-Emi age 10 Ryuu age 13-
"Emi!" Yumiki called from downstairs. There was mo reply so she went upstairs. She knocked on the door, no answer. She pushed it open and sighed. "Ren! Emi ran off again!" she groaned, looking to the doors that were wide open on her balcony.
For the past week Emi disappeared everynight and didn't return until morning, and half the time she was covered it cuts, bit she refused to tell anyone anything. It was driving her parents insane, and even Ryuu didn't know where she went. Ren went to Ryuu's home and knocked in the door. When Katashi answered, he quickly got to the point. "Can you send Ryuu out to find Emi? Please? She's missing again... I'm worried about her."
Once Katashi relayed the message to Ryu, he quickly left the house in search for her. He had some suspicions of what she might be doing so he headed to every training grounds in the vilage. When he still couldn't find her he decided to broadened the search to just outside the vilage. Eventially he found Emi a mile away from the gates, training by herself in the woods. She had set up many targets and was just calming her breathing when she threw the kunai.
Ryuu sighed and frowned, quietly moving to stand behind her and moving his hand down her arm, turning it slightly so that she would have beter aim. "You're going to end up twisting your wrist." He whispered.
Her eyes widened as she looked over her shoulder to Ryuu. "H-How did you f-find me?" She asked, her breathing heavy and some new cuts visible on her flesh.
Ryuu shrugged. "There are only so many training grounds in the village, and I knew you wouldn't leave far from the village." He whispered.
"W-Well, you can go... I'm fine..." she murmured, tightening her grip on the kunai
"Why didn't you just tell us?" He asked.
"Mom and dad would worry... And you'd try to stop me..." she whispered.
"Worried that you'd be training?" He asked.
"I'm training alone... I'm trying to teach myself ninjutsu or genjutsu... B-but... I can't." she bit her lip and frowned. "I can't do anything but taijutsu! I'm so useless! My father has ninjutsu, why can't I?" She cried.
Ryuu frowned and slipped his arms around Emi's torso. "You're not useless, Emi. You're valuable, don't think or believe anything else." He said. "Just stop hurting yourself." He whispered.
"I'm only valuable for the betrothal.." She murmured. "There is no real valuablity for me.." She murmured looking down at the kunai in her hand.
"Are you kidding? You have an incredible mind, Emi." He murmured. "Even though you may not possess anything other than taijutsu does not make you useless! You could focus all your energy into becoming one of the strongest taijutsu users..." He said.
Emi shook her head. "How? Taijutsu won't save me in long distance battles! Remember the last time Tempest and I sparred? With her kekkei genkai, I was useless ad she totally killed me! I was in the hosptil for a week!" She shook her head. "I can't do anything!"
Ryuu frowned and hugged her tighter. "That does not make you useless..." He murmured. "That's where teammates come in. Rarely are you ever alone on a mission. They put variety into the teams for a reason." He said.
Emi shook her head. "You don't understand!" She pulled from his arms and growled. She jumped up in a tree and sighed. "You have ninjutsu and taijutsu. You can look after yourself!" She shook her head as she tried to use a form of ninjutsu. However, it rejected her body and sent her to the ground. She gritted her teeth and hissed in pain a the new cut across her cheek. She remained motionless and buried her face into the sand to avoid Ryuu's gaze.
Ryuu frowned as he watched and shook his head. "Emi..." He murmured and moved to kneel down beside Emi. He placed his hand gently on her shoulder and rolled her onto her back. "Please stop this." He whispered and moved his hand to brush the dirt from her forehead. He frowned and moved his hand to her cheek to caress it gently. "I don't like seeing you hurt yourself like this." He whispered.
She pouted and turned her head. "But it's not fair."
"Emi..." Ryuu moved to sit on his butt and leaned back on his hands. "Remember that time in the academy when that older guy was picking on me, but he was posing a challenge to me alone? I wouldn't have been able to escape him and his friends if it hadn't been for you helping me." He said. "And you were so little and young then!" He smiled down at Emi.
Emi shrugged. "I'm smart and was able to outsmart them. That's all I can do..." She murmured.
"But it is what you can do, Emi!" He said and sat forward. "You can help teams out by the information you hold in here." He tapped her head lightly. "And while the members of the group are occupied with fighting, you're able to slip in and out hardly noticed. You're a lot more valuable than you realize, Emi." His voice lowered to a whisper and he smiled gently.
She searched his face and sighed. She reached out to take his hand and entwined her fingers in his. "Sometimes... I wonder about you..." She murmured, avoiding his gaze.
Ryuu brought her hand to his face and kissed the back of it. "What much more is there to wonder about me?" He asked and laughed softly.
She shook her head. "This betrothal..." She murmured. "I-I wonder if it's me you're interested in... o-or what the c-clans want..." She murmured, closing her eyes.
Ryuu lowered her hand and turned his face away slightly. "Most of the time I forget we're betrothed." He whispered.
She sat up and wiped the blood from her cheek. "I don't." She murmured. "No one lets me..." She whispered, lowering her head.
Ryuu frowned and let out a sigh. "Would you rather not be betrothed?" He asked quietly.
She shrugged. "I... I don't mind being betrothed." She murmured and stood up weakly. "I-I'm just going to head home..." She whispered and started gathering her kunai.
Ryuu quickly stood and moved to walk beside her, placing his arm over her shoulder. "You don't mind, huh?" He asked, keeping a straight face as he looked ahead.
