Ryosuke was taken aback by Guy's question, then smiled. "Why would I ever mind?"
Setting aside how much Guy had helped him boost his physical stats early on, even now that his strength had grown, Guy was still a worthy partner to spar with. More power didn't mean everything was solved—Ryosuke still had to master that power and get used to wielding it smoothly.
Relieved, Guy brightened. Ryosuke didn't mind after all—what a relief.
Ryosuke looked at Guy lying on the ground. "Let's call it here for today. I'm heading back."
"Okay," Guy answered from the ground. He'd ask Ryosuke for another match another day; for now his body needed rest. Even though Ryosuke hadn't targeted any vital spots, his strikes hadn't been gentle in the slightest.
…
After parting with Guy, Ryosuke hurried back to the Uchiha compound and immediately began practicing the Fifth Gate of the Eight Gates. The real spar had only shaved a bit off his stamina—hardly enough to affect his training.
He smoothly opened the first four Gates; veins bulged across his forehead, his skin darkened, and a fierce aura burst from him—though not enough to damage the house. Then he drove his chakra toward the Fifth Gate at the base of the spine, the Gate of View. The pain hit at once—far from ordinary—sweat beaded across his brow. It was the same as ever. But now it was only pain; he was long since used to it, and no longer risked fainting.
An hour of attempts in, he'd adapted to the agony and even faintly felt he could open the Gate of View. He'd reached his endurance limit, though, so he didn't push it. He showered, then dozed for a little over an hour; by the time he woke, night had fallen. His body had mostly recovered—both the physical and mental pain had faded. As his stats rose, so did his recovery rate. He could have kept training, but he had plans tonight.
After a quick bite, he headed out, met up at Kurenai's place, and the two of them strolled the quieter streets they'd found over the past weeks. Ryosuke had brought her there early—after a grueling day of training, savoring a beauty's sweetness put both body and mind at ease.
They had just sat down when Ryosuke slipped an arm around Kurenai's waist and let his hand wander upward to her twin peaks. Maybe it was all the time they'd spent getting close, but lately, whenever they took things to the final step, they'd just get a hotel for the night. She felt fuller now—soft, yet plump under his palm—and Ryosuke couldn't help enjoying himself.
Face flushed, Kurenai peeked at him. Were those two lumps really that fun? She'd squeezed them herself and felt nothing. Somehow Ryosuke's firm hands made them feel…better.
Chapter 55: Pregnancy (2/2)
After a while of tender play, Ryosuke suggested, "Kurenai, why don't we get a room?"
Her mother was probably home, and a hotel would be more comfortable. Kurenai hesitated. She really did want a carefree night with Ryosuke, but she'd been feeling a little nauseous lately—and wasn't that a sign of pregnancy?
Seeing her waver, Ryosuke frowned. He'd already had Kurenai entirely to himself, and she'd clearly enjoyed it—why refuse him now? "Kurenai, what's wrong?"
After a moment's hesitation, she said, "Ryosuke, I might be pregnant. I've been feeling nauseous lately." As if on cue, she doubled over and dry-heaved a few times.
Ryosuke froze. Pregnant?
Joy exploded in his chest. All those careful 'sowings' hadn't been in vain—it worked. He quickly bent to rub her back, easing her discomfort. After a while, her lovely red eyes lifted to meet his. With everything they'd done, of course she'd end up pregnant. Now she didn't know what to do, so she asked, "What should we do? Should I… terminate it?"
She'd never planned on having a child so young. Ryosuke even looked a bit younger than her; he probably wouldn't want one either. They'd both chased pleasure and ignored the consequences.
Ryosuke's face tightened. Setting aside any 'rewards' he might get for fatherhood, this was his child—a living life. How could he agree to end it?
"Don't ever have thoughts like that again," he said firmly. "Have the baby. I'll take responsibility."
It was his child—half Uchiha by blood.
Kurenai relaxed at his words; her biggest fear had been that he'd be the type to bolt after pulling his pants up. Thankfully, he wasn't. She smiled. "Then… I'll have this child."
She was young and inexperienced, but the baby was theirs—she never truly wanted to end it. With Ryosuke's stance clear, her resolve hardened.
Ryosuke nodded with a smile. Good—let it be born. He should start earning more, though. Money wasn't a problem for him now, but babies burned through it. Time to think of ways to make some cash.
Kurenai added, "Ryosuke, let's keep this pregnancy a secret."
If Asuma found out, he'd go berserk—she'd not only gone with another man; she was having his child.
"All right," Ryosuke agreed. As long as they didn't end the pregnancy, he'd accept her conditions. Looked like there'd be no hotel tonight—pregnancy meant no fun in bed for a while.