Yamanaka Flowers

[Sakura Valois]

Sakura's hospital shift hadn't last that much longer. Thankfully, Raphael had stopped his actions long enough for Shizune to free her of her duties. The pink haired kunoichi was now dragging her bio organic weapon of a fiance down the main street of Konoha. Looking around it didn't look like home. The once crowded streets full of businesses were now, empty with over half of the local buildings condemned. It was sad really, what was happening to their once beautiful village? It was getting harder to look at day to day. Lacing her smaller fingers within Raphael's hand she continued to pull him along on her sore legs, in the direction of the old Yamanaka flower shop. She ignored the looks some of the villagers were giving her, holding Raphael's hand like that. Walking so close together, even when she still held the Uchiha name so high. While Sakura longed for her team to be complete once more; it didn't mean she would continue her childhood dream of marrying the Uchiha all over again. Instead this time she would stay next to her fiance's side. Refusing to call him her husband until he caved on the wedding she always wanted. Turning her attention back to the road as they shifted around one corner down to the main market street.

"I can't believe you left my child there." She muttered out softly as they trudged along the emptying streets. "I can just imagine the fit Ino-chan is probably having over my spawn sitting in her store."

She sighed heavily, picturing the blonde bombshell of the village probably poking and prodding her toddler. Or worse-- decorating her with colorful shades of make up, cherry blossom colored hair that was probably pulled up in to too many bows. It was a scary thought. One Sakura wasn't sure she wanted to picture entirely as they rounded the corner of the next street, the yellow storefront coming in to view.

"Raphael-sama..." Sakura whispered in her harsh tone as she tilted her head to the side, sending him a sharp glare. "Do not under any circumstances be rude, do not make any remarks on Ino's store, body or skills. She did us a favor and the most you can be is polite. You know how to do that right? I'm sure I don't have to tell you, seeing as you hate half of those business men you work with." The kunoichi mused with a sly smirk as she made it in to the view of the Yamanaka flower shop. The air was filled with the over sweet smell of the blooms that sat along the entrance way of the yellow store.

"Ino-chan?" Sakura asked softly as she entered the floral shop, still dressed in her medical scrubs, hair a mess with dark circles ridden under her eyes. "Nanami?" The fifth's apprentice called softly as she made it over to the counter top with a raised eyebrow.

[Yamanaka Ino]

The Flowershop was surprisingly still in business. It wasn't as active or overwhelmed with customers, like it use to be, but they still had some. Enough to keep them up and running. Ino was incredibly grateful for that. With missions being so scarce and Tsunade-sama sick, it was becoming overwhelming for the village of Konohagakure and it's inhabitants. That didn't stop refugee's from crossing the border and running to them, for help either. That only added onto the list injured from innocent bystandards and their own nin. Nothing could ever be simple, instead life had to be complex. She wasn't anywhere near Sakura's level with medical jutsu's, only knew enough to do basic work in the hospitals, but with everything... insane, they were shoving her besides the kunoichi for assistance.

Each wound treated usually needed surgery, and to make matters worst, some strange sickness was traveling around Konoha. People were throwing up blood, their muscles were weakening and fevers were killing them. By time anyone managed to get treatment, it was too late. At first, everyone on staff thought it was the flu. They gave the patients doses of anti-biotics for their fevers and shakes, and continued onto the next person. Influenze Viruses could be deadly but they weren't that bad. Well, they believed that until blood was being vomitted from each victim of the ailment. It wasn't long afterwards until they died. An autopsy showed each of their organs failing at once, infected puss filling their muscles. They still couldn't fully understand what caused it. About five percent of the population suffered it, which didn't classify it as a epidemic yet but that didn't make matters any less frightening.

Especially for her now. Her outfit had changed with age. She wore black pants, matching nin-boots beneath the fabric and a violet shirt. It was satin and had a flower imprint embroidered on the back, right in the middle. Her hair was cut to the middle of her back, but she still wore it in a ponytail. She had so much on her mind, that when somebody entered the shop, she hadn't heard them. Instead, she turned around, spotted some man leaving... and a child sitting on the registers countertop. "..." Noticing the pink hair, eyebrow quirking, she approached the child. Her blue hue's catching the all too familiar emerald green -- she looked exactly like any Haruno; just with curly hair. But she hadn't been informed of any pregnancy's from them. They weren't a clan but they were extremely close with her own. She would have definitely heard about... then it hit her.

