Kikkawa Manor Posts

[NARRATOR]

"It's wonderful." Kouketsu took his time exploring seemingly every inch of the manor, but by the time he was finished he still had nothing negative to say about it. The group Blanche had given the task of restoring and renovating the establishment had exceeded his expectations, especially considering how old the structure was, and had left him nothing short of impressed.

There were more than enough rooms to accommodate their friends and family (as they were sure to acquire some, even despite their odd situation), and even more to facilitate whatever uses he, or Blanche, might have in the future. Considering how far along she was, Kouketsu had already determined he and his lover would claim one of the first-floor bedrooms as their primary chambers, at least until their son was born.

Giving another cursory glance to a furnished room he stood in, though his eyes eventually make their way back to Blanche, he smiles warmly. "I couldn't have dreamed of a more perfect place to settle down and raise our family, Blanche. It's truly marvelous."

Strolling over to her, he proudly glided the palm over his hand over the swell of Blanche's belly. He allowed his hand to linger there, almost as if expecting a motion from his child -- their son was quite a feisty one, and was not shy nor did he hesitate to make himself known. There were many times Kouketsu could feel the sudden jolt against the center of his palm, followed by the look of surprise on Blanche's face. But, in the days and weeks that followed the initial sign, the gesture had become moreso second nature for the both of them; his feeling and the baby's response.

With his free hand, he cupped the curve of her chin, tilting her crown back, so that he could ease her into a deep and passionate kiss. It lasted several long moments, in which he allowed his fingers to slide along the curve of her face and back into the golden ocean of her silky hair, until her parted merely an inch from her. Their lips still grazed, and the slopes of their noses pressed gently against the other's. "Have you thought of any names for him?"

[Apple]

It was quite strange to know that only a few years ago the place had been desolate and ruined due to the various attacks that had occurred several years beforehand. But now - it was rebuilt, each part beautifully finished to mimic the decorum that the manor had boasted when people had last lived within it. But more importantly, other than being a house passed down through generations of my family, it was a home. And, as I made myself around the room both I and Kouketsu were currently stationed in, I softly ran my gloved hands atop the smooth wooden surface of a cabinet, gazing in at the various items inside - plates, and general things that had been found lying about the abandoned building, which had managed to survive the ruins the place had been rendered to. I'd organized the restoration of this place, and the decorating within it - whilst I was unable to help haul furniture up and down the stairs and around the many different rooms, I'd guided the workers I'd hired in positioning them correctly, trying to get each room to look just as it had when I'd lived here in my youth. Whilst it was quite upsetting to know that the chances were it would be only I, Kouketsu and the child living here, given the lively past it had, I was sure that some time in the distant future there would be a time where the place would again be filled with family members. Turning to look towards the Uchiha, I began to speak. "..It won't be long now.." My tone was hushed, but nonetheless loving. In order to rehome myself within this building, I had to, in a way, evict myself forcefully from the compound. Whilst I truly did like the place, it was no place to raise a child - let alone a baby, and for his sake I now found my form lingering in the house that I had been raised in myself.

Out of the remaining Kikkawa that I was aware of, it was only myself and Akatome, and given his strong opinion on myself and Kouketsu, I didn't doubt the notion that he'd never want to live here again. As for now, the place lay almost silent, bar from the sounds of myself and Kouketsu stepping across the floorboards of the home. And he spoke, commending the work that had been done in order to restore the place. I didn't doubt that he hadn't been here before - despite the connection between himself and Uekyuuchi, I wouldn't have understood his reasoning for bringing him to his destroyed family home. Softly nodding at his comments on the home and how perfect it had turned out, I couldn't agree more. Whilst it felt.. overindulgent, in a way, to be living in such a large house, I was glad that the building wasn't in such bad condition that it had to be demolished alike a few others in the village, and that I now had a tight grasp on not only the Kikkawa manor, but the family itself. It had already been decided between Kouketsu and I that our child would, against all formalities and tradition, recieve my surname instead of the Uchiha that he was expected to inherit. It was, of course, for the tradition of my own family, but for the sake of his own upbringing and how he'd be treated as a growing child in the village, I merely hoped that gaining his mother's surname in some way, would cause people to link him less with his father. I wasn't ashamed of Kouketsu, of course - but with so little Kikkawa left, I felt comforted knowing that there would be someone to pass on the duties that its head held to - I merely hoped that by the time I passed away, the boy would be old enough to handle such dire responsibility. But speaking of the child - from the glass pane of a cabinet I watched as the Uchiha came close, extending his hand to press against the covered skin of my stomach. Whilst as of late such an innocent motion on Kouketsu's part usually sparked feelings of discomfort as I felt my insides respond awkwardly in response to his gentle hand, I hadn't the heart to tell him to stop pestering him. Such a physical response often suggested to me that he hungered just as much as I did. Just as I'd expected, it wasn't long until the child seemed to recognize such pressure, and I felt an uncomfortable shift as he writhed within me as if alarmed, a befittingly weary expression on my face in response to such a movement.

..Although, naturally, it turned back to a small, humble smile soon thereafter.




"..He's hungry, Kouketsu."

I spoke, my voice audibly tired.

But, it couldn't be helped.
He proved to be just as ravenous as I, and as always, we were famished.

I commented such words playfully as a warning whilst I gazed down at his hand, although - I was also serious. I was sure of it - as the months went on, leaving us now with barely half a month to prepare, I struggled to control the craving for chakra. If anything, as time went on, it had merely intensified, and for the sake of keeping myself in check, I often found myself subdued to some degree in the office instead of allowing myself free to roam the streets. It wasn't that I believed myself to be a direct threat to people due to this uncontrollable urge, but I didn't want to test my luck. Utilizing my own hand and placing it atop of his, I then looked over at him with the same soft, yet at the same time tired smile, before my eyesight dimmed as our lips locked, the gentle pressure of his hand on my chin becoming evident. And I held myself, resolute against what was pushing me to siphon from him - if only for a short while. It was moments like these that I cherished, although as the days went on they often became disturbed. Whilst feeling the child move was comforting, at the same time it usually signaled to me that it had picked up on a potent source of chakra - or perhaps that was only me. It was hard to tell, but at the same time, it was even harder to ignore it.

Taking a short breath, I proposed the name that I'd been musing over.

"Yuuchiro."

I spoke the name whilst gazing down at my middle, almost expecting him to reply.

"..After my brother."

"....."

"..I think that he would have liked him."

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I spoke gently as I then began to move somewhat, allowing myself to lean my back against one of the cupboards in the room for support, although my eyes remained on Kouketsu, my right hand entwined in his as I motioned for him to come closer. Currently situated within the parlor of the second floor, there was an abundance of seats, but not wanting to break the moment we'd found ourselves entangled in, I sought for some relief from my aching back by leaning. But where the name was concerned - I'd always admired Ue - and the name deriving from that of his, I saw no reason as to why I shouldn't allow him to inherit a name that came from that of the person who I respected perhaps more than anyone in this entire world. It was out of love - an undying kind, not only for the boy, but for my brother, too, who had long since passed away. I wanted nothing more than for us to all be a family - for Ue to be roaming these halls as we did, but that was impossible now. It upset me to some degree that I would never see him again, especially now at this time.

But - I merely hoped that he was watching over the boy.

