Nawaki, Mikoto, and Kushina spent the entire day at the training ground, not leaving until seven in the evening. By then, the sky had darkened, marking the end of their training session. Both girls, exhausted, staggered on wobbly legs as they made their way back to the clan's courtyard.
"I'll walk you home," Nawaki offered to Mikoto, then added, "But first, rest a bit. I'll get you some juice."
"Thanks," she responded with a warm smile.
"Do you still need to be so formal with me?" Nawaki chuckled. "We've been training together for days now. No need to thank me for the little things."
"I'll do it anyway," she replied, her smile growing brighter.
Once Nawaki had left to fetch the juice, Kushina seized the moment to ask Mikoto a pressing question. "Mikoto… do you like Nawaki, dattebane?"
Kushina sensed that was the case.
"I do like him," Mikoto admitted straightforwardly.
"Oh oh...!" Kushina almost shrieked, but Mikoto quickly covered her mouth with her hand.
"Shhh!" Mikoto whispered, her cheeks tinged with a blush. "I haven't told him yet. And also…" She sighed, her expression turning somber.
Mikoto was conflicted. Her clan had strict rules about relationships, particularly regarding alliances with other clans. There were even plans for her to be engaged to a future Uchiha Clan Patriarch, five years her senior. Before, she hadn't minded, but now, the thought of being betrothed to someone other than Nawaki caused a tightness in her chest, making it difficult to breathe.
Unbeknownst to them, someone was observing the two girls from a distance, noting their interaction with a curious gaze.
'So the Uchiha girl likes Nawaki.' The observer contemplated the implications of this revelation.
-
-
Nawaki returned with a pitcher of juice and three glasses. After they all had some punch and a bit of rest, Nawaki left with Mikoto.
As they walked away from the Senju compound, Mikoto spoke up in a soft voice, "Nawaki, how would you feel if I were to get engaged?"
Nawaki halted in his tracks, clearly taken aback. "Have you been engaged?" he asked, his voice tinged with surprise.
"No, I'm asking hypothetically. If I 'were' to get engaged, not that I have been," Mikoto clarified, not delving into much detail.
Nawaki resumed walking, albeit at a slower pace. "I'd be surprised, to be honest. And, I can't say I'd be happy about it."
Hearing this, Mikoto's smile brightened, and a more vibrant aura enveloped her. "That's comforting to hear. Don't worry, I have a say in this arranged engagement. I won't just accept it."
"…You know that I am the last male descendant of the Senju, right?" Nawaki questioned, his tone serious.
Mikoto, aware of the implications, understood that being the last male heir of the Senju Clan might mean Nawaki would have multiple partners. She was no ordinary girl herself. Raised with many decisions made for her, she was now, for the first time, making a choice for herself. Determined, she resolved not to retreat from this path or regret it, as it was her own wish.
"Yes, I understand," Mikoto acknowledged, her smile unwavering. She then playfully leaned forward, hands clasped behind her back, and posed her question, "If one day I become your wife, even if there are other women, you won't neglect me, right?"
"I definitely won't," Nawaki assured her earnestly. "I like you, and I don't see that changing. It might even grow stronger over time, but for now, let's not rush things. What do you say, should we remain friends until we're older?"
"Hehe, silly, I wasn't suggesting we become a couple right now," she laughed. "I just wanted to be sure that rejecting my clan's plans to wait for you was the right decision. We're only 11 and still in the ninja academy."
"That's one of the reasons I like you," Nawaki smiled admiringly. "You're so mature for your age."
"Ha, you sound like an old man," she laughed heartily, then added more softly, "I'm glad we talked about this~" She playfully stuck out her tongue.
Curious, Nawaki gently inquired, "I never asked before, but may I know about your parents?"
"Mm," she responded casually, "I didn't really know my parents. There's speculation that my grandfather was Izuna Uchiha, but it's not confirmed. Some suspect I'm Madara's brother's granddaughter... (sighs), it seems far-fetched, but it's given me a relatively good life in the clan, despite everything Madara did."
As they neared a more populated area, Nawaki advised, "Let's not discuss this further here. And I apologize if my question made you uncomfortable."
