Home at Last

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Year 61 (After konohoa was established)

POV Shikaku:

As he walked up to his house, he couldn't help but feel a mixture of emotions - joyous anticipation at the thought of reuniting with his family, a sense of relief that he could finally escape the brutal battlefield, if only for a brief respite, and a deep sense of sorrow for the sacrifices he and his comrades had made.

The war had taken an immense toll on him, physically and emotionally, but the prospect of spending a few weeks with his loved ones gave him a glimmer of hope. He had been eagerly counting down the days on a calendar, longing for the moment when he would finally see his family again.

As he rapped his knuckles against the door, he couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. After being away at war for such an extended period, he was eager to see the faces of his loved ones once again. However, as he stood there waiting for a response, the absence of any sound left him feeling unsure, wondering if they were away from home or simply unable to hear him.

He knocked once more, this time with a bit more vigor, hoping that his persistence would attract someone's attention. Nonetheless, the deafening silence that followed left him feeling perplexed, pondering the possibility that something might be amiss.

Shikaku inhaled deeply, hoping to calm the sense of letdown that was beginning to well up inside him. He had eagerly awaited this moment to reunite with his family after spending such a long time away, and the idea of returning to an empty house was dispiriting.

As he poised his hand to knock again, he heard a faint noise coming from the backyard. Intrigued, he decided to investigate, a spark of hope rekindling in his heart.

With each step he took, the soft rustling of leaves underfoot seemed to whisper to him, teasing him with the promise of what lay ahead. And then, as he rounded the corner, there was his son, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, moving with the grace of a river in full flow. It was as if time itself had slowed down just for this moment, giving him the chance to fully appreciate the beauty of his son's dedication and hard work.

Shikaku stood there in the silence, his eyes locked on his son's every movement. The sound of leaves rustling underfoot had given way to the soft swishing of Rai's clothes, moving with each motion of his body. It was like watching a dance, but one that was grounded in a deep sense of purpose.

*

POV Normal:

Rai's concentration was unwavering, his gaze fixated on an imaginary opponent standing in front of him. Every motion was executed with purpose and precision, seamlessly blending together in a display of skill that was both graceful and powerful. Shikaku felt a deep sense of pride welling up inside him as he watched his son's performance.

As Rai moved through the kata, Shikaku could see the Hours upon hours of training and practice etched into his every movement. It was evident in the effortless way his body moved, as if the kata was an extension of himself. Shikaku could sense the intensity of his son's concentration, visible in the furrowing of his brow and the tautness of his muscles, as he executed each movement with unwavering discipline.

In that moment, Shikaku realized how much he had missed his son, how much he had missed being a part of his life. But at the same time, he felt grateful for this opportunity to witness his son's growth and development.

As Rai finished the practicing the kata and came to a stop, Shikaku stepped forward, a wide smile on his face. Rai turned to him, his eyes widening in surprise and joy as he recognized his father.

"Dad!" he exclaimed, momentarily taken aback.

However, his initial astonishment was swiftly replaced by a warm and welcoming grin, as he eagerly ran towards his father for a long-overdue embrace.

Shikaku held his son tightly, his heart filled with a sense of deep contentment. As their embrace lingered, time seemed to stand still, encapsulating them in a cocoon of pure happiness. The rustling of leaves in the soft breeze served as the gentle melody to this tender reunion.

Shikaku closed his eyes and savored the moment, taking in the familiar scent of his son's hair. It was a simple moment, but one that held immense meaning to Shikaku as a father.

Finally, they broke apart, and Shikaku gazed into his son's eyes with pride and love. "You've grown so much," he said, his voice full of gratification. "You're turning into an impressive shinobi."

Rai beamed up at him, but his curiosity could not be contained. "Dad, how are you back? Why didn't you tell us beforehand?" he asked, his tone tinged with confusion.

Shikaku chuckled, "I wanted to surprise you both. I thought it...."

As they talked, a familiar voice called out from the house. "Rai, is that you? Who are you talking to?"

Shikaku turned to see his wife standing at the doorway, a mixture of confusion and surprise on her face. "Yoshino," he said, his voice full of emotion. "It's me. I'm home."

Yoshino stood still, trying to process what was happening before her eyes. When she finally comprehended the situation, her heart swelled with joy, and she let out a gasp of disbelief before rushing towards her husband to embrace him.

