Chapter 86: The Push and Pull
One month later.
Neji-kun and Mikoto walked side-by-side into the Red Maple Izakaya.
Night was falling, the lanterns were just being lit, and the nightlife was just beginning. The izakaya was at its liveliest.
The hostess saw they were shinobi and quickly came down to greet them.
"Ninja-sama, a private room on the second floor?"
"Let's just stay on the first floor," Mikoto said hesitantly.
Having just moved to the Hidden Cloud Village, funds were tight. And an izakaya this popular was clearly not cheap.
Neji-kun looked at Mikoto and said, "A private room is better. It's quiet."
It seemed like Neji-kun was asking, but he had actually already made the decision.
"Mm," Mikoto could only agree.
After all, she was the one treating him tonight.
As for what was to come, she was both nervous and ashamed. The marriage alliance was tied to whether the Uchiha could establish a long-term foothold in the Hidden Cloud Village.
But Mikoto never imagined such a heavy burden would fall on her.
She was already a 32-year-old woman, and a mother of two. Was she really in such high demand?
Or was it because of her Mangekyō Sharingan? That was the most logical explanation she could think of.
The Uchiha now had two pairs of Mangekyō. But Shisui was the clan head. If the Cloud wanted to get their hands on a Mangekyō, she was the only target.
The only part that didn't make sense was how Kumo knew she had awakened it. Mikoto hadn't told anyone, choosing to hide it just as Fugaku had, as a power to protect the clan.
If the Hidden Cloud Village wanted her Mangekyō, she could only obey. She had no other choice.
But—
Glancing at Neji-kun, Mikoto was overwhelmed with shame.
She had gotten detailed information about him from Shisui. He was tall, and his mind was mature and stable, but he was actually only one year older than Sasuke. He was still just a child.
Political marriages prioritized benefits. Age gaps weren't an issue. But it was usually an older man and a younger woman. A situation like theirs was rare.
The hostess led them to a private room on the second floor. "Ninja-sama, your food will be up soon after you order. Is there anything else you need?"
"That's all. You may go," Neji-kun said faintly.
"Enjoy your meal."
The hostess bowed and slid the shoji door shut.
Now, only Neji-kun and Mikoto were left in the room.
After changing into slippers, Neji-kun glanced at the preoccupied Mikoto. "Mikoto-san, what are you thinking about? Hurry up and take them off."
"Take... take what off?" Mikoto froze, not understanding.
Neji-kun smiled. "Your shoes, of course."
"Ah, right, right." Mikoto snapped back to reality and awkwardly removed her shoes.
The temperature difference between day and night in Kumo was large, so Mikoto had changed into a fleece-lined pair of pants before coming out, similar to the tights of his previous life.
Neji-kun sat down first, watching Mikoto walk to the opposite side and sit. Her small feet, wrapped in black socks, swayed in front of him. Finally, Mikoto knelt, tucking her feet beneath her.
Neji-kun silently lamented what a pity that was.
Mikoto picked up the menu and began to order. The hostess herself was so beautiful, the food was bound to be expensive. After a quick look, she symbolically ordered two small side dishes and passed the menu to Neji-kun.
To host him properly, she was prepared to splurge. When treating someone, you had to consider their habits, and Neji-kun's status in Kumo was not low. He was probably used to the highest standards.
Neji-kun glanced at the two small dishes Mikoto had ordered, recognized her predicament, and smiled slightly. He narrowed his eyes. "Mikoto-san, how about a drink?"
"Ah?" Mikoto was taken aback. She normally didn't touch alcohol, but recently she had been using it to numb herself. She recalled the messy state she was in every time she got drunk.
She declined, "No, thank you. I have to get up early tomorrow to make breakfast for Sasuke."
Neji-kun pressed on. "A small drink is relaxing. You won't get drunk."
"Alright, then." Mikoto nodded, then added, "Alcohol is a good thing, I suppose. The hazy feeling is quite comfortable."
"It seems you quite like to drink, Mikoto-san?" Neji-kun said, ordering the drinks.
Mikoto's eyes were fixed on the menu in his hands. "I suppose so. It helps me sleep more soundly."
"So, after you drink, do you go right to sleep, or...?"
At this, Neji-kun glanced at her right ring finger. No nail polish.