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[NARRATOR]

Kouketsu's deliberation over the name was short. His lips turned into a smile as he followed her, their hands still a tangled mess of affection, until he was alongside the cupboards as well. "I like it," he admitted a moment later. "I'm sure Uekyuuchi likes it, as well." Wherever he is, the Uchiha continued though nothing more than a personal thought. Surely, his brother could see them from the other side -- surely, he was proud.

Taking lead, the hand wrapped so sensually around Blanche's own moved back to the swell of her belly, his fingers sprawling out once more across its curve. Slowly, he began to supplement both his lover and their child with his chakra. "I've been working on it," he mentioned off-handedly as the fiery aura consumed their hand. "I've memorized how much you and Yuuchiro take. Now, I can feed the both of you."

Though he'd never said it, he did notice the strain-- of the action of drawing his chakra out, itself --her "technique" put on her body. But now? Now she could relax, and simply enjoy the euphoric wave of energy flooding her veins and stimulating her senses. The 'kicking' ceased, no doubt due to the hunger being sated as the seconds carried on.

"Also, I figured you should know," he continued casually, "Your shinobi-- Esei, he approached me to train him. You wouldn't have a problem with that, would you?"

[Apple]

Having told him the name that I'd been musing over for a short while, I waited intently for an answer. Did he agree with it? He'd told me several times that he too had been close to Uekyuuchi, and I knew this. Honoring his memory by naming our son after him was merely a way that not only I, but surely, he too, could assure that such a great man would never leave our minds. Whilst I didn't want him to grow up feeling as if he needed to fill the shoes that his uncle had left, I wanted him to be proud of his namestake. And then the Uchiha spoke such soft words in response - just what I'd been hoping, to which I replied with by closing my eyes gently and revealing a subtle smile on my face.

His name would be Yuuchiro, and he would be ours.

This same expression continued to linger on my face for the next few minutes as I found my mind becoming distant - having just the name decided on overwhelmed me. "..I'm glad that you like it.." I murmured sweetly in to his ear as I closed the slight gap that had been between us, before drawing back once more as I felt the same familiar pressure of touch on my stomach. And at that moment, delicate eyelids opened to show expansive pools of blue, which looked directly in to his own set, although not in any way appearing to be invasive or irritated - I was merely watching him as he strove to already build contact with the child. My hand still entwined in his, I shifted its position slightly, although my movement was disturbed by the sudden blaze of chakra that began to emanate from our hands. For a moment I was unsure if it was merely me who had lost control without even noticing, but the words that he spoke next justified what had happened, and I soon felt the same strange, blissful feeling take over my entire body. I felt myself reacting to the chakra as soon as it began to flood my system, pouring in to my flesh. And it was so.. pure. Where in the past I'd had to expend my own chakra in order to satisfy this desire, he instead now chose to directly link his chakra with my body through is own means, allowing me to merely .. exist as it all happened. A heavy exhale soon sounded from my soft lips, and I felt my legs become weak - or perhaps it was merely my mind tricking me in to feeling that way. Either way, I nonetheless felt myself starting to slide down the front of the cabinet, my free hand instinctively grabbing on to Kouketsu's own, whilst my other shifted its position to cradle my stomach fully before descending. With a soft thump I soon felt my derriere land against the wooden floorboards of the room, and I closed my eyes again as my back and head leaned against the cupboard behind us both, having dragged the Uchiha along with me.

"..Kouketsu.."

I breathed his name as he continued to feed the both of us.

As always, it seemed as if Yuuchiro had retracted the presence that he had created a few minutes ago, as both of my hands still entwined in Kouketsu's were now positioned on top of the soft white fabric that covered the large mass where several months ago a wafer-thin stomach had been. He'd calmed considerably, subdued just as I was at the moment, although the soft shifts of my flesh hinted that he was seemingly trying to make himself comfortable before falling back to sleep. Despite the immense feeling that I was gifted through this process, it didn't mean that I didn't feel guilty for asking so much from him. I could feel myself becoming lightheaded as his chakra continued to invade my own precious supply, although it was at this moment that I was just barely starting to feel satisfied. Whilst its effects brought on such a fluid personality on my part, it also sustained the child and I, but despite being practical in that way, due to over-exposure to chakra across the entire pregnancy, I found myself craving an abundance, and I was sure that Yuu did, too. Potent supplies such as Kouketsu's own were delectable and rated far above the rest, and as I continued to feed, I could only softly whisper a "..Thank you.." to reflect on my feelings. There had been several times wherein I'd taken in too much and I'd suffered from it, and despite being so close to reaching that mark now, I couldn't bear for him to stop as my body tried to keep up with the large quantity of chakra that was being forced in to it. I could feel it - my skin burning up and my limbs becoming slightly rigid, although I merely drew the Uchiha close to my grasp in response to this. I wasn't full. Not yet.

With my other hand now wrapped around his back to aid in supporting me, I released another exhale before allowing my eyes to open again and meet his, my breathing audible as it seemed somewhat heavier than it had before, although still soft against his skin. And as he began to speak again; in regards to Esei from what I could decipher from the words that he chose, I was quite.. surprised, really, to learn that he was considering to teach him. "..Of course I don't have.. a problem." I spoke quietly. "..Just.." pause. "..Be careful." As one of my shinobi, and, one of my most dependable ones despite his disturbingly positive attitude, I, embarrassingly, could admit that I cared for him. Whilst I was sure that Kouketsu would be a good teacher, I asked for him to merely watch out for the boy and make sure that he didn't find himself in too much trouble during this training that he seemed to ask for. "..What do you plan on teaching him? I.. wish you good luck. The boy.. seems to have potential." I inquired curiously, my tone exhausted, although - it had become commonplace after feeding, moreso as of late as Yuuchiro's birth neared. "..I'm sure.. you'll both do brilliantly.." Quickly having become uncomfortable on the floor, I began to move, plying my hands away from his grasp, although leaving the hand engufled in a chakra-guided flame planted on my middle. Placing both hands to either side of me, I began to lift myself off the ground, then extending them towards Kouketsu's shoulders as I pressed down gently to help stabilize my woozy, chakra-intoxicated form. My tone had become increasingly dreamy-sounding, almost as if I was trapped in some unrelenting hallucination.

"..I need to sit down, Kouketsu.."


I spoke my desire, and given how such chakra had effected me, I had no shame in asking him for assistance. I was sure that if I even tried to cross the room to the nearest chaise lounge, then I'd surely fall.

SPOILER: Click to show

1 Infuin stack gained.

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[NARRATOR]

Just as much as he'd been closely monitoring the amount of chakra his lover and son drained from him each time they needed to feed, he had also been noting the subtle changes in her body -- her voice, her skin, her hair --with hopes of realizing when she had reached her limits. He knew it was a rather high amount, but even so, that may or may not have changed with the baby added into the equation. He remembered all too well the effects of overdosing on his chakra, and he had no intention on being the cause of that when he was feeding them.

The flare of chakra around his hand dimmed as he neared the edge, knowing it would only be a few more moments until Blanche was satisfied. He carefully assisted her to a stand, and at her request extended a palm in the direction of the nearest chair.

