Scarlet Justice: Full Blossom – ep. 23
"Tied To Tomorrow"

"Many people...make promises that aren't kept. It happens all of the time."

In a distant time, I sit quietly beside my mother on an overturned log. The water ahead of us shimmers in the daylight, with ducks floating and dipping their heads below the surface in slow intervals.

"We treat these things like the end of the world. They're not. It's pathetic to think so."

I look up to see the weariness on her face. Dark lines under her eyes from lack of sleep. She looks thinner. Even as she says she will get better, I worry. I worry a lot. Her hand reaches over in that moment to stroke my head, and I calm a bit.

"What matters is intent. What's in a person's heart. If we just connect...touch them gently, with a hope of understanding. From there, we can grasp those feelings. And then we can decide what the truth is for ourselves. We don't...have to guess."

Her eyes look into the distance, at a point I cannot see.

"I'm sorry. Handling those feelings well is something that only comes with experience. You'll understand it as you get older. I know you will, Lili."

"..."

"I really do just want to sleep." A sickly cough comes from her throat, and she turns her head to spit onto the grass. I tug at her dress and she wipes her mouth before looking at me. It's not sadness in her eyes. It's frustration.

"Momma."

"Yes, darling."

"I...want to try now. Please?"

She stares at me a moment. The wind tousles her scarlet hair.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Momma."

She accepts my plea. I feel my tiny self lifted into her lap, facing her. She presses her forehead against mine, surrounding me in a veil of red as her hair falls around us.

"You are more than just my daughter. You always will be," she whispers. Her warm hand goes to the back of my head, and our eyes close. Our breathing starts to fall to the same, gentle speed.

For the first time, and not the last, I would feel the space inside of my mother's heart. This moment was the start of everything to come.

Another beautiful memory of my hero.

"I'm back~! Got everyone something to munch on, too!"

Fio easily balances the trays of coffee cups in her hands. We're currently in one of the lobbies of the central hospital, sitting on provided chairs and waiting for news.

It's two in the morning, and Kurenai's labour started several hours before.

Asuma is with his wife in all but name, along with Tsunade who was pestered into doing so by Hiruzen. Naturally, he would want the greatest medic in the world to watch over his latest grandchild's birth. He's currently shuffled off to parts unknown. Konohamaru is asleep in one of the chairs, after insisting he could stick it out until the baby was born.

"So then, boom. Just like that. Now, in the old days, that would have been a full power sixteen hit combo to the skull, as God intended. Today's Ino, however...well, she's gained a bit more benevolence."

"Your coffee, ladies," Fio interrupts gently. "This one's for Ino."

"Thank you, sweetie."

"This one's for Lili."

"Thank you, love."

"We have some black tea for Shikamaru here."

"Thanks, Fio."

"Hot cocoa, heavy on the whip, for Choji."

"Thanks a lot, Fio."

"I'll leave Konohamaru's cocoa here on the table...and I have everyone else's stuff here. Oh, and some goodies courtesy of the shop owners. Got 'em for free since I bought so much stuff, take as many as you want. If you need anything else, let me know when I get back!"

She eases her way through the double doors and disappears down the hall.

"Mm. Perfect," Ino says after sipping her coffee. "So, where was I?"

"You were reminding us of the boundless reach of your heavenly love," I say as I cross my legs.

"I was! Our little friend was on his way to a meeting with his partner, whoever they might be...so we scooped him up, asked him a couple of questions. The usual stuff. But we didn't want him to get too scared, you know. Just a handsome thing, about our age. So. I lined us up a little date at one of my favourite restaraunts. I was thinking of spaghetti, it's so so good over there. Just the two of us, and some ANBU waiting in the shadows. Oh, and my best buddy Ibiki looming menacingly at the table behind me. I think it'll be a very interesting time. All I'm going to do is...very gently suggest that he reveal his secrets to the girl that has his life in his hands. Things like that."

"Oh...that is so evil," I say with a big smile. "Ino, you sly little kitten, you. I'm so proud."

"I learned so much from you, Lili. That makes me very happy to hear."

I sniffle a bit and make a show of wiping at my eye. "Oh, it just makes my heart swell. Look at how far you've come since we first met. I feel like a mother watching her little girl graduate..."

"Could you two be any creepier?" Shikamaru complains.

