we start the rice and then you can go get dressed for tonight."
I handed one of the scoops to him and we began to fill the steamer. With each scoop, we filled each other in on the happy, sad, funny, and trying moments each other had experienced during my long absence. As always, he let me place the last scoop of rice into the steamer and close the lid.
"A surprise is hanging in your bedroom closet." He said with a smile as he took the scoop from me.
"What is the surprise for?" I questioned.
"Just something from your daddies."
"You didn't need to do that."
"We know. We wanted to. Now go. I'll need my helper back soon to deliver the bowls of rice to the table."
I gave him another hug and a kiss on the cheek, "Thank you. I've missed you so much dad. I'll be back soon."
"You're welcome."
I turned to leave the kitchen and walked out, not noticing the silent tear of joy that ran down Henry's face, "I've missed you too sweet pea."
I walked into my room and headed straight for my closet. I opened the French doors to reveal a red, silk sleeveless shirt with silver buttons and a pair of black Capri pants with an envelope fastened to the hanger. I removed the hanger from the closet, turning the shirt over to inspect it further, to reveal each of my father's initials hand embroidered in black surrounding my mother's family crest—a silver heart—this small but meaningful personal touch was located in an area that when worn, would be in the middle of my back.
I hung the shirt and pants back into the closet and removed the envelope. Inside was a note along with matching jewelry: a silver bracelet, necklace, and hoop earrings. I sat down on my bed, placing each piece of jewelry next to me. I unfolded the note and read:
Leah,
Welcome home! We are so glad you have returned to us. These gifts are just a small token of the love and pride each of us feels for you. We all worked on the shirt while you were on your journey, sharing our favorite memories of the smart, caring cheerful girl that for 13 years we have been fortunate enough to see every day. The jewelry is our acknowledgment of the beautiful and compassionate woman that you have become. We are so proud of you.
All Our Love,
Lee, Ethan, Adrian, & Henry (aka your Dads)
I placed the note down next to the jewelry as I wiped the tears from my eyes. I reached over and grabbed a tissue from a box on my bedside table and blew my nose. No time for crying. I had to get ready for dinner. I was glad that I hadn't put any make up on today and that I had been wise enough to have recently purchased waterproof mascara. I was going to need it tonight for sure.
I was just placing the last of the 75 bowls of rice on the table in the large dining room when I saw my mother enter the room. "Everything is ready." I said to her.
"Good, I was just coming to get you so that we can greet everyone. You look fantastic. Your fathers really did a great job."
"How did they ever get it the right size? They couldn't have guessed."
"No. Each time I sent a letter home this past year, I would send your measurements. My last letter was two weeks ago when I sent the note letting them know we were in the Land of the Moon. Being a tailor, it was easy for Lee to do the necessary last minute touch ups so that it would fit perfectly."
"So why do two of us need to greet everyone?" I inquired.
"I'll greet them at the door and you can escort them to the living room. Your brother Micah is already here and playing his guitar to entertain while we wait for everyone to arrive." she said as she directed me out the door.
As I walked past the living room, I glanced in and saw that not only was Micah there playing his guitar, but also my brothers Toshiyuki, playing the piano; and Tomio, setting up a microphone. Both my brother's wives and their children were sitting on the various couches and chairs. I sighed. Apparently Micah was serious about me singing tonight. I prayed that he would wait until our parents retired to their rooms and most of my brothers with small children left for the evening, before having me sing a 'bring Genma to his knees' song. It wasn't that I didn't like or want to sing, I just preferred performing certain songs to a smaller crowd. I didn't want to cause Adrian a heart attack. And seeing his precious baby girl sing a song heavy with innuendo and sexual desire was just the thing to give him one.
It wasn't long before the first group of my family arrived. It was Inoichi and his wife Maria. Ino was not with them. She probably is still getting dressed and will be the last to arrive with Sakura, I thought. I greeted them each with a hug and a kiss and escorted them to the living room, even though they knew exactly where it was.
It wasn't until Tenzo and Genma arrived and I had escorted them to the room that I was so very thankful my mom assigned me this redundant duty.
"Hey baby sis, how about a song?" Micah said as he looked over at Toshiyuki and Tomio giving them a grin that let me know they were aware of his plan.
"Sorry, I have to greet everyone." I replied as I turned around.
"Ok for now. But we are looking forward to hearing your beautiful voice." he said.
