A/N: Short chapter last time- Longer one this time to make up for it.
You may have noticed I tend to do New Years chapters but leave Christmas completely out of the picture. Here are my reasons: In all the anime Christmas stories, it seems like in Japan they've commercialized above and beyond anything we do… don't want to go there. New Year's on the other hand still has that 'New beginnings' feel to it. I also find it is a nice place to mark the passage of time with.
Disclaimer: Naruto is a creation of Masashi Kishimoto. Please forgive me if I reject your reality and substitute my own.
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New Year's Eve Snow
The Chiba seemed to require the services of a shinobi far more often than one would have expected of a family of lawyers. So, for Chouji and Ino, the months passed in a series of planned, cancelled and rescheduled dates. It seemed that the majority of the time they got to spend together ended up being outings they planned with Ryokou.
The few dates they had when it had been just the two of them, though enjoyable, had an underlying tension. For Chouji it was whether or not he should introduce the 'L' word into their relationship; it wasn't that he didn't want to use it, it was just that he hoped to hear it from Ino first. Her problem on the other hand was the fact that she wanted their physical relationship to progress, she occasionally re-tested his boundaries, but he didn't seem willing to budge.
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Although Chouji had just returned from his latest mission first thing this morning you would never have known it. After escorting one of the Chiba to the capital to spend the holiday with his grandmother, the swirl cheeked shinobi had pushed extra hard to make it back to his home in time. He'd managed to leave a note to let Ino know he was back, and what time he'd be around to pick her up, after he got some sleep, of course.
Another New Year's Eve party at the Lee residence, but this one is different; there was contentment in his expression as he walked down the streets of Konoha, and not just because it's snowing. He glanced at Ino, You're by my side.
His attention turned to Ryokou as she practically danced in the street ahead of them. She wore a quilted coat in a saffron color, but her knit scarf was in her favorite rust orange. The hat she had matched but it was very definitely made with her in mind; it had two peaks that resembled cat ears, but had little side slots to pull her two ponytails through. Sometimes I think she has the must indulgent grandparents in Konoha, I wonder what they'd think about the 'kitty' ears if they knew about her father.
Ino, meanwhile, was hugging onto his arm as if to steal every bit of heat she could from him.
"If you're cold I can warm you," he said softly.
"And what did you have in mind?" Her voice teased ever so slightly.
"Obviously not what you're thinking," a slight chuckle left his throat, "not with Ryo-chan there." He stopped for a moment and pulled one of his arms out of his leather duster, leaving the coat to rest on his shoulder. He put his free arm around the blonde's waist, pulling her against his side then adjusted the side of coat around her.
Ino started giggling then wrapped her arms around him leaning her head into his chest.
"Yea! Me too please!" Ryokou came running back toward them.
They paused again while Chouji readjusted the coat to free his other arm, then he picked Ryokou up. When both his ladies were snuggled beneath, they started to walk along again.
The brown haired girl pressed her head against his chest in an imitation of her mother. "You know what, Uncle Chouji?" she smiled up at him.
"Hmm."
"Your heart sounds really happy."
"I'm sure it does, Ryo-chan," he smiled back.
"Well, what have we got here?" a woman's voice interrupted. They looked to see Tenten just up ahead, coming down the wooden steps of a porch that was attached to a fairly ordinary looking house. She still occupied the upstairs apartment of this house that her mother still resided in. The brunette looked like she was trying not to laugh as she said, "Don't we look cozy."
"I'd invite you in but I don't seem to have a third arm," Chouji kidded her.
"No, that's okay; I'm fine out here, after a three month mission in the mountains, today is toasty by comparison." She looked them over one more time before falling in along side, "I'm kind of glad I got back in time for this. It's a great time to catch up. For example: when did you two get back together?"
"Last fall," Ino giggled, "in the mud."
"Sounds like a good story…"
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Since more of their circle of friends had started families, the Lee's New Year's Party had evolved into a different event. It started earlier, so that the children could have some fun together (and hopefully tired out by ten so the adults could have a little fun too before the magic hour.)
