Heart's Treasure
Chapter 20: Bliss
This will be the last chapter in this story. I couldn't resist writing another one in this series. The next story is "Treasures of Time". It will be an epilogue to the series. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as you've enjoyed my other stories.
Perspectives: Snow, Eiji, and Kakuzu
Snow's Perspective
To say I was exhausted would be an understatement. I hadn't seen my children for days and haven't slept through the night in weeks. I walked into my house. Hazel and Saizo came running when they heard the front door open.
"Mommy!"
I hugged them close. I've missed them so much.
"What took you so long to come home?" asked Hazel.
"Keeping the village going is a constant job, but you'll have me for the rest of the week", I said.
"Really?!" they screamed.
"Yes, really", I said.
"Mama!" yelled Rose.
I picked her up and gently kissed her on the forehead. I wonder how the two of them will react when the see their father again. Heh, I wonder Kakuzu will react to being the father of four.
"My daughter finally returns", said Dad.
"I don't enjoy spending so much time there. You know that", I said.
"I know kitten", said Dad.
"Grandpa?"
"Yes Hazel", he said.
"Why do you call mommy kitten?" asked Hazel.
"I've calling your mommy kitten since she was your age", said Dad.
"But why?" she asked.
"For the same reason your mommy calls you pumpkin", said Dad.
The day went by smoothly. After story time Hazel and Saizo fell asleep against my sides. Dad sat in the big leather chair watching us. He smiled at me.
"How do you they'll respond?" I asked.
"It will be the shock of their lives", said Dad.
"What if they get upset with me?" I asked.
"Why would you think that?" asked Dad.
"They might think I lied to them. Maybe they'll blame for taking them away from the first family they ever knew", I said.
"You've put a lot of thought into this haven't you. I think you've over thought this. The two of them will only be happy their father is back. They won't ask how he's back. You made the right choice in leaving the Akatsuki. One day when they are older they will understand all the things you've done for them", said Dad.
"Mommy?"
It was Hazel. Her red and green eyes were still hazy with sleep.
"I thought you were asleep", I said.
"I was but then I woke up. Why would we be angry with you?" asked Hazel.
"I thought that you might be angry that I'm spinach for dinner tomorrow", I said.
"That's yucky, but it wouldn't me angry with you", said Hazel.
She stretched out the couch.
"I was having the best dream", said Hazel.
"Tell me about", I said.
"Daddy came home and you were happy. You were smiling a real smile", said Hazel.
She sighed.
"You don't smile as much as you used to", said Hazel.
"I do smile", I said.
"Ya I know mommy, but most of the time they aren't real. When daddy was here you smiled all the time. You look like a princess when you smile", said Hazel.
"Go to sleep sweetie", I said.
I started running my fingers through her hair. She gave a soft yawn and rested her on my lap.
"Can we stay like this for a bit mommy?" asked Hazel.
"You can stay like this as long as you want", I said.
She quickly fell asleep.
"Looks like you little girl's dream will come true", said Dad.
"It isn't only her dream", I said.
"She's an extremely clever girl. It's impressive", said Dad.
"I know both her and her brother are. Sometimes they are too smart for their own good", I said.
"Dad?"
He looked at me.
"Why do you always watch me and them so closely?" I asked.
"I enjoy looking over family. I never thought would I have a chance have one like this. Well, I'll let you three be", said Dad.
He left without a sound. My family will be together again. I closed my eyes and listened to my children's breathing. It was one of the most peaceful sounds. I stayed like this till late at night. I carefully picked up Hazel. She gave a quiet sigh and cuddled closely to me. I put her in bed.
"I love you Hazel",
I kissed her on the forehead. When I returned to get Saizo I saw he was awake. I knew he was thinking about something. His father has the same expression, when he was in deep thought. I have to admit it's odd seeing a six year old in deep thought.
"Saizo, it's late you should be asleep", I said.