Neji-kun understood. He didn't continue, instead handing the menu back to her. "All set."
"I just have a small cup to help me sleep. I won't get too drunk."
Mikoto took the menu and glanced at it, discovering that Neji-kun had only ordered simple dishes and the cheapest sake.
She understood instantly. He was being considerate of her financial situation.
Mikoto's nose tingled. It was hard to believe he was just a child. So much more considerate than Sasuke.
Soon, the hostess brought their food. Neji-kun ate a few symbolic bites, then poured Mikoto a cup of sake.
"Neji-kun, thank you." Mikoto nodded slightly. Unconsciously, she had stopped seeing him as a child, and more as a peer.
She took a small sip, her face blushing. "About the marriage," she said softly. "The Uchiha have no objection, and I... I also agree."
"I know," Neji-kun nodded, looking straight at her. "Your attitude already told me as much."
Mikoto felt a little uncomfortable under his direct gaze. She said quietly, "It's just... I have a few requests, and I hope you can be understanding."
"Oh?" Neji-kun raised his cup and drained it. "Let's hear them."
"First, Sasuke is still young. Our... arrangement... can't be allowed to hurt him."
Neji-kun found this tricky. "Mikoto-san, that's difficult. I don't know what 'not hurting' him looks like. This alliance is, one, to silence the clans who are hostile to the Uchiha, and two, to prevent the Uchiha from repeating their past mistakes. Which is more important? I hope you'll think about that."
Mikoto looked down. "Neji-kun, I understand all that. I just hope the alliance can be kept among the village leadership. Not broadcast everywhere."
"Keep Sasuke in the dark?"
"Yes."
"That's not so hard."
Hiding it from the gossips in the village was unrealistic. But hiding it from one person, Sasuke, wasn't difficult. Hiruzen had hidden Naruto's Jinchuriki status and his status as the Fourth Hokage's son, which was far harder. Naruto didn't even know he was a Jinchuriki until after he graduated. If Pain hadn't invaded, he still wouldn't have known he was the Fourth's son. Sasuke's situation wasn't nearly as sensitive. With the Fourth Raikage's authority, making people keep quiet was a simple matter.
"Neji-kun, thank you so much."
Neji-kun refilled her cup. The light shone on her face, which was flushed. "Any other requests?"
Neji-kun studied Mikoto. Her skin was incredibly well-maintained, so supple it looked tender enough to squeeze water from. He really wanted to hold her and take a bite, to test how ripe she was.
"The second request... Neji-kun, you're still young. You can't..." She fumbled, then changed her words. "Unless... unless I'm willing."
She wanted to change her words again, but that would be too rude. She didn't know what to do, her face filled with embarrassment.
Seeing her like this, Neji-kun suddenly laughed. A woman in her thirties, acting like a young girl. This contrast was pretty interesting.
"Mikoto-san," Neji-kun said seriously. "There isn't a trace of lust in my eyes, only appreciation for you."
Mikoto heard this and stared into his translucent white eyes. It was true... well, she couldn't see anything at all. Was it really just appreciation? She was skeptical.
But regardless of how much of that was a lie, at least he'd stated his position.
"Neji-kun, those are my only two requests."
Neji-kun hesitated. "Mikoto-san, about the alliance... don't you have other questions? Like, why you? And why me?"
"I just have a few guesses," she said softly.
"You've awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, haven't you?"
Mikoto's head snapped up. "Neji-kun, how did you—"
"When the Mangekyō first awakens, dōjutsu spikes dramatically. I sensed it back in the Land of Waterfalls. Your dōjutsu had surged by dozens of times."
"Two pairs of Mangekyō are too powerful. The village had to be cautious. Since Shisui is the clan head, you were the only other choice."
Only Neji-kun, with his Byakugan, had noticed. Not even Shisui knew. It was a good thing she had hidden it. If the Uchiha clan knew, they might not have agreed to a marriage, but they certainly would never have agreed to just give away a Mangekyō user. It would have planted a thorn of resentment. After all, a Mangekyō wielder and a former clan head's widow were on completely different levels.
Mikoto nodded slightly. So the village really was after her Mangekyō. What she didn't know was that it was only one of the reasons.
Just then, Neji-kun said, "Mikoto-san, your Mangekyō is a sensitive topic. Don't use it unless absolutely necessary. If the Uchiha clan finds out, it will be very troublesome."