She turned her face away and let out a sigh. "Ryuu, what are you -"
"Do you have...as they say..."crush" on me?" He asked and smirked slightly.
Her eyes widened slightly and she instantly shook her head, her face heating up. "N-No. Never. Not a chance." She rushed through her answer.
Ryuu chuckled and put his arm around her neck, rubbing her head with his fist. "You're crushing on me..." He said in a sing-song voice.
She shook her head and quickly escpaed from his head-lock, grabbing his one arm and locking it behind his back. "Don't mess up my hair." She hissed, trying to push back her blush over the fact that Ryuu realized her feelings towards him.
Ryuu winced slightly and before twisting out of her hold and grabbed her wrists, swinging her arms back and forth and he chuckled lightly. "Crush~ crush~ crush!" He chanted then poked her cheeks. "You're blushing. That means you're in love with me."
She quickly pulled her wrists back and gathered the rest of her kunai, slipping them into her pouch before quickly running off towards the village, her face beat red. "Dammit! Why does he have to be such a guy about my crush! I mean, it's expected, right? I've been stuck with him since I was four! I-I can't be blamed for it... b-besides... th-there's no way he likes me i-in return..." She murmured to herself.
Ryuu laughed lightly and ran after her, catching her with his arms around her waist and swung her around in a circle before letting her to her feet again. He turned away and smiled softly. "You didn't let me tell you what I think about your little crush." He said and grinned.
She lowered her head, her face beat red - she considered running again but with how drained her body was from attempting jutsu's, and then all her wounds, she knew Ryuu would catch her with ease again.
"I think it's really cute." He said as his expression softened.
She shook her head. "I-It's not meant to be cute!" She blurted, then covered her mouth.
Ryuu's eyes widened slightly before he smiled again. "Then what should it be?" He asked.
She just shook her head and turned before running for the village again.
Ryuu allowed her to run this time and only smiled.
-Emi age 10 Ryuu age 13-
Ryuu chuckled inwardly as he snuck up the side of the balcony. The sun had already went down and it was starting to become windy. There had been some news about a dust storm from a few villages over that would last a small while, so Ryuu had asked his parts if it were alright if he could go and hang out with Emi for a little while. By the time he reached the balcony platform, the wind had picked up more.
Emi laid on her bed, reading through a book on medical ninjutsu - she was beginning to get desprate. After Ryuu had found her hiding spot for training, she was forced to explain everything. Her parents told her not to push herself in directions she wasn't meant to cross, but she still felt like she needed to try everything before she gave up.
"I... may be able to do that..." She murmured, looking over the page. She brought her hands forward and attempted the steps shown in the book, but like most things she tried, it ended up rejecting her body and her hands had burn marks. She sighed and ignored the stinging pain as she kicked the book to the floor and rolled onto her stomach and pressed her face into her pillow.
Ryuu leaned ove the railing to look through the open window. Perfect - Emi was laying with her face down in the pillow. He chuckled inwardly again before quietly stepping up onto the railing before lunging himself forwards through the open window and crashing down on the bed beside her while he shouted out some random loud noise.
Emi gasped and screamed as she rolled off her bed. Her eyes were wide and her heart racing. When she had managed to process everything she stood up and glared at Ryuu. "Dude! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" She shouted. "What are you doing here! Don't you know about the storm?"
Ryuu was laughing too hard too reply as he moved to the window and shut it tightly. He rolled over onto his back and grabbed his stomach. "Brilliant!" He breathed and gasped for air.
Emi grabbed her pillow and whipped it across Ryuu's chest, then his face. She just continued to hit him. "You're an idiot! Why did you do that!" She shouted.
Ryuu blocked the pillow as he laughed before pulling Emi down on the bed and tickling her side. "You're too easy to scare." He chuckled and continue to tickle her sides.
She laughed and tried to squirm away. "R-Ryuu! S-Stop!" She laughed.
Yumiki and Ren quickly appeared in the room. Their panicked faces softened and smiled. They had heard Emi scream and thought the worst, but now they knew it was just Ryuu.
"Afternoon, Ryuu." Ren chuckled.
Ryuu stopped tickling Emi and moved to the edge of her bed as he grinned. "Good morning Mr. and Mrs. Sakura." He laughed.
Yumiki raised an eyebrow at his morning, greeting before laughing. "Do you intend on spending the night? I wouldn't want you walking home in that." She said, pointing towards the window where the sandstorm had already started.
Emi glanced to the window then to Ryuu. "Y-You're not serious, are you?" Emi asked. "He's going to sca-"
"Emi!" Yumiki gasped and moved to Emi's side. She took her hands and sighed. "What did you do this time?"
Emi turned her face away, blushing faintly, her hands still stinging. "Nothing..." She muttered.
Ryuu's eyes fell on the book on the ground. He sighed before picking the book up and handing it over to Ren before frowning at Emi.
Ren glanced at the book and sighed. "Emi... we told you. Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, and Medical Ninjutsu, just aren't your path. Everytime you try it rejects you and this happens.."
Emi pulled her hands from Yumiki and lowered her head. "I know..." She murmured. "I just hadn't tried medical ninjutsu yet..." She murmured.
"Emi, your problem is that you do not possess enough chakra to make anything." Ren said.
"But why not!" Emi shouted. "I'm your daughter, dad! You have chakra! I want to use the same abilites you have!"
Ren frowned. "Emi, you're a smart girl. I know you get that you just cannot do it."
"But it's not fair!" She hissed and gritted her teeth.