Sakura returned from her missing in action scenario, and acted so noncholant, that Ino couldn't help but think, the pinkette was hiding something. Piecing the clue's together, she asked. "Sakura's daughter?" Receiving a giggle and nod in reponse, she tried her best not to groan in mild annoyance.

That was three hours ago. Keeping Nanami on the counter, having her help wrap up thornless bouquets of flowers, when Sakura finally returned, the blonde bombshell tossed a dozen of orchid's at her friend. "You! You didn't even ask me to babysit. Didn't tell me OR anybody you had a child! One you just DROP off here like it's nothing!? This isn't a purse, ya know!" About to continue ranting, the male caught her attention. Why did he look so familiar? "And him!" Extending the left arm, she pointed to the stranger; forgetting the engagement ring on her finger through the fit. "Who the hell is he?! Was he the one who dropped her off here?! Who is he to do that?!"

[Sakura Valois]

Sakura yelped the moment the blonde kunoichi had lashed out at her and her fiance. She had almost backed up a few feet and left, but the only thing stopping her was the small toddler holding her smaller arms out to Sakura. She moved in and scooped up the carbon copy of herself and squeezed her against her chest. Sakura's fingers digging in to Nanami's hair as she smiled to the toddler before looking over her shoulder to Raphael knowing that Ino's screeching was probably being ignored by him as well. It didn't matter though. Not now, with Sakura's family finally all together in one place she could finally relax. Even if Konohakagure wasn't the greatest place for them now. Not with the epidemic that was threatening to break free of the hospital walls. Over half of the ANBU had been taken ill with the influenza virus-- as well as the population of the younger nin. Raphael would be able to handle the virus and she was trained enough to stay away from it. As for her child? Sakura wasn't sure-- she wasn't ready to lose another one to something so careless.

As Ino's rant came in to a close, Sakura finally glanced back up to the blonde. She noticed the sparkle that reflected off of the ring sitting on the kunoichi's left hand. She reached out and snatched Ino's wrist. "Pig... What is this?"

She leaned up, moving Nanami down to her hip as she looked closer to the elegant ring. "This looks way to expensive to be anything worthless..." Sakura shook her head, who was the one who bought Ino the ring? There was no way it was the pale artist did it. Or her over sized teammate Chouji, no; could it be that she finally coaxed her lazy genius to propose.

"Pig... is that from Shikamaru?"

[Raphael Valois]

“Do not insult my line of work by comparing it to a flower shop.”

He scoffed down at her every time she made a demand a demand at him. He owed this woman nothing and he was certainly under no obligation to be polite towards someone he had never met. He walked a step or two behind her, starting to feel uncomfortable holding her hand. Raphael was hardly a man for public affection, but every time he tried to pull away her grip got tighter. An annoying trait of her to insure she got what she wanted. He fought he heat he felt growing around his neck and cheeks then continued to walk towards the flower shop. Though when they reached the store he was able to free his hand and placed them across his chest while his katanas rested on his sides.

His human eye looked around the small shop and instantly locked onto his daughter, bringing a short lived, but obvious smile to his lips. Shortly after it faded he could he the blonde fool ranting about something and making a gesture at him. The glimmer on her finger caught his attention and brought out a soft sigh. Perhaps he could find this man and convince him not to throw his life away on…a flower girl. He raised an eye at her before scoffing and giving her a condescending look, then shared it with the rest of the shop. “How very quant. This shop speaks volumes about you.” Raphael moved towards Nanami and pried her away from her mother and turned his back on the pair. “You too gossip about whatever uselessness you have to share. I have no desire to listen to your babble.” He gave one final glance at Ino before walking towards the door.

He was almost out when he heard his mate clear her throat loudly. He growled and turned around. His human eye shot daggers at her before he set his daughter down. “Find something to make your mother’s apartment decent ok?” He looked back at her before finding the darkest corner in the room and leaning against it, folding his arms and glaring at the woman for wasting his day like this.

