-Emi age 14 Ryuu age 17-

Emi sighed deeply as she as she sat in a tree, biting on the edge of a pen as she looked over her notes. She relaxed in the shade of the tree and soon found herself drifting off. Ryuu was walking down the path and noticed Emi in the tree. He snuck up below the branch and grabbed her ankle, yanking on it. Emi gasped as her eyes snapped opened and she stumbled to keep balance. She slipped from her seat in the tree and headed toward the ground. Ryuu laughed and quickly reached out to catch her in his arms.

"Whoops! Don't want you to get hurt now." He laughed.

Emi's heart raced as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "D-Don't scare me like that!"

Ryuu smiled. "Couldn't help myself."

Emi smirked. "Guess I know what type of husband you're gonna be."

Ryuu snickered as he placed Emi on her feet. "What were you doing in a tree anyways?"

Emi's face twisted in confusion as she turned to see her notes and pen sprawled out in the sand. "Well... I was studying.." She murmured.

Ryuu sighed. "You overdo yourself." He murmured and collected her notes.

Emi shrugged. "I'd hate to fall behind anymore then the three years that splits us already.." she murmured nervously.

"You're probably past me by now." Ryuu chuckled.

"I may be smart, but you have all the abilites..."

Ryuu shrugged. "You'r moving pretty quickly along yourself."

"You're still a jounin while I'm a genin..."

Ryuu stretched his arms above his head to grab the branch Emi was sitting on. "I can't just allow your brilliance to pass me." He gasped playfully.

Emi walked up and playfully hit his chest. "My brilliance already beats you. Just not my abilites. I'm only a taijutsu user... nothing more..."

Ryuu allowed one of his arms to fall and he wrapped it around Emi's waist, pulling her closer. "That's why I'll do my best to protect you with my life." He murmured.

Emi blushed faintly and turned her face away. "I don't ever want you to get hurt because of me though..."

Ryuu shrugged. "I would gladly get hurt to protect you."

"J-Just stop..." She murmured. "I don't even want to think of that..."

Ryuu sighed and rest his forehead against hers. "Four more years." He smiled.

Emi blushed and smiled. "Sure you'd still want me after another four years?" she smirked.

"We've lasted nine years. I think another four years wouldn't be anythign to worry about."

Emi smiled and moved around Ryuu to jump on his back. "I have to admit... I'm actually kind of excited to be your wife..." She whispered.

Ryuu moved his hands to support her on his back and he spun around in a circle. "Good."

Emi laughed and held on tightly to Ryuu. "You're making me dizzy.."

Ryuu laughed and stopped to lean against the tree with her still on his back. Emi smiled softly and moved to kiss his cheek. "So, since you woke me from my nap... what would you like to do?"

Ryuu turned his head so that he could look into her eyes. He shrugged and pursed his lips. "Well, my fair maiden," Ryuu smirked and reached up to caress her cheek. His expression softened as he reached up to place his lips on hers.

Emi gasped before closing her eyes, moving to rest her hand on his cheek. Ryuu smiled and pulled away, letting her slip to her feet and turning around to pull her into a soft embrace. Emi melted in his arms before smirking and jumping up into the tree above them.

"I don't think my dad would be happy to know you stole a kiss from my lips." She smirked, climbing up higher.

Ryuu shrugged and pulled himself up onto the branch. He placed his finger to his lips. Emi smirked and climbed higher. "How good of a climber are you, Ryuu?" She giggled.

Ryuu shrugged. "I don't know..." He murmured before quickly pulling himself from branch to branch until he was beside her. He leaned forward and smiled. "What do you think?"

Emi smirked and ran a hand through her hair. "You really are better than me at everything..."

Ryuu sighed and pushed a piece of hair behind her ear. "Not everything, Emi."

Emi smiled softly and looked down at the ground to see their parents walking along the path, deep in conversation. Emi smirked and turned back to face Ryuu. "Wanna scare them?"

Ryuu smirked and nodded. He grabbed Emi's hand and jumped from the branchs' far edge. They landed feet infront of their parents and shouted to scare them.

Yumiki gasped before laughing. "Emi, I thought you were out studying..."

Ryuu laughed. "I guess I have a tendency of distracting her."

Emi smirked and playfully hit his arm. "He pulled me out of tree. I almost had a heart attack." She giggled.

"It's alright though, she is perfectly fine." Ryuu laughed and placed his arms over her shoulder.

Tsuki laughed and rolled her eyes. "Don't want her getting hurt anytime at all."

Ren smirked. "So, you're done with the studying, Emi?"