Ryuu frowned and put his arm over Emi's shoulder. "We love you just the way you are." Ryuu said, trying not to sound cheesy, but he didn't know what else to say. It was a hard thing being a ninja but not having anything more than taijutsu.
Emi shrugged him off and stood up. "Easy for you to say! You have chakra you can u-"
"Emi Yuchi Sakura!" Ren shouted sternly.
Emi's eyes widened as she nervously turned to face her father. "Wh-What?"
"Stop this nonesense. I'm sick of hearing about it. You're plenty skilled as you are. If we have to take away your books, we will." He crossed the room and pulled a bandage from her cheek. "You shouldn't be beat up like this. This was a waste of your time, do you understand me?"
Emi searched her father's eyes, speechless.
Ren sighed. "Yumiki, can you wrap up her hands?"
Yumiki nodded gestered for Emi to follow her out of the room. When they left Ren turned to look at Ryuu, smiling again. "If the storm doesn't let up tonight, you're welcome to stay the night in the spare room, it's a weekend anyway." He chuckled.
Ryuu smiled and nodded. "Thank you." He said and laid back onto Emi's bed before sitting back up again. "Oh!" He gasped before grinning, looking expectantly at Ren, waiting for him to ask.
Ren raised an eyebrow. "Yes, Ryuu?" He asked.
Ryuu chuckled and leaned back on his hands and smirked. "I found Emi has a big crush on me." He said, trying to act sly.
Ren chuckled and set the book that had been in his hand on the dresser as he leaned against the wall. "Oh really?" He chuckled and shook his head. "I already knew." He smirked.
Ryuu turned his eyes to Ren and furrowed his brows. "For how long?" He asked.
Ren smirked. "That's not the real question, Ryuu. The question would be what you intend to do." He stated.
"Tease her more." Ryuu chuckled.
Ren shook his head. "That won't get you far with my daughter." He murmured.
Ryuu raised a brow. "She doesn't like it?" He asked stupidly.
Ren shook his head. "Not really. She's like her mother that way." He chuckled.
"So don't tease her?" He asked.
Ren shrugged. "I don't think it'd be good..." He chuckled. "But then again, I think you know my daughter better than I do." He shrugged again and smiled at Ryuu.
Ryuu shrugged and turned his face away for a few seconds before turning to look at Ren again. "I think I like her back..." He murmured.
Ren smiled. "I'm glad, I just hope you don't try anything funny with my daughter." He winked - he honestly had complete trust from Ryuu and knew he'd never try anything with Emi.
Ryuu's eyes widened and he shuddered. "Yuck."
Ren chuckled and stepped to Ryuu, pulling him into his arms. "I hope you can be my son one day." He murmured.
Ryuu nodded and laughed lightly. "That just might happen." He whispered.
Ren laughed. "I sure hope so." He said and pulled back. "Come on, let's check on the girls." He smiled an turned for the door.
-Emi age 13 Ryuu age 16-
Emi gasped as she dodged a kunai. She smirked at Tempest as she threw on back at her, grazing her arm.
Tempest gasped and laughed, holding her arm. "Y-You win again..."
Emi smirked. "Knew I would!"
Her friend sighed. "I'm done for today... gonna go find your boyfriend?" She teased.
Emi blushed faintly and stuck out her tongue. "Shut up. A-And usually he finds me first..." She murmured.
A kunai landed on the ground between the two females, and Ryuu appeared Tempest. "We're not dating..." He stated close to her ear and chuckled at her shocked reaction.
Tempest jumped back and laughed nervously. "S-Sorry... ah.. s-see yeah, Emi..." She said before running off.
Emi laughed and placed her hands on her hips. "Did yah have to scare Tempest like that?" She smiled.
Ryuu shrugged and walked over to pick the kunai up. "She should get it right; it's not dating, we're betrothed." He laughed lightly.
Emi shrugged. "You say it like being betrothed to me is a bad thing."
Ryuu sighed. "I'm not...it's just they are different."
Emi eyed him for a second before turning around and starting to head back towards the village. "Whatever..."
"Wow, way to leave your mate." He rolled his eyes and walked after her. "Came to say hi, and all I get is snubbed."
Emi closed her eyes and looked away from him before opening her eyes again. "Sorry, but what do you expect? I've known you for four years now and half the time you make it seem like you don't even like me as a friend, let alone as your 'mate' as you put it..."
Ryuu sighed and stretched his arms above his head. "You've managed to grow out of your shyness in four years. I still remember the irst day we met; I'd say we hit it off right away. We have a duty to pursue, we can't let our intial feelings leave us."
Emi growled and jumped in his way. "Is that all I am to you? Like a mission?"
Ryuu rolled his eyes. "I didn't say that, Emi." Ryuu smirked. "I guess with females, as age comes, so does the attitude."
Emi gritted her teeth and started walking again, faster and ahead of Ryuu. "Jerk."
Ryuu frowned and quickly ran to step in front of Emi. "Hey! You can't just keep snubbing me like that."
"Watch me!" She hissed, trying to move past Ryuu.
Ryuu kept stepping in front of Emi to prevent her from passing, but somewhere inbetween stepping back and forth, he tripped over his own feet and brought the both of them to the ground. Emi stared blankly up at Ryuu and sighed. "Oh no, now you're trying to speed things up.." She hissed, pushing him off and sitting p, keeping her back to him.
Ryuu frowned and turned away. "I'm just trying to get you to stop." He mumbled and stood up. "Whatever, if you keep up this attitude, what's the point? I was interested in the shy, soft-spoken girl I first met."
