A year and a half passed since Fuji turned 1, making her 2 and a half, luckily her parents were home this time to celebrate with her and the rest of the family besides a few.
With the war still going on, her parents would come home, rest, and then depart soon after, it was a routine she had sadly gotten used to.
With Kushina being in the academy, Fuji was left alone for most of the day, except for the times when she has someone training her, or the guard, of course, because of this, she was usually off to her own devices.
This meant she would always wander around the village to admire the scenery, the way the sun hits the rooftops making the waves coming into shore look like the pretty red Uzumaki hair, glistening with sparkles as it touched the sand, then the water will go into an orange color like the Amano clan, then slowly, it'll perfectly blend into the blue color of the sea.
A beautiful sight, and when the sun sets, or rises, the sea turns into a gorgeous golden yellowish-orange with some red here and there, twinkling. She couldn't get enough of it.
So she'll usually wake up before the sun rises and would sit on her favorite cliff looking over the water, then when the day passes, she'll go back to that same spot to watch the sunset, and every day she'll wake up excited to see the view.
When she had time during the day, she'll go swimming in the water with the fish, watching all of their beautiful colors glisten in the water, they'd play tag, and so far they'd always win, but one day she'll beat them, she'll also lay in the sun, enjoying the breeze and the beaming sun, She'll collect seashells, pretty rocks, and or she'll help the newly hatched turtles go into the water, blocking the birds from eating them.
At night, she'll go and lay on the roof looking up at the stars, admiring their beauty, with the moon shining and giving her just enough light to see the way Uzushiogakure lights up in the night sky, the way people laugh and dance, singing their songs, playing their music, or packing up their shops to head home to their families with a smile on their faces saying good night to the people, like her, enjoying the night, with the nice sea breeze, bringing along the different scents of the village that make Uzushiogakure, Uzushiogakure.
She loved it, and the routine she made.
...
Yasuda, was in the village more often than out, with him being a part of the royal guard, as long as Fuji and Kushina are in the village, he or another guard will stay stationed nearby for their safety.
Ankoku when he and Enkai at home he would rub his head all over Fuji to get the ferrets scent off of her, and for her to be able to recognize his,
Right now though, Both Enkai and Hotoru are deployed, they left two days after her birthday.
Yasuda is deployed as well, just left early this morning, in a rush, leaving Fuji to train herself with the routine he had given her, usually, though, he'll have a backup teacher for her, but wasn't able to find someone else in time.
Instead of doing the routine, Yasuda had given her, like she was supposed to, she decided to go and bother Hyousuke to see if she could watch him cook his delicious food.
He agreed, sitting down on the counter, watching him mince the vegetables, he was amazing, the vegetables would quickly be chopped, some bouncing up in the air from the knife hitting the board, she worried he might cut off one of his fingers with how fast he was.
After he finished mincing, he put the vegetables in one bowl to season them with sauce, shaking and tossing them around without a spill to make sure they were all evenly flavored.
Placing them into the steamer to cook, he moved onto the fish, seasoning it with salt and pepper on the flesh side only, sprinkling
It with flour, and then shaking off the excess.
Lighting the fire to the stove to a medium-high, he put some olive oil in the pan, grabbing the handle and whirling it all around.
He put the fish on its side, letting it simmer, the oil popping here and there until the fish became a nice golden color.
He then turned the fish over to its other side and cooked it through until it was no longer translucent but just golden.
She started to drool, the smells that came from the fish were heavenly.
Hyousuke grabbed a plate and a bowl down, putting a generous amount of the steamed veggies into the bowl, and then with his chopsticks, grabbed the fish, sliced it open to take out the bones, and then when finished, he placed it onto the plate, serving Fuji right where she was.
She bounced in joy, grabbing the chopsticks she took a bite of the fish first, the juices busted into her mouth, melting, she hummed, hurriedly stuffing her mouth, she ate both her veggies and fish in a record amount of time.
"Ah! That was so goood!" Fuji declared while she patted her tummy, Smiling a big smile.
Hyousuke was, as always, happy, Fuji was his favorite to serve as she was the most expressive out of her family when it came to his food or just food in general, always ready to give compliments to the chef, making his old heart feel light and at peace.