"Is what you said true?" asked Saizo.
I sat down next to him.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"That daddy is coming back, but he's gone", said Saizo.
"You must have been dreaming", I said.
"Ya, that makes sense. I must have been dreaming", said Saizo.
He raised his hands up to be picked up. I couldn't resist lifting him up.
"You're getting too old for this", I said.
He grumbled something. It was amazing how quickly he fell asleep in my arms. I tucked him into bed and kissed him on the forehead.
"I love you Saizo",
Eiji's Perspective
I stared out at the village from the terrace of my bedroom. I can't believe he's back. I thought she would be mine after all this. But no he came back from the dead doing the impossible. I shook my head. I shouldn't be thinking like that. Snow deserves happiness. I only wish her happiness didn't cause me such pain though.
"I don't think I've ever seen you jealous before sensei. I can't say it's a flattering expression",
I sighed.
"It's rude to spy on your sensei no matter how old you are Kotori. Come out of the shadows", I said.
He appeared on the railings.
"Why have you chosen to spy on me tonight? Blossom would prefer your company more than I", I said.
"She's grading papers. Right now you are of great interest to me", said Kotori.
"Why am I of such great interest to you?" I asked.
"Like I said before I've never seen you jealous before. May ask whom or what has you in this mood", said Kotori.
"I'll give you this it is a whom", I said.
"I'm your advisor. You can trust me with anything", said Kotori.
"I'm well aware of that. The only reason I'm hesitant in telling you is I know you won't believe me", I said.
"Try me", said Kotori.
"The whom which is pestering me is my wife's late husband", I said.
He gave a disapproving look.
"I didn't take you as the type of man to hold a petty grudge against a dead man", said Kotori.
"I wish", I mumbled.
Kotori stared at me with those piercing purple eyes.
"Tell me", he said.
"I assume you know about resurrection jutsu", I said.
"It's forbidden. No one should have the power to raise the dead. It's unnatural", said Kotori.
"Yet some do. One of those people is Kabuto Yakushi. Actually he's mastered the technique", I said.
"Something tells me I'm in for a more serous conversation than I thought", said Kotori.
"Amongst the people he brought was back Kakuzu", I said.
"Her husband",
"Yes her husband", I said.
Kotori sat down on the railing with his back leaning against the wall.
"Did he use this to blackmail Lady Minori?" asked Kotori.
"She made a deal with the devil", I said.
"I know she wouldn't make a deal that would endanger the village. What were the conditions of the deal?" asked Kotori.
"In turn for some hair, blood, and one of her eggs. He signed over Kakuzu to her", I said.
"It's a great deal. Many would do what she did without a second thought", said Kotori.
"I know that's why I can't find in myself to be upset with her", I said.
I handed him the plan that Snow gave me. He gave it a quick once over.
"I have to give it to Kameko and Minori this plan is simple but brilliant. It also leaves no space for questioning by the other Hidden Villages", said Kotori.
"I know it is. Those two women could take over the world if they set their minds to it", I said.
"No, only think they are taking advantage of the position the Hidden Diamond is in. Every land that participated in the war is in massive debt to us. That gives us almost complete control over them. And Kakuzu advance age and unknown life style helps make the plan more believable too", said Kotori.
I cringed at the sound of his name.
"You really are jealous", said Kotori.
"Wipe that smirk off you face", I said.
He sighed.
"I need a drink do you want one?" I asked.
Kotori nodded. I poured us each a glass of whiskey. I handed it to him. He took a sip.
"I don't know you can drink this and still be capable of walking a straight line", said Kotori.
"Over the years I've built a powerful tolerance. I don't have to worry about it affecting my liver. I think Minori has a stronger tolerance than I did at her age", I said.
We fell into a peaceful silence.
"So when is he going to make his appearance?" asked Kotori.
"You make him sound like a celebrity", I said.