Emi sighed deeply and ran a hand through her hair before looking up at him. "I-I'm sorry... I have an exam coming up... I'm just a bit stressed..."
Ryuu sighed and knelt down beside Emi. He frowned and looked into her eyes. "Emi, you're an intelligent girl just like you had said. You don't have to be stressed, it'll be easy. Besides, that teacher is so easy." He smiled half heartedly and palced his hand on her shoulder.
Emi gave him a soft smile. "I guess you'd know..."
Ryuu nodded and smirked. "How does it feel knowing that I'm probably going to be genin next week?"
Emi laughed softly. "Makes me feel even younger than I am..."
Ryuu laughed. "Dad keep teasing me that I can protect you with my growing muscles." He flexed his whimpy arms.
Emi blushed faintly and laughed. "I'll remember to call for you when I'm in danger..." She smiled and looked to the pendent that hung around his neck. It was a simple yellow lightning bolt. She reached out to grab it and played with it between her fingers.
Ryuu looked down at the pendant and smiled. "Soon, you'll be Emi Inabikari." He smiled.
Emi blushed and laughed. "Do you have any idea how long I've been trying to get used to calling myself that?"
Ryuu shrugged and looked away. Emi sighed and dropped the pendent before getting to her feet and wiping herself off. She looked up into the sky and smiled slightly. "Wanna take a walk with me?" She asked, looking back down at Ryuu.
Ryuu smiled and stood. "That's more like the Emi I know..."
Emi blushed and looked away. "Shut it.."
Ryuu sighed before laughing. "Let's go..."
-Emi age 13 Ryuu age 16-
"Dad..." Ryuu walked over to his dad at the kitchen table and sat down beside him.
Katashi grunted as he looked over at his son while he sipped the soup out of his spoon. Ryuu reached into his pocket and pulled out the small box his father had given him long ago. Katashi eyed it carefully and smiled.
"I-I think I want to give it to her..." Ryuu murmured and diverted his eyes.
Katashi sighed with relief and sat back. "For sure?" He asked.
Ryuu nodded and shrugged. "At least, I'm pretty sure."
Tsuki was standing in the nearby doorway with a smile. "You've thought it through?" She asked.
Ryuu nodded. "I know we're still a ways until the age we are to marry, and things change, but over the past four years, I guess...I..."
Tsuki's smile turned to a grin and she let out a long "awe", causing Ryuu to blush and shy away awkwardly. She quickly clasped her hand over her mouth to stop herself from giggling and left back into the kitchen.
Katashi smiled softly and reached over to pat his shoulder. "You've made your mother and I proud, son."
Ryuu shrugged and put the box back into his pocket.
"When Ren and Yumiki find out, they'll be just as happy." Katashi sighed and started for his soup again.
"I..I was actually planning on going to visit her. Her exam is tomorrow, and I want to wish her good luck."
Katashi nodded. "You have your last exam as well."
Ryuu grinned. "Genin, here I come!"
Katashi chuckled. "Alright, have fun."
Ryuu nodded before running to the front door, pulling on his shoes and running out the door to Emi's house. When he reached her front door, he quickly knocked on the door, impatiently waiting for an answer.
Ren yawned as he opened the door, scratching his forehead when he realized who was in his doorway. "R-Ryuu? What are you doing here so late?" He asked with a small smile.
"Emi's exam is tomorrow - I just want to wish her well..." Ryuu paused and reached his hand into his pocket to hold the box. "And I wanted to give her something..." Ryuu grinned sheepishly, avoiding Ren's eyes.
Ren chuckled softly. "I believe she's up in her room studying. But you can go upstairs."
Ryuu smiled and stepped into the house, kicking off his shoes respectfully and running up the stairs to her bedroom door.
Emi laid in her room, upside down on her bed with a pen sticking out of her mouth as she worked through her exam review. "I-I keep getting the answers right but... I still worry..." She murmured with a sigh.
Suddenly, the door flew open and Ryuu stepped into the room with a large grin. Emi looked to Ryuu, however he appeared upside down in her eyes. She spit out her pen and set her papers on her chest. "Evening... what are you doing here?" She asked.
Ryuu pushed the door closed and went to kneel infront of her on the bed. He smirked and placed his hands on both her upside-down cheeks. "You, missy, have no need to study! It's all in here!" Ryuu sighed and wiggled her head. "But if you stay like this, it'll all fall out."
Emi blushed and sighed at Ryuu. "Did you come here just to tell me that?"
Ryuu shrugged and lifted her head to push her up into a sitting position. "I cam here to wish you goodluck on your exam."
Emi turned around to face Ryuu, pulling her hair off her shoulders to straighten it out before smiling at him. "Shouldn't you be studying? You have an exam too.."
Ryuu shrugged. "I have more confidence than you do." He laughed. "You're the more intelligent one, you should be more confident than I."
Emi rolled her eyes and set her papers on her dresser, intending to study more after Ryuu left. "Alright... so, why do you seem so excited then?"
Ryuu reached for the pen laying on the bed, spinning it around in his hands. "I seem excited?" He asked.
Emi shrugged. "Kinda... you burst into my room without knocking and then grinned dumbly at me..."
Ryuu's expression fell blank and he rolled his eyes, moving up on the bed to lean against the wall. "Well, sorry for my rudeness."
Emi shook her head. "Not what I meant... I-I just thought it wa-"
"Would you hug me?" Ryuu asked, looking out the window.