Leaf women…

[The Green Beast]

"Special delivery for Ms. Ino-- Oh, I'm sorry."

Lee walked in on the feuding kunoichi. On his way in, he found a man with a defying look upon his face, cradling an infant. Of course, Lee paid no attention, since he was on a little side mission, delivering many supplies towards the beautiful Ino and her store, filled with many plant life and colorful surroundings. Only a few times had he stepped in here, only to make a purchase, but now he was delivering supplies such as seed, fresh soil, manure and a other plant necessities. Quietly, he'd sneak inside the store in which the female rivals exchanged bellows and screeches. Apparently, the baby of Sakura's wasn't really welcome within Ms. Yamanaka's building... and he wasn't feeling too welcome within, either. Leaving two boxes by the supply closet and assorted objects on the counter, he'd take in a deep breath, taking in the fresh smell of the flowers that had been beautifully decorated by Ino-chan. Bushy brow would soon leave then be caught in the whirlwind of fueled hatred between the two females, but he felt a soon upcoming of courage and dependency upon them to stop their quarrel.

"..."

Before opening his mouth, he swallowed his words, stepping back before he'd hit the floor from either one of them hitting him in a fit of fury. As he stepped out of the building, the cries of their voices still echoed, attracting villagers of sorts, looking inside and passing by, whispering insults. Lee quickly turned around, waving his hands, "No need to worry, villagers of Konoha, they are having a... verbal fight of sorts. Just go on about your day and do not worry about them. "

As the villagers went on their way, Lee walked back into the building, spotting the man holding what seemed to be his daughter. The baby was an exact replica of her mother. Lee nodded while he opened his mouth to converse with the other male.

"Haha... they really are always like that. Ever since we were young... Oh, I'm sorry, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Rock Lee, Konoha's Green Beast!" And with that, he turned to the man, throwing out a fist with the thumb raise, and a quick smile on his face. A traditional pose.

[Yamanaka Ino]

Hand being apprehended, Ino yanked it back. Instead of bragging about the beautiful diamond, blushing or trying to divert the attention, her features instantly softened. "Yeah, what about it? He proposed. Big deal. With his attendance record anymore, we'll be lucky to marry at age thirty." She didn't mean to sound so harsh... but she was frustrated. She missed him so badly. Patience wasn't the problem. Surprisingly, she had it with him. She understood that his occupation was so much more... complex than hers. She did a lot of things during the day and in general for the Clan, but at night it was so lonely. With his Genin team, job and everything else, she rarely saw him. She could deal with it, that wasn't the problem... it was how nonchalant he acted. More than half the time he couldn't be sincere with her. He put on that goofy front and hide his emotions, behind that exterior. She knew he cared for her, but still... it would make things much easier on her, if he actually took the time, to show how he felt without any facades.

The Yamanaka knew it was impossible. He was too set in his ways. Hoping for that miracle where he opened his eyes, realized how foolish he could be sometimes, and put forth a little more effort wasn't there. She wasn't niave, this is just how things were and would be. That didn't mean she loved him any less...

Snapping back to reality, spotting the flowershop now full of customers looking around, and fellow comrades, she cleared her throat and kept her nose wrinkled. "Bah! What would you know, Forehead." Glancing to the boxes Lee brought over, suddenly smiling wide and cheerful, she spotted him in the corner. "Oi, Lee-kun!" Waving a hand to him, her lips curled upward cheekily. "Thank you for bringing over my supplies! I couldn't imagine carrying them back alone from the import dock!" Knowing how well Sakura could read her, before the pinkette could even respond to her actions from a moment ago, she placed a hand on her hip. "You. Follow me into the back and help me bring everyone out some lemonade~" Grabbing onto her best friends arm, she wouldn't take no for an answer and escorted her behind the counter; toward the employee's lounge.

"Now... who is he? And since when did YOU have a kid?" She asked, glancing to the child curiously.

[Sakura Valois]

Find something to make your mother’s apartment decent...

