A/N: My Beta has recently started college. Depending on circumstance I might just try my luck at posting without proof reading- I can't do any worse than 'Aturday' as a day of a week in a program book I recently got at a concert.
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Signs of the Times
After having accepted the fact that his sons seemed to be happier with both their parents living under the same roof, Kankurou had given Shiori a new room of her own within the floor that was set aside exclusively for the Kazekage's use. A least she agreed to not being in my room. Hopefully being next to Yuugure and Mayonaka's will help her get past the worst of this, and if she needs someone to talk to in the night, hopefully she'll pick Nanny Aya because she's closer. In spite of himself he couldn't just settle in for sleep, he had to pull out the packet and re-read his sister's letter.
==='I know you've been busy with business in Suna as I have with things here in Konoha. I just wanted to catch you up with recent events here.'
'Your nephews are doing well at the academy, as always I suspect Hajimeru got more of his father's lazy genes than Tsuzuki did, but neither of them are getting bad reports for being a delinquent. I still can't believe that Shikamaru was labeled as such for the company he kept early on, but Yoshino has shown me the proof and has warned me what to watch for.'
'Hopefully if circumstances allow it I would like to bring them out visit in the next few months. Two years is far too long to have gone without seeing you or my nephews.'
'More importantly I thought you should know how life is going for Ryokou. She is doing exceptionally well at the Academy. The finest kunoichi and fourth over all in the entire class, yet on top of it all she's still an amazingly cheerful child. I really think it's time you told Shiori about her, it's time for all of you to include her as part of your family.'===
Kankurou shook his head sadly at these words, No, Temari, I think that would be the worst possible thing I could do at this time. His breath came out in a heavy sigh as he looked back to the letter to read on.
==='I mention this because it is possible that Ryokou may not be as open to the concept of you as her father as she might be now as this year goes on. Ino has resumed her dating relationship with Akimichi Chouji. I want you to be happy for her; I genuinely like seeing the three of them together. Your daughter has always been quite fond of him and he treats her well. And, during the New Year's party, he said something that seemed to imply he was thinking about asking Ino to marry him before the year is done…'===
In a momentary lapse of control the Kazekage crushed the paper in his hand. Then he stuffed the crumpled sheet back in the box, reactivating the seals and stashing it safely a way. I have no right to feel this way, he tried to remind himself, I pushed her away for her own… no, my own good…my survival. He pushed open the doors that lead to a small balcony to look out on Suna. They need me here; every lit window represents a life that depends on me being here. He clenched a fist over his heart, Then why the Hell am I so jealous of her finding some happiness? I got what I wanted…
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The next evening Kankurou found himself to be as restless as the previous one. He hesitated at pulling the box from its hiding place again and instead chose to step out on the balcony again. The view was the important thing here: it gave a wonderful panoramic of Sunagakure. This,he reminded himself, is why I'm here. This village. My people. He stood there silently taking it all in.
"I miss this view," a voice like a siren's call.
He felt his lip quiver, as he turned to see Shiori sitting on the railing to his left. His throat tightened as he spoke, "I thought I'd made it clear…" he wanted to continue, but there she was, the fragility he'd seen in her the other night was still there, but in this light it made her otherworldly. Such a dangerous beauty…
"That you need your space, and that you thought I needed mine." She looked up at him with those shadowed eyes, "I didn't want to argue that in front of the children. Just want to know if there will come a time when our space will overlap again."
Her voice filled his head, but he knew that he could not let himself be drawn into dream that she wanted him to recall. "Shiori, I can't promise you anything. Every time I do…" he looked at his hands, reminding himself that they were supposed to guide the tools he used to protect people, when I touch you it seems to lead us both to pain. He looked back at her, "Please go, I can't deal with this right now. We'll talk over breakfast."
She sighed, "Then it's back to the business side of things."
"For now," he didn't attempt to disguise the unhappiness he felt, "just take this one step at a time."
