[Closed] Back is Forward

[Lunanana]

There were few undeniable truths to this world. Aside from some facts that our decisions shape our life, the future was uncertain and that cats purr, there was another one, way closer to home than the others. Yoshinori Tei was absolutely adorable when he pouted. The slight blush on his cheeks made her heart do flips and turns that she thought were medically impossible, and yet, felt every bit of it. He was seated on the kitchen chair, old newspaper pages layed down on the ground and Tsuki was standing between his knees, holding up some hair cutting scissors.

”Yoshinori, baby, it’s just a little trim. Just enough to get the hair out of your eyes…” She pleaded, leaning in and placing her hands on his thighs gently to keep her balance. Gentle kiss on his chin before pulling back to see his face. They were going to visit his mom and… If the circumstances allowed, revisit his father’s office. Tsuki herself was not yet ready, only an oversized black shirt of Yoshinori’s hiding her indecency as she straightened her back again, patiently waiting for his answer. She assumed he didn’t like short objects near his face but she promised to be gentle and careful, no sudden movements. Any shinobi could be thrown off by that, it was part of the profession.


”I’ll be careful, I promise, and If I’m not, I’ll do whatever you ask me to. Kunoichi’s word.” Tsuki’s hand extended into a mock scout’s promise gesture, as a teasing smile played on her lips. He was so cute! Her own cheeks turned a little rosy, as she waited, fidgeting the tool in her hands.

[Niro]

Yoshinori’s hair had been getting longer that much was undeniable, and as much as he grumbled about it, he had no one to blame but himself. He usually liked to keep it cropped just right: long enough to play around with a little style, but short enough to let his scalp breathe in Konoha’s infamously stifling heat. Lately, though, it had grown wild, brushing past the tops of his ears and curling at the nape of his neck. Too hot. Too heavy. Too annoying. And yet, between missions abroad with Tsuki and the whirlwind of happenings in the village, he hadn’t carved out the time to get it trimmed.

He’d made a passing complaint about it earlier that morning while they were folding laundry and tidying the apartment. He hadn’t thought much of it at the time but Tsuki had perked up instantly, her eyes gleaming with a kind of playful determination that made Yoshinori wary in the best way. One thing led to another, and now here he was, sitting on a chair in the kitchen and a slightly betrayed expression on his face, wondering how she had talked him into this.

Her hands rested gently on his thighs for balance as she leaned in, sending a shiver of warmth through him, to press a gentle kiss to his chin. His pout faltered, turning to a sheepish blush that colored the tips of his ears. “It’s fine, I need one,” he relented with a dramatic sigh as she ruffled through the overgrown mess on his head. “Just… if this goes sideways, we’ll have to shave it. And then I'll look like an egg.”

He laughed as the tension in his shoulders melted as he let his eyes drift closed, surrendering to the gentle tug of her fingers through his hair and the occasional snip of the scissors. There was something soothing about it, this domestic and quiet kind of trust. The world outside might have been chaotic, but in here, it was just the two of them, wrapped in this intimate little ritual of care. Every time her hand grazed his cheek or brushed a lock of hair out of his eyes, his heart gave the smallest thump of contentment. “Okay, okay. I trust you,” he murmured again, softer this time. And he meant it. Not just with his hair but with everything.

[Lunanana]

His comment brought out something he’d probably never heard before from her – a quick but perfectly timed snort, which turned to a chuckle. ”Egg… Have some faith in your woman…” She added, her hands lifted from his hair while she laughed to avoid hurting him or making a wrong cut. Soon, Tsuki fell into silence, snipping, adjusting, working with care, her expression entirely focused. Has she had any experience cutting hair? No. But she was good at precise measurements, especially due to her hobbies. She also knew when to stop, and not make it worse.

Taking a few steps back, she took in the view. It was perfect, actually. Dare she say she was even proud of herself a little. It definitely reflected in the way she looked at him. Slowly, Tsuki lifted up her hands, and imitated taking a picture. A memory. As if remembering that she also had to show Yoshinori how he looked (not that it was the most important part of this or anything), she quickly ran to the bathroom and took one of the smaller mirrors. Coming back, she slid through the hardwood floor due to her socks in front of him. Slowly, she lifted up the mirror and let Yoshinori take the view in. Then, came a silent and shy – ”Tadaaaa…”

She slowly handed him the mirror, squatting beside him, resting her head on her crossed arms that she placed on his lap, as he inspected the length near his ears, on his neck, all around. She patiently waited, either for scolding or for praise. Eitherway, she looked at him like he was the most beautiful thing on this planet.

[Niro]

Yoshinori couldn’t help but grin at the sound of Tsuki’s laughter light and bright, like wind chimes caught in a summer breeze. It always had that effect on him, that laugh. It cracked something open inside, a quiet joy that spread through his chest and settled there. “I do, I do. Promise,” he said earnestly, though the corners of his lips still tugged into a playful smirk as she moved around him, inspecting her would-be canvas. The room grew still as she began. Yoshinori sat upright and silent, barely daring to breathe as the first lock of hair fell. He didn’t want to break her concentration or distract her, not with the very real possibility of walking around like a lopsided egg if things went south. He had no idea if she’d ever cut anyone’s hair before, he suspected not, but the focus in her eyes and the gentle press of her fingers steadying his head made it impossible not to trust her.

Snip by snip, he listened to the gentle rhythm of scissors and the quiet fall of strands onto the hardwood floor. When she pulled back and set the scissors down with a satisfied breath, Yoshinori finally exhaled his own, and relaxed a little. Judging by the pleased look in her eyes, he’d been spared. He ran a tentative hand through his hair, fingers combing through the shortened strands with cautious optimism. “Well, well, well…” he teased as Tsuki dashed off, the sound of drawers and cabinets opening echoing from the bathroom. When she reappeared, sliding in her socks across the floor like a kid skating through the house, Yoshinori laughed, catching her effortlessly with one arm as she handed him the mirror.

