Ryuu sat on the couch, Emi partially sitting on top of him. Mostly her legs were just over his while she sat against the arm of the chair. Their children had all grown up and were now in the academy while Tonoko and Miyu were busy with their own marriage and children. No television was on, no food was cooking. It was just Ryuu and Emi in the livingroom, alone together. It were times like these that Ryuu and Emi just loved to sit back and relax, enjoying each others company.
Ryuu sighed contently as he played with the edge of Emi's black skirt. His eyes drifted from his hands to meet her beautiful, loving gaze. They held it for a few seconds and then they both smiled and laughed softly.
"No matter how many years go by, I still find you the most beautiful woman in the word, Emi." Ryuu said and laughed softly. "You're still my little Emi."
She rolled her eyes playfully, a faint blush creeping onto her face. "Oh please, how long can you call me little?" She laughed. "I'm not that small anymore... and I never really was." She stated with a small shrug.
Ryuu smiled softly. "Well, I remember quite vividly how small you were when you were four." He laughed slightly. "And when I was eighteen, that night at the park. Seeing you on those swings, you looked so small and fragile - my little Emi." He chuckled lightly.
She rolled her eyes again. "Whatever." She chuckled and shook her head. "I still remember how easily my appearance distracted you - and I didn't have to do anything." She giggled.
Ryuu moved his hand to her cheek and ran his thumb lightly over her cheek. "I just felt so lucky to be the one to call you mine." He smiled and leaned over to kiss her cheek. "I love you, my beautiful wife."
She smiled and shut her eyes. "I love you too, my handsome husband." She whispered.
Ryuu chuckled lightly. A soft sigh left his lips and he leaned his head back against the back of the couch. There was a comfortable silence between the two which allowed Ryuu to think back over their lives together. They had been through basically everything together, possibly even the worst that they were sure nothing would be able to seperate them. A light smile settled over his lips as he thought back to the very first day they met. A knock had come at the door, and Ryuu was the one to answer it. A couple stood at the door, smiling down at him as a small little girl peeked out from behind the woman's leg. At that very moment, Ryuu had been caught in her gaze. He could still imagine her light blush from shyness and how nervous she was behind her mother. Remembering back to that moment, he didn't know who else could've replaced her.
That first day they had hung out went well, although making himself seem like an idiot, he had made her laugh. He loved her cute little girl giggle. And he knew, since his father had explained it to him a few times before, that if all went as planned, they would marry; and he didn't mind at all. By the time Emi and her parents had to leave, Ryuu was upset. He hadn't wanted her to leave, but he knew him and his parents were to visit her and her parents only a few days later. Until then, all Ryuu could think of was playing more with her.
-Emi age 1 Ryuu age 3-
"Alright, I guess I'll see you later then!" Ai said and waved. "And nice job again on catching that-"
Katashi shook his head and waved his team member off. "No, it seriously wasn't just me." He said.
Ai gave him a blank look and shook his head. "Alright, I should report to the Kazekage."
"Are you sure you don't want me-"
Ai shook his head. "I have something I need to ask him."
Katashi nodded. "Alright, see you."
Ai nodded and began to walk towards the Kazekage's building. They had just gotten back from a week long mission with three others, and Katashi was hurrying. The last time he had eaten was the night before, almost a full day. He decided to take a quick stop in his favourite rice shop before returning home to see his family again.
When he stepped inside the shop, he looked around and spotted his old friend from a few years back. They had grown up together in the academy, was even placed on their genin level squad together, but when the two of them married, their lives changed and they ended up drifting apart. He decided to take his seat at his table, and simply smiled across the table top at him. Aside from their greetings on the streets, it had been almost two years since they last sat down and actually talked.
"It's been a while, my old friend." Katashi said.
Ren glanced up from his food and smiled. "Nice to see you, Katashi. How was that mission I heard you went on?"
Katashi shrugged. "Slightly annoying. Lasted a lot longer than planned. I heard some rumors that Yumiki was pregnant." He smirked. "It's about time you two had a kid." He laughed softly.
Ren smiled softly. "Our child was already born. She's a beautful girl named Emi."
Katashi smiled. "I take it there was no complaining? I mean, I remember you were always wanting a boy."
Ren shrugged. "I thought I'd dislike a daughter, but I'm already really attatched to her." He murmured. "She's got my eyes and her mothers hair."
Katashi's smile broadened. "Isn't it something when you can look at your child and see both you and your wife in them?" He laughed lightly. "You remember Ryuu, right?"
Ren smiled and nodded. "He must be three now, right? How is the little guy?"
Katashi laughed. "Just like his old man." He laughed again and tapped the table top. "But no, he's doing well. He sure has been a handful." He laughed softly.
Ren smiled. "I'd like to see him again. He got that look, you know? A look that proves that he's going to be a seriously skilled child." He chuckled.
Katashi laughed again and nodded. "As soon as he's old enough to understand basic concepts, I'm going to start training him. Tsuki has been really good with him, helping him grow, you know? He's already has a pretty good throw." He chuckled lightly. "If you want, you can see him again."
Ren smiled and nodded. "That'd be nice. I've missed hanging with you guys. Actually," He leaned back in his chair and chuckled. "Yumiki was asking about you three the other day - wanted to know if I had heard anything about you guys lately. Of course I said no." He shook his head. "I think it'd be good to be close again - our kids could possibly be friends."
Katashi nodded and chuckled. "Just like Yumiki and yourself?" He asked.
Ren chuckled and shook his head. "Well, I guess that could happen, but that's not what I had in mind.."
Katashi nodded and chuckled lightly. Ren was just finishing his food, so Katashi asked, "Would you like to come for a visit now?"
Ren smiled and nodded. "Sure, sounds good. Yumiki thinks I'm still with the Kazekage anyway." He winked.
