What a Strange Man..

Taking my usual stroll through the village, as I had been for the past three months now, I stopped at the ramen shop. Despite me never being able to hold it down, I always had the urge to eat their noodles. When the shop keeper saw me, he gave me a knowing smile and went to cook my normal order. Sitting down on one of the stools gingerly, the lead of my Anbu guard suddenly appeared in the seat next to me.

"Ma'am, I will try it first. You know the drill."

Sighing, I nodded at Shuzu, before rubbing my stomach absent-mindedly. The child had began kicking, and it felt so strange underneath my hand...

As i was walking back from reading my book i suddenly felt hungry"rumble" "wow by the sounds of it i must be hungry hmm" i look around and found a convenient noodle shop right in front of me "well guys looks like this will have too do" i say while looking at Night and Shadow then started walking towards the shop "this might also be a good place to pick up some info" i then open the door and stick my head though then i walked to the counter "3 bowls of your best noodles please sir".

Beside me, I saw a familiar face. When the chef brought out all four of my bowls, Shuzu tried each one before deeming them fit for me to eat.

"Long time no see, eh Black?"

I looked over to see him, sitting at the seat patiently waiting for his order.

I look over and smiled a bit "oh hi Rae isn't it ? night though he smelled something familiar had a feeling it might of been you" i giggled and put my hand on the back of my head while with the other one stroking night.

Signaling for Shuzu to eat his portion, I nodded over at Black.

"Indeed. I see you haven't gotten yourself killed quite yet."

Yawning, I rubbed my stomach before starting to eat my meal. After a few bites, I looked over to see Chef bring Blacks order.

"Ah.. Chef? Could I get some Sweet Rum?"

Chef narrowed his eyes, and so did Shuzu.

"Rae, you know you aren't allowed Liquor anymore. Chef, please accept our apology, and would you please bring us some tea?"

Bowing his head back toward the bowl, Shuzu ate at an angle to where we couldn't see under his mask, but he could eat freely. Cursing mentally, I accepted the iced tea.

I look at her "oh you are pregnant here i thought you just ate too much salmon aha" i giggle and put the 2 bowls of noodles on the floor for Night and Shadow and then dig in for myself.

Growling at Black, I responded angrily.

"I would never be so horrible as to let my body waste away. Anyway, Shuzu. Where's Wakitaro?"

After being asked by Shuzu to call my husband, Shussan, Wakitaro in public, I bit out the name gracelessly. Albeit I was legitimately worried about my husband, I could care less for calling him something so impersonal.

"Still out ma'am. I can get one of the guard to deliver a message?"

Finishing my first bowl, I shook my head.

"No, if he's still out I would rather not bother him at work. Sorry Shuzu.."

I looked at my bowl and said "husband trouble" while giggling.

"Not trouble at all. Just... freedom issues, more like."

Sighing, I looked down at my stomach happily.

"But each freedom has its price. Ah, Black. Meet Shuzu, my Anbu Guard's captain."

Standing up, Shuzu bowed low, his hair framing his Anbu mask perfectly.