Disclamer: I don't own this stuff. Wish I did. then maybe I could get out of debt.

"Talking"

'Thoughts'

Japanesewords

Cye is fiddling with his bow-tie, trying to get it to lay right. "Calm down little buddy. Everything is going to be alright, you'll see," Kento grins at the youngest Ronin. It has been a year since Cye and Ichigo's engagement (and Ren's adoption), and they are finally getting married. The other Ronins and Yuli are groomsmen, with Kento as best man. Ichigo's bridesmaids are the wives of the Ronins and Yuli. Kento's wife, her best friend, is her maid of honor. Hitomi and Haru are the flower girl and ring bearer. Even Ren is in attendance. The guys are all in black tuxedos, with accessories in their armour's color: Cye's light blue, Kento's orange, Rowen's dark blue, Sage's green, and Ryo's red.

Cye shakes his head, "Kento, this is nerve-wracking. How were you able to be so calm at yours?" Dais chuckles, "His dense head doesn't leave much room for nerves. Right Hardrock?" "DAIS!" Cye laughs at Kento and Dais. Even though the Dynasty has been gone for years, the Warlords still enjoy riling up their Ronin rivals. Even Kayura will occasionally make a jibe towards Rowen.

Across the hall, the women and little children are laughing. Kayura sighs, "It seems the Warlords are at it again. I hope Dais didn't do something too stupid," Mia chuckles, "As if angering Kento isn't stupid enough?" All the adults laugh. Sae finishes up helping Ichigo with her dress, "There! I think someone should go see if the guys are done yet, or if Cye's just having a panic fit." Mia laughs, "If he is, I'll get him straightened out." She leaves, giving Ren back to Sae. Ren is in a dress similar to Ichigo's, only light blue instead of white. The maid's dresses are a pastel rose-pink. Ren babbles at Sae, who cuddles her.

They all hear the guys' yelps and the pounding of rushing men's feet. Mia walks in with a grin, "I think I cured Cye of his fits, and got the Warlords to quit, at least for today. So Ichigo, you ready?" With a nod, Ichigo walks out to her father. "Ready Otousan?" He grins at her, "Let's give Cye his heart's wish." With that, they walk down the aisle to Cye.

Later, at the reception, Cye is holding Ren, while Ichigo chats with Sae. Kento is talking with Rowen and Sage, as Ryo and White Blaze play with the kids. Mia, Yuli, and his wife laugh at them, and Kayura, Gozo, the Warlords, and the other wives are enjoying the restful few minutes break. Ryo finally walks away from the kids, "Go on White Blaze. You can keep playing." Walking towards Cye, he nods to Mia, Kento, Rowen, and Sage. They all join him in front of Cye. Ichigo looks up to see them and nudges Cye, who's attention was all on Ren. Seeing Ryo, Cye tilts his head, "Yeah Ryo?" Ryo grins, "I know Ren's your little girl, but we all thought you and Ichigo would like a little break for a honeymoon so…." Mia puts an arm around him, "Ryo and I will babysit Ren while-" "You guys go on a cruise!" Kento interrupts her, and Rowen hands them the tickets. Sage explains, "It's a couple cruise. We all thought you'd like it, everyone pitched in." Ichigo takes the tickets, while Cye just stares at his friends. They all laugh at his creditable imitation of a beached fish. He coughs, blushing. "Well, I, uh…. Aw, geez!" He hands Ren over to Sae and hugs his friends. "Thanks guys!" "Yes, thank you. Cye and I will enjoy it." "Come on then! Your plane leaves tomorrow! Let's go get you packed." Everyone there laughs at Kento's exuberance and gets their things together, heading for home.

Ren sits in a hall, on her Aunt Sae's lap. The 2 year old is staring at the stark white walls and the linoleum floor, wrinkling her nose at the odd smells. Beyond the door on the other side of the hall, her mother and father are with the doctor, bringing Kaito into the world. Sae bounces Ren, trying to distract herself from the fact that things are not seeming to go right. The little girl starts to babble, but is cut off by the opening of the door. The doctor comes out, looking grim. Sae starts, then asks, "Well? Is everything alright?" The man just shakes his head. He walks off, then returns with two nurses. They go inside, then bring out Ichigo on a stretcher. Cye follows, pale and shaking. They move towards the O.R., leaving the two females to sit and hope.

A while later the doctor comes out and beckons to Sae. "The caesarean went well. Both mother and child are better. Mr. Mouri requested that you be allowed to visit as soon as it was possible." He leads them to a room. "Right in here." Sae shifts Ren and enters. In the bed lies a sleeping Ichigo, nearby Cye sits on a chair holding a small blue bundle. Looking up, he sees them. "Sae, Ren, come meet Kaito." Sae comes over and looks at her new nephew, while Ren starts babbling. Ichigo wakes up, smiling, "Hey sweetie. Do you like your new brother?" Reaching out, she takes Ren's hand, who starts giggling. Sae grins, "Now you have a perfect family, right Cye?" Cye nods, "I don't think that anything will change that."