"No, I don't mind," she replied with a kind smile. "I've sometimes longed for my parents' love, but I was adopted by a loving couple in the clan and I'm happy. My life hasn't been hard. Actually, the rumor about my lineage is why Isao Uchiha has tried to get close to me, and I think that's why he started disliking you."
"He likes you?" Nawaki asked, more to himself than to her. It explained Isao's animosity, as Nawaki couldn't recall doing anything else to earn his enmity.
"He's just foolish, chasing after the rumor to align with Madara's bloodline," she said, scrunching her nose in distaste.
Shifting the conversation, Nawaki inquired, "What about your adoptive parents?"
"They're wonderful. They respect the Village founders, despite... well, you know," she explained. "Initially, they might have adopted me due to the rumor, but now, they truly treat me as their own daughter. They're always concerned when I train with you, but they're happy with my progress."
"That's good to hear," Nawaki replied warmly. "Remember, you can always count on me if you face any difficulties."
"I'll remember that," she smiled. "I'm so glad I asked you to train that day."
As they caught the aroma of dango, Nawaki suggested, "It smells like dango. Do you like it? Want some?"
"Yes, I especially enjoy green tea flavor," she nodded.
"One moment," Nawaki said before heading to the dango stand.
He returned with two green tea dango skewers. "Here, this is for you."
"Thank you," she accepted, her face lighting up. "Delicious~"
Nawaki watched her enjoy the dango, smiling himself before taking a bite. "No wonder it smells so good," he commented.
"Yes, it's quite popular here," she observed.
"We don't usually come this way; we should do it more often," Nawaki mused.
"I agree," she agreed, raising her thumb with her free hand.
After finishing, Mikoto licked her fingers and disposed of the skewer in a nearby bin, with Nawaki following suit.
"We're here..." The journey had been more enjoyable than usual, perhaps explaining Mikoto's hesitation to part ways.
Sensing this, Nawaki smiled reassuringly, "See you tomorrow at the academy and then for training at my place?"
"Yes, definitely," she replied, her smile warm and genuine.
||- Note -||
Read 25+ chapter on Patre on!
pa treon.com/Tozoku
Nawaki, Mikoto, and Kushina spent the entire day at the training ground, not leaving until seven in the evening. By then, the sky had darkened, marking the end of their training session. Both girls, exhausted, staggered on wobbly legs as they made their way back to the clan's courtyard.
"I'll walk you home," Nawaki offered to Mikoto, then added, "But first, rest a bit. I'll get you some juice."
"Thanks," she responded with a warm smile.
"Do you still need to be so formal with me?" Nawaki chuckled. "We've been training together for days now. No need to thank me for the little things."
"I'll do it anyway," she replied, her smile growing brighter.
Once Nawaki had left to fetch the juice, Kushina seized the moment to ask Mikoto a pressing question. "Mikoto… do you like Nawaki, dattebane?"
Kushina sensed that was the case.
"I do like him," Mikoto admitted straightforwardly.
"Oh oh...!" Kushina almost shrieked, but Mikoto quickly covered her mouth with her hand.
"Shhh!" Mikoto whispered, her cheeks tinged with a blush. "I haven't told him yet. And also…" She sighed, her expression turning somber.
Mikoto was conflicted. Her clan had strict rules about relationships, particularly regarding alliances with other clans. There were even plans for her to be engaged to a future Uchiha Clan Patriarch, five years her senior. Before, she hadn't minded, but now, the thought of being betrothed to someone other than Nawaki caused a tightness in her chest, making it difficult to breathe.
Unbeknownst to them, someone was observing the two girls from a distance, noting their interaction with a curious gaze.
'So the Uchiha girl likes Nawaki.' The observer contemplated the implications of this revelation.
-
-
Nawaki returned with a pitcher of juice and three glasses. After they all had some punch and a bit of rest, Nawaki left with Mikoto.
As they walked away from the Senju compound, Mikoto spoke up in a soft voice, "Nawaki, how would you feel if I were to get engaged?"
Nawaki halted in his tracks, clearly taken aback. "Have you been engaged?" he asked, his voice tinged with surprise.
"No, I'm asking hypothetically. If I 'were' to get engaged, not that I have been," Mikoto clarified, not delving into much detail.