He tilted it, turning his head left, then right, his smile steadily growing. The shape was good; sharp where it needed to be, softened in all the right spots. It felt right. It felt like him. Yoshinori looked down at her, at the pride in her eyes, the way her fingers toyed absent-mindedly with the fabric of his pants as she waited for his verdict and leaned in. “Looks amazing, love,” he whispered before brushing his lips against hers in a soft, lingering kiss. “If we weren’t shinobi, you’d make a hell of a barber. Or a chef.”

He chuckled, imagining Tsuki in an apron, trimming someone’s bangs in a little countryside shop or tasting the broth of a stew she’d spent hours perfecting. She was endlessly capable; cutting hair, brewing medicine, fighting beside him, healing his wounds, feeding his soul. It was hard not to be in awe of her sometimes. The laughter faded gently, replaced by something quieter as his hand came to rest on hers, their fingers curling together. His expression softened. “Are you still okay with swinging by Mother’s?” he asked, voice quieter now, uncertainty peeking through.

It had been a while since they’d last visited. Part of him longed for the comfort of old walls and the familiar scent of pine cleaner and dried herbs. But the other part… well, going back always stirred ghosts. Memories buried in the floorboards, in the garden stones, in the way his mother looked at him with both love and sorrow. He glanced down at Tsuki again, trying to read her expression, to gauge if she felt ready for that step. And beneath the hesitation in his voice, there was something else. Hope. Hope that maybe, with her hand in his, it wouldn’t feel so heavy this time.

[Lunanana]

She beamed when Yoshinori nodded his head in agreement that the haircut was a success. In reality, it was really a lucky gamble as she was very glad that both of them were lucky today. It could’ve gone sideways very easily and she made note that next time she’d get him to the barber’s instead. Tsuki kissed Yoshinori back, with the same gentleness, her smile not fading yet. ”I’m glad we’re shinobi instead. I don’t need to deal with a lot of people in my profession… And I found someone special. Although, that was not really- Anyway, you look great. It suits you, and… Yeah, you look great.” A faint blush appeared on her face, as she slowly stood up, holding his hand, while her other arm found it’s way around his shoulders, her head resting on his.

She felt the subtle shift. It was alright. He helped her make peace with her parents, as much as it could be done, and she wanted to return the favor. Although, she never viewed their relationship as based solely on doing something because you received something – it was different. They were helping, encouraging, kissing wounds of the soul better not because they felt in debt to one another. Simply because they wanted to. Because that’s how love worked – you gave and asked for nothing in return only to find yourself the most rich of them all. ”Yes,” The words came out soft, almost a whisper. Honest. Her thumb brushed the top side of his hand gently, reassuringly. ”I’ll go get ready, and… If you want, we can tell her about, um.” She looked down at her stomach and then back at him, pulling away just enough to see his eyes. Tsuki leaned in again, kissing his forehead in the most loving, accepting way. Because she did – with everything, the whole package, all demons included.

Slowly, she slipped away from him and made her way to change, choosing a simple, midnight blue dress, and taking some time to put her hair up diligently, tidying up any loose strands. It was respect, rather than show. She knew her role today – supportive one, there, no matter how it went, she was ready to hold his hand and walk through even the hardest of conversations. She lifted her eyes to see him enter after her, as she was neatly folding his shirt and putting it away. ”It doesn’t matter how it will go, if you’re worried. At the end of the day, we’ll still be here, together.”

[Niro]

"That sounds good," Yoshinori murmured, his voice low with quiet consideration. He gave a small, thoughtful nod as Tsuki mentioned telling his mother about the growing life within her. Their future. "We’ll play it by ear, see how she’s feeling today." His brow furrowed slightly as his gaze dropped, the smile on his face fading into something more solemn. The idea of sharing such joyful news was quickly tempered by the ever-present uncertainty of his mother’s state. Some days were brighter than others. On those days, she would smile and laugh, reminisce about the past as if the years hadn’t touched her mind at all. But other days...

He sighed, fingers brushing back through his hair. “We might even get lucky. She might be out for appointments today.” The hope in his voice was genuine, even if laced with guilt. He hated feeling that way about her absence, like it might be easier not to face the storm, but he also wanted to protect Tsuki from the more painful corners of his past. Though older now and frailer than she liked to admit, his mother remained stubbornly independent. Karasu, loyal as ever, trailed her like a silent guardian, always near enough to catch her when her body or mind threatened to fail her. Yoshinori admired her resilience, but he also knew how unpredictable her mood could be. It was best to hope for clarity, but be ready for rain.

Returning to the bedroom, he moved with quiet efficiency as he scanned the shirts hanging neatly in his closet. Predictably, they were all black, each one just a shade or texture apart from the next. He chose one that seemed softer to the touch, with a subtle pattern woven in that set it apart ever so slightly from the others. As he slipped it over his head and down across his shoulders, his voice reached her again, this time tinged with worry. “You’re right. I’m just not looking forward to it if she’s having a bad day.” The truth clung to his words like damp fog. A shiver trailed down his spine at the thought; memories of broken conversations, forgotten names, and fragile moments he tried not to dwell on too long.

