Hey guys! Hope you enjoy!
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"There, there." An elderly woman lovingly coed, gently patting the back of the two weeks old baby in her arms. "There's no need to cry little Michi. Gran-Gran shirt is changed now. Gran-Gran is sorry. She won't show you that colour anymore."

Finally settling down, after receiving the affection and attention of her grandmother, her tears and sobs ceased, her plump red cheeks still wet. Michi's auburn eyes that held the identity of her hunted clan innocently gazed into her grandmother's eyes that shared the same hue.

Barely making a sound when he arrived, Yuichi slid off his black ninja sandals.

"Oh, so my unfilial son is finally back." Sachi sharply noted, not even glancing back at her offspring. "Go wash your hands and come hold your daughter after all the troubles you are causing her."

Yuichi Akagawa, after annihilating everyone from the snowy small fishing village -not sparing even the children- and shinobi that had caused his wife's demise, the Akagawa had been placed in the Bingo Book with 30.5 million ryo ($ 88,838.00) bounty on his head. His bounty was especially high because of how powerful and deadly his kekkei genkai was, even for someone of his clan. Yuichi and his mother, carrying Michi had to escape in a harsh blizzard storm, because of those who had seeked his head. Now they have currently settled into a snowy small farming village in the Land of Water and had purchased a new abode.

After refilling his empty holster and pouch with kunais and shurikens, he placed a brown bag that contained 111,089.36 ryo ($1,000) on the new wooden table of the common room. A mosquito -his summoning- landed on his finger he had out stretched for it, divulging information to it's summoner. "I received a new mission. I don't know when I will be back, but use the money on the table to take care of the two you needs for this month. I'll have more, when I return."

"Yuichi." Sachi called, ignoring everything he had said prior.

Before the mercenary shinobi had completely turned the doorknob to head out, he stopped in place.

"Little Michi. You haven't held her once." The retired kunoichi stated, her voice low.

His hand shook in with two intense emotions- hatred and despondency. When he had scrutinized his daughter from head to toe, to him it was like Kana was in front of him, alive. He couldn't bare to look at her again or hold her, because the infant in front of him was also one of the causes of his beloved wife's death. He hated her. But the one who he abhorred the most was himself, because he couldn't protect her. Then, he had felt despondency, because Michi even though still a babe reminded him too much of her mother with the looks and chakra signature. Right now he really wanted nothing to do with his daughter, because she made him feel such things.

Sachi, sensing this cast her eyes down to her grandchild, then back to her son. "At least sit down and have some rice porridge. Every once and a while it's good to have a nice warm meal in your system. It's not good or healthy that you always eat those food pills even if I am the one who created them."

Obliging his mother, he took a seat at the table remaining his full-face mask that hid the colour of his irises and placed it on the table.

Putting the now sleeping girl in the crib, and tucking her in, Sachi went to the kitchen and returned to where Yuichi was, placing a bowl of rice porridge in front of him that emitted steam along with a clean silver spoon.

"Thank you for the meal." He thanked in a monotone voice and then started to help himself in the porridge in front of him.

Seconds of silence flew by as Yuichi continued to eat and the older Akagawa decided to break it. "Yuichi. There is something I have found out about little Michi. It seems like she dislikes the colour red. I had first notice it when, I swaddled her in a nice warm red blanket, but she started crying, kicking up a fuss, showing signs that she was going to faint soon. When I had removed it from around her, her cries lessened then stopped. I thought she just didn't feel comfortable in the blanket at that time. But I immediately knew she disliked red when I placed her in red clothing and she didn't stop hollering until I changed her clothing to a different colour. Then I tested it just before you arrived to see if she really did hate red, by putting on a red shirt. And indeed, when she saw me in it, she wailed like someone was slowly and brutally torturing her, struggling to get out of my arms."

"An Akagawa? Afraid of red?" Yuichi dryly questioned and guffawed. "Then she will truly despise the blood she was born with considering our clan's kekkei genkai. What a pitiful fate."

"Yuichi." Sachi warningly called.

"It is true. When she begins to train to become a shinobi, unlock and master her kekkei genkai, she would be very pitiful if what you say is true." He set the spoon down next to the emptied bowl.

"Maybe little Michi doesn't have to train to become a shinobi and be a normal village girl." Sachi suggested, not desiring for her only grandchild to suffer.

"And who would protect her when you and I are dead? We can't live forever." He noted, "Not only are there shinobi who are hunting for the those of the Akagawa Clan, especially the ones with the Clan Head's blood, there are also random thieves, murders, rapists, other rogue shinobi and others who may just want to do her harm."

"Ok, I understand Yuichi. I guess old age is effecting my decision making when it comes to such things."

"Mmm." He voiced.

"Onto the next topic I wanted to tell you, I found someone who is willing to breastfeed Little Michi. She even agreed to baby-sit Michi sometimes. When I took her pulse I knew she was very healthy and ... I found out that she has the blood of the Yuki Clan people. Her name is Atsuko and she has a two year old son named Haku. She was a little reluctant at first but agreed when I gave her medicine for free to help her cure little Haku's fever. Also her husband Shiro is a local farmer. The three of them live very close to us." She divulged, sipping on some herbal tea she had brewed herself.

"Mmm."

