~ Chapter Nineteen ~

~Roughly Twenty or Thirty minutes after they left the shrine that hosted their wedding ceremony.~

-Feeling as the dual-way connection to his elder brother Shiro snaps silent, Reiji frowns without thinking.

' But it was going so well, I wanted to see what happens next. Hm, I suppose he doesn't want to embarrass himself in front of me any longer.'

'Eh, it's probably for the best, he already won. After all those "Revelations" Kyou Uzumaki is ours now, I probably don't need to hear Shiro push any further with the dramatics.'

Reiji contents himself with a shrug.

"You're more silent than usual. Are... are you alright?" The sound of "Yuuki" his now wife's voice ensnares Reiji's full attention.

Turning to face her, Reiji manages a shaky expression. "Yeah, I think so."

"It's okay to talk Reiji, I was embarrassed but this was your father. I can't begin to imagine how this must be for you, Shiroyuki, and Sakuya."

"Oh, thank you, I appreciate your worry Yuuki, but this is Shiro. Mark my words, he'll have... that man, eating out of the palm of his hand."

"I imagine Sakuya is fine too, that Madara took her away for a few hours. For some reason, she seems to like him, so hopefully with his distraction she'll be alright."

"Fair enough, I think he and Sakuya are headed to the garden. She also has Ruki with her too, and he's cute enough to make anyone cheer up," said Yuukina, her tone cautious.

"Right, that "cub" reaches well past her knees, and could eat the entire orchard in an afternoon, she'll be okay." Reiji murmured

"But seriously Reiji, you dodged my question, how are YOU handling this?" Yuukina insisted, determined to get an actual response from her now husband.

Sighing, Reiji decides to indulge her concern. Still knowing he can't tell her what he truly thinks, he settles for a shared memory.

"Honestly I'm not that bothered. I think I'm more nostalgic than anything. We are finally married. It feels like a long time coming."

"It really isn't," Yuukina said playfully. Her tease is apparent and Reiji appreciates Yuuki's clear lack of malice.

"True, for a time, you had no intention of marrying at all... Anyway, do you remember?"

"What Shiro told you? I mean back when you finished teaching him what you know about Ice Chakra?"

"Crinkling her brow, Yuukina sighs. "I see, you speak of the whole "It's better to be "Liked" by the public than "Right" speech."

"Honestly Reiji, I was so insulted, but to Shiro's credit it didn't take long for me to understand just how true that is."

"Indeed." Reji squeezes Yuukina's palm affectionately. "Your pride was most unhappy."

"Oh it's not so bad," Yuuki murmured.

"More humbling than anything, but I learned how to put their expectations to my advantage."

"Who knew framing my venture into independence as "training to run my future household" would make so many people eager to support my tiny stand?"

"It snowballed for sure Yuuki, a real eye-opener. Not even three years later and that tiny roadside stand "The Icy Breeze" is a real establishment, employing six full-timers..."

"Don't oversell this. It's not that big a deal Reiji," the sincerity of Yuukina's humility catches Reiji. His cold heart fluttered at her smile.

"Don't sell yourself short. No business is "too small", that's six people who owe their livelihood to you alone. Not to mention all the part-timers"

"Flatterer", the pinkening of Yuukina's ear tips is all it takes for Reiji to pull back. 'Not here.' he reminds himself. 'It would reflect poorly on us both.'

Quenching his inner fire before it leads to him doing anything stupid, Shiroyuki takes Yuukina by the hand to the manor dining room for their awaiting formal lunch.

'Let's get these guest content and fed so they'll leave. I really can't wait for tonight, the sooner we get to Hot Springs the better.'

~
"Go away." Declared Shiro. "Get out of here, I don't want to be seen like this."
Staring at his shaking, exhausted son as he curls into himself, an "ugly cry" surely on the way. Yet Kyou knows he can't leave this alone.

Overcome by a protective urge. Kyou says soothingly. "No, I understand things are... strained, but I want to comfort you. I missed out on so much, I couldn't forgive myself if I ignored you now."

Placing himself close, Kyou murmurs. "When I was growing up, they said adults shouldn't cry, but that's a lie.

"What matters is the time and location. As your father, there's no safer place. If what you need is catharsis then I will provide it."

Pulling Shiroyuki against his chest, he reiterates his words. "Please, I beg you don't be foolish. It's okay to cry in front of me. With me, you are safe, from now onwards.""

~
' Interesting, this isn't going quite how I expected.' mused Shiro. 'Ah well, I've come this far.'

Wrapping his arms around Kyou's waist with more force than necessary, Shiro ponders his memories. 'Which will provide the "most emotion"?'

It doesn't take long for him to realize, he actually has quite a bit. 'All my doubts, all my inescapable fears, my uncertainties... You too have value.'

Leaning further into the hug, Shiro is surprised. 'This is nice... Such a dazzling warmth."

~ As the boy sobs brokenly and without restraint in his lap, the silks of his garment stained by tears and unsightly fluids, Kyou can barely hold back his own rising emotions.

'Yes, this is what I wanted. What I always desired... that must be why I divorced Aika... Going by the marriage certificate, and divorce records we did not even meet until at least a year after.'

Hours Later.

Awakening to the feeling of his face on a cushion, Shiro, formerly White Zetsu is mortified.
' I actually fell asleep? How pathetic.'

The implications of his actions and a budding genuine affection for the man called Kyou Uzumaki, are terrifying as they are inconvenient. 'It backfired!'

It dawns on Shiro, that perhaps he was too vulnerable with him.

' Wait, I couldn't fake it ALL, I needed those truths to sell it.' Shiro attempted to justify himself.

Either way, Shiroyuki, formerly White Zetsu knows one thing. 'I can't kill him. Ever, this body is far too attached. What should I do? Oh Reiji, you might have been right, but there's no going back.'

'Not from this... I can't let go of this warmth.' Shiro knew it was so.

'Reiji... You can never know. You can never find out that me of all people have fallen prey to the "Talk-No-Jutsu.'