And here we are again! Chapter 2 of Lotuses Bloom Twice~! Hopefully I can keep up the momentum… Anywho, I don't own anything aside from the idea and plot twists and occasional OCs. Please review, it gives me energy to keep writing and hopefully by the end of November I will have another chapter for Red Strings done.
And thank you to those who took an interest in my story with favorites or follows, it helps keep my creative juices going!
Now- on with the show~!
Despite being in the middle of the Third Shinobi War, Mikoto is beaming and cooing at her little nephew and niece as they try to roll over.
"Aren't they so cute, Mikoto-chan?" Aika asks, resting on a seat cushion as Kazuki and Mikoto hover.
"Hai! I want to smush their faces-!" Mikoto giggles, reaching out to do just that.
Shisui makes disgruntled noises while Yomena blinks at Mikoto in confusion as her face is gently cradled.
"Aaah, Aika-nee, she got your grandmother's eyes-! Such a lovely purple color- too bad Shisui didn't get them as well but Yomena-chan is adorable~!" Mikoto comments.
Aika hums, smiling at the compliment.
"Kaa-san said they were hereditary but she was sad when I didn't get them. Looks like it skipped a generation."
"Your kaa-san was a wandering kunoichi, wasn't she?" Mikoto inquires, happy to gossip.
Aika nods, smoothing Shisui's hair back from his forehead.
"Mhm. She didn't have a home country so she moved around as she pleased until my father started his courtship."
"Didn't he serenade her during an infiltration mission?" Kazuki asks, smirking.
"And chase her across the continent?" Mikoto adds.
Aika snorts with laughter, nodding.
"She electrified him after completing her mission- despite her client thinking she was a heartless thief of men's hearts and left in a huff, for all the good it did her. He was besotted and dogged."
"Rather like you two," Mikoto teases.
Aika flushes but boldly stares Mikoto down while Kazuki roars with laughter.
"Aa, that would be us," Kazuki admits, looking at his wife.
She meets his eyes with a challenging gleam in hers and he steals a kiss before turning his full attention to Shisui and Yomena.
"Aren't they the cutest?!" Kazuki beams.
Mikoto rolls her eyes at her older brother.
"You are such a sap," She says fondly.
"Hush! Don't go telling my enemies that!" Kazuki chuckles, tickling Shisui.
An uncomfortable silence grows, the unspoken elephant in the room at the forefront of their minds. Mikoto breaks it, determined as always to face the heart of the matter head on.
"When do you leave?" She asks.
Kazuki's smile gentles as he smooths Yomena's hair.
"Tomorrow. Aika isn't due back on the battlefield for another four months…" He sighs.
Aika's mouth tightens while Mikoto and Aika share glances.
"They're sending you to the frontlines in Iwa, aren't they." Mikoto guesses.
Kazuki holds his finger up to his lips, hushing her chidingly.
"Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies~!"
Mikoto can't help but laugh at that, nodding. Aika sneakily takes Mikoto's hand and squeezes it before lifting Shisui into her lap.
"Pass Yomena here and take a memory for the road." Aika orders Kazuki.
Mikoto, catching on, quickly picks up Yomena and passes her to Aika who cradles both infants. Kazuki stares at Aika, baffled.
"Eh?"
Aika rolls her eyes fondly but exasperatedly.
"Use your Sharingan, dolt, so you remember us and how adorable our children are."
Kazuki's eyes widen and they flash a burning crimson as he drinks in their features- how Shisui is starting to grow curly hair, Aika is still gleaming with good health and Yomena staring him right in the eye as she sucks her thumb. Kazuki can't help himself and kisses Aika then the twins on their foreheads, cooing at them with the Sharingan spinning slowly. Aika uses her leg to trap him behind the knees, matching Sharingan meeting his.
"Come back to us." She commands.
Kazuki smiles at her.
"As you wish." He hums before giving her a too brief kiss.
Mikoto clears her throat and archly raises her eyebrows at the couple.
"So when can I expect to have my darling niece and nephew all to myself to corrupt and cuddle?" She asks.
Regretfully, Aika and Kazuki pull apart, Kazuki making a face at his sister.
"Really, imouto? Way to ruin the moment." He groans.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not in the mood to see you two have a snog fest right before your innocent little darlings." Mikoto sniffs, an amused smirk on her face.
Kazuki deadpans at his sister before sighing in an overexaggerated way to show it is not genuine annoyance.
"After Aika heads for the front in a few months- you will be around, right?" He pointedly asks.
Mikoto nods, a smile tugging at her lips.
"Great, then you'll have them all to yourself in a few months." Kazuki clarifies, snagging Shisui from Aika.
"I shall look forward to it~" Mikoto rubs her hands together, giggling.
Kazuki glances at Aika and mock whispers.
"Is it too late to leave them with my aunt?"
Aika snorts, rocking Yomena.
"Of course it is."
"My poor babies, you're doomed to be cooed and cuddled and giggled at- whatever shall you do?" Kazuki says dramatically.
"Sleep through it, if they're smart." Aika hums.
