-Emi age 7 Ryuu age 10-
"Come on, Ryuu! Just one spar! I want to see if I can hold my own against you!" Emi smirked.
Tempest stood by Tomi, the two of them sighing. Emi had gotten this crazy idea that she could spar against Ryuu and win. She had dragged Tempest to find Ryuu who was sparring with Tomi and forced them to stop.
"I don't want to end up hurting you." Ryuu frowned.
"You won't!" Emi stated. "Come on! I've sparred with people stronger than you!"
"And lost..." Tomi murmured.
Emi glared at him.
Tomi laughed nervously and scratched his neck.
Ryuu moved to place his hands on Emi's shoulders. "I'm suppose to marry you, not end up killing you."
She gritted her teeth. She knew Ryuu wouldn't attack her, so she attacked him by bringing her knee into his side. Tempest and Tomi's eyes widened.
Ryuu gasped and stepped back. "Emi!" He frowned and grabbed his side.
"Come on! Please Ryuu! Forget that your betrothed to me and think that I'm just any other girl trying to challenge you!"
Ryuu stared at her plainly. "Emi, you're a genin. I'm almost a jounin. Even if we weren't betrothed, I'm still two levels above." He frowned. "I don't want to hurt you."
"You won't! Ryuu, please! I will just attack you..." She murmured.
Ryuu shook his head. "Please, Emi!" He tried again and laughed lightly. "You've already tried this before."
"I'm stronger now!" She hissed.
Ryuu sighed and shook his head again. "Can I at least finish my match with Tomi?" He asked.
"You fight him all the time! So no, you can't." She stated.
Ryuu frowned. "Emi, I don't want to fight you."
Emi had enough. She knew nothing she said would make him fight her, so she had no choice but to force him. She quickly pulled a kunai and advanced towards him. Tempest gasped and bit her lip while Tomi shook his head.
Ryuu narrowed his eyes and caught her wrist, pulling her to his chest. "Stop it." He murmured.
Emi shook her head and quickly pulled from his arms. She jumped up to flip over him so she stood behind him. She quickly jumped onto his back and held the kunai to his throat. "Fight back." She hissed in his ear.
He reached for her wrist to hold the kunai back. "I know you wouldn't." Ryuu stated.
She growled and dropped the kunai. She jumped off his back and appeared to be leaving when she kicked out his legs and pounced on top of him, taking hits at him.
Ryuu blocked it and grabbed her fists, holding them firmly as he sent a jolt of electricity through them; only enough to make her yelp in pain, but not enough to make her scream. She yelped before growling at him. She brought her knee into his stomach. "Stop taking it easy! Fight me for once!"
Ryuu pushed Emi onto her back and backed away. "Why do you force me into doing things like this?" He asked and shook his head.
She jumped to her feet and narrowed her eyes. "I want to prove that I'm on the same level as you!"
Ryuu stared at her blankly. "Being married to you is going to be a scary thing." He said.
She gritted her teeth. "Just fight me, Ryuu!"
Ryuu frowned before sending another jolt of eletricity through the ground towards her. "It's going to come back on me." He said and stood up.
She gasped and winced in pain as the electricity coursed through her.
"E-Emi! Stop this!" Tempest gasped.
Emi gritted her teeth and charged Ryuu, quickly jumping up and wrapping her her legs around his neck to take him to the ground. Ryuu quickly moved to grab her hand, pulling her down and ramming his knee into her back. A gasp left her lips and she winced. She narrowed her eyes and quickly brought her elbow into his side, followed by a kick in the gut, sending him back slightly.
Ryuu narrowed his eyes and tightened his fists into a ball before charging Emi. As she went to dodge, Ryuu quickly disappeared and reappeared in the direction she jumped and rammed his hands into her side. She cried out and flew back slightly, rolling across the ground. Tempest gasped and went to run to Emi when Tomi grabbed her arm.
"Emi isn't giving up that easliy..." He murmured to Tempest.
Tempest bit her lip and sighed.
Emi weakly pulled herself to her feet. She glared at Ryuu as she stood up and quickly pushed off from the ground to charge at Ryuu. As he went to dodge, she used his trick of changing direction before throwing her fist into his face, as he tried to recover from the blow, she jumped up and used the force of both her feet to kick his side and send him to the ground.