She rose to stand on the railing, and gazed up toward the place where one of the night watch stood, turning back to face him she light touched two fingers of her right hand to her lips. After a moment she pulled them away think better of completing the gesture, softly she echoed, "For now," and in an instant was gone.
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In Konoha, the weeks passed in a familiar pattern – dates postponed and rescheduled by the near constant demands of the Chibas. Ino tried to console herself by having as much fun as possible going off on a Character Assassination with Shikamaru, but that was ruined by their substitute member, Kiba, who spent time talking about the latest addition to his family (the very reason he missed the annual New Year party). This only added to the blonde kunoichi's frustrated state.
When she was with Chouji, she realized he wasn't going to give her the opportunity to even try to get what she really wanted. All their dates were in public places and he was suddenly very cautious about side trips when walking her home. That's okay, Ino thought, I know his greatest weakness.
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Kankurou's restlessness continued over the ensuing weeks. Strangely enough he found the one thing that served to soothe these feelings was sandalwood. Whether it was incense or simply resting the comb out on the nightstand, it seemed he could handle dreams tinged in jealousy better than the guilt over all he blamed himself for. He was the Kazekage, therefore failure was not supposed to be in his vocabulary.
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Ino had just spent the night working on chocolate for Valentines Day. She felt a strange exhilaration as she completed her final preparations. I haven't done this since Sakura and I were stalking Sasuke in those years before we became Genin. In the back of her mind she remembered her smug confidence as she packaged her perfect chocolate heart; she was at the top of the culinary list among the kunoichi of her class, so the flavor and texture were sublime. Then the glares she'd exchanged with Sakura as they both knew who their labors of love were meant for. Finally the shock both of them had felt when they'd discovered all their hard work in a school waste basket, labeled with symbols for poison on top of them. You were such a bastard, Sasuke; I wasted too much of my time pursuing you.
She gently placed her masterpieces into a Bento box. She'd used four colors of chocolate to created 'sushi', featuring white chocolate with toasted coconut mixed in to be her 'rice'. I can't wait to see his face when he opens this, her hands settled the lid gently into place. Then as the final touch she tied a red and green striped cloth around the box tying it shut. All decked out in your favorite colors, she smiled at her handiwork.
And before I forget, she grabbed a red glass plate she set on the counter and set it in the middle of the kitchen table. A moment later three more pieces of chocolate were settled on it. A heart for each of her parents and a piece shaped like a kitty for Ryokou. I just hope it's not so cute she won't eat it.
She glanced at the clock, Time to get someone up for school…
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Ino headed off for Chouji's apartment as soon as she'd dropped her daughter off. She had been amused when Ryokou had asked her which lunch was supposed to be hers when the girl had seen the two wrapped bento boxes on the table. Though why she would have thought I'd wrap hers in anything but a floral print is beyond me.
She rounded the corner and sighted his aunt, Chikako, leaning out of the windows cleaning and checking the condition of the framework beneath them.
"About to put your window boxes out again?" the blonde called out cheerfully to get the woman's attention. From the previous years she had ascertained that Chouji's aunt seemed to have almost as much of a flare for raising plants as her family did.
"Good morning Ino," the black haired woman responded to her.
The blonde kunoichi had always found it amusing that Chikako and her older sister Chikane were so different and alike at the same time. They sported short black hair, had the same complexion and eye color and seemed to have similar taste in clothing. Chouji's mother had taken after their grandmother, who had been an Akimichi who'd married outside of the clan, so the older sister ended up being a hefty version of the woman who stood before Ino.
The woman at the window spoke again, "I'm guessing that you've come to see my nephew, and not talk gardening." She shook her head, "Unfortunately, you're out of luck sweetie. One of Hokage's messengers arrived earlier and dropped off another of those escort missions."
"Oh," Ino looked crestfallen, her arms hung to either side, the right still holding the bento by its striped cloth. All that work, I wanted to see his face as he opened it. She almost turned around and headed home, but her curiosity made her ask, "Did he give you any indication how long he was going to be gone this time?"