Katashi laughed and they both headed out of the restaurant after Ren paid for the food. Katashi figured that Tsuki would make him something. When they reached the front door, Katashi pushed it open and stepped in. A soft thudding could be heard as Ryuu stumbled around the corner from the livingroom, his face containing the biggest grin Katashi had ever saw.
"Daddy!" He squeaked and ran towards him.
Katashi laughed softly and bent to pick Ryuu up, throwing him in the air before hugging him tightly.
"Missed you!" Ryuu said and hugged Katashi around the neck.
Tsuki was leaning against the livingroom doorframe, smiling softly at Katashi. Her eyes drifted to Ren and she nodded. "It's been a while." She said.
Ren smiled and gave a quick bow. "It has. You look well." He said.
Tsuki laughed lightly. "Thank you. Not so bad yourself." She said. "You don't look a day older than the last day we met."
Katashi pretended to pout. "And I get nothing after a week?"
Tsuki laughed and rolled her eyes playfully before moving to stand in front of him and wrapping her arms around him tightly. "You're still my handsome man." She said.
Katashi laughed and stroked her hair, giving her a quick kiss before setting Ryuu on the ground. He turned to look up at Ren in confusion before turning to Tsuki. "Who that?" He asked.
"This is Ren." Tsuki said, moving to kneel beside Ryuu.
Ryuu turned to look up at Ren before pointing. "Ren."
Ren smiled and bent down to Ryuu's eye level. "We've met before, but you were only one then." He chuckled. "He really is a cutie." Ren stated, glancing between Tsuki and Katashi.
The two parents smiled. "Thank you." Tsuki said softly, then smiled. "And how's Emi?" She asked.
Ren chuckled. "So you heard of my daughter?" He smiled and stood up. "She's beautiful. A very quiet baby actually."
Tsuki laughed and looked down at Ryuu. "Completely opposite from Ryuu."
Ryuu turned to his mom at his name and grabbed her pant leg. "What, mommy?" He asked.
Tsuki laughed lightly and picked Ryuu up. "Nothing, sweetie." She said.
Ryuu smiled and wrapped his arms around Tsuki's neck as he yawned.
"Tired?" Katashi asked.
Ryuu nodded. "I wanted daddy first." He mumbled.
Katashi smiled and kissed him on the forehead. "Well, daddy is home again." He whispered.
Ryuu reached out to grab Katashi's shirt. "Daddy come?" He asked.
Tsuki helped pry his hand from Katashi's shirt gently. "Daddy and Ren are going to talk, alright?"
Ryuu frowned. "I want daddy to come." He murmured.
"Daddy will come after, alright?" Tsuki whispered and kissed Ryuu's forehead.
Ryuu frowned and rubbed his eyes while yawning an "okay". Katashi smiled and watched as Tsuki retreated back to the livingroom where Ryuu would take his nap. After they were gone, Katashi turned back to Ren and laughed slightly. "I guess it was Ryuu's nap time." He said.
Ren chuckled and nodded. "Very cute kid. He'll go far in the future, I can already tell."
Katashi nodded. "I'm sure Emi will do well too. Considering she's part Sakura." He laughed and shook his head. "Freakishly high IQ."
Ren chuckled and shrugged. "There is one fault, though. I think it has part to do with the fact that Yumiki isn't a ninja, but when she was born, the doctors discovered she has very little chakra - she wont be able to use any type of jutsu."
Katashi pursed his lips. "Hm." Was all he could manage. "I'm sure her intelligence will make up for that." He shrugged slightly.
Ren shrugged. "I hope so. I can't see life being easy for her though, I mean, if she can only learn Taijutsu..."
Katashi nodded. "Well, I'll train Ryuu up to protect Emi." He winked and chuckled. "This will be my 'I owe you' from helping me with Tsuki."
Ren smiled but shook his head. "You don't owe me, Katashi... don't ask that of your son, Katashi. She'll be fine, I'm sure."
Katashi waved him off and laughed. "Emi the brains and Ryuu the brawnz."
Ren smirked and laughed. His eyes widened for a moment before he closed them and crossed his arms as he leaned against the wall. He drifted into thought. "Hm..." He said, then chuckled.
"Oh boy, here we go. A plan for old times sake?" Katashi chuckled and leaned against the wall.
Ren shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not..." He opened his eyes and glanced at Katashi with a smirk. "Depends if I can get you two, and my wife to agree..."
"Dare I say once again...oh boy." He laughed and shook his head. "Go ahead. Shoot."
Ren smirked. "Well... I was thinking... you've always been jealous of my high IQ, have you not?"
Katashi eyed him carefully. "Just as much as you've been jealous of my ninjutsu." He smirked. "Two can play this game."
Ren chuckled and nodded. "That's my point. Now, what do you think it'd be like, to mix those two abilites into one person, hm?"
"You're already making plans for our children, huh?" Katashi chuckled. His eyes suddenly widened and he grinned. "Wait. If it were to work, we could bring together the Sakura and Inabikari clan..." His grin widened. "Oh, what a brilliant make-up. The incredible Inabikari lightning ability with intelligence beyond expectation..."
Ren smirked. "So I'm taking it you're in?"
Katashi chuckled and nodded. "If it works. When they're old enough, we can bring them together. It'll be up to them to decide whether it will work or not."
Ren nodded. "Of course, I wouldn't ask to force them, but if we set them up now, then they would be given the time to decide - worst things worse, they disagree and go separete ways."
Katashi nodded before calling Tsuki into the room. They explained their plans to her and she agreed whole heartedly. Soon, Yumiki was let in on the plan and she agreed as well. The four of them had agreed to make it so they met once Emi turned four - that way she'd be old enough to understand part of what a betrothal was.