A groan left Ryuu's lips and he laid back on the ground. He didn't feel like using his full power because he didn't want to hurt her, so he pretended to be defeated. "Alright..." He groaned. "You win."
Emi growled and kicked his side. "Liar! You didn't make it to jounin level like that! Stop taking it easy!"
Ryuu growled and jumped up, knocking her to the ground and pinning her down. "You did get me pretty good though." He mumbled.
Emi brought her knee into his gut. She quickly slipped out from under him and tackled him on his stomach. She quickly pulled a kunai and pulled it across his back. It wasn't too deep, but it was enough rip his shirt and draw blood.
Ryuu gasped in pain and frowned. "Emi!" He hissed and rolled her off him. He climbed on top of her and pulled a kunai from his pouch, holding it to her chest. "Stop it." He hissed.
Emi smirked up at him. "You won't hurt me. You're too chicken!"
He quickly pulled the kunai across her flesh. The cut was so thin it hardly bled. "I don't want to scar you." He mumbled.
Emi scoffed. She rolled her eyes and pushed him off of her, before tackling him again. "Then use your lightning!" She shouted. "It won't scar me!"
"I have." He stated and narroed his eyes.
"Actually use it! Don't use these weak doses on me!"
"What part of me not wanting to hurt you doesn't make sense? You know that what I use is meant to harm. It isn't a light thing!" He was almost shouting.
"I want you to hurt me! That make sense to you?" She gritted her teeth.
Ryuu narrowed his eyes and pushed his hands into her shoulder. His hands began to glow a light yellow and he sent a strong shock through her body. He got up and stepped back, watching as her body spazzed with muscles contractions. Tempest gasped and ran to Emi. Emi was gritting her teeth in pain. After a moment her body stopped spazzing and she laid motionless on the ground.
"E-Emi?" Tempest murmured.
"I-It's not fair!" Emi cried.
Tempest frowned and looked up at Ryuu and Tomi who now stood beside Ryuu.
Ryuu frowned. "I told you, I didn't want to hurt you! Why do you have to act stupid sometimes?" Ryuu said and crossed his arms. The spazzams finally stopped.
"Y-You didn't hurt me!" She sobbed and sat up, tears now falling from her eyes. "I-It's just not fair! A-All of you... you all can use chakra! Wh-Why can't I?" She stumbled to her feet and ran off.
Tempest sighed and frowned. Tomi ran his hand through his hair. "Hasn't that always bothered her?"
Ryuu frowned. "She just will not listen to me." He murmured.
Tempest sighed. "I guess I'll go after her... but first..." She moved around behind Ryuu and placed her hands on his back. Her hands glowed a light green as she healed the cut on his back.
"Thanks." Ryuu murmured.
Tempest nodded. When she was done she gave the boys a quick smile before running off after Emi. She eventually found Emi in a tattoo parlor in the village. Tempest gasped and pulled Emi out of it. "Wh-What do you think you're doing!"
"I refuse to let him be attracted to me!" Emi hissed.
Tempest sighed. "No, no. Emi, stop this..."
"Or... maybe I can get someone to mess with my chakra so-"
"Ryuu loves you as you are! Why would he want to change that?" Tempest frowned.
Emi shrugged. "But I don't love who I am..."
"Emi, I know how hard this whole chakra thing has always been for you, but no one thinks less of you for it... infact, there is a ninja of our age in the Leaf Village who can only use taijutsu, and he's amazing!"
"I don't care..." Emi frowned.
"Let's go for ice cream, okay?" Tempest asked as she quickly healed the cut on Emi's chest.
"O-Okay..." She sighed.
-Emi age 8 Ryuu age 11-
Emi gasped and quickly dodged the kunai Tempest swung in her direction. Emi flipped back and bumped into a tree, a grunt leaving her throat. Tempest didn't hold back as she ran towards Emi again. Emi growled and, using the tree as leverage, jumped up into the air. Tempest gasped and looked up. Emi quickly smirked and caught her legs around Tempest's neck, making her drop to the ground with a 'thump'. Tempest tried to catch her breath - the wind had been knocked from her. As Emi stood up she quickly had to duck as a creepy bug was thrown towards her head.
"No poison!" Emi shouted at Niimiki, her other best friend.
Niimiki shrugged and smirked, the bug disappearing. "But I love it."
"You trying to kill me?" Emi sighed.
Niimiki chuckled and shook her head. "Nah. Distract you."