"Maybe a week," Chikako pushed a black strand of hair away from her eyes, looked at the box held by Ino's hand then returned her gaze to the blonde's face. "Did you make him something special? That seems a little small for his lunch."
"It's something that'll keep until he gets back," Ino suddenly felt self-conscious that someone her age would make Valentine's chocolates. Half to hide the blush she was sure was starting, she began to turn around.
"Do you want me to let you into his apartment?" The older woman said gently with a smile that seemed to imply she'd figured out what was in the bundle. "Would you like something to write a note on as well?"
After a moment of still feeling embarrassed, a wave of relief finally fell over her. Ino replied, "Thank you, yes please."
The woman ducked inside and in short order, emerged with a pad of paper. As they walked over to the side entrance where the stairs that led to Chouji's apartment, Chikako spoke cheerfully, "It will probably thrill him to no end to come home from his latest mission and find that little surprise from you." She opened the door and let Ino inside, "I think it would be best left on the dining table," she rested a hand gently on the blonde's arm. "Just be sure to make sure the door is closed on your way out." She hurried down the stairs leaving Ino alone in the apartment.
Bet she can't wait to tell her sister about this, Ino chuckled to herself. Her gaze turned to the main room; she'd been here many times in the past. It had served as their team's meeting place until Shikamaru's acquisition of a house. Using the apartment had been better than intruding on their families' homes or restaurants.
She pulled out a chair and before she set pen to paper she reflected on the fact that many people were under the mistaken impression that just because the Akimichi tended to devour their meals as if they thought the food would get away that they were slovenly. Although it wasn't perfect Chouji kept his apartment fairly tidy, just as his parents did their home. Better than mine is right now, she sighed and went about her business. Her final words were: 'When you get back I'd like to make you dinner, just the two of us. Here.'
As she closed the door behind her, Ino was feeling strangely satisfied with how things had turned out.
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As it turned out Chouji didn't make it back to Konohagakure until the evening of the 22nd. The burly shinobi dragged his weary carcass up the stairs to his apartment well after dark. His intention had been to head straight off to bed, because the feast he'd had at Ichiraku's had barely given him the energy to make it to his door. Yet somehow when he'd opened the door he smelled something pleasantly familiar. Hitting the light switch by the door he immediately zeroed in on the source, (a bundle wrapped on his table) and what the scent was: chocolate.
A moment later the packet had been unwrapped and was being happily savored along with the words of the note that had been left for him. I knew it, he smiled suddenly feeling so alive that he could have outrun Rock Lee in a race across the village. I'm so glad I contacted Ikenoya-san. Now all need to do is pick it up. His broad hand gently re-sealed the bento box to save the last two pieces for the morning. He then re-read the letter, smiling, I wonder what she'll make for dinner?
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The next morning he caught Ino as she was heading out the door to drop Ryokou off at the academy. "Good morning," his voice carried warmly as he greeted his two favorite (non-family) females of the village.
"Uncle Chouji!" the brown haired child exclaimed happily as she practically flew toward him, taking the way he opened his arms as permission to leap up for a hug, which of course it was. "I scored another perfect set in our latest round of kunai target training."
"That's wonderful!" his tone echoed her excitement then grinned almost as broadly as the girl in his arms was. He turned his attention to Ino, "You must be very proud."
"Of course," the blonde smiled up at him, "but she left off the best part. She also tested at the top of her class for medical training potential. She'll be starting the preliminaries next week."
"No surprise considering who her mother is," there was a sweetness in his tone as well as his gaze as he regarded Ino.
However it was lost on her, "Even Sakura's twins didn't score as well when they tested two years ago."
Watching the fire of that old rivalry rising up bothered Chouji, although it had paid off in the past making Ino a better rounded kunoichi he felt compelled to comment. "Now you're just being smug." He saw her look like she was considering a retort so he continued, "Besides, Sakura still has one more chance to outshine you with Sumire. She should be starting school soon, right?"