A small gust of wind, and visible wave of force, emitted from his naked palm and wrapped about a chair. It pulled it across the floor -- hovering slightly, as to not scratch the wood -- until connecting with the heart of his palm, and he sat it down. "Here," he said, easing her down into it. "And, I will be careful. He's an Uchiha, so I imagine that I can teach him how to use his eyes properly. I hope to have him look out for both you and Yuuchiro, should something ever happen to me."

[Apple]

"Here,"

I was drawn so gently in to his embrace as he aided me in rising from the floor that I had so easily slipped down to. As I was pulled up, my arms instantly found themselves to be wrapped around his neck and shoulders, my head carefully falling in to the space between his head and right shoulder, my blonde hair a sea of soft blonde curls against what visible skin that he showed. Where my own was in the question, I'd always favored to cover myself up, the only skin that I did show being that of my face, mostly, and upper neck. From the corner of my eye I watched as he raised an item of furniture from the room that we were currently positioned in, until it fell gently in to place close to both of our bodies. It was shortly after that moment that his arms guided me towards the item of furniture, allowing myself to then fall slightly in to its confines, the soft feeling of fabric comfortable beneath my person. And then, my arms outstretched once more towards him as I now stayed seated, drawing him in again in to my partial embrace as I felt my body relax. Should he accept this attempt at luring him in, then he'd be brought as close as I could bring him given my current seated position, my hands again molding in to one with his, past the now dim glow of his hand as he kept feeding his chakra past my skin and in to the complicated and all-too engorged chakra system of my own. Removing my grasp from his own, I slowly plied away the latex-like gloves from my hands, revealing the fair skin beneath, and the ornately tragic Hiraishin seal with decorated my wrist. With these now uncovered hands, I strove to connect them back with his own, my skin not only soft, but also warm to the touch as I weaved my fingers amongst his.

As he spoke about himself and Esei and how he had asked upon the infamous Uchiha to train him, I couldn't help but notice just how bold he had been - but - despite the mental state I'd been temporarily rendered to, this could only mean that the two had been talking. However, given the chuunin's stance on myself, I didn't doubt that Kouketsu would come to familiarize himself with someone. However, I chose not to pry further in to this, instead allowing myself to submerge in to the blissful moment that the Uchiha and I found ourselves in. Whilst I was unsure of how he was taking the situation at the moment, I relished in each moment. Leaning back, allowing the grand mass of blonde hair to hang across the back of the chair that I was sat on, I dismissed one of my hands from his grasp, and instead positioned it on the left side of my stomach, softly caressing it with my thumb. But he spoke of Esei protecting our family should anything happen to him, and for this, I shook my head, almost as if disagreeing with what he'd just told me about his future plans.

"..Nothing will happen to you - ..I'll make sure of it."

My words were firm. Despite the fact that I didn't appear to be as loving towards him as he may have hoped, I'd grown to care for him deeply, much to the opposition of what felt like my entire village. I couldn't have anything happen to him. "..Just as you promise to protect us - ..I'll protect you both, too - all of us." I spoke as the motion of my hand ceased, allowing me to merely rest my hand where it had stopped, my other hand drawing Kouketsu in even closer, I myself leaning forwards to whatever extent that I could to bridge the gap that had been between us. The afternoon light pouring through the windows in the room, it was quite a stark contrast to the compound that the two of us were usually found in, and I merely hoped that he felt at home here. Despite the fact that I did enjoy spending time in the compound and working with the various mixtures and equipment that could be found there, I found it so much easier to simply stay here and make the short journey to the atrium each day. Although tiring after a long day of work, I felt blessed to have a home that I could retire to at the end of each night. Despite being silent at the moment, within merely two weeks at the most, should everything go as planned, then it would be filled with the sound of the beautiful child who I couldn't wait to finally have to hold in my arms. "..When I'm well enough to do so.. you will receive just as committed a guard in me." my words were hushed as I closed in on the side of his face, my breath warm against his skin. "No matter who or what will oppose us - I promise you, I won't let you shoulder it all alone." I professed in an all-too maternal tone, my voice soothingly tuning in to his ears. Despite the new duties that I was fully prepared to take on with the birth of our son, once I regained my strength, I was determined to protect him. Whilst I knew he was strong himself, I could only remember the bloody scene in the compound, the image of Soratsu's hand digging in to Kouketsu's flesh as if it were soft butter still vivid in my mind even after all of these months. I couldn't let that happen again to him. As I spoke, my tone remained tired and barely awake, despite the chakra that he'd sacrificed for us. Gazing down at my abdomen, I could only remember the time where I had resented such a child. Resented the sheer idea of bearing another after I had lost so much. And I had resented him for causing it all. However - as time passed, as much as I hated to admit it, I found myself becoming engorged with not only chakra, but love. Love not only for Yuuchiro himself, but for his father, too. I'd never expected it - I'd hated him. But, there were many things that, despite my abilities, even I couldn't control. And even now, my eyes glistened with a burning flame of raw emotion.

"..Yourself, Yuu and I."

I spoke in the same dreamy tone.
I retracted my head, planting a soft kiss atop of the bridge of his nose.

"..Just a little bit longer.."

I suffered from all of this. The desire for chakra which tore through my mind, searing whatever clear thought that I'd had and breaking me slowly, the ache that plagued me daily, the long, sleepless nights that had become all too often in number and the countless days that I'd spent feeling as if I was barely hanging on. But with such little time left and so much love to give, all of this - all that I had suffered would be justified the very moment that I could lay eyes upon the baby that we waited so patiently for.

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[NARRATOR]

It was always so peaceful for him, to be so close to her. It was these moments that he wished to hold on to for whatever time he had left in this world, forgetting all that he'd done. But at the same time, it was so very odd. For all his wisdom, he had never expected himself to feel the way he did about Blanche. Their "plan" had spiraled out of control, evolving into something that neither of them seemed to be able to control. An heir had become their child, and their agreement had become a blossoming love and relationship neither seemed willing to let go. It was love, and Kouketsu was so very pleased with it all.

"Having you at my side is all the assistance I need," he sing-song whispered to her as their bodies gently met, comfortably shaping to each other's definition. "Your love is my guard, Blanche. Knowing that even you can see the light inside of me, no matter how much darkness surrounds it, gives me all the protection and strength that I need. You saved me." Whether or not she could truly comprehend, or appreciate, the gravity of his words did not matter. It simply felt good to finally say them, and expose a piece of himself that he'd kept hidden for so very long.

He was human.

She confirmed that.

Like a switch in his mind, he realized she'd reached her limit. the flare about his hand vanished with a soft sigh, but his hand remained within her own; the other remained softly palming her stomach, unfurling his fingers to cover as much as he could. "It won't be long at all," he agreed with a soft, hushed tone. "I'm sure that I should be getting all the time I can with you right now," he went on, laughing. It was a deep, rich laugh. "I can't imagine me winning a war against Yuuchiro for your attention, unfortunately. I'm to be bested by my very own son, ;-;!" His playful frown could not withstand the gentle shakes of the laugh it hid, and shattered into a smile.

Standing to his full height, he moved about the chair to its rear, collecting the sea of Blanche's golden hair in his hand and moving it over her left shoulder. "I never understood why you wear such concealing clothing, Blanche." She had flawless, milky skin -- it was probably the most beautiful he'd ever seen. Both hands hooked about the comfortable material on her body, easing it out and down to her shoulder, exposing the length of her neck and shoulder-blades. His hands took their place on either one, and slowly began to massage them. "You might be able to get a tan, dear, if you didn't."