Sakura happened to see the strange dark blob coming down the street and immediately went to the window in the front door to check it out. The twins, Himawari and Hinagiku, came up to the door to see if this was finally Ryokou coming to their family's party. Most of the other guests had already arrived, but Sakura had told the children they couldn't go out into the backyard to play in the snow until they were all here.
"Yes, it's Ryokou!" Hinagiku squealed, her hand going for the door handle.
"Patience, they'll be here soon enough," her mother stopped her.
"Aaaaww, Mom," the younger twin whined back.
"Go check on your little sister," the med-nin suggested.
"She's right where she's been for the past fifteen minutes," Himawari, spoke this time, gesturing toward the far corner of the room, "playing tea ceremony with Matataki and Nadeshiko."
Sure enough there was a gathering of three black haired girls kneeling serenely on the floor.
"Daddy, you have to see this," Hinagiku called.
Rock Lee left his conversation with Neji and Naruto to head to the door. He took a quick glance to see his former teammate walking alongside the bundled up trio.
Himawari, looked up at him, "Can we all get under a coat with you daddy?"
Lee laughed, "With all of you, I would need a coat as big as Akimichi-san's."
"Oh sure, just ask him then," Sakura replied sarcastically.
She opened the door to see Chouji had just put down Ryokou and readjusted his coat as Ino stepped away from his side. The guests stepped onto the porch.
Hinagiku immediately blurted out, "Akimichi-san, Daddy wants to borrow your coat."
Himawari stood by her side nodding enthusiastically.
Tenten burst out laughing, "I guess you saw them."
Ryokou ran up to the twins, "Your daddy can't do that any better than Uncle Chouji!"
"Is that a challenge?" Lee spoke up, "Then I shall accept it." His voice was surprisingly loud.
Tenten and Sakura rolled their eyes in near prefect synchronization. The pink haired woman was felt just a twinge of guilt for having to have dared voice the idea.
A moment later there was a thundering of feet as the boys who'd been playing upstairs came to see what the excitement was about. Wide-eyed Ishi led Naruto's sons Takehiro and Shigeki down the stairs, scrambling through the middle of the pretend tea party toward the door. The girls, as well as the adults present now had their attention firmly locked on the entrance to the house.
Naruto worked his way to the front, "A contest, that's great, count me in, dattebayo!" He loved frivolous competitions almost as much as their host did.
Hinata looked at Sasuke who just shook his head.
"Can we let our guests in the house first!?" Sakura shooed everyone toward the living room. "Back up please," she looked at her husband, "especially you, unless you plan on taking our guests' coats… all of them."
"Thank you," Ino smiled as she stepped in, "I only like to be the center of attention on my own terms," she unzipped her lavender jacket revealing a very clingy magenta colored top with sequined designs in the same color.
Chouji looked on appreciatively at his date. She'd met him at the door with her jacket already on when he came to pick her and Ryokou up. Since his duster was on his shoulders, he handed it off to their hostess, then turned, "Ryo-chan, let me help you with your coat." He crouched down and helped the child out of her extra layers.
"And just think, you didn't even have to train him to do things like this," Sakura said softly to Ino, "not like someone else in this room did."
Ino's eyes flicked ever so briefly toward Hinata. It was hard for anyone to forget how panicked and awkward Naruto was about everything to do with Takehiro when he was born. Then just as he was finally getting the hang of it, Shigeki's birth threw him back into a panic. She couldn't help but smile, Maybe I am lucky. After his first little visit with Ryokou, Chouji's been almost a natural at this. He's always been volunteering his time to help with her as well as with Shikamaru's sons…
There was a loud rap at the door behind them; needless to say it had to be the Nara family.
Sakura hastily handed the bundle of outerwear off to her husband. She had barely gotten the door to open it again when it began.
"Coat-coat-coat-coat!" the twins chanted.
Not even realizing what it was really about, Ishi and Naruto's boys joined in, "Coat-coat-coat-coat!"
Before Sakura could even think of stopping it, Rock Lee asked, "May I borrow your coat for just a few minutes, Chouji-san?"
And stranger still, the big man agreed to it, "Sure, as long as you don't do anything to damage it."
I don't believe it. The pink haired woman groaned inside.
As soon as Shikamaru and his family were safely inside the house they cleared a space in the living room.