All three adults burst into laughter at that and for a moment, everything is warm, bright and perfect. The next day Kazuki leaves for the front, facing the Explosion Squad and Iwa's doton trap masters. Four months later, Aika heads to the Kumo war front under the command of Nara Ensui. A year later, news reaches Konoha that several of the jonin are cycling back to the village to rest and Mikoto is hugging Yomena and Shisui to her as they wait to see who makes it home from the war.
Aika returns with a rather impressive set of new scars, one claiming her right eye, but mostly hale and whole. Kazuki returns in a body scroll, killed in action in one of the last battles of the war. Mikoto and Aika grieve while Shisui and Yomena are confused by the sudden tears and crying jags. But unknown to all, curious purple eyes see the transparent form of Uchiha Kazuki helplessly watching his sister and wife grieve.
Battle rages across Hi no Kuni's boarders and some inroads into the country, Mikoto finally marries her fiancé Fugaku and becomes Matriarch of the clan. Aika still comes over with virtually no ceremony to visit her sister-in-law and let Mikoto bond with her brother's children when she can. Fugaku is ignored when he grumbles how it isn't seeming to be so uncouth.
Three years pass…
Pitter-patter of feet is Obito's only warning before a tiny missel slams into his legs.
"Obi-nii! Tadaima!"
Obito yelps as Yomena clamps down on his legs, the four-year old beaming up at him.
"Yomena-chan, I have to go to the Academy! I can't be late again-!" Obito tells her, trying to pry her off.
"Obi-nii leave?" Yomena asks cutely, tilting her head.
Obito nods frantically.
"Yes, Obi-nii is leaving, can you say 'sayonara'?" He asks her.
Yomena frowns but beams, letting go of his legs.
"Sayonara, Obi-nii!"
Obito immediately speeds off, waving over his shoulder.
"See you later, Yomena-chan and I'll take you and Shisui to get some candy!" Obito yells.
"Bye-bye!" Yomena waves and hums as she watches a female ghost trail after Obito despondently.
Purple eyes flicker here and there, taking in her surroundings as Yomena makes her way home. No matter where she looks, Yomena sees the transparent people drifting here and there, staring listlessly as the living people of Konohagakure going about their lives. Humming to herself, Yomena skips back to her house tucked away off one of the side streets in the ninja district. Her kaa-san (her mind keeps whispering A-Niang) had bought the house before Shisui and her were born. At the door, she hesitates then slides it open.
"Tadaima!" She calls into the house.
"Okaeri, Mena!" Shisui yells, racing up to her.
Yomena beams, hugging Shisui tightly when he is close enough.
"Missed you!" She giggles.
"Missed you too! Where were you, Mena-chan?" Shisui asks, tilting his head.
"To say bye-bye to Obi-nii!" Yomena says, tilting her head with a happy smile.
Shisui perks up at the mention of their cousin, eyes sparkling.
"Was he late today?"
"Uh huh! Obi-nii has lots of trouble with time, ne?" Yomena giggles.
"Un! But he's really awesome!" Shisui laughs.
"Ah! Obi-nii said he would take us for candy today after school!" She remembers.
"Really?!" Shisui gapes at his twin.
Yomena nods, glee and happiness radiating from her. About to respond, Yomena and Shisui freeze as the door to their mother's room opens and Aika steps out. Even for an Uchiha, Aika is far paler than she should be and leaner. The twins exchange glances as Aika makes her way slowly but steadily to the kitchen. In her wake follows Kazuki, staring mournfully at his wife, whom Yomena recognizes from a picture Aika keeps in their family shrine. Shisui and Yomena communicate silently before Shisui takes the initiative.
"Kaa-san, we're gonna go see Mikoto-oba-san and then Obi-nii, okay?" He says with forced cheer.
Aika blinks and looks at them as if she is seeing them for the first time.
"Shisui? Yomena-? Ah, Mikoto-chan is due soon, isn't she… Tell her I said hello, alright?" Aika tells them.
Yomena nods, pointedly not looking at her father's ghost.
"We will!" She promises.
"Good, good… tomorrow we will do more training. Be in bed before eight." Aika warns them before pulling on her flack-jacket.
The twins move out of the way as their mother heads out to do her shift at Cryptography. Once the door closes, Shisui starts to pace anxiously.
"Kaa-san is getting worse- she's tired all the time and barely eats, Mena-chan!"
"Aa- maybe we should cook something yummy and filling so she can feel better." Yomena says thoughtfully.
In the back of her mind, Yomena wonders if their dead father has anything to do with Kaa-san's loss of energy. A voice hisses but as always, she cannot hear it clearly (exorcising the ghost will give her A-Niang's yang energy back). Vaguely Yomena wonders why she has the not-voice but focuses on more important matters. Like dinner.
"I can make soup- that's easy to eat!" She decides.
Shisui nods in agreement- of the two, Yomena was a better cook since she frequently watches Mikoto in her kitchen and mimics what she sees. Plan decided, the twins bustle outside and head to the Uchiha Clan head's house. It is quieter in the old district- Kaa-san told them originally the Uchihas lived near the shrine but moved away when Konoha got bigger.
