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Returning
The first thing she learned was how to spot a pair of Shinobi returning home after completing a mission.
The second thing she learned was how to tell if a mission was a success... or a failure.
Both times tea was sipped, sweets were savoured, sake was poured.
Though if it were the latter the sweets were not quite as sweet and sake seemed to burn a little bit more.
Tradition
The traditional Japanese style inn had been in her family for over 90 years. It was built around the same time as Konoha. Her grandmother served the Shinobi, her mother served the Shinobi. Now she and her younger sister served the Shinobi.
She took extra care to set the offerings and prayed for the swift return of Konoha’s finest.
She prayed that her future daughter would serve the Shinobi as she did… It was the tradition.
Crests
The Kawaguchi Ryokan served patrons from all walks of life. Haruhi and her sister Ayumi made a game of guessing where a person came from based on their crest. She couldn't help but be fascinated by the different symbols and patterns that each crest featured. She saw a hawk perched on a branch, a cherry blossom in full bloom, and even a pair of crossed swords.
Haruhi seemed endlessly fascinated by the Leaf of Konoha, not that she said anything about it in particular to Ayumi. But somehow the elder daughter always seemed to be at the front desk any time a group of Shinobi from the Leaf checked in.
Tea
The first time she saw him it was a quiet autumn evening. She was the front desk and he checked in alone. He seemed distracted and distant, mumbling his request for a private room and quiet.
She led him to a secluded room in the ryokan with a view of the garden. He seemed satisfied though his features remained downcast. It pulled at her heart-strings, so she interjected softly.
“The Kawaguchi Ryokan is known for its special tea blends; it’s said to promote peace of mind and well-being. I can prepare it for you if you like.”
He turned to look at as if he had forgotten she was there and then embarrassed that his melancholy was telegraphed so obviously.
“Y-yes, that would be fine.”
She returned shortly and tapped the door before entering. He had made use of the bath and changed into a yukata. It was much more becoming of him that the fitted green-body suit. His hair was tousled from the rough towel dry he subjected it to, and the dim glowing light softened the sharp plains of his face. He was in fact quite handsome she noted belatedly feeling her cheeks heat wishing she spent a little more time looking in the mirror before presenting herself.
She set the tray that she brought with her on the low table and knelt beside it as she began to prepare the tea.
First, she placed a small amount of tea leaves into the bowl and added hot water. She began to whisk the tea with a steady, rhythmical motion, creating a frothy, green liquid.
As she worked, the guest watched her intently, taking in the precision and care with which she prepared the tea.
When the tea was ready, Haruhi carefully poured it into the teapot and then into the guest's bowl. She handed the bowl to the guest, who took it with both hands, bowing his head in gratitude.
She then sat quietly beside the guest, watching as he sipped the tea slowly and savoured its delicate flavour. He closed his eyes, and a small smile appeared on his face. She looked away and placed a cool hand to her neck. Such naked displays of emotion were not typical of Shinobi, but it suited him remarkably.
The two of them sat in silence for several minutes, enjoying the tea and the tranquillity of the moment. Finally, the guest placed the bowl back on the table and turned to Haruhi.
"Thank you," he said simply, “Please tell me your name.”
“H-Haruhi… Kawaguchi Haruhi.” She stuttered out.
“I, Might Guy, am in your debt, thank you for allowing me to experience the beauty and peace of the traditional tea ceremony. I feel both Youthful and Re-Invigorated.” He clasped her hand in his and bowed his head to her in submission.
She covered her face with her Kimono sleeve to stifle the giggle that bubbled up.
“You are most welcome, my most honoured guest, Might Guy-san.” She returned the bow with just as much enthusiasm, pleased with herself that she had successfully served the guest and brightened his mood.
She collected the tea set and left the room, closing the door quietly behind her, allowing the guest to continue his relaxation and enjoy the serenity of the Kawaguchi ryokan.
Subtle
“And you come here after every mission?”
“What can be more youthful that experiencing the energizing waters of an onsen or the delectable seasonal sweets.”
He continued to rave of the many entrancing qualities of the inn. Kakashi noted nothing was said of the tea ceremony despite Guy’s seriousness during the silent and delicate dance of the measuring, swirling, and pouring of tea. Perhaps his quiet reverence and respect was more for the tea server than the tea being served.
She sported two high spots of colour on her cheeks.
Kakashi observed in good humour that quite surprisingly the Blue Beast of Konoha was adept at the subtle art of flirting. Secret looks and touches. Double meaning sentences exchanged casually.
“How is your sister, Ayumi-chan?” His familiarity with her family suggested a close relationship.
“She complained of the hot summer nights so much that father has built a cool spring opposite the southern gardens” She gave him a meaningful look, “It’s not yet open to guests.”