Lee put the oversized duster on and picked up all four of his children after tucking them under it.
Not to be outdone, Naruto got his sons, as well as talking Hinata into getting herself and Matataki, (her daughter by Sasuke) beneath the coat. Then he managed to wrap his arms around all of them. "I win-ttebayo," he smiled, "four besides me, but one of mine was an adult." He took off the duster and held it out proudly, while Takehiro and Shigeki cheered.
"Not so fast," Sakura surprised herself reclaiming the coat, and handing it back to her husband. "Well, don't just stand there, put it back on."
Without hesitation he did as he was told and Sakura joined the rest of her family under the coat.
"I guess my family wins," the medic taunted her old teammate smugly.
Naruto pouted for a moment, then he turned to Sasuke.
"Don't even think about it," the Uchiha replied in a voice the cut as deeply as a well thrown kunai.
"And shadow clones don't count," Shino added in his calm flat tone.
"Ahem," Chouji cleared his throat, "how's my coat?"
Sakura held it out to him, "Fine, see for yourself."
He took it, put it on pulling it up so it was partially over his head, and did his Bubun Baika no Jutsu. His arms expanded and extended to surround everyone in the room. "I've always thought of you all as my family. So I win!!!"
Naruto began laughing, "I can't argue with that-Dattebayo!"
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Prior to dinner they let the children play in the snow in the back yard. Temari and Lee both got out cameras and took pictures of the children as they enjoyed the unusual weather.
Once the children started to nod off they were put to bed (until their parents were ready to leave) on futon strewn rooms upstairs. The old tradition of evening Karaoke had been dropped, for now, because it was deemed too noisy, in other words likely to wake the sleepers up. Ino was a little disappointed in its absence because the two loudest singers, Kiba and Akamaru, weren't there.
Finally, it was suggested that the adults go outside to play in the snow. Shino decided he would stay inside and keep track of the time since his insects tended to be slowed by the weather and would therefore cause him to feel lethargic. Neji's wife, Chisa, decided to keep him company since she was no ninja; she couldn't keep up with everyone else's energy level. However, she did get everyone's attention by coming outside and snapping a flash photo on Temari's camera while Chouji, Ino, the Lees and Naras ended up in a laughing tangled heap after Naruto and Sasuke had destroyed their feeble attempt at a snow fort. When they looked at her, she smiled and announced "Twenty minutes to midnight."
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In short order, they had all stripped off their jackets, doing their best to dry off any wet spots in their clothing, since none of them packed extra clothing like they had for the children.
Immediately, Lee incited the traditional round of resolutions…and some like his and Naruto's were incredibly similar to what they always resolved.
"I think I resolve that this is the year I finally settle down." Chouji said softly so only the few people closest could hear.
Ino ever so briefly smiled, then considered what she would say.
But someone else beat her to the next one, Neji had stood with Chisa, his eyes glued to the clock, at four minutes to midnight, he gave his wife a sweet kiss, said "Happy birthday," then gave her a gentle nudge, "go on, tell then your resolution."
She pulled on one of her black curls, then the violet eyed librarian said, "I-we," she smiled at him, "our resolution is that this year we want to give Nadeshiko a little brother or sister."
"Exactly," Neji teased her, using the word she had been known to overuse.
There was a polite round of applause, even Tenten was happy for them. In the years since they had married, she had gotten to know Chisa and was now a closer friend to her than Ino had been. Nadeshiko even referred to her as Auntie Tenten.
Naruto's voice cut it off, "You seem to be the only two who actually try to plan these events."
Temari had been one of the people who'd heard Chouji's resolution; she also knew that the resolutions cut off just before the final count down to midnight. Since she had no desire to be asked hers, she raised her voice ever s slightly. "So Ino," looking around to see that yes, she'd gotten the room's attention, "What's your resolution?"
The long haired blonde blushed, she'd been dwelling on Chisa's words and the electric thrill she'd felt when she'd heard them. That's what I wanted that I couldn't quite put my finger on…I want another baby. Suddenly Temari's question sunk in and she glanced about the room nervously for just a second. "I- I really shouldn't say, someone already said mine and I don't want to jinx it. You know, by saying the same thing, because I think…"
"You're babbling Ino," Shikamaru said, "it's okay, we understand." From so many years of being around her he was familiar with her ramblings when she was put on the spot at an awkward moment, I just hope it's a good sign.