Turning back toward Tsuki, he held up two pairs of slacks, nearly identical to anyone else, but subtly different to his practiced eye. The weight of emotion slipped from his face, replaced by something lighter, almost boyish. “Okay, which of these looks best?” he asked, tilting his head with a small grin as if inviting her into a private ritual. “And before you ask, yes, they are different.” There was something deeply comforting in the normalcy of it; choosing pants, cracking dry jokes, pretending for a moment that everything outside their home didn’t exist. A brief sanctuary. And as he stood there, waiting for her to decide, the smallest flicker of a smile returned to his lips, quiet but sincere.

[Lunanana]

She turned around, conveniently standing in Yoshinori’s way as he was about to take out the slacks from the wardrobe. She did it so he would almost crash into her but Tsuki was already ready with her arms extended and pulled him into a hug. It was not tight or demanding, on the contrary, very gentle and tender, barely there. The worry in his voice set something uneasy in her chest. Tsuki pulled away just enough to look at him. ”It’s okay, Yoshinori. Whatever she says to me, I won’t take it too personally. You told me of her condition, it’s alright… I’m with you, and you are all of it. Past, present, future, whatever happened, whatever’s hiding in those dark corners, I chose to be with it too. Because I love you. And love doesn’t choose. It just is.” Before she let him go, Tsuki gently trailed her hands along his arms, once her hands captured his fingers in a soft cradle, she lifted them up, placing a kiss on each.

A pair of slacks were presented to her and Tsuki tilted her head to the side slightly, curious. Her mind eased as well, his boyish smile making it melt away, for now at least. She really looked at both of them, eyes darting between one and the other, and everytime she thought she saw the difference, Tsuki ultimately understood that she, unfortunately, was still one of those who didn’t know it. But she couldn’t let him go without at least a bit of advice or some back-handed coin flip to determine what to wear. ”Let’s see… Or, feel.” She caught his gaze for a second, smiling at him at her vague attempt of a joke, and slowly extended her hand to feel one pair and then the other. It was a little warm outside, and the fabric of the first fair seemed lighter. ”These ones. They will be less heavy, perfect for the sunny skies outside.” Tsuki felt proud of her choice, curious eyes examining his expression.

When both of them were ready, Tsuki stopped by the front door to pat Shinya’s head a few times, slowly bringing her hand back to her lap. Yoshinori knew that Tsuki did not have much experience with animals and it was very evident in the way she acted around the cat – careful, measured movements, giving enough space. Shinya also had Yoshinori as his favorite for the exact same reason. Slowly, Tsuki straightened her back, her eyes catching the glimpse of a kunai by the door, with none other but her charm attached to it. She beamed, turning around to look at him, a blush already on her cheeks. ”You kept it! And… Even here. By the door.” She didn’t charge at him or grab him in his arms, instead she did something very Tsuki-like. She stood there with a huge smile to her face, red cheeks, and everything packed right in her gaze. Soft, loving, a slow blink.

Making their way through the door, Tsuki gently slipped her hand in his, like always. At this point, it was second nature. ”Lead the way, Yoshinori. It’s going to be okay.” And with that, and a kiss to his shoulder, that was not nearly enough, therefore followed by a longer one to his lips, they started making their way to the Tei house.

[Niro]

Yoshinori melted into her embrace, arms instinctively wrapping around Tsuki’s smaller frame as her warmth settled into him like sunlight. His expression softened, a breath of peace exhaled against her hair before he bent to press a tender kiss to the crown of her head. Her lips brushed against his fingers next, featherlight and reverent, and his heart swelled in his chest. When she pulled away and met his eyes again, he smiled with quiet awe. Awed by her love, her patience, and the way she so effortlessly grounded him. “You’re right, love. I love you, more than you know.” His voice was low, a hush of reverence, his head shaking slightly as if he couldn’t believe how lucky he was to have her by his side.

When the conversation returned to the slacks in his hands, he gave her his full attention, letting her examine the fabric with the same scrutiny she gave mission scrolls. A grin tugged at the corner of his lips as she pointed out what he hadn’t wanted to admit, that the lighter fabric would be more forgiving in the blistering afternoon heat. He surrendered with theatrical flair, tossing the heavier pair onto the back of the desk chair. “This pair it is,” he declared with a wink, sliding the chosen slacks up his legs and adjusting them with a satisfied tug.

With both of them dressed and ready, Tsuki radiant in her flowing midnight blue dress and Yoshinori clothed in sleek, breathable black, they moved to the door, the air already thick with the weight of the day ahead. Just as they reached the exit, Tsuki paused, her gaze caught on something glinting near the entryway: a kunai, its handle tied with the firefly charm she had once gifted him. Yoshinori followed her eyes, and the pride in his voice was unmistakable as he turned back to her. “Of course I kept it,” he said softly, smiling with a mix of reverence and affection. “It’s my home defense when I’m not on missions and my preferred one when I am. It goes with me wherever I need to feel safe.” He stepped closer and wrapped her in his arms, holding her like something sacred. “A little piece of you goes with me everywhere, whether you know it or not.” Yoshinori leaned down, capturing her lips in a kiss filled with promise and quiet passion. It lingered, warm and affirming, before they finally broke apart, straightening themselves with a shared glance and silent understanding.

Hand in hand, they stepped outside into the morning sun. His fingers squeezed hers gently, a grounding gesture, but it betrayed the slight twinge of anxiety bubbling beneath his composed expression. He wasn’t scared of much, but returning home always brought with it a strange kind of ache. Still, he glanced at her with a small smile, the presence of her hand in his anchoring him like nothing else could. “Let’s go see what my father might’ve left behind for me.” The words were quiet, thoughtful. But before they could take another step, Tsuki reached up and cupped his face in her hands, guiding him into another kiss; slow, deliberate, and long enough to chase every lingering doubt from his chest. When they pulled apart, his expression had shifted. The nerves were still there, but now they were wrapped in something steadier. Conviction.