“That sounds quite lovely, I will surely partake when it is opened.”
That night he pretended to sleep during Guy’s discreet departure and return. The smell of amber perfume and spring water wafted across the room as he settled in the futon next to Kakashi’s.
They checked out the next morning, Kakashi noted a suspiciously absent bill of payment which he inquired about.
“Ah~ Hatake-san the bill was paid. In full. Last night.” Haruhi bowed graciously to Guy who choked on air.
Kakashi hid a laugh behind a cough.
Uncle
The summer festivals of Konoha marked the height of the season. It was a time of precarious peace that civilians whole heartedly embraced. The deafening cicada song staged backup to the beating of drums and music that drifted up from the village square. Stalls were set up along every street, delicious smells and sounds permeating the air.
“Haruhi, Ayumi! Over here!”
She saw the two Shinobi in civilian clothes, one exuberantly waving to her. She slipped her hand into her younger sister’s and they hurried along.
She embraced Guy and pressed a warm kiss to his cheek and gave a more friendly hug to Kakashi.
“Kakashi-san I don’t think you’ve met my younger sister. Ayumi. Ayumi this is Hatake Kakashi”
“Good evening,” Ayumi bowed with trained proprietary, “Thank you for being our chaperones.” She exuded an air of strict formality that evaded her sister.
Guy ruffled her hair, “Look at you all grown up Ayumi-chan! How old are you now?”
Ayumi widened her dark grey eyes, “I am now seventeen,” she turned to her sister and deadpanned, “Isn’t that how old you were when you met-,”
Haruhi slapped a hand over her sister’s mouth and laughed loudly, “I am positively starving let’s get something to eat, right Guy?”
She quickly looped an arm into his and walked ahead leaving Kakashi and Ayumi to catch up.
Ayumi covered a soft laugh behind her yukata sleeve.
“What was that about?” Kakashi asked.
“Father has only been made aware of Guy-san… recently,”
“But how long have they actually been seeing each other?”
“Three years.”
Ayumi and Kakashi continued their walk in companionable silence behind the couple ahead, their heads bowed as they talked in muted tones.
“Hatake-san I hope you are prepared,” Ayumi brooked ominously.
“Hnn?”
She turned a serious expression towards him, only her large grey eyes betraying sly mirth, “To become an uncle.”
A loud gasp came from up ahead as Guy promptly fainted.
Father
“WHAT-?!” Mr. Kawaguchi bellowed.
Guy was prostrated before the heaving man, forehead planted firmly into the floor. The Kawaguchi women gave him pitying looks, in particular Mrs. Kawaguchi.
“Darling, Haruhi is already twenty years old,” Mrs. Kawaguchi placed a placating arm on her husband’s.
“Twenty?! Twenty is too young to have a baby!” He was red in the face and his hair stuck out on either side of his head as the top of his bald crown glistened with sweat.
“But dear, we were already married at 17 and I had Haruhi at 19.”
This only seemed to infuriate him more. He was a large man, portly and jovial. But right now he looked like a raging bull. Gunning straight for Guy’s neck.
“Haruhi,” he exhaled turning towards his elder daughter, “What of the ryokan, it is your legacy to run the inn.”
“Ayumi has always been much better at this than I have father,” she bowed piously. Both Ayumi and her mother nodded sagely in agreement.
“Yota-kun,” Her mother tried again, “Guy-san is a notable Shinobi and a wonderful caring man at that. He is more than capable of taking care of Haruhi.”
Her father sputtered, “B-but how can you say that we’ve only just met the man.”
Chiyoko only blinked and tilted her head, silently communicating to her husband, a mother knows things about her daughters that a father might not. He seemed to deflate somewhat, trusting his wife’s judgement.
Guy still had not raised his head from the floor, Haruhi worried the boards would crack under the pressure. She placed a hand on his back feeling the heat of his skin radiate through the fabric of the haori. The haori he insisted he wear to appeal to her father’s love of tradition.
“Raise your head boy,” her father spoke up, his tone one of reluctant acceptance, “You will marry my daughter. Immediately.”
“Yes sir,”
“Papa!” They spoke in unison.
“Haruhi it is final! No more arguments.”
Kawaguchi Yota got up and left moving swiftly, faster than his size would portray.
Guy and Haruhi looked at each other. Perhaps that went better than anyone expected.
Wife
The Kawaguchi compound was situated just on the outskirts of Konoha’s walls. It was tranquil and serene. He held his wife’s hand as she dozed gently on his shoulder. His daughter’s laughs carried from across the garden where she played with his genin team.
He pressed a kiss to her forehead and a kiss to her pregnant belly before gently tucking her into her futon to continue to sleep. He smiled down at her, memorizing her peaceful visage.
Perhaps training could wait today.