Kikkawa Manor Posts

[Apple]

Moments passed and I could feel his presence coming nearer without needing to even call upon him. Of course - I had, but I'd noticed from the corner of my eye that he had been steadily coming closer, as if brought by something other than myself. And of course, I watched steadily as he neared, feeling the gentle pressure of his hands being repositioned on my stomach before shifting them to either side of my body. As always, from what I could feel, it seemed as if Yuuchiro's had long since awoken, and was currently attempting to bat away whomever had dared disturb his slumber - or invade his home. However, unlike other times wherein my hands would meet his own, they instead sought to ply around the shoulders of the Uchiha, bringing him even more forwards than he already was. This movement to cause him to inadvertently bend somewhat to reach me fully, given the slight implication. With my arms now firmly around his shoulders, my head drove forwards and towards the side of his neck. Even though I could feel his chakra slowly pouring back in to my body as it had previously, it was all beyond my control and, with my mouth softly emanating the blue hue my family was known for, I began to feed, along with the supply that he was steadily channeling to me.

I leaned further towards him, ravenously siphoning all that I could.

At my current state, perhaps leech was an understatement.

I drew in my prey as close to my form as space allowed, and he soon became shrouded in blonde.



He was mine.

SPOILER: Click to show

4 Infuin stacks gained.

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[Yahiko]

It was... strange, to say the very least.

An hour's walk from my former home and I found myself seemingly in the past. From across the courtyard, I gazed upon my home - my true home - for the first time in what seemed like forever. Its' strong, pristine walls brought me back to a simpler time. For a moment, my mind converted the full-color scenery that lay before me to something of a more sepia hue...

The Manor, still just as old then, seemed somehow more alive. Somehow the walls seemed brighter, the windows seemed clearer, the plant-life seemed greener, and the air smelled of... apples? The front door sprang open and two children - a boy and a girl - darted out and ran circles in the yard. They were happy, they were golden. Moments later a woman stepped over the threshold, cradling an apple pie in her arms. She called out to the children, beckoning for them to come back inside. Then a small boy stepped behind the woman, his face shrouded beneath the shade of his over-sized hat...

"M-Mother..!"

I'd snapped back to the present with a jump. My eyes scanned the manor, searching for something, but I did so to no avail. The door was still closed, my mother had long since passed, and two of the three children that I saw had become adults - the third's status was unknown. The manor, though bright and shiny and new again, seemed to have a lingering bleakness now. I strode forward regardless, only to stop midway through the courtyard. There was a gust, or something reminiscent of a gust, that came out of nowhere and nearly knocked my hat from my head. I held it in place with my hand and the the gust subsided soon thereafter. An omen, I thought, or...?

 

[Apple]

A few hours had passed since myself and Akatome had met - since I had welcomed him back to the Kikkawa manor despite his words of uncertainty in regards to myself and Kouketsu's relationship - and the outcome of it. Of course - I didn't doubt that he still had his reservations in regards to the subject, but who was I to decline him from the home that he had been raised in? The home that he had just as much ownership to as myself? Although perhaps he viewed me as a monster as of now and the child's father even moreso, even I didn't have the heart to push him away from this place. I'd expected his presence to grace our family home for a while now, and as I'd promised, I'd prepared for his arrival. With the perhaps all-too obsessive cleaning rota which I'd created myself, his room was cleaned and ready for him to inhabit, and all that was missing now was the person himself, who still hadn't come. Perhaps he'd changed his mind? Did he decide that he didn't want to live in the same house as myself and my family? Had I truly lost the only existing family member that I had? Akatome had often become a topic of worry to me as our friendship seemed to drift away, and as I stood now, both of my bare hands pressing softly against one of the many countertops in the main kitchen. Wherein I could recall the sweet smells of pastries conjured up within our home from several years ago, lingering in the air now was a similarly sugary smell -- specifically, apple pie, using apples that had been picked fro the many orchards in Kusa no Kuni. It was a dish that Akatome's mother had taught me as a child, and one that I had perfected in my youth, my memory serving me well to this very day. Of course; one could wonder how I could manage to not only be a goddess in all aspects of the word, but a culinary goddess, too. However, I had many tricks up my sleeve. It had been a while since I'd cooked properly. Since becoming Kusakage, I'd had things handed to me on a silver plate, or - not literally, but, I didn't have to do much cooking myself, and given my schedule, I had no time to cook. However, it seemed as if my skills remained absolute after all this time.

Continuing to gaze outside towards the gates of the manor, I soon shifted my position, having become slightly weary of standing in the same position for an extended time. Of course - It wasn't like him to simply .. not turn up, and a part of me still trusted him, even with all that he had said. My forgiveness didn't mean that I still wasn't unharmed by his words, of course. As much as I'd hated it, I'd taken a few things to heart, although I simply placed it down to how close we were. Few people remained who bore a similarly close relationship as we had. I was sure that half of the people in the village didn't exactly know me, and I felt as if that was exactly what gave me an advantage for my status. "......." noticing that I'd allowed my mind to wander, my train of thought was soon broken with a metallic-sounding D-D-D-Dddrrrrrr! as a nearby timer chimed, signalling that the cooked item was ready. Gliding across the kitchen, I promptly turned off the timer, and then went over to the oven, my hands now bearing a thick kitchen towel. Opening the oven a wave of heat hit me instantly, but regardless, I placed a hand on either side of the dish, and took it out, shutting the door and turning the heat off soon thereafter. The smell filled the room, and although I'd never truly had a sweet tooth, I couldn't lie and say that even I wasn't attracted to the scent, although I figured it could easily simply be a result of my scrambled senses. I then looked outside to see the figure that I had been waiting for all this time; A mismatched hat, and slightly oversized clothes, there was no mistaking my cousin.

With the warm towel still in my hands, I moved across the room, and out towards the kitchen door that connected to the gardens, opening it and making my own presence known to him. "Akatome!" I called over, watching as he roamed. "..Come in -- You'll catch your death if you stay out here for too long." I spoke, my free hand motioning for him to enter the home from the door that I'd opened; the door that he would recognize to be the one that the three of us, Ue, Akatome and I, had made our great escapes from during our childhood, only to be called back by relatives. Of course, often Akatome stayed behind, looking down on the apparent recklessness of my brother and myself, but we wanted him to join in. Staying outside for a few moments, I soon entered the building one more, keeping the door positioned open for Akatome to make his entrance, long blonde hair disappearing in to the kitchen.

