Night had just fallen, and the Senju compound lay in disarray.
Not all the guests had yet departed. With Mito at the head, Kawaki and others filled an entire table again.
The alcohol had been replaced with tea and other sobering drinks, and everyone seemed content, their appetites satisfied.
"You've all worked hard these past few days."
Mito wore a warm smile, gently flushed from the drink. Clearly, she was truly happy today, as though a lifelong wish had finally come true.
"You're too kind. We're all family here."
Orochimaru spoke up first, while Kawaki and Tsunade showed no intention of responding.
"Haha~ Then I guess this old woman is just being overly sentimental."
"Please keep an eye on Nawaki even after today."
Mito kept smiling as she raised her cup in a toast.
"Grandma~"
Nawaki flinched slightly at her words.
"Did Grandma say anything wrong?"
"Don't think just because you're married, no one here is younger than you."
"Even Minato here has more sense than you do."
Mito glared at Nawaki, then realized she might have said something inappropriate.
"Don't worry, Grandma."
"No matter what happens, I'm here along with Tsunade."
Kawaki caught the meaning behind Mito's words. A shadow passed over his happiness.
"Good child, hearing that makes Grandma feel much better."
"Your several disciples came today, right?"
Before anyone else could dwell on that, Mito smoothly changed the topic.
"How'd you know that, Grandma?"
Nawaki was quite surprised, thinking he was the only one who knew about it.
"You really underestimate Grandma."
With a light smile, Mito implied that there was nothing in Konoha she couldn't uncover if she wished to. On such a joyous occasion, she would certainly not allow any mishaps.
"Yes, I've already met them."
Kawaki naturally noticed this, though it wasn't due to his own sensing ability.
That was thanks to the Flying Thunder God marks on Nagato and the others.
Outside the village, Kawaki had already exchanged words with his three disciples.
"Not even coming to say hello—how heartless."
Orochimaru sighed jokingly. Clearly, there was no real blame in his tone.
Though not officially teacher and student, he and Nagato were close as such.
"Nowadays, things are different. Too many eyes are watching them."
"The Akatsuki Village has solidified its place as the strongest among the villages below the Five Great Ninja Villages."
Though Sakumo hadn't noticed himself, he fully understood why Nagato and the others acted as they did.
"Better safe than sorry."
"These days, the underground situation within the Ninja World grows increasingly strange."
Jiraiya didn't speak often, but few knew the Ninja World better than him.
"Yeah, we've had more missions lately."
Minato chimed in. As a model figure for Konoha's new generation, he carried a heavy workload.
"Don't worry, I'll handle whatever comes our way."
"Until then, just take it easy and enjoy yourselves."
Tsunade smiled. Before Minato and the others fully matured, she would bear everything for now.
"Big sis, you're amazing!"
Nawaki proudly gave Tsunade a thumbs-up with pride written all over his face.
"Keep pushing forward. The future'll be yours before you know it."
Shinryu wasn't originally a combat-type ninja. With so many talented people in Konoha, he'd gradually retreated to the sidelines.
Even if war breaks out in the future, he won't be that logistics commander anymore.
"I may not be smart, but remember to call me when fighting starts."
Dai knew his place well. The White Fang still shined brightly.
"Now's not the time to talk about this."
"The most important thing today is — you brat, it's time for your wedding night!"
Kawaki steered the conversation away from this heavy topic. There were things discussed with Nagato and others today that needed digesting.
I really made the right move this time!!
"That's right, don't stay with us anymore."
"A moment in spring is worth a thousand pieces of gold. You should think how much money you're wasting by staying here."
Jiraiya winked playfully at Nawaki. In terms of being unseemly, he and Kawaki were evenly matched.
"I'll go back to my room first."
Misaki felt embarrassed listening. Her face, which had sobered from sake, blushed again.
After getting up hastily, she left without looking back.
"Control this dirty mouth of yours properly."
Makoto gave Jiraiya an annoyed pinch. What an old pervert.
"You're still sitting here? How can you just sit there?"
Kawaki slapped Nawaki's back disappointedly. At this point, what are you hesitating for?
"Ouch~"
Nawaki rubbed his head, wincing in pain.
"Then I'll leave too. You guys continue chatting."
Looking around briefly, Nawaki stood up with a sheepish look on his face.
"Go on, go on."
Under everyone's 'encouragement,' Nawaki jogged to chase after.
While this group continued casual chatting, Misaki and Nawaki successively entered the bridal chamber.
Click~
After entering, Nawaki locked the door. Misaki sat by the table.
Neither spoke. Each held a cup of water, seemingly lost in thoughts.
Occasionally making eye contact, they quickly shifted their gazes away.
"Are you hungry?"
After a long while, Nawaki finally broke the silence.
"Not really."
Misaki shook her head. After all that sake, who'd even be hungry now.
Once again, the room fell silent.
"I'm feeling sleepy."
After speaking, Misaki said shyly, avoiding his gaze.
"Then sleep. It's already late."
Nawaki put down his cup, stood up and helped Misaki rise.
Walking together to the bed, both could feel each other's trembling hands and legs.
Misaki took off her outer garment, revealing two smooth arms exposed under her inner shirt.
O-oh...
"Turn off the light."
Her hands trembled as they gripped the hem of her shirt. Misaki asked Nawaki to turn off the lamp.
"Okay."
Nawaki retracted his gaze, swallowed nervously.
With a few steps, the room fell into darkness.
When Nawaki sat back on the bed's edge, Misaki had already curled into the quilt, leaving her undergarments scattered beside the bed.
"I'm coming in."
Nawaki's voice quivered slightly as he removed all but his underwear and slipped into the quilt.
Lying separately, neither moved, but both could hear each other's increasingly heavy breathing.
"So soft."
Nawaki carefully reached his hand over. His hand met nothing but softness.
"Mm~"
Misaki's body tensed. She let out a soft moan without meaning to.
This cry drove Nawaki to lose control. He shifted his body sideways and pressed close to her.
Nawaki tossed the undergarment aside, out from under the covers, and the two heated bodies clung tightly to one another.
"You're so beautiful."
Lifting his head slightly, Nawaki gazed deeply into Misaki's eyes, filled with affection.
"I love you."
Misaki didn't pull away; in the dim light, her gaze softened, dreamy and distant.
"I love you too."
Nawaki lowered his head, and their lips met.
Both longed to completely merge into each other's bodies.
Their embrace grew tighter, their breathing heavier.
After parting their lips, both were already deeply aroused.
Kisses rained down from head to toe.
When Nawaki finally pulled away from her kiss-swollen lips, Misaki had all but melted into him.
"Are you okay?"
Nawaki, still inexperienced, gently brushed his hand against Misaki's cheek.
"I'm fine," Misaki whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Then I'll start now."
Nawaki felt like he would explode, yet the more worked up he got, the harder it was to focus on what he was doing.
"You idiot, just—"
Misaki narrowed her eyes, softly laughing at Nawaki's impatient expression.
"..."
Frowning slightly, Misaki gave Nawaki a light slap on the back in mock frustration.
Thinking about it, she only had herself to blame for this—she never should've taken it upon herself to teach him in the first place!
"My mistake, my mistake."
Nawaki kept apologizing without holding back.
Their passion raged until both lay spent in each other's arms, finally bringing peace back to the bridal chamber.
Outside the window, the night had grown deep.
...
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