Emi's eyes widened as a blush fell over her face. "I-If you wanted it... s-sure..."
"Will you?'
Emi nodded and leaned closer, wrapping her arms around Ryuu's torso. Ryuu moved his arms around Emi's shoulder and leaned his head against hers. "I've made my decision..."
"What d-decision?" She asked nervously.
Ryuu pulled back and reached into his pocket, pulling the box out to place infront of Emi's eyes. "My father gave me this shortly after we met. He explained carefully to me that this is what will indicated my official decision whether to comply or not."
Emi's eyes widened. "Y-You mean... you actually w-want me?" She gasped.
Ryuu's eyes widened slightly at how Emi had put it and looked away. He nodded and held the box out to her. Emi nervously took the box from his hands and opened it to reveal the same pendent all members of the Inabikari clan wore. Her eyes widened as she looked up at Ryuu. "I-I..." She trailed off and bit her lip, looking down again.
"I've decided that I want to agree to our parents decision - but not just because it's there wish. I...I'm going to be genin soon, and I've decided to vow to protect you forever."
Emi felt tears brim in her eyes as she looked back up at Ryuu, searching his eyes. She smiled softly and wiped her eyes with her arm before moving to hug him again, her face buried against his neck. Ryuu quickly wrapped his arms around her and smiled. "I'll take that as a yes?"
Emi smiled and nodded. "Yes... I agree with your decision." She whispered.
Ryuu sighed with relief and pulled back. "Good. Now you have to put up with me on a whole new level." He smirked.
Emi blinked in surprise as she took the necklace from the box, putting it over her head and moving her hair out from under it. "Wh-What do you mean?" She asked with a nervous laugh.
Ryuu shrugged. "Well, I mean...now that we've both agreed, we're actually going to be getting married soon."
Emi blushed faintly. "Th-Then doesn't that mean you're actually considered my boyfriend now?"
Ryuu shrugged. "I...don't think so..." He thought for a moment and shrugged. "But..." He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. "Just to say you're mine..."
Emi's blush deepened as she looked away. "Y-yours..." She laughed softly, never hearing those words from him before. "Alright..." she whispered.
Ryuu smiled and leaned back against the wall. "So, can I distract you for a while?"
She looked up to meet his gaze with a raised eyebrow. "Distract me? W-Well... I-I should s-study... a-a little bit more.." She murmured.
Ryuu shrugged and stood up, stretching slowly before grabbing the study papers and hiding them behind his back. "If you can get them."
"H-Hey!" She gasped, jumping to her feet. "Give them back, Ryuu..."
Ryuu smirked and held the papers high above his head. He had a good two feet over her, so he was confident she wouldn't get the papers. Emi narrowed her eyes and smirked. She grabbed his arm and tried to pull it down, knowing that jumping would be futile. Ryuu switched the papers to the other hand and raised his eyebrows. "Come on, try hard."
Emi narrowed her eyes and quickly moving around behind Ryuu before jumping on his back, still attempting to reach the papers. Ryuu laughed as he held the papers far out infront of himself. "You won't be able to get them." He teased.
"Come on, just give them back..." She groaned, reaching around his neck to try and reach them. Ryuu moved to sit on the edge of the bed, prying her feet apart so he could stand up again. He turned around to face her and knelt down infront of her, keeping the papers behind him. "I know you know this paper from the back to the front. You know every question written on this paper along with the answer and diagrams."
Emi blushed and avoided his gaze. "J-Just one last look t-to make sure..."
"Then go ahead and look." He smiled softly.
"I need the papers then, Ryuu." She smirked.
Ryuu shook his head. "You're going to ace it with 100%, Emi." He stated.
Emi sighed deeply. "Fine..." She leaned closer and kissed his cheek, reaching around and quickly snagging the papers. She smirked and jumped up on her bed so she was now taller than him. "Ha!" She giggled. "Mine now~"
Ryuu shook his head, supressing the blush that was trying to surface and stood up. She had gained the two feet over him now. He reached up to grab the papers. "Emi..." He said with a serious tone.
"Don't try to play Mr. Serious with me!" She giggled, moving the papers further from his reach. "You started it!"
Ryuu reached around her legs and pulled them out from underneathe her, causing her to fall to the bed. Ryuu smirked and reached over her to pull the papers from her hands. "Ryuu - score 1." He laughed.
Emi smirked. "What if I said I didn't care anymore then?"
Ryuu stared blankly at Emi for a moment. "You've been fretting for ages now, and suddenly you don't care? Yeah, alright. Sorry, can't fool this man." Ryuu stretched his arm out and flexed his muscles.
Emi rolled her eyes and smiled. "You say I will pass, right? Then I wont bother. I'll just enjoy your company instead.."
Ryuu shrugged and stuffed the papers into his pocket. "Good." He smiled and sat down beside Emi.
Emi smiled and pulled her hair forward to play with the ends. "So, what do you want to do then?"
Ryuu shrugged. "Now that I've given you the pendant, I'm not quite sure."
Emi laughed and got off of her bed, moving to the balcony that was connected to her bedroom and looked up at the bright moon. "There was nothing else you had in mind?" She asked with a small laugh.
"Well, I wasn't really thinking past the 'you-are-officially-going-to-be-my-wife-soon' thing." He murmured to himself and stood up, following her out to the balcony.