Ino looked just a bit perturbed that he would mention the youngest member of the Lee family. Ryokou could hold her own in the talent and looks department with the twins, but everyone in Konoha seemed to think the quiet black haired girl was something special.
Chouji suddenly felt a worried that he'd put his foot in it when he'd seen the blonde's expression changed. Please don't be angry at me…
The mood immediately change as Ryokou's voice broke the sudden silence that has arisen, "Thank you for carrying me to school," the girl's arms gave a brief hug around his neck, which pressed her cheek against his swirl patterned one.
"You're very welcome," large hands gently set her down, "Have a great day at the academy."
"Bye Mama!" the brown tails of her hair swung as she waved, then turned to run off into the schoolyard to join her friends.
Ino took Chouji's arm, "Sooo," her voice purred softly, "I guess you got home sometime after dark yesterday." She guided him back in the direction they had come from.
"Just a bit," he replied, "but when I got home I found someone had left me a treat," he looked into her eyes, "and a promise for another one."
"And I bet you're wondering when you're going to get this treat," her lips curled in a way that seemed to imply that she was think about something other than cooking.
"The dinner will be just fine with me. How about tonight?"
"Well unfortunately, as much as I'd like to do that. You'll have to wait until tomorrow because," she paused biting her lip for just a second before adding, "tonight, I have a date."
His mouth fell open and he gaped at her for just a moment trying to find something to say.
Then Ino giggled, "You should see your face, it's precious. I'm going out with Ryokou and the Naras, there's a movie starting tonight that we'd promised we'd take the kids to see." She smiled, "So if you want to join us I don't think anyone will complain." She took his hand and squeezed it, then continued holding on to it as they walked along. "Unfortunately I'm working at the Medical Center today instead of the Flower shop so we can't hang out."
"I understand," he said softly, wishing it were other wise.
In short order the reached their destination, "Well then," the crystalline blue eyes looked up at him, "until later, say about six-thirty." Her head tilted ever so slightly.
Chouji accepted her invitation by bending to meet her lips with his own. When the moment passed and they parted, he gazed into her eyes a just a little longer. Then finally he said, "Six-thirty it is."
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The movie was one of those kids flicks that featured cute creatures and 'the power of friendship' saving the day. Temari fell asleep against Shikamaru's shoulder and at one point awoke with an embarrassing snort when the action got loud. Her son's seemed to find that funnier that anything that happened during the film.
Ryokou had insisted on taking the seat between her mother and Chouji. So it really didn't have the feel of being a date, except for the occasion that his hand and Ino's had met in the popcorn bucket that Ryokou held on her lap. (Actually Chouji had had one all his own, but that had been completed before the movie was a half an hour in.)
When the show was over, no one was surprised when Chouji suggested going out for an after movie snack. The Naras decided against it since Temari had obviously had a long day and needed to catch up on her sleep, as well as the boys of course since there was still school the next day.
To ease his obvious disappointment Ino suggested, "Why don't you pick a quick to go order on the way back to my place?" She rested a hand gently on her daughter's head, "Then I can get Ryokou all settled in for the night. Afterwards, we can talk for a bit."
"I'm not tired, Mama," the girl protested.
"Doesn't matter," she picked up her daughter and brushed the bangs out of her eyes, "you have school tomorrow, sweetie."
A slight pout, but the girl knew better than to argue.
After a brief stop, they climbed the back stairs to the Yamanaka residence. Though Inoichi had spent a few minutes talking with his daughter's teammate while Chouji ate his post movie meal, he and Misao had promptly taken their leave claiming a busy day tomorrow the minute Ino had emerged from her bedroom.
Ino chuckled softly, "Sure tomorrow is shipment day, but it's never that busy." She led her swirled cheeked companion away from the kitchen table and toward the living room couch. She curled against his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her, "Any idea what you want for dinner tomorrow?" The soft sheen of her lips as they teasingly curled up at their edges called out, 'What are you waiting for?'
