Yakeru once again sat on the porch of the courtyard, a teapot and cup sitting next to him while Fuyuko took up the place in his lap. It was late in the evening and he wasn't able to fall asleep even after the tiring lesson.

After learning just the basics of their abilities, Goemon has been working with Yakeru and Fuyuko on developing their abilities slowly. Basic jujitsu, using it for survival, defense, offense. But even though they were working with their abilities so much, Yakeru's stamina wasn't growing as much. He was growing tired quickly, if he used his ability too much he would have trouble igniting it and sometimes even having it not going out. Yakeru didn't know what the deal was but he was hoping that it was going to solve itself soon.

Fuyuko shifts in her sleep, pulling Yakeru out of his thoughts and paying full attention to the albino in his arms. She didn't want to sleep by herself so no matter how much he reassured her that he was going to come back, she wanted to fall asleep next to him. Guess it was a bad habit that he started from when she was a toddler.

It was a warm night but there was still a slightly cool spring breeze that caused Yakeru to shiver a bit. As one of the few things he was able to teach himself was to heat his entire body slightly to ensure that he was warm and that anyone in a small radius around him would be able to stay warm. The warmth enveloped Fuyuko and him, bringing her closer and resting his chin on her head as he looked up at the glowing moon.

Goemon was giving him a day off to relax his ability. He didn't think his ability needed a break but Goemon said that even some of the best ninjas needed a day to lounge. Plus, he was pretty certain Goemon was gonna go into the city to finally get laid since it has been a while for him.

That night was never brought up again. He didn't act any different to Yakeru, but he knew that his father would be curious. The fact that he mostly slept with men would make any father question his own son's masculinity, even if he had only just met him a few weeks ago.

Drowsiness was starting to hit and Yakeru rubbed his eyes. Skillfully standing from the deck with Fuyuko in his arms, he walks through the silent mansion towards their room that was still lightly lit with the oil lantern on the desk. The futon was already made for the two, pulling over the cover and lying the little girl down gently. Scooting over next to her, he pulls over the cover over her shoulder before placing his lips on the top of her head. He gave her a silent goodnight before drifting off to sleep.

~PYRODYNASTY~

Kotaro walked through the hall towards the main floor before passing Yakeru's and Fuyuko's room. He took a quick peek inside and found the two fast asleep. The sun was already above the horizon but he knew the two needed the time to rest. He walks away with a small smile on his lips and nods at how close the two were.

The two were definitely an odd pair from the start.

Yakeru mostly kept to himself after Kotaro took him into their clan and Fuyuko was just starting to walk as a toddler around that time. And she was very adventurous even though she tripped almost every 10 feet. She approached the redhead first and pretty much imprinted on the boy even though he wanted nothing to do with her. But as time went on, he slowly began to care for her more and more and as the two grew up, they were pretty inseparable. Their routines were always intertwined in some way even with the large age gap. It was an attention grabber of a pair, but the two didn't care. That's what really brought them close.

"Good morning, Kotaro." Hanzo greets as he notices the albino walk into his office.

"Good morning everyone." He gives a small bow to the three ninjas in the room before sitting down next to Goemon, who was eating some soft-boiled eggs for breakfast.

"Training seems to be going smoothly. I'm actually excited about what the two could accomplish in just a few months." Hanzo brings up, a small grin painting his face as he looks over at Goemon again.

"A few months would only help with their basics. They would need a couple of years before they can fully use their abilities confidently in the field." Goemon explains in a frank tone.

"But their ninja abilities?"

"I think they would be okay as scouts or backups." Goemon brings another egg to his lips before finishing. "The kid still doesn't have the skills, but he sure has the attitude."

"And how has the bonding been going?" Kuma asks, looking up from the book she was reading as she sat next to Hanzo.

"I wouldn't call it bonding."

Kotaro chuckles a bit.

"What's so funny, Kotaro?" Goemon spits.

The albino shook his head. The man holding his tongue again.

Goemon huffs, taking a slurp of miso soup.

"Goemon, you still have a home in Ign, don't you?" Hanzo asks, changing subjects as there was a weird silence around them.

"I wouldn't call it a home. I have a loft above the tea house that I stay at when I am not working. I'm not fancy like Fuma or you."

"Well, we would need to discuss a new living situation. I believe Kotaro would like to go back to his clan and take Fuyuko with him. If you continue to train them, you might need to move with them." Hanzo explains.

Goemon nods, thinking to himself that it might be the case. He didn't hate his loft, but he was rarely there. He always paid the tenant months in advance and even when he was there, he kept to himself. You wouldn't think so, but Goemon was a pretty quiet guy by himself. He also surprisingly never slept with any of the women who do work and live at the tea house, mostly because he didn't want to continue to see someone he would only sleep with once.

"Maybe you can finally use some of that money you don't like to use and buy a decent place," Kuma speaks up, continuing to read and paying little attention to the men around her.

"I'm not going to start a family. I don't need a big place just for myself." Goemon counters.

"Yes, but you might be housing Yakeru. Fuyuko is always able to go home with Kotaro but Yakeru really didn't have a home." Kuma continues.

"I don't want to live with that brat!"

"Goemon," Kotaro silences the redhead, causing him to look over at his albino friend with a look of annoyance. "I would rather you lived somewhere where you can continue to train Fuyuko and Yakeru. Be it at the Fuma clan or back in Ign. But I would want them to live with you until they can live by themselves."

Goemon stared at his friend in silence. Kotaro always said what needed to be said. Even if he could be a little awkward at times when it comes to social events or even people in general, he never said anything that was a waste of breath. If he proposes the idea of Goemon housing the two trainees, he knew he was being serious and was putting a lot of trust in him.

"I guess I'll have to look into getting another place." Goemon finally says with a sigh.

"Why is it that you only agree with the idea when Kotaro agrees with it?" Hanzo pouts.

"Kotaro has never had a bad gut feeling. Plus, I grew up with the bastard."

Goemon slaps the albino's shoulder before Kotaro mirrors the gesture but slightly harder, making the redhead grimace in pain.

~PYRODYNASTY~

Goemon throws a backpack over his shoulder before walking out of the mansion and in the direction of the city, Ijuri. He doesn't get far before a voice stops him in his tracks and a headache begins to appear.

"Going to find another whore in the city, are ya?" Yakeru spits, hostility being thrown at the ninja even though he was just minding his own business.

"Do not talk to me like that, whether you see me as your father or your teacher." Goemon glares at the trainee, standing firm and holding back any aggression he felt at the moment.

"Oh, so you are. That's why you told us to have the day off."

Goemon took in a deep breath through his nose before walking off again.

"I'm headed to the library."

"Yeah, that's a good excuse." Yakeru sneers before seeing the all too serious face on his father. "You're being serious?"

"Is there any reason for me to make such an excuse?" Goemon counters back, readjusting his backpack and folding his arms to hide them in his kimono sleeves.

Yakeru grunts before taking large steps to catch up to the ninja. Making his way next to him, he then matches the man's stride and walks leisurely next to him.

"Is there a reason you're following me?" Goemon asks.

"Shut up. I'm just following to make sure you aren't lying." Yakeru retorts back to him, pointing his chin away from the man and crossing his arms in a similar manner.

Goemon couldn't believe the kid. Smiling a bit as they continued to walk side by side towards the city.