Three years since Ren joined the Mouri clan, and now everyone seems to have forgotten Ren is a Kogane. Ren's babbles are now words, and her favorite thing to do is to chatter to Rowen. "Uncle Wowen, what awmaws?" Rowen silently groans. "Do you mean 'Armours'?" Ren nods, "Daichi say Daddies have awmaws. What dat?" Rowen rubs his neck, 'Why did I agree to this?' "Well…. Armours are….-" The door bell rings. 'Saved by the bell.' Rowen hurries to answer the door, shaking his head. Opening it, he finds Cye. "Thank goodness." He lets Cye in. Cye looks at him worried, "Is something wrong with Ren?" Rowen shakes his head, "No, she's just asking hard questions. Daichi's been telling her that we have the Armours. Now she wants to know more." Cye grins, "And Mister Genius can't simplify it so a 3 year old can understand?" Rowen bows his head, "Well, uh, I don't know how much to tell her." Cye laughs, "Easy to solve. Ren, sweetie, come here!" Ren runs over and Cye states, "Rowen says you want to know about the Armours." She nods, "Daichi say Daddies have Awmaws." Cye grins, "Well the Armours are something that you will understand more when you are older. I'll explain it then, Okay?" Ren grins. "Okay! We go home, see mommy now?" The men laugh. Cye picks her up, "Yes, we are going home. Say bye to Rowen!" "Bye-bye Uncle Wowen!" "Bye Ro. Thanks again." Rowen waves goodbye and the Mouris get in their car and drive home. Getting there, Ren races into the family room. "Mommy! Kaito! We home!" Ichigo chuckles, "Hello Ren. Hello Cye. How was everything?" Ren grins, "Uncle Wowen funny. Wen ask what awmaws, Uncle Wowen get jumpy. He funny." Ichigo laughs, "And what did he say?" Cye hugs her grinning, "Nothing. He had me tell her." Ren nods, "Daddy say 'splain when olda." Ichigo nods, "That's right. You can wait until you get older, right Ren?" The girl grins, "Ya!" The family goes over to the playpen, where little 1 year old Kaito is, and all play together.

4 year old Ren leads 2 year old Kaito around the Sanada manor. Daichi is now 9, Haru 8, Hiroto and Ryuu 7, Natsu and Fuyu 6, and Kouki, Aki, Hitomi, and Aoi are all 5. But now Hiroto has a newborn brother Hayato; and Yuli has a 2 year old son Yuuki. White Blaze runs around, knocking over the six oldest and gently nudging the others. Ren sees him, and grins, "White Blaze, come here please!" White Blaze stops and tilts his head at her, then walks over. Ren sets Kaito on White Blaze's back and lay a hand on the tiger's shoulder. "Let's go see Daddy!"

Together they walk to the house where the adults sit, laughing. "Wow, Cye. I know you said she was quick, but I didn't realize how quick she was!" Yuli grins. Cye groans, "Tell me about it. We child-proof everything and she still finds out how to open it! She's so strong-willed, fearless, stubborn, and smart that it's a recipe for disaster." Ren grins at Cye, while Ichigo picks up Kaito. "But Cye, she's just a child. Children tend to get into mischief. They don't know any better! Ren's just a little more of a handful than most, right sweetie?" Ren nods, "Daddy, you're silly." She tilts her head towards Rowen and point to the journal in his hands, "Uncle Rowen, what's that?" He smiles, "A memoir…. a diary if you will. I'm calling it The Armour's Call: The Life of a Ronin. I hope to finish it and give it to Hiroto. Maybe it will benefit him." The other adults laugh. Ren frowns, "How would it help him?" Rowen sighs, "It will let him know everything that we know about the Armours. We had problems because we didn't know anything. I hope that the Armours are never needed, but at least he will know everything about them if they are." Ren grins, "And I will be there to help every minute! Hiroto's my friend and I'll always be there for him! I'll be there for everyone!" The adults all grin and Cye pats Ren on the head. "That's very kind of you Ren, but I don't think you'll be getting the armour. Now, why don't you take White Blaze back to play with the others?" Ren laughs and runs off, "Okay! Come on White Blaze, you can't catch me!" White Blaze chases after her, giving a tiger's grin.