Then they heard a three knocks on the door.

"That should be her now." Sachi got up from her seat and invited Astuko in who held the toddler Haku in arms.

"Good morning, Oda-san." Astuko greeting. "What do you say, Haku?"

"G'mornin' Gran-Gran Oda!" He greeted, just how Sachi had told him to call her.

"Good morning to you too, Astuko-chan! And Little Haku! Come in further. This is my son, Yuichi Oda who I told you about." The elderly woman introduced.

Astuko bowed her head towards Yuichi and he walked straight passed her, opening and closing the door behind him.

"I'm sorry about that son of mine. He's not a people's person. He barely even talks to me that much. It got worse after my daughter-in-law died." The Akagawa explained the reason for her son's behavior.

She nodded in understanding. "So where's Michi-chan? Haku, didn't you say you couldn't wait meet her?" Astuko asked.

"Mhmmm!" He exaggeratedly nodded his head, confirming his mother's last interrogative sentence.

"I am sure little Michi would like to meet you too little Haku." She gently pulled his cheek, gushing over his adorableness, "Astuko-chan, Little Haku, follow me."

••••

Laughter could have been heard in the snow filled yard.

Placing the middle section of the snowman onto the bottom part, Haku looked over to Michi who was bringing over the head.

As if she was a penguin, the girl slowly waddled only to trip, causing the large snowball that was suppose to be the head to smash onto her chest, then face planting.

Witnessing, Haku dashed over to her. "Are you okay, Michi?" He inquired with concerned eyes, helping her up.

"Haku-nii." Her pale pink lips trembled and her auburn brewed tears ready to trickle.

Haku smiled, gently brushed the snow off the girl two years younger then him and hugged her. "There, there Michi." He patted her back, comforting the brunette.

Michi sniffled. "I ruined Snowman-san's head."

"Don't worry. It will be alright as long as we give Snowman-san a new head." He comforted her. "I'll help you."

"Mmm." She nodded her head, an adorable smile gracing her face.

Then the two set off to complete the snowman.

Just after they finished, Atsuko called, "Haku, Michi-chan, come inside for lunch!"

"Coming!" The pair replied in sync.

••••

Quietly opening the door to not disturb the sleeping children Astuko and Sachi quietly walked over to the bed.

"Thank you for watching her." Sachi gave a word of thanks.

Because of the small herbal shop she had decided to build and run for her grandchild to have at least something left behind for her, she was always watched by Atsuko. The retired kunoichi looked adoringly at the two, seeing how Michi was cuddling against Haku for warmth under the coverlet. "This little grandchild of mine, she really likes Little Haku." She commented.

Astuko smiled, "it's the same with Haku."

"Astuko-chan, Little Michi's first word was 'Haku'." The Akagawa reminded. She still felt a little envious of the young boy because she had wanted 'Gran' to be her granddaughter's first word. Haku, Gran, they both possessed four letters, but at the end of the day Kana's and Yuichi's daughter had not chose the latter.

"Oda-san, Haku and Michi-chan are almost the same age." Atsuko stated. "The two grew up together and still are growing. They are like brother and sister."

"Yes. Yes. I understand. I knew those are some of the reasons, but I can't help but feel a little envious towards Little Haku. I guess it's me getting down in age." She sighed, placing a hand against her cheek.

"Oda-san, you still have many more years to live to watch Michi-chan grow up." Said Atsuko.

Sachi was already two hundred and forty-eight years old and even with her advanced medical skills, she couldn't stop her body from meeting it's end. But she couldn't think about her death, because with how things were now with her son and granddaughter, it would be her little Michi who would suffer the most at the end of the day. Her warm gaze lingered on Michi and she gently agreed, "yes, I still have many years in myself." She softly stroked her granddaughter's cheek. Then her auburn eyes widening, she immediately backed away from the children out of the room. Utilizing her right hand, she dryly coughed into it. This one cough led to a fit of coughing, tears on the side of her eyes. Then she felt something travel up her throat and something unpleasantly warm greeted her hand.

Atsuko who had just worriedly came out of the room the children was sleeping in eyes grew as big as saucers once she saw the crimson red semi-liquid dripping from between the Akagawa's fingers and palm. She rushed over to her in quick steps, placing her hand on Sachi's back, "Oda-san are you alright! Do you need me to get-" She was interrupted by Sachi.

"Atsuko-chan, I'm a doctor myself and I know my own body better than anyone else. I'm not plagued with some type of disease or illness. It's something natural that all living beings, including humans will have to experience.... it's..." The retired shinobi dared not to complete her statement. "Can you watch Little Michi for a few more days, I need to get in contact with my son. Of course I will pay you for all that you have done."

Atsuko shook her head, "there is no need Oda-san. Shiro and I think of Michi-chan as a daughter and Haku enjoys her presence. I hope that you will be able to reach your son soon." She softly said.

Sachi bowed her head. "Thank you, Astuko-chan." Then she departed from Shiro's and Atsuko's residence.

Once Atsuko saw Sachi Akagawa left, she returned to the room where her son and Michi slumbered without a care in the world.

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Been so preoccupied with school and I have became much of a reader than writer lately.

Hope you enjoyed!
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Third chapter currently has 1259 words and is being written up as you read! Hope I will be able to release it before this week outs!