After dinner, Renji prepared to head out to see his brothers. He wondered if they, too, had been saddled with fiancées. As much as he disliked arranged marriages, he had to admit they had their merits. For someone like him, with no clue about love, there wasn't much reason to refuse.
Dressed and ready, he heard his mother's voice behind him.
"Where are you going?"
"Nothing serious. Just meeting up with Retsu and Yan for a walk," Renji replied.
"Oh, those two brats. Then take Meimei with you. Everyone else will be paired off, and you'll look lonely on your own. That's settled. Meimei, I'll leave Renji to you. Make sure he doesn't get lost." Ran tugged Meimei forward and gently pushed her outside.
Lost? What am I, six years old? Still, having someone walk with him wasn't so bad.
"Meimei, want to come along?" Renji asked openly.
"Yes… thank you. Sorry for the trouble," she said, cheeks pink, but readily agreed.
They stepped out together. From inside came Ran's cheerful voice.
"Have fun, don't come back too early!"
Watching them go, Takuma muttered, "Is this really okay? They barely know each other, and already we've tied them with an engagement."
"What's wrong with it? Your son spends all day training or plotting how to strengthen the clan. Honestly, you fathers and uncles leave everything to him. At this rate, when will I ever hold a grandchild?
"Meimei's bloodline matches Renji perfectly. She's beautiful, kind, gentle exactly what he needs. I looked into her mother's new husband. There are traces of the Hokage faction in his ties. Your precious Konoha has never once forgotten our clan." Ran's words carried both sarcasm and truth.
Takuma tried to object, but meeting his wife's eyes, he backed down and turned the talk toward their son.
…
"Where should we go? Is there anything you want to see?" Renji asked.
"The food street. It's the liveliest at night," Meimei replied.
"Oh, alright. What do you usually like to do?"
"Not much, really. I do housework. I like sweets. Sweet flavors make people forget their troubles," she said softly.
"Sweets, huh? I have a someone who can make a few. I'll get him to teach me and make some for you." As soon as the words left his mouth, Renji regretted sounding so forward.
"You mean Yan? I know about him. Your mother told me many things about you. I admire you you chase your goals with such energy. Listening to your stories, I feel like you never stop moving, like you can't stand still."
She didn't feel awkward with him, thanks to her aunt who had told her plenty. She had no resistance to the arranged marriage because she had no right to resist. Her mother had told her: If you must marry an Uchiha, better your aunt's son than anyone else. He's not only the strongest of his generation, but also the safest shield for you.
"Always stirring things up, huh? Yeah, I guess I am. Sitting still won't make dreams come true. What about you? Do you have a dream?" Renji asked.
He thought bitterly if he didn't stir things up, in ten years the whole clan would be massacred. If they knew the future, they might rebel sooner than he would.
"My dream? I want to be a ninja. A strong ninja. I want to protect my mother. I want to choose my own path." Meimei stopped walking, her gaze steady on him.
"You don't like coming back, do you? You know your background. It means you have no choice. But if you don't like this engagement, we can talk to my mother. She seems domineering outside, but she's actually easy to talk to," Renji said, turning to face her.
"I know my father's death wasn't simple. I don't resent coming back. My old life was peaceful, but it didn't feel like mine.
"I've heard your stories for months. You feel like someone who's stepped right out of them. Except… you're taller than I imagined. I thought you'd be shorter."
"As for this engagement, did I ever say I didn't like it? Do you think I could find anyone better than you among our peers? Your mother didn't force me. This is the one choice in my life I made myself." Meimei's cheeks flushed, but her eyes shone with resolve.
Renji exhaled in relief. Forced marriages rarely worked. But if both agreed, life could be good.
"Why'd you think I'd be short?"
Meimei laughed like a blossoming flower. "Because you're younger than me, little brother. Hehehe." Her silvery laugh rang out.
Renji scratched his head, embarrassed at being teased.
"Come on. If we're late, the desserts will be sold out." Meimei grabbed his hand and pulled him along.
After a while, she was panting, while Renji hadn't even broken a sweat. Remembering his mother's words that Meimei was an ordinary girl, he clapped his hands.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Bang! A massive hound, the size of a horse, appeared. "Yo, long time no see, Master. What do you need?"
"It can talk? This is your summoned beast? It's huge!" Meimei gasped, staring at the dog.
"Good evening, Blackclaw. You've gotten stronger. This is my fiancée. Carry her for me." Renji lifted Meimei in a princess carry and gently set her on the hound's back.
The sudden lift made her heart jump. Sitting on the dog was a first thrilling but frightening. She clutched Renji's hand tightly.
"Fiancée? Then you're the mistress! Nice to meet you, I'm Blackclaw. Don't worry, I run fast and steady."
"Don't be scared. Every Uchiha who awakens their eyes forms a bond with a ninja hound. Mine just happens to be bigger. They're gentle and reliable." Renji stroked the hound's head, and Blackclaw barked in delight.
Still nervous, Meimei froze. Renji climbed on behind her, holding her hands firmly.
"I'll ride with you. Let's go to the food street. Blackclaw, I'll buy you sweets."
"Food street? Sweets? Woof, let's go!" Blackclaw barked happily.
The hound shot forward, Meimei laughing in surprise.
"He's so fast! Who'd think something so fierce loves sweets? Ah it's too quick, I can't take it! Can we slow down?"
"Alright, slow down for Meimei. Better?"
"Yes… much better. This is so fun. So this is the world of shinobi?"
"No. This is our world. The world of shinobi is something I hope you never see."
___________________________________________________________________________________________
If you're enjoying this story and want to read more advanced chapters, you can support me on Patreon: patreon.com/PurgatorialPoet. Your support helps keep the translations coming faster.