Emi shrugged. "If Ryuu is around, yeah. He never lets me study." She smirked up at him.

Ryuu laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head. "Don't want her getting too far ahead of me. I'm suppose to be looking out for her, not vice versa."

Yumiki smiled. "You two are such a good pair."

"M-Mom..." Emi mumbled, looking away with a blush.

Ryuu smiled and grabbed Emi to spin her around. "I'm happy with it."

"Don't get too far ahead of yourself there, Ryuu." Katashi stated as he raised a brow.

Ruu nodded and smiled. "I know, father." Ryuu bowed his head and pulled Emi back to his side.

Emi smiled softly to their parents before looking up at Ryuu. "Want to go somewhere else?" she murmured awkwardly.

Ryuu shrugged and turned back to the four parents. "I'm going to take Emi for the day, is that alright with all of you?"

Ren chuckled and nodded. "Just have her home at a decent hour."

"And yourself home at a decent hour as well." Katashi added.

Ryuu nodded and grabbed Emi's hand, leading her off.

-Emi age 14 Ryuu age 17-

"Murasaki, Tomi, you go ahead." Ryuu said and began walk towards his left. Across the field he spotted Emi's squad minus Emi.

Tempest was shaking her head violetly as she gripped Niimiki's collar. "We can't leave her!"

Niimiki sighed. "We don't have many options..."

"Girls, I will go after her, alright? Just stay here..." Miame-sensai said.

"No!" The girls both said in unison. "You're far too hurt!"

"I will not send to genin out on their own..." Miame stated.

Ryuu showed up and asked what had happened. They hesitated before explaining everything. Ryuu frowned and placed his hand on Miame-sensai's shoulder. "You stay with Niimiki and Tempest, I'll go after her." He said.

Miame shook her head. "R-Ryuu, I-I cannot allow that..."

Ryuu shook his head. "I may be considerably younger, but I'm nearly to your level, Miame-sensai." Ryuu said and nodded to Tempest and Niimiki. "Take care of Miame and get her back to Konoha safely."

Tempest nodded and bit her lip. "J-Just be prepared, Ryuu... We only escaped because she allowed herself to be captured..." She murmured. "She will probably order you to leave."

Niimiki nodded. "You just hurry back. Our squad is useless without her." She murmured and pulled Miame back towards the village.

"Be safe..." Tempest murmurmed before running after the other two.

The mission the girls had been on was a simple escort mission, however on their way back they were ambushed. Emi's quick thinking saved the other three, but it got her captured. All the girls had been hurt in the process, and currently, Emi was in the worst condition. Her hands and ankles were bound, a piece of cloth over her mouth. Prior to being knocked out, the enemies tossed her around and beat her up, each taking hits with their fists and then some with kunai. Based on how her head felt, she was pretty sure she had a concussion, but there was little for her to do as she closed her eyes again.

The men who had captured Emi chuckled as they sat around playing shogi. There was only three of them by now, the other five left shortly after thing beatings they took on Emi.

"She's a pretty girl. I think we should keep her." One stated.

The other shook his head. "She's valuable to the Kazekage - we will make a trade."

"I say we do both. Say we want a trade before we hand her over, then just take the trade and the girl and run." The other laughed.

The other two chuckled and nodded. "That is our plan."

Ryuu had followed the directions to where the squad had last seen Emi and followed from there a path that he hoped the people had left behind. It took a while but eventually he found himself at a small wooden shack, what seemed like three male voices coming floating from the building along with chuckles. He moved to the window and peered in, seeing Emi tied up. He gritted his teeth before smashing the window and climbing in, his eyes narrowed.

The males all jumped and then chuckled. "Oh! Is this your girl?" One asked with a smirk.

Ryuu glanced at Emi and nodded. "Yes, she is." He stated and narrowed his eyes further.

The one man stood up and pulled out a katana. "I think not. She's our leverage and our toy." He laughed.

"And she's my future wife. I'd appreciate you giving her back, please and thank you." Ryuu said.

The men all shared a confused glance before shaking their heads.

"Look kid, she won't be going anywhere with you." The other man said, quickly advancing towards Ryuu.

Ryuu gritted his teeth and ducked down, grabbing the base of the Katana and zapping the metal. A spark emitted from the sword and the man dropped it before grabbing his hand, letting out a painful yelp. Before the man could turned around, Ryuu climbed onto his back, making a string of lightning and pulling it back on the man's neck, searing the flesh before ripping it across his skin, cutting his throat deeply. The man fell to the ground, dead and bleeding, and Ryuu turned to look at the other two, panting lightly.

