Months flew by, and Fujis' fourth birthday came, this time it was something smaller, there was no need for her to be so formal for her celebration and she was happy for it.

Her dad, Ankoku, and Yasuda might not be there but at least Hyousuke, Jun, Kushina, Momo, Granny, Kento, his parents, and ma were there.

While her birthday celebration would have been nice to use to ease up the risking tensions of the village, but Hotoru didn't want to use Fuji's special day and ruin it.

They spent the day in fun, the children ignorant of the tense atmosphere that was placed like a giant cloud over the village from the war going on outside the border walls, not even Fuji who always had a keen sense of ability to detect things could feel it, she was too busy running around high on a sugar rush to notice.

The adults watched as the kids played, laughing, and just being the children that they were, a complete contrast of the hardships behind the border walls, they were unknowing of all the pain and suffering of the others that are fighting to protect their innocence, it made them happy in a bittersweet way because this is what they too had and are still fighting for, fighting to keep...

Soon the war will end

This scene gave them a sense of inner relief and determination to finish the war quicker so that the war wouldn't be brought to them, their children.

The children of eddies

...

"Did you have fun today imouto?" Kushina asked her while she happily ate her snack.

"Mm," she agreed.

"I'm glad, what'd you wish for?" Kushina asked distractedly as she was trying to see if there were any crumbs in the bag she demolished.

Does she answer? It's not like it ain't come true as it was a promise that was already made but still, she felt unsure, but knowing her sister, she knew that if she didn't tell her she would bug her and bug her till she said something and even then if she didn't then she would go tell their ma even if it's supposed to stay secret as wishes don't come true when they're said to another.

Sighing, she put her thoughts aside and answered, "I wished that Hyousuke will stay by my side to cook me his wonderful food" and so one day I could make him my own dish in thanks for everything he's ever done for her, though she decided to keep that part out.

"Hyousuke huh? Yeah he does have to make some good food, doesn't he? I think that's a good wish!!" she said with one thumb up towards her and a happy smile.

She felt relief hit her bones, it made her more anxious than she realized to just say that to her older sister, and for her to accept her feelings on the subject and acknowledge her wish, it made her happy.

"Sooo who's this Kendo huh!? Why was today the first time I ever heard of him? Why didn't he wanna play with me either?" Kushina asked her confused.

She gave a huff through her nose, she found the whole thing funny, Kendo went out of his way to avoid Kushina in favor of just to play with her, but he'll only be around Kushina if she was near Kushina, he was her knight after all, he did it because he felt as if it was disrespectful to her to pay any sort of attention to Kushina especially on her birthday, it was a loyal thing he explained, so unless it was an order he wouldn't be going out of his way to interact with the older princess.

"I did tell you about him, I told you about the new friend, my very first, don't you remember?" she doubted she did as Kushina had a short term span and was easily distracted, meaning there were things that she just up and forgot without meaning to unless someone constantly told her about it.

"Hm? Really? I must have forgot" she heard her mumble.

She smiled, "he's also shy and doesn't like talking to new people, so that was probably why he didn't want to play with you" she explained, but as it was, she lied for good reason, that being, she didn't want to share her friend, Kushina could make them so easily while she always had trouble with that aspect so she wanted this to be one of the few things she kept to herself, she just hoped that Kushina would listen, but she doubted it.

"Oh, then I know! I could just make him get used to me!" Kushina happily provided.

Maybe she didn't think that one through, she knows Kushina is stubborn, hotheaded, and rash in decision making, so this was a perfect her type of response.

Instead of saying anything more than giving an indication that she heard her she just sat there silently and listened to Kushina's ramble about how she would persuade Kendo into liking her and being her friend.

She'll just have to warn Kendo of her sister's future antics and wish him luck, while she'll just let things go however it goes, if they end up being friends then so be it, as she supposed a shared friend is better than no friend.

So smiling at her sister she left to go to her room.

She didn't realize her smile didn't reach her eyes, but neither did Kushina as she was busy in her own venture.

...

"So your sister is goin' ta bug me ta be my friend is what yer sayin'?" Kendo asked her seriously.

"Mm" she answered

"Why?" he asked confused

"She didn't understand why you hadn't played with her, so I told her you were shy and liked to play by yourself yknow? So maybe that's why?" she gave

He sighed but slumped onto the ground, nodding along as she spoke, he understood.

"Alright, thanks for the heads up! So what do you wanna do today? Wanna swim with the fishes!?" he asked her eagerly.

She smiled and nodded, he took her hand, and off they went to the reef where they swam together and played.

When they were on the way home she realized that she rather liked Kendo, that from seeing other families from the village and being told what that a princess she must find a suitor to help her lead the village, she didn't mind that person being Kendo, no she'd rather it would be him than anyone else.

So gathering up all her courage, she yelled out to him as he walked away.

"I'M GONNA MARRY YOU SOMEDAY Y'KNOW" it was the loudest she had ever been, it was also the most nervous.

Her heart picked up in pace and her face had turned bright red but she still faced him.

He stopped where he was when he had heard her speak, his face and neck were flaming red, he was choked up.

He turned around to face her and stuttered out his answer

"I-ILL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT" he yelled back before he ran away leaving her smiling to herself in relief.

She laughed on her way home and even began skipping at one point.

She was overjoyed.