"Well, well. Didn't expect you to have enough energy left at this hour to whine," Ino says as she turns her head to him.

"Such a needy boy," I tease. "Did you want to be bullied for a while? Just ask nicely, and I'll give you all the attention you could ask for."

"Boy, Shikamaru...for someone who doesn't like getting teased, you sure beg for it a lot," Choji points out.

"I can't imagine hell being worse than this."

"Big boy has a point, you know. Though I figure Shika here is just a masochist like his daddy."

"And the triumvirate is completed. Kill me now," he whines as Anko walks in. She smiles and pats his cheek a few times.

"No can do, big brain. Lili needs you in the future and junk."

"Ugh."

"Sorry I'm late, all. Had to get some late night paperwork out of the way so that I didn't have to deal with it later." She moves to each of us so that she can deliver a smooch on the cheek, including a gentle one to Konohamaru as he snores away. "Any news? Ooh, goodies."

"Fio brought them back, you can take as many as you want, Anko-nee. Coffee?"

"Ah, I'm good for joe. Thanks, though."

"Nothing major has happened yet, at least from what I'm sensing. Labour takes a while, especially for first time mothers."

"Yeah, I heard." Anko takes a seat next to me, leaning on my shoulder. "Whew. Busy times. But fun all around." She starts to munch on a donut.

"Indeed."

"I can't wait to be an auntie," Ino says. "Or, I guess I'll be more like their big sister."

"That's because the designated geezer parts belong to me and Lili," Shikamaru says. He sighs. "Can't believe I said yes...way too late to take it back now, though. Whatever."

"You'd better not call this a pain in the ass, too."

"Like hell I would. I grumble at a lot of things, but not this. It's serious, you know."

"I'm just teasing, dummy. Even you wouldn't cross that line."

"Reassuring to hear from you."

"You're welcome."

He shakes his head and goes to sipping on his tea. "By the way, Lili...Asuma was being a jerk earlier and wouldn't tell me what his riddle meant. He said you figured it out within five minutes, which means it's some kind of life advice that I'm not aware of, or some kind of esoteric spirit thing that I'll never figure out in a million years."

"It's the former."

"Thank god. That means I can pester you about it until you give me a straight answer."

"Do you really want to know?"

"Preferably before whoever it is makes their way into the world, yeah. That'd be nice."

"It's not the Hokage, as you know. Rather, the type of person who can't get around on their own...though saying that it's a person might be the confusing part. It's bigger than that."

"Hm..."

"Something that, especially as a parent, you would kill and die for."

His brows furrow for a bit before he seems to get it. "Kids...no, not just kids. Bigger than that, right...a generation of kids. A village without newer generations to prop it up will eventually age away into dust. I guess that's what the king is...the future children of the village."

"Yes."

"Yeah, I never would have figured that one out on my own. You guys are cryptic for the hell of it."

"You know, you talk about how much things are a pain in the ass, but the only pain in the ass I see here is you," Ino says.

"I live to live down to your expectations."

"You're so lucky I like you."

"Luck is a strong word to use there."

A nurse pokes her head through the door before entering. Fio follows suit next to her. "Good, most of you are awake. Ladies, gentlemen...I believe the hour has arrived. It's a healthy girl."

"Can we see her?" Ino asks.

"Yes, you can. This way, please."

"Time to wake up," I say to Konohamaru. My hand gently rubs his head, and he yawns.

"Hey...did the baby finally come out?"

"Yes. Grab your cocoa on the table there and come with us."

"'Kay." He rubs more sleep from his eyes and picks up his cup. When we're all ready, the nurse leads us quietly down the hall and to the delivery room.

"Would be nice if you saved the champagne for later."

"Hey. It's helping me to relax and stay calm, so don't worry about it."

"What do you have to worry about?" Asuma asks Tsunade as we enter. "You're supposed to be the world's best medic."

"Yeah, and I do medical work to fix people or save their lives most of the time. That doesn't mean I have a lot of experience with small, crying...things."

"You mean babies!" Fio says to her.

"Yeah. Those. I used to be one of those. Can't believe my parents put up with me."

Asuma shakes his head before noting the rest of us. "The gang's all here. Kurenai's doing alright, too. Say hi, honey."

She lazily raises a hand over her head before dropping it back downwards.