Sakura had been so caught up in the joy of Ino announcing her engagement to the lazy Nara heir, she barely noticed Raphael snatching her daughter from her and edging for the door. Clearing her throat loudly she didn't even have to turn her head to face him. She already knew a dirty look was being shot her way but she ignored it just as she did the comment he made to their child about her apartment.


Is my apartment really that dreary? She paused for a moment, thoughts lingering on her small place that was packed wall to wall with medical scrolls, text books, and a few pieces of mix matched furniture. No real decoration unless you counted the yearly pictures taken of Team seven over the years. The first with the original team. Everyone was there and Sakura stood poised in between her two teammates. Then he left. The hole he made was filled by a member of ANBU, Sai. The next picture is void of Kakashi filled in with Yamato-- the point was. The only pictures left now were of her three children, now down to one. Other than that-- her apartment really was empty. Maybe thats why she imagined returning home so many times just to crawl in to an actual bed; big enough for more than one, and curling in to Raphael's heated body. However Sakura's thoughts were jerked short as Lee caught her attention. She turned to look over her shoulder to the green clad shinobi.

"Ohayo Lee-san." Sakura smiled to him knowing he had probably been doing said errands for Ino. It had been a while since she last saw Konoha's green beast, he wasn't one to be in the hospital much. Unlike his teammates and sensei. Sakura looked back at Raphael giving him a warning glare as Lee introduced himself to the BOW. The glare was to keep Raphael from doing one of three things. One, insulting Lee and his apparel no matter how odd it looked. Two, to keep him from introducing himself as the one who knocked Sakura up. And three-- well three was just to keep him polite. Knowing her fiance had the tendency to let his arrogance get the better of him.


She turned her blonde best friend giving her a look as she linked her arm through her own insisting that she aid her in getting said refreshments for anyone. "I don't mind helping but I dont want to leave him out here with Lee for long-- Nanami!" Sakura squeaked turning around holding Ino's arm as she kneeled next to her daughter.

"Watch Daddy for Mommy. Make sure he doesn't do anything! Or leave for that matter." And with that said she was pulled off in the back of the vibrant flower shop. Already knowing that Ino was going to drill her with a million and one questions all at once. The pink haired kunoichi stepped in to the lounge making sure the back door was closed tightly before looking to her best friend.

"That would be Raphael Valois." She muttered. "Met him out on a mission you could say-- two years after Sasuke-kun deserted us for good. As for my child.." Sakura started turning to the counter tops of the back. Beginning to work her way around with glasses knowing exactly where everything was. She had spent majority of her time off helping Ino and the Yamanaka families out.

"Originally I have had three," Sakura didn't pause to see Ino's face. Instead she paused to collect herself. This was the reason she busied herself so much with work. She didn't want to think of it. Didn't want the haunting memories of her dying children. "Two boys and Nanami. Yukito was my oldest, spitting image of Sasuke-kun."

Sakura didn't go in to much detail. The thought of Sasuke being the one to hold kin to her first son still made her upset. "Then along came Nanami, two years later I met Raphael. Several months later along came Vincent Valois. A strange fluke of science is how he came along and I dont just mean birth control." Sakura siged as she reached up to pinch the bridge of her nose. "To make a long story short Pig, my sons are dead and its my fault Raphael's only son; Vincent, is dead. I pulled the plug on the experiment table. Thus I came home. Now all thats left is my daughter. I'm surprised she's still in one piece with Raphael. I bet it was Ace who took care of her for the most part." She trailed off before looking to Ino's obviously confused face with a smirk.

[Raphael Valois]

“I know who you are” Raphael said coldly, not bothering to look at the green nin. He knew Rock Lee well, but not personally. He had heavy influence on Ace’s fighting style which in turn had an influence on his fighting style. He witnessed his failed attempts to best the older B.O.W and was once or twice noted by Sakura. Unfortunately for him, the pose his just struck was the last of Raphael’s patience. He instantly began to contemplate an appropriate punishment for his stupidity, and just as the idea to melt his lips together came to mind, his human eye noticed the other pink haired figure in the room. She was copying a pose she no doubt stole from Ace. She pointed at her eyes, then right back at Raphael.

