Marrying Two Women at Once

"Naori, I'm here."

In front of a two-story house filled with the warmth of everyday life, its front yard planted with flower beds and butterflies flitting about, Uchiha Takeyasu gently knocked on the door.

His keen hearing picked up a series of footsteps inside, at first hurried, then slowing until they stopped.

(Naori's right by the entrance.)

Resisting the urge to use [Amenotokotachi], Uchiha Takeyasu waited quietly.

Three or four seconds later, the door opened. Soft morning light fell on Uchiha Naori, bringing her into Uchiha Takeyasu's view.

The purple-haired girl wasn't wearing the plain black robe she usually wore today. Instead, she had changed into a dignified, elegant white kimono decorated with clusters of red plum blossoms.

Her face, fresh as a lotus rising from clear water, was lightly made up, giving her a softer, more alluring look than usual.

"Come in."

Uchiha Naori stepped aside. After Uchiha Takeyasu entered, she brought out a new pair of men's slippers. As she tucked back a loose strand of hair, she crouched and placed them by Uchiha Takeyasu's feet.

Looking down, Uchiha Takeyasu could see the girl's gentle profile and her snow-white neck.

(Just like a newlywed wife.)

A warm feeling filled Uchiha Takeyasu's heart. He followed Uchiha Naori inside, and the two sat facing each other on either side of a small round table.

Uchiha Naori's hands were intertwined beneath the table. Even her delicate feet, pressed down by her thighs, were tense, forming graceful curves beneath her white socks.

(Did Young Lord dress up like this for me, or for Minamoto Kaori?)

Uchiha Naori had heard about the commotion in the main hall long ago.

Now that she saw Uchiha Takeyasu had skipped the main hall and come straight to her home instead, the girl—who had carefully dressed up with her mother's help—couldn't help but feel overjoyed.

But she couldn't help worrying, too. What if Young Lord had only come to tell her that he wanted to marry Minamoto Kaori, not her?

(I'm so nervous!)

The purple-haired girl buried all her feelings deep inside and did her best to act as usual, quietly waiting for Uchiha Takeyasu to speak.

(Judging by the Clan Head's attitude yesterday, there's a good chance Naori will accept me. I shouldn't hesitate any longer!)

Uchiha Takeyasu was just as prepared. He didn't beat around the bush, meeting Uchiha Naori's eyes directly. "Naori, I love you. Will you be my wife?"

His words came out a little rushed. Uchiha Naori had imagined this moment countless times the night before and rehearsed all sorts of answers, but her mind gave her only one word.

"Yes."

Once the word left her lips, Uchiha Naori felt her whole body relax, as if a heavy stone had been lifted from her heart. She instantly seemed radiant, her dark eyes shining brightly.

The girl's straightforward acceptance left Uchiha Takeyasu, who had prepared a whole string of promises, momentarily at a loss for words. But he quickly recovered.

Uchiha Takeyasu straightened up, placed both hands on his knees, and bowed, his voice trembling with excitement. "Naori, I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you."

"Takeyasu, I'm entrusting the rest of my life to you, too."

Upstairs, the woman who had been secretly watching beamed and covered her mouth with one hand. She crept back to the room, looked at her husband, and nodded firmly.

(Naori, be happy!)

Their daughter, whom they had raised for over a decade, was about to move into someone else's home. Naori's parents were both glad their daughter had grown up and reached the age to marry, and heartbroken that their lovely little cabbage was about to be devoured by a pig...

No, she was about to be claimed by the noble Young Lord and Hokage-sama.

They couldn't help wishing the couple well.

"Naori, will you come with me to the main hall?"

"Is this about Princess Kaori?"

"Yes."

"Then let's go. After all, I fell in love with you."

Uchiha Takeyasu rose first and reached out to help Uchiha Naori up. The girl looked up at him, and even though she had known this would happen, she still couldn't help feeling a twinge of dislike.

(But I'm the only one who can stay by Takeyasu's side forever.)

(If I'm ever killed in battle, at least Minamoto Kaori will be there, so Takeyasu won't have to be alone.)

Ninja were used to seeing life and death. Killing and being killed went on in an endless cycle. Even Hashirama Senju and Senju Tobirama had met their ends. Uchiha Naori didn't believe she was any different from anyone else.

All she wanted was for the person she loved to live happily.

(But sharing him with someone else still doesn't sit right with me.)

Composing herself and straightening her clothes, Uchiha Naori shot Uchiha Takeyasu a reproachful look, then turned and headed outside.

"Naori, wait for me."

Uchiha Takeyasu hurried after her and took the little hand swinging by her hip. With the clan members watching, the two walked toward the main hall.

(Young Lord sure gets things done quickly.)

The two entered the hall together, walking close. The Uchiha Three Elders smiled, while Minamoto Kazuhiko's expression shifted for a moment before he quickly masked it.

Minamoto Kaori pulled Tachibana into her arms. Beneath her veil, her eyes betrayed little emotion, as if she didn't care about any of it.

Only Tachibana knew that the girl's grip had tightened slightly and her petite body was trembling faintly.

"Sorry to have kept everyone waiting."

"Hokage-sama, there's no need to apologize."

Minamoto Kazuhiko smiled. "I've been having a pleasant discussion with the three elders, and we've already settled things like the bride price and dowry."

"Let me go over it again, in case anything needs to be added."

"There's no need. The Clan Head and the two elders speak for me."

Seated in the place of honor, Uchiha Takeyasu waved a hand, showing his complete trust in the Uchiha Three Elders. Then he changed the subject, leaving everyone present stunned.

"The only issue is that we'll need to make some changes to the wedding ceremony. I'll be marrying two women at once."

"Two women at once?"

Even Minamoto Kazuhiko, who had seen his own father take concubines one after another at the Feudal Lord's Palace, was taken aback. Everyone else married one woman at a time, but Uchiha Takeyasu was planning to wed two simultaneously. Wasn't that taking things a little too far?

One of them was the esteemed princess of the Land of Fire, no less. Wasn't this a slight against the Daimyo of the Land of Fire?

So what if he was the Hokage?!

Knowing better than to say all that aloud, Minamoto Kazuhiko kept it to himself and merely looked troubled.

The Uchiha Three Elders exchanged glances but, tacitly, said nothing.

For bloodline clans, more children meant more blessings. The three of them couldn't stand seeing members of their clan remain bachelors.

"I'll leave the wedding ceremony to the Clan Head and the two elders. You can decide when it'll be held."

"Prince Kazuhiko, please feel free to offer any suggestions you have. Our families will be related by marriage from now on, so we should stay in close touch. I look forward to seeing you become the Daimyo of the Land of Fire."

Minamoto Kazuhiko's eyes lit up. The troubled look on his face instantly gave way to a warm smile. "Please rest assured, Hokage-sama. I have quite a bit of experience with wedding ceremonies."

"Then that's settled."

Uchiha Takeyasu smiled warmly. "Until the wedding, Princess Kaori can stay with the Uchiha Clan. Naori, Kaori, and I can spend time together and grow closer."

"I hope the three of us can walk side by side in the days to come."

"Meow~"

"Of course, that includes our adorable Tachibana."