The other two males raised their hands in defence and stepped back as their dropped their weapons. "H-How can a brat like you... b-be so strong?" The one asked nervously.

Ryuu straight and balled his fists as it glowed a birght yellow. "Don't ever forget the Inabikari clan." He hissed and stepped forwards. "Now leave."

The two men gasped and quickly ran out the door, leaving Emi where she was. Ryuu moved over to example her and pulled the cloth from her mouth before pulling her into a gentle embrace.

"Are you alright?" He asked softly.

"I... I've been better..." She whispered weakly. "I-I think I have a c-concussion..." She whispered, closing her eyes again and slumping in his arms.

Ryuu frowned and kissed the top of her head before picking her up in his arms carefully. "I'll get you back to Konoha quickly." He whispered.

"Please... h-hurry." She murmured, burrying her face into his chest.

After fifteen minutes, Ryuu finally arrived at the gates of Konoha and eventually made his way to the hospital. The doctors attended to Emi immediately, and after Emi was all fixed up, Ryuu was allowed to make his visit.

"Emi..." He knocked on the door softly and stepped in. "Feeling any better?" He asked.

She turned her eyes from the window to Ryuu. Her head was bandaged and she had bandages all over her body where the men had cut her. She gave a weak smile and nodded. "I... I think so." She murmured and closed her eyes. "How'd you find out?" She murmured. "Y-You're always seeming to show up a-at the right time..."

Ryuu smiled and moved over to sit on the edge of the bed. He leaned down closer to her face before moving his lips to her forehead and pulled back, smiling gently. "I guess it's destiny." He smirked and chuckled lightly. He shook his head then and shrugged. "I saw your squad but not you..." He murmured.

She nodded. "Guess that would be a pretty good sign..." She murmured.

"Emi!" Yumiki ran into the room and quickly pulled Emi into her arms. "Stop getting hurt!"

Ren stepped into the room and stood beside Ryuu. He turned to smile at him and touched his cheek, mouthing a "Thank you."

Ryuu smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of his neck. "Didn't want my future wife being killed. You know, i-in case we agree to this whole betrothal thing." He laughed nervously and shrugged. "Because you never know..."

Ren chuckled and ruffled his hair. "You're a good boy, Ryuu."

Yumiki let out a sigh as she pulled back to push some bangs from Emi's forehead. "Oh my daughter..."

Emi shook her head. "The doctors said I shouldn't sleep..." She murmured.

"I'll keep you awake." Ryuu grinned and moved to the other side of the bed. He leaned down towards her face and moved his hands to the side of his hand, making weird antler-like things as he made a funny face.

Emi giggled slightly and blushed. "Y-You don't need to be weird..."

Ren tugged on Yumiki's arm. "We trust you to watch her, Ryuu." He chuckled.

Yumiki hesitated befoore kissing Emi's forehead and walking out after Ren.

Ryuu smiled before climbing up on the chair beside the bed and standing up on the arms, throwing his hands up into the air and waving them back and forth. "Oh, Emi~ Oh, Emi~" He sang. "You will be alright!" He tried singing in a high-pitched girls voice, but it came out cracked and squeaky.

Emi giggled more and blushed. "R-Ryuu... g-get down..." She murmured.

Ryuu laughed and jumped, doing a spin and landing on his feet again. He swept his feet across the floor and held his hand towards Emi. "Please, Emi." He said desperately. "Please, take my hand before my heart is ripped out!"

Emi blushed, not really sure as to what he was doing. She reached out slightly so she could grab his hand. Ryuu held her hand and dropped to his knee's before kissing her hand a dozen times. "My beloved bride to be - possibly - how beautiful art thou." Ryuu said and lifted his eyes to hers, pretending to cry. "You're crazy for falling in love with me." He smirked.

Her eyes widened and she quickly pulled her hand back. "Idiot.." She murmured, blushing brightly as she turned her face away.

Ryuu laughed and stood up, moving to the other side of the bed and taking her face in his hands. "It's fun to make you blush." He laughed again.

She shook her head. "N-Not for me..." She murmured, turning back over and closing her eyes. She was actually really tired, and even though she knew it was bad to sleep with a concussion, her body was fighting too hard against her - it needed rest.

"But I'm the only one that can make you blush, right?" Ryuu grinned.

Emi shrugged. "Not... exactly... but if that's what you w-want... to believe..." She murmured, starting to drift off.

Ryuu frowned and shook his head lightly. "Hey, stay awake." Ryuu said.

Emi shook her head slightly. "I... can't..." She whispered.