Glancing out of the window across the way, he lost himself in the perfection of the scene - their home, their love, their family. . . everything. "I think I might cut my hair," he said conversationally. "Something. . . shorter. What do you think?"

[Apple]

Our bodies stayed entwined even as I sat, continuing to keep him close to my own form, almost as if should he break away then I, too, would break. I'd prided myself in being to emotionally dislocated woman that I was, as it allowed me a different scope on life to the ones who took things much too seriously, giving in to each little detail in their lives. However, as I embraced such changes, I saw the fault in my decisions, and although I wasn't familiar, nor fully comfortable with being so dependent on someone, I was pushed forwards by the unknown in to the arms of the infamous killer, and I felt nothing less than absolute harmony, my once troubled mind now still like the clear pools of blue that my eyes bore. I listened in as his voice again chimed against the clear air of the manor, open windows allowing the afternoon breeze in, unlike the compound which seemed devoid of any fresh air at all, bar from the supply that was sent in by the vents, although - with all of the metal, various instruments and equipment and the age of the area itself, there was a distinct smell of iron to be picked up on at most times - it was subtle at best, but it was strange to be sat in such a different place, and to know that this was to be not my home, but our home. Sharing the home with Kouketsu as time stood, within the next few weeks there would be another addition, although small - its impact would be felt by not only us, but the entire village. Sure enough he was expected to blossom in to a monster - and we'd prove them wrong.

Continuing to lean my head against his own, he spoke of me having saved him, although truly, my own position was similar to his own. Although the atrocities we'd both committed in the past were very much different, I too held a burden upon my back that I struggled to ignore even to this day. "..We'll get through this. I promise." I spoke to him reassuringly, referring to the attention we'd gathered as of late as a result of the meeting I'd called, but moreso, the attention from the people who seemed disgusted by such a union between the both of us. It had been a few months since I'd revealed to them such sensitive information, but even now few remained strong in their decision to oppose what was happening. Perhaps it was strange, to have me consoling him, but it had been the case many times in the past, and now was no different even with the situation at hand. I was sure that there would come a day where the majority of those who were disgruntled by the news of he being in the village would be subdued by understanding upon seeing how perfectly normal our obscure relationship was, and how perfect our son would be, no matter what abilities he'd soon develop as he grew older. Whether he'd have the same vampire taste in chakra as myself, or if he'd inherit the strange grey eyes that Kouketsu dared show. I anticipated for him to be born a miniature version of the man who held me so carefully now, black hair and dark eyes, and so I was prepared to face whatever bad press would come towards him because of that alone. With my mind thinking of such thoughts so deeply, musing over what would come of the child later on in life, I soon came to notice the glow around his hand disappearing in to the light that the room was bathed in, although his hand remained where it had been previously, my own hand still tightly held in his.

Granted, despite the day that I knew how close the day was, I was terrified, but I tried not to think of it. He was healthy - we'd been told. But even then I didn't want to keep my hopes up. No matter how active he was nor how responsive he did seem, it meant nothing until he was in my arms and as time winded on and on, I wanted that day to be here - I wanted him to be here, but alas, I had to wait until his time came, patiently waiting and lessening the amount of official duties I was linked to as the days went on. Of course - I still had intentions of visiting the upcoming exams if I felt well enough for the sake of keeping up appearances, but after that I was hoping to retire for a short time just to allow myself the rest I required. "..We have two weeks." I spoke in the same gentle, quiet tone I'd used for a while, although I was sure that he knew, given how truly involved he'd become. But, it felt like just yesterday I'd been screaming in his face for lecturing me about what to do. My choice of words were brief, yet meaningful, and as he laughed, I too couldn't help but allow myself to be free as the smirk formed upon my lips. "Although I'm ready for him to be here now." the fatigue on my face was easy to see, and whilst it was a combination of fatigue, the stress such extreme chakra levels and work were placing on me, I was, although I allowed him the time he required, impatient. I wasn't angry, no - Far from it. Simply.. exhausted to the point where I was ready to be done with this and see my son before my very eyes at this very moment. As he joked, I again planted a kiss in the same spot as before, unlike the other times, now not laced with the siphoning technique that I used so often, and instead created purely through the desire to praise him for exceeding my expectations - he'd turned out to be much more of a man than I'd expected.

"..You know.. I was more than ready ..to do this alone."
"Thank you, for not leaving."




"I love you."




A final soft whisper within his ear before he pulled away gently and moved around to what I could only assume was behind me.

Of course - I was referring to the deal that this whole ordeal had been before it had been twisted so strangely out of character by not only he, but I as well. I had been ready to go ahead with this without his involvement, without any involvement other than my own. But now, my opinion was much more different to what I'd expected it to be all that time ago when we'd been discussing the topic. And I thanked him; for what he'd done by choosing to stay. Whilst I'd been uncomfortable with it at first, with the thought of even allowing someone in so close to me, I'd become used to it, and now it was second nature to have our hands clasp in each other and to have our skin touch so feverishly. Whilst I'd played a part in it by accepting him in to my arms, his mind had changed for the better and he'd transformed in to a different man to the one which had cruelly destroyed the world as we knew it several years ago. He still remained that person in the eyes of others but he'd changed completely in my eyes, and I wanted him to stay. Despite how desperately I wanted Yuuchiro to be safe in my arms, I would have very much like to stay in this moment today, my soft blonde hair combed through with his hands. But in the face of his change - not only had it effected him, but I as well. I felt like a different person, although I was unsure if it would stay that way after the birth of our child. I felt ... truly happy, for what felt like the first time in a long, long while, and differently to the stoic personality I usually displayed, I welcomed it.

However, from the depths that my mind had echoed to in the last few moments, I was soon brought back to reality and listened to the comments that he had in regards to my choice of clothes. It hadn't always been that way. During my youth I'd favored shorts over anything else and revealing shirts, but - I'd grown out of that and I'd emerged mature. When not in the condition that I was currently in, my choice of clothes now reflecting on that to some degree, I dressed maturely. I saw no reason for me to need to wear skin-revealing clothing. "..Whether or not I get a tan doesn't effect my abilities, nor my competence as a leader, Kouketsu." I spoke, my tone firm, but at the same time, undoubtedly playful in nature. It was true, of course - it didn't really matter, but I did miss the feeling of sun on my skin sometimes. From my shoulders I then felt a sense of release as he gently dug his fingers in to my shoulderblades, and I felt my back arch slightly upon the sensation, before returning back to normal. My head tilted back slightly as I leaned back in to the chair whilst allowing him leeway to continue treating my back, as I focused on what else he had to say - about his hair. It was a strange topic to bring up, but as always, I was more than ready to speak to him, delicate fingers of both hands splayed on my stomach as I leaned back. Yuuchiro had long since fallen silent, but it calmed me to be able to hold him as such. Over the restless nights I'd spent lately, I'd found myself singing to him softly and merely talking, although I'd done my best to remain silent in order to not wake up his father. I could have cried at just how happy I was, but despite the fact that I'd relaxed considerably around him, I managed to compose myself. It wasn't that I thought I was weak by doing such, but it was just.. silly, in a way.