This brought a faint smile to Raphael’s lips, and the encouragement to continue tolerating this…this…Raphael didn’t know what to call him. Though he seemed to remain in the pose, waiting for Raphael to say or do something. He turned his head, only showing the side of his face with the makeshift eye patch before growling

“Raphael…Valois…”

[Sakura Valois]

"Ano--..." Sakura murmured turning to face her blonde friend, blinking up at her softly. "Ino?" She asked softly reaching up and poking the soft pale cheek of the other kunoichi. She faintly wondered if she had stunned the woman with her long tell tale of what exactly had happened when Sakura had been away for those months training.

"Ino it'd be nice if you said something so I don't feel completely ridiculous here." Sakura murmured as she grabbed the tray of drinks and moved to the door, heading back out in to the flower shop and setting the tray on the counter top next to the old register. The truth was, Sakura was afraid of what Ino may say to her about the whole topic. Worried that the female would ask more questions on what happened to her sons. Something she wasn't ready to revisit in her mind.

Looking up the female smiled over at her small carbon copy, playing with the buds and making strange poses. Cocking her head to the side, she glanced to Raphael trying to make small talk with Lee, something she didn't see happening anytime soon. At least there had been no bloodshed yet. "Raphael-sama." She murmured crooking her finger up at the BOW with a soft smile. She waited for him to move in close, and leaned up whispering to him. "Where did my daughter learn to do that?"

Sakura questioned pointing to the small pink haired girl, making faces as people passed by the glass window in the front of the flower shop. Nanami had always been the quiet one, the most shy and the one who always ran to Sakura when the thunderstorms came, not that Sakura didn't run to Raphael over the same thing but that was another story.

[Raphael Valois]

Raphael had just decided to force the man’s mouth shut when he noticed his mate return from what must have been an extremely difficult beverage retrieval, considering the time it took her to return. His human eye instantly moved away from the imbecile, and onto the mother who was a far more pleasant sight. She signaled for him to move towards her and without excusing himself from the conversation, stiffly moved away from the corner of the room. Raphael was just about to tell her never to make that hand signal again when he was cut off by her question. He turned his head around to find his daughter making the same signal to the public, that she had done to him several minutes earlier . A threatening reminder that she was watching each and every one of them. Raphael sighed and slowly turned back to Sakura. “Proof that stupidity is contagious. Perhaps time away from certain individuals will cure her of that.” His voice wasn’t cold or venomous, nor did he feel the slightest resentment at Nanami or Ace. He turned to face her one more time, and smiled so that Sakura couldn’t see.

“I’m through waiting in this mediocre greenhouse.” He said before turning back, now making his tone hard and commanding. His green human eye meet hers. He had other things he needed to do before nightfall, and even after that it would be some time before he would allow himself to sleep. He didn’t announce it to her, or anyone else for that matter. But there were several somethings move towards his location. He knew of them , the impossibly fast one would be his brother, and with him some basic equipment, weapons, chemicals, and other necessities to prevent him from falling prey to insanity through seer boredom. The others…He wasn’t sure. But he would be awake when they arrived.

“If you have things you need to do so be it. However, I’m leaving.” He continued, pulling his attention away from the future and onto the present. “You can decide what you want done with the girl.” He cocked his head towards the window where they young girl still played.

[Sakura Valois]

He hadn't need to say anything to her about Nanami's company already knowing who he spoke of. Part of her wanted to ask him how much time he spent with her one on one. It was a scary thought actually...A long sigh escaped Sakura's lips as she looked from Raphael to Nanami wondering what else her daughter might have picked up from the blue-haired BOW she had called Angel for the longest time. Deciding not to dwell on that information for too long, the pinkette turned a bit and called over her shoulder to say farewell to the Yamanaka heiress as she moved around the counter. Sakura easily passed Raphael and kneeled a bit, dragging her daughter up and away from the window.

"What all did you have planned tonight Raphael?" She asked softly as the toddler squirmed in her arms. She looked up at him curiously cocking her head to the side. Honestly she was trying to read his expressions, just to see if something bad would be happening. How much did he honestly know of Konoha's falling status? She shook her head softly, it didn't matter.

