roafurs note- sakuryo would like to thank kawaiiayu for giving her the idea for this chapter. its rin, haru, and their children centric for a change. little snippets, if you would.

Life was good for the Cow of the Jyuunishi. He was happily married, with two lovely children. But, one day, something was amiss.

Rin was not there.

He had no ginger pork.

His children were off doing random things.

Poor Haru sat there, in his empty house.

"Papa! Tadaima!"

His daughter, his Goddess, was the first to return. Things were looking up a little.

"Okaeri. Wheres your Mama and Megumi?"

"They went shopping, Papa."

The two just sat together on the porch, waiting.

"Tadaima! Haru, Akiha, come help!"

Rin and Megumi were home.

"I bought the stuff for ginger pork tonight. That sound good?"

The look on Haru's face was that of a rabid fanboy.

He hugged Rin, and said, "I love ginger pork, but not as much as I love you and the kids."

"Baaaaka. Now get these groceries inside." Rin just lightly smacked him upside the head, making Akiha and Megumi laugh.

In the house of Rin and Haru, New Years was one of the more detested things.

Rin hated having to dress up and dance.

Haru hated trying to find his way through the main house.

Megumi and Akiha just hated it in general.

This year, it was Rin and Ayame's turn to dance.

Megumi watched as his mother got ready. She wore an elaborate kimono, in shades of crimson and black.

"Megumi, will you hand me my brush?"

He gave his mother her hair brush, and to his surprise, she pulled him over to her.

Rin simply began to brush his hair. Having their hair brushed was something that seemed to soothe the two of them.

"Megumi...I'm sorry. I know you hate New Years. I hate it too."

He looked at his mother.

"Mama?"

She took him off her chair, and stood up. Grasping hismartial arts roughenedhands, she led him in a dance.

When she stopped, she pulled her son into her arms.

"I'm sorry, Megumi. I think your sister has the right idea, but old habits are hard to break. After the banquet, the two of us will do our own dance for the family. That alright with you?"

Megumi gave his mother a rarely seen smile.

"Yes."

Haru managed to find his way to the banquet hall with out any major problems.

He saw Akiha, talking to Kureno as they awaited the beginning.

He was almost reminded of Akito, in a way.

Akiha had the same pale skin as her predecessor, and she wore her dark hair shoulder length. If one wasn't careful, they could mistake Akiha for either her mother or Akito.

But, Akito and Akiha were worlds apart. Or so he hoped.

Akiha and Haru watched as Rin and Ayame danced. Rin moved more delicately, almost as if prancing. Ayame was more bold, swaying about.

Every year, Akiha would have Kureno or Momiji record the dance, so that she could show Megumi, and Auntys Saki, Arisa, and Tohru.

Normally, Akiha's thoughts would be far different from her fathers at this time. She would usually think of Megumi, and he of Rin.

But, tonight, both were mesmerised by the grace of the horse.

Authors notes- Sorry for the delay. Still have writers block plot wise...