"Clink!"
The two glasses met with a sharp sound. Kurenai raised her drink, downing it in one gulp.
"Natsuhane, you must have heard, right? Today, Asuma called me a harlot in front of everyone!" Kurenai exclaimed, her voice filled with a mixture of anger and sadness.
"We grew up together. If anyone should know what kind of person I am, it's him. But he... he actually..." Kurenai's voice faltered as her anger gave way to sorrow.
"Yes, I understand. Hearing about your pregnancy must have been a shock for him. It's understandable that he couldn't accept it right away..." Natsuhane responded gently.
"What hurts the most is realizing he cares more about his pride than he does about me. He wouldn't even listen to my explanations..." Kurenai continued, her voice trembling.
She recounted her memories with Asuma: his rebellious youth, the rift with his father, his departure from Konoha, and his eventual return. Despite the changes in Asuma after the loss of his comrades in the Guardian Shinobi Twelve, and the hope she had for their future together, everything crumbled with today's events.
"He even got jealous of you for no reason... I'm really at my wit's end," Kurenai sighed, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Natsuhane listened patiently, not interrupting her flow of emotions. The more she spoke, the more she drank. The more she drank, the more she revealed.
---
Two hours passed. During this time, Kurenai consumed several bottles of what she thought was sake but was actually water. She shared her deepest secrets with Natsuhane, including her untouched first kiss and her virginity, and the confusing miracle of her pregnancy.
Feeling exhausted, Kurenai leaned back in her chair, breathing heavily. "Natsuhane, I've been talking for so long... don't you have anything to say?"
Natsuhane smiled softly. "I was waiting for you to finish."
"Well, I'm done..." Kurenai replied, her voice trailing off.
"Alright, then I'll start," Natsuhane said, his tone turning serious. He leaned forward, his eyes locking onto hers. "I'll take care of you, Kurenai. Join the Uchiha Clan."
Kurenai's eyes widened in shock. Her heart pounded loudly in her chest, and she could barely process his words. The intense emotions made her chest rise and fall rapidly, her body trembling slightly.
In truth, Kurenai had harbored a small affection for Natsuhane. Seeing his powerful Susanoo earlier had left a profound impression on her. It was a primal instinct to be drawn to strength, something beyond conscious control.
After a long pause, Kurenai finally managed to compose herself. "Natsuhane, please don't joke about this. You're so perfect, and I'm already pregnant... how could I possibly be worthy of you?"
"Kurenai, this child is mine," Natsuhane stated firmly.
"Stop it... I haven't even agreed yet..." Kurenai stammered, her cheeks flushing.
"I'm not joking. Whether you agree or not, this child is mine. I am the father," Natsuhane declared, his voice leaving no room for doubt.
Kurenai's eyes filled with tears. The weight of everything she had gone through, and the unexpected turn her life had taken, seemed overwhelming. She looked at Natsuhane, searching for any sign of insincerity but found none. His eyes held only genuine concern and determination.
---
Kurenai took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. "Natsuhane, you don't understand. My life is a mess right now. I don't want to drag you into it."
Natsuhane reached out, gently taking her hand. "You're not dragging me into anything. I want to be here for you and for our child. Together, we can face anything."
The sincerity in his words struck a chord in Kurenai. She felt a warmth spreading through her chest, melting the ice of fear and uncertainty that had gripped her heart.
"Alright, Natsuhane. I'll join the Uchiha Clan," she whispered, her voice filled with a mix of relief and hope.
Natsuhane's face broke into a warm smile. "Thank you, Kurenai. You won't regret this decision. I promise to protect and cherish you both."