Emi's eyes widened as Tempest suddenly jumped on her back. Emi struggled to remain standing and throw Tempest off. After more struggling, Tempest finally threw Emi into the tree. Emi coughed and winced.
Ryuu had been watching from a ways away, seeing how far Emi had come. Now he worried. She wasn't moving anymore.
"Oh my god!" Tempest gasped and ran to Emi's side. "I-I overdid it!" I-I'm so sorry!"
Emi gritted her teeth and dropped her head back to the sand. Her head felt dizzy and there was a trumendous amount of pain in her ribs - clearly they had snapped from the impact of the tree. Tempest clasped her hands over her mouth as tears brimmed in her eyes. "I-I'm so sorry!"
"We need to get a sensai..." Niimiki murmured, looking down at Emi with a frown - the three of them always trained and usually one of them ended up pushing it too far.
Ryuu had finally given in after waiting a few more moments of no movement and ran over to the three. He skidded to stop and dropped to his knee's beside Emi.
"Emi?" He asked and reached down to lay Emi carefully on her back. He winced slightly as she winced in pain. He placed his hand on her side where her ribs were gently and frowned. "Where does it hurt?"
She screamed when he laid his hands on her ribs. "D-Don't touch my side!" She gasped, gritting her teeth and squeezing her eyes shut tightly.
Tempest whimpered and shook her head. Niimiki watched in concern.
Ryuu only frowned and pulled his hand away. "I-I'm sorry." He murmured. He debated whether or not picking her up, but he knew nothing with medical ninjutsu, or even what was best in this situation. He turned his face to Niimiki and nodded to her. "Please, find a sensai as quick as you can." He turned to Tempest and nodded at her now. "Go to the hospital and send a doctor on their way, please."
The two girls nodded and quickly ran off - Tempest was a medical ninja, but she was still learning and wouldn't dare attempt it yet.
Emi whimpered in pain, pushing back her tears as she gripped her side.
Ryuu frowned and moved to lay down beside Emi on his side. "You'll be alright." He whispered and placed his hand over top of hers. "I promise."
She opened her eyes to look at him. "I-It hurts..." She murmured, tears slipping from the edges of her eyes.
Ryuu frowned and nodded, moving closer to leaned his forehead against hers. "Niimiki and Tempest have gone to get a sensai and doctor. They'll be here very shortly, and you'll be better." He whispered. "Alright? Stay strong."
She closed her eyes and winced again. "N-Not... that I'm complaining... b-but what are you d-doing here?" She whispered.
Ryuu smiled slightly. "Our mission got cut short, so we returned sooner." He said. "I happened to see you training and decided to stop and watch." He whispered and closed his eyes.
She groaned in pain and gasped as a sharp pain shot through her. A short scream left her lips as tears fell down her cheeks. "Wh-Where are they!" She cried.
Ryuu squeezed his eyes closed tightly before opening. "They're coming." He whispered. "Try to relax and don't move."
Emi whimpered and nodded weakly. At that moment, the two girls came running in with a doctor and sensai. The sensai happened to be Ryuu's sensai walking down the path towards where the villagers accumulated. Akuso-sensai leaned down to touch Ryuu's arm.
"Ryuu..." He whispered and slowly pulled him back. Ryuu willingly moved back so that the doctor could move in and check her out. The doctor glanced up at Ryuu before moving to block his view. Akuso had to hold him back from trying to glimpse over the doctor's shoulder as he pulled Emi's shirt up high to examine her torso. All around her ribs were swollen and bruised. He frowned slightly as he moved his fingers to lightly brush her skin.
"You've broken a few ribs." He said and lifted his eyes to Emi's. "And you were only training?"
"I-I over did it!" Tempest sobbed. "I-I'm so sorry! Sh-She was thrown into that tree b-behind her!" She stated.
Emi could only nod as she gritted her teeth harder, all the movement and the doctor's touch to her skin made her want to scream at the top of her lungs in pain.
The doctor turned to look at Tempest and nodded. "She's going to be alright." He assured. He turned back to Emi and nodded slightly. "I need you to relax and try not to move, alright? It'll hurt at first, but you'll start to feel a warm feeling." He said. "Alright?"
Emi nodded. "U-Uh huh..." She breathed.
The doctor moved his hands and placed them against Emi's skin over top of where the broken ribs were located. A light green glow emitted from his hand as he concentrated.