"In his children's eyes he is that. They will be awestruck when they see him. The press will make him a celebrity for a few weeks. The story will be eaten up. Everyone admires an impossible story of true love. And Mei Terumi will be over joyed that you are newly single", said Kotori.
I laughed.
"Your laugh is even bitter", said Kotori.
"What was your question again?" I asked.
"When will he arrive?" asked Kotori.
"One day from now. You should go. Blossom is probably worried about you. I should that you were right", I said.
"About what?" he asked.
"Goemon, that was Kakuzu disguise so he could be near his family", I said.
Kotori smirked then disappeared in a puff of smoke. Morning came and I went into my office. The doors of my office opened. I shocked to see Snow.
"I thought you'd be with your family", I said.
"I thought this would be best to do in person", said Snow.
She handed me a paper that I dreaded seeing.
"I should have seen this coming", I said.
"I never thought I would give them to you. I fully intended on keeping my promise", said Snow.
"I know. Kakuzu is an extremely lucky man in so many ways", I said.
"I do love you", said Snow.
"I know but your true love is him not me. We only relieved each others pain", I said.
"If I told you it took me hours to sign it would make you feel any better?" asked Snow.
I smiled. Her eyes were honest. She wasn't taking any pleasure in this.
"Yes, it makes the pain sting a little less", I said.
She placed the divorce paper on my desk. I signed my name next to hers. I placed it in my desk drawer.
"I'll make sure this a handled as discreetly as possible", I said.
"I know you will", said Snow.
"What name will he be going by?" I asked.
"Kazuki", said Snow.
"He stray too far from his old name", I said.
"I'm sorry. I never thought this would happen", said Snow.
"Neither did I",
Kakuzu's Perspective
I worked the graveyard. I would see my children again and be with my wife again.
"You really shouldn't look so stress it doesn't suit you well, Kuzu",
I turned to see Snow standing at the entrance of the tomb.
"You shouldn't be here", I said.
"A wife visiting her husband's grave. There's nothing wrong with that is there?" she asked.
"No",
"And you wanted me to pick up Bishop anyway", said Snow.
She hugged me tightly.
"Snow"
"There's no reason to look so nervous everything will workout", she said.
"What will I do once I've returned?" I asked.
"We need a keeper of the funds", said Snow.
The keeper of the funds has to organize and keep track of what is owed. They also have to collect from the villages.
"Are you sure the villager will accept a stranger in such an important role?" I asked.
"It's the must unwanted job in the village and it's under the supervision of the two guardians", said Snow.
"You're giving a dangerous and powerful job that no one wants", I said.
"Now you know how I feel", said Snow.
"People actually want your job", I said.
"Don't be bitter. You're talented in that field. The best part about is it will give you plenty of time with our family", said Snow.
That made up for it.
"It's okay to be worried my love. Aren't you excited to see them again though?" asked Snow.
"Of course I am. It's odd to me. In this plan I'm going to be my own son", I said.
"Yes it might be odd, but it's reasonable. It explains your appearance and abilities", said Snow.
"What about my history? What if someone tries to look into me?" I asked.
"You aren't going to like it", said Snow.
"Tell me", I said.
"Remember it was Kameko who came up with the story. To explain your lack of birth certificate we'll say your mother was a lady of the night. Your no longer from the Hidden Waterfall Village, but the Land of Fangs' Kodai Village", said Snow.
"Smart Kodia was destroyed sixty seven years ago, so there will be no recollection of me. Honesty I think a prostitute would be a mother than my biological one. So how old am I?" I asked.
"Sixty eight", said Snow.
"I was looking forward to turning one hundred", I said.
Snow giggled.
"You'll always be married to a twenty nine year old if that makes you feel better", said Snow.
"That does make it better. Why did you choose that age? Scared of thirty", I said.
"Shut it. A lot of good things happened in my twenties", said Snow.
"What about my eyes?" I asked.
"You're a talented shinobi. You can do a simple transformation jutsu on your eyes", said Snow.