He chuckled a hearty laugh, "I'm glad you like it Hime, a nice quick healthy breakfast to start your day just right, I hope I did my job well done"
"Of course you did Hyousuke, It was amazing as always! But you gotta teach me how to cook just like you y'know!" Fuji announced
"Oh really? You want to learn how to cook just like me huh?" Hyousuke asked while making a thinking face, turning away from Fuji training not to show her his huge smile.
"Yeah! You're like the best cook ever! I wanna be able to cook just like you, your cooking always makes me super happy y'know, so maybe if I cook I can make you just as happy when I serve you a plate!" Fuji explained
Hyousuke felt his insides melt, "little Hime wants to learn how to cook to be able to serve me some food to make me happier huh? A sweet child"
"Alright, deal, I'll teach ya how to cook and when you think you became good enough I want you to make your very own dish that you created or took inspire of, when that day comes you'll be ready to become your own chef!" he exclaimed
Fuji laughed, "you're always gonna be my chef Hyousuke, but I'll be able to help you out this time once I learn!"
"You got that right Hime, for as long as I'm alive, it'll be my honor to serve you my food," Hyousuke said while bowing his head
Fuji threw herself at him, giving him a bear hug and taking in his scent, her favorite smell, he smells like powdered seasons, blended to make spice, completed with the fresh sea air of the early mornings, she spoke
"And I'll be honored to have you cook for me Hyou-ojiisan" she whispered
If there was anyone who had been there for her both morning and night, it was Hyousuke, he was always keeping an eye out for her to make sure she wasn't getting into too much trouble, or he'd pop up when she was thirsty or hungry, she believed this is what it feels like to have a grandfather.
She has one, but she hasn't personally met the man, as he's too busy leading the village with the war, so secretly in her head, she always replaced him with Hyousuke as her grandfather figure, finally telling the man himself how she views him.
She hoping he wouldn't suddenly start disappearing from her life like her normal family is.
Hyousuke smiled a gentle smile and patted Fuji's back then gave a big squeeze before he let her go.
Fuji now anxious that she's messed up their dynamic, was waiting to see if he'll acknowledge what she's said or will just ignore it.
"Come now magomusume, if you're going to learn how to cook then we better start now before you have to start those exercises of yours, and before your sister wakes up for the academy"
Her eyes watered, she didn't cry, but she was happy, overjoyed, she nodded her head and put on the apron he held out for her, she knew though that their relationship would have to be kept secret and be between them only, as her family might not take too kindly to her replacing her actual grandfather.
The cooking classes began, up until 3 hours later when Hyousuke had to start cooking Kushina's breakfast and make her bento for lunch.
She too went her way after saying her goodbyes, starting on the list of exercises Yasuda has her doing.
...
Sitting on the cliff looking over the sea, and feeling the breeze, Fuji closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of the salty water, hears the way the waves crashes on the shore, and the way the whirlpools whistles their tunes, and the birds singing back.
She opened her eyes and smiled, standing, she took off her shirt and shorts, folding them then placing them under the tree's stem along with the backpack she brought, she's now in her one-piece swimsuit.
Following the hidden trail down to the water, Fuji began to run, laughing all the way.
Her feet in the cold water, making them feel a little numb, she started jumping, splashing the water all over.
Playing tag with the waves, after, she got out and went to a small watering hole where a bunch of tropical fish like to swim, she jumped in, she didn't have any goggles, but luckily the waters clear making it easy for her to see without them, but well the salt still hurts her eyes, unfortunately.
The fish will swim up to her before they swim away, some will stay near her, swimming in a circle around her, their skin sparkling like glitter from the sunlight that filters
through the water.
When she finished playing with her fish friends, she hiked back up the hidden trail, making it up to the top, she flopped down and laid in the grass underneath the sun to dry off, the tree behind her providing enough shade for her so she won't get too hot.
She fell asleep.
...
She woke up by the sound of a seagull sitting on the branch above her head, starting and squawking like it's some alarm, which it is, she smiled and waved, sitting up and rummaging through her backpack she pulled out a sandwich and handed it to the bird, with his job done and him collecting its pay, he flew off
The sun was close to setting, in about an hour at most, she squealed and did a little dance while twirling around, happy.