Once he'd enter, I'd begin to speak to him, greeting him home.

"..I was starting to wonder whether or not you'd come."

I released the truth to him; but, I hadn't meant it in offense. Moreso to tease him.
..Although the thought had been considered.

Moving myself back to the counter where the freshly baked pie was located, the potent smell hung alluringly in the room, and through the majority of the house. With the towel still in my hands, I then moved it somewhat, picking it up and placing it on another counter. Such an action was obscure and pointless, but it needed to be moved. I wasn't sure why, but rearranging things had become second nature to me as of late. Moving my gaze back towards Akatome, I'd then turn, leaning my back against the counter and crossing my arms above my stomach as I waited for him to speak, basking in the aromatic scent of the apple pie that I'd baked. Blue eyes focused on his sand-colored hair, and then to his features as I pushed myself away from the counter and made my way towards him, stopping a comfortable distance away. Naturally, I still looked as tired as before. I'd since become somewhat more relaxed, although fatigue was still plainly evident.

"..You've arrived just in time; I'm not that hungry, so you can have as much as you want."
"It's a bit too hot right now, so to avoid scalding yourself, give it a little while to cool down."

Or, I was, but the event hours earlier had warped my appetite considerably.

"..In the meantime; Do you need any help bringing things up to your room?"

I offered my aid; his room, of course, was the one that he'd claimed as a child.
The building hadn't changed. The people had.

SPOILER: Click to show

I've had to stop our RP in this thread for now -- apologies!

[Apple]

..It seems like so long ago, now.

But it was – seven years, to be exact, although it felt like merely yesterday I’d held him in my arms for the first time, all pudgy soft skin and tufts of blonde hair. He was beautiful, and more than I could have ever asked for. I could remember it all – the gentle scent that his skin bore, the soft whimpers that he’d emitted and each delicate little finger and toe upon his hands and feet. Unlike how I’d imagined, he’d been perfectly healthy, and naturally, I was overjoyed. I’d shed too many tears that day, but it had all been worthwhile. Such a small baby compared to others I’d seen during my work in the medical profession, but he was mine – and he was perf-

"..-YUUCHIRO!"

My train of thought having been distracted as I walked through the halls of the manor, gazing at old photographs of myself, Yuuchiro and Kouketsu, I couldn’t help but notice the gleam of a metallic object flickering in to my eye. Taking a moment to look down at the source, I’d come to notice that it was a Kunai, and it was quite clear just who the culprit was, hence the yell that had escaped from my lips. Of course – It wasn’t firm, but I merely wanted to try and find him in the various rooms of the manor. Sighing softly, I leaned over and picked up the object before pocketing it and looking around, awaiting the boy to come running out of wherever he’d been. Of course – I wasn’t angry, merely concerned. I knew how exuberant he could be, running about the place, and if he was wearing no shoes and he’d not noticed the weapon lying on the floor, then it would evolve in to a sight that I didn’t particularly want to see. Of course, he wasn’t even a genin, and I was quite glad of that. I’d heard of Ashura’s quick adaptation to a successful shinobi career at such a young age, receiving titles that men double, or even triple his age had worked for years to achieve, and whilst I wasn’t meaning to offend him, all I wanted was for Yuuchiro to be normal, and I was sure Kouketsu wished that, too. ”..Yuu, come here – I need to speak to you!” another shout, as my head craned about the place, opening doors to reveal empty rooms. He’d been training within the manor, evidently, and as much as I wanted him to practice his skills, leaving things about was dangerous. I didn’t care about myself, but his health was my main concern. Of course – Kouketsu, too, but, he wasn’t the type of person to run about mindlessly, and neither was I - or.. within good reason, I was. But where was he? I often knew of his boyish games but I wasn't even sure if he was in the manor given how silent it was, although perhaps he was playing with some toys. I wasn't sure -- taking soft steps towards his room, long blonde hair floating generously around me, I began to speak once more to try and source his presence.

"..Yuu, sweetie? Are you here?"

What if something had happened to him? I hadn't seen him for at least an hour -- where was he?

[Ichi]

"Coming mommy." It was a soft, childish voice that replied to Blanche's call. Yuuchiro had been running around the lower floor of the manor, far to enthralled with the small fly he'd been chasing to hear his mother's initial inquiry. Bounding around the corner, the boy was all smiles and love. Dressed in nothing more than a large white t-shirt, easily three times too large for him -- and clearly his father's -- he continued on. Both hands fell before him, and in a deft display of youthful skill, he rolled one; it was also with this single maneuver that he revealed his lack of underwear, exposing himself to any that might view.

He continued to roll and flip several times, until his feet padded against Blache's shoes. Giggling, he looked up to her with the love and adoration that only a child could give their mother. "I'm sorry I didn't come when you called the first time," he stammered, rising to his feet. Extending both arms, opening and closing his hands several times, he waited to be held. "I was chasing my friend fly; he got away though."

Completely oblivious to his mother's concern, and likewise the steel that caused it, the boy looked around anxiously. "Where's daddy? He was supposed to take me to the park today."