"Heh. She's a little tired."

"Where's our newest superstar?" Ino asks eagerly.

"Right over there, with her Gramps. Her name is Mirai, just like we planned it out."

"That's her...wow. She's so tiny!" Konohamaru says.

I watch as Hiruzen gently holds his granddaughter, looking down at her with happiness. To think that he almost didn't live to see this day. Now...all of those troublesome things have changed. And hopefully I'll be able to give them even more time to spend together in the future.

"Guess that's what it's all about, eh."

"Maybe not all of it," I say to Shikamaru. "But enough to be meaningful. Is that what you want for yourself?"

"Wouldn't know. Wouldn't matter, either way."

"You might be right about that."

"I think I'm more than right about it. Family is less about where you come from these days, and more about where you're going. You'd know about that more than me."

"Hoh. Someone's become introspective."

"Sleep deprivation does that."

I gently hit him in the side, and he smiles.

"Oh my gosh, she's such a cutie..." Ino gently takes Mirai from Anko's arms. "Hi there...I'm Ino. We're gonna be super best friends in the future, and I'm gonna help take care of you. Here, Choji. You can hold her a bit."

"A-alright...um." Mirai starts crying loudly as she reaches his arms. "Oh, boy. She doesn't like me."

"Ah, she'll do that with everyone for the next few days. It's fine," Asuma reassures him.

"If you're sure..."

"See, see. She's calming down already," Fio says.

"It's because she knows that she's safe with Choji," Ino says. "Our big, strong protector."

"Heya, Mirai. Don't worry about being so small right now, you'll be big and strong soon enough. Everyone's gonna look after you," Fio says. "Here you go, Uncle Shika!"

"Yeah, not so loud. I know." He sets down his cup of tea and takes Mirai gently from Choji's arms. "Hey, it's me. Listen...don't expect too much out of me, alright? But I promise I'll do my best for you, since everyone's asked. Who knows...I might get attached to you and start doing stuff for your sake. Probably won't be so bad."

"Inspiring speech," Kurenai says with a touch of snark.

"Wrote it myself. Well, here's auntie."

I take Mirai from Shikamaru and get my first good look at her. The small amount of hair on her head is thin and black...she's got Kurenai's eyes, and Asuma's face, it seems. Though she's not as cute as Rose - because who could be, really - she is quite cute. Very precious. Not that her being otherwise would make me step away from my duties, but it's always good to have extra incentive.

"Welcome to our world, Miss Mirai. I pray that you become as tenacious as your mother, and as handsome as your father."

"Aren't those supposed to be the other way around?" Konohamaru asks.

"No, she said what she said," Tsunade answers.

"Indeed."

Mirai starts to whine and fidget in my arms.

"Your family is here, and always will be. There's nothing to worry about. And one day soon, you will be able to choose for yourself what your life will be. Until then..."

I hand her back to Kurenai.

"It will be our job as adults to protect you, and the world you will live in."

"That's right," Kurenai says. "You're one lucky kid, you know. There's an entire stubborn extended family ready to go for your sake. Ah, speaking-"

"Apologies for our lateness," a male voice calls out.

"Hey, come on in. Everyone loves a party," Tsunade says.

"Our old pal, Uncle Shinku!" Anko runs over to give the older man a hug. "Thought you'd be deep asleep by now."

"I would be, but I managed to remember that today was quite the important day. Kurenai's students helped confirm it for me." The new person who has entered along with Hina and Shino is Kurenai's father, Shinku Yuuhi. He's almost always busy, buried in reading and training programs. He is one of the people that is responsible for the training of genin and chuunin within the village, whether it means getting them up to speed or taking on things that are more advanced in nature.

Naturally, he shares a lot of features with his daughter, including those red eyes. His black hair is just as wild as hers, stopping around chin length. And the most notable thing, his extremely strong jawline. I could probably cut a steak with it...

"I almost thought I would never see this day. I trust that you've told your son how blessed he's been, Lord Sartuobi?"

Hiruzen chuckles at that. "I've reminded him a few times, yes."

Very easy to see where Kurenai gets her personality from.

"She's nearly tuckered out by now, so your eardrums will be safe, Dad."

"Truly a relief." Shinku kisses his daughter on the forehead before picking up his granddaughter. "The lives of shinobi are but fleeting...it's why I hoped that you would have a child of your own sooner rather than later."