He pulled her into his arms, feeling her wrap hers around the back of his neck. There was a sweetness to her lips; he savored to the taste of this kiss, Never thought of lip gloss as such a pleasant dessert.
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Ryokou couldn't fall asleep and had intended to come out of the bedroom to get a glass of water as an excuse to stay up a little longer. Somehow the plan had changed when she'd seen the two of them kissing on the couch. She watched how tenderly Uncle Chouji held her mother, and felt a strange flutter of excitement. She remembered where she'd seen other's kiss like this before, Haji and Zuki's parents did and so, come to think of it, did her grandparents. Is this the way… her mind wrapped around the concept as she continued to peek though her slightly opened door, …a mommy and daddy kiss?
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When lunch time finally came around the next day Ryokou couldn't contain her excitement. She grabbed Hajimeru as soon as they let the students out for the break, "We have to find Tsuzuki," she spoke with all the excitement that had been building in her all day, "I have to tell you what happened after the movie."
"Fine," the black hair Nara boy droned, "I was looking for him anyways."
The brunette followed him out into the schoolyard with a dopey smile across her face, I can barely wait.
They spotted Tsuzuki sitting with his usual lunch companions Matataki and Yusuke. The trio looked up since this was an unusual intrusion. Ryo normally fell in with some of the girls in her own class, just has Haji has his circle of friends.
"Wuzzup?" the sandy blond boy asked his brother, to which the older sibling's reply was to mere tilt his head to indicate the blue eyed girl at his side.
Ryokou sat down beside her cousin, coming to the level of the rest of the group. Hajimeru followed suit. The aqua eyes glowed as she began, "I have to tell you what happened after the movie last night."
"Aw geez," Yusuke exclaimed, "I thought you guys weren't going to see it 'til this weekend!" He started to raise his hands to cover his ears, fearing spoilers.
"They aren't talking about the movie," Matataki's mismatched eyes peered at him over the top of her sunglasses as she reached to stop his hands. She continued in a sweet tone, "Ryokou wants to share something else with us."
"Go on," Zuki encouraged as his brother joined them on the ground.
The brunette spoke excitedly, "I think Uncle Chouji wants to be my daddy."
Four faces looked at her blankly, after a moment Haji asked, "What makes you think that?"
"I was peeking out of my bedroom door last night and I saw him kissing Mama," she blushed, but still smiled happily. "You know," she looked at her cousins, "the way your dad kisses your mom."
Tsuzuki looked at Ryokou with a curious expression, "Did they also play that game where one of them says the other's name really loud?"
Hajimeru glared at his brother, "Mom told you not tot talk about that. She said that's a game only adults can play." He remembered that night when his brother had gotten in trouble for knocking on their parents' door because he'd heard a lot of noise coming from in there and he was worried something was wrong. He shuddered as he recalled the scary expression on his mom face when she'd come to the door.
"Anyways," Matataki tried to return to the previous topic, "I don't know about kissing being a mommy/daddy thing. My parents never kiss each other. Mom kisses Naru-pop all the time, and Dad kisses Naru-pop too." She paused tapping a finger to her chin, "But since Mom and Naru-pop have Hiro and Geki it could be…" Suddenly she noticed the boys expressions, not realizing that they'd all frozen in disgust when she'd mentioned her father kissing another man. "What?" she asked, puzzled by the faces before her.
"I guess boys don't like to hear about kissing," Ryokou shrugged.
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A/N: I hope everyone remembered the strange family environment Uchiha Matataki lives in.
Thank you to all the regular reader and especially Awaii & pattie mayonnaise for taking time to review the previous chapter.
I also have a new reviewer on Chapter 1 I'll wait and see if you visit for a later chapter before I add your name to the listings...I don't if you know about the listing and I don't want to embarrass you just. Those who review at later chapters, well you've just been give fair notice. :)