"..I think long hair suits you.
But it's your decision."

I spoke with a smile upon my face, although he wouldn't be able to see it given his current position, the skin of my shoulders and neck becoming comfortably cooler from the breeze that rolled in to the room. I'd since come back from the disorientated state that his chakra had sent me spiraling in to, although the tiredness that followed it remained, and with the hypnotic movement of his hands massaging my back, I found myself slowly gliding away to sleep. I sought to pull myself away from this, however, to merely be able to spend more time with him. "..You'll still be the same person regardless." I spoke, reflecting on my earlier words about me gaining a tan should I wear different clothes. "And I'll love you whether or not you choose to grow your hair or shave it all off." I mused playfully, a smirk upon my face as I continued to thumb the surface of my dress. "..Or perhaps not if you choose the latter." I added on quickly - I'd always thought that longer hair suited him more, as I'd said, but it wasn't up to me to choose what he looked like. Just like it was my own decision to wear what I wished and grow the blonde hair upon my crowd to extreme, almost unconventional lengths.

With the smirk soon evolving in to a true, succulent smile, I leaned back slightly further in to the chair, and allowed this entire moment to blissfully numb my mind.

It was perfect.

SPOILER: Click to show

2 Infuin stacks gained.

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[NARRATOR]

Kouketsu had no other choice but to admire Blanche's unwavering dedication to Kusagakure, but even so, it was somewhat sad. There was so much more that she had, so much more to involve herself with outside of the duties and parameters set forth by the needs and demands of her people. Even as he smiled, massaging her shoulder, and listening to her tender words of affection, he couldn't help but feel as though she was straining herself far more than necessary. Yes, he wanted to help - but what could he truly do besides offer advice? The village was still a uproar over their union, which severely limited what he could assist with.

"I won't lie and say that I expected all of this to happen," he admitted without shame, continuing to sensually caress her shoulders and back. "But, I would be lying if I said that I wasn't happy that it did." The topic of his hair and her tan seemed to fall by the wayside as revisited the conversation of their relationship, a topic that he could always fall into for hours. But, there was something that he'd been avoiding; a topic that, with Yuuchiro's birth so close, needed to be addressed.

"Blanche, there's something I need to tell you." His hands eased away from her shoulders, and he once again positioned himself in front of her. Dropping into a deep crouching, he lightly padded the curves of her swollen belly with his hands, letting his hands find her own so that their fingers could entwine and their palms unite. "When I was a boy, I was integrated into a specialized testing program within Konohagakure before the First Shinobi War. They were impressed with my skills -- I was demonstrating Kage-level tactics and power at the age of six -- and wanted to see how much my body could take. They infused my body with the DNA from shinobi of the past; they said it was the Sage of the Six Paths."

Slowly, his eyes began to change. It was his normal Sharingan that came first, though its off-black and red colors were undoubtedly noticeable. "That is why my Sharingan are the way they are. Their testing permanently altered some aspects of me, and -- well, you see what has become of that." Blinking, an even more unique pair of eyes defined his face -- grey to a fault, stained with ripples that continued until vanishing into his skull. "These eyes, they are the Sage's eyes. The Rinnegan, they are called. It is said that they were used to create all of ninjutsu, and even the tailed-beasts. They are the most powerful of all the known dojutsu in the world. I'm not sure how I unlocked them, and I don't even remember when; it just happened."

His gaze noticeably fell to Yuuchiro. "When I was the Mizukage, the Nidaime and I eloped. We had a son." His voice was heavy, as though it pained him to have kept something so crucial from he for so long. "But, we wanted a better life for him; we did not want him to live in the shadow of our misdeeds, so I placed him in charge of the former Hokage, Ryuusuke Uchiha. I never told Masumi the real reason," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper. His eyes rose back to her, smoldering with unspoken emotion. "But I feel that you should know. The real reason I gave Ryuusuke custody of Ashura is because of my blood, Blanche. These eyes of mine -- my Sharingan, they breed destroyers. I did not have the capacity to raise him on the path of righteousness, and he would have become nothing more than the second coming of the Conqueror. I couldn't let that happen to him; I wouldn't let him become me."

"Ryuusuke is an honorable man, and if I hadn't done what I did, Ashura wouldn't have become as just as he is." He smiled proudly. "He's a beautiful, righteous young man, Blanche. I am so proud of him." His thumb stroked her stomach lovingly. "And that is also why I have hope -- why I know Yuuchiro will come out to be better than me; why I know he'll be like you, my dear. No matter if he comes bearing my eyes, or your hunger, our love will guide him down the right path. I have become a changed man, and your love is more profound than I have ever seen. No matter how tainted his blood, he has a chance -- I have hope."

His smile turned into a slight frown. "I'm sorry for having kept this from you for so long, Blanche." In all honesty, these few months had felt longer than the years he'd kept this bottled up. No one but her knew the ill-effects of his blood, and even as exposed as he was, it felt good to finally have that burden lifted from his shoulders. "But, well-- we're already under so much scrutiny, and the last thing I wanted was to put more worry on you. This is my last, and deepest, secret."

He smiled weakly. "But, I love you more than I have ever loved anyone. And if there is anyone I should be able to share everything with, it's you, Blanche."

[Apple]

With closed eyes, I basked in the quiet silence that covered the entirety of the moment, the sound of the breeze rustling through the trees outside (If that) being the only thing that could be heard apart from the soft sound of my breathing against the crisp afternoon air and the barely audible noise of his hands pressing routinely against my back. His words, his admittance that he was glad that the inevitable had happened was matched with my own opinion, although, as he already knew what I thought, a small smile was brought to my mouth. Just alike himself, I hadn't even though that this would be possible, and neither did I think that I could ever bring myself to truly love anyone, or anything. Precious Yuu had brought out the best in my maddened person, and he didn't even know it, but mostly, it seemed that he had helped in bringing out the best in Kouketsu, too. I had been told tales of him - the man who had been ready to kill an entire village full of people on a whim was now faced before me, softly treating the flesh wherein our son was entangled within with gentle hands. As far as I could tell, perhaps the blood of others that he'd hoarded upon his palms hadn't disappeared, but he seemed changed, and more at ease with not only life, but with himself. My fingers soon found solace between his, as I held them atop of my stomach. Whilst I was more than aware of the pacified Yuuchiro, it made me feel more connected to him - and I was sure that the same applied to Kouketsu, too. However - what he said now concerned me as he began to speak, about how he had something to explain to me. The tone he'd used was surprisingly serious - but at the same time, almost apologetic, in a way, and my expression instantly turned from that of blissful comfort to that of worry - not for myself, but for him, and I hadn't even heard his explanation yet. Tuning in on him, my blue eyes stayed firm on his dark-eyed gaze, attempting to pick up on any signs that might hint towards what he could possibly to say to me. From what I could tell; it was something that had been plaguing him. And as the common cure to his own concerns, I listened with open ears.