Ryuu frowned. "Stay awake." He said again and pulled her into a sitting position. "You're not allowed to fall asleep." He murmured. "I'll sing again."

She leaned to the side, her head on his chest. "But... I'm so tired..." She murmured.

"But you're not allowed to sleep." He said leaning back to she could rest on him. He wonder if he should push her off him so she couldn't fall asleep, but he always loved when she rested her head on his chest and hated passing up the opportunity. "I'll draw on your face or do something embarrassing to you." He said as he twirled her hair around his finger.

She let out a small laugh and shrugged. "I'm not sure if I'd l-like that..." She murmured.

"Then you can't fall asleep." He whispered and poked her cheek.

She giggled slightly and opened her eyes to look up at him. She blushed faintly. Like always, her heart raced when they were close to each other, there was just something about him that always made her feel different. Sometimes she doubted his feelings, doubted if her life had any meaning besides the betrothal, but it was times like these that nothing about Ryuu was questioned, that everything felt right - it was moments like these that she could imagine herself as his wife many years later.

Neither one of them turned away for what seemed like forever. Finally, his feelings began to catch up with him as her blush deepened across her face. His eyes widened slightly and he turned his face away; his face felt hot, and he wondered if he was blushing. Emi giggled slightly and turned her face away.

"I-I don't know if I've ever seen you blush before, R-Ryuu..." She murmured.

Ryuu's eyes widened more and he cleared his throat. "B-blushing?" He laughed and rolled his eyes. "I-It's just hot in here." He murmured.

Emi shook her head and poked his chest. "Admit it. I made you blush." She smirked.

"You didn't make me blush." He murmured. "I said it was hot in here."

Emi giggled more. "Ryuu you're too cute!"

Ryuu furrowed his brows and poked her cheek again. "Says the one whose redder than my shirt."

Emi shrugged. "I don't matter, you're the one blushing - you never blush."

"Does it matter than?" He asked and turned his face away. "I mean...it's not like it's my fault. You're...just...I couldn't..." He let out a puff of air. Smooth, Ryuu... Way to get flustered. Play it cool! She'll think you're an idiot.

Emi just laughed. "You suck at trying to act cool. Give it up, you may catch me quicker." She smirked, keeping her face turned from him to avoid whatever expression he may have had.

Ryuu supressed his intiatial reaction and shrugged. "I've already caught you, my dear." He chuckled.

She shook her head. "Who said I was yours yet, hm?" She smirked.

Ryuu chuckled. "Well, considering how you act around me, the way I make you blush, the subtle looks I've caught you giving me, and the fact that you're wearing my family crest..." He smirked and shrugged. "I'd say you're pretty much mine." He chuckled.

She shook her head. "I could still back out..." She murmured.

"No." Ryuu blurted out. "I-I mean you could...b-but I don't want you to." He whispered and wrapped his arms around Emi.

She smirked again. "I wasn't going to." She giggled.

Ryuu sighed. "It's great knowing you're madly in love with me." He chuckled.

"...I still could though..." She murmured.

"But you wouldn't." He whispered.

She let out a sigh. "I'm tired. Shut up."

Ryuu sighed and shook his head. "I won't let you fall asleep." He said. "Oh, Emi~ You cannot fall asleep on me!" He sang with a crescendo, then murmured, "Literally." He laughed nervously.

Emi groaned. "You're going to be the death of me..."

-Emi age 14 Ryuu age 17-

Emi and her parents had gone on a vacation to the Leaf Village for a week. During the whole time Emi had missed Ryuu a lot. When they had finally returned home it was late at night - Ryuu would already be in bed. However, once Emi's parents went to bed, Emi jumped off her balcony and slipped through the streets to Ryuu's home, not too far from hers. She carefully moved herself up the side of his house and to his window. It was opened a crack and she pushed it open further to slip into his room quietly.

He was laying on his stomach, his one arm off the bed as he slept soundly. Emi smiled gently and moved herself to the other side of his bed before moving in beside him as gently as she could. She blushed faintly when she realized he was shirtless, but quickly shrugged it off as she moved her arms around his torso and burried her face into his back - she had missed him so much.

Ryuu stirred slightly as he felt arms sneak around his torso and something soft touch his back. The only thing he thought of was to protect himself. He pushed back before rolling over and pinning the person down. He stared down at the person below him, trying to see through the darkness to who the mystery person was.

Emi wasn't really surprised with his reaction. She simply smiled up at him. "Evening, Ryuu." She whispered. "Was this a bad time to visit? I can go back home." She smirked.