"Who will be watching the front gates?" I asked.
"Otho and Flint", said Snow.
I groaned.
"I have no idea why those two were promoted to jonin", I said.
"We lost a lot of people in the war. They proved themselves", said Snow.
"I can't wait to see you and the kids again as myself", I said.
Snow smiled.
"Does being a father of four scare you?" asked Snow.
"No",
"Try to sleep well tomorrow is a big day", said Snow.
"I'll try", I said.
She left with Bishop following behind her. I woke up before dawn and waited for sunrise. At ten I decided to enter the village. As I walked into the village Otho and Flint stopped me at their desk near the front gate.
"Name?" asked Flint.
"Kazuki",
"What is the purpose of your visit?" asked Otho.
"I'm here to visit my wife and children", I said.
"You're a resident", said Flint.
"No, I've never been here before", I said.
"Who's your wife?" asked Flint.
"Minori", I said.
"You have to be joking. Her husband is Eiji everyone knows that", said Flint.
"His eyes", said Otho.
"What about them", said Flint.
"Lady Hazel has the same eyes", said Otho.
"It's a coincidence", said Flint.
Idiot boy! I gritted my teeth.
"Take me to see her what harm will it do? If she rejects me you can throw me out of the village like this never happened. I'm sure one of the guardians is capable of defending herself ", I said.
"He has a point", said Flint.
"Then you take him. Eiji will kill us if we leave our station", said Otho.
"And if this guy is who he says imagine how grateful Lady Minori will be", I said.
"And what if he isn't", said Otho.
"I'm willing to take that risk", said Flint.
"Your death wish", said Otho.
"Follow me", said Flint.
I smiled when I saw my children playing in the front yard. I walked closer to them and kneeled down so I was at the same eye level with them.
"Saizo",
His eyes went wide. He was so shocked he didn't move.
"Hazel",
She gave me the same wide-eyed expression. Hazel was the first speak
"Daddy?"
"Yes, honey it's me", I said.
They ran to me and tackled me down ground. The two of them gave loud happy screams. Snow made her appearance. She had the same wide-eyed expression as the twins I sat up only to be knocked back down by her. The gossip spread like wild fire, but the villagers gave us our space. I followed her into the house. Snow picked up Rose.
"Mama", said Rose as she cuddled closely to her mother.
She looked at me with confusion.
"This is your daddy", said Snow.
"Dada?"
She's testing me.
"Hello little one", I said.
She stretched her arms out to me. I took her from Snow.
"Dada",
"Where have you been?" asked Saizo.
"I badly hurt my head it took me awhile to regain my memory", I said.
Saizo and Hazel didn't seem to believe me. They both had their mother's skeptical expression.
"Okay don't hit your head again", said Hazel.
"Ya don't do that", said Saizo.
The day went by quickly. Hazel and Saizo clung to me the whole time. I knew they were terrified of me leaving. We were all on the couch my arm was wrapped over Snow's shoulder. Saizo and Hazel were resting at either side of us. Kotaro was sleeping on my chest and Rose was sleeping in Snow's arms. My family is together and safe. What else can I ask for? Snow was the first to stir.
"Good it wasn't a dream", said Snow.
She took off her locket and took my wedding ring off its chain.
"Give me your hand", she said.
She slid my ring onto my finger.
"Finally back where it belongs", said Snow.
"I love you my treasure", I said.
She smiled.
"We should put them to bed", said Snow.
She picked Rose and Kotaro. Hazel's eyes opened.
"Daddy?"
"Yes",
"You won't go away again will you?" asked Hazel.
"If I ever leave I will always come back", I said.
"Promise?" she asked.
"Yes, I promise", I said.
"Pinky promise?" she asked as she stuck out her pinky.
"Yes, I pinky promise", I said as I wrapped my pinky around hers.
I carried each of them into bed.
"Aren't you coming to bed?" asked Snow.