"And it is time for our count down," Lee threw his arms up, and acted like he was conducting, "Ten-nine-eight…"
The rest joined in the countdown.
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"Home at last," Ino said softly as she opened the door then gently set about pulling off Ryokou's boots while Chouji still held the girl. He adjusted his grip so the blonde could remove hat, scarf and coat from the child and setting them on the bench on the landing. "Here give her to me," she still spoke in soft tones trying not to wake the sleeping six year old.
He passed the child to her mother, then turned back toward the stairs.
"Wait," her voice came out a little louder, the dropped back to a hushed tone, "give me a few minutes to tuck her in then maybe we can…" she winked at him. Once again she shifted the child in her arms.
Ryokou blinked with bleary eyes, muttered, "Happy New Year, Uncle Chouji," drowsily into her mother's shoulder.
"Happy New Year, Ryo-chan," he whispered back. What he could see of the sleepy face smiled as Ino carried her back toward the bedroom.
As the blonde disappeared into the room, Chouji mused, I'm waiting on the woman I love and she still shares a bedroom with her daughter. I want to change things for you, that was at the heart of my resolution. I'd like the three of us to live somewhere together as a family. I really had a great time with you, I want more days like this. As his thoughts went on he absently pick up Ryokou's coat and tucked her hat into a pocket. He put it on a hanger, wrapped the scarf around it and opened the entryway closet to hang it up.
"You are just too sweet," Ino's voice drifted softly from behind, "I would have gotten that."
"Eventually," he chuckled as he turned to face her. "What's with the comforter?"
"I figure your coat has had enough of a workout," She smiled, gliding past him toward the door. She pulled it open then took his hand and led him toward the stairway that went to the greenhouse on the roof. "I have the strangest urge to snuggle up with someone while we wait for the sunrise."
"That's quite a few hours off," he commented as they emerged on top of the Yamanaka's residence.
"I'm sure we'll find a way to pass the time," the subtle curl to the left side of her lips as well as the way she tilted her head coquettishly left him with little doubt of what she had in mind. She let go of his hand to open the first of the double door entrance to the greenhouse.
"Ino…" he almost started a protest but she continued on closing it behind her she advanced to the second, opened it and went the rest of the way inside. She crooked her finger in the 'come here' gesture.
He put his hand on the handle of the outer door and began to follow.
She turned to set up the blanket where they'd have the best view of the east.
When he opened the inner door she came back to him and took his hand.
"Ino…" he started his protest again.
"Fine, have it your way," she half sighed, "we'll just talk. My mother would kill me if I did anything that might endanger her precious roses and lilies." She gave him an amused smile, then took charge again with the command, "Now sit."
He did as she ordered, settling into the limited space. A moment later Ino sat beside him, reaching to cautiously slide his coat from his shoulders before removing her own. Then she leaned into his chest, contented by the sensation of his arm wrapping about her with natural ease. She leaned into him just a bit and whispered, "Lie back." She cuddled into his side.
After a very comfortable moment, she dared to speak, "So, um, what should we talk about?"
"When you said you wouldn't voice your resolution…" he spoke with a strange sense of anticipation.
She pulled herself up, lightly resting her elbows on his chest so she could look down at his face, "I meant that, I don't want to say it for fear of jinxing it."
"Was it the same as mine?" His voice seemed to be begging her to echo his sentiment.
"You won't get it out of me that easily. So stop asking," she bent to kiss him, sliding one arm around his side, while the other still rested upon his chest. She broke of the kiss just as he was moving to wrap her in his embrace. She saw that for once he was the one pouting. "What's that for, because I won't tell you or I pulled my lips away from yours?" Her voice teased as she continued to contemplate his mouth. Then her index finger started to trace the lips before her.
After a few moments of the strange attention Chouji ventured, "Um, what are you thinking?" He briefly considered wrapping his lips around the slender digit but worried that it might lead to some of the things he was hoping to avoid for now.