Ryuu's eyes widened. "Emi?" He asked and squinted through the darkness. His eyes were just beginning to adjust and he could make out the structure of her face. His eyes widened further as a grin spread across his face. "It's about time!" He whispered excited and slipped his arms around her torso, burying his face into her neck. "I didn't think a week would really matter..." He laughed softly.

She giggled and wrapped her arms around him. "I missed you..." She murmured. "We just got home. I snuck here through your window..." She murmured.

Ryuu breathed in deeply, missing the smell of her scent. "I missed you too." He whispered and held her tighter. "Tomi may speak to you about a few things, so just ignore him, alright?" He murmured.

Emi laughed softly. "What did you do when I was gone, Ryuu?" She murmured.

Ryuu shrugged. "I might have been slightly distracted all week thinking of you." He murmured.

Emi blushed and laughed. "Exactly how distracted?" She glanced to his shoulder that had a bandage on it. "Distracted enough to get hurt?"

Ryuu laughed slightly and nuzzled his face further into her neck. He simply nodded.

She smiled and kissed the side of his head. "You're just cute." She murmured.

"You're just too beautiful." He whispered and pulled back to sit back up. He finally realized fully that he was actually on top of her and widened his eyes before slipping to her side and leaning on his elbow. He cleared his throat and smiled awkwardly. "S-so...how was vacation?" He asked.

She laughed and smiled. "It was alright. I had never really been to the Leaf Village, so it was fun. I met lots of the clans." Her face brightened. "B-But ah... I couldn't seem to get you o-out of my head..." She murmured, blushing brightly.

Ryuu laughed softly and nodded. "We're lost causes." He snickered.

Emi nodded slowly. "A-Appearently...I-I hope it wasn't a problem I came here and woke you up..." She murmured.

Ryuu shook his head. "I couldn't really sleep anyways." He whispered and shrugged. "You were too much on my mind." He moved closer and rested his head on her chest, wrapping his arms around her torso. "I...lo...uh..." His voice caught in his throat and he closed his eyes.

Emi blushed and smirked. "Yes, Ryuu?"

"You're very special to me..." He murmured under his breath and hugged her tighter.

She blushed and smiled. "A-And you to me..." She whispered.

He pursed his lips, he couldn't get his mind off of those three small words. He had almost said them, but he ended up chickening out. Why he felt so nervous to say them, he had no idea. He felt like a little school boy again who thought girls had couties, as if verbalizing his exactl feelings into three small words would somehow back fire on him. His mind was so focused on those words that he hadn't even realized that Emi had started to talk again. And he didn't realize as he blurted out, "I love you."

Emi stopped talking as her eyes widened. "Y-You... l-love me?" She whispered. "I-I mean... like... r-really?" She stumbled over her words, his words taking her off guard as she tried to compose herself.

Ryuu relaxed slightly as if he had a huge boulder removed from his chest. For some reason his words weren't wanting to leave his mind, so he nodded.

She smiled slightly. "I-I um.. l-love you too, R-Ryuu..." She murmured, her face heating up even more.

A smile crossed Ryuu's lips and he felt as if his heart was melting. Guys often teased him for how love struck he was towards Emi, but hearing those words come directly from her mouth at the moment made it feel as if the world had melted away. He pulled his head back and laid it on the pillow beside hers, looking into her eyes. "I love you...a lot." He laughed lightly, feeling more bolder saying the words.

She smiled at him and nodded, not able to say the words again to him. "M-Me too..." She murmured. She moved herself so she was laying beside him, the two of them face to face as she searched his eyes.

Neither of them looked away this time, no matter how long it went on for. Ryuu slowly moved his hand up to her cheek and caressed it gently, as he smiled softly. His other hand went to hers and he entwined their fingers together. "I think you should say those words again." He whispered.

She bit her lip, trying not to blush. "I-I should... should I?" She murmured. She forced herself a bit closer to Ryuu. "I love you." She whispered.

Ryuu's expression didn't change as he continued to look into Emi's eyes. "I love you..." He whispered again. He hadn't actually meant to say them again, but they were still stuck in his mind. He laughed and leaned his forehead against hers.

She smiled and closed her eyes. "I... I don't want to go back home." She whispered.

"Me either." He laughed. "I mean...for you going home." He murmured.

"How upset do you think our parents would be if I stayed here for the night?" She whispered. "It's a weekend tomorrow anyway..."

Ryuu smiled and closed his eyes. "I don't think either parents would want you out this late." He murmured.

"But I'd have to walk home alone then..." She murmured. "I think they'd prefer if I stayed in one place." She smirked. "And I'm already here..."