Emi glanced up at Ryuu and blushed. The moonlight lit up his features and made him look all that much more handsome. She diverted her eyes and took the pendent into her hand, studying it closely thinking about the meaning it had to her and Ryuu. Ryuu leaned against the railing of the balcony and overlooked the village streets.
"R-Ryuu?" Emi asked after a few moments of silence.
"Hm?" Ryuu slowly turned to face Emi.
"C-Can I ask you... an odd question?" She whispered.
Ryuu shrugged. "I'll try to answer."
"D-Do you think I could be the Kazekage one day?" She asked nervously, keeping her eyes away from him.
Ryuu shrugged and scratched his head. "I-I guess."
Emi sighed and nodded. "I-I figured as much..." She whispered under her breath.
Ryuu sighed and reached out to ruffle her hair. "You can do anything you put your mind to - as my father always says."
Emi smiled softly and looked up at Ryuu. "Like pass this stupid exam tomorrow?"
Ryuu laughed. "Of course you will...You won't even have to think about it, it will be so engrained on your brain."
Emi smiled. She hesitated for a moment before resting her head on his shoulder. "You're always speaking highly of me..."
Ryuu shrugged. "How else do I get you to fall in love with me?" He chuckled lightly and shook his head. "I'm kidding, Emi." He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and smiled. "It's because I know you. We've been hanging out for over four years now, and I'm still a few years older than you."
Emi smiled and snuggled closer to his side. "What if I told you I was in love with you already?" She whispered, closing her eyes.
"I'd say you're still to young to fully understand what love is." He snickered.
She smirked. "Like you'd know much more than I would."
"My mother has been training me." Ryuu rolled his eyes and laughed. "Mothers."
Emi laughed. "So she's been training you in love?" She smirked.
Ryuu shrugged. "The do's, the dont's, the what is and what isn't. What is right, what is wrong, etc, etc." Ryuu laughed lightly.
Emi sighed and moved her head from his shoulder to lean against the railing. "So then... based on what you've learned... where do your feelings sit about me?"
Ryuu leaned against the railing as well. "I gave you the pendant, didn't I?"
"So it represents what? Love?" She asked, keeping her eyes off of him.
Ryuu looked up to the moon and smirked as he gripped the railing with his hidden hand. It glowed a lightly yellow as a weak bolt of eletricity passed through to her.
Emi gasped and jumped back from the railing. She sighed before smirking and playfully hitting Ryuu. "D-Don't do that..."
Ryuu smirked and turned back around, grabbing her hand and sending really weak shocks through to her. Emi gasped at the feeling but didn't pull back as she looked up at him.
"What is your heart doing?" He asked as he sent more shokcs to her.
"R-Racing..." She murmured softly.
Ryuu smiled. "That's where my feelings sit when I think of you."
Emi searched his eyes and smiled. "You can be such a softy, Ryuu." She smirked.
Ryuu shrugged and let go off her hand. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the paper, sticking it out to her. Emi took the papers and looked down at them before sighing. "Does this mean you're leaving now?" She whispered, a hint of disapointment in her voice.
Ryuu nodded slowly. "It's getting a little late, I should return home." He murmured.
Emi sighed and nodded. "Tell your parents I say Hi."
Ryuu smile and pulled Emi in for another hug. "I will." He whispered and hugged her tightly.
"R-Ryuu... c-can you promise me something?" She murmured against his chest.
"Hm?" Ryuu grunted.
"C-Can you promise never to leave me?" She whispered. "I-If that's not asking too much.."
Ryuu shrugged. "I don't think your parents would allow me to stay the night." He chuckled.
Emi giggled and hit him lightly, pulling from his arms. "Y-You know what I mwan, Ryuu..."
Ryuu smiled softly and reached out to caress her cheek. "I promise."
Emi smiled and walked back into her room, setting the papers on her bed. "I'll see you tomorrow then..."
Ryuu nodded and walked over to the door, reaching for the doorknob. He looked at the clock and noticed that it was seven. He pulled the door open and turned back to look at Emi. "Get a good night sleep, Emi. Be confident in yourself, I know you can do it." He smiled.
Emi blushed faintly and nodded. "Be safe going home."
Ryuu nodded and smiled one last time before leaving the room and shutting the door silently behind him. He walked down the stairs and met Emi's father at the bottom.
"She still studying?" He chuckled.
"She was when I went up, but I gave her a break from her studying." Ryuu smiled.
Ren smiled and patted Ryuu's shoulder. "So, have you made any decisions about staying with Emi?"
Ryuu blushed faintly and looked away. "I...gave her the pendant of the family crest."
Ren's eyes widened slightly but he smiled. "I'm glad, Ryuu."
Ryuu smiled. "Me too."
Ren smiled. "Good luck on your exam tomorrow then. I'll pass the message on to Yumiki."
Ryuu nodded. "Alright."
"Have a good night, Ryuu." Ren said as he opened the door for Ryuu.
After Ryuu pulled on his shoes and he made his way out of the house and took off for his own home, waving back at Ren. Emi looked out from her balcony, holding the pendent in her hand. She spotted Ryu running off into the distance and smiled. She decided not to call for him as she sighed contently.
-Emi age 13 Ryuu age 16-
"Why are you so dressed up?" Ryuu asked, raising a brow.
Emi glanced down at herself. She was wearing a white dress and her hair was up in a messy bun. "This is dressed up?" She asked - she thought it was casual.
Ryuu shrugged. "I-I don't really know." He laughed and scratched the back of his neck. His eyes drifted to meet Ren and then Yuimiki's. He didn't really know what to say, so he smiled sheepishly.
