To Live and to Love

[Tensei Kaori]

The group of Chuunin known by many as simply "The Triplets" jumped, jived, and danced their way through one of Konoha's main reconstruction sites during some downtime between missions. Eiji had just written a new song, and what better way to debut it than to encourage those who were working so hard to rebuild their village?

"Waking up to another dark morning
People are mourning
The weather in life outside is storming"

Hideko and Eiji sang the soulful two-part melody as Daichi's beatboxing provided the colorful backdrop for the music. Using the techniques they had been taught since their childhood, the three melded their chakra into one unit, bringing out instrumental accompaniment from the sound of their combined voices.

"But what would it take for the clouds to break
For us to realize each day is a gift somehow, someway
So get our heads up out of the darkness
And spark this new mindset and start to live life cuz it ain't gone yet
And tragedy is a reminder to take off the blinders
And wake up and live the life we're supposed to take up
Moving forward with all our heads up cuz life is worth living"

The three suddenly stopped dead, exchanged mischievous glances, and burst into the chorus, adding an extra volume boost to their song through their combined jutsu.

"We live we love
We forgive and never give up
Cuz the days we are given are gifts from above
Today we remember to live and to love
We live we love
We forgive and never give up
Cuz the days we are given are gifts from above
Today we remember to live and to love"*

They repeated the chorus a couple times, then allowed the jutsu to fade and exchanged pleased high fives. People around them applauded; Hideko couldn't help but notice that a few of them had been dancing along to the infectious tune.

"Another success, Eiji, Hideko told her brother fondly. "Yeah!" agreed Daichi, nodding enthusiastically.

"Not without you two it isn't," Eiji said solemnly, his face belying the humble statement - he was just as pleased as they were, if not more so.

"The Triplets have another Hit!" they cheered, exchanging a three-way high five.

"Think a replay is in order?" Eiji asked enthusiastically.

"Not right this second," Hideko told him as she looked around. "I thought I heard someone calling us."

((OoC: This is for someone who isn't on the mission to Hidden Sand. Just jump on in if you feel like it. Woosh!))
*Lyrics from We Live, (c) Superchick

[Hatake Hiroshi]

It was mid-morning and the infamous Yanagawa Twins, along with their cousins Raidon and Hikari, were hard at work helping their aunt and uncle, Michio and Takara, fix their house. Today was the one day they had had off from missions in awhile, and repairing a house was not what they had in mind. Yes, they knew it had to be done, and they knew they should help, but their motivation to do anything had been totally drained.

"It's hot out here!" Kyoko complained, plopping down onto a nearby stack of plywood.

"And I'm hungry!" added Kane as he took a seat next to his sister.

"It's too early to be working so hard!" they whined together, leaning against one another. "Can't we have a break?"

"No way!" their uncle Michio shouted. "You've only been out here for an hour. Keep working!"

"Aww! Come on, ojisan!" the young kunoichi begged.

"No!" Takara repeated,"You have to stay here until lunch, or atleast until we can get some more help."

The twins frowned and exchanged glances. Then suddenly, a wide, mischievous grin spread across Kyoko's face.

"I'll make the wood soggy..." she threatened in a low voice, placing her right hand in the center of the pile of boards.

Michio nearly dropped his hammer. "You wouldn't dare!"

Kane just sat silently and stared up at his uncle on the roof, his eyebrows raised, a 'Don't blame me if she does it' look on his face.

"Oh, yes she would! Believe me!" Raidon retorted in his low, booming voice.

"It's true!" Hikari added, pushing a few loose starnds of hair out of her face as she continued to hammer. "I wouldn't push it."

Michio hesitated for a moment. It was Kyoko afterall... She's been known to do some pretty crazy things. "Fine..." he answered firmly. "You can go. But you're helping us paint later!"

"Arigatou, ojisan!" they sang as the shot up off the stack of wood. "See you later!

Michio sighed and looked over at his wife, who just shook her head.

~*~*~

"Where should we go?" asked Kane as they walked along.

"I dunno," Kyoko answered. "How about we just walk around a little bit and see what everyone else is doing. Maybe we'll run into someone we know!"

Kane nodded as he reached out and linked arms with his twin. They continued walking, passing by several reconstruction sites before finally hearing some familiar voices. Looking ahead, they saw the Tensei Triplets, rocking it out as they went along.

"Hey! Kyoko squealed as she broke out in a jog, pulling Kane with her. "Hey, Triplets!"

[Tensei Kaori]

Sure enough, someone was calling them.

"TWINNERS!" Eiji shouted, his open flak jacket flying as he ran over to them. "Long time no see!" Daichi called, grinning, as he hurried to catch up. "What's up?" The two asked together as Hideko made her way over at a slower, calmer pace.

[Hatake Hiroshi]

The Twins smiled brightly as their friends approached. Kyoko waved wildly, jumping up and down, while Kane opted to stand still and be calm.

What's up? Eiji and Daichi asked in unison as their sister, Hideko, calmly made her way over.

"Just takin' a nice stroll through the village..." Kyoko replied, skipping once in her place.

"Looking for something to do!" Kane finished.

"What's up with you? they questioned in together.

[Tensei Kaori]

"We're jammin'!" Daichi announced with a grin. "Eiji's new song is a big hit!"

"A soulful masterpiece about living life to the fullest," chimed in Hideko, who had just joined the group. "It's too bad,[/u]" the two continued, before Eiji joined in on the sentence. "Because you just missed its premiere!"

[Hatake Hiroshi]

We're jammin'! Daichi said with a grin. Eiji's new song is a big hit!

A soulful masterpiece about living life to the fullest, their sister added.

It's too bad... she and Daichi continued together before Eiji joined in.

Because you just missed its premiere!

The Twins frowned. "Awww!"

"That *is* too bad!" Kyoko mumbled, putting her hand on her hip and poking out her lip.

"Yeah...Well, hopefully we'll get to hear it again sometime soon!" said Kane as he unlinked his arm from his sister's and wrapped it around her shoulders. "So what have you all been up to besides creating new hits? Missions, I'm guessing, since we haven't seen you around much."

[Tensei Kaori]

"Oh, yeah!" Daichi agreed. "The mission we just finished... added Hideko, "It was intense!" they finished in unison.

"It almost makes me wish we were Genin again!" laughed Eiji.

"Yeah!" Daichi and Hideko agreed, pausing for a moment. When they spoke again, it was in triple-unison. "Well.... *almost*."

"Anyways," Hideko continued, "We'd be happy to do an encore performance sometime," Daichi added. "You know..." Eiji concluded, "If you wanna hear it, that is."

[Hatake Hiroshi]

"Of course!" Kyoko answered.

"We'd love to hear it!" Kane continued.

"Are you kidding?" they concluded together.

The two twins exchanged quick glances, then spoke again. "So do you guys have any plans for the rest of the day?" Kyoko asked, brushing her hair out of her eyes.

"We were just thinking about hanging out for a bit then going for a nice bowl of ramen. Care to join us?"

[Tensei Kaori]

"Sounds great!" the Triplets chimed in perfect unison. "Thanks for the invitation!"

"So where did you have in mind to go first?" Daichi asked curiously.