Ryuu felt his sensai relax and pushed away from him, moving to kneel down beside the doctor, staring in wonder at his glowing hands. The doctor glanced at Ryuu and shook his head.
"Ryuu...go back to Akuso-sensai." He said.
Ryuu shook his head. "How come? Is she going to be alright?"
The doctor nodded. "But I need you to go back." He said gently.
"Why?" Ryuu was starting to get frustrated. He was concerned for Emi, but he felt like he was being pushed away.
Emi gasped at the pain, she tried not to move, but it wasn't easy. "R-Ryuu..." She murmured, opening her eyes slightly to look at him - she didn't want him to go away.
Akuso lightly touched Ryuu's shoulder and tried to push him back. Ryuu shrugged out from under Akuso's hand and moved to the other side of Emi. Now he saw the major bruising and how her side was completely swollen. He frowned and turned his eyes to Emi's. "You're going to be alright..." He said and turned to the doctor with worry. "Right?"
The doctor sighed and smiled gently. "Yes, Ryuu. She will be perfectly fine." He said.
Emi reached out from Ryuu's hand and squeezed it tightly. "I-It hurts... m-make it s-stop!" She gasped.
Ryuu frowned. "I..." He frowned further and moved to lay down beside Emi, holding her hand against his chest as his eyes searched her face with worry.
The doctor and Akuso shared a quick glance. Since the hug Ryuu and Emi had shared at the graduation ceremony, the news of the betrothal had spread across the village. The parents had wanted to keep it on the down low at least until both children understood exactly what their situation meant and until Ryuu gave her the promised gift, but it didn't work out that way in the end.
Tempest frowned and looked away. Niimiki sighed. Emi leaned her head closer to his as she cried out in pain again. Ryuu bit the inside of his cheek and leaned his forehead against hers. "Just relax, Emi. Please." He whispered and frowned. "Just think, you'll be all okay after."
She only nodded as she tried to relax through the pain. Ryuu squeezed her hand lightly and closed his eyes, waiting for the doctor to say Emi would be perfectly fine. After a few minutes had passed, the doctor had done just that. He pulled his hands away and leaned back on his haunches.
"Alright, Emi." He said softly.
Ryuu and Emi opened their eyes to look at the doctor who simply smiled.
"Since Emi is still a young one, her bones are still more flexible and softer, allowing for easier healing." He nodded towards Emi. "Just take it easy for a while - no training for at least a week. Try not to lift anything or do anything involving much energy, alright? And then you'll be perfectly healed."
Emi glanced down at her side, there was still some brusing and swelling, but most of the pain was now gone. She weakly sat up and winced.
"Emi! I'm so sorr-"
"Tempest, calm down. I'm fine." Emi said with a weak smile.
"B-But-"
"I'm fine..." Emi said and attempted to stand, losing her balance and falling forward towards the ground.
Ryuu quickly caught her while going to stand and remained kneeling down in order to keep his own balance. He manuevered his arms under Emi and lifted her up.
"Here, Ryuu..." Akuso said and stepped forwards.
Ryuu shook his head. "I'm fine." He murmured. "I'll take her home." He said and began to head for Emi's house. He looked back over his shoulder and nodded at the doctor. "Thank you...very, very much." He said and turned back around after the doctor nodded in return.
When Ryuu arrived at Emi's house, he didn't bother knocking and pushed the door open. He walked in, carefully kicking his shoes off and moving to the livingroom where the stairs to the second floor was located. He hadn't noticed Emi's parents until they spoke up.
"Emi?" Yumiki gasped.
Ren raised an eyebrow. "What happened?"
Emi shook her head. "I-I'm fine..." She murmured.
Ryuu frowned. "She broke a few ribs." He said. "But the doctor healed her - she just has to take it real easy for the next week." His arms began to shake slightly and his knee's buckled from underneath him. He dropped to his knee's, being careful of Emi as he lowered her to the floor and leaned over her, his face buried in her stomach. "I just...I didn't know what to do..." He cried. Why he started crying, Ryuu had no idea. He felt a little more than a little embarrassed at the sudden expression, but he had felt so worried about her.
Emi's eyes widened at Ryuu. She didn't understand why he was suddenly crying - she had never seen him cry. Emi's parents appeared shocked and both moved to kneel in front of Ryuu and Emi. Ren took Emi from his arms and stood back up, kissing Emi's forehead. Yumiki gave a soft smile and pulled Ryuu into her arms. "Oh Ryuu, don't be upset. She's fine. No need to cry." She whispered beside his ear. "I'm sure you did enough just by being with her." She whispered.