Ren chuckled at Ryuu and smiled. "Look after my daughter, alright? Have her back at a decent time."
Ryuu nodded and turned back to look at Emi. He smiled awkwardly before moving beside her and looping his arm through hers. "L-let's go...then..." He murmured and begun to walk forwards.
Emi smiled slightly as the two of them walked out. Emi's parents moved to the door to watch. Ren let out a sigh.
"Oh Ren." Yumiki giggled. "You know you have to give her up sometime."
He nodded. "I know... It just feels too early."
"She's thirteen, Ren." She giggled.
Ren sighed. "Yeah, yeah."
"So..." Ryuu began to whistle, then cleared his throat. "Uh...you look really nice..." He murmured. "Like...rea-" He sighed and turned his face away. "You look beautiful."
She blushed and turned her gaze to the ground. "Th-Thanks..." She murmured. "M-My mother a-actually tried to make me wear make-up." She shook her head and stuck out her tongue. "I like sticking with my o'natural look." She smirked.
"No ruby lipstick?" He asked and scratched his cheek.
She laughed and shook her head. "Nah... unless you want me to?" She smirked. "It would just... prove as evidence though. Just one good thing that comes from me not wearing any - no evidence!" She laughed - she was joking, but his reaction was priceless.
His eyes widened and he shook his head back and forth quickly. "N-no! I wasn't thinking of that!" He laughed nervously and turned his face away. "I-I was just thinking...I thought girls liked wearing r-ruby lipsti-" His expression turned blank and he looked at her. "A-are you expecting me to...y-you know...?" He murmured.
She blushed and turned her face away as she shrugged.
"O-oh..." He murmured and turned away again. His heart was starting to race, wondering if he would actually be able to work himself up to actually kiss her. When he imagined his lips to hers his eyes widened and he bit his lip. He suddenly felt weird with his arm around hers like it was, so he pulled his arm back. He thought it would be better to hold hands, and he reached out for her hand, chickening out slightly at the last second and letting his hand brush against hers.
Emi couldn't help but to laugh. She sometimes felt as though she had to make the first move in order for Ryuu to do anything. She reached out and took his hand, entwining her fingers in his. "Isn't there something wrong with that?" She chuckled. "Even though I blush all the time, I'm still the one who makes the first moves?" She smirked.
Ryuu pursed his lips and turned away. He felt stupid now - he was suppose to be the guy! Not her. He decided that sometime that night, he was going to man up to kiss her so he had at least something that he started. They walked through the town a little before they showed up at the theatre. "I'm taking you to a movie." He stated and smiled, holding out a ticket. He wasn't exactly sure which movie it was, but he did know it was romance. He figured girls like romance, why wouldn't she?
Emi chuckled and glanced at the ticket before smirking at him. "A romance. So typical for a boy to take his girl to it." She smiled and kissed his cheek. "Thank you." She said and walked into the theatre.
Ryuu laughed lightly and followed her in. They took their seat somewhere in the middle and began to watch the movie. Although Ryuu wasn't all too interested in what the movie was about, he couldn't help but imagine himself kissing Emi when the characters had kissed. Or when they fought, he frowned; he didn't want to seperate from her. By the end of the movie, Ryuu had thoughts running through his head that he never thought of before.
"D-did you like it?" Ryuu asked.
She smiled and nodded. "I did, thank you." She murmured.
Ryuu nodded and moved to entwine his fingers with hers again. "Good." He murmured and smiled at her.
She smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. "A-Are you taking me home now?" She murmured.
Ryuu shook his head. "W-well, I was planning on taking you to dinner. B-but unless you want to go home." He shrugged and frowned.
Emi shook her head. "N-No! I want to stay with you!" She blurted, then blushed.
"Ah..." Ryuu smiled again and leaned his head against hers. "Alright." He whispered.
She smiled. "S-So where are we going for dinner?" She murmured.
"A restaurant." He murmured.
Emi giggled. "You know I meant exactly..."
He smiled and kept walking. Eventually they showed up to one of the fancy sushi bars. He took her in and saw down at one of the tables. He just continued to smile at her. "I know how much you like sushi." He murmured.
She smiled. "I think you know me too well, Ryuu."
Ryuu smiled sheepishly and shrugged. A waiter came by and they ordered from the menu. When the waiter returned back to the bar part of the restaurant, she whispered to a friend, who whispered to another. They all giggled and watched Ryuu and Emi with 'awww'-ed expressions. Ryuu lowered his eyes to the table and fiddled with his napkin.
"They're watching us." He mumbled and laughed slightly.
Emi shrugged. "Isn't it expected? We're watched all the time anyway."
Ryuu shrugged and stole a quick glance from at them. They giggled. "They think we're cute." He whispered, reading their lips and hearing their squeaky voice - failed whispering.
Emi blushed faintly and shrugged again. "It's bugging you, Ryuu?"
Ryuu slumped slightly and shook his head. "I'm sixteen...I'm not cute anymore." He murmured and sighed.
"I think so~" Emi giggled.
Ryuu laughed slightly. "But I recall you calling me handsome the other day." He smirked. "Now you..." He sat back up and leaned forward, scrunching his nose up in a teasing way. "You're cute - adorable even!"
She blushed brightly and shook her head. "Y-You called me beautiful when we started this date!"
"But you're still thirteen...you can still be called cute." He chuckled softly. "Cutie."
"No!" She shook her head and looked down at her lap.
