Author's Notes: Mostly filler this chapter, very short, building character for my OCs. But it all pertains to the whole Ha'ri x 'Gure thing…so don't skip!

Italics: flashbacks

Translations: biokka means beautiful woman

A mabudachi trio plushie goes to rosemont419. You didn't reply back to my description, so if you don't mind, your plushie is Hatori in human form with Shigure (dog form) on his lap and Ayame (snake form) wrapped up his arm. Please enjoy!

.:.RyU-sEnSeI's PoV.:.

"Ryu?"

"mm…yes, Sakura?"

"Now that your family head is gone, we can be happy."

"Yes, I promise that we'll have a real wedding."

"And we…well, we could…"

"We what?" I ask, gently allowing my lips to continue their journey down her neck.

"We could start a family."

I look into her shining eyes, both of us blushing like crazy. She undoes the buttons at the nape of her neck and we…

"How do you know about Sakura?"

"Y…You mentioned the name earlier…" I've caught Ayame-San quite off-guard. His eyes are full of fear. This whole situation is my fault too. I had completely forgotten I mentioned her name. "Sakura…" the pain of losing her still feels like a hole in my chest. "Ayame-San, we'd better sit down." We sit. "It's…complicated."

"By the look on your face, and the way you responded, I would think so."

"I…" I take a deep breath. How do I explain this? I've never talked to anyone about it…let alone…

"Ryu-Sensei, if it's difficult…" Ayame-San trails off.

"No, you should know. You're one person who should know." I look to Hatori-San and Shigure-San. Shigure-San nuzzles into Hatori-San's side and they both sound almost as if they're purring.

I turn back to Ayame-San. "I was in love with a woman once." Ayame-San opens his mouth to speak and I shush him. "Please, don't interrupt. This is hard enough as it is."

He nods.

"It was a similar situation as Hatori-San and Shigure-San by the sounds of it. My family head didn't approve of the relationship as he…well, he…that is…he…had…feelings…for me. Physical urges, you might say. Eventually, Sakura and I managed to run off and elope. Later on we heard the family head died and we were free."

"So where is she now?"

I squeeze my eyes shut. "We were happy…no, blissful. We were finally free…"

"Ryu! Ryu!"

I laugh, seeing Sakura race towards me in her sundress and sandles. "What is it, my biokka?"

She reaches up to me and pulls me into a tight embrace. "I'm pregnant Ryu."

"That's wonderful!" I lift her up and spin her around. "A baby. I'll be a father!"

Sakura giggles as I ease her back onto the ground and she nuzzles her head into my shoulder. "A baby…I'm so happy, Ryu; I'm so happy."

"Ryu-Sensei?" Ayame-San pulls me out of my flashback and I gently shiver, shaking off the memories. "Ryu-Sensei?"

"She died. She was diagnosed with cancer shortly after conceiving our first child. They both died within eight months."

For once, Ayame-San seems at a loss for words. "I…I'm sorry, Ryu-Sensei."

"R…Ryu…"

"Shh…Sakura…don't waste your breath. You need to save your energy. Y…You'll make it."

Coughs shake Sakura's fragile body. "N…no I won't Ryu. Not this time."

"Sakura, you can't leave me! I need you! I need our son!"

"Ryu." Sakura gently strokes my cheeks, wiping away my tears. "Continue your work with medicine." She breaks off, coughing again, this time bringing up blood. "Someday, you'll find someone who reminds you of me and you'll be able to save that person." She takes a labored breath. "I love you."

"Sakura…SAKURA!"