Ryuu nodded slightly and buried his face into Yumiki's chest and he sniffled. "I was watching..." He paused to sniff again. "And...she just stopped moving...and she was screaming." He murmured and gripped her shirt.
Emi frowned and looked from Ryuu to her father. Ren shook his head and smiled. "Don't be upset, Ryuu. It happens."
Yumiki nodded and kissed the top of Ryuu's head - he felt like their son already in the short amount of years he had been around Emi. "Why don't you stay for dinner?" She whipsered with a small smile.
Ryuu only nodded as he continued to sniff. He felt like a big baby, but he couldn't stop the tears, and he didn't want Emi to seem him crying. He was afraid she'd think of him differently.
Emi forced herself from Ren's arms and moved down to kneel in front of Ryuu with a frown. Yumiki pulled back from Ryuu and before he could react, Emi hugged him instead. She winced at the pain in her side but ignored it to hug him tighter, burrying her face into his shoulder.
Ryuu's eyes widened slightly and he moved his arm to wipe his eyes. "E-Emi..." He breathed in deeply and let out a shaky breath. "I-I don't want to hurt you." He murmured and tried to gently push her back.
She shook her head and hugged him tighter. "Hug me..." She whispered. "S-Stop crying... I-I don't like it..." She murmured.
Emi's parents smiled gently and moved from the room, Yumiki going to make dinner and Ren off to his office.
Ryuu hesitated slightly before moving his arms around Emi's neck, hugging her tightly back. He nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck and sniffed again. "I-I'm sorry." He whispered. "For crying..."
She shook her head. "I-I don't know why you are... b-but I feel like I should apologize..." She murmured, wincing slightly as she breathed in deeply.
Ryuu shook his head and pulled back from Emi's embrace. His cheeks were streaked with tears, his eyes red and puffy from crying, and his nose runny. He wiped his nose on his sleeve and sniffed in again. He shook his head. "I-it's not your fault." He murmured.
Emi frowned and reached her hands up to wipe the tears from his cheeks before setting her hands in her lap. She let out a sigh. "I don't want you crying over me, alright?" She murmured, turning her gaze to the floor. "I-I feel guilty..." She murmured.
Ryuu frowned and moved to wipe his tears further. "Sorry." He whispered and lowered his head, moving to wipe his nose again.
Emi moved back to her feet, quickly catching her balance on the wall before she fell on Ryuu. She gritted her teeth in pain, the force of catching herself causing pain in her side. "D-Dad!" She cried.
Ren quickly returned to the room and gently picked her up. "I think you two will have dinner in Emi's room." He chuckled and smiled at Ryuu as he headed for the stairs.
Ryuu nodded and followed Ren as he carried Emi to her room.
-Emi age 8 Ryuu age 11-
"Hey, Ryuu." Tomi said as he tried to get Ryuu's attention. When it failed, he tried again. "Hello, Ryuu?" Again, nothing. "Ryuu!" He yelled louder. Finally he gripped Ryuu's shoulders and shook him. "Dude! Listen to me!"
Ryuu waved him off and turned his eyes back to Emi. She was hanging out with her friends at recess. Laying across her stomach as she laughed with her friends. Ryuu smiled softly and leaned forward to lean on his knee's. "What do you want, Tomi?" Ryuu asked, slightly dazed.
Tomi growled and brought his hand to the back of Ryuu's head. "Snap out of it, idiot! You're too damn obsessed with that girl. Do you have any idea how many guys want her?"
Ryuu smirked and turned to face his friend. "That's exactly it...unless something happens that makes me doubt whether or not I accept the betrothal, I'll be the one to marry her." He chuckled and turned back to watch Emi. "She's mine." He said after sighing.
"If she wants you in return." Tomi chuckled then shook his head. "Why would she want you anyway? You're older than her by three years." He stated and shrugged.
At that moment, a boy of Emi's age approached her and her friends. He looked nervous and was blushing. His eyes to the ground as he scratched his head, he appeared to by stuttering.
"See? Someone like that would be better off with her than you." Tomi laughed.