I hadn't expected him to speak about this, to say the least. His background had always been something that had been loosely discussed, although not in detail. Whilst he knew the majority of mine, I hadn't particularly been interested in digging deeper in to his own case, for both the sake of his own privacy. "..They ..infused you with his DNA?.." I murmured, not in awe of any kind of the feat that they'd managed to do, but instead, sheer disgust. I knew of the technique better than any, and as far as I could assume, he surely had the rare DNA transplanted in to him by one of the many medics that Konohagakure had at that point in time. But the fact that they would operate on a child made me feel ill. Despite the fact that I had operated on people in my time for my own selfish gains, that I'd felt so much of a thrill through slicing flesh with the tip of a razor-like scalpel, I hadn't dared place a child in danger - I couldn't. Although I'd lost my humanity and my morals, it had been one stable thing that I believed in. They didn't deserve it, being so young and so vulnerable - Even if he was rumored to hold advanced skills at that tender age, Kouketsu would have still been a mere child, and my opinion on that matter was clear through the expression that I bore. It was merely heightened by the fact that I was to soon become a mother; and it made me think about Yuuchiro and if he would be placed in danger should he become a prodigy just as Kouketsu had been. The color and pattern of his eyes changed before my very eyes as he continued, and all I could do was watch, hypnotized by the sheer power behind his eyes without he needing to even call upon them to do so. They were beautiful - but the reasoning behind he bearing them was something that, despite all of the respect that I held for him, I pitied, in a way.

"..Is there a chance that he could gain your eyes, Kouketsu?"

I inquired this. I was a medic; but there were certain rare dojutsu that even our kind hadn't fully studied, and in this case, I was clueless on its limitations.

But the thought that Yuuchiro could inherit such a potent ability worried me. Whilst I was sure that we could raise him to control his ability if the time came, I wanted nothing more than for him to fit in with everybody else and have as normal a childhood as any other. Of course, being our child I didn't expect it to be easy, but even now I dedicated myself to making it as comfortable as I could for him. My grasp tightened in his slightly for no evident reason as I rose his hand close to my face, gently pressing my lips against the back of his hand, before withdrawing them again and placing it back atop of my stomach as I released one single, heavy breath. I was silent through the entirety of his words bar from my first outburst, which had purely been channeled through the sickening feeling that had overcome me. But now - he mentioned another woman, and whilst the green-eyed monster of jealousy wasn't apparent, I'd expected the topic to become conversation some time or other. I'd been told that he had a family so long ago by he himself, although that was the majority that I'd known. It had always been on my mind, however - if he claimed that he had a family, then why had he been proposing such ideas to me? Why did he need another child from a woman other than the one who he'd started his first with? However, with my own selfish reasons having been unquestioned, too, I decided not to delve further in to it. And he continued - how there was another child - Ashura. I had heard his name recently, although it was completely different to how I'd expected. And also - how a Ryuusuke had adopted him as his own child, in a way, in lieu of the absent Kouketsu. It was strange, really, how small the world truly was. I'd met Ryuusuke in the past -and I'd robbed him of a world map, of which I carried to this day. He was an idiot, but surely a very kind one. Of course, had I been anyone else, I'd have resented his choice regarding his other family, and I'd have chosen to cut him out of my life the very moment that I'd heard that he'd abandoned his son. However - the reasons had been too understandable. At the time of his birth, the world was surely in toil after the second shinobi war, and by being known as the child of Kouketsu, the family of freshly slaughtered shinobi would be more than ready to reap the life of the child. And also - given the mindframe he'd been in, I didn't doubt that he, sadly, wouldn't have been capable of looking after a child to the best of his ability given the other happenings in the world at the time. Fatherhood and Motherhood alike were things that could happen at the most unconventional of times - and I was a prime example of this for my own loss during the first shinobi war. Sadly, unlike Kouketsu of whom had been blessed his eldest son, Ashura, my own blessings had been cut short, and at this time with so many talk about sons, I couldn't help but silently mourn, my eyes dulled, my mind beginning to wonder what the chocolate-haired boy would look like today.

..And whether the child I carried now was to join him in death.

..Or myself.


It was a notion that often came to mind, especially as such a date neared, and I feared the worst, although I didn't want to worry Kouketsu with my silent distress. As I felt his tone weakening, My hands which had once been wrapped in his instead broke away, and took ahold of his upper body, pulling him in to my embrace and his head in to what portion of lap was left uninhabited by my stomach. As I had done so many times before, my fingers began to weave in to his hair, attempting to bring comfort to the Uchiha and his emotional, wayward words. "..Ashura.." a pause, as if trying to remember something. "..He's leading the chuunin exams this year." I spoke after recalling where I'd recently read his name, my tone soft and comforting, as I subtlety praised the achievement which he'd gained. It was no small feat. "..Perhaps I'll get to see him." of course, I had no intention of speaking to him if Kouketsu thought it the best not to link myself with him, but I merely wanted to see just how much he resembled his father. Perhaps as a hint as to what Yuu would look like, but also - I wanted to see the boy for myself, and come to view the child of whom he had missed out on raising. I smiled softly as I spoke, my hope to attend the exams made clear, despite my condition. "..I'm sure that he doesn't resent you, Kouketsu - and neither do I. As long as he knows what you've just told me - that you're proud of him, I'm sure that's all he could ever ask for." I paused, my hands ceasing to move through his hair, before then continuing. "..But, Yuuchiro.." I murmured, gazing down at the hidden child who was resting merely inches away from Kouketsu.

"..He is ours.
And he will be loved, each and every day."

Just as he had missed out on his own opportunity to raise his first born son, I had, too.
The both of us had more in common than we once thought.

"..But, please, Kouketsu -"

My tone became sombre as I softly tilted his head back so that I could gaze at him, my eyes aflame with emotion.

"..If anything happens to me.."

"..Raise him to know that I loved him."

"..And that I'm sorry."

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The thought never escaped my mind. I had barely managed to escape with my life on that day - what if I wasn't meant to be a mother? That it was simply my own body that was rejecting such a simple request? I wasn't sure if such complications had been a one-time thing, and it was beyond my control because of this. But if the worst was to happen, then I wanted to make sure that he was safe with his father. I didn't doubt that Kouketsu would look after him the way that I wanted - but I wanted him to know the growing fear within my mind - and that I would do anything if it meant Yuu's survival. Even if my own hung in the balance, too.
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[NARRATOR]

For some reason, the thought of anything happening to Blanche pained Kouketsu. His eyes grew wide and his face drew a blank in disbelief as he considered the possibility, and in that aftermath he felt his stomach turn uncomfortably. How could she even think like that? Both she and their son were perfectly healthy, and though he knew of more than enough complications during birth, he saw no reason to resign her to such a terrible fate. Her grim words led him to believe that there was, perhaps, something she hadn't told him -- something that she was keeping to herself, and it was not out of abandon that he didn't not inquire further. No, it was simply because he believed in her, and if there truly was something that might wrench her from their family's grasp, he had no other alternative but to trust her and believe that she would bring it to his attention, much like he'd just revealed his own secret.

"Nothing is going to happen to you," he blurted suddenly, his voice stern with conviction. "I will die before I let anything take you away -- either of you, and will gladly trade my life in exchange for either of yours. I don't want to hear you ever talk like that, Blanche." His grip upon her hands became lovingly strong, "Never!" If it had ever been a haze to her, the important of her life -- of her love, for that matter -- to Kouketsu could have never been more clear. There was a dire need on every syllable pouring from his lips, signing the fabled songs of eternal love; the kind you read about, and waged thousand year wars over. She was every much a part of Kouketsu as the air he breathed, or the blood coursing through his veins; losing her was simply not an option.