[Apple]

A sigh of relief left my lips as I heard his small voice echo through the manor from another position. And then I waited, hearing the familiar sound of bare feet running along the wooden floors becoming louder and louder as he drew closer. Of course – it wasn’t that loud given that he was still only a young boy, but it was audible enough for me to pick up on. Standing in place, I then watched a mop of curly blonde hair made its appearance around a corner, inadvertently bringing a relieved smile to my face. Despite the guesses of both myself and townspeople that he’d look like his brother, he’d instead turned out to be the spitting image of me. Curly, long-growing blonde hair (That often called for regular haircuts to keep it under check), clear blue eyes, and a bone structure in his face that closely resembled my own. Of course – he did have some aspects of Kouketsu in his appearance, perhaps his nose – Truly, I wasn’t sure, but out of both myself and Kouketsu, it was clear which one he’d inherited most of his looks from. Watching as the boy drew near, I disregarded the roll that he’d done along the floor as images of what could have happened if there had been another kunai been lying about as he’d done so, causing me to wince a little. I couldn’t bear to have him be hurt – I couldn’t bear to lose him, and perhaps whilst I admitted that I was suffocating him with my love, he was safe, and that was all that I asked for. But, it wasn’t long until the boy was at my feet, arms flailing to be held. ”..It’s alright; you just worried me a little.” I spoke, ignoring his pleas for me to pick him up, and instead starting to kneel down before him so that I could be somewhat eye level with him, my own blue eyes looking in to his. Rummaging around in my pocket, I took out the metallic kunai that I’d found carelessly lying around the place, holding it up before me for him to see clearly.

”..Yuu, baby, I found this on the floor.”


I spoke, my tone rife with concern.




”..You know how scary it is to see weapons lying around – I don’t want you to get hurt, sweetie.”

"It would make mommy really sad."

After holding it before him to see, I then placed it back in my pocket and outstretched my arms to wrap around his fragile shoulders, drawing him in to a familiar hug, my hand gently pressing against the back of his head to softly rest it against my shoulder. ”..Promise me that you’ll never leave dangerous things on the floor again, Yuu.” I asked, awaiting his response. I was sure that he’d forget and I’d see more on the floor but; I made sure to lecture him each time that I saw one hazardously tossed aside on the manor grounds. Beginning to rock the boy from side-to-side slightly, I planted a kiss on the side of his face, before responding to his question. ”..Daddy had to go out of the village today – but he promised he’d be back to read you a story tonight.” I spoke. He’d had plans to go with Yuuchiro to the park, as the boy had said, but other things had crept up that required his immediate attention. Allowing his head to move back before me so that I could look at him, I addressed him once more. ”..But how about I prepare some food for us tomorrow so that we can all go? I’ll make your favorite sandwiches – and maybe we can play some games, too.” I spoke with a warm smile. I usually tended to keep Yuuchiro in the grounds of the manor, mostly for his own safely. Several years had passed since the initial word of he being the child of Kouketsu, and whilst the opposition of the public had wound down considerably, I didn’t want to take my chances. He was fine – normal, and everything unlike what people had believed him to be. If anything, he was more than I could ever have asked for him to be – he was a thoughtful child, and one who usually placed others before himself, much unlike how I was as a child, and I was glad. Planting another quick peck on the bridge of his nose, I’d smile.

SPOILER: Click to show

1 Infuin stack gained.

[Ichi]

Though Blanche had declined the boy's request to hold him as he desired, her kneeling to be more on level with him sufficed. Small, slender arms wrapped around all that they could, vanishing into her mass of golden hair, until she situated him back far enough to gaze into his glistening blue eyes as she spoke. Of course, he could understand simply from her tone how serious the matter was. Yuuchiro wasn't neither a prodigy nor genius, but his connection to both his mother and father was borderline unnatural. It was almost as if he could feel their moods, and decipher all that they wished to share with him before they could even finish their sentences. He knew Blanche was worried from the moment she called his name, and as she went on to explain-- and show --the kunai in his hand, he understood why.

"I promise, mommy." He said it with a smile, true and genuine, and a gentle nod of his head. Still, his mind hadn't completely drifted from the topic of his father, even after the situation had been explained to him. Kouketsu had been relatively busy as of late, and while Yuuchiro did understand the concept, he wasn't in the least bit pleased. Far from being starved for attention, it just felt like he hadn't spent enough time with his father (even though they spent the previous day, from sunrise to sunset, outside together). A slight frown creased Yuuchiro's lips, but it quickly vanished. He'd have his story read to him tonight, and that was all that mattered.

Yuuchiro's smile widened. "Really?" The boy could barely contain the smile that stretched across his face from ear to ear. "You can come with us tomorrow?" There weren't many times that Blanche could afford to bask in the sunshine with her husband and son. Of course, the boy's earliest years were smothered with constant interaction from both. But as he aged, the needs of the Village had come once again. Like any parent with a job, it was moreso an alteration of who the boy spent his time with -- of course, until the sun fell and both were home. But, the prospect of both parents taking him to the park was beyond mention.

"Yes, yes, yes!" he chanted, almost squealing with excitement. Pulling away, he clamped his tiny hands around Blanche's palm and tugged her forward with all the strength he didn't have. "Can I help make the sandwiches too, mommy? I know how daddy's like his peanut butter and jelly!"

[Apple]

As I’d come close to the boy, it wasn’t long until I felt his fragile arms try to wrap around my form, only to be met with an opposition of blonde hair – which, granted, didn’t stop him. Allowing my own arms to wrap around him (Which was, given the size of the boy, quite an easy task) I pulled him in to my embrace, bringing him in the almost unnatural warmth that my body radiated. And at this very moment, I breathed, allowing the sweet scene to play out as I held him close, just as I had when he was a mere baby. He was growing up fast – too fast, and although he was still young, it wouldn’t be long now until he’d be thinking of leaving academy and pursuing a shinobi career. Perhaps that was in quite a few years, but – it didn’t stop me from worrying in advance. I was sure that if I could have things my way, I would have him immortalized just like this, safe and happy in my arms, but at the same time, I wanted him to live his life just as I had – just, hopefully, with much less slip-ups. As he began to speak in response to me, I allowed my grasp to loosen to allow him the space that he required to speak, letting him move back so that I could gaze at him and the cheeky features of his face. He took after me much more than I’d first assumed, to the extent where, except for the slightly more masculine features, he seemed almost like a mirror image of myself when I was his age. He had less hair, that was for sure – but I personally made sure that his own wavy blonde hair didn’t become too uncontrollable. His promise of not forgetting to pick up any of his training weaponry from the floor was one that caused me to sigh in relief, as I gave him once final gentle squeeze with my arms, before dropping another maternal peck on his forehead, allowing my right hand to softly push his blonde hair out of the way beforehand.