Today around this time, every week is when Hyousuke goes down to the marketplace to buy some fresh fish down by the port, it's the last catch of the day before the fishermen pack up and leave to go home, where they repeat for tomorrow, she smiled.
Putting on her clothes after shaking them off she put on her backpack then ran down to the place she felt where Hyousuke was at.
...
"Hyousuke!!" a little girl yelled out, that was all the warning he got, he quickly turned around towards the noise to catch the girl who launched herself at him before she slams him into the ground.
Laughing, he twirled Fuji around for one spin, hugging her before he gently placed her back on the ground.
"Are you ready for our walk home Hyousuke?"
Fuji asked with her hand out, waiting for him to hold it so that they could walk together
"Hm? What's this? You don't want to see the sunset together like we always do on this day?" he asked with mirth
"What!? Of course, I do Hyousuke!! What makes you say that!?" she asked with dismay
"Because you said our walk home, usually we go into the forest before we make our way home," Hyousuke said, teasing her clear as day
"Crazy old man, that is on the way home! Have you forgotten? Has your age reached you? The books I've read that my mother left me talk a lot about diseases and disabilities, and one of them mentioned something called dementia where usually older people start to lose their memories, is that what's happening to you Hyousuke? Don't worry! I'll take good care of you! I'll make sure to feed you properly and I'll eve-" going on and on about all the things she'll do to help him out, Hyousuke laughed
"Huh? What'you laughing about huh Hyousuke? Oh geez, this must be serious come on we got to get you to the hospital!" Fuji exclaimed, trying to pull him in the opposite direction of which they were going,
Bumping his fist on her head, not too hard as he doesn't want to hurt her, his laugh died down into small chuckles
"Silly little girl, I'm not going senile, I'm not that old!"
They bantered back and forth until they made their destination,
Hyousuke enjoying himself, he smiled a gentle smile, Fuji truly does care about him in her own messed up way, as she wouldn't research diseases and disabilities that are usually found in older people for nothing.
It made him happy to know that someone, especially as kind as Fuji, would care about some old and washed-up man like him.
"What'you smiling like that for old man? Huh? Ouu! I bet you got a new lady friend~, Fuji said sweetly while wiggling her arms
"What!? Who's teaching you these things? Tell me so I could have a good talk to em! Is it that Yasuda boy? I knew that chump was a no good sugar muffin! Wait til I get my hands on him, I'll wring him a good one!"
Funi laughed, covering her mouth trying to hold it in, "come on Hyousuke! Let's go before we're to late! Look! No one's around either Ojiisan!" she said pulling Hyousuke's arm to the top.
Shaking his head, he shook her off him arm, and smiled, "Alright alright I'm coming, why don't you go and get the spot ready? By the time you're finished I'll be up at the top, sound good?" he asked
"Okay!" Fuji ran to the top of their secret spot, set down her backpack and grabbed her picnic blanket, and placed it neatly on the floor, in unsealing a butt pillow for Hyousuke so his back doesn't kill him, she placed their plates in the middle and sat down in her spot looking out into the ocean, watching the sky do it's changes, mesmerized
Hyousuke made it to the top, and sat on his pillow, pulled out the snacks he bought hidden away in the basket he was carrying, and placed them on the plate.
Fuji giggled and watched Hyousuke pour them both some iced tea for them to cool off, making eye contact and giving a big smile, she grabbed the snack Hyousuke bought her and opened up the box, it was dango.
She smiled even bigger and stuffed her mouth, Hyousuke are his own, and they both enjoyed the sunset together before they headed home to start on dinner.
All before Kushina comes home from school, today being a late day meaning she starts late and and goes home late.
They laughed on their way home, throwing away the evidence of their trip in the trash, licking on each other playfully.
Each enjoyed each others company to the fullest.
"Yknow Fuji, I heard a rumor that your parents will be coming home soon, " Hyousuke said with some seriousness as he wanted her to know of their arrival, but didn't want to disrupt the good atmosphere
"Really!? No way!! It's been like forever since I seen them!" She squeaked
"Yes way" he chuckled, "come now we're almost to your home let's hurry shall we?"
"Heck yeah!"
With that, they left, the sky no longer filled with the beautiful colors of the sunset instead it was twilight, the time of day before it became fully dark.