The air was filled with a serene energy as Yoshino and Shikaku embraced, their bodies melding together as they held each other tightly. The soft glow of the setting sun painted the scene with a warm, golden hue, casting long shadows across the verdant lawn. The rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze seemed to dance in harmony with the beating of their hearts, each note of nature's symphony adding to the sense of magic that filled the air.

As they separated, Yoshino gazed at her husband, her eyes brimming with tears of joy, cherishing the sight of the man she had missed so dearly. For a moment, she stood there, taking in his presence, overwhelmed with happiness.

"You're really here," she said, her voice expressing her delight.

"I missed you both so much," Shikaku said, his voice a whisper in the stillness. As Yoshino smiled at him, her hand on his cheek, Shikaku knew that he had made the right choice. He had come home to his family.

Yoshino's eyes brimmed with tears as she asked the question that had been gnawing at her. "How did you make it back?" she asked, her voice trembling with emotion.

Taking a deep breath, Shikaku reflected on the long, arduous journey that had brought him home. "It's a long story," he replied, his voice calm and measured, "but the important thing is that I'm here with you and Rai now."

Yoshino nodded, understanding the depth of his words. She stepped closer, taking his hand in hers. "We missed you so much," she said, her eyes shining with unbridled love.

As they stood together, reminiscing about the past, the sound of a growling stomach interrupted their conversation. Yoshino's eyes widened in surprise, and she looked over at Shikaku, who had a sheepish grin on his face.

"Are you hungry?" she asked with a gentle smile.

Shikaku's blush of embarrassment did not escape Yoshino's notice. Her face softened with concern as she suggested, "Why don't we go inside and I'll cook you a proper meal? You must be starving." She let out a light-hearted laugh and pulled his hand.

As they strolled towards the house, the warm, honey-colored light of the setting sun enveloped the tranquil surroundings, creating a serene and comforting atmosphere. The gentle rustle of the leaves was the only sound, adding to the peacefulness of the moment.

Rai cleared his throat, bringing his parents' attention back to him. They had been so engrossed in their reunion that they had momentarily forgotten about their son.

Yoshino, noticing her husband's emotions, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It's alright," she said with a soft smile. "We're just all so happy to be together again."

"It's okay, Dad. I'm just glad you're back," Rai said, his voice full of love and understanding.

The family continued to walk towards their home, basking in the warm sunlight and gentle breeze.

*

Yoshino bustled around the kitchen, the sounds of sizzling pans and chopping vegetables filling the air. Shikaku and Rai sat at the table, waiting eagerly for their meal. However, Shikaku seemed to be preoccupied with something, his brows furrowed in deep thought.

He glanced over at his son, a serious expression on his face. "Rai, there's something important I want to talk to you about," he said, his voice low and measured.

Rai looked up at his father, sensing the gravity of the situation. "What is it, dad?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

"One of the reasons I felt compelled to return from the war was to ensure that you learn more about our clan and its techniques. It's important that you understand our heritage and the skills that have been passed down through our family for generations."

Shikaku's words hung heavy in the air as he looked at his son. He had always known that he needed to pass down the knowledge of their clan's techniques to Rai, but the war had made him realize just how important it was to do so. He knew that the techniques were not only a source of pride and tradition for their clan, but they also held valuable knowledge that could be crucial in times of conflict.

Yoshino glanced over at her husband, sensing the weight of the conversation. She continued to focus on preparing the meal, wanting to give Shikaku and Rai the space they needed to talk.

Rai looked up at his father, his eyes wide with curiosity. "What kind of techniques are you talking about, Dad?" he asked.

"The Nara clan possesses special techniques that allow us to control shadows. These techniques have been passed down from generation to generation. As the future head of the clan, it is important that you learn how to use these techniques to their full potential.

Rai looked a little hesitant, but Shikaku reassured him that he had faith in his abilities. Shikaku had even been keeping tabs on Rai's progress during his absence, thanks to the letters from his wife. His confidence in Rai was evident, and he was convinced that Rai was ready to delve deeper into their clan's teachings.

As the meal was finally ready, the family gathered around the table, their conversation shifting to lighter topics. However, the gravity of Shikaku's words continued to linger in the air, reminding them all of the important legacy they carried as members of their clan.