As I pulled my head back to look back at him with the same, almost stupidly content smile on my face, I watched as his own expression shifted in response to the news of his father being away today. He adored his father, and in turn, his father selflessly adored him – as did I the two of them. Yuuchiro was my pride and joy – and I was sure that it showed clearly. Kouketsu’s own opinion on him was just as strong, and I couldn’t think of any reason as to why the two of us wouldn’t have fallen in love with the boy, after all. Yuuchiro had become all that we had hoped for him; everything different to the both of us. Of course, where his appearance was concerned he obviously took aspects from Kouketsu and himself, but where his personality was concerned, he was much different, and that he’d continue to be different even after childhood. But.. I didn’t like to think about him past that point. He was my baby boy now; and even during adulthood, he’d remain as such. Studying him, both of my arms having since removed themselves from his form and now placed before me, resting on my knees, my expression could only glow with joy at the similar display of happiness that Yuuchiro now displayed in response to my suggestion of the three of us being able to go on a picnic. I grinned, softly nodding my head. I’d barely taken a break this entire year (With a few exceptions) so I thought that taking some time out to spend some time with my family was justifiable. And if anyone had anything to say against it; then it was their own problem to bear. ”I’ll ask for some time off today so that we can all be together.” I spoke, a slight pause between my words. ”..I’m sorry for being so busy, sweetie. But I promise tomorrow will be special.” I did feel guilty, of course. I wasn’t sure if there was a parent on this earth who didn’t feel guilty leaving their children to pursue careers. Whilst mine was different, unlike how many had assumed, it was Kouketsu who usually took up the role of looking after Yuuchiro when I wasn’t here; although it was understandable. I trusted very few others with the boy except for Kouketsu and myself, and so I was glad not only that I even had the Uchiha, but that the two of them got along so well, too. Smiling to Yuuchiro, I felt a weak tugging at my hands, and I looked downwards to see him trying to pull me in his direction. Such a small smile turning in to a grin, I then carefully pushed myself off the ground, being sure not to pull Yuuchiro too tightly during the process.

And so – at my current standing position, I placed my hands on my knees, and leant over slightly so that I could look at him and the enthusiastic glimmer in his eyes. ”..Of course – we have plenty of things we can take with us – what do you want?” I asked. The day wasn’t only for Kouketsu and I, but for Yuuchiro, too, and I was more than prepared to make sure that he had all that he wanted. Granted, since his birth I’d spoiled him, but apart from Kouketsu, he was all that I truly had, and I had little else to spend such money earned from leading the village on. He had all that a child would dream of; but he’d always been more intent on sharing. Perhaps I’d done wrong in offering him everything as a child, but; he’d seemed to negate whatever bad things that could come from such treatment naturally, and for that, I was glad. Wrapping my own considerably larger hand in his, I then moved up to my full height, and began to walk along the hallway, and towards the downwards stairs. ”..Yuu honey, what have you been doing today? You’ve been so quiet I’ve barely heard you – Have you been coloring?” I was aware that he’d been silently stalking his new fly friend that had been buzzing around the manor, but I wondered as to what else he’d been doing. Coloring had always been something that he’d enjoyed, and drawing, too. And like every other doting mother, I had collected all of his old work and placed it prized place around the home, and stored others in old boxes. Even the most vague of drawn figures was treasured. A potato-shaped couple with lines for arms and legs, then a swirl of yellow and black for hair became myself and Kouketsu, and between the both of us was a smaller potato-looking humanoid figure, who was labelled messily as Yuu. I smiled merely thinking about it. ”..You make such nice drawings, you know. You should draw your uncle a picture so that he can put it in his room.” I suggested with a slight shrug as I led the both of us towards the kitchen. "..Maybe a tree, or a shinobi out on adventures -- I think he'd like that." I spoke with the same smile. Yuu's imagination was one with endless capabilities, always thinking of new ideas, new games and new everything. From what I knew as his mother, he found joy in the most meager of things, and was easily entertained, and perhaps that was why he was so imaginative with his drawings. Across time, as I studied his mannerisms and the innocent attitude that he had, it had too changed me, allowing me to connect to his level and join in with his fun and games.

"..Bring your coloring book tomorrow, and you can draw daddy a picture in the gardens."

I spoke, attempting to inspire him. Perhaps a picture of myself and his father -- or perhaps of his father and himself? Or myself and him, or the three of us together? Merely the idea of it made me grin. I couldn't help it - I'd become overwhelmed with it all. Merely carefully holding his hand as the two of us walked down the stairs of the manor was a magical feeling. It never got old, being a mother. I enjoyed each and every moment I could spend with my family.

Where his uncle was concerned, Akatome had lived in the manor since the boy was born, although he usually tended to be more outside than he spent actually within the manor. It was often that I saw him, and over time it seemed as if the relationship between myself and him had been fixed, and in response, a relationship with his nephew, Yuuchiro, had been created. They didn’t speak all too much, but they’d always gotten along, which was the most that I could ask for.

He was surrounded by family, and he was so very loved by us all.

[Ichi]

"It's okay, mommy." Yuuchiro's tone was genuinely unhindered, and it showed in the blossoming smile on his face. Kouketsu had done well explaining Blanche's position in the village to the boy, and even though he was still but a child, he could understand it fully. Granted, the word "Kage" and its importance was still somewhat lost on him. All he knew was that his mother was incredibly important, and because of that she needed to be out and about more often than not. Certainly, there were times that he missed her-- however, Blanche was always home for dinner, and more importantly, to sit at the side of his bed when it was time to read his story. "Daddy says that you have one of the most important jobs in the village, so that's why you're always busy."

Glancing up and to the side, he looked to his mother. She knew the boy better than he knew himself. "I was coloring," he admitted with a smile. Though Yuuchiro was not a recluse nor did he lack friends (surprisingly, despite the village's fear prior to his birth, they'd all come to love the boy as he grew), he was perfectly content sitting in his home with a coloring book. From the moment he knew how to, he spent hours drawing and coloring; he made vivid stories of ninja and animals, of people and monsters. "How did you know I was coloring a picture for uncle?" Clearly misunderstanding the context of his mother's words, he was all but mesmerized by her mind-reading magic.