Politely, Shisui knocks on the door while Yomena waits patiently behind him for permission to enter. Aunt Mikoto was very firm about knocking before entering someone's home, a rule the twins follow seriously.
"Come in!" Mikoto calls cheerfully.
They tug the door open and dart in only to remember to remove their shoes and grab their guest slippers before seeking their aunt. Mikoto is humming in the kitchen, stirring something, when they burst inside.
"Mikoto-baa-san, tadaima!" Shisui yells.
"Tadaima, Mikoto-oba-san!" Yomena chirps, tumbling in after her brother.
Mikoto turns and chuckles at the sight of them. Near the end of her pregnancy, Mikoto is very round yet is gleaming with good health.
"Well look who it is! My favorite niece and nephew! I was making egg drop soup, would you like some?" She asks.
"Yes please!" Shisui grins, running over to the table.
Yomena lingers and Mikoto's sharp eyes read her niece easily.
"Would you like to help, Mena-chan?" Mikoto inquires.
Yomena nods, a shy smile on her face.
"Alright, grab the stool and you can stir while I get the bowls." She offers.
"Hai!" Yomena chirps, dragging a stool to the stove.
Carefully balancing, Yomena concentrates on stirring while Mikoto gently gets Shisui to help set the table. Not long after the soup is done and is ladled into the bowls, steam wafting from it temptingly. Mikoto claps her hands together and the twins mimic her, watching closely.
"Itadakimasu!" Mikoto declares before picking up her spoon.
"Itadakimasu!" Shisui and Yomena say in sync.
"Blow before swallowing, you don't want a burned tongue," Mikoto reminds them.
"Hai!"
"Okay!"
They answer before doing as asked, blowing on the soup. Mikoto smiles at the atmosphere, pleased by the simple pleasure of sharing a meal with her brother's children. A twinge in her lower abdomen makes her wince but she soldiers on with a smile to keep the children from worrying. Another stronger twinge breaks her façade and she grimaces.
"Mikoto-oba?" Yomena asks worriedly.
"It's nothing, the baby is just kicking-" Mikoto starts to say when her water breaks.
"… Right. Yomena, Shisui, I need one of you to get Fugaku, alright?" She says with determined calm.
Yomena, driven by the unspoken urgency in Mikoto's voice, springs to her feet and runs for the front door. Shisui is too startled to follow his twin as Mikoto grabs hold of his hand and asks him to stay with her until Yomena comes back.
She runs and runs, darting past people living and dead until she spots the Konoha Police Station. Yomena bursts inside, forcing the doors open with a bang and rushes for Fugaku's office. The officers start and yell at her to stop but Yomena cannot stop right now! Not until Fugaku-oji-san knows Mikoto-oba-san needs him to help her!
An officer grabs hold of her and Yomena immediately yells at the top of her lungs.
"Fugaku-oji-san, Mikoto-oba-san needs to go to the hospital right now! Fugaku-oji, please, she really needs you right now-!"
Fugaku's office door slams open and he shunshins out, spotting Yomena out of the crowd easily.
"Back to your posts! Tekka, you have command!" He barks, swiping Yomena from the startled officer.
She tugs on his flack-jacket urgently.
"Oji-san, she really needs you!" Yomena's lip wobbles.
Fugaku nods and shunshins all the way to his house, where Shisui is trying to help Mikoto count.
"-twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen- Fugaku-oji-san!" Shisui stands up, relieved.
Fugaku puts Yomena down and lifts Mikoto into his arms securely.
"Stay here," He orders the twins then vanishes.
Shisui looks at Yomena, who blinks then shrugs.
"I'm still hungry…" She mumbles.
"Me too…" Shisui's stomach rumbles, supporting their words.
Yomena looks at the soup then her brother.
"Well, let's not waste it!" She declares.
"Yeah!" He perks up and starts to eat.
The twins polish off the soup and then do their best to clean up both the kitchen and the dining table. Not long after they find themselves sitting outside, watching the sun start to descend. Yomena rests her head on Shisui's shoulder, waiting. The front door rattles, waking them from their stillness as they warily wait to see who the intruder is. Obito walks in, orange googles reflecting the light as he settles next to them.
"I heard from Baa-san you caused a fuss at the station and that Mikoto-sama is having her baby, so I figured you would be here." He says quietly.
Shisui nods, careful to not jostle Yomena. She smiles at Obito and stands to cuddle up against his side, hugging him. Obito's breathe catches but he masters himself and hugs her back gently. Shisui pouts and wiggles to snuggle up on Obito's other side. Obito takes Shisui's choice in stride and squeezes him back as they all watch the sun set.
"Okaeri, Obi-nii…" Yomena yawns, eyes drooping.
Obito blinks back sudden tears and grins brightly.
"Tadaima, Yomena-chan, Shisui-kun!"
The trio feel a warm sense of kinship and take comfort in it as they wait for news as the sunset dyes leaves crimson.
And cut! A bit more background with this chapter- the Third Shinobi War is going on and there's a more in-depth look at some of the inter-clan members relationships. Please comment and review, it helps make me feel motivated to write and continue the story! Current word count for NANOWRIMO is~
3679 words
