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The two clinked their glasses with a sharp "clink."
Yuhi Kurenai picked up her glass of "wine" and took a large gulp.
"Kingsu, you must have heard by now. Asuma called me a disgrace in front of everyone today!"
"We grew up together. If anyone should know me, it's him! But… he actually said that…"
Kurenai's voice trembled as she spoke, and her expression shifted from anger to sadness.
She sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping as she continued, "I suppose it's understandable that he'd be upset about my pregnancy… but what hurts is that he only cares about appearances. He doesn't truly love me, nor did he want to hear any explanations…"
She paused, almost as if reliving painful memories. "Asuma was always rebellious and quick-tempered. He had a complicated relationship with his father and, as soon as he turned eighteen, he ran off, leaving Konoha behind to wander the world. He believed himself to be a great hero, doing whatever pleased him, but without thinking about how it affected those left behind. He was content to leave me waiting in Konoha for years without a word…"
"Eventually, I heard that Asuma was doing well on his travels, earning a place among the Twelve Guardian Ninjas who protect the Fire Daimyo. His status as a bodyguard felt like a badge of honor to him, proof of his strength and independence."
She gave a bitter laugh, swirling her drink. "But I knew the truth. Without his father's influence, the Hokage's strings pulled behind the scenes, the Daimyo would never have chosen him as a bodyguard. It was all for the Hokage's sake."
Kurenai took another long sip before continuing, "When Asuma returned to Konoha, he was different. He had become calmer and more thoughtful, likely because he'd lost many of his Guardian comrades. For the first time, he began to understand what it really meant to be a shinobi. His relationship with his father improved, and so did ours. I finally felt a sense of hope for our future…"
She trailed off, staring into her glass, voice softer. "Then… all of this happened."
Kurenai sighed deeply. "Kingsu, did you know? Even before today, Asuma was jealous of you… for no reason at all. I was at my wit's end trying to reason with him…"
She clutched her glass tightly, her knuckles white, and shook her head. "Just this morning…"
Yuhi Kurenai held the empty glass in one hand, and with the other, she leaned her head against her hand, as if weighed down by the flood of memories. Her eyes, the deep red of her clan, were hazy and brimming with sadness, made more intense by the alcohol's effect.
Kingsu remained silent, listening carefully to Kurenai's tale without interrupting. He knew she needed a listener, and he let her speak as she poured out all the frustration and sorrow that had weighed her down.
The more Kurenai spoke, the more she drank, and the more she drank, the more memories she shared.
Hours passed, with Kurenai recounting her life's joys and heartbreaks, recounting moments that had defined her and Asuma's relationship, including her feelings about this unplanned pregnancy. She shared every detail, even mentioning her first love and her journey to this unexpected turning point in her life.
As the hours went by, Kurenai's intoxication began to fade. She leaned back in her chair, exhaling deeply. Her voice wavered, and her cheeks were flushed with the residue of alcohol.
She looked at Kingsu, her eyes uncertain. "Kingsu… I've been talking for so long, and you… haven't said anything."
Kingsu smiled gently. "I was just waiting for you to finish."
"Well… I guess I've said everything I wanted to…" Kurenai stammered, suddenly shy.
Kingsu straightened, his expression growing serious. Looking directly into her eyes, he spoke, his tone clear and unwavering.
"Then, Kurenai, I'll tell you now: I'll support you. Marry into the Uchiha clan."
Kurenai's eyes widened in shock, the alcohol leaving her system completely as the reality of his words sank in.
Her heartbeat quickened, thudding in her chest. Her whole body began to tremble. Even though she'd tried to bury any feelings she might have had for Kingsu, deep down she'd felt a faint admiration for him, a feeling she'd tried to ignore.
She remembered that morning, watching Kingsu summon his magnificent and powerful Susanoo. The sight had left her awestruck, moved by both his power and his calm demeanor. She knew it was human nature to admire strength, and, despite herself, she'd felt a tug in her heart.
She had kept these feelings hidden, masking them behind her strained relationship with Asuma, hoping no one would notice.
After a long pause, Kurenai finally found her voice, though it was barely a whisper. "Kingsu, please don't joke like this. You're… everything a person could want, but I… I'm already carrying another man's child. How could I be worthy of you?"
Kingsu reached out, covering her hand with his. His gaze was warm but resolute. "Kurenai, this child is mine."
Kurenai gasped. "Kingsu, please… don't make light of this. I haven't agreed to anything…"
But Kingsu's tone remained firm. "I'm not joking. Whether you accept it or not, this child is mine. I'm claiming that right. I am this child's father."
---
Kurenai felt her breath catch as she processed his words. Kingsu's eyes were steady, and she could see his sincerity. He wasn't playing games or speaking in jest. She saw in his gaze a commitment to both her and the unborn child.
Kurenai's eyes misted over. For the first time in a long while, she felt truly seen and understood. She had always held the Uchiha clan in high regard, knowing they were a proud and powerful lineage. The idea of her child growing up within that legacy felt surreal.
Taking a deep breath, she mustered the courage to speak. "Kingsu… do you really mean this?"
"More than anything," he replied without hesitation.
"But… I'm not an Uchiha. And given everything that's happened… will your clan even accept me?"
Kingsu nodded, his voice steady. "My clan will accept you. And I will ensure that you and our child are respected. The Uchiha legacy is one of strength and loyalty, and you, Kurenai, embody those qualities. Our child will inherit them, too."
For a moment, Kurenai looked away, her mind swirling with questions and doubts. The idea of joining the Uchiha clan felt overwhelming, but Kingsu's presence gave her a sense of peace.
As she mulled over the decision, Kingsu spoke again. "Kurenai, I'm not asking you to give up anything. I'm asking you to be part of something greater. Together, we can create a future, not just for ourselves, but for our clan, for our child."
Kurenai's eyes met his once again, and in that gaze, she saw a promise of protection and unwavering support. She had felt alone in her struggle, burdened by Asuma's harsh judgment and the stigma she'd faced. But now, in Kingsu's offer, she felt a glimmer of hope.
"Kingsu… I never imagined things would turn out this way," she whispered.
"Neither did I," Kingsu admitted, smiling softly. "But life has a way of surprising us. And sometimes, the best path forward isn't the one we planned but the one we find together."
Kurenai's heart swelled with gratitude, and for the first time in weeks, a genuine smile graced her lips. She felt the weight of her burdens lift, replaced by the strength of Kingsu's resolve.
As they sat in silence, the warmth between them grew, unspoken yet understood. Kingsu would stand by her, and together, they would forge a path that neither of them had expected.
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