I could hear Toshiyuki and Tomio laugh as I began walking back to the front door, "and we have the perfect song already picked out for you." they said in unison.
For the next half hour each time I escorted someone to the living room, I would be sure to pause briefly to catch either Tenzo or Genma's gaze. When I did, I would give them a smile. Eventually they both gravitated toward the entrance to the living room so each time I brought another guest, I could slightly brush against them or place my hand on one their backs as I motioned the guest to enter the room. I felt bad that I hadn't been able to greet them like I had wanted to. Then again, with a house full of family members, it was better to refrain from thoughts like that as being around them caused my mind and body to act on its own. If left alone, I'm sure we would be naked in 5 seconds flat.
As predicted, Sakura and Ino were the last to arrive and they were together. "Finally!" I said as I gave them each a hug and a kiss. At that moment I realized a way to delay the inevitable and to be able to have some alone time with my boys. After dinner I would pull Sakura and Ino outside for 'girl talk'. They wouldn't bother me when I am catching up with the girls. I would have Genma & Tenzo take turns at causing 'technical difficulties' to the equipment so that when I was finished talking with the girls I would be able to spend some alone time with each of them. "You don't know how happy I am to see you both." I smiled as I ushered them to the living room with my mother following behind us.
"Good" Henry said, "Let's all make our way to the dining rooms."
As everyone passed by me on the way to the dining room, Genma and Tenzo stopped by my side and I motioned them to follow me. We walked down the hall to the bathroom. I motioned Tenzo to go into the bathroom. I followed him and then turned back to Genma as he walked through the door, "Shut the door please." I asked.
"Ok." Genma said as pushed the door shut with his hand. "You look absolutely amazing." He said as he pulled me close and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
I broke the embrace and walked over to Tenzo, giving him a hug and a kiss. "I need your help with something after dinner."
"What do you need us to do?" asked Tenzo
"I am planning on have some 'girl talk' with Sakura and Ino right after dinner. If you each could take a turn at causing some kind of trouble after my visit with them, I could spend some alone time with each of you."
"What did you have in mind?" asked Tenzo.
"I leave that in your capable hands. Just don't cause major damage."
"Can do." stated Tenzo. "Where will you be?"
"Out back behind a big clump of trees. I'll take a blanket with me and we can sit on the ground."
"So how long until we can get some alone time with you tonight?" Genma asked eagerly.
"I'll send the girls out after a couple of hours, then one of you can meet me back there. Just work it out between yourselves as to who will come back there first while the other causes distractions and keeps watch."
"Ok. We better get out there. We don't want them coming to look for us and finding us all in the bathroom." suggested Tenzo.
"Right, but first." I said as I wrapped my arms around Tenzo again and placed a quick kiss on his lips, "now you go and we will follow."
I released Tenzo from my embrace. He opened the door and left, pulling it closed behind him.
"Now for you" I moved toward Genma prepared to give him a quick hug and kiss like the one I gave Tenzo. Instead Genma pulled me into an intimate embrace, my body flush against his. Our lips almost touching, his tongue slid across my bottom lip, begging for entrance. I felt a surge of energy rush through my body. Instinctively my mouth opened, our tongues stroked each other's in a passionate battle for dominance. After a few minutes we pulled apart.
Genma placed a finger under my chin and tilted my head up so that I was looking into his eyes. "If I can't see you for a couple of hours and by some chance Tenzo were to be alone with you first, I just wanted to make sure you had an extra special memory to think about until I'm with you again so you don't forget me."
I looked deeply into his eyes, pulled his finger away from my chin and placed it along with one of my fingers over the heart with a "G" above my breast, my lips returning to his in another deep kiss, in his mind I reassured him, "I never would forget you. You are a part of my soul. Without you I wouldn't be complete." I broke the kiss, removing his finger from my breast, wrapping my hand in his, and silently leading him to the dining room.
Reaching the dining room, we headed to the two chairs empty next to Tenzo. Genma released my hand and pulled out my chair, sitting me in the chair next to Tenzo. Genma push in my chair and I said, "thank you." He pulled out his own chair and sat down next to me. My father Adrian shot me a look of irritation. My face gave nothing away, so his eyes traveled to my mother, Lee, Ethan, and finally Henry in search of some reaction. Getting none, he cleared his throat, raised his wine glass and said; "We all are here tonight to welcome back two of the many beautiful women in our lives. Welcome home Akina and Leah." Everyone around the table either raised a glass of wine or sparkling grape juice.