"I'm guessing the joy part comes after the exhaustion wears off."

"It's what your mother says."

"Yeah. But you know how easygoing she is, that's why you married her."

"Hm. What have you named the little one?"

"Mirai."

"That is a most fitting name. Beautiful."

"I was thinking of you, at least some of the time. You hoped for this more than anything...but you also respected me enough to let me find my wings on the battlefield. It's the reason I have so many people here in the middle of the night, ready to do anything I might ask."

"I see." He hands her back to Kurenai. "Well, feel free to leave her in our care whenever you might need a break."

"I'll take you up on that. Get yourselves ready." Kurenai looks towards Hiruzen. "That goes for you too, Grandpa Hokage."

"Of course. Feel free to stop by the office at any time. Tamaki and Imari would be delighted to see the little one."

"Oh, right. I forgot you had office ladies to foist your work onto these days. Just make sure she sees your face more than theirs, and I'll be happy."

"Who have you selected as the child's godparents, Kurenai?" Shinku asks.

"Pineapple boy and red-head."

"Ah. Shikaku's son and the Scarlet Viper herself. Well done." He shakes Shikamaru's hand. "Do your best as time passes, and it should be a blessing for our dear Mirai."

"Yes, sir."

"As for you...well. I expect her to be an elite kunoichi once she grows up," he says to me with a smile.

"Easily done. You'll be able to see your granddaughter reach new heights before life begins in earnest."

"That sounds good. Perhaps I will have more grandchildren by then. Possibly great-grandchildren." We smile and shake hands.

"Alright, alright...listen, all of you. I love each and every one of you in here, and appreciate that you've come out to see me," Kurenai says. "Thank you, and I mean that with all of my heart. I won't ever forget this moment. Now get the hell out. Especially you, booze hound."

Tsunade rolls her eyes. "Keep that up and you won't get the fancy stuff I promised you."

"Shut up. Out, all of you. Out. I don't want to hear about your schemes for more babies, that means that you've gotten yourselves too comfortable in here. Dad, go home and sleep. Tell Mom I love her."

"Yes, I will."

"Congratulations," Hina says as she hands Mirai back to Kurenai. "Rest well, sensei."

"Yes. Have a good night, sensei," Shino says.

"Thanks for coming by on such short notice, I appreciate it."

"You're sure that you don't want the pleasure of my company?" I ask as everyone else files out.

"I've been pleased enough, I think."

"Phrasing," Asuma and I say at the same time.

"Oi."

"'Tis a sad thing to part ways so soon...but I'll leave to to your rest, onee-san."

"Finally. Hey, Lili..."

"Yes?"

"Thanks. For bringing us all to this moment, I mean. More than anything, I'm glad we met. I love you."

"I love you too, Kurenai. Remember what I've said before...no matter what it is, I'll be there in a moment."

"Yeah."

"Get some sleep, Auntie. We'll see you later," Asuma says.

"I will. Until the next, my loves."

I exit the room and follow everyone down the hallway, towards the hospital entrance. Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji are leaving together, with Konohamaru sleeping over the latter's shoulder. Shino and Hina take off as well after we exchange greetings. Shinku and Hiruzen are taking their time talking, likely about things related to their new granddaughter.

As for me...

"Oh, Lili~! My sweet, wonderful girlfriend..."

I sigh, feigning annoyance. "Save it, Fio. I know what you three gluttons want. Tonight, I will be merciful and give you what you desire."

Anko and Tsunade cheer in the background.

"Thank you~" Fio kisses me on the cheek.

"Hmph. You're going to show your gratitude to me later."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good. Follow me, then. I know a lovely place that's open and serves alcohol at this hour...a free-spending customer such as myself will be quite the sight for sore eyes, hmhm."

"Not every day will be sunny. And many times, you'll feel alone in those swelling crowds."

I watch as Momma wades into the water.

"But you won't be alone. You will never be alone, no matter how far apart we end up. Whether it's the distance from the lake to the sea...or the distance between this world and the next."

She turns to me and smiles. The light gathers around her form, and she once again becomes the angel that I've seen in my dreams.

"That is what it means to be family."

"Remember, Lili...this power that flows inside of you. That is the infinite power of a bond."