Ryuu nodded and moved his arms around her neck, pulling her against himself. "And they rely on me to protect you." He chuckled.

She smiled and nuzzled her face into his shoulder. "See? I clearly belong here for the night." She whispered.

Ryuu nodded. "I agree." He laughed gently and kissed the top of her head. "Definitely."

She smiled. "Then I'm staying." She whispered. "If I get in trouble, then I'll take all the blame." She laughed slightly.

Ryuu shook his head. "I'd be the one to get in trouble." He laughed. "I'm the older one."

"But I'm the one who snuck here and now refuses to leave." She smirked.

Ryuu laughed. "I wouldn't have let you leave anyways."

Emi grinned. "S-So really, I can stay then? I-I was partly kidding, but I really wanna stay..."

"I wouldn't mind if you stayed." He murmured. "B-but...you have to turn around." He murmured.

"Wh-Why?" She murmured, slightly confused.

"Uh..." Ryuu pursed his lips. "J-just...do it." He murmured quietly.

Emi gave him a confused look before flipping over so her back was to him. Ryuu took in a deep breath and moved forwards, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her back against him, resting his forehead against the back of her head. Again, if only his blush happened to be visible, Ryuu had no idea. He closed his eyes, hoping she would relax. He didn't want her to be uncomfortable, but at the same time he'd feel awkward pulling back. He'd feel like an idiot. Emi blushed and smiled.

"You could have just said that..." She murmured, grabbing the blankets to pull tighter around them as she rested her hands on his arms, entwining her fingers with his. "I-I love you Ryuu..." She whispered. "I-I really can't wait to be your wife..." She whispered.

Ryuu smiled and nodded. "I'll make you the happiest girl in the world..." He laughed, then thought it over again. "'C-cause you've made me the happiest guy..."

She smiled and pulled his arms tighter around her. "You've already made me the happiest girl in the world." She whispered.

Ryuu grinned and pulled her closer into his chest as he pulled the blankets above their heads. "I love you..." He whispered.

Emi blushed. "I-I wouldn't burry us in blankets..." She murmured. "Your parents will get the wrong idea..."

"O-oh..." He murmured and laughed slightly. "I-I just usually sleep with the blankets above my head." He murmured and pulled the blankets back down. He laughed nervously. "Save that for marriage..." He mumbled under his breath. "Uh...So, h-how are you?" He asked and mentally kicked himself.

She smiled and pressed her face into the pillow slightly. "I'm fine. I'm warm and protected in my husband-to-be's arms." She whispered. "B-But I'm also tired." She chuckled.

"Then sleep...my love." He whispered and breathed in deeply. "See you in the morning." He murmured.

"N-Night, Ryuu." She whispered.

That following morning, Emi's parents rushed to Ryuu's home, saying Emi was missing. The four adults ran up to Ryuu's room and all relaxed when they saw the two sleeping soundly. Ryuu's arms around Emi with her laying on her back, her one arm across her chest and the other arm above her head. The parents closed the door and moved back downstairs.

"Normally I'd punish Emi for this... but I think we can let it slide this time..." Ren said, glancing at his wife with a smile.

Yumiki nodded in agreement. "I'm okay with that."

Katashi nodded slightly. "J-just be sure to speak with Emi in case something happened last night. Not to say anything did - I do trust Ryuu greatly - but you know." He shrugged. Tsuki placed her hand lightly on Katashi's shoulder.

Ren waved Katashi off. "We will ask, but I honestly believe nothing happened. Our children have been very responisble since they both decided to go along with the betrothal."

Katashi nodded. "They have." He smiled. "At least our work paid off." He laughed lightly. "If it continues as planned, the Sakura and Inabikari clans will come together as one." He grinned.

Ren chuckled and nodded. "Even putting that aside, I'm just happy to see our children so in love."

"Emi reminds me a lot of me when I was a child." Yumiki chuckled.

Ren smiled and kissed her cheek. "She does."

Katashi laughed. "Everyone says that Ryuu and I are basically identical with how I was when I was his age."

Tsuki smiled gently and place her hand on Katashi's shoulder. "It's actually quite amusing." She laughed softly.

Katashi moved his hand to Tsuki's back and rubbed it lightly. "Of course."

-Emi age 14 Ryuu age 17-

Emi, Tempest and Niimiki walked through town, mostly in silence. Tempest suddenly gasped and stopped, moving to stand in front of the other two girls.

"I have an idea!" She announced and smirked.

Niimiki and Emi both shared a look of panic. "Oh no..." They both murmured.

Tempest shook her head. "It's good! I sware."