As expected, dinner was wonderful. As people began clearing the table mom came up to me and in a voice loud enough so that Micah could hear, "Leah, put those down. Tonight Micah can help clear the table. You have a lot of catching up to do with everyone." She said this as she looked directly at Micah who was now frowning.
"Is something wrong Micah?" mother asked.
"No, it's just I was wanting to play some music with Toshiyuki and Tomio."
"Don't worry Micah. Your brothers will be helping you clear the table as well as all three of you doing the dishes. They won't start playing without you."
The girls and I grabbed a blanket from the closet, and walked to the back of the yard. Spreading the blanket out, each of us sat down. "Ok girls. Spill. I need to know who, what, when, where, and if it felt good." All three of us giggled.
"You first Ino." suggested Sakura.
"Alright. I have several guys, nothing serious, who I have made out with several times for the past couple of years, all over town, and oh my god it feels so good that it has replaced eating chocolate as my favorite thing to do." she smiled.
"Well I can see that you've been busy while I've been gone. Ok Sakura, now you."
"Well, you know by my letters who. So far nothing has happened and I am beginning to think it never will."
"Ugh. You need to give up on the Uchia." Ino instructed, "He's currently paying you the same amount of attention as when he isn't in a coma."
"Ino" I said sharply, "Sakura is the closest thing you have to a sister. You need not be so brutal. Sakura, I know from your letters that you love him, but really sweetie how long have you known him and did he ever give you any sign that he is interested in you? Maybe you should let him go and look elsewhere. Find someone who will realize what a wonderful, beautiful girl you are and who treats you like the queen that you are."
"I guess you're right. But it's hard to let it go. I see him every day. Maybe I need to take a trip like you did. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. Just look at the way Tenzo and Genma act around you. And Kakashi-sensei…Each week I wrote you he would repeatedly say 'Tell her I said Yo", 'Ask her when she will be returning', or my personal favorite 'did she mention me in her letter?' For the last couple of weeks he even stopped reading his porn while we were training and instead was constructing a list of things he wants to do and places he wants to show you when you returned. It was un-nerving seeing him like that." We all laughed at the thought of him without his orange book and in its place a long scroll with him frantically drawing hearts with our initials in the middle, just like a teenage girl with a crush.
"Seeing him today at the hospital wasn't exactly how I had imagined my welcome home greeting would go. Did he have any improvements after I left?"
"It was the craziest thing. He was laying there and I was rambling on about how he needed to wake up because you were back in town and that you looked so amazing that I was sure he was going to get an instant nosebleed and then I started talking about Sasuke and let him know that he was in a coma also and all of a sudden the heart rate machine he was attached to started beeping faster. I looked at him and his eyes were moving quickly back and forth like he was in REM sleep mode. He moaned something that I couldn't make out and he did this for 10 minutes. Then all of a sudden it stopped just as quickly as it started. None of the nurses or doctors could figure out what had happened."
"Hmm, what time did this happen?" I asked.
"Oh, it was probably about 20 minutes after you left. Why?"
"I think I know what caused it. I was practicing one of the techniques I learned during my time away while relaxing in the spa."
"What kind of technique" asked Ino, "and can you teach us?"
"Well Ino I could possibly teach it to you. I'm not sure if Sakura can do this or not. It involves sending messages and images through your mind to a particular person or in my case persons."
"Cool. But why would it make him flip out like that." Asked Ino.
"He wasn't flipping out. Most likely he was….getting aroused."
In unison, both girls yelled, "Ewww!".
I explained, "The water was so relaxing and thinking about my boys made me horny. So I wanted to test out all my hard practice. I began singing a song with lyrics that were sexually suggestive….ok they weren't suggestive they were downright saying come do me. Anyway, what most likely set him off were the image he was seeing…my hands roaming over my body while I was taking the edge off. I knew for a fact the other two received my message, but I figured since he was in a coma that he wouldn't receive the message."
"Oh my god!" gasped Sakura in shock. "I can't believe you did that…and that you are telling us about it. No wonder he loves you so much. Your just as much a pervert as him." She said with a grin on her face and in a teasing tone.
Ino bouncing up and down excitedly said, "That has got to be the best technique ever! You have to teach it to me. Just think of what I could do the boys….heh, heh, heh." A wicked grin spreading across Ino's face.