"Not that it matters with you staying up." She added quietly as they moved to the brightly painted door and pushed out in to the streets. "Besides, you get the couch tonight." Sakura murmured as she moved towards the door. She wasn't about to mess up her sleeping schedule for him. She had another hospital shift soon and sleep would be needed. Not to mention more teams would be returning home hopefully from their latest missions.

[Raphael Valois]

Raphael never gave the miserable shop another passing glance as he walked into the streets. It was still shocking to see what Konoha had become, compared to what it was when he first met her so many years ago. His human eyes was constantly moving from side to side, taking in the sights and interpreting what really need to be done to turn the place around. He had his ideas and plans, but without knowing anything about their current military status, or who could be waiting for Konoha to slip further, it would be difficult to put anything into serious action.

Especially with their leaders failing health.

He had hoped to return to Sakura’s apartment in silence, and therefore allow him to lose himself in thought while instinct dodged to crowds and directed him to his location, but the woman beside him was asking questions again. His human eye turned to her then returned forward. “I’m going to find a way to train.” He sounded sure of himself, but it would be an interesting task. With no gravity training, complex machines, or other Bio-Organic Weapons to assist him, he would be forced to work the long way. Once or twice he considered forcing a Leaf nin to spar with him, but it always lead to the same depressing conclusion. While they truly were skilled fighters, He wasn’t sure any of them would be adequate. And that was before using his fake eye. Genetically, Raphael was superior in every way. And this was the only time he hated himself for it. Though it would help to remind some of them. Especially the Uzimaki child, the tight wearing fool form earlier and should they cross paths: Nanami’s biological father.

“And I don’t care where you are placing me woman.” He said through a clenched jaw. He wouldn’t need much sleep, he never did. And it would take more than a crude side comment to stop him from entering the room anyway. But the fact that she had said that was an irritation bordering insult. He didn’t bother looking at her when he replied to that, and he wasn’t going to retaliate with another insult.

He was certain Sakura knew that she was a snoring bed hog.

[Sakura Valois]

He wasn't going to fight her on this? There were no insults thrown, no demands for the bed and most of all no comment on him going other than to train. That didn't worry Sakura as much seeing as Raphael trained no matter where they were, or what time of the day it was. He was constantly trying to be the best, striving to be that much better than his brother Ace. Something she admired and hated all at the same time. She looked up at him rather sadly though before letting go of the toddler and holding the small child's hand. Her fingers squeezed around Nanami's smaller hand and she sighed. It had been his first night back and he was already going to be leaving again.

"You do whatever it is, you came here to do Raphael." She murmured. This probably all had something to do with her mistakes all over again. He would see her, outcast her, then leave as always. However this time she would keep hold of her daughter. Sakura squeezed Nanami's hand softly again as they turned a street corner, her feet beginning to shuffle along the dirt slowly, to keep in tow with the child, she watched Raphael walk a little bit ahead of them. "I'll keep Nanami with me while you go out to train. "

Her feet scuffled along the dirt as they reached the old building. "Raphael, why come back if all you need is hiding places? You most have more safe houses than this place. Why not go stay with Ace?"

[Raphael Valois]

The question did take Raphael by surprise. She was right, over course. He could have gone anywhere in the world. But for once Raphael wasn’t thinking about himself. He placed his hands in his pockets and moved to lean against the wall, facing his mate. “We don’t know anything about this group. We don’t know how they can target B.O.Ws; even sleepers.” He paused when he saw the look of confusion on her face. “B.O.Ws that have been inactive and allowed to live normal lives. Similar to Lisa.” Raphael closed his eyes and continued. “And with Nanami with me I didn’t want to take the chance. She would be safer her. And seeing as one my brother and myself know how to reach Konoha…” He saw his home in flames in the back of his mind again. And his temper began to flare as his own words helped him to realize how helpless he was now. And having a family didn’t help

“if I returned there would be a chance that whoever this is could find you and Nanami. If they believe me to be dead that gives my brother and father a slight advantage.” He told her enough to satisfy her curiosity, though not all the reasons. He was here to make sure there was no connection to the Religious organization attacking B.O.Ws, and anything in or around Konoha. Even if he completed his mission he wouldn’t be allowed back until the crisis was at least tipping in Umbrella’s favor. And after seeing Sakura…He wasn’t sure he wanted to return in the near future.

