Eighteen Year Earlier.

The early morning light filtered gently through the shoji screens, casting a soft glow over the room. Shinjuro Rengoku stood just outside the door, his heart swelling with a mix of pride and anxiety. Inside, his wife, Ruka, cradled their newborn twin sons in her arms. Both boys were sound asleep, their tiny faces serene and peaceful. Ruka, though clearly exhausted from the labor, wore a radiant smile, her eyes filled with love and contentment.

"Shinjuro, come in and meet your sons," Ruka called softly, her voice tinged with both joy and fatigue.
Shinjuro stepped inside, his usually stern expression softening as he approached his wife and their newborns. He knelt beside the futon, his gaze fixed on the two tiny bundles swaddled in soft blankets.

"They're beautiful, Ruka," Shinjuro murmured, reaching out to gently touch the forehead of the baby on the left. "Which one is which?"

Ruka chuckled softly, the sound filled with warmth. "This is Kyojuro," she said, nodding toward the baby Shinjuro had touched. "And this is Ryujuro," she added, indicating the other twin.

Shinjuro's eyes lingered on Ryujuro, a surge of protective instinct welling up within him. "They already look so strong," he said quietly, his voice filled with pride. "Our boys will grow up to be great warriors."

Ruka nodded, her smile unwavering. "Yes, they will. But for now, they are our precious little ones. Strong, yes, but so very fragile too." She looked down at the twins, her expression tender.
"We'll protect them, Shinjuro. We'll give them all the love and guidance they need."

As if sensing their father's presence, Kyojuro stirred, his tiny hand reaching out and gripping Shinjuro's finger. Shinjuro's breath caught in his throat, and he felt an overwhelming wave of emotion. "Kyojuro already has a strong grip," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ryujuro, nestled against his mother's chest, made a soft, contented sound, his small face scrunching slightly before settling back into a peaceful sleep. Shinjuro's heart ached with a fierce love for his sons, a love that he knew would only grow stronger with each passing day.

Ruka's eyes sparkled with unshed tears as she watched the tender interaction. "They're a gift, Shinjuro. A precious gift. We'll cherish every moment with them."
Shinjuro nodded, his gaze never leaving his sons. "Yes, we will. And we'll make sure they know how much they're loved. No matter what."

Ruka leaned her head back against the futon, her exhaustion catching up with her. "I never imagined our family would be so blessed," she said softly, her eyes closing briefly. "Kyojuro and Ryujuro... they complete us."

Shinjuro reached out and gently stroked Ruka's hair. "Rest now, Ruka. You've done an incredible job. I'll watch over you and the boys."

Ruka's smile deepened, and she sighed contentedly. "Thank you, Shinjuro. I love you."

"I love you too, Ruka," Shinjuro replied, his voice filled with warmth and sincerity. "And I love our boys. We're a family now, and nothing will ever change that."

The room fell into a peaceful silence, broken only by the soft breathing of the newborn twins and the quiet rustle of the wind outside. Shinjuro sat beside his wife and children, a sense of profound peace settling over him. The future was uncertain, but in this moment, everything was perfect. His heart swelled with gratitude and hope, knowing that together, they could face anything.

(Author's note: This started off with Ryujuro's death, his life will be told through these flashback-type sequences.)