A wolfish smile spread across his face. He took a breath and nodded. Determination lit his features like a second sunrise. The walk to the Tei estate wasn’t long, but it was winding, much like the legacy they may be about to face. The house itself was nestled in a quiet part of the village, set apart from the crowded streets and noise. The black-and-white three-story structure stood proud, elegant yet distant, like a monument to another time. Yoshinori opened the gate for her with a familiar gesture, letting it click shut behind them. As they approached the entrance, he slowed, his eyes tracing the lines of the house, its windows like tired eyes watching them return. He exhaled slowly, and his smile turned a little more inward.

“I don’t miss it,” he said after a pause. “I thought I would when I left for Shikari’s, but... that feels like another lifetime ago.” His gaze shifted to her, drawn like always. “Thank you, love.” There was so much wrapped up in those words; gratitude for her presence, for her patience, for helping him face the ghosts he never quite shook. He reached for her hand again as the wind stirred the trees overhead, and together, they walked forward. Toward the past, toward whatever waited for them inside, and toward a future they would write together.

[Lunanana]

They fell into step, hand in hand, taking the walk towards the Tei estate. While they walked, Tsuki made note of the blooming fruit trees, the peach season approaching in full swing. Small, pale pink petals lazily flew through the air from some wild trees, and once some of them caught on Yoshinori’s black outfit, Tsuki made sure to gently blow it away. She saw him so often that the subtle narrowing of his brows did not escape her. She looked to the path in front of them, her fingers just slightly tightening around his. There was nothing she could say or do to melt all the worry away – sometimes, it was best to just face what was needed to face. Instead, Tsuki offered a comfortable, steady presence, one he could lean on in the most vulnerable moments.

The gate opened with a silent creak, and she entered first, followed by Yoshinori. They both stopped taking in the view of the house by the entrance and Tsuki’s eyes, instead of tracing the house, were focused in the general direction of Yoshinori. ”Don’t feel guilty for that. It’s not about missing the house or… Whatever it held. It’s about making peace with it, sometimes enough to want to come back. Only by doing so can we truly move forward. Besides,” She slowly lifted her eyes, meeting his gaze not only with softness but with quiet determination. They were here. ”we’ll always come back to each other. Lean to one another. You got this, thank you for doing it.” Because this is a big step forward, Yoshinori. Not only for him but for their future as well. She didn’t know the full story about his father. She never pushed for it, either.

”Last one…” Tsuki added with a little lighter tone, brushing a kiss to his knuckles and gladly followed his lead, taking a literal and figurative step forward, hand in hand. Like they always did. Like it was second nature.

[Niro]

“That’s the best thing,” Yoshinori said with a soft, genuine smile, eyes locked on Tsuki’s with a tenderness only she could bring out of him. “I don’t feel guilty at all, thanks to you. For the first time, it feels like I’m really starting to spread my wings. Like I’m finally becoming who I want to be, not just who they expected me to become.” If anyone understood that weight, the feeling of being born into a mold not of your own making, it was her. Their paths had been carved by bloodlines and duty, but with her, it felt like they were finally learning how to carve new ones together. “Always,” he said with quiet certainty. His gaze lingered on hers as a small laugh rose up in his chest, eyes crinkling at the corners. “The real thanks should go to you, Tsuki.” She kissed his knuckles, and the air between them felt heavier with something old and sacred. “But I guess,” he teased, grinning, “we can share it.”

The walk up to the house had grown quieter, the gravity of the place sinking in. The Tei manse stood out from the rest of Konoha’s homes, its black and white aesthetic made it feel like a photograph frozen in time. Yoshinori approached the black-stained oak door, his footsteps soft on the old path, and pulled a worn key from his pocket. It was one he hadn’t used in some time, different from the ones that opened Shikari’s forested hideaway. With a twist and a faint metallic click, the door unlocked. He hesitated for only a moment before pushing it open.

The interior smelled faintly of pine and age: cool, quiet, and still. Art decorated the walls with an eclectic mixture of ink prints and older oil paintings, all curated by his mother’s particular eye. There was a certain untouched dignity to it all. The first floor was held the utilities, kitchen, laundry, storage, but even the most mundane spaces were dressed with a formality that made Shikari's house feel like it existed in an entirely different world. He stepped aside and offered a hand to help Tsuki in, flashing a shrug and a sheepish smile as he slipped off his shoes. The house was quiet. Empty. No sound of Karasu pacing or his mother shuffling about.

“Looks like we got lucky,” he said under his breath. A sense of relief bloomed in his chest. “Let’s take advantage of the good fortune, c’mon.” He reached for her hand and led her through the house, guiding her with a bounce in his step he hadn’t had since childhood. There was something deeply strange about returning to this space with her by his side, a place he had once considered a cage, now a place he could explore freely. “I wanna show you something first,” he said, his voice nearly giddy as they reached the staircase.

Up the second floor they went, the old wooden steps creaking faintly underfoot. He turned toward the first door on the right and pushed it open. His childhood bedroom greeted them like an old friend. The walls were still painted a gentle green, the pale stars he'd insisted on placing across the ceiling still faintly visible in the natural light. The air smelled faintly of dust, but otherwise, it looked frozen in time. On the shelves above his desk sat a collection of plush goats and sheep, faded with age but clearly once beloved. The desk below them was neatly arranged, as if someone had tidied up long ago and expected him to return. Manuals from his Academy days lined one shelf, with scrolls and study guides still stacked in an orderly fashion. A small plaque marked his early graduation, its bronze lettering slightly dulled but still legible. The window overlooked the park just beyond the front yard, the very place he’d often snuck off to train alone or watch the village in motion when he didn’t feel like he belonged in it.

