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The Story Behind the Marine Neck Ribbon...

Kurena waited outside for Nyatta to come home. It was a beautiful spring, sunny day with a gentle breeze, making her long, brown curly hair blow in the wind. Her emerald green eyes looked for a certain someone. They should've been coming any minute...

"Mom!" Kurena smiled as her four year old daughter Nyatta ran to her, giving her a tight hug. Her blue green eyes were filled with happiness, her long, brown hair in two braids.

"Welcome home, Nyatta," she said while returning the hug. Just for the fun of it, she ruffled her daughter's hair playfully.

"Hey!" Nyatta squeaked. "What was that for!"

"No reason," her mother replied, stifling a giggle.

"Then why'd you do it, huh?" Nyatta asked, pouting.

"I'm sorry Nya, I was kidding!" Kurena explained, kissing her softly on her forehead.

At this Nyatta smiled; she couldn't stay angry at her mother (or anyone at that matter) for long. "Ok mommy!"

Suddenly, Kurena eeped as she felt a poke at her side. She smiled, turning around to face Rei, her husband.

"Kurena-chan!" he grinned, giving her an affectionate bear hug.

"Dad!" Nyatta chimed in happily.

"Rei-kun!" she returned the hug. "I missed you so much...you were gone for over a week. Your last mission must've been hard..."

"It was," he replied. "But the best part of it all is coming home to you and Nya-chan."

"Aw, Rei-kun..."

There was a moment when the two looked into each other's eyes. Then, Rei wrapped his arms around Kurena's waist while she wrapped hers around his neck. They got closer, then their lips met...

"Eeww!" Nyatta turned the other way.

"Ah!" both exclaimed, for they had forgotten their daughter was even there. Needless to say, the kissing was cut short.

"Oh!" Kurena's eyes widened. "Nya, i have something for you!"

Nyatta blinked. "A gift?"

Kurena nodded, reaching into her right pocket. "Where did I put it...there!" She smiled, pulling out a marine colored neck ribbon.

Nyatta's eyes widened with curiousity. "Mommy...what is it?" She tilted her head to the side.

"My mother gave it to me. I don't know when it started, but it's been a tradition in our family to pass it down to our daughter, if we have one." Kurena explained.

"Wow..." Nyatta gasped. "That means I'm special, right?"

Kurena giggled softly. "Of course you are. You're my daughter. Now, want to wear it?"

Nyatta beamed, causing her eyes to sparkle. "Sure!"

Kurena tied the ribbon around Nyatta's neck. Nyatta smiled, running a finger across it. The material was soft...silk perhaps?

"Thank you mommy."

Rei smiled at watching. Myabe his daughter was beginning to grow up already...

"You're welcome, my daughter."