Ryuu narrowed his eyes and watched the scene carefully. From what he knew, even if the boy was asking her out, or whatever, Emi would decline. The boy moved to sit beside Emi. She moved to sit up and smiled gently. His eyes where to the ground and he appeared even more nervous. Emi and her friends giggled and laughed. Emi smirked and reached out to take a lock of the male's hair, appearing to be examining him. He blushed as he looked up to face her.
Ryuu narrowed his eyes and stood up. He let out a grunt to indicated a form of goodbye to his friend before moving forward and jumping the academy fence. He moved over to Emi and her group of friend. She had been poking at the guys cheek and laughing. "Emi?" He asked, aggitation clearly showing in his voice.
Emi glanced up to Ryuu and smiled brighter. "Hey, what's up?" She asked.
Ryuu's expression didn't change. He simply moved forward, picking Emi up and throwing her over his shoulder before turning to the boy and growling. "Don't touch her." He hissed and began to walk away.
Emi gasped and blushed. "R-Ryuu?"
The boy blinked in surprise before turning back to face Emi's friend, Sumi. "S-So, will you go out with me?"
Sumi giggled and nodded. The boy's face brightened and his blushed deepened. "A-Awesome..."
Ryuu hesitated in his step and frowned. He had automatically assumed that the boy was interested in Emi. In order to keep from embarrassment, he continued to walk until he reached the far side of the field that was at least a little private before he lowered Emi to her feet.
"I'm sorry." He finally apologized and lowered his head.
Emi let out a sigh and shook her head. "Don't worry about it." She stated with a laugh. She actually thought what Ryuu had done was cute.
Even though Ryuu never blushed, he turned his face away, feeling as if he was actually blushing with embarrassment. "I...it was just an ironic situation." He shrugged. "I thought he was making a move on you and you were just letting...him..." He whispered.
Emi chuckled and shook her head. "I was giving my aprovel for him to date my friend." She smirked. "You worried you'd lose me to another guy or... I guess, the possibility of it... since you decided to take me away and claim me as yours."
Ryuu shrugged and laughed nervously. "So I had?" He murmured and cleared his throat, turning his face to the ground. Now he felt like an idiot.
Tomi slowly approached the two and laughed. "Smooth, Ryuu."
"Oh, hey, Tomi." Emi smiled and waved slightly.
Tomi chuckled and shook his head. "Hey, Emi." He smirked.
Ryuu gritted his teeth and rolled his eyes. "Yeah...way to spark thoughts in my mind, Tomi." He turned to face Tomi and narrowed his eyes. "Way to make me look like an idiot."
Tomi laughed. "I knew that, that kid was asking out Sumi!" He shook his head. "You just made my day, Ryuu!"
Ryuu glared at him and shook his head before walking away from Tomi and Emi. "Yeah, whatever." He said.
Emi just giggled while Tomi fell to the ground laughing.
-Emi age 8 Ryuu age 11-
Emi laid on her bed in tears. Her grandmother had passed away the night before. The two had been very close and losing her was like a kunai to her flesh - the pain just wouldn't stop. Yumiki and Ren tried their hardest to calm Emi down, but nothing worked. Eventually, Emi's parents had to go out and Emi refused to go with them. Emi sobbed into her pillow, a photo album with pictures of her grandmother and her sat beside her on her bed. All her blinds were closed as she looked like a mess with blood shot eyes, pajama's and messy hair. She had no intentions of leaving her room for a week. It was already late afternoon and she hadn't eaten or drank anything.
Emi's parents had made a quick stop at the Inabikari's household, requesting for Ryuu to make a visit to Emi to cheer her up. They had given permission for him to enter without knocking in case Emi didn't want to enter, so he made his way up to her bedroom and opened the door silently. His eyes fell on Emi's shaking body. The blankets were kicked to the end of the bed and her face was hidden. Ryuu frowned and silently made his way to the bed.
"Emi..." He said softly and placed his hand on her back. He hated seeing her crying like this.
She shook her head. Her body was trembling as sobs left her throat. "G-Go away... I-I want to be alone..." She sobbed.
Ryuu struggled to roll her over to look at him but she wouldn't give. Finally, he gave up and wrapped his arms around her stomach, laying his head on her back. He didn't say anything. He figured that if she wanted to talk, she would intiate it. Plus, he didn't want to say anything that would make her more upset.
Emi shook her head. "R-Ryuu... g-go home..." She murmured. "I want to be alone!"