As they reached the kitchen, Yuuchiro released his mother's hand and made his way to the chair he'd been occupying in the moments before being introduced to the fly. Climbing into it, he began organizing his crayons and pencils, and the loose sheets of paper he'd torn from the sketch pad once he'd finished the images upon them. "I think I'll draw the three of us outside tomorrow," he said cheerfully as he began rummaging through the pile of pictures. "Do you think uncle will come with us? That way I can draw him too."

While Blanche busied herself with sorting their lunch, Yuuchiro continued searching. It wasn't until several moments later that he found his treasured image, and revealed it to the Kusakage. "Oh, mommy, look. I saw these in a dream." It was a fairly simple image, consisting of two eyes. Yuuchiro had drawn eyes many times - he enjoyed how different so many of them were. However, these eyes were something different all together. Blanche would immediately recognize the strange ripple-like patterns defining the entirety of the eye, with stark black pupils. Ignorantly, Yuuchiro smiled. "Aren't they pretty?"

[Apple]

It was, granted, quite hard to explain to a mere child the weight of the status that I held within the village and just what things came along with it. The risks – everything. He was only a child, and if anything, I did feel guilty placing myself in such a what some may call a dangerous position knowing that I had a family to take care of, too. Just as Kouketsu had told me so many years ago, months before Yuuchiro’s birth just how much of a danger he would be to family life, I had heard all too many tales of the family of such village leaders being kidnapped and even killed by members of enemy nations. I sought to never place Yuuchiro nor Kouketsu in such a position, and I promised to defend them with my life. But, no matter how serious things could become, it was times like these wherein I could simply hold my darling Yuuchiro’s hand and walk with him that I cherished most. I could vividly remember shortly after his birth his tiny, too small hand struggling to fully wrap around my little finger, and here he was now, a healthy seven year old boy with endless enthusiasm. I’d never put myself down as the soppy kind, or as a family orientated person after what had happened during the second shinobi war, but things had changed, and I couldn’t bear think of life without the two of them. A part of me having believed that the boy be thrown towards the gates of death, but the moment that I’d seen him healthy and here, I’d fallen in love tenfold.

Gazing back down at him as he revealed that he had been coloring, just as I’d guessed, I smiled in response to his own. Of course – where the matter of he coloring a picture of Akatome came in to the question I had only suggested he make one but, it seemed as if he had similar plans himself that I’d unknowingly figured out. Releasing my hand from his for a moment, I rose it to rustle my fingers through his blonde hair playfully, before catching his hand once more. ”..I knew because I always know that you have the best ideas, Yuu.” I smiled as I gave his hand a gentle squeeze, pulling him closer to my side as the two of us now walked along one of the many long, winding hallways of the manor. It wasn’t long until we finally reached the expansive kitchen of the home, as Yuuchiro soon darted away towards the unorganized pile of papers on the large breakfast table in the room that he often sat by, doodling away from morning until night. And I approached him then, seeing small flecks of color upon the paper that he’d been drawing on, curiosity getting the better of me as I went to see just what he’d been making pictures of today. And then he asked a question that I wasn’t too sure of the answer to, but – not wanting to bring a negative light on the mood, I gave him a soft smile, and replied; ”..I’m not sure – he might be busy, but I’ll ask him today, baby.” It wasn’t that I thought that he wouldn’t want to come, but having been promoted to Jounin not too long ago, he had become busy, and I felt bad, in a way, that it was all because of my own decisions as kage. But – I’d ask him if he’d have time. I was sure that it would be healthy, not only for Yuuchiro, but for us all as a family. ”..I’ll pack some extra food for him, shall I?” I asked, although, it was more of a self-directed suggestion than anything. Placing my hands on my hips, I came to Yuuchiro’s side, craning over his work and looking at the stash of drawings that he’d created. They were all incredibly childlike, but, to me, they were all perfect works of art. I’d often gushed my praise for the boy to Kouketsu, and he was in the same belief as me. Whilst he and I were powerful people in our own right, he a god to some and I a goddess to others, there were none that we loved and worshiped more than our own son, and for the right reasons, too.

And silence then fell as I assumed he’d gone to work once more in to the drawings that he’d made, and so I turned away after giving him a gentle pat on the top of his head, going towards one of the many countertops in the room and removing an unused loaf of bread from the breadbin, taking it out of its wrapping and beginning to slice it in to even amounts. However, before I could even cut a second piece, I heard his angelic voice sound through the room again, and I turned as he claimed my attention. Placing the knife and the bread down, I moved over to him, my neck tilting slightly to get a better look at what he was going to show me.

"Oh, mommy, look. I saw these in a dream."

And I then looked at what he was holding up.
I wasn't sure about how to reply.

However, having since grown ample control over myself when in the presence of my son, I merely stood there, frozen for a moment before responding, such an expression turning in to a warm smile.

"Aren't they pretty?"





"Those are beautiful, Yuu."

I wasn't sure about what to think. He'd seen them in a dream? I wasn't sure. Whilst I wasn't even sure of the exact nature of the eyes, I was sure that Yuuchiro had seen them as a child from his father's own eyes, but had perhaps forgotten about it, leaving the memory only to surface now -- or I hoped. I'd wanted him to be normal. Without burdens from my own genetic pool or that or his father. Whilst Kouketsu claimed that the eyes were more pure than those of the Uchiha that he'd been born with, they were still.. irregular. And I knew better than any how much backlash there could be when people stumbled upon something that they didn't exactly understand. I had fallen in love with the very man who had first showed me those eyes, and whilst my words were true; they were beautiful, the soft grey hues visible in my mind even now, it simply made me nervous as to just what the future held for our baby. It was something that I'd need to ask his father about when he returned home. "..How about you draw me some pretty flowers? We need something nice to put in a frame on the table." I suggested with a soft smile as I then placed a single motherly peck on the top of his head. "..Or do you want to help me make the picnic for tomorrow?" I asked, giving him a selection of options about what he'd like to do as I looked over at him with the same hue of blue that the two of us shared. "..We'll have a feast worthy of kings and queens!" I spoke, bubbly enthusiasm breaking past the stoic persona I'd created for myself over the last.. who knows how many years. "..And princes, too." I added on with a cheeky grin as I gazed over the rest of the pictures on the table, before moving slightly further away, awaiting his decision.