"You will be right here to raise Yuuchiro the way he should be, by his mother and father." He smiled. "He will know you loved him, because you will be here to show him, yourself. This I promise you."

He fell silent for some moments after, bringing Blanche's hands to his face so that he could gently caress them along his cheeks and chin. He held them firmly, as if he were afraid she'd vanish if he let go. He kissed her hands softly, for quite some time, before finally breathing along their slender digits and retreating from their intoxicating allure. When he spoke next, it was his normal, dull grey eyes that she would be looking into. The Rinnegan had vanished, and with it the intensity that they always seemed to carry; now, he was relaxed. "And honestly, I'm not sure if he will received the Rinnegan." he finally admitted. "From my understanding, the Rinnegan gene is within all of us -- as the proginator of all Jutsu, the Sage of the Six Paths is within all of us. However, some of us have a gene so dormant that it might as well not exist. Those doctors-- they simply skipped the off-chance of me unlocking mine, and by infusing me with his DNA, turned me into a ticking time bomb of sorts."

He gently scoffed. "Being as how I am Yuuchiro's father, I believe there is a very strong chance he might possess these eyes." There was a brief pause, allowing his words to sink in. "But, I would rather him heir my Rinnegan than these cursed Sharingan of mine. At least, then, he will truly be free of any corruption my blood my possess. These eyes -- Blanche, they are the purest thing this world has ever created. I know. . . I just know that, if he possesses the Rinnegan, he will use them properly. We're going to raise him right, Blanche, with strong moral fiber and a clear conscious." Releasing one hand, he took her face into his grasp and gingerly thumbed her cheek. "And there isn't anything in the world that can possibly change that."

[Apple]

I watched his response carefully after I ended my own words on a solemn note. Despite the fact that I was fully aware of what I'd said and the weight behind them, it was something that had been on my mind for quite a long time - in fact, it had always been a concern of mine. Perhaps the woman who had all too many people being intimidated by her had finally found something that she, in turn, was terrified of to the very core. It was this vulnerability, expressed with both the expression that I bore, and the tone of which I'd spoken such a concept in, was something that was only viewable by Kouketsu himself. Despite what reputation I had gained as of late, I continued to pride myself in being the imposing figure that I was. However, with such traits come drawbacks, and because of said imposing figure that I cut, it wasn't often that I allowed myself to show that I was worried, let alone scared. However, with little reign of my emotions, each one running free in my mind to be procured randomly at the wildest or calmest of times, as of late I'd noticed myself acting much more.. maternal - not only towards Yuuchiro himself (As it had gotten to the point where at times, I came to notice that I'd been subconsciously speaking to him - even singing, at times.) but the majority of villagers who I'd conversed with over the last few months. I'd found myself almost being sympathetic to some, whilst being wholeheartedly kind to others. Whilst I wasn't completely opposed to this, I didn't want it to effect how I was seen - but seeing as what good name I'd build for myself had been shattered with the reveal of Kouketsu being the father of the child I carried, I wasn't even sure if I cared that much any more. But what fear I had dominated any other thoughts at times, commanding each inch of my attention in order to satisfy its selfish needs. I wasn't sure of what the future would bring; but I could only hope that I was planned to be in it.

But, with Kouketsu's words of reassurance, his tone dire, I felt somewhat more at ease, the tenseness of my body becoming much looser as he continued to speak, alleviating me of the worries that had pent up and become a flourish of emotions. I gazed down at him, watching my hands as his grip tightened, although, not to the point where it became uncomfortable. It was more -- comforting, than anything. And he spoke of sacrifice -- to which, for my own life I deemed unnecessary. As long as he -- Yuuchiro, was healthy, I didn't care about my own, and I guessed that it was the same for Kouketsu, too. I would do anything for the both of them.

"He will know you loved him, because you will be here to show him, yourself. This I promise you."

I was lost for words, but all that I could call upon was a warm, yet at the same time, humbled smile as my head lowered slightly.

Blonde waves tumbled down like vast waves as I did this, a free hand of mine pushing away the hair in the way of his forehead, and softly allowing my lips to land in its center before drawing away again and reconnecting our hands. However, only moments after I rejoined his touch, both of my hands were ensnared by his own, and drawn up to his face. From the sparse amount of bare skin that I displayed, he was being surprisingly delicate, only the softest of pressure upon my fragile-looking fingers. In reality, I believed myself to be perhaps one of the strongest people upon this earth - although perhaps, still in the shadow of giants such as Akira - where my endurance was concerned. But as I sat now, almost rag-doll like in the chair that Kouketsu had procured for me, it was hard for anyone to believe that belief of mine, pale skin flushed, but nonetheless beautiful against soft golden curls. And I watched quietly as he kept caressing my hands, before letting them free, they now positioned on either armrest of the chair I was sat in, feeling the soft fabric it was created from. "..He'll be flawless - No matter what." Perhaps it was merely my own biased mind that drove my opinion, but I was more than content to stick with it, as it came as naturally to me as breathing. Of course - despite proving to be rowdy as he was now, and despite the bad press that was about him, I of course wanted more than ever for him to become accepted and loved by not only us, but the village, too.

And now, as I rested, I listened to the explanation that he had to say about the unique eyes that he'd adapt to as a result of cruel surgery as a child. Whilst I had no clear inclination of what it did, having only heard brief legends of the grey, ringed eyes, I was sure that I'd seen Kouketsu do various things in the past that I couldn't figure were doable with the other skills that he bore. "..I see.." it was barely audible, but I nodded my head alongside it, taking in everything that he was currently telling me. I'd seen many Uchiha in my time, and whilst I'd had the chance to view a few who didn't follow the typical stock appearance for their clan, I didn't doubt the strength of such genes. "..I'm in belief that he'll follow you in appearance - and surely abilities, too." I spoke. Whilst my own genes were strong, me and my brother being the image of my mother, and I being the spitting image, my own family was minor in size to compare with the grand Uchiha clan. I assumed as much, then, that he'd be born with a soft tuft of black hair. "..And if he does develop your eyes at some point in his life, you will be the one to teach him how to control them, Kouketsu." I spoke. It was understandable, of course. Whilst I knew a lot about certain clans and abilities, it wasn't the same as being taught by someone who had the experience of bearing the same power. Henceforth; He was more than a dependable source of information for any questions the boy would have during his youth about his eyes. "..But, if he takes after me.." I paused, my gaze shifting to the ceiling above as my arms clung to the sides of my chair. A hesitant moment passed, before I continued. "..Then we'll see what happens." I did feel guilty to some degree. Not because of simply the curse that my family had bestowed upon me, but the way that I was at the moment. I'd been given my fill of chakra barely an hour ago, and already I felt addition's jagged teeth beginning to gnaw at my body. Whilst it was minor at the moment, it was detectable, and I didn't doubt that within a few hours time, I'd need a top up, as so to say. I'd been told that the chakra was only aiding the child in its growth and development, but - it had spiraled just as out of hand as my own and Kouketsu's strange relationship, and for Yuuchiro's sake I hoped that he didn't have to suffer in the same way. Whilst the context of mine featured circumstances that he, as a man, would never be able to experience, who was I to say the despite making him stronger, it had also implanted a sense of desire within him to feed on the chakra of others, whilst being so young? I saw the wrongdoings of the need, but at the same time, at this point I could bring myself to stop. Raising my left hand and pushing back an ample amount of blonde hair, I soon returned it to my side and began to contemplate the manor itself - and what would come from it in the next month. From the words that I spoke now, they were not laced in pessimism as my ones had minutes ago in regards to my own health during the birth of our child, but was now, instead, focused on a much brighter future - a much brighter future with the three of us.