"Uh huh, like all your other ideas, right?" Niimiki sighed.

Tempest placed her hands on her hips. "Are you two going to listen or not?"

"Go ahead, Tempest..." Emi sighed.

Tempest grinned. "Tomi has a sword I want. I need you two to distract the boys for me!"

"B-Boys? Why do I have to distract Ryuu?" Emi asked, a blush creeping onto her face.

"Because if he sees me, he will stop me!" Tempest rolled her eyes.

"Tomi and I broke up years ago, what do you expect me to do?"

"Use your body language?" Tempest smirked. "I need that sword!"

The girls rolled their eyes. Tempest however, wouldn;t let it go, so Emi and Niimiki had no choice but to do what Tempest wanted.

Emi and Niimiki found the boys coming out of a shop. Emi quickly ran up to Ryuu and threw her arms around him. Niimiki followed after and smiled at Tomi. Tomi glanced at Ryuu and raised an eyebrow.

"What are you two up to?" Tomi asked.

Emi giggled and hugged Ryuu tighter. "Nothing."

Ryuu looked down at Emi with a raised brow before messing her hair up. "What are you up to, missy?"

Emi gasped and pulled back, putting her hair back in place. "Why can't I hug you for no reason?" She pouted.

"Because we know you're up to something. It was given when Niimiki smiled specific at Tomi. She usually smiles at me first." Ryuu smirked. "Yeah, I'm more observant than you think." He chuckled.

Niimiki shrugged. "I didn't realize I did that..."

Emi crossed her arms over her chest. "Anytime I try to be loving with you, you always think I'm up to something!" Emi pouted.

Ryuu laughed lightly before wrapping his arm around Emi's neck and kissing her cheek. "Typically, you try to trick me into sparring with you though." He whispered in her ear and laughed lightly again before hugging her tightly. "Fine, I'll let you be loving with me this one time, but you'd better make it good."

Emi blushed brightly. "Okay, one: I don't even have any kunai on me, and two:..." She lowered her voice. "I didn't mean anything... l-like that with them around..."

Ryuu laughed again. "N-no, I d-didn't mean that either." He said and moved his hand to hers to entwine their fingers. "I just meant try to be loving without being awkward with others around." He chuckled. "I want others to know you're mine."

Emi smiled gently and nuzzled her face into his neck - she almost forget she actually had a mission to do. Niimiki and Tomi's attention was on Ryuu and Emi, which gave Tempest time to sneak in. Using her kekkei genkai, she slowly reached out to grab Tomi's sword, slowly removing it from him. Tomi appeared to be oblivious until at the last second he turned and grabbed the shaft of his sword.

"No! Tempest! I told you it's mine!" He shouted at the air - Tempest and himself were more like rivals than friends, he had made sure to always keep his guard up for her.

Emi couldn't help but to giggle. Tempest soon jumped down from her hiding place and stuck her finger in Tomi's face.

"That sword should have been mine!" She growled.

Tomi smirked and stuck out his tongue. "Too bad."

Ryuu sighed. "Alright, now it calls for something more." He murmured. "I knew you were up to something." He whispered.

Emi blushed and laughed nervously. "I-I wasn't really up to something..." She murmured.

"You were trying to distract me." He whispered. "That isn't fair."

Tomi chuckled. "She doesn't need to try in order to do that."

"Exactly my point." He said to Tomi and lowered his mouth to Emi's ear. "That's why you need to make it up to me." He pretended to pout.

She blushed and smiled. "How?" She whispered.

Ryuu shrugged. "We've never kissed in front of them." He chuckled.

Emi's eyes widened as she shook her head, her face now beat red.

Ryuu laughed lightly. "Its pay back." He snickered. "Come on."

Emi shook her head. "Y-You want the k-kiss so bad, y-you kiss me." She whispered.

Ryuu shook his head. "You were the one to take advantage of someone so innocent." He frowned. "You have to pay me back." He murmured.

Emi bit her lip. "Meanie..." She murmured before nervously moving her arms around his neck and pressin her lips to his.

Ryuu smiled softly and wrapped his arms around Emi's waist, pressing his lips harder to hers as he glanced sideways at Niimiki and the others. He closed his eyes and sighed lightly. Tomi and Niimiki's eyes widened. Tempest simply smirked and moved over to the two.

"How cute!" She chuckled.

Emi broke the kiss, her face beat red. Ryuu glanced at Tempest and smirked before stepping between the two and connecting his lips to Emi's again. "Nu-uh..." He chuckled lightly.

Tempest just started laughing. Emi couldn't take it anymore. She broke the kiss again and charged at Tempest. Tempest gased and quickly ran away, grabbing Tomi's sword as she passed.