"..What do you think. Hmm?"

SPOILER: Click to show

2 Infuin stacks gained.

 

[NARRATOR]

It'd been a long day.

Not necessarily difficult, but long, nevertheless. While technically not a form of employment, Kouketsu took to training many of the hidden village's shinobi in the years that followed Yuuchiro's birth. While there were still some that were uneasy about his presence there, the majority of the nation had come to accept their leader's companion. So much, in fact, he actually entertained the idea of opening a dojo for all that might be interested in furthering themselves as ninjas. But, that would need to wait until Yuuchiro was old enough to fend for himself. Far too much of the Uchiha's time was spent with his son to dedicate himself fully to the mentoring of others.

The creek of the manor doors were the prelude to his arrival, and the lack of a stampeding son greeting him immediately led him to believe he was with Blanche. Closing the door, he listened closely; he could hear them off in the distance, coming from the kitchen. Smiling, he made his way to them, though kept himself hidden in the hall from both their sights.

With a whisper of wind, he appeared behind Yuuchiro, one arm tucked beneath the boy's arm and wrapped around his belly. The other hand rested on top of the boy's golden crown, ruffling his hair as he pulled him close, nuzzling his cheek. "Son," he said cheerfully, his smile still beaming. "I see we need to work on your skills, hm? What could have happened if I were foreign ninja, here to hurt you or your mother?" he asked, feigning worry.

"I knew you were here, daddy."

"Oh?"

"You just got home a bit ago," Yuuchiro replied, giggling. "I heard you open the door."

Kouketsu's gaze rose to Blanche, lofting a brow in a 'told you so' manner. It was no secret-- at least between the two of them --that Blanche would have their son remain a child for the rest of his life, if she could. He was her baby, the golden child (no pun), and every moment she wasn't in the office or running Kusagakure was spent making sure he was as pampered and well-taken care of as a diamond egg. Kouketsu, on the other hand, while still showing his son that same undiluted love, was far more interested in honing the natural talent that Yuuchiro possessed. He was certainly no prodigy, but he wasn't normal either; he had the potential to become something great with the right training, and as the man of the relationship, the Uchiha saw no reason to wait for later than sooner.

Releasing Yuuchiro, but not before giving him a kiss on the head, Kouketsu strolled to Blanche's side. "Good afternoon," he said with a triumphant grin. Both hands upon her hips, he pulled her close first for an embrace and then a brief - though not lacking passion in the slightest - kiss on the lips. "What have I stumbled upon, hm? It looks like the makings of a picnic-- for tomorrow?" Glancing back at Yuuchiro, he eyed the boy with a playful suspicion. "Did you convince your mother to come with us tomorrow, son?"

[Apple]

Despite what had happened moments ago with the appearance of his father’s fabled rinnegan clear for all to see on the sheet of white paper that he’d shown me, I continued to look at him with a kind of soft, everlasting fondness. I wasn’t sure exactly what it would entail for not only he, but our family and the village, too, and whilst I was concerned, I wasn’t too fearful of what could happen. It was often in the past that Kouketsu and I had discussed the topic – whether or not it would truly come to light and he actually inherit such rare sight was another matter, but all we could do was prepare for what may come. Despite having edged away, I found myself naturally moving closer towards his seated form, allowing my hands to softly pinch his cheeks before then turning, preparing to return to making—

The softest of winds blew through the room, and my eyes narrowed.

Had it not been him, then I wasn’t sure just what I would have done.

A familiar crop of black hair dictated that it was his father, along with the typical aspects of his appearance that came with him, his arm wrapped around the boy as if to take him away. A wave of relief washing over me, I allowed my hands (That had since balled in to fists) to relax, and my arms lowered. Perhaps I had become too protective, I wasn’t sure. But, I wasn’t sure what would become of me if I allowed him to fall out of my grasp and in to that of others. He was all too precious. Listening as the two of them conversed, a soft sigh escaped my lips, and I planted both of my hands on either hip, watching their interaction. I hadn’t expected him to be home so early, but – I wasn’t going to complain, of course. Whilst it was understandable that our lives had become busier since Yuuchiro’s birth, the years following it had been full of work not only dedicated towards the life of our son, but also towards that of the village. I’d led the place for plenty of time now, but given the world that we lived in, there was never a dull moment. I had to keep an eye on everything for the sake of my people and my family, and I had to confess that balancing work and family life wasn’t all that easy. Each waking minute that I could find away from my work as Kusakage was dedicated towards my family, but I just wished that I could stay with them for longer. Office work was especially tiresome sometimes, and a few times I’d even found myself falling asleep before being able to tuck Yuu to bed. However, I’d done my best to stay on top of things, and my strategy had worked. But – it just made me wish for more hours in a day. Especially at times like these where I was blessed to see the both of them together – I was simply glad that when I was away, Kouketsu was always there to keep him company. Akatome had become close to our family, but it had only been a few times that I’d had to enlist his help to watch over Yuu if both myself and his father was busy.

Even with Kouketsu’s glance towards me as if to prove to me something, I dismissed it with an almost sarcastic scowl on my face. However – It soon seemed that Yuu’s captor had then left him to run free, he soon growing more interest in myself rather than his prisoner. With a grin I allowed him his small dose of respite as he drew close, my own hands delicately positioned on his shoulders as I returned his kiss. However; although I remained in his arms, such a moment was short lived as he addressed Yuuchiro once more in regards to the plans that we’d created for tomorrow, switching his gaze from myself to the boy. Smirking, I allowed my hands to unravel from his form, crossing them before me.

”..It’s been quiet recently in the village; I’m sure I can take some time off.”

I spoke plainly; although the smirk was still on my face, and my arms still crossed before me almost obnoxiously, it was standard body language that I displayed. I thought of none as enlightened as myself; but the two before me were exceptions. No matter how young or weak Yuuchiro was, I was sure that even he could stop me in my tracks with a single uttered word. I would do anything for not only him, but his father, too.