"I will in a minute", I said.
"Okay",
I went out to the front porch. Manzo was leaning against the wall of the house. He was smoking.
"Don't tell my daughter she'll kill me", said Manzo.
"I didn't take you as a smoker", I said.
"A vice of the family it's either smoking, drinking, or both. Snow seems favor drinking. She has her mother's taste. Miera loved her whiskey and gin. I swear that woman could out drink a sailor", said Manzo.
"I haven't seen it in many of them", I said.
"You haven't seen the stash hidden in the guardian's office. With Eiji and Hiro it's drinking. My father could smoke whole box of cigarettes in less than hour. Many don't know about it. But its one few ways immortals, guardians, and the one who serve them deal with the pressure", said Manzo.
I cringed at the smell coming off his cigarette.
"Heh, Miera hated the smell too especially when she was pregnant. She got me to quit a life long habit in one day", said Manzo as he put it out.
"How?" I asked.
"She was in one her moods and found doing this. She caught me off guard and hit me on the head with cast iron frying pan. That's how she got to quit", said Manzo.
"You're lucky Miera wasn't a fully trained kunoichi. I've been thrown through a wall so many time I can't remember anymore", I said.
We fell into a comfortable silence.
"I still don't understand why", I said.
"Why I want you to be with my daughter", he said.
I nodded my head.
"Like any father I want my little girl to be happy. You make her happy. Don't you want that for Hazel and Rose", said Manzo.
"I want their happiness yes, but no boy will go near them if I have a say in it. No man will ever be good enough for them. I'm surprised you don't feel the same", I said.
"You're the first to ever come close enough to being worthy of her", said Manzo.
"I won't question your reasoning", I said.
"And your ability is an added bonus", said Manzo.
"What ability?" I asked.
"You agitate Eiji more than any other man I know", said Manzo.
"You really hate him", I said.
"I'm the only person that hates that man more than you", said Manzo.
"I didn't think that was possible. Why is that?" I asked.
"Beside him trying to use my daughter as a brood mare. Jun ripped me away from my family and Eiji prevented me from putting it back together again", said Manzo.
"My family is together because of you", I said.
"I only gave you a little push", said Manzo.
"Thank you",
"Your wife will get upset if you don't join her soon", said Manzo.
I returned to my bedroom. Snow was waiting in bed. I joined her.
"It's nice to see you and my dad get along", said Snow.
"We have a lot in common", I said.
Six months went by and news about me had finally calmed down. Now the kids' excitement was focused on there first day at the academy.
"Daddy daddy wake up!" yelled Hazel.
"Hazel what time is it?" I asked.
"Seven", she answered.
"That means I have half an hour left to sleep", I said.
"Daddy", she whined.
"Please Hazel. I had very long day at work", I said.
She started pulling on one of the stitches on my jaw. I opened my eyes.
"Today's the big day. My first day at the academy", said Hazel.
"You win pumpkin. Now go I have to get dressed", I said.
When I went into the kitchen and saw Saizo was already awake.
"Even Saizo was up before you", said Snow.
Hazel and Saizo practically drag us to the academy.
"Now I want you two to be good", said Snow.
"We will be", they said.
"Saizo",
"Yes, daddy. I don't want you getting into any fights with that Sterling boy", I said.
"But he's so annoying", said Saizo.
"I know he is but that doesn't give you reason to attack him", I said.
"But-
"No buts Saizo. Listen to your dad", said Snow.
"Fine", he grumbled.
"Now you two know we love you", I said.
"Yes daddy we love you and mommy too", said Hazel and Saizo.
We watched them run into the academy.
"They are growing up so fast", said Snow.
"We still have two infants at home", I said.
"I know but those two are our first babies", said Snow.
I pulled my beautiful wife into my arms.
"Snow, you've brought me the most wonderful treasures of my life and that's just one of the reasons I love you", I said.
She smiled and our lip met in a gentle kiss.