"I think your mouth is your best feature," she sounded so dreamy as she spoke. "Your smile can be so sweet, I think…" she abruptly hesitated, even the finger stopped its delicate tracings. I almost said, 'if we had a baby I'd want him to have that smile.' If he's nervous about giving me the kind of attention I want, that would send him running.
He chuckled softly, not sure of the reason for her sudden stop, then he tilted his head up to kiss the end of her still extended finger. "And here I'd have thought you'd have said it was the spirals."
She reached to touch his left cheek and began to trace the tattooed pattern. "I enjoy them too," a soft curl of her lips, "I just thought it would be better to expressing my liking for something you were born with."
"For me I think it's a tie between your eyes and hair." He reached his hand to take the one that had been tracing his swirl and gentle caressed it. Guiding it toward his lips he brushed it against his lips before kissing it. "However, there is no part of you I don't like."
She turned the hand slightly to interweave their finger, then guided them to rest on his chest while settling her head back against his chest. She spoke softly, "You know, Ryokou was right about your heart, it really does sound happy."
To Chouji this was suddenly in a word, 'Perfect'. Ino was snuggled against his as he stared out through the ceiling of the greenhouse. It would be hard to seen stars for while longer because all the light from the partying in the village, but that was all right they just needed to know when the sunrise was imminent.
It was not unusual for him to spend a quiet time (unless you counted the crunching of potato chips which he did not have at the moment) on his back staring at the skies, he'd done it far to often with Shikamaru. After spending several serene peaceful minutes like that, he finally felt the need to speak again, "You know I really want to make my resolution a reality. I want to see next year and every year thereafter in with you by my side. I love you Ino, I always have."
No reaction. It was then that he realized he could hear her steady regular breathing. Asleep, oh well. Still it's nice just being here like this, I can always hope I'll have the nerve to say that again later.
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It was much closer to dawn, they sat on the blanket facing in the direction facing the anticipated sunrise. Maybe now, he thought as he brushed the top of her head with a light kiss. He started to tilt his head as he planned to whisper in her ear.
"Yes," she gasped softly before he started, "oh yes, there, there," her breath suddenly became ragged. ---
Chouji sat bolt upright and realized that he'd been asleep.
His movement had jarred the blonde who'd also been asleep against his side. Ino sat blinking like she was trying to focus, "Ryokou, why'd you jump on the bed? I was having the best dream." Her eyes suddenly seemed to focus, on him, and her hand clutched at the comforter like she wanted to cover herself with it. There was a vivid blush that could be seen even in the dark. "You're here." The words slipped out ever so quietly.
"Of course, you invited me to watch the sunrise. You don't think I'd sneak off just because you fell asleep." He tried to offer the comfort of one of those smiles she'd praised earlier, but he found his amusement at the situation twisting it into a smirk.
Puzzlement filled her expression until a sudden realization hit, "Omigod, don't tell me I was talking in my sleep."
"Maybe a little," he chuckled, "sooo, what do you consider to be a good dream?"
She swatted his shoulder and said huffily, "None of your business 'Mr. Wants-to-keep- things-innocent'."
"Sorry you feel that way," he replied, "I just don't think I'm ready to share a hot spring with you," there was a slight hesitation before he added, "yet."
"But I thought that was every man's fantasy," she leaned toward him.
"Regardless," he put his arms around her, drawing her the rest of the way in, "this is as far as I go," he tilted his head so he could kiss her.
She wrapped her arms around the back of his neck, trying to pull him along as she tried to lie back on the blanket. When he denied his attempt by staying upright it broke off the kiss. Ino whispered, "What if I told you that my dream was about you?"
"I'd say 'If the dream was that good, I'll keep you in anticipation of the real deal'." He emphasized the last part trying to get her back for all the times she teased him.
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So Ino behaved herself, settling in against his shoulder while they talked about trivial things like: "Who's prettier of the 'Hyuuga heirs': Neji's Nedishiko whose eyes were lilac eyes were a few shades darker than normal Byakugan eyes or Hinata's Matataki with the mismatched eyes," or "Which of Shikamaru's boy is smarter?"