“Hi,” he said, chuckling as he turned to look at Tsuki. “Welcome.” Yoshinori wandered further in, brushing his fingers along the edge of his desk, the corners of his mouth lifting as memories returned with each step. “I used to sit right here and stare out the window, trying to mimic every jutsu I saw in those manuals,” he said with a grin. “Karasu would yell every time I broke something practicing.”

[Lunanana]

Tsuki extended her hand, it falling gently in Yoshinori’s as she finally stepped in, the scent of pine surrounding her like a whisper of a story carved between these walls. A story of expectations and certain duties, and a boy, who was following it in a straight, dedicated line. Different than the compound and Shikari’s house, the Tei house was somewhere between that. Elegant, less cold, less traditional, and still… Like a perfect, curated picture. A reminder of a path one must follow. And yet… Tsuki’s gaze softened a little, as she took a quick look around, just to take the picture in. Her eyes slowly trailed back to Yoshinori, their feet making close to no sound as they walked further into the house. Like a stray snowflake, realization hit her, how much he hasn’t really told her yet. There were hints here and there, about his past, his growth, and yet, he didn’t share much how it felt here. But maybe there was a reason for that, and that reason was locked in both of their gazes when their eyes met. Both of them did it and both of them knew how. The power of understanding each other with no words, and no need to decipher each and every thought or sentence… It took her one look to understand how it must’ve felt here. Her hand tightened around his in compassion. Maybe that’s what drew them to one another in the first place.

”Oh?” Tsuki caught the bell of excitement in Yoshinori’s tone, a smile forming on her face. She followed him, hand in hand, and once the doors to his room were opened, her eyes widened slightly. Yoshinori went in but Tsuki stopped by the doorframe, taking it all in. Curious eyes darted from one corner to the other, before she too stepped in, as if crossing a bridge of time. She stood in the middle of his room, hands clasped behind her back, exploring with a small smile to her face. It was… Very different from hers but to be fair, most of the children's rooms she saw were. Stars lined the ceiling, and she parted her lips to comment but decided against it, it seemed such a genius idea, simple, yes, but beautiful. For a moment she even wondered if he knew that even that spoke something about the way his personality eventually formed. She noticed the peculiar way everything was arranged too – very specific and yet still it held the feeling that it was a part of him.

She caught the sight of the academy plaque, and she stepped closer, leaning in just enough to read it. ”Mmm… Graduated at 11? That would explain why I don’t have many memories of you in the Academy besides knowing of you as a prodigy. To be fair… Not many remember me too. I think that was on purpose.” A soft chuckle escaped her, she let it go as a joke. ”I’m glad you found your way back to being a shinobi. You have a talent for it, that much everyone could and can tell.” Tsuki slowly walked by the window, looking outside as well, her head tilting slightly to the side in thought. ”Yeah, I see the way your eyes lit up at the possibility of perfecting your skill. You had it in you forever, didn’t you?” It was more of a rhetorical question. Tsuki’s mind wandered to the day he showed her his Sankaton jutsu, and even if he still had questions his eyes lit up as someone’s who has found a missing piece of themselves, a manifestation of the mental and physical work that has been done to achieve that.

”I like your room. It’s very… Boyish. Yours.” For the lack of better explanation. Tsuki smiled again, tapping her finger on the window a few times, as her eyebrows knitted slightly. ” Will… You let me in? Tell me about your father some more?”

[Niro]

“Yeah. The only reason I was in the Academy in the first place was because my dad’s will dictated it,” Yoshinori said quietly, his fingers curling around the edge of the old Academy plaque. A small frown tugged at his lips as he ran a hand across its surface, brushing away a fine layer of dust that had settled over the years. “Once I was enrolled, it was like a race to get through it as fast as I could learn. No breaks, no weekends off. Home wasn’t really a break from school… just more school.”

His expression softened into something more wistful. “Back then, I was so excited to be smarter and faster than everyone else. I didn’t realize it meant I’d leave everyone behind sooner, too.” Yoshinori exhaled through his nose, a mix of nostalgia and acceptance playing across his face. He glanced at Tsuki, and the lingering sadness brightened into a smile. “Don’t get me wrong. I love being a shinobi now. There’s nothing like pulling off a new technique or nailing a mission, especially when I get to do it with a cute teammate.” He shot her a wink before breaking into a laugh, setting the plaque back on the desk with a soft clack. The weight of old memories drifted in the air like dust stirred from long-forgotten corners.

When Tsuki asked about his father, Yoshinori blinked, then nodded slowly. “I’d love to tell you more,” he said, his voice quieter now, the smile fading to something more contemplative. “But he died when my mom was at about the same point as we are now. She hadn’t even told him.” His gaze drifted across the room as his hand found the doorframe, fingers trailing the faded notches etched into the wood as little height markers for year after year. “I think not getting to share that with him was her biggest regret.”

Yoshinori flipped open a small folding blade from his pouch, and with practiced precision, carved a fresh mark at the top of the line. The latest point in his story. He stepped back and gave the cut a nod of approval, then turned back to Tsuki with renewed energy in his eyes. “But that’s why we’re going upstairs. To see if he left anything behind for me in his study.” He gestured down the hall, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “You ready? It’s the last door at the end of the hall.”

[Lunanana]

The split second of a subtle side eye might have gone unnoticed after the cute teammate comment, although there was no ill intention behind it – just a way to tease and ease the air. Slowly, Tsuki’s hand found his shoulder, and she leaned to his side just for a moment, to remind him that she was there. ”Sorry… I think now more than ever I understand how it… No, no I don’t understand. I couldn’t, and I wish I never have to.” She shushed the terrible thoughts away in her head, her hand trailing through his back, settling on the lower part and drawing slow, gentle circles for a moment longer. ”I didn’t know. I don’t want to seem… Pushy. Sorry.”