Ryuu shook his head. "Emi, I know you don't want to be alone." He whispered.
Emi frowned and moved to sit up. Her face was streaked with tears. She looked from Ryuu down to the photo album. "I-It's not fair!" She cried, before throwing her arms around Ryuu's neck, pressing her face into his chest.
Ryuu nodded and wrapped his arms around Emi again, leaning his chin on the top of her head. "I know it's not fair..." He whispered softly.
"I-I want her back!" Emi cried, tightening her grip on his shirt.
Ryuu nodded. "I understand." He whispered and squeezed her tighter, pulling her further into his lap. "I'm going to miss her too," he whispered.
Emi choked on a sob as she frowned. "Sh-She really wanted us to follow the b-betrothal..." She murmured.
He nodded again then laughed softly. "I remember the first day we were introduced..." Then he frowned and hugged Emi tighter.
"Sh-She really took a liking to you..." She murmured.
He nodded. After a while, Emi and Ryuu moved to sit on the be fully and lean back against the wall. They were thinking back to the good memories, which began to make Emi cry again. Ryuu frowned and turned her eyes to his hand at his side, and then his eyes fell on Emi's stuffed animal; it was a black horse. He reached over to pick it up and pretended to make it run all over Emi's body.
In a very nasally, high-pitched voice he said, "Hey, Emi! I'm a magical unicorn whose come to take you to have a reaaalllllly good time!"
Emi couldnt contain her laughter. She wiped her eyes and smiled gently. "Th-That was weird... B-but thanks..." She whispered, searching Ryuu's face.
Ryuu smiled slightly before rubbing the horses nose against hers and making kissy noises. "Cheer up, don't look sad. Keep your eyes up and wave yours hands in the sky." He sang the kindergarten cheer-up song that he remembered oddly so well.
Emi blushed and laughed. "Y-Youre so silly sometimes Ryuu..."
Ryuu smiled. "I know it's sad that you won't be able to see her anymore, but just think of the time you did spend with her and how much she loved you. She wouldn't want you going on being upset." He whispered. "Make her proud."
Emi sniffled and smiled. "M-My parents told you. Thats why you're here, right?" she asked gently.
Ryuu nodded. "They thought that maybe I could be the one who could cheer you up." He said and smiled. "I hope you feel better now,"he whispered. "Even if the slightest."
Emi nodded and sniffled. "I actually feel much better thanks to you..." She murmured with a small blush.
Ryuu smiled softly before giving Emi one last hug. "I'm glad." He whispered.
-Emi age 9 Ryuu age 12-
"Emi, stop being a brat!" Ryuu said.
Ryuu had been training with Tomi for the past week for an upcoming challenge for fighting a very strong ninja which resulted in a money award if won. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to spend much time with Emi. Now she was interrupting their sparring match and neither Tomi nor Ryuu wanted to continue in case she was hurt in the process.
Emi growled. "Brat? You're calling me a brat? Fine!" She turned around and bit her lip. "M-Mom wanted me to tell you your family is invited to my birthday dinner tomorrow night. But forget it! You're no longer invited!" she shouted before running off.
"Smooth..." Tomi chuckled. "Bet you even forgot her birthday."
Ryuu gasped before slamming his kunai into the ground. "I completely forgot!" He shouted. "I was so caught up in geting ready for this challenge!" He ran after Emi quickly and finally caught up to Emi just as she was entering the village. He caught her wrist and pulled her back towards himself. She had been crying; her face was red and looked upset and angry.
"E-Emi, I'm sorry, I di- I completely forgot..." He murmured.
Emi ripped her wrist away. "Go away! Go back to training! You're not invited anymore!" She cried before running off again.
Ryuu frowned and watched as she ran off. Instead of running after her he shook his head and headed home. The next night, Ryuu and his parents decided to head to the Sakura's household for a surprise visit. When Emi's parents opened the door and allowed them in, Ryuu headed for Emi's bedroom, not bothering to knock. He pushed the door open and stood in the doorway holding his gift in both hands awkwardly.
Emi was laying in her stomach, looking out the window. She heard the door open and already recognized the chakra. "Go away.." she murmured.
Ryuu sighed and moved to sit on the bed beside Emi. He moved his hand to the middle of her back and rubbed lightly. "Emi, I'm sorry." He whispered.
"Don't touch me..." She murmured. "I said go away..." She was trying to push back her tears, her lip quivering.