"I understand," she nodded.
"Alright then. The alliance is settled. I'll tell the Raikage there's no need for a big ceremony. We'll keep it simple."
"Neji-kun, thank you for this."
The silver moon hung high.
Neji-kun and Mikoto walked out of the izakaya. Their shadows stretched long on the ground.
Neji-kun hailed a carriage to take Mikoto home. Mikoto really couldn't hold her liquor. She was dizzy and unsteady. She fumbled with the curtain, trying several times to get in without success.
Seeing this, Neji-kun wrapped an arm around her slender waist and helped her up.
Mikoto's brow furrowed. Once in the carriage, she instinctively scooted to the side, pressing her legs together and leaning away from him like a wary rabbit.
Neji-kun didn't say anything. He told the driver to go, then crossed his arms and closed his eyes, pretending to rest.
The carriage moved slowly, rocking gently. Mikoto's head grew heavy, and sleepiness washed over her. Her tolerance was already low, and the sake had a strong kick. She couldn't hold on. In contrast, Neji-kun's expression was normal, as if he hadn't had a drop.
Time passed, and Mikoto's breathing evened out. She had actually fallen asleep.
Before long, the carriage stopped.
Neji-kun opened his eyes. He glanced at Mikoto, who was sleeping on her side, her curves on full display. He gently pinched her cheek. "Mikoto-san, we're home."
"N...Neji-kun... back... Sasuke will see..." she mumbled.
Neji-kun basically understood. She wanted them to go to the back door so Sasuke wouldn't see.
He couldn't help but smile. It was the middle of the night; who would they run into? But if she wanted the back door, they would use the back door.
Neji-kun asked, "Mikoto-san, which way is the back door?"
"Up... no, down..." Her voice was blurry, one moment "up," the next "down."
Neji-kun slapped his forehead. 'I'm an idiot. The back door is obviously... in the back.'
So, Neji-kun scooped Mikoto up into his arms and walked around to the back of the house.
After sneaking in, Neji-kun went up to the second floor and leaned Mikoto against the wall. He found the key, unlocked the door, and then turned to pick her up.
Click!
The room light came on. Mikoto, her eyes unaccustomed to it, instinctively raised a hand to block the light.
Click.
Neji-kun dimmed the lights. The room became much darker, but a different kind of atmosphere filled it.
Neji-kun took a breath, clearing his mind. 'It's best to ease into this relationship. This push and pull is necessary. Take it slow.'
Arriving in the bedroom, Neji-kun laid Mikoto on the bed.
"Neji-kun... it's late... go back if you want... or there's a room next door... rest well..." she mumbled.
Neji-kun didn't speak. He just reached out and started pulling off her clothes.
"You— what are you doing?" Mikoto had no strength to resist, instinctively raising her hands to cover herself.
Neji-kun's hands paused in mid-air. "What else?" he said, deadpan. "Helping you take off your clothes and shoes."
"No, don't..." Her voice was as soft as a mosquito.
Neji-kun didn't stop this time. He grabbed her ankle, preparing to take off her shoes.
"Neji-kun, stop—" Mikoto instinctively pulled her foot back. She was so drunk, and her weak resistance... it only made it more exciting.
Neji-kun said mischievously, "Mikoto-san, you wouldn't want Sasuke to—"
"Fine, fine!" she said, shamed and angry. "Just... just take them off."
After taking off her shoes, he also slid off her socks, held her small feet for a moment, and straightened her legs.
After covering her with a blanket, Neji-kun got up, went to the kitchen, and busied himself for a moment. Soon, he returned with a cup.
He sat on the edge of the bed and gently shook her shoulder. "Drink some warm water before you sleep."
"Huu... huu..." she breathed heavily.
Neji-kun put an arm behind her back, pulled her up, and helped her drink a few sips.
After the warm water, she seemed much better, and her furrowed brow relaxed. Seeing her like this, Neji-kun prepared to leave.
"Mikoto-san, it's late. I'm heading back."
"Going back? Then... be careful," she mumbled.
Neji-kun nodded slightly, then left the Uchiha district. He didn't go back to Samui's place, but headed straight for the Kumo apartments, planning to have a late-night snack with Kana.