Of course Chouji was certain that Ino was coming up with this stuff solely for the purpose of keeping herself distracted.
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About an hour after sunrise Chouji snuck into his parent's home as quietly as possible. He was supposed to be using his old room (now a guest bedroom) to sleep in after the party.
As soon as his foot hit the bottom step…
"Chouji, is that you?" his mother's voice called out.
He froze, I forgot she'd be up before dawn to start on the traditional New Year's feast. "Yes," he turned to reply, then headed toward the kitchen. He peered in to see Akimichi Chikane standing at the counter chopping vegetables. The woman wore her favorite yellow apron that bore the Akimichi crest across her full figured bosom.
"Must have been a nice party to keep you out past dawn," she continued her preparations. -Chop-chop-chop-, the handful of leeks was sliced with expert skill and speed. "After all the resolutions, I assume you took Ino and her adorable little girl home." The round face with its short black hair rose up to look at him.
At the word 'resolution' he blushed, "Of course, Mom."
"Your father raised you to be such a gentleman," she smiled, in a manner which some would think of as 'knowingly', at him even as her hand reached for the next bunch of leeks. "You better get some sleep, because your cousins will be here at one."
"See you in a few hours," he replied, then turned to leave the kitchen.
"I'll tell your father not to wake you." –Chop-chop-chop- as her blade went back to its business.
He went up the stairs to claim his room and some much needed sleep. Funny how she can make an interrogation seem so painless. He'd observed the way her gaze studied his every expression during their brief conversation. He knew he was lucky that his mother's temperament was a gentle one; Shikamaru called her the most indulgent mother he'd ever met when they were kids. When Chouji told him that his mother was on special call with the interrogation squad, he'd laughed. Until he'd seen her in action when they were eleven, she'd caught them in a lie…well, Shikamaru at any rate. He'd remained quiet torn between his loyalty to his friend and his love for his mother. Shikamaru determined that she was an expert on reading the most subtle of body language.
I wouldn't be surprised if she pulls me aside and tells me exactly what my resolution was after dinner.
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The time was after eleven at night when the Kazekage had finally managed to settle into his room. It had been another busy day, but it was the first chance he'd had to look at the letter his sister had sent him via the latest medics Konoha had sent as part of their alliance's ongoing exchange/training program. It was a thick packet and that was probably the reason she'd chosen to do it this way instead of sending a scroll by hawk courier. He carelessly flopped into his favorite chair and then performed the hand seals that would allow him to open the envelope. He slid the letter out and saw that it was wrapped around several photographs. With a slight smirk he set them aside without even looking at them, Let's see what Temari has to say before I see how my daughter and nephews look. He eyes slid along the page, until he hit a phrase that stuck in his mind like a bitter taste did to the tongue. 'Be happy for her'…How, when my world is in such disarray?
His fingers picked up the pictures, after two photos of Ryokou there was a group picture that caused a surge of jealousy…Be happy…feh.
-TAP-TAP-
He turned toward the noise at his door with a snarl. He rose, stalking toward the door as he tried to control his mood.
-TAP-TAP- "Kazekage-sama?"
He opened to face the bald headed shinobi, Osaru, who was one of his evening guard, Behind him he could see the amber hair of a Chidoku woman, Shoei, her body language showed her as anxiously needing to speak. He acknowledged her by meeting her brown eyes as he asked, "What is this about?"
The woman spoke up, "Shiori is missing. We tried to find her before troubling you with this." She bowed her head to him, "The Chidoku take care of our own."
He gritted his teeth to hold back the harsh rebuke that first came to his mind while he wondered briefly if there was a hint of judgment against him in her words. "Where have you searched?"
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He went on his own, She'll be there, I have no doubt. He chose to take the same kind of route she would have. The Chidoku are too trusting, they probably asked the gate guard if she went by them. The woman was one of the top shinobi at both stealth and her ability to climb; if she went there, she'll have wanted no one to know. Even as he went by the most direct route to his destination, he noticed even for a January night in Sunagakure it was unusually cold. In a matter of minutes, he clambered down into the canyon-like cemetery. In another moment, he sighted the objective of his search: she was leaning against the very marker stone he'd expected to see her at.