Nawaki resumed walking, albeit at a slower pace. "I'd be surprised, to be honest. And, I can't say I'd be happy about it."
Hearing this, Mikoto's smile brightened, and a more vibrant aura enveloped her. "That's comforting to hear. Don't worry, I have a say in this arranged engagement. I won't just accept it."
"…You know that I am the last male descendant of the Senju, right?" Nawaki questioned, his tone serious.
Mikoto, aware of the implications, understood that being the last male heir of the Senju Clan might mean Nawaki would have multiple partners. She was no ordinary girl herself. Raised with many decisions made for her, she was now, for the first time, making a choice for herself. Determined, she resolved not to retreat from this path or regret it, as it was her own wish.
"Yes, I understand," Mikoto acknowledged, her smile unwavering. She then playfully leaned forward, hands clasped behind her back, and posed her question, "If one day I become your wife, even if there are other women, you won't neglect me, right?"
"I definitely won't," Nawaki assured her earnestly. "I like you, and I don't see that changing. It might even grow stronger over time, but for now, let's not rush things. What do you say, should we remain friends until we're older?"
"Hehe, silly, I wasn't suggesting we become a couple right now," she laughed. "I just wanted to be sure that rejecting my clan's plans to wait for you was the right decision. We're only 11 and still in the ninja academy."
"That's one of the reasons I like you," Nawaki smiled admiringly. "You're so mature for your age."
"Ha, you sound like an old man," she laughed heartily, then added more softly, "I'm glad we talked about this~" She playfully stuck out her tongue.
Curious, Nawaki gently inquired, "I never asked before, but may I know about your parents?"
"Mm," she responded casually, "I didn't really know my parents. There's speculation that my grandfather was Izuna Uchiha, but it's not confirmed. Some suspect I'm Madara's brother's granddaughter... (sighs), it seems far-fetched, but it's given me a relatively good life in the clan, despite everything Madara did."
As they neared a more populated area, Nawaki advised, "Let's not discuss this further here. And I apologize if my question made you uncomfortable."
"No, I don't mind," she replied with a kind smile. "I've sometimes longed for my parents' love, but I was adopted by a loving couple in the clan and I'm happy. My life hasn't been hard. Actually, the rumor about my lineage is why Isao Uchiha has tried to get close to me, and I think that's why he started disliking you."
"He likes you?" Nawaki asked, more to himself than to her. It explained Isao's animosity, as Nawaki couldn't recall doing anything else to earn his enmity.
"He's just foolish, chasing after the rumor to align with Madara's bloodline," she said, scrunching her nose in distaste.
Shifting the conversation, Nawaki inquired, "What about your adoptive parents?"
"They're wonderful. They respect the Village founders, despite... well, you know," she explained. "Initially, they might have adopted me due to the rumor, but now, they truly treat me as their own daughter. They're always concerned when I train with you, but they're happy with my progress."
"That's good to hear," Nawaki replied warmly. "Remember, you can always count on me if you face any difficulties."
"I'll remember that," she smiled. "I'm so glad I asked you to train that day."
As they caught the aroma of dango, Nawaki suggested, "It smells like dango. Do you like it? Want some?"
"Yes, I especially enjoy green tea flavor," she nodded.
"One moment," Nawaki said before heading to the dango stand.
He returned with two green tea dango skewers. "Here, this is for you."
"Thank you," she accepted, her face lighting up. "Delicious~"
Nawaki watched her enjoy the dango, smiling himself before taking a bite. "No wonder it smells so good," he commented.
"Yes, it's quite popular here," she observed.
"We don't usually come this way; we should do it more often," Nawaki mused.
"I agree," she agreed, raising her thumb with her free hand.
After finishing, Mikoto licked her fingers and disposed of the skewer in a nearby bin, with Nawaki following suit.
"We're here..." The journey had been more enjoyable than usual, perhaps explaining Mikoto's hesitation to part ways.
Sensing this, Nawaki smiled reassuringly, "See you tomorrow at the academy and then for training at my place?"
"Yes, definitely," she replied, her smile warm and genuine.
||- Note -||
Read 25+ chapter on Patre on!
pa treon.com/Tozoku