"Cutie-wootie!" He snickered and leaned back on the chair.
Emi groaned an held her face in her hands. "Must you do that?"
Ryuu snickered again, leaning back further. He felt the chair tip too far and his chair began to fall. He let out a loud yelp and grabbed the edge of the table, drawing himself back down on all four legs of the chair, and drawing half the restaurant's attention to their table. Ryuu's eyes widened and he hid his face in his hands, his face feeling very hot.
Emi smirked and laughed. "Now you can be called cute!"
Ryuu shook his head and looked through his hands at her. "Yeah? Well..." He took a glance to see only a few people now looking. He leaned forward and smiled at her. "Your laugh is cute."
She smirked and leaned closer in return. "Your blush is cuter." She whispered.
Ryuu pouted and leaned closer, their noses nearly touching. His eyes drifted over her face, taking in every characteristic of her face, watching as a blush formed. "You're just cuter in general." He whispered and smiled before pulling back again. "And I'd say your blush beats mine." He smirked and pointed his fork at her cheeks.
She shook her head. "I always blush. Th-That means that mine is just over used. Yours is rare - much cuter."
Ryuu sighed. "Mine's mostly from embarrassment. Yours is special - it's from me." He smirked again, watching as her blush brightened a little more. "See?" He asked and smirked further.
She pouted and turned her face away. "Shut up..." She murmured.
Ryuu snickered again and leaned forward with his forearms on the table. "So, a-are you liking tonight?" He asked.
She nodded. "Y-Yeah. I am enjoying it a lot..." She whispered.
He smiled and nodded. "Good." Then he leaned back on the chair slightly again. "Want to make sure my girl is the most content." He laughed lightly.
She just shook her head and smiled. After the food had arrived and they had eaten it, Ryuu and Emi walked back towards her home. The moon was high in the sky, the moonlight enhancing Emi's features as she walked. By now she had let down her hair and it now swayed in the small breeze. She let out a contentful sigh as she tightened her grip on Ryuu's hand.
For some reason, Ryuu had found it difficult to take his eyes off her. He'd steal dozens of glances when she wasn't looking. He loved how her beautifully long hair swung back and forth, and her white dress shimmering brightly in the moonlight. He sighed quietly and moved his arm around her shoulders, pulling her to his side. "Thank you for tonight." He whispered.
She smiled. "No, thank you. You payed for everything..." She murmured.
"But thank you for accompanying me." He laughed lightly. "And making me look good."
She laughed. "Well, it'd be weird for you to go on a date without a girl." She smirked.
Ryuu laughed. "But I wouldn't have imagined doing this with any other girl. I thank you for being that girl." He smiled and squeezed her shoulder.
She shrugged and smiled. "It was my pleasure then."
After a few more minutes, they reached Emi's house and Ryuu walked her up to the door. He was too distracted working up courage that he hadn't heard Emi begin to talk.
"W-Well, thanks for tonight." She smiled. "I'll see you tomo-"
Ryuu moved forward, sneaking his hand to the back of her head before pushing his lips against hers. Her eyes widened before they softened and then closed. She moved her arms around his neck. Her knees felt weak, she almost felt like she couldn't breathe. His lips were so soft and gentle against her own.
Ryuu was cheering himself on in his head as he felt her wrap her arms around his neck. Suddenly, his knee's began to feel weak and he leaned his hand against the door to support them. His pressed his lips harder to hers as he moved his hand from her neck to her waist, placing it on her hip. Her face felt hot as she pulled him closer to herself, their chests touching. She moved her lips slightly against his as she felt her heart race in her chest - she couldn't believe they were kissing, and that he made the first move!
Eventually, Ryuu broke away from the kiss and breathed in deeply. His heart was racing and he could no longer feel his body. He just stared into her eyes, wondering what to do next. Emi was blushing brightly. She forced her lips to his quickly before pulling back. "I... I um..." She trailed off. Her breathing was deep and she could barely feel her body - it felt like it was on fire.
Ryuu's eyes widened slightly and he pressed his lips to hers again, laughing lightly. He moved his arms around her waist and pushed her up against the door, wrapping his arms tightly around her as his lips moved against hers. She gasped and a moan escaped her throat, the noise only causing her to blush more. She closed her eyes and kissed back hard as she wrapped her one leg around his, her hands clawing at his back.
Ryuu's heart skipped a beat at her moan and he pulled back with widened eyes to look at her. His breathing was deep and had quickened, his face now a deep red. His eyes drifted down between them, seeing how her chest was pressed against his. With her body so close, Ryuu began to feel dizzy and he stumbled backwards. "I-I..." He swallowed and rubbed the side of his face, stumbling slightly. "I have to go..." He breathed. "G-goodnight." He mumbled and turned around, heading in the direction of his own house.
Emi stumbled for a moment before running to him and hugging him from behind. "N-Night... I-I'll see you tomorrow..." She whispered.
Ryuu froze from a moment, still feeling dizzy. He turned around in her arms and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pulling her in tighter. "S-sleep well." He mumbled
She nodded and hugged him tightly before breaking from his arms and smiling before walking back into her house and slumping down the door in a daze.
Ryuu turned back towards his house and began to walk forward. He felt odd, as if he were flying. His mind kept returning to how her dazed over eyes looked up him, how soft her lips were against his, feeling her heaving chest against his, and that noise- he shook his head and rubbed the side of his face again. He had never shared anything like that with her, and he wondered how she was doing after he left.