"Shiori," he started by saying her name softly. As he watched, her hand moved, drawing back slightly, What have you done? "Shiori," this time his voice got a reaction. A surprisingly pale looking face turned to him, When did you start to look so fragile?
"I needed…to…" her brown eyes looked at his.
They seem to be lost in a shadow, he felt an uncomfortable sadness fill his being. "I understand," he said softly crouching down beside her. Only now did he realize she wore only a night shirt. His arm slid gently around her, offering her warmth from his body, "Everyone was worried," he whispered to her as he pulled her with concern, toward his chest, the other hand deftly taking the kunai away. As her weight shifted flaccidly against him, he took opportunity to look at what she been doing with the blade; across the stone there was an additional message scratched unevenly across the surface. The ache in his heart deepened, "Shiori…I'm so sorry," he whispered into her hair.
"…so lonely…" she buried her face against his shoulder, and then nothing more.
He adjusted the way his arm was around her, lifting her as he stood again. He moved at a smooth, yet swift pace back to the gates. The gate guard showed an obvious shock as he came to them carrying the sleeping form of the woman that the Chidoku had earlier asked them if they'd seen.
One at least had enough wit about him to grab a blanket for the lightly clad woman.
The Kazekage's eyes narrowed at the rest of them, "Do you really think a jounin who wants to get away will only walk out through the gate? I want the watch captain in my office first thing tomorrow." He started to turn away, then paused, "I also want one of you to find the cemetery groundskeeper and tell him to do nothing with his crew until he has spoken with me tomorrow."
Heads bowed in both acknowledgement and shame.
And Kankurou headed home, still carrying Shiori.
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When he entered the Kazekage's residence, he was immediately approached by Shoei and Shinobu, one of the other women who had regularly attended his wife in the past and currently helped with his sons. "Did anyone of your household even consider the cemetery?"
Shinobu's hands flew to her mouth with a gasp, while Shoei started to offer apologies.
He silenced her with a glare, "She stays here tonight, we'll talk in the morning." He headed toward the stairs without another word, moving with silent dignity toward the floor that held his residence suite.
Osaru acknowledged his return with a slight nod and followed solely for the purpose of opening whatever door the Kazekage carried Shiori to. When Kankurou made it all the way to his own chamber, an eyebrow arched for the slightest second, but promptly withdrew the question...
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He set her down, throwing the gate blanket onto his chair, leaving her feet still hanging off the bed. He went quickly to fill a pitcher with warm water, bringing a cloth and towel so he could wash and dry her bare feet. My first thought would be 'What was she thinking?…' but obviously she wasn't…couldn't, he corrected. I wish… he shook his head; I cannot change what is in the past, no matter how much I might desire it.
He covered her and cleaned up, the mess he'd made. Upon his return he gave a glance to the woman on his bed. He considered his own exhaustion and almost mused with the idea of curling up beside her. No, my carelessness caused the pain she's already in. Why give her another lie to believe in? He adjusted the bedding around her one last time.
Then suddenly he realized he'd left the box where he stored his letters and photographs out. He took a moment delay in the re-packing as he looked at Ryokou's latest picture one last time. The cat ears are cute, but where did she get her liking for that color from? It's almost the only thing she wears. Gently replacing it on the top of the stack, he sealed the box and returned it to its hiding place. Finally, he took one last melancholy gaze at Shiori, before settling into his chair to go to sleep, pulling the gate blanket around him.
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A/N: Yes, this is Chisa, the librarian who appeared in Konoha Babylon: The Hokage's Request. I'd actually like to write a little more of the Neji/Chisa back story as well as when Tenten got over her jealousy of her.
I decided to give Chouji's mother the name Chikane, because she will pop up again. If you haven't seen it there is an episode in Naruto Shippuden where Shikamaru stops at the Akimichi residence and she talks briefly to him before Chouza appears. I kept her basic description. I even checked the voice actor listings to see how she was listed and they only listed her as 'Chouji's mother'.
Thank you to my reviewers, Awaii & pattie mayonnaise I really enjoy hearing from you. Thank you to my other readers as well, hope you enjoyed the latest set of twists in the story.