"Hey! Tempest!" Tomi shouted.

Both Emi and Tomi now chased after Tempest, while Tempest laughed. Niimiki sighed and rolled her eyes. "Killing Tempest is more and more tempting each day..."

Ryuu laughed and shrugged. "It can be annoying, but at the same time, it's fun to watch how flustered Emi gets." He smiled and watched as the three ran.

As Tempest made a round back towards Ryuu and Niimiki, Emi pulled out a sling and quickly tossed it at Tempest's feet. It quickly wrapped around her ankles and she dropped to the sand like a rock, the sword sliding out of her reach. Tomi quickly grabbed the sword and put it back in it's holder before looking back at Tempest.

Emi jumped on top of Tempest and narrowed her eyes. Tempest let out a nervous laugh. "E-Emi... I-I was kidding..."

Emi smirked and shook her head. She brought her fist to the side of Tempest's head. Ryuu moved forward twowards the two and scooped Emi up over his shoulder before running off. When they were far enough away, he let Emi to her feet and began to laugh.

Emi stared blankly at Ryuu. "I was about to knock Tempest out... why did you stop me?"

Ryuu continued to laugh and reached out to squeeze her cheek. "You're too adorable, you know that right, Emi?" He laughed more.

Emi blushed and pulled her face away. "Wh-Why are you laughing at m-me? S-Stop calling me adorable... it's just uncalled for and weird..." she murmured.

Ryuu finished laughing and rubbed his eyes. "Uncalled for and weird? Than what should I call you to describe how embarrassed you get when your friends tease you about us?" He chuckled.

Emi just shook her head. "Nothing... y-you don't have to call me things..." She murmured.

Ryuu frowned slighty and looked at her blankly. "I know you don't mean that." He smiled softly and reached out to caress her cheek. "You've told me you like - which I know actually means love - when I call you beautiful." He laughed slightly.

She sighed and glanced at him. "W-Well yeah, b-but not adorable..."

"But you are sometimes." He laughed. "But you are beautiful."

"W-Well what did I do that made me so adorable just now?" She asked, rasing an eyebrow.

"You got so embarrassed when we were kissing in front of them." He laughed lightly and ruffled her hair. "It was cute."

Emi lifted her hand to point a finger in the air. "Ah, wrong. I got embaressed when Tempest teased me about us kissing. Not because we were kissing. Besides, I wanted to beat her up anyway." Emi shrugged.

Ryuu smirked. "That's why your face turned so red when I mentioned you should?"

"K-Kissing you in front of them wasn't as bad as Tempest's teasing..." She murmured.

"You can't even say it with a straight face." He laughed and crossed his arms. "You're embarrassed."

"Oh shut up." Emi murmured and shoved Ryuu playfully.

Ryuu laughed again and reached out to mess her hair up tremendously. "See, cute?" He said and stuck out his tongue. "Adorable even."

"No, no, no!" Emi quickly tried to fix her hair. When she finished, she quickly looked around and backflipped to get up on the roof above them. "Can't call me cute if I'm not around!" She giggled and ran off across the roof.

Ryuu smirked and ran around the building, keeping out of her vision until he got ahead and jumped up just as she was reaching the edge of the house, going to jump to the next. He blocked her with his shoulder, bringing her to a blunt stop as they both fell to the roof. Ryuu rolled onto his back and began to laugh, grabbing his stomach.

Emi pouted. "You're so unfair!" She scolded before hitting his chest.

Ryuu tried to stop before busting out laughing again. "Oh, Emi." He said and sat up, still occasionally laughing. "I love you." He said and smiled softly, reaching his hand out to place it on her knee.

She crossed her arms and looked away, blushing brightly. "I'm staying in my room tomorrow, and you're not allowed in..."

Ryuu smiled before tackling Emi over, hugging her tightly. "I know you would come out eventually. You hate staying inside."

Emi blushed and sqirmed in Ryuu's arms. "I-I will beat you up like I beat up Tempest - no holding back, I swear!"

Ryuu kissed her cheek quickly. "Even after I gave you a kiss?" He made an innocent look.

Emi shrugged. "Possibly..."

He kissed the corner of her lips and snickered. "How about now?"

Emi smirked. "Nope."

Ryuu chuckled before licking up the side of her fac and jumping up. "How about now?" He asked and laughed at her expression before running off.

Emi gasped and quickly wiped it off. "Ew! Ryuu!" She jumped to her feet. "Now you're dead!" She shouted before running after him with a small smile at her lips.