And then, just like that, the smirk warped in to a gentle, humbled smile.



”I want to spend more time with the both of you.”

Despite the fact that I was genuinely happy to be able to plan such a gathering for us, my words were tinged with only the most subtle hints of sadness. It merely made me wish for more times like this - but with such a career, my duties were shared between not simply family and work, but of hundreds and the two people I cared for most in this world.

Carefully allowing myself freedom from the confines of Kouketsu's gentle grasp, I then moved elsewhere in the room, back towards the countertop that I'd been working on. Leaving him with a smile, our interaction was far from over; but with night looming, there was little time left to prepare everything before we'd have to set Yuu to bed - and I still had the manner of his drawing to converse with Kouketsu about. However, waiting for such things to pass at a later time, for now I concerntrated on the now, and playfully blew a kiss to the two boys who stood now a few meters apart from me. Taking a pot of butter out out the nearby fridge, I placed it down on the countertop with a soft clack, before turning my attention back to Kouketsu. "..Yuu has been drawing all day, haven't you sweetie?" I spoke, then glancing softly at the blonde-haired boy with a smile. "..He's been making his uncle something. Isn't he so creative?" I'd cherished everything he'd ever created, almost as if, should I discard them or throw them away, then he too would leave us. Perhaps it was a way of proving to myself that I was currently doused in a sweet, blissful reality, and not some kind of forgiving dream. "..Sit down, I'm sure you've been on your feet all day." I spoke, motioning for him to sit down next to where our son had been seated. "Yuuchiro, baby, show your father what you've been doing while I sort out this food for us." I suggested, my head softly nodding in Kouketsu's direction, whilst my blue eyes on the other hand stayed tied in to Yuuchiro's own. Whilst I was hoping that he'd show his father the image of the eyes that he'd showed me, truly, I was merely showing off the talents of our child. Ever since he'd first done something atypical of someone that his age had been - his first steps, the first curl in his hair, I'd boasted about it to a select circle, not only photographs decorating my office, but drawn pictures, too. Perhaps I was being too cloying in my attitude towards him, but he was ours, and I intended to keep him close as to avoid danger to him. Could I really be blamed for wanting to protect him?

[NARRATOR]

"I'm not that old," Kouketsu teased at the mention of needing the sit. In all honesty, he'd done rather well for hold old he truly was. Far past his years as a young man, many found it odd that he managed to retain such a youthful appearance. He owed it all to his eyes, which had allowed him to amass an unprecedented wealth of chakra; it constantly rejuvenated his cells, allowing him to maintain an appearance of his twenties, rather than in his mid-forties. Not that he or his family cared - it was simply a side effect of the power he possessed.

"But, come, show me what you've been drawing." Yuuchiro happily began thumbing through a growing pile of images, ranging from forests to great shinobi battles (lacking blood and other explicit details). It wasn't until he rested on those peculiar eyes that Kouketsu's expression changed, becoming somewhat confused as he glanced at them. "Daddy's eyes?" He'd shown Yuuchiro them several times, but he hadn't thought he remembered them.

"Nope!" Yuuchiro replied, cheerfully.

"Oh?"

Pulling up the paper, the child held it over his face. "Mine!"

"Yours?"

"Mhm! I saw them in a dream; I was in a mirror."

"They're lovely." Kouketsu pulled the paper from his son's face, smiling. "How old were you in your dream?"

"I don't know," Yuuchiro replied, shrugging as he went back to doodling. "I just know they were mine, papa."

"Well, won't you be the most handsome young man in the village when you get them." Placing his palm on the crown of the boy's head, he ruffled his hair. "Your mother is going to have to beat all the women off you with a stick."

Yuuchiro scowled, blowing raspberries. "Ew, gross. Girls."

Setting the picture down, Kouketsu rose to his feet yet again. Making his way over to Blanche, leaning against the counter, he shrugged lightly. "I suppose he will inherit them, after all." His voice was low, not that it mattered. Yuuchiro was far too immersed in his art to pay heed to a word his parents were saying. "That was the first sign before I awakened my eyes - dreams of me having them." He glanced back at their son. "I'll teach him how to control it, and we'll make sure that he doesn't run about revealing them to everyone. It'll be fine." The ability to have faith in their son was easy to come by. Many though he'd be a monster, and now everyone loved him.

He was perfect.

"So, my dear wife, how has your day been?" Lightly, he held her hand. "Not all that busy, I take it?"

[Apple]

With my back now turned towards them, my hands moving atop the counter and taking grasp of the knife that I’d previously been holding, I continued to work, my eyes softly gazing downwards at the food that I was preparing. Had someone ten years ago told me that this was how I’d be living my life, then I was sure that I wouldn’t have believed them, and as I listened to them talk, I still wasn’t even sure if I believed myself that this was all truly happening. Had something happened? Had something happened so cruel that I now lived the remaining years of my life within some kind of maddened haze, unable to see past the closed blinds that my mind so protectively dropped before my eyes? Such a thing merely reminded me of the friend that I had lost several years ago to a similar fate, and for a moment, I paused, my hands held in midair for a moment before I pressed down upon the countertop with the both of them. And I continued to listen to them speak; Kouketsu’s praises over the boy’s drawings and how he believed the eyes to be lovely. But, whatever hint of sadness that had past overcome me soon disappeared as I’d heard the Uchiha’s comment about myself having to ward away and potential girlfriends for the boy. Although unseen from the both of them, a sly smirk graced my lips – he knew me all too well. But, I didn’t even want to start thinking about things like that. He was growing up too fast already – or perhaps it was merely me who was losing track of time now with such a precious life to take care of. The tiny baby who’d struggled to hold even the tip of my index finger had since turned in to the jovial blonde haired boy sat within the room who shared an unmistakable similarity of appearance with myself. Time was going too fast, and with so much to keep safe within my grasp now, that scared me above all things. But – even with so much to lose, I was happy. Truly, for the first time in many, many years.

