#happier?

Early morning was always so peaceful. The blanket of fog that draped over your yard was so calming. Early morning was when every animal, every form of life began its day, including your small family.

“My, My, Y/N, you’ve taken to motherhood so beautifully, I feel useless for the first time” Sitting down on the engawa Shinobu placed a quilt on the ground in front of you. You smiled at her, placing the bundle in your arms carefully on the grey and black fabric.

“Thank you, It’s only been two days but you and Amane have both been so helpful. The letters she sends have been such a wonderful help. I’m excited for Kyojuro to get home.” She nodded, looking down at your daughter, her rosy cheeks poking out of the blanket you had her swaddled in.

“I wrote to him as soon as you went into labor, so he knows. Hopefully he arrives home soon, we haven’t heard much.”

“Yes, I know, the last time he wrote was a couple days ago so I do hope he arrives soon. I was hoping Hinata would wait but she was ready to say hi. Huh my beautiful girl?” You smiled at your baby, her big yellow eyes that mimicked her fathers stared up at you, taking in the world she had waited so long to see. The fog had begun its ascent as the three of you sat outside, the calm and cool morning air was a blessing to enjoy with your baby, another beautiful day was beginning.

“Senjuro will be here soon won’t he?” Shinobu shifted next to you, moving to get up. “He is here everyday, such excitement in a young boy, he’s a good brother” You chuckled at the thought. The religious visits from your brother in law were a joy, watching him cuddle and love his Niece. He was one of the few people you trusted to keep an eye on her while you used the restroom or made yourself some tea.

“He is a very good young man, just like Kyojuro. I feel lucky to have both of them.” Shinobu stood, stretching the last of the exhaustion out of her body.

“Have you eaten yet?” You shook your head, not looking up. “Go eat, there is fresh fruit from Tengen in there if you don’t want anything heavy, but you need to keep your strength up. It's only been two days since she was born, it takes a lot out of your body. I shall sit with her” You looked up, nodding in understanding. Creating life and bringing it into the world was by no means easy. It was soul wrenching, hot, unsettling, so painful. You felt so happy though, to have such helpful and dedicated friends who made it as smooth as it could have been. No complications, no accidents, it was all you could ask for. Well, maybe not all.

“Yes, That should be good. Sitting here all day waiting for him may drive me crazy” You laughed, getting up so Shinobu can take your seat.

You arrived back at the engawa not long after you left, deciding just to snack on the cherries and pears you had received from Tengen days ago. A gift for ‘good luck’ he mentioned, chuckling as he went on his way. Shinobu had moved from where she sat, walking around the yard as she cooed and whispered to your bundle of love. Her purple bangs were falling into Hinata’s face, a great toy for small curious hands as they walked.

“You will be bald before the sun is at its peak!” Shinobu looked up, a soft smile on her lips as she walked up to you, prying the small fingers from her hair.

“You might be right, she definitely is a strong little girl” You sat on the edge of the engawa, legs hanging off the side as you leaned to see your daughter. The wisps of blonde hair that lined her head were out of sorts, a mess, just like her fathers usually was. The yellow and pink blanket you had her swaddled in was slipping as she moved around in it, revealing more of her white onesie and her arms. She opened and closed her mouth, small gurgles coming from her as she reached out absently.

“I can’t get tired of looking at her, she brings me such joy. So beautiful, so perfect” You cooed, taking the bundle from Shinobu and laying her on your shoulder, rocking her back and forth. “She’s so warm too, so much like Kyojuro, He will be so ex-” Your sentence was cut short as the front gate creaked open, Senjuro poking his head in and smiling.

“Sis! You’ll never guess who I met on my way over!” He stepped inside your yard, opening the door more for the person with him. Kyojuro came in behind him, a Kakushi assisting him inside as he limped further into the yard. A large grin appeared on his paler face, cheeks darkening as he met your eyes.

“Sunflower” He breathed, trying to step forward, a hobble in his step. As you looked over him you noticed why he seemed to struggle. His arm that rested on his bandaged stomach, the bruises that lined it. He looked tired, thoroughly worn out from whatever it was that he had faced. His hair had been tied back, out of his face and the bandage that covered his left eye. Shinobu immediately ran over, assisting Kyojuro to waddle over the engawa, pained breaths escaping him with every step. He groaned as they helped him sit next to you, Senjuro taking his small amount of items from him and running them into the estate. “Hello” His smile didn’t leave his face as he turned to you, taking in the sight before him. The closer look you had at him made you want to cry. The dried blood that was peeking out from his bandaged eye, his bloodied and bruised knuckles as he moved to push your hair out of your face, his hand hovering over the bundle on your shoulder. You noticed, moving her so she laid in your arms, curious eyes meeting with Kyojuros as she also looked him over.

“Hinata” Was all you managed, watching as she reached out for her father, the unspoken bond between parents and their children already forming between them. He sucked in a breath, leaning closer to her.

“Hello sunshine, my pretty girl. I’m sorry I'm late, daddy was busy but now I'm here. I’m all yours now” he looked up, winking before he turned back to her wiggly body.

“Do you want to hold her?” He sat up straight, wincing.

“I don’t know if i can” He looked over at Shinobu and The kakushi who had moved to the side, talking about Kyojuros mission and condition.

“I’ll help” You stood, moving to stand in front of him. “Remember, support her head, and her butt, she's still getting that strength” You repeated the things Shinobu had told you as he hesitantly held out his hands, staring at her while you carefully placed her in them, hands hovering below.

“She’s so small, she looks like you” He looked up, tears forming in his eyes “She's perfect, i’m sorry i wasn’t here. When I got the letter, I-” He choked, looking back down as the cooing bundle. “I was so upset, but she is perfect. You did beautifully, look at her. So warm and perfect” He repeated it, chanting it to himself as he continued to look down at her.

“Y/N says she looks like you, she wants her to have your hair” Senjuro piped up from beside you, scaring you as you instinctively stepped back. “Her farts are gross though” He sat down next to his brother, wiggling his fingers in her face and making kissy noises. Kyojuro laughed, watching his brother enjoy his time with his daughter. Senjuro held his hands out, a silent question to hold her.

“I will allow it this once because I just got home and lack the proper strength, be calm Senjuro '' He chided, hands carefully moving her into Senjuro arms as the younger Rengoku cuddled her close to him. Kyojuro turned back to you, hands taking yours in his own.

“She’s beautiful, have you been well? Please sit with me” he pulled on your hands, moving you to sit on the other side of him.

“Shinobu has been taking very good care of me and Hinata. Between her, Senjuro, and Amanes letters I think we're being spoiled rotten” You smiled, pulling your hand out of his to cup his cheek, thumb running over the bandage on his face. “Are you okay? Maybe you should go rest for a bit, Visit Hinata more when you wash up and rest”

“I am better than before, knowing you are both doing so well. She is more than I could have hoped for, you both are, my two perfect people. My beautiful family.” He leaned into the palm of your hand, eyes fluttering shut as he took a deep breath. “I love coming home, but now I'm afraid I may never leave you two.” he chuckled, opening his eyes and turning to place a kiss on your palm.