The woman pushed herself backwards, her hands staying on Ayame's shoulders as she looked the girl in the face. She couldn't keep the smile contained, and she hugged Ayame once more. 

"Ah, you've grown so much," The woman stated, once more checking Ayame over. Her eyebrows creased at the small bruises that were on her body. "You haven't been hurt, have you?"

"No, no, i'm fine," She stated, giving a small smile as she nodded her head at Tsunade. "Thank you Lady Tsunade."

"My pleasure, now go, all of you, go out to drink or something," She gave a hearty laugh, grinning at the family. Kurenai nodded, keeping one of her hands on Ayame's shoulder as she steered the girl out of the room. 

Ayame couldn't bring her eyes off the woman, the smile staying on her face the whole time as she tried to think of things to say to her. She had missed Kurenai so much and seeing her now - it was the best thing that she could have asked for. 

"How've you been... mom?" Ayame asked, her voice turning into a whisper when she called Kurenai mom. She still felt awkward being back and it would take a few days to get back into the groove of it. 

Kurenai beamed when she heard it however, smiling widely as she hooked her arm through Ayame's. "It's been... amazing. In a few months me and Asuma are going to get married," She said, her face turning dreamy as she thought about the wedding. 

Ayame grinned, she was so happy for the two of them. She'd only heard about their dates through a few letters and knowing that Kurenai was going to have someone to lean on and love her unconditionally was such a beautiful thing. Ayame loved it and she'd gladly welcome Asuma into their little family. 

She thought he was a great man - he was smart, responsible and Ayame could see that Kurenai truly cared for him. 

"Oh! Here!" Kurenai said, swerving to her right as she pulled Ayame along with her into what looked like a cute, quiet tea place. Ayame loved the atmosphere. It was calming. Glancing around, her eyes landed on Miyu and Saki. The two were close enough to be able to keep an eye on Ayame but yet far enough away to where kurenai and Ayame had their own privacy. 

The older woman smiled once more at Ayame once they had ordered, titling her head slightly as she seemed to be studying the girls face. "How did your family treat you Ayame?" She asked, placing her chin in her hand. 

Ayame sighed, cracking her knuckles slightly before her eyes met Kurenai's. 

"It was different. Different then living in a cell but different then living in a loving home," She stated, trying to explain it the best way that she could. "Miyu and Saki... were the only family that truly wanted me there I think. Dad wanted me at first when he found out I was still alive but... when he realized all the baggage I had, he just passed it off to Reika. That's my step-mother. Reika... is special."

Ayame said, her words beginning to mumble the longer she spoke. 

"She hates me," 

Kurenai narrowed her eyes, nodding her head to indicate that she was still listening to the girl. 

"She wants me dead." 

Kurenai held up her hand to stop Ayame from speaking any more, taking the young girls hand in her own. "She won't ever get you dead," Kurenai said, giving the red-head a small smile. 

Ayame smiled back softly before her head glanced up when their order was brought out. Kurenai had also ordered them a pair of dumplings - claiming that Ayame need more fat on her bones even though she was a perfectly healthy weight now. 

Green eyes met brown ones for a split second before Ayame stood up quickly, dumplings sticking out of her mouth. "OI! ASUMA-SENSEI!" She yelled, turning red when she was shushed by the others in the cafe. 

The male himself seemed to turn a whole different color before he peeked his head inside the place, eyes moving towards where he saw Ayame and Kurenai. He gave a caring smile towards Kurenai as he moved towards their table all while trying not to get embarrassed from the stares he was receiving. 

"Nice to see you again, Ayame," He said, grinning as he did his signature move and stuck a cigeratte in his mouth but kept it unlit. "The cafe has a very strict 'no smoking' policy," He explained when he saw Ayame's curious face, letting out a hearty laugh. 

Ayame quickly swallowed the rest of her dumplings, taking a sip of her tea as well before she leaned foreward, squinting her eyes at Asuma. "I swear if you so much as hurt my mom - I know moves." 

She grinned at her response before sitting back, drinking more of her tea happily. Both Asuma and Kurenia sat there with sweatdrops on their faces before glancing at each other and bursting out laughing. 

"Ayame... I have so missed this.. where we had just casual, fun conversations like this," Kurenai stated, smiling once more at Ayame. 

"I missed it too, I didn't have these often. Usually only with Naruto whenever he visited but that was rarely." 

Kurenai smiled, glancing at Asuma. The male gazed back before turning his attention towards the red-haired teenager. 

"Ayame.. I would like to ask for your blessing on marrying Kurenai." 

Ayame slowly stopped sipping her tea, eyes glancing at Asuma before she set the cup down. Her face was now serious as she tilted her head. "... why me?" She whispered. 

Kurenai smiled as she took Asuma's hand as well as Ayame's. 

"Because... you're my daughter and I want us all to be a family together," 

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I promise i'm not dead. just really not into writing anymore. it's 4 am and i got inspo for a short, cute chapter so here we go. I really hope you guys enjoyed this - if anyone is still reading. I thought it was a super cute idea - hope you did as well. ;;