They moved, and Tsuki let him go as he neared the doorframe. With a swift motion, he marked the last point in his growth, and Tsuki’s eyes focused on that precise line. Yoshinori already started moving, when her eye’s caught the line that somewhat matched her heigh now. When he was 12. She pouted for a second, and hurried to Yoshinori, sliding her hand in his, following behind. Her gaze was fixed on the back of his head for most of the journey, mainly because the hallway got a little darker and colder as they continued. And she didn’t know if the coldness was real or just a figment of her imagination.

The pair stopped by the door, and her hand instinctively tightened. The air around them seemed to still – heavy with the weight of things unspoken, and the brass handle, dulled by the years, glinted faintly as though it too remembered the hand that once gripped it with purpose. ”If it will be easier – I can stay behind, here. You can invite me once you’re ready.” She suggested, lavender eyes locking with his, calm but brimming with tenderness.

[Niro]

“You aren’t being, not at all.” Yoshinori shook his head, his brow furrowing gently as he met Tsuki’s gaze. “It’s natural to be curious, I’d be the same. I just… didn’t know him. Hard to miss someone you’ve never met, right?” His words ended with a small shrug, casual on the surface, but something quieter lingered behind them. An ache not of memory, but of the absence of one. Their hands linked again as they stepped out of his childhood room, fingers fitting together like they always had, like they always should have. They walked in silence, the soft creak of the wooden floors underfoot the only sound as they ascended the final staircase to the third floor.

Though the structure of the house remained the same across levels, the third floor had its own atmosphere: cooler, dimmer, steeped in quiet reverence. The light was kept low here, a consideration for his mother’s sensitive vision, and one Yoshinori had long ago absorbed into habit. It gave the space a kind of hush, a solemnity that wasn’t unwelcome, just… still. The black-stained double doors loomed at the end of the hallway. Brass handles caught what little light there was, glinting faintly like sentinels. Yoshinori paused before them. There was something imposing about these doors. Not in their design, but in their symbolism. His father had once stood beyond them, a presence he had never truly known. But today, he wasn’t alone. With Tsuki by his side, his hand found the handles and, with a breath drawn deep, he pulled them open.

A rush of soft light spilled across the threshold as Yoshinori reached inside and brushed his fingers along the wall until they found the dimmer switch. With a gentle flick, the recessed lights above warmed to life muted and golden. The study unfolded before them, preserved and waiting. An oak desk dominated the space, its edges smooth from years of use. It sat beneath a wide window that overlooked the entire back garden, letting the sunlight spill across its weathered surface. Floor-to-ceiling shelves lined the walls, crammed with scrolls, battered tomes, and mission memoirs. On the far side, a black leather couch rested beneath a hanging portrait faded with time, but still bearing the likeness of a much younger Kawa, expression proud and barely restraining a smile.

“Wow,” Yoshinori murmured, his voice barely above a whisper as his eyes roamed across the space. A slow smile tugged at the corners of his lips before he turned to Tsuki. “Let’s have a look around, shall we?” Together, they began to move through the room, fingers trailing along dusty spines, eyes drawn to odd relics and weather-worn notes scrawled in Kawa’s distinctive hand. Each scroll unraveled a different chapter; operations, personal reflections, sketches of formations, even the occasional clipped remark about one comrade or another.

Yoshinori laughed aloud at one scroll, the sound echoing warmly through the quiet study. “Oh gods, listen to this. ‘Hyuuga, Aina. Unwilling. Kicked her out the window to test reactions. Screamed all the way down. Landed on her feet. Promoted her.’” He couldn’t help but double over slightly with laughter, the image far too vivid. “That’s Takeshi’s mom. Can you imagine her telling him that story?” He shook his head, a gleam in his eye as he wiped away a tear of amusement. It was surreal, really, hearing Kawa’s voice through writing. Not the father Yoshinori hadn't known, but the man the village had. It was a different kind of closeness. One built from echoes.

“The village was so different back then,” he said, quieter now, as his gaze drifted toward the window. He could almost picture it; less politics, more danger, but also more camaraderie, more legends in the making. People like his father. People like Aina. And now, perhaps, people like them.

[Lunanana]

The door opened and with that her breath hitched for a moment, maybe because today was building up just to this. Tsuki mindfully followed Yoshinori in, her eyes exploring the room again. It seemed that this day in particular was all about finding out. Like a cat, careful and curious, Tsuki approached the portrait of Kawa, her eyes lingering on his features longer than they did on the scrolls and other elements of the room. She looked up at him with a sort of wonder one does when viewing an art piece. You may not understand it fully, may not know all the surrounding context or may never met the artist but you still find something there. Maybe it was just the familiar way the man’s lips curved, the same as Yoshinori’s did. Her mind wandered to his previous words. ”You… Can miss someone you never met, I believe. Maybe not initially but once you learn how their mind worked, what they liked, what they would say in one situation or another… People live on in other people, from lips to lips their stories are told, some get theirs retold in more permanent ways than others do.” She turned her head to him, a simple, warm smile on her lips. ”What I am trying to say is that,” Her eyes darted back to the portrait, then back to Yoshinori. ”I think it’s harder to understand what exactly you miss.” Tsuki just wanted to share her thoughts on the matter as well. For a moment longer her eyes stayed on him, before she too joined him by the desk, interested in those reports that seemed so amusing.