Ren stands at the front door, waiting for Cye. "Come on Daddy! I don't want to be late for my first day of Kindergarten!" Cye comes over, "Alright sweetie, let's go." Getting into the car, Cye looks over at Ren, 'Five years old already…. It's hard to imagine.' When they arrive, the teacher, Miss Hiyazaki is waiting at the door, "Hello sweetheart!" Ren bounces up and down, "Hello Sensei! Can we start now, can we, can we?" Hiyazaki chuckles, "We have to wait for the others. Why don't you go inside, and meet the other kids?" Ren giggles, "Okay!" As she runs in Hiyazaki turns to Cye. He is looking forlorn, and is watching Ren. She sighs, "Looks like the child is ready before the parent." Cye nods absently, "She likes to learn almost as bad as Hiroto." Hiyazaki laughs. "Another? Well, looks like I'll have my hands full again." She smiles at Cye, "And don't worry, the first day is always the hardest on parents. It will get easier." Cye smiles slightly, "Thank you." He takes one last look at Ren in the classroom and then leaves for work.

After school Daichi, Haru, Hiroto, Ryuu, Natsu, Fuyu, Kouki, Hitomi, Aoi, and Ren walk to the park to meet their parents. Ren laughs, "And then Miss Hiyazaki said, 'Now, stop trying to compete with Hiroto. You're really smart for your age, you don't have to outdo him!'" Hiroto laughs, "Figures she'd say that. She probably doesn't want to deal with another genius!" Everyone laughs. Ren glares at him, "I'm not a genius, Genius, I just like to learn." She sticks out her tongue to annoy him. Cye, who had come up behind her, pinches her tongue, "Be nice, all of you. Miss Hiyazaki likes working with you guys. It's just a little harder for her when she gets a student who is ahead of the others." He lets go of Ren's tongue. "Now come on, we're over by the koi pond." The children "whoop" and race ahead, ready for one of Cye's delicious snacks.

It's the last day of summer and the kids are all enjoying their final day of freedom. Daichi grins, "Not only am I gonna be at J-high, but Ren's finally gonna be able to play with you guys at recess." The others nod as Ren flops herself onto Aki's shoulders, "Yep! And Aki's gonna be my main playmate!" Aki jerks, "I am?!" Ren nods as everyone laughs. Aki's right eye twitches, "Oh yeah? Says who!" Ren grins, "Me!" "Why you!" Ren leaps up, while Aki chases her around the Sanada yard.

The adults chuckle. Kayura sighs, "Looks like the rivalries have passed down to the next generation." Cye shakes his head, "No. Actually, Ren thinks Aki's going to lead her around the school. She probably just told him that. She really adores him." Sekhment nods, "The feeling's mutual, though he'll deny it. He'll most likely do exactly what she wants after giving her a hard time." Ren's shrieks of laughter gets everyone's attention. Aki has caught her and is giving her a tickle fit of a lifetime. "I'll do whatever I want! You can't tell me what to do Fishy-girl!" Aki gets up grinning. Mia walks out of the kitchen, "Lunch is ready!" The kids all race into the house, ready to stuff their faces.

Ren and Kaito are waiting for Aki, so they can walk to school together. Aki saunters up, "So Kaito, you ready for Miss Hiyazaki?" Kaito's chin starts wavering, "I don't wanna go! I wanna stay with Mommy!" Ren hugs Kaito, "But Kai-kai! I'm just going to be down the hall. And the others are gonna be nearby too! And Miss Hiyazaki is really nice." Aki nods, "Yeah, you'll love her! So come on, chin up! And let's go!" The three walk to school, Kaito dragging his feet.

After school Ren and Aki walk to Hiyazaki's room to pick up Kaito. Getting to the door, they greet her. Ren races ahead, "Hi Miss Hiyazaki!" Hiyazaki looks up, "Ren! Good to see you, my little second-grader. And Aki! How's my little troublemaker?" "Hullo Miss Hiyazaki," Aki scuffs the ground with his shoe. Hiyazaki grins and winks, "I'll tell Kaito you're here, if I can get him away from the play area." Ren and Aki grin at each other as she walk away. Kaito walks over pouting, "I wanna stay." Ren chuckles, hugging him, "We'll come back tomorrow." Aki nods, "And besides, we're going to Ryuu's. Don't you want to see everyone?" Kaito tilts his head, thinking then nods, "Let's get every one together!" Ren laughs and takes off running, the others following, "Yeah! So let's go!"

'Everyone' is now Daichi 12; Haru 11; Hiroto and Ryuu 10; Natsu and Fuyu 9; Kouki, Aki, Hitomi, and Aoi 8; Ren 7; Yuuki and Kaito 5; Hayato 3; Natsu's little sister Chou and Aki's little sister Kokoro 2; Kouki's little brother Daisuke and Fuyu's little sister Miyako 1; and Haru's newborn sister Hoshi. Parties are now getting quite crowded.

Translations:

Otousan- Father

Sensei- Teacher

Edit: Yeah, I forgot to put a disclaimer, translations and a speech guide. Fixed that. That is what happens when you try to multitask with over five tasks, at least two of which are uber-important. The not-so-important stuff gets missed and messed up. Will be more careful next time. Please review, and feel free to critique NICELY. I do have self-esteem issues I'm still getting over. Enjoy!