"Now hold on. It only works on certain people that you have a connection with. Those three are my soul mates. I should have known better, I've had a mental connection with Kakashi since the day I met him so of course it would work on him. Maybe I should wait to teach it to you to make sure you are mature enough to use it for good instead of evil."
"Waiting won't help her." Sakura laughed, "It will only give her more time to think up horrible things she can do to whatever poor sap it turns out it will work on."
"She's right," giggled Ino.
"I swear, if I didn't know better I would say that you were Micah's daughter instead of Inoichi's. Ino both you and he delight in being devious." I gave her a hug. "But I wouldn't want you any other way."
As we sat on the blanket, I told them stories of my adventures and all the people we met. I let them know that Kia and Jade were engaged and they would be getting married in the Land of the Moon. Describing the village where Kia & Jade lived made the girls excited about getting the chance to see this beautiful resort village. When I gave a detailed description of what Sean and Aaron looked like, they were even more excited to find out if they were an example of the typical males from the village or if they were the exceptions to the rule.
"They both are smart. Even though they are civilians they are nicely built. They could easily pass as ninja—strong chests, muscular arms, beautiful smiles…both are quite dreamy." I said with a sigh to emphasize my point.
Ino plotted, "Sakura, maybe we can find you a hottie while we are there."
"And what about you?" asked Sakura.
"Don't worry about me. I know I'll find one, maybe two or three." She giggled.
"Be careful Ino. It sounds like fun and games having three man vying for your affections and attention, but it's harder than you realize." I said thinking about how it always seems like someone was feeling jealous or left out no matter how much I reassured them that I loved all three.
"Yes in your case it is true. But for me it's different. I compare it to fishing—catch and release. I don't plan to keep the small ones, just have my fun until I find the 'big catch'."
It was getting dark and as we all laid down and rolled onto our backs to look up at the stars. Music began to fill the air.
"My Maria, Maria, I love you, my Maria, Maria I love you."
"That's a beautiful song," said Ino.
"Ino, you do realize the person singing that song is your father." I informed her.
"No way!" she said in shock.
"Yes and he only sings that song for one reason." I giggled.
"What reason?"
"When he is trying to woo your mother to get into her good graces for a little bit of lovin." I laughed.
"Ugh. Don't tell me that. I don't need the visual." Ino complained, "I've already heard the soundtrack. Our house has paper-thin walls."
"It's ok Ino, you can spend the night at my house tonight." Sakura offered as she threw an arm over Ino and gave her a hug. "We better get going. You have to get up early to work in the flower shop and I want to get to the hospital early so that I can be there when the doctors do the rounds so I can explain Kakashi-sensei's mysterious fits." She giggled.
"I plan on stopping by tomorrow around 10 to visit Kakashi. Maybe we can go to lunch afterwards." I said.
"Sounds good. I'll see you then" Sakura said as we all stood up from the blanket and gave a group hug.
"Wait, before you go, I'll give you a quick glimpse of my technique." I said as I placed my fingers over the hearts with a "T" & a "G" and with my eyes closed I whispered, "We've finished our girl talk for the evening. One of you can head back here now." I removed my fingers and opened my eyes. "The trick is you have to send a small amount of chakra to a specific spot above your heart. The chakra opens the mental pathway to deliver the message. I just do a couple of hand signs mentally and sent them a simple auditory message. It takes practice to get the basics right. But once you have them, you can move on to all kinds of combinations."
"Show us the hand signs please." Clasping her hands, Ino begged.
"Another time. I expect one of them to be here in 30 seconds. Goodnight girls. I love you."
They each gave me another hug and began their walk back to the house, whispering back and forth to each other with an occasional giggle erupting from them.
A/N: The song Leah sang to Kakashi was I Need You written by Dennis Matkosky & Ty Lacy as performed by Leann Rhimes – 2000; Do You Wanna Touch Me? is a song by Gary Glitter – 1973; I'm Too Sexy by Right Said Fred - 1991; and Naughty Boy by Gunther and the Sunshine Girls; That's the Way Love Goes – written by Janet Jackson, James Harris III, and Terry Lewis, performed by Janet Jackson - 1993; My Maria written by B. W. Stevenson and Daniel Moore; performed by Brooks & Dunn, 1996.
Also, I doubt that Genma is a wind element type but to make my story work I needed all the love interests combined to have all of the elements. I know Kakashi uses lightning, water and fire, and Tenzo's uses water and earth, I needed a wind user so for my story so Genma is it.