She took one as well, reading through it, at least… She thought she was. Her eyes skimmed the text before she heard Yoshinori laugh, and already very invested, she blinked eagerly. Once he read it aloud her voice joined the echoing laughter. ”Oh, wow, I do remember her. Not… Her as a person but the tales I heard.” Amused, Tsuki leaned in to read the scroll again, giggling under her breath as she read the last sentence, looking through some more as Yoshinori’s gaze drifted to the window. ”He sounds like he had a zing, you know? Something uniquely him, even in his reports, the way he structured sentences, events he deemed important enough to mention,” Tsuki chuckled, placing the scrolls back gently and neatly in their place. ”Someone great. Unique. I see the similarities.” An attempt at a compliment, possibly missed but it really didn’t matter. As long as she had the courage to say it, that was enough.

Tsuki moved closer to Yoshinori’s side, tilting her head to look up at him and study his features for a moment before she spoke. ”...Doesn’t mean it can’t change again. Or revert back.” Slowly, her pinky found his, their connection just barely there, a reminder, that she was here, for as long as he’d have her. ”Times will change, like they always do. I’m just glad that whatever or whoever is at work here, let me meet you.” Because it was empowering, growing, nurturing, healing. It was the point in one’s life where you meet someone that help you realize that every decision or past mistake was worth it because it led to this exact moment. Some grow through power, others rise with hate but she knew that her path was ultimately changed because she met a man and fell inlove. ”I’m sorry, I, uh,” Tsuki slowly shook her head, smiling awkwardly at the window now. ”Got carried away in my train of thought. There are strong people in this village, ones that will ultimately take the place of the current. I met some of them, enthusiastic, confident, skilled. It will be an interesting dynamic… And after them, after us, there will be someone new.”

[Niro]

"Think so?" Yoshinori asked quietly, his voice softer than before as he returned the report to its place with a gentle touch. He lingered for a moment, turning over her words like a stone in his hand, smooth and heavy with meaning. After a long pause, he gave a slow nod, as if finally allowing himself to admit it. "Yeah… I guess I do miss what could’ve been. But I can’t change it, so there’s no point in clinging to what never was." His smile returned, warmer this time, touched by the affection in her gaze. "Unique? Great? Sounds like someone I’m lucky enough to love," he teased gently, brushing shoulders with her in a quiet gesture of closeness. "But I wouldn’t be any of those things without the people who stood behind me. Especially you, that’s where the real greatness comes from."

As they stood together at the window, Tsuki’s pinky hooked around his, and Yoshinori instinctively tightened his hand around hers, lacing their fingers fully as though grounding himself in her presence. Her words carried hope, and his smile deepened as a picture of the future bloomed vividly in his mind. "We’ll be them someday… the ones the next generation looks up to," he murmured, voice close to reverent. He leaned in and pressed a slow kiss to her temple, letting it linger before stepping behind her. His arms wrapped around her, firm but gentle, and he rested both hands on her stomach with quiet awe. "And after us? These little terrors will be tearing through the village with just as much chaos and twice the charm." The low laugh that followed was rich with love, a future unfolding in the curve of his smile.

Tsuki leaned back against him, and he let his chin rest briefly on her shoulder, breathing her in like something sacred. "I’m so glad I met you, love," Yoshinori murmured, his voice husky, roughened with sincerity. "Without you… gods, I don’t know who I’d be. You make me want to be better. You make it easy to try." His laughter returned, this time quiet and full of affection, though lacking its usual brightness. Something had stirred in him. Gently, he unwrapped his arms and turned toward the desk, his fingertips brushing its surface with something akin to reverence. "If I were the kind of shinobi to leave something behind... it’d be in a secret compartment." He spoke absently, but with growing curiosity as he began to search through the drawers.

And if Tsuki activated her Byakugan in that moment, she would see it; something hidden. Not visible to chakra sight, concealed by some jutsu, but tucked into the world like a memory waiting to be remembered: a drawer with no chakra signature at all, resting in the false bottom of the desk. Invisible. Intentionally so. Just waiting for him to find it.

[Lunanana]

He wrapped her up in a tender embrace, a shelter built of warmth and wonder. Tsuki did take notice of the position of his hands, her own finding their way on top of his, lacing their fingers together slowly. ”You think? I’m certain that they won’t be that bad or cause that much trouble… Unless both of them turn out like their father. I’m joking!” She chuckled, the air a little lighter and his chin rested on her shoulder, her body leaning against his like it was second nature. Tsuki’s gaze gently trailed their intertwined hands as Yoshinori spoke, these words, like many others from his lips, were different. These flew right into her heart and soul, like a phantom embrace, followed by a pooling warmth in her chest. You make it easy to try… It spoke to her on volumes she didn’t think it would. It was such a simple sentence that carried so much meaning.

Although, it appeared that Yoshinori knew his girlfriend well. Her eyes shifted from a soft gaze to something a little sharper, curiosity hidden somewhere in the top corner. They both shifted, looking at the room again, Yoshinori diving into the drawers while Tsuki stood there, taking in the room again. She searched the scrolls again, nothing standing out, even went around to inspect the walls. It seemed to take a while, and she started speaking with the intention to tease Yoshinori a little. ”You chose someone with all seeing eyes, so I think that’s a-... Wait.” It took her a little longer that she liked to admit to finally use her doujutsu, mainly because she didn’t think it would have any effect in finding something here. Tsuki’s eyebrows furrowed as she kept looking, locating a hidden compartment, intentionally hidden compartment on the false bottom of the desk. She almost wanted to let out a victorious sound but instead, she did something else. Something she wanted to do.

