AN: Everything in italics is sign language

Excuses, that was the only word in Neji's mind while he watched the conversation between Chiaki and Atau. The man was full of excuses. He was a confident Lieutenant and combatant, of that he had no doubt. Far as some relationships went however, like the one he should share with his son, Chiaki was right to have called him a coward.

It was true that the man couldn't hear, or speak, however where there's a will there's a way. He was very tuned into spiritual pressure and that had been what tipped him off to Chiaki's pregnancy long before anyone else knew. So he could sense a new spiritual pressure growing inside his ex-girlfriend, but couldn't sense a mood change in his child's reiatsu?

Neji didn't buy it. In the recent months he'd gotten quite skilled at discerning the differences in reiatsu within their home. He knew without looking at them when one of the children were frustrated, sad, bored, lonely or even hungry. He knew when Chiaki's morning sickness was rearing its ugly head, he could sense it.

All of that from just the few short months he'd been a spirit living in soul society. A spirit with a considerable amount of reiatsu, he had to admit, but a spirit none the less. Atau was a trained Shinigami, so as far as Neji was concerned everything this man expressed was nothing more than a mere excuse.

With a heavy sigh, Neji tapped the other man's shoulder to get his attention and signed: My father raised me from birth until I was four years old as a single parent. My mother died giving birth. Granted, he had help from our clan, but you would've had help as well. All you had to do was accept it and be his father from the start.

Atau's brows furrowed before he replied: why only until four? What happened then?

Neji's response was immediate: he died. It's a long story, but the short version is he sacrificed himself to protect myself and my little cousin. You think you're protecting Tetsuya by staying away but all you've done is harm him. You know what he recently told me?

The darker haired man shook his head from side to side as he inquired: No, what?

Neji hesitated before signing: He told me that he was glad to finally have a father. I was stunned—but I understood his pain.

Atau Rindo's eyes became downcast momentarily before he concluded: It's likely for the best. I never had a father. I'd have no idea what I'm doing.

Neji shook his head as he countered: do you think I do? I barely remember anything of my father. I remember sparring with him, and snowball fights in the winter. I remember feeling safe. That's all. That's the entirety of what any child asks of their parent, to just help them feel safe. I second guess, constantly, but I'm there for him. Whatever he needs, I will do my best to make it happen.

That's when Chiaki decided to jump in with: That's something I'm sure you could've done if you had tried. Now he's old enough to choose what he wants to do. If I'm being honest I think he's the one who should decide. This directly impacts his life and it's better to get his input rather than to just decide everything for him. Ultimately we do decide, yes. However, he should share his feelings on the topic.

Atau hesitated before nodding his head in agreement. Tetsuya didn't know how to sign, not fluently. He was learning but it wasn't something anyone picks up overnight and excels at.

Chiaki struggled for a moment before both men gripped her under one arm each, and helped her back up to her feet. Placing a hand over her stomach she smiled to Neji before making her way to Tetsuya's room.

Atau hesitated before signing: I'm happy for her. She couldn't have chosen someone better.

Neji almost scoffed as he replied: I'm the lucky one. Everyone else I've known I've had to protect at every turn. She can fend for herself, but she doesn't stop me from helping her when something comes up.

Atau nodded as he confirmed: Yeah, she's cool like that.

Well, Neji couldn't argue with that one. He loved that she was strong, but also gentle. She was intelligent but humble enough to know when her knowledge of a certain topic was lacking, and acknowledge it. She was prideful without being arrogant. She did have a hot temper at times but that was mainly reserved for someone who'd dare to threaten the children, or one of her subordinates.

Atau then pointed out to Neji: You picked up sign language very quickly.

Neji chuckled as he admitted: I've always been a quick study, and best when self-taught.

Elsewhere in the home Chiaki was about to knock on the door to Tetsuya's room when she overheard Suzume's voice, "is he going to make you go live with him?"

"I hope not. He's okay to have around as a babysitter short term on short notice, but-" Tetsuya's voice trailed off. Chiaki held her breath while Suzume gently pressed him to continue, "but what?"

"I don't know. I mean—I don't know a lot of sign language. I barely know more than the basics. How am I gonna talk with him? How am I going to be able to tell him anything? How can I understand anything he says? It's scary," he admitted.

Chiaki felt her eyes welling up with tears as she listened to the two children. It was silent in his room before the girl's voice could be heard again, "it might be scary for you now, but imagine how scary it might've been for him when you were little. If what you understood from those signs is true, and he is your Dad—imagine how scared he must've been at the idea of you falling, and then crying and him not hearing that you needed him. Or if you maybe took milk too quickly and choked on it a little—I can't imagine how scary that might be."

"Hmm—yeah. I guess you're right. Still—this is my home. With Aunt Chiaki, and Uncle Neji—and you. I don't want to leave. My little cousin's going to be born soon and I want to be here. I want to pitch in and help out as much as I can. Aunt Aki gave a lot of herself to me in the last twelve years. I can't repay her—I'm sure she doesn't expect me to but I'd like to give back at least a little," he confessed.

'You silly boy. You give back every time you make me smile,' the brunette woman thought to herself.