"..His room is nearly complete, too.
I just need to do some more cleaning and tidying up."

I then shifted my position, withdrawing my hand from his tender grasp, and pushing myself out of the chair that I'd comfortably landed myself in, allowing myself to stand tall once more before Kouketsu's own crouched position. Given that I'd been showing him about the manor itself, I'd deliberately left out a certain area until the end, and then finally retrieving myself from the soft confines of the armchair, I then gently took his left hand within my right, and began to guide him away from the room we'd currently been in, and elsewhere in the house. Moving past hallways and the furniture dotted within them, I unhooked the latch of one of the many doors to reveal a bedroom; although, it looked just as generic as any other of the ones in the manor, although it had slightly different decorum. However; as I walked in hand-in-hand with the black-haired Uchiha, I moved towards another door, different to the last. Again allowing myself in, extending my arm to open it, the room would soon be revealed to be a nursery, and the adjoining bedroom the one that we were to change to upon Yuuchiro's arrival. It was a fairly neutral room; painted a soft, creamy yellow in shade, with an equally soft chocolate hue on the skirting board. With matching furniture, there were several items in the room linked to children - a changing table, a crib - all of the necessities, and also a single bed in the corner of the room for our own use, if required. The room was spotless; although, it was only lately that cleaning had become second nature to me - become less of a chore and more of something that felt as if it had to be done, no matter the sparkling condition of both the room and the house. Facing one of the windows in the room that gazed out towards the manor's gardens, I then turned again, to look at Kouketsu, my expression clearly proud basking in my own achievement, although it only introduced itself with the smallest of smiles.

I, of course, awaited his reaction with expressive eyes.

SPOILER: Click to show

3 Infuin stacks gained.

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[NARRATOR]

Kouketsu could do nothing but nod and smile, having voiced his opinion more than enough times. He could still feel the heat of her lips against his forehead, though she'd long since removed herself, and found himself silently wishing she would not stand. He wanted to remain like this, lovingly against her, for the rest of time. It was odd -- though he'd never said it, as addicting as she found his chakra, he too found her love; her touch; her scent; her taste equally as addictive. It was something that, being who he was, was not used to and simply couldn't get enough. Every day he came to love her more, and watching her body shift and change to accommodate their son only made his desire for her affection even stronger. She truly was the strongest woman that he'd ever met, and in the aftermath of their unison, he'd come to admire that.

When she stood and took his hand, he did not fight or resist. He followed her calmly, looking over everything they'd already seen today. There was just so much space; plenty of places for Yuuchiro to run around and have fun, and when he was tired of the cavernous innards of their home, the manor grounds would serve as a perfect playground. There were more than enough windows for natural light -- sun, or moon -- and he couldn't have been more proud.

Upon entering the rather basic room, and then the nursery, Kouketsu's smile grew wide and bright. His soft eyes explored the room they were now in, from the colors to the essentials she'd picked up. It was so very refreshing to be able to go through the motions, considering he hadn't been able to before. He'd never been able to give his son, Ashura, a nursery -- or watch him grow from an infant to a young boy and then a man. But this was his second chance; his chance for redemption, and he planned to take every single moment that was given to him. "It's perfect," he said smoothly, almost as in a trace. "You've done wonderful, dear."

[Apple]

The soft scent of fresh linen lingered in the room, and whilst noticeable, was nowhere near powerful. Gazing over at the various furniture in my room, my feet brought me across the room towards one of the few bookcases in the room, as I began to look upon an item that hung above the crib. It was simply a hanging item - a mobile, that I, admittedly, had made, which was a reproduction of the one that had originally hung there several years ago, when Ue, myself, Akatome and several other Kikkawa children raised in this house would have experienced. The morning sun poured in through the window and caught the faintest of glimmers from the item, various plants being the focus of the creation - ivy, primarily, with soft, glittering shards of mirrored plastic. Approaching it, I softly flicked my index fingers towards its structure, allowing the various tiers to spin, casting a soft, calming glaze over the nursery wall. Leaning over the wooden structure, I stayed in such a position for a few moments, merely gazing down at the white sheets. It was empty, granted, but - it managed to take over my mind for a short amount of time as he began to speak, my thoughts drifting away contently in to a sea of pure nothingness as my back faced to Kouketsu. But, I soon caught myself, turning again, with my back this time leaning against the crib. Despite not being as ornate or flamboyant as some would expect it to be; the room had all that was needed, and I was thankful for what I had - I was thankful for everything that I had. His words were positive and wrought with perhaps the most innocent kind of happiness that there could be; and I felt some kind of satisfaction from this alone, a soft smile on my face to voice that thought.

"..Come here.."

I whispered the words as if they had been breathed out.

With my arms and hands resting against the railings of the crib behind me, I kept my body leaning against the piece of furniture, softly taking in the air around us with calm breaths. Regardless of whether or not he chose to close the distance between the two of us, I merely looked over at him fondly, gazing at him through clear blue eyes. Just as year ago he'd been the one dominating each shinobi village with the killing spree that he'd cast and the terror and destruction that his name so brought to what felt like everybody, it seemed as if everything that switched around, and I had become as influential on him as he had our world all those years ago. It was clear to see, not only in the way that he spoke, but in the way that he acted. Whilst perhaps stoic around others at times, he proved to be completely different when it came to interacting with myself. It was this change that I believed in - and it was this change that proved to me that perhaps I could change, too, for the better. Despite my role as Kusakage and my undying care for the village, I had found a new love, in the form of both Kouketsu and our son; and I couldn't bear to tear away from them. Whilst all that I did was carefully arranged to be in the best interests of my people, I couldn't abuse the gift that I'd been given - for change. I'd been blessed so much, and although my growing fears, I wasn't going to give up that easily. Determination could be seen clearly through my tired eyes, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. We were so close - both Kouketsu and I, to having what we both yearned for most.

Perhaps it was the closure that the two of us had searched for.
..Having come in its purest form.

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[NARRATOR]

Kouketsu was still admiring the room when he heard Blanche all to him, and his legs were already moving him in her direction before she'd finished her sentence. It was almost as if her constant feeding on his chakra, and their close proximity, had given him a sixth sense. Or, perhaps it was simply the Rinnegan? Whatever it was, it felt as though he could feel her thoughts -- her wants, needs and desires -- before she ever voiced them. Like they were joined by far more than emotions and flesh; as if their spirits had, over the course of these many months, joined as well to become complete. Such knowledge was beyond him, and so he settled for an easy answer - one that he'd made all on his own: love. And that was more precious that anything he could have asked for.

Habitually, his hands met the curve of her stomach before gliding out and around to her sides. "Is it already that time again?" She'd feel the tingle of chakra seeping in from his fingertips, though not nearly enough to sate her. "You're insatiable," he teased.