With a silent step, Tsuki took Yoshinori’s hand, the hint of confusion in his eyes meeting with quiet dedication of hers. Slowly, she started kneeling down, gently pulling Yoshinori together with her, as she placed his hand on the false bottom of the desk. ”Hidden. Intentionally…” At the last word, her voice hushed. This was Yoshinori’s moment now, and she was a passenger. Tsuki’s eyes met his again, and she nodded slowly but surely, prompting him to find what was left hidden.

[Niro]

"If they both turn out like me, we better start babyproofing everything," Yoshinori chuckled, the laugh warm and alive as he combed the office with thoughtful fingers. Each shelf, every dusty corner, he mapped quietly committing it to memory. It had been so long. The last time he'd been here, his mother was reading a line from a will that would chart the course of his life. Her voice was hard, her pain poorly hidden. After that day, this study had become something forbidden. A closed chapter he never dared re-open until now. Tsuki’s voice lilted across the room, pulling him gently from memory. He turned just in time to watch her Byakugan bloom to life, her eyes sharp and glowing with that unmistakable Hyuuga brilliance. Her chakra sang through the air, clear and calm, and his heart stirred with a tenderness he didn’t speak aloud. When she guided his hand toward the invisible seam of a hidden drawer, he followed unquestioning and trusting.

"Good job, love," he murmured, his voice full of wonder, the edges softened by affection. Their gazes met; hers soft and proud, his shining with adoration and quiet pride. He pressed against the false bottom and winced. A sharp prick on his finger. Blood welled, then vanished as the desk seemed to drink it in. Seals shimmered to life in a slow, deliberate cascade; lines of fuuinjutsu unlocking with the elegance of a held breath finally released. He blinked at the final flicker of chakra before reaching in to retrieve what the drawer had protected: a dark blue journal, thick and worn, the name Tei, Kawa inscribed across the front in bold, slanted script.

He held it like it was something sacred, his thumb brushing the edge of the cover as he turned toward Tsuki, still holding her hand. "Let’s sit," he said softly. They settled into the old leather couch; close, surrounded by a lifetime frozen in time. Yoshinori exhaled, then opened the book to its first page. His voice trembled just slightly as he began to read aloud.

"Hey, kid,

Your mom doesn’t think I know she’s pregnant, but I’m not dumb. I’ve got doctor friends. I know morning sickness when I hear it. I can’t wait to meet you. If you’re this much trouble already, I know you’re gonna be a firecracker when you get here."

Yoshinori hesitated mid-sentence, breath catching as his throat tightened. He didn’t try to hide it. His voice wavered with something raw, and his hand gently tightened around Tsuki’s as if anchoring himself. He turned the page.

"Your mom and I love you so much already. I see the way she glances around with stars in her eyes and the way she giggles when she thinks I’m not listening. I’ve already started preparing jutsu I want to teach you when you're older. I can’t wait."

A tear fell. He didn’t notice it until it splashed onto the page. He blinked, surprised, and then let out a laugh; low, hoarse, full of disbelief and warmth all at once. "...Guess I did miss what I could’ve had after all," he whispered, wiping the tear from his cheek with the heel of his palm. Still holding the journal close, he leaned into Tsuki and let the moment wrap around them like a memory finally found. The weight of love, past, present, and future, settled gently between them.

[Lunanana]

Tsuki furrowed her brows at the sound of a small click, although there was no blood on his finger to clean off. Curiously, she too watched the secret unfold before them, her eyes darting to Yoshinori just for a second. Clever man. Tsuki thought, when the journal rested in his hand, old and sacred. She noticed how Yoshinori held it and thought it was only appropriate, her body moving in unison with his as the words brought her back from the train of thought. Side by side, they sat on the timeworn leather sofa, and Tsuki didn’t even notice that she was holding her breath.

When she heard the introduction words, she felt a tug at the bottom of her heart. His father was long gone, and yet, the two words felt so close and real, as if he himself was summoned by ink and time. She sat quietly at his side, close enough to feel the tremor in his breath, yet wise enough to let silence hold space for something else. Perhaps a feeling that was buried deep within him. She wore a sad but warm smile, looking at him, her other hand slowly but surely finding its way to rest upon his, holding with the same tightness. Here. I’m here.

Yoshinori sat beside her but in that moment when the last word left his lips, she knew that his soul was somewhere else. Something in the way he bowed his head, and the sacred way he held those pages, kept her still just for a moment longer, to let it really sink in. She was ready when Yoshinori leaned into her, her arms already open, pulling him in closer to herself, holding for as long as he needed it. ”It’s okay to cry and let it out…” She whispered so silently, only he could hear it, her voice not breaking the heavy atmosphere. Feelings were made to be felt. And they should be felt out, recognized and understood. Only then they could move on. She shifted, gently, carefully, treating Yoshinori as someone sacred. Her hands gently guided his head to her chest, wrapping around his shoulders and holding him close, soft and slow kisses landed one by one on his forehead from time to time.

They were just… There. In the moment. It wasn’t dramatic – it was real. And she held him or as long as he needed her to, until her voice broke the silence again. ”More often than not, love, we live as echoes of our parents. The good and the bad ones, doesn’t matter if we like it or not. And so did they,” Her hand found his back and she touched him in gentle, slow and soothing strokes. ”We grow up in a blink. And before you know it, the moments you wish you had with yours could be relived… With your children. Our children. They heal us, when we make memories with them we wish we had as children with ours.” Her lips stayed on his forehead a little longer, as she formed her following thoughts. ”I can only dream that the memories we make with our children will be the ones they will want to recreate in the future because it made them happy. You’re going to be a great dad.”

She let those words sink in before she added a little more quietly. ”...When you’re ready… I think you could show this to your mom. If you want to…”