His human eye opened and his hands went to untie the makeshift eye patch he had around his head, allowing the cloth to fall on the ground. His right eye opened, and the small umbrella symbol that way his mechanical pupil began to spin rapidly clock-wise…then switch…and switch again. Raphael was downloading visual information, syncing with Umbrella’s mainframe, and checking for anything his brother or father might have sent him. It paid to be 1/3 machine. It was also the first time he had allowed his mate to see his fake eye in months. He studied her more carefully, and did a quick scan.

“You’re going to get sick if you don’t take better care of yourself.

[Sakura Valois]

Sakura gave an inward shudder to his fake eye. She always hated it, despite how much more amazing it made him-- it was still creepy. Not to mention she hated him watching her with it. It was awkward enough to be looked at by him normally. Her arms instantly crossed over her chest as Nanami climbed the stairs one at a time. "Stop looking at me like that-- with your eye." She muttered not listening to his statement of taking better care of herself. Life didn't stop for one person in the village of hidden leaves, that is unless that one person was the Hokage.

She glanced up at their daughter, making sure she was safe alone for the moment's being as she moved to stand a little bit in front of Raphael, keeping her conversation low with him. "Maybe now isn't the best of times for you to hide out here Raphael-sama." She murmured softly under her breath knowing he could hear her.

"We've been planning this for months but its become apparent now that Uchiha Itachi's been killed, that Sasuke's revenge has ended." Her eyes shot up to his for a moment, making sure he comprehended her. "His revenge, its been completed. He's going to come back for his heirs... heir." She corrected herself shaking her head and glancing up over his shoulder to make sure no one was around in front of her building. The medic didn't like talking about such matters, especially about her actions with Sasuke and the turn outs. Not wanting to dwell on the thought of Sasuke coming back to the village she turned and moved up the first few steps, aiding Nanami with a soft nudge. Turning she looked down over her shoulder to him with a smile.


"Ace should come too, I can make his favorite." She teased. "Anything that's not burned should suffice."

[Raphael Valois]

Raphael’s eyes narrowed and his fake eye returned it’s attention back on into pink haired woman. His temper instantly rose and he felt his skin growing hot…too hot to be normal. Though he hated to admit it, Raphael didn’t have complete control of his body since his last upgrade, and his temper, and several other emotions, tended to draw out somethings he would rather keep to himself. Until he needed it of course. It took Raphael several long moments before he could see past the Uchiha and focus on how she had just worded that. He turned around and stood in the door frame.

“Stop.” His voice was cold and harsh, his human eye slowly warped yellow, and almost demonic. “You said you had been planning this for months. Which means you were expecting him to return for Nanami and yet you did nothing about it?” But that wasn’t the only thing she said that bothered him. “Why should it matter if I was here or not. I would have thought my presence here would have been helpful, Unless of course you are you planning on killing him.” He sneered as the idea left his lips and he scoffed at the idea. “Or did you plan on trying to return your happy little family back together now that he was returning. It must be easy going back after you killed my son.”
He instantly regretted letting his temper get the better of him. He had never made a childish mistake like that before, and he said something he didn’t quite mean. Normally he would have made her explain herself before making conclusions. But irritability was a sign that his mind hadn’t adapted to the excess hormones of the new Virus. Even so, he did not apologize, and he did not stop glaring at her. He closed his eyes and tried to regain his composure, tried to remember what was important to him. But his pride would allow him to retract the words he had already spoken. In 6 months he had grown more attached to Nanami than anything else in the world, and refused to let the last of his children leave. His mind wondered on his own blood ties and he wondered if he could have felt the same about Vincent…

Raphael turned his back and was about to walk out of the house. “When he arrives, I’m going to kill him. And if you try to stop me…I’ll kill you.” Again his temper got the better of him, and his pride refused to give her the slightest hint of that. He wasn’t as sweet as his brother, nor could he come out and say what he felt without becoming angry and defensive. After all these years she was just as weak as when he found her the first time. And he wasn’t sure who he hated more for that

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