And yet, I remained quiet, continuing to listen to the both of them talk as I moved somewhat, arranging the different utensils before me and the various ingredients that I’d since lain out before me. However; I could distinctively hear footsteps beginning to echo through the room, and before I knew it, I could faintly see Kouketsu’s shadow linger on the wooden panels of the cabinets in the room, and in turn; my head turned to meet his. His comment on the eyes that the both of us had assumed he may have a chance of inheriting was soon voiced, and my soft blue eyes fell before me, slightly downcast towards the cutting mat.

A soft sigh.


”I don’t want him to grow up.”

It was a topic that I was often lightly ridiculed for, mostly at Kouketsu’s expense – but, beyond the sense of entertainment that I was sure it gave him, I was being honest. He often said that if I got my way, I’d keep him at the age he was currently at, if not younger, to forevermore remain my baby of whom I could lavish and suffocate with gifts, care and love. And at that moment, my head turned again, but this time to look back at the blue eyed boy who had since begun to draw again, both hands holding crayons in different shades of green as he began to create another picture. He was perfect as he was; and knowing very well the problems that the shinobi world did give such young impressionable children, I was more intent than ever to keep him close as he became older. He did have friends, of course – academy had given him plenty, although that in itself concerned me. With he growing his own sense of independence, I lost that little bit more of him to time, and I did all that I could to bring him back. I was sure that it was perhaps just me being a bit too involved, but he was my son – and I didn’t want to lose him. Turning my gaze back towards Kouketsu, I offered him a small smile as he explained that if he was to gain his eyes, then he’d be the one to teach him how to control it. His intent to help little Yuuchiro was something that I respected, but at the same time, it was something that I expected. No-one else knew as much as he about them, and so it was natural to seek out someone who had the eyes himself. Despite my involvement with him across these many years, there were a few things still unknown to me about them; but at the same time, I was sure that they were unknown to him, too.

”..Too busy.”
“I’d signed the papers confirming the relationship between our own village and Sunagakure.”

“..We remain allied, but;..” I paused. It was a slightly sore subject.

”..The last I'd heard, it has few shinobi left.”
"..But I assume because of that, it can't afford to lose us as an ally.."

With the dissolution of leadership within the village and the steadily decline that it had faced, many people had left, leaving mostly civilians. I hadn't met with whomever was leading it, or at least guiling what few people were left through this time, but I could only hope they knew what I was doing. Merely the word Sunagakure reminded me of Soratsu, and because of that and the broken village, I couldn't help but wonder what he would say-- what he would do had he known. Although I liked to think that the redundant village would return our gift of friendship some day, I also knew that I was only upholding the tradition to respect the connection I'd had with one of its former leaders. Of course; I hadn't forgotten him. It was hard to forget a person like him. But, having mused over the subject long enough, my eyes distant as a result, my tone steadily becoming more upbeat, I revealed to him the contents of my day; from the very moment that I’d left the two of them in the early hours of the morning to return to my post, to the few minutes leading up to his arrival at the house barely an hour ago. Allowing his hand to softly hold my own as with the other hand, I moved a few things position on the countertop before me. However; I soon turned to face him, my free hand moving to allow me to cup the hand that he'd offered me.

"..I sometimes wonder what would happen should our own village become so.. stagnant."

It was strange - how everything had gone downhill for them. But then again, Iwagakure was also faring quite badly on the world stage, and as far as I'd heard, it was facing similar troubles to Suna. It was a dreary subject, but being a village leader, it was one that I thought of often. Akira, Kohana, Atlas and myself were the only ones left. And although I had a strong connection to the latter given our undying friendship, Kohana I'd never been too close to. Akira; I'd renounced our disliking for eachother many years ago before Yuuchiro was even born, but our villages had never been especially close. Things had been quiet for everybody, as it seemed. The black-haired man had for a long time stopped wearing his mask, and it now allowed me to gaze at him in his entirety, scanning each little bit of his face as I stood closeby. I came back to the manor to relax and unwind, and to spend some time with Kouketsu and Yuuchiro, but bearing the title that I had, it was often that the burden of my work followed me home.

SPOILER: Click to show

3 Infuin stacks gained.

[NARRATOR]

"If there's one thing I do know about you and this village, it's that you always manage to keep everyone motivated. Your level of charisma is uncanny, my love." He lovingly thumbed the back of the hand she offered to him, massaging her palm with his own as embraced her digits. The gesture became an unbreakable habit after doing it for so many years; he found it relaxing, even when he wasn't stressed and had nothing to calm or relax from. Truth be told, he simply enjoyed Blanche's presence and the feeling of her skin against his. "So, I wouldn't worry too much about all of that. We're still thriving, even as the curtain closes for others. I have faith the village will continue on well after your retirement."

While it wasn't necessarily a topic he brought up often, knowing Blanche's almost feverish dedication to Kusagkaure, it was a truth he liked to remind her of from time to time. She wouldn't be Kusakage forever, and secretly, he wished she would retire sooner than later. Their generation had long since passed from the spotlight; it was Yuuchiro's, and those like him, time. The young would rise up from the ashes of the old and steer the world in a new direction, whether good or bad. Kouketsu hoped that she would, at some point in her life, manage to find the strength to remove herself from the world of the shinobi and retreat to their manor to raise their child until he spread his wings and left the coop.

He knew it would take some time, but being a patient man, he didn't mind in the slightest.

Meanwhile, Yuuchiro continued to idly scribble upon his paper with multiple colors. Glancing off to the side, Kouketsu made out the shape of a field, tree, and the sun; he couldn't see much else from the angle of the paper and distance between them. Sliding his attention back to Blanche, a content expression on his face, he leaned back against the counter. "Yuu, mommy and daddy need to discuss some adult things. Run along to your play room, and daddy we'll be there soon."

Yuuchiro nodded with a smile. "Okay, daddy."

Sliding from the chair, the little blond haired boy scuttled out of the kitchen. Kouketsu listened to the padding of his naked feet against the wooden floors, and then the creaking of the stairs as he climbed the spiraling case up. Once he was certainly out of earshot, the man's expression changed slightly. "I'm going to be going out of town for a little bit in the upcoming weeks. I wanted to know if you could possibly take some time off, and have you and Yuuchiro come with me."