"I got you a gift though." He whispered and placed the present in front of Emi's face. "And I know you're going to really like it..."
She eyed the gift for a moment before letting out a sigh. She moved to sit up and pulled off the wrapping paper, her eyes widening slightly.
Ryuu smiled softly and flipped open to the first page. His messy writing read, "To the most amazing girl a boy could ever ask for - I'm sorry for being so lousy." He let her read and after he assumed she was finished he flipped open to a random page. "I figured that since you have the newest adition of clan histories, I'd get you something different. I thought you might like to learn about the different chakra's, ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu - it even has kinjutsu..." He said softly, his hand still on her back.
She shook her head and couldn't help but to smile. "Th-Thank you, Ryuu..." She murmured before shutting her eyes and sighing. "Bu I'm still mad at you..." she murmured, looking through the book.
Ryuu grinned and wrapped his arms around Emi's middle. He breathed in deply and let out a sigh. He knew that by the end of the night, he would be forgiven.
-Emi age 9 Ryuu age 12-
"So, Ryuu..." A boy named Akira and his group of friends walked up to Ryuu, their arms crossed.
Ryuu didn't bother turning. He only rolled his eyes. He knew Akira, and he wasn't exactly fond of the kid. He was thirteen, about to graduate from the academy, just a year older than Emi and had a huge crush on her. Ryuu thought it ws a waste of time dealing with the kid since he would get in trouble for fighting another villager way below your own level.
"We heard you bribed Emi to not be mad at you with a gift." Akira said. "What kinda loser does that to a girl?"
Ryuu rolled his eyes again before standing and turning to face him. Although Ryuu was older by two years, the kid was freakishly tall; precisely a head taller, two heads above his groupies. Some wonder if he bullied the others to make them too afraid to leave the group. Either way, Akira didn't intimidate Ryuu, Ryuu was basically jounin level verses still in the academy.
"It was her birthday, idiot. That's what you do on birthdays - give gifts." Ryuu said.
Akira rolled his eyes this time. "Did you take advantage of her as well?" He didn't leave any time for Ryuu to say anything. "'Cause I know what all older guys think of!"
Tempest had been in the area. She noticed Ryuu and Akira and gasped. She quickly ran over and pointed a finger at Akira. "Leave him alone! You're just jealous that he has the woman you crush on!"
"More like I'm trying to protect Emi from this sex fiend." Akira said and narowed his eyes at Ryuu.
Ryuu gasped and went to reply to Akiras commentwhen Tempest cut in.
"Emi would never allow that!" she shouted.
"You can see he's nothing but filthy scum!" Akira shouted before tackling Ryuu to the ground. In a matter of seconds Ryuu had Akira flipped and pinned to the ground. He lowered his face closer to Akira as he gripped his throat and growled. Then he heard her voice...
"Ryuu! Stop!" Emi gasped as she grabbed Ryuu and pulled him away from Akira. "Wh-What the hell are you doing?"
Ryuu gritted his teeth and pulled away from Emi. Had he really shown so much afection that people began to think he was starting to take advantage of her?
Akira grunted and stood up, grabbing Emi and pulling her into and embrace. He heard Emi gasp and caught the action through the corner of his eye. Ryuu's expression turned to anger as he turned back, slamming his fist into Akira's face and catching Emi before she fell to the ground.
Akira's groupies had fled and Akira rolled around on the ground, holding his face and screaming in pain. He finally looked up at Emi through teary eyes. "Emi, he's too old for you! All he thinks about is you naked!" He screamed.
Ryuu gritted his teeth and stepped towards Akira again, his hands throwing out random sparks of electricity.
Emi threw herself into Ryuu's chest. "S-Stop! You'll kill him! Ignore the idiot!" she hugged him tightly.
Tempest smirked at Akira. "She doesnt want you, Akira."
Ryuu's expresion saddened and he relaxed his hands before wrapping them around Emi tightly and nuzzling his head against hers.
Akira narrowed his eye - his other eye was covered by his hand - and growled slightly before standing and stumbling as he ran away.
"I'm sorry..." Ryuu whispered and hugged her tighter.
Emi shook her head as she nuzzled her face in his chest. "Don't fight like that... Please... I don't believe what he said. Please..."
Ryuu nodded slightly and stroked her hair. "